SC Rejects petition seeking deregistration of AIMIM

(AIMIM stands for All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, All India Muslim Unity Association)

New Delhi – Telangana Shiv Sena President Tirupati Narasimha Murari has on Tuesday withdrawn his plea from the Supreme Court that sought to remove the registration of Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), by the Election Commission.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi refused to entertain the plea and granted liberty to the petitioner to file another plea on a wider issue of bringing reforms in respect of the functioning of political parties in general. Murari had moved the top court challenging the decision of the Delhi High Court in dismissing his plea. During the hearing today, Murari’s counsel argued that the constitution of the AIMIM party itself is against the principles of secularism. It is for the benefit of a particular community, which is the Muslim community, it was contended.

Questioning this line of argument, the top court stated that certain rights are guaranteed to the backwards communities under the Constitution of India, and there is nothing wrong in working for the benefits of backwards persons regardless of which religion they belong to.

The counsel for Murari also contended that religious texts are being promoted by AIMIM and are being taught to people. During the hearing, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain argued the case on behalf of Murari.

The Court, however, acknowledged the fact that political parties in general need to bring reforms in their functioning. It thus suggested that the petitioner file a fresh plea on the wider issue of bringing reforms in the functioning of the parties.

Following the Court’s suggestion, the counsel for Murari withdrew the plea.

Key Observations Made by the Supreme Court During the Hearing:

• Some political parties discriminate on the basis of caste, which is equally dangerous for the country. This is not acceptable.
• The Court rejected this argument and stated that there’s nothing wrong with the reading or teaching of religious books, literature or historical texts.
• If the Election Commission raises any objection against teaching from the Vedas, Puranas, scriptures, or any other religious texts, then please approach the appropriate forum. The law will take care of it.
• Reading our ancient scriptures, books, literature, or history is not inappropriate. There are no legal restrictions on that.
• If a political party is seen to be promoting untouchability, it is insulting and should be derecognized and banned. However, if the Constitution protects religious laws and a party claims it wants to teach them, then there is nothing wrong with that.