Vande Mataram debate: Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘chronology’ jab at Centre; questions PM Modi’s ‘selective’ history
NEW DLEHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, alleging that his recent speech during the Vande Mataram anniversary debate lacked ‘facts’ and historical details. While acknowledging the PM’s oratory, she said he “falls weak on the facts,” and went on to take a “chronology” jab at the government, describing how Vande Matram was introduced as the national song. Vadra questioned why the PM did not mention that “in 1896 Rabindranath Tagore sang Vande Mataram for the first time at a Congress convention,” asking, “was it Hindu Mahasabha, was it RSS, what were you attempting to hide that it was a Congress convention?” Recounting the song’s origins, she said Bankim Chattopadhyay wrote the first two stanzas in 1875, followed by the publication of Anandamath in 1882, which included additional stanzas. She noted that Vande Mataram emerged as a symbol of unity during the 1905 anti-partition movement of Bengal, when “stalwart freedom fighters like Rabindranath Tagore hit the street singing the songs.” “Soon, people from all walks of life started singing. Understand the power of this song – Britishers used to dread the song, our bravehearts used to find strength after listening to the song to fight the Raj. The song invokes the feeling of dying for the motherland – this is the real power of this song,” she said. Also read: ‘Only two reasons’ – Priyanka Gandhi targets government over Vande Matram debate; brings in ‘Bengal election’ Vadra argued that the song became politicised in the 1930s amid rising communal divides. She then criticised the PM for selectively quoting correspondence between Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru. She said that ahead of the 1937 Congress convention in Kolkata, Bose wrote to Nehru on October 17, stating, “We shall have a talk in Calcutta, and also discuss the question in the working committee if you bring it up there. I have written to Dr Tagore to discuss the matter with you when you visit Shanti Niketan.” According to her, Nehru’s reply on October 20 included more than the line read by the PM. She quoted Nehru as saying, “There is no doubt that the present outcry against Vande Mataram is to a large extent manufactured by the communalists… whatever we do, we can’t pander to communalist feelings.” Vadra added that after Tagore met Nehru, Tagore wrote that he supported separating the first two stanzas, noting their deep significance and warning that the later additions “can be misconstrued as communal.” She said that on October 28, the Congress Working Committee, with Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel and Tagore present, declared the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the national song. She went on to say, “When in 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad in constituent assembly announced the song as our national song almost all of these leaders were present and along with them was Dr Ambedkar and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee but no one had an issue with it.” She accused the ruling dispensation of revealing an anti-constitution mindset by questioning Vande Matram’s current form. “Questioning the current form of Vande Matram isn’t just insulting to all those stalwarts who in their great wisdom took this decision but it also reveals an anti-constitutional mentality. Are the treasury benches so arrogant to think of themselves as bigger than Gandhi, Tagore, Maulana Azad, Neta ji Bose, Rajendra Prasad?” she said. She went on to add, “The PM’s statement that the national song was cut by an anti-national ideology is an insult to all those great leaders, those who devoted their entire lives to the freedom struggle. By accusing them of dividing Vande Matram you’re accusing the entire constituent assembly. This is a direct attack on our constituent assembly and our constitution.” Vadra later defended Nehru and recounted his contribution to the state, asserting if he would not have laid the foundation of multiple institutions like IITs and AIIMS, how would we have become Vikshit Bharat. “Insofar Jawaharlal Nehru is considered, for as long the PM Modi has been the Prime Minister, that’s 12-years, Nehru spent that much time in jail for what? For the independence of the country, and after that 17-years as the country’s PM. You criticise him but if he wouldn’t have established ISRO your Mangalyan wouldn’t be there, if there was no DRDO your Tejas wouldn’t exist, if he wouldn’t have established IITs and IIM’s, then would not have led in IT…if he wouldn’t have established the institutions which you’re selling today, so would this Viksit Bharat exist? Pandit Nehru lived for the country and died serving this nation.” Earlier in the day opening the debate on Vande Matram PM Modi told the Lok Sabha that “Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a letter to Subhash Chandra Bose after Jinnah’s opposition to Vande Mataram, stating that he had read the background of Vande Mataram and thought it might provoke and irritate Muslims. He added that they would examine the use of Vande Mataram, and that too in Bankim Chandra’s Bengal.” Setting the debate in the context of what he described as the Congress’ past compromises with the Muslim League, the Prime Minister argued that the party had weakened the song’s legacy and “fragmented” it, undermining the sentiments of the freedom movement. He said the decisive moment came on October 26 that year. “The Vande Mataram song was sung. But it is the misfortune of the country that on October 26, the Congress compromised on Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram ke tukde kardiye. That decision was a failure, a betrayal,” he said, adding that the Congress “bowed to the Muslim League and decided to fragment Vande Mataram.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Long life and good health’: PM Modi greets Sonia Gandhi; Congress hails her ‘visionary’ leadership
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her 79th birthday. “Birthday greetings to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji. May she be blessed with a long life and good health,” PM Modi wrote on X. The Congress hailed her “visionary” leadership, crediting her with “transforming” the country through several landmark rights-based laws — a reference to her tenure as chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the Congress-led coalition that governed India from 2004 to 2014. “Laws like MGNREGA, Right to Education, Right to Information, and the National Food Security Act gave millions jobs, hope, education, voice, and dignity. Her lifelong commitment to women’s empowerment, social justice, and inclusive growth continues to uplift millions all across the country. Her grit and dedication inspire us every day,” the party said. Sonia Gandhi led the Congress from 1998 to 2017, making her the longest-serving president in the party’s history. She later returned as interim chief from 2019 to 2022. In June 2024, she was re-elected as president of the Congress Parliamentary Party. Her son, Rahul Gandhi — also a former Congress president — is the current Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, where he represents Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli constituency, a seat she held from 2004 to 2024 before moving to the Rajya Sabha. Her daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is a Congress general secretary and the MP from Kerala’s Wayanad seat. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Mohabbat ki dukaan a farce’: BJP targets Congress after action on anti-Revanth Reddy poster; slams Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: The BJP launched sharp attacks on Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress government of failing to fulfil key poll promises and “resorting to authoritarianism” to silence criticism further alleging that “mohabbat ki dukaan is a farce.” The row erupted after BJP Telangana shared a poster on X, depicting Revanth Reddy edited as the villain Kumbha from the upcoming film Globe Trotter, along with a “two-year report card.” The BJP’s official handle also amplified the “two-year failures” charge against the Telangana CM, accusing the Congress government of sliding into “authoritarianism.” The party claimed that the poster shared by Telangana BJP triggered police action, alleging that the state “ordered arrests instead of engaging in a political debate.” “THEY ARRESTED HIM FOR THIS POSTER! The Emergency mindset is still well and alive in India. The Congress Govt in Telangana can’t handle the truth, so they resort to authoritarianism,” the BJP’s official handle wrote. “When BJP Telangana put up THIS poster exposing Revanth Reddy’s 2-year failure, the government sent police, not replies. Two years in power, six powerful hands, one failed chief minister,” BJP continued. The party further escalated its attack on the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha saying, “Rahul Gandhi’s ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’ is a farce. He is proudly carrying forward Indira’s dictatorial baton.” BJP released a list of allegations, claiming the “poster that rattled the Congress” highlighted deep-rooted corruption and misgovernance in Telangana. According to the party, real estate across the state has been captured by the chief minister’s family, while weekly cash collections are being routed to the Congress high command in Delhi. It further alleged demolition of Hindu temples, a secret pact to shield KCR from prosecution, and a breakdown of law and order with goons and rowdies dominating public spaces. The BJP also accused the government of demanding a 25% commission on every file, contract and project. “Instead of defending itself democratically and offering accountability, Congress arrested the Social Media Convener of BJP Telangana,” they added. Earlier in Hyderabad, the Telangana BJP held a ‘Maha Dharna’, accusing the Congress government of “betraying” voters by not implementing the promises made before the state elections. Those who participated included Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao, Union minister G Kishan Reddy, MP D K Aruna, Rajya Sabha MP K Laxman, MLAs, MLCs and other senior leaders. The party released a “chargesheet” alleging failures of the Revanth-led government. Kishan Reddy questioned the Congress’ celebrations over governance. He asked whether the “change” promised by Revanth and Rahul had actually materialised in people’s lives. Ramchander Rao alleged that the Congress “deceived” the state with its six guarantees. “Before the election, the Congress party convinced the public with six guarantees and promises. But not a single guarantee or promise has been implemented. It failed on all fronts… and betrayed them,” he claimed. He said people were demanding action on unfulfilled commitments such as unemployment allowance, student fee reimbursement, Aarogyasri arrears, Rythu Bharosa, and financial support for women. He vowed that the BJP’s “struggle would continue” until the Congress government is “unseated”. Meanwhile, Congress MP from Bhongir Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy defended the state government, insisting that despite financial challenges, Telangana is committed to delivering on its guarantees. He countered the BJP’s criticism, asking, “Does any BJP-ruled state provide free fine rice, free bus travel for women, or Rs 2 lakh farm loan waiver?” He said the Revanth government is implementing all six guarantees “with sincerity”. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
NDA will win big in WB, TN: Shah
Gandhinagar: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah, on Sunday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will score big victories in the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, as the people of India have rejected the Congress and its allies. He was speaking at an event of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in the city where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of several projects including three sports complexes costing Rs 1,500 crore. He added that after the 2029 World Police and Fire Games and 2030 Commonwealth Games, Ahmedabad will also host the 2036 Olympics. He said that the BJP has had a winning streak since the 2024 general elections. “From this stage today, I want to tell Mamataben (Mamta Banerjee) and Stalinji to be prepared. After Bihar, it’s NDA’s turn in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Let the results come. They (TMC and DMK) will be wiped out in Bengal and Tamil Nadu,” Shah said. He targeted Rahul Gandhi over the opposition leader’s allegations about irregularities in the voter list and EVMs. “Rahul Gandhi keeps faulting the EVMs and the voter list, when the fact is that the people of the country are not accepting the Congress and its alliance partners,” Shah said, adding that the opposition parties have no leaders or a policy, and are not accepted in any corner of the country. He asked the people of Ahmedabad to be prepared to host the 2036 Olympics, adding that the city is going to be at the forefront of the global sports map. Stating that Ahmedabad was picked to host the Commonwealth Games for its sports facilities, coaching arrangements, infrastructure, and accommodation facilities, Shah said that after the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, the sports facilities, stadiums, coaching centres, and hostels will not remain unutilised. “Thirteen international sporting events are scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad. And get ready, because the 2036 Olympics will also be held in Ahmedabad,” he said. He said that after hoisting a saffron flag on the top of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, work will soon begin for the construction of a temple dedicated to Sita Maiya in Sitamarhi, Bihar. “Narendrabhai performed the bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) of Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2019, and the consecration ceremony in 2024. In 2025, he completed the entire task by hoisting the saffron flag on the temple. Jai Shriram. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is complete,” he said. Anandiben’s life reflects leadership for purpose: Shah Gandhinagar: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah said that Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel’s life reflects the motto that leadership is not about position, but about serving people. He was speaking at the release of the Gujarati translation of a book based on her life. Shah said that he worked extensively with Anandiben in the state BJP when she was made the organizational in charge of the unit. ‘Pramukh Swami linked religion with service’ Ahmedabad: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that Pramukh Swami, the former spiritual leader of the BAPS sect of Swaminarayan Sampradaya, connected religion with service. “He lived the tenet of seeing Narayan (God) in Nar (human) and revitalised the Rishi Parampara (tradition of sages) of living for others’ upliftment.” Shah was speaking on the occasion of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Pramukh Swami’s selection as spiritual successor of Yogiji Maharaj for the sect in 1950 in Ambli wali Pol in Shahpur area of Ahmedabad. “He instilled confidence among people when the faith towards sanyas system was waning. He exemplified the life of a sadhu and truly became the carrier of the traditions of Sanatan Dharma. His work stands as an inspiration for all spiritual traditions of our nation,” said Shah in his speech. About 50,000 devotees participated in the event that was presided over by Mahant Swami, the current spiritual head of the BAPS Sect. To exemplify 75 qualities of gurus, a total of 75 floats were prepared by the volunteers that were illuminated in the waters of Sabarmati River. Along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, senior politicians, ministers, and spiritual heads participated in the event. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Fresh police team to now track down absconding Kerala legislator Rahul Mamkootathil
T’puram: The crime branch has constituted a fresh team to trace MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been on the run for 11 days while facing rape allegations, police sources said. The restructuring follows internal concerns that information on the probe may have leaked from the earlier unit. Investigators believe Mamkootathil has been constantly shifting between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and may currently be in Bengaluru, sources indicated. He reportedly left Palakkad just hours after the complainant met the chief minister with her petition last week. To evade surveillance, the legislator avoided routes with CCTV coverage and initially travelled in a red Volkswagen Polo car belonging to an actor friend to reach Pollachi, sources said. From there, he switched vehicles several times — moving to Coimbatore, then towards the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border. He is said to have briefly stayed at a resort in Bagalur in Tamil Nadu before escaping again as officers closed in on his location. A woman advocate, with alleged links to the real estate mafia in Karnataka, is believed to be assisting him and alerting him to police movements, the officers added. The MLA has frequently changed phones and vehicles and has stayed only for short durations at each hideout. On multiple occasions, the search team was reportedly within striking distance before he slipped away. Mamkootathil’s arrest was stayed by the high court in only one of the cases, while his anticipatory bail plea in the second matter is scheduled to be heard by the Thiruvananthapuram district court on Monday. His request for interim protection was earlier rejected. The investigation team is also preparing to record the survivor’s statement without delay, the sources noted. After noticing his mobile phones briefly active following recent bail proceedings, officers suspect he has no plans to surrender. Two staff members from his office — including his driver and personal assistant — were questioned but could not provide significant leads, according to the sources. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Humayun Kabir, who laid the foundation stone of the ‘Babri Masjid’, was targeted by Vijayvargiya, who also taunted Rahul Gandhi – perhaps Putin recognized him!’
Politics in West Bengal has heated up once again. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has reacted to the statement made by TMC leader Humayun Kabir in the state. Vijayvargiya not only questioned Kabir’s actions but also mocked Rahul Gandhi’s questions regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. Indore: Politics in West Bengal has heated up once again. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has reacted to the statement made by TMC leader Humayun Kabir in the state. While speaking to the media, Vijayvargiya questioned Kabir’s actions and also mocked Rahul Gandhi’s questions regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. Targeting TMC leader Humayun Kabir, Vijayvargiya said that Kabir was once a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and he himself had fielded him in the elections. But after joining the TMC, he is making such statements and actions to strengthen his position, which make no sense. Vijayvargiya said that Kabir has no emotional connection with the Babri Masjid, and he is now only making unnecessary moves to show his credibility within the TMC leadership and his community. TMC leaders uncomfortable with Humayun Kabir’s actions Kailash Vijayvargiya said that many TMC leaders are also uncomfortable with Kabir’s activities. Muslim organizations have also registered their protest against his statements. In fact, Humayun Kabir, the MLA expelled from the Trinamool Congress, laid the foundation stone of a mosque named ‘Babri Masjid’ in Murshidabad, West Bengal on Saturday. Vijayvargiya’s sarcasm: Perhaps Putin recognized Rahul During this time, Vijayvargiya was also asked about Rahul Gandhi’s statement in which the Congress leader said that he was not given a chance to meet the Russian President as the leader of the opposition during Putin’s visit to India. To this, Vijayvargiya said that Putin himself decides who he wants to meet, and if he had been interested in meeting Rahul Gandhi, the government would have certainly arranged a formal meeting. He sarcastically remarked that perhaps Putin recognized Rahul Gandhi, and therefore did not express a desire to meet him. Edited by: Chaitanya Soni • Contributed by: Sanjay Kumar About the Author Chaitanya Soni is a Consultant Writer at Navbharat Times Digital (NBT Online). He covers Madhya Pradesh politics, offbeat news, breaking news, current affairs, and unconventional stories. After completing his M.Com and MCJ from Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, he has been associated with journalism for about 23 years. Courtesy: Hindi News
Shashi Tharoor Attends Putin’s Dinner, Rahul Gandhi Not Invited: What’s the Controversy?
Putin’s India Visit: Was Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, invited to dinner with Putin? Was Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge also invited? Interestingly, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was invited to the dinner with Russian President Putin. Shashi Tharoor was also seen with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the event. Tharoor was seen talking to Nirmala Sitharaman, but the Congress party has been hurt by this. Rahul Gandhi did not receive an invitation to the dinner, while Tharoor was seated at Putin’s dinner table. Courtesy : Hindi News
‘Petty’: Priyanka Chaturvedi on no invite to Rahul, Kharge for Putin’s dinner; urges President Murmu to be ‘bipartisan’
NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday criticised the Centre for not inviting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi — the leaders of the opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, respectively — to the state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chaturvedi, a former Congress leader, described the omission as “petty.” “The position of the President is not affiliated with any political side. It is bipartisan. So the President has to take note of all sides… No trend should be started that further pollutes democratic rules and regulations. The dignity and responsibility attached to the President’s office must be upheld. It looked very petty that only the ruling side was invited,” she told news agency ANI. Earlier, in a post on X, Chaturvedi accused the government of “hijacking” the state visit, writing: “Dear @rashtrapatibhvn, your role in democracy is bipartisan… Unfortunate to see a state banquet to welcome a foreign dignitary being hijacked by the government to keep away leaders of the opposition. This doesn’t augur well for democracy and only shows the pettiness of the ruling dispensation. Don’t become another toolkit in their hand to throttle long-held customs and traditions.” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had confirmed that the two LoPs were not invited to the official dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress leader Pawan Khera also questioned the decision to invite party colleague Shashi Tharoor while excluding senior leaders, saying he was “quite surprised” by the guest list. Gandhi also alleged that the government had not scheduled a meeting between him, in his capacity as LoP, and President Putin, attributing the move to the government’s “insecurity.” The Russian president was on a two-day visit to Delhi on Thursday and Friday — his first trip to India since December 2021 and the first since the outbreak of the Ukraine war. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Defamation case: Pune court seeks Rahul Gandhi’s response to plea for US video sharing platform to provide original link of speech
Pune: A special MP/MLA court in Pune on Friday directed Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer to file a written response by Dec 11 on a plea seeking its directions to a US-based social media and video sharing platform and an Indian newspaper to furnish the original video link and a news report of the Congress MP’s speech in London in March 2023. The plea was filed by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s grandnephew Satyaki Savarkar, in an ongoing defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over the latter’s alleged defamatory remarks against the Hindutva ideologue. The plea mentions that the video link was published on March 5, 2023, on Gandhi’s official channel hosted by the video sharing platform. Similarly, a related news report was published by the Indian newspaper, it stated. The case is at the stage of the complainant (Satyaki) leading his evidence as part of examination in chief before the court. The complainant had earlier submitted a CD along with a 65B (verification) certificate under the Indian Evidence Act. However, it could not be played in court because of some unknown/technical reasons. His plea to play another CD was rejected by the court after Gandhi’s lawyer, Milind Pawar, raised objections on the grounds that it was not accompanied by a 65B certificate. On Friday, Satyaki’s lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar, filed the plea regarding directions to the US video sharing platform and the newspaper stating, among other things, “The complainant submits that unless the original source is summoned, the accused (Rahul Gandhi) will secure an unfair advantage arising out of the loss of evidence, which was fully in the custody of the court, thereby gravely prejudicing the complainant and defeating the administration of justice.” The plea stated that the court needs to direct the video sharing platform to submit the video evidence along with details like the “upload date and time; URL and unique video ID; hash value/digital signature; server logs relevant to authenticity and integrity, any copies, backups, or archived version of the said video”. In a related development, Judicial Magistrate First Class Amol Shinde, presiding over the special court, allowed an application by Satyaki’s lawyer seeking an adjournment for a limited period. The adjournment sought was to enable the complainant make proper technical arrangements and reconstruction so that a CD of the speech, which could not be played earlier in court because of some unknown reasons, can be played and recorded correctly. “Also, to secure time to trace another CD from the record or be substituted so that the same can be relied upon in chief examination,” the plea stated. Pawar told TOI, “We have recorded our strong objection to the adjournment sought by the complainant today (Friday) as we feel the same was yet another delaying tactic by the complainant. We will file our written response, as sought by the court, on the other plea regarding directions to the US video sharing platform and the newspaper.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Everyone has their own conscience’: Cong vs Tharoor flares up again; this time over Putin dinner invite
NEW DELHI: Congress leaders on Friday launched a broadside against its Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor after he was invited for the Presidential dinner for Putin, while the government did not extend invites to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress leader Pawan Khera said that members of Congress should understand the “game being played” by the Centre and should not be a part of it. “Those who issued such an invitation also raise many questions. And those who accepted the invitation are also open to scrutiny,” Khera said. — ANI (@ANI) “Everyone has their own conscience, their own inner voice. Had we been invited instead of our leaders, it is clear that we would not have accepted it. We should understand why the game is being played, who is playing the game, and why we shouldn’t be part of it,” he added. This comes after Thiruvananthapuram MP confirmed that he has been invited to the dinner and said that he will “definitely go.” “There was a time when the chairman of the external affairs committee was routinely invited. That practice seems to have been stopped for some years. It has been resumed, I think because I’ve been invited,” Tharoor said. “I think, frankly, the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation. Certainly. I remember in the old days we used to have not only the LoPs, we used to have various other cross section of representatives of different parties. And I think it conveys a good impression. This is all done by the government, by the protocol, by the Rashapati Bhavan. What do I know? All I can say is I’ve been honored to be invited. Of course, I will go,” he added. Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said that “the two LoPs have not been invited ” for the event. “There has been speculation whether the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha have been invited for tonight’s official dinner in honour of President Putin. The two LoPs have not been invited,” Jairam Ramesh said in a social media post on X. Veteran Congress leader Salman Khurshid also attacked the government, claiming that the move is not in accordance with democratic traditions and the system. “I believe this is not in accordance with democratic traditions and the system. Even opposition leaders have not received the respect they deserve,” he said. This comes a day after Rahul had accused the Centre of barring foreign dignitaries from meeting the opposition leaders. Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Rahul expressed displeasure and alleged that the government tells visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the opposition due to its “insecurity”. “Generally, the tradition has been that whoever visits India, the LoP used to have a meeting. It used to happen in the Vajpayee government, the Manmohan Singh government. But this is not the case now,”Rahul had said. “Whenever I visit abroad, they suggest that those people shouldn’t meet the LoP. People told us we have been informed not to meet the LoP. LoP provides a second perspective; we also represent India, but the government doesn’t want us to meet foreign dignitaries. PM Modi and the foreign ministry do not follow this now because of insecurity,” he added. Putin is on a 2-day visit to India. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. Both leaders shared the same car ride to Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister Modi where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. Putin was also welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu as he received a ceremonial welcome and the tri-services guard of honour at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The ceremonial welcome was accorded at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, following which, Putin inspected the Guard of Honour. Courtewsy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/limesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights