Kiren Rijiju removed from Law Ministry
Kiren Rijiju was removed from the Law Ministry today, a move that surprised many, replacing him with Arjun Ram Meghwal. In hindsight, though, many are saying that Rijiju has had it coming, considering his often brusque and uncalled-for comments on the functioning of the judiciary, especially the collegium system of appointing judges.
In a surprise move today, Kiren Rijiju was removed from the Union Law Ministry today. He was replaced by Arjun Singh Meghwal, whose portfolio is Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Law and Justice.
The primary reason being cited by sources is the deepening standoff between the judiciary and the government during his two-year stint, caused by his often-uncalled-for comments on various issues, including the collegium system of appointing judges and a comment at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi in March that a few retired judges are part of an “anti-India gang”, who were forcing the judiciary to play the role of an Opposition party, and that “those working against the country will have to pay a price”.
While Rijiju’s brusque comments on the collegium’s functioning found support in the BJP, they did not go down well with judges, with sources saying the frequent stirring of tensions between the government and the judiciary has had a negative impact.
This move is also being seen as a tightening of the belt by the BJP in terms of improving its image, in view of the drubbing it received in the recent elections to the Karnataka Assembly and in preparation for three other crucial state elections later this year, in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, and also in Mizoram.
While taking away Law, Prime Minister Narendra Modi allocated the much less weighty portfolio of Minister of Earth Sciences to him.
Hours after Rijiju’s removal, the minister of state for law and justice SP Singh Baghel was also removed. He was made the minister of state for health and family welfare.
