NEW DELHI,MAY 16 : Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday issued a clarification over his controversial \u201ccockroaches\u201d remark, saying a section of the media had misquoted his oral observations and falsely projected them as criticism of the youth of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. 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. It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation,\u201d CJI Surya Kant said in his clarification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CJI added that he was proud of the country\u2019s youth and considered them the pillars of a developed India. \u201cNot 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The controversy erupted after remarks made by the CJI during the hearing of a petition linked to the designation of a lawyer as a Senior Advocate before a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the hearing, the bench reprimanded the petitioner lawyer for aggressively pursuing senior advocate designation and questioned his conduct, including the language he allegedly used on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe entire world may be eligible to become senior (advocate), but at least you are not entitled,\u201d the bench told the petitioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A visibly anguished CJI Surya Kant said that if the Delhi High Court granted senior advocate designation to the petitioner, the Supreme Court would set it aside in view of his professional conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referring to the lawyer\u2019s social media conduct, the CJI remarked, \u201cThere are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further said, \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bench stressed that senior advocate designation is a recognition conferred upon a lawyer and not something that should be pursued aggressively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are pursuing it. Does it look proper?\u201d the court asked, while questioning whether the senior advocate designation had become a status symbol to be kept ornamentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bench also questioned whether the petitioner had no other litigation work and asked if such conduct was appropriate for someone seeking the designation of Senior Advocate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court also raised concerns over the authenticity of degrees held by several lawyers. The CJI said the court was considering asking the Central Bureau of Investigation to verify the degrees of many lawyers wearing black coats because of serious doubts regarding their genuineness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The court further observed that the Bar Council of India would not act on the issue because \u201cthey need their votes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the court\u2019s observations, the petitioner apologised to the bench and sought permission to withdraw the petition. The Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal plea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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