Delhi violence: UN chief ‘saddened’ , Bernie Sanders slams Trump for not calling out India on CAA
The death toll from days of horrific rioting in Northeast Delhi rose to 28 on Thursday morning, with scores more injured. Areas affected include Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Shiv Vihar and Chand Bagh. The Delhi Police has been accused of not doing enough to contain the violence; former Union Minister P Chidambaram says it has been a “colossal failure”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the public to “maintain peace and brotherhood”. Stay tuned to this live blog for the latest updates.
UN chief ‘saddened’ by Delhi violence
UN Secretary General António Guterres is “very saddened by the reports of casualties following the protests in Delhi”, his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said. “As he has done in similar circumstances, he calls for maximum restraint and for violence to be avoided.”
UdayakumarUSCIRF slams Delhi violence; Sanders blasts Trump
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has decried the “brutal and unchecked” violence in Delhi and called on the Indian government to “take swift action to ensure the safety of all of its citizens.”
“Instead, reports are mounting that the Delhi police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens,” USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said.
The US House Foreign Committee said it was “deeply troubled” by the death toll. “The right to protest is a key aspect in democracy, but they must remain peaceful and police must ensure the safety of all.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic frontrunner in the US presidential race attacked President Donald Trump for not criticising his Indian hosts over the riots that rocked Delhi during his visit.
“Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more,” Senator Bernie Sanders said on Twitter. “Trump responds by saying, ‘That’s up to India.’ This is a failure of leadership on human rights.”
