UP: What is the Panwari incident of Agra in 1990? Due to which Dalit politics rose…and Babulal shone
After the caste conflict in Panwari, Agra in 1990, on one hand Dalit politics rose, while on the other hand Choudhary Babulal shone as a new face. Choudhary Babulal’s politics started from here. From 22 to 25 June 1990, Agra was in discussions all over the country due to the incidents of Panwari and Akola. After this, politics changed completely. At the local level, the people removed the bigwigs of Jat politics from their hearts, while at the state level Dalit politics rose due to Dalit unity. When BSP and BAMCEF established their roots in the name of Dalit respect, the resentment of both the parties towards Congress and Janata Dal remained. Even after the activism of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Congress could not make a place in the hearts of Dalits. Before the Panwari incident, the then Union Minister Choudhary. Faces like Ajay Singh, Badan Singh, Vijay Singh Rana were at the centre of Jat politics, but after the Panwari incident, Choudhary Babulal emerged like a comet as a strong leader of the Jats. As a result of this, he won as an independent from Fatehpur Sikri. He became a minister, MP and then MLA. The old faces of the Jats were rejected by Jatland and they were never at the centre of politics again. In these 35 years, firebrand Babulal and Jat faces doing politics like him made a place for themselves. BSP, BAMCEF won the hearts of Dalits After the Panwari incident, the Dalit community showed unity and in the name of the fight to maintain respect, BAMCEF and BSP kept making a place in the hearts of Dalits. According to political analyst Rajiv Dixit, Kanshiram and Mayawati, leaders of the newly-formed BSP, kept the Panwari incident alive in the entire state and mentioned it in every meeting for their self-respect. The result of this was that BSP registered its strong presence in every assembly election after this. Congress suffered the most due to Dalits joining BSP. After this incident, Janata Dal implemented the Mandal Commission’s recommendations to reduce the distance from Dalits, but could not win their hearts. Janta Dal and Congress suffered losses The Panwari incident not only changed the politics of Uttar Pradesh, but also the politics of Janata Dal in power at the center and Congress in the opposition. Janata Dal became a victim of Jats’ anger after this incident, and even the visit of Congress leader and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi could not connect them with Dalits. Senior journalist Rajiv Saxena tells that former PM Rajiv Gandhi had reached Panwari village with his wife Sonia Gandhi by Taj Express. Panwari and Agra remained at the center of politics across the country for a month. The spark of the Panwari incident was felt in many districts of Rajasthan including Bharatpur. Courtesy: Dheerendra Singh, Hindi News
‘Savarkar is relative of Nathuram Godse,’ Rahul Gandhi claims in affidavit filed in special Pune court
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that right-wing leader Vinayak Savarkar was a relative of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. In an affidavit filed in an MP/MLA Court in Pune, Rahul Gandhi accused Satyaki Savarkar, who filed a defamation lawsuit against the Congress leader, has concealing the fact that his mother, Himani, was the daughter of Gopal Godse, the real brother of Nathuram Godse, according to the Live Law. Through advocate Milind Pawar, Gandhi noted that Satyaki presented only his paternal lineage while omitting his maternal family connections. Gandhi pointed out that Satyaki is the son of Ashok Savarkar, who was the nephew of Vinayak Savarkar. Even in the application, there is actually no mention about maternal side, Live Law reported. “As per information, his (Satyaki’s) mother Himani is originally and by birth from Godse family. Inspite of this, the complainant has deliberately, systematically and very brilliantly avoided and suppressed to disclose the family tree from his maternal side. This is one of the most important issue in the instant case to decide merits finally before commencement to record the plea. The suppression or concealment of a material fact from the court is a serious issue considered as a fraud on the court and can lead to either dismissal of the case or denial of a relief,” the application states. The submission also points out that Savarkar was initially a co-accused in Mahatma Gandhi’s murder trial but was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. Gandhi’s application references historical documentation showing both Godse and Savarkar as proponents of “Hindu Nation”, who viewed Muslims and Christians as unsuitable for India. It notes Savarkar’s advocacy of the two-nation theory from 1937, which suggested Hindus and Muslims were separate nations – a stance later endorsed by Muslim League leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah. “Savarkar’s views articulated in 1937 and further solidified in 1943, emphasised the separation of the two communities and their distinct identities, a perspective that laid the groundwork for the eventual partition of India,” the plea reads. The application details Savarkar’s documented anti-Muslim positions, citing historians who noted his promotion of anti-Muslim Hindu nationalism and his view of Muslims in Indian forces as potential security risks. Referring to various historians, the application states, “Savarkar promoted anti-Muslim form of Hindu nationalism and saw Muslims in the Indian police and military to be ‘potential traitors.’ He advocated that India reduce the number of Muslims in military, police and public service and ban Muslims from owning or working in munition factories.” Further referring to his 1963 book, ‘Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History’, the application reads, “Savarkar has said that Muslims and Christians wanted to destroy Hinduism. He advocated use of rape as a political tool and accused Muslim women of actively supporting their men’s atrocities against Hindu women. He had also written that young and beautiful Muslim girls should be captured, converted and presented to Maratha warriors as a reward just like Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan distributed Hindu women among his warriors.” It references his 1963 publication, ‘Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History’, highlighting controversial positions regarding Muslims and Christians. The application challenges the complainant’s assertion that Gandhi’s London statement about Savarkar’s written account of assaulting a Muslim youth was defamatory. Special Judge Amol Shinde has directed Satyaki to respond to these submissions. 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.
Revanth questions ceasefire decision, slams Centre’s handling of Op Sindoor
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led NDA govt for failing to convene an all-party meeting before announcing a ceasefire with Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. He questioned the Centre’s unilateral approach and accused it of lack of strategy, courage, and transparency in managing the recent military engagement. Addressing the Jai Hind rally, organised to honour the Indian armed forces’ participation in Operation Sindoor, Revanth said: “When Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge attended the all-party meeting, they extended full support to the Centre and clearly stated that India must reclaim Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Yet, within four days of the strike, the govt abruptly announced a ceasefire. Why the haste? The country was left in the dark until US President Donald Trump revealed it on social media.” Lack of clarity Revanth questioned the lack of clarity surrounding the military operation and asked the Centre to disclose the impact of Pakistan’s response. “How many Rafale jets did we lose? What exactly happened in those four days?” he asked, criticising the Modi govt for not being forthcoming. Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister, he remarked: “Modi is like a demonetised ₹1,000 note. If Rahul Gandhi were Prime Minister, we would have reclaimed PoK by now.” He drew parallels between Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, citing her bold leadership during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, when India’s military campaign led to the creation of Bangladesh. “Indira Gandhi declared war on China and issued a stern warning to the US during the 1971 conflict. That’s the kind of leadership India needs today,” he said. ‘Modi silent on China’ The chief minister also criticised the Modi govt for its inaction against China, following the death of Indian Army Colonel B Santosh Babu during a confrontation with Chinese forces in 2020. “Why didn’t the Prime Minister take any decisive action against China? Why no bold response, even after the sacrifice of our soldiers?” Revanth asked, suggesting that the current leadership lacked the resolve shown by Congress leaders in the past. ‘Don’t politicise patriotism’ Turning his attention to the BJP’s nationwide Tiranga rallies, Revanth questioned their intent. “Are these rallies really to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and our martyred soldiers—or just another political stunt? Patriotism is not your party’s private property. It belongs to the entire nation,” he said. He reiterated the Congress party’s legacy of sacrifice, pointing out that the Gandhi family has paid with their lives in service to the nation. “The Congress has always stood for the country. We will work tirelessly until Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister. In these difficult times, India needs a courageous, decisive leader like him.” 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 files criminal defamation case against Satyaki Savarkar
Pune: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday filed a criminal defamation case through his lawyer in a Pune special magistrate court against Satyaki Savarkar, grandnephew of Hindu ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Gandhi accused Satyaki of allegedly providing false information to the court in a May 9 application to get the Congress leader’s bail bond cancelled on the grounds of breach of its condition. Gandhi, in his petition filed through lawyer Milind Pawar, said that the court — while granting bail to him on Jan 10 in a defamation case filed by Satyaki — did not impose any conditions. So, the question of breaching conditions does not arise because the case filed by Satyaki under the provisions of section 500 of the Indian Penal Code is bailable. On May 9, Satyaki had filed a plea to cancel the bail bond and take coercive action against Gandhi for breaching its condition. This, according to the Congress leader’s petition, was defamatory, false, and baseless, misleading the court. Gandhi’s petition states that Satyaki committed an offence of defamation under the provisions of IPC sections 499 and 500, perjury (false statement) under sections 191 (false evidence) and 192 (fabricating false evidence), and of contempt by misleading the court. Pawar has prayed before the court to take cognisance of his client’s petition and issue process (summons) against Satyaki. Satyaki’s lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar, told TOI, “My client has filed a plea to reject Gandhi’s plea because the petition filed by him is frivolous and filed with an intention to disrupt the court proceedings by not recording his plea to commence the trial.” The court has deferred the hearing till June 12. 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.
Sapkal: Rahul Unfazed By Hindutva Threats
Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday strongly condemned threats directed at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks about Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Savarkar. He said such “hollow threats” will not intimidate Gandhi or Congress party. His response came after a Nashik-based leader of Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, threatened to blacken Gandhi’s face over his derogatory remarks against the noted freedom fighter on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Wednesday, drawing strong remarks from the grand old party’s leaders across the state. He even warned of pelting stones at Gandhi’s convoy whenever he would be in Nashik. Addressing the media at Nanded, Sapkal stated, “Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother and former Prime Ministers — Indira and father Rajiv — sacrificed their lives for the nation. Rahul, who belongs to a family of martyrs, does not fear these empty threats.” He said that Gandhi’s comments on Savarkar were not personal jabs but historical facts. Highlighting that similar views on Savarkar have been expressed by historians & even by BJP leader Arun Shourie, who served as a minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA govt, Sapkal added, “If there’s an issue with evaluating Savarkar’s legacy, critics should also consider what experts like Shourie have written about him.” 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.
‘Limit to political desperation’: BJP wades into Congress crossfire as Udit Raj targets Shashi Tharoor
NEW DELHI: Amid rising tensions within the Congress party, the BJP has rallied around opposition MP Shashi Tharoor, who is facing criticism from his own colleagues over remarks made during an international delegation visit. Tharoor’s statements lauding India’s recent counterterror strikes have sparked sharp reactions from fellow Congress leader Udit Raj, prompting BJP leaders to question the Congress’s stance on national interest. Union minister Kiren Rijiju took to X on Wednesday to condemn the grand old party, responding to Udit Raj’s criticism of Tharoor. Sharing a video, Rijiju questioned the party’s priorities: “Congress ka haath kiske sath? Kya Congress party mein desh ke liye bolna mana hai?” he posted in Hindi. — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) “We Indians must speak in one voice in crucial time at least,” he added. In another post, Rijiju intensified his criticism, “What does the Congress party want & how much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister? There’s limit to political desperation!” — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed Rijiju’s sentiments, alleging that Congress leader Udit Raj was targeting Tharoor under the influence of Rahul Gandhi. He framed the row as a case of internal sabotage. “Shashi Tharoor is being attacked at the behest of Rahul Gandhi because Shashi Tharoor kept India first not (Gandhi) family. He talked about national interest, not his party’s interest. He is being attacked because he kept national policy above the vote bank (politics),” Poonawalla told PTI. He accused the Congress of hypocrisy: asserting support for the armed forces in an all-party meeting, while launching “missiles at its own leader” abroad. “The Congress, which is launching missiles at its own leader, won’t say a word against Pakistan,” he said. The row stems from Tharoor’s recent remarks during an official address in Panama, where he was representing India as part of a multi-party delegation. Tharoor spoke about India’s evolving counter-terrorism posture, referencing key military operations. “What has changed in recent years is that the terrorists have also realised they will have a price to pay; on that, let there be no doubt. When, for the first time, India breached the Line of Control between India and Pakistan to conduct a surgical strike on a terror base, a launch pad – the Uri strike in September 2015. That was already something we had not done before. Even during the Kargil War, we had not crossed the Line of Control; in Uri, we did, and then came the attack in Pulwama in January 2019. This time, we crossed not only the Line of Control but also the international border, and we struck the terrorist headquarters in Balakot. This time, we have gone beyond both of those. We have not only gone beyond the Line of Control and the international border. We have struck at the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan by hitting terror bases, training centres, and terror headquarters in nine places,” Tharoor said. Udit Raj, however, took serious objection, accusing Tharoor of undermining the Congress’s legacy. “How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi, India never crossed LOC and the international border?” Raj posted on X. — Dr_Uditraj (@Dr_Uditraj) He pointed to India’s military actions during the 1965 and 1971 wars, as well as strikes under the UPA, to challenge Tharoor’s narrative. “Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has become the super spokesperson of the BJP, speaking in favour of PM Modi and his government,” Raj told ANI. As the rift widens, Tharoor finds himself caught between praise from political opponents and rebuke from within his own party. Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor, is currently leading an all-party delegation to countries in Americas for Centre’s resolve of global outreach of India’s recent counterterror Operation Sindoor. 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.
‘Laid foundation of independent India’: Rahul Gandhi, Kharge pay tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary
Remembering Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 61st death anniversary, his great-grandson and leader of opposition in Lok Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday credited the country’s first prime minister with laying a “strong foundation for independent India.” “A humble tribute to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji on his death anniversary. With the dream of a strong and inclusive India, Nehru ji laid a strong foundation for independent India with his visionary leadership. His contribution in the establishment of social justice, modernity, education, constitution and democracy is invaluable,” Gandhi wrote on X. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “The legacy of Hind’s (India) Jawahar and his ideals will always guide us,” Congress’ Raebareli MP added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said modern India “cannot be imagined without the contribution” of Nehru. — ANI (@ANI) “Humble tributes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji, the creator of modern India, the fearless guardian of democracy, the one who took India from zero to the peak, the one who made India develop in scientific, economic, industrial and various fields, the one who constantly gave the message of ‘unity in diversity’ to the country, our source of inspiration,” Kharge posted on his X handle. — kharge (@kharge) Nehru, who went to jail several times during the freedom movement, was the prime minister from August 1947 until his death in May 1964. At over 16 years, his term is the longest for any prime minister. 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.
OBC outreach: Congress pushes for caste census, urges BJP to announce timeline
JIND: Following the example of the BJP, the Congress has now gone into active mode to woo OBC voters. For the first time at the national level, the Congress Party organized a large-scale meeting with OBC leaders, in which more than 500 leaders from across the country participated. A few selected OBC leaders from Haryana took part in this meeting and held discussions with the Congress leadership to formulate future strategies. The OBC leaders from Haryana who attended the meeting said that this was the first such initiative by the Congress, which was much needed given the current political climate. The meeting included positive discussions on the OBC caste census and the future of politics, which are expected to yield good results in the times ahead. Surender Kumar, AICC National Coordinator and hails from Haryana’s Hisar district who attended the meeting, said that Rahul Gandhi fought the battle for caste census from the streets to Parliament. He received overwhelming support from the people of the country. It was under this pressure that the BJP had to accept Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a caste census. Surender Kumar stated that the backward classes have now found a strong and committed voice in Rahul Gandhi. “Whatever Rahul ji said, he delivered. The day is not far when the BJP will not only have to accept the caste census but also agree to Rahul Gandhi’s stand on other issues concerning the backward classes,” he added. Kumar further said that the BJP’s ideology does not support giving equal rights to the backward classes. “The BJP merely talks about the backward classes but denies them their constitutional rights and representation, such as reservation. The Prime Minister identifies himself as belonging to the backward class and seeks votes in their name, but even today, participation of backward classes in central universities, the judiciary, bureaucracy, private sector, and businesses is negligible compared to their population share.” He added that Rahul Gandhi is now strengthening the fight for social justice, inspired by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Bharat Ratna B.R. Ambedkar, from Parliament to the streets. “At a time when the BJP is intent on weakening the Constitution, every Congress worker under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership will strongly fight to protect it. The Constitution is the greatest weapon in the fight for the rights and entitlements of the backward classes,” he said. Talking to TOI, Captain Ajay Yadav, former national president of the OBC cell, stated that many issues were discussed during the meeting, especially the caste census. He said the Congress is planning a mega rally on this issue soon. All OBC leaders expressed gratitude to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for raising the caste census issue, which subsequently compelled the BJP to announce a caste census. However, he emphasized that it should not merely be an eyewash ahead of the Bihar elections. The BJP must announce a clear timeline for the caste census at the national level. He further stressed the need for a proper and transparent process while conducting the caste census so that the public gets a clear picture. Yadav pointed out that the BJP has given significant space to many OBC leaders in Haryana, such as Chief Minister Nayab Saini, Rao Inderjeet Singh, Bhupender Yadav, Sudha Yadav, and others. Therefore, the Congress must also offer prominent positions to OBC leaders in the state for the better survival of the party. “We raised our issues and hope for a better future,” he added. 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.
Gogoi slams BJP, seeks ‘fitting reply’ to Pahalgam attack
Patna: New Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said his party still expects a “solid and fitting reply” from PM Narendra Modi to Pakistan over the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. “After the Pahalgam terror attack, our party extended full support to PM Modi. Rahul Gandhi, as leader of the opposition, clearly said that Pakistan must be given a strong reply,” Gogoi told reporters at Patna airport. India had launched retaliatory strikes, Operation Sindoor, on May 6-7, targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan and POK, including airbases. A ceasefire was announced on May 10. Responding to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remark that he was “on Pakistan’s payroll,” Gogoi said, “I am here on AICC’s behalf for the ‘Jai Hind’ programme in Muzaffarpur. I will reply to the Assam CM’s allegations back in Assam.” Gogoi also thanked party leaders for his elevation and said, “I am grateful to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and others. This is a big responsibility to work towards building a new Assam.” He credited his father, the late Tarun Gogoi, Assam’s longest-serving CM, as a source of inspiration and praised outgoing chief Bhupen Bora. Meanwhile, at Sadaquat Ashram, AICC general secretary Krishna Allavaru met former district Congress presidents, urging them to guide the party’s revival in Bihar. “You carry the party’s legacy. We need your leadership to strengthen the state unit,” 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.
Congress launches national push for caste census, positions Telangana model as blueprint for social justice
Hyderabad: In a strategic political move aimed at reshaping the national discourse on social justice and representation, the Congress on Monday brought together its top OBC leaders from across the country for a high-level meeting in Delhi. At the heart of the deliberations was a plan to launch a nationwide campaign highlighting Rahul Gandhi’s push for a caste census, with Telangana’s successful caste survey presented as a replicable model of inclusive governance. The Congress leadership intends to drive home the message that it was Rahul Gandhi who first made caste census a political priority—long before the Modi govt followed suit. The Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey in Telangana, conducted after the Congress came to power in the state, is being positioned as proof of the party’s commitment to ‘jitni aabadi, utni bhagedari’—a slogan now central to the party’s national agenda for BCs, Dalits, minorities, and other marginalised communities. The leaders underscored that the Telangana caste survey was a direct result of Rahul Gandhi’s promise that wherever the Congress comes to power, a caste census would be implemented. The Congress leaders also plan to highlight how consistent pressure from Rahul Gandhi and the party forced the Modi govt to make a belated announcement about conducting a caste census alongside the delayed decadal population census. To amplify the issue nationally, the meeting decided to organise a massive public rally on the caste census, to be addressed by Rahul Gandhi. While most leaders favoured holding the rally in Delhi for maximum national impact, a section proposed Telangana as the ideal venue, given its successful implementation of the survey. A final decision on the location is pending. Among the prominent leaders from Telangana who participated were BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah, and party veteran V Hanumanth Rao. The Telangana delegation gave a powerpoint presentation on the survey’s planning and execution, detailing pre-survey consultations with stakeholders and legal experts, the model and methodology adopted, and the training of over one lakh govt staff, including teachers, to collect household data through a printed questionnaire. Ponnam told TOI that the meeting also agreed to raise public awareness about the Telangana state assembly’s passage of two bills enhancing BC reservations to 42% in education, employment, and local body elections. These bills were sent to the Centre for approval, but the Modi govt has not acted on them, he claimed. Mahesh Goud emphasised that the SEEEPC survey had provided granular data on the socio-economic and political status of every community in Telangana. “This proves that the Congress stands for real social justice. No govt can craft targeted welfare policies for the deprived without this kind of data. Telangana now has it—and we must take this model across India,” he said. Last Friday, Rahul Gandhi had directed party leaders to vigorously communicate the success of the Telangana caste survey in their respective states. He reiterated that the party’s commitment to a nationwide caste census is not an electoral gimmick, but a moral and constitutional obligation to uplift SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and even the underprivileged among forward castes. Monday’s meeting drew a powerful cross-section of party leadership, including former chief ministers, PCC presidents, ex-PCC chiefs, and senior AICC office-bearers. The event was organised by the Telangana Congress with the approval of Rahul Gandhi, according to party sources. 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.