India News

Hamid Ansari a ranga siyar: BJP trolls Hamid Ansari

Published

9 years ago

August 10, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]~By Sucheta Dasgupta

Soon after Ansari’s interview, in which he speaks about a feeling of unease and insecurity among the country’s Muslims, was aired on Rajya Sabha TV, a section of BJP leaders attacked the outgoing VP, Twitter trolls, author and BJP sympathiser Tarek Fateh ask him to ‘go to Pakistan’, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit wonder if Ansari will join the separatist Hurriyat conference in Kashmir

Soon after Vice President Hamid Ansari’s televised interview, in which he talks about Indian Muslims feeling insecure and uneasy under the prevailing socio-political environment of the country, was aired on Rajya Sabha TV, on Thursday, a section of BJP leaders and an army of trolls on Twitter launched a virulent, even vituperative attack at him.

As Ansari demitted office – the only person since India’s first Vice President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to have completed 10 years in the constitutional post – he also delivered a statesman-like speech in the Rajya Sabha, of which he was ex-officio Chairman. Quoting Dr Radhakrishnan, Ansari said: “democracy is distinguished by the protection it gives to minorities, a democracy is likely to disintegrate into a tyranny if it does not allow the Opposition to criticize freely and frankly the policies of the government.”

The mild-mannered, soft spoken former career diplomat, who was heaped with praise from parliamentarians of all political hues in the Rajya Sabha, however came in for heavy and often abusive criticism on Twitter and also from some BJP leaders soon after.

Making matters worse was a not-so-veiled attack at Ansari from his successor, Venkaiah Naidu, who told news agency PTI: “Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is a political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due.”

While BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya hit out at Ansari for his comments and wondered if they were fuelled by his ambition of taking on a political role, national executive member of the saffron party’s Mahila Morcha, Priti Gandhi wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter: “For 10 years my Hindu majority nation accepted you with open arms, placed you at the pinnacle of power & you still feel uneasy? Agenda kya hai? (sic).”

On APN channel’s daily current affairs talk show – Mudda – BJP leader Chandrabhushan Pandey called Hamid Ansari a “ranga siyar” (jackal dyed indigo) and added: “I never read about the illustrious “(former) President Zakir Hussain making such a statement. Ansari is a beneficiary of this system which values merit over faith and caste. He has turned out to be a ranga siyar, who can’t help himself from aligning with the narrow interests of his community. Yeh retirement ke baad apne liye rozgar talashne ki koshish hai (This is only an attempt to find positions for himself post retirement).”

The discourse over Ansari’s comments quickly disintegrated from routine political jibes to unparliamentary, obnoxious attacks on Twitter.

Right-wing political commentator and writer Tarek Fateh wondered why Ansari he doesn’t “retire to Pakistan” while film-maker and BJP sympathizer Ashoke Pandit tweeted: “Will not be surprised if #HamidAnsari joins #Hurriyat” (sic).[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Others on Twitter put out pictures related to an earlier controversy with which Ansari was linked when news of him not saluting the Indian tricolor during a Republic Day parade (when the then US President Barrack Obama was special dignitary) led to right-wing activists raising questions over his “Indianness”. Ansari’s officer on special duty Gurdeep Singh Sappal had then explained: “When National anthem is played, Principal Dignitary and persons in uniform take the salute. Those in civil dress stand in attention.” Sappal had said that protocol dictates that at Republic Day parade, “the President of India, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, takes the salute and by protocol, the Vice-President is required to stand in attention”.

Ansari has himself explained his position on the controversy thus: “If people don’t know what the correct protocol etiquette is, well, then that’s it. If one thing I know very well, it’s protocol. I have been the longest serving Chief of Protocol in the history of modern India. I know protocol and etiquette. I didn’t deviate from it.”

But trolls on Twitter clear don’t care about explanations or protocol and etiquette as is evident from the posts that flooded the site in a bid to attack and shame Ansari.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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Amit Shah challenges Rahul Gandhi to debate SIR in Parliament

Amit Shah responded to Rahul Gandhi’s public debate challenge by inviting him to discuss the SIR exercise in Parliament. He also criticised the Congress over its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Published

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November 5, 2026

APNLive Desk

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to take up his demand for a public debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, saying the government is ready to convene a special session to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Addressing a rally in Haryana’s Karnal, Shah directly responded to Gandhi’s challenge to the Prime Minister, asking the Congress leader to write to PM Modi if he wanted a discussion.

“I want to challenge Rahul Gandhi directly. You challenge PM Modi for a discussion? If you want a discussion, simply write a letter to PM Modi. We are ready to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the SIR exercise… Come and debate in Parliament,” Shah said.

The remarks came two days after Rahul Gandhi issued another public debate challenge to the Prime Minister.

On November 3, Gandhi wrote in a post on X that PM Modi could choose any stage or venue for a discussion. He proposed debating allegations concerning who was anti-national and who had connections with foreign forces, adding that the media and the country’s youth should also be present.

Amit Shah targets Congress over SIR controversy

During his address, Shah also criticised the Congress over its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Referring to the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Home Minister argued that the Congress had lost despite no Special Intensive Revision exercise being conducted during those elections.

“Where was the SIR in 2014? You were completely wiped out even then. Where was SIR in 2019? You lost. There was no SIR in 2024 either, yet you lost again,” he said.

Shah also referred to the elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, claiming that there was no SIR exercise in either state when the Congress suffered electoral defeats.

He accused the Opposition of disrupting parliamentary proceedings and organising protests on the streets instead of allowing Parliament to function.

Shah criticises Rahul Gandhi over protests

The Home Minister further alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress were creating disorder through street protests and parliamentary boycotts.

Shah said BJP workers would give a “fitting reply” if Gandhi continued to mobilise crowds on the streets.

He also questioned Gandhi’s claim to have mobilised large numbers of people for a rally in Delhi, alleging that the venue had a capacity of 70,000 and was still half empty despite an appeal to bring 10 lakh people.

“The people of the country have consistently defeated Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. The people of the country are not with you or the Opposition alliance,” Shah said.

Amit Shah raises questions over Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits

Shah also sought details about Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits, arguing that people had a right to know about them.

“You’re Leader of Opposition… People have the right to know,” the Home Minister said.

His remarks came amid the continuing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the SIR exercise, electoral processes and the Opposition’s criticism of the Election Commission.

India News

Women’s cash schemes in Chhattisgarh ease inflation, not entrepreneurship

Published

4 hours ago

November 5, 2026

vikram

By Neeraj Mishra

As Chhattisgarh celebrated its 26^th Foundation Day with Home Minister Amit Shah as chief guest, there are worries about the cash programmes for women.

With the payment of the 33^rd consecutive monthly installment of Mahtari Vandan Yojana to more than 67 lakh beneficiaries, Chhattisgarh has created a record of sorts. The 67 lakh women are supposed to have received a monthly cash dole of Rs 1000 per head in their accounts totaling to a mammoth Rs 21,350 crore. It translates into a very neat Rs 33000 per head for each married woman over the age of 21 so far.

And all these women are KYC- checked and receive the direct benefit transfer. If there are an average of three married women in a joint family, then the amount totals to better than the average rise in paddy prices. That’s not all, there are six other women’s schemes which provide easy loans and rent free shops in good locations. These schemes pump in a further Rs 11,000 crore into each household every year. Further, the renamed MNREGA has another Rs 16,200 crore reserved for the state every year.

So far so good and it reads like a state government PR pamphlet. Now for the bad news. The cash dole has so far been absorbed by the family itself because of the inordinate rise in fuel prices. By all accounts only 23 per cent of the households who receive gas cylinders are able to continue buying it. Only 15 per cent of those who received loans for various trades including e-rickshaws have been able to sustain it. This is roughly about 41,000 women so far.

The state had also invested in physical infrastructure like sheds and shops for trades like mushroom farming, goat farming and small size hatcheries. Some shops were given rent free on prime locations in Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur etc. Most of these facilities have been abandoned as the self-help groups (SHGs) formed for the purpose haven’t been able to convert it into a profitable venture. In fact, each SHG, which usually has 11 women, is given a monthly encouragement amount of Rs 15,000 which is now being split amongst the group with nothing to show for it. Most sheds have either broken down or have become illegally occupied. Better still, the shops have been handed over to businessmen to recover some of the cost.

“The main reason these schemes have not had the desired effect is lack of training and a general apathy on part of the entrepreneurs because of easy cash,” said an official. And that best sums it up.

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Sharad Pawar admitted to Mumbai hospital hours after Pune discharge

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital hours after being discharged from Pune’s Ruby Hall Clinic, where he had been undergoing medical observation following complaints of cough and chest pain.

Published

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November 5, 2026

APNLive Desk

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday, just hours after being discharged from Pune’s Ruby Hall Clinic. His daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule confirmed the development in a social media post, saying that the veteran politician was being admitted for further medical tests.

The 85-year-old leader had been discharged from Ruby Hall Clinic earlier on Wednesday after being admitted on November 2 following complaints of cough and pleuritic chest pain.

Confirming his admission to the Mumbai hospital, Supriya Sule said, “We are admitting Baba to Breach Candy Hospital for further tests. Thank you all for your concern and good wishes.”

Pawar’s latest hospitalisation came after he had undergone medical tests and observation during his stay at the Pune facility. Sule had earlier said that his health parameters were stable.

Why was Sharad Pawar admitted to hospital?

Sharad Pawar was initially admitted to Pune’s Ruby Hall Clinic on November 2 after experiencing complaints of cough and pleuritic pain, a form of chest pain that generally becomes worse while breathing, coughing or sneezing.

Dr Purvez K Grant, chief cardiologist, chairman and managing trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic, had said that Pawar was admitted for a general health check-up and medical observation following complaints of pleuritic pain.

During his hospital stay, Supriya Sule had informed that Pawar was undergoing medical tests and that his health parameters remained stable.

He was subsequently discharged from the Pune hospital on Wednesday. However, hours later, his family decided to admit him to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for further medical examinations.

PM Modi calls Sharad Pawar, advises complete rest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Sharad Pawar over the phone on Wednesday morning to enquire about his health.

According to Pawar’s aide Vitthal Maniyar, the Prime Minister spoke to the NCP (SP) chief and advised him to take complete rest.

Maniyar said Modi told Pawar that his daughter Supriya Sule and others were ready to take care of the country, and that the veteran politician should focus on his health.

Pawar thanked the Prime Minister for enquiring about his well-being, the aide said.

Maniyar also said that Pawar told Modi that he was resting and had no worries about the country, as others were there to take care of things.

The latest hospital admission was confirmed by Supriya Sule, who said her father was being taken to Breach Candy Hospital for further tests.