Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
24 Oct. 2016: 22 Muharram 1438: Vol: 8, No:19
INDIA
Won't Debate Hindutva: Supreme Court says it won't reconsider 1995 verdict defining Hindutva as 'way of life'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-says-it-wont-reconsider-1995-judgment-defining-Hindutva-as-way-of-life/articleshow/55045616.cms
New Delhi: The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that it won't reconsider its 1995 judgment in which it defined Hindutva a "a way of life and not a religion."The SC's statement came on a plea filed by activist Teesta Setalvad who wanted the court to reconsider that judgment even as five states head to the polls next year. Her plea was to not only redefine Hindutva, but also to ban its use in elections.Setalvad's plea also came in the context of the SC already examining a politically explosive question arising out of a separate plea filed in 1990. That question is - Will a religious leader's appeal to his followers to vote for a particular political party amount to electoral malpractice under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act. The SC said today it is not examining the larger issue of whether Hindutva means Hindu religion, and whether the use of Hindutva in elections is permissible. The 7-judge SC bench said it is examining a nexus between religious leaders and candidates and its legality under Section 123 (3) of the Representation of People Act.The ambit of Section 123(3) of Representation of People Act, provides for the disqualification of a candidate, if he, or any one on his behalf, is found "promoting or attempting to promote feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, for furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate".The 1990 plea the SC is considering is to do with the Maharashtra assembly polls where Shiv Sena and BJP candidates allegedly used two speeches by Bal Thackeray and Pramod Mahajan - both now deceased - to seek votes in the name of Hindutva and the Hindu rashtra. Petitions were filed against many winning candidates of Shiv Sena and BJP in 1990 and the Bombay HC disqualified them.On appeal, the SC reversed the judgments in all but two cases. One was later dismissed but the other was kept pending.TOI
Won't Debate Hindutva, Just Don't Use It To Ask For Votes: Supreme Court
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wont-debate-hindutva-just-dont-use-it-to-ask-for-votes-supreme-court-1478873
SC declines debate on 20-yr-old verdict defining ‘Hindutva’
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-declines-debate-on-20yearold-verdict-defining-hindutva/article9266394.ece
Will not examine Hindutva or religion at this stage: Supreme Court
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/will-not-examine-hindutva-or-religion-at-this-stage-supreme-court/story-SREsIWsPo6l6LyTj3CIzTJ.html
Yashwant Sinha meets separatist leader Ali Shah Geelani over Kashmir unrest
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/syed-ali-shah-geelani-meets-bjps-yashwant-sinha-over-kashmir-unrest-3102030/
Srinagar: A 5-member delegation led by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday met separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani at his residence in Srinagar — in a fresh bid at breaking a logjam after more than three months of deadly unrest in Kashmir Valley. The team, which includes former bureaucrat Wajahat Habibullah, who has served in J&K, ex-Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak, journalist Bharat Bhushan and activist Sushobha Barve landed in Srinagar and straight away drove to Geelani’s residence in Hyderpora. Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of separatist Hurriyat Conference, agreed to meet and talk to the Sinha-led delegation. The delegation members were seen entering the highly fortified house where Geelani has been kept under detention for over three months.Sinha and his team members are also expected to meet other separatist leaders, including moderate Hurriyat head Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF leader Yaseen Malik.And after 2 months of detention at a guest-house-turned-jail in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz is now under house arrest at his upscale Nigeen residence. Malik has also been moved from jail to a Srinagar hospital after his health deteriorated.Sinha confirmed to IANS that he and other “people of goodwill” will try to “meet all” during their visit to the valley that began on Tuesday. “We came here for humanity.Our motto is to share the grievances and pain (of Kashmiri people). I hope the state of unrest will be resolved soon,” Sinha said. Talking to reporters, ex-BJP minister hinted that it was an independent initiative and that they were “not here as a part of any delegation”.At least 92 persons were killed and over 12,000 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces. Police have arrested over 7,000 suspected ring leaders of stone throwers. Some have been let off. Sinha and his team are also expected to meet civil society and trade groups including the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and the Kashmir Centre for Social and Developmental Studies.PTI
Separatist Geelani meets group led by Yashwant Sinha over J&K deadlock
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/separatist-geelani-meets-group-led-by-bjp-s-yashwant-sinha-over-kashmir-deadlock/story-WiGtcadVYlCWrCROKz1khM.html
BJP distances itself from Yashwant-led team’s meet with Syed Ali Shah Geelani
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bjp-distances-itself-from-yashwant-led-teams-meeting-with-syed-ali-shah-geelani-3102152/
New Delhi:BJP Tuesday distanced itself from the meeting between Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and a delegation led by its leader Yashwant Sinha, saying the party has nothing to do with it.“It is not a BJP delegation. BJP has nothing to do with this,” its National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said. A five-member civil society delegation led by the former Union Minister Tuesday met Geelani amid continuing volatile situation in the valley.PTI
J&K to prosecute 9 men for raising IS flag
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jk-to-prosecute-9-men-for-raising-islamic-state-flag-3101471/
Srinagar: In the first such decision, the J&K govthas accorded sanction for prosecution of nine people charged with raising an Islamic State (IS) flag in Srinagar two years ago. The nine have been booked under the UAPA. “The govtis of the view that there is sufficient material and evidence available against the accused persons for their prosecution,” states a notification issued by the state’s Principal Secretary (Home), R K Goyal. On Oct.17, 2014, a few unidentified youths had raised the black flag of the IS at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid after the Friday prayers. The police registered a case and said that their investigations revealed that nine Srinagar residents were involved in the incident. Police officials said the nine people to be prosecuted are not “motivated” by IS ideology, and had raised the flags only to “hurt” the Central govtand “garner international attention” towards Kashmir.
Ex-SIMI leader Saquib Nachan gets bail in VHP man murder bid case
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ex-simi-leader-nachan-gets-bail-in-vhp-man-murder-bid-case-116102401270_1.html
Thane:Ex-SIMI leader Saquib Nachan, booked in an attempt to murder case in 2012, was granted bail by a sessions court after Supreme Court directed it to dispose of his plea that he should be released as prosecution had failed to file charge sheet against him in stipulated time. Nachan was booked under various sections of IPC and Arms Act for murder bid on VHP activist Manoj Raicha in Bhiwandi in August 2012. He was subsequently booked under stringent MCOCA.In his order passed on Friday, judge AS Bhaisare approved Nachan's release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and surety of like amount. The judge also asked Nachan not to tamper with evidence regarding the case and to visit the police station concerned every Monday between 3 PM and 5 PM. He was also asked to surrender his passport before court. Nachan, convicted in the 2003 Mulund train blasts case earlier this year, was arrested in 2002 in connection with the murder of VHP leader Lalit Jain at Bhiwandi in the district. However, he was acquitted in the case in 2006 for want of evidence. Seeking bail, Nachan's lawyer contended police had failed to file the charge sheet in the Raicha case within mandatory 90 days. In 2012, Thane special court had rejected prosecution's plea seeking more time to file charge sheet in the case, following which police approached the Bombay High Court which stayed the special court's order. Nachan then moved the Supreme Court against the stay which earlier this month set aside the order of the high court and directed the lower court to dispose of Nachan's application on merits. "The special court had declined to extend the period sought by prosecution to file charge sheet on Oct.30, 2012. Since there is no extension for investigation and detention, the statutory period of 90 days expired on Nov.1, 2012. However, as no charge sheet was filed within stipulated time of 90 days, the accused has acquired indefeasible right to be enlarged on bail," Nachan's counsel Baba Sheikh argued. PTI
Former SIMI chief Nachan released on bail
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20161025/2976599.html
PERSONAL LAW vs uniform civil code
Triple talaq: Don’t tinker with Shariat, Mayawati tells Modi govt
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/triple-talaq-narendra-modi-mayawati-bsp-shariat-3102038/
Lucknow:BSP supremo Mayawati Tuesday criticised PM Narendra Modi over his stance on the issue of triple talaq, saying he should not “force his opinion and decision” on the believers of any particular religion by “following the RSS agenda”. Accusing the BJP and the Centre of tinkering with issues related to Shariat, she said such matters should be left to the Muslim community and not raked up with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections in some states for political gains.“BJP and its central govtled by Narendra Modi has now started a new controversy over Muslim personal law, triple talaq and common civil code before the Assembly elections in some states to serve its petty politics. BSP strongly condemns it,” Mayawati said in a statement.“ PM and central govt instead of interfering in the issue of triple talaq should better leave it to the Muslim community to form a common opinion,” she stressed. Modi had yesterday denounced the practice of triple talaq among Muslims and deprecated attempts to politicise the issue. BSP chief said it is not right for the PM to “force his opinion and decision on the believers of any particular religion by following the RSS agenda”.“It is not in national interest that BJP and PM indulge in petty politics in the matters of Muslims and their Shariat, especially before the coming Assembly polls in some states,” she added.PTI
Let Muslims alone decide on triple talaq, RSS must not thrust its agenda: Mayawati
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/triple-talaq-muslims-bsp-mayawati-rss-bjp-samajwadi-party-shariat/1/795042.html
Congr supports Modi's 'progressive' remark on triple talaq
http://www.newkerala.com/news/2016/fullnews-134865.html
Bengaluru: Welcoming PM Narendra Modi's renewed outreach on the issue of triple talaq in which he has asked people not make it a Hindu-Muslim matter, a cautious Congress urged the govtto rope in the concerned people whose sentiments might otherwise get affected by its intervention. "Our party has issued a statement that any progressive measure is welcome, but at the same time they should also seek the consent of stakeholders, particularly those people who are going to be affected and those people whose sentiments will be affected. They have to be taken into confidence," Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI.ANI
Build trust before changing any personal law: Congress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/build-trust-before-changing-any-personal-law-congress-triple-talaq-3101390/
Modi making triple talaq poll issue for polarisation: Owaisi
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-making-triple-talaq-a-poll-issue-for-polarisation-asaduddin-owaisi-1478922
Shiv Sena urges Muslim leaders to speak up on issue of Triple Talaq rationally
http://www.news18.com/news/india/shiv-sena-urges-muslim-leaders-to-speak-up-on-the-issue-of-triple-talaq-1305006.html
Muslim community must seriously ponder over triple talaq: RSS backs Uniform Civil Code to discrimination life
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-community-must-seriously-ponder-over-triple-talaq-RSS/articleshow/55053075.cms
Hyderabad: RSS on Tuesday expressed hope that Muslim women who have moved the court seeking abolition of triple talaq would secure justice, even as it said it wants the community to give a serious thought to the issue."Triple talaq issue is an internal problem of Muslims and in this context the Muslim community should seriously think over it. In the present era there should not be any kind of gender-based discrimination. On talaq issue, women have gone to court and we expect they get justice properly," RSS All India General Secretary Bhayyaji Joshi said."Muslim community should also think and decide on it. We feel that there is a need that the court should also give (its) views on this matter through human perspective," he said on the concluding day of 3-day Executive Council Meetings of RSS.On Uniform Civil Code, Joshi said, "We have been stressing that to stop any kind of discrimination in personal life it should be done through law without disturbing social fabric. Law Commission has sought opinion on UCC and the Commission should consider the viewpoints (of public) and based on it, the Commission has to spell out its opinion..that is what we feel.On UCC, he said the issue had been debated for long and the RSS had taken a clear stand that the law must stop any kind of discrimination. "There can be issues of some traditions but if they are disturbing the cultural fabric of the society, then the law must interfere and end it," he said."Reacting to another query, on call for boycott of Chinese goods on social media, Joshi said, "Why only Chinese? When the alternatives (of products) are available. But, there are certain products for which alternatives are not there and we don't say.""We have been saying that not only Chinese products but people should purchase natural products made in India and that stand continues,"he added.PTI / newskerala
Triple talaq an internal Muslim issue: RSS
http://www.newkerala.com/news/2016/fullnews-135127.html
Triple talaq an internal Muslim issue, but we oppose gender bias: RSS
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/triple-talaq-an-internal-muslim-issue-but-we-oppose-gender-bias-rss_1943546.html
Triple talaq is unconstitutional, should end: Naidu
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/triple-talaq-is-unconstitutional-should-end-venkaiah-naidu-3102224/
New Delhi:Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday advocated the abolition of ‘triple talaq’, saying it was a form of gender discrimination and against constitutional principles. “Gender discrimination must come to an end. We are a civilised society,we are a democratic country; why should there be gender discrimination?Triple talaq is a gender discrimination and against the principles of Constitution,” Union I&B Minister told the media in New Delhi.“Why should those helpless women be penalised for somebody else’s fault. That is why the BJP, the government, is strongly in favour of ending the practice of triple talaq,” said Naidu.IANS
‘NDA govt. trying to infringe upon rights of Muslims’
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/nda-govt-trying-to-infringe-upon-rights-of-muslims/article9264307.ece
Vijayapura: SM Patil Ganihar, Ahinda leader, has alleged that the NDA govtis trying to infringe upon the religious rights of Muslims under the pretext of bringing in a uniform civil code.He told presspersons here on Monday that Modi govt was trying to create communal divide in the country by sparking off a controversy on the issue. Ganihar said that by raising the controversial issue, the govt was trying to implement one of its promises in the election manifesto.“Party had made other promises too such as increasing employment opportunities. Why is it not doing anything on such pro-people promises,” he asked. the hindu
Muslim women’s group slams Centre on triple talaq saying will not tolerate any interference in Shariat
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/Muslim-womens-group-slams-Centre-on-triple-talaq/articleshow/55037438.cms
Bareilly: Muslim women under the banner of All India Muslim Majlis staged a silent protest at Gandhi Park here on Monday against NDA government, saying they would not tolerate any interference in Shariat. They send a memorandum to the President. They said they would follow the Hadith which has recommended that a wife must follow the orders of her husband. In a related development, National Sunni Ulama Council also criticised the Centre and said that triple talaq is valid.A report from Pilibhit said a meeting was held by Muslim women, muftia and aalima who slammed the Centre for trying to tamper with Islamic socio-religious doctrines enshrined 1,400 years ago.In Bareilly, woman marched from Gandhi Park in Chouki crossing to the collectorate. They presented a memorandum to the DM to be forwarded to President Pranab Mukherjee. The women claimed that Centre's stand to oppose triple talaq before the Supreme Court was aimed at diverting public attention from its failure. Through their letter to the President, the women demanded that uniform civil code should not be enforced and Centre should be asked to take back its affidavit demanding abolition of triple talaq.TOI
Rate of divorce among Muslims less than other religions: Muslim women oppose any reform in Muslim law
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/oct/25/rate-of-divorce-among-muslims-less-than-other-religions-1531445.html
Lucknow: Opposing any reform in the Muslim personal law, a group of women today said the ratio of divorce among Muslims vis-à-vis its population is less than any other religious community.Speaking during a conference organised by Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal, they also backed the stand taken by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in this regard. "Some women are trying to suggest through media that all Muslim women want changes in personal laws but it is not so. Majority of women in the community don't want any reform in the laws," Gazala Afroz, principal of Convent School, Gonda, said. According to a statement, another teacher Asia Bano, said, "Rate of divorce among Muslims is also on the lower side as per the 2011 census.So, it is obvious that they (government) are trying to attack personal laws (by) stoking a non-issue." Women also urged community members to raise a voice against the Centre's affidavit which said the practice of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy among Muslims needed a relook on grounds like gender equality and secularism.PTI
UCC, Triple Talaq & Polygamy: Myths vs Facts: 5.7% Muslims and 20.4% Hindus are polygamous, 5.63 Muslims and 7.3 Hindus, per 1,000 women, are divorced/separated and in Malegaon, a city with 5 lakh Muslims, only 0.10 % Muslims are polygamists
http://www.ummid.com/news/2016/October/25.10.2016/ucc-triple-talaq-myths-vs-facts.html
Under the pretext of Uniform Civil Code, there is an attempt to humiliate India's Muslims: Misbahuddin Mirza
http://twocircles.net/2016oct25/1477389797.html#.WA9xXVR97IU
4 cases Modi must look at before talking about Muslim women & triple talaaq:Aditya Menon
http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/4-cases-modi-must-look-at-before-talking-about-muslim-women-triple-talaaq-1477321410.html
OTHERS
As UP Election Nears, Jats Call For Revenge Against BJP
http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/as-uttar-pradesh-election-nears-jats-call-for-revenge-against-bjp/297320
Jats of Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are flexing their muscles to wreak vengeance against PM Narendra Modi by campaigning against BJP in the 2017 state elections.They are motivated by their anger against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, under whose watch there was a crackdown on the Jat agitation for reservations, which had spiraled out of control in February.Another reason for their anger is the death of several pro-reservation protestors in the police firing and the police cases registered against the community.Ajay Singh, the president of All India Jat Mahasabha, said: “Jats of UP are dying for the date of elections to be announced so that they can get back at the party which backs the Haryana government”.“They will campaign against the BJP.This has been decided at the grassroots—it will become a much more powerful movement as soon as election dates are announced,” he said. out look
Jats of Haryana will campaign against the BJP in UP
http://scroll.in/article/819876/the-jats-of-haryana-will-campaign-against-the-bjp-in-uttar-pradesh
Samajwadi Party, family united, says Mulayam
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Samajwadi-family-united-says-party-supremo-Mulayam-Yadav-Akhilesh-to-decide-on-reinstating-Shivpal-others/articleshow/55050838.cms
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday insisted that the "party and family are united" but remained evasive on whether Shivpal Yadav will be reinstated in the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet. Amid a deep divide in the party and the family, Mulayam, flanked by party's state unit chief Shivpal Yadav and three other sacked ministers, addressed a press conference here where CM Akhilesh was conspicuous by his absence.To send out a message, he said that SP had come to power in 2012 because of him only and still Akhilesh was made the chief minister. He however, ruled out becoming the chief minister with assembly elections barely few months away."My entire life is devoted for the welfare of the people and he will continue to work for them," he added.Mulayam strongly defended party MP Amar Singh, who is being blamed by the Akhilesh faction for the problems in the family, asking "why to drag him in all this"?"My family and party are united. All workers are united. There are some conspirators, who do not have any mass base," Mulayam told a hurriedly convened press conferences."There is not 'matbhed' (difference) or 'manbhed' (ill feelings) among our leaders," Yadav said.Asked whether Shivpal and other sacked ministers would then be reinstated in the Akhilesh cabinet, he said, "I leave this to CM.... You ask him why he made them ministers and why he sacked them."Appearing cautious while replying to a questions, Mulayam said, "I will not make any single controversial statement. Whatever you may ask."PTI
No opposition to Akhilesh as CM, says Mulayam
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/crisis-in-samajwadi-party/liveblog/55007482.cms
Mulayam ‘brokers truce’ between Akhilesh and Shivpal, but how long will it last?
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/web-edits/mulayam-singh-brokers-truce-between-akhilesh-and-shivpal-but-how-long-will-it-last-3102179/
JNU student Najeeb still missing; students meet LG
http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-jnu-student-najeeb-still-missing-students-meet-lg-2267203
Ten days after Najeeb Ahmed went missing under mysterious circumstances, hundreds of students from JNU, joined by several other varsities, took out a protest march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar on Monday.Students from JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Ambedkar University and AMU, along with Najeeb's family came up in arms against JNU authorities for their 'insensitivity' in handling the missing student's case.A delegation of students, led by JNU student union's president, Mohit Pandey, met the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and submitted a memorandum to him, seeking his intervention in the case."Even after getting no trace regarding Najeeb's whereabouts, the Delhi police have not done any interrogation to ascertain the facts. We got to know that a SIT is formed but we want speedy action must be taken in this very case and day to day development must be informed by the JNU community. We want your intervention so that no dilly-dallying tactics could be used by Delhi police," the memorandum read.Meanwhile, Delhi police doubled the cash reward declared for giving information about Najeeb from Rs 50,000 to 1,00,000.DNA
Rs 1 lakh reward for information on missing JNU student
http://www.siasat.com/news/rs-1-lakh-reward-information-missing-jnu-student-2-1048838/
God in every human, hence also in Sai Baba: RSS
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/God-in-every-human-hence-also-in-Sai-Baba-RSS/articleshow/55052496.cms
Hyderabad: After Shankaracharya of Dwarka- Sharda Peeth Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati raked up a controversy by opposing the worship of Sai Baba, RSS on Tuesday contended that Hindu philosophy says there is God in every human being and hence also in Sai Baba.PTI
Hindus should increase their population: Giriraj Singh
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/hindus-should-increase-their-population-giriraj-singh/article9263580.ece
Meerut:BJP leader and Minister in the Narendra Modi govtGiriraj Singh on Sunday invoked the controversial bogey of “decreasing Hindus population” and argued that Hindus should think of increasing their population as it was declining. He also emphasised the need for a law to control the population and said the decreasing numbers of Hindus was a danger to the survival of democracy in the country. thehindu
I won’t be removed merely because I’m Brahmin: Fadnavis
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/EJPBMvo9MsCmxEl0PiUeDM/I-wont-be-removed-because-Im-Brahmin-Devendra-Fadnavis.html
Mumbai:Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that BJP leadership would not drop him “merely because I am Brahmin”. In an informal interaction with journalists days ahead of his government’s completion of two years in office, Fadnavis— only the second Brahmin CM of Maharashtra —said he did not think the Maratha caste unrest in Maharashtra was directed personally at him.“I do not think Maratha discontent has surfaced because I am a Brahmin. There are other larger and deeper reasons,” Fadnavis said. First Brahmin chief minister of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena’s Manohar Joshi in 1995-1999, was replaced by Maratha leader Narayan Rane. Fadnavis said he would remain chief minister for the full 5 years of his term unless he took wrong decisions or was considered “inefficient”. livemint.com
Gujarat Riot accused seeks IPS Rahul Sharma's prosecution
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Riot-accused-seeks-Rahul-Sharmas-prosecution/articleshow/55041187.cms
Ahmedabad: In a fresh development,Chetan Shah, an accused in Naroda Gam riot case, has submitted an application in the designated SIT court seeking prosecution of former IPS officer, Rahul Sharma, on grounds of destruction of evidence as he had not submitted CDs containing call traffic details to competent authority. This is the second time the accused are seeking Sharma's prosecution. The court has sought a reply from the Supreme Court appointed SIT by Oct 27.TOI
SC asks RBI: 87 owe Rs 85000 crore, why not make their names public
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/87-owe-rs-85000-crore-why-not-make-their-names-public-supreme-court-asks-rbi-3100790/
New Delhi: Underlining that 87 persons owe more than Rs 85,000 crore to public sector banks (PSBs), the Supreme Court said on Monday that the RBI should not work in the interest of the banks but in the interest of the country which calls for disclosing the names of the biggest defaulters. After going through a list of defaulters submitted in a sealed cover envelope by the RBI, a bench led by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur disclosed that there are 87 individuals who owe Rs 500 crore or more to the banks and bad loans on account of their default to repay totalled Rs 85,000 crore. indianexpress
Editor of news website Indian Muslim Observer receives threat call, asked to ‘shut up’
http://twocircles.net/2016oct24/1477315753.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29#.WA9k3FR97IU
New Delhi: Danish Ahmed Khan, founder and editor of Delhi-based news website Indian Muslim Observer was on Saturday, October 22 threatened by an unknown caller and asked to “shut up”. The call was followed by an abusive SMS.“Since I am a journalist running a Muslim News Portal and my mobile number is public on my website as well as Facebook profile, I therefore have been sent a message to shut up. This is how journalists and Muslims are being threatened of dire consequences by Hindutva goons and mischief mongers. Will Muslims be continued to be threatened like this under Narendra Modi regime?” asked Khan.The unknown caller can be clearly heard abusing and making derogatory remarks against a particular community in the recording of the call, which is available with Twocircles.net.TCN
World
Egypt: Ex-president Mohamed Morsi's life term cancelled, court orders a retrial
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-egypt-ex-president-mohamed-morsi-s-life-term-cancelled-court-orders-a-retrial-2267376
Cairo: An Egyptian court cancelled the life sentences on Tuesday handed out to former president Mohamed Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie along with 15 other leaders of the banned group in an espionage case and ordered a retrial. The court also cancelled death sentences handed out to 16 other Muslim Brotherhood members, including top leaders Khyrat el-Sharer and Mohamed el-Beltagy Ahmed Abdel Aty. 13 of the 16 were sentenced in absentia. The defendants were accused of spying, funding terrorism and disclosing national security.The decision comes just days after an Egyptian criminal court confirmed a 20-year prison sentence handed out to Morsi for inciting violence during demonstrations in 2012, the first final verdict in a case against the former president.Eight other defendants were sentenced to prison terms of up to 20 years in the case. Their appeals were refused too. Morsi is currently in prison over other cases including for escaping from prison during the January 25 Revolution in 2011, insulting the judiciary and handing documents of national security importance to Qatari intelligence through the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera news channel.PTI
IS steps up counter-attacks as Mosul offensive enters 2nd week: Reuters
http://www.firstpost.com/world/islamic-state-steps-up-counter-attacks-as-mosul-offensive-enters-second-week-reuters-3069970.html
Baghdad/Bartella, Iraq Islamic State expanded its attacks on Monday against Iraqi army and Kurdish forces to relieve pressure on its militants confronting an offensive on Mosul, its last major urban stronghold in the country.About 80 Islamic State-held villages and towns have been retaken in the first week of the offensive, bringing Iraqi and Kurdish forces closer to the edge of the city itself - where the battle will be hardest fought.Mosul campaign, which aims to crush the Iraqi half of Islamic State's declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria, may be the biggest battle yet in the 13 years of turmoil triggered by the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and could require a massive humanitarian relief operation.In a series of counter-attacks on far-flung targets across Iraq since Friday, Islamic State fighters have hit Kirkuk, the north's main oil city, the town of Rutba that controls the road from Baghdad to Jordan and Syria, and Sinjar, a region west of Mosul.More than 770 Islamic State fighters have been killed and 23 captured. Islamic State says it has killed hundreds of fighters from the attacking forces and blocked their progress. Reuters
Wave of strikes as IS puts up tough defence of Mosul
http://www.firstpost.com/world/wave-of-strikes-as-islamic-state-puts-up-tough-defence-of-mosul-3070380.html
NATO to 'expand' support for Iraq in anti-Daesh fight
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/nato-to-expand-support-for-iraq-in-anti-daesh-fight/672069
Brussels/Ankara: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pledged Tuesday to step up efforts to help Iraq in fighting Daesh.Speaking at a press conference in Brussels ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers, Stoltenberg said the NATO would expand its support into Iraq in the coming months. Anadolu agency
Shia militiamen amass west of Daesh-held Mosul
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/shia-militiamen-amass-west-of-daesh-held-mosul/672138
Baghdad: Thousands of Hashd al-Shaabi militiamen have amassed to the west of Mosul amid preparations to help retake the city from the Daesh, a Hashd al-Shaabi leader announced Tuesday.Jawad al-Talebawi, a spokesman for the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a militant faction within the Hashd al-Shaabi, told Anadolu Agency that the group was preparing to launch "a major operation to free the Tel Afar district [west of Mosul] from Daesh and cut the road linking the city to Syria"."We’re ready," al-Talebawi said. "We’re just waiting for the Hashd al-Shaabi leadership to give the go-ahead." Anadolu agency
Iraqi lawmaker, rights group urge inquiry into air strike on Shi'ite mosque attack, blaming US-led forces
http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-iraq-kirkuk-idINKCN12O0Y9
An Iraqi lawmaker has called on her govtto investigate a suspected air strike at a Shi'ite mosque during fighting in nearby Kirkuk last week, saying US-led forces could have been involved - a suggestion dismissed by the coalition.Human Rights Watch echoed the call from Shi'ite Muslim MP Hanan al-Fatlawi for an enquiry, saying on Monday only Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces were known to carry out air attacks in the region. Iraq's army said it was investigating.The multiplication of forces involved in the conflicts in Iraq and neighbouring Syria has raised fears of accidental strikes and confrontations on an increasingly complex battlefield.Fatlawi said the attack killed 15 women on Friday in Daquq, a town near the northern oil city Kirkuk which Islamic State militants were attacking at the time. HRW said 13 women and children were killed and at least 45 wounded.Reuters
UN concerned about ‘collective punishment’ of Arabs in Kirkuk
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161025-un-concerned-about-collective-punishment-of-arabs-in-kirkuk/
United Nations voiced concern today that Kurdish authorities had forced 250 displaced Sunni Arab families to leave Kirkuk after a Daesh attack on the Kurdish-controlled city, calling the move “collective punishment”.Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, told Reuters in an interview that the action came days before an expected mass exodus from the northern Sunni city of Mosul, where an offensive by Iraqi forces, backed by a US-led coalition, is underway against Daesh.“We were informed that two days after the attack by ISIL or Daesh, the Kirkuk authorities announced that they will be expelling the [displaced Sunni Arab] civilian population and just a few hours after the announcement we understand that around 250 civilian families felt they had no choice but to leave,” Grande said. middleeastmonitor
UN aborts plan to evacuate patients from Aleppo
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161025-un-aborts-plan-to-evacuate-patients-from-aleppo/
The United Nations has abandoned plans to evacuate patients from besieged opposition-held east Aleppo which it had hoped to accomplish during a three day lull in fighting last week, blaming all parties to the conflict for obstructing efforts.“The evacuations were obstructed by various factors, including delays in receiving the necessary approvals from local authorities in eastern Aleppo, conditions placed by non-state armed groups and the govtof Syria’s objection to allowing medical and other relief supplies into the eastern part of the city,” UN Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Stephen O’Brien said in a statement yesterday. middleeastmonitor
Gunmen kill 59 in attack on police academy in Pakistani city of Quetta:Reuters
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/asia/2016/10/25/Gunmen-kill-59-in-attack-on-police-academy-in-Pakistani-city-of-Quetta.html
At least 59 people were killed and 117 critically wounded when gunman stormed a Pakistani police training academy in the southwestern city of Quetta, govtofficials said on Tuesday. Some 200 trainees were stationed at the facility when the attack occurred late on Monday, officials said, and some were taken hostage during the attack which lasted five hours.Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, home minister of Baluchistan province, of which Quetta is the capital, had confirmed early on Tuesday that five to six gunmen had attacked a dormitory inside the training facility while cadets rested and slept.No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
UN envoys urge Myanmar to probe Rohingya Muslim killings, arrests in Rakhine state
http://www.firstpost.com/world/un-envoys-urge-myanmar-to-probe-killings-arrests-in-muslim-majority-region-of-rohingya-3070576.html
UN human rights experts have called on Myanmar to investigate allegations that security forces have killed unarmed civilians, burned villages and made arbitrary arrests in a Muslim-majority region where a crackdown has followed attacks on border police.Aid agencies say up to 15,000 people, believed to be mostly Rohingya Muslims, have been displaced since armed men launched coordinated attacks on three posts along the northwestern border with Bangladesh on 9 October.The government, which is led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, has characterised the response of security forces as a carefully targeted sweep of northern Rakhine State's Maungdaw Township in search of the perpetrators.Officials say security forces have killed 30 "attackers" and detained 53 suspects while searching for 400 suspected Rohingya militants, who seized dozens of weapons from border police.Rights group and sources from the mostly stateless Rohingya group have told Reuters that civilians are bearing the brunt of the military-led operation. They say the death toll from the violence is higher than reported.Reuters
Kansas churchgoers hold candlelit vigil in support of Muslim immigrants targeted by far-right terrorists
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-christians-muslims-somali-refugees-rally-terror-plot-kansas-a7377306.html
Church-goers in a small city in southwest Kansas marched in support of the local Muslim community, after details emerged of a foiled plot by a far-right militia to bomb an apartment complex where many immigrants live.Federal investigators announced the arrest of three men on 14 Oct., for involvement in a domestic terrorism plot.They had allegedly planned to blow up a suburban housing estate in Garden City where several African immigrant families lived, along with a community from Burma. Hundreds of predominantly Christian residents of the city gathered outside the apartment complex on 15 and 16 Oct.to show support for the immigrant communities. Many also attended a candlelit "unity walk" vigil on Saturday night. Around 1,000 Muslim refugees, most from Somalia, but some from Ethiopia and Sudan, live in the city of 28,000 people. Most work in a meat-packing factory nearby. The independent
Top Muslim body OIC compiles database of Israeli companies to enforce boycott
http://www.ummid.com/news/2016/October/25.10.2016/oic-list-of-israeli-companies-to-enforce-boycott.html
Tashkent: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is compiling a list of Israeli companies operating in occupied Palestinian territories that will be used as a database for the organization’s 57 member countries to implement an agreement that boycotts Israeli products. “OIC Secretariat has been requested to provide an up-to-date database on Israeli companies that produce materials or goods in the occupied territories. The database would later be agreed upon for the boycott," the Foreign Ministry's multilateral affairs director general Hasan Kleib said.He was responding to journalists’ questions on the results from the recent OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Kleib further explained that the boycott agreed by OIC member countries during a conference earlier this year would not be implemented on all Israeli products, but only for those produced in the occupied territories—the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. While the primary focus was toward Israeli companies, it would be deemed disappointing if foreign companies were also operating in the aforementioned areas, as this opposed the global dissenting voice against Israel, he said.IINA
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:52 PM)
