Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress over a letter sent by lawyers
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the Congress Party today after hundreds of lawyers and some bar associations across the country wrote to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressing their concerns over attempts to undermine the integrity of the judiciary using political and professional pressure.
“Intimidating and bullying others is the age-old culture of Congress. Five decades ago, they themselves called for a 'committed judiciary' – they unabashedly want commitment from others for their own selfish interests, but disavow any commitment to the nation,” PM Modi said. . In a post on the microblogging site X.
“No wonder 140 crore Indians reject them,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Intimidating and bullying others is the age-old culture of Congress.
Five decades ago they called for a “committed judiciary” – they unabashedly want others to adhere to their selfish interests but forego any commitment to the nation.
No wonder 140 Crore Indian… https://t.co/dgLjuYONHH
-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024
Prime Minister Modi's comments came after more than 600 lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council president Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, alleging that a “vested interest group” is trying to pressure the judiciary and discredit the courts. Especially in corruption cases involving politicians.
Sane voices are now coming out in the open, Union Minister and Arunachal West candidate Kiren Rijiju said, referring to the lawyers' letter.
“Congress members have formulated the concept of a committed judiciary and suspended the Indian Constitution. The Congress and the Leftists want the courts and constitutional authorities to serve them otherwise they will immediately start attacking the institutions themselves,” Rijiju said.
Reasonable voices are now coming out publicly. These Congressmen formulated the concept of a committed judiciary and a suspended Indian Constitution.
Congress and leftists want the courts and constitutional authorities to serve them or they will immediately begin attacking the institutions themselves. https://t.co/UyQmYOD5Zi– Kiren Rijiju (Modi family) (@KirenRijiju) March 28, 2024
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in a statement that it was not appropriate for the Prime Minister to issue comments on the judiciary. “However, since you consider India's institutions to be your personal property, I have a few questions for you. Why did four senior judges of the Supreme Court hold an unprecedented press conference and warn of the 'destruction of democracy' at the hands of your regime? Why was an unprecedented press conference held?” Of the judges nominated by your government for the Rajya Sabha…” Mr. Karji said in the statement.
Yesterday, the All Manipur Bar Association also wrote to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud highlighting the need to speak out against “disingenuous attacks” on the judiciary. The Bar Association said in the letter that it is deeply concerned by recent trends where special interest groups are trying to discredit the courts with “frivolous logic” and “outdated political agendas.”
Responding to Prime Minister Modi, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the Prime Minister's statements are “the height of hypocrisy.”
“The impudence of the Prime Minister in organizing and coordinating the attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy. The Supreme Court has dealt him physical blows in recent weeks. The electoral bonds scheme is just one example..,” Mr. Ramesh said in a post. On X.
“All the Prime Minister has done in the last 10 years is to divide, distort, divert and discredit. 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon,” the Congress leader said.
The prime minister's impudence in organizing and coordinating the attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy!
The Supreme Court has dealt him physical blows in recent weeks. The electoral bonds program is just one example. Top… https://t.co/R00ZRdWa7S
-Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 28, 2024
In the other letter, sent by more than 600 lawyers, they said the tactics used by the special interest group “harm our courts and threaten our democratic fabric.”
Chief Justice Chandrachud's leadership is crucial in these “difficult times” and the Supreme Court must stand strong, they said, adding that this is not the time to maintain dignified silence.
The letter also targeted a section of lawyers without naming them, alleging that they defend politicians during the day and then try to influence judges through the media at night.
