A proud Hindu, Ex-CJI regrets misinterpretation

‘‘As far as I am concerned, I see nothing wrong in the words — Hindu, Hinduism and Hindutva — provided it is not used for a particular purpose or motivated as I am also a Hindu and proud to be one as Vivekananda said it is something which not only teaches tolerance but also universal acceptance,’’ Verma said. Verma, as CJI, had described Hinduism as a ‘‘way of life’’. ‘‘In fact my understanding of Hinduism made me do what I did in the Gujarat episode,’’ he said.

Verma, who retired as chairman of NHRC on January 18, 2003, also expressed ‘‘disappointment’’ that enough was not done by Centre and state to ‘‘make things better’’ in Gujarat.

‘‘I am disappointed as much more should have been done and that is the precise reason why a few days before my retirement, I wrote a letter to the PM pointing out what remains to be done and the action to be taken fast,’’ Verma said.

He, however, refused to disclose the contents of the letter.

Asked why he was not making the contents of the letter public, Verma said: ‘‘My intention is not to shame anyone but to try to see that quality of governance improves.’’

Asked if there was any pressure of ‘‘dinner diplomacy’’ as reported in the media from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to tone down the NHRC’s criticism of the handling of the Gujarat violence, Verma denied the same. ‘‘No. Never was there any pressure from anyone,’’ he said.

However, Verma said one has to keep in mind that the matter has been taken up by the Supreme Court. ‘‘I am also waiting for the Supreme Court to pass an order. I am interacting with the lawyers appearing in the case so that the matter is listed and I hope that happens early,’’ he said.

He also favoured the constitution of a National Judicial Commission with the Vice-President as its chairman.