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

JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Claims As ‘Desperation Of Losing’ Polls

Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…

11 hours ago

Poverty In India Reduced Via Tangible Boost In Household Living Standards, Incomes

In 2022–23, poverty under the revised $3.00 line stood at just 5.25 per cent in…

12 hours ago

Chhattisgarh: Seven Maoists Killed In Indravati National Park Operation

Five Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district,…

12 hours ago

Carney Invites Modi To G7 Summit, Highlights India’s Global Supply Chain Role

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the most populous country, with the fifth-largest economy, must…

13 hours ago

RBI Frontloads Rate Cuts To Boost Growth Amid Low Inflation: Crisil

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has frontloaded its rate cuts to support economic growth,…

13 hours ago

PM Modi Urges Global Action On Coastal Resilience At Nice Summit

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday called for urgent global action to build infrastructure that can…

13 hours ago