‘Did PM spare a thought?’: Rahul Gandhi on Modi’s birthday wish to Dharmendra Pradhan, cites NEET-linked student deaths
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday message for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan by asking whether the prime minister had “spared a thought” for aspirants whose deaths by suicide were linked to the NEET-UG paper leak. “Each name on this list was a child with a dream, a family, a future — all destroyed by a broken system and a government that refuses to learn or take accountability. Remember these students. Every one of them,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote on X while responding to a post by fellow Congress leader Pawan Khera, who shared the names of 14 such aspirants. “When PM Modi praised Dharmendra Pradhan ji on his birthday, did he even spare a thought for these children?” Rahul Gandhi added. The Rae Bareli MP has repeatedly targeted the Centre over the NEET-UG paper leak and related issues. His remarks came after PM Modi wished Pradhan on his 57th birthday, praising his “commendable efforts” in implementing the National Education Policy. “Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation. Praying for his long and healthy life,” Modi wrote on X. Student groups and opposition parties have been demanding Pradhan’s resignation, or that he be removed from the Union Cabinet, over the NEET-UG paper leak fiasco. Over 22 lakh students appeared for the medical entrance examination on May 3. However, the exam was cancelled on May 12. The NEET-UG re-exam was held on June 21. 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
Bonded labour horror in UP: Worker’s alleged torture death emerges after rescue of 12
Uttar Pradesh police launch manhunt for absconding paper plate unit owner after raid exposes year-long confinement, brutal assaults, and a hidden fatality A case of alleged bonded labour, torture and illegal confinement has come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, where 12 workers, including minors, were rescued from a paper plate manufacturing factory in Mandi village following a joint raid by police and the administration. The investigation has revealed allegations of prolonged exploitation, physical abuse and the death of one worker who was allegedly tortured while being held at the factory. According to police, the labourers were brought from different states with the promise of a monthly salary of Rs 12,000. Instead, they were allegedly confined inside the factory premises for more than a year, denied wages and prevented from leaving. Several rescued workers bore visible injuries and torture marks. During questioning, they alleged that they were beaten, whipped, attacked with sharp weapons and assaulted by dogs when they tried to escape. They also alleged that they were forced to consume animal fodder and were kept in inhuman conditions. The extent of the alleged abuse emerged during the probe after the June 22 rescue operation. Police on Thursday revealed that one of the workers, identified as Arjun, died in November 2025 after being subjected to torture at the factory. His body was later allegedly disposed of after being packed in a bag. Police have registered a fresh case against factory owner Ankit Balyan and Shiva Tyagi. Tyagi has been arrested, while Balyan remains absconding. Another accused, Pradeep Balyan, is also being searched for. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case and collect evidence. The rescued workers have undergone medical examinations and their statements have been recorded before a magistrate. Authorities are now working on their rehabilitation, including assistance under government schemes, opening bank accounts and reuniting them with their families. Officials said contact has been established with the families of four workers, while efforts are continuing to trace relatives of the remaining survivors. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described the alleged abuse as an “assault on human dignity” and demanded strict action against those responsible. The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Students being called terrorists’: Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi govt, Pradhan over paper leaks
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his alleged “terrorist” remark against students protesting over education-related issues. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led NDA government of suppressing dissent and failing to protect the interests of students. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi government was branding students demanding fair examinations and a secure future as “terrorists.” He wrote, “Drowned in the arrogance of power, the Modi government has now reached a point where the Education Minister is calling students, who are merely demanding their rights, fair examinations, and a secure future, ‘terrorists’. “Just think about it, the one whose failures led to so many paper leaks, under whose rule 20 children lost their lives, who has pushed the futures of millions of youth into darkness, is today labeling the suffering children and those raising their voices as ‘terrorists’.” Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the government routinely branded its critics. “But this is nothing new: Farmers, the nation’s food providers, were called ‘professional agitators and parasites.’ Those who ask questions were branded ‘Anti-National.’ And now, the youth are being called ‘terrorists’.” Demanding Pradhan’s resignation, Gandhi wrote, “Anyone who questions the government, label them a traitor; that’s the entirety of their politics. Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, immediately apologize to the millions of youth in this country and resign for your failures.” He also criticised the education system, saying, “As for me, go ahead and attack me as much as you want. I said it in Kota, and I say it again: This education system has today become nothing but an extortion racket. I won’t let it continue like this. Ensuring every child gets affordable, quality education and fair examinations, I will never stop raising this voice. This format is standard news style because every set of remarks is explicitly introduced as “he wrote”, “Gandhi further alleged”, or “Demanding Pradhan’s resignation, Gandhi wrote”, making it clear that these are Rahul Gandhi’s claims and not the reporter’s narration. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi files application in MP HC, expresses regret over remark against Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son
Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son Kartikeya Singh filed a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, alleging that Gandhi mentioned his name while referring to Panama Papers leak case, damaging his reputation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court with an application expressing regret for his allegedly defamatory statement about Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son Kartikeya Singh. Kartikeya Singh had filed a defamation complaint in a Bhopal court against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi’s application, filed by his lawyer on Wednesday, said his statement was not related to Singh. In the defamation complaint lodged in the Bhopal court for cases against MPs-MLAs, Kartikeya Singh alleged that during an election rally in Jhabua in 2018, Gandhi mentioned his name while referring to the Panama Papers leak scandal, thus damaging his reputation. The court issued a summons to Gandhi for personal appearance, following which the Congress leader moved the HC seeking to quash the summons as well as the defamation case. Justice Pramod Kumar Agarwal will hear Gandhi’s petition on Thursday. The petitioner on Wednesday produced the records of the lower court, as directed by the HC. Advocate Sankalp Kochhar represented the complainant before the high court. Responding to Gandhi’s regret application, Kartikey through his counsel on Thursday said that he didn’t intend to escalate the issue any further, so the proceedings before the MP HC as well as the trial court in Bhopal be closed. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CJP protester attacked with iron rod; Dipke demands SC/ST Act, attempt to murder charges
NEW DELHI: A person protesting with CJP sustained serious head injuries during the prolonged protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday night. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and CJP spokesperson Saurav Das have demanded that the Delhi Police take strict action against those responsible, alleging that while police have arrested one person, around 15 people were involved in the attack. Following the incident, a video of the injured man’s daughter surfaced on social media. In the video, she alleged that a group of “Manuvadi” people cornered her on the road and that when her father intervened to protect her, he was allegedly struck on the head with an iron rod, leaving him seriously injured. CJP demands justice CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said Delhi Police have taken “zero preventive action” regarding physical attacks and online threats. The CJP has demanded full accountability for the incident under the SC/ST Act and Attempt to Murder charges. Das said that the perpetrators targeted the protest so as to create an enviroment of terror and make it unsafe for those on ground to engage in a peaceful protest. He also revealed that the victim’s medical examination revealed three deep wounds to the skull, with the MLC report showing grievous injury, but police have recorded it as minor injury. Dipke urged authorities to identify and arrest all those allegedly involved in the attack. He further alleged that while police have arrested one person, but 15 were involved in the attack and have not been detained. The CJP has maintained that the protest will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged NEET-UG paper leaks and examination irregularities. 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
Former Bihar Congress chief blames his removal for party’s dismal performance in state assembly polls
The former Union minister’s remarks at an event in Delhi on Tuesday are being seen as a criticism of the party leadership at both the central and state levels. PATNA: Former Bihar Congress chief and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has asserted that his removal as the party’s Bihar unit president before the last Assembly election led to the Congress’ poor performance in the polls. In the 2025 Assembly election, the Congress won only six of the 61 seats it contested. The former Union minister’s remarks at an event in Delhi on Tuesday are being seen as a criticism of the party leadership at both the central and state levels. “I was removed from the post of state president before the elections, and the party had to bear the consequences,” he said, raising questions over the leadership’s decision. Singh, who is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad, also took a swipe at the current AICC in-charge of Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, without naming him directly. He also openly objected to the functioning of co-in-charge Shahnawaz Alam, who was present at the event. “Such people were made in-charge who have nothing to do with politics and have no knowledge of it. When these people came to Bihar, the first thing they did was to remove me from the post of state president,” Singh said. He maintained that the Congress’ performance in the Assembly election would have been better had he remained the state president. “We had succeeded in getting four MPs elected (three Lok Sabha members and one Rajya Sabha member in 2024) when I was holding the post of state party president,” he said. He further said, “This time, 40 per cent of the elected MLAs in Bihar are from upper-caste communities, and 27 MLAs belong to the Bhumihar caste. I belong to the same caste. I had asked Rahul Gandhi what should now be done in Bihar.” Akhilesh was replaced by Rajesh Kumar, a Scheduled Caste legislator from Aurangabad district. Kumar also lost his seat in the last election. He had earlier been elected as MLA from Kutumba in Aurangabad district. Rajesh Kumar had accompanied Rahul Gandhi during his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls. Ramashankar Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PAC Chairman seeks report on ‘Great Nicobar project from MHA
The project has faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition leaders over its potential impact on the island’s ecology. NEW DELHI: At a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, committee chairman and Congress MP KC Venugopal sought a report from Home Secretary Govind Mohan on the controversial Great Nicobar Project, which has been consistently opposed by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, sources said. The project has also faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition leaders over its potential impact on the island’s ecology. Although the issue was not listed on the meeting agenda, Venugopal said he raised it suo motu, citing its significance and concerns over the project’s ecological impact. The intervention came during a briefing by officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on observations in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report on the establishment and functioning of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS). According to sources, BJP MP Anurag Thakur objected when the chairman raised the Great Nicobar Project issue, arguing that it was not part of the committee’s agenda and that the proceedings should remain confined to scheduled business. Venugopal, however, said he was not seeking an immediate response from the Home Secretary. “While accepting that he is not prepared for this subject today, it is my duty to make the Home Secretary aware that the committee has taken cognisance of this matter and would like to receive a brief report later on the situation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with respect to the Great Nicobar Project,” sources quoted him as saying. Venugopal is learnt to have raised concerns over the felling of an estimated 1.5 crore trees and the displacement of tribal communities because of the project. “All this is being done to create commercial space for a few large private players. On one hand, the long-pending demand for the expansion of the naval base INS Baaz was put on hold. On the other hand, the Central government is hastily moving to commercialise the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” he is learnt to have told the meeting. The Congress has consistently opposed the Great Nicobar Project, describing it as an ecological disaster. After his recent visit to the islands, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi challenged the government’s contention that the project is driven by strategic and defence considerations. Gandhi alleged that claims surrounding the proposed transshipment port were misleading and that the project was aimed at benefiting a single businessman through the development of hotels and casinos on ecologically sensitive land. Recently, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal raising concerns over the proposed international container transshipment port at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island. He sought clarification on the project’s ownership structure, competition safeguards and government funding support. During the meeting, sources said, Venugopal expressed concern over financial mismanagement and a 12-year delay in the construction of ANIIMS. The PAC chairman also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration from the meeting. Speaking to reporters later, Venugopal said the official had been asked to explain his absence. According to sources, the MHA informed the committee that it serves only as the monitoring agency for the institute, which is administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Preetha Nair Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
After vote & seat thefts, BJP swallowing political parties, says Congress leader Meenakshi
She pointed out that the BJP government is the one which brought and strengthened the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) laws. BENGALURU: AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, whose nomination to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh was rejected recently, came down heavily on the BJP alleging that the saffron party has graduated from “vote theft, seat theft to parties’ theft”. “It is not only vote chori and seat chori, but also moving towards party theft. A country is moving towards one party. That is why Rahul Gandhi has spoken about the fight (against BJP),” she told reporters at KPCC office in Bengaluru. She alleged that the BJP was poaching opposition MPs into the NDA fold to attain a two-third majority in the Lok Sabha to pass certain Bills like the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, to go ahead with delimitation of constituencies and increase the number of seats. “They worked to stop people from even contesting… they did that in local body elections, but now also in Rajya Sabha elections. And now, they are swallowing political parties one after another,” she said. “So, in a way, do they want to move towards a ‘One Nation, One Party’ system? Or do they want to make up the numbers-since their bill was previously rejected on the constitutional floor of the House and want to fulfil that shortfall? And that is why the conspiracy and plot they are hatching to finish off political parties one after another is right before us,” she said, adding that this was the BJP’s ‘chal, charitra aur chehra’ (conduct, character, and face). She said that the opposition parties are fully aware of the BJP’s designs and have to fight the battle in a powerful and robust manner. Meenakshi also defended that there is nothing wrong in Home Minister Priyank Kharge seeking information on the registration of RSS. She recalled that India’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, had raised the same questions before the RSS. She pointed out that the BJP government is the one which brought and strengthened the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) laws. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP claims IAF tender for 36 Rafales exposes Pak propaganda, says ‘Rahul owes explanation’
NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of echoing narratives that “mirrored Pakistan’s propaganda” during Operation Sindoor. The ruling party at the Centre also charged that Rahul chose to question the government instead of demanding proof from Islamabad over its claims about Rafale fighter jets. The fresh political salvo came after a recent Air Force (IAF) tender seeking a support package for all 36 Rafale fighter jets was cited by the BJP as evidence that Pakistan’s long-standing claim of having shot down multiple Rafales during the conflict does not hold up. Leading the charge, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya alleged that while Pakistan was pushing claims about downed Rafale jets, Rahul Gandhi chose to question the Union government rather than seek proof from Islamabad. “During Operation Sindoor, when India was confronting a grave national security challenge, Rahul Gandhi chose to amplify questions and narratives that mirrored Pakistan’s propaganda about Indian Rafale fighter jets,” Malviya said in a post on X. According to the BJP leader, Pakistan’s information ecosystem worked aggressively to promote the claim that Indian Rafales had been shot down. He alleged that Rahul’s remarks at the time ended up giving legitimacy to a narrative being advanced by a hostile neighbour. “Instead of demanding evidence from Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi sought answers from the Government of India, lending credibility to an adversarial claim at a sensitive moment,” Malviya said. The BJP leader pointed to the latest IAF tender as proof that Pakistan’s narrative had collapsed. “Today, an Indian Air Force tender seeking a support package for all 36 Rafale fighter aircraft has thoroughly undermined those claims. The facts are clear: the propaganda that Pakistan peddled, and which Rahul Gandhi helped amplify, has fallen apart,” he said. Malviya further argued that political disagreements should not come at the cost of national unity during military operations. He said there is “a time for political debate and a time for national solidarity”, adding that raising doubts about military actions without evidence could hurt the morale of the armed forces. He went on to claim that many Indians would view such conduct as “crossing a red line”, arguing that giving “oxygen to an adversary’s disinformation campaign during a national security operation” would be seen not just as irresponsible politics but as “a betrayal of the national interest”. “The Indian Air Force has answered with facts. Pakistan’s propaganda stands exposed. Those who amplified it owe the nation an explanation,” Malviya said. Why Rafale tender matters The row centres around an Air Headquarters Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in June, inviting bids for a five-month “bridge support” package covering all 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired from France. A “bridge support” package is a temporary arrangement designed to ensure uninterrupted maintenance, logistics and technical support until a longer-term contract is finalised. While such tenders are routine, the BJP has seized on this one because it covers the entire Rafale fleet. Pakistan had repeatedly claimed after Operation Sindoor that several Rafale jets were destroyed during the conflict. However, military officials had rejected those assertions, but Islamabad continued to push the narrative. Now, BJP leaders argue that the IAF’s support request for all 36 aircraft reinforces India’s position and exposes what they describe as Pakistan’s misinformation campaign. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi’s Kota student interaction to be screened across Nagpur from June 27
Nagpur: Congress will launch a city-wide awareness campaign on education issues in Nagpur from June 27. As part of the campaign, video of party MP Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students in Kota will be screened outside schools, colleges and coaching institutes across the city. The campaign, titled Chhatro Ki Gunj, is being organised by the Congress, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Youth Congress. Party office bearers said mobile LED screens will be deployed across all six Assembly constituencies in Nagpur to screen the 45-minute interaction, with five to six programmes planned in each constituency. Addressing a press conference on Monday, NSUI’s Kunal Chaudhary said the initiative was aimed at highlighting concerns over the education system, particularly in the wake of controversies surrounding national-level entrance examinations such as NEET. Chaudhary claimed that over 22 lakh students had applied for NEET this year and questioned how examination irregularities continued to surface despite the large revenues generated through application fees. “When crores of rupees are collected through examinations such as NEET, JEE and UPSC, students and parents naturally expect a transparent and credible system. Any lapse directly affects the future of lakhs of aspirants,” he said. According to Congress functionaries, the campaign seeks to take Rahul Gandhi’s message on education reforms to students and parents. The screenings will be held near educational institutions and coaching centres to maximise outreach among aspirants preparing for competitive examinations. Nagpur City Congress president Prafull Gudadhe, while talking to TOI, described the initiative as a public awareness exercise rather than a political event. Responding to questions on the timing of the campaign, he said the objective was to inform citizens about issues affecting the education sector and encourage discussion among students and parents. Gudadhe also raised concerns over the growing commercialisation of competitive examination coaching, claiming that the coaching industry associated with examinations such as NEET and JEE has grown into a multi-crore business. “The purpose of this campaign is to present the ground reality before students and parents,” he said. Congress netas Sandesh Singalkar, Atul Londhe, Vishal Muttemwar, corporator Atul Kotecha, Kunal Raut and others were present at the press conference. 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