A political controversy has erupted following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud for Ganesh Puja. While the BJP has defended the meeting, emphasizing it was a religious occasion, sections of the opposition have expressed concern, suggesting it sends an “uncomfortable message” regarding the separation of the judiciary and the executive.
During his visit to CJI Chandrachud’s Delhi home, the Prime Minister participated in Ganesh Puja, along with the CJI and his wife, Kalpana Das.
Sharing the moment on social media, Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Joined Ganesh Puja at the residence of CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud Ji. May Bhagwan Shri Ganesh bless us all with happiness, prosperity, and wonderful health.” The post also featured a photograph of the trio praying before a Ganesh idol.
Joined Ganesh Puja at the residence of CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud Ji.
May Bhagwan Shri Ganesh bless us all with happiness, prosperity and wonderful health. pic.twitter.com/dfWlR7elky
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2024
Opposition Criticism and Concerns
Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, questioned the appropriateness of the meeting, particularly given its timing amidst an ongoing case involving the Shiv Sena’s factional dispute. “If the custodians of the Constitution meet political leaders in this manner, people have doubts,” Raut remarked, implying that CJI Chandrachud should consider recusing himself from cases linked to the Shiv Sena split.
Raut further stressed that if a judge is seen interacting with parties related to a case, the standard practice would be for them to disassociate from the proceedings. “I feel that Chandrachud sahab should dissociate himself from it,” he added.
Okay.
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— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) September 11, 2024
Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, also voiced criticism, linking the visit to the delayed hearings in the Sena vs Sena case. “Hopefully, after the festivities are over, CJI will be slightly freer to conclude the hearing on Maharashtra,” she commented sarcastically on X.
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RJD leader Manoj Jha shared similar concerns, saying, “Ganpati Puja is a personal issue, but you are taking a camera. The message it sends is uncomfortable.” He emphasized that the independence of institutions should not only be upheld but also be visibly demonstrated.
BJP Defends the Visit
The BJP has vehemently dismissed the opposition’s criticism. Shehzad Poonawalla, a party spokesperson, pointed out that it is common for judges and political leaders to attend functions together. He referenced a 2009 Iftar event hosted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which saw the participation of the then CJI KG Balakrishnan, as a parallel to the current controversy.
“Attending Ganesh Pooja is no crime. On many occasions, judiciary and politicians share the stage… But if PM attends it at the house of CJI, Uddhav Sena MP doubts the integrity of CJI and Supreme Court,” Poonawalla argued.
He criticized the opposition for what he termed as a “shameful contempt of court and abusing judiciary,” linking their reactions to past incidents where the Congress had allegedly attacked the judiciary.
The meeting between PM Modi and CJI Chandrachud has ignited a heated debate about the optics of such interactions between the judiciary and the executive. As the controversy unfolds, the larger question remains whether such meetings should be viewed as routine ceremonial engagements or if they raise legitimate concerns about the independence of constitutional institutions.
