The Supreme Court's verdict quashing the Constitution Amendment on National Judicial Appointments Commission and restoring the collegium system for appointing judges seems appropriate, although it might have been a jolt for the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. However, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement that "democracy cannot be the tyranny of the unelected" is deplorable and uncalled for, particularly because he is a senior Cabinet minister.
Jaitley seems to have conveniently forgotten that he was nominated Rajya Sabha MP after having lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. His misconception about the "elected" with reference to the Supreme Court judgement is atrocious.
Besides, we are aware that a large number of MPs of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are facing serious criminal charges. Should such MPs still have a say in the matter of appointments in the judiciary?
Let us hope better sense prevails on senior BJP leaders and they accept the Supreme Court ruling gracefully in the larger interest of democracy.
Satish Murdeshwar, Pune
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