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"DNA rooted in tyranny, not democracy": Hitesh Jain slams Congress after Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes oath as CJI
Mumbai: Vice President of BJP Mumbai Pradesh and Senior Advocate Hitesh Jain took to X on Monday to laud the appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI), terming it "a proud and poetic moment of justice."
Jain also used the occasion to criticize Congress, linking Justice Khanna's appointment to the legacy of his uncle, the late Justice HR Khanna, who stood against the authoritarian regime during the Emergency of 1975-1977.
In a post on X, Jain wrote, "Justice Sanjiv Khanna being sworn in today as the 51st Chief Justice of India--a proud and poetic moment of justice. Not only is CJI Khanna a distinguished jurist, but his appointment also stands as retribution for the sacrifices made by his uncle, the late Justice HR Khanna."
Jain then highlighted how Justice HR Khanna had been denied the position of Chief Justice for his stand during the Emergency. "Justice HR Khanna was denied the chance to be Chief Justice for one reason: he was the lone voice that dared to stand up against Congress's darkest hour--the Emergency of 1975-1977," Jain said.
The BJP Mumbai Pradesh VP added that it was "a regime so repressive, it crushed dissent and democracy under Indira Gandhi's iron grip."
Taking a swipe at Congress, particularly Rahul Gandhi's calls to "protect" the Constitution, Jain said, "Congress's call to 'protect' the Constitution today is laughable. If given the chance, history shows they'd be the first to tear it apart." He added, "Justice HR Khanna's story is a reminder that the DNA of the Congress party is rooted in tyranny, not democracy."
"Today let's also remember Justice H R Khanna's legacy - a legacy of courage against Congress's authoritarianism. We should never forget who tried to shred our Constitution and who stood to protect it.", He wrote.
Earlier in the day, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in a brief ceremony. Khanna, who has been part of several important Supreme Court judgments, including upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and scrapping the electoral bonds scheme, succeeds former CJI DY Chandrachud. He will serve a six-month term as the CJI.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and several other Union Cabinet ministers. Justice Khanna, who began his legal career in 1983 and served in both the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, brings a wealth of experience in constitutional law, taxation, arbitration, and environmental law.
Justice Khanna's appointment was officially announced by the Government of India through a formal notification, effective from November 11.