Congress protests venue ‘purification’ after Kharge’s event
Protesters raised slogans like ‘Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan,’ ‘Unity over hatred,’ and ‘Dalit discrimination is anti-national.’ Bengaluru: Congress workers took out a protest march in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi on Sunday, August 16, against the purification ritual performed in Haldwani, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a public meeting. The Kalaburagi District Congress Committee organised the demonstration. Party workers gathered at the district Congress office on Sedam Road and marched towards Annapurna Cross, raising slogans against the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and alleged communal and casteist practices. The protesters objected to the reported cleaning and purification of the venue following Kharge’s visit, terming it an insult to Dalits and a reflection of continuing caste discrimination. Several protesters carried placards highlighting equality and constitutional principles. Messages included “Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan,” “Unity over hatred,” “Dalit discrimination is anti-national” and “Purify the mind before purifying the soil.” Protestors burn tyres as part of demonstration The protesters also questioned whether caste discrimination had truly disappeared 80 years after Independence. They said no individual should be considered ‘impure’ because of their caste and argued that such practices undermine the principles of equality and dignity guaranteed by the Constitution. The protestors burnt tyres as part of the demonstration and raised slogans demanding an end to caste-based discrimination and communal politics. Speaking to the gathering, District Congress Committee president and MLC Jagadev Guttedar, MLA Allamaprabhu Patil and MLC Tippannappa Kamaknur criticised the alleged incident and accused communal forces of attempting to divide society along caste and religious lines. The leaders said the Congress would continue to oppose discrimination and defend constitutional values. They called upon people to reject hatred and work towards social harmony, equality and fraternity. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP lodges complaint against Sonia Gandhi as Vande Mataram row intensifies
NEW DELHI: BJP leaders on Sunday lodged a formal complaint against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa Police Station in Karnataka. The move escalated a political row over the recitation of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day. The controversy followed visuals from the August 15 event showing senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while the National Song was being recited. BJP leaders alleged that the conduct amounted to disrespect towards the national song, while the Congress rejected the charge and said there was no attempt to stop the rendition. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress leadership of showing discomfort towards the National Song and targeted Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. “Yesterday, the Congress revealed its true face to the country and the world. They harbour such hatred for ‘Vande Mataram’… You saw how uncomfortable Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge became yesterday the moment the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ was played… When they saw it had been recorded on camera, they tried to give explanations,” Tiwari told news agency ANI. The controversy also drew a sharp attack from Union home minister Amit Shah, who raised the issue at a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Shah alleged that Sonia had asked party workers to stop the rendition. “Look at their (Congress’s) shamelessness. The anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquarters. During the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing. We all just kept watching on TV,” Shah said. He directly addressed Sonia, saying, “Sonia ji, 140 crore people are watching you. This sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this country.” Shah after he alleged that veteran leader Sonia Gandhi committed a sin by stopping national song Vande Mataram midway at the party headquarters on Independence Day. Meanwhile, Congress targeted Shah and said that the home minister was demanding an apology from Sonia Gandhi to divert attention from real issues and the government’s massive failures. Without naming Shah, Jairam Ramesh said, “A man who insulted Dr. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2024. A man who comes from that ideology which, until January 2002, did not even deem it appropriate to hoist the tricolour at its headquarters. A man who is directly responsible for the brutality of the Delhi Police against youths protesting peacefully.” “Now the same man is demanding an apology from the Congress to divert attention from today’s real issues and the massive failures of himself and his master,” he added. Congress has maintained that the allegations are baseless. The party said there was no attempt to stop the full version of Vande Mataram and that Sonia Gandhi was only trying to ensure proper arrangements at the event, including asking for a chair for Kharge, who had been standing. 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
Punjab Congress faces fresh rift as Randhawa challenges Warring’s ‘one family, one ticket’ rule
NEW DELHI: Fresh differences emerged in the Punjab Congress on Sunday after MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa challenged state unit chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring’s ‘one family, one ticket’ stance ahead of upcoming assembly elections. Speaking at an event attended by former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Randhawa said families could get up to four tickets if their members were capable of winning. “Some say I will not give two tickets (to a family). But those (in a family) who have the capability to win will not only get two but four tickets and ensure Congress’ victory,” Randhawa said. Randhawa also stressed that the Congress could not return to power by ignoring its workers. “We have nurtured the Congress with our blood and sweat. If the Congress is standing strong in the state today, it is because of the contribution of every worker, not any one individual,” he said. His remarks are being seen as a counter to Warring, who has advocated the ‘one family, one ticket’ policy. Warring had said that only one member of a family would get a ticket to contest the elections. “Big leaders say I will contest from here and my son will contest from there. If Raja Warring stays, one family will get only one ticket, not two. Rahul Gandhi will give tickets, and I will only recommend,” Warring had said. On Saturday, Warring also shared an old video of Rahul Gandhi on Facebook in which the former Congress president said, “One person per family should get a ticket.” “I will always follow my leader and stand by him,” Warring said. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu took a dig at the Congress over the issue, saying the party’s high command itself does not follow the one-family-one-ticket policy. Bittu claimed that the Gandhi family had not followed the Congress’ 2022 Udaipur declaration of ‘one family, one ticket’. “Is this a new thing? Sonia Gandhi is a Rajya Sabha member, while her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are Lok Sabha members. What Randhawa Saab has said is completely right. When three members of the Gandhi family can sit in Parliament, why cannot a family get four tickets?” Bittu asked. The Punjab Congress has been grappling with factionalism despite repeated assertions by the party leadership that efforts are under way to strengthen organisational unity ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. On July 1, when the Congress leadership decided to retain Warring as Punjab Congress chief and appoint Channi as chairman of its campaign committee. A section of leaders led by Channi had opposed Warring’s continuation as state unit chief and sought his removal. Channi’s supporters want him to be projected as the party’s chief ministerial face ahead of the assembly polls. 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 ‘chhatron ki goonj’ rally in Pune will be exclusively for girls
NEW DELHI: As part of his “chhatron ki goonj” meetings targeting the youth, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi said the upcoming rally in Pune on Aug 22 will be exclusively for girls. The announcement came along with Rahul’s social media video post featuring an interaction with some Jantar Mantar protesters. Rahul said, “The courage with which India’s youngsters have stood firm against PM Modi’s violent regime, demanding accountability, is commendable.” He added, “I am proud of every single young person – especially the girls who faced the BJP goons’ misbehaviour, verbal abuse and violence, even being forced to apologise to the Prime Minister.” Announcing the Pune meeting, Rahul said, “But now their (girls’) voices cannot be silenced. On Aug 22, Chhatron ki goonj is arriving in Pune-and this time, the event will be exclusively for girls. Now the girls will speak, and the country will listen.” TNN 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
Jharkhand exam stir: Students burn Rahul, Soren effigies; plan CM’s residence gherao on Aug 20
RANCHI: The agitation by students over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations intensified on Sunday, as protesters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav here, accusing the JMM-Congress alliance of “failing to take concrete action” on their demands. The state government, meanwhile, extended an invitation in the evening to the protesters for a fresh round of talks on Monday. The stir, led by the ‘JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch’, entered its 23rd day on Sunday, with the students reiterating their demand for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination. The agitators took out a torchlight procession from the protest site Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, where they burnt the effigies. Effigies were also burnt in various other districts across the state. The students expressed disappointment over the ruling JMM-Congress alliance “failing to take tangible action” on their demands, and alleged that the government was playing politics over issues concerning the future of job aspirants. Amid the escalation, the Jharkhand government invited representatives of the protesting students for a fresh round of talks at 2 pm on Monday. The decision came following a meeting between the protesters and the Sub-Divisional Officer and Additional District Magistrate, Law and Order, at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. An official said the students have been invited to participate in the discussions along with their legal advisor. The ‘JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch’ accepted the government’s proposal for talks at the State Guest House, but said it would not relent on its demands. “We will definitely go for the talks as we want to resolve the issue through dialogue. We are firm on two of our demands – a CBI probe into irregularities in recruitment exams and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exams,” its leader Ravindra Paswan told reporters. The number of students who will be part of the delegation for the talks will be announced on Monday, he said. The proposed meeting will be the seventh round of talks between the government and the agitating students. The previous round, held on August 9, failed to yield any breakthrough. The agitators had on Saturday announced that they would gherao the chief minister’s residence on August 20, and appealed to students from across Jharkhand to assemble in Ranchi for the demonstration. “We seek the CM’s resignation, as both the JMM and the Congress have been playing politics with us,” Paswan alleged. The protesters have also demanded that the Congress withdraw its support from the JMM-led government if the chief minister fails to act on their concerns. The students’ body has been demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities, making the investigation report public and action against those found guilty. Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand assembly, Babulal Marandi, on Sunday urged Soren to accept the students’ demands and backed their call for a CBI investigation. “The students have been demanding a CBI probe into the irregularities, and I think the government should order it. Why does the government fear this?” Marandi said. He said continued government “inaction” could force more youth and students to take to the streets. On the proposed gherao of the CM’s residence, Marandi said the BJP would extend moral support to the students, who have been protesting “peacefully” for more than three weeks. The Congress has said its state unit would discuss the issue at a meeting on August 18. “Any attempt to harm the future of Jharkhand’s youth will not be tolerated,” state Congress media in-charge Rakesh Sinha said, adding that the party would raise the students’ concerns and push for transparency, impartiality and a time-bound recruitment process. The protesters have also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that although he had expressed support for students, no concrete action followed. Film and television actor Kunickaa Sadanand also visited the protest site at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and met the students. She spoke to Sabita Kumari, one of the six protesters who have been on hunger strike for more than two weeks, and said the students had legitimate demands. The Jharkhand government has sought to reassure the job aspirants by announcing measures aimed at making the recruitment process more transparent and secure. In his Independence Day address, Soren said questions surrounding recruitment examinations had shaken the trust of an entire generation of job aspirants. He assured that allegations of irregularities would be investigated impartially, and that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found guilty, irrespective of influence or position. The measures outlined by the government include a time-bound annual examination calendar, technology-secured examinations, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and multi-level accountability in the recruitment process. The government has also launched a campaign to seek suggestions from students, teachers, educationists and parents on reforms in the examination system. The protesters, however, have maintained that they will not withdraw the agitation until the government addresses their demands, including cancellation of examinations in which alleged irregularities were found, and an independent probe into the recruitment process. PTI 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
UP: India Alliance’s new strategy before the elections, focusing on youth from these castes; this is the complete plan of Congress and SP
The India Alliance has formulated a new plan to win the 2027 elections in UP. Both parties are appointing Dalit youth as in-charges even for general constituencies. Congress and SP are focusing on youth from backward classes. The BJP and its allies are highlighting the government’s achievements and balancing caste equations. The opposition is also busy working out the political calculations for each constituency. An alliance between the Congress and SP is considered certain. Both parties have identified young people who can sharpen the socialist and Ambedkarite ideology. These young people are being assigned responsibility for different assembly constituencies. The in-charges have been given the goal of connecting youth with their ideology and strengthening the PDA. The SP and Congress have made a new move by appointing several Dalit youth as in-charges for general constituencies. This will increase the mobilization of traditional vote banks and also attract young people dissatisfied with the BSP. The Samajwadi Party has given the responsibility to Manoj Paswan in Unchahar, Shivshankar Saroj in Babaganj, and Ram Karan Nirmal in Kaushambi-Fatehpur. Vineet Kushwaha has been given the responsibility for Madhuban. Vineet Kushwaha has also been fielded from Madhuban and Rahul Raj from Kushinagar. The Congress has assigned the task of connecting with the youth to Shailendra Dhruv Yadav from Ballia, Murali Manohar from Velthara Road, Subhash Pal from Bilgram, and Tarun Patel from Gaura. Several Brahmin leaders are leaving the BSP’s political nursery. Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party national president and former Chief Minister Mayawati is once again preparing to rely on Brahmins to save the party’s existence in the upcoming assembly elections. However, several prominent Brahmin leaders have been continuously leaving her. Antu Mishra’s expulsion is the latest example. Over the past decade, many leaders who learned the basics of their politics riding on elephants have left the BSP. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the BSP’s political nursery is becoming depleted of prominent Brahmin leaders. In 2007, the BSP fielded over 80 Brahmin candidates, 41 of whom won and reached the Assembly. This social engineering was so successful that other parties followed suit. However, by the 2017 Assembly elections, Brahmin leaders began to become disillusioned with the party. Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of the current BJP government, is a prime example. The BSP had nominated him as an MP, but he joined the BJP before the elections. This decision later proved beneficial for his political future. Former minister Nakul Dubey left the BSP in 2022 and joined the Congress. Former ministers Ramveer Upadhyay (now deceased), Rangnath Mishra, and Vinay Shankar Tiwari, along with their entire clan, also distanced themselves from the BSP. Several other Brahmin leaders who held high positions in the government, including former Legislative Council Chairman Ganesh Shankar Pandey, also joined other parties over time. Rakesh Pandey, former BSP MP and MLA from Ambedkar Nagar, and his son, Ritesh Pandey, also a BSP MP, have left the party. Published by: Sharukh Khan Courtesy: Hindu News
Jharkhand protest: Students to burn Soren and Rahul effigies, gherao CM’s residence August 20
Protesters said they will demand Soren’s resignation and urged Rahul Gandhi to withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the “CM is not listening” to him. Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations on Saturday accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress of playing politics with their issues, and announced they would gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20, demanding his resignation. The protesters said they would also burn effigies of the chief minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts of the state on Sunday, alleging that the ruling JMM-Congress alliance had “failed to take concrete action” on their demands. They also demanded that Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the “CM is not listening” to him. The protesters took out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ranchi on Saturday to mark the country’s 80th Independence Day and to press their demand for greater transparency and reform of the recruitment examination system. The protest under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch entered its 22nd day, with thousands of students and job aspirants, including two wheelchair-bound demonstrators on fast, taking part in the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium — the site of the ongoing agitation — to Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi. Carrying national flags, the protesters raised slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”. “We will gherao the chief minister’s residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. We also demand that Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the CM is not listening to him,” JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said. The protesters said they would not withdraw the demonstration until the government addressed their demands, including cancellation of examinations in which alleged irregularities were found, and an independent probe into the recruitment process. The students’ platform has sought a CBI investigation, or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand, into the alleged exam irregularities. It has also demanded the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL test and certain Jharkhand PSC examinations it considers suspicious. The protesters appealed to students across Jharkhand to assemble in Ranchi for the proposed gherao of CM Soren’s residence on August 20, and said they would not withdraw their agitation until their demands were met. They also targeted Gandhi, saying he had expressed support for students but that “no concrete action” had followed. The students’ platform demanded that Congress withdraw support from the JMM-led government if it was unwilling to act on their concerns. “We demanded CM Hemant Soren’s resignation as the government failed to cancel JSSC-CGL and the JPSC examinations in which irregularities were found,” the student leader said. JLKM leader Devendra Mahto, who has been on a fast for 14 days, alleged that police had prevented him from leaving Sadar Hospital to take part in the march. Videos purportedly showing Mahto scuffling with security personnel while attempting to leave the hospital were widely circulated on social media. The protesters maintained that their movement was not limited to certain examinations but concerned the credibility of the entire recruitment system and the future of thousands of young job aspirants. “Independence doesn’t just mean freedom from the British, but also freedom from inequality of opportunities, corruption and injustice,” the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said, urging young people to raise their voices peacefully for their rights. Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP MLA Champai Soren accused the Hemant Soren government of running a “despotic government” and questioned its reluctance to recommend a CBI probe into the allegations. Speaking to journalists at Bhuiyandih in Jamshedpur, Champai Soren said hundreds of students away from their homes were compelled to remain at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium even on Independence Day. “If you are not a part of a job-selling racket, what is the problem in recommending a CBI probe?” he asked. The state government, however, sought to reassure job aspirants by announcing measures aimed at making the recruitment process more transparent and secure. In his Independence Day address, the chief minister said questions surrounding the recruitment examinations had shaken the trust of an entire generation of job aspirants. He assured students that investigations into the alleged irregularities would be conducted impartially and that anyone found guilty would face strict legal action, irrespective of influence or position. Soren also cautioned against declaring anyone guilty without evidence and said justice must be based on facts. He stressed that merely apprehending those responsible for the irregularities would not be enough, and called for systemic reforms to prevent manipulation of examinations in future. Among the measures outlined by the government are a time-bound annual examination calendar, technology-secured examinations, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and multi-level accountability in the recruitment process. The state government has also launched the “Students’ Voice with Students” campaign to seek suggestions from students, teachers, educationists and parents on reforms to the examination system. Soren said creating employment opportunities was among the government’s top priorities. He maintained that the objective was not merely to fill vacant government posts but also to create wider employment opportunities through recruitment agencies and other avenues. He described paper leaks as a national problem while stressing that Jharkhand had a responsibility to ensure fair and credible examinations. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also expressed concern over alleged examination malpractice, saying question-paper leaks undermine the morale and prospects of students who seek success through hard work and talent. 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
‘Nehru did a lot, but did not possess arrogance’: Kharge on Independence Day
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday invoked India’s freedom struggle and the legacy of its first generation of leaders, remembering Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru while highlighting the Congress’s contribution to the country’s nation-building journey. Remembering Nehru’s contribution to building modern India, Kharge on Independence Day said the former prime minister had laid the foundations of a democratic and secular nation and established institutions including IITs, IIMs and public sector undertakings. “Nehru ji laid the foundation of a modern, democratic and secular India. He established IITs, IIMs, PSUs. Nehru ji did a lot for the country, but he did not possess arrogance,” the Congress chief said. The Congress party head also recalled Mahtama Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call during the Quit India Movement, highlighting the role played by young Indians when senior leaders were jailed by the British. He said, “When Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan ‘Do or Die’ and all the senior leaders were in jail, it was the youth of the country who carried forward the ‘Quit India Movement’.” Kharge said the freedom struggle had envisioned more than independence from colonial rule, arguing that India’s freedom fighters had also dreamed of eliminating poverty, unemployment, untouchability, injustice and fear. “Our freedom fighters had not only dreamed of liberation from British rule, but also from poverty, unemployment, untouchability, injustice, and fear. Independence was not just a change of power, but a resolve to make every Indian’s life better. Every Prime Minister from the Congress has advanced this very vision,” veteran Congress leader added. ‘Someone speaking from Red Fort claims they have done everything’ Kharge also invoked the contributions of former prime ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi, crediting them with strengthening India’s agricultural, military and strategic capabilities. “Shastri ji strengthened the foundations of white and green revolution in the country. Indira ji strengthened India’s military and strategic capabilities, and also played a major role in creation of Bangladesh. We also integrated Sikkim with India. All these were done by Congress party leaders, but someone speaking from Red Fort claims that they have done everything. It’s a mercy they don’t claim that whatever remains of the world has survived because of them,” he said. Taking aim at what he described as the BJP-led government’s tendency to claim credit for past achievements, Kharge asserted that Congress had played the dominant role in India’s development. “The development you see in the country today is because of Congress. Congress has 90% contribution in development you witnessed in the country today. We improved people’s financial condition, not change names. But, these people just take credit. This will not go on for long,” Congress president said. Kharge backs protesting youth, attacks BJP-RSS Kharge also trained his guns on the government’s handling of youth grievances, saying young people were being denied opportunities and their protests were being met with hostility. Rajya Sabha MP said, “Today, the dreams of the youth are being trampled. The country’s youth are agitating, and we along with our leader of the opposition — are supporting them. The Constitution grants everyone the right to protest for their cause; they are not anti-nationals. Hate campaigns are launched against those who protest.” He added, “Our leader of the opposition declared years ago that we would not spread hate but instead spread a message of love. However, the BJP and RSS oppose this. They worked against the country even before independence and continue to do so today by dividing Hindus and Muslims. The current government is crushing the poor. We will continue to fight against the government.” Kharge’s remarks came on 80th Independence Day, which he celebrated alongside Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP says Sonia objected to full Vande Mataram; Congress says she was seeking chair for Kharge
NEW DELHI: A political row erupted on Saturday over the rendition of the full version of Vande Mataram at the Congress’s Independence Day event, with the BJP accusing grand old party’s former chief Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the national song and the opposition party rejecting the allegation. The BJP shared video footage from the Congress’s event at Indira Bhawan and alleged that Sonia questioned party workers while Vande Mataram was being played. Congress, however, said there was no attempt to stop the full rendition and that Sonia was merely asking for a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had been standing for some time. BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal, sharing the footage on X, accused the Congress of showing disrespect towards the national song. “The scene that has come to light today on Independence Day is utterly shameful.” He said, “Sonia Gandhi’s objection during the rendition of India’s national song, ‘Vande Mataram’, and her questioning of Congress workers as to why it was being played exposes the Congress party’s mindset.” Agarwal said Vande Mataram represented more than a patriotic song, calling it a symbol of India’s freedom struggle and national consciousness. “Is this the same Congress that lays claim to the legacy of the nation’s freedom struggle?” he asked. He also alleged that the Congress’s alleged approach towards the national song reflected the party’s “Emergency mindset”. “The people of the country have rejected this mindset and will continue to reject it,” he said. Congress rejects BJP’s allegation The Congress dismissed the BJP’s claim and maintained that the full version of Vande Mataram was sung at its Independence Day programme. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh cited the party’s historical association with the song and referred to a 1937 meeting of the Congress Working Committee in Calcutta, attended by several prominent leaders of the freedom movement. “On October 28, 1937, in Calcutta, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held in the presence of Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Govind Ballabh Pant and C Rajagopalachari, and on the advice of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, they decided that the initial stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at the Congress sessions,” Ramesh said. Ramesh said Tagore had advised Nehru and Bose that the opening portions of the song should be used at Congress gatherings. “Tagore gave the advice to Nehru and Bose that the first few paragraphs of Vande Mataram should be used, he said. “We have been singing those lines in every session since them, our Seva Dal sings it, our workers sing it, there is no controversy over that,” Ramesh said.” He stressed that the complete version was sung at Saturday’s event and said the issue had already been debated extensively in Parliament. “This was discussed in Parliament for 16 hours. We put forward our views. I narrated the whole history around it which the prime minister and the home minister did not know. I informed MPs of the context in which the Vande Mataram decision was taken,” Ramesh said. “But today, at Indira Bhawan, the full version was sung, there is no question of a controversy over it,” he added. Asked specifically about the BJP’s allegation that Sonia had tried to stop the full rendition, Ramesh offered a different explanation for what was seen in the video. “As the Congress president was standing for a long time, Soniaji was asking for a chair for him,” he said. BJP escalates attack BJP spokesperson R P Singh also targeted Sonia over the controversy, questioning her alleged opposition to the national song. “Why does Antonio Maino Ji hate Vande Mataram so much? When Vande Mataram was being sung, Antonio Maino Ji reportedly became so angry that she allegedly got agitated and asked her party workers to stop it. Why such hatred for Vande Mataram The row over Vande Mataram comes shortly after Parliament passed legislation dealing with disrespect towards the national song. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed by the Lok Sabha through a voice vote on July 30, a day after the Rajya Sabha cleared it. The legislation grants Vande Mataram a status on par with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. 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 to take ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ to Pune on August 22, focus on women’s issues
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the next edition of “Chhatron ki Goonj” event, highlighting student issues, will be held in Pune on August 22. Rahul launched the campaign from Kota, a coaching hub in Rajasthan, on June 17 to highlight issues in the education sector and problems faced by students. He addressed the second and third segments of the outreach programme in Dehradun and Prayagraj on July 17 and August 8, respectively. “The fourth segment of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (voice of students) will be held in Pune on August 22 in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, who will address issues which are women-centric,” MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal said. Rahul urged students to join the “Chhatron ki Goonj” campaign and said that what the girls of the country needed was equality, safety and opportunities, but instead, they got insecurity, discrimination, and a long wait for their real rights. “What do the girls of the country need? Equality, safety, opportunities, and the freedom to speak their minds. What have they received? Insecurity, discrimination, and nothing but waiting for their real rights. No more,” he said. During the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event in Prayagraj last week, Rahul described India’s youth as the country’s biggest strength, but said a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of AI were holding them back. “You are the power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen,” he had said. He said he wanted to speak about “dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)”, framing his address around the problems facing young Indians and the economic resources he believes should belong to them. 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