The All India Lawyers Association (AILAJ) has called for disciplinary action against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav for making what it calls “communal, Islamophobic and Hindu majoritarian” remarks at an event organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, the AILAJ said Justice Yadav’s statements, made during a lecture on the “Constitutional Necessity of Uniform Civil Code” on December 8, 2024, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, were unbecoming of a judicial officer. The AILAJ cited video snippets of the lecture and event reportage as evidence, alleging that Justice Yadav used derogatory language and displayed a disregard for the Constitution and the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct.
Introducing himself, Justice Shekhar said that any description of himself would be incomplete without mentioning that he hails from the country where River Ganga flows. “My country is one where the cow, the [Bhagwad] Gita, and the Ganga form the culture, where every idol embodies Harbala Devi, and where every child is like Ram,” he said, equating Hindu religious symbols with the cultural identities of Indians.
The judge also made several thinly veiled references to the Muslim community, highlighting culture and the necessity for Uniform Civil Code (UCC). “Here, from childhood, children are guided towards god, taught Vedic mantras, and told about non-violence. But in your culture, from a young age, children are exposed to the slaughter of animals. How can you expect them to be tolerant and compassionate?” he said, also stating that it was “unacceptable for a man to have four wives.”
He had also said that he had no hesitation in saying that this is Hindustan. “This country will function as per the wishes of the bahusankhyak (majority) living in Hindustan. This is the law. You can't say that [I am] saying this despite being a High Court judge. The law works according to the majority. Look at it in the context of family or society … Only what benefits the welfare and happiness of the majority will be accepted,” he said.
The organisation highlighted that Justice Yadav’s statements, particularly his statement that the country would function according to the wishes of the majority, promoted Hindu majoritarianism and violated the Indian Constitution's commitment to secularism and the rule of law. The AILAJ also noted that Justice Yadav’s statements were “communal, Islamophobic and reflect a Hindu majoritarian viewpoint, mirroring that of the organisers of the event.”
The AILAJ urged the Supreme Court to institute a disciplinary process against Justice Yadav and to withdraw all his administrative and judicial work until the completion of the proceedings. The organisation also demanded an unconditional apology from Justice Yadav for his statements.
