FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Finger on the button Fear grips Brown University after shooter kills 2 and wounds 9 Page 6 Page 9 NATION Kerala Governor: Courts cannot appoint VCs Page 4 12 killed in terror attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach AGENCIES PM Modi condemns Bondi Beach attack Sydney, 14 December T wo gunmen shot dead at least 12 people on Sunday during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian authorities said, declaring it a terrorist attack. One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second arrested. The suspect was in critical condition, authorities said. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located. The massacre followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled Australia over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those episodes and Sunday’s mass shooting were connected. They said one of the gunmen was known to the security services. “This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” the state’s Premier Chris Minns said. The massacre was declared a terrorist attack due to the event targeted and weapons used, Mr Lanyon said. Hundreds had gathered for the gathering at Bondi Beach called Chanukah by the Sea, which was celebrating the start of the Hanukkah Jewish festival. Chabad identified one of the dead as Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the event, who has worked in the Bondi area for more than 18 years. Chabad is an Orthodox Jewish movement that is known for its outreach to non-religious Jews. It runs scores of centres around the world that are popular with Jewish travellers and often sponsors large public events during major Jewish holidays. Dramatic footage apparently filmed by a member of the public and broadcast on Australian television channels showed someone appearing to tackle and disarm one of the gunmen, before pointing the man’s weapon at him. Rahul Gandhi vows action against ECI, Cong targets ‘Vote Theft’ at Ramlila Maidan rally STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 December Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday spearheaded the party’s aggressive stance against what it alleges is democratic subversion, vowing legislative action against the Election Commission of India at the massive Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod rally at Ramlila Maidan. In a blistering attack on the BJP-led government and the poll body, Mr Gandhi said that a future Congress government would amend the new law that he claims grants immunity to the Election Commission and would take action against election commissioners “if required.” He alleged that the ECI was operating “in tandem with the BJP government” in what he described as a battle between “truth and untruth.” Concluding his address, Mr Gandhi declared: “It may take time, but truth will ultimately win. We will work with truth and non-violence to defeat Modi and Shah,” while cautioning the poll body to be the country’s ECI, “not Modi’s ECI.” The rally, attended by thousands of party workers and leaders, saw the Congress leadership intensify its campaign against what it described as the systematic weakening of democratic institutions and electoral processes. Party leader Priyanka Gandhi further sharpened the attack on the ECI, stating that: “every Monday, 15 December 2025 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL PAGE | step of the poll process arouses suspicion.” She specifically named Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, demanding that they explain how they had “conspired” to take away people’s voting rights. Challenging the BJP to “contest elections on ballot paper,” she claimed the party “knows it will never win” and accused the ECI of “shutting its eyes to ` 10,000 being paid during the election process.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a fiery speech, labelling BJP leaders as gaddars (traitors) and dramebaaz (drama artists)” who must be removed. He alleged that the BJP had stolen “our Vande Mataram” and accused the RSS ideology of being “harmful” and capable of “finishing the nation.” Mr Kharge also revealed a personal sacrifice, stating that he chose to attend the rally instead of being present for his son’s operation, underscoring his commitment to “saving 140 crore people.” He also congratulated the party leadership in Kerala for “crushing the NDA” in recent local body elections. Senior party leader Sachin Pilot alleged that the Modi government had been actively “hollowing out institutions” over the past 11 years and called for an impartial election structure, raising questions over the ECI’s neutrality. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday strongly condemned the “ghastly terrorist attack” that targeted people celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney. “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones,” Mr Modi wrote on X. The PM said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Australia, reiterating the country’s stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism. Hardik becomes third Indian to get 100 T20I wickets; India win 3rd T20I Page 12 Bihar minister Nitin Nabin is BJP national working president STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 14 December Keeping up its reputation for springing surprises, the BJP on Sunday appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as the party’s national working president with “immediate effect”. “The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Shri Nitin Nabin, Minister, Government of Bihar, as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The appointment comes into immediate effect,” the official order said, putting at rest speculations going on for months now regarding possible successors of current party president JP Nadda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nabin over his appointment. “Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people’s aspirations. He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our Party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP National Working President," the PM said in a social media post. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated Mr Nabin on his appointment, terming it an honour for every young BJP worker “who works tirelessly day and night” Sources said Mr Nabin has been entrusted with the major responsibility keeping in mind his “organisational experience, strong grassroots presence in Bihar, proven track record as a youth leader, ability to deliver and dedicated party leader and state minister.” Mr Nabin played a key role in the NDA’s strong performance in the recently-concluded Bihar elections. Mr Nabin, 45, will function as the working president until the full election to appoint the next full-term BJP chief is formally held. Till then, Mr Nadda will continue in the post. Incidentally, Mr Nadda was also initially made the party’s working president before his appointment as the full-time chief. The general convention has been that the working president eventually becomes the party president. Once formally elected, Mr Nabin will be the youngest BJP president. Considered close to both the RSS and the BJP’s top leadership, Mr Nabin is a multiple-term MLA from Bankipur. He was recently inducted into the Bihar Cabinet as minister for road construction. India rejects Dhaka’s charges after its envoy is summoned to Foreign Office STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE THE BANGLADESH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS EARLIER ON SUNDAY SUMMONED INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER PRANAY VERMA TO CONVEY DHAKA’S STRONG CONCERNS OVER INDIA ALLOWING OUSTED PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINA TO CONTINUE MAKING ‘INCENDIARY’ STATESMENTS FROM INDIAN SOIL, CLAIMING THAT SHE HAS BEEN ASKING HER SUPPORTERS TO ENGAGE IN TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. New Delhi, 14 December New Delhi on Sunday categorically rejected the Interim Government’s claim that “fugitive” Awami League members currently based in India were indulging in “anti-Bangladesh activities”, including planning, organising and facilitating terrorist acts inside the neighbouring country with the objective of disrupting the forthcoming elections. “We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere. India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. The MEA said India expected that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections. Earlier today, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Dhaka’s strong concerns over India allowing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to continue making “incendiary” statements from Indian soil. In a statement issued later, the ministry said that Sheikh Hasina, a fugitive, has been calling on her supporters to engage in terrorist activities aimed at destabilising the country and derailing the upcoming parliamentary elections. The ministry reiterated its demand for the immediate extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal so they can face sentences already handed down by Bangladesh’s judicial authorities. The ministry also drew the Indian envoy’s attention to “anti-Bangladesh activities” by fugitive Awami League members currently based in India. These activities, the statement said, include planning, organising and facilitating terrorist acts inside Bangladesh with the objective of disrupting the forthcoming elections. “The Indian government was called upon to expeditiously act to end the criminal actions by these fascist terrorists and extradite them to Bangladesh as soon as possible,” the statement said. Celebrity match, football clinic and meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Messi's Delhi leg itinerary AGENCIES New Delhi, 14 December Legends Unite Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar presents his signed jersey to Argentine footballer Lionel Messi at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Sunday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, footballers Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul are also present. AGENCIES Footballing icon Lionel Messi has a busy itinerary when his GOAT Tour comes to New Delhi on Monday, which is the fourth and final leg of his visit to India after stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Messi's itinerary in the Indian capital consists of an exhibition game, a stage event, a football clinic for children and several high-profile private meetings. All events will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The programme will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with a celebrity football match planned at 2:50 p.m. Messi is expected to participate in the celebrity match at 3:30 p.m. and a football clinic for 30 children at 3:45 p.m. A stage ceremony is scheduled for 4.20 p.m, which will also feature the GOAT Cup exhibition match. Among those attending this event will be cricket icon Virat Kohli. Later in the day, Messi is expected to attend a private meet-and-greet at around 4.30 p.m. According to the tentative agenda, the first meeting will include Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the second interaction is expected with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief Justice of India, underscoring the highprofile nature of the visit. Earlier, Messi left fans, celebrities mesmerised during his Mumbai stopover, In one Messi-merising hour spent at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Messi interacted with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former India football captain Sunil Chhetri, film stars, celebrities and politicians. Messi also took a lap of the stadium, kicking footballs into the crowd to carry home as mementoes of his visit. Suarez and Rodrigo joined him. Messi also kicked a ball with school kids from the Maharashtra government’s Maha-deva grassroots football project and also interacted with them.