The Congress on Monday launched a direct attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant after he said restrictions on opposition protests in Delhi were a law-and-order issue beyond his domain. In a social media post, the Congress's Kerala unit asked the CJI to resign if law and order was not his responsibility.
However, hours after the post, which drew sharp criticism from the BJP, the Congress deleted the remarks.
"Dear Surya Kant, if law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it," the Kerala unit of the Congress said in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Delhi about recent protests and restrictions imposed across the national capital, the CJI said, "This is a law-and-order issue. It is not my domain".
The remarks came amid a controversy over the CJI's refusal to meet opposition leaders. He had turned down their request for an appointment, pointing out that the issues they wanted to raise were already under consideration before the Supreme Court. He said such a meeting would go against the principle of separation of powers.
The Congress's attack drew a sharp response from the BJP, which accused the party of attempting to undermine constitutional institutions.
"I had said it earlier, next target of the Congress Party is Judiciary. Congress wants to destroy all the constitutional and democratic institutions of India," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
He added, "All Anti-India gangs are joining hands. All patriotic Indians will also come together".
Earlier on Monday, INDIA bloc leaders held a 'March for Democracy' towards the Supreme Court and filed a petition against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed in the names of 11 Opposition MPs, sought a declaration that the decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was invalid. The petition also sought judicial scrutiny of the legal validity of the exercise, alleging that the ECI's decision amounted to a colourable exercise of power, sources said.
The petition further raised concerns over restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, citing recent police action in Delhi, including mass detentions and heightened security barricades.
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