“Daily Attacks, But Not Deterred”: Supreme Court’s Calm Amid Political Crossfire
As the nation watches an unfolding war of words between the judiciary and top constitutional authorities, the Supreme Court maintains its composure. Amid criticism from the Vice President and ruling party MPs, a top judge has assured the court remains steadfast and unshaken.
Special Correspondent | New Delhi Post | New Delhi:
Justice Surya Kant Breaks Silence
During a contempt of court hearing from Karnataka on Tuesday, Justice Surya Kant made a significant statement that underlined the tense political atmosphere. “We are not worried… the institution comes under attack every day,” he said, firmly brushing aside the wave of criticism that has followed the Supreme Court’s recent verdict setting deadlines for the President and Governors to clear bills.
The remarks came in response to a lawyer who highlighted the growing criticism of the judiciary and urged the apex court to act against what he deemed contemptuous behavior, to prevent public trust from being undermined.
Landmark Verdict Sparks Political Backlash
The backdrop of this tension is the Supreme Court’s landmark use of Article 142 of the Constitution—granting it sweeping powers—to enforce time-bound action by constitutional heads like the President and Governors. This verdict has provoked political tremors, especially from members of the ruling BJP and constitutional office holders.
Leading the charge was Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who reignited the long-standing debate over the supremacy of Parliament versus the judiciary.
“Ultimate Masters Of Constitution”: Dhankhar’s Claim
At a recent event in Delhi, Vice President Dhankhar declared, “Elected representatives will be ultimate masters of what the Constitution will be. There cannot be any authority above them.” His words directly challenged the authority of the Supreme Court, implicitly questioning judicial review and the court’s power to interpret constitutional matters.
He further referred to the 1975 Emergency—often cited by the BJP to target the Congress—to accuse the judiciary of historical failure in protecting fundamental rights.
From Article 142 to ‘Anarchy’: Rising Heat
Dhankhar’s recent comments follow his earlier criticism of the judiciary for invoking Article 142. That verdict—seen by many as progressive—became the trigger for the current political-judicial confrontation. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey escalated matters by alleging the Supreme Court is “taking India towards anarchy,” prompting a plea that the top court will hear next week.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, the BJP has officially distanced itself from these comments but stopped short of taking any disciplinary action.
Centre Attempts Damage Control
Amid the growing perception of executive interference in judicial affairs, top government sources reached out to the media, insisting on the government’s institutional respect. “All pillars of democracy are working in tandem… judiciary and the legislature are two sides of the same coin,” a senior official told NDTV, seeking to ease tensions.
The Battle Over Boundaries
As India’s constitutional framework gets tested, the debate over the balance of power between Parliament and the judiciary has returned to center stage. With the Supreme Court standing firm, and political leaders pushing back, the next few weeks may be decisive in shaping the future contours of institutional respect and constitutional interpretation.
Tags: #SupremeCourt #JagdeepDhankhar #JudiciaryVsParliament #Article142 #IndianPolitics
