West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks, accusing the BJP of harboring a “casteist” and “anti-Dalit mindset.” She alleged that the BJP “mask has fallen off” and claimed the party would have rewritten history to erase Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions if it had secured its pre-poll goal of 400 Lok Sabha seats.

Banerjee expressed her outrage, stating, “As Parliament reflects on 75 years of the Constitution, Amit Shah tarnished the occasion with derogatory remarks against Dr. Ambedkar in the temple of democracy. This reflects the BJP’s casteist and anti-Dalit ideology.” She added, “If they behave this way with 240 seats, imagine the damage they would inflict with 400 seats.”

She also criticized Shah’s comment as an attack on Dr. Ambedkar and the entire Drafting Committee of the Constitution. Her sharp remarks have ignited a political storm, with opposition parties joining the fray.

During his speech in the Rajya Sabha, Shah accused the Congress Party of turning Ambedkar’s name into a “fashion” while neglecting his ideals. He stated, “If they had invoked God’s name as much as Ambedkar’s, they would secure heaven for seven lives.” This statement led to protests in Parliament, with opposition MPs accusing Shah of disrespecting Ambedkar and holding up photos of the Constitution’s architect.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion to debate the issue. Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended Shah, accusing Congress of undermining Ambedkar and questioning their genuine respect for him. Rijiju, the first Buddhist to serve as Union Law Minister since Ambedkar, highlighted the position’s significance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also supported Shah, alleging Congress has a history of disrespecting Ambedkar and neglecting SC/ST communities during its tenure. Amid the escalating tensions, both houses of Parliament were adjourned following protests by opposition members.

Ariana Grande’s journey through the awards season has begun on a high note, with her first-ever Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The nomination is a major milestone in Ariana Grande’s acting career, earning her recognition for her role in Wicked. This has sparked discussions about her future at the Academy Awards, with many considering her a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress, alongside co-star Cynthia Erivo.

While Wicked’s iconic songs are ineligible for the Best Original Song category at the Oscars, fans remain hopeful that Grande and Erivo may still perform at the ceremony. Both actresses are part of one of the most anticipated films of the year, and their powerful performances have garnered significant attention.

When asked about the possibility of performing at the Oscars, Grande expressed her excitement. “Of course, we love singing with each other,” she said at the Golden Globes First-Time Nominee Celebration. “I’ll sing together absolutely anywhere, anytime, especially in celebration of Wicked, and I love her; that’s my sister. Say the word and we’ll be there.”

The Golden Globe event, held before the January 5 show, was a star-studded gathering. Grande attended the Beverly Hills luncheon with her mother, Joan Grande, and shared a special moment with fellow nominee Zoe Saldaña. The event saw several prominent Hollywood figures, including Adam Brody, Pamela Anderson, and Kathryn Hahn.

“It’s just really exciting,” she said. “To be here with so many amazing people and to be recognized for something so special is incredible.”

A highlight for Grande was learning that her childhood idol, Imogen Heap, had seen Wicked and loved it. Additionally, Grande had the chance to meet legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, which left her in awe. She described the encounter as both overwhelming and an honor.

Aaron Rodgers, the star New York Jets Quarterback, has opened up about his challenging upbringing in the Netflix documentary Aaron Rodgers: Enigma. The NFL icon revealed personal details about his family life before his rise to stardom in the early 2000s.

Rodgers shared emotional insights, recalling how his family often told him, “Your life is too big. We need you to be smaller. Be smaller.” He explained how his family even advised him not to talk about his life, something that deeply hurt him.

Rodgers admitted that he never desired fame, other than playing football on Sundays. Despite the struggles, he credited his family for helping him cope with serious injuries throughout his career. He recalled his childhood as “fortunate,” but also mentioned that his parents thought he had “a very low pain tolerance.”

This led Rodgers to become “the toughest motherf**ker” he knew, driven by the family dynamics that shaped him. He recalled fighting through injuries, choosing to remain strong in the face of adversity.

Rodgers also reflected on how family issues began during his high school years and continued through college and beyond. He kept quiet about it all, believing that not speaking publicly about family struggles was the best approach.

In the documentary, Rodgers also addressed the COVID-19 vaccination controversy. He mentioned that his father was against flu shots, and this influenced his initial skepticism about the vaccine.

Aaron Rodgers: Enigma is available for streaming on Netflix, offering a raw and personal look at the athlete’s life beyond the field.