The Congress party has demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defending Union Home Minister Amit Shah's controversial remarks about Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Party leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pramod Tiwari accused the BJP of behaving in a fascist manner and expressed disappointment that no FIR has been filed in their complaint about the incident involving BJP and Congress MPs. Tiwari also highlighted the disrespectful and insulting tone of Amit Shah's speech, and Gogoi revealed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has requested an inquiry into the incident where he fell due to the actions of BJP MPs.
Ambedkar Controversy: Congress Demands Apology for Amit Shah's Remarks
Background:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was a prominent Indian jurist, reformer, and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. His contributions to the Dalit (formerly known as Untouchables) community, the abolition of caste discrimination, and the drafting of the Indian Constitution have earned him widespread reverence.
Current Controversy:
On December 6, 2022, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made controversial remarks about Dr. Ambedkar during a speech in Gujarat. Shah claimed that Ambedkar was opposed to the reservation system for the backward classes, which has long been a pillar of Indian society.
These remarks sparked a fierce backlash from the Congress party, which accused Shah of distorting history and disrespecting the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. Congress leaders demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who defended Shah's comments.
Congress's Response:
Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pramod Tiwari condemned Shah's remarks as "fascist" and expressed disappointment that no FIR had been filed in response to their complaint about the incident involving BJP and Congress MPs.
Tiwari highlighted the disrespectful and insulting tone of Shah's speech, while Gogoi revealed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had requested an inquiry into the incident where he fell due to the actions of BJP MPs.
BJP's Defense:
Prime Minister Modi defended Shah's remarks, stating that Ambedkar had indeed expressed reservations about the reservation system. However, Modi emphasized that Ambedkar's views had evolved over time, and that he ultimately supported the system as a temporary measure to uplift marginalized communities.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What were Amit Shah's controversial remarks about Ambedkar?
Shah claimed that Ambedkar was opposed to the reservation system for backward classes, which has long been a pillar of Indian society.
2. Why did the Congress party demand an apology?
The Congress accused Shah of distorting history and disrespecting the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar.
3. What was the BJP's response to the controversy?
Prime Minister Modi defended Shah's remarks, stating that Ambedkar had indeed expressed reservations about the reservation system.
4. What is the significance of the reservation system in India?
The reservation system, also known as affirmative action, is a government policy that sets aside a certain percentage of positions in education and government jobs for members of historically disadvantaged communities, such as the Dalits.
5. What is the relationship between Dr. Ambedkar and the reservation system?
Dr. Ambedkar was instrumental in drafting the Indian Constitution, which includes provisions for the reservation system. However, his views on the system evolved over time, and he ultimately supported it as a temporary measure to uplift marginalized communities.
As Trump spoke to the Israeli parliament, members of the joint Hadash-Ta’al party disrupted the proceedings, holding up a sign that read "Genocide." They were swiftly removed by security personnel, while other members chanted in support of Trump. Amidst the chaos, Trump remarked on the efficiency of the protesters' removal. One of the expelled members later posted on social media, criticizing Netanyahu's government for committing "crimes against humanity" and advocating for the end of the occupation and recognition of Palestinian statehood.
During his address at the Knesset, US President Donald Trump was interrupted by two members of the Knesset, Ofer Cassif and Ayman Odeh, who were later escorted out by security. This comes after the release of 20 living hostages who had been in captivity for over two years, a conflict that Trump played a crucial role in ending. However, the President's speech was met with protests due to his statements about Gaza and the demand to release the Epstein files.
After two years of war and devastation in Gaza, Hamas has released all 20 of the last living hostages as part of a breakthrough ceasefire deal with Israel. The prisoners will be transported to the West Bank and Gaza Strip while US President Donald Trump is in the region to discuss postwar plans with other leaders. While questions still remain about the future, this marks a significant step towards ending the ongoing conflict and providing much-needed relief to the famine-stricken Gaza.
A joint inquiry committee has submitted recommendations for disciplinary action against the Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, and other officials involved in an investigation into the infection of 31 dialysis patients with HIV at Nishtar Hospital. These recommendations were made under the PEDA Act following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The committee found that Dr Khakwani failed to implement and monitor SOPs, leading to the outbreak, and has recommended her removal and one-year suspension from public service.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family are facing charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating in the IRCTC 'scam' case. Despite pleading 'not guilty' in the Delhi court, they have been accused of favouring a private company in awarding contracts for two IRCTC hotels in exchange for prime land in Patna. The CBI filed a charge sheet against Prasad, his wife Rabri, and their son Tejashwi in 2018.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders have faced further extensions of remand and a lack of access to legal representatives since March, when they were arrested for peacefully protesting enforced disappearances. In a recent hearing, the Pakistani authorities chose to hold the proceedings inside a prison rather than an open courtroom, effectively barring families, journalists, and neutral observers from attending. This move has been condemned as a deliberate attempt to suppress transparency and further institutionalize the criminalization of peaceful political dissent in the region.
A Delhi court formally charged Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav with corruption, conspiracy, and cheating in the alleged IRCTC scam case. The trial will proceed after all the accused pleaded not guilty. The case involves allegations of corruption in the allocation of maintenance contracts for IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister. The court heard arguments from both the prosecution and defence before reserving its order.
On the International Day of Older Persons, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced a range of initiatives for the welfare of senior citizens. These include setting up of modern old-age homes, a service center for repairing assistive devices, and deploying 25 de-addiction awareness vans. The CM also stressed the importance of respecting and caring for the elderly, and highlighted the various welfare schemes currently benefiting over 14 lakh senior citizens in the state. The event also featured cultural performances and a health camp for the elderly.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement on the Durgapur gangrape case has sparked intense controversy, with the opposition accusing her of victim shaming. Banerjee, while speaking about the incident, questioned why the victim was out at 12:30 am, leading to backlash and allegations of insensitivity towards the victim. The chief minister has clarified her statement, denying any intention of victim shaming and reiterating her commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, the BJP has used the incident to criticize the safety of women under the current regime and questioned the timing of Banerjee's remark.
In a significant shift in policy, Pakistan has denounced the Afghan Taliban as illegitimate and accused them of carrying out attacks on the Pak-Afghan border. This marks a drastic change from their previous endorsement of the Taliban government and signals a rupture in their once-close relationship. Experts believe that this shift is a forced decision in response to Taliban defiance and increased violence from TTP, revealing Pakistan's loss of influence over the Taliban leadership. This move also signifies the downfall of Pakistan's long-standing strategic depth doctrine, which relied on a friendly Afghan regime as a counterweight against India.