Businessman Robert Vadra has reacted cautiously to growing political chatter around Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being projected as a future prime ministerial candidate, saying such expectations are natural but the priority should remain on issues directly affecting the people.

The remarks came after Congress Lok Sabha member Imran Masood publicly pitched Priyanka Gandhi, the party’s general secretary and MP from Wayanad, as a potential prime ministerial face. The statement triggered sharp reactions from the BJP, particularly in the backdrop of criticism over Priyanka Gandhi’s response to violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

Focus should remain on people’s issues, says Vadra

Speaking to media, Robert Vadra said that demands and expectations often emerge from different sections, but leadership speculation should not distract from pressing national concerns.

“Everyone has their own demands. There are demands from various quarters that Priyanka should come forward. There are also demands that I should enter politics. But right now, the focus should be on the real issues that concern the people of the country,” Vadra said.

He underlined that challenges such as pollution, education and employment deserve greater attention in public and political discourse.

Emphasis on brotherhood and unity

Commenting on the situation in Bangladesh, Vadra stressed the importance of harmony and communal unity, cautioning against divisive narratives.

He said that during his visits to religious places across the country, he has observed similar values and concerns among people of different faiths. According to him, unity and brotherhood should guide discussions, rather than any Hindu-Muslim divide.

“No one should be involved in divisive activities. The focus should be on serious challenges facing the country,” he added.

Domestic concerns should come first

Vadra also said that national priorities must take precedence before engaging with issues beyond India’s borders.

“First, we should focus on matters related to our own country. After that, we can look at issues concerning Bangladesh or any other nation,” he said.

Pollution needs urgent attention

Highlighting environmental concerns, Vadra said pollution in the national capital has reached alarming levels and requires immediate solutions. He noted that the issue did not receive adequate discussion during the Winter Session of Parliament.

He pointed out that Priyanka Gandhi had also intended to raise the issue of pollution in Parliament. Vadra suggested that if domestic measures fail, international cooperation could be explored to address worsening air quality.

Christmas greetings and call for peace

On the occasion of Christmas, Vadra extended greetings, saying he prayed for peace, unity and the overall well-being of the country.

In a significant relief measure for disaster-hit families in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has approved the allotment of residential plots to people whose homes were damaged or destroyed in floods and landslides earlier this year. The decision aims to help affected families rebuild their houses at safer locations.

The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has cleared the 5 Marla residential land allotment scheme. A senior official said the proposal has been forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for assent, marking an important step towards large-scale rehabilitation.

According to the government, the decision will cover families impacted by floods, cloudbursts and landslides that occurred during August and September across the Union Territory. Most of the damage was reported from the Jammu region, where thousands of houses were affected due to extreme weather events.

Official data shared earlier in Parliament indicated that the disasters caused widespread destruction. Around 200 people lost their lives, while more than 8,400 houses were damaged. In addition to property losses, large tracts of agricultural land were affected, and livestock losses were also reported.

A significant number of casualties occurred during religious pilgrimages. On August 14, flash floods at the Machail Yatra base camp in Chisoti area of Kishtwar district claimed over 60 lives, with several people reported missing. Another tragedy struck on August 26, when a massive landslide hit the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track in Katra amid heavy rainfall, killing 35 pilgrims.

Following the Katra incident, protests were held against the shrine board over the continuation of the yatra despite weather warnings. The Lieutenant Governor had ordered a probe into the landslide, directing a three-member committee to submit its report within two weeks. However, the report has not yet been made public.

While ex-gratia relief has already been provided to the families of those who lost their lives, the demand for land allotment to rebuild homes at safer locations has remained a key concern among survivors. Officials said identifying suitable land that is both safe and acceptable to local communities has been challenging.

A senior official said groundwork at the district level has largely been completed and the cabinet’s approval has paved the way for the rehabilitation process. The Centre has already sanctioned the reconstruction of 5,000 houses damaged in the floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

A large protest was held outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi following the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. Several demonstrators gathered near the diplomatic mission, holding placards and raising slogans while demanding justice for the victim and accountability from Bangladeshi authorities.

The protest was led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, who alleged a pattern of violence against Hindus and vandalism of religious sites in Bangladesh. Protesters attempted to push through police barricades, leading to clashes with security personnel. To disperse the crowd and prevent escalation, police resorted to a lathi-charge.

Slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Yunus Sarkar hosh me aao” and “Hindu hatiya band karo” were raised as tensions mounted. According to reports, protesters managed to break through at least two layers of barricading before police regained control of the situation. Some demonstrators were detained as authorities worked to clear the area and restore order.

Several protesters were also seen burning effigies of Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus. One protester said that remaining silent would put others at risk, while another alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Security agencies had already been on alert and deployed police and paramilitary forces in multiple layers around the High Commission to prevent any untoward incident.

Details of lynching incident in Bangladesh

Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was lynched to death by a mob in Baluka area of Mymensingh on December 18 over allegations of blasphemy. His body was later set on fire, triggering widespread outrage and condemnation. At least 12 people have been arrested in connection with the killing.

Diplomatic response from Bangladesh

Earlier, Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner, expressing concern over protests and incidents targeting its diplomatic missions in India. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry condemned acts of violence and intimidation against diplomatic establishments, stating that such incidents threaten the safety of diplomatic personnel and undermine principles of mutual respect.

The ministry urged India to conduct a thorough investigation, prevent recurrence of such incidents and ensure security of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions. The incidents cited included vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22 and the protest outside the High Commission in New Delhi on December 20.

India, however, dismissed allegations of inadequate security, stating that the protest in New Delhi was brief and posed no threat to the mission. The diplomatic row has its roots in the killing of the Hindu youth in Bangladesh, which has raised international concerns about the safety of minorities.