Swearing on the Bhagavad Gita: A Sacred Pledge to Truth in Indian Courts
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In the history of Indian legal tradition, touching the Bhagavad Gita before giving testimony was once a deeply symbolic act. More than just a religious gesture, it reflected a profound cultural connection between law, faith, and moral responsibility. Rooted in the belief that divine presence demanded honesty, this act served as a moral anchor for truthfulness in courtrooms across India.
While the Gita—a revered Hindu scripture—was often used for Hindu witnesses, the practice itself extended beyond religious boundaries. People from various communities, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others, would swear upon their own holy books. This personalized oath created a sense of sacred accountability, reminding individuals that dishonesty could have not only legal consequences but spiritual ones as well.
The custom was especially prevalent during the Mughal era and continued into the early modern period. In times when legal systems were still evolving, such spiritual oaths bridged the gap between personal conscience and public justice. It was widely believed that breaking an oath sworn on a holy book would invite divine disapproval or karmic repercussions, thus promoting sincerity in testimony.
However, in 1873, the British colonial administration introduced the Indian Oaths Act to standardize legal proceedings. The act replaced religious oaths with a secular, uniform method that ensured no witness was compelled to swear by a particular faith. Under the current legal framework, individuals may choose to affirm or swear in a religion-neutral way, upholding the principles of secularism and equal treatment under the law.
Despite these changes, the memory of swearing on the Bhagavad Gita remains a significant chapter in India’s cultural and judicial evolution. It symbolizes an era when law and faith walked hand in hand, guided by a shared reverence for truth. Even today, some witnesses voluntarily choose to take oaths on their holy books, reflecting how personal belief continues to shape public morality.
This enduring tradition reminds us that justice, at its heart, is not just a legal process but a moral one—where truth is sacred, and the voice of conscience speaks louder than the letter of the law.
