Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP wants more SC, ST, OBC, women judges

Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development Upendra Kushwaha has said that lack of inclusiveness in the judicial system raises concerns. "The low representation of economically backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, women and other disadvantaged groups in Indian judiciary leads to perceived lack of faith of these sections of society in the judicial system which does not augur well for the institution," said Kushwaha.

Kushwaha was speaking at the launch of his Bihar-based party Rashtriya Lok Samta Party’s "Halla Bol, Darwaza Khol" campaign on Sunday, May 20 at the Constitution Club in New Delh, aimed at advocating the cause of inclusiveness in the Indian judiciary system and creating awareness about the issue.

"RLSP has always stood by the disadvantaged sections of the society and this campaign is also in the same light," said RLSP General Secretary Madhav Anand at the launch of the nationwide campaign. Holding that justice should not only be delivered, but should be seen as getting delivered, Anand said: "The current collegium system of appointment has led to nepotism and exclusion of marginalised sections of society. This has to change."

Also present on the occasion were retired Supreme Court Justice Bisheshwar Prasad Singh, constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap and former Delhi High Court judge Mool Chand Garg, among others.

Justice Singh said that appointment of the judges is decided by the President after discussion with the Chief Justice of India, and sought a way to make the process more transparent. "Indian judicial system is passing through testing times. While on one hand, there are challenges like huge pendency of cases, delay in delivery of justice, alleged lack of transparency on the other hand, there is immense scope for reforms which will increase common people's faith in Indian judicial system," he said.

Kashyap said that the appointments are not done according to the Constitution, and accused the judiciary of trying to change it.

RLSP also called for an initiative to bring in reform to the judiciary through removal of collegium system and establishment of an All India Judicial Service for appointment and selection of judges.

Edited by NH Web Desk