Owaisi urges ‘Muslims voters’ to build own leadership, takes aim at SP and Congress
Asaduddin Owaisi, the India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, on Sunday widened his party’s political outreach in Azamgarh in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, where he called for “greater political independence among minority communities”. Targeting both, the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and his ally the Congress, Owaisi urged voters from the minority communities, to move beyond traditional political loyalties. During his address, the AIMIM chief spoke about Muslim political representation, the legacy of national leaders and the law governing the appointment of election commissioners. He argued that minority communities should build their own political strength instead of relying on figures associated with traditional parties. “We no longer need a Gandhi or a Nehru; we need our own leaders… No one speaks about our suffering. Yet today, the police detain someone and order them not to stage a protest for a year… I see people from within our own ranks saying, ‘Oh Muslims! Support them; the likes of Nehru and Gandhi will emerge from among them’… That is the difference between them and Owaisi. They say, ‘Support them’. I say, ‘You become the leader’. We are not slaves to anyone; we will not simply run after someone just because they claim to be the next Nehru or Gandhi… We no longer need a Gandhi or a Nehru; we need our own leaders,” he said. Since Independence, minority voters have frequently backed the Congress and regional parties such as the SP, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Owaisi argued that such electoral support had not resulted in proportionate representation in positions of power. Owaisi takes swipe at Congress Taking a potshot at the opposition, Owaisi referred to the historical relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He used the episode to question whether established parties genuinely empower minority leaders or primarily seek their communities’ electoral support. “Nehru wrote that if we removed the Maulana [Abul Kalam Azad], it would cause damage. So, it became evident that only the Muslim vote was desired. Gandhi was saying, ‘Do not appoint Azad; appoint some other Muslim instead’… What Gandhi had suggested back then is exactly what Akhilesh has put into practice today…” he said. Owaisi presented these developments as an example of what he described as the tokenisation of minority representation by mainstream political parties. He linked his criticism to Akhilesh Yadav’s distribution of election tickets, alleging that the SP had failed to encourage genuinely independent Muslim leadership. Targets Yogi’s ’80:20′ political narrative Earlier in the day, Owaisi also criticised Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s frequently cited “80% versus 20%” political formulation, arguing that economic inequality deserved greater attention. Countering the chief minister’s framing, the AIMIM leader described the divide as one between “99% and 1%”, shifting the focus towards disparities between the economically disadvantaged majority and a small, affluent section. Citing data from the Uttar Pradesh department of economics and statistics for 2024–25, Owaisi said Azamgarh ranked fourth among districts in the state in terms of the number of people living in poverty. “The state’s department of economics and Statistics acknowledges that Azamgarh ranks fourth among the districts in Uttar Pradesh with the highest number of poor people. This is what the UP government’s data for 2024–25 reveals, yet the chief minister speaks of an 80% vs. 20% divide,” the AIMIM chief said. 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
Modi silencing dissent, but spirit of democracy can’t be crushed: Rahul Gandhi
As New Delhi witnessed a complete clamp down by security personnel against the protests called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of silencing dissent. He said the internet was shut down in the national capital and students were beaten up during protests, however, the Prime Minister does not understand that the game is over. “They are silencing voices as you saw in Delhi. The entire city was shutdown, internet was shutdown. Police was beating students. BJP released their own ‘goondas’ who were beating and thrashing students,” Rahul said while addressing students at the party’s outreach programme ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Chennai. Addressing thousands of students from across the city, Rahul, who had earlier held a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, slammed Modi over the alleged police action on student protesters. “Modi is destroying India’s democracy. Centre is killing curiosity. But he doesn’t understand that the game is over. The Opposition has surrounded Modi and Shah and their coterie. Mogambo Modi is destroying democracy in India, but I assure you that nobody is going to crush the spirit of this country however powerful or resourceful he might be,” Rahul said amid applause from the young crowd. “Modi has been compromised by financial forces and global forces. He is fighting for his survival. The mood in India is catching up with him. Students have nothing to fear as we assure them that the entire coterie of Modi will pay for its deeds,” the LoP added. “I guarantee you this. Stand up against injustice. Never stop asking questions,” he urged the students. The Congress leader’s remarks came as protests rocked Delhi over demands for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He linked the importance of dissent and questioning to the role of students in a democracy, arguing that curiosity was essential for progress and innovation. Article_Author Animesh Singh Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Chalo Delhi’: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy tells Congress leaders
The chief minister has called upon all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, MLAs, MLCs, and key Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) leaders to attend the protest programme in Delhi. HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has asked key Congress leaders from Telangana to reach Delhi on October 12 and participate in a protest to be organised by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). The chief minister has called upon all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), corporation chairpersons, District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents, and key Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) leaders to attend the protest programme in Delhi. Earlier, Delhi Police stopped Revanth as he was on his way to express solidarity with Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/tthenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi: ‘My message to students: you have nothing to fear. We are standing with you’
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: The opposition came out strongly to condemn the action against protesters with the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that “Mogambo Modi” is destroying India’s democracy. “There is no force in this world that is going to stop Modi from facing justice. I guarantee you!, “ Gandhi said. “My message to all the students: you have nothing to fear. We are with you, and we are going to make sure that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Mohan Bhagwat, Ajit Doval and this group of conspirators who have destroyed Indian democracy and are using Gyanesh Kumar to steal elections are brought to justice,” Gandhi said without naming the Cockroach Janta Party before a packed Island Ground venue at the sixth edition of his youth outreach programme, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Chennai. “As you saw today in New Delhi, the entire city was shut down, the internet was shut down, police were beating students, and the BJP unleashed its own goondas to thrash students,” Gandhi said. “Mogambo Modi” is destroying India’s democracy, he added, likening the prime minister to the dreaded villain from the Bollywood hit ‘Mr. India’ played by the late actor Amrish Puri. At this point the screen behind him played a scene from the 1987 movie with Modi’s face superimposed on Amrish Puri. “Mr Modi doesn’t understand that the game is over,” he added. “I want to tell all the students in Delhi, do not worry. Stand up for everything you believe in and never stop asking questions,” Gandhi said asserting “we are standing with you.” “Mr. Modi, do whatever you want. Call out all the police: 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, whatever you want,” Gandhi challenged in a post on X. “We are going to ensure that this regime and the people who have attacked our Constitution are defeated,” he added. Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing agitation of the opposition the INDIA MPs, leaders, workers and all concerned citizens will be holding a massive protest march against “Gyanesh & Co” Congress general secretary organisation KC Venugopal said. “A delegation of our senior leaders will submit a memorandum to the Hon’ble CJI for his intervention in this crisis, he added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leaders Jairam Ramesh, K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too came out strongly against the police action and the attempts by the authorities to prevent people from protesting. The day also saw many senior Left party leaders including former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and TMC chairperson and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee detained as they tried to join the protests. Mamata Banerjee said that the situation in Delhi had gone “beyond Emergency; it has become Super Emergency ,” after she was detained along with party leaders outside the TMC Delhi office located at 61, South Avenue. She held an impromptu dharna at the Dwarka police station where she was detained with five other TMC MPs. CPM, CPI and CPML Liberation top leaders MA Baby, D Raja and Dipankar Bhattacharya strongly condemned the “widespread repression” unleashed by the Delhi Police on peaceful protesters. Other INIDA allies including Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Aditya Thackeray and NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule also came forward to condemn the attempt to stop protests, restrictions and the detentions. 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
CJP protest: Airfares soar as train services hit; slight rise in last-minute bookings
NEW DELHI: The unprecedented clampdown in Delhi in the wake of CJP protest, including cancellation of several trains to the city, saw a “slight increase” in last-minute bookings on flights to and from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) for this weekend. Airfares on some routes saw a surge, too.Travel industry insiders said the shift could become more pronounced if the agitation and the restrictions on movement continue longer as the festive season begins Monday with Navratri. “There has been a slight increase in bookings on Delhi flights for this weekend. It is too early to say anything for sure in terms of train and bus passengers moving to air as the weekend flights in the pre-festive season were pretty full and the fares were anyway high,” said an airline official. A senior official of a leading online travel agency (OTA) said: “Till Friday night, we didn’t see a major spike in spot fares from Lucknow, Prayagraj and other parts of UP. Only spot fares on Varanasi-Delhi route for Saturday were higher by 15% over a month back. So far, there is no substantial increase in flight demand.” OTA sites showed Varanasi-Delhi one-way fares starting at Rs 6,200 and going up to Rs 14,000 Saturday – higher than usual. The big worry for airlines and Delhi airport is passengers, crew members and other staff being able to reach IGIA in time due to the feared large-scale disruption of metro service and impacted traffic movement. If the protest continues for a longer duration and pushes up demand for air travel, then airfares – which are anyway higher due to spiralling operating costs from higher jet fuel prices and a crashing rupee – will soar further, according to travel industry stakeholders. Airfares from Amritsar surged sharply Friday, with some flights touching Rs 8,000 against the usual one-way fare of around Rs 4,000. Fares for the Saturday flight from Ludhiana saw fluctuations throughout the day, soaring as high as Rs 12,987 before falling to Rs 4,301 at 8 pm. “Those with onward travel plans, especially international flights, have limited choices and are having to buy expensive tickets to avoid further cancellations or missing their connections,” said Dalip, a travel agent in Amritsar. There was no big change in flight and cab fares from Chandigarh to Delhi till Friday evening. 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
Congress stays away, Left & AAP to join CJP stir against CEC
NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party’s invitation to all opposition parties to join its Oct 10 demonstration against EC’s functioning under CEC Gyanesh Kumar saw only the Left, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool and AAP openly backing its agitation. While the Left and AAP have announced their participation, it was not clear till Friday night whether Mamata’s party would be part of the CJP protest. Before she reached Delhi, Mamata had told reporters that she may join the Oct 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, but added that nothing could be confirmed as yet. “We have maintained a relationship with them (CJP) and have extended our support, while any further decision regarding our participation will be taken later,” she had said. The Left, Mamata TMC and AAP had earlier backed and participated in the CJP-led student agitation over the NEET-UG paper leak issue, which led to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as education minister. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal will be joining with his family. Amid all this, Congress is keeping its distance from the CJP protest, with Rahul Gandhi to be in Chennai for the next edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ Saturday. “I appeal to everyone in the country to reach Jantar Mantar in the largest possible numbers. This is not about any one individual or political party; this is about the country. The protest at Jantar Mantar begins Saturday. I will be there, and my entire family will join me. Everyone should come there,” Kejriwal said. On Friday, CPM general secretary MA Baby went all out to file a petition in Supreme Court challenging the restrictions imposed ahead of Saturday’s protest, while TMC national spokesperson Saket Gokhale wrote to acting Chief Justice of Delhi HC seeking suo motu cognisance of cancellation of railway services and closure of metro stations. Sharing the letter on X, Gokhale extended “full support” to CJP and “every citizen demanding free and fair elections”. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien also put out a post strongly supporting CJP. Left parties CPM, CPI, CPI(ML)L, RSP and All India Forward Bloc issued a joint statement asserting that the right to assemble and protest is a fundamental right. “We have been in the protest all these days. That will continue tomorrow too,” Baby told TOI emphasising that the Left will be present in full force at the protest. 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
‘Lot of talk about one company’: Centre tells satcom firms to meet security norms amid Musk’s Starlink row
NEW DELHI: Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said satellite communication (satcom) companies can begin operations in India only after individually meeting the required security conditions and milestones, stressing that three companies have received licences despite the focus on Elon Musk’s Starlink. He also took a dig at Congress for their response to Musk’s statements. “There is a lot of conversation about one specific company, but three companies have got satcom licences,” Scindia said, underlining that each operator must fulfil the required conditions before it can start services. Scindia’s remarks come amid a row between Musk and the Indian government over the delay in Starlink’s commercial launch in the country. The SpaceX chief had alleged that “certain oligarchs” were blocking the company to protect their “monopolistic chokehold” on the Indian market, without initially naming anyone. The government rejected the allegation, describing India’s regulatory framework for satellite communication services as “fair and non-discriminatory”. It said security assessments were underway for all three licensed operators and that each could move to the next stage of seeking spectrum assignment once the process was completed. The government called suggestions of discriminatory treatment “baseless and misconceived”. Minister of state for communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the security clearance issue was pending with the ministry of home affairs and had “nothing to do with one company”. Scindia also took a swipe at Congress saying that the party had earlier objected to a particular person getting a licence but was now aligned with the same person in questioning why the licence had not been granted. He accused the party of not knowing whether it was “going left or right”. The remarks come after Musk stepped up his criticism on Thursday, saying Starlink was licensed in more than 165 countries and had spent five years complying with Indian government requirements. He questioned why the company was still awaiting approval and asked whether industrialist Mukesh Ambani was the “real boss of India”. Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi responded to Musk on X, writing: “Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy.” Musk replied: “Thank you, Rahul. This is indeed troubling.” 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
Tamil Nadu Congress condemns Rahul Gandhi’s arrest, demands removal of CEC
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee on Thursday held a protest in Chennai condemning the arrest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc MPs for organising an agitation demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress said INDIA bloc would organise protest meetings across Tamil Nadu on Oct 13 and 14 against the CEC. At the protest on Anna Salai in Chennai, TNCC functionaries raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, accusing BJP-led Union govt of using force to suppress the Opposition. Congress functionaries burnt an effigy and posters carrying images of Modi, Shah and Kumar, causing temporary traffic congestion in the area. The protesters demanded Kumar’s immediate removal, alleging the deletion of 13 crore names from the electoral rolls through SIR across the country was an “unlawful act.” Former TNCC president Thirunavukkarasar said Congress and its allies would continue their agitation until Kumar was removed or resigned. He said Opposition parties were considering measures like approaching Supreme Court seeking Kumar’s removal and moving a resolution in the parliament in this regard when the parliament meets. “Congress will not rest until Gyanesh Kumar is removed from office. Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that the agitation will continue until he is removed,” Thirunavukkarasar said. TN Congress legislature party leader Tharahai Cuthbert, senior leader Peter Alphonse and several other functionaries attended the demo, while ministers Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan did not turn up for the demo. 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
Jaggareddy, Nirmala Begin Indefinite Fast in Sangareddy Supporting Rahul Gandhi’s Protest
Hyderabad: Extending support of the movement launched by Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and also to protect the voting rights and democratic rights of the people, TPCC working president T. Jaggareddy and his wife Nirmala Jaggareddy began a solidarity fast at the Ambedkar statue near the Old Bus Stand in Sangareddy. The protest, joined by Congress leaders and party workers, commenced at 10 PM on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, Jaggareddy alleged that the BJP had attempted to manipulate the electoral system in states where it sought to strengthen its position and gain power. He said that the BJP had come to power at the Centre three times with the cooperation of the election commission and Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly raised concerns about the issue. “This is not merely a political struggle of the Congress party. It is a battle to safeguard the voting rights of the people of India. Rahul Gandhi is fighting on the streets to protect the democratic rights of citizens,” Jaggareddy said. He further alleged that the ECI was acting arbitrarily in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and stated that it was accountable to the people regarding controversies surrounding voter lists. Referring to allegations made by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, he said attempts were being made to undermine citizens’ voting rights. Jaggareddy announced his full support for Rahul Gandhi’s agitation demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. He also condemned the police action in Delhi, where Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other opposition leaders were reportedly stopped and detained. “As long as Rahul Gandhi’s struggle continues, our fast in Sangareddy will also continue. We will persist in our fight supporting the demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation,” he asserted. Jaggareddy also stated that the Nehru-Gandhi family had historically played an important role in protecting democratic institutions in the country. He recalled the sacrifices of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and highlighted the long public service of Sonia Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi comes from a family with a history of sacrifice and is now fighting for the voting rights of the people. Citizens across the country should voluntarily extend their support to this cause,” he appealed. Along with Nirmala Jaggareddy, Congress leaders, elected representatives, and party workers participated in the fast, expressing solidarity with the movement spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi. 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 style has changed: In a closed room, he ordered party leaders to think outside the box; Congress is in for more surprises!
Political analysts believe that Rahul Gandhi’s political style has changed. He is surprising everyone on the political stage. Congress may take even more surprising steps in the future. Rahul Gandhi has advised party leaders to work on new ideas. New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi’s style has changed. Now he is surprising his opponents, surprising them on the political stage with unexpected moves. This is becoming visible on the streets of Delhi. This is the result of his strategy. He has also told party leaders to abandon old methods and do something that surprises everyone, attracts people’s attention, and becomes the topic of discussion during street protests. Rahul Gandhi gave the idea to the leaders in a closed-door meeting Some Congress leaders say that Rahul Gandhi conveyed this message in a closed-door meeting with party officials at the party headquarters on Monday. The very next day, he was seen climbing a police barricade, waving the tricolor, and sitting on a sit-in with his sister Priyanka Gandhi, which was followed by a protest from Janpath to Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. Some party officials are viewing Rahul Gandhi’s remarks not only in the context of the ongoing conflict between the government and the opposition, but also in the backdrop of the “Cockroach Janata Party” launching a second round of protests on the same issues. Previously, their protests over the paper leak issue had made headlines. Emphasis on Strategic Shift in Protest Methods While talking about strategic shifts in protest methods to make a greater impact on social media, Rahul Gandhi also cited an example at a meeting of AICC and PCC officials on October 5th. The meeting was called to plan the party’s upcoming campaigns/protests. He said that one method that had a truly shocking impact was the shirtless protest by a group of Youth Congress workers during the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam in February last year. A party official quoted Gandhi at the meeting as saying, “That day, people only discussed how the Youth Congress carried out the protest, not the discussions at the AI conference.” Gen Z, Congress Focus on Youth Rahul Gandhi’s student engagement campaign, Chhatra Ki Goonj, features surprising elements. These include a ramp-like stage, Rahul Gandhi deliberately walking on it while speaking, organizers welcoming him with a shower of confetti, or colored pieces of paper, and a selfie session at the end. All of these are intended to resonate with and attract Gen Z audiences. Ideas for a unique and surprising protest According to sources, when the meeting discussed the MPs’ march in New Delhi and the Congress’s block-level demonstrations and village-level outreach programs, Rahul Gandhi believed that while these programs were fine, they were common and conventional. Rahul Gandhi stressed the need to think about ideas for different and surprising protests. Inspired by this, many enthusiastically supported Rahul Gandhi’s position. Some pointed out the powerful and surprising impact of Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in protest near the Prime Minister’s residence in July. Others emphasized how the sit-in by Rahul, Priyanka, and others at the Parliament Street police station in August went viral. Congress is about to take more surprising steps! Having understood their leader’s thinking and witnessed Rahul Gandhi climbing the barricades, Priyanka Gandhi jumping over the gate, and their sit-ins at Akashvani Bhavan on Tuesday and Janpath-Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, many Congress leaders are now expecting more surprise moves. This could pressure party officials to organize similar events. Reported by: CL Manoj•Edited by: Varun Shailesh Courtesy: Hindi News