Dressed in black, Congress MPs protest against price hike, arbitrary GST

In a no-holds-barred attack on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his remark that India got "true independence" after the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was consecrated, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said the comment amounted to "treason" and that Mr Bhagwat would be arrested and tried if he was in any other country.

Mr Gandhi was addressing an event to mark the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters in Delhi. "We are getting a new headquarters at a very particular time. I think it's quite symbolic that yesterday, the chief of the RSS said that India never achieved Independence in 1947. He said true Independence in India was achieved when the Ram Mandir was built. He says that the Constitution was not the symbol of our freedom."

"Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to inform the nation every two or three days what he thinks about the Independence movement, what he thinks about the Constitution. What he has said yesterday is treason because it is stating that the Constitution is invalid, it is stating that everything (done) to fight against the British was invalid and he has the audacity to say this publicly," Mr Gandhi said, adding, "in any other country, he would be arrested and tried".

"To say that India did not get Independence in 1947 is an insult to every single Indian and it's about time we stop listening to this nonsense that these people think they can just keep parroting out and shouting and screaming," the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha said.

Mr Bhagwat was in Indore on Monday to present the National Devi Ahilya award to Champat Rai, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Addressing a gathering there, he said the day of the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya should be celebrated as "Pratishtha Dwadashi" as it marks the "true independence" of Bharat. 

"India, which faced enemy attacks for centuries, witnessed its true independence that day. We had independence, but it had not been established. India got political independence on August 15, 1947, we also brought a Constitution but the country did not run in its spirit. How can we accept that dreams have been fulfilled and pain alleviated? Our swa (self) is Ram, Krishna and Shiva. Do they belong only to those who worship them? No. Ram connects people from north to south, Krishna from east to west and Shiva is in every particle of Bharat," he said.

Riyadh: The Indian Embassy in Riyadh hosted a grand Indian Community Interaction Program at its auditorium in the Diplomatic Quarter, attended by the Honorable Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju. The event, which commenced at 6 PM (KSA time) brought together a vibrant gathering of Indian community members, Embassy officials and dignitaries.

The Minister was warmly welcomed by the Indian community steering committee with a traditional Himachali cap and shawl, symbolizing Indian cultural richness and diversity. The Honorable Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, shared the dais. 

In his address, Shri Kiran Rijiju emphasized the growing strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, describing it as critical for fostering mutual growth and supporting the well-being of the Indian diaspora. He remarked, “India and Saudi Arabia share ancient ties, which have evolved into a robust partnership spanning trade, education, technology and culture.”

“The Kingdom is not only home to 2.6 million Indians but also a key ally in advancing global stability and prosperity,” he said. With the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia being the second-largest globally, Shri Rijiju equated their number to the population of many nations.

Shri Rijiju underscored the shared commitment to strengthening cultural and economic links, which directly benefit the Indian community in Saudi Arabia and their families in India. 

He captivated the audience with his thoughtful address, expressing gratitude to the Indian diaspora for their invaluable contributions. Reflecting on his earlier visits to the Kingdom as a Member of Parliament and individual basis, he emphasized the significance of this trip as Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs and it’s going to be helpful to the people, especially Hajjis and all Indian diasporas, who are living in the Kingdom. 

Hajj 2025 Preparations & Increase in Hajj Quota

A major highlight of Shri Rijiju’s address was the Government of India’s efforts to improve the Hajj experience for Indian pilgrims. He announced an increase in the Hajj quota for 2025 and introduced new guidelines aimed at ensuring safety, efficiency, and comfort, especially for elderly pilgrims, women and others. 

The Minister emphasized India’s collaboration with Saudi authorities to streamline travel, accommodation, and healthcare facilities for pilgrims, ensuring a hassle-free and spiritually fulfilling experience. He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of Hajjis, reflecting India’s proactive approach to catering to the needs of its citizens abroad.

Rising Global Stature of India

Shri Rijiju also emphasized and spoke about India’s emergence as a global power. “Unlike a decade ago, India today is a center of global influence with strong ties to almost every nation; India is becoming a global center of power, linked to almost every nation,” he said. The world’s perception of India and Indians has transformed positively, and every Indian can now feel a profound sense of pride,” he stated.

Commendation for Embassy and Cultural Performances

The minister praised the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah for their exceptional works including managing one of the busiest workloads among Indian missions globally, such as issuing around 600 passports daily. He also praised their active involvement in promoting bilateral relations.

The evening featured cultural performances by students from Indian International Schools in Riyadh. Classical dances, along with a special performance marking Vishwa Hindi Divas, captivated the audience. Shri Rijiju applauded the students for showcasing the richness of India’s linguistic and cultural diversity, emphasizing equal respect for all Indian languages such as Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Marati, Rasthani, Manipuri, Dogra etc. 

The event concluded with the Minister distributing prizes to winners of various competitions, leaving attendees inspired and proud of their shared cultural roots. Dinesh Setia, First Secretary at the Indian Embassy, ensured the program’s seamless flow as the master of ceremonies.

The Indian community expressed gratitude to Shri Rijiju for his inspiring vision and praised the Embassy for hosting a memorable evening.

(Inputs from P.A. Hameed Padubidri, Riyadh)

Udupi: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 38-year-old woman from Karkala in Udupi district, has reportedly lost Rs 24 lakh to a digital arrest scam. The victim, Preema Sheril D'Souza, fell prey to a fraudulent scheme orchestrated through fake calls and threats.

According to the complaint filed, the incident unfolded on Tuesday when Preema received a call at 12:30 pm from an individual claiming to represent the Delhi Telecom Department. The caller alleged that another SIM card had been purchased using her Aadhaar number and was being used for illegal activities in Uttar Pradesh, leading to multiple cases being registered against her.

To add credibility to the scam, the caller arranged a video call where a person dressed as a police officer introduced himself as a CBI official. This individual instructed her to cooperate with the "investigation" and warned her not to disclose the matter to anyone. The scammer also issued threats, claiming that harm would come to her husband and child if she failed to comply.

Under duress, Preema was coerced into sharing her bank account details and transferring a staggering Rs 24 lakh to accounts specified by the fraudsters. She transferred Rs 14 lakh to an account in Federal Bank and Rs 10 lakh to an account in Yes Bank via RTGS from her Fixed Deposit account. The threats of an arrest warrant further pressured her into complying with the scammers' demands.

Upon realizing the fraud, she reported the incident to the authorities. A case has since been registered at the Karkala Rural Police Station, and investigations are underway.

This incident serves as a critical reminder to stay vigilant against such scams. Individuals are advised to verify the identity of callers and refrain from sharing sensitive information or transferring money without proper authentication. If you encounter similar fraudulent activities, report them immediately to the police or cybercrime cell.