Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Congress questions AAP’s move to back UCC

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi: Congress leader addresses a press conference at AICC, in New Delhi, Saturday, March 18, 2023. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) (PTI03_18_2023_000076A)

New Delhi- A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced to support the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Congress hit back saying it was surprised with the speed at which it supported the BJP-led central government’s move even as other responsible parties want the draft proposal and asked if it has exclusive access to the draft.

In a tweet, Pawan Khera, who is chairman of the Congress media and publicity department said, “I am truly surprised at the speed with which AAP has extended support to the Uniform Civil Code. Even as other responsible parties wait for the draft proposal from the govt, does AAP have exclusive access to the draft of the UCC proposal?”

His remarks came a day after the AAP announced to support the UCC, and said also said that these set of laws should be implemented only after wider consultations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday while addressing BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradesh said that Muslims were being misled in the name of UCC.

“These days, people are being provoked by the UCC. You tell me, if there is one law for one person in a home, and another law for another person, can that house function?” he asked.

The Congress and AAP has been engaged in bitter war of words in last few weeks over the Centre’s ordinance in Delhi. During the opposition parties meeting in Bihar’s Patna Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal asked Congress to clear its stand on the ordinance row.

After the opposition meeting, the AAP also said that its hesitation and refusal to act as a team player on an important issue would make it very difficult for the party to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress.

BJP, Congress lock horns after Bishnupur cops halt Rahul Gandhi’s convoy

By
Aribam Bishwajit
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Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi, faced a significant obstacle during his visit to Manipur on Thursday as he sought to assess the ongoing conflict in the region. To his surprise and frustration, Gandhi was abruptly prevented from entering the Churachandpur district by road. Manipur authorities, citing safety concerns, informed his convoy that it would not be safe to continue traveling by road near the town of Bishnupur, which lay roughly 20 kilometers away from their intended destination. Consequently, the scion of the Gandhi dynasty had no choice but to retrace his steps and return to Imphal International Airport, where he boarded a helicopter to reach his planned location.

Attempting to shed light on the reason behind their decision, Heisnam Balram Singh, the Superintendent of Police in Bishnupur, emphasized the prevailing ground situation. Singh asserted, “Given the volatile circumstances on the ground, we made the judgment call to halt Rahul Gandhi’s progress and strongly advised him to proceed to Churachandpur via helicopter. There exists a real and credible threat of a grenade attack along the very highway that Mr. Gandhi would have traversed. Our primary responsibility is to prioritize his security and well-being, and thus we could not allow him to continue the journey by road.”

However, the Congress party promptly responded, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of capitalizing on the situation for political gain. Keisham Meghachandra, the President of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, vehemently claimed that the Bishnupur Superintendent of Police, as well as other police officials such as the ASP and ADM, deliberately obstructed the roads despite the local populace eagerly awaiting Rahul Gandhi’s arrival. Meghachandra further alleged that instructions were issued by the Chief Minister of Manipur himself, implying a politically motivated interference. He voiced his concerns, stating, “This incident is being grossly politicized. These authorities, by citing alleged law and order concerns, are intentionally impeding our progress and preventing the warm welcome that awaits Rahul Gandhi.”

In response to the claims made by the Bishnupur Police, Okram Ibobi Singh, the Congress Legislature Party leader and an experienced five-time chief minister, directly confronted the authorities. Singh refuted their assertions regarding the available modes of transportation, insisting, “At the airport, we were presented with only two options: to travel by air or to travel by road. Had the authorities explicitly advised us to use the helicopter or explicitly prohibited us from traveling by road right from the airport, we would not have encountered this predicament.”

The incident has ignited a fresh wave of political controversy, with accusations and counter-accusations dominating the narrative. As both sides offer conflicting explanations and engage in a public confrontation, the incident raises questions about the role of security concerns versus political motivations, further fueling the already charged atmosphere surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur.

AIUDF MLA arrested for ‘attempting to murder’ BJP leader

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, an All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA , was arrested in Assam’s Hailakandi district over charges of “attempting to murder” a BJP minority leader, officials said on Thursday.

Chowdhury is an MLA from the Algapur Assembly seat in Hailakandi.

Ataur Rahman Laskar, a member of the BJP minority cell, alleged that he was attacked by the MLA and three other persons while he was returning home on Tuesday.

After the incident, Laskar filed a complaint at the Panchgram Police Station against four people, including the MLA.

Chowdhury was detained by the police on Wednesday afternoon, and he was later taken into custody after two hours of interrogation.

According the the FIR, Chowdhury and a group of others stopped Laskar’s car near Dhaleswar Point at around 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The complainant said: “They tried to drag me out, broke the windows in my car, and once tried to stab me to death with knives. I took refuge in the Katakhal police outpost after managing to escape somehow.”

Laskar even claimed that Chowdhury and the others attacked him inside the police station as well.

“The police officials saved me from them and they fled seeing the police.”

The police said that the four accused have been charged with violating sections of the IPC, including 148 (assembling or rioting with lethal weapons), 149 (unlawful assembly), 427 (causing damage to property), 353 (assaulting on-duty public official), and 307 (attempt to murder).

Hailakandi SP Leena Doley confirmed Chowdhury’s arrest and added that a search operation is underway to nab the three others.

The AIUDF MLA was produced before a court on Wednesday evening and the Magistrate issued an order to send him to judicial custody.

However, on emergency medical grounds, he was taken to a local hospital.

Earlier, Chowdhury was charged with raping a woman, and on June 17, he appeared before a Hailakandi district court. He was however, granted bail.

Rahul Gandhi leaves for violence-hit Manipur, to meet affected families at relief camps

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday left for a two-day visit to violence-hit Manipur where he is scheduled to meet the affected people living in relief camps.

The former Congress MP will meet with the affected families at the Greenwood Academy, Tuibong and Churachandpur government College and at Community Hall, Konjengbam and Moirang College later in the day.

Ever since the ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, the Congress has been questioning the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

The Congress has also been demanding the removal of Manipur Chief Minister N. Niren Singh for “failing miserably” to control the situation in the northeastern state.

NESO demands PM Modi to break silence, quell violence in Manipur

By
Aribam Bishwajit
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NESO orchestrated a poignant candlelight vigil, followed by the symbolic act of affixing the candles in front of the revered Kangla’s western gate on Wednesday evening. Tehelka photo by Aribam Bishwajit

The North East Students’ Organization (NESO) has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the unceasing unrest in Manipur, which has persisted for around two months. NESO, an alliance comprising seven student organizations from the northeastern states, expressed deep concern over the prolonged silence of the Prime Minister and emphasized the urgent need for his intervention to restore peace and normalcy in the region.

As part of their ongoing efforts, NESO organized a candlelight vigil for peace at the western gate of the iconic Kangla in Imphal. Similar programs were simultaneously held in the capitals of all eight northeastern states. The vigil aimed to bring together the 34 affected communities, mourn the loss of over 120 lives, and condemn the destruction of numerous properties, which has resulted in the displacement of over 50,000 individuals across Manipur.

NESO advisor Sinam Prakash, speaking on behalf of the organization, raised questions regarding the Prime Minister’s silence and its impact.”PM Modi’s prolonged silence, even after 50 days of violence in the state, deeply concerns us,” he stated. “We urge the Prime Minister to break his silence and express his views on the ongoing violence. Failure to do so will lead us to believe that there are hidden agendas behind the unrest. The central and state governments must make all possible efforts to restore peace and normalcy.”

Prakash further emphasized the severe repercussions of the crisis on the education sector among other key areas within the state. He highlighted the challenges faced by students from the northeastern states due to the prevailing conflict. “We appeal to the government to restore peace, ensuring the safe return of northeast students who have fled the state due to violence. They should be able to resume their studies in a peaceful environment, just as they did before,” he added.

The NESO’s call for Prime Minister Modi’s intervention comes at a critical juncture, with the violence in Manipur creating a significant disruption in various sectors and adversely affecting the lives of countless individuals. The organization’s plea for immediate action reflects the pressing need for swift resolution and restoration of peace in the region.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to arrive in Imphal on Wednesday for a two-day visit on June 29 and 30, during which he will closely evaluate the situation. The Gandhi scion will personally visit relief camps and engage with civil society representatives in both Imphal and Churachandpur.

ED summons Trinamool youth wing chief Sayani Ghosh in Bengal job scam case

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the multi-crore school recruitment case in West Bengal has now summoned actress-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress state youth wing president Sayani Ghosh for questioning in connection with the case.

She was summoned at ED’s central government office (CGO) complex at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata on June 30. A notice had been served to Ghosh late Tuesday evening, sources said.

Sources said that the notice to Ghosh was issued after two clues came to the notice of ED sleuths. The first was recovery of some WhatsApp chats between Ghosh and expelled youth Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh, who is currently in judicial custody because of his alleged involvement in the school recruitment case.

Secondly, sources said, some banking transactions between Sayani Ghosh and Kuntal Ghosh relating to some purchase of property were found. The WhatsApp chat history has been recovered from the mobile phone of Kuntal Ghosh.

Sayani Ghosh is not the first celebrity from the Bengali silver screen world who has been summoned and questioned by ED sleuths in connection with the school recruitment case. In March this year, actor Bonny Sengupta was similarly questioned by the central agency sleuths after it came to the notice that the investigating officials got access to clues of Sengupta receiving a huge amount of money from Kuntal Ghosh.

Sengupta at the point told ED officials he got Rs 40 lakh loan from Ghosh for purchasing his new high-end premium vehicle. He also added that he repaid the loan by performing in at least 20 events organised by Ghosh. However, he was unable to furnish any document of such an agreement to the ED sleuths. Later Sengupta also returned Rs 40 lakhs to Ghosh.

Meanwhile, a political slugfest has surfaced over the ED notice to Sayani Ghosh for questioning. State Trinamool Congress spokesman Kunal Ghosh questioned the timing of sending the notice to the actress turned-politician at a time when the full- fledged campaign for the forthcoming panchayat polls in the state are on.

Kejriwal again attacks Centre on its ordinance

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday once again attacked the Centre over its ordinance on controlling the administrative services in the national capital.

Sharing the write-up of retired Supreme Court Justice Madan B. Lokur, he said that the justice has exposed the unconstitutionality of the Centre’s ordinance.

“The ordinance comes out as a constitutional fraud on the people of Delhi, its elected representatives, and the Constitution, ” Supreme Court Justice (retired) Madan B. Lokur writes, exposing the unconstitutionality of the Centre’s ordinance, ” Kejriwal wrote on Twitter while sharing an excerpt from the article.

Notably, Kejriwal has met with a number of opposition parties seeking their support against the Central government on the ordinance issue. He has also said that, as of now, only the Congress is not coming out clean on its stance against the Centre.

The entire Opposition, except Congress, has supported him in voting against the Centre’s government ordinance in Parliament, the CM has stated.

Congress Party alleges corruption in Predator Drones Deal

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi: Congress leader addresses a press conference at AICC, in New Delhi, Saturday, March 18, 2023. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) (PTI03_18_2023_000076A)

New Delhi-: Congress party today alleged that India is paying more price for the 31 Predator drones deal with the US. A deal that was welcomed by PM Modi and US president Joe Biden during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.

Addressing media persons in Delhi, AICC spokesperson Pawan Khera said That the Indian Government is paying 3.072 billion deal for 31 MQ-9B predator drones manufactured by General Atomics.” Why is India paying more than actual price of the drone, as compared to other countries? Why are we paying highest price for the drone, which does not even have AI integration?, he said.

The party also asked Modi Govt of number of drones being purchased. In April 2023, the Indian Armed Forces informed the Modi Govt that the requirement for predator drones is just 18 and not 31, then why the BJP govt buying 31 drones now ?

Giving examples of some similar variants, Congress leader Pawan Khera said the US Air Force bought MQ-9 drone, a superior version, at USD 56.5 million per drone. The UK Air Force bought MQ-9B at USD12.5 million per MQ-9B drone in spain.  These drones were bought by Spain at USD 46.75 million per drone..and Germany bought it for USD 17 Million per drone, he added. 

The Congress also said that  when Rustom II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is already available in India, what is the need of an alternative , and it is developed on the lines of the Predator drones of the US. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It is capable of staying at a maximum flight altitude of over 22,000 feet for more than 24 hrs.  Congress have also asked why cabinet Committee on security (CCS) not approve the drone deal. Alleging that Air Force had reservations about skyrocketing prices of these drones, why was the deal brokered in a hurry? The party also asked questions on “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in Defence.  National Security is the paramount of INC. There are several doubts and disturbing reports about the Predator Drone deal. Congress party demands transparency in this Predator Drone Deal. India needs answers to the crucial questions, otherwise we will be trapped in another scam under Modi govt. Congress party added.

AIMPLB to ‘strongly’ oppose UCC proposal

By
Tehelka WebDesk
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Lucknow : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) will oppose the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) law, which seeks to formulate and implement a set of common personal laws for all the citizens of India regardless of their religion, caste, and creed, as per the religious body’s member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali .

A decision to this effect was taken in an emergency online meeting late on Tuesday evening hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for the nationwide implementation of the law.

During the online meeting — attended by AIMPLB president Saifullah Rehmani, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, chairman of Islamic Centre of India and member of AIMPLB, AIMPLB lawyers and others — the Muslim body agreed on presenting its views more powerfully in front of the Law Commission.

At the meeting, the documents to be submitted to the Law Commission were also finalised.

The views put forward by Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday were in sync with the affidavit filed by the Union ministry of law in the Supreme Court a few months ago.

The affidavit said that “citizens belonging to different religions and denominations following different property and matrimonial laws is an affront to the nation’s unity”.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said, “AIMPLB will oppose the Uniform Civil Code tooth and nail. We are chalking out a strategy to counter the proposed move of the government by presenting our view in front of the law commission more powerfully. All prominent Muslim leaders of the country were present in the online meeting held on Tuesday.”

He added, “For the past several years, politicians have been raising the issue of the UCC just before the elections. This time too, the issue has come up before 2024 elections. I have always said that the UCC is not only going to affect the Muslims but also the Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Jews, Parsis and other miniscule minorities living in the country. India is a country where language changes at every 100 km. So, how can we have the same set of rules for all communities?”

Manipur Women Vendors Association Calls for Political Unity, opposes President’s Rule

By
Aribam Bishwajit
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In the heart of Imphal, security personnel vigilantly stand guard, ensuring control over the law and order situation and effectively implementing curfew during the designated hours. Tehelka Photo by Aribam Bishwajit

In an apparent response to the demands of some political parties seeking a change in the chief ministership, Khwairamband Keithel Nupi Marup, an association representing approximately 1000 women vendors, has called for unity among political parties, MLAs, and ministers to work towards a common goal. Laishram Memma, President of the Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup, conveyed this message during a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club, reiterating the people’s opposition to President’s rule in Manipur.

Memma drew attention to the ongoing attacks by armed Kuki militants since May 3, which have resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives in the outskirts of the Valley areas. Stressing the urgent need for ministers, MLAs, and political parties to unite, she emphasized the importance of establishing a common goal to address this issue. Memma discouraged the culture of blame and criticism, stating that the people of Manipur are already familiar with the conduct of both past and present governments.

The representative also urged political parties, ministers, and MLAs to refrain from advocating for President’s Rule or seeking a change in the state government leadership. Memma criticized the Union Home Minister for expressing administrative preferences that create divisions between the hills and valleys, demanding clarification on this matter.

Raising concerns about hidden agendas, Memma questioned the motives behind the Mizoram BJP’s support for President’s rule in Manipur. She highlighted the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum’s stance on changing the Chief Minister, threatening non-cooperation with ongoing peace talks unless their demands are met. Emphasizing the importance of transparency, Memma called on these groups to disclose their hidden agendas to the common people, as achieving peace should be the top priority.

The organization made a heartfelt appeal to all political parties, ministers, MLAs, and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Manipur, urging them to work together with a shared objective of restoring peace in the state. In her concluding statement, Memma Devi called upon the Chief Minister to effectively fulfill his role and duties in order to safeguard Manipur’s integrity. She reassured him of the unwavering support of the mothers in upholding the integrity of Manipur.

The protest in multiple locations across the state persists, while residents in the foothills live in a perpetual state of fear, bracing themselves for potential attacks from suspected Kuki militants. Tragically, since the eruption of violence in Churachandpur district of Manipur on May 3, more than 120 lives have been lost, accompanied by the destruction of over 3,500 properties, ultimately leading to the displacement of over 60,000 individuals across the entire state.

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