NEW DELHI -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will not re-examine its 1995 verdict on Hindutva at this stage as it is not the reference for hearing electoral malpractice issues.
A seven-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, said the court will not go into the larger debate as to what is Hindutva or what is its meaning and will not re-consider the 1995 judgement.
The apex court is hearing a matter related to electoral malpractices arising out of its 1995 judgement, popularly known as the 'Hindutva' verdict.
The remarks were made by the bench when some advocates sought to intervene in the ongoing hearing which commenced last Tuesday.
Last week, social activist Teesta Setalvad had sought to intervene in the matter with an application stating that religion and politics should not be mixed and a direction be passed to de-link religion from politics.
The apex court bench also comprised Justices M B Lokur, S A Bobde, A K Goel, U U Lalit, D Y Chandrachud and L Nageshwar Rao, said.
The remarks were made by the bench when, at the outset of the hearing, some advocates sought to intervene in the ongoing hearing which commenced last Tuesday.
The apex court instead took up a separate plea filed in 1990 whether seeking of votes in the name of religion will amount to a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act warranting disqualification.
It maybe recalled that the Bombay High Court had set aside the election of Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi in the mid-1990s. The matter was then moved to Supreme Court, which in 1995 overturned the high court order saying Hindutva is a way of life.
Since then, the issue was raised in the top court many times, including in 2002 when the court referred the matter to a seven-judge bench for clarity.
Meat Ban In India
(01 of07)
Open Image ModalMUMBAI, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Shopkeeper seen sleeping at Crawford meat market on the first day of a four-day ban on the sale of meat. (Photo by Arijit Sen/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(02 of07)
Open Image ModalMNS activists selling chicken at an open stall outside a local market during a protest on the first day of a four day ban on sale of meat at Agar Bazaar in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Kunal Patil/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(03 of07)
Open Image ModalA chicken is weighed for sale by a political party member at an open stall outside a local market during a protest on the first day of a four day ban on sale of meat in Mumbai. India's western Maharashtra state capital Mumbai this week banned the slaughter and sale of meat for four days, following demands from the strictly vegetarian Jain community during the ongoing fasting period of Paryushan Parva sparking anger and dissent among meat eaters. (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:INDRANIL MUKHERJEE via Getty Images)
(04 of07)
Open Image ModalPolice officers observe butchers and traders, unseen, during a protest against the ban of beef organized by the Sarv Shramik Sangh at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(05 of07)
Open Image ModalShiv Sena activists selling chicken in Mumbai. Earlier this week, the BMC imposed a ban on sale of meat on four days. (Photo by Kunal Patil/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(06 of07)
Open Image ModalMNS activists were detained by police and BMC official for selling chicken outside a local market during a protest on the first day of a four day ban on sale of meat at Agar Bazaar in Mumbai. (Photo by Kunal Patil/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
(07 of07)
Open Image ModalThe BMC imposed a ban on sale of meat on four days of the Paryushan festival, while the adjoining Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation in Thane had declared a complete ban during September 11-18. (Photo by Arijit Sen/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)