Top news: SC defers Shaheen Bagh case hearing, says ‘environment not conducive’

Delhi: Lawyers allegedly get beaten up by policemen for seeking release of anti-CAA protestor

Lawyers who went to a police station in Delhi to get an anti-Citizenship Act protestor released were allegedly beaten up by police personnel on Wednesday. The protestor was detained from a demonstration area that was cleared by police in Khureji Khas area of North East Delhi earlier in the day.

Delhi violence: Intelligence Bureau officer’s body found in drain in Chand Bagh

The Delhi Police on Wednesday recovered the body of an Intelligence Bureau officer from a drain in North East Delhi’s Chand Bagh locality, where violent clashes between those supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act erupted on Sunday, NDTV reported. At least 24 people were killed as of Wednesday and another 180 were injured in the violence.

Delhi HC tells CBSE to create long-term plan for students taking board exams in violence-hit areas

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Central Board of Secondary Education to inform class 10 and 12 students about a long-term plan for conducting examinations in centres where clashes erupted over the Citizenship Amendment Act, PTI reported. The court said the students need to be informed in one go about the schedule for the next 10 to 15 days and not on a daily basis.

Delhi violence: Amit Shah must resign for ‘colossal failure’ of duty, says Sonia Gandhi

The Congress on Wednesday blamed both the central and the Delhi governments for the violence in Delhi and sought the immediate resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for failing to restore normalcy after the toll in the clashes around the Citizenship Amendment Act rose to 22.

Delhi violence: PM Narendra Modi appeals for calm, says ‘normalcy’ should be restored

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to the people of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood, three days after violence erupted in North East Delhi. So far, at least 21 people have died and more than 180 were injured. The prime minister said he had conducted a thorough review of the situation prevailing in parts of Delhi

Delhi violence: ‘We cannot allow another 1984 riots,’ says HC, rebukes police for inaction

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said authorities cannot allow “another 1984 riots”and rebuked the police for inaction during the violent clashes between those in favour and against the Citizenship Amendment Act, The Indian Express reported. The court added that the situation would not have escalated if the police had “not allowed instigators to get away”.

‘Need to change this discourse’: Aaditya Thackeray castigates Devendra Fadnavis for ‘bangle’ comment

Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday lashed out at former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for claiming that Shiv Sena members were “wearing bangles”, and demanded an immediate apology for his sexist remark. Fadnavis on Tuesday had targeted the Shiv Sena for their silence on All India Majlis-e-Ittahadul Muslimeen leader Waris Pathan’s controversial remark suggesting that Indian Muslims should dominate other communities.

Delhi violence: SC pulls up police, says lives would have been saved had they acted on time

The Supreme Court on Wednesday castigated the Delhi Police over the clashes around the Citizenship Amendment Act and said lives would have been saved had the police acted on time to stop people from making inflammatory remarks, PTI reported. The toll from the violence rose to 20 and over 180 people have been injured.

‘They are calling me a terrorist’: BJP leader Kapil Mishra hits out at those demanding his arrest

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra on Wednesday hit out at those calling for his arrest following the violent clashes in North East Delhi related to the Citizenship Amendment Act that has claimed at least 20 lives. Mishra is accused of instigating people after he gave a three-day ultimatum to the Delhi Police on Sunday to stop an anti-CAA protest in the national Capital. His speech came hours before clashes between two groups began.

Shaheen Bagh protest: ‘Let everything cool down first,’ says SC as it defers hearing to March 23

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing on petitions to remove Shaheen Bagh protestors to shift their agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act to an alternative site, saying the “environment is not conducive”, News18 reported.

A bench of Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph passed no interim orders and fixed the matter for hearing next on March 23. “Environment isn’t very conducive to hear Shaheen Bagh protests case,” the court said. “Sanity has to be maintained by everyone when a matter is to be heard.”

‘Deadly surge of religious intolerance horrifying’: US lawmakers voice concern on Delhi violence

Several lawmakers in the United States raised concerns over the violence that has erupted in northeastern parts of New Delhi since Sunday, claiming at least 20 lives in three days. The protests began after clashes between those in favour and against India’s Citizenship Amendment Act escalated with multiple attacks on Muslim homes.

“It is important to strengthen relationships with democratic partners like India,” Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic Party’s contender for the United States presidential elections later this year. “But we must be able to speak truthfully about our values, including religious freedom and freedom of expression – and violence against peaceful protestors is never acceptable.”

Delhi violence: Arvind Kejriwal says Army should be called in as situation is ‘alarming’

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the police is “unable” to control the situation after the toll in the clashes around the Citizenship Amendment Act rose to 20 and said that he will ask the Centre to bring in the Army to quell the violence, PTI reported.

“I have been in touch with large no of people whole nite [night],” he tweeted. “Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence.”

Balakot airstrike redefined use of air power says former IAF chief on first anniversary of attack

Indian Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria on Wednesday said the Balakot airstrike redefined the use of air power and marked a tectonic shift in government’s policy on national security. Bhadauria made the comment in an interview with the newspaper on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Balakot airstrike.

India-US reaffirm ties, ask Pakistan to ensure its territory is not used to launch terror attacks

India and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to build relations between the two nations during American President Donald Trump’s state visit that concluded on Tuesday. The two leaders focussed on defence, trade and energy sectors, and urged Pakistan to curb terrorism originating from its soil.

Only those who say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ can stay in India, says Himachal CM on Delhi violence

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Tuesday said only those who say “Bharat Mata ki Jai” can stay in India amid escalating tension in North East Delhi after groups opposing and supporting the new citizenship law clashed over three days. At least 18 people were killed and hundreds injured since Sunday with several attacks on Muslim homes.

Delhi Police use water canons to disperse Jamia, JNU students protesting outside Kejriwal’s house

The Delhi Police on Wednesday dispersed the crowd that had assembled outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence around midnight to protest against the violence in the northeastern part of the city since Sunday, reported IANS. At least 18 people have been killed and hundreds injured over the last three days after clashes between those opposing and supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act escalated with several attacks on Muslim homes.

The crowd, which gathered outside Kejriwal’s residence, comprised of members of the Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia and the Jamia Coordination Committee. Students of Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University were also part of the protest.

Delhi violence: I&B ministry asks TV channels not to air content promoting ‘anti-national attitude’

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday asked all private satellite TV channels to be cautious about content that may instigate violence or promote “anti-national” attitudes. The advisory came after 13 people were killed in the violence in North East Delhi over the last three days.

“It is hereby reiterated that all TV channels are advised to be particularly cautious with regard to any content which is likely to encourage or incite violence, or contains anything against the maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national attitudes,” the advisory read.

Delhi HC orders police to ensure safe, swift evacuation of injured victims from hospital

The Delhi High Court has asked the police to ensure safe evacuation of those injured during violent clashes between those supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act and opposing it in the northeastern part of the national Capital. A special hearing was held at the residence of Delhi High Court Justice S Muralidhar at midnight.

Delhi violence toll rises to 17, BJP MLA leads a crowd chanting ‘shoot the traitors’

At least 17 people were killed as of Wednesday morning after violent clashes between those supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act erupted in North East Delhi.

A video of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Abhay Verma leading a march in the Mangal Bazaar area of Laxmi Nagar started doing the rounds on Tuesday night. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh questioned the Centre’s intentions of restoring peace in the national Capital.

Delhi: Anti-CAA protest site at Jaffrabad cleared on fourth day

A group of anti-Citizenship Act protestors sitting outside the Jaffrabad metro station in North East Delhi since Saturday night cleared the site on Tuesday evening, PTI reported, quoting police. Opposition to their sit-in had led to violent clashes in the entire district, which have taken 13 lives so far.

“As the situation escalated since Sunday, police and locals vacated the road outside the Jaffrabad metro station,” Naushad, one of the protestors, told PTI. “We also asked the outsiders, who were creating issues in the area, to leave.”

Pakistan raises J&K at UN again, demands lifting of communication blockade, release of politicians

Pakistan on Tuesday appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the immediate lifting of the communication blockade, and the release of political leaders and activists, in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council in Switzerland, the country said any kind of inaction by the international community will only “embolden” India.

Gujarat: Communal clashes in Khambhat town continue for third day, more arson reported amid shutdown

A mob set two roadside cabins and motorcycles on fire in Khambhat town of Gujarat’s Anand district on Tuesday as communal clashes entered the third day, PTI reported. Five persons have been detained for the arson incident, Inspector General of Ahmedabad Range IK Jadeja said.

Some Hindutva outfits had organised a shutdown in the town on Tuesday to demand action against those who indulged in violence on the previous two days, Jadeja said. Several persons gathered at Gavara Chowk and staged protests, he added.

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

A mosque was set on fire in Ashok Nagar 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 [A Hindustan for Hindus]” paraded around the burning mosque, and a “Hanuman flag” was placed on top of the building, according to the news website.

Trump reiterates offer to mediate in Kashmir dispute, says cross-border terror is a problem

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday described Kashmir as a “big problem” between India and Pakistan and said he would do whatever he could to mediate in the dispute, ANI reported. “If anything I can do to mediate, I will do,” he said.

“Kashmir obviously is a big problem between India and Pakistan,” Trump said, while addressing the media after meeting Modi in New Delhi. “They are going to work out their problem. They have been doing it for a long time.”

‘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 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.