Gujarat HC Says PMO Doesn't Need To Furnish Degree Certificate Of PM Modi, Fines Kejriwal

The Gujarat HC has ruled that the PMO does not need to furnish the degree certificate of PM Modi and also imposed a fine on Arvind Kejriwal.

PM Narendra Modi

The Gujarat High Court on Friday ruled that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) need not furnish the degree and post-graduate degree certificate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pertinently, the Court also imposed costs of Rs 25,000 on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal who had sought details of the PM's degree certificate.

Single-judge Justice Biren Vaishnav set aside the order of the Chief Information Commission (CIC) directing the public information officer (PIO) of PMO and the PIOs of Gujarat University and Delhi University to furnish details of Modi's graduate and postgraduate degrees.

Reacting to the decision, Kejriwal asked, doesn't the country even have the right to know how much qualified their PM is and those who are demanding to see his degree are being fined. 

"Doesn't the country even have the right to know how much qualified their PM is? He vehemently opposed showing the degree in the court. Why? And those who demand to see his degree will be fined? What is happening? Illiterate or less educated PM is very dangerous for the country," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

क्या देश को ये जानने का भी अधिकार नहीं है कि उनके PM कितना पढ़े हैं? कोर्ट में इन्होंने डिग्री दिखाए जाने का ज़बरदस्त विरोध किया। क्यों? और उनकी डिग्री देखने की माँग करने वालों पर जुर्माना लगा दिया जायेगा? ये क्या हो रहा है?

अनपढ़ या कम पढ़े लिखे PM देश के लिए बेहद ख़तरनाक हैं https://t.co/FtSru6rddI

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 31, 2023

Earlier in 2016, the Central Information Commission had directed the Gujarat University to publish information on PM Modi's Master's degree. The order from the court comes amid an aggressive campaign by Aam Aadmi Party with an aim to highlight PM Modi’s educational qualifications. The party has put up posters in many cities targeting him.