CJI Surya Kant Clarifies “Parasites” Remark, Says Comments Misquoted; Targets Only Fake Degree Holders

New Delhi, May 2026: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday issued a clarification after his recent oral observations in the Supreme Court were widely reported in sections of the media, stating that his comments referring to certain individuals as “parasites” and mentioning “youngsters like cockroaches” had been misquoted and taken out of context.

The CJI said he was “pained” to see reports suggesting that he had made derogatory remarks about the youth of the country during a hearing held on Friday in what he described as a “frivolous case”.

“I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday,” CJI Kant said in his statement.

Clarifying the intent behind his remarks, the Chief Justice said his observations were specifically directed at individuals who have entered professional spaces using fake or bogus academic credentials, and not at the youth in general.

“What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites,” the statement explained.

Rejecting interpretations that his comments were aimed at young people, the CJI called such claims “totally baseless” and misleading.

“It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me,” he said.

Reaffirming his faith in India’s younger generation, the Chief Justice said the country’s youth form the backbone of its development journey.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India,” he added.

The clarification comes a day after a Supreme Court Bench headed by CJI Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, made strong oral remarks during the hearing of a petition filed by an advocate challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision not to grant him senior designation.

During the hearing, the Bench had orally observed that certain “parasites” in society attempt to undermine institutions and warned members of the legal fraternity against associating with such individuals.

The CJI had also remarked that some “youngsters like cockroaches”, who fail to establish themselves in their chosen professions, later turn into “media persons, social media users, RTI activists or other activists” and begin targeting institutions and individuals.

These oral observations, however, sparked controversy and triggered debate on social media, with sections of users and commentators interpreting them as a broader criticism of the youth.

The Supreme Court clarification now seeks to dispel the controversy, asserting that the remarks were aimed solely at individuals with fraudulent credentials and not at India’s youth as a whole.

Team Maverick