The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its firm objection to the nomination of Shri Ranjan Gogoi, former Chief Justice of India (CJI), to Rajya Sabha by the Modi government. By nominating the former CJI to the Rajya Sabha, the Modi government is brazenly undermining the independence of the judiciary and subverting the separation of powers between the organs of the State, which is an inviolable principle enshrined in our Constitutional scheme. Ironically, last year itself, then CJI Gogoi had observed: “There is a strong viewpoint that post-retirement appointment is a scar on independence of judiciary”.
The CPI(M) has earlier stated in no uncertain terms that under the Constitutional Scheme of things, the judiciary in India is not only independent, but has a very important role to safeguard the rule of law. The recent delays in delivery of justice, mid-night transfers of High Court judges and the delay in taking up the challenges to abrogation of Article 370 and the CAA have not evoked confidence among the people and are not in consonance with their legitimate expectations.
The Polit Bureau is firmly opposing the move by the government in the light of widespread criticism that judiciary is being pressurized by the Executive and abdicating its responsibility. In the interest of our Constitutional spirit, this trend must be set right urgently. Therefore, the Polit Bureau urges the President of India to rescind the nomination of Shri Gogoi.