Organisations and environmentalists demand withdrawal of CJI’s remarks on activists
A coalition of 49 organizations and over 550 individuals has called for the withdrawal of remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant regarding environmental activists. They argue that the comments undermine the legitimacy of public interest litigation and the role of citizens in environmental protection. The letter emphasizes the importance of treating citizens as rights-bearing participants in environmental decision-making rather than obstacles.
- ▪The letter was sent to Chief Justice Surya Kant on May 22, 2026.
- ▪Activists claim the CJI's remarks could discourage citizens from engaging in environmental litigation.
- ▪The coalition demands that the judiciary recognize the rights of communities in environmental matters.
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49 organisations, collectives and 553 environmentalists, academics, and citizens on Friday (May 22, 2026) wrote a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, demanding that the Supreme Court withdraw oral remarks made by the CJI on May 11. The letter sought the withdrawal of the remarks so that it does not cast doubt on the “legitimacy of bona fide” environmental Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or on the Constitutional role of affected communities and citizens in seeking enforcement of environmental law. During the hearing of a case on May 11, the CJI made an oral observation: “You show us a single project in this country where these alleged environmentalists and activists say, ‘We welcome this project. “Country is progressing well, we welcome this project’.
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