Karnataka BJP to launch helpline for its workers to protect them from 'Congress atrocities
Bengaluru: In a bid to safeguard its workers from alleged atrocities by the Congress party in Karnataka, the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced on Sunday that it will launch a 24/7 helpline number. Additionally, the party plans to train a dedicated team, with the assistance of a legal cell, to manage and address issues raised through the helpline.
Tejasvi Surya, the Member of Parliament from Bengaluru South and BJP youth cell chief, highlighted the targeting of BJP workers during the Congress-led government under Siddaramaiah in Karnataka. He stated, "Many BJP workers have been subjected to false charges. To combat such injustices against our party workers, the BJP has decided to introduce a helpline number for all party workers in the state." Surya emphasized that the party is well-equipped with lawyers and activists throughout Karnataka, ready to legally fight any false cases. He further added, "Any BJP worker who faces the atrocities of Congress can dial the helpline number for assistance and protection. We will launch the toll-free number within the next week."
In response to the BJP's initiative, Karnataka Minister MB Patil appealed to the Chief Minister and Home Minister to consider establishing another helpline called 'Peaceful Karnataka.' Patil took to Twitter and expressed, "To ensure there is no spread of hatred in Karnataka and to monitor any such incidents, I request @DrParameshwara @PriyankKharge @DKShivakumar @CMofKarnataka to consider setting up a new helpline called 'Peaceful Karnataka.' Our agenda is solely focused on development, progress, and protecting the reputation of 'Brand Karnataka.'"
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.
Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
