The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reignited the political debate around the judiciary by posting an old video clip of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accusing the Congress of double standards in its criticism of the Supreme Court. The video resurfaced after the Congress raised objections to recent remarks made by the apex court in a case linked to political accountability and governance.
The video, shared on BJP’s official social media handles, shows Indira Gandhi defending her government's position on judicial appointments and legal oversight. Alongside the video, the BJP commented:
“Congress must remember its own past before questioning the judiciary or accusing others of undermining institutions.”
This move comes days after senior Congress leaders expressed displeasure over what they termed as “politically motivated” comments from the judiciary. The party has alleged that democratic institutions are being “pressured” under the current central government.
However, the BJP has countered those allegations by referring to the 1975 Emergency, when Indira Gandhi's government was accused of interfering with judicial independence, suspending civil liberties, and restructuring the judiciary to suit political interests.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also weighed in, saying:
“The Congress has a long history of undermining institutions, especially during the Emergency. Their criticism today reeks of hypocrisy.”
Meanwhile, Congress leaders responded sharply to the BJP’s post. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said:
“Dragging Indira Gandhi into every conversation won’t hide the failures of this government. What matters is how the present regime is treating the judiciary, the media, and democratic values.”
The Supreme Court had recently made pointed observations in a politically sensitive case, leading to a fresh round of Centre vs Opposition conflict. While the court maintained neutrality in its order, political interpretations have fueled the debate.
Legal experts, while watching the political war of words unfold, cautioned against misusing old content out of context. “Political parties must not weaponize past statements in ways that polarize public trust in constitutional bodies,” said one senior legal analyst.
The incident reflects a growing trend where archival political content is used as a counter-narrative in ongoing controversies — a strategy aimed at controlling public perception on social media.
As the election season nears and political tensions rise, such historical references may become a frequent tool in partisan exchanges, deepening political fault lines.
