Opposition leaders on Sunday hit out at Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju over his remark that some retired judges and activists "were part of the anti-India gang" and were trying to make Indian judiciary play the role of the Opposition, saying he cannot get away with such claims and must give proof.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that it was an attempt to pressure the judiciary.
"What kind of democracy is this? Does it suit a law minister to threaten the judiciary? It is a threat to judges who refuse to bow down to the government and it's an attempt to pressure the judiciary," he told reporters in Mumbai.
Rijiju had made the remarks at the India Today Conclave in the national capital on Saturday.
바카라It is a few of the retired judges - maybe three or four - a few of those activists, part of the anti-India gang, these people are trying to make the Indian judiciary play the role of the opposition party,바카라 he had said, without naming anyone.
"Some people also go to the court and say please rein in the government, please change the policy of the government. These people want the judiciary to play the role of the opposition party, which cannot happen," he added.
The minister, however, asserted that the judiciary is neutral.
Raut said criticising the government doesn't mean being against the nation.
Taking to Twitter, Rajya Sabha MP of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Jawhar Sircar said a minister can바카라t make such a statement and get away.
바카라Give proof. Don바카라t threaten,바카라 he demanded in a post on the microblogging site.
바카라RSS didn바카라t participate in the freedom struggle and Hindu Mahasabha supported the British. Don바카라t give us pro-India, anti-India gyan,바카라 he added.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said a law minister was "talking like an outlaw".
"A Minister of Justice propagating Injustice. If this is not a threat to freedom AFTER speech what is?" he tweeted on Saturday.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, who is also an eminent lawyer, also took a swipe at the minister.
바카라Rijiju: A few retired judges are part of an "anti-India gang". My response: A few politicians in government are part of "the know not what they say gang," he tweeted.
CPI(M) leader and former Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac asked if Rijiju is 바카라a minister for law or lawlessness바카라.
바카라Kiren Rijiju, on the roll- now he threatens judges: 바카라Some retired judges part of anti-India gang. Is he minister for law or lawlessness?바카라 Isaac tweeted.
-With PTI Input
