‘Totally baseless': CJI issues clarification over ‘cockroaches’ remark, says comments aimed at holders of fake degrees

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday issued a clarification over his “parasites” and “cockroaches” remarks, saying reports claiming that he targeted the youth were “totally baseless.”

Expressing disappointment over the media reports, the CJI said he was “pained” that a section of the media had "distorted" his oral observations made during the hearing of a “frivolous case” a day earlier.

“I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday,” he said in a statement.

The Chief Justice clarified that his comments were specifically aimed at people who had entered professions using “fake and bogus degrees,” and not at the country’s youth.

“What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites,” the statement said.

Rejecting the interpretation that he had criticised young people, the CJI added, “It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me.”

“It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India,” he further said.

The clarification came amid controversy over his remarks made during Friday’s hearing of a plea related to the designation of a lawyer as a Senior Advocate before a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

During the proceedings, the bench criticised the petitioner lawyer for aggressively seeking senior advocate designation and also questioned his alleged conduct on Facebook.

“The entire world may be eligible to become senior (advocate), but at least you are not entitled,” the bench told the petitioner.

Referring to the advocate’s social media behaviour, the CJI remarked, “There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?”

He also said, “There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists and they start attacking everyone.”