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Political Notes |
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Judiciary-Executive confrontation on Forest panel
Another confrontation between the Executive and the Judiciary is building up over the appointment of members to the Forest Advisory Committee. The Centre took a tough stand on Friday, Jan. 5, on alleged judicial interference in administrative matters, contending that some recent orders of the Supreme Court went beyond its jurisdiction and were contrary to statutory provisions.
A Bench, headed by Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, was upset when Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh accused the court of going beyond its scope of jurisdiction in “passing orders contrary to the statute.”
Taking serious exception to such an unprecedented allegation against the judiciary, the Bench remarked, “When orders were passed in the past, the Attorney General, Solicitor General or the Counsel for the Centre did not on a single occasion say we are passing orders, contrary to the Constitution.”
Such learning, the court commented, was coming from the ASG for the first time. But unrelenting in his attack, the ASG alleged that the court did not respect other institutions.
Defending the decision not to include any of the nine names suggested by amicus curaie and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), in the forest advisory committee, Forest Secretary Pradip Ghosh not only doubted the professional qualifications of the independent experts, but also their commitment to environment and forests.
The Supreme Court’s directive on Police Reforms has also drawn flak from most states. Except for Sikkim and Manipur, all other states have either expressed their opposition to the court’s directions or sought more time to implement them. As many as a dozen Chief Ministers, cutting across party lines have alleged that the apex court’s directions infringe on the powers of the state as per the Constitution, undermine the federal structure and erode the authority of the legislature.
Despite the unwillingness of most states, the Centre plans to go ahead and implement key police reforms in the Union Territories under its control. In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Centre said that a committee on national security and central police personnel welfare has been formed in tune with its commitment to bring about police reforms. A copy of the modern police law is being sent to all states.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice of India-designate, K.G. Balakrishnan has said that there is no confrontation between the judiciary and other wings of the Government. In a television interview, he said there is need to use the judiciary’s powers in exceptional cases and very carefully.
Liberhan panel’s term extended
The Liberhan Commission set up in 1992 to probe the December 6 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya has got another extension of three months. It has now been asked to submit its report by March 31. The Home Ministry said that this is last extension and the Commission is expected to submit its report on or before March 31.
The timing is significant as Uttar Pradesh is slated to go to polls in April-May this year and a report by the Commission in the run-u p to the Assembly elections will become a lot political issue, particularly with the BJP reiterating its commitment to the Ram temple at Ayodhya.
Ardh Kumbh Festival : Rare example of Hindu-Muslim unity
In a unique gesture, some local Muslims in Allahabad have decided to take a dip at the holy Sangam on the occasion Makar Sankranti on Jan. 14, or the day of the first Shahi Snan - during the ongoing Ardh Kumbh festival.
The group of 10 Muslims, including one who had performed Haj last year, have decided to bathe in the holy river on that day, as according to them, it is part of what they call Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb.
What is more, all the members of Allahabad’s Muslim community have decided to walk towards Sangam in a group to show solidarity with Hindu devotees gathered at Sangam. The community feels the motto of bathing is to pass a message of live and peace between the two communities,m who will thus come closer to serve each other.
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