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Ranjani Srinivasan, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, who recently left the US after her student visa was revoked for participating in pro-Palestine protests. The DHS labeled her a "terrorist sympathizer," stating that her visa was revoked on March 5, and she self-deported on March 11.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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Tribal outfits hit streets to enforce Ranchi bandh, admin on alert
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Ranchi (PTI): Activists of various tribal outfits hit the streets on Saturday morning to enforce an 18-hour bandh in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi to protest against the construction of a flyover near the Sarna Sthal, a sacred tribal religious site.
The protestors were seen burning tyres and blocking roads, mainly on the outskirts of Ranchi.
The Ranchi-Lohardaga road was blocked near Titla Chowk in Ranchi, while agitators gathered at the city's Kanke Chowk and other areas to impose the bandh.
Compared to other days, the number of vehicles on the roads in Ranchi was less during the morning hours.
The protestors are demanding the removal of a ramp being built in Siram Toli, claiming that it obstructs access to the religious site and could disturb its sanctity due to frequent traffic movements.
Several tribal organisations took out a torchlight procession on Friday evening, seeking people's support for the bandh.
The protestors alleged that the government ignored their concerns.
They said when thousands of tribals gather at Siram Toli Sarna Sthal during Sarhul, the most significant tribal festival, the flyover ramp would disrupt access to the site.
In view of the bandh call, the Ranchi police have made elaborate security arrangements.
The administration has urged the organisations to hold the protest peacefully without causing trouble to anyone.
The district administration has issued strict instructions, stating that anyone in support of the bandh or chakka jam should not cause any disruption or obstruction to the traffic, dignitaries, students, members of educational institutions, or the general public, the Ranchi administration said in a statement.
