Politics

Rahul Gandhi Pleads Not Guilty in Pune Court Over Savarkar Defamation Case

Rahul Gandhi Pleads Not Guilty in Pune Court Over Savarkar Defamation Case

Pune, July 11, 2025: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday pleaded not guilty in a defamation case related to his remarks against Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.The plea was entered through his lawyer Milind Pawar before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) and Special Judge for MP/MLA cases, Amol Sriram Shinde, during proceedings at the Pune court. The case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of V D Savarkar.The court formally read out the charges, to which Gandhi responded via his counsel with a plea of not guilty. Rahul Gandhi was not present…
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Speaker Kultar Sandhwan’s Emotional Appeal After Assembly passes BBMB CISF Resolution: “Punjab is the Son of Rivers”

Speaker Kultar Sandhwan’s Emotional Appeal After Assembly passes BBMB CISF Resolution: “Punjab is the Son of Rivers”

Chandigarh (National Times): In a powerful and emotional moment that resonated across party lines, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan made a stirring statement after the House unanimously passed a resolution opposing the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Though traditionally a neutral figure in legislative proceedings, Sandhwan stepped beyond the conventional role of Speaker, not politically, but emotionally, as he addressed the House and the nation with folded hands, speaking not just as a Speaker, but as a Punjabi. “A Speaker must remain neutral, but as a son of…
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Delivers Fiery Speech in Assembly Amid BBMB Uproar, Defends Punjab’s Water, Culture, and Artists

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Delivers Fiery Speech in Assembly Amid BBMB Uproar, Defends Punjab’s Water, Culture, and Artists

Chandigarh (National Times): Amid chaotic scenes in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the special session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann delivered a fiery and wide-ranging address, hitting out at the opposition, defending Punjab’s water rights, cultural expressions, and even jumping into the ongoing controversy surrounding actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh. The session saw loud protests from Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa over a remark made by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, who had used the Punjabi expression “dadhi muhrawa.” Bajwa objected, calling it offensive, prompting Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and CM Mann to step in and clarify that such expressions are part of Punjabi…
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CM Bhagwant Mann, Partap Bajwa Clash in Punjab Assembly; ‘12 Vaje’ Remark Sparks Uproar

CM Bhagwant Mann, Partap Bajwa Clash in Punjab Assembly; ‘12 Vaje’ Remark Sparks Uproar

Chandigarh (National Times): A heated exchange between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa led to uproar in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday, after Bajwa’s remark “12 tuhade vaje hone hai” triggered sharp protests from AAP MLAs who viewed it as an insult to Sikh sentiments. The clash began when CM Bhagwant Mann accused Bajwa of diverting attention from critical state issues. “You should raise matters that are against Punjab and Punjabis,” Mann said sternly. When Bajwa continued to speak out of turn, the Chief Minister responded, “Please sit down, it’s just 12 PM.…
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Aman Arora Hits Back at Bajwa in Punjab Assembly Over ‘Stage of Drama’ Remark, Seeks Privilege Motion

Aman Arora Hits Back at Bajwa in Punjab Assembly Over ‘Stage of Drama’ Remark, Seeks Privilege Motion

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday witnessed heated exchanges between senior leaders as the House debated a resolution against the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The verbal showdown intensified when Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa described the Assembly as a "stage of drama," prompting sharp criticism from Cabinet Minister Aman Arora. Bajwa’s comment — “They (AAP leaders) have made this Assembly a stage of drama” — did not go down well with Arora, who immediately demanded Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to issue a privilege motion against the…
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Harpal Cheema Slams Pratap Bajwa in Punjab Assembly Amid FIR Row, Session Extended

Harpal Cheema Slams Pratap Bajwa in Punjab Assembly Amid FIR Row, Session Extended

Chandigarh (National Times): High drama unfolded in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday as Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a fierce verbal attack on Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa during the announcement of the Assembly session's extension till July 15. As Bajwa and other Congress MLAs staged a protest in the House, Cheema didn’t hold back, accusing the senior Congress leader of having deep-rooted connections with gangsters and the BJP. "Who brought Ansari into Punjab? Who fed the gangsters in Punjab? You were the one. Punjab knows it all," Cheema thundered. “You gave birth to gangsterhood in the…
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Doctored Video Row: FIR Filed Against Punjab Ministers Harpal Cheema, Aman Arora on Bajwa’s Complaint

Doctored Video Row: FIR Filed Against Punjab Ministers Harpal Cheema, Aman Arora on Bajwa’s Complaint

Chandigarh (National Times): Political tensions in Punjab escalated sharply after an FIR was registered against state ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora under BNS sections 336(4), 356, and 61(2). The complaint, filed by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, accuses the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of circulating a doctored video that misrepresented his statements in the Punjab Assembly. According to Bajwa, the edited video twisted his remarks — which were a criticism of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s handling of a case involving a female Congress MLA — to make it appear as if he was defending Shiromani Akali Dal…
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Over 57% Voter Enumeration Forms Collected in First 15 Days of Special Intensive Revision in Bihar

Over 57% Voter Enumeration Forms Collected in First 15 Days of Special Intensive Revision in Bihar

Patna, July 10 – The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar has seen remarkable public participation, with 57.48% of voter enumeration forms collected within the first 15 days of the drive. This impressive progress is credited to the coordinated efforts of election officials, volunteers, and a committed network of 1.56 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by all recognized political parties.As of 6 PM yesterday, a total of 4,53,89,881 forms were collected, accounting for 57.48% of the total 7,89,69,844 (approximately 7.90 crore) registered voters in Bihar. These figures reflect a significant push following the Election Commission’s instructions issued on…
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SC Asks Election Commission to Consider Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card for Bihar Voter List Update, Flags Tight Timelines

SC Asks Election Commission to Consider Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card for Bihar Voter List Update, Flags Tight Timelines

New Delhi (National Times): The Supreme Court on Thursday advised the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include Aadhaar cards, Voter ID cards, and ration cards as valid documents for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls currently underway in Bihar. The directive comes amid rising concerns over the accessibility and fairness of the voter verification process ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections. The bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi acknowledged the ECI’s statement that the earlier list of 11 accepted documents (issued on June 24) was not exhaustive but illustrative. The Court said it…
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Two-Day Special Session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Begins: Law & Order, Land Pooling, and Sacrilege Bill on Agenda

Two-Day Special Session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Begins: Law & Order, Land Pooling, and Sacrilege Bill on Agenda

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab Vidhan Sabha is set to witness high political drama as a two-day special session kicks off today. With both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Congress bracing for heated debates, the session is expected to be charged with confrontation over critical state issues. Congress Gears Up to Corner Govt on Law & Order, Land Pooling Led by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, the Congress party has conducted a legislative party meeting ahead of the session, devising a strong strategy to take on the Bhagwant Mann-led government. The opposition has raised serious…
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