Atishi says no Ambedkar or Bhagat Singh pictures allowed in offices; BJP denies accusations of lying
The latest controversy between the Delhi BJP government and the recently defeated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) revolves around the presence, or lack thereof, of photos of the nation’s freedom fighters in government offices. AAP MLA Atishi has accused Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of removing the photos of BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from all Delhi government offices.
Allegations of Anti-Dalit Mentality
Atishi has been vocal in her criticism, stating, “The anti-Dalit mentality of the BJP is well-known. Today, proof of its anti-Dalit mentality has been presented. Arvind Kejriwal put up photos of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh in every office of the Delhi government. Since the BJP came to power, it removed both photos from the chief minister’s office. This shows the BJP is an anti-Dalit, anti-Sikh party.”
Contradicting Evidence
Despite Atishi’s claims, a video of Ms. Gupta’s office shows that both the photos of BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh are still displayed, albeit on different walls. The placement of these photos is determined by the administration, not the chief minister. According to Mr. Singh, the protocol dictates that photos of prominent figures like Baba Saheb, Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister, and the President should be present in government offices.
Political Motivations
Mr. Singh also questioned the AAP’s motives, asking what photos were present when they were in power. He emphasized that the people have already rejected the AAP and that creating such controversies will not benefit them. He reiterated that the presence of the Prime Minister and President’s photos is in accordance with protocol.
In conclusion, while the debate over the placement of photos of freedom fighters may seem trivial, it reflects the ongoing political tensions in Delhi. Both parties are using this issue to score points and discredit their opponents, further highlighting the deep-rooted divisions in Indian politics.