Congress Demands CJI Resignation After 'Not My Domain' Comment on Delhi Protests

The Congress party has called for Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to resign following his recent comments about protests and restrictions in Delhi on October 12. The demand stems from the CJI's response that law and order issues fall outside his jurisdiction, a statement that drew sharp criticism from the opposition party's Kerala unit.

Taking to social media platform X, the Congress Kerala unit directly addressed the Chief Justice, stating that if maintaining law and order is not within his purview, he should step down to make way for someone who can handle such matters. The comments were made after CJI Surya Kant told reporters at a National Human Rights Commission anniversary event that protest-related matters were law and order concerns beyond his domain.

The BJP quickly countered the Congress criticism, with its Kerala unit accusing the opposition of attempting to pressure the judiciary. The ruling party referenced the Emergency period under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, asserting that such intimidation tactics no longer work in what it called "New India under Narendra Modi."

In a separate development, Chief Justice Surya Kant responded to the INDIA bloc's request for a meeting regarding electoral roll controversies by directing them to approach the Supreme Court through proper judicial channels. He noted that the issues raised were already under consideration by the court, with hearings scheduled for October 13, making a separate meeting inappropriate.