Legislators taking oath in Allah’s name valid: SC
Legislators taking oath in the name of Allah at the time of their swearing-in is legal and constitutionally valid, the Supreme Court said on Friday. The apex court said swearing-in in the name of Allah did not amount to infraction of the Constitut...
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Legislators taking oath in the name of Allah at the time of their swearing-in is legal and constitutionally valid, the Supreme Court said on Friday. The apex court said swearing-in in the name of Allah did not amount to infraction of the Constitution.
“If somebody is unable to read English, the oath is translated into language he/she understands. Then will it be the infraction of the Constitution?” a bench headed by chief justice KG Balakrishnan observed.
“Allah is an Arabic word for God, so what is the problem?” the bench said. Madhu Parumala, vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Kerala unit, had filed an appeal against the Kerala HC’s order which had upheld the validity of the oath taken by 11 MLAs in the name of Allah after last year’s Assembly elections.
Madhu had contended that taking the oath in the name of Allah was violative of Article 188 and third schedule of the Constitution under which a member of the legislature or Parliament has to swear only in the name of god or solemnly affirm.
When Madhu’s counsel said oath by the MLAs in the name of Allah was taken for publicity, the bench shot back, “By filing such petition you are also seeking publicity.”
The 11 MLAs of the Indian Union Muslim League, Indian National League and Congress had reportedly taken the oath in the name of Allah on May 24, 2006.
“If somebody is unable to read English, the oath is translated into language he/she understands. Then will it be the infraction of the Constitution?” a bench headed by chief justice KG Balakrishnan observed.
“Allah is an Arabic word for God, so what is the problem?” the bench said. Madhu Parumala, vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Kerala unit, had filed an appeal against the Kerala HC’s order which had upheld the validity of the oath taken by 11 MLAs in the name of Allah after last year’s Assembly elections.
Madhu had contended that taking the oath in the name of Allah was violative of Article 188 and third schedule of the Constitution under which a member of the legislature or Parliament has to swear only in the name of god or solemnly affirm.
When Madhu’s counsel said oath by the MLAs in the name of Allah was taken for publicity, the bench shot back, “By filing such petition you are also seeking publicity.”
The 11 MLAs of the Indian Union Muslim League, Indian National League and Congress had reportedly taken the oath in the name of Allah on May 24, 2006.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
