A political controversy has emerged after a video surfaced showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending Ganesh Puja at the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud. Several opposition leaders have criticized the visit, arguing that it sends an “uncomfortable message.” The ruling BJP, however, dismissed the criticism, emphasizing that attending religious events is not unusual for public figures.
During the visit, which took place at the CJI’s home in Delhi, PM Modi participated in the Ganesh Puja alongside Justice Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das. The Prime Minister shared a photo from the event on social media, expressing his wishes for happiness, prosperity, and good health for all.
While the visit was framed as a religious and personal occasion, opposition figures like Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut raised concerns about the implications of such a meeting. Raut suggested that the CJI should recuse himself from ongoing cases involving the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, as the meeting could create doubts about judicial impartiality.
Raut’s party colleague, Priyanka Chaturvedi, also pointed out that key hearings, such as the one concerning the Maharashtra political crisis, have faced repeated delays. She hinted at the possibility of further postponements due to the upcoming elections, linking the timing of the visit with these adjournments.
RJD leader Manoj Jha weighed in, emphasizing that the independence of institutions must not only exist in theory but should be perceived as such. He noted that while attending Ganesh Puja is a personal matter, the publicized nature of the event raises concerns about the message it conveys.
In response, BJP leaders defended PM Modi’s visit, with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav criticizing the opposition’s selective outrage. He noted that those who support the Prime Minister’s attendance at Iftar parties should not oppose participation in other religious events. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed this sentiment, recalling how former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted an Iftar attended by the Chief Justice in 2009. He dismissed the opposition’s criticisms as an unjust attack on the judiciary.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance between the judiciary and the executive, with opposition leaders suggesting potential conflicts of interest, while the BJP maintains that such interactions are normal in India’s pluralistic society.
