Read Time: 04 minutes

Synopsis

Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said that he is concerned about the criticism against Justices Surya Kant and Pardiwala for their oral observations in Nupur Sharma’s case, a couple of weeks ago.

The chief minister questioned the Central government asking how the judges can be expected to function independently when they are targeted for their observations and judgments.

Gehlot was speaking at the 18th “All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet” today. In attendance at the event were Chief Justice of India, Justice NV Ramana, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and other judges of the Supreme Court and High Court.

Gehlot further spoke of an open statement released by 116 persons against the oral observations of the Supreme Court bench. He said , he was surprised by how such a situation was created out of the remarks. He further said that it is the nation’s duty to respect judiciary.

Lashing out further, the Chief Minister spoke of the 2018 press conference, where four Supreme Court judges spoke about the then Chief Justice of India, Justice Dipak Mishra.

He remarked that four Supreme Court judges said ‘democracy is in danger‘, and it even had a Chief Justice of India to be, in the group. He said that he had enquired with the President of India if former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who was among the four judges, was “fine when he was a judge of the Supreme Court or if he is fine now, being a member of Parliament.

Speaking of the alleged ‘horse trading’ that led to fall of certain State governments, the Rajasthan CM cited the ‘examples’ of Goa, Manipur, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra. He said, “If elected governments are overthrown due to horse trading then.. I don't know how my government got saved".

Addressing Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, Gehlot asked him to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation amidst the alleged rise in communal disharmony. He remarked that people of the country listen to the Prime Minister and he should address the nation and call for unity and peace to be maintained.