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The article tackles a recent controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud's residence for Ganpati Puja. The visit sparked outrage from opposition parties and activist lawyers, who raised concerns about the separation of powers and potential compromise of judicial impartiality. They argued that the meeting, especially for a religious event, could influence the CJI's future judgments in favor of the government.
The article challenges these claims by delving into historical precedent. It cites the autobiography of Justice PB Gajendragadkar, a former CJI during Jawaharlal Nehru's era, to demonstrate that such interactions between high-ranking officials and judiciary figures have occurred throughout history. Gajendragadkar, a religious man himself, participated in religious events and held discussions with Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at his residence without facing accusations of impropriety. This historical context highlights the hypocrisy of the current criticism, suggesting that the objections are politically motivated.
Furthermore, the article details instances of questionable relationships between past governments and Supreme Court judges. It exposes the involvement of Congress leaders in appointing judges based on personal loyalty and political agendas, citing the examples of Justice AN Ray, Justice SC Roy, and Justice Baharul Islam. These instances, the author argues, are far more egregious than Modi's recent visit, highlighting the selective outrage and double standards employed by the opposition. The article concludes by emphasizing that the Indian Constitution does not prohibit interactions between the executive and judicial branches, and the current controversy is simply a tactic to discredit Modi and Chandrachud.
Source: Those Attacking Modi And Chandrachud Must Search Their Own Conscience