In an open letter to the AP High Court Advocates Association and the Chairman of the Bar Council of India, the Indian Lawyers Association (ILA) expressed disapproval of recent acts that they claimed threatened the judiciary’s secular character.
The AP High Court Advocates Association and the Chairman of the Bar Council of India have recently taken actions that the ILA has questioned in an open letter. In particular, the letter responds to the Chairman’s demand for a national court vacation on January 22, which falls on the same day as the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Furthermore, the Advocates Association invited a religious ceremony known as “Pooja” to be held at Advocates Association Hall on the court grounds. The ILA denounced this offer.
The ILA letter states that the construction of religious places such as temples or mosques is a private matter for individuals and followers of a faith. It emphasizes that such events should not be a part of state affairs, particularly when they are influenced by historical circumstances. The letter views the active promotion of a religious event by the state and the involvement of contemporary politics as a dangerous phenomenon that threatens the secular foundation of the nation. It highlights the importance of the separation of state and religion, which is a fundamental principle of the Constitution. The letter emphasizes that the framers of the constitution aimed to establish a nation that is detached from religion while ensuring individuals’ right to practice and profess their faith.
The letter, signed by G. Santha Kumar, President of the Andhra Pradesh State Committee of ILA, states that the legal fraternity has a responsibility to uphold constitutional morality at all times. It emphasizes that the judiciary should not involve itself in the affairs of private trusts run by private individuals. The letter also criticizes the Chairman of the Bar Council and the AP High Court Advocates Association for their actions, stating that they not only violate the secular fabric of the nation but also attempt to politicize the judiciary. ILA expresses its deep concern over these unconstitutional and illegal acts, and calls for institutional restraints to preserve the secular nature of the judiciary and promote legal and constitutional propriety in society.