Amit Shah criticizes Opposition’s Vice Presidential nominee, Sudarshan Reddy, Over Past Ruling
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Kochi, India – August 22, 2025 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah sharply criticized sudarshan Reddy, the opposition’s candidate for Vice President of India, alleging the former Supreme Court Justice supported Naxalite ideologies through a previous court decision. The remarks came during a conclave at the Malayalam news website Manorama in Kochi on Friday.
Allegations of Supporting Extremism
Shah asserted that the Congress party selected Reddy due to pressure from leftist factions.He specifically referenced Reddy’s involvement in a 2011 Supreme Court ruling concerning the Salwa Judum, a controversial anti-Naxalite movement in Chhattisgarh. “The opposition’s vice-presidential candidate, Sudarshan Reddy, delivered the Salwa Judum judgment, effectively supporting leftist extremism and Naxalism,” Shah stated. He further claimed that had the ruling been diffrent, extremism in the region could have been eradicated by 2020.
Kerala, Shah noted, has experienced the repercussions of Naxalism and extremism, and he believes voters in the state will recognize the implications of choosing a candidate with this history.
The Salwa Judum Ruling Explained
In 2011, Justices Sudershan Reddy and S.S. Nijjar presided over a two-judge bench that ruled against the legality of Salwa Judum. The court steadfast that the group, comprised of tribal youth appointed as Special Police Officers (SPOs) by the Chhattisgarh government to combat Maoist insurgency, was unconstitutional and illegal. this decision aimed to address concerns about human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings associated with the group. [Citation:[Citation:[Citation:[Citation:Madhu Kishwar & Ors vs State of Chhattisgarh & Ors, Supreme Court of India]
Did You know? Salwa Judum, translating to “Peace March,” was initially presented as a spontaneous uprising of villagers against Maoist insurgents, but later faced accusations of being state-sponsored and involving human rights violations.
Vice Presidential election Details
The upcoming Vice Presidential election will pit Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, against C.P. Radhakrishnan, the nominee of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Polling is scheduled for September 9, with results to be announced on the same day. The deadline for filing nominations was August 21, with a withdrawal deadline of August 25.
The election became necessary after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the vice Presidential post on July 21, citing health reasons. The process is governed by articles 64 and 68 of the Constitution of India and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament, utilizing a system of proportional depiction with a single transferable vote and a secret ballot, as outlined in article 66(1) of the Constitution. [Citation: Parliamentary Research Service (PRS) Legislative Research]
Pro Tip: Understanding the composition of the electoral college is crucial for analyzing the potential outcomes of the Vice Presidential election.
Key Election Dates and Details
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination Filing Deadline | August 21, 2025 |
| Nomination Withdrawal Deadline | August 25, 2025 |
| Polling Date | September 9, 2025 |
| Result Proclamation | September 9, 2025 |
What impact will this controversy have on the Vice Presidential election outcome? And how might the Salwa Judum ruling continue to shape debates around counter-insurgency strategies in India?
The debate surrounding Sudarshan Reddy’s past ruling highlights the complex challenges of balancing security concerns with human rights considerations in regions affected by Naxalite activity. The Salwa Judum case remains a significant point of contention, raising questions about the role of state-sponsored vigilante groups and the protection of tribal communities. The upcoming Vice Presidential election is poised to be a closely watched contest, with implications for the political landscape and the future direction of India’s internal security policies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sudarshan Reddy and the VP Election
- Who is Sudarshan Reddy? Sudarshan Reddy is a retired Supreme Court Justice and the opposition’s candidate for Vice President of India.
- What was the Salwa Judum ruling? The Salwa Judum ruling, delivered by Justice Reddy and Justice Nijjar, declared the Salwa Judum anti-Naxalite group illegal and unconstitutional.
- Why is Amit Shah criticizing Reddy? Amit Shah alleges that Reddy’s Salwa Judum ruling supported Naxalism and hindered efforts to eradicate extremism.
- When is the Vice Presidential election? Polling for the Vice Presidential election is scheduled for september 9, 2025.
- How is the Vice President elected? The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of Parliament through a proportional representation system.
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