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Congress-backed NSUI wins DUSU top posts, setback for BJP student wing

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Congress-backed NSUI wins DUSU top posts, setback for BJP student wing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Congress says result for joint secretary election rigged, could move court against recount

Days after the BJP’s student wing – the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) – lost all key posts in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students’ union polls, it faced another defeat, on Wednesday, losing the top posts of President and Vice President to the Congress-backed National Students Union of India (NSUI) in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

For the NSUI, the victory comes as a major morale booster as the outfit had failed to win the president’s post since 2012 and had managed to win only one post – that of joint secretary – in the polls held in 2016. In the recent JNU students’ body polls too; the NSUI had faced a humiliating defeat with even votes polled under the None Of The Above (NOTA) being higher than its share.

The counting of votes that began on Wednesday – a day after the elections saw a 43 per cent voter turnout – saw its fair share of suspense as the ABVP had been leading on all posts till well past noon. However, around 1pm, the NSUI nominee took a decisive lead in the post for president while margins kept fluctuating for the vice-presidential candidates of the two key student outfits.

As the counting of votes neared its end, Congress leaders along with NSUI members began celebrating the result, claiming that they had bagged three posts – those of president, vice president and joint secretary. However, the ABVP sought a recounting of the votes and managed to win the joint secretary’s slot thereafter, prompting the NSUI to allege that the result had been manipulated and that they would move court to challenge the result for the joint secretary’s election[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The DUSU results, however, weren’t a comprehensive setback for the ABVP as the outfit’s candidates grabbed the posts of Secretary and Joint Secretary. Besides, the result for the post of vice president wasn’t a landslide for the NSUI either; its candidate winning just over 250 votes more than the ABVP rival.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1505306294758{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #dbdbdb !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}”]The result:

NSUI’s candidate Rocky Tuseed bagged the President post with 16,299 votes against the ABVP nominee Rajat Choudhary who polled 14,709 votes.

The Vice president’s post also went to the NSUI with its candidate Kunal Sehrawat grabbing 16,431 votes against the ABVP’s Paarth who finished a close second with 16,256 votes.

ABVP’s Mahamedha was declared victorious in the election for the post of secretary while the outfit’s nominee, Uma Shankar bagged the position of joint secretary after a recount.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Interestingly, NSUI candidate Rocky Tuseed was allowed to contest for the DUSU president’s post only last week after the Delhi High Court set aside an order passed by the varsity’s chief election officer who had disqualified Tuseed from contesting the polls. The importance of the DUSU polls for the Congress can be gauged by the fact that the party had got senior leader and advocate P Chidambaram to represent Tuseed in the court case.

Started in 1954, the DUSU elections see students from 50 of 77 Delhi University colleges participate in the polling process to elect office bearers to the positions of president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary.

A total of 43 per cent (over 46000 students) voter turnout was recorded in the polls held on Tuesday, nearly a 10 per cent increase than the turnout in last year’s polls. According to the professors who kept the track of the elections, far flung colleges recorded a poor voting percentage, whereas the on-campus colleges had a healthy voter turnout. While Hindu College with 65 per cent recorded the highest turnout, Aryabhatta College was among the lowest with 14 per cent turnout. SB Babbar, DUSU Chief Election Officer had made a special appeal asking the students to vote in the elections.

Senior Congress leaders took to Twitter to hail the victory of NSUI candidate in the top posts as a sort of referendum by the youth against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s failure in creating jobs and better economic opportunities for the youth.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRmhhc2h0YWclMkZOU1VJd2luc0RVJTNGc3JjJTNEaGFzaCUyMiUzRSUyM05TVUl3aW5zRFUlM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwJTNDYnIlM0UlMjYlMjMzOSUzQllvdXRoJTIwZm9yJTIwQ2hhbmdlJTI2JTIzMzklM0IlMjBzd2VlcHMlMjBEZWxoaSUyMFVuaXZlcnNpdHkuJTNDYnIlM0VXYWtlJTIwdXAlMjBjYWxsJTIwZm9yJTIwUE0lMjBNb2RpLiUyMFlvdW5nJTIwZGVtYW5kJTIwZW1wbG95bWVudCUyQyUyMG9wcG9ydHVuaXRpZXMlMjAlMjZhbXAlM0IlMjBmcmVlZG9tLiUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMFJhbmRlZXAlMjBTJTIwU3VyamV3YWxhJTIwJTI4JTQwcnNzdXJqZXdhbGElMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZyc3N1cmpld2FsYSUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkwNzkwNDM3ODQ1MDgwNDc0MSUyMiUzRVNlcHRlbWJlciUyMDEzJTJDJTIwMjAxNyUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZibG9ja3F1b3RlJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwYXN5bmMlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElMjAlMEElM0NibG9ja3F1b3RlJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJ0d2l0dGVyLXR3ZWV0JTIyJTIwZGF0YS1sYW5nJTNEJTIyZW4lMjIlM0UlM0NwJTIwbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTIwZGlyJTNEJTIybHRyJTIyJTNFQ29uZ3JhdHVsYXRpb25zJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGbnN1aSUyMiUzRSU0MG5zdWklM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwb24lMjBhbiUyMG91dHN0YW5kaW5nJTIwcGVyZm9ybWFuY2UlMjBpbiUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRmhhc2h0YWclMkZEVVNVZWxlY3Rpb24yMDE3JTNGc3JjJTNEaGFzaCUyMiUzRSUyM0RVU1VlbGVjdGlvbjIwMTclM0MlMkZhJTNFLiUyMEElMjB0cml1bXBoJTIwZm9yJTIwbGliZXJhbCUyMHZhbHVlcyUyMG9uJTIwY2FtcHVzLiUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRmhhc2h0YWclMkZOU1VJd2luc0RVJTNGc3JjJTNEaGFzaCUyMiUzRSUyM05TVUl3aW5zRFUlM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwUHJvdWQlMjBvZiUyMHlvdSUyMSUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMFNoYXNoaSUyMFRoYXJvb3IlMjAlMjglNDBTaGFzaGlUaGFyb29yJTI5JTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGU2hhc2hpVGhhcm9vciUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkwNzg5MzY4ODk5ODU2NzkzNyUyMiUzRVNlcHRlbWJlciUyMDEzJTJDJTIwMjAxNyUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZibG9ja3F1b3RlJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwYXN5bmMlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElMjAlMEElM0NibG9ja3F1b3RlJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJ0d2l0dGVyLXR3ZWV0JTIyJTIwZGF0YS1sYW5nJTNEJTIyZW4lMjIlM0UlM0NwJTIwbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTIwZGlyJTNEJTIybHRyJTIyJTNFQ29uZ3JhdHVsYXRpb25zJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGbnN1aSUyMiUzRSU0MG5zdWklM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwZm9yJTIwd2lubmluZyUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRmhhc2h0YWclMkZEVVNVZWxlY3Rpb24yMDE3JTNGc3JjJTNEaGFzaCUyMiUzRSUyM0RVU1VlbGVjdGlvbjIwMTclM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwJTI2YW1wJTNCJTIwdGFraW5nJTIwYmFjayUyMGRlbW9jcmFjeSUyMHdoaWNoJTIwd2FzJTIwbG9uZyUyMHVuZGVyJTIwYXR0YWNrLiUyMCVGMCU5RiU5MSU4RiVGMCU5RiU4RiVCQyVGMCU5RiU5MSU4RiVGMCU5RiU4RiVCQyUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMEFzaGElMjBLdW1hcmklMjAlMjglNDBBc2hhS3VtYXJpSU5DJTI5JTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGQXNoYUt1bWFyaUlOQyUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkwNzkzMzk2MTQ3NjY0NDg2NCUyMiUzRVNlcHRlbWJlciUyMDEzJTJDJTIwMjAxNyUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZibG9ja3F1b3RlJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwYXN5bmMlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElMjAlMEElM0NibG9ja3F1b3RlJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJ0d2l0dGVyLXR3ZWV0JTIyJTIwZGF0YS1sYW5nJTNEJTIyZW4lMjIlM0UlM0NwJTIwbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTIwZGlyJTNEJTIybHRyJTIyJTNFQ29uZ3JhdHVsYXRpb25zJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGbnN1aSUyMiUzRSU0MG5zdWklM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwb24lMjBhJTIwc3RlbGxhciUyMHBlcmZvcm1hbmNlJTIwJTI2YW1wJTNCJTIwUHJlcyUyMHdpbiUyMGluJTIwRFVTVSUyMSUyMFRoYW5rJTIwc3R1ZGVudHMlMjBvZiUyMERVJTIwZm9yJTIwcmVwb3NpbmclMjBmYWl0aCUyMGluJTIwQ29uZ3Jlc3MlMjBpZGVvbG9neSUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRmhhc2h0YWclMkZOU1VJV2luc0RVJTNGc3JjJTNEaGFzaCUyMiUzRSUyM05TVUlXaW5zRFUlM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnQuY28lMkZhbVVGNm93dXR0JTIyJTNFaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0LmNvJTJGYW1VRjZvd3V0dCUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZwJTNFJTI2bWRhc2glM0IlMjBPZmZpY2UlMjBvZiUyMFJHJTIwJTI4JTQwT2ZmaWNlT2ZSRyUyOSUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRk9mZmljZU9mUkclMkZzdGF0dXMlMkY5MDc5MDUzNzMwNTQ0Mzk0MjQlMjIlM0VTZXB0ZW1iZXIlMjAxMyUyQyUyMDIwMTclM0MlMkZhJTNFJTNDJTJGYmxvY2txdW90ZSUzRSUwQSUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMGFzeW5jJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyJTJGJTJGcGxhdGZvcm0udHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZ3aWRnZXRzLmpzJTIyJTIwY2hhcnNldCUzRCUyMnV0Zi04JTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Canada fact checks own media, rejects report claiming PM Modi knew of Nijjar murder plot

The clarification comes after a Canadian newspaper cited an unnamed national security official, claiming the alleged plot to murder Nijjar was orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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Canada fact checks own media, rejects report claiming PM Modi knew of Nijjar murder plot

The Canadian government clarified that there is no evidence to connect Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his top officials to any criminal activity in Canada, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The clarification comes after a Canadian newspaper cited an unnamed national security official, claiming the alleged plot to murder Nijjar was orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The media report further alleged that PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were informed about the plan.

Nonetheless, the same report acknowledged that the Canadian government had no direct evidence to support these claims against PM Modi. Issuing a statement, the Canadian government distanced itself from these allegations, mentioning that there was no substantiating evidence.

The statement underlined that on October 14th, because of a significant and ongoing threat to public safety, the RCMP and officials took the extraordinary step of making public accusations of serious criminal activity in Canada perpetrated by agents of the government of India.

It added that the government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. It remarked that any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.

Earlier, India furiously rejected the Canadian daily’s report as ludicrous, terming it detrimental to diplomatic ties that have been frosty since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing last year.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that they do not normally comment on media reports, but such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. He added that smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties.

Diplomatic ties between India and Canada weakened when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian government agents of involvement in criminal activities on Canadian soil, including murder, extortion, and intimidation. As the diplomatic rift intensified, both the countries expelled top envoys in response.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Earlier in 2024, Canadian authorities arrested and charged four Indian nationals for the murder.

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India News

Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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India News

International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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