New Delhi, November 26, 2024: On the occasion of Constitution Day, the Congress Party called on all citizens to safeguard the core values enshrined in India’s Constitution, emphasizing the need to reinvigorate the struggle to defend the nation’s inherent philosophy. The Congress leaders expressed their commitment to protecting the Constitution as the country celebrates its 75th year of adoption.

Rahul Gandhi Calls for Reinforced Commitment to Constitution

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, highlighted the Constitution as a powerful tool for protecting the poorest and weakest sections of society. He said that a strong Constitution translates to a stronger nation, urging citizens to remain steadfast in preserving its ideals.

“On this Constitution Day, we must pledge to protect the spirit of justice and equality for all. The Constitution safeguards the rights of every individual, and its strength ensures the country’s progress,” Gandhi said. He also reiterated his respect for the fighters, martyrs, and members of the Constituent Assembly who played a crucial role in protecting the foundational ideas of the Constitution.

Kharge Emphasizes Collective Duty to Safeguard the Constitution

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption, called on the people of India to unite in protecting the Constitution’s ideals. “The Constitution of India, carefully crafted by our forebears, is the lifeblood of our nation. It guarantees our social, economic, and political rights and forms the bedrock of our sovereignty,” Kharge said.

He paid tribute to the pivotal contributions of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and many other stalwarts who shaped the document. Kharge also honored the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly who played an integral role in ensuring an inclusive Constitution.

“The vision of our founding leaders and the contributions of every individual involved in the Constitution’s making are the reasons we stand as a democratic republic today,” he added.

Promoting the Core Values: Justice, Liberty, and Equality

Kharge stressed that justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity are not merely lofty ideals but the guiding principles for 140 crore Indians. He urged all citizens to join hands in upholding these values as the nation commemorates this historic day.

“We are tasked with the ongoing responsibility to protect the very essence of the Constitution, just as our forebears did during the freedom struggle. In the 75th year of its adoption, we must renew our commitment to defending its principles,” Kharge asserted.

Priyanka Gandhi: A Salute to Freedom Fighters

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also extended her greetings on Constitution Day, emphasizing that the freedom fighters and great minds who contributed to the making of the Constitution provided a protective shield for every citizen of India. She said, “Our Constitution guarantees rights and justice for crores of Indians. This Constitution is the pride of our nation, and we must continue to protect it at all costs.”

She paid tribute to the martyrs, revolutionaries, and members of the Constituent Assembly, urging the people of India to remain committed to the Constitution’s ideals, which were obtained through the hard work and sacrifices of these great individuals.

K.C. Venugopal: A Call to Protect Constitutional Values

Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal underlined that the Constitution is India’s soul—a living document that provides hope and direction to the people of India. He criticized the current attempts by certain groups to undermine the Constitution’s values, stating, “At a time when some are showing insincere commitment towards the Constitution, it is even more crucial for us to protect its true values and uphold its ideals.”

Venugopal called for a united effort to preserve the Constitution, as its values of justice, equality, inclusivity, and democracy continue to guide India on its path of progress.

Jairam Ramesh: Recalling Essential Books on Constitution

In a reflection on the 75th anniversary, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled two iconic books that have shaped understanding of the Constitution’s making:

1. Granville Austin’s “The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation” – first published in 1966, a scholarly work based on unprecedented access to the private collections of key personalities involved in the Constitution’s drafting.
2. B. Shiva Rao’s “The Framing of the Indian Constitution” – published in 1968, a magisterial four-volume work detailing the historical context of the Constitution’s creation.

Ramesh highlighted the importance of these works in keeping alive the vision and wisdom of the Constituent Assembly.

A Shared Responsibility to Protect the Constitution

As India celebrates the 75th anniversary of its Constitution, Congress leaders across the board reiterated the importance of a collective commitment to uphold the values enshrined in the document. Whether it’s the protection of rights, the promotion of equality, or the preservation of democracy, the message is clear: the Constitution is the foundation of India’s unity and its core values must be safeguarded at all costs.

A day after the Maharashtra Assembly elections, in which the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory over the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut took to the media to share her views on the opposition’s defeat. Ranaut, known for her strong political statements, likened the MVA to a “demon” and blamed its failure on disrespecting women.

“I expected such a bad failure for Uddhav Thackeray. We can identify who is a ‘devta (god)’ and who is a ‘daitya (demon)’ depending on if they respect women or work for their welfare,” Ranaut said in an interaction with reporters in Delhi.

Her remarks came in the wake of her long-running feud with the Shiv Sena-led MVA government, particularly following a bitter clash in 2020 when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished alleged illegal alterations to her Bandra bungalow.

Ranaut accused the Thackeray government of disrespecting her and her work, saying, “Those who do not respect women can never win. They demolished my home and verbally abused me.” She claimed that their disrespect for women led to their downfall in the elections.

Before the demolition incident, Ranaut had criticized the Mumbai Police and had famously compared the city to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These earlier statements had added fuel to the feud between her and the MVA leadership.

Mahayuti Triumphs in Maharashtra Assembly Elections

The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition retained power in Maharashtra with a resounding victory, winning 230 out of 288 assembly seats. In contrast, the Congress-led MVA alliance, which included Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), could only manage 46 seats. None of the MVA’s constituents secured the minimum number of seats required to claim the position of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

Ranaut expressed her satisfaction with the outcome and congratulated the Mahayuti for its success. She also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, calling him “invincible” and a “devta” (god), claiming that he was born for the “salvation of the country.” She emphasized the Prime Minister’s unparalleled stature in the world and his ability to inspire people, especially the youth, who were seen chanting “Modi-Modi” during the campaign.

“The people of Maharashtra voted for development and a stable government,” Ranaut said, reinforcing her belief that the BJP’s brand had become synonymous with progress in the country.

PM Modi’s Leadership and the Decline of Congress

Ranaut also took a jab at the Congress, once a dominant political force in India, claiming that it had now become a “regional party” due to a loss of public trust. According to her, the Congress had failed to maintain its relevance as people increasingly turned towards the BJP and Prime Minister Modi for leadership.

As for the question of Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister, Ranaut deferred to the BJP high command, saying that the party leadership would decide who would hold the top post in the state.

The Road Ahead for Maharashtra

With the BJP’s overwhelming victory in Maharashtra, the focus now shifts to the formation of the new state government. Speculation continues over who will be named as the next Chief Minister, with several BJP leaders being considered for the top post.

As for Ranaut, her political career seems to be on the rise, with her alignment with the BJP further solidified by her vocal support for the party’s values and leadership.

New Delhi, Nov 25 : Following the violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the Yogi Adityanath-led government for its alleged mishandling of the situation and urged the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure justice.

The violence erupted on Sunday during protests against a court-mandated survey of a Mughal-era mosque, leaving three people dead and numerous others, including security personnel, injured.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Priyanka Gandhi expressed her dismay, stating, “The state government’s approach to the Sambhal issue is deeply unfortunate. Acting hastily on a sensitive matter without consulting both parties or following due procedure demonstrates that the government itself disrupted the peace.”

The Congress general secretary accused the administration of fostering discrimination and division, adding, “Such actions are detrimental to both the people and the country. I urge the Supreme Court to take cognizance of this incident and ensure justice.”

She also appealed to the public to maintain peace despite the circumstances.

Details of the Incident

On Sunday, clashes broke out between protesters and police in Sambhal, leading to the deaths of Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, all aged around 25, according to officials. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Moradabad) Muniraj confirmed the burials of the deceased on Monday.

During the violence, shots were reportedly fired by miscreants, injuring several officials, including the PRO of the superintendent of police, who suffered a gunshot wound, and the circle officer, who was struck by pellets. Additional injuries included a constable with a serious head injury and a deputy collector with a fractured leg.

In response, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders and restricted outsider entry until November 30. Internet services were suspended for 24 hours in the affected area, and schools were closed on Monday.

Political Reaction

The Congress accused the BJP-RSS and the Adityanath government of being responsible for the unrest, calling it a “well-planned conspiracy.” The party alleged that the administration’s direct firing on protesters revealed a calculated intent to suppress dissent, undermining peace and harmony.

Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh stated on Sunday that law enforcement was responding to violence instigated by miscreants, adding that multiple security personnel sustained injuries in the clash.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability, with opposition leaders demanding impartial investigations and remedial actions.

New Delhi, Nov 25 – Delhi’s air quality improved to the ‘poor’ category on Monday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). At 9 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 281, showing improvement from 318 at 4 pm on Sunday.

As per the AQI scale, readings between 201 and 300 are categorized as ‘poor,’ while 301 to 400 is ‘very poor.’ Despite the overall improvement, 15 out of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations reported AQI levels in the ‘very poor’ range, with Shadipur recording the highest at 353.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees above the seasonal average. The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 28 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels stood at 85% at 8:30 am, with moderate fog anticipated during the morning and nighttime hours.

Delhiites continue to experience a mix of slightly improved air quality and mild winter weather.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has achieved a significant triumph in the Punjab Assembly bypolls, winning three out of four contested seats. National convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab for reaffirming their trust in the party’s governance.

In a post on X, Kejriwal stated, “The people of Punjab have once again reposed faith in the ideology of AAP and the work of our government by giving us three out of four seats in the by-elections.” He thanked the voters for their continued support and confidence in AAP’s governance model.

Reacting to the victory, senior AAP leader and MP Raghav Chadha emphasized the growing public trust under the leadership of Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. “Heartfelt congratulations to all AAP Punjab volunteers and supporters on this win. Under the visionary leadership of Arvind Kejriwal ji and Bhagwant Mann ji, people’s trust in our welfare policies and honest politics is growing stronger,” he wrote on X, expressing optimism for future victories.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia credited the leadership of Kejriwal and Mann for the success. He remarked, “This victory reflects the result of Bhagwant Mann’s hard work and Arvind Kejriwal’s honest politics. The people of Punjab have sent a clear message—only the politics of work will prevail, not lies and corruption.”

AAP MP Sandeep Pathak also lauded the party workers and the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support. In a message on X, he wrote, “Many congratulations to the people of Punjab and all party workers for this spectacular victory in the Punjab bypolls.”

The bypoll results signify a robust endorsement of AAP’s governance in Punjab, reinforcing its position in the state ahead of future political contests.