Yashwant Sinha backs Supreme Court judges’ protest, says democracy is ‘threatened’

Former union minister Yashwant Sinha | PTI

Rebel BJP leader says with Parliament sessions ‘not being held’ and all not well in the Supreme Court, democracy is in danger.

New Delhi: Former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has come out in support of the four Supreme Court judges who conducted an unprecedented press conference to air their grievances against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B. Lokur and Kurian Joseph had addressed the media Friday.

Sinha, who has been critical of the BJP dispensation under Narendra Modi, said the judges’ protest was a sign that democracy in India was “threatened”. He also expressed disappointment about the way Parliament is functioning.

“Parliament sessions are not being held. That’s an institution of democracy where debates and discussions are supposed to take place. Supreme Court judges are saying the court is not in order. If politics and the Supreme Court are not in order, then democracy is in danger,” said Sinha.

The senior leader said the government ought to play its part in protecting democracy without interfering in the judiciary. Asked why no member of government had spoken on the issue so far, Sinha said ministers were afraid. “They can’t speak, as they fear losing their posts,” he said.

Sinha called the contents of the four judges’ letter to the CJI a matter of “grave” concern.

“One thing that came out in the letter is that the Supreme Court is selectively appointing judges and benches for particular cases. Do you understand the meaning of this? This is grave. It means you will appoint judges on cases where you want a favourable order,” added Sinha.

“There is the judge Loya case. I had tweeted on the entire matter yesterday,” he said.

“What the judges are hinting at is loud and clear. Hope we get at the truth of Judge Loya’s death,” Sinha had tweeted Friday.

“What the judges have said is the feeling of millions of Indians. They do not either have the opportunity or the courage to express themselves.”

Sinha also defended CPI leader D. Raja’s visit to Justice Jasti Chelameswar’s house.

“It is the duty of political parties of the country and of anyone who is concerned to take note of such an event. We shall be failing in our national duty of we don’t react,” said Sinha.