shot-button
Home > News > India News > Articles

Read India News

Parliament scuffle: Delhi Police files FIR against Rahul Gandhi

Delhi Police on Thursday registered an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, hours after the BJP filed a complaint, accusing him of physical assault and incitement" during a scuffle in Parliament premises. A police officer said that the FIR has been registered under sections 115 (voluntary causing hurt), 117 (voluntary causing grievous hurt), 125 (act of endangering life or personal safety of others), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The officer said police are likely to call Gandhi for questioning in connection with the case. Police will request the Lok Sabha Secretariat to provide the CCTV footage of the area where the alleged incident happened. Another officer said all sections imposed against Gandhi are bailable, except section 117, punishment for which depends on the severity of the injury caused, ranging from seven years to life imprisonment. A face-off at the Parliament entry steps between the opposition and NDA MPs in Parliament premises over the alleged insult to B R Ambedkar left former minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput injured. After the incident, the BJP filed the police complaint against Gandhi, accusing him of "physical assault and incitement" and sought his indictment under sections of attempt to murder and other charges. Earlier in the day, BJP MP Hemang Joshi, accompanied by party colleagues Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, visited the Parliament Street Police Station and filed the complaint. The Congress strongly rejected the claim, alleging that BJP MPs pushed its chief Mallikarjun Kharge and "physically manhandled" Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Congress also lodged a complaint in connection the matter. In his two-page complaint, BJP MP from Vadodara Hemang Joshi said, "At around 10, I along with Mukesh Rajput ji, Pratap Rao Sarangi ji and other large numbers of my fellow Members of Parliament belonging to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), were peacefully demonstrating at the Makar Dwar entrance of Parliament." He said they were protesting against the "blatant misinformation being propagated by opposition parties, particularly led by the Indian National Congress." "During this peaceful demonstration, Rahul Gandhi, arrived at the scene around 10.40 am to 10.45 am. Despite request from Parliament security to take the designated entry path, Rahul Gandhi with a malicious intent to disrupt the protest and physically harm NDA Members of Parliament ignored the instructions and forcefully barged toward the peaceful demonstrators," Joshi said in the complaint. Not only did Rahul Gandhi and others violated the instructions of the security, he also instigated other "INDI Alliance Members" to proceed with force and aggression toward the NDA MPs, putting them in jeopardy, he alleged . "They intentionally used physical force to push Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Rao Sarangi and others who were standing on the narrow stairs at the entrance," Joshi said. He said that as consequence Mukesh Rajput sustained a "severe injury" to the back of his head and Sarangi to his forehead. "My colleague, Dr. Byreddy Sabari, MP, who is also a qualified doctor, immediately provided first aid to the injured individuals. I personally witnessed the incident as I was standing next to my injured colleagues and attempted to reason with Rahul Gandhi and his accomplices," Joshi added in the complaint. Thakur also accused Gandhi of behaving with a female BJP MP from Nagaland. The Congress accused the BJP MPs of pushing its chief Mallikarjun Kharge and "physically manhandled" Gandhi. A delegation of Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla and Pramod Tiwari, filed the complaint visiting the station in person, an officer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

19 December,2024 10:56 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Pic/X

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to address UN HQ on first World Meditation Day

Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will deliver a keynote address at the inaugural session of the first-ever World Meditation Day at the United Nations headquarters, New York, marking a historic moment for the global meditation movement, officials said on Thursday. India has made a monumental contribution to global wellness by leading the initiative to designate December 21 as World Meditation Day, a resolution unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, they said. This landmark effort, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, reflects India’s dedication to sharing its ancient wisdom with the world, they said. The date aligns with the beginning of Uttarayana in Indian tradition, an auspicious time of the year, and complements the International Day of Yoga celebrated on June 21, the officials said. "Meditation, an ancient practice rooted in India's cultural and spiritual heritage, involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment using techniques such as mindfulness and concentrated thought. It fosters mental clarity, emotional calmness, and physical relaxation, serving as a powerful tool for personal well-being," a senior official said. "Ravi Shankar will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session of the first-ever World Meditation Day from the United Nations headquarters, New York, marking a historic moment for the global meditation movement. "Through structured programs, scientific research, and humanitarian missions, he has showcased meditation's transformative power," the official added. Recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a significant self-care tool, meditation is proven to reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical health. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

19 December,2024 09:28 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with LoP in the Lok Sabha and party MP Rahul Gandhi. Pic/PTI

BJP indulging in distraction, Amit Shah must resign: Congress

The Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of unleashing a pre-planned conspiracy to shield Home Minister Amit Shah after his "reprehensible statement" about BR Ambedkar, as it demanded that Shah must resign and apologise for his remarks. The opposition party also alleged that the BJP is "anti-Constitution" and "anti-Ambedkar". Addressing a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi condemned Shah's remarks on Ambedkar and said they would continue to protest across the country and that a movement against this had already begun. "The BJP wants to divert attention from Shah's remarks on Ambedkar and that is why they are raising other issues," Kharge told reporters. He said they (Congress leaders) were only demanding the resignation of Home Minister Shah and were protesting "in support of our demands, but the BJP MPs blocked us from entering Parliament". "They pushed me, I lost my balance and sat down," the Congress chief said, adding that he condemns Shah's remarks on Ambedkar. Kharge said they will run a nationwide movement raising the issue of Ambedkar's alleged insult by the home minister. Gandhi said the BJP-RSS thinking is "anti-Constitution" and "anti-Ambedkar". "The BJP is indulging in distraction. We want the apology and resignation of home minister over his remarks on Ambedkar," Gandhi said, adding that they would continue to raise their demand and the Adani issue. Later, in a post on X, Gandhi said, "Amit Shah, Apologise and Resign." At the press conference, he said a few days ago, the issue of a case being filed against (Gautam) Adani in America came up, on which the BJP did not allow any discussion in the House for the entire session. "Then came Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar ji. We have been saying from the beginning that the thinking of BJP-RSS is anti-Constitution and against Ambedkar ji. The people of BJP and RSS want to erase the contribution of Babasaheb Ambedkar ji. They have shown their thinking towards Ambedkar ji in front of everyone," he said. Gandhi said they (Congress) had sought Shah's resignation but that did not happen, and "today again he (Shah) tried to divert the issue". "We were moving peacefully from Ambedkar's statue to the Parliament. BJP MPs were standing on the steps of the Parliament, who were not letting us go inside. Amit Shah has insulted Ambedkar ji, he should apologize for that and resign. "The main issue that the BJP wants to erase is the Adani case, on which they do not want any discussion. Narendra Modi is selling India to Adani," Gandhi told reporters. Narrating the events of the day, he said they wanted to go inside Parliament, but BJP leaders came and sat at the gate to "stop us". Women MPs of the INDIA bloc were also prevented from entering, he claimed. At the presser, Kharge said, "Even when we were walking towards the Makar Dwar of Parliament, these people were making fun of us. The kind of environment that the BJP has created in the country will not be tolerated anymore. Today, because of this, a movement is being carried out across the country." Later in a post on X, Kharge said, "Today, the BJP unleashed a pre-planned conspiracy to shield Amit Shah’s reprehensible statement against Babasaheb Ambedkar ji." He said fresh facts have come to light that the BJP MPs also "attacked our women MPs while we were holding a peaceful protest" at the Makar Dwar. "In a systematic conspiracy, BJP workers ransacked the offices of Mumbai Congress and West Bengal Congress in Mumbai and Kolkata respectively, which was later foiled by our committed Congress workers. "In their utter frustration, after being exposed first on their agenda to change Constitution and then on their Anti-Babasaheb mindset, Modi-Shah duo have resorted to unleash political violence and intimidation," he said. The Congress chief said the fact that BJP MPs were sent carrying sticks with placards in the Parliament premises to "obstruct" INDIA bloc's peaceful protest was nothing but a carefully "choreographed conspiracy to deflect attention". "Every Indian who believes in social justice and an egalitarian society will unitedly fight against BJP’s oppressive tyranny and Manuvadi mindset," he said in his post. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

19 December,2024 09:18 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Representational Pic/File/iStock

Congress MLA's son and nephew booked for assaulting ex-BJP legislator in MP

Police have registered a case against the son and the nephew of a Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly assaulting a former BJP legislator in Tikamgarh district, an official said on Thursday. Former BJP MLA Rakesh Giri's security guard Lokendra Singh lodged a complaint in this connection, based on which the case against Akash Singh, the son of local Congress lawmaker Yadavendra Singh, and his nephew Ansh Singh, was filed, Kotwali police station's in-charge Pankaj Sharma said. As per the complaint, the accused abused and assaulted Giri and his family members on Wednesday night at a marriage event, he said. The case against the duo was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty), 296 (obscene act) and others, he said. Investigation into the case is underway, he said. Congress MLA Yadvendra Singh could not be reached for his comment. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

19 December,2024 09:11 PM IST | Tikamgarh (MP) | PTI
Ajit Pawar. File Pic

You will be CM one day, Fadnavis tells Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that told Ajit Pawar that he would be the CM one day, reported the PTI. "Ajit Pawar will work in the morning since he is an early riser. I am on duty from 12 noon to midnight while throughout the night, you all know who," Devendta Fadnavis said, referring to Eknath Shinde, who is known to work till late hours, as per the PTI. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said that he and his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde would work 24/7 in shifts. He was replying to a debate in the legislative assembly on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his joint address to both Houses of the state legislature during the ongoing Winter Session in Nagpur. Turning to Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis said, "You are called 'permanent deputy CM'... but my wishes are with you... you will be the CM someday," according to the PTI. Ajit Pawar on December 5 took oath as the deputy CM of Maharashtra for the sixth time. The NCP leader, who has been vocal about his chief ministerial ambitions, split the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2023 and joined the BJP-led Mahayuti government. In the ensuing battle for the party name and its 'clock' symbol, his faction got both. His uncle and veteran politician Sharad Pawar now heads NCP (SP), an ally of the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) under the banner of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). After a severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls that saw NCP bagging only one seat, Ajit Pawar's party made an impressive comeback in the recently held assembly elections, emerging victorious in 41 of the 57 constituencies where it was in the fray. The Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP won over 230 of the state's 288 assembly seats, while MVA could manage to grab only 46.  Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday also assured that all the ongoing schemes of the government including the flagship Ladki Bahin scheme for women will continue. The December installment of the Ladki Bahin scheme will be deposited in the bank accounts of eligible women by month-end, the chief minister stated. The winter session of the state legislature is underway in Nagpur following the BJP-led Mahayuti's massive victory in the November 20 assembly elections. (with PTI inputs)

19 December,2024 07:15 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image

Teen girl abducted from Latur traced to Pune, rescued

A 16-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped from Maharashtra's Latur district was traced to Pune and rescued, a police official said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. The police official stated that the girl was kidnapped on October 22, after which a case was registered at Chakur police station against an unidentified person, stated PTI. "She was rescued from Pune on Tuesday. The action is part of the Anti Human Trafficking Unit's 'Operation Muskaan' being conducted across Maharashtra since December 1 to trace missing minors," Inspector Babita Wakadkar told PTI. Another official said the girl had "married" the accused and both have been brought to Latur for further legal proceedings, PTI reported. A four-year-old boy kidnapped near his home in Thane, police launch search In a distressing incident in Thane, Maharashtra, a four-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped by an unidentified person on Sunday evening. The incident took place in the Kalyan Phata area, according to police officials. The boy was reportedly abducted from near his home, and his family, upon noticing his disappearance, began an immediate search for him but was unable to locate him. The family approached the local Shil-Daighar police station on Monday to file a report. As per the police official, a case of kidnapping was registered under section 137(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to kidnapping. "The family had made attempts to search for the boy on their own, but as they were unsuccessful, they reached out to the police authorities on Monday," said the official from Shil-Daighar police station. He did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident but assured that all possible efforts were being made to trace the child and locate the person responsible for the abduction. Following the registration of the case, the police launched a search operation, scouring the surrounding areas and conducting inquiries with local residents. The police have also been using available resources to monitor security footage and collect information that could lead to the identification of the suspect. Earlier this year the Thane police, through a collaborative effort with a hospital in Thane, and the Madhya Pradesh police, reunited a 17-year-old specially-abled boy from Ujjain, with his family, officials said. Police said that the boy, who had been missing for nearly three years, from his home in MP, was reportedly found wandering barefoot and in tattered clothes on the streets in Thane in August 2022. (With inputs from PTI)

19 December,2024 06:56 PM IST | Latur (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi with Priyanka Gandhi. Pic/PTI

NDA MPs file police complaint against Rahul Gandhi over 'Parliament scuffle'

Three NDA MPs, including Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, have filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being involved in "physical assault and incitement" during a 'scuffle at Parliament', an officer said. Thakur and Swaraj, accompanied by a TDP MP, gave the met the officers at the Parliament Street Police Station and gave a written complaint. "We have filed a complaint against Mr Rahul Gandhi for physical assault and incitement," Thakur told media, outside the police station. Earlier in the day, a face-off at the Parliament entry steps between the opposition and NDA MPs in Parliament premises over the alleged insult to B R Ambedkar left former minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi injured. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing the senior member, a charge rejected by the Congress leader. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said BJP MP Mukesh Rajput was also injured in the melee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Sarangi and Rajput and enquired about their health after they sustained injuries in the Parliament complex, sources said. A senior officer said police have received the complaint and are looking into it. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

19 December,2024 04:49 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Representational Pic/File

Maharashtra: Farmers briefly halt onion auctions at Nashik after price dip

Farmers in Nashik, briefly halted auctions at the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) on Thursday, the country's largest wholesale onion market due to drop in onion prices, reported news agency PTI. The farmers were protesting the significant decline in onion prices, which have been falling steadily in recent days. The farmers demanded removal of the 20 per cent export duty on onions and an aid of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per quintal of the produce, the APMC officials said, reported PTI. Approximately 1,500 onion-laden vehicles arrived for auction on Thursday. The morning session saw prices ranging from a minimum of Rs 800 to a maximum of Rs 2,900 per quintal, with an average price of Rs 1,900. When auctioneers announced prices between Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per quintal, farmers immediately stopped the auction in protest. Later, the prices improved slightly. The agitation was called off after about half-an-hour and the auctions restarted, stated PTI. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged the central government to remove 20 per cent export duties and provide relief to the growers. In a letter to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Pawar highlighted the farmers' distress, noting that unseasonal rains and changing climate have already impacted their earnings. “The onions grown here (in Nashik) are available in other states of India and also exported in large quantities. As of today, onions from the summer yield have been exhausted and the fresh crop has reached various market committees in Maharashtra,” Pawar wrote. Due to the arrival of a large stock of onions, farmers are now in distress as they are forced to sell their produce at a much lower rate since they have yet to receive any minimum support price, said Pawar. They are selling onions at an average of Rs 2,400 per quintal, Pawar said. The Centre has levied a 20 per cent duty on the export of onions due to which the kitchen staple from the state loses its competitiveness in international markets, according to farmers, stated PTI. On Wednesday, 1,950 vehicles of onions arrived at the Lasalgaon APMC. The prices were Rs 800 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,801 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,950 per quintal average. Prior to that, on Tuesday, 1,689 vehicles of onions arrived for auction at the APMC, with the prices being Rs 1,000 per quintal minimum, Rs 3,252 per quintal maximum and Rs 2,200 per quintal average, as per officials. PTI  (With inputs from PTI)

19 December,2024 04:42 PM IST | Nashik (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
BJP's Ram Shinde with CM Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CM Ajit Pawar during the Winter session of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, in Nagpur. (Pic/PTI)

BJP's Ram Shinde elected as Maharashtra legislative council chairperson

Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Ram Shinde on Thursday was elected unopposed as chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council, reported news agency PTI. The council chairperson's post was lying vacant ever since July 7, 2022, after NCP leader Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar's term ended more than three years ago. Now, the presiding officer's post in both houses of the state legislature is with the BJP, PTI stated. BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as Speaker of the 15th Maharashtra legislative assembly last week during the ongoing winter session in Nagpur. Before becoming a member of the Upper House of Maharashtra legislature on July 8, 2022, Shinde was a minister during Devendra Fadnavis’s 2014-19 tenure. In the recent Maharashtra assembly election, which was held on November 20, Shinde had lost the Karjat Jamkhed assembly seat to NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar by a narrow margin.  Maharashtra assembly winter session: MVA protests at Vidhan Bhawan steps over Amit Shah's Ambedkar remarks Opposition members staged a protest at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Thursday over Union minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and said the country will not tolerate insult of the Constitution's architect, reported news agency PTI. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, wearing blue caps and stoles, took out a morcha from the Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. They reached steps of the Vidhan Bhawan complex raising the slogan "Babasaheb ka apman nahi sahega hindustan", reported PTI. The protesters included leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Bhaskar Jadhav and NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar. A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Shah for his remarks on Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress' "anti-Ambedkar" stand. The opposition members claimed Amit Shah's remarks were an insult to Ambedkar. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday. The Maharashtra assembly winter session is currently underway in Nagpur. (With inputs from PTI)

19 December,2024 02:12 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
File Pic

Ajit Pawar urges centre to revoke 20% export duty on onions to support farmers

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has called on the Union Government to immediately revoke the 20% export duty on onions, stating that the move would help farmers secure better prices for their produce and prevent financial losses. In a letter to Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Pawar highlighted the need to support Maharashtra's onion farmers, particularly in light of increased import opportunities in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka. The demand comes after a concerted effort by Maharashtra legislators, including MLAs Nitin Arjun Pawar, Dileeprao Bankar, Hiraman Khoskar, and Saroj Ahire, who approached the Deputy Chief Minister seeking intervention. Taking their concerns into account, Ajit Pawar wrote to the Centre urging swift action to alleviate the challenges faced by the state’s farmers. Opportunity to boost Onion export Ajit Pawar pointed out that Sri Lanka has recently reduced its import duty on onions by 20% and is actively increasing onion imports. This development presents a significant opportunity for farmers in Maharashtra, especially in Nashik, to export their red onions to international markets. However, the central government’s 20% export duty on onions has made it challenging for farmers to capitalise on this demand. Pawar stressed that removing the duty would enable farmers to get fair, cost-based prices and stabilise the market. Maharashtra, particularly Nashik district, is one of the largest onion-producing regions in India. This year, the state’s farmers have battled adverse weather conditions, including unseasonal rains, which have severely affected crops. Despite these challenges, a new harvest of red onions has recently entered the markets. However, with an average market price of ₹2,400 per quintal, many farmers are unable to recover their production costs. Red onions, which are less durable than other varieties, need to be sold immediately, forcing farmers to accept low prices. According to Pawar, this has added to the financial strain faced by onion growers. He emphasised that maximising exports is crucial to stabilising prices and ensuring farmers receive appropriate compensation for their produce. In his letter to the Union Minister, Pawar argued that withdrawing the export duty would create a win-win situation for farmers and traders, allowing them to access international markets at competitive rates. Such a move, he added, would protect the livelihoods of onion farmers and bolster the agricultural economy. "The removal of the 20% export duty will help sustain the prices of red onions and ensure farmers receive cost-based returns, reducing their financial losses," Pawar wrote in the letter. The Deputy Chief Minister expressed hope that the Centre would respond positively to his request and take immediate steps to address the concerns of onion farmers. With red onions flooding local markets and prices dropping steadily, a timely decision by the central government could provide much-needed relief to Maharashtra's struggling farming community.

19 December,2024 01:34 PM IST | Mumbai
Pic/X@VijayWadettiwar

MVA protests at Vidhan Bhawan steps over Amit Shah's Ambedkar remarks

Opposition members staged a protest at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Thursday over Union minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and said the country will not tolerate insult of the Constitution's architect, reported news agency PTI. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, wearing blue caps and stoles, took out a morcha from the Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. They reached steps of the Vidhan Bhawan complex raising the slogan "Babasaheb ka apman nahi sahega hindustan", reported PTI. The protesters included leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Bhaskar Jadhav and NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar. A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Shah for his remarks on Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress' "anti-Ambedkar" stand. The opposition members claimed Shah's remarks were an insult to Ambedkar. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday. The Maharashtra assembly winter session is currently underway in Nagpur. The opposition members had staged protests at the Vidhan Bhawan steps during the last three days also over various issues, including problems of farmers, violence in Parbhani last week and murder of a sarpanch in Beed district. (With inputs from PTI)

19 December,2024 01:20 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK