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 LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Monday, 15 December 2025 SPORTS WORLD Page 6 Kerala Governor: Courts cannot appoint VCs Page 9 EDITORIAL PAGE India win 3rd T20I; Hardik becomes third Indian to get 100 T20I wickets Page 4 Finger on the button Fear grips Brown University after shooter kills 2 and wounds 9 Page 12 NATION 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. 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. Hundreds had gathered for the event at Bondi Beach called Chanukah by the Sea, which was celebrating the start of the Hanukkah Jewish festival. 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. The bystander is being hailed as a hero and credited with saving many lives. Police said their operation was ongoing and that a “number of suspicious items located in the vicinity” were being examined, including an improvised explosive device found in one of the suspect’s cars. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that he was “devastated” by the massacre. “This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” he said. 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 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. Bihar minister Nitin Nabin is BJP national working president VIBHA SHARMA 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 on 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 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 Meetings with PM Modi, CJI, COAS on Messi's Delhi itinerary AGENCIES New Delhi, 14 December 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 the public 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. According to the tentative agenda, Messi will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in the morning, and is also expected to meet with the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant and Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi. Earlier, Messi left fans, and celebrities mesmerised during his Mumbai stopover on the third leg of his GOAT Tour on Sunday. In one ‘Messi-merising hour. as it were, spent at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Messi interacted with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former India football captain Sunil Chhetri ~ to whom he presented his signed Argentina jersey ~ 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. Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez and Argentinian Rodrigo De Paul also joined him. Messi also kicked a ball with school kids from the Maharashtra government’s Maha-deva grassroots football project. 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,” the PM posted on social media. 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 Bihar elections. The 45-year-old will function as the working president until the election to appoint the next full-term BJP chief is formally held. Till then, Mr Nadda will continue in the post. The convention has been that the working president eventually becomes the party president. Once 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. Inheriting his political legacy from his father, Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, Mr Nabin has been active in student and state politics for close to two decades, being actively involved in various youth movements during his tenure in the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), of which he was national general secretary. The appointment signals the party’s confidence in Mr Nabin’s ability to shoulder national-level responsibilities, especially in view of the important Assembly elections lined up in 2026 ~ West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. 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 Judicial panel begins probe, organiser sent to police custody STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 14 December 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 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. A judicial committee headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray has begun its investigation into the large-scale chaos that broke out at Yuva Bharati Krirangan during Argentine football icon Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata. The panel, set up by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, inspected several parts of the stadium, including the field and gallery areas, as part of its fact-finding exercise. Emerging from the stadium after the inspection, Justice Ray said that the probe was still at a preliminary stage and cautioned against drawing conclusions. The inspection process was videographed, and officials said all evidence was being documented carefully. The inquiry was ordered following the chaos that unfolded on Saturday during Messi’s much-hyped appearance at Yuva Bharati. Following yesterday’s incident, police arrested the main orga-niser, Shatadru Dutta, from Kolkata airport. He was produced before a court on Sunday and remanded to 14 days of police custody. During the hearing, BJP workers staged a protest outside the court, shouting ‘chor, chor’. The situation briefly turned tense before the police dispersed the protesters. • Details on Page 3