A controversy has arisen over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in Ganesh Puja at CJI DY Chandrachud’s residence. The opposition is raising questions on this meeting on the issue of executive and judiciary. Now the Bharatiya Janata Party has also shared a picture of an event related to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in which the then Chief Justice KG Balakrishna had participated.
what did BJP say
BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala has posted photos of the meeting of former PM Singh and Justice Balakrishnan on social media. He wrote, ‘In 2009, the then CJI KG Balakrishnan attended PM Manmohan Singh’s Iftar party. This is secular, the judiciary is safe. PM Modi attended Ganesh Puja at the CJI’s house, so oh God, the judiciary is corrupt.’
In an earlier post, he said, “Participating in Ganesh Puja is not a crime. Judiciary and politicians share the stage on many occasions in auspicious ceremonies, weddings, events. But if the Prime Minister attends it at the CJI’s house, Uddhav Sena MPs question the integrity of the CJI and the Supreme Court. The Congress ecosystem attacks the Supreme Court like Rahul Gandhi did in the past. This is a shameful contempt of court and an insult to the judiciary.”
PM Manmohan Singh’s Iftar Party
On September 18, 2009, the then PM Singh had organized an Iftar party at his residence in New Delhi. In the pictures published in India Today in 2009, it is seen that many leaders including Sonia Gandhi, P Chidambaram, Sheila Dixit were seen in the program. Apart from these, BJP leader LK Advani, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Left leader Sitaram Yechury, then CJI KG Balakrishnan, Rahul Gandhi are also seen.
Former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and then Foreign Secretary Nirupama Roy also attended the event. In these pictures, Justice Balakrishnan and Singh are seen talking.
PM Modi reached CJI’s house
On Wednesday, PM Modi also reached CJI Chandrachud’s residence. They performed Ganesh Puja together. PM Modi has also shared pictures. He wrote, ‘Attended Ganesh Puja at the residence of CJI Justice DY Chandrachud ji. May Lord Shri Ganesha grant happiness, prosperity and wonderful health to all of us.’
Opposition leaders are raising questions
RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said, ‘Ganpati Puja is a personal matter, but you are carrying a camera. The message being conveyed by this is uncomfortable. The Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister are big people. Now if they want to make the pictures public, what can we say.’ Earlier, Jha had also raised questions by sharing pictures of PM Modi visiting the CJI’s house.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote, ‘Well, after the festival, hopefully the CJI will deem it fit to hear Maharashtra and the violation of Article 10 of the Constitution in Maharashtra. Oh, but elections are just around the corner, this can be postponed to the next day.’ Party leader Sanjay Raut has even advised CJI Chandrachud to withdraw the cases related to Maharashtra.