HT Evening Brief Sept 19: ABVP Sweeps DUSU Polls, Asian Games Open in Japan

HT Evening Brief: Top News Updates from September 19

New Delhi: Saturday, September 19, brought a series of significant developments across Indian politics, education, sports, entertainment and international affairs. From the Delhi University Students' Union election results to the opening of the Asian Games in Japan, here are the key stories of the day.

ABVP Wins Three DUSU Posts

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) secured three of the four central posts in the Delhi University Students' Union elections.

ABVP's Yash Dabas was elected DUSU president with 24,576 votes, defeating NSUI candidate Vijay Shankar Meena, who received 22,523 votes. ABVP also won the secretary and joint secretary posts.

The Vice President position, however, went to independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, a former NSUI member. The results came after 20 rounds of counting, with overall voter turnout recorded at 40.46%.

The presidential contest remained closely watched during counting, with leads changing between candidates before the final result was declared.

Asian Games Officially Open in Japan

The 20th Asian Games officially began in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday after a colourful opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito formally declared the Games open. The ceremony combined Japanese cultural performances with technology and music under the theme “Harmonic Heart Beat.” Around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories are participating across 43 sports.

India's contingent was led during the Parade of Nations by Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat. Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as the second flag-bearer following a late change.

Competition had already begun in some disciplines, including women's cricket, soft tennis and teqball, before the formal opening ceremony.

West Bengal Bypoll Drama

West Bengal witnessed fresh political activity ahead of the upcoming bypolls. In Rejinagar, Trinamool Congress candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury announced his withdrawal from the contest before reversing the decision less than two hours later, according to the evening briefing.

The development came amid wider political activity around the state's bypoll contests.

IIT Bombay Faces FIR After Student's Death

An FIR was registered against IIT Bombay following the death by suicide of a student who had reportedly been questioned over the use of a mobile phone during an examination.

The case has brought renewed attention to academic pressure, institutional procedures and the circumstances surrounding the student's death. The FIR represents the beginning of a legal investigation, and allegations against any individual or institution remain subject to the outcome of that process.

ICC Looks to China for Cricket's Expansion

The International Cricket Council is examining China as a potential growth market for cricket, as the sport seeks to expand beyond its traditional strongholds.

China has relatively limited cricket participation compared with established cricket-playing nations, but its large population and wider sporting economy make the country a potentially significant market for the sport's administrators.

Vijay Sethupathi Clarifies Vijay Remarks

Actor Vijay Sethupathi addressed recent speculation surrounding comments he made on Bigg Boss Tamil 10.

Social media users had interpreted remarks as a possible reference to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor C. Joseph Vijay. At the audio launch of his upcoming film Baththa, Sethupathi spoke positively about Vijay and his son Jason Sanjay and clarified the context of his earlier comments.

A Day Marked by Politics, Sport and Major Developments

From the DUSU election results in Delhi to the opening of the Asian Games in Nagoya, September 19 saw major developments across several sectors.

The evening's biggest national stories included the DUSU results and political developments in West Bengal, while internationally, the formal opening of the Asian Games put the focus on India's athletes and the wider Asian sporting community.