In a significant development, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been relieved of his responsibilities as the Minister of Law and Justice. The decision was announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan, stating that Rijiju will now head the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
In his place, Arjun Ram Meghwal has been appointed as the Minister of State with independent charge for the Ministry of Law and Justice, in addition to his existing portfolios. Meghwal, hailing from Rajasthan, also holds positions in parliamentary affairs and culture.
Rijiju’s tenure as the Minister of Law and Justice was marked by his strong criticism of the collegium system, which he deemed as “opaque” and “alien to the Constitution.” He argued that judges should not have the authority to appoint individuals known to them, emphasizing that judicial appointments should be the responsibility of the government. While Rijiju’s stance garnered attention, it remains unclear whether it directly influenced his portfolio change.
Notably, the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India have refrained from engaging in the debate surrounding Rijiju’s remarks. Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking action against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Rijiju for their controversial statements on the judiciary and the collegium system. The court maintained that the collegium system is the prevailing law and must be strictly adhered to by the government.
This development highlights a continued tussle between the executive and judicial branches over the selection process of judges and the division of powers. Both Rijiju and Dhankhar have questioned the collegium system, while the judiciary has reiterated its stance that the system must be followed meticulously by the government.
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