National News
204 retired bureaucrats, army officers, lawyers raise concerns about Rahul Gandhi’s conduct in Parliament
New Delhi, March 17: Over 200 prominent senior citizens, including former ambassadors, retired army officers, bureaucrats and senior advocates, on Tuesday raised their voice against the alleged conduct and demeanour of Rahul Gandhi, the senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LOP), alleging that it weakens the dignity and effectiveness of the country’s Parliament.
The letter is signed by 204 prominent citizens, including 116 retired army officers, 84 former bureaucrats, four ambassadors and four advocates.
The letter addressed to citizens of the country, released by former Jammu and Kashmir DGP, S.P. Vaid, says, “The events witnessed on 12th March are deeply concerning. Parliament is the supreme forum of democratic deliberation where the collective will of the people is articulated. Parliament is rightly regarded as the temple of democracy where elected representatives come together to deliberate on matters of national importance. Unfortunately, Shri Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly contributed to lowering the level of public discourse and decorum through theatrics both inside and outside Parliament.”
The signatories said such actions suggest a pattern of conduct driven less by respect for democratic institutions and more by a sense of personal privilege that treats Parliament as a stage for provocation rather than a forum for serious deliberation.
“In the process, valuable public time and resources are lost. Parliamentary proceedings must not be disrupted or trivialised in ways that undermine the functioning of this vital democratic institution. In his efforts to question the government of the day, the actions of Shri Rahul Gandhi are damaging the reputation of our country and our democracy. The fact that such behaviour is being carried out by a person who occupies a position as responsible and important as the Leader of Opposition makes it even more disturbing,” the latter said.
“As custodians of a constitutional institution that embodies the democratic aspirations of over a billion people, Members of Parliament must remain conscious that their actions carry symbolic and institutional significance. The credibility of Parliament is reinforced when its Members uphold the traditions of propriety and restraint that have always defined parliamentary life,” the signatories said.
They said that as citizens who have served this nation for decades in public life, they are deeply pained to witness repeated attempts by Rahul Gandhi and his associates that risk weakening the effectiveness of this temple of democracy.
“As citizens committed to the preservation and strengthening of India’s democratic institutions, it is incumbent upon all of us to call out conduct that diminishes the dignity of Parliament, an institution that embodies the sovereign will of the people of India. The events witnessed reflect a troubling sense of hubris and privilege that has no place in a constitutional democracy, least of all in the conduct of the Leader of the Opposition. Shri Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the nation for this behaviour and introspect. The Parliament of India occupies a unique and elevated position within the constitutional architecture of the country.
“The dignity of Parliament, therefore, is not a matter of mere convention but an essential element of the constitutional ethos that governs our democracy. The conduct of Members within the precincts of the Parliament House must, consequently, conform to the highest standards of propriety and institutional respect,” the letter mentioned.
“Shri Rahul Gandhi, along with several Members of Parliament, was seen sitting on the steps of Parliament having tea and biscuits in a manner that was wholly unbecoming of members of the nation’s highest legislative body. The steps of Parliament are not a venue for spectacle or political theatre. Such conduct within the precincts of Parliament represents a clear disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum. It reflects an attitude of arrogance and entitlement, and a troubling lack of respect for an institution that embodies the democratic will of the people,” the letter pointed out.
“Parliamentary practice and long-standing conventions recognise that the sanctity attached to the Chambers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha extends equally to all areas within the parliamentary precincts, including its stairs, corridors and lobbies. These are not incidental spaces but integral parts of Parliament itself, and the conduct expected therein must reflect the dignity of the institution, so that the solemnity, authority and institutional sanctity of the Parliament remain fully preserved,” the letter added.
Crime
Suspect held with hand grenade, anti-national posters in Pulwama ‘naka’ checking

Srinagar, Aug 3: Joint security forces on Sunday apprehended a suspected individual during a “naka” checking operation near Fruit Mandi in Rajpora area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir, official sources said.
The arrested person has been identified as Tausif Ahmad Dar, a resident of Pulwama.
According to sources in the security establishment, the “naka” (Checkpost) was set up as part of routine area domination and preventive measures in the sensitive zone.
During the search of the suspect, security personnel recovered a hand grenade, one mobile phone and three anti-national posters from his possession, sources confirmed.
The recovery of the explosive device and propaganda material has raised concerns about possible attempts to disrupt peace in the region.
A case has been registered under FIR No. 107/2026 at Rajpora Police Station, police sources said.
The FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of the law dealing with possession of explosives and anti-national activities. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the grenade, the origin of the posters and any possible links of the accused with militant or over-ground worker networks.
Security officials said that such “naka” operations are being intensified across Pulwama and adjoining areas to foil any potential threats and maintain law and order.
The recovery of the hand grenade, in particular, is being treated with seriousness given the potential for its use in targeted attacks or to create panic among civilians.
Sources indicated that the phone seized from the accused is being subjected to forensic examination to check for communication records or digital evidence that could point to larger networks.
Investigators are also examining the content and origin of the anti-national posters recovered from the suspect.
The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by security forces to keep a tight vigil in south Kashmir, which has witnessed sporadic attempts by anti-national elements to revive subversive activities. Officials maintained that continuous area domination, intelligence-based operations and public cooperation remain key to preventing such threats.
Tausif Ahmad Dar remains in custody for detailed questioning as the probe continues, sources added.
Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security post or police station.
National News
Assam flood: Rs 160 crore transferred to affected families, says CM Sarma

Guwahati, Aug 3: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that nearly Rs 160 crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of families affected by the recent floods, providing immediate financial relief to thousands of households across the state.
The Chief Minister said the state government has credited an interim assistance of Rs 15,000 each to nearly 75,000 of the worst-affected families in four flood-hit districts.
The amount has been transferred through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism to ensure prompt financial support reaches beneficiaries without delay.
CM Sarma said the financial assistance is aimed at helping affected families begin rebuilding their lives while the government undertakes a comprehensive assessment of the damage to determine final compensation.
“This morning, I transferred the promised interim assistance of Rs 15,000 each to nearly 75,000 of the worst-hit households across the four districts, along with the state subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana to those eligible,” the Chief Minister said in a post on social media.
He added that the government’s priority is to place immediate liquidity in the hands of flood-affected families so that they can meet urgent household needs and initiate restoration work.
“Our effort is to place immediate liquidity in the hands of families so they can begin rebuilding without delay, while final compensation is determined through a comprehensive assessment,” CM Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also announced that a further tranche of Rs 10,000 each will be released in the coming days for severely affected families in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, which were among the worst hit during the recent spell of floods.
“We stand firmly with our family members who had to endure such difficulties,” he said, reiterating the state government’s commitment to supporting people affected by the floods.
The flood situation in Assam has improved in several districts, but the crisis is far from over. The death toll has risen to 85, while over 1.36 lakh people continue to be affected across the state.
More than 160 villages remain inundated, with thousands of families still displaced and many houses either damaged or submerged.
The state government, along with disaster response agencies, is continuing relief, rehabilitation and damage assessment efforts in the affected districts.
National News
FIR filed against Noida Authority as 4-year-old dies after falling into septic tank

Noida, Aug 2: Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Noida Authority following the death of a four-year-old boy after he fell into an uncovered water tank and died, officials said on Sunday.
The child, identified as Firoz Alam, died after falling into an open pump tank in the Sector-122 green belt area. The incident, reported on Saturday, falls under the jurisdiction of the Sector-113 police station in Noida.
The accident reportedly occurred while the child had gone to drink water from the tank.
According to officials, no Noida Authority employee was stationed at the site when the accident took place, raising safety concerns.
Speaking to reporters a day before, pump operator Anil said: “I came to know about the incident this evening. The family has already taken the dead body to the village. The child died here.”
“As soon as I got to know (about the tragedy), I informed the authorities who then arrived at the spot. I don’t know anything more than this,” he added.
As authorities face questions over the incident, the staff of the Sector-113 Police Station have registered an FIR against the concerned employees of the Noida Authority following the tragic death of the four-year-old.
Moreover, the roles of the Horticulture and Water departments are also under police investigation.
In a similar incident reported in July, a six-year-old boy had lost his life after falling into a 15-foot-deep water-filled pit at Kala Dham Society in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The victim was identified as Avyaan Surya, the son of Siwan Yadav, Vice Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya.
According to police and local residents, the incident occurred in the Knowledge Park area of Greater Noida on Saturday. The pit, nearly 15 feet deep, had reportedly been dug by the Greater Noida Authority for boring work and had filled with rainwater following recent showers.
Residents alleged that the excavation site had neither barricades nor warning signs, making it hazardous for people, especially children. They said Avyaan was playing with other children near the site when he accidentally fell into the open pit.
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