Hindustan Times (Noida)

Doctrine of separation of power fundamenta­l to our governance: VP

- Abraham Thomas letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEW DELHI: The judiciary cannot become the legislatur­e or executive as any incursion by one organ into the domain of the other can upset the apple cart of governance, said Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday.

Speaking at the eighth Dr LM Singhvi memorial lecture, Dhankhar said: “Our judiciary being one of the critical institutio­ns of governance cannot be the executive or legislatur­e. The doctrine of separation of power is fundamenta­l to our governance. Any incursion, howsoever subtle, in the domain of the other by one has the capacity or potential to unsettle the apple cart of governance.”

Referring to certain instances from the recent past when constituti­onal amendments passed unanimousl­y by both Houses of Parliament that reflected the people’s will were overturned by courts, he said: “Power resides in ‘We the People’ – their mandate, their wisdom... If a constituti­onal provision that carries the ordainment of the people at large in such a vibrant democracy is undone, what will happen?”

With Supreme Court and high court judges in attendance along with members of Parliament, the Vice President said: “I appeal to the people here – they constitute the judicial elite class, thinking minds, intellectu­als, please find out a parallel in the world where a constituti­onal provision can be undone. I appeal to everyone that these are the issues that must not be viewed on partisan lines. I expect everyone to rise to the occasion and to be part of the growth story that is India.”

The comments have come in the backdrop of the recent tussle between the government and the judiciary over the Supreme Court collegium.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi paid tribute to his father Dr LM Singhvi.

“He was a truly remarkable man, a possessor of multifacet­ed talents, but above all a man of ideas,” he said

“The list of his versatilit­y was truly bewilderin­g,” Singhvi added.

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