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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal ministers flays BJP for insulting national flag, revenue minister
Himachal health minister Dhani Ram Shandil and agriculture minister Chander Kumar on Sunday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accused it of insulting the national flag and senior minister Jagat Singh Negi. Himachal revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi (File) In a joint statement, the ministers denounced the incident of misconduct with revenue minister Negi in Thunag area of Seraj assembly constituency. They stated that BJP workers, acting under the instructions of their leaders, threw shoes, slippers and black cloth on the national flag mounted on Negi's car which is a highly shameful and condemnable act. People on Friday, had greeted revenue minister with black flags and ''go back'' slogans, and tried to stop his vehicle in the Seraj assembly constituency in the Mandi district during his visit to the disaster hit areas. More than 50 people were booked by Mandi police on Saturday under sections 126 (2), 189 (2), 190, 191 (2) of the BNS, officials had said. 'The tricolour is a symbol of our nation's identity and countless brave soldiers and great leaders have sacrificed their lives for its honour. But the way the BJP workers insulted it reveals their true face to the public,' they said, adding that people of the state now understand that BJP's 'Tiranga Yatras' were just a show and they have no real respect for the national flag. They added that the state government had decided to temporarily shift the forestry college from Thunag to ensure students' safety, but BJP leaders are turning it into a political issue and risking the safety of students just to gain political mileage. The ministers further said that they have been in politics for over five decades but have never seen such a low level of political conduct. 'Revenue minister Negi had visited Seraj and other parts of Mandi district to assess the damage to farmers and horticulturists, and to prepare a suitable relief package. Farmers in Mandi have suffered heavy losses in apple orchards and polyhouses. The revenue minister was going to present a detailed report in the cabinet,' the ministers said, while accusing the BJP of engaging in petty politics and hindering relief efforts aimed at supporting farmers and disaster-hit people. Govt decided to shift the college temporarily: Negi Negi on Sunday said that protestors in Thunag were pressuring him to declare that the college of horticulture and forestry would not be shifted from the area. Addressing the media in Shimla, the minister said, 'I told them that I cannot take this decision alone, as it has been made at the government level. I asked them to submit a formal demand letter, which I would present to the government. However, they insisted that they would not leave until I gave them a definitive assurance.' Negi said he had already met some locals a day before who had raised the same demand, and he had clarified the situation to them. 'I explained that, for now, the government has decided to shift the college temporarily. The students were not safe there—they had to spend the night in the rest house on the night of the disaster. These students do not want to return due to ongoing safety concerns.' There are around 300 students enrolled in the college located not too far from a stream in Thunag. Most of the students stay in rented accommodation close to the college. They had a narrow escape on the night cloudbursts occurred.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ministers slam BJP for insulting national flag and senior minister
1 2 Shimla: Himachal Pradesh health minister Dhani Ram Shandil and agriculture minister Chander Kumar on Sunday slammed the BJP , accusing it of "insulting not just a senior minister of the state government, Jagat Singh Negi, but also the national flag, the symbol of India's pride and honour". In a joint statement, the ministers strongly condemned the July 25 incident involving Negi in Thunag area of Seraj assembly constituency. They alleged that BJP workers, "acting under the instructions of their leaders, threw shoes, slippers, and black cloth on the national flag mounted on minister Negi's car -- a highly shameful and condemnable act." "The Tricolour is a symbol of our nation's identity and countless brave soldiers and great leaders sacrificed their lives for its honour. But the way the BJP workers insulted our national flag reveals their true face to the public," the ministers said. They added that the people of the state now understand that BJP's 'Tiranga Yatras' were merely a show and that the party has no genuine respect for the national flag. The ministers, both veterans in public life, stated that they had been in politics for over five decades but had never witnessed such a low level of political conduct. They said the state government had decided to temporarily shift the Forestry College from Thunag to ensure students' safety, but BJP leaders were turning the issue into a political controversy and risking students' safety for political mileage. They also said that the revenue minister had visited Seraj and other parts of Mandi district affected by recent disasters to assess the damage suffered by farmers and horticulturists and to prepare a suitable relief package. "Farmers in Mandi suffered heavy losses in apple orchards and polyhouses used for floriculture. The revenue minister was going to present a detailed report in the cabinet," they added.
The Print
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Former Chhattisgarh CM Baghel seeks answers on Pahalgam, Op Sindoor ‘ceasefire'
Speaking at the Congress' 'Jai Hind' rally, Baghel, former Chhattisgarh chief minister, also accused the BJP of politicising Operation Sindoor and asserted the country's armed forces do not belong to any party. Following the horrific Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking at terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. The neighbouring country retaliated with drones and missiles but failed to cause harm. The two nations announced cessation of hostilities on May 10. Jabalpur, May 31 (PTI) Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should explain why there was no security for tourists in Pahalgam, where the terrorists who attacked them on April 22 vanished, and did the government agree to a 'ceasefire' with Pakistan under the pressure of the United States. The Congress' event coincided with the PM's mega women empowerment event in Bhopal, some 300 kilometres from here. 'Tell people why there was no security arrangement in Pahalgam. Where are those four terrorists? Was the ceasefire done under pressure from the USA and who took the decision on the ceasefire, officers or the government,' Baghel said while addressing the gathering. Baghel's statement came in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump repeatedly asserting that he got India and Pakistan to end hostilities triggered by Operation Sindoor. However, India has stuck to its stand that the US had no role to play. During a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur on Friday, PM Modi said Pakistan had 'begged' for a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor. The Congress is holding 'Jai Hind Sabhas' across the country to salute the armed forces, while the BJP has been carrying out 'Tiranga Yatras' to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor. 'BJP is politicising Operation Sindoor. Bharatiya Janata Party activists will distribute vermilion,' he alleged, adding that a woman applies sindoor for her husband's well-being and it is her husband who applies sindoor to her forehead. Notably, the BJP has denied that it was planning to distribute sindoor. 'Our armed forces belong to the whole country and its people, and not just to any political party or government. We all are extremely proud of the bravery and valour of our Army,' Baghel said while asserting that doubts are being raised about the BJP government's decisions and policies. Baghel also lauded former PM Indira Gandhi for emphatically defeating Pakistan in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. The former Chhattisgarh CM said Modi should apologise for objectionable comments made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah and the state's deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda following Operation Sindoor. The PM must set an example by ensuring they are sacked from the MP government, Baghel said. Shah had made an objectionable remark about army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during his speech at a public function at Mhow near Indore on May 12. A FIR has been registered in the matter and both the Supreme Court and MP High Court have severely admonished Shah. On May 16, Devda had claimed armed forces and soldiers of the country were 'natmastak' (bowing down with their heads at the feet) in front of PM Modi for giving a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan. He made the comments during his speech at a Civil Defence function in Jabalpur district. Baghel also sought to point out similarities between the Pahalgam terror attack and the infamous May 2013 Jhiram valley attack in Chhattisgarh in which Naxalites killed 27 people including some prominent Congress leaders. 'I remember May 25, 2013….the Naxalites attacked Congress leaders, killing former Union minister Vidya Charan Shukla among others after asking their names,' he said. In Pahalgam, the terrorists asked victims their religion. Another common thing in both incidents was there was no security at the respective spots, he added. 'What is the relation between the two incidents? How they happened calls for pondering,' Baghel said. Speaking at the rally, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said those who played no role in India's freedom struggle and remained slaves of the British are today claiming that armed forces are bowing at the feet of PM Modi. PTI COR LAL BNM KRK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi left behind in 27 years, will now reclaim legacy: CM
Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the Capital has been left behind because of the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government while the rest of the country progressed over the last 27 years. Gupta was at the 'national social harmony conference' organised at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Delhi state office and chaired by former governor of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, Kalraj Mishra. 'While the rest of the country progressed, Delhi was left behind. However, today we are committed to building a developed Delhi in tandem with a developed nation. Guided by the core principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, we are working tirelessly. We believe that Delhi, the city of hearts, will reclaim its legacy,' Gupta said at the conference, which was to mark 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 'Regardless of the situation, the nation stands united. Just as our soldiers guard our borders with valour for the honour and safety of the nation, we too are always ready to work for the welfare and dignity of society. The trust shown by Delhiites in BJP, after breaking a 27-year-long drought, will be honoured and maintained by us,' she added. Tiranga Yatras across city Senior BJP functionaries on Sunday also participated in multiple 'Tiranga Yatras' to express solidarity with Operation Sindoor, undertaken by the Government of India against terror groups based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Delhi home minister Ashish Sood was part of a Tiranga Yatra in Janakpuri, northwest Delhi MP Yogendra Chandolia and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat in Matiala and Dwarka assemblies, and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj in New Delhi and Karol Bagh assemblies. Former state president and MLA Satish Upadhyay, Greater Kailash MLA Shikha Rai, and former boxer Vijender Singh led the Tiranga Yatras along with thousands of BJP workers in different areas. 'For us our Tiranga is everything and whenever our country needs us, we all Indians will unite. I promise you all that this Delhi government will always work for the honour, pride and prestige of the Tiranga and the country,' CM Gupta said at the event at BJP office. Chandolia said that the action taken by India against Pakistan is proof that the country will no longer remain under pressure and will respond in the same language. 'The operation has sent a strong message throughout Pakistan that India will no longer stay silent in the face of terror,' he said. Meanwhile, Swaraj said India has made it clear that blood and water cannot flow together. 'This is the declaration of a new India — where responses are not just in words but through resolve and courage. Operation Sindoor is a historic mission for self-defense, justice, and restoration of national pride. It symbolises a national awakening where every Indian's blood now flows for self-respect.'
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Those who saw truth in Yatras for Hamas, Hezbollah see politics in Tiranga Yatra: BJP's Sudhansu Trivedi
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi on Sunday criticised the Congress party's stance on the government's decision to send a delegation of MPs abroad, saying that the opposition's approach reflects a lack of national unity. The BJP spokesperson also criticised the Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Trivedi said that while Pakistan is united, many leaders in India are raising questions, 'Pakistan is in a stronger position than us. Why is that? No one in Pakistan is questioning the leaders of the ruling party and the opposition. Many leaders in India are raising questions.' he said. Trivedi also pointed out that statements made by Indian leaders, including Chief Ministers and former Chief Ministers, are being used against India in Pakistan. 'No one in Pakistan is being quoted in the Indian media. The big leaders of India, the Chief Ministers and the ex-Chief Ministers, are being quoted. No one in Pakistan has any power that we can use against Pakistan in our dossier. And the statement of the big leaders of India and Pakistan is being used against us in the dossier.' he said. Speaking on the Tiranga Yatra, Trivedi said,' They were also opposing the Tiranga Yatra. Those who saw truth and tolerance in the Yatras for Hamas and Hezbollah. They see politics in the Tiranga Yatra conducted in honour of the valour of the Indian armed forces.' In a significant nationwide outreach effort, 'Tiranga Yatras' are being held in various parts of the country to honour the courage and sacrifice of Indian armed forces following the successful 'Operation Sindoor' in response to horrific Pahalgam terror attack. The 11-day-long campaign, which was launched by BJP on May 13 aims to instill a sense of national pride and unity among citizens, across communities and regions, emphasizing a message of patriotism, national solidarity, and respect for the Tricolour. The BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasised the need for national unity, citing late General Bipin Rawat's statement that India is facing a '2.5-front war.' 'I think the country needs to be vigilant from all sides. This is the time. I believe everyone should stand together and move forward above party politics.' Trivedi said. Trivedi also spoke on Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is part of one of the delegations, highlighting that Tharoor's involvement reflects the mistrust and politics within the Congress party. 'There is so much mistrust and politics in Congress that, along with the government of India and the army of India, they also mistrust the people of their own party. So there is no cure for this delusion,' he said. Speaking on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi over his alleged visit to Pakistan, Trivedi said, 'Whatever explanation Gaurav Gogoi has to give on that subject, because Himanta Biswa Sarma ji insisted with great conviction and such a clear answer. It did not come from him (Gogoi).' Lastly, the BJP spokesperson saying that the government's decision to send a delegation of MPs abroad is a step in the right direction. 'We have not seen who is opposing. We have said that the whole of India should be represented. It should be seen that the whole of India is moving forward in unison,' he said. Earlier, the Congress party had accused the government of playing 'cheap political games' on a serious national issue on Sunday after one of the four Congress MPs/leaders suggested by the party was included in the delegations being sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. In a post on X, Congress party wrote, 'On May 16th morning, the Modi Govt asked for 4 names of Congress MPs/leaders to represent the INC in the delegations being sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. These 4 names were conveyed in writing by the LoP Lok Sabha to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs by 12 noon on May 16th itself. Very late tonight (May 17th) the full list of members of all delegations has been officially released. Most regrettably, only 1 of the 4 names suggested by the INC leadership has been included.' Jairam Ramesh had also criticised the government earlier for not accepting all the names suggested by the party, calling it 'dishonest on the government's part.' Tharoor is set to lead an eight-member delegation which will go to United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia. BJP's Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya, along with LJP (Ram Vilas)'s Shambhavi Choudhary, TDP's GM Harish Balayogi, Shiv Sena's Milind Deora, JMM's Sarfaraz Ahmad, along with former Ambassador to US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu are part of the delegation. The all-party delegation is India's diplomatic effort to expose Pakistan's support for terrorism at the global stage and brief other countries about Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation eliminated over 100 terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Following the strikes, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and attempted drone attacks. In response, India launched coordinated airstrikes that damaged key military infrastructure across 11 Pakistani airbases. On May 10, both sides announced an understanding on cessation of hostilities. (ANI)
