The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns about the rising trend of caste and regional politics, calling them just as harmful as communal politics. While hearing a petition against AIMIM’s registration, the bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, remarked that seeking votes on the basis of caste or region poses a serious threat to the democratic spirit of the country. The judges stressed that this issue goes beyond one party and called for broader reforms in how political parties function.
The case was brought forward by Shiv Sena member Tirupati Narasimha Murari, who argued that AIMIM’s constitution promotes religious identity and Islamic education, allegedly violating India’s secular values. However, the court found that the party’s stated aim is to work for the welfare of backward communities, which is allowed under the Constitution. The bench also clarified that reading or promoting religious literature, whether Islamic or otherwise, is not illegal, and that there was no strong evidence that AIMIM had violated any laws.
While the court dismissed the plea to cancel AIMIM’s registration, it acknowledged the need for systemic political reforms. It encouraged raising these broader concerns through a more comprehensive petition, allowing the judiciary to consider inputs from all political parties. The petitioner then withdrew his case, with the freedom to file a new, expanded challenge focusing on caste, communal, and regional politics across the board.
