Modi jeopardizing independence of judiciary in India

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is jeopardizing the independence of judiciary in India as he did with the liberal face of the world’s largest democracy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. By bringing BJP-like-minded judges to India’s apex courts, Modi succeeded in implementing his anti-minorities and pro-Hindutva policies in the country.

For the first time retired judges and senior lawyers were raising objections to Modi’s advancements against independent of judiciary.

According to a report released by Scroll, from 2010 to 2020, the number of delayed cases in the apex court touched 2.8 per cent.

The BJP govt failed to counter the issue as a result, the number of people increased who were awaiting justice. Moreover, during Mod’s govt, Indian courts were shifted online which also caused damage to the public confidence in the judiciary.

Modi has promised that it would set up special courts to control hoarding and black marketing and intellectual property rights row but Hindutva regime failed to fulfil its promises.

According to World Justice Index, in rule of law score, India’s index touched 0.49 in 2023 from 0.51 in 2015.

India’s judicial experts claim that the concept of rule of law dipped to record low during Modi’s government. Modi had promised Model Police act but he failed to even bring such law in the parliament.

During 2017, four judges of the Indian Supreme Court raised objection at Chief Justice Deepak Mishra alleging that Mishra was being controlled from Modi government. And Modi government continued perks and privileges to the judges even after their retirements.

The BJP government inducted former Supreme Court judge Ranjan Gogoi into the Rajya Sabha soon after he retired. Scroll further said the BJP government also appointed two Supreme Court judges, Justice P. Sathasyum and S. Abdul Nazeer, as governors immediately after their retirement.

The Modi government has not spared the judiciary to achieve its nefarious political goals which is why India has become a Hindutva regime instead of the world's largest democracy in the world. A few days back Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on social media an open letter by a group of over 600 lawyers addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud alleging that a “vested interest group” was trying to put pressure on the judiciary and undermine public faith in the courts is unprecedented and problematic, several members of the Bar said.

“This makes it seem that the letter had political backing,” said Delhi-based advocate on record Amit Pai. Another Delhi-based advocate who asked to remain unidentified said that the letter would not have attracted much attention had Modi not posted it on social media.

The letter said this claimed attempt to influence the court “based on frivolous logic and stale political agendas" is not just disrespectful and contemptuous to the judiciary but also a threat to democracy.

Most of the prominent signatories to the letter are lawyers associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Though the letter does not mention any political parties, when Prime Minister Modi shared the letter on social media, he added a message claiming that “to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture”. This prompted retorts from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh. “Modiji, institution after Institution is being 'bullied' by you into submission, so stop pinning the blame on the Congress party for your own sins!” Kharge said.