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“In BJP we say, “matbhed hona chahiye, manbhed nhi hona chahiye.” Law Minister Kiran Rijiju said on differences between judiciary and executive while speaking at the Times Now Summit 2021, organised by Times Now, interview by Times Now Editor-in-Chief Rahul Shivshankar.

The Minister was answering a question on influence of the Narendra Modi government on the judiciary and whether that is to render favourable judgements. Mr. Rijiju said, these observations are not true because we are organs of same system. He further said that it is not good to make stories out of just the differences. “In BJP we say, “matbhed hona chahiye, manbhed nhi hona chahiye.” Commending the Chief Justice, he said that Justice NV Raman has been instrumental in building a tandem between the executive and the judiciary.

Mr. Shishankar pressed the law minister on the issue of inducement to judges after retirement, specifically the appointment of former Chief Justice of India, Rajan Gogoi to Rajya Sabha and its ethical consequences. Mr. Rijiju answered, “until and unless any step is unconstitutional or illegal, there shouldn’t be any problem. Mr. Rijiju refused to pass comments on the ethical point saying, it varies with individual. “Same yardstick cannot be applied everywhere,” he said.

On the issue of only 674 fast tracks courts set up out of 1,023 promised, the Minister putting the onus on state of West Bengal said, “WB only state in India which has not set up any fast track court.” He further jibed that due to the federal structure he cannot do much, however, he has written a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the same. “This is very sad, can’t accept, I will put pressure on WB,” he said.

Further on the issue of huge vacancy of judges in court across the country, the law Minister said it is a  that it is not the responsibility of  government alone. Stating that once the High Court make the recommendations “record number of appointment” will be seen this year. On being confronted with the fact that the onus lies on the government and that CJI N.V. Ramana had asked the government to appoint judges according to the recommendations already made, the Minister said the government is to conduct due diligence while appointment. “If we are to accept whatever list comes to us, there is no scope for due diligence,” he said.

Mr. Shivshankar then asked about Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee’s comment stating the Election Commission are murderers for conducting elections during a pandemic. The law minister said a judge have right to make his remark and that comment of one judge should hold on to. Further, the minister was pressed on transfer of Justices to north east courts who are critical of the government, Mr Rijiju refused to comment stating “I don’t want to spoil my relationship with judges.”

On being asked about relevance of British era sedition law in India, the minister said, “no freedom should be given to a person who can harm peace of country.” He further said that one should not import western ideas to Indian context. Commenting on China’s encroachment in his home state Arunachal Pradesh he jabbed at the media stating mischievous reporting by one media has caused harm to the country and demoralised Indian army. “Factual reporting is primary responsibility of every journalist.”

The Minister further refused to comment on the issue of Uniform Civil Code, government regulation of temple, Pegasus committee appointed by the Supreme Court and issue of love jihad. “Don’t want to make political statement- lets us be peaceful,” he said.