New Delhi, May 17 -- Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday maintained that his oral observations a day earlier, referring to some people as "cockroaches" and "parasites", were not directed at the youth of the country but at individuals who had entered professions such as law and media using "fake and bogus degrees". "I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday," the CJI said in a statement issued on Saturday, stressing that he held "immense respect" for the youth of India. "What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites," the CJI clarified. Calling reports suggesting that he had criticised unemployed youth "totally baseless", Justice Kant said: "Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me." "It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India," he added. The statement came a day after a Supreme Court bench led by the CJI made strong oral observations during the hearing of a plea concerning conferment of senior advocate designation. The bench, also comprising justice Joymalya Bagchi, was hearing a petition filed by advocate Sanjay Dubey seeking contempt action over the alleged delay by the Delhi high court in implementing the Supreme Court's guidelines on designation of senior advocates. Refusing to entertain the plea, the bench observed that senior designation was a distinction "conferred" by the court and not something to be pursued through litigation. Justice Bagchi remarked during the hearing: "Is a senior advocate tag a status symbol which is ornamental to be kept or for your participation in the justice system?" "The entire world may be eligible to become senior (advocate), but at least you are not entitled," she told the petitioner. During the exchange, the CJI had also expressed concern over what he described as increasing attacks on institutions and the presence of people with questionable qualifications in professions such as law and media. "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists," the CJI had orally observed....