Totally baseless, did not criticise youth: CJI on ‘jobless cockroaches’ remark
NEW DELHI,MAY 16 : Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday issued a clarification over his controversial “cockroaches” remark, saying a section of the media had misquoted his oral observations and falsely projected them as criticism of the youth of the country.
“I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites. It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation,” CJI Surya Kant said in his clarification.
The CJI added that he was proud of the country’s youth and considered them the pillars of a developed India. “Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India,” he said.
The controversy erupted after remarks made by the CJI during the hearing of a petition linked to the designation of a lawyer as a Senior Advocate before a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
During the hearing, the bench reprimanded the petitioner lawyer for aggressively pursuing senior advocate designation and questioned his conduct, including the language he allegedly used on Facebook.
“The entire world may be eligible to become senior (advocate), but at least you are not entitled,” the bench told the petitioner.
A visibly anguished CJI Surya Kant said that if the Delhi High Court granted senior advocate designation to the petitioner, the Supreme Court would set it aside in view of his professional conduct.
Referring to the lawyer’s social media conduct, the CJI remarked, “There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?”
He further said, “There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists and they start attacking everyone.”
The bench stressed that senior advocate designation is a recognition conferred upon a lawyer and not something that should be pursued aggressively.
“You are pursuing it. Does it look proper?” the court asked, while questioning whether the senior advocate designation had become a status symbol to be kept ornamentally.
The bench also questioned whether the petitioner had no other litigation work and asked if such conduct was appropriate for someone seeking the designation of Senior Advocate.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court also raised concerns over the authenticity of degrees held by several lawyers. The CJI said the court was considering asking the Central Bureau of Investigation to verify the degrees of many lawyers wearing black coats because of serious doubts regarding their genuineness.
The court further observed that the Bar Council of India would not act on the issue because “they need their votes”.
Following the court’s observations, the petitioner apologised to the bench and sought permission to withdraw the petition. The Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal plea.
-PTI
