SCBA, SCAORA condemn social media calls for CJI Surya Kant's resignation
Synopsis
Two of the Supreme Court’s most powerful Bar associations have issued formal resolutions condemning social media demands for CJI Surya Kant’s resignation — a rare institutional pushback triggered by a since-deleted Congress Kerala post and a cryptic TMC jab. With BJP alleging mob intimidation at the court’s doorstep, the episode has escalated into one of the sharpest political flashpoints over judicial independence in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
SCBA and SCAORA issued separate resolutions on 12 October 2026 condemning social media calls for CJI Surya Kant’s resignation.
Both bodies warned such statements ‘belittle the judiciary’ and amount to interference with the administration of justice.
The Congress Kerala unit posted — and later deleted — a message on X demanding the CJI’s resignation.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also posted a cryptic remark on X widely interpreted as targeting CJI Surya Kant .
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi called the Congress conduct ‘unprecedented in India’s political history’ and alleged institutional intimidation.
Both Bar associations urged all stakeholders to raise judicial grievances only through appropriate legal and constitutional channels.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) on Monday, 12 October 2026, issued separate resolutions strongly condemning statements circulating on social media that demand the resignation of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. Both Bar bodies warned that such remarks risk undermining the dignity of the judiciary and amount to an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice.
What the Bar Associations Said
In its resolution, the SCBA emphasised that every citizen retains the right to approach the courts and seek legal remedies through established channels. “Statements of this nature belittle the institution of the judiciary and amount to an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice,” the resolution stated, signed by SCBA Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel.
The SCAORA, in a separately issued resolution, expressed strong disapproval of demands made in the public domain seeking the CJI’s resignation. It stressed that grievances regarding judicial functioning must be raised only through appropriate legal and constitutional channels. “The judicial process must be allowed to function independently, without pressure or interference,” the SCAORA stated. The resolution was issued by SCAORA Honorary Secretary Yugandhara Pawar Jha.
The Political Controversy Behind the Resolutions
The resolutions follow a sharp political controversy over social media posts targeting CJI Surya Kant. The Congress party’s Kerala unit had posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) — subsequently deleted — that read: “Dear Surya Kant, If law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it.”
Separately, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra posted a cryptic message on the platform stating “Surya clearly Can’t. So we will”, widely interpreted as a reference to the Chief Justice.
BJP Hits Back, Alleges Institutional Intimidation
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sudhanshu Trivedi sharply condemned the Congress posts, calling the development unprecedented in India’s political history. “The anarchist Congress, which is hell-bent on creating a ruckus on the streets of the country, has stooped to such a low that it is unprecedented in India’s political history,” Trivedi said.
Trivedi further alleged that Congress workers had taken a mob to the doors of the Supreme Court to intimidate the institution, and that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had breached his security cordon and attempted to enter the top court premises from the other side. These are allegations by the BJP and have not been independently verified.
Why This Matters for Judicial Independence
The SCAORA’s resolution noted that “the judiciary is a constitutional institution entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens,” and warned that public calls for the head of the judiciary to resign risk undermining both the dignity of the office and public confidence in the institution. Both associations urged members and the public at large to maintain the dignity and decorum of the Supreme Court of India.
This comes amid a broader pattern of rising political commentary directed at judicial institutions, raising questions about where the boundaries of democratic criticism end and institutional interference begins. Legal observers will be watching whether any formal contempt proceedings are initiated in the days ahead.
Point of View
However hastily deleted, crossed a line that legal professionals evidently felt compelled to formally mark. What mainstream coverage has underplayed is the cumulative effect: political messaging targeting the judiciary by name, from multiple opposition parties in quick succession, represents a shift in tone that could chill judicial decision-making even without any explicit threat. The BJP’s allegations of physical intimidation at the Supreme Court premises remain unverified and must be treated with caution, but if borne out, would constitute a graver development than the social media posts themselves.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did SCBA and SCAORA issue resolutions against calls for CJI Surya Kant's resignation?
The SCBA and SCAORA issued resolutions on 12 October 2026 because social media posts — including a since-deleted message from the Congress Kerala unit — explicitly demanded CJI Surya Kant’s resignation. Both bodies said such statements belittle judicial institutions and amount to interference with the administration of justice.
What did the Congress Kerala unit post about CJI Surya Kant?
The Congress Kerala unit posted a message on X reading: ‘Dear Surya Kant, If law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it.’ The post was subsequently deleted, but not before it triggered sharp reactions from Bar associations and the BJP.
What did TMC MP Mahua Moitra say about the CJI?
TMC MP Mahua Moitra posted a cryptic message on X stating ‘Surya clearly Can’t. So we will,’ which was widely interpreted as a reference to CJI Surya Kant. She did not clarify the remark in her post.
How did the BJP respond to the controversy?
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi called the Congress conduct unprecedented in India’s political history. He alleged that Congress workers had brought a mob to the Supreme Court’s doorstep and that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had attempted to enter the court premises by breaching his security cordon. These allegations have not been independently verified.
What do the SCBA and SCAORA resolutions call for?
Both associations urged their members and the general public to respect judicial independence and maintain the dignity and decorum of the Supreme Court. They stressed that any grievances about judicial functioning must be raised through appropriate legal and constitutional channels, not through public pressure campaigns.
