The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) strongly deprecates the unconscionable remarks made by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant during two important hearings on 29th January. These remarks have attacked people’s fundamental rights to work and equality, and diminished faith in the Supreme Court. The verbal observations made in these two important cases, represent a troubling departure from the constitutional discipline, erudition, and restraint expected of a judge occupying the highest judicial office in the country.
First, while dismissing a PIL seeking a comprehensive legal framework and enforcement of minimum wages for domestic workers, Justice Surya Kant observed that “trade unionism has been largely responsible for stopping industrial growth in the country”, that such unionisation doesn’t work, that other means (other than such collective bargaining through unionisation) need to be put in place for countering exploitation and strangely, by some perverse logic also suggested that “once minimum wages are fixed, people may refuse to hire. Every-household will be dragged into litigation” and the workers will ultimately suffer.
Such utterances, delivered by the Chief Justice’s bench, are not casual remarks. Apart from being reflective of a judge’s personal biases, they carry the weight of institutional authority. Such statements can go on to influence how the judiciary at all levels responds to the lived realities of the marginalised
03/02/2026
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Supreme Court Order Triggers Backlash: Domestic Workers’ Unions Challenge Refusal on Minimum Wages
The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a plea seeking statutory recognition of minimum wages for domestic workers has triggered sharp pushback from workers’ unions. The decision prompted protests and public statements at a press conference in Bengaluru on February 2, where unions accused the judiciary of retreating from its constitutional responsibility toward one of India’s most vulnerable labour groups.
by Oindrila Dasgupta
03/02/2026