The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Congress party sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments following a letter from over 600 lawyers to the Chief Justice of India, accusing him of hypocrisy and of orchestrating an attack on the judiciary under the guise of defending it. Modi had previously characterized the lawyers’ letter—which alleged pressure from a “vested interest group” on the judiciary—as reflective of “vintage Congress culture” aimed at bullying and intimidating.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, addressing Modi’s remarks, charged the Prime Minister with hypocrisy, citing recent Supreme Court decisions that went against the government, including the ruling on the Electoral Bonds Scheme. Ramesh described the scheme as an unconstitutional tool for exerting pressure, fear, and intimidation, forcing companies to contribute to the BJP. He further accused Modi of guaranteeing corruption rather than ensuring minimum support price (MSP) for farmers, alleging that the Prime Minister’s tenure has been marked by divisiveness and defamation.
The controversy stems from a significant letter signed by prominent lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, to Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud. The letter claims efforts by certain groups to influence the judiciary and tarnish its reputation, particularly in corruption cases involving politicians.
Modi, in his response on X (formerly Twitter), condemned the Congress’s approach, alleging the party has historically sought a “committed judiciary” to serve its interests, criticizing it for lacking commitment to national welfare. This exchange highlights the ongoing political debate over the independence of India’s judiciary and the role of the legal system in democratic governance.