Dinesh Gundurao lashes at Centre, says “Country’s situation should be changed not name”
Bengaluru: Amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the renaming of India to ‘Bharat’, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundurao on Tuesday lashing out at the center stated that, "Both 'India' and 'Bharat' hold special places in our hearts, there is no difference between both. Renaming it 'Bharat' with good intentions is not objectionable. It is an act of stupidity to rename the country’s name to ‘Bharat’ in the context of opposition parties uniting to form an alliance under the name I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Dinesh stated, “The central government is planning to rename the country as 'Bharat' instead of 'INDIA' because of the opposition alliance's adoption of the name 'I.N.D.I.A. Is BJP so afraid of INDIA alliance? What is the motive behind renaming the country apart from the reason of fear of opposition alliance 'INDIA',” he asked, posing this question to PM Modi.
He further added that, “If the name INDIA is changed to 'Bharat' will the country change? Dear Modi, what needs to be changed is not the name of the country, but the situation of the country. Instead of changing the name, change the standard of living of the people. Change the minds of your devotees who are disturbing the peace of society through hatred. Make this country a garden of peace for all religions.”
The row came to light after reports claiming that an invite for a G20 dinner was sent by the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sept 9th in the name of 'President of Bharat' instead of the usual ‘President of India. A photo of the same also went viral over the internet, sparking debate across the country.
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Right to vote under threat, must be made fundamental right: Cong's Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday that the right to vote is under threat and the time has come when it should be made a fundamental right for citizens.
Speaking with reporters, Ramesh lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the Election Commission (EC) has never been as compromised as it has been under him.
"The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer," the Congress leader said, slamming Kumar.
Kumar is completely compromised and has become a player in elections, he alleged.
"Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds -- detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported," Ramesh said, adding that the right to vote is now under threat.
On opposition parties submitting a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to move a motion for the CEC's removal, the Congress leader said they will continue to make efforts for Kumar's removal as he is "compromised".
Ramesh also batted for the right to vote to be recognised as a fundamental right.
"I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable," he said.
The former Union minister said this was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, but it was eventually decided that it should be made part of the Constitution.
B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned that in the future, governments might try to disenfranchise voters, he added.
"Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens," Ramesh asserted.
