After Murshidabad, West Bengal's South 24 Parganas on Monday saw clashes during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. Eight cops were injured, a police van and bikes were vandalised, and two people were arrested in the violence
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00:00Good evening, you're watching News Today at 9pm. I'm Preeti Chaudhary. Our big talking points over the course of the next 45 minutes.
00:07The Vakf Amendment Bill fire has singed Murshidabad in West Bengal who's stoking the Bengal fire. That's a top question.
00:14Can India get Mehul Choksi back is the other big story we'd be focusing on.
00:20Also, later on the show, Neta's in race to appropriate Ambedkar's legacy.
00:26Today is Ambedkar Jayanti. All of that coming up over the course of the next 45 minutes.
00:32Allow me to take you through the headlines first.
00:36India foiled fugitive Mehul Choksi's plan to flee to Switzerland.
00:40Choksi arrested in Belgium. Authorities to seek extradition of the accused in PNB scam.
00:46Bengal's Murshidabad tense after violent anti-Vakf law protests.
00:56Police find PFI link in violence.
00:58Mantha Banerjee says, don't play unholy games with religion.
01:03On the other hand, Prime Minister Modi makes his big Vakf law defense.
01:12As land was looted in the name of Vakf, accuses Congress of spreading vote bank virus over the issue.
01:22Telangana becomes the first state to implement quota within quota for Supreme Court's move after Telangana for SC.
01:30Move after Telangana Caste Survey was stable. Chief Minister Revant Reddy hails caste quota.
01:39Congress Chief Kharge hits out on Ambedkar Jayanti.
01:43Says Modi government only paying lip service to the cause of Dalits.
01:47Calls BJP and RSS enemies of the constitution.
01:50BSP Chief Maya Vati once again accepts Neviu Akash Anand's apology months after he was axed from BSP for anti-party activities.
02:05Akash says Maya Vati is only political guru.
02:08Actor Salman Khan gets fresh death threats.
02:17Unidentified person claims that he will plant a bomb in the actor's vehicle.
02:21Mumbai police registers case.
02:23Katy Perry along with an all-women space capsule fly to space in 11 minutes.
02:40Space Odyssey scripts history.
02:42And Google cuts jobs across Android Pixel and Chrome teams, lays off hundreds.
02:52Layoffs likely to hit Indian shores with limited impact.
02:55All right, our top story is coming in from West Bengal.
03:04Tension in Bengal's Murshidabad district is far from over, even as calm returns to the street and a rather uneasy calm at that.
03:12Disturbing revelations from the violence probe are sparking fresh outrage, both on ground and in the political arena.
03:20Here's the full report.
03:25Murshidabad is slowly recovering from deadly anti-vaq frights, which killed three and forced 500 local residents to turn refugees.
03:49Investigators have uncovered a disturbing trend.
03:51Children and teenagers, belting stones, vandalizing shops and residences.
03:59Prieters had set fire to multiple homes, attacked residents, forcing a Hindu exodus.
04:05And now, a day later, the residents are slowly returning, under heavy police cover.
04:25We are trying to ensure that this case is dealt with the greatest sensitivity, the greatest responsibility,
04:52so that all the actual persons who had gone there and who had indulged in this kind of heinous crime are brought to work.
05:00Bengal cops blamed banned PFI front SDPI for brainwashing local Muslim community by spreading lies about snatching of Muslim land.
05:11The BJP sought a NIA probe and posted a video of Mamata Banerjee warning against possible Muslim people.
05:41Muslim unrest in assembly and called the riot state-sponsored.
05:45Muslim unrest in the
06:15The TMC pointed fingers at BJP and Border Guard's BSF, saying they stoked fire.
06:45While scores have been arrested for the violence, will the rear perpetrators behind Murshidabad riots be brought to book?
06:58With Anupam Mishra in Murshidabad, Bureau Report, India Today.
07:15They want President's Rule in West Bengal, they want the NIA to step in to investigate on what really happened in Murshidabad.
07:23At the forefront of it all is one of the BJP MLAs from West Bengal, Agni Mitrapol.
07:28She joins us today from Kolkata.
07:31Ms. Paul, appreciate you taking the time out and joining us.
07:34Ma'am, you know, what's happening in Murshidabad is tragic.
07:37What we are seeing are tragic scenes coming in.
07:40It is your responsibility as a primary opposition to bring it up, to speak of it, you know, to put the spotlight on what's going on.
07:49But the West Bengal Chief Minister and the West Bengal government alleges that the BJP is playing with fire.
07:57You're not trying to help to calm down the situation, but only trying to inflame communal tensions in the state.
08:04See, actually, Mamata Banerjee, our Chief Minister, after the 26,000, you know, jobs of teachers,
08:15which has been, you know, cancelled by the Honourable Supreme Court,
08:19now she needs to change the direction.
08:22You know, people have been talking about it and people of Bengal are furious on this government.
08:26So, to change the direction of the attention, I feel Mamata Banerjee and this DMC government has purposefully, you know, done this riot.
08:37Because from the last 10-15 days, she has been saying that there will be riot, there will be riot, you know,
08:43from the time this, you know, 26,000 jobs have been cancelled.
08:49How did she know that there will be riot?
08:52And if she knew she is a police minister, she should have taken action.
08:55So, we are extremely sure that this, the thing that has happened, the riot in Muschidabad, Malda,
09:02and which is spreading elsewhere, is being done by Mamata Banerjee, you know,
09:07with the support of the fundamentalist forces from Bangladesh.
09:12She has a bigger agenda.
09:13Other than, you know, deviating the direction of the people of Bengal,
09:18there is another bigger agenda of creating Bangalistan, which they are saying,
09:23you know, merging West Bengal and Bangladesh and making it Bangalastan.
09:28Probably she is planning to be the prime minister of that Bangalastan Islamic state.
09:34So, everything is being done by Mamata Banerjee.
09:37Otherwise, I will ask you, why was the West Bengal police a mute spectator?
09:43When BSF was there yesterday, they didn't even take one hour time, you know,
09:50and there is peace over there right now.
09:53Then why couldn't what BSF did, why couldn't West Bengal police do the same thing?
09:58Why were the mute spectators?
10:00Why were the Hindu houses being burnt?
10:03And they were just standing and watching?
10:06Our Hindu two brothers have been killed?
10:08One Muslim brother has been killed?
10:11Our Hindu temples are being desecrated?
10:14Why?
10:15Hindu shops have been looted?
10:18You know, Ms. Paul, the West Bengal police alleges,
10:21and they have come out with a press conference as well,
10:24that a part of this violence has been spread by the BJP that you are spreading,
10:29which is your party.
10:30This is the allegation of the West Bengal police,
10:33and I am just elucidating that.
10:34That the BJP is spreading disinformation by circulating pictures,
10:39attributing them to Murshidabad violence,
10:41when they have absolutely nothing to do with that.
10:43So what they've also done is they have called out or flagged a post on the social media platform X,
10:50where they've called out nine pictures which were posted by the BJP handle,
10:53suggesting that these pictures have nothing to do with the violence in Murshidabad,
10:58but these pictures have been taken from Assam, from Uttar Pradesh,
11:01and other parts of India to project of what is going on in Murshidabad.
11:06So that the West Bengal police says that the BJP is on a disinformation drive.
11:16Escalate?
11:17Whenever we talk,
11:19whenever we talk about Hindus being attacked,
11:24being tortured,
11:25it is that we are trying to escalate.
11:29So,
11:29we being a responsible party,
11:31a national party,
11:33we don't have the right to talk about the security,
11:36safety of the people of Bengal.
11:38Should we keep mum?
11:40From the time,
11:41you know,
11:42from the time this government has come,
11:45Durga Puja is not being allowed.
11:47We need to go to the Honorable Court.
11:49Saraswati Puja is not being allowed.
11:51Kartik Puja is not being allowed.
11:53When you ask for a Bengali teacher,
11:55you are giving Urdu teacher.
11:57And then when you protest,
11:58you are being killed by West Bengal police.
12:01So,
12:01we being the,
12:02you know,
12:02MLA's,
12:03MP's,
12:03and public representatives,
12:05and being part of the biggest party of the world,
12:09we should keep quiet.
12:10What does Mamata Banerji think,
12:12and the TNC think?
12:13We will not keep quiet.
12:15Whether it's about torture on a Muslim,
12:17we will not keep quiet.
12:18Whether it's a torture on Hindu,
12:20or Sikh,
12:21or Christian,
12:22we will not keep quiet.
12:24If Mamata Banerji is trying to do
12:26appeasement politics
12:27for her boat bank,
12:29we will not allow her to do that.
12:32She is playing with fire.
12:34Okay.
12:35But,
12:36you know,
12:36Miss Paul,
12:37the fact is,
12:37the allegation coming in
12:39from the TMC is,
12:40that this is classic
12:41BJP playbook.
12:43You wanted the kind of violence
12:44that has happened.
12:45And look at how your own leaders
12:47are behaving.
12:48Now,
12:48this is the charge of Mamata Banerji,
12:49because she's gone ahead and said,
12:51look at the likes of the BJP president,
12:54Shukanta Mazumdar,
12:55who openly is trying to incite violence,
12:57suggesting that we will bring people
12:59from outside of West Bengal
13:01to settle scores,
13:02if,
13:03you know,
13:04Mamata Banerji cannot handle it
13:06back here,
13:07that it's time to,
13:09you know,
13:09clean out Murshidabad.
13:10So,
13:12the charge is,
13:13Miss Paul,
13:14that you are trying to
13:15only create more tension,
13:17and your leaders,
13:18like you,
13:19like Shukanta Mazumdar,
13:21are at the forefront of it.
13:22So,
13:24what do you want?
13:25What does Mamata Banerji want,
13:27or what does the TMC want?
13:28That TMC,
13:30Chief Minister and Supremo Mamata Banerji,
13:33will torture Hindu brothers and sisters,
13:37like what we had seen in 1971,
13:39the same thing we are seeing,
13:41Hindu brothers,
13:42sisters,
13:42little children,
13:43are running for their lives,
13:45leaving Murshidabad,
13:46and going to other states,
13:47and this will be allowed,
13:50Mamata Banerji will try to kill us,
13:53and corner the Hindus of Bengal,
13:55because she only works for the 33% Muslims of Bengal,
13:59and we will keep quiet.
14:02We are part of Shaktishali Bharat,
14:03we are part of Modiji's Bharat.
14:06So,
14:06if there is any attack on us,
14:09on our Hindu brothers and sisters,
14:11to save our lives,
14:13to save our family,
14:14to save our children,
14:16we need to take,
14:17and we need to retaliate.
14:19So,
14:19that is what Sukantum Mujumdar said,
14:21we want peace,
14:23we want Sabka Sat,
14:24Sabka Vikas,
14:25but if Mamata Banerji thinks,
14:27that she will incite,
14:29and her minister,
14:31Siddiquilla Chaudhary,
14:33and Munirul Islam,
14:35her TMC MLS,
14:37are going to incite,
14:38and say that we will not allow,
14:40Vaka fine to be,
14:42you know,
14:43installed in West Bengal.
14:44Why?
14:46West Bengal is,
14:47not part of India.
14:50The other charge,
14:51you know,
14:52Agni Mitra Paul is,
14:53which comes from the TMC,
14:54there was a press conference shortly,
14:56Kunal Ghosh,
14:57made a very sinister charge,
14:58where he says that,
15:00allegation again,
15:01that the BJP,
15:03along with central agencies,
15:04like the BSF,
15:05drew the blueprint,
15:07of the violence,
15:08that took place in Murshidabad,
15:09they say they have proof,
15:10they are very soon,
15:11going to come out with that proof.
15:12See,
15:16the spokesperson of TMC,
15:18or whoever it is,
15:20if,
15:21West Bengal police,
15:22would have controlled the situation,
15:24if they would have,
15:25you know,
15:26completely stopped,
15:27this hooliganism,
15:28and this looting,
15:30there was no need,
15:31of BSF to be there,
15:33we wouldn't have called BSF,
15:35they have given us,
15:35the opportunity,
15:36why couldn't West Bengal police control,
15:41why were three people killed,
15:43why were hundreds of Hindu,
15:45shops burnt,
15:48and we will stay quiet,
15:50your state police,
15:51will stand there,
15:52with bangles in your hand,
15:54doing nothing,
15:56seeing the Hindu,
15:57you know,
15:57people running for their lives,
15:59and the Muslim jihadis saying,
16:01Allah Akbar,
16:02on the street,
16:03and looting,
16:04you know,
16:04shops and Hindu,
16:06places,
16:08houses,
16:09and we will keep quiet,
16:10that's it,
16:10they have given us the opportunity,
16:12we need peace.
16:15Right,
16:15you know,
16:16just on a side note,
16:16I think,
16:18we should move beyond,
16:19you know,
16:20using analogies like,
16:21bangles in hands,
16:22I think that's very patriarchal,
16:23but,
16:23you know,
16:23away from that.
16:24My final question,
16:25that I would ask you,
16:26because the BJP,
16:27has strongly asked,
16:29that NIA,
16:30be bought in,
16:30to investigate Murshidabad,
16:32so somewhere down the line,
16:33Agni Mitrapal,
16:35there is a very big chart,
16:36that the BJP is making,
16:37that what happened,
16:38in Murshidabad,
16:39is not communal violence,
16:40but,
16:41an act of terrorism.
16:43Why NIA?
16:44Do you think,
16:45this is a terrorist activity,
16:46that has taken place?
16:50I feel terrorism is involved,
16:52because,
16:53terrorists are,
16:54you know,
16:55they are roaming free,
16:56in West Bengal.
16:58Haven't you seen,
16:59terrorists being,
17:00you know,
17:01arrested by,
17:02not by West Bengal police,
17:03but Kashmir police,
17:04and Assam police,
17:05comes to West Bengal,
17:06and catches them.
17:09There are terrorists roaming,
17:10and these,
17:12Monirul Islam,
17:13the ATMC MLA of,
17:15you know,
17:15from Farakka,
17:17he has been,
17:18sharing the stage,
17:19with PFI leaders.
17:21Who is PFI?
17:22A band organization.
17:25A TMC MLA sits,
17:26and be part of that program,
17:28and Mamta Banerjee,
17:29doesn't have anything,
17:30to say about it.
17:32Mamta Banerjee,
17:33is a puppet,
17:35in the hands of the fundamentalist,
17:36who is running the show.
17:39And probably,
17:39she is thinking,
17:40that,
17:41you know,
17:41she will be,
17:42the next chief minister,
17:43again in 2026,
17:45by these,
17:46you know,
17:46Islamist fundamentalist.
17:48But no,
17:49we will not allow her,
17:50to do so.
17:52This is absolutely,
17:53terrorism.
17:54This is absolutely,
17:55hooliganism.
17:56Okay.
17:58And this is,
17:59at least in politics.
18:01Okay.
18:01Miss Paul,
18:02I appreciate you,
18:03taking the time off,
18:04and joining us.
18:04Thank you there.
18:05We just also want to put on record,
18:06we did approach the TMC,
18:08to give us one of their MPs,
18:09to actually speak,
18:10on all the questions,
18:11that have been raised,
18:12by the BJP,
18:13and at the back of the violence,
18:14that happened,
18:14they declined to do so.
18:16But having said that,
18:16we're going to move into,
18:17a quick face-off debate,
18:19on the questions,
18:20that we are putting forth,
18:22are,
18:22who stoked the riots,
18:23in Bengal?
18:25The TMC government,
18:26failed to act in time,
18:27is a big question,
18:28that needs to be asked,
18:28of the current dispensation,
18:30of West Bengal.
18:31The BJP,
18:32fishing in troubled waters.
18:33Are they trying to escalate,
18:35with the tension,
18:35which already is there,
18:36on ground,
18:37which the Mamta Banerjee,
18:38government,
18:39failed to contain?
18:40Lastly is BJP TMC,
18:42playing politics,
18:43over riots.
18:46Let's cut across,
18:46to our two guests,
18:47this evening,
18:48Rohan Gupta,
18:48national spokesperson,
18:50Bharatiya Janata Party,
18:51Monajit Mondal,
18:51political analyst,
18:52joins us.
18:53Mr. Monil,
18:54I'd like to begin with you.
18:55You had Mamta Banerjee,
18:56who herself,
18:57days before,
18:58said that there could be,
18:59violence that could,
19:00come off,
19:01the VACF bill.
19:03The large question,
19:04today is very clear,
19:05Monajit Mandal,
19:06because somewhere,
19:06down the line,
19:07there's been a complete,
19:08failure in governance,
19:09by the West Bengal government,
19:11and everybody can see,
19:12that tragic scenes,
19:13coming in from,
19:14Murshidabad.
19:15Questions need to be asked,
19:17of why,
19:18was the Mamta Banerjee,
19:19government,
19:20caught napping?
19:21I believe,
19:23yours is,
19:24an extremely,
19:25responsible channel,
19:26and you are,
19:28an extremely,
19:29responsible anchor.
19:30When did,
19:31Mish Mamta Banerjee,
19:32talk about violence,
19:33because of,
19:34Vakmaud Mill,
19:35can you show me that video?
19:37Or,
19:37you are relying upon,
19:38the video,
19:39that is being doctored,
19:40and tweeted,
19:40by BJP,
19:42the way the BJP's,
19:43MLS spoke,
19:44don't you think,
19:45that all her statements,
19:47which are,
19:47I think,
19:48sinisterly,
19:49venomously,
19:50you know,
19:51hate mongering,
19:52they come under,
19:53a particular act of law,
19:54don't you think so?
19:56Is this a sensible,
19:57you know,
19:57statement by,
19:58Mr. Mondo,
19:59one second,
20:00no one second,
20:01okay,
20:01let me come in,
20:01allow me sir,
20:03allow me sir,
20:04you've said something,
20:06allow me to come up,
20:07you know,
20:07allow me to come up,
20:08with a counter,
20:09you've made a point,
20:10allow me to come up,
20:11with a counter,
20:12you know,
20:13the fact is,
20:14A,
20:14we do not need,
20:15we do not,
20:16you know,
20:16we do not need certificates,
20:17or whether we are responsible,
20:18irresponsible,
20:19from especially,
20:21political spokespersons,
20:22number one,
20:23you know,
20:24we let the people decide,
20:25on that,
20:26number two,
20:27are you actually telling me,
20:29sir,
20:30allow me to ask the question,
20:31I'll give you ample time,
20:32are you actually telling me,
20:33that,
20:34the current dispensation,
20:36of West Bengal,
20:36dealt with the violence,
20:39because otherwise,
20:40we wouldn't have seen,
20:41the kind of visuals,
20:42that are coming through,
20:43we wouldn't have seen,
20:44we wouldn't have seen,
20:45hundreds cross the,
20:46cross the river there,
20:47to flee the violence,
20:48in camps,
20:50I will answer,
20:51all the questions,
20:51but why you are putting,
20:52something in the mouth,
20:54of the chief minister,
20:55and it's such a crucial time,
20:57that she said this,
20:59you should take responsibility,
20:59of that,
21:01I am,
21:01I have simply,
21:02asked this question,
21:03when did,
21:04Manta,
21:04say what you reported,
21:07that she was talking,
21:08about violence,
21:08and communal right,
21:10you are parotting,
21:11no,
21:11nobody said communal right,
21:12that there could be,
21:13violence at the back,
21:14of what happened in,
21:15when,
21:15when,
21:15please,
21:16please show this,
21:17so that we do,
21:18all right,
21:18okay,
21:19we will show you the video,
21:20okay move,
21:21it's so unfortunate,
21:24that you are parotting,
21:25the line of a BJP MLA,
21:27whose veracity,
21:28as a communal person,
21:29is unquestionable,
21:31unquestionable,
21:32let me also tell you,
21:34one second,
21:35sir,
21:35something that we put forth,
21:39sir,
21:39I hate getting into an argument,
21:40with the spokesperson,
21:42but let me,
21:43I will give you ample time,
21:45but if,
21:45you know,
21:45it's a very basic question,
21:47the TMC,
21:48the TMC,
21:49had this platform,
21:50we reached out to them,
21:50five times to come in,
21:52to give their point of view,
21:54we told them,
21:55we will speak to you,
21:55one on one,
21:56they refused to do so,
21:57right,
21:58now this was a prerogative,
22:00that needed to come,
22:01from the TMC representative,
22:02now make your time,
22:03make your,
22:04sir,
22:04I will ask you,
22:05a very basic question,
22:06Monajit Mondal,
22:07as a political analyst,
22:08how did,
22:09the West Bengal government,
22:11deal,
22:11with the violence,
22:12that we saw,
22:13and I would,
22:14hope you admit,
22:15it was communal violence,
22:19I,
22:19but I have got,
22:20every right,
22:21to counter,
22:22an MLA,
22:23who is supposed to be,
22:24a responsible person,
22:26who is utterly,
22:27false statement,
22:29which can also,
22:30incite,
22:31communal violence,
22:32in my state,
22:33forget about,
22:34my political identity,
22:35as a sensible person,
22:37it is my right,
22:38to counter,
22:39all the hate speeches,
22:41that Mish Agnimitra Paul,
22:42made,
22:43and I urge,
22:44the West Bengal police,
22:45to take note of that,
22:46as well,
22:46and I will urge,
22:47you also,
22:48with a folded hand,
22:49that please,
22:50do not bring such MLA,
22:52with such statements,
22:53and if you can,
22:54please,
22:54please have some face off,
22:56with me,
22:56I am taking responsibility,
22:59you know,
22:59sir,
22:59it's not about,
23:00would you answer the question,
23:02because listen,
23:03Monajit Mandal,
23:04if you had,
23:05one second sir,
23:05hear me out,
23:06no one second,
23:07hear me out,
23:08if,
23:08if,
23:09if,
23:10if,
23:11you were,
23:12a TMC spokesperson,
23:13I would have,
23:14asked you,
23:15to face off,
23:17with Agni Mitra Paul,
23:18who is a representative,
23:20she is an MLA,
23:21whether you like it,
23:21or you don't sir,
23:23she is a part of,
23:24the principal opposition,
23:25in West Bengal,
23:26now would you like,
23:27to come to the question,
23:28that I asked you,
23:30which is,
23:31do you think,
23:31the West Bengal government,
23:33did a good job,
23:34or did a job at all,
23:36to control,
23:36the violence,
23:37in Mushidabad,
23:39listen to,
23:40you don't have to,
23:41listen to me,
23:43what did the BSF,
23:44ADG say,
23:45on your reporting,
23:46what did you say,
23:47just quote it,
23:48once again,
23:49so that things,
23:50are absolutely,
23:50under control,
23:52we are coding,
23:53with the West Bengal police,
23:55for the last two days,
23:57this is,
23:58ADG BSA,
24:00said on your channel,
24:02few minutes ago,
24:03things are absolutely,
24:04under control,
24:05I am now,
24:06right now,
24:06you don't have to believe me,
24:07I am on the road,
24:08right now,
24:09I am returning,
24:10from the district of Birwum,
24:11which is barely,
24:12few hundred kilometers,
24:13hundred kilometers,
24:14away from the scene,
24:15where the crime,
24:16was taking place,
24:17nothing has been happening,
24:18but what,
24:19what did the BJP MLS say,
24:20because there are,
24:21communal rights everywhere,
24:23they are like the problem,
24:24but you have no guts,
24:25to put up single questions,
24:27from the prime minister,
24:28why the same kind of violence,
24:29is taking place,
24:30in Manipur,
24:30even right now,
24:31against the work of bin,
24:33you did not put up,
24:33the same questions,
24:34when 53 people,
24:35were killed,
24:37under the nose,
24:37of the home minister,
24:38in Delhi,
24:39in 2020 to January,
24:41not single question,
24:42here the police,
24:43arrested 200 people,
24:44and the male curve,
24:45is I repeat,
24:46you did not ask,
24:47the same question,
24:48about why,
24:48Sukanta Majumdar,
24:49has put up this tweet,
24:50with all the false pictures,
24:52fake news,
24:52Morajid Mondar,
24:53number one,
24:54one second,
24:55one second,
24:56I play it again for you,
24:57one second,
24:58you know,
24:58you can turn around,
24:59and start screaming,
25:00at the media,
25:01and shooting the messenger,
25:03all those questions,
25:04that you have raised sir,
25:05were duly asked,
25:05of the MLA representative,
25:07are you actually telling me,
25:08that three people are dead,
25:09and nothing really happened,
25:10are you actually telling me,
25:12that hundreds crossed over,
25:13and have fled,
25:14Murshidabad,
25:15and are living in refugee camps,
25:16and nothing ever happened,
25:18is that what you are trying to say,
25:19madam,
25:22don't get impression,
25:23you are an,
25:24I am not sir,
25:25I am asking you,
25:25I am asking you,
25:26a direct question,
25:27so don't turn around,
25:28and shoot the damn messenger,
25:30which the likes of,
25:31all political outfits do,
25:32so don't do that here,
25:33would you like to take the question,
25:35or not,
25:38would you like to take the question,
25:40you know it very well,
25:41and don't take such a call,
25:43I tell you,
25:44when the messenger,
25:45is not acting,
25:46as the messenger of God,
25:48we have got,
25:49every right to question,
25:50sir,
25:50we will have that intellectual conversation,
25:52on the messenger of God,
25:53and the state of the media,
25:54some other point of time,
25:55I am saying,
25:56we will get on to that,
25:57on some other point of time,
25:58as a political analyst,
26:00and a citizen of West Bengal,
26:01are you telling me,
26:02that there has been no deaths,
26:04are you telling me that,
26:05you are saying that,
26:06you are saying that,
26:07I am excited,
26:08and you are calm,
26:08you are not,
26:09I am in 10 seconds,
26:10of uninterrupted time,
26:12sir,
26:12I will give you,
26:1330 seconds,
26:14your time starts now,
26:15make your point,
26:16I will come back to you,
26:16I will bring in the other,
26:17I have another guess,
26:19and it is not a debate,
26:20between you and I,
26:21you are interrupting,
26:22the point is very simple,
26:24the things,
26:25things went out of control,
26:26because of certain issues,
26:27but those were basically,
26:29targeting is the government properties,
26:31the properties of both West Bengal government,
26:32and the central governments,
26:34have been vandalized,
26:35and police took control,
26:37of the situation,
26:38very good yesterday,
26:39when the DG himself,
26:41he is stationed there,
26:42since the last two days,
26:43and I repeat,
26:44the BSF was,
26:46was called in,
26:47the BSF was taken help off,
26:48from the day one itself,
26:50the DG BSF made it clear,
26:52but nonetheless,
26:53nonetheless,
26:54section of the media,
26:55along with such MLS from BJP,
26:58they have to spread this narrative,
26:59against Mamta Di,
27:00because there is a 2026 election,
27:02the MLS said rightly,
27:03you have given us the opportunity,
27:06you are walking on the dead bodies,
27:08of three people,
27:09that is opportunity for BJP,
27:10and a section of the other media,
27:11allow me to bring in the BJP,
27:13yes,
27:13then share it all,
27:15Manujit Mandel,
27:16take a breath,
27:16allow me to bring the BJP,
27:17spokesperson,
27:18but let me also remind you,
27:20you are sitting there,
27:21and you are quoting the BSF,
27:22the spokesperson of the TMC,
27:24Mr. Kunal Ghosh,
27:25has actually gone on record,
27:27to suggest,
27:28that the BJP,
27:29along with central agencies,
27:30like the BSF,
27:31have drawn the blueprint,
27:32of the violence,
27:33that took place,
27:34in Murshidabad,
27:35right,
27:35and you yourself,
27:37and you are saying,
27:37that the BSF,
27:38has taken great control,
27:39of the situation,
27:40so get your two stories,
27:42right,
27:42and I will come right back to you,
27:43Rohan Gupta,
27:44one thing is very clear sir,
27:45the fact is,
27:46the allegations,
27:47from the TMC,
27:49are,
27:49that,
27:50this is exactly,
27:51what you wanted,
27:52you wanted violence,
27:53you tried to,
27:54engineer violence,
27:55through the help,
27:56of certain central agencies,
27:57forget about,
27:58these allegations,
27:59look at what your BJP,
28:01president of West Bengal,
28:02Shukanta Mazumdar,
28:03actually,
28:04has gone on record,
28:05to suggest,
28:07that,
28:07if you can't control,
28:08the situation in Murshidabad,
28:09I'm going to get people,
28:10from outside,
28:11I'm going to get them,
28:12to settle scores,
28:13he's also gone on record,
28:14to say,
28:15flush out,
28:16the outsiders,
28:17flush out a certain community,
28:19for Murshidabad,
28:19time for that has come,
28:21what's this language,
28:22if you're not inciting violence,
28:24Priti,
28:24we have seen the worst,
28:26display of,
28:26appeasement politics,
28:27in West Bengal,
28:28in last few days,
28:29you have seen that,
28:30three Hindus have been killed,
28:31around 500 Hindus,
28:33have been living there,
28:34as refugees,
28:35and they are saying,
28:35that nothing has happened,
28:37and that is,
28:37what is the question of incitement,
28:38this is the fact,
28:39which has happened on ground,
28:41don't you feel,
28:41it is the right of BJP,
28:42or any party in this country,
28:44to protect the citizens there,
28:45they are the citizens of,
28:47West Bengal,
28:48you are seeing,
28:49what happened in Bangladesh,
28:50and same getting,
28:51getting displayed here,
28:52and see the samelessness,
28:53of the spokesperson of TMC,
28:55is not ready to accept,
28:56the failure of the state government,
28:57and just your report,
28:58said that there are,
28:59there are news of,
29:01SDPI and inside,
29:02this violence,
29:03you have to question them,
29:04your police says that,
29:05it is SDPI and,
29:06why are you questioning BJP,
29:08all the time,
29:09you are questioning BJP,
29:10and see the height of,
29:11samelessness,
29:12of this Indi government leaders,
29:14Akhilesh Yadav is silent,
29:15Rahul Gandhi is silent,
29:16why,
29:17they could speak on Palestine,
29:18but they cannot speak,
29:19for Hindus in West Bengal,
29:21they have converted,
29:22West Bengal into Bangladesh,
29:24because of their,
29:24appeasement politics,
29:26this is the height,
29:26of appeasement politics,
29:27and if any shame,
29:29is left,
29:29in TMC government,
29:30actually they should accept,
29:32that something wrong,
29:32has happened,
29:33and it is a failure,
29:34of state government,
29:35what are you saying,
29:36what incitement,
29:37don't you feel,
29:37it is right of us,
29:38to protect,
29:39the lives of Hindus,
29:40at least come out and tell,
29:48display some sympathy for them,
29:50that no we are with you,
29:51no,
29:52you are saying BJP,
29:53this is that,
29:54whatever BJP is,
29:55this is not the time,
29:56to blame BJP,
29:57this is time to question,
29:58election of your government,
30:00Rohan Gupta,
30:00you know I will tell you what,
30:01when both sides of the divide,
30:03both the spokespersons,
30:04one is not a spokesperson here,
30:06you know get that charged up,
30:08and are attacking the media,
30:09then I think we are doing,
30:10a very good job,
30:11but let me come back to you,
30:12Rohan Gupta,
30:13you are saying,
30:14we constantly ask questions,
30:15of the BJP,
30:17we have asked questions,
30:18of Mamata Banerjee's government,
30:20let me again come back,
30:21to the question,
30:21that I asked you,
30:23Shukamta Mazumdar,
30:24the state BJP president,
30:25is on record,
30:26and I will quote sir,
30:27and correct me if I am wrong,
30:28I am very open to be corrected,
30:30where he has gone on record,
30:31openly threatening,
30:32to bring miscreants,
30:34in Bengal,
30:35from the neighboring states,
30:36if things are not,
30:37gotten under control,
30:39he in Bengali has says,
30:41beat people on the streets,
30:43he again says,
30:44and I quote,
30:44push outsiders,
30:45from Bihar and UP,
30:47to clean out,
30:48Murshida Bagh,
30:49now is this governance,
30:50or gangsterism,
30:51that the opposition,
30:53principle opposition,
30:54is resorting to,
30:54see Priti,
30:55you tell me one thing,
30:57you have seen these governments,
30:58in actions for last so many days,
31:00and that's why,
31:00the central agencies,
31:01the BSF,
31:02had to come to,
31:03West Bengal,
31:04and control the situation,
31:05when the government,
31:06is absolutely,
31:07not doing anything,
31:08obviously,
31:08he might have,
31:09individual emotions,
31:10I am not individual,
31:11I never,
31:12you know,
31:13advocate for any kind of,
31:14violence or hate speech,
31:15but at the end of the day,
31:16we are all human beings,
31:18when we see,
31:18these kind of pictures,
31:19on your screen,
31:20where women are crying,
31:21500 people,
31:22have to leave their houses,
31:23obviously our blood boils,
31:25I am not advocating,
31:26any kind of violence,
31:27or hate speech,
31:28but at the end of the day,
31:29you have seen,
31:30insensitive government,
31:31like TMC,
31:31they are not ready,
31:32to come out,
31:33even tell one word,
31:34for these people,
31:35where are Indi Kathmandu leaders,
31:36they are talking about Palestine,
31:38they have no time,
31:39for tweeting about West Bengal,
31:40why,
31:41why so insensitivity,
31:42don't you feel,
31:44you know,
31:44I will tell you,
31:45what I feel,
31:47individual,
31:47I will tell you what,
31:49individual emotions,
31:51sometimes park a riot,
31:52is all I am going to leave,
31:53at that,
31:54you know,
31:54I think this is a thank,
31:55this is,
31:55this debate is really going nowhere,
31:57because,
31:58but thank you,
31:58for both of you,
31:59for joining us,
32:00and thank you,
32:00for training your guns,
32:01at us,
32:02because somewhere down the line,
32:03it is affirmation,
32:03that we are doing,
32:04if not a great job,
32:05but then a half a decent job there,
32:07alright,
32:07I want to quickly move on,
32:08to the other big developing story,
32:10today,
32:10Mehul Choksi,
32:11has been arrested,
32:12again,
32:12this time in Belgium,
32:14the 65-year-old fugitive,
32:16who is accused of a 13,000 crore scam,
32:19at the Punjab National Bank,
32:20was arrested on Saturday,
32:22his arrest came,
32:23after years of evading authority,
32:25since he fled India,
32:26in 2018,
32:27take a look,
32:27Fugitive diamond trader,
32:34Mehul Choksi,
32:35arrested in Belgium,
32:36the 65-year-old,
32:39accused in the 13,000 crore,
32:42Punjab National Bank scam,
32:44was arrested on Saturday,
32:46he was reportedly,
32:49undergoing treatment,
32:50at the time of his arrest,
32:51sources indicate,
32:54his health is in poor condition,
32:57and that he is currently,
32:58being treated for blood cancer,
33:00Choksi's arrest,
33:01came at the request,
33:02of Indian agencies,
33:04including the CBI,
33:05and ED,
33:06which had secured,
33:07non-bailable warrants,
33:09against him,
33:10from Mumbai courts,
33:11Choksi had fled India,
33:15in 2018,
33:16and had been living,
33:17in Antigua and Barbuda,
33:18before recently,
33:19relocating to Belgium,
33:20All I can say is,
33:25that he has been arrested,
33:26and it's a client,
33:27or any privileged communication,
33:28other details,
33:29I'll not be able to give you,
33:30but this I can confirm,
33:31that yes,
33:31my client has been arrested,
33:33he is in prison,
33:34at the moment,
33:34and the legal remedy,
33:35that we have is,
33:36that we'll be filing an appeal,
33:37and there we'll be making,
33:38a request,
33:38that he should be,
33:41he should be released,
33:43and he should be permitted,
33:44to contest his case,
33:45without being in custody.
33:47Choksi's extradition,
33:49from Belgium,
33:49to India,
33:50however,
33:51could prove difficult.
33:54Mahal Choksi,
33:55his wallet is strong,
33:59and he knows,
34:00how to find,
34:00the best of lawyers,
34:01in the world.
34:02He will obviously,
34:03fight tooth and nail,
34:04to escape his extradition,
34:08like what other people,
34:10have done in London,
34:11and Indian government,
34:13is unable to get them back,
34:15still now.
34:16So,
34:16same thing could happen,
34:17in Belgium also.
34:18What is the guarantee,
34:19that he will be brought back?
34:20He has a fleet of lawyers,
34:22and a wallet full of money.
34:24Indian authorities,
34:26are actively making efforts,
34:27to get Mahal Choksi deported.
34:29Though India,
34:30and Belgium,
34:31have a mutual extradition treaty.
34:33Sources revealed,
34:53that Choksi has not renounced,
34:55either his Indian,
34:57or Antiguan citizenship.
34:59Instead,
35:00he applied for,
35:00an F-type presidency card,
35:02from Belgian authorities,
35:04which he successfully obtained.
35:06This is not the first time,
35:07Choksi has been detained.
35:09In May 2021,
35:10he was held in Dominica,
35:12for illegal entry.
35:14The CBI's efforts,
35:15to get Choksi back,
35:16suffered a setback,
35:17after a court,
35:18allowed him,
35:19to return to Antigua,
35:20for medical treatment.
35:23Subsequently,
35:24the Interpol Red Corner,
35:25notice against him,
35:26was withdrawn,
35:27following his appeal.
35:29Bureau Report,
35:30India Today.
35:35Alright,
35:35I want to quickly,
35:36cut across to my colleague,
35:37Manish Pandey,
35:37who is joining us,
35:38with the very latest,
35:39right now.
35:40You know,
35:40Manish,
35:40the fact that,
35:41this arrest was triggered,
35:42after Indian agencies,
35:43reactivated extradition,
35:46following removal,
35:47of the Red Corner,
35:48notice against him.
35:50Now,
35:50how imminent,
35:51is his arrest,
35:52or is it going to be,
35:53a long drawn process?
35:57Well,
35:57Priti certainly,
35:58it is very crucial,
35:59the arrest is very crucial,
36:00and important,
36:01as far as the Indian agency's,
36:03case against,
36:04Mihul Choksi is concerned,
36:05because remember,
36:06from last seven years,
36:08India was trying,
36:09to get Mihul Choksi,
36:10but so far,
36:11there was no success,
36:12he went to,
36:13US,
36:14he went to,
36:15Dominica,
36:15he went to Antigua,
36:17he gave away,
36:17his Indian citizenship,
36:18but Indian agencies,
36:20were not able,
36:21to ensure,
36:22that he is arrested,
36:23by any of the,
36:24these countries,
36:25or the authorities,
36:26of these countries,
36:27but this is the first time,
36:29since 2018,
36:30that,
36:31an authority,
36:33in the,
36:34in a different country,
36:36has placed,
36:37Mihul Choksi,
36:37under arrest,
36:38now,
36:39what is going to be,
36:40important for the Indian agencies,
36:42is to,
36:43convince the,
36:44Belgium code,
36:45that Mihul Choksi,
36:47should be extradited,
36:48to India,
36:49and if that happens,
36:50then,
36:50India has a golden chance,
36:52of,
36:52getting Mihul Choksi,
36:54back to India,
36:54but again,
36:55Priti,
36:56that is going to be,
36:57you know,
36:58at least three,
36:59four years,
36:59for Indian agencies,
37:00to get Mihul Choksi,
37:02at the same,
37:03point of time,
37:04you know,
37:04Mihul Choksi is also,
37:06someone who knows,
37:07the law,
37:07very well,
37:08he knows that,
37:09in any European countries,
37:11especially,
37:12in Belgium,
37:13the health ground,
37:14the humanitarian ground,
37:15is going to be,
37:16extremely important,
37:17and his lawyers,
37:18have already,
37:19told the UK,
37:20the Belgium authorities,
37:22that he is someone,
37:22who is,
37:23suffering from blood cancer,
37:25he is not in a,
37:26good health condition,
37:27and he should not be,
37:29sent to India,
37:30or the extradition,
37:31proceedings,
37:32should not be,
37:32should not start,
37:34so next one week,
37:35is going to be,
37:36extremely important,
37:37on one side,
37:37we will see that,
37:38Indian officials,
37:39will be going to Belgium,
37:40they will try to make a case,
37:42before the court,
37:43that this is a perfect case,
37:44fit case,
37:45for extradition,
37:46but at the very same time,
37:48the lawyers of Mihul Choksi,
37:49will be fighting,
37:50a case of his bail,
37:52and a case that,
37:53his extradition,
37:54is illegal,
37:55there is already,
37:56extradition proceeding,
37:57going on,
37:58Antigua,
37:58there is no need,
37:59of separate extradition,
38:01in Belgium,
38:01and he should,
38:02not be sent back,
38:04to India,
38:05to face the law,
38:06Preeti,
38:07all right,
38:07Manish,
38:07appreciate you joining us,
38:08with that quick update,
38:09we are going to come back,
38:10to you for more,
38:10on that,
38:12let's also bring in,
38:13right now,
38:13senior criminal lawyer,
38:14Tanbir Ahmed Meir,
38:15who is joining us,
38:16for a larger perspective,
38:17on how,
38:18you know,
38:19soon this extradition,
38:20might be,
38:20and if at all,
38:21it is going to actually happen,
38:22Mr. Amir,
38:23appreciate you,
38:23taking the time out,
38:24and joining us,
38:25the sheer fact,
38:26Mr. Amir,
38:27that you had,
38:28Mehul Choksi,
38:29who's traveled to Europe,
38:30because of his health conditions,
38:32he was detained,
38:33in a hospital,
38:34will his health grounds,
38:36somewhere down the,
38:37you know,
38:37line be an impediment,
38:39in his extradition,
38:40or could the legality,
38:42of his arrest,
38:42be challenged,
38:43on health grounds?
38:45Well,
38:46thank you very much,
38:47for having me,
38:48on the program,
38:49so just a few points,
38:51the extradition request,
38:53from government of India,
38:55based on a warrant issued,
38:57by a court of competent jurisdiction,
39:00and let me put it on record,
39:01that the directorate of enforcement,
39:03already has filed,
39:05three separate charge sheets,
39:07against Mr. Mehul Choksi,
39:09so therefore,
39:10in so far as,
39:11our law enforcement agencies,
39:14be it state,
39:14or federal,
39:15and federal in this case,
39:17that is both federal,
39:18one is CBI,
39:19and one is the,
39:21directorate of enforcement,
39:22do have a strong indictment,
39:24against Mr. Choksi,
39:26point number two,
39:27how this will be done,
39:29is that a man,
39:30can be extradited,
39:31either from Belgium,
39:32or from England,
39:33only if,
39:34there is,
39:35exists a treaty,
39:37where,
39:37you know,
39:37there is a bilateral,
39:39and duality,
39:40of the offense,
39:41by duality of offense,
39:42I mean,
39:43that it should be,
39:44an offense in India,
39:45and it should also,
39:47be the same offense,
39:48in Belgium,
39:49as well.
39:50Now,
39:51bank fraud,
39:52forgery,
39:53are dual offenses,
39:55both in India,
39:56as well as,
39:57Belgium,
39:58so there is not going to be,
39:59some kind of a,
40:00stumbling block,
40:01on that count.
40:03Now,
40:03what happens in Belgium,
40:05is,
40:06that Belgium,
40:06is governed by,
40:08the European Convention,
40:10of extradition.
40:12The European Convention,
40:13of extradition,
40:15is far more stiff,
40:17than United Kingdoms,
40:19when it comes to,
40:20violation of human rights,
40:22politically,
40:23surcharged,
40:24atmosphere,
40:25and lack of fair trial.
40:27You know,
40:27I would like to,
40:28just you know,
40:28also inform your viewers,
40:30and you will be well aware,
40:32that the Mint of India,
40:34has been unsuccessful,
40:35in seeking the extradition,
40:37of fugitive arms dealer,
40:39Sanjay Bhandari.
40:40Recently,
40:41we lost the case,
40:42in the UK High Court,
40:43on an appeal,
40:44filed by him,
40:45that the trial,
40:46extradition,
40:47and subsequent trial,
40:49in India,
40:50will be fraught,
40:50with abuse,
40:52of human rights,
40:53and there is no possibility,
40:55of fair trial at all.
40:57Now,
40:57how do we therefore,
40:59how does the Government of India,
41:00and lawyers,
41:01and all bureaucrats,
41:03and law enforcement agencies,
41:05who will travel down,
41:06to Belgium,
41:07after the diplomatic channels,
41:09have been called into play,
41:10is to file,
41:11a formal case,
41:13seeking extradition,
41:14in a court,
41:15of competent jurisdiction,
41:17in Belgium,
41:18how do you avoid,
41:19the biggest stumbling block,
41:21which is,
41:21that how do you assure,
41:23now,
41:23the Belgium judge,
41:25the judicial magistrate,
41:27that,
41:27said,
41:28if this gentleman,
41:29is given back to India,
41:31in whatever condition,
41:32his trial,
41:33will not be fraught,
41:34with human rights violations,
41:37and there will be,
41:38a fair trial,
41:39which means,
41:39we must give an assurance,
41:41to the European court,
41:43that if,
41:43Mehul Choksi,
41:45is allowed,
41:46to be got back,
41:47we will immediately,
41:48bail him out.
41:49You know,
41:49but sir,
41:49I want to ask you,
41:50one very quick question,
41:52before I let you go,
41:53the sheer fact,
41:53we've spoken about,
41:55the laws that govern Belgium,
41:56that how it might be,
41:57you know,
41:57different,
41:58because his case is in India,
41:59to argue in a foreign country,
42:01but in the midst of all of this,
42:02sir,
42:03there is one underlying question,
42:04that he's an Antiguan citizen,
42:06how much does that weigh in now?
42:07That doesn't matter at all,
42:09in Belgium.
42:10Now,
42:10there is one thing,
42:12that Mr. Choksi's wife,
42:14is a permanent,
42:15citizen of Belgium,
42:17but Mr. Choksi,
42:18is only on an F type residency,
42:20which means,
42:21temporary residency,
42:22alive only,
42:23for a period of five years.
42:25F plus residency,
42:26in Belgium,
42:27means permanent residency.
42:29So therefore,
42:30for the purposes,
42:30of excluding nationals,
42:32or discretionary exercise,
42:34of nationals,
42:35the government of Belgium,
42:37and the judge in Belgium,
42:39will have no scope,
42:40and no,
42:41you know,
42:42nothing to say to,
42:44you know,
42:45Mr. Choksi,
42:46on that count.
42:47I don't think,
42:47he will have any comfort,
42:48on that count.
42:49The only comfort,
42:51which his lawyers,
42:51will set up is,
42:53that,
42:53if you send him to India,
42:55the political atmosphere,
42:57is so surcharged,
42:58against him,
42:59that he's never going,
43:00to get a fair trial.
43:01All right,
43:01so before I let you go,
43:02sir,
43:03once again,
43:03sorry to come in,
43:04but just paraphrasing everything,
43:06health grounds,
43:07could be a big impediment,
43:08and a roadblock,
43:09in bringing him back,
43:10and whatever we are looking at,
43:11we are looking at,
43:12a couple of years from now,
43:13correct?
43:14We are looking at,
43:15not a couple of years,
43:17but we are looking at,
43:19at least about a year,
43:21in the first,
43:21judicial inquiry,
43:23when we are looking at,
43:24series of appeals.
43:26All right,
43:26series of appeals,
43:27and health will be a big factor,
43:28which will play in all of that.
43:30Health should not,
43:30health should not,
43:31be a factor,
43:32what should be a factor is,
43:34how Indian arranged,
43:36and Indian engaged lawyers,
43:38will give a guarantee,
43:39or no violation,
43:40of human rights,
43:41and a fair trial.
43:43All right,
43:43thank you Mr. Me,
43:44for taking the time out,
43:45and joining us,
43:46and apologies,
43:46for cutting you short,
43:47but that's,
43:48you know,
43:49live TV is all about,
43:51and let's quickly move on,
43:52to our next story,
43:54and that comes in,
43:55on Ambedkar Jayanti,
43:57135th,
43:58Ambedkar Jayanti,
43:59India celebrates today,
44:00the country remembers,
44:02Baba Sahib Bhim Ra,
44:03Ambedkar,
44:04the architect,
44:04of the Indian constitution,
44:06a series of events,
44:07were held across the country,
44:08starting with an event,
44:09in parliament,
44:10what stood out,
44:11was the race,
44:12to claim Ambedkar,
44:13Prime Minister Modi,
44:14speaking at an event,
44:15in his heart,
44:16to inaugurate an airport,
44:17accused the Congress,
44:18of insulting Ambedkar,
44:19Congress President,
44:20Malik Arjan Karge,
44:21repaid the favor,
44:22saying,
44:23it was the BJP,
44:25that never really stood up,
44:26for the Dalit community,
44:27questioned,
44:28the Prime Minister's absence,
44:29at the parliament ceremony,
44:30meanwhile,
44:31RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat,
44:32speaking at a function,
44:33in Kanpur said,
44:35Ambedkar and Sang,
44:36and founder,
44:38Higdewar,
44:39worked for the same objective.
44:40We have never forget,
44:52ndat
44:55.
44:56.
44:56.
44:56.
44:56.
44:56.
45:01.
45:01.
45:05.
45:06.
45:13.
45:14.
45:19.
45:21.
45:22we are going to be able to keep our system.
45:28When the government is not living in our community,
45:33the Congress has tried to make their own memories.
45:39The government is trying to get rid of the government.
45:43The government is doing this.
45:46The government is doing this.
45:48The government is doing this.
45:49Dr. Hedgyevara and Dr. Ambedkar
46:14Dr. Ambedkar
46:44Dr. Ambedkar
46:45Dr. Ambedkar
46:46Dr. Ambedkar
46:47Dr. Ambedkar
46:48Dr. Ambedkar
46:49Dr. Ambedkar
46:50Dr. Ambedkar
46:51Dr. Ambedkar
46:52Dr. Ambedkar
46:53Dr. Ambedkar
46:54Dr. Ambedkar
46:55Dr. Ambedkar
46:56Dr. Ambedkar
46:57Dr. Ambedkar
46:58Dr. Ambedkar
46:59Dr. Ambedkar
47:00Dr. Ambedkar
47:01Dr. Ambedkar
47:02Dr. Ambedkar
47:03Dr. Ambedkar
47:04Dr. Ambedkar
47:05Dr. Ambedkar
47:06Dr. Ambedkar
47:07Dr. Ambedkar
47:08Dr. Ambedkar
47:09Dr. Ambedkar
47:10Dr. Ambedkar
47:11Dr. Ambedkar
47:12Dr. Ambedkar
47:13Andhri ji, central Ahud mein nahi pohuncht gehi,
47:19salakim ke saulat ke mutabik hi ke time change diya gaya da.
47:27All right, a clear race to appropriate the legacy of Baba Sahib.
47:31Let's bring in our expert this evening, Professor Vivek Kumar,
47:35Professor Social Sciences JNU joins us.
47:38Appreciate you joining us, Professor.
47:39You know, it would be foolhardy not to admit that there is a race
47:42where amongst all political parties to claim the legacy
47:47or appropriate the legacy of Baba Sahib Ambedkar.
47:50But would you reckon, Mr. Kumar, that a lot of it with each political outfit
47:53is only selective appropriation?
47:59I think you are very true, Priti,
48:03because you know what every leader is putting an allegation on each other.
48:09I think it's very clear.
48:12And what Prime Minister has said is also clear,
48:15because you know that at that time, 1950s onwards,
48:20it was only Congress, which was a party,
48:23which was trying to oppose Baba Sahib Ambedkar,
48:27because then they wanted, actually, Dalit should be on their side.
48:32And we all know that by that time,
48:36Congress had a very stalwart leader in Jagjeevan Ram.
48:40And therefore, they were very safe.
48:42Out of, you know, at that time, 79 seats, which were reserved,
48:46out of that, most of the seats, which were actually Dalit-dominated seats,
48:51Jagjeevan Ram could pull them.
48:53But 1970s, the time when Congress made real attempt
48:58to co-opt the Dalit leaders,
49:01and we know that in Uttar Pradesh,
49:03BP Morya, with RPI leader,
49:07he was not only co-opted,
49:08but the whole RPI was co-opted.
49:10So, there is this attempt from 1970 onwards.
49:15But it is not that, actually, BJP has not done.
49:18We also see that, after 1980s,
49:22when BJP came into existence,
49:24we had Bangaru Lakshman leader,
49:27you know, in the name of Bangaru Lakshman.
49:29But now, what the problem is that,
49:32even if the stalwart, the tallest leaders,
49:35they are saying that, look, we respect him,
49:38or we really want him,
49:41but the problem is that Dalits are not ready
49:46to be cajoled only by the photograph
49:49or by taking the name that Babasab Ambedkar
49:52has been given that respect.
49:55They really want the effective leadership.
49:59And that's what they keep on asking.
50:01Where are the leaders among the political parties,
50:06whether it is BJP, or whether it is Congress,
50:08or whether it is any regional party?
50:10I do not see, I do not see even a single leader
50:15in these parties who can really,
50:18can be called as, he is a grassroot leader
50:21and who has very good following
50:25in the party or in the people.
50:29And also, if you go by the party politics,
50:33if he can take Congress, fine.
50:35Actually, they have the tallest leader,
50:36President of Congress, East Malkar Julum Karge,
50:39fine, very good.
50:41But what about the speakers?
50:42Where are they?
50:43Or the government,
50:44where the government,
50:46there are two, at least three governments
50:48which are there.
50:49You look at the representation
50:51in the governments,
50:52whether it is Telangana, or Karnataka,
50:54or Chhattisgarh,
50:55where actually they are in power.
50:57So, are they giving them the representation?
51:01I, I, I, from education, say, actually,
51:05the aspect, I am asking how many,
51:07how many vice chancellors they have made?
51:10And similarly, it goes with the
51:12Bharatiya Janda Party.
51:15Now, there used to be two very important
51:17universities.
51:18Make your point, sir, make your point, finish.
51:22Yeah, carry on.
51:26I am saying that there were two very important
51:28universities in the name of Ambedkar.
51:31One is in Mahu,
51:33and another is in Lucknow.
51:35One is Central University,
51:36and another is a State University.
51:38These, both, actually,
51:40universities,
51:42there used to be vice chancellors
51:44from Dalit category.
51:46Usually, they used to be
51:48having or heading the institution.
51:50But now, what has happened?
51:52In both the places,
51:53Dalit vice chancellors have been
51:55chucked out,
51:56and there is a administrator
51:57who is there.
51:58So, where is the representation?
51:59So, symbolism over substance.
52:02In Delhi University, there are empty colleges.
52:04Yeah, make your point, sir.
52:05You know, just make your point.
52:06You are very correct.
52:11I am only saying that
52:12even, you know,
52:14Sarasthan Chalakji,
52:16very respectfully,
52:18I want to say,
52:18he says that actually Dalits want
52:20one Panghat,
52:22and one Marghat,
52:24and one school.
52:25The problem is that
52:26it is a very grassroot level Dalits
52:29for whose needs
52:32you are talking about.
52:33But Dalit is not a monolithic
52:34coal at the grassroot levels.
52:37There is a vast population
52:39which is in urban centers,
52:42which are,
52:42who are educated,
52:44and who want
52:45their representation
52:47in judiciary,
52:48bureaucracy,
52:48university,
52:49civil society,
52:50industry.
52:51But where,
52:52actually,
52:53where is that
52:54aspect which is coming,
52:56and wherever they are,
52:58are they being given
52:59the effective representation
53:00in these modern institutions.
53:03So,
53:04at the grassroot level,
53:05you can give them
53:06little bit of water,
53:08or actually,
53:08you can talk about
53:09some schools,
53:11but what about
53:12the decision-making processes
53:13in political parties,
53:15in government,
53:16and in these institutions.
53:18So,
53:19you know,
53:19net-net representation
53:20over appropriation.
53:22You know,
53:22Professor,
53:23that's all the time
53:24that we have for now.
53:25I really appreciate you
53:26taking the time out
53:27and joining us,
53:28while,
53:28of course,
53:29the legacy
53:29of Baba Sahib
53:31has become a political
53:32battleground
53:33away from it all.
53:34You know,
53:34one question that we all
53:35really should also reflect on,
53:37whether Mbedkar is,
53:38you know,
53:38which he is,
53:39a national,
53:40you know,
53:40icon of unity,
53:41but along with that,
53:43he's also a radical thinker,
53:44or was a radical thinker
53:46with unfinished
53:46revolutionary ideas,
53:48some which wouldn't quite settle
53:49with any political outfit
53:51of the day.
53:51With that,
53:52I'm going to go into
53:53a quick break.
53:53Thank you all for watching,
53:54but we do leave you
53:55with these outstanding visuals,
53:57outstanding for multiple reasons,
53:58because this was also
54:00an all-women crew
54:01on board the space capsule
54:03Blue Origin,
54:05launched star-studded
54:06crew to space,
54:07passengers on today's flight,
54:09well,
54:10on your television screen,
54:12Lauren Sanchez,
54:13Katy Perry,
54:14Amanda,
54:14Nguyen,
54:15Gail King,
54:16Aisha Bahl,
54:18and Elian Flynn,
54:20all strapped into
54:21their 3.8-meter-wide
54:23New Shepard capsule.
54:24The sub-orbital journey
54:26lasted about 11 minutes,
54:27taking the crew
54:28to the edge of space
54:29and back in all
54:30in a matter of 11 minutes.
54:34Space tourism
54:35got an entirely new meaning,
54:37and also,
54:38I would reckon,
54:39we were talking about tokenism,
54:40where it came down,
54:41symbolism,
54:41to Dr. Ambedkar,
54:44but tokenism,
54:45symbolism
54:46sometimes is much needed,
54:48and all of this
54:48comes together
54:49where women power
54:50is concerned.
54:52With that,
54:52it's a quick break.
54:54I'll see you tomorrow.
54:55New Shepard has arrived.
54:56Uh, championships,
54:57there it is.
54:59I love it.
55:00Aisha Bahl.
55:00I love it.
55:01Aisha Bahl.
55:01I love it.
55:02So much shit.
55:02I love this song.
55:03Thank you for watching,
55:03and there that new
55:04tow cover.
55:04Aisha Bahl.