Karnataka leadership tussle: Dalits plan rally for CM Siddaramaiah; wait for Home Minister’s approval
Being a member of the Siddaramaiah camp, Parameshwara feels the former would continue as CM and that is the reason he is hesitating to back the Dalit rally, sources said. BENGALURU: With the leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar unlikely to die down till the intervention of LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, a section of Dalits is planning a rally to push for a CM from their community. Several Dalit leaders are exerting pressure on Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, the prominent Dalit face in Karnataka, to give the go ahead for the rally in Old Mysuru Region. A group, led by Venkataramanaswamy, also known as Papu, from Chamarajanagar, met him in Tumakuru on Sunday and sought his dates for the event. However, Parameshwara advised them to wait for some more time. Being a member of the Siddaramaiah camp, Parameshwara feels the former would continue as CM and that is the reason he is hesitating to back the Dalit rally, sources said. Parameshwara, a loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi family and an aide of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, is not ready to go against them, they added. He met Kharge, but what transpired between them was not known even as he termed their meeting a courtesy call. “Since Parameshwara is a staunch Congress loyalist, he should be made CM if Siddaramaiah has to step down,” said DSS leader Mavalli Shankar, adding that a Dalit rally will be organised soon to give this demand a push. “The top post has been elusive for Dalits since Independence as many senior leaders missed the bus. It should not be the case this time,” he said. Meanwhile, AHINDA organisations have started preparations to hold rallies across the state, including in Mysuru and Hubballi, to back Siddaramaiah to continue in the top post. A rally has also been planned in central Karnataka, either in Haveri or Davanagere, sources said. Have faith my party will decide my future: DKS Amid the change in leadership tussle in the Congress government, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he has faith in the party and it will decide his future as well. Shivakumar said more than outsiders, some people from his own community are criticising him out of jealousy. “They are stabbing me in the back. All this is natural in politics. One should not lose peace . We must remain honest,’’ he said. Shivakumar also said when Union minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy was chief minister, he had worked honestly. “Yet, Kumaraswamy accused me of stabbing him in the back. I do not need anyone’s certificate. It is enough if I satisfy my conscience,’’ he said. Devaraj B Hirehalli 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
Congress’s ‘Hindu vs. Hindutva’: What Rahul Gandhi said before Mani Shankar Aiyar
Before Mani Shankar Aiyar’s statement on Hinduism and Hindutva, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also made several controversial remarks on the issue. Some of their political allies have also joined the Congress leaders’ efforts to differentiate between Hinduism and Hindutva. New Delhi: Congress or its like-minded party leaders have not just recently started trying to prove that Hinduism and Hindutva are different. In the last few years, numerous controversial statements have been made on this issue by even the top leadership of the Congress party, which has also faced strong political opposition. Before Mani Shankar Aiyar, who has often landed the Congress party in political trouble due to his controversial statements, Rahul Gandhi had also said many things about Hinduism and Hindutva that have caused a political uproar. ‘I am a Hindu, not a Hindutva follower’ While serving as the national president of the Congress in August 2018, Rahul Gandhi said during a conversation with editors in Hyderabad, “I don’t believe in any kind of Hindutva, neither soft nor hard core.” In December of the same year, at a Congress rally against inflation in Jaipur, Rajasthan, he made another statement that sparked considerable controversy. He said, “I am a Hindu, but I am not a Hindutva follower.” ‘Hindutva followers are power-hungry’ Rahul Gandhi didn’t stop there. He further said, “All of you are Hindus. Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu, but Nathuram Godse was a Hindutva follower.” He further added, “The Bhagavad Gita tells Hindus to seek the truth. On the other hand, Hindutva followers have no concern for the truth; they are power-hungry. They are filled with hatred because of their fear… Since 2014, Hindutva followers have been in power, while Hindus are out of power. These (Hindutva followers) are fake Hindus.” In 2019, the Congress contested the Lok Sabha elections under Rahul’s leadership, and the BJP broke all its previous records of victory. ‘What do Hindus need Hindutva for?’ Even after this crushing defeat, Rahul’s views on Hindus did not change. Speaking at a Congress training camp in Wardha, Maharashtra, in November 2021, he said, “When Hindus follow Hinduism, what need do they have for Hindutva?… Is Hinduism meant for beating up a Sikh or a Muslim person? No, but Hindutva is.” “Hindutva means Hinduism living in fear” In fact, during a debate organized by the Calcutta Debating Circle in Kolkata on the topic “Hinduism needs protection from Hindutva,” Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said, “Hindutva means Hinduism living in fear. It tells 80 percent of Hindus to be afraid of 14 percent of Muslims.” According to him, “Hindutva is a political ploy.” Mahua Moitra on Hinduism and Love Jihad At the same event, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said, “A Hindu who follows Hinduism can imagine love between a Hindu and a Muslim, but someone who follows Hindutva will say, no, this is love jihad. A Bengali Hindu who eats meat will offer meat to Goddess Kali, but a Hindutva follower will say, this is not right…” (With agency inputs) Written by: Anjan Kumar About the Author Anjan Kumar is an Assistant Editor at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 23 years of experience in electronic and digital media. He is interested in writing on topics related to politics, current affairs, judiciary, defense, foreign affairs, and business. Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress brought in laws against Muslims and Dalits, Owaisi reveals why Khalid and Imam were denied bail
Asaduddin Owaisi Statement: Owaisi said that the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had introduced the UAPA. He was the only person to oppose it in Parliament. Today, this law is not… Asaduddin Owaisi News: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has blamed the Congress for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam not getting bail. He said that the stringent UAPA under which Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been booked was implemented during the Congress government’s tenure. The Hyderabad MP was speaking at a public meeting in the Chandni Chowk area under Amravati, Maharashtra, ahead of the municipal elections. Owaisi said that those who talk about secularism during elections are actually enemies of Muslims, Dalits, and tribals, as they use political secularism to get votes. He said that Khalid and Imam were denied bail by the Supreme Court in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case based on Section 15A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Chidambaram had introduced the UAPA During this time, Asaduddin Owaisi also said that the then Home Minister P Chidambaram (during the Congress government) had introduced the UAPA. He (Owaisi) was the only person to oppose it in Parliament. I was the first to say that the police would use this law against Muslims, tribals, Dalits, and intellectuals who understand and oppose the government’s policies. You can see what has happened today. These two young men could not get bail because of the definition of terrorism in that law. Supported the amendment to UAPA in 2019 Owaisi said that Khalid and Imam have been languishing in jail for 5 years. Meanwhile, 85-year-old Stan Swamy, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case, died in jail due to this very law. He said that when the UAPA was amended in 2019, the Congress party had supported the BJP government, which is now ruining the lives of innocent people. This week, the Supreme Court rejected the bail applications of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, but granted bail to five others, citing their level of involvement. By Ranjan Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress has done nothing in past two years, says KTR
Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday said the Congress govt had done nothing in the past two years, except for evasion (Egavethalu), demolitions (Kulchivethalu) and destruction (Pelchivethalu). Speaking at a meeting in which several leaders from Kollapur assembly constituency joined the BRS at Telangana Bhavan, the BRS working president said the Congress came to power by making 420 promises and six guarantees, but did not fulfil any of these. Similarly, houses of the poor were bulldozed in the name of encroachments by HYDRAA, and even irrigation structures and check dams were damaged by using detonators by the sand mafia. “Chief minister Revanth Reddy has failed to protect the interests of Telangana in water issues,” he added. Countering Congress leaders who criticised his recent comments on Rahul Gandhi, KTR reminded them that it was Revanth Reddy — not him — who had repeatedly abused the Gandhi family in the past. KTR challenged the Congress to first question their own CM before pointing fingers at the opposition. Addressing reports that the Congress govt plans to hold the GHMC election soon, KTR called upon the BRS cadre to face the election together and secure victory. He highlighted that under the BRS govt, Hyderabad witnessed nearly 9,700 crore worth of development, which should be taken to every division and every voter. Taking a dig at Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi, KTR said the MLA betrayed the BRS and joined Revanth Reddy only to protect his land interests. Despite this betrayal, KTR said every meeting held in Serilingampally has been receiving massive support due to the unwavering affection the people have for KCR and the BRS. Earlier today, senior leader Gutta Narendra Yadav, along with hundreds of his followers and supporters, joined the BRS. Says houses of the poor were bulldozed in the name of encroachments by HYDRAA, and irrigation structures and check dams were damaged by using detonators by sand mafia 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 to participate in Gudalur school event on Jan 13
Chennai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of St Thomas English High School in Gudalur in the Nilgiris on Jan 13. Sources said he has no political agenda scheduled besides a reception hosted by Congress functionaries at the helipad. Rahul last visited Gudalur during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Sept 2022, where he addressed a gathering of supporters, praising the beauty of the scenic town in the Western Ghats. He stayed at a private school overnight before leaving for Karnataka. “Rahul will arrive in a chopper from Mysuru at 3.30 pm. He will attend the event at the school and leave at 4.30 pm. As far as we know, the leader has no political events or meetings,” said a Congress functionary. Rev Dr Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa, Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, is expected to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of the school. Rahul Gandhi’s visit comes amidst political tension in DMK-Congress alliance with some Congress functionaries and elected representatives publicly seeking share in power and criticising BJP over the censorship controversy linked to Vijay’s latest film “Jana Nayagan”. According to sources, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are likely to meet the TNCC president, former presidents and the elected representatives from Tamil Nadu in Delhi on Jan 18 to discuss poll preparedness. “The meeting was originally scheduled on Jan 14. The proposed meeting is in line with the tradition of meeting representatives of poll-bound states in Delhi,” said a senior leader. 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
Objectionable remarks against Mayawati: Badaun court sends notice to Rahul Gandhi and Udit Raj
The Badaun court has issued notices to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Dr. Udit Raj in a case concerning alleged objectionable remarks against BSP supremo Mayawati. Sunil Mishra, Badaun: A complaint has been filed in the Badaun court regarding alleged objectionable remarks made on social media against BSP supremo Mayawati. The application filed in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Badaun describes the posts made on Twitter (X) as defamatory, inflammatory, and likely to affect law and order. The case involves Jai Singh Sagar, son of late Nanakram, a resident of Nekpur locality in the Civil Lines police station area, who filed the application. The petition alleges that on February 17, 2025, Congress party leader Dr. Udit Raj posted objectionable remarks and videos about BSP chief Mayawati from his Twitter (X) account. It is alleged that these posts used words like corruption, looting, incompetence, and other objectionable terms against Mayawati. The application also states that these posts not only attempted to tarnish Mayawati’s image but also aimed to spread hatred against her on social media and incite her supporters. According to the petitioner, such remarks have hurt the sentiments of Mayawati’s supporters and followers. There is a possibility of tension arising in society. The petition also mentions that applications were previously submitted to the Civil Lines police station and the SSP Badaun regarding the matter, and complaints were also sent via registered post, email, and Twitter (X), but since no action was taken, they had to approach the court. Now, the Badaun special court has sent notices to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Udit Raj, asking them to present their side of the case. Special Judge Poonam Singhal has asked both leaders to present their arguments on January 29. Udit Raj had made objectionable remarks against BSP chief Mayawati. Edited by: Vishal Chaubey About the Author Vishal Chaubey is a journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He covers news on politics, crime, governance, and other issues in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Vishal studied journalism at Lucknow University and has 3 years of experience in the field of journalism. Courtesy: Hindi News
Corrupt BJP’s Double Engine Governments Have Ruined People’s Lives, Rahul Gandhi Lashes Out at BJP
Rahul Gandhi said that the corrupt BJP’s double-engine governments across the country have ruined the lives of the people. Corruption, misuse of power, and the poison of arrogance have spread from top to bottom in BJP’s politics. New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday targeted the Modi government and the BJP on various issues. Rahul Gandhi said that the corrupt BJP’s double-engine governments across the country have ruined the lives of the people. Corruption, misuse of power, and the poison of arrogance have spread from top to bottom in BJP’s politics. Which BJP VIP is being protected by the protection of power? The Congress MP said in an X post, “In their system, the lives of the poor, helpless, laborers, and the middle class are just statistics, and a system of extortion is running in the name of “development”. Rahul Gandhi said, “The brutal murder of Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand has shaken the entire country. But the question remains the same today. Which BJP VIP is being protected by the protection of power? When will the law be equal for all?” Criminals were protected in the arrogance of power: Rahul Rahul Gandhi said, “In the Unnao incident in Uttar Pradesh, the entire country has seen how criminals were protected in the arrogance of power and how much the victim had to pay for justice.” Whether it is deaths due to drinking poisonous water in Indore or complaints of “black water” and contaminated supply from Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi – there is fear of diseases everywhere. Whether it is the Aravalli range of Rajasthan or natural resources – wherever the greed and selfishness of billionaires have reached, the rules have been trampled upon. Mountains are being cut down, forests are being destroyed – and in return, the public is getting: dust, pollution, and disaster. The direct impact of corruption Deaths of children due to cough syrup, rats killing newborns in government hospitals, collapsing roofs of government schools – this is not “negligence,” but the direct impact of corruption. Bridges collapse, roads cave in, families are wiped out in train accidents, and the BJP government does the same thing every time: photo-ops, tweets, and the formality of compensation. Rahul Gandhi said, “Modi ji’s double-engine government is running – but only for billionaires. For the common Indian, this double-engine government of corruption is not a pace of development, but a pace of destruction – crushing someone’s life every single day.” Curated by: Varun Shailesh About the Author Varun Shailesh is an Assistant News Editor at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 15 years of experience in current affairs, politics, social issues, and features. He started his career with the news agency IANS in 2009. He worked on the central desk of Hindustan (Hindustan Times Group) for more than 5 years. Courtesy: Hindi News
Will take fight against G RAM G Bill to villages: CM
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday announced a statewide political mobilisation against the Centre’s new rural job guarantee scheme — G RAM G Bill — declaring that the Congress would take the fight from the assembly to the village level through public meetings and gram sabhas. The CM said he would address nine public meetings across the nine erstwhile districts, urging party leaders to campaign aggressively against the Bill and pass resolutions in every village. He added Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi would participate in one of the meetings. Addressing the TPCC extended meeting, Revanth said the campaign would follow a comprehensive action plan finalised by the AICC in response to what he referred to as the ‘Ji Ram Ji’ law. He recalled that the state assembly had unanimously passed a resolution opposing the legislation and announced that similar resolutions would be adopted in all 12,702 villages between Jan 20 and 30. He stressed this was not merely the responsibility of village sarpanches but of every MLA. The CM asked TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and AICC Telangana affairs in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan to appoint ministers as party in-charges for 15 parliamentary segments, excluding Hyderabad and Secunderabad. He said national, state and district-level leaders would participate in the programme, with each leader assigned responsibility for one mandal. Revanth said he too would personally take charge of one mandal. “We will invite Sonia (if her health permits) or Rahul or Priyanka in Mulugu district, represented in cabinet by panchayat raj minister Seethakka,” he said. Large public meetings, each expected to draw one lakh people, will be held in the nine districts outside Hyderabad starting Feb 3, beginning in the undivided Mahabubnagar district. The meetings will oppose what the CM described as the Modi govt’s attempt to weaken the rights of the poor and agricultural labourers. Each meeting will be overseen by a different minister. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy will coordinate the programme, while Mahesh Goud, deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and Natarajan will monitor the campaign. Revanth accused the Modi govt of trying to undermine the employment guarantee scheme, calling it a globally recognised programme that brought transformative change. He alleged the BJP, having failed to secure 400 seats to amend the Constitution, was now attempting to curtail people’s rights through other means, including the special intensive revision. ‘PM should apologise’ He said the right to vote was the only weapon of the poor and alleged that its dilution would affect access to Aadhaar, ration cards and welfare schemes, amounting to a return to bonded labour. He said the Congress would not relent until the PM apologised to the nation and restored the employment guarantee scheme, particularly in the Telugu states. Calling for a clean sweep in the upcoming municipal elections, Revanth urged party cadres to ensure Congress control of local bodies. “We will be in power for the next eight years in the state, and only if we have a hold on local bodies can we develop these local bodies,” he 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
Rahul Gandhi and Udit Raj’s troubles increase, they will have to appear before the court, also know about the case related to Mayawati
Poonam Singhal, Additional District Judge and Special Judge POCSO Act First, in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, has issued notices against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Udit Raj. Badaun: Additional District Judge and Special Judge POCSO Act First, Poonam Singhal, in Badaun, has issued notices against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Udit Raj. Both Rahul Gandhi and Udit Raj have been ordered to appear in court on January 29, either in person or through their lawyer. The court issued this order while hearing a criminal revision petition filed by advocate Jai Singh Sagar in the case of objectionable remarks made by Congress leader and former MP Udit Raj against the BSP supremo. According to advocate Jai Singh Sagar, on February 16, 2025, Congress leader and former MP Udit Raj made objectionable statements against BSP supremo Mayawati and even talked about killing her. In this regard, an application was filed in the MP-MLA court the next day, February 17, to file a case. The MP-MLA court dismissed it, stating that the incident took place in Delhi. After this, advocate Jai Singh Sagar filed a criminal revision petition in the District Judge’s court on August 25, 2025. The case was then transferred to the Additional District Judge and Special Judge POCSO Act court. Since then, the hearing in this case has been ongoing. In this case, Additional District Judge and POCSO Act First, Poonam Singhal, has issued notices to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, son of late Rajiv Gandhi, resident of 10, Delhi district, and Udit Raj, son of late Kallan, 192 North Avenue, near RML Hospital. In the notice, January 29 has been fixed as the date for both leaders to present their side, and they have been ordered to present their case either in person or through their lawyer. Curated by: Abhishek Shukla About the Author Abhishek Shukla is a Senior Journalist at Navbharat Times. He works here as a Senior Digital Content Creator. I have 9 years of experience in journalism. I have been working at Navbharat Times for the past 6 years. Here, I specialize in covering current affairs, politics, crime, administration, utilities, social issues, fact-checking, breaking news, and research-based stories. Courtesy: Hindi News
Modi bowed under Trump’s pressure; Rahul Gandhi, invoking Indira Gandhi’s name, said, “Understand the difference, Sir.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has accused PM Modi of surrendering to the US. He said that Modi bowed to Trump’s dictates, while then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did not yield to American threats during the 1971 war. New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of succumbing to pressure. He also compared Modi’s leadership to that of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi’s statement comes a day after US President Donald Trump’s statement in which he claimed that PM Modi had sought an appointment with him. Trump also mentioned high tariffs imposed by India. Trump says that the Indian government is now paying very high tariffs. The US President also claimed that India has significantly reduced its purchase of Russian oil. BJP-RSS people run away under a little pressure: Rahul Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi shared a video message on X, captioned – Understand the difference, Sir. Rahul Gandhi said, “I know these BJP-RSS people very well now. Put a little pressure on them, give them a little push, and they run away in fear.” Rahul claims Modi surrendered at Trump’s behest Rahul Gandhi said, “As soon as Trump gave a signal from there, he picked up the phone and said, ‘Modi ji, what are you doing?’ Narendra surrendered and saying ‘Yes sir’, Narendra Modi followed Trump’s instructions.” Referring to the 1971 war, he said Indira did not bow before America Comparing it to the 1971 war, Rahul Gandhi said that India once stood strong despite American pressure. Referring to the US Seventh Fleet, he said, “You might remember the time when there was no phone call – the Seventh Fleet came. In the 1971 war, the Seventh Fleet came, weapons came, an aircraft carrier came.” Indira Gandhi said, “I will do what I have to do. That’s the difference between the BJP and the Congress.” Trump’s claim that Rahul Gandhi used to target Modi In fact, Trump has imposed a total of 50% tariff on Indian exports, which includes a 25% tax due to buying oil from Russia. Trump said, “I have a very good relationship with him (Modi). He is not very happy with me because now he has to pay a lot more tariffs. He has significantly reduced buying oil from Russia.” These tariffs, imposed in August, have led to several rounds of trade talks and at least four conversations between the two leaders, but no bilateral trade agreement has been reached yet. Trump also said that India has cited delays in the delivery of Apache helicopters, and claimed that New Delhi has been waiting for these aircraft for five years. Curated by: Varun Shailesh About the Author Varun Shailesh is an Assistant News Editor at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 15 years of experience in current affairs, politics, social issues, and features. He started his career with the news agency IANS in 2009. He worked at the central desk of Hindustan (Hindustan Times Group) for more than 5 years. Courtesy: Hindi News