Organizations and Environmentalists Urge CJI to Retract Controversial Remarks on Activists

49 organisations and 553 individuals, including environmentalists and academics, have requested that Chief Justice Surya Kant withdraw remarks made during a Supreme Court hearing on May 11. The CJI’s statement suggested that environmental activists never support development projects, which the letter claims undermines the legitimacy of public interest litigation (PIL) and the constitutional rights of citizens seeking enforcement of environmental laws. The critics argue that such comments misrepresent the role of citizens in environmental governance.

The letter states that the CJI’s remarks could have a chilling effect on the judicial process, as they shift the perception of community members engaging with environmental issues from active participants to obstacles in progress. It warns that this framing poses a constitutional threat and could discourage citizens from questioning unlawful or unethical decisions regarding environmental regulation. Such a precedent could negatively impact local communities that rely on judicial processes to safeguard their interests.

The signatories assert that a functioning democracy should not force citizens to choose between development and environmental protection. Instead, the focus should be on lawful, transparent, and equitable development that safeguards ecological integrity. They emphasize that the Supreme Court’s role is crucial in ensuring accessible legal remedies, enabling communities to engage effectively in environmental decision-making without fear of being marginalised.