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The recent controversy surrounding former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud's comments on praying for a solution to the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute highlights a critical intersection of personal faith, judicial impartiality, and public interpretation of media snippets. Chandrachud's clarification, delivered in an exclusive interview with ANI, centers on the misrepresentation of his original statement. He contends that his remarks on prayer and meditation were taken out of context, reduced to a soundbite that failed to capture the nuance of his intended message. The core of his explanation lies in the distinction between personal faith as a source of strength and its irrelevance to the impartial application of law in judicial decision-making. He emphatically denies that his belief system influenced the Supreme Court's judgment in the Ayodhya case, emphasizing that the verdict was entirely based on legal interpretations and constitutional principles.
Chandrachud's defense rests on the assertion that his comments on prayer were related to his personal coping mechanisms within the context of a demanding judicial career. He describes the intense pressures faced by judges in handling conflict-ridden cases, from commercial disputes to complex family matters, even to intergovernmental conflicts. His practice of faith, he explains, provides personal solace and calm amidst this intensity. This personal perspective, however, is explicitly separated from his professional duties. He unequivocally states that judicial impartiality and adherence to the rule of law are not contingent upon an individual judge's religious or irreligious beliefs. A judge's ability to administer justice fairly extends across all faiths, he clarifies, underscoring the separation between personal convictions and professional responsibilities.
The former CJI further elaborates on the concept of ‘Dharmic’ and ‘Adhyatmic,’ contrasting these with the principle of ‘Dharma Nirpekshita,’ which stresses the importance of even-handedness in judicial dealings regardless of the religious affiliation of those involved. This distinction underscores his commitment to judicial neutrality, a crucial element of upholding the rule of law. He reiterates that the Ayodhya verdict itself serves as evidence of the court's adherence to legal principles, explicitly stating that the judgment's basis was not divine intervention but rather a careful application of the law and the Constitution. This is supported by the decision to not attribute authorship to any single judge on the bench, demonstrating a collective commitment to presenting a unified and impartial decision on a deeply sensitive issue with a history spanning centuries.
The controversy surrounding Chandrachud's remarks highlights the challenges inherent in condensing complex ideas into concise media messages. His experience underscores the dangers of soundbite journalism and the potential for misinterpretation when complex statements are stripped of their context. The public discourse surrounding the Ayodhya case remains highly charged, emphasizing the need for accurate reporting and careful consideration of the nuances involved in discussions of faith, law, and judicial ethics. Furthermore, his words draw attention to the personal sacrifices and pressures faced by judges in high-stakes situations, a dimension often overlooked in public perception. The case also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a clear separation between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities in the pursuit of justice.
In conclusion, Chandrachud's clarification aims to dispel any misunderstanding of his position. His personal faith, he maintains, provides comfort and resilience in the face of intense pressures. This personal conviction, however, has no bearing on the objectivity and impartiality of his judicial decisions. The Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya case, he stresses, was a product of careful legal analysis and adherence to the Constitution, not a result of divine intervention or personal religious beliefs. The controversy illustrates a larger issue concerning media portrayal and the potential for misinterpretation of public figures' statements, particularly when dealing with sensitive and complex issues.
Source: 'Completely misconstrued': Former CJI Chandrachud on 'praying to God' for solution to Ayodhya case