CJI Kant Says Remarks Not Aimed at Jobless Youth

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday issued a clarification on his recent remarks during a court hearing, stating that his observations had been misquoted and were not directed at the youth. “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,” the CJI said in a statement.

The clarification follows reports on remarks made during a hearing on Friday, where the CJI had criticised a lawyer over a plea seeking senior designation.

Kant said his comments were aimed at individuals entering professions using fraudulent credentials. “What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites.”

He rejected suggestions that his remarks targeted young people. “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 resource, 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,” he said.