Ayodhya: Supreme Court issues notice to Chennai Professor in contempt plea by Rajeev Dhavan

The Supreme Court today issued notice to Chennai-based professor N Shanmugham in a contempt of court petition filed by Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan. Dhavan has alleged that the professor had threatened him for appearing for Muslim parties in the Ayodhya case..Notice was issued by the Constitution Bench hearing the Ayodhya case..Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Dhavan..In Dhavan’s petition, a letter allegedly penned by one Professor N Shanmugham has been annexed. In the letter, Shanmugham has accused Rajeev Dhavan of having betrayed his faith by speaking on behalf of Muslims and “their so-called right to Ayodhya.” Claiming to be an 88-year-old senior citizen, Shanmugham goes on to state,.“Hindus will not forgive you [Dhavan] for your present Role. If you have a conscience, recuse yourself immediately from (illegible) go back home and sit quietly ruling over your fate. Waiting for the lord’s judgment..Read also: Rajeev Dhavan files contempt plea over threats against his appearance in Ayodhya case for Muslim Parties.From Feb 1941 till today, I have chanted Gayatri Mantra 50 lakh times. From Sept 1958 till today, I have read Ch. 10 of GITA 27000 times. With that tongue, I curse you. Very soon my Lord will give you the punishment you deserve… You will live like a vegetable and a burden on Earth, laughed and derided at by society. Your family shall perish without anyone to lit (sic) the fire..That shall be the price you will pay for your blasphemy. I can’t but pity you. I am ashamed of you.”.Dhavan goes on to submit that this is not an isolated instance of threats being made to him over his appearance in the Ayodhya case..In particular, Dhavan quotes several Hindi WhatsApp messages sent by one, Sanjay Kalal Bajrangi, screenshots of which have also been annexed to the plea. Among other messages, as translated in the plea, are the following,.“Vakeel Sahib, Please give your full support in getting positive decision on Ram Mandir Matter..Coming generation shall forever keep you in their minds!!.Please be with Hindu Society!!.The words of your final journey shall be chanted as Ram Nam Satya!!!”.While seeking the Court’s intervention in initiating contempt proceedings, Dhavan has also sought exemption from seeking prior permission from Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, given that they have appeared in related proceedings..[Read Order]