Controversy’s child: The many social media storms triggered by ex-judge Katju
Justice Markandey Katju has never shied away to express his views on Twitter and Facebook on range of issues to invite attraction --- and criticism.
The Supreme Court has handed an unprecedented contempt notice to one of its former judges, justice Markandey Katju, who alleged he had been singled out for “speaking against judicial corruption” at higher levels.
Katju was summoned by the court on Friday to explain his criticism of the order that rejected the death penalty to a convict in the 2011 rape and murder of Kerala woman Soumya.
But Katju posted on Twitter:
Read: Don’t treat me like this: Ex-judge Katju after SC issues contempt notice
When in the courtroom, judges sought an explanation on what they said appeared to be “an assault on the judges”, Katju said he was not scared. The tense exchange led to judges calling the security to escort Katju out.
An active social media user, Katju has never shied away to express his views on Twitter and Facebook. Be it the mockery of Bihar residents or the government’s demonetisation move, he has stuck his neck out on a range of issues to invite attraction --- and criticism. Take a look.
On Centre’s crackdown on black money
The Centre announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes would cease to be legal tender from November 8 midnight, in an immediate attack on black money and terror funding.
But the former Supreme Court judge criticised the government’s action, and even raked up Muhammed bin Tughlaq, a 14th century Delhi emperor who ordered demonetisation of gold and silver coins and replaced them with copper and brass coins.
On triple talaq
Under ‘triple talaq’, a man can divorce his wife by pronouncing the Urdu word three times.
On JNU student leaders who have been vocal about the Centre of late
The Jawaharlal Nehru University in the Capital has become a majorly active political hub since the February 9 event that stirred protests and brought the student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Shehla Rashid and others to limelight.
Justice Katju talks about why the student leaders, vocal on almost every other move by the government, are silent on crucial issues like triple talaq.
On Delhi’s air pollution -- and yoga guru Ramdev
Delhi’s air pollution recently spiked to dangerous levels due to Diwali firecrackers and crop-burning in nearby states. Katju wondered if Ramdev, known for his wide range of Patanjali products, had a cure for the alarming pollution.
On judicial probe into SIMI ‘encounter’
Eight suspected members of the Students Islamic Movement of India were gunned down in an alleged encounter hours after they used knotted bedsheets to climb out of a Bhopal prison after killing a guard. Many expressed doubts about the encounter to be genuine.
On NDTV India ban
Following a recommendation by an inter-ministerial committee of the information and broadcasting ministry, the government ordered a one-day blackout of Hindi news channel NDTV India for revealing “strategically-sensitive” details of the Pathankot airbase during a militant attack in January. The ban was later stayed.
On Kashmir crisis
The Kashmir Valley has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July8.
On Partition and Pakistan
Manohar Joshi judgment
A three-judge Supreme Court bench in 1995 had held that “Hindutva/Hinduism is a way of life of the people in the sub-continent” and “is a state of mind”. The judgment was delivered in the case of Manohar Joshi versus NB Patil, which was authored by Justice JS Verma. He found the statement by Joshi that “First Hindu State will be established in Maharashtra” did not amount to appeal on ground of religion.
On Tata boardroom fight
Tata Sons removed Cyrus Mistry as the top boss of the Indian conglomerate. The ripples of the boardroom decision set off more waves as Mistry reacted in emails that went public and some other important office-bearers were also shown the door.
On Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray asked producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to pay Rs 5 crore as ‘penance’ to cast Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the movie. The word came out from a meeting between Karan Johar with Thackeray, mediated by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
On Samajwadi Party’s infighting
The political feud in the ruling Yadav family of Uttar Pradesh erupted after an apparent tussle between CM Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal. Tit-for-tat sackings by both camps complicated the matters, and even party chief Mulayam found it hard to tackle the crisis.
On Arnab Goswami and his security
Ex-Times Now editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami was given Y-category security after he allegedly received threats from Pakistani extremist outfits.
On Dahi handi
Dahi Handi is a festival celebrated on Janmashtami when high human pyramids are raised to break a mud-pot of curd. The activity, most popular in the Mumbai suburbs, came under the court scanner when some pyramids on collapsing caused serious casualties.
On Biharis
“Jungle raj” is a term loosely associated with a sense of lawlessness in Bihar.