Former Supreme Court judge Justice KT Thomas is a personality widely noted for his diverse perspectives. He keeps portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Sree Narayana Guru, and Jesus Christ in his living room, a reflection of the broad philosophical range that characterises his own views. This diversity is evident in the positions he has taken over the years. A decade ago itself, he sparked widespread controversy by stating that “the RSS is the fourth element that ensures national security, after the Constitution of India, the judiciary, and the army.” What surprised many was that Justice Thomas, a member of the Christian community, had spoken about the RSS in such a distinctive manner, especially within the particular socio-political context of Kerala.
Justice KT Thomas had headed the Supreme Court bench that adjudicated the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Now 88 years old, he has shared his current views on politics, the Constitution, religion, the economy, the military, the judiciary, and other significant matters in a recent 20-minute interview with Kerala’s Janam TV.
“Secularism is not a word related only to religion”
Justice KT Thomas offered a strikingly different perspective when asked about secularism. “Secularism is not a word related only to religion. Many people in our country have misunderstood it to mean ‘no religion’. That understanding is incorrect. Secularism cannot be confined solely to the realm of religion. It encompasses devotion to the nation, the fulfilment of one’s duties as a citizen, and the ability to rise above divisions of caste, religion, and language to embrace a common Indian identity,” he explained. He further clarified, “Religion is just one of the many components within secularism. It is mistaken to associate the term solely with religion. In fact, it is often religious minorities in the country who interpret secularism as implying the absence of religion.”
“Congress died during Indira’s time; Indira like Idi Amin, a dictator”
In the interview, Justice KT Thomas recalled his meeting and conversation with Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955, when he was just 18 years old. He had travelled to Delhi as the sole representative from Kerala for consultations related to the formation of the Youth Congress. “Nehru advised me to learn Hindi as the national language,” he recounted.
Reflecting on his early political allegiance, he said, “As a Congressman, I had wished to die a Congressman. But I could only do so until the Congress itself died. The Congress died when Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister and split the party in two. After that, it was Indira’s Congress, which I did not support. I did not admire it, and I believe Indira Gandhi destroyed India’s democracy.
”He strongly criticised her actions during the Emergency, saying, “She declared the Emergency only to retain her power. All the brave freedom fighters were arrested and imprisoned without trial for 18 months. Who else would do such a thing? Idi Amin would have. That is how Indira became a dictator.”
“Today, the country is safe, economically and militarily strong”
When asked about the current state of the nation, Justice K.T. Thomas responded positively. “The country is doing well. There has been progress in all fields during Narendra Modi’s tenure, this is something that everyone acknowledges. Reports suggest that, following this period, we will surpass Japan to become the world’s third-largest economic power,” he noted.
He also highlighted India’s growing strength in defence. “We have emerged as a significant military power. Pakistan attempted to attack us four times, but each time they were crushed,” he added.
The interview, released in Malayalam on 23 May, is available on Janam TV’s official YouTube channel.
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