Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
India

Arvind Kejriwal Faces Flak As Students Display His Name During Independence Day Ceremony

IANS, 15 Aug, 2015 01:21 PM
    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Saturday embroiled in yet another controversy when students who took part in the Independence Day ceremony, formed his name with placards instead of patriotic messages.
     
    The incident at the Chhatrasal stadium led to strong reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed it a "misuse" of the Independence Day celebrations.
     
    In a statement, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay condemned the Aam Aadmi Party government for politically misusing the Independence Day function and lowering the dignity and sanctity of the day.
     
    Delhi BJP media in-charge Praveen Shankar Kapoor said: "Self-obsessed chief minister Arvind Kejriwal should immediately apologise to the nation. This is an insult of the sacrifice of the freedom fighters."
     
    Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Yogendra Yadav called the act "embarrassing", and tweeted: "AAP Delhi touches a new low. Embarrassing."
     
    Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken termed it a matter of shame.
     
    "I don't believe it! It's a shame!" Maken tweeted.
     
    Reacting to the charges, government officials denied that it was done on instructions from the chief minister's office.
     
    They said the children also displayed other messages such as "Welcome" and "Thank You".
     
    Later, the government released a statement saying: "Delhi government condemns attempts to drag it into an unnecessary controversy on Independence Day, particularly when it had nothing to do with the entire issue."
     
    The government even released photographs of similar displays of the names of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit and Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung.
     
    "These photographs speak for themselves and this direct and concrete evidence should put an end to undesirable speculation which was completely avoidable," the statement said.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Syed Ali Geelani Spurns Pakistani Invite As 'Symbolic Protest'

    Syed Ali Geelani Spurns Pakistani Invite As 'Symbolic Protest'
    Hardline senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Tuesday said he would not attend the 'Eid Milan' function at the Pakistan High Commission on July 21 as a "symbolic protest".

    Syed Ali Geelani Spurns Pakistani Invite As 'Symbolic Protest'

    27 Hindu Pilgrims Die In Andhra Pradesh Stampede

    27 Hindu Pilgrims Die In Andhra Pradesh Stampede
    At least 27 pilgrims were killed and over 60 injured on Tuesday in a horrific stampede here at the start of the Godavari 'Maha Pushkaralu' -- the Kumbh Mela of the south, officials and witnesses said.

    27 Hindu Pilgrims Die In Andhra Pradesh Stampede

    Honest decision, justice for Indian cricket: Lalit Modi

    Honest decision, justice for Indian cricket: Lalit Modi
    Great outcome for justice and integrity. No surprise, first honest decision on Indian cricket and it comes from outside the BCCI. Lodha committee report is just the first step. It is not an end but has to be taken as a starting point. 

    Honest decision, justice for Indian cricket: Lalit Modi

    1984 Riots: When Silence Spoke So Unmistakably

    1984 Riots: When Silence Spoke So Unmistakably
    Sanjay Suri is the author of '1984 - the Anti-Sikh Violence and After'. He was a young crime reporter with The Indian Express newspaper in New Delhi when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards on 31 October 1984. 

    1984 Riots: When Silence Spoke So Unmistakably

    India Clears Defence Purchases Worth Over Rs.29,000 Crore

    India Clears Defence Purchases Worth Over Rs.29,000 Crore
    India on Tuesday cleared defence purchases worth over Rs.29,000 crore ($4.5 billion) at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

    India Clears Defence Purchases Worth Over Rs.29,000 Crore

    Pak High Commision Invites Kashmir Separatists For Eid Milan

    Pak High Commision Invites Kashmir Separatists For Eid Milan
    The Pakistan High Commission in India has invited Hurriyat leaders and other separatists from Kashmir to its Eid Milan party to be held on July 21.

    Pak High Commision Invites Kashmir Separatists For Eid Milan