“The statement of the Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah publicly misinterpreting the judgement of the Supreme Court in the Salva Judum case is unfortunate. The judgment nowhere supports, either expressly or by compelling implication of its text, Naxalism or its ideology,” the joint statement read.
“Prejudicial misinterpretation of a judgment of the Supreme Court by a high political functionary is likely to have a chilling effect on the judges of the Supreme Court shaking the independence of the judiciary,” it added.
The judges also called for restraint in questioning the ideologies of the candidates of the Vice Presidential election.
“While the campaign for the office of the Vice President of India may well be ideological, it can be conducted civilly and with dignity. Criticizing the so-called ideology of either candidate should be eschewed,” the statement stated.
“Out of respect for the office of the Vice President of India, it would be wise to refrain from name calling,” it added.
What Amit Shah said
In an interview with news agency ANI, Shah said that the leftist ideology of Opposition’s VP candidate former Supreme Court Justice Sudershan Reddy, could have been the INDIA alliance’s reason to pick him as the candidate.
He stated that Reddy may not support the Naxalism itself, but the judgement supported it.
“This is a Supreme Court’s record that he rejected Salwa Judum and ended the right of self-defence of tribals. Because of this, Naxalism lasted for more than two decades in this country. At that time, Naxalism was breathing its last,” Shah said.
“The tribals formed Salwa Judum to protect themselves. The Supreme Court rejected it. After this, the schools that were destroyed due to Naxalites, CRPF and security forces were present in those schools. They threw everyone out overnight by issuing an order. There were attacks on security forces at many places. Rahul Gandhi should answer these two judgments more than Sudershan Reddy,” Shah told ANI.
#WATCH | On INDIA alliance Vice Presidential candidate Sudershan Reddy, Union HM Amit Shah says, “He rejected Salwa Judum and ended the right of self-defence of tribals. Because of this, Naxalism lasted for more than two decades in this country. At that time, Naxalism was… pic.twitter.com/deirrEwYoR
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025
