Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot disapproves of attack on Judges Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala for their remarks on Nupur Sharma
In an unrestrained address, Gehlot who spoke of an event honored by the Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief Justice of India NV Ramana pointed to the recent episode of the barrage of criticism that Supreme Court Justices Surya Kant, JB Pardiwala faced for their remarks on former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
In this regard, he pointed out how retired judges and bureaucrats pointed their guns at the two judges for their remarks.
“Recently, Justices Surya Kant and Pardiwala said something. It is our duty to respect the judicial system. 116 people were forced to stand up (against the two judges), including former High Court judges and the Supreme Court, the bureaucracy, the officers and many others. I don’t “I don’t know how this was handled and a problem was created from it. The Supreme Court justices had observed something, but this atmosphere was created,” Gehlot said.
Relevantly, Gehlot also pointed out how post-retirement concerns also affect the functioning of judges.
In this regard, he highlighted the Rajya Sabha membership of the former Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi.
“Imagine, four Supreme Court justices said “democracy is in danger”, and those who said all that even had a CJI among them, the (retired) judge Ranjan Gogoi. I had asked the President of India “Was Mr. Gogoi okay before (during the Supreme Court tenure) or is he okay now?” This is beyond my understanding. Then he became a deputy,“said Gehlot.
Gehlot was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 18th Meeting of All India Legal Service Authorities in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The CM of Rajasthan has also chosen to advise against the overthrow of elected state governments by haggling of members of legislative assemblies.
“State governments are overthrown. Goa, Manipur, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra. This Tamasha continues or is there democracy? If elected governments are overthrown because of horse-trading then… I don’t know how my government was saved. I would not be in front of you today. You would have met another chief minister today,” said the prime minister.