VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Indian-origin former Optum director sentenced to 3 years in prison over $950,000 fraud scheme | World News Disha Patani’s ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ dance steals the show at ‘Awarapan 2’ success party; video goes viral 5 signs someone wants commitment but is too afraid to ask for it Mumbai builder told to pay Rs 6 crore to housing society over 20-year delay in occupation certificate Yash’s ‘Toxic’ beats Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ opening-day haul as Day 1 collections cross Rs 50 crore by 3 PM amid mixed reviews and online backlash Archaeologists discover remains of 37 people, including toddlers, inside an ancient giant stone jar in Laos; how Indian travellers can explore the mysterious Plain of Jars What should you wear on Raksha Bandhan 2026? Choose your colours based on your birth number ‘Played competitive matches against boys’: Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana reveals unusual Asia Cup preparation Scientists found traces of two unknown ancient human lineages hiding in modern DNA; one split from our ancestors about 800,000 years ago, another around 1.8 million years ago Explained: When it makes sense to take a joint home loan and when it doesn’t Anirudh Ravichander pays surprise visit to Silambarasan’s ‘Arasan’ sets, joins Vetri Maaran 7 timeless Bhagavad Gita teachings parents can use to raise emotionally strong children who can handle failure, fear and difficult emotions Lunar Eclipse 2026: 7 Myths That People Still Believe Over 100 Indians missing after flash floods hit Nepal – what we know so far Japanese engineer’s anime-inspired hair was meant to save time, but it ended up testing a driver safety camera; and now holds more than 250 patents | World News Rahul attacks Samrat Choudhary govt over BPSC row NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday waded into Bihar’s escalating BPSC row, questioning the Samrat Choudhary-led government over allegations of exam irregularities and paper leaks. He referred to the police crackdown on protesting students, saying, “questions don’t stop with batons.”His statement came a day after a clash broke out between students and police in Bihar’s capital, with police using water cannons and barricades to stop the protesters from marching.Rahul described it as a “straightforward” question on behalf of Bihar’s students and posted on X: “Why the irregularities in recruitment exams? Why no action on allegations of paper leaks? And how long will this tampering with the future of the youth continue?”He then targeted the long-standing BJP-JD(U)-led government in Bihar, saying, “The controversy over BPSC exams is not of today. Students have been on the streets for a long time over the recruitment process, exam pattern, delays, and transparency.”The Lok Sabha leader of opposition also referred to the use of an AK-47 by a security personnel during a student protest in Bihar, that took place earlier, coinciding with student protests Delhi and nationwide over NEET fiasco.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“But instead of answering, what is the government doing? It’s wielding batons and water cannons. It’s taking students into custody. In Siwan, there was even firing with an AK 47 on protesters,” the former Congress chief said.He added in his post: “This is not just a question of police action. This is a question of the mindset of that BJP government, which has no answers – and that’s why it’s turning the police into a weapon to evade accountability.”“The BJP government should understand this – questions don’t stop with batons. You can’t snatch away someone’s future by instilling fear,” the Rae Bareli added.Bihar students had marched towards Raj Bhavan and chief minister Samrat Choudhary’s residence to stage a “gherao”, but faced police barricading and some of them were detained in Patna.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? 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Scientists uncover the chemistry behind the mystery A Scottish scholar and his American wife bought the remote island of Canna; 43 years later they gifted it, their home and their life’s work preserving Gaelic culture to the National Trust for Scotland File photo: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday attacked leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his recent “smash the patriarchy” remark, accusing him of hypocrisy and questioning whether he applies the same principle within his own Congress party.Addressing a press conference, BJP leader and MP Bansuri Swaraj referred to Congress leader’s August 22 remarks at an event in Pune, where he spoke about challenging patriarchal attitudes and restrictions placed on women.“On August 22, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi tried to create a new false narrative in this country. He says, ‘Smash the patriarchy.’ I am all for it,” Swaraj said.“But I want to ask Rahul Gandhi ji, do you limit the slogan of ‘smash the patriarchy’ only to the stage in Pune? Do you practise political patriarchy within your own Congress party?” she added.Swaraj accused Rae Bareli MP of lacking a “vision” and “positive agenda”, alleging that he uses material prepared by his research team to mislead voters and young people.BJP cites remarks against Kangana, Hema MaliniSwaraj said the Congress should begin by examining its own record if it wants to challenge patriarchy.She cited the controversy involving Congress leader Supriya Shrinate’s social media account after BJP MP Kangana Ranaut was given the party ticket from Mandi during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Swaraj described the remarks posted from the account as “extremely objectionable”.She also referred to comments made by Congress leader Randeep Surjewala about BJP leader and actor Hema Malini at a rally in Kaithal in April 2024.Swaraj said Surjewala was subsequently barred from campaigning for 48 hours following action over the remarks.“But Rahul Gandhi did not ‘smash the patriarchy’ then either. There was no such statement from him. Instead, he once again chose to remain silent,” she said.Swaraj also criticised Rahul over what she described as a “highly objectionable joke” involving Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, saying Gandhi had participated in it along with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit.“It does not befit the leader of opposition of the country to make such statements. It appears that leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi now makes statements solely for their meme and reel value,” Swaraj said.BJP MP further said, “I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, why is there not a single woman leader in Karnataka and Himachal? Why did he oppose the Women’s Reservation Bill? And you are talking about women empowerment?”Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance model centered on women-led development, Swaraj stated, “You constantly criticize Narendra Modi, but he is a leader committed to empowering women. Currently, 48 percent of India’s women are leading startups around the world. Rahul Gandhi, I am calling you out for your misogyny. This nation deserves a better Leader of the Opposition than you, Mr. Rahul Gandhi.”What Rahul Gandhi said about patriarchyCongress MP’s remarks came during the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign in Pune, where he addressed thousands of women and girl students.He said the campaign was aimed at challenging a patriarchal system that, according to him, gives men greater freedom while imposing restrictions on women.Former Congress president referred to a video of PM Modi that he said was released after a protest at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that the Prime Minister was “culturally shocked” when girls protesting used cuss words but had no objection to boys using similar language.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Our fight is against such a mindset. We do not want a country which gives all the freedom to men, while women continue to live in a controlled environment. We will work together to end the patriarchal system in India,” Rahul said.In an Instagram story, Congress leader had also defended actor Kriti Sanon amid criticism of her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement, saying, “What a woman wears, what she does and where she goes — is her choice.”He added, “Stop trolling women for exercising their freedom,” using the hashtag “smash the patriarchy”.The remarks followed criticism of Sanon’s attire in a jewellery advertisement, including from BJP MP Kangana Ranaut.Sanon subsequently questioned why women continued to be told what to wear and said, “Culture & Traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff KidsPakistan Tried Chinese Satellites For Op Sindoor Evidence But Failed, Says Ex-CDS Anil ChauhanPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? 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