PM Modi reacts amid row over CJI house visit: 'Congress frustrated because ...'

A controversy erupted hours after a video showing CJI Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, welcoming Modi at their house on September 11, was widely shared on social media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on Congress and “its ecosystem” over criticism of his participation in the Ganesh Chaturthi at the residence of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

He said that those engaged in “tearing apart society” are troubled by the worshipping of Ganesha. Addressing a gathering in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar, after the inauguration of various projects, the PM said, "Ganesh Utsav is not just a matter of belief for us. During the fight for the country’s independence, Lok Manya Tilak, through Ganesh Puja, united the people of the nation. Today also, when there is Ganesh Puja, people from all communities take part in it."

According to PM Modi, those who divide India cannot accept the festivities of Ganpati Puja. "During the British time, people had a problem with Ganesh Utsav, the same is being witnessed now. Even today, those who want to divide society, have problems with Ganesh Utsav. The Congress and its ecosystem is frustrated because I took part in Ganesh Puja,” said the PM.

A controversy erupted after a video showing PM Modi celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with CJI Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, at their house on September 11, was widely shared on social media.

The PM Modi on Tuesday inaugurated  "Subhadra", a flagship initiative by the Odisha Government designed to benefit over one crore women in the state. Women aged between 21 and 60 will receive Rs 50,000 over five years via direct bank transfers, ensuring transparency and eliminating intermediaries, thus empowering them financially.