Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar expresses regret, withdraws remarks on judge

Khattar reportedly made the comment at Kharak Kalan village on the first day of his three-day visit to Bhiwani.
“I respect the courts of law… It was a question pertaining to an inordinate delay: an examination took place, the results of which were also announced but a stay was imposed [by the court]. Thus, an ‘aswabhavik is tippani’ (uncharacteristic comment) came out that I feel should not have been made,” Khattar said on Monday.

Further talking to a Hindi news channel in Bhiwani, Khattar said, “If it [what I said] might have reached a particular judge, I withdraw my words”.

“I immediately also said that there is no doubt that whatever the courts rule is the final verdict. Things move forward by maintaining a balance among the judiciary, executive and legislature. All work in the public welfare…I intended that thousands of people are affected due to this delay (in court verdict), and they are not getting adequate time for their training. In yesterday’s public meeting, all such people who could not join on their jobs also came. Thus, an unnatural comment was made (by me) for which I regret,” Khattar added.

In Sunday’s video, Khattar was apparently referring to the 2019 case pertaining to recruitment of police constables in Haryana. Due to allegations of irregularities, the recruitment was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Of the 5,000 posts that were to be filled up, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission said the biometrics of at least 833 candidates could not be verified. The case is pending in high court.

During Sunday’s public meeting, when some members of the public alleged that though the government had given jobs, some were stuck in court cases, Khattar said, “Mujhe pata hai saara maamla. 3000 join ho gaye na. Paanch mein se teen [3000 out of 5000] ho gaye na? Baaki jo 2000 bach gaye hain, voh bhi court ka faisla jaldi kara lenge (I am aware of the entire issue. Three thousand out of 5,000 have already joined. The remaining 2,000 will get the court ruling soon)”.

Meanwhile, asked about Khattar’s remarks, senior Congress leader and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, “Those who are sitting in responsible positions should not speak irresponsibly”.

Earlier, as Khattar’s video went viral, Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Randeep Surjewala termed the remarks as a “direct attack on the judiciary” and demanded that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court take cognisance of the matter and issue a contempt notice to the Haryana chief minister.

“The (Haryana Staff Selection) Commission’s chairperson is admitting that the Commission could not verify the biometrics of 833 candidates. Also, the government could not explain why a recruitment initiated in June 2019 has not yet been completed. How can the CM blame the judge for anything? Rather, he (Khattar) should clarify who is at fault when a recruitment has not been completed for almost four years — the government or the court,” said Surjewala.

Responding to Surjewala’s comments, Khattar’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Jawahar Yadav said that the CM has faith in the judiciary and respects the court.

“In the video, CM sahab also said that we respect the court and whatever is the decision of the court, that would be final for us. Surjewala has tampered the video. How much Surjewala respects the court can be measured by the fact that he alleges irregularities in jobs even before the court’s decision. He (Surjewala) does not respect the court,” Yadav had told The Indian Express Sunday.

Further talking to a Hindi news channel in Bhiwani, Khattar said, “If it [what I said] might have reached a particular judge, I withdraw my words”.

“I immediately also said that there is no doubt that whatever the courts rule is the final verdict. I intended that thousands of people are affected due to this delay (in court verdict), and they are not getting adequate time for their training. In yesterday’s public meeting, all such people who could not join on their jobs also came. Thus, an unnatural comment was made (by me) for which I regret,” Khattar added.

In Sunday’s video, Khattar was apparently referring to the 2019 case pertaining to recruitment of police constables in Haryana. Due to allegations of irregularities, the recruitment was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Of the 5,000 posts that were to be filled up, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission said the biometrics of at least 833 candidates could not be verified. The case is pending in high court.

During Sunday’s public meeting, when some members of the public alleged that though the government had given jobs, some were stuck in court cases, Khattar said, “Mujhe pata hai saara maamla. 3000 join ho gaye na. Paanch mein se teen [3000 out of 5000] ho gaye na? Baaki jo 2000 bach gaye hain, voh bhi court ka faisla jaldi kara lenge (I am aware of the entire issue. Three thousand out of 5,000 have already joined. The remaining 2,000 will get the court ruling soon)”.

Meanwhile, asked about Khattar’s remarks, senior Congress leader and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, “Those who are sitting in responsible positions should not speak irresponsibly”.

Earlier, as Khattar’s video went viral, Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Randeep Surjewala termed the remarks as a “direct attack on the judiciary” and demanded that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court take cognisance of the matter and issue a contempt notice to the Haryana chief minister.