Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced his disapproval on Thursday, denouncing what he termed as a "vintage Congress culture" of intimidation and coercion towards others. His remarks came in response to a recent development where over 600 lawyers penned a letter to the Chief Justice of India, alleging the influence of a "vested interest group" seeking to exert pressure on the judiciary and tarnish its image.
In a statement, Modi criticized the tactics employed by certain quarters, stating that the inclination to intimidate and coerce others reflects an enduring trait of the Congress party. He referenced an incident from five decades ago when the Congress party advocated for a "committed judiciary," highlighting their persistent pursuit of personal agendas while evading any commitment to the nation's welfare.
The Prime Minister further underscored the rejection of such tactics by the vast majority of India's population, estimated at 140 crore individuals. His comments were accompanied by a tweet sharing the lawyers' letter, which included prominent legal figures like senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra.
The letter addressed to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud raised concerns about the alleged efforts to manipulate the judiciary and discredit the courts, particularly in cases involving political corruption. The lawyers emphasized the detrimental impact of such maneuvers on the country's judicial system and democratic principles.
Calling for CJI Chandrachud's decisive leadership during these challenging times, the lawyers urged the apex court to assert its strength and resist external pressures. They stressed the importance of not maintaining a dignified silence in the face of these threats to judicial independence.
While the letter refrained from directly naming specific individuals, it criticized a segment of lawyers for their dual roles of defending politicians during the day and attempting to sway judges through media influence at night. This indirect accusation aimed to highlight the perceived ethical breaches within the legal fraternity and the need for greater integrity in legal proceedings.
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