Latest news with #Baghel
United News of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Baghel accuses BJP of stalling OBC quota implementation
New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel today attacked the BJP, accusing it of deceiving the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community while pretending to champion their cause. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Baghel along with senior leaders Anil JaiHind, Jitu Patwari and Harish Chaudhary said, 'The true nature, character, and face of the BJP have now been exposed. Once again, it has been proven that while the BJP showcases the face of the OBC community, it actually betrays their interests.' The former Chhattisgarh CM said that in 1994, fourteen percent reservation was granted to the OBCs, which was later increased to 27 percent during the tenure of then Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh in 2003. He however claimed that the BJP failed to implement this increased quota, even under the leadership of three OBC Chief Ministers—Uma Bharti, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Mohan Yadav. Questioning the delay, Baghel said that there are no legal impediments to implementing the reservation. 'When the bill has been passed in the Assembly, approved by the court, and signed by the Governor, what is stopping the government from implementing it?' He also pointed to the unanimous decision of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on December 2, 2022, to provide 27 percent reservation to the backward classes. Baghel claimed that the Governor had assured publicly that she would not delay the bill if passed. However, despite the bill being sent to the Raj Bhavan on the same evening, the Governor reportedly said she was 'still studying' it, a process that remains incomplete even in mid-2025. 'This ongoing delay is a gross misuse of authority,' Baghel said, claiming that even the Supreme Court has reprimanded this inaction on multiple occasions. Terming the situation as 'deeply unfortunate,' Baghel alleged that the BJP is not only anti-OBC and anti-farmer but also displays blatant disregard for constitutional values. 'The refusal to implement Assembly-passed, court-backed bills is a living example of the BJP's anti-democratic character,' he added. UNI RBE PRS
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Constitution as sacred as Gita, Guru Granth Sahib and Bible: Minister SP Singh Baghel
Kurukshetra: Union minister of state (MoS) for fisheries, animal husbandry & dairying and panchayati raj, SP Singh Baghel, on Wednesday described the Indian Constitution as a sacred text on a par with the sacred Bhagavad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, and the Bible, emphasising that it must be respected and honoured as the foundation of India's democracy. Notably, the minister did not make any mention of Quran in his address. He was speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas 2025 (Constitution Murder Day 2025) at the Panchayat Bhawan auditorium in Kurukshetra. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Baghel said amendments in the Constitution are acceptable if made in the national interest, but any changes made for personal or political gain amount to the murder of the Constitution. He asserted that the BJP is committed to protecting the Constitution and upholding democratic values. Prior to his address, the minister visited an exhibition organised to depict the events surrounding the Emergency imposed in 1975, a period he said was widely viewed as a dark chapter in Indian democracy. During the event, individuals who were jailed during the Emergency and their families were honoured with shawls in recognition of their sacrifices. Baghel highlighted the symbolic importance of Kurukshetra, calling it the land where the eternal struggle between dharma and adharma, and justice and injustice, was first understood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kardiolog prozrazuje: Za velké břicho nemohou kalorie (Dělejte toto jednou denně) Dozvědět se víc Undo He said this message, rooted in Indian civilisation, has resonated globally. "In every age, injustice has ultimately failed. This lesson must not be forgotten, especially by those who attempt to undermine the Constitution," he remarked. He also underscored India's democratic heritage, stating, "Our democracy dates to the Dwapar and Treta Yugas. In contrast, the US only has the Statue of Liberty to symbolise its democratic ideals, yet it claims to be the oldest democracy. Today, India's citizens challenge that claim with pride, as India remains the world's oldest and largest democracy." The minister took the opportunity to highlight India's progress on gender inclusion in leadership, stating, "India has had two women Presidents, while the US is yet to elect a woman President." Criticising the 1975 Emergency, Baghel called it the only dark blot on Indian democracy. "It was a time when civil liberties were crushed. Citizens went into hiding, businesses were shuttered, farmers could not tend to their fields, and anyone seen outside risked being jailed. Around 1.1 lakh people, including journalists, were imprisoned. Electricity supply was cut off, and mass sterilisations were conducted. None of the conditions required to declare an emergency — external threat, internal disturbance, or financial crisis — existed at the time," he said. He noted that after the BJP came to power, efforts were made to honour and recognise those who endured suffering during the Emergency, restoring their dignity in the nation's democratic narrative. The event was attended by several BJP leaders from Kurukshetra.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Indian Constitution is as Sacred as Bhagavad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib and Bible: Union minister SP Baghel
- KURUKSHETRA: Union minister of state (MoS) for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, SP Singh Baghel on Wednesday described the Indian Constitution as a sacred text on par with the sacred Bhagavad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, and theBible, emphasising that it must be respected and honoured as the foundation of India's democracy. Notably, the minister did not make any mention of the sacred Quran in his address. He was speaking at a program organised on the occasion of ' Samvidhan Hatya Diwas 2025' (Constitution Murder Day 2025) at the Panchayat Bhawan auditorium in Kurukshetra. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, minister Baghel said that amendments in the Constitution are acceptable if made in the national interest, but any changes made for personal or political gain amount to the murder of the Constitution. He asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is committed to protecting the Constitution and upholding democratic values. Prior to his address, the minister visited a special exhibition organised to depict the events surrounding the Emergency imposed in 1975, a period he said widely viewed as a dark chapter in Indian democracy. During the event, individuals who were jailed during the Emergency and their families were honoured with shawls in recognition of their sacrifices. Baghel highlighted the symbolic importance of Kurukshetra , calling it the land where the eternal struggle between dharma and adharma , and justice and injustice , was first understood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He said this message, rooted in Indian civilisation, has resonated globally. 'In every age, injustice has ultimately failed. This lesson must not be forgotten, especially by those who attempt to undermine the Constitution,' he remarked. He also underscored India's democratic heritage, stating, 'Our democracy dates back to the Dwapar and Treta Yugas. In contrast, the United States only has the Statue of Liberty to symbolise its democratic ideals, yet it claims the oldest democracy. Today, India's citizens challenge that claim with pride, as India remains the world's oldest and largest democracy. ' The Minister took the opportunity to highlight India's progress on gender inclusion in leadership, stating, 'India has had two women Presidents , while the US is yet to elect a woman President.' Criticising the 1975 Emergency, Baghel called it the only dark blot on Indian democracy. 'It was a time when civil liberties were crushed. Citizens had to go into hiding, businesses were shuttered, farmers could not tend to their fields, and anyone seen outside risked being jailed. Around 1.1 lakh people, including journalists, were imprisoned. Electricity supply was cut off, and mass sterilisations were conducted. None of the conditions required to declare an emergency—external threat, internal disturbance, or financial crisis—existed at the time,' he said. He noted that after the BJP came to power, efforts were made to honour and recognise those who had endured suffering during the Emergency, restoring their dignity in the nation's democratic narrative. The event was attended by several BJP leaders from Kurukshetra.
NDTV
17-06-2025
- NDTV
Harbhajan, Yuvraj Singh Questioned Over Ads Promoting Illegal Betting Apps
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has expanded its investigation into illegal online betting apps to include endorsements by cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina and actor Urvashi Rautela. Sources told NDTV Profit these and other celebrities had been questioned as part of an ongoing investigation into promotion of banned platforms like 1xBet. These platforms, they said, were using 'surrogate names', such as 1xbat, in ad campaigns that include web links (for online material) and QR codes to redirect users to the original (and illegal) betting platform in blatant violation of current laws. The ED said these platforms presented themselves as hosting skill-based games but used rigged algorithims that classify them as 'gambling operations' under existing Indian laws. And by partnering with celebrities - a list that also includes Yuvraj Singh, another Indian cricketer - platforms like 1xBet gained 'massive visibility' and are cheating people. A preliminary inquiry by the federal agency suggests multiple laws may have been violated, including the Information Technology (IT) Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, and the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act, as well as government notifications. Representatives for Mr Singh and Mr Raina declined to speak to NDTV Profit, while those for Ms Rautela and others, including popular singer Sonu Sood, have not answered questions. Media outlets are also under scrutiny; ED sources said a sum exceeding Rs 50 crore was paid to various companies to run advertising campaigns. Illegal Betting Apps Crackdown This crackdown on illegal betting apps and platforms - many of which are promoted by celebrities - is one of several by authorities across the country; in May Telangana Police filed cases against 25 popular actors, including Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj. 'Thousands of lakhs of rupees are involved in these illegal platforms... it is leading families into distress, especially that of middle-class and lower middle-class', the complainant said. READ | Revanth Reddy vs Tollywood? FIR Against 25 Actors For Betting App Ads In response, Daggubati and Raj denied their actions were illegal, arguing they do not currently endorse these platforms any more and that, when they had endorsed them, the campaigns were limited to regions where online skill-based games are legally permitted. It is essential to note, Daggubati's sokesperson said, these online games have been recognised by the Supreme Court as distinct from gambling, as these games are based on skill not chance. Mahadev Online Betting Case And, between 2023 and 2024 there was a massive controversy over the Mahdev online betting case, a quagmire of allegations and claims that roiled high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh, including ex-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, allegedly a main beneficiary. READ | CBI Names Chhattisgarh Ex-Chief Minister Baghel In Betting App Case Mr Baghel too denied any link to the scam and called the allegations 'politically motivated', coming, as they did, shortly before a state election in 2023 and last year's Lok Sabha poll. As with the ED's investigation in the 1xBat - 1xbet case, the Mahadev betting app promoters - both facing extradition from Dubai - also created a subsidiary application, the Fairplay app. The projected illegal proceeds of the Mahadev betting app case alone are expected to cross Rs 6,000 crore, ED sources told NDTV in April, underlining the scale of such scams. Experts believe the illegal betting app business in India is worth over $100 billion and is growing at 30 per cent annually, despite authorities' efforts to crack down on all such platforms. There are an estimated 11 crore Indians who use these apps daily, and financial frauds by the promoters have been linked to over 1,000 suicides, including school students.
United News of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Baghel calls PM Modi's 11-year rule as 'monument of failures'
New Delhi, June 11 (UNI) The Congress on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 11 years in power, calling it a 'shining monument of failures and anti-people policies.' Addressing a press conference here, former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh accused the BJP-led government of 'misleading the public and spreading divisive politics over the past decade'. 'In the beginning, Modi ji sold dreams to the people, but after 11 years, he has brought the country to the brink of destroying even symbols of cultural harmony like sindoor,' Baghel said. Criticising the BJP's celebration of completing 11 years in power, the senior Congress leader said, 'There is a lot of noise from BJP leaders, but if you examine what the public has actually received, it's clear that every major scheme of the Modi government has failed.' He also accused the Prime Minister of deepening divisions within Indian society. 'His political journey has been one of disintegration and division,' Baghel claimed. He also accused the government of repeated governance failures and misinformation on key national crises, including the Kumbh Mela stampede, demonetisation, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Referring to the tragic stampede during the Kumbh Mela, Congress alleged a cover-up in the official death toll. On demonetisation, Congress criticised the government's tall claims about cracking down on black money and ending terrorism. 'The government promised to bring back black money and eliminate terrorism and Naxalism through demonetisation, but what followed was economic chaos. Many citizens lost their lives, and millions suffered hardships due to cash shortages and job losses,' Baghel alleged. 'The ground reality stands in stark contrast to Modi's promises,' ihe added, noting that neither terrorism nor Maoist violence has ceased, contrary to the government's claims. Baghel also lashed out at the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it unplanned and callous. 'The lockdown was imposed without proper preparation, causing mass displacement of migrant workers across the country. The health infrastructure was grossly inadequate, and thousands died without access to basic treatment,' he said. UNI RBE GNK
