PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at the residence of Chief Justice of India; triggers strong reactions from Opposition and legal fraternity

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s Ganpati Puja has sparked adverse reactions from different quarters with the opposition leaders questioning the independence of the judiciary even as civil society protesters are critical of the CJI over the proceedings of the Kolkata hospital rape and murder.

The CJI and his wife were seen welcoming Modi to their residence in a video.

“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,” PM Modi shared in a post.

The Prime Minister was seen wearing a traditional Maharashtrian cap. He even performed aarti of the Lord Ganesha flanked by DY Chandrachud and his wife.

The PM’s attendance at the CJI’s residence came amid a massive protest against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the RG Kar rape and murder for justice with the anger now directed against the Supreme Court. The case is being heard by the CJI with the proceedings of the hearing and postponements outraging the protesters in Kolkata who are largely from the civil society besides the doctors’ community. The protesting junior doctors in Kolkata also defied the CJI’s deadline to join duty or face the state government action.

Taking a dig, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote on X, “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 day.”

Countering Chaturvedi, Shehzad Poonwalla, the spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said, “Attending Ganesh Pooja is no crime. On many occasions judiciary and politicians share stage on auspicious functions, marriages, programs – but if PM attends it at house of CJI , Uddhav Sena MP doubts integrity of CJI & SC. Congress ecosystem attacks SC like Rahul Gandhi did in past. It’s shameful contempt of court & abusing judiciary.”

Separation of powers between executive and judiciary compromised?

Senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General, Indira Jaising, slammed CJI Chandrachud for “compromising” the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.

Advocate Jaising wrote on X, “Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary. 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.”

Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan said on X, “Shocking that CJI Chandrachud allowed Modi to visit him at his residence for a private meeting. Sends a very bad signal to the judiciary which is tasked with the responsibility of protecting fundamental right of citizens from the executive & ensuring that the govt acts within bounds of Constitution. That is why there has to be an arms length separation between the executive & judiciary.”