New Delhi: Soon after taking oath as member of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said those who have opposed him will soon welcome him.
The appointment of Ranjan Gogoi, 65, to the Rajya Sabha has been mired in controversy: several critics see it as detrimental to the independence of the judiciary.
In fact, when Gogoi’s name was called on Thursday for the swearing-in, Congress and Left members started shouting slogans like, “Shame on You” and, “Deal”.
While he took oath, the Congress, Left and their allies shouted slogans and staged a walk-out.
The House Chairman – Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu – said shouting slogans was “very unbecoming of members of Parliament”. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said what Opposition MPs did was “grossly unfair”.
Appointed Chief Justice in November 2018, Ranjan Gogoi led benches that adjudicated cases relating to the Ayodhya land dispute, a controversial Indo-French agreement for Rafale fighter jets, and the admission of women into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple.
During his tenure, he faced – and was cleared of – allegations of sexual harassment.
He retired in November 2019.
