Thu Sep 12 15:58:05 UTC 2024: ## PM Modi’s Ganpati Puja Visit to CJI Sparks Debate on Separation of Powers

**New Delhi:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for a Ganpati Puja on Ganesh Chaturthi has ignited a heated debate over the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive.

The visit has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and legal experts, who argue that it undermines the independence of the judiciary and blurs the constitutional boundaries. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, a vocal advocate for judicial independence, called for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to condemn the visit, stating that it compromised the crucial separation of powers.

In response, BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh defended PM Modi’s visit, calling it a personal religious activity that should not be politicized. He dismissed the criticism as an overreach into routine social or religious interactions.

However, opposition parties, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have accused the BJP of using religious events for political advantage. AAP MP Sanjay Singh criticized the BJP for using worship for political gains, a recurring allegation leveled against the ruling party.

Further fueling the controversy, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya countered the criticism by pointing out instances during the UPA era when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted Iftar parties attended by the then Chief Justice of India. He accused the Congress and its allies of hypocrisy, suggesting that similar events involving Congress leaders were praised for their secular spirit, while PM Modi’s attendance at a Hindu festival drew criticism.

The debate highlights the long-standing political rivalry between the BJP and Congress over religious and secular optics in the Indian political landscape. The incident has brought to the forefront the crucial question of maintaining a robust separation of powers, a principle essential to the functioning of a democratic society.

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