Sapkal: Rahul Unfazed By Hindutva Threats
Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday strongly condemned threats directed at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks about Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Savarkar. He said such “hollow threats” will not intimidate Gandhi or Congress party. His response came after a Nashik-based leader of Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, threatened to blacken Gandhi’s face over his derogatory remarks against the noted freedom fighter on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Wednesday, drawing strong remarks from the grand old party’s leaders across the state. He even warned of pelting stones at Gandhi’s convoy whenever he would be in Nashik. Addressing the media at Nanded, Sapkal stated, “Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother and former Prime Ministers — Indira and father Rajiv — sacrificed their lives for the nation. Rahul, who belongs to a family of martyrs, does not fear these empty threats.” He said that Gandhi’s comments on Savarkar were not personal jabs but historical facts. Highlighting that similar views on Savarkar have been expressed by historians & even by BJP leader Arun Shourie, who served as a minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA govt, Sapkal added, “If there’s an issue with evaluating Savarkar’s legacy, critics should also consider what experts like Shourie have written about him.” 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.
‘Limit to political desperation’: BJP wades into Congress crossfire as Udit Raj targets Shashi Tharoor
NEW DELHI: Amid rising tensions within the Congress party, the BJP has rallied around opposition MP Shashi Tharoor, who is facing criticism from his own colleagues over remarks made during an international delegation visit. Tharoor’s statements lauding India’s recent counterterror strikes have sparked sharp reactions from fellow Congress leader Udit Raj, prompting BJP leaders to question the Congress’s stance on national interest. Union minister Kiren Rijiju took to X on Wednesday to condemn the grand old party, responding to Udit Raj’s criticism of Tharoor. Sharing a video, Rijiju questioned the party’s priorities: “Congress ka haath kiske sath? Kya Congress party mein desh ke liye bolna mana hai?” he posted in Hindi. — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) “We Indians must speak in one voice in crucial time at least,” he added. In another post, Rijiju intensified his criticism, “What does the Congress party want & how much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister? There’s limit to political desperation!” — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed Rijiju’s sentiments, alleging that Congress leader Udit Raj was targeting Tharoor under the influence of Rahul Gandhi. He framed the row as a case of internal sabotage. “Shashi Tharoor is being attacked at the behest of Rahul Gandhi because Shashi Tharoor kept India first not (Gandhi) family. He talked about national interest, not his party’s interest. He is being attacked because he kept national policy above the vote bank (politics),” Poonawalla told PTI. He accused the Congress of hypocrisy: asserting support for the armed forces in an all-party meeting, while launching “missiles at its own leader” abroad. “The Congress, which is launching missiles at its own leader, won’t say a word against Pakistan,” he said. The row stems from Tharoor’s recent remarks during an official address in Panama, where he was representing India as part of a multi-party delegation. Tharoor spoke about India’s evolving counter-terrorism posture, referencing key military operations. “What has changed in recent years is that the terrorists have also realised they will have a price to pay; on that, let there be no doubt. When, for the first time, India breached the Line of Control between India and Pakistan to conduct a surgical strike on a terror base, a launch pad – the Uri strike in September 2015. That was already something we had not done before. Even during the Kargil War, we had not crossed the Line of Control; in Uri, we did, and then came the attack in Pulwama in January 2019. This time, we crossed not only the Line of Control but also the international border, and we struck the terrorist headquarters in Balakot. This time, we have gone beyond both of those. We have not only gone beyond the Line of Control and the international border. We have struck at the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan by hitting terror bases, training centres, and terror headquarters in nine places,” Tharoor said. Udit Raj, however, took serious objection, accusing Tharoor of undermining the Congress’s legacy. “How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi, India never crossed LOC and the international border?” Raj posted on X. — Dr_Uditraj (@Dr_Uditraj) He pointed to India’s military actions during the 1965 and 1971 wars, as well as strikes under the UPA, to challenge Tharoor’s narrative. “Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has become the super spokesperson of the BJP, speaking in favour of PM Modi and his government,” Raj told ANI. As the rift widens, Tharoor finds himself caught between praise from political opponents and rebuke from within his own party. Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor, is currently leading an all-party delegation to countries in Americas for Centre’s resolve of global outreach of India’s recent counterterror Operation Sindoor. 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.
‘Laid foundation of independent India’: Rahul Gandhi, Kharge pay tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary
Remembering Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 61st death anniversary, his great-grandson and leader of opposition in Lok Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday credited the country’s first prime minister with laying a “strong foundation for independent India.” “A humble tribute to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji on his death anniversary. With the dream of a strong and inclusive India, Nehru ji laid a strong foundation for independent India with his visionary leadership. His contribution in the establishment of social justice, modernity, education, constitution and democracy is invaluable,” Gandhi wrote on X. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “The legacy of Hind’s (India) Jawahar and his ideals will always guide us,” Congress’ Raebareli MP added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said modern India “cannot be imagined without the contribution” of Nehru. — ANI (@ANI) “Humble tributes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji, the creator of modern India, the fearless guardian of democracy, the one who took India from zero to the peak, the one who made India develop in scientific, economic, industrial and various fields, the one who constantly gave the message of ‘unity in diversity’ to the country, our source of inspiration,” Kharge posted on his X handle. — kharge (@kharge) Nehru, who went to jail several times during the freedom movement, was the prime minister from August 1947 until his death in May 1964. At over 16 years, his term is the longest for any prime minister. 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.
OBC outreach: Congress pushes for caste census, urges BJP to announce timeline
JIND: Following the example of the BJP, the Congress has now gone into active mode to woo OBC voters. For the first time at the national level, the Congress Party organized a large-scale meeting with OBC leaders, in which more than 500 leaders from across the country participated. A few selected OBC leaders from Haryana took part in this meeting and held discussions with the Congress leadership to formulate future strategies. The OBC leaders from Haryana who attended the meeting said that this was the first such initiative by the Congress, which was much needed given the current political climate. The meeting included positive discussions on the OBC caste census and the future of politics, which are expected to yield good results in the times ahead. Surender Kumar, AICC National Coordinator and hails from Haryana’s Hisar district who attended the meeting, said that Rahul Gandhi fought the battle for caste census from the streets to Parliament. He received overwhelming support from the people of the country. It was under this pressure that the BJP had to accept Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a caste census. Surender Kumar stated that the backward classes have now found a strong and committed voice in Rahul Gandhi. “Whatever Rahul ji said, he delivered. The day is not far when the BJP will not only have to accept the caste census but also agree to Rahul Gandhi’s stand on other issues concerning the backward classes,” he added. Kumar further said that the BJP’s ideology does not support giving equal rights to the backward classes. “The BJP merely talks about the backward classes but denies them their constitutional rights and representation, such as reservation. The Prime Minister identifies himself as belonging to the backward class and seeks votes in their name, but even today, participation of backward classes in central universities, the judiciary, bureaucracy, private sector, and businesses is negligible compared to their population share.” He added that Rahul Gandhi is now strengthening the fight for social justice, inspired by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Bharat Ratna B.R. Ambedkar, from Parliament to the streets. “At a time when the BJP is intent on weakening the Constitution, every Congress worker under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership will strongly fight to protect it. The Constitution is the greatest weapon in the fight for the rights and entitlements of the backward classes,” he said. Talking to TOI, Captain Ajay Yadav, former national president of the OBC cell, stated that many issues were discussed during the meeting, especially the caste census. He said the Congress is planning a mega rally on this issue soon. All OBC leaders expressed gratitude to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for raising the caste census issue, which subsequently compelled the BJP to announce a caste census. However, he emphasized that it should not merely be an eyewash ahead of the Bihar elections. The BJP must announce a clear timeline for the caste census at the national level. He further stressed the need for a proper and transparent process while conducting the caste census so that the public gets a clear picture. Yadav pointed out that the BJP has given significant space to many OBC leaders in Haryana, such as Chief Minister Nayab Saini, Rao Inderjeet Singh, Bhupender Yadav, Sudha Yadav, and others. Therefore, the Congress must also offer prominent positions to OBC leaders in the state for the better survival of the party. “We raised our issues and hope for a better future,” he added. 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.
Gogoi slams BJP, seeks ‘fitting reply’ to Pahalgam attack
Patna: New Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said his party still expects a “solid and fitting reply” from PM Narendra Modi to Pakistan over the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. “After the Pahalgam terror attack, our party extended full support to PM Modi. Rahul Gandhi, as leader of the opposition, clearly said that Pakistan must be given a strong reply,” Gogoi told reporters at Patna airport. India had launched retaliatory strikes, Operation Sindoor, on May 6-7, targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan and POK, including airbases. A ceasefire was announced on May 10. Responding to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remark that he was “on Pakistan’s payroll,” Gogoi said, “I am here on AICC’s behalf for the ‘Jai Hind’ programme in Muzaffarpur. I will reply to the Assam CM’s allegations back in Assam.” Gogoi also thanked party leaders for his elevation and said, “I am grateful to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and others. This is a big responsibility to work towards building a new Assam.” He credited his father, the late Tarun Gogoi, Assam’s longest-serving CM, as a source of inspiration and praised outgoing chief Bhupen Bora. Meanwhile, at Sadaquat Ashram, AICC general secretary Krishna Allavaru met former district Congress presidents, urging them to guide the party’s revival in Bihar. “You carry the party’s legacy. We need your leadership to strengthen the state unit,” he said. 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.
Congress launches national push for caste census, positions Telangana model as blueprint for social justice
Hyderabad: In a strategic political move aimed at reshaping the national discourse on social justice and representation, the Congress on Monday brought together its top OBC leaders from across the country for a high-level meeting in Delhi. At the heart of the deliberations was a plan to launch a nationwide campaign highlighting Rahul Gandhi’s push for a caste census, with Telangana’s successful caste survey presented as a replicable model of inclusive governance. The Congress leadership intends to drive home the message that it was Rahul Gandhi who first made caste census a political priority—long before the Modi govt followed suit. The Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey in Telangana, conducted after the Congress came to power in the state, is being positioned as proof of the party’s commitment to ‘jitni aabadi, utni bhagedari’—a slogan now central to the party’s national agenda for BCs, Dalits, minorities, and other marginalised communities. The leaders underscored that the Telangana caste survey was a direct result of Rahul Gandhi’s promise that wherever the Congress comes to power, a caste census would be implemented. The Congress leaders also plan to highlight how consistent pressure from Rahul Gandhi and the party forced the Modi govt to make a belated announcement about conducting a caste census alongside the delayed decadal population census. To amplify the issue nationally, the meeting decided to organise a massive public rally on the caste census, to be addressed by Rahul Gandhi. While most leaders favoured holding the rally in Delhi for maximum national impact, a section proposed Telangana as the ideal venue, given its successful implementation of the survey. A final decision on the location is pending. Among the prominent leaders from Telangana who participated were BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah, and party veteran V Hanumanth Rao. The Telangana delegation gave a powerpoint presentation on the survey’s planning and execution, detailing pre-survey consultations with stakeholders and legal experts, the model and methodology adopted, and the training of over one lakh govt staff, including teachers, to collect household data through a printed questionnaire. Ponnam told TOI that the meeting also agreed to raise public awareness about the Telangana state assembly’s passage of two bills enhancing BC reservations to 42% in education, employment, and local body elections. These bills were sent to the Centre for approval, but the Modi govt has not acted on them, he claimed. Mahesh Goud emphasised that the SEEEPC survey had provided granular data on the socio-economic and political status of every community in Telangana. “This proves that the Congress stands for real social justice. No govt can craft targeted welfare policies for the deprived without this kind of data. Telangana now has it—and we must take this model across India,” he said. Last Friday, Rahul Gandhi had directed party leaders to vigorously communicate the success of the Telangana caste survey in their respective states. He reiterated that the party’s commitment to a nationwide caste census is not an electoral gimmick, but a moral and constitutional obligation to uplift SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and even the underprivileged among forward castes. Monday’s meeting drew a powerful cross-section of party leadership, including former chief ministers, PCC presidents, ex-PCC chiefs, and senior AICC office-bearers. The event was organised by the Telangana Congress with the approval of Rahul Gandhi, according to party sources. 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.
Tensions erupt at Delhi University after pro-Palestine march
Tensions erupt at Delhi University after pro-Palestine marchTensions erupt at Delhi University after pro-Palestine march NEW DELHI: Tensions erupted on Delhi University’s North Campus on Friday evening after a pro-Palestine march by students’ groups, including Fraternity Movement, Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch and AISA, clashed with members of ABVP near Arts Faculty. Protesters, stopped at the gate by police, forced their way in and burnt effigies of US president Donald Trump, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi. ABVP members responded with counter-sloganeering, leading to a scuffle. Police said they had not received any complaint. 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.
Stalemate over cabinet expansion, new TPCC team continues
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy, along with Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, met AICC general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday. They discussed candidates to be finalised for five of the six vacant cabinet berths, the new TPCC team — which includes four working presidents and a large team of vice-presidents and general secretaries, among other crucial issues. However, the discussions remained inconclusive regarding the finalisation of candidates for the cabinet and the new TPCC team. There is a possibility that Revanth Reddy may extend his stay in the national capital by another day to meet KC Venugopal again. If he does stay back, he is also expected to meet AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, depending on their availability, either on Monday or Tuesday. Mahesh Goud will remain in Delhi. He is also expected to attend the Telangana Congress BC leaders’ meeting with Rahul Gandhi on Monday, focusing on the caste census and the 42 per cent BC reservation Bill passed by the state assembly. However, there is no confirmation on whether the chief minister will also attend this session with Rahul Gandhi. The AICC has invited state ministers, Congress MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and corporation chairpersons from the Backward Classes communities for a meeting in Delhi on May 26 to discuss the caste census conducted by the Telangana govt. Sources in the AICC mentioned that it was an hour-long meeting where Revanth also discussed the strategy to be adopted on political platforms in connection with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly naming him in the National Herald-Young India money laundering case, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been named as A-1 and A-2. “The discussions mainly focused on the new TPCC team and social and district equations to be followed. Though there was a discussion on cabinet expansion too, it mainly centred around whether to take up the crucial exercise — pending for over one-and-a-half years — before the panchayat elections or after that. The Congress govt in Telangana wants to go for the rural local body polls when the monsoon is in full swing and after releasing Rythu Bharosa financial assistance to all the eligible farmers, and this could be in June or July,” said an AICC leader. The AICC leadership has also been delaying the finalisation of names for TPCC’s new team, pending for eight months since B Mahesh Kumar Goud took over the reins of the state unit of the party from chief minister Revanth Reddy in Sept 2024. 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.
Hemant govt must take initiative for OBC reservations in edu institutions: Cong
Jamshedpur: The ruling alliance party, Congress, has appealed to the Hemant Soren govt to take the initiative for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations in educational institutions across the state. Making the appeal, state Congress in-charge Koppula Raju said Article 15 (5) of the Constitution allows the state to make provisions for the betterment of socially and economically backward classes, concerning their admission to educational institutions. While speaking at the Samvidhan Bachao Rally at Sakchi on Sunday, the Congress leader said the state govt must take the initiative without any delay. Raju also said party leader Rahul Gandhi played a pivotal role in driving the Narendra Modi govt at the Centre to give its nod for the caste census. “From the streets to Parliament, Rahul Gandhi fought for the rights of the OBC community which forced the Modi government to bow before the legitimate demand and agree to a census of the backward classes,” Raju said, addressing the crowd at the Sakchi parking zone. Stating that protecting the Constitution is the responsibility of all Indians, Raju further said, “Congress has taken the lead but it is the responsibility of all citizens to participate in the campaign to uphold the democratic values, principles and constitutional provisions.” During the rally, the party passed a resolution praising the armed forces for their commendable feat in ‘Operation Sindoor’. The bravery and courage demonstrated by the soldiers ensured a strong military response to Pakistan, he added. Speaking on the occasion, state Congress president, Keshav Mahato Kamlesh, said the Modi govt failed to align with the spirit of the Constitution, claiming that it was grossly undermined by the Centre with its activities in the last 11 years. The rally was necessitated to make the common people know how the Modi govt is violating the Constitution, Kamlesh said. Top party leaders of the state attended the rally organised by the East Singhbhum district Congress committee. 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.
‘Congress ki Ram Ram kar ke hi chhodenge’: BJP hits back at Jairam Ramesh’s ‘unfit body’ remark on Niti Aayog meet
NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday slammed Jairam Ramesh for calling the NITI Aayog an “Ayogya” (unfit) body, saying such remarks will only create controversy and harm the Congress party itself. Speaking to news agency PTI, BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said that, “This is a meeting of Team India to take decisions for the country’s development. Jairam Ramesh is finding fault in this too.” “Jairam Ramesh Congress ki Ram Ram kar ke hi chhodenge (Jairam Ramesh will finish off the Congress),” he added. These remarks came after the Congress leader called the NITI Aayog an “Ayogya” (unfit) body and criticised the Centre, claiming the meeting was “yet another exercise in hypocrisy and diversion.” In a post on X, Ramesh raised 6 questions about the Centre’s development goals under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ mission, expressing doubts over the purpose of the NITI Aayog meeting. He questioned the Centre’s development claims, asking “What kind of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) it would be if: Those in power themselves break social harmony with harmful words and actions. Institutions like Parliament, judiciary, universities, media, and constitutional bodies are undermined for political gain. India’s core values are attacked openly. Economic inequality grows while wealth stays with a few. The country’s rich diversity is deliberately disrespected and erased. Not only freedom of speech is under threat but freedom after speech is also endangered.” — Jairam_Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) The Congress leader made his remarks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog on Saturday. The meeting focused on the theme ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047’. Hussain called the NITI Aayog meeting a “Team India meeting” and criticised the Congress for opposing it. “NITI Aayog is a big institution of the country. It makes policies for the country. In its meeting, eminent people, including chief ministers, are sitting together to make the country develop. The Congress has started objecting to it also,” he added. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) The BJP representative also took a swipe at leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s Kashmir visit, saying, “Bahut der kar di huzoor aate aate’ (It took you a long time to visit),” he said. “Recently, he went to Bihar to do politics at Ambedkar Hostel. Now, he is missing the people of Poonch and Uri,” Hussain alleged. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi visited Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir to meet victims of cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops. He spent over an hour with the affected residents, including families who lost loved ones in the shelling that took place between May 7 and May 10. 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.