MP Arvind Sawant, belonging to Uddhav Thackeray Sena (UBT-SS), is among the 120 Members of Parliament (MPs) who have signed the petition demanding the impeachment of Judge GR Swaminathan.
INDI Alliance wants to impeach HC Judge Swaminathan for a pro-Hindu judgment
A major political controversy has erupted in New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, as members of the INDI bloc, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), submitted an impeachment notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking the removal of Justice G.R. Swaminathan from the Madras High Court. The action, backed by over 100 opposition MPs including leaders from UBT-SS, Congress, Samajwadi Party, and the DMK, stems from the judge’s role in a judgment related to the Karthigai Deepam lighting ritual at Thiruparankundram near Madurai.
On 1 December 2025, Justice Swaminathan, sitting at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, ordered that a traditional lamp (Deepam) associated with the annual Karthigai Deepam festival be allowed to be lit on an ancient stone pillar known locally as the Deepathoon (Deep Pillar) at the Thiruparankundram hill. The judge’s verdict directed authorities to facilitate the ritual, which has been in existence since ancient times, despite objections from local administrative bodies and concerns about ‘law and order.’
State authorities, under the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, did not immediately enforce the ruling, citing ‘public safety concerns’ and procedural objections. Multiple layers of litigation followed, including contempt petitions, the calling in of Central security forces, and appeals being filed.
On 9 December 2025, over 107 MPs from the INDI bloc, led by DMK leaders Kanimozhi and T.R. Baalu, Congress’s Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, formally submitted an impeachment notice against Justice Swaminathan. The notice was signed by more than 100 representatives and handed to the Lok Sabha Speaker.
The motion accuses the judge of actions that “raise serious questions regarding impartiality, transparency, and the secular functioning of the judiciary,” alleging undue favour toward specific advocates and bias influenced by political ideology. These are nothing but accusations intended to intimidate the judge for ruling in favour of Hindus.
Critics of the impeachment, including BJP leaders and commentators, have described the move as an attempt by opposition parties to pressure and intimidate the judiciary when its rulings do not align with their political interests. They warn that using impeachment against judges for controversial decisions could set a dangerous precedent that undermines judicial independence.
The impeachment bid, unlikely to pass without a two-thirds parliamentary majority, highlights the desperation of the INDI Alliance that is frustrated by PM Modi’s third term. It also shows how parties such as UBT-SS, that claim to follow Hindutva, would not bat an eyelid to backstab Hindus for their minority appeasement politics. Procedurally, the Speaker must first review the motion, after which it may be debated and voted on in both Houses. Historically, however, judicial impeachment efforts in Bharat have rarely succeeded.
UBT-SS shows its anti-Hindu face yet again
UBT-SS MP Sawant signing the petition only reiterates what we all have known all along – minority appeasement is all that matters. The so-called Hindutva of the party was nothing but a farce to gather Hindu votes. From appeasing Muslims, UBT-SS has now fallen to the extent of directly opposing Hindu traditions using the ‘secularism’ mask.
However, UBT Sena’s Hindu hate should come as no surprise. Party members are merely following the lead of their party chief. Here are some recent instances of their anti-Hindu hate:
In January 2024, during his visit to Nasik’s Kalaram Mandir, Thackeray made a remark implying that Ayodhya’s Sri Ram Mandir was only for the ‘Upper Castes’ because he hadn’t received an invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
After forming Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and subsequently joining the Hinduphobic INDI alliance, the UBT-SS chief has repeatedly made statements hurting Hindu sentiments. He has been constantly fear-mongering regarding a Godhra-like attack on devotees.
Thackeray echoed the Hindudveshi Jihadi language by resorting to the ‘gaumutra’ jibe while speaking at the Golibar Maidan in Ratnagiri’s Khed in March 2023.
In December 2020, Thackeray made anti-Brahmin remarks under the guise of targeting the BJP. Speaking on the floor of the assembly, Uddhav Thackeray said, “Those who were earlier reading horoscopes have now begun to read books and reports”. This was apparently a jibe targeting the LoP (Leader of Opposition) Devendra Fadnavis, who is a Brahmin. Thackeray wanted to imply that Brahmins only read horoscopes.
In October 2020, while speaking at the annual Shiv Sena Dusshera Mela, UBT Sena chief alleged that the BJP’s Hindutva is confined only to Gaumutra and Cow Dung. He further went on to say that the BJP spews the same gaumutra and cow dung on others. Attacking further, “It is you and your clothes who reek of Gaumutra and Dung. What am I supposed to do?” he had remarked.
We’ve merely touched the tip of the iceberg. However, what needs to be noted is that UBT-SS is now all about Muslim appeasement and Hinduphobia. It was a straightforward case of allowing Hindus to light the lamp, which DMK purposely turned into a battle out of its hatred for Hindu Dharma. By supporting DMK, UBT-SS confirmed beyond doubt that it also hates Hindu Dharma as much as the INDI alliance. Hindus must use the upcoming BMC elections to show the UBT-SS that Hindus would no longer tolerate an assault on their traditions and rituals.
