Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for not attending the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, alleging his absence reflected “disrespect” towards B R Ambedkar and the Constitution. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress leader of “skipping and boycotting” a key constitutional event attended by the country’s top leadership.Poonawalla, addressing reporters, said, “Today, when the entire country was in a sense celebrating, particularly Haryana, the Chief Justice of India’s oath ceremony and the entire government led by Modiji was present at the event, he skipped it, boycotted it.” He further remarked, “Instead of attending this solemn programme, Rahul Gandhi may be on some foreign trip or jungle safari.” Justice Surya Kant, known for being part of landmark benches including the rulings on the abrogation of Article 370 and the revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls, was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior dignitaries were present. Justice Kant, who succeeds Justice B R Gavai, will serve until February 9, 2027.The BJP leader alleged that Gandhi and his party places “parivaar tantra” above democratic and constitutional norms, adding, “It shows that his family, particularly him, talk about ‘samvidhan’, but they don’t respect Ambedkar and ‘samvidhan’.”Justice Kant took the oath in Hindi in the name of God and will now head the Supreme Court for nearly 15 months.
