PM Modi's Ganesh Puja at CJI's home draws Oppn ire

A massive political controversy has erupted following a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for a Ganesh Puja.

The gathering has drawn sharp criticism from a section of Opposition leaders and some legal professionals, with one remarking that the meeting sends an “uncomfortable message.” On the other hand, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has staunchly defended the occasion, dismissing the criticism as baseless and politically motivated.

The controversy began when a video surfaced of Prime Minister Modi attending the Ganesh Puja at the CJI’s home. In the footage, CJI Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, were seen welcoming the prime minister into their residence. The event, which appeared to be a religious and social occasion, soon took on political overtones as Opposition figures questioned the propriety of such a meeting.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut was among the first to voice his concerns, suggesting that the meeting could raise doubts about the separation of powers. “Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated at several locations, but the prime minister visiting the CJI’s residence and performing the ‘aarti’ together sends a message that might make people uneasy,” Raut said, hinting that such interactions could blur the lines between the judiciary and the executive, key pillars of India’s democracy.