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A collective of over two dozen former judges senior lawyers and academicians have addressed an open letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressing deep objection to his recent remarks regarding Rohingya refugees during a court hearing.The signatories include prominent legal figures such as former Delhi High Court Chief Justice AP Shah former Madras High Court Judge K Chandru former Patna High Court Judge Anjana Prakash and former National Judicial Academy Director Professor Mohan Gopal who have united to voice their concern.
The controversy centers on observations made by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant on December 2 while hearing a petition regarding the disappearance of Rohingya refugees.The Chief Justice questioned whether illegal immigrants entering the country through tunnels or barbed wire fences should expect a red carpet welcome or claim rights to national resources while citizens face poverty The open letter contends that comparing persecuted Rohingyas to intruders is factually and morally incorrect given that they are fleeing ethnic cleansing and genocide in Myanmar.
The letter argues that such remarks from the highest judicial office risk dehumanizing a vulnerable community that is already described by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world The signatories emphasized that under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution the right to life and liberty applies to every person on Indian soil regardless of their citizenship status or originThey warned that using domestic poverty as a justification to deny basic human rights to refugees sets a dangerous precedent and weakens the moral authority of the judiciary.
Concluding their appeal the group urged the Chief Justice to publicly reaffirm the judiciarys commitment to constitutional morality and human dignity for all individuals. They stated that the majesty of the Supreme Court is measured not just by its judgments but by the humanity with which justice is delivered and asked for a correction of the narrative that frames desperate refugees as mere illegal intruders
Read More: Controversy Erupts Over Red Carpet Remark During Supreme Court Hearing on Refugees
