The six-month jail term sentence handed down by the High Court to Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M.V. Jayarajan in a contempt case has evoked mixed response. While CPI(M) leaders said the party would take the legal course of action against the contempt proceedings, opponents of the CPI(M) viewed the verdict as a clear message to those who cast aspersions on judges.
The High Court verdict comes after legal proceedings were initiated by the court against Mr. Jayarajan for making allegedly derogatory remarks about judges at a public speech here on June 26 last. Senior party leaders said this was not the first time that a party leader was at the receiving end of contempt proceedings initiated by the court and that the party would take appropriate steps to appeal against the High Court verdict.
What had landed Mr. Jayarajan in trouble was his use of Malayalam words ‘shumbhanmar' (fool, idiot, dunce) and ‘pulluvila' (of little value) and other usages in his remarks against the judges of the High Court during a public speech here on June 26, 2010. Mr. Jayarajan had made the remarks while speaking against the High Court verdict banning roadside meetings. The court took those remarks has having been made to humiliate and lower its authority in the eye of the public.
Leaders of political parties opposed to the CPI(M) said the verdict was a warning to those who tended to resort to tongue-lashing in their remarks against courts and judges in response to judgments.. Such leaders would restrain themselves from making any derogatory remarks against the courts and judges, they hoped.
Mr. Jayarajan had recently found himself charged with abetment of offence under IPC sections 116 and 117 by the Town Police for his alleged speech on October 19 at a function held by the Students
Federation of India (SFI) in which he had reportedly said that the police officer who had opened fire at the protesting SFI workers in Kozhikode should be ‘physically manhandled' when he was not in uniform. His senior party colleague T. Sivadasa Menon in his speech at another function of the SFI in Thalassery a few days later had said that the police officer could be physically manhandled even if he was in the police uniform.
Keywords: Kerala High Court, M.V. Jayarajan, CPI(M) leader, jail term, contempt of court
I dont intent to support Jayarajan ... but just to point out the irony ..The very same kerala high court which banned public assemblies last year ,(following which Jayarajan had a speech abusing(?)judges) shared a view last week that people are not protesting against the petrol price hike ... So how are we supposed to protest without assembly - sitting at home ??? writing letters ??? or in social networks ???..I dont know how ridiculous these judgements are becoming ...
The judgement reflects the flaws and immaturity of judicial system in India. Though a byproduct of democratic struggles - mainly the freedom movement- the Indian courts sometimes driven by its bourgeois prejudices. This judgement is a best example of this when it proclaims that Jayarajan is nobody compared to P. Sivasankar or Krishna Iyer who criticised courts before. In fact, here Jayarajan raised voice against a judgement by the court banning roadside meetings. Sometimes people has to gather abruptly protesting some actions of the government. In fact, it is an irony that a couple of days before the same Kerala high court urged the people to protest against the hike of petrol prices. Courts alone has to explain how people protest in this world where common man is struggling for sustenance.
The words, which came out of from a politician is not quite accepatable. But it cannot be judged or crucified on behalf of somebody's dignity.Even politicians are indian citizens, and they have the ultimate right to cross the decisions taken as verdict.And personally am not thinking , it was an impeccable decision by court.It is crystal clear that the court has failed to make judjments on some cases, so it has been stinking for many years .By all means we respect our law,but it should be equal to everyone.
Jayarajan got what he deserves.....
In Kerala this situation of politics and the people involved in it is different than any other states.Kerala is one of the best states in education and in other resource's availability. But now look into Kerala;if anybody having an influence in local political party or its leaders, they can do anything.No respect to the law,not having the respect between the people each other and there is no good values in coming generations.For all these situations the reason is; the politics in kerala. Even there is strong police force, they can't implement the law and to act accordingly. Now a days even police also fed up and acting according to the demands of such politics.The only thing as a dependable factor in current situation is the Courts. May God strengthen all the Judges in India with a courageous and sincere mind against all these.
Jayarajan remarks on the court's verdict as idiotic, foolish etc to defend the inevitability of roadside meetings is justifiable. The courts should not consider themselves kings of all they survey. Jayarajan is an resourceful and aggressive politician who has espoused the cause of the working class and emancipation of the weaker sections. There are only a handful of politicians who are sincerely committed to help the common man in their vexed and burning day to day issues. Sentencing Jayarajan will only improve his standings but however it is ridiculous to sentence him on filmsy grounds. The supreme court should set him free.
Politicians in Kerala do not know anything other than to indulge in foolish talks. Most of them are trying to cover up their inabilities and inefficiencies by using foul languages like this to deviate the attention of the poor public. For them even the legislative assembly is a venue to make allegations and counter allegations.
Is a judgement by a high court un questionable declaration?. Indian Judicial system has shown symptoms of being corrupt and rotten. In earlier days judges were adored by people whom they thought as flawless humans. The present day judiciary has lost its sanctity of being impeccable.It seems to be like some judges are trying to establish a system where by their wrong doings are unquestioned. Judiciary is not above the constitution. A high court cannot prevent a citizen from expressing his view on a high court judgement. The judicial OVER ACTIVISM based on PETTY JUDICIAL EGO has to be controlled. Judiciary should behave with maturity so that its dignity is maintained.The fundamental rights has to be protected. Expression of opinion should be respected. I express my strong feeling Supreme court should interfere in this immediately to protect the dignity of Indian Judicial system . Sanctity of judiciary is very important for the functioning o a democracy.
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