Stop pooja-archana during court programs, bow down to Constitution instead: Justice Abhay S Oka

As the Constitution of India approaches the 75th anniversary of its adoption, Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S Oka has called for ending religious rituals during court programs..The judge suggested that secularism envisaged in the Constitution of India should be promoted and court-related events can, therefore, commence by bowing down to a copy of the preamble to the Constitution.."Sometimes judges have to say unpleasant things. I am going to say something a little unpleasant. I think we must stop pooja-archana during programs in courts. Instead, we should keep an image of the Preamble of the Constitution and bow down to it to commence a program. When the Constitution completes 75 years, to maintain its dignity, we should start this new practice," he said. .The Supreme Court judge was speaking at a foundation laying event of a new court building at Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune District on March 3.Justice Oka stated that for him, the words 'secular' and 'democratic' in the preamble are very important."The Constitution has completed 75 years. Dr. Ambedkar has given us an ideal Constitution in which secularism finds a mention. Our court system may have been created by the British but it is run by our Constitution. The courts are given by the Constitution," he added..The judge also revealed that during his tenure as the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, he tried to reduce such religious practices in court premises but was unable to stop them completely. "When I was in Karnataka, I tried many times to reduce such religious programs but I was unable to stop them completely. But completion of 75 years is the best occasion for us to advance secularism," he stated.