Priyanka promises respect & social justice for women
Patna/Motihari: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the women of Bihar not to be swayed by the incentives being offered by the NDA govt in the state. She accused the BJP-led coalition of being “interested only in your votes,” while asserting that the Congress aimed to provide women with “respect.” Addressing a ‘Mahila Samvad’ at Sadaquat Ashram, the Congress state headquarters, Priyanka encouraged women to discern the “true intentions” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and CM Nitish Kumar, suggesting they “deserved to be taught a lesson” in the upcoming assembly elections.Referring to the transfer on Friday of Rs 7,500 crore among 75 lakh women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY), she said, “Now that elections are near, Rs 10,000 is being offered by the govt. But, take note, they are not promising that the dole will continue every month.” She added, “Women have the capacity to sense people’s true intentions (neeyat). They make use of this faculty while looking for a match for their daughters. You must, similarly, realise the true intentions of Modi, Shah, and Nitish.” Priyanka criticised the timing of the financial offers, claiming it revealed a focus solely on securing votes. “They cannot understand your need for respect. They will not address your need for safety. I think crimes against women must have risen ten-fold in the last 10 years,” she alleged. Outlining her party’s commitments, she said, “Our party wants to give women the respect that is their due. We have promised lands to the landless families. We propose that such parcels of land be registered in the name of a woman member.” She added, “My brother Rahul Gandhi has been fighting for social justice, an essential component of which is the uplift of women. In the elections, you must discern who is really interested in your welfare and who is just after your votes.” Highlighting the medical insurance scheme introduced in Rajasthan, she promised to replicate it in Bihar if the INDIA bloc came to power. “We promise to bring similar benefits in Bihar,” she said. Later, addressing a rally at Motihari, Priyanka praised Rahul Gandhi as a “real patriot” for his 4,000-km Bharat Jodo Yatra to connect with the people. She accused the NDA of focusing only on winning elections at any cost, saying they exploited caste and religious divides and resorted to “vote theft.” 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
Sikh remarks: Alld HC denies relief to Rahul Gandhi
Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court on Friday dismissed Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s plea against an order directing the magistrate court to decide afresh on FIR against him, over his purported utterances in the US. The order was passed by Justice Sameer Jain, who had heard a criminal revision filed by the Congress MP. One Nageshwar Mishra of Varanasi had filed an application before the court of additional chief judicial magistrate (MP-MLA), Varanasi, who after hearing the matter on November, 28, 2024, rejected the application seeking registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, while observing that the speech was given in the US, so the matter was outside its jurisdiction. The rejection order was challenged before the sessions court MP-MLA which allowed the revision, directing the ACJM to hear the matter afresh. The complainant claimed that in September 2024, during an event in the US, Gandhi said that the environment in India was not good for Sikhs. Mishra claimed there were protests against his statement, calling it provocative and divisive and sought the registration of an FIR against the purported statement at Sarnath police station of Varanasi. He moved the magisterial court after failing to get it registered. Senior advocate Gopal Chaturvedi, who represented Gandhi, had submitted that Mishra’s application did not mention the date of the purported statement. Additional advocate general Manish Goyal, however, said the point was whether there was a prima facie case or not and the high court ought to examine whether it should be decided by the magistrate concerned. He said if it is a statement on foreign soil by the leader of opposition against India, then it was a matter of investigation and further there was admission that Gandhi made utterances. 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
Why is Tejashwi Yadav uncomfortable with Rahul Gandhi’s EBC 10 factor? Political fire is simmering within the Grand Alliance, learn more.
Congress Working Committee: The Bihar Pradesh Congress has begun accelerating its election planning. According to political experts, Congress state president Rajesh Ram is no longer beholden to Lalu Prasad Yadav, unlike former state president Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Akhilesh Prasad Singh used to make decisions after consulting Lalu Yadav. That is no longer the case. The Congress party is batting on its own pitch in Bihar. Patna: The biggest question is this: When Rahul Gandhi launched the Voter Rights Yatra, the Grand Alliance canceled the rally to mark its conclusion. The reason given was that Tejashwi Yadav was merely acting as a charioteer. Rahul Gandhi’s TRP is increasing. This is why, on the advice of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav launched the Bihar Adhikar Yatra. According to experts, a political fire is simmering within the Grand Alliance. The reason for this is Rahul Gandhi’s 10 factors regarding EBCs, which he announced at the Congress Working Committee meeting. What is the resolution letter? The resolution, jointly issued by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, outlined social security measures in areas such as education and employment for the state’s EBC communities, which constitute approximately 36% of Bihar’s population. Unveiling the document, Gandhi said, “Today, we are committed to restoring justice and opportunity to the most deprived sections of society. The rights of the extremely backward classes have long been neglected. Our resolution prioritizes their aspirations in the legislature and on the ground.” It is reported that tensions within the RJD stem from the fact that their vote bank is also EBC, which the Congress is eyeing. Congress will cut into RJD’s votes, causing losses for the RJD. The Grand Alliance parties believe that the fire simmering within the Congress and RJD could flare up at any moment. Inside the Proposal The proposal promises a dedicated EBC Atrocities Prevention Act to end discrimination and violence against them through strong legal measures. It proposes increasing the reservation for EBC communities in panchayats and municipal bodies from 20% to 30%, amending the 50% quota limit, and submitting relevant legislation to the central government to withstand legal scrutiny. The resolution also promises to declare the existing “not found suitable” provision in recruitment illegal, citing its alleged misuse against EBC candidates, and to form a committee to review caste lists for inclusion and over-inclusion. A Setback for RJD According to RJD sources, Congress is working on a separate plan despite remaining in the alliance. Congress understands that Lalu Yadav’s era is over and Tejashwi Yadav’s era has arrived. Accordingly, Congress should have the upper hand. Rahul Gandhi is a senior leader, and Tejashwi Yadav is nothing compared to him. Therefore, Congress is making its own moves, targeting EBCs as part of this effort. The proposal promises residential land grants—three decimal places in urban areas and five decimal places in rural areas—to all landless members of the EBC, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities. Tejashwi Yadav stated that while we are fighting unemployment and vote theft, land and housing will be guaranteed for the poorest, not as a privilege, but as a right. Bihar Bandh News: Huge uproar in the name of Bihar Bandh, now Rahul Gandhi explains why he is doing this? Rahul Gandhi played a trick In private schools, the proposal proposes to reserve 50% of seats for EBC, OBC, SC, and ST students under the Right to Education (RTE), while mandating all private educational institutions in Bihar to implement reservations in accordance with Article 15(5) of the Constitution. It also provides for reserving 50% of government contracts and procurement worth up to ₹25 crore for members of the EBC, OBC, SC, and ST communities. According to the proposal, a high-powered Reservation Regulatory Authority will be established to oversee quota policies. It also proposes making state legislature approval mandatory before making changes to the list of castes eligible for reservation. Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Gandhi said, “During the Voter Rights Yatra, we have explained to the people of Bihar. This proposal is our answer. It promises legislative reform, education, employment, and respect for the most marginalized sections of society.” Ashutosh Kumar Pandey About the Author Ashutosh Kumar Pandey works for Navbharat Times Online. He has been active in digital, print, and electronic journalism for over 22 years. He specializes in digging into the past and uncovering untold stories of political history. He presents political anecdotes in a witty manner. He has a special grasp on political, cinema, and crime news. He received 12 “Best Story of the Day” awards from ETV Network between 2005 and 2009. He holds a degree in Political Science and Hindi Journalism. He began freelance writing in 2001 for Jansatta, Hindustan, and Dainik Jagran. He has had the privilege of working for ETV, Maurya TV, Focus TV, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Prabhat Khabar.com, and Network 18. He has covered reporting and desk work for four Lok Sabha elections and several assembly elections. He is interested in music, theatre, and folk culture. He has a deep love for books. Courtesy : Hindi News
Yatra politics in Bihar: Why Tejashwi Yadav may be reluctant to join hands with Owaisi’s AIMIM
NEW DELHI: It’s yatra season in Bihar, as the state gears up for the upcoming assembly elections. After the Mahagathbabdhan’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” which was led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s ongoing “Bihar Adhikar Yatra”, it is now Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), who is leading his party’s ‘Seemanchal Nyay Yatra’. While all the three yatras aim to mobilise voters against the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in the state, there is a political subtext which points to the fight within in the opposition space. While Tejashwi’s ongoing yatra is perhaps an effort to establish his dominance within the Mahagathbandhan and counter the narrative that he played second fiddle to Rahul Gandhi during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, Owaisi’s yatra in the Seemanchal region may actually end up dividing the opposition space – like it did five years back. The Seeemanchal region, comprising four districts of Purnia, Araria, Kishnaganj and Katihar, has a high concentration of Muslims. Why Owaisi is keen to join the Mahagathbandhan In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, AIMIM fought on 20 seats and won five of them — Amour, Kochadaman, Baisi, Jokihat, and Bahadurganj. However, four of the AIMIM MLAs eventually joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in 2022. The NDA had then returned to power by winning 125 seats as against the Mahagathbandhan’s 110. The AIMIM was then blamed for the Mahagathbandhan’s failure to get a majority, by cutting into Muslim votes, especially in the Seemanchal region, which has a sizeable population of the minority community. The RJD and the Congress had then blamed Owaisi for being the B team of the BJP and helping the saffron party. This time around, Owaisi seems to have changed his strategy and has made several public pronouncements about his desire to join the Mahagathbandhan. The AIMIM has not only written letters to RJD bosses- Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi seeking an alliance, but the party, perhaps in a first, also held a demonstration with drums outside the residence of former CM Rabri Devi demanding its inclusion in the opposition INDIA bloc to “prevent a split of secular votes”. The AIMIM has said that it wants to contest only on 6 seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan. “We made the move so that we do not face accusations of helping the BJP. A lack of proper response on RJD’s part will make it clear who is actually helping the BJP,” Owaisi said reacting to the lack of response from RJD to his alliance offer. “Our Bihar president Akhtarul Iman wrote three letters to Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav expressing our wish to join the INDIA bloc. We had demanded only six seats. We are not interested in any ministerial berth. We only wanted to be treated as equals and not as slaves in the joint fight against BJP and RSS. But, so far, no response has come from them,” the Hyderabad MP added. “My appeal to you is to strengthen your political leadership. We will not go to outsiders’ doors to beg… I and Akhtarul Iman, wrote letters to Lalu Prasad Yadav. After that, Tejashwi Yadav said that he had not received it. My brother, when the father is alive in a household, and a matter is presented in front of elders, the younger ones do not have the right to say: ‘You told the elder, but not me’,” Owaisi said while addressing a rally in Kishanganj. Why RJD may not be interested in Owaisi alliance The RJD, which is going all out to wrest power from Nitish Kumar this time around, should have ideally latched on to the AIMIM offer to ensure there was no division of Muslim votes in the assembly elections. However, the party is yet to respond to Owaisi’s overtures. For the RJD, Owaisi’s alliance offer presents a difficult situation. The RJD, over the years, has drawn its core support from the Yadavs and Muslims. Accepting Owaisi as an alliance partner, RJD would have to concede part of that space to Owaisi, a move that may not be politically prudent for either Lalu or Tejashwi Yadav. Traditionally, Yadavs and Muslims have formed the core voter base of Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal Secondly and perhaps more importantly, if Owaisi joins the Mahagathbandhan, it will give the BJP and NDA a strong ground to press with its charge of appeasement politics. Already, the Mahagathbandhan’s campaign against vote theft and Rahul Gandhi’s yatra has been lebelled by the BJP as an effort to save the alleged infiltrators, who are mostly Muslims from Bangladesh. The charge has been led by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in an election rally earlier this month accused opposition parties of shielding illegal immigrants and asserted that infiltration had caused a “demographic crisis” in eastern states like Bihar, Assam and West Bengal, making people “worried for the honour of their sisters and daughters”. “This was the reason why I had announced a demography mission from the Red Fort (on Independence Day). But such is vote bank politics that Congress, RJD and their entire ecosystem are busy defending and shielding the foreign infiltrators,” PM Modi had alleged. “They have become so shameless that they are raising slogans and taking out yatras in support of infiltrators from foreign countries,” he had said, in an apparent reference to the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ of the Congress. “But let me tell RJD, Congress and their ilk that the NDA is committed to driving out each and every infiltrator. I challenge leaders who are trying to protect infiltrators to try with all their might. We will continue to flush out infiltrators,” the PM had asserted. Clearly, if the Mahagathbandhan takes Owaisi’s party into its fold, this BJP campaign will become a lot more shriller in the run up to elections and may actually end up polarising the voters. Little wonder, the RJD may perhaps risk some division of votes rather than go on the defensive under the charge of helping infiltrators (read
Congress raises Mandal pitch as Kharge slams caste rally ban in UP
NEW DELHI: After aggressive advocacy of caste census, removal of 50% ceiling on reservations and private sector quota, Congress has asserted its new branding as a “social justice” platform by slamming UP govt’s ban on caste-based political rallies. In a little-noticed statement, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, at a CWC meet in Patna, asked PM Modi to answer how does the all-round acceptance of caste census square up with threat to jail people who come out to protest against atrocities inflicted on them. By linking the ban to UP CM Yogi Adityanath “who has written in the past against reservations”, Kharge sought to paint caste rallies as part of protest and mobilisation rooted in caste injustices – in support for the now-banned gatherings. The reaction from the AICC chief has been stronger than the words of protest murmured by some regional parties of Mandal hue. But insiders said it is in line with the new politics, being pursued by Congress with a special nudge from Rahul Gandhi, who has found a strong ally in the party president. Since his debut, Rahul followed aggressive “pro-poor politics” with an element of Dalits and weaker sections. However, things took a dramatic turn over two years ago when he shifted gears to whole-heartedly embrace Mandalite fervour, with features like caste census and reservations. He even shocked party members by advocating “Jitni Abadi utna haq” – a rather radical advocacy of “proportionate reservation” once identified with social justice outfits that had since mellowed and mainstreamed. After some internal reservations, Congress toed Rahul’s line via the CWC. Since then, even the BJP govt at the Centre agreed to enumerate caste in the much-delayed decennial census now scheduled for 2027. Congress celebrated a reluctant Modi govt’s concession as a big victory, while toasting party-ruled Telangana’s elaborate exercise as the model to be followed at the Centre. But besides caste census, Congress has on multiple occasions gone further to seek removal of 50% ceiling and quotas in private sector educational institutions. Its scale and aggression on social justice lately have appeared to outflank even the Mandal outfits. Interestingly, after the CWC meeting at Patna Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi presided over a show of Bihar allies to release a manifesto focused on “extremely backward castes“ for the coming state elections – reflecting the distance Congress has covered in rebranding its political colour. 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
Bihar polls: Congress will stand by its word, says Revanth
Hyderabad: The extended meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) in Patna on Wednesday adopted resolutions promising ‘10 Guarantees’ to the people of Bihar, on the lines of Telangana’s ‘Six Guarantees’. According to the sources, the CWC’s ‘10 Guarantees’ to the people of Bihar are similar to the Telangana and Karnataka models, where guarantees (poll promises) were given, following which the party secured power in the two states. During his address at the CWC meeting, chief minister A Revanth Reddy explained about the caste survey conducted in Telangana as per the promise made by Rahul Gandhi. Revanth reportedly assured the people of Bihar that every promise and guarantee made by Rahul Gandhi will be implemented in Bihar too, if the Congress is voted to power. Revanth also explained about two bills passed in the Telangana assembly, one extending 42% reservations to the BCs, and another removing the 50% cap on total reservations in local bodies. He alleged that these bills are pending with the President of India, with the BJP intentionally stopping their approval. The CWC meeting praised the Congress govt’s efforts to promote social justice through the caste survey, 42% BC quota, SC categorisation and the implementation of all promises made by Rahul Gandhi. Revanth, at the CWC meeting, called upon the party leaders to lead the party to victory in Bihar under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud’s speech at the CWC meeting highlighted the Congress govt’s social justice initiatives. “The caste survey and BC quota Bills passed by the Congress govt have become a role model for the country, in tune with Rahul Gandhi’s fight for OBCs and other sections with the slogan ‘jitni aabadi, unti hissedari’,” he said. He credited the Congress’ success in Telangana to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo yatra’ and Sonia Gandhi’s six guarantees. In Sept 2023, the Congress had convened an extended CWC meeting in Hyderabad, followed by a massive public meeting at Tukkuguda on the city outskirts. Sonia Gandhi unveiled the party’s six guarantees at the public meeting, and the party leadership believes it was this guarantee model that led Congress to victory in Telangana. Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Damodar Rajanarasimha, CWC special invitee Vamshi Chand Reddy and AICC in charge Meenakshi Natarajan also attended the meeting in Patna. 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
Online application for voter roll change will need Aadhaar
NEW DELHI: Election Commission now requires an applicant seeking fresh enrolment or inclusion/exclusion of a voter from the electoral roll via online mode to mandatorily verify his identity through OTP-based Aadhaar authentication. While online applications related to the electoral roll – through Form 6 (fresh enrolment), Form 7 (objection to inclusion/exclusion of voter in roll) and Form 8 (corrections) – would henceforth require’e-sign’ based on Aadhaar authentication, those who do not have Aadhaar number can always fill out the physical forms and personally submit them to the electoral registration officer (ERO) or the booth level officer (BLO). The ‘e-sign’ requirement for online applications related to the voters’ list, EC sources told TOI, was conceptualised in Aug and rolled out quietly in the second week of Sept. The reform, it was underlined, preceded Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s Sept 18 press conference during which he had alleged unauthorised attempts at deletion of over 6,000 voters in Aland assembly constituency of Karnataka in Dec 2022.The ‘e-sign’ initiative is meant to ensure that the applicant’s name in the electoral photo identity card (EPIC) and phone number – as declared in the online Forms 6, 7 or 8 – matches with his/her details recorded in the Aadhaar system. Form 7 allows an elector to object against the proposed inclusion or exclusion of a voter in the electoral roll of a constituency in which he himself is also registered. Such an applicant must mention his name, EPIC number and mobile number of self ‘or’ relative (father/mother/husband/legal guardian) in the form. The e-sign option prompts the applicant to complete his OTP-based Aadhaar authentication before submitting the form. EC had, soon after Rahul’s presser, clarified only 24 of the 6,018 applications for deletions in Aland were found genuine, while the remaining 5,994 were found incorrect, and rejected. An FIR was filed on Sept 6, 2023 by the Aland ERO in the case and all available details handed over to the investigation agency. 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
PM Modi govt’s response on Palestine issue abdication of humanity, morality: Sonia Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Asserting that India needs to demonstrate leadership on the issue of Palestine, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday slammed the Modi government’s stance, saying its response has been characterised by a “profound silence” and an abdication of both humanity and morality. She said the government’s actions appear to be driven primarily by the personal friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and rather than India’s constitutional values or its strategic interests. “This style of personalised diplomacy is never tenable and cannot be the guiding compass of India’s foreign policy. Attempts to do the same in other parts of the world, most notably in the United States , have come undone in the most painful and humiliating ways in recent months,” Gandhi said in her article published in The Hindu. This is the third article by Gandhi on the Israel-Palestine conflict, published in a national daily in the recent past, in which she has vehemently criticised the Modi government’s stance on the issue. India’s standing on the world stage cannot be wrapped up into the personal glory-seeking ways of one individual, nor can it rest on its historical laurels. It demands persistent courage and a sense of historical continuity, she said in her article titled ‘India’s muted voice, its detachment with Palestine’. Gandhi pointed out that France has joined the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal and Australia in recognising Palestinian statehood — “the first step in the fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of the long-suffering Palestinian people”. More than 150 of the 193 countries that are members of the United Nations have now done so, she said. Gandhi underlined that India had been a leader in this regard having formally recognised Palestinian statehood way back on November 18, 1988, after years of support to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). She cited the examples of how India raised the issue of Apartheid South Africa even before Independence and during the Algerian struggle for independence (1954-62), India was one of the strongest voices for an independent Algeria. In 1971, India intervened firmly to prevent genocide in what was then East Pakistan, midwifing the birth of modern-day Bangladesh, she pointed out. On the critical and sensitive issue of Israel-Palestine as well, India has long maintained a delicate but principled position, emphasising its commitment to peace and the protection of human rights, the former Congress chief said. India needs to demonstrate leadership on the issue of Palestine, which is now a battle for justice, identity, dignity and human rights, Gandhi asserted. In the last two years, since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Palestine in October 2023, India has all but relinquished its role, she opined. “The brutal and inhumane Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, were followed by an Israeli response that has been nothing less than genocidal. As I have previously raised, more than 55,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, including 17,000 children,” she said. The residential, schooling and health infrastructure of the Gaza Strip has been obliterated, as have agriculture and industry, Gandhi said. “Gazans have been forced into a famine-like situation, with the Israeli military cruelly obstructing the delivery of much-needed food, medicine, and other aid — a ‘drip-feeding’ of aid amidst an ocean of desperation,” she said. In one of the most revolting acts of inhumanity, hundreds of civilians have been shot down while trying to access food, she pointed out. Gandhi opined that the world has been slow to respond, implicitly legitimising the Israeli actions. The recent moves by several countries to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state are a welcome and long-due departure from the policy of inaction, she said. “This is a historical moment and an assertion of the principles of justice, self-determination and human rights. These steps are not merely diplomatic gestures; they are affirmations of the moral responsibility that nations bear in the face of prolonged injustice. It is a reminder that in the modern world, silence is not neutrality, it is complicity,” she said. And here, India’s voice, once so unwavering in the cause of freedom and human dignity, has remained “conspicuously muted”, Gandhi said, hitting out at the Modi government. Meanwhile, it is appalling that just two weeks ago, India not only signed a bilateral investment agreement with Israel, in New Delhi, but also hosted its highly controversial far-right finance minister who has invited global condemnation for his repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, she said. Gandhi argued that India must not approach the issue of Palestine as merely a matter of foreign policy but as a test of India’s ethical and civilisational heritage. The people of Palestine have endured decades of displacement, prolonged occupation, settlement expansion, restrictions on movement and repeated assaults on their civil, political and human rights, she said. Their plight echoes the struggles that India faced during the colonial era — a people deprived of their sovereignty, denied a nationhood, exploited for their resources, and stripped of all rights and security. “We owe Palestine a sense of historical empathy in its quest for dignity, and we also owe Palestine the courage to translate that empathy into principled action,” she 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
Ponnam hits out at BJP over GST rate cut
Hyderabad: Transport and BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday alleged that the BJP looted the poor and sucked their blood for the past eight years with the ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ (GST), and was now trying to project the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollback as if it was doing a great service. Speaking at a media conference in Gandhi Bhavan, Prabhakar said, “The BJP govt at the Centre is trying to mislead the people by stating that it has reduced GST rates to 5% or 18%. But the reality is that it had already doubled the prices of essential commodities. The price of salt increased from 10 per kg to 20 per kg, edible oil from 70 per litre to 160 per litre, and dal from 60 to 160 per kg, to name a few. It taxed a poor man’s meal more than the luxury food served in star hotels. The GST had only burdened the poor and small traders, while the rich benefited. Basic necessities such as funeral expenses had been taxed under GST too.” Referring to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent statement that the Centre earned 22 lakh crore in six months through GST, Prabhakar said this was proof enough how the Central govt squeezed the common man. He further said, “Telangana will suffer a loss of 7,000 crore every year because of the GST rate rationalisation. When GST was introduced, the BJP govt had promised to bear the losses of states for 10 years, but the promise has not been fulfilled. The Centre is pushing Telangana into financial distress. Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay should give clarity to the people of Telangana on how the state’s losses would be addressed. They must take up the issue with the Prime Minister and Union finance minister in New Delhi, and cannot remain silent or defend the GST rate rationalisation.” AICC leader Rahul Gandhi has been saying from day one that this is not GST but ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’. The Centre’s approach is like giving with one hand and taking with the other. The GST council must function democratically, and not as a tool of the Central government, he added. 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
BJP seizes on Manish Tewari’s remarks on falling regimes, calls it indirect attack on Rahul
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manish Tewari’s remark terming the recent regime changes in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal and unrest in Philippines a rejection of the politics of entitlement sparked a controversy, with BJP framing it as sign of Congress’s unease over LoP Rahul Gandhi’s politics. BJP’s Amit Malviya latched on to Tewari’s use of words like ‘#nepokids’ in his post on X to say, “Senior Congress neta Manish Tewari, member of G-23 rebel group, takes aim at Rahul Gandhi – the ultimate ‘nepo kid’ of Indian politics (sic).” In his post, Tewari wrote, “The toppling of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka in July 2023, Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh in July 2024, K P Sharma Oli in Nepal in Sept 2025 and now protests against Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Philippines have one word written over them – ENTITLEMENT IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE TO GEN X, Y, Z.” He also said, “Watch for my piece on ‘The Social Media Trends that toppled or are challenging ‘DYNASTS’. Study #nepokids or #TrillionPesoMarch in the meantime.” BJP turned Tiwary’s remarks into anti-Congress fodder. “Forget Gen Z, even Congress’s own veterans are fed up with his regressive politics. The revolt is now from within,” Malviya said on X. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra said India rejected “nepokid” in 2014, leading Tewari to say that he was being misinterpreted. “Gosh. I just wish that some people would grow up in life. Everything doesn’t have to be dum-bed down to Cong-BJP, he said-she said or targeting X or Y. What’s happening in South Asia and East Asia has serious nat’l security implications.” 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