MLAs oath controversy: Karnataka HC junks plea, considers Buddha, inter alia as incarnations

The Karnataka High Court has rejected a plea challenging the oaths of office taken by nine ministers and 37 MLAs, arguing they violated the Constitution due to an improper format.

The court, led by Chief Justice Prasanna Varale and Justice Krishna Dixit, emphasized that society often shows respect to figures like Buddha, Basavanna, and Ambedkar, considering them divine incarnates. The court, referring to Constitutional provisions, highlighted the importance of the substance of the oath rather than just its format.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) contended that the officials breached Article 188 of the Constitution, proposing their disqualification and fines for each day in office.

Dismissing the petition, the bench also cited the Kannada saying "devanobba, naama halavu" (God is one, though called by multiple names) and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad to emphasize the universality of the divine.

The court noted that oaths could be taken in the name of God or by solemn affirmation, and the key consideration should be the essence of the commitment, not merely the wording.

The judgment, issued on December 15, 2023, underscores the broader cultural and spiritual context within which oaths are administered, aligning with constitutional provisions and the diversity of religious beliefs.