Latest news with #DeepakBaij
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mallikarjun Kharge to address ‘Kisan, Jawan, Samvidhan'; Congress plans massive rally in Raipur to protest BJP policies
RAIPUR: chief Deepak Baij said that the upcoming visit of AICC president to Raipur on July 7 will energize party workers and boost the morale of the cadre ahead of crucial political battles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kharge is scheduled to address a rally and chair a meeting of the party's political affairs committee, where a long-term strategy to counter the BJP will be finalised, he stated during a press conference at party office on Saturday. Baij on Saturday announced that the party will organise a 'Kisan, Jawan, Samvidhan' (Farmer, Soldier, Constitution) rally at Science College Ground in Raipur on Monday. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal will address the gathering. The rally aims to amplify the voices of farmers and soldiers across the country, including Chhattisgarh. It will also highlight the alleged attacks by the Central government on the Constitution and the autonomy of constitutional institutions. Over 25,000 people from across the state are expected to attend the event. Baij stated that the rally in Raipur will be a historic event, organised to empower the deprived sections of society. The rally's objectives are to protest the Central government's alleged continuous attacks on farmers, soldiers, and the Constitution, oppose the alleged assaults on the independence of the country's constitutional institutions, protest the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, the rising crimes against women, and the government's apathy towards women's safety, address the shortage of DAP fertiliser and seeds for farmers in the state, along with alleged government negligence, oppose the alleged atrocities against innocent tribals in the name of Maoist eradication, protest the unannounced power cuts in the state, oppose the alleged plunder of Chhattisgarh's mineral wealth, the allocation of iron ore mines in Bastar to private companies, and the disinvestment of Nagarnar, protest the extensive felling of forests in the name of coal mining, specifically in Hasdeo and Tamnar, oppose the alleged destruction of the education system in the name of rationalisation, including the closure of 10,463 schools, the abolition of over 45,000 teaching positions, and the termination of thousands of cook and watchman posts, and to protest the illegal sale of liquor in the state and the alleged closure of schools while liquor shops remain open. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Baij said that the rally in Raipur will be a milestone for the rights of farmers and soldiers across the state. He added that the party is working diligently to ensure its success. "Our leaders, office-bearers, and workers are directly engaging with the public, urging them to participate in the rally. Our preparations are complete, and with public cooperation, this will be a historic assembly," he said.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribals launch 1st ever self-Census in Bastar, say we will count ourselves
Raipur: Tribal organization, is spearheading this grassroots effort across over 1,000 villages, including areas in Dhamtari and Balod districts. This initiative, which began in March 2025, is a response to perceived inaccuracies in government data that have historically impacted tribal representation, resource allocation, and benefits. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prakash Thakur, the Bastar division president for Sarva Adivasi Samaj, emphasized the importance of this self-census in documenting births, deaths, marriages, land ownership, migration patterns, and cultural elements like 'totams' and deities. The data collected will not only help protect tribal rights and identity but also serve as a check against government census figures, which have been distrusted in the past, he asserted. The self-census is inclusive, covering all social groups, including SC, OBC, and general category populations, and will also document religious conversions. This comprehensive approach aims to assert that tribal identity transcends religious affiliations. Speaking to TOI, Chhattisgarh minister for tribal affairs Ramvichar Netam said, "The community representatives and committees maintain a proper record about the people and it's updated from time to time. If Sarva Adivasi Samaj is carrying out its personal survey, it's not a problem. But as far as they questioned the authenticity of the Census, then I would like to ensure that it's a process done with a lot of responsibility and is cross-checked on many levels. " Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij has come out in support of the initiative: "The tribal youth have rightly taken this step because the govt can't be trusted with our numbers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This awareness among Bastar's Adivasis is commendable – it will help prevent any manipulative agenda in caste-based census data." Responding to the move, senior tribal leader and former union minister Arvind Netam from Bastar told TOI, "I have learnt about this initiative and it's being done keeping many factors in mind. I support it, specially, as it displays the awareness among tribal people. The survey should be done with all seriousness." The survey, led by trained tribal youth, covers 18 key parameters, including educational qualifications, clan lineage, and access to government schemes. Volunteers are collecting data both digitally and manually, with around 50% of the work completed. The initiative has garnered support from Congress state chief Deepak Baij, who praised the tribal youth for their proactive stance. Ultimately, the Bastar self-census represents a significant moment of grassroots mobilization, where tribal communities are taking control of their narrative and data. The goal is to create a reliable, community-authenticated database that can be used in legal disputes and government reviews, ensuring the survival and dignity of tribal communities. As Thakur poignantly stated, "This is not just about numbers. It's about survival, dignity, and ensuring that no one erases us from our own land."
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘ED action taken on behest of BJP': Cong protests attachment of its Sukma office
Raipur: Congress staged a protest across all the district headquarters of the state on Saturday, burning effigies of the BJP govt and the enforcement directorate (ED) to condemn the ED's attachment of the Congress office in Sukma. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress committee president Deepak Baij criticised the ED attachment of the party office , stating the agency is acting as an 'associate organisation' of the BJP. He made these remarks while addressing media persons on Friday. Baij said the ED's action was taken at the behest of the central govt and the BJP, despite the Congress providing all financial details for the construction of the Sukma office. He termed the move an 'attack on democracy'. In protest, the Congress organised demonstrations and burnt effigies of the ED across all district headquarters in the state on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Shahar Jila Congress committee in Raipur staged a protest at Rajiv Gandhi Chowk here. Congress workers gathered at Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, raising slogans against the BJP govt and the ED. There was a brief scuffle between party workers and the police during the effigy burning. Speaking on the occasion, the party's city president Girish Dubey said that sealing the Congress office in Sukma by the ED is a direct attack on democracy, the Constitution, and the freedom of the opposition. He added that despite all documents related to the construction of the Congress Bhawan being submitted to the ED previously, the attachment of the building shows the central BJP govt is misusing central agencies to intimidate and suppress political opponents. Former MLA Vikas Upadhyay warned that if the Congress Bhawan is not reopened immediately and the ED's politically motivated action is not investigated, the Congress party will protest from 'street to Parliament'. The ED had attached the Congress party office in Sukma district on Friday, along with assets linked to former excise minister MLA Kawasi Lakhma and his son. The action, taken under the PMLA, formed part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged over Rs 2000 crore scam during the previous Congress govt. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress protests ED action in Chhattisgarh's Sukma, burns effigies
RAIPUR: The Congress party on Saturday staged protests across all district headquarters in Chhattisgarh, burning effigies of the BJP government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The protests were held to condemn the ED's attachment of the Congress office in Sukma district. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee President Deepak Baij criticised the ED's action, stating the agency is acting as an "associate organisation" of the BJP. He made these remarks while addressing media persons on Saturday. Baij said the ED's move was taken at the behest of the central government and the BJP, despite the Congress providing all financial details for the construction of the Sukma office. He termed the action an "attack on democracy". The City District Congress Committee in Raipur also staged a protest at Rajiv Gandhi Chowk. Congress workers gathered, raising slogans against the BJP government and the ED. A brief scuffle occurred between party workers and the police during the effigy burning. Speaking at the protest, City Congress President Girish Dubey stated that the sealing of the Congress office in Sukma by the ED is a direct attack on democracy, the Constitution, and the freedom of the opposition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He added that despite all relevant documents being submitted to the ED previously, the attachment of the building indicates the central BJP government is misusing central agencies to intimidate and suppress political opponents. Former MLA Vikas Upadhyay warned that if the Congress Bhawan is not reopened immediately and the ED's politically motivated action is not investigated, the Congress party will intensify its protests from "street to Parliament". The ED had attached the Congress party office in Sukma district on Friday. Assets linked to former Excise Minister and MLA Kawasi Lakhma and his son were also attached. The action, taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged Rs 2,000 crore scam during the previous Congress government. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Baij serves legal notice to Netam, BJP leaders over conversion remark
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Deepak Baij has issued legal notices to former Union Minister Arvind Netam, Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, and BJP's Bastar MP Mahesh Kashyap, seeking clarification within 15 days regarding their recent remarks about Baij's alleged religious conversion. Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the Chhattisgarh Congress Communication Department, confirmed the development. The controversy arises from a press conference held in Raipur on June 7, during which Arvind Netam—who had recently attended an RSS event in Nagpur—reportedly questioned Baij's religious identity. Netam said, 'I want to ask Baij whether he has converted to Christianity. I suspect this when he speaks such things. I would also like to ask what the Congress policy is regarding religious conversion.' Baij considers this statement misleading and damaging to his public image. The legal notice , sent through Baij's counsel Sandeep Dubey, asserts that Netam's remark—'Main Deepak Baij se ek hi baat jaanna chahta hoon, kahin woh convert toh nahin hue hain, Isai dharm mein matantaran toh nahin hua hai' (I only want to know one thing from Deepak Baij—has he converted to Christianity?)—has defamed Baij and hurt his religious sentiments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The notice further alleges that the statement is fabricated. In the legal notice, Baij, a former Bastar MP, reaffirms his deep faith in Budhadev, Mahadev, Maa Danteshwari, and all Hindu gods and goddesses. The notice states that Netam's comment constitutes a criminal offence under Sections 353 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 353 deals with 'statements conducing to public mischief,' and Section 356 pertains to 'defamation.' Similar legal notices have also been issued to Kedar Kashyap and Mahesh Kashyap under the same provisions. According to the notice, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap had accused Baij of sheltering religious conversions in Bastar. Likewise, Mahesh Kashyap had reportedly emphasised the anti-conversion narrative in Bastar, indirectly challenging Baij's stance on religious freedom and conversion in tribal communities. Baij has demanded a public apology from all three leaders. The notice warns that if no response is received within 15 days, a criminal case will be filed, and further legal action will be pursued.
