A controversy has erupted following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the Ganpati Puja celebrations at the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud in Delhi. The visit, which took place on Wednesday, sparked criticism from opposition leaders who questioned the appropriateness of the Prime Minister attending an event at the CJI’s residence.
PM Modi participates in Ganpati Puja at CJI DY Chandrachud's residence in Delhi.#NarendraModi #CJI #DYChandrachud #GanpatiPuja pic.twitter.com/y3Ax8bHTj6
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Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed concerns, suggesting that the visit could raise doubts about the judiciary’s impartiality, particularly in cases involving the government. He further called for CJI Chandrachud to recuse himself from ongoing cases involving the Maharashtra government.
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the visit, emphasizing that it was strictly for Ganpati Puja, a cultural and religious celebration. BJP leaders criticized the opposition’s remarks as an attempt to undermine the judiciary’s credibility. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya pointed out that similar events in the past, such as the attendance of a CJI at Iftar parties hosted by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, were celebrated as symbols of secularism.
The controversy has sparked a broader debate about the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary, with opposition leaders and BJP members clashing over the implications of such social interactions. The BJP reiterated that the visit was a personal and cultural occasion, urging the opposition to refrain from politicizing religious events.