New Delhi: The three controversial farm bills continue to create furore offline as well as online, with several farmers continuing their agitations against them on the streets.
But before that, PM Modi rang up legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar to wish her on her 91st birthday.
Spoke to respected Lata Didi and conveyed birthday greetings to her. Praying for her long and healthy life. Lata Didi is a household name across the nation. I consider myself fortunate to have always received her affection and blessings. @mangeshkarlata
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2020
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik wished the singer in his own very special way.
Happy Birthday to legendary Singer Bharat Ratna #LataMangeshkar Ji . My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha #HappyBirthdayLataDidi pic.twitter.com/Ez4nGTQ07j
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) September 28, 2020
And tributes poured in from all quarters after former union minister Jaswant Singh passed away Sunday, former US diplomat Strobe Talbott spelt out why Singh was so special while politicians from BJP and Congress recalled his significance.
#JaswantSingh: extraordinary man, wise and principled servant for his country and the world, brave soldier, honorable statesman, diplomat of finesse and effectiveness, author of wide scope, proud, loved, and loving husband and father, and friend. RIP.
— Strobe Talbott (@strobetalbott) September 27, 2020
Former External Affairs minister Jaswant Singh was a man of substance & style. He was a patrician in a landed Tory sort of way. Tremendously well read, he had a way with words. In 1987 he told me that BJP was the casualty of “an etymological block”. He served India well. OmShanti
— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 27, 2020
I am saddened to learn the expiry of one of the most distinguished and erudite leader of the country Shri Jashwant Singh Ji. I pay my tribute to the great soul and praying to god to repose his soul in peace and tranquility.
— Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) September 27, 2020
Late Sh. Jaswant Singh was a gentleman to the core .
Had the pleasure of working with and learning from him in the 2-G JPC .
He was always correct and proper .
My profound condolences to my friend @ManvendraJasol and the family . May his soul rest in peace .
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) September 27, 2020
Back to farmers:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi feels very strongly about everything the government does, and his reaction to the bills is no different.
The agriculture laws are a death sentence to our farmers. Their voice is crushed in Parliament and outside.
Here is proof that democracy in India is dead. pic.twitter.com/MC4BIFtZiA
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 28, 2020
BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain slams Congress after a viral video surfaced of its youth wing in Punjab, protesting against the farm laws.
Congress has not learnt any lesson from its abysmal performances in elections after elections & continues to oppose pro people policies.
By opposing #AgricultureBills it's taking an anti-farmer stand & also destroying public property. Congress will pay a heavy price for it. https://t.co/XXEklIx3uN
— Syed Shahnawaz Hussain (@ShahnawazBJP) September 28, 2020
Meanwhile, Amul’s Managing Director R.S. Sodhi threw his weight behind the new laws.
Few may know Milk is India’s largest crop worth Rs8 lac Cr is more than the combined value of wheat, paddy and sugarcane and farmers are free to sell and buyer free to buy this perishable from any where fighting competition at village level.@PMOIndia @girirajsinghbjp @Amul_Coop https://t.co/odY68NCukP
— R S Sodhi (@Rssamul) September 27, 2020
Here’s Congress national spokesperson Dr. Abhishek Singhvi’s take on Shiromani Akali Dal’s exit from the NDA.
Akali Dal walking away from BJP is a sureshot sign of the future. It's not a hopeful tweet but an observant one. Allies are realizing that the diktat of his highness will always preceed larger national interests.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) September 28, 2020
And TMC MP Derek O’ Brien feels vindicated after Rajya Sabha video footage apparently revealed that the Opposition, in fact, did not start the ruckus in the Rajya Sabha on 20 September.
Solid investigation by reputed journalists, backed by video footage and irrefutable evidence, have left this shameless govt scurrying to find cover through lies. Read their farcical ‘clarification’ re events in Rajya Sabha! The video of Farm Bill vote shreds government’s version
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 27, 2020
Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi calls out a promise made by the RJD.
तीन साल में जदयू, हम और रालोसपा के हटने के बाद महागठबंधन बिखर चुका है और राजद केवल जनाधारहीन कांग्रेस और वामपंथियों के भरोसे रह गया है।
चुनाव से पहले जिस दल के कई विधायक और मित्र दल साथ छोड़ चुके हैं, वह केवल सपने देख सकता है।— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) September 27, 2020
Getting blocked on Twitter clearly doesn’t deter BJP MP Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga.
Dear @Swamy39 instead of Accepting/denying the fact you blocked me. Virat Swamy is Running from truth, O My God https://t.co/PQuvaovFX0 pic.twitter.com/q4xyPM5g7l
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) September 27, 2020
स्वामी ने मंदिर बनवाया जैसे पाकिस्तान ने आतंकवाद खत्म किया ???
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) September 28, 2020
The ‘prodigal son’ moment for Dr Ajoy Kumar who rejoined Congress after a stint with the Aam Aadmi Party.
“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth & acting accordingly.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
Driven by my conscience to speak up against injustice & institutional capture, I’ve been inspired by Shri @RahulGandhi& decided to come back to @INCIndia today. pic.twitter.com/D7U7bM4oKG
— Dr Ajoy Kumar (@drajoykumar) September 27, 2020
When it comes to misogyny, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi doesn’t mince her words.
This mindset. Exactly this feeling which makes men think that women are ‘their property’ to ill treat, to beat, to do as they please.
If law keepers talk this language & get violent with women what hope in hell will the society have. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/rpAqPKLcKm
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) September 28, 2020
And master blaster Sachin Tendulkar ‘cannot keep calm’ about Rajasthan Royals player Rahul Tewatia’s stellar performance in the IPL match against Kings XI Punjab.
Terrific batting by @rajasthanroyals’ batsmen Smith, Sanju & Tewatia to chase this mega total.
They kept their cool and accelerated beautifully.
Surprised how the @lionsdenkxip fast bowlers didn’t bowl many yorkers and also failed to use M Ashwin enough. #RRvKXIP #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/f52wF11uig
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 27, 2020
Book critic Sanjay Sipahimalani on the ‘stories’ told on PM Modi’s radio show Mann ki Baat.
Yes, we’ve heard a few. pic.twitter.com/Vf9gOGMPf9
— Sanjay Sipahimalani (@SanSip) September 27, 2020
Author Margaret Atwood ‘apologises’ for almost being a clairvoyant.
Sorry about that… https://t.co/iaBsMNBGD8
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) September 27, 2020
Finally, with the New York Times revealing some of US President Donald Trump’s tax records, he is clearly feeling the heat. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1310432401454235650