The Punjab and Haryana High Court held that free speech cannot justify terms like ‘casteist goons’, as such language unfairly criminalises entire communities. Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj rejected activist-lawyer Rajat Kalsan’s plea to quash the criminal case pending.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday (14th Feb) addressed a petition filed by some lawyers from Karnataka, who are seeking reservation for lawyers from marginalized communities in bar bodies. The Court acknowledged that this was an important matter but also made it clear that while diversity in bar bodies is necessary, they do not want these bodies to become divided along caste or religious lines.
The Supreme Court of India stated that classifications based on race, religion, language, or caste are human-made and not created by God, emphasizing that caste cannot be a barrier in appointing non-hereditary temple trustees. Dismissing a petition against a Kerala High Court judgment, the court upheld the principles of fairness and transparency in trustee selection, following detailed guidelines issued by the High Court to ensure unbiased and equitable appointments in temples under the Malabar Devaswom Board’s jurisdiction.
The Karnataka High Court issued an interim stay on the proceedings initiated against officials and faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) following a notice from the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) cell. This notice stemmed from a complaint by Gopal Das, an associate professor at the IIMB who alleged caste-based discrimination at the institute.
Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, speaking at a national council meeting in Gujarat, stressed the significance of fraternity as a unifying force in the Indian Constitution amidst rising divisive rhetoric and economic inequality. He urged for proactive judicial roles and inclusive policies to promote unity and harmony in society, emphasizing the continual journey towards a just community.
Kalpana Das Chandrachud, wife of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, reflects on her inclusive childhood in Kerala, celebrating various religious festivals without discrimination. She completed her education in Kasaragod and married in 2008, choosing to wear only her wedding ring. The couple adopted two special needs children, enriching their family life.