Jaitley attacks Justice Katju for his remarks on Narendra Modi, says he must quit

New Delhi: The Opposition on Sunday demanded resignation of the Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju in a counter-attack to Katju's recent article about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley has made the demand in a signed article after Katju wrote an opinion piece in a national daily in which he criticised Modi and his policies. Katju had noted in the article that "there is still a mystery of what happened in Godhra". He had also said that he found it hard to believe "that Modi had no hand in 2002", referring to the post-Godhra riots.

Jaitley says it reads more like a personal tirade and that his attacks on non-Congress governments seem more in the nature of thanks-giving to those who provided him with a post retirement job. In his article Jaitley says, "Should not a former judge who currently occupies a quasi judicial office as Chairman of the Press Council of India, either quit before actively participating in politics or be sacked. Retired judges must remember that the rental for occupying a Lutyen's bungalow post retirement has to be political neutrality, not political participation."

Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju wrote an opinion piece in a national daily in which he criticised Narendra Modi and his policies.

Jaitely also said that Justice Katju has failed every test on which a judge - whether sitting or retired - could be judged. The BJP leader said that the choice of Katju's subjects and targets is motivated by his political preferences. Jaitley also added that Katju is extraordinarily soft on those who provided him a post retirement job.

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