Villagers allegedly stop sending children to Kendrapara Anganwadi after Dalit cook’s appointment
Families in Nuagaon village, Kendrapara district, Odisha, have reportedly ceased sending their children to a local Anganwadi following the appointment of Sarmistha Sethi, a Scheduled Caste cook, in November last year. Sarmistha Sethi stated she began working at the Anganwadi on November 20, but children have not attended since because of her caste. “I joined on 20 November last year. Students are not coming here because I belong to the Scheduled Caste. It has been three months like this. Something like this should not happen in the education sector. I am a cook here. The sub-collector officer and tehsildar also know about this issue,” she said. Sub-Collector of Kendrapara, Arun Kumar Nayak, said he visited the Anganwadi and discovered villagers refusing to accept the cooked food, although no formal complaint regarding caste discrimination has been filed. He assured that the matter will be resolved promptly and that action will be taken if civil rights violations occur. “I went there yesterday and inquired with a few villagers and the candidate herself. Although it was not clear from anyone, we have not received any complaint regarding any kind of caste issue. I came to know that villagers are not taking any cooked food from that Anganwadi centre. We will sort out the issue very soon. Tomorrow we will do a massive campaign. If it is a case of violation of civil rights, then we will act accordingly,” he stated. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns on February 14 about alleged caste discrimination at workplaces. Referring to the incident in Odisha during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, he highlighted that some families refused to allow their children to eat food prepared by a Dalit Anganwadi worker. Kharge remarked that such discrimination undermines social reform and unity in the 21st century, noting that the Anganwadi centre had been boycotted for three months. He emphasised that Anganwadis are fundamental to children’s physical and cognitive development, asserting that these discriminatory practices affect their growth and infringe upon the right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsmill.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Govt is compromised’: Congress seeks Hardeep Puri’s resignation over Epstein link
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday demanded the resignation of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri over his alleged links to the Jeffrey Epstein case, intensifying its attack after the minister acknowledged meeting the disgraced financier several times in a professional capacity. Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the party believes Puri has no right to remain in office. Speaking to reporters, Khera said, “Clearly, the Congress party is demanding the resignation of Hardeep Singh Puri. This person has no right to remain in his position. In the last 48 hours, he has only lied. We will raise this issue before the people of the country that this government is compromised, and that too with a person like Jeffrey Epstein.” — ANI (@ANI) The demand comes after Puri, at a press conference on Wednesday, said that he had met convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein “three or four times” over eight years in what he described as a “professional capacity”. Responding to allegations raised by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, Puri said that the interactions were limited and already in the public domain following the release of millions of emails by US authorities. At the press conference, he stated, “There are references to possibly three or four meetings in eight years… Any contact I had with him has no connection to the serious allegations of sexual abuse filed by victims.” He further clarified, “My interaction had nothing to do with that,” stressing that the meetings were linked to his tenure as India’s Ambassador to the United Nations and later engagements with the International Peace Institute. Explaining the context, Puri said his former superior at the International Peace Institute, Terje Rod-Larsen, knew Epstein and that he met him as part of official delegations. He maintained that the interactions were entirely professional and predated his entry into the Union Cabinet in 2017. However, the Congress rejected the minister’s explanation. Earlier, Khera raised a series of questions regarding an alleged 2014 email exchange that forms part of documents released by the US Department of Justice. He questioned why Puri referred to Epstein as a “friend” in an email and why he sought “advice” from him if their association was only incidental. In another post, Khera accused Puri of trivialising Epstein’s crimes, writing that reducing the conviction to “soliciting favours of a woman who was underage” downplayed the gravity of sexual exploitation of a minor. The controversy began after Rahul Gandhi claimed he had “verified information” and alleged that “there are Department of Justice files on Epstein naming Hardeep Puri.” Gandhi also alleged broader pressure on the government in the context of international developments, including the India-US trade deal. Puri dismissed Gandhi’s remarks as “baseless allegations” and described parts of his speech in Parliament as having “elements of buffoonery” and “entertainment value”. He insisted that his name appearing in released documents does not imply wrongdoing and that his meetings were unrelated to the criminal charges against Epstein. The exchange has triggered a sharp political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Congress, with the opposition demanding accountability and the minister defending his record. As the row escalates, the Congress has said it will continue to raise the matter publicly, while the government has maintained that there is no wrongdoing on the part of the minister. 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
Khaira meets Rahul Gandhi with farmer leaders to oppose proposed India-US interim trade deal
Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader, MLA from Bholath and chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, met Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with leaders of various farmers’ organisations from across the country at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. During the meeting, the farmer delegation expressed deep concern over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, which they warned could severely threaten the livelihoods of Indian farmers and farm labourers by opening the doors for large-scale agricultural imports. The delegation highlighted the potential adverse impact on key crops, including corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts, and cautioned that such a move could destabilise India’s agricultural economy and weaken the country’s food security. Gandhi assured the delegation of his full support and reiterated his firm commitment to stand with the farming community against any policy that harms their interests. He emphasised that any trade agreement that compromises farmers’ incomes or the nation’s food security was unacceptable and assured that the Congress party would strongly oppose such anti-farmer measures both inside and outside Parliament. Khaira, while briefing the media after the meeting, said there was a broad consensus on launching a nationwide movement to oppose the proposed trade deal and to safeguard the interests of farmers and agricultural workers across the country. He said the farming community viewed the agreement as a serious threat that could expose Indian agriculture to unfair competition from heavily subsidised foreign produce. Khaira further said that the All India Kisan Congress, in coordination with various farmer unions and like-minded organisations, will mobilise farmers across states to build a strong democratic movement to protect their livelihoods. Khaira urged the Union govt to immediately make the full details of the trade negotiations public and refrain from signing any agreement that compromises the economic security of Indian farmers. 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
‘Master at telling lies’: Rahul slams PM Modi over India-US trade deal, flags impact on farmers
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday escalated his attack on the finalised India-US trade deal, claiming that the agreement would harm India’s cotton farmers and textile exporters. In a post on X, Rahul alleged that the government has walked into a “trap” that leaves millions of families staring into an “abyss of unemployment.” “18% Tariff versus 0% – Let me explain how the Prime Minister, a master at telling lies, and his Cabinet are spreading confusion on this. And how they’re deceiving the country’s cotton farmers and textile exporters through the India-US trade deal.” Rahul said that after India’s garments were subjected to an 18% tariff in the US market, he raised in Parliament the issue of the special concession being given to Bangladesh. According to him, a minister responded, “If we want the same benefit, we’ll have to import cotton from the US.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The LoP in Lok Sabha claimed that Bangladesh was being given a 0% tariff on garment exports to the US on the condition that it imports American cotton. Bangladesh is signalling that it might reduce or even stop importing cotton from India, he said. Questioning the policy, Gandhi said, “Is it really any kind of option – or a trap designed to corner us in a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation? If we import American cotton, our own farmers will be ruined. If we don’t, our textile industry will fall behind and be destroyed.” Earlier as well, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Centre over the agreement with Washington, alleging that the deal “betrays our food security and farmers,” and claiming that PM Modi opened India’s agricultural market because US President Donald Trump “has him by the throat.” The remarks come after Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday rejected Gandhi’s criticism and accused him of misleading farmers. In a video post on X, Goyal said, “Mr Rahul Gandhi has once again rolled out a stage-managed, most artificial and fake narrative. This time, he is shooting from the shoulders of a few Congress party activists, who are pretending to be farmer leaders – in a completely artificial, and baseless conversation.” Goyal said the government had fully protected farmers’ interests in the agreement and that he stood by that statement “on record and with full responsibility.” — PiyushGoyal (@PiyushGoyal) He added that the deal would benefit farmers, fishermen, youth, MSMEs, startups and artisans, and would not harm agricultural producers. 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
A Meerut wedding that got too risky. Dalit bride, Muslim groom, parents, venue ready
The FIR against the Muslim groom has left two families, who barely a week ago were in a celebratory mood, worrying for their safety. The engagement hall that was booked by the Meerut families. Akanksha Gautam and Shahvez Rana were supposed to exchange rings last week when an FIR was lodged against the groom alleging forced conversion. | Sabah Gurmat | ThePrint A Meerut interfaith wedding between Akanksha Gautam and Shahvez Rana was cancelled after Akanksha’s uncle, instigated by a Hindutva group, filed a “love jihad” FIR. The couple, who had planned a secular marriage, face emotional and financial distress, and fear for their safety under Uttar Pradesh’s controversial law. *AI-generated summary. Check context in original text. Meerut: Akanksha Gautam should have been receiving congratulatory messages and calls on her phone. The 29-year-old Meerut woman was supposed to marry her former neighbour Shahvez Rana. Now, the wedding is cancelled. And an FIR and the draconian love-jihad law haunt the couple. Akanksha’s phone was ringing non-stop on Wednesday morning. But now, she is battling the system while trying hard to minimise her losses on a wedding that has cost the family a fortune. “I paid Rs 65,000 to book the Saat Phere banquet hall for my sagai. I just want the refund now,” said Akanksha, distraught about what is to follow. In her living room, crammed with cartons of Voltas and LG ACs bought as “gifts” for the groom’s side, Akanksha sank into the sofa and turned her phone off. Her cousin Madhu had arrived from Agra, looking forward to all the dancing and celebrations at the haldi and mehendi ceremonies. “Now it’s less like a shadi ka ghar, more like a maatam ka mahaul.” The Meerut couple is the latest to be at the receiving end of the Uttar Pradesh law that many have called regressive ever since it came into existence in 2020. The case has left two families, who till barely a week ago were in a celebratory mood, worrying for their safety. While police investigate the ‘love jihad’ allegations against the groom, and the family seeks appointments with top cops in the hope of some relief, WhatsApp forwards and fake news circulation hound Shahvez and his kin. And the Hindu group that helped file the FIR has openly declared they will not leave the couple alone. In UP, nobody wants to host an inter-faith wedding. Twenty-five-year-old Shahvez served as a manager at a small privately-run hospital in Meerut. Now, he is “too afraid” to return to his work. “My name, my work, my reputation has all gone. Even Akanksha – and she is alone just with her sister and mother, did anyone think of her? – she is at risk too. This is all happening because of Sachin Sirohi and goons like him who have instigated her uncle. Her chacha has known me for years, did he not know I’m Muslim? Go ask him, ask his whole family. They all know me well! They are just being instigated by these hate mongering goons” said Shahvez over a video call, unable to hold back his tears. Sirohi is a well-known vigilante in Meerut who enjoys political patronage. He was earlier the Meerut zone’s head of the Hindu Jagran Manch, and has been involved in incidents like this in the past as well. Local journalists said he likes to do whatever it takes to get in the limelight. ThePrint tried reaching out to Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey and SP (rural) Abhijeet Kumar through calls and messages. This report will be updated with their responses as and when they arrive. Investigating Officer Dheeraj Singh said the probe was underway and that the police will proceed accordingly to ascertain whether this is a case of forced conversion or not. “No arrests have been made so far. The complainant’s claim was an offence of a serious nature, and the police are bound to register a case.” Sachin Sirohi (second from left), president of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Sangathan with Prem Chand (third from left), Akanksha’s uncle in whose name the FIR was registered against Shahvez the Muslim groom. | Sabah Gurmat | ThePrint A name, a dog whistle, and an FIR Relatives from Agra had arrived at Akanksha’s home for the wedding. As the family now tries to make sense of the developments, they are also keeping an eye on how the case is being reported in the media Rohan, one of Akanksha’s nephews, fished out his phone and played a TV news story about Shahvez’s purported “Love Jihad”, even as he said that Shahvez had been like a friend to him. All her maternal side of relatives knew of him since the time they were friends. Madhu, the cousin and Megha, the younger sister, saw Shahvez as a caring and responsible man. Someone who had “always been there as a friend to our sister”. Akanksha Gautam with her mehndi. | Sabah Gurmat | ThePrint At the centre of this storm is 39-year-old Sachin Sirohi, who accompanied Akanksha’s uncle Prem Chand, and went to the Ganga Nagar police station on 9 February– just hours before the couple’s sagai/engagement ceremony. Their biggest reservation was a name printed on the wedding card. Shahvez’s name was printed as ‘Sahil’ in one version of the wedding cards distributed by the bride’s side. Aided by members of various Hindutva organisations, a police complaint was filed, which was later converted into an FIR. In 2021, Sirohi was booked in a case that involved pressurising a Hindu woman to slap and assault her Muslim friend. In December last year, Sirohi was accused by the family of a Muslim home-buyer, as the person responsible for threats. Sirohi and other Hindutva groups had opposed the sale of a home to a Muslim family in a posh colony inhabited by Hindus and Sikhs. Now, there is anger among Akanksha’s family members and an urge to respond. Rohan said that if their side could get “people from the Bhim Army”—the way
Kharge raises Odisha anganwadi boycott over Dalit cook in Parliament debate
Congress chief cites NCRB data on atrocities against SCs and seeks accountability, warns caste prejudice in public institutions harms equality and child welfare The Congress on Thursday raised in Parliament the alleged boycott of an anganwadi centre in Odisha’s Kendrapara district after a Dalit woman was appointed cook-cum-helper. Congress president and the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said the incident in Ghadiamal village had brought to light caste-based prejudices among the majority community against the Scheduled Castes. Kharge demanded strong action and accountability in cases of caste-based discrimination. “Had the government taken timely actions in such incidents in the past, this incident would not have happened,” he said. Residents of the Odisha village have stopped sending their children to the anganwadi centre after the Dalit woman was appointed. During Zero Hour, Kharge said that in the 21st century when some people are talking about social reforms and Hindu unity, most families in an Odisha village have refused to have the food prepared by a cook in an anganwadi centre. Kharge said anganwadi centres lay the foundation for children’s cognitive development and such caste-based prejudice would affect their growth. “These incidents reflect caste-based discrimination in workplaces. Recently, many such incidents have come to our notice. Had timely action been taken in those cases, such an incident would not have happened,” Kharge said. He cited several incidents in recent years: a man urinating on a tribal in Madhya Pradesh, a Dalit employee in Gujarat committing suicide because of caste-based exploitation at the workplace, and the linking of an IPS officer’s suicide in Chandigarh to caste bias. “These incidents demonstrate that caste-based prejudices are not limited to social life alone. They get manifested in workplaces too. This affects the dignity, career progress and safety of weaker sections. Such behaviour is a clear violation of Articles 14, 15 and 17. I demand taking strong and time-bound actions. Accountability must be fixed in cases of such violations,” Kharge said. On February 10, minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale had in Parliament quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau to say that the number of cases registered under crimes or atrocities against SCs during 2021, 2022 and 2023 was 50,900, 57,582 and 57,789, respectively. Courtesy : Telegraph India Note: This news is originally published on https:/telegraphindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Red tape: 360 Dalit families live in dark for 40 years in Tamil Nadu
Several poor Dalit families settled down on barren land strips on the city’s outskirts over the years in batches, and were promised patta for nine acres and 13 cents of land by successuve governments. MADURAI: For the nearly 360 Dalit families residing at Theerthakadu village near Vandiyur within Madurai city limits, the tug-of-war between the city corporation and the state revenue department over issuance of land pattas has meant a life without electricity, drinking water, roads, drainage, and sanitation facility for more than 40 years. Though the locality falls under ward 38 of the Madurai City Corporation and is part of the Madurai East Assembly constituency represented by Commercial Taxes Minister P Moorthy, for the authorities, the life of 1,200 residents is a matter unspoken, unheard, and unseen. According to a few residents, several poor Dalit families settled down on barren land strips located on the city’s outskirts over the years in batches, and they were promised patta for nine acres and 13 cents of land by successive governments. Only 68 families, however, received e-pattas from Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin in December last year. This delay in issuing pattas hampered the transfer of common land area for development of amenities by the state revenue department to the city corporation, leading to the delay in creating basic facilities in the locality. Unwilling to put up with this official apathy any longer, the Theerthakadu SC Residents Protection Welfare Association has decided to boycott the upcoming elections. Raising slogans such as “enough is enough”, the residents have pasted posters in and around the village announcing their decision to not vote in any election until they are provided with basic facilities. Speaking to TNIE, Muthamil Pandian, president of the association, said, “We have decided to boycott the Assembly polls in protest against this neglect for over 40 years. We are also planning a rally to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai in the next few days.” During TNIE’s visit to the village, resident N Mullaikodi (35) said more than 350 SC families have been living in the locality since 1983. ‘No power to charge free laptops given to students’ “Although we have constructed houses, the corporation has refused to provide basic amenities. Due to lack of water pipelines, we are forced to shell out Rs 80 for a 100-litre barrel of borewell water (for non-drinking use) and Rs 15 per pot of drinking water,” she said. She further alleged that the lack of electricity connection has made the village unsafe, with miscreants frequently using the area for illegal activities. “We are daily-wage labourers and cannot afford to live in rented houses elsewhere. We can’t go out to work before sunrise or return home after sunset as the locality is pitch dark. It is also dangerous at night due to poisonous insects and snakes,” she said, adding that women and girls are subjected to harassment when they go out to relieve themselves. “With no proper lighting, students are forced to study under candlelight. We are unable to use any electronic equipment, including free laptops, given to students. They remain unused or are sold. Not a single child from our village has graduated in the last 40 years. We are compelled to spend money even for basic necessities. We travel to nearby areas that have electricity and pay Rs 5 per device to charge phones,” said Renuka (30), another villager. A senior revenue official, under condition of anonymity, told TNIE, “We are looking into the issue and taking steps to fulfil the villagers’ demands, including electricity and water connection.” When contacted, Collector KJ Praveen Kumar told TNIE he would check with the Corporation Commissioner regarding the matter. Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam 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
Transgender lost life to save Rs 10 from snatchers
Bhubaneswar: Shocking details have emerged in the recent murder of a transgender person near Pipili in Puri district, with police revealing that the crime stemmed from an attempted snatching of a mere Rs 10 note. During interrogation, prime accused Krushna Kandi (25), who was arrested after being shot and injured in police firing on Wednesday evening, confessed that the motive was robbery. The victim, also 25, was stabbed to death after resisting three assailants, including Krushna. Police arrested Kandi’s associate Sanil Kandi (21) on Thursday, while efforts are underway to trace the third accused. Investigations revealed that the trio, hailing from Konark area, were returning from Uttara towards Pipili when they spotted the victim alone along the Bhubaneswar-Puri NH-316 in the evening on Feb 1. “On the pretext of interaction, the accused lured the victim to an isolated spot and attempted to snatch her purse. When she resisted bravely and tried to overpower them, one of them stabbed her,” said SP (Puri) Prateek Singh. Krushna reportedly admitted that the purse contained only a Rs 10 note, which they ultimately did not steal, police sources said. The case posed a major challenge for investigators as there were no eyewitnesses or CCTV footage nearby. “It was a blind case. IIC, Pipili police station, Soumyendu Tripathy and his team examined distant cameras, interrogated jailed criminals, analyzed intelligence inputs, and questioned the victim’s acquaintances before narrowing down on Krushna through our sources,” Singh said. On Wednesday evening, Krushna attempted to flee on a motorcycle. He allegedly opened fire at police during the chase, prompting controlled retaliatory firing in which he was injured. Police authorities confirmed his serious criminal background, with at least 13 cases of snatching, theft, and robbery registered against him across multiple police stations in Puri district, including Kumbharapada, Konark, Nimapara, Kakatpur, and Chandrabhaga, as well as Bhubaneswar’s Dhauli, Kharavel Nagar, Lingaraj, and Badagada areas. 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
Transgenders eligible for Ayush card: Minister
Lucknow: Any transgender, who has a transgender card, is eligible for Ayush card, a cashless medical insurance worth Rs 5 lakh, social welfare minister Asim Arun said during the Question Hour on Thursday. The ex-IPS was replying to a supplementary raised by Jakhai MLA from Samajwadi Party Engineer Sachin Yadav, who earned the praise of Speaker Satish Mahana and the minister himself for raising such a sensitive issue. Arun claimed that this was probably the first in the past so many years that someone asked a question regarding the transgenders. Yadav said there are around 1.37 lakh transgender but they are not getting medical insurance and demanded that they should be covered with an Ayushman card. The minister said the transgenders are eligible for Ayushman card and added that until now only 1000 transgenders have got their transgender card made as per the Transgender Protection Act of the Union Government. More transgenders need to be sensitized and made aware about the transgender card, which the department is doing through a call centre which has two transgenders to address the problems of the community. The Speaker also praised the minister for giving a detailed and to the point reply to the supplementary. 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
‘Trump has PM Modi by the throat’: Rahul Gandhi reacts to motion against him by BJP’s Nishikant Dubey
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday doubled down on his attack at the central government over the India-US trade deal, saying the pact with America “betrays our food security and farmers” and that PM Modi has opened the Indian agriculture market as US President Donald Trump “has him by the throat.” Reacting to the ruling BJP’s privilege motion against him in the Lower House, the Rae Bareli MP said he spoke truth in Parliament and that he would be unfazed by the repercussions of it and reiterated his “PM Modi has sold the nation” remark. “Narendra Modi ji has sold the country, sold the farmers. File a case against me, abuse, do whatever you want to do, privilege motion if you want to file, file it, it doesn’t matter, I have spoken the truth in Parliament, if you don’t like the truth, that’s another matter, the country understands the truth, do whatever you want to do, I stand with farmers; Congress president Kharge ji and the entire Congress party, all our workers stand with farmers, we will not let this injustice happen,” Rahul Gandhi said in a video he posted on X. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) Earlier in the day, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said he had moved a substantive motion in the Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the country with the helpof “anti-India forces.” The Congress scion said the Modi government’s decision to import American “corn, soybeans, and fruits” is just a beginning and that the Centre would “open the doors of the entire agriculture market for his friends, for people like Adani and Ambani, and for foreign powers.” “For years, foreign people have been trying to capture Hindustan’s agriculture market. Narendra Modi ji has opened the door for them; this is the truth. He also knows, I also know why he opened it…because Donald Trump has him by the throat. Corn, soybean and fruits — this is the beginning…Narendra Modi will open the doors of the entire agriculture market for his friends, for people like Adani and Ambani, and for foreign powers,” the ex-Congress president claimed. Labelling PM Modi “anti-farmer” and mentioning the repealed three farm laws, Rahul Gandhi compared the status of Indian farmers with those in America to highlight the dire contrast. “Earlier also he brought black laws, now he has opened the door for foreign powers. American farmers have large farms, thousands of acres of farms, fully mechanized and the government gives them subsidy. You know that our farmers have small farms, don’t get proper MSP and mechanization is just in name,” he said. His statement comes a day after his Lok Sabha speech in which he accused the Centre of “compromising national interests”. In his address, the Congress leader said the government had acknowledged a global shift marked by the end of a single superpower era, rising geopolitical conflicts, and the weaponisation of energy and finance. Despite this, he alleged, the government had allowed the United States to weaponise energy and financial systems in ways that affect India. He further alleged the deal has compromised security in all three critical things needed to run a modern country — data, food supply, and energy. 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