Mon Nov 11 15:20:42 UTC 2024: ## Rahul Gandhi’s Absence at CJI Oath Ceremony Sparks Speculation
**New Delhi, November 11, 2024:** Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, sparked controversy by skipping the swearing-in ceremony of the 51st Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, on Monday.
The absence has fueled speculation linking it to a decades-old rivalry between the Khanna family and Gandhi’s grandmother, Indira Gandhi.
The controversy stems from the dissenting opinion of Justice Hans Raj Khanna, Justice Khanna’s uncle, against Indira Gandhi during the Emergency era. Justice Khanna, the lone dissenting judge, argued for upholding civil liberties even during the state of emergency. He was subsequently bypassed for the position of CJI, despite being the senior-most judge, and the position went to Justice Mirza Hameedullah Beg. This move was widely seen as a repercussion of his dissenting opinion against Indira Gandhi, significantly impacting his judicial career.
While Gandhi was absent from the ceremony, he was seen campaigning in Kerala’s Wayanad for his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is contesting the parliamentary by-polls.
Gandhi’s absence has further fueled political tensions, with some interpreting it as a deliberate snub to the judiciary.
First Piper 