Attack on journalists: CM Pinarayi Vijayan tells lawyers to behave in court
Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pulled up lawyers for barring the entry of mediapersons in courts across the state. He said the government will not allow them to violate the rule of law while inaugurating the 54th state conference of Kerala Union of Working Journalists on Saturday. “Courts in the state are not the private property of advocates,” the Chief Minister added.
“Advocates should not be under the misconception that they have the power of judges,” he said and added that judges have the administrative power over courts. “It is not for advocates to decide who will enter courts.” “If advocates break the rule of law, government will intervene,” Mr Pinarayi said.
Blaming certain vested interests for creating trouble, the Chief Minister said that such forces having a clear agenda must be isolated. “The government cannot allow activities that curtail the freedom of press. Advocates should realise that courts belong to the country. If violation of law continues, the government will take measures to prevent such a development,” he said.
The Chief Minister refuted charges that the government failed to intervene on time to solve the dispute between media and advocates. “I have convened a meeting of representatives of the two as Chief Minister and a committee headed by the Advocate-General has been formed to resolve the issue. However, the issue was dragged on. Since the developments within the High Court come under the jurisdiction of the Chief Justice, the government has limitations. A meeting was also held with the Chief Justice and he assured that the media will not be prevented from covering the court. It is a section of advocates who created problems in Thiruvananthapuram vigilance court on Friday. Some of the advocates are not even ready to respect the words of the Chief Justice. Such people should be isolated," Mr Pinarayi said.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala promised all support to the government for ensuring freedom of the media in the state. Addressing the inaugural session he said that a section advocates are behaving like hired goons. The incident in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday was a sign of such goondasim, he added.
