'Collegium a Blot on Our Democracy', Says Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha
The tussle between the apex court and the Centre over judicial appointments began in 2015, after the government passed the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill.
Patna, June 6: Amid the ongoing rift between the government and the judiciary over the appointment of judges, a senior Minister of the NDA regime condemned the Supreme Court's Collegium, calling it a "blot on our democracy".
The remarks were made by Upendra Kushwaha, Union Minister of State For Human Resource Development (HRD). While speaking at an event in Patna on Tuesday, Kushwaha said the Collegium group aims to uphold the hegemony of privileged class.
"According to the attitude of the judiciary, in the present time, judges don't appoint other judges, they actually appoint their successors. Why do they do that? Why was this made a system to choose successors," he said.
"People oppose reservation, say it ignores merit but I think collegium ignores merit. A tea-seller can become PM, a fisherman's child can become a scientist and later President. But can a maid's child become a judge? Collegium is a blot on our democracy," added Kushwaha, who heads the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) based in Bihar.
The tussle between the apex court and the Centre over the appointments in judiciary began in 2015, after the government passed the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill. As per the new legislation, the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha Speaker and "eminent personalities" will have a say in the appointment of judges apart from the Chief Justice of India.
The law was opposed by the judiciary, which exercised it powers to strike down the legislation on constitutional grounds.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2018 10:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).