31 July 2016

Evening NEWS DIGEST
26 July 2016: 20 Shawal 37:Vol:7, No:123
INDIA
Denied entry into temples, 250 Dalit families in TN threaten to convert to Islam
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Denied-entry-into-temples-250-Dalit-families-in-TN-threaten-to-convert-to-Islam/2016/07/26/article3547091.ece
Nagapattinam/ Karur : Alleging that they were denied entry into temples, around 250 Dalit families in Vedaranyam and Karur on Monday threatened to convert to Islam.While around 200 Dalit families of Pazhangallimedu in Kallimedu near Vedaranyam, claim they are being denied the right to conduct the temple festival, more than 35 Dalit families in Nagampalli near Malaikovilur in Karur allege that they have been barred from entering the Mahasakhthi Amman temple in their locality, which they claim was built using their contributions.In Pazhangallimedu, the bone of contention is the conduct of the annual Aadi festival of the HR&CE-run Bhadrakali Amman temple for which Caste-Hindus reportedly enjoy Mandagapadi rights. The Dalits claim that the temple was originally built in their locality and shifted to the current spot after floods several years ago.“Though we don’t have evidence to prove the earlier existence of the temple, we were told by our ancestors that the temple was in our area. Now, we want the Mandagapadi rights during one of the five days of the festival,” N Senthil, a functionary of a pro-Dalit political party, demanded.Further, the Dalits claim that members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath had met them as news spread about their decision to embrace Islam. Some right wing organisations too have reportedly contacted them and assured that they would find an amicable solution. newindianexpress
Banned From Temples, Dalits Decide To Lose Their Religion And Convert To Islam
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/banned-from-temples-dalits-decide-to-lose-their-religion-and-convert-to-islam-258992.html
No Temple Entry: 250 Dalit Families Threaten to Convert to Islam
http://www.thequint.com/hot-wire/2016/07/26/no-temple-entry-250-dalit-families-threaten-to-convert-to-islam
Irom Sharmila’s to end fast after 16 years  says ‘movement will continue with or without her’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/irom-sharmila-fast-manipur-elections-afspa-repeal-2937072/
In her 16 year of fasting, in a struggle to repeal the AFSPA, Manipur’s Iron Lady, the 44-year-old Irom Sharmila Chanu Tuesday announced that she will end her hunger strike on August 9. For sixteen long years Irom has lived under house arrest as an undertrial prisoner in room number one, reserved for VIPs, in the special ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences. She has been force fed through her nose the entire time. The Ryles tube through which she is force fed has over the years become a symbol of Manipur’s fight against AFSPA. Today, Irom startled Manipur and the rest of the world by announcing that she will give up her fast, get married, fight in the upcoming state assembly elections which are to be held early next year.Irom, who has been facing charges under section 309 IPC for attempting to commit suicide, addressed the media outside the Imphal court premises, explaining her decision to quit her fast.“Govt has not been listening to our voices and has been suppressing our movement,” she said. Irom said that she will be joining the political fray and contesting elections to “get our voices heard at the Centre”. She also indicated her desire to get married after her release. Activists now say that she is likely to contest as an independent candidate in the elections.indian express
Irom Sharmila to end fast after 16 years
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/irom-sharmila-to-break-fast/article8901738.ece?homepage=true
Zakir Naik's 'IRF' converted many Christians, Hindus to Islam? Zee news
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/zakir-naiks-irf-converted-many-christians-hindus-to-islam_1911666.html
Mumbai: Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation has converted around 800 people to Islam by paying them a hefty sum from the donations made to the organisation from across the world, according to reports.This was revealed by IRF's guest relation officer Rizwan Khan, who along with Arshid Qureshi was arrested by Maharashtra ATS and Kerala Police during a joint operation last week.If the alleged conversions are found to be done forcibly, Zakir Naik, who is already facing the heat over his controversial speeches, may further land in deep trouble.It is being learnt that the duo would persuade prisoners and criminals to convert to Islam after providing them financial and legal help.They also used to target college students, who were allegedly brainwashed for conversion.Several documents have been seized from Rizwan, which reveal that many Christians and Hindus have also been converted to Muslim. zee news
J&K HC slams govt over use of pellet guns by forces
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jk-hc-slams-govt-over-use-of-pellet-guns-by-forces-2937300/
Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the state government over the use of pellet guns by forces to control mob saying the authorities cannot “justify” their action and make people disabled just because they are angry and protest. A division bench of the court asked the government to review the use of pellet guns which has proven to be lethal. “Can’t you explore other methods using water, using teargas shell or whatever you have instead of this (pellets) because now by experience it has proven to be lethal,” the court told the government. “These are your own people. They have anger. They are protesting. (It) doesn’t mean they should be rendered disable.”The bench comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Muzzafar Hussain Attar said that maximum people have suffered injuries in eye and vital parts of their body. “What we understand is that this pellet is a round ball loaded with lead. Eye is primarily a water ball. When it (pellet) penetrates and hits it, damage is done,” the bench said during hearing of a Public Interest Litigation.indian express
Expert team formed to explore alternatives to pellet guns
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/expert-team-formed-to-explore-alternatives-to-pellet-guns/article8902461.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI: An expert team, headed by a Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry, was on Tuesday constituted to explore possible alternatives to pellet guns, amidst strong criticism against their frequent use in Jammu and Kashmir for crowd control.Besides Home Ministry Joint Secretary TVSN. Prasad, who will head the team, other members of the expert committee are Atul Karwal, IG, CRPF, Srinagar; Rajeev Krishna, IG, BSF; Rajesh Kumar of J&K Police; Tushar Tripathy of Indian Ordnance Factory Board; Manjit Singh of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh and Naresh Bhatnagar of IIT, Delhi.Many youths have been injured in the last fortnight when CRPF personnel used pellet guns to control violent protesters in the wake of killing of Burhan Wani, a top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen.PTI
Use of pellet guns will further alienate people in Jammu and Kashmir: Ghulam Nabi Azad
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/use-of-pellet-guns-will-further-alienate-people-in-jammu-and-kashmir-ghulam-nabi-azad-2937339/
After 16 days, J&K Gov. to lift ban on post-paid mobile phones
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/after-16-days-jammu-and-kashmir-govt-to-lift-ban-on-postpaid-mobile-phones/article8902467.ece
SRINAGAR: A police spokesman said in Srinagar said, "All post-paid mobile services were being restored tonight".The authorities on Tuesday evening said it is lifting the blockade on mobile telephony for post-aid customers in Kashmir valley, 16 days after it was barred to contain situation in the wake of killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.A police spokesman said in Srinagar said, "All post-paid mobile services were being restored tonight". However, it had no word on the internet services and pre-paid mobiles, which constitutes the bulk of cellphone users. Internet services and mobile telephony was suspended immediately after Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8. First, mobile services were withdrawn and later internet connection was downed across Kashmir Valley.The move comes in the backdrop of growing public pressure to restore connectivity in Kashmir valley as many families remain cut-off from each other for more than 2 weeks now.Meanwhile, barred internet services in winter capital Jammu was restarted on Monday.the hindu
Kashmir : Home Ministry needs to take call on AFSPA withdrawal in J&K, says Manohar Parrikar
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-unrest-home-ministry-needs-to-take-call-on-afspa-withdrawal-in-jk-says-manohar-parrikar-2936577/
New Delhi:Steering away from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s comment that AFSPA should be revoked from some areas on experimental basis, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said the issue comes under the Home Ministry and it needs to take a call on the matter.He said the Army was involved in security on the border and in counter-insurgency grid in the militancy-hit state. “I think the Home Ministry needs to take a call on it. We only operate. As of now, we are operating only in the border and counter-insurgency grid. We do not operate in the normal sphere of the state’s law and order,” Parrikar said when asked about Mehbooba’s comments.PTI
Kashmir : Barring Anantnag, curfew lifted from all parts; schools remain shut
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-curfew-lifted-2936131/
Srinagar:Curfew was Tuesday lifted from all parts of Kashmir, except Anantnag town, after 17 days of unrest in the Valley in which 47 persons were killed and 5500 others injured in clashes following the killing of Burhan Wani.“Curfew has been lifted from all parts of Kashmir except Anantnag town, today,” a police official said. The official said there is no curfew or restrictions on the movement of the people in the district.”However, in other parts of the Valley, restrictions on assembly of four or more people will continue to maintain law and order,” he added.PTI
Now, Pakistan wants independent probe into Burhan Wani’s killing
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/now-pakistan-wants-independent-probe-into-burhan-wanis-killing/
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s bail plea rejected
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/amanatullah-khan-aap-mla-rape-murder-woman-bail-plea-rejected/
New Delhi: Saket court in Delhi on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, who was arrested for allegedly threatening a woman with rape and murder, and sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. Khan is also accused of attempting to run over the woman with his car.A 35-year-old woman had filed a case against Khan on July 20 for allegedly threatening her with dire consequences. A case was registered against the legislator under Sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC at the Jamia Nagar police station in south Delhi. On July 10, the complainant went to the residence of the AAP MLA in South Delhi’s Batla House locality after a telephonic conversation with him to complain about poor electricity supply in the area. One of Amanatullah Khan’s supporters present there allegedly abused the woman and threatened her with dire consequences, the woman said in her complaint. The complainant alleged that the supporter said he was abusing her on the “orders of Khan”. indian express
AAP MLAs name figures in FIR in dispute between 2 women
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aap-mlas-name-figures-in-fir-in-dispute-between-2-women/1/724747.html
New Delhi:Cross FIRs have been registered in connection with a dispute between two women, reportedly AAP workers, with one accusing the other of tormenting her family on the "behest" of a party MLA, who refuted the allegation.There was a fight between the two women and one of them later tried to commit suicide. In her "suicide note", she alleged that the other woman was harassing her husband and herself on the "behest" of local MLA Rajesh Rishi, a senior police officer said."His name is mentioned in one of the cross FIRs filed on the complaints by two sides at Janakpuri Police Station," the officer said.PTI
Embarrassment for Delhi police as court acquits AAP MLA and admonishes cops for filing false cases
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/aap-mla/31609
In a huge embarrassment for Delhi police, a lower court in Delhi on Saturday acquitted AAP MLA, Akhilesh Pati Tripathi while admonishing the police for filing trumped up charges against the legislator.The Rohini court also warned Delhi police not to file false cases against MLAs in future.Delhi police on 26 November had arrested Tripathi, in a two-year-old rioting case.Tripathi, MLA from Model Town, was sent to Tihar jail for a day before being released on bail a day later. jantakareporter
Now a non-cognisable offence case against AAP's Amanatullah
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Now-a-non-cognisable-offence-case-against-AAPs-Amanatullah/articleshow/53402914.cms
AAP to petition Delhi HC over ‘false’ cases used to ‘frame’ its MLAs
http://www.nyoooz.com/delhi/552958/aap-to-petition-delhi-hc-over-false-cases-used-to-frame-its-mlas

All roads lead to home of Dalit family flogged in Gujarat
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/all-roads-lead-to-home-of-dalit-family-flogged-in-gujarat-2937330/
Not many outside Junagadh had heard of Mota Samadhiyala. Until July 11. But now this village in Una taluka is where everyone is headed — from Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, JD(U) veteran Sharad Yadav to NCP’s Praful Patel. And all have been heading straight to the house of Balu Sarvaiya, the head of the Dalit family flogged by gau rakshaks on July 11 for skinning a dead cow.That single incident has put Mota Samadhiyala firmly on the map, triggering Dalit protests across Gujarat, rattling the administration and finding an echo in faraway Delhi where Parliament has been debating atrocities on Dalits, past and present.Suresh Chandpa, a 29-year-old from Veraval, covered 100 km on his motorcycle to Mota Samadhiyala Monday to inquire about Balu Sarvaiya.“When I saw on TV what happened on July 11, I was shocked, deeply pained. It left me wondering when will all this stop happening to our community. I met Balubhai and told him not to lose hope for justice,” said Chandpa who works with NGO Amardeep Foundation Trust as a supervisor of community toilets.
Over 6 lakh people die every year due to cancer in India: Govt
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/over-six-lakh-people-die-every-year-due-to-cancer-in-india-govt-2937287/
New Delhi: With over 6 lakh people succumbing to cancer every year and more than ten lakh new cases are reported in the country, the government on Tuesday said air pollution and unhealthy lifestyles are among the major risk factors for the disease.It said that around seven per cent of all deaths in the country are due to various types of cancers.“As reported by World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 1 million new cases are reported in India while about 6.8 lakh people die due to cancer in India,” Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.PTI
Beef ban prompted Maharashtra youth to join IS: ATS
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/beef-ban-prompted-parbhani-youth-to-join-islamic-state-2936232/
Mumbai:The ban on beef trade imposed by the incumbent BJP-led Maharashtra government and the killing of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, allegedly instigated the two arrested Parbhani youth to join the IS, sources in the Maharashtra ATS told The Indian Express.“The duo during interrogation revealed that the two incidents angered them and therefore to avenge the alleged wrongdoings they decided to fight alongside IS and serve the Caliphate,” a senior official from the ATS said.Sources also add that the duo took the Baya (an oath of allegiance) to the “Caliph of Islamic State” on the orders of their handler Farooque who the agency suspects to be Shafi Armar, the Ansarul Tawhid (AuT) chief. indian express
Akhlaq’s family to knock Allahabad HC’s door, seeks quashing of FIR
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/akhlaqs-family-to-knock-allahabad-hcs-door-seeks-quashing-of-fir-2937066/
Lucknow: The family of Akhlaq Saifi, who was lynched by his neighbours in Bishahra in Dadri in September last year over rumours of him and his family having eaten beef, will move the Allahabad High Court, seeking stay on the arrest order and quashing of a Surajpur court’s order to the Greater Noida police on Thursday to register a case of cow slaughter against the victim and his family under the UP Cow Protection Act 1955.Counsel for Akhlaq and his family Asad Hayat told ANI, “Actually, we are moving to the high court for seeking stay on the arrest order and quashing of FIR.”Counsel further said, “We have written to the administration that further investigation should be done into the matter, because so many things have emerged especially in the matter of ‘Fabrication of False Evidence’.”ANI
ATS probes 800 conversions linked to Kerala man arrested on radicalisation charges
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ats-probes-800-conversions-linked-to-kerala-man-arrested-on-radicalisation-charges-2936173/
Mumbai: Days after the Kerala Police started a crackdown against those suspected to have been involved in the alleged radicalisation of the 21 missing Kerala youths who have allegedly joined the IS, Maharashtra ATS has started analysing the paperwork related to the 800 conversions carried out by one of the accused, Rizwan Khan.Sources claim that such an exercise was under way to find out if there were similar cases in this state too and also those related to ‘love-jihad’.Khan, who was arrested Friday night, is alleged to have posed as the guardian and signed on the ‘nikahnama’ of Merin alias Mariyam, a Christian woman who converted to Islam and left to join the IS along with husband Yahiya. Her wedding ceremony took place last year. Sources claim that Khan, who is associated with an ‘Islamic guidance centre’ run by controversial televangelist Dr Zakir Naik in South Mumbai, has carried out over 800 conversions of Hindus and Christians to Islam and in most cases has also facilitated their weddings. Khan used to run a marriage bureau near his Bazarpeth residence in Kalyan on the outskirts of Mumbai.indian express

Judicial custody of 7 Hyderabad's accused extended: PTI report
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/isis-terror-module-judicial-custody-of-7-accused-extended-2936889/
Hyderabad: A local court on Tuesday extended till August 24 the judicial custody of 7 city-based persons, who were arrested by NIA in connection with a suspected ISIS terror module busted by the agency in Hyderabad.The 7 accused, including two key members Naimathullah Hussaini alias Yasir and Mohammed Ataullah Rehman, who are currently lodged in Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad, were produced before Metropolitan Sessions Judge K Rajkumar through video linkage as their judicial custody ended on Tuesday.The court further remanded all of them in judicial custody till August 24.NIA had initially arrested 5 members of the module – Mohammed Ibrahim Yazdani alias Ibbu, Habeeb Mohammed alias Sir, Mohammed Ilyas Yazdani, Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Amoodi and Muzaffar Hussain Rizwan – on June 29 after a series of searches at 10 locations in Old City Hyderabad.Subsequently, Rehman, who was claimed to have played a key role in plotting terror strikes and also involved in radicalising others, was arrested along with Yasir on July 12.PTI
54 ISIS supporters arrested: Govt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/54-ISIS-supporters-arrested-Govt/articleshow/53397152.cms
New Delhi: As many as 54 supporters of ISIS have been arrested in the country, Lok Sabha was informed today.Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the National Investigation Agency and state police have registered various cases with respect of ISIS/ phenomenon in the country.PTI
Employing child below 14 can now land you in jail for 2 yrs
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/employing-child-below-14-can-now-land-you-in-jail-for-2-years-2937306/
New Delhi: Employing a child below 14 years of age in any occupation or processes except where the child helps his family will now invite a imprisonment of up to two years as Parliament on Tuesday approved a bill in this regard.‘The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill’ makes employment of children below 14 years as cognizable offence for employers and provides for penalty for parents.The Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha on Tuesday, defines children between 14-18 years as adolescents and lays down that they should not be employed in any hazardous occupations and processes.This bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on July 19.PTI
Tamil Nadu: Plea to close down mosque
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/plea-to-close-down-mosque/article8899338.ece
Tirupur: Residents of Mahalaxmi Nagar, along with Hindu Munnani functionaries, met District Collector S. Jayandhi on Monday demanding that a mosque functioning there be closed.They alleged that the mosque was functioning there against a Madras High Court order against it. Furnishing the copy of the judgment to the Collector, the Hindu Munnani State secretary Kishore Kumar said that the court had clearly stated that the building should be used only for the purpose for which it was sanctioned.“In this case, the building itself has come up illegally. If at all any building is constructed as residence or for commercial purpose, it should be used only for the said purpose. Moreover, any religious place of worship can be started only after obtaining the permission from the Collector. In this case, no such permission been obtained as the mosque is functioning for the last three years in an illegally constructed building,” said Mr. Kishore Kumar.
Impotency, love affairs top reasons behind farmer suicides: Centre
http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/impotency-love-affairs-top-reasons-behind-farmer-suicides-agriculture-minister-radha-mohan-singh/article7460976.ece
Dowry, love affairs and impotency were among the reasons for the deaths of over 1,400 farmers in India this year, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Friday. “According to the National Crime Records Bureau, causes of (farmer) suicides include family problems, illness, drugs... dowry, love affairs and impotency,” he told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question as to what caused the death of so many farmers in the country. Minister’s reply, however, did not rule out debt as one of the reasons.The remarks on suicide by over 1,400 farmers in the last one year, by the govt’s own admission, are bound to provide fresh fodder to a belligerent opposition, which has been targeting the Modi government on the controversial land bill, dubbed as “anti-farmer and anti-poor”.A total of 5,650 farmers committed suicide in 2014, with maximum deaths reported from Maharashtra, Telangana and Chhattisgarh, official data revealed.IANS
India betrayed people of Kashmir: Wajahat Habibullah
http://m.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/india-betrayed-people-of-kashmir-wajahat-habibullah/223886.html
Srinagar:Ex-bureaucrat and the chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities Wajahat Habibullah Monday lamented that India failed to win the hearts of people of Kashmir and kept on repeating ‘blunders’ that always proved counterproductive.“I am deeply disappointed the way India has been handling the situation in Kashmir. Innocent civilians are being killed. We betrayed people of Kashmir from time to time and it is an fact now Kashmiri people have lost all sorts of trust and faith in India,” Wajahat Habibullah told Kashmir based news agency CNS and added that Kashmir is a big blot on the Indian political system. Responding to a question, he said that successive Central and State governments have miserably failed to make Kashmiri people part of mainstream. “India didn’t learn lessons from its mistakes. It didn’t learn anything from the situation that prevailed in Kashmir in 1990’s. Once again, the elected representatives of India have let Kashmiri people down,” he said. “It was the obligation and duty of India to make Kashmiri people realize and understand that India is not only military power but a great democracy too, but it is really sorry to state that India failed to win the hearts of people and tried to suppressed and muzzle their voice through military might. As an Indian I feel ashamed when a Kashmiri tells me that he has no faith in India,” Wajahat Habibullah said.greater kashmir
Parsi Population Dips by 22% Between 2001-2011
http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/parsi-population-dips-by-22-between-2001-2011/947976
The population of Parsi community in the country has dipped by 22 per cent to 57,264 in 2011 from 69,601 in 2001.According to the census data released today, the total Parsi/Zoroastrian population in 2011 stood at 57,264 of which 28,115 were males and 29,149 females. In 2001, total Parsi population was 69,601.This is the sharpest decline in the small but prosperous community's population after 1981 when the census reported about 27 per cent fall over the previous decade. The population of Parsi community was 91,266 in 1971 and had fallen to 71,630 in 1981.PTI
Kejriwal named among world's 50 greatest leaders by Fortune
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/51546782.cms?from=mdr&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
New York: Arvind Kejriwal has been named among the world's 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine with the Delhi CM being the sole Indian leader on the list topped by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Fortune's third annual 'World's 50 Greatest Leaders' list features men and women from across the globe from the fields of business, government, philanthropy and the arts who are "transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same." AAP chief is ranked 42nd on the list and is the sole leader from India. The list includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2), Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at (3), US astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko (22), IMF MD Christine Lagarde (36), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Co-chair and CEO Melinda Gates and Susan Desmond-Hellmann (41), Canadian PM Justin Trudeau (48) and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay (50). Giving company to Kejriwal from South Asia is Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the number 10 spot. Fortune said the 68-year -old politician, the only female leader among the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, has "deftly navigated the competing demands of Islamic tradition and women's rights". PTI
7 things you may not have known about Tipu Sultan, India’s first freedom fighter: Kate Brittlebank
http://scroll.in/article/812199/seven-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-tipu-sultan-indias-first-freedom-fighter
A new book examines the myths and realities of Tipu Sultan’s life and reign
WORLD
We are a national resistance movement, not a terrorist organisation, says Hamas chief Khalid Mashal in interview with Iftikhar Gilani
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-we-are-a-national-resistance-movement-not-a-terrorist-organisation-khalid-mashal-2238099
Doha: In the run up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Palestinian territories and Israel, Khaled Mashal, chief of the Hamas, which is in power in Gaza, had recently met a select group of Indian journalists. In a free-wheeling tete-a-tete with Iftikhar Gilani, the leader of the Hamas, which had been engaged in a pitched armed battle against Tel Avivi, Mashal addresses the issue of terrorism and the intricacies of West Asian politics in a candid fashion. Responding to a question, Mishal said, 'It is a difficult situation for any resistance movement. Refusing to distinguishing between resistance and terrorism reveals more about people and super-powers who have double standards. Despite the difficulties, people who are seeking to restore their freedoms will not submit to these double standards and propaganda. We are a national resistance movement, not a terrorist organisation. We have the right to resist occupation. We have gained legitimacy because of our election victory. We are not random killing machines like terrorists. We are confining our battle against the occupier and within the borders of Palestine.This struggle against occupation has legitimacy in international law, and it also has been recognised in all faiths. If this is terrorism, how will you classify Vietnamese resistance, the South African fight against apartheid, the French struggle against Nazis, and the Indian resistance against British and so on..." He said, "Hamas believes in moderate Islam. We are against extremist movements, whether they are Islamic, Christian, Jewish or non-religious. We believe that terrorism has no religion, no faith. Some super powers do classify Hamas with terrorist groups, but we are steadfast in our belief. We firmly believe in in our rights. Nelson Mandela was tagged as a terrorist. And then he was received all over the world as freedom fighter. Yasser Arafat was also dubbed a terrorist. But then he was received as a freedom fighter. These labels don’t bother us. Our history shows that we had never engaged in random killing sprees of either occupiers or settlers." Replying to a question on ISIS, Mishal said, "I declare once again that Hamas doesn't have any link or truck with the ISIS, al Qaeda or any extremist outfit. This is against our conviction, our strategy and policies. The whole world should ask itself as to why there is no ISIS or al Qaeda inside Palestine? Such a phenomenon doesn't exist inside Palestine. And the reason is that Hamas and our brother resistance movements are national freedom movements. We have not left any vacuum. We don’t receive any support or arms from these movements. We don’t require their support. Our people have firm belief in moderate thinking. We don’t take refuge in extremist ideology or indulge in killing spree.As far as incident in Yarmook camp is concerned, let me tell you this camp is inside Syria. The events there and presence of ISIS in the camp were influenced by events of Syria. It is a Syrian problem. As far as Sinai (Egypt) is concerned. Hamas has declared openly, it doesn't interfere in the domestic policies of Egypt. We have nothing to do what is happening inside Egyptian borders. All allegations of interference are baseless." On Iran and Hizbullah relations, Mishal said, "We had firm relations with Iran and Hizbullah. They supported our resistance. We are so grateful to them. But eruption of crises in Syria did affect us. Our relations with Iran were affected and people’s perception towards Iran in this region has also got affected. This has more to do with how the region is now looking at Iran, more than its new-found relations with US. Iran’s policies in the region affected perceptions." He added, 'As far as Syria and Iran are concerned, truth is they gave us all support we needed over the years. We will never forget that. But that does not mean that whoever gave us support we will return that favours and we will get involved in their internal affairs and fight against their own people. That is what has happened in Syria. The government there was seeking our support to fight Opposition, their own people. We stayed away from their internal crises, and so had to shift from Damascus. Our differences with them were not related to foreign aggression or foreign fighters. We are with them in the battle against ISIS and foreign aggression." DNA
Jordan and Egypt join Israel in imprisoning Gaza: Pam Bailey, writer, Washington
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2016/7/25/jordan-and-egypt-join-israel-in-imprisoning-gaza
Bangladesh Jamaat concerned over police denial of Shibir leader’s arrest
      http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/113627/Jamaat-concerned-over-police-denial-of-Shibir
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam on Tuesday voiced concern over the police denial of the arrest of Rajshahi leader of its student body Islami Chhatra Shibir.In a press release, Jamaat assistant secretary general Mia Golam Parwar alleged that police arrested Rajshahi city unit president of Islami Chhatra Shibir Jasimuddin Sarker on Monday and then shot him in his leg. “The law enforcers have essentially violated human rights and breached the Constitution of the Republic by shooting him in the leg after arrest and subsequently by denying the arrest,” said the Jamaat leader. Jamaat leader also protested at the arrest of its leaders at places across the country and demanded their immediate release. prothom-alo
Air strikes pound Aleppo as UN eyes new Syria talks
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/air-strikes-pound-aleppo-eyes-syria-talks-160726132856836.html
Air strikes in Syria's divided city of Aleppo have killed dozens of people, according to a monitor, as fighting intensifies across the country despite UN appeals for greater humanitarian access and the resumption of peace talks.  UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday that Syrian government helicopters targeted the al-Mashhad neighbourhood in the rebel-held half of the city, killing at least 18 people.e Observatory added that the number of casualties was likely to rise due to the high number of people critically wounded. Zouhir Al Shimale, an Aleppo-based journalist, said air strikes, including on a residential building, have killed at least 32 people over the past two days."Residents say the building was full of families [internally displaced] from other areas," he told Al Jazeera by telephone. Separately, at least 42 civilians were killed on Monday in Syrian government air strikes on al-Atareb, a city in the Aleppo province. aljazeera
Ex-employee stabs 19 people to death in Japan care home
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/deadly-knife-attack-facility-disabled-japan-160725213035222.html
A knife-wielding former employee has killed at least 19 people and injured 25 at a care centre for the mentally disabled in Japan, in the country's worst mass killing in decades.The 26-year-old man, who reportedly threatened to kill hundreds of disabled people earlier this year, later turned himself in at a police station, admitting to officers: "I did it." He reportedly also said: "The disabled should all disappear."Authorities identified the attacker as Satoshi Uematsu and said he had worked at the facility in Sagamihara, a city of more than 700,000 people west of Tokyo, until February. aljazeera
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:04 PM) 

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