Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: March 6, 2003
The Kerala high court holding as
unconstitutional taking oath in any manner other than in the name of 'God
or a 'solemn pledge' in the legislature has thrown up a challenge to the
Muslim League.
The court asked JSS MLA Umesh Challiyil
to swear again in the name of 'God' instead of the 'Guru' as he had done.
Until he amended his oath, he was liable to pay a penalty of Rs 500 for
every day he attended the assembly. Mr Challiyil is preparing to move the
SC against the verdict.
The HC pointed out that if a deviation
was allowed there would be no end to it. In the light of the verdict, Muslim
League MLAs may have resign because all of their had sworn in the name
of 'Allah' and not 'God', which is the constitutional demand.
