"Nothing unusual": Maharashtra Deputy CM Fadnavis slams controversy over PM Modi's Ganesh Puja at CJI residence

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 12 : Questioning the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud's residence for Ganesh Puja, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that there's nothing unusual regarding PM Modi's visit, as earlier, Prime Ministers have hosted Iftar parties.
Fadnavis also shared an old news article showing former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosting an Iftar party in which then CJI K.G. Balakrishnan was also present with other prominent leaders from different parties.
"Ganeshotsav is celebrated all over the country. Ganaraya is being worshiped with fervor. Yesterday there was Mahalakshmi Pujan of Gauri-Ganpati too. Yesterday Prime Minister also performed aarti to Lord Ganaraya at the residence of CJI Dhananjay Chandrachudji. The Chief Justice is from Maharashtra. Every year they bring the idol of Ganaraya for worship from a special Maharashtrian person in Delhi," the Deputy CM posted on X in Marathi.
"But all of a sudden, the ecosystem became functional, as if the sky had fallen. The only difference is that earlier Prime Ministers used to host Iftar parties at their residences which were attended by the Chief Justice. But, now Prime Minister Narendra Modi went and performed Ganapati and Mahalakshmi Puja," he added.
During the Ganpati festival, Prime Minister Modi visited the Chief Justice's residence, where they jointly performed an Aarti.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut raised his concerns about the impartiality of CJI Chandrachud following PM Modi's visit to the CJI's house for Ganpati Puja. Raut, through his statements, tried to cast doubt on the Chief Justice's ability to deliver a fair judgment in the ongoing Maharashtra case, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Prabhu has challenged the ruling of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The ruling held that the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction is the 'real' Shiv Sena.
Raut questioned this interaction and said, "Look, it is Ganpati festival. How many people's houses has the Prime Minister visited so far? I don't have the information. Ganesh festival is celebrated in many places in Delhi, but the Prime Minister went to the Chief Justice's house, and the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice together performed the Aarti."
Raut's claimed his concerns arise from the fact that the Maharashtra case, involving allegations against the current state government, is under Chief Justice Chandrachud's review.
Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival, will continue until Anantha Chaturdashi. This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi.
During Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Devotees across India and abroad celebrate Lord Ganesha's wisdom and intelligence.
Homes and pandals are adorned with elaborate decorations, and the air is filled with prayers, music, and festive chants. The streets come alive with vibrant processions and traditional rituals as people prepare delicious offerings and visit the beautifully decorated pandals.