Centre, AIADMK playing politics on Rajiv's assassination: Congress
New Delhi, Sep 10: The Congress on Monday said that it will not compromise on terrorism and accused the Modi government and AIADMK of shielding terrorists and doing politics over former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
The Congress accusations come a day after the Tamil Nadu government decided to recommend to Governor Banwarilal Purohit the release of seven convicts serving life terms in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
"What happened in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu (on May 21, 1991) was the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and over a dozen others, including police and innocent civilians, who were blown up in an international conspiracy hatched by terrorists who are today in jail," Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewla said.
"... large-hearted UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi or Congress President Rahulji (Gandhi) or his sister Priyankaji (Gandhi) have said about harbouring no enmity towards the assassins of Rajivji, (but) does the state have a duty to protect terrorists or to find terrorists?" he asked.
"Is it not true that BJP ally AIADMK and BJP-appointed Tamil Nadu Governor (Banwarilal Purohit) are proceeding to recommend reprieve for and release of assassins and terrorists?"
"Is it the policy of the state now? Are we going to release assassins of the former Prime Minsiter and innocent civilians and policemen and those accused of terrorism?" the Congress leader questioned.
"Those who swear by pseudo-nationalism are today doing politics over Rajiv Gandhiji's assassins... who have been punished by the Supreme Court and never been granted pardon," said Surjewala.
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People must do politics; elected representatives must work, says Actor Prakash Raj
Kalaburagi: Actor and activist Prakash Raj has said that in a democracy, politics must be done by the people, while elected representatives are meant to work and serve after winning elections.
Speaking at the launch of Vartha Bharati's Kalyana Karnataka edition in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Prakash Raj said that once representatives are elected, their only responsibility is service. “This is our tax, our country. Service is the only job of people’s representatives. They come to seek votes every five years; the people do not,” he said.
Releasing the newspaper’s special issue at the event, he asserted that the distinction between people and politicians must never be reversed. “This is our country. Citizens must continuously engage in politics, and politicians must continuously work. Never change this order. Politics belongs to the people,” he said.
ALSO READ: Kalaburagi: ‘Vartha Bharati’ Kalyana Karnataka edition launched
Quoting writer P. Lankesh, Prakash Raj said newspapers, media, artists, and citizens must act as a permanent opposition. “They must be the voice of the people without seeking the patronage of the ruling party. Only then can they work fearlessly,” he said. He stressed the need to clearly tell today’s society who must engage in politics.
Referring to regional imbalance, he said Karnataka has become Bengaluru-centric and confined largely to southern Karnataka. With Vartha Bharati entering the Kalyana Karnataka region, he said the newspaper must contribute to the region’s development by consistently reporting its issues with a strong voice.
Prakash Raj also spoke about the role of independent media, saying that anyone can be swept away in a flood, including dead fish, but to swim against the current requires life. “Independent media have that life. Ravish Kumar, The Wire, and Vartha Bharati have the courage to swim against the flood,” he said.
He warned that fear strengthens authoritarianism. “If we are not afraid, they will be afraid,” he said, alleging that institutions such as the police, Election Commission, courts, and media are being pressured, silenced, and manipulated for political benefit. Expressing concern over the denial of bail to Umar Khalid, he said there is a visible lack of conscience in institutions meant to deliver justice to the people.
Recalling the early years after Independence, Prakash Raj said there was once fear of the police but also faith in the judiciary. “There was confidence that injustice would be addressed in court. Today, that faith no longer exists,” he said. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are responsible for the present situation.
Using a metaphor, he said India is like a pond disturbed by a demon within it. “A lotus blooms on the surface, that is the BJP. We are fighting the lotus, but the real fight should be against the RSS, the root power beneath,” he said.
Drawing parallels with past global authoritarian regimes, he said leaders like Hitler and Mussolini headed political parties and could be defeated electorally. “The RSS is not a political party. Defeating the BJP alone is not enough. The roots must be uprooted,” he said, adding that despite changes in appearance, the ideological growth remains unchanged.
Prakash Raj also raised concerns over Hindi imposition, delimitation, and what he described as political oppression of southern states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh in the name of elections. He said people must recognise who is responsible for this oppression and understand the role of newspapers like Vartha Bharati in identifying and exposing it.
The event also marked the formal launch of Vartha Bharati's Kalyana Karnataka edition in Kalaburagi.
