'We Have Differences, But...': Law Minister Kiren Rijiju On Speculated Clash Between Govt And Judiciary

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said denied any clash between the government and the judiciary and said there are differences but it does not mean there is a confrontation.

CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin during foundation stone laying ceremony of Additional Court Buildings in the District Court campus in Madurai.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday denied any clash between the government and the judiciary as speculated in the media and contended that differences were inevitable in a democracy but it should not be construed as confrontation, reported PTI. 

The Minister’s remark came during the inauguration of the Chief Judicial Magistrate court, Mayiladuthurai, in the presence of Chief Justice of India Justice D Y Chandrachud, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court Justice T Raja in Madurai. 

"We have differences, but it doesn't mean there is confrontation. It sends the wrong message across the world. I want to make it clear that there is no problem between different organs of the State. There are signs of robust democratic actions, which are not a crisis," he emphasised.

Referring to some media reports alleging differences between the government and the Supreme Court, the Union Minister said, “We must understand that we are in a democracy. There are bound to be certain differences in terms of some outlook but you can't have conflicting positions. This doesn't mean confrontation. We are the largest democracy in the world."

He said that the Centre would support the Indian judiciary to be independent and called upon the bench and the bar to work together to ensure that the court complex is not divided. 

“One can't exist without the other. Court must have proper decorum and a conducive atmosphere,” he said, adding “everybody can’t think alike.”

Rijiju said that the difference of opinion between the legislature and the judiciary can’t be termed as a crisis in Indian democracy. 

The Collegium system of appointing judges to Supreme Court and High Courts has long remained a source of contention between the government and the judiciary with law minister Rijiju openly opposing the system and calling it “alien to our Constitution.” 

However, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud defended the system saying it is the best system available. 

Speaking at an event, the Chief Justice said, “Not every system is perfect, but this is the best system we've developed. But, the objective was to preserve the independence of the judiciary, which is a fundamental value. If the judiciary is to remain independent, it must be protected from extraneous influences."