‘Don’t ask permission to fly,’ Tharoor's response after Kharge’s criticism over praise for PM Modi
New Delhi: Hours after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Shashi Tharoor for his recent praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram shared a subtle post on X, reported The New Indian Express.
Posting a picture of a bird flying, with words, “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one.” The post came amid growing tensions within the Congress over Tharoor’s views.
Earlier in the day, Kharge had taken a direct swipe at Tharoor, saying, “It’s country first for us, but for some people, it’s Modi first.”
The controversy began after Tharoor recently praised Modi’s energy and global leadership in an article published in The Hindu. He called the Prime Minister a “prime asset” for India, especially in the context of international affairs. This praise came shortly after the terror attack in Pahalgam and the launch of Operation Sindoor, and it triggered sharp criticism from within the Congress.
While attending an event in Moscow, Tharoor clarified that he was not planning to join the BJP. He said his comments were in the interest of national unity and should not be misunderstood.
Despite the clarification, the Congress distanced itself from Tharoor’s statements. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said on Monday, “It may be his own opinion; it is not the opinion of the Congress party. We have presented our views with evidence and proof.”
Kharge, addressing the issue again today, appeared to mock Tharoor’s command over English. “He is very fluent in English. I can’t read English well. His language is very good. That’s why we made him a member of the Congress Working Committee,” Kharge said.
He also stressed the importance of unity after the recent terror attack. “We said the country comes first, the party later. But some people feel Modi comes first, the country later. What can we do?” he added.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 25, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rain might have washed it away: Meghalaya minister after 4,000 tonnes of coal go missing
Shillong (PTI): As the Meghalaya High Court pulled up the state government over the disappearance of over 4,000 tonnes of coal, a minister on Monday claimed that heavy rain in the state might have washed it away.
The high court has directed the state government to take action against officials under whose watch the coal went missing.
Speaking to reporters, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla said, "Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. You never know... because of rain, the coal might have swept away. Chances are very high."
The high court had on July 25 pulled up the state government over the vanishing of coal from Rajaju and Diengngan villages and instructed it to trace those responsible for lifting the coal illegally.
The minister, however, clarified that he was not trying to justify the disappearance, and admitted there was no conclusive evidence yet to determine whether the loss was due to natural causes or any illegal activity. "I cannot blame just the rain. It could be or it could not be. I really don't have any kind of details," he said.
He asserted that any activity related to coal mining or transportation must be done in accordance with the law and that authorities must ensure illegal practices are curbed.
On allegations of ongoing illegal coal mining and transport in the state, Shylla said concrete evidence was needed to establish such claims and that multiple departments were responsible for monitoring such activities.
"But I believe that our people, if it is for survival, might do it illegally... otherwise nobody wants to do anything that can harm the state," he said.
He expressed optimism that people would abide by the law, especially after the government's announcement of scientific mining.
"We all are happy to welcome it, and we want to see the light of day with this. I believe our people will not do anything that gives the court or law a chance to point fingers at us," he added.
The ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, citing rampant unregulated and unsafe mining practices, especially the controversial 'rat-hole' mining technique prevalent in the state.
The tribunal's order came in the wake of mounting concerns over environmental degradation, water contamination, and frequent fatalities in the hazardous mines, particularly in East Jaintia Hills.
On a separate note, the minister also responded to complaints over the dust and debris caused by the ongoing construction along National Highway 6 in East Jaintia Hills, saying, "I appreciate this government for the initiative. For now, it is difficult, but once everything is completed, we will enjoy the benefits."
