‘CJI Khanna came out of syllabus’: Why BJP launched a bitter attack on the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has found itself becoming the target of sharp criticism and coarse attacks in recent weeks emanating from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its supporters on social media. This has been prompted by the court’s landmark judgement limiting the powers of state governors and its handling of challenges to the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2024.

On April 8, Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan delivered a judgement that set clear timelines for governors to clear bills, undercutting the BJP’s reliance on hostile Raj Bhawans to obstruct legislative work in opposition-ruled states.

Shortly after, the Supreme Court took up petitions challenging the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act. On April 16, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, with Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, expressed a serious intention to use its powers of judicial review to stay contentious provisions such as allowing non-Muslims on waqf boards.

Taken aback by the court’s critical questions, the government counsel said some of the clauses will not be implemented till the next hearing.

The backlash was swift.

The next day, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar publicly questioned the verdict on the Tamil Nadu governor, calling it a “nuclear missile against democratic forces”. A day later, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Chief Justice Khanna of “inciting religious...

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