In a case which has sent ripples through Andhra Pradesh's political circles, a lawmaker has been accused of murdering his former driver. Ananta Udaya Bhaskar, a member of the Andhra Legislative Council, was arrested by police on May 23.
Bhaskar has been accused of beating up his former chauffeur Subramanyam, who later died. The YSR Congress Party leader reportedly took the victim's body to his family and claimed that Subramanyam died in an accident.
However, the family was not convinced, and the MLC reportedly confessed during police interrogation.
Different reports provided different accounts of what led to the death. Some reports suggested that Subramanyam was trying to blackmail MLC Bhaskar using details of his personal life. Other reports claimed that Subramanyam was thrashed for not repaying money he had borrowed from the politician.

Andhra lawmaker killed former driver, claimed road accident, but confessed in interrogation, say police

Ananta Udaya Bhaskar, a member of the Andhra Legislative Council, was arrested by police on May 23 for allegedly murdering a man who used to work as his driver.

In a case which has sent ripples through Andhra Pradesh's political circles, a lawmaker has been accused of murdering his former driver. Ananta Udaya Bhaskar, a member of the Andhra Legislative Council, was arrested by police on May 23.
Bhaskar has been accused of beating up his former chauffeur Subramanyam, who later died. The YSR Congress Party leader reportedly took the victim's body to his family and claimed that Subramanyam died in an accident.
However, the family was not convinced, and the MLC reportedly confessed during police interrogation.
Different reports provided different accounts of what led to the death. Some reports suggested that Subramanyam was trying to blackmail MLC Bhaskar using details of his personal life. Other reports claimed that Subramanyam was thrashed for not repaying money he had borrowed from the politician.

A new-born baby was declared dead at the hospital, buried at a graveyard, but found alive one hour later. This movie-like story played out for real in Jammu and Kashmir on May 23.
The tragedy of a baby being left to die inside the grave was averted only because some locals protested to her burial. The incident occurred in Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.
The baby girl was born at the sub-district hospital to Basharat Ahmad Gujjar and Shameema Begum on May 23. The baby was allegedly not given medical attention for around 2 hours, and declared dead at the hospital.
Subsequently, the distraught family members decided to bury her Hollan village. However, soon after the burial, local villagers objected, and said that the baby should be laid to rest at her ancestral graveyard.
This led to the grave being dug up. When the baby was taken out, she was found to be alive, and was rushed to a hospital. She was referred to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
The incident led to protests by the family, and the administration suspended a junior staff nurse and a sweeper in the gynaecology section, pending an inquiry.

Baby declared dead, then found alive one hour after burial in J&K; hospital nurse, sweeper suspended

The baby girl was born at the sub-district hospital in Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district to Basharat Ahmad Gujjar and Shameema Begum on May 23.

A new-born baby was declared dead at the hospital, buried at a graveyard, but found alive one hour later. This movie-like story played out for real in Jammu and Kashmir on May 23.
The tragedy of a baby being left to die inside the grave was averted only because some locals protested to her burial. The incident occurred in Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.
The baby girl was born at the sub-district hospital to Basharat Ahmad Gujjar and Shameema Begum on May 23. The baby was allegedly not given medical attention for around 2 hours, and declared dead at the hospital.
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Subsequently, the distraught family members decided to bury her Hollan village. However, soon after the burial, local villagers objected, and said that the baby should be laid to rest at her ancestral graveyard.
This led to the grave being dug up. When the baby was taken out, she was found to be alive, and was rushed to a hospital. She was referred to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
The incident led to protests by the family, and the administration suspended a junior staff nurse and a sweeper in the gynaecology section, pending an inquiry.

A sad incident was caught on camera in Jammu and Kashmir. A tragedy occurred during wedding celebrations in Pulwama, when the groom's mother passed away amid a ceremony.
The incident occurred during the 'mehdiraat' ceremony when henna is applied to women members of the families, and there is singing and dancing. A video of the incident showed the groom's mother, identified as Haneefa Banoo, singing on a microphone when she suddenly collapsed.
She was rushed to a hospital, but was declared dead on arrival, according to local news reports. The incident occurred in Pulwama's Murran area in south Kashmir.

Groom's mother dies during wedding celebrations in Kashmir, shocking video emerges

A video of the incident showed the groom's mother, identified as Haneefa Banoo, singing on a microphone when she suddenly collapsed.

A sad incident was caught on camera in Jammu and Kashmir. A tragedy occurred during wedding celebrations in Pulwama, when the groom's mother passed away amid a ceremony.
The incident occurred during the 'mehdiraat' ceremony when henna is applied to women members of the families, and there is singing and dancing. A video of the incident showed the groom's mother, identified as Haneefa Banoo, singing on a microphone when she suddenly collapsed.
ALSO WATCH |<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/local/kashmiri-pandit-woman-dies-muslims-help-in-cremation-in-j-k-s-yk-pora-village-amid-rahul-bhat-murder-row-1652541185693" target="_blank"> Kashmiri Pandit woman dies: see what Muslim neighbours did at funeral in J&amp;K's YK Pora village</a>
She was rushed to a hospital, but was declared dead on arrival, according to local news reports. The incident occurred in Pulwama's Murran area in south Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said he has shunted out Health Minister Vijay Singla from the state cabinet.
Mann said he took the decision after learning that the minister was allegedly demanding one percent commission for tenders.
Police have been directed to register a case against him.
“I am taking strict action against the minister. I am removing him from the cabinet,” the chief minister said in a video message.  Mann further claimed that Singla had admitted to wrongdoings.Preempting criticism by the Opposition, Mann said, “The Opposition parties will say that AAP’s minister was found involved in corruption within two months of forming the government. But I want to tell them that I have taken an action and the Opposition did not even know about it."Vijay Singla, who has been dismissed from cabinet, is an MLA from Mansa. He is a dentist by profession and runs a dental clinic in the city. Singla joined AAP about seven years ago.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann removes health minister Vijay Singla over corruption charge

Bhagwant Mann removes health minister over corruption charge: CM has this message for Opposition

Bhagwant Mann removes health minister over corruption charge: CM has this message for Opposition

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said he has shunted out Health Minister Vijay Singla from the state cabinet.
Mann said he took the decision after learning that the minister was allegedly demanding one percent commission for tenders.
Police have been directed to register a case against him.
&ldquo;I am taking strict action against the minister. I am removing him from the cabinet,&rdquo; the chief minister said in a video message.&nbsp; Mann further claimed that Singla had admitted to wrongdoings. Preempting criticism by the Opposition, Mann said, &ldquo;The Opposition parties will say that AAP&rsquo;s minister was found involved in corruption within two months of forming the government. But I want to tell them that I have taken an action and the Opposition did not even know about it." Vijay Singla, who has been dismissed from cabinet, is an MLA from Mansa. He is a dentist by profession and runs a dental clinic in the city. Singla joined AAP about seven years ago.

US President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tokyo on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a four-country Indo-Pacific summit that also includes Japan and Australia.
The U.S. and India differ on how to respond to the Russian invasion. With Modi sitting nearby, Biden made the case that the world has a shared responsibility to do something to assist Ukrainian resistance against Russia’s aggression.
Later, in comments to reporters after a one-on-one meeting with Modi, Biden said they Russia's invasion of Ukraine "and the effect it has on the entire global world order." Biden added that the U.S. and India will continue to consult "on how to mitigate these negative effects."
In his comments, Modi made no mention of the war in Ukraine, instead ticking off several trade and investment programs that he discussed with the president.

Quad 2022: In one-on-one, Biden talks Ukraine; Modi talks trade

In his comments, PM Modi, according to AP, made no mention of the war in Ukraine, instead ticking off several trade and investment programs that he discussed with the president.

In his comments, Modi made no mention of the war in Ukraine, instead ticking off several trade and investment programs that he discussed with the president.

US President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tokyo on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a four-country Indo-Pacific summit that also includes Japan and Australia.
The U.S. and India differ on how to respond to the Russian invasion. With Modi sitting nearby, Biden made the case that the world has a shared responsibility to do something to assist Ukrainian resistance against Russia&rsquo;s aggression.
Later, in comments to reporters after a one-on-one meeting with Modi, Biden said they Russia's invasion of Ukraine "and the effect it has on the entire global world order." Biden added that the U.S. and India will continue to consult "on how to mitigate these negative effects."
In his comments, Modi made no mention of the war in Ukraine, instead ticking off several trade and investment programs that he discussed with the president.

To chart the Congress' future course, its chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday formed three groups -- on political affairs for guidance on key issues, Task Force-2024 to implement the Udaipur 'Nav Sankalp' declaration and another to coordinate the October 2 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.
While Rahul Gandhi and two prominent members of the G23 -- Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma -- are part of the political affairs group, senior leaders P Chidambaram and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are members of the Task Force-2024.
G-23 is a group of dissenting Congress leaders who have demanded an organisational overhaul.
Sonia Gandhi has also set up another group to coordinate the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' planned from Kanyakumari to Kashmir from Gandhi Jayanti.
"Following the Udaipur Nav Sankalp Shivir, the Congress president has constituted a Political Affairs Group that will be presided over by her, a Task-Force-2024 and a Central Planning Group for the coordination of the "Bharat Jodo Yatra", an official communication from the party said.
The Political Affairs Group, headed by Sonia Gandhi, comprises Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Digvijaya Singh, Anand Sharma, K C Venugopal and Jitendra Singh.
The members of the Task Force-2024 are P Chidambaram, Mukul Wasnik, Jairam Ramesh, K C Venugopal, Ajay Maken, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Sunil Kanugolu.
"Each member of the Task Force shall be assigned specific tasks related to organization, communications and media, outreach, finance and election Management.
"They shall have designated teams which will be notified subsequently," the statement said, adding the Task Force will also follow up on the Udaipur Nav Sankalp declaration.
The Central Planning Group for the Coordination of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' includes Digvijaya Singh, Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor, Ravneet Singh Bittu, K J George, Jothi Mani, Pradyut Bordoloi, Jitu Patwari and Saleem Ahmed.
All members of the task force and all heads of the Congress' frontal organisations will be ex officio members of the central group, the statement said.

Task Force-2024: Sonia Gandhi unveils Congress revamp model; G23 leaders included

All members of the task force and all heads of the Congress' frontal organisations will be ex officio members of the central group, the statement said.

To chart the Congress' future course, its chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday formed three groups -- on political affairs for guidance on key issues, Task Force-2024 to implement the Udaipur 'Nav Sankalp' declaration and another to coordinate the October 2 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.
While Rahul Gandhi and two prominent members of the G23 -- Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma -- are part of the political affairs group, senior leaders P Chidambaram and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are members of the Task Force-2024.
G-23 is a group of dissenting Congress leaders who have demanded an organisational overhaul.
Sonia Gandhi has also set up another group to coordinate the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' planned from Kanyakumari to Kashmir from Gandhi Jayanti.
"Following the Udaipur Nav Sankalp Shivir, the Congress president has constituted a Political Affairs Group that will be presided over by her, a Task-Force-2024 and a Central Planning Group for the coordination of the "Bharat Jodo Yatra", an official communication from the party said.
The Political Affairs Group, headed by Sonia Gandhi, comprises Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Digvijaya Singh, Anand Sharma, K C Venugopal and Jitendra Singh.
The members of the Task Force-2024 are P Chidambaram, Mukul Wasnik, Jairam Ramesh, K C Venugopal, Ajay Maken, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Sunil Kanugolu.
"Each member of the Task Force shall be assigned specific tasks related to organization, communications and media, outreach, finance and election Management.
"They shall have designated teams which will be notified subsequently," the statement said, adding the Task Force will also follow up on the Udaipur Nav Sankalp declaration.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/congress-mla-feeds-dalit-community-s-swami-narayana-eats-same-chewed-food-1653293523455" target="_blank">Congress MLA feeds Dalit community's Swami Narayana, eats same chewed food</a>&nbsp;
The Central Planning Group for the Coordination of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' includes Digvijaya Singh, Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor, Ravneet Singh Bittu, K J George, Jothi Mani, Pradyut Bordoloi, Jitu Patwari and Saleem Ahmed.
All members of the task force and all heads of the Congress' frontal organisations will be ex officio members of the central group, the statement said.

Responding to a plea to revive the temple at the Qutub Minar complex in Delhi, The Archaeological Survey of India has told a local court that the monument has been a protected monument since 1914 and its structure cannot be changed now.  The ASI in its report said the revival of worship cannot be allowed at a monument where such a practice was not prevalent at the time of it being granted the "protected" status.  A controversy erupted after ASI’s ex-regional director Dharamveer Sharma claimed that the Qutb Minar was constructed by Raja Vikramaditya and not by Qutb al-Din Aibak, to study the direction of the sun. The Ministry of Culture had also asked the ASI to submit its excavation report.   The ASI said the plea by the Hindu petitioners is legally not maintainable. It said the destruction of old temples to build the Qutb Minar complex is a matter of historical fact and the Qutb Minar complex is a living monument that has been protected since 1914. The ASI maintained that no one has the right to worship on the complex. Activists from the Mahakal Manav Sewa and other right-wing outfits were seen staging a protest, holding placards and raising slogans, amid heavy police deployment at the Qutb Minar, which is recognised as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. 

ASI on Qutub Minar plea: existing structure can't be altered, not a place of worship

The ASI in its report said&nbsp;the revival of worship cannot be allowed at a monument where such a practice was not prevalent at the time of it being granted the "protected" status.&nbsp;

Responding to a plea to revive the temple at the Qutub Minar complex in Delhi, the Archaeological Survey of India has told a local court that the monument has been a protected monument since 1914 and its structure cannot be changed now.&nbsp; &nbsp; The ASI in its report said&nbsp;the revival of worship cannot be allowed at a monument where such a practice was not prevalent at the time of it being granted the "protected" status.&nbsp; Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/local/hanuman-chalisa-at-qutub-minar-to-rename-it-vishnu-stambh-bjp-targets-mughal-named-delhi-roads-1652187666247">Hanuman Chalisa near Qutub Minar to rename it 'Vishnu Stambh'; BJP targets Mughal-named Delhi roads</a> &nbsp; A controversy erupted after ASI&rsquo;s ex-regional director Dharamveer Sharma claimed that the Qutb Minar was constructed by Raja Vikramaditya and not by Qutub al-Din Aibak, to study the direction of the sun.&nbsp; The Ministry of Culture had also asked the ASI to submit its excavation report. &nbsp; &nbsp; The ASI said the plea by the Hindu petitioners is legally not maintainable. It said the&nbsp;destruction of old temples to build the Qutub Minar complex is a matter of historical fact and the Qutub Minar complex is a living monument that has been protected since 1914. The ASI maintained that no one has the right to worship on the complex.&nbsp; Activists from the Mahakal Manav Sewa and other right-wing outfits were seen staging a protest, holding placards and raising slogans, amid heavy police deployment at the Qutub Minar, which is recognised as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.&nbsp;

Santosh Kumar Sahu, a beggar from Madhya Pradesh bought a moped for his wife Munni complained about a backache from sitting on the tricycle he owned earlier. "Earlier, we had a tricycle. After my wife complained of backache, I got this vehicle for Rs 90,000. We can now go to Seoni, Itarsi, Bhopal, Indore," he says.  The bike is worth ₹90,000. Santosh who lives in Chhindwara district can be seen can be seen taking a ride on their new and garlanded two-wheeler, which they bought from their life savings. This video has the internet abuzz.  Media reports say the couple earns roughly ₹300 - ₹400 in a day by begging at bus stands, temples and mosques. Sahu, who has disabilities in his lower limbs, begs for alms with Munni; he used to sit in a tricycle that Munni would push forward. 

Viral Video: Beggar buys Rs 90,000 moped after wife complains of backache

Beggar buys Rs 90,000 moped after wife complains of backache | Watch

Media reports say the couple earns roughly ₹300 - ₹400 in a day by begging at bus stands, temples and mosques.

Santosh Kumar Sahu, a&nbsp;beggar from Madhya Pradesh bought a moped for his wife Munni complained about a backache from sitting on the tricycle he owned earlier.&nbsp;
"Earlier, we had a tricycle. After my wife complained of backache, I got this vehicle for Rs 90,000. We can now go to Seoni, Itarsi, Bhopal, Indore," he says.&nbsp;
The bike is worth ₹90,000. Santosh who lives in Chhindwara district can be seen can be seen taking a ride on their new and garlanded two-wheeler, which they bought from their life savings. This video has the internet abuzz. &nbsp;
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/local/watch-passengers-are-liking-auto-ride-because-of-cooling-effect-in-auto-here-s-how-1653314185647">garden fitted on auto rooftop is the way to beat Delhi heat</a>
Media reports say the couple earns roughly ₹300 - ₹400 in a day by begging at bus stands, temples and mosques. Sahu, who has disabilities in his lower limbs, begs for alms with Munni; he used to sit in a tricycle that Munni would push forward.&nbsp;

Celebrated boxer Nikhat Zareen who recently won the World Championship Gold in Istanbul has weighed in on the significant controversy surrounding girls wearing headscarves or hijab in educational institutes. While speaking to NDTV, Nikhat said that the choice of attire for anyone should be entirely personal.
Also read: ‘Who is Nikhat Zareen’, meet the 2022 Women’s World Boxing Champion
The 25-year-old Telangana based boxer said, "It is totally their own choice. I can't comment on their choices. I have my own choice. I like to wear such clothes. I don't mind wearing such clothes. My family doesn't mind me wearing such clothes. So, I don't care what people say about me. 
In a 2013 interview, Nikhat revealed that coming from a conservative Muslim community resulted in both father and daughter getting castigated. Zareen now talking about the Hijzb row which erupted in Karnataka over girls wearing headscarves to schools and colleges said, "If they want to wear hijab and follow their religion, it's their personal choice. I don't have any problem with them wearing hijabs. After all, it's their own choice. I am okay with that."
 

'Don't have a problem with hijab' World Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen is pro-choice 

What does the young World Champion boxing icon Nikhat Zareen feel about Hijab & headscarves? 

Tap the link for her detailed thoughts on the Hijab row 

 

Nikhat&nbsp;Zareen&nbsp;recently won the World Championship Gold in Boxing in Istanbul&nbsp;

Celebrated boxer Nikhat&nbsp;Zareen&nbsp;who recently won the World Championship Gold in Istanbul has weighed in on the significant controversy surrounding girls wearing headscarves or hijab&nbsp;in educational institutes. While speaking to NDTV, Nikhat&nbsp;said that the choice of attire for anyone should be entirely personal.
Also read: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/others-sports/who-is-nikhat-zareen-meet-the-2022-women-s-world-boxing-champion-1653039488132" target="_blank">&lsquo;Who is Nikhat Zareen&rsquo;, meet the 2022 Women&rsquo;s World Boxing Champion</a>
The 25-year-old Telangana&nbsp;based boxer said, "It is totally their own choice. I can't comment on their choices. I have my own choice. I like to wear such clothes. I don't mind wearing such clothes. My family doesn't mind me wearing such clothes. So, I don't care what people say about me.&nbsp;
In a 2013 interview, Nikhat&nbsp;revealed that coming from a&nbsp;conservative Muslim community resulted in both father and daughter getting&nbsp;castigated. Zareen&nbsp;now talking about the Hijab&nbsp;row which erupted in Karnataka&nbsp;over girls wearing headscarves to schools and colleges said, "If they want to wear hijab and follow their religion, it's their personal choice. I don't have any problem with them wearing hijabs. After all, it's their own choice. I am okay with that."
&nbsp;

Stating that there’s absolutely nothing Hindu about wanting to murder people and beat people up, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that there is a "systematic attack" on the institutions that allow India to speak and as the conversation is being stamped out, the "deep state" is entering those spaces and redefining the way that conversation is happening in the country.
During an event entitled ‘India at 75’ at Corpus Christi College at the prestigious Cambridge University on Monday evening, Gandhi spoke on a broad range of subjects from Hindu nationalism, the Gandhi family’s role within the Congress party and efforts to mobilise the people of the country as he fielded questions from a largely Indian student base.
In conversation with Indian-origin academic from the university Dr Shruti Kapila, Gandhi reiterated some of the points he made during last week's conference, including the impact of the "deep state" on Indian politics.
"For us, India comes alive when India speaks and India dies when India goes silent. What I see as going on is a systematic attack on the institutions that allow India to speak – Parliament, election system, the basic structure of democracy is being captured by one organisation. And, as the conversation is being stamped out, the deep state is entering those spaces and redefining the way that conversation is happening," he said.
Outside the lecture theatre, a small group of students had gathered with placards which read: "Rahul Gandhi keep your promise on mining" with reference to the adivasis in Chhattisgarh, an issue he said he was working on within the party.
He went head-to-head with students on several other topics, including his view of India as a “union of states” as opposed to a nation, which he insisted was a “beautiful idea” that gives the people of each and every state their rightful place.
"I think this goes to the heart of Indians," the former Congress party chief said.
During the interactive session, Gandhi also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is creating a vision of India that is not inclusive of all parts of the country’s population, which is unfair and goes against the idea of India.
"I have a problem if anybody has a vision for India that excludes people, I don’t care who’s being excluded. I have a problem with it because it is completely unfair, it ignores that there is tremendous energy in the people being excluded and I have a problem with it because that’s not what India is,” said Gandhi, in response to a question about secularism in India.
"I think it goes beyond secularism. You have to include every single person with compassion. Mr Modi is constructing a vision of India where he’s leaving out huge chunks of our population. And, that’s not a vision of India, that’s a vision of a part of India,” he said.
The Congress leader asserted that his party’s fight was against a massive concentration of wealth and a capture of institutions within the country, including its media.
"You will not see this talk for more than 30 seconds anywhere in the Indian media. The reason is the Indian media is captured. It is controlled by a couple of large industrialists who support the government. So, we are not fighting a political party. We’re fighting a capture of the Indian state and it’s not easy… it will take time, it is going to have a life, it is going to be difficult but we’re doing it,” said Gandhi.
Asked about how the Congress plans to fight against the forces of “Hindu nationalism”, Gandhi declared that he did not agree with the term itself.
"There is nothing Hindu about it and actually there’s nothing nationalist about it. I think you’ll have to think of a new name for them but they’re certainly not Hindu. And, I have studied Hinduism in enough detail to tell you that there’s absolutely nothing Hindu about wanting to murder people and beat people up,” he said.
"My problem with the RSS and the Prime Minister is that they are fiddling with the foundational structure of India. When you play the politics of polarisation, when you isolate and demonise 200 million people, you’re doing something extremely dangerous and you’re doing something that is fundamentally against the idea of India,” he said.
"I’m sure there are good things the Prime Minister has done, but for me attacking the idea of India is unacceptable,” he added.
The BJP on Saturday had accused Gandhi of harming India in his comments against Prime Minister Modi and alleged his frequent critical remarks about the country from foreign soils amounted to betraying it.
In New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia reacted sharply to Gandhi for his remarks at a conference in London organised by non-profit think-tank Bridge India on Friday.
Gandhi said his party is working on plans to go to the ground with padyatras, meet people and walk with people as a way to actively mobilise people from October-November after the Congress presidential elections in August.
"That’s for the Congress party to decide. There’s a presidential election, the party has to decide,” he said, when asked if the party needs a leadership outside of the Gandhi family.
The event, organised by the School of the Humanities and Social Science at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, as part of a series of events celebrating the 75th year of Indian independence, marks the conclusion of Gandhi’s UK tour which began last week.
(PTI INPUTS)

Rahul Gandhi at Cambridge: deep state entering institutions that allow India speak

During an event at the prestigious Cambridge University, Rahul&nbsp;said India comes alive when India speaks and India dies when India goes silent.

Stating that there&rsquo;s absolutely nothing Hindu about wanting to murder people and beat people up, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that there is a "systematic attack" on the institutions that allow India to speak and as the conversation is being stamped out, the "deep state" is entering those spaces and redefining the way that conversation is happening in the country.
During an event entitled &lsquo;India at 75&rsquo; at Corpus Christi College at the prestigious Cambridge University on Monday evening, Gandhi spoke on a broad range of subjects from Hindu nationalism, the Gandhi family&rsquo;s role within the Congress party and efforts to mobilise the people of the country as he fielded questions from a largely Indian student base.
In conversation with Indian-origin academic from the university Dr Shruti Kapila, Gandhi reiterated some of the points he made during last week's conference, including the impact of the "deep state" on Indian politics.
"For us, India comes alive when India speaks and India dies when India goes silent. What I see as going on is a systematic attack on the institutions that allow India to speak &ndash; Parliament, election system, the basic structure of democracy is being captured by one organisation. And, as the conversation is being stamped out, the deep state is entering those spaces and redefining the way that conversation is happening," he said. Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/convict-in-rajiv-gandhi-assassination-case-released-cm-stalin-invites-him-home-1652932225393">A cause that unites Tamils: Explained the politics over Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts</a>
Outside the lecture theatre, a small group of students had gathered with placards which read: "Rahul Gandhi keep your promise on mining" with reference to the adivasis in Chhattisgarh, an issue he said he was working on within the party.
He went head-to-head with students on several other topics, including his view of India as a &ldquo;union of states&rdquo; as opposed to a nation, which he insisted was a &ldquo;beautiful idea&rdquo; that gives the people of each and every state their rightful place.
"I think this goes to the heart of Indians," the former Congress party chief said.
During the interactive session, Gandhi also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is creating a vision of India that is not inclusive of all parts of the country&rsquo;s population, which is unfair and goes against the idea of India.
"I have a problem if anybody has a vision for India that excludes people, I don&rsquo;t care who&rsquo;s being excluded. I have a problem with it because it is completely unfair, it ignores that there is tremendous energy in the people being excluded and I have a problem with it because that&rsquo;s not what India is,&rdquo; said Gandhi, in response to a question about secularism in India.
"I think it goes beyond secularism. You have to include every single person with compassion. Mr Modi is constructing a vision of India where he&rsquo;s leaving out huge chunks of our population. And, that&rsquo;s not a vision of India, that&rsquo;s a vision of a part of India,&rdquo; he said.
The Congress leader asserted that his party&rsquo;s fight was against a massive concentration of wealth and a capture of institutions within the country, including its media.
"You will not see this talk for more than 30 seconds anywhere in the Indian media. The reason is the Indian media is captured. It is controlled by a couple of large industrialists who support the government. So, we are not fighting a political party. We&rsquo;re fighting a capture of the Indian state and it&rsquo;s not easy&hellip; it will take time, it is going to have a life, it is going to be difficult but we&rsquo;re doing it,&rdquo; said Gandhi.
Asked about how the Congress plans to fight against the forces of &ldquo;Hindu nationalism&rdquo;, Gandhi declared that he did not agree with the term itself.
"There is nothing Hindu about it and actually there&rsquo;s nothing nationalist about it. I think you&rsquo;ll have to think of a new name for them but they&rsquo;re certainly not Hindu. And, I have studied Hinduism in enough detail to tell you that there&rsquo;s absolutely nothing Hindu about wanting to murder people and beat people up,&rdquo; he said.
"My problem with the RSS and the Prime Minister is that they are fiddling with the foundational structure of India. When you play the politics of polarisation, when you isolate and demonise 200 million people, you&rsquo;re doing something extremely dangerous and you&rsquo;re doing something that is fundamentally against the idea of India,&rdquo; he said.
"I&rsquo;m sure there are good things the Prime Minister has done, but for me attacking the idea of India is unacceptable,&rdquo; he added.
The BJP on Saturday had accused Gandhi of harming India in his comments against Prime Minister Modi and alleged his frequent critical remarks about the country from foreign soils amounted to betraying it.
In New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia reacted sharply to Gandhi for his remarks at a conference in London organised by non-profit think-tank Bridge India on Friday.
Gandhi said his party is working on plans to go to the ground with padyatras, meet people and walk with people as a way to actively mobilise people from October-November after the Congress presidential elections in August.
"That&rsquo;s for the Congress party to decide. There&rsquo;s a presidential election, the party has to decide,&rdquo; he said, when asked if the party needs a leadership outside of the Gandhi family.
The event, organised by the School of the Humanities and Social Science at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, as part of a series of events celebrating the 75th year of Indian independence, marks the conclusion of Gandhi&rsquo;s UK tour which began last week.
(PTI INPUTS)

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