Nation

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remained absent during the Lok Sabha’s marathon debate on Vande Mataram, sparking a major political stir. The BJP accused him of disrespecting India’s national heritage and constitutional traditions. Rahul Gandhi’s Minimal Presence Rahul Gandhi briefly appeared in the Parliament during the day but avoided participating in the debate. When questioned about his absence, he simply remarked:"Just listen to my sister." Initially, the Congress party’s stance on this discussion was unclear. Senior leaders hinted that the party might completely stay away from the debate. Later, fearing political backlash, the party reconsidered its approach. Three Main Reasons for Rahul Gandhi’s Absence According to insiders cited by News18, Rahul Gandhi’s dec...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his birthday greetings to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday, wishing her long life and good health. Posting on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote:"Happy birthday to Sonia Gandhi. May God bless her with longevity and excellent health." Born on 9 December 1946, Sonia Gandhi served as Congress president for nearly two decades, making her the longest-serving leader in the party’s history. In 2017, she handed over the reins of the 139-year-old political party to her son Rahul Gandhi. Earlier Criticism of Congress Just a day before sending birthday wishes, PM Modi had targeted Congress and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during a Lok Sabha debate marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. Modi alleged that under Nehru’...

New Delhi: During a special Lok Sabha discussion marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered a sharp rebuttal to PM Modi’s allegations against Jawaharlal Nehru, the Muslim League, and Jinnah. She accused the government of having electoral motives, aiming to divert public attention by levying new accusations against freedom fighters. Highlighting Nehru’s Visionary Contributions Priyanka Gandhi emphasized Nehru’s pivotal role in shaping modern India: “If Pandit Nehru had not initiated ISRO, Mangalyaan would not have been possible. If DRDO had not been established, the Tejas fighter jet would not exist. Without IITs and IIMs, India would not have become a global leader in IT. If AIIMS had not been founded, how would we have co...

New Delhi: During the historic Lok Sabha debate marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, BJP MP Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, targeting its leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Why Were Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi Absent? Thakur questioned why the Gandhi siblings were absent from the House on such a significant occasion for the nation. He accused the Congress of repeatedly distancing itself from symbols that foster national unity. Vande Mataram “Allergy” for Some Revisiting historical controversies, Thakur referred to Jawaharlal Nehru’s selective acceptance of only two stanzas of Vande Mataram and Jinnah’s opposition to it. He argued that contemporary Congress has not moved beyond that mindset. “For patriots, Vande ...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant visit to Oman next week, a trip that underscores the deep and longstanding strategic partnership between the two nations. Oman, one of India’s oldest and most reliable allies in West Asia, has consistently supported India politically, economically, and militarily for over seven decades. A Strategic and Economic Ally Officials familiar with India-Oman relations highlight that Oman is not only a key economic partner in the oil-rich Gulf region but also a critical defense collaborator. The recent strengthening of defense cooperation and expansion of bilateral trade has added heightened importance to Modi’s visit. This trip coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Oman. Just under...

New Delhi: During a heated debate in the Lok Sabha on Vande Mataram, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi took a strong stance against attempts to equate patriotism with compulsory displays of loyalty. He argued that India gained independence because “we never merged religion with the nation,” urging lawmakers not to enforce patriotic rituals as a test of allegiance. “Patriotism Should Tackle Poverty, Not Become a Loyalty Test” Owaisi criticized those who had no role in the freedom struggle but now claim moral authority to define patriotism. “If you want to show patriotism, work to eradicate poverty,” he said. Targeting the BJP, he questioned whether the party intended to make Vande Mataram a “test of loyalty,” emphasizing that forcing it upon citizens w...