In a day marked by significant political and diplomatic developments, a senior Congress leader's unexpected praise for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has ignited a major controversy. Meanwhile, Israel's bold foreign policy move in the Horn of Africa has drawn sharp reactions, and a doctors' strike has impacted healthcare services in a northern Indian state.
Congress Leader's RSS Remarks Stir Political Storm
Senior Congress figure Digvijaya Singh found himself at the centre of a political firestorm on Saturday after he publicly commended the organisational prowess of the RSS, the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Singh shared a decades-old black-and-white photograph on social media platform X, which depicted a young Narendra Modi sitting on the ground while veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani was seated on a chair.
He used this image to highlight the RSS's method of leadership development, noting that it enabled a grassroots worker to rise to the position of Chief Minister and eventually the Prime Minister of India. Singh described the organisational strength as "very impressive." However, he later clarified his stance, asserting that while he acknowledged the RSS's effective structure, he remains a staunch political opponent of both the organisation and Prime Minister Modi.
Himachal Healthcare Hit as Resident Doctors Launch Indefinite Strike
Non-emergency medical services across several government hospitals in Himachal Pradesh were severely disrupted after resident doctors began an indefinite strike. The protest was triggered by the termination of Dr. Raghav Narula from the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla. Dr. Narula was accused of assaulting a patient, Arjun Singh, in an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The Resident Doctors' Association, after observing mass casual leave on Friday, announced the full-scale strike. While emergency services remain functional, outpatient departments (OPDs), routine care, and elective surgeries have been suspended. The incident itself involved a dispute where the patient objected to being addressed disrespectfully, leading to a physical altercation where both parties have blamed each other.
Israel's Somaliland Recognition Sparks Diplomatic Backlash
In a move with significant geopolitical implications, Israel has formally recognised the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. This decision has provoked a strong diplomatic backlash across Africa and the Middle East, reviving the long-standing debate over the status of the northern Somali territory.
While Israel becomes the first country to grant official recognition, major powers have swiftly rejected the move. The United States has stated its opposition, and the African Union has warned that the recognition could destabilise the continent. Somaliland declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia's central government and has since functioned as a de facto state with its own government, currency, and military, though it lacks international recognition.
BJP Accuses Congress of Colluding with 'Anti-India' Forces
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the Congress party on Saturday, accusing it of colluding with forces it described as "anti-India." The allegation was based on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's participation in the Global Progressive Alliance during his recent visit to Germany.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cited remarks made by Rahul Gandhi's long-time advisor, Sam Pitroda, to claim that the alliance promotes narratives against India. The BJP sought to draw connections between the Congress party's ideology and the alleged agendas of certain international groups, including those linked to billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
Persecuted Hindus in Bangladesh Appeal to India for Safety
Amid a climate of fear following recent mob lynchings, members of the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh are appealing to India to open its borders, seeking refuge from potential Islamist attacks. The community's anxieties have been heightened by the rising political influence of hardline leader Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Many Hindus fear that if the BNP returns to power, persecution against minorities could intensify, leaving them feeling trapped and vulnerable in their own country. The specific incidents involving the killings of Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal have catalyzed these urgent appeals for assistance and safe passage to India.
