Wanted to raise concern on future of secularism, says SC judge who wrote letter to Modi

Supreme Court Judge Justice Kurian Joseph, who has raised objections with Chief Justice of India HL Dattu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over holding of a three-day long judges conference during holy weekend for Christians, today said he only wanted to raise the "serious concern" about secularism in India.

When contacted by PTI, Justice Kurien Joseph, who was attending religious services with family members at his ancestral home in nearby Kaladi, said he was sad as a section of media was treating the issue "wrongly" missing the core issue.

"I only wanted to raise the serious concern--the future of secularism in this great country-- (which required consideration of appropriate authorities). Nothing personal between me or anybody (on this issue). But I am sad that it has been projected wrongly by a section of media, missing the core issue," he said.

Justice Joseph has declined to attend the Prime Minister's dinner for top judges tonight on the ground that the event and the ongoing judges' conference clashed with Good Friday and Easter weekend. Justice Joseph will leave for New Delhi after Easter celebrations on Sunday evening.