Land, faith and politics: Big SC rulings next week

NEWDELHI: Thesecondhalfofnext week will be one of the most significant in the history of the Supreme Court with a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, who retires on November 17, set to deliver at least four important and muchawaited judgments: on the Ram Janmabhoomi-BabriMasjiddispute,onreviewpetitionsoverthe purchase of Rafale jets from France, the entry of female worshippers between the ages of 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala temple, and on whether the CJI’s office falls within the sweep of RTI Act. All the judgments are likely to be delivered on November 13, 14, and 15.

The fact that these judgments will all be delivered next week became clear on Thursday after the SC registry issued the list of businessforFriday,showingthat justiceGogoiwillnotbepronouncing judgments on any of the issues on Friday. November 11 and12beingholidays,thisleaves justthreeworkingdays,November 13 to 15, for the CJI to deliver the verdicts.

AheadofthecrucialAyodhya verdict,theUttarPradeshadministrationhasdeployedadditional forces, clamped prohibitory ordersonlargegatherings,andis keeping a close watch on social mediaposts.TopHinduandMuslim leaders have appealed for calm and police is conducting mock drills, flag marches and dronesurveillancetopreparefor the day of the judgment.

TheUnionhomeministryhas askedallstates, inparticularUP, to ramp up security. About 40 companiesofparamilitaryforces havebeensent.TheRPFhasprepared a list of about 80 major stations for deployment of additional force. To be sure, the CJI delivering importantverdictsin quick succession is not a unique occurrence.Lastyear,inthedays running up to his retirement, then CJI Dipak Misra delivered important judgments such as decriminalisinghomosexuality, ruling that privacy is a fundamental right, establishing the constitutional validity of Aadhaar while protecting the rights of individuals, and allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.