Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Nariman said Shanti Bhushan was a man of tremendous commitment who quit the BJP because he believed it lacked secularism. He recalled that Bhushan always acted according to principles shaped by his family’s strong secular tradition.
The Supreme Court of India overturned a Kerala High Court ruling that invalidated A Raja’s election from Devikulam, allowing him to continue as MLA. The High Court had ruled Raja, a Christian, was ineligible for a Scheduled Caste seat reserved for Hindus. The Supreme Court dismissed the election petition and restored Raja’s status.
Today, 27th January, The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on a graveyard dispute involving Christian burial rights, with one judge ruling that the denial of a burial site violated Articles 21 (right to life) and 14 (equality before the law). The case highlighted concerns over religious discrimination in burial practices. However, the bench declined to refer the matter to a larger bench for further deliberation. The ruling underscores the tension between individual religious rights and local government policies.
The Allahabad High Court rejected a bail plea under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, expressing concern that continued religious conversions could lead to the majority population becoming a minority. The court emphasized that while the Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, it doesn’t permit forced conversions. The accused’s bail was denied.
The Supreme Court Today (May 16th) stayed criminal proceedings before a trial court in Uttar Pradesh over five FIRs lodged against the vice-chancellor of the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) and others for alleged illegal conversion of Hindus to Christianity.
