Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya emphasized that India is a nation that celebrates diversity within the framework of a single culture, and that the wheel on the national flag, the “Dharma Chakra,” symbolizes a foundational principle that unites the entire society.

Speaking at an event on Wednesday, Vaidya said, “We do not have different cultures, but one culture with diverse celebrations.” He also drew a distinction between ‘dharma’ and ‘religion,’ stating that the two are not the same.

“The wheel on the tricolour is the ‘Dharma Chakra’—a symbol of the societal foundation. Institutions like the Supreme Court, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha all use the term ‘dharma,’ which points to its deeper meaning beyond religion,” he said.

Criticizing the term ‘dharmanirapeksha’ (secular), Vaidya noted, “There is no equivalent of the word ‘exclusion’ in Indian languages, because our culture is inherently inclusive.”

Highlighting India’s spiritual values, Vaidya said, “Every soul is potentially divine, regardless of gender. Only Bharat believes this. In contrast, countries like the US denied women voting rights until much later.”

He also spoke about self-reliance, saying, “A swadeshi society is one that is least dependent on the state. During colonial rule, swarajya was the goal. Now that we have achieved it, society must be empowered to realize its own strength.”

Referring to freedom fighter Vinoba Bhave’s ideals, he reiterated that increasing state dependency weakens a society, and that the strength of Bharat lies in its self-sustaining, value-driven social structure.

Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Manish Ranjan, who tragically lost his life in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, had planned to take his parents to the Vaishno Devi shrine following his vacation, a close friend revealed.

Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, who was present at Ranchi airport on Thursday to receive Ranjan’s mortal remains, recalled his friend as a brilliant and dedicated individual. “His father recently retired as the headmaster of Hindi High School in Jhalda. Manish wanted to take his parents to Vaishno Devi after this vacation,” Gupta said.

Ranjan, serving as a section officer with the IB in Hyderabad, was among the 26 victims of the brutal terror attack on Tuesday.

Another friend, Aditya Sharma, also at the airport to accompany the body to Ranjan’s native village in Jhalda, West Bengal’s Purulia district, expressed his grief and outrage. “We never imagined something so horrifying could happen. They say terrorists have no religion, but this attack clearly targeted innocents based on their faith,” Sharma said.

Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi also paid tribute at the airport, condemning the killings in strong terms. “The killing of innocent civilians based on religious identity is inexcusable. The government will ensure the perpetrators and masterminds of this heinous crime are brought to justice,” Marandi affirmed.

New Delhi:
The Supreme Court of India on Monday emphasized the need to preserve the decorum and reputation of the judiciary, following allegations made by a parliamentarian targeting Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.

The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, made the remarks during a hearing on a PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari regarding hate speeches and violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district in the wake of protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

🗨️ “Even Allegations Must Uphold Respect” — Supreme Court

Referring to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s controversial comments, Tiwari told the court that the parliamentarian accused the Chief Justice of causing “civil wars” and questioned the court’s role in law-making, suggesting that “Parliament and assemblies should be shut.”

In response, the court advised restraint.

“We should maintain certain decorum and the reputation of the institution, even in making allegations. In an Article 32 petition, the content must remain respectful,” the bench remarked.

The bench allowed Tiwari to amend his petition and submit more concrete evidence.

🧑‍⚖️ BJP Distances Itself from Dubey’s Comments

In a bid to defuse the tension, BJP President J.P. Nadda clarified that Dubey’s remarks were his personal opinions, not the official stance of the party.

“The BJP respects the judiciary as an inseparable pillar of democracy,” Nadda said.
He also directed party leaders to avoid making such statements in the future.

🔥 Violence in Bengal Over Waqf Act Sparks Legal Scrutiny

Tiwari’s plea describes violent unrest in Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas, triggered by public opposition to the newly-enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act. The unrest, he claimed, resulted in loss of lives and property, worsened by provocative political speeches.

“Some political parties use religious sentiments for electoral gain, rather than promoting peace,” the petition alleges.

🧾 Key Demands in the PIL

1. 📜 Formation of a Judicial Enquiry Commission
   Led by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe the violence in Murshidabad.
2. 📛 Crackdown on Hate Speech
   Direction to the West Bengal government to take strict action against hate and inflammatory remarks by political leaders.
3. 🔁 Enforcement of SC’s 2022 Ruling
   The plea references the October 21, 2022 Supreme Court order that mandated action against individuals — including public officials — who make hate speeches.

🆕 Fresh Clashes in South 24 Parganas

New violence linked to the Waqf (Amendment) Act erupted in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas on April 14, even as police claimed that Murshidabad’s situation had stabilized.

On the occasion of Civil Services Day, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar delivered a strong message emphasizing the indispensable role of civil servants in safeguarding India’s federal structure and ensuring transparent governance.

Speaking at a programme organized by the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industries (FORTI) in Jaipur, Dhankhar commended the civil services for their pivotal contribution to democracy and national progress.

“Civil Services are paramount for growth and stability. But corruption within the system is extremely dangerous for federal politics,” he warned.

⚖️ Civil Servants: Guardians of Federalism

Dhankhar underlined that as different political parties govern various states, the role of impartial, rule-bound bureaucracy becomes even more significant.

“Civil servants are the protectors of federalism. They must commit to orderly and law-abiding conduct,” he said.

He cautioned against alliances between bureaucrats and elements of the political system, or select groups from business, trade, or commerce, calling such collusions detrimental to the integrity of governance.

✨ Setting the Gold Standard

Calling for transparency and accountability, Dhankhar urged civil servants to uphold the highest standards in public service.

“We expect our civil servants to set examples for others to follow — in conduct, ethics, and decision-making,” he added.

🌄 Rajasthan’s Bright Future: Health, Education & Renewable Energy

Highlighting the vast development potential of Rajasthan, the Vice-President pointed to opportunities in:

• 🏥 Health and education
• 🧵 Textiles, minerals, and handicrafts
• 🌞 Renewable and solar energy
• 🏨 Tourism and services sector
• 🖥️ Information technology

“Rajasthan is a natural hub for the service industry and education, yet greenfield projects remain limited. This needs attention,” Dhankhar noted.

🧠 Call for State-Centric Think Tanks

Urging organizations like FORTI to take the lead, he proposed the creation of state-specific think tanks focused on value addition, innovation, and economic transformation.

🏙️ Jaipur: A World-Class City in Need of a Push

Describing Jaipur as a city with global appeal, Dhankhar emphasized its untapped potential in the IT and services sector.

“Jaipur deserves greater recognition. It offers quality living, heritage, and cuisine. Let us make it a global hub,” he said.