The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has risen to defend Prime Minister Narendra Modi over criticism of his attendance at Ganpati Puja at the Chief Justice of India (CJI)DY Chandrachud residence. Accusing the Congress party of hypocritical political strategy, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla recalled an incident in 2009 when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited then Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan to the Iftar party.
Reacting to the video of Chandrachud and his wife welcoming Modi, opposition leaders expressed their anger in a big way. BJP MP Sambit Patra slammed the Congress for speaking in two different tones: Meeting US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar but opposing PM Modi meeting CJI.
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav eagerly hammered the point that Ganpati is indicative of beginnings and that this society needs to be positive. He began to lament politicians who encourage events and parties during Iftar while at the same time objecting to the Hindu festival.
On the same note, critics such as Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and advocate Indira Jaising were critical of Modi’s visit, commenting that it infringed on the doctrine of the separation of powers. Jaising urged the Supreme Court Bar Association to use its voice against what she considered to be a compromise of judicial independence.
