Madras High Court’s Justice G.R. Swaminathan Calls Anti-Guru Rationalists ‘Rascals, Barbarians'

Madras High Court judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan has ignited another debate over his public remarks after asserting that individuals who do not accept spiritual gurus or the concept of God are “rascals, fools and barbarians".

Speaking at a spiritual organisation’s event in Tamil Nadu, Justice Swaminathan said some self-described rationalists in the state deride believers who view the Guru as a manifestation of God, and he countered that such detractors themselves are to be labelled with those terms. He emphasised at the gathering that spiritual guidance, especially during life’s challenges, can strengthen courage and personal resilience.

The judge referred to his recent interaction with a yogi near Tenkasi, discussing the idea of a spiritual “aura” that, he said, could aid devotees in confronting their weaknesses by being close to spiritual masters. He also remarked that with “four more years left in service,” he felt compelled to express his views more boldly.

The controversy over his remarks comes against the backdrop of an earlier dispute in which Justice Swaminathan directed that a traditional lamp (Karthigai deepam) be lit at a stone pillar known as Deepathoon near a historic dargah in Thiruparankundram, in addition to the usual temple sites.

The Tamil Nadu government objected to that order, and more than 100 Members of Parliament moved an impeachment motion against him, alleging bias, lack of impartiality and conduct inconsistent with the secular functioning of the judiciary. However, more than 50 former judges of the Supreme Court and former Chief Justices and judges of various High Courts strongly condemned the move.

Around the same time, the Supreme Court was informed by the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police that action had been initiated against individuals accused of circulating abusive and derogatory material targeting Justice Swaminathan on social media platforms in the wake of the Karthigai Deepam controversy.

The Madras High Court had also earlier intervened to restrain the release of a book at the Chennai Book Fair that allegedly contained defamatory and offensive depictions of Justice Swaminathan. A division bench observed that the title and caricature in the publication prima facie crossed permissible limits of criticism and directed authorities to prevent its circulation, while initiating criminal contempt proceedings against those responsible.

Meanwhile, a section of the Bar at the Madurai Bench came out in support of Justice Swaminathan amid the impeachment move. In a memorandum addressed to the Lok Sabha Speaker, advocates highlighted his judicial record, stating that he had disposed of over 1.26 lakh cases during his tenure, and described the motion as unwarranted. They urged that constitutional safeguards protecting judicial independence be preserved.

The judge has also, in earlier orders, dealt with issues involving competing religious claims. In a case concerning use of public land in Dindigul district, Justice Swaminathan held that government land cannot be treated as the exclusive preserve of any one religious community. Allowing members of the Hindu community in a village to conduct annadhanam on a common ground near a temple, he observed that when property belongs to the State, access must be equal to all or restricted to none, and that historical usage by a particular group cannot override constitutional guarantees under Articles 15 and 25.