Pratik Das, Pune
A political storm broke out after a video surfaced showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi entering the house of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for a Ganesh Puja. Such a development raises some eyebrows among the opposition leaders. To one of them, it is a “wrong message”. In counter to that, the BJP has said there is nothing inappropriate about attending such a function and that people have to be more reasonable as it is common for judges and politicians to meet on various occasions.
The Prime Minister of India, yesterday, visited the residence of the Chief Justice of India, Mr Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, on the occasion of Ganesh Puja. There, he was graciously received by the Chief Justice and his spouse Kalpana Das. The prime minister’s post on X said, “Joined Ganesh Puja at CJI Justice DY Chandrachud Ji’s house. Dear Lord Ganesh, may we all be happy, prosperous and healthy.”
Commerce Minister of India Sanjay Raut, a member of Rajya Sabha and an active leader of Shiv Sena noticed attention regarding the meeting.
Sanjay Raut said, “It’s the Ganpati festival, but how many homes has the Prime Minister visited? I don’t know. The Ganesh festival happens in many places in Delhi, but the Prime Minister went to the Chief Justice’s home, and they did the Aarti together. When the keepers of the Constitution meet with political leaders like this, it makes people doubt.”
Manoj Jha, a leader of RJD and an MP, told PTI that institutions need to be free, both in thought and in action. He said that while Ganpati Puja is a personal thing, showing it on camera gives a bad signal. He noted that both the Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister have key roles. If they share these photos, it raises worries.
The BJP hit back hard at the criticism. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said those who cheer Prime Ministers for going to Iftar parties now feel uneasy with Prime Minister Modi at Ganesh Puja in the Chief Justice’s home. He added that seeing leaders and judges pray together shows real Indian secularism. Yadav shared this thought on X.
BJP spokesman Shehzad Poonawalla answered the criticism by saying that in 2009, Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan went to an Iftar party held by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “Going to Ganesh Puja is not wrong. Judges and politicians often share the stage at many events, like special days, weddings, or programs. But when the PM goes to the CJI’s house for Ganesh Puja, Uddhav Sena MPs doubt the honesty of the CJI and the Supreme Court.”