Markandey Katju at it again: Former SC judge calls Mahatma Gandhi a rascal, British agent

In a Twitter exchange with senior journalist R Jagannathan, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju ended up calling Mahatma Gandhi a ‘rascal’ and a ‘British agent’. Katju, who is quite a controversy’s child, on Wednesday, tweeted:

All Pakistanis & Bangladeshis r Indians. Partition of 1947 was a historical swindle & fraud by the British, which must be undone. Join IPBRA https://t.co/MRO3IwNRJJ

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) April 19, 2017

Calling Partition a historical swindle and fraud by the British, Katju, in his tweet urged people to join IPBRA — Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh Reunification (under a secular government) Association — a body formed by the former judge himself. Katju’s statement started a war of words (of sorts) between him and the senior journalist. Katju had announced creation of IPBRA in this article published in The Huffington Post .

“We are really one nation, and were one since Mughal times. The Partition of India in 1947 on the basis of the bogus two-nation theory was a historical swindle by the British, which must now be undone, and we should reunite if we wish to prosper.”

In response to Katju’s tweet, Jagannathan replied saying that India would have been “ungovernable if there had been no partition. Consider the kind of veto powers Jinnah was demanding.”

U r talking rubbish. Partition was a historical British swindle, & was the greatest tragedy of the sub continent in modern times

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) April 19, 2017

Partition allowed India to become reasonable democracy. With an unstable Hindu-Muslim mix Akhand Bharat wud hav been a complete disaster

— R Jagannathan (@TheJaggi) April 19, 2017

Katju refuted the point raised by the journalist and said that ‘Akhand Bharat’ is an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) concept and what he was proposing (by launching IPBRA) was a secular nation which does not “tolerate religious extremism, Hindu or Muslim.” Katju has been a vocal proponent of secularism and ever since the Narendra Modi-led BJP came to power at the Centre, the former judge has been quite critical of the rising Hindu extremism in the country and has been at the receiving end of lot of flak from right-wing activists. As Jagannathan went on to argue that it was not practical to have a “secular” ‘Akhand Bharat’ in 1947, he added that partition was inevitable. Miffed at Jagannathan’s tweet, Katju hit back with

Again talking rubbish. Dont u understand that Partition was planned by Britishers,& accepted by their agents, those rascals Gandhi&Jinnah ?

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) April 19, 2017

Katju, a vocal critique of the Father of the Nation, has on many occasions on social media criticised Mahatma Gandhi for taking decisions in the interest of the British.

Not a first for Katju

This is not the first time that Katju has expressed some rather controversial views on social media. The former judge has never shied away from speaking his mind, be it the mockery of Bihar residents or the government’s demonetisation move. He has stuck his neck out on a range of issues to invite attention — and criticism.

On Centre’s crackdown on black money and demonetisation move

The 500-1000 rupee abolition harebrained schemed has introduced total chaos throughout the country. pic.twitter.com/L9CLaF2hJE

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) November 9, 2016

On JNU student leaders and on-campus agitation

Most speeches of JNUSU leaders like Kanhaiya, Shehla,etc remind me of a line from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' : " It is a tale told by an idiot,

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) November 8, 2016

Why don't JNUSU office bearers speak out against the outdated, stupid and feudal sharia law ? pic.twitter.com/D65vlhigvp

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) November 7, 2016

On Triple Talaq

All those who support triple talaq r enemies of Islam, & shud be condemned by Muslims. Islam came as a great liberating force in the world

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 21, 2016

On Delhi’s pollution and Ramdev

I don't know y Delhiites r complaining of air pollution.Surely BabaRamdev wud be having some Patanjali product which consumed makes air pure

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) November 5, 2016

On Arnab Goswami and his security

This joker Arnab Goswamy who has nothing in his head except his arrogance will get 20 guards night&day by Govt. for his security
Hari Om

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 17, 2016

On Samajwadi Party’s infighting

My advice to the SP members : Throw out all the old decayed fish and rotten eggs in your party, and solidly join ranks behind Akhilesh Yadav

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 26, 2016

What has happened to you Maharashtrians ? How can you tolerate such goondas ? Are you not ashamed ?

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 22, 2016

On Partition and Pakistan

Problem with Pakistanis is they dare not speak truth about Partition & that Pak is fake, coz if they do they'll be bumped off by extremists

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 31, 2016

1947 was a historical swindle by the British, that India & Pak are really one country, and will reunite 1 day under a secular govt.

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 30, 2016

On Kashmir crisis

Geelani, Omar, Mehbooba have all become irrelevant in Kashmir. Only relevant people are those who have the gun i.e. army & the militants

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) October 31, 2016

On NDTV India ban

There is a difference between coverage and live coverage of anti terrofist operations. What is banned by rule 6(1)(p) is only live coverage

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) November 5, 2016

Justice Katju : One day ban on NDTV is illegal
I spoke just now wi... https://t.co/M5zKTcqnSe

— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) November 5, 2016