Centre Hasn't Undermined Judicial Independence But Legislature Is Independent As Well, No One Should Cross Laxman Rekha: Kiren Rijiju

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that those raising questions about government interference in the functioning of the judiciary could also raise questions about judicial interference in matters of governance.

The law minister, speaking at an event organised by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in Mumbai further underscored that judicial independence cannot be seen in isolation. Neither the legislature nor the executive or judiciary should try and cross their constitutional boundaries, he added.

“A question has been raised regarding the independence of the judiciary, whether the government interferes in the functioning of the judiciary, this question can also be asked the other way around, ‘does the judiciary interfere in the functioning of the legislature or not.
The independence of the judiciary cannot be seen in isolation. There is independence of legislature as well. Because the constitution has set boundaries for everyone. No one should try and cross this Laxman Rekha (boundary) because as per the constitutional scheme of things, the country is running fine.”

Rijiju added that the government in power has done nothing to undermine the authority or independence of the judiciary since Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India in 2014.

However, he emphasized that the government, legislature and the judiciary should change with the times. “Those who don’t change with the times are left behind.”

He urged bar associations across the country to work with bar councils.

Rijiju said that the government has a dream of making India a completely developed nation by the centenary of our Independence in 2047. But those who say the judiciary is getting weak are attacking Indian democracy.

“Our biggest enemies are those who attack our democracy. And while attacking the democracy, these people raise questions on the system, of which the judiciary is a very important pillar. When someone says the judiciary is getting weak means they are attacking the democracy of India. The democracy will be stronger only when the judiciary is stronger and independent. There can be no compromise on this.”

Seemingly referring to the Congress Government led by Indira Gandhi during the emergency, Rijiju said, “Some other government had tried to undermine this in the past. I don’t want to get into the politics of it. But when that government tried to do this, the people of the country did not support them. The foundation of the democracy is so strong, that whoever tries to shake that foundation will get removed himself.”

Rijiju said that a narrative is being created by the leftists that the government is pressurizing the judiciary, however, that was not true.

“But constantly saying that the Indian judiciary has been weakened and the Indian government is demolishing the democracy, and going abroad and talking about the government having captured the judiciary amounts to talking against the country. A narrative is being created by these people, by leftist and most illiberal group of people. They are creating a narrative that the government is pressurising the judiciary. But I want to assure you that the government under the leadership of Modiji is running the government keeping interest of all you in mind and the government will not only take care of the independence of the judiciary but will further strengthen it.”