The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of disrespecting the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by choosing to celebrate the New Year in Vietnam during the national mourning period. The Congress has hit back, labeling the BJP's accusations as a mere diversion tactic and denying any disrespect towards Singh's death. This latest political controversy comes just days after the cremation of Singh with full state honours, which saw tensions rise between the two parties.
Political Controversy Erupts Over Rahul Gandhi's Vietnam Trip During National Mourning
A political firestorm has erupted after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chose to celebrate the New Year in Vietnam during the national mourning period following the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on this decision to launch a scathing attack on Gandhi, accusing him of disrespecting Singh's memory.
Background
Manmohan Singh, India's 13th Prime Minister, passed away on May 17, 2023, at the age of 89. He was cremated with full state honours on May 20, with President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. During the national mourning period, several political leaders expressed their condolences and paid homage to Singh.
Rahul Gandhi's Trip
However, Rahul Gandhi, the former Congress President, chose to spend the New Year in Vietnam, a decision that drew sharp criticism from the BJP. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Gandhi of "disrespecting" Singh's death and showing "insensitivity" towards the nation.
Congress's Defense
The Congress strongly defended Gandhi's actions. Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala dismissed the BJP's accusations as a "diversionary tactic." He claimed that Gandhi had planned his trip before Singh's passing and had no intention of disrespecting the former Prime Minister.
Aftermath
The controversy has further escalated political tensions between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP has demanded an apology from Gandhi, while the Congress has accused the ruling party of cheap politics. The issue has also sparked a debate about the appropriate way to pay respects during a national mourning period.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why was Rahul Gandhi criticized for visiting Vietnam during the national mourning period?
Gandhi was criticized because his trip was seen as disrespectful to the memory of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had recently passed away.
2. What was the Congress's response to the BJP's accusations?
The Congress dismissed the accusations as a diversion tactic and defended Gandhi's trip, claiming that it had been planned beforehand.
3. How did the BJP respond to the Congress's defense?
The BJP maintained its criticism of Gandhi and demanded an apology for his actions.
4. Has the political controversy subsided?
No, the controversy has continued to escalate, with both the BJP and the Congress trading accusations and demanding apologies.
5. What is the appropriate way to pay respects during a national mourning period?
There is no clear-cut consensus on the appropriate way to pay respects during a national mourning period. Some may choose to attend memorial services or observe a period of silence, while others may believe it is sufficient to express their condolences and respect privately.
Following his party's disappointing performance in the recent Bihar Assembly election, politician Prashant Kishor has raised concerns about the voting results, stating that they did not align with the public sentiment he witnessed during his campaign. Despite this setback, Kishor remains determined to build a stronger political organization and continue engaging with the public in preparation for future elections. He also addressed criticisms of his role as an election strategist, reminding critics that one loss does not define his political future.
Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced four new labour codes aimed at protecting the rights and well-being of 40 crore workers across the country. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has hailed the move as transformative and a major step towards ensuring the welfare of the workforce. The new codes bring in much-needed changes such as formalisation and transparency through appointment letters, and universal social security coverage for all workers including gig and platform workers.
In Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri, a police constable is in hot water for allegedly forging a court order to clear his name in an old case, with the intention of securing a promotion. The fabricated document surfaced during an internal investigation, prompting authorities to file a fresh case against the constable. This incident adds to the growing issue of corruption and misuse of power within the police force.
The Supreme Court has directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fact-finding inquiry against Vantara, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Gujarat, following allegations of non-compliance with laws and acquisition of animals. The SIT, headed by former apex court judge J Chelameswar, will also look into reports of irregularities and complaints from NGOs and wildlife organizations. Vantara has assured full cooperation to the probe and reaffirmed their commitment to animal welfare.
The ongoing family feud within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) continues to escalate as three more daughters of party patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav have left the family residence in Bihar's capital Patna. This comes just a day after another daughter, Rohini Acharya, publicly denounced the family and quit politics following the party's poor performance in the recent elections. Amidst allegations of insults and mistreatment, the saga continues to unfold within the Yadav family.
In a special lecture series in Bengaluru, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized on the Hindu identity as a responsible and proud son of Bharat Mata. He urged the Hindu society to come together and share the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' with the rest of the world. Bhagwat also recalled the RSS founder and its journey of facing opposition and growth through dedication and sacrifice of its volunteers.
As the West Bengal Assembly elections near, the political battle between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified on social media. Following the BJP's victory in Bihar, the party declared its hopes to defeat TMC in Bengal on a popular platform, while TMC leader Kunal Ghosh responded with a proverb highlighting the BJP's potential failure in Bengal. Despite BJP's confidence, TMC remains unfazed and asserts their strong hold in the state.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was criticized by BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla for going on a jungle safari in Madhya Pradesh's Satpura Tiger Reserve instead of focusing on the ongoing Bihar elections. Gandhi had earlier claimed that "vote theft" had taken place in several states, including Madhya Pradesh. BJP's Poonawalla mocked Gandhi's "priorities" and referred to him as the "Leader of Paryatan and partying."
The sudden blast in Delhi that left several people dead has shocked everyone, including Bollywood stars Raveena Tandon, Thalapathy Vijay, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. While police are investigating all possible angles, including a terrorist conspiracy, Raveena's comments on social media suggest a link to terrorist activity. The celebrities also expressed their condolences to the victims and their families.
In a historic move, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced that it will be releasing 32 prisoners, including nine from tribal communities, on November 15 to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas or Tribal Pride Day. This decision, initiated by Governor Mangubhai C Patel, aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions of tribal communities on the birth anniversary of their icon, Birsa Munda. This is the first time in India that prisoners will be released on grounds of good conduct while serving jail terms. However, it should be noted that the release will not apply to convicts in cases of rape or the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), as well as those convicted in multiple murder cases.