Row over BJP leaders' criticism of SC: Jairam Ramesh shares Nehru's apology letter to CJI in 1959
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday cited former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's apology letter to a Supreme Court judge in 1959 to assert that this is how democratic foundations, which are now under assault, got built.
In a post on X, Ramesh said, "On June 26, 1959, Nehru wrote to the Chief Justice of India S R Das and to a Supreme Court Judge Vivian Bose expressing his deep regrets at the remarks he had made at a press conference in New Delhi on June 10, 1959, that were taken to be criticisms of Justice Bose who was then inquiring into the Mundhra affair."
"This is how the democratic foundations -- that are now under assault -- got built," he added.
Ramesh was supported by his party colleague and Rajya Sabha MP, Abhishek Singhvi, who said, "Tweeted by friend Jairam Ramesh shows how we live in different times; how magnanimity and humility were naturally embedded in psyche of great people."
"Am sure many today, including those holding high offices, will never understand what made such people and values special," Singhvi said.
The posts came in the wake of a row over the Supreme Court's criticism by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma on the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, which has been challenged in the apex court.
Ramesh also shared a copy of a book that contains Nehru's letter to Justice Bose.
In his letter, Nehru said, "I should like to express personally to you my deep regret at the remarks I made in this connection at the press conference I addressed in Delhi earlier this month.
"I realise fully that those remarks were improper and I should not have allowed myself to utter them. I was taken rather unawares by the questions put to me and I was thinking of many other things at the time also. I trust you will be good enough to accept my apology for this impropriety which I have committed."
The book said Nehru also wrote to CJI Das on June 26, 1959 in the same vein, adding "that was an impropriety which I regret greatly as I have believed that the judiciary and, more especially, the judges of the Supreme Court deserve the highest consideration and respect".
On June 26, 1959, Nehru wrote to the Chief Justice of India SR Das and to a Supreme Court Judge Vivian Bose expressing his deep regrets at the remarks he had made at a press conference in New Delhi on June 10, 1959, that were taken to be criticisms of Justice Bose who was then… pic.twitter.com/PiRz4fjn5Q
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 22, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Modi agreed to caste census out of fear: Rahul Gandhi
Darbhanga (Bihar) (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to hold a caste census "out of fear" of the country's deprived population, to which the opposition was lending its voice.
The leader of the opposition made the remark at a charged-up interaction with students in Darbhanga district of Bihar, where he defied attempts of the local administration to thwart him from reaching the venue.
"As you all are aware, my car was stopped at the gate (of Mithila University). But I did not relent. I got out and took a circuitous route to reach here on foot," said the Rae Bareli MP, who launched 'Shiksha Nyay Samvad', a public interaction programme in Bihar where assembly polls are due later this year.
Gandhi was speaking at the varsity's Ambedkar Hostel, where permission for holding the event had been denied by the administration, evoking outrage from the Congress which rejected the suggestion that the programme be held at an alternative venue.
The former Congress president said, "Do you realise why the government in Bihar could not stop me? It was because I am propelled by the vast pool of energy that you embody. It is the same energy before which Narendra Modi had to bow."
"We told Modi you shall touch the Constitution with your head and he ended up doing so. We had also told him you will have to hold a caste census. On both occasions, Modi acceded to the demands out of fear of a backlash from you people," Gandhi claimed.
"But the fact remains that his government serves the interests of Ambani, Adani and their ilk. The system is working for the benefit of five per cent of the population. Dalits, OBCs and tribals have no say, be it in the government, the corporate world or even the media," he alleged.
He urged the youngsters to not get distracted and remain focused on three demands -- an effective caste census on the lines of the survey conducted in (Congress-ruled) Telangana, reservations in private colleges and universities and release of funds allocated to the sub-plan for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
"You can expect little from the NDA. But rest assured that your interests will be taken care of when we come to power, be it in Bihar or at the Centre," he added.
Donning his trademark white polo T-shirt and cargo pants, Gandhi spoke into a hand-held mic and the crowds erupted in chants of 'Jai Bhim' when, towards the end of his speech, he held aloft a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar.
He also sought to strike a chord with the audience by making one of the attendees, who identified himself as a hosteller hailing from a poor family of daily wage earners, voice his sentiments.
The youngster urged the leader of the opposition to raise in Parliament the issue of discrimination against students from the backward classes and inadequate representation of the underdogs in the media.
"Thanks for sharing your views. Say my namaste to your parents and siblings when you go home," said Gandhi, as he bade goodbye to the student.
