Shun false prestige, allow UAE to donate for Keral: Karat
Agartala, Aug 24 : The CPI-M politburo member Prakash Karat on Friday asked the Indian government to refrain from "false prestige" and allow United Arab Emirates (UAE) to donate Rs 700 crore for flood-hit Keral.
"The UAE has decided to give Rs 700 crore for the relief of flood-ravaged Kerala people, but the Indian government without consulting the state government declined to accept the donation," The Communist Party of India-Marxist leader said.
Terming the Government of India's decision as "uncalled for", he said that when a foreign government on its own is keen to provide help to the people affected by the devastated natural calamity, "central government should not stand on the false prestige."
"Kerala needs huge funds to deal with the massive devastation due to the colossal floods across the state. Central government must allow the UAE to release the amount," he added.
Karat, a former General Secretary of the country's biggest Left party CPI-M, said that thousands of Indians, 80 per cent of them from Kerala, have been working in the UAE.
"The Indian workers are engaged in many developmental works in UAE. Responding to the contributions of Indian workers, the UAE government wanted to donate the funds for the relief."
The CPI-M leader along with party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury came to The Tripura capital on Thursday to attend the party's two-day state committee meeting, which discussed various issues including "ongoing political violence in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled state".
Accusing the Modi government for its "misgovernance on the economic front", Karat said that farmers, dalits and unemployed people are the victims of the BJP-led NDA government
"Sexual attacks on the minor girls are rampant in many BJP ruled states. Mob lynching in the name of cow slaughter, beef eating and child lifting have been going on. Despite Supreme Court's strong observations against the crime, mob lynching is going on in many parts of the country," he said.
The CPI-M leader said that the BJP-RSS leaders and cadres are continuously campaigning against the minorities and dalits creating a serious fear and hatred situation across the country.
He said that over two lakh farmers and workers would assemble in Delhi on September 5 to press for their demands, which include providing better wages, more jobs, better prices for farm produce, end to privatisation and changes in labour laws, ending the contract labour system.
"The Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh Rally' would mark a new stage in the struggle of working people of India for a better life and just future," Karat added.
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US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
