Politics
Within Minutes Of Election Result, Nobody In India Was Scared Of BJP: Rahul Gandhi In US
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has said that nobody in India was scared of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Prime Minister after the election results of Lok Sabha polls were announced earlier this year.
While speaking at an Indian diaspora event organised in Dallas, Gandhi said that the RSS believes India is one idea and Congress believes that India is a multiplicity of ideas. He emphasised that every person should be given space irrespective of their caste, language, religion, tradition, and history.
He said, “The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas and we believe by the way, very much like the United States, we believe that everybody should be allowed to participate. We believe that everybody should be allowed to dream. Everybody should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, history. This is the fight and the fight was crystallized in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India is attacking the Constitution of India because what I am saying to you, union of states, respect to languages, respect to religions, respect to traditions, respect to castes. This is all in the Constitution.”
“Every single word that I said to you is in the Constitution. The foundation of modern India is the Constitution and what people understood in the election clearly and I saw it happening when I used to raise the constitution like this, people understood what I was saying. They were saying that the BJP is attacking our tradition, attacking our language, attacking our states, attacking our histories, and most importantly, what they understood was that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religious tradition,” he added.
He also spoke on how he had described ‘Abhayamudra’ in his first address in parliament and BJP could not stand it. He noted that Abhayamudra is a symbol of fearlessness and added that it exists in every Indian religion.
Recalling his first speech in parliament, he said, “That is why in my first speech in Parliament, you must have noticed when I described Abhayamudra this, the fact that this is a symbol of fearlessness and it is present in every single Indian religion. You go on the internet and you can see every single Indian religion. Guru Nanak holds his hand like this. Shiva holds his hand like this. Every single Indian religion, the hand is like this, it is a symbol of fearlessness and when I was saying this, the BJP could not stand it, they don’t understand it and we are going to make them understand.” He also talked about how the people in India were not scared of the BJP after the election results were announced and called it huge achievements of people of India who realized about democracy.
Within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP or the PM Modi: Rahul
Rahul Gandhi said, “The other thing that happened that was very beautiful, that in fact I was amazed that it happened so quickly was that fear of the BJP vanished, disappeared, gone and we saw that immediately. Within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP or the Prime Minister of India. So, these are huge achievements not of Rahul Gandhi or the Congress party. We are peripheral. These are huge achievements of the people of India who realized democracy, of the people of India who realized that we are not going to accept an attack on our constitution. We are not going to accept an attack on our religion. We’re not going to accept an attack on our states.”
Speaking about the Indian diaspora living in the US, he said that when they came to the country from India, they had come with values of constitution, respect, and humility. He said that Indians came to live in the US with love and affection.
He said, “I’m speaking to people in Dallas and who are you? You are people who have come from India and the values that I have been describing – values of the Constitution, values of respect, values of humility. You carry them inside your heart, you have them in your blood. So, when you when you came to this country, you did not come with arrogance, you came with humility, you did not come with hatred, you came with love and affection, and you did not come with disrespect, saying that you know we are coming to America, and who are these people? We’ll show them. No, you came with respect. So inside your heart is respect, is love, humility and you are our ambassadors in one way.”
He stressed that Indian diaspora have a very important role of being a bridge between their old home and their new home and added that they should bring the idea of India to the US and the ideas of the US to India.
USA and India need each other: RaGa
Calling the Indian diaspora ‘a bridge’ between India and the US, Congress MP said, “You’re the bridge between these two unions – United States of America and the Union of States which is written in our Constitution, and so you have a very important role because the relationship between these two unions is going to determine the future of both these unions. The United States needs India and India needs the United States. It’s a fact we cannot get away from it, so you have a very important role of being the bridge between your old home and your new home, right. And in my view, you should travel freely between these two homes and you should bring the idea of India to the United States and the ideas of the United States to India.” Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday for his three-day US visit. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora.
Business
Jharkhand to honour Ratan Tata’s legacy with Republic Day tableau
New Delhi, Jan 23: Jharkhand is set to pay tribute to the late iconic industrialist Ratan Tata through its tableau for the Republic Day celebrations, showcasing his enduring contribution to the state and the nation.
The highlight will be Jamshedpur, the city the business leader helped build, famously known as the first ‘steel city’ of India.
Jamshedpur, located in southeastern Jharkhand at the confluence of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers, stands as a symbol of India’s industrial prowess.
Named after Jamsetji Tata, who established a steel plant there in 1911, Jamshedpur has grown to become the state’s largest urban hub and an important industrial and transportation centre.
This year’s tableau, praised for its creative design, emphasises Ratan Tata’s significant role in Jharkhand’s development as it was his visionary initiatives in the 1960s that laid the foundation for the state’s formal establishment in 2000.
The display will present a panoramic view of the industrial units of Jamshedpur, also known as Tata Nagar, and will highlight Jharkhand’s progress while celebrating its cultural richness.
Alongside industrial achievements, the tableau will showcase Jharkhand’s traditional dance forms, handicrafts, and art. Sohrai and Khobar paintings, created by tribal artists, will take centre stage.
Shalini Verma, Deputy Director of the Information & Public Relations Department of Jharkhand, told Media, “This time we have decided to honour Ratan Tata, as he started the industrialisation in Jamshedpur. Along with this, we have shown women empowerment by showcasing how they generate employment by working.”
“We have also focussed on education. Because industrialisation and education, both reflect Viksit Bharat and Viksit Jharkhand,” she added.
These murals, deeply rooted in the state’s tribal heritage, celebrate themes of harvest, fertility, and spirituality, underscoring Jharkhand’s strong connection to nature.
The middle section of the tableau will feature rural women engaged in crafting traditional handicrafts, symbolising the integration of heritage and development.
This element reflects how Jharkhand’s traditions and resources are contributing to the nation’s progress, embodying the theme of “Virasat and Vikas.”
Adding to the tableau’s vibrancy, the UNESCO-recognised Chhau Dance of Saraikela will be performed as part of the ground element. This traditional dance, rooted in mythological themes, will showcase the dynamic cultural heritage of the state.
Having previously highlighted themes like ‘tassar silk’ and the Baba Baidyanath Temple, Jharkhand’s participation in this year’s celebrations will stand out as one of 15 states and Union Territories presenting tableaus in the national Capital.
The tableau is expected to reflect Jharkhand’s unique blend of tradition and progress, making it a captivating centrepiece of the Republic Day celebrations.
It is a fitting tribute to Ratan Tata and the late industrialist-cum-philanthropist’s transformative vision that helped shape the state’s identity and future.
National News
Congress launches campaign song for Delhi elections, targets AAP and BJP
New Delhi, Jan 23: Ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, Congress party unveiled its new campaign song, “Har Jarurat Hogi Puri, Dilli Mein Congress Hai Jaruri,” during a press conference on Thursday.
The song, which serves as party’s ‘Delhi Congress Anthem,’ seeks to promote party’s vision for the city while also targeting both the rival parties – the ruling AAP and Opposition BJP.
The 2.48 minute anthem highlights the disillusionment of Delhi residents with the current AAP government, accusing them of broken promises.
Lyrics in the anthem address pressing local issues, including the pollution in the Yamuna and the poor quality of drinking water.
“Yamuna Saaf Nahi, Pani Na Saaf Hai,” the song boldly proclaims, echoing concerns about the city’s infrastructure under AAP rule.
Besides berating the AAP, the anthem also emphasizes party’s plans for Delhi, including promises of free electricity for households (up to 300 units), and the Pyari Didi Yojana, which would provide Rs 2,500 per month to women from low-income families. The anthem also touches safety concerns, claiming that despite AAP’s promises, women in Delhi continue to feel unsafe while the government focuses on issues like alcohol sales instead.
Delhi Congress Chief Devendra Yadav spoke to Media, explaining that the anthem reflects the growing frustration of the people of Delhi.
“Delhi is troubled, and the people’s expectations from the government have not been met. The Congress is the only party that can address the real issues of Delhi,” Yadav said.
“This anthem is not just a song, but a reflection of the hopes we have for the future of Delhi.”
Congress national spokesman Pawan Khera also weighed in, emphasising the energy that the anthem embodies.
“These songs capture our promises and the enthusiasm of the Congress party. Our connection with the people is stronger than ever, and this anthem is a reflection of that enthusiasm,” Khera remarked.
The release of the anthem comes on the heels of BJP’s campaign song, titled “Jo Ram Ko Lekar Aaye Unka Raj Hoga Dilli Mein,” timed with the first anniversary of the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
With the Delhi Assembly elections set for February 5, and the results to be counted on February 8, both Congress and BJP are gearing up for a fierce battle. Over 1.5 crore voters will cast their ballots to decide the fate of the 70-member Delhi Assembly.
Business
Torres Jewellery Ponzi Scam: Bombay HC Orders Transfer Of All FIRs To EOW, Directs Formation Of SIT
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the transfer of all FIRs related to the Rs 1,000 crore Torres scam to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police. Four FIRs have been registered across Mumbai and MMR, alleging that the jewellery chain defrauded over 1.25 lakh investors.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela Gokhale instructed EOW Deputy Commissioner of Police Sangramsinh Nishandar, who attended the hearing virtually, to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the probe. The SIT will include officers from police stations where the FIRs were originally lodged.
Apart from EOW Mumbai, FIRs were registered by the Thane, Navghar, Mira Bhayandar, and Navi Mumbai police. The Navi Mumbai FIR was earlier transferred to its local EOW branch.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Mumbai-based chartered accountant Abhishek Gupta, 31, who claims to have exposed the scam. Gupta sought police protection, citing threats to his life. The court directed Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar to provide protection to Gupta until the next hearing, scheduled after eight weeks.
During the hearing, the court criticized the police for their delayed action despite being alerted to irregularities in June 2024. The bench observed, “The police need to be alive to what is happening and act promptly to ensure the common man does not lose their hard-earned money.”
The scam involved cheating investors through a combination of Ponzi and multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes. The EOW has so far arrested three individuals, including two foreign nationals. Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar informed the court that of the 12 accused, eight — seven Ukrainians and one Indian — fled the country before December 30, 2024. He assured the court that their locations are now known and action will be taken.
Venegaonkar also revealed that the Navi Mumbai EOW had been secretly investigating the case since October 2024, after realizing the scale of the fraud. “They quietly collected information and summoned individuals linked to Torres’ showrooms. The hue and cry started after the payments stopped in the last week of December. That’s when the Ukranians fled the country,” he said.
The court, however, emphasised the lack of urgency shown by the police. “Somewhere there has been dereliction of duty. Nobody has acted with alacrity,” the bench remarked. It also urged the police to develop mechanisms to prevent similar scams in the future, stating, “Now you know their modus operandi. Police need to be alive to what is happening and take prompt action so that people do not lose their money. Or there can be some mechanism in the future,” it added.
Responding to a court query, Nishandar requested eight weeks to show progress in the case.
Gupta, who audited the accounts of Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd, Torres’ parent company, claimed to be a vulnerable witness at risk of being targeted by the scam’s perpetrators. He alleged that the company’s directors—Sarvesh Surve and Taufiq Riaz (alias John Carter)—and an employee, Laxmi Yadav, had warned the police about the scam as early as June 2024. However, the authorities only took cognizance on January 2, 2025.
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