Controversy Surrounds PM Modi’s Visit to CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Amid Concerns Over Judicial Independence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud’s residence to participate in Ganpati Puja has ignited a heated debate regarding the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.
The event, held on September 11, saw PM Modi, dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire, perform religious rituals alongside CJI Chandrachud and his wife at their New Delhi residence. This public display has sparked concerns among legal experts, political figures, and the general public about its potential implications for the perceived impartiality and autonomy of the judiciary.
Criticism from Legal Experts
Following the event, prominent legal figures and political leaders voiced their concerns. Indira Jaising, a renowned lawyer, criticized CJI Chandrachud for what she perceived as a compromise of judicial independence. She urged the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to publicly condemn the interaction, describing it as a “publicly displayed compromise” of the CJI’s neutrality. Jaising called for a clear stance from the SCBA to safeguard the independence of the judiciary.
Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan echoed these concerns, arguing that such interactions could undermine the judiciary’s role in upholding fundamental rights and ensuring government accountability. Bhushan emphasized the necessity of maintaining a clear separation between the executive and the judiciary to preserve the dignity and autonomy of the judicial office.
Political Reactions
Political leaders also weighed in on the issue. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut questioned the appropriateness of CJI Chandrachud hosting PM Modi, particularly given ongoing cases involving the Maharashtra government that fall under the CJI’s purview. Raut suggested that such interactions could potentially erode public trust in the judiciary and called for the CJI to recuse himself from cases involving the central government to avoid any appearance of bias.
Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed concern over the timing of the visit amidst the ongoing hearings related to Maharashtra’s political situation. She hoped that after the Ganpati festivities, the CJI would prioritize concluding these hearings, implying that the timing of the visit could influence public perception of judicial impartiality.
BJP’s Defense
In response to the backlash, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the visit as a cultural engagement rather than a political maneuver. BJP national organizing secretary B.L. Santhosh dismissed the criticism as coming from “left liberals” who, in his view, are unable to appreciate the cultural and civil aspects of the event. He framed the visit as a celebration of Ganpati Puja, asserting that it was not intended to breach judicial propriety.
The BJP’s response emphasizes the cultural and civic nature of the visit, aiming to refocus the narrative away from concerns of judicial impartiality.
