Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, who retired as a judge of the Calcutta High Court on Monday, openly declared his membership in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his farewell speech. Addressing his colleagues and members of the bar, Justice Dash expressed his readiness to return to the organization if needed.
“To the distaste of some persons, I must admit here that I was and I am a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS),” Justice Dash stated. He emphasized his lifelong association with the RSS, acknowledging the significant influence it had on his values and principles.
Justice Dash, who served over 14 years as a high court judge, transferred to the Calcutta High Court from the Orissa High Court. Reflecting on his career, he said, “I owe a lot to the organization… I am there from my childhood and throughout my youth.” He credited the RSS for instilling in him a sense of courage, uprightness, impartiality, patriotism, and commitment to work.
Despite his long-standing association, Justice Dash maintained that he distanced himself from the RSS for about 37 years due to his judicial responsibilities. He asserted that he never leveraged his membership for career advancement, in alignment with the organization’s principles.
Justice Dash highlighted his commitment to impartiality, stating, “I treated everybody at par, be he a rich or poor person, be he a communist, or from the BJP, Congress or TMC (Trinamool Congress). All are equal before me, I do not hold any bias for anyone or for any particular political philosophy or mechanism.” He added that his judicial philosophy was rooted in empathy and that “law can be bent to do justice, but justice cannot be bent to suit the law.”
Born in 1962 in Sonepur, Odisha, Justice Dash completed his schooling in Ullunda and pursued higher studies in Dhenkanal and Bhubaneswar. He graduated in law from Cuttack in 1985 and enrolled as an advocate in 1986. His career includes serving as an additional standing counsel for the state government from 1992 to 1994 and joining the Orissa Superior Judicial Service (Senior Branch) in February 1999. He was elevated to an additional judge of the Orissa High Court in October 2009 and transferred to the Calcutta High Court in June 2022.
As he concluded his tenure, Justice Dash reiterated his willingness to assist the RSS, stating, “Because I have not done anything wrong in my life, I dare to say I belong to the organization because that is also not wrong.” He affirmed that his membership in the RSS was consistent with his integrity and principles.
