Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, April 19, 2025

Letter to the Readers

India’s Supreme Court is the ultimate safeguard to protect the constitutional framework against possible wrongs of the executive & legislature. Remarks made by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on April 16, 2025, qualifying a recent Supreme Court ruling in the Governor Ravi vs Tamil Nadu govt case as judicial over-reach; and that judges have no accountability and are taking over the role of the legislature have caused a flutter and sparked criticism from politicians, legal experts. The office of the President and Vice President are ceremonial and have no authority to contest court rulings. A constitutional functionary criticising the judiciary is bound to shake public faith in the institution. It has already provided a cue to a parliamentarian of the ruling BJP to take a dig at the Supreme Court [see 1,2,3]. Time will tell if all this is part of a wider scheme to tilt the constitutional order. A vigilant opposition must keep the public informed and educated to see through the gaps.

April 19, 2025 —HK

References:
1. https://x.com/ANI/status/1913564323546386452
2. https://x.com/ANI/status/1913566728979620303
3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/close-down-parliament-if-supreme-court-has-to-make-law-after-dhankhar-now-bjp-questions-top-court-direction/articleshowprint/120431415.cms