In a stern admonition, the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressed its disapproval towards the governors of Punjab and Tamil Nadu for their delay in assenting to bills passed by the respective state assemblies. This rebuke came in response to allegations by the state governments accusing the governors of stalling legislative processes.
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Chief Justice Chandrachud, addressing the issue, emphasized the importance of respecting the decisions of elected assemblies.
“Please don’t deflect the course of bills passed by a duly elected assembly. It’s a matter of very serious concern,”
he stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The bench further intensified its criticism, pointing out the potential risks of such delays.
“You’re playing with fire. How can the governor say this? We are not happy with what is happening in Punjab. Will we continue to be a parliamentary democracy?”
the bench questioned, underscoring the need to adhere to established traditions and conventions in India’s parliamentary democracy.
The issue came to the forefront following a plea by the Punjab government, which accused Governor Banwarilal Purohit of failing to give assent to bills passed by the state assembly, leading to a significant administrative standstill. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Punjab government, argued that the governor’s inaction, particularly on seven critical bills including those related to fiscal management and education, sent for assent in July, had severely impacted governance.
In light of these developments, the Supreme Court directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide detailed records of the actions taken by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on the bills passed by the assembly. This direction from the apex court marks a significant moment in the ongoing tussle between the state governments and the governors, highlighting the judiciary’s role in ensuring the smooth functioning of democratic processes.
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