SC Judge Arun Mishra hails acclaimed ‘visionary’ and ‘genius’ PM Narendra Modi

Barely a week ago, Justice Arun Mishra of the Supreme Court was giving vent to his anger at a lowly bureaucrat ‘staying’ the order of the Supreme Court, which had ordered Telecom companies to pay up dues demanded by the government.

"Is there no law left in the country, I am literally anguished, I feel I should not work in this court and in this system, better not to live in this country, rather leave it", Justice Mishra had fumed.

But while giving a vote of thanks on Saturday on the inaugural day of the International Judicial Conference at the Supreme Court, he showered lavish praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, complimenting them on discarding 1,500 obsolete laws from the statute books.

Justice Mishra, agencies reported, said:

• “We thank the versatile genius, who thinks globally and acts locally, Shri Narendra Modi, for his inspiring speech which would act as a catalyst in initiating the deliberations and setting the agenda for the conference.”

• India is a responsible & the most friendly member of international community under the stewardship of internationally acclaimed, visionary Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

• India is the biggest democracy in the world and “people wonder how this democracy is functioning so successfully”.

• India is committed to constitutional obligations and dedicated to a peaceful and secure world, free from terrorism. In the process of development, preservation of environment is considered supreme…,”

A bench headed by Justice Mishra is expected to hear the petition against the detention of former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is under preventive detention without any substantial charge or trial. The Bench had refused to grant an urgent hearing.

Should the Supreme Court judge have praised the Prime Minister so lavishly at an international conference while delivering a formal speech? The opinion was divided though the majority appeared to think it was avoidable, if reactions on Twitter were an indication.

Some of the Twitter reactions were as follows:

You, prime minister, are a versatile genius, an internationally acclaimed visionary... And dear citizens, we are the top court, trust us with holding the most powerful to the word of the law & Constitution...

https://twitter.com/ShekharGupta/status/1231198873617461249?s=20

SC judge Arun Mishra on Saturday was all praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi & termed him as an "internationally acclaimed visionary" and a "versatile genius, who thinks globally & acts locally"! Do you wonder why the SC is not protecting your rights?

https://twitter.com/pbhushan1/status/1231204759702581248?s=20

A sitting judge of the Supreme Court just termed the Prime Minister of our country, the government of whom is often before the court, as an "internationally acclaimed visionary" and a "versatile genius". Sigh.

https://twitter.com/VakashaS/status/1231108483535138818?s=20

Such public display of sycophancy and we still expect the Supreme Court to be fair and untainted ! We are all fools

https://twitter.com/tmkrishna/status/1231148088032522241?s=20

Justice Arun Mishra of SC called Narendra Modi an internationally acclaimed visionary and a versatile genius. In his Court is the Case against detention of Omar Abdullah. He refused to hear it immediately. Case came to his court as Previous Judge recused himself from hearing it

https://twitter.com/Joydas/status/1231193592988762112?s=20

Can people trust the Judiciary to be impartial when serving Justices fawn over PM #Modi in this fashion? The Judiciary is one of the most reputed Institutions of India. Such behaviour is unbecoming of its highest serving members.

https://twitter.com/drshamamohd/status/1231199706002468864?s=20