New Delhi: The Department of Justice has come up with a new revelation that shows the representation of Muslims in Judiciary is abysmally low even not coming close to community’s share in the population.
Muslims constitute 14.2 % of the total population as per 2011 census but when it comes to participation of Muslims in judiciary,it is negligible in both Supreme court and High courts.
If we go by the data,there are only 26 Muslim judges out of total 601 sitting judges in 24 high courts of India.
As per the 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh accounts 19.3% Muslim population. In Allahabad high court, out of 74 sitting judges, 15 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only 4 Muslim judges. Among 4, one judge Mr. Akhtar Hussain Khan will retire tomorrow (9thJan. 2016), another one retires this year and third one in the next year.
Below are the facts and figures of different states:
In Hyderabad high court, out of 27 sitting judges, 3 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only one. He also retires this year.
In Bombay high court, out of 59 sitting judges, 7 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only two. One retires this year.
In Calcutta high court, out of 42 sitting judges, 11 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only two. One retires this year and another one retires in the next year.
In Delhi high court, out of 39 sitting judges, 5 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only two.
In Assam high court, out of 16 sitting judges, 5 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is not a single Muslim judge.
In J&K high court, out of 10 sitting judges, 7 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only three. One retires next year.
In Kerala high court, out of 35 sitting judges, 9 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only five. Two retire this year.
In Madhya Pradesh high court, out of 30 sitting judges, 2 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is not a single Muslim judge.
In Madras high court, out of 37 sitting judges, 2 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is not a single Muslim judge.
In Patna high court, out of 28 sitting judges, 5 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only two. One retires this year.
In Panjab & Haryana high court, out of 50 sitting judges, 2 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is not a single Muslim judge.
In Rajasthan high court, out of 25 sitting judges, 3 posts should have been filled with Muslim judges. But, there is only one. He also retires this year.
In Uttarakhand high court, out of 6 sitting judges, 1 post should have been filled with Muslim judge. But, not appointed.
But if we go by the community’s share in population, there should have been at least 86 Muslim judges out of 601 sitting judges at various High Courts.