VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Could destroy Ukraine’: Zelenskyy’s big warning as calls grow for fresh elections amid ongoing war Four children forced to live in semitruck cab for nearly 7 years; US couple arrested for alleged neglect DU CSAS UG 2026: Spot Round 1 vacant seats released; apply by August 24 After Sharmila Tagore and Kangana Ranaut, Mukesh Khanna weighs in on the ‘Jana Gana Mana’ versus ‘Vande Mataram’ national anthem debate and questions its British-era origins: ‘Even after independence, we continue to value English education more’ | Texas police sergeant accused of using Flock cameras to stalk female coworker; he surrendered his law-enforcement licence and avoided prosecution NEW DELHI: Former diplomat Navdeep Suri on Sunday said he was facing “trouble establishing his citizenship” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Punjab, despite having represented India in three countries.In a post on X, Suri shared his experience with the voter roll revision and said he was asked to provide “unspecified documents” to establish that he was an Indian citizen.”Sharing my experience with #SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted Voter ID and Aadhaar card, was assured that everything is in order. Got a message today from a volunteer saying some details don’t match with SIR in 2003!” Suri said.He said that after speaking to the booth-level officer (BLO), he was asked to collect a notice and return with documents proving his citizenship.”Spoke with BLO, was told that I should come and collect the notice. And then come again with unspecified documents that show I am an Indian citizen. Replied that I was not in India in 2003, so they’ve asked for passport as proof,” he added.Suri said he had documents apart from his voter ID and Aadhaar, but questioned what the process would mean for ordinary citizens.”I happen to have documents other than voter ID and Aadhaar card. But can’t help asking: If I have trouble establishing my citizenship after representing India in three countries, what’s the fate of the common citizen? Ease of Living, I presume!” he said.Former ambassador Navdeep Sur has served as India’s high commissioner to Australia and ambassador to UAE and Egypt.The SIR was first launched in Bihar in June 2025. Following the exercise, more than 60 lakh names, including those of deceased voters, were removed from the electoral rolls. In West Bengal, around 90 lakh voters were deleted from the rolls ahead of the assembly elections.Under the SIR process, voters who were not included in the 2002 or 2003 electoral rolls are required to submit documents linking them to people included in those legacy rolls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had initially listed 11 acceptable documents, excluding Aadhaar.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFollowing proceedings in the Supreme Court, the poll panel expanded the list to include Aadhaar as an acceptable document.The Supreme Court has also made observations on the broader constitutional implications of the exercise, stressing that while the ECI has the power to revise electoral rolls, those powers cannot be “untrammelled” and must comply with principles of transparency and natural justice.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHeart attack risk is not just about cholesterol: 7 warning factors doctors check that routine tests can missHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wife123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Shekhar Suman recalls first National Awards live show as ‘huge disaster’ and working with Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan: ‘We’d sit at their house and ideate for hours’ Hauz Rani Fire: She was set to begin her first job but Delhi’s Hauz Rani fire claimed her life; now Shrutika Baranwal’s parents will collect her TISS degree, the only document left in her name ‘Mostly self-limiting’: No new H1N1 strain in India, ICMR says; seasonal flu virus poses no cause for panic CJP said the govt was yet to communicate steps being taken to fulfil assurances made during talks with the protesters. NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will convene a meeting of its national working committee on Monday to review the Centre’s commitments that led to the withdrawal of its nationwide agitation on July 25, with the outfit saying that any attempt to backtrack could amount to “vishwasghaat” (betrayal) with the country’s youth.The CJP said the government was yet to formally communicate the steps being taken to fulfil assurances made during talks with the protesters. It said the committee would consider all options to secure implementation of the commitments, including the possibility of launching another peaceful nationwide agitation.“The CJP called off its agitation in good faith because the government gave its word to the young people of this country,” CJP said, adding that it would not allow that “good faith” to be mistaken for “weakness”.The CJP has also asked students, young citizens, supporters and volunteers to remain prepared for the outcome of Monday’s meeting.The warning comes days after the Supreme Court, on August 18, sought a consolidated list of FIRs registered against students and protesters across the country. According to the CJP, the court asked the Centre three times to provide the list so it could consider exercising its powers under Article 142 to quash the cases.“Despite the court repeatedly asking for this list, the Union government did not commit to providing it,” the CJP said.The party said that any attempt to “dilute, delay, reinterpret or dishonour” the commitments, would be seen as “vishwasghaat” (betrayal) with the country’s youthThe outfit said its co-convener Saurav Das and legal affairs lead Ratna Singh raised concerns after the hearing that the government appeared to be “cheating” the younger generation by failing to act on the commitments made when the agitation was withdrawn.Those assurances included withdrawal or quashing of FIRs linked to the protests, a guarantee that students and peaceful protesters would not face punitive action in future, and compensation for families of NEET-UG candidates who died by suicide after the examination was cancelled in May following paper-leak allegations.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMeanwhile, fresh guidelines issued to Delhi Police personnel have advised officers to remain calm during protests, avoid provocation and assume that their conduct will be recorded and scrutinised.The directions follow allegations of police excesses during the CJP’s Jantar Mantar protest last month. “Your anger is their satisfaction and content for them to portray you as villains,” the guidelines say.The advisory asks personnel to avoid arguments with protesters and not react to taunts, songs, placards or attempts to provoke them. It also stresses assisting protesters who fall ill or are injured and ensuring unobstructed movement for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.(With inputs from PTI)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHeart attack risk is not just about cholesterol: 7 warning factors doctors check that routine tests can missHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wife123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill and the trailer of a blockbuster Emraan Hashmi starrer ‘Gunmaaster G9’ teaser to screen before Yash’s ‘Toxic’ ahead of November 27 release – Report Northeast India’s human story may be 3,500 years older than previously thought: What archaeologists found in Nagaland’s Noklak A tiny owl flew 70 miles out to sea and collapsed on a yacht, exhausted and too weak to fly, she found an unlikely group of rescuers who refused to leave her behind 50 years ago, this California sanctuary began saving some of the world’s rarest gibbons, today, their morning songs are a remarkable story of survival Aug 23, 2026, 17:35 IST CM Yogi predicts SP wipeout in next UP polls, says ‘Babua’ Akhilesh ignored the poor ‘Devastated’: Andy Burnham leads tributes after 2 police officers among 7 killed in northeast England Destroyed in Operation Sindoor, JeM’s Bahawalpur terror base fully operational again NEET PG 2026 admit card to be released tomorrow: Check steps to download hall ticket here ‘A star the stature of Vijay speaking about child sexual abuse was crucial, important’: Chinmayi Sripaada praises Tamil Nadu CM Vijay and ‘Jana Nayagan’ director H.Vinoth for the child safety message Housing sales hit a speed bump as listed developers’ bookings fall 21% | Congress MP Deepender Hooda. Photo credit: ANI Senior Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Sharma on Sunday urged party president Mallikarjun Kharge to remove Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda from the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Sharma accused Hooda of praising former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, whose death has reignited a political row over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.Sharma, a former speaker of the Haryana Assembly, accused Hooda of “extolling the virtues” of Kumar as a role model, saying the remarks had caused resentment within the Sikh community and could hurt the Congress ahead of the Punjab polls.“Ever since Deepender Hooda, a permanent invitee to the CWC, issued a statement extolling the virtues of Sajjan Kumar, since deceased, as a role model, it has sent shock waves among the Sikh community,” Sharma said in his letter to Kharge, PTI reported.“A few of my Sikh friends from Haryana and Punjab called me to express their resentment over such an irresponsible statement,” he added.Sharma said the remarks could affect the Congress’ support among Sikh voters.“Such a statement by Deepender Hooda on the eve of Punjab elections has not only harmed the party’s interests, but has opened the wounds of the Sikh community all over again. It is needless to say that the Congress had disassociated itself from Sajjan Kumar completely,” he wrote.He urged Kharge to remove Hooda from the CWC, saying his “immature and irresponsible remarks have weakened the Congress, especially in the eyes of the Sikh community”.Hooda, however, denied using the words “role model” or expressing such a sentiment. Speaking to reporters in Gurugram on Sunday, he said, “I did not use the words, nor did I harbour any such sentiment. These words are being put in my mouth by those who wish to play politics by undermining the spirit of brotherhood.”“As for the Sikh community, people know that we have always stood by them and supported them in every way,” he added.Meanwhile, Punjab Congress leaders have also distanced themselves from Hooda’s remarks. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the statement reflected Hooda’s personal view.“What Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda said, that may be his personal view,” Warring told reporters, while stressing that the 1984 riots remained a painful chapter.“Despite the passage of so much time, the trauma runs deep in people’s minds. As for Deepender Hooda said, that may be his personal view,” he said.Former Punjab chief minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi was more direct in his criticism, saying Kumar “should have been shot publicly” for his role in the riots.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn a post on X, Channi described Kumar as a “murderer of the Sikhs” and a “traitor”.“Far from being a role model, even uttering his name is a sin. If such people become role models, then country will be destroyed,” Channi said.The controversy has also drawn attacks from the BJP, SAD and AAP, which have demanded that the Congress clarify its position.The controversy erupted after Hooda praised Kumar following his death, saying, “Today, the country’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss. He is cited as a role model nationwide.”Kumar, 84, died at Safdarjung Hospital on Thursday. A former three-time parliamentarian, he was convicted in cases linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Delhi high court overturned his acquittal in the Raj Nagar case in 2018 and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In February 2025, he received another life sentence in the Saraswati Vihar murder case.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 16:26 IST ‘Beanie hair ko balding bol diya’: Arhaan Khan turns social media trolling over hair loss speculation into a joke by saying, ‘koi nahi, enjoy my Bali photos’ Why IAF still needs Sukhoi in the age of Tejas and Rafale BJP national president and MP Nitin Nabin, front second left, with party leaders Tarun Chugh, second right, Rekha Verma, left, Harsh Malhotra, behind centre, and others NEW DELHI: BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday held a meeting with the party’s newly appointed office-bearers to discuss its strategy for the 2027 assembly elections in seven states, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.The meeting at the BJP headquarters was attended by senior party functionaries, state unit presidents and state in-charges, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.According to the sources, the meeting focused on strengthening the party’s grassroots outreach and its connect with young voters, particularly in states going to polls next year.”It’s a crucial meeting to discuss a range of organisational matters with prime focus on the party’s preparations and strategy for the upcoming elections in states next year,” a source told PTI.Assembly elections are due in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Himachal Pradesh in 2027. The BJP is currently in power in four of these states – Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Goa. The Aam Aadmi Party governs Punjab, while the Congress is in power in Himachal Pradesh.Earlier on Saturday, Nabin held his first interaction with the newly appointed office-bearers as well as members of the previous BJP national team.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the BJP headquarters on Saturday and interacted with all 67 newly appointed national office-bearers. His meeting with the party leaders lasted more than five hours.”Organisational meetings are all about new ideas and perspectives aimed at strengthening the Party and deepening connect with the people. Great interaction with fellow party colleagues and the new organisational team,” Modi said in a post on social media, sharing pictures from the meeting.According to PTI, Modi listened to each office-bearer and offered suggestions, urging the new team to expand its outreach, connect with young people and increase its grassroots presence.BJP national office-bearers’ meeting on Saturday also passed a resolution criticising the Congress over its decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its events.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe party vowed to protect the “dignity and the national status” of the full version of the national song and announced a nationwide campaign to highlight its significance.In a 10-point resolution, the BJP said it would educate and mobilise people, particularly the younger generation, about all six stanzas of Vande Mataram and its history.The party also said a resolution of the Congress Working Committee cannot override constitutional institutions or laws enacted by Parliament.”A political compromise of 1937 cannot be elevated above the constitutional settlement of 1950 and legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026,” the BJP said in its resolution.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 16:36 IST Two 50s, seven wickets: How Ben Stokes fared on his red-ball return after international retirement ‘It’s finally real’: ‘National Treasure 3’ finally happening as Jon Turteltaub confirms script is approved and Nicolas Cage may return Palmistry Signs for Fame & Wealth: How three intersecting lines can trigger sudden public recognition, unexpected luck, and high-status success Big twist in Maharashtra hill tragedy: Teen attempted suicide from same spot in 2025 Sanjay Raut takes jibe at PM Modi, Amit Shah over Vande Mataram row NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah amid the ongoing controversy over the recitation of the national song “Vande Mataram”, challenging them to come forward and sing its full version without using a teleprompter.Addressing a press conference, Raut also criticised the Centre over inflation and the economic difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, questioning what had become cheaper during PM Modi’s 12 years in office.“First, ask Modi ji to come forward and sing it (the national song) in its entirety. Without looking at the teleprompter. Get Jay Shah to come forward and tell him to sing. Then Modi ji will sing, then Amit Shah will sing. Then Jitan Ram Manjhi will sing. Whose name should I take? Come to August Kranti Maidan. We will give you a stage. But there won’t be a teleprompter,” Raut said, according to news agency ANI.Raut attacks Centre over inflation, economic hardshipRaut then turned his criticism to the government’s economic record, saying ordinary citizens should be consulted about their problems.“In these 12 years, what has become cheaper? It has been 12 years under Modi ji. What has become cheaper? Death has become cheap. Accidents have become cheap. Suicides have become cheap. Nothing else has. Regarding sugarcane used for making sugar, the entire supply is now being diverted towards ethanol production,” he said.Raut also urged the government to engage directly with families rather than limiting its interaction with young people to universities.“You told your ministers to go to universities and have a ‘dialogue’ with GenZ. Go to those children’s homes, into their kitchens, and have a dialogue with their mothers and fathers,” he said.His remarks came amid a political dispute over the BJP’s opposition to the Congress Working Committee’s decision to restrict the singing of “Vande Mataram” to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes.BJP opposes Congress decision on two stanzasThe BJP recently passed a resolution condemning the CWC’s August 19 decision to re-adopt its 1937 resolution on the recitation of “Vande Mataram”.The BJP said it considers “Vande Mataram” India’s national song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and an enduring symbol of India’s national consciousness.The party said it would oppose the Congress decision and seek to protect the full six-stanza version of the national song. It also announced a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the history and significance of “Vande Mataram”, including a special drive among young people.Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of national president Nitin Nabin to uphold the “honour, dignity and complete legacy” of the national song.“Vande Mataram, in its complete form, is an immortal symbol of our freedom struggle and Bharat’s national consciousness. Its honour and legacy can never be compromised for political convenience or appeasement,” Rijiju said.The BJP also said its workers would take the history, meaning and national importance of “Vande Mataram” across the country.Congress, BJP trade charges over Vande MataramThe BJP’s resolution has drawn criticism from Congress leaders, who have accused the ruling party of politicising the national song.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of branding those who do not sing “Vande Mataram” as traitors and criticised the BJP’s position on the freedom struggle.Congress leader Nana Patole said the government was using nationalism to divert attention from other issues, while Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP of politicising patriotism and “Vande Mataram”.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also said the government should focus on unemployment, inflation and other issues affecting citizens.“There are so many issues facing the nation, yet you want to keep the ‘Vande Mataram’ issue at the forefront because you believe it will yield political gain. If you go to the public and talk about ‘Vande Mataram’ while ordinary citizens are grappling with the burden of inflation, they will tell you to focus on their priorities and discuss those instead,” Chaturvedi said.Meanwhile, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha criticised the BJP’s resolution, saying it was contrary to the legacy of national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Rabindranath Tagore.“It is an opposition to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Rabindranath Tagore. It appears that the followers of Godse are once again trying to oppose these national leaders over Vande Mataram. These are people who apologised to the British and received pensions from them,” Sinha said..Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBJP leaders, meanwhile, have defended the resolution. Union minister Ramdas Athawale said “Vande Mataram” played an important role in India’s freedom struggle, while Union minister Giriraj Singh alleged that the song was altered in 1937 for political considerations.The Congress Working Committee had earlier decided that only the first two stanzas of “Vande Mataram” would be sung at party events, citing its 1937 resolution.Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Bobby Deol on being typecast as a villain after ‘Aashram’ and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’: ‘Even within antagonist roles, there are different kinds of antagonists’ Ilha Da Queimada Grande: After the last ice age, the Ilha da Queimada Grande island was separated from the Brazilian mainland; today, it is the only home to the highly venomous Golden lancehead snakes in the world Lunar Eclipse on Raksha Bandhan 2026: Date, Time, Muhurat, Importance, Rituals and Remedies Trump’s ‘D-Day’ economic war on Iran: Why Gulf states are most worried India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Injury scare! Rishabh Pant hit on wrist, walks off retired hurt Market recap: Rs 87,960 crore wiped off four top-10 firms; Airtel bears biggest loss Priyanka Chopra stuns in a black maxi dress worth Rs 14 lakh at ‘The Cycle Of Love’ premiere in New York In 1969, an astronaut pointed Apollo 12’s camera at the sun and accidentally killed the live moon broadcast | $40 trillion debt, $1.8 trillion deficit: Why US fiscal strain is worrying global markets Mitchell Starc turns back the clock with 10-wicket haul, vows to ‘milk his body’ for Test cricket Dalal Street outlook: Markets seek recovery after two-week slide; crude, geopolitical cues in focus Shaan reacts to Arijit Singh quitting playback singing like Arijit Singh, recalls Sonu Nigam and KK’s warning: ‘Don’t sing all kinds of songs, kep your standard bro’ Moon–Jupiter Exchange 2026: A turning point for select birth dates; Is your birthdate blessed? In 2016, New Zealand targeted an estimated 200,000 mice on Antipodes Island; two years later they were declared gone, and subsequent surveys found two native bird populations had more than doubled After Maharashtra hill tragedy, Delhi man jumps into Yamuna over iPhone EMI stress; rescued Devendra Fadnavis attacked Rahul Gandhi for “taking contradictory position” Women’s Reservation Bill. NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of taking a contradictory position on women’s empowerment, saying his criticism of patriarchy does not match his stand on the Women’s Reservation Bill.Fadnavis also attacked the Congress, accusing the party of losing touch with voters and relying on public statements to remain politically relevant.”Their job is just to make speeches every day and stay relevant through television; that’s all they do. They have lost touch with the ground. This party is limited to merely issuing statements,” he claimed.He described the Congress as a “directionless party of show-offs and loudmouths”, alleging that its leaders were more focused on making speeches than on issues affecting people on the ground.Fadnavis was speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Sunday when he referred to Gandhi’s interaction with female students in Pune a day earlier.Rahul Gandhi had met girl students at his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach programme in Pune on Saturday. During the interaction, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha spoke against what he described as a “Manusmriti mindset” and called on women to “smash patriarchy”.He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter’s recent remarks that he was shocked to hear girls using abusive language during a protest at Jantar Mantar.Fadnavis questions Gandhi’s standFadnavis, however, said Rahul Gandhi should first respond to a question raised by BJP leader Chitra Wagh about his position on the Women’s Reservation Bill.The Maharashtra chief minister argued that Gandhi’s public statements on women’s empowerment were inconsistent with his alleged opposition to the legislation, which seeks to reserve 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”In the country’s constitutional process, the highest institution is the Parliament, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to ensure that 33 per cent of MPs are women,” Fadnavis said.”Coming to Pune to talk about women and then opposing the very bill that would give them real power, that’s Rahul Gandhi’s hypocritical stand,” Fadnavis said.”He does not want to give rights to women. I believe his words don’t match his actions,” the chief minister said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe InfrastructureBJP Builds Gen Z Team As Rahul Gandhi Takes Student Outreach To Pune With ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’123Photostories5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style10 meaningful baby boy names inspired by positive human qualities123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 15:16 IST