Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
27 Oct. 2016: 25 Muharram 1438: Vol: 8, No:21
INDIA
Supreme Court refuses to go into permissibility of religion in political speeches
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/1995-hindutva-verdict-supreme-court-on-permissibility-of-religion-in-political-speeches/article9276339.ece
New Delhi: A 7-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday said it cannot be expected to give an “exhaustive list” of dos and don'ts of political speeches. court expressed its restraint even as 3 BJP-ruled States — MP, Gujarat and Rajasthan — submitted that “religion can never be separated from society”.The Constitution Bench, which is examining the 1995 ‘Hindutva’ judgement of the apex court, said it’s mandate does not include going into the “permissibility of using religion in political speeches”.Rather than a blanket bar on religion in political speeches, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur, who is heading the Bench, said political speeches should be judged in the context they are made. Bench was replying to arguments made by senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing social activist Teesta Setalvad, who sought a complete divorce of politics from religion.“I know it is difficult to draw a line... I am also for political freedom... but a line must be drawn on the basis of secularism,” Ms.Jaising submitted. Justice Thakur said the Constitution Bench is not looking into whether religion should be barred from political speeches. Instead, the Bench is only determining whether the bar on invoking religion under Article 123 (3) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 in political speeches was limited to only the religion of the candidate and his agent or to the religion of the voters in general. Bench reserved the question for judgement.the hindu
Totally prohibit use of religion for seeking votes; Kapil Sibal urges SC
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/oct/26/totally-prohibit-use-of-religion-for-seeking-votes-sc-urged-1532077.html
New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday was told that a provision of the electoral law, prohibiting the use of religion by a candidate for mobilising votes during elections should be seen in the contest of enduring constitutional ethos and the changing times.Referring to 19 provisions of the constitution dealing with different aspects of society, senior counsel Kapil Sibal told a constitution bench that "these elements of constitutional ethos have to be respected" while interpreting Section 123(3) of Representation of Peoples Act, 1951.IANS
CPIM to intervene in SC hearing on use of religion in polls
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/cpim-to-intervene-in-supreme-court-hearing-on-use-of-religion-in-polls-3105740/
The CPI(M) on Thursday became the first political party to intervene in the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on whether seeking votes in the name of religion or caste amounted to “corrupt practices” under the Representation of the People’s (RP) Act. The party filed an application for intervention, through its General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, saying it was an interested party in the case as it had considerable stake in the democratic electoral process of the country. The case is being heard by a seven-member Constitution bench.PTI
Zakir Naik's IRF to be banned soon: Home ministry
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Zakir-Naiks-Islamic-Research-Foundation-to-be-banned-soon-Home-ministry/articleshow/55096670.cms?
New Delhi: An NGO promoted by Zakir Naik will soon be banned under the anti-terror law, with home ministry preparing a draft cabinet note for it. IRF will be declared an 'unlawful association' under the UAPA after investigations by the home ministry found it to be allegedly having dubious links with Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, accused of propagating terrorism, an official source said.According to the draft note, which is also based on the inputs from Maharashtra Police, Naik, who heads IRF, has allegedly made many provocative speeches and engaged in terror propaganda. Maharashtra Police has also registered criminal cases against Naik for his alleged involvement in radicalisation of youths and luring them into terror activities, a source said.Naik also transferred IRF's foreign funds to Peace TV for making "objectionable" programmes. Most of the programmes, which were made in India, contained alleged hate speeches of Naik, who had reportedly "urged all Muslims to be terrorists" through Peace TV, sources claimed.2 educational trusts run by Naik have also come under the scanner of the home ministry and agencies are looking into their activities. The draft note will soon be placed before the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for its approval, sources said.PTI
Zakir Naik inspiring Muslim youth to commit terrorist acts:MHA report
http://www.india.com/news/india/zakir-naik-inspiring-muslim-youth-to-commit-terrorist-acts-says-mha-report-1619220/
Home Ministry moves against Zakir Naik, calls IRF 'unlawful association', action soon: zee news
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/home-ministry-moves-against-zakir-naik-calls-irf-unlawful-association-action-soon_1944134.html
JNU teachers body objects to admin report on Najeeb
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/najeeb-ahmad-jnu-student-missing-3104765/
New Delhi:Taking “strong exception” to a 25-point bulletin prepared by the JNU administration on Oct.14 incident at Mahi-Mandavi Hostel, following which Najeeb Ahmad went missing, JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) Wednesday slammed the administration for not including in it the “fact” that Najeeb was “beaten up by a group of students”.While the university is still investigating the alleged violence on the night of Oct.14, a note signed by wardens as well as the hostel president on Oct.16, reads, “The decision taken on Oct.15 (to expel Najeeb) is deferred till further notice. The warden committee called witnesses to the violence by a group of students that ended in the brutal assault on Najeeb Ahmad.” “Wardens’ Committee resolves to identify the illegal residents involved in the violence and make the hostel out-of-bounds for them,” it further reads.Taking “strong exception” to the “omission”, JNUTA in a statement said, “Summary and update of the events at Mahi-Mandavi hostel do not even mention the beating up of Najeeb by a group of students, a fact which has not only been in the public domain but is also categorically mentioned in the statement by the warden, who was an eyewitness. Such omission appears to be deliberate and could put serious questions on the objectivity of the inquiry process.”JNUTA office bearers said they were “deeply worried over any attempt to give a clean-chit in advance to those who are out there to bring mob-violence in JNU”.
#FindNajeeb: JNU students march towards Police Station, all detained
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/findnajeeb-jnu-students-begin-protest-march-will-block-road-near-varsity
Police manhandled us during protest, claim JNU students
http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-police-manhandled-us-during-protest-claim-jnu-students-2267814
JNU student found dead: My brother could not have killed himself
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jnu-student-found-dead-in-hostel-my-brother-could-not-have-killed-himself-3104764/
New Delhi:The family of the JNU student who was found dead inside room number 171 of Brahmaputra hostel late Tuesday night said he could not have committed suicide, but added that they will rely on police investigations and the autopsy report. Body of JR Philemon Chiru, 35,who was pursuing PhD in West Asian studies, was found after other hostel inmates complained of a foul smell coming from his room. Police said they recovered a bottle of alcohol from inside his room and are looking into alcohol overdose as a possible reason for the death. indianexpress
KASHMIR & SUOTH ASIA
Espionage case: India declares Pakistan Mission staffer persona non grata
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/espionage-case-pakistan-mission-staffer-declared-persona-non-grata/
New Delhi:India on Thursday declared a Pakistan High Commission staffer as persona non-grata for espionage activities after he was caught red handed by Delhi Police with documents relating to defence deployment. This was conveyed by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar who summoned Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit to his office following brief detention of the staffer who was later released.“FS summons Pak High Commissioner to convey that Pak High Commission staffer has been declared persona non grata for espionage activities,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesman of Ministry of External Affairs.Acting on inputs, Delhi Police crime branch took the staffer identified as Mehmood Akhtar in custody after he was found in possession of certain defence documents. Akhtar was released after questioning as he enjoys diplomatic immunity, police said.The crime branch has also arrested two persons, residents of Rajasthan, for allegedly passing on sensitive information to Akhtar, they said.“The alleged spies are residents of Rajasthan working for Pakistan’s ISI. They were in touch with the staff here at Pakistan High Commission and were providing sensitive information,” said a senior police officer.Those arrested have been identified as Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, he said.PTI
Arrest of staffer violates Vienna Convention, says Pakistan
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arrest-of-staffer-violates-vienna-convention-says-pakistan/article9275557.ece
Pakistan on Thursday accused India of violating the international convention for protection of diplomats after New Delhi briefly detained a staffer of the Pakistan High Commission. High Commissioner Abdul Basit protested against the detention during his meeting with Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar after the Ministry of External Affairs called him to inform that the staffer has been declared a persona non-grata."Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit strongly protested with Indian Foreign Secretary at the detention and manhandling of Pakistan High Commission staffer yesterday in violation of 1961 Vienna convention and asked the Indian Government to ensure that such harassment should not happen in future. The High Commissioner strongly rejected and denied accusations of the Indian government," said a source from Pakistan High Commission. The hindu
Charges against high commission staffer ‘false and unsubstantiated’:Pakistan
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/charges-against-high-commission-staffer-false-and-unsubstantiated-says-pakistan-3105424/
MEA summons A. Basit over ‘discourtesy’ to Indian envoy
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/mea-vikas-swarup-summons-abdul-basit-discourtesy-to-indian-envoy-pakistan-gautam-bambawale-3019453/
New Delhi: A day after the Karachi Chamber of Commerce cancelled Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale’s event at the last minute, Secretary (West) Sujata Mehta expressed New Delhi’s concern over the “discourtesy” to Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, on Wednesday, officials said. Basit is learnt to have told Mehta that this was a private event and the Pakistan government did not have any role in its cancellation. indianexpress
RAW, NDS 'patronising terror groups' to attack soft targets in Pakistan: Pak NSA to US envoy
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/raw-nds-patronising-terror-groups-to-attack-soft-targets-in-pakistan-pak-nsa-to-us-envoy-116102601538_1.html
Islamabad: Alleging that the terrorists who attacked the Quetta Police Training College were constantly in contact with their leadership and handlers in Afghanistan, Pakistan NSA Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua on Wednesday conveyed to US ambassador David Hale that India's RAW and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) are "patronising terrorists groups to attack soft targets" in the country.Janjua emphasised on the need to break the nexus between terrorist groups operation under the supervision of NDS and RAW and sought US assistance to tackle the situation in this regard, reported the Dawn quoting a statement released by the office of the NSA.The meeting, which was held in the backdrop of the Police Training College attack, also discussed counter-terrorism operations and cross-border attacks.ANI
Asian Development Bank refuses to fund Pakistan’s $14 bn Indus dam project in PoK:PTI
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/asian-development-bank-declines-to-fund-pakistans-14-bn-indus-dam-project-in-pok-3105506/
Islamabad;ADB has refused to commit funds for Pakistan’s USD 14 billion dam project on Indus river in Pakitan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), two years after the World Bank declined to fund the project following Islamabad’s refusal to seek an NoC from India. “We did not really make any commitment. This is a very big project,” Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Takehiko Nakao said on Wednesday at a joint news conference with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on the conclusion of the 15th ministerial meeting of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme.
Yashwant Sinha-led delegation winds up Kashmir visit
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/yashwant-sinha-led-delegation-winds-up-kashmir-visit-3105759/
Srinagar: 5-member civil society delegation led by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Thursday completed its three-day visit to Kashmir during which it met various stakeholders to “understand the situation” and “share the pain” of the people. The delegation will now discuss the future course of action after meeting in Delhi.“We came here to understand the situation and share the pain of the people. We will sit down (after going back to Delhi) and see how we can proceed further,” Sinha told reporters after completing meetings with various sections in the valley, including separatists.Sinha said the delegation, which does not have any official status, met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti yesterday and Governor NN Vohra today.PTI
India slams Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Kashmir references
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/india-slams-organization-of-islamic-cooperation-for-kashmir-references/
New Delhi: India Wednesday criticised the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for making “misleading references” to the Kashmir issue during its conclave, saying the bloc has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters.Earlier this month, a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the OIC in Tashkent, in a resolution, severely criticised India for the unrest in in the Kashmir Valley.“We note with extreme regret that the OIC has again chosen to comment on India’s internal affairs,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Kashmir is a matter for India, Pak to sort out: British PM
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-is-a-matter-for-india-pakistan-to-sort-out-british-pm-theresa-may-3105018/
London; British Prime Minister Theresa May has said that the UK’s stand on Kashmir remains unchanged and it is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan to address.The issue was raised in the House of Commons during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session yesterday by Pakistani-born Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi, who asked if the Kashmir issue would form part of May’s discussions during her visit to India next month.“I take the same view as this government has since it came into power, and indeed previously, which is that the issue of Kashmir is a matter for India and Pakistan to deal with and sort out,” the British PM said in Parliament, clearly indicating that Kashmir was unlikely to be on the agenda during her bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when she visits India between Nov.6 and 8.PTI
Infants’ deaths in Valley SC asks J&K HC to form panel to examine hospitals
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/infants-deaths-in-valley-supreme-court-asks-jammu-and-kashmir-hc-to-form-panel-to-examine-hospitals/
New Delhi:Concerned over the deaths of infants in government hospitals in the Valley, the Supreme Court has asked Jammu and Kashmir High Court to set up a panel of medical experts and administrators for examining conditions of the hospitals and submit a report. “The hospitals which are conducted by the state and by public agencies cater to medical needs of the poorest strata of society. The need for ensuring proper medical care of a requisite standard has to be duly addressed,” a bench led by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur held. indianexpress
Boycott of Chinese goods: China warns of impact on India-bound investments
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Boycott-of-Chinese-goods-China-warns-of-impact-on-India-bound-investments/articleshow/55096140.cms
New Delhi: Amid calls from some quarters for boycott of Chinese goods in ongoing Diwali season, China on Thursday said any such move will negatively impact the India-bound investments from its enterprises and also the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.China also asserted that any such boycott would not have much impact on its exports, but "without proper substitutes, the biggest losers of the boycott of Chinese goods will be Indian traders and consumers".Chinese embassy said China is the world's largest trading nation in goods, with its exports in 2015 amounted to $2276.5 billion."The exports to India accounted for only 2 per cent of China's total exports and India's boycott of Chinese goods will not have much impact on China's exports.PTI
PERSONAL LAW vs uniform civil code
‘Muslim women enjoy lots of powers,rights under Muslim Persona Law:’ When Muslim woman brilliantly defends
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/when-a-muslim-woman-brilliantly-defends-muslim-personal-law
New Delhi:"In Hindu society, a woman observes fast for her husband. But in the name of gender justice, I would not ask why only she is fasting for him, why not he for her. I respect her right to religious freedom. It is an article of faith for them. Our religious issues are also articles of our faith. We respect all and we expect the same from all," said Dr Asma Zehra here on Thursday while addressing a press conference."We do not want to communalize things. Our country is made of various religious entities. Followers of each religion love their religion more than their life and they practice accordingly. We respect all and we expect from all that justice should be done with us and there should not be any bias," said Asma, Member, Executive Committee of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Responding on the issue, Asma first categorically denied that those (Muslim women) who have approached the Supreme Court over the issue are representative of Muslim women. "We want to ask to them: who are their bosses? Which madrasa or Aalim (cleric) is guiding them," she asked and then termed the whole debate over the issue as a manufactured one. "Triple Talaq is not the issue of Muslims, nor is it that of our country India. This has been raised to malign Muslims and to display that position of Muslim women is very weak. Today we want to tell the country through the media that Muslim women are not weak in Muslim Persona Law. Rather, they enjoy lots of powers and rights in it. Muslim law has given them rights and has provisions for their protection," said Asma, who was accompanied with some other women members of the board."It is wrong to say ratio of Talaq is high among Muslims. As per Census 2011, the ratio of divorced, deserted and destitute women is higher among other communities than Muslims," she said.IndiaTomorrow
Interference in Muslim Personal Law won't be tolerated: Woman member of AIMPLB Asma Zehra
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/interference-in-muslim-personal-law-won-t-be-tolerated-asma-zehra-116102700728_1.html
‘Triple talaq a personal issue, politicians shouldn’t interfere’
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/triple-talaq-a-personal-issue-politicians-shouldn-t-interfere/story-4bulBrtIkMURiBePtb5LMI.html
Bhopal: AIMPLB and Milli Council members assert that triple talaq is a personal issue and politicians should not interfere. “Every religion has its own set of traditions and practices. And they are being created by responsible people. We should not disturb them,” said Arif Masood leader of All India Milli Council in Bhopal.The council will be holding a 2-day meeting in Bhopal on Friday and Saturday in which 300 people including members of council, religious leaders and workers will participate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, batting for women’s rights, recently said triple talaq should not be made into a Hindu-Muslim issue and people should work towards the protection of rights of the women.To this, Maulana Ahmed, vice-president of the All India Milli Council, said, “He is just polarising the matter to draw voters for upcoming elections. He did not choose to speak over santhara practice, then why triple talaq. He does not interfere in any other religion’s practices. He himself is politicising the issue. And, in fact, there is no issue. If he demands for certain amendments in the concerned law or practice, we will not accept. We will stick to our stand.”Citing their reasons for standing up for practice, Maseeh Alam, member of AIMPLB, said,“These are age-old practices. They have nothing to do with rights. If a man does not want to live with a woman anymore, and vice versa, no law should force them to be together. And as far as women’s right are concerned, we have definite persons to deal with and counsel them. Things have been smooth till now and they will be good further too. Islam respects women and people who do not know about the religion and its practices should stop talking about it.” hindustantimes
Women have the highest status in Islam: Former CEC
http://www.sify.com/news/women-have-the-highest-status-in-islam-former-cec-news-others-qk1sEecgafhjf.html
New Delhi: Women have the highest status in Islam and the Muslim community must see things with a liberal interpretation now, former Chief Election Commissioner of India S.Y. Quraishi said on Thursday. Speaking in the backdrop of the ongoing debate about Triple Talaq, Quraishi said: "Muslim women have the highest status in Islam and no other religion has such concept of equality." Giving examples of property rights of women in Islam and right to education he said: "There is a perception that women are suppressed. The government must think that the laws are sacred within a community as they are seen with liberal interpretations now." "We all (Muslims) should also unite together and not give anyone a chance to interfere with our religious laws," Quraishi said. Speaking at a function on the 96th foundation day of Jamia Milia Islamia, V-C Talat Ahmad said there is a need to focus on education of minority communities in the country, especially the Muslims, for them to progress in society. "The community will progress only when everyone receives education." IANS
Saudi: In 'hub of polygamy' with a population of 3.2 cr, over 5 lakh men have more than 1 wife
http://www.ummid.com/news/2016/October/26.10.2016/saudi-arabia-data-second-marriage.html
Mumbai: Saudi Arabia and other Arab states have always been highlighted as 'Hub of Polygamy' - the states where marrying more than one woman is a norm and widespread. Hollywood, Bollywood and other media modes whenever shows an Arab, they show him with more than one wives.However,a latest survey exposed this myth and concluded that polygamy or marrying more than one woman, which though have been permitted in Islam without any doubt, is not widespread."General Authority of Statistics has revealed that over half a million of Saudis are married to more than one wife", Saudi Gazette reported Wednesday quoting Makkah newspaper.According to UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Population Division, the total population of Saudi Arabia is 32, 529, 026, and with a sex ratio of 1.233 (1233 males per 1000 feales) the country has a total of 17, 961, 878 (55.2%) males and 14, 567, 150 (44.80%) females.UN data also shows that about 30% of the total Saudi population is of foreigners. Survey on polygamy published by Makkah paper showed that younger men in the age-group of 15-19 have not been involved in polygamous marriages. But, as age increases rate of polygamous marriages also increases."The statistics also show that 869 of men aged 20-24 have two wives; 4,941 of those in the age bracket of 25-29 have two wives and 505 of them have more than two wives."The statistics also revealed that 18,246 of men aged 30-34 have two wives and 539 of them have more than two wives. About 30,600 of men aged 35-39 have two wives and 2,668 of them have more than two wives", the report said."Data also showed that most men with two wives are aged 45-49 years old", it added. ummid.com
UCC not just Muslim issue, north-east people will also oppose: Asaduddin Owaisi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UCC-not-just-Muslim-issue-north-east-people-will-also-oppose-Asaduddin-Owaisi/articleshow/55090423.cms
AIMPLB should take younger and educated Muslims into confidence
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/AIMPLB-should-take-younger-and-educated-Muslims-into-confidence/articleshow/55096000.cms
A petition ‘Justice for Jashodaben’ floats in response to PM Modi’s triple talaq statement
http://twocircles.net/2016oct26/1477505850.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29#.WBICy-N97IU
Triple talaq in one sitting is against Quran: Sareshwala
http://www.siasat.com/news/triple-talaq-one-sitting-quran-sareshwala-2-1050666/
Digvijaya slams PM, BJP for backing abolition of triple talaq
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/digvijaya-slams-pm-bjp-for-backing-abolition-of-triple-talaq/1/796528.html
Gadkari opposes triple talaq, backs uniform civil code
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/55078476.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
OTHERS
The Wire Revealed: How Ford Foundation Got Modi Govt to Back Off From Its Expulsion Move
http://thewire.in/76048/revealed-how-ford-foundation-got-the-modi-government/
New Delhi: In the winter of Dec.2014, months before the Modi government’s crackdown on over 13,000 NGOs started, Ford Foundation’s offices in New Delhi learnt through informal sources that its funding of an organisation run by activist Teesta Setalvad had drawn the interest of Gujarat state police.Although the funds that were granted were for routine activities related primarily to research and the building of organisations dedicated to improving communal harmony – according to Ford Foundation internal documentation of the affair – the language used in Setalvad’s initial proposal regarding the 2002 Godhra violence kicked off a series of events that plunged the foundation into a chaotic mess.The stakes involved? According to the account pieced together by one of the world’s wealthiest charity funding organisations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have been initially tempted to send Ford Foundation “packing” from India.A set of e-mails leaked by Wikileaks detail the developments after Dec.2014 from the perspective of Ford Foundation officials – how they grappled with the impending controversy, their view on the Modi government’s motivations, the allies they recruited and the strategy they formulated.The e-mails are from the personal inbox of John Podesta, campaign chief chairman to Hillary Clinton, and are mainly from Darren Walker, president of Ford Foundation, as they troubleshoot their way through the sticky situation of finding themselves on the ‘watchlist’ as part of the evolving criminal investigation against Setalvad. the wire
Show-cause notice sent to AMU V-C
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/showcause-notice-sent-to-amu-vc/article9273281.ece
New Delhi: Ministry of HRD has sent a show-cause notice to Aligarh Muslim University V0C Lt. Gen. Zameeruddin Shah over allegations of administrative and financial irregularities and asked him to respond to it within 30 days.“The notice was sent on Tuesday. Once his response comes, the ministry will study it. If it is not satisfied, an inquiry can be instituted after the President’s approval,” said an official. thehindu
Bombay HC asks Bilkis Bano to convert intervention plea into appeal
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bombay-hc-asks-bilkis-bano-to-convert-intervention-plea-into-appeal-3104345/
Mumbai: Bombay High Court has rejected an intervention application filed by Bilkis Bano, a 2002 Gujarat riots victim. A division bench of Justices V K Tahilramani and Mridula Bhatkar ruled that the application cannot be allowed under the Criminal Procedure Code, but as the court was inclined to hear Bilkis, she may convert her application into an appeal.The appeal, however, cannot challenge the life sentence awarded to the eleven convicts (to seek bigger punishment) in the case by the trial court and only challenge the acquittal of five personnel of Gujarat Police, the judges said.PTI
After Una incident, RSS organises 200 sadbhavna meets
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/after-una-incident-rss-organises-200-sadbhavna-meetings-3104892/
Ahmedabad: After Una Dalit flogging incident, RSS organised over 200 sadbhavna and sant sammelans in Gujarat to “restore peaceful environment in the society”, which it believed was “shattered”. Gujarat RSS chief Mukesh Malkan said the outfit would hold 500 more such meetings in coming days.Malkan, addressing a press conference on the Sangh’s recent all-India meet in Telangana, said: “There have been some incidents in Gujarat which brought bitterness among societies and to bring harmony and peace, over 200 meetings were held in Gujarat.”
RSS: Conversion of Dalits, tribals not alarming, but need to reach out to them
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rss-conversion-of-dalits-tribals-not-alarming-but-need-to-reach-out-to-them-3104884/
Ahead of UP elections, RSS hopeful Ram temple will be built
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ahead-of-up-elections-rss-hopeful-that-ram-temple-will-be-built-3105808/
New Delhi:RSS is hopeful that the Supreme Court will give an early verdict to pave the way for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader said Thursday amid renewed focus on the issue in the run up to assembly elections in UP.The Sangh also favours a ban on Pakistani artistes amid high tensions along the borders. However, issues like prohibiting import of Chinese products should be left to society, RSS’ Delhi state general secretary Bharat Bhushan told mediapersons.“ Ram temple is central to our faith and a temple should come up at Ram Janmabhoomi site, which has been made clear by the Allahabad HC verdict. It is a matter of few days, months or years.PTI
Banaras Hindu University's RSS Seminar Triggers Fight Between Faculty and VC
http://www.news18.com/news/india/benares-hindu-universitys-rss-seminar-triggers-fight-between-faculty-and-vc-1305452.html
New Delhi: Banaras Hindu University is holding an “international seminar” on role of ‘RSS in Nation Building’ but the central university’s V-C who calls himself “a man of RSS” – says he will take action against the Faculty of Social Sciences for including his name as ‘chief patron’ without seeking his permission.V-C GC Tripathi said that although he sees nothing wrong in a central university holding a seminar on RSS, he wondered if the organisers were qualified enough to hold an “international seminar”.The man behind the event, Professor KK Mishra, HoD of political sciences in BHU, said he will go ahead with the seminar.Tripathi called Mishra a “hooligan”, whom he has not met yet and said that he “keeps holding seminars.”Mishra said that the idea of the seminar was to remove prevailing “illusions” about RSS.News18
Tamil Nadu: Muslims in Varanasipalayam seek permission to set up madrassa
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/muslims-in-varanasipalayam-seek-permission-to-set-up-madrassa/article9273230.ece
Tirupur:Representatives of Muslim community from Varanasipalayam in the city petitioned District Collector S. Jayandhi seeking permission to set up a madrassa-cum-prayer hall in the area.Sheik Jintha, head of Majeede Al Moomini Jamath, said the representation was given since the madrassa-cum-prayer hall that they had set up earlier was closed down on June 5 this year, based on instructions from Revenue Divisional Officer.The reason he said was opposition from a segment of people against the functioning of the facility in that locality. thehindu
Muslims will not support ‘unreliable’ political force: Azam
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/muslims-will-not-support-unreliable-political-force-azam-khan-3104516/
Lucknow:Senior party leader and Cabinet Minister Azam Khan on Wednesday released a letter to the media stating that Muslims are tense over recent political developments in the state and country and find their future bleak. The letter also said that their shattered dreams were visible to everybody.“Is samay pradesh aur desh ke rajnaitik kram me sabse jyada Musalman pareshan hai kyunki unko apna bhavishya bahut andhkarmay nazar aa raha hai. Unka toota bikharta sapna sabke saamne hai,” it said.
Muslim voters anxious as Samajwadi Party rift widens
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-voters-anxious-as-Samajwadi-Party-rift-widens/articleshow/55080912.cms
World
Court upholds life in prison for Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie, 36 others
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/court-upholds-life-in-prison-for-badie-36-others-116102601495_1.html
Cairo: An Egyptian court today upheld life sentences to Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie and 36 other members of the outlawed group for inciting violence in 2013. The Appeals Court also confirmed death sentences for 10 others, who were being tried in absentia, after rejecting an appeal by the defendants.The defendants were accused of blocking a main road in Qalyoub city and inciting violence among other charges. The incident took place following the dispersal of the two Muslim Brotherhood sit-ins in Rabaa (in Cairo) and Nahda (in Giza). In 2014, a court had sentenced Badie, the supreme guide of Muslim Brotherhood, and 36 others to life in prison besides sentencing 10 defendants to death in absentia. Today's development comes a day after Egyptian prosecutors recommended the cancellation of life sentences handed down to Badie and former president Mohamed Morsi along with 15 other leaders of the banned group in an espionage case.PTI
Israel recalls UNESCO ambassador in protest at Jerusalem resolutions
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161026-israel-recalls-unesco-ambassador-in-protest-at-jerusalem-resolutions/
Israel has recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations after the UN culture body adopted a second resolution in two weeks that Israeli leaders said ignored Judaism’s connection with one of Jerusalem’s holiest sites.According to a text provided by Palestinian officials, the resolution adopted by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris refers to the compound – revered by Jews as Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Haram Al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) – only as a “Muslim holy site of worship”, just as a similar motion did on 13 October.The latest vote, like the first, deals with the safeguarding of the city’s religious heritage.“The theatre of the absurd continues,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv. “We’ll decide what to do, what our next steps will be, vis a vis this organisation.”At the Paris meeting, Israeli ambassador Carmel Shama Hacohen dropped a copy of the resolution into a trash bin.“This is history denial and history will render this embarrassing decision as meaningless as previous ones,” Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement.
middleeastmonitor
‘Israel recalls UNESCO envoy after Jerusalem vote’
http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/israel-recalls-unesco-envoy-after-jerusalem-vote-benjamin-netanyahu-116102601641_1.html
Muslim woman sues US firm after being 'rejected employment due to hijab'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Muslim-woman-sues-US-firm-after-being-rejected-due-to-hijab/articleshow/55093161.cms
CHICAGO: A Muslim woman has sued a security company in the US for discrimination, alleging that the firm rejected her for employment because of her faith and her hijab.The Council on American-Islamic Relations has filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of Zahraa-Imani Ali, from St Louis County, Missouri, alleging that a nationwide security firm discriminated against prospective Muslim employees.Securitas Security Services refused to hire Ali, "at least in part, but likely entirely, on the fact that Ms Ali wears the hijab as part of her adherence to the Islamic faith," lawyer Robert West was quoted as saying by St. Louis Post- Dispatch. The suit, filed on October 21, seeks monetary damages, costs and attorneys' fees and seeks class-action status to represent other applicants.PTI
Iraq: Thousands displaced as battle for Mosul rages on
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/iraq-thousands-displaced-battle-mosul-rages-161027081255053.html
More than 10,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the start of an offensive to retake Mosul from ISIL this month, according to the UN.That figure is just a fraction of the displacement that aid groups expect to see when Iraqi forces reach the city limits and some of the million-plus people thought to be inside attempt to flee."As the fighting gets closer to more populated areas, we're starting to see more and more families flee the fighting," Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Erbil in northern Iraq, said. aljazeera
Kirkuk: Kurdish authorities demolish Arab refugee homes
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161027-kirkuk-kurdish-authorities-demolish-arab-refugee-homes/
Activists and Iraqi human rights organisations have confirmed that largely Arab refugees are being forcibly deported from the oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk by Kurdish authorities who are also destroying their homes.The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) documented several cases of Arab residents and internally displaced people (IDPs) being warned by the Kurdish security services, the Asayish, that they had to depart the area in days. Middleeastmonitor
Iraq: Shia militias blow up mosques in Rutba revenge attacks
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161027-iraq-shia-militias-blow-up-mosques-in-rutba-revenge-attacks/
Iraqi security and local sources have confirmed that Shia militias from the government-aligned Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) entered Rutba in western Iraq and used explosives to destroy a mosque whilst also abducting civilians.Security sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that the Abu Fadl Al-Abbas militia, one of the many militias in the PMF, entered Rutba mere hours after it had been retaken from Daesh, who captured the town and held it for approximately three days earlier this week.The Shia militias then proceeded to desecrate the largest mosque in the city before blowing it up.Following this, PMF militiamen abducted more than 20 locals and took them to an undisclosed location. According to security sources, the abductions occurred as the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) looked on. middleeastmonitor
France: Russia or Syria to blame for airstrike on school
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161027-france-russia-or-syria-to-blame-for-airstrike-on-school/
Russia or the Syrian government are responsible for an airstrike on Syria’s Idlib province that led to deaths of 26 civilians, most of them school children, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said earlier today.“Who is responsible? In any case it is not the opposition because you need planes to launch bombs. It’s either the Syrians – the regime of [President Bashar] Al-Assad – or the Russians,” Ayrault told a news conference.“It’s yet another demonstration of the horror of this war, which is a war against the Syrian people, which we cannot accept.” middleeastmonitor
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:26 PM)
