CJI Chandrachud defends PM Modi’s visit to Ganpati Puja at his home amid backlash

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nov 4 for attending the Ganpati Puja at his residence earlier this year. He emphasized that such matters require a "sense of maturity in the political sphere."

This statement came after the PM's visit to his residence sparked significant political backlash against both Modi and CJI Chandrachud.

“The PM visited my residence for Ganpati Puja. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, as these are ongoing meetings between the judiciary and the executive, even at a social level. We meet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Republic Day, etc.," said the CJI.

"We are in conversation with the PM and the ministers. This conversation does not involve the cases we decide but concerns life and society in general," Chandrachud added.

According to the CJI, one must recognize that such discussions are part of a strong inter-institutional framework and that the separation of powers between the administration and the judiciary allows for meetings between the two.

In Sep, PM Modi visited CJI Chandrachud’s residence and participated in the Ganesh Puja festivities. The CJI and his wife Kalpana Das were shown welcoming Modi in a video that was uploaded to X.

As the video went viral, several users expressed concerns that the PM’s visit to the CJI’s home could have serious implications for judicial impartiality.

In response to the controversy, Chandrachud stated that judges are mature enough to avoid discussing any legal matters during such visits.

“There is enough maturity among judges of constitutional courts and the heads of the executive to firmly keep judicial matters separate from any discussion,” the Chief Justice said.

“People think there are deals being made, but that is not the case. This is part of the robust dialogue between different branches of government. The work of all three branches is dedicated to the betterment of the nation,” he added.