By Puja Mehrotra

After the Modi government’s announcement to conduct a caste census, political parties across the country are claiming it as their victory. On this, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav, saying that they were in power for long but why did they not conduct a caste census then. 

Chirag Paswan has been a key player in Bihar politics and is now vocally saying that his future is in Bihar. In an exclusive conversation with India.com, Chirag Paswan said, “I entered politics with the strategy of ‘Bihar First, Bihari First,’ and I see my future not at the Centre but in Bihar.”

Before the Bihar elections, PM Narendra Modi has fired the caste census bullet — something the BJP had avoided for years, even once labelling it as ‘urban Naxal.’ On this, Chirag candidly says, “This attempt to claim that the BJP was avoiding caste census is just a narrative-setting exercise to make it seem like the BJP didn’t want it.”

“I have myself supported caste-based census many times. I was often told that my views didn’t align with my alliance. BJP thinks differently, and you think differently — I was cornered many times like this. But I want to say that when the caste survey took place in Bihar, all the MLAs and ministers openly supported it. However, at the national level, the full credit for conducting this census goes to Hon’ble Modi Ji,” said Chirag.  He adds that the BJP has been working on this for a long time — to determine when the caste census should be conducted.

On Congress’ Claim Of Caste Census

The last caste-based census was conducted in 1931, and since then, there have been significant demographic changes in the country. The population has increased massively. For this census to be done properly, infrastructure and transparency are essential, which requires thorough preparation. But now, this decision has been taken at the right time.

Paswan said that ever since the announcement to conduct the caste census, there’s been a race to take credit. “Rahul Gandhi says their pressure made the government act. Then I want to ask — your party was in power after independence, why didn’t you conduct the caste census? Forget the party — your family had three Prime Ministers. Also, in most states, your party ruled. So why didn’t you get it done? Forget caste census — you didn’t even conduct a survey. This reflects the thinking of such leaders and parties.”

On Lalu Yadav

He questioned Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav saying, “Your party ruled for 15 years and you were the Chief Minister yourself — so why didn’t you conduct the caste census?”

He said, “These people have jumped into the race to pressure the Modi government on caste census, but the statements by Rahul and Lalu Ji only expose the contradictions within their parties. All these people have used this issue as a political tool and brought it up only during elections, raising questions on reservations and setting false narratives.”

On Lok Sabha elections

Chirag admits that these false narratives created by parties caused damage to their alliance in the Lok Sabha elections. Referring to Uttar Pradesh, he said that due to the Constitution, false narratives, and the caste census issue, they suffered losses there. “But today Akhilesh Yadav is calling the caste census his victory, so I want to ask him — you were the Chief Minister yourself, Prabhu, why didn’t you conduct this census in your state?”

He said that all credit for conducting the caste census goes solely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Announcement Amid Pak Tension

The announcement by PM Modi came amid anger over the Pahalgam attack and is being seen as part of the Bihar election strategy. On this, Chirag says, “If not today, the announcement was bound to happen eventually. What we must see is how our Prime Minister is making decisions regarding border tensions while also having the ability to deliver welfare schemes to the poor even in adverse conditions.”

Taimur, Saif Ali Khan in Adipurush

We all know how bad Saif Ali Khan was as Raavana aka Lankesh in Prabhas-starrer Adipurush. Now, Taimur’s reaction to his papa’s performance has also been revealed. Saif joined Jaideep Ahlawat in a special podcast to promote his new film Jewel Thief, and in this conversation, Jaideep asked what his kids’ reaction to his filmography was. 

Saif, in his candid style, admitted that since he mixes of roles, including hero and villain, his kids often get confused whether he’s a ‘good guy or a bad guy’. Saif said, “Because I’ve done different characters, sometimes I’ve played bad guys. So he asked me, ‘Are you a guy or a bad guy?’ Saif further adds, “Maine abhi usse Adipurush dikhai (laughs). Kuch der ke baad, woh mujhe aisa dekh raha hai (making weird face expression), and I said, ‘yeah I’m sorry’, he said ‘it’s okay’. So, Saif had to apologise to Taimur after he watched him in Adipurush. Saif’s revelation left Jaideep laughing, and even he chuckled. 

Watch Saif and Jaideep in conversation 

For the unversed, Adipurush is the cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Directed by Tanhaji’s director, Om Raut, the movie stars Prabhas as Lord Rama aka Raghav and Kriti Sanon as Goddess Sita aka Janki. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, under the banner T-Series, Adipursh was among the highly anticipated movies of 2023. However, the movie was released on June 16, 2023, with mostly negative reviews from critics and the masses. Adipurush was slammed for its problematic dialogues, cinematic liberties, and certain characterisation.

Made in the reported budget of Rs 450 crores, the movie went on to become a major commercial flop, grossing Rs 393 crores worldwide. On the work front, Saif and Jaideep’s latest film, Jewel Thief, premiered on Netflix on April 25. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, the heist thriller met with negative reviews, but is performing good at the streaming platform.  

 

• 
  
  Home
  
• 
  
  TV
• 
  Anupamaa serial update: Rahi loses calm over Raghav-Anu’s closeness; Aryan to propose Mahi?

In the upcoming episode of Anupamaa, Rahi gets angry seeing Raghav and Anu’s growing closeness. On the other hand, Aryan falls for Mahi and wants to propose her. He gets Khyati’s support.

Anupamaa is keeping audiences glued to their show. The current track of Anupamaa is gaining a lot of attention. Raghav gets support from Anupamaa and she promises to prove him innocent. She reveals to the Kothari family that Pankhuri, the wife of Raghav is not dead. Moti Baa gets anxious and wants Gautam to close the case. Gautam gets Kinjal arrested and accuses her of stealing money from their locker. He in return demands Anupamaa to convince Raghav to drop the case. But, Anupamaa supports Raghav and wants Kinjal to get punished for her actions. Toshu slams Anupamaa and calls her selfish.

Meanwhile, Moti Baa brainwashes Rahi and makes her stand against Anupamaa. Rahi promises to never step into Anu Ki Rasoi and Anupamaa gets shattered by her decision. Anupamaa feels Rahi is going away from her. Shah’s family members abandon Anupamaa and she feels alone. Meanwhile, Anupamaa decides to bring Raghav into the Shah house and gives him a new job. Rahi gets angry seeing Anupamaa and Raghav’s closeness. Anupamaa and Raghav start working together in Anu Ki Rasoi. Rahi loses her calm seeing them together. She sees a possibility of Raghav becoming Anupamaa’s partner. Raghav stands by Anupamaa and supports her emotionally. Rahi feels that Raghav and Anupamaa are all set to get into a relationship. She feels that Raghav will replace Anuj. She is not ready to accept Raghav taking Anuj’s place in Anupamaa’s life.

On the other hand, Aryan and Mahi fall for each other. Khyati spots them together at a clothing store. She tells them to leave before Parag notices them. Khyati tells Aryan to not hide his love for Mahi and takes responsibility for talking to Parag about the same. Aryan thinks about Mahi and starts blushing. He plans to confess his feelings for her and plans a proposal. Mahi wants to get close to Prem and uses Aryan. What will happen next? Will Rahi get away from Anupamaa? Will Aryan get to know about Mahi’s true intentions?

Don’t Miss Out on the Latest Updates.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!

Subscribe Now

Read more

Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_Inarticle_300x250|300,250~Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_Inarticle_2_300x250|300,250~Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_ATF_970x90|970,250~Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_ATF_300x250|300,600~Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_BTF_1_300x250|300,600~Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_BTF_2_300x250|300,600~Bollywoodlife_Web/bollywoodlife_ros_strip|1300,50~Bollywoodlife_Web/Bollywoodlife_AS_OOP_1x1|1,1