In a surge of pro-Palestine fervor, US universities on wednesday, reported disruption at four schools spanning Massachusetts, California, Texas, and New York.

At the University of Southern California (USC), Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), and Columbia University, discord unfolded amid divergent reactions to ongoing Israeli military actions in the Middle East.

Law enforcement intervened at USC, leading to the arrest of several protesters as tensions soared and USC DSP officers were called upon to restore order.

The US universities protests reflect widespread discontent with government policies and authorities amidst the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. Students have mobilized, turning their campuses into focal points for demanding accountability and an end to violence in Gaza. But what ignited this sudden wave of unrest?

Start of protests from Columbia University

Columbia University emerged as the epicenter of the nationwide protests, following its decision to involve the New York Police Department in dispersing pro-Palestinian demonstrators, triggering a chain reaction of intense demonstrations.

The turmoil at Columbia began with the arrest of 108 demonstrators, including Isra Hirsi, daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, prompting solidarity protests from institutions such as New York University, Yale University, and beyond.

The genesis of the protests can be traced back to April 17, when Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik faced scrutiny over on-campus anti-Semitism during a congressional hearing. The subsequent police intervention escalated tensions, prompting students like Rachel, a Columbia student, to join the demonstrations, citing a growing sense of suppression and censorship.

The pro-Palestinian protests, advocating for divestment from Israeli companies and expressing solidarity with Palestinians, have resonated nationwide. Organizers view the protests as effective in urging administrations to consider divestment from Israel, despite facing pushback from conservative politicians advocating for a crackdown on demonstrators.

In a damning revelation, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has exposed Pakistan Army’s exploitation of resources in the uphills of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, depriving local inhabitants of their rightful ownership.

The latest tweet by PTM unveils a video from the resource-rich Tirah Maidan region, depicting mining and excavation activities being carried out under the guise of security measures.

“See how rare earth metals/gemstones are being extracted in Tirah Maidan district Khyber by ‘Security Czars’ in the name of security. While Tirah valley is a ‘no-go zone’ for locals. Almost one native is daily killed in Tirah in the name of security,” posted PTM.

Tirah Maidan remains inaccessible to the local populace, with Pakistan Army citing safety concerns due to its proximity to the Afghanistan border. However, PTM asserts that this restriction serves to conceal the Army’s exploitation rather than ensuring security.

Recent events further corroborate PTM’s claims, as Pakistan Army’s mortar shelling in Tirah Maidan claimed the lives of at least four innocent civilians, including two children. Pakistan attributed the deaths to a landmine explosion, allegedly planted to curb infiltration from Pakistan. However, PTM later exposed this manipulation and the true death toll.Pakistan Army’s tactics of deception continue to come under scrutiny, with local organizations like PTM striving to counter their narrative. As each instance of exploitation comes to light, Pakistan’s ulterior motives are laid bare for all to see.

Late on Sunday night, an attack on US military bases in Syria, allegedly carried out from Iraq, has heightened tensions in the region. Five rockets were fired at an American military base situated in the Nineveh province.

The attack on US military base was reportedly aimed at deterring U.S. forces from Iraq. The rockets were launched from a small truck in the Jummar area of Syria, near the Iraqi border.

According to reports, the attack was orchestrated by the Kataib Hezbollah group, backed by Iran in Iraq, which seeks to expel American forces from the region. This incident follows recent airstrikes by Israel and Iran in Syria, further exacerbating the already volatile situation in the Middle East.

The U.S. has yet to respond to the attack, but analysts fear that any retaliation could escalate tensions between Iran and western countries, leading to further instability in Iraq and Syria.

On 21 April, the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) solemnly commemorated the National Martyrs at various press clubs across Pak occupied Sindh, including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Kotri, Thariri Mohobat, and Tando Mohammad Khan. Leaders and members of JSFM gathered to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by martyrs in the struggle for the establishment of a Free Sindhudesh homeland and liberation from colonial Pakistan.

Chairman Sohail Abro, Vice Chairman Zubair Sindhi, Secretary General Amar Azadi, along with other leaders such as Farhan Sindhi, Hafeez Deshi, Murk Sindhu, and Hosho Sindhi, lighted candles before the pictures of the martyrs, honouring their courage and dedication to the cause of freedom. They emphasized the enduring presence of these martyrs in the annals of history as symbols of national liberation.

In a tradition observed annually in April, JSFM members in more than twenty cities in Sindh paid homage to martyrs who embraced martyrdom for the homeland. Among those remembered were Shaheed Martyr Maharaja Dahir, Shaheed Martyr Bashir Khan Qureshi, Shaheed Martyr Shafi Muhammad Karnani, Shaheed Martyr Sirai Qurban Khuwahar, Shaheed Martyr Rooplo Cholyani, Shaheed Martyr Moor Allah Tunio, Shaheed Martyr Amir Khuwahar, and Shaheed Martyr Sajjad Markhand.

During the commemorative events, JSFM members lit candles before the portraits of the martyrs, sang the national anthem, and fervently chanted national slogans, reaffirming their commitment to the ideals of freedom and justice for the people of Sindh.

Britain’s parliament has approved Rawanda bill, a law allowing the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda while their applications are being processed. The legislation, spearheaded by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to tackle illegal immigration and disrupt the operations of human smugglers, but it has ignited fierce debate and drawn criticism from various quarters.

Prime Minister Sunak expressed determination to proceed with deportation flights to Rwanda following the passage of the migration legislation, hailing it as a pivotal moment in global migration policy. However, the United Nations has urged Britain to reconsider its plans, cautioning that the deportation scheme could undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent worldwide.

“The passing of this landmark legislation is not just a step forward but a fundamental change in the global equation on migration,” Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

Initial setbacks

The proposal to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced legal challenges and public outcry since it was initially introduced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022. Despite the Supreme Court declaring the policy unlawful last November, Sunak is pushing forward with the new legislation in hopes of circumventing legal obstacles and fulfilling his pledge to curb illegal immigration via small boats crossing the English Channel.

Under the Rwanda plan, individuals who arrived in Britain illegally after January 1, 2022, would be subject to deportation to Rwanda. However, the scheme faced setbacks, including a blocked deportation flight in June 2022 and subsequent legal challenges citing concerns about the safety and human rights of migrants.

New treaty

To address these concerns, Prime Minister Sunak negotiated a new treaty with Rwanda, stipulating that deported individuals would only be returned to Britain, rather than risk mistreatment in other countries. Once the bill becomes law, the government plans to detain asylum seekers, a move likely to spark further legal battles from advocacy groups and unions questioning Rwanda’s suitability as a safe destination.

The deportation plan comes amid ongoing migration challenges, with thousands of migrants undertaking perilous journeys to reach Britain, fleeing conflict and poverty in regions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Sunak has made tackling illegal immigration a priority, aiming to clear a backlog of asylum claims and stem the flow of migrants arriving via the English Channel.

While the new legislation represents a significant development in Britain’s immigration policy, it remains a subject of intense scrutiny and debate, with critics raising concerns about the rights and welfare of asylum seekers and the implications of outsourcing immigration control to foreign nations. As the deportation scheme moves forward, its impact on the broader landscape of migration policy and human rights will continue to be closely monitored.