The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the constitutional validity of the oath taken in the name of Allah, reports said on May 23.
Madhu Parumala, Vice President of the Kerala unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has filed a special leave petition (SLP) against an order of the state’s High Court upholding the validity of the oath taken by 11 Muslim MLAs in the name of Allah in the current Assembly.
Parumala requested the court to stay the July 21 High Court order and restrain the said 11 members from attending the Assembly sessions until the petition was decided as their oath was illegal and unconstitutional.
The High Court had held that the MLAs did not violate any constitutional provision by taking oath in the name of Allah.
Madhu has contended that taking the oath in the name of Allah violated Article 188 for taking oath and the Third Schedule of the Constitution which prescribes the manner of taking oath. An MP or MLA can take oath by saying, “I swear in the name of God” or “I solemnly affirm.” But can they take oath in the name of Allah? The apex court will examine it in July.