Morning Digest: Russia grants asylum to Syria’s ousted President Assad and his family; India will run as per wishes of its majority, says Allahabad HC judge at VHP event, and more

Mon Dec 09 01:26:00 UTC 2024: ## Assad Granted Asylum in Russia After Syrian Uprising

**New Delhi, India – December 9, 2024** – Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly sought and been granted asylum in Russia, according to Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA. The agencies cited unnamed Kremlin sources, who also stated that Moscow received security guarantees for its military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria from insurgent groups. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Damascus remains operational, with officials confirming the safety of Indian nationals in the country and offering assistance.

The fall of Assad’s government on December 8th, 2024, following a militant uprising, has dominated international headlines. Celebrations erupted among Syrian-Americans in the U.S. following the news.

Domestically, India’s political landscape remains active. Allahabad High Court Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav commented on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that Hindus only seek respect for their culture, not adherence from Muslims, and criticizing practices such as polygamy and triple talaq. Uttar Pradesh’s ban on government employee protests under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for six months drew criticism from Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who viewed it as a reflection of the government’s unpopularity. The Congress party in Manipur plans to proceed with a protest in Delhi on December 9th against the BJP-led government despite any potential lack of official permission.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed India’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, highlighting concerns about the relationship, or lack thereof, between Iran and Israel, and the need to mitigate security risks in the Red Sea region, indirectly referring to Houthi attacks on commercial ships.

Other news includes the ongoing legal battle regarding the Places of Worship Act, spurred by observations made in the 2019 Supreme Court Ram Janmabhoomi judgment, and the Centre’s push for states to implement a comprehensive menstrual hygiene policy for school girls following a Supreme Court directive.