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Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Drug cartels, extortionists, killers running parallel government: Bajwa
Congress Sunday questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's 'silence' on the daylight murder of businessman Sanjay Verma and alleged that 'drug cartels, extortionists, and killers are running a parallel government while Punjab Police stands as mute spectators.' Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, 'Verma's brutal murder in broad daylight outside his showroom is not just a tragedy — it is a chilling warning to every businessman in Punjab. He was an entrepreneur who employed over 500 people. And he was shot dead in broad daylight. Why? Because extortion gangs now rule this state'. Bajwa was speaking to reporters after attending a memorial for Verma. 'Traders are gripped by panic. If Verma can be killed so openly, who is safe anymore?' Bajwa asked. 'Where is CM Mann? Where is the Home Minister? His silence is not just shameful — it is criminal negligence. The ruling AAP has surrendered the state to gangsters. Drug cartels, extortionists, and killers are running a parallel government while Punjab Police stands as mute spectators,' he said. Bajwa accused the state government of avoiding accountability in the Assembly, refusing even to allow discussion on the law and order crisis. 'Congress demands immediate action. We demand resignation of CM Mann for failing in his duty as home minister and a high court-monitored judicial probe into Verma's murder. We also demand a Special Assembly session dedicated to discussions on law and order situtation and business community protection,' he added. 'Punjab's entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. They are terrified, and rightfully so. If this government doesn't act now, Punjab's economy will bleed and the blame will lie squarely at the feet of Bhagwant Mann,' Bajwa warned. Meanwhile, Ludhiana MP and state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that the 'gangsters have created an atmosphere of fear akin to the one prevailing during the terrorism days in Punjab.' He said, extortion calls have become a routine and helpless people are forced to pay up and they do not even dare to complain. Warring, who addressed 'Samwidhan Bachao (Save Constitution)' rallies in Payal and Gill Assembly segments of Ludhiana, also called for radical police reforms to fix responsibility and accountability over the registration of fake FIRs. Warring also showered praise on former chief minister Beant Singh, who belonged to Payal. The happy and prosperous Punjab that we all today, was restored by Beant Singh by his blood, Warring said, adding the state can never forget his sacrifice. He pointed out, how the Congress led by Beant Singh came forward to fight the elections in 1992, while the Akalis ran away. 'While some ran away to America and Canada, others hid themselves behind the bars in the jails,' he said. Referring to the menace of drugs prevailing in Punjab, he said, there was no magic wand to finish it instantly. He underlined the need for providing jobs to youth, which can act as great antidote against drugs. He said, there was a huge number of vacancies which the AAP government was not filling as it did not have money. Warring suggested exploring the option of providing legalized and regulated traditional things like opium and poppy husk, which are less harmful than the synthetic drugs. He quoted the example of Canada where cannabis was legalized in 2017. Congress general secretary and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa lashed out at the BJP for spreading disinformation. He challenged the party to list one achievement during or after the freedom struggle of the country, for the nation. He said, the Congress does not need any certificate from BJP, Akali Dal or the AAP. Randhawa warned the government against its attempts to acquire about one lakh acres of land saying it will destroy Punjab's economy. He said, this comes to stop the income of farmers worth Rs 50,000 crore.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
A conspiracy by Odisha govt to sabotage Rahul Gandhi's rally on July 11, says Bhakta Charan Das
BHUBANESWAR: President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Bhakta Charan Das on Thursday alleged that the ongoing strike by the Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha was a conspiracy by the state government to sabotage the 'Save Constitution' rally of Rahul Gandhi to be held in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Speaking to mediapersons, the OPCC president alleged the government was deliberately not taking any step to resolve the issue so as to stop Congress workers from reaching the capital city to attend the rally. 'Due to the ongoing strike, drivers are unavailable to bring the Congress workers to Bhubaneswar. Even petrol pumps have run dry,' he said. Das further pointed out that common people have been facing a lot of difficulty due to the ongoing strike. 'Prices of essential commodities including vegetables have skyrocketed but the government is oblivious to this problem,' he said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal are scheduled to address a public meeting in the capital city on Friday. Besides, they will attend several organisational meetings.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Leaders from rival parties to join Congress after Rahul Gandhi visit: Bhakta Charan Das
BHUBANESWAR: Ahead of the visit of national president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi to Odisha on July 11, state Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday asserted that the party is on an upswing in the state with public enthusiasm growing around it. Das said several leaders of the rival parties, particularly BJD, have also begun to realise the robust revival of Congress organisation and its growing acceptance among the people at the grassroots, and are now ready to join the party. A number of BJD leaders are already in talks and could join Congress after the visit of Kharge and Rahul, he said. Das said more than one lakh, a majority of who are women, party workers and supporters will attend the 'Save Constitution' public meeting to be addressed by Kharge and Rahul in the capital city on July 11. The success of the public meeting will demonstrate the growth of Congress in the state, he said. Meanwhile, several disgruntled BJD leaders met at the residence of a party senior leader here recently to discuss their future course of action. Former BJD Rajya Sabha member member Bhupinder Singh said they discussed options including joining another political party. Singh said the leaders want more democratic functioning in the BJD. 'This is an old demand. However, the party president Naveen Patnaik has so far ignored it. There is no internal democracy in the party. Though several committees have been formed and office-bearers announced, they have never met nor discussed party functioning,' he said.
India.com
03-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Karnataka Cop Resigns After CM Siddaramaiah's Public Rebuke, Says Avoided Being Slapped, Not Humiliation
New Delhi: A high-ranking police officer in Karnataka has sought voluntary retirement after being publicly humiliated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a political rally, triggering outrage across the state and prompting a hasty damage control effort by the Congress-led government. Narayana Baramani, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Dharwad and a 31-year veteran of the force, submitted his resignation in protest of the CM's conduct at a 'Save Constitution' rally held in Belagavi on April 28. In a three-page emotional letter addressed to the Home Secretary, Baramani described the moment he was shouted at, threatened, and nearly slapped by the Chief Minister in full public view, a moment caught on video and widely circulated on social media. "The Chief Minister looked towards the commotion and shouted angrily, 'Who is this SP here?' I immediately approached him to clarify. As I neared, he raised his hand at me in a threatening manner, attempting to strike me. I instinctively stepped back and narrowly avoided being slapped," Baramani wrote. It is deeply saddening that Dharwad's Additional Superintendent of Police, Narayana Baramani, who was publicly humiliated by Karnataka's arrogant Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has now decided to take voluntary retirement. His emotional letter reads (excerpts): Quote At that… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 3, 2025 The incident, which took place as BJP workers protested the event with black flags, has since become a political flashpoint. Baramani, known for his discipline and service, said the humiliation caused him 'severe mental trauma,' and detailed how the episode shattered his morale, affected his family, and eroded the respect he once felt wearing the uniform. 'My wife and children broke down in tears. We couldn't speak; the whole day passed in silence,' he noted. 'Neither the Chief Minister nor any officer from his government or my department tried to console me. Even my colleagues did not express moral support.' The emotional toll, he said, was worsened by the public's reactions: 'People who came to the police station would say, 'If this can happen to you, what about us?'' The officer accused the Chief Minister of setting a dangerous precedent: 'If an officer with 31 years of service has to endure this, imagine the plight of those in lower ranks.' As public criticism mounted, the Karnataka government scrambled to contain the fallout. According to media reports, Home Minister G. Parameshwara reportedly called Baramani to apologize and offered him a new posting, possibly as DCP (Law & Order) in Belagavi. Officials claimed the incident was an emotional reaction by the CM, happening 'in the heat of the moment.' However, the viral footage contradicted that narrative, showing Siddaramaiah gesturing aggressively at Baramani on stage, adding weight to the officer's claims of misconduct. Despite the outreach, Baramani has refused to withdraw his resignation, indicating that no reassignment can undo the public humiliation he endured. The incident has led to sharp political condemnation. The BJP accused Siddaramaiah of treating the police force as his 'private militia,' while JD(S) likened the episode to 'Hitler-like rule,' questioning how civil servants can work with dignity under such leadership. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took to social media demanding a public apology from Siddaramaiah and stated, 'This incident is a stark reminder of what happens when honest officers are insulted instead of appreciated for their service.' It is deeply saddening that Dharwad's Additional Superintendent of Police, Narayana Baramani, who was publicly humiliated by Karnataka's arrogant Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has now decided to take voluntary retirement. His emotional letter reads (excerpts): Quote At that… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 3, 2025 Beyond political sparring, the episode has exposed deeper concerns about how public servants are treated by those in power. Baramani's letter, now circulated widely among police circles and bureaucratic networks, has struck a chord with many who see his exit not as an isolated case but a symbol of institutional demoralization. 'I have worn this uniform with the same emotional connection and pride as I would hold for my mother,' Baramani wrote. 'The behaviour of the Chief Minister has demoralised not just me, but countless sincere public servants in Karnataka.'
News18
02-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Will Throw It Into Dustbin': Tejashwi's Waqf Act Remark Draws BJP Ire Amid Bihar Poll Heat
Last Updated: BJP criticized Tejashwi Yadav for saying the Waqf Act will be scrapped if Mahagathbandhan wins in Bihar, accusing him of disrespecting Parliament and the Constitution. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit out at former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav over his remark that the Waqf Act will be scrapped if the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) comes to power in the state, where the assembly elections are due later this year. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, in a press conference, alleged that Yadav's remark shows he does not respect Parliament nor the judiciary. He said that the INDIA bloc has not been able to come out of the Emergency mindset of throwing the Constitution into the dustbin. 'Recently, we marked 50 years since the Emergency. It's deeply unfortunate that just yesterday in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav stood in a public rally and said that Parliament's passed law will be thrown into the dustbin," he said. RJD's Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday claimed that the ruling NDA in Bihar was 'on its way out", and the new government in the state led by the opposition alliance will 'consign to the dustbin" the Waqf Act brought by the Narendra Modi dispensation at the Centre. The leader was addressing a 'Save Waqf, Save Constitution' rally at the historical Gandhi Maidan in Bihar's capital, Patna. Reacting to the RJD leader's remark, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, 'Hooliganism means Lalu Ji's family, if it's about criminalisation, it's Lalu Ji's family, and if it's about tearing up a bill, it's Lalu Ji's family." Bihar minister Mangal Pandey said that the RJD leader's statement is a direct challenge to the Parliament and the Constitution. 'In this democracy, who has the audacity to throw a proposal passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha into the dustbin? This directly reflects a mentality that is filled with the thought of not accepting the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The people who crushed the Constitution by imposing the Emergency are the ones who can speak such language… Those who challenge the democratic system, the people of this country will never accept or tolerate them," he added. Bihar Minister Prem Kumar accused the RJD scion of spreading misinformation. 'The amendment to the Waqf Bill introduced in Parliament is a good step. It will benefit a large section of the Muslim population, especially the poor, women, and widows. The control held by a handful of people will end, and the income from Waqf properties will be used for the welfare of common people," he said. Congress Reacts To Sudhanshu Trivedi's Remark On BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi's statement, Congress leader Pawan Khera said laws passed in the Parliament can definitely be overruled by it. 'If Sudhanshu doesn't understand this basic tenet of democracy, then what is he even doing in the Parliament? This mentality, language, can only come from those who do not have a basic understanding of this country. So I don't think we need to legitimise these very anti-national remarks by even commenting on them," he added. Waqf Act The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed earlier this year by the Parliament and later got the President's assent. The government claims that the act introduces significant reforms aimed at enhancing the governance, transparency, and efficiency of waqf property management in India. Key changes in the act include redefining the formation of waqf, improving the survey and registration process, empowering government oversight, and ensuring inclusivity by incorporating non-Muslim members and women into waqf-related bodies. These provisions mark a crucial step toward modernising Waqf property management in India, the government said. (with inputs from agencies) First Published: June 30, 2025, 14:38 IST
