Karnataka chief minister says Mysuru conventionnot personal show of strength
"Saturday's event is not a show of strength by any individual; it is a development-oriented programme. BJP is spreading false propaganda against our govt," Siddaramaiah said.
On the pending notification regarding the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal, he said the state has no objection to the extension of the tribunal's tenure but criticised the Centre for delaying the final notification on water sharing.
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"There is an interstate dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
In our state's case, there is no hurdle for the Centre to issue a notification. Karnataka will not incur any loss in the water-sharing process. Permission has already been granted to raise the height of the Almatti reservoir to 524.2 meters," he said.
On the inquiry into the stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru victory celebrations, the CM said, "The report will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting, and appropriate decisions will be taken."
The opposition BJP had earlier slammed the Karnataka govt for its report on the Bengaluru stampede, in which it blamed police and RCB management for the tragic incident.
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Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Election Commission like cheating cricket umpire that cost Congress 2017, 2022 Gujarat polls: Rahul Gandhi to party leaders
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday likened the Election Commission (EC) to a 'cheating cricket umpire' that cost his party the 2017 and 2022 Assembly polls in the state, senior leaders of the party said. The remarks were made by Gandhi in Anand district, at the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee's (GPCC) inaugural session of a three-day training summit for newly-appointed district and city unit presidents of the party. Calling Gujarat the Gangotri (origin) of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gandhi told the leaders present that the Congress has to work hard in the state and bring out the 'truth' about the ruling party's 'bad governance'. According to senior Congress leaders, Gandhi said that for years, the Congress in Gujarat had been 'like a cricketer, who wondered why he was adjudged out during his batting'. According to the leaders, Gandhi said that 'getting out constantly makes (a cricketer) feel they were not good enough,' but the losses suffered by the Congress in Gujarat in 2017 and 2022 were 'the doing of a cheating umpire (EC), which manipulated voter lists.' Gandhi said that the Congress workers were 'babbar shers (lions)' who needed to 'get back their roar', senior leaders said. Gandhi urged the party workers to regroup and 'go in the midst' of people to 'clean the Ganges of politics from Gangotri — Gujarat'. In his hour-long address at the closed-door session held in Nijanand resort, Gandhi likened the BJP-RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) combine to a temple, where devotees can pay obeisance but don't have a say in 'what or how much prasad' they will have. Most Congress leaders that The Indian Express spoke to stated that Gandhi's mention of the EC in the context of 'unfair results' in 2017 and 2022 struck a chord with party leaders. Congress's Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Gujarat Assembly, Tushar Chaudhary told this newspaper that Gandhi emphasised that the party leaders must begin verification of voter rolls in advance. Chaudhary said, 'Rahulji mentioned the fact that in 2017 and 2022, manipulated voter lists had a lot to do with the results… He enquired with us as to when we actually receive the electoral rolls. When he learnt that we receive it either on the last day or five days in advance, he said you can't do anything or verify the list in such a short time…' Quoting Gandhi, Chaudhary said, 'The issue of fake voters being added to electoral rolls is changing the results… incidents of 1.5 lakh fake voters found in Karnataka or Maharashtra were mentioned. So, it is a fact that when the updated electoral rolls are received, they have new voters who are of much older age whereas it should be young, first-time voters added to the list.' In his address, Gandhi said the BJP's working model is like a temple. 'You have the right to come to a temple, pay obeisance and bow your head; but how much prasad will be given to you is in the control of the BJP-RSS. They will see which caste one belongs to and decide how much prasad should be given… Adani or Ambani will be given different quantities of prasad (than the rest)… There is no right over the prasad. Whatever is mercifully given to you, you have to accept it. The BJP is being unjust to the people of Gujarat who are being told to visit the temple but no prasad is being given out…' Gandhi is said to have told the leaders. 'The district presidents have been told to create awareness among people about the misadministration under the current BJP-led state government as well as the cheating that the Congress has suffered (at the hands of the EC),' a district president from Central Gujarat said. Gandhi told Gujarat Congress leaders that the BJP's roots in the state should be the party's goal in the upcoming Assembly polls. 'Rahulji said that it has always been a presumption that if the BJP has to be defeated, one has to work hard in UP, Rajasthan and Karnataka. But the fact is that the BJP's gangotri (origin) is in Gujarat and one has to work hard in the state and bring out the truth about their bad governance. The cleaning of the Ganga of politics can be done from Gujarat…,' GPCC Spokesperson Manish Doshi said. GPCC President Amit Chavda said Gandhi has urged the leaders to 'go in the midst' of the people and 'raise voice' in the support of those fighting injustice. 'The three-day camp (in Anand) is part of Sangathan Srujan Abhiyan and Rahulji has urged that the party must be strengthened from root to top in Gujarat and that it should be oriented towards service to people. New leaders should be given the opportunity to work… The party wants to go in the midst of the people to fight the battle against injustice as in the last 30 years of the BJP's rule in the state, there has been a government of fear, coercion and corruption with officer-raj and commission-raj going on in Gujarat,' Chavda said. 'The presence of Rahulji on the first day of the three-day training camp shows how important Gujarat is for him. He has made it clear that in any district, any complaint of the people or any injustice must be taken up by the Congress. Wherever it is necessary, the state leaders, or Rahulji himself, will be by the side of the people… He told the leaders to go to the people. Take up issues related to misadministration and injustice and raise voice against it. On the last day of the Shibir (camp), the party will also put forth the entire roadmap for the state before the high command as well as the people,' Chavda added. Gandhi, Congress leaders said, also met the members of the milk cooperative unions and urged them to 'inform him whatever is needed to be done and if they need him to raise pressing issues related to cooperatives in the Lok Sabha.' Gandhi is the LoP in the Lok Sabha. The families of some of the 21 victims of the Mujpur-Gambhira bridge collapse also arrived at the venue in Anand, where the Congress leader was meeting the milk cooperatives, to make representations to him. According to Congress leaders, the kin of the victims were 'stopped by the police' from meeting Gandhi but later, they were allowed to proceed and make petitions regarding the incident. Doshi said, 'The police said that the victims could not be allowed to meet Gandhi as they did not have a security pass… At first, they were turned away but eventually, we managed to get them to meet Rahul ji, who expressed his solidarity with the families and assured them of assistance in their fight for justice in the incident.'
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Rajasthan govt. announces ₹10 lakh each to kin of children killed in Jhalawar school building collapse
Amid demands for the resignation of State Education Minister Madan Dilawar, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Rajasthan on Saturday announced an ex-gratia assistance of ₹10 lakh each to the next of kin of seven children killed in the school building collapse in Jhalawar district. One member of each family will also get a contractual job with the State government. The bodies of six children were cremated together in Piplodi village, where a portion of the government school in which they were studying collapsed on Friday morning, amid the cries of grieving families. The seventh child was cremated in Chandpura Bheelan village, situated nearby. The police stopped Congress MLA from Khanpur, Suresh Gurjar, and student leader from Jaipur, Nirmal Choudhary, on the Kota-Jhalawar road when they were going to meet the injured students admitted to the hospital. Another political leader, Naresh Meena, was detained when he staged a dharna outside the District Hospital in Jhalawar. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the formation of a permanent committee to review the safety of government schools, colleges, hostels and Anganwadi centres and undertake the repairing of dilapidated buildings. He also announced an increase from 15% to 20% in the permissible allocation for these buildings in the Dang, Magra and Mewat regions. Mr. Sharma said at a high-level meeting here that a provision of Rs.375 crore was made in this year's budget for repairing of schools and construction of new school buildings, besides the release of Rs.3 crore to each Assembly constituency for the purpose. 'The MLAs will also be entitled to recommend an expenditure of 20% of their annual allocation under the local area development fund in schools,' Mr. Sharma said. Civil rights groups in the State have termed Friday's mishap in Piplodi village an instance of 'gross administrative negligence' and demanded an immediate resignation of Education Minister Mr. Dilawar, holding him responsible for the deaths. The death of seven children and serious injuries to several others reflected the State government's utter failure, said the activists. People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)-Rajasthan president Bhanwar Meghwanshi said there was a widespread danger to children studying in the dilapidated buildings amid the deterioration of school infrastructure. 'On the other hand, Mr. Dialwar's sole focus has been on communalising educational institutions,' Mr. Meghwanshi said. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2023–24 data, 78 out of 94 students in the Government Upper Primary School in Piplodi belonged to tribal communities, as it is situated in the predominantly tribal area. 'This makes it clear that the government is not serious about the safety and education of children from tribal and backward regions,' Mr. Meghwanshi said. The PUCL urged the State government to learn from the Piplodi accident and immediately conduct a comprehensive safety audit of all school buildings. Mr. Meghwanshi said the dilapidated schools must be vacated, and children shifted to safe and secure learning environments without delay. The Opposition Congress also criticised the BJP government over the children's death, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanding a probe and strict punishment for the culprits. While pointing out that most of the victims were from the Bahujan community, Mr. Gandhi asked if their lives held no value for the BJP. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X: 'A government that cannot even repair the roofs of schools for children, who are our country's future, despite complaints, shows big dreams of 'Viksit Bharat'.' The BJP, which boasts a lot about development, had ruined the country, Mr. Kharge said. (EOM)
The Print
30 minutes ago
- The Print
Retd IAS write to Haryana CM on engaging stalking accused Vikas Barala—‘betrayal of Beti bachao'
In a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, posted on X by veteran journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, 45 former IAS officers of the 1986 batch, including R.R. Jowel and Rajni Sekhri Sibal of the Haryana cadre, voiced their outrage: 'We are a group of retired IAS officers, who served in various capacities for over three decades at the Centre and States. We are surprised to hear that a stalking case accused, son of BJP ex-state chief, one Mr Vikas Barala has been appointed Assistant Advocate General by your government. We fail to understand the reasoning behind such an appointment of (someone) accused of stalking a woman as Asst AG. He will serve as the state legal officer, when he himself stands on the wrong side of the law in such a grave issue.' Barala, accused in the 2017 stalking and attempted abduction case involving Varnika Kundu, daughter of retired IAS officer V.S. Kundu, is currently on bail, with his trial pending in a Chandigarh court. The decision to engage Barala, in a list of 95 law officers notified on 18 July 2025, has been slammed as a betrayal of Haryana's 'asmita' (pride) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao' campaign, by the ex-IAS officers, with calls for its immediate revocation. Gurugram: The appointment of Vikas Barala, stalking accused and son of BJP Rajya Sabha member and former BJP Haryana chief Subhash Barala, as Assistant Advocate General (AAG) in the office of Advocate General for Haryana in Delhi has stirred a massive controversy, with 45 retired IAS officers expressing outrage over what they describe as a serious lapse of ethics. The letter, referring to the 2011 Supreme Court judgment that invalidated P.J. Thomas's appointment as Central Vigilance Commissioner because there was a criminal case pending against him, contends that Barala's appointment is as indefensible. To The Chief Minister, Haryana, Chandigarh. Sir, We are a group of retired IAS Officers, who served in various capacities for over three decades at Centre and the States. We are shocked to learn that a stalking case accused, son of BJP Ex-State Chief, one Mr. Vikas Barala has… — ParanjoyGuhaThakurta (@paranjoygt) July 25, 2025 'It appears that your government did not take into account the fact that there is a serious criminal case against Mr Barala, or else he would not have been appointed, being ineligible for holding such a sensitive position,' the officers said. They added, 'This appointment is against the 'asmita' of Haryana. By appointing this accused as Asst AG, you have opposed the slogan of Hon PM's Beti Bachao. We ask you to cancel his appointment immediately, as his continued stay in the position is bound to influence the determination of the case in which he stands accused. We also request you to approach the judiciary to expedite the trial of the case, as already over seven years have elapsed.' The letter was signed by prominent retirees such as P.D. Vaghela, G.V. Venugopala Sarma and Ravi Capoor, among others. All these ex-IAS officers are from Varnika Kundu's father VS Kundu's 1986 batch. Also read: Anil Vij calls gang rape charge against Haryana BJP chief Badoli 'very serious', says party will act Political and public backlash The appointment has invited tough responses from political circles and civil society. Actor and ex-MP Divya Spandana, also popularly known as Ramya, was amongst the first from the world of cinema to express her indignation on X: 'The BJP Govt in Haryana has appointed the accused Vikas Barala in the Varnika Kundu stalking case as Assistant Advocate General of the very state that is prosecuting him!! @PMOIndia @AmitShah @arjunrammeghwal @NayabSainiBJP How did the screening committee approve this?' The BJP Govt in Haryana has appointed the accused Vikas Barala in the Varnika Kundu stalking case as Assistant Advocate General of the very state that is prosecuting him!! @PMOIndia @AmitShah @arjunrammeghwal @NayabSainiBJP How did the screening committee approve this? — Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) July 23, 2025 Her post amplified the scepticism over the screening process which led to Barala's selection despite the severity of Barala's outstanding charges. The Congress party also criticised the appointment and has asked for his removal from the post. पिछले कुछ साल में महिला अपराध के कई मामले सामने आए हैं, जिसमें BJP द्वारा अपराधियों का संरक्षण किया जा रहा है। ताजा कड़ी में मामला हरियाणा का है, जहां विकास बराला नाम के व्यक्ति को लॉ ऑफिसर के तौर पर नियुक्त किया गया है। विकास बराला, BJP राज्य सभा सांसद सुभाष बराला का बेटा… — Congress (@INCIndia) July 25, 2025 Aditya Devilal, the INLD MLA from Dabwali, said in a message on X that those who claimed to be against dynastic politics have today appointed the son of a former Haryana BJP president as Advocate General—and that too, someone who was himself an under-trial. 'Is this the new justice of the Nayab government?' he asked. Haryana PWD Minister Ranbir Gangwa, however, defended Barala's selection and said that the Opposition has nothing better to do, so was making a hue and cry over all issues. 'The selection has been made by a committee constituted for this purpose. The committee has checked all documents before making appointments,' Gangwa told media persons at Chandigarh on Friday. Varnika Kundu, whose 2017 experience ignited countrywide discussions about women's security, issued a tempered but evocative message on social media after media started calling her for comments: 'Appointing someone to a public position of power is not just a political decision, it's a reflection of values and standards. So, perhaps, the questions should be directed at the authorities whose ethics and standards allowed this decision to be made.' 'Our politicians govern the nation; the rest of us are merely hoping that they recall that they work for the Indian citizen.' Frustrated with the slow pace of the trial, she said, 'Despite months of national media attention, (the trial) has dragged on for this long with little progress.' 'Though we are no nearer to a verdict than we were five years ago, I remain confident in the judiciary up until the time of the judgment—but won't deny that confidence has been shaken,' she added in her statement. Kundu expressed gratitude to the media and public for standing by her side, observing, 'It made all the difference—gave me great courage and still moves me to tears.' A high-profile case The issue arose out of an incident on the night of 4 August 2017, when Varnika Kundu, who was a disc jockey at the time, was returning home from Chandigarh's Sector-8 market at 12:15 AM. She spotted a Tata Safari following her. In her complaint, she explained how Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar followed her, tried to stop her, and tried to force themselves into her car. 'I attempted to take a different route closer to Sector-7, but they compelled me towards Sector-26. One of the accused alighted and reached my car, trying to open the door. It was saved only due to the central lock,' she said. Kundu made a call to the emergency helpline (100), alerted her father, and called Chandigarh Police, which nabbed the duo. An FIR was lodged under IPC Sections 354D (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint), 365 (attempt to abduct), 511 (attempt to commit an offense), and charges of drunk driving. The case, which was registered in Sector 26 police station in Chandigarh, gained national attention as Subhash Barala was the Haryana BJP chief at that time. Vikas Barala was detained on 9 August 2017, following public backlash, and remained in Burail jail for five months until he got bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2018. Charges were framed in October 2017, and the trial is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for 2 August 2025, for recording defence evidence. Appointment process Barala's appointment was one of more than 95 law officers, such as AAGs, Deputy Advocates-General, and others, in a notification dated 18 July 2025. The process, regulated by the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, is one where the screening committee analyses the legal experience of the applicants. Section 8(c) of the 2016 Act disqualifies a person 'convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude' unless overturned or pardoned. A top Haryana government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, justified the appointment, saying, 'According to law, there is no irregularity. Barala is eligible and does not fall under any disqualification.' Vikas Barala and Subhash Barala have not responded to requests on Whatsapp for comment. This report will be updated if they make a statement. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Why UPSC has returned Haryana govt's proposal for promotion of 27 of its officers to IAS
