Kiren Rijiju loses law ministry in surprise Cabinet reshuffle after tussle with Supreme Court

Kiren Rijiju was on Thursday removed as Union Law Minister and given the portfolio of Earth Sciences Ministry in a sudden but major cabinet reshuffle that served as a demotion for Rijiju amid tension between him and the Supreme Court collegium over his objection to appointing judges through voting.

Rijiju has now been handed over to the low-profile Ministry of Earth Sciences and Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has been given the independent headship of the Law Ministry as Rijiju's replacement.

A statement from the president's office said the reallocation of portfolios came into effect following the advice of the prime minister. The decision came just a year before the general election.

Kiren Rijiju changed his Twitter bio minutes after the announcement. Over time, Rijiju has argued that judges for the Supreme Court collegium should not be elected, while the apex court has emphasized that the election of judges is the best available option for the process and has already been implemented in several countries.

The matter was opened at the time of the appointment of Sourabh Kripal to the Delhi High Court by the Supreme Court, but the Law Ministry refused to give final approval to the decision.