In a public event in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi sparked controversy by stating that secularism is not an Indian concept but a European one. He also criticized former prime minister Indira Gandhi for introducing the concept into the Constitution in 1976. His statements have met with sharp criticism from senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore, who called out the governor's misconceptions and urged him to practice restraint in his statements as a constitutional functionary.
Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has taken a stand against the alleged adulteration of the famous Tirupati laddu prasadam. He has faced criticism for speaking out but he made it clear that attacks on Sanatana Dharma will not be tolerated. He also slammed actor Prakash Raj for his comments on secularism, stating that no one has the right to mock the sentiments of the people.
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen spoke out against the Indian government upon his arrival in Kolkata, addressing issues such as wrongful imprisonments and economic disparities. He emphasized the need for political open-mindedness and secularism in the country. This comes as the recently held 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a major shift in power, with the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance securing more seats than the ruling NDA.
The alliance between BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka is facing a new challenge as they must determine a joint candidate for the upcoming Assembly bypoll in Channapatna. BJP MLC C P Yogeshwara has stated that he will run as an independent if the coalition does not choose him. With a bypoll triggered by HD Kumaraswamy's resignation, the BJP leadership has been holding discussions with Yogeshwara to decide on a candidate. Yogeshwara, who has held the Channapatna seat five times in the past, is pushing for his experience to be considered.
The 2023 Karnataka Assembly Elections are shaping up to be a direct contest between the ruling BJP and Congress, with the potential of the Janata Dal - Secular (JD-S) playing the role of kingmaker. Top candidates include former CM Siddaramaiah, current CM Basavaraj Bommai, and Congress president DK Shivakumar. The results of this election will have a crucial impact on the state as well as set the tone for the BJP's future in South India. Stay tuned for the results on May 13!
In his first Independence Day speech of his third term, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed both ideological and political issues, calling for a "secular civil code" and advocating for simultaneous elections at both the national and state levels. By framing the BJP's call for a common civil code as a push for a "secular civil code", Modi aimed to rebut opposition claims that the party's goal is to replace Muslim personal law. Despite falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha, Modi emphasized the need for continuity and unity through simultaneous elections.
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister and DMK leader SS Sivasankar's comments questioning the existence of Lord Ram during an event celebrating the birthday anniversary of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola has sparked controversy. This comes after DMK's Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy praised Lord Ram as a champion of social justice and secularism just last week. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has called out DMK for their seemingly contradictory stances and their sudden interest in the nation's rich history and culture.
Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy, was discharged from the hospital after being rushed there due to nasal bleeding at the coordination meeting between Janata Dal Secular (JDS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite the scare, Kumaraswamy assured his followers and party workers that he is in good health and will make a decision on attending Parliament tomorrow. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also wished him a speedy recovery.
In a recent post on social media platform 'X', Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati supported Delhi University's decision to reject a proposal on teaching Manusmriti in its Department of Law. She emphasized that the Indian Constitution, written by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, upholds humanism and secularism, which is in complete contrast to the principles of Manusmriti. The BSP leader deemed any attempt to promote Manusmriti as inappropriate, as it goes against the self-respect of marginalized communities and women.
In a recent statement, Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen expressed his concerns over India's secular nature and criticized the BJP government's policies. He argued that the results of the recent Lok Sabha elections show that India is not a Hindu Rashtra. Sen also highlighted issues of political imprisonments and economic inequality, stating that attempts to turn India into a 'Hindu Rashtra' are against the country's tradition and values. He called for political tolerance and a change in the current processes to uphold India's secular identity.