File Photo: Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
Taking on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's view over the Supreme Court order striking down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act (NJAC), Congress today said he should not forget that imperiousness of numbers often converts elected governments into "unabashed autocrats".
In a statement released on Sunday, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also targeted the Centre saying Mr Jaitley's comments criticising the order on NJAC reflects "intolerance" of Narendra Modi government with autonomy of institutions.
Acrimonious attack on Supreme Court by Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley (through a blog) is a travesty of constitutional sovereignty," Mr Surjewala said.
He added that arrogance of constitutional acumen undermines its fundamental ethos, 'Justice above tyranny' -whether of individual or majority, even legislative majority.
"From calling in question the 'constitutional sanctity' of Rajya Sabha, virtually directing a constitutional functionary like CAG 'to not sensationalise its findings', describing protest by authors/free thinkers as 'manufactured' and 'paper rebellion' to describing Supreme Court of India as 'tyranny of the unelected' today, Arun Jaitley's contemptuous bluster against Supreme Court of India reflects intolerance of Modi government with autonomy of institutions," Mr Surjewala said.
He added that Mr Jaitley must not forget that "imperiousness of numbers often converts elected governments into unabashed autocrats with unchecked immunity from reason, justice or conscience."