At Bihar Rally, PM Modi Attacks Lalu Yadav For Allegedly Insulting BR Ambedkar

Siwan (Bihar):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a pointed attack on RJD president Lalu Prasad over the alleged insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar during the former Bihar chief minister's birthday celebrations recently.
PM Modi, who did not mention Lalu Prasad by name, referred to the instance of a portrait of Ambedkar being placed close to the feet of the ailing septuagenarian, for which he (Prasad) has been drawing flak from the BJP-led NDA.
"Ambedkar was against dynasty rule. But they (RJD and its allies) do not like it. So they have his portrait placed at their feet. On my way, I saw posters demanding an apology for this insult to Babasaheb", remarked PM Modi, while addressing a rally in Siwan district of Bihar.
He added, "But there has been no apology. This is because they hold Dalits in contempt. In contrast, Modi has Babasaheb in his heart and would like to keep his portrait close to his chest".
According to the RJD, the controversy had arisen because of "camera angle" at Mr Prasad's residence while celebrations of his 78th birthday were underway earlier this month.
The party has claimed that Mr Prasad had his feet on a sofa because of "medical advice", and a supporter stood close carrying the portrait of the Dalit icon.
The RJD supremo's younger son and heir apparent has struck a defiant note when asked whether it would not be appropriate for his father to tender an apology.
"There was no insult to Ambedkar at our place. And has Union Home Minister Amit Shah apologised till now?", Mr Yadav had recently shot back in response to queries, referring to the months old episode involving a speech by the former BJP president inside Parliament.
Meanwhile, the state commission for Scheduled Castes has issued a notice to Mr Prasad, warning him of legal action if a satisfactory reply is not received within the stipulated time.
The BJP, which takes on the RJD in the Assembly polls due in a few months, has been almost on a war path, burning effigies of the former CM and submitting a memorandum to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
Mr Prasad's behaviour has also drawn flak from national leaders like Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, besides BJP allies like Chirag Paswan, a Dalit leader who heads Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scroll.in

11 minutes ago

• Scroll.in

Rush Hour: 84% of funds donated during polls went to BJP, 223 Air India victims identified & more

We're building a brand-new studio to bring you bold ground reports, sharp interviews, hard-hitting podcasts, explainers and more. Support Scroll's studio fund today. The BJP accounted for nearly 45% of all expenditure by political parties and over 84% of all funds received by parties during last year's election period from March to June, according to a non-governmental organisation. The Hindutva party spent Rs 1,493.91 crore and collected funds to the tune of Rs 6,268 crore during this period, said the Association for Democratic Reforms. Among the 32 political parties that the report analysed, the Congress had the second-highest expenses at Rs 620.14 crore, or 18.5% of the total expenditure. The Congress collected Rs 592.48 crore during the election period, which amounted to 7.96% of the total amount, the report said. The BJP spent Rs 983.92 crore on publicity, while the Congress spent Rs 502.97 crore. This included media advertisements, publicity material and public meetings. In total, political parties spent Rs 3,352.81 crore during last year's Lok Sabha election and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim that were held along with it. Read on. The Election Commission has reduced the period it will retain video footage and photographs of the polling process to 45 days, citing 'recent misuse' of such material by non-contestants. On May 30, the poll body told state chief electoral officers that recording of polling was not mandated by law but was used as an 'internal management tool'. In 2024, the Election Commission issued instructions laying out timelines, ranging from three months to a year, for storing video footage from stages of the election process. Read on. Eight days after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the identities of 223 persons who died have been confirmed through DNA testing. Of the total, the bodies of 204 persons have been handed over to their families. Meanwhile, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is yet to decide whether flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the aircraft that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis. The crash on June 12 killed all but one of the 242 people onboard Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Thirty-four persons were also killed on the ground after the plane crashed into the hostel building of the BJ Medical College and Hospital. Read on. Several Opposition leaders have criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for saying those who speak English in India will soon feel ashamed. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that English is 'not a barrier, but a bridge', adding that the language provides employment and boosts people's self-confidence. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi told Shah that 'the only thing to be ashamed of is imposing your will on the people and trying to destroy the pluralism of India'.

Hindustan Times

13 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Declined US President Trump's invite to Washington to come to Odisha: PM Modi

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington after his official visit to Canada because he had to come to Odisha, the sacred land of Lord Jagannath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the gathering during a public meeting in Bhubaneswar on Friday. (DD/ANI) 'During my visit, US President Donald Trump called me and said 'since you're already in Canada, why not come to Washington too? Let's have a meal and talk.' He extended a warm invitation. I respectfully told the President of the United States, 'Thank you for your kind invitation, but it is essential for me to go to the sacred land of Mahaprabhu.' And so, I humbly declined his offer, because your love and the devotion to Mahaprabhu drew me irresistibly to this holy land,' PM Modi said at an event in Bhubaneswar to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government led by Mohan Majhi. Modi said Odisha was a radiant beacon of India's rich heritage. 'For thousands of years, it has been a cornerstone of Indian culture, contributing to its growth and vibrancy. Today, as the ideals of development and heritage form the foundation of India's progress, Odisha's significance and role in this journey have grown even greater,' he added. 'Today is a very special day. Today, the first BJP government in Odisha has successfully completed one year. This anniversary is not just of the government; it is the anniversary of the establishment of good governance. This one year was dedicated to public service and public trust. When the BJP government in Odisha is completing its first year, all of you are busy preparing for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. Mahaprabhu is our idol and inspiration and with the blessings of Mahaprabhu, the issues related to the Srimandir have also been resolved,' he said. PM Modi also unveiled the Odisha Vision Document, a roadmap for the state's development goals anchored around the centenary of Odisha's formation as India's first linguistic state in 2036 and India's 100 years of independence in 2047, an official statement said. The vision document aims to transform Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047. Additionally, he launched the 'Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana' initiative to honour eminent Odias by developing their birthplaces into cultural hubs. The Prime Minister launched multiple development projects covering critical sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, health infrastructure, rural roads and bridges, sections of national highways, and a new railway line. He flagged off new train services extending rail connectivity to Boudh district for the first time and launched 100 electric buses under the Capital Region Urban Transport initiative to promote eco-friendly urban mobility.

First Post

13 minutes ago

• First Post

Trump creates tariff firewall against China, its companies turn attention to Brazil

China's energy strategy faces disruption as Israel's strikes on Iran threaten key oil supply routes. With US trade tensions rising, Chinese firms are pivoting to Brazil while Beijing accelerates its push for energy self-sufficiency. Analysts warn the conflict could weaken China's regional influence and diplomatic ambitions. read more China's decades-long push to secure energy dominance through partnerships with Iran is facing a major test as the Israel-Iran war threatens to choke Beijing's oil supply lines and disrupt its regional ambitions. The fallout, combined with escalating trade tensions with Washington, is prompting a reorientation of Chinese corporate interests toward markets like Brazil, according to a report by the Financial Times. Chinese President Xi Jinping this week urged restraint from all sides in the escalating Middle East conflict, while also criticising US interference in China's trade with Iran. Yet, concerns in Beijing are mounting as Israel continues to target Iranian oil and nuclear facilities. Analysts say this not only jeopardises China's access to cheap Iranian crude but also threatens its broader diplomatic and energy strategy in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'If this situation continues to escalate, then they lose quite a bit, both in terms of their energy security and Iran as a strategic card that China holds,' said Gedaliah Afterman of Israel's Abba Eban Institute, speaking to FT. Iran has become a vital energy partner for China, particularly since US-led sanctions intensified in 2018. China buys the bulk of Iran's oil exports—reaching as much as 1.6 million barrels a day at its peak in 2024—and supplies Tehran with essential goods, including electronics, vehicles, and even nuclear equipment. But Iranian shipments to China dropped to 740,000 barrels a day by April, driven by fears of further sanctions and intensifying regional instability. The risk of an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which billions of dollars in Gulf oil flows to China adds to Beijing's anxiety. While some Chinese analysts say OPEC+ producers may fill the gap in a worst-case scenario, any broader disruption would drive up prices and hit China's energy security. China's reliance on Gulf suppliers is significant. Besides Iran, Saudi Arabia is its largest oil provider outside Russia. In natural gas, over a quarter of China's LNG imports last year came from Qatar and the UAE. Even with long-term contracts, Chinese importers may be forced to turn to the spot market at higher costs if the regional crisis widens. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The FT report also highlights that President Xi's broader strategy of energy self-sufficiency may now accelerate. China is already the world's top user of oil, but under Xi, it has embarked on a massive renewable push. Solar and wind now make up 56% of total electricity power plant capacity, up from a third ten years ago. 'This crisis will only make Beijing double down,' said Neil Beveridge of Bernstein Research. 'If it wasn't happening fast enough before, it will be happening even faster now.' At the same time, the US-China rivalry continues to simmer. Former President Donald Trump has moved to harden trade restrictions on Beijing, creating what analysts describe as a 'tariff firewall.' Facing mounting pressure, many Chinese firms are increasingly eyeing Brazil as an alternative trade partner and investment destination, particularly in sectors like agriculture, green energy, and critical minerals. Beijing's broader diplomatic ambitions in the Middle East have also taken a hit. China's influence surged with its mediation of the 2023 Saudi-Iran deal and its 25-year cooperation pact with Tehran. But analysts were quoted by FT as highlighting its role as a neutral broker has been diminished by the latest conflict and its cautious response. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The demise or the collapse of the Iranian system or the Iranian power as we knew it is not good news for China,' Yun Sun of the Stimson Center told FT. 'That indirectly means that American influence has expanded.' Experts echoed that for Beijing, the Israel-Iran war is a stark reminder of the vulnerability in its foreign energy bets and the geopolitical limits of its global aspirations.