Azam Khan and Rahul Gandhi should be booked under the NSA… Why did Minister Ravindra Jaiswal call them traitors?
Independent Charge Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh, Ravindra Jaiswal, held a meeting with administrative officials in Ghazipur. During the meeting, he made a scathing statement against Rahul Gandhi and Azam Khan. Rahul Gandhi and Azam Khan, UP Politics Ghazipur: Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister of State in charge of the Stamps, Court Fees, and Registration Department of Uttar Pradesh, held a meeting with administrative officials in Ghazipur. He reviewed development work and law and order in the district during the meeting, held at the Public Works Department guest house. The minister directed officials to accelerate Mission Shakti 5.0, in accordance with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, to promote the safety, protection, respect, and awareness of women and girls. He also emphasized the need to accelerate development work and maintain law and order. During his media interaction, he launched a political attack on Azam Khan and other opposition figures. Speaking to the media, Jaiswal sharply rebutted Azam Khan’s statement after his release from jail. Without naming anyone, he said that those who have just been released from jail spread poison in society. Strict action should be taken against those who spoil the atmosphere of the country. He advocated imposing the NSA on those who spread communalism and casteism, saying that no one has the right to spoil the atmosphere of society. Referring to the Bareilly riots, Ravindra Jaiswal said that this is Yogi Adityanath’s government. Those who create terrorism and destroy the atmosphere will not be spared. Ignorant people forget, but strict action reminds them. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s foreign tour and his statement on Operation Sindoor, Ravindra Jaiswal said that anyone who commented on Operation Sindoor is a traitor. If he had his way, NSA should be imposed on such people too. Referring to the brave Abdul Hamid of Ghazipur, he said that we should talk about the true sons of the country. Edited by: Dhirendra Singh About the Author Dhirendra Singh is a senior journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He covers politics, crime, governance, and other issues. He also has experience in ground reporting in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. He has nearly 11 years of experience in journalism, starting his career in Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
Mumbai Congress minority cell vice-chairman quits party, joins Ajit Pawar-led NCP
Mumbai: Congress minority cell (Mumbai) vice-chairman Haji Mudassar Patel quit the party and joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday. He had joined the Congress in 1995 as a youth activist. Patel, who was close to many past and present senior Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde, said he was upset with the way the party leadership treated junior leaders. He alleged that Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi has no time for genuine party workers. “This happened with Himanta Sarma Biswa, Ghulam Nabi Azad and many others. Now, I will put all my efforts behind NCP and strengthen the party in Mumbai and Maharashtra,” he said. Praising Ajit Pawar, Patel called him a visionary leader of Maharashtra who believes in action. “I truly trust his leadership. Under him, the minority community in the state will progress. He is genuinely concerned about our issues and problems, and that gives me confidence in the future,” Patel said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why did Rahul Gandhi suddenly leave for South America before the Bihar elections? BJP questions secrecy
Bihar Election 2025: The BJP has questioned Rahul Gandhi’s sudden departure for a four-nation trip to South America and the secrecy surrounding his schedule. The opposition has dismissed the BJP’s allegations as baseless. Patna: With just days left for the announcement of the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has embarked on a trip to South America. Why did Rahul Gandhi leave the heat of Bihar and head to South America just before the elections? On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioned his trip, claiming that Rahul Gandhi was “missing.” The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of maintaining excessive secrecy regarding his trip. However, opposition parties have defended Rahul Gandhi, calling the BJP’s allegations politically motivated and baseless. According to the Congress, Rahul Gandhi will meet leaders, university students, and members of the business community in the four countries during his trip. BJP leader Tuhin Sinha questioned the purpose and secrecy of Rahul Gandhi’s visit. He said, “Rahul Gandhi is a strange leader. He travels to South America to celebrate Navratri instead of participating in the Navratri pujas taking place in the country. If this trip is indeed an official visit, as Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has claimed, then why the need for so much secrecy? Why hasn’t he shared his South America itinerary yet?” Calling Rahul Gandhi ‘missing’ will create a false impression The opposition immediately reacted to these comments by the BJP and defended the opposition leader. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi rejected the BJP’s claim that Rahul Gandhi is ‘missing.’ She said, “I think it’s wrong to say he’s missing. It’s not right to use the BJP’s narrative on this issue. The Congress has confirmed through its official spokesperson that he is meeting people in South America. Calling him missing will only create a false impression among the public.” Congress leader Rajesh Thakur also defended Rahul Gandhi’s visit. He compared his actions to those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajesh Thakur said, “He is not shameless like the Prime Minister, who is always focused on elections. Rahul Gandhi goes abroad to meet students and citizens of the country. He engages in meaningful conversations. This is not like Modi, who rushes to election sites for photo ops. BJP leaders are nervous. Their own members, Dilip Jaiswal, Sanjay Jaiswal, and Ashok Chaudhary, are under investigation. Their secrets are being exposed. Therefore, they are trying to divert attention by targeting Rahul Gandhi.” CPI-M called BJP’s comments foolish CPI-M leader Hannan Mollah called the BJP’s comments “foolish.” He said, “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip has nothing to do with the Bihar elections. He has been touring Bihar for a long time. He raised important issues like vote rigging and the Nitish Kumar government’s failures. I don’t think the BJP’s criticism should be taken seriously. Those comments are foolish.” Hannan Mollah completely rejected the BJP’s allegations. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RLD) leader Maluk Nagar also reacted to the issue. He said, “When elections are near and leaders travel abroad, they should consider how it affects the perception of the alliance. Congress is the largest party. Rahul Gandhi is its biggest leader. Therefore, these decisions should be carefully considered.” Maluk Nagar questioned the timing of Rahul Gandhi’s trip, but also acknowledged the importance of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi’s trip to South America was announced on Saturday by Pawan Khera, head of the Congress’s media and publicity department. However, he did not disclose the specific countries Rahul Gandhi will visit. Rahul will meet leaders, students, and business communities in four countries. Pawan Khera posted on X: “Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a trip to South America. He will interact with leaders, university students, and members of the business community in four countries.” According to the Congress, this is Rahul Gandhi’s first foreign trip in September. The trip aims to deepen democratic, trade, and strategic ties. It builds on historic India-South America cooperation. It also strengthens solidarity among countries in the Global South. During his visit to Brazil and Colombia, Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet university students. He will also hold discussions with presidents and senior leaders to strengthen democratic and strategic ties. The party also stated that Gandhi will interact with business communities to explore new opportunities. This is especially important as India seeks to diversify trade and partnerships amid US tariffs. (Input from IANS) Curated by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in India and the world. He began his career as a reporter at Dainik Bhaskar in 1995. Courtesy: Hindi News
After Rahul meeting, ex-BJP min Anil Joshi may join Cong today
Amritsar: Former Punjab minister Anil Joshi, once a senior BJP leader expelled over his opposition to the now-repealed farm laws, is expected to join the Congress on Wednesday. On Tuesday, he met with Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal. Talk was rife of his shifting as Joshi met Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal in Delhi on Tuesday. After being removed from the BJP in 2021, Joshi had joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that year. He had, however, resigned from the SAD in Nov 2024. If he joins the Congress, Joshi, who is among the most notable Hindu politicians from Punjab’s Majha region, could be fielded by the party for the Tarn Taran bypoll. While all parties have announced candidates for the bypoll, Congress is yet to name anyone. Joshi is expected to join the Congress in Chandigarh on Wednesday in the presence of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and in-charge of the party’s Punjab affairs. A native of Sangha village in Tarn Taran, Joshi joined BJP in 1998 and remained the party’s mandal president before being appointed district president. Known as an outspoken Hindu leader of the Majha region, Joshi was elected MLA for the first time in 2007 and then in 2012 from Amritsar North assembly constituency on a BJP ticket. He served as the minister for local government in the then SAD-BJP govt. He was expelled from BJP on July 10, 2021, for six years for alleged anti-party activities, especially his objections to the party’s decision on three farm bills. He later joined SAD. In Nov 2024, Joshi resigned from SAD, stating that the party lacked meaningful discussion on the core issues facing Punjab and had deviated from the spirit of communal harmony that had originally inspired him to join. Though Joshi has maintained a strong political presence in Amritsar, he has also demonstrated his influence in his native city of Tarn Taran by securing a victory for his younger brother, Rajesh Kumar Raja Joshi, in the municipal councillor elections. During the farmers’ protest in Delhi, Joshi openly rebelled against BJP over agrarian issues, ultimately leading to his expulsion from the party. In 2024, he unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election on a SAD ticket from Amritsar constituency, which was won by Congress’s Gurjeet Singh Aujla. Despite a long list of contenders for the Tarn Taran assembly byelection, the Congress high command had been delaying the announcement of its official candidate. However, Joshi’s unexpected meeting with Rahul and Venugopal has stirred a significant political buzz in the Majha region, especially among Congress ticket hopefuls. “He has a strong presence in Amritsar North assembly constituency. if he joins Congress, only the senior leadership will decide from where to use his services,” said a Congress functionary, who did not wish to be named. Joshi couldn’t be contacted for comment, but his close associates maintained that he was not joining the Congress on the condition of contesting the Tarn Taran byelection or any other election. “Instead, he has been drawn by the Congress party’s secular ideology and Rahul Gandhi’s progressive vision,” said one of his associates. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
After speaking to Stalin, Rahul calls Vijay
Chennai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had a telephonic conversation with TVK chief and actor Vijay on Sunday evening to extend his condolences in the wake of Karur stampede, in which 41 people, including women and children, died. Vijay and Rahul last met in 2009, amidst speculation that Vijay had expressed keenness to join Congress. “Rahul spoke to Vijay on Sunday. During his brief conversation, the Congress leader conveyed his condolences following the tragic deaths of his supporters,” said a senior Congress leader. Rahul spoke to Vijay after he spoke to chief minister M K Stalin. Congress sources indicated Rahul informed CM Stalin of his intention to speak to Vijay, considering the gravity of the incident. Acknowledging the call from Rahul Gandhi, Stalin posted on X, “Thank you, my dear brother Thiru. @RahulGandhi, for reaching out to me over phone, conveying your heartfelt concern over the tragic incident in #Karur, and sincerely inquiring about measures taken to save precious lives of those under treatment.” AICC TN in-charge Girish Chodankar on Monday visited Karur at behest of Rahul. Chodankar said Rahul’s calls should not be interpreted as political. “He spoke to both (Stalin and Vijay). He wanted to speak to people of TN in the wake of the tragedy that claimed many lives. His intention was to inquire, and there was nothing beyond that,” Chodankar told TOI. He said Rahul’s actions were entirely based on humanitarian concerns. TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai accompanied Chodankar on his visit. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal will visit Karur on Tuesday to provide financial aid of 1 crore to bereaved families. Selvaperunthagai came down hard on opponents for politicizing the tragedy. “Govt has constituted a one-person inquiry commission headed by retired judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, who also headed the inquiry commission constituted by the previous AIADMK regime to probe Tuticorin police firing. Let us wait for interim report of the commission,” he told reporters in Karur. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi on South America tour: Congress leader reaches Columbia; set to interact with students, political leaders
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reached Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, as a part of his South America tour. He is set to interact with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community. Congress shared a video of his arrival, in which, he could be seen interacting with several people. “Today, LoP Shri @RahulGandhi reached Bogota, Colombia. He is on a tour of South America, where he is scheduled to engage with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community across four countries,” the post said. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed the tour saying that he is “building a global alliance” to “fight the Indian state and Indian democracy!” “Rahul Gandhi goes on yet another foreign visit! Rahul Gandhi departs to South America! Wonder who will be the next anti-India element that Rahul will meet behind closed doors! Rahul wants to fight the Indian state and Indian democracy! He is building a global alliance for it. George Soros, his mentor, might be directing him! In the past, he has asked for foreign interference in Indian democracy, met anti-India elements like Ilhan Omar, and even got the endorsement of Khalistani terrorist Pannu,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said. “Note the timing: Just after his ideological anarchist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the NSA, Rahul Gandhi has departed!” he added. — pradip103 (@pradip103) Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PM Modi’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ post: Congress takes ‘3rd umpire’ jibe, says battlefield comparison not appropriate
NEW DELHI: A day after the Indian cricket team won the Asia Cup Championship, political row erupted over PM Modi’s congratulatory remarks, with Congress terming the Operation Sindoor mention “inappropriate”.Soon after the win, PM Modi posted on X last night saying, “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.” The post drew flak from Congress, with Pawan Khera writing a direct post to PM Modi saying, “Prime Minister, firstly, comparing a cricket match to a battlefield is not appropriate.” Further taking a jibe at the PM and indirectly hinting at Trump’s repeated ceasefire claims, Khera added, “Secondly, if you must make such a comparison, you need to learn from the Indian team that when you’re close to victory, good captains don’t call for a ceasefire just because a third umpire says so.” — Pawankhera (@Pawankhera) This was the latest in series of back and forth among politicians. Earlier in the day, other Congress leaders had also taken jabs at the Prime minister. “”Sometimes I doubt if PM Modi has any knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy. If we played, we should have played with sportsman spirit,” Atul Londhe Patil told news agency PTI. “”If Operation Sindoor is ongoing, then we shouldn’t have played. And if discussions are ongoing to normalise the situation, then sports can be a medium to improve it, but linking everything with Operation Sindoor is not right,” Patil added. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sakpal also reacted to the Prime Minister’s post. He said: “It is clear from his tweet that, be it air, water, or sports, he brings politics into everything to polarise. We take pride in India’s victory, but we haven’t won the Asia Cup for the first time. There is a certain dignity of a country which he doesn’t maintain, and I regret this.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for linking India’s Asia Cup victory over Pakistan with Operation Sindoor, warning that tournament proceeds could be diverted to fund terror activities across the border. Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi had said that the Asia Cup games between India and Pakistan “should not have happened” in the first place, questioning why India chose to play Pakistan despite its stated “zero tolerance for terror” policy. “In the first place, this match should not have happened. The cricket match that BCCI played for the benefit of PCB… the match that took place for the revenue of the broadcasters. The 140 crore people of the country did not want this match to happen,” she added. On the other hand, BJP had also taken jabs at Congress for not making a statement on India’s win. “It seems India’s stunning win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final has left Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress in a comatose state. Just like after #OperationSindoor, when they couldn’t bring themselves to congratulate the Indian Army for its stupendous strikes, they now appear to be waiting for permission from Mohsin Naqvi and their other handlers in Pakistan before joining the nation in celebrating the Indian cricket team’s success,” said Amit Malviya. “Put that aside — not even a single social media post from Congress congratulating our national team for thrashing Pakistan thrice in the tournament and bringing the Asia Cup home. Once again, Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress find themselves on the same side of the divide,” he further added. India won the Asia Cup with the final against Pakistan on Sunday by 5 wickets. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘If Operation Sindoor was ongoing … ‘: Congress slams PM Modi’s post after India’s Asia Cup win; row over playing match
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “linking” of India’s Asia Cup win with Operation Sindoor.”Sometimes I doubt if PM Modi has any knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy. If we played, we should have played with sportsman spirit,” Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil told news agency PTI. His remarks came after PM Modi, following Team India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, posted on X: “Operation Sindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.” Patil added, “If Operation Sindoor is ongoing, then we shouldn’t have played. And if discussions are ongoing to normalise the situation, then sports can be a medium to improve it, but linking everything with Operation Sindoor is not right…” — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sakpal also reacted to the Prime Minister’s post. “It is clear from his tweet that, be it air, water, or sports, he brings politics into everything to polarise. We take pride in India’s victory, but we haven’t won the Asia Cup for the first time. There is a certain dignity of a country which he doesn’t maintain, and I regret this,” Sakpal said. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) India secured its second T20I Asia Cup title, and ninth overall including ODI editions, after chasing down 147 runs against Pakistan in the final in Dubai on Sunday. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 69 and shared crucial half-century stands with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. However, in an unprecedented development after the match, Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), declined to present the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian team after it refused to accept the silverware from him. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress writes to home minister over ‘death threat’ to Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary K C Venugopal Sunday wrote to home minister Amit Shah drawing his attention to what he referred to as a “chilling and heinous” death threat issued to leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi by Printu Mahadev – “a spokesperson of BJP” – during a televised debate. Venugopal demanded immediate, exemplary action by the state police, “so that justice is swift, visible and severe”. Venugopal said “as such, any failure by you to act swiftly, decisively and publicly will be judged as complicity – a de facto licence for the legitimisation of complicity and normalisation of violence against the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and a grave breach of your oath as the Union home minister.” Venugopal claimed Mahadev is a spokesman for BJP and made the remarks against Gandhi during a televised debate on a Malayalam channel. “In a brazen act of incitement of violence, Mahadev openly declared ‘Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest’,” Venugopal said. “That such poisonous words are uttered by an official spokesperson of the governing party not only places the life of Rahul Gandhi in immediate danger, but also undermines the Constitution, rule of law and the basic security assurances owed to every citizen – let alone the leader of opposition,” the Congress general secretary in-charge organisation said. Venugopal said CRPF, entrusted with the security of Gandhi, has written multiple letters regarding threats to his safety. “Shockingly, one such letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was leaked to the media under mysterious circumstances, raising serious questions about the intention behind doing so,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karur stampede: Rahul Gandhi dials Vijay; offers condolences after 41 declared dead
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi dialed TVK chief actor-politician Vijay, to convey his condolences over the death of supporters in the Karur stampede, reported news agency ANI citing sources. On Sunday, the Congress leader also called Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin to express his condolences and inquire about the incident. The stampede took place during a political event in Karur organized by TVK. The death toll from Saturday night’s rally, led by actor-politician Vijay, rose to 41 by Monday. More than 60 people were hospitalized, including a two-year-old boy, the youngest among the victims. The Tamil Nadu government has formed a one man commission (Instituting a former judge) to investigate the matter. The tragic incident has raised concerns about crowd management and safety protocols. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has raised questions regarding the government’s preparedness and preventive measures. EPS sought clarity on the circumstances that led to the tragedy and questioned whether adequate safety arrangements were in place to manage the crowd at the event. The former chief minister’s remarks add to the growing discourse on accountability and the need for stringent crowd control mechanisms to avoid such incidents in the future. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights