A controversy has erupted following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud for Ganpati Puja celebrations, drawing criticism from opposition parties, particularly leaders of the INDIA alliance. The opposition voiced concerns over the implications of the Prime Minister's visit to the CJI, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut leading the criticism. Raut expressed concerns that the visit could cast doubts on the impartiality of the judiciary, especially in ongoing cases where the Prime Minister’s role might be under scrutiny.

Opposition's Concerns

Sanjay Raut specifically pointed to the ongoing case involving the recognition of the Eknath Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena, a decision that was made by the Maharashtra Speaker and is currently being challenged by the Uddhav Thackeray faction in the Supreme Court. The Shiv Sena leader questioned whether the CJI would be able to deliver an unbiased judgment in this matter after hosting the Prime Minister at his home for religious celebrations. Raut suggested that CJI Chandrachud should consider recusing himself from the case to avoid any perception of bias, noting that the Prime Minister is directly or indirectly a party to the case.

Raut took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his concerns. He also listed other recent cases where, in his view, the Supreme Court had ruled against the opposition, hinting at a broader pattern. Raut cited examples such as the Supreme Court's handling of the Kolkata RG Kar rape and murder case and the bail hearing of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, suggesting that there may be political motivations behind the court's decisions.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the visit, questioning the timing of the Ganpati Puja celebrations and implying that the delay in the Maharashtra case ruling could be politically influenced. She hinted that with elections approaching, the case might be adjourned further, further fueling doubts about the judicial process.

BJP's Response

In response to the opposition’s criticism, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly defended PM Modi’s visit to the CJI's residence, arguing that attending a religious event like Ganpati Puja should not be viewed as controversial. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra addressed the media at a press conference, questioning why opposition parties would object to the Prime Minister attending a religious function at the CJI’s home. He pointed out that the judiciary and politicians often share the stage at various events, such as public functions, marriages, or festivals, and that such interactions are not uncommon.

Patra further accused the opposition of politicizing the event, calling the criticism "unwarranted" and highlighting that similar events had occurred in the past without issue. He referenced previous instances where the Chief Justice of India attended Iftar parties hosted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, questioning why the opposition had not raised concerns on those occasions.

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, also took to social media to criticize the Congress and the wider opposition for what he described as their "double standards." Malviya noted that the same people who now criticize PM Modi’s attendance at a religious event had once praised similar interactions under previous governments. He emphasized that attending a religious function should not be seen as a conflict of interest or a violation of secular values.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed these sentiments, stating that there is no wrongdoing in attending Ganpati Puja and accusing the opposition of trying to undermine the credibility of the judiciary by making baseless allegations. He pointed out that it is common for members of the judiciary and political figures to be seen together at various events, and that questioning the integrity of the CJI over this visit is tantamount to contempt of court.

Broader Implications

This row has ignited a broader debate about the relationship between the judiciary and the executive in India. The opposition, particularly the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, has expressed concern about the impartiality of the judiciary in politically sensitive cases. At the same time, the BJP has accused the opposition of politicizing a religious event for electoral gain. This incident underscores the increasing tension between the ruling government and the opposition ahead of key elections, with both sides accusing the other of undermining democratic institutions.

PM Modi’s decision to share a video of the Ganpati Puja celebrations on social media also attracted attention, with opposition leaders accusing him of using the event for political purposes. The video, which showed the Prime Minister in traditional Maharashtrian attire at the CJI’s residence, further fueled the controversy, with critics arguing that such displays could give the impression of closeness between the executive and judiciary, which might erode public trust in the independence of the courts.

In conclusion, this controversy has sparked a heated debate about the proper boundaries between the judiciary and the executive, with opposition parties raising concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest, while the BJP defends the visit as a harmless participation in religious festivities. The fallout from this incident may continue to shape the political landscape as the country moves closer to upcoming elections.