‘Kagaz mitao, Adhikaar churao’: Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of ‘stealing’ Bahujan rights by deleting voters; claims tribal land records missing in Chhattisgarh
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “stealing” the rights of Bahujans by removing their names from voter lists and “disappearing” forest rights titles of Adivasis. In a post on X Thursday, Gandhi alleged, citing a news report, that in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district, more than half of the forest rights titles have vanished from government records, while in Bastar, 2,788 such titles have “suddenly” gone missing. “Kagaz mitao, Adhikaar churao – the BJP has made this a new weapon for the oppression of Bahujans. On one hand, they remove the names of Dalits and backward classes from the voter list, and on the other, they make the forest rights titles of tribals ‘disappear,’” he wrote. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) He said the Congress had enacted the Forest Rights Act to protect the water, forest, and land of tribals, while the BJP is weakening it and “snatching their primary rights.” Calling tribals the “first owners” of the country, Gandhi asserted, “We will protect their rights at all costs.” The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006- also known as the Forest Rights Act- grants legal rights to forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional communities for the ownership and use of forest land and resources, reported ANI. The law was enacted to address historical wrongs from the colonial era, when Adivasis and other forest dwellers were criminalised for using forest resources. 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.
Wayanad voters refute Anurag Singh Thakur’s fraud claims
Kozhikode: Several voters in Wayanad rejected BJP leader Anurag Thakur’s allegations of voter list fraud in the constituency. On Wednesday, Thakur held a news conference in Delhi and claimed that 4,246 voters of different religions were registered at the same house in Wayanad, which is represented by Priyanka Gandhi and was earlier represented by Rahul Gandhi. Among those named, two voters from Chaunderi in Kalpetta assembly segment said Thakur’s claims were completely false. He had cited them as examples of people from different religions living in the same house. Thakur had cited the case of Valliyamma (72) daughter of Somasundaram and Mariyam, daughter of Abdul Karim, as examples of voters of multiple religions registered in house number ‘o/ Chaunderi’ under booth 41 of Kalpetta. Both families added that Valliyamma and Mariyam, both elderly people, were living in separate houses. “Chaunderi is the name of our village. We were born and raised here. Many in the village use the place name as their house name. That doesn’t mean we live in one house,” said retired revenue department official K Vadivelu, who is the son-in-law of Valliyamma. Valliyamma’s daughter said that her mother had voted in all elections. “Mariyam is my mother’s childhood friend. She belongs to a different community and lives in another house at Keeripettakunnu. I don’t know how this allegation cropped up,” she said. Mariyam, whose house is located 1km away, rejected Thakur’s allegation. “Valliyamma is living in her house and I have my own,” she said. Also two other voters in Thiruvambady assembly constituency – Shahina and Madhavan V T – who were cited by BJP as examples of voters of multiple religions registered in the house named Vallikattummal in booth 24 rejected the allegation. “There are several families in ward-18 with the house name Vallikattummal. There are around 150 families with the same house name and they belong to all religions. For instance in our ward there is Vilasini, Mary, Shabeer and Gopalan and their house name is Vallikattummal,” said Shahina. Madhavan, who lives 3km away from Shahina’s home, rejected BJP’s allegation. Thakur had alleged that there were 20,438 duplicate voters in Wayanad. To substantiate his allegation, he mentioned Maimoona from Ernad assembly constituency, claiming she was registered as a voter in booths 135, 115, and 152. However, the three women named Maimoona are different individuals living in separate panchayats. Maimoona of booth 115 said that her father’s name was Vellipadan Muhammed and her husband was Mangalan Alavi. ” I voted in the booth at Thamburankunnungal all these years and have not voted anywhere else,” she said. The other two Maimoonas also refuted Thakur’s charges. Kalpetta MLA T Siddique rejected Thakur’s allegations and accused Election Commission (EC) of providing BJP with access to a digital electoral roll. Siddique asked whether EC, which served a notice to Rahul Gandhi over a news conference, would take action against Thakur for making false accusations. Siddique said Thakur has committed a criminal offence 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 Narendra Modi breaks Indira Gandhi’s record with 12 consecutive Independence Day speeches
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overtaken Indira Gandhi’s record for the most consecutive Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort, delivering his 12th in a row on Friday. Only Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, has given more consecutive speeches — 17 between 1947 and 1963. Indira Gandhi, who served two terms between 1966-77 and 1980-84, addressed the nation 16 times in total, with 11 of those being consecutive. Modi, who first spoke from the Red Fort in 2014, had last year broken Manmohan Singh’s record of 11 consecutive addresses. Singh served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014. Other leaders have had shorter runs. Lal Bahadur Shastri spoke twice, Morarji Desai and PV Narasimha Rao each for four years and Atal Bihari Vajpayee for six years during his tenure from 1998 to 2004. In 2023, Modi also set a record for the longest Independence Day speech — 98 minutes. 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 takes EC dig over tea with ‘dead voters’
NEW DELHI: Sharpening his criticism of the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday remarked that he had had the unique experience of having tea with some “dead” voters from Bihar. Rahul and other INDIA bloc netas are all set to embark on a ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ starting Aug 17, to make the “battle against vote chori a mass movement”. Congress said, “Seven voters in Bihar, all very much alive, shared tea with Rahul Gandhi today – even as the Election Commission’s SIR lists them as ‘dead’.” “There have been many interesting experiences in life, but I never got the chance to have tea with ‘dead people’. For this unique experience, thank you Election Commission!” Rahul said on X. Congress said they voters, who belong to RJD MP Tejashwi Yadav’s constituency of Raghopur, were removed from the electoral rolls despite having completed the requisite paperwork. Congress also hit back at BJP for its claim of irregularities on seats contested by some top opposition netas, with Pawan Khera telling PTI the data shared points to the governing party’s collusion with EC and demanding that 2024 Lok Sabha polls be considered “null and void”. 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.
Supriya Sule backs Rahul Gandhi on ‘voter discrepancies’ in poll rolls, seeks discussions in Parliament
Pune: NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Wednesday came out in support of Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s “vote theft” claim and sought a detailed discussion in Parliament over the alleged discrepancies in electoral lists. “Rahul Gandhi has not made some mere allegations, but has brought to the for facts about discrepancies in the voters’ list. Based on this, we are demanding an explanation from the Election Commission of India,” she said. Supriya was among the 300 MPs who took part in the “long march” to the ECI’s office on Aug 11, and they were stopped midway by Delhi police. “We took out the march in a peaceful and democratic manner, but we were stopped. We have been demanding a discussion in Parliament on the issue of voters’ list discrepancies. But it is not happening. There should be discussions on important issues in a healthy democracy. However, when opposition members try to speak in the House, their microphones are being switched off,” Supriya said during a media interaction in Baramati on Wednesday. After Rahul Gandhi’s claim of “vote theft”, NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar said that two people had approached him to ensure victory at 160 seats in the state Assembly polls. Speaking on the issue, Supriya said: “He (Sharad Pawar) has issued a statement, not made any allegations. We, as the Opposition, are only demanding that the entire election process should be transparent. Every person has an equal right to one vote each. But if there are multiple registrations, the ECI should clarify.” The Baramati MP also reacted to the tariffs imposed by the US President on India. “The way the govt had roped in Opposition members to put forward the country’s stand on Operation Sindoor in various countries, why can’t it do the same on the tariff issue?” 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.
Cong launches statewide protest from Jaipur against ‘vote theft’
Jaipur: In a spirited demonstration Wednesday, Congress workers, including a significant number of women, took to the streets chanting slogans like “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” and “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad.” The march, which started from the party’s state headquarters near Chandpole and concluded at the Shaheed Smarak on MI Road, aimed to support allegations of “vote theft” made by Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India (ECI). Carrying hundreds of national and party flags, banners and placards, the protest saw volunteers actively distributing leaflets explaining its purpose. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra led the charge, asserting, “Today we began a state-level protest after Gandhi provided evidence of vote manipulation, not just allegations. We will continue demonstrations at district and local levels.” Dotasra accused the ECI of denying data requests related to BJP’s electoral victories in various constituencies, stating, “BJP’s wins in Jaipur Rural, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and in bypolls like Jhunjhunu, Ramgarh and Deoli-Uniara followed a clear pattern — missing names of voters who traditionally support Congress.” The protest saw a large turnout of party workers, bolstered by the presence of senior politicians, including former CM Ashok Gehlot, opposition leader Tikaram Jully and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot, showcasing unity within the party’s state leadership. The demonstration followed Gandhi’s recent detention during a march in Delhi, which included other opposition leaders. Gehlot remarked, “The protests in Delhi sent a nationwide message about vote theft. This protest is to protect democracy and will continue until the election commission provides the requested data.” Other leaders echoed the sentiment, with Jully asserting that opposition votes were being suppressed. Traffic on MI Road was disrupted for nearly an hour due to the protest but it concluded peacefully at the Shaheed Smarak, with heavy police presence ensuring no major incidents occurred. Dotasra announced plans for similar protests and candle marches across Rajasthan in the coming days. 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.
Akhilesh snubs EC for SIR in Bihar
Ranchi: Former UP CM and national president of Samajwadi Party (SP), Akhilesh Yadav, on Tuesday hit out at the Election Commission again over the timing of the special intensive revision (SIR), which has led to an impasse both inside Parliament and outside on the streets. On Rahul Gandhi’s alleged exposé over the voters’ list last week and the EC asking him to submit the claims under an affidavit, Yadav said, “The affidavit which EC is asking Rahul Gandhi today, we (Samajwadi Party) had already done so before the poll panel two years ago on the deletion of voters but till date there has been no action.” “BJP is now resorting to vote theft, wants to snatch the right to vote from the people through the EC,” he claimed while talking to reporters outside the Ranchi airport before heading to Nemra to pay tributes to JMM founder Shibu Soren, who died on August 4. Several VVIPs and VIPs have been visiting Nemra to pay their tributes to the ‘Dishom Guru’. Notably, chief minister Hemant Soren and his entire family are currently camping at their ancestral house in Nemra for the shradha rituals, which will take place on August 16. Yadav, who is also an MP, further said, “BJP’s tactics have been to conspire and plot when they don’t have answers to credible and basic questions. Ahead of the Bihar assembly election, when it realised that they are on a sticky wicket, it is now conspiring to manipulate votes,” he claimed. The SP president added, “SIR could have been brought in a year ago, but the reason it was introduced now ahead of the Bihar polls is to rob lakhs of people of their voting rights as part of its conspiracy.” In Nemra, Yadav met Hemant, wife Kalpana, late Shibu’s wife Roopi and other family members to offer his condolences. Taking to X after the meeting, Yadav wrote: “The life of Guruji (Shibu Soren) was full of struggle. He struggled for the rights of his people, tribal brothers and sisters, and issues of the community throughout his life. He saw political ups and downs for jal, jungle, jameen, but he did not get disappointed. He left behind a political lineage to his son Hemant Soren. We need to take it forward.” Meanwhile, Nemra is gearing up for the mega congregation of political leaders during the shradha rituals. The nondescript village is fast witnessing basic infrastructural developments as the administration has laid a PCC road leading to the hamlet, besides constructing around four helipads for ease of landing of the VVIPs. The administration has also installed a mobile phone tower among other facilities. Administrative sources said once again, Nemra is set to witness a sea of crowds on August 16, and various teams have been formed to ensure proper law and order, and other requirements. 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.
Youth Congress activists stop express train at Aurangabad to protest against police action on Rahul Gandhi
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A group of local activists from the student wing of Congress briefly detained the Nagarsol-Narasapur Express train at Aurangabad railway station on Tuesday afternoon. The action was taken in protest against police measures targeting Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. The express arrived at Aurangabad railway station at around 2.10pm for a scheduled five-minute halt, during which approximately 35 activists from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) entered the station. While security forces attempted to prevent them from reaching the rail line, around eight NSUI activists climbed onto the train, shouting slogans against Centre. The police present at the scene quickly intervened and detained the activists, who were then taken to the railway police chowkey. Railway police registered an offence against eight NSUI activists, including district president Mohit Jadhav, under relevant sections of the Railways Act, 1989. All of them were released later after being served a notice under section 35(3) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Aurangabad station master Sunil Birare said the NSUI agitation did not impact the movement of trains. “The Nagarsol-Narasapur Express train had a scheduled departure from Aurangabad at 2.15 pm and left the station with a delay of only a minute. Movement of other trains was unaffected,” he said. Jadhav said the NSUI would intensify its agitation in support of Rahul Gandhi and the ‘Vote Chori’ agitation launched by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. “It is high time that we raise our voices against BJP govt in Centre to save democracy. Ours was a peaceful agitation to draw public attention to attempts to rig every poll,” he said. When contacted, Congress district president Kiran Patil Dongaonkar said he was unaware of the NSUI agitation at Aurangabad railway station. “The local unit of Congress held a protest on Monday to oppose the police detention of Rahul Gandhi. A section of NSUI activists were perhaps not present for Monday’s agitation and, therefore, held a separate protest at the railway station on Tuesday,” 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.
2024 mandate stolen from Congress: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday told Congress that the “2024 mandate” was stolen from it, as the party finalised a three-stage campaign over two months to intensify its protest against “vote chori”, starting with a nationwide torchlight march on the eve of Independence Day. At a meeting of Congress office bearers chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul is said to have remarked that the Lok Sabha election results would have gone in favour of Congress but the party was robbed of it. He is said to have mentioned that Congress lost over 40 seats owing to voter list manipulation like his “expose” on the Mahadevapura assembly constituency in Bangalore Central LS seat. Sources said Congress was doing voter list analyses in many more seats. Rahul alluded to the possibility of more revelations, when he urged patience and told reporters, “picture abhi baaki hai”. “There is not just one seat (where there is ‘vote chori’) but a number of seats. This is being done at a national level and systematically. EC knows it and we know it too,” Rahul said. Congress will take out a “mashaal ma-rch” at every district headquarters on the night of Aug 14 targeting BJP over “manipulation of voters lists”. It will then hold rallies in all state capitals between Aug 22-Sept 7. From Sept 15-Oct 15, the party will run a massive signature campaign to “save the right to vote” and to “serve as a referendum against BJP’s destruction of democracy”. All three programmes will be titled “vote chor, gaddi chhod”. The meeting included Rahul, KC Venugopal, Ajay Maken, Sachin Pilot, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kumari Selja, Jitendra Singh, Randeep Surjewala, Avinash Pande, K Raju and Bhupesh Baghel, among others. 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.
‘Fight for One Man One Vote’: Rahul Gandhi after protest near EC HQ; refuses to sign oath on ‘vote theft’ claim
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi has declined to sign a sworn declaration backing his “vote theft” allegations against the Election Commission of India, despite repeated calls from the poll body. Reiterating that the documents he cited for his “vote theft” claims came from the Election Commission’s own data, the Congress leader called it a fight for “One Man, One Vote” and questioned the state of democracy, noting that “300 MPs” were denied a meeting with the poll body. His remarks came after being released from Delhi Police detention during the INDIA bloc’s protest march to the EC office. “Why should I sign an oath? This is their data, not mine. They should take it from their own website. They are just diverting attention. And no one should think this happened only in Bengaluru; it happened in many constituencies. Today, the Election Commission is trying to hide something, but I want to tell you that one day, everything will come out,” he said. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) “See the condition of India’s democracy. 300 MPs wanted to meet the Election Commission to present a document, but they were not allowed. They are scared. What if 300 MPs come and their truth is revealed? This fight is not political anymore. This fight is for the Constitution and for One Man One Vote… We have clearly shown in Karnataka, it was Multiple Man, Multiple Vote… The entire opposition is fighting against this. It will be very difficult for the Election Commission to hide now,” he added. — ANI (@ANI) EC, on Monday, again pressed upon Gandhi to either submit a signed declaration or “apologise to the country”. Gandhi, on August 7, said internal analysis had projected 16 Lok Sabha seats for Congress in Karnataka, but the party won only nine. Investigating seven surprise defeats, he pointed to Mahadevapura, alleging “vote theft” involving 100,250 ballots. “We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50–60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house,” Rahul Gandhi had 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.