BJP 'threatening' people and 'misusing' government agencies: Rahul Gandhi
San Francisco (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has taken a swipe at the ruling BJP government, saying it is "threatening" the people and "misusing" the country's agencies as he addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora here.
Speaking at an event in Santa Clara, California on Tuesday, Gandhi said the BJP and the RSS are controlling all the instruments of politics in India.
He said before starting his Bharat Jodo Yatra', he realised that the normal tools that have historically been used in politics were not working anymore.
"The BJP is threatening people and misusing government agencies. The Bharat Jodo Yatra started because all the instruments that we needed to connect with the people were controlled by the BJP-RSS," he said.
"We were also finding that in some way, it had become quite difficult to act politically. And that's why we decided to walk from the southernmost tip of India to Srinagar," he said.
Gandhi said the yatra carried the spirit of affection, respect and humility.
"If one studies history, it can be seen that all spiritual leaders including Guru Nanak Dev ji, Guru Basavanna ji, Narayana Guru ji united the nation in a similar way," he said.
Gandhi said India is not what is being shown in the media which likes to promote a political narrative that is far from reality, asserting that there is a "huge distortion".
"It was very clear to me in the Yatra that it's in the media's interest to project these things, it helps the BJP. So, don't think that everything you see in the media is the truth," he said.
"India is not what the media shows. The media likes to show a particular narrative. It likes to promote a political narrative that is actually not what is going on in India," he said.
The Congress leader arrived here on Tuesday for a three-city US tour during which he will interact with the Indian diaspora and meet American lawmakers.
Last week, Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda said Gandhi's visit is aimed at promoting shared values and a vision of "real democracy".
"The purpose of his (Gandhi's) trip is to connect, interact and begin a new conversation with various individuals, institutions and media, including the Indian diaspora that is growing in numbers in the United States and abroad to promote the shared values and vision of the real democracy with a focus on freedom, inclusion, sustainability, justice, peace and opportunities world over," Pitroda said in a statement.
The BJP is threatening people and misusing government agencies.
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 31, 2023
The Bharat Jodo Yatra started because all the instruments that we needed to connect with the people were controlled by the BJP-RSS.
: Shri @RahulGandhi at 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' event in San Francisco, U.S pic.twitter.com/8XEdtqnAfM
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Delhi Police books over 11,000 for traffic violation in 3-hour drive
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Traffic Police penalised over 11,800 motorists during a special three-hour enforcement drive conducted across the city, targeting improper parking and wrong-side driving, officials said.
The intensive drive was carried out on Saturday across all traffic ranges and districts as part of efforts to curb congestion and enhance road safety, they said.
According to the police, the campaign primarily focused on two major violations that frequently contribute to traffic snarls and accidents in the national capital.
"During the operation, more than 8,500 motorists were booked for improper or obstructive parking. Vehicles parked in no-parking zones, near intersections, on footpaths, and along busy roads and market areas were targeted, with many being towed away to ensure smooth traffic flow," an officer said.
In addition, over 3,500 drivers were prosecuted for wrong-side driving, a violation considered highly risky for all road users. Special teams were deployed at accident-prone stretches, arterial roads, and areas with a history of frequent violations to check the offence.
The enforcement drive covered all categories of vehicles, including two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and commercial vehicles, police said. "Such violations not only disrupt traffic movement but also pose serious threats to public safety," Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vijayanta Goyal Arya said.
The police said similar drives will continue as part of sustained enforcement and awareness measures.
