"All citizens have the right to free speech and expression under Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution. Expression of views by a candidate does not disentitle him to hold a constitutional office so long as the person proposed for judgeship is a person of competence, merit and integrity."
The Supreme Court collegium said this on Wednesday, 18 January, in its proposal for the reconsideration of Advocate Somasekhar Sundaresan as a Judge of the Bombay High Court.