BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla reignited a political debate when he shared a photograph from 2009, depicting former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosting an iftar party at his residence, which was attended by then Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan and several other prominent figures. The photograph, retrieved from India Today archives, also featured notable political leaders, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi, BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Alongside these political heavyweights, key dignitaries such as ex-Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were also in attendance.
Poonawalla’s intention behind sharing this image was to point out what he described as "double standards" on the part of the Opposition. He drew a contrast between the lack of criticism Manmohan Singh faced for hosting such a gathering involving the judiciary and the heavy criticism currently being leveled against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending a Ganpati Puja at the residence of the sitting Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud. Poonawalla tweeted, "2009 – PM Manmohan Singh’s Iftar Party attended by then CJI KG Balakrishnan – Secularism is safe. PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at current CJI’s house – Judiciary compromised? Double standards on full display."
This issue gained prominence when Prime Minister Modi shared photographs from his visit to CJI Chandrachud’s residence in Delhi for Ganpati Puja. In the pictures, the Chief Justice, along with his wife Kalpana Das, is seen welcoming the Prime Minister, who wore traditional Maharashtrian attire for the occasion. The Opposition quickly seized on the event to express concerns about the optics and its implications for judicial impartiality. Some argued that a sitting Prime Minister visiting the home of the Chief Justice of India, especially while crucial cases are pending in the Supreme Court, could create an impression of blurred lines between the executive and judicial branches.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut voiced strong concerns, particularly regarding cases related to Maharashtra that are currently before the Supreme Court. He questioned whether CJI Chandrachud, who is presiding over these cases, could remain unbiased given his visible association with Prime Minister Modi. Raut stated, "Our case of Maharashtra is being heard by CJI Chandrachud, and now we have doubts whether we will get justice. The Chief Justice should distance himself from this case because his closeness to the other party, the PM, is openly visible."
In response, the BJP dismissed these concerns, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated. BJP leaders, including Poonawalla, argued that the Ganpati Puja was a cultural and religious event and did not reflect any compromise of judicial independence. They emphasized that it is not uncommon for dignitaries from different branches of government to attend cultural events together, and this does not imply any inappropriate influence on judicial decisions. Poonawalla further remarked that those questioning PM Modi’s attendance are engaging in "political hypocrisy," as they remained silent during similar instances in the past.
Top government sources also defended the Prime Minister’s visit, clarifying that CJI Chandrachud had extended invitations to a wide array of dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, for the Ganpati celebrations. They noted that the Prime Minister's participation was limited to attending the rituals and receiving prasad, after which he left promptly. The event, held at Chandrachud’s residence, also saw the presence of several senior officials from the judiciary, further dispelling claims that it was a private or exclusive meeting between Modi and the CJI.
Despite these clarifications, the controversy continues to fuel debate about the need for maintaining clear boundaries between the judiciary and the executive. The Opposition insists that any perceived proximity between the two could erode public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary, especially when critical political matters are at stake. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also weighed in, warning that the public’s trust in judicial independence is fragile and must be protected at all costs. He called for greater transparency and a reevaluation of the norms governing interactions between political leaders and members of the judiciary.
As the political back-and-forth continues, the incident has underscored the broader issue of how public figures from different branches of government engage with each other in social and cultural settings, and whether these interactions can undermine the principle of separation of powers fundamental to a democratic state. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with the BJP emphasizing the cultural significance of the Ganpati Puja and the Opposition questioning its implications for judicial fairness.
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