Controversial Ambedkar skit won first prize despite disqualification efforts: Reports
Bengaluru: The controversial skit, performed at the Jain University CMS students recently, allegedly demeaning Dr. B R Ambedkar and the Dalit community, was performed at the Mount Carmel College, according to sources in the College.
The sources of information, who wished to remain confidential, said that the skit was performed by The Delroys Boys of the CMS at the MadAds contest of the ‘Cul-Ah!’ art fest of the Mount Carmel College. Under25, a students’ organization of MCC, had organized the MadAds contest on February 4, when the Jain University students had presented the skit.
The Delroys Boys had also been awarded the first prize for the performance, as per the source, reports The Indian Express. The team had been awarded the prize in spite of disqualification efforts. “During the performance, complaints were reportedly being made by some people from the audience that the act is casteist but the jury did not act on it saying that the ‘act is not vulgar’,” the sources said.
The Under25’s Instagram page revealed that the jury for the MadAds competition included Rebecca Florence, former vice president of the council of St Joseph College of Commerce (SJCC), Niss Geo, former student council president at Baldwins Methodist College, and Harshil J Shah, who had earlier been a part of the Delroys Boys group.
Also, an official from CMS had earlier confirmed that the skit had been performed at two other similar fests and was not extempore.
It is yet to be confirmed if the skit was presented before the faculty of Mount Carmel College.
A student of the College said, “When Under25 approached the judges to disqualify the performers of the skit, the judges labelled it as dark humour and said the skit was fine. However, some members quit the association as a mark of protest against the skit.”
Dr Charmaine Jerome, vice-principal of the College was not available to comment on the matter.
A police officer told The Indian Express, “We learnt that the skit was performed at MCC as well, but we need to find the video evidence for the same. Based on which further action will be taken.”
Krishnakant, DCP Bengaluru South, who did not comment on the involvement of the College in the play, said, “The nine accused in the case have been sent to judicial custody and further investigation is on.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
