In a rare instance of direct pushback, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has denied a statement falsely attributed to him on social media. The CJI's office issued a statement calling the situation 'vile, brazen and mischievous' after a social media account circulated a quote in Hindi, falsely claiming it was his. The fabricated quote read: 'If a society, even after producing IAS, IPS, CJI, President, and PM from its ranks, still chooses to remain exploited, then the fault lies not with the Brahmins but with its own mentality.'
CJI's Strong Denial
In a statement to PTI, the CJI said, 'To manufacture a fictitious quote, and to attribute it to the highest judicial office of the land, is an act of rank dishonesty, deliberate social incitement, and contempt for constitutional values.' He further added, 'Such reckless conduct strikes at the very foundation of public trust in the judiciary and the rule of law.'
Call for Caution
The statement categorically called the claim fabricated, stating: 'These attributions are wholly baseless, malicious, and demonstrably false.' It urged caution against the spread of misinformation, saying: 'The Office of the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India calls upon all responsible citizens, media organisations, and social media platforms to refrain from amplifying false and contrived content.'
Impact on Public Trust
The incident highlights the growing concern over misinformation on social media and its potential to undermine public trust in institutions. The CJI's office emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing, especially when it involves high constitutional offices.
