The News Minute | April 3, 2015 | 10:46 a.m. IST

Justice Kurian Joseph has attracted the ire of the Chief Justice of India after informing the latter that he would not be able to attend the chief justices' conference which is scheduled for April 3, which is Good Friday.

According to a report in The Times of India , Justice Joseph had written to the CJI, H.L. Dattu said that he would be away in Kerala attending ceremonies surrounding the festival. He reportedly also questioned the timing of the meeting saying that such meetings were not held on Diwali, Dusshera , Holi or Eid.

The letter, reportedly written on March 18 got a strong reply from the CJI, who said that “institutional interest should be given preference to individual interest”, and highlighted the need to balance his work and personal commitments. 

Justice Joseph had also, in his letter said that these events shouldn’t be organized on such days as it doesn’t give equal importance to all holy days. He also reportedly wrote: “Please don't think that I am striking a communal note. Only since I see institution like ours, which are otherwise bound to protect the secular ethos and project secular image as per mandate of Constitution”, he reportedly wrote, adding that it was only then that he put his concern in writing.

The CJI, though, was reportedly surprised at being questioned, asking how the decision “has been questioned on the ground of inappropriate time, i.e. during 'holy and national holiday’”, by a fellow judge.