Sham patriotism

Activist Nitin Deshpande has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding that the portrait of Justice Dinshaw Davar, one of the most eminent jurists to grace the chambers of the Bombay High Court, be removed from Courtroom No 40. His crime? He rendered an adverse judgment on some inflammatory articles against the British written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

It is refreshing to know that our country is so free of major problems that a non-issue like removing a judge’s portrait from the courtroom becomes the subject of a PIL. It is even more ridiculous that the Maharashtra government is seriously considering this outrageous demand.

Justice Davar was considered a legal luminary of his age not only in India but even by our British rulers. His judgments on important societal issues have stood the test of time. At a time when an increasing number of bad apples are being discovered among our judiciary, his wisdom, incorruptibility and legal acumen deserve to be applauded, not reviled. As for the Tilak controversy, I doubt that Deshpande has even read the articles deemed to be seditious. Justice Davar was delivering his judgment on the merits of the articles themselves. It had nothing to do with his patriotism or political leanings. In short, he was doing his job, without fear or favor. He was exhibiting the highest principles of his calling, a concept that few among our present lot would understand or appreciate.

Desphande’s advocate submitted before Justices Sharad Bobde and Mridula Bhatkar that his client is willing to withdraw the petition provided the portrait is moved to the museum being set up within the Court’s premises. The matter was posted for a further hearing.

If the Government/Court succumbs and the portrait is removed, as proof of its sham patriotism, it will be a blow to the very principles of freedom and fair play that our forefathers fought for.

FIROZE HIRJIKAKA

leonardo8_99@yahoo.com