New Delhi, Aug 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately disrupting Parliament to avoid a discussion on the Modi government’s record of bringing fugitive offenders back to India from abroad.

The BJP claimed that between 2019 and 2026, the Centre successfully brought back 274 fugitives from 36 countries and described it as government’s commitment for bringing offenders to justice in India.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, the party’s national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned why Parliament was repeatedly being disrupted and blamed Rahul Gandhi for the ongoing impasse.

“A very important subject needs to be discussed today. Everyone is wondering why the Leader of the Opposition, the immature, irresponsible, part-time Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is not allowing Parliament to function. Why is it that the immature, part-time, irresponsible Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is preventing Parliament from functioning?” Bhatia said.

He alleged that the political contest in the country represented a clash of two contrasting ideologies, claiming, “On the other side, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi only works to divide the country. Standing with anarchic elements makes one anarchic as well,” he said.

Highlighting what he described as the achievements of the Modi government, Bhatia said the figures relating to the extradition and return of fugitive offenders should make every Indian proud.

He said that under the Modi government’s zero-tolerance policy, 274 fugitive criminals had been brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.

“On average, 40 fugitives have been brought back every year. No matter where they were hiding in the world, they were tracked down, arrested, and brought back to India. They will now face trial under the law. That is the strength of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

Drawing a comparison with the previous Congress-led government, Bhatia urged people to examine the difference in performance and claimed, “You will get the answer to why Rahul Gandhi does not want Parliament to function. When these figures are placed before Parliament, the people will ask why such political will was not visible during the Congress government’s tenure.”

The BJP spokesperson further claimed that during the period from 2004 to 2013, only around four fugitives were brought back annually.

“That means, 40 fugitives in 10 years. On one hand, 40 fugitives are brought back in one year, and on the other hand, 40 are brought back in 10 years. This data demonstrates that India has become more effective in bringing criminals to justice,” he added.

Bhatia also said the Modi government had recovered nearly Rs 19,000 crore from returned fugitive offenders and alleged that the previous Congress governments lacked the political resolve required to pursue such individuals.

Raising questions about the nature of the offences committed by the returned fugitives, he said many of them were accused in serious criminal cases.

“A question naturally comes to mind, and I would like to place it before you. What crimes had these fugitives committed? These are people accused of serious offences. There are 53 accused of sexual offences, including rape and POCSO crimes against children; 42 are accused of organised crime and gangster activities; 18 are accused of human trafficking and kidnapping; 17 are accused of terrorist and anti-national activities. Terrorists have been brought back. Nobody can look at India with an evil eye,” he said.

Bhatia further stated that the list also includes 16 accused booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for drug trafficking, 12 individuals accused in counterfeit currency and cybercrime cases, along with several others wanted for fraud and financial offences.

The BJP leader also accused Rahul Gandhi of failing to discharge his responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition, alleging that he avoids participating in Parliament while frequently making what he termed “absurd” remarks against Prime Minister Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“It is the responsibility of the LoP, especially when Parliament is in session, to attend the House, engage in debate, present facts, and raise issues concerning the public on the floor of Parliament. However, the LoP shies away from the very temple of democracy; he is afraid,” Bhatia said, adding that Rahul Gandhi “suffers from Modi-phobia and RSS-phobia.”

During the press conference, Bhatia also referred to the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, describing August 5 as a historic day in India’s constitutional journey and crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision.

“August 5 is a moment of pride and honour for every Indian. Seven years ago, the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took the historic decision to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into the mainstream of the Indian Constitution by revoking Article 370. This decision was in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and provided a new impetus to national unity,” he added.

Mangaluru, Aug 5: A suspected ragging incident at a reputed private college in Mangaluru left a first-year student with serious neck injuries, following an alleged assault by a group of senior students, police said on Wednesday.

The incident reportedly took place near Juhharakere in Mangaluru, where two first-year students, identified as Adarsh and J. Khadar, were allegedly attacked by senior students.

According to the victims, the seniors objected to the juniors wearing black shoes and picked up an argument, which soon turned violent. The students alleged that they were brutally assaulted by the seniors during the confrontation.

One of the injured students sustained a serious neck injury and was admitted to a hospital. Doctors have reportedly diagnosed him with a neck fracture, and he is currently undergoing treatment.

Personnel from the Pandeshwara Police Station rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. Police later visited the hospital and recorded the statement of the injured student.

A case has been registered by the police, and provisions of the anti-ragging law have been invoked in the FIR. Six students have been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the incident.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the incident prima facie appears to be a case of ragging.

“The statements of the victims are being recorded by the police. Based on the preliminary findings, an FIR will be registered at the Mangaluru South Police Station, and a detailed investigation will be initiated,” he said.

The Commissioner added that the investigation would ascertain the exact sequence of events and determine the role of those involved in the alleged ragging incident.

Police said further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

According to official records, Karnataka recorded 181 ragging complaints in higher educational institutions between 2022 and July 22, 2026, the highest among South Indian states despite mandatory anti-ragging committees and stricter enforcement measures.

In January, a violent ragging and assault incident occurred at a reputed educational institute in Devanahalli, Bengaluru Rural, resulting in an FIR against 22 to 23 senior students and an outsider, with three key arrests made.

New Delhi, Aug 5: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, and several other Opposition MPs on Wednesday marched from the Gandhi statue at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar in Parliament, raising concerns over the alleged police action against protesters on July 20, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation embezzlement controversy, and other issues.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that India is a democracy and not a dictatorship. She asserted that if children had been fired upon and if pellet guns, tear gas, and lathi charges had been used against protesters, those responsible for issuing such orders must be held accountable.

“This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. It is not anyone’s royal court. If children have been fired upon, if pellet guns, tear gas, and lathi-charge have been used, then someone must be held accountable. Someone would have given those orders, and they must take responsibility,” she said.

Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also targeted those allegedly linked to the Ram Temple donation controversy and demanded answers over the allegations. He claimed that those who had betrayed the temple and Lord Ram should be held accountable.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 p.m. on Wednesday as Opposition members continued heavy sloganeering during Question Hour for the third consecutive day this week.

Speaker Om Birla repeatedly appealed to MPs to maintain the decorum of the House and refrain from displaying posters inside the chamber. However, as the disruptions continued and order could not be restored, the proceedings were adjourned until 2 p.m.

The ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament has witnessed repeated disruptions over several contentious issues, including the NEET paper leak case, the alleged police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20, and the Ram Temple donation controversy.

On Tuesday, Opposition MPs staged protests inside Parliament over the alleged theft of Ram Temple donations in Ayodhya and the police action against student protesters at Jantar Mantar. Intense sloganeering by Opposition members led to repeated adjournments in both Houses as they pressed the government for answers on the two issues.

Earlier, Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, also held a demonstration against the alleged Ram Temple donation irregularities ahead of the Monsoon Session proceedings.

The Lok Sabha also witnessed repeated adjournments on Monday as Opposition MPs demanded an explanation on the police action against protesters at a recent agitation held at Jantar Mantar and sought a discussion on the Ram Temple donation controversy.