Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal has taken strong exception to a comment made by Madras High Court (Madurai bench) judge, Justice GR Swaminathan. Justice GR Swaminathan had said that the Constitution will cease to exist if the country's demographic profile is altered. Sibal reacted by saying that the Constitution might not survive if judges have such a mindset.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Justice G R Swaminathan (Madras High Court): Constitution will cease to exist if country's "demographic profile" is altered…as a judge I cannot speak beyond this…I hope you understand. My take: The constitution may not survive if judges have such a mindset."

While attending a book release event in Chennai on April 2, Justice GR Swaminathan said that the Constitution will remain intact only until the demographic profile of the country remains as it was during the formulation and adoption of the Constitution.

Before making the remark, Justice GR Swaminathan told the audience that his comments might "turn out to be a slightly controversial view".

"There are several aspects of the Constitution. The drafting of it started in 1947 and in 1950, we adopted it. If this Constitution has to remain intact, the demographic profile which existed at the time of its formation should remain the same. If the demographic profile gets altered, the Constitution will perish. If you ask how the demographic profile can remain the same, people who follow the Bharatiya tradition or Bharatiya Dharma should remain in the same tradition," he said.

"As a judge, I cannot say anything beyond this. I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)