‘When you bring ghosts back to life’: Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav sparks major controversy over insulting comments on CJI Chandrachud

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav found himself at the center of a major controversy after he made derogatory remarks about Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, following his comments on the Ayodhya dispute. Yadav’s comments, made on camera, sparked outrage as he appeared to criticize the CJI’s statement about “praying to God” for resolution of the sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. However, after a flurry of reactions, Yadav quickly retracted his statement and denied that he had spoken about the Chief Justice at all.

Yadav’s controversial comments

When reporters questioned him about CJI Chandrachud’s reflection on the Ayodhya verdict, Yadav responded in a tone that was interpreted by many as disrespectful. “I don’t want to comment. When you bring ghosts back to life, they become ghosts and begin to follow righteousness. Where are they now?… Forget it, all such ****** people keep saying things like that. Should I take it into account?” Yadav commented. His choice of words was immediately criticized from various quarters, including legal and political circles, as being highly inappropriate.

The denial and clarification

Faced with mounting backlash, Yadav soon backtracked, claiming he was misunderstood and that his comments were not directed against the Chief Justice. In a statement to news agency ANI, Yadav stressed: “No one has asked me anything about the CJI. The CJI is a highly respected person. I never made any comments about him. I was asked about the violence in Bahraich, and I responded.”

Despite this clarification, the damage had already been done and Yadav’s initial comments were widely circulated on social media, fueling the controversy. Many questioned his abrupt denial, especially given the nature of the on-camera comments.

Akhilesh Yadav distances himself

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav tried to distance himself from the controversy and stated that he was not aware of his uncle’s offensive comments. “We all respect the CJI,” he said when sought a response. The statement appeared to be an attempt to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation of the issue.

The Chief Justice’s Ayodhya remarks

The controversy stems from CJI Chandrachud’s comments at a public event, where he reflected on the 2019 Supreme Court verdict that allowed construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya while allotting an alternative five-acre plot for a mosque. Speaking about his role in deliberating the Ayodhya case, CJI Chandrachud revealed that he had prayed for a resolution to the long-standing dispute. “Very often we have cases where we do not find a solution. This happened during the Ayodhya case, which was three months before me. I sat before the deity and asked him to find a solution. Believe me, if If you believe God will always find a way,” he said.

CJI Chandrachud’s comments were seen as a personal reflection on the emotionally charged case, which had been a flashpoint of political and religious tensions in India for decades. His comments were interpreted as an acknowledgment of the weight of the decision, which ultimately ended the seventy-year legal battle.

The Ayodhya Judgment

The Ayodhya dispute revolved around whether the Babri Masjid, built in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Babur, had replaced a temple that marked the birthplace of Lord Ram. The issue had sparked communal tensions and legal battles for decades. On November 9, 2019, a bench of five judges of the Supreme Court, including Justice Chandrachud, delivered the landmark verdict. The court ruled in favor of building a Ram temple at the disputed site, while providing a five-acre plot for a mosque in Ayodhya, aiming to end the deeply divisive conflict.