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Following a highly anticipated U.S. election, India’s Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>, extended his congratulations to <keyword id="19918985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="donald-trump" source="keywords">Donald Trump</keyword> on his win in the 2024 U.S. presidential race. This election saw Trump, along with his running mate JD Vance, the junior U.S. Senator from Ohio, secure a victory over the Democratic ticket of <keyword id="20307089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kamala-harris" source="keywords">Kamala Harris</keyword> and Tim Walz. Trump’s win ushers in his second term, with him set to become the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025. According to a PTI report, Gandhi expressed optimism for deeper India-U.S. cooperation under Trump’s leadership, describing the historic friendship between the two nations as grounded in a shared commitment to democratic values. With global dynamics evolving rapidly, Gandhi underscored the significance of close India-U.S. ties, talking about opportunities to expand collaboration in mutual areas of interest, such as economic growth, defence, and climate initiatives. "I would like to congratulate you on your election as the 47th President of the United States of America. The people have placed their trust in your vision for the future," he wrote in the letter dated November 7. "Under your leadership, we are confident that our nations will further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. I also hope that we will continue to work towards expanding avenues and opportunities for both Indians and Americans," he added. Gandhi also shared a personal message with Vice President Kamala Harris, who had campaigned with resilience but ultimately faced defeat. In a letter reflecting both respect and admiration, Gandhi lauded Harris’s “unifying message of hope” and noted her dedication to bridging divides within the U.S. political landscape. He acknowledged the strides made in U.S.-India relations during the previous Biden-Harris administration, which saw cooperation on critical global issues such as climate change, health care, and regional security. "I would like to congratulate you on your spirited Presidential campaign. Your unifying message of hope will continue to inspire many," Gandhi said in his letter to Harris. He added, "Our shared commitment to democratic values will continue to guide our friendship. As the Vice-President, your determination to bring people together and find common ground will be remembered. I wish you the very best on your future endeavours."

‘People have placed their trust in your vision’: Rahul Gandhi writes to US President Donald Trump

<keyword id="19941210" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kangana-Ranaut" source="keywords">Kangana Ranaut</keyword>’s much-anticipated film Emergency, a biographical drama centered on former Prime Minister <keyword id="19913949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi" source="keywords">Indira Gandhi</keyword>, has been delayed due to a certification battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Initially slated for a September 6 release, the film has faced hurdles as the CBFC's revising committee suggested certain cuts before issuing a certificate. The <keyword id="19905533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bombay-High-Court" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bombay High Court" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Bombay High Court">Bombay High Court</keyword> is now involved, with further hearings scheduled, raising questions about when the film will finally hit theatres. <h2>The battle for certification</h2>On Thursday, the CBFC told the Bombay High Court that a certificate would be issued to Emergency only if the recommended cuts were made. Ranaut, who directed, co-produced, and stars as Indira Gandhi in the film, had accused the CBFC of intentionally delaying the film's release by withholding certification. She suggested that the delay was politically motivated, especially given the upcoming elections in states like Haryana. The film's co-producer, <keyword id="20068359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zee-Entertainment" source="keywords">Zee Entertainment</keyword> Enterprises, took the matter to court, seeking a directive for the CBFC to issue the required certificate. The division bench of Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla expressed frustration with the CBFC’s indecision. In a previous hearing, the court had remarked that the censor board cannot sit on a fence and has to take its decision one way or the other as it would otherwise amount to curtailing the freedom of speech and expression. In response to the court’s directive, CBFC’s counsel Abhinav Chandrachud explained, “The committee has suggested some cuts before a certificate can be issued and the movie can be released.” Senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani, representing Zee Entertainment, requested more time to decide whether these cuts could be accepted, with the court now awaiting a final decision in the next hearing scheduled for September 30. The delay in certification stems partly from objections raised by some <keyword id="23262146" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sikh-organisations" source="keywords">Sikh organisations</keyword>, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, accusing the film of misrepresenting their community and historical facts. This controversy has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the film’s release, as sensitive portrayals of political and historical events often attract close scrutiny in India. <h2><keyword id="23323607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="political-motivations" source="keywords">Political motivations</keyword></h2>The controversy has led to speculation about political motivations, with Zee Entertainment alleging that the certificate was being withheld due to the upcoming elections in Haryana. This claim has raised eyebrows, given that Kangana Ranaut has been a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is herself a BJP MP. The court even wondered aloud why the ruling party would take issue with the film. Emergency was expected to be a major release, particularly due to its portrayal of one of the most significant and controversial periods in Indian political history — the 1975-1977 Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. However, the film’s release is now dependent on the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings and whether Kangana Ranaut and Zee Entertainment are willing to comply with the CBFC’s suggested edits. The CBFC’s recommended cuts have not been publicly disclosed, leaving many wondering what specific elements of the film are in dispute. With the next court hearing scheduled for September 30, it remains to be seen whether Emergency will make its way to theatres soon or face further delays. (With inputs from PTI)

What will it take for Kangana Ranaut’s 'Emergency' to finally hit theatres?

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Several portions of the maiden <keyword id="20010618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="speech" source="keywords">speech</keyword> of <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> as Leader of the Opposition in <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> targeting the central government over various issues, including <keyword id="20105286" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="minorities" source="keywords">minorities</keyword>, NEET row and Agnipath scheme among others, have been <keyword id="22254289" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expunged" source="keywords">expunged</keyword> from the records of the Parliament on the orders of the Speaker. The portions expunged include his comments on Hindus, and PM Narendra Modi-BJP-RSS among others. Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Lok Sabha on Monday afternoon, during the debate on the motion of thanks on President Draupadi Murmu's address accused the <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> and RSS of preaching and spreading <keyword id="19972953" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="violence" source="keywords">violence</keyword> and hatred. His remarks drew protests from the Treasury benches. The Bharatiya Janata Party - led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh among others stood up to express their protest and rebut the <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> MP's remarks. The BJP leaders accused the Congress MP "of speaking lies, misleading the House and terming the entire <keyword id="20157361" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindu-community" source="keywords">Hindu community</keyword> violent". The Congress hit back with counter-allegations against the Modi government. Rahul Gandhi invoked Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Lord Budha and Lord Mahavir, saying that he had taken the idea of fearlessness from their teachings. <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> slammed Rahul Gandhi during his speech. "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," the Prime Minister said. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi. While the BJP held a press conference later to denounce Rahul Gandhi's remarks, Congress also held an evening press conference to slam the ruling party at the Centre. Among the portions of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech that got expunged were his accusations against the BJP, stating that the party was treating minorities unfairly and perpetrating violence. Portions of the Congress MP's remarks on industrialists Adand Ambani and on the Agniveer Scheme were also expunged. Dismissing Rahul Gandhi's claims on violence against minorities, Dilip Mandal a prominent Dalit voice, claimed that the last decade was the "most peaceful time for India since independence" as he compared the governance under the Congress party. "During his address, Rahul Gandhi made an objectionable statement that a lot of atrocities are happening against Muslims and Christians in India. I believe that the numbers don't suggest this. The last 10 years have been the most peaceful time for India after independence if you see the numbers," Dilip Mandal told ANI. "During the Congress regime, so many riots used to happen, if you compare that in the last 10 years, only two major communal riot incidents have happened, Delhi and Manipur. So the scale has reduced...riots don't last long now," he said. Mandal alleged Gandhi's remarks as an attempt "to scare investors" and added that the Congress party is "again trying to appease" Muslims. "This is an attempt to scare the investors and it will affect India. Congress is again trying to appease Muslims. He is thinking of getting the Muslim votes, especially the Muslim votes of Bihar and UP, from SP and RJD," Mandal said.

Portions of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha expunged

The Ambani-Merchant nuptials, culminated in a lavish ceremony in Mumbai after a series of celebrations spanning multiple countries over the past four months. Notably absent from the Mumbai reception, however, was Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>. Reports suggest that billionaire <keyword id="19916798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani" source="keywords">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> had personally invited Rahul Gandi and Sonia Gandhi for his son Anant Ambani’s wedding. These speculations arose after the businessman was seen arriving at 10, Janpath. Sources close to Gandhi, however, had firmly denied his attendance, underlining a strategic move to reassert his image as a leader connected to the common citizen. Amid the celebrations, Rahul Gandhi was seen adressing a crowd of people. Talking about the grandeur of the event being held at the Jio World Convention Centre, he sardonically remarked how all of this was happening while the public was suffering. <div type="twitter" handle="pbhushan1" handlename="pbhushan1" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1812340770860413030"></div>Further, a video of the 54-year-old Congress leader waiting for his order at a Delhi pizzeria has gone viral. And many speculate that the timing of this co-incided with some of his allies attending the Ambani event. <div type="twitter" handle="mr_mayank" handlename="mr_mayank" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1812210852042572052"></div>While Gandhi's decision to abstain is seen as a deliberate stance against what he critiques as “crony capitalism”, particularly under the current <keyword id="20360422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA-government" source="keywords">NDA government</keyword>, some of his allies and colleagues from his party such as Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mamata Banerjee graced the occasion. Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> also attended the Ambani-Merchant reception to give his blessings to the happy couple. Andra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu was also in attendance. Read: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pm-narendra-modi-attends-anant-ambani-and-radhika-merchants-star-studded-wedding-event/articleshow/111719695.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">PM Narendra Modi attends Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's star-studded wedding event</a> Amit Malviya, the national head of the Bharatiya Janata Party's IT cell, took a swipe at Gandhi's absence, insinuating that the Congress leader might be abroad, a notion that has stirred controversy in political circles. Malviya's comments also alluded to the participation of opposition leaders in the wedding festivities, contrasting sharply with their criticisms of prominent industrialists like Ambani and Adani. The <keyword id="20727512" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ambani-wedding" source="keywords">Ambani wedding</keyword> saga, from its extravagant pre-wedding celebrations in Gujarat and Italy to the final celebrations in Mumbai, has been a magnet for media attention, showcasing the elite social circle of the Ambani family. While a majority of the festivities have come to an end, the event continues to attract equal parts admiration and scrutiny, particularly around the intricate web of political dynamics that surround them. Related: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/meet-the-rich-and-famous-people-in-mumbai-for-the-ambani-wedding/slidelist/111694174.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet the rich and famous people in Mumbai for the Ambani wedding</a>

Rahul Gandhi takes dig at politicians attending Ambani wedding bash while commoners are “dying of hunger”

The timeless message of <keyword id="20366465" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahatma" source="keywords">Mahatma</keyword> <keyword id="20127946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gandhi" source="keywords">Gandhi</keyword> that solutions do not come from a battlefield and no era should be an era of war is applicable even today when the world is witnessing conflict, polarisation and bloodshed, said <keyword id="19920244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="External-Affairs-Minister" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="External Affairs Minister" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="External Affairs Minister">External Affairs Minister</keyword> S <keyword id="19920247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jaishankar" source="keywords">Jaishankar</keyword> on Sunday. Jaishankar's remarks came as he unveiled a <keyword id="20180585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bust" source="keywords">bust</keyword> of the global Indian icon at Freedom Plaza in <keyword id="22575385" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Edogawa" source="keywords">Edogawa</keyword>, <keyword id="19909001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tokyo" source="keywords">Tokyo</keyword>. Jaishankar arrived in Japan on Sunday from Laos for a two-day visit for the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting. He was received by <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George. During the event, Jaishankar spoke about Gandhi's timeless messages. "I would say today, at a time when we are seeing so much conflict in the world, so much tension, so much polarisation, so much bloodshed, it's very important that Gandhiji's message was that solutions do not come from a battlefield, that no era should be an era of war. And that message applies today as much as it did 80 years ago," Jaishankar said. "A second message is something which we all think today in terms of sustainability, of climate friendliness, of green growth, green policies. Gandhiji was the original prophet of sustainable growth," Jaishankar said. Gandhiji was the greatest advocate of how to live in harmony with nature, he said. "So the message of Gandhiji, that it is not just something for governments to do, but for everybody to do in their personal life, that is something which again we pass on. And of course, Gandhiji was an advocate of inclusiveness and that is what we are seeing in India and across the world today," he said. He said Edogawa Ward decided to build a relationship with India by having this wonderful <keyword id="19920733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="statue" source="keywords">statue</keyword> of "the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi". In India, the people think of Gandhi Ji as the father of the nation, he said. "But for the world, he is actually a global icon. And we have to ask ourselves today, why is it important to have this statue here? And I can think of three reasons. One is that the achievements of Mahatma Gandhi have far outlived his own times, with the passage of time they have got more and more importance." Second, the message that Mahatma Gandhi gave through his life and through his work is timeless, he said. "What he taught us was important then, it is important even now. And three, I was told this is a place, somebody called it Little India, I hope it becomes bigger, but this is a place where the Indian community in Tokyo lives and gathers in large numbers. And I cannot think of a more appropriate occasion and a better way of strengthening bonds between India and Japan than by this event," Jaishankar said. He said without Gandhi, India's independence struggle would perhaps have taken a much longer path or gone in a different direction. The independence of India actually decolonised the entire world, it was the starting point of a "very momentous event", he said. "When India became free, other parts of Asia became free, Africa became free, Latin America became free...Today when we say India is the fifth largest economy in the world, where the world is changing, it is heading towards multipolarity, that when the G7 becomes the G20, in a way, all this was started as a result of what Gandhiji did in history," he said.

Japan installs bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Tokyo's Freedom Park to improve relationship with India

<keyword id="19911515" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister" source="keywords">Prime Minister</keyword> Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukrainian capital city <keyword id="19897796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kyiv" source="keywords">Kyiv</keyword> with his trademark hug. Both leaders honoured the Memory of Children at the Martyrologist Expositin at the Ukraine National Muesum in Kyiv. After paying floral tributes at the <keyword id="19956739" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahatma-Gandhi" source="keywords">Mahatma Gandhi</keyword> memorial, Prime Minister Modi met with Zelenskyy ahead of their bilateral talks. Modi's visit marks the first-ever visit by an <keyword id="20099937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Prime-Minister" source="keywords">Indian Prime Minister</keyword> to the country. The Gandhi statue, symbolising the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and his principles of peace and non-violence. The bronze statue of the Mahatma at <keyword id="22891929" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AV-Fomin-Botanical-Garden" source="keywords">AV Fomin Botanical Garden</keyword> was unveiled in 2020 on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Memory of Children honours the children whose lives were taken by the full-scale Russian invasion. Later in the day at the <keyword id="22891930" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mariinskyi-Palace" source="keywords">Mariinskyi palace</keyword> venue both leaders will hold a restricted meeting to discuss key issues. High-level delegation meetings will follow, where important discussions on bilateral cooperation are expected. Document exchanges will take place to formalize agreements and collaborations between the two nations. Earlier in the day, on his arrival at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyiv, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community, with many students awaiting his arrival and hoping for a glimpse of the Prime Minister. In a post on X, Modi tweeted, "Reached Kyiv earlier this morning. The Indian community accorded a very warm welcome." Meanwhile, one of the highlights of the visit will be the presentation of the BHISHM Cube, a revolutionary mobile hospital designed for disaster management. This will be followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with Ukrainian students who are learning Hindi, emphasizing the cultural and educational ties between India and Ukraine. Earlier on Thursday, addressing a press meeting with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, PM Modi said India supports dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability and is ready to provide all possible cooperation along with its friendly countries. (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/2024-tvs-jupiter-vs-honda-activa-6g-which-110cc-scooter-should-you-buy/slidelist/112730069.cms">2024 TVS Jupiter vs Honda Activa 6G – which 110cc scooter should you buy?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/how-to/how-to-add-music-to-instagram-profile/articleshow/112732934.cms">You can now add music to your Instagram profile – here's how</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/audi-q8-facelift-launched-in-india-with-a-1-17-crore-price-tag/slidelist/112707701.cms">Audi Q8 facelift launched in India with a ₹1.17 crore price tag</a>

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<keyword id="19929103" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nationalist-Congress-Party" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Nationalist Congress Party" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Nationalist Congress Party">Nationalist Congress Party</keyword> (SP) president <keyword id="19913755" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sharad-pawar" source="keywords">Sharad Pawar</keyword> on Friday hit out at the <keyword id="19909267" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centre" source="keywords">Centre</keyword> over <keyword id="20214944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Leader-of-Opposition" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Leader of Opposition" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Leader of Opposition">Leader of Opposition</keyword> <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> not being allotted a <keyword id="22807715" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="front-row-seat" source="keywords">front-row seat</keyword> at the <keyword id="22594483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Independence-Day-event" source="keywords">Independence Day event</keyword>, accusing it of not honouring the post of LoP. Addressing party workers of the opposition bloc <keyword id="19924537" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maha-Vikas-Aghadi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Maha Vikas Aghadi" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Maha Vikas Aghadi">Maha Vikas Aghadi</keyword>, Pawar said the threat to the <keyword id="19942019" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Constitution" source="keywords">Constitution</keyword> is still not over even if the BJP did not get majority in the Lok Sabha polls. "The Centre did not honour the post of Leader of Opposition," Pawar said. "The Leader of Opposition was made to sit in the back row," said the NCP (SP) chief. The Congress on Thursday said making Gandhi "sit in the fifth row" at the <keyword id="20069086" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="independence-day" source="keywords">Independence Day</keyword> celebrations at the Red Fort showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "pettiness" and lack of respect for democratic traditions. Pawar said that when he was the leader of the opposition during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure, his seating arrangement at the I-Day event was alongside the cabinet ministers. He recalled that when Manmohan Singh was the PM, the then LoP Sushma Swaraj was given a seat allotted to cabinet ranks. The prime minister is an institution, and so is the leader of the opposition. The prestige of the PM's post has to be maintained. Similarly, LoP's prestige is also equally important, Pawar stressed.

Centre did not honour LoP's post: Pawar on Rahul not being allotted front-row seat at Independence Day event

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With assembly polls in key states coming up, <keyword id="404256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress-Parliamentary-Party" source="Orion">Congress Parliamentary Party</keyword> chairperson <keyword id="19935990" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi" source="keywords">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> on Wednesday said the "<keyword id="22613088" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahaul" source="Orion">mahaul</keyword> (public mood)" is in the party's favour but there is a need to sustain the momentum and goodwill generated for it in the <keyword id="56978" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-elections" source="Orion">Lok Sabha elections</keyword>. "We must not become complacent and over confident...I dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will undergo a transformation," she told the <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> Parliamentary Party (<keyword id="43847" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPP" source="Orion">CPP</keyword>). Gandhi also accused the <keyword id="19916814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-government" source="keywords">Modi government</keyword> of not drawing the right lessons from "their significant decline" in the Lok Sabha elections and persisting with their policy of "dividing communities and spreading an atmosphere of fear and animosity". "Fortunately, the Supreme Court intervened at the right time," she said in an apparent reference to the stay on the orders passed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand government asking eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the name of owners. "But this can only be a temporary respite. Look at how the rules have been suddenly changed to permit the bureaucracy to participate in the activities of the RSS. It calls itself a cultural organisation but the whole world knows that it is the BJP's political and ideological base," Gandhi said. Noting that elections will be held in four states, she urged party leaders to sustain the momentum and goodwill that had been generated for the party in the Lok Sabha elections. "We must not become complacent and over confident. The 'mahaul' does favour us, but we have to work unitedly with a sense of purpose. I dare say that if we perform well, reflecting the trend that we witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections, national politics will undergo a transformation," Gandhi said. Her remarks come ahead of assembly polls in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand as also the possibility of elections in Jammu and Kashmir this year. She also slammed the Union Budget, saying that the pressing demands of farmers and youth in particular, have been totally ignored. Allocations in a number of vital sectors have not done justice to the tasks required to be fulfilled, she said. "There has been widespread disappointment, in spite of the prime minister, the finance minister and others to talk up the Budget and its so-called accomplishments. The Union Government, especially its top leadership, continues to be self-delusional as crores of families across the country are devastated by mounting unemployment and price rise," she said.

'Mahaul' in our favour, don't be complacent and over-confident: Sonia Gandhi to party on upcoming polls

The debate over the safety and sanctity of electoral processes using <keyword id="20051732" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="electronic-voting-machines" source="keywords">electronic voting machines</keyword> (<keyword id="20059791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EVMs" source="keywords">EVMs</keyword>) have been a long, and often unfruitful, discourse across most electoral democracies. However, on Sunday, a similar debate in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> took an interesting turn as the richest person on the world and India's former Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology engaged over the same topic on social media. In a Sunday showdown on X (formerly Twitter), former Union minister <keyword id="19957657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajeev-Chandrasekhar" source="keywords">Rajeev Chandrasekhar</keyword> took on tech magnate <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> over the security of EVMs. Musk had raised eyebrows by labeling EVMs as risky due to potential hacking threats, but Chandrasekhar was quick to fire back, calling Musk's claim "a huge sweeping generalization". The debate ignited when Musk suggested scrapping EVMs entirely, citing hacking risks from both humans and AI, referencing voting irregularities reported in Puerto Rico's primary elections. Responding to the independent US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr's concerns over voting irregularities in Puerto Rico, Musk posted, "We should eliminate electronic voting machines. The risk of being hacked by humans or AI, while small, is still too high." Similar doubts have been cast over the use of EVMs by the Indian election commission for the last two decades. However, ever since several sweeping victories of the ruling party BJP at both central and state levels since 2014, such allegations have gained pace from multiple mainstream opposition leaders. Chandrasekhar was clearly not happy with Elon's claims. He countered, "This is a huge sweeping generalization statement that implies no one can build secure digital hardware. Wrong." He stressed that Indian EVMs are a different breed compared to their global counterparts. "Indian EVMs are custom-designed, secure, and isolated from any network. No connectivity, no Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Internet—there is no way in. Factory programmed controllers that cannot be reprogrammed," he elaborated. Doubling down on his retort, Chandrasekhar offered to educate Musk on the secure architecture of Indian EVMs. "We would be happy to run a tutorial, Elon," he quipped. Musk, undeterred, responded with a succinct retort: "Anything can be hacked." <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Text"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div> Congress leader <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rahul-gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> also joined the fray soon, expressing his concerns about the opacity of Indian EVMs. He described them as a "black box" and argued that the lack of <keyword id="19942992" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="transparency" source="keywords">transparency</keyword> undermines democracy. "Democracy ends up becoming a sham and prone to fraud when institutions lack accountability," Gandhi stated, referencing a media report on an alleged EVM unlock linked to a relative of a Shiv Sena candidate in Mumbai's north-west constituency. Gandhi also referenced Musk's stance on eliminating EVMs. The chorus of skepticism around EVMs has been a consistent theme among opposition parties in India, who have long advocated for a full count of VVPAT slips—a demand yet to be met by the Indian Election Commission. The commission, however, has repeatedly dismissed concerns over EVMs and demonstrated their safety in multiple ways. Advocates of democratic sanctity even claim that casting doubts over the electoral process threatens the very fabric of a robust democracy. This ongoing debate highlights a significant divide: on one side, leaders like Chandrasekhar defend the integrity and security of India's EVMs and advocate their use for greater efficiency in elections. On the other, Musk, Gandhi, and several other leaders across the globe have raised serious concerns about their vulnerability and lack of transparency. As the debate continues, the question of how best to secure democratic processes in the digital age remains a hot topic. (With inputs from PTI)

Elon Musk Vs Rajeev Chandrasekhar Vs Rahul Gandhi: The great EVM debate

As expected, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>) cannot stop singing praises of the Union Budget 2024-2025 presented by Finiance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> earlier today. However, moments after <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Finance Minister" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Finance Minister">Union Finance Minister</keyword> Nirmala Sitharaman presented the <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword> in Parliament, the <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> party launched a critical attack on the ruling Centre. They claimed that portions of the fiscal document had been lifted directly from their <keyword id="19977669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manifesto" source="keywords">manifesto</keyword> for the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. <h2><keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>'s "Kursi Bachao" Budget comment</h2>Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Budget, describing it as the "Kursi Bachao" (Save the Seat) Budget, aimed at appeasing the BJP's allies and cronies. He alleged that the document was copied from the Congress party's Lok Sabha polls manifesto. "Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets," Gandhi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). <div type="twitter" handle="RahulGandhi" handlename="RahulGandhi" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815672226584166514"></div><h2><keyword id="19934649" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="P-Chidambaram" source="keywords">P Chidambaram</keyword> takes dig at the Nirmala Sitharaman</h2>Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram expressed his satisfaction over what he perceived as the government's adoption of ideas originally proposed by the Congress. "I am happy the Union Finance Minister has virtually adopted the Employment-linked Incentive (ELI) outlined on page 30 of the Congress Manifesto," tweeted Chidambaram. He further noted his approval of the introduction of an apprenticeship scheme with allowances for apprentices, a concept detailed on page 11 of the Congress Manifesto. <div type="twitter" handle="PChidambaram_IN" handlename="PChidambaram_IN" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815638125168783772"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="PChidambaram_IN" handlename="PChidambaram_IN" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815641688922063221"></div><h2><keyword id="19897159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mallikarjun-Kharge" source="keywords">Mallikarjun Kharge</keyword> highlights 10 areas the Budget 2024 went wrong</h2>The President of the Indian National Congress Karge called the <keyword id="19916814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Government" source="keywords">Modi Government</keyword> a "copycat" while going on to suggest that they could not even copy Congress' justice agenda properly. Here’s an English translation of his tweet: “The Modi Government's budget is distributing half-hearted "rewadis" to dupe its coalition partners so that the NDA survives. This is not a budget for "progress of the country", it is a "save Modi government" budget! 1. After 10 years, limited announcements have been made for the youth who are bearing the brunt of the slogan of two crore jobs per year. 2. Only superficial talks have been held for farmers, one and a half times MSP and doubling of income - all turned out to be electoral fraud! This government has no intention of increasing rural wages. 3. There is no revolutionary scheme for Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, minorities, middle class and rural poor people like the one implemented by Congress-UPA. The word "poor" has become just a means of self-branding, there is nothing concrete! 4. There is nothing in this budget for women that would enhance their economic capacity and enable them to participate more and more in the workforce. 5. On the contrary, the government is patting its back on the back for rising inflation; it is robbing people of their hard-earned money and distributing it among its capitalist friends! 6. Less money has been spent on agriculture, health, education, public welfare and tribals than the budget allocation because these are not the priorities of the BJP. Similarly, Rs 1 lakh crore less has been spent on Capital Expenditure, so how will jobs increase? 7. Urban Development, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, MSME, Investment, EV scheme - only Document, Policy, Vision, Review etc. have been discussed, but no major announcement has been made. 8. Railway accidents are happening every day, trains have been stopped, the number of coaches has been reduced, ordinary passengers are troubled, but nothing has been said about the railways in the budget, there is no accountability. 9. Nothing has been said about Census and caste census, whereas this is the fifth budget which is being presented without Census! This is a shocking and unprecedented failure - which is against democracy and the Constitution! 10. On 20 May 2024, i.e. during the elections, Modi ji claimed in an interview that "We already have a 100-day action plan "... When the Action Plan was there two months ago, they should have at least told it in the budget! There is no plan in the budget and BJP is only busy in the action of cheating the public.” <div type="twitter" handle="kharge" handlename="kharge" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815669463284416605"></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111917247" title="Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Jairam Ramesh accuses Centre of stealing ideas from the Congress</h2>In her Budget address, Sitharaman announced that the government would provide a month's wage to all first-time employees in formal sectors. This direct benefit transfer, disbursed in three installments, will cover employees registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and amount up to ₹15,000 per individual. The eligibility limit is set at ₹1 lakh per month, potentially benefiting 2.1 crore youth across the country. Congress MP and communications in charge Jairam Ramesh also accused the Finance Minister of taking ideas from the Congress's "Nyay Patra 2024." He claimed the internship program announced in the budget was a clear adaptation of the Congress's proposed Apprenticeship Program called "Pehli Naukri Pakki." He also insinuated that this particular scheme seemed to have been come up with in haste. <div type="twitter" handle="jairam_ramesh" handlename="jairam_ramesh" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815714388340568111"></div>Ramesh critiqued the government's approach, describing it as a "festive offer" designed to capture headlines with arbitrary targets, such as the promise of one crore internships. He argued that the Congress's vision offered a programmatic guarantee for all diploma holders and graduates, rather than the broad and unfocused targets announced by the government. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111944393" title="Here&amp;#39;s a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government&amp;#39;s first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Ramesh also pointedly criticised the government over a special package for Andhra Pradesh, highlighting a ₹15,000 crore allocation aimed at developing Amaravati, the state's capital city and a significant project for Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. "Why has it taken 10 years to announce that what was already committed to in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 will be implemented?" questioned Ramesh in a post on X.

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