Justice Bhushan Gavai, a noted Supreme Court judge, has been recommended for the position of next Chief Justice of India by current CJI Sanjiv Khanna. Gavai is set to become the second Dalit to hold this prestigious position, after Justice KG Balakrishnan in 2007. With notable judgements such as the abrogation of Article 370 and being a native of Maharashtra, Gavai is poised to make a mark during his approximately six-month term as CJI before his retirement in November.
The people of Haridwar's Singhdwar took to the streets to express their disappointment and anger towards Uttarakhand MP Trivendra Singh Rawat. The protesters accused Rawat of promoting illegal mining and failing to implement important development work in his four-year tenure as Chief Minister. They also alleged that Rawat's actions have insulted Dalits and the poor, and that the recent survey naming him as the "most unsuccessful Chief Minister" serves as proof of his failures. This demonstration is a clear sign of public discontent and anger towards Rawat's actions.
A student from the Dalit community, Shivam Sonkar, is protesting at Banaras Hindu University after being denied admission for a PhD program despite securing the second position in the entrance exam. Out of seven seats, only four have been filled, leaving three vacancies. Sonkar's protest has gained support from politicians and student groups, highlighting the discrimination and injustice in the admissions process. While the university claims that they cannot change the status of the seats, Sonkar and his supporters are raising questions about the transparency of the admission procedures.
In response to Congress leader Udit Raj's accusations against her, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati slammed the party for disregarding Babasaheb Ambedkar's movement for self-respect and dignity of millions of oppressed and exploited Dalits. She also warned the BSP to be cautious of opportunists and selfish Dalit leaders who make baseless statements to please their masters. The Congress' recent outreach to Dalit and OBC voters in Uttar Pradesh was seen as a direct attack on the BJP's stronghold in the upcoming state election.
Former MP and Congress leader Udit Raj urges Delhi's Dalit community not to vote for the AAP, accusing former CM Arvind Kejriwal of neglecting their interests. Citing the party's recent scheme to provide honorarium to certain religious leaders, Raj claims that the AAP is playing vote bank politics at the expense of Dalit welfare. The AAP, however, refutes these allegations, stating that it is committed to fulfilling the "dreams" of Dr. BR Ambedkar through initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Jai Bhim Yojana.
During the official Christmas celebrations in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, expressed his appreciation for the Christian community's contributions to education and healthcare. He also announced several initiatives to support Dalit Christians and stressed upon the importance of religious equality in the state. The event concluded with the Chief Minister cutting a ceremonial Christmas cake and promoting unity among all religions in Telangana.
Delhi's ruling party, AAP, has announced a scholarship scheme for Dalit students hoping to pursue higher education abroad. With the upcoming assembly polls in mind, party chief Arvind Kejriwal presented this initiative at the party headquarters, with other party leaders in attendance. Meanwhile, the BJP gears up for the elections by shortlisting candidates and stating that the manifesto will be shaped based on the feedback received from the people of Delhi. Additionally, AAP's door-to-door campaign aims to register beneficiaries under two prominent welfare schemes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently sparked controversy by claiming that the Congress party, under the leadership of Jawahar Lal Nehru, conspired to defeat Dalit icon BR Ambedkar in the 1951-52 Lok Sabha elections. This accusation was made in defense of his political confidante, Home Minister Amit Shah, who had stated that the constant mention of Ambedkar's name has become a "fashion" in Indian politics. However, historical records show that Ambedkar lost the elections to the Congress candidate not once, but twice. How did Ambedkar's relationship with Nehru affect his political career, and was his defeat really a result of Nehru's actions?
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has called for the release of CCTV footage showing the alleged physical altercation between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and a BJP MP in the Parliament complex. Baghel also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his 'inflammatory' comments regarding Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have refuted the accusations and retaliated with their own complaint. Baghel also expressed concerns over the law and order situation in Chhattisgarh under the BJP government.
After Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in Parliament on Tuesday in which he appeared to insult and belittle Dr. B R Ambedkar, the opposition has come together to demand his removal from the Cabinet. In response to the two-day debate celebrating the 75 years of the Indian Constitution, Shah had said, "had you chanted God's name these many times, you would have been blessed with heaven in seven births." This has sparked outrage among opposition parties who see it as a continued disrespect for Ambedkar and the Dalit community as a whole. The opposition is calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate action and remove Shah from his position, otherwise protests will be held across the country.