A political uproar has emerged over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for Ganesh Puja. In response to opposition criticism, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reminded the Congress of a similar event during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla highlighted a 2009 instance when Singh invited then-CJI KG Balakrishnan to an Iftar party, noting that at that time, the Congress had no concerns about judicial impartiality. He questioned the sudden shift in perception now that Modi attended a Ganesh Puja, suggesting that the opposition's claims about the judiciary being compromised were inconsistent. BJP MP Sambit Patra also criticized the opposition for politicizing the event, questioning whether such interactions between different branches of government should be viewed as problematic. He compared Modi's visit to similar past interactions, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s meetings with international figures, and defended the importance of respecting cultural celebrations. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav supported this stance, emphasizing that Ganesh Puja symbolizes positive beginnings and unity. He called for the opposition to avoid disparaging festivals and to appreciate the democratic spirit of diverse interactions.

Opposition Concerns:

The visit has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, particularly from Shiv Sena (UBT). MP Sanjay Raut expressed concerns that the meeting might influence ongoing legal proceedings in Maharashtra, where CJI Chandrachud is presiding over cases involving the PM. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned whether the CJI might now prioritize the Maharashtra cases, hinting at possible delays due to the upcoming elections. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, acknowledged the appropriateness of the CJI inviting Modi but criticized the decision to publicize the meeting. He suggested that keeping the event private would have avoided unnecessary speculation, particularly in the context of an impending state election.