R. Ashoka criticises Congress for delaying internal reservation implementation
Bengaluru: Opposition leader R. Ashoka expressed his discontent, accusing the Congress government of delaying the implementation of internal reservations despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval. Speaking to the press on Sunday, Ashoka stated that the BJP government had previously attempted to implement the reservations, but the Congress administration continues to stall.
Ashoka criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders for making grand statements on internal reservations and caste census while failing to take action. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had granted the authority to state governments to implement internal reservations and highlighted the BJP's efforts in this direction during their previous term. He added that Prime Minister Modi had approved the reservations during his visit to Telangana, yet Congress remains indecisive.
Ashoka also took a jibe at the Congress government, suggesting that it might form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the internal reservation and caste census matters, similar to the SITs already established. He sarcastically remarked that different laws seem to apply to BJP leaders like Munirathna and a different law applies to people like Vinay Kulkarni, suggesting the formation of a "double SIT" to reveal the truth behind the investigations being conducted by the SIT.
BJP does not need Congress's judicial certificates
Ashoka further alleged that Congress leaders had embezzled funds from the MUDA and Valmiki Development Corporation, to which the BJP had strongly protested. He referred to the stay order issued by the courts in B.S. Yediyurappa's case, contrasting it with the ongoing investigations into the MUDA and Valmiki Development Corporation scandals, which face no legal barriers.
He emphasised that the judiciary is the highest authority in the country and that the BJP will be vindicated through legal channels. Ashoka criticised Congress for acting as if it were the judiciary, declaring that no one needs such self-appointed oversight. He accused Congress of looting the country for nearly 60 years and questioned its moral authority, stating that no one requires a clean chit from them.
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'Blot on democracy', says Wangchuk after several detained outside Ladakh Bhawan
New Delhi, Oct 13: Delhi Police on Sunday detained several people from outside the Ladakh Bhawan where climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is leading an indefinite hunger strike since October 6 to press for their demand to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to one of the protesters, the detainees have been taken to the Mandir Marg police station.
Earlier police said that Sonam Wangchuk was among those detained, but later the New Delhi DCP clarified that the climate activist was not among the detainees.
"We have detained some students from outside the Ladhak Bhawan. Sonam Wangchuk is not among them," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla said.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk said in a video message that the Delhi Police detained several of their supporters, as he questioned why Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) which prohibits unauthorised gatherings is permanently enforced in New Delhi.
"Many people came here today to observe a silent protest. It is really sad that they were detained by Delhi Police. It is sad because in world's largest democracy, we can't even hold a silent protest," Wangchuk said in the message.
"We have been told that Section 163 has been enforced... It is sad that the mother of democracy has such a restriction imposed all through the year. This section is usually enforced temporarily only where there is a chance of law and order getting disrupted," Wangchuk added.
"This is a blot on our democracy, and courts should also take cognisance of it... How can such sections be imposed permanently," he asked.
The Ramon Magsaysay awardee climate activist also shared videos of people being detained on Instagram.
Stating that the protesters did not have the permission to sit outside the Ladakh Bhawan where Section 163 of BNSS is in place, a senior police officer said, "They have filed an application to hold protest at the Jantar Mantar. Their application is under consideration. They are not allowed to protest at any other site. We have detained a few people, who will be released soon."
Wangchuk and his supporters who marched to Delhi from Leh were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on September 30 before being released on October 2.
The group is demanding a meeting with the top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to press for their demands.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution includes provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram in northeast India. It also establishes autonomous councils that have legislative, judicial, executive and financial powers to independently govern these areas.
The march to Delhi was organised by the Leh Apex Body which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance has been spearheading an agitation for the last four years seeking statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) October 13, 2024
On 8th day of fast, 61 people doing a Moun Vrat on Ekadashi to #SaveLadakh #SaveHimalayas were forcibly detained.
We were told BNSS 163 (144) prohibitory orders were permanently applied in entire New Delhi district. This I think is against the spirit of… pic.twitter.com/dQz0Gzj2JG
