In an era where social media has become a potent platform to voice one's opinions, it sometimes gives rise to alarming incidents that shake the very core of our society. One such distressing incident unfolded recently when a series of abhorrent tweets from Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman, an Assistant Sessions Judge in Assam's Udalguri district, flared up, triggering widespread discontent and anger.

The sheer audacity of Rahman's allegations has left citizens across the nation in a state of dismay. Despite holding a respected position in the judiciary, an institution anchored in impartiality and justice, Rahman exhibited an overt and disgraceful display of bias and hatred. This senior officer of the Assam Judicial Service, who has been serving since 2002 and previously held the position of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate in the Sivasagar district of Assam, has apparently abandoned the virtue of neutrality that his role demands.

Tweets by Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman

Not too long ago, in November 2021, he shockingly labeled the Indian army, who are stationed in Kashmir to protect the territory and its people, as "communal", proclaiming loudly on the public platform that "#Kashmir Lives matter". His unabashed support for Kashmiri 'fighters' serves as a potent testament to his distorted worldview. He didn't stop there. In an attempt to further malign the image of our gallant armed forces, Rahman recounted his purported experience during his first visit to Kashmir as a university student, stating, "Sometimes the army is not neutral. I faced it in Kashmir..."

Moreover, in a horrifying turn of events, this judge had the audacity to target the Hindu community with his venomous words during a critical time when the national capital was witnessing anti-Hindu riots. In a tweet that can only be described as reprehensible, he blatantly uttered the words, "Brahmins run", throwing gas on the fiery tensions of the time. It seemed as though Rahman took it upon himself to deepen the wounds of a community that was already grappling with the brutal onslaught of Islamists.

In a mocking tone that stripped away the veil of judicial impartiality, he downplayed the genuine concerns and fears that had enveloped the Hindu community, brazenly stating, "Hindu khatre mein hai, alarm abhi zaroorat ho gaya (Hindus are in danger, an alarm is required now)." These words, not only amplify the animosity but also make a mockery of the pain and fear that the community was experiencing.

Interestingly, it is worth noting that this judge has a follower in Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Saket Gokhale, a detail that adds a different dimension to this unnerving narrative.

The blatant bigotry and hatred displayed by Rahman raises serious questions about the individual's integrity, who was previously held back from promotion due to concerns regarding his 'doubtful integrity'. One cannot help but wonder how such a person, known for his hateful rhetoric, has been allowed to sit on a position of judgement, wielding power over the lives and destinies of countless individuals.

As the narrative continues to unfold, it becomes increasingly evident that the Assistant Sessions Judge, Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman, harbours deeply ingrained prejudices that significantly tarnish the very principles of justice he is sworn to uphold. His recent online escapades further disclose a disturbing trend of misinformation and a blatant disrespect for the Hindu community and the Indian nation as a whole.

In an astonishing display of misinformation, Rahman was noted for disseminating the false claim that India is actively engaged in the exportation of beef, particularly cow meat, to Gulf countries, with Hindus spearheading such enterprises. This claim stands in stark contrast to the facts clarified by BJP Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in 2017, emphasizing that only carabeef, which refers to buffalo meat, is exported from the country. This false narrative not only sows seeds of division but grossly misrepresents the economic practices of the nation.

Furthermore, Rahman seemed to take a perverse delight in aggravating the already heightened tensions by insinuating, without any substantiated evidence, that Hindus were facing imminent danger and potential death at the hands of Muslims, as seen in a tweet from July of this year. This kind of rhetoric not only stokes the fires of fear and division but fundamentally undermines the communal harmony that forms the bedrock of Indian society. 

“And nowadays Hindus are in danger! Will be shot dead in close encounter by Muslims,” Rahman claimed in a tweet in July this year.

Disturbingly, his tirade did not end here. In a shocking development, he asserted that the Hindu community was primarily responsible for loan defaults and heinous crimes such as rape, urging people to "see the national statistics of crime on a caste basis", thereby giving a horrifying glimpse into the twisted mindset he harbours.

Engaging with a Hindu Twitter handle, Rahman further stooped low to make derogatory remarks, accusing them of harbouring "sex slaves in Brindavan". This not only reflects his deeply seeded prejudice but also showcases a complete departure from the decorum expected of a judicial officer.

In a move that demonstrates a shocking lack of judicial restraint, Rahman labeled the killing of the notorious criminal and gangster, Atiq Ahmed, as an act of 'Hindu terrorism,' further advancing his agenda of painting the Hindu community in a negative light.

But perhaps what stands as the most egregious of his statements was his unjustified attack against Hindu spiritual leaders. With an audacity that beggars belief, he asserted that Islamic clerics have never indulged in hate speeches or threatened Hindu women with sexual violence, suggesting that such heinous acts were common parlance amongst Hindu spiritual leaders, whom he referred to disdainfully as "respected Hindu babas".

This series of hate-fuelled diatribes by Rahman not only brings his credibility into question but paints a harrowing picture of the level of bias and prejudice that seems to be festering within him. It raises pressing questions about the integrity of the judicial processes he oversees and casts a long shadow on the principles of justice and fairness that are supposed to be the hallmark of his profession.

In a further unraveling of shocking and inflammatory comments, Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman appears to have stooped to an all-new low, demonstrating an alarming lack of restraint and propriety that should ideally be characteristic of a person in his judicial position. A string of tweets unveils the extent of his disdain not only for Hindu spiritual figures, whom he audaciously branded as "potential rapists", but also for other dignitaries and political figures, thereby crossing the boundaries of professionalism and respect.

In a sheer breach of conduct expected from a sitting judge, Rahman has been unabashed in sharing politically charged comments on public platforms. His unfounded and egregious accusations have been directed at various individuals including former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, and Justice Abdul Nazeer, a respected figure associated with the Ayodhya verdict.

Creating a narrative deeply soaked in conspiracy theories and personal biases, Rahman claimed in one of his tweets that the Saudi King had expressed his discontent about "RSS terrorists" to Modi, hinting at a sudden change in Modi's stance following the supposed conversation. This claim, devoid of any substantiation, seems to be an attempt to stir controversies and malign political figures. His incessant hounding of ex-BJP leader Nupur Sharma, demanding her arrest in multiple tweets, displays a clear violation of the neutrality expected from someone in his position.

Furthermore, Rahman engaged in a blatant character assassination of Justice Abdul Nazeer, a retired Supreme Court judge noted for his role in the Ram Janmabhoomi verdict. Without mincing words, he accused Justice Nazeer of compromising the integrity of the judiciary with his ruling in favor of the Ram temple, alleging a lack of evidence to support the verdict. Such accusations, deeply rooted in personal bias and vendetta, not only tarnish the reputation of a respected judge but also threaten to undermine the faith people have in the judiciary.

“He (Justice Abdul Nazeer) knew it before, judiciary was not like this before, this gentleman destroyed the backbone of judiciary by giving verdict in favour of Ram temple, where there was no evidence,” he tweeted.

Even as the storm surrounding his inflammatory remarks continues to rage, Rahman seemed to exhibit an alarming level of disconnect from the gravity of his actions. Seemingly untouched by the outrage his comments have sparked, he casually took to social media on Monday, September 4, to share news of his consideration for the elevated position of additional district judge or district judge. This raises serious concerns about the suitability of such a divisive figure holding a position of greater influence and authority within the judiciary. The gravity of his actions and the potential repercussions on the harmonious fabric of society cannot be understated, calling for urgent introspection and action to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.

The past revelations pertaining to the controversial figure of Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman paint a grim picture of his tenure within the judiciary. His journey which was marred with skepticism over his integrity has come full circle with the recent unveiling of his incendiary remarks on social media platforms.

In 2011, Rahman was in the limelight for all the wrong reasons as he was overlooked for a promotion from Grade III to Grade II within the Assam Judicial Service. This was primarily due to serious apprehensions surrounding his integrity, culminating in his exclusion from the promotion list in 2012. His professional journey has been clouded with suspicions, with even the annual confidential rolls of that period echoing these concerns, marking him with 'doubtful integrity' and advocating for a closer watch on his actions. Despite having this remark expunged at a later stage, the directives to monitor his activities remained firmly in place, reflecting the deep-seated concerns regarding his professional conduct.

However, as we have seen on Monday, September 4, Rahman found himself embroiled in a fresh controversy, leaving many questioning his vehement anti-Hindu stance brought to light by his tweets. Attempting to deflect from the backlash, he hastily claimed camaraderie with numerous individuals from the Hindu community, in what appears to be a rather superficial attempt to salvage his crumbling reputation.

Screengrab of the followers’ list of Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman

Further scrutiny into Rahman's social media circles unveils connections that seem to validate the widespread criticism against him. Among his notable followers is Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member, Saket Gokhale, a figure previously apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate in a crowdfunding fraud case. These connections, arguably, cast a longer shadow on Rahman's credibility and objectivity, clearly delineating a pattern of associations with figures embroiled in contentious situations.

As we stand at this juncture, it becomes vital to ponder over the implications of these revelations on the sanctity of the judiciary, a pillar entrusted with upholding justice, fairness, and the values enshrined in our constitution. The clouds of doubt surrounding Shah Syed Ahadur Rahman seem to have cast a pall over the judiciary, urging the masses and the concerned authorities to reconsider the gravity of letting a figure, engulfed in a mire of controversies and marked by a history of 'doubtful integrity', ascend to a position of greater power and influence within the system. It becomes a pressing mandate to salvage the integrity of the judiciary, ensuring that it remains an abode of justice, untouched by the malevolence of prejudice and hatred.