'More learned than judges?': Opposition hits out at BJP, Nishikant Dubey over SC remark

NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has faced a barrage of criticism following his remarks about the Supreme Court and the CJI, that erupted heated row. His statement drew swift condemnation, including from his own party, with BJP president publicly disassociating from Dubey’s views.

From Dubey’s home state, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Manoj Pandey called the remarks "unfortunate," saying, "The dictatorship in the nation has reached such a level that now a member of parliament is challenging the court... Are these people more learned than the judges? Will they do anything in the darkness of the majority, and will the courts stay silent?"

TMC MP Mahua Moitra condemned the remarks, saying, "Remember - a pitbull does nothing without its master’s command. Glad entire country is watching BJP proxy attacks on judiciary. Brazen attempt to browbeat bench. India’s lowest hour to be ruled by ignorant bullies."

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of deliberately targeting the Supreme Court: "They are trying to weaken the Supreme Court... Constitutional functionaries, ministers, BJP MPs are speaking against the Supreme Court as the Supreme Court is saying one thing that when a law is made, you should not go against the basic structure of the constitution and if the law is against the constitution, we will not accept it."

Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat said: "This is an attack on the entire judicial system, an attack on the Constitution. They have attacked the Chief Justice, and other judges. They are working as a squad for the BJP, which attacks and creates terror in the minds of people. This is an attempt to intimidate the judiciary."

Another Congress veteran and former Union minister Salman Khurshid expressed his dismay, saying, "It is a matter of great sadness if an MP questions the Supreme Court or any court... In our legal system, the final word is not of the government, it is of the Supreme Court. If someone does not understand this, then it is a matter of great sadness."

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi mocked BJP leaders, saying, "You people (BJP) are tubelights... threatening the court in such a way. Do you even know what Article 142 is? It was framed by BR Ambedkar."

DMK leader TKS Elangovan also slammed the BJP, saying, "The Supreme Court is there to protect the laws of the country... The government is barbaric as they don't respect any law. They do whatever they like and try to change the provisions of the constitution... The BJP is going against all laws... The Supreme Court has advised them not to go against the law."

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey sparked a political row after accusing the Supreme Court of “inciting religious wars” and questioning its authority to make laws. “If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assemblies should be shut,” he told ANI. He also posted, “If Supreme Court makes law then Parliament House should be closed.”

Amid the backlash, BJP president JP Nadda distanced the party from Dubey’s comments. “These are personal statements. The BJP outrightly rejects them,” Nadda said on X, clarifying the party has no connection to the remarks.