Fact Check: CJI Did Not Urge People To Protest To Save Democracy, Viral Claim Is Fake And Fabricated

New Delhi (Vishvas News): A purported statement attributed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud is gaining traction on social media, where he has falsely been quoted as urging citizens to hit the streets in order to “preserve” India’s Constitution and democracy. Indian athlete Vijender Singh has also shared the viral content on his official Facebook profile, featuring the attributed statement alongside a CGI image.

Vishvas News conducted an investigation into this claim and determined it to be unfounded and manufactured. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has neither made such a statement during any court proceedings nor uttered such remarks at any function or event. Further, it is not customary within the Indian judicial system for the CJI to issue such statements.

What is the Viral Claim?

Indian athlete Vijender Singh (Archive) shared the viral graphics from his verified Facebook profile. The caption accompanying the graphics reads, “While the Constitution of India stands as a guardian of Indian democracy, your cooperation is vital in this endeavour. It is crucial for all citizens to unite and voice their demands on the streets, confronting the government for their rights. Though an authoritarian government may instil fear, remember not to be cowed. Display courage and demand accountability from the government. I stand with you – DY Chandrachud (Chief Justice).”

Numerous other social media users have shared similar claims in relation to this statement.

Investigation

The viral graphics contain a statement attributed to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, asserting, “We are doing our utmost to safeguard the Constitution and democracy of India. Your collaboration is of paramount importance in this effort. Citizens should come together and peacefully protest to demand their rights from the government. While an autocratic regime might attempt to intimidate, do not succumb to fear. Stay resolute and hold the government answerable. I am in support of your cause.”

Upon scrutinising the statement, it becomes evident that it is spurious and entirely fabricated. Given the Indian parliamentary democracy’s foundation on the principle of separation of powers, such a statement from the CJI lacks validity. In our search for news, no reports surfaced mentioning any such statement made by him during any legal proceedings or events.

The Indian parliamentary democracy system clearly stipulates the separation of powers among the judiciary, executive and legislature. Article 50 of the Constitution and the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala case both underscore this separation. Further, Article 105 of the Constitution confers privileges on Members of Parliament, affording immunity from legal action for statements made in Parliament.

Nonetheless, this privilege has its limitations, as Article 121 expressly safeguards the independence and authority of the judiciary by restraining parliamentary discussions concerning the impeachment of judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts.

In light of this, it is evident that the parliamentary democracy framework adopted in India precludes any justification for such remarks from the highest echelons of these institutions. We reached out to legal experts specialising in Supreme Court matters for their input. Brij Dubey, Associate Editor of Live Law, confirmed that the statement is unequivocally false. He asserted that CJI DY Chandrachud has never made such a statement, be it during court proceedings or any events.

Vishvas News also contacted Supreme Court Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, who concurred, stating, “The CJI has never issued such a statement. This is entirely fabricated.” He emphasised that in the Indian parliamentary democracy, no precedent exists for the CJI to issue such statements, branding it a baseless falsehood being propagated via WhatsApp.

Another Supreme Court attorney added that neither is there a practice of commenting within Parliament on the workings of the Supreme Court or High Court, nor does the CJI make inappropriate remarks regarding legislative matters.

The user disseminating the viral content on Facebook commands an audience of over 1.7 million followers.