New Delhi, Aug 29: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday stated that four more Indian nationals were rescued from a hydropower project in Nepal’s Rasuwa, bringing the total number of rescued Indian nationals to 88.

The ministry confirmed that the rescued individuals are Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar and Mohammed Minhajuddin.

The MEA also stated that 120 Indian nationals crossed into Nepal from China on Saturday.

It mentioned that 287 Indian nationals still remain missing and 128 persons of Indian origin also remain missing as of 5 pm on Saturday.

A six-member forensic experts team from India is expected to reach Kathmandu on Saturday to assist in the analysis of DNA samples for identification of mortal remains.

“A specialised technical team for tunnel rescue reconnaissance reached Kathmandu yesterday and started working from today to assist in tunnel rescue in the impacted area. Based on their recommendation, a specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment is expected to reach Nepal today,” MEA stated.

Meanwhile, Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Saturday expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for her concern and the support extended by the government of India following the devastating flash floods in Nepal that left hundreds dead and caused widespread destruction.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal, I extend our deepest gratitude to Your Excellency Smt Droupadi Murmu for your kind concern and also for the generous support and solidarity extended by your government following the recent calamity in Nepal,” the Office of the President of Nepal posted on X.

Paudel also conveyed condolences over the tragic loss of Indian lives in the aftermath of the catastrophic flood on Wednesday.

“We also offer our heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Government and the people of India for the tragic loss of Indian lives in the disaster of August 26, 2026,” he stated.

New Delhi, Aug 29: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi direct the filing of an FIR against those allegedly involved in the “shuddhikaran” or purification of the Ramlila ground in Haldwani after Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting there.

Describing the controversy as part of a larger battle between two competing ideologies — the Constitution on one side and the views of the RSS-BJP on the other, Gandhi said that the Congress chief should get justice and urged the government to initiate action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Addressing a press conference, Gandhi said, “Whatever politics is taking place in the country today is, in one way or another, a contest between these two ideologies.”

Gandhi alleged that Dalit individuals face greater attacks as they achieve success and cited several instances to support his claim.

“The more successful a Dalit person becomes, the more forcefully they are attacked. This happens to millions of people every day. When our Rajasthan Congress CLP, Tikaram Julie, goes to a temple, BJP leaders perform purification rituals. When Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge goes to Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan to deliver a speech, purification rituals are performed there. When former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi goes to a temple, purification rituals are performed there too,” he said.

“This is done by BJP-RSS members, and it is a crime under the Indian Constitution. The word ‘Shuddhikaran (purification)’ is just another word for untouchability,” the LoP stated.

Gandhi said that Kharge had addressed a rally at the Haldwani Ramlila Maidan on August 8, following which BJP-RSS members allegedly carried out the purification of the platform on August 10, and the Uttarakhand BJP chief had allegedly described it as the “right thing to do”.

The Congress leader said that despite what he described as the purification being a crime under the SC/ST Act, around 20 days had passed without any action being taken against those responsible.

“Our demand is that an FIR be filed against those who carried out purification in Uttarakhand. Narendra Modi says he belongs to every caste, but the BJP chief in Uttarakhand is saying that the purification was done rightly,” he said.

Gandhi urged the Prime Minister Modi to direct authorities to initiate proceedings under the SC/ST Act against those allegedly involved in the incident.

“We want that Prime Minister Modi should order that action be taken under the SC/ST Act against those who carried out purification. Today the fight is between the Constitution and the ideology of the BJP-RSS, and the purification incident reflects their mentality,” he said.

“The BJP-RSS do not want the Dalits of the country to progress, succeed, and live with dignity. In other words, there is a clear difference between their words and actions,” he added.

Gandhi said the issue was not limited to Kharge but concerned Dalits across the country, warning that the alleged incident should be viewed in the wider context of discrimination.

“This isn’t just an issue for Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, but it concerns every Dalit in India. If our National President can be treated like this so openly and without hesitation, imagine what might be happening to a child in school? This is unacceptable to us. Our fight is against the ideology of the BJP-RSS, which promotes discrimination and inequality,” Gandhi added.

“We will ensure action is taken against the culprits. Even if the BJP fails to act, the entire Congress party will not let that man escape – I guarantee it,” he asserted.

New Delhi, Aug 29: A slew of Opposition leaders lauded the efforts of government in bringing back stranded Indians in Nepal following the devastating natural disaster and urged the Centre to act in ‘mission mode,’ deploy all available resources to trace the missing citizens and ensure their safe return.

Speaking to media, JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said the number of casualties could be much higher than currently reported, based on unconfirmed information.

“The number appears to be very high, based on the unconfirmed reports coming in. I believe it could cross into the thousands. There is still no information about many people from our country, including tourists and pilgrims who had travelled to Mansarovar. This is a massive disaster, and I believe the Central Government is not doing enough to provide relief to our people. The government should act in mission mode, deploy its resources, search for our citizens, ascertain their safety and ensure that they are brought out safely,” he said.

Congress media in-charge Rakesh Sinha described the natural disaster in Nepal as extremely devastating and expressed solidarity with the people of the neighbouring country.

“The natural disaster that has struck Nepal is extremely devastating. Our condolences are with all the people of Nepal. We also urge the Government of India to act swiftly to locate the Indian people who have gone missing in this devastating tragedy and extend support to the people of Nepal. The Government of India should act on this issue with utmost seriousness,” Sinha said.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy termed the incident serious and highlighted the scale of the disaster.

“It is a very serious incident. There are 2,482 people missing, including 320 Indians. Around 584 people have lost their lives in Nepal. The Indian government has sent three planes carrying relief materials. This is a good effort,” he said.

RLM MP Upendra Kushwaha called the incident extremely unfortunate and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

“This is a very unfortunate incident. It is a natural disaster, and humans cannot control nature. We express our grief over this incident. We pray to God that the departed souls rest in peace and give strength to their families to bear this immense loss,” he said.

BJP Uttar Pradesh president Pankaj Chaudhary said the tragedy was heart-wrenching and assured that India would continue to support Nepal.

“The incident that took place in Nepal is heart-wrenching for all of us. We all stand with the people affected by it. As a good neighbour, the Indian government sent help. The government will continue to provide assistance in the future,” Chaudhary said.

Bihar Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary said the disaster underlined the need for stronger preparedness and long-term planning to minimise the impact of natural calamities.

“It is a very tragic incident. But what is important is that we need to work on how we can better prepare ourselves and prevent the impact of natural calamities. Nepal is a very fragile country. As far as I can remember, over the past three or four years, Nepal has repeatedly faced one disaster or another. India is already doing its part to help, but other countries should also come forward and work together on how we can protect Nepal,” he said.

Union MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh sais, “On the day this very tragic incident occurred, our mission immediately started a 24-hour helpline and provided a helpline number so that we could keep a watch and monitor where what was happening, where anything was needed, especially, and also get information about our Indian citizens who were stranded there or were present there, and address any difficulties they were facing.”