BJP hits out at Rahul Gandhi over rejected CJI meeting request

The BJP on Tuesday criticised Rahul Gandhi for seeking a meeting with Chief Justice of India, saying the attempted engagement represented an effort to politicise constitutional bodies. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the CJI's decision to decline the meeting sent a clear signal about the need for judicial independence.

"Constitutional institutions cannot be dragged into political theatrics," Bhatia said, arguing that the judiciary must remain insulated from partisan considerations. The remarks came after the Congress leader's request for an audience with the country's top judge was not granted.

The CJI's refusal to meet Gandhi underscores the judiciary's commitment to maintaining distance from political actors and processes, according to the BJP's interpretation. The party framed the development as evidence of institutional strength rather than any specific criticism of the opposition leader.

The episode highlights ongoing tensions between India's political parties over the nature of institutional independence and appropriate engagement between different branches of government. Congress has not yet issued a public response to the BJP's criticism regarding the rejected meeting.