Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for Ganesh Puja has sparked a political controversy. The visit, which included Modi performing the aarti with the CJI and his wife, drew criticism from opposition leaders and legal experts. They questioned the appropriateness of such a meeting between the head of the executive and the judiciary, citing concerns over the separation of powers.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising expressed her disappointment, suggesting that the visit compromised the independence of the judiciary, while other prominent figures, including Prashant Bhushan, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for a clear distinction between the executive and judiciary. On the political front, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also raised concerns about the optics of the visit, noting that such interactions could create doubts about the judiciary’s impartiality.
In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the meeting, with party leaders arguing that attending a religious function does not undermine judicial independence. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the opposition for attempting to malign the judiciary, noting that political leaders and judges have shared platforms at various social events in the past without raising such concerns.
The incident has reignited debates over the boundaries between India’s branches of government, with strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum(Hindustan Times)(Telegraph India)(Indiablooms.com).
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