Daily Briefing: Debating Ambedkar

On that note, let’s get to today’s edition.

Big Story

In startling scenes on Thursday, Parliamentary debate gave way to chaos as the ruling and Opposition MPs shoved and jostled at the main entrance to the Parliament building. The bone of contention? Each side accused the other of insulting the name of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Delhi Police has booked Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi after two MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were injured in the scuffle. 

A rallying cry: The issue has become common ground for the Opposition parties. This comes after days of growing differences in their ranks. Together, they have demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his controversial remarks against Ambedkar.

Invoking Ambedkar: The BJP has been just as vocal as the Congress in accusing the latter of attempts to “obliterate the legacy of Dr Ambedkar”. However, the BJP and its ideological fountain, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), had not always engaged with Ambedkar’s ideas. At least not till the 1980s. Here’s what changed.

Ambedkar’s legacy: Is the battle over Ambedkar just about the current moment in politics or does it represent an unease with his progressive legacy? In our fortnightly column, ‘Dis/Agree’, Aditi Narayani Paswan and Anshul Avijit bring you the best of both sides.

For more on the debate, tune in to today’s episode of the ‘3 Things’ podcast.

Only in Express

The United States would soon be ushering in the Donald Trump era. There has been much talk over what this could mean for India and its ties with the US. Former Indian ambassador to the US Arun K Singh says India need not worry given China’s looming shadow over the US. From Indo-US relations to strategies with China and the relevance of the Quad, here’s all that Singh had to say in the latest edition of Explained.Live.

Amid India’s efforts to improve its ties with China and uncertainty over Trump’s stance over old US allies, Samir Saran, president of the Observer Research Foundation, puts the spotlight on another bilateral relationship. “The India-Russia relationship serves not just the two countries in question, but the world. The policy community in both India and the West is keenly aware of this relationship’s pivotal importance,” he writes.

From the Front Page

Ringing in hope: At least one in eight people were living with obesity in 2022. Awareness about healthy eating and physical exercise has failed to reign in the obesity pandemic. But a new class of drugs show promise. World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists have endorsed GLP-1 receptor agonists for managing obesity. How do they work? These drugs mimic a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. The endorsement, however, comes with warnings.

Promised land?: The tragic death of 11 Indians at a restaurant in a ski resort in Georgia has put a spotlight on the small nation. From a mere 2,000 Indians in Georgia in 2016, the number has grown 10-fold, with 16,000 of them students. What makes Georgia popular among Indians? Read here.

Must Read

Red flags: The recent tragedy off the Mumbai coast, which claimed 13 lives, has rung alarm bells over the safety at one of India’s busiest harbours. The Gateway of India sees hundreds of boats navigating its water daily but boat operators have pointed out the lack of regulation and monitoring at the maritime hub.

Passing the ball: At the Gabba it was Ravindra Jadeja’s solid knock of 77 runs that became vital for India’s innings in the third Test against Australia. In the post-Ravichandran Ashwin era, Jadeja has to carry the burden of the spin-bowling allrounder. Has he got what it takes?

And Finally…

A ‘nut case: Is coconut oil an edible oil or a haircare product? The pertinent question reached the Supreme Court, which decided on Wednesday that coconut oil was indeed an edible oil. Why was the distinction important? Well, it decides how much tax the government can charge on coconut oil.

That’s all for today. Until next time,

Sonal Gupta

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