BHUBANESWAR: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi's remarks in his Cambridge University lecture regarding Indian democracy. He said that Indian democracy cannot be questioned and efforts are being made to make it appear that the judiciary and democracy are in crisis. He was speaking after inaugurating a conference of lawyers in Bhubaneswar.

"At times, calibrated attempts are being made from both inside and outside the country to tell the world that the Indian judiciary is in crisis. A message is being sent to the world that Indian democracy is in crisis. It is a deliberate attempt by some groups to malign the image of the country," he said.

“No campaign whatsoever with ulterior motives can succeed in defaming India and its democratic set up. Nobody, no organisation, no political party can question the wisdom of the Indian judiciary. We stand by the spirit of the Indian Constitution,” Rijiju said.

"Judiciary decision has to be respected. This is the mandate. Some people want to play some kind of role and want to force the judiciary to play the role of Opposition parties. Indian Judiciary will never accept this situation. Indian Judiciary itself resists this attempt to make the Judiciary play the role of Opposition parties. The judiciary is independent. The independence of the Judiciary cannot be questioned by anybody," he added.

He also tweeted on the same and said that Indian Judiciary can never be forced to play the roles of opposition Party

"The Members of Tukde-Tukde Gang should better understand that India has embarked upon journey of great rejuvenation under the leadership of PM Modi. We the people of INDIA will give them a befitting reply," the Minister tweeted.

The Minister's remarks came days after Rahul Gandhi during his lecture at the Cambridge University alleged that constraints were being put on the Parliament, press and the Judiciary in the country.