Bengaluru, Dec 18: Taking objection to the statements made by the Union Home Minister in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister on Wednesday stated that had B.R. Ambedkar not been born he (Siddaramaiah) might have been herding cattle in his village and Amit Shah would have been running a scrap business in his hometown.

In his open letter addressed to HM Amit Shah, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “Had Dr. Ambedkar not been born, I wouldn’t have had the privilege of becoming the Chief Minister today. I might have been herding cattle in my village.

“Our senior leader, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, wouldn’t have risen to lead the AICC and he might have been working in a factory in Kalaburagi. We owe every step of our progress and dignity to Babasaheb and the Constitution he gave us.”

“Not just me, without Dr Ambedkar’s contributions, you (Amit Shah) too wouldn’t be the Home Minister today. Instead, you might have been running a scrap business in your hometown.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, your colleague, might still be selling tea at a railway station. Babasaheb’s vision is what elevated us all. Even the Prime Minister might admit this, and so should you,” he underlined.

“First, let me congratulate you for finally speaking the truth by openly revealing the BJP’s real opinion about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

“Your statement in Parliament (18-12-2024) didn’t surprise us; we already knew your party’s true mindset. But now, the entire country has seen your lack of respect for the architect of the Indian Constitution.

“Standing in the very Parliament that runs under his Constitution and calling his memory a ‘habit’ shows your arrogance. Congratulations, Mr. Shah, for this shameless act,” the CM stated.

“Do not attempt to mislead the nation by saying, ‘I have immense respect for Babasaheb, and my words were twisted.’ We are not gullible. Own up to your words and face the nation,” he charged.

“For us, Ambedkar is not a ‘fashion’ but an eternal inspiration. As long as we breathe, as long as the Sun and Moon shine on this Earth, Ambedkar’s legacy will endure.

“The more you try to diminish his memory, the stronger it will rise to guide us forward. While your sycophants might have clapped at your arrogance, remember this: Millions across this country, who have gained equality and dignity because of Babasaheb, are condemning you,” he maintained.

“Your hatred for Ambedkar is not new to those who know history. Why did your ideological parent, the RSS, reject the Constitution written by Babasaheb during his lifetime? Historical records document the statements of RSS leaders like Hedgewar, Golwalkar, and Savarkar against the Constitution.

“You may try to suppress these truths, but they cannot be erased. Your remarks in Parliament are just an extension of that long-standing RSS ideology,” CM Siddaramaiah alleged in his letter.

US President-Elect Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India saying that if it taxes American products, the US will do the same. Trump’s words came during his interaction with journalists at his Mar-a-Lago resort Since his first term, Trump has been hawkish about taxing foreign products but has not fully implemented what he has said. However, Trump’s warnings are taken seriously as markets move according to what a US president says.

“If they tax us, we tax them the same amount,” Trump told reporters.

Other than about India, Trump has been vocal about taxes imposed on American products by Brazil, Mexico and China.

“The word reciprocal is important because if somebody charges us – India, we don’t have to talk about our own – if India charges us 100 per cent, do we charge them nothing for the same? You know, they send in a bicycle, and we send them a bicycle. They charge us 100 and 200. India charges a lot,” said Trump.

“India charges a lot. Brazil charges a lot. If they want to charge us, that’s fine, but we’re going to charge them the same thing,” he added.

The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden has sounded upbeat about India-US ties. On Tuesday, Biden administration said that it was leaving India-US relations “in a very strong place”

“We continue to be very ambitious about the US-India relationship. We’ve had very high-level engagement over the course of the last several months with the QUAD summit in Delaware, and we are anticipating a high-level engagement in the last few weeks of the Biden administration,” said US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Tuesday.

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced the launch of the ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’, a scheme aimed at providing free treatment to the elderly in Delhi who are above 60 years of age.

Speaking at a public event, Kejriwal said, “In old age, one thing troubles everyone: as age increases, numerous diseases affect a person. The biggest worry is how to get treatment. I also know of people who come from good families, but their children do not take care of them. In old age, I have seen elderly people from good families suffering, as if their children had abandoned them. But you don’t have to worry; your son is still alive.”

He continued, “Today, I am going to announce the Sanjeevani Yojana for the elderly of Delhi. Our elders, above 60 years of age, will receive free treatment. We will bring this scheme after the elections and pass it.”

About The Scheme

Kejriwal further explained that the scheme will provide free treatment at both government and private hospitals. “Whether one wants to get treatment in a government or private hospital, their entire treatment will be free. There will be no limits; everyone will be treated. Whether rich or poor, everyone will be treated for free. There will be no upper limit,” he said.

The AAP leader added that registration for this scheme will begin soon, and it will be done by AAP workers at people’s doorsteps. “Registration for this will start in 2-3 days, but there is no need to go anywhere to register. Aam Aadmi Party workers will come to you, register you, and leave. They will give you a card, so keep it carefully,” he said.

Kejriwal concluded, “As soon as our government is formed after the elections, this son of yours will fulfill the responsibility of keeping you healthy in your old age.”

The assembly elections in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. AAP won 62 out of the 70 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, while the BJP secured eight seats.