Judges with religious expertise needed for justice in religious matters

New Delhi: Religious expertise of a candidate must be made a eligibility criteria for appointment of judges to the High Court, according to the Temples Protection Movement (TPM), Hyderabad.

In a representation made to the Centre in response to suggestions for improvement of the collegium system of judicial appointments, TMP convener M.V. Soundararajan said their submission was being made on behalf of crores of devotees. He said a better understanding of laws relating to religion will help a judge in proper dispensation of justice in religious matters.

He requested the Constitution bench to consider TPM’s views and either add religious expertise defined by the Hindu religious endowments commission, headed by jurist C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, as one of the eligibility criteria for appointment of judges or consider their view on essential practices doctrine to ensure future judgments as per the principle Yato Dharmastha Jayaha to protect Hindu religion.

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