Amidst a dispute over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at a Ganpati Puja at Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s home, Rajya Sabha Member Kapil Sibal stated on Thursday that those in positions of authority shouldn’t publicise a private gathering. He advised against putting oneself in a position where someone could spread rumours about an institution.
Senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association president Sibal said that the prime minister should never have expressed interest in attending such a private function since he and others he had to consult should have warned him that it could convey the wrong message. “This issue is not the individual, the issue is what impact such a clip has on the minds of people. And if there is gossip around it then it is not fair on the institution. You should not lend yourself in a situation, where people can gossip about the institution and start speculating,” Live Law quoted Sibal as saying.
Modi took part in the Ganpati puja at Chief Justice Chandrachud’s Delhi home on Wednesday. He even posted a photo with CJI on X, formerly Twitter. He wrote, “Joined Ganesh puja at the residence of CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud ji. May Bhagwan Shri Ganesh bless us all with happiness, prosperity and wonderful health.”
Reacting to this, Sibal at a press conference said that he saw something being circulated on social media and was taken aback. “I have been in the Supreme Court and in this institution for over 50 years. I have seen the greatest of judges, both past and present, and we are passionate about the institution. I have great respect for the present Chief Justice. I can say without any hesitation that he is a man of great personal integrity. I was really surprised when I saw this clip that was going viral,” he added.
Sibal stated that he had certain ethical concerns and insisted that no public official, particularly those in positions of authority like president, prime minister or chief justice of India ought to publicise a private function. He further said that it is regrettable to think that the CJI might not have been aware that this was being publicised. Both the prime minister and those he needed to consult advised him against it since it may send the wrong message.
The issue is not individual, the issue is what impact such a clip has on the minds of people, he said. If there is gossip around it then it is not fair on the institution, Sibal said. “You should not lend yourself to be in a situation where people can gossip about the institution and start speculating. My religion and my way of expressing myself in the context of my beliefs is a private matter, it is not a public matter. Therefore, there should be no videography or photographs,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)