Iran crisis: Rahul Gandhi questions PM Modi’s ‘silence’ on warship sinking in ‘our backyard’
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said PM Narendra Modi’s silence in the wake of “conflict” and the sinking of an Iranian warship showed that the PM had “surrendered strategy sovereignty”. The opposition party also slammed govt for “undoing” the foreign policy painstakingly built over the last seven decades. Rahul said the world had entered a volatile phase and “stormy seas” lay ahead, with oil supplies and 40% of Indian imports transiting through the Strait of Hormuz under threat. “The conflict has reached our backyard, with an Iranian warship sunk in the Indian Ocean. Yet the PM has said nothing. At a moment like this, we need a steady hand at the wheel. Instead, India has a compromised PM who has surrendered our strategic autonomy,” he said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the PM’s silence after the sinking of the Iranian ship that was India’s guest showed “Modi government’s reckless abdication of India’s strategic and national interests”. He also questioned the “absence” of maritime rescue and relief when 38 Indian-flagged commercial ships along with 1,100 sailors were stuck in the conflict-hit region. He said the government had also not made public the plan to deal with rising oil prices and limited reserves, especially after agreeing with the US to stop import from Russia. One crore Indians were in Gulf region countries and there were desperate messages from medical students seeking help, he said. “Clearly, Modi’s surrender is both political and moral. It demeans India’s core national interests and destroys our foreign policy carefully built and followed by successive governments over the years,” Kharge said. 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
‘Exploitation’: Rahul Gandhi takes ‘compromised individual’ dig at Centre after US waiver on Russian oil
Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed PM Narendra Modi-led government over its foreign policy in the backdrop of the recent waiver issued by the United States for India allowing New Delhi to buy Russian oil, alleging that it was the result of the “exploitation of a compromised individual.” Taking his criticism to X while retweeting a video shared by the Congress of his speech in the Lok Sabha on concerns related to India’s trade sovereignty, Rahul wrote: “India’s foreign policy emerges from the collective will of our people. It should be rooted in our history, our geography, and our spiritual ethos based on Satya and Ahimsa. What we are witnessing today is not policy. It is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual.” In the video shared by the Congress, Rahul can be heard blaming Prime Minister Modi and calling him “compromised.” He said, “The US will tell us who we can or cannot buy oil from — if it’s Russia or Iran, the US will decide. But our Prime Minister will not decide.” Earlier in the day, Congress targeted the Centre after the United States announced that it would allow India to continue purchasing Russian oil, questioning how long this “American blackmail” would continue.In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote: “Trump ka naya khel, Dilli dost ko kaha, Putin se le sakte ho tel, kab tak chalega ye Ameriki blackmail (Trump’s new game; told his friend in Delhi you can get oil from Putin; how long will this American blackmail continue?).” The remarks came after the US issued a temporary waiver allowing India to continue buying Russian oil, saying the move was intended to stabilise global energy supplies amid rising tensions in the Middle East. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said: “President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil.” He added that Washington expects India to increase energy imports from the United States in the future. “India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil,” Bessent wrote, noting that the temporary measure would “alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage.” The waiver comes at a time when India faces potential risks of energy supply disruptions in Middle East following escalating tensions in the region. The situation intensified after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iran that killed Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. India sources nearly 40 percent of its oil imports from the region, with a significant share transported through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Russia has indicated that it is ready to redirect crude shipments to India to offset potential supply disruptions caused by the conflict. According to Reuters, nearly 9.5 million barrels of Russian oil are currently positioned near Indian waters and could reach the country within weeks. The potential shift in supply follows Iranian strikes on vessels in the region, raising fears that the Strait of Hormuz could be partially closed — a development that could affect roughly 40 percent of India’s crude imports. 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
Internal reservation: Dalit Ministers hold meetings to arrive at a consensus ahead of Karnataka Cabinet meeting on March 5
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting during which the internal reservation issue is scheduled to be discussed, Dalit Ministers held parleys to arrive at a possible broader consensus on the issue that has now driven a wedge among Scheduled Castes and left the Cabinet divided Ahead of the Cabinet meeting on Thursday during which the internal reservation issue is scheduled to be discussed, Dalit Ministers on Wednesday held parleys to arrive at a possible broader consensus on the issue that has now driven a wedge among Scheduled Castes and left the Cabinet divided. The BJP, meanwhile, has announced a State-wide protest against the confusion. Ministers from both the Dalit Right (Holeya) and the Dalit Left (Madiga) castes separately met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the senior most Dalit leader in the State. Dalit Left Ministers K.H. Muniyappa and R.B. Thimmapur also met Dalit Right Minister G. Parameshwara to find a possible solution. Kharge’s guidance Mr. Muniyappa said they held a comprehensive discussion with Mr. Kharge on implementing internal reservation, and the latter gave guidance to arrive at a settlement. “A just and balanced sharing of reservation among the SCs will be discussed with the Chief Minister,” he said. The Cabinet is divided over the government’s decision to kickstart the recruitment process for 56,432 posts, adhering to the 50% cap in reservation and without internal reservation among SCs. While the Dalit Right Ministers are against internal reservation within 15% quota for SCs, the Dalit Left Ministers are insisting the internal reservation matrix should be drawn for the 15% quota. Meanwhile, defending the decision, another Dalit Right Minister Priyank Kharge told presspersons about the legal hurdles, “The government favouring social justice stopped recruitment process before the internal quota matrix was drawn. Based on empirical data, the legislature passed a law. How are we then against internal reservation? If someone goes to court, is it the government’s fault? There are a total of six cases in court.” Stating that everything had to be done legally, he said, “We have been transparent. We are ready to provide 6% as backlog. Let the court give its verdict.” On the opposition to 15% reservation for SCs, he said, “Is there empirical data for 15%? It (data) was (based on) a 15-year-old census. We do not know how it was arrived at.” State-wide protest Accusing the Congress government of meting out injustice to Scheduled Castes communities, the BJP has warned of a State-wide protest if provisions were not made for including internal reservation for SC communities during the proposed recruitment initiative. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Wednesday, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra took exception to the decision to go ahead with the recruitment without internal reservation and also peg the total reservation quantum at 50% as against 56% provided by the erstwhile BJP government. He warned that this would create unrest among oppressed communities. Mr. Vijayendra accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of meting out injustice to Dalits despite coming to power with the support of communities from AHINDA (Kannada acronym for Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits). He said that the government was citing the reservation issues being challenged before the court as an “alibi.” Right and Left divide The Dalit Left communities, under the Federation of Madiga Sanghas, are also seeking legal opinion about the government decision to keep away internal reservation from the recruitment process. A handbill issued to create awareness in the community terms the decision on internal reservation as “betrayal by Congress”. On the other hand, welcoming the government’s decision to hold recruitment with 15% quota and without internal reservation, the Federation of Karnataka State Dalit Right Communities has asked the government to reject the H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission report as “unscientific” since it had “under reported” the numbers of Dalit Right by spreading communities in various other categories. K.H. Muniyappa Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit leaders clash over internal reservation as Karnataka plans 56,000 recruitments
Bengaluru: Amid the ongoing power-sharing tensions within the Karnataka Congress, a fresh controversy has erupted among Scheduled Caste leaders over the issue of internal reservation in the proposed recruitment of 56,000 government posts. The state government’s decision to proceed with the recruitment process without applying internal reservation has triggered sharp differences between Dalit “left-hand” and “right-hand” communities within the party. Leaders from the Dalit left-hand community have expressed strong dissatisfaction, fearing that their share of opportunities could be diluted if internal reservation is not implemented within the existing quota. The development has intensified political pressure on the government led by Siddaramaiah. What triggered the controversy? Earlier, the Karnataka government had decided to provide 17 percent reservation to Scheduled Castes based on the recommendations of the committee headed by Justice H. N. Nagamohan Das. However, the move faced a legal hurdle after the reservation ceiling crossed 50 percent, taking the total to about 56 percent. The Supreme Court of India subsequently stayed the implementation of the enhanced quota. Following large-scale protests by job aspirants in Dharwad demanding immediate recruitment to vacant government posts, the state cabinet decided to go ahead with filling about 56,000 posts based on the existing 50 percent reservation cap. However, while implementing the recruitment process, the government reportedly decided not to apply internal reservation within the 15 percent quota reserved for Scheduled Castes. Instead, the recruitment is expected to be carried out through a general distribution within the SC category. Dalit leaders demand internal quota This decision has angered leaders belonging to the Dalit left-hand community, who insist that internal reservation must be implemented within the 15 percent SC quota. They argue that the distribution should follow the same pattern proposed under the 17 percent reservation framework recommended earlier. According to them, failing to implement internal reservation within the 15 percent quota would deny fair representation to certain sub-castes within the Scheduled Caste community. The issue has also created political tension within the Congress party. Leaders from the Dalit left-hand community allege that the delay in implementing internal reservation is due to pressure from ministers representing the right-hand community. Separate meetings and political pressure Amid the growing dispute, leaders from both factions have reportedly held separate meetings and submitted their concerns to Mallikarjun Kharge, President of the Indian National Congress. They have demanded that internal reservation be implemented while distributing the 15 percent quota during the recruitment process. Senior ministers including R. B. Timmapur and K. H. Muniyappa have strongly supported the immediate implementation of internal reservation. However, ministers representing the right-hand Dalit community have not yet publicly expressed a clear stand on the issue, further deepening divisions. Meanwhile, Govind Karjol of the Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded that the government issue orders implementing internal reservation during the upcoming cabinet meeting. Crucial cabinet meeting A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled for Thursday evening, where the issue of internal reservation is expected to be discussed. Sources say both Siddaramaiah and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have advised Dalit ministers to arrive at a consensus before a final decision is taken. In the previous cabinet meeting, guidelines were issued for recruitment based on the 50 percent reservation framework, but internal reservation was not included. Whether the government will revise the guidelines and incorporate internal reservation is now being keenly watched. The decision taken in the upcoming cabinet meeting is likely to have significant political implications, both within the Congress party and among Scheduled Caste communities in Karnataka. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cong’s right to see RaGa as PM: Ponnam
Hyderabad: BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday criticised Union minister Bandi Sanjay over his remarks on AICC leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that in a democracy it is the people who decide leadership. Bandi Sanjay allegedly said the country would face an eclipse if Rahul Gandhi became the prime minister. Countering Bandi Sanjay’s remarks, Ponnam Prabhakar said it was the right of Congress to aspire to see Rahul Gandhi as the prime minister and added that such decisions ultimately depend on the trust of the people. Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar said Bandi’s remarks reflected political frustration and insecurity rather than constructive politics. “Bandi Sanjay should know that Narendra Modi himself came to Gujarat as a parachute leader and became the chief minister. Even without winning an election like Modi, many assumed high office before. Even though senior leaders like Manmohan Singh preferred Rahul Gandhi for the prime minister’s post in 2009, Rahul Gandhi chose not to take up the position then,” he claimed. He accused the BJP-led govt at the Centre of pushing the country into difficulties on several fronts over the past several years, claiming that prices rose sharply and govt organisations were weakening. Ponnam Prabhakar accused BJP of indulging in divisive politics by inciting religious hatred and targeting minorities and weaker sections for political gains. “Central investigative agencies such as CBI and Enforcement Directorate were being misused to destabilise opposition govts,” he alleged. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, the minister said the Congress leader worked to promote unity in the country. 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
Noor urges Rahul to boycott Bengal polls over ‘vote chori’
Malda: With 8.3 lakh Malda voters marked “under adjudication” in the electoral rolls published on Saturday, former MP Mausam Noor has written to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to boycott the assembly election if it is held on the basis of the current list. Noor said on Wednesday, “We informed Rahul Gandhi as well as our PCC leadership to boycott the election if it is held on the basis of this electoral roll. However, we were told that it is too early to take such a decision. Instead, we are launching a movement against this list starting March 5.” Blaming both TMC and BJP, Noor said they wanted to keep the Congress away from the fray. She alleged that minority communities were targeted. In Congress strongholds like Sujapur, Mothabari, Malatipur, and Harishchandrapur, the proportion of voters under adjudication was 53.6%, 40.6%, 40.9%, and 36.4% respectively. In Sujapur alone, 1.3 lakh out of 2.5 lakh voters were listed under adjudication. Noor, who rejoined Congress from the TMC in Jan, has provided a significant fillip to the party which failed to win a single seat in Malda in the 2021 assembly elections. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress won from Malda South. This time, the party has decided to contest the state polls alone. “The voters, particularly Muslims, were victimised through no fault of their own. The state has a long secular tradition, but BJP and TMC are now engaging in divisive politics,” Noor added. MP Isha Khan Choudhury said, “If this list remains, there is no point in contesting. Our neta Rahul Gandhi has been highlighting the ‘vote-chori’ issue for a long time. This list in Bengal, published by the EC, is clear proof of this.” 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
‘India must be morally clear’: Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to ‘speak up’ on Iran crisis
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to take a clear and moral stand amid escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran. In a post on X, Rahul said the region was being pushed “toward wider conflict” and warned that millions, including nearly a crore Indians, faced uncertainty due to the deteriorating security situation. “Escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran are pushing a fragile region toward wider conflict. Crores of people, including nearly a crore Indians, face uncertainty,” Rahul said. “While security concerns are real, attacks that violate sovereignty will only worsen the crisis. The unilateral attacks on Iran, as well as Iran’s attacks on other Middle Eastern nations, must be condemned. Violence begets violence – dialogue and restraint remain the only path to peace,” he added. Rahul said India’s foreign policy traditions demand clarity during periods of global instability. “India must be morally clear. We should have the courage to speak plainly in defence of international law and human lives. Our foreign policy is rooted in sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes — and it must remain consistent,” he said. In a pointed remark aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi questioned the government’s position on recent developments. “PM Modi must speak up. Does he support the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order? Silence now diminishes India’s standing in the world,” he added. Meanwhile, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that limited flight operations have resumed from Dubai amid continued airspace disruptions in the region. US and Israel conducted airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities on February 28, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure. These strikes resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and four senior military and security officials, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities. 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
Kishan Reddy seeks white paper on Telangana finances
Hyderabad: With the budget session set to begin on March 16, Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy has written to chief minister A Revanth Reddy, urging the state govt to release a white paper on Telangana’s financial position. In his letter, Kishan Reddy referred to the Congress party’s election promises and recalled the CM’s remark that the “state treasury is empty like mud pots instead of treasure.” He also cited a recent comment suggesting that ₹1,000 crore could go to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s family and the Congress, calling the statements contradictory. The Union minister said Telangana, which began as a surplus state, is now facing rising per capita debt and increasing dependence on borrowings for routine expenditure. He urged the govt to present facts through the white paper before the budget session. Kishan Reddy said that the NDA govt led by PM Modi has extended about ₹12 lakh crore to Telangana over 12 years through tax devolution, infrastructure allocations, welfare schemes, farm support, institutional lending and interest-free loans for key infrastructure projects. 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
Parliament must debate ‘dissonance’ in foreign policy: Congress MP Sonia Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Terming the PM Modi govt’s “silence” on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s targeted assassination and attack on Iran as signalling a “tacit endorsement” of the tragedy, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi has demanded that Parliament discuss the “dissonance” in foreign policy when it resumes next week – suggesting that the opposition will strongly raise the recent events of West Asia in the Budget session. She said the killing of a sitting head of state in the middle of ongoing negotiations marks a grave rupture in contemporary international relations. Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi asked if PM Modi “supports the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order”. Urging Modi to speak up, Rahul said silence diminishes India’s standing in the world. In a media article, Sonia said Modi’s recent visit to Israel and “his unconditional support” for the Benjamin Netanyahu govt just two days before the US-Israel attacks on Iran has raised serious questions, besides the abandoning of an old ally like Iran. She asked why the “Global South” would trust India to defend its territorial sovereignty when it cannot even defend that principle. The attitude of govt has raised serious doubts about the direction and credibility of India’s foreign policy, she said. Sonia emphasised the need for “us to rediscover” the moral strength of the values India has stood for – sovereignty, peace, justice, non-violence. She said the PM ignored the massive US-Israeli attack on Iran, and condemned Iran’s retaliatory strike on the UAE without addressing the sequence of events that preceded it. Noting that India’s ties with Israel have in recent years expanded across defence, agriculture and technology, Sonia said India’s relations with both Tehran and Tel Aviv give it the space to urge restraint. 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
‘Take it or leave it’: DMK makes 25-seat offer to Congress for assembly polls, party holds out for 41; alliance talks in limbo
CHENNAI: Seat-sharing talks between DMK and Congress have hit a dead end with DMK making a virtual ‘take it or leave it’ offer of 25 seats and a Rajya Sabha seat. Congress, which demanded 41 assembly seats and two RS seats, has conveyed that it cannot accept the alliance leader’s offer. DMK organisation secretary and seat-sharing panel member R S Bharathi told TOI that the party’s offer was “clearly communicated” during the talks with Congress representatives. “Now they have to take it or reject it,” he said. “There will be no change in our offer.” He, however, added that his party has not set any deadline. AICC leader Girish Chodankar said the negotiation panel has submitted a report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, conveying that DMK has not acceded to their demand. Sources told TOI that Chodankar has reported to the leadership that the talks have hit a dead end as DMK did not respond positively to the demand for power-sharing and more seats. Sources said seat-sharing did not come up during the short conversation when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called up DMK chief M K Stalin on Sunday evening to convey his birthday wishes to the CM. Later that night, Congress high command reached out to party MLAs in Tamil Nadu to seek feedback on alliance options. “AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and a few others reached out to MLAs here,” said a TNCC leader. “Most favoured continuing in the DMK alliance, while a small number said the party could consider TVK if DMK does not offer more seats.” TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai struck a conciliatory note, saying there was no confusion or crisis in the alliance. “Negotiations happen in every election. Every party asks for more seats, and a settlement is eventually reached. The same will happen here. We are asking for a few more seats, and talks are continuing,” he said. Selvaperunthagai denied any talks with TVK or any directive from the high command to explore alternative alliances. “There is no backdoor politics,” he said. TVK functionaries also said no discussions took place between their party and AICC leaders. Responding to reporters’ questions on whether TVK could align with Congress, C T R Nirmal Kumar, joint general secretary of TVK, said alliances can change even at the last minute. 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