India losing credibility globally as one of its states burns amidst ongoing G20 summit: Tharoor
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): As India talks about 'One Earth, One Family, One Future -- the theme of the ongoing G20 Presidency -- the nation is losing its credibility before the world, as one of its states is burning, Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor said here on Wednesday.
Tharoor said that while India's leaders talk about 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- which means 'One Earth-One Family-One Future' in their speeches, at the same time "what credibility would we have when one of our own states is burning"?
The MP from Thiruvananthapuram said that people across the world who would be reading about India would say that humanity and harmony are required here first.
"Therefore, I would request (Prime Minister) Modi ji to take some action to at least salvage our global credibility," Tharoor, also a former minister of state for external affairs, said.
He was speaking here after releasing the cover of a book titled 'Manipur FIR' penned by Delhi-based journalist George Kallivayalil. CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was also among the dignitaries who attended the function organised by the Kerala Media Academy.
In his speech, the Congress MP described violence in Manipur as a "slow burning horror" and said that when violence broke out in the northeastern state in May, he had suggested that President's Rule be imposed there.
"That way, the Army and the Governor could have taken decisions on maintaining law and order without all the political nonsense.
"However, till now, it has not been done, and I do not think it will be done as this government (at the Centre) has decided that if the BJP has to continue in power there, the same CM should continue. So they do not want President's Rule there," Tharoor said, severely criticising both the BJP-led state and central governments.
Questioning the attitude of the government on the matter, he wondered how a government that was not ready to acknowledge the reality on the ground could "bring a solution" for the Manipur problem.
Later talking to PTI, Tharoor alleged that the Union government was showing an amazing lack of will to resolve the Manipur crisis.
"It is, after all, the responsibility of both the state and the central government, both ruled by the BJP, to give a greater priority to bringing about not just peace but also restoring harmony and reconciliation between the communities.
"Right now, whatever little peace there is, is the peace of the graveyard. The community is completely divided -- and no Kukis in the Meitei areas and Meitis in Kuki areas. We cannot have a country on that kind of basis. It will be shocking," Tharoor said and urged the Union government to act in a proactive manner.
Several people have been killed in violent clashes between tribes living in the Manipur hills and the majority Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley over the latter's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
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TN CM Vijay calls fuel price hike ‘unacceptable’, seeks rollback
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday slammed the increase of Rs 3 per litre in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "unacceptable", and demanded its immediate rollback, claiming the revision would affect various sections of society.
He said oil marketing companies do not reduce prices in line with global crude price trends and "take the profits".
"Union government oil marketing companies have increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre. This is not acceptable," Vijay said in a statement.
The hike has been effected after the "five-state polls" (four states and one union territory), he added.
This price rise will largely affect the income of the poor and middle class using two-wheelers and small vehicles, as well as others dependent on vehicles for their livelihood, the CM said.
It will ultimately result in an increase in the prices of daily commodities and also "affect the purchasing power of the poor," he added.
Citing the chain effect of the price revision, such as increased input costs for small units, he said it could lead to a "slowdown" in the market and exports.
"Therefore, I urge the union government to immediately roll back the price hike that will affect the poor and middle-class people and SMEs," Vijay added.
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest level since May 2022.
