Rush Hour: Delhi to drop protest FIRs, bill criminalising insults to Vande Mataram passed & more

The Delhi government stated that it would not take action against participants in the youth-led protests that demanded that Dharmendra Pradhan resign as the Union education minister. However, it stated that this protection would not be extended to those with “criminal antecedents”.

The Home Department said that 13 cases had been registered by Delhi Police in connection with the protests in the capital as of 6 pm on Wednesday.

In cases where arrests or detentions had already been made, the review process for releasing those arrested will be carried out expeditiously, the Delhi government said. The home department also said does not propose to take further action against those involved in the protests.

The cases relate to the violence that broke out during the Cockroach Janta Party’s planned march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the authorities to proceed with investigations in cases that have already been registered. However, it directed that no coercive action should be taken against minors and protesting students, provided they did not have any criminal antecedents. Read on.

The Lok Sabha passed a bill criminalising insults to the national song, Vande Mataram, a day after the Rajya Sabha passed the legislation. The bill will now be sent for presidential assent, after which...

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