New Delhi, September 17, 2024 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharply criticized the Congress party and its allies for their reactions to his participation in the Ganesh Puja at Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud’s residence. Speaking at a rally in Bhubaneswar, Modi accused his detractors of employing divisive tactics akin to those used by British colonial rulers, highlighting the historical significance of Ganesh Utsav in unifying communities against oppressive governance.

The controversy erupted when opposition leaders, including those from Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), questioned the propriety of Modi’s visit, suggesting it might influence judicial proceedings involving their parties. Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena even hinted at potential bias in ongoing court cases due to this meeting.

“The celebration of Ganesh Utsav has once again become a point of contention, much like it did during the British colonial era,” – PM Narendra Modi

However, Modi, in his speech, drew a parallel between today’s political environment and the era when Bal Gangadhar Tilak used Ganesh Utsav to mobilize Indian masses against British rule. “The celebration of Ganesh Utsav has once again become a point of contention, much like it did during the British colonial era,” Modi stated, emphasizing the festival’s role in fostering unity and cultural identity.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come in the wake of a robust defense from BJP and legal experts who argue that the event was a private affair, devoid of any political or judicial implications. This perspective contrasts sharply with critics like senior advocate Indira Jaising, who mocked the judicial independence, suggesting the meeting blurred lines between the judiciary and the executive.

“Even today, the power-hungry people who are busy in dividing and breaking society are having problems with Ganesh Puja,” – PM Narendra Modi

Modi’s critique also touched upon a broader pattern of the Congress party and its ecosystem employing divisive tactics. “Even today, the power-hungry people who are busy in dividing and breaking society are having problems with Ganesh Puja,” he remarked, implicitly drawing a line from colonial divide-and-rule strategies to current political criticisms.

The Ganesh Puja at CJI’s residence has thus not only reignited a political debate but has also stirred a cultural discourse around the festival’s symbolism in Indian politics and society. While opposition parties continue to question the implications of such high-profile interactions on the judiciary’s autonomy, Modi’s speech underscores his narrative of cultural unity and national integration, placing the Ganesh Utsav at the heart of India’s socio-political discourse.

This incident, therefore, serves as a microcosm of the larger ideological battle in Indian politics, where Hindu festivals are repeatedly mocked by opposition in an attempt to denigrade PM Modi, who on his part, doesn’t shy away from celebrating his Hindu identity publically, unlike past leaders.