AAP and BJP Engage in War of Words Over Removal of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh Photos

Image credits: Sushant Mehra/India Today

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have engaged in a war of words over the removal of photos of Dr. BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from the Delhi Chief Minister's Office. Former Delhi CM and AAP leader Atishi alleged that the BJP removed the pictures of the two iconic figures soon after coming to power, claiming that the party is anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh. Atishi questioned whether the BJP thinks PM Narendra Modi is greater than Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh, sparking a heated debate between the two parties.

The BJP quickly hit back, releasing a picture that showed BR Ambedkar's photograph on an adjoining wall, and a video that showed photos of Mahatma Gandhi, President Droupadi Murmu, and PM Modi behind the Chief Minister's chair, with photos of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh placed on the adjoining walls. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the photos of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh were not removed, but rather, the room was rearranged to give space to the head of the government, and that the AAP's claims were a tactic to hide their corruption and misdeeds. The controversy came as the first Delhi Assembly session was held after the BJP ended AAP's 10-year rule and came back to power after 27 years in the February 5 elections.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the removal of Ambedkar's photo had hurt millions of the Dalit icon's followers, and requested the BJP to put back the photo of Babasaheb alongside the photo of the Prime Minister. However, BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely accused the AAP of being "scared" as the CAG reports would be tabled in the Assembly session, and questioned why the AAP had removed Mahatma Gandhi's photo when they came to power. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between the two parties, with the AAP alleging that the BJP is trying to erase the legacy of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh, and the BJP claiming that the AAP is trying to create chaos to distract from their own corruption and misdeeds.

The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the importance of honoring India's iconic figures, and the role of political parties in preserving their legacy. The legacy of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh is deeply revered in India, and their photos are often displayed in government offices and public spaces as a symbol of respect and admiration. The controversy surrounding the removal of their photos has highlighted the need for political parties to be sensitive to the feelings of different communities and to respect the legacy of India's iconic figures.

Here are the key points in the timeline of events: * February 5: BJP wins the Delhi elections, ending AAP's 10-year rule * February 24: AAP alleges that BJP removed photos of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from CM Office * February 24: BJP releases picture and video showing photos of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh on adjoining walls * February 24: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal requests BJP to put back photo of Babasaheb alongside photo of Prime Minister * February 24: BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely accuses AAP of being "scared" of CAG reports, and questions why AAP removed Mahatma Gandhi's photo when they came to power The controversy is likely to continue, with both parties engaging in a war of words over the issue, and the legacy of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh remaining a deeply sensitive and revered topic in Indian politics.