Vijay will be PM with Rahul Gandhi’s support, says TVK MLA
The statements drew attention, with a section of TVK supporters putting up wall posters in Madurai and other parts of the state, claiming that Vijay would become the next PM. CHENNAI: The ‘Rahul or Vijay for PM’ debate is rumbling on with leaders of TVK and Congress wanting their chieftain to be the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. While Congress leaders have made it clear that Rahul Gandhi remains their choice, TVK legislator Kanimozhi Santhosh on Wednesday said Vijay would become the PM, with Rahul himself paving the way for him. Kanimozhi – an astrologer – who claims to have predicted C Joseph Vijay’s ascension to CM-ship, was confident that Rahul will make Vijay the PM in 2029. On Wednesday, the Kavundampalayam MLA, before taking part in the Assembly proceedings, predicted that Vijay would become PM in 2029. She said the next PM would come from TN. She further elaborated, “It was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who helped our Thalapathy (Vijay) sit in the CM’s seat. So, he himself will hold Thalapathy’s hand and take him to Delhi in 2029 and make him sit there (as PM).” When asked by the media who would be Tamil Nadu CM if Vijay became PM, she replied, “Let’s see when it comes.” On the other hand, Congress is batting for Rahul, saying he has the support of the Tamil Nadu CM. Congress floor leader Tharahai Cuthbert on Wednesday told reporters that Rahul was the accepted leader and claimed that Vijay had also made it clear that Rahul should become the PM. She described the claims of TVK cadre as “fan mentality”. She said, “They still have a fan mentality. So naturally, they will consider their own leader to be the PM. There are no two opinions when it comes to the views of Vijay’s fans. There is nothing wrong in what they are doing. Therefore, you should not draw any conclusions based on this.” The statements drew attention with a section of TVK supporters putting up wall posters in Madurai and other parts of the state, claiming that Vijay would become the next PM. Meanwhile, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran and senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan on Wednesday claimed that cracks are appearing in the TVK-Congress alliance over the PM’s chair issue. On Tuesday in Tenkasi, Energy and Law Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar told reporters that there was no confusion within the alliance, and urged the media not to blow the issue out of proportion. S Kumaresan Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Raj Gopal backs high command on cabinet picks
Hyderabad: Munugode MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy on Thursday said decisions on the proposed cabinet expansion and allocation of ministerial berths rested entirely with the Congress high command, adding that he would abide by whatever decision party leader Rahul Gandhi takes. Speaking at Sarvel village in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district after laying the foundation stone for road development works, Raj Gopal Reddy said his priority was to ensure that Congress workers who stood by the party during its decade-long struggle against the BRS were given due recognition. “Leaders who worked for the party when it was in opposition should not be overlooked. Genuine Congress workers deserve justice,” he said. Amid speculation over the cabinet expansion, Raj Gopal Reddy said individual leaders had no role in deciding who should be inducted into the cabinet. “Who gets which post is for the high command to decide. I have complete faith in Rahul Gandhi and will abide by his decision,” he said. He clarified that his remarks should not be construed as a demand for any ministerial post, reiterating that his concern was to ensure deserving Congress workers received their due recognition. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi Punjab visit: Cong submits route, meeting plan
Chandigarh: With the BJP, AAP and SAD already hitting the ground for the Punjab assembly elections, the Congress’s top functionaries from Punjab on Thursday met Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi’s team to plan his proposed visit to Punjab. AICC Punjab in charge Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and assembly LoP Partap Singh Bajwa also submitted a detailed plan covering routes and meetings for Rahul’s visit. AICC national media coordinator Hari Shankar Gupta had said on Wednesday that Rahul was likely to visit Punjab within 10 days, with the schedule almost finalised. The development comes as Punjab BJP is also preparing a four-phase anti-drug yatra covering all 117 assembly constituencies after mid-Sep. The party is finalising the schedule based on the availability of its national leadership. Rahul is likely to visit Punjab around mid-Sep, though the duration and dates have not been finalised. The state unit has proposed one-, two- and three-day options, with meetings planned with farmers, ex-servicemen and other sections of society. “There is no final decision on the duration. A proposal has been submitted to Rahul ji’s team, which handles logistics, route plans and meetings. After approval from his office, our preparations will begin,” Baghel told reporters. He said a date had been proposed but the visit would depend on Rahul’s availability. 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
FIR can’t silence Rahul; Congress will return to power, says DK Shivakumar
The CM urged the BJP to apologise to the entire country for the purification ritual carried out after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a gathering in Uttarakhand. BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday predicted that the Congress would return to power in Karnataka in 2028, and at the Centre in 2029. Addressing a party protest at Freedom Park against what he described as a “malicious” FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand, Shivakumar said the Congress leader would neither apologise nor give an undertaking to authorities. “The BJP is trying to suppress everyone’s voice, and its last days are approaching. In 2028, the Congress government will come to power in Karnataka and in 2029, the Congress will form the government at the Centre,” he said. The CM urged the BJP to apologise to the entire country for the purification ritual carried out after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a gathering in Uttarakhand. He termed it an insult to India’s social harmony. Shivakumar accused the ruling party of attempting to suppress voices critical of its actions. “Rahul Gandhi is a born fighter. Even if 100 cases are registered against him, he will not be afraid of such empty threats. Unlike others, Rahul Gandhi will neither give an undertaking nor apologise,” he said. Former CM Siddaramaiah alleged that filing an FIR against Rahul was a grave injustice. “A case of atrocities on Dalits has been registered for no reason. This is very regrettable. According to the Constitution, a case should be filed against those who practice untouchability. But the Central government is taking action against Rahul Gandhi with malicious intent to silence him,” he said. “PM Narendra Modi, BJP and Amit Shah have dared to silence the Leader of Opposition by filing an FIR. Congress workers staged a protest against them for smearing democracy, and were protesting in all districts,” KPCC president BK Hariprasad said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Rahul Gandhi has right to raise voice for Dalits”: Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar on FIR against Lok Sabha LoP
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 2 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday defended Rahul Gandhi over the FIR registered against him for his remarks on the alleged “purification” ritual after Mallikarjun Kharge’s Haldwani rally, saying that as Leader of the Opposition, he has every right to raise his voice for Dalits. Speaking to the reporters, CM Shivkumar said, “This is a great democratic country…Rahul Gandhi has been pressurising that what has been done wrong has to be rectified through an FIR. Since he is raising his voice for the Dalits of this country, and the BJP is filing an FIR against him…as the Leader of the Opposition, he has every right to speak and every right to raise his voice, stand by all sections of society…” Meanwhile, Congress held a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru against the BJP government over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi. Speaking at the protest, KPCC President B K Hariprasad said, “We are protesting against the dictatorial attitude of PM Modi and Amit Shah. Rahul Gandhi was demanding that an FIR be filed against the people who have insulted one of the seniormost politicians of this country, All India Congress Committee President, Mallikarjun Kharge. Instead of filing an FIR against the people who disrespected the Constitution and disrespected Mallikarjun Kharge, they have filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi,” he told ANI. The remarks came after the FIR was registered on August 30 on a complaint filed by 26-year-old Amit Kumar, a resident of Jawahar Nagar Colony, Haldwani, and a member of the Valmiki community. Kumar is also an office-bearer of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas organisation. Police have invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, including Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u), along with Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Section 199 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, pertaining to jurisdiction, has also been cited in the FIR. Kumar alleged that Gandhi’s remarks hurt the sentiments of the Scheduled Caste community. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had demanded immediate registration of an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those who allegedly carried out the purification ritual in Uttarakhand following Kharge’s visit. Gandhi had alleged that the purification ritual was “another name for untouchability” and demanded action against those involved under the SC/ST Act. “This act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a ‘purification’ ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken. Therefore, we demand that an FIR be registered immediately against those who carried out this purification ritual in Uttarakhand,” Gandhi had said. (ANI Courtesy : ANI News Note: This news is originally published on https:/aninews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why Dalits, youth matter for Congress in Uttarakhand
To kickstart its campaign, the Congress is planning a mass street campaign in Haldwani against a purification ritual performed by a group of people whom the party has accused of having links with the BJP In upper-caste-dominated Uttarakhand, where they constitute more than 50 per cent of the electorate and have a tilt towards the BJP, the Congress is trying to carve out its own support base that can help its ship sail through the magic number of 35 out of the state’s 70 Assembly seats in the elections next year. “Congress has sensed a lot of resentment among youth about paper leaks and unemployment. These two issues will have to be picked up by the party at the grassroots. I think the party has believed in it more since the Chhatron Ki Goonj event, where many young men and women, as well as students, took part and showed support to the Congress,” a party spokesperson said. Moreover, more than 30 per cent of the state’s population is between 18 and 40 and is widely impacted by unemployment, paper leaks and an unprogressive education system. The Congress wants to focus on this group and make it a new voting bloc for the upcoming Assembly elections in 2027. Besides that, the party is also looking to bring the Dalit population into its fold by taking up social justice issues. This bloc is 18 per cent strong in the state. Despite there being only 13 reserved seats, the state has more than 20 such seats with a sizeable Dalit population of more than 20 per cent, and a strong performance among them can help Congress advance in the electoral space of the state. The safest bet for the party is the Muslim bloc, which is around 14 per cent. Congress is certain that the minority community, as strategic voters, will vote en masse for the party and therefore could tone down its outreach to Muslims so that the BJP does not polarise the elections, which has the potential to make Hindu voters sway away from the Congress, by labelling the grand old party a Muslim-based party. With these combinations, it can get a head start in the two districts of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, which seem to be the most favourable regions for the party. The two districts hold 20 Assembly seats, with nine in Udham Singh Nagar and 11 in Haridwar. Muslims and Dalits in the two districts will hold the key this time. This is also because there are fewer chances of division in Dalit votes after the depletion of the Mayawati-led BSP, which has seen an electoral decline in almost all the states where it has been contesting. With around 13 lakh voters, about 2.5 lakh are Dalits and 4 lakh are Muslims. In Udham Singh Nagar, however, it is the Sikh vote that matters. According to political observers, Sikhs are also showing a greater tilt towards the Congress. Of the 11 lakh voters in the district, between 2 and 2.5 lakh voters are Muslims, about 2 lakh voters are Dalits, and about 1.8 lakh are Sikhs. An equation, if the Congress plays it well, can help the party build its long-time electoral base. To kickstart its campaign, the party is planning a mass street campaign in Haldwani against a purification ritual performed by a group of people whom the Congress has accused of having links with the BJP. “The party has weak grassroots in Uttarakhand, and there hasn’t been much improvement in the past few months either. Now, if there are early ground actions, it might add some fervour among the people, and some people can join the party and consolidate the hands of Congress,” a political analyst said. “Not only is a narrative important, as it doesn’t reach enough corners due to a lack of cadre in many places, but a wave is also important this time to win the elections.” Badar Bashir Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Opinion: Has Rahul Gandhi given up his fascination with upper castes and Sanatanis? First, he is surrounded by the Manusmriti, and now by the oppression of Dalit students.
Rahul Gandhi’s Politics: Two recent statements by Rahul Gandhi are generating considerable discussion. He made a statement in Pune regarding the Manusmriti, written nearly 2,000 years ago, which has angered the Sanatani community. Similarly, three days ago, he raised the issue of Dalits. He stated that Dalit students are discriminated against in schools. Regarding discrimination against Dalits, he also stated that tea shops have separate bowls for Dalits. People are ridiculing him for this statement. Rahul Gandhi often makes statements that provoke ridicule. His comments are often in the context of criticizing Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Criticism of the BJP and the RSS is part of the Congress party’s core agenda. However, his statements often become a laughingstock. Personal criticism of Prime Minister Modi is his hobby. In 2018, he taunted Modi with the phrase “chowkidar chor” (watchman thief). The result was evident in 2019. Before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, he called the BJP “vote chor.” The consequences were that Congress was reduced to six seats, while its allies were reduced to a combined 29. Two of his recent statements are widely discussed. Recently, he made a statement in Pune regarding the Manusmriti, written nearly 2,000 years ago, which has angered the Sanatani community. Similarly, three days ago, he raised the issue of Dalits. He said that Dalit students are discriminated against in schools. In a continuation of his discrimination against Dalits, he also said that there are separate containers for Dalits at tea shops. People are ridiculing him for this statement. He was once ridiculed for talking about making gold from potatoes. In 2017, an edited video of Rahul went viral on social media. There was a line from Rahul’s speech: “I will install a machine that will allow potatoes to enter from one side and gold to come out from the other.” This line was widely ridiculed by trolls. However, he had intended this as a taunt against Narendra Modi. Initially, he said, “I will install a machine that will allow potatoes to enter from one side and gold to come out from the other. Put potatoes in from one side and take out gold from the other. You will make so much money that you won’t know what to do with it.” At the end of this statement, he clarified, “These are not my words, these are Narendra Modi’s.” However, BJP’s social media handlers made Rahul a laughingstock by making this line viral. The news spread across the country, and people began mocking Rahul Gandhi. Now, allegations of discrimination against Dalits in schools have been leveled. Just four days ago (August 29, 2026), during a press conference in Pune, Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of discrimination against Dalits. After the Congress National President’s program in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, he was scheduled to speak to the media about the alleged purification. He mentioned it, but in the process of elaborating, he deviated from the main issue. He stated that even today, Dalit students are discriminated against in schools. Dalit children are made to do toilet and cleaning work in schools. He also stated that Dalits face discrimination even at tea shops. They are provided with separate cups. They are served tea in disposable glasses, while upper castes are served washable glasses made of porcelain or glass. Rahul’s assessment has led to widespread ridicule. The truth is, such a system is not prevalent at any tea shop. Rahul’s statement on Manusmriti has sparked controversy. Rahul’s statement on Manusmriti is also being called absurd. First, Manusmriti was composed approximately 1800-2000 years ago. Under the then-current social system, Manusmriti had the concept of Ashrama Chatushtaya and Varna Chatushtaya. Women were solely responsible for household chores. Today’s situation is completely different. People of all castes and religions are now engaged in various types of work. Women are even working alongside men. Now, no work is done according to Manusmriti. Anti-BJP leaders still hope for success by talking about the insults to the Sanatan system of Manusmriti. They perhaps believe that speaking against Sanatanism can mobilize minority and Dalit-OBC votes. They forget that this very thinking unites Sanatanists. It is precisely because of Sanatanism that the BJP’s support has grown across all castes and classes, and its ground has steadily strengthened. Unconcerned about the displeasure of upper castes and Sanatanis Manusmriti may be irrelevant today, but it holds strong sentiments for upper castes and Sanatanis. Brahmins within the upper caste community are deeply upset with Rahul Gandhi over this. The Bharatiya Janata Party has also begun raising the issue. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Sudhanshu Trivedi have strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi for his statement. The BJP says that Rahul Gandhi only targets Hinduism and its scriptures. He remains silent on patriarchal practices of other religions, such as the hijab, triple talaq, and Sharia. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleges that Rahul Gandhi is making such statements as part of a foreign and Marxist agenda to divide society and defame Indian cultural heritage. His statement is evidence of the Congress party’s anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu mentality. Avimukteshwarananda’s Warning to Rahul Gandhi Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda’s rift with Prime Minister Modi and UP CM Yogi is well known. He has frequently clashed with both. Sometimes he taunts Modi for promoting yoga, and sometimes he opposes the Vishwanath Corridor in Kashi. He has also criticized Modi and Yogi over the consecration of the unfinished temple in Ayodhya. His opposition to political interference in religious matters has certainly not been good for the BJP. His closeness to Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, a strong opponent of the BJP in UP, is also considered a threat to the BJP. Despite this, he has become a harsh critic of Rahul Gandhi’s statement on the Manusmriti. His criticism has reached the point where he has even warned Rahul Gandhi to publicly apologize for misinterpreting a verse from the Manusmriti. Rahul Gandhi has given up
BY Vijayendra tells CM to work for Dalits, BCs or face polls
Speaking to the media near Maski, he said the Congress, which came to power in the name of Dalits, has been meting injustice to them for the last three and a half years. RAICHUR: The BJP padayatra, led by its state president BY Vijayendra, resumed on Day 2 from Santhekellur village in Maski taluk, Raichur, on Wednesday morning with party leaders offering prayers at the Krishi Rishi Ghanamutt Shivayogi Mutt. Women tied rakhi on Vijayendra’s hand, applied tilak on his forehead and wished him well. BJP workers welcomed the padayatra in the villages of Bedara Karlakunti and Ankushadoddi on the way. Arrangements were made for food and rest near Mudabala Cross for thousands of people who participated in the padayatra. The padayatra proceeded towards Maski town after 4 pm. Accusing the Congress government of corruption and anti-people policies, Vijayendra said, “If this government cannot provide justice to Dalits and backward classes, then Chief Minister D K Shivakumar should dissolve the Assembly and face elections. Then the people will decide.” Speaking to the media near Maski, he said the Congress, which came to power in the name of Dalits, has been meting injustice to them for the last three and a half years. “They committed a Rs.187 crore scam in the Maharshi Valmiki Corporation. Reservation was not implemented properly. They did not provide jobs to the youth on the pretext of reservation. They completely neglected not only Dalits but all communities,” he said. “We have already conducted a drought observation in the state on behalf of the BJP. The CM and DCM have now started drought observation. The BJP’s padayatra is the reason they are doing this,” he said. BASAVARAJ BHOGAVATI Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Savarkar never hated Muslims’: Grandnephew tells Pune court Rahul Gandhi portrayed him as ‘extreme hater’
PUNE: Satyaki Savarkar, grandnephew of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, told a special court in Pune on Tuesday that Savarkar “never hated Muslims” and had written about ways for their progress, while alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had portrayed him as an “extreme hater of Muslims”. Satyaki made the remarks while being cross-examined by advocate Milind Pawar in a criminal defamation case linked to statements allegedly made by Gandhi in London in 2023, news agency PTI reported. During the cross-examination, Pawar asked Satyaki to identify the exact words in Gandhi’s alleged speech that he believed had lowered the reputation of Swatantryaveer Savarkar. Satyaki referred to Gandhi’s statement that “Savarkar had written in a book that he and five to six friends had assaulted a Muslim youth and derived pleasure from the act”. “By these words, Savarkar was portrayed as an extreme hater of Muslims and as a mob lyncher. Savarkar never hated Muslims. Rather, in his writings, he showed the ways and means for their progress,” he said. During the proceedings, Pawar also submitted a 2004 video interview of Satyaki’s grandfather Gopal Godse along with its transcripts, PTI reported. Gopal Godse, the younger brother of Nathuram Godse, is purportedly heard acknowledging in the interview that Nathuram Godse was an RSS member. Nathuram Godse was one of the conspirators in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. What is the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi? Satyaki had filed the criminal defamation case against Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader falsely claimed that V D Savarkar had written in a book about assaulting a Muslim youth with five or six friends and deriving pleasure from the act. The complainant has maintained that no such incident appears in Savarkar’s writings. The case concerns Gandhi’s alleged remarks made in London in 2023. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi’s Punjab tour likely within 10 days
Chandigarh: Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Punjab within the next 10 days, with his tour schedule almost finalised, AICC national media coordinator Hari Shankar Gupta said on Wednesday. A central Congress media delegation reached Chandigarh to coordinate directly with the Punjab unit and held a strategy meeting with state Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Gupta said minor changes to Rahul Gandhi’s Punjab schedule were made due to his presence at student protests in New Delhi and his subsequent sit-in outside Parliament Street police station. He said the campaign blueprint was ready and Rahul Gandhi was expected to tour the state within a week to 10 days. Top Congress functionaries, including Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and AICC Punjab in charge Bhupesh Baghel, would campaign together, the delegation said. Rejecting speculation about factionalism, the delegation said differences over ticket distribution were normal and that allotments would be decided by the AICC through an institutional process. The central team said all 29 political district committees across Punjab’s 23 administrative districts had been divided among its members across three zones. Wing Commander Anuma Aacharya was assigned Majha, Ishan Tyagi Doaba, while Malwa’s 19 districts were divided into Malwa-1, under Harnam Singh, and Malwa-2, under Vikram Lohia. Warring assured the delegation of organisational, logistical and grassroots support across all assembly constituencies. 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