Political row erupts in Rajasthan over student leader's arrest at university
JAIPUR
The arrest of former Rajasthan University Students' Union president Nirmal Chaudhary on the university campus during an examination on Saturday has triggered a political row in the State
.Mr. Chaudhary, who was reportedly detained by plainclothes police while appearing for an exam, was later formally arrested in connection with a 2022 criminal case.
The charges against him include unlawful assembly, blocking a road, obstructing government work, misbehaving with a senior police officer, and damaging public property during a protest.
Sangaria MLA and State Youth Congress president Abhimanyu Poonia, who was present at the scene, accompanied Mr. Chaudhary to the Gandhi Nagar police station.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Jaipur-East) Tejaswani Gautam said Mr. Poonia was not taken into custody but voluntarily sat in the police vehicle with Mr. Chaudhary.
However, the Congress alleged that both leaders were detained and condemned the police action, calling it a violation of democratic rights.
The incident follows a recent protest led by Mr. Chaudhary and Mr. Poonia outside the mortuary of Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital in Jaipur. The demonstration was held to demand justice for Rakesh Bishnoi, a resident doctor from Jodhpur who died by suicide, allegedly under pressure from a senior. The protest was called off after the government agreed to a speedy probe and financial aid for Dr. Bishnoi's family.
Political fallout
The Congress accused the BJP-led State government of retaliatory action against the youth leaders for supporting the protest.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the arrest, calling it 'undemocratic and unjust'. 'The Bharatiya Janata Party government first did not even listen to Dr. Bishnoi's family, and when these public representatives joined their protest seeking justice, they were implicated in the criminal case,' the Congress leader posted on X.
Mr. Chaudhary won the student union election as an Independent in 2022 during the Congress regime. State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully, and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot condemned the police action.
Mr. Jully said such actions 'reek of dictatorial tendencies', while Mr. Pilot accused the BJP government of targeting Opposition voices.
'If the administration acts out of political vendetta against Opposition leaders, we will not remain silent,' Mr. Pilot told reporters.
(Those in distress may contact Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health suicide prevention helpline: 011-40769002.)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
'The bully must now make peace': What Trump said after Iran strike; top quotes
Donald Trump's address US President Donald Trump addressed the nation late Saturday after what he described as a "spectacular military success," as American forces launched precision strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear infrastructure. The operation severely damaged three major nuclear sites located in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan -- core facilities of Iran's atomic program. The attack on Fordow, one of Iran's most secure underground nuclear facilities, reportedly involved six 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs. U.S.' B-2 Bombers Air-drop GBU-57 Bombs On Iran's Nuclear Facilities | Trump's Shock Announcement These powerful weapons can only be delivered by the US Air Force's B-2 stealth bombers, underscoring the high-level coordination and military capability deployed in the mission. Trump's speech followed more than a week of Israeli airstrikes aimed at weakening Iran's air defences and softening its nuclear capabilities -- a campaign that appears to have paved the way for the US-led strikes. Here's what Trump said in his address: "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success." "The attacks were to stop Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and put a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror." "Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror." "I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu." "We worked as a team, like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel. I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they've done." "There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days." "Iran, bully of the Middle East, must now make peace." "For 40 years, Iran has been saying death to Israel, death to the US. They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs." "So many were killed by their general, Qasem Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue." "I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they've done, and most importantly, I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades..."
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump's strike on Iran raises strategic, political risks ahead of retaliation
Trump's strike on Iran raises strategic, political risks ahead of retaliation Two days after offering Iran a two-week deadline to avoid military action, US President Donald Trump announced airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The attack, carried out Saturday evening, June 21, marked a sharp escalation in tensions and introduced new uncertainties regarding military outcomes and domestic political fallout. 'Two weeks' turned out to be two days. On Thursday, Trump presented Iran with a negotiation window to avert a strike. By Saturday, he declared the strikes 'very successful' in a social media post, adding, 'Now is the time for peace.' Also read: In his own words: Trump's Iran strike tests his rhetoric on ending wars by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo It remains unclear whether the original deadline was a tactical feint or if negotiations, reportedly led by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, collapsed behind the scenes. Trump's message of seeking peace contrasts with the risks of retaliation from Iran , which had previously warned against US involvement in the conflict initiated by Israel. Iran retaliation expected as strike objectives unclear Live Events Among the sites struck was the Fordow nuclear facility, considered a critical component of Iran's uranium enrichment infrastructure. Analysts note that Iran maintains a range of retaliatory capabilities and that the airstrikes may not have neutralized its nuclear operations. Iran's response to direct US involvement is now the central question. The US airstrikes followed weeks of Israeli operations aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities. However, Tehran retains substantial resources and has warned that further escalation could prompt regional consequences. Trump's strategy appears to involve pressuring Iran into negotiations. However, analysts question whether military action will succeed where diplomacy during Israeli strikes did not. 'Now is the time for peace,' Trump wrote, but Iran's previous refusal to engage under fire suggests continued resistance, not compliance. Also read: Trump wins immediate praise from Republicans in Congress after announcing strikes on Iran It will take time to determine whether the strikes inflicted lasting damage on Iran's fortified nuclear facilities. If they failed to achieve their core objectives, calls for additional US military action may increase, placing greater pressure on the administration and military planners. Domestic backlash grows over US military escalation Saturday's strikes also carry significant domestic political implications. Critics from both major parties have questioned the strategic necessity of the operation. Within Trump's own 'America First' political movement, concerns are growing over US involvement in another potential Middle East conflict. If the operation is limited to a one-off strike, Trump may contain the political fallout. However, any move toward sustained engagement risks alienating voters who supported his non-interventionist stance during the 2024 campaign. Trump frequently highlighted that he initiated no new wars during his first term and criticized prior administrations for foreign entanglements. Having taken decisive military action, the president now faces a situation where subsequent developments may fall outside his control.
Hans India
26 minutes ago
- Hans India
Minister writes to CM on apathy over illegal mining cases
Bengaluru/Raichur: Law Minister H K Patil on Saturday said he had written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing concerns over administration apathy towards taking illegal mining cases in the state to a logical end. He also wanted the culprits to be punished, and the lost wealth recovered. The senior minister, who is also in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs, has written a seven-page letter dated June 18, pointing out that only 7.6 per cent of all the cases related to illegal mining that allegedly took place between 2007 and 2011 leading to the loss of an estimated Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the government, have been investigated so far. In the letter he noted that there is outrage among people that the government has not shown honesty and commitment in its efforts towards ensuring commensurate punishments and recovery of the state's wealth, despite such a large-scale loot. He also reminded Siddaramaiah that he had led a 320-km foot march to Ballari against the illegal mining scam in 2010, when the Congress was in opposition. Patil had headed the Cabinet sub-committee, during the first Siddaramaiah-led Congress government (2013-18), which had brought the extent of loss caused by illegal mining. In Raichur, replying to questions by reporters regarding the letter, Patil said, '...I have brought it to the notice of the chief minister what has to be done, thereby it has to serve the state and the government has to get a good name, so the letter has been written. It is not a political letter. It is written in the interest of the state and its people. The CM has seen the letter and has taken the matter seriously.' Asked whether he is suspicious that documents on illegalities may be destroyed, he said with the intention that such things should not happen. He has cautioned the administration and the concerned department. Noting that the Congress party has done a padayatre (foot march) against illegal mining fifteen years ago, the minister said, despite so many years and inspite of cabinet sub-committee under 2013-18 Siddaramaiah-led Congress government submitting a report about the quantum of loss, the action taken is not satisfactory. 'Out of more than 12,000 illegal mining cases being registered, only about 7 per cent have been investigated. In just 2 per cent of these seven per cent, which means in only 0.2 per cent of the total number of cases, verdicts have come and cases have seen a conclusion,' he said. Asserting that a logical end has to be given to all these pending cases, Patil said the government lost Rs 1.5 lakh crore because of illegal mining, and with the intention that serious steps are taken in this regard, he has written a letter to the CM. He said nine cases were handed over for the CBI probe. They said they will probe only three among them and sent back the remaining six. Similarly, the cases that were referred to the Special investigation Team (SIT), most of them have still not been subjected to probe. 'So I have written the letter.' Patil, in his letter, has said that the government can still act as there is still time. Asking the government to take all the necessary measures, he suggested appointing a Recovery Commissioner as per the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1946. He has also sought the creation of a new SIT to take up investigation of cases that have not been probed, and setting up a special court to try these cases.
