Kharge, Siddaramaiah disapprove Cong party’s 'Gayab' post on social media
Bagalkote/Bengaluru, Apr 30 (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday disapproved of his party’s social media pictorial 'X' post titled "Gayab" to portray Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader missing in action during a crisis. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too expressed a similar view.
The Congress had put up a social media post with a headless figurine. The image posted on 'X' without naming Modi showed an old photo of him with his body missing, and his clothes forming the outline.
The image carried the message "Gayab" (missing) on top with a caption in Hindi that read "jimmedari ke samay -- Gayab" (missing at the time of taking responsibility).
When asked by reporters in Bengaluru whether the Congress had to face embarrassment because of its "Gayab" social media post against the prime minister, Kharge said, "I have not seen it, what can I say."
"But, any person, whoever it is, whether prime minister or any person or leader, no attempt should be made to cause any damage to their dignity or image. Whoever does it, whether they (BJP) do it or our people (Congress), it is not right," he said.
Asked about controversial statements being made by party leaders in the wake of the current situation in the country and his instructions to them, Kharge said, "We have already given (instructions). You are aware of it."
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Bagalkote, Siddaramaiah said one should know the limitations attached to freedom of expression.
"I don’t know who does it on social media. It should never be done – either of Narendra Modi or any other person. Just because we have freedom of expression and personal liberty, we cannot do whatever we want. We should not defame others," the CM said.
After the post was removed, BJP's social media head Amit Malviya said on 'X', "Deleting the post won't erase the truth. Your 'Sar Tan Se Juda' mindset stands exposed."
"You are unapologetic Islamists who wouldn't hesitate to target even Prime Minister Modi if it meant clawing back to power. But you never will. The Rahul Gandhi generation is destined for political irrelevance, while India moves forward without you, and far beyond your reach," Malviya said.
On the union government's measures post Pahalgam terror strike that killed 26 people, Siddaramaiah said, "If the war is inevitable, then let the Centre go for it. I don’t object to it, but terrorism should be completely wiped out. That’s what the Centre should do."
Clarifying his previous statement that war should not happen, he said that all that he meant was that the Centre should also ensure the security of people.
"I never said no to war. In 1971, Indira Gandhi waged a war and defeated Pakistan. More than 90,000 soldiers surrendered," he explained.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
