New Delhi: In a fresh political row, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has defended Prime Minister Narendra Modis attendance at the Ganpati Puja celebration held at Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachuds residence. The BJP has highlighted the hypocrisy of Congress leaders, reminding them of a similar event in 2009 when then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited CJI KG Balakrishnan to an Iftaar party.BJPs defense and historical contextThe controversy erupted after a video circulated showing Modi participating in Ganpati Puja at Chandrachuds home. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media, sharing images of Singh and Balakrishnan at the Iftaar party, mocking Congress for its criticism of Modis visit. Poonawallas post questioned why attending religious events should be scrutinized when previous leaders participated in similar gatherings without backlash.2009- PM Manmohan Singhs Iftaar Party was attended by then CJI KG Balakrishnan- Sshhhh - Yeh Secular hai.. judiciary is safe!PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at current CJI House - oh God Judiciary compromised pic.twitter.com/vhkUdRRVHI— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) September 12, 2024Congress reaction and BJPs counterCongress leaders have expressed concern over the perceived blurring of lines between the executive and judiciary. Senior lawyer Indira Jaising criticized the event as a compromise of judicial independence. In contrast, BJP MP Sambit Patra criticized Congress for its stance, citing Rahul Gandhis meetings with foreign figures as evidence of their double standards. BJPs further rebuttalsUnion Minister Bhupendra Yadav defended Modis participation, calling it a celebration of Indias rich traditions. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, BJPs Andhra Pradesh vice-president, criticized the Congresss secularism stance, emphasizing that Hindu festivals should be respected equally.#WATCH | Delhi: On Opposition leaders criticism over PM Narendra Modi visiting CJI DY Chandrachuds residence for Ganesh Puja, BJP MP Sambit Patra says, The leaders of the Opposition are doing politics over the Ganesh prayers offered by PM Modi at CJI Chandrachuds residence… pic.twitter.com/yr3tcMW3sz— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024Congress leader Kapil Sibal expressed surprise at the event, reflecting on the long-standing respect for the judiciary. Union Minister Piyush Goyal condemned the Oppositions reactions, labeling them as “baseless” and expressing disappointment over what he termed as low-level political tactics.
