Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to social media to greet the nation on the 76th Republic Day, lauding the Constitution for guaranteeing justice, equality, and freedom to every citizen. While Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid homage to the makers of the Constitution, he also criticized the current government for weakening democratic institutions and curbing federalism, calling for their protection. Kharge also expressed gratitude to various sections of society, including armed forces, scientists, and farmers, for their contributions to nation-building.
Constitution Day: Congress Leaders Celebrate, Highlight its Significance
On the 76th Republic Day, Congress leaders took to social media to hail the Indian Constitution and its role in shaping the nation's identity.
Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Let us remember the ideals of our Constitution and strive to uphold them every day." Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed this sentiment, adding, "Our Constitution is a symbol of our unity, equality, and justice, let us cherish it and protect it."
Party President Mallikarjun Kharge released a statement expressing gratitude to the makers of the Constitution. However, he also criticized the current government, alleging that it was "weakening democratic institutions" and "curbing federalism."
Kharge urged the government to protect the Constitution and its principles. "Let us resolve to protect our democratic institutions, uphold federalism, and ensure that the rights and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution remain intact," he said.
Congress leaders also paid homage to the armed forces, scientists, farmers, and other sections of society for their contributions to nation-building.
Background:
The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, making India a republic. The Constitution guarantees a wide range of fundamental rights and duties to all citizens, including the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to life.
Over the years, the Constitution has been amended 104 times. Some of the notable amendments include the Right to Information Act in 2005, which gave citizens the right to access information from public authorities, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Amendment in 2016, which introduced a unified tax system in India.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What is the significance of Constitution Day? Constitution Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. It is an important occasion to celebrate the values of democracy, justice, and equality enshrined in the Constitution.
2. Who was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly? Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, which was tasked with drafting the Indian Constitution.
3. How many articles are there in the Indian Constitution? The Indian Constitution originally had 395 articles. With various amendments, the number of articles has increased to 470.
4. What is the importance of the Preamble to the Constitution? The Preamble to the Indian Constitution states the ideals and objectives of the nation. It declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.
5. What is the role of the judiciary in upholding the Constitution? The judiciary plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Constitution and interpreting its provisions. The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to declare laws and actions of the government unconstitutional if they violate the fundamental rights of citizens.
Thousands of citizens in Pune are rallying together through an online petition to demand the protection of their city's hills and hill slopes from any construction. The petition is addressed to the former Pune Municipal Commissioner and Chairman of the state-appointed Committee on Bio-Diversity Park and Hill Top Hill Slopes. The citizens are concerned that the committee's review may result in allowing construction on the hills, while strict measures have already been mandated by the government to prevent it. The citizens stress the importance of preserving these natural areas for the city's ecological balance and urge the government to uphold its promise to future generations.
After the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made during a key meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with discussions on potential actions being taken against Pakistan. As tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, Indian leaders have condemned Pakistan for their involvement in the attack and have vowed to take strong measures in response.
The Indian Army made its first major move since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, as they killed top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district. The security forces are on the hunt for the terrorists responsible for the brutal killing of 26 civilians and have launched a massive anti-terror operation. In other developments, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar for a security review meeting and the authorities demolished the houses of two suspected terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
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The Supreme Court has stepped in to warn Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his comments about India's independence activist Veer Savarkar, staying a trial court's summons to the politician. The top court emphasized that Savarkar is a highly respected figure in Maharashtra and stated that no one would be allowed to make derogatory remarks about freedom fighters. The court also pointed out that Gandhi's family has had a history of praising Savarkar and Gandhi himself has been warned that the court will take suo motu cognizance of any such remarks. Additionally, the article also mentions an attack in Jammu and Kashmir that has led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
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As the nation grapples with the aftermath of a terror attack in Pahalgam, security forces are undertaking a massive operation in the dense Karregutta hills forest to eliminate the heart of Naxal command. This operation, involving 7,000 personnel and cutting-edge technology, aims to strike a blow at Naxalism by targeting top leaders of the PLGA Battalion No. 1. This bold move by the CRPF, with the Director General personally overseeing the operation, marks a turning point in the fight against Maoist insurgency. With five Naxals already killed and more likely to come, the operation is being hailed as a decisive victory and could potentially spell the end of Naxalism in India.
The US Government has publicly criticized The New York Times for its reporting on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, calling attention to the difference between the newspaper's use of "militant" instead of "terrorist." This choice of words is not only misleading but also minimizes the severity of the attack, which was claimed by a Pakistan-based group with links to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee took to social media to point out the error and highlight the real nature of the attack, noting that it has significant implications for regional security.
Right-wing Hindu groups VHP and Bajrang Dal have given an ultimatum to a housing complex in Mumbai to remove their Kashmiri Muslim security guards within 48 hours, citing them as a potential threat to the residents. If they are not removed, the groups have threatened to take matters into their own hands. The police are investigating the situation while the security company handling the complex's security is considering its response to the threat. The letter from the Hindu groups also cites recent incidents of Hindu killings in Jammu and Kashmir as a reason for demanding the removal of the security guards.