'Ram Mandir Not Judiciary's Duty'- Indian Lawyers Association Condemns BCI Request for Court Holiday on Jan 22

Guntur- The Indian Lawyers Association (ILA) has penned an open letter addressing the Chairman of the Bar Council of India and the AP High Court Advocates Association, expressing dissent over recent actions that allegedly compromise the secular nature of the judiciary.

ILA has issued the open letter challenging recent initiatives by the Chairman of the Bar Council of India and the AP High Court Advocates Association. The letter specifically addresses the Chairman's request for a nationwide court holiday on January 22, coinciding with the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Additionally, the ILA condemned an invitation from the Advocates Association for a religious ritual, 'Pooja,' in Advocates Association Hall, within the court premises.

The ILA letter reads, " Construction of any temple or mosque or any place of worship is completely a private or a religious affair of the Individuals and followers of a faith. Such an event, though might have the highest significance for a section of society, can never be a part of state affairs, especially when such an event is a result of an unprecedented history. It is a dangerous phenomenon and an attack on the secular fabric of the nation that the state is actively promoting a religious event and contemporary politics are indicating a future of extremist religious trends in politics. Separation of State and religion is a fundamental character of the Constitution and the makers of the constitution were committed to building a nation that is separated from religion while guaranteeing individuals a right to practice and profess their faith."

The letter signed by G. Santha Kumar, President , Andhra Pradesh State Committee of ILA , further reads, " Legal fraternity, unlike political parties, is expected to uphold CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY at all times and shall always protect the Constitution and its principles. It is not the duty of our Institution, the judiciary to involve in the affairs of a private trust run by private individuals. However, the acts of the Chairman of the Bar Council and the AP High Court Advocates Association above stated are not only violating the secular fabric of the nation but also an attempt to politicize the judiciary. These acts are highly unconstitutional, illegal and lacks authority. Therefore, ILA expresses its highest concern over the attempts to disrupt the secular nature of the judiciary and wishes to call for Institutional restraints to build a sane society through actively promoting legal and constitutional propriety."

The Mooknayak spoke to G. Santha Kumar to verify the content of the letter that is going viral on the social media.

Kumar endorsed the content and said ILA is not against any faith but stands for constitutional morality. It emphasizes the legal fraternity's duty to uphold constitutional values and principles, stressing that the judiciary should refrain from involvement in the affairs of private trusts run by individuals.