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RaGa in Berkeley: Candour, gaffes and a scathing attack on Modi government

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8 years ago

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Rahul Gandhi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Congress vice president admits that Modi is a better communicator than him but hits out at PM for demonetisation, allowing hatred and violence to destroy India’s social fabric

Addressing students at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government while also speaking candidly on a range of other issues, including the existence of dynastic politics in India.

Expectedly, the BJP back home hasn’t reacted very warmly to the Nehru-Gandhi scion’s remarks, with union ministers and several party leaders asserting that Rahul was simply “venting his frustration” and that his comments that “slammed India” on foreign soil were “deplorable”.

However, the substance of Rahul’s speech and his remarks during an interactive session with the students portray a certain maturity that the Congress vice president is seldom credited to have. Expectedly, much has been made out against a minor gaffe – something that has come to be expected from Rahul owing to his previous public record – which the Congress MP made when he claimed that the Lok Sabha has 546 seats (it has 545).

In his short 18-minute address at the University – a place where his great-grandfather and India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had also delivered a historic speech back in 1949 – Rahul slammed the economic policies of the Modi government, criticising the Prime Minister’s decision on demonetisation and the “hasty” implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in particular.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGUEk2MmgxWk5xMGclMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Decisions like demonetisation which removed 86 per cent of cash from circulation were taken unilaterally (by Modi), without asking the chief economic advisor or the Cabinet or even the Parliament, it (demonetisation) imposed a devastating cost… It cost us two percent loss in GDP. The government’s economic policies and the hastily applied GST can cause tremendous damage,” Rahul said.

The Congress vice president also outlined the Modi government’s failure in creating jobs for Indian youth and slammed the BJP regime for junking India’s ethos of peace and non-violence for “hatred, anger, violence and politics of polarisation”, which he said would “destroy India’s growth momentum” and “distract people from the task at hand”.

Gandhi also highlighted the lynching of Dalits, killing of Muslims over suspicion of them consuming beef and the shooting of liberal journalists (a reference to the recent murder of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh) to drive home his point about the rise in intolerance and hatred in India under Modi’s rule. All of this, Rahul said, was “new in India”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While the BJP spokespersons Sambit Patra and GVL Narsimha Rao and union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani have expectedly hit out at Rahul for criticizing India on foreign soil, the party has conveniently forgotten that while the Congress president has made these remarks at an interactive session with students and while being an Opposition leader, Modi had himself repeatedly slammed India and previous Congress government on various counts at events of much greater significance – all in the capacity of India’s Prime Minister.

If Rahul’s comments during his address largely focused at slamming the Modi government’s perceived economic failures, his remarks during an interactive session were candid, even self-deprecating.

Often called out, especially by the BJP, for his poor oratory skills and for being the torchbearer of dynastic politics, Gandhi almost pleaded guilty on both counts and even asserted that Modi was a “much better communicator” than him.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Narendra ModiHowever, Rahul qualified his praise for Modi’s communication skills with an equal measure of criticism. “Modi has certain skills, he is a very good communicator, he’s much better than me. He knows how to give a message to 3-4 different groups in a crowd, so his messaging ability is very effective and subtle…but he doesn’t listen to people. What I sense is he doesn’t converse with the people he works with… members of Parliament and the BJP tell me that,” Rahul said

On the issue of “dynasts” in India, while Rahul conceded that he was a result of the phenomenon, he also cited leaders from other political parties – BJP MP Anurag Thakur (son of former Himachal CM Prem Kumar Dhumal), DMK working president MK Stalin, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav – while also naming Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan and Reliance group’s billionaire industrialist “Mr Ambani”, to claim that “most of India runs like this”. The Congress vice president’s assertion that dynasty is a reality in all spheres of India – be it politics, films or industry – has also been criticised by the BJP while he was also trolled on Twitter for these remarks.

The Nehru-Gandhi scion also made it a point to highlight the “BJP machine” with “1000 men sitting on computers” for what he called was an “operation run by the government that is running our country”. He said these 1000 men (a reference to social media trolls) “spread abuse about me, say that I’m a reluctant politician, I’m stupid… that’s all they do”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India and Russia vow to walk together against terrorism, reaffirm strategic partnership

PM Modi and President Putin reaffirm India-Russia unity against terrorism, deepen energy and trade cooperation, and discuss peace efforts amid the Ukraine conflict.

Published

2 hours ago

on

December 5, 2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday underlined that India and Russia “walk together in the fight against terrorism,” reinforcing a decades-old strategic partnership that remains steady amid global geopolitical churn. The leaders issued the joint statement following talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi, where they also announced steps to boost trade, economic cooperation, and energy collaboration.

India-Russia stand firm on counter-terror cooperation

PM Modi described President Putin as a “dear friend” and highlighted Moscow’s consistent support to India on counter-terror efforts. Russia had earlier strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, allegedly linked to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, and reiterated solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism in all forms.

The joint remarks emphasized that the bilateral friendship, rooted in trust and mutual respect, has remained resilient for decades despite global challenges.

Focus on energy, trade and use of national currencies

A key highlight of the engagement was Russia reaffirming “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel to India. PM Modi expressed gratitude for Russia’s commitment, noting energy cooperation as a crucial pillar of the relationship. While he did not specifically mention oil purchases, given ongoing Western pressure, he emphasised cooperation in civil nuclear and clean energy.

The two countries also discussed expanding economic ties, including a possible free trade agreement. President Putin said bilateral trade was being targeted to reach USD 100 billion, and acknowledged progress toward using national currencies for payments — a remark expected to draw global attention.

Putin shares peace plan insights on Ukraine conflict

Putin briefed the Prime Minister on Russia’s perspective for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine war and appreciated India’s continued role as a “champion of peace.” PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position on dialogue and diplomacy.

Agreements across jobs, health, shipping and minerals

Officials exchanged multiple agreements covering employment mobility, health, shipping, chemicals and cooperation in critical minerals — further broadening the strategic footprint of the partnership.

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RBI cuts repo rate to 5.25%, paving the way for cheaper loans

The RBI has cut the repo rate to 5.25%, aiming to support growth as inflation softens. The central bank also raised GDP projections and announced liquidity-boosting measures.

Published

7 hours ago

on

December 5, 2025

By

Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the key repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% on Thursday, signalling relief for borrowers as banks are expected to offer lower EMIs on home and vehicle loans. Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced the move after the conclusion of the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

RBI prioritises growth as inflation eases

Malhotra said the decision was unanimous, with the central bank choosing to focus on supporting economic momentum despite concerns over a weak rupee. The repo rate was earlier cut in June from 6% to 5.5% amid easing inflation trends.

The RBI now projects Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 2% for FY2025-26, significantly softer than earlier estimates. For the first quarter of FY2026-27, inflation is expected at 3.9%, lower than the previous projection. The governor noted that rising precious metal prices may contribute to the headline CPI, but overall risks to inflation remain balanced.

GDP outlook strengthened

In a strong upward revision, the central bank increased the GDP forecast for the current financial year to 7.3%, previously estimated at 6.8%. Growth for the October–December quarter has also been revised to 6.7%.

The last quarter registered a six-quarter high expansion of 8.2%, reflecting resilient demand and steady credit flow.

“The growth-inflation balance continues to offer policy space,” Malhotra said, reiterating that the RBI’s stance remains neutral.

Other key decisions

Alongside the repo rate cut, the RBI announced adjustments to key policy corridors:

  • Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 5%
  • Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): 5.5%

To improve liquidity and strengthen monetary transmission, the RBI will conduct forex swaps and purchase ₹1 lakh crore worth of government bonds through Open Market Operations (OMO).

RBI reviews a challenging year

Reflecting on 2025, Malhotra said the year delivered strong growth and moderate inflation even as global trade and geopolitical uncertainties persisted. He added that bank credit and retail lending remained healthy, providing support to the economy.

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IndiGo flight chaos deepens as over 500 services cancelled, passengers stranded for hours

Over 500 IndiGo flights were cancelled nationwide, leaving passengers stranded without food, clarity or their luggage as airports struggled to manage the disruption.

Published

7 hours ago

on

December 5, 2025

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IndiGo flight

India’s largest airline continued to face massive operational breakdowns, triggering frustration among travellers at major airports across the country. From piles of unattended suitcases to passengers waiting over 12 hours without food or clarity, the disruption stretched into its fourth consecutive day.

Long delays, no communication leave passengers anguished

Several travellers at Delhi airport described the situation as “mental torture”, as thousands of unclaimed suitcases lay scattered across the terminal. Many slept on the floor, while others expressed anger over the lack of communication from airline staff.

One flier said he had been waiting for over 12 hours without any explanation: “Every time they say one-hour or two-hour delays. We were going to a wedding but don’t even have our luggage.”

A passenger in Hyderabad recounted a similar ordeal, saying the flight was delayed indefinitely with no food, water, or updates from the airline. At the airport, some travellers blocked an Air India flight in protest over the lack of arrangements.

Goa and Chennai airports also witnessed tense moments. Videos from Goa showed fliers shouting at IndiGo staff as police attempted to calm the situation. At Chennai, CISF denied entry to IndiGo passengers due to heavy congestion.

Major metro airports impacted; cascading cancellations nationwide

Flight cancellations and delays were reported across multiple airports:

  • Over 200 flights were cancelled in Delhi
  • More than 100 each in Mumbai and Bengaluru
  • Around 90 in Hyderabad
  • Dozens more in Pune, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Bhopal

Pune airport stated that parking bay congestion worsened the situation, as several IndiGo aircraft remained grounded due to lack of crew. Other airlines continued operations without disruption.

Airport authorities said they had mobilised additional manpower for crowd control and passenger support.

IndiGo admits planning lapses, says more cancellations expected

The airline acknowledged a “misjudgment” in assessing crew requirements under revised night-duty norms, which it said created planning gaps. Winter weather and airport congestion further aggravated the crisis.

IndiGo informed the aviation ministry and DGCA that some regulatory changes—such as the shift in night-duty timings and a cap on night landings—have been rolled back temporarily to stabilise operations.

The airline warned that cancellations may continue for another two to three days, and from December 8, schedules will be trimmed to prevent further disruption.

In a message to employees, CEO Pieter Elbers said restoring punctuality would not be an “easy target”.

Airline issues apology amid nationwide frustration

In a late-night statement, IndiGo apologised to customers and industry partners, acknowledging the widespread inconvenience caused by the disruptions. The airline said all teams were working with authorities to bring operations back to normal.

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