Kiren Rijiju Archives - Lokmarg

Rijiju rips Cong, DMK MPs For Questioning SC Ruling On Article 370

By LokMarg 21st December 2023

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday hit out at leaders of INDIA block partners Congress and the DMK over their ‘disparaging’ remarks on the recent landmark Supreme Court ruling, upholding the revocation of special constitutional privileges under Article 370 from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the region into separate Union Territories (UTs) — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Sharing a video clip of proceedings in the Lok Sabha in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Rijiju posted from his official handle on X, “This is not only pejorative remarks on the Supreme Court but the motive behind is very dangerous for our country’s unity.”

In the video clip shared by the Union Minister, DMK MP Mohamad Abdulla and Congress member Venugopal are heard criticising the apex court ruling on the abrogation of Article 370 on the floor of the Rajya Sabha, prompting a heated exchange with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who scolded the members saying that “they can’t ridicule the judgement of the highest court of law”.

“India is known for its diversity but if we allow Congress & DMK agenda to succeed, India will break up. Freedom of speech is not for self-determination,” the Union Minister added in his post.

Coming to the DMK member’s defence, Congress Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal is heard saying in the clip, “The member has the freedom to speak about that (Supreme Court judgement). He holds every right to criticise the judgment also.”

“Every race has a right to self-determination that appeals to the people of Kashmir,” DMK MP Mohamad Abdulla said in the Upper House, during a debate on two draft legislations on Jammu and Kashmir, ruffling feathers in the Treasury benches.

Taking strong objection to the DMK MP’s remarks, Dhankhar said, “This is improper. The highest court of the land has given a judgement. The honourable member is talking about…You can’t ridicule the judgement.”

“It (Freedom of Speech) does not give you the licence to say whatever you feel. You have to be highly accountable. You have to be accountable,” Dhankhar warned Venugopal.

Earlier, the Supreme Court upheld the Union government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir saying that every decision taken by the Centre on behalf of a State can’t be subject to a legal challenge. (ANI)

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Extremely Unfortunate: Rijiju On Rahul Calling Muslim League ‘Secular’

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his “completely secular” remarks for the Indian Muslim League party stating that it was “extremely unfortunate” that some people in the country “still consider the person who supports the Muslim League as Secular.”

Rijiju also asked how Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Muslim League which was “responsible” for India’s partition on religious lines be a secular party.
Taking to Twitter, the BJP leader said, “Jinnah’s Muslim League is a secular party? The party responsible for India’s partition on religious lines is a secular party? Extremely unfortunate that some people in India still consider the person who supports the Muslim League as Secular!”

The Indian Union Muslim League, is an ally of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala. Rahul Gandhi represented Wayanad in the Lok Sabha before being disqualified from Parliament.

Responding to a question on Congress’ alliance with the Muslim League during his interaction at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi said, “Muslim League is a completely secular party. There is nothing non-secular about Muslim League. I think the person (who sent the question) has not studied the Muslim League.”

Gandhi is currently on a visit to the US.

The BJP has criticised Rahul Gandhi for his remark stating that the Congress leader’s compulsion to remain acceptable in Wayanad that he called Muslim League a “secular party”.

“Jinnah’s Muslim League, the party responsible for India’s partition, on religious lines, according to Rahul Gandhi is a ‘secular’ party. Rahul Gandhi, though poorly read, is simply being disingenuous and sinister here…It is also his compulsion to remain acceptable in Wayanad,” BJP leader Amit Malviya said in a tweet. (ANI)

‘Rijiju’s Consistent Critique of Judicial System Was Unwarranted’

By LokMarg 22nd May 2023

Saghar Mehdi, an advocate at the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court, speaks about Kiren Rijiju’s stint as Union Law Minister which was riddled with unsavoury outbursts:

I believe the transfer of Mr Kiren Rijiju from the Union law ministry was a result of his continuous and uncalled for vocal criticism of the collegium system for the appointment of judges in the Indian judiciary system. Mr Rijiju was repeatedly making ‘suggestions’ for the inclusion of the Executive in the decision-making process for the appointment of judges, which caused the Union government many an embarrassing moment. A bitter, unsavoury exchange left the government with no other option but to shift him to another ministry.

As far as the social or professional behavioural ethics go, it is ideal for the constituents of any system or organisation to work within one’s domain and responsibility assigned. This is particularly so in a robust democracy, where the three constitutional pillars, namely Legislature, Executive, Judiciary should not interfere in the work domain of others for smooth functioning of the state.

In this sense, the continuous and unwarranted outburst of a person holding a high office was widening the differences between the executive and the judiciary. If at all the ‘recommendations’ of Mr Rijiju were to be implemented by any chance, the judiciary would lose its impartiality. For, its actions and decision will then be seen or perceived as influenced by the government of the day. For any judicial system to remain unprejudiced, it should not perform under any kind of influence or indulgence of the government otherwise it will merely be reduced to a puppet in it hands.

ALSO READ: ‘Political Postings For Retd Judges Send A Wrong Signal’

The Union minister had also been terming the Collegium system of appointing judges as opaque and not accountable from many platforms and had been advocating an alternative mechanism (with the interference of the government). If at all you imagine it to be so, it will become like a double-edged sword with all the observations and judgments going under the lens on all the platforms creating more problems for both the constituents (of the appointment authority – the government and the judiciary).

Rijiju’s comments on retired judges – he said a few retired judges were part of the anti-India gang – probably the last straw that tested the government patience. It was a sub-standard, childish remark, and a direct attack on the judiciary.

Even the lawyers community across the country felt that the allegations against retired judges, who spent a lifetime to uphold the rule of law, marked a new low in the public discourse. It is justifiable to be critical in a healthy manner in a democracy but to be outrageous and launch a blunt attack on a responsible person is character assassination. And coming from a person sitting in a highly accountable position, this was unacceptable.

It is the beauty of Indian Constitution that it provides a fair and just platform to everyone to live freely and express their emotions and feelings. But this freedom and these rights should be duly reciprocated and practiced with mutual respect to one another.

Acts Of Force Will Only Exacerbate Situation: Rijiju

By LokMarg 11th May 2023

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday, appealed to people in Manipur to abstain from any form of violence and said efforts are on to work towards restoration of peace and order in the north-eastern State, which has been gripped by violence since May 3.

In an open letter written on behalf of the North East Member of Parliament Forum, Rijiju, who is also chairman of the body extended condolences to families of those who have lost their loved ones in the incidents in the State recently.
“The pain caused by the loss of lives and properties is irreplaceable, and our hearts go out to those who have been affected by these tragic events. We understand that emotions are running high at this moment, and people may be induced to violence. However, we appeal to every member of the community to abstain from the use of force or any kind of violence. Such acts will only exacerbate the situation and cause more harm to innocent people,” the Union minister wrote.

“We believe that every life is precious, and we are committed to working towards the restoration of peace and order in the affected areas. We are aware that our efforts will be incomplete without the cooperation of the public. Hence, we appeal to all members of the society to kindly help us in our endeavours to restore peace and order,” he elaborated.

A curfew was imposed on May 3 after violence broke out in the State. The State government also clamped down on the use of the Internet and mobile phones to ensure the spread of panic and false information could be curtailed.

Throughout this period, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh had multiple meetings via video conferencing with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and top officials of the Home Ministry to assess the situation and centre sending paramilitary forces to the state.

As per the official figures close to 60 people lost their lives while more than 230 were injured and close to 1700 houses were burnt down during the violence that erupted on May 3.

We urge all members of the community to come together during these difficult times and work towards restoring peace and harmony in our society, the Cabinet Minister appealed.

Members of Parliament from northeastern states cutting across political parties are part of the North East MPs Forum to further the cause of the northeastern region, especially development.

The forum was formed under the guidance of former Lok Sabha Speaker, P A Sangma. His son Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma is also part of this forum. The President of the forum is Kiren Rijiju whereas the secretary is Congress MP Vincent Pala. (ANI)

Some People Consider BBC Above SC: Kiren Rijiju Over Documentary

By LokMarg 22nd January 2023

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday took on the “malicious campaigns” inside and outside India in connection to the UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)’s documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said that some people “consider the BBC above the Supreme Court of India”.

The Union Minister alleged that they “lower” the country’s dignity and image to any extent to “please their moral masters”.
Taking to Twitter, Rijiju said that minorities in the country are moving ahead positively.

“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,” Rijiju tweeted.

“Some people in India still haven’t gotten over the colonial intoxication. They consider BBC above the Supreme Court of India and lower the country’s dignity and image to any extent to please their moral masters,” the Minister added (roughly translated from Hindi).

He said that there is no hope from these people whose “only aim is to weaken India”.

“Anyway, there is no better hope from these tukde tukde gang members whose only aim is to weaken the might of India,” Rijiju tweeted.

Earlier, former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Sanjeev Tripathi slammed UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for its documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it “prejudiced, biased and full of factual errors”.

He added that the documentary needs to be condemned by everyone.

Speaking to ANI, Tripathi questioned the BBC’s intent behind the documentary on PM Modi, which he said seems ‘motivated’. He said the documentary features the 2002 Gujarat riots and the Godhra train burning incident, which preceded it, adding that the Supreme Court recently gave PM Modi a clean chit in the case.

“This documentary of BBC, which claims to examine the so-called tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India, and in that context, talks about again the so-called controversial policies of Prime Minister Modi, is not only prejudiced but is also biased and full of factual errors,” he said.

In a strong response to the BBC documentary, more than 300 eminent Indians, including retired judges, bureaucrats, and armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing “unrelenting prejudice” towards India and its leader. (ANI)

Indian Judiciary To Go Paperless soon: Rijiju

By LokMarg 6th December 2022

Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday asserted the Indian judiciary will go completely paperless in the near future.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Delhi High Court new building, the Minister said, “I had a detailed meeting about the e-Court projects. For e-courts I have also requested the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to complete the task in his tenure.”
He said lawyers in the country should be prepared for paperless work adding that the Ministry has conveyed to law officers that very soon the system will have to go paperless.

“When we talk about the judiciary which is totally digital, then it will have a huge impact on the justice delivery mechanism itself. It will also help in delivering fast result,” Rijiju said.

While stating that as the central government has a well-defined role, Law Minister Rijiju said, the Centre cannot do much for High Court infrastructure as it is the State government who has to look after the expenditure for developing the infrastructure.

“We have to make the judiciary more interesting and attractive so that aggrieved people should be able to come to courts with ease,” he said

On Tuesday, the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud inaugurated a new ‘S block’ of the Delhi High Court. Besides the Chief Justice of India, Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Puri, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Hima Kohli, Justice Sanjeev Khanna of Supreme Court, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were guests of honour at the inauguration function.

According to the Delhi High Court communication, the ‘S block’ building is truly a new benchmark in judicial infrastructure as well as public architecture made possible by the support of the Government of India, the Government of Delhi and all Government regulatory as well as project management agencies who worked synergistically to serve in the cause of justice.

According to Delhi High Court’s press communication, the new building has Delhi International Arbitration Centre with 18 new arbitration rooms and huddle rooms. It will also have a Judicial Convention Centre with Full Court Facility, a 285-seater Auditorium, 200 lawyers’ Chambers, and Common meeting rooms with other facilities for lawyers including a cafeteria.

The new Block will also have offices across 6 floors and a large 300 capacity Parking facility across three basements. (ANI)