PM Modi's visit to CJI Chandrachud's residence for Ganpati puja celebrations. (ANI)
New Delhi: A political storm has erupted following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at Ganpati Puja celebrations at the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud. Shiv Sena (UBT) raised concerns, questioning whether this could cast doubts on the judiciary's impartiality. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, swiftly countered these allegations, emphasizing that the Prime Minister’s visit was solely for the Ganpati celebrations, which they described as a part of Indian cultural tradition.
The controversy began when Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed concern over the CJI’s association with politicians. Raut warned that such meetings might create suspicions regarding the impartiality of judicial decisions. In a statement, he advised CJI Chandrachud to recuse himself from the case involving the Uddhav Thackeray faction’s challenge to the Maharashtra Speaker's decision recognizing the Eknath Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena.
Raut remarked, “Our case concerning Maharashtra is before CJI Chandrachud. We fear whether we will receive a fair judgment, considering the PM is involved in this matter. The Chief Justice should distance himself from the case due to his visible connection with the opposing party. Can we expect justice in such a scenario?”
#WATCH | On PM Modi visiting CJI DY Chandrachud's residence for Ganpati Poojan, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, " Ganpathi festival is going on, people visit each other's houses. I don't have info regarding how many houses PM visited so far...but PM went to CJI's house… pic.twitter.com/AVp26wl7Yz
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024
Raut also highlighted past instances where the Supreme Court's rulings did not favor the opposition, including the suo motu cognizance of the Kolkata rape-murder case and the bail hearing of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He pointed to these cases as part of a pattern that warrants scrutiny.
Adding to the chorus of discontent, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the timing of the judiciary's actions, particularly regarding the ongoing Maharashtra case. She tweeted, “After the festivities, hopefully, the CJI will have time to conclude the hearing on the blatant disregard of Article 10 of the Constitution in Maharashtra. Or will it be postponed until after the elections?”
Okay.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) September 11, 2024
After the festivities are over hopefully CJI will deem fit and be slightly freer to conclude the hearing on Maharashtra and the blatant disregard of Article 10 of the Constitution in Maharashtra.
Oh wait, elections round the corner anyway, it can be adjourned for another… https://t.co/tw0C1Smr5s
Prime Minister Modi participated in Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud’s residence in Delhi on Wednesday. The Chief Justice and his wife, Kalpana Das, welcomed Modi, who wore traditional Maharashtrian attire for the occasion. According to top government sources, the CJI had extended invitations to various dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, for the Puja. After completing the ritual and receiving prasad, Modi reportedly left the event promptly.
Several Supreme Court officials were also present at the ceremony, making the gathering more than just a political affair, yet the presence of the Prime Minister at such a setting triggered strong reactions from the opposition.
The opposition’s allegations were met with a sharp rebuttal from BJP leaders. Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora called the accusations "reckless" and warned that questioning the judiciary’s integrity sets a dangerous precedent. He defended CJI Chandrachud’s credibility, calling the attack on his legacy “irresponsible and harmful to the nation’s interest.”
#WATCH | Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora says, "I would like to tell Sanjay Raut and others who may not be aware of India and specifically Maharashtra's culture and tradition with regards to Ganeshotsav. During Ganesh Chaturthi, people visit the homes of even their political opponents.… https://t.co/QiovzlxwKA pic.twitter.com/guT3WfA938
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024
BJP's National Secretary BL Santhosh also criticized the politicization of the Prime Minister’s visit. He tweeted, “Civility, cordiality, and togetherness in the nation’s journey are alien concepts to left liberals. This was a Ganpati Puja, not a political meeting. SCBA isn’t a moral compass—breathe.”
Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary. Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI . The SCBA must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the Executive @KapilSibal https://t.co/UXoIxVxaJt
— Indira Jaising (@IJaising) September 11, 2024
Senior advocate Indira Jaising weighed in, urging the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to condemn PM Modi’s visit, alleging that it compromised the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary. Her sentiments were echoed by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who criticized the BJP for “using worship for political gains.”
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya struck back by pointing to previous instances where former CJIs attended Iftar parties hosted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, describing the opposition's reaction as hypocritical. “When Dr. Manmohan Singh hosted Iftar and the CJI attended, it was celebrated as secularism. Now, the same people have a problem with PM Modi attending Ganpati Puja,” Malviya tweeted.
The controversy over PM Modi’s attendance at Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud’s residence has drawn sharp lines between the ruling BJP and the opposition. While the opposition casts doubts on judicial impartiality, the BJP dismisses these concerns as politically motivated. As the case involving the Maharashtra government hangs in the balance, this debate over the separation of powers continues to fuel tensions.
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