Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday raised serious concerns about India’s data sovereignty, questioning the government over its approach to digital trade agreements, especially with the United States.

Speaking on the issue, Gandhi said that India’s data belongs to its citizens and can play a crucial role in building the country’s future in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector. He warned that unclear policies and international commitments could weaken India’s control over its own data.

He asked the government what “reducing barriers” with the US actually means, and whether it could impact India’s rules on data localisation. Gandhi also questioned if sensitive data such as health records, financial information, and government databases would remain securely stored within the country.

According to him, India should be leading the global tech race, but instead there is a lack of transparency about how data will be protected. He criticized the government for giving vague replies, saying terms like “framework”, “balance”, and “autonomy” are being used without clear details.

Gandhi further highlighted that in the AI-driven economy, data is a powerful resource that can help India build technology, grow companies, and create jobs. He stressed that losing control over this data could affect India’s long-term digital growth.

Responding to these concerns, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada said that India’s interests are fully safeguarded. He pointed out that India has a strong IT sector with billions in revenue and millions of jobs, making digital trade an important part of the economy.

Prasada also stated that the ongoing India–US trade discussions aim to create a fair and open digital environment while maintaining India’s regulatory independence. He assured that such agreements do not restrict India’s ability to manage and protect its own data.

The issue has now become a major topic of debate, raising questions about how India can balance international cooperation with protecting its digital sovereignty and national interests.

Two suspects have been identified in connection with the blast outside the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in Chandigarh, a senior police official said on Friday, adding that efforts are underway to apprehend them.

The explosion took place around 5 pm on Wednesday near the party office in Sector 37, when a suspected crude explosive device was hurled at the site. No casualties were reported.

An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Explosives Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Security was tightened in the area following the incident, with police cordoning off the site and deploying additional personnel. A team from the National Investigation Agency also inspected the location as part of the probe.

Investigators are examining an unverified video circulating on social media that appears to show one individual pulling the pin from a blue-coloured grenade and throwing it, while another records the act. The two are then seen fleeing moments before the explosion. However, the authenticity of the video is yet to be confirmed, and the suspects’ faces are not clearly visible.

CCTV footage has also captured individuals running across the road shortly after the blast, which may aid the investigation.

In a separate unverified social media post attributed to Babbar Khalsa International member Sukhjinder Singh Babbar, the outfit claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities have not confirmed the claim.

Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur said preliminary findings suggest a small crude device was used. State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar described the incident as an “attack” on the party office, while Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned it as a matter of grave concern.

Police said further investigations are ongoing.

Raghav Chadha on Friday said he has been “silenced, not defeated,” a day after being removed as the deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha.

In a video message posted on X, Chadha alleged that his own party had sought to prevent him from speaking in Parliament. “Whenever I get a chance, I raise issues concerning the people in Parliament, including topics that are often overlooked. But is it an offence to talk about people’s problems? Did I commit any crime?” he said.

He further claimed that the party had formally communicated to Parliament that he should not be given an opportunity to speak. “The AAP has informed Parliament that I should not be given a chance to speak. I would like to tell them — do not take my silence for defeat,” Chadha asserted.

Questioning the move, he added, “I raised several issues that benefited the aam aadmi (common man). What harm did that cause the party? Why does anyone want to stop me from speaking?”

The development follows a letter sent by the AAP to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on Thursday, seeking Chadha’s removal from the deputy leader’s post. The party has proposed Ashok Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, as his replacement.

Sources indicated that the letter also recommended that Chadha should not be allotted speaking time in the House from the party’s quota.

Once regarded as a close confidant of Arvind Kejriwal and among the youngest Members of Parliament in the country, Chadha has played a significant role in party affairs, particularly in Punjab and during the party’s tenure in Delhi.