"Height of hypocrisy": Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on PM Modi's post after 600 lawyers' letter CJI

New Delhi [India], March 28 : Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his criticism of the party over a lawyers' letter to the Chief Justice of India against a "vested interest group," saying the PM's brazenness in orchestrating an assault on the judiciary under the guise of defending it is the "height of hypocrisy."
Earlier, PM Modi took a swipe at the Congress and said that "to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture."
Contesting PM Modi's comment, the Congress leader said that all the Prime Minister has done in the last ten years is divide, distort, divert, and defame.
"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 Court declared them to be unconstitutional - and it is now proved beyond doubt that they were a blatant instrument of fear, blackmail, and intimidation to force companies to donate to the BJP," Ramesh posted on X.
"Instead of giving a legal guarantee to MSP, the Prime Minister has given a legal guarantee to corruption. All that the Prime Minister has done in the last ten years is divide, distort, divert, and defame. 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon," he added.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also reacted to PM Modi's remarks on Judiciary and said that it is not proper form for the PM to comment on our judiciary.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi you are obviously not aware, but it is not proper form for the PM to comment on our judiciary. However, as you consider India's institutions to be your personal property I have some questions for you," Kharge stated.
"Why did 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against "destruction of Democracy" by your regime? Why was one of the judges nominated by your Govt to the Rajya Sabha? Why has your party fielded a former high court judge from West Bengal for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections? Why did you bring the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) that was struck down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court?" Kharge asked.
"Modi ji, India's institutions are the property of India's people. You are personally responsible for usurping their powers and weakening our country. The Congress party helped build and nurture these institutions. Thousands of our workers and leaders gave their lives for them. We will take these institutions back from you and return them to the people of India," he stated.
Meanwhile, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat on Thursday alleged that these senior lawyers put pressure on the Supreme Court on the electoral bond issue.
A group of lawyers have written to CJI D Y Chandrachud alleging that efforts were being made 'to belittle and manipulate courts for personal and political reasons' and urged the Supreme Court to act.
"I think the Supreme Court knows that from where pressure is being put as a few years back the justices of SC did a press conference and told from where the pressure is coming. These senior lawyers put pressure on the Supreme Court on the electoral bond issue...But today, when SC did not agree with them, then they are trying to do things the reverse," Brinda Karat posted on x.
PM Modi took a dig at Congress and said that "to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture."
"To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary"--they s 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," PM Modi posted on X.
BJP leader and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia said that it is a positive initiative by the legal fraternity.
"It is a matter of concern for every citizen because judiciary is a pillar of democracy and there is a certain lobby that has vested interest. They have political interest in weakening the judiciary, They makes objectionable remarks against the judges of the honourable Supreme Court High Court and the lower judiciary and they try to weaken the judiciary and create pressure on the judges so that the judgement that are delivered are delivered in their favour," BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia said.
"The judges are doing their job. They are doing their job honestly and in the interest of our democracy. So therefore this letter is welcome for the reason that it shows the legal fraternity does not approve of the conduct of such lawyers who indulge in passing objectionable remark, against sitting judges of the judiciary and this will not be tolerated".
Bhatia futher said "Advocates related to opposition parties like Congress, AAP and others, the kind of pressure they put on Judiciary and the objectionable comments they make on Judges without any proof, is worrisome. This letter depicts the public emotions. I have witnessed that if the judgement comes in their favour then they do 'wah wah' of the Judiciary and in against if the verdict is passed then they do 'hai hai' of the Judiciary and the judges become 'dishonest.' A leader like Rahul Gandhi says that the Judiciary is run by one or two people is highly unfortunate, therefore, this letter is a positive initiative."
More than 600 lawyers addressed a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud , expressing serious concerns against the actions of a specific interest group aiming to undermine the judiciary's integrity.
The letter has been signed by prominent lawyers including senior advocate Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swaroopama Chaturvedi, Bar Council of India's Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, Supreme Court Bar Association President Adish Aggarwala, among others.
This group, according to the lawyers, is employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. These actions, they argue, pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes.
The lawyers highlighted several concerning methods, including the propagation of false narratives about a 'golden era' of the judiciary, aimed at discrediting current proceedings and undermining public confidence in the courts.
The accusations include 'bench fixing', disrespectful comparisons of domestic courts to those in lawless regimes, and direct attacks on judges' honor.
The letter accused that the tactics employed by the interest group involve selective criticism or praise of court decisions based on their political agenda, described as a "My way or the highway" approach.
Concerns have also been raised about political flip-flopping, where politicians alternate between accusing individuals of corruption and defending them in court.
The letter further highlighted, the use of underhanded tactics and the dissemination of false information to influence judicial appointments and outcomes.
The lawyers note the strategic timing of these tactics around election periods, drawing parallels to similar activities in 2018-2019.
Senior members of the bar have requested the Supreme Court to take protective measures against these attacks to maintain the judiciary's integrity. The letter calls for a united stand in support of the judiciary to ensure it remains a strong pillar of democracy, urging decisive leadership in addressing these challenges.