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Union Minister Scindia slams Rahul Gandhi for Maharajas remark, Congress hits back

He argued that Gandhi’s remarks demonstrated a limited understanding of India’s past, accusing him of overlooking the positive contributions of several royal families to social reform and development.

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2 years ago

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A sharp political clash erupted following Rahul Gandhi’s assertion that only Maharajas enjoyed rights in pre-independence India. Addressing a rally in Mhow, Gandhi claimed that Dalits, Adivasis (tribal people), and other backward castes lacked rights before independence, a stark contrast to the privileged position of royal families. He framed the BJP-RSS’s vision as a return to this pre-independence era, where, he alleged, only the ultra-wealthy like Adani and Ambani would hold sway, leaving the poor to suffer in silence. Gandhi’s speech was a powerful indictment of what he perceived as a regressive political agenda.

This statement immediately drew fire from Jyotiraditya Scindia, a BJP leader and former Congress member. Scindia, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), directly challenged Gandhi’s historical narrative. He argued that Gandhi’s remarks demonstrated a limited understanding of India’s past, accusing him of overlooking the positive contributions of several royal families to social reform and development.

Scindia highlighted specific examples: the financial assistance provided by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda to B.R. Ambedkar for his education, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj’s pioneering 50% reservation for backward castes in his governance as early as 1902, and Madhavrao I of Gwalior’s establishment of educational and employment centres across the Gwalior-Chambal region.

Scindia’s carefully chosen examples aimed to paint a picture of royal patronage of social justice, directly contradicting Gandhi’s narrative. His pointed criticism also served as a personal attack, emphasizing the perceived hypocrisy of a leader from a prominent royal family criticizing the historical role of other such families.

The Congress responded swiftly and forcefully to Scindia’s critique. Pawan Khera, the party’s media and publicity head, launched a counter-offensive, accusing Scindia of conveniently overlooking the darker aspects of the royal families’ history. Khera’s response emphasized the often-overlooked collaboration between many royal families and the British Raj, highlighting their loyalty to colonial rule and the economic privileges they enjoyed even after India’s independence.

He pointed to the substantial tax-free allowances granted to the Gwalior royal family (₹2.5 million in 1950), continuing until 1971, as a direct consequence of their privileged status within the pre-independent and early independent Indian states. Khera’s argument challenged the selective portrayal of royal benevolence, underscoring the enduring economic and political power imbalances that persisted well into the post-independence era.

Furthermore, Khera brought up the contentious issue of a royal family’s alleged involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, reminding the public of the complex and often morally ambiguous legacy of many royal houses. He also quoted Jawaharlal Nehru’s rejection of the “divine right of kings” in a Constituent Assembly speech, showcasing the Congress’s historical commitment to dismantling the hierarchical power structures of the past.

Khera’s counter-narrative skillfully framed the debate as a struggle between a vision of inclusive democracy and the remnants of feudal privilege. He cleverly deployed Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s poem on the Rani of Jhansi, subtly referencing the Scindias’ alleged alliance with the British, to add a layer of pointed historical critique to his response.

The exchange between Scindia and Khera transcended a simple disagreement over historical interpretation. It revealed deep-seated political fault lines and competing narratives about India’s past and the nature of its present-day political landscape. It also highlighted the ongoing debate about the legacy of princely states in independent India and the delicate balance between recognizing past contributions and acknowledging historical injustices. The intense rhetoric used by both sides underscored the high stakes involved in shaping public perception of India’s history and its implications for contemporary politics.

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

Published

9 hours ago

on

August 16, 2026

By

Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

1 day ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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