Top news: After meeting with Modi, Trump says he is ‘optimistic’ of a trade deal with India

Delhi violence: Mosque set ablaze, Hanuman flag placed on top, reports The Wire

A mosque was set on fire in Ashok Vihar locality of North East Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, as clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act continued for the third straight day, The Wire reported. A mob shouting “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hinduon ka Hindustan [An India of Hindus]” paraded around the burning mosque, and a “Hanuman flag” was placed on top of the building, according to the news website.

‘Modi wants people to have religious freedom,’ Trump says when asked about Delhi violence and CAA

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he had discussed religious freedom with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but added that it was “up to India” to handle the ongoing violence in parts of Delhi, reported PTI. The US president, who is on a two-day visit to India, made the remarks as clashes related to the Citizenship Amendment Act claimed ten lives as of Tuesday evening.

CAA: Here’s what we know so far about the continuing violence in North East Delhi

Violent clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act continued in North East Delhi for the third day on Tuesday. The toll has now risen to ten, as arson, stone-pelting and vandalism continued in the district.

‘Very inspiring’: Melania Trump after attending ‘happiness class’ in Delhi government school

United States First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday visited a government school in Delhi to attend a class on the “happiness curriculum”, PTI reported. She called the experience inspiring and said it sets a “healthy and positive” example for educators.

Delhi violence: Four journalists injured in mob attacks, forced to delete videos from their phones

At least four journalists were attacked by mobs on Tuesday as violent clashes over the amended Citizenship Act entered the third day in North East Delhi. News network NDTV said three of its reporters and a cameraperson were assaulted by armed mobs. Scroll.in reporters saw supporters of the law threatening journalists and checking their phones for videos and deleting them.

Delhi violence is intentional, Congress should name perpetrators, claims Union minister Kishan Reddy

Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said violence in Delhi associated with the Citizenship Amendment Act was perpetrated intentionally, and warned that “stern action” will be taken against those indulging in crimes. The Union minister’s remarks came amid continued violence in parts of North East Delhi that has claimed at least nine lives.

Delhi violence: Gautam Gambhir says Kapil Mishra’s speech is ‘unacceptable’, calls for action

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday criticised fellow party leader Kapil Mishra’s incendiary remarks for the clashes that broke out in Delhi over the Citizenship Amendment Act and said action should be taken against him.

In photos and videos: Day 3 of violence in Delhi as attacks against Muslims mount

Parts of Northeast Delhi continued to be hit by violence on Tuesday, with the toll from clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act reaching eight. Scroll.in reporters at the spot witnessed Hindu mobs throwing stones and petrol bombs at Muslim homes across the road in Kabir Nagar, near Maujpur.

Bihar Assembly passes resolution against NRC, to implement NPR with questions from 2010-2011

The Bihar Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution against the implementation of the proposed National Register of Citizens. The Assembly also passed a resolution to implement the National Population Register the way it was done in 2010-2011 with an amendment.

Six SC judges down with swine flu, one wears mask to court

At least six judges of the Supreme Court tested positive for the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. However, the names of the judges who contracted the infection is still unclear.

Agreed to start negotiations on ‘big trade deal’ with US, says Modi after talks with Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he has agreed to start negotiations on a “big trade deal” with United States President Donald Trump. Both the leaders held extensive talks on bilateral ties on the second day of Trump’s visit to India.

Delhi violence: Bhim Army chief blames BJP’s Kapil Mishra for clashes in plea to Supreme Court

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad on Tuesday blamed Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra’s incendiary remarks for the clashes that broke out in Delhi over the Citizenship Amendment Act, The Hindustan Times reported. Azad made the remarks in a petition filed in the Supreme Court seeking police action in connection with the violence, in which seven people have died so far.

J&K: Restrictions on high-speed internet extended till March 4, authorities whitelist 1,674 websites

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday extended the ban on high speed 3G and 4G internet services till March 4. Last week, the administration had said the ban will continue till February 24, and whitelisted 1,485 websites for access in the region.

Kunal Kamra ban: DGCA shouldn’t have certified action of other airlines except IndiGo, says Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation should not have certified action of airlines other than private carrier IndiGo to ban comedian Kunal Kamra from flying without inquiry for heckling journalist Arnab Goswami on its Mumbai-Lucknow flight on January 28, PTI reported. The court added that the aviation body should have looked into Kamra’s complaint before initiating action.

CAA protests: Supreme Court judge says criticism of government not anti-national

Supreme Court judge Deepak Gupta said on Monday said that Indian citizens have the right to criticise the government, and dissenters cannot be labelled as anti-nationals for holding contrary views, The Indian Express reported. He was delivering a lecture on “Democracy and Dissent” organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in the national Capital.

Delhi violence: Arvind Kejriwal says borders should be sealed, preventive arrests should be made

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called for sealing the city’s borders to prevent “outsiders” from causing trouble after seven people died in the clashes that erupted over opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act a day before. Violence continued for the third consecutive day in several parts of North East Delhi. The chief minister chaired an all-party MLAs meet to discuss the situation.

Front pages of Indian newspapers focus on Donald Trump’s visit even as Delhi burns

Seven people, including a police constable, died in the violence that erupted over opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act in the Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Bhajanpura areas of North East Delhi on Monday. The violence took a communal colour and spread to other parts. However, the front pages of all the newspapers on Tuesday gave more attention to United States President Donald Trump’s first visit to India and the “Namaste Trump” event held in Ahmedabad. Only two newspapers – The Telegraph and Dainik Jagran carried the Reuters photograph of people beating a Muslim man in their front pages.

Biennial elections for 55 Rajya Sabha seats to be held on March 26

The Election Commission on Tuesday announced that biennial polls for 55 Rajya Sabha seats that will fall vacant in April will be conducted on March 26. The seats from 17 different states will be vacated between April 2 and 12. “The term of office of 55 members of the Rajya Sabha elected from 17 states is due to expire on their retirement in April, 2020...” the electoral body’s notice read. The polling will be held between 9 am and 4 pm on March 26.

Delhi violence: Fresh stone pelting reported, toll is five as Kejriwal calls for peace

Parts of Northeast Delhi continued to be hit by violence on Tuesday, with the toll from clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act reaching five. More than 50 people were injured as well. The violence comes as United States President Donald Trump is in the Capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal has called an urgent meeting of legislators and top officials from the violence-hit areas.

Rana Ayyub wins McGill Medal for journalistic courage

Mumbai journalist Rana Ayyub on Monday won the 2020 McGill Medal for journalistic courage. Ayyub, who is a contributing writer in the Global Opinions section of The Washington Post, will receive the medal on April 22 at a ceremony in the Peyton Anderson Forum at Grady College.

Donald Trump, Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral partnership, trade deal today

United States President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday hold extensive talks on the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries, Hindustan Times reported. The meeting between the two leaders in Hyderabad House will be the second full fledged discussion since Trump took charge in January 2017.

The trade deal discussion will be a top priority during the meeting. The leaders will sign defence deals and at least five memoranda of understanding on matters ranging from civil nuclear cooperation to natural gas and trade facilitation. They will also review the global and regional situation and discuss ways to take forward bilateral relations.

Delhi: Four protestors among five who died in clashes over CAA suffered bullet injuries, says doctor

The four of the five people who died in the clashes that erupted over opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi on Monday suffered bullet injuries and the police constable died due to stone pelting, Hindustan Times reported. Violence took place in Maujpur, Jaffrabad, Bhajanpura, Kardampuri, Dayalpur and Chandbagh areas – located less than 15 km from the city’s centre – just ahead of United States President Donald Trump’s first visit to the city for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“So far, five people have died in the clashes,” an unidentified doctor told the newspaper. “One was a police constable who succumbed to a severe head injury, and the other four had suffered bullet injuries.”

Delhi violence: Sonia Gandhi condemns clashes, says no place for communal ideology

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday urged the people of Delhi to maintain communal harmony and defeat forces that intend to divide the country on the basis of religion. Her statement came hours after violent clashes erupted between supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act and its opponents in North East Delhi. A constable was among five people killed, and at least 50 people were injured as mobs threw stones at each other, and set shops, houses and vehicles on fire.

“There can be no space for violence in the land of Mahatma Gandhi, nor can there be any place in the country for forces that seek to impose their communal and divisive ideology on the people,” Gandhi said in a statement. She offered her condolences to the bereaved family of head constable Ratan Lal, who was killed in the violence.