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By:

Ruddhi Phadke

22 September 2024 at 10:17:54 am

Thackerays try to encash youth’s sentiments

Succeed in pulling crowd that celebrated Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation with sharp political messaging Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray came together for the third time in five days at a joint rally at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park on Sunday to celebrate a ‘victory’ they were not part of. They addressed a rally as a celebration of the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan a day earlier. Addressing...

Thackerays try to encash youth’s sentiments

Succeed in pulling crowd that celebrated Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation with sharp political messaging Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray came together for the third time in five days at a joint rally at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park on Sunday to celebrate a ‘victory’ they were not part of. They addressed a rally as a celebration of the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan a day earlier. Addressing the massive turnout, Uddhav Thackeray said the student-led agitation had proved that the voice of the people could not be silenced. Calling Pradhan’s resignation a moral triumph for students, he said those who demanded accountability for the alleged examination irregularities had achieved a significant victory. He said the campaign had laid the foundation for a wider fight against the BJP-led Central government. Uddhav said, “This fight is a united fight which is BJP vs India. A cockroach has defeated dictatorship. This is the real avatar of lord Vishnu. Modi ji can steal votes but not youngsters.” Raj also lauded the students for their determination and perseverance throughout the agitation. He urged the youth to remain aware and actively engaged on issues related to education and governance. He said the success of students' protest proved Gen Z can challenge the government. He thanked the Mumbai Police for maintaining order during the programme and said the country had seen "the difference between the Maharashtra Police and the Delhi Police," a reference to the thrashing of protesters in the national capital. Spirited Speeches The rally featured spirited speeches, slogans and enthusiastic participation by supporters of both parties, particularly young workers. A strong police presence was maintained in and around Shivaji Park, with barricades, traffic diversions and other security measures put in place to regulate the large crowds and maintain public order. The rally was also viewed as a major political display of unity by the Thackeray cousins, who used the platform to reaffirm their common position on matters concerning Maharashtra and the interests of students. Sweets were being distributed, slogans were being raised, while many highlighted that one of the grievances of the protesters was also the alleged illegal arrests of the protesters and misbehavior with women protesters. Crowd was dominated by young teenagers, many of whom were students and were present to enjoy the vibe of a demonstration lacking much deeper insight of the NEET paper leak issue or the larger issue. Minor Children who were as young as nine years old, also stood with slogans written on placards. They had memorized poems to present some thoughts their parents had fed them with, making full use of the platform as a medium to overcome stage fear. ‘Fight against illegal arrests’, say protestors Several demonstrators, who were a part of the celebrations on Sunday, alleged that they were not against any party but they were against unconstitutional behavior. Alleging illegal arrests to suppress freedom of speech by the Mumbai police, several demonstrators claimed to have joined the fight at the point where they felt that voices were being suppressed, and criticism was not being taken seriously. A 26-year-old Sharvari Bukane, a practicing advocate at the Bombay High court, was also a part of the celebration. Bukane told ‘The Perfect Voice’ that she had been voluntarily active in expediting smooth release of students who were illegally being detained. “We are not against a person or any party. The nation is in the right hands. I was just doing my part. I am a part of Gen-Z. We will fight against any party or person who does something that is unconstitutional,” she said. A Member of All India Student Federation Amir alleged that women protesters faced misbehavior and several people were illegally arrested. He said, “We will ensure NEET is abolished. Mahatma Gandhi has taught us nonviolence, Ambedkar taught us the path and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj taught us determination. Youth is politically aware now. We want resignation from (Education minister) Dada Bhuse. Ambani and Adani are providing them money. Trump and Epstein files are by Modi’s side. We will continue to fight against capitalism, and privatisation.” A 38-year-old working woman Anuja Bhate said, “Today the common man fears expressing opinions on politics because there is a real fear of retribution. For our democracy to become stronger, this fear needs to be eliminated.” 'We want anybody but Modi!’ Rajendra Chavan, a 65-year-old Thane resident and a retired civil Engineer, also joined the celebration with his family and children. He said the youths are desperate for a change as the education system is in shambles. They have no jobs and hence they are ready to go for anyone except Modi. He said, “Senior citizens are devotees of Modi. They benefited from the free government schools and smooth education in their time, and now they are Modi devotees. The irony is that their children are in US and Europe for better education. My generation is busy worshiping an individual. Indira Gandhi too was defeated in 1975. Anybody but Modi! is the sentiment right now. It will take time, and it should happen democratically.” "The dictator has been shaken. This is the power of the youth. They need not be told to do anything. They know what they want. The response of Mumbai has been tremendous. Asking questions to the government is not being anti-India. All FIRs against protesters should be withdrawn. The countdown has begun for this government.” Aaditya Thackeray, MLA, Shiv Sena (UBT) “Power and arrogance have to bow before people's power. The youth will now have to rise against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and delimitation (referred to the proposed delimitation bill). The youth power led a peaceful struggle against the system unitedly.” Rohit Pawar, MLA, NCP (SP) “Sanjay Raut’s agenda is clear which is restoring and settling the careers of Aditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray. Why is Sanjay Raut not being able to address the public here? He is being prevented from addressing the public so that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t take away the credit of the whole agitation. Raut’s agenda is clear. He has nothing to do with NEET aspirants or youth.” Navnath Ban, Chief Spokesperson, BJP “We are open to peaceful protests and voicing concerns lawfully. We are followers of democracy. However, many of these protesters are crossing lines, using obnoxious language and misusing freedom of expression. This is not healthy. Why are people shying away from a discussion in Parliament? That is the place where discussions can bring about a change in law.” Aniket Nikam, Spokesperson, BJP

India working on logistics of Tahawwur Rana's extradition

  • PTI
  • Feb 14, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Tahawwur Rana

Washington: India is working on the logistics of Tahawwur Rana's surrender and extradition from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said, as President Donald Trump announced that his administration has given the go-ahead to extradite the 26/11 terror attack accused “to face justice".

“This is an issue on which the US authorities have taken very clear decisions. I think you've seen the President announce it himself from the White House podium" the decision of the US to extradite Rana, Misri said at a press conference here on Thursday.


During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil" Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "to face justice in India”.


In response to a question by PTI on the timeframe by when Rana will be extradited to India, Misri said: "We are working on the logistics of his surrender and extradition to India. There are a few final steps to be completed. The two sides are in touch on this particular issue.”


The India-US joint statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to the US notes that Modi and Trump reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

“They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in order to prevent heinous acts like the attacks in Mumbai on 26/11 and the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021," the joint statement said.


“Recognising a shared desire to bring to justice those who would harm our citizens, the US announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved," it said.


The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.

"The leaders also pledged to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors,” the joint statement added.

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. He is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

Speaking at the joint press meet, Trump said "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice."


The extradition of Rana was cleared by the US Supreme Court in January as it rejected his review petition in the case.


India last month said it was working with American authorities for the early extradition of Rana.


"The US Supreme Court on January 21 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.


In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

-PTI

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