Latest news with #LakshmanRekha
United News of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
India will respond firmly to any act of terror: Rajnath warns Pakistan from Lok Sabha
New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today issued a stern warning to Pakistan saying India had drawn a new "Lakshman Rekha" on terrorism and would respond firmly and unambiguously to any such act to destabilize our country. Opening a discussion on Operation Sindoor in Lok Sabha, the Defence Minister said "India has not only showcased its military capability but also demonstrated its national resolve, morality, and political acumen". "Pakistan is a country built on double standards and falsehoods, and it is now being seen as a failed State. Through Operation Sindoor, India has shown the entire world that we are determined to eradicate the evil game of terrorism from its roots," he said. He stated that Operation Sindoor symbolised India's strength, sending a clear message that "any harm to our citizens will not go unanswered." Reiterating his point, he said that when it comes to national security, India's political leadership and system will act decisively, free from any external influence or hesitation. 'Our missiles will cross physical borders, and our courageous soldiers will crush the enemy's backbone,' he warned. Reiterating that the Government is committed to eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Rajnath Singh said, "In this context, there is an important point we must understand. Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is not random madness — there is a method to this madness. It is a well-planned strategy. It is driven by a 'fundamental rage.' "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is not an act of madness — it is part of a calculated conspiracy. It is a deliberate process that uses terror as a political tool. This is not merely terrorism; it is a toolkit — a toolkit actively employed by Pakistan's military and its agencies as a matter of policy. This toolkit stands in stark opposition to the civilised code of conduct that the rest of the world chooses to uphold. It is the product of a radical ideology that leaves no room for tolerance". He asserted that terrorism has been institutionalised as a tool of its foreign policy. The world must no longer harbour any illusions about Pakistan's character, calling it a 'nursery of global terrorism.' "The current situation in Pakistan is well-known. A nation that chooses to make terrorism a cornerstone of its foreign policy eventually becomes entangled in its own web," Singh stated. Emphasising that Pakistan has consistently supported terror networks and elevated them to positions of national honour, Rajnath said, 'During Operation Sindoor, the world saw how Pakistan held state funerals for terrorists, with even military officers in attendance. This is the same country that lacks the courage to confront Indian soldiers at the border and instead targets innocent civilians, children, and pilgrims.' He said that Pakistan's military and intelligence agency, the ISI, were using terrorism as a proxy war to destabilise India. 'I say this from the temple of democracy that those who dream of inflicting a 'thousand cuts' on India must wake up. This is the new India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership — an India that will go to any extent to fight terrorism.' He said, "A country like Pakistan, which is nowhere near us in terms of size, capability, strength, and prosperity—how can there be a competition with such a nation? Competing with a country that relies on others for its very existence means lowering our own standards. Our policy is to take effective action against terrorism. Our opposition to Pakistan stems from their policy of terrorism". The Defence Minister further said, "If we know how to extend a hand for the hope of peace, we also know how to uproot the hands that spread unrest. If we know how to make efforts for peace, we also know how to explain in the language that the wicked understand". UNI RBE RB 1550
Economic Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Step out of that old Bureau bubble
Senior bureaucrats have long been perceived - with justification - of being one big old boys' club, wary of meeting people from outside 'governmentdom'. The origins of this apprehension are unclear, but the Lakshman Rekha doubling as an echo chamber has taken root probably because bureaucrats, like people in general, like hearing only things they like to hear. In a welcome gesture, Cabinet secretary T V Somanathan recently issued a memo, urging secretaries to GoI and other senior officials to engage more openly with people outside the bureaucracy. This includes representatives from trade unions, political parties, NGOs, the private sector (Indian and foreign), and chambers of commerce. Such interactions, Somanathan noted, can offer valuable and deeper insights into sectoral trends, different PoVs, and clear up misconceptions about government policies, introduce new ideas and enable timely course corrections. While some boundaries have been outlined - meetings should be held in offices - the broader push is welcome. It can certainly deepen citizen-governance engagement. Policies may be crafted with the public's best interests in mind, but their implementation often needs fine-tuning. These dialogues and tete-a-tetes also give officials a chance to explain the intent and nuances of laws to those who may have concerns. That's precisely why draft policies are routinely published on ministry websites for public consultation. Isolating and insulating policymaking from public feedback is not just bad for the quality of policy, it also weakens the overall structure of governance. Engagement builds trust, identifies blind spots, and ensures that final outcomes are both effective and seen as legitimate by those they affect: the citizenry.
News18
12-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Lakshman Rekha': After Bihar, ECI Readies For Electoral Roll Revision In Bengal
Last Updated: The ECI said in Supreme Court, 'Bihar is just the beginning. Bengal is next, and the exercise will be conducted across the entire nation." The Election Commission on Thursday, during a hearing in Supreme Court, indicated that West Bengal, set to go to polls in 2026, may see the Systematic Investigation and Review (SIR) exercise soon, like Bihar. 'Bihar is just the beginning. Bengal is next, and the exercise will be conducted across the entire nation," the poll body said in the apex court. This statement signals that the SIR process will soon begin in Bengal. Sources have told News18 that the Bengal Election Commission team is already prepared for the exercise. A senior officer of the Commission in Kolkata said, 'There should be a Lakshman Rekha for everyone and for all institutions. The ECI is going to be very strict this time regarding bogus and ineligible voters. We are waiting for the ECI's SIR order, and we are ready to act on it." This statement clearly indicates that the Bengal team is ready to implement the process as soon as the orders come in. Meanwhile, the booth rationalisation exercise is already underway. This aims to ensure a proportionate number of voters in each booth, with no booth having more than 1,200 voters, as directed by the Commission. Sources within the EC say this will not be a difficult task. There are over 7.62 crore voters in Bengal, and enumeration forms will have to be distributed to all of them. Following this, draft electoral rolls will be published, allowing time for claims and corrections. A large number of booth-level officers will be engaged in this process. After the entire procedure, the final rolls will be released. SIR involves door-to-door verification to include eligible voters and remove ineligible or duplicate entries, ensuring a clean and transparent electoral roll. This revision addresses issues arising from urbanisation, migration, and unreported deaths, and it also aims to prevent illegal immigrants from being included in the list. In Bengal, the Trinamool Congress is vehemently opposing the SIR exercise. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stated that it is more dangerous than the NRC, while TMC MP Mahua Moitra has already filed a case against it. On the other hand, the BJP has welcomed the move, alleging that the TMC is opposing it because its Muslim vote bank will be adversely affected. Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendhu Adhikari said, 'There are a lot of fake voters in Bengal. Infiltrators are also listed as voters. This has to be cleansed… What is happening in Bihar should also happen in West Bengal." view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 17:09 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM should write to Prez against guv: Venugopal
Kottayam: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that the governor is degrading the constitutional position he holds. He demanded that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan should write to the President about it. Venugopal told reporters in Alappuzha on Saturday that the post of the governor is the highest constitutional post in a state. "He has decided to forfeit its value. It is not a post that should be used for selfish political interests. The President should intervene in such matters. The CM should write a letter to the President at the earliest, pointing out that the governor is misusing his post," he said. Venugopal also asked why the CM is not ready for it. He said that the finance minister's announcement that welfare pension will be provided from the 20th of this month was only to influence the voters of Nilambur and misuse the election. This is a blatant violation of the election code of conduct. The Election Commission should take this seriously. The UDF will consider filing a complaint, he said. He said that during the Nilambur byelection, he strongly criticised the way welfare pension is being distributed in arrears. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Welfare pension is the right of the common man. They are entitled to receive it without arrears. This is the govt that came to power saying that welfare pension would be increased to Rs 2,500. Now, even as their term is about to end, it is only Rs 1,600," he added. Venugopal said UDF is confident that it will win the Nilambur byelection. "It is because of this certainty that the LDF has not paid the pension. There has never been another election where there was so much unity in the UDF. The Muslim League was more enthusiastic than the Congress. Sadikkali Thangal and P K Kunhalikutty worked as if it were their own election. The IUML cadres worked with more enthusiasm than they would have worked for an IUML candidate. All the leaders and cadres of the Congress worked together in unison," Venugopal said. The AICC general secretary also said Shashi Tharoor is an indivisible factor of the Congress. "Congress is a party that ensures freedom of expression. Congress has its own ideas and goals. Everyone has instructions to go along with it. The party has the right to take action if that 'Lakshman Rekha' is violated anywhere. Congress is not a party that violates anyone's freedom of expression and freedom of movement," Venugopal said in response to a question.
New Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tharoor named to all-party delegation to expose Pak terror a day after Congress' ‘Lakshman rekha' caution: Report
A day after responding to his party's 'Lakshman Rekha' caution, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has reportedly been named as part of an all-party delegation set to travel to multiple countries next week to highlight Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on the global stage. The move comes as the NDA government launches a major diplomatic campaign against terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor. As part of the initiative, multi-party delegations comprising MPs from both the ruling alliance and key Opposition parties will travel to five to six countries, including the US, UK, and several Islamic nations. These delegations will meet heads of state and senior officials to explain India's rationale behind the operation and build global consensus against cross-border terrorism. The delegations, divided into regional blocs as earmarked by the government, will travel for 10 days starting around May 22–23. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will brief the MPs ahead of their departure and share detailed itineraries. Among the parties participating are the BJP, Congress, TMC, DMK, NCP (SP), JDU, BJD, CPI(M), and others. Former Union minister Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi are among the ruling party members in the delegations. PTI has reported that Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, and Amar Singh have been named as part of the delegations, and said that the party has confirmed its participation in the initiative.
