- 1 hour ago
Are the BJP and RSS in sync on protests? Do claims of a “foreign hand” overshadow protesters’ grievances? RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami speech warned of forces exploiting agitations, while also urging governments to respect citizens’ dignity and constitutional limits. On News Today, Rajdeep Sardesai examines the message and what it means for the right to dissent.
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00:00Good evening, hello and welcome. You're with the news today. This is your prime time destination news, newsmakers, talking points,
00:07our big talking point tonight.
00:09Now RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is wading into the regime change debate.
00:15For in hand, is it a bogey to discredit the protests? RSS BJP now in sync on tackling street protests.
00:23That's going to be our top focus. This is Dashera Day. Happy Dashera and Vijay Dashmi. Shubh Vijay Dashmi to
00:30each and every one of you.
00:33But first, as always, it's time to get cracking with the nine headlines at night.
00:39RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat rakes up the regime change row in his Dashera speech.
00:48Says, West doesn't like a strong Bharat. Regime change won't happen in India.
00:54Prime Minister Modi's big unity message on Dashera urges all parties' institutions to unite against those spreading hate and trying,
01:02he says, to divide India.
01:05Home Minister Amit Shah makes drugs the biggest poll issue in Punjab, meets families of anti-drug crusaders who are
01:12killed by traffickers.
01:14Chief Minister Bhagwan Mahan hits back, blames the BJP states for the drug menace.
01:21Major development in the Tiger shop. Killing bit case probe reveals Tiger was not the initial target of the attackers.
01:28Shooters came to know only about his schedule via fan posts on Instagram.
01:35U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets External Affairs Minister Jai Shankar in Mumbai.
01:40Talks held on trade, energy and tech.
01:43Rubio asserts trade deal with India is very close to being signed.
01:49The Cockroach Janata Party moves the Delhi High Court over Saurav Das and Ashutosh Rangha still being kept in jail.
01:58Police says liberty must not be curtailed because of political games.
02:02Das and Rangha's judicial custody ends tomorrow.
02:08Sonu Nigam issues an unconditional apology to the people of Karnataka ahead of the Bengaluru concert
02:14for remarks comparing demands for Kannada songs to the Pehalgaam terror attack.
02:22NTK leader who contested the Dharampoorn bipoles arrested over a blockade during Chief Minister Vijay's roadshow.
02:29NTK chief alleges vendetta.
02:31DMK also condemns the arrest.
02:36Amidst the raging protests, France to deploy military forces to maintain law and order reacting to the violence,
02:42Trump says Paris will be a Muslim city very soon.
02:59But first, to the story that's breaking this evening,
03:02Prime Minister Modi has made a big unity message on Dashera.
03:07Prime Minister saying some people are attempting to divide the nation.
03:11Modi saying those sowing hate are enemies of India.
03:15And India must put up a united front against enemies and must stand united for nation's interest.
03:22He was speaking at the Dashera speech that he gave in Delhi during the traditional Ram Leela celebration
03:31with the Ram Leela ground there in Delhi.
03:34Let's listen in first to what the Prime Minister said a short while ago.
03:41Let's listen in first to what the Prime Minister said a short while ago.
03:48Let's listen in first to what the Prime Minister said a short while ago.
03:52Let's listen to what the Prime Minister said a short while ago.
04:06Let's listen to what the Prime Minister said.
04:10oh yeah yeah Oh yeah did you see me there are and on the
04:174th day with your
04:18and on the right is it
04:23Oh my god
04:28do it and I would like to take him
04:35so to the
04:51Now it's interesting, the Prime Minister made those remarks in the evening.
04:55Earlier today, the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in his Vijay Dashmi address weighed in on the growing debate over the
05:02protest dissent and regime change in India.
05:05Without naming the opposition of the election commission protests, Bhagwat invoked unrest in France, Albania, Bangladesh and Nepal, warning that
05:14regime change has never been a solution.
05:17Let's take a look at just how Mohan Bhagwat has also changed his views on the protests.
05:22In August, he was calling the Gen Z protesters as genuine grievance holders.
05:29Now, it's a very different tale. What's changed? It's our top story tonight.
05:51The RSS wades into the ongoing opposition protests against the Election Commission and SIR.
05:58Speaking at the annual Vijay Dashmi event on the RSS, Sarsang Chalak Mohan Bhagwat waded, drawing parallels with protests in
06:07Europe, but without naming any individual or organization.
06:10In the way, an international or association is a说明 of the Protestant side in terms of the protest dissent.
06:16The COVID-19 night is the one that lives in the world-day church and is the one that lives
06:27in the past.
06:28Everybody has seen the protest with allctoral andדhas.
06:30What's happening in France? What's happening in Albania? What's happening in Bangladesh? What's happening in Nepal? What's happening in Nepal?
06:48While Bhagwat acknowledged the role of agitations, he urged protesters to work within the ambit
06:54of constitution.
07:22The regime change debate began after student leader Neha Bora claimed Gen Z protests in
07:28India were inspired by the one in Bangladesh that dislodged the Sheikh Hasina government.
07:35We present you our Red Salute and we know that the Gen Z movement that we are seeing everywhere
07:40in this country first started in Bangladesh.
07:43And congratulations to you for showing us the way, for showing us and extending solidarity
07:48to the young people of this country.
07:51The Congress later clarified that a regime change in India could take place only through
07:55elections.
07:57The fact of the matter is the BJP is not used to democracy when they are at the receiving
08:03end of that democracy.
08:04When they have to read that country of people, when they have to read questions, when they
08:11have to read a readout, then they have to read that country of people.
08:17Suddenly democracy becomes a reason for them because they are at the receiving end of democracy.
08:23Bhagwat has reached out to Gen Z at an event in Mumbai in August when he called upon the
08:28government to address their concerns.
08:30His latest remarks on protests reveal that the mood within the Sangh Pariwaar is not in favor of giving in
08:36to protests anymore.
08:38Bureau Report, India Today.
08:45Okay, let's raise the big questions then tonight.
08:49Foreign conspiracy, a bogey to discredit the street protests?
08:54Are the RSS BJP in sync now on how to deal with street protests?
08:58Is regime change only through polls in this country?
09:02Can India ever be really compared to a Bangladesh or a France?
09:07On my face off today, Rakesh Sina, former Rajasabha BJP MP and RSS from the RSS and Yogendra Yadav, co
09:15-founder Swaraj India.
09:17I want to go to both of you and give you equal time on this.
09:20I want Yogendra Yadav, you first to respond.
09:22Because when Mohan Bhagwat says that in some way these are divisive forces who are out to, in a way,
09:30bring a western playbook into India.
09:33Saying the heat from the west is now moving to the east.
09:36How do you respond?
09:40Rajdeep, there are two ways of reading what Mr. Bhagwat and Mr. Modi have said.
09:45One way is to see that maybe this pious day of Vijay Dashmi has inspired some deep self-reflection and
09:53deep self-criticism.
09:54When Mr. Mohan Bhagwat says that there is a storm from the west, I completely agree.
09:59I think this is a 200-year-old storm.
10:02And it has brought three ideas that Mr. Bhagwat actually mentions occasionally.
10:07One is the very idea of development.
10:10Second is a very understanding of Hinduism as a religion.
10:14And third is the idea of nationalism of the kind that BJP practices.
10:20RSS practices and advocates.
10:21All these three ideas are western imports.
10:25All these three ideas have been pushed by RSS.
10:29And maybe Mr. Bhagwat has had a moment of self-reflection.
10:33Similarly, when Mr. Modi says,
10:39I want to hug him.
10:41I think this is such a deep sentiment.
10:43I'm so happy that he has had this moment.
10:46Maybe from 2002 onwards, he has never had a moment to reflect about it.
10:51Maybe today is the day he's finally reckoned with it.
10:54That those who want to divide this country on Hindu-Muslim lines are enemies of this country.
10:59This is treason proper.
11:01So one interpretation is that both of them have had a moment of self-reflection.
11:05In which case, they should be respected.
11:07We should listen to them very carefully.
11:10And give them time.
11:11Time to understand the implications of what they have said.
11:14The second interpretation is that both of them are dead scared.
11:18They can see the storm looming on the street.
11:21They are scared.
11:22They do not know how to handle it.
11:25When they say all this is, you know, all the thing about Bangladesh, Nepal, I completely agree.
11:31India cannot be compared to Bangladesh, Nepal or France or so on.
11:35India cannot be compared to others.
11:37But those who look at things in France and suddenly say this is happening in India must believe that the
11:45kind of anger that was seen on the streets of France, the kind of anger that was witnessed on the
11:51streets of Bangladesh is probably close to the anger being witnessed on the streets of India.
11:57It must be their interpretation.
11:58It's not my interpretation.
12:00They must be scared because of that.
12:02Interpretation.
12:03No, no, one minute.
12:03No, no, Yogendra Yadav.
12:05Because you see, the moment you enter that, enter the terrain, it will be easily suggested Yogendra Yadav is.
12:12And because we live in the age where comments can be sliced and diced, there will be those who will
12:19say that Yogendra Yadav is now comparing or saying the anger on the streets of Bangladesh and France is a
12:26bit similar to that of India.
12:28You want to clarify exactly what you're trying to say?
12:30I said exactly the opposite.
12:33In fact, I said, you know, this talk about France and Bangladesh are not things I'm talking about.
12:39Mr. Bhagavad is talking about this.
12:41And I was trying to imagine what must be his reasons for trying to compare the two.
12:47And I can imagine that he must have this fear in his mind and he must have conveyed it to
12:52Mr. Modi that the anger is similar.
12:54I, of course, don't believe that.
12:55As I said very clearly, I do not believe.
12:58And when it comes to regime change, let me say it very clearly.
13:02Regime change has two different meanings.
13:04One is democratic transfer of power through elections, which is what India has always seen, which is what India must
13:11see, which is the only way forward for us during the Constitution and following democracy.
13:17And the onus that this path remains open.
13:21And remember, this path remained open even after the emergency in 1977.
13:27So as an Indian, I do not look at any other path.
13:30The onus of ensuring that this path remains open is on the regime, is on the election commission and is
13:38finally on the Supreme Court of India.
13:40I will go to Rakel Ji in a moment, but I just want one more clarification.
13:45Do you agree that the use of the word regime change can easily be interpreted?
13:49You are a political scientist.
13:51And regime change is often seen not just as a government change, but a complete change in the entire system.
13:58And therefore, is that a word that one should be cautious about before using, which was used by the likes
14:07of Prashant Bhushan and others at a press conference?
14:10And that has been easily exploited in the times in which we live.
14:12Do you have to be careful about the words you use?
14:16Rajdeep, the word regime change has very often been used to describe any significant change in power.
14:24For example, 1977 was seen, described and very routinely talked about regime change.
14:322014 was also seen and described as regime change.
14:35But you are right.
14:36In some circles, the word, that's why I said regime change could mean democratic transfer of power, peaceful and democratic
14:44transfer of power, but not a routine transfer, but a significant transfer of power, as it happened in 77 or
14:502014.
14:51On the other hand, regime change can also be used for insurrection, takhtapalat.
14:57It can be sataparivartan or it can be takhtapalat, in which case it is undemocratic, in which case it is
15:03against the constitution.
15:04And I really, really hope that we do not ever have to exercise that option in this country.
15:10Okay, so sataparivartan versus takhtapalat, Rakesh ji, you see this word regime change and foreign funds or foreign conspiracy are
15:24being now latched on both by Mohan Bhagavad ji and the prime minister to seemingly suggest that these protests are
15:30going to spread anarchy across the country.
15:32I mean, do you think, do you agree with Yogendra Yadav ji that this is not, this is spreading fear,
15:40that there is fear being spread about the protesters rather than trying to address their concerns, their grievances?
15:49You know, Mohan Bhagavad ji has just two important things, which one should understand.
15:54First thing is that democracy, in democracy there is a space for protest, there is space for demonstration, there is
16:01space for disetting.
16:03He, not occasionally, he time and again repricates this.
16:07Having said this, he warns two important things.
16:09His warning is equivalent to the warning by Baba Saba Ambedkar in the constant assembly in his last speech, that
16:18we must safeguard our sovereignty, our democratic tradition, and our society from internal threats.
16:26That internal threats can be, Baba Saba Ambedkar used Mirjapar and Jayachand.
16:30So I'm not calling anybody, but this is, this is, this is to be noted that long ago, Baba Saba
16:39Ambedkar warned, and what we are finding, these andolan jivis, what they do.
16:43Your own channel is being described as Godi media, how will you defend your channel?
16:48The person who is coming on the channel, outside says it is Godi media.
16:52He comes here, he abuses the government, he protests against the government, he says hundreds of the things, Tandarenda Modi,
16:58they still say this is a Godi media.
16:59So these narratives are dangerous for democracy, one.
17:03Second, we have a consensus that any change in the power would be through the ballot paper, not through other
17:16means.
17:17This is, that's what actually comes.
17:19But there are certain people who are using regime change, I am surprised.
17:23Yogananda Jada is a respected political scientist.
17:26He is supposed to defend in a wrong way the regime change.
17:29In 1977, not a single newspaper wrote regime change.
17:34In everything, the power, transfer of power, even during the colonial period, nobody said regime change.
17:39Regime change is an orthodox term used of what in Latin America happens.
17:44Second important thing, why Mohan Bhagavadji war?
17:47You see the pink revolution in Latin America, what is the pink revolution?
17:50Emergence of the left parties.
17:52There may be corruption, but how the new imperialist America has intervened and demolished all these strong leaders in Latin
18:01America.
18:01All these, any strong leader who emerges in so-called third world country, developing country, is enemy of America.
18:07So, the non-state actors like CIA and other agencies, they plot, they assassinate, the capital assassination, the rumors, funding,
18:18so many myths.
18:19But I don't connect the Indian education.
18:20No, no, I must stop you there.
18:22I must stop you there.
18:23I want a clarification from you.
18:24Are you telling me, are you telling me what is going on in India should be likened to what was
18:29going on in Latin America with CIA funded operations?
18:32You see, when you, when we make these terms, here we have Marco Rubio in India.
18:36The external affairs minister is giving him a red carpet.
18:40And here you are seemingly suggesting that the CIA fund is funding this operation without any proof.
18:45My worry is, all of this is on innuendo.
18:48Do we have any proof that what is happening in India is CIA funded?
18:51Is that what you are saying?
18:52Do I need to do, no, no, Rajiv, I was talking of Latin America.
18:56No, no, sir, when you talk of, you have to be very careful, sir.
19:00We have to be very careful.
19:01Are we saying what is happening in India is likened to what is happening in Latin America?
19:05Don't, don't, don't, don't, let me complete, no?
19:07Sir, please complete.
19:08You are taking, I, I, I am talking of Latin America, that I am feeling that Western powers are waiting.
19:17They are in opportunity.
19:18Indian education is democratic education.
19:20Our children are educating.
19:21They have full right to educate.
19:23They have full right to protest.
19:24They have right to gheraubi parliament.
19:26They have right to sit on dharna.
19:28Why not?
19:28In 1974, we did.
19:30But the question is that.
19:31You are, why you, the political parties, which are trying to appropriate, exploit.
19:37Second reporter, here you see the Narepa Raha Times to Narendra Modiji, the most responsive
19:42democratic leader in the world.
19:44After that, he responded.
19:47He responded through the social media.
19:48He talked to the people with no question of ego, which Narepa Gandhi didn't do in 1974,
19:5575.
19:55She imposed emergency.
19:57Thousands of people were under the chain.
19:59And you are comparing that.
20:01And as deep, there is a 61% increase in the road, national highway.
20:0469% increase in the universities.
20:07Large number of all industries from medical sciences.
20:102.3 lakhs, 4.3 lakhs crores rupees paid to the farmers since 2014.
20:15So, you see the development at the ground level.
20:20Go to rural India.
20:22This is not only urban area.
20:23Go to the rural area.
20:24Sir, this is not a debate over, sir, debate over, this is about democracy.
20:29Sir, this is about democracy.
20:31This is about democracy.
20:32You are saying, sir, one minute.
20:33Sir, let me stop you.
20:34You have said more than once just now that this government has no problem with protests.
20:41In the same breath, those who protest are called Andolan Jeevies, are called Dimagi Naksals.
20:46The name calling continues.
20:48Today, Bohan Bhagwat Ji is saying that this is all foreign funded.
20:51I want to know, if you have no problem with protests, then why is Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka still
21:00in jail
21:01when all they have done is, I have spoken to dozens of lawyers.
21:05They are saying there is absolutely no reason they should have been in judicial custody for a week.
21:09My point to you is, if you have no problem with protests, why are you trying to discredit them?
21:15Why all this attempt by saying they are foreign funded, Andolan Jeevies, Dimagi Naksal, you call the farmers Khalisdhanis?
21:23The person, Jogendra Jadavji, I have respect, but you don't know any agitation he received there.
21:28He and like him, consider that they have natural right to lead all agitation.
21:34Anybody, any part of the country, you ask Jogendra Jadavji, what is his opinion about 370?
21:39You ask Jogendra Jadavji about what is his opinion about the Uniform Civil Code.
21:43You ask Jogendra Jadavji, what is his opinion of the POK?
21:48His own opinions are against India.
21:50You ask Jogendra Jadavji of the construction of Ram Temple.
21:53You ask Jogendra Jadavji of the renovation of the Somnath Temple.
21:58So, the soft power there against India, for the hard power there against India, they are Andolan Jeevies, they are
22:04Dimagi Naksal, because they want to destroy the basic fabric of India.
22:09Sir, I have heard you.
22:10I wanted to avoid making this personal in any way, but Jogendra Jadav, you deserve a right to respond.
22:14No, no, no, one minute, one minute, sir.
22:16Now, I have heard you.
22:17You have effectively called Jogendra Jadav a serial Andolan Jeevies, who is there, wherever there is a protest directed against
22:24the Modi government.
22:25Jogendra Jadavji, you see, this will be the other way in which your protests will be discredited.
22:30The point that Rakesh Sina is making is that what was citizen protest, student protest against exam irregularities has now
22:36become against CEC, with political parties, according to Rakesh Sina, riding on the wave that started with the Kaukrut Janata
22:44Party four or five months ago.
22:45And he's trying to draw a distinction between what was happening in June, July, and what is now happening in
22:51September, October.
22:51Your response.
22:53Razdeep, I must compliment you.
22:55You could see a point in what Rakesh Sinajee said.
22:58I actually failed to, but you are brilliant as ever.
23:02You saw a point.
23:03You know, I saw two or three problems.
23:05One was when the U.S. ambassador is here and we are about to come and, you know, talking about
23:10CIA at that point is not necessarily a great idea, but of course he's entitled to it.
23:15Second, you know, speaking on India Today to say India Today is Godi Media raised this question, which I did
23:23not raise, Razdeep.
23:24But, you know, why does he remember Godi Media as India Today?
23:27I just don't like it.
23:28And number three, of course, he's not saying anything against me.
23:33He has not actually called me anything.
23:35He has actually, the only thing I want to assure him is, Rakesh Ji, I don't have that much wisdom
23:41which you expect me to have.
23:43You know, 370, UCC, even POK.
23:46I have actually no wisdom on POK.
23:48Please enlighten me.
23:49I would be very happy to learn.
23:51And as you know, this has never been my area of expertise, but I would be very happy to learn.
23:55So I want to assure Rakesh Ji that the kind of gyan which he expects from me, I actually don't
24:02possess.
24:02But I have just one small request.
24:05Rakesh Ji has assured that Mr. Modi's government has no problem with agitation, with dharna outside the parliament.
24:13As he said, sir, please speak to Delhi police.
24:24Please get Ashutosh Ranka released.
24:26Please get Saurabh Das released.
24:28They will not carry any arms.
24:30They would not do anything stupid.
24:32Please, jara jaghen dilwa dijiye na, aap thoda asa.
24:35You know, can I just come back to...
24:38Yeah, okay, you reply and then I'll come to exactly what Bhagwan Ji said on protest.
24:43Go ahead.
24:44No, no, no, you know, we have democracy.
24:48In democracy, there are institutions.
24:49Do you think that Narendra Modi ji, monarch, that he would ask someone to get arrested, he would ask someone
24:54to get released?
24:55There is a court.
24:56When court verdict is against you, you will say the Supreme Court, what Sanjay Rao said, he, he, what in
25:05that he wanted to communicate?
25:07That's somewhere the court was burnt.
25:08So he, he, he, just, he had given such a sense.
25:13So court will decide, police will decide.
25:16You give Narendra Modi ji every power.
25:19You make a constitution.
25:20You say Narendra Modi ji will arrest.
25:21No, are we saying the courts and the police of this country?
25:24No, no, Rakesh ji, court to coi bhagwan nahi hai na?
25:28Na court na police coi bhagwan nahi hai hai.
25:30Of course.
25:30If there is a miscarriage of justice, do I have the right to question or not?
25:34Do I have a right to question?
25:36No, I, I have right to question the Supreme Court verdict.
25:40Why not?
25:41This is democracy.
25:42But why are you blaming the, for everything, if it does not suit?
25:46Then you will condemn the institutions.
25:48You are throwing the baby in the seat of the bucket.
25:51What you are doing?
25:52That's why bhagwan ji, bhagwan ji asserted that in the light of the country's unity and integrity,
25:58you will fight each other.
25:59We can fight each other for power.
26:02In the power game, there is a competition.
26:04It is a game of dice.
26:06But game of dice should not be in such a way that the country should be divided in the caste
26:11and community.
26:12Politics of impeachment you did for 77 decades.
26:15You are blaming us for the Hindu Muslims.
26:17And Joghandi Jatoji does not, he can't answer on 370.
26:21Can he answer on India TV television that he does not regard India TV as a godi media?
26:27If he has guts, he should say that.
26:29No, no, no, you see, sir, sir, sir, sir, this debate is not, no, no, let me be very clear.
26:33This debate is not about India today.
26:34No, no, no, no, sir, sir, I have, I have called both of you as much of political.
26:39Why are you saying nothing?
26:40No, no, sir, I, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir,
26:45sir, I am very clear.
26:54Sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir,
27:08sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir,
27:15sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir,
27:16sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir,
27:16sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir,
27:16sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, sir
27:16Protests inevitable in a democracy, agitation should be for solutions.
27:20Protests alone won't bring solutions.
27:22Everyone must ensure protests are peaceful.
27:24Protests but for solution, not for cheap popularity.
27:28You see, there is one fear that these protests that are happening is about spectacle politics.
27:33About insta-reels.
27:35It's not about something more substantive which will lead to solutions.
27:39That's where protests can get discredited if they don't have a clear aim or a clear mode of functioning.
27:47One light and one serious remark, Rajdeep.
27:51The first one is, the moment Mr. Rakesh Sina talks about India today, somehow he brings up Godi media.
27:58The moment you mention Mr. Modi, he brings up monarchy.
28:01I did not mention monarchy.
28:03Suddenly he brings up monarchy.
28:05I don't know what's going on in his mind, but I'll let that be.
28:07On the more serious note, on what Mr. Bhagwat has said, yes, he's absolutely right.
28:14A protest must be aimed at solution.
28:16If a protest says, has no goal, has no demand, or has demands which are outside the framework of country's
28:23democracy and constitution,
28:25then of course it's very, very odd.
28:27Now, what are the protesters demanding?
28:29They are saying, number one, either Mr. Gyanesh Kumar should resign or he should be removed.
28:35What is anti-constitutional here?
28:37Both these possibilities exist within the Indian constitution.
28:41Number two, they are saying SIR should be rolled back.
28:45Now the election commission itself has started the process of rolling back.
28:48They are saying that we need to get back people who are left out.
28:52Immediately after cleaning up the country's rolls, you say there are people left out.
28:56What is it if not rolled back?
28:58Protesters are saying, don't do it from the back door, do it from the front door.
29:03What is unconstitutional here?
29:05And number three, they are saying there is an act of 2023 passed by the parliament,
29:11which goes against the judgment of the Supreme Court,
29:15and which gives the three election commissioners the kind of immunity that even the chief justice of India does not
29:20enjoy.
29:21The president of India does not enjoy.
29:23Please repeal that act.
29:25So there is a clear agitation.
29:29There are demands.
29:31Demands are within the framework of Indian constitution.
29:34I think it meets Mr. Bhagwat's, what Mr. Bhagwat is saying.
29:40So could it be that Mr. Bhagwat is hinting to Mr. Modi
29:44that actually these agitators have put a demand that they have a solution?
29:50They are actually suggesting a solution.
29:52So could it be a backhanded message to Mr. Modi?
29:55I don't know.
29:56You would know these things better.
29:57Okay, I want to end with you, Rakesh Sina.
30:00You see, Yogendra Yadav is saying the protesters have given a clear agenda.
30:04And he is absolutely right.
30:06We are seeing the election commission now rolling back on some of its earlier pronouncements.
30:11But I want to ask you straight.
30:15I remember when Indira Gandhi was in power in the 70s,
30:18the BJP or then the Jansang would complain.
30:21What is this foreign hand?
30:23Now you are bringing the foreign hand.
30:24Are you serious about the fact that protests that are going on in France
30:28between far left groups on one side, far right,
30:31have to be reflected in what's happening in India?
30:34That in Bangladesh, a protest that took place very much in the context of Bangladesh is replicated in India.
30:39Why is this foreign hand?
30:41It's very good that Mohan Bhagwad says that protests should be peaceful, should work for solutions.
30:45But why bring in this foreign hand?
30:48No.
30:49What are you all trying to achieve with this foreign hand?
30:52No, no.
30:52You want us to be united?
30:54No.
30:55Mohan Bhagwadji time and again said that there is no foreign hand in Indian agitation.
31:00This is just a note of caution.
31:02Note of caution can be given by anybody.
31:04When Babasam Milkar says...
31:05No, no.
31:06He didn't say that, sir.
31:07He didn't say that.
31:08He didn't say...
31:08He didn't give a note of caution.
31:09He said...
31:10He said that very clearly, sir.
31:15That's more than a note of caution.
31:16No, look, Rajesh, just listen to me.
31:20Our parliament is functioning.
31:22There are elected opposing parties.
31:23There is a method to remove the chief election commission.
31:26There is a method to remove the president of India.
31:28If Rahul Gandhi says that he failed, they should resign from parliament.
31:33Then the importance of the state would be important.
31:39Then every district, there will be thousands of people demanding resignation of the D.M.
31:43And the D.M. would resign.
31:45Five thousand people gather and demand resignation of the member of parliament.
31:48I would gather one lakh people and demand Rahul Gandhi.
31:52That is not the solution.
31:53There should be solution-centric agitation.
31:56And agitations are welcome.
31:57I welcome a strength of agitation.
31:59I welcome the demonstration.
32:00I welcome the dissent.
32:01But the dissent, demonstration, agitation, protest,
32:05protest must not create non-Gandhian atmosphere.
32:09That's why we have model of Mahatma Gandhi.
32:11Why you are going beyond Mahatma Gandhi's model?
32:14Sir, sir, will you call the Hindu raksha...
32:17Sir, sir, sir, sir, sir, Rakesh Sina...
32:19Yeah, one minute, sir.
32:20Will you call Rakesh Sina the Hindu raksha dal protesters
32:23who are caught on camera beating up protesters Gandhian or non-Gandhian?
32:28Are they Gandhian?
32:30What are they, Gandhian or non-Gandhian?
32:33Any raksha dal, whether the name is Hindu, Muslim or Christian,
32:37using violence must be condemned.
32:39So why didn't Mohan Bhagwat have a word to say about them?
32:42I didn't see Mohan Bhagwat say one word about them.
32:45No, no.
32:45Why doesn't Mohan Bhagwat call out the Hindu raksha dal
32:48if he is so worried about peaceful protests?
32:50Why should Mohan Bhagwat call out the Hindu raksha dal, sir?
32:54Sir, Mohan Bhagwat ji said that no violence should be accepted.
33:00The Hindu raksha dal's violence, it comes under that violence.
33:03Bajrang dal violence?
33:04Any, any flag.
33:04Bajrang dal violence during Christmas accepted?
33:08Even Rakesh Sina does violence, it should be condemned
33:11and the miscreate should be under the jail book.
33:13Good.
33:14Okay.
33:14Yogendra Yadav, final quick words, please.
33:16I think it is a statesman-like suggestion
33:19and I think Yogendra Yadav and others should understand the things
33:23and RSS is giving an opportunity for meeting pot, not melting pot.
33:28In democracy, there is importance of meeting pot.
33:31Okay.
33:32Quickly, Yogendra Yadav ji.
33:34I completely agree.
33:35RSS gives lots of opportunities.
33:37Like Bala sahab Devaras wrote two letters to Indira Gandhi
33:40during the emergency,
33:43congratulating her on being exonerated by the Supreme Court
33:46and complimenting her on speech.
33:48Yeah, so they have given all kinds of opportunities to everyone.
33:51But when Rakesh ji mentioned that, you know,
33:54you should follow constitutional norms about removal of CEC,
33:57all I would remind, Rajdeep, is in the month of March,
34:01a formal notice for impeachment was given.
34:05It could be dismissed.
34:07It could be repealed.
34:08It could be defeated in the parliament.
34:10Why has it not been discussed in the parliament for the last seven months?
34:16And if you do not do things in Sansad,
34:19it will happen on Sadak.
34:21Okay, let me leave it there.
34:22Let me.
34:23No.
34:24Rakesh ji.
34:27When opposition is not allowing parliament to function,
34:31they don't listen to the Prime Minister.
34:33You are asking for it.
34:36Sir, what stops the Rajya Sabha chairman under the rules for accepting an impeachment notice?
34:43At least accept the notice.
34:46You have the majority defeated.
34:47You can easily defeat it.
34:49The problem is, Sansad doesn't function.
34:51The protests spill onto the street,
34:53which is unfortunate.
34:54But that's the way it is.
34:55But I appreciate both my guests joining me on the show today.
34:58I really hope that the message goes out loud and clear.
35:03This is the land of Gandhi in many ways.
35:05And Gandhi, if you read him, particularly through the 1920s,
35:08believed that the right to protest was absolutely fundamental
35:12to what he was doing against the colonial rule.
35:15Okay, let's turn from there to the U.S. Secretary of State,
35:19Marco Rubio, in India on a two-day visit.
35:22In Mumbai, he held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jai Shankar,
35:26paid homage to the martyrs of the 2611 Mumbai terror attacks.
35:30The two leaders attended the Freedom 250,
35:32an event to mark America's 250th anniversary.
35:35At the event, Dr. Jai Shankar thanked the U.S.
35:37for the extradition of 2611 accused Tawau Rana
35:41and added that India expects its partners to adopt a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism.
35:48Mr. Rubio reiterated,
35:49India and U.S. are closer than ever before to reaching a trade deal.
35:54Listen in.
35:56As far as the trade agreement is concerned,
35:59obviously the State Department doesn't negotiate trade agreements,
36:01but we are very much involved in what's happening.
36:04In my approach, as a national security advisor, we care a lot about it.
36:07We're very, very close.
36:08I would say we're about as close as you can be without having an executed agreement.
36:11I think there's a small number of items left to wrap up,
36:14so I think that will happen shortly.
36:16We're hoping, which it should,
36:18and hopefully have some good news to announce there.
36:21We can sign it thereafter.
36:24So we feel very optimistic that we will have something in place for this.
36:29All of India appreciates your laying a wreath today
36:34at the Taj Hotel's 2611 Memorial.
36:38India also welcomes this administration's decision
36:45to extradite Tahabur Hussain Rana,
36:49who was one of the key culprits.
36:51We are clear on the right to defend ourselves against terrorism
36:56and expect that our partners show zero tolerance towards terrorism as well.
37:05So are we really close to a trade deal with the United States?
37:09Well, a short while ago, I spoke to Ambassador Atul Keshap,
37:12President of the U.S.-India Business Council that is backing the deal.
37:16Take a look.
37:22And joining me now is Ambassador Atul Keshap.
37:26He is President, U.S.-India Business Council.
37:30Good to have you, Mr. Keshap, on the show.
37:33So you've got the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in India today.
37:38The two sides are speaking about how the U.S. is very close
37:41to finalizing a trade deal with India,
37:44and yet we've seen so many serious disagreements
37:47in recent times over tariffs, Russian oil purchases,
37:51immigration, energy security.
37:54Why should India be trusting America and Secretary of State, Rubio?
37:59Because the United States is sending so many conflicting signals.
38:03Well, Rajdeep, thank you for having me on.
38:06Look, I think the simple answer for your readers and audience is we're better off together.
38:11If you think about it, yes, we have had a rather extensive set of negotiations
38:16over the past 18 months on this trade agreement.
38:19But that's a good thing that the two leaders have met and talked in Evian and then on the phone
38:24the other day.
38:25You had your trade and commerce minister, Mr. Goyle, in Milwaukee talking to the U.S. trade representative.
38:33And now you have Marco Rubio in India.
38:35So all of these talks indicate that both sides recognize that we are better off together.
38:41I represent 200 of the largest companies in America and India,
38:46and they certainly recognize that having a framework for trade and investment
38:49between America and India would be good for both of our countries.
38:52So I encourage both governments to cross the finish line.
38:55But isn't it purely transactional?
38:58You know, there seems to be no engagement that goes beyond the immediate.
39:05I mean, just look at U.S. President Donald Trump with oil prices crossing $110 a barrel,
39:12U.S. midterm elections approaching.
39:14Sundy decides to pause the proposed sanction legislation against major buyers of Russian oil like India and China
39:21and instead does his own diesel purchase deal with the Russians.
39:24Now, again, it comes down to that.
39:27Why should we then trust someone who one day blows hot, the next day blows cold?
39:33Well, look, this is where we have two very complicated, diverse, layered democracies.
39:39I've spent a lot of time looking at the negotiations between America and India over my career.
39:45It can get messy when you're dealing with two free societies.
39:48But at the end of the day, this is about what's good for both of us, right?
39:52And, yes, a trade deal is a transactional negotiation on its face, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing.
39:59If the transaction is good for both sides, then they should proceed.
40:03If it creates a framework that creates predictability for investors in both directions,
40:08which generates jobs and tax revenue, increases collaboration on the technology front,
40:14increases the prosperity and happiness of the Indian and American people,
40:18then it's an excellent transaction and the trade should be concluded.
40:22So I hope both governments can put in the time to cross the line and ensure even greater prosperity for
40:28both of our peoples.
40:29No, but is it as simple as that, Ambassador Kesha?
40:31Because is this all a temporary negotiating tactic to secure economic concessions
40:36or a more fundamental shift in the relationship?
40:40Because, again, it comes down to the two sides being willing to recognize the importance of this relationship.
40:49How do we know that the United States, come tomorrow, once the midterm elections are over,
40:56doesn't switch its, again, does a U-turn?
41:00I mean, we are seeing the kind of comments coming in from the U.S. Vice President about H-1B
41:04visas,
41:04all of which adds to the anxiety and frustration on the Indian side.
41:09Well, first of all, Rajdeep, if you think about it, these talks have been going on for 18 months.
41:14They've been very serious and very detailed on the part of the bureaucracies and the political leadership
41:19and the ministers on both sides.
41:21A lot of work has been done.
41:23And, you know, if you listen to what Minister Jay Shankar and Secretary Rubio have said in the recent days,
41:29they seem to be very close on this trade deal.
41:32Now, this deal, I don't think, is just a flash in the pan.
41:35I think it's a real deal because if you think about it,
41:38India's economy is the fastest-growing large economy on Earth.
41:42The IMF just projected 7% growth for India in 2027.
41:46India is on the cusp of being perhaps the fourth-largest economy on Earth.
41:51The U.S. certainly recognizes that growth trajectory.
41:54You know, we hosted Minister Goyle at a U.S. IVC event in Chicago 10 days ago
41:59where he talked about how India aspires to be a $30 trillion economy.
42:04What better time than now, poised on the cusp of that explosive growth,
42:09for the U.S. and India to put together a trade deal that helps ensure that we grow together,
42:14especially in collaborating on all of the hard challenges of the 21st century,
42:18whether it's critical minerals or semiconductors or artificial intelligence.
42:23Now is the time, frankly, to slip wedding rings on.
42:25No, but you will also appreciate that, yes, while a trade deal may well be in India's interest,
42:31we also don't want the signals emanating from White House,
42:34which suddenly overnight one day say 100% tariffs because you're purchasing Russian oil.
42:39Then when the situation changes, you say, OK, we're going to keep put that on pause.
42:43I mean, does the United States or you there in Washington realize what this has done,
42:49which is one of the reasons why the trade deal perhaps has actually not been finalized for so many months?
42:56Because there are conflicting signals, Ambassador Keshav, that keep coming out of the United States,
43:01almost as if the U.S. believes it can just bully India into submission.
43:06Well, Rajdeep, you know better than me, we are messy democracies and we have many voices that speak.
43:13It goes beyond, sorry, Ambassador, to intervene, it goes beyond being just a messy democracy.
43:18When a country's leadership decides 100% tariffs to be imposed on India
43:23and sharp words are exchanged with Indians,
43:26when your vice president makes those comments about H-1B visas,
43:30which he's now desperately trying to clarify, I mean, all of this leads to a lot of mistrust on this
43:36side.
43:37Is there a recognition of that in Washington?
43:40Rajdeep, let me make my point.
43:42You know, when I was a diplomat serving my country,
43:45we always had to make the distinction between statements made by the administration in power
43:49in the executive branch and statements made in the legislative branch.
43:53Those are two different and distinct branches of government.
43:55They have separate powers.
43:56And so what you have to look at is the administration's statements.
44:00And I watch this very carefully now that I'm retired.
44:03If you look at the president's statement of Friday night where he waived the sanctions for Russian oil purchases,
44:09if you look at Secretary Rubio's statements in Samarkand and at Andrew's on the ramp before he took the flight
44:15toward India,
44:16the statements coming out are very clear that this is an engagement phase.
44:21And so I think you have to look to what the administration is saying and doing and be very clear
44:25about focusing on that.
44:27So let me push you one last time.
44:29Are we therefore seeing that particularly the sanctions policy, even not just now,
44:34but even in the future will be dictated purely by domestic political economic interests rather than any consistent geopolitical principles?
44:42Is this at all about principles?
44:44I come back to it.
44:45Is it pure transactionalism?
44:48Well, I come back to what I said earlier, that in any deal made between any buyer and any seller,
44:55a transaction is not inherently a bad thing.
44:58There are plenty of advantages and advancement of interest for both India and the United States in making a trade
45:04deal,
45:05in arranging for ensuring that global energy prices are lower, that consumers around the world face lower costs for fuel
45:13and for food.
45:14These are not bad things.
45:15Yes, domestic politics drives a lot of considerations in America and India and every other country around the world.
45:22But at the end of the day, ours are fluid and dynamic nations.
45:25We make decisions based on a whole multiplicity of inputs.
45:29And as you know, the foreign policy stage these days is very cluttered with all kinds of dynamics.
45:34So India and the United States, after 18 months of negotiations, seem to be getting closer on this trade deal.
45:41And that is a net positive long haul for both countries.
45:44It's going to generate even more economic growth.
45:47And, you know, if America and India, the world's two biggest democracies are growing, that is not a bad thing.
45:53So there's nothing wrong with that transaction if it helps us and it helps your side.
45:57I keep hearing the words over the last few months.
46:01We are very close to finalizing a deal.
46:04And yet the deal hasn't been inked.
46:06In your view, will it happen before Christmas?
46:09Will this be the big Christmas offering in a way or the big Christmas celebration?
46:15Are you giving this a timeline now?
46:17What does very close mean?
46:20Well, I won't predict.
46:22Let the two governments make the news and let them say.
46:24But what we do know is that there have been extensive talks between Piyush Goyal and Jameson Greer this month.
46:31There has also been a telephone call between the president and the prime minister.
46:34We know that.
46:35That was publicly released.
46:36And there have been also talks between Secretary Rubio and Minister Jashankar in New York and again today in India.
46:44So a lot of talking is going on.
46:46A lot of positive signaling has been made by both sides.
46:49And, you know, let's do our pujas and hope that this thing gets done because it will send a huge
46:55signal about the desire of the two greatest democracies on Earth to collaborate with one another to intensify things.
47:02I was in Silicon Valley last week, Rajdeep.
47:04All of the companies, American and Indian, that are working on future technologies, frontier technologies, whether it's semiconductor design and
47:12development or artificial intelligence or quantum computing, they are working hand in glove with one another.
47:18And if there's a trade deal between the two governments, it's going to give those companies, American and Indian, even
47:24more confidence to work with each other closely.
47:26And that is a good thing for the world and for free people everywhere.
47:30I'm going to leave it there, Ambassador Keshap, for speaking to me today here from Washington, D.C.
47:36We'll wait and see what the next few weeks really hold and what those words very close to closing a
47:44deal actually mean.
47:45Good to have you on the show.
47:46Thank you very much.
48:26Four months after cricketer turned politician Yusuf Pathan left the TMC to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, the
48:34move seems to have paid off for the Lok Sabha MP.
48:38Pathan looks set to get legal possession of a plot of government land allegedly encroached by him in Vododara.
48:45The Gujarat government has granted approval for the allotment of the 978 square meter disputed plot next to his bungalow,
48:54which was earlier valued at 20.53 crore rupees.
48:58The Vododara Municipal Corporation will take a final decision on Friday.
49:16The municipal corporation will be compensated for the loss of land.
49:38The land dispute dates back to 2012 when Yusuf Pathan wrote to the municipal commissioner seeking allotment of the 978
49:47square meter plot located next to his bungalow.
49:49A proposal to lease the plot for 99 years without a public auction was initiated.
49:55In 2014, the state government refused approval for allotment without auction.
50:00In 2024, the municipal corporation ordered removal of the alleged encroachment.
50:05Yusuf Pathan challenged the municipal corporation's decision in the high court.
50:10On August 21, 2025, the Gujarat high court dismissed his petition.
50:15Yusuf Pathan then filed an appeal before a division bench of the high court.
50:20On June 8, 2026, the high court questioned how Pathan obtained possession of government land without any allotment.
50:27Pathan withdrew his appeal on August 31, this year, after switching parties.
50:33What has been changed and why the Gujarat government is giving this land in a gift to Yusuf Pathan, though
50:40it will be 50 percent, but still, it will be a gift from the Gujarat government to Yusuf Pathan.
50:45These questions will be answered on Friday when the standing committee of Hordera Municipal Corporation will meet and they will
50:54give the final NOD to this allotment.
50:58This video journal is Sai Alam, this is Vijesh Doshi for India Today.
51:03Okay, let's turn then from there to another controversy, this time in Kolkata, where the Durga Puja celebrations that will
51:10conclude today have turned this time into a battle of books.
51:13With the left and the ABBP clashing over competing stalls.
51:17From a JCB sent to remove a CPM book stall to a saffron stall making its debut.
51:23The ideological battle in Bengal spilling onto the streets during Durga Puja.
51:28Take a look.
51:38It's battle over books in Kolkata, there's Durga Puja.
51:45With the left and the right locked in an ideological fight, things took an ugly turn in South Kolkata on
51:51Saturday, when a JCB machine was sent to remove a book stall set up by the CPM near the Jadavpur
51:58University.
52:01Party workers blocked the JCB, forcing the administration to retreat.
52:08In another incident, ABVP workers targeted a book store in North Kolkata.
52:14They were confronted by elderly people at the book store.
52:18The incidents triggered an online backlash and were criticised by even ruling party members.
52:41The chief minister, Shubhendu Adhikari, here has yet again reiterated the caution to the general public that beware of cockroaches
52:49and communists.
52:50They have their fathers in China.
52:52That I think RSS leaders have been telling for a long time that there are three major enemy of India.
52:58It was their idea that the Hindus should not be taking part in the freedom struggle or the struggle against
53:03British because the major enemy of India is communists, the Muslims and the Christians.
53:07They are trying to preach this hate for a long time.
53:10But the people of India has defeated that.
53:12You can call us name, you can call us communists, you can call the young people cockroaches.
53:16But the cockroaches and the communists both have shown what the true meaning of India is.
53:22The CPM book stall at Jadavpur, which escaped demolition, has been operating during Durga Puja for the last 49 years.
53:31While the left parties have had a long tradition of opening book stalls during Puja, the right-wing organisations have
53:38also joined now.
53:40This year, a saffron stall is a new addition in the area.
53:45The book stall was set up by BJP and RSS workers with the support of party MLA, Sarbori Mukherjee.
53:54Reports of vandalism has taken place at book stalls erected by the left political parties.
54:01The state BJP, of course, has been quick to distance itself, with the BJP leadership saying that they do not
54:08subscribe to such acts of vandalism.
54:11With Srinamal Congress, the Congress also coming to the rescue of the left and providing them their support.
54:19Interesting times ahead as far as Bengal politics is concerned.
54:23With camera person Tapus Bhairi, Indrajit, for India Today in Kolkata.
54:31Okay, before we leave you tonight, just another of our top stories.
54:35Jio Platforms is now getting overwhelming response to its IPO.
54:40The company was allotted shares worth over 8,109 crore rupees to 1,212 anchor investors at the top end
54:48of its price band.
54:49That's 1,119 rupees per share.
54:51The institutional demand of 2 lakh crores now is a first for any Indian IPO.
54:56The subscribers include some of the world's largest asset managers including Backrock, Capital Group Fidelity and leading sovereign funds like
55:04GIC of Singapore, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Qatar Investment Authority.
55:10India's top 10 mutual funds including SBI, ICICI, Prudential, HDFC, Aditya Birla, Sun Life, Kotak also participating in the process.
55:20Just remember the IPO opens for public subscription on Wednesday and aims to raise more than 30,000 crore rupees,
55:27the largest the country has seen.
55:29The offer closing on October 23rd, that is Friday.
55:34Okay, I must leave you of course today with the image of the day which is on Dashera.
55:39Millions of people across India celebrating Dashera with processions, prayers and the ceremonial burning of effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarna and
55:47Meghnath.
55:47Symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
55:50We leave you with these visuals.
55:52Thanks for watching, let's hope that the message goes beyond just burning effigies but we embrace it in our lives
56:02too.
56:03Put good above evil.
56:05Thanks for watching, stay well, stay safe.
56:07Good night Shubratri, Jai Hind, Namaskar.
56:27Good night Shubratri, Jai Hind.