Bid to block Teesta Setalvad’s speech on harmony at IISc Bangalore
Bengaluru: A talk by civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was facilitated by the institute's faculty on Wednesday, after reports of security personnel attempting to prevent her entry. The talk, organized by a students' group at IISc and titled "Communal Harmony and Justice," encountered obstacles hours before its scheduled 5pm start, as revealed by a faculty member.
Initially, security personnel stationed at the institute's gates refused entry to Teesta Setalvad. However, faculty members intervened, advocating for her entry. Despite the disallowed entry, Setalvad delivered her talk outside a campus canteen instead of the initially planned auditorium.
The event was attended by about 40 students and four faculty members, commencing around 5.45pm and extending until approximately 8pm, according to an anonymous faculty member. Discussions revolved around topics such as evolving riot patterns, the challenges harmony, scientific rationality pose to certain ideologies, and the utilization of social media for spreading hate, a faculty member who attended the event was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
One attendee, Parthanil Roy, a mathematician from another institution, emphasized the importance of free expression within academic institutions. Roy stated, "The discussions were engaging — our Constitution grants us the right to freedom of speech and expression. Academic institutions shouldn't be trying to stifle discussions."
The students' group, named "Break the Silence," had previously reached out to the IISc administration to seek permission for the talk. However, they received no response to their request. On the day of the event, a student was reportedly informed that the originally sought location for the talk could not be used.
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Fake currency notes with face value of Rs 2.99 lakh seized in Kolkata, one held
Kolkata (PTI): A 68-year-old man was arrested from Kolkata on Thursday morning after fake Indian currency notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 2.99 lakh were seized from his possession, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police apprehended the person from the Dharmatala bus stand area in the central part of the city, he said.
“Six bundles of FICN of Rs 500 denomination were seized from his possession. The person seems to be a member of a racket involved in fake currency note supply. A case has been filed against him and he will be produced in a local court later today,” he said.
The accused is a resident of Malda district, the officer said, adding that a probe into the matter is underway.
