MP BJP ministers comment on Rahul-Priyanka relationship; whip up controversy as Opposition reacts
Bhopal: The controversy that rose following Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's comments on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has intensified with Minister Vijay Shah openly supporting Vijayvargiya during an event in Khandwa.
Criticizing public displays of affection between the Gandhi siblings, Shah said it was not a part of Indian culture. “Our civilization, customs and traditions do not teach this. Whatever they teach, practice it in your own homes, not at public places,” the minister stated, on lines similar to those of Vijayvargiya.
Pointing to a fellow legislator Kanchan Tanve, Shah continued his speech, “She is also my real sister, so would I kiss her in public? Indian culture and civilization do not teach this.”
Taking objection to both Vijayvargiya's and Shah's statements, the Congress held statewide protests in Madhya Pradesh. Effigies of Vijayvargiya were burnt and Shah was slammed for supporting him.
Congress spokesperson KK Mishra called it unfortunate that BJP ministers who use derogatory language faced no legal action.
State Congress President Jitu Patwari termed Mr Vijayvargiya's comments "disgusting" and "a direct challenge to India's culture, tradition, and the sacred brother-sister relationship." He also demanded that both ministers resign. Further, Patwari accused Mr Vijayvargiya of being frustrated at not becoming Chief Minister and said, "At the age of 70, he is making absurd statements, insulting our culture and women alike."
The controversy however, has intensified as Shah has backed Vijayvargiya openly and both the Cabinet ministers have been accused of distorting cultural values for political gains, while the opposition intensifies its campaign to corner the ruling BJP on issues of dignity, language, and respect for women.
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Judiciary needs to function like 24x7 hospitals to address common man's pain, aspirations: CJI
Jabalpur (PTI): Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday said it was time for the judiciary to address the pain and aspirations of the common man through an immediate relief-giving mechanism, and stressed the need for the judicial system to function like hospitals that work round-the-clock.
He said technology was the only effective answer to wastage of judiciary's time, and called for deepening technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-based judicial architecture to expedite justice delivery.
The CJI was speaking at a programme organised by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on "Fragmentation to fusion, Empowering justice via united digital platform integration". He also launched the high court's newly-developed digital platforms.
"Indian judiciary is committed to ensuring optimum utilisation of not only technological advancements that have been going on and which are integral part of our system since 1990, but also of latest AI designs and how we can use them for the benefit of the common man," he said.
"We should think of deepening technology and AI-based judicial architecture. Technology is the only effective answer to wasting judicial time," CJI Kant said.
The time has come when the judiciary needs to address the aspirations, requirements, demands, pain and agony of the common man through an immediate relief-giving system, he said.
"For that, the judiciary needs to work like hospitals that function 24x7," he added.
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, the CJI said the Indian judiciary was praised globally for discharging its constitutional duties during difficult times.
"We did not close our courts," he said, elaborating on how technology enabled courts to conduct urgent hearings during the pandemic.
He stressed the need to make use of technological advancements in judiciary for expediting the justice delivery system.
Praising Madhya Pradesh HC for developing digital platforms, the CJI said that as stated by the Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, there was a need to roll out these technological advancements at the pan-India level.
A committee has been constituted by the Supreme Court on how to use AI for the benefit of the judicial system, especially in speedy disposal of cases, according to him.
Minister Meghwal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and MP High Court Chief Justice Sanjeev Sabharwal also spoke on the occasion.
