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'Sky Belongs To No One': Shashi Tharoor's Cryptic Post After Cong Prez Kharge's 'Modi First' Jibe
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor posted a cryptic message on X—'Don't ask permission to fly... The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one'—shortly after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appeared to take a veiled swipe at him, saying, 'For us, the nation comes first... some think otherwise.' The remarks follow Tharoor's recent op-ed praising Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic role during Operation Sindoor, calling him a 'prime asset of India.' Though Tharoor later clarified his comments referred to India's outreach success, tensions remain. The rift between Tharoor and the Congress leadership shows no signs of easing after the latest exchange.#shashitharoor #mallikarjunkharge #congressrift #modipraise #operationsindoor #indianpolitics #politicalcontroversy #indiandiplomacy #congressparty #tharoorvscongress #news #latestnews #toi #toibharat
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Tharoor visits Russia, meets foreign minister Sergey Lavrov
New Delhi Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently at the centre of a row within the party, is on a private visit to Russia to promote a documentary series based on his book 'Inglorious Empire' and has had meetings with key members of the Russian leadership such as foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor during a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Primakov Readings, in Moscow. (PTI) Tharoor is in Russia at the invitation of Russia's state-run television network RT, which produced the 10-part series based on his 2017 book, which itself was based on a speech he made at the 2015 Oxford Union debate on the theme 'Does Britain owe reparations to its former colonies?'. He arrived in Russia on June 21 and participated in the St Petersburg Economic Forum before travelling to Moscow, where he met Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the committee on international affairs of the State Duma or lower house of Parliament, on June 23. On the same day, Tharoor also met the Indian diaspora at the Indian embassy. Tharoor met foreign minister Lavrov on the margins of the Primakov Readings, an annual international meeting focused on international relations and the world economy, on June 24. On Wednesday, Tharoor met Konstantin Kosachev, chair of the foreign affairs committee of the upper house of Parliament, and members of the Malayalee diaspora in Russia. While much of the focus has been on the documentary series, set to be aired by RT sometime in the third quarter of the year, Tharoor has briefed the senior Russian officials he met on India's fight against terrorism against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and discussed issues such as the Iran-Isreal conflict, the situation in Gaza and India-Russia relations, people familiar with the matter said. Tharoor recently played a similar role when he led one of seven all-party delegations sent by the government to 33 countries to brief interlocutors about India's new approach to fighting terrorism as exemplified by Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 to target terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack in April. The 10-part series based on Tharoor's book will cover British colonialism, its impact on India, and the way the colonialism unfolded and ended. During Tharoor's meeting with Slutsky on June 23, the two sides discussed 'pressing international issues, including ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the crisis in Ukraine, and the recent escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan', RT said on social media. 'India is a key member of BRICS. It is essential that we begin serious discussions about developing a parliamentary dimension within BRICS in the near future,' Slutsky said. 'Good to renew my acquaintance with my Russian counterpart, Mr Slutsky, who had visited Parliament in New Delhi a few months ago with a Russian delegation. We exchanged views on regional peace, #OperationSindoor and possible avenues of future parliamentary cooperation,' Tharoor said on social media. Tharoor's visit to Russia coincided with a controversy within the Congress party triggered by his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recent newspaper article on the lessons from the Indian government's global outreach on Operation Sindoor. The article was reposted on social media by the official handle of the Prime Minister's Office, drawing criticism from Congress circles. In his first response to the controversy, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, without directly referring to Tharoor, said for the party, it is 'country first', but for some individuals, it is 'Modi first'. Soon after, Tharoor appeared to respond to Kharge's comments with a social media post that said: 'Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one…'
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Rahul Gandhi hails Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's journey to ISS, says he carries forward Rakesh Sharma's legacy
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday congratulated Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4, calling it a proud moment for the country. In an X post, Gandhi highlighted the historic significance of the mission, noting that it comes more than four decades after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. He said Group Captain Shukla now carries that legacy forward. 'A proud moment for every Indian as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launches off on his journey to the International Space Station,' Rahul Gandhi wrote. '41 years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, he now carries forward that legacy, inspiring every Indian. Wishing him and the team a safe and successful return. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat,' he added. Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), and praised the successful launch of Axiom Mission 4. Reading out a resolution passed by the Cabinet, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said,'We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. The Cabinet wishes him and other astronauts all the success.' Group Captain Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, is part of the international crew aboard Axiom Mission 4, launched earlier in the day. His journey marks a historic milestone for India, as he becomes the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also hailed the mission, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to open India's space sector to private players a 'turning point' that led to a 'miraculous' transformation. He said the sector could grow to 40-45 billion US dollars in the next decade. 'I think one of the greatest turning points in India's space journey has been PM Modi's pathbreaking decision to allow the private sector to step in. The change has been miraculous. The transformation in the last 4-5 years, there are thousands of crores of investment happening from the private sector,' Singh told ANI. Speaking about the future of space exploration, Singh added, 'Our future projections indicate that in about 8-10 years we might go up to 4-5 times higher, about 40-45 billion US dollars. So, the opening of the space for the private sector was a very courageous decision which could have been taken only by a political dispensation with a tremendous amount of conviction and willpower.' Referring to the significance of Axiom Mission 4, the minister said, 'I think it will be a good experience also for future missions. This, coupled with Chandrayaan-4, also for missions like Bharat Space Station, which we plan to have by 2035 and for prolonged stay in space or in microgravity conditions, what are the arrangements to be put in place will also be learnt through the experiments to be conducted by Shubhanshu.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the crew of Axiom Mission 4, writing on X, 'We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success!' In a separate post on X, Singh praised Shukla's historic journey: 'Congratulations, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, you are the first Indian Astronaut to embark on a mission to the International Space Station. Indeed, a proud moment for India! ISRO's growing global collaborations, after the reforms introduced by the government headed by PM Narendra Modi, have placed India as a frontline nation in space exploration.' Singh also mentioned that Group Captain Shukla will conduct seven scientific experiments designed by Indian institutions during his stay aboard the ISS. He paid tribute to space pioneers Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan, whose vision laid the foundation for India's space ambitions. The Axiom Mission 4 launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 2:31 am Eastern Time (noon IST) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
PM Modi calls Emergency
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): As the Centre marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas', Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress party over the imposition of Emergency in 1975, terming it as the 'darkest chapter' in India's democratic history. Congress responded to the remarks made by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, accusing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the 50th anniversary of the Emergency to divert public attention from issues like unemployment, inflation and demonetisation. Earlier on Wednesday, in a series of posts on X, Prime Minister Modi said that the Congress government in 1975 had put democracy under arrest. 'Today marks fifty years since one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history, the imposition of the Emergency. The people of India mark this day as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. On this day, the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution were set aside, fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was extinguished, and several political leaders, social workers, students and ordinary citizens were jailed. It was as if the Congress Government in power at that time placed democracy under arrest,' PM Modi wrote. PM Modi added that no Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated. 'No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated, the voice of Parliament muzzled, and attempts were made to control the courts. The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans. The poor, marginalised and downtrodden were particularly targeted, including their dignity insulted,' he added. Saluting those who fought against the Emergency, Prime Minister pointed out that Congress was forced to restore democracy and fresh elections were called upon. 'These were the people from all over India, from all walks of life, from diverse ideologies who worked closely with each other with one aim: to protect India's democratic fabric and to preserve the ideals for which our freedom fighters devoted their lives. It was their collective struggle that ensured that the then Congress Government had to restore democracy and call for fresh elections, which they badly lost,' he said. Between 25 June 1975 and 21 March 1977, India was placed under a state of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution. On 25 June 1975, the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed issued the Emergency proclamation under Article 352, citing threats from internal disturbance. This was the third Emergency in India's history, but the first one declared in peacetime. Earlier proclamations were during wars with China (1962) and Pakistan (1971). Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the 50th anniversary of the Emergency to divert public attention from issues like unemployment, inflation and demonetisation. Kharge said the Modi-led government was trying to cover up its 'failures and repeated lies' by marking the day as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' and focusing on a chapter of history that had ended decades ago. Addressing a press conference, Kharge said, 'We are facing an undeclared emergency in the country today... The BJP got rattled by our 'Samvidhan Bachao Yatra' and started talking about 50 years of Emergency. Those who could not do much during their tenure, also could not give any answers on issues of unemployment, inflation and demonetisation, are doing this (marking 50 years of imposition of Emergency as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas) to hide their failures and repeated lies.' He criticised the Prime Minister for instructing states to officially observe the Emergency anniversary.'The PM on behalf of the government has taken out a circular directing all states to mark the 50 years of Emergency as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas,' Kharge said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed the 'Emergency' imposed in 1975, calling it an 'era of injustice' driven by the Congress party's 'hunger for power'. In a post on X, Shah wrote, 'The 'Emergency' was an 'era of injustice' driven by Congress's hunger for power. The Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975, caused immense pain and suffering to the people of the nation. To ensure that the new generation understands this, the Modi government has named this day Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. This day reminds us that when power turns into dictatorship, the people have the strength to uproot it.' The Indira Gandhi government had imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The day is observed by the government as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas.'The meeting of the Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Senior journalist Rajat Sharma, who was jailed for 10 months during the Emergency, recalled the 'dark night' when it was imposed and senior political leaders arrested, the struggles he endured and his attempts to keep up the flame of democracy and flow of information by bringing out a 'cyclostyled newspaper' that was then delivered to homes of people. In an interview with ANI, Rajat Sharma recalled being part of Jayaprakash Narayan's student protest. The senior journalist, who is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of INDIA TV, recounted facing police sticks after arrest but not having fear in his mind. 'I still remember that particular dark night almost 50 years ago when Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency to save her chair. We were all a part of Jayaprakash Narayan's student protest. We got to know that all big leaders of the country, including Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prakash Singh Badal, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Raj Narayan, LK Advani, all of them were arrested and sent to different places in the country, like Ambala, Rohtak, Bengaluru,' Rajat Sharma said. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for observing Emergency Day as a 'black day', saying that the party is tarnishing the very Constitution that gave it power. The CM also reaffirmed Congress' role in building democracy in India and called the BJP's criticism an insult to democratic values. 'Congress established democracy and framed the Constitution. Today, BJP is observing 'Murder of Democracy Day' by defaming that very Constitution. It is this Constitution that brought them to power, and now they are disrespecting it,' Sukhu said, taking a direct dig at the BJP government's campaign of observing June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas.' The Indira Gandhi government had imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The day is observed by the government as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas 'The meeting of the Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Cabinet resolved to commemorate and honour the sacrifices of countless individuals who valiantly resisted the Emergency and its attempt 'at subversion of the spirit of the Indian Constitution, a subversion which began in 1974 with a heavy-handed attempt at crushing the Navnirman Andolan and Sampoorna Kranti Abhiyan'. 'The year 2025 marks 50 years of the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas - an unforgettable chapter in the history of India where the Constitution was subverted, the Republic and democratic spirit of India was attacked, federalism was undermined, and fundamental rights, human liberty and dignity were suspended,' the resolution said. (ANI)
