CJI Surya Kant clarifies ‘cockroaches’ remark, says youth not the target
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified that his controversial ‘cockroaches’ remark was directed at fake degree holders and not Indian youth
A day after his “youngsters like cockroaches” remark, which was reported to be directed against the youth of the country, created controversy online, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued a clarification on Saturday (May 16) stating that his remarks have been misquoted by a section of the media and his comments were erroneously projected as a criticism against the Indian youth.
The CJI further stated that his criticism was aimed at persons who entered the legal profession using fake degrees and was not a remark against the youth in general.
Clarification on remarks
“I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees,” stated the CJI.
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“Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites,” he added as quoted by Live Law.
‘Youth not the target’
Elaborating further, he said that not only was it “baseless” to suggest that his criticism was against the youth in general, the CJI said that not only do the youth have great respect for him, but he also sees them as “pillars of a developed India.”
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“It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resources, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India,” said the CJI.
What CJI had said
During the hearing of a petition moved by an advocate seeking conferment of senior designation by the Delhi High Court, the Chief Justice had expressed serious concerns over the authenticity of law degrees held by a number of lawyers, particularly those practising in Delhi, and observed that he was considering directing the CBI to verify such qualifications.
While making those observations in court, the CJI also spoke about what he described as “parasites” infiltrating institutions and referred to unemployable youngsters who, according to him, were entering spaces such as media, social media, and activism before launching attacks on established systems.
“There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment and don't have any place in the profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become RTI activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone,” the CJI had said.