Sought 'dua' before joining BJP: Congress attacks Himanta over Bangladesh cleric link
India Today
According to Khera, Sarma met Dewan Chisti in 2015, after resigning from the Congress and while being uncertain about joining the BJP. He claimed Sarma shared his personal and political problems with the cleric and sought 'dua' or prayers.
The Congress on Tuesday stepped up its attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with party leader Pawan Khera claiming that Sarma had met a Bangladeshi Islamic cleric in 2015 and acted on his advice before joining the BJP.
Replying to his earlier post on X, Khera alleged that Sarma was a “devotee” of Dewan Muhammad Saidur Rahman Chisti Saidabadi, the head of the Chistia Saidia Darbar Sharif in Dhaka, and had sought his guidance at a critical point in his political career.
According to Khera, Sarma met Dewan Chisti in 2015, after resigning from the Congress and while being uncertain about joining the BJP. He claimed Sarma shared his personal and political problems with the cleric and sought ‘dua’ or prayers. Khera further alleged that the cleric advised Sarma to join the BJP, an advice he claimed Sarma followed when he joined the party in August 2015. “The rest is history now,” Khera said in the post.
Building on the claim, Khera raised a fresh set of questions, asking whether Sarma had met the cleric in Bangladesh and, if so, why the visit was not disclosed publicly. He also questioned whether the interaction had influenced Sarma’s political rise and whether the Chief Minister continued to receive “advice or directions from across the border”.
Khera went on to allege that Sarma could be “susceptible to foreign manipulation”, framing the issue as one with national security implications.
The second post followed Khera’s earlier claim that he had received a photograph purportedly showing Sarma with Dewan Chisti. In that post, Khera alleged that the cleric was linked to a Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition in Bangladesh, which he described as historically pro-Pakistan and ideologically committed to establishing Shariah law.
A second patient died within 72 hours at RG Kar Hospital, with his family alleging that a lack of stretcher and basic facilities forced the critically ill man to walk 100 metres, leading to his death.
As Parliament prepares to bring amendments to the Transgender Act, activists warn the proposed changes risk rolling back years of hard-won rights.
A high-speed boat crash in the Maldives has left two Indians missing, including a celebrated rally figure, even as Gautam Singhania returns home. Search teams continue efforts amid mounting concern and unanswered questions.
A prominent seer, Pranavananda Swamiji, alleged that mutts backing Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post were denied any allocation in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He reiterated his support for Shivakumar to take over as the chief minister.
India's original Dhurandhar, Ravindra Kaushik, rose from acting at college theatres, to infiltrating the Pakistan Army as a RAW Agent. He provided critical intelligence on Pakistani troop movements and the country's nuclear programme, but died a lonely death after his betrayal and subsequent capture by the ISI.
According to the police, 19-year-old Sachin Dharmendrabhai Chaudhary, who works as a labourer, had borrowed the money before expressing his inability to repay it immediately, police said. He was allegedly threatened with his life over the delay in repayment. Fearing for his life, Sachin immediately alerted the police.
A quiet arrest in Rajasthan has unravelled a wider espionage network, linking an Air Force employee to Pakistani handlers. Investigators say the trail began months ago and may reach deeper than first believed.
A 36-year-old woman plotted to murder her mother-in-law with the help of her 21-year-old lover. The murder plot was exposed by CCTV installed inside the house.
A former village pradhan who had been missing since March 18 was found dead in a sack near a canal in Pratapgarh. Police have arrested his lover, claiming she carried out the murder with accomplices.
From a Kashmiri widow parting with her late husband's cherished jewellery to children emptying their piggy banks, a wave of generosity is emerging across India as citizens step up to support people affected by the escalating conflict in Iran.