Texas University bans pro-Palestine chants including “From the river to the sea”
San Antonio: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is under fire after prohibiting pro-Palestine student protesters from using certain phrases, including chants in Arabic. The university’s president has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by pro-Palestinian students, who argue that the ban on the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” violates their right to free speech.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has intervened, reminding the university of its duty to protect students’ expression under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards free speech. According to FIRE, the university recently restricted student protesters from using the words “Zionism,” “Israel,” the chant “from the river to the sea,” and speaking in Arabic, citing the need to combat anti-Semitism.
The decision has sparked significant backlash, with critics arguing that it infringes on the students' rights to express their political views.
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India asks its nationals in Iran to leave by available means
New Delhi (PTI): India on Monday advised all its nationals residing in Iran to leave the country by all available means of transport, including commercial flights, in view of the evolving security situation.
The Indian embassy in Iran issued a fresh advisory to the Indian nationals amid fresh protests in Tehran and increasing fears of US military strikes on the Gulf nation. Students at several universities in Iran held anti-government demonstrations in a first such agitation since Tehran's brutal crackdown on the protesters last month.
According to official estimates in January, little over 10,000 Indians, including students, were living in Iran.
"In continuation of the advisory issued by the government of India on January 5 and in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights," the embassy said.
The mission also reiterated that all Indian citizens and PIOs (persons of Indian-origin) should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy.
"All Indian nationals in Iran are requested to also have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and identity cards, readily available with them," the mission said in the advisory.
"They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard," it said.
