After 600 lawyers write to Chief Justice, PM launches scathing tweet against Congress
PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party following a significant development where hundreds of lawyers, along with several bar associations across the country, penned a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The letter expressed grave concerns over alleged attempts to undermine the integrity of the judiciary through political and professional pressures.
In a post on the microblogging platform X, PM Modi criticized the Congress, stating, "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. Five decades ago, they themselves had called for a 'committed judiciary' - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests, but desist from any commitment towards the nation." He further added, "No wonder, 140 crore Indians are rejecting them."
To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture.
5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation.
No wonder 140 crore Indians… https://t.co/dgLjuYONHH — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024
PM Modi's remarks came in response to the letter signed by over 600 lawyers, including prominent figures like Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra. The letter to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud raised concerns about a "vested interest group" allegedly exerting pressure on the judiciary and tarnishing the reputation of courts, especially in cases involving political corruption.
Union Minister and Arunachal West candidate Kiren Rijiju echoed the sentiments expressed in the letter, emphasizing that voices of reason were now openly emerging. He criticised the Congress for its past actions, highlighting their role in promoting the concept of a "committed judiciary" and their attacks on constitutional institutions when their interests weren't served.
Sane Voices are openly coming- out now. These Congress people coined the concept of committed Judiciary and suspended Indian Constitution.
Congress and Leftists want Courts & Constitutional Authorities to serve them or else they immediately start attacking the very institutions. https://t.co/UyQmYOD5Zi — Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) March 28, 2024
Responding to PM Modi's comments, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Prime Minister for interfering in judicial matters, asserting that India's institutions were not his personal property. Kharge questioned the Prime Minister's stance on various issues, including the unprecedented press conference held by four senior-most Supreme Court judges and the nomination of a judge by his government to the Rajya Sabha.
The All Manipur Bar Association also joined the chorus of dissent by writing to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, urging him to address the "underhanded attacks" on the judiciary. They expressed concerns about vested interest groups attempting to defame courts using frivolous arguments and stale political agendas.
The PM's brazenness in orchestrating and coordinating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy!
The Supreme Court has delivered body blows to him in recent weeks. The Electoral Bonds Scheme is but one example. The Supreme… https://t.co/R00ZRdWa7S — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 28, 2024
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lambasted PM Modi's remarks, labeling them as hypocritical. Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of orchestrating an attack on the judiciary under the guise of defending it, citing recent Supreme Court verdicts as evidence. He asserted that PM Modi's tenure was marked by division, distortion, diversion, and defamation, and predicted that Indian citizens would respond fittingly in the upcoming elections.
In their letter, the lawyers condemned the tactics employed by the alleged vested interest group, describing them as detrimental to the courts and threatening to democratic principles. They called for Chief Justice Chandrachud's leadership during these challenging times and emphasised the need for the Supreme Court to assert its strength rather than maintaining dignified silence. Additionally, the letter criticizsed a section of lawyers who purportedly defended politicians during the day and sought to influence judges through the media at night.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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