1st Parliament session after Operation Sindoor set to open on stormy note
NEW DELHI: Demonstrating unity over the parliamentary agenda, opposition Saturday said its demand for discussion on Pahalgam terror attack-Operation Sindoor and “drift” in foreign policy is non-negotiable, and PM Narendra Modi should reply to the debate — an apparent red line that threatens a stormy monsoon session which gets under way Monday. The opposition has listed the controversial “special intensive review” of Bihar electoral rolls as another major issue for discussion. The opposition argued that US President Donald Trump has been speaking non-stop about having forced cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan by using trade as the bait, and only PM Modi, who has allegedly been silent on the issue, can reply to him. Just how much is govt willing to accommodate the opposition’s demand — subjects of discussion, duration of debate, PM’s reply — would decide the trajectory of the monsoon session. But the govt appears to have made up its line of defence for the opposition’s charge on Pahalgam-Sindoor. Official sources said the treasury will focus on how it has shown “zero tolerance” towards terrorism and its sponsors, and didn’t hesitate to target the terror hideouts deep inside Pakistan territory. They refuted allegation that PM has been silent on Trump’s mediation claim, pointing out that in a one-on-one telephonic chat the PM had rejected Trump’s assertion that he leaned on a reluctant India to suspend Operation Sindoor, pointing out that India decided to pause fire on May 10 after Pakistan conveyed its willigness to do so through military channels. Although the expected confrontation can potentially disturb govt’s plan to get eight bills passed, it has in the recent past been able to achieve its legislative agenda by working around protests. The INDIA bloc Saturday evening brainstormed on issues of “national concern” in a virtual meeting, that saw the participation of 24 parties and included Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), N K Premachandran (RSP), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Ramgopal Yadav (SP), Omar Abdullah (NC), Hemant Soren (JMM) and Tiruchi Siva (DMK). Rahul is learnt to have pushed for a united fight in Parliament. Aam Aadmi Party which had decided to disengage itself from the opposition grouping, did not attend the meeting. Another contentious issue in the session would be the “attack on migrants across the country”. TMC’s Banerjee, CPI (ML)’s Bhattacharya, and other netas highlighted that migrants from Bengal and other regions were being attacked. They linked it to the voters’ review. The discussion on migrants and voters rolls in the meeting suggests opposition may be unrelenting on the SIR. BJP is sure to return fire by saying that the scrutiny of voters was consistent with the Constitution which lays down that only Indian citizens have the right to vote, and by accusing the oppoosition of trying to shield infiltrators from Bangladesh as part of their “votebank politics”. Amid the differences between the govt and the opposition, a rare bipartisanship will see the Lok Sabha bring a motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma for alleged corruption. But even here, a fresh faultline is the pendency of the impeachment notice submitted by the opposition against Justice Shekhar Yadav of Allahahad HC for “hate speech”. While the opposition is pushing for Yadav’s sacking, the govt is reluctant to entertain it. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Expert group submits report on caste survey to Telangana govt
HYDERABAD: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), led by former Supreme Court judge B Sudarshan Reddy, submitted its 300-page report to the state govt on Saturday. The group termed the methodology of the Congress govt-conducted Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey as scientific, authentic, and reliable, stating that it will become a role model for the nation. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy, along with deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, some ministers received the report at a programme at MCRHRD Institute. The CM said the report would be placed in the next cabinet meeting, likely to be held on July 25, for discussion. The 300-page report assumes significance as the govt is set to earmark 42% reservations to the Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies and is awaiting approval of the ordinance it sent to the governor. The high court had directed the state govt to complete the election to panchayats by Sept 30, including fixing reservations in a month. CM Revanth said, “This is not just data but Telangana’s mega health check-up X-ray. As promised by Rahul Gandhi, we successfully conducted a caste survey in the state. This report will be useful for the uplift of the weaker sections in the state and for implementing social justice.” Revanth further requested the expert group to study the differences between urban and rural areas and the reasons for them. “We request the committee to identify the needs of the people and give appropriate suggestions,” he added. Sources told TOI that the report submitted by the expert group calculated a composite backwardness index (CBI) for each of the 242 castes in the SEEEPC survey. The report presents a first-of-its-kind analytical model to measure socio-economic backwardness and assigns a CBI score and rank for all 242 castes. The expert group was tasked to study, verify, analyse, and interpret the SEEEPC survey data of various castes. It was appointed on March 12, 2025. Kancha Ilaiah (vice chairman), Praveen Chakravarthy (convenor), Prof Shantha Sinha, Sukhadeo Thorat, Himanshu, Nikhil Dey, Prof Bhangya Bhukya, and Prof K Purushottam Reddy, among others, comprise the expert working group that studied, verified, analysed, and interpreted the SEEEPC survey. Meanwhile, Telangana BC Commission chairman G Niranjan on Saturday said the independent expert group has submitted its report on the caste survey to the state govt, adding that it will serve as a valuable tool for advancing social justice. He recommended that the report be made public to ensure transparency. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Cong may announce district prez appointments by month-end
Bhopal: The AICC is likely to clear the list of district presidents for the state by the end of the month. Sources in the state Congress office said the final discussions were between PCC chief Jitu Patwari, AICC general secretary for Madhya Pradesh affairs Harish Chaudhary and national party organisational general secretary KC Venugopal. “Reports submitted by the central observers and state observers are being matched to select the final names for 60 organisational district presidents for Madhya Pradesh,” a source said. Meanwhile, Patwari, LOP Umang Singhar and a few more senior functionaries from the state have visited New Delhi to speak to central leaders on their choice of district presidents. However, the AICC officially asked state leaders not to come to Delhi. Instead, they have been asked to send letters if they have suggestions. So far, district president appointments were influenced by recommendations of senior leaders. But on June 3, Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi launched the CWC-approved Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan, the restructuring of the Congress party organization in the state. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to undergo the remodeling of the party after the pilot project has been completed in Gujarat. At the CWC meeting in Ahmedabad in April, the Congress’ highest decision-making body decided to restructure the organization and match up with the BJP’s organizational strength. It was decided to start with Gujarat as the model state. After Rahul Gandhi’s visit, it was decided that the first phase of organizational restructuring would start with the appointment of Congress district presidents. AICC general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh affairs Harish Chaudhary had claimed that appointment of district president would be completed by June 20. However, a month has passed since the deadline and the party is still discussing names of candidates and matching the ground reports prepared by AICC observers and state Congress observers who went to the districts and spoke to party workers. Speaking to TOI, state Congress media cell chief and former minister Mukesh Nayak denied the district president appointments have been delayed. “We are not running late. The AICC sent central observers to the districts and thereafter, the state observers also visited the grassroots to ask party workers to name suitable district presidents,” Nayak explained. “The reports of the AICC observers and the state observers are being matched. The meetings are in the final stages, and we can expect the list of district presidents to be released by the AICC soon,” he said. Party spokesman Abbas Hafeez argued, “Madhya Pradesh is a big state. And there are districts with two organizational presidents’ posts – one for rural and the other for urban areas like Bhopal city Congress president and Bhopal rural district president. The democratic process takes time. And unlike the BJP, the Congress will not announce district presidents one by one. The high command will announce the names soon.” Ruling BJP took a dig. State BJP media department chief Ashish Agarwal took to X and said, “Congress district president appointment is not about capabilities but depends on a quota system. If a person fits the ‘quota’, only then will he get the district president’s chair. Democracy be doomed, here only the leaders’ recommendation prevails.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul Gandhi will soon replace Modi: Dotasra
Alwar: The Congress held a rally here on Saturday for its “Save the Constitution” campaign, where the party launched a scathing attack on BJP-led central govt. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra accused BJP of attempting to destroy democracy and Constitution, urging citizens to protect their voting rights. During the rally, Dotasra claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure would soon come to an end, with Rahul Gandhi poised to take the top post. He criticised BJP govt for failing to fulfil its promises on black money, corruption, farmers’ income and youth employment. Leader of opposition Tikaram Jully focused on local issues, particularly the Sariska Tiger Reserve controversy. He alleged that BJP representatives were involved in a Rs 500 crore scam related to changes in the critical tiger habitat, benefiting mining interests at the expense of farmers’ land. The rally was part of nationwide Congress efforts, led by Rahul Gandhi, to mobilise opposition against the BJP govt. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
AAP failed Dalits, showing bias in sacrilege law: BJP leader
Ludhiana: Former MP and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Rinku has accused AAP govt of cheating the Dalits of the state. In a press conference at the BJP office here Friday, Rinku said AAP made several commitments to woo the state’s 31% dalit population before elections. Among them were the appointment of a deputy CM from the Dalit community if AAP were to form its govt in Punjab. But three-and-a-half years have passed since it came to power, and a deputy CM has not been appointed, he alleged. Rinku said AAP’s prominent leaders had also promised the formation of a special SIT to address atrocities and false cases against Dalits, recommending strict punishments. He described the sacrilege law as politically motivated, stating that he has suffered its consequences for three-and-a-half years. The former (Jalandhar MP said, “All this while they did not remember to bring a sacrilege law. Now that the elections are near, the govt has suddenly remembered this law.” Criticising the bill for its “selective and biased approach towards protecting religious texts”, he said while it includes Guru Granth Sahib, Gutka Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, it disregards the holy texts of Buddhism, Jainism and Parsis. tnn Rinku argued that this bias reflects religious discrimination and violates the spirit of equality under the law. Additionally, he pointed out that the bill ignores the rich folk traditions and culturally significant religious practices of Punjab, which are integral to the people’s identity. By focusing solely on mainstream religious texts and overlooking diverse spiritual expressions, Rinku claimed the bill demonstrates a narrow vision and flawed intent. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman was also present at the presser. Senior BJP leaders Dr D Khosla, District General Secretary Yashpal Janotra, Vice President Dr Nirmal Nayyar, SC Morcha President Ajay Pal Disawar, District Press Secretary Dr Satish Kumar and SC Morcha District General Secretary Vijay Khatak attended the press conference. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Shobha questions Cong commitment to promoting Dalit leadership
Mysuru: Union minister of state Shobha Karandlaje on Friday questioned Congress’ commitment to promoting Dalit leadership. Speaking to reporters, she attacked Congress functionaries for asking BJP to appoint a Dalit to the post of state party chief. “Congress leaders, including chief minister Siddaramaiah, are trying to divert the attention of people by questioning BJP’s commitment to promoting Dalits. Congress failed to initiate development works and fulfil the guarantee schemes,” she said. “Let Congress leaders concentrate on the development of the state instead of diverting the people’s attention,” she added. Shobha said she doesn’t know for what purpose Congress leaders are holding Sadhana Samavesha in Mysuru. “On the one hand, people of the state are cursing govt for the collapse of law and order, increasing crime, rape against women, and attacks on police stations. On the other hand, they are upset over not implementing the development works,” she said. “The state govt has no money to clear the transportation bills of contractors supplying Anna Bhagya rice to KFCSC warehouses and ration shops. It has no money to repair KSRTC buses and to release salaries for the govt staff,” she charged. “Moreover, several Congress MLAs openly raised their voice against their govt for not providing funds for development works in their constituencies,” she claimed. She accused Congress functionaries of neglecting the development of the state but fighting for the CM’s post. However, she refused to comment on the change of CM in the state, describing it as an internal issue of Congress. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
AAP govt ignored Dalit community on desecration issue, says BJP
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader SR Ladhar on Friday slammed the AAP government over the anti-sacrilege Bill, saying it lacked a provision to punish desecration of idols and scriptures revered by the Dalit community. “This omission clearly reflects AAP’s disregard for Dalit religious sentiments,” he told reporters here, adding that the Bill omitted any reference to works and idols of Guru Ravidas, saint Kabir and Bhagwan Valmiki, saint Kabir and saint Nabha Das. He alleged that while the Bill was cleared by the Cabinet and tabled in the Vidhan Sabha, none of the Dalit ministers or AAP MLAs raised any objections to the omission. “Despite having representation from the Valmiki Samaj, Ravidasia Samaj, Kabir Panth and Mahasha Samaj, no leader spoke out. They have forgotten their responsibilities towards their communities,” said Ladhar. Ladhar also alleged that the government was using such legislation to divert public attention from pressing issues in the state, including the failure of the land pooling scheme, the worsening drug crisis, and deteriorating law and order. Meanwhile Punjab Minister Balbir Singh said the Bill was “all-inclusive and democratic in nature”. Article_Author Mohit Khanna Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘Strengthen Congress at grassroots’
Lucknow: AICC in-charge for UP Avinash Pande and state president Ajay Rai convened a zonal review and workshop for 13 districts in Jhansi on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Pande said: “The importance of strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level is in line with the resolutions passed at the Udaipur Chintan Shivir and the vision of national leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka. District-level workers and leaders must leverage the experience of senior leaders and focus on strengthening the organisation, which is crucial for defending the country’s constitution and fighting for people’s rights.” He also highlighted the ongoing review of organisational creation by the central office of the All India Congress Committee and the need to bring dedicated workers and leaders into the mainstream, with special attention to social justice as emphasised by Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai, on the other hand, noted that the public is looking towards them with hope. He urged all workers and leaders to start preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
CM warns Rahul, Kharge of legal action
Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday warned of potential legal action against Congress’s national leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi if investigation substantiates that their speeches instigated attacks on security forces during an eviction drive in Paikan Reserve Forest in Goalpara district on Thursday. Kharge and Gandhi visited Assam on Wednesday and addressed a party workers’ gathering at Chaygaon, about 40 km from Guwahati. Referring to Kharge’s statement on Wednesday that Congress will rehabilitate the evicted people in the state, Sarma said, “Because of these kinds of speeches, people get encouraged and those evicted people started throwing stones and beating police with sticks and various other weapons (at Paikan).” He said police have registered a case, and “will go through the speeches made by Gandhi and Kharge. If we see that there are elements which invite penal action, they will not hesitate to take action against them”. On Thursday morning, violence erupted in Paikan Reserve Forest and one civilian died and at least 20 people, including police officers, were injured in clashes between encroachers and security personnel. The clash at Paikan is the latest in a series of high-profile eviction operations in Assam targeting encroachment on forest and govt land, a policy vigorously pursued by Sarma’s administration, often accompanied by political controversy. The issue is escalating as a major political flashpoint in the state, with broader implications for law enforcement, communal relations, and the next state elections. Both ruling and opposition parties are increasingly framing the evictions and related violence as key battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 state elections, with legal, communal, and political overtones dominating public discourse. Sarma also said Congress is preparing for 2026 state elections with a “single-point agenda” of attempting to put him behind bars and dismissed Rahul’s remarks about jailing the chief minister, arguing that only the law and judiciary could decide such matters. “He is just an MP today. How can he arrest a chief minister?” Sarma said, adding that even Congress members do not give importance to what Gandhi says. “The big question is whether Rahul Gandhi will be in jail and when. ED has seized many property of Robert Vadra today (Thursday). There are many jails in India waiting for the Gandhis,” Sarma said “There are two cases against Gandhi in Assam, I can bring him in. But my election cannot be Gandhi-centric, it will be on our work for the state. I am not allowing my mind to be diverted, else I would have retorted in ample measure to the threats given to me,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul Gandhi defends Robert Vadra against ED charges, Congress follows suit
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi led Congress’ defence of Robert Vadra in the wake of the ED chargesheet against him, calling it BJP govt’s witch-hunt against “my brother-in-law” and exuding confidence that the truth will prevail. “My brother-in-law has been hounded by this govt for the last 10 years. This latest chargesheet is a continuation of that witch-hunt. I stand with Robert, Priyanka and their children as they face yet another onslaught of malicious, politically motivated slander and harassment. I know that they are all brave enough to withstand any kind of persecution and they will continue to do so with dignity. The truth will eventually prevail,” Rahul said on X. The first-ever remarks from Rahul in favour of Vadra in the context of allegations of corruption against him also marked the Congress launching a full-fledged defence of the Gandhi family member it had refused to comment upon till now, and dubbed a “private citizen” when ED started the probe and questioning some years ago. While Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala and others posted the party’s solidarity with Vadra on social media and slammed the “Modi-Shah duo”, Surjewala said there is “no illegality or whisper of a crime” in Shikohpur, Gurgaon, since not an inch of land in question was govt allotted, no licence was given to Vadra for “change of land use” and there was also no evasion of stamp duty. He said DLF has owned the land since 2012. The public backing for Vadra marks a total contrast from the past when Congress maintained a silence as he was called for questioning by ED. Congress managers then had said the BJP ploy to mire the party in defending Vadra was to distract from allegations of corruption that the Modi govt was facing on several fronts, and the party preferred the distancing from a “private citizen”. Court takes up Vadra land deal chargesheet A Delhi court took up Friday an ED money laundering chargesheet against Robert Vadra, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, and others in an alleged 2008 fraudulent land deal, listing it for verification of documents and slotting the matter for consideration onJuly 24. Special judge Sushant Changotra asked the record keeper to check the chargesheet along with documents and give a report. ED had filed the chargesheet Thursday naming 11 individuals and entities as accused, including Vadra, his company Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Onkareshwar Properties Pvt Ltd, Satyanand Yajee, and one Kewal Singh Virk. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.