In a recent rally in Bhubaneswar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his attendance at Ganesh Puja at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s residence, addressing criticism from the Opposition. Modi stated that the Congress and its allies are aggrieved because he participated in the festival, emphasizing its historical significance in India’s freedom struggle. He accused the critics of perpetuating a divide-and-rule strategy, likening their stance to the British colonialists’ opposition to Ganesh Utsav.
The Prime Minister’s visit on September 10, which included a shared photograph of him praying with the Chief Justice and his wife Kalpana Das, has sparked controversy. Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and RJD’s Manoj Jha, have criticized the visit, suggesting it could undermine the perceived impartiality of the judiciary. Raut called for the Chief Justice to recuse himself from politically sensitive cases, while Jha questioned the appropriateness of publicizing such personal religious events.
Congress has been cautious in its response, with its Mumbai unit highlighting the contrast between private religious ceremonies and public events like Iftar parties. They argued that a private Ganesh Puja, conducted away from media scrutiny, differs fundamentally from transparent public events.
In counterarguments, BJP leaders including Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defended the visit. They argued that attendance at such events reflects Indian secularism’s strength and is not unusual. They noted that past instances of Prime Ministers attending Iftar parties hosted by former Chief Justices have not faced similar scrutiny. Poonawalla condemned the criticisms as “shameful contempt of court” and accused Congress and its allies of undermining judicial integrity.
The debate continues to highlight tensions between political and judicial figures in India, raising questions about the boundaries of public and private religious expressions.