New Delhi: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a pointed reference to the entrenched practices reminiscent of the Congress party’s historical approach, following a letter from over 600 lawyers addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressing apprehensions regarding the conduct of a particular interest group.
Notable legal figures including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra were among the signatories of the letter to the CJI.
Modi emphasized the characteristic tendency of the Congress to intimidate and coerce others, criticizing their unabashed pursuit of self-serving agendas while demanding unwavering allegiance.
In a recent social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi remarked, “The act of intimidating and coercing others is deeply ingrained in the historical fabric of the Congress party. Even five decades ago, they advocated for a ‘committed judiciary,’ showcasing their unabashed desire for loyalty to serve their self-interests, while shying away from any commitment to the nation. It’s no surprise that 1.4 billion Indians are now rejecting their ideology.”
To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024
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
The lawyers, in their letter, alleged that a “special group” is employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, especially in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. They accused this “interest group” of fabricating false narratives about judges and the court, engaging in “bench fixing,” drawing comparisons between domestic courts and lawless regimes, and launching attacks on judges’ integrity.
Highlighting the timing of these tactics by the “interest group,” the lawyers noted their strategic deployment during crucial moments such as elections, reminiscent of similar activities observed in 2018-19. They urged the Supreme Court to take preventive measures to safeguard the judiciary’s integrity, emphasizing that allowing efforts to undermine and manipulate the courts for personal and political gain cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.