NEW DELHI – In a controversial editorial piece, the Editor of The Wire has launched a scathing attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, calling his Ayodhya verdict “flawed and unjust.” The article criticizes the CJI’s handling of the Ayodhya case, raising concerns about the legal and ethical implications of the judgment, and questioning Chandrachud’s recent remarks about seeking divine guidance while drafting the historic verdict.
The editorial suggests that the reliance on divine intervention in such a significant ruling undermines the secular fabric of India’s judiciary and calls for greater accountability and introspection within the judicial system. According to the Wire, this reliance on faith deviates from the secular and rational approach expected of the judiciary and risks diminishing public confidence in the rule of law.
Justice Chandrachud Should Not Blame God for His Own Awful Ayodhya Judgment
My piece in The Wire todayhttps://t.co/sL4mzYxcaV
— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) October 22, 2024
The Wire editor’s harsh critique comes in response to CJI Chandrachud’s recent public statements acknowledging divine guidance in the Ayodhya judgment. Left-liberal commentators have echoed the editorial’s concerns, asserting that the Ayodhya decision failed to deliver justice in a case fraught with communal and religious sensitivities. Critics argue that such statements are a departure from the impartiality required of the judiciary.
The editorial also points to a broader discontent with CJI Chandrachud’s handling of other high-profile cases, including the abrogation of Article 370 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). His refusal to overturn these controversial decisions has further intensified criticism from sections of the political left and civil society.
Despite the backlash, supporters of the CJI argue that his decisions, including the Ayodhya verdict, are firmly rooted in constitutional principles. They highlight that under CJI Chandrachud’s leadership, the judiciary has made strides in upholding minority religious rights, citing judgments like the Places of Worship Act and the ruling on women’s entry into Sabarimala temple.