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BHU unrest: After VC says it was eve-teasing, not molestation, Commissioner blames University in report

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BHU protest

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Divisional Commissioner has blamed the university administration, stating that the top body of the varsity had not sensitively dealt with the complaint filed by the victim.

Amid ongoing unrest at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi Divisional Commissioner Nitin Gokarn on Tuesday submitted a preliminary report to Chief Secretary Rajiv Kumar. As reported by ANI, the Divisional Commissioner has blamed the university administration, stating that the top body of the varsity had not sensitively dealt with the complaint filed by the victim.

Gokarn’s report came a day after an FIR was lodged against 1,000 unidentified student of the University. Amid continuing protest, the FIR booked the students for allegedly attacking police officials and indulging in violent activities. However, the Varanasi district administration has ordered a detailed magisterial investigation into the incidents of the last four days.

Hundreds of woman students at the University have been protesting against the BHU admin for victim shaming a girl student who complained of being allegedly harassed by three men inside the campus. The unrest heated up after police officials’ lathicharge on the students on Saturday.

Earlier on Tuesday, BHU Vice-Chancellor Girish Chandra claimed that the incident of sexual harassment was fabricated by outsiders who had an eye on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Varanasi visit. Further stressing on his claim that outsiders were involved to shape the incidents to make a lie look like a truth, the BHU VC, speaking to Indian Express, said, “Some people with vested interests and ulterior motives have triggered this incident. The students, if they had a grievance or complaint, should have suggested to the university to do something. But there is a mindset to disturb institutions of higher learning. BHU is not alone. Every university in the country is being disturbed.”

In another major claim, the VC stated that the incident reported by the victim was a case of eve-teasing and not molestation. Stating that the molestation was done to trigger the unrest, Tripathi told Indian Express, “They are those who are not committed to the nation but work only for their individual selves. They don’t care about the nation or its institutions. Unke liye niji hit hi sab kuch hai. Prime Minister aane waale the, isiliye mujhe lagta hai yeh sab kuch karaya gaya tha (For them, personal benefit is everything. The Prime Minister was to visit and that’s why, I feel, all this was done).”

Further claiming that the campus has adequate security measures in place, Tripathi stated that “security for boys and girls can never be at par”. However, he also mentioned that the administration cannot assign guards to protect each of the 10,000 girls living at the campus. Refuting to allegations claiming that the university doesn’t listen to students, the VC said, “There are 10,000 girls on campus but only a handful are the ones who always have such complaints. We are doing our best for the students. We have formed a committee headed by a high court judge to inquire into the incident.”

According to a few reports, Tripathi has been summoned to Delhi by the HRD Ministry. However, the university spokesperson ruled out such claims and stated that the VC has gone to Delhi to attend a quarterly meeting of BHU Executive Council.

Hitting out at the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh and Center government over the BHU unrest, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi sought an apology from PM Modi for the incident has occurred in the Prime Minister parliamentary constituency. “The incident at BHU is BJP’s version of `Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. And, when they (girls) demand their rights, beat them up. This incident happened in the PM’s constituency. Modiji should apologize to the students of BHU and take immediate action,” said Gandhi.

Box:
Key statements made by BHU Vice Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi:

“First of all, it is not an incident of molestation, it is one of eve-teasing.”

“I think this issue was created by outsiders and the shape it took is what is more unfortunate than the initial incident itself.”

“If force was used on girls, I have no idea.”

“It was such a situation that force had to be used.”

“Security for boys and girls can never be at par”

“If someone is doing “netagiri” then, of course, we will shut the hostels and campus.

“This is a rumour that girls are scared or insecure on campus.”

“This is such a big campus, anything can happen anywhere. We cannot assign a guard to every student.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Instagram head Adam Mosseri dances with influencers Sakshi Shivdasani, Naina Bhan to Bollywood song, video surfaces

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Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, showcased his playful side by joining actors Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan for a lively dance reel that lit up social media. Posted collaboratively on their Instagram accounts, the trio danced to the infectious Luv Letter by Kanika Kapoor from The Legend of Michael Mishra, a track dominating Instagram trends.

With Mosseri flanked by Sakshi and Naina, he gamely followed their choreography, bringing a lighthearted charm to the clip. Sakshi captioned the post with a cheeky nod to their podcast MOS, writing, “Naina and Sakshi have a podcast called MOS, so my name is @mosseri (we’re delusional).”

The reel sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans flooding the comments with laughter and admiration. One user exclaimed, “This video is unreal!” while another praised, “Love how carefree you all are!” A third simply declared, “Absolutely obsessed!” The spontaneous moment highlighted Instagram’s role as a platform for creative connections, bridging global executives with local talent.

Mosseri’s India visit, centered around the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, has been a whirlwind of star-studded interactions.

On Wednesday, he dined with Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Bandra’s Papa’s restaurant, sharing a selfie on Instagram captioned, “Met the charismatic @deepikapadukone and @ranveersingh in Bombay, savoring incredible food at @papasbombay.”

Deepika responded playfully, “What happens at @papasbombay stays there!” with emojis, while Ranveer added, “Good times!” with heartfelt emojis, reflecting their warm camaraderie.

That same day, Mosseri met content creator Prajakta Koli, who posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Grateful for the chat, @mosseri!” His packed itinerary culminates on Friday with a high-profile interaction alongside actor Shraddha Kapoor at the WAVES Summit, a global platform celebrating media and innovation.

Mosseri’s engagement with India’s entertainment scene underscores Instagram’s growing influence in the country, where millions use the platform to share stories and connect. His visit, blending professional commitments with cultural immersion, highlights the app’s role in fostering creativity and collaboration across borders, resonating with India’s dynamic digital community.

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India News

Water row: Bhagwant Mann says won’t tolerate robbery of Punjab’s rights

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The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) sparked a fierce controversy by approving the release of 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, prompting a sharp rebuke from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Labeling the move a “robbery” of Punjab’s water rights, Mann vowed to resist what he described as an unjust decision driven by the BJP-led central government and Haryana.

The decision, finalized during a marathon five-hour BBMB technical committee meeting, has ignited tensions over water distribution from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, which serve Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan for irrigation and other needs.

Punjab officials at the meeting vehemently opposed the allocation, arguing that Haryana had already exhausted its water quota, while water levels in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams were lower than the previous year.

Despite their objections, Rajasthan, governed by the BJP, reportedly backed Haryana’s demand, intensifying Punjab’s sense of betrayal.

Mann, in a fiery post on X, declared, “Punjab stands united against this theft of our water rights. The BJP and Haryana are colluding against us, but we will not allow another injustice. The BJP must face our opposition.”

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Mann, announced statewide protests against the BJP, accusing it of pressuring the BBMB to favor Haryana.

Earlier, on April 29, Mann had rejected Haryana’s request for additional water, noting that the state had already consumed 103% of its share by March 31. He highlighted Punjab’s critical need for water for the upcoming paddy sowing season, stating that not a single drop could be spared.

Mann also revealed that Punjab had provided 4,000 cusecs daily to Haryana from April 6 as a humanitarian gesture, despite its own constraints.

This year, the BBMB allocated 3.318 million acre-feet (MAF) to Rajasthan, 2.987 MAF to Haryana, and 5.512 MAF to Punjab, but Haryana’s overutilization has fueled the dispute. AAP leaders, including Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, condemned the BJP’s “coercive tactics,” vowing a strong response to protect Punjab’s interests.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the BJP of “anti-Punjab” bias, further escalating the political showdown. The controversy underscores the delicate balance of water-sharing agreements in India, where inter-state disputes often reflect deeper regional tensions, drawing significant public and political attention.

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India News

EC to use death registration data to enhance electoral roll accuracy

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on May 1, 2025, a significant step to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls by integrating electronic death registration data from the Registrar General of India.

This initiative aims to streamline the updation of voter lists, ensuring greater purity and efficiency. By accessing real-time death records, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) can promptly identify deceased voters, enabling Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct field verifications without relying on formal requests from family members.

This process leverages the ECI’s authority under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, to access such data, marking a shift toward technology-driven electoral management.

To enhance voter accessibility, the ECI has also revamped the design of Voter Information Slips (VIS).

The updated format prominently displays the voter’s serial and part numbers in a larger font, simplifying the process for voters to locate their polling stations and aiding polling officials in efficiently verifying names on the electoral roll. This redesign reflects the ECI’s commitment to making electoral processes more user-friendly, ensuring clarity and convenience on polling day.

Additionally, the ECI has mandated the issuance of standardized photo identity cards for all BLOs, who serve as the primary link between voters and the commission. These cards will make BLOs easily recognizable during house-to-house visits for voter verification and registration drives, fostering trust and confidence among citizens.

As grassroots representatives of the ECI, BLOs play a critical role in maintaining accurate voter records and facilitating voter engagement, and their identifiable presence strengthens public interaction.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize India’s electoral framework, incorporating digital tools to enhance transparency and efficiency.

By adopting electronic data integration and improving voter interface mechanisms, the ECI aims to uphold the integrity of the democratic process, ensuring that electoral rolls reflect accurate and current voter information. These measures are expected to bolster public trust in the electoral system, facilitating smoother and more inclusive elections across the country.

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