INDIA's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (24) questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's meeting with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
BJP’s Kapil Mishra slammed Gandhi and raised questions over the meaning of the meeting. Earlier, Corbyn was criticised for his ‘anti-semantic’ views and he has been a vocal supporter of Pakistan in the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
“What is Rahul Gandhi doing with Jeremy Corbyn in London? Jeremy Corbyn is infamous for Anti India Anti Hindu Stand Jeremy Corbyn is openly advocating separation of Kashmir from India,” Mishra tweeted.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala was quick to counter the BJP's barrage of tweets with a photo of Jeremy Corbyn meeting prime minister Narendra Modi.
"Finally, may I also ask our media friends to identify the two men in the picture below and ask the same questions? Does it mean the PM has endorsed Jeremy Corbyn's views on India?" Surjewala wrote. The image was taken during Modi's maiden visit to the UK after becoming the prime minister.
Two years ago, Corbyn was ousted from the Labour party's leadership for his 'anti-semantic' views. Under Corbyn, the Labour Party had also passed an emergency resolution advocating international intervention in Kashmir. The party was heavily criticised by sections of the Indian diaspora.
BJP leader Tom Vadakkan has also questioned why Gandhi has met a leader who has made several controversial comments on India in the past, Indian media reported.
“Corbyn has been known to be Anti-Indian. I think this is a group that is encouraging Rahul to speak what he speaks. I think these are the influencers influencing Rahul and more will be exposed in the future,” Vadakkan said.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also attacked the Congress leader.
"Whether it is meeting with anti-India elements like Jeremy Corbyn, who echo Pak propaganda on Kashmir, or signing an MoU with the Chinese and taking Chinese money into the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, or meeting the Chinese during Doklam, Rahul stands steadfast with anti-India forces. Why oppose the country in an attempt to oppose PM Modi?", Poonawalla tweeted.
Responding to these remarks, Surjewala attacked the ruling party and defended Gandhi in a series of tweets.
"If this is the criteria, our media friends should also debate: Why did PM take Nirav Modi to Davos and about their common photos? What about the video of the PM addressing Mehul Choksi as 'Hamare Mehul Bhai' at a public function? Why does the PM meet President Xi Jinping, when China has occupied our territory? Why did the PM go to Pak to meet the then PM, Nawaz Sharif? Will Govt promise it'll never ever meet anyone having divergent views from us?" Surjewala asked.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)