Robert Vadra links Pahalgam terror attack to govt’s Hindutva push; shocking, shameless says BJP
Robert Vadra links Pahalgam terror attack to govt’s Hindutva push; shocking, shameless says BJPRobert Vadra links Pahalgam terror attack to govt’s Hindutva push; shocking, shameless says BJP NEW DELHI: Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, on Wednesday linked the Pahalgam terror attack to BJP government’s Hindutva push in the country evoking a strong retort from the BJP. “If you dissect this terrorist act that took place, if they (terrorists) are looking at people’s identity, why are they doing this? Because there’s a divide that has come about in our country with Hindus and Muslims … and also christians. Looking at identities and then killing somebody, that’s a message to the PM, because Muslims are feeling weakened. The minorities are feeling weakened,” Robert Vadra said reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 28 innocent people lost their lives. “Why are we having communal disharmony in our country. This will create divides. This will create these kinds of organisations feel that Hindus are making a problem for all the Muslims. We don’t need that. You ask many Hindus and Muslims together, they help each other. In Covid, we saw they helped each other. They don’t understand all these political ways of trying to infuse disorder to win elections,” he added while clarifying that it was his personal view and he was not speaking on behalf of the Congress party or his family. The BJP was quick to slam Robert Vadra for offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them. “Shocking! Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra shamelessly defends an act of terror, offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them. He doesn’t stop there, instead, shifts the blame onto India for the atrocities committed by Pakistani terrorists,” BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X. — amitmalviya (@amitmalviya) BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Vadra and said that his reactions were at the behest of the Gandhis. “This is the most shameful, atrocious utterance done by the Congress party, Robert Vadra at the behest of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, in a sense to defend the Pakistani terrorists – to give them a clean chit to whitewash this crime of Islamic Jihad and to blame Hindus and to justify the terror,” Shehzad Poonawalla said. BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli condemned Vadra’s remarks, accusing him of speaking the language of the terrorists and justifying their barbaric actions. “Robert Vadra’s remarks are completely condemnable. This is the same language that terrorists always use to justify their terrorism. It’s clear from Robert Vadra’s remarks that he wants to do politics on such a gruesome terror attack when the entire country is united against it,” Kohli said, demanding an apology from Vadra. The BJP spokesperson said Vadra’s remarks raise questions about whether the party is playing the politics of double standards. “What kind of justice is he seeking for the victims who the terrorists had shot dead after asking about their religion. The Congress should immediately issue a clarification. Robert Vadra should apologise,” he said. Vadra, meanwhile, went on to claim that he was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in the land deal case because he had spoken in favour of the minorities. “Two weeks before, I was summoned by the ED. I had spoken in favour of the minorities. I said when you stop Muslims from doing prayers on roads or roofs of their homes or doing survey of temples under mosques or talk about Aurganjeb and Babur, it will create trouble, he said. Kharge says not a time for partisan politics And while Vadra put the blame on the BJP government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge advocated for collective resolve and opposed partisan politics. “This is not a time for partisan politics. It is a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice for those who lost their lives and for their grieving families, by bringing the perpetrators of this terror attack to justice,” Kharge said. “We also expect the government to hold discussions with all political parties to address the challenge of terrorism in a spirit of consensus once the necessary actions have been taken and full information has been obtained. They should call an All-Party meeting and take some advice. This is not politics, and we don’t want politics in this situation,” the Congress president said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Pahalgam terror attack: Pak’s X handle withheld, all-party meet today – top developments
Pahalgam terror attack: Pak’s X handle withheld, all-party meet today – top developmentsPahalgam terror attack: Pak’s X handle withheld, all-party meet today – top developments NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday took raft of diplomatic measures against Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism after a brutal attack on Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam which claimed 28 lives. India accused Islamabad of supporting cross-border terrorism and suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, shut the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect, and halted Pakistani access to travel under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any such visas issued earlier have been cancelled, and Pakistani nationals under SVES have 48 hours to leave. Ministry of external affairs said that the attacks came “in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.” Here are the top developments Encounter with terrorists in Uddhampur, one soldier killed Security forces engaged in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district. As per officials, the soldier suffered grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed to injuries. ‘Pakistan plans surface-to-surface missile test off Karachi coast ‘ Pakistan on Thursday issued a notification to carry out surface-to-surface missile test from its Karachi coast along its coastline within its exclusive economic zone on April 24-25, news agency ANI reported citing sources. Indian agencies concerned are keeping a close watch on all the developments, ANI added. Pakistan govt’s X handle withheld Indian government on Thursday withheld the official account of government of Pakistan on X. India hands over expulsion note to top Pakistan diplomat India summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat Saad Ahmad Warraich late at night and handed over the formal Persona non grata note for its military diplomats following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 28 innocent lives, including 26 Indians and two foreign tourists, news agency ANI reported citing sources. India had last downgraded diplomatic ties in 2020 by reducing the mission strength to half of what it was earlier. Earlier, defence minister Rajnath Singh had assured the nation of a “loud and clear” response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 people, mostly tourists. Pakistan to chart response Pakistan’s top political and military leadership is set to huddle up to formulate a response to India’s sweeping measures following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 28 lives, including 26 Indians and two foreign tourists. “A session of the National Security Committee will be held under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said. He added that decisions would be taken to give “an appropriate response to the Indian steps.” The meeting will be attended by all services chiefs and key cabinet ministers. All party meet likely today The Centre will brief leaders of various political parties on the Pahalgam terror attack and hear their views at an all-party meeting to be held Defence minister Rajnath Singh and home minister Amit Shah are expected to brief the leaders, official sources said. Singh will chair the meeting. Sources said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar may also speak at the meeting. The decision to call an all-party meeting was taken on Wednesday, with Singh and Shah reaching out to various parties. There has been a convention for calling an all-party meeting following an incident with serious repercussions related to national security, as was seen after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 or during the India-China standoff in 2020. Rs 20 lakh reward announced for info on terrorists The Anantnag Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to the neutralisation of terrorists involved in this cowardly attack. Rahul Gandhi cuts short his US visit Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday after cutting short his visit to the US in the aftermath of the terror attack. Rahul will attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, at around 10.30 am. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to X and said, “Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi has cut short his US visit and will be attending in person the CWC meeting in New Delhi tomorrow at 10:30 am.” Airlines operate 59 flights from Srinagar; airfares kept at reasonable levels Airlines operated 59 flights from Srinagar, including seven additional services, to ferry tourists and bodies of 25 Pahalgam terror attack victims to their destinations along with 123 accompanying family members. The civil aviation ministry said air ticket prices on the route were being kept at reasonable levels amid a large number of tourists looking to return from Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the terror attack, the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama incident. J&K LG holds security review meeting Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha held a security review meeting to ensure that the directions passed by Union home minister Amit Shah are swiftly followed to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice. During the meeting, Sinha informed that the home minister has directed that all possible force must be used to take the strongest possible action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, and that the entire ecosystem of terrorism must be dismantled, sources said. Sinha said that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains fully committed to avenging the killing of innocent citizens and ensuring that such dastardly acts of terrorism do not recur. Nothing can compensate for the innocent lives lost in the heinous terror attack, he added. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
‘Victims deserve justice’: Rahul Gandhi speaks with Amit Shah, CM Abdullah; receives update on Pahalgam attack
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha on Wednesday spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and took stock of the situation after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing at least 28 tourists. In a social media post on X, the Congress leader said that he has also spoken to chief minister Omar Abdullah and J&K pradesh Congress committee president Tariq Karra over the attack and advocated justice and support for the victims. Follow live updates “Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC president Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Rahul said. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The Congress on Tuesday had asked the government to take accountability for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir instead of making “hollow claims” on the situation being normal in the Union Territory, and demanded that an all-party meeting be called to take political parties into confidence. The opposition party denounced the terror attack as a blot on humanity and said it should not go “unanswered effectively.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Delhi after cutting short his two-day trip to Saudi Arabia. The gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam is one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Survivors said the terrorists, believed to be foreigners numbering around six and dressed in Army fatigues, identified their victims by faith, asking them to tell their names and recite Islamic verses before spraying bullets on them from close range. Gunmen struck around 1:30 p.m. in Baisaran meadow — about 7 km from Pahalgam and reachable either by foot or by horses — as scores of tourists were enjoying a regular afternoon, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests. Pahalgam’s meadow is a top sightseeing spot that draws hundreds of visitors daily. Heavy security presence, including checkpoints and armed patrols, provided a sense of security. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
BJP: Rahul remarks bid to divert focus from Herald case
NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Election Commission, democracy and conduct of elections are an attempt to divert attention from the National Herald case. “Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul has once again questioned the credibility of EC from a foreign land. It is very unfortunate that whenever Rahul is abroad, he does not miss sharing his hateful thoughts towards India and India’s democratic systems,” Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a post on social media. “…I request Rahul Gandhi ji not to hurt India’s democratic dignity on the basis of electoral victory or defeat,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Blood on the valley’s trails: Pahalgam terror attack rekindles Jammu and Kashmir’s darkest memories
NEW DELHI: Terror struck at the heart of Kashmir’s tourist belt once again on Tuesday, as militants opened fire on a crowded site in Pahalgam, killing at least 28 people, including two foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal, and two locals. The incident, which also left dozens injured, has reignited memories of the valley’s most brutal attacks on civilians over the past three decades. The assault, carried out at one of south Kashmir’s most visited locations, comes just months after the deadly June 2024 attack in Reasi, where pilgrims en route to Vaishno Devi were targeted. Officials described Tuesday’s attack as the deadliest on civilians in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Delhi shortly after the attack, held an emergency meeting with NSA Ajit Doval and external affairs minister S Jaishankar at the airport itself. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah called the attack “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.” J&K terror attack: Live Updates Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said he had spoken with home minister Amit Shah, the J&K chief minister, and Congress leader Tariq Karra to understand the situation. “The families of the victims deserve justice and our fullest support. Hollow claims of normalcy must now give way to concrete action,” Gandhi said. This is not the first time Pahalgam has found itself in the crosshairs. From the abduction of six foreign tourists in 1995, one of whom was later killed, to the 2000 Nunwan base camp massacre that left 32 dead, including Amarnath pilgrims and local vendors, the region has seen more than its share of bloodshed. A pattern of pain The valley’s history is pockmarked with chilling incidents: March 2000, 36 Sikhs were massacred in Chittisinghpora on the eve of President Clinton’s visit. Aug 2002, 9 Amarnath pilgrims were killed in an attack at the Nunwan camp. July 2017, seven Amarnath pilgrims, mostly from Gujarat, were killed in Anantnag. June 2024, a Vaishno Devi-bound bus came under fire in Reasi, killing 10 and injuring 33. From fidayeen assaults on temples to grenade attacks on buses, the targets have mostly remained the same: pilgrims, tourists, migrant workers, and minority communities. As the nation mourns yet another tragedy, pressure is mounting on the Centre and state administration to move beyond statements and deliver actionable security reforms. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Pahalgam terrorist attack: Search operation under way, J&K on high alert – Top development
NEW DELHI: At least 28 people were killed after terrorists opened fire in group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam is one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. According to survivors, 6 foreign terrorists dressed in Army fatigues, identified their victims by faith asking them to tell their names and recite Islamic verses before spraying bullets on them from close range. Here are the top development PM Modi holds key meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday landed in Delhi after cutting his two-day Saudi Arabia trip short. Immediately after touching down, PM Modi chaired a key meet with national security advisor Ajit Doval, EAM S Jaishankar and others to discuss the situation in view of the Pahalgam terror attack. Follow live updates Meanwhile, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also preponed her arrival in India from her official visit to the US and Peru. Sitharaman arrived in the US on Sunday for a six-day visit, after which she was scheduled to travel to Peru for a five-day trip. Rahul speaks with Amit Shah, CM Omar Abdullah Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and took stock of the situation after the terror attack In a social media post on X, the Congress leader said that he has also spoken to chief minister Omar Abdullah and J&K pradesh Congress committee president Tariq Karra over the attack and advocated justice and support for the victims. “Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC president Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Rahul said. The Congress on Tuesday had asked the government to take accountability for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir instead of making “hollow claims” on the situation being normal in the Union Territory, and demanded that an all-party meeting be called to take political parties into confidence. The opposition party denounced the terror attack as a blot on humanity and said it should not go “unanswered effectively.” Search operation under way, J&K on high alert Security forces carried out a major manhunt, combing the area to track down the terrorists responsible. “The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice,” the Indian army’s Chinar Corps said in a statement overnight. Security has been beefed up since the attack, with streets being deserted in the usually bustling tourist area. Additionally, security forces and forensic team also conducted search operation at the Baisaran picnic spot in Pahalgam. Defence officials told that Indian Army ALH Dhruv helicopters have been allowed to fly in the areas around Srinagar, J&K and adjoining areas in view of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Army foils infiltration bid in Baramulla Meanwhile, the security forces also foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Baramulla. According to Indian Army, terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Baramulla’s Uri Nala. “On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla (in north Kashmir),” Chinar Corps said in a post on X. The alert troops on the LoC challenged and intercepted the infiltrators, resulting in a firefight, the army said. “The operation is in progress,” it added. Kashmir bandh In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have extended their support to the call for a Kashmir Bandh (shutdown) on Wednesday to condemn the attack and show solidarity with the victims’ families. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has appealed to the people to make the Bandh a “complete success” and join in condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. In a social media post on X, JKNC wrote, “On the instruction of the Party President, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success.” Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and supported the shutdown, calling it an “attack on all of us.” “The Chamber and Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete shutdown tomorrow in protest against the horrific militant attack on tourists. I appeal all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam. This isn’t just an attack on a select few–it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents,” Mufti posted on X. Tourists flee Kashmir Following the attacks, a wave of fear and uncertainty has gripped tourists as many of them vacated hotels in Srinagar, Anantnag and Gulmarg. Chandrakant Kale, an IMD official from Pune, had just left Pahalgam with his wife moments before the attack. “We came to know about it while we were on the way to Srinagar. I felt totally shaken,” Kale said over the phone. Pune-based lawyer Vijaysinh Thombare, currently in Srinagar with his wife NCP neta Rupali Patil-Thombare, said tourists are alarmed and eager to leave. “Most of us are scared and want to leave J&K as soon as possible,” he said. “We were at Pahalgam Sunday, then moved to Gulmarg the following day. Today, we were enjoying a gondola ride when soldiers instructed all tourists to vacate and return to hotels,” he added. Many tourists in Pahalgam and surrounding areas left for Srinagar, vacating hotels. “They panicked and didn’t want to stay,” a hotelier said. However, they couldn’t proceed to Jammu due to the highway being closed because of landslides. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news was originally published on https://timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human
‘Nitish changes parties just for kursi’: Kharge targets BJP and JD(U) alliance
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP during a rally in Buxar, calling their alliance “opportunistic” and accusing Kumar of frequently switching sides solely to hold onto power. “Nitish Kumar changes parties just for ‘kursi’. He has once again joined hands with the same ideology that was responsible for Mahatma Gandhi’s death,” Kharge said. The Congress chief accused the BJP-JD(U) government of failing Bihar’s people and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had failed to deliver on his 2015 promise of a Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for the state. “People of Bihar must ask, where is that money? Modi ji is running a factory of lies,” Kharge said. He also alleged that the BJP and RSS were against the poor, women, and marginalised communities, claiming that their policies are designed to divide society along caste and religious lines. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) Referring to the recent Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Kharge claimed it was another example of BJP-RSS conspiracies to polarise communities. “It is a deliberate attempt to create a wedge between groups,” he said, while urging people to see through what he described as misleading narratives. Kharge also invoked Bihar’s rich legacy, saying it was the land of enlightenment and struggle — from Buddha’s penance to Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha in Champaran. “Many great leaders, reformers, and freedom fighters came from this soil. Now, we are here with the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally, saluting the spirit of Bihar,” he said. His visit comes just months ahead of the assembly elections, where the Congress, in alliance with the RJD and Left parties under the ‘Mahagathbandhan’, is set to challenge the BJP-led NDA. Kharge’s rally followed Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Begusarai earlier this month, where he also criticised the Centre during a ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan’ and marched under the banner of ‘Palayan Roko, Naukri Do’. 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.
‘Election Commission is compromised’: Rahul Gandhi rakes up voter fraud claims during US visit
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, while addressing members of the Indian diaspora in Boston, alleged that Election Commission is “compromised” and claimed there is “something very wrong with the system.” Citing the example of the Maharashtra assembly elections, former Congress president said, “More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra, and this is a fact… the Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30pm, and in two hours around 7:30pm, 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible.” “It’s very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, there is something very wrong with the system.” he added. This is not the first time Gandhi threw allegation on EC. Gandhi, along with many other opposition leaders had questioned the credibility of poll body repeatedly. Earlier, the sources in the Election Commission had told ANI news agency that the allegations of manipulated electoral rolls were unfounded. They mentioned that during the recent Special Summary Revision (SSR) published in January 2025, there were very few appeals or corrections sought under Sections 22 to 24 of the Representation of People Act. The SSR is a routine process to update electoral rolls, ensuring the inclusion of new voters and removal of duplicates or deceased individuals. According to officials, only 89 appeals were filed in Maharashtra, despite the presence of over 13.8 million Booth Level Agents (BLAs) across the country. With such low contestation, sources said the final electoral rolls must be considered undisputed. During his speech, Rahul Gandhi also spoke about India-US relations, expressing optimism about continued cooperation between the two nations. “We have a partnership with the US, and hopefully we will continue to work together,” he said. He also thanked members of the diaspora for supporting the Congress party abroad. “You believe, you listen to other people, and you respect them. This is what runs in the Congress party and in our family…. Thank you for carrying the flag here, it’s a very powerful thing to do…” he said. LoP Gandhi is scheduled to deliver an address at Brown University on Monday as part of his US visit. 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.