‘Not benefiting anyone’: Traders urge Rahul to rethink SIR protests amid festive season, cite business losses
NEW DELHI: Traders’ associations have urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to reconsider the ongoing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and issues concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that demonstrations and road blockades in the national capital are hurting businesses ahead of Diwali. Representatives of trade bodies said traders stock up on goods and often take loans ahead of the festive season, relying on increased sales to meet annual expenses. They claimed that disruptions were keeping customers away, restricting market access and affecting deliveries, with small traders bearing the brunt. Ajay Gupta, a member of the National Traders Welfare Board, said “I humbly request the Leader of the Opposition, Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, to reconsider the agitation currently underway, as it is not benefiting anyone; instead, it is creating an atmosphere of anarchy,” he said. “We are not opposed to the act of protesting itself … but it should be done in a manner that causes no harm to the common man and creates no obstacles for us traders in running our businesses,” he added. Meanwhile, Ghanshyam Das Goyal of the Dal and Besan Millers Association said traders from areas around Delhi usually visit the capital to purchase stocks for Diwali, but the disruptions had discouraged them from coming. Prakash Purgal of the Bangalore Wholesale Cloth Merchant Association also urged Rahul to pursue dialogue instead of road blockades, warning that closures during the Dussehra-Diwali and wedding season could hurt small businesses. “The Navratri festival is currently underway. Traders from areas surrounding Delhi usually come to the city to purchase stock for the Diwali season; however, due to the commotion you have stirred up, people have stopped visiting Delhi,” Prakash Purgal, representing the Bangalore Wholesale Cloth Merchant Association, also urged Rahul to ensure that protests did not lead to road blockades during the festive season. He said Dussehra, Diwali and the wedding season were crucial for traders, who had begun to see a recovery after a prolonged period of business difficulties. Warning that road blockades could force small traders to shut their shops, Purgal called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue. “Please consider this carefully: whatever issues need to be discussed should be addressed through dialogue, rather than by blocking roads and spoiling the festive spirit of Dussehra and Diwali,” he said. Several trade bodies from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala submitted representations on October 12 and 13, seeking steps to ensure that protests do not obstruct commercial activity during the festive season. The traders’ appeal comes amid an intensifying INDIA bloc campaign against the Election Commission’s functioning under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition has demanded Kumar’s resignation, scrapping of the SIR exercise and restoration of deleted voter names, alleging irregularities in the revision process. It has also called for a return to ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs), restoration of pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections and an effective appeals mechanism for voters excluded from the rolls. The bloc has pursued protests and legal action as part of its wider “Save Democracy” campaign. 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
The I.N.D.I.A. alliance will fight from the streets to the courts, raising voices against the SIR and the EC.
Opposition parties have strategized to intensify their protests against the SIR and voter list changes. A meeting at Rahul Gandhi’s residence suggested a joint demonstration at Jantar Mantar, a rally at Ramlila Maidan in the first week of November, and a mock parliament. The opposition also discussed continuing the legal battle and preparing to mobilize within 24 hours if necessary. New Delhi: The opposition is preparing to continue its fight against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from the streets to the courts. To transform the ongoing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a process for voter list changes, into a joint campaign, the I.N.D.I.A. is strategizing a demonstration at Jantar Mantar and a proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan. A mock parliament has also been proposed before the rally. Leaders of opposition parties, along with representatives of student organizations and civil society, participated in a meeting held at Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Tuesday. The meeting discussed the next phase of the movement, forming a joint front at Jantar Mantar, and continuing the legal battle. Rahul’s message: Be prepared to mobilize within 24 hours. At the meeting, Rahul Gandhi urged leaders and organizations to be prepared to mobilize within 24 hours if needed. He emphasized the need to transform individual protests into a joint campaign. The opposition wants to keep questions related to the accountability of the SIR and the Election Commission in the political debate. After Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest sites, the opposition is linking the issue to the right to protest. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and CPI General Secretary D. Raja expressed concern at the meeting. The opposition is attempting to bring political parties, student organizations, and civil society groups together through a joint program. Rahul Gandhi stated that they will reclaim Jantar Mantar. Next steps will be decided after court action. On October 12, opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court. Now, the opposition wants to continue the mass movement alongside the legal process. A joint campaign at Jantar Mantar and a proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan may be part of the next phase of the movement. However, final decisions on the detailed program and mock parliament are still pending. Suggestion of a Mock Parliament Before the Rally A suggestion was made to hold a mock parliament before the proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan in the first week of November. This also includes the idea of symbolic action such as impeachment against the Chief Election Commissioner. However, this is still a proposal, not a final decision. The meeting also discussed inviting people who claim to have their names removed from the voter list during the SIR to the rally. CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya stated that the struggle will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghosh and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut also supported the continuation of the campaign. Leaders of opposition parties appeared completely united against the changes to the voter list. Authored by: Hemant Rajoura •Edited by: Tina About the Author Hemant Rajoura is a special correspondent for Navbharat Times. He covers the politics of major opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and RJD, in-depth. He also keeps a close eye on important news related to health, science, and policy. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Rahul Gandhi told us to be ready at 24 hours notice for protest: Anish Gawande slams CJP leaders’ arrests
NEW DELHI: NCP(SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande sharply criticised the arrest of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, calling the preventive arrest ‘bizarre’. Gawande also said Rahul Gandhi had asked the INDIA bloc to be ready at 24 hours’ notice for further protests, as the bloc seeks Supreme Court intervention over the arrests and other concerns related to the Election Commission. He questioned the trespassing FIR against them and asked Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar whether he supported the action against young protesters at Jantar Mantar. “This preventive arrest is bizarre. What is the actual complaint? Trespassing, filed by the JD(U)?” Gawande said, calling it a “sad day for the JD(U) and an even sadder day for Indian democracy”. Das and Ranka were detained early Tuesday after allegedly breaching barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, recently denotified as a designated protest site, while raising slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The police case includes charges of trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaching a peace bond and obstructing a public servant. Gawande invoked Nitish Kumar’s background in student politics and the JP movement, asking whether the Bihar chief minister supported the FIR against young people who, he said, were trying to wave the national flag at Jantar Mantar. He also said the INDIA bloc had been asked by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi to remain ready at 24 hours’ notice for further protests. The bloc expects the Supreme Court to address what Gawande described as an illegal FIR, alleged police brutality and concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission, including Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The arrest follows protests by CJP and other organisations over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On October 11, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar designated Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as venues for demonstrations, removing Jantar Mantar from the list of approved protest sites. CJP has argued that shifting protests away from the capital’s political centre reduces the visibility of dissent. 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 stands with injured NSUI protesters, says ‘nafrat ka jawab pyar se diya jaega’
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met NSUI protesters who alleged that they were assaulted by Delhi Police during demonstrations. At a press conference, Rahul introduced a woman protester as “our sherni” and said she had remained unafraid despite being beaten. Another protester played ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ on a flute, saying, “nafrat ka jawab pyar se diya jaega…” “I want to introduce our ‘sherni’. She was beaten, but she was not afraid. There was no hatred in her heart,” Rahul said. The woman protester said that a woman police constable, identified as Chanchal Yadav, assaulted her after NSUI workers were detained in buses during a peaceful protest. She said there were around 30-40 protesters in each of the three buses, with two women and 20-30 other NSUI members in her bus. “Yesterday, all NSUI workers were protesting peacefully when we were detained in three buses. There were many of our colleagues, around 30-40 in each bus. In our bus, there were two girls and 20-30 other NSUI colleagues. There was a woman constable in the bus named Chanchal Yadav. After being detained, we tried to get off the bus again through the gate and continue leading the protest. We tried to stop the bus and sat down beneath it so that our protest could somehow continue. But Chanchal Yadav grabbed me tightly by the neck and pushed me, causing me to fall backwards onto the seat. She then scratched my face with her nails, leaving scratches across my face and near my ear. When I resisted her, she slapped me so hard and said, ‘Here, take another slap across your face.’” Rahul also spoke about Athira, a student from Kerala studying at Delhi University, who alleged that she sustained injuries to her ear and eye during the police action. “Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear. She can no longer hear. Last time I showed you a boy who was blinded. Now, she is deaf in one ear,” Rahul said. Athira alleged that there were no women police personnel on the bus when the protesters were detained. She said she asked for a woman officer to be present during the detention, after which the bus stopped outside the Connaught Place police station. “I am from Kerala, studying at Delhi University. Yesterday, when they detained us, there were no female police officers in the bus. So, I simply asked, ‘Where is the lady police officer or lady constable?’ If they want to detain us, having at least one female constable present is mandatory. Then, the bus moved and stopped in front of the Connaught Place police station, where they continuously hit my entire cheek. Because of this, I have an injury to my eye and damage to my ear.” Rahul also condemned the five-day judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, saying that waving the national flag during a peaceful protest was not a crime. Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail on Wednesday for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which was recently de-notified as a designated protest site, police sources said. Bail bond formalities for their associate Ajinkya Shinde were being finalised, they added. The three CJP leaders were produced before an Executive Magistrate on Wednesday morning. They had been detained on Tuesday after allegedly breaching barricades and entering the protest site without authorisation while raising slogans demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Police registered a case against the activists on charges including trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaching a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties, sources said. Das and Ranka had signed bonds to maintain peace for a year after being detained during a protest on Saturday, they added. 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
‘Unity is our strength’: Dhruv Rathee welcomes Rahul Gandhi’s support for CJP
NEW DELHI: YouTuber Dhruv Rathee on Wednesday called for unity to protect India’s democracy after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for the first time, following the arrest and judicial custody of its leaders.Rathee reposted Rahul Gandhi’s post on X and wrote, “Unity is our strength. All Indians should unite in saving India and its democracy.” — dhruv_rathee (@dhruv_rathee) Rahul’s support came after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail. The two were detained a day earlier while attempting to enter the Jantar Mantar premises. In his post on X, Rahul said, “Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights,” he added. The former Congress chief also echoed a demand raised by CJP leaders before their detention, saying, “Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.” The Centre recently de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and identified three alternative locations for demonstrations in the national capital. The arrests have drawn criticism from several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Aam Aadmi Party supremo and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and former Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who have criticised the Modi-led Centre over the action against the CJP leaders. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also thanked opposition leaders for extending support to the party and its activists. 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
Why Chirag Paswan is Blowing Hot and Cold on the Modi Government Since the Gen Z Protests
Understanding the politics of Chirag Paswan, Abhijeet Dipke and Chandrashekhar Azad in the context of the deep sense of disenchantment with the ruling regime among Dalit communities. Union minister of food processing industries Chirag Paswan’s vocal opposition to how the Narendra Modi government handled the October 10 protests against the revision of voter lists and election chief Gyanesh Kumar reflects the unease within his own social base regarding the current government. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader, with five Members of Parliament and 19 legislators in Bihar and one in Jharkhand, knows that the leading light of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Abhijeet Dipke, belongs to a Scheduled Caste and is from Maharashtra – the home turf of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. This can explain why Paswan has been blowing hot and cold ever since the CJP-led agitation began, and why his comments on the Modi government, though occasional, merit a closer look. After all the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) hardly ever speak up. There is a growing restlessness among the Dalits in large parts of India, especially Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab, where the socially and economically weakest sections have waged long and arduous struggles for their uplift. There is growing concern over rising unemployment among these sections, who are also struggling to keep pace with the rapid changes to workplaces brought by new technologies. The Generation-Z amongst the Dalits are finding it difficult to adjust to the frequent occupational shifts they are being forced to make. On the political front, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), with its primary base in Uttar Pradesh, appears to have lost all hope of returning to power, at least in the near future. In Punjab, the Dalits, though constituting about one-third of population, find themselves leaderless ever since the demise of Kanshi Ram, who revived the Scheduled Castes movement in the 1980s after the death of Dr Ambedkar. In Maharashtra, too, Dalit groups have splintered, disintegrated or have migrated away to support the BJP. After 2014, in Bihar too, Chirag Paswan’s father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, and his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, deemed it fit to toe the line of the saffron party for their own political survival. In Uttar Pradesh, Chandrashekar Azad is trying to fill the vacuum created by the weakening of the BSP. He floated the Azad Samaj Party and won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Nagina. CJP’s arrival, Dipke’s rise But the sudden emergence of Abhijeet Dipke on the forefront of the nationwide youth agitation, which started on the issue of exam paper leaks, has taken Dalit leaders by complete surprise. Though Dipke never projected himself as the leader of the Dalit community, the way he has shot into the limelight had alarmed those who claim to champion the cause of the Scheduled Castes. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also a Dalit, does not fall in this category as the Grand Old Party is essentially an umbrella group, not one that espouses the cause of any one social group. Chirag leads a faction of the LJP, founded on November 28, 2000, by his father after breaking away from the Janata Dal (United). The father-son duo never trusted Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) leader, who later became the longest-serving chief minister of Bihar. Nitish Kumar’s antipathy for the Paswans can be recalled, in particular, from how the Mahadalit Commission, formed by his government, excluded just the Dusadhs – one of the 22 Scheduled Castes in Bihar – from those who could access special schemes and packages announced for the entire state’s Dalits. Dusadh is the caste community to which the Paswans belong, and it is numerically the strongest amongst Bihar’s Schedule Castes, with the population share of 5.31%. They follow only the Yadavs, who account for 14.26% of the population, in terms of numerical strength. According to the 2023 Caste Survey conducted by the Bihar government, the Scheduled Castes in Bihar account for around 19.65% of its population. Chaotic times for Dalit politics There is a growing sense of unease and fear, among Chirag Paswan and other Scheduled Caste leaders that Dipke can marginalise them. Paswan, in particular, knows that the NDA in Bihar is in a state of chaos – almost all its major constituents, even the BJP itself, and the JD(U) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha headed by Upendra Kushwaha, are embroiled in infighting. The defeat of the BJP candidate from all important Bankipur seat in Patna in the recently held by-poll is a pointer to the true state of affairs in Bihar, beyond just the Dalit voters. The ruling combination in Bihar has become leaderless and rudderless. Knowing that age is on his side, the Paswan often flexes his muscles. Indeed it is a fact that the BJP’s dependency on him would increase as the JD(U) progressively weakens. Remember that Paswan was hurriedly inducted into the NDA in March 2024, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections that year. Pashupati Kumar Paras was virtually kicked out from the Modi Cabinet on March 19, 2024. What is more, the BJP, in July 2021, not only triggered the splintering of the LJP but also made uncle Paras Union fertiliser minister. While four other party MPs were asked to side with Paras, Chirag Paswan was left alone. Ram Vilas Paswan’s son was being punished for stabbing the NDA during the 2020 Assembly elections, in which he had put up 137 candidates. The bungalow to allotted to his father was evicted and his bust installed on the premises was also removed. But ahead of the 2024 election, the BJP was hurriedly reminded of young Chirag’s hold over 5.31% voters – the Dusadh community. He was prevented from crossing over to Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Aware of his importance within the NDA, especially with the saffron party increasingly cornered by youth and Opposition protests over the SIR, Chirag is often takes what may be construed as an independent line. He strongly criticised
Resign, turn approver: Rahul to CEC Gyanesh
Says Opposition preparing ‘vote theft’ evidence for Prez; vows to fight until electoral system reformed featuredImageRahul Gandhi addresses a press conference, at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. PTIAdvertisement Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday reiterated his advice to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and turn approver, saying this would be a service to the nation and could spare him. Declaring that the Opposition would not back down, Rahul said its immediate demand was Gyanesh’s removal, after which it would pursue Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged electoral wrongdoing. Addressing a press conference in the national capital ahead of the ‘Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy’, Rahul accused the Modi government of protecting the CEC and alleged that restrictions were being imposed to prevent people from reaching the national capital to join the protests. He said the Opposition was preparing evidence to submit to President Droupadi Murmu and would pursue the matter through legal and political channels. Rahul questioned why Delhi was being turned into a fortress, with 20,000 to 30,000 police personnel deployed and people allegedly being stopped from reaching the city. He claimed trains and buses were being intercepted and passengers made to get off to prevent them from joining the demonstrations against alleged ‘vote chori’ and irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “Why is Delhi being jailed? Why is the capital city of India in jail?” he asked. Rahul said the heavy police deployment would not deter the Opposition, adding that it wanted the country to see how the government was responding to the movement. “Our strategy is different. We want these many policemen to be on the roads. We want this. The government is committing a big blunder. We want to show the country that the government and Modi are protecting Gyanesh Kumar,” he said. Issuing a direct warning to the CEC, Rahul said the campaign would continue until he resigned and those responsible for alleged electoral wrongdoing were held accountable. He claimed Kumar was not the ultimate decision-maker and that the Opposition intended to reach those directing the Election Commission’s actions. “We have information about you. We know your past. We understand your corruption. We know it. We are waiting,” he said. Rahul maintained that the movement went beyond the demand for the CEC’s resignation, asserting that the Opposition would continue its fight until the electoral system was reformed, the Constitution protected and justice delivered. He said the resistance had been building for years and had now taken the form of a wider public movement. “Till the CEC does not go, the electoral system is not revamped, the Constitution is not upheld, till justice is not delivered to the citizens, Indian youth and Opposition will not stop,” he said. He claimed that around 200 government officials were in contact with people around him and that some officials associated with the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Ministry of External Affairs were sharing information with the Opposition. “Do whatever you want, we won’t back out,” Rahul said, adding that young people across the country wanted to defend democracy and regarded the Constitution as central to their values. He also claimed that some police personnel were uncomfortable with being deployed against protesting students and young people, questioning why they were being asked to stop demonstrators while individuals allegedly linked to the RSS and BJP were being allowed to move freely. Appealing to people to express solidarity with the Constitution and the national flag, Rahul said the recent demonstrations were only the visible expression of a resistance that had been building for years. “Don’t think it started five days ago. Expression is seen now. Resistance has been going on for years together. It is our perseverance,” he said. “They may stop us today, tomorrow or the day after. A country is made like this. The country is not protected in a day or two. Month, two months, years, we won’t back down, no matter how much time it takes,” he added. Rejecting suggestions that different demonstrations represented separate campaigns, Rahul said all protests were part of one movement. He said the Opposition was fighting on several fronts, including the legal, political and psychological fronts, and sought to change public understanding of the state of democracy. “All the protests are one. There are no parallel protests. India is marching,” he said. “We are not fighting for the street. We are fighting for the mind,” he added. Rahul also alleged that the governance model promoted by Modi benefited powerful corporate interests, including industrialist Mukesh Ambani, at the cost of ordinary citizens and their children. He challenged the government to demonstrate that elections had not been manipulated. “The Opposition is asking one question. Prove to us you have not cheated in the elections,” he said. Asked whether Kumar had attempted to contact him, Rahul said messages had come through people around him and that several individuals on behalf of the government had reached out. He said he had not spoken to them personally and saw no need for private telephone conversations when his position was being stated publicly. “I don’t need to talk to them on the phone. I have nothing to hide. I believe in full transparency. What I have to talk, I speak from here,” he said. Rahul said the CEC could still be spared if he resigned, while making it clear that the Opposition would not compromise on its stated objective of defending the Constitution. “We understand the pressure you are under. We are forgiving people. We are not cruel people. But we will defend the Constitution,” he 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
CJI: Don’t drag SC into political battlefields or bring politics to court
NEW DELHI: A day after CJI Surya Kant turned down Congress leadership’s request to meet them privately on their “vote chori” charge, saying doing so will violate the principle of separation of powers, SC Monday reiterated that it should not be dragged into political battlefields nor politics be brought into the court. “We are not concerned with political parties or their activities. But courts should not be dragged into such kinds of things,” said a bench of CJI Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. In an email response, through which he turned down the request from leaders of opposition in the two Houses of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, for a face-to-face meeting, CJI had pointed out to them that it was duty-bound to hear petitions against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and those challenging SIR, and indicated that the court will hear those on priority. Wherever identified locations are there, protests can be held: SC The CJI-led bench Monday emphasised the need for it to exercise restraint and not enter the political thicket while hearing the complaint that protests and barricades were obstructing lawyers from working. At the commencement of proceedings, senior advocate Atmaram Nadkarni sought urgent hearing on a writ petition filed by a lawyer, saying he could not represent his client at an international arbitration because of protests and preventive measures. Nadkarni was joined by SCBA president Pradeep Rai who said the right to protest must co-exist with the right of other citizens to move and function without hindrance. SC agreed to list both the petitions for hearing on Tuesday along with pleas by Shailendra Mani Tripathi, opposition MPs M A Baby, Manoj Jha and Menaka Guruswamy, who have accused police of using excessive force to quell protests. Rai said, “Institution is performing its institutional duty and we are doing our professional duties. Political parties must not interfere with our domain.” CJI Surya Kant, while saying that court would not wade into others’ turf, said, “Democratic institutions should be allowed to function peacefully and there should not be any impediment in the functioning or movement of lawyers, court staff and litigants.” Following Nadkarni and Rai, advocate G Sankaranarayanan mentioned another petition repeating what was argued — detention of senior advocate Shadan Farasat in an “unseemly” manner — before SC on Sunday and suggested that asking protesters to exercise restraint, be peaceful and cooperate when police was using excessive force, was not fair. “I know SC has repeatedly said we must try to cooperate and exercise restraint. For once I would hope that court would say the same thing to police. That has not come from this bench so far. I am hoping that happens because of excesses they are allowing… the hooligans were roaming around with sticks,” he said. “They have hit children on the head and put out videos and proudly posted the videos saying they have done this and police have done nothing. And we are being told to exercise restraint. I do not know what we have done to be told to exercise restraint. At some point the bench will come to the rescue of the bar and the citizens of this country and send a strong message to the police,” he added. CJI agreed to list the petition on Tuesday but stressed yet again: “I will not allow SC or SC campus to become a political battlefield. We do not want advocates and lawyers to be part of the political battles inside the court premises. Wherever identified locations (for protest) are there, the protests can be held there.” 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
No denial from President’s office yet on ‘vote chori’: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress neta Rahul Gandhi Monday told CEC Gyanesh Kumar that he could be forgiven for making a “mistake” if he resigned, telling him that the opposition is after the bigger powers behind him. Addressing a news conference, Rahul said, “Resign, turn approver. You have made a mistake, but you are not the mind behind the mistake.” Rahul warned Kumar that he will not be able to survive as the CEC, and that the opposition has details of his past record. He accused “five criminals” of attacking India’s democracy. Asked if the CEC has reached out to him, Rahul said, “I get messages and he is watching (the press conference).” Rahul said that 200 officers of the Modi govt — from CBI to MEA — are “in touch” with Congress, and providing it information. Referring to his Friday statement that the President agreed with the opposition delegation’s charge of “vote chori”, Rahul said there was no denial from the President’s office, even though it was “quietly done from the PMO”. “Even the President knows what is going on … We are excited about giving the evidence to the President (as asked by her) about what Modi and others are doing.” The LoP said the agitation would not stop even if it takes weeks and months to reach its destination. He counselled “perseverance” to opposition and youth both. Amid the massive security deployment, Rahul asked why is “Delhi in jail”. He said the Modi govt is falling deeper into the opposition trap by conveying to the country that it is resorting to repression just to protect the CEC. Playing videos of protest beatings, he said the Delhi Police, CRPF and ITBP are also “disturbed” at being asked to beat up patriotic youth while also being told to let saffron goons roam freely and harass protestors, including women. Using Hindu metaphors to issue an open invite to citizens and politicians, Rahul said the present agitation is “Shivji’s baraat” that anyone can join, and that it is spontaneous and not planned like “Shiv’s Tandav”. At the same time, he said “all protests are one”, in a reference to CJP and other outfits. 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
SP’s Dalit Mahasammelan in Agra, Akhilesh Yadav to attend: Event to be held on November 15th, target to gather 100,000 people; clarion call for 2027 elections
The Samajwadi Party is holding a Dalit Mahasammelan in Agra on November 15th. Party National President Akhilesh Yadav will attend. A meeting was held at the district office to prepare for the event, in which leaders and workers participated and responsibilities were assigned. Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman stated that the convention will be held in western Uttar Pradesh. The party has set a target of gathering 100,000 people. Metropolitan President Shabbir Abbas stated that Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief guest. SP leaders stated that there is discontent among the Dalit community against the BJP government. They believe that only the Samajwadi Party can defeat the BJP. This Mahasammelan is being considered a clarion call for the 2027 assembly elections. Merjuddin | (Partial) of Tajnagri Phase-1, Agra Courtesy: Hindi News