Press Council chief Justice Markandey Katju took to his blog to hit back after receiving criticism for appealing to Maharashtra Governor K Sankarnarayanan to pardon actor Sanjay Dutt.
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the sentencing of film star Sanjay Dutt to five years imprisonment in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.
Here is some of the criticism Katju faced for his actions:
I say it is time to remove #justicekatju from taxpayer's payroll and let him be a private citizen,who is free to express hs ridiculous views
— R.K. (@k_rohit_a) March 22, 2013
#sanjaydutt was no child when he got illegal arms. He must face the consequences of his actions.#justicekatju needn't create sympathy 4 him!
— Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) March 22, 2013
Someday, #JusticeKatju will become president of India...someday, Clemency would be the birth right of all terrorists!
— Prashant (@tweetjha) March 21, 2013
#JusticeKatju say #Sanjaydutt does gandhigiri, so he should be let off. Make him watch Agnipath!
— Prakash Sharma (@Prakash_Sharma) March 22, 2013
Here's what Katju had to say on his blog:
I have read the views of those criticizing me for appealing to the Governor of Maharashtra to pardon Sanjay Dutt under Article 161 of the Constitution. While I respect the right of every one to hold his view, I have this to say in response :
(1) I have never sought popularity, and I have often expressed views which I knew would make me very unpopular. I regard populism as a form of vulgarity, and will say what my conscience tells me.
(2) My reasons for appealing for Sanjay Dutt's pardon are given in my letter to the Governor, and hence I am not repeating the same.
