"BJP removed Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar's pictures instead of giving Rs 2,500 to women": Kejriwal on 'Shaheed Diwas'

New Delhi [India]. March 23 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has once again accused the BJP government in Delhi on Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs' Day), accusing it of removing the portraits of Bhagat Singh and BR Ambedkar from government offices after coming to power.
Speaking at the 'Ek Shaam Shaheedon Ke Naam' event on 'Shaheed Diwas' at the AAP headquarters on Sunday, Kejriwal reiterated his claim, alleging that the BJP's first move was to take down these pictures instead of fulfilling its promises, including the Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women in Delhi under the 'Mahila Samriddhi Yojana'.
"We consider Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Ambedkar our ideals. Their pictures are in our homes and in every office of the Delhi and Punjab governments. The first thing the new government in Delhi did was remove their pictures. We were waiting for them (BJP) to announce Rs 2,500 for women, but instead, they removed the pictures of Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb and put up their own leaders' photos first," he said.
He also accused Congress of remaining silent on the issue, claiming both parties were in collusion. "When we put up these two pictures, Congress protested that Gandhiji's picture was missing. But when the BJP removed them, Congress remained silent. There is collusion between these two parties," Kejriwal said.
Earlier, on February 24, AAP had made similar claims about the removal of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh's portraits from the Delhi Chief Minister's office.
However, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the BJP denied the allegations, calling them a distraction from AAP's corruption scandals.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta had said that in a bid to hide their corruption and misdeeds, the AAP was resorting to "tactics" by accusing the newly elected government of removing photographs of BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from the CM's office.
The BJP also refuted the allegations by Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal. "The chambers of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and all the ministers of the Delhi cabinet have pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their walls," the party had said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Sunday.
PM Modi took to X and said their "fearless pursuit of freedom and justice" continues to inspire everyone. "Today, our nation remembers the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice continues to inspire us all," the Prime Minister wrote, reflecting on their significant contributions to India's independence movement.
PM Modi also remembered Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter, and an icon of social justice.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the three martyrs, remembering their contributions to India's fight for freedom. "On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, I pay my humble tribute to them," he posted on X.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to honour the memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who made the supreme sacrifice for India's independence.
Shah shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their contributions to the freedom movement and the values they instilled in the youth of the nation.
"I pay my humble tribute to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on 'Martyr's Day' by remembering them who made the supreme sacrifice for Mother India," Shah wrote on social media.'
Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the martyrs, sharing a quote: "Main zulmat-e-shab mein le ke nikloonga apne dar-manda caravan ko... sharar-fishaan hogi aah meri, nafas mera shola-baar hoga" (I will emerge from the darkness of the night, carrying my caravan of helplessness... My breath will be a spark, my soul will burn like a flame.)"
He added, "The revolutionary spirit and thoughts of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev will remain immortal. We pay humble tribute to these immortal martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the motherland."