New Delhi : Chief Justice of India H L Dattu on Sunday described as “unfortunate” the controversy over his colleague Kurian Joseph’s objection to the holding of judges’ conference on Good Friday but said it was a “family” matter and that he will settle it.
The chief justice clarified that while all Supreme Court judges were invited, the presence of only the top three was mandatory. Seeking to downplay the controversy, Dattu said the two-day event on Friday and Saturday was actually not a ‘conference’ but a meeting where judges discuss among themselves issues and problems related to the judiciary. When asked about the issues raised by Justice Joseph, he termed it as “unfortunate”.
The last such event was organised on April 7, 2013.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Justice Joseph had said: “Irrespective of the religion, Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Eid, Bakrid, Christmas, Easter etc. are great days of festival celebrations in the neighbourhood. Your good self would kindly appreciate that no important programmes are held during sacred and auspicious days of Diwali, Dussehra, Holi, Eid, Bakrid etc., though we have holidays during that period as well.” “I regret my inability to attend the event as the Conference coincides with the Good Friday ceremonies. Good Friday is a day of great religious significance to us, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ,” he had said.
