Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Wednesday accused Congress leader Pawan Khera and his wife Kota Neelima of having two voter ID cards.
She condemned the Congress as ‘vote dacoits’ and revisited the 1980 controversy where Sonia Gandhi was reportedly listed in the electoral roll despite being an Italian citizen.
Addressing a press conference here she said, “Congress party which claims to be a ‘Mohabbat ki Dukan’ is a market of scam and fraud. Congress’ CWC member and media head Pawan Khera and his wife have two EPIC cards.”
She slammed Rahul Gandhi for his silence on such issues despite his public accusations against Indian citizens.
Meanwhile, she reminded that Bihar is observing bandh tomorrow following the row over comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother.
She said, “Tomorrow, Bihar is observing bandh. We will not tolerate insults hurled towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother. Every citizen will avenge the tears of Modi. The impact of this incident will be there in front of Rahul Gandhi and Tejasvi Yadav if they don’t come forward to apologize.”
A political row had erupted in poll-bound Bihar after a video in which a youth was seen abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother during ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ being led by Rahul Gandhi.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the remarks, criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and lodged a police complaint against him in Patna. The youth was later arrested and apologised.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday announced Rs 3.25 crore relief for flood protection and rehabilitation following the severe floods in Punjab which has been struggling for the past few days as rivers are flowing beyond the danger mark in the state.
Chadha said that Punjab is battling one of the worst floods in recent history as many homes have been destroyed, farmlands have been submerged, cattle lost and over 30 people have been killed in the flood.
He said, “From my MPLAD funds, I am allocating Rs 3.25 crore out of which 2.75 crore will be allocated for strengthening flood protection embankments so that our villages remain safe from floods in future and Rs 50 lakh for relief and rehabilitation.”
“This is Punjab’s money, for Punjab’s people. I will also raise this issue in Parliament and appeal to the Centre for maximum support,” he added.
Photo: Tehelka Bureau
A total of 30 people have lost their lives due to massive floods in the state caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas, Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets following heavy rains. Many homes and farmlands are submerged in the region, forcing people to move to shelters and other safe places.
Several people have lost their cattle to the flood waters as many have drowned and many have flown away across the border area.
Meanwhile, the administration in Rupnagar have asked locals living near the Sutlej river to remain on alert as heavy water has been discharged from the Bhakra Dam following heavy rain in its catchment area in Himachal Pradesh.
Photo: Tehelka Bureau
Patiala district administration has also issued an alert for the residents of villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas of the water body.
Meanwhile, Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that all schools, colleges and institutes will remain closed till Sept 7, 2025.
Taking to the micro-blogging site X, Harjot Singh Bains said, “As directed by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann, in view of the flood situation, all government aided, recognized and private schools, colleges, universities and polytechnics across Punjab will remain closed till 7th September 2025.”
Srinagar:The water level in the Jhelum River has risen sharply following heavy rainfall across south Kashmir and may cross the danger mark within the next few hours, independent weather forecasters warned on Wednesday.
According to Kashmir Weather Forecast, the river level in the Anantnag–Kulgam belt has increased rapidly over the past two hours. If the downpour continues, the Jhelum is likely to breach the flood declaration mark in three to five hours.
At 5 a.m. on Wednesday, gauge readings indicated a significant rise across several stations. The Sangam station recorded 12.53 ft, up from 4.94 ft on Monday evening. Levels also climbed at Pampore (1584.734 m), Ram Munshi Bagh (10.95 ft), and Asham (7.44 ft), though all remained below the danger mark. Meanwhile, Sheshnag Nallah in south Kashmir has already crossed its critical level.
Faizan Arif, an independent weather forecaster, said his earlier predictions of flooding in parts of Jammu had already come true and that the Jhelum could also “cross the flood declaration marks” if the rainfall persists.
Residents of low-lying and flood-prone areas have been advised to stay cautious and prepare for any emergency, although no official flood alert has been issued yet.
The end of Manoj Jarange Patil’s hunger strike has significant political and social implications for both the Maratha agitation and the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in Maharashtra
Photo: courtesy social media
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Tuesday ended his hunger strike after the BJP-led Maharashtra government agreed to most of his key demands, including the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas, which would allow them to avail of reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Jarange broke his fast at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan by accepting a glass of fruit juice from senior BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the Cabinet sub-committee on the Maratha reservation issue.
The 43-year-old activist was seen in tears as hundreds of supporters erupted in cheers.
He was later taken by ambulance for a medical check-up.
But reservation battle is far from over any large-scale inclusion of Marathas into the OBC category will be closely watched by the courts and by existing OBC groups who may see this as dilution of their share.
For the Devendra Fadnavis government ending the hunger strike and protest at Azad Maidan provides immediate relief from public pressure, court warnings, and city disruptions. However, implementing the quota demands will be complex, legally risky, and politically sensitive. OBC groups may resist sharing their quota with Marathas. The courts have already called parts of the protest illegal and future legal battles over quotas are likely now
Earlier in the day, Jarange had demanded that the Chief Minister and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar come to Azad Maidan to end his fast. However, Vikhe Patil informed him that all three leaders were out of Mumbai and urged him to reconsider.
Jarange relented but issued a warning to the government not to go back on its promises.
The Bombay High Court had issued a stern ultimatum to the activist and his supporters, directing them to vacate Azad Maidan by 3 PM or face contempt proceedings, fines, and police action. The court termed the ongoing protest “completely illegal” and emphasized the need to restore normalcy in the city.
Why was this protest allowed in Mumbai was also being asked.
Jarange-Patil
For now Jarange-Patil has emerged as the leading face of the renewed Maratha reservation movement in Maharashtra.
Backed by significant support from Maratha leaders and grassroots activists, his agitation put the ruling Mahayuti coalition — comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) — under considerable political pressure.
On Friday, Jarange arrived in Mumbai with a massive convoy of vehicles and thousands of supporters, causing major traffic disruptions across the city, which was already bustling with Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
On Saturday, he rejected an appeal from the Justice Sandeep Shinde committee, which had sought more time to study the issue. Instead, he demanded an immediate government resolution declaring all Marathas in the Marathwada region as Kunbis — a classification that would make them eligible for OBC reservation.
The farmer-turned-activist from Jalna district, Jarange rose to prominence in 2023 after spearheading a large-scale protest demanding Maratha reservation.
Known for his non-political approach and ability to mobilise masses at the grassroots level, he has led several rallies and hunger strikes, demanding the issuance of caste certificates for Marathas based on historical documentation.
What next
Jarange-Patil is now the face of the Maratha reservation movement, with mass support and political clout — despite claiming to be apolitical. This may inspire similar grassroots leaders in other regions or castes.
Analysts say that the agitation has gained legitimacy and momentum.
If the government delays implementation or is perceived to be backtracking, protests could reignite.
But reservation battles are far from over any large-scale inclusion of Marathas into the OBC category will be closely watched by the courts and by existing OBC groups who may see this as dilution of their share.
The national capital on Tuesday woke up to a threat of severe flooding as many parts of NCR were submerged into the flood water near the banks of Yamuna as the river flown beyond the danger level.
Following the heavy rain in Delhi-NCR, the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark of 205.33 meters while the officials alerted that it may increase to 206.50 metres till late evening of Tuesday.
This comes after a huge volume of water was released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana adding to the risk of flooding in low-lying parts of the city.
Due to the rising water level in the river, the Shahdara authorities have announced that public movement on the Loha Pul will be banned from 5 pm today.
Meanwhile, commuters have suffered long traffic hours after the area received more than 100 mm of rain on Monday. Key stretches including Hero Honda Chowk, and the Dwarka Expressway witnessed traffic snarls due to waterlogging.
Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday visited Geeta Colony for inspection of the area.
Photo: Rekha Gupta’s X account
During the inspection, Gupta met residents of the area where she listened to the issues of people and assured them of every possible help during the difficult phase.
She took a complete assessment of the Yamuna’s water level and the flooding situation in the affected areas.
Taking to the micro blogging site X, she said, “I met with families who were evacuated from the Tarai areas and relocated to safe places, and inquired about their well-being. I assured them that the government stands with them every step of the way. Arrangements for accommodation, food, water, and medicine—every essential need—have already been made in advance.”
She further stated, “Our government’s resolve is that no citizen should face any hardship and every family should feel secure. The government is continuously monitoring the water levels. The extensive work done by the Delhi government on desilting drains and the Yamuna over the past 6 months is yielding significant benefits. The water flow is continuing uninterrupted. Our effort is to take every necessary step in time so that the public remains safe and does not have to worry in any situation.”
Srinagar: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday as persistent rainfall, landslides, and flash floods continued to batter the Trikuta hills in Reasi district.
Authorities have stopped the movement of pilgrims from the Katra base camp as a precaution, leaving the shrine town and adjoining areas deserted while devotees await the resumption of the pilgrimage. Restoration work on damaged tracks and roads is currently underway.
The yatra was first suspended on August 27 after a massive landslide triggered by heavy rain killed 34 people. In response, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the causes of the tragedy.
The three-member committee, headed by Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, also includes the Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police, Jammu. It has been tasked with investigating lapses, assessing the rescue and relief response, and recommending measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The panel has two weeks to submit its report to LG Sinha, who also chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir continues to reel under heavy rainfall and rain-induced landslides. On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the region, holding a high-level review meeting at Raj Bhavan in Jammu with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, LG Manoj Sinha, Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, and senior officials. Shah also conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas and inspected the damaged 4th Tawi bridge before meeting affected residents in Mangu Chak village.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India is advancing in the semiconductor sector and will hold a significant share in this USD 1 trillion market.
Addressing the gathering at ‘Semicon India – 2025’, Modi said, “The global semiconductor market has already reached USD 600 billion, and in the coming years, it is expected to surpass USD 1 trillion. Given the pace at which India is advancing in the semiconductor sector, India will hold a significant share in this USD 1 trillion market.”
He emphasized that India’s innovation and youth power are also visibly present at the event. He stated that this unique combination sends a clear message, “The World trusts India, the World believes in India and the World is ready to build the Semiconductor Future with India”.
Pointing to the GDP figures for the first quarter of this year that were released recently, the Prime Minister said, “Once again, India has outperformed every expectation, every estimate, and every forecast”.
He noted that while economies around the world are facing concerns and challenges driven by economic self-interest, India has achieved a growth rate of 7.8 per cent.
Remarking that in the world of semiconductors, it is often said, ‘Oil was black gold, but chips are digital diamonds’, the Prime Minister stated that oil shaped the previous century, and the fate of the world was determined by oil wells. The global economy fluctuated based on how much petroleum was extracted from these wells.
However, he emphasized that the power of the 21st century is now concentrated in the small chip. Though tiny in size, these chips possess the potential to accelerate global progress significantly.
Emphasizing that India’s semiconductor success story is not confined to a single vertical or a single technology, Modi stated that India is building a comprehensive ecosystem—one that encompasses designing, manufacturing, packaging, and high-tech devices, all within the country.
He clarified that the Semiconductor Mission is not limited to establishing a single fab or producing a single chip. Rather, India is creating a robust semiconductor ecosystem that will make the nation self-reliant and globally competitive, the he added.
Semicon India – 2025 is a three-day Conference, from 2nd to 4th September, will focus on advancing a robust, resilient, and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem in India.
It features sessions on the progress of the Semicon India Programme, semiconductor fab and advanced packaging projects, infrastructure readiness, smart manufacturing, innovations in R&D and artificial intelligence, investment opportunities, state-level policy implementation, among others.
Additionally, the event will highlight initiatives under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, the growth of the startup ecosystem, international cooperation, and the future roadmap for India’s semiconductor sector.
In a significant departure from the past, the joint declaration issued on September 1 by the SCO — of which Pakistan is a full member — explicitly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed
Photo: PM’s social media
On Monday, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) adopted a joint statement condemning terrorism in both India and Pakistan, therby marking a notable shift in diplomatic dynamics in the region.
As the saying goes, geopolitics is a game of possibilities. It’s a field defined more by shifting interests and strategic realignments than by fixed rules or predictable outcomes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China underscores this reality.
In a significant departure from the past, the joint declaration issued on September 1 by the SCO — of which Pakistan is a full member — explicitly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. It was the deadliest attack on civilians in the region since 2000. Most of the victims were Indian nationals, with one victim reportedly from Nepal.
The Tianjin declaration stated: “Member States strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations… Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam… They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice.”
The SCO’s latest statement may signal a step toward consensus on tackling cross-border terrorism, even if deep-rooted mistrust between India and Pakistan remains unresolved.
This stands in contrast to the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in June in Qingdao, China.
At that time, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the joint declaration because it omitted any mention of the Pahalgam attack, even though it referenced terrorist incidents in Pakistan. Due to India’s objection, the meeting concluded without a consensus on a final joint statement.
The recent shift suggests a diplomatic breakthrough or at least a compromise that acknowledges India’s concerns without directly naming Pakistan. While Pakistan is not explicitly blamed for the Pahalgam attack in the declaration, it is a signatory to the statement that condemns terrorism as a common threat to all SCO member states, explain analysts.
The SCO is a 10-nation Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. Its members include China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Belarus.
The declaration cited recent terror incidents in Pakistan, including the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train by Balochistan Liberation Army militants. The train, carrying 440 passengers, was ambushed en route to Peshawar.It also mentioned the deadly bomb attack on a school bus near Zero Point in Khuzdar, Balochistan, killed at least six people — including three students — and injured over 40 others, most of them schoolchildren.
In all three cases — Pahalgam, Jaffar Express, and Khuzdar — both India and Pakistan accused each other of involvement or complicity in supporting the attackers, further straining bilateral ties.
Lured with visas and safe jobs, how young Indians found themselves dispatched to Russia’s frontlines, fighting a conflict they never chose. A report by Tehelka SIT
“Russian army officials first shot him in the hand, then in the leg. When he began crying out in pain, they killed him with a bullet to the head. He was not Russian but a foreigner trying to flee the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. I was an eyewitness to this killing, as it happened in my apartment where I was staying. I had been asked to hold a torch for light since there was no electricity in the war zone. After this incident, I was so terrified that I could not sleep for many nights, and I never argued with Russian army officials when they were drunk,” said Siraj [name changed], from a city in Uttar Pradesh, who returned to India after being duped into fighting for Russian forces in the war with Ukraine.
“A trainer from Gurugram, India, named Prince, who was training the Russian army, met us in Russia. He warned that by coming there we had effectively signed our own death warrant. He said that one could arrive in Russia of one’s own will, but leaving the country was not in one’s hands. After hearing this, I grew fearful and began calling the Indian Embassy in Russia,” Siraj told Tehelka’s reporter.
“For a full month, our only meal was rice soup, served once a day, and nothing else. Drinking water, too, was rationed. We were kept in a Russian-controlled Ukrainian city that was deserted, so we stayed in whichever abandoned house we could find,” said Siraj.
“I was duped by the agents. They told me I would be working as a delivery boy in Russia. They never mentioned fighting in the Ukraine-Russia war zone. They promised me a salary of 2 lakh roubles per month. I came into contact with Jitender Sahrawat, an Indian-origin agent living in Russia. He asked me to approach Sumit Dahiya, another agent with an office at Bhikaji Cama Place in Delhi. Sumit, along with a Russian woman, took me and 16–17 others from India to Russia. When I was preparing to return to India, I saw Jitender Sahrawat in a restaurant in Russia and confronted him for duping me,” added Siraj.
“I have many exclusive things to share with Tehelka that no one in India knows. The Indian media is only interested in focusing on the agents who duped us. They show no concern for the inhuman conditions we endured in the Ukraine-Russia war zone. I could bathe only once a week due to the lack of water. There was hardly any food. We were only allowed to relieve ourselves during the day, and even then with strict precautions. After 6 p.m., we were not permitted because of the fear of drone attacks,” said Jatin Ahuja, another Indian from Delhi who was duped by agents and sent to Russia to fight on the Ukraine battlefield, before returning to India in October 2024.
“I killed 10–12 Ukrainian soldiers while fighting on the Russian side. Whether it happened by accident or otherwise, I do not know. During my stay in the war zone, I was hit by a drone strike, with two pieces of shrapnel entering my left and right legs. One was removed in Russia, and the other after I returned to India two months later. According to Russian law, anyone injured in the leg by a drone strike is entitled to 30 lakh roubles as insurance money, but till date I have received nothing,” Jatin told Tehelka.
“Agents fraudulently made two ATM cards in the name of every Indian fighting on the Russian side against Ukraine. They withdrew money from our bank accounts without informing us. Some lost 20 lakh, some 14, another 13 lakh. I managed to block my card, so they failed to take my money. On the false promise of a normal warehouse job in Russia with lucrative incentives and permanent residency, these agents sold us to the Russians and forced us into fighting in the war,” Jatin said.
“The Ukraine-Russia war zone conditions were so horrific that a few Pakistani and Afghan nationals I knew stored their urine in bottles to drink if no water was available. I also saw one Pakistani national so desperatefrom hunger that he was eating tree leaves,” Jatin added.
The government is aware of at least 126 Indians who joined the Russian army to fight in the war in Ukraine. According to the latest figures, of the 126 men about whom the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been intimated, 96 have returned to India so far. Of the remainder, 12 have been killed in the conflict, while 16 are believed to be missing.
Siraj and Jatin are among the 126 Indians who were forced into fighting in the war. Most came from poor families and were lured by agents with promises of money and jobs, sometimes as “helpers” in the Russian army. Instead, they were sent straight to the war zone. Many said they were stationed in parts of Ukraine under Russian control, where they had to navigate landmines, drones, missiles and sniper fire with little to no military training. Indian authorities say they have arrested several people for human trafficking. In July 2024, Russia promised an early release of all Indians fighting in its army, following a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moscow, during which he raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two countries have traditionally shared a warm relationship. Since then, 96 people have been discharged and have safely returned to India, while efforts to trace the missing are underway. Tehelka’s SIT spoke to some of the men, who managed to return, about their struggles.
We first spoke to Siraj, who revealed that even a year after returning from Russia, he has not told his parents that he had been deceived by agents. He said he did not want to put them under stress. For this reason, he asked us not to reveal his real name in this report.
In his account below, Siraj describes how Russian commanders dealt with deserters—by shooting them dead without hesitation. Siraj narrates one chilling instance when a foreigner fighting in the Russian army was shot dead by Russian soldiers after an unsuccessful attempt to escape the war zone. Siraj said he was an eyewitness, as the killing took place in his apartment. He had been asked to hold a torch to provide light since there was no electricity in the war zone. He said that fear gripped him so deeply after the incident that he could not sleep for nights afterwards, and from then on, he avoided speaking to Russian soldiers whenever they were drunk.
Siraj – Headquarters mein batata hoon kya- kya hota tha…unka dimag kharab hote hi wo seedhe sar par goli maarte they.
Reporter -Kinka dimag kharab hote hi?
Siraj- Jo Russian army ke bade log hote they.
Reporter- Kisko goli maarte they?
Siraj- Jo bhagte they jung chodke.. chahe wo kisi bhi desh ka ho… uske liye maut hai.
Reporter -Aapke saamne maara kisi ko?
Siraj- Bhai mujhse hi torch pakadwai thi ek baar to.
Reporter- Torch matlab?
Siraj – Light ke liye…kyunki bijli to wahan hai nahi. Mujhe torch thama di, pitai chal rahi thi kisi ki. Ek tha koi.. bhagkar aaya tha peeche se.
Reporter- Bahar ka tha ya Russian?
Siraj – Indian nahi tha par bahar ka hi tha…..pehle uske pair mein maari goli.. phir haath mein…jab wo chillane laga to uske sar mein maar di…bhagte hue pakda gaya tha wo. Aage bhi maut hai tere peeche bhi maut hai…kahan bhagega bata! Goli to wahan roz chalati thi lekin us din uske sar mein seedhe goli maar di.
Reporter – Aapse kaha torch pakad lo?
Siraj -Mere flat mein hi to goli maari hai.
Reporter -Aap darr gaye honge?
Siraj- Bhai us din ke baad mujhe neend nahi aayi theek se..jab wo nashe mein hote they.. mein unse baat nahi krta tha. Bhai poori poori belt hoti thi goliyon ki wo khali kar dete they.
Reporter- To aapne gharwalon ko bataya hoga mere sath dhokha ho gaya?
Siraj- Nahi bhai, gharwalon ko aajtak nahi bataya.
Reporter- Aajtak nahi bataya ki aapke saath dhokha hua?
Siraj- Nahi.
Reporter -Kyun?
Siraj- Mere gharwale kya karte? Tension mein maare jaate.
Reporter- Unko aajtak nahi bataya aapke saath dhokha hua?
Siraj- Nahi.
Reporter- Phir unhone pucha nahi wapas kyun aa gaye paanch mahine ke baad?
Siraj- Itna dhayan nahi deta koi….bata diya ki contract khatam ho gaya.
[What this exchange shows is the brutality faced by Indians caught in the Ukraine–Russia war. Siraj’s silence with his family reflects how trauma often stays hidden, buried under fear, shame, and helplessness.]
Now, Siraj recalls the moment he realised he had been deceived. At the Russia-Ukraine border, where military training began, it became clear there was no return. A man from Gurugram, whose name was Prince and who was working as a trainer in the Russian army dropped a bombshell when he told Siraj that they had come there after signing their death warrants. Siraj said that from that moment he began calling the Indian embassy in Moscow, asking to be rescued.
Siraj- Jab hum Russia-Ukraine border par pahuche aur army training hui…wahan jaa to sakte ho apni marzi se magar aa nhi sakte. Wahan ek Gurgaon ka trainer tha Prince.. jo Russian army mein training deta tha, usne kaha tha tum apna death warrant sign karke aaye ho. Maine to wahi se call lagana shuru kar di thi bhai Indian embassy ko Russia mein…yahan se nikal lo hame bhai….hame phasa diya gaya hai.
[From this account, we see how young men discovered too late that promises of jobs were lies. Their ordeal began not on the battlefield, but the instant they realised they were trapped—with no way back but survival.]
In the following exchange, Siraj reveals how the deception began. The agent assured him that he would not be involved in the war in any way, and promised only simple delivery work, such as carrying food from one place to another. A handsome salary of two lakh roubles a month was promised, and everything appeared genuine.
Reporter- Ye agent aapko le gaya tha.. usne bataya tha aapko Ukraine se ladna hoga?
Siraj – Usne bola tha bas delivery ka kaam karna hai… jung wang mein nahi jaana.
Reporter- Kis type ki delivery?
Siraj- Khana dekar aana hai bas.
Reporter- Usne paise kitne btaye they—tankhwa?
Siraj- Tankhwa bola tha 2 lakh milegi—Russian currency mein—per month.
[This account shows how false promises drew Indians into a war-zone. The lure of money hid the grim reality, reminding us that exploitation often starts with ordinary, harmless-sounding offers.]
In the following conversation, Siraj recounts the daily struggle for food. For an entire month, their only meal was a watery rice soup served once a day, with even drinking water strictly rationed. Regardless of nationality—Russian, Afghan, or otherwise—everyone endured the same scarcity.
Reporter- Khana peena sab badiya tha?
Siraj- Ye maan lo bhai mahine bhar to wo ek time dete they soup, matlab wo bhi paani hota tha.
Reporter -Chicken soup?
Siraj- Nahi bhai, chawal ka soup.
Reporter- Baki kuch nahi, sirf soup?
Siraj- Baki kuch nahi.. paani bhi limit mein milega sabko.
Reporter- Aise kyun?
Siraj- Russian ho ya Afghani ho.. kyunki bhai war chal rahi hai…itna khana kahan se layenge.
[What emerges is a picture of near-starvation in the war zone. Hunger spared no one, turning survival into a fight against empty stomachs and dry throats.]
In this exchange, Siraj explains how the journey to Russia unfolded. It began with the promise of a logistics job and contact through a travel agent. According to him, Jitender Sahrawat, an Indian-origin agent living in Russia, called him and asked him to meet another agent, Sumit Dahiya, who had an office at Bhikaji Cama Place in Delhi. Siraj said he met Sumit and handed over his passport. Soon after, he received a Russian visa and travelled to Russia along with 16–17 other Indians. According to Siraj, Sumit and a Russian woman took all of them from India to St. Petersburg. At Delhi airport, Siraj was told that if anyone asked about them, they should say that the Russian woman was their boss and that they were travelling to Russia.
Reporter – Aap kaise Russia pahuche?
Siraj – Pata laga tha ki logistics mein job hai…XXXX holiday karke ek travel agent ka phone aaya ….
Reporter- Aap travel agent ke sampark mein kaise aaye?
Siraj- Ek dalal tha….Russia mein rehta tha…Indian tha.
Siraj- Pata lag hi jata hai jab aadmi pareshan hota hai…usne bola Bhikaji Cama Place chale jana…passport de aana. Passport de aaye hum… visa lag gya… office wala hume lekar gaya…uske saath ek Russian lady bhi thi.
Reporter -XXXX wala aapko kahan tak lekar gaya?
Siraj- Russia tak lekar gaya.. St. Petersburg.
Reporter- Aap akele gaye ya koi aur bhi tha?
Siraj- Bhai mujhe to pata laga ki mein akela jaunga. Par wahan Delhi airport pahucha to dekha 16-17 log hain…Mumbai se.. Punjab se bhi they.. Punjab se zyada they; Delhi se bhi they.
Reporter- Wo sab isi travel agent ke they ya alag alag?
Siraj -Bhai ye nahi pata, magar main aadmi wahi tha jo lekar ja raha tha.
Siraj (continues) – Uska naam tha Sumit Dhaiya.
Reporter- Delhi ka rehne wala?
Siraj- Shayad Sonipat ka.
Reporter- Russian aadmi kahan chala gaya aapko issey milakar?
Siraj- – Nahi usne number diya tha Sumit Dhaiya ka. Uska naam tha Jitender Sahrawat jo Russia mein rehta tha.
Siraj – Haan. Un logon ne hamare paper kar rakhe they aur bola tha ke koi pooche to bol dena ki ye Russian lady hamari boss hai.. hum inke sath ja rahe hain.
Reporter – To aap St Petersburg kitne din mein pahuche?
Siraj – Rajasthan mein ruke 16 hours.. phir 1-1.5 din mein St Petersburg pahuch gaye they.
Reporter -Wahan St. Petersburg mein kya hua?
Siraj – Wahan wo humko pick up karne aaya tha jisne hame number diya tha —Jitender Sahrawat. Wo pick up karne aaya.
Reporter -Aap bhasha to samajh nahi paate honge.. unki language hai Russian?
Siraj- Nahi bhai.
Reporter- Kaise communicate karte the?
Siraj – Hum unse baat cheet hi kahan karte they.. wahi karte they ek hota tha translator unke saath.
Reporter- Wo Russian lady bhi nahi mili aapko?
Siraj- Nahi uska kaam sirf airport tak ka tha….St.Petersberg airport. Wo wahan se hi wapas chali gayi thi.
[What we see is a clear chain of deception—agents in India tied up with those in Russia. Papers, escorts, even airport cover stories were arranged to hide the trap ahead.]
In the following exchange, Siraj recounts how he ended up at a Russian training centre near the Ukraine border. He describes receiving documents, then being moved to Rostov where ten days of military training followed. The exercises included shooting, storming houses, and handling weapons. He names the guns he was trained on, and reveals he had no idea beforehand that he would be forced into such drills.
Reporter- To aapne jung ladi Ukraine mein?
Siraj – Haan ji ladi. Hum wahan rahe paanch mahine.
Reporter- Saat din wahan rahe phir kya hua? Documents bann gaye aapke?
Siraj – Document ban gaye, phir bola aapko aage jana padega. Tab tak nahi maloom tha hum kahan ja rahe hain.. Russian-Ukraine border par ek jagah hai Rostov.. wahan hamari 10 din training hui…army ki.
Reporter -Usmein kya kya sikhaya?
Siraj – Goli chalana, gharo par kabza karna, wo ek scene bana dete they ki gharo par kabza kaise karna hai..firing karna.. ye sab sikhaya.
Reporter- Ye Russian army aapko training deti thi?
Siraj- Wahin par unka centre tha. Sab wahi jaate they.
Reporter- Hatiyar kaunsa tha jissey training mili aapko?
Siraj – AK 12, AK 72 ek aur thi…Usko kholna, band karna, safai karna, sab sikha diya tha humko.
[What we learn here is chilling: ordinary Indians, duped by agents, were handed rifles and taught to fight like soldiers. The system was harsh, leaving no choice, turning lives into tools for a foreign war.]
In this conversation, Siraj is pressed about his earnings in Russia. He explains that there was no clarity on how much each recruit actually got, as the system lacked transparency. When asked directly, he mentions receiving 16 lakh roubles, which roughly translates to around ₹15 lakh.
Reporter- Paanh mahine mein kitna paisa kama liya?
Siraj – Asal mein wahan kisi ko zyada mila kisi ko kam…hame ye hi nahi pata kya hisab tha.
Reporter- Aapko kitna mila?
Siraj -16 lakh ruble.. aise kuch they.
Reporter- Mota mota 15 lakh Indian currency mein?
Siraj- Haan.
[The testimony underscores the opacity of payments—some were paid more, some less, with no proper accounting. Yet, unfortunately, the lure of lakhs, even if uncertain, was enough bait to trap desperate men into a dangerous contract.]
In the following exchange, Siraj recalls a heated face-off with the very agent who lured him to Russia under false assurances. The encounter, which turned violent inside a St. Petersburg restaurant, stemmed from deep anger and betrayal. Siraj accuses the agent of deceiving him about what awaited him in Russia.
Reporter- Agent se dobara contact nahi kiya aapne?
Siraj – Bhai agents se haathapai hui dobara. Wahi Russia mein…St Petersburg mein.
Reporter – Kya bola wo?
Siraj- Bhai usko dekhtey hi gussa aaya usne hame kya bola tha aur kahan bhej diya. Isliye haathapai hui. Ek restaurant mein betha hua mil gaya tha..
[What comes out here is the anger of those forced into a war they never chose. Their violent outburst shows how deeply the lies of traffickers still hurt them.]
In the following exchange, Siraj explains how the agents continued to exploit recruits even after sending them to Russia. He says ATM cards were taken, with one kept by the agents to siphon off money. According to him, large sums were fraudulently withdrawn from men’s accounts, including his own. Siraj also mentions the compensation structure for those injured or killed in battle, painting a picture of how human life was reduced to a cold transaction.
Reporter -Agent ka kya fayda agar inhone aapse paise nahi liye to?
Siraj- inhone ATM cards se paise nikal liye. In logon ne 2 ATM card banwaye.. ek hame de diya.. ek apne pass rakh liya. Phir inhone logon ke paise chori kiye..mere 50 hazar nikle, kisi ke 13 lakh, kisi ke 14 lakh…
Siraj (continues)-Russia mein agar kisi ke pair mein goli lagi hai na bhai ..ya agar wo zakhmi bhi ho gaya to usko 30 lakh ruble milte hain..salary se alag. Agar shaheed hua to 2 crore rupees daalte hain. Bhai un logon ne logon ke saare paise nikal liye.
Reporter- Ye ATM card do banwate they.. aapko nahi pata hota tha?
Siraj- Bhai us waqt dimag kaam nahi karta.
[What we see here is fraud beyond fake job offers. Even the little money these men had was withdrawn by agents through duplicate ATMs. It shows how their desperation was exploited at every step.]
The exchange reveals how Indian recruits were trapped in Russian contracts they could not understand, as these were in a foreign language. Siraj explains that release was secured only after intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself; otherwise, they would not have been freed. He recalls signing year-long documents written entirely in Russian, relying solely on the agent’s word.
Reporter- Ghar kaise aaye, unhone chodha kaise?
Siraj – Yahan se Modi ji gaye they.. wahan contract hua tha ke inko release karo.
Reporter -Nahi to wo chodte nahi?
Siraj- Wo nahi chodte, wo bilkul nahi chodte.
Reporter- Kitne mahine ka contact tha aapka?
Siraj- Bhai wahan contract hua tha saal bhar ka jo bataya gaya tha, saare documents Russian mein they.. hamko nahi pata usmein kya likha hai ya nahi. Jo agent tha usne kaha yahan sign kar do, yahan kar do.
[What comes through here is the near-total helplessness of those drafted. They signed papers blindly, trusting middlemen, with no idea of the commitments they were making. It shows the stark vulnerability of Indians pushed into this foreign battlefield.]
After Siraj, Tehelka spoke to Jatin Ahuja, another Indian from Delhi who had returned from Russia after taking part in the ongoing Ukraine–Russia war. According to Jatin, he killed 10–12 Ukrainian soldiers, though he said he did not know whether it happened by accident or by shooting. He told Tehelka that he was injured in the leg by a drone strike, for which he received treatment in India. In all, Jatin said he spent more than six months in the Ukraine–Russia war zone and in Russia before returning to India on 23 October 2024. He claimed that he is entitled to receive 30 lakh rubles as insurance money from the Russian government, as Russian law grants this amount to anyone who suffers a leg injury caused by a drone.
In this exchange, Jatin speaks of being forced into direct combat in Ukraine, where he admits to killing more than ten people. He describes being injured by a drone strike, leaving his leg badly damaged and untreated for months. Even promised insurance payments never came through. After nearly six months in war conditions, he finally returned to India with the help of the embassy.
Reporter – Aapne kitne Ukraine ke logon ko maara?
Jatin- Mere haath se kam se kam 10-12…pehle din to 4-5 hi gaye they…uske baad unhone mujhe 1month duty nahi di mujhe taang par lagi thi.
Reporter -Matlab 10-12 Ukraine ke logon ko aapne maar diya… matlab goli chalakar maara?
Jatin- Haan ji wo bhi front par nahi…front par to pehle hi din hui thi..12 tareek ko…wo tukkey se mare hain ya kaisey.. mujhe nahi pata.
Reporter- Accha aapke pair mein bhi laga drone?
Jatin-Wo mujhe baad mein laga..uske baad 2 mahine hum kamre se hi nahi nikle…
Reporter – Uska ilaj aapne India mein aa kar karaya?
Jatin- Haan mere pair ka, halat kharab ho gayi thi, khaal nikal gayi thi jismein mere drone ka metal nikla hai…
Jatin (continues)-Mere pair mein, haath mein drone laga hua hai.. insurance wale mere paise bhi nahi de rahe hain, jo 30 lakh ruble banta hai.
Reporter- Total kitne mahine rahe aap wahan par?
Jatin- Mere hisab se agar war zone mein laga loge to 4.5 months raha hoon mein…uske baad 1-1.5 months Russia mein.
Reporter – 6 mahina maan kar chalo.?
Jatin – 6 mahina plus lagakar chalo.
Reporter- Aap India kab aaye?
Jatin-India main aaya 23 October, 2024, ko jo flight meri Indian embassy ne karai.
[What we hear is tragic. A young man, misled into service, became a pawn in another’s war. In the end, these men fought and bled for nothing.]
According to Jatin, whatever he is telling Tehelka is exclusive information that nobody in India has. He said the Indian media is only interested in how Indian agents cheated them, not in the inhuman conditions they endured in the Ukraine-Russia war zone. Jatin revealed that a Pakistani and an Afghan national kept their urine in a bottle to drink in case they did not get water. He further added that a Pakistani ate tree leaves out of hunger in the absence of food. “We were not allowed to go to the toilet after 6 pm because of drone attacks at night. Since there was no water, I used to bathe only once a week,” said Jatin.
Jatin-Mere pass aisi bahut cheezein hain jo kisi ko pata hi nahi hai.
Reporter- Haan mujhe aisi hi cheezein chahiye.
Jatin- Jo Russian army ke ander ke haal hai.. matlab bahut cheezein hain aap sun kar dang reh jaoge. Afganistan, Pakistan sab jagah ke bande hain, ek Afghani musalman tha wo keh raha tha char din maine khana nahi khaya bathroom hota hai wo maine apni bottle mein rakah tha.. ki pani na mile to mein ye pi lunga. Wo khulasa hai jo kisi k pass na ho. Russian army ne hamko bataya tha ki army mein kaam nahi karna lekin warehouse mein karna hai…helper ka kaam hai Russian army ke warehouse mein…mere pass bahut kissey hain.
Reporter – Media walo ko interview nahi diya aapne?
Jatin-Media wale bolte hain ki bolo hamko agenton ne phasa diya. Bhai mein to poori baat bolunga…
Jatin – Ek jagah to Indian nahi liye they baki Pakistan, Afganistan wale ki baat kar raha tha…ek Pakistan ka tha usko khana nahi mila tha.. wo patte kha raha tha, usne apna bathroom bhi piya…Kai bando ne to makkhi wala pani piya tha apne haathon se utha kar….Indians ne..
Reporter – Pani ki dikkat hai wahan?
Jatin- Pani ki dikkat hai, khane ki dikkat hai..
Reporter- Khana theek milta tha?
Jatin- Shuru ko 2 mahine to dono time milta tha, uske baad jaise half plate Rajma Chawal nahi milta bazaar mein bas utna hi milta tha…2 time.. aur wo bhi ek hafte baad jaane ke…shuru mein 2-3 din to khana mila hi nahi…sirf pani ya juice ya tamatar khate they.
Reporter- Iska matlab aapko jhooth bolkar le gaye?
Jatin- Haan uske baad ek dedh mahine to theek raha jaise hi…samaj lo teen mahine to mein nahaya hi nahi…potty chup chup kar karte they?
Reporter -Kyun?
Jatin-Chup kar karte they koi drone maar jaye…raat mein potty kar nahi sakte they.. 6 baje ke baad potty jana allowed nahi tha.
Reporter- Kisi ka pet kharab ho jaye to?
Jatin- Pehle hi keh dete they system banao apna …khao mat..raat mein kya hota tha hamara commander thoda samajhdar tha. Dhai mahine mein uski wajah se hi bacha hoon…wo to marr gaya bechara.
[What comes through here is a picture of human degradation. This shows how badly human dignity was crushed. Survival became a desperate struggle for these men.]
Jatin revealed that the agent, Jitender Sahrawat alias Jeetu, threatened to have them killed in Russia. He said the agents fraudulently made two ATM cards in the name of each Indian recruit and withdrew money from their bank accounts. Jatin added that since he managed to block his card, they failed to take money from his account. According to him, the agents had promised regular jobs in a Russian warehouse, along with PR, housing and other incentives—offers that later proved to be fake. In a nutshell, Jatin said, the agents had effectively sold Indians to the Russian army.
Reporter- Aapke account mein paise aa rahe they?
Jatin – Paise aa rahe they par maine apna account block kar diya tha..meri ghar mein hi 3 mahine baad baat hui hai..mere gharwalon ko to pata hi nahi tha.
Reporter- To kitne total paise aapke account mein aa gye..5-6 mahine mein?
Jatin- Sir, mere account mein 14 lakh aaye hain total .. 14 lakh ruble they to us time India ka rate tha lagbhag 12.5 lakh….jismein se mera agent nikal nahi paya kyunki mera account block tha..card block kiya tha…mainey Dev (fellow victim) se kaha block kar de..bola dikkat ho jayegi…jo banda yahan la sakta hai wo marwa bhi sakta hai…us agent ne hamey rastey mein dhamki bhi di thi.
Reporter- Kaunse agent ne dhamki di thi aapko?
Jatin- Jeetu ne kaha tha ki mein sabko marwa dunga.
Reporter- Kahan? Russia mein?
Jatin – Haan..Russia mein. Jab hum ja rahe they to ek phone mila tha.. hum camp mein ja rahe they, ek bande ka network tha to usko phone kiya. Jeetu ne phone kiya chacha ko ki mein sabko marwa dunga…koi zinda nahi bachega..aur yahan tak ki hamara koi loan bhi nahi banaya insurance ka. Maan lo hum marr jaate to hamara paisa ye khud kha jaate….card maine block kar diye. Jeetu ne Bharat ke nikale 13 lakh ruble, Dev Bhushan ke nikale hain..7 lakh ruble nikle hain…Rahul key, jiski ungliyan kat gayi, uske nikale hain aur Srikant ke saare nikal liye..jo marr gaya bechara. (Here, Jatin named some of his fellow Indians—Chacha, Bharat, Dev Bhushan, Rahul and Srikant—who, like him, had been taken to Russia. Srikant, he said, had died in war)
Reporter – Agent ne aapko Russian army ke haathon bech diya. Russian army ne aapko war front par bhej diya?
Jatin- Haan ji war front par bhejne ke baad bhi inhone hamko nahi choda. Kai bando key card dekar paise bhi nikalwaye hain.
Reporter- Accha agents ne kitna paisa nikal liya hoga aapka?
Jatin – Bhai agents ne bahut paisa nikala hai. Ek bande ke 20 lakh rupees.. mein video bhejunga koi Yadav tha..Ek din mein gaya tha Russian embassy mein. Wo keh rahe they tum nikal rahe ho wahi bahut hai…tumhe paise ki padi hai.
Reporter – Accha aapne jo contract sign kiya tha usmein ye tha ki aap apne desh ja sakte hain?
Jatin- Hame pata hi nahi…hamne padha hi nahi..usmein kaha tha tumko PR mil jayegi desh to tum apne ja sakte ho..plus aapko Russia mein quarter milega aur aapne sirf help karni hai..aapne ladne ke liye nahi jana…agar jis hisab se ladne ke liye bulaya tha na, us hisab se 50 lac salary bhi kam hai.
[In this account, Jatin speaks of how his bank account became both a trap and a shield. He blocked it out of fear, sensing that agents could harm him and steal his money. He recalls direct threats, massive withdrawals from the accounts of others, and the shocking way agents sold Indians into war.]
Jitender Sahrawat and Sumit Dahiya, the two agents involved in taking Siraj and Jatin along with other Indians to Russia, are both missing, and their phone numbers remain switched off. According to Siraj and Jatin, both agents sold them to the Russian army and they also siphoned off large sums from their accounts. Siraj further alleges that a Russian woman, who escorted them from Delhi to St. Petersburg, was also part of this racket.
Tehelka spoke to Siraj and Jatin, who fought in the Ukraine-Russia war along with 13 other Indians stationed at Krasnohorivka city in the Donetsk region, controlled by Russia. The others had promised to speak but, at the time of writing, had not contacted this correspondent. According to Siraj and Jatin, when they were preparing to leave Russia for India, a Russian official handed cards to four of them, including Siraj and Jatin, as a form of acknowledgement from the Russian government—signifying possible eligibility for citizenship in the future. Yet, both men say they are still waiting for Russian passports. Jatin, meanwhile, who claims to have been injured by a drone strike, is expecting 30 lakh roubles in insurance money from Russia.
They also insist the Ukraine-Russia war zone is filled with foreigners. Nationals from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Africa, and elsewhere, they say, are being sold to the Russian army by agents who lured them with false promises of work as helpers, delivery boys, or warehouse staff. Instead, they were pushed into a brutal war zone against their will. Some have returned, some have died, and others remain untraceable. The search for the missing continues, and with every passing day the scale of this human tragedy only deepens.
There were smiles, shaking of hands as Modi, Xi and Putin signalled unity in a display of friendship in China aimed at projecting an alternative to US global leadership despite serious differences among them. The PM’s China visit saw India reaffirming enduring ties with Moscow, sending a clear message to Beijing on border peace amid a subtle overture from Washington that India-US relations are a cornerstone of 21st-century geopolitics.
Photo: courtesy PM’s social media
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin turned into a masterclass in diplomatic balancing, as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping — all while receiving a subtle message of strategic interest from the United States. There were smiles, shaking of hands as Modi, Xi and Putin signalled unity in a display of friendship in China aimed at projecting an alternative to US global leadership despite serious differences among them. The three leaders said the right words, what they wanted to convey to people back home and the world in general.
The PM’s China visit saw India reaffirming enduring ties with Moscow, sending a clear message to Beijing on border peace amid a subtle overture from Washington that India-US relations are a cornerstone of 21st-century geopolitics.
Concluding a productive visit to China, where I attended the SCO Summit and interacted with various world leaders. Also emphasised India’s stand on key global issues. Thankful to President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and people for the successful organisation of this Summit, PM Modi wrote on X
Modi-Putin
Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi underlined the strength of the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia. Despite global concerns around India’s continued crude oil purchases from Russia, both leaders expressed “satisfaction” over the growing cooperation in energy, trade, and finance.
“The leaders reaffirmed support for further strengthening of the partnership,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, describing the meeting as forward-looking and focused on pragmatic cooperation.
Modi-Trump
Interestingly, a couple of minutes before the Modi-Putin bilateral began, the US Embassy in India posted a message from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling the India-US partnership “a defining relationship of the 21st century.” Rubio, a key voice in US President Donald Trump’s administration, praised the ongoing momentum between the two democracies in innovation, defence, and entrepreneurship.
While the US message was not directly linked to the SCO events, its timing and content were widely interpreted as a reminder of Washington’s strategic expectations as New Delhi deepens ties with Moscow.
Modi-Xi
PM Modi’s talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping were the first such interaction since October last year. Their meeting focused on trade, direct flight resumption, and environmental cooperation, but the spotlight remained firmly on the unresolved boundary tensions.
The Prime Minister reiterated that peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is crucial for bilateral progress. “The Prime Minister underlined the importance of peace and tranquillity on the border areas,” said the MEA.
President Xi, however, urged both sides not to let the boundary issue define the relationship, referring to India and China as “the elephant and the dragon” — symbolic of coexistence and global influence.
