The Sivaganga unit of the Indian National Congress is reportedly up in arms against Karti Chidambaram, the son of former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. As per reports, former Union Minister EM Sudarshana Natchiappan and senior party leader KR Ramasami are among the voices that want Karti Chidambaram to be dropped from Congress’ Lok Sabha ticket list.
As per reports, displeasure against Karti is not new. Natchiappan had opposed Karti’s candidature back in 2019 too, but had later agreed to support. On February 3, the Sivaganga unit of the TNCC passed the resolution against Karti. Before that, the TNCC had sent a show cause notice to Karti Chidambaram in January, after he appeared to criticise the top Congress leadership.
A resolution passed against Congress leader Karti Chidambaram included condemnation for his remarks about Rahul Gandhi, denying ticket in upcoming elections, and more.
In an interview with Tamil news channel Thanthi TV in January, Karti had said that no Congress leader, including Rahul Gandhi, can match PM Narendra Modi in propaganda skills. In the 39-minute interview, Karti also indirectly criticised the unpreparedness of the I.N.D.I. Alliance and had stated that the alliance is yet to announce a PM candidate and clear policy or plans. He had added that such things should not be kept for the last moment but should be announced to the public at least 6 months before the elections.
Karti had won the Sivaganga constituency defeating BJP’s H Raja with a significant margin. Indian Express reported citing sources that Natchiappan himself has ambitions to contest from the Sivaganga seat and has been trying to get Karti ‘dropped’. However, P Chidambaram holds a considerable influence in TNCC and many in the party reportedly believe that the Sivaganga seat is ‘reserved’ for Karti, IE further added.
As reported by The Week, Natchiappan stated that the meeting was convened to discuss the appointment of boot agents and carry out groundwork at the booth level. “Karti did not keep the flock together. Many of our party workers have joined BJP in Sivaganga”, Natchiappan added.
There is a buzz in TNCC that even the DMK, Congress’ alliance partner is against Karti and they do not want him to contest elections in Sivaganga. Senior DMK leaders like Raja Kannappan and Periya Karuppan are reportedly trying to get tickets for their own sons in the region.
It is notable here that both Karti Chidambaram and P Chidambaram are out on bail in corruption cases.
Congress scion Rahul Gandhi has courted controversy for serving biscuits, rejected by a dog, to a party worker. The disturbing video of the incident, which took place during his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Ranchi city of Jharkhand, has gone viral on social media.
While speaking about the matter on Monday (5th February), BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya wrote, “Just a few days ago, Congress President Kharge ji compared the party’s booth agents to dogs and here Rahul Gandhi is feeding biscuits to a dog during his visit and when the dog did not eat, he gave the same biscuits to his worker.”
“If a party whose president and crown prince treats its party workers like dogs, then it is natural for such a party to disappear,” he emphasised.
अभी कुछ दिन पहले कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष खड़गे जी ने पार्टी के बूथ एजेंटों की तुलना कुत्तों से की और यहाँ राहुल गांधी अपनी यात्रा में एक कुत्ते को बिस्किट खिला रहे हैं और जब कुत्ते ने नहीं खाया तो वही बिस्किट उन्होंने अपने कार्यकर्ता को दे दिया।
Another BJP leader Pallavi CT tweeted the same video and said that Rahul Gandhi disrespected incumbent Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma by forcing him to eat biscuits from the same plate as his dog.
“How shameless! First, Rahul Gandhi made Himanta Biswa ji eat biscuits from same plate as his pet dog Pidi. Then Congress President Khargeji compares party workers to dogs & now, Shehzada gives a biscuit rejected by a dog to a party worker. This is the respect they have for their party workers, supporters & voters?” she pointed out.
How shameless
First, Rahul Gandhi made @himantabiswa ji eat biscuits ? from same plate as his pet dog ? Pidi
Then Congress President Khargeji compares party workers to dogs ?
& now, Shehzada gives a biscuit ? rejected by a dog ? to a party worker
On Monday (5th February), Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to the tweet of Pallavi CT and informed that he was the only Congress leader who actually refused to eat biscuits from the same plates as Rahul Gandhi’s dog.
“Pallavi ji, not only Rahul Gandhi but the entire family could not make me eat that biscuit. I am a proud Assamese and Indian. I refused to eat and resign from the Congress,” he clarified.
Pallavi ji, not only Rahul Gandhi but the entire family could not make me eat that biscuit. I am a proud Assamese and Indian . I refused to eat and resign from the Congress. https://t.co/ywumO3iuBr
In an interview with The Indian Express in June 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma had informed that he met Rahul Gandhi in the run-up to the 2016 elections to discuss Assam’s problems.
He narrated “We were served with tea and biscuit, the dog went up to the table and picked up one biscuit from the table. Rahul looked at me and smiled at me. I was thinking why he is smiling, I was waiting for Rahul Gandhi to press the calling bell and ask someone to change the plate.”
“After some time, I saw Congress leaders Joshi, Gogoi all taking the biscuits from the same plate and started eating. I was not a frequent visitor, and then I realised that this is normal for everybody as it happens in every meeting. That day I decided that enough is enough and decided that I cannot stay with that person (Rahul Gandhi),” Sarma concluded.
Director of one of the all time blockbuster films ‘Animal’, Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga lambasted Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar in an interview over the latter’s comments on the film. Reacting to Javed Akhtar’s criticism against his film Animal, Vanga asked Javed Akhtar whether he shared the same advice with his son Farhan Akhtar or not. Vanga added that Javed Akhtar’s son produced web series like Mirzapur which was full of cuss words and is “pukeworthy”.
In an interview with film critic Siddharth Kanan, Vanga was asked about Javed Akhtar’s critical remarks on his film where he opined that the success of films like Animal are ‘dangerous’. For those unversed, in an event in December 2023, Akhtar said that the image of a hero in cinema should be created keeping in mind what is correct and what is not.
Though Javed Akhtar didn’t explicitly mention the name of the film it was an apparent dig at Vanga-directed Animal.
Javed Akhtar had said, in an obvious reference to Animal movie, “If there’s a film in which a man asks a woman to lick his shoe or if a man says it’s okay to slap a woman… and the film is a super hit, that’s dangerous.”
Reportedly, the official handle of the movie Animal slammed the Bollywood lyricist calling his art form a “big false”.
In recent interview about Javed Akhtar’s criticism, Vanga argued that the lyricist should have also questioned his son Farhan Akhtar for producing the web series Mirzapur.
Vanga said, “One thing is clear that he (Akhtar) didn’t see the film. That’s very clear in the comment that he didn’t see the entire film.”
Vanga added, “Abhi koi picture bina dekhe baat karta hai toh unke baare mein kya baat kare… Vo jo bhi ho, regular critic ho or best of the writers in the world…” (Translation – What can I say anything about anyone who speaks anything about a movie without watching it, then it doesn’t matter whether they are a regular critic or the best writer in the world.)
“He’s (Javed Akhtar) talking about my work, so obviously I’ll feel bad. It’s not only about him but anyone who is throwing stones at any art piece, why don’t they check their surroundings first?” Vanga fumed.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga explained that the criticism about his film being a misogynist may seem to be genuine from a person/actor like Nithya Menon or any actor who has great respect, and really believes in the art.
Vanga further slammed Javed Akhtar by citing the work of his son Farhan which according to Vanga is pukeworthy as its Telugu version was full of cuss words only.
Vanga added, “Did he tell the same thing to Farhan Akhtar when he was producing Mirzapur? Pura duniya bhar mein jitna gaaliyan hai wo Mirzapur ek show mein hai – It was full of cuss words. I have not seen the full show. I saw also around 15 scenes and when you see those scene in Telugu, you will really feel like puking. Why is he not checking his son’s work?”
Ending a 53-year-long legal battle, the Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court in Baghpat on 5th February (Monday), handed over the ownership rights of over 100 bighas of land related to Mahabharata era Lakshagriha to the Hindu side. The Civil Judge Shivam Dwivedi rejected the suit of the Muslim side which claimed the presence of the tomb of Badruddin and a graveyard at the site to dispute the nature of the site and/or stake claim over it.
Notably, the said parcel of land falls in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh and spans over 108 bighas. Additionally, a tunnel is also present here which is said to be from the Pandava period. It is claimed that the Pandavas escaped from Lakshagriha through this tunnel.
The case involving the Lakshagriha had been ongoing in the courts between the Hindu and Muslim sides since 1970 which was first filed in a Meerut court. In the year 1970, this case was going on before the Civil Judge Junior Division I in the then Meerut (Baghpat was not a district then, Baghpat was made a district in 1997) District and Sessions Court.
Its hearing was going on for 53 years and was being heard in Baghpat District and Sessions Court. During the court trial, more than 10 witnesses from the Hindu side had testified in this case and the opinions of historians were also taken in this case.
Historian Amit Rai said that during the excavation of this land, evidence dating back thousands of years was found. All this evidence is related to Hindu civilisation, he added.
Muslim side had claimed the presence of a tomb and graveyard at the site
In their appeal, the Muslim side had declared the defendant Krishnadutt Maharaj an outsider. The Muslim petitioners had claimed that the tomb of Sheikh Badruddin is located on the mound where Hindus believe Lakshgriha is located adding that it was removed. However, the court rejected the claim of the Muslim side and handed over the entire land parcel to the Hindus.
In their petitions, the Muslim sides had also claimed the presence of a graveyard of Muslims around the alleged tomb of Badruddin which according to them belonged to the Muslim Waqf Board.
The Muslim side further claimed that Krishnadutt Maharaj wanted to destroy the Muslim graveyard and intended to make it a pilgrimage site for Hindus.
Both Krishnadutt Maharaj, who presented evidence on behalf of the Hindu side, and Muqeem Khan, who filed the case on behalf of the Muslim side, had passed away and others have been advocating in this case.
The Hindu side’s lawyer Ranveer Singh argued that the Muslim side was trying to capture 100 bighas of land by claiming it as a graveyard and a tomb. For this, he had presented all the evidence before the court. He had told the court that the history of Lakshagriha dates back to the Mahabharata period. Traces of Sanskrit school and Mahabharata period are also present on this mound.
Earlier, the Lakshagriha mound had been identified in Barnawa of Baghpat. During the excavation in 1953, items of archaeological importance about 4500 years old were also found here. Now this place identified as Lakshagriha built by Duryodhana was in the possession of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
However, in the year 1970, the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board staked its claim on this place. On behalf of the Waqf Board, Muqeem Khan described the Lakshgriha mound as the tomb of Badruddin Shah and the surrounding graveyard and filed a lawsuit claiming ownership over it.
At the same time, it was being said from the defence side that this is the Lakshagriha of Pandavas. There is a tunnel from the Mahabharata period, mythological walls and an ancient mound present here. The Archeology Department has also recovered important antiquities from here.
It is said that this mound is the same Lakshagriha, where an attempt was made to burn the Pandavas. Kauravas had built this Lakshagriha and set it on fire to kill the Pandavas, but the Pandavas came out of a tunnel. This tunnel still exists in Barnawa. Here, the mound has been excavated by ASI Delhi in 2018 by digging a trench, in which pottery and evidence of the Rajput period has also been found.
The Ram Lalla idol was consecrated in the Bhavya Mandir at his Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. Marking the historic occasion, Hindus all across the world are remembering and paying tributes to all Ram Bhakts who sacrificed their everything and continued the struggle for reclamation of Ram Janmabhoomi for five centuries. At the same time, devotees have recalled the ordeals committed from the period of the Mughals to Mulayam Singh Yadav. During this period, unspeakable atrocities were meted out on Ram Bhakts including the massacre of Ram devotees.
In the discussion of these atrocities, the name of the then MP and Bahubali Munnan Khan was often mentioned. For those unversed, Former MP Munnan Khan, who died in 2009, is accused of killing kar sevaks in 1990 along with his henchmen while wearing a police uniform. OpIndia went to Gonda and gathered information about Munnan Khan’s criminal activities from several eyewitnesses.
Munnan Khan also wanted to capture the temple of the President of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust
On 22nd September 2022, OpIndia published ground reports from the Nepal border. The title of the article was Temple of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust’s President also falls prey to ‘land jihad’, Muslims along Nepal border using Palestinian land grab model: Ground report. Back then, OpIndia had reported that the Hanuman Garhi Mandir located at Balrampur Veer Vinay intersection belongs to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.
Naresh Kumar, the manager of Hanuman Garhi Mandir, told OpIndia that Muslims have illegally encroached upon a large area of this temple, which they are gradually trying to reclaim.
Balrampur district government lawyer Pawan Shukla told OpIndia that Munnan Khan was also the mastermind of the illegal encroachment on the temple land. Around three decades ago, his men had illegally opened the Ajmeri Hotel adjacent to the temple.
Despite objections from the temple administration, meat and fish were sold at the Ajmeri Hotel. Gradually, Munnan Khan illegally encroached on a significant portion of the temple’s land through political patronage from the then Samajwadi Party government. Even today, the temple management has not been able to completely regain possession of the land illegally captured during Munnan Khan’s tenure. Additionally, Munnan Khan is accused of encroaching on the lands of many other individuals in Balrampur and Gonda.
Wanted to kidnap SDM and throw him in the kiln
During our visit, OpIndia spoke with Karsevak Mahant Ramswaroop Das, who survived despite being shot in 1990. While speaking to OpIndia, Mahant Ramswaroop Das made several revelations regarding Munnan Khan. He revealed that around 1990, Munnan Khan had also abducted an SDM in Balrampur. This kidnapping took place when he was contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Balrampur.
Munnan Khan, who had close ties with the world of crime, primarily operated a brick kiln. When his henchmen kidnapped the SDM and brought him back, they tried to throw him in the kiln. However, the administration intervened in time and the SDM’s life was saved. Mahant also claims that no action was taken against him because of his proximity to Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Had halted the supply of Hindus during the riots
Around 1985, Munnan Khan was a legislator from the Katra Vidhan Sabha constituency in Gonda. Gonda’s VHP leader Rakesh Verma told OpIndia that around 1988, extremist Muslims started riots when Hindus were carrying out a Shobhayatra in Colonelganj, Gonda. At that time, the radicals pelted stones on the statues of Goddess Durga and it is said that Munnan Khan was also involved in it.
(Snippets from an old 1990 media report, Credits – India Today)
In these riots, the police repressed only the Hindus. At that time curfew was being imposed for a long time and the Hindus of Colonelganj needed vegetables and other food items. In such a situation, Hindus living in the towns around Colonelganj tried to deliver food items to the riot-affected areas. Rakesh alleges that Munnan Khan pressured the administration to stop the delivery of food items on the way.
During that time, all the relief materials were thrown into the ponds. It is also alleged that Munnan Khan instigated attacks on Hindus with his gang during these riots. According to Rakesh Verma, despite the curfew, Muslim shops remained open. They roamed the markets all night without any hindrance. Rakesh attributed this one-sided administrative bias to the appeasement policy of the then government.
Backstabbed in the guise of Bhaichara (brotherhood)
Rakesh Verma, a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad known by the name Guddu, told us that Munnan Khan primarily operated a brick kiln business. He first became a legislator from the Katra Vidhan Sabha constituency in Gonda on the ticket of the Janata Dal in the year 1985. Katra is a Hindu-majority constituency. Munnan Khan presented himself as a messiah of brotherhood before the Hindus.
Munnan Khan had promised the Hindus to renovate all the dilapidated temples. Before the elections, he brought bricks from his kiln and laid them in front of the temples. When Munna Khan won the election, he drastically changed his behaviour and began openly engaging in anti-Hindu activities. He even had all the bricks that he had laid in front of the temples before the elections removed.
Preferred to be called Sher-e-Munnan
Rakesh Varma explained that in 1989, a Muslim man was called for questioning at the Khorahsa Police Outpost in Gonda. Upon returning home, the man died of known reasons. At that time, Munnan Khan took the body of the deceased Muslim man and went to Balrampur. There, he displayed the corpse and created a communal atmosphere that garnered him one-sided support and votes from Muslims.
VHP leader Rakesh Varma further told us that eventually Munnan Khan won those elections and was elected as an independent MP. Rakesh Varma recalled vividly that during the government of Vishwanath Pratap Singh (V.P. Singh), Munna Khan used to drive with a red beacon light on his car while other vehicles in the convoy used to blow hooters.
Rakesh Verma adds that Munnan Khan was made a member of the Public Grievance Committee in the VP Singh government. According to Rakesh Verma, Munnan Khan had a direct relationship with the then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. Because of this, no administrative officer in the district could muster the courage to take any action against Munnan Khan.
Was more dangerous than a wild animal
Rakesh Varma recalls the decade of 1990. At that time, there used to be hundreds of people in Munnan Khan’s convoy, who used to take out processions on the streets. In these processions, they used to raise slogans of ‘Sher-e-Munnan Zindabad’. No one dared to stop Munnan’s procession. Rakesh Verma considers Munnan Khan to be Atiq Ahmed of Gonda. According to Rakesh, even today there are fans of Munna Khan present. For this reason, people are afraid to speak against him.
An Inspector posted in the Uttar Pradesh Police and a native of Gonda district, on the condition of anonymity, listed several crimes of Munnan Khan. He said, “In his time, Munnan Khan was more dangerous than any wild animal.” According to Pawan Shukla, a government lawyer from Balrampur district, it was under the patronage of Munna Khan that present-day criminals like Rizwan Zaheer flourished.
Was it a drama of madness or senility in old age?
OpIndia gathered more information about Munnan Khan from residents of the Gonda district. Some say that towards the end of his life, Munnan Khan had gone mad and used to wander on the streets aimlessly. Some people call it God’s punishment for his criminal deeds. While others told us that Munnan Khan used to think like a vicious criminal till his last breath.
Many people of Gonda see Munnan’s acting mad as a ploy to escape from all the cases registered against him. Many people, who are still afraid to speak on camera due to fear of Munnan, said that Munnan Khan knew that he could get severe punishment including a death sentence or life imprisonment in many cases. Therefore, at the last moment of his life, he pretended to be mad to deceive the law.
At around 5:10 PM on 5th February (Monday), Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha in reply to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ to the President’s address. Notably, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Parliament on 31st January.
PM Modi began his hour-and-a-half-minute-long address by launching a scathing attack on the Opposition asserting that many leaders had lost the spirit to fight elections.
PM Modi said, “I appreciate the Opposition’s resolve to remain in the opposition for a long time. The way you sat here (in govt) for many decades, the same way you resolve to sit there (in opposition) The public will certainly give you their blessings.” He added that the opposition may be sitting higher next time, in the visitor’s gallery.
"Congress has decided that it wants to continue to sit in Opposition", says PM Modi.
PM Modi slammed the opposition stating that they had “disappointed” the country. PM Modi emphasised that they are still repeating old issues against the BJP like a “tape recorder”. He stressed that the Congress party had an opportunity to demonstrate a strong opposition in the last 10 years, but it failed to do that.
However, he asserted that the country needs a strong and healthy Opposition.
Launching an attack on opposition parties, PM Modi said that many parties are entangled in ‘parivaarvad’ (nepotism-driven politics). While responding to an interjection, PM Modi categorically stated that Rajnath Singh’s son or Amit Shah’s son doesn’t have a party of their own to dictate terms. He explained that he would welcome more than one person of a family in politics but it is a different thing when nepotism decides who will become party President next and take all important decisions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a scathing attack on Congress and their parivarvaad. He talks about how Congress does not let young Parliamentarians speak, so someone else (Rahul Gadhi) does not get eclipsed
Without naming Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi stated that Congress has been repeatedly trying to launch the “same product” and its “shop” is now on the verge of closure.
He argued that because of the fear that young leaders’ talent could eclipse someone (indirectly referring to Rahul Gandhi), it doesn’t let them speak which is a big loss for the nation, Parliament, and the Congress party itself.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a scathing attack on Congress and their parivarvaad. He talks about how Congress does not let young Parliamentarians speak, so someone else (Rahul Gadhi) does not get eclipsed
The Prime Minister said, “The country has borne the brunt of dynastic politics, and Congress has also suffered from the same. The situation is that (Mallikarjun) Kharge has shifted from this House (Lok Sabha) to that House (Rajya Sabha), and Ghulam Nabi Azad has shifted out of the party. They all became the victims of dynastic politics. Congress’ shop is on the verge of getting shut in its attempt to launch one product again and again.”
VIDEO | "The country has borne the brunt of familyism, and Congress has also suffered from the same. The situation is that (Mallikarjun) Kharge has shifted from this House to that House (Rajya Sabha), and Ghulam Nabi Azad has shifted out of the party. They all became the victims… pic.twitter.com/KF8RmItonH
Slamming the Congress and opposition parties, PM Modi said that it has developed a ‘Cancel culture’. Under this, it cancels everything including ‘Make in India’, ‘Vocal for Local’, and the inauguration of the new Parliament building among other things. He added that these are not Modi’s achievements, rather these are the nation’s achievements.
He added, “I am surprised. Till when will you harbour so much hate.”
'Cancel culture' has developed in Congress. If we say 'Make in India', Congress says cancel. We say 'Vocal for Local' Congress says cancel. These are not Modi's achievements, these are the nation's acheivements. I am surprised. Till when will you harbour so much hate – PM Modi pic.twitter.com/Tng3BlWdaK
During his address, an Opposition MP interjected and claimed that there was nothing for minorities in the President’s Address.
Retorting to it, PM Narendra Modi lambasted the opposition saying, “Maybe fishermen are not from the minority in your place, maybe animal herders are not from the minority in your place, maybe farmers are not from the minority in your place, maybe women are not from the minority in your place. What has happened to you? How long will you keep thinking about divisions? How long will you keep dividing the society?”
PM Modi launches a scathing attack on Congress, asks when it will stop looking at India in pieces over their question over 'minorities'
India will be the third largest economy in NDA’s third term, a Modi ki guarantee says PM
While elaborating on India’s economic growth in his ten years of governance, PM Modi said, “On the basis of the experience of 10 years of governance, looking at today’s strong economy and the rapid speed with which India is progressing today, I can confidently say that in our third term, India will be the third-largest economic power. This is Modi’s guarantee.”
मेरे तीसरे कार्यकाल में ये देश दुनिया की तीसरी आर्थिक शक्ति बन जाएगा।
“Our third term is not far. The whole country is saying “is baar 400 paar” – even Kharge ji. I generally don’t get into numbers. But I am seeing the mood of the nation. The nation will make sure NDA crosses 400. And the nation will surely give 370 seats to BJP”, PM Modi said exuberating confidence of a third term for NDA with the alliance crossing 400 seats.
"Our third term is not far. Whole country is saying "is baar 400 paar" – even Kharge ji. I generally don't get into numbers. But I am seeing the mood of the nation. The nation will make sure NDA crosses 400. And the nation will surely give 370 seats to BJP" – PM Modi pic.twitter.com/EC6BwwMETD
Regarding the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya which Congress and opposition parties had skipped citing varied reasons, PM Modi opined, “Bhagwan Ram has not only returned home, but such a grand Temple has been built which will continue to give the great ancient civilisation of Bharat new light.”
"Bhagwan Ram has not only returned home, but such a grand Temple has been built which will continue to give the great ancient civilisation of Bharat new light" – Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/jTAGHNVYUz
Taking a jibe at the Congress party, PM Modi argued that the grand old party would take 100 years to do what they have achieved in the last ten years.
PM Narendra Modi said, “We built 4 crore houses for the poor. For the urban poor, we built 80 lakh pucca houses. Had these been built at the speed of Congress, it would have taken 100 years to do this work. Five generations would have passed by then.”
Regarding the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A., PM Modi stressed that the alliance leaders can’t trust each other in that case how can they put their trust in the nation? He said, “(Opposition) alliance’s alignment has been disturbed.”
"Alliance ka hi alignment" bigad gaya hai!
PM #Modi ji is not going to spare the opposition today!
PM Modi slammed Congress stalwarts and Former PMs Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi
During his address, PM Modi recalled an excerpt from Former PM Nehru’s address from the ramparts of Red Fort. During that address, Jawaharlal Nehru insulted Indians viz-a-viz citizens of other nations. He added that Former PM Jawaharlal Nehru belittled Indians and thought them as “lazy” and less “intelligent”.
“Let me read what Prime Minister Nehru had said from Red Fort. Indians generally do not have the habit of working very hard, we do not work as much as the people of Europe or Japan or China or Russia or America,” PM Modi said.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi read out a statement from a speech of former PM late Jawaharlal Nehru, in Lok Sabha today.
PM Modi said, "…It means that Nehru ji thought that Indians are lazy and less intelligent." pic.twitter.com/GBba9NEbz3
PM Modi also attacked former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her remark that Indians run away from difficulties. He said Indira Gandhi’s thinking was also no different from Nehru’s.
PM Modi hailed the efforts of his government in women empowerment as part of the ‘Nari Shakti’ objective. He said, “Our country’s daughters are now flying fighter jets and even keeping us safe at the border.”
He added, “From space to the Olympics, Sashastra Bal to Sansad, the country has seen the empowerment of women.”
PM Modi in Parliament hails 'Nari Shakti', says, "From space to Olympics, Sashastra Bal to Sansad, the country has seen the empowerment of women." pic.twitter.com/Bxht8dQgKv
Congress and UPA didn’t do Justice with OBCs, Congress forgot that I am an OBC, says PM Modi
PM Modi lambasted the Congress party for raking the OBC rhetoric adding that they never did justice with them. He also shared an earlier anecdote when the Congress government tried to destabilise the government of Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur.
PM Modi pointed out, “Congress party and UPA govt did not do justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what not was done to destabilise his government? Congress can’t tolerate OBCs. They keep counting how many OBCs are there in the government. Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here?”
#WATCH | "Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here?…." asks PM Modi to Congress.
"Congress party and UPA govt did not do justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what not was done to… pic.twitter.com/AqMemfzLNw
PM Modi added, “Extra-constitutional body, National Advisory Council, was formed when (Congress-led) UPA was in power; was any OBC its member?”
Hitting at the Congress party, PM Modi asserted, ‘Whenever Congress comes to power, it brings inflation’ adding that two songs became popular during the UPA era when inflation was in double digits.
PM Modi emphasised that his government kept inflation in check despite being hit by a once-in-a-century pandemic (COVID) and two wars disrupting global supply chains. He said, “They (Congress) only strengthened inflation, our government has kept inflation in check despite two wars,” referring to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war.
Improved security and peace in the country
Highlighting the achievements of his government in the last ten years in security, PM Narendra Modi added, “The country is experiencing security and peace. Compared to the last 10 years, the country has indeed become empowered in the area of security. Terrorism and naxalism are now restricted to a small circle. But India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism is now compelling the entire world to walk towards this policy…:”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "The country is experiencing security and peace. Compared to the last 10 years, the country has indeed become empowered in the area of security. Terrorism and naxalism are now restricted to a small circle. But India's policy of zero tolerance… pic.twitter.com/FcnbSIXJ8n
He added that despite efforts by some people, the morale of Indian forces is unshakeable. He remarked, “We should be proud of the valour of India’s military. People may try to break their morale as much as they want but I trust our military…A few politicians would say something for the military and that would demoralise it – those who think so should come out of those dreams…If they become someone’s agent and such language comes out of anywhere, the country can never accept it.”
Further in his address, PM Modi slammed Congress MP DK Suresh for his ‘separate nation’ remark asking how many more divisions the grand old party wants to break the country into. He also added the fear psychosis that was created around the nullification of Article 370.
In a sharp criticism of the opposition bloc, PM Modi lambasted them for eulogising a convicted politician, a reference to fodder convict Lalu Yadav. Recently, the usual suspects had heaped praises on Lalu Yadav claiming that he might be a corrupt leader but he didn’t bend in front of the BJP.
PM Modi rejected the allegations of misuse of probing agencies including the ED and CBI. He stated that the Enforcement Directorate was an independent agency, unlike the situation during the UPA government’s tenure.
He categorically asserted that despite taking a barrage of accusations and abuses, he wouldn’t allow the country to be “looted”, and sought the people’s support in taking the nation forward.
He said, “I promise to the country, from this sacred place of the House. Whoever wants to make any allegation, make it. The country will not be allowed to be looted and whatever has been looted will have to be returned.”
While addressing the Lok Sabha on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, PM Narendra Modi took a jibe at Congress stalwart and Former PM Jawaharlal Nehru for belittling Indians and considering them as “lazy” and less “intelligent”. During his address, PM Modi recalled an excerpt from Former PM Nehru’s address from the ramparts of Red Fort. During that address, Jawaharlal Nehru insulted Indians viz-a-viz citizens of other nations.
“Let me read what Prime Minister Nehru had said from Red Fort. Indians generally do not have the habit of working very hard, we do not work as much as the people of Europe or Japan or China or Russia or America,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi added that this shows Nehru belittled Indians and did not trust their potential. He further said, “It means that Nehru ji thought that Indians are lazy and less intelligent.”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi read out a statement from a speech of former PM late Jawaharlal Nehru, in Lok Sabha today.
PM Modi said, "…It means that Nehru ji thought that Indians are lazy and less intelligent." pic.twitter.com/GBba9NEbz3
During his address, PM Modi stressed, “The Congress never trusted India’s potential. They always considered themselves rulers and belittled people.”
PM Modi also attacked former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her remark that Indians run away from difficulties. He said Indira Gandhi’s thinking was also no different from Nehru’s. For this, PM Modi mentioned an excerpt that the former PM Indira Gandhi made from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day.
“Unfortunately, our habit is that when some auspicious work is about to be completed, we become complacent, when any difficulty comes, we become hopeless, sometimes it seems that the entire nation has failed. It seems like we have adopted the feeling of defeat,” PM Modi quoted Indira Gandhi as saying.
He further added, “Looking at the people in Congress today, it seems that Indira Gandhi could not assess the people of the country correctly but assessed Congress absolutely correctly.”
"Congress has decided that it wants to continue to sit in Opposition", says PM Modi.
"Our third term is not far. Whole country is saying "is baar 400 paar" – even Kharge ji. I generally don't get into numbers. But I am seeing the mood of the nation. The nation will make sure NDA crosses 400. And the nation will surely give 370 seats to BJP" – PM Modi pic.twitter.com/EC6BwwMETD
During his address, PM Modi also slammed the opposition stating that their behaviour suggest that they are determined to be in opposition for decades. Further in his address, PM Modi also added that while he resist from giving numbers but now everyone is saying that the NDA will cross 400 seats including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge while the BJP alone may cross 300 seats.
In a case of alleged religious conversion in Muria village of Darbhanga district of Bihar, police has clarified that there is no religious angle to the case. The police dismissed the news that it was a case of forced conversion, and stated that it is a case of land dispute between the two parties.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Darbhanga Police clarified the same and said that it is not a case of religious conversion, but of a land dispute.
In their statement, the Senior Superintendent of Darbhanga Police said, “On 4th February, 2024, on the application of Rajdhan Devi and her son Vicky Kumar of Muria village of Bhalpatti Police station, police officers were ordered to investigate the matter. The sub-divisional officer said this matter is not at all related to religious conversion or religious dispute.”
The statement further added, “The applicant wants to open the door and window of his house on the north side where there is government land and his neighbour does not allow him to open the door/window there. During the investigation, it was found that there is a long vacant government land between the two parties, over which there is a dispute.”
Earlier, District Magistrate Rajeev Roshan had said that a boy had come to meet them in this regard. After receiving the application, the Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer has been directed to immediately reach the village, investigate the entire matter and take necessary action.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday demanded proof for the Balakot airstrikes launched by the Indian Armed forces in the wake of the Pulwama attack in February 2019.
Speaking in the lower house of the parliament, Chowdhury said, “What happened in Balakot airstrikes is still unclear. Where is the proof (of airstrikes)? We have no information on the airstrikes.”
Chowdhury cited international media organisations saying that they reported there had been no action reported in Pakistan’s Balakot.
“There are several international agencies that said there have been no consequences in Balakot,” said Chowdhury, implying that there was no action taken against the terror camp in the Pakistani town after the Pulwama attack.
On the ill-fated day of 14 February 2019, the CRPF convoy was hit in a gruesome terrorist attack in Awantipora in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. 12 CRPF bravehearts lost their lives in this terrorist attack. Soon, the Pakistan-backed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the ghastly terrorist attack. It also released a video of the Fidayeen terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar alias Waqas who carried out the suicide attack. The Pulwama terror attack was carried out at the behest and with the support of the Pakistani establishment.
In a swift response to this ghastly terror act, the Indian Airforce conducted “pre-emptive” Airstrikes deep inside Pakistani territory in Balakot on 26 February 2019. Over 200-300 JeM terrorists were presumably neutralised in the attacks, triggering a dogfight between the two nations the subsequent day.
However, this is not the first time that Congress raised aspersions on the authenticity of the Balakot airstrikes. In the aftermath of the attack, the party had demanded proof that the Indian jets indeed attacked terror camps in Pakistan. Several Congress leaders, including Digvijaya Singh and Sam Pitroda, had questioned the Balakot airstrikes by the Indian Air Force.
PM Modi today while replying to the President’s Motion of Thanks launched a scathing attack on the Nehru-Gandhi Congress party.
The Prime Minister in a no-holds-barred address called out the footmen of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty for serving not the nation but only one family.
The PM accused the Congress amongst the entire Opposition of denying opportunities to able political leaders in the opposition so that a few others are not overshadowed.
This was the Prime Minister indirect jibe at Rahul Gandhi.
“We have many young MPs in the House but if they speak up and if they flourish then maybe someone else’s image would be suppressed. So perhaps with that concern in mind, they do not let the House function so that young generation is not allowed any opportunity,” he said.
Taking another dig at Rahul Gandhi, the PM said that the Congress keeps launching the same product again and again.
He said, “Ek hi product baar baar launch karneke chakkar mein Congress ki dukaan pe tala lagne ki naubat aa gayi hai. (Because of launching the same product again and again, now the Congress is on the verge of shutting shop).”
“Aur yeh dukaan hum nahin keh rahe hain aaplog keh rahe hain. Aap log kehte hain dukaan kholi hai. (And this shop we are not saying, you (congress) have said this, you keep calling yourselves a shop publicly),” PM said.
PM Modi point by point explained exactly how the Opposition has resolved to reserve their seats in the opposition benches itself.
PM Modi not only called out “parivarvaad” (nepotism) but also described what characterises it. “Which parivarvaad are we discussing? If more than one person from the same family earns the will and support of the people through sheer hard work, we have never called it parivarvaad. We are discussing such parivarvaad where the party is run by the family, where the family members get prominence, where all decisions of the party are taken by the family members alone that is parivarvaad,” the Prime Minister said.
