Not Parliament, but Constitution is supreme: Chidambaram reacts to Jagdeep Dhankhar's remarks on judiciary Dhankhar's virtual censure of the judiciary had come following the apex court's remarks on the issue of the collegium system
Vice President Dhankhar on Wednesday had said "one-upmanship and public posturing" from judicial platforms is not good and these institutions must know how to conduct themselves. Dhankhar's virtual censure of the judiciary had come following the apex court's remarks on the issue of the collegium system.
Addressing the 83rd All India Presiding Officers Conference in Jaipur, Dhankar had again criticised the scrapping of NJAC Act in 2015 and questioned the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati case verdict, saying it set a wrong precedent and that he disagrees with the Supreme Court ruling that Parliament can amend the Constitution but not its basic structure. https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/dhankhar-slams-one-upmanship-from-judicial-platforms-says-cannot-have-ostrich-like-stance-1180062.html
The "basic structure" doctrine was evolved in order to prevent a majoritarian-driven assault on the foundational principles of the Constitution, the former Union minister said. "Suppose Parliament, by a majority, voted to convert the parliamentary system into a Presidential system. Or repeal the State List in Schedule VII and take away the exclusive legislative powers of the States. Would such amendments be valid?" Chidambaram said in a series of tweets.
After the NJAC Act was struck down, nothing prevented the government from introducing a new Bill, the senior Congress leader said.