Was CIC Mahurkar Right In His Views? https://www.rediff.com/news/special/was-cic-mahurkar-right-in-his-views/20221202.htm By JYOTI PUNWANI December 02, 2022
'As CIC, you have the power to comment on policy matters. 'If you have very strong beliefs and you know your rulings will be reported, you will express your beliefs.'
Former CIC Shailesh Gandhi says someone in a quasi-judicial position often made remarks that might, strictly speaking, not be seen as falling under his/her purview. However, the primary thread that runs through CIC Uday Mahurkar's ruling is an echo of Hindutva's pet refrains against 'appeasement of Muslims' and 'discrimination against Hindus', not the need for transparency
CIC Mahurkar: Castigating the Wakf Board for its lack of transparency,, the CIC described this matter as one which 'affects the provisions of the Constitution of India,.. the policy of giving special benefits to Muslim community before 1947 that played a key role in encouraging pan-Islamic and fissiparous tendencies in a section of Muslims ultimately leading to the nation's Partition.' Mahurkar then argued that giving salaries to imams would also be a step in that direction. Finally, the CIC directed that his ruling be sent to the law minister 'for suitable action to to ensure enforcement of provisions of Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution of India in letter and spirit, to keep all religions of India at par in terms of payment of monthly remuneration of priests of different religions at the cost of the public exchequers...'