ABVP suspends Ankiv Baisoya, asks him to quit DUSU presidency; NSUI says too late
New Delhi, Nov 15: New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) ABVP has asked DUSU president Ankiv Baisoya to resign from his post and also suspended him from the students body till an inquiry into the allegations that he furnished a fake degree is completed, drawing criticism from NSUI that the decision was taken under pressure ahead of the high court hearing.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad said in a statement it has asked Baisoya to step down as DUSU president and also relieved him of all responsibilities in ABVP till the Delhi University completes the verification process.
ABVP said the decision was taken to maintain the "genuineness" of Delhi University Students Union.
But NSUI said this was clearly a decision taken under pressure ahead of the high court hearing on November 20.
"This is an attempt to save whatever little face ABVP can. They waited for two months in an attempt to keep the DUSU presidentship with ABVP instead of asking him to step down when the matter came to light. ABVP also didn't set up any inquiry committee of its own. So, this decision at this belated hour is clearly cynical and cowardly," the National Students Union of India said.
The Delhi High Court on Monday gave DU time till November 20 to verify the authenticity of Baisoya's bachelor's degree from a university in Tamil Nadu. The two-month period within which a re-election could be held ended on November 13.
Baisoya was elected DUSU president in September.
NSUI and AISA have accused the DU administration of deliberately delaying an investigation of the alleged fake degree of Baisoya.
The high court is hearing the case on a plea of NSUI student leader Sunny Chillar, who has sought from the court that Baisoya's election be set aside after news reports said the registrar of Thiruvalluvar University had "unambiguously and unequivocally" declared Baisoya's certificate "fake and forged".
Chillar has also alleged that DU was "deliberately delaying" the verification process as no fresh polls would be held for DUSU presidency in case Baisoya's election is set aside over the fake degree issue after expiry of the two-month period.
According to Lyngdoh Committee guidelines on university elections, if a post fell vacant within two months of declaration of results, fresh polls would be held, his plea has said.
“Keeping in mind students’ struggle, emotions and expectations and in order to maintain the genuineness of Delhi University Students Union, ABVP asked Ankiv to resign from his post and also removed him from all the responsibilities of organisation till DU completes the verification process.”
Statement by ABVP
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
