The Congress on Thursday raised concerns over the recent partnerships between Indian telecom giants Airtel and Jio with Elon Musk’s Starlink, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi orchestrated the deals to “buy goodwill” with U.S. President Donald Trump. The Opposition party also highlighted potential national security risks and questioned the transparency of the agreements.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that both Airtel and Jio announced their collaborations with Starlink within a span of 12 hours, despite previously opposing the satellite internet provider’s entry into India. “It is abundantly clear that these partnerships have been orchestrated by none other than the PM himself to buy goodwill with President Trump through Starlink’s owner, Mr. Elon Musk,” Ramesh alleged in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Ramesh emphasized that several critical questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding national security. “Who will have the power to switch connectivity on or off when national security demands it? Will it be Starlink or its Indian partners? Will other satellite-based connectivity providers also be permitted, and on what basis?” he asked.

The Congress leader also linked the Starlink deals to the larger issue of Tesla’s potential manufacturing plans in India. “Is there some commitment to Tesla manufacturing in India now that Starlink’s entry has been facilitated?” Ramesh questioned.

The partnerships mark a significant shift in the Indian telecom landscape. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms and Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Airtel recently signed separate agreements with SpaceX, the aerospace company led by Elon Musk, to bring Starlink’s broadband internet services to India. This move comes after months of disputes between Indian telecom operators and Starlink over spectrum allocation.

Previously, Jio and Airtel had jointly demanded an auction for satellite spectrum, fearing that administrative allocation would give Starlink an unfair advantage by granting airwaves at lower prices. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is the world’s largest low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, offering high-speed internet services globally.

On Tuesday, Bharti Airtel announced its non-exclusive agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s services in India. Airtel already partners with Eutelsat OneWeb, the second-largest LEO constellation.

The Congress party’s allegations have sparked a political debate, with critics questioning the timing and implications of the deals. The Opposition has called for greater transparency and clarity on how these partnerships will operate, particularly in matters of national security and fair competition.

As India moves closer to integrating advanced satellite internet services, the government faces mounting pressure to address concerns over regulatory frameworks, spectrum allocation, and the role of foreign players in the country’s telecommunications sector. The Starlink partnerships, while promising enhanced connectivity, have also reignited discussions about the balance between technological progress and national sovereignty.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to implement permanent noise control measures for loudspeakers at religious places. During a law and order review at the Circuit House on Wednesday, he also instructed authorities to strictly prohibit high-volume DJs during Holi celebrations, according to an official statement.

Focus on law enforcement and security

Adityanath emphasized the need for enhanced security measures and ordered the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations such as banks, financial institutions, shops, and commercial establishments. He also called for stringent action against cattle smugglers, warning that vehicle owners and any complicit police personnel would face strict consequences.

To ensure effective enforcement of the state’s complete ban on cattle smuggling, Additional Director General (ADG) Zone Piyush Mordia was directed to conduct district-wise reviews.

Development projects and civic improvements

The Chief Minister urged officials to accelerate development projects, appoint nodal officers for each under-construction project, and conduct weekly inspections. Noting delays in some projects, he ordered faster execution while maintaining quality standards.

With summer approaching, he instructed authorities to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. Additionally, he proposed the beautification of flyover pillars with artistic paintings and high-quality advertisements.

Support for vendors, farmers, and working women

Adityanath directed officials to create designated vending zones for street hawkers. He also instructed them to ensure affordable meals, free drinking water, and proper seating arrangements for farmers at all wheat procurement centers.

The District Magistrate announced that wheat procurement at ₹2,425 per quintal would commence on March 17 across 36 centers in the district.

In an effort to support working women, the Chief Minister ordered the establishment of hostels and affordable canteens in the district.

Holi celebrations and crime control

Emphasizing security during ‘Holika Dahan’ and Holi, Adityanath called for strict vigilance. He also directed officials to identify the top ten criminals from each police station to strengthen law enforcement.

A major political row has erupted in Rajasthan over the BJP-led state government’s alleged spending of more than Rs 100 crore on the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards ceremony in Jaipur. The opposition Congress has accused Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s government of prioritizing entertainment over religious and cultural heritage, citing the lack of funds allocated to temples like Khatu Shyam Ji.

Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully took a sharp dig at the ruling party, claiming that apart from superstar Shah Rukh Khan, no other major Bollywood A-lister was present at the event.

Opposition slams spending priorities

During a speech in the Assembly, Jully pointed out that the government, which often “chants the name of Sanatan,” refused to allocate Rs 100 crore for Khatu Shyam Ji temple and Rs 120 crore for Govind Dev Ji temple but swiftly sanctioned the same amount for the IIFA ceremony.

“Passes worth Rs 7 lakh were given out for free using taxpayers’ money. What did Rajasthan gain from IIFA? The stars did not even visit any tourist spots. Who were the big names? Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, everyone was second-grade. When someone mentioned Madhuri Dixit, they said she is second-grade now, her time is over. No big film star came. When Amitabh Bachchan was not there, what is there to say?” Jully remarked.

Sonu Nigam controversy resurfaces

The absence of popular singer Sonu Nigam at the IIFA event added fuel to the controversy. Jully pointed out that the government had invited the singer for the ‘Rajasthan Rising’ event but not for the IIFA awards.

“What happened in one month? You called Sonu Nigam for ‘Rajasthan Rising’ but not here. Sonu Nigam should have been invited. He sings well,” Jully said, suggesting that political motives may have influenced the decision.

The Congress leader was referring to a recent controversy in which Sonu Nigam criticized Chief Minister Sharma and his ministers for walking out during his performance in Jaipur. The singer had commented, “If you do not respect your artists, then what will outsiders do?” The Chief Minister’s Office later clarified that Sharma left the event because outdoor concerts are not allowed after 10 PM.

Adding to the row, Sonu Nigam was not nominated for Best Male Playback Singer at IIFA. He shared a screenshot of the nominations list on Instagram, sarcastically thanking the awards committee and implying that the Rajasthan bureaucracy influenced the decision.

Political clash over cultural priorities

The IIFA controversy has triggered a heated debate in Rajasthan, with the Congress questioning the government’s commitment to religious and cultural development. The BJP, however, has defended its decision, arguing that the event boosted tourism and global exposure for the state.