New Delhi: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju gave another statement to add fuel to the ongoing debate of hiring judges. At an event organised by the Delhi Bar Association, Rijiju said that after becoming judges, people do not face elections or scrutiny by the public.
He added that the public is watching the judges, their judgements and their way of delivering justice. The Law Minister said that in this era of social media, nothing is hidden. He also said that democracy will not succeed if the independence of the judiciary is weakened or its authority, respect and dignity are reduced.
Democracy will not succeed if we weaken the independence of the judiciary or reduce its authority, respect and dignity: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju pic.twitter.com/woZedmyQsH
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2023
On Sunday, Rijijiu shared an interview clip of a retired Delhi High Court judge RS Sodhi who talking about hiring judges under the Collegium system alleged that the Supreme Court had “hijacked” the Constitution. Rijiju tweeted that the elected representatives make laws for the betterment of the public and our judiciary is independent but the Constitution of India is supreme.
Voice of a Judge…
Real beauty of Indian Democracy is- it’s success. People rule themselves through their representatives.
Elected representatives represent the interests of the People & make laws. Our Judiciary is independent and our Constitution is Supreme. pic.twitter.com/PgSaqfZdDX— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 21, 2023
The debate of Collegium versus the government’s role in appointing judges is not new, the same row was seen when the BJP government brought in NJAC, which was again replaced by Collegium. The latest debate sparked when the Collegium led by CJI DY Chandrachud made public, the reasons stated by the government for not appointing at least three advocates as High Court judges.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also raised questions on the basic structure doctrine to which the CJI replied by saying that the basic structure doctrine is like the ‘north star’.
