Rajasthan Urban Development and Local Self-Government Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra, Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham and Assembly Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg on Thursday criticised the Congress for remaining absent from the Assembly during the full rendition of Vande Mataram on the opening day of the monsoon session.The ministers said the Congress’ decision to stay away from the House reflected its approach towards national sentiment and democratic traditions.

They urged the Opposition to use the Assembly as a platform to raise public issues through facts, debate and constructive suggestions rather than staging protests outside. Kharra said the Congress’ conduct had exposed its mindset towards Vande Mataram and the motherland.He said while dissent is an essential part of democracy, the Opposition should present its objections inside the House with decorum and facts.If issues are raised logically, he said, the government is bound to consider them. Kharra alleged that Congress representatives were choosing protests and disruption over legislative debate despite being elected to represent people’s concerns in the Assembly.

Bedham accused Congress of deliberately boycotting the proceedings to avoid participating in the full rendition of Vande Mataram. He alleged that the party was pursuing appeasement politics and attempting to mislead the people of Rajasthan. The minister said the Assembly belongs to all elected representatives and should be used to discuss issues of public interest.He highlighted the state government’s work in law and order, electricity, water, employment, farmers’ welfare, women’s empowerment and the welfare of weaker sections.

Garg said it was unfortunate that Congress remained absent from the House, creating a controversy over Assembly gate arrangements. He clarified that Gates 1 and 7 were open and legislators could have entered through them.The Chief Whip said the Opposition should raise its concerns on the floor of the House instead of creating disturbances outside.He also criticised protesters for reaching the main gate of the Assembly while proceedings were underway, saying such conduct undermines the dignity of constitutional institutions.

Garg further highlighted the tree-protection legislation introduced in the Assembly, describing it as a significant initiative to protect Khejri and other trees and conserve Rajasthan’s traditional Orans or sacred groves.He said the proposed measures would strengthen the state’s commitment to environmental conservation and its cultural heritage.

As Pakistan summoned a US diplomat following remarks by the American envoy to India on Jammu and Kashmir, Congress and RLD on Thursday welcomed the development, asserting that the UT is an integral part of India and there is no question of making any changes to its status.Congress leader Husain Dalwai said that the US had taken a positive stand on the issue and also supported Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s response to the remarks.

“It’s a good thing. America has taken a very good stand. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the US Ambassador’s statement. Jammu and Kashmir is Indian territory. There is no question of making any changes to it. PoK should also be included in Jammu and Kashmir. It should come to India,” Dalwai told IANS.RLD leader K.C. Tyagi also welcomed the government’s move where they removed encroachments outside the Pakistan High Commission.

“I appreciate the courageous step of the government. This is called tit-for-tat,” he said.Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police S.P. Vaid, however, said the matter was primarily between Pakistan and the United States and that the American position on Jammu and Kashmir was not new.”That is between Pakistan and the US. Let us see what response the US gives. But we believe this has always been the usual policy. I don’t see anything new in this. The US has continued to say that Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India,” Vaid said.

“That is what Sergio Gor has said. They have not said anything new. Pakistan is offended,” he added.The reactions came after United States Ambassador to India Gor, in a significant endorsement of India’s stated position on Jammu and Kashmir, described the Union Territory as “an important part of India”.Gor arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.”Kashmir is an important part of India. I am visiting the place for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place,” Gor said after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“We had a very warm meeting, and we look forward to building on our relationship,” Gor told mediapersons, with Omar Abdullah standing beside him.This is the first visit by the top US diplomat, who also serves as President Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, to Kashmir since Operation Sindoor last year. His visit is being seen as a significant US diplomatic engagement amid heightened strategic developments in the region.Meanwhile, a section of structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was demolished after authorities found them to be beyond the mission’s approved boundary.

The action was carried out by the agencies concerned using a JCB machine, which removed structures and barricades erected along the lane outside the compound, including queue-management installations near the visa section.Authorities also dismantled the external security perimeter outside the Pakistan High Commission, removing traffic bollards and barricades that had previously ring-fenced the diplomatic compound. The development comes three days after Pakistani authorities reportedly removed protective security barricades outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Congress MLAs staged a sit-in outside the Rajasthan Assembly on Thursday, the first day of the Monsoon Session, protesting restrictions on media entry into government schools and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Madan Dilawar over their condition.Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot participated in the protest.

The leaders accused the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government in Rajasthan of adopting a “dictatorial” approach towards the media and the Opposition.Earlier, Congress MLAs visited the Poddar School for the Deaf and Mute and subsequently marched on foot towards the Assembly, led by Jully. The protest was aimed at highlighting the condition of the school and opposing restrictions imposed by the Education Department on media coverage of schools.

As the legislators attempted to enter the Assembly premises, police stopped them with barricades. A scuffle broke out between the police and Congress MLAs, with several leaders climbing onto the barricades during the confrontation.Govind Singh Dotasra also alleged that RSS shakhas were being started in schools, while Congress leaders accused the Rajasthan government of failing to address problems in the education sector. The Opposition has sought the Education Minister’s resignation over the issue.

Meanwhile, proceedings of the Rajasthan Assembly began on schedule at 11 a.m. After tributes were paid to departed leaders, the House was adjourned until Friday at 11:22 a.m, bringing the day’s proceedings to an end after just 21 minutes.Following the adjournment, Congress MLAs ended their sit-in outside the Assembly gate. Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) MLAs also staged a protest outside the Assembly complex, demanding national monument status for Mangarh Dham.

Government Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg criticised the Opposition, saying Congress MLAs had stayed away from the House without a valid reason. He claimed that had they arrived on time, they would have participated in the singing of the full Vande Mataram.Two Bills, the Geetanjali Global University Jaipur Bill and the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, were tabled in the Assembly on Thursday. Both are expected to be taken up for debate before passage.