Devendra Fadnavis attacked the Opposition's proposed march to the Supreme Court after the CJI declined to meet its leaders. He said the protest against the judiciary risked weakening public faith in constitutional institutions.
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Mumbai,Oct 12, 2026 13:04 IST
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday accused the Opposition of trying to "demonise" judicial institutions and weaken public trust in them after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet parties protesting in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Opposition has announced a march to the Supreme Court to demand an end to "vote chori" and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought a meeting with the CJI, but sources said he declined as similar matters are sub judice before the Supreme Court.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis criticised the Opposition for taking out a march to the Supreme Court, calling the move "anti-constitutional". He also alleged that Opposition leaders used abusive language after the CJI refused to grant them an audience.
"They want to demonise India's institutions, particularly judicial institutions, and are conspiring to erode people's faith in them," he said.
Fadnavis said the Supreme Court was right in stating that those with grievances should approach the court and fight their case there. "If you have a grievance, approach the court and fight it there. What I have been saying repeatedly is that they have no faith in the Constitution. They are anti-constitutional, and they have proved this by taking out a march," the chief minister said.
He questioned the Opposition's demand for a meeting with the Chief Justice. "I am surprised how an Opposition leader can say that they will take out a march to the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice should meet them. You talk about the Constitution, but in which Constitution is it written that the Chief Justice should meet a protest march?" Fadnavis said.
He said the CJI had acted lawfully while discharging his constitutional duties by making it clear that he could not meet a march. "How can the Opposition expect the CJI to meet a protesting (political) delegation?" Fadnavis asked.
The remarks came after the Opposition's planned march to the Supreme Court and its demand for action over alleged "vote chori", with Fadnavis maintaining that such grievances should be pursued through the court rather than through protest.
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