Scientific evidence isn’t everything: Rajasthan HC judge who says peacocks don’t have sex

india

Updated: Jun 01, 2017 17:45 IST

Former Rajasthan high court judge Mahesh Chandra Sharma is facing a storm of criticism for suggesting the cow be made India’s national animal and that peacocks didn’t have sex to procreate.

But in an exclusive interview to HT’s Rakesh Goswami, the judge defended his theory on the basis of religious evidence. He also said he planned to go back to being an advocate and had no political ambition. Below are the excerpts:

You’ve been trolled on social media for what you said about cows and peacocks yesterday. How do you react to this?

I have already given a copy of the order on cows to you. Subsequently, I will also give you one of my earlier orders which talks about peacocks. You will find everything there.

A copy of the earlier order by former Rajasthan high court judge Mahesh Chandra Sharma on peacocks.

You think all that you have said in the judgements has scientific evidence?

Scientific evidence isn’t everything… there’s religious evidence. There’s a reference in Bhagwat Purana about peacocks not having sex.

Do you think it is the duty of the high court to suggest what should be made a national animal?

Anybody can suggest. There’s a difference between suggestion and direction. The government has to follow a direction otherwise it faces contempt of court. Suggestions is the discretion of the government -- whether to accept or not accept.

But that suggestion coming from a high court judge carries a lot of weight.

We function in a double capacity – as a high court judge and as a public man.

Did the suggestion to make cow the national animal come from a judge or a normal citizen?

At this time, it came in a judgement. But not as a direction; it is expected (from the government).

At a time when Rajasthan made national headlines for a man who was lynched for carrying cows, do you think it was appropriate for you to extol the virtues of cows?

I don’t want to comment on anything except my judgement.

Was there nothing wrong with the timing of the judgement?

I’m hearing the case for six years. The position of gaushala (the state-run Hingonia cow shelter in Jaipur) has improved. You don’t connect this with anything political, connect it with cows only.

A lot of people are asking if you want to join politics? What do you want to do now?

It’s useless. I have moved an application to the Bar Council of Rajasthan to renew my license and I will return to practice. Once an advocate, always an advocate.

So you have no political ambitions?

No.. I have religious ambitions.

Which means what?

Bhagwan ki pooja path karenge (I will devote my time to worshipping gods.)