In an attempt to douse the raging controversy the marital legitimacy ruling has caused and assuage the feelings of religious groups, Justice C S Karnan said in a statement on Wednesday that the judgment should not be adversely commented upon.
“This court’s order does not in any way run against the cultural interest and religious systems followed by persons in various communities. This order has been passed after a detailed analysis to protect Indian culture and welfare of women,” it read. It is not known whether the unsigned ‘statement’ issued by the judge is a press release or a judicial order in continuation of his earlier judgment, as it bore case No. Cr.RC No. 674 of 2007.
“This court’s order did not in any way run against any religion and is not intended to wound any Indian. This court’s order had not in any way degraded the system of marriage performed as per the various religious customs and rites among the various communities,” Justice Karnan said. Tamil Nadu Advocates Association president S Prabakaran said that what is not advisable on the part of the judge to issue a ‘statement’ like this. “The legal aspects of the judgment can be debated. Even the Supreme Court’s judgments in many cases are under public scrutiny. The comments should not malign the image of the judge,” Prabakaran maintained.
“The judge should not speak. Only his judgments should speak,” quipped senior advocate K M Vijayan.