Lawyers' Body Condemns BCI Chairman's Letter Seeking Holiday For All Courts On Ram Mandir Consecration Day

The Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the Indian Lawyers Association has condemned the Letter Addressed by the Chairman of the Bar Council India requesting the Chief Justice of India for a holiday for all courts on the 22nd of January owing to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The Association has furthermore condemned the invitation of the Andhra Pradesh Advocates Association calling for a 'pooja' inside the Court premises in the Advocates Association Hall.

"Construction of any temple or mosque or any place of worship is completely a private or a religious affair of the individuals and followers of a faith. Such an event, though might have the highest significance for a section of society, can never be a part of state affairs, especially when such an event is a result of an unprecedented history. It is a dangerous phenomenon and an attack on the secular fabric of the nation that the state is actively promoting a religious event and contemporary politics are indicating a future of extremist religious trends in politics. Separation of State and religion is a fundamental character of the Constitution and the makers of the constitution were committed to building a nation that is from religion while guaranteeing individuals a right to practice and profess their faith."

The letter emphasizes that it is not the place of the judiciary to be involved in the issues of a private trust run by private individuals. The letter further stated that the act of hosting a pooja within court premises would not only violate the secular fabric of the nation but also politicize the judiciary.

At the end, the ILA made it clear that they were not against any faith but stood for constitutional morality in its true spirit.

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