Justice Bhuyan Speaks Out On Dissent, Judiciary

Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has been speaking out on the lecture circuit about the need to protect dissent and the importance of an independent judiciary. Over the past few months, he has expressed his concerns about the smothering of dissent, erratic judgments, and the unwillingness to grant bail.

Justice Bhuyan's comments come at a time when there is a growing perception that the judiciary has been influenced by those in power and has delivered judgments that go against the basic precepts of law and human rights. He has criticized the practice of former judges taking up positions in the executive, saying it goes against the basic tenets of jurisprudence.

Recently, Justice Bhuyan termed the arrest of a few Muslims who were eating biryani while boating on the River Ganga in Varanasi as 'untenable'. He pointed out that consuming chicken biryani is not an offence and that no law bans eating chicken on the river. This case raises important questions about the use of criminal law and the need for judicial reform.

Justice Bhuyan has also expressed concerns about the misuse of criminal law, particularly in the granting of bail. He has pointed out that bail is a right and not a judicial favour, but it is often granted very reluctantly. In many cases, the courts curtail the rights of the accused, preventing them from travelling outside their own state, speaking in public, and seizing their passport, which is per se illegal.

The judiciary has been criticized for delivering a series of embarrassing judgments over the past decade, with many senior advocates saying that it has lost its spine and its moral fibre is in decay. Justice Bhuyan's comments are seen as an attempt to course-correct the judiciary and restore its independence.

It is encouraging that a Supreme Court judge is speaking out on these issues, but it remains to be seen whether his comments will lead to any meaningful change. The judiciary needs a lot of healing and spine-straightening if it is to uphold the principles of justice and protect the rights of the underprivileged and those on the fringes of society.

Justice Bhuyan's comments have sparked a debate about the need for judicial reform and the importance of an independent judiciary. His speeches have been seen as a spark of hope for those who are concerned about the state of the judiciary and the need to protect dissent and human rights.

In conclusion, Justice Bhuyan's comments are a timely reminder of the need for an independent judiciary and the importance of protecting dissent and human rights. His speeches have sparked a debate about the need for judicial reform and the importance of upholding the principles of justice.

The significance of Justice Bhuyan's comments lies in the fact that they come from a sitting Supreme Court judge, which gives them added weight and credibility. His comments are a call to action for the judiciary to reform itself and restore its independence. If the judiciary is to uphold the principles of justice and protect the rights of the underprivileged and those on the fringes of society, it must take Justice Bhuyan's comments seriously and work towards reforming itself.