Upendra Kushwaha Calls Collegium System 'Undemocratic' In Presence Of Shah, Urges BJP-Led NDA To Abolish It

Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha stated the 'undemocratic' collegium system has shut the doors of judgeship in the higher judiciary on Dalits, OBCs, and even the poor among the upper castes.

A file photo of Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha. ( Image Source :PTI )

Former Union minister and national president of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) Upendra Kushwaha expressed hope on Sunday that if the BJP-led NDA returns to power, it will attempt to abolish the "undemocratic" collegium system for appointing judges in higher courts. Speaking at an election rally in Karakat Lok Sabha constituency, where he is a candidate, Kushwaha made this statement in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"The collegium system has many flaws. It is undemocratic. It has shut the doors of judgeship in the higher judiciary on Dalits, OBCs, and even the poor among the upper castes," claimed Kushwaha, as quoted by news agency PTI.

"If we look at the composition of the bench in the Supreme Court and the high courts, it is dominated by members of a few hundred families. A reason why the anomalous system has been criticised by no less than the current president and her predecessor," he added. 

Kushwaha, who served as Minister of State for HRD in the first Narendra Modi government, mentioned the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill introduced in 2014, which was struck down by the Supreme Court.

Lalu Prasad Never Raised Voice Against Collegium System: Kushwaha

Hitting out at RJD president Lalu Prasad, the NDA partner raised a question about his "social justice credentials", asserting "he had been a Union minister and an important ally of the UPA for the entire period the Congress-led coalition in power. But never did he raise a voice against the collegium system".

Citing the corruption scandals against the RJD chief, Kushwaha said "We cannot expect a principled stand on such issues from someone who keeps oscillating between jail and bail". "It was the NDA that dared to bite the bullet on the thorny issue of collegium system. And it is the NDA that will continue to make efforts in this direction," he said, as per PTI.

Notably, Kushwaha has consistently supported reservations in the higher judiciary and hasn't softened his stance on the divisive topic despite frequently changing allies.

The OBC leader also took offense at "rumors spread by detractors" claiming he was against the Modi government's 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections.

"I had supported the bill. If anybody can show any evidence that I had opposed it, I will retire from politics," he said, apparently concerned about potential backlash from upper-caste voters.

The Karakat constituency will vote on June 1, with Kushwaha facing competition from CPI(ML) Liberation's Raja Ram and Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh, who is running as an Independent candidate and may attract a significant portion of Rajput votes despite his expulsion from the BJP.