On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, senior AAP leaders called on Delhi residents to vote for their party to save the Constitution. They accused the BJP of planning to abolish reservation for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes if they come to power. The AAP leaders and workers read the Preamble of the Constitution and took an oath to save it. They also spoke about their achievements in Delhi and called out the BJP for its arrest of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the AAP's campaign as a "flop show" and promoted the BJP's own candidate.
Ambedkar Jayanti: AAP, BJP Engage in Political Sparring
Background:
Ambedkar Jayanti is an annual celebration held on April 14 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar was a social reformer, jurist, and Dalit rights activist who played a pivotal role in shaping India's political and social landscape.
AAP Alleges BJP's Anti-Reservation Stance:
On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of planning to abolish reservations for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes if elected to power. They claimed that the BJP's policies were a threat to the Constitution and social justice.
AAP workers and leaders gathered at various locations in Delhi, reading the Preamble of the Constitution and taking an oath to protect it. They also highlighted their achievements in governance, such as providing free electricity and water, and improving education and healthcare.
BJP Dismissal and Counter-Campaign:
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed AAP's campaign as a "flop show" and accused the party of spreading "lies" about the BJP. Sachdeva promoted the BJP's candidate, Hans Raj Hans, for the Lok Sabha by-election in Delhi.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Ambedkar Jayanti and Current Events:
1. Who is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar? Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a social reformer, jurist, and Dalit rights activist who is considered the architect of the Indian Constitution. He played a key role in the drafting and enactment of the Constitution, which abolished untouchability and established equal rights for all citizens regardless of caste or religion.
2. What is the significance of Ambedkar Jayanti? Ambedkar Jayanti is an annual celebration held on April 14 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It is a day to pay tribute to his legacy and the contributions he made to India's social and political development.
3. What is the AAP's stance on reservations? The AAP has consistently supported reservations for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes. The party believes that reservations are essential for ensuring social justice and addressing the historical discrimination faced by these communities.
4. What is the BJP's position on reservations? The BJP has not explicitly stated its position on reservations, but some members of the party have expressed views critical of the current reservation policy. The BJP has been accused of supporting a "merit-based" approach to education and employment, which could potentially undermine the system of reservations.
5. What is the current political situation in Delhi? The BJP is the ruling party in Delhi, while the AAP is the main opposition party. There is a Lok Sabha by-election scheduled for June 23, 2023, in which both parties are contesting. The by-election is being seen as a test of the AAP's popularity and the BJP's ability to retain its dominance in Delhi.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rejected food consignments from various countries, citing concerns over food safety and quality. This decision highlights India's growing vigilance in regulating food imports and safeguarding public health. Stakeholders are urged to ensure compliance with safety norms to avoid similar rejections in the future. With increasing scrutiny on imported goods, the rejection of these consignments reflects the FSSAI's commitment to enforcing strict regulations and protecting consumer interests in the face of global supply chain challenges.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a well-known Hindu leader in Bangladesh, has been arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on charges of sedition. His arrest has sparked protests and drawn international attention to the ongoing religious tensions and discrimination against minorities in the country. Despite efforts by his legal team, he has been denied bail and transferred to jail. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also expressed deep concern over the incident and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.
On Constitution Day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi, accusing him and the RSS of working against the principles of the Indian Constitution. He stressed the importance of understanding and upholding its values, and reiterated Congress' commitment to conducting caste-based censuses in states where they are in power. Gandhi also highlighted the need for representation of marginalized communities in fields like education and media to dismantle systemic discrimination.
The results of the by-elections for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh held on November 20 this week have been declared, with the NDA-BJP alliance securing a majority of seats. The ruling party’s dominance in the state has been reaffirmed with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attributing the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and their commitment to security, good governance, and public welfare. The Samajwadi Party’s win in the Sisamau seat has been the only exception to the BJP-RLD alliance’s success.
The state government of Punjab has issued a show cause notice to the Lovely Professional University (LPU) for violating government orders to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The notice, issued on Thursday, asks LPU to explain within seven days why their no objection certificate should not be revoked for endangering the lives of 3,200 people. Despite orders from the higher education minister to suspend teaching activities, LPU continued to function, ignoring social distancing norms and keeping the district administration in the dark.
After the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory in Maharashtra Assembly elections, current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has submitted his resignation to the Governor. As the term of the current government ends today, Shinde will serve as caretaker CM until a new leader is sworn in. All eyes are on who will secure the CM post, with BJP MLAs supporting Fadnavis. Meanwhile, rituals and pujas are being conducted in over 100 temples for Shinde's continuation as CM in the Mahayuti 2.0 government yet to be formed.
Following the landslide victory of the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde has resigned as Chief Minister and been appointed as caretaker by the Governor. However, the suspense over who will be the next chief minister continues as the Aghadi alliance's dream to wrest power has been shattered. Despite their thumping victory, the Mahayuti coalition has been delayed in forming the government due to the Shiv Sena's insistence on Shinde continuing as chief minister.
Six people, including security personnel, have been killed and over 100 injured as protests turned violent in Islamabad. The government has deployed the army and ordered them to shoot on sight. The protests, demanding the release of ex-PM Imran Khan, come amidst political tension in the country. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also invoked the Constitution in a recent speech, suggesting that the issue may play a role in the 2024 elections.
The Supreme Court of India has rejected three petitions requesting the removal of the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Indian Constitution's Preamble. The Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, stated that the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution extends to the Preamble as well. The court also clarified that the terms 'secular' and 'socialist' are integral to the Constitution and do not restrict the government's economic policies or private initiatives.
As India celebrates the 75th anniversary of its Constitution, the political scene is abuzz with discussions on its teachings and values. The Congress has requested two days in Parliament to discuss the document, while President Droupadi Murmu stressed its significance in a joint sitting. The Supreme Court also upheld the validity of ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ in the Preamble, with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to uphold the sanctity of our democratic institutions and promote informed citizenship.