On Sunday, Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra turned down an invite for a farewell function to be organised ahead of his retirement on September 2. He explained that his conscience doesn't permit him to participate in any farewell function, due to COVID-19 pandemic.
In his letter to the President of SCBA, Justice Mishra said: "I am grateful for your kind invitation for inviting me to the farewell function proposed on the eve of my retirement."
"I have always considered the Bar as the mother of the judiciary, and it would have been a great pleasure to attend the said function. However, taking into consideration the severe situation and sufferings the world over on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, my conscience does not permit me to participate in any farewell function," he said.
Netizens however seem to have been irked by the news, with many citing the recent Supreme Court verdict that had green-lit the way ahead for the NEET, JEE exams. The three-judge bench led by Justice Mishra had said that despite the pandemic the "show must go on".
Now, many on Twitter have taken to urging him to attend the farewell event, just as thousands of students will be attending the NEET and JEE exams.