A growing backlash is building over remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing on Friday, 15 May, with critics questioning the language reportedly used for unemployed youth, RTI activists, social media commentators and sections of the media.

The controversy erupted after legal news platform Live Law reported courtroom observations in which the CJI allegedly remarked that some unemployed youngsters become “media persons”, “RTI activists” and social media commentators before “attacking everyone”.

The comments rapidly spread across X and other social media platforms, triggering criticism from lawyers, civil liberties advocates and ordinary users who argued that the remarks appeared dismissive of both unemployed youth and democratic scrutiny.

Particularly contentious was the reported use of the word “cockroaches” in relation to unemployed youngsters — a phrase many users described as shocking and dehumanising when directed at a generation grappling with chronic job insecurity and shrinking employment opportunities.

The criticism has been amplified by the wider economic context. While India’s official unemployment rate remains around 5 per cent, youth unemployment is substantially higher, especially among educated urban Indians. Opposition parties and labour economists have repeatedly accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to generate enough stable jobs despite headline economic growth figures.

Against that backdrop, many online commentators argued that frustration among young Indians stems from economic anxiety rather than some instinct to “attack” institutions. Several social media users also objected to RTI activists and journalists being clubbed together with so-called “parasites”, pointing out that both groups have historically played key roles in exposing corruption and administrative wrongdoing.

The controversy has also revived debate over judicial temperament and the increasingly combative language sometimes heard during oral observations in court. Critics argue that remarks from constitutional authorities cannot be treated as casual comments because of the immense institutional power attached to the office.

Some lawyers and commentators have additionally pointed to what they see as an emerging pattern in recent remarks from the CJI targeting digital platforms and online criticism. In March this year, CJI Surya Kant had agreed with observations describing some digital platforms as “blackmailers” during a hearing related to online content regulation.

The present controversy comes only days after the CJI himself strongly condemned fake and casteist statements falsely attributed to him on social media, calling such posts “vile, brazen and mischievous” and warning of strict action.

That contrast has itself become part of the backlash online, with critics arguing that while misinformation against judges deserves condemnation, constitutional authorities must also exercise restraint and sensitivity while speaking about vulnerable sections of society.

Legal observers note that oral remarks made during hearings do not constitute binding judicial orders. Yet comments from the Supreme Court often shape public discourse far beyond the courtroom, especially when they concern politically sensitive subjects such as unemployment, activism, media criticism and dissent.

The Supreme Court has not issued any clarification regarding the reported remarks so far.

With PTI inputs

The Indian rupee breached the psychologically significant 96-per-dollar level during intraday trade on Friday, 15 May before closing at a record low against the US currency, pressured by soaring crude oil prices, persistent strength in the dollar and growing global uncertainty.

The domestic currency eventually settled 21 paise weaker at 95.97 against the US dollar after touching an intraday low beyond the 96 mark.

The rupee has emerged as Asia’s weakest-performing currency in recent weeks as India faces a sharply rising import bill due to elevated global energy prices.

Market analysts attributed the decline to a combination of strong US economic data, hawkish signals from American policymakers and increasing investor demand for safe-haven assets.

Amit Pabari, managing director of CR Forex Advisors, said the US dollar remained firm after stronger-than-expected retail sales and resilient labour market data reduced expectations of aggressive interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.

He noted that periods of heightened global uncertainty generally push investors towards the dollar, increasing pressure on emerging market currencies such as the rupee.

Santosh Meena, head of research at Swastika Investmart, said the rupee’s fresh record low reflected broader global macroeconomic concerns. According to him, higher crude oil prices were increasing India’s import costs, while elevated US interest rates and foreign fund outflows were adding to pressure on the domestic currency.

The rupee’s weakness coincided with volatility in Indian equity markets. Benchmark indices surrendered early gains during the session, with the Sensex falling more than 200 points from the day’s high to trade in negative territory.

The decline also came on the same day the Centre raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre with immediate effect in an attempt to curb fuel demand amid supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.

Global oil prices remained elevated, with Brent crude trading above $109 per barrel, while the dollar index extended gains for a fourth consecutive session. Market sentiment remained cautious after talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping failed to produce breakthroughs on key geopolitical issues, particularly tensions involving Iran.

Analysts said unresolved disagreements over Taiwan and China’s energy relationship with Iran added to investor nervousness and strengthened demand for the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has initiated a series of measures aimed at managing external pressures and containing economic risks. After tightening restrictions on gold imports under the Advance Authorisation scheme earlier this week, the government also moved to moderate fuel consumption through higher retail fuel prices.

Economists said the steps reflected broader concerns over rising commodity prices, geopolitical instability and increasing pressure on India’s current account deficit. Despite currency weakness, Indian equities showed some resilience in early trade, supported partly by foreign institutional investors turning net buyers in the previous session.

With PTI inputs

The West Bengal government on Friday, 15 May suspended three senior IPS officers and ordered departmental inquiries against them as it reopened scrutiny into the handling of the R.G. Kar rape and murder case nearly two years after the crime triggered nationwide outrage.

The suspended officers are former Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal, former deputy commissioner (central) Indira Mukherjee and former deputy commissioner (north) Abhishek Gupta. The government said the suspensions were intended to ensure a fair inquiry without any influence from those under investigation.

Addressing a press conference at Nabanna, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state government was not reopening the rape and murder investigation itself, which remains under the jurisdiction of the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), but was instead examining the conduct of police officials during the initial handling of the case.

“We are not interfering in the main CBI investigation. We are only taking action on behalf of the state government for mishandling of the situation, offering bribe to the affected family and speaking at press conference despite being not authorised. We are looking into the facts if they were instructed by the former chief minister or any other minister to do such things,” Adhikari said.

The rape and murder of a young doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024 had sparked massive protests across Bengal and beyond. Questions were raised at the time over delays in filing the FIR, alleged police inaction, the treatment of the victim’s family and attempts to control the public narrative surrounding the case.

The case was handed over to the CBI within 48 hours following public pressure and court intervention. The CBI later identified the same accused as originally identified and arrested by Kolkata Police, who has since been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, allegations regarding the conduct of certain police officials during the early stages of the investigation never entirely disappeared.

The present state government has argued that accountability for administrative and procedural failures remains separate from the criminal investigation itself.

“As the chief minister, shortly after assuming charge, I sought written reports from the chief secretary and home secretary regarding the R.G. Kar incident and certain subsequent matters. I specifically sought to ascertain how the police officers entrusted with the responsibility had handled the situation,” Adhikari said.

He further alleged that police officers had attempted to offer money to the victim’s family. “An attempt was made to offer what amounts to a bribe. This matter will be thoroughly investigated. The call logs and WhatsApp chats of the officers involved at that time will be scrutinised to identify exactly who they were in contact with,” he said.

The chief minister also questioned the role played by senior officers in communicating with the media during the crisis. Referring to former deputy commissioner Indira Mukherjee, he said she had addressed the press despite allegedly lacking formal authorisation to act as the police spokesperson.

“During the R.G. Kar incident, the manner in which one of the deputy commissioners conducted herself before the media was an insult to Bengal. She was not an official spokesperson for the police, nor had she received any written authorisation to speak,” he said.

The three officers currently hold different positions within the state administration. Goyal is presently serving as director-general of the Intelligence Branch, Mukherjee is attached to the CID as special superintendent, and Gupta is serving with the Eastern Frontier Rifles.

Adhikari also indicated that investigators would examine whether instructions had been issued by ministers or members of the previous administration during the handling of the case. “We will investigate whether there were any directives issued by the chief minister of that era. We will uncover everything,” he said.

The remarks are likely to intensify political tensions in Bengal, where the R.G. Kar case became one of the defining issues focusing public anger against the previous administration. During the Assembly election campaign, BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, repeatedly promised that the matter would be revisited if the party came to power.

The victim’s mother Ratna Debnath, now the BJP MLA from Panihati, welcomed the government’s decision to reopen scrutiny into police conduct. “What happened to my daughter should never have happened. I thank the new chief minister for reopening this file so swiftly. Justice will be delivered very soon,” she said. “On that night, people of every race, religion and caste united to chant just one slogan: ‘We Want Justice.’ The collective will of the people will not go in vain.”

Incidentally, both she and her husband have in the past been critical of the BJP as well for failing to come to their aid, and earlier media reports of their futile attempts to meet Shah are also readily available in the public domain.

Critics, however, are likely to question whether the state government’s latest actions are driven purely by a commitment to justice or by political considerations in the aftermath of a highly emotive case that reshaped Bengal’s political landscape.

With the criminal investigation long transferred to the CBI and the accused already convicted and sentenced, opposition voices may argue that the administration risks blurring the line between administrative accountability and political retribution, particularly with repeated references to the former chief minister and suggestions of examining political communications.

Legal experts may also caution that reopening institutional controversies surrounding an already adjudicated case could create a perception of selective targeting unless the inquiry remains strictly evidence-based, transparent and free from political messaging.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday blamed provincial governments for delays in the completion of various highway projects.

Presiding over a National Highway Authority (NHA) review meeting, the minister issued a decisive mandate to accelerate the completion of critical infrastructure, signalling a shift toward federal intervention where provincial commitments have faltered.

Expressing formal dissatisfaction with the progress of projects involving the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, Khan noted that delays would no longer be tolerated, as these delays were impeding progress on many vital projects.

He specifically highlighted that after waiting for over five months for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to fund the Peshawar Northern Bypass, the NHA decided to complete the project independently if provincial funds were not released.

Khan also observed that the Punjab government had remained unable to deliver its promised share for the Rawalpindi-Kahuta project, prompting him to direct the NHA to assume full responsibility for completing the unfinished transit corridors.

Alongside these administrative directives, the minister ordered the expansion of the motorway network, directing that the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway be widened from four to six lanes and that the Sialkot-Kharian and Kharian-Rawalpindi sections be built as six-lane motorways.

He emphasised the need to meet strict technical and timeline targets, directing that the feasibility studies of all NHA projects achieve 100pc accuracy and that the final phases of ongoing works — particularly the bridges on the Peshawar Northern Bypass — be completed before the July monsoon season.

The meeting, attended by the communications secretary and the NHA chairman, also provided the federal minister an opportunity to express displeasure over the slow pace of work.

Khan reiterated that he would prioritise the rapid completion of projects to improve the efficiency of the national transport infrastructure.

The Northern Bypass project, envisioned as part of efforts to complete the Ring Road around Peshawar, has remained stalled due to delays in releases under the federal Public Sector Development Programme and other issues over the past 17 years.

Last year, the KP government formally agreed to arrange bridge finance of Rs4 billion for the early completion of the Northern Bypass, though the project had a target of Rs5.3 billion required to complete the project’s final phase on schedule.