Guwahati, Oct 12 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the party's march towards the Supreme Court, accusing him of “undermining” democratic institutions and warning that protests against judicial decisions could push the country towards “anarchy”.
Reacting to the Congress's protest in New Delhi, Sarma alleged that Gandhi was setting a dangerous precedent by mobilising people to demonstrate against institutions responsible for upholding the Constitution and administering justice.
"I have never seen anyone threaten the Supreme Court," the Chief Minister said, arguing that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine the authority of the judiciary.
Sarma warned that allowing such demonstrations to become an accepted form of political protest could encourage people dissatisfied with court verdicts to resort to similar methods.
He said that if individuals began gathering supporters outside the Supreme Court or high courts whenever they lost a case, the country's judicial system could face serious challenges.
"He is exposing our democratic institutions to anarchy," Sarma said, referring to Gandhi.
The Chief Minister argued that the rule of law required political leaders and ordinary citizens alike to respect judicial proceedings, even when decisions went against their interests.
He drew a parallel between protests against judicial institutions and political reactions to electoral defeats, alleging that the Congress leadership was encouraging a culture in which unfavourable outcomes were routinely attributed to institutional wrongdoing.
Sarma said that instead of accepting defeat and working to secure public support in subsequent elections, political leaders should examine their shortcomings and return to voters with a stronger programme.
The Congress has been challenging aspects of the functioning of the Election Commission of India and has raised concerns over the electoral process. Its march towards the Supreme Court on Monday formed part of its broader political campaign against what it alleges are institutional failures.
Sarma, however, maintained that criticism of institutions should not cross the line into conduct that could undermine public confidence in the constitutional system.
The Assam Chief Minister's remarks come amid an intensifying confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the independence and functioning of democratic institutions, including the Election Commission.
His comments are also part of the BJP's broader effort to portray the Congress's protests as politically motivated and potentially damaging to institutional credibility.
The Congress, meanwhile, has maintained its criticism of the electoral process and the functioning of constitutional bodies.