THURSDAY BANGLADESH COURT HANDS SIX-MONTH JAIL TERM TO EX-PM SHEIKH HASINA 03 JULY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard IRAN SNAPS TIES WITH UN NUKE WATCHDOG The International Crimes Tribunal, where Hasina is facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity, on Monday sentenced her in a contempt case FIRST SENTENCE SINCE HER EXILE IN AUG 2024 Iran’s president on Wednesday ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the IAEA after US and Israeli airstrikes hit its nuclear facilities. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  It marks the first time that 77-year-old Hasina has been sentenced in any case since she fled to India following a student-led uprising in August last year. The sentence, delivered in her absence, will come into effect from the day of her arrest or surrender before the court, chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters after the verdict was handed down | P7 PAGES 12 Institution of Dalai Lama will go on China fumes as incumbent says the Gaden Phodrang Trust alone has the authority to recognise his reincarnation H A R P R E E T B A J W A & J AYA N T H J A C O B @ Chandigarh/New Delhi RIJIJU, TWO CMs TO ATTEND B’DAY EVENT Union minister Kiren Rijiju, CMs Pema Khandu and Prem Singh Tamang and Karnataka minister Gangadharaia are expected to attend the 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama on July 6 at Dharamshala IN a landmark announcement just days ahead of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama on Wednesday formally announced that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, ending years of speculation over the future of Tibetan Buddhism’s highest spiritual seat. The decision, however, drew sharp criticism from China, which insists it holds authority over any future reincarnation. “I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the exiled Tibetan leader declared in a statement posted on social media and his official website. He emphasised that only his personal institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, has the authority to identify and recognise his reincarnation, warning that no outside entity, including governments, has any right to interfere in the sacred process. “I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” The Chinese government condemned the announcement, reiterating its long-standing claim to control the selection of Tibetan spiritual leaders, a stance that triggered international criticism for politicising religion. “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn and approved by the central government,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing. She cited ‘JANAKI’ ROW OPEN ENTRY REGARDLESS OF PERFORMANCE HC will watch Gopi film facing CBFC objection E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ Kochi THE Kerala High Court on Wednesday decided to watch ‘Janaki vs State of Kerala,’ starring Union minister Suresh Gopi, at 10 am on July 5. “Considering the allegations in the writ petitions, I believe it is appropriate to view the movie before making any final decisions. The petitioner is directed to arrange a screening in an appropriate studio at 10 am on Saturday,” said Justice N Nagaresh. The HC said it would close the case on July 9. It stated that the representative of each party—the petitioner and the Board, or their counsel can be present during the screening. The order was issued on a petition filed by Cosmos Entertainments, Tamil Nadu, the producer of the film, seeking a directive to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a censor certificate. Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing CBFC, stated that there were allegations in a new petition filed by filmmakers challenging the revising panel’s decision to remove the name ‘Janaki’ from the film’s title and dialogues. Therefore, he sought time to file a counter-affidavit. The petitioner’s counsel opposed it, arguing it was a delay tactic. The Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation. No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter GERE ARRIVES, US MAY SEND DIPLOMAT Hollywood veteran Richard Gere is already in McLeodganj along with his son Homer James Jigme Gere. The US is likely to be represented by Bethany Poulos Morrison, Dy Assistant Secretary in the State Department — DALAI LAMA Screengrab of the 14th Dalai Lama announcing that the institution will continue | PTI a Qing dynasty-era method to justify Beijing’s authority over reincarnations. Mao said China permits religious freedom but within limits defined by the state. “The survival and development of any religion lies in adapting to the country’s social environment and cultural traditions,” she said, defending China’s efforts to align religious practices with its governance model. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and continues to PROGRAMME DU COLLEGE CATEGORY ROUND-1 ROUND-2 MA Persian Department of Persian C1 UR -19 23 Msc Chemistry Hansraj College Dept of Buddhist Studies Dept of commerce C2 SC C1 UR C1 PWD -3 - -10 -10 - 0 MA Buddhist Studies MA Commerce Scored zero or even negative? You can still make it to PG courses I F R A H M U F T I & I PS H I TA S H U K L A @ New Delhi TO combat the declining enrollment, the Delhi University has opened its postgraduate doors to candidates with zero and even negative marks in its entrance exam for the first time. Official data from the 2025 admissions cycle reveal a startling dip in cut-offs across several PG courses, including flagship programmes like MA, MSc, and MCom. Once fiercely competitive, these courses are now admitting students with scores as low as -3, as seen in Hansraj College’s MSc Chemistry cutoff for the C2-SC category . MA Persian (UR category) recorded a cut-off of -19, later raising it to 23 in round two. MA Buddhist Studies maintained a cut-off of -10 across both rounds. Similarly, MA Russian and MA Commerce (PWD category) had zero cutoffs, indicating open entry regardless of performance. Dr Vikas Gupta, Registrar Delhi University, claimed that the data pertains to the SC/ST category alone. He said, “The data where the cut-offs have gone in negatives is for the SC/ ST category “We are just trying . to fill the seats, considering the fact that the students are meeting the criteria. It didn’t happen in the past two CUET exams, but this time, it did. There is no reason. The SC/ST students must have gone somewhere else, and CUET is just a screening,” Gupta said. However, the data collected from the Delhi University’s official website indicates that there are a lot of courses where the cut-off went into negative numbers for the unreserved category too. The MA Persian department admitted students in the unreserved category with a cut-off -19 marks in round 1, then the MA Buddhist Studies department also set its un reserved cut-off at -10. General secretary of Democratic Teachers Front Abha Dev Habib said, “The admission standards undermine the credibility of the institution.” reject his spiritual and political influence, especially in regions like Tibet and parts of the Himalayan belt where devotion to him is deep-rooted. In contrast to China’s rebuke, the Dalai Lama’s reaffirmation was welcomed by Tibetan groups and Buddhist communities across Asia. The spiritual leader revealed that his decision following 14 years of consistent appeals from religious leaders, civil organisations, and Tibetan communi- ties inside and outside Tibet. “Leaders of Tibet’s spiritual traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, participants in a Special General Body Meeting, members of the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, Buddhists from the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buddhists of the Russian Federation, and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China, have written to me… earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue,” he said. Importantly the Dalai Lama , noted that Tibetans inside China — despite state surveillance — had conveyed their support through informal channels. The Dalai Lama had first broached the question of his succession in 1969, stating that the future of his lineage should be decided by the Tibetan people. In 2011, he promised to revisit the issue around his 90th birthday With this week’s state. ment, that moment has come — and brought clarity . The Gaden Phodrang Trust will oversee the reincarnation search process, in consultation with the heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and spiritual protectors linked to the Dalai Lama’s lineage. P8 Quad raps Pahalgam terrorist attack, but does not name Pak EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi THE foreign ministers of the Quad countries, India, the US, Japan, and Australia, strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. In a joint statement issued after their meeting in Washington, the ministers called for the “perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay .” While the statement urged all UN member states to cooperate under international law with efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible, it notably stopped short of naming Pakistan, which India holds responsible for cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack. From India’s perspective, the explicit mention of the Pahalgam attack is significant. “We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all their @ Nandi Hills/Bengaluru CHIEF Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that his government will be in power solidly as a rock and he will remain as chief minister for the full five-year term. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is expected to take charge from Siddaramaiah once the Congress government reaches half of its term in No- vember, said he has no option but to support the chief minister because of the decision of the party high command. “Yes, I will only be CM (for five years). Why do you people (media) suspect it? Is BJP or JDS our high command? Just because BJP leaders said can you write like that (that CM will be changed)? Should you not verify and write what I say ,” he told mediapersons. In response, Shivakumar said, “What options do I have? I have to stand by him and support him. I have no objection to him. We will fulfill whatever The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative aims to strengthen economic security by collaborating on securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains forms, including cross-border terrorism,” the statement read. Cross-border terror for India denotes the terrorism directed against it from Pakistan. Beyond terrorism, the joint statement highlighted concerns over security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. While avoiding direct reference to China, the ministers condemned the “dangerous and provocative actions” in the South and East China Seas. The ministers also announced the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, plans for the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise, and the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, which is slated to be inaugurated in Mumbai later this year. P8 SBI flags Anil Ambani-led RCom loan as fraud B E N N K O C H U V E E D A N @ Mumbai The country’s largest bank, State Bank of India, has classified the loan account of beleaguered Reliance Communications (RCom), under bankruptcy since June 2019, as a ‘fraud’ account, and reported the name of its erstwhile promoter and director Anil Ambani to the Reserve Bank of India. According to SBI, RCom used `12,692.31 crore, 41% of the total loan, to pay connected parties through a web of interg ro u p t r a n s a c t i o n s. T h e company owed `31,580 crore to banks, SBI said in its letter. In an exchange filing on MOVE FLOUTED DIRECTIONS OF SUPREME COURT, RBI: RCOM RCom said it will seek legal, remedial measures, arguing that SBI did not properly hear its side of the story as required by the Supreme Court and did not follow RBI norms on classifying a loan account as fraud Wednesday, RCom confirmed receipt of the letter from SBI, dated June 23. The firm asserted its right to seek remedial and legal measures, arguing that the bank did not properly hear its case as required by the Supreme Court and did not follow RBI norms on classifying a loan account as fraud. In a March 28, 2023 order, the SC directed banks to provide borrowers with a personal hearing before classifying their loan accounts as fraudulent, citing the principles of natural justice. The court noted that classifying a loan account as fraud has severe implications for borrowers, including potential crimi- DON FOR 500% TARIFFS ON RUSSIA’S PARTNERS J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi GILL BILL Shubman Gill scores a century against England in the second Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday | AFP | P11 IN a development that could possibly reshape US foreign trade policy and geopolitical alliances, President Donald Trump has backed a Senate bill proposing a sweeping 500% tariff on countries keeping economic ties with Russia. The legislation, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act, aims to economically isolate Moscow by penalising third-party nations, including India and China, which continue to import vast quantities of Russian oil. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who introduced the bill earlier this year, confirmed Trump’s support during an interview on ABC News. “If you’re buying prodDonald Trump ucts from Russia and you’re not helping Ukraine, then there’s a 500 percent tariff on your products coming into the United States,” Graham said. “India and China buy 70% of Putin’s oil. They keep his war machine going.” If enacted into law, the proposed tariffs would directly hit India and China, the largest buyers of Russian crude. Siddu asserts he’ll be K’taka CM for 5 years, DKS says he has no option D E VA R A J B H I R E H A L L I Mineral supply chains the high command tells.” After the cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills on Wednesday Shi, vakumar addressed a joint press conference with Siddaramaiah. Just before leaving Nandi Hills, too, he told reporters that he will abide by the party high command’s decision. “I have to go by my party my , party is important, my leadership is important. Our aim is to bring back the party to power in 2028,” he said. With this, both leaders seem to have put an end to speculation over the change in chief minister’s post in November when Siddaramaiah completes two-and-a-half years in office. Their statements assume significance coming on the back of AICC general secretary Kar, nataka in-charge, Randeep Singh Surjewala, meeting party MLAs to assess their mood. Most MLAs who met Surjewala, except Ramanagara legis- lator Iqbal Hussain, said that there is no change in the government. At Nandi Hills, Siddaramaiah was exuberant. He chastised Shivakumar for coming late to the cabinet meeting and missing the group photo session. His close confidant and Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa also said that Siddaramaiah would complete five years as CM as he was elected by the party MLAs. nal proceedings and restrictions on future borrowing. Following this, RBI issued revised guidelines to banks incorporating this ruling into its February 2016 guidelines. After SBI’s move, other banks with exposure to RCom are expected to follow suit. “We have taken cognizance of the responses to our showcause notice and... concluded that sufficient reasons have not been provided by the respondent to explain the non-adherence to the agreed terms and conditions of the loan documents,” SBI said in its June 25 letter, which RCom disclosed to exchanges on Wednesday . EXPRESS READ MONSOON Session to be held from July 21-Aug 21 The Monsoon session of Parliament will begin on July 21 and continue till August 21, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday. In view of the Independence Day, there will be no sittings on August 13 and 14. Earlier, the session was to conclude on August 12. MEA CONCERNED 3 Indian nationals abducted in Mali MEA on Wednesday confirmed the abduction of three Indians working at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali, following an armed attack on July 1. India has called on Malian authorities to take urgent steps to ensure their safety and speedy release. DOMICILE POLICY Police baton charge BPSC apirants Police resorted to baton charge to disperse a mob of Bihar Public Service Commission applications in Patna on Wednesday, who were demanding implementation of domicile policy in government jobs. Police also detained six protestors, including two women, who were released later.