Washington, July 4 : US President Donald Trump's administration has rescinded seven Obama-era policy guidelines that called on universities to consider race as a factor in diversifying their campuses.
In a joint letter, the Education and Justice Departments said on Tuesday that the guidelines "advocate policy preferences and positions beyond the requirements of the Constitution", reports The New York Times.
"The executive branch cannot circumvent Congress or the courts by creating guidance that goes beyond the law and, in some instances, stays on the books for decades," said Devin M. O'Malley, a Justice Department spokesman.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos wrote in a separate statement: "The Supreme Court has determined what affirmative action policies are constitutional, and the court's written decisions are the best guide for navigating this complex issue.
"Schools should continue to offer equal opportunities for all students while abiding by the law."
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the guidelines, published by former President Barack Obama's administration between 2009 and 2016, were "unnecessary, outdated, inconsistent with existing law, or otherwise improper", reports Efe news.
He said his decision was based on an executive order that Trump signed in February 2017 and which required the creation of committees within government agencies to identify, revoke or modify regulations they considered unnecessary.
The Supreme Court ruled in favour of affirmative action in 2016, but it has been a controversial issue in the United States for decades.
The Trump administration's move comes a few months before a court is expected to rule in October on a highly anticipated case which is pitting the Harvard University against Asian-American students.
The students have accused Harvard of systematically excluded some Asian-American applicants to maintain slots for students of other races.
Democrats and civil rights organisations denounced the administration's decisions.
Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader, said the "rollback of vital affirmative action guidance offends our nation's values" and called it "yet another clear Trump administration attack on communities of colour".
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New Delhi: Just hours after agreeing to a full ceasefire, Pakistan has reportedly violated the peace deal with fresh shelling and air raids in several Indian border districts, including Barmer in Rajasthan and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, reported Hindustan Times.
The ceasefire had been announced on Saturday by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that the agreement between India and Pakistan was mediated by the United States.
The ceasefire were confirmed by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Both countries had agreed to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea, on Saturday evening.
However, India clarified that the Indus Waters Treaty would remain suspended and that the existing visa ban on Pakistani nationals would continue.
In a joint press briefing held by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, Air Commodore Raghu Nair stated that despite the ceasefire agreement, India remained fully prepared to defend its sovereignty.
According to Hindustan Times, following Pakistan's renewed shelling, multiple explosions were reported across Srinagar and other border areas. Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, expressed shock at the violation, which came so soon after the peace accord.
Emergency blackouts will be reportedly enforced in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur and Ferozepur districts. The blackouts, which had earlier been cancelled following the peace announcement, were reinstated after Pakistan resumed attacks.