http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp? ID=IEH20071116101244&Headline=Oaths+taken+by+legislators+in+the+name+o f+Allah+are+constitutionally+valid:+SC&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0& TOP STORIES Nov 17, 2007 Oaths taken by legislators in the name of Allah are constitutionally valid: SC Saturday November 17 2007 00:00 IST Prabhakar Rao Voruganti NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday showed its disinclination to entertain a Special Leave Petition filed by Madhu Parumala alleging that 11 Muslim members of the Kerala Assembly taking their oath in the name of Allah is unconstitutional. A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran dismissed the SLP filed challenging the Kerala High Court in this regard. Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted to the Bench that the Constitution says the oath should be administered in the name of God and it does not permit taking oath in the name of 'Allah'. Therefore, oath can be taken only in the name of God. Article 188 of the Constitution provides for taking oath and Third Schedule of the Constitution prescribes the manner. A member can take oath by saying, "I swear in the name of God" or "I solemnly affirm". But, in the given case, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLAs took the oath in the name of Allah and whether it is permissible, the counsel argued. The Special Leave Petition was filed challenging the Kerala High Court order which said, "When a person belonging to Muslim community takes oath in the name of Allah, he/she is not violating any constitutional provisions. Constitution permits (one) to take oath in the name of God." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.32/1131 - Release Date: 11/14/2007 4:54 PM
