Should ghosts vote in Bihar, BJP asks Rahul
Patna: The BJP has taken a swipe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. BJP state spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Wednesday questioned the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, asking whether he wanted “bhoot-pret” (ghosts) to vote in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. While addressing a rally in Assam on Wednesday, Rahul alleged that a new voter list was being prepared in Bihar by removing the names of lakhs of people. “I want to warn the people of Assam that what they (BJP) did in Maharashtra and what they are trying to do in Bihar, they will try to do the same in Assam as well. It is the responsibility of all of you and us that we do not let them do this,” Rahul said. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) report released on Wednesday, more than 35 lakh (35,69,435) of the total 7.90 crore voters in Bihar were not found at their addresses. “Probably 12,55,620 (1.59%) of them were deceased electors and 17,37,336 (2.2%) have probably shifted permanently so far,” the ECI stated. The BJP’s Neeraj claimed the Congress and RJD wanted even the dead to vote. “The names of those who have died in the last 22 years are still present in the voter list. Should the ECI not remove their names? Does Congress want infiltrators and illegal citizens to vote too? Congress wants to win elections with the help of fake voters,” Neeraj alleged. “Article 326 makes it clear that only Indian citizens have the right to vote. But Congress is constantly opposing constitutional institutions,” he said. BJP ally HAM(S) national president and minister Santosh Suman also criticised the RJD, claiming they had no remorse for the 15 years of jungle raj and were once again trying to scare the people of Bihar to garner votes. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul predicts jail for Himanta after 2026 polls; he himself is out on bail in multiple criminal cases: Himanta
Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and LoP Rahul Gandhi engaged in a verbal duel on Wednesday with the Congress leader heaping corruption charges on Himanta and predicting a jail term, while Himanta in turn took to social media to remind that it was Gandhi who was out of bail in multiple criminal cases. In a fiery address to Congress workers in Chaygaon near Guwahati, Gandhi said the Assam CM will face imprisonment after the 2026 assembly elections for corruption and claimed that the CM considers himself a “raja” while allegedly misappropriating state resources. Gandhi accused Sarma of transferring Assam’s land and resources to major corporations like Adani and Ambani, alleging that the CM operates with a sense of fear due to his corrupt practices. “The small businessmen, farmers, and workers are being finished. And India’s jal-jangal-jameen-dhan is being handed over to five to six billionaires,” he said. Gandhi’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Assam, with the Congress leader emphasizing that Sarma’s alleged corrupt activities will be exposed by the state’s youth, farmers, and workers. In response, Sarma took to social media, revealing that Gandhi had made similar statements during a closed-door meeting with Congress leaders in Guwahati. Sarma dismissed Gandhi’s claims, suggesting that the Congress leader should focus on his own legal challenges. “He came all the way to Assam just to say this, conveniently forgetting that he himself is out on bail in multiple criminal cases registered across the country. My best wishes to you, Rahul Ji. Enjoy the hospitality of Assam for the rest of the day,” Sarma wrote on X. Gandhi expressed confidence in Congress’s prospects in the 2026 elections, praising the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, the new PCC president. “In Assam, we have readied a new team. I congratulate Gaurav Gogoi and his team. You people have started your work and the people of Assam, and we will soon see the results,” Gandhi said. The Congress leader also raised concerns about potential voter list manipulation, citing alleged irregularities in Maharashtra’s elections and warning of similar tactics in Assam. Sarma said Rahul Gandhi came to Assam only to criticise him. “Shri Rahul Gandhi visited Assam today solely to criticise me. He mentioned my name repeatedly in all his meetings. I must say, I am grateful — because today, he elevated my political stature to a level I might never have reached if I remained in the Congress party. It is indeed a day of great satisfaction,” he wrote on X. “After all, if Rahul Gandhi chose to criticise me, it is a clear sign that I must be doing something right for the people of Assam,” Sarma added. Gandhi’s speech underscored the ideological battle between Congress and BJP, framing it as a struggle between unity and division. He called on Congress workers to remain vigilant and committed to the party’s principles of truth and non-violence. As the political landscape in Assam heats up, Gandhi’s allegations and predictions set the stage for a contentious lead-up to the 2026 assembly elections, with both parties gearing up for a fierce electoral battle. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul appears in Lucknow court in defamation case, gets bail
Lucknow: A Lucknow court on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he made an appearance in a defamation case filed over his purported remarks on Army personnel. The court accepted Rahul Gandhi’s bail application and released him on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. The court had earlier issued him summons on February 11, after finding a prima facie case against Gandhi. He appeared in person on Tuesday before additional chief judicial magistrate Alok Verma in compliance with the summons. The case, based on a criminal complaint filed by former BRO director Uday Shankar Srivastava, alleged that Gandhi’s 2022 comments during his Bharat Jodo Yatra had caused reputational harm to the Indian Army and insulted the dignity of soldiers. While Gandhi’s counsel Pranshu Agarwal argued for bail citing his innocence and his status as a sitting MP with no flight risk, complainant’s lawyer Viki Tiwari asserted that the accused attempted to demoralise the armed forces. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court observed that the alleged offence under IPC Section 500 — pertaining to criminal defamation — is punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both. Referring to Supreme Court guidelines in Satender Kumar Antil vs. CBI & Others (2022) 10 SCC 51, the magistrate said that the case is triable under summons procedure and does not warrant custody at this stage. Accordingly, the court accepted Rahul Gandhi’s bail application and released him on a personal bond of Rs20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. The bail was granted with the following conditions: The accused must fully cooperate with the judicial proceedings; and he must submit a written undertaking to appear either in person or through counsel on each date of hearing and be personally present when required by the court. Gandhi appeared in a courtroom full of lawyers. He was taken to the judge’s chamber where the formalities of filing bond and sureties took place. Gandhi was summoned as an accused after the court took cognisance of the defamation complaint. The Congress leader had moved high court but failed to get a relief. Gandhi came to court accompanied by party’s state unit president Ajay Rai and in-charge Avinash Pande. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Amid tussle for top post, Siddaramaiah’s camp lines up mega Mysuru rally
Bengaluru: Days after Siddaramaiah asserted that he would remain chief minister for a full five years, his camp is preparing a major show of strength at a massive rally in Mysuru on Saturday, deepening an ongoing behind-the-scenes tussle between his faction and that of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. Titled Sadhana Samavesha, the rally will be held at Maharaja’s College Grounds in Siddaramaiah’s home district. His supporters aim to mobilise over one lakh attendees to mark Congress govt’s completion of two years in office. The first Sadhana Samavesha was held on May 20 in Hosapete and was attended by senior party functionaries including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. But this time, organisers have chosen to exclude Congress functionaries, sparking discontent. “If it is a Sadhana Samavesha, then it should be a party event since it is Congress that has achieved the milestone (two years in office),” said a KPCC office-bearer. “This was the reason why our senior functionaries participated in the Hosapete Sadhana Samavesha. We have not been told about the Mysuru event because they don’t want party functionaries there.” But organisers insist the Mysuru event is a govt programme, focused on developmental announcements worth Rs 2,600 crore for the district. HC Mahadevappa, minister in charge of Mysuru district, said: “We have not involved the party since it is a govt event, although it is titled Sadhana Samavesha. However, we have invited Mallikarjun Kharge in his capacity as leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha. Following protocol, we have also invited legislators from opposition parties who represent seats in the district.” Despite the official stance, efforts are underway to mobilise party workers and Siddaramaiah loyalists across Mysuru. Comparisons are being drawn with the Dec rally in Hassan, initially billed as ‘Siddaramaiah Swabhimani Janandolana Samavesha’. Following opposition from Shivakumar’s camp, Congress’ high command intervened, and the event was rebranded ‘Janakalyaan Samavesha’. “It is not true that the party is not involved in Saturday’s event,” said BJ Vijayakumar, president of Congress’ Mysuru city unit. “Party functionaries and workers are voluntarily taking part. They are all proud of the party’s achievements. No one can prevent them from taking part in the event.” Animal husbandry minister K Venkatesh, a Siddaramaiah loyalist, denied that the event is meant to flex political muscle. “Siddaramaiah does not need a show of strength,” he said. “He already showcased his strength in the party’s stupendous victory in 2023 assembly polls. Prior to the assembly elections, people witnessed his popularity at the Davanagere rally, where about 10 lakh people gathered. The issue over the chief minister’s post has been settled with Siddaramaiah himself clarifying on it. The Mysuru event has nothing to do with the issue.” Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Savarkar remarks: HC refuses to issue directions to Rahul
Mumbai: Bombay high court has declined to issue any direction to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on his utterances against late Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. “This court cannot issue any direction to respondent no 1 (Gandhi) to study the contents of this public interest litigation and to remove ignorance about the contribution of Shri Vinayak Savarkar,” said Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne. The PIL was by Pankaj Phadnis, president of Abhinav Bharat Congress, a policy think tank, saying his legal rights as well as that of a large number of citizens to fulfil their fundamental duty under Article 51A(b) was impeded by Gandhi’s statements about Savarkar. Article 51A(b) focuses on the duty ‘to cherish and follow noble ideals that inspired our national struggle for freedom.’ Phadnis referred to Gandhi’s May 28 statement that Savarkar considered Muslims traitors. He referred to a Feb 8, 1944, US consulate interview in which Savarkar said the aim of the Hindu Mahasabha is to preserve the integrity of India and its Hindu character with due regard to the rights of all minorities including the Muslims. “Such a man cannot be considered a traitor,” said Phadnis. He said the late PM Indira Gandhi praised Savarkar’s daring defiance of the British govt. Phadnis had urged HC to direct Gandhi “to personally go through the contents of this petition …to remove ignorance about the contribution of Savarkar to the…nation and to provide proof of his study by a reasoned reply.” The judges asked whether they could compel Gandhi to read his petition. Phadnis said, “Leader of the opposition in a democracy can potentially be tomorrow a prime minister. Such a person with this knowledge will create havoc. He cannot misrepresent and mislead citizens. He is creating confusion.” The judges noted that Phadnis’ petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court on May 27. A defamation case against Gandhi is pending before a Pune magistrate. Phadnis can take “recourse to such remedy as may be available in law to ventilate his grievances,” the judges said. Phadnis had also urged the Centre to include Savarkar’s name in the schedule to the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Use) Act. Declining to issue any direction, the judges said HC cannot issue a writ to the legislature either to amend the law to include Savarkar’s name in the schedule. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Cheap politics, says Dharmendra Pradhan as Rahul claims ‘murder by BJP system’
NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of playing politics over the incident of the Odisha student committing self-immolation, after he termed the death a “murder by BJP system”. Rahul said the “brave student” raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of being given justice, she was harassed and threatened by “those who were supposed to protect her”. “As always, BJP’s system continued to shield the accused – & forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide, it is an organised murder by the system,” he said. Reacting to this, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the “cheap politics” played by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident involving Odisha’s daughter is extremely unfortunate. “Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects his petty mindset. The incident in Odisha has shaken the entire nation, but Congress has seized this opportunity to bake its political bread,” Pradhan said. Rahul also alleged PM Narendra Modi keeps silent on women’s deaths – “be it in Odisha or Manipur”. “The country doesn’t need your silence, it needs answers. India’s daughters need safety and justice,” he said. Pradhan said the PM and BJP have always taken concrete steps for women’s safety and justice, while Congress has consistently sought opportunities in every tragedy. “BJP government in Odisha stands with the victim’s family, and the strictest action will be taken against the culprits,” he added. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Odisha: Rahul Gandhi speaks to father of Balasore immolation victim, calls incident a wound to society
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday spoke with the father of the 20-year-old college student from Balasore, Odisha, who died two days after attempting self-immolation following alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint. In a post on X, RAhul Gandhi expressed solidarity with the grieving family. “Spoke to the father of the brave daughter who lost her life fighting for justice in Balasore, Odisha. In his voice, I could feel her pain, her dreams, and her struggle,” he wrote. “I assured him that the Congress party and I stand with him at every step. What happened is not just inhuman and shameful, but a wound to the entire society. We will ensure the victim’s family gets full justice.” The victim, a second-year student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, had accused her department’s head of sexual harassment. She had been protesting since early July but reportedly received no support from the college authorities. On July 12, she set herself on fire outside the college gate. She was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with 95 percent burns and died on July 14. The incident has triggered widespread outrage across the state and the country, with multiple political parties attacking the BJP-led Odisha government. Gandhi had earlier described the death as an “organized murder by the system.” He had said, “That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment — but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her. This is not suicide; it is an organized murder by the system.” Former Odisha chief minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik also criticised the state government. “It is disturbing to think how a failed system can take someone’s life. The most painful part is that this was not an accident, but rather the result of a system that remained silent instead of helping. Struggling for justice, the girl ultimately closed her eyes,” he posted on X. Patnaik also urged the governor to take strict action against both the college authorities and the government. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan hit back at the Congress, calling Gandhi’s remarks an example of “petty politics.” “The cheap politics by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident involving Odisha’s daughter is extremely unfortunate. Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects Rahul Gandhi’s petty mindset. The Odisha government stands with the victim’s family with full sensitivity, and the strictest action will be taken against the culprits; no one will be spared,” he said. According to earlier reports, the student had submitted a written complaint to the college principal against the accused professor. She also uploaded the complaint on social media, tagging student leaders and government officials. Despite repeated efforts, no action was taken until her self-immolation attempt. The head of department and the college principal have since been suspended and arrested. The state government has promised a judicial inquiry and directed all colleges and universities to strengthen safety mechanisms, including CCTV monitoring and internal squads. However, opposition leaders continue to demand accountability from the higher education minister and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Protests across Odisha are ongoing, with students, women’s groups, and political activists demanding swift and visible justice for the victim. The incident has reignited debate over women’s safety on campuses and the failure of institutions to act in time, despite repeated warnings. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul voices concern over law & order, attacks govt
Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Bihar govt, claiming the state has turned into India’s “crime capital” under CM Nitish Kumar’s leadership. His remarks came amid growing concerns over a spike in violent crimes across the state. Posting on social media platform X, Gandhi cited media reports highlighting 31 murders in just 11 days and alleged the rise of a “contract killing industry” in Bihar. His post, written in Hindi, painted a grim picture of the state’s current situation: “Fear lurks in every alley, unease pervades every home while unemployed youth are being transformed into killers.” He did not hold back in his criticism of both the CM and the BJP. Gandhi alleged that Nitish was more focused on preserving his power than addressing the state’s law and order crisis. “The CM is busy protecting his chair and BJP ministers are busy collecting commission,” he claimed. The Congress MP argued that the upcoming assembly elections were not just about political change but about saving Bihar from a dangerous descent into lawlessness. “This election is not just about changing the government. It is about saving Bihar,” he wrote. His remarks gained traction following the murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, who was shot dead outside his Patna home on July 4. Khemka’s son had also been murdered seven years earlier in Hajipur. The incident has become emblematic of what opposition leaders describe as a breakdown in public safety. Gandhi’s comments reflect a rising chorus of concern over Bihar’s security situation. Opposition parties say the combination of soaring crime rates and “administrative inaction” has created a climate of fear with residents feeling vulnerable. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Defamation case: RaGa to appear in Lko court today
Lucknow: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will appear in Lucknow’s MP-MLA special magistrate court Tuesday in a case involving allegedly defamatory statements against the Indian Army made by him during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Lucknow. On Feb 1, the special court had summoned him as an accused, taking cognizance of a complaint filed in the defamation case. Rahul’s advocate Pranshu Agarwal said after his appearance, bail will be sought from the court. The case was filed by retired BRO director Udai Shanker Srivastava, who alleged that Rahul had made derogatory comments in Lucknow on Dec 16, 2022, days after a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh. Rahul had said, “People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra… but they will not ask a single question about China capturing 2,000sqkm of Indian land, killing 20 Indian soldiers, and thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh… Don’t pretend people don’t know.” Srivastava called the remarks “false and baseless”, made with an “evil intention of demoralising the Indian Army and damaging public faith”. He cited the Army’s official Dec 12 statement, which described the Dec 9 clash in Arunachal as involving “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”. Rahul had earlier filed a petition before HC’s Lucknow bench against the summons, but was not granted relief. His lawyer had argued in HC that the case was politically driven and Srivastava lacked standing under section 199 CrPC, as the Army — not the petitioner — was the target. On May 29, Justice Subhash Vidyarthi rejected the claim, saying Srivastava was an “aggrieved person” under the law. HC had said Rahul must stand trial, observing a prima facie case exists against him. “Freedom of speech is subject to reasonable restrictions and does not include the freedom to make statements defamatory to any person or to the Indian Army,” HC had noted. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Put up Kharge & Rahul photo as profile pic: Cong to leaders
Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday issued a directive mandating that all party members across hierarchies must update their social media profile pictures with an official image featuring Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. The directive follows instructions from its president Gaurav Gogoi. This change is being implemented ahead of Kharge and Rahul’s upcoming rally near Chaygaon, on the outskirts of Guwahati, scheduled for July 16. On July 16, All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi will visit Assam to participate in the Assam Pradesh Congress workers’ meeting and gathering. “To welcome the two beloved leaders to the sacred land of Assam, the Pradesh Congress’s social media and IT department has launched a special initiative. Accordingly, from July 15 at 12 PM until July 17 at 12 PM, all Congress leaders and workers at every level are requested to change their social media profile pictures on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to a specific image sent by the Pradesh Congress featuring the two beloved leaders,” Assam Congress said in a social media post. The presence of the two Congress leaders holds significant importance, as this marks the first large-scale rally to be attended by senior AICC leaders in Assam after Gaurav was appointed Assam PCC president. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.