Congress

Risks weakening worker safeguards: Cong on SC's industry definition ruling

The Congress on Saturday expressed concern over a Supreme Court ruling that said its 1978 worker-friendly interpretation of the term "industry" will not apply to fresh cases under the Industrial Relations Code of 2020, and said any move to narrow or distance the law from the broad definition of "industry" risks weakening worker safeguards. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, claimed that the Modi government's Industrial Relations Code, 2020, "significantly weakens essential safeguards for our workers". Against this backdrop, a narrow majority of the Supreme Court, in State of Uttar Pradesh versus Jai Bir Singh delivered on August 20, 2026, has "hypothesised" a reformulation of the Triple Test laid down in its earlier landmark February 1978 verdict in the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board versus A Rajappa case, Ramesh said on X. The importance of how "industry" is interpreted lies in the legal reality of who qualifies as a workman and, ...

FIR filed in pellet gun case after Rahul's 6-hour sit-in at police station

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a dramatic six-hour dharna at the Parliament Street police station here demanding an FIR over pellet injuries to a youth during the July 20 protest and ended it only after police registered the complaint. Gandhi raised the pitch on the issue after 19-year-old Sahil Lochab claimed that the police was refusing to register an FIR on his complaint despite him suffering pellet wounds including damage to his eye. Soon after the police registered the FIR late in the evening, Gandhi said this is the first step towards justice and ended his dharna. The BJP hit back at Gandhi and accused him of playing "politics of anarchy" only to remain relevant in the media and termed this as Congress' attempt to divert attention from the "wrong stand" taken on Vande Mataram. Gandhi accompanied Lochab and his mother to the Mandir Marg police station in the morning, which refused to register the FIR. He then took them to Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi

Congress-ruled states to jointly challenge MMDR Act in Supreme Court

Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana plan to move the Supreme Court within 10 days, while Congress also seeks to bring Jharkhand on board for the legal challenge

Centre can resolve any Manipur issue, in 2-3 months if its determined: Cong

Manipur Congress chief O Ibobi Singh on Thursday asserted that the Centre can resolve any issue concerning the state, including the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), in two to three months if it has commitment and determination. Representatives of several civil society organisations in Manipur left for New Delhi during the day to apprise Union ministers and BJP leaders of their demand for NRC updation before the conduct of Census 2027 in the state. Singh, addressing the media, said, "If the central government wants, the implementation of NRC in Manipur is not an issue... NRC should be updated first before Census is conducted. If required, the Constitution should be amended." "Ours is a very small state. If the Union government is determined and committed, be it NRC or any other issue, it is only a matter of two-three months to resolve it," the former chief minister said. The real issue is of the Centre's ignorance of the wishes of the people of the state, h

Congress asks its CMs to draw up roadmap to overhaul education, exam system

Kharge asks Congress CMs to work with education experts on a roadmap to overhaul the education and examination system as the party prepares to intensify its grassroots campaign

Writing about my life did not come easily to me: Sonia on upcoming memoir

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, whose 544-page memoir will be published in November, has said writing about her life meant opening herself up and sharing experiences she had kept deep inside, as she reflected on the heartbreak and loss that drew her into politics. "It was heartbreak and loss that threw me into the public world of politics. Up till then I had guarded my privacy fiercely," Gandhi said in a statement issued here on Tuesday by publisher Alfred A Knopf. "Writing about my life did not come easily to me. It meant opening myself up, sharing moments and experiences I had always held deep inside," the senior Congress leader said. Titled 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', the memoir will be released in hardcover and ebook by Knopf on November 10, with an audio edition to be published by Penguin Random House. The publisher said an announced first printing of 100,000 copies has been set. Gandhi described the book as a "testament of my heart's journey through the tender joys and dark

SC asks Allahabad HC not to proceed with DA case against Rahul Gandhi

In a relief to Rahul Gandhi, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Allahabad High Court not to proceed with a disproportionate assets case against the Congress leader. The top court also asked the CBI and the ED not to file any report before the high court in connection with the case lodged against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Gandhi, and issued notices to Karnataka resident S Vignesh Shishir, who had filed the plea in the high court, the CBI and the ED. The bench was hearing a plea filed by Gandhi against the high court order.

MEA stresses need for respect as Congress leader's Meloni jibe sparks row

India on Friday emphasised that it shares a strong relationship with Italy and underscored the importance of maintaining mutual respect in public discourse, a day after a Congress leader triggered a controversy with his political jibe at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this at his bi-weekly media briefing while responding to a question on Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of foreign policy and subsequent remarks by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit. "We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened. It is important that as part of diplomatic practice that we strengthen our ties keeping in mind being respectful of each other," Jaiswal said. In an address at an event on Thursday evening, Gandhi scoffed at Modi's handling of foreign policy which he claimed was all about hugging leaders. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha also said it h

Row erupts over 'purification' of Kharge's rally venue in Uttarakhand

The Congress on Thursday condemned the "purification" of the rally venue in Uttarakhand's Haldwani after a public meeting addressed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and alleged that the incident reflected the "anti-Dalit" mindset of the BJP and RSS. Kharge, who is the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, also raised the matter in the House and demanded the registration of a case under the Untouchability Act against those involved even as Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Union minister J P Nadda condemned the incident. "Is this the way democracy works? How are you protecting the Constitution?" Kharge asked. He also said he does not intend to politicise the issue, but they have "insulted" him by purifying the stage. Nadda said the matter will be investigated. "...The BJP does not subscribe to such activities. We will investigate it, and I condemn this incident," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the "purification" of the stage after the public meeting "is not just an insult t

Rahul Gandhi says youth generate data, but big firms reap the wealth

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said India's youths are the country's greatest strength as he spoke about their "dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)" to attack the BJP and the RSS. Addressing the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme at KP Ground here, Gandhi said, "You are the power and pride of India. When I say this, I am talking about every Indian citizen." He added, "This evening I want to speak to you about dard, data, and daulat." While there is much talk about America, China and Russia, "India's youths are unparalleled," he said. In his speech, Gandhi, who wore a half-sleeve pink shirt, throwing an uncharacteristic dash of colour against his usual white, touched upon several topics, from AI and data gathering to the BJP-RSS combine, which he accused of holding sway over young people's minds. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha said India has a big chunk of young population and the data it generates would be the key driver of the country's economy in the 21st ...

Incumbent parties won 53% of state by-elections since 2009, shows data

Data from 709 by-elections since 2009 shows incumbent parties won 53% of contests, while opposition parties secured 47%, reflecting a closely contested political landscape

1991 marked a paradigm shift in industrial, trade policy: Jairam Ramesh

Jairam Ramesh says the 1991 reforms transformed India's economy, but reviving private investment is now the country's biggest economic policy challenge

Veteran Congress leader, former Bengal governor DY Patil passes away at 92

Former West Bengal governor and senior Congress leader D Y Patil passed away due to prolonged illness at his residence in Maharashtra's Kolhapur on Tuesday, family sources said. He was 92. The veteran leader, who founded several educational institutions in the state, is survived by his sons, former minister and Congress leader Satej Patil, Sanjay Patil and Ajinkya Patil. Hailing from Kolhapur, Patil served as an MLA from 1967-78 before turning his focus to the education sector, founding the D Y Patil University, which offers courses in medicine, engineering and several other disciplines. A Padma Shri awardee, Patil had served as the governor of Tripura, Bihar and held additional charge of West Bengal.

Congress workers detained during protest over E20 fuel near Gadkari's home

Youth Congress workers held a protest in Nagpur on Monday on the issue of E20 fuel and attempted to march to the residence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in order to 'gherao' it, but were stopped by the police, resulting in several participants being detained. The 'morcha' was held from Chitnivis Park Square in Mahal here till Gadkari's private residence in the same area, with Youth Congress workers shouting slogans about the unviability of E20 fuel. There was heavy deployment of police personnel near the Union minister's house along with barricades on the route, though protesters tried to climb over them to proceed. Several Congress workers were detained, police officials said. The Congress has been targeting Gadkari on the issue of E20 fuel claiming that his reply in Parliament on July 29 on the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol raises more questions than it answers. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday said Gadkari claims E20 has been rolled out after years of ...

Focus of TN Budget will shift to investment from expenditure: Chakravarty

Congress MP Praveen Chakravarty says Tamil Nadu's first TVK budget will prioritise revenue reforms, fiscal discipline and investment, while calling for a rethink on jobs and welfare

Amit Shah behind 'brutality' against students, must quit: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of being "either incompetent or culpable" over the police action against Neet protesters in Delhi and urged the Prime Minister to remove him

Will not contest 2028 Assembly polls: Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday announced that he will not contest the 2028 Assembly polls, citing advancing age, politics becoming "deeply polluted". The Congress Working Committee member, however, asserted that he will remain active in politics and continue to be a voice for the people's hardship and well-being. "Politics has become deeply polluted today, and for that reason I will not contest the 2028 Assembly elections. However, I will remain active in politics and continue to be a voice for the people's hardships and well-being," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X', detailing what he said at a private event held on Saturday in K R Pet in Mandya district. Noting that the people of the Varuna constituency in Mysuru are urging him to contest the elections once again, he said, "I have decided that I should not contest any more elections. Earlier, when I contested elections, it was the people of the constituency who supported us financially and ensured our ...

Rahul Gandhi writes to Shah, demands accountability for assault on students

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the "barbaric assault" on peacefully protesting students here and asking whether he approved the use of "lethal force", including pellet guns, against the youth. In his letter to Shah, Gandhi said peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy and it is the government's responsibility to protect protestors and resolve their grievances through dialogue. "Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard," the former Congress chief said. "I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapo

Congress slams govt over rising education costs, says youth demand action

The Congress on Sunday said the Jantar Mantar and other protests in recent weeks have had proximate causes in a rigged exam system but the agony and anger of youth and their parents have more fundamental causes of both accessibility and affordability revealed by household expenditure data. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the youth and their parents are crying out for remedial action on accessibility and affordability. "The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has very recently done a detailed analysis based on its household expenditure data between 2014/15-2025/26. The conclusions are stark. Education costs are rising substantially faster than household income. Households are allocating a considerably larger share of their income towards education. "Private tuition has emerged as one of the fastest-growing components of household expenditure on education. School and college fees have recorded sustained growth throughout the last decade, consistently outpacing ..

PM should speak in Parliament, not deliver 'one-sided Mann Ki Baat': Cong

Opposition leaders criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he announced a Bill to curb paper leaks, saying he should discuss the issue in Parliament instead of speaking through a video message