VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html When does helping become hurting? The aid trap in Africa In 1974, Vietnam veteran Kenneth Deardorff moved to Alaska looking for work; 14 years later, he became the last person in US history to receive a homestead title Rolls-Royce, Reliance plan to develop indigenous combat engine for AMCA programme In 1870, a former slave and Union soldier staked a homestead in Nebraska; drought and grasshoppers cost him the claim, but he eventually owned more than 2,000 acres Sunil Amrith is the Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History at Yale University with a secondary appointment as professor at the Yale School of the Environment. He serves as Director of the Macmillan Centre for International and Area Studies and Yale’s Vice Provost for International Affairs. He has received the 2016 Infosys Prize in Humanities, a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship, and the 2025 Toynbee Prize in Global History, among others. He has authored five books that put Asia at the heart of global history. In this conversation, he discusses his book, ‘The Burning Earth’. Excerpts from the interview.Q: Why did you feel this book needed to be written?A: It was a coming together of my academic life and the rest of my life. For close to 20 years, I had been researching some of the themes that do make it into ‘The Burning Earth’. I’ve particularly been interested in the relationship between migration, the movement of people and environmental change. So I wrote a book more than 10 years ago called ‘Crossing the Bay of Bengal’, which I think was my first foray into environmental history, in which I was really thinking about the enormous movement of people, particularly from Tamil Nadu, to southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th century, many of them to work on rubber plantations, but also to work in port cities, places like Singapore and Penang and Rangoon, and understanding that that was actually a moment of fundamental transformation in the environment… At the same time, as a teacher, but also as a parent, as a citizen, the climate crisis became quite unavoidable in my own consciousness. And so for me, that prompted me to scale things up beyond my areas of specialisation towards perhaps the biggest question, which is how did we get to this point of planetary crisis? And that’s really what’s at the heart of ‘The Burning Earth’.Q: You also bring in a kind of storytelling which positions itself in different geographies as if to say, the inherited narratives of Eurocentric histories are not what we’re going to look at. A: If the question is what is it about my own perspective that may make this book a little bit different from some of the other books out there on this big theme of the environment, it is the fact that my own training is not in European and North American history. And I think most of what is called global history continues to take as its starting point and as its default, a kind of familiar North Atlantic history. And so by starting the book in China and ending it in Indonesia, I was really trying to write it anchored in Asia… Asia has always been home to the majority of humanity. It still is today. And so it seemed to me completely fitting to really think about the history of this planet with a firm anchor in the part of the world, the part of the planet which has been the most inhabited by most people throughout the longest period of time.Q: How do you bring in a methodology which ensures that what you’re positioning and presenting can be as accurate as possible? A: That’s the biggest challenge of a book like this. There’s no possibility that I can have the primary expertise in all of these areas that I write about in the book. And so in some ways that was a leap that I took. Academia is a collective enterprise. And this is very much a book that builds on my own work in some areas. And in other areas, it’s really sort of bringing together my reading in multiple fields of scholarship and different disciplines as well. So I’m a historian, but some of the most exciting new scholarship which I draw on and interpret is actually coming from the physical sciences.There’s some phenomenally interesting work in paleoclimatology, for example, which is trying to reconstruct past climates using ice cores, using lake bed sediment, using tree rings. And of course, these disciplines traditionally and even still within the walls of the university barely meet. But what’s been very interesting about recent work on climate and environment in particular, is you have this forcing together of completely different ideas of what the archive is.Q: You use the word ‘elite’ a few times when you’re talking about social stratification for a very specific economic growth touted as well-being of a community, but usually you see it as exploitative. A: I don’t use the word that many times, but when I do, I think it’s doing a lot of work for me. ‘The Burning Earth’ is not an activist book, which is to say that it is just that bit muddier and less clear about the villains of the piece than activist writing necessarily has to be. And yet there is such a strong core in my own thinking of awareness of just how stark environmental inequalities are and just how much the scale of planetary destruction that has been achieved over the last two centuries has been disproportionately, not exclusively, but disproportionately driven by the elite pursuit of luxuries and of accumulation… There is a story of human need in this book and there’s also a story of human greed… I think we need to think about desire, we need to think about states, we need to think about liberation, we need to think about the genuinely liberatory promises that led to some of this environmental destruction which can’t be reduced to a question of greed or even of capitalism…There’s no question that the social and economic system that has been a driving force in the climate crisis is the capitalist system. But the socialist system in some sense was even more environmentally profligate and wasteful. It was just less successful. And so in terms of its longevity, in terms of the scale on which it was operating, it kind of doesn’t compare with what a particular capitalist mode of production does to our ability to treat all of nature as commodity and to lead to this kind of constantly expanding frontier of production.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines But my question is really a different one, which is, where were the alternatives? Who was thinking differently?Q: You point out that there are these rather horrific incidents which are almost genocidal. A: I think that’s one of the key narratives in the book to show that the moments of the most intensive and accelerated environmental destruction over the last several hundred years have almost always gone together with moments of intense violence. And violence is at the core of ‘The Burning Earth’. Not just violence against the earth or against nature, but against other people… Wars that are going on all around us in the world today are part of a very long pattern where armed violence and militarism and military destruction have been inextricably bound with massive environmental destruction.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back Down123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa’s combined net worth in 2026: Inside the WWE stars’ salaries, earnings, merchandise, endorsements and Anoa’i family fortune 5,000-year-old ‘Stargazer’ statuette from ancient Turkey reveals a mysterious early human sculpture Rajnath Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Lok Sabha LoP. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s foreign policy, calling them “petty and condemnable” and warning that such language could damage democratic discourse.Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He accused Gandhi of lowering the dignity associated with the post and questioned whether such conduct was appropriate for someone holding a key constitutional position.”The remarks made by LoP Rahul Gandhi on PM Narendra Modi and India’s foreign policy yesterday are petty and condemnable. It is painful for me personally, too. In my long political life, I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any LoP. Such conduct is a grave sign of a threat to a healthy democracy,” Singh said.The defence minister also defended Modi’s record as Prime Minister and his standing abroad, while arguing that political differences should not lead to what he described as disrespectful remarks.”Rahul Gandhi might have frustration with PM in his mind, but such indecent remarks are unacceptable, especially when PM Modi has been a Prime Minister who has brought prestige to India nationally and internationally, and paved the way for Viksit Bharat. “”In 12 years, working with full dedication, he did not take any leave. Such indecent remarks against such a PM pain every Indian,” he said.Singh then turned his criticism towards the Congress, questioning whether the party could continue to claim the legacy of several of India’s prominent leaders after Gandhi’s remarks.”I would also like to humbly tell the Congress party that after such language and conduct, can they have any claim over the legacy of Lal-Bal-Pal and Gandhi, Patel and Nehru, from Subhas Babu to Rajendra Babu and Shastri ji and Narasimha Rao ji to Pranab Mukherjee?” Rajnath Singh said.He further accused Gandhi of not only targeting Modi but also damaging India’s image and the dignity of the Leader of Opposition’s office.”With this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted PM Narendra Modi but also the international prestige of India. He has shredded the dignity of the post of Lok Sabha LoP. I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark.”The exchange followed remarks made by Gandhi at the Congress’s Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday.Gandhi criticised the government’s approach to foreign policy and argued that India’s international relations should be driven by national interest rather than personal relationships between political leaders.”I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads. I don’t know who put it there or where it came from, the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians. I was young. We went to America. Since we’re talking about expressions, I’ll share this. We went to America. I was twelve years old. Priyanka, myself, my mother, and my grandmother – my grandmother was the Prime Minister. There was a state dinner – an official dinner. My grandmother and mother went to the official dinner,” he said.He added, “You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country.”Gandhi also accused the Modi government of damaging India’s foreign policy, using the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel as an example.”War broke out in Iran. For India – had it recognised its own strength and had its leader been someone like Indira Gandhi–this presented the greatest opportunity in the world. What kind of opportunity? Iran was our old friend, America was our friend, and Russia was our friend. We could have stepped up, become relevant, and leveraged these friendships. But what actually happened? Nothing of the sort. Instead, Pakistan stepped in and took our place; Pakistan became the mediator, while India and Modi-ji simply looked on,” he said.Rahul Gandhi claimed he receives “information directly from Modi ji’s office these days; there is a full-blown revolt going on inside”.He also referred to certain claims in videos on social media about China’s actions concerning patrolling along the LAC in a border area of Arunachal Pradesh.He also raised allegations concerning Chinese activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and accused the government of pressuring the media not to report certain claims.”In our patrolling areas–specifically in Arunachal–China blocked us from patrolling. They essentially said, ‘Look, all that is fine–it is indeed your land–but you cannot patrol here.’ Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Narendra Modi have been completely deflated. They are calling up all the media editors, telling them, ‘Don’t publish this in your newspapers; suppress the story.’ They are causing direct harm to the country without a second thought,” he said.Gandhi also revisited the dispute over India’s handling of the border situation with China following the Galwan clash.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe alleged that conflicting statements about whether Indian territory had been lost weakened India’s position during negotiations with China.”After the Galwan incident, the Prime Minister held a meeting–a Zoom call. He stated that China hadn’t taken a single inch of Indian territory. The Army said that our land had been taken. Just think about the message sent to China: Chinese negotiators asked our negotiators, ‘What nonsense are you talking about? Your own Prime Minister said no land was lost.’ So, internally, they have destroyed the country; they have wrecked our foreign policy. And they did all of this solely to finance their political structure, to secure funds from Adaniji,” he alleged.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke R Madhavan treated son Vedaant like an adult ever since he was 5 years old, here’s the one lesson he taught his son: ‘He can become news very quickly, if he doesn’t know how to keep his ducks Why are train coaches blue, red or green? Here’s what their colours actually mean ‘Greatest threat’: How India, Pakistan view each other; data lays bare deep animosity 79-year-old UK grandmother refuses to sell part of her garden for $60m road project to protect a 500-year-old oak tree and local wildlife President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards for personnel of the defence forces and CAPF. NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday approved 78 gallantry awards for personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. Of the 78 awards, 13 have been approved posthumously, according to the Press Information Bureau.The awards include nine Kirti Chakras, of which seven are posthumous, and 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous award.The President has also approved one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, five Bars to Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous awards. The list also includes three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).The awards have been approved to recognise gallantry among personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces.Here’s the full list Underlining that students are the “architects of India’s future,” President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn her address to the nation on the eve of the country’s 80th Independence Day, the president stressed that just as government and society remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of students.”Public examinations become gateways to opportunities for our students. The government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth,” she said.Her remarks assume significance in the backdrop of recent nationwide Gen Z and student-led protests demanding systemic overhauls, fast-track investigations, and stringent legal action following high-profile paper leak irregularities in competitive examinations.ALSO READ | ‘Terrorists will face consequences’: President Murmu addresses nation on eve of 80th I-DayGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back Down123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke US stock market today: Wall Street drifts near record highs; economic data in focus Ashmit Patel slams trolls over Sohail Khan’s looks: ‘Don’t you have parents who are aged?’ Super Bowl LXI lands on Valentine’s Day for the first time in history creating an unusual football-versus-romance showdown In 1968, a California landowner demanded $100 an acre for land inside Pinnacles that officials valued at $17; a year later the Park Service paid more than $46 an acre and bought the parcel for $7,400 Ashmit Patel says relationship with sister Ameesha Patel has ups and downs: ‘But blood is thicker than water, I will always protect her till my last breath’ What you see first reveals your hidden superpower Luka Dončić’s future with Los Angeles Lakers questioned following franchise’s record breaking $12.5 bilion sale Another Queen Elizabeth grandchild appears set to give up royal titles as Royal family reveals his future plans President Droupadi Murmu addresses the nation on Independence Day eve NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday addressed the nation and extended her greetings ahead of the 80th Independence day. On the eve of Independence Day, Murmu praised India’s growth and said that “every citizen is contributing to nation building”.Here’s are some of the key quotes from President Murmu’s national address:Duty of every person associated with judicial system to ensure that no one is deprived of justice due to lack of resources.Citizens across all walks of life are making valuable contributions to nation-building, with the Armed Forces, CAPFs, police personnel, sanitation workers and the Indian diaspora playing a special role. India remains committed to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 through inclusive development, while drawing inspiration from its rich heritage and the ideals of the freedom struggle.Operation Sindoor demonstrated Indian Armed Forces’ capability for precision strikes against terror networks.People from different ideological streams shared one common goal, India’s independence. During the Swadeshi Movement, Vande Mataram became the song of the masses. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, countless Indians joined the freedom struggle, while Dr BR Ambedkar set high ideals of social reform and national commitment.Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with country harbouring terrorism a decisive step in national interest, particularly for farmers.Terrorists and those supporting them will have to face consequences no matter where they hide.Making India Naxal-free is a major national achievement.Due to communal violence, millions of people had to become refugees and endure the horrors of Partition. Yet, they did not abandon their identity. When our country became independent, along with the serious consequences of Partition, integrating more than 550 princely states with the newly independent India was also an extraordinary challenge. Sardar Patel integrated the princely states into our independent republic.Over 25 cr people lifted out of poverty in past decade through inclusive development initiatives.Free ration programme ensuring food security for more than 80 cr beneficiaries.We are moving forward with a balance between heritage and development. The world’s largest and most advanced digital infrastructure has been developed in our country. Digital payments are being made even at small shops in villages and on roadside stalls. More than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions are taking place in India. Our citizens and the government, working together, have presented an example of a digital revolution to the global community.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Big blow for India as Jemimah Rodrigues’ injury rules her out of Asia Cup and Asian Games Director Abhijeet Deshpande explains why Vinod Kambli’s life is becoming a series, not a film, ‘So much material and drama’ 10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots We have strong ties with Italy, should be respectful: MEA on Congress leader’s ‘Meloni’ remark UK sets 24-week target for asylum appeals to speed up deportations Modernisation of the defence forces, driven by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector is the first and foremost priority of government, Rajnath Singh told the Armed Forces on the eve of 80th Independence Day. NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India’s defence sector had undergone an “unprecedented transformation” over the past 12 years, with domestic defence production rising nearly fourfold to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.In his message to soldiers on the eve of Independence Day, Rajnath said India had reduced its dependence on defence imports while strengthening indigenous manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.””You all know that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, our government has always accorded the highest priority to self-reliance in the defence sector. Over the past 12 years, you have witnessed unprecedented transformation in the defence sector through Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India,” he said.“Our domestic defence production, which stood at around Rs 46,000 crore in 2014, reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. This means that over the past decade, our domestic defence production has increased nearly fourfold. This is proof of the structural changes that have taken place over the past decade,” the defence minister added.The union minister further highlighted recent tests and developments in indigenous defence technology, including the MIRV-equipped Advanced Agni missile, Rudram-II air-to-surface missile, Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile and Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket.“We have also made major advances in hypersonic technology. The successful demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology is equally significant,” he said.He also said the first successful test of the indigenous Kusha Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile had strengthened India’s air-defence capabilities.91% indegenisation in Army ammunitionsAs Rajnath hailed the growth in defence sector, the ministry of defence said India’s defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, nearly four times the level of 2014. The government said defence exports have grown 56-fold, from Rs 686 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26, with Indian defence products now reaching more than 80 countries.The defence budget has increased 3.1-fold, from Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 7.85 lakh crore in 2026-27, while capital expenditure has risen 2.3-fold to Rs 2.19 lakh crore. Defence R&D spending has more than doubled to Rs 29,100 crore in 2026-27 from Rs 13,716 crore in 2014-15.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ministry said the Indian Army has achieved roughly 91% self-sufficiency in ammunition, having indigenised 159 of 175 ammunition variants.The government is targeting Rs 3 lakh crore in annual defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to life123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Ravindra Jadeja two short from 350 Test wickets, set to join Kapil Dev in elite club India’s big chip ambition: Can it become the world’s next semiconductor hub? When will UGC NET 2026 provisional answer key be released? Here’s what we know so far Anurag Kashyap opens up about being age-shamed for dating 20-years-younger Shubhra Shetty: ‘At one point I was so consious, I tried to push her away’ KYC scan fails again and again on Naga man; Nagaland minister’s hilarious video raises a serious question Nigel Farage beats ‘space warrior trashcan’ rival in UK bypoll he triggered Why experts say this is unusual CJI Surya Kant said his ‘cockroach’ remark was ‘misquoted and misused’ through clipped court videos, warning against misleading social media posts. NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said that his oral remarks during a Supreme Court hearing were “misquoted” and later used with “malicious intent” to mislead the country’s youth, amid controversy over a comment that sparked the satirical online movement “Cockroach Janta Party”.”My comment was misquoted and misused. What was not said is presented as though it was said. This is extremely unfortunate. Particularly, it is a major malicious attempt to mislead the youth of the country,” Kant in a DD News interview.Kant expressed concern over short clips of court proceedings being circulated on social media without the necessary context. Watch CJI Justice Surya Kant का पहला TV Exclusive Interview | CJI | Supreme Court | DD News”You are on social media, print media or any form of media or you are simply a citizen. All of us have rights and constitutional duty and responsibilities,” he further said.”When we speak of rights, we must also possess the capacity to fulfil our obligations. Therefore, I would urge them to keep their responsibilities in mind; we must all make tireless efforts to ensure that harmony prevails in society,” he added.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn May 15, while hearing a case in the Supreme Court, Kant had compared certain individuals with fraudulent degrees to “cockroaches” who become social media or RTI activists to attack the system.The remarks triggered widespread backlash among young people and inspired the satirical “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) movement.The CJP later led protests at Jantar Mantar over the NEET-UG paper leak. The over-a-month-long agitation culminated in a clash between protesters and police on July 20, leaving several people injured on both sides. The protests also preceded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to lifeLove dal, roti and dairy? These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Check detailed examination schedule and complete details here German Ambassador Jasper Wieck revisits his India journey through Old Delhi, Agra and beyond from 35 years ago, “For me, coming to India is like coming home…” Harmonize Your Home: Why family photo direction matters for love and relationship strength – Feng Shui & Vastu Photo Guide Reliance, Rolls-Royce partner to develop engine for India’s fifth-gen fighter jet In 1964, a Utah businessman built a gas station beside Capitol Reef; after years of conflict over his quarry, the government took his property for $400,000 and razed the lodge and station ​Delhi HC receives bomb threat ahead of Independence Day; US has reportedly lost nearly 45 Reaper drones in Iran war (Photo: Agencies) The Delhi High Court received a bomb threat email a day before Independence Day, with the message mentioning the Red Fort and khaki-clad attackers.The US military has reportedly lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during its war with Iran, representing about 25% of its fleet.Chief Justice Surya Kant strongly disapproved of the Bar Council of India’s now-revoked action against NALSAR students following their protest against the CJI’s invitation as chief guest.The Congress has questioned the Centre’s approach to the caste census, saying the absence of a pre-prepared list of castes raises “serious doubts on intent”.Former Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has died at the age of 78.Here are the top 5 stories of the day‘Lal Qila ta nishana hove ga’: Delhi HC bomb threat ahead of Independence Day mentions khaki-clad attackersA bomb threat was received at the Delhi High Court through an email at around 11.43 am, prompting authorities to activate the standard operating procedure and carry out extensive security checks on the premises. The threatening email reportedly mentioned August 15 and contained the warning, “Lal Qila ta nishana hove ga” (the Red Fort will be targeted). The email also made a reference to those carrying out the bombing being dressed in khaki. Read full storyUS loses 45 Reaper drones in Iran war, representing 25% of fleet worth $1.3 billion: ReportThe US military has reportedly lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during its war with Iran, representing about 25 per cent of its fleet. The Reaper is used for surveillance and targeted strikes and can cost between $30 million and $50 million, depending on its sensors and weapons, according to the US Air Force. The losses could therefore represent more than $1.3 billion in equipment costs, according to three US officials familiar with Pentagon data, quoted by the Washington Post. Read full storyBCI action, U-turn and SC rebuke: How NALSAR students’ protest against CJI kicked up a rowChief Justice of India Surya Kant strongly disapproved of the Bar Council of India’s now-revoked decision to stop enrolment of 2026 graduates of Hyderabad’s NALSAR University of Law as advocates after students opposed his invitation as chief guest for the university’s convocation. The Supreme Court said students had a right to protest peacefully and stayed any coercive action against NALSAR students or faculty by the BCI or state Bar Council. Read full story’Serious doubts on intent’: Congress attacks Centre over caste census format; cites Telangana modelThe Congress questioned the Centre’s approach to caste enumeration in the upcoming Census, saying the decision not to provide a pre-prepared list of castes for respondents to choose from raised “serious doubts on intent”. The party also alleged that political parties had not been consulted on the questionnaire. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCongress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said it was widely expected that the caste question would include a state-wise list, similar to the caste surveys conducted in Bihar and Telangana. Read full storyJimmy Rimmer dies at 78: Tributes pour in for the Manchester United and Aston Villa star, exploring the European Cup winner career’s best highlightsFormer Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has passed away at the age of 78. The veteran goalkeeper enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades. He won the European Cup with both clubs. Rimmer was part of United’s 1968 European Cup-winning squad. He later became a key player for Aston Villa, started their European Cup campaign in 1982 and helped them reach the final against Bayern Munich. Read full storyGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to lifeLove dal, roti and dairy? These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke India’s forex reserves climb to $707 billion, mark $14.1 billion jump Ajay Devgn rents out 7,802 sq feet Juhu bungalow with an estimated total rental income of Rs 10.61 crore for a five-year lease agreement Before you tell your child “finish everything on your plate”; this is what a psychologist wants you to know Meet ‘MOXIE’, a small Nasa device that for the first time made oxygen from the Martian atmosphere ‘Declared unruly’: IndiGo on woman who damaged property worth Rs 49k at Bhubaneswar airport Pakistani minister in Balochistan province escapes armed attack on convoy In a Dec 19, 1901 letter, Gandhi described the restrictions in the Transvaal, where Indians could not hold land, were required to live and trade only in designated areas, and were barred from footpaths. A fast unto death announced by Mahatma Gandhi in Pune’s Yerawada jail in 1932 was to change the course of India’s political history. Imprisoned for the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhi announced the fast in a Sept 13 letter to British PM Ramsay MacDonald that was shared with the press. His aim was to oppose a separate electorate for Dalits, proposed under the Communal Award of August 1932.“I have to resist your decision with my life,” Gandhi wrote, saying his fast would begin on Sept 20. “As a man of religion that I hold myself to be, I have no other course left open to me.”The award classified Dalits as a minority whose representatives would be elected only by Dalit voters, just as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs would elect their own representatives. Gandhi believed this would divide Hindu society; BR Ambedkar supported it as a safeguard for Dalit political representationGandhi acknowledged that he might be wrong. If his judgement was “warped”, he wrote, his death would be “a penance for my error” and would lift the burden from those who had “child-like faith” in his wisdom.His week-long fast led to the Poona Pact, negotiated by Madan Mohan Malaviya and Ambedkar and accepted by Gandhi. It abandoned a separate electorate but reserved seats for Dalits within the general electorate, becoming a milestone in Dalit representation and a precursor to reservations for SCs and STs in independent India.Suspending SatyagrahaGandhi also used a letter to the press to announce the suspension of Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act. Writing on July 21, 1919, he asked satyagrahis to “swallow the bitter pill” and halt their campaign after protests had turned violent.The act allowed the colonial government to detain political prisoners for two years without trial. Gandhi’s campaign against it, launched in March 1919, was his first nationwide political mobilisation after returning from South Africa. Despite his appeals for peaceful hartals, fasts and prayers, violence erupted in several places. Gandhi was prevented from entering Punjab and arrested; the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13 made the situation explosive. Attacks on police stations and railway property, and deadly clashes between protesters and authorities, led him to pause civil disobedience.For Gandhi, non-violence was not merely tactical. Amid divisions within Congress and Subhas Chandra Bose’s different course, he wrote from Sevagram on July 21, 1941In the July letter, published under the headline “SATYAGRAHA. Civil Resistance Suspended”, Gandhi disclosed that the governor of Bombay had conveyed “a grave warning” from the Government of India that renewed civil disobedience could threaten public security.Writing from Mani Bhavan in Bombay, Gandhi conceded that the suspension was painful. Yet he remained unyielding on the law: “Satyagrahi will pay for its removal with their lives if it cannot be removed by lesser means.” He also warned the Raj: “If my occasional Civil Resistance be a lighted match, Rowlatt legislation…is a thousand matches scattered throughout India.”For Gandhi, non-violence was not merely tactical. Amid divisions within Congress and Subhas Chandra Bose’s different course, he wrote from Sevagram on July 21, 1941: “With me, no doubt non-violence is an end in itself, though it is also a means for the attainment of the freedom of the country.” A year earlier, he had underlined its voluntary nature: “Non-violence cannot be imposed upon anyone. It has to come from within.”The South Africa YearsGandhi’s letters to the editor predated his emergence as a leader of India’s freedom struggle. During his 21 years in South Africa, where he first used Satyagraha as a method of resistance, he repeatedly drew attention to discriminatory laws against IndiansIn a Dec 19, 1901 letter, he described the restrictions in the Transvaal, where Indians could not hold land, were required to live and trade only in designated areas, and were barred from footpaths. In the Orange River Colony, he wrote, an Indian could not even enter without special permission, except as a domestic servant or labourer.After returning to India, he continued to write about the poor conditions of Indians legally settled in South Africa. In an Aug 29, 1919 letter, he blamed the “greedy Europeans of Natal” for importing Indian indentured labour at miserably low wages while ignoring local Zulu workers, all in pursuit of “enormous profits”.Cow Slaughter And EidGandhi’s correspondence also addressed social fractures, particularly Hindu-Muslim relations. In a 1919 letter written around Bakrid, he recounted a conversation with Maulana Abdul Bari of Lucknow’s Firangi Mahal, a prominent supporter of the Khilafat Movement.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGandhi quoted the Maulana as saying: “Islam will fall to pieces if it ever takes and never gives…. If we take from you, we must give to you.” Abdul Bari had urged his followers to abstain from cow slaughter. On Bakrid, he sent Gandhi a telegram: “In celebration of Hindu-Muslim unity, no cow sacrifices in Firangi-Mahal this Bakri-Id.”More than a century later, these letters are more than historical records. They reveal Gandhi not only as a politician confronting colonial power but as a public figure wrestling with representation, violence, communal division and moral responsibility. Through TOI’s pages, his words travelled beyond the immediate battles of the freedom struggle, leaving an intimate record of how he tried to shape public opinion — and India itself.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to lifeLove dal, roti and dairy? These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke IIT graduate turned down Amazon for UPSC, faced 3 setbacks, but his next move took him to IIM Ahmedabad