SCO must recommit to objectives, says Jaishankar, citing terror threats to collective interests
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Interview on the day Emergency was revoked': EAM Jaishankar recalls UPSC journey - Here's what he was asked
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday took a nostalgic detour into his early career, recounting how his UPSC interview took place on one of the most pivotal days in political history, March 21, 1977, the day the Emergency was officially lifted. "My interview was on March 21, 1977. That was the day the Emergency was revoked. Revoked! So, I go in for an interview at Shahjahan Road... First person that morning," PTI quoted Jaishankar as saying at an event. During his interview, he was asked about the historic election result. In that moment, Jaishankar, who was then 22, recalled, his passion took over. "We had taken part in the 1977 election campaign. We had all gone there and worked for the defeat of the Emergency," he said, adding, "I forgot I was in an interview", and at that moment, "my communication skills somehow came together." Jaishankar's two key lessons The experience, he said, left him with two lasting impressions. First, the importance of clear and tactful communication under pressure, explaining political shifts to interviewers who may have been sympathetic to the establishment, without offending them. Second, he realized how even well-informed individuals in power could be disconnected from the public mood, terming it "Lutyens' bubble". "These people were really shocked, they could not believe that this election result had happened, whereas for us, the ordinary students, we could see that there was a wave against the Emergency," he recalled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo "How do you persuade, how do you explain. This was one carry-away. The second carry-away was that important people may be living in a bubble and not realising what is happening in the country," he said. About a month ago, the PM Modi government commemorated 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, holding events to highlight what it described as a "dark chapter" in India's democratic history. The Emergency, which lasted 21 months, began on June 25, 1975, and ended on March 21, 1977.
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
A student asked Shashi Tharoor the ‘inevitable' Congress question. How the MP responded
'Politics is, unfortunately or otherwise, in any democracy, it's about competition,' he says in the 2.36-minute video he shared on his X account. 'And as a result, when people like me say that we respect our parties, we have certain values and convictions that keep us in our parties, but we need to cooperate with other parties in the interest of national security… sometimes the parties feel that is disloyal to them. And that becomes a big problem.' The Thiruvananthapuram MP said he had been steering clear of such political discussions in public but felt the 'inevitable question' by a high school student during an event in Kochi 'deserved a response'. New Delhi: Amid his ongoing rift with his party, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has shared a video on social media in which he responds to a student's question about the differences. 'Which is your first loyalty? To my mind, the nation comes first. Parties are a means of making the nation better.' Tharoor said political differences on economic policies, regulations or ideologies are all a part of democracy. 'Ultimately, we must all be committed to a better India, a safer India, an India whose borders are protected, whose territory is safe, whose people's well-being can be nurtured. And that is my commitment.' The goal of national security should transcend party lines. 'Not just bipartisan, multi-partisan.' Also Read: Kharge's 'Modi first' swipe at Tharoor. Congress MP responds 'wings are your, sky belongs to no one' Friction after Operation Sindoor His current public differences with the party began after India conducted Operation Sindoor against terrorists and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the 22 April Pahalgam attack. Many in his party did not like his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government for Operation Sindoor. In Kochi today, I was asking inevitable question by a high school student. While I have been steering clear of such political discussions in public, I felt a student deserved a response: — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 19, 2025 Tharoor had said he appreciated the government's decisive response, even as his party later adopted a more critical tone. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge publicly rebuked Tharoor without naming him: 'For the Congress, it is country first, but for some people, it's Modi first.' This came shortly after Tharoor had been chosen by the Modi government to head an international outreach delegation post-Operation Sindoor. Tharoor accepting the government offer was viewed by many in the Congress as a breach of party discipline. His name was not in the list the Congress had given to the government to represent the party in the delegations. 'As you know, if you're following the news, a lot of people have been very critical of me because of the stand I have taken supporting our armed forces and our government and what happened recently in our country and on our borders. But I will stand my ground because I believe this is the right thing for the country,' he says in the video. 'And when I speak of India, I speak for all Indians, not just those who may like my party.' He then quoted first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's famous line which he is 'very fond of' quoting. 'Who lives if India dies? And that's a question to which there is no answer. India must come first. Then only can we all live,' he said. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Emergency column puts Tharoor in firing line. Congress says 'decide which party you belong to'
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
"100 MPs Have Signed": Kiren Rijiju On Impeachment Move In Judge Cash Row
New Delhi: Over 100 MPs have signed their consent to bring an impeachment motion in Parliament against Justice Yashwant Varma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, a day before the Monsoon Session begins. The judge hit headlines when a huge sum of unaccounted cash was recovered from his Delhi home after a fire in March. The cash recovery triggered allegations of massive corruption within the Judiciary, prompting the Supreme Court to start an inquiry. A three-member panel has recommended his impeachment, and the judge has challenged this in the top court. The cash recovery row has also played out against the backdrop of some voices in the ruling dispensation accusing the Supreme Court of judicial overreach, and stressing the supremacy of Parliament. According to the Constitution, a Supreme Court judge can be removed from office only through a Presidential order on the grounds of "proved misbehaviour or incapacity". A motion for impeachment in such a case will be admitted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the Rajya Sabha or at least 100 in the Lok Sabha. This motion would need the support of two-thirds of the MPs in the House for passage. Earlier, Mr Rijiju said corruption in the judiciary is an "extremely sensitive" matter and all political parties are united on this issue. "The government will bring an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma in this session," he said today. Main opposition Congress, sources have said, has also joined cause with the ruling BJP on this front. About 35 Lok Sabha MPs, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have signed the proposal to bring the impeachment motion against the judge, the sources added. Monsoon Session Begins Tomorrow Mr Rijiju told the media that during the all-party meeting held a day before the new Parliament session begins, 40 representatives from 51 parties were present. "They presented their views and we requested everyone to ensure that the House runs smoothly. It is a shared responsibility - both the ruling and opposition sides must contribute. We will take up the suggestion of giving more time to smaller parties in the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) meeting, in accordance with the rules." The Opposition is expected to mount a spirited offensive against the government over the Pahalgam terror attack and ask tough questions regarding Operation Sindoor and US President Donald Trump's claims of having brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. "We are ready to discuss all important issues, including Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor - but it must be as per parliamentary rules. We have listened to all suggestions from the opposition members," the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said today. On the Opposition's allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi often skips Parliament, Mr Rijiju said, "The Prime Minister is always present in the House, except during foreign visits or in rare special situations. Constantly dragging the Prime Minister into every issue is not appropriate. Whenever a particular department is being discussed, the minister concerned is present to respond," he said. The government has listed 15 bills for this session. These include key legislation on taxation, shipping, sports governance, and geo-heritage preservation. Opposition Preps Attack At the all-party meeting today, Congress MP and its Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, demanded that the Prime Minister address Parliament and respond to key questions on the Pahalgam attack, the government's foreign policy, and the unrest in Manipur. "Why hasn't the Prime Minister visited Manipur yet? We want focused discussions on national security and foreign affairs," he said. Supriya Sule (NCP), too, questioned why the terrorists who gunned down innocents in Pahalgam had not been caught yet. She also slammed a Maharashtra minister allegedly seen playing rummy in the Assembly. "Farmers are dying by suicide, and ministers are busy playing games. He must resign," she said. AAP's Sanjay Singh raised Trump's comments on Operation Sindoor and the Special Intensive Revision of voter list in poll-bound Bihar. BJD's Sasmit Patra expressed anguish over a student's self-immolation in Odisha and alleged that law and order in the BJP-ruled state had completely broken down. Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav alleged a foreign policy failure at the Centre and raised questions on the voter list revision in Bihar.
