Kerala Congress Removes Staffer Over Deleted CJI 'Resign Now' Post

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has removed a staffer over a controversial social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, after the message triggered a political row and drew criticism from the BJP.

The post, reportedly published on the Congress Keralam’s official X account on Monday, called for the CJI’s resignation following his remarks on protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. The party later deleted the message.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the post was published without the knowledge, consent or consultation of the state party leadership and described it as irresponsible.

Kerala Congress Removes Staffer Over Controversial Post

In a statement, Joseph reportedly confirmed that the person responsible for publishing the message had been removed from the position.

“The person who posted an irresponsible message against Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, on the Congress party’s official X page without the knowledge, consent or consultation of the KPCC leadership had been removed from the position,” he reportedly said.

Joseph added that the KPCC would examine the circumstances under which the post was published.

He also clarified that the Congress had no disagreement with the impartiality of the judiciary. According to him, social media posts expressing views contrary to this position did not represent the stand of the state party leadership.

“Social media posts expressing views contrary to this position do not reflect the stand of the KPCC leadership,” Joseph reportedly said.

BJP Accuses Congress of Targeting Constitutional Institutions

The controversy prompted a sharp response from the BJP, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reportedly sharing a screenshot of the deleted post and accusing the Congress of targeting constitutional institutions.

Rijiju said he had previously warned that the judiciary would become the Congress party’s next target.

The Congress has maintained that the post did not represent the official position of its Kerala unit.

What Triggered the Controversy?

The row began after CJI Surya Kant was asked about protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi and the restrictions imposed in connection with them.

The CJI responded to reporters on the sidelines of an event at Vigyan Bhawan marking the 33rd anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“Ye law and order ka mudda hai. Ye mera vishay nahin hai,” he reportedly said, meaning that the matter concerned law and order and did not fall within his domain.

He also stressed that the Supreme Court remained accessible to everyone, including ordinary citizens and lawmakers.

“The doors of the Supreme Court are open for everybody,” the CJI reportedly said when asked about his decision not to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

Kharge and Rahul Gandhi Had Sought Meeting With CJI

Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had sought a meeting with the CJI to submit a memorandum on alleged vote theft, demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The deleted social media post followed the CJI’s remarks on the protests and his response regarding the meeting request.

The KPCC has since distanced its leadership from the message, removed the staffer responsible for publishing it and said it would examine the circumstances surrounding the post.