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Evening NEWS DIGEST
30 Aug. 2016: 26 Dzulqa'dah 37: Vol:7, No:150
INDIA
RBI, govt exploring introduction of interest-free Islamic banking
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/RBI-govt-exploring-introduction-of-interest-free-banking/articleshow/53929204.cms
Mumbai:Reserve Bank and the govt are exploring introduction of interest-free banking, also known as Islamic Banking, to financially include sections of the society that remains excluded due to religious reasons."Some sections of Indian society have remained financially excluded for religious reasons that preclude them from using banking products with an element of interest."Towards mainstreaming these excluded sections, it is proposed to explore the modalities of introducing interest- free banking products in the country in consultation with the govt," RBI said in its annual report for 2015-16.Islamic or Sharia banking is a finance system based on the principles of not charging interest, which is prohibited under Islam.Earlier this year, Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) had announced it will open its first Indian branch in Ahmedabad. India's Exim bank had signed MoU with IDB for a USD 100 million line-of-credit to facilitate exports to IDBs 56 member countries. Globally, Islamic banking has witnessed a significant increase, especially in the wake of the financial crisis.PTI
RBI to explore interest-free banking
http://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/rbi-to-explore-interest-free-banking-116082901134_1.html
RBI, govt exploring introduction of Sharia banking
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/RBI-govt-exploring-introduction-of-interest-free-banking/articleshow/53929204.cms?
India, US sign deal to share military assets and bases
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-us-sign-logistics-agreement-in-big-boost-for-defence-ties-1451997
India and the US have signed an important agreement to use each other's land, air and naval bases for repair and resupply, taking a step toward reinforcing defence ties as they seek to counter an aggressive China."US has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners," said a joint statement after the pact was signed.At a press conference with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the agreement will allow the Indian and US navies to have an easier time supporting each other in joint operations and exercises and when providing humanitarian assistance. The deal is seen as a milestone in the India-US defence relationship because of the outsized political importance it had taken on in India, where concerns were raised over whether the country's autonomy would be undermined. But both leaders made it clear that the logistics agreement did not allow the basing of US troops in India.The signing of the pact will "make the logistics of joint operations so much easier and so much more efficient," said Carter.NDTV
US, India sign pact to share military assets, bases
http://www.tribunereporter.com/us-india-sign-written-logistics-agreement-to-share-military-assets-bases/25352
India’s bid to join US alliance could irk China, Pakistan: Chinese media on LEMOA
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/indias-bid-to-join-us-alliance-could-irk-china-pakistan-chinese-media-on-lemoa-3003602/
Beijing:Attempts by India to join US’ alliance could “irritate” China, Pakistan or even Russia and bring “strategic troubles” to New Delhi while making it a centre of geopolitical rivalries in Asia, China’s state-run media commented on Tuesday. In an editorial written ahead of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter signing a logistics agreement, state-run Global Times said India may loose strategic independence if it leans towards the US.Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) allows India and US militaries to access each other’s military facilities for refuelling and replenishment. “This is undoubtedly a leap forward in US-India military cooperation. US media highly applauded this deal, with Forbes hailing it as a ‘war pact’ and believing that India is shifting away from Russia, its Cold War ally, toward a new alliance with the US,” the editorial said. “If India hastily joins the US alliance system, it may irritate China, Pakistan or even Russia. It may not make India feel safer, but will bring strategic troubles to itself and make itself a centre of geopolitical rivalries in Asia,” it said.“India holds dear its independence and sovereignty after squeezing out of the UK’s colonialism. It views itself as a major power and is developing on the wave of the emerging countries,” the editorial said.PTI
Islam is misinterpreted to youngsters who are brainwashed into terror activities:Acharya Gopal Chandra
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/islam-is-misinterpreted-to-youngsters-who-are-brainwashed-into-terror-activities-says-acharya-gopal-chandra-khatri-kolkata-3003110/
Kolkata:Hindu religious leader Acharya Gopal Chandra Khatri of World Brotherhood Forum on Monday said that Islam was misunderstood and misinterpreted across the world. “Islam is misinterpreted to youngsters who are brainwashed into terror activities. Organisations like the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) are trying to say that we all are equal,” he told The Indian Express, on the sidelines of a seminar held by JIH here. Referring to the ongoing cow census being conducted by an RSS-affiliated body, he said, “It is not good. In the name of cow census, the so-called gau rakshaks are going overboard.There are personal sentiments of people that need to be looked at.”Khatri also alleged that politicians were using this opportunity to create communal divide for their own interest. “They should realise that if they start a fire it would consume them as well,” he said.The seminar titled, ‘Peace and Human Integrity’, is part of several programmes being organised by JIH from Aug.21 to Sept. 4. Several religious leaders spoke about the prevailing communal tension, and how it should be tackled. “The aim is to bring an overall communal harmony in India. The seminar today has been organised because there is a need for an interaction among all religious leaders. We intend to put up a non-political, social forum for such an interaction,” said JIH president, Md Nooruddin.Another panelist in the seminar, Abdul Aziz, president of Milli Ittehad Parishad, said there was a prevailing political storm in the country where Muslims and Dalits were being targetted. indianexpress
Kashmir unrest: Senior journalist, Muslim leader Zafarul Islam Khan pulls out of Modi govt’s Muslim delegation
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-unrest-senior-journalist-pulls-out-of-pm-modi-s-muslim-delegation/story-WjXriOmq9rWECKNO36okOJ.html
New Delhi: The Modi govt’s plan to send a Muslim-majority delegation to Kashmir is yet to take off, but a prominent Muslim figure said he has refused to be a part of the team. Zafarul Islam Khan, the editor of Milli Gazette and ex-chief of the All India Majlis-e-Mushawarat, said he was pulling out of the delegation because the govt appeared to be more focused on putting an end to stone pelting than coming up with bridge-building measures.Khan said he was invited to have a meeting with home minister Rajnath Singh on Aug.21.After the meeting, Khan said he wasn’t convinced that the govt was eager on formulating confidence-building measures as much as the need to end the wave of protests. “It was clear during our interaction that the home minister wanted the throwing of stones at security forces to stop. He did not give commitments on humanitarian gestures.”Khan said he made 3 demands to help soften the protests. He suggested evacuating all injured protesters in danger of losing their sight due to pellets to Delhi for treatment. The Centre should also give compensation to those injured, he said, while a formal decision to abandon pellet guns should be announced.“It was evident that the home minister was not ready for any confidence-building measures as of now. He did not show interest to bring the injured away from the Valley, no readiness to immediately stop pellet guns, no readiness to announce compensations.”HT
Kashmir: Non-lethal options to pellets were cleared in 2012 but file gathers dust
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-non-lethal-options-to-pellets-were-cleared-in-2012-but-file-gathers-dust-3003276/
New Delhi:J&K Police and Central govt forces had tested and approved in 2012 the acquisition of low-lethality riot-control equipment that could have prevented many casualties in the ongoing street violence in UP, according to documents obtained by The Indian Express. But the acquisition process got stuck in bureaucratic red-tape, despite a public commitment made by the then PM Manmohan Singh after police shot dead 110 protesters across Kashmir during the unrest in 2010.Indian Express
Opposition leaders sounded out, all-party team heads to the Valley next week, led by Rajnath Singh
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajnath-to-lead-all-party-team-to-srinagar-on-september-4-3002703/
New Delhi:A day after PM Narendra Modi again reached out to the Valley, this time with the message of unity and affection, govt sources said an all-party delegation, led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, will visit UP on Sept.4 and will meet a cross-section of people as part of a process to return normalcy. “The delegation is expected to visit Srinagar and Jammu on Sept. 4, 5 and 6, and meet all those who are interested in restoring peace in the Valley,” a govt source said Monday. Asked if the delegation would meet separatists, the source said, “We cannot stop members of the delegation from meeting people they choose to, but a general consensus will be arrived at by all members of the delegation prior to the visit. Delegation will talk to anyone who wishes to discuss the issue within the framework of democracy and the Constitution.” indianexpress
Separatist shutdown continues in Kashmir
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/separatist-shutdown-continues-in-kashmir-curfews-clashes-police-security-forces-protests-protestors-3003401/
Srinagar:Separatist shutdown continued in Kashmir on Tuesday despite relaxation of curfew in the Valley. “Except for Pulwama town and 2 police station areas of Nowhatta and MR Gunj in Srinagar, there would be no curfew anywhere in the Valley,” a senior police official said. “In order to maintain law and order, restrictions under section 144 CrPc will, however, continue.”Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh is set to visit the troubled state on Sept.4 heading an all party delegation to the Valley which will hold meetings with local leaders aiming to stop the unrest.Officials, however, said the delegation has no plans to meet any separatist leader who have been put under detention. Separatists have extended their protest shutdown call up to Sept.1.IANS
Curfew lifted from Pulwama; situation improving: police
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-curfew-lifted-from-pulwama-situation-improving-3003561/
Terror funding: NIA to quiz Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son, Hurriyat cries foul
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/terror-funding-nia-to-quiz-syed-ali-shah-geelanis-son-hurriyat-cries-foul-3003167/
Srinagar: NIA has summoned Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s elder son Nayeem Zafar Geelani for questioning in connection with a probe into suspected terror funds. Hurriyat described the move as an attempt to “pressurise and intimidate” the separatist leadership.Nayeem, Geelani’s elder son, is a doctor who was in Pakistan for 12 years before returning to the Valley in 2010.The case pertains to a preliminary enquiry registered by NIA to probe flow of funds into various bank accounts from overseas which are allegedly being used for terrorism.NIA has already questioned Hurriyat leader and Geelani’s personal secretary Peer Saifullah, who is in police custody since Saturday.Sources said nothing incriminating was found against Saifullah.Hurriyat said the move to summon Geelani’s son was an attempt to “intimidate” him. It said the central agency had also “harassed and questioned” Hurriyat leaders Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah and Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah.“After miserably failing to curb and contain the current mass uprising by all the military might, a much notorious NIA has been given the task to drag these fabricated cases to Delhi, thereby pressurising the leadership,” the Hurriyat said. “These inhuman,immoral and undemocratic tactics will not deter the pro-freedom people from advocating their just cause.”Hurriyat said Centre was “frustrated” to the extent that it was “framing and arresting pro-freedom leaders”.indianexpress
SC rejects plea of Kashmir’s longest serving prisoner
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/sc-rejects-plea-of-kashmir-valley-s-longest-serving-prisoner-116083000359_1.html
New Delhi: Supreme Court has dismissed a plea of Kashmir's longest serving prisoner, Ashiq Hussain Faktoo, to reconsider his conviction and life term.A top-ranking former commander of the Islamist outfit Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JM) and a separatist, Faktoo has been serving a life term on account of his alleged involvement in the murder of human rights activist Hridhay Nath Wanchoo in 1992 and has been in jail since 1993.ANI
Non Resident Kashmiris write to John Kerry, seek his help to address Kashmir crisis with India
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/227153.html
Srinagar:Non Resident Kashmiris from US have addressed a letter to Secretary of US Department of State John Kerry on the occasion of his visit to India.NRKs, on behalf of the suffering people of Kashmir, have called upon John Kerry to utilize his authority to convince the Indian govt, during his ongoing visit to New Delhi, to turn to the path of sanity and thus, maintain the security and stability in the entire South East Asia."NRKs have urged that it’s right time for John Kerry to put an end to the violence perpetrated by India in Kashmir – the territory unwillingly occupied for six decades, and fulfill the promise of Self-determination," read the letter. Greater kashmir
Kashmiri diaspora protest in US against killings, rights violations
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/world/kashmiri-diaspora-protest-in-us-against-killings-rights-violations/227120.html
Muslim cop moves high court, seeks right to grow beard
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Muslim-policeman-moves-high-court-seeks-right-to-grow-beard/articleshow/53915856.cms
Kochi: A Muslim policeman has approached the Kerala high court seeking a declaration that he is entitled to grow a beard and that police authorities' stance that it cannot be allowed is in violation of the constitutional right to practice religion freely. Riyas K, who is a civil police officer attached to the armed reserve police camp at Ernakulam, filed the petition to the high court after his requests seeking permission to spot a beard permanently were declined by police authorities and the state govt .In denying permission, the state police chief cited the police manual but no specific provision that deals with the code of appearance of police personnel was referred in the order, the petition said."Police manual does not contain any provision prohibiting the growing of beard. There is also no statute, service rules, or govt order prohibiting personnel in Kerala Police from growing beard. The legal position therefore is that there is no law prohibiting sporting of beard by a police officer," the petition filed through advocate PK Ibrahim stated.In the absence of any legal provision to prevent a police official from growing a beard, denial of permission is arbitrary, illegal, and sheer denial of fundamental rights guaranteed under various articles of the constitution, the petitioner argues.TOI
Cop moves HC to grow beard
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cop-moves-hc-to-grow-beard/article9046462.ece
‘Don’t compel Muslim kids to do Surya namaskar’
http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/dont-compel-muslim-kids-to-do-surya-namaskar/919160
Mumbai: One of the hotly debated issues in the education committee meeting on Monday was that of making Surya namaskar compulsory in BMC schools.Noorjahan Shaikh, an education committee member and corporator from Baiganwadi said,“There are 400 Urdu-medium schools under BMC.We Muslims can only pray to Allah and cannot take darshan of any other deity. By passing this proposal for Surya namaskar, the BMC is forcing it on our community.” She demanded that the proposal be revoked.Another Muslim corporator called the move a misuse of power. “144 BMC schools have closed between 2000 and 2016. There are children dropping out and enrolment is low,” he said and warned that schools will be empty with Muslims pulling their children out of BMC schools if compelled in this manner.Members questioned if Surya namaskar formed part of the educational curriculum.Education committee chairperson Hemangi Worlikar said the matter will be decided upon by the Commissioner. Freepressjournal
Jamiat-e-Ulema to appeal Surya Namaskar decision
http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/body-appeal-surya-namaskar-decision-816
Mumbai:A prominent organisation working for the welfare of Muslims is all set to approach the Bombay high court against BMC’s decision to make Surya Namaskar compulsory in all municipal schools. Jamiat-e-Ulema, Maharashtra’s contention is that the civic body’s decision allegedly violates fundamental rights of Muslim citizens enshrined in the Indian Constitution. “We are challenging the BMC’s decision of making Surya Namaskar compulsory in civic-run schools on grounds that it violates the fundamental rights of Muslims provided under the Constitution of India,” said Advocate Tahwar Khan Pathan, appointed by the body to file the petition.He added that Surya Namaskar is against Islam and is part and parcel of yoga which requires spiritual and physical bowing before the sun for bhakti (devotion) and the one performing it requires to recite shlokas (prayers) and hence, a Muslim cannot perform it. asianage
Revoke resolution of Suryanamaskar:Chheda to civic chief
http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/revoke-resolution-of-surya-namaskar-pravin-chheda-to-civic-chief-ajoy-mehta/919159
Mumbai: Seeking to strike a chord with the city’s Muslim voters, Pravin Chheda, opposition leader in the civic body, met civic chief Ajoy Mehta on Monday along with with a 22 member delegation of the Congress minorities cell and demanded a revocation of the resolution regularising Surya namaskar in civic-run schools. freepressjournal
'No matter if they remain illiterate, but I can't allow Muslim children do Surya Namaskar'
http://www.ummid.com/news/2016/August/29.08.2016/ali-miya-nadwvi-on-surya-namaskar.html
Congress minority panel joins protests against making Surya Namaskar mandatory in BMC-run-schools
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/congress-minority-panel-joins-protests-against-making-surya-namaskar-mandatory-in-bmc-run-schools-3002986/
Union minister Ramdas Athawale wants beef ban lifted after Udit Raj comments
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ramdas-aathawale-wants-beef-ban-lifted-as-udit-raj-nails-bolt-s-diet-secret/story-Y147lPhSqyrfak89Daf8LK.html
New Delhi: People should be allowed to eat the meat of bulls and bullocks for its high protein,Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Monday, after BJP parliamentarian Udit Raj linked sprint legend Usain Bolt’s success to beef. Both Dalit leaders touched an emotive issue as many states have banned the eating of beef and slaughter of cows, considered sacred in Hinduism, and self-styled cattle protectors have stepped up efforts to impose the prohibition.Junior social justice minister Athawale agreed “50%” with Raj’s remarks, saying if people want, they should be allowed to eat beef.“Cow slaughter is already banned … Farmers who have buffaloes, which are aged and unproductive, can at least sell them and earn a livelihood,” said RPI(A) leader, whose party is an NDA constituent. Athawale opposed Maharashtra govt’s decision to ban beef last year.The majority of Hindus don’t eat beef, but cow and buffalo meat used to be a source of protein for many poor Dalits.“Bolt is a big sports personality and I agree 50% with Udit Raj that eating beef has made him strong and thus he could win medals. But if we see it in a larger perspective, there are sportsmen who do not eat beef or eat just mutton or are simply vegetarians but won awards,” Athawale said. HT
If people want, they should be allowed to eat ‘beef’: Union minister Ramdas Athawale
http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national-if-people-want-they-should-be-allowed-to-eat-beef-union-minister-ramdas-athawale-345877
SP supports Udit Raj’s beef statement, says he is under pressure from BJP:ANI
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/sp-supports-bjp-mp-udit-raj-beef-statement-on-usain-bolt-3003372/
Mumbai: Samajwadi Party on Tuesday extended its support to BJP leader Udit Raj, who said Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won nine Olympics gold medals because of consuming beef as a source of protein.SP leader Abu Azmi said Raj’s statement reflected his original stance and is now under pressure from the BJP.“I agree with Udit Raj. On one hand, he is in BJP and on the other hand,he is being disturbed by atrocities committed against Dalits. When I met him, I asked his opinion on beef slaughter to which he couldn’t answer because he was scared of BJP,”he said.He questioned the ruling dispensation’s double standard on beef banning and said that there some states, including a BJP ruled state, which allows slaughtering of cows.
Maha distances itself from beef-ban monitors,facts don’t
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/maharashtra-distances-itself-from-beef-ban-monitors-facts-dont-3003258/
Mumbai:Seeking to distance itself from a controversial call issued by its animal husbandry department in May for “Honorary Animal Welfare Officers” to serve as “eyes to monitor the beef ban” imposed last year, the Maharashtra govt has claimed that the exercise was undertaken by a former commissioner of the department “on his own initiative”. However, records in the possession of Indian Express clearly show that the call for applications was an official initiative launched through govt channels — in the form of a letter dated May 12, 2016, signed by SS Bhosale, the then commissioner of animal husbandry, and sent to all the seven offices of regional joint commissioners and 33 district deputy commissioners of the department.Bhosale’s letter was also copied to office of the principal secretary (animal husbandry) in the Mantralaya —same official who has now claimed that Bhosale’s move was a personal initiative. Indian Express
Day one of 2-day ban: MNS protests over meat shop closure during Jain fest Paryushan
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/meat-shop-closed-mumbai-jain-festival-mns-protest-3003025/
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Monday staged an agitation at Dadar to protest the closure of meat shops ordered by the state govt and municipalities in deference to Jain community observing Paryushan, period of abstinence. Monday was the first of 2-day ban when all mutton and chicken shops in the city were to remain closed. Shops will be closed for business once again on Sept. 5.MNS workers, meanwhile, protested closure by asking mutton shops in Dadar not to down shutters. Activists were later detained by police. “They can observe their religion, but why should they force other people to abstain from eating meat? We are against this sort of behaviour and have asked meat shops in our area to remain open,”said MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande. indianexpress
MNS man behind beef sale in Ambernath, says Police
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/beef-ban-sale-ambernath-mns-man-3002996/
Mahatma birthplace ranks No1 in forced migration of Dalits
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/news/india/Mahatmas-birthplace-ranks-No-1in-forced-migration-of-Dalits/articleshow/53921730.cms
As Dalit uprising in Gujarat captures national attention, Mirror finds out that Porbandar has recorded the highest number of cases of forced Dalit migration in the state. Call it irony, but Porbandar in Saurashtra, the birthplace of Mahtama Gandhi, has recorded the maximum cases of forced Dalit displacement and migration in Gujarat. What's further ironical is that the displaced also includes an elected sarpanch too.Suman Chavda, 44, was elated when he got elected as the sarpanch of Vinzrana village of Porbandar in 2012. Out of 1,500 people living in this village, over 500 are Dalits. However, soon afterwards, according to Sumanbhai, 44, his problems began. "Not just the upper castes but even OBCs ganged up. I was constantly reminded by the panchayat members that I was a Dalit and hence my presence was only for cosmetic value. My being a sarpanch was immaterial." "I had faced discrimination in the past, too. Unfortunately, of late, intolerance and bigotry towards Dalits has only intensified', he says. The population in Vinzrana comprises Dalits, Mers, Brahmins, Muslims and Rabaris (shepherd).Mumbai Mirror
Asked about SP leaders leaving party,Azam cites ‘sinking ship’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/asked-about-sp-leaders-leaving-party-azam-cites-sinking-ship-3003127/
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has compared his party to a “sinking ship” while speaking about leaders deserting the SP. Asked about SP leaders who were leaving the party, Khan said in Rampur on Sunday: “When a ship develops a hole and is about to sink, rats are the first ones to flee.”Later, he clarified that such leaders were leaving the party because they feared they would be denied tickets in next year’s Assembly polls. indianexpress
Subramanian Swamy: L-G Najeeb Jung 420 like Kejri, need Sangh person in Delhi
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/subramanian-swamy-l-g-najeeb-jung-unsuited-for-post-420-like-kejri-sangh-person-arvind-kejriwal-3003593/
New Delhi:BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy is at it again. This time, the MP has trained his guns at Delhi L-G Najeeb Jung, saying he was unsuited to head the national capital.“In my opinion, this LG of Delhi Jung is unsuited for this high post. He is another 420 like Kejri. We need a Sangh person in Delhi,” Swamy said. indianexpress
Bengal, Bangla and Bangal: Assembly passes resolution
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bengal-bangla-and-bangal-assembly-passes-resolution-3003097/
Kolkata: State Assembly Monday passed a resolution to change the name of West Bengal to Bangla in Bengali, Bengal in English and Bangal in Hindi. The Opposition Congress, BJP and Left opposed the move. indianexpress
Haji Ali Dargah management hold deliberations before moving SC
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/haji-ali-dargah-management-hold-deliberations-before-moving-supreme-court-3003845/
Mumbai:The management of the famous Haji Ali Dargah have started deliberations on challenging the Bombay High Court verdict, that lifted the ban imposed on women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine here, in the Supreme Court. “We held detailed discussions yesterday over the issue in the wake of the HC verdict and sought opinion of each of the management members. But we are going to hold a few more rounds of meetings to get the opinion of other stakeholders as well,” Sohail Khandwani, a trustee of the century-old Dargah told PTI,”Also, on Friday, we would be holding meetings with religious scholars besides having consultations with our councils based in Mumbai and Delhi after which a final decision on the issue would be taken”, he said.PTI
RSS turning temples into arms stores, shakhas: Kerala Minister
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rss-turning-temples-into-arms-stores-shakhas-kerala-minister-3002998/
Kerala’s Temple Affairs Minister Kadakampally Surendran Monday claimed that RSS has converted temples into its shakhas, and that its cadres are allegedly storing weapons in the temples. “Govt has got several complaints about illegal operation of RSS shakhas at temples. Govt will take strong action against the conduct of (such) shakhas,’’ he said.He also alleged that the Sangh is trying to keep devotees away from temples by turning them into “storehouses of arms” and giving “arms training” to its cadres.BJP rubbished the allegations and slammed LDF govt’s “anti-Hindu” stance.Surendran’s remarks come a day after Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran said lighting of lamps, as has been the practice traditionally, and singing of religious hymns at govt programmes and functions should be avoided. “Our Constitution has no religion or caste. Hence (there is) no need to light nilavilakku (traditional lamps) during govt functions,’’he had said.indianexpress
Tension in Moradabad over WhatsApp video
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/whatsapp-video-sparks-tension-in-moradabad-3003218/
Lucknow:Tension prevailed in Moradabad city’s Nagphani area as members of the Muslim community took to the streets late Sunday to protest against a video circulated on social media platform WhatsApp, purportedly showing 2 youths being beaten up and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.Suspecting that the video was shot somewhere in the district, the mob marched to the Shahi Imam’s residence to seek instructions over the matter. Soon, senior district officials and police rushed to the spot to inform the mob that the video was shot in Gujarat’s Surat district earlier this month and the accused had already been arrested. indianexpress
‘Marital rape’ of girls under 18 not criminalised due to social realities: Home ministry to Delhi HC
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/marital-rape-of-girls-under-18-not-criminalised-due-to-social-realities-home-ministry-to-delhi-hc-3003245/
New Delhi:Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cited “social realities” as the reason for not criminalising ‘marital rape’ of girls under 18 years of age in the country.“Although the age of consent is 18 years and child marriage is discouraged, marriage below permissible age is avoidable but not void on account of social realities. It is submitted that the social, economic and educational development of the country is still uneven and child marriages are taking place. It has been decided to retain the age of 15 years under the exception 2 of Section 375 so as to give protection to husband and wife against criminalising the sexual activity between them,” said MHA affidavit filed before Delhi High Court. Indianexpress
Kalburgi, Pansare and Dabholkar melded modern sensibilities with tradition: Seema Chishti's article
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/mm-kalburgi-murder-karnataka-3002962/
Kashmiris must use fresh methods, free of radical Islam, free of violence: Rajmohan Gandhi's article
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/kashmir-violence-unrest-drop-the-stone-3002958/
Islam does not discriminate in allowing entry to places of worship: Syeda Hameed's article
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/haji-ali-dargah-muslim-women-bombay-high-court-judgement-islamic-teaching-3002883/
Media on terror cases
Parbhani masjid blast acquittals: Court doubted state's intention in prosecuting the accused
http://twocircles.net/2016aug29/1472453295.html#.V8VSQ1R97IU
Mumbai: The complicity of public prosecutors, coupled with a lethargic attitude of the Maharashtra state in prosecuting the accused in 2003 Parbhani Masjid bomb blast case lead to the acquittal of all the accused, various orders of the previous judge recorded during the trial have shown.On Nov.21, 2003 a bomb exploded at Mohammadiya Masjid, Rehmat Nagar, Parbhani killing one person and injuring 34 others. Nearly 13 years later, on Aug.18, 2016 the session judge MS Jawalkar acquitted all 4 in the case sighting lack of evidences.But if 13 years later, lack of evidence is sighted as a reason, it begs the question: how well was the prosecution doing its job? When Twocircles.net investigated into this aspect, it was revealed that in the orders passed prior to the judgment, it showed that the prosecution never showed any enthusiasm in ensuring that the accused are convicted;in fact many a times the prosecution irked the court by remaining absent during trial or by filing frivolous applications of adjournments with the aim of delaying the case.What is even more questionable that the prosecution remained absent even on the date when 6 witnesses were present in the court for recording of evidences. Such careless attitude in conducting trial had even earned Maharashtra state a punishment in terms of imposed fine of Rs. 12,000. TCN
Sharad Pawar to fight for ‘illegal detention’ of Muslim youths in terror cases
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/C8bfTISP2y2mQWlQl1jEnM/Sharad-Pawar-to-fight-for-illegal-detention-of-Muslim-yout.html
Mumbai: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he was planning to discuss what he called “illegal detention” of Muslim youths with secular parties and bring the issue to the notice of the PM.Insisting that there was no need to make this a “political issue”, Pawar, however, said this was an issue that merited national discussion. He said a delegation of 28 non-political Muslim organisations called on him in Aurangabad two days back and made this suggestion. Pawar said the Muslim organisations had provided him with details about specific cases of Muslim youths picked up by Maharashtra ATS on mere suspicion that they were associated with the ISIS. “The representatives of these organisations gave me specific cases where Muslim youths have been picked up by the ATS and no charges have yet been filed nor have they been produced before a magistrate. The law says that any person who has been arrested must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of being arrested. But these organisations gave me documents about cases where the arrested youths have not been produced before a magistrate for 120 hours or days. This is illegal detention,” Pawar said. Livemint.com
Pawar slams arrests of Muslim youths for alleged IS links
http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/pawar-criticises-arrests-of-muslim-youths-for-alleged-isis-links-terming-them-random-arbitrary-116083000711_1.html
IS case:NIA seeks police custody of Yasmin for recruiting
http://www.tehelka.com/2016/08/nia-seeks-police-custody-of-woman-for-recruiting-21-youth-in-is/
NIA has sought custody of a 29-year-old woman Yasmin Ahmed who was allegedly instrumental in recruiting 21 youths from Kerala for terror group IS. tehelka
IS running terror classes in Kerala, Yasmin tells NIA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/IS-running-terror-classes-in-Kerala-Yasmin-Ahmed-tells-NIA/articleshow/53921303.cms
WORLD
Bangladeshi Jamaat leader Mir Qasim to be executed in days after losing final appeal
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3764762/Bangladesh-Islamist-leader-executed-days-losing-final-appeal-historic-war-crimes-tribunal.html#ixzz4IoItWTeK
A Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader faces execution within days after he lost his final appeal against a death sentence over 40-year-old war crimes allegations. Mir Quasem Ali, who was the chief financier for Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, was convicted in 1971 war crimes case. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said:'Now he has a chance to seek presidential clemency. Or else the verdict could be executed anytime whenever the state wants.'Their families said they had refused to seek a presidential pardon as they did not want to legitimise the whole trials process.Tuesday's decision is considered a major blow for the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party, which the 63-year-old Ali had helped revive by setting up charities, businesses and trusts linked to it after it was allowed to operate in the late 1970s.His son Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem, who was part of his legal defence team, was allegedly abducted by security forces earlier in August, which critics say was an attempt to sow fear and prevent protests against the imminent execution.The war crimes tribunal set up by the govt has divided the country, with supporters of Jamaat and the main opposition BNP branding them a sham aimed at eliminating their leaders.The executions and convictions of Jamaat officials plunged Bangladesh into one of its worst crises in 2013 when tens of thousands of Islamist activists clashed with police in protests that left some 500 people dead. The Jamaat, which is banned from contesting elections, called a nationwide strike for Wednesday, calling the charges against Ali 'false' and 'baseless' and accusing the govt of exacting 'political vengeance'. Defence lawyers have said the charges against him were baseless.His lawyer Khandker Mahbub Hossain said: 'Mir Quashem Ali wasn't directly involved in war crimes. False witnesses were provided to frame charges against him. Future generation and law experts will scrutinise the verdict whether it was justified.'The court ruling comes a day after a visit to Dhaka by US Secretary of State John Kerry who said the best way to combat extremism was 'to live up to the core values of democracy'.Rights groups have criticised the war crimes trials, saying they fall short of international standards and lack any foreign oversight.A group of United Nations human rights experts last week urged Bangladesh to annul Ali's death sentence and to retry him in compliance with international standards. Dailymail
Court delivered verdict based on false witnesses and evidences, says Mir Quasem’s lawyer
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/08/30/court-delivered-verdict-based-on-false-witnesses-and-evidences-says-mir-quasems-lawyer
Jamaat-e-Islami calls for shutdown on Wednesday over Mir Quasem’s war crimes verdict
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/08/30/jamaat-e-islami-calls-for-shutdown-on-wednesday-over-mir-quasems-war-crimes-verdict
Bangladesh SC upholds death penalty of Mir Quasem
http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/118677/SC-upholds-death-penalty-of-Mir-Quasem
'Rejected': Bangladesh Supreme Court upholds Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali's death sentence
http://www.firstpost.com/world/rejected-bangladesh-supreme-court-upholds-jamaat-e-islami-leader-mir-quasem-alis-death-sentence-2982558.html
3 killed as Pak Jamaat leader's convoy comes under attack in Pak
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/3-killed-as-jamaat-leader-s-convoy-comes-under-attack-in-pak-116082901108_1.html
Peshawar: At least 3 persons, including 2 policemen, were killed today after militants attacked the convoy of a Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan leader in this northwestern city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Gunmen ambushed the vehicle of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shad Nawaz Khan when it was passing through Rabaat area of Lower Dir District, police said. Khan's brother Sohail Khan died on the spot, they said. Constables Wahab and Zubair, who reached the spot during the fire exchange, were also killed in the cross firing. Reason behind the killing of Sohail was stated to be an old enmity. PTI
Target ISIL, not each other, US tells allies in Syria
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/turkey-syrian-kurdish-forces-stop-fighting-160830042324037.html
US defence secretary has called on Turkey and Kurdish forces in northern Syria to stay focused on fighting the ISIL group and not to target each other.Monday's statement by Ash Carter came after Turkish forces launched a two-pronged operation last week against ISIL, and Kurdish forces from YPG inside Syria. "We have called upon Turkey ... to stay focused on the fight against ISIL and not to engage SDF, and we have had a number of contacts over the last several days," Carter said. "We have called on both sides to not fight with one another, to continue to focus the fight on ISIL ... That is the basis of our cooperation with both of them - specifically not to engage." The SDF is a group of fighters formed to fight against ISIL and is led by the YPG.US-led coalition has been backing the YPG with training and equipment to fight ISIL, while at the same time the US has also supported Syrian opposition groups fighting with the Turks in northern Syria. Hulusi Akar, Turkish chief of staff, was quoted as saying that Kurdish forces around Jarablus have been attacking Turkish soldiers there."They have to withdraw to the east of Jarablus. Otherwise we will do what is necessary," he said.On Monday,Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said they were advancing towards Manbij in northern Syria,city captured earlier this month by Kurdish forces.aljazeera
UN passes millions to Syrian regime, UK newspaper says
http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/un-passes-millions-to-syrian-regime-uk-newspaper-says/637843
London: UN has paid tens of millions of dollars for contracts run by people and groups closely linked to Syrian regime, Guardian newspaper said Tuesday.The paper said some of the contracts awarded as part of the UN aid program to Syria went to companies under EU and US sanctions, as well as govt departments and charities run by people closely associated with regime leader Bashar al-Assad. Critics of the UN mission told the daily that aid was being focused in govt -held areas of the country and was, in effect, propping up the regime.A UN spokesman told the newspaper that its priority was to reach as many vulnerable civilians as possible but that it had to work with organizations approved by the regime. “Our choices in Syria are limited by a highly insecure context where finding companies and partners who operate in besieged and hard-to-reach areas is extremely challenging,” he said.anadolu agency
Taliban appoints Ibrahim Sadar as new military chief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-appoints-ibrahim-sadar-as-new-military-chief/story-LPbsNj1H445SIaonZLF1BN.html
Taliban has appointed a new military chief as the insurgents try to gain ground rather than talk peace under a new leadership, Taliban officials said in telephone interviews over the weekend.
They said the appointment of Maulvi Ibrahim Sadar, once a close ally of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar.
Israeli army detains 18 Palestinians in West Bank raids
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-army-detains-18-palestinians-in-west-bank-raids/637936
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:56 PM)
