Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: Several feared dead; PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata express grief
NEW DELHI: At least 35 people were injured and 10 were feared dead after a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday, with heavy rain and a rush of visitors triggering chaos near the exit gate. Prime minister Modi, home minister Amit Shah and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and grief over the incident. The incident took place at around 7.40 pm at the Sarada Park (Chorbagan) Durga Puja pandal, where a surge of visitors near the exit gate reportedly triggered panic as rain continued to fall. According to a senior police officer who spoke to PTI, people waiting outside the pandal rushed forward amid the rain, causing some to fall on the road. At least 35 people were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (MCH), while at least 25 were reported to be in serious condition, the officer said. Kolkata Police said all the injured had been rescued and taken to the hospital. Reinforcements, fire brigade personnel, disaster management teams, ambulances and medical staff were sent to the spot. The pandal was subsequently closed to visitors. “Details are awaited,” police said in a statement, adding that a helpline had been set up at the Lalbazar Control Room. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply distressed by the stampede in Kolkata, in a post on X, the Prime minister’s office wrote, “The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected” Home minister Amit Shah also wrote in a ‘X’ post, “I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari about this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured”. Shah also said he would cancel all his scheduled programmes in West Bengal on Sunday to visit the injured in hospital. In a post on X, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) supremo Mamata Banerjee said, “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time.” Governor RN Ravi also expressed his grief in a statement issued by Lok Bhavan. “I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic stampede incident at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, resulting in the loss of many precious lives. In this hour of grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.” Chief hinister Suvendu Adhikari and chief secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospital, while health minister Saradwat Mukherjee and other senior officials also reached the hospital to check on the injured. The cause of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the reported casualties were yet to be officially established. 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 join Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Margao today
Margao: Senior Congress functionary Rahul Gandhi will join the culmination of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Margao on Sunday, as the party’s campaign “to protect Goa’s land, identity and people’s rights” reaches Navelim and Margao. According to a statement issued by Congress on Saturday, the yatra will arrive near Daivadnya Bhavan, Calconda, Margao, at 3pm. It will proceed from Perpetual Succour Ground and Lohia Maidan before moving to Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium (MCC ground), where it will culminate in a public meeting. Gandhi’s participation in the yatra was cancelled at the last moment on two earlier occasions. The latest cancellation came earlier this week, when he was scheduled to join it in Cuncolim. Several senior national functionaries, including chief ministers, took part in the 27-day-long yatra. Congress said the yatra, which began in Panaji on Sept 22, received overwhelming support from the people. 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
Rereading the book of democracy
Before Indian democracy turns its next page, there needs to be atonement for earlier excess. Most repressive laws being used today were enacted earlier. What’s the plan, Rahul Gandhi was asked. He replied that tandava, the cosmic dance of destruction and creation, does not need a plan. The cosmos knows the steps already. It’s fortunate that he gets it, because after the dancing is over, his party is likely to play a key role in restoring the Indian political system. That’s assuming that the protesters remain steadfast and that all else remains constant in a turbulent world. If so, it’s an educated guess that the Modi government’s repressive actions would backfire and that power may slip from its fingers sooner rather than later. Young protesters may not have a plan, but they know exactly what they want: systemic change. Goodbye to the ossified politics of pervasive corruption, outdated hierarchies and rituals, and absurd totems and hatreds. That means dismantling the very foundation—India’s culture of distrust, which is a colonial hangover from when the rulers and the ruled were species apart. Democracies which were not preceded by colonialism are usually trust-based cultures. What the citizen says is believed and the onus to prove otherwise is on the government. In contrast, Indian citizens are presumed guilty until proven innocent and the onus of proof is on them. Many of India’s chronic disorders flow from this differential. The Congress is the right party to dismantle this superstructure, because it erected most of its beams and girders. Not because it is particularly vile, but because it has had the advantage of time—it has been in power much longer than the competition. The BJP has been spectacularly anti-democratic—its run rate is much higher, but its innings has been far shorter. India’s police and paramilitaries are earning disgrace globally for indiscriminately detaining and assaulting thousands of peaceful protesters, bystanders, women and even children on the orders of their political masters. This is inevitable because in the absence of reform, they are still performing the role of a colonial force subjugating a native population. Calls for police reform reached a crescendo in 1977, following extreme brutality during the Emergency. The actress and activist Snehalata Reddy died following ill-treatment for eight months in jail without trial. The engineering student P Rajan died under torture. These were only the most shocking cases. The National Police Commission was formed in 1977 to professionalise the force and insulate it from political pressure. Four committees and commissions were appointed since then, a PIL was filed by the senior police officer Prakash Singh and the Supreme Court issued directions in 2006. Compliance has been incomplete. So now, students, activists, MPs and journalists, many of them women, are being abused and physically and sexually assaulted by the police and paramilitaries. Would a future Congress-led alliance be willing to enforce police reforms―and renounce the ability to use the force as a private army? Consider the draconian laws which the Modi government has used to imprison and harass a long list of perceived enemies, from the Bhima-Koregaon detenus of 2018 to Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, who remain in custody without trial. The laws most amenable to such ignoble purposes were originally legislated by the Congress or the Congress-led UPA: the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (1967), the National Security Act (1980), the IT (Amendment) Act of 2008 (which added the controversial Section 66A). Financial curbs were initiated under COFEPOSA (1974) and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (1976) followed during the Emergency to prevent Indian NGOs from being caressed by the “black hand of the CIA”. The UPA government used it to clamp down on the non-profit sector, and the present home ministry uses it for close control over voluntary and charitable work. Legislations of the BJP-led NDA governments have sharpened the teeth of these laws. While recasting the statute books, the BJP also tuned up colonial-era laws, making it easier to make dissent resemble sedition—a crime which should have vanished along with royalty. The objective of listing laws originated by Congress and UPA governments is to point out that when it appears that a page is about to be turned in Indian politics, and that the Congress’s hand could help turn that page, it has an opportunity to atone. In long-term electoral defeat, the nature of the party and its leadership has improved. It has also adapted better to the times than the BJP, which remains feudal. The Congress could resist the temptation to make new laws like MISA and UAPA, which are tools of repression dressed up as instruments for securing important-sounding but vague goals like national security, unity and integrity, public safety, cybersecurity, responsible use of social media, protection against the foreign hand―it’s a long list. From the time of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Indian politics has been the province of oppressive peevishness, a game-board for petty grudge matches over half-imaginary grouses and traumas. The soul of India has always been much larger, ample and forgiving. Soon, there will be an opportunity to return to a healthier political culture which looks forward to the future instead of nursing the grievances of a poorly-lit past. But to find the path of progressive politics which India was once celebrated for, past excesses must be acknowledged and abjured. After the tandava ends, perhaps the story of Indian democracy will begin anew. Pratik Kanjilal Pratik Kanjilal | SPEAKEASY | For years, the author has been speaking easy to a surprisingly tolerant public (Views are personal) 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
‘I am representing Rahul Gandhi,’ Kapil Sibal tells Supreme Court
Sibal, who was a Cabinet Minister in the UPA Government led by Manmohan Singh, an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh As the Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission on a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others seeking suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, many were surprised to see senior counsel Kapil Sibal represent the Gandhi scion. ‘I am representing Rahul Gandhi,” Sibal told a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi thrice even as senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi was on his legs in the front row in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court. Singhvi—a Rajya Sabha MP of Congress—has been representing the party and Gandhi in several cases, including the criminal defamation case filed over his 2019 “Modi-thieves” remark and the National Herald money laundering case. Sibal, who was a Cabinet Minister in the UPA Government led by Manmohan Singh, too, has defended the Congress and Gandhi in several cases in the past. However, he quit Congress in 2022 and currently he’s an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. Article_Author Satya Prakash Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Don’t try to bulldoze another Constitutional Amendment Bill’: Kharge writes to PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the delay in proroguing the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which ended in August, describing the situation as “unprecedented”. Urging PM Modi not to “bulldoze” another “far-reaching” Constitutional Amendment Bill, Kharge reiterated his demand for an all-party meeting to discuss the government’s proposals in detail before they are finalised for consideration in Parliament. “It has already been 64 days since the Monsoon Session of Parliament was adjourned sine die on August 13 and both Houses of Parliament are yet to be prorogued. This scenario is unprecedented,” Kharge said in his letter, which Congress MP Jairam Ramesh shared on X. — Jairam_Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) The Rajya Sabha leader of opposition recalled writing to the prime minister on April 11, seeking an all-party meeting before the government introduced the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Delimitation, which subsequently failed to pass in the Lok Sabha. “You may kindly recall that I had written to you on April 11 to convene an all-party meeting before bringing any Constitutional Amendment Bill on Delimitation. You did not do so. Thereafter, you made the bills public on the late evening of April 14 and convened a special session on April 16. The Constitutional Amendment Bill on Delimitation failed to muster the necessary two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha on April 17 by a decisive margin,” Kharge said. “Thereafter, on July 16 and August 27, I wrote to you again, reiterating our request for an all-party meeting. I am now making this request for the fourth time. All political parties must be given sufficient time to deliberate among themselves, with each other and with all other stakeholders. Please do not once again try to bulldoze a far-reaching Constitutional Amendment Bill through Parliament, as you attempted earlier, only for it to meet its well-deserved fate,” he added. The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 20 and concluded as scheduled on August 13. However, proceedings were repeatedly disrupted over issues including the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the NEET paper leak and allegations of police excesses against NEET protesters in Delhi. 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
‘Police can break bones, not satyagraha’: Rahul Gandhi alleges Delhi Police refused to file FIR over assault on student protesters
NEW DELHI: Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Delhi Police was refusing to register an FIR over the alleged assault on student protesters, claiming that two young women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, were among those beaten by the police. In a post on X, the Congress leader said he had spoken to Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra over the incident. He added that a Zero FIR had already been registered in Kerala and said the Congress would pursue legal action against the officers concerned. “Two young women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, along with many others, were beaten by Delhi Police. I have spoken to Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra. A Zero FIR has already been registered in Kerala. We will pursue every legal route against the officers responsible, in Kerala, in Rajasthan and in the courts,” Rahul wrote. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “Brutality by Amit Shah’s Delhi Police will not go unchecked,” he added. Rahul invokes Dharasana Satyagraha Referring to the 1930 Dharasana Satyagraha, the Raebareli MP recalled how Sarojini Naidu had led unarmed satyagrahis into police lathis without retaliating. “Police can break bones. They cannot break a satyagraha,” he said. Former Congress president also described India’s youth, particularly young women, as fearless, determined and united in their efforts to defend democracy, adding that he stood with them. “India’s youth, especially young women, are fearless, determined and united. They are standing up for our democracy, and I stand with them,” he wrote. Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul had accused Delhi Police of assaulting student protesters and warned the Centre against suppressing their voices amid demonstrations against the revision of electoral rolls. Addressing protesters in Delhi, he said the demonstration represented a collective voice that transcended religion, caste and gender. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah not to stand against the protesters. “As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one of any specific caste; there is no woman, no man. There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice—the Prime Minister is standing against this voice. I suggest to you: do not stand against this voice. No one can stand against this voice,” Rahul had said. He also urged student protesters to document alleged police misconduct, saying the evidence would be used to seek accountability. Police detain activists ahead of Tiranga rally Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and All India Students’ Association (AISA) chief Neha Bohra on Friday as they were heading to Connaught Place for the proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest. Dipke was detained while leaving his residence in Jhandewalan, while Bohra was picked up in Mandi House. Police informed Dipke that he was being placed under preventive detention, citing restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the Connaught Place area. He was also served notices referring to the restrictions and a previous undertaking to maintain public peace. Police had warned that the proposed rally could violate the restrictions if held without permission from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Dipke was told that waving the national flag was not unlawful, but holding an unpermitted march and gathering a crowd could invite legal action. The detentions came amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the proposed protest. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar had earlier reviewed security arrangements with senior officers, while traffic police issued an advisory warning of possible disruption around Connaught Place. 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 writes to President, Congress protests over Gautam’s appointment; seeks deferment till Ankita probe ends
The appointment of the BJP leader has triggered a fresh political row in Uttarakhand, with the Congress demanding answers over the alleged involvement of VIPs in the murder of the 19-year-old resort receptionist. DEHRADUN: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged President Droupadi Murmu to ask the government to reconsider Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor and defer his assumption of office until the CBI completes its investigation into the alleged VIP angle in the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari. The appointment of the BJP leader has triggered a fresh political row in Uttarakhand, with the Congress demanding answers over the alleged involvement of VIPs in the murder of the 19-year-old resort receptionist. In a letter to Murmu, Gandhi said he was approaching her as a “last resort”, urging her to use Article 74(1) of the Constitution to ask the government to reconsider its advice on the appointment. Gautam was appointed governor on Monday. Gandhi alleged that the appointment could impede the investigation, arguing that criminal proceedings cannot be instituted or continued against a sitting governor. “Gautam’s appointment places him out of the reach of the CBI. An inquiry that can never result in prosecution is an inquiry in name only,” he said. Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of disregarding women’s safety, Gandhi said the question of who the alleged VIPs were remained unanswered nearly four years after Ankita’s murder. “Please act, provide solace to Ankita’s grieving parents and protect the high post of Governor,” he wrote, urging the President to ensure that Gautam did not assume office until the investigation was completed. Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meet the parents of Ankita Bhandari, protesting against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor over his alleged involvement in the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case at India Gate, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Social activist Yogita Bhayana also present. Gandhi had met Ankita’s parents at India Gate on Wednesday, where they protested against the appointment and sought justice for their daughter. The family has alleged Gautam’s involvement in the case, but the allegations do not establish any criminal role on his part. Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a protest in Dehradun on Thursday against the appointment. Former chief minister Harish Rawat, former minister Harak Singh Rawat, and party leaders Pritam Singh, Ganesh Godiyal, Karan Mahara and Garima Dasauni were among those who participated. “Ankita is our daughter. We will continue to fight for her, even if we have to be arrested,” Uttarakhand Congress president Godiyal said, calling the appointment an insult to Ankita and the state. Rawat said Ankita’s parents had travelled to Delhi to seek justice and were detained by police during their protest. He said the family was not alone in its demand for answers over the alleged VIP connection. Ankita, who worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra resort near Rishikesh, was murdered on September 18, 2022. Her employer, Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, had allegedly pressured her to provide “special services” to VIP guests, a demand she refused, Gandhi said in his letter. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later. Pulkit Arya and two resort employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were arrested in the case. A special investigation team (SIT) was constituted, and a chargesheet was filed based on evidence and witness statements. In May 2023, a Kotdwar court sentenced all three to life imprisonment for the murder. The alleged VIP angle, however, continued to draw political attention. Ankita’s family and activists have demanded a probe into the identities of the alleged VIP guests and alleged destruction of evidence. The state government has cited the arrests, SIT investigation and court proceedings as evidence of action in the case. It has also pointed to the Uttarakhand High Court’s December 2022 dismissal of a petition seeking a CBI probe. The petition was filed by journalist Ashutosh Negi and later joined by Ankita’s parents. The SIT had told the court that it examined forensic material, video footage, recorded statements and call detail records. A medical panel at AIIMS Rishikesh conducted the post-mortem examination. Following protests across Uttarakhand, the state government handed the investigation into the alleged VIP angle to the CBI in January this year. The probe is still underway. Narendra Sethi 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
Supreme Court issues notice to EC on Rahul Gandhi’s petition seeking SIR suspension
LoP, 9 other Opposition leaders allege wrongful deletion of 13 crore voters Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others during ‘March for Democracy’ by INDIA bloc leaders, towards the Supreme Court, to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and ‘vote chori’, at Barakhamba road, in New Delhi, October 12, 2026. PTI The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission and others on a petition filed by Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and nine other opposition leaders over alleged large-scale irregularities and deletion of 13 crore voters during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to respond to the petition that sought suspension of the ongoing SIR exercise. The Bench ordered tagging of the matter with petitions already pending before it. “Issue notice. But one objection before that…. We would like to ask one of the petitioners about his conduct on the next date of hearing. Issuing notice does not mean that we are condemning anything. We are issuing notices…. But about one of the petitioners, we will definitely entertain the issue. The notice on behalf of one of the petitioners will be entertained on a provisional basis, subject to his explaining his conduct,” the CJI said. Rahul was represented by senior counsel Kapil Sibal. The Bench also issued notice on separate petitions filed by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. The petition filed by Rahul and other INDIA bloc leaders urged the top court to set up a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and assisted by technical experts and other persons of eminence to audit SIR deletions and access to electoral roll database, and to review EVM processes against global best practices. No deletion of voters’ names should be done without notice and hearing and eligible persons in Punjab and other poll-bound states should be allowed to seek inclusion till the last date, the petition demanded. The petition urged the top court to examine if decisions taken by the poll panel complied with Article 324, Section 18 of the 2023 CEC Act and the 1995 TN Seshan ruling and quash any decision taken without lawful authority. It also sought production of the Election Commission’s files, minutes, notings and objections recorded by Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi on disputed SIR decisions, along with ECINET and ERONET access logs as also the complete file recording the June 24, 2025, decision to launch nationwide SIR. Other prayers in the petition included action against those responsible for breaches, including under Section 32 of the RP Act, 1950; direction that every SIR decision be taken and minuted as per Section 18 till the case was decided; online Form 6 to conform to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, unless the Rules were amended; and booth-wise publication of deleted names with reasons and age and gender-wise breakdown, plus a functional restoration mechanism. The petition was filed a day after the Chief Justice of India declined to meet Rahul and Kharge for a discussion on issues relating to the SIR and ‘vote chori’ allegations against the CEC on the grounds that such a meeting would be inappropriate as the issues sought to be raised with him were pending before the Supreme Court for adjudication. The other petitioners from the INDIA bloc are Saugata Roy (TMC), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT), D Raja (CPI), Mahua Majhi (JMM), MA Baby (CPM) and ET Mohammed Basheer (IUML). Article_Author Satya Prakash Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Get your own party in order’: AAP targets Rahul over Cong state chief Pargat’s remarks on anti-drug drive
NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of Punjab’s anti-drug drive. It accused the Congress leadership of double standards and alleged that state Congress president was undermining the government’s action against drug traffickers. In a post on X, AAP questioned Gandhi’s stance on the crackdown, writing, “Rahul Gandhi Ji, in Punjab, the Mann government is taking strict action against drug traffickers, but your own state president Paragat Singh is standing in support of the drug traffickers. Can’t you see this, or are you deliberately turning a blind eye?” The party further challenged Gandhi to clarify whether his state unit supported the campaign against drugs, adding, “Before lecturing on the issue of drugs in Punjab, get your own party in order. At least ask your president whether he stands with the action against drugs or with the drug traffickers?”The exchange comes amid a political row over the killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led government following the incident, saying that raising one’s voice against drug abuse in Punjab had become “a death sentence”. — PargatSOfficial (@PargatSOfficial) Jhota was allegedly shot by a medical shop owner and later succumbed to his injuries. The killing triggered protests and a statewide bandh on Thursday, with organisations demanding accountability over the state’s law-and-order situation and its anti-drug campaign. Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Rajasthan Police, arrested the alleged main shooter, Asvini, in Salasar, Rajasthan, officials said on Wednesday. The district administration subsequently demolished the accused’s residence amid heavy security deployment. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh criticised the authorities’ handling of the bandh in a post on X, writing, “Today, Punjab is back on the streets against drugs. The Punjab bandh is not just a protest, but a clear declaration of the trust that has been shattered by the government and police administration.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) He also alleged that peaceful protesters were being arrested in Jalandhar and other constituencies, calling the reported action “absolutely unacceptable in a democracy”. Singh warned chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav against suppressing protesters, adding that no action in Mansa should be taken without the family’s consent. 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
Can’t suppress voice of youth: Rahul Gandhi warns PM Modi, slams ‘police brutality’
Protesters say assaulted in illegal detention centres, hit on private parts, phones seized, data deleted He also warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that no one could stand against the united voice of India. Accusing the government of trying to suppress young people who are protesting against alleged electoral malpractice, Rahul, while addressing a press conference along with the youth, said the movement had brought Indians together beyond divisions of religion, caste and gender. He vowed to ensure that those responsible for the alleged police excesses — from senior officials to policemen accused of assaulting protesters — were brought to justice. “These young people have only one voice, and that is the voice of India. No one can stand against it,” he said. Pointing to the students standing alongside him, Rahul said there was no Hindu, Muslim or caste identity in their collective struggle, nor any division between men and women. There was only one voice and one movement — the voice of India, he added. Issuing a stern warning to the government, Rahul urged protesters to record every incident of alleged police brutality and preserve all evidence, including videos. “When this movement ends, these pieces of evidence will be used to ensure that everyone responsible is punished,” he said, adding that no one would be spared. Besides the police personnel accused of assaulting students, Rahul named PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar among people who must face accountability. The students who met Rahul also recounted disturbing accounts of their alleged treatment in police custody. Three of the students Samarth, Dharmendra and Arjun alleged that the police personnel kicked and assaulted them on the chest, back and private parts and tried to choke them. They said their phones were confiscated after they were taken into custody. Delhi University student Adira said she had sustained injuries to her ear and lost her hearing following the alleged police assault. She claimed there was no woman police officer in the detention bus and alleged that she was dragged along the road, taken to a basement and beaten with kicks and punches. She also alleged blows to her cheek, upper abdomen and private parts. National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) national secretary Ritu Barala described the alleged police conduct as inhuman, saying citizens of Independent India were being subjected to brutality reminiscent of British rule. She said Rahul was standing by the students like an elder brother and asserted that they would not be intimidated into abandoning their fight against injustice. Content creator Ramit Verma alleged that he was detained on October 11 at the behest of members of the RSS and Bajrang Dal, whom he accused of threatening peaceful protesters with sticks and stones. He further alleged that phones were seized from several protesters inside detention buses, data was deleted from some devices and many phones were not returned. Meanwhile, one of the injured students, Samarth, played Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn, ‘Vaishnava Jana To’, on a flute. “Nafrat ka jawab pyar se diya jaega” (hatred will be answered with love), the student said. Shekhar Singh Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights