New Delhi – On Monday the Indian National Congress publicly distanced itself from a social‑media post issued by its Keralam unit that demanded the resignation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Party MP and spokesperson Pawan Khera emphasized that the Congress “has absolute faith in the judiciary” and that the post did not reflect the party’s official stance.
Congress reaction and internal actions
The contested post, which was later deleted, directly addressed the chief justice by name and urged him to step down. It was framed as a response to remarks attributed to Justice Kant, in which he said that matters of law and order lay outside his jurisdiction. Those comments were made in the context of unprecedented security measures imposed by Delhi police during ongoing protests that call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking to ANI, Khera said the party “completely disagrees” with the position taken in the post and called it “completely incorrect.” He added that the Congress’s confidence in the judiciary is why the party had previously approached the Supreme Court, “knocked on its door,” to seek redress, underscoring the party’s respect for the highest court.
Sunny Joseph, president of the Congress Keralam unit, clarified that the post was published without the knowledge, consent or consultation of the state party leadership. He announced that the individual responsible for the “objectionable” content had been removed from their position and that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) would investigate the circumstances surrounding the publication.
Joseph’s statement reiterated that the Congress does not question the impartiality of the judiciary and that any social‑media expression contradicting this view does not represent the KPCC leadership’s position.
Political and legal fallout
The incident triggered a sharp rebuke from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari posted on X, labeling the Congress as “anarchist” and accusing it of insulting the Constitution by threatening the chief justice. BJP Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey amplified the criticism with a satirical tweet that suggested a chain of resignations culminating in Rahul Gandhi assuming the prime ministerial post and other senior leaders occupying key constitutional offices.
The controversy emerged against a broader backdrop of legal battles involving the Congress‑led opposition INDIA bloc. Earlier, the bloc had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission, naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as respondents. The petition followed the chief justice’s refusal to meet with opposition leaders who sought to present a representation on alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) by the Election Commission in favor of the ruling BJP.
Justice Kant later explained that he had received a letter requesting a meeting and had responded the same night, outlining reasons for his inability to attend. He reiterated that the Supreme Court’s doors remain open to every citizen and that any petition, whether from a private individual or an elected representative, would be heard in accordance with the law.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also weighed in, condemning the Kerala unit’s post as an attempt to undermine the judiciary and interfere with the administration of justice. In a statement, the SCBA warned that such remarks belittle the institution and urged its members and the broader legal community to uphold the dignity and decorum of the Supreme Court.
While the Congress has taken internal disciplinary steps and reiterated its trust in the judicial system, the episode has added another layer of tension between the two major political parties ahead of upcoming electoral contests. The BJP’s pointed criticism and the SCBA’s censure highlight the sensitivity surrounding public commentary on the judiciary, especially when it involves calls for the removal of a sitting chief justice.
As the investigation into the unauthorized post proceeds, the Congress leadership has signaled its intent to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing coordination and prior approval for any official communication on social platforms. The episode underscores the challenges political parties face in managing decentralized social‑media operations while navigating a highly polarized political environment.
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