In a fiery session of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the ruling BJP for their divisive politics and distortion of Hinduism. Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's objections, Gandhi clarified that his criticism was not directed towards all Hindus, but the ideology of the BJP and RSS. He urged for the collective resistance against the ruling party's actions and expressed pride in being part of the opposition.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are two closely intertwined organizations that have played a pivotal role in Indian politics for decades. The RSS, founded in 1925, is a Hindu nationalist organization with a paramilitary structure and a strong ideology of Hindu supremacy. The BJP, founded in 1980, is the political wing of the RSS and seeks to establish a "Hindu Rashtra" or Hindu nation in India.
The RSS and BJP share a common ideology of Hindu nationalism, but there are also some key differences between them. The RSS is primarily focused on cultural and religious issues, while the BJP focuses on political power. The RSS is more conservative and traditionalist, while the BJP is more pragmatic and adaptive to the political landscape.
The RSS and BJP have forged a close alliance over the years, and the RSS provides the BJP with its organizational structure and ideological cadre. However, there have also been periods of conflict between the two organizations, particularly during times of political setbacks or ideological differences.
In recent years, tensions between the RSS and BJP have simmered over issues such as the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic policies, and the perceived dilution of Hindu nationalism. Some RSS leaders have publicly criticized the BJP for not fulfilling its Hindutva agenda.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been a vocal critic of the BJP and RSS. He has accused them of using divisive politics for electoral gains and distorting the principles of Hinduism. Gandhi has urged for a collective resistance against the ruling party's actions.
What is the relationship between the BJP and RSS?
What are the main ideological differences between the RSS and BJP?
Have there been any conflicts between the RSS and BJP?
What has been Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the BJP and RSS?
Do the BJP and RSS still have a strong alliance today?
Royce White, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, is facing backlash after a resurfaced 2022 post on social media in which he referred to the Allied forces as "bad guys" in World War II. He has been criticized for his remarks and is currently trailing behind Democratic incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar in polls. White defended his statement, claiming that he was referring to post-war reconstruction and globalist interests benefiting from the democratic order established after the war.
The highly anticipated assembly elections in Haryana are underway, with voters heading to the polls to determine the fate of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other key candidates including Vinesh Phogat. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Congress is hoping to make a comeback after a decade. The state is also seeing intense competition from other parties such as AAP, INLD, BSP, JJP and Azad Samaj Party. Stay tuned to NDTV for live updates on the election results and follow the latest news from India and across the world.
In a bold move, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and three legislators, belonging to the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, jumped off the third floor of the state secretariat building in Mumbai to oppose the demand for the Dhangar community's inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category. Fortunately, they landed safely on a net installed in the building to prevent suicide attempts. Officials confirmed that none of them sustained any injuries. The incident was a part of a larger protest by tribal MLAs in the Mantralaya complex during a cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis were present.
Amidst ongoing protests against the ST reservation demanded by the Dhangar community, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal reportedly attempted to jump from the third floor of the state secretariat building. The NCP MLA landed safely on a safety net, along with two other tribal legislators who also jumped in protest. The Ajit Pawar faction leader and other tribal MLAs were demanding that Dhangars not be given ST reservation and instead be given services under the PESA Act. The situation remains tense as discussions on the issue continue.
A division bench of the Telangana High Court has formed a committee to review disqualification petitions filed against three Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders who defected to the Congress. The High Court has also declined to stay a single-judge order warning the State assembly speaker of further court proceedings if he does not decide on the petitions. The case raises the question of whether the High Court can order a speaker to decide on disqualification petitions within a fixed time frame.
With the Haryana state legislative assembly elections around the corner, the Chief Electoral Officer urges voters to ensure their names are included in the voter list. While a voter ID card is the most commonly used identity document, the ECI has prescribed 12 alternative options, including Aadhaar card and Indian passport, for those without one. The voter list is available online and through a helpline number, with registration being mandatory in order to cast a vote. The upcoming elections will see a competition between the BJP, who secured 40 seats in the 2019 elections, and Congress, who won 30 seats.
In a significant move towards preserving and promoting Indian languages, the Union Cabinet has approved the classical language status for five more languages - Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision and highlighted the government's efforts to conserve and promote the classical languages. This decision has been welcomed by many, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who expressed gratitude to the Centre for including Assamese in the list. This move is aimed at honoring the historical significance of these languages and nurturing a deeper understanding among the younger generations.
Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, known for his provocative sermons, is scheduled to deliver lectures in Pakistan from October 5 to October 20. His arrival at the invitation of the Pakistani government has sparked concern over the potential consequences of his extremist ideology on a nation already grappling with fundamentalism and religious tensions. Naik's past teachings have been linked to violent extremism, with militants citing his lectures as motivation for carrying out attacks. With the Pakistani government failing to address these issues, Naik's presence is poised to exacerbate societal divisions and pose a serious threat to the country's minorities.
As the nine-day festival of Navratrai began, the Uttar Pradesh government launched the fifth edition of Mission Shakti, an initiative aimed at empowering women regarding their safety and self-reliance. This edition will focus on tackling cyber crimes against women and will involve various government departments to address a wide range of issues. It will also introduce a women's health helpline and promote women entrepreneurs through a dedicated space at the Women Police powerline intersection.
Amit Shah commends Indian government for significant reduction in violence and fatalities in Kashmir, North East, and Naxal regions. He also announces the establishment of a Joint Interrogation Centre to combat terrorism and cybercrime.