Friday, 20 September 2024
Friday, 20 September 2024
A video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s at a Ganesh Puja on Wednesday has ignited a controversy with prominent advocates questioning the transparency of the court and BJP leaders defending the visit.
CJI DY Chandrachud is slated to retire on November 10, 2024.
The CJI’s wife is also seen in the video welcoming PM Modi along with CJI DY Chandrachud.
“Joined Ganesh Puja at the residence of CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud Ji. May Bhagwan Shri Ganesh bless us all with happiness, prosperity and wonderful health.” PM Modi said on his ‘X’ account.
Senior Advocate and former Advocate General Indira Jaising flagged the visit and wrote on ‘X’: “Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary. Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the Executive.”
She tagged the Supreme Court Bar Association president Kapil Sibal in her post.
Kapil Sibal said, "I am sure that maybe the CJI may not have known that this was being publicised, that is sad. The second thing is that the prime minister of India should never have shown his interest to go to such a private event because the prime minister and those he must have consulted should and must have told him that this may send a wrong signal."
The video sparked a political controversy. Political leaders and senior advocates criticised the move.
"Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated and people visit each other's house... I don't have information whether the prime minister has visited anyone's house. Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated at several locations in Delhi... at Maharashtra Sadan. However, the PM visited CJI's residence, they performed 'aarti' together. We think that people will have doubt if guardians of Constitution meet political leaders." Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said.
Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan wrote, “Shocking that CJI Chandrachud allowed Modi to visit him at his residence for a private meeting. Sends a very bad signal to the judiciary which is tasked with the responsibility of protecting fundamental right of citizens from the executive & ensuring that the govt acts within bounds of Constitution. That is why there has to be an arms length separation between the executive & judiciary.”
“रोना शुरू हो गया !!!! (Whining has started) Civility, cordiality, togetherness, co travellers in nations journey are all an anathema to these left liberals. Also it was not socialising but a devoted Ganapathi Pooja is very hard to digest. SCBA is not a moral compass. Take deep breath once.” BJP’s national general secretary (organisation), BL Santhosh wrote on ‘X’.
It’s a fact that our constitution separates the power of the legislative and the judiciary. But can the chief of both performing a puja together impinge on the independence of both? The social media world is divided on this.
