Delhi violence LIVE updates: Death toll rises to 23, Ajit Doval says situation “under control”
The death toll in northeast Delhi communal violence over the amended citizenship law has reached to 18. The Delhi HC held an urgent hearing at midnight after two days of incessant violence and rampage across Northeast Delhi.
The death toll in northeast Delhi communal violence over the amended citizenship law has reached 23. The Delhi HC held an urgent hearing at midnight after two days of incessant violence and rampage across Northeast Delhi. The HC has ordered Delhi Police to ensure safety and immediate medical aid for all those who have been injured in the violence.
All private and government schools in Northeast Delhi are closed today and CBSE board exams scheduled in centres in the areas postponed.
Meanwhile, Delhi Metro authorities have said all entry and exit gates at all stations have been opened and normal services have resumed.
Follow live updates on Delhi violence:
6:35 pm: The Delhi Police will address the media at 7pm to share information on the law and order situation in North East District. The press interaction will he held at the Delhi Police headquarters.
6:20 pm: People of Delhi do not want violence. All this has not been done by the ‘aam aadmi’. This has been done by some anti-social, political and external elements. Hindus and Muslims in Delhi never want to fight.
6:17 pm:National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, after visiting sensitive areas of northeast, has reached Home Ministry to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
5:43 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi Assembly: I want to assure the family of Delhi Police Head Constable Rattan Lal ji that we will take care of them. We will give a compensation of Rs 1 Crore and a job to a member of his family.
5:35 pm: People have a sense of unity among them, there is no enmity. A few criminals do things like this (spread violence), people are trying to isolate them. Police is here & doing its work. We’re here as per the orders of HM & PM. Inshallah yahan par bilkul aman hoga: Ajit Doval.
5:30 pm: Haryana government issues advisory on law and order situation across the state especially for the districts adjoining Delhi in the wake of the recent violence in national capital during CAA/NRC protest.
5:24 pm:Situation being monitored in areas of northeast with the help of drone, says Ajit Doval.
5:21 pm: Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval interacts with the local residents of northeast Delhi.
5:19 pm: Congress leaders and workers participating in ‘peace march’ stopped at Janpath Road. They were heading towards Gandhi Smriti.
5:15 pm:CBSE postpones the following subject exams scheduled for tomorrow in North East Part of Delhi. Exams in rest of Delhi shall be conducted as scheduled. The next date of exam for affected students will be notified shortly.
4:52 pm: Situation is totally under control. People are satisfied. I have confidence in law enforcement agencies. Police is doing its work:National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
4:41 pm: Congress leaders and workers have started a ‘peace march’ over the violence in Delhi. They are heading towards Gandhi Smriti.
Congress leaders and workers take out ‘peace march’ over violence in Delhi. They are heading towards Gandhi Smriti. pic.twitter.com/jrXJvGk7wB
4:36 pm: NCP MP Supriya Sule demands Amit Shah’s resignation over Delhi riots. Sule also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct a “transparent” probe into the security lapse.
4:35 pm: Delhi High Court adjourns the matter for tomorrow and states that the authorities must go strictly by the mandate of the law.
4:07 pm: So far we have treated 200 patients, 22 deaths took place: Sunil Kumar, Medical Superintendent of GTB Hospital.
4:06 pm: Hearing the pleas on the violence in Delhi, the Delhi High Court has said it doesn’t want to enter into the question whether Army should be deployed to contain violence in North East Delhi. “We should focus on the issue of registration of FIR right now,” the court said.
3:57 pm: “No way to restore peace and normalcy in Delhi other than calling in Army,” says CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.
3:56 pm: Ajit Doval reaches office of DCP, Northeast district.
3:52: No reason not to lodge FIR against 3 BJP leaders: Delhi govt to HC
3:50 pm: Hearing underway in Delhi High Court against BJP leaders for making hate speech.
3:30 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval are monitoring the situation, says Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.
3:12 pm: Delhi High Court appoints advocate Zubeda Begum as amicus curiae to coordinate between victims and various agencies.
3:03 pm: Delhi High Court directs to set up helplines for immediate help for victims, private ambulances to be provided for safe passage of victims.
3:00 pm: Death toll reaches 22.
North East Delhi violence: 21 deaths in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and 1 death in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. https://t.co/UTouIXG64O
2:53 pm: Delhi High Court expresses concern over body an IB officer found in north-east Delhi. Court says it is “very unfortunate”. Court also asks the highest functionaries in state and central government to personally meet the victims and their families.
2:14 pm: After Congress’s presser on Delhi violence, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar targetted Sonia Gandhi, saying the government is open to discussion but politics should not be done over the issue.
Union Minister & BJP leader Prakash Javadekar: Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s statement is unfortunate & condemnable. At such times all parties should ensure that peace is maintained, blaming the government instead is dirty politics. Politicising this violence is wrong https://t.co/BngL9ZLeVEpic.twitter.com/z20bsw3eKH
1:54 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets on Delhi violence, appeals for peace.
Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest.
1:51 pm: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress: I appeal to the people of Delhi to not indulge in violence, exercise caution & maintain peace. We have told our workers in Uttar Pradesh to do all they can to maintain peace if violence spreads there.
1:40 pm: Body of Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma found in North East district’s Chand Bagh area today.
1:39 pm: Hitting out at the Delhi government and the Centre, Sonia Gandhi said both the governments have “intentionally not done anything to contain the violence in Delhi” because of which 20 people have lost their life.
1:36 pm: Delhi CM must be visible in affected areas and in constant communication with people: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
1:26 pm: Sandeep Surjewala, Congress: Congress was to hold a march and give a memorandum to President today but he communicated that he is unavailable and has given us time tomorrow. Upholding the respect for his high office, we have deferred the march for tomorrow.
1:23 pm: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi: The Centre and the Union Home Minister is responsible for the present situation in Delhi. The Union Home Minister should resign.
1:21 pm: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi in Delhi: There is a conspiracy behind the violence, country also saw this during Delhi elections. Many BJP leaders made inciting comments creating an atmosphere of fear and hatred.
1:16 pm: Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi addresses media at AICC HQ on Delhi Violence.
1:11 pm: Delhi High Court asks Solicitor General to advice police commissioner on lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by 3 BJP leaders; hearing to continue at 2.30 pm.
1:07 pm: Delhi Commissioner of Police, Amulya Patnaik: Normalcy has returned in North East district to a large extent, senior officers are on rounds, extra forces have been given and lot of confidence building measures are being taken. Things being brought back to normal.
1:01 pm: Delhi violence matter in Delhi HC: Justice Muralidhar says that the situation is very unpleasant. We have all watched videos of some leaders making hate speeches openly. It’s on every news channel.
12:56 pm: Central govt should take steps to normalise the situation in Delhi and prevent violence. The Union Home Ministry should not hesitate to take strong action against the culprits. The police should be effectively deployed to prevent violence: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
12:54 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday will brief the union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Delhi violence.
12:44 pm: Delhi High Court to hear Delhi violence matter shortly. The plea seeks an independent judicial inquiry into the violence in areas of North East Delhi.
12:36 pm: Violence in Delhi colossal failure of Delhi Police, says Former Union Minister Chidambaram.
Whether the violence in East Delhi was instigated (MOS-Home) or spontaneous (MHA), the government has a duty to end the violence.
12:17 pm: Police doesn’t have to wait for orders if someone makes inflammatory statements but act in accordance with law: SC on Delhi violence
12:09 pm: Justice KM Joseph in Supreme Court expresses his displeasure over the way the police have acted. “The police needs to act immediately to handle the situation,” says Justice Joseph.
12:05 pm: No incident of violence reported today in Gokulpuri. Security personnel have been deployed in the area.
Delhi: Early morning visuals from Gokulpuri where security personnel are dousing embers and clearing debris, after yesterday’s violence in the area. No incident of violence reported today. Security personnel have been deployed in the area. #NortheastDelhipic.twitter.com/tkK4zEjcY2
12:01 pm: SC disposes applications relating to Delhi violence, says it is for HC to take note of matter.
11:32 am: Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) SN Shrivastava and Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), Satish Golcha inspect the Jafrabad area. SN Shrivastava was appointed as Special CP, yesterday.
11:29 am: Congress leaders will march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to seek normalcy and peace in violence-hit Delhi, party sources have said.
11:27 am: Security personnel hold flag-march in Johripur area.
11:20 am: “Out of all the people that were brought to the hospital 189 are injured and 20 are dead,” says Sunil Kumar Gautam Medical Superintendent, Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital.
11:19 am: “Distressing scenes in Delhi!! #DelhiBurning as a result of ulterior motives of divisive forces within our Country. Police have completely failed in their responsibility. People have to remain calm and promote peace in the area for their own benefit,” says senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah.
11:04 am: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said he will write to Home Minister Amit Shah over the “alarming situation” in the national capital. The CM has also called for the deployment of the Army in affected areas.
I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence
Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately
10:47 am: Delhi High Court issues notice to Delhi Police and asks senior officials to remain present in the court in connection with a plea on violence in Delhi’s North East district.
8:07 am: Delhi High Court in a midnight hearing (on the intervening night of 25&26 February) directed Delhi Police to ensure safe passage for the injured victims by deploying all resources, as well as to make sure they receive immediate emergency treatment.
PM Modi accuses Congress of anti-Sikh bias over Rahul Gandhi’s ‘traitor’ remark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Rahul Gandhi of targeting BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu with a ‘gaddar’ remark because of his Sikh identity while speaking in the Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his “traitor” remark against BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu reflected the Congress party’s animosity towards the Sikh community.
The Prime Minister made the remarks in the Rajya Sabha while replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s address. Referring to an incident in the Parliament complex a day earlier, Modi said Gandhi’s comment had crossed all limits of political decency.
The controversy stems from a protest by suspended Opposition MPs, during which Ravneet Singh Bittu — a former Congress leader who joined the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections — allegedly made a remark suggesting the protesters were behaving as if they had won a war.
In response, Rahul Gandhi was heard saying, “A traitor is walking by, look at his face,” before approaching Bittu and extending his hand. Gandhi then reportedly added, “Hello, brother. My traitor friend. Don’t worry, you will come back.”
Bittu refused to shake hands with the Congress leader and instead described him as an “enemy of the country” before walking away from the scene.
While the Congress later clarified that Gandhi’s remark was aimed at Bittu for leaving the party, the BJP seized upon the comment, calling it an insult to the Sikh community. Protests were subsequently held by members of the Sikh community outside the Congress headquarters and at other locations.
Addressing the House, Prime Minister Modi said that many leaders had quit the Congress in the past and that the party itself had split multiple times, but none of those leaders had been labelled a traitor. “He called this MP a traitor because he is Sikh,” the Prime Minister alleged, as treasury bench members raised slogans condemning the remark.
Manipur Assembly to meet at 4 pm today, floor test likely under new chief minister
The Manipur Legislative Assembly will convene at 4 pm today, with a floor test likely as the new chief minister seeks to prove his majority in the House.
The Manipur Legislative Assembly will convene at 4 pm on Thursday in Imphal, a day after Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the chief minister. A floor test is likely to be held on the first day of the session to establish the majority of the newly formed government.
In the 60-member Assembly, the BJP holds 37 seats, while its ally National People’s Party has six members, giving the ruling combine a clear majority in the House.
Singh chaired the first Cabinet meeting of his government late Wednesday evening, shortly after taking oath as the 13th chief minister of Manipur. The meeting marked the formal start of administrative functioning under the new Council of Ministers.
His appointment came nearly a year after the resignation of former chief minister N Biren Singh, who stepped down following months of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the state.
After taking oath, Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he would work with “utmost diligence to advance development and prosperity in Manipur,” aligning the state’s efforts with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
He said the government’s focus would be on inclusive economic growth while preserving Manipur’s cultural heritage, adding that he would discharge his responsibilities with sincerity and dedication, mindful of the trust placed in him.
The summoning of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with the first Cabinet meeting, signals the resumption of legislative and administrative processes in the state, officially bringing President’s rule to an end.
The sixth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly was last held from July 31 to August 12, 2024.
PM Modi skips Lok Sabha reply as protests force repeated adjournments
PM Modi did not deliver his Lok Sabha reply today after sustained Opposition protests led to repeated adjournments over a dispute involving Rahul Gandhi’s proposed speech.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not deliver his scheduled reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha today after sustained Opposition protests led to multiple adjournments of the House.
The disruption followed an escalation of tensions linked to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s proposed speech and the suspension of eight Opposition MPs a day earlier. The situation worsened after remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey during the proceedings.
Dispute over references to books sparks fresh ruckus
The controversy intensified when Nishikant Dubey responded to Rahul Gandhi’s demand to speak on national security and references to the unpublished memoirs of former Army chief General MM Naravane. Dubey said that while Gandhi wanted to quote from an unpublished book, he himself had brought several books that, according to him, made claims about the Gandhi family.
As Dubey began listing these books and their contents, strong protests erupted from Opposition members. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was presiding over the House at the time, cited Rule 349, which restricts members from reading out books, newspapers, or letters unless directly related to parliamentary business. Despite repeated warnings, the matter remained unresolved, leading to another adjournment.
Rahul Gandhi accuses government of silencing debate
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi alleged that he was being prevented from speaking on an issue of national importance. He claimed the government was uncomfortable with references to General Naravane’s memoirs, which he said discussed the handling of the 2020 China border crisis.
In a social media post, Gandhi said he intended to present the Prime Minister with a book authored by the former Army chief, adding that some cabinet ministers had even questioned the existence of the book. He also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the suspension of eight Opposition MPs, alleging that parliamentary debate was being curtailed.
After it became clear that the Prime Minister would not speak in the House today, Gandhi posted that PM Modi had avoided Parliament because he was “scared” to face the truth. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the allegation, claiming the Prime Minister was unwilling to enter the House.
Proceedings disrupted throughout the day
Lok Sabha proceedings were first adjourned until 2 pm amid loud protests over the issue linked to Naravane’s memoirs. Even after the House reconvened, disruptions continued, preventing normal business from resuming.
Later, Congress MPs staged a demonstration outside the Parliament complex, demanding that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak on the President’s address.
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