The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly witnessed an uproar on Wednesday after a photograph of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was printed in reverse in the official magazine of the state legislature. The image, which appeared in the publication 'Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan', showed the iconic portrait of Ambedkar flipped horizontally, drawing sharp criticism from opposition members.
Opposition Demands Apology and Action
Members of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and other opposition parties raised the issue during the Question Hour, demanding an apology from the state government and strict action against those responsible. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, termed the incident an insult to the architect of the Indian Constitution. He said, "This is not just a mistake but a deliberate insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar. The government must take immediate action against the officials involved."
Other opposition leaders, including NCP's Jitendra Awhad and Congress's Nana Patole, echoed similar sentiments, staging a walkout from the Assembly to protest the government's initial response. They alleged that the error reflected the ruling party's disrespect towards Ambedkar's legacy.
Chief Minister Fadnavis Assures Probe
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded in the Assembly, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue. He assured the House that a thorough investigation would be conducted and strict action taken against those found negligent. "The photograph being reversed is a grave mistake. We will identify the responsible persons and ensure such lapses do not recur. The government respects Dr. Ambedkar and his contributions," Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister also directed the Secretary of the Maharashtra Legislature to submit a report on the incident within 24 hours. The Assembly Speaker, Rahul Narwekar, condemned the error and stated that the magazine would be recalled and reprinted with the correct image.
Official Magazine Under Scrutiny
The 'Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan' magazine is a quarterly publication that covers legislative proceedings and historical articles. The reversed photograph appeared on the cover of the latest issue, which was distributed to legislators and officials. The error was first noticed by a legislator from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, who brought it to the attention of the Speaker.
This is not the first time such a controversy has erupted in the state. In 2022, a similar incident occurred when a government advertisement featured a distorted image of Ambedkar, leading to protests. The recurrence of such errors has raised questions about the scrutiny process in government publications.
Political Reactions and Demands
Outside the Assembly, activists and members of various Dalit organizations held protests, demanding a formal apology from the government and the dismissal of the officials responsible. Some groups called for a bandh (strike) in parts of Mumbai to express their anger.
Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. Ambedkar, criticized the government for its "casual attitude" towards Ambedkar's image. He said, "This shows the mindset of the current government. They must be held accountable."
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) distanced itself from the incident, stating that it was a procedural lapse by the printing department. Party spokesperson Keshav Upadhyay said, "The Chief Minister has already assured action. We condemn any disrespect to Babasaheb."
Government Action and Next Steps
The Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat has initiated an inquiry into the matter. A senior official stated that the printing contractor has been asked to explain the lapse. The official said, "The magazine was printed by a private vendor. We will review the entire process to prevent such incidents."
The Assembly is expected to discuss the issue further in the coming days. Meanwhile, the opposition has given a notice for an adjournment motion to debate the matter. The controversy has dominated headlines in the state, with many calling for stricter oversight of government publications.
