The swearing-in of Justice Surya Kant as the 51st Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday marked a major moment for the country’s judiciary. But the ceremony also sparked political friction after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was absent from the event, prompting sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
BJP Questions Congress Leadership
Rahul Gandhi’s no-show quickly became a talking point among BJP leaders, who accused the Congress leadership of disregarding a significant constitutional event.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT Cell, criticised Gandhi on X, claiming the Opposition leader was “missing yet again” during a key national ceremony. Malviya also tied the absence to the ongoing political tensions within the Karnataka Congress, suggesting the party’s high command was in a “paralysed” state while awaiting Gandhi’s intervention.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also chimed in, calling the appointment of Justice Surya Kant a proud moment for the country—particularly for Haryana, the new Chief Justice’s home state. Taking a jab at the Congress MP, he questioned whether Gandhi had skipped the event due to a “jungle safari” or a “foreign tour,” adding that the Congress had a pattern of not attending major national functions.
High-Profile Attendance at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Despite the political sparring, the oath-taking ceremony saw the presence of several top dignitaries. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, joined by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony along with key members of the Union Cabinet, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Health Minister JP Nadda and senior government officials were also present.
