In India, the Bhagavad Gita is more than just a religious text; it’s a cultural icon, a symbol of righteousness and moral duty. Thanks to the influence of Bollywood, many people believe that the Gita is used in Indian courts for swearing an oath. This misconception is so widespread that it has become almost a myth. But where did this idea come from, and what’s the truth behind it? Let’s delve into this myth and figure out the truth.
The Birth of the Myth: Bollywood’s Role
Bollywood has played a significant role in shaping public perceptions, including those about the legal system. Classic courtroom dramas often depict the moment when a witness is asked to swear on the Bhagavad Gita before testifying. This image is so powerful that it has become ingrained in the collective consciousness of the Indian audience.
Take the movie Deewar (1975), for example. In this iconic film, the climax is centered around the conflict between two brothers, one a cop and the other a criminal. The Gita plays a symbolic role when Amitabh Bachchan’s character, Vijay, refuses to accept the Gita from his mother, symbolizing his rejection of societal norms. The Gita’s presence in this crucial scene reinforces the idea that it is the ultimate arbiter of truth and morality, further embedding the notion that it is the go-to text for oaths in Indian courts. These dramatic moments have led many to believe that the Gita is the mandatory book for taking oaths in court.
Bollywood’s Simplification: Why the Gita?
Bollywood’s preference for the Gita in courtroom scenes can be attributed to several factors:
• Cultural Universality: The Gita is a text that resonates with a broad section of the Indian population, regardless of specific religious affiliations. Its teachings on duty, righteousness, and truth are widely recognized, making it a powerful symbol in the cinematic portrayal of justice.
• Dramatic Impact: The Gita’s association with moral integrity and truthfulness makes it an ideal prop for creating high-stakes drama in court scenes. When a character swears on the Gita, it immediately conveys to the audience that the moment is serious, and that the character’s testimony is of utmost importance.
• Simplification for Storytelling: Filmmakers often simplify legal processes to keep the narrative straightforward and relatable. Using the Gita as the standard text for oaths avoids the complexity of showing multiple religious texts and keeps the focus on the drama of the moment.
Debunking the Myth: Other Bollywood Examples
While the Gita is commonly depicted, some Bollywood films do acknowledge the diversity of religious texts used in courts. For instance, in Jolly LLB (2013), the court proceedings reflect a more realistic portrayal of the legal system. The movie doesn’t focus on any specific religious text for oaths, instead highlighting the procedural aspects of the law. Another example is Oh My God! (2012), where the protagonist, played by Paresh Rawal, challenges the idea of religious formalities, including oath-taking. The film brings to light the secular nature of the legal process, questioning the necessity of invoking religious texts in court at all.
The Reality: A Choice of Religious Texts
The use of holy books during oaths can be traced back to ancient legal traditions where religious texts were considered the ultimate moral authority. In societies where religion played a central role in daily life, swearing an oath on a sacred text was seen as the highest form of truth-telling, binding the individual not just legally, but spiritually. For example, in English common law, which heavily influenced many modern legal systems, including India’s, the Bible was traditionally used in courtrooms. The oath taken on the Bible was believed to invoke divine retribution if the witness lied, thereby ensuring that only the truth was spoken.
This practice dates back to earlier times and began in India with the onset of the Mughal Era, rooted in the deep religious beliefs of the Indian people. The British later adopted this tradition, making the use of holy books mandatory through the Indian Oaths Act of 1873. Interestingly, this practice continued for a few years even after India's Independence.
The practice of swearing on the religious books of their own faith came to an end in 1969. Following recommendations from the Law Commission in its 28th report, the Indian Oaths Act of 1873 was revised, leading to the introduction of a uniform and secular system for taking oaths across the entire country.
Contrary to the Bollywood portrayal, Indian law does not mandate the use of the Bhagavad Gita or any other holy book for that matter to take oaths in court. This flexibility ensures that the legal process respects the diverse beliefs of all citizens.
Conclusion
Bollywood has undoubtedly contributed to the myth that the Bhagavad Gita is the default holy book used in Indian courts. While this makes for compelling cinema, it’s important to recognize the reality. As entertaining as these movies are, they should not be taken as accurate representations of legal procedures. Instead, they serve as reminders of the powerful influence of cinema on public perceptions and the need to distinguish between dramatic portrayals and real-world practices. Understanding the truth behind this myth helps demystify the legal process and ensures that individuals are better informed about their rights and responsibilities in the courtroom.
Comments