Over 1,300 students, faculty urge IISc to cancel India-Israel Business Summit amidst Gaza genocide
New Delhi: More than 1,300 students and faculty members from universities in India and abroad have called on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to cancel the “India-Israel Business Summit” scheduled for September 23. The event, is organised by Think India, the Indian Chamber of International Business, and the Mysuru Lancers Heritage Foundation.
In a letter addressed to IISc Director Govindan Rangarajan, the signatories expressed concern that hosting the summit would signal support for Israel's military actions in Gaza, which they described as "genocide" and aggression against neighboring regions.
The letter highlighted the destruction caused by Israel’s offensive on Gaza. Israel’s air and ground strikes on Gaza have reportedly killed over 40,000 people, including 16,500 children.
The students and faculty also pointed out that Israel has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, including universities and healthcare facilities, leading to a resurgence of diseases like polio. They cited the International Court of Justice’s July ruling, which deemed Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal under international law, and the recent United Nations General Assembly resolution demanding the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Palestinian territories within 12 months.
The letter urged IISc not to host discussions related to defense and cybersecurity, expressing concern that these areas of collaboration would further legitimize Israel's actions.
The signatories concluded by calling on the institution to withdraw its support for the event and avoid serving as a platform for what they termed "genocide and colonialism."
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Hemant Soren to take oath as 14th CM of Jharkhand on Thursday
Ranchi (PTI): Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand in a grand ceremony here on Thursday, which will be attended by several top political leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren at 4 pm.
This will be the 49-year-old JMM leader's fourth stint as chief minister.
Soren retained the Barhait seat, defeating BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes in the recent assembly polls. The JMM-led alliance stormed to victory, securing 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, while the BJP-led NDA managed 24 seats.
Posters for the event can be seen across the city, while security has been strengthened and traffic regulations put in place.
Schools in Ranchi city are shut on Thursday in view of the swearing in of the Hemant Soren government.
Jharkhand in-charge and Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said Soren is likely to take oath alone, and expansion of the cabinet will be held after a vote of confidence in the assembly.
Other senior political leaders likely to be in attendance are NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a JMM leader said.
CPI(ML)L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav are also likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony.
"It’s heartening to have such esteemed leaders join us for this important occasion," said Soren, who along with senior officials paid a visit to the Morabadi ground on Wednesday evening to take stock of the arrangements.
