India

Delhi Government In Turmoil; GAD Refuses To Substitute CM Kejriwal With Minister Atishi For Independence Day Ceremony

In a dramatic turn of events, the General Administration Department (GAD) has rejected a directive from Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai to have Cabinet Minister Atishi Marlena oversee the flag-hoisting ceremony on Independence Day, a task traditionally reserved for the Delhi Chief Minister.

The GAD’s decision, announced on Tuesday, has raised eyebrows amid ongoing controversies surrounding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s incarceration.

The GAD affirmed that all preparations for the Independence Day celebrations at Chhatrasal Stadium are proceeding as planned, in line with established protocols.

In a formal response to Rai’s request, the GAD emphasized that Independence Day and Republic Day hold constitutional significance, and changing the prescribed roles could compromise their integrity and breach statutory guidelines.

The department cited specific rules from the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 (Rules 585, 588, 620, and 627), emphasizing that the events must follow established standards and that only the Delhi Chief Minister can fulfill this role.

The GAD also noted that it is actively coordinating with relevant departments to ensure that the Independence Day functions proceed smoothly at Chhatrasal Stadium.

Meanwhile, higher authorities have now taken up the matter of the Chief Minister’s ‘absence,’ and they are likely to make a decision soon.

Controversy Erupts As Gopal Rai Requests GAD To Have Atishi Replace Kejriwal

This controversy follows Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s incarceration related to allegations of financial misconduct in the Delhi excise policy case.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai, who visited Kejriwal in Tihar Jail on Monday, had however requested the GAD to arrange for Atishi Marlena to perform the flag hoisting in place of the Chief Minister, as per Kejriwal’s expressed wish.

The annual Independence Day function, a significant event for the Delhi government, is typically held at Chhatrasal Stadium and features a speech by the Chief Minister, making the GAD’s decision a noteworthy deviation from tradition.

Also Read: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Launches ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ Bike Rally; Calls For Unity & Patriotism

Mankrit Kaur

Recent Posts

Gautam Adani Hails Puri Lifeguards As Unsung Heroes During Rath Yatra Visit

Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, visited Puri in Odisha during the annual Rath…

4 hours ago

Acharya Pramod Krishnam Slams Congress Over ‘Internal Emergency’ Allegation

Acharya Pramod Krishnam, stirred political debate by claiming an 'internal emergency' still exists within the…

5 hours ago

MRM Meeting: Pledge for Global Peace, Green India, De-addiction & Democratic Integrity

Taking a crucial step toward positive transformation, social reform, and global peace, the Muslim Rashtriya…

5 hours ago

India To Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games; Amit Shah Hails Global Recognition

India has been chosen to host the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games in…

5 hours ago

Seeing The Lord Among Devotees Is The Pinnacle Of Humility: Gautam Adani At Rath Yatra

Gautam Adani, along with his wife and Karan, participated in the Rath Yatra in Puri,…

8 hours ago

PM Modi Interacts With Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard The ISS

PM Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the…

9 hours ago