New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attended Ganpati Puja at Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s residence in Delhi. A picture of PM Modi offering prayers to Lord Ganesha along with CJI and his wife soon went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from various quarters.
Prime Minister Modi was seen in a traditional Maharashtrian attire as he joined the celebrations at the CJI’s residence. “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 said in a post on X along with a photograph of him participating in the puja at the CJI’s residence. A video of the Ganpati Puja celebrations also surfaced online showing Chandrachud and his wife Kalpana Das welcoming PM Modi at their house.
Political row over PM Modi’s visit to CJI’s house for Ganesh Puja
PM Modi’s participation in Ganpati Puja at Chandrachud’s residence, however, did not go down well with many Opposition leaders alleging that the move could shake people’s faith in judiciary. The BJP hit back at the Opposition asking if two different pillars of democracy are not allowed to meet.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s visit, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Sanjay Raut, said that the Constitution was set on fire. He further said that Ganpati festivities were organised at many other places, but the Prime Minister chose to visit the Chief Justice’s residence, which has raised doubts and questions over the entire judiciary.
“If a custodian of the Constitution meets politicians, it can create doubt in the minds of people. Our case of Maharashtra, which involves the current government, is being heard before the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister is part of it We now also doubt if we would be served justice because the Prime Minister is the other party in the case,” he added.
संविधान के घर को आग लगी
घरके चिरागसे….
१) EVM को क्लीन चीट
२) महाराष्ट्र में चलरही संविधान विरोधी सरकार के सुनवाई पर ३ सालसे तारीख पे तारीख
३) प. बंगाल बलात्कर मामले मे suemoto हस्तक्षेप लेकीन
महाराष्ट्र रेप कांड का जिकर नहीं.
४) दिल्ली मुख्यमंत्री केजरीवाल के
bail पर तारीख पे… https://t.co/jzVpQqDQh3— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) September 11, 2024
BJP hits back at Opposition
Hitting back at the Opposition for politicising the Prime Minister’s visit to the CJI’s house, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the leaders of INDI bloc are doing
“Should the different pillars of democracy not meet, not converge? Should not they be friends. Should they be enemies? Should not be talking to each other, should they not extend a handshake, should not have courtesies extended towards each other?,” he asked.
He further said that the Opposition is criticising the Prime Minister’s visit the CJI’s house but raised no objection when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met US Congresswoman and Chinese Premiere. “They have a problem with Ganesh Puja but did the former PM Manmohan Singh not attend Iftaar parties?” Patra asked.
Union minister Bhupender Yadav also slammed the Opposition and said that the “executive and judiciary” praying before a God revered by crores of devotees across India “reflects the real strength of Indian secularism”. “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,” he said on X.
Another BJP leader, BL Santhosh, also slammed the Opposition and said it 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,” he said.