Impeachment Against Madras High Court Judge G. R. Swaminathan || Not an Attack on the Judiciary, but on Sanatan Dharma || Are Indian Politicians Slaves of a communal fundamentalist ?
If it is said abroad that Hindus are in danger in India, that Hinduism itself is under threat, many may dismiss it as an exaggeration or even a joke. However, every conscious Hindu living in India knows well that today he is not treated as a second-class citizen, but rather as a seventh or eighth-class one—against whom anyone, anywhere, at any time, can do anything.
On the hill of Thirupparankundram in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, the tradition of lighting the sacred lamp has existed for centuries. This time, however, the local administration stopped it. On a petition filed by Hindus, the High Court granted permission to light the lamp on the ancient stone pillar under the tradition of “Karthigai Deepam.” Enraged by this, anti-Sanatan elements appeared to lose their mental balance and opened a front against the judge. The reason is obvious—how could a judge possibly deliver a verdict in favor of Hindus at the cost of vote-bank politics?
Blatantly disregarding the Constitution, the Tamil Nadu government failed to comply with the court’s order. Even after the High Court directed that the lamp be lit under the protection of central security forces, the local administration imposed Section 144 in the area and prevented devotees from entering the temple premise. In its report, the Central Industrial Security Force stated that the Madurai Police Commissioner, along with more than 200 police personnel, obstructed their unit from implementing the court’s order. The state government ensured, at any cost, that the tradition of lamp-lighting was not completed.
Not only the DMK government, but leaders of every opposition party—big and small—have been spewing venom against the judge who delivered the verdict, Justice G. R. Swaminathan. This amounts to intimidating the judiciary and issuing a warning for the future. Such an instance of contempt is extremely rare in India’s judicial history. The state government has committed a grave constitutional violation, and such a government ought to have been dismissed immediately by the President. However, keeping the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in mind, the BJP-led central government is unlikely to take such a political risk.
Meanwhile, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, along with the Congress, Samajwadi Party, TMC, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), AIMIM, Indian Union Muslim League, and other opposition parties, submitted an impeachment motion bearing the signatures of 120 Members of Parliament against Justice G. R. Swaminathan to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Leaders such as Priyanka Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, T. R. Baalu, Kanimozhi, and others were present at the time of submission.
Although this motion is unlikely to proceed further due to the BJP’s majority in both houses of Parliament, had the Congress been in power at this time, not only would the impeachment have been passed, but a clear message would also have been sent—that those who respect Hindu faith would not be spared.
What thousands of attacks by fanatical Islamic invaders and centuries of foreign rule could not accomplish, India’s own politics is attempting to do today. The dream of turning India into an Islamic nation through “Ghazwa-e-Hind,” envisioned by extremists, is now being actively pursued by selfish politicians—solely for Muslim votes, through which they can attain power and enjoy royal privileges. Tragically, many among them are Hindus themselves, who have no respect for their ancestors, culture, or civilization. It is difficult to imagine such a profound moral decline in any civilized society.
Even before the controversies surrounding the announcements of Babri Mosque construction and government-backed foundation-laying ceremonies in Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Hyderabad (Telangana) had cooled down, the DMK government of Tamil Nadu, determined not to lag behind in Muslim appeasement, chose to confront the judiciary itself. As a result, Justice Swaminathan’s name came into the limelight in the temple–dargah dispute. At present, opposition parties are competing with one another to prove who is the greatest benefactor of Muslims. The Congress has even openly declared: “Congress means Muslims, and Muslims mean Congress.” It is easy to understand where Indian politics is heading.
As far as the dispute itself is concerned, Thirupparankundram is one of the six major abodes of Lord Murugan (Kartikeya). During the Tamil month of Karthigai, the tradition of lighting a lamp on the hill is extremely ancient. Near the same hill stands a dargah, due to which the matter was made sensitive. Although the Muslim community has no objection to the lamp being lit, the state government seems to be telling them, “You may not know it, but you do have a problem.”
It is tragic and unfortunate that in today’s India, Hindus require judicial intervention to practice their faith and rituals—and even after a judicial verdict, they cannot peacefully perform worship of their deity on their own land. What kind of Constitution is this, which fails to protect the country’s original culture and religion? Due to obstinate anti-Hindu attitudes, the date for lamp-lighting has already passed.
The executive, the judiciary, NGOs, civil society, secularists, reformists, leftists, extremists, so-called moderates, intellectual groups, and both central and state governments—everyone’s target is always the Hindu. But why?
As for Justice Swaminathan, at first glance there is no indication of any particular bias. He has delivered judgments against the BJP’s Tamil Nadu president Annamalai in hate-speech cases. Several of his decisions have gone in favor of the Muslim community as well. He is known for his clear observations and swift judgments. Recently, he released his performance data, which showed that he disposed of nearly 65,000 cases in seven years—an achievement in itself. This is an outstanding example of judicial responsibility.
In reality, this impeachment is not an attack on a judge, but a direct assault on Sanatan Dharma. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and his family have long been working against Sanatan traditions. Stalin himself once described Sanatan Dharma as “dengue and malaria” and vowed to eradicate it from its roots.
It is heartening that many retired judges, lawyers, and members of the intellectual community have come forward in support of Justice G. R. Swaminathan. Otherwise, the manner in which the opposition is attacking constitutional institutions for its own interests would have placed India’s democratic system in grave danger.
The need of the hour is for all followers of Sanatan Dharma to rise above caste and language and establish unity among themselves. Otherwise, even while being a majority, they will be responsible for their own persecution. A community that cannot protect its religion and culture cannot expect anyone else to protect it—and no one ever will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shiv Mishra ~~~~~~~~~~~~~