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The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Priyank Kharge slams BJP MLC
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge launched a scathing attack on BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for his alleged derogatory remarks against Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, saying such comments reflected the misogynistic ideology espoused in the Manusmriti. 'Ravikumar is not BJP man originally. He is a product of the RSS shakha. The RSS has never believed in the Indian Constitution — it believes in the Manusmriti, a text that has historically denigrated women,' Mr. Priyank told reporters at a press conference held at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Kalaburagi on July 4. Referring to past incidents, Mr. Priyank recalled that Mr. Ravikumar had earlier made objectionable comments about the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner. 'The court asked him to apologise in that case, but he hasn't done it so far. That only shows he stands by his remarks. Now he made derogatory remarks against Chief Secretary' in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Vidhana Soudha premises. His is dirty mind, dirty brain and dirty tongue. It is the result of training he got in RSS. This is what happens when people who should be receiving psychiatric care are sent to the Legislative Council,' he said. When asked about Mr. Ravikumar's statement that he would hang himself if proven guilty of making derogatory remarks against the Chief Secretary, Mr. Priyank responded bluntly: 'Give him a rope.' Mr. Priyank also took aim at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), challenging it to list just ten contributions it has made toward nation-building, economic equity, or social unity. 'The RSS is constructing its office with ₹300–400 crore. Where is that money coming from? If we get a majority in Parliament, we will deploy the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate to investigate. If we get that power from the people, we will act against any organization which is against our Constitution, tries to break the unity of our nation, instigates conflicts between castes and sow the poisonous seed of communalism to instigate communal clashes. It is in the interest of the country,' he said. Responding to recent remarks by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale calling for the removal of the words 'secularism' and 'socialism' from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, Mr. Priyank pointed to four landmark Supreme Court judgments, including the S.R. Bommai case, that uphold these principles. 'Let alone Indian Constitution, which the BJP people have hardly read, even BJP constitution has 'secular' and 'socialist' words in its Article 2. Let the RSS leaders tell their BJP followers to remove them from their party constitution,' he said. On a broader historical note, the Minister accused the RSS of never participating in India's freedom movement. 'Did they raise slogans like 'Simon Go Back'? Did they participate in the Quit India Movement or the Dandi March? Which Round Table Conference had they participated in? While the Constituent Assembly was framing the Constitution, RSS activists staged 150 protests in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan demanding the Manusmriti be adopted instead. They even opposed Subhash Chandra Bose's call to join the Indian National Army and instead encouraged youth to join the British Army. And let's not forget Savarkar's multiple clemency pleas to the British and the pension he received from British government,' Mr. Priyank said.
News18
01-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Even Congress's Pranab Mukherjee Had Praised Us: RSS On Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge's Ban Call
Last Updated: A senior RSS functionary said: 'It is Priyank Kharge's personal comment, and we didn't see any other Congressman supporting him." Dismissing Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge's comment on banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as his 'personal statement", the RSS said even senior Congress veterans like former President Pranab Mukherjee had praised the organisation. 'We have seen Pranab Mukherjee praising the RSS and even visiting the headquarters," a senior RSS functionary told News18 on condition of anonymity. 'It is his personal comment, and we didn't see any other Congressman supporting him. The Congress has banned the RSS thrice before, but as a socio-cultural organisation that has been carrying out over two lakh social service activities across the country, our work has been widely appreciated—even by prominent figures like Ratan Tata and Azim Premji, whose foundation is associated with some of these activities," he added. Kharge, the IT Minister in the Siddaramaiah government, said that the Congress would ban the RSS if it returned to power at the Centre. He alleged that the RSS spreads hatred in society and does not operate within the bounds of the law. The RSS functionary countered this by invoking history. 'Even Sardar Patel praised the RSS when he lifted the ban on it," he said, referring to Kharge's claim that both Patel and Indira Gandhi had previously banned the RSS. Kharge also alleged that the organisation did not participate in the Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha), Quit India Movement, or any other mass movements during India's independence struggle. He further claimed that the RSS distributed sweets after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, opposed the tricolour flag on the eve of independence, and campaigned for the Manusmriti to be implemented instead of the Constitution. When asked how such a ban would be implemented, Kharge had said, 'It is the job of the legislature to legislate. We will bring in the necessary legislation within the ambit of the Constitution." All these statements were also dismissed by the RSS, saying they should not be taken seriously. 'We know what the Congress can and cannot do. But this is clearly a personal statement by Kharge—no one else in the party has echoed it. It is not the official position of the Congress. In fact, we have had strong relationships with several Congress leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee, who visited and appreciated the RSS," said the leader. Kharge maintained that the RSS ban should never have been lifted. He reiterated that the organisation remains opposed to both the Constitution and the national flag and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of acting as its political puppet.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mailara Mahadevappa's Gram Sevashrama renovated, reopened
Haveri: Freedom fighter Mailara Mahadevappa founded the Grama Sevashrama in Koraduru village to promote Mahatma Gandhi 's ideals of poverty eradication, abolishing untouchability and indigenous awareness, while contributing to the freedom movement, said Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar, deputy commissioner and chairman of the Martyr Mailara Mahadevappa National Memorial Trust. Inaugurating the renovated Grama Sevashrama on Monday, he detailed how Mailara Mahadevappa, resolute in his opposition to British rule, established the Koraduru Ashram, which inspired over 200 activists locally. Freedom fighter Kariyappa Kalkoti enhanced it, though it recently fell into disrepair. "Being familiar with this area since his youth, he undertook the ashram's renovation," he added. The DC said beyond renovating the ashram, people should comprehend Mahadevappa's principles and emulate his valiant character to pass this heritage to future generations. "Mahadevappa ended his life when he was just 32 years old by British firing, but he followed Ahimsa his entire life like Mahatma Gandhiji," the IAS officer said. Prof GB Kalkoti said during his studies, Mahadevappa received mentorship from KF Patil and Murigappa Eli, strengthening his patriotic spirit and wisdom. He noted with pride that Koraduru produced six freedom fighters. "Mailara Mahadevappa was the only participant from Karnataka in the Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhiji. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo He should be a role model to our youths because he was a nationalist and followed Ahimsa tatva," he said. Satish Kulkarni, a writer and trust member, said the district commissioner's interest in the Gram Sevashrama at Koraduru helped preserve freedom struggle heritage sites. He expressed appreciation for having such a dedicated officer, noting the centre's inclusive operation regardless of caste, religion, or regional boundaries. HS Mahadevappa, grandson of Mailara Mahadevappa, committed Rs 1 lakh towards children's play equipment for the Grama Sevashrama grounds. Zilla Panchayat former member Siddaraj Kalakoti, assistant director, department of Kannada culture RV Chinnikatti, and others attended the event.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mahatma Gandhi's only known portrait in oil paint to go under the hammer
In July, an oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi made by Clare Leighton, an artist renowned for her wood engravings, will be auctioned for the first time — believed to be the only oil portrait of the Mahatma. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi will form part of Bonhams' Travel and Exploration Sale to be held online between July 7 and 15. The 30 1/8 x 25' canvas is priced between GBP 50,000 and 70,000 ( ₹ 58 lakh and ₹81 lakh). Leighton, who met Gandhi in London in 1931, even made a drawing of him while he was asleep. How did this painting come to be? And what did Gandhi think of it? Let's find out. Towards the end of August 1931, Mahatma Gandhi and a group of hopeful men and women seeking independence for India, buoyed by the success of the Dandi March and the salt satyagraha, boarded a ship for England to attend the Second Round Table Conference. The conference, however, was a tense one, as arch negotiator Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi found himself at odds with members of his own delegation — drawn from the princely order, the landlords, the titled gentry and the leaders of Hindu groups — as well as battling the hardened colonialists who were not interested in his demand for self-governance and an Indian Constitution. The conference lasted a few months, but amidst the tense negotiations, Gandhi decided to do the 'real round table work' and get to know the people of England. On social reformer Muriel Lester's invitation, he stayed at the community centre in Kingsley Hall in East End, took his morning walks in its streets and made friends with the children, to whom he became 'Uncle Gandhi'. He also met several people, from the cotton mill workers of Lancashire, heavily impacted by his Swadeshi movement to political activists who were sympathetic to the cause. Even Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein wrote to him during his time in London —'We may hope that your example will spread beyond the borders of your country', he said. It was during this time that Gandhi met Leighton and sculptor Jo Davidson, both of whom took the opportunity to get Gandhi to model for them. (Davidson's bronze bust of Gandhi is now in the permanent collection of the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum). She returned to oil paints rarely — Gandhi's portrait being one occasion. In November 1931, the artist exhibited this painting at the Albany Galleries in Sackville Street, London. According to press reports, Gandhi did not attend the exhibition, but the event drew the attention of many powerful people including 'Members of Parliament and ex-Members, artists, journalists and art critics … dignified figures of some of the chief Hindu representatives… Mrs (Sarojini) Naidu, the statesman-poet... and Sir Purshotamdas Thakurdas, one of the Mahatma's colleagues'. The oil portrait occupied pride of place, and was presented on an easel. Saddened by the result of the conference, Gandhi left London on December 5, 1931 and declined invitations to visit America and Europe. He only agreed to spend a few days in Switzerland with his biographer Romain Rolland, and visited the Vatican before returning to India on December 28. Within a week, he was imprisoned and the Civil Disobedience movement was resumed. But Gandhi did not let political events get in the way of social niceties. His long-time associate and secretary Mahadev Desai wrote a letter to Leighton in December 1931 which thanked her for her painting. 'It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait. I am sorry I didn't see the final result, but many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness. I am quite sure Mr Gandhi has no objection to its being reproduced,' he wrote. The Bonhams website explains that the painting was also shown in 1978 as part of the Boston Public Library's exhibition, Clare Leighton: American Sheaves English Seed Corn. The work showed clear signs of restoration. The Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory had repaired tears in several places — according to the artist's family, the painting was attacked by a religious zealot in 1974. The work remained in the family after Leighton's death in 1989.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pink salt vs regular salt: Is one healthier than the other?
What is salt? Salt is a common ingredient used from prehistoric times to now. It has changed civilisations, and is now an integral part of one's food. Of course we cannot forget the fight against the British for taxation on salt in the form of Dandi March. We are today talking about different types of salts debating whether pink salt is better than white salt. Salt has been used as if food preservative, currency, religious findings, drug and medication, item of taxation, symbol of victory, as a mummifying agent and an integral component of one's diet. Salt is a compound sodium chloride. Sodium plays an important role in several biological functions, including fluid balance, nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Salt in excess can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. Because of the potential dangers of consuming too much table salt, many people have turned to using pink Himalayan salt, believing it to be a healthier alternative. Let us now explore the difference between the Pink salt and the normal salt. What is Pink Himalayan Salt? Pink Himalayan salt is a pink-colored salt extracted from the Khewra Salt Mine. The salt is hand-extracted and minimally processed to yield an unrefined product that's free of additives and thought to be much more natural than table salt. However, the natural harvesting process allows pink Himalayan salt to possess many other minerals and trace elements that are not found in regular table salt. Some people estimate it may contain up to 84 different minerals and trace elements. In fact, it's these very minerals, especially iron, that give it its characteristic pink color. Pink Himalayan salt contains more minerals Both table salt and pink Himalayan salt consist mostly of sodium chloride, but pink Himalayan salt has up to 84 other minerals and trace elements. These include common minerals like potassium and calcium, as well as lesser-known minerals like strontium and molybdenum. The Pink Himalayan salt lacks Iodine which is an ingredient added to Table salt. Below is a comparison of well-known minerals found in a gram of the two salts: Pink Himalayan Salt Table Salt Calcium (mg) 1.6 0.4 Potassium (mg) 2.8 0.9 Magnesium (mg) 1.06 0.0139 Iron (mg) 0.0369 0.0101 Sodium (mg) 368 381 Pink Himalayan salt Contains may favor good microbiome. Studies using advanced genetic techniques showed that wide variety of microbes, with two main groups of bacteria thriving in different environments, one in the soil and the other in the salty brine. The soil had more diverse bacteria like Lactobacillus, while the brine supported different groups, including halophiles that thrive in extreme salt conditions. Dr. Narasimhaiah Srinivasaiah, Senior Consultant - Colorectal Surgery, Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
