PM Modi's 'silence' on Israel's 'genocide' in Gaza diminished India's moral standing: Cong
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday said the Israel "genocide" in Gaza is continuing unabated and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "deafening" silence on this catastrophe that has overtaken the Palestinians has diminished India's moral and political standing.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh noted that President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in relation to the US-Israel war on Iran.
"But there is still no ceasefire in Gaza where the Israel genocide continues unabated," he said on X.
"Prime Minister Modi's silence on this catastrophe that has overtaken the Palestinians for well over eighteen months is deafening and has diminished India's moral and political standing," Ramesh claimed.
Trump has claimed that Israel and Iran had agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire".
Ramesh's remarks come days after Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday strongly criticised India's silence on Israel's devastation in Gaza and Iran as "not just a loss of its voice, but also a surrender of values".
In an article - "It is still not too late for India's voice to be heard", she accused the Modi government of abandoning India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel.
Gandhi, in the article, was also critical of US President Trump for following a "destructive path" in West Asia, after having spoken against America's endless wars.
"New Delhi's silence on the devastation in Gaza and now on the unprovoked escalation against Iran reflects a disturbing departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions. This represents not just a loss of voice but also a surrender of values," the Congress leader had said in her article in 'The Hindu'.
"It is still not too late. India must speak clearly, act responsibly and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue in West Asia," she asserted.
Gandhi had said while the Indian National Congress unequivocally condemned the "absolutely horrific and totally unacceptable attacks" by Hamas on October 7, 2023, "we cannot remain silent in the face of Israel's catastrophic and disproportionate response".
"More than 55,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. Entire families, neighbourhoods, and even hospitals have been obliterated. Gaza stands on the brink of famine, and its civilian population continues to suffer unspeakable hardship," she had said.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
