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Evening NEWS DIGEST
23 Aug. 2016: 19 Dzulqa'dah 37: Vol:7, No:144
INDIA
Rajnath opens Track II on Kashmir, taps ‘eminent Muslims’ for ideas as Zafarul Islam Khan, Shahid Siddiqui, Qamar Agha, MM Ansari attended meeting
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajnath-singh-kashmir-unrest-pm-narendra-modi-2991480/
New Delhi:Concerned over the situation in the Valley, Centre has initiated behind-the-scene talks at the level of the Union Home Minister to find a way out.The Indian Express has learnt that Rajnath Singh has held 2 rounds of talks with “eminent citizens”, mostly non-Kashmiri Muslims, to discuss a plan of action and seek their help in initiating a dialogue with Kashmiris. Sources said that while the first meeting with 10 people was held in Singh’s office on Aug.18, the 2nd was held Sunday with 14 people where senior functionaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were also present. MHA officials said that following the first meeting, reports of numerous working groups on J&K, which were never fully implemented, were being examined afresh and some action would be taken on the key recommendations once the Valley situation improved.Sources said Singh “indicated” to those present at the meetings that the govt was working on a “3-stage plan” to find a peaceful solution. He was said to have assured them that the use of pellet guns, which have caused serious injuries to over 900 people, mostly the young, would be “minimised”.“Home Minister indicated that the govt is finalising a 3-stage plan to end the protests in a peaceful manner. To begin with, civil society groups will be encouraged to venture into Kashmir and interact with the protesting youths. He also indicated that an all-party delegation will be sent to the state soon. The role of clergy in spreading the message of peace and tranquility was also discussed,” sources said.Those who attending the meeting Sunday included ex-Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi, ex-Rajya Sabha member Shahid Siddiqui, security analyst Qamar Agha, Milli Gazette editor Zafarul Islam Khan, Supreme Court advocate Ashok Bhan, ex-J&K interlocutor MM Ansari and ex-AAP leader Mufti Shamoon Qasmi. Sources said there was “near unanimity” among the non-official invitees that the situation had been allowed to drift in the Kashmir province.Indian Express
Govt apolitical initiative in JK: Prominent Muslims pitch for long-term solution instead of just ‘fire-fighting attempt’
http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/govt-begins-apolitical-peace-initiative-in-kashmir/161511.html#7QfHs1muQbOsDVeJ.99
New Delhi: The central govt has started an apolitical initiative, involving civil society members, mostly prominent non-Kashmiri Muslim personalities, to help bring peace in Kashmir and a delegation is likely to visit the valley soon. A few of the participants in the meetings with the Home Minister, however, pitched for a long-term solution instead of just a respond-when-there-is-violence approach."There is no long-term plan in the govt 's mind. It is just a fire-fighting attempt," said Zafarul Islam Khan.Activist MJ Khan said the govt should find a solution that works on the ground rather than taking populist measures in Kashmir."It was a long and comprehensive discussion and a lot of things were discussed. We have to take forward Atal (Bihari Vajpayee) ji's doctrine. Govt needs to restore confidence of Kashmiris and be sensitive to their needs and sentiments," ex-Rajya Sabha MP Shahid Siddiqui told IANS. One of the participants, who didn't wish to be named, blamed the situation in Kashmir on "a chain of broken promises by the centre".But Agha argued that the first priority must be to somehow break the logjam and provide humanitarian relief to the people of the valley."We are asking the govt to stop pellet guns and lift the curfew. But they say that if curfew is lifted the youth would resort to stone-pelting and arson. This is a Catch 22 situation. We have to come out of it," Agha said."Our foremost concern is to provide medical and humanitarian aid to the injured and others. Violence has to be stopped somehow.""It is a leaderless and faceless agitation. Hurriyat(Separatist)has been left behind and the angry youth are just doing it spontaneously and on their own. The situation is far worse than 2010," MM Ansari said. He argued that all stakeholders, including Pakistan, should be included in any peace talks on Kashmir. Another point the civil society activists raised was that not all Kashmiris should be dubbed as anti-India or pro-Pakistan, or that the Indian state is at war with Kashmiris."The perception being created by a section of the media that all Kashmiris are pro-Pak or asking for freedom must stop. A perception is created that it is the Indian state versus the Kashmiris.This perception should be ended,"said Siddiqui.IANS
Govt’s Track II initiative:Civil society team to visit Kashmir
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/govt s-track-ii-initiative-civil-society-team-to-visit-kashmir/355183/
MHA talks with eminent Muslims to resolve Kashmir crisis
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/230816/rajnath-singh-holds-talks-with-eminent-muslims-to-resolve-kashmir-crisis.html
JK:Chidambaram pitches for sending all-party delegation
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chidambaram-pitches-for-sending-all-party-delegation-to-JK/articleshow/53824684.cms
Opposition rings alarm bell, Modi calls for talks, outreach
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/need-dialogue-for-permanent-solution-to-jk-says-pm-narendra-modi-2991006/
JD (U) asks PM Modi to take action on Kashmir unrest
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jd-u-asks-pm-modi-to-take-action-on-kashmir-unrest-2991665/
For solution to J&K dispute, India must shun violence and uphold UN resolution: Geelani
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-unrest-solution-modi-indian-state-must-shun-violence-and-uphold-international-law-syed-ali-shah-geelani-2991311/
Srinagar:Reacting to PM Narendra Modi’s statement about the need to “find a permanent solution” to the Kashmir problem within the framework of the Constitution, the separatists said that the “only road to peace is through right of self-determination”.“For a lasting solution of J&K dispute, the Indian state must shun state violence and uphold international law, respect and adhere to the UN charter and especially the UN resolutions on J&K …We understand that the universal principle of Right to Self-Determination is the only road through which peace can be achieved in J&K,” said Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.Separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah rejected any dialogue “within the framework of the Constitution”.“People of J&K aren’t sacrificing their lives for any development or employment, but for the achievement of that right which has been acknowledged by the international community,” Shah said.Independent MLA Engineer Rashid, who refused to be part of the delegation of opposition leaders that met President Pranab Mukherjee and the PM, termed Modi’s statement as an “insult to the sacrifices” of the people of Kashmir.Indian Express
Kashmir is India’s internal issue: Syrian Ambassador
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kashmir-is-indias-internal-issue-syria/article9018725.ece
New Delhi: Syria and India discussed tackling their “common problem of cross-border terrorism” when Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar met Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday, Syrian Ambassador to India, Riad Abbas, has said. Dr. Abbas said Akbar’s visit was significant as it came at a time when the international community had “changed” its position on tackling Syrian rebels and the Islamic State terror group. To a question about recent statements from 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation criticising India for alleged human rights violations in tackling violence in Kashmir, Abbas said Syria, as a secular state, differs from the OIC.“What is happening in Kashmir is an internal issue for India. Anyone who raises a weapon against the govt, we call them terrorists, and the govt must take action against them,” said Abbas.thehindu
Kashmir unrest: At least 17 people injured in fresh protest in Shopian
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kashmir-unrest-at-least-13-people-injured-in-fresh-protest-in-shopian-2248133
To make Kashmir issue international, Pakistan briefs China on 'rights violations' in valley
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-to-make-kashmir-issue-international-pakistan-briefs-china-on-rights-violations-in-valley-2248122
Continuing with its efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Pakistan has briefed China about alleged human rights violations in Kashmir during their bilateral strategic dialogue. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, who is on a two-day visit to China, attended the bilateral strategic dialogue meeting and also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing during his trip, the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.7th round of Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and China was held yesterday in Beijing where Chaudhry led the Pakistani delegation while the Chinese side was headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asian and Consular Affairs Kong Xuanyou.Chaudhry apprised his counterpart of the "grave humanitarian situation" in Kashmir and the ongoing "human rights violations", the statement said.PTI
If Vajpayee had more time, Kashmir issue would have been solved:Bhagwat
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/valley-unrest-enters-day-45-if-atal-bihari-vajpayee-had-more-time-kashmir-issue-would-have-been-solved-says-mohan-bhagwat-2991285/
I don’t know why India hates Kashmiris, says Burhan Wani’s father
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/he-would-ve-died-even-if-he-had-not-joined-militancy-burhan-wani-s-father/story-RN9fvkKgav0nRwFw9xdn4N.html
Kashmir unrest: Curfew lifted from parts of Srinagar
Sedition case filed against actor Ramya just for saying ‘Pakistan is not hell’ remark
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ramya-sedition-case-filed-against-actor-divya-spandana-for-pakistan-is-not-hell-remark-manohar-parrikar-2991772/
New Delhi:Actor Divya Spandana had recently visited Pakistan to attend the Saarc summit for young parliamentarians. ‘Outraged’ by actor-politician Divya Spandana’s remarks praising the people of Pakistan for their hospitality, a lawyer in Karnataka has filed a case of sedition against the former Lok Sabha MP, who also goes by the name Ramya.Ramya, who visited Pakistan to attend the Saarc meeting of young parliamentarians, spoke of how she felt the people of Pakistan were very welcoming and went out of their way to make her stay comfortable on getting to know she was from India. Ramya, on her return from Pakistan, had refuted Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s remarks on that country, saying: “Pakistan is a good country, not hell. Parrikar’s comments (that going to Pakistan or hell is the same thing) are not true.” She made the remarks during a rally in her former constituency Mandya. At the Summit, Ramya spoke of the need for both countries to work out solutions needed to solve differences between the two countries and the Saarc region.indian express
Won’t Apologize, Says Actor Ramya, Facing Sedition Charge For Saying Pakistan is Not Hell
http://caravandaily.com/portal/will-not-apologize-says-actor-ramya-facing-sedition-charge-for-saying-pakistan-is-not-hell/
'I respectfully disagree, but Pakistan is not hell', says former actress and Congress member Ramya
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/I-respectfully-disagree-but-Pakistan-is-not-hell-says-former-actress-and-Congress-member-Ramya/articleshow/53823998.cms
US says it respects Amnesty's right to express freely
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/us-says-it-respects-amnesty-s-right-to-express-freely-116082300360_1.html
US has refrained from commenting on the sedition charges slapped against Amnesty International over an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised, but said it respects the right of the global rights watchdog to express itself freely. "We obviously, as we do around the world, support the right to freedom of expression and assembly, including through civil society," State Dept. Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said."We have seen these reports that local police in Bangalore have initiated preliminary investigation into allegations of sedition against Amnesty International. I direct you to the Bangalore police for more details into this investigation, but certainly we, as I said, respect the right for Amnesty and others to express themselves freely," Toner said. PTI
US backs Amnesty over India sedition case
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-backs-Amnesty-over-India-sedition-case/articleshow/53825404.cms
‘Govt is weakening democratic foundations by targeting human rights groups’
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-collective-predicament-2247909
Afghans push India for more arms, despite Pak’s wary eye
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/afghans-push-india-for-more-arms-despite-pakistan-wary-eye-2991514/
New Delhi: India is set to deliver more arms to Afghanistan to help it fight Islamist militants, Kabul’s envoy to New Delhi said, even if Pakistan is wary of closer military cooperation between countries lying to its east and west. India has provided a little over $2 billion in economic assistance to Afghanistan in the last 15 years, but has been more measured in providing weapons in order to avoid a backlash from Pakistan, which sees Afghanistan as its area of influence. Last Dec., after years of dragging its feet, New Delhi announced the supply of 4 attack helicopters in India’s first transfer of lethal equipment to the govt in Kabul since the Taliban was toppled. Kabul immediately deployed 3 of the Russian Mi-25 attack helicopters to go after insurgents, and the fourth will be inducted in the next few weeks. Shaida M.Abdali, Afghan ambassador to India, said regional security was deteriorating and Afghan national forces were in dire need of military supplies to tackle the Taliban, Islamic State and other militant groups. indian express
Tens with Pak: India looks at giving Afghan more arms
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-tension-with-pak-india-looks-at-giving-afghanistan-more-arms-1448964
BJP offers support to Balochistan, castigates Pakistan
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bjp-lends-support-to-baloch-castigates-pak-for-unruly-behaviour-2991687/
Jammu: BJP has assured the people of Balochistan of its support and castigated Pakistan for brewing unrest in its largest province. It also urged the international community to build pressure on Islamabad to take steps to address the grievances of the former.Asserting that Pakistan is a place fit for terrorists and not for normal people, BJP leader Ravinder Raina described Islamabad as a regular offender and as a country that has no respect for human rights.“There are no fundamental rights in Pakistan. ANI
China warns of “counter-measures” after Modi govt’s decision to deploy BrahMos missile in Northeast
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/china-warns-of-counter-measures-after-modi-govt s-decision-to-deploy-brahmos-missile-in-northeast/355042/
It seems that the Modi govt’s decision to deploy the BrahMos supersonic missile in the Northeast, has not gone down well with China. Within weeks of the govt’s clearance to raise a new regiment that will be equipped with a special version of the BrahMos cruise missile, PLA Daily has warned that the move could lead to “counter-meaures” from China. PLA Daily is the official publication of People’s Liberation Army.This new version of BrahMos will be developed specially for mountain warfare and is expected to cost over Rs 4,000 crore. Sources have told FE Online that this version of BrahMos will have additional features such as steep-diving capabilities.PLA Daily has said that India’s decision will have a “negative influence” on the relations and the stability along the border. “India deploying supersonic missiles on the border has exceeded its own needs for self-defense and poses a serious threat to China’s Tibet and Yunnan provinces,” PLA Daily has said. It has even said that BrahMos being deployed in Arunachal Pradesh will definitely increase competitiveness and confrontation in the ties between India and China. Mouthpiece of PLA feels that BrahMos could “increase suddenness and effectivity of attacks”. Even as it noted that the supersonic missile’s ability to penetrate may pose a threat to China’s border areas, PLA Daily added that BrahMos cannot threaten the “deep zones” of China. financialexpress
China warns India against deploying BrahMos missile
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/brahmos-china-warns-india/1/745700.html
2nd wife of Muslim military personnel entitled to health benefits, family pension: Armed Forces Tribunal
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/second-wife-of-muslim-military-personnel-entitled-to-health-benefits-family-pension-rules-aft/
Chandigarh:The principal bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled that the 2nd wife of a Muslim military personnel, who marries for the second time while maintaining his first wife, is eligible to receive benefits of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and can also be given family pension benefits.Hering a petition filed by Lt Col Sardar Ahmed Khan (retd), the New Delhi bench of AFT comprising Justice SS Satheesachandran and Air Marshal JN Burma has ruled that the 2nd wife of the officer was entitled to be considered as a dependent of the officer and would be eligible to receive benefits of the health scheme as well as to be nominated in Pension Payment Order (PPO) to receive her share of family pension once the officer is deceased.indianexpress
Muslim women of age 20-34 remain most vulnerable to divorce: Census
http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/muslim-women-triple-talaq-divorce-oral-talaq-2991234/
Mumbai:The rates of divorce of Muslim women is one of the highest among all religious communities in India, Census 2011 figures released last week show. The Census figures also suggest that among all married Muslim women, those between the ages of 20 and 34 were the most likely to be divorced — a proportion that is higher than in any other religious community in the same age group. Census data, which list the marital status of individuals from all religious communities, shows that the refined divorce rate — or the number of divorces per 1,000 marriages — for Muslim women was 5.63, well above the national average of 3.10.Buddhist and Christian women had higher refined divorce rates of 6.73 and 5.67, while the number for Hindu women was only 2.60, lower than the national mean. Nearly 44% of divorced Muslim women belong to the age group 20 to 34. This age group makes up only 24% of the total female Muslim population of India. indian express
Pre-matric scholarships approved, but many minority students yet to get them: Indian express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pre-matric-scholarships-approved-but-many-minority-students-yet-to-get-them-2991485/
Mumbai: School students from religious minorities are entitled to scholarships from the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA) but not all of them are getting it. According to a govt response to a RTI query, thousands of students have not received the pre-matric scholarships since 2009. Of the 5,66,000 school students in the state whose scholarships had been approved for 2015-16, more than 58,000 (10%) have not received the fund.In 2014-15, 1.81 lakh of the 7.17 lakh eligible students could not benefit from the school-level scholarship, a part of the Centre’s 15-point programme for minorities. In 2013-14, at least 61% students did not get the benefits. According to the scheme, introduced to encourage more children from minority communities to attend schools, students whose parents’ annual income is less than Rs1 lakh are eligible for a maintenance allowance of Rs 1,000, admission fee of Rs 500, tuition fees of Rs 350, every month in a year. Only those with valid income certificates are approved. Amount is deposited to a zero balance bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer once a year.However, activists said the implementation of the scheme in Maharashtra had not been proper. Zahid Shaikh of Students Islamic Organisation of India (Maharashtra) said, “Not many students are aware of the scholarships.” He said parents could directly upload their bank account details to National Scholarship Portal or the schools could update the bank details. “However, some schools assign the work to internet cafes which do not fill in the details properly.” Following an RTI by activist Razaullah Khan, Bombay High Court had in 2013 taken up a suo motu writ petition to address these issues but the court’s decisions were not been implemented, said Khan.
Look who all signing up to track ban on beef in Maha; Over 2,300 apply, many linked to Hindutva groups
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/maharashtra-animal-husbandry-beef-ban-cow-vigilantes-gau-rakshaks-2991461/
Mumbai: In May, Maharashtra’s Dept.of Animal Husbandry issued a call for volunteers “engaged in animal welfare activities on religious grounds” to apply for “honorary” non-salaried position of welfare officers to serve as “eyes to monitor the beef ban” imposed last year. The advertisement stipulated that they have no “political affiliations”.Since then, a deluge of 2,388 applications has come rushing in, each recommended by district deputy commissioners of animal husbandry, with officers having “vouched for the sincerity and integrity of the applicant” and taking “responsibility for their conduct”.Of these, 2,371 applications were officially admitted, awaiting scrutiny by High Court-appointed Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws. Once appointed, these welfare officers — required to possess “working knowledge of animal welfare laws and will receive official ID cards to monitor and report any act of cruelty against all animals. Indian Express
Refrain in Sangh turf: Cards will give us power
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/maharashtra-govt -beef-ban-gau-rakshak-id-cards-animal-husbandry-modi-sangh-turf-2991489/
Maharashtra to give ID cards to cow protection volunteers
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/maharashtra-govt-to-give-id-cards-to-cow-protection-volunteers-report-116082300212_1.html
Mumbai: BJP, Jain community leaders to demand longer meat ban during festival
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rewind-bjp-jain-community-leaders-to-demand-longer-meat-ban-2991471/
Mumbai:A year after a controversy broke over demands for an 8-day ban on meat during the Jain community’s holy period of Paryushan, the contentious demand will be made again. BJP MLA from Colaba Raj Purohit, also the party’s chief whip in the Legislative Assembly, has demanded that the existing two-day ban on the slaughter of animals at the Deonar abattoir and sale of meat in the city be extended to 4 days. Jain community will observe Paryushan, a fasting period, from Aug.29 to Sept.5. As per Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) existing plans, the Deonar abattoir and sale of meat would be banned on Aug.29 and Sept.5 only. “I have written to the BMC, requesting that they extend the two-day meat ban to four days like earlier. I am now consulting Jain organisations on the issue and a delegation will soon meet the civic chief to press for a four-day ban,” Purohit said.“Like any other community, Jain community’s feelings should be considered.Jain community’s demand is fair,” said Purohit. Last year, following the controversy over the ban, what was initially planned as a four-day meat ban was reduced to just two days. “So, the 2-day rule will be continued this year too,” said Yogesh Shetye, general manager of the Deonar abattoir.Indian Express
Protest over Una Dalit flogging: Gujarat Assembly suspends 50 Cong MLAs, 400 workers detained
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/protest-over-una-dalit-flogging-gujarat-assembly-suspends-50-cong-mlas-400-workers-detained/
Gandhinagar:Around 50 Congress MLAs were today suspended from the state Assembly and nearly 400 of its workers detained even as the party stepped up its offensive against the BJP govt in Gujarat over “atrocities on Dalits”, including the Una flogging incident.While the Assembly witnessed ruckus over the issue, thousands of party workers took out a ‘Janakrosh rally’ against the “oppressive” govt .Nearly 400 of them, including senior leaders Shankersinh Vaghela, Bharatsinh Solanki, Shaktisinh Gohil, and Rajya Sabha MP Madhusudan Mistry were detained.PTI
Ours is inclusive movement of all oppressed sections of society: Dalit youth icon Jignesh Mevani
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/ours-is-inclusive-movement-of-all-oppressed-sections-dalit-youth-icon-jignesh-mevani
New Delhi: Dalit youth icon Jignesh Mevani has launched a new series of public interactions under the banner of his Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti.Speaking at the inaugural at Gandhi Peace Foundation in the National Capital on Sunday, Mevani, said "Because of long history of social injustice with Dalits in Gujarat, the recent movement is remarkable and historic. It is first time that more than 20,000 Dalits have rejected humiliating and forced caste-based occupation and taken oaths not to do the job of skinning of dead animals and manual scavenging anymore," said Mevani. "This massive rally and unity of people was a tight slap on the face of BJP and Sangh parivar," he added.indiatomorrow
Mohan Bhagwat meant India needs common law for population growth, clarifies RSS
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/mohan-bhagwat-meant-india-needs-common-law-for-population-growth-clarifies-rss-2991385/
New Delhi: 2 days after Mohan Bhagwat asked which law says the population of Hindus should not rise – and faced flak for it – the Sangh on Monday clarified that the RSS chief meant that there should be a “common law about population growth applicable to all”,a comment consonance with the outfit’s continuous stand.Manmohan Vaidya, RSS’s all-India prachar pramukh, said, “Bhagwat-ji did not say that Hindus should produce more children. (He) intended to say that there should be a common law about population growth applicable to all.” Vaidya said Bhagwat’s remarks were “in reply to a question” a teacher at the event had asked him: “In Bharat, the rate of growth of Hindus is 2.1% and that of Muslims is 5.3 %. If the same continues then after 50 years will this country be not an Islamic country?” indianexpress
Muslim Population Not Exploding, RSS Claims Are Rubbish, say Experts: the quint
https://www.thequint.com/politics/2016/08/23/muslim-population-not-exploding-rss-claims-are-rubbish-experts
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is back in the middle of a controversy after he suggested that Hindus should produce more children as the Muslim population was “rising”. His assumption that Muslims are producing more children than Hindus is partly correct. The census data does show that the proportion of Muslims in India has grown from 13.4% in 2001 to 14.2% of the total population in 2011. In the same time, the proportion of Hindus has reduced from 80.5% to 79.8%.If these figures are viewed in isolation, one may feel that Muslims will pose a challenge to Hindu dominance in the future. To the paranoid,it may appear as a conspiracy of Muslims to take over the country.But if numbers are seen in context and experts are to be believed, all of these fears are baseless. The decision to have a child is an extremely complex process which includes a multitude of factors. It cannot be simply reduced to religion, which is only one of many factors, and not even a major one.
Hearing in Muzaffarnagar riots case adjourned till Sep 30
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hearing-in-muzaffarnagar-riots-case-adjourned-till-sep-30-116082201394_1.html
Muzaffarnagar: A local court has adjourned till Sept.30 the hearing in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case against BJP leaders, including Union minister Sanjeev Balyan. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Jitender Kumar adjourned the hearing in the case in which, besides Balyan, MP Bhartendu Singh, MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana and VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi are also named as accused. Court also exempted the accused from being present in person during the hearing. PTI
Brajesh Pathak exit: Mayawati’s rainbow coalition over; now targetting Muslims, Dalits
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/web-edits/brajesh-pathak-exit-bsp-mayawatis-rainbow-coalition-upper-castes-over-now-targetting-muslims-dalits-2991962/
New Delhi: Ex-Lok Sabha MP and a close confidante of BSP chief Mayawati, Brajesh Pathak joined the BJP on Monday, giving a fillip to the saffron party’s attempts to consolidate the Brahmin vote ahead of the crucial assembly elections in UP .Political analysts say Pathak’s departure from the BSP is an indication that Mayawati is focusing on a Dalit-Muslim consolidation unlike the rainbow coalition she had stitched together in the past, one which included Dalits, Muslims, non Yadav OBCs and Upper Castes.BSP had fielded 139 upper caste candidates in 2007 and won 206 seats and 30 % votes; in 2012 it had 117 upper caste candidates. “This time it will come down to almost 50% of the number it had in 2012,” said a source. Instead, Mayawati is giving them to Muslims.indianexpress
Belagavi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind launches peace and humanity campaign
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/jih-launches-campaign-for-unity-in-belgavi/article9021611.ece
Belagavi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) unit in Belagavi gave a clarion call to the people of the State and the nation to join hands towards strengthening the civil society against those trying to polarise people on religious and caste. Addressing a press conference on a 15-day campaign for ‘peace and humanity’ already launched in the district on Sunday, campaign convener and social worker Shahid Memon said here on Tuesday that the need to launch a campaign was felt in the wake of growing intolerance and violence, with victimisation and lynching becoming the order of the day. The gaps between various communities is being further widened through hate-propaganda, he said. A 13-member Committee headed by Shri Siddharam Swamiji of Naganuru Rudraskshimath launched the peace and humanity campaign on Aug.21. thehindu
Bridging divide in Gujarat: Muslims visit Hindu religious centre; Both vow to work for peace
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/bridging-divide-in-gujarat-muslims-visit-hindu-religious-centre;-both-vow-to-work-for-peace
Vadodara: This happens not often in the country, and indeed very rarely in communally-polarized Gujarat, that a Muslim body knocks at the door of a Hindu religious centre and the gate is opened with open heart. At the end of the meeting, both vowed to jointly work for peace and humanity in the state. Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, which is currently running a 2-week Peace & Humanity campaign, approached the Gayatri Pariwar centre here in Vadodara seeking time to tell about their campaign and its purpose. Much more than their expectation, they got instant positive response from the Hindu centre and the meeting was held on Tuesday. "Even though Tuesday is a busy day for the Gayatri Pariwar centre here, they welcomed us. They gathered 70-80 people from within the centre and the program ran for about 2 hours," Shafi Madani Sheth, ex-Gujarat president of Jamaat said. India Tomorrow
Water from Nepal, MP worsens UP flood situation; Bihar battles rivers in spate
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Flood-in-UP-Bihar-rivers-in-spate/articleshow/53827745.cms
Lucknow: The already grim flood situation in UP worsened on Tuesday after water was released from Nepal and adjoining states of MP and Uttrakhand, leading to further rise in water levels of major rivers in the state. Neighbouring Bihar+ too is battling floods despite receiving less than normal rain. According to CWC, Ganga is flowing above the danger levels+ at various places in UP like Fafamau and Chhatnag (both in Allahabad) and in Mirzapur, Varanasi, Ghazipur and Ballia.PTI
Houses in Rampur’s Valmiki Basti demolished
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/Houses-in-Rampurs-Valmiki-Basti-demolished/articleshow/53816192.cms
Rampur: As many as 19 houses at Rampur's Valmiki Basti were demolished here on Monday amid heavy deployment of force. The district administration carried out the demolition drive in the area situated near a newly-constructed shopping complex. The authorities had earlier declared the buildings as illegal encroachment over govt land. In 2015, the issue had hit headlines when hundreds of Valmikis had threatened to embrace Islam if their houses, where they had been living for the past 60 years, were demolished. Timesofindia
Mercy plea of Shabnam, who killed her family in 2008, rejected by President Mukherjee
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/president-pranab-mukherjee-rejects-mercy-plea-of-shabnam-who-killed-her-family-in-2008-2991329/
Lucknow: President Pranab Mukherjee has rejected the mercy petition of Shabnam, a teacher from Amroha district whose death sentence along with her lover Saleem’s was upheld by the Supreme Court in May this year for killing seven members of her family, including her 10-month old nephew, in April 2008. Shabnam, a double MA who taught at the village primary school, had sent two separate mercy petitions to the President of India and UP Governor in June 2015. indianexpress
MEDIA ON TERROR CASES
3 of 9 addresses of Dawood in Pak found incorrect: UN
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/three-of-nine-addresses-of-dawood-in-pakistan-found-incorrect-united-nations-2991852/
UN: 3 of the 9 places cited by India as addresses of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan have been found incorrect by a UN committee, which has removed these from its list.One of the addresses which have been dropped by the UNSC’s Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee was found similar to that of a residence of Islamabad’s envoy to UN Maleeha Lodhi. However, 6 other addresses provided by India have not been amended. India, in a dossier, had cited these nine addresses as those frequented by Dawood.Security Council’s ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee amended its entry Monday concerning Dawood, the mastermind behind the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, with “underline and strikethrough”.PTI
Pak expresses concerns over 'delay' in Samjhauta probe
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-expresses-grave-concern-over-delay-in-Samjhauta-probe/articleshow/53828733.cms
Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday expressed its "grave concern" over what it called "unnecessary delay" in the investigation of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing case. "Pakistan has conveyed its grave concern to India over (the) unnecessary delay in the free and fair investigation of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack," the Foreign Office said.PTI
Post Godhra riots: Gujarat ATS arrests 2 from Burhanpur
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Post-Godhra-riots-Gujarat-ATS-arrests-2- from -Burhanpur/articleshow/53822362.cms
Indore: Gujarat ATS arrested 2 persons accused of supplying arms to 2 Ahmedabad-based persons in 2003 from Burhanpur city of Madhya Pradesh late on Sunday. Burhanpur police said the two men were wanted for supplying arms and ammunition in Ahmedabad in 2003 to avenge the attacks on Muslims in the state during the post-2002 Godhra riots. The Gujarat ATS team nabbed them Ganapati Naka area.Abdul Razak alias Abdul Rahim Sheikh and Mohammad Shakeel Sheikh, both aged 36, were arrested following a probe by the ATS. Timesofindia
Qureshi, Rizwan sent to judicial custody till Sept. 15
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Qureshi-Rizwan-sent-to-judicial-custody-till-September-15/2016/08/23/article3592295.ece
Kochi: Arshi Qureshi and Rizwan Khan-- Zakir Naik’s aides-- arrested in connection with case relating to the disappearance of local girl Merin aka Mariyam, were on Monday remanded in judicial custody till Sept.15. The court will consider the bail plea of the accused later. Newindianexpress
WORLD
Turkey backtracks on 'child suicide bomber' statement
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/reports-turkey-child-bomber-accompanied-adults-160822143427812.html
Turkey's PM Binali Yildirim says authorities are in no position to verify whether a child suicide bomber was responsible for a blast that killed at least 54 people on Saturday, reversing an earlier assertion by President Tayyip Erdogan."We are not in a position to verify anything about who the perpetrator was - if it was a child, an adult, or for which organisation," Yildrim told reporters in Ankara on Monday, referring to the suicide attack at a wedding in the city of Gaziantep."We do not have a clue about who the perpetrators behind the attack were," he added. "Early information on who did the attack, in what organisation's name, is unfortunately not right," he said. aljazeera
China promises military aid to Syria's Assad
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/176500/china-promises-military-aid-to-syrias-assad
A visit by a top Chinese military officer to Syria has been viewed as a show of support for the Syrian govt, which is engaged in heavy anti-terror battles with the help of its allies, including Russia and Iran.China’s official Xinhua agency said in a commentary that recent visit by Guan Youfei, Chinese military official charged with overseeing international cooperation, signaled Beijing’s willingness to boost military cooperation with the Damascus government. This is while the paper Global Times cited the Chinese Defense Ministry as saying that both sides agreed to expand personnel training and humanitarian aid to Syrians via the Chinese military.worldbulletin
Son of Ghulam Azam allegedly detained
http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/117693/Son-of-Ghulam-Azam-allegedly-detained
Law enforcement agency personnel allegedly took away the son of late Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam from his residence in Maghbazar in Dhaka early Tuesday. The family said Abullahil Amaan Azmi, a former army officer and the fourth son of Ghulam Azam, was picked up by 30-35 plainclothesmen from his house on Kazi Office Lane in Maghbazar in the midnight hour after Monday. Prothom alo
Bangladesh approves life term to taint Sk Mujibur Rahman
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/bangladesh-approves-life-term-for-tainting-liberation-war-mujib/article9019065.ece
Dhaka: Bangladesh Cabinet has approved a draft law, with a provision for life-term imprisonment and Tk.1 crore fine for “carrying out propaganda” against the Liberation War and the nation’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the electronic media. thehindu
OIC: ‘Israeli strikes in Gaza heinous crime’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160823-oic-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-heinous-crime/
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Sunday the Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, calling it a “military escalation” and describing it as a “heinous crime”, the Anadolu reported.In a statement, the OIC placed “full responsibility” of the “dangerous military escalation” in the coastal enclave on the Israeli occupation. middleeastmonitor
Iraq executions are part of political and sectarian agenda, claim human rights groups
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160823-iraq-executions-are-part-of-political-and-sectarian-agenda-claim-human-rights-groups/
Human rights organisations have demanded that the international community should take a firm stance in response to the “political and sectarian executions” which have taken place recently in Iraq.Amnesty International and the Arab Organisation for Human Rights have criticised the Iraqi authorities for executing 36 people convicted of killing hundreds of Iraqi soldiers near Camp Speicher in Tikrit, north of Baghdad, just over two years ago. They claim that some of those who were executed could have be innocent or had confessions extracted from them by force. middleeastmonitor
Ultra-Orthodox rabbis ban women from going to university in case they get ‘dangerous’ secular knowledge
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ultra-orthodox-rabbis-ban-women-from-going-to-university-in-case-they-get-dangerous-secular-a7204171.html
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish rabbis have banned women from going to university, The Independent has learned. The strict Satmar sect issued the decree, warning that university education for women is “dangerous”. Written in Yiddish, the decree warns: “It has lately become the new trend that girls and married women are pursuing degrees in special education.Some attend classes and others online. And so we’d like to let their parents know that it is against the Torah. The Independent
German court rules Muslim woman can't wear veil in class
http://in.reuters.com/article/religion-burqa-germany-idINKCN10X1SN
A German court ruled on Monday that a Muslim woman could not wear a niqab to evening school, fuelling a debate about the face veil after conservatives pressed the govt to ban women from wearing it in schools, at courts and while driving.The woman had complained on Friday to the administrative court in the northeastern city of Osnabrueck after a school overturned its decision to give her a place because she felt obliged to wear the niqab - which covers the hair and face except for the eyes - for religious reasons. Reuters
An anti-Islam leader staged a fake ‘Islamic invasion’ — featuring a camel — in Prague
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/08/22/an-anti-islam-leader-staged-a-fake-islamic-invasion-featuring-a-camel-in-prague/
On Sunday afternoon, visitors to Prague’s Old Town Square were greeted by a worrying sight. A jeep full of bearded men dressed in military garb mixed with traditional Middle Eastern attire drove into the square and began shooting Kalashnikovs into the sky and chanting "Allahu akbar."The men carried with them the flag of the Islamic State and held what appeared to be a prisoner wearing a red jumpsuit in their vehicle. They even had a camel.As it turns out, the Islamic "invasion" of Prague was actually a stunt staged by Martin Konvička, a Czech politician who is an outspoken critic of Islam.washingtonpost
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:57 PM)
