The Centre on Friday gave an assurance that the Collegium's pending recommendations for the elevation of five high court judges to the Supreme Court will be cleared soon.
On the Centre "sitting on" names recommended by the Collegium, he said it was "deadly for democracy", and suggested a 30-day deadline for the government to respond, or the recommendations get automatically approved.
He, however, refused to comment on suggestions that the Collegium may be trying to convey that the government is not in favour of appointing advocate Saurabh Kripal as Delhi High Court judge because of his same-sex relationship with a foreigner.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday took a swipe at Law Minister Kiren Rijiju over his remarks that the government has not taken a single step to undermine the judiciary, asking whether his "controversial statements" were meant to strengthen it.
There can be a difference of opinion between the government and the judiciary but that does not mean the two are attacking each other and a "Mahabharat" is going on as is being projected by some, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said.