Refuting allegations that his association with a political party was the reason for his joining three other senior-most judges of the Supreme Court in speaking out on its administration, Justice J. Chelameswar said he gave up any such allegiance the moment he became a judge.
Speaking at the Kantamneni Ravindra Rao Memorial Lecture on ‘Constitutionalism-Civil Society,’ he wondered how many of those who attributed motives to his conduct had declared that they were not connected with any political party.
He also vowed not to request any government to give him a job after his retirement in about four months.
Commenting on the speculation about his political leanings, Justice Chelameswar said his critics had unleashed a similar campaign after his dissenting judgment on the National Judicial Appointments Commission.
He said that on both occasions, he felt the people could have their opinions but there should be limits and a rationale behind such expressions which should fit in the constitutional framework.
“I have mentioned my affiliation to a party at the time of my appointment as a judge but gave it up after that as I firmly believed that personal likes and beliefs should not come in the way of my responsibilities,”he said.
