
Provide relevant documents: K'taka chief poll officer to Rahul on his ‘vote theft' claim
The CEO also underlined that the documents, which Rahul Gandhi showed in the August 8 conference, were not official.
The notice addressed to Rahul Gandhi stated, 'In your press conference, you have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You said: 'This is EC data'. You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani has voted twice. You have said; 'Es ID card per do baar vote laga hai, wo jo tick hai, polling booth ke officer ki hai'. (Two votes are given in this Voter ID card. The tick is made by the polling officer).'
'On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you,' the CEO stated.
'Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents based on which you have concluded that Smt. Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office,' the CEO said.
Addressing a massive gathering during the 'Our Vote, Our Right, Our Fight' rally against alleged election fraud, Rahul Gandhi had demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) provide the electronic voters' list for the past 10 years along with video recordings.
Rahul Gandhi said that if the ECI is 'withholding' data, it indicates 'collusion' with the BJP in committing 'electoral fraud'.
'The Election Commission must understand that even if you don't provide the data, we can still uncover irregularities in 15 to 20 Lok Sabha seats. We already have the information. You can't hide and escape. One day, you will have to face the opposition. Each officer and the Commission must be aware of this,' he warned.
Rahul Gandhi had said, 'If you (ECI) attack the 'One Man, One Vote' right enshrined in the Indian Constitution, we will attack you.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Today
16 minutes ago
- India Today
Bengal Files, 1940–47: From Killings to Gandhi's Miracle of Peace
At the dawn of the 1940s, Calcutta was a cauldron of communal tension and political rivalry, marked by fragile alliances in a society increasingly shaped by the Muslim LAHORE RESOLUTIONOn March 23, 1940, Fazlul Huq, the 'Lion of Bengal,' arrived at the Muslim League's annual meeting in Lahore to a thunderous welcome. Muhammad Ali Jinnah greeted him respectfully: 'When the tiger appears, the lamb must give way.'advertisementFormer League president and founder of the Krishak Samaj Party, Huq gave his defining performance that day by presenting the Lahore Resolution. It called for autonomous and sovereign states in Muslim-majority regions of British India, laying the foundation for what would later be interpreted as the demand for Pakistan. In December 1941, Huq formed the Progressive Coalition government in Bengal with the Hindu Mahasabha's support, Syama Prasad Mookerjee becoming finance QUIT INDIA MOVEMENTWhen Congress launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, the Bengal ministry opposed it. On July 26, 1942, Mookerjee wrote to the Governor:'The question is how to combat this movement (Quit India) in Bengal?...It should be possible for us, especially responsible Ministers, to be able to tell the public that the freedom for which the Congress has started the movement, already belongs to the representatives of the peopleIndians have to trust the British, not for the sake for Britain, not for any advantage that the British might gain, but for the maintenance of the defence and freedom of the province itself.'The 'Huq-Syama' government, as it was popularly known, maintained 'adherence to office' by enforcing the Defence of India Rules and opposing Congress calls for mass protest or resignation, prioritising maintenance of order and cooperation with British wartime the government soon collapsed under the burden of Bengal's political contradictions, making way for the dominance of the Muslim DIRECT ACTION DAYOn August 16, 1946, the Muslim League, led by Jinnah, called for "Direct Action" to demand the creation of Pakistan after talks with the Indian National Congress and the British government broke down over the issue of separate Muslim representation and movement was intended as a show of solidarity and strength by Muslims, but in Calcutta (now Kolkata), it led to a massive shutdown, citywide rallies, and quickly descended into unprecedented communal GREAT CALCUTTA KILLINGSMuslims were a majority in the Bengal province overall, but Calcutta itself was a Hindu-majority city (73% Hindu, 23% Muslim in the 1941 census). These demographics and historic tensions contributed to the scale and speed of Hodson, a member of the Viceroy's staff and (later) editor of The Sunday Times, has written a detailed account of the partition in his book The Great Divide. The book provides detailed commentary on the Calcutta Killings of August Calcutta the League Ministry under Mr Suhrawardy, who had adopted a much more bellicose attitude than Mr. Jinnah, declared 16th August a public holiday, an extremely dangerous thing to do when communal passions were inflamed, Satan would find work for idle hands to do, and any gathering or group in a crowded city might invite reactions from hostile bystanders.'Hodson records that huge crowds gathered by midday, mainly Muslims from all over Calcutta, many armed with iron bars and bamboo sticks. Speeches delivered by leaders like Khawaja Nazimuddin and Chief Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy added to the tension. While there were calls for peace, some remarks highlighted community grievances and calls for self-defense, intensifying communal antagonism.'What happened was more than anyone could have foreseen. In the next three days some 20,000 people were killed or seriously injured in Calcutta. Whole streets were strewn with corpses-men, women and children of all communities,' writes Muslims instigated the violence, but they were also its worst victims because they were in the minority in Calcutta. '...the Sikhs in particular, a comparatively small community in Calcutta but tough and armed and largely motorised, being the mechanics and drivers of Bengal as of so many places, swept furiously through the Muslim quarters slaying mercilessly as they went,' according to to the Statesman, the city was completely paralysed. The trains did not move. Newspapers were not published. Civic amenities were disrupted.'The estimated number of people killed ranged from 4000 to 10000.'A detailed military report from the Eastern Command, archived in the UK (WO 216/662), written by an officer assessed the riots. The report describes the escalation from the morning of August 16:'By late in the afternoon, the situation had changed, and the persons involved on both sides were gwallahs, rickshaw pullers, teashop wallahs, pan berri (beedi) wallahs, cart pullers, cart men, goondas of the worst type. Soon after midnight on the 16/17th these gangs fought out the most desperate battles. Murder and butchery of the worst type were carried on in the side lanes and byways of North Calcutta. Round Vivekananda Road/Central Ave., crossing about 50 Hindu Behari rickshaw pullers were caught in a cul-de-sac and butchered. Further up Central Ave., round the temple which stands in the middle, a party of some 30 Mohamedans were killed.'advertisementTHE AFTERMATH OF RIOTSSuhrawardy, Bengal's Chief Minister, faced widespread criticism for his role in the riots. The military report labelled him 'the king of the goondas,' suggesting he incited notes administrative failure: 'I am confident that if all ranks had known that they would be supported to the hilt, nothing like the state of affairs which occurred would have taken place.' (The Great Divide, p. 168).The Calcutta killings triggered retaliatory violence in Noakhali, East Bengal, where Muslim mobs attacked Hindus, killing 5,000 and displacing thousands. Mahatma Gandhi arrived on November 19, 1946, to mediate, staying until January 1947, as detailed in Freedom at Midnight (p. 210).THE MIRACLE OF CALCUTTAIn August 1947, renewed riots broke out in Calcutta. Mahatma Gandhi stepped into this searing divide, setting the stage for what is called the 'Miracle of Calcutta.'Gandhi had spent 1946-1947 touring riot-affected areas like Noakhali (East Bengal) and Bihar, consoling victims and promoting in Calcutta on August 9, 1947, he initially planned to return to Noakhali. However, local leaders, including Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy—the Muslim League's former Chief Minister of Bengal, often blamed for inaction during the 1946 riots—urged him to stay and prevent Mahatma's secretary Pyarelal recounts: 'Gandhiji arrived in Calcutta on August 9th, 1947... A delegation of Muslims, led by Mohammad Usman, urged him to stay in Calcutta to protect Muslims. Gandhiji agreed, but on condition they guarantee Hindu safety in Noakhali. He met Suhrawardy, who expressed fears for Muslims. Gandhiji said: 'I will stay if we live together and work until every Hindu and Muslim can return safely home.' Suhrawardy agreed." (Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase, Vol. X).On August 13, Gandhi moved into Hydari Manzil, a dilapidated house in the Muslim-majority Beliaghata slum, surrounded by Hindu neighborhoods—a deliberate choice to symbolize unity in a riot-prone 'no-man's land.'Angry Hindu crowds protested Suhrawardy's presence, throwing bricks and shouting, 'Go back, Gandhi!' Gandhi Bhawan or Hyderi Manzil in Beleghata, Kolkata (Photo: AFP) Pyarelal records Gandhi's response: 'Gandhiji addressed them from the roof: 'I have come to serve Hindus and Muslims alike. I place myself under your protection. If you go mad again, I will not witness it alive.''Gandhi's speech, vowing to fast unto death if violence erupted, calmed the mob. Suhrawardy publicly apologised for the 1946 riots, fostering initial reconciliation. Gandhi held daily interfaith prayer meetings at Hydari Manzil, reading from the Quran, Gita, and Bible, as for unity.'On August 15, 1947, while Delhi celebrated, Calcutta experienced a miracle. Violence halted abruptly. Crowds of Hindus and Muslims visited Hydari Manzil, chanting 'Jai Hind' together. Muslims shared meals with Gandhi; children sang nationalist songs. The press called it the 'Miracle of Calcutta.' Gandhi, however, warned it might not last: 'This is no miracle; it is the result of moral persuasion, but we must remain vigilant.'' (Freedom at Midnight).Gandhi's frail presence in a danger zone, coupled with his symbolic cohabitation with Suhrawardy, shamed potential rioters and inspired goodwill, saving thousands of lives in a city of MAHATMA'S SACRIFICEPeace held for about two weeks, but on August 31, 1947, violence erupted again after a Hindu youth was reportedly stabbed by Muslims, sparking retaliatory attacks. Armed thugs resumed killings, looting, and arson, with reports of bombs and acid September 1, Gandhi announced a fast unto death until peace was quotes him: 'I shall terminate the fast only when peace has returned to Calcutta. If it is restored, I shall live to serve.'Gandhi, already weakened by age and prior fasts, consumed only water with lime at Hydari Manzil. His health deteriorated rapidly over 73 details the response: 'His health declined rapidly. Thousands visited; rioters surrendered arms—swords, guns, bombs. Hindu Mahasabha, Muslim League, Sikhs pledged: 'We will protect minorities at personal cost.' On September 4th, convinced by assurances, he broke the fast with orange juice from Suhrawardy.'Gandhi left for Delhi on September 7, 1947. 'Calcutta remained peaceful thereafter. Mountbatten called Gandhi a 'one-man boundary force.' His fast saved thousands, proving non-violence's power, but he despaired: 'Freedom has come stained with blood.'' (Freedom at Midnight).Gandhi's Calcutta efforts saved thousands, contrasting with Punjab's massacres. However, his despair over partition persisted, leading to another fast in Delhi in January 1948, before his assassination on January 30, Manzil is now Gandhi Bhavan, a museum preserving his spinning wheel and surrendered weapons. The 'Miracle of Calcutta' and subsequent fast remind the world of moral leadership in crisis.- Ends


India Today
16 minutes ago
- India Today
Congress trapped me in fabricated case: Amit Shah defends minister removal bills
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday invoked his own arrest in the 2010 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case to defend the Narendra Modi government's move to introduce constitutional amendment bills that would prevent leaders from holding key offices such as Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Union and State Ministers while in criticised the Congress for allegedly trapping him in a fabricated case, saying his resignation before arrest and subsequent acquittal illustrated the moral accountability the new bills aim to a detailed post on X, Shah described the reforms as a "moral corrective" aimed at reversing what he described as a decline in ethical standards in Indian politics. In his post, he wrote, "Now the people of the country need to decide: Is it right for a minister, chief minister, or prime minister to run a government from jail?"He explained that the bills are designed to ensure that individuals facing arrest or detention cannot continue running governments from behind bars. He also emphasised that the framers of the Constitution could not have foreseen a situation where leaders would refuse to resign even after being arrested, calling recent instances of jailed chief ministers continuing to exercise power "shocking and morally indefensible".Shah laid out the key provisions of the legislation, highlighting that no person under arrest can function as Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister in the Union or State politicians must secure bail within 30 days of arrest, failing which they automatically lose office, although they can be reinstated once granted bail through due legal process."When the Constitution was framed, its makers could not have imagined that in the future, political leaders would refuse to resign on moral grounds even after being arrested," Shah wrote, explaining the moral imperative behind the Home Minister also positioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision as one of accountability, noting that the Modi government was voluntarily bringing its leaders under the ambit of contrasted this with the Congress-led Opposition, which he accused of resisting reforms to "cling to power" and protect leaders accused of further invoked the controversial 39th Constitutional Amendment introduced under then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which insulated the PM's office from judicial scrutiny, saying, "While the Congress's work culture and policy have been to place the prime minister above the law, the BJP's policy is to bring our own prime minister, ministers, and chief ministers under the ambit of law."advertisementAddressing personal attacks by Congress MP KC Venugopal over his arrest in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, Shah said, "I had resigned even before being arrested. I did not hold any constitutional position until the court fully acquitted me. The fake case against me was dismissed by the court with clear observation that it was motivated by political vendetta."He drew attention to the BJP's tradition of moral accountability, citing Lal Krishna Advani resigning over mere allegations, and criticised the Congress for continuing the unethical practices started under Indira also recalled the Congress's past attempts to shield leaders such as Lalu Prasad Yadav, highlighting what he called the Opposition's double standards in recent political Shah formally tabled the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill on introduction of the bills sparked a massive uproar, with opposition MPs raising slogans and tearing copies of the legislation. Congress leader KC Venugopal confronted Shah, saying, "When Amit Shah was the Home Minister of Gujarat, he was arrested. Did he uphold morality then?"Shah responded firmly, reiterating that he had resigned before his arrest and did not hold any constitutional post until fully acquitted. In 2014, a special CBI court cleared Shah of all charges, citing lack of opposition criticised the legislation as "draconian", arguing it could be misused to destabilise states ruled by non-NDA parties. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi likened the move to Hitler's Gestapo, calling it a "death knell" for elected governments, while Congress leader Manish Tewari said the bills could open floodgates for political misuse and undermine the Constitution's basic government, however, insisted the bills were aimed at preventing ministers from clinging to office while facing serious criminal the draft laws, any Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or minister arrested for offences carrying a punishment of five years or more would automatically lose office if held in custody for 30 consecutive days, though they could be reinstated upon move comes against the backdrop of controversies in which leaders such as former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji continued to hold office despite being in jail.- EndsTune InMust Watch


India Today
16 minutes ago
- India Today
Invited me to hotel: Malayalam actor accuses Kerala youth politician of harassment
Malayalam actor and former journalist Rini Ann George on Wednesday accused a youth leader from a prominent political party in the state of sending her offensive messages on multiple alleged that the leader had invited her to a hotel, and when she threatened to inform his party, he challenged her to go ahead. Rini has not revealed the name of the party or the politician said that the party leadership was informed about the incidents and claimed that wives and daughters of several politicians had faced similar experiences with him. 'I want to ask which woman these politicians, who were unable to protect the women in their family, will protect?' she said. She also added that despite being informed, the young leader was given about her decision to go public, Rini said, 'I decided to speak as I saw recently on social media that many women have faced similar issues. None of these women are speaking a word about it. So I thought of speaking for all.'Though Rini did not name the politician, the BJP held a march towards the office of Congress MLA from Palakkad, Rahul Mamkootathil, alleging that he was the leader in question. The protesters demanded his resignation. Rahul Mamkootathil also serves as the Youth Congress state president.- EndsIN THIS STORY#Kerala