'Deal with it': Oppn vs BJP over PM Modi attending Ganpati Puja celebrations at CJI's house

NEW DELHI: Major political row erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the residence of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for Ganesh Puja.
Several opposition leaders have criticized the meeting, suggesting that it may raise doubts about the independence of the judiciary. The BJP, however, has strongly defended the Prime Minister's visit, calling the opposition's criticism "unfortunate".
PM Modi on Wednesday visited the residence of CJI on the occasion of Ganesh festival and offered prayers. A video showed Chandrachud and his wife Kalpana Das welcoming Modi at their house.
PM also shared a picture on X, showing them praying together, and expressed his wishes for happiness, prosperity, and good health.
"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," the Prime Minister said.
Opposition hits out at PM Modi
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut questioned the appropriateness of the meeting, stating that people may have doubts if the guardians of the Constitution meet political leaders.
“Our case is going on before CJI Chandrachud. We have doubts whether we will get justice because the Centre is a party in our case and the (central) government is headed by the prime minister,” Raut said.
“The CJI has repeatedly said that the government is unconstitutional but still a judgment is not given despite his retirement is nearing. Amid this, the prime minister has reached his residence. There is doubt in the minds of people when “protectors of the Constitution meet political people”, he added.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said those who held the highest office should not publicise a private event.
"I saw something being circulated on social media and, quite frankly, I was taken aback. I have been in the Supreme Court and in this institution for over 50 years. I have seen the greatest of judges, both past and present, and we are passionate about the institution."
"I have great respect for the present Chief Justice. I can say without any hesitation that he is a man of great personal integrity. I was really surprised when I saw this clip that was going viral," he said at a press conference.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also took a dig at the Prime Minister's visit, linking it to the upcoming elections.
"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," she said.

NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule said that when she learnt of the development.
"Both - PM and CJI - are senior to me in terms of age and experience, so it will not be appropriate to comment." "But such an incident (PM visiting CJI's house) was unheard of. I was also surprised, but I have full faith in courts and the respected CJI might have given it a thought before (inviting the PM)," she told reporters in her constituency Baramati.
Manoj Jha, an RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP, told news agency PTI that the independence of every institution should not only be theoretical but also visible.
"Ganpati puja is a personal issue, but you are taking a camera. The message it sends is uncomfortable. The Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister are tall personalities. So what can we say if they agreed to put out these photographs in the public domain," he said.
BJP hits back at opposition
BJP leaders strongly defended the Prime Minister's visit, emphasizing that it was a devoted Ganesh Puja and not mere socializing.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora criticized the opposition's comments, labelling them "reckless" and "irresponsible".
"When verdicts favour them, the opposition praises the Supreme Court's credibility, but when things don't go their way, they conveniently claim the judiciary is compromised," he said in a post on X.
"This reckless attempt to undermine the credibility of the CJI by the opposition is not only irresponsible but also damaging to the institution's integrity. India's politics is taking an ugly turn," Deora said.
BJP IT-cell chief Amit Malviya also hit back at BJP and accused Congress of having "problem with Hindu festivals"
"The entire Congress and Communist ecosystem is in a twist after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend Ganpati Poojan at CJI D Y Chandrachud’s residence. The same suspects held it as an epitome of secularism when Dr Manmohan Singh hosted Iftar parties and then CJI would attend, he said in a post on X.
"Their problem is not the civility and cordiality between the Prime Minister and the CJI, alone, but Ganesh Chaturthi. The Congress and the Communists have always had a problem with Hindu festivals and now they have a problem with Maharashtra also, which celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with great fervour," he added.

Union minister Bhupender Yadav said those who applaud the presence of Prime Ministers at Iftars but criticize Modi's participation in Ganesh Puja. He asserted that the executive and judiciary praying together before revered deities reflects the true strength of Indian secularism.
"The same people who applaud and encourage 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.
"The executive and judiciary praying before Gods revered by crores of devotees across India reflects the real strength of Indian secularism. Deal with it," he added.
Addressing the media at the BJP headquarters on Thursday, party national spokesperson Sambit Patra also reminded the opposition of the Iftar parties held during the UPA government's tenure.
He recalled that during the UPA era, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used to host Iftar parties, which the Chief Justice of that time also attended.
"Did they not meet then? Didn't they sit at the same table and talk? That was also a festival (Iftar party), and this was also a festival (Ganpati Puja). So why object now? Why is there discrimination between these two festivals?" he questioned.
Patra expressed surprise that when the Prime Minister meets the Chief Justice, there is an objection, but there is no objection when Rahul Gandhi meets Ilhan Omar, a known critic of India and a supporter of Pakistan.
"What do these people want? Do they want the pillars of democracy not to meet? Does attending an Aarti change the equations?" the BJP spokesperson questioned.