Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, speaking in the Lok Sabha, accused judges of being too fearful to grant relief to opposition leaders, worrying about offending the government. She urged the judiciary to heed their inner voice, have courage, and rise to the occasion.
New Delhi: In an address to the Lok Sabha on Monday, Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament (MP) from the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC), stressed the judiciary’s critical role in upholding democracy and called for maintaining ‘judicial integrity’ among judges.
Moitra praised the courage and resilience of India’s poorest citizens, who, despite facing significant risks by challenging those in power, have demonstrated remarkable bravery.
She stated,
“Today, I say that the poorest people in India, who have perhaps the most to lose from offending the government and power, have shown spine and risen to the occasion. Your Lords and Ladyships, heed thy inner voice, have a spine, rise to the occasion,”
She condemned the judiciary for denying bail and justice to opposition leaders, accusing judges of fearing repercussions from the government.
Moitra asserted,
“It has reached a point where opposition leaders, framed in politically motivated cases, are denied bail and justice simply because judges are too afraid to handle their cases for fear of offending the government,”
In this context, Moitra called on the judiciary to emulate the courage of India’s poor and rise to the occasion.
The MP delivered these remarks during her speech in the motion of thanks to the President‘s address in the Lok Sabha.
Moitra cited a statement by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud in Kolkata, where he emphasized,
“Judges are not deities but are meant to serve the people with compassion and empathy.”
She asserted,
“Just as one cannot be partly pregnant, you either are or you aren’t, justice in a democracy must also be absolute. It cannot be partially effective,”
Moitra also expressed concerns about the retirement age of judges, pointing out that High Court judges retire at 62 and Supreme Court judges at 65. She contended that this system compels High Court judges to seek favour from the Supreme Court Collegium for a last-minute elevation, enabling them to serve longer and qualify for other prestigious positions.
Moitra stated,
“This has unfortunately led to High Court judges kowtowing to the Supreme Court Collegium and the government for a last-minute elevation to be able to serve three more years and then qualify for further sinecures such as the head of the Lokpal, the head of the National Human Rights Commission, and Chairmen of various tribunals,”
Moitra’s speech sparked a significant debate on the role of the judiciary in a democratic society and the pressures it faces in the current political environment. Her call for action aims to protect the integrity of the judicial process and ensure equal treatment for all, regardless of political affiliation.