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Tue, 07 January 2020
Oppn to meet on Jan 13 to discuss JNU violence
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23:20 Oppn to meet on Jan 13 to discuss JNU violence
Top leaders of opposition parties, including the Congress, are likely to meet on January 13 to discuss the situation arising out of violence on various university campuses and protests in the country over the Citizenship Amendment Act.
According to sources, the Congress is convening a meeting of senior opposition leaders next Monday in Parliament House annexe to chalk out a joint strategy in the wake of violence on campuses.
The sources said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, DMK chief MK Stalin and leaders of Left parties and regional outfits opposed to the BJP are likely to attend the meeting.
They add that top opposition leaders have already held discussions amongst themselves and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad is leading the efforts.
The opposition is seeking to win over the youth and students by supporting their protests over the citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The sources said the Congress and other parties are seeking to take the students movement forward and have lent support to their cause.
There has been violence in Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University, besides some other campuses across the country, in the recent past following student protests against the citizenship law and NRC.
The joint opposition move also assumes significance as it comes soon after Delhi election dates have been announced.
The elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly will take place on February 8 and results will be declared on February 11, the Election Commission announced on Monday. -- PTI
22:50 Condemn all kind of violence: Vidhu Vinod Chopra on JNU attack
Image: Bollywood producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, music composer and singer A R Rahman with actors Sadia and Aadil Khan pose for photographs during the trailer launch of their upcoming Hindi film Shikara in Mumbai. Photograph: PTI Photo
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Tuesday said he is against any kind of violence but is hopeful that the country will witness a "new spring" soon.
At the trailer launch of his latest directorial, Shikara - The Untold Story of Kashmiri Pandits, which deals with the mass exodus of the community from the Valley, Chopra was asked about the attack on JNU students by a masked mob.
"I condemn all (kind of) violence. I am not just talking I have made a film. I condemn the violence that happened 30 years ago and the violence that is happening today I condemn that also.
"I am a very hopeful person, maybe because I am from Kashmir and connected to poetry. I am very hopeful that India and all of us we will have a new spring," Chopra told reporters in Mumbai.
A masked mob armed with sticks and rods on Sunday attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, injuring at least 35 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh.
On Monday night, a slew of Bollywood celebrities such as directors Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar and actors Taapsee Pannu and Richa Chadha turned up at Carter Road in Mumbai in solidarity with those protesting against the violence at the JNU.
In a peaceful gathering of hundreds, the film fraternity was at the forefront with prominent personalities, including actors Swara Bhasker, Dia Mirza and Ali Fazal as well as Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, Rahul Dholakia and Neeraj Ghaywan.
22:44 Children continue to die in state, problem needs to be resolved: Pilot
Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot here on Tuesday said children continue to die in parts of the state and the problem needs to be resolved.
Pilot, who is also the state Congress chief, reiterated his earlier stance that the responsibility should for fixed for the death of infants at a Kota hospital.
He, however, expressed confidence that the steps taken by the state government will prove to be effective.
"Infants are dying continuously in different districts of the state and the problem within the system should be resolved," he said replying to a question.
He added that it would raise people's confidence in the government and send the message that it was serious.
"But we must decide the responsibility for what has happened. I still stand on my point that one person, one leader or one person does not a matter. The deficiency should be rectified and there should be confidence in the public that this incident will not recur," he said.
Pilot also cautioned that the biggest strength of a democracy are its people who show the door to those who do not perform. -- PTI
22:37 Govt trying to 'destroy' Constitution: JNU alumni
Several Jawaharlal Nehru University alumni, including former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury, on Tuesday attacked the Centre over the violence at the university, alleging that the government is trying to "destroy" the Constitution.
Addressing students at an alumni meet at the university, Yechury sought to know why FIRs were registered against JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh and alleged that it was an afterthought.
"We are defending the Constitution and if there is any anti-national, it is the government which is trying to destroy the Constitution," the CPI-M general secretary said.
Kumar, who is a CPI leader and a former JNUSU president, said, "JNU always talks about issues that are not even reported. The government has made a mistake. They have chosen an enemy that is intelligent and studious."
"Hatred for JNU is not hatred for a university or ideology but the thought of how a country should be... In JNU, a girl can step out of library and walk alone. In this campus, 40 per cent people are from 'adivasi' or poor families," he said.
Kumar said he takes it as an honour when he is called the leader of the "tukde-tukde gang".
"If you are with JNU, you are called a Leftist," he added.
"Tukde-tukde gang" is a term often used by the right-wing parties to attack the Opposition, particularly Left and Left-backed outfits as well as those who support them.
CPI-Marxist-Leninist leader Kavita Krishnan, also a JNU alumnus, attended the meet and slammed the government over the violence at the university.
On Sunday, a mob of masked young people stormed the JNU campus in south Delhi and targeted students in three hostels, unleashing mayhem with sticks, stones and iron rods, hitting inmates and breaking windows, furniture and personal belongings. They also attacked a women's hostel.
Over 30 people, including JNUSU president Ghosh, were injured in the violence. -- PTI
22:29 9-judge SC bench to hear Sabarimala review plea
The Supreme Court on Tuesday formed a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde to hear from January 13 the issue of allowing women and girls of all ages to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple, along with the other contentious issues of alleged discrimination against Muslim and Parsi women.
The other judges on the bench are Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan, L Nageswara Rao, M M Shantanagoudar, S A Nazeer, R Subhash Reddy, B R Gavai and Surya Kant.
The nine-judge bench has been set up after a five-judge bench headed by then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, by a 3:2 majority verdict, referred the matter to a seven-judge bench while examining the review petition filed against the historic September 28, 2018 judgement which had allowed women of all ages to enter Sabarimala temple.
Besdies Justice Gogoi, Justices A M Khanwilkar and Indu Malhotra (the lone woman judge on the bench) were in majority while Justices R F Nariman and D Y Chandrachud had penned a minority verdict on November 14, 2019.
On the nine-judge bench, which will hear the matter from January 13, there are no judges from the previous benches.
The top court had on Monday issued a notice informing about listing of the petition filed by Indian Young Lawyers Association seeking review of the 2018 judgement.
However, the names of the judges were announced today.
While referring the matter to a larger bench, the five-judge bench had however said that the debate about the constitutional validity of religious practices like bar on entry of women and girls into a place of worship was not limited to the Sabarimala case.
The top court said such restrictions are there with regard to entry of Muslim women into mosques and 'dargahs' and Parsi women, married to non-Parsi men, being barred from the holy fire place of an Agyari.
It said it was time for the apex court to evolve a judicial policy to do "substantial and complete justice". -- PTI
21:37 Delegation of envoys to India to visit J-K
A delegation of ambassadors from 15-20 countries including those from the Gulf region are scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir soon to be briefed on the security situation in the union territory, officials said on Tuesday.
They also said that efforts were on to rope in some ambassadors from the P5 countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Russia but confirmation is awaited.
Around 15 to 20 envoys to India will be taken to the Kashmir valley later this week where they will be briefed by security agencies about the involvement of Pakistan in spreading militancy in the state, the officials said.
On the same day, they will be taken to Jammu where they would meet Lt Governor G C Murmu and other officials before returning to the national capital the next day, they added.
This will the second visit of a foreign delegation to Kashmir since August 5, 2019, the day when the Centre withdrew special status of the state and also bifurcated it into two union territories -- Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, a delegation of 23 EU MPs was taken on a two-day visit to assess the situation in the union territory by International Institute for Nonaligned Studies, a Delhi-based think tank.
However, the government had distanced itself from the visit of the delegation and minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy informed Parliament that the European parliamentarians were on a "private visit". -- PTI
Image: Members of European Union Parliamentary delegation during a shikara ride at Dal Lake in Srinagar in October 2019 . Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo
20:42 Deepika Padukone at JNU to support students
Actor Deepika Padukone reached the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday evening to show solidarity with students protesting recent violence on the campus.
She was spotted standing with the students at the Sabarmati T-point.
20:13 Bharat Bandh: Banking, transport services to be hit on Wed
Banking, transport and other services across the country are likely to be hit as trade unions have called a nationwide strike on Wednesday.
Nearly 25 crore people are said to be taking part in this all-India strike to protest against the government's "anti-people" policies.
Ten central trade unions like INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC along with various sectoral independent federations and associations had adopted a declaration in September last to go on a nationwide strike on January 8, 2020.
Several banks have already informed stock exchanges about the Wednesday strike and its impact on banking services.
Various bank employee associations, including AIBEA, All India Bank Officers' Association, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC and Bank Karmachari Sena Mahasangh (BKSM), have expressed their willingness to participate in the strike.
Banking services like deposit and withdrawal, cheque clearing and instrument issuance are expected to be impacted due to the strike.
However, services at private sector banks are unlikely to be impacted.
Other than banking, transport and other key services are also likely to be disrupted in many states due to this nationwide strike call.
In West Bengal, trade unions affiliated to Left and other parties called for a bandh against the economic policies of the BJP-led government at the Centre.
However, the state government said it will not support any bandh.
"The Ministry of Labour has failed to assure on any of the demands of workers which called a meeting on January 2, 2020. The attitude of the government is that of contempt towards labour as we construe from its policies and actions," the 10 CTUs said in a joint statement.
"We expect participation of not less than 25 crore of working people in the forthcoming National General Strike on January 8, 2020, to be followed by many more actions seeking reversal of the anti-worker, anti-people, anti-national policies of the Government," it said.
The central government, meanwhile, has asked public sector undertakings to dissuade their employees from participating in the 'Bharat Bandh' called on Wednesday and advised them to prepare a contingency plan to ensure smooth functioning of the enterprises. -- PTI
19:44 Justice delivered to Nirbhaya: BJP
After a Delhi court on Tuesday ordered hanging of four Nirbhaya gang rape and murder convicts on January 22, the Bharatiya Janata Party said justice has been delivered to the victim and that the verdict will empower women and strengthen people's faith in the judiciary.
"Justice delivered to Nirbhaya. A Delhi court's verdict to execute 4 convicts will empower women and strengthen people's faith on judiciary," BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted.
Four convicts in the sensational 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail, a Delhi court said.
The order was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora who issued death warrants gainst them.
The four death row convicts are Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Singh and Pawan Gupta. -- PTI
19:22 Will file curative plea in SC: Nirbhaya convicts' lawyer
After a Delhi court issued death warrant against all four convicts in 2012 Nirbhaya Delhi gang-rape case, the convicts' lawyer AP Singh on Tuesday said that he will file a curative petition in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the same.
"We will file a curative petition in the Supreme Court within two days. Five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court will hear it. There has been media, public and political pressure since the beginning, which is why an unbiased probe did not take place in this case," Singh told ANI.
He said that the curative petition will be filed on behalf of all four convicts, namely Akshay, Vinay, Pawan and Mukesh.
"The court has given us the time to file a curative petition. We will file the application seeking a stay on the death warrant and I am hopeful that the court will hear it," Singh said.
"Death sentence is for the poor of this country. No rich has ever been hanged," he added.
A Delhi court today said that all four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya case will be hanged at 7 am on January 22. -- ANI
18:55 1 killed, several injured in blast in Pakistan's Quetta city
At least one person was killed and several others were injured on Tuesday after an explosion in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, according to a media report.
The blast occurred near a vehicle of the security forces close to Liaquat Bazar, according to Express Tribune.
The nature of the blast is yet to be determined.
Police have cordoned off the area for a search operation.
Meanwhile, an emergency has been declared at the city's Civil Hospital where the injured have been taken. -- PTI
18:53 Nirbhaya convicts to be hanged in Tihar Jail No 3
The four convicts in the Nirbhaya case will be executed in Jail No 3, a senior Tihar Jail official said on Tuesday, hours after a Delhi court issued death warrants against them and declared that they will be hanged at 7 am on January 22.
Three of the convicts are lodged in Jail No 2, while one is in Jail No 4, the official said.
Sources said the jail authorities will approach a hangman in Meerut to carry out the execution. -- PTI
18:23 Govt forecasts GDP to grow at 5% against 6.8%
The Indian economy is estimated to grow at 5 per cent in 2019-20 as against 6.8 per cent in the previous fiscal, according to government data.
The decline has been mainly on account of deceleration in manufacturing sector growth, which is expected to come down to 2 per cent in 2019-20 from 6.2 per cent in the year-ago fiscal, as per the first advanced estimates of the national income released by National Statistical Office on Tuesday.
The deceleration was also witnessed in sectors like agriculture, construction and electricity, gas and water supply.
Whereas, some sector, including mining, public administration, and defence, showed minor improvement. -- PTI
18:05 It's win for country's all Nirbhayas': DCW chief
After a Delhi court ruled that all the four convicts will be hanged in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal on Tuesday hailed the court order, saying it was a win for all 'Nirbhayas' of the country.
"We strongly welcome this decision. It is a win for all the 'Nirbhayas' living in this country. I salute Nirbhaya's parents, who fought for seven long years. But why has it taken seven years to punish these people? Why this time period cannot be reduced?" she told ANI.
Earlier today, the Patiala House court ruled that all four death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am.
Additional Session Judge Satish Kumar Arora issued the death warrant in the presence of all convicts, who were produced before the court through video conferencing.
The 23-year-old girl was raped and murdered by six men on a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16, 2012.
17:18 Justice finally, says Nirbhaya's mother
Asha Devi, Nirbhaya's mother says the order (on the death warrant) will restore faith of women in law. "My daughter has got justice. Execution of the four convicts will empower the women of the country. This decision will strengthen the trust of people in the judicial system," Asha Devi said.
The four convicts in the horrific 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail, a Delhi court said on Tuesday. The order was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora who issued death warrants gainst them. The four death row convicts are Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Singh and Pawan Gupta.
The convicts' lawyer AP Singh has said the three convicts he represents will file curative petitions in the Supreme Court. The convicts are also filing a mercy plea with the President Ram Nath Kovind. The court has given the convicts 14 days to file their pleas.
Badrinath Singh, the father of the victim added, "I am happy with the court's decision. The convicts will be hanged at 7 am on 22nd January; This decision will instill fear in people who commit such crimes."
Image: Nirbhaya's mother reacts after the Delhi court passed the order for the death warrant.
16:57 Nirbhaya convicts to be hanged at 7 am, Jan 22
2012 Delhi gang-rape case: A Delhi court issues the death warrant against all four convicts. They will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am. The court also said the convicts can use their legal remedies within 14 days, which means they can file mercy petitions with the President of India.
A Delhi Court had reserved the order on issuing of death warrants against the four death row convicts in the sensational 2012 Nirbhaya Gangrape and murder case.
During the hearing, the prosecution said there was no application pending before any court or the President right now by any of the convicts and the review petition of all the convicts was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
While urging the court to issue the death warrants, the prosecution said, "In between issuance and execution of death warrants of the convicts want to file curative petitions they can do so." The counsel for two of the convicts -- Mukesh and Vinay -- said they were in process of filing curative petition in the apex court. - PTI
16:47 CPI-M's Yechury at JNU
Sitaram Yechury, CPI-M, outside JNU: I'm here to show solidarity with JNU teachers and students. I condemn the JNU violence. If the VC thinks he can silence students then it'll not happen. We demand the removal of the VC. We need those who attacked students to be identified and also want a rollback of the fee hike.
16:22 Protests outside JNU again
Delhi: JNU teachers and students hold protest outside Jawaharlal Nehru University, against the violence in campus.
16:00 Campuses shouldn't be havens of hate: Venakaiah
Days after JNU was rocked by violence, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said educational campuses must not become safe havens for the politics of hate and violence to thrive. He also said academic endeavors and co-curricular initiatives must attain primacy in universities and not factionalism and divisive tendencies.
"There is no doubt that there is space for every shade of opinion and every point of view in our universities," Naidu said in his address at the silver jubilee celebrations of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in Bengaluru.
The Vice-President's comments come in the backdrop of the violence at the JNU on Sunday night when masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, leaving several injured.
"Our children, when they leave the portals of the educational institutions must be enlightened citizens who will take an abiding interest in protecting our democracy and preserving the fundamental values that are enshrined in our constitution. But our campuses must not become safe havens for the politics of hate and violence to thrive. Academic endeavors and co-curricular initiatives must attain primacy in our universities and not factionalism and divisive tendencies," Naidu said.
15:52 Celebrated painter Akbar Padamsee dead
One of India's most influential artists, Akbar Padamsee, died at the Isha Yoga Centre here. The 91-year old Padamsee, a pioneer of the progressive modernist movement, died due to old age on Monday night, a release from Isha Yoga Centre. He was a long-time resident of the Isha Yoga Centre, founded by Jaggi Vasudev. The last rites were performed at the centre itself in the presence of his family, the release said on Tuesday. PTI
Image: Akbar Padamsees 'Greek Landscape' fetched a record Rs 19.19 crore in 2016
15:11 No fresh incident reported in JNU so far: Delhi Police
The Delhi Police on Tuesday said that no fresh occurrence of violence has been reported from the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus and there will be a continuation of active police deployment in both inside and outside the varsity's premises.
"No fresh incident has been reported from any part of the university. Active deployment of police to continue both inside and outside the university," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Devender Arya told reporters.
Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner Shalini Singh, the Delhi Police officer who has been assigned to submit a fact-finding report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, visited the JNU campus."We have visited all the spots and interacted with students in JNU. Currently, the investigation is in its initial stage. Students have put their confidence in us and given us a few inputs," she said. -- ANI
15:07 Let's put the past behind us: JNU VC
JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar calls for peace at the campus. "The incident that took place on Sunday, January 5 is unfortunate. Our campus is known for debates and discussions to resolve to any issues. Violence is not a solution. We will find every opportunity to make sure that normalcy returns to the University.
"The registration process has been restarted. Students can register for the winter semester now. Let us make a new beginning and put the past behind."
This morning, JNU Professor Sucharita Sen, who suffered head injuries during an attack on students and teachers in the university campus on Sunday, has filed a police complaint. Sen said outsiders had gathered at the university campus with sticks, rods, and deadly weapons.
She said she was first hit with a large stone on her shoulder and then with even a larger one on her head, following which she fell on the ground bleeding profusely.
14:49 Court to hear plea of Nirbhaya's parents to expedite punishment to convicts
A Delhi court will hear today the plea of parents of 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim seeking to expedite the procedure to hang all 4 convicted in the case and also seeking issuance of death warrant against them.
Yesterday, the court dismissed an application filed by the father of one of the death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case, who had questioned the credibility of the sole witness by claiming that he was "tutored" and sought the registration of FIR against him.
The court had on December 20 reserved the order on an application filed by Pawan Kumar Gupta's father till today. The petition had stated that the girl's friend committed perjury for giving false testimony in the court.
14:38 Myth that we don't talk to students: JNU Registrar
Jawaharlal Nehru University Registrar, Dr Pramod Kumar said that it is a myth that the administration does not talk to the protesting students and said that they are trying to make them understand so that the registration process can be restarted.
"We are trying to make the students understand so that the registration process can be restarted. The administration is in contact with the students who are protesting. It is a total myth that we do not talk to them," Kumar said.
On Sunday evening, more than 30 students of the university including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh were injured and were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the varsity and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods.
According to sources in the Delhi Police, the investigation has revealed that some insiders, as well as outsiders, were involved in the violence. -- ANI
Image: JNUSU leader Aishe Ghosh.
14:26 I am your 'pehredar', will not let anyone snatch people's rights: Mamata
Contending that she was the custodian of people's rights, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she would not let anyone harm their interests. Asserting that the agitation against National Register of Citizens and National Population Register would go on as long as necessary, Banerjee said that she would do everything in her power to protect the people of the state.
"We do not live at the mercy of anyone... I will not allow anyone snatch our rights," the CM said at a public meeting here, on the western fringes of Sunderban forests. "I am your 'pehradar' (custodian), if anyone comes to take away your rights, he will have to do it over my dead body," Banerjee, who has been one of the most vocal critics of CAA, NRC, added. -- PTI
14:14 Police file two FIRs against Aishe Ghosh
The Delhi police have filed two separate FIRs against JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh for allegedly vandalising server room of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and attacking staff members.
Both the FIRs were filed against Ghosh on January 5. According to the JNU security department, a group of students wearing masks on their faces forcibly entered the office of the centre for information system located in a building near the Administration Building on January 1.
The police have filed FIRs against eight students, identified as Aishe Ghosh, Geeta Kumari, Vivek Kumar Pandey, Surya Prakash, Satish Chandra Yadav, Saket Moon, Sarika Chaudhary and Ameksha Priyadarshini, in connection with the case.
"They switched off the power supply and evicted all the technical staff working there and made servers dysfunctional. They obstructed and stopped the public servants from doing the duties they pushed, threatened, abused, and chased the staff out of the office ad server room. Subsequently, they locked the room and squatted at the door and did not let the staff enter the server room," the university officials alleged in the complaint.
The second FIR was filed against Ghosh and 19 others for allegedly attacking security guards and vandalising the server room of the Jawaharlal Nehru University on January 4. -- ANI
Image: A forensics team at JNU this morning.
14:00 Intent was OK: Aaditya on 'Free Kashmir' girl
Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray holds forth on the 'Free Kashmir' poster that's kicked up a storm in all quarters: "Apart from that incident look at larger picture, yes we need to see her intent, was it to remove internet blockade, if it was freeing Kashmir from India then its wrong. Obviously everyone condemned it, not even other protesters supported it."
Facing criticism from social media and political quarters for holding a 'Free Kashmir' poster during a protest against violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mehak Prabhu, a Mumbai-based storyteller, on Tuesday clarified that she meant to highlight the restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir and wishes to see peace in the region, adding she had no other motive behind her actions.
"At around 7 pm yesterday, I reached where the protest was happening at the Gateway of India. Like anybody else who believes in democracy, I also joined that protest. We were standing for justice to the JNU students," Prabhu said in a video posted on Facebook.
"I saw a bunch of people who were painting placards on every issue like NRC, CAA and for JNU students. There was a placard lying on the side which said 'Free Kashmir'. The first thing which came to my mind when I saw that placard was about the basic constitutional rights of Kashmiris," she said.
Prabhu also said that she was not a Kashmiri and was brought up in Mumbai. She outlined that she was standing with a flower in her hand and asserted that the entire matter was "completely blown out of proportion".
"I was quietly standing with a flower in my hand. This means we need to make peace together. That was my only intention in holding that placard. The narrative that has been put out is absolutely wrong," she said, describing the reactions to the matter was "crazy".
13:42 Attacked JNU prof files FIR
JNU Professor Sucharita Sen, who suffered head injuries during an attack on students and teachers in the university campus on Sunday, has filed a police complaint. Sen said outsiders had gathered at the university campus with sticks, rods, and deadly weapons. She said she was first hit with a large stone on her shoulder and then with even a larger one on her head, following which she fell on the ground bleeding profusely. PTI
Image: JNU Professor Sucharita Sen suffered head injuries during the attack at the campus on Sunday
13:03 Sonia Sainiks, taunts BJP on Sena's soft Hindutva
After the Shiv Sena downplayed a 'Free Kashmir' poster seen at the protest at the Gateway of India last night, BJP leader Sambit Patra on Tuesday made a jibe at Uddhav Thackeray's party workers and called them 'Sonia Sainiks' claiming that they may soon be heard "badmouthing Lord Ram" and turn up their own version of "Hindu terrorism".
"Now Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut defends the "Free Kashmir" poster at Mumbai Protests. Believe me, friends, these Sonia Sainikis in an attempt to show their allegiance to Tukde Tukde Gang may soon be heard badmouthing Shri Ram and may soon turn up with their own version of "Hindu Terrorism"!" Patra tweeted.
Earlier today, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the 'Free Kashmir' banner was about freedom from restrictions on internet and mobile services. However, he asserted that any demand for freedom of Kashmir would not be tolerated by the Shiv Sena.
Lambasting the Sena over the matter, former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had questioned the basis of the protest and asked how such separatist elements could be tolerated in Mumbai.
"Protest is for what exactly? Why slogans of "Free Kashmir"? How can we tolerate such separatist elements in Mumbai? 'Free Kashmir' slogans by Azadi gang at 2km from CMO? Uddhav ji are you going to tolerate this Free Kashmir Anti India campaign right under your nose???" he tweeted.
Last night, during the protest, a girl was seen holding the poster which read - "Free Kashmir." The demonstrators were seen with several other placards with objectionable and abusive languages.
Some posters called for 'Ban on ABVP,' while some others read -- "Stand with JNU."
12:39 Maha: Undertrial slaps advocate in court, lawyers strike work
An undertrial prisoner allegedly slapped an advocate at a court in Maharashtra's Thane district, a police official said on Tuesday. The incident took place at Chopda Court in Ulhasnagar township on Monday following which lawyers went on a day-long strike in protest, he said.
The accused, Rahul Tak, was brought to the court for a case hearing, inspector R K Kote said. While standing in a corner, Tak called advocate Rajendra Bhalerao, who had defended him in earlier cases, towards him to say something, the official said.
As the advocate went to the accused, the latter allegedly used abusive language and slapped him, Kote said. When a woman lawyer tried to rescue her colleague, the accused threatened both of them with dire consequences, the official said. -- PTI
12:29 Honey-trapped Jammu man held
A man, who was allegedly honey-trapped by a Pakistani girl through Facebook, has been arrested for spying, police said on Tuesday. Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Arnia border town, was held for sharing information about security installations here with the girl, they said.
A case has been registered and police and other agencies are investigating the matter, they said. He will be sent to the Joint Interrogation Centre for further questioning in the case, they added. -- PTI
12:11 Crime branch at JNU, probe into violence begins
The Delhi Police Crime Branch team arrives at Jawaharlal Nehru University to investigate the January 5 violence at the university.
The Delhi Police on Monday transferred the case related to the violence at JNU to its Crime Branch even as two top officials of the premier institute met LG Anil Baijal to apprise him about the prevailing situation there, officials said. Police officials have started collecting evidence and will talk to students.
Primary investigation into the violence on JNU campus has revealed that activists and volunteers belonging to both Left-aligned student unions and ABVP were involved in the attack and intruders from both camps had entered JNU with their faces covered.
12:03 Sadaf Jafar, Darapuri walk out of jail
Congress spokesperson Sadaf Jafaf and former IPS officer S R Darapuri, arrested in connection with violence during anti-CAA protests in the Uttar Pradesh capital last month, were released from jail on Tuesday.
A local court gave them bail on Saturday but they could be released only three days later because some formalities could not be completed, sources said. Congress city president Mukesh Singh Chauhan told PTI that both walked out of jail at about 10 am.
"I was there along with other office party office bearers to receive them. Our party is against the CAA and against police brutality meted out to the peaceful protestors," he said. Sadaf was arrested on Dec 19 and Darapuri the next day. -- PTI
11:40 Hindu Raksha Dal claims responsibility for JNU violence
Pinky Chaudhary (pictured alongside) of the fringe group, Hindu Raksha Dal, claims responsibility for the violence at JNU on Sunday. The Delhi police are investigating the claims. "JNU is a hotbed of anti-national activities, we can't tolerate this. We take full responsibility of the attack in JNU and would like to say that they were our workers" Chaudhary said.
"Claims made by the Hindu Raksha Dal Chief Pinky Chaudhary are being investigated. Delhi Police has taken cognizance. To identity masked men in JNU, police is taking the help of video footage as well as face recognition systems," the police said.
11:22 BJP wants Hindu-Muslim riots on CAA: Sena
Against the backdrop of attack on JNU students, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that what they wanted was happening, and said such "brutal politics" was never seen before in the country.
An editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' further alleged that the BJP wanted to see "Hindu-Muslim riots" over the Citizenship Amendment Act, but that did not happen. Since the BJP has been cornered over the issue of CAA, several things are happening out of "revenge", it said.
Comparing the attack on Jawaharlal Nehru University students to the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, the Shiv Sena said "divisive politics" was dangerous for the country. It said the Union Home Ministry's decision to file cases against "unknown" attackers at JNU was laughable. "Those who entered JNU with masks are not unknown," it claimed.
Image: 'Occupy Gateway' protesters last night. Pic: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
11:04 Amit Shah-led GoM meeting on Air India sale likely today
A Group Of Ministers (GoM) meeting on Air India divestment led by Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to be held today, said sources. The scheduled meeting is expected to discuss the Preliminary Information Memorandum on the Air India sale process, sources added.The meeting is likely to take place between 12-1 pm.
10:58 Mumbai's 'Occupy Gateway' protests called off
Mumbaikars protesting the JNU violence at Gateway of India have called off the protests. Kapil Agarwal, a protester, said, "We were forcibly shifted Azad Maidan by the police. But now we have called off our 'Occupy Gateway of India' protests. It was a successful protest. Our resistance will continue, we have a long line up of programs."
People protesting against the JNU violence were evicted from Gateway of India in south Mumbai on Tuesday morning as roads were getting blocked and tourists and common people were facing problems, a police official said. Police had appealed to protesters to shift but they didn't listen, so they were "relocated" to Azad Maidan near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the official said.
"As the demonstration was posing problems for tourists and in traffic movement, we requested the protesters to move to Azad Maidan. But some groups did not listen despite our repeated request, so we relocated them to the Azad Maidan," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Sangramsingh Nishandar said.
Earlier, hundreds of people, including students, women and senior citizens - who assembled at the iconic Gateway of India since Sunday midnight - demanded action against those behind the JNU violence and resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Interestingly, the name 'Occupy Gateway of India' is a hat tip to the Occupy Wall Street protests of September 2011, where New Yorkers raised issues of social and economic inequality, greed, corruption and the undue influence of corporations on government -- particularly from the financial services sector.
Image: A protester at the Gateway of India last night.
10:25 Sena: Free Kashmir posters won't be tolerated
Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena, on posters of 'Free Kashmir' appearing at the JNU solidarity sit-ins at Gateway of India, Mumbai. "I read in newspaper that those who held 'free Kashmir' banner clarified that they want to be free of restrictions on internet services,mobile services and other issues. Also, if anyone talks of freedom of Kashmir from India then it will not be tolerated."
People protesting against the JNU violence were evicted from Gateway of India in south Mumbai on Tuesday morning as roads were getting blocked and tourists and common people were facing problems, a police official said.
Police had appealed to protesters to shift but they didn't listen, so they were "relocated" to Azad Maidan near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the official said. "As the demonstration was posing problems for tourists and in traffic movement, we requested the protesters to move to Azad Maidan. But some groups did not listen despite our repeated request, so we relocated them to the Azad Maidan," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Sangramsingh Nishandar said.
09:49 FIR against JNUSU Aishe Ghosh
The Delhi police have registered an FIR against JNU Students' Union President Aishe Ghosh, for allegedly attacking security guards and vandalising the server room inside JNU. The FIR was filed on the basis of a complaint by the JNU administration.
Yesterday, after she was discharged from AIIMS for head injuries received during Sunday's clashes, she alleged that the attack was organised and pre-planned. "They were singling out people and attacking," Ghosh said during a press conference.
She alleged that there was a nexus between JNU security and vandals. "They did not intervene to stop the violence," Ghosh said and stated that that she in fact saw the campus security leave when the violence broke out.
Image: Aishe Ghosh at the press conference yesterday.
09:25 Harvey Weinstein indicted on new sex crimes charges in LA
Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on new sex crime charges in Los Angeles, just as his trial on separate rape and sexual assault charges in New York was poised to get underway, prosecutors announced.
The Hollywood mogul has been charged with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a news release.
"We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them," Lacey said in a statement.
"I want to commend the victims who have come forward and bravely recounted what happened to them. It is my hope that all victims of sexual violence find strength and healing as they move forward."
Weinstein allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room on February 18, 2013, after he pushed his way inside her room, prosecutors said. The next night, he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in a Beverly Hills hotel suite.
Weinstein faces up to 28 years in state prison if he is convicted of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery by restraint. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled and prosecutors will recommend $5 million bail.
08:46 Mumbai cops remove 'Occupy Gateway' protesters
Protesters who had gathered at Gateway of India in Mumbai to show solidarity with the students and faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University who were attacked by a masked mob were today shifted to Azad Maidan.
Mumbai Police said the move was taken as no permission was granted for the protest, which was leading to a law and order issue.
People, including students and women, in large numbers had gathered in front of the Gateway of India in South Mumbai's Colaba on Sunday midnight.
Heavy police deployment was made at the protest site and water, tea, biscuits and fruits were being served to protesters. Civic bodies made arrangements for toilets.
A call was given that people join the protests in front of the Gateway of India. Demonstrations had started there after Sunday midnight.
The organisers had asked participants to bring food, water, bed sheets, jackets, mats, power banks,charger, medicines.
07:53 PM Modi speaks to US President Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump and expressed desire to work with him to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest, a statement from the PMO said on Tuesday
The Prime Minister's Office also said that Modi conveyed his New Year greetings to the US president.
-- PTI
01:12 Not on our soil: Pak FM on US-Iran conflict
Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for any regional conflict and play its role to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday, urging Tehran to refrain from any escalatory measures in response to the killing of a top Iranian general by America.
Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed in a US drone attack while leaving Baghdad International Airport early on Friday, sparking fears of a new war in Middle East.
The strike also killed deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Addressing the Senate, the upper house of Parliament, Qureshi highlighted the regional situation in the wake of Soleimani's killing and Pakistan's policy on the issue.
"Pakistan's soil will not be used against any State, and Pakistan will not be part of the regional conflicts," Qureshi said.
He said Pakistan was also against unilateral action and would play its role to de-escalate tensions in the region.
"Pakistan does not support any unilateral action. If there is fire in the neighbourhood, its heat will be felt in Pakistan," he said.
Qureshi said Pakistan was asking all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
"I even urged Iran to exercise its traditional wisdom and refrain from any escalatory measures in the larger interest of the region," he said.
He also called upon the United Nations to play its role.
Qureshi said he held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from several Muslim countries, including Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
He conceded that the killing of the Iranian general would have serious repercussions.
"The situation in the Middle East is very sensitive, fluid and concerning," he said. -- PTI
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