Operation Sindoor: Congress demands answers from Modi govt
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will hold a press conference on Friday to address the issues arising after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, as the party said the govt needs to answer the questions triggered by US President’s Donald Trump’s announcements on ceasefire that have led to internationalisation of Kashmir and a hyphenation of India and Pakistan. Congress will take out Jai Hind Yatras in cities to counter the BJP’s attempt to “politicise the operation against Pakistan”. The party reiterated the need for accountability on “intelligence failure” in Pahalgam, lamenting that it had not yet been fixed yet. A meeting of the CWC, chaired by Rahul Gandhi, expressed concerns that Prime Minister has chosen to remain silent on the crucial issue of comments from US leaders, which have resulted in hyphenation between India and Pakistan and led to belief that it has a leverage over the country. It said the PM should clarify the issues raised by Trump’s remarks. The gathering decided that Modi govt needed to be put on the mat for its “poorly devised” conclusion of hostilities without any guarantees on terror from Pakistan. Congress reiterated its demand for an all-party meeting chaired by the PM and a special session of Parliament. The party also demanded the resignation of MP minister Vijay Shah for his “appalling” comments on Col Sophiya Qureshi. Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have said that Congress fully backs the actions of the armed forces, but the US seems to have taken India for granted and it is not clear who rushed to America seeking intervention. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that tough questions should be asked of the govt. Crucially, Sachin Pilot is learnt to have noted that Trump and US secretary of state Marco Rubio have not mentioned the word “terror” even once in their tweets and comments, while Kashmir has figured prominently there. The development was dubbed as alarming by many in the meeting which included P Chidambaram, K C Venugopal, Ajay Maken, Shashi Tharoor, Randeep Surjewala, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh among others. According to sources, the leaders felt BJP’s “politicisation of war” should be countered, with Randeep Surjewala suggesting that Congress take out Jai Hind Yatras in cities to challenge the BJP’s Tiranga Yatras. However, there appeared not much worry about BJP seeking to play the war card, with many opining that the ruling party’s rallies are a “face saver” because people were asking questions about the ceasefire brokered by the US, which has given Pakistan an advantage. Jairam Ramesh told reporters that PM calling an exclusive meeting of NDA chief ministers on May 25th, excluding other CMs, is a blatant attempt at politicisation of the operation against Pakistan. He said the PM should have called all the CMs. Interestingly, Shashi Tharoor, who has emerged as a vocal face in media defending India’s actions while also backing the govt, is learnt to have suggested that foreign secretary should be grilled on strategy when he briefs the parliamentary standing committee. Foreign secretaryVikram Misri will meet the panel chaired by Tharoor next week. Some leaders including Pilot are said to have underlined that China has come out openly in support of Pakistan but international support has been missing for India, with even Russia staying mum. The very durability of ceasefire was questioned as Pakistan govt is unstable and the army is calling the shots, sources said. In a resolution, the CWC said the abrupt end to action against Pakistan has raised questions as US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire first and said he used the threat of trade to pressure India. It termed the govt’s silence “inexplicable and unacceptable”. “This represents a dangerous and unprecedented hyphenation of India with Pakistan, which compromises our national position and prestige,” the resolution 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.
Justice B R Gavai, second Dalit to be sworn in as Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai has been a part of several Constitution benches in the apex court, which delivered path-breaking verdicts. New Delhi: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who has been part of several benches that delivered landmark rulings, including the one upholding the Centre’s decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 bestowing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was on Wednesday, May 14, sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. The 64-year-old was administered oath by President Droupadi Murmu at a brief ceremony at the Ganatantra Mandap in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who demitted office on Tuesday on attaining the age of 65. MS Creative School CJI Gavai, who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, will have a tenure of over six months and will demit office on November 23. He took the oath of affirmation in Hindi. Soon after he took oath, CJI Gavai sought blessings of his mother Kamal Tai Gavai by touching her feet. He was greeted by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and former judges. He is the second Dalit person and the first Buddhist to hold the esteemed position of Chief Justice of India. The first Dalit CJI was KG Balakrishnan, who served from 2007 to 2010. About CJI Gavai Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Justice Gavai was elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003. He became a permanent judge of the High Court on November 12, 2005. He had joined the bar on March 16, 1985, and was the standing counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University. Justice Gavai was appointed an assistant government pleader and additional public prosecutor in the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur bench from August 1992 to July 1993. He was appointed a government pleader and public prosecutor for the Nagpur bench on January 17, 2000. Important verdicts by CJI Gavai Justice Gavai has been a part of several Constitution benches in the apex court, which delivered path-breaking verdicts. He was part of a five-judge Constitution bench which in December 2023 unanimously upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370, bestowing special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Another five-judge Constitution bench, of which Justice Gavai was a part, declared the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional and cancelled for political funding. He was part of a five-judge Constitution bench which, by a 4:1 majority verdict, gave its stamp of approval to the Centre’s 2016 decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination currency notes. Justice Gavai was also part of a seven-judge Constitution bench, which by a 6:1 majority held that states are constitutionally empowered to make sub-classifications within the Scheduled Castes, which form a socially heterogeneous class, for granting reservation for the uplift of castes that are socially and educationally more backwards among them. A seven-judge Constitution bench, also having Justice Gavai ruled that the arbitration clause in an unstamped or insufficiently stamped agreement between parties was enforceable as such a defect was curable and did not render the contract invalid. In an important verdict, a bench headed by Justice Gavai laid down pan-India guidelines and said no property should be demolished without a prior show-cause notice, and the affected must be given 15 days to respond. He is also heading the bench which is hearing matters related to forests, wildlife and protection of trees. Posted by Veena Nair Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https://thesiasatdaily.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Siwan mourns BSF jawan Rambabu Singh killed in cross-border firing during Operation Sindoor
PATNA: An eerie silence prevailed in Siwan’s Wasilpur village on Tuesday as news spread of the martyrdom of 28-year-old BSF jawan Rambabu Singh, who succumbed to injuries sustained in Pakistani cross-border firing during Operation Sindoor in Jammu & Kashmir. “Rambabu, originally posted in Jammu, had been transferred to Rajasthan but was asked to remain due to the ongoing operation,” said his cousin Pritam Kumar. Speaking over the phone from Wasilpur, Pritam added that Rambabu had briefly spoken to a relative at 11.43am on Monday. “Bhaiya told him to call later. Bhabhi had asked him in the morning to recharge their mother’s phone, which he did. At 4pm, Akhilesh bhaiya got a call from the BSF about his death,” he said. Rambabu’s mortal remains are expected to arrive in the village on Wednesday morning. His father-in-law, Subhash Chandra, told reporters that Rambabu had spoken to his wife, Anjali, till 11am on Monday. “What is worrisome is the fact that he got injured in shelling from the Pakistan side despite a ceasefire announced Sunday evening,” he said. Local police officers, including SHO Ritesh Kumar Mandal and DSP Vinod Kumar, said they had only received confirmation of Rambabu’s martyrdom and were unaware of the exact location of the incident. CM Nitish Kumar expressed deep condolences and announced Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the martyr’s family. “The country will always remember his martyrdom,” he said, adding that Rambabu would be cremated with full police honours. Rambabu’s wife Anjali Devi, who was at her paternal home in Dhanbad, was devastated by the news. The couple had married on Dec 14 last year. His mother, Sumitra Devi, unaware of the tragedy, questioned the crowd outside their house until she was informed, said neighbour Umesh Prasad. Mukhiya Kamleshwar Singh, overseeing preparations at the cremation ground, said, “The whole panchayat is proud of Rambabu’s sacrifice. He came from a humble background. The govt should support his family.” Rambabu’s father, Ram Vichar Singh, passed away two years ago, and his brother, Akhilesh, recently joined the railways as a loco pilot. “His sudden departure has left his grandfather, Jagdish Prasad Singh, speechless,” the mukhiya 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.
Rahul to interact with students tomorrow
Patna: In its bid to win back the dalit and extremely backward castes votes, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will participate in ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ with the students in Darbhanga and Patna on Thursday (May 15). The other senior Congress netas will also interact with the students at 60 places in Bihar as part of the party’s ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’, NSUI national in charge Kanhaiya Kumar said on Tuesday. He said 62 national Congress netas, including Rahul, will directly communicate with the students of the state on their problems in SC, ST, OBC hostels and community halls at various places in the state under the programme. Kanhaiya alleged that the state’s education system had failed. “Nitish Kumar has been the CM for 20 years and Narendra Modi has been the PM for 12 years, but the condition of the state has gone from bad to worse,” he alleged. He further said not a single degree college has been opened in 358 blocks while there is a huge shortage of permanent teachers and a three-year degree is being completed in six years. “The student credit card scheme has pushed the youth into debt instead of employment. They have not completed their studies but debt recovery has started. The CAG’s report shows that the money of SC/ST scholarship was spent on the construction of roads and bridges, and even scholarships meant for the minority community students were stopped. Hostels for dalit, backward and minority students are either closed or on the verge of ruin. Instead of investing in education, industry and infrastructure in Bihar, the Modi-Nitish double engine govt is diverting funds towards Gujarat,” he alleged. At the press conference, student netas Triloki Kumar Manjhi, Ranjit Pandit, Bhagya Bharti and Manish Paswan raised five main demands of SC, ST, EBCs and women. Patna: In its bid to win back the dalit and extremely backward castes votes, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will participate in ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ with the students in Darbhanga and Patna on Thursday (May 15). The other senior Congress netas will also interact with the students at 60 places in Bihar as part of the party’s ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’, NSUI national in charge Kanhaiya Kumar said on Tuesday. He said 62 national Congress netas, including Rahul, will directly communicate with the students of the state on their problems in SC, ST, OBC hostels and community halls at various places in the state under the programme. Kanhaiya alleged that the state’s education system had failed. “Nitish Kumar has been the CM for 20 years and Narendra Modi has been the PM for 12 years, but the condition of the state has gone from bad to worse,” he alleged. He further said not a single degree college has been opened in 358 blocks while there is a huge shortage of permanent teachers and a three-year degree is being completed in six years. “The student credit card scheme has pushed the youth into debt instead of employment. They have not completed their studies but debt recovery has started. The CAG’s report shows that the money of SC/ST scholarship was spent on the construction of roads and bridges, and even scholarships meant for the minority community students were stopped. Hostels for dalit, backward and minority students are either closed or on the verge of ruin. Instead of investing in education, industry and infrastructure in Bihar, the Modi-Nitish double engine govt is diverting funds towards Gujarat,” he alleged. At the press conference, student netas Triloki Kumar Manjhi, Ranjit Pandit, Bhagya Bharti and Manish Paswan raised five main demands of SC, ST, EBCs and women. 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.
Who is Justice B.R. Gavai, the new Chief Justice of India?
Justice Gavai will become only the second Dalit Chief Justice of India, after Justice KG Balakrishnan Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to become the 52nd Chief Justice of India, following the retirement of CJI Sanjiv Khanna on May 13, 2025. Elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Gavai will become only the second Dalit Chief Justice of India, after Justice KG Balakrishnan, who held the post from 2007 to 2010. However, his tenure is expected to last six months, from May 14, 2025 to November 23, 2025. His appointment also comes at a critical juncture for the judiciary, as the Supreme Court faces mounting criticism over alleged judicial overreach, most notably in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, where it directed the President to adhere to a timeline for clearing Bills. The judiciary is also grappling with renewed concerns over judicial corruption following the alleged discovery of charred currency notes at the official residence of High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. The incident has prompted 21 Supreme Court judges to publicly disclose their assets in an effort to restore public confidence. As Justice Gavai assumes office, all eyes will be on how he steers the court through these turbulent times, while upholding constitutional principles and reinforcing public trust in the institution. Script and Presentation: Aaratrika Bhaumik Editing: Zeeshan Akhtar Video: Aniket Chauhan Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https://thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Justice BR Gavai Takes Oath As India’s 52nd CJI | First Buddhist and Second Dalit to Hold Office
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, retiring at 65. Elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, Gavai’s tenure will last over six months until November 23. The first Buddhist Chief Justice took his oath in Hindi, pledging to uphold the Constitution. Known for bold judgments, Gavai has contributed to landmark rulings, including upholding Article 370 abrogation and electoral bonds scheme invalidation. Born in 1960, his father was a prominent Dalit leader and former Bihar Governor 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 Gandhi will participate in ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ in Darbhanga on 15th, 62 national leaders of Congress will interact with students
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will launch the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program in Bihar this weekend, which aims to highlight the pathetic condition of the education sector in the state. Kanhaiya Kumar told that Rahul Gandhi will come to Darbhanga on May 15 and the party leaders will visit colleges, universities and interact with the students. Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be in Bihar this weekend to launch the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program. This public relations program is being run to highlight the pathetic condition of the education sector in the state. Senior Congress party leader and NSUI national in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar gave this information. Rahul Gandhi will come to Darbhanga on May 15 Kanhaiya Kumar told that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will come to Darbhanga on May 15, when more than 60 national level leaders of Congress will be in different parts of the state to start the Shiksha Nyay Yatra. Kumar, a former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students’ Union, recently took out a state-wide ‘Palan Roko Naukri Do’ padayatra. He also clarified that unlike the previous programme, the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvaad’ has no time limit. Congress leaders to interact with students Kanhaiya Kumar said that during the yatra, party leaders will visit colleges, universities and hostels and interact with students. Bihar students are facing delays in academic sessions, question paper leaks and state government repression for protesting against raising their voice. Feedback from students will be used to prepare Nyay Patra Kanhaiya Kumar contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from his home district Begusarai. He said that the feedback received from the students will be used to prepare Nyay Patra, which is a manifesto of promises. If the ‘India’ alliance forms the next government here, we will fulfill it in Bihar. Kanhaiya Kumar alleged that the Nitish Kumar-led state’s ‘double engine government’ has failed to benefit Bihar while Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is getting “investments and attractive projects like bullet trains.” The Congress leader also said that the party will ensure that the caste census, which the Narendra Modi government at the Center has agreed to, is done in a scientific manner, “taking inspiration from Telangana, where our government has drawn its conclusions on the basis of a comprehensive questionnaire. Assembly elections are now due in a few months in the state, which has been ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for nearly two decades. About the author Ravi Sinha Working in the Bihar-Jharkhand team of Navbharat Times Digital. Got a chance to work as Jharkhand representative in Rajasthan Patrika from December 2005 to April 2020. A journey of 17 years as a casual assistant editor in Doordarshan Ranchi and the regional news unit of Akashvani Center. Courtesy : Ravi Sinha, Hindi News
Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi urging Parliament Session on Operation Sindoor, ceasefire
In a letter, Rahul Gandhi noted “it is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss” Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and ceasefire. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday and reiterate the unanimous request of the Opposition to convene a special session of Parliament immediately over Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and ceasefire. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi speak to the media after attending all-party meeting regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’, at Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi on Thursday.(ANI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi speak to the media after attending all-party meeting regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’, at Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi on Thursday.(ANI) In the letter, Rahul Gandhi noted “it is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss” the above-mentioned issues. India Pakistan news live updates “Dear Prime Minister, I reiterate the unanimous request of the Opposition to convene a special session of Parliament immediately,” the letter read. “It is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and today’s ceasefire, first announced by U.S. President Trump. This will also be an opportunity to demonstrate our collective resolve to meet the challenges ahead. I trust that you will consider this demand seriously and swiftly,” it added. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge also raised the request, and cited a letters dated April 28, 2025, to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament “in wake of inhuman terror attack in Pahalgam.” “In view of latest developments Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha has already written to you again conveying the unanimous request of all Opposition parties for a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror, Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire announcements first from Washington DC and later by the Governments of India and Pakistan,” Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to the prime minister read. “As Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha I am writing in support of this request. I trust you will agree,” he added. India-Pakistan ceasefire After over three days of intense exchange of fire, India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an ‘understanding’ to immediately stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea. The ceasefire, which was first announced by US President Donald Trump on Saturday, was violated by Pakistan hours later with drones being intercepted over parts of Jammu, Srinagar, Punjab and Rajasthan. The military confrontation erupted after Islamabad launched drones and missiles towards the Indian territory, responding to the Operation Sindoor military strikes carried out by New Delhi on nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in which terrorists found to have links with Pakistan killed 26 civilians. Courtesy : HT Note: This news is originally published on https://hindustantimes.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Bihar will become a hot political battle ground after Operation Sindoor, Rahul Gandhi coming before PM Modi; Know the political plan
Rahul Gandhi Bihar Tour: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an election rally in Rohtas, Bihar at the end of May. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi may also come to Bihar on May 15. Rahul Gandhi will meet workers in Gaya. In the last week of May, Prime Minister Modi will address a big rally in Bikramganj. Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Bihar after Operation Sindoor. He will hold an election rally in Rohtas. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is also coming to Bihar. He will meet workers in Gaya. Modi will come at the end of May. Rahul Gandhi may come on May 15. Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal said that PM Modi will address the rally in Bikramganj. He will give a message to the world on terrorism. Rahul Gandhi will come to Bihar on May 15 According to the information, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to visit Bihar soon. This will be his first Bihar tour after Operation Sindoor. At the end of May, he will address an election rally in Rohtas. On the other hand, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is also coming to Bihar. He is likely to come to Bihar on May 15. This will be Rahul Gandhi’s fourth visit to Bihar in the last five months. This time he will meet workers in Gaya. Many big leaders of Congress can also come to Bihar with him. Date not decided yet BJP’s Bihar state president Dilip Jaiswal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will come to Bihar in the last week of May. He will address a rally in Bikramganj of Rohtas district. Jaiswal said that Bikramganj has been chosen for the rally to be held in Shahabad area. Prime Minister Modi will address the countrymen from this platform. Dilip Jaiswal said that the Prime Minister’s visit can happen anytime between 25 and 30 May. Its date will be told in the next 4-5 days. Display of power and leadership He also said that this rally will not be just a political gathering. It will also be a display of the country’s power and leadership. Dilip Jaiswal further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country has given a befitting reply to cross-border terrorism. He has also given a strong message to Pakistan. Similarly, PM Modi will once again roar among the people from the land of Bikramganj. His voice will reach the whole world. Political atmosphere of Bihar is hot Let us tell you that the political atmosphere in Bihar is hot. The election fervor in the state has intensified due to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Both the leaders will try to garner support for their respective parties. It will be interesting to see what impact these visits have on the politics of Bihar. About the author Devendra Kashyap Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Digital. Journey in journalism from Mahua TV, Zee News, Eenadu India, Rajasthan Patrika, ETV Bharat to Times Internet. Courtesy: Devendra Kashyap, NBT, Hindi News
Congress urges PM Modi to chair all-party meet on India-Pakistan situation
NEW DELHI: On Sunday, Congress called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. Additionally, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the Prime Minister, urging a special session of Parliament to deliberate on the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the US-announced ceasefire. “It is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and today’s ceasefire, first announced by US President Trump,” said Rahul Gandhi in his letter. “This will also be an opportunity to demonstrate our collective resolve to meet the challenges ahead.” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also posed several questions to the government, including whether New Delhi has opened the doors to third party intervention between India and Pakistan. “Has New Delhi opened the doors to third-party mediation? Have diplomatic channels with Pakistan been reopened?” he asked in a post on X. His remarks came a day after India and Pakistan announced an immediate halt to all military actions—by land, air, and sea—following four days of intense cross-border missile and drone strikes. The ceasefire understanding was reportedly brokered with announcements first emerging from Washington DC, followed by confirmations from both New Delhi and Islamabad. Referring to a statement by US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who mentioned a “neutral site” for dialogue between the two countries, Ramesh asked whether this signaled a departure from the principles of the Simla Agreement, which firmly opposes third-party intervention in India-Pakistan matters. “Have we abandoned the Simla Agreement? Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation?” he asked. “The Indian National Congress would like to ask if diplomatic channels between India and Pakistan are being reopened? What commitments have we sought and got?” Ramesh cited reported remarks by two former army chiefs, V P Malik and Manoj Narwane, on the understanding reached between India and Pakistan and said that the situation demands for a response from the Prime Minister himself. “Finally, the Indian National Congress believes it is but natural for the country to recall Indira Gandhi for her extraordinarily courageous and resolute leadership in 1971,” Ramesh said. He also referenced a $5.8 billion loan to India from IMF in November, 1981 to which the US had strong objections. He added that however, Indira Gandhi was able to persuade the IMF for the loan. “On Feb 29, 1984, when Pranab Mukherjee presented the Budget she had got him to announce that India had concluded the IMF programme successfully and that it was NOT drawing about $1.3 billion of the amount approved. This is perhaps unique in the annals of IMF’s history,” Ramesh 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.