BANGALORE: Did the legislators in the 14thkarnataka legislative assembly breached the constitutional provision by taking oath in the names of Gods and Saints?
The Constitution mandates a legislator to take oath of office by “swearing in the name of God” or “solemnly affirm” but many legislators on Wednesday breached the constitutional provision by taking oath in the names of Gods and Saints.
In fact, a legislator BasavarajRayareddy was critical of legislators, for taking oath in the name of saints. ” Constitution sees God in the secular form. Why do you want to take names?,” he asked.
But reddy was snubbed by some legislators saying he was not suppose to talk before taking the oath.
Generally, members of a legislature take oath or make affirmation before the before they take their seats in the House. This is a solemn ceremony in which the newly elected members swear that they will bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of the country and faithfully discharge the duty of a member. The form of oath may vary, but the substance remains more or less the same.
The Constitution or law provides penalty too for taking the seat without taking oath or making affirmation.
