HC judge’s observation sparks row

Pakistan declared that it was an Islamic country... India should also have been declared a Hindu country...

Justice S.R. Sen, Meghalaya HC judge

What sort of judgement is this? Will the judiciary and the government take note of this.

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief

hyderabad — AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday termed as unacceptable the judgment of Meghalaya High Court that India should have been a Hindu nation.

The Member of Parliament from Hyderabad said the judiciary and the government should take note of this judgment as an attempt was being made to spread hatred.

Owaisi was reacting to the judgement delivered by Justice S.R. Sen on Monday while disposing of a petition relating to refusal of Domicile Certificate to an army recruit.

“Pakistan declared that it was an Islamic country... India should also have been declared a Hindu country...,” Justice SR Sen said on Monday.

The judge also observed that India must have uniform law for all citizens. He said that anybody opposing the country’s laws and Constitution “cannot be considered a citizen of the country”.

“However, I am not against my Muslim brothers and sisters, who are residing in India for generations and abiding Indian laws, they should also be allowed to live peacefully,” the judge said.

Addressing a public meeting organised by the All India Majlis-eIttehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) late on Wednesday night, Owaisi said the judge who took oath on Indian Constitution can’t give such a wrong judgment.

“India will not become an Islamic country. India will remain a plural and secular country,” said Owaisi on Justice Sen’s reported observation that nobody should try to make India another Islamic country.

“What sort of judgement is this? Will the judiciary and the government take note of this,” he said.

The MP advised Justice Sen to interpret the Constitution and not to beg Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The judge has observed that he has faith in Modi that he will protect India from becoming another Islamic country.

“Nobody should try to make India another Islamic country... I am confident that only this government under Narendra Modi Ji will understand the gravity, and will do the needful as requested above and our Chief Minister Mamata ji will support the national interest in all respect,” Justice Sen’s order read.

He also urged Modi to enact laws to allow non-Muslims living in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to come to India and take Indian citizenship.