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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Conspiracy afoot to 'tarnish' image of Dharmasthala: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there was a “conspiracy” to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala.
His comments come amid an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into serious allegations of mass burials in the revered temple town in Dakshina Kannada district.
“A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy hundreds of years of legacy. It is not correct to tarnish someone just like that. It has all happened due to one complainant,” he said.
Noting that some Congress MLAs have called for action against those involved in the slander campaign at the legislature party meeting, he said, “ I have told them that action must be taken against those who are indulging in a slander campaign. The CM has also said that action must be taken against such people.”
“I have information on this case. Religious feelings should not be hurt in any manner. Culprits must be punished,” he told reporters, according to a release from his office.
Responding to a question, Shivakumar said the Congress party will not allow the image of any religious place to be tarnished.
“We see everyone equally when it comes to religion,” he added.
The SIT, formed by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been revealed, alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to handle bodies—including women and minors—and that some showed signs of sexual assault. He has given a statement before a magistrate.
As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.
