People misunderstand the judiciary as opposition… Former CJI Chandrachud’s sharp reaction on Rahul’s comment

New Delhi: Former CJI DY Chandrachud has reacted sharply to a comment by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Actually Rahul Gandhi had said that the opposition is now doing the work of the judiciary. On this Chandrachud said that the judiciary examines the laws. It does not work as an opposition. he/she said that both the opposition and the judiciary have different roles in democracy. he/she said this in an interview given to ANI. he/she also expressed his/her opinion on his/her meeting with Prime Minister Modi and the Prime Minister’s visit to Ganesh Puja at his/her home.

‘In a democracy, for both the opposition and the judiciary…’

Former CJI DY Chandrachud objected to Rahul Gandhi’s statement that the opposition is doing the work of the judiciary. Chandrachud made it clear that the job of the judiciary is to scrutinize the laws and not to play the role of opposition in Parliament or assemblies. he/she said that people often misunderstand that the judiciary should work as an opposition. but it’s not like that. In a democracy, there is separate space for both the opposition and the judiciary.

‘They run the judiciary with a gun on their shoulders’

Chandrachud further said that some people use the judiciary for their own benefit. They run the judiciary with a gun on their shoulders. They try to make the court a den of political opposition. Rahul Gandhi had said, ‘We are working alone on behalf of the media, investigating agencies and the judiciary. This is the reality of India. Chandrachud did not comment directly on this statement, but said that he/she did not want to debate the issue.

What did Chandrachud say on meeting PM Modi?

When Chandrachud was asked about the discussion on social media regarding his/her meetings with the Prime Minister, he/she said that being a human being, it is natural to interact during official meetings. he/she said, ‘Many times you also talk to the leader of the opposition. For example, many laws require that the Prime Minister, CJI and the Leader of the Opposition be included in the selection committee for appointment to a post. Now, you discuss what you have to do and come to your conclusion. And when you come to those conclusions, you’re human, right? After that you will talk about everything from cricket to films while drinking tea for 10 minutes.

‘Earlier also the Prime Minister has been visiting the houses of judges’

Responding to the controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending Ganesh puja at his/her home, the former CJI said it was not a unique thing. Earlier too, the Prime Minister has been visiting judges’ homes on social occasions. “Look at the work we have done,” he/she said. Judge us on our work. I think it was a social encounter, and that’s not unusual. I have said this earlier also, the Prime Minister visits the houses of judges on social occasions, sometimes even on sad occasions. It’s part of basic social etiquette. And, these social etiquettes do not change the fact that despite these etiquettes, we are completely independent from each other in the work we do.’

What is the controversy regarding Ganesh Puja?

In September, when PM Modi attended Ganesh Puja at the then CJI’s house, a controversy had arisen. The opposition, especially Congress and TMC, had criticized this meeting. his/her argument was that such meetings could raise questions about conflict of interest. The former CJI said that people should be judged on the basis of their work and not on the basis of social interactions. he/she stressed that such meetings do not affect his/her work. The judiciary maintains its independence.