Indian researcher at Georgetown University arrested, faces deportation over alleged Hamas links
Indian researcher Badar Khan Suri, a post-doctoral fellow at Georgetown University, has been arrested by US immigration officers and faces deportation over allegations of spreading Hamas propaganda and having ties to a suspected terrorist. According to reports, he was taken into custody outside his home in Virginia by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents on Monday night.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated on social media that Suri "was actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media" and had "close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas." The US Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15 that Suri’s activities made him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).
Suri’s lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, has argued that the arrest is politically motivated, linking it to the Palestinian heritage of Suri’s wife, who is a US citizen and a student at Georgetown University. The university issued a statement in support of Suri, asserting that it had not received any evidence of illegal activity and emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and free expression.
Suri, an expert in peace and conflict studies, has been teaching a course on Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia and has previously conducted research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. He completed his PhD at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi in 2020.
His case follows that of another Indian student, Ranjani Srinivasan, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, who recently left the US after her student visa was revoked for participating in pro-Palestine protests. The DHS labeled her a "terrorist sympathizer," stating that her visa was revoked on March 5, and she self-deported on March 11.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated that those who "advocate terrorism and violence" would not be allowed to remain in the US.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
