Samajwadi Party MP RK Chaudhary's demand for the removal of the Sengol sceptre from the Lok Sabha and its replacement with the Constitution stirred controversy. Chaudhary, in his letter, labelled the Sengol as an "anachronistic symbol of monarchy" and called for its removal to uphold the values of democracy. The BJP and other NDA allies criticised his remarks, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Samajwadi Party and its allies of displaying a disregard for Indian culture and history.
Demanding Removal of the Sengol Sceptre from the Lok Sabha: A Controversy
Background:
The Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament, has traditionally used the Sengol (or mace) as a symbol of authority and order. The Sengol, inherited from the British colonial era, is a silver-gilt ceremonial staff surmounted by a golden orb and a royal crown.
Controversy Sparks:
Recently, Samajwadi Party MP RK Chaudhary ignited controversy by writing a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, demanding the removal of the Sengol and its replacement with the Indian Constitution. Chaudhary argued that the Sengol is an "anachronistic symbol of monarchy" that has no place in a democratic parliament.
Reactions:
Chaudhary's demand sparked strong reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies condemned his remarks as an insult to Indian culture and history. BJP MP Subramanian Swamy accused Choudhary of "contempt of Parliament" and demanded his suspension.
In contrast, opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), extended support to Chaudhary's proposal. They argued that the Sengol represents a colonial past that should be replaced with symbols that better reflect India's democratic values.
Arguments for Removal:
Proponents of removing the Sengol argue that:
Arguments for Retention:
Those who support retaining the Sengol contend that:
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
The prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) faced backlash from students, political leaders, and activists after their decision to dismiss 100 teaching and non-teaching staff due to lack of funds. The Progressive Students' Forum (PSF) and other student bodies condemned the mass termination and urged the administration to revoke the order. Meanwhile, opposition parties like CPI (M) and RJD criticized the BJP-led government for its "misplaced priorities" in higher education. The institute has now withdrawn the order after the Tata Education Trust assured to provide necessary resources.
After a three-month hiatus due to the Model Code of Conduct for the election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought back his popular radio show, Mann Ki Baat. In its 111th episode, he highlighted the unique and diverse contributions of communities in India, from Kerala's Karthumbi umbrellas to Andhra Pradesh's Araku coffee to Kashmir's snow peas. He also congratulated the 65 crore voters and everyone involved in the successful execution of the world's largest election. Here are 10 things he spoke about in the episode.
An investigation by the CBI has uncovered a major corruption racket involving 14 officials and 18 agents at two Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) centres in Mumbai. The officials were found to have colluded with the agents to issue passports based on inadequate or incomplete documents, or by manipulating personal data of applicants. The CBI has also seized mobile phones and evidence of suspicious transactions worth lakhs during their search operation at 33 locations.
BJP MLA T Raja Singh demands the cancellation of comedian Daniel Fernandes' show in Hyderabad after a video featuring insensitive jokes on the Jain community goes viral. In a stern warning, Singh threatens to have the show cancelled and threatens physical violence against Fernandes if he dares to perform. This incident has sparked a debate on the limits of comedy and the role of politicians in censoring free speech.
General Upendra Dwivedi, a decorated and experienced officer, has taken charge as the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. He has a distinguished career spanning over three decades, with a balanced exposure in different regions and operational environments. General Dwivedi's appointment comes at a crucial time when India is facing multiple security challenges along its northern, western, and eastern borders. As COAS, he will be responsible for the strategic planning and oversight of operations in these areas, as well as guiding the modernization and self-reliance efforts of the Indian Army.
In a press conference in Pune, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar announced that his party, along with the Congress and the Shiv Sena, will form a coalition to contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls in October. Mr. Pawar emphasized the moral responsibility of major Opposition parties to protect the interests of smaller allies, and called for a change in the State.
The Assam Police have confirmed the arrest of nine individuals, including the prime accused, in connection with a marksheet scam at Gauhati University. The crackdown, which has spanned multiple locations including Guwahati, Barpeta, and Dhubri, came to light after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared startling revelations during a press briefing in Barpeta. Sarma noted that the Barpeta police and CID are handling the case with confidentiality, but raised concerns that similar scams could be occurring in other universities. It is important to note that the scam was uncovered after discrepancies were detected in the marks of an undergraduate student at Ganeshlal Choudhary College in Barpeta Road.
Union Ministers, BJP and JD(S) MPs from Karnataka have submitted a joint memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, criticizing the state government's handling of finances. They claim that the state's fiscal situation has deteriorated due to mismanagement, leading to high inflation and increased borrowings. However, Siddaramaiah dismisses the allegations, stating that the state's financial condition is under control.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the alleged paper leak case of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG). The controversy began when the results were declared on June 4, resulting in arrests, an expert committee, and calls for a parliamentary debate by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. President Droupadi Murmu also addressed the issue during a joint session of both Houses.
As India prepares to enforce new criminal laws on July 1, many wonder if the country's police forces are adequately prepared for the changes. The laws, meant to address issues of forced displacement and discrimination against minority groups such as Muslims and Adivasis, raise concerns about how they will be enforced and if they will truly address the underlying issues. This development also highlights the role of moral diplomacy in realpolitik, as seen in India's strained relationships with Israel, Palestine, and Myanmar under the leadership of Janata Dal (United) and PV Narasimha Rao.