Page 2 - Protest

France deploys 70,000 security personnel as new protests raise riot fears

Paris has boarded up shops and shut 3 major museums ahead of Saturday's protests, while a football match has been postponed; President Macron acknowledged planning failures after last weekend's unrest

CTI urges Rahul to defer Nov 1 rally, warns of ₹10,000 crore trade loss

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore during the peak Diwali shopping season. In a letter to Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could affect wholesale and retail markets around Ramlila Maidan at a time when traders expect heavy customer footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali. Goyal said Delhi records business worth around Rs 25,000 crore across sectors such as gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gift items around Dhanteras, which falls on November 6 this year. Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, followed by Bhai Dooj on November 10. The traders' body said markets generally see increased activity about a week before the festivals, making the timing of the rally a matt

France steps up security, deploys military to contain fresh protests

There will be 20% more police on the ground than last Saturday, according to the Interior Ministry

Centre extends deployment of CAPF in Delhi till Oct 31 amid protest fears

The Union home ministry has extended for the second time the deployment of 273 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies in the national capital till October 31 in view of the possibility of "flash protests" by political and other groups, official sources said on Friday. The companies were brought to Delhi for the protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) earlier this month. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the Delhi Police and the respective CAPFs on October 22 to coordinate the deployment, the sources told PTI. The extension was approved at the request of the Delhi Police, they said, adding that a similar extension had been sanctioned in mid-October. Officials said the Delhi Police had informed the ministry that there was a possibility of flash protests being undertaken by political and other outfits in various "sensitive" locations of the city. The extension of the deployment was essential in order to ensure proper law and order, they said. The MHA has approved

Thousands gather in Paris after court lifts protest ban amid unrest

Thousands of protesters took to the Paris streets on Thursday while other cities banned demonstrations following a weekend of clashes and widespread looting that marked France's most violent unrest in years. Organisers of the Paris protest said an administrative court overturned a ban issued by police after they challenged it. The Paris prefecture previously said the ban was necessary, given the risk of street violence after groups of masked youth clashed with officers, looted shops and torched cars over the weekend. The Paris court ruling was not immediately made public. Protesters, including many youngsters, gathered peacefully and chanted in a southeastern part of the city amid heavy police presence. "We don't need tear gas for our future to look bleak," read a banner they unfurled. Organisers signed a police document stating that the protest would remain stationary due to the risk of violence. More bans were expected in the coming days. French President Emmanuel Macron said su

India advises nationals in France to stay alert amid protests, curfews

India has advised its nationals living in France and those travelling to the country to remain vigilant and exercise caution amid continuing unrest, violent clashes and localised curfews in parts of the European nation. In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the Embassy of India in France urged Indian nationals to avoid large gatherings and crowded places where protests are taking place and follow instructions issued by local authorities. "In view of the recent developments and localised curfews imposed in France, please remain vigilant and exercise due caution," it said. The advisory comes as France grapples with widespread protests and riots, triggered by student demonstrations over high school conditions and expanding into mass anti-government anger over inflation and living costs. The unrest has been marked by incidents of looting, arson and clashes between demonstrators and police. The Indian mission asked nationals to stay informed through local news reports and official updates

Delhi HC to hear Neha Bora's plea against 'peace' bond on October 22

The Delhi High Court Wednesday said it will hear on October 22 All India Students' Association (AISA) President Neha Bora's plea against a Delhi Police notice asking her to execute a "peace" bond before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM). Bora, who has been at the forefront of protests against the alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, has sought quashing of the notice and directions to the police not to take any coercive action against her. Justice Subramonium Prasad deferred hearing on the plea at the request of Bora's counsel. The case was listed after the student leader sought an urgent hearing in the high court, which is shut this week for Dussehra vacation. The notice, issued on October 17 under Section 126 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), asked the student leader to appear before the SEM on October 19 and show cause why she should not execute a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety "for keepin

Delhi HC denies relief to CJP leaders challenging judicial custody

Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday withdrew from the Delhi High Court their plea challenging the extension of their judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM). Justice Subramonium Prasad told the counsel appearing for the CJP co-conveners to await the outcome of the hearing scheduled before the SEM later in the day, and approach the appellate court if their grievance continues. While permitting Das and Ranka to withdraw the case, the judge clarified that he has not made observations on the merit of the matter. During the hearing, the court orally observed that a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution was not an appropriate remedy in this case. The case was taken up by the court after the CJP leaders sought an urgent hearing in the high court, which is shut due to the Dussehra break. Das and Ranka assailed the SEM's October 19 order remanding them to two days' judicial custody in the high court. They were taken into custo

Delhi HC to urgently hear pleas by CJP's Das, Ranka, AISA's Neha Bora

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to urgently hear Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka's plea against the extension of their judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM). Justice Subramonium Prasad will also take up a separate petition by the All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora against a Delhi Police's October 17 notice asking her to execute a bond before a SEM for "keeping peace". Das and Ranka have assailed the SEM's October 19 order remanding them to two days' judicial custody in the high court, which is shut this week due to Dussehra vacation. Bora's plea pertains to a notice dated October 17 under section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), asking the student leader to appear before the SEM on October 19 and show cause why she should not execute a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety "for keeping peace for a period of enquiry". Section 126 empowers the SEM to require a person to execute a

India opposes negative portrayal amid UN experts' concerns over protests

India has asserted that human rights should not be used as an instrument of political pressure or selective targeting of countries, as it opposed attempts to turn allegations and incomplete statistics into a "negative characterisation" of the world's largest democracy. "India engages with international human rights mechanisms, but such engagement must be based on dialogue, consultation, cooperation with non-selectivity and transparency as guiding principles," Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Barkha Tamrakar said. Tamrakar delivered India's statement at the UN General Assembly's Third Committee on the agenda item concerning the 'Working Group on Enforced Disappearances' here on Tuesday. She underlined that human rights should not be used as an instrument of political pressure or selective targeting of countries. "We call on delegations to cite the report faithfully, not to inflate a humanitarian communication into a verdict," Tamrakar said. India remains prepare

UN experts urge India to cease 'use of excessive force' to curb protests

India has repeatedly dismissed such criticism and cast it as interference ‌in the country's internal affairs

Delhi Police transfers second case against CJP leaders' to Crime Branch

Delhi Police on Tuesday transferred another case registered against Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, sources said. The Crime Branch will now investigate two cases against the CJP leaders. The other case linked to Das and Ranka allegedly entering the Jantar Mantar area was transferred to the Crime Branch on Monday. According to Delhi Police, on October 13, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reached Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a designated protest site, by trespassing through private premises. Police personnel deployed at the spot intervened and tried to stop them. All 14 people were detained and two FIRs were registered. Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on October 14 by a Special Executive Magistrate for breaching peace bonds. Their judicial custody was extended by two days on Monday.

Not just France, Europe's political centre is crumbling amid discontent

Economic stagnation, inflation and rising inequality are eroding trust in Europe's centrist parties, fuelling support for populist movements on both the far right and far left

Why embroidery workers in Surat are protesting and what are their demands?

Surat's embroidery workers are preparing to intensify the ongoing 3-month long protest to get 8 hr shifts, paid weekly holidays and wage protections, as talks with factory owners remain inconclusive

The French fantasy of equality and prosperity is coming to an end

Protests over living costs, inequality and failing public services have exposed wider anxieties about climate change, artificial intelligence and economic insecurity

Trump warns Europe faces collapse without border closures, deportations

Donald Trump urged European countries to close their borders and deport people he said posed a threat, as France imposed curfews following weekend unrest

French protests tapers off after tougher security measures imposed

Protests drew more than half a million people on Saturday across the country, but the demonstrations over cost-of-living concerns soon deteriorated as fast-moving groups targeted hundreds of shops

From France to Albania, social unrest sets Europe's streets ablaze

Rising fuel costs, discontent with the state of schools, declining public services and a housing crisis have created perfectly stormy weather for an autumn of protests in Europe. Crowds have taken to the streets for weeks in major cities, resulting in arrests, looting, injuries, and violence across France, Italy and Albania. In Spain and Portugal, tent camps have sprung up in protests against unattainable rents and housing costs. Young people "feel disappointed with the (social) model and experience a strong sense of uncertainty and a lack of control," said Maria Silvestre, professor of sociology at the University of Deusto in Spain. "And when specific situations come together, a spark suddenly ignites that is capable of channelling that discontent and driving people into the streets." Cities have turned into battlefields as several top EU economies, including France, Italy and Spain, approach pivotal elections, while far-right parties have made electoral gains in Germany and could

Delhi Police transfers trespassing case against CJP leaders to Crime Branch

Delhi Police on Monday transferred the trespassing case against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to its Crime Branch unit, shortly after their judicial custody was extended by two days, according to police sources. An FIR was registered at Connaught Place police station under Sections 223A (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 332 (house-trespass to commit an offence) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Another FIR was registered at Parliament Street police station under Sections 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS. Police have now transferred the case to the Inter State Cell unit of Crime Branch for further investigation. D

France tightens protest control measures as officials admit to failure

France banned Marseille demonstrations and urged curfews where needed after weekend riots, while businesses sought aid and Paris hotels began reporting cancellations