Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant sparked controversy on Wednesday by comparing unemployed youngsters to cockroaches, alleging that they, along with media and activists, are attacking the system. The remarks were made during a hearing in the Supreme Court while a bench comprising CJI Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was pulling up a lawyer for pursuing a senior advocate designation.
CJI's Remarks on Unemployed Youth
While admonishing the lawyer, the CJI stated that there are already parasites in society who attack the system. He questioned the petitioner whether he wanted to join hands with such elements. The CJI's comments drew sharp criticism from various quarters, with many calling them insensitive and demeaning towards unemployed individuals.
Context of the Hearing
The bench was hearing a matter related to the designation of senior advocates. The lawyer in question was accused of repeatedly filing applications to secure the designation, which the court viewed as an unnecessary burden on the system. The CJI's outburst appeared to be aimed at those who, in his view, misuse legal processes to gain undue advantage.
Social media reactions were swift, with many users expressing outrage over the CJI's choice of words. Some legal experts also weighed in, suggesting that while the CJI's frustration might be understandable, comparing unemployed youth to cockroaches was inappropriate for a person holding the highest judicial office.
The incident has once again brought attention to the issue of unemployment in India, which remains a significant challenge. According to recent data, the unemployment rate among youth in India is among the highest in the world, and many young people are struggling to find meaningful employment.
