Ashok Gehlot accuses BJP-RSS of distorting history, criticises Centre's handling of farmer protest
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday alleged that members of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have launched a campaign to distort the historical facts of the country's freedom struggle.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had remarked that those who distort history will never be able to make history, Gehlot noted.
"The people of the BJP-RSS have launched a campaign to tamper with the freedom struggle and its historical facts," Gehlot said on X.
He added that there are numerous examples, both in history and the present, where organisations with similar ideologies that came to power attempted to rewrite history with false facts but were ridiculed by historians.
The Congress leader also said that leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh and Maulana Azad made special contributions to the freedom struggle, which have been written in golden letters in history and will remain indelible.
"No matter how much they try to distort it, they will never change the truth," Gehlot said.
He also drew a parallel with Pakistan and Bangladesh saying, "When Zia-ul-Haq came to power in Pakistan, he started rewriting the history of the country and wrote in the books that Pakistan was victorious over India in the 1971 war. The same is being done in Bangladesh now where efforts are being made to remove the name of Sheikh Mujiburahman from the freedom struggle of Bangladesh. Such efforts are destroying the credibility of these countries in the world."
Gehlot also accused the Centre and the Punjab government of being indifferent to the health of farmer leader Jagdeep Singh Dallewal.
"It has been 51 days now since farmer leader Shri Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike. His health is continuously deteriorating. During this period, the Central and Punjab governments have shown complete insensitivity," he said.
Gehlot added that this was the reason why 111 other farmers had also been forced to go on a hunger strike to bring attention to their demands.
He said that the government listened to them after about 700 farmers lost their lives in protest against the three black farmer laws.
"It is beyond understanding why such a situation arises again and again and why the government does not want to find a solution by talking to the farmers' delegation," he said.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
