PM Modi attends Ganpati Puja celebrations at CJI Chandrachud’s residence; Opposition react
PTC Web Desk: In a recent political confrontation, PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for a Ganpati Puja has sparked significant debate, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders and public figures. The visit, held to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, has fueled a larger discussion on the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive, with opposition voices criticising the interaction as potentially blurring constitutional boundaries.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, known for her vocal stance on judicial independence, raised concerns through a post on X (formerly Twitter). Jaising stated that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) should condemn the visit, suggesting that it compromised the crucial separation of powers. She tweeted, “Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary,” pointing out the significance of maintaining an independent judiciary free from executive influence.
In response to Jaising’s remarks, BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh defended PM Modi's visit, underscoring that such personal religious activities should not be politicised. According to him, the criticism from figures such as Jaising was an example of overreaching into routine social or religious interactions.
However, the response from opposition parties, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been swift. AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh voiced his objections, stating that the BJP has often used religious events for political advantage. Singh criticised Santhosh’s remarks, suggesting that the BJP was utilising "worship for political gains," a recurring criticism of the ruling party from opposition leaders.
The debate did not stop there. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took to X to further defend PM Modi’s Ganpati visit, flipping the criticism back onto the Congress party. In his tweet, Malviya recalled instances during the UPA era when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted Iftar parties attended by the then Chief Justice of India. He accused the Congress and its allies of hypocrisy, pointing out how similar religious events involving Congress leaders were praised for their secular spirit, while PM Modi’s attendance at a Hindu festival sparked criticism.
Malviya tweeted, “The entire Congress and Communist ecosystem is in a twist after PM Modi attended Ganpati Poojan at CJI DY Chandrachud’s residence. The same suspects held it as an epitome of secularism when Dr Manmohan Singh hosted Iftar parties and then CJI would attend.” His statement reflects the long-standing political rivalry between the BJP and Congress over religious and secular optics in the Indian political landscape.
- With inputs from agencies
