Amid the controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in Ganpati Puja at Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence, Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal on Thursday said that people in the highest positions should not publicise a private event. Sibal said that no one should put themselves in a situation where people start blabbering about an institution. Sibal said, “I saw something on social media and to be honest, I was shocked.”
Senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Sibal also said that the Prime Minister should never have shown interest in attending such a private event and those he consulted should have told him that it could send the wrong message. Modi had participated in Ganpati Puja at Chief Justice Chandrachud’s residence in Delhi on Wednesday.
Sharing a photo of him attending the Puja, PM Modi wrote on ‘X’, “Attended Ganesh Puja at the residence of CJI Justice DY Chandrachud ji. May Lord Ganesha bless us all with happiness, prosperity and wonderful health.” Kapil Sibal said, “I have been in the Supreme Court and in this institution for more than 50 years. I have seen great judges, both former and present, and we are passionate about this institution.”
Kapil Sibal said in a press conference, “I have great respect for the current Chief Justice. I can say without any hesitation that he is a person of great personal integrity. When I saw this viral clip, I was really shocked.” Sibal said that he has some issues in principle and no public official, especially those in the highest position like the President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India, should publicize a private event.
The former Congress leader said, “I am sure that the CJI may not have known that it was being publicised, it is sad. Secondly, the Prime Minister of India should never have shown interest in going to such a private event, because the Prime Minister and the people he would have consulted should have told him that this could send the wrong signal.”
He said that the issue is what impression such a clip would have left on the minds of the people. Sibal said that if there is any gossip about it, then it is not right for the institution. He said, “My religion and my way of expression in terms of my beliefs is a private matter and it is not public. Therefore there should be no videography or photographing.” Earlier, senior advocate Indira Jaisingh had said in a post that the Chief Justice has compromised with the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.
