Cannot seek votes in name of religion, caste: SC

New Delhi: In a majority verdict, the Supreme Court today held that any appeal for votes on the ground of “religion, race, caste, community or language” amounted to “corrupt practice” under the election law provision.

Referring to the term ‘his religion’ used in section 123(3) of the Representation of The Peoples (RP) Act, which deals with ‘corrupt practice’, Chief Justice T S Thakur and three others in the 4:3 verdict said it meant the religion and caste of all including voters, candidates and their agents etc.

However, the minority view of three judges – UU Lalit, A K Goel and D Y Chandrachud – held that the term ‘his’ religion means religion of candidate only.

The majority view, also shared by Justices M B Lokur, S A Bobde and L N Rao, said ‘secularism’ has to be considered while dealing with such issues.