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Has BJP started a Taliban in Hinduism? Shashi Tharoor asks

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8 years ago

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Shashi Tharoor

With BJP going ballistic over Shashi Tharoor’s remark that it would turn India into a ‘Hindu Pakistan’ if it gets a majority in Lok Sabha in 2019 and BJP’s youth wing vandalizing his office, the Congress MP on Tuesday hit out at them saying ”have they started a Taliban in Hinduism”.

Speaking at an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor reportedly said: “They (BJYM) are asking me to go to Pakistan. Who has given them the right to decide that I am not a Hindu like them and I don’t have the right to stay in the country? Have they started a Taliban in Hinduism?”

Tharoor has alleged his constituency office in Kerala was vandalised on Monday by the BJP’s youth wing members. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) members poured black engine oil on the doors, walls, signs and gate, put up offensive banners, drove away those waiting outside his office with petitions and raised slogans, asking him to go to Pakistan. The leader also added that they threatened to kill him and shut down his office.

Five people were arrested in connection with the vandalism and later released on bail.

The Yuva Morcha’s district president JR Anuraj defended their action saying Tharoor’s remark was aimed at polarising the country. Tharoor, meanwhile, tweeted, “Our politics has descended to the depths. Vandalism in the name of the ruling party is inexcusable.”

While Congress’s national leadership has distanced itself from his ‘Hindu Pakistan’ statement, the party’s Kerala unit stood with him.

Tharoor also raised the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha when it convened for the monsoon session on Wednesday. He spoke of the attack on his constituency office and the growing incidents of intolerance and violence. He also mentioned the attack on Swami Agnivesh.

“Those who are carrying out mob lynching and mob killings are attacking the ground rules of our democracy. The ground rule of our democracy is that we can disagree with each other without harming or killing one another,” he said.

“I strongly urge the prime minister to break his silence on the behaviour of his partymen,” he said, adding that PM Modi should take action “against anti-national elements indulging in lynching and mob frenzy.”

He described attacks by “incendiary elements and their digital equivalents” meant to destroy the idea of India as a pluralistic and accepting democracy. “Their victims in recent months have included intellectuals, minorities, various citizens of the country. Yesterday even Swami Agnivesh was attacked.. these are people who have expressed dissent against rising tolerance against today’s India and they are being attacked physically,” he said.

“…ground rules of our democracy are being betrayed by those who have been elected by the people of India as the ruling party and they are betraying this basic ground rule. I want to say Mr Deputy Chairman, we cannot and should not stand by as communal violence, mob lynching and hooliganism replace rule of law and rights guaranteed by our constitution,” said Tharoor.

“I strongly urge the PM to break his silence on the behaviour of his party men and take action against these anti-national elements who seek to abridge the freedom of speech in our democracy. Thank you,” he concluded.

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India News

West Bengal Governor dissolves Assembly amid political transition 

Governor R N Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Assembly after the 2026 poll results, with the BJP securing a majority in the state elections.

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2 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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The West Bengal Legislative Assembly was dissolved following the conclusion of the 2026 Assembly elections, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a clear majority in the state.

Governor R N Ravi issued the order dissolving the Assembly as the state prepared for the transition of power after the election results. According to reports, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the election outcome and alleged irregularities in the poll process, claiming the mandate had been “looted”.

The dissolution came as the tenure of the existing Assembly ended on May 7, 2026. The development has sparked political discussions over the formation of the next government in the state.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with newly elected Trinamool Congress MLAs in Kolkata and reportedly raised concerns over internal sabotage during the elections.

The BJP is expected to begin the formal process of government formation in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the Assembly polls.

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India News

Eknath Shinde’s helicopter returns to Mumbai mid-flight due to bad weather

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was forced to return to Mumbai after the pilot detected approaching storm conditions during a flight to Thane district.

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2 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Eknath_shinde (1)

A helicopter carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was forced to return to Mumbai on Thursday after encountering adverse weather conditions during a flight to Thane district.

According to officials, Shinde had departed from Mahalaxmi Racecourse in south Mumbai around 3.30 pm and was travelling to Murbad in Thane district to attend a wedding function related to a party worker’s family.

The helicopter reportedly reached the Airoli area in Navi Mumbai when the pilot noticed an approaching storm and informed the deputy chief minister about the deteriorating weather conditions. Following the alert, the flight was turned back as a precautionary measure.

The helicopter later landed safely at the Pawan Hans facility in Juhu, Mumbai. Officials said Shinde was accompanied by members of his staff, including personal assistant Prabhakar Kale, special executive officer Balsingh Rajput and media adviser Vinay Patrdukar.

The incident comes amid changing weather conditions and storm activity reported in parts of Maharashtra in recent days.

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Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant among 32 inducted in Bihar cabinet expansion

Nishant Kumar entered the Bihar cabinet for the first time as 32 ministers from NDA allies took oath in a major expansion of the state government.

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6 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Bihar government cabinet

A major cabinet expansion took place in Bihar on Thursday, with 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance inducted into the state government. Among the prominent names was Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who entered the cabinet for the first time.

The expansion included representatives from all major NDA allies in the state. According to reports, the BJP secured 15 ministerial berths, while JD(U) got 13 positions. Two ministers were inducted from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha received one berth each.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Patna in the presence of senior NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nishant Kumar’s induction comes weeks after he formally entered active politics. His entry into the Bihar cabinet is being viewed as a significant development for JD(U), which had long projected an anti-dynasty image under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The cabinet reshuffle follows Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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