The BJP on Monday released an Aarop Patra or chargesheet against Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi ahead of the assembly election.  The event was attended by BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur and city BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. 

Speaking to the media, Anurag Thakur said that the AAP promised to make Delhi schools world-class, yet over 2,00,000 students are still deprived of education. He added that AAP also promised 24/7 clean and free water, but today, thousands of families are forced to buy water from tankers after spending money.

The BJP MP continued that the party also promised free clinics and large hospitals in Delhi, but today 70 per cent of patients are compelled to seek treatment in private hospitals. He further mentioned that the AQI level once crossed 1200 and is still above 500. He also pointed out that AAP promised to make Delhi corruption-free, but eight ministers, one MP, and 15 MLAs from their party have already been to jail.

Furthermore, continuing his attack on Atishi-led AAP government, Anurag Thakur highlighted the froth in the river Yamuna. He said that people from Purvanchal used to perform Chhath Puja with devotion and rituals on the banks of the Yamuna but Arvind Kejriwal’s government had polluted the Yamuna so much that now celebrating the festival has stopped.

Mentioning that they need to save Delhi from Kejriwal’s corruption and pollution, the BJP MP appealed to Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna because if it is not cleaned by 2025. He added that they will hold Arvind Kejriwal accountable if Yamuna is not cleaned.

Furthermore, Anurag Thakur alleged that there have been multiple scams in the AAP government including the water board scam, the classroom scam, the Mohalla Clinic scam, the Waqf Board scam, the liquor scam, DTC scandals, and so on. He also asserted that Arvin Kejriwal is a friend of the corrupt and a criminal of Delhi.

He pointed out that AAP is the only government where the health minister, deputy CM, and CM were all in jail. This was not a government for the people but a government for the jail, Thakur said.

Reacting to the allegations, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal hit back saying that BJP has no agenda to contest elections. He added that the BJP should tell the people of Delhi what they have done for Delhi in 5 years.

Arvind Kejriwal noted that AAP has done a lot of work for Delhiites in terms of electricity, water, women’s travel, roads and many other things. Questioning what work has the BJP done, Kejriwal stated that the law and order situation in Delhi has collapsed. The AAP national convenor also said that the BJP has no Chief Minister face. 

As the nation observes National Farmer’s Day, trending topics like Chaudhary Charan Singh, “Thank You Kisan,” and #NationalFarmersDay have captured widespread attention across social media platforms. The day is being celebrated with heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister, who is remembered for his transformative role in shaping India’s agricultural policies. The hashtag “Thank You Kisan” has gained momentum as people across the country express their gratitude for farmers, recognizing their critical contribution to food security and the nation’s economy. This surge in online discussions highlights the growing awareness and appreciation of the challenges faced by farmers, further underscoring the need for continued support and empowerment in the agricultural sector.

National Farmer’s Day, or Kisan Diwas, is observed on December 23 each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India, who was a passionate advocate for the welfare of farmers. This day highlights his enduring contributions to improving the conditions of India’s farming community. The day serves as a reminder of the vital role farmers play in the country’s economic and social fabric, celebrating their hard work and contribution to the nation’s prosperity.

Chaudhary Charan Singh, devoted a significant part of his political life to advocating for the well-being of farmers. His efforts focused on implementing policies that aimed to improve their socio-economic conditions and address the challenges they faced in rural India. His tenure as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980 was marked by significant reforms aimed at empowering India’s agricultural community. One of his landmark initiatives was the Debt Redemption Bill of 1939, which aimed to free farmers from the clutches of exploitative moneylenders. Singh also implemented transformative land reforms in Uttar Pradesh, helping to reshape the agricultural landscape and ensure greater equity for farmers.

In honour of his legacy, a memorial named Kishan Ghat was established in New Delhi, and in 2001, the Government of India officially declared December 23 as Kisan Diwas. The observance of this day highlights Chaudhary Charan Singh’s enduring vision for the upliftment of farmers and emphasizes the importance of their well-being for the overall development of the country.

The theme for National Farmer’s Day 2024 is “Empowering ‘Annadatas’ for a Prosperous Nation.” This year’s theme underscores the necessity of providing farmers with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to ensure sustainable agricultural growth, while also fostering national prosperity. It reflects the growing recognition of farmers as the backbone of India’s economy, often referred to as the ‘Annadatas’ (providers of food).

Kisan Diwas is not only a day for honouring farmers but also an opportunity to address critical issues affecting the agricultural sector. Topics such as fair pricing, climate resilience, sustainable farming practices, and the integration of modern agricultural technologies are brought to the forefront. Additionally, the day provides a platform for discussing various government initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers and boosting their contribution to the national economy.

As we observe this important day, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to support the agricultural community and ensure that the next generation of farmers is equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

In a high-profile case, former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar has been denied pre-arrest bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with allegations of forgery and cheating. Ms. Khedkar, who was dismissed from service by the Union government on September 7, has claimed she is being targeted due to her filing of a sexual harassment complaint against a senior officer.

The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, stated that Ms. Khedkar’s actions appeared to be part of a “larger conspiracy” aimed at defrauding authorities. The court noted, “The conduct of the petitioner was purely driven with a motive to dupe the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and all documents allegedly forged by her were intended to exploit benefits meant for disadvantaged groups.”

The charges against Ms. Khedkar, which the court described as “a classic example of fraud,” also led to her being deemed “unfit for appointment.” It was further observed that her actions not only betrayed the UPSC but also the public trust, constituting an offence against the nation at large.

The court indicated the possibility of collusion between Ms. Khedkar’s family members and powerful individuals in fabricating documents to secure undue advantages. This raises the likelihood of the investigation expanding to include other government officials and departments allegedly involved in the conspiracy.

Temporary protection from arrest, which had been earlier granted to Ms. Khedkar, is likely to be revoked following the court’s decision. Both the Delhi Police and the UPSC opposed her bail plea, emphasizing the need for her custody to facilitate a thorough investigation.

The Delhi Police argued that Ms. Khedkar’s custody was critical to interrogate her and identify others involved in what they described as a “deep-rooted conspiracy.” The UPSC, on its part, stressed that the alleged fraud could not have been carried out without external assistance and urged the court to deny bail to ensure an unhindered investigation.

In her defense, Ms. Khedkar maintained her innocence, asserting that the allegations were retaliatory and stemmed from her complaint of sexual harassment. She has denied all charges, including the accusation that she forged documents to gain benefits reserved for disadvantaged groups.

This case highlights significant issues surrounding alleged misuse of administrative systems and raises questions about accountability and integrity within public institutions. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities under pressure to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.