Those who twisted my speech were at fault,not me, says Justice Yadav as he retires

Prayagraj: “Those who twisted my speech were at fault, not me,” said Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav -- whose alleged communal remarks had prompted an impeachment motion against him in Rajya Sabha -- while addressing a full court reference held on the occasion of his retirement on Wednesday.With his retirement on Wednesday, the impeachment motion also became void.Addressing the full court reference held in the court room of chief justice, he clarified that the words of his speech at the event organised by the legal cell of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Prayagraj in Dec 2024 were twisted and that the fault lay with those who distorted them.In his farewell speech, Justice Yadav defended his impartiality on the bench. “No person can say that I discriminated while delivering justice. I never differentiated between small or big lawyers, or lawyers of any caste.”He also thanked the members of the Bar for supporting him during that period, stating, “Another phase came, in which I had no fault, and during that, I got your support. Had I not received it, I would have broken”.He had stirred a row after delivering a speech on Constitutional Necessity of Uniform Civil Code at the VHP event where he asserted that India would function according to the will of the majority population. The speech drew sharp criticism for his use of a slur used against Muslims, and for remarks that contrasted Hindu traditions with Muslim practices, including references to polygamy, triple talaq and animal slaughter.The remarks triggered strong reactions from members of the Bar, civil society groups and political leaders. Within days of the speech, efforts began in Parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.Stressing that mutual respect is the cornerstone of the legal profession, Justice Yadav in his farewell speech said, “A judge is not a police inspector (daroga). Everyone should learn to be humble, regardless of whether they are a senior, a judge or a junior”.