Salva Judum case: judges consider “unfortunate” Amit Shah’s “public misinterpretation” of the Supreme Court judgment

A group of judges, including former Supreme Court judges and chief justices of the High Court, have termed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statements on the Salva Judum case as “unfortunate”, saying the minister is “misinterpreting” the SC judgment publicly.

“The statement of Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah publicly misinterpreting the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Salva Judum case is regrettable. The judgment nowhere, either expressly or by compelling implication of its text, supports Naxalism or its ideology,” the joint statement said.

“An erroneous and prejudicial interpretation of a Supreme Court judgment by a senior political official is likely to have a chilling effect on Supreme Court judges, undermining the independence of the judiciary,” the text adds.

The justices also called for restraint in questioning the ideologies of the vice presidential candidates.

“While the campaign for the post of Vice President of India may be ideological, it can be conducted in a civil and dignified manner. Criticism of the so-called ideology of any of the candidates should be avoided,” the statement said.

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“Out of respect for the office of the Indian Vice-President, it would be wise to refrain from any insult,” the text adds.

What Amit Shah said

In an interview with news agency ANI, Shah said the left-wing ideology of former Supreme Court judge Sudershan Reddy, the opposition vice-presidential candidate, could have been the reason why the Indian alliance chose him as its candidate.

He said Reddy may not have supported Naxalism itself, but the judgment did.

“This is a Supreme Court report that it rejected Salwa Judum and ended the right of self-defense of the tribes. Due to this, Naxalism lasted for more than two decades in this country. At that time, Naxalism was breathing its last breath,” Shah said.

“The tribes formed Salwa Judum to protect themselves. The Supreme Court rejected it. After that, the schools destroyed because of Naxalites, CRPF and security forces were present in these schools. They expelled everyone overnight by issuing an order. There were attacks on security forces at many places. Rahul Gandhi should respond to these two judgments more than Sudershan Reddy,” Shah told ANI.

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