NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat saying that his remark that India got “true independence” after the Ram temple consecration amounts to treason and is an insult to every Indian.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters here, Gandhi said every party worker is fighting this battle of ideologies under difficult circumstances where institutions have been captured by the BJP and the RSS and investigative agencies are being used against opposition leaders.
The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha also hit out at the Election Commission and alleged that there is a “serious problem” with the country’s election system.
“Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to say to the country what he thinks about the independence movement and the Constitution. What he said yesterday is treason… Because he is stating that the Constitution is invalid and the fight against the British was invalid.
“He has the audacity to say this publicly. In any other country, he would be arrested and tried. That is a fact,” Gandhi said at the inauguration of the Indira Gandhi Bhawan.
“To say that India did not get independence in 1947 is an insult to every Indian. And it is time to stop listening to this nonsense that these people think they can keep parroting out and shouting,” he said.
The former Congress president said the party has worked with the Indian people and it has built the success of this country on the foundations of the Constitution and that is what this building symbolises.

“It is important that we take ideas from this building and spread these ideas in the rest of the country,” he said.
Gandhi said “we are fighting a civilisational war with these people, they are attacking every day the ideas that we believe in” and asserted that only the Congress can fight them.
Hitting out at the Election Commission, he said, the EC has refused to give us information about the increase in the number of voters in Maharashtra from Lok Sabha elections to assembly elections.
“What purpose does it serve? Why will it damage the EC? Why are they not giving us the list?
“It is the duty of the EC to ensure transparency in elections. If there is an increase of one crore in (the number of) voters in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha in Maharashtra, it is the duty and sacred responsibility of the EC to show us exactly why this has happened. There is a serious problem with our election system,” Gandhi said. (Agencies)

MUMBAI, Jan 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is becoming a major maritime power and is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner in the world.
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Speaking after the commissioning of three naval warships here, Modi said India has always supported an open, secure, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
A destroyer, a frigate and a submarine were commissioned together for the first time on Wednesday, he noted, adding that all the three are ‘Made in India’.
The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has made the country strong and self-reliant, the prime minister said.
“We should become a global partner in securing the sea from drugs, weapons and terrorism and make it safe and prosperous. India is becoming a major maritime power and is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner,” he said.
In the Indian Ocean region, India has emerged as the “first responder”, the prime minister noted.
Modi said India is going to play a major role in giving a direction to the global security, economy and geopolitical dynamics.
‘It is important to protect the territorial waters, freedom of navigation, and secure trade supply lines and sea routes,’ he said.
Modi further said India is working for development, and not expansionism.
He said 33 ships and seven submarines have been inducted into the Navy in the last 10 years.
India’s defence production has crossed Rs 1.25 lakh crore and defence equipment have been exported to more than 100 countries, he added.
Earlier in the morning, Indian Navy warships INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer were commissioned at the Naval Dockyard here in the presence of PM Modi.
INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class, represents a significant advancement over the Shivalik-class frigates.
Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), it incorporates advanced features for enhanced survivability, seakeeping and stealth, reflecting the next generation of indigenous frigates.
It features advanced stealth technology and reduced radar signatures. It is equipped with modern aviation facilities and can operate multiple helicopter types, including the newly inducted MH-60R.
INS Surat, the fourth and final vessel of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class, is a follow-on to the Kolkata-class destroyers.
It incorporates improvements in design and capability, making it a critical addition to the Navy’s surface fleet.
Like INS Nilgiri, it has also been designed by the Warship Design Bureau and constructed at the MDL.
INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine under the Scorpene-class Project 75. It is a diesel-electric submarine designed for multiple roles, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering.
It features modular construction, enabling future upgrades such as air independent propulsion technology. (PTI)

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Ludhiana West MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi has passed away due to gunshot injuries in what police suspect might be a case of “accidental fire” from his own licensed pistol. The incident occurred around 11:30 pm on Friday at Gogi’s residence.

Incident Details Joint Commissioner of Police Jaskaran Singh Teja stated that the bullet, fired from Gogi’s licensed pistol, pierced his temple. He was rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where he was declared dead. According to family members, the shooting was accidental. The body is currently at the mortuary, and a post-mortem examination will provide further details.

Personal and Political Background Gogi (58) is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. He joined AAP in 2022 after a 22-year association with the Congress. Gogi served as municipal councillor twice in Ludhiana before becoming a legislator and was also the chairman of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation during the previous Congress regime. He gained attention in the 2022 assembly elections when he arrived on a scooter to file his nomination papers, ultimately defeating two-time MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu.

Reactions to His Death Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed deep sorrow, describing Gogi as a “very good person.” In a post on X, Mann conveyed heartfelt condolences to Gogi’s family. Punjab AAP President Aman Arora also extended sympathies, praying for strength for the grieving family and eternal peace for Gogi’s soul.

Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa expressed their grief, recognizing Gogi’s contributions to public service and his dedication to his constituency.

Recent Activities Hours before his death, Gogi attended a meeting with Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and AAP MP Balbir Singh Seechewal to discuss the cleaning of the Buddha Nullah, a polluted drain. He also visited the Prachin Sheetla Mata Mandir in BRS Nagar, where he assured justice following a recent theft.

Legacy and Achievements Gogi was known for his proactive approach to local issues, including the Buddha Nullah rejuvenation project, where he had demolished the foundation stone in protest against project delays. His wife, Sukhchain Kaur Gogi, recently contested municipal corporation elections. Gogi’s dedication to public welfare and his journey from a municipal councillor to a legislator have left a lasting impact on Ludhiana.

The tragic and untimely demise of Gurpreet Bassi Gogi marks a significant loss for the people of Ludhiana West and the Aam Aadmi Party.

New Delhi, Jan 11: A thick layer of fog enveloped the national capital on Saturday morning, significantly reducing visibility and disrupting train operations, officials reported. A total of 45 trains were delayed due to the adverse weather conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that Safdarjung recorded a minimum visibility of 50 meters between 12:30 am and 1:30 am. The visibility improved to 200 meters and remained so until 7:30 am. Several areas across Delhi experienced dense fog during the early morning hours.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 7.7 degrees Celsius, which is normal for this time of year. The IMD has also forecasted thunderstorms with rain during the day, with the maximum temperature expected to reach around 15 degrees Celsius.

Humidity levels were at 100% as of 8:30 am, further contributing to the foggy conditions.