News Analysis India

Tag: Kiren Rijiju

  • 18th Lok Sabha’s First Session To Begin From June 24 |

    The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 and conclude on July 3for oath/affirmation of newly elected Members, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3, the minister said. “First Session of 18th Lok Sabha is being summoned from 24.6.24 to 3.7.24 for oath/affirmation of newly elected Members, Election of Speaker, President’s Address and discussion thereon. 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will commence on 27.6.24 and conclude on 3.7.24.”

    First Session of 18th Lok Sabha is being summoned from 24.6.24 to 3.7.24 for oath/affirmation of newly elected Members, Election of Speaker, President’s Address and discussion thereon. 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will commence on 27.6.24 and conclude on 3.7.24. https://t.co/8OCbfg4CT1


    — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 12, 2024

    President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27. The last session of the 17th Lok Sabha (Budget session) was held between January 31 and February 10, 2024. Lok Sabha had 274 sittings in which 202 Bills were introduced and 222 bills were passed. Rajya Sabha had 271 sittings, in which 31 Bills were introduced and 220 bills were passed. In total 221 Bills were passed by both the Houses and became Acts, during the term of the 17th Lok Sabha.

    During the 17th Lok Sabha one of the most important business transacted was the abrogation of certain provisions from Article 370 and Presidential Orders thereunder for ensuring equal opportunities to all sections of Society in Jammu & Kashmir particularly with the restoration of applicability of the provisions of the Constitution of India and all socio-economic legislations thereby ensuring rule of law and equity. Further for ensuring better administration and for curbing terrorism, the State of Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized with the formation of two Union Territories – Jammu &Kashmir and Ladakh.

    Also, three landmark Bills relating to the criminal justice system to ensure victim-centric justice namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were passed by both the Houses of Parliament.

  • No-confidence motion at wrong time, in wrong manner: Kiren Rijiju

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the Congress and other opposition parties have brought the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha at a “wrong time and in a wrong manner.”

    The minister said that at a time when Prime Minister Modi has emerged as the world leader and the country was marching ahead to become a developed nation by 2047, there was no need for such a motion against the government.

    Instead, he said, the opposition should join hands with the government to celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and work towards achieving the target set by the prime minister for the next 25 years.

    “Congress and opposition parties will regret bringing in the no-confidence motion at the wrong time and in a wrong manner,” the minister said.

    Participating in the debate on the no-confidence motion, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav asked why Prime Minister Modi was not present in Lok Sabha during the debate on the no-confidence motion, to which he has to respond.

    “Is it not the moral and political responsibility of the BJP? We requested the prime minister to come to the House but he is not present even today,” she added.

    On the other hand, Rijiju urged the opposition parties to be “a part of this great journey to make India a developed country,” as he recalled the achievements of the Modi government in various fields, including economy, sports and space technology.

    “You may not like BJP or Modi, but you should support India,” he said, adding, “You should not oppose India by assuming the name INDIA (opposition alliance).” India, he said, has become the fastest-growing economy in the world because of the various initiatives taken by the government since 2014.

    Rijiju further said that Chandrayan-3 is in the final stages and will land on the south pole of the moon on August 23.

    He also urged the members not to speak against the country in foreign universities as it only supports the domestic eco-system which is against India.

    Talking about the European Parliament resolution on developments in Manipur, the minister said India is strong enough to deal with domestic issues and no foreign power needs to interfere in the affairs of the country.

    Referring to the issues facing the northeast, Rijiju said it was the Modi government which paid special focus on the region and today rail lines are being laid in several parts of the region.

    The prime minister wants the northeast to become an engine of growth, he added.

    He regretted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hardly met MPs from the northeastern states though he himself represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha.

    Rijiju attributed the current problems in Manipur to the negligent attitude of the previous Congress governments.

    Under the current government, the coverage area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been reduced by 75 per cent, he said.

    The minister also talked about the success of the Fit India programme of the Modi government and said even MPs on both sides are looking more fit now.

    Dimple Yadav alleged that what is happening in Manipur is “state-sponsored ethnic violence” and blamed the BJP-led governments in the state and at the Centre for the situation there.

    “The incident of Manipur is not an ordinary incident and the government has had a very insensitive approach,” she said.

    Referring to a viral video of two women being stripped and paraded by a mob in Manipur on May 4, she said, “It was a complete violation of human rights. Using women as instruments of perpetrating violence is simply unacceptable. This incident has been condemned in the whole world.”

    “It is a state-sponsored ethnic violence. If the visuals would not have come out on social media, no one would have known. Who is responsible? Women were paraded naked and raped. How many FIRs have been acted upon?” she said.

    NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the Congress and other opposition parties have brought the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha at a “wrong time and in a wrong manner.”

    The minister said that at a time when Prime Minister Modi has emerged as the world leader and the country was marching ahead to become a developed nation by 2047, there was no need for such a motion against the government.

    Instead, he said, the opposition should join hands with the government to celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and work towards achieving the target set by the prime minister for the next 25 years.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Congress and opposition parties will regret bringing in the no-confidence motion at the wrong time and in a wrong manner,” the minister said.

    Participating in the debate on the no-confidence motion, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav asked why Prime Minister Modi was not present in Lok Sabha during the debate on the no-confidence motion, to which he has to respond.

    “Is it not the moral and political responsibility of the BJP? We requested the prime minister to come to the House but he is not present even today,” she added.

    On the other hand, Rijiju urged the opposition parties to be “a part of this great journey to make India a developed country,” as he recalled the achievements of the Modi government in various fields, including economy, sports and space technology.

    “You may not like BJP or Modi, but you should support India,” he said, adding, “You should not oppose India by assuming the name INDIA (opposition alliance).” India, he said, has become the fastest-growing economy in the world because of the various initiatives taken by the government since 2014.

    Rijiju further said that Chandrayan-3 is in the final stages and will land on the south pole of the moon on August 23.

    He also urged the members not to speak against the country in foreign universities as it only supports the domestic eco-system which is against India.

    Talking about the European Parliament resolution on developments in Manipur, the minister said India is strong enough to deal with domestic issues and no foreign power needs to interfere in the affairs of the country.

    Referring to the issues facing the northeast, Rijiju said it was the Modi government which paid special focus on the region and today rail lines are being laid in several parts of the region.

    The prime minister wants the northeast to become an engine of growth, he added.

    He regretted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hardly met MPs from the northeastern states though he himself represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha.

    Rijiju attributed the current problems in Manipur to the negligent attitude of the previous Congress governments.

    Under the current government, the coverage area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been reduced by 75 per cent, he said.

    The minister also talked about the success of the Fit India programme of the Modi government and said even MPs on both sides are looking more fit now.

    Dimple Yadav alleged that what is happening in Manipur is “state-sponsored ethnic violence” and blamed the BJP-led governments in the state and at the Centre for the situation there.

    “The incident of Manipur is not an ordinary incident and the government has had a very insensitive approach,” she said.

    Referring to a viral video of two women being stripped and paraded by a mob in Manipur on May 4, she said, “It was a complete violation of human rights. Using women as instruments of perpetrating violence is simply unacceptable. This incident has been condemned in the whole world.”

    “It is a state-sponsored ethnic violence. If the visuals would not have come out on social media, no one would have known. Who is responsible? Women were paraded naked and raped. How many FIRs have been acted upon?” she said.

  • Union law minister’s car rams into truck in J-K’s Ramban, no one hurt

    By PTI

    BANIHAL: Law Minister Kiren Rijiju’s car grazed a truck on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on Saturday evening, officials said.

    He was not hurt in the accident.

    The truck had suffered a breakdown and the minister’s car grazed it before coming to a halt, they said.

    Today while going from Jammu to Srinagar by road, Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiran Rijiju’s car met with a minor accident. No one was injured in the accident. Kiren Rijiju was driven safely to his destination: Ramban Police pic.twitter.com/6bQcE1X5N7
    — ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2023
    The accident took place near Sita Ram Passi in the Maroog area around 6 pm when he was on his way to Srinagar after attending two functions in Jammu and Udhampur, the officials said.

    Security personnel in accompanying cars rushed and escorted the minister out of his vehicle, they said.

    Rijiju later left for Srinagar and crossed the Banihal tunnel the gateway to the Kashmir Valley – around 7 pm, the officials said.

    BANIHAL: Law Minister Kiren Rijiju’s car grazed a truck on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on Saturday evening, officials said.

    He was not hurt in the accident.

    The truck had suffered a breakdown and the minister’s car grazed it before coming to a halt, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Today while going from Jammu to Srinagar by road, Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiran Rijiju’s car met with a minor accident. No one was injured in the accident. Kiren Rijiju was driven safely to his destination: Ramban Police pic.twitter.com/6bQcE1X5N7
    — ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2023
    The accident took place near Sita Ram Passi in the Maroog area around 6 pm when he was on his way to Srinagar after attending two functions in Jammu and Udhampur, the officials said.

    Security personnel in accompanying cars rushed and escorted the minister out of his vehicle, they said.

    Rijiju later left for Srinagar and crossed the Banihal tunnel the gateway to the Kashmir Valley – around 7 pm, the officials said.

  • Objective of Collegium is to protect judiciary’s independence: CJI Chandrachud

    The CJI also noted that the judiciary has to be protected from outside influences if it has to be independent. NEW DELHI: Not every system is perfect but this is the best system available, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Saturday while defending the Collegium system of judges appointing judges, a major bone of contention between the government and judiciary.

    Speaking at the India Today Conclave, the CJI said the judiciary has to be protected from outside influences if it has to be independent.

    “Not every system is perfect but this is the best system we have developed. But the object was to protect the independence of the judiciary, which is a cardinal value. We have to insulate the judiciary from outside influences if the judiciary has to be independent,” Chandrachud said.

    The CJI also responded to Law Minister Kiren Rijiju voicing displeasure over the Supreme Court Collegium revealing the government’s reasons for not approving the names recommended by it for appointment as judges of constitutional courts.

    “What is wrong about having a difference in perception? But, I have to deal with such differences with a sense of robust constitutional statesmanship. I do not want to join issues with the law minister, we are bound to have differences of perceptions,” the CJI said.

    ALSO READ | In defense of the collegium

    Rijiju has been quite vocal against the Collegium system and once even called it “alien to our Constitution.”

    Justice Chandrachud said there is absolutely no pressure from the government on how to decide cases.

    “In my 23 years of being a judge, no one has told me how to decide a case. There is absolutely no pressure from the government. The Election Commission judgment is proof that there is no pressure on the judiciary,” CJI said.

    The Supreme Court had recently ruled the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners will be done by the President on the advise of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

    ALSO READ | SC order on EC appointments: Rijiju invokes ‘Lakshman Rekha’

  • Attempts being made to tell world Indian judiciary, democracy in crisis: Rijiju

    By PTI

    BHUBANESWAR: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said attempts were being made to tell the world that the Indian judiciary and democracy were in crisis.

    Inaugurating a conference of the Centre’s counsels in the Eastern states, Rijiju on Saturday said the wisdom of judges was beyond public scrutiny.

    “Indian judiciary cannot be questioned, especially the wisdom of judges cannot be put into public scrutiny,” he said.

    “At times, calibrated attempts are being made from both inside and outside the country to tell the world that the Indian judiciary is in crisis. A message is being sent to the world that Indian democracy is in crisis. It is a deliberate attempt by some groups to malign the image of the country,” he added.

    No campaign with ulterior motives can succeed in defaming India and its democratic setup, Rijiju said. The US may stake claim to being the oldest democracy, but India truly is the “mother of democracy”, he said.

    Rijiju’s comments came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a lecture at Cambridge University alleged that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance.

    Gandhi listed five key aspects of the alleged attack on Indian democracy — capture and control of media and judiciary; surveillance and intimidation; coercion by federal law enforcement agencies; attacks on minorities, Dalits and tribals; and shutting down of dissent.

    Noting that it was unfortunate that judges were being abused on social media, Rijiju said this was happening as some people were not aware of how the Indian judiciary functions.

    “It is not a good sign when the judiciary is subjected to some kind of criticism. The judiciary must be far away from public criticism,” he said, adding that the problem lies with the same group, which wants to force the judiciary to play the role of the opposition party.

    “The Indian judiciary will never accept it. I am sure the judiciary will resist the forceful attempt to make it play the role of opposition. This cannot happen,” he said.

    The minister maintained it is because of the Constitution that the government is of the view that the appointment of judges cannot be done by judicial orders.

    The opinion of the executive and the judiciary may differ at times as everybody cannot have the same observation, he said.

    Rijiju said 65 redundant laws have been proposed to be repealed in the next session of Parliament. So far, 1,486 redundant laws have been removed.

    He said the government wants to make India safe and secure, and so, it has to make stringent laws.

    On the demand for a permanent bench of the high court in western Odisha, he said the Centre was ready to give its approval if the state government submits a complete proposal.

    BHUBANESWAR: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said attempts were being made to tell the world that the Indian judiciary and democracy were in crisis.

    Inaugurating a conference of the Centre’s counsels in the Eastern states, Rijiju on Saturday said the wisdom of judges was beyond public scrutiny.

    “Indian judiciary cannot be questioned, especially the wisdom of judges cannot be put into public scrutiny,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “At times, calibrated attempts are being made from both inside and outside the country to tell the world that the Indian judiciary is in crisis. A message is being sent to the world that Indian democracy is in crisis. It is a deliberate attempt by some groups to malign the image of the country,” he added.

    No campaign with ulterior motives can succeed in defaming India and its democratic setup, Rijiju said. The US may stake claim to being the oldest democracy, but India truly is the “mother of democracy”, he said.

    Rijiju’s comments came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a lecture at Cambridge University alleged that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance.

    Gandhi listed five key aspects of the alleged attack on Indian democracy — capture and control of media and judiciary; surveillance and intimidation; coercion by federal law enforcement agencies; attacks on minorities, Dalits and tribals; and shutting down of dissent.

    Noting that it was unfortunate that judges were being abused on social media, Rijiju said this was happening as some people were not aware of how the Indian judiciary functions.

    “It is not a good sign when the judiciary is subjected to some kind of criticism. The judiciary must be far away from public criticism,” he said, adding that the problem lies with the same group, which wants to force the judiciary to play the role of the opposition party.

    “The Indian judiciary will never accept it. I am sure the judiciary will resist the forceful attempt to make it play the role of opposition. This cannot happen,” he said.

    The minister maintained it is because of the Constitution that the government is of the view that the appointment of judges cannot be done by judicial orders.

    The opinion of the executive and the judiciary may differ at times as everybody cannot have the same observation, he said.

    Rijiju said 65 redundant laws have been proposed to be repealed in the next session of Parliament. So far, 1,486 redundant laws have been removed.

    He said the government wants to make India safe and secure, and so, it has to make stringent laws.

    On the demand for a permanent bench of the high court in western Odisha, he said the Centre was ready to give its approval if the state government submits a complete proposal.

  • Supreme Court nixed govt’s proposal on collegium, says Rijiju

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that the Centre’s suggestion for a search and evaluation committee (SEC) – at the levels of the Supreme Court and state High Courts to assist collegiums – was shot down by judges of the apex court. 

    The proposed committee, which the Supreme Court did not agree to constitute, would be tasked with screening and evaluating relevant material on prospective candidates and act as a facilitator for the collegiums in narrowing down on recommendations. 

    Responding to a question by MP Shri Ram Nath Thakur whether the government is heading towards appointing its representative in the process of appointment of judges in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said, “In its consultations with the SC 

    Collegium, the government has made suggestions in line with the Supreme Court order dated 2015. The decision to make recommendations will continue to be exercised by the respective collegiums of the Supreme Court and state High Courts. However, the Supreme Court did not agree to set up such committees.”

    Clarifying that the government never suggested for inclusion of its nominee in collegium for appointment of judges, the minister said that the government on January 6 had, however, recommended for inclusion of a government nominee in the search-cum-evaluation committee in appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of High Courts. 

    The minister said that this would pave the way for a more transparent, accountable and expeditious mechanism for appointment of judges to the Constitutional courts. Rijiju further said that it suggested for inclusion of representative nominated by the Government of India and a representative of state governments under the jurisdiction of HC as nominated by the chief ministers in Committee for appointing HC judges. 

    On the appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, Rijiju said the names recommended by chief ministers can be received by the committee along with the names taken from senior judges outside the Collegium and eligible candidates taken from the database (Judicial Officers and Advocates) as maintained by the proposed Secretariat. The High Court Collegium may deliberate upon panel of names drawn up by the committee and recommend the names of most suitable candidates,” the reply said. 

    Centre asked collegium to reconsider 18 namesCentre asked the SC collegium to reconsider 18 proposals for appointments of judges as on January 31, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. To a question by MP Dr John Brittas, the Rijiju said that of the 18 returned proposals, the collegium decided to reiterate 6, and sought inputs from the High Courts, while returning 5 back to the High Courts

    NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that the Centre’s suggestion for 
    a search and evaluation committee (SEC) – at the levels of the Supreme Court and state High Courts to assist collegiums – was shot down by judges of the apex court. 

    The proposed committee, which the Supreme Court did not agree to constitute, would be tasked with screening and evaluating relevant material on prospective candidates and act as a facilitator for the 
    collegiums in narrowing down on recommendations. 

    Responding to a question by MP Shri Ram Nath Thakur whether the government is heading towards appointing its representative in the process of appointment of judges in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said, “In its consultations with the SC 

    Collegium, the government has made suggestions in line with the Supreme Court order dated 2015. The decision to make recommendations will continue to be exercised by the respective collegiums of the Supreme Court and state High Courts. However, the Supreme Court did not agree to set up such committees.”

    Clarifying that the government never suggested for inclusion of its nominee in collegium for appointment of judges, the minister said that the government on January 6 had, however, recommended for inclusion of a government nominee in the search-cum-evaluation committee in appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of High Courts. 

    The minister said that this would pave the way for a more transparent, accountable and expeditious mechanism for appointment of judges to the Constitutional courts. Rijiju further said that it suggested for inclusion of representative nominated by the Government of India and a representative of state governments under the jurisdiction of HC as nominated by the chief ministers in Committee for appointing HC judges. 

    On the appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, Rijiju said the names recommended by chief ministers can be received by the committee along with the names taken from senior judges outside the Collegium and eligible candidates taken from the database (Judicial Officers and Advocates) as maintained by the proposed Secretariat. The High Court Collegium may deliberate upon panel of names drawn up by the committee and recommend the names of most suitable candidates,” the reply said. 

    Centre asked collegium to reconsider 18 names
    Centre asked the SC collegium to reconsider 18 proposals for appointments of judges as on January 31, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. To a question by MP Dr John Brittas, the Rijiju said that of the 18 returned proposals, the collegium decided to reiterate 6, and sought inputs from the High Courts, while returning 5 back to the High Courts

  • SC turned down Govt’s suggestion for setting up committee to assist SC & HC collegium: Kiren Rijiju 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that although the government had suggested setting up of a Screening cum Evaluation Committee (SEC) at SC and HC levels to assist the SC & HCs Collegiums, the same was shot down by the SC judges. 

    The constitution of the proposed committee, which SC did not agree had to be tasked with the work of screening and evaluating relevant material on the suitability of the prospective candidates and act as a facilitator. 

    Responding to a question posed by MP Shri Ram Nath Thakur whether the government is heading towards appointing its representative in the process of appointment of judges and is considering setting up an independent regulator like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in Rajya Sabha, the minister in the response said, “In its consultations with the Supreme Court Collegium, the government has made suggestions in line with the Supreme Court Order dated in WP(C) 13 of 2015, including the need for a Screening cum Evaluation Committee at the Supreme Court and High Court levels to assist the Collegiums of Supreme Court and High Courts respectively. It was proposed that the Committees may screen and evaluate relevant material on the suitability of the prospective candidates and would act as a facilitator. The decision to make recommendations will continue to be exercised by the respective Collegiums of the Supreme Court and High Courts. However, the Supreme Court did not agree to set up such Committees.”

    Clarifying that the government never suggested for inclusion of its nominee in the collegium for the appointment of judges, Law Minister said that the government on January 6, 2023, had however recommended for inclusion of a government nominee in Search-cum-Evaluation Committee in respect of the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of High Courts. The Law Minister said that this would pave the way for a more transparent, accountable and expeditious mechanism for the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Courts.

    The Law Minister further said that it suggested for inclusion of a representative nominated by the Government of India and a representative of State Government(s) under the jurisdiction of the High Court as nominated by the Chief Minister(s) in the Committee for appointing HC judges. 

    “It has been proposed that for appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, the names recommended by the Chief Minister can be received by the Search-cum-Evaluation Committee along with the names taken from senior Judges outside the Collegium and eligible candidates taken from the database (Judicial Officers and Advocates) as maintained by the proposed Secretariat. The High Court Collegium may deliberate upon a panel of names drawn up by the Search-cum-Evaluation Committee and recommend the names of the most suitable candidates for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court, Chief Justices and Judges High Courts. The Collegium at an appropriate level may address the above requirements of drawing up a panel of eligible candidates from aforementioned sources and draw up their proceedings by rendering requisite reasons and thereafter send the proposal to the government with relevant documents,” the reply also said. 

    NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that although the government had suggested setting up of a Screening cum Evaluation Committee (SEC) at SC and HC levels to assist the SC & HCs Collegiums, the same was shot down by the SC judges. 

    The constitution of the proposed committee, which SC did not agree had to be tasked with the work of screening and evaluating relevant material on the suitability of the prospective candidates and act as a facilitator. 

    Responding to a question posed by MP Shri Ram Nath Thakur whether the government is heading towards appointing its representative in the process of appointment of judges and is considering setting up an independent regulator like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in Rajya Sabha, the minister in the response said, “In its consultations with the Supreme Court Collegium, the government has made suggestions in line with the Supreme Court Order dated in WP(C) 13 of 2015, including the need for a Screening cum Evaluation Committee at the Supreme Court and High Court levels to assist the Collegiums of Supreme Court and High Courts respectively. It was proposed that the Committees may screen and evaluate relevant material on the suitability of the prospective candidates and would act as a facilitator. The decision to make recommendations will continue to be exercised by the respective Collegiums of the Supreme Court and High Courts. However, the Supreme Court did not agree to set up such Committees.”

    Clarifying that the government never suggested for inclusion of its nominee in the collegium for the appointment of judges, Law Minister said that the government on January 6, 2023, had however recommended for inclusion of a government nominee in Search-cum-Evaluation Committee in respect of the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of High Courts. The Law Minister said that this would pave the way for a more transparent, accountable and expeditious mechanism for the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Courts.

    The Law Minister further said that it suggested for inclusion of a representative nominated by the Government of India and a representative of State Government(s) under the jurisdiction of the High Court as nominated by the Chief Minister(s) in the Committee for appointing HC judges. 

    “It has been proposed that for appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, the names recommended by the Chief Minister can be received by the Search-cum-Evaluation Committee along with the names taken from senior Judges outside the Collegium and eligible candidates taken from the database (Judicial Officers and Advocates) as maintained by the proposed Secretariat. The High Court Collegium may deliberate upon a panel of names drawn up by the Search-cum-Evaluation Committee and recommend the names of the most suitable candidates for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court, Chief Justices and Judges High Courts. The Collegium at an appropriate level may address the above requirements of drawing up a panel of eligible candidates from aforementioned sources and draw up their proceedings by rendering requisite reasons and thereafter send the proposal to the government with relevant documents,” the reply also said. 

  • For some people, whites are still their masters: Rijiju on BBC row 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: In a scornful attack on opposition leaders, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday while slamming their support for BBC’s recent documentary on PM Modi said that for some people, whites are still their masters whose decision on the nation is final. 

    Taking to Twitter, the Law Minister said, “For some people, the white rulers are still the masters whose decision on India is final and not the decision of the Supreme Court of India or the will of the people of India.”

    On Sunday, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju while taking on the malicious campaigns said that some people consider BBC above Supreme Court. Rijiju while levelling allegations on these people for lowering the country’s dignity and image to the extent of “pleasing their moral masters” also tweeted, “Minorities, or for that matter, every community in India is moving ahead positively. India’s image cannot be disgraced by malicious campaigns launched inside or outside India. PM Modi Ji’s voice is the voice of 1.4 billion Indians.”

    Minorities, or for that matter every community in India is moving ahead positively. India’s image cannot be disgraced by malicious campaigns launched inside or outside India. PM @narendramodi Ji’s voice is the voice of 1.4 billion Indians.https://t.co/taaF1nvD6F
    — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 21, 2023
    In his tweet, he also said, “Some people in India have still not moved away from the colonial influence. They consider BBC to be above India’s highest court and pull down the country’s prestige and image to any extent to please their ideological masters (naitik aaka).” 

    While denouncing the controversial documentary, India last week had described the same as a propaganda speech which was designed for pushing a discredited narrative. Even the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts that had shared the links of the documentary’s first part.

    NEW DELHI: In a scornful attack on opposition leaders, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday while slamming their support for BBC’s recent documentary on PM Modi said that for some people, whites are still their masters whose decision on the nation is final. 

    Taking to Twitter, the Law Minister said, “For some people, the white rulers are still the masters whose decision on India is final and not the decision of the Supreme Court of India or the will of the people of India.”

    On Sunday, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju while taking on the malicious campaigns said that some people consider BBC above Supreme Court. Rijiju while levelling allegations on these people for lowering the country’s dignity and image to the extent of “pleasing their moral masters” also tweeted, “Minorities, or for that matter, every community in India is moving ahead positively. India’s image cannot be disgraced by malicious campaigns launched inside or outside India. PM Modi Ji’s voice is the voice of 1.4 billion Indians.”

    Minorities, or for that matter every community in India is moving ahead positively. India’s image cannot be disgraced by malicious campaigns launched inside or outside India. PM @narendramodi Ji’s voice is the voice of 1.4 billion Indians.https://t.co/taaF1nvD6F
    — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 21, 2023
    In his tweet, he also said, “Some people in India have still not moved away from the colonial influence. They consider BBC to be above India’s highest court and pull down the country’s prestige and image to any extent to please their ideological masters (naitik aaka).” 

    While denouncing the controversial documentary, India last week had described the same as a propaganda speech which was designed for pushing a discredited narrative. Even the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts that had shared the links of the documentary’s first part.

  • Judges are not elected, so can’t be replaced but people are watching them: Rijiju 

    The minister's remarks at a Republic Day function organised at the Tis Hazari courts complex here came amid a tug of war between the judiciary and the executive.

  • Oppn’s ‘personal attacks’ on PM Modi exposed by SC verdicts: BJP political resolution

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Political resolution proposed at the BJP national executive on Monday accused the Opposition of running a negative campaign over several issues against the government and launching “personal attacks” on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and asserted that Supreme Court verdicts exposed it.

    Law Minister Kiren Rijiju proposed the resolution at the key meeting, a pointer to his rising profile in the party as he spearheads the government’s position on legal and judicial issues, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Karnataka minister Govind Karjol seconded it, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here.

    While Rijiju is a tribal, Maurya belongs to the Other Backward Class and Karjol is from the SC community, social groups the BJP has wooed with considerable electoral success in the last few years.

    Sitharaman cited a number of issues over which the Opposition had built a campaign against the government, including Rafale, Pegasus, Central Vista project, demonetisation and EWS quota, and said the Supreme Court verdicts in the government’s favour on them exposed it.

    Unfounded and personal allegations were levelled against PM Modi but the crushing legal response exposed the Opposition, she said, citing political resolution. She said PM Modi is seen as an incorruptible leader who is working for the country’s interest and whose leadership has found respect globally.

    India’s image under his leadership has also been enhanced, she added.

    Modi’s assertion that this is not an era of war during his telephonic talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed in the G20 declaration at Bali and his push for United Nations reform has been recognised, she said.

    The political resolution lauded the BJP’s historic verdict in the Gujarat assembly polls and a number of bypolls to assert that it will have an impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    The BJP has said that it might have lost the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections but its vote share was just one per cent less than that of the Congress.

    In the second session of the meeting, BJP state units of four poll-bound states Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Karnataka gave their reporting of political activities in these states.

    ALSO READ | Ensure party doesn’t lose all state polls in 2023: Nadda at BJP national meet

    NEW DELHI: Political resolution proposed at the BJP national executive on Monday accused the Opposition of running a negative campaign over several issues against the government and launching “personal attacks” on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and asserted that Supreme Court verdicts exposed it.

    Law Minister Kiren Rijiju proposed the resolution at the key meeting, a pointer to his rising profile in the party as he spearheads the government’s position on legal and judicial issues, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Karnataka minister Govind Karjol seconded it, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here.

    While Rijiju is a tribal, Maurya belongs to the Other Backward Class and Karjol is from the SC community, social groups the BJP has wooed with considerable electoral success in the last few years.

    Sitharaman cited a number of issues over which the Opposition had built a campaign against the government, including Rafale, Pegasus, Central Vista project, demonetisation and EWS quota, and said the Supreme Court verdicts in the government’s favour on them exposed it.

    Unfounded and personal allegations were levelled against PM Modi but the crushing legal response exposed the Opposition, she said, citing political resolution. She said PM Modi is seen as an incorruptible leader who is working for the country’s interest and whose leadership has found respect globally.

    India’s image under his leadership has also been enhanced, she added.

    Modi’s assertion that this is not an era of war during his telephonic talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed in the G20 declaration at Bali and his push for United Nations reform has been recognised, she said.

    The political resolution lauded the BJP’s historic verdict in the Gujarat assembly polls and a number of bypolls to assert that it will have an impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    The BJP has said that it might have lost the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections but its vote share was just one per cent less than that of the Congress.

    In the second session of the meeting, BJP state units of four poll-bound states Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Karnataka gave their reporting of political activities in these states.

    ALSO READ | Ensure party doesn’t lose all state polls in 2023: Nadda at BJP national meet