Latest news with #Brittas
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'We want our PM to come forward and say that Trump is saying rubbish,' says John Brittas in Rajya Sabha
NEW DELHI: Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rajya Sabha for not speaking about US President Donald Trump 's claims on the Pahalgam terror attack . Brittas said the Pulwama attack was one of the biggest security failures in independent India and said "New Bharat" seems to be celebrating past failures. Addressing the Rajya Sabha during a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Brittas said, "This so-called 'New Bharat' is turning into a celebration of past failures, be it the Parliament attack, Uri, Pulwama, or Pahalgam. Pulwama, in fact, remains one of the biggest security failures in independent India's history." Brittas said the Prime Minister spoke for over an hour in Parliament but did not mention Trump. He urged the PM to clearly say that "Donald Trump is saying rubbish" and condemn the statement. "I listened carefully to Prime Minister Modi's 1-hour-42-minute-long reply in Parliament yesterday. Not once did he mention Donald Trump. Why is he afraid to speak? "...We want our PM to come forward and say that Donald Trump is saying rubbish, and we condemn it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Uncover cards that can help you get seat upgrades Intuit Credit Karma Learn More Undo And we will support you (Government)," he added. Speaking earlier in the Upper House today, Union Minister JP Nadda accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of "inaction" over repeated terror strikes during its tenure. Nadda said that despite repeated terror attacks from Pakistan, the Congress government continued with confidence-building measures. "While they kept firing bullets at us, we went ahead to offer them biryani," the minister said in Rajya Sabha during a special discussion on Operation Sindoor. "...We need to understand the limits of their (then Congress govt) appeasement that after 2008 Jaipur bomb blasts by Indian Mujahideen, India and Pakistan agreed on a specific confidence-building hume goliyoon se bhunte rahe aur hum unko birykhilane gave permission for a triple-entry permit to cross LoC..." Nadda said no strong steps were taken after major attacks like the 2005 Delhi blasts, the 2006 Varanasi and Mumbai train bombings. He added that despite these incidents, trade and tourism with Pakistan continued.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delegations of Congress, LDF head to Chhattisgarh to champion cause of arrested Keralite nuns
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) dispatched distinct top-level political delegations to Chhattisgarh to parley with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the early release of the two Keralite nuns arrested on 'questionable charges' of forced conversion, human trafficking and kidnapping at the Durg Railway station last Friday. The controversial arrests, which prompted bipartisan protests in Kerala, occurred after Bajrang Dal workers mobbed sisters Preeta Mary and Vandana Francis of the order of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) at the station, accusing them of spiriting away three women, including a tribal community member, to Agra for conversion. Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas told The Hindu that Brinda Karat, party's Polit Bureau member and one of the founders of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), would lead the LDF delegation. Kerala Congress chairperson Jose K. Mani, MP, K. Radhakrishnan, MP, A.A. Rahim, MP, and P.P. Suneer, MP, will accompany her. Mr. Brittas said the delegation would reach Chhattisgarh later in the day. Mr. Brittas said he had written to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, seeking his intervention to secure the early release of the nuns arrested on 'false charges of conversion and human trafficking.' He termed the nuns 'victims of a Sangh Parivar-prosecuted hate campaign against minorities in BJP-ruled States in north India.' On Monday, the CPI(M) moved a notice in Rajya Sabha for an adjournment debate on the 'illegal arrests'. UDF delegation Meanwhile, Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan told reporters in Kozhikode that Congress legislators Roji M. John and Saji Joseph would join the UDF's delegation to Chhattisgarh. RSP leader N.K. Premachandran, MP, Benny Behanan, MP and Francis George would lead the UDF deputation. Mr. Satheesan said the arrests on 'false charges was the latest in a series of attacks against minorities, chiefly Christians.' He said nuns and priests were fearful of wearing their habits and conducting prayers in BJP-ruled States in north India. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal termed the arrests 'an infringement on the Constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion.: Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a UDF leadership meeting, he said the 'victimisation' of nuns and missionaries involved in social work, education, public health, and charity did not portend well for the country's secular society and its minorities. Meanwhile, BJP State general secretary Anoop Antony, who is in Chhattisgarh as part of the party's delegation from Kerala, told reporters that he had met with the Chhattisgarh Home Minister and efforts were under way to secure the early release of the nuns and ensure an 'unbiased' investigation.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh blatant misuse of law: CPI(M) MP John Brittas
New Delhi, The arrest of two nuns from Kerala in Chhattisgarh's Durg is a "blatant misuse of law", CPI MP John Brittas said on Monday and demanded that they be set free. Arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh blatant misuse of law: CPI(M) MP John Brittas In a post on X, Brittas also shared a letter written by him to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, expressing deep concerns and seeking his immediate intervention in the arrest of the two Catholic nuns from Kerala Sister Vandhana Francis and Sister Preethi by the Government Railway Police from the Durg railway station on the morning of July 25, and their subsequent judicial remand under the charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. "The arrest of Kerala nuns Sr. Vandana Francis and Sr. Preethi at Durg on baseless trafficking and conversion charges is a disgrace. This is blatant misuse of the law to target minorities. Free the nuns and stop the hate campaign against those serving society!" Brittas said in a post on X. According to media reports, the Kerala-based nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion raised by right-wing activists. In his letter to the Chhattisgarh chief minister dated July 27, Brittas said according to information received, the two nuns had travelled from Agra to Durg to receive three women and a man accompanying them. These individuals had travelled from Jharkhand with proper consent, intending to work in the convent. However, upon arrival, all six were taken into custody by GRP personnel, reportedly on false allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. "According to information received, the two nuns had travelled from Agra to Durg to receive three adult girls and a man accompanying them. These individuals had travelled from Jharkhand with proper consent, intending to work in the convent. "However, upon arrival, all six were taken into custody by GRP personnel, reportedly on false allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion," Brittas said. The Communist Party of India leader added that reportedly, there was no indication of coercion nor any credible evidence to suggest conversion. "However, latest reports indicate that the authorities have filed an FIR, and three adults including the two nuns have now been remanded to judicial custody," he said. He called it a shocking development and said it appears to reflect "a growing trend of targeting minority communities under flimsy and communally charged allegations". "Even more alarming is the reported confiscation of their mobile phones and the absence of any formal communication with the families of the detainees," Brittas said. He also said the incident has caused "deep anguish in Kerala and across the country, given its potential implications for minority rights, and the misuse of anti-conversion provisions to criminalise lawful social or religious activity". "It is in the interest of justice, constitutional values, and the secular fabric of our democracy that this matter be addressed with the utmost urgency.... I earnestly urge your good self to immediately intervene to secure the release of Sr. Vandhana Francis and Sr. Preethi, who remain under judicial custody," he said. The Left leader also sought an "independent and impartial inquiry" into the background of the complaint, and the role played by right-wing groups in influencing police action that led to this "unwarranted" and "disturbing" development. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rahul Gandhi should unite secular forces instead of creating divisions: John Brittas
'The sole purpose of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should be to unite 'secular forces' and not create 'confusion and division' among them,' CPI(M) leader John Brittas said on Saturday (July 19, 2025.) Mr. Brittas was reacting to the Congress leader's remarks in Kerala, where he equated the Communist Party of India (Marxist) with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The CPI(M) Rajya Sabha leader however added that it would not impact the Opposition's unity in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi accuses RSS, CPI(M) of lacking empathy for the people Mr. Gandhi, speaking in Kerala's Kottayam on Friday (July 18, 2025), said that he fights the RSS and the CPI(M) ideologically, but his biggest complaint about them was their lack of feelings for the people. Asked his view on Mr. Gandhi's remark, Mr. Brittas said, "It's ridiculous, preposterous." "Whenever he goes to Kerala, there is a penchant for him to speak such rubbish things. And I think the Kerala Congress Party is responsible for that. He chose Kerala as the battleground to take on RSS. Whereas, it was actually a fight between the Left and the Congress there," Mr. Brittas told PTI. "I would earnestly wish that leaders like Rahul Gandhi, who is Opposition leader, his sole purpose should be to unite the secular forces, instead of creating confusion, division amongst the rank and file of the secular parties. He doesn't need to give lessons to CPI(M) on how to take on RSS," he said. Baby hits out at Rahul Gandhi for equating CPI(M) with RSS He pointed out that the Left parties supported the Congress-led UPA in 2004 only to keep the BJP out of power. He also questioned the role of the Congress during the demolition of Babri Masjid and the Ram Janmbhoomi movement. "We had supported the Congress Party in 2004, just to keep BJP away from power. And we know the vacillations of the Congress Party, and how it cost the country very, very dearly," said Mr. Brittas. "The way in which they dealt with the Ram Janmbhoomi Movement, how the locks of Babri Masjid were opened … how Congress presided over the demolition. We all know that. So, let us not bring in topics which create division amongst the secular forces," he said. "And as the Opposition leader, he has the bounden responsibility to make sure that the focus is on BJP," he added. Asked if Mr. Gandhi's remark may impact the Opposition unity in the upcoming Monsoon Session, Mr. Brittas said, "We are confident that we will overcome all these issues... I am very optimistic about the days to come." He added, "But I would rather expect leaders like Rahul Gandhi to be much more mature and responsible … And we are for an united opposition in the parliament." Mr. Brittas also took to X to attack the LOP over his remarks. "The Congress party in Kerala seems determined to keep Rahul Gandhi politically naïve. He and his sister chose Kerala as their staging ground for their so-called full-frontal attack on the RSS – launched from the safe zone of Wayanad, a bastion of their coalition partner Indian Union Muslim League. No risks, all gain," he said. Mr. Brittas said what Rahul Gandhi knows about the RSS may "well have come from our late leader, Sitaram Yechury."
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi should unite secular forces instead of creating divisions: John Brittas
NEW DELHI: The sole purpose of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should be to unite "secular forces" and not create "confusion and division" among them, CPI(M) leader John Brittas said on Saturday. Brittas was reacting to the Congress leader's remarks in Kerala, where he equated the Communist Party of India (Marxist) with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The CPI(M) Rajya Sabha leader however added that it would not impact the opposition's unity in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. Gandhi, speaking in Kerala's Kottayam on Friday, said that he fights the RSS and the CPI(M) ideologically, but his biggest complaint about them was their lack of feelings for the people. Asked his view on Gandhi's remark, Brittas said, "It's ridiculous, preposterous." "Whenever he goes to Kerala, there is a penchant for him to speak such rubbish things. And I think the Kerala Congress Party is responsible for that. He chose Kerala as the battleground to take on RSS. Whereas, it was actually a fight between the Left and the Congress there," Brittas told PTI. "I would earnestly wish that leaders like Rahul Gandhi, who is opposition leader, his sole purpose should be to unite the secular forces, instead of creating confusion, division amongst the rank and file of the secular parties. He doesn't need to give lessons to CPI(M) on how to take on RSS," he said.
