The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has tendered an unconditional apology to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant over a controversial post published on the official X account of the Congress Kerala unit, describing it as unauthorised and disowning the remarks, as reported in The New Indian Express.
In its reply to a legal notice received on 21 October 2026, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the post was published by Vijay Thottathil without the prior knowledge, approval or consultation of the party leadership. Thottathil has been removed from his position and directed to issue a public apology.
The controversial post, published on October 12, read: “Dear Surya Kant, if law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it.”
The KPCC said the demand for the CJI’s resignation and the suggestion of finding a replacement were inappropriate and should not have appeared on an official party platform.
“The demand for resignation and the suggestion of finding a replacement for the Chief Justice were inappropriate and should not have appeared on an official party platform,” the reply stated.
The party reaffirmed its respect for the Constitution, judicial independence and the constitutional office of the CJI. It said the language used in the post did not represent the policy, considered opinion or authorised position of either the KPCC or the Indian National Congress.
The KPCC also expressly disapproved of the remarks and withdrew the statements cited in the legal notice. Joseph clarified that the apology on behalf of the party was separate from the public apology sought from Thottathil.
“The KPCC expressly had repudiated and withdrawn the statements reproduced in your notice. On its behalf, I tender an unconditional apology to the Chief Justice of India for the publication and the disrespect conveyed by its language. This apology is independent of the public apology sought from Shri Vijay Thottathil who is actually responsible for the above post. The absence of prior authorisation is offered as a factual explanation, not as a justification for the expressions used,” the letter read.
Joseph also denied personally directing, approving or endorsing the post.
KPCC To Review Social Media Controls
The KPCC acknowledged shortcomings in the arrangements governing access to its official social media account and the approval process for party communications.
The reply stated that the involvement of an external professional agency in managing the party’s digital communications did not absolve the leadership of its responsibility to maintain effective oversight.
The party said it would examine how the post was drafted, reviewed and published, identify those involved at each stage, and review account permissions, devices used and relevant internal correspondence.
It also undertook to preserve electronic records, access logs, approval records and internal communications relevant to any lawful inquiry. The party said deleting the post from public view should not lead to the destruction of evidence.
The KPCC further stated that allegations of authorisation or complicity should not be levelled against individuals or political leaders without supporting evidence.
Congress Distinguishes Criticism From Disrespect
In its reply, the KPCC distinguished between political criticism of judicial decisions and language that undermines the dignity expected in public discourse.
The party maintained that political disagreement could not justify the expressions used in the post. It also said its clarification and apology would be communicated through the relevant official platform so that its position reached the same audience that had seen the original remarks.
Another Apology by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress!
INC Kerala has tendered an unconditional apology to Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant over this post.
LKPCC president Sunny Joseph said the post was published by @vijaythottathil and has been removed from his position and asked to issue a public apology.
— Ankur Singh (@AnkurSingh) October 27, 2026
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