Haldwani “Purification” Controversy
Even today, untouchability and the practice of treating people as “untouchable” continue to surface somewhere in India.
It is deeply disturbing that after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge participated in a political rally and held a public meeting in Haldwani, it was reportedly claimed that the area was “purified” on August 8 and August 10 by people associated with the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas.
If such acts are being carried out in the name of Lord Shri Ram, what are we supposed to call them?
This is precisely why many Dalits question their place within Hinduism. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of India’s greatest intellectuals, famously declared: “I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu.”
Dalits must have the freedom to choose their religion. Why should anyone object to which religion a Dalit chooses to follow? Everyone has the right to worship the God they believe in.
And if Dalits choose to embrace another religion, they must receive reservation in proportion to their population in that religion. Religious freedom cannot be selective.
When Mr. Kharge raised this issue in Parliament and said that he had personally been subjected to untouchability, J.P. Nadda stated that the BJP had nothing to do with the incident, while expressing regret that such an incident had occurred.
But that is not enough.
The Prime Minister must intervene, ensure that those responsible face action under the laws against untouchability, and apologize to the nation for the fact that such practices continue even today.
The BJP is in power. The responsibility to stop such discrimination ultimately rests with the government.
India cannot claim to be a modern democracy while untouchability survives in any form.
Vande Mataram.” India gained independence in 1947. We have been singing Vande Mataram for nearly 80 years. What was the sudden need to change and extend the song now?
I have not even heard the revised version yet. The BJP seems desperate to create some kind of controversy.
The Ram Mandir issue is over. The RSS and BJP have allegedly made ₹20,000 crore in the name of the Ram Mandir. If they raise the Ram Mandir issue again, people will reject them. That is why they are trying to create an impression that they alone are patriotic.
Does that mean all those who have sung Vande Mataram for the past 80 years have no patriotism? Apparently, only the BJP has patriotism. Poor Vajpayee and Advani—even their patriotism seems to have been missing!
Anyway, you fools, every country has only one national anthem. At international events, Jana Gana Mana is played and sung. That is our national anthem.Stop creating unnecessary controversies and just keep quiet.
As for me, I will sing only the Vande Mataram that I have known and sung all these years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement today on the students’ movement was disappointing, robotic, and lacked accountability.
In his statement, he said that fast-track courts would be set up to punish those responsible for the paper leak and that the government would take strict action against the paper leak mafia. However, this itself raises a serious question: does it mean that no effective action has been taken against the culprits until now?
The primary demand of the students is the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Rahul Gandhi has also demanded the minister’s resignation, along with an apology from the Prime Minister to the students.
The demand for an apology stems from the manner in which the students were allegedly subjected to harsh police action during the protests.
Even at this stage, the government should ask the Education Minister to resign, order an impartial investigation, and ensure that all those found guilty are brought to justice through strict legal action.
An undeclared Emergency is prevailing in India. The brutal lathi charge on students yesterday and the manner in which Rahul Gandhi was arrested today clearly indicate Emergency-like tendencies.
Since Independence, no opposition leader has been treated and arrested in this manner.
Are the students wrong in demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan? The NEET examination was conducted poorly, and the alleged paper leak caused immense distress, with several students reportedly taking their own lives.
Therefore, the Education Minister must take responsibility and resign. This clearly exposes the failures of the Modi government’s governance.
A major highlight today was the Congress President staging a protest while wearing handcuffs as a mark of dissent.
The BJP government’s decision to keep Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in separate police stations after their arrest reflects political insecurity and fear.
"It doesn't even look like the Indian team is playing cricket anymore. They've forgotten how to play cricket. It feels like they're playing baseball instead—everyone is just trying to hit the ball as high as possible. Someone needs to teach this Indian team the basics of cricket again, and who better than Sunil Gavaskar sir? We all know that if Indian cricket is where it is today, a great deal of the credit goes to you."
“India’s ball is staying in the air, just like the Indian cricket team! Every player is only hitting the ball up into the air. Not a single person is trying to hit a four. That is why Ireland brought India, which was flying high, back down to earth. Hats off to the Ireland cricket team.”
This is the 3rd day of house arrest over the Akividu issue. If you come to my house and see, you will understand what house arrest really looks like.
Inside the house premises, there is one SI and 5 constables; outside the house, another 5 constables; at every corner, around 10 more police personnel; one police jeep in front of the house and another jeep in the back street—this is how they have completely restricted me.
Why should I be arrested at all? Did I ever give a “Chalo Akividu” call? Did I ever make any statement opposing the temple foundation ceremony?
In Akividu, attempt to murder cases were filed against 57 people. When I tried to go and meet them after hearing that the police had carried out a mass attack, they stopped me near Quarry Market and placed me under house arrest for two days. On the third day, when I tried to leave again, they stopped me in Palakollu, filed a bind-over case against me, brought me back to Rajahmundry, and once again put me under house arrest.
They made me write in the bind-over that I should come only after taking permission. I submitted letters for permission to the Collector and the SP while I was in Palakollu. The Collector’s office replied that my letter had been forwarded to the SP. But there has been no information from the SP.
If some BSP leaders give a “Chalo” call, how is it justified to arrest me in this manner?
I had planned to attend the program of Nadendla Bhaskara Rao garu on the 2nd. I had a very good relationship with him. Because of this, I could not attend.
See how strange this is—BJP brought in Manda Krishna Madiga and organized a meeting yesterday. To give him hype, Andhra Jyothy and the yellow media are publishing paper cuttings. That is why I am warning Dalit Christians—Manda Krishna Madiga is a BJP messenger. Do not fall into his trap.
That is exactly why I am saying this. Now it is becoming very clear, isn’t it?
Let us see how long they will continue this house arrest.