Masked US officials detain Turkish PhD scholar over pro-Palestinian stance
Massachusetts: Turkish PhD scholar Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested outside her residence in Massachusetts on March 26 by masked US border security forces. Ozturk, a student at Tufts University, was reportedly detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while heading to an Iftar dinner.
Her detention is part of a broader crackdown under the Trump administration against pro-Palestinian activists. Ozturk, who previously completed her master’s at Columbia University as a Fulbright Scholar, co-authored a 2024 opinion essay in the Tufts student newspaper criticizing the university’s stance on Gaza and advocating for divestment from companies linked to Israel.
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) has condemned what it termed the “abduction” of the scholar. Ozturk’s arrest follows a pattern of detentions, including those of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri. Her case has also been linked to Canary Mission, a pro-Israel website known for blacklisting pro-Palestinian students and activists.
Amid the US’ bid to curb pro-Palestinian voices, a Turkish PhD scholar was arrested outside her residence in Massachusetts on Wednesday, March 26, in the United States, by masked US border security forces.
— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) March 27, 2025
The scholar has been identified as Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and… pic.twitter.com/iYXiGAJVno
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CJI Surya Kant clarifies 'parasites' remarks, says 'pained' over media reports
New Delhi (PTI): Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday issued a strongly worded clarification on his 'parasites' remarks, saying he was "pained" by media reports that suggested he criticised youth.
"I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday," the CJI said in a statement.
Kant emphasised that his remarks were specifically directed at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees" and were "misquoted by a section of the media."
The clarification follows a controversy during a hearing on Friday, when the CJI used words like "parasites" and "cockroaches" while pulling up a lawyer for his plea seeking senior designation.
"What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites.
"It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India," the chief justice said about his remarks.
