India News

“Student protests are being politicised”

Published

7 years ago

December 16, 2019

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Panelists say administration should have ensured peaceful protests

Protests mount at many places across the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), with violence at many places. Protests in Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia and Uttar Pradesh‘s Aligarh Muslim University led to violent clashes. The apex court will hear petition regarding the protests and arson on December 18. APN’s popular debate Mudda discussed the issue. Anchorperson Parivesh Vatsayan posed the questions to the panellists, including the BJP’s Aniruddh Singh, Congress’s Manoj Tiwari, ABVP’s Ashutosh Shrivastava and noted scribe Kumar Bhavesh Chandra.

Chandra said: “In Ranchi today there’s an election, the situation is tense. Violence has to be stopped. The administration should have been alerted about such events. Isn’t it a failure of the intelligence services? Why they did not alert the government? This is the time of examinations, and students will not start the protests for nothing. There is angst and provocation as well. We cannot rule out political hand in the protests and violence. Now, Prime Minister Modi should focus on sabka vishwas (confidence of all).”

Singh said: “Section 144 is clamped in parts of UP. There is a way to hold a protest. It does not mean that you shall be allowed to burn public transport. CAA was introduced by an elected government. Please feel free to debate on any subject. Students should understand that. But politicians are stoking communal fires. We have video tapes, stones were hurled on the cops.”

Tiwari said: “I would appeal to the students to hold peaceful protests. This is a country of Gandhi, let’s live as per his ideals. Yesterday’s protests in Delhi were peaceful; nearby Okhla people joined it, but suddenly the issue flared up. Students were beaten about mercilessly, look at the footage for that. A Ranchi student stated that the police came suddenly and started beating students. See, we may agree or not agree with the government. It is the government’s job to get consensus, to talk to all factions, and interested groups. If the BJP had the consensus, why its ally parties are protesting? The government has got a huge mandate, but appears to have forgotten the definition of democracy.”

Singh said:”We are not compromising on democracy. Our manifesto mentioned scrapping of Art 370, and so on. People read the manifesto and voted for us. The students are post-graduate students, not children. Now how can you say students were studying in the library on a Sunday? We have footage regarding that.”

Tiwari said: “In University library, students do go on Sundays to study. Delhi Police saw students in the library, now where was the provocation to start beating them? Sometime back in BHU, students were beaten. And when such incidents happen, the blame is laid on opposition parties. There is nothing wrong in the protests. Holding protests is perfectly democratic.”

Chandra said: “I can definitely see a political script behind some incidents. But of course, wherever there are minority elements, there is anger against the government. Semester exams are going on, and such events are disturbing the students. The government needs to tackle the situation delicately. It looks as if both opposition and the ruling parties are out to milk the situation.”

Shrivastav said: “Students do join protests when things get out of hand. India’s resources are limited, so why should we allow outsiders to come in.”

Chandra said: ”Students have the right to be worried about their future. This youth is the future of tomorrow.”

Singh said:”But students need to be told not to get violent.”

Shrivastav said: “Students will protest, it is the administration job to ensure peace. It is not fair to beat agitating groups.”

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India News

Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

19 mins ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

Published

7 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

20 hours ago

September 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.