Why in news?
Some of the areas affected by the recent riots in Delhi resemble a battlefield — and more than 50 people have died.
Judiciary’s moral authority
- The role of the judiciary in riot situations is extremely important, in that it could prevent a slide into chaos.
- The judiciary does not wield a sword nor does it control the purse strings of the state.
- But it is possessed of a more powerful alloy — moral authority, public trust and confidence. What the judiciary says or does has tremendous influence, regardless of who wields the sword or controls the purse strings.
- Intervention by the court can, more often than not, make the environment conducive on occasions where all wings of the state, particularly the police, need whatever muscle is given to them in the Constitution and the law.
