NEW DELHI: After a political row erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence to particpate in Ganpati Puja during the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festival, the BJP on Thursday hit back at the Opposition over criticising the visit, saying that the executive and judiciary praying before Gods, revered by crores of devotees across India, reflects the real strength of Indian secularism.

Reacting sharply on Opposition leaders’ criticism over PM Modi visiting CJI Chandrachud’s residence for Ganesh Puja, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav in a post on X said, ” The same people who applaud and encourage presence of Prime Ministers at Iftars find their guts twisting and turning when they see PM Modi perform Ganpati Poojan at CJI DY Chandrachud’s residence. The executive and judiciary praying before Gods revered by crores of devotees across India reflects the real strength of Indian secularism. ”

Meanwhile, addressing media at the BJP headquarters, party National Spokesperson Sambit Patra reminded the Opposition of the Iftar parties held during the UPA government’s tenure.

He said the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is from Maharashtra and had organised a Ganpati Puja at his home, naturally inviting several people. The BJP leader criticised those questioning the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, saying that the focus should be on the Ganpati Puja, not the meeting.

He further recalled that during the UPA era, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used to host Iftar parties, which the Chief Justice of that time also attended.

“Did they not meet then? Didn’t they sit at the same table and talk? That was also a festival (Iftar party), and this was also a festival (Ganpati Puja). So why object now? Why is there discrimination between these two festivals?” he questioned.

Patra also accused the opposition of playing politics over the Ganpati Puja, saying that PM Modi attended the puja at the CJI’s invitation, but some people are politicising it.

Agencies

Agencies