On the occasion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary, NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh has stated that people are determined to not let the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) make any changes to the Indian Constitution. Amidst talks of changing the Constitution if BJP secures 400 seats, Deshmukh has reassured that the people will not let this happen. Deekshabhoomi, a pilgrimage centre of Buddhism in India, also holds great significance among the followers of Dr. Ambedkar on this day.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary: Preserving the Constitution amid BJP's Aspirations
On April 14th, India commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a towering figure in the nation's history and the architect of its Constitution. This year marks the 134th anniversary of his birth, highlighting the enduring legacy of his contributions to Indian society.
Background
Dr. Ambedkar was born into an untouchable Mahar caste in 1891, a time of rampant caste-based discrimination in India. Overcoming immense challenges, he rose through his brilliance and determination, becoming India's first Law Minister and the principal drafter of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution enshrined the principles of equality, liberty, and social justice, solidifying India as a democratic republic.
Current Context
The anniversary comes amidst speculation that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may attempt to amend the Constitution if it secures 400 seats in the next general election. These concerns arise from statements made by BJP leaders suggesting a desire to align the Constitution with their ideological beliefs.
Public Resistance
However, NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh has asserted that the Indian people will not tolerate any attempts to alter the Constitution. Deekshabhoomi, where Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in 1956, remains a significant symbol of his legacy and serves as a rallying point for his followers.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: Why is Dr. Ambedkar's birth anniversary celebrated?
A: To commemorate his role as the principal drafter of the Indian Constitution and his contributions to social justice.
Q: What are the concerns about the BJP's potential constitutional amendments?
A: Concerns arise from statements that suggest a desire to align the Constitution with the BJP's ideological beliefs.
Q: Who is leading the resistance against potential amendments?
A: NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh and other opposition leaders have stated that the public will not tolerate changes to the Constitution.
Q: What is the significance of Deekshabhoomi?
A: Deekshabhoomi is a pilgrimage center of Buddhism and a symbol of Dr. Ambedkar's legacy, where he converted to Buddhism in 1956.
Q: How can the public support the preservation of the Constitution?
A: By actively engaging in civic discourse, participating in demonstrations, and raising awareness about the potential threats to the Constitution.
Conclusion
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Indian Constitution. As concerns mount about potential attempts to amend the charter, the spirit of resistance exemplified by Anil Deshmukh and the followers gathered at Deekshabhoomi highlights the people's determination to safeguard the principles enshrined by Dr. Ambedkar.
King Charles and actor Idris Elba hold a summit at St James's Palace to address the devastating impact of knife crime on young people. The King was moved by the story of a campaigner who overcame his own stabbing incident by taking up boxing, and emphasized the importance of directing energy towards positive activities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has personally met with grieving parents of knife crime victims, shares the government's goal to halve knife crime in a decade and enact new laws such as Ronan's Law, which bans ninja swords.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State has announced the commencement of the 2025 annual vacation for the state's high courts, with a designated vacation judge to handle urgent matters. The announcement was made through an official notification in the gazette, in accordance with Order 8 Rules 2011. According to the Chief Judge, the designated vacation period will not exceed six weeks and the courts will not be sitting during this time, except for urgent matters or at the request of all parties involved. The appointment of Justice Yahaya Goje as the vacation judge was also announced in the statement.
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition filed by a lawyer named Asif Azad, who sought directions to quash a cheque dishonour case against him. In the course of the hearing, Azad refused to argue his case, insisting that the judge, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, should not hear it as he had imposed costs on Azad in a previous matter. The court, however, clarified that each case is decided on its own merits and that litigants cannot dictate or choose which judge hears their case, emphasizing the need to respect the roster system determined by the Chief Justice.
In a significant development, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was granted bail by an MP-MLA Special Magistrate Court in Lucknow. Gandhi had been accused of making defamatory statements against Indian soldiers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. He had personally appeared before the court and surrendered to seek bail, with his counsel arguing for his innocence. The bail was granted on the condition of furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with two sureties. This comes after the Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea challenging the defamation case and the summoning order, stating that freedom of speech and expression does not cover defamatory statements against individuals or institutions. The next hearing is scheduled for August 13.
Congress leader Udit Raj's remarks about a Dalit or OBC candidate deserving to be chosen for India's Axiom-4 space mission instead of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla have sparked controversy. ISRO has stated that Shukla's 15-day mission in space will play a significant role in the Gaganyaan program. With the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS set for a splashdown on Tuesday, Udit Raj's comments have raised important questions about representation in India's space exploration history.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated the importance of the ongoing eviction drive in the state, not only to protect the forests but also to thwart a larger conspiracy to alter the demographic profile of Upper Assam. The government has reclaimed over 160 square kilometers of land from alleged illegal settlers, with a focus on addressing both environmental and demographic encroachment. CM Sarma highlighted the recent eviction drive in Lakhimpur, revealing that many of the evictees were not landless, but already owned homes in their districts of origin.
Ever since the sudden surge in crimes across Bihar, opposition parties have been relentlessly attacking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government. With over 50 murders reported in just the first 14 days of this month, the law and order situation in the state has become a major political issue. Leaders from both RJD and Congress have blamed the CM for being unable to control the situation and prioritize his own position instead. In response, the Deputy CM has hit back at the opposition, asserting that the government is taking strict measures to tackle crime and blaming past administration's actions for encouraging criminals.
In a significant milestone for Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government has managed to free over 12,000 hectares of land from illegal encroachment over the past four years. The efforts are seen as crucial in safeguarding the state's land, identity, and cultural fabric from the "existential threats" of infiltration and planned demographic changes. Taking to social media, Sarma highlighted that this year, over 160 square kilometers of land have been reclaimed, which accounts for almost 75 percent of Guwahati's total area.
With the crucial Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a plan to employ one crore youth in the next five years. This decision, seen as a strategic move by the ruling NDA government, aims to counter the opposition's criticism of rising unemployment in the state. A new university dedicated to skill development, named after a renowned leader, will also be launched to equip youth with necessary skills for job opportunities. This initiative is expected to accelerate the pace of government jobs and employment in the state.
Sources have confirmed that the Bihar Cabinet meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, will focus on expanding welfare schemes and addressing the hot-button issue of reservation. With election season looming, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to announce revised benefits for the youth, elderly, women, and farmers, as well as review the 65% reservation bill and push for implementation of 35% reservation for women in state jobs. The decisions made during this meeting could have a major impact on the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections.