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RSS 3-day meet to reach out to people begins, Opposition to stay away

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7 years ago

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RSS 3-day meet to reach out to people begins, Opposition to stay away

The RSS on Monday started a three-day lecture series in Delhi to reach out to people in a bid to try and explain to them what the organisation is about as also its views and approach on key issues of the country.

Talking about the meet that will continue until Wednesday, senior leaders of the RSS said while outreach programmes have been organized since 1985, this is the first time RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address more than 1,100 people on the organization’s views on various crucial issues, according to media reports.

Hindutva would be the central theme of the event, said media reports.

The highlight of the event is likely to be talks delivered on all three days by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, presenting the Sangh’s view on various contemporary issues. The programme, titled ‘Future of Bharat: An RSS Perspective, is slated to be attended by dignitaries, including religious leaders, film stars, sportspersons, industrialists and envoys from different countries.

“It was decided that initially, Mohan Bhagwat will talk about the organization and its views and later, he would take questions from people. This is a way to reach out to intellectuals, professionals, various other sections of people,” said a senior RSS functionary who is part of the outreach exercise on condition of anonymity.

The outreach programme is significant because it is the first interactive session of the RSS chief with a large gathering, with members of the RSS now being part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In all more than 1,000 guests are on the list of invitees. “Attending an RSS event is not against service rules,” said a spokesperson. Leaders of different faiths are also invited. While the media is invited, cameras won’t be allowed. However, for the first time, RSS will be providing a live feed of the entire event.

The event, however, will not see the presence of top opposition leaders. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav would stay away from the event. While Akhilesh has made his decision known, the CPI-M said Yechury was travelling and in any case they had no invite from the RSS.

The Congress, too, mocked the event. “RSS and BJP have been spreading this fake news for a while regarding sending invites as if it was some kind of a medal of honour,” party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. “No such invite has been received by the Congress party and it is not a medal of honour. Their inherently hate-filled agenda is known to one and all.”

The lecture series will be held at Vigyan Bhavan in the heart of Delhi, a venue reserved for government functions. The allotment guidelines clearly say private bodies and NGOs would be allowed only for the days “President, the Vice-President or the Prime Minister attend the function”. The Centre reportedly used its ‘discretionary powers’ to allow the event at the venue, according to a report in The Economic Times (ET).

RSS leaders said many people are curious to know about the organization’s influence on the government and its views on critical issues concerning the country. “Today, Bharat (India) is moving ahead towards regaining her special and unique position in the world. The RSS is realising that there is a growing eagerness amongst larger sections of the society including the intellectuals and the youth to know and understand the RSS perspective on various issues,” said RSS chief spokesperson Arun Kumar.

Bhagwat would join an interactive session for the first time because many people are keen to know about the organization, said media reports quoting a RSS source.

“There is great curiosity among people to know about RSS. We are getting at least 10,000 requests every month from people who want to join the organization. This initiative is also an attempt to reach out to more people,” the RSS leader added.

Mohan Bhagwat will also interact with select audience comprising prominent citizens during the lecture series.

The event follows Bhagwat’s address at a recent second World Hindu Congress in Chicago where the RSS chief urged Hindus to unite.

Senior RSS leaders said the interactive session with Bhagwat would not be taken up again for a few years. RSS leaders said the organization would make use of social media platforms to publicize the outreach programme and it would be shown live across the world.

“The RSS has organized several outreach programmes in the past. The first outreach exercise was organized in 1985 when the organization went to villages and cities to inform people about the organization. Similar exercises were undertaken in 1989 and 2001,” said the RSS leader.

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Rahul Gandhi alleges institutional bias, questions electoral system during Berlin address

Rahul Gandhi alleged that India’s institutions and electoral system have been weaponised to favour the BJP, remarks that sparked a strong political response.

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46 mins ago

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December 23, 2025

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Rahul-Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has said that India’s institutional framework is facing a serious challenge and has been used to favour the ruling BJP. Speaking during an interaction at the Hertie School in Berlin, Gandhi questioned the functioning of key institutions and the electoral machinery, remarks that triggered a sharp political response from the BJP.

Gandhi said the Congress believes there is a problem with the electoral system and alleged that several institutions have been captured. Referring to investigative agencies, he claimed that bodies such as the CBI and the ED have been used as political tools. According to him, cases filed by these agencies overwhelmingly target those opposing the BJP, while leaders from the ruling party face none.

He also pointed to what he described as a stark financial imbalance between the BJP and the opposition, claiming a funding ratio of 30:1. Gandhi said this disparity reflects how institutions are being used to consolidate political power.

Opposition strategy and INDIA alliance

The Congress leader said merely pointing out problems in elections is not enough and stressed the need for the opposition to build a system of resistance that can effectively counter the ruling party. He added that the challenge now goes beyond electoral contests and is about presenting an alternative vision for the country.

On the INDIA alliance, Gandhi said the unity among opposition parties is rooted in their rejection of the ideological position of the RSS. While acknowledging that tactical contests between alliance partners will continue, he said they remain united when it comes to opposing laws they disagree with and working together in Parliament.

BJP hits back at remarks abroad

Gandhi’s comments delivered overseas drew a strong reaction from the BJP. Party president and Union minister JP Nadda accused him of speaking against India while Parliament is in session and claimed that he was undermining the country’s image at a time when the Prime Minister is receiving global recognition.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised Gandhi, alleging that he routinely travels abroad to defame India. He accused the Congress leader of making misleading claims about the country’s institutions and economic activity while praising China.

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DU VC Prof Yogesh Singh entrusted with additional charge of AICTE Chairman

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18 hours ago

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December 22, 2025

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Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, has been entrusted with the additional charge of the post of Chairman, AICTE till the appointment of a Chairman of AICTE or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

It is noteworthy that AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam was relieved of his duties after his term ended on December 20, 2025. According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, on Monday, Prof. Yogesh Singh’s appointment is until the appointment of a regular AICTE Chairman or until further orders whichever is earlier.

Prof. Yogesh Singh is a renowned academician with excellent administrative capabilities, who has been the Vice-Chancellor of University of Delhi since October 2021. He has also served as the Chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education. In August 2023, he was also given the additional charge of Director of the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA).

Prof. Yogesh Singh served as the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Technological University from 2015 to 2021; Director of Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi from 2014 to 2017, and before that, he was the Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda (Gujarat) from 2011 to 2014. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. He has a distinguished track record in quality teaching, innovation, and research in the field of software engineering.

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Goa nightclub fire case: Court extends police custody of Luthra brothers by five days

A Goa court has extended the police custody of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the nightclub where a deadly fire killed 25 people, by five more days.

Published

18 hours ago

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December 22, 2025

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Luthra brothers

A court in Goa on Monday extended the police custody of Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, by five more days in connection with the deadly fire incident that claimed 25 lives on December 6.

The order was passed as investigators sought additional time to question the two accused in the case linked to the blaze at the Anjuna-based nightclub.

Owners were deported after fleeing abroad

According to details placed before the court, the Luthra brothers had left the country following the incident and travelled to Thailand. They were subsequently deported and brought back to India on December 17, after which they were taken into police custody.

Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing the families of the victims, confirmed that the court granted a five-day extension of police custody for both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra.

Another co-owner sent to judicial custody

The court also remanded Ajay Gupta, another owner of the nightclub, to judicial custody. Police did not seek an extension of his custody, following which the court passed the order, the victims’ counsel said.

The Anjuna police have registered a case against the Luthra brothers for culpable homicide not amounting to murder along with other relevant offences related to the fire incident.

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