Modi targets Congress over lawyers’ letter to CJI; Kharge hits back

Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Congress and recalled how it had “called for a committed judiciary” even 50 years ago, after a group of eminent lawyers wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud about a “vested interest group” trying to put pressure on the Indian judiciary in corruption cases involving politicians.

The letter by the group of lawyers, however, didn’t link any political party to the “vested interest group”.

Responding to the Prime

Minister, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reminded Mr. Modi that four judges of the Supreme Court were forced to hold a press conference because of “interference” from the government.

“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 are rejecting them,” Mr. Modi said in a post on ◣ on Thursday.

The Prime Minister’s post was prompted by a letter that over 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chief Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI Chandrachud about some groups trying to put pressure on and defame courts.

“These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric,” the lawyers drawn from across the country said in the letter dated March 26.

‘Tough times’

The letter said the CJI’s leadership is crucial in these “tough times” and the top court should “stay strong and not maintain a dignified silence”.

The signatories to the letter targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night.

‘Refraining comments’

In his statement, Mr. Kharge advised Mr. Modi to refrain from commenting on the judiciary. “You fail to acknowledge that during your regime, four seniormost Supreme Court judges felt compelled to hold an unprecedented press conference, warning against the “destruction of Democracy”. One of these judges was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by your government. So, who truly desires a ‘committed judiciary’?” he asked.

The Congress chief also pointed out how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded a former High Court judge in West Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. “What criteria led to his candidacy?” he asked.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on ◣, “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...”

Mr. Ramesh also shared a post from Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan that targeted Mr. Salve, a signatory to the letter.

“Government’s favourite lawyer Salve tried very hard to stop the exposé of bribery and extortion details of Electoral Bonds... He now leads a pack of 600 nondescript lawyers trying to influence the CJI to back off from tough orders. How many of these bond donors are Salve’s clients? Amazing that Modi tweets in support of this letter!” Mr. Bhushan said in his post.

To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a ‘committed judiciary’ NARENDRA MODI Prime Minister