Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday unveiled a scholarship initiative for Dalit students amidst ongoing controversy surrounding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments about Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha.

The scheme, titled ‘Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship,’ is seen by Kejriwal as a direct response to what he perceives as the BJP’s “disrespect” towards Ambedkar.

This initiative will allow all Dalit students from Delhi to receive free education at foreign universities. Kejriwal stated, “Government employees from the Dalit community will benefit from the ‘Ambedkar Samman Scholarship’ scheme. They will be able to send their children to study abroad at no cost, with the Delhi government covering all expenses related to education, travel, and accommodation.”

However, details regarding the application process and timeline for the scholarships have not been specified. Kejriwal expressed his outrage over Amit Shah’s remarks, stating, “Union Home Minister Amit Shah insulted and mocked Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar in Parliament, causing pain to millions who revere him. Ambedkar believed that education was the key to progress and secured a PhD from the US against all odds.”

Kejriwal further criticised the BJP, proclaiming, “You may insult Baba Saheb, but I will always honor him. This is my tribute to Baba Saheb.” The announcement of this scholarship scheme comes in light of the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi scheduled for next year.

Tensions escalated on Tuesday when Amit Shah, during a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha, remarked that mentioning Ambedkar had become a “fashion.”

He stated, “It has become the fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… If they (the Opposition) invoked God’s name as often, they might find a place in heaven.” This comment drew immediate backlash from the Opposition, including demands for Shah’s resignation. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress have since filed privilege motions against him in Parliament.

In response to the criticism, Shah accused the Congress of distorting facts and using edited videos to evade accountability regarding their alleged attacks on the Constitution and democracy in India. He dismissed calls for his resignation, asserting that it would not resolve the Congress’s issues.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Prajna Bhavan in Agartala on Saturday.

During his address, Shah emphasised the need for a shift in the police force’s approach now that insurgency has come to an end in the northeast, stressing the importance of providing speedy justice to citizens.

He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the region has witnessed significant peace efforts, marked by 20 peace accords over the past decade, leading to the surrender of around 9,000 armed militants.

“The police have been engaged in combating insurgency in the northeast for the last 40 years. With the conclusion of insurgency, it’s imperative that we adjust our approach to ensure that justice is delivered within three years of filing an FIR,” he stated.

Shah also noted the central government’s investment of Rs 81,000 crore in rail connectivity and Rs 41,000 crore in road infrastructure in the northeastern region. Additionally, he mentioned a focus on promoting organic farming in the area, announcing the establishment of the National Organic Corporation Ltd to enhance this sector.

He encouraged all Chief Ministers in the northeast to collaborate with NOCL for the packaging, marketing, and export of organic products.

Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with the Governors and Chief Ministers from all eight northeastern states, and senior officials, were in attendance.

Scindia mentioned that there would be in-depth discussions about the future development plans for the region, in addition to reviewing the council’s progress over the past year.

A delegation from the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) is also expected to participate in the discussions, according to reports.

Shah arrived in Tripura on December 20, 2024, to chair the NEC’s 72nd plenary session. The NEC serves as the central agency for economic and social development in the northeastern states, which include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday for a two-day visit, during which he will engage in discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership and connect with the Indian diaspora.

This significant visit was made at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and marked the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.

PM Modi’s trip comes shortly after recent political developments in the region, including the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and ongoing tensions due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. During his stay, he plans to hold talks with key Kuwaiti officials and meet with the Indian community.

In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasised the importance of his discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership, highlighting them as a chance to establish a roadmap for a future-oriented partnership between India and Kuwait.

He stated, “We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also share interests in peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the West Asia region.”

The Prime Minister expressed enthusiasm for his meetings with the Emir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait. Additionally, he will attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in the country. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.

Kuwait stands as one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching 10.47 billion for the first time, and the Kuwait Investment Authority’s investments in India have exceeded $10 billion.

The Indian community in Kuwait is the largest expatriate group, constituting 21% of the total population (approximately 1 million people) and about 30% of the workforce (around 900,000 individuals).

Indian workers hold leading positions in both the private and domestic sectors, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. Historically, India and Kuwait have shared friendly relations, with connections dating back to pre-oil Kuwait when maritime trade formed the foundation of Kuwait’s economy.