The Congress on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of "systematically and deliberately" weakening democratic instituions in the country, including the judiciary and also condemned "its attempt" to delay the appointment of judges.
"During the last two and a half years of its tenure, this government has been systematically and deliberately weakening the democratic institutions of this country, including the judiciary," said Congress spokesman and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
The Congress' attack came in the wake of Supreme Court slamming the government on Friday for holding back judicial appointments by sitting over the recommendations of the top court collegium for the appointment of judges to various High Courts.
A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao said observed that the government's inaction amounted to paralysing and locking out the judiciary.
Singhvi called the situation unprecedented and unheard of.
"We condemn this attempt by the government to erode and undermine another pillar of our democracy. Now, we are seeing its attempt to demean, control or embarrass the judiciary. It is sad that Memorandum of Procedure is being used by government as an instrument of blackmail," he said.
"Suggesting appointments will not be cleared on time, unless Judiciary agrees to government's MoP. You can't have a SC judgement undermined and obstructed by bargaining in this manner on the MoP.
"The state of affairs is shocking. Majority of our High Courts have just 50 per cent of sanctioned strength. If you have arrears of three crore cases, what is the use of talking about good governance," he asked
--IANS
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