‘Stop If You Can': Rahul Gandhi To PM Modi, Nitish Kumar After Cops Block Entry To Ambedkar Hostel
Last Updated:
Rahul Gandhi challenged PM Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar after police halted his visit to Ambedkar hostel. He criticized NDA allies and emphasized the need for caste-based census.
Rahul Gandhi on Thursday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to stop him if they can after police stopped him on his way to Ambedkar hostel in Bihar's Darbhanga.
The Bihar Congress earlier had accused the district administration of attempting to sabotage the programme. Darbhanga deputy mayor Nazia Hasan flagged the last-minute cancellation of permission as a 'pre-planned conspiracy".
' Nitish ji, Modi ji, rok sako to rok lo," Rahul Gandhi said, called the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, the Janata Dal (JD(U)) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 'double-engine government of deceivers".
'What is he afraid of?" said Gandhi during the middle of speech at the party's 'Shiksha Nyay Samvad' event, while addressing students. He was allowed to enter premises after being initially stopped.
'Nitish ji and Modi ji, stop me if you can – the storm of caste-based census will bring a revolution in social justice, education, and employment," he said after his visit.
In the programme, he said PM Modi and his government agreed to the caste-based survey which will be part of the upcoming census because of the people from minority communities, referring to the attendees of the event.
'The Bihar Police tried to stop me. But they could not stop me because your power (minority community) is watching over me. We told PM Narendra Modi that you have to conduct a census. Under your pressure, PM Narendra Modi announced a caste census in the country. Scared of your pressure, he placed the Constitution on his forehead. But their government is against democracy, the Constitution, and the minorities," the Congress leader said.
First Published:
May 15, 2025, 19:40 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘We are politicians, not saints': Ajit Pawar defends decision to join NDA
Pune: chief on Tuesday justified his and colleagues' decision to rebel against uncle Sharad Pawar to join BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and said that he is not a saint to remain in the opposition and keep raising slogans against govt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a rally orgainsed on the occasion of NCP's foundation day conclave at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pawar exhorted party workers to start preparations for the upcoming civic polls. "Some people raised questions about our decision to join , claiming that NCP was founded on secular ideology. However, the party already made a compromise in 2019 by joining hands with Shiv Sena to form govt. Then why are we being blamed? Sitting in opposition and raising slogans is not enough in politics. We are not saints but politicians, and in order to address public grievances, we joined govt," he said. The deputy chief minister, however, said that he has not abandoned the secular ideology. "Our party's base is the ideology of Shahu Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Our aim to be in NDA is to ensure development. Even Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar's parties became part of the alliance, though they follow secular ideology like NCP." Scotching the rumours of a possible merger with NCP (SP), he said, "Some party functionaries may have some opinion on the issue, but such decisions are made by the senior leadership." Last week, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare denied having any such proposal for discussion in the party's core group. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Against the backdrop of some NCP members being named in criminal cases, the deputy CM warned of action. "We are in govt, and therefore, we have a greater responsibility to follow discipline. If any of the party workers is found involved in any anti-social activity, they will not be spared." This was NCP's 26th foundation day, but after the split in 2023, both factions have been celebrating the day separately.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘We are netas, not saints': Ajit defends decision to join NDA
Pune: NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Tuesday justified his and colleagues' decision to rebel against uncle Sharad Pawar to join BJP-led NDA and said that he was not a saint to remain in the opposition and keep raising slogans against govt. Addressing a rally on the occasion of NCP's foundation day conclave in Balewadi, Pawar exhorted party workers to start preparations for the upcoming civic polls. "Some people raised questions about our decision to join NDA, claiming that NCP was founded on secular ideology. However, the party already made a compromise in 2019 by joining hands with Shiv Sena to form govt. Then why are we being blamed? Sitting in opposition and raising slogans is not enough in politics. We are not saints but politicians, and in order to address public grievances, we joined govt," he said. The deputy CM said he had not abandoned the secular ideology. "Our party's base is the ideology of Shahu Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Our aim to be in NDA is to ensure development." Scotching rumours of a possible merger with NCP (SP), he said, "Some party functionaries may have some opinion on the issue, but such decisions are made by the senior leadership." — Anurag Bende
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ajit justifies NCP breakup as both groups scotch talk of union
Ending speculation of a reunion between the two NCP factions, both Sharad Pawar and his deputy CM nephew Ajit Pawar held separate meetings in Pune to mark NCP's 26th foundation day on Tuesday and exhorted their respective parties to start preparations for the forthcoming civic polls. "We should not bother about those who left us. All the workers who stayed back to support our ideology are the party's real strength," Pawar Sr said. Justifying his decision to rebel against his uncle and join BJP-led NDA, Ajit said he wasn't a saint to stay in the opposition and keep raising slogans against govt. "Sitting in opposition and raising slogans is not enough in politics. In order to address public grievances, we joined govt," he said. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday urged party workers to start preparations for the coming civic polls, drawing curtains over speculations of a reunion of the two factions of the party. Addressing party workers at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune at NCP's 26th foundation day, Pawar told NCP (SP) functionaries at the district level to start identifying fresh faces, especially women candidates, to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level. This was the second year that the two factions of NCP — one led by Sharad Pawar and the other by his nephew Ajit Pawar — held separate functions in Pune. NCP was split in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP's NDA dispensation in Maharashtra. Referring to the split, Sharad Pawar said, "I never thought that there would be a split in NCP. We should, however, not bother about those who left us. All the workers who stayed back to support our ideology are the party's real strength." "Considering the present situation, there are challenges for farmers, industries and youth. We should be more alert about their issues. We should also ensure that the confidence level of people from the SC, ST, OBC tribal communities and women should not go down. While selecting candidates, we must ensure that in the 50% quota of women, we should get hardworking and bright candidates," he said. Despite NCP (SP)'s poor performance in the state assembly polls, Pawar expressed confidence about the civic polls outcome. "The elections are likely to be held in 3-4 months. I'm confident that there will be a change in our favour. As far as the alliance with the MVA partners is concerned, we have given the responsibility to the office-bearers at the district level to take a call on it," he said. At the event, NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil said he wished to step down from his post and "younger faces should get the opportunity to lead the party". His announcement was opposed by his supporters, and he withdrew his decision. Pawar told party workers: "Patil has expressed his wish and party workers have reacted. As it is an important decision, senior party members will meet and a decision will be taken."
