The ongoing controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence has escalated, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defending the Prime Minister and taking a swipe at the Congress party. The BJP’s rebuttal included a reminder of a similar event in 2009 when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited then CJI KG Balakrishnan to an Iftaar party.
The row began when the Congress party and several opposition leaders criticized Modi’s presence at the Ganpati festivities, accusing him of compromising the independence of the judiciary. BJP leaders quickly responded, asserting that there was no wrongdoing and accusing the Congress of hypocrisy.
BJP’s Defense and Counterattack
On Thursday, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media to highlight the perceived double standards of the Congress party. Sharing images of Singh laughing with Balakrishnan at the 2009 Iftaar party, Poonawalla wrote, “Judiciary is safe.” This post aimed to underscore what the BJP sees as an inconsistency in the Congress’s criticism of Modi’s visit.
#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
At a press conference, BJP MP Sambit Patra called out the Congress for its attack on Modi’s participation in the Ganpati Puja. Patra drew a comparison with Singh’s Iftaar party, questioning why the Congress had no issues with Singh’s interaction with CJI Balakrishnan. “If the Prime Minister is meeting the CJI, you have a problem. But, if you are meeting anti-national people in the United States, then there is no problem,” Patra stated, referencing Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s photo with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Patra accused the Congress of having a problem with Ganpati celebrations specifically, suggesting that the party’s criticism was more about religious biases than genuine concerns over judicial independence. He said, “When during their tenure, Manmohan Ji organised an Iftar party, then was the CJI not invited? That is also a festival and this Ganpati is also a festival, then why this difference?”
BJP Andhra Pradesh vice-president Vishnu Vardhan Reddy echoed these sentiments, criticizing the Congress for what he perceived as a biased view of secularism. “Secularism doesn’t mean organising Iftari only. Just like others, Hindus are also free to practice their own religion, and both CJI & PM are Hindus. Your hatred towards Hinduism can’t change the fact!”
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav also weighed in, defending the Prime Minister’s attendance at the Ganpati Puja. Yadav argued that Ganpati is a symbol of auspicious beginnings and that different arms of the country coming together for such celebrations reflect the strength of Indian secularism. He took to social media to criticize those who disparaged the Prime Minister’s presence at the event, stating, “The same people who applaud and encourage the presence of Prime Ministers at Iftars find their guts twisting and turning when they see PM Modi perform Ganpati Poojan at CJI DY Chandrachud’s residence.”
Opposition Criticisms and Concerns
The controversy has seen strong reactions from the opposition and legal community. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut commented on the timing of Modi’s visit, questioning why the Prime Minister chose to attend the CJI’s residence for Ganpati celebrations when similar festivities were taking place elsewhere. “Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated and people visit each other’s house… I don’t have information whether the Prime Minister has visited anyone’s house,” Raut said.
Senior lawyer Indira Jaising voiced her concerns on social media, alleging that the presence of the Prime Minister at the CJI’s residence compromised the independence of the judiciary. “Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the executive,” Jaising wrote.
The BJP’s response came amid escalating tensions between the two major political parties. The debate has intensified, with both parties holding press conferences to defend their respective positions. Rajya Sabha MP and Supreme Court Bar Association President Kapil Sibal expressed surprise at the viral video clips of the event, despite his respect for CJI Chandrachud. “I have been in the Supreme Court and in this institution for over 50 years. I have great respect for the present CJI. He is a man of great personal integrity. But I was surprised when I saw this clip that was going viral,” Sibal stated.
The Broader Context
The row highlights the ongoing tension between the BJP and Congress over issues of governance, religion, and secularism. The controversy underscores the challenges in balancing public perceptions of neutrality and respect for traditional practices within high offices.
As the debate continues, both parties are expected to intensify their rhetoric, with each side framing the issue in terms of broader ideological and political conflicts. The row over Modi’s visit to the Ganpati Puja at the CJI’s residence is likely to remain a contentious topic in the run-up to upcoming elections, with implications for how the public perceives the relationship between the executive and the judiciary in India.
This latest controversy reflects broader political dynamics in India, where symbolic gestures and their interpretations can have significant implications for public discourse and party politics.
