Rajya Sabha To Adopt Resolution Condemning Justice Markandeya Katju’s Remark Against Mahatma Gandhi

11 March, New Delhi

The Rajya Sabha Wednesday has unanimously decided to adopt a resolution condemning the remarks by a former Supreme Court Judge Markandeya Katju on the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

As soon as the House met for the day, 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 the father of the nation. 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 outright condemns such a statement. He said the country can never accept this kind of statement. Jaitley wondered how people of such a mind-set are becoming judges.

Senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh demanded that 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. Later, Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien observed that a resolution will be adopted later.