
'Wo dharm pooch ke marenge to ... ': Bengal student Sonakshi Bhattacharya's fiery words on Operation Sindoor go viral; social media hails speech
03:52
NEW DELHI: The usually measured proceedings of the Rajasthan Assembly turned electric on Monday when West Bengal's Sonakshi Bhattacharya took the mic during the 4th Youth Parliament — and set the House ablaze with a fiery address on national security.Taking direct aim at Pakistan and terror outfits, Bhattacharya warned against religiously targeted killings and called for decisive retaliation.Her rallying cry — 'Agar koi dharm puch ke maarega, toh hum dharm batake marenge' — drew thunderous applause and has since stormed social media.The Youth Parliament, an initiative of the Centre, brought together 168 students from 13 states to spar over pressing national and global issues. But it was Bhattacharya's uncompromising stand on terrorism and her warning that peace cannot survive without preparedness that stole the spotlight.Speaking in a mock session on national security, she condemned the misuse of religion by terrorists to target innocents and urged India to meet provocation with strength. For many in the House, it wasn't just a student speech — it was a battle cry.
Hashtags

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


Indian Express
39 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India, South Korea resolve to set ‘new industrial ambition' in high-tech sectors
India and South Korea on Saturday resolved to expand their strategic partnership by setting new 'industrial ambition' in the areas of semiconductor, defence, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. Ways to ramp up the overall bilateral cooperation figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his visiting South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar and Hyun agreed to set new industrial ambitions, especially in high-tech sectors such as AI, semiconductors, clean energy, shipbuilding, and the defence industry. The ministers took stock of bilateral cooperation, including in the political, security, trade and economy, technological, and people-to-people domains, it said. In a social media post, Jaishankar said, 'Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime and people-to-people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence.' Jaishankar said he and Hyun also exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary global developments. 'Appreciated our deepening convergences and growing engagement as our Special Strategic Partnership completes 10 years,' he said. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar also thanked Seoul for its condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Jaishankar made a mention of Seoul's support to an Indian parliamentary delegation that visited South Korea in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. 'You have been barely a month in the job (as the foreign minister), the fact that you are here literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot really about the value we attach to the relationship,' Jaishankar said. The MEA said Jaishankar and Hyun reaffirmed the strong and growing 'special strategic partnership' between the two countries. The partnership is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual trust, shared economic interests, and commitment to regional and global peace and stability, it said.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
As Shubhanshu Shukla returns home, Parliament plans special discussion on mission on Monday
The Lok Sabha on Monday will hold a special discussion on India's space journey and Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), according to a notice issued by the Lower House. IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla being received by Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and Union minister Jitendra Singh at IGI airport early on Sunday (HT Photo/Arvind Yadav) The House will debate on 'India's first astronaut aboard the ISS –– critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047', a subject that can possibly end the deadlock in Parliament to hail India's new milestone in space journey. Shukla landed in New Delhi in the early hours of Sunday following his two-week long mission aboard the ISS in June-July. The discussion has been scheduled amid the Opposition's efforts to raise the issue of alleged manipulation of voter lists and the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. Opposition leaders have sought a discussion over the SIR issue. However, the government has taken a stand that the House cannot take up a discussion on the matter as the case is sub judice in the Supreme Court and relates to Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous body, Protests over the same have led to the transaction of limited business in Parliament. 'But, given the nature of the debate on Shukla's journey to the ISS, there is a scope that the Opposition may join the discussion,' a senior Congress leader said on anonymity. In June, Shukla became the second Indian to go to space –– after IAF wing commander Rakesh Sharma –– as part of the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. He returned to Earth on July 16. Alongside Shukla, the Ax-4 mission marked the return to human spaceflight programme for India, Poland and Hungary in over four decades. Representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Shukla's return with all the learnings and experience from the Ax-4 mission is an important step for the Gaganyaan mission and setting up the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (the Indian Space Station). In her address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu mentioned Shukla's feat and said, 'I am sure that Shubhanshu Shukla's space journey to the International Space Station has fired a whole generation to dream bigger. It will prove extremely helpful for India's upcoming human space flight program, 'Gaganyaan'.' The Department of Space described Shukla's mission as one of 'strategic importance' and India's resolve to emerge as a serious contender in human space exploration. During his address on the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Shukla's historic visit. 'Every citizen of the country is seeing the wonders of the space sector and is filled with pride. And our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. He is also coming to India in a few days. We are also preparing for Aatmanirbhar Bharat Gaganyaan on our own in space. We are working towards building our own space station on our own,' he said.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Triservice officers offer insight into Operation Sindoor on KBC
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Commander Prerna Deosthalee on Friday offered viewers a rare inside look at Operation Sindoor, India's counterterror mission launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, during a special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Triservice officers offer insight into Operation Sindoor on KBC Wing Commander Singh detailed the precision strikes that crippled terrorist infrastructure. 'We attacked in the interiors of the enemy to break their backs. The hands of those who watered the cactus of terrorism were broken. Twenty-one terror camps were recognised. Nine camps were finalised, and the game was done in 25 minutes,' she said. Colonel Qureshi explained the targets. 'Bahawalpur was the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, from where terrorists who attacked Pathankot and Pahalgam were trained; Muridke had the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, where Ajmal Kasab and David Headley were trained. Therefore, we had to destroy those places.' Singh added that terrorist camps operated under the cover of civilians. 'We are a peace-loving nation and want to live in synergy with our neighbours. Our next-gen tech weapons were so advanced now that we made the operation possible without any civilian fatalities.' Qureshi emphasised that the mission reflected a whole-of-nation approach involving the government and armed forces. Commander Deosthalee outlined the Navy's role. 'The Navy was battle-ready. We managed the trade routes to stabilise the economy and also ensured deterrence, as a dual job. We also protected the maritime borders as there were anti-national elements that entered in the past. Being part in this mission is a matter of pride and honour.' She described naval warfare as '360 degrees of uncertainty with no room for error in the middle of the endless sea without borders,' adding, 'When we strike, we strike in a manner that the enemy would remember forever.' The officers also credited local citizens for their role in rescue efforts after the Pahalgam attack, recalling the bravery shown despite the loss of Navy officer Vinay Narwal. On the preparedness of the armed forces, Singh said they were in 'offence mode.' Qureshi revealed that Pakistan had sent 300–400 drones, both armed and unarmed. 'They sent unarmed drones to scan India's weapon and defence capability around the Line of Control and the international border. But the Army Air Defence successfully disabled their attempts,' she said. Highlighting women's participation, Qureshi noted that over 100 women are involved in Operation Sindoor, trained on par with their male counterparts. 'This enabled them to handle the operations seamlessly.' Singh added, 'A weapon or a fighter aircraft doesn't distinguish between males and females.'