Latest news with #Dalit
India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Ambedkar showdown escalates in Bihar ahead of assembly elections
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar has sparked a political controversy over Dr BR Ambedkar's legacy. PM Modi accused RJD and Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar, referring a viral video from Lalu Prasad Yadav's birthday celebration. The Prime Minister said, 'RJD and Congress keep Baba Ambedkar's picture at their feet, whereas Modi keeps Baba Ambedkar in his heart.' This statement has ignited debates on caste politics in Bihar ahead of the upcoming elections. The opposition, including RJD and Congress, have countered Modi's claims, dismissing his visit as a poll gimmick. The debate focusses on the political strategies in Bihar, particularly regarding the Dalit vote bank.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PM Modi slams RJD-Congress for 'insulting' Ambedkar; warns against 'jungle raj'
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi , speaking at a rally in Bihar's Siwan on Friday criticised the Rashtriya Janata Dal ( RJD ) and Congress over the recent controversy involving an alleged insult to B.R. Ambedkar 's picture by Lalu Prasad. Modi asserted that both parties have consistently disrespected Ambedkar, citing his opposition to dynastic politics and his advocacy for the downtrodden. He further underlined that the two allies are trying to bring back the ' jungle raj ' that preceded Nitish Kumar 's chief ministership. The PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects worth ₹5,200 crore in Siwan. Ahead of the Assembly polls due in October-November in Bihar, Modi stated that the double-engine government under JDU Chief Nitish Kumar has brought all-round development to the state. He emphasised that during his just-concluded visit to Canada for the G7 summit, leaders of developed nations expressed admiration for India's progress towards becoming the third-largest economy. Slamming RJD and Congress on the Ambedkar controversy, Modi said, "The spirit of our Constitution is that everybody in the country should get the opportunity to progress and there is no discrimination against anybody. We also say with the same feeling -'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Collective efforts, inclusive growth). But the 'Laltain' (lantern) and 'Panja' (hand) walas say - 'Parivar ka Saath, Parivar ka Vikas' (Family's efforts, family's growth). This is the gist of their politics -for ensuring gains to their families, they do not hesitate to harm the interests of crores of families in Bihar and the country." (Laltain is the party symbol of RJD while Panja is the election symbol of the Congress.) He stated that Ambedkar himself was strongly opposed to this kind of politics, and hence RJD and Congress have insulted him at every step. "The whole country has seen how RJD leaders have treated a photo of Baba Saheb. I saw posters have come up in Bihar demanding that they apologise for this insult to Baba Saheb, but I know they will never apologise, as in their hearts they have no respect for Dalits, Mahadalits, backward, and most backward communities," he said. Live Events Prasad, who is ailing and mostly rests his legs on a couch while sitting, was embroiled in a controversy when a party supporter placed a photo of Baba Saheb close to his feet. BJP and JDU have been demanding an apology from RJD for this perceived insult to the Dalit leader. Accompanied by Nitish Kumar and other BJP-JDU leaders on the dais, the Prime Minister launched a scathing attack on the RJD, recalling the 15-year rule under Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi. He cautioned that RJD and Congress are seeking another opportunity to bring "jungle raj" to the state and appealed to the people of Bihar to protect their future by keeping "miles away from such forces which seek to put brakes on development." He termed the policies of RJD and Congress as "anti-Bihar and anti-investment." Later, at another rally in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to mark one year of the BJP government in the state, the PM underlined that the dispensation is working tirelessly day and night for the welfare of all sections, especially tribals and backward communities.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Third eye: Scion's romance sparks storm, Congress eyes caste reboot, BJP carries Tulsi in protest
Scion's Love Life Sparks Caste-Political Storm: The latest fraternal feud to spill into the public domain centres on the love life of a high-profile scion and caste dynamics deeply embedded in the state's politics. The scion, often spotted at sports matches, is believed to be in a relationship with a superstar music composer from a prominent family belonging to a caste antithetical to native politics. The composer's family is also perceived to be aligned with a party attempting to make inroads into the Tamil political stronghold . There are concerns that if the alliance materialises, the business house's considerable assets could drift into the rival camp's sphere of influence. Social Justice Pitch to Reflect in PCC Shuffle: Congress plans to walk the talk on social justice with a rejig in Pradesh Congress Committees. Himachal may get a Dalit Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Haryana could see an other backward class ( OBC) face, while Uttarakhand's pick is still being weighed due to existing Dalit leadership in the Congress Legislature Party. 'Tulsi Protest' Over Violence in Bengal: Bengal BJP leaders, including state president Sukanta Majumdar and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, have taken to symbolic protests carrying the sacred Tulsi plant to the assembly and party gatherings. The gesture follows the alleged vandalism of a Tulsi Manch during communal clashes at Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas district.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Man booked for raping 13-year-old Dalit girl
Meerut: An FIR was filed against a 65-year-old man for allegedly raping a 13-year-old Dalit girl in a village of Bulandshahr district, police said on Friday. The girl's family works in fields owned by the accused, they added. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a police complaint, the survivor's father stated that the incident occurred on June 19, around 8 pm. His 13-year-old daughter went to the sugarcane field for defecation when the accused approached her, offering new clothes. Upon her refusal, he struck her, dragged her into the sugarcane field, and raped her. The survivor returned home and informed her family, following which they approached the police. A senior police officer said a case has been registered and the girl was sent for medical examination. "An investigation is underway, and an arrest will be made soon," the officer said. An FIR under BNS section 65 (1) (Rape), and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been registered.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Expedite selection process for govt scheme benefits: DC
Mangaluru: Deputy commissioner Darshan HV instructed govt departments to expedite the selection process of beneficiaries of schemes under various corporations and approve the benefits quickly. He spoke while presiding over a meeting of various committees of the social welfare department, at the deputy commissioner's office on Friday. He emphasised that it is not appropriate to delay processes such as the verification of beneficiary records, site inspections, and other procedures, as this results in eligible beneficiaries not receiving facilities in a timely manner. He advised that, if necessary, only the residential verification of beneficiaries should be conducted, and the facilities should be approved swiftly. To ensure equal access to beneficiary selection, a taluk-wise selection process will be considered, he said. The DC said discussions will be held with bankers regarding the rejection of applications under bank-based loan facilities due to low CIBIL scores. He instructed the officials of urban local bodies to report any accidents or deaths involving civic workers to the deputy commissioner office within 24 hours. The relief funds for civic workers should not be used for other purposes, he directed. Additional deputy commissioner G Santhosh Kumar emphasised that all departments should promptly select beneficiaries for SCP/TSP schemes and utilise the funds within the stipulated time. Hemalatha S, the deputy director of the social welfare department, said that in Dakshina Kannada, 24 Dalit atrocity cases were registered until the end of May 2025, and compensation of Rs 22.1 lakh was provided in 16 of these cases.
