R S Adopt Censure Resolution Against Justice Markandeya Katju For Remarks On Mahatma Gandhi

11 March, New Delhi

The Rajya Sabha today expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the recent remarks of the former Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju against the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subash Chandra Bose who led the Indian National Army for the freedom of the country.

Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari announced that the Resolution was adopted unanimously by the members.

Earlier, Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party raised the issue demanding a statement from the government. He was joined by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress.

He said this is a serious matter and how can a former judge make such comments against Mahatma Gandhi. Sharad yadav of the JD(U) suggested adopting a resolution to condemn the remarks.

Sharing the concerns of the members, Leader of the House, Arun Jaitley said, Mahatma Gandhi was unquestionably the greatest citizen of the country of this era. The government outrightly condemns such a statement.

He said the country can never accept this kind of statement. Mr Jaitley wondered how people of such a mind-set are becoming judges. Senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh demanded action should be taken against Justice Katju under relevant laws.

Dr Singh said he had the opportunity of personally meeting Mahatma Gandhi in 1947. Ms Rajni Patil of the Congress said the former judge should be jailed. K C Tyagi of the JD(U) raised strong protest against the remark.