Claiming that “all of the democratic energy is being seized by one part of individuals” which can result in a presidential type of authorities, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday appealed to the judiciary to “save democracy”.
Talking on the convocation ceremony of the West Bengal Nationwide College of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) right here, the place she shared the stage with Chief Justice of India U U Lalit who’s the Chancellor of the college, Banerjee additionally urged the judiciary to make sure that the federal construction of the nation stays intact.
Addressing the CJI, she mentioned: “These two months, now we have seen what’s judiciary. Folks had their religion restored. I’m not saying folks had misplaced their religion in judiciary, however the state of affairs these days is the worst.”
“All of the democratic energy is being seized by one part of individuals. If this goes on, then our nation will go to presidential kind… the place is the democracy? Please save democracy. That is my solely request,” she mentioned.
“I consider that the judiciary should save the folks from catastrophe. Judiciary should save the folks from injustice. Judiciary should hear the cries of the folks. These days, persons are crying behind their closed doorways,” she mentioned.
Saying that justice is all the time “for the folks, by the folks and of the folks”, Banerjee mentioned: “Our status is our respect… If our status is misplaced, then every little thing is misplaced… If somebody takes away our respect, it can’t be restored. I request the judiciary to please see that the federal construction ought to stay. There’s pointless harassment of individuals these days.”
Previously, Banerjee has tussled with the BJP-led NDA authorities on the Centre on a number of events over the powers of the state and the central authorities.
“There are such a lot of issues which might be occurring… Earlier than the courtroom offers its verdict, the media trial goes on… media is guiding the judiciary, and this can not occur. Judiciary is the best, media can not management judiciary,” she mentioned.
In his speech, the CJI suggested college students to maintain their minds open to each suggestion and to have compassion for mankind and society. He exhorted them to proceed to review and add dimensions to their character.
Attributes of capability constructing in several spheres and compassion for mankind won’t ever fail an individual to find an answer to any downside, the CJI mentioned. As a lawyer, one by no means ceases to be a pupil of regulation, he mentioned including that as knowledgeable, as an academician and as a choose, one retains studying each passing day and yr, however the basis is there in regulation college.
Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, the visitor of honour on the convocation, mentioned in his deal with that the graduates, who might select completely different professions from regulation to civil service, ought to do it with ardour, dignity and a way of honour.
In the meantime, criticising Banerjee’s speech, CPI(M) MP Bikash Bhattacharya mentioned: “I didn’t perceive what she needed to say. Democracy construction ought to be maintained, however that doesn’t imply that you’ll safeguard your corrupt practices. In case you are corrupt, regulation will take motion towards you.”
BJP chief Rahul Sinha mentioned, “When Mamata Banerjee is looting democracy, looting voting rights of widespread folks, harassing poets, writers who’re writing towards her, that’s democracy? She understands that she is now in hassle attributable to her corruption. So she is now crying about democracy.”
(With PTI inputs)