NEW DELHI: Allahabad high court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav‘s remark on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), calling it a measure to “eliminating unequal legal systems” has triggered controversy, with the Supreme Court intervening in the matter.
Justice Yadav’s speech, made on December 8 while addressing a provincial convention of the legal cell and high court unit of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Allahabad high court, included remarks that did not go well with a certain section.
“UCC’s purpose is to promote social harmony, gender equality and secularism by eliminating unequal legal systems based on different religions and communities,” Justice Yadav told the gathering in Allahabad.
“The aim is to replace various personal laws that currently govern personal matters within different religious communities, ensuring uniformity of laws not only between communities but within a community,” he added.
Following the remarks, lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna seeking an “in-house enquiry” into the conduct of Justice Yadav.
In the letter, Bhushan said Justice Yadav delivered a speech endorsing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) while making controversial remarks perceived as targeting the Muslim community.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the appropriateness of Justice Yadav attending the VHP event.
Taking to X, Owaisi raised concerns over judicial independence and impartiality. The VHP is a right-wing organisation affiliated with the RSS. It hosted the event in Prayagraj on Sunday, where Justice Yadav spoke on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), he said.
“It is unfortunate that a HC judge attended the conference of such an organisation. This ‘speech’ can be easily rebutted, but it’s more important to remind his honour that the Constitution of India expects impartiality,” Owaisi further wrote.
Justice Yadav graduated in law from Allahabad University in 1988. Two years after graduating, he enrolled as an advocate in 1990. Has practised in Allahabad high court on the civil and constitutional side and has served as an additional government advocate and standing counsel for Uttar Pradesh.
He has also worked as additional chief standing counsel. Justice Yadav was also the senior counsel of the central government and railway before taking oath as an additional judge on December 12, 2019, and permanent judge on March 26, 2021.
Amid the uproar over Justice Yadav’s remark, the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a detailed report from the Allahabad high court following reports of a controversial speech delivered by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge at the high court. “
The Supreme Court has taken note of the newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the High Court and the matter is under consideration (sic),” an official statement said.