“You Are Personally Responsible": Congress’ Rebuttal To PM Modi’s ‘Bullying’ Charge, Poses 4 QuestionsIn a fiery response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s endorsement of a letter from 600 lawyers expressing concerns over the judiciary, the Congress party launched a scathing attack, asserting that Modi’s remarks on the judiciary are unwarranted. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge penned a letter to Modi, challenging his stance and posing four pointed questions regarding the state of India’s institutions.
“Prime Minister, Shri 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 wrote.
The four questions posed by Kharge to Prime Minister Modi revolve around the perceived undermining of democracy and the judiciary under Modi’s leadership:
1. Why did 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against “destruction of Democracy” by your regime?
2. Why was one of the judges nominated by your Govt to the Rajya Sabha?
3. Why has your party fielded a former high court judge from West Bengal for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
4. Why did you bring the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) that was struck down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court?
Kharge emphasized that India’s institutions belong to the people of India and accused Modi of usurping their powers and weakening the country. He asserted that the Congress party played a pivotal role in building and nurturing these institutions, and vowed to reclaim them for the people of India.
Congress’ response came as PM Modi endorsed the letter and pointed fingers at the grand old party alleging “bully others is a vintage Congress” culture.
“To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 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 are rejecting them,” Prime Minister Modi wrote as the country is heading for the general elections from next month.
The letter from a group of lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, highlighted concerns over a “specific interest group” exerting pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations.
Accusations in the letter include the fabrication of false narratives aimed at discrediting the judiciary, comparisons of domestic courts to lawless regimes, and attacks on judges’ honor. The lawyers urged the Chief Justice to protect the courts from such efforts and to take action against underhanded attacks.
Congress’ general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh has also responded to PM Modi.
He claimed that 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. Instead of giving a legal guarantee to MSP, the Prime Minister has given a legal guarantee to corruption,” he wrote.
All that the Prime Minister has done in the last ten years, Mr Ramesh alleged that, is divide, distort, divert, and defame. 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon.