BJP rebukes Congress for criticizing PM Modi’s Ganpati puja attendance, calls out hypocrisy over Manmohan Singh’s iftaar party

New Delhi: In a fresh political row, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the Ganpati Puja celebration held at Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s 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.

BJP’s defense and historical context

The controversy erupted after a video circulated showing Modi participating in Ganpati Puja at Chandrachud’s 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 Modi’s visit. Poonawalla’s post questioned why attending religious events should be scrutinized when previous leaders participated in similar gatherings without backlash.

2009- PM Manmohan Singh's 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, 2024

Congress reaction and BJP’s counter

Congress 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 Gandhi’s meetings with foreign figures as evidence of their double standards.

BJP’s further rebuttals

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav defended Modi’s participation, calling it a celebration of India’s rich traditions. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, BJP’s Andhra Pradesh vice-president, criticized the Congress’s secularism stance, emphasizing that Hindu festivals should be respected equally.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Opposition leaders' criticism over PM Narendra Modi visiting CJI DY Chandrachud's 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 Chandrachud's residence… pic.twitter.com/yr3tcMW3sz

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024

Congress leader Kapil Sibal expressed surprise at the event, reflecting on the long-standing respect for the judiciary. Union Minister Piyush Goyal condemned the Opposition’s reactions, labeling them as “baseless” and expressing disappointment over what he termed as low-level political tactics.