Row Over PM Modi's Ganpati Puja Visit to CJI's Residence, Opposition Questions Judicial Independence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for Ganpati Puja has sparked a row, with the Opposition questioning the transparency in the judiciary system.

Countering the attacks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintains that the visit was restricted to celebrating the Ganpati festivities together.

In an X post, national organising secretary of the BJP, BL Santhosh, said, the Opposition is making a hue and cry of the Prime Minister’s visit.

“Civility, cordiality, togetherness, co-travellers in nations journey are all an anathema to these left liberals. Also it was not socialising but a devoted Ganapathi Pooja is very hard to digest. SCBA is not a moral compass. Take deep breath once,” Santhosh’s X post read.

His post came as a response to senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General (ASG), Indira Jaising, who, on the social media platform, said the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) should condemn PM Modi’s visit to the CJI’s residence.

“Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary,” Jaising’s X post read.

“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 Kapil Sibal,” she added.

In a video, Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, were seen welcoming Modi at their house on Wednesday. The Prime Minister was seen participating in the puja at their residence.

Later, in an X post, PM Modi said, “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.”