Latest news with #RSS-backed
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab drug menace: Warring for studying Canadian model of legalising marijuana
Bathinda : Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday advocated for studying the Canadian model of marijuana legalisation as a possible approach to tackling the drug crisis in the state. Speaking at the 'Sanwidhan Bachao Rally' held at a resort in Bhucho, Bathinda, Warring called for a broader debate involving experts and intellectuals on whether the cultivation of poppy should be permitted. Addressing the audience, the Ludhiana MP acknowledged the complexity of eradicating drug abuse in Punjab. He highlighted the stark difference in the impact of various substances, stating that while the average lifespan of a heroin or smack addict is nearly three years, many villagers addicted to opium have lived for over two decades. 'Chitta (heroin) and smack are extremely lethal — this needs to be accepted,' Warring said. 'I don't consume liquor or any intoxicants, and I do not endorse drug use, but we must consider pragmatic solutions.' Warring also took aim at both the BJP-led central government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing them of undermining the Constitution. He alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP are attempting to divide the country along communal lines, while the Congress party is striving to unite people. He further claimed that the Gandhi family is being falsely implicated in legal cases because the BJP views them as the primary political challenge to the RSS-backed agenda. Taking a dig at Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Warring criticised him for clinging to the party leadership despite admitting to various governance failures during his tenure as deputy chief minister.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
ABVP smears cow dung in DUSU president's office to protest Rahul Gandhi's visit
Following a dispute between the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Congress-backed National Students' Union of India (NSUI) during Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Delhi University (DU) on Thursday, the ABVP on Monday smeared cow dung in the office of Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president Ronak Khatri, and also a member of NSUI. Members of the ABVP also alleged that the visit was unannounced and held a protest march in north campus, during which they burnt an effigy of the senior Congress leader. DU Proctor Rajni Abbi had issued a note stating that she had received a complaint that several students had been 'locked inside DUSU secretary and ABVP member Mitravinda Karawal's room' when Mr. Gandhi was visiting on Thursday, and strict action will be taken against the accused students. However, Mr. Khatri said the note was 'politically motivated' and the allegations should have been subject to proper inquiry. When asked about the cow dung smearing incident, Ms. Abbi said she will look into the matter on Tuesday.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Even if multiple powers come together, they can't conquer India: RSS chief
At a time when language has become a bone of contention between the States and the Centre, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that it is the Sangh that provides a 'thread to put all diversities in one garland of unity'. Speaking on national security, Mr. Bhagwat added that India should become so powerful that even if multiple powers come together, they cannot conquer us. To a question during an interview with the Organiser, an RSS-backed magazine, on how the Sangh promoted inclusivity given India's linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity, Mr. Bhagwat stressed that every worker in Sangh works for uplift of the nation, irrespective of his religion and language. 'Come and see yourself, people speaking all languages, and from all sections and backgrounds work together in the Sangh with great joy. The Sangh's songs are not only in Hindi but in multiple languages..... While retaining the unique identity, everyone is working by upholding the sense of one nationhood and unity and integrity of the nation. This is the Sangh – which provides a thread to put all diversities in one garland of unity,' he added. Tribal outreach Sharing the pace of the Sangh's work in areas inhabited by tribal communities, Mr. Bhagwat said the RSS feels that leadership should emerge from within the 'Janjatiya' (Scheduled Tribes) — leaders who care for their own people and see themselves as an integral part of the nation. RSS shakhas (wings) are expanding across tribal regions of India, including the north-eastern parts, he added. Sharing the RSS's vision regarding national security, military strength, and economic power of India, Mr. Bhagwat said the country must strive for strength. 'Our daily prayer says 'grant us such strength that globally we are invincible'. We should be able to defend ourselves. No one should be able to conquer us — not even if multiple powers come together. There are evil forces in the world who are aggressive by nature. A virtuous person is not safe just because of his virtues; hence, virtues should be combined with strength,' he said. He added that brute power can be directionless, leading to blatant violence; hence power should be combined with righteousness. When no option is available, then wickedness should be eradicated forcefully. 'We have no option but to be powerful as we have been witnessing the wickedness of the evil forces on all our borders,' he said. Mr. Bhagwat's remarks came after the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan, following Operation Sindoor that was launched by the Centre post the terror attack in Pahalgam. The magazine, however, clarified that the interaction with the RSS chief took place before the Pahalgam attack. Commenting on the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, Mr. Bhagwat said others will worry about the Hindus only when the community is strong enough. 'The way anguish against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh has been expressed this time – it is unprecedented. Even local Hindus now say that they won't flee and will fight for their rights. Now, the internal strength of the Hindu society is increasing,' he said. Women's participation On the question of women's participation in the RSS, Mr. Bhagwat spoke about the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women wing of the RSS. Women even attend the Sangh shakhas of men. They also actively participate in the meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (national council – the highest decision-making body of the Sangh). 'We believe that women's upliftment is not dependent on men; they will do it themselves. Women will empower themselves and it will automatically empower everyone. Hence, we give emphasis on supporting them for what they think is necessary for their transformation,' he added. Speaking on the RSS's vision of a Hindu Rashtra, Mr. Bhagwat quoted Balasaheb Deoras (the third RSS chief) who once said that 'Hindustan is a Hindu Rashtra'. 'The entire Hindu society is the custodian of this nation. The nature and culture of this country is Hindu,' he said.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ABVP Breaks New Ground, Wins 23 Of 44 Councillor Seats In JNU
New Delhi: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ( ABVP ) has won 23 of the 44 councillor posts across the 16 schools as well as joint and special centres of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), breaking into new territory on the campus, a day before the students' union election results are expected. Under the United Left alliance, AISA and DSF won seven seats in all. The Left-Ambedkarite Unity Panel of SFI, AISF, BAPSA, and PSA won five seats. The remaining seats went to independents and other student organisations, a student union meber said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi In JNU student's union (JNUSU), the council comprises the central panel — president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary — and the councillors. No proposal is passed without the consent of the council. With 23 seats, ABVP's hand in decision-making in JNUSU will significantly rise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo ABVP's striking success lay in its winning of two of the five seats in the School of Social Sciences. The organisation has won here for the first time in 25 years, breaking into a traditionally Left-leaning stronghold. The RSS-backed outfit also won two positions in the School of International Studies. The AISA-DSF alliance secured seven seats, and the SFI-Ambedkarites alliance won five seats. Counting of votes for the positions of president, vice-president, secretary, and joint secretary is on. The result is expected on April 28. The impact of fragmentation of the Left-leaning student organisations was evident in the results. It allowed ABVP a clean sweep in several centres. The outfit couldn't breach the Left stronghold in the School of Language though, failing to win any of the six councillor positions. These were claimed by Left organisations. ABVP secured one out of two seats in the School of Biotechnology, the one seat in the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, one out of two in the School of Computational and Integrative Science, two out of three in the School of Computer and System Science, a clean sweep of all four seats in the School of Engineering, the one seat in the Special Centre for Nanoscience, all three in the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, both in the Amalgamated Centre, one out of two in the School of Environmental Science, the sole seat in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship, and two out of three in the School of Physical Science. The Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students Federation (AISF), Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA), and Progressive Students Association (PSA) panel won five seats. These includes one in Arts and Aesthetics by SFI, one in the School of Biotechnology by SFI, one in the Centre for Law and Governance by BAPSA, and one in the School of Language by SFI. All India Students Association (AISA)-Democratic Students Federation (DSF) won seven councillor seats, including three in the School of Language and Culture Studies, two in the School of Social Sciences, one in SIS, and one in the School of Arts and Aesthetics.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UP tribals got rights and better life after 2017: CM
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that tribals of UP did not have the right to vote before 2017 and were instead subjected to brainwashing by some missionaries and leftists. Speaking at an event of the RSS-backed National Medico Organisation in Lucknow, Yogi said tribals did not have the facility of a ration card, and their habitats were not given road or rail connectivity. "It was after the BJP govt came to office that every facility was provided to all the tribes, including Tharu, Musahar, Kol, and Gond," Yogi said. RSS national general secretary Dattatrey Hosabale and many senior Sangh office bearers from the Awadh Prant were present on the occasion. The event was organised to felicitate the workers of the Shri Guru Gorakhnath Health Service Yatra 5.0. The CM said there were no rights in 55 villages of Vantangiya. "The situation was also becoming a threat to the security of the country," he said. The CM said there is a long series of yatras in India. He cited how Adi Shankaracharya connected India culturally through the Shankar Digvijay Yatra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo "Such religious journeys are not just a means of faith, but also a means of binding society together," he said, adding that from north to south, east to west, India has been a cultural unit since ancient times, and no one could impose a ban on religious journeys. The work of re-establishing such unity in the India-Nepal border area also started five years ago, he said. Yogi said people would be surprised to learn that though the country got independence in 1947, the people of these villages neither had the right to vote nor a ration card until 2017. "Neither electricity, nor roads, nor any health facility. The forest department and policemen used to exploit them," he said, adding that it was after the BJP came to office in 2017 that these villages got the recognition of revenue villages, and gradually all the schemes were implemented. Sharing historical facts, Yogi said Tharu tribe was settled in the terai forests by the British. They were told to live in the forest. They lived in huts and suffered exploitation. Even after independence, govts turned a blind eye towards them. The CM said that these people have now started voting. "Even in the 2022 and 2024 elections, thousands of people became voters for the first time. Now every village has a road, every house has electricity, and everyone has got houses," he said, adding that anganwadi centres are open, and schools and health centres are being built. Yogi said we should express gratitude to the RSS, former Sangh leader Nanaji Deshmukh and his guru Mahant Avaidyanath, who made arrangements for hostels and schools for the children. Yogi recalled how years ago he gathered information from the Hindu Jagran Manch during the conflict between Maoists and Madhesis in Nepal. "Then I understood how the Sangh and its associated organisations are working in the border areas," he said. The CM said that this journey continued even during the Corona epidemic. "People there neither got medicine nor information for diseases like encephalitis, skin disease, and TB. We collected data, stayed overnight, and provided health services, and arranged for nutritious food. Now people are living a better life, and their confidence has increased," he said.
