‘Habit of surrendering’: Rahul Gandhi takes shot at PM Modi on caste census; questions his silence on Trump’s ceasefire claim
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday doubled down on his “surrender” jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the prime minister has a habit of “surrendering”. Speaking at a gathering in Bihar’s Nalanda, Rahul said, “My aim is caste census. In Lok Sabha, in front of Modi ji, I told him that caste census would be conducted. And you know he has a habit of surrendering.” “And I knew that the day we put a little pressure, they would completely surrender,” the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha further said. “I am fighting for the caste census to save the Constitution and for the overall betterment of the country. Wherever we form government in future, we will remove the 50 per cent cap on reservation. It will start from Bihar,” he further said. — INCBihar (@INCBihar) He also questioned PM Modi’s silence over US President Donald Trump’s claims about resolving tensions between India and Pakistan. “PM Modi is silent on US President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering peace between India, Pakistan,” Rahul said. Rahul added that Trump has made the same statement many times. “Trump has said 11 times, 11 times, that I made Narendra Modi surrender. He has said it publicly 11 times. Narendra Modi is unable to respond. Narendra Modi is unable to say that Trump is lying because it’s the truth.” Targeting the government over the caste census issue, he said, “They will never get a genuine caste census done because the day they get it done, their politics will end.” He also raised questions about the structure of the census exercise. “Doubtful if the government can conduct caste census properly with no officers from OBC, tribal community finalising questionnaire,” he said. Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also attacked the Centre on Tuesday, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave in to pressure from the United States during Operation Sindoor. Targeting PM Modi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha said, “Trump gave a sign from there. He (Trump) picked up his phone and said, ‘Modiji, what are you doing? Narendra … Surrender.’ And PM Modi complied,” Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal. Further, he also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party, and its ideological parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that they “surrender” whenever put under the slightest pressure. “I am well aware of the BJP and RSS people. Apply a little pressure on them, give them a slight push, and they run away in fear,” Gandhi said. He also took to social media to reiterate his charge, saying: “Trump called, and Narendra Modi surrendered. This is the history and character of BJP-RSS. In 1971, despite American threats, India split Pakistan. The lions and lionesses of Congress face superpowers; they don’t bow.” Gandhi’s comments come in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he played a role in ending the military escalation between India and Pakistan after India carried out precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Following Operation Sindoor, which was conducted on May 7, both countries ceased further military action after a call from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to his Indian counterpart. 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.
Firm on breaking 50% reservation cap in country: Rahul
Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said wherever there is a Congress govt, 50% reservation barrier would be removed. Addressing the ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan’ at Rajgir in Nalanda district, Gandhi said he was firm on his commitment to break the 50% barrier on reservations. “If the population of the marginalised communities is 90%, why is their reservation limited to only 50%?” he asked. He said, “the Telangana govt has already broken the barrier, and wherever a Congress govt is formed, this barrier will be removed there.” Gandhi also said Bihar which once guided the world civilisations with its wisdom and philosophy has now turned into the “crime capital of the country”. He said, “Bihar was once considered the land of truth, justice, and non-violence. It showed the path to the entire world; people from across the globe used to come to study at Nalanda University”. But today, he said, the situation has completely changed. “People from Bihar are now forced to migrate to other states and even abroad because there are no employment opportunities here”, he pointed out, while remarking, “Bihar has now become the crime capital of the country”. Reaffirming his commitment to caste census and removing the 50% cap on reservation, he said, he will ensure both these are done. And once done, there will be a paradigm shift in the way development is carried out in the country. Gandhi disclosed that after joining politics, he learnt that “90% of the country’s population has no real representation anywhere”. The backward classes, dalits, adivasis, and extremely backward communities lack meaningful representation in key areas such as the corporate sector, judiciary, bureaucracy, and among the owners of private hospitals and other institutions. On the other hand, Gandhi added, these 90% of people can only be found among the MGNREGA and the gig workers. He said, while dalits, backward classes, adivasis, extremely backward communities, and the poor from the general category make up 90% of the population, they control less than 5% of the country’s resources. “You have 90% shareholding in pain and suffering”, he remarked about the 90% population. Gandhi also said while the BJP agreed under pressure to carry out the caste census, he was not sure whether they will do it the way it needs to be done. He referred to the Telangana model, where the questions were framed by about 3 lakh people, unlike the BJP model, where the questions are framed by a selective few officers behind closed doors with no representation from the “90% population”. Referring to the Constitution, he said, it is not merely a 75-year-old book, but a collection of thoughts and philosophy of thousands of years. “The Constitution embodies an ancient philosophy — the thoughts of Lord Shiva, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar, Periyar, Narayana Guru, and Basavanna”, he said, while adding, “This ideological battle has been going on for thousands of years as on one side stands Mahatma Gandhi and on the other, Godse”. Gandhi said, once the caste census is conducted properly, it will not just be an X-ray but an MRI, leading to a new paradigm of development. “The beginning will be made from Bihar; you have been doing it for thousands of years and you will do this also as this is in your DNA”, he remarked amidst thundering applause. 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.
BJP, Sena (UBT) MLAs face-off at DPC meeting over Dalit fund allocation
Akola: High political drama was witnessed at the Akola District Planning Committee meeting held on Thursday after a heated exchange between BJP MLA Randhir Savarkar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Nitin Deshmukh. Sparks flew during discussions over the allocation of Rs36 crore meant for Dalit development, leading to verbal abuse, shouting match, and an attempt to charge at each other inside the meeting hall. The situation escalated to such a degree that guardian minister Aakash Fundkar and other MLAs had to intervene to prevent further disorder. However, the tension continued beyond the meeting room. Supporters from both political sides gathered outside the planning building near the collector’s office, where another round of verbal altercations and minor scuffles broke out. Speaking to the media, Fundkar claimed “nothing major” had occurred, but indirectly acknowledged the tension by questioning, “Should we remain silent against false accusations?” NCP MLA Amol Mitkari confirmed there was disruption inside the meeting hall. Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan also condemned the incident, accusing the BJP of suppressing opposition voices in the district and across the state. Political observers and local citizens have expressed concern that such public displays of political hostility could spill onto the streets and negatively impact developmental work in the district. The incident, they say, reflects a troubling trend in Maharashtra’s political climate. 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.
‘There was no need to ask us to stop’: Shashi Tharoor reacts to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Narender, surrender’ jibe at PM
‘There was no need to ask us to stop’: Shashi Tharoor reacts to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Narender, surrender’ jibe at PM; watch video’There was no need to ask us to stop’: Shashi Tharoor reacts to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Narender, surrender’ jibe at PM; watch video NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered a measured response to party colleague Rahul Gandhi’s controversial “Narender, surrender” jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that domestic political differences should not overshadow India’s unified stance abroad. Speaking in Washington, where he is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation, Tharoor diplomatically navigated questions about Gandhi’s remarks that accused PM Modi of capitulating to US President Donald Trump during a the recent standoff. “In a democracy, and this is normal, parties will contend, criticism will be expressed, demands will be made, points of view will be laid out. We are not here on a party political mission. We are here as representatives of a united India,” Tharoor said. “I often point out to my interlocutors that we have five political parties amongst my seven MPs. We have three religions, we have got seven states… it’s an incredible cross section reflective of India’s diversity. There is an old saying that our political differences stop at the edge of the border. Once you cross the border, you are an Indian and your other allegiances come second,” he added. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Tharoor dismissed concerns over intra-party criticism overshadowing the delegation’s mission. “I think, frankly, when one is doing the nation’s service, I don’t think one needs to worry too much about these things,” he said. Referring to a recent statement by fellow Congress leader Salman Khurshid, Tharoor added, “I noticed that my friend Salman Khurshid has asked the question, ‘Is it so difficult to be a patriot in our country these days?’ And I think anybody who considers that working in the national interest is some sort of anti-party activity really needs to question themselves rather than us. I honestly feel at this point in time that we are focused on a mission here, and we don’t really need to spend too much time worrying about what is said or not said in the heat of the moment by various individuals. Because for us, the focus really is on this much larger and more important message.” On the matter of US mediation in India-Pakistan tensions, Tharoor reiterated India’s firm stance. “I am not necessarily having to address this issue because I am not here to stir up any sort of complication with the White House. We have enormous respect for the American presidency,” he said. “I think we don’t know exactly what his folks said to Pakistan. We didn’t need persuading by anybody. We were clear — there was no need to ask us to stop because we had said: you hit us, we will hit back, and if they will stop, we will stop. We said that on the first day, we said that on the last day. They may have talked to Pakistan, but that is between them and Pakistan.” — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Tharoor’s remarks come after Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Bhopal, alleged that Prime Minister Modi had acted on a cue from Donald Trump during a military standoff. “As soon as Trump signalled from there, picked up the phone and said, ‘what are you doing Modi ji? Narender, surrender’…and Modi ji obeyed Trump’s orders with ‘Ji Huzoor’,” LoP had said. Former Congress president also invoked the memory of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, saying, “Back then a phone call had not come but the US had sent its 7th fleet, weapons, and an aircraft carrier, but Indira Gandhi didn’t surrender and said she would go by national interest.” He further alleged that the BJP and RSS were habituated to “writing surrender letters” since India’s independence. The BJP, in response, accused Gandhi of insulting the armed forces and undermining the success of Operation Sindoor with his comments. 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.
‘Remarks made with evil intention’: Allahabad HC says Rahul Gandhi must face trial over Indian Army remarks
LUCKNOW: Allahabad high court’s Lucknow bench has dismissed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi ’s plea challenging a summons in a defamation case linked to his remarks about the Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra held between Sept 2022 and Jan 2023. Justice Subhash Vidyarthi ruled on May 29 that Gandhi must stand trial, observing a prima facie case exists against him. “Freedom of speech is subject to reasonable restrictions and does not include the freedom to make statements defamatory to any person or to the Indian Army,” the court said. The case was filed by retired BRO director Udai Shanker Srivastava, who alleged Gandhi made derogatory comments in Lucknow on Dec 16, 2022, days after a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh. Gandhi had said, “People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra… but they will not ask a single question about China capturing 2,000 sqkm of Indian land, killing 20 Indian soldiers, and thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh… Don’t pretend people don’t know.” Srivastava called the remarks “false and baseless”, made with an “evil intention of demoralising the Indian Army and damaging public faith”. He cited the Army’s official Dec 12 statement, which described the Dec 9 clash in Arunachal as involving “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”. On Feb 11 this year, a Lucknow magistrate had summoned Gandhi under Section 500 (defamation) of IPC, saying his comments were not made in discharge of official duty and could demoralise armed forces. Gandhi’s lawyer Pranshu Agarwal said in high court the case was politically driven and Srivastava lacked standing under Section 199 CrPC, as the Army—not the petitioner—was the target. Justice Vidyarthi rejected the claim, saying Srivastava was an “aggrieved person” under the law. The judge said the lower court’s summons was based on a “judicious application of mind” after reviewing complaint details and witness statements, not issued mechanically. 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.
No Third-Party Role in Indo-Pak Ceasefire: Tharoor Blunts Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Surrender Jibe at PM Modi
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shuts down Rahul Gandhi’s “Narender Surrender” claim, affirming there was no third-party role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire after Operation Sindoor. Speaking from Washington D.C., Tharoor clarifies that India acted on its own terms, offering to halt military strikes only if Pakistan ceased hostilities first. He emphasized India’s readiness to respond with force to future terror threats and highlighted the strength of India-US strategic ties. Milind Deora echoed: “He puts country before party.” 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.
Uma hits out at RaGa over ‘PM surrender’ dig
Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti has criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his remark that PM Narendra Modi “surrendered” during Operation Sindoor after a phone call from US President Donald Trump. “Indian Army has never surrendered to Pakistan. Does Rahul Gandhi not know even that much English? He should understand the difference between surrender and ceasefire,” she 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.
Ex-AAP leader Rajendra Pal Gautam appointed chairman of Congress SC department
Gautam, a prominent Dalit leader from Delhi, was earlier associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and served as the Minister for Social Welfare in the Delhi government. New Delhi- The Congress on Wednesday appointed former Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam as the new Chairman of its Scheduled Caste (SC) Department, replacing senior party leader Rajesh Lilothia. The move comes as the party looks to reinvigorate its social justice plank and deepen its connect with Dalit communities across the country. The appointment was made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and announced in an official statement by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal. “The Hon’ble Congress President has appointed Shri Rajendra Pal Gautam as the Chairman of the SC Department, AICC, with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing Chairman, Shri Rajesh Lilothia,” the statement said. His appointment came at a time when the Congress party is pushing for its social justice agenda. Gautam, a prominent Dalit leader from Delhi, was earlier associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and served as the Minister for Social Welfare in the Delhi government. However, he resigned from AAP in September 2024. He formally joined the Congress citing disillusionment with AAP’s approach towards social justice and accusing the party of sidelining Dalit issues under pressure from the BJP. “I joined Congress because I believe it has a historic commitment to social justice and empowerment of the marginalised. My aim is to build a strong, grassroots-level Dalit movement within the party structure and fight for equality and dignity,” Gautam had said at the time of his induction. The Scheduled Caste Department of the Congress plays a key role in shaping the party’s policies on Dalit welfare and also in outreach initiatives to SC communities across states. With Gautam now at the helm, the party is expected to take a more assertive stand on issues related to Dalits, representation in government services, and access to education and healthcare.(IANS) Courtesy : The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https://themooknayak.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Evening news wrap: National census to begin from 2027; Allahabad HC rebukes Rahul Gandhi, and more
A tragic turn of events took place during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory parade as a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. At least seven were killed over 25 injured in the stampede. The celebration quickly descended into chaos as crowd control efforts failed. The government announced that the next nationwide Census will begin on March 1, 2027, and, for the first time in decades, will include caste enumeration. Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Ladakh will begin the process earlier, from October 2026. The Centre has announced the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which will be held from July 21 to August 12. Key legislative matters, including discussions on the budget and pending bills, are expected to be taken up. Here are the top five stories of the evening: Stampede at RCB victory parade kills 7 At least seven people died and over 25 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory parade. The incident reportedly occurred due to overcrowding and poor crowd control. Live updates National census to begin from 2027 The next nationwide census will start on March 1, 2027, and will include caste data for the first time in over 70 years. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand will begin the process early from October 2026. Read full story Nine Pakistani aircraft were taken down during Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 civilians, dealt heavy blows to Pakistan’s military. Indian Air Force strikes destroyed key assets, including six fighter jets, two surveillance aircraft, and over ten drones. Read full story Rahul Gandhi rebuked by Allahabad HC The Allahabad high court criticised Rahul Gandhi, saying that freedom of speech does not extend to defaming the Indian Army. The comments were made during a case related to his remarks against the military. Read full story Parliament’s monsoon session dates announced The Monsoon Session of Parliament will run from July 21 to August 12, with major legislation, including budget discussions, expected on the agenda. The announcement was made earlier today. Read full story 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.
Chandigarh Congress welcomes Rahul Gandhi amid party resurgence
Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, upon his arrival at Chandigarh Airport. Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky informed Rahul Gandhi that the party had made a historic comeback by reclaiming the city’s parliamentary seat after a gap of 10 years. Lucky also highlighted the Congress party’s strong performance in the municipal corporation elections, where it secured the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, an achievement coming after nearly 12 years. During the interaction, Lucky briefed Rahul Gandhi on the current political landscape and pressing civic issues in Chandigarh. He extended an invitation for a detailed meeting with the Chandigarh Congress leadership in the coming days. The proposed meeting will focus on key city concerns and strategies to further strengthen the Congress organisation at the grassroots level in Chandigarh. 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.