Kiren Rijiju removed as Union law minister; replaced by Arjun Ram Meghwal

In a major cabinet reshuffle, PM Narendra Modi has appointed Arjun Ram Meghwal as the new Minister of Law and Justice, and moved Kiren Rijiju to Earth Sciences

NEW DELHI — In a sudden development, Kiren Rijiju was removed as Union law minister on Thursday after less than a two-year stint that was marked by frequent run-ins with the judiciary. He was replaced by Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Rijiju has been given the relatively low-profile earth sciences ministry, which was earlier held by Jitendra Singh.

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As the Union law minister, Rijiju took on the judiciary on several issues, including the collegium system of appointing Supreme Court and high court judges and described it as being "alien" to the Constitution.

While the decision to abruptly shift Rijiju out of the high-profile law ministry has come as a surprise, sources believe it may have been motivated by the government's wish to reset its ties with the higher judiciary as a sense of confrontation and one-upmanship appeared to mark their relationship.

The comments of the leader from Arunachal Pradesh, dubbing some retired judges as part of "anti-India" forces had also drawn a lot of flak.

He had claimed that a few retired judges and some activists who are part of the "anti-India gang" were trying to make the Indian judiciary play the role of the opposition party.

Rijiju's removal from the ministry just a year before the national election underscores the government's desire to avoid confrontation with the higher judiciary, sources suggested.

The appointment of Meghwal, a Dalit face of the BJP from Rajasthan, also comes ahead of the assembly elections in the state slated for later this year.

A brief communique of Rashtrapati Bhavan said President Droupadi Murmu, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has reallocated portfolios among ministers in the Union Council of Ministers.

"Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State be assigned the independent charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice in addition to his existing portfolios, in place of Shri Kiren Rijiju," it said.

After the announcement of his removal, Rijiju took to Twitter and said,"It has been a privilege and an honour to serve as Union Minister of Law and Justice under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji.

He also thanked Chief Justice of India Chandrachud, all judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices and judges of high courts, lower judiciary and law officers for the "huge support" in ensuring the ease of justice and providing legal services for citizens.