Devendra Fadnavis Backs CJI Over INDIA Bloc Meeting Rejection

Devendra Fadnavis CJI INDIA bloc remarks in Mumbai added another political response to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s decision to decline a meeting request from Opposition leaders.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Supreme Court had taken the correct position by asking those with grievances to approach the judiciary through formal legal proceedings rather than through a protest march.

CJI Surya Kant had declined a request from INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who sought a meeting to submit a memorandum concerning alleged electoral irregularities and related demands.

#WATCH | Mumbai | On CJI rejects INDIA bloc's meeting request, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Where does the Constitution state that the Chief Justice of India has to meet a protest march? What the Supreme Court has stated is correct: if you have a grievance, you should approach the court and fight legally. The opposition has proven once again that they have no faith in the Constitution and are anti-constitutional. When the Chief Justice lawfully discharged his constitutional duties and stated he could not meet a protest march, they resorted to hurling abuse at him. This is a conspiracy to demonize India's judicial institutions and erode public trust."

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026

Fadnavis Questions Demand for Meeting With CJI

Speaking in Mumbai, Fadnavis asked where the Constitution required the Chief Justice to meet participants in a protest march.

He said:

“Where does the Constitution state that the Chief Justice of India has to meet a protest march?”

Fadnavis argued that if political leaders believe they have a genuine grievance, the appropriate course is to file a petition and pursue the matter before the court.

CJI Says Supreme Court Is Open to Everyone

CJI Surya Kant has publicly said that the Supreme Court’s doors remain open to every citizen and that anyone with a grievance can approach the court through the legal process.

Reports said the CJI declined the requested meeting partly because the issues raised by the Opposition involved matters that could be dealt with judicially and that an administrative meeting could raise concerns regarding separation of powers.

Fadnavis Accuses Opposition of Attacking Institutions

Fadnavis went further, accusing Opposition leaders of lacking faith in constitutional institutions.

He said the Chief Justice had acted within his constitutional role and alleged that criticism directed at him after the meeting was declined amounted to an attempt to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

That is Fadnavis’s political characterisation of the Opposition’s conduct.

INDIA Bloc Planned March to Supreme Court

The INDIA bloc had planned a march to the Supreme Court while seeking to press demands related to alleged “vote chori”, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought an appointment with the CJI between 4 pm and 5 pm to submit a memorandum.

CJI Cites Legal Route for Grievances

The Chief Justice said that citizens and elected representatives alike have the right to approach the Supreme Court.

He maintained that grievances would be heard in accordance with law and that those entitled to relief could seek it through judicial proceedings.

Political Row Over Judiciary Intensifies

The Devendra Fadnavis CJI INDIA bloc remarks highlight the broader political confrontation surrounding the Opposition’s protest campaign.

While Opposition parties argue that they are raising concerns about electoral processes and democratic institutions, BJP leaders including Fadnavis have accused them of attempting to pressure or discredit constitutional bodies.

The CJI’s position, however, has remained focused on the formal legal process, with the Supreme Court indicating that grievances should be brought before it through petitions rather than political delegations.