“Journey to Unite India: Rahul Gandhi’s Train Ride, a Tale of Diversity, and Spreading Love”

New Delhi, Oct 3: Rahul Gandhi, former Congress president, embarked on a train journey from Bilaspur to Raipur, providing him with a unique insight into “real India.” During the two-hour train ride, he encountered moments that reflected the diversity and vitality of the country. The Congress party shared a 13-minute video capturing these encounters, which they described as a continuation of the Bharat Jodo Yatra—an initiative aimed at uniting the nation.

On September 25, Gandhi shared a video of his journey during his visit to Chhattisgarh, where he was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

“Transporting crores of people to their destinations, reflecting the diversity of the country, Indian Railways is truly a reflection of India,” remarked the former Congress leader.

In a statement, the party quoted him, saying, “Railways is the lifeline of India in which about 1 crore people travel every day. A glimpse of real India is seen on the train—people of different religions, languages, and classes come together, initially as strangers, but open shops to spread love and unite India.”

Describing the Bilaspur to Raipur journey as “memorable,” Rahul Gandhi shared his interactions with the ambitious youth of Chhattisgarh, particularly promising sportspeople. He met a talented girl from the Dalit community and admired her artwork.

In the video, Rahul Gandhi can be seen engaging with various groups in the train’s sleeper compartments. He interacted with young women table tennis players, hockey players, and kabaddi players. A group of girls even sang the catchy song “Ude jab jab zulfein teri” from the 1957 film “Naya Daur,” starring Dilip Kumar.

Watch

Rahul Gandhi referred specific requests from passengers to Chief Minister Baghel, and the journey provided a unique glimpse into India’s diversity, where people of various religions, castes, and classes travel together.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that Rahul Gandhi was continuing the Bharat Jodo Yatra by engaging with people during the train journey. He also highlighted the inspiring stories of girls showcasing their skills in various fields.

Rahul Gandhi’s interactions with different sections of society, from mechanics and porters to students and carpenters, are part of his ongoing initiative to unite the nation, which began with his journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

“Media Freedom Under Siege: A Battle for the Fourth Estate” – Press Club of India Demands Transparency and Protests Raids

Photo Credit: X, Press Club of India Protests Raids

New Delhi, Oct 3: Media organizations joined forces at the Press Club of India to vehemently denounce the recent police raids on journalists associated with the NewsClick portal, characterizing it as yet another attempt to stifle press freedom. Expressing solidarity with the targeted journalists, these bodies condemned what they called a ‘witch-hunt’ by state agencies.

The Press Club of India demanded that the government disclose the specifics of the matter and held an impromptu protest gathering against the multiple raids. Through its X (formerly Twitter) handle, it conveyed that “The meeting resolved to continue protest by several journalists bodies for defending media freedom.”

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) executive committee issued a statement expressing grave concern over the raids conducted at the homes of senior journalists. “Their laptops, mobile phones, and other devices have been seized. Senior journalists have been taken into custody by the Delhi police, allegedly for ‘questioning.’ Media reports suggest that the raids have been widespread,” the statement read.

While acknowledging that the police action was related to a First Information Report registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other provisions concerning criminal conspiracy and disruption of communal harmony, the EGI emphasized, “While we recognize that the law must take its course if actual offenses are involved, the due process has to be followed.”

The EGI further added, “The investigation of specific offenses must not create a general atmosphere of intimidation under the shadow of draconian laws, or impinge on the freedom of expression and the raising of dissenting and critical voices. We remind the government of the importance of an independent media in a functioning democracy and urge it to ensure that the fourth pillar is respected, nurtured, and protected.”

The National Alliance of Journalists, the Delhi Union of Journalists, and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (Delhi Unit) also condemned the police raids on individuals such as Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Prabir Purkayastha, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Teesta Setalvad, Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakraborty, Mahesh Kumar, Subodh Varma, Aditi Nigam, Mukund Jha, and others.

In a joint statement, they declared, “We believe that this is yet another attempt by the Centre to muzzle the freedom of the press. Such an action, raiding and intimidating almost all the employees in a media organization, is unheard of. The NewsClick management has been maintaining that whatever funding they have received was through legal sources, and evidence for this has been submitted in the High Court of Delhi. These new raids are to divert public attention from burning livelihood issues of people.”

“Unfortunately, journalists are being targeted for furthering the political agenda of the ruling party. We condemn this with the strongest possible words. We will stand with these journalists in this matter. We urge the Centre to immediately stop this attack on press freedom. We urge the media fraternity to protest against this witch-hunt by the government.

Press Release: Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Condemns BJP Government’s Latest Assault on Media Freedom: UAPA’s Net on Indian Journalists

New Delhi, October 3: The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties have expressed their strong condemnation of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government’s latest assault on the media. They assert their unwavering support for the media and the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and expression.

Over the past nine years, the BJP government has been accused of targeting and stifling the media, deploying investigative agencies against prominent media outlets such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Newslaundry, Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar, the Kashmir Walla, and the Wire, among others. Most recently, journalists from NewsClick have faced similar challenges.

Critics argue that the BJP government has attempted to transform the media into a mouthpiece for its partisan and ideological interests, facilitating takeovers of media organizations by crony capitalists. Both the government and ideologically aligned groups have allegedly resorted to reprisals against individual journalists who have dared to speak truth to power.

Moreover, the BJP government’s introduction of regressive policies like the Information Technology Rules 2021 has been accused of restricting the media’s ability to report objectively. Critics suggest that these actions not only conceal the government’s actions from the Indian public but also jeopardize India’s global reputation as a mature democracy.

The coercive actions of the BJP government are seen by some as primarily targeting media organizations and journalists who challenge those in power. Paradoxically, critics argue that the government has been passive in addressing journalists who incite hatred and divisiveness within the nation.

In the best interests of the nation, INDIA calls upon the BJP government to shift its focus towards addressing genuine concerns facing the nation and its citizens, rather than targeting the media to divert attention from its perceived failures.

Jai Hind.

New Delhi, Oct 3: A team from the Delhi Police’s Special Cell paid a visit to the residence of CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday as part of their investigation into the NewsClick case. They questioned the son of his staffer, Sri Narayan, who is employed by NewsClick, the media outlet accused of receiving funds from China.

Sources reveal that Special Cell officers seized Sunmit Kumar’s mobile phone, laptop, and hard drive during their visit.

Yechury clarified that the searches were not directed at him or the CPI(M) but were related to the son of one of his staff members.

On Tuesday morning, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell conducted searches at over 30 locations in the national capital, including NewsClick’s premises and the residences of its journalists, in response to the accusations.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case.

During the raid, Special Cell officers collected electronic evidence, laptops, mobile phones, pen drives, and extracted data from hard disks at the NewsClick office and from journalists associated with the organization, including Bhasha Singh, Abhisar Sharma, and Sanjay Rajoura, among others.

The residences of NewsClick writers Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Urmilesh were also subjected to searches.

In response to the searches, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the government, stating, “Shocked to learn of the raids on 30 journalists in Delhi and arrests of several of them. These are not the actions of a ‘mother of democracy’ but of an insecure and autocratic state.”

“Why does a government as strong and authoritarian as this one feel threatened by a news website? And that too, one that is not even ranked very high in reach or readership? Intolerance is unworthy of everything that India represents. The government has disgraced itself and our democracy today,” Tharoor added in a post on X.

Amritsar Oct -2-23 : Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress party, embarked on a day-long “personal, spiritual visit” to Amritsar, where he paid a visit to the revered Golden Temple. During his visit, he immersed himself in the spiritual ambiance, listening to the Gurbani Kirtan, and actively participated in sewa, or community service.

Donning a blue scarf on his head, Rahul Gandhi humbly washed dishes as part of his volunteer service, joining others in contributing to the community at the Golden Temple.

Local Congress leaders confirmed that Rahul Gandhi would spend the night in the city.

Punjab Congress president Raja Waring took to X earlier in the day, stating, “Shri @RahulGandhi ji is coming to Amritsar Sahib to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib. This is his personal, spiritual visit, let’s respect his privacy. Request all party workers to not be physically present for this visit. You all can show your support in spirit & meet him the next time.”

Rahul’s visit to Punjab occurs amidst ongoing tension between the state Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding the arrest of party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a 2015 drugs case. Furthermore, dissent exists among some party leaders regarding the alliance with AAP in Punjab for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.