India’s top court Wednesday (February 12) scolded political parties and governments over freebies, arguing it was demotivating people from working and creating labour shortages.
A bench of Justice B R Gavai and A G Masih at the Supreme Court of India passed its remarks while hearing a plea about shelter homes for the homeless. During the argument, a counsel asserted before the court that the policies were only made for the rich.
The bench took strong note of the statement and warned the counsel against trying to convert the court premises into “a political platform.”
The counsel claimed before the court, criticising governments, that policies and compassion in this country were “only for the rich”.
“Main victims are the have-nots, the poor people, the homeless. Unfortunately, the cause of the homelessness is not addressed. That’s the least priority in this country. Compassion, I am sorry to say, is only for the rich and not for the poor,” said the counsel.
Justice Gavai took a strong exception to the statement, arguing that the court was not the place to make political speeches.
“Don’t make a speech (like) at Ram Lila maidan in this court. In court, restrict yourself to the argument. If you are espousing the cause of someone, restrict it (to that). Don’t make unnecessary allegations. Don’t make a political speech here. We will not allow our court hall to be converted into a political platform,” Justice Gavai warned.
Responding to the judge’s rebuke, the counsel said, “That was not my intent. I didn’t mean that.”
As the court debated on the condition of shelters for the homeless in Delhi, Justice Gavai remarked that we were creating “a class of parasites”.
“So, rather than promoting them to be a part of the mainstream of society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasites?” the judge noted.
“Unfortunately, because of these freebies, which come on the anvil of the elections… some Ladli Behen and some other scheme, people are not willing to work. They are getting free ration, they are getting amount without any work, why should they (work)!” Justice Gavai added.
When Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan tried to intervene, the judge said, “We appreciate your concern for them, but wouldn’t a better way to make them part of the mainstream of the society and contribute to the development of the nation? I am telling you of the practical experiences, Because of these freebies, some states give free ration…so the people do not want to work”.
(With inputs from agencies)
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