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Priyanka Gandhi on Wayanad Campaign Rally Recalls Mother Teresa’s Visit

October 28, 2024, 4:14 pm

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently shared a touching story about Mother Teresa while campaigning in Wayanad, Kerala. During an election meeting, she recounted how the revered figure visited her home months after the assassination of her father, Rajiv Gandhi, urging her to dedicate herself to helping the needy.

“I want to say how grateful I am for the love I am getting here. A few days ago, I came to file a nomination paper. When I arrived, I stopped and talked to people, one of them was from the Army… he said that his mother wanted to meet me, but she couldn’t walk, so I walked to his house… She hugged me as if I was her child. I can truthfully tell you I did not feel any difference between my mother and her… I felt like I had a mother here in Wayanad. That is how you made me feel,” Priyanka expressed at the gathering. Priyanka Gandhi was moved by Mother Teresa’s influence and subsequently engaged with her organization. “When she handed me a rosary (to give to my mother), I felt how I felt when I was 19 years old. My father had just died, 6-7 months later, Mother Teresa came to my house to meet my mother. I had a fever, so I didn’t go out of the room. She came to the room and put her hand on my head. She took my hand and put a rosary in my hand just like this. She asked me to work with her. After 5-6 years, I went to work with her sisters. My job was to teach kids… We cleaned bathrooms, and cooked food. I began to understand their pain, what service means, and how a community can support them. I saw how the community helped each other during a landslide in Wayanad. Each one of you helped… It made me proud, you are courageous people,” she shared.

Priyanka criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he favors his “friends” with policies. Rahul Gandhi, her brother, praised Priyanka for caring for their mother, Sonia Gandhi, after their father’s death.

“My mother is sitting here. After my father died, it was my sister who looked after my mother. She was 17 years old when Papa died; my mother lost everything; my sister lost everything, but my sister looked after my mother,” he said.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is running for Congress in the Wayanad by-polls, a seat previously held by Rahul Gandhi, who won from both Wayanad and Rae Bareli.

Also read: PM Modi to Distribute 51,000 Appointment Letters at Rozgar Mela on October 29

Mother Teresa, an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun and founder of the Missionaries of Charity, passed away in 1997.

Sam Pitroda Compares Rahul Gandhi & Rajiv Gandhi, Calls Rahul ‘More Strategist’

September 4, 2024, 10:30 pm

Sam Pitroda, a longtime confidant of the Gandhi family, sa^d Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is far more of a thinker and strategist than his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, adding that Pitroda described both as “custodians of the idea of India” who share the same “DNA of a prime minister.”

Pitroda, in an interview to PTI, said Rahul Gandhi has all the qualities which would make him an excellent prime minister and criticized BJP for a long-drawn campaign to demoralize him as a leader.

When asked to compare Rajiv and Rahul Gandhi, Pitroda, who has worked with successive prime ministers of India, highlighted their distinctive qualities. “I have seen many prime ministers from close quarters, but the difference I see between Rahul and Rajiv is that Rahul is far more cerebral, a thinking person, whereas Rajiv was more of a doer. They came from the same DNA and had the same concern for the people; both believe genuinely in building a better India for all. Both are very simple people with not too much personal needs,” Pitroda said over phone from Chicago.

Pitroda explained the difference between the two: “Rahul is more of a strategist than Rajiv. They are molded by different times, different tools, and different experiences. Rahul has experienced two severe shocks in his life-the loss of his grandmother and his father-which took them along different directions.

Prabhuh Chawla: Pitroda also subtly attacked BJP, saying, “The media image of Rahul was built through well-orchestrated campaign against him. Millions were spent to malign this young man, when he is so well-educated, questioning his education.”.

Pitroda also felt that Rahul Gandhi “could stand up and survive” that “false image” of his, more so with Bharat Jodo Yatra. “From my personal experience, and I may be biased, I believe he is highly capable. He is a decent human being, well-educated, with the right DNA, and I see him as a custodian of the democratic ideals the Congress has always upheld,” Pitroda said in conclusion.

Rahul Gandhi Pays Tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on Birth Anniversary, Vows to Fulfill His Vision for India

August 20, 2024, 10:57 am

On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on his birth anniversary, vowing to carry forward his father’s vision for India. “A compassionate personality, an epitome of camaraderie and goodwill… Papa, your teachings are my inspiration, and your dreams for India are my own – I will fulfill them, taking your memories with me,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter). He also visited Veer Bhumi to offer floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh also honored Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions to India’s political and technological advancements. In a post on X, Ramesh highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s role in shaping economic policy, particularly through the March 1985 Budget, and the foundation he laid for the Rao-Manmohan Singh reforms of 1991.

Ramesh praised Rajiv Gandhi’s statesmanship, which led to peace accords in troubled regions like Assam, Punjab, Mizoram, and Tripura, and his vision for applying science and technology to society, which resulted in impactful technology missions in areas such as drinking water supply, immunization, literacy, and telecom development. He also noted the establishment of institutions like C-DAC during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure and the introduction of the New Education Policy of 1986.

Ramesh concluded by reflecting on Rajiv Gandhi’s character, describing him as a Prime Minister and a fine human being who was free of malice, vindictiveness, and self-glory.

Rajiv Gandhi, who became India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 after the assassination of his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was born on August 20, 1944. He was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.

When Mehmood wanted to cast Rajiv Gandhi

August 20, 2024, 5:46 am

Rajiv Gandhi’s birth had drawn Jawaharlal Nehru’s attention towards the need for a “competent” pandit to draw his grandson’s horoscope.

Rajiv was born on August 20, 1944 at Bombay (now Mumbai). His grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru was in Ahmadnagar Jail busy finishing The Discovery of India manuscript. Nehru had reportedly been mulling over Rajiv’s name for a few months. He even wrote to his sister Krishna Hatheesing to get a proper horoscope to be drawn up by a “competent” person for the baby. By mid September 1944, Nehru wrote to sister Vijay Lakshmi Pandit that if the family did not decide soon, “we shall have to call [him],,,the Nameless or the one with innumerable names.” Finally he was named as Rajiv after his grandmother, as Kamala and Rajiv were both names of the lotus flower.

Indira had moved to Bombay in March to live with her aunt Krishna as her husband Feroze and father were in prison. Dr V N Shirodkar of Cumballa Hill Hospital was a well known gynaecologist who had helped with the delivery. At about 5 am on August 20, 1944, Indira developed labour pain. Krishna Hatheesing wrote in a book titled, “Dear to Behold -An Intimate Portrait of Indira Gandhi”, how her niece was nervous and afraid.

When Nehru got the news of grandson, he wrote, “…The Birth of a new member of the family always makes one feel reminiscent and remember one’s childhood days and other births…. Nature goes on repeating itself, there is no end of its infinite variety and every spring is a resurrection, every new birth a new beginning, especially when that new born is intimately connected with us, it becomes a revival of ourselves and our old hopes centre round it.”

Nehru finally got to see his grandson in May 1945 when Germany had surrendered to the Allies forces on May 7 and in India, all political prisoners, including Nehru were released. This was the time Indira had devoted herself fully to look after Rajiv while Feroze Gandhi had started selling insurance. In November 1946, Feroze Gandhi joined the National Herald Newspaper in Lucknow, as managing editor.

Indira was a tender mother. Perhaps she was mindful of her own loneliness as a child, she supervised Rajiv-Sanjay’s meals, played with her and took them to a film if it was suitable for children. She also utilized services of a Danish governess Anna who had been secretary to scientist Jagdish Chandra Bose. Anna was a strict disciplinarian who believed in giving Rajiv and Sanjay cold showers, sunbathing, exercises and a diet essentially of vegetables and yogurt.

When Rajiv was two year old, he met Amitabh Bachchan who was barely four at Allahabad. In an interview, Amitabh had called his first meeting with Rajiv, “There was this fancy dress party on Bank Road (the Bachchans’ residence in Allahabad). Rajiv Gandhi was two years old and had been dressed up as a freedom fighter. Ma says he messed up his pants. We were all such tiny kids then, absorbed in our little games, that it didn’t seem such a big deal that Pandit Nehru’s grandson was in our midst.’

In another biography, Amitabh had traced the Gandhi-Bachchan family ties and said: ‘Rajiv and Sanjay studied in Doon School, Ajitabh and I were in Nainital… But our holidays fell around the same months. We’d hang out and swim every day at the pool of Rashtrapati Bhawan. The friendship continued. After schooling, Rajiv went off to Cambridge. Whenever he would be back home, we’d get together and exchange notes… When he started flying, I’d go with him to provide ballast at the Flying Club of Delhi. I’d glide there for hours… Panditji died. Mrs Gandhi became PM and the family moved to 1 Safdarjung Road, which was close to our home at 13 Willingdon Crescent. Rajiv, Sanjay, Ajitabh and I formed a closely knit group of friends.’

By Amitabh’s own admission, it was Rajiv and Sanjay who exposed him to avant-garde cinema at a young age through the European films that were specially screened for the Gandhi family at Rashtrapati Bhawan. ‘Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi and I would attend screenings of The Cranes Are Flying and Czech, Polish and Russian films, which often packed in an anti-war message,’ Amitabh recalled.

When Amitabh was struggling to get a foothold in the Hindi film industry, comedy king Mehmood was his patron and there were many lighter moments. Mehmood’s brother, Anwar Ali, shared a flat with Amitabh and his sister, Zubaida, was also a close friend of the budding actor. In Mehmood: A Man of Many Moods, author Hanif Zaveri has reminisced, ‘Just before the release of Bombay to Goa, Amitabh had brought a very fair young friend to Mumbai. The friend had accompanied him from Delhi. Mehmood was on a high after taking Calmpose tablets, a drug to which he was addicted. Anwar introduced the young man to Mehmood, but in his state, he was unable to understand what was said. Mehmood took out five thousand rupees and handed it over to Anwar to give to Amitabh’s friend. A puzzled Anwar asked what the money was for. Mehmood said the young fellow was fairer and smarter than Amitabh. He could become an international star. The money was the signing amount for taking the young man in Mehmood’s next project.’

Anwar then had to reintroduce Amitabh’s friend to Mehmood, stressing that he was Rajiv, son of the prime minister, Indira Gandhi. Mehmood quietly took the money back. Both Amitabh and Rajiv had a good laugh. Many years later, when Rajiv became prime minister, Amitabh acknowledged Mehmood’s good judgement, saying that Rajiv was indeed an international star, but in the political arena, not on the silver screen.

WATCH | Rahul Gandhi vs Anurag Thakur Over ‘Caste’ Remark: ‘He Insulted Me’

July 30, 2024, 7:17 pm

On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused BJP MP Anurag Thakur of “insulting and abusing” him during a Lok Sabha discussion on the Union Budget. Thakur had made a remark suggesting that those whose caste is unknown are discussing the caste census. Gandhi responded, asserting that anyone who raises issues related to Adivasi, Dalit, or backward communities is subjected to abuse.

In his statement, Thakur said, “Those whose caste is not known talk about the caste census. I want to remind the Speaker that in this House, a former prime minister, RG-1, had opposed reservation for OBCs.”

VIDEO | Monsoon Session: “Those whose caste is not known, talks about the caste census. I want to remind the Speaker that in this House itself, a former prime minister RG-1 had opposed reservation for OBCs,” says BJP MP Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) in Lok Sabha.

“You can… pic.twitter.com/MPaFnDECB8

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 30, 2024

Rahul Gandhi, who had previously pledged to implement a nationwide caste census if the INDIA bloc came to power, reaffirmed his commitment. “You can insult me as much as you like, but we will pass the caste census in Parliament,” Gandhi declared.

Later, Thakur clarified that his comment was not directed at any specific individual. “I had said that someone who doesn’t know about caste talks about the census. I did not name anyone,” he explained.

Gandhi responded by accusing Thakur of both abuse and insult, though he emphasized that he does not seek an apology. “Whoever raises the issues of Adivasi, Dalit, and backward communities is abused. I will gladly accept these abuses. Anurag Thakur has abused and insulted me, but I do not want any apology from him,” Gandhi added.

The caste census was a central promise of the Congress party in the 2024 general elections. Rahul Gandhi had described the caste census as an “X-ray of India” prior to the elections. “No one knows the number of backwards, Dalits, and tribals in the country. Those who form the largest segments of the population are uncounted. The BJP government does not want caste data. However, we will get an X-ray of India done to determine the population of various caste groups. The country will change once the caste census is completed,” Gandhi had stated.

The BJP accuses the Congress of attempting to divide the country along caste lines.

Congress Leaders Pay Tribute to Rajiv Gandhi

May 21, 2024, 12:14 pm

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Paid tribute to his late father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 33rd death anniversary, shared a heartfelt post on social media. Referring to his father’s dreams as his own, Rahul also shared a cherished childhood photograph of him with his father, depicting Rajiv Gandhi with his hand on Rahul’s shoulders.

In his post, Rahul expressed, “Father, Your dreams, my dreams, Your aspirations, my responsibilities. Your memories, today and always, always in my heart.”

Prior to this, Rahul, along with Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi at Veer Bhumi in Delhi on Tuesday morning. Other prominent Congress leaders like P Chidambaram and Sachin Pilot also paid their respects to the former prime minister in the national capital.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. He shared his condolences, stating, “On his death anniversary, my tributes to our former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji,” on social media platform X.

Rajiv Gandhi assumed leadership of the Congress in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Becoming India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 in October 1984, he served until December 2, 1989. Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was tragically assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.

PM Modi And Rahul Gandhi Pay Tribute To Former PM Rajiv Gandhi On His Death Anniversary

May 21, 2024, 11:08 am

Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on his death anniversary, emphasizing the enduring impact of his father’s vision and legacy. “Your dreams are my dreams,” Rahul Gandhi said, reflecting on Rajiv Gandhi’s aspirations for India.

“His political life was very short but hugely impactful. He left behind numerous legacies that we take for granted now,” Rahul Gandhi stated. He highlighted several of Rajiv Gandhi’s key contributions, including granting the right to vote to 18-year-olds, empowering local government bodies with constitutional authority and reservations for women, achieving peace in Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Punjab, and pioneering India’s entry into the IT, computer, and telecom era. Additionally, he noted Rajiv Gandhi’s efforts in using science and technology to address societal challenges and strengthen India’s space and nuclear programs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 33rd death anniversary, posting on X: “On his death anniversary, my tributes to our former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji.”

Earlier in the day, Congress leaders including President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi paid homage at Veer Bhumi in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi shared a childhood photograph and wrote, “Father, Your dreams, my dreams, Your aspirations, my responsibilities. Your memories, today and always, always in my heart.” Other Congress leaders such as P. Chidambaram and Sachin Pilot also paid their respects.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized another significant yet often overlooked achievement: the 1991 Congress manifesto, personally crafted by Rajiv Gandhi. Released on April 15, 1991, this manifesto laid the groundwork for economic liberalization, which was later championed by then-Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

“Only one newspaper, The Telegraph, had captured its significance reflected in its headline the next day. The headline proved to be prophetic,” Ramesh noted, sharing a screenshot of the newspaper headline, “Congress promises liberalisation drive,” which featured a picture of Rajiv Gandhi releasing the manifesto.

On July 23, 1991, during a Congress Working Committee meeting, Dr. Manmohan Singh cited this manifesto extensively to justify the transformative economic policies introduced by the Narasimha Rao government.

Rajiv Gandhi served as India’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989 and was tragically assassinated by LTTE cadres in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in 1991 during an election campaign.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: ‘Rajiv Gandhi abolished inheritance law to protect their family property’ says PM Modi

April 25, 2024, 2:10 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi annulled the inheritance law during his tenure to safeguard family wealth and property from government acquisition after the demise of his mother, Indira Gandhi.

Speaking at an election rally in Morena, Prime Minister Modi stated, “The details concerning Inheritance Tax are enlightening. When former PM Indira Gandhi passed away, her children were set to inherit her property. However, there existed a regulation that mandated a portion of the property be surrendered to the government before it could be inherited by the children. The Congress had devised a law regarding this. To prevent the property from falling into government hands, the then PM Rajiv Gandhi eliminated the inheritance law. After amassing wealth across four generations, they now aim to plunder your assets.”

Condemning the Karnataka government’s decision to classify the entire Muslim community in the state under the OBC category, the Prime Minister warned that the opposition party intends to implement this approach nationwide.

“The Congress government in Karnataka designated all members of the Muslim community in the state as OBC. Congress had already expanded the OBC category to include numerous new entrants, thereby depriving the existing OBCs of their educational and job reservation benefits,” PM Modi remarked.

He further highlighted Congress’ earlier attempts to divide OBC reservation on religious grounds, recalling a cabinet note from December 19, 2011, proposing to allocate a portion of the 27% OBC quota to a specific religion. However, this decision was challenged and ultimately rejected by both the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister cautioned, the Congress seeks to extend this model, thereby jeopardizing the reservations enjoyed by various communities like Yadavs, Khushwahas, and Gujjars.

Earlier, the National Commission for Backward Castes (NCBC) criticized the Karnataka government’s move to classify the entire Muslim community under the OBC category, deeming it unjust to the OBC community. Despite seeking clarification from the Karnataka government on the basis of this reservation, the NCBC chairman stated that they have not received a satisfactory response.

PM Modi pays tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on his 79th birth anniversary

August 20, 2023, 10:45 am

On Sunday, the 79th anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi’s birth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to him. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi paid tribute to the late former prime minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on the occasion of his birthday.

Notably, Rajiv Gandhi was India’s youngest prime minister, who held office during 1984-89.
He was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist organisation from Sri Lanka, during a public event in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in May 1991.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who is currently in Ladakh also paid floral tribute to his father by a gleaming Pangong Tso lake on an overcast Sunday morning.
Speaking to reporters after laying floral tributes to a framed photograph of the former PM, Rahul recalled a conversation with his father in which Rajiv Gandhi told him that Pangong Tso is the most beautiful place on earth.

“I recall that when I was younger, my father once brought back some photos of Pangong Tso after a trip there. This is the most beautiful place on earth, he told me. I was supposed to visit Ladkah during the “Bharat Jodo Yatra,” but due to logistical issues, the trip had to be postponed. I therefore considered coming back later and staying longer. Rahul Gandhi stated that he would also be traveling to Kargil and the Nubra Valley.

Rajiv Gandhi birth anniversary: Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge pay tribute

August 20, 2023, 9:34 am

On Sunday, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi received flowers from Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chief Sonia Gandhi at “Veer Bhumi” in the nation’s capital in honour of his 79th birthday.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Robert Vadra and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, who arrived soon after Sonia Gandhi, also paid homage to the former Prime Minister at his memorial this morning.
Party leaders and workers also paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi outside Veer Bhumi earlier today.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi, the former prime minister of India, while on a four-day visit to Ladakh. “Papa, these priceless memories reveal the dreams you had for India. Your mark is my way: understanding the challenges and aspirations of every Indian, hearing Mother India’s voice, he wrote in a post on ‘X,’ formerly known as Twitter.

A prayer meeting is being held at the banks of Pangong Lake to mark the 79th birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi today.
Earlier yesterday Congress leader Rahul Gandhi embarked on a bike ride to Pangong Lake in Ladakh to celebrate his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s birthday on August 20.
Taking to the social media platform, Instagram, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “On our way to Pangong Lake, which my father used to say, is one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Leh to begin his two-day visit to the Union Territory on Thursday but his tour was extended till August 25, party sources said.

In 1984, Rajiv Gandhi became the leader of the Congress after his mother and the country’s first lady, Indira Gandhi, were killed.
When he took office in October 1984 at the age of 40, he made history as India’s youngest prime minister.
He was India’s prime minister from December 2, 1989, to December 2, 1989.

Rajiv Gandhi, who was born on August 20th, 1944, was killed on May 21, 1991, at an electoral rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Ladakh extended till August 25

August 18, 2023, 12:31 pm

Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress, has extended his trip to Ladakh until August 25, according to party sources.
Rahul will honor his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on August 20 at Pangong Lake, according to party sources.

During his stay, he will visit the Kargil Memorial and speak with the children there.
A source added that he will watch a football game in Leh as well. Rahul played football while he was a college student.

Rahul is visiting Ladakh for the first time since Jammu and Kashmir were divided into Ladakh and J-K as a result of the repeal of Articles 370 and 35 (A) on August 5, 2019. The Congress MP made two journeys to Jammu and Srinagar earlier this year, but he skipped Ladakh. During his Bharat Jodo Yatra in January, he traveled to Jammu and Srinagar. In February, he returned to the Gulmarg ski area on a personal trip.

‘Not one piece of Rajiv Gandhi’s body was found…’ Azam Khan sparks controversy

May 1, 2023, 4:01 pm

Azam Khan, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, made a contentious remark suggesting that the punishment meted out by God can be severe, citing the fact that not even a single fragment of Rajiv Gandhi, who at one point had a majority of MPs, was discovered.

He made this remarks while he was campaigning in support of the party candidate contesting for the presidential post of Rampur municipality. “I have seen Indira Gandhi’s era. Rajiv Gandhi had most MPs in his government but see how not a single piece of his body was found. People like Sanjay Gandhi fly in the sky but are found in pieces. So, once the government is changed, a larger line will be marked,” he attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party government on Sunday.

Mentioning about the experience of his political life and the entire ecosystem of the administration, he said, “This is the experience of the political life of 40-42 years. You never know when the roti will turn from the griddle. The authorities and the policemen will change. The policemen who have broken the doors of your house and who have stumbled you, will stand here and salute you with this boot.”

Khan was campaigning for Samajwadi Party candidate Fatima Zabi, who is contesting for the presidential post of Rampur municipality.The former Rampur MLA had been booked in more than 90 criminal cases after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2017, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The state Assembly Secretariat, earlier in October, announced Khan’s disqualification from the House after a court sentenced him to three years in jail in a hate speech case. The case was registered against Khan in April 2019 for serious levelling allegations against administrative officials posted in Rampur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during an election meeting.

Congress condemns SC’s decision of releasing Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins

November 11, 2022, 4:28 pm

Congress criticised the Supreme Court’s order of releasing six convicts of Rajiv Gandhi assassination. While condemning the decision, Congress called the order “totally unacceptable and completely erroneous”.

Congress General Secretary Incharge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said that the party criticizes it clearly and finds it wholly untenable. “The decision of the Supreme Court to free the remaining killers of former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi is totally unacceptable and completely erroneous. The Congress Party criticizes it clearly and finds it wholly untenable,” the Congress MP said. He further said, “it is most unfortunate that the Supreme Court has not acted in consonance with the spirit of India on this issue.”

The statement by Congress came soon after the Supreme Court ordered the release of six convicts including Nalini Sriharan and RP Ravichandran, serving life imprisonment in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

SC orders pre-mature release of six convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination

November 11, 2022, 3:26 pm

The apex court on Friday ordered the release of 6 convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination including Nalini Sriharan and RP Ravichandran serving life imprisonment in the case.

“Applicants are thus directed to be released unless wanted in any other case. Matter accordingly disposed of,” the bench stated in its order while allowing their pleas for release.

While taking into consideration the good conduct of convicts who have been behind the bars for quite a long time , the Supreme Court had ordered their release. The top court further said, “Nalini has been behind bars for over three decades and her conduct has also been satisfactory. She has a PG diploma in Computer Application. Ravichandran’s conduct has also been found to be satisfactory and he has undertaken various studies during his incarceration including a PG diploma in Arts. He has also collected various amounts for charity.”

The top court released Nalini, Ravichandran, Robert Payas, Jayakumar, S Raja, and Shriharan. Nalini Sriharan and R P Ravichandran moved the plea in Madras High Court seeking their premature release; however court refused to grant the same. The Madras High Court while turning down the petition had stated that it did not have special powers that the Supreme Court has under Article 142 of the Constitution and hence, it cannot order their release, like the Supreme Court did for Perarivalan in May 2022.

Tamil Nadu government had also earlier recommended the pre-mature release of convicts saying that its 2018 aid and advice for the remission of their life sentence is binding upon the Governor.

Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991, at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally.

Kerala: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s Facebook account hacked

October 15, 2022, 6:09 pm

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s ‘Facebook’ account was hacked on Saturday.

Taking to Twitter PRO Kerala Raj Bhavan tweeted, “Hon’ble Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said “My Facebook page appears to be hacked since today morning. The matter has been reported and efforts are on to restore the page.”

Earlier, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that his Twitter account was hacked in May after posting a tweet with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s infamous quote linked to the 1984 riots, although Chowdhury deleted the tweet later.

Congress leader also filed a police complaint with Delhi Police. Meanwhile, Chowdhury posted an infographic with a picture of former Prime Minister Rajiv with his statement, “When a big tree falls, the ground shakes.”

Moreover, justifying the 1984 Sikh genocide in the wake of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination former PM Rajiv Gandhi said this.

While addressing the gathering Rajiv Gandhi said, “We must remember Indiraji. We must remember why her assassination happened. We must remember who could be the people behind this. When Indira’s assassination happened, there were riots in the country. We know that the hearts of the Indian people were full of anger and that for a few days people felt India was shaking. When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.”

“The tweet against my name in the Twitter account has nothing to do with my own observation. A malicious campaign is propagated by those forces inimical to me,” later Chowdhury wrote on Twitter.

However, Chowdhury corrected the tweet and tweeted, “Development is not about factories, dams, and roads. Development is about people. The goal is material, cultural and spiritual fulfillment for the people. The human factor is of the supreme valve in development.”

Applause Entertainment is set to come up with web series ‘Trail of an Assassin’ on Rajiv Gandhi

September 6, 2022, 2:00 pm

A web series based on the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is going to come and Applause Entertainment is going to bring.

Meanwhile, using inputs from Anirudhya Mitra’s book ‘Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassin’ the series ‘Trail of an Assassin’ will be made.

Moreover, the web series will be directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

Talking about the web series Sameer Nair, CEO, of Applause Entertainment, said, “Driven and guided by our values of being ambitious, audacious, and disruptive, we believe the adaptation of Anirudhya Mitra’s book certainly makes for a compelling story to tell. Most are aware of this incident through the medium of news and will now get a dramatized insider view of the largest manhunt in Indian history. We are pleased to once again collaborate with director Nagesh Kukunoor to bring this gut-wrenching story to a contemporary audience.”

“With Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassin’ I’ve tried to provide the most definitive account of the biggest manhunt launched in India. The audio-visual format enables the story’s numerous facets and layers to be presented in a more nuanced and engrossing manner. With Applause Entertainment’s reputation for passionate storytelling and Nagesh Kukunoor’s directorial expertise, I’m confident that an exciting series lies ahead of us,” Author Anirudhya Mitra said.

Notably, on 21 May 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. Along with Gandhi, 16 others died in the bomb blast.

Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi, other leaders pay tributes to former PM Rajiv Gandhi

August 20, 2022, 1:07 pm

On the 78th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tribute.

Taking to Twitter Rahul said, “Papa, you are with me every moment, in my heart. I will always try that I can fulfill the dream you dreamed for the country.”

पापा, आप हर पल मेरे साथ, मेरे दिल में हैं। मैं हमेशा प्रयास करूंगा कि देश के लिए जो सपना आपने देखा, उसे पूरा कर सकूं। pic.twitter.com/578m1vY2tT
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 20, 2022

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage and said, “On his birth anniversary, tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi.”

On his birth anniversary, tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 20, 2022

Several Congress leaders also paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi.

Congress party’s officials’ Twitter handle tweeted, “We fondly remember former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, on his birth anniversary. Hailed as the “architect of 21st century India”, it was through his farsighted vision that ushered in the IT and telecom revolution in India. Today, we celebrate his legacy.”

वो भारत के लाल थे,
राजीव उनका नाम।
अपने दृढ़ इरादों से,
बढ़ाया भारत माँ का मान।।#BharatKeRajiv को कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र का कोटिशः नमन… pic.twitter.com/WLlDK1JwHQ
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 20, 2022

“Paid my humble tribute to Rajiv Gandhi Ji at Vir Bhumi on his 78th birth anniversary. In the hearts of millions of Indians, he lives forever. #BharatKeRajiv”, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said.

Paid my humble tribute to Rajiv Gandhi ji at Vir Bhumi on his 78th birth anniversary.

In the hearts of millions of Indians, he lives forever.#BharatKeRajiv pic.twitter.com/khVPUMd0lW
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) August 20, 2022

Moreover, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “Humble tributes on the 78th Birth Anniversary to a leader, who transformed India’s democracy propelling it in the 21st century. A leader is known for his compassion, humanism, modern ideas, and technological prowess ushering change for the better. You’ll live in India’s hearts. #RajivGandhi.”

However, Rajiv Gandhi was India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40. Rajiv became PM on 1984 and serves till 2 December 1989. During an election rally in Tamil Nadu Rajiv was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber on 21 May 1991.