Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for Ganesh Puja.
In response to criticism from the Opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pointed out a similar instance in 2009 when then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted an Iftar party that was attended by the then CJI KG Balakrishnan. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared images from the event, emphasizing that the judiciary’s independence wasn’t questioned then. However, the current outcry against PM Modi attending Ganesh Puja at the CJI’s house implies the “judiciary is suddenly compromised.”
BJP MP Sambit Patra also condemned the Opposition, accusing them of politicizing the event. He questioned whether former PM Manmohan Singh’s attendance at Iftar gatherings with the judiciary drew similar scrutiny. “Shouldn’t the various arms of democracy interact? Should they act like enemies or avoid showing basic courtesies to one another? Democracy thrives on healthy exchanges, both on and off duty,” Patra said during a media address.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent photo with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Patra added, “There is no objection when Rahul Gandhi meets Ilhan Omar or the Chinese Premier. But when the PM attends a Ganesh Puja, it becomes a problem. Did Manmohan Singh not attend Iftar parties? Both are festivals—why treat them differently?”
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav also weighed in, urging the Opposition not to turn religious celebrations into political disputes. “Ganesh represents new beginnings and positivity. When different sectors of the country come together to celebrate traditions like Ganesh Chaturthi, it strengthens democracy. Such occasions symbolize the greatness of India’s diverse traditions, and those filled with negativity should refrain from casting doubts on them,” Yadav stated on social media platform X.
OPPOSITION’S TAKE ON MODI’S VISIT TO CJI’S HOME
The controversy gained momentum after several Opposition leaders, particularly from Shiv Sena (UBT), raised concerns that the visit could impact the judiciary’s independence, especially in light of the ongoing Maharashtra case being heard by CJI Chandrachud. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed concerns about whether the Prime Minister’s involvement might affect the ruling on the case, in which the central government is a party.
Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Shiv Sena MP, further questioned whether the CJI would prioritize the Maharashtra case, hinting at potential delays with elections approaching in the state.
Meanwhile, senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association president Kapil Sibal remarked that while there was no harm in CJI Chandrachud inviting the Prime Minister for the festival, the publicizing of the event should have been avoided, as it led to unnecessary speculation. “With elections coming up in Maharashtra, this wasn’t the best time for the PM to make a public spectacle of the event,” Sibal commented.
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