Evening NEWS DIGEST
05 Jan.2017: 06 Rabius Sani 1438: Vol:8, No:81
INDIA:5-STATE POLLS & POLITICS
'Postpone union budget to after March 8 when state elections are over', Opposition tells Election Commission
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/postpone-union-budget-to-after-march-8-when-state-elections-are-over-opposition-tells-election-commission/articleshow/56349274.cms
New Delhi: Several opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, DMK and JD (U), today met with Election Commission (EC) officials to demand the postponement of the Union budget to after elections are over in 5 states. Union budget is expected to be presented on Feb.1. And polls in five states are scheduled to start Feb.4. Opposition parties fear the BJP will announce sops and other programs to sway voters towards them. This would be a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, they said.An 11-member delegation of opposition party members met with EC officials today."We have a simple solution. Present the budget after March 8 and get it passed before March 31, there's plenty of time," said the TMC's Derek O'Brien. March 8 is the last day of polls in any of the five states. Congress, TMC and other members of the delegation all said they wanted the budget postponed."This is against the democracy, we have requested the EC to stop the presentation of budget. Populist measures could be taken in budget, so a just and fair election can't be held," said Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, after the meeting with the EC.Many have said since yesterday this is a deliberate ploy by the ruling BJP."It is clear that the govt will misuse the budget presentation and try to allure the voters just before polls," said Anand Sharma, Congress spokesman, ANI reported."This gives unfair advantage to the govt. It will influence the voters. It is clear that govt will misuse the budget presentation and the President's Address to both the houses of parliament which is customary to make announcements, popular schemes, and also try to allure the voters," he told ANI. AAP, though not part of the opposition delegation that met EC officials, is also against the Union budget being presented before the state elections NCP's chief Sharad Pawar also criticized the timing of the budget and said it shouldn't be held too close to the five states' polls and should be deferred. timesofindia
Political parties seek change in Budget date on fears govt may push for sops during polls
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/will-the-budget-date-change-political-parties-seek-ec-intervention-fearing-sop-announcements-by-govt-during-polls-3187802.html
Opposition urges EC to recommend deferral of Budget presentation
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Opposition-urges-EC-to-recommend-deferral-of-Budget-presentation/article16992088.ece?homepage=true
Budget on 1 Feb.aimed at wooing voters before polls:CPM
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/union-budget-on-1-february-aimed-at-wooing-voters-ahead-of-polls-yechury-3188440.html
Centre must delay budget till state polls are over: Oppn
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/opposition-to-meet-election-commission-today-on-timing-of-poll-schedule-and-budget-date/story-u7MMLuYfI8sDryZJxSQ81L.html
ICSE,ISC exams to be rescheduled as dates clashing with polls
http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/icse-isc-exams-to-be-rescheduled-as-dates-clashing-with-polls/story-iD7KwQ9DS0A5EgJLqiiuON.html
Disclosure of source of candidates’ income be made mandatory: EC to SC
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/disclosure-of-source-of-candidates-income-be-made-mandatory-ec-to-sc-4460538/
Banning tainted leaders from polls: SC to set up larger bench
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/banning-tainted-leaders-from-polls-sc-to-set-up-larger-bench-4460666/
New Delhi:Ahead of crucial upcoming Assembly polls in 5 states, the Supreme Court today said it would “soon constitute” a 5-judge bench to decide questions like whether people facing trial in serious crime cases can be allowed to contest and at which stage of trial, a lawmaker would stand disqualified.“We must clarify this matter so that people know the law by next election,” a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said while considering the submission that these issues needed to be decided at the earliest as many “dreaded criminals”, against whom charges have been framed by courts in serious cases, are planning to contest upcoming Assembly polls.PTI
Supreme Court to consider banning charge-sheeted candidates from polls
https://rtn.asia/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/supreme-court.png
SC on vote in name of religion: Judicial push backed by legislative intent key to Indian politics reforming itself: ANI
http://www.india.com/news/india/judicial-push-backed-by-legislative-intent-key-to-indian-politics-reforming-itself-1741979/
Yogi Adityanath hails SC decision on no vote for religion
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/yogi-adityanath-hails-supreme-court-decision-on-no-vote-for-religion-4459647/
Will Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and others lose name after Supreme Court verdict on religion in voting?
http://www.india.com/news/india/will-shiv-sena-akali-dal-and-others-lose-name-after-supreme-court-verdict-on-religion-in-voting-1740698/
No, Muslims do not vote strategically to defeat BJP In UP: New evidence from 15 yrs of voting data busts myth
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/01/04/no-muslims-do-not-vote-strategically-to-defeat-the-bjp-in-uttar/
Muslim voters do not vote en bloc or as told to by clerics, contrary to popular perception, and do not vote strategically to defeat the BJP, new evidence from 15 years of voting data shows. The most remarkable thing about the Muslim vote, the researchers argue, is that it is not remarkable at all. Researchers Rahul Verma of the Department of Political Science at Berkeley University and Pranav Gupta of Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies looked at the last 15 years of pre- and post-poll surveys and National Election Studies conducted for three assembly and two Lok Sabha elections in UP by Lokniti-CSDS to understand voting preferences and views on politics of Muslims and other groups. Their research was published in the Economic & Political Weekly on Dec.31.With Muslim vote share for the BJP in single digits, there is a pervasive notion that Muslim voters strategise to defeat the BJP, and this is achieved through mobilisation and mass voting, often as a result of a call from clerics. Nowhere is this more deeply rooted than in UP, where Muslims form 19.3% of the population and make up over 20% of the electorate in more than a third of seats.The researchers found that there was no difference between the Muslim voter and the state's average voter when the survey respondents were asked whose opinion matters the most in casting their vote--political or community leaders, family, friends, colleagues or their own decision; Muslims were no more likely to say that a cleric or community leader had influenced their vote. They also found that Muslims vote on the same issues as other voters; in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, for instance, economic issues such as price rise, corruption and employment were seen as most important by Muslims and others. huffingtonpost
Muslims of UP in wait and watch mode: TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/muslims-of-state-in-wait-and-watch-mode/articleshow/56343471.cms
Lucknow: Having played the "deciding factor" on UP's electoral landscape for decades and reduced to a non-entity by the Modi wave in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Muslims in the state are on a wait and watch stance ahead of UP elections.TOI
UP polls: BSP first to release list of 100 seats, gives 36 to Muslims
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttar-pradesh-polls-2017-bsp-mayawati-first-off-the-blocks-with-list-for-100-up-assembly-seats-4460209/
Prospect of 3-way split in UP Muslim vote bank this election: TOI spl
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/prospect-of-3-way-split-in-up-muslim-votebank-this-election/articleshow/56346010.cms
In 2012, first phase of UP elections was RLD’s stronghold, BJP lost on all reserved seats and Muslims won 11: TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jan04/1483534943.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29#.WG5C3vB97IU
Wooing Muslims won't help any party this UP Assembly elections: Seemi Pasha
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/up-elections-2017-muslims-bsp-congress-bjp-akhilesh-yadav-ucc/story/1/14906.html
SP braces for show of strength as Mulayam, Shivpal will meet EC over party symbol
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mulayam-singh-yadav-shivpal-rush-to-delhi-to-meet-ec-akhilesh-meets-mlas-4460205/
Lucknow:Gearing up for a show of strength, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today left for Delhi to furnish details of support to the EC for retaining the ‘cycle’ symbol while the faction led by his son Akhilesh met loyalists here to collect signed affidavits to be presented to poll body. While sources in the Mulayam camp said the party supremo was armed with signed affidavits of MLAs, MLCs and MPs which he would furnish to the EC, the number of the signed affidavits with him was not immediately clear.Mulayam was accompanied by Shivpal Yadav, who was “removed” from the post of state SP chief at the party’s disputed national convention where CM Akhilesh was crowned as SP President replacing his father.As Mulayam and Shivpal left for the national capital, Akhilesh met his loyalists at his 5-Kalidas Marg residence to collect their signed affidavits to be presented before the EC in a day or two to claim the party symbol, party sources said.PTI
Azam fails to broker SP truce again
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/azam-fails-to-broker-sp-truce-again/articleshow/56345746.cms
Akhilesh replaces ‘Maulana Mulayam’ as favourite of Muslims in UP: India Samvad
http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/special-stories/akhilesh-replaces-maulana-mulayam-as-favorite-of-ups-muslims-19232
Demonetisation
Demonetisation will lead to a slowdown in economy: Prez
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/demonetisation-will-lead-to-a-slowdown-in-economy-says-president-117010501045_1.html
New Delhi:President Pranab Mukherjee has issued a note of caution that the Modi govt's demonetisation decision could likely lead to a temporary slowdown in the economy and hurt the poor. President called for policymaking that would reduce the suffering of the poor, and seemed to question the focus shift in the govt 's poverty alleviation programmes and policies from an entitlement-based approach to an entrepreneurial one. Mukherjee said he was "not too sure the poor could wait that long" to endure the gestation involved in the transition.In his New Year's address to Governors and Lieutenant Governors, President termed 2016 as a year of "mixed fortunes", which began on a positive note, with the economy looking up, but ended with exports having slowed down because of global cues. He said the losses could be recovered by improving the competitiveness of domestic industry. "Demonetisation, while immobilising black money and fighting corruption, may lead to a temporary slowdown in the economy. We all will have to be extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor which might become unavoidable for the expected progress in the long term," Mukherjee said."I am not too sure that the poor can wait that long. They need to get succour here and now" to have a future devoid of hunger, unemployment and exploitation, the President said. Mukherjee said the recent package announced by the PM will provide some relief. business-standard
Demonetisation complete failure? 97% of banned notes back in banks: Report
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/demonetisation-complete-failure-97-of-banned-notes-back-in-banks-report/
New Delhi: As much as 97% of currency notes, outlawed by the govt on Nov.8, 2016, have reportedly returned to banks, posing a huge question mark on PM Modi’s demonetisation move. According to a report by Bloomberg, quoting sources in the know, banks have received 14.97 trillion rupees as of Dec.30, which was the deadline set by the govt for individuals to return their currency notes. Govt and the RBI faced criticism for their inability to implement the move in an efficient manner, continuing to cause hardships to citizens across the country. Politically, too, the Modi govt has faced immense criticism from the Opposition as well as from within the ruling NDA with ally Shiv Sena stating that demonetisation had created a sense of fear that was witnessed during the British Rule.“People are alive and that is why these are ‘acche din’. Wool is being pulled over your eyes when they claim that people are supporting demonetisation,” Uddhav Thackeray said.indian express
97% of banned notes back in banks? Jaitley's short response, "I don't know'
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/01/05/97-of-banned-notes-back-in-banks-this-is-arun-jaitleys-short/?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
When asked whether 97% of banned notes had been returned to the banks, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's had a short reply: "I don't know."The question followed from a Bloomberg report on Wednesday which said that banks have received ₹14.97 trillion out of the ₹15.4 trillion, which was put out of circulation in the Modi govt 's demonetisation drive.The govt had initially estimated about ₹5 trillion rupees of the ₹15.4 trillion rupees would be black money. huffingtonpost
Estimates of demonetised notes back with banks may be incorrect: RBI
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/01/05/estimates-of-demonetised-notes-back-with-banks-may-be-incorrect/?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Mumbai: Reacting to media reports about quantum of demonetised currency that has been returned to the banks by the 30 December deadline, RBI today said such estimates may not be correct.The RBI said the aggregating of accounting entries made at the various currency chests still requires to be reconciled with the actual cash balances in order to eliminate accounting errors and double counting. huffingtonpost
To deposit old notes at RBI, you need documents from airport
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/to-deposit-old-notes-at-rbi-you-need-documents-from-airport-10-points-1645495
New Delhi: Those trying to deposit banned 500 and 1,000 rupee notes at RBI must have a stamped document from the airport to prove that they were abroad. A notice outside the RBI makes it clear that old notes will not be accepted from anyone except those who were not in the country after 500 and 1,000 notes were banned without warning in a big move to end black or undeclared money. ndtv
Post note ban, Modi, Nitish are all praise for each other
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home-page-sections/post-note-ban-narendra-modi-nitish-kumar-are-all-praise-for-each-other/articleshow/56352621.cms?
MP farmers get Rs 2,000 notes without Mahatma’s image from SBI
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-farmers-receive-rs-2000-notes-without-mahatma-gandhis-image-from-sbi-4459902/
New Delhi:Farmers in MP’s Sheopur have received Rs 2,000 notes without the image of Mahatma Gandhi, sparking fears that they could be fake. According to ANI, farmers had received the cash from a local branch of the State Bank of India.Farmers, who initially thought the notes were fake, visited the bank where they were told that it was a printing error and that the notes were “genuine”.Bank later took back the notes. SBI official RK Jain, too, said that the notes were not fake. “It is not fake currency, it is a misprint. We have sent it for probe.”
others
Clear conflict on rape law, SC tells govt: As IPS allows man to have sex with his 15-yr 'child wife' but POCSO terms below 18 as children
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Rape-law-clear-conflict-between-IPC-and-POCSO-Act-SC-tells-govt./article16992085.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi: A chink in the colonial era Indian Penal Code (IPC), allowing a man to have sexual intercourse with his child wife, has led the Supreme Court to give a directive to the Central govt. An exception to Section 375 in the IPC does not find a man guilty to having sexual intercourse with his 15-year-old wife. This exception ensures that he will not be charged for rape even though child marriage is a crime. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012 defines 'children' as those aged below 18. It has specific provisions declaring that 'penetrative sexual assault' and 'aggressive penetrative sexual assault' against children below 18 is rape. Nobel prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, through his organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan, appealed to the SC on Thursday for help to end this "statutorily backed" crime against children.In a petition before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar, the organisation highlighted the conflict between the IPC and the POCSO Act. Satyarthi wants the apex court to clear the conflict between the IPC and the POCSO Act.The apex court has directed the govt to address the issue within four months. If not satisfied with the govt's response, the Bench asked Mr. Satyarthi to approach the Supreme Court on the same grounds for immediate resolution.the hindu
Maharashtra health minister Girish Mahajan urges Centre to conduct NEET in Urdu too
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-health-minister-girish-mahajan-urges-centre-to-conduct-neet-in-urdu-too/story-KooZ5IoXAwWWM86psHFOsJ.html
Mumbai: Following a demand by the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), the state health and family welfare minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday wrote to the Centre demanding that National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2017 also be conducted in Urdu. A recent statement released by the Union health ministry had mentioned that NEET 2017 will be conducted in 8 languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu. NEET scores are used for admission to medical colleges across the country. “168 Urdu medium junior colleges run in Maharashtra, from where around 11,000 students appear for their class XII examinations. Considering the large number of students whose first language remains Urdu, we request the govt to make appropriate changes to the present rules,” read the letter addressed to Union health minister JP Nadda. An online petition filed by SIO aimed at garnering support for NEET to be conducted in Urdu has received over 2,400 supporters.The move to conduct NEET in more languages came after the Supreme Court, in its 2016 order, made it clear that any entrance test held at a national level should be conducted in regional languages as well, especially as most state-conducted entrance exams are conducted in more than 1 local language. While statement mentioned only 7 regional languages and English, SIO demanded that Urdu should also be included considering students from Maharashtra as well as other neighbouring states will need the advantage.HT
RSS affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch to launch national campaign against triple talaq
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-affiliate-to-launch-national-campaign-against-triple-talaq-4459540/
Lucknow: Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), a group affiliated to the RSS, has announced a nationwide campaign to attract Muslim women voters by raising the issue of triple talaq. It will also implore its supporters to vote keeping the nation in mind and not caste or religion. MRM is going to hold ‘Jalsas’ in different districts of UP to speak to Muslim women and seek their support over the issue. RSS national executive member and MRM ‘margdarshak’ Indresh Kumar and MRM national convener Mohd Afzal will address these Jalsas. “2 Jalsas are being started from UP and Muslim women will be told there that triple talaq was not exercised during the period of Hazrat Mohammad because Hazarat Mohammad was against it,” said Afzal. He added that the group will spread awareness among Muslims that talaq should be done as per Quran only.“Our objective is not political but we will appeal the Muslims to vote in the name of nation (in the upcoming election) instead of caste and religion. We will make them aware that some political leaders are misleading Muslims,” said Mahirajdhwaj Singh, MRM national co-convener.Afzal said that MRM has also formed a ‘Zakat fund’ for helping the divorcee women and will arrange free education too for their children. indian express
RSS Muslim Wing To Launch Campaign Against Triple Talaq, Reach Out To Muslim Voters In UP
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/01/04/rss-muslim-wing-to-begin-campaign-against-triple-talaq-reach-ou/
INDO-PAK & SOUTH ASIA
Pak should have privileges as India in nuclear development: Chinese state media
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pak-should-have-privileges-as-india-in-nuclear-development-chinese-state-media/story-ac8Oad5ab7abln3mfzNlcM.html
Beijing:India has “broken” UN limits on nuclear arms and long-range missiles and Pakistan should also be accorded the same “privilege”, state-run Chinese media said on Thursday as it criticised New Delhi for carrying out Agni-4 and 5 missile tests whose range covers the Chinese mainland. “India has broken the UN’s limits on its development of nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missile,” the ruling Communist Party-run tabloid Global Times said in its editorial.“US and some Western countries have also bent the rules on its nuclear plans. New Delhi is no longer satisfied with its nuclear capability and is seeking intercontinental ballistic missiles that can target anywhere in the world and then it can land on an equal footing with UNSC’s 5 permanent members,”it said.“India is ‘promising’ in vying for permanent membership on UNSC as it is the sole candidate who has both nuclear capability and economic potential,” it said.“China should realise that Beijing wouldn’t hold back India’s development of long-range ballistic missiles,” it said apparently highlighting China’s limitations in restricting India developing a nuclear and missile deterrence against Chinese military power.Agni-5, 5,000-km range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), is widely regarded as a strategic missile targeted at China as it can reach almost all parts of the Chinese mainland.The editorial said that “Chinese don’t feel India’s development has posed any big threat to it”.HT
India’s Agni long-range missiles broke UN limits: Chinese govt’s mouthpiece tabloid
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indias-agni-long-range-missiles-broke-un-limits-chinese-govts-mouthpiece-tabloid-4460006/
China justifies its stand on Azhar,denies double standards
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-justifies-its-stand-on-azhar-denies-double-standards/story-wyLmP2ZVlOjHPkgLVwgM3N.html
Beijing:China on Thursday dismissed as “untrue” allegations of double standards by India by blocking its bid to list JeM leader Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, claiming that it had adopted a “just, objective and professional” attitude in deciding the matter.“With regard to the listing matter of the security council 1267 committee the so called double standards adopted by China on this relevant issue is not true. We take action based on solid evidence that is the standard upheld by us,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told media briefing here.Responding to remarks made by minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar on Azhar’s issue during the press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday Geng said, “We have taken a responsible and constructive part in relevant discussion in a professional and objective way”. “Relevant members differed on this issue. The purpose of China to put forward technical hold on that issue is to create enough time for the committee and relevant parties to consult with each other on the relevant issue,” he said. HT
India's record far better in Kashmir Valley than China's Xinjiang: Canada think tank report
http://www.indiablooms.com/ibns_new/news-details/N/27572/india-s-record-far-better-in-kashmir-valley-than-china-s-xinjiang-canada-think-tank-report.html
Toronto:India has given the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley population far greater political autonomy and cultural freedom than China has done in Xinjiang, which too is a Muslim-dominated province roiled by demand for separation from China, according to the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFRAS), a Canada-based think tank body.Research paper was released last month by IFRAS.The paper, while drawing parallels between the provinces of J&K and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), highlights how the Indian and Chinese govt’s have adopted distinctly different approaches and methods to deal with comparable challenges in the two regions. Enumerating similarities, namely a Muslim-majority local population, extremism, cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the disputed border, the paper concludes that as compared to XUAR, J&K today enjoys far greater political autonomy.Despite special political status granted to the two regions, study highlights that while China's Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law has proven largely ineffective in ensuring true self-governance by ethnic groups like Uyghurs, the people of J&K have been provided guarantees under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and a strong foundation to build a system of local governance.IndiaBloomsNewsService
India's record far better in Kashmir Valley than China's Xinjiang: Canada think tank report
http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-219661.html
Discourse shifting to 'primacy of Islam' over 'Azadi': Army
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/discourse-shifting-to-primacy-of-islam-over-azadi-army-117010501002_1.html
Hyderabad:A top Indian Army official today said the "discourse" in J&K is shifting to "primacy of Islam over Azadi" adding to complexities in dealing with sectarian faultlines in the border state. "...J&K indeed continues to be a challenge and it's being dealt with; it's getting a little more complex as slowly the discourse, as indeed the entire thrust, is taking a shift towards a primacy of Islam over Azadi. So, that clearly adds a fairly complex dynamic to stabilising the nation as it were," Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Subrata Saha, said.PTI
Locals joining militancy is not a happy situation: Army chief on Kashmir
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/locals-joining-militancy-is-not-a-happy-situation-army-chief/articleshow/56351564.cms
New Delhi: Plans are on the anvil to bring in a shift in the counter-insurgency strategy in Kashmir in which "false" propaganda inspiring youth to take up arms will be targeted rather than individuals alone, says new Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat. Gen Rawat, who has experience in handling the Kashmir militancy, said that unlike naxalism in which locals are joining due to feeling of deprivation, it is not the case in Kashmir which has been under the siege from Pakistan-backed insurgency since late 1980s."When the local youth join insurgency and pick up gun it is a matter of concern because our own countrymen getting involved in insurgency is not a happy situation," Gen Rawat said.PTI
Pak’s Nawaz Sharif praises ‘vibrant, charismatic’ militant Burhan Wani, again
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pak-s-nawaz-sharif-praises-slain-militant-burhan-wani-again/story-Qwwj2q3WY6N0G2ODbOOJAP.html
Needling India, Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on Thursday again praised Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani, calling him a “vibrant and charismatic leader”.Addressing an International Parliamentary Seminar on Kashmir in Islamabad, Sharif called for an end to the “continued suffering” of generations in Kashmir. The world needs to tell India that “enough is enough” with regard to its policy towards Kashmir, Dawn newspaper quoted Sharif as saying.Referring to Wani as a “vibrant and charismatic leader”, he said that his “martyrdom has become a rallying point for the freedom loving people”.PTI
Kolkata group denied permission for seminar on Kashmir, Baloch refugees
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-group-denied-permission-for-seminar-on-kashmir-baloch-refugees/story-KCdfozmCbVhBOIxQUdOYWL.html
Kolkata:A Kolkata group Swadhikar Bangla Foundation claimed to have been denied permission to host a seminar on refugees of Balochistan and Kashmir by the police who was “not willing” to show a green signal, apprehending that it might “create problems in the city”.PTI
others
Sahara gets immunity, tax panel accepts its claim that seized papers not evidence
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sahara-gets-immunity-tax-panel-accepts-its-claim-that-seized-papers-not-evidence-kejriwal-rahul-gandhi-raid-4459535/
New Delhi: In what could be one of the quickest orders passed by the Income Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC), Sahara India has been granted immunity from prosecution and penalty following raids conducted on November 2014 during which “diaries” listing alleged pay-offs to politicians were recovered. Significantly, the ITSC has concurred with Sahara’s claim that the “evidentiary value” of the “loose sheets” recovered during the raids “could not be proved” by the Income Tax Department. 50-page order, accessed by The Indian Express, shows that the ITSC had earlier rejected the application of the company and then on September 5, 2016 re-admitted it. Indian Express
Sahara gets clean chit; papers referred by Kejriwal, RaGa dubbed unauthentic
http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/business/sahara-gets-immunity-against-diaries-presented-by-kejriwal-19237
Rahul Gandhi:Immunity for Sahara or immunity for Modiji?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-gandhi-immunity-for-sahara-or-immunity-for-modiji/articleshow/56352407.cms
Latching on to an order from I-T settlement authority giving relief to Sahara Group, Rahul Gandhi demanded an inquiry into Sahara diaries asking PM Narendra Modi why he fears such a probe."Immunity for Sahara or immunity for Modiji? If your conscience is clear Modiji why fear investigation?"he said.PTI
Kejriwal alleges PM Modi’s ‘attempts’ to scuttle inquiry proves he took bribe from Sahara
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kejriwal-alleges-pm-modis-attempts-to-scuttle-inquiry-proves-he-took-bribe-from-sahara-4459681/
New Delhi:Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has said PM Narendra Modi’s alleged attempts to scuttle inquiries against himself proved he took bribes from Sahara.“Not Sahara but Modi ji who gets immunity. He recd bribes from Sahara. Modiji scuttling all enquiries against him. Proves he took bribes,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.“Shocking. Modi ji misuses CBI to frame his political opponents but gets himself immunity without any investigation,” Kejriwal said in another tweet. indianexpress
BJP lauds PM Modi on Twitter, claims Dawood's properties seized after diplomatic masterstroke
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/bjp-lauds-pm-narendra-modi-on-twitter-claims-dawoods-properties-seized-after-diplomatic-masterstroke-3189088.html
BJP has quoted several media reports that UAE' govt has seized wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim's properties worth Rs 15,000 crore, according to a report in NDTV. The party praised PM Narendra Modi on its Twitter account, calling the move a 'masterstroke of diplomacy'. In an image, accompanying the tweet, the party said that the reported action was taken after PM handed over a list of Dawood's properties during a 2015 visit to the UAE and demanded that the authorities act against Dawood, Hindustan Times reported.The tweet, put up on the BJP Twitter account, claimed this was the biggest ever crackdown on the Mumbai serial blasts mastermind and that efforts were on to bring Dawood back to India to face justice.
Another Surgical Strike By PM Modi! UAE Govt Seizes Dawood Ibrahim’s Assets Worth Rs 15,000 Crores
http://allindiaroundup.com/news/uae-govt-seizes-dawood-ibrahims-assets-worth-rs-15000-crores/
Suspended JNU students allege witch-hunt, selective targeting by varsity
http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/suspended-jnu-students-allege-witch-hunt-selective-targeting-by-varsity/963788
New Delhi:9 students of JNU who have been suspended for allegedly disrupting a council meeting today alleged "witch-hunt" by administration and said they were being "selectively targeted" for their political activism."There has been a blatant violation of procedural norms and discriminatory witch-hunting of students belonging to marginalised and oppressed communities. Proctor's office has adopted the vindictive and arbitrary method of slapping students with suspension notices on false and trumped up charges," Prashant Kumar, one of the suspended students, said during. Out look
JNU’s suspended students cite university committee report on interview marks reduction
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/jnu-suspended-students-cite-university-committee-report-argue-for-reduction-of-interview-marks-in-admission-4459950/
JNU row accused unaware of disciplinary proceedings: Umar Khalid's lawyer
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/jnu-umar-khalid/1/849978.html
Last year in February, JNU and its students were the talk of the town due to being embroiled in controversy arising from some students organising an event in the campus, protesting against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack accused, Afzal Guru. On Feb.9, along with others, Umar Khalid and Anirban had raised anti-national slogan at an event and later, got arrested.They recently told the Delhi High Court that they were never told by JNU that a high-level enquiry committee (HLEC) was carrying out disciplinary proceedings. indiatoday
SIMI leader Safdar Nagori, 10 others on trial
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/simi-mastermind-safdar-nagori-ten-others-on-trial-from-wednesday/articleshow/56331705.cms
Indore:Trial against SIMI leader Safdar Nagori and 10 others through video conferencing is scheduled to begin at the special CBI court here from Wednesday. The trial will be held at another room, where the video conferencing set up is installed, on district court premises.The order for holding trial through video conferencing was passed by special CBI Judge BK Paloda during the last hearing held in Oct., 2016.TOI
Malegaon blast case: Kin of main accused worried after suspended cop says they were killed
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/malegaon-blast-case-kin-of-main-accused-worried-after-suspended-cop-says-they-were-killed-4459592/
Bhopal:The families of Sandeep Dange and Ramji Kalsangra, two main accused in the Malegaon blast case who are wanted by the NIA, are worried after suspended Maharashtra police officer Mahiboob Mujawar claimed that they were killed by the anti-terror squad. The NIA has decided to probe Mujawar’s claim.“Ever since we heard it, the entire family is in shock. We want a high-level probe into the matter. We want to know the truth. If my father was indeed killed, ATS officials responsible for his murder should be punished,” Kalsangara’s son Devbrat told The Indian Express. 22-year-old said he last saw his father in 2008. He added that Mujawar was associated with the probe and his claim can’t be dismissed. indianexpress
Mujawar to give evidence against ATS officers in court
http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/Cop-to-give-evidence-against-ATS-officers-in-Solapur-court/articleshow/56344919.cms
Spatial inequality a glaring reality in Mumbai’s Muslim-dominated areas
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/spatial-inequality-a-glaring-reality-in-mumbais-muslim-dominated-areas-4459453/
Mumbai: Shivaji Nagar is the microcosm of most of the Muslim-dominated localities in Mumbai. Squalid ghetto on Mumbai’s periphery, where over half the population is below the age of 30, has only one BMC-run higher secondary school. And their financial inclusion is limited to two small cooperative banks serving a population of over 6 lakh residents. According to a yet-to-be-released survey by NGO Apnalaya, nearly 70% residents of Shivaji Nagar are forced to purchase water from private vendors. indianexpress
DCW demands Delhi Police act against Abu Azmi, Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara
http://twocircles.net/2017jan04/1483550004.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29#.WG5COvB97IU
New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal has sought action from Delhi Police against Abu Azmi and G. Parameshwara for their alleged sexist remarks after the molestations by a mob on New YearEve in Bengaluru. Maliwal urged Delhi Police to file an FIR against MLA Abu Azmi and Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara under Section 509 of the IPC.Parameshwara had blamed the influence of western culture for such crimes against women, while Azmi advocated more modest dressing for women.IANS
Won’t entertain privacy concerns on Aadhar card : SC
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/suprme-court-says-wont-entertain-privacy-concerns-on-aadhar-card-use-4460193/
Modi’s Hindutva ideology will destroy country: Gogoi
http://www.sentinelassam.com/state1/story.php?sec=2&subsec=2&id=294034&dtP=2017-01-05&ppr=1
Delhi & Lt Governor: Under close watch - Akshay Deshmane: frontline
http://www.frontline.in/cover-story/under-close-watch/article9456570.ece
Canada experiment: is this the world's first 'postnational' country?Charles Foran
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/04/the-canada-experiment-is-this-the-worlds-first-postnational-country?CMP=share_btn_fb
WORLD
US army allows servicemen to display religious symbols - turbans, hijabs or beards
https://thewire.in/93350/us-army-symbols-servicemen/
US Army has issued a new regulation under which servicemen who wear turbans, hijabs or beards can now be enrolled in the military, making the force more inclusive of minority religions and cultures.The new set of rules, issued by secretary of the army Eric Fanning, allows religious accommodations to be approved at the brigade-level. Previously it was at the level of secretary. Once that approval occurs, change will ensure that the religious accommodation is enduring and applies to most positions within the US Army. “This is a major progress, not just for the Sikh-American community but for our nation’s military. Today’s announcement will help do just that,” congressman Joe Crowley said welcoming the directive issued by the US Army secretary.PTI
Hindus and Jews gain ground in new US Congress
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/hindus-and-jews-gain-ground-in-new-us-congress/articleshow/56347933.cms
Washington: Hindus and Jews have gained ground in the new US Congress, even as a latest research suggests that the members of the legislative body remain overwhelmingly Christians despite significant change in religious demographic profile of the country in less than five decades. This is for the first time in American history that the Congress has three Hindus members -- Tulsi Gabbard, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna.After Jews, who have 30 members in the new US Congress, Hindus and Buddhism, each having three members jointly share the third sport in terms of religious ranking of US Congress members, according to Pew Center analysis.PTI
How could they respect her and still choose him: A Muslim American teacher’s open letter to students
http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/this-is-serious/how-could-they-respect-her-and-still-choose-donald-trump-a-muslim-american-teachers-open-letter-to-students-4458320/
US: Hijab-clad woman and her family abused, called a ‘bunch of terrorists’:PTI
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-hijab-clad-woman-and-her-family-abused-called-a-bunch-of-terrorists/story-eZ5B3qgx5yNZjD0Zd3Y9LP.html
Shia militias in Iraq using arms from 16 countries:Amnesty
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/shia-militias-arms-16-countries-amnesty-170105081540036.html
Pro-govt Iraqi paramilitaries accused of war crimes are using arms from at least 16 countries, including the US and Iran, according to an Amnesty International report. Report released today said, predominantly Shia militias committed war crimes since they were formed in 2014 to support the Iraqi govt in its fight against ISIL group."International arms suppliers, including the USA, European countries, Russia and Iran, must wake up to the fact that all arms transfers to Iraq carry a real risk of ending up in the hands of militia groups with long histories of human rights violations," said Patrick Wilcken, an arms control researcher at Amnesty.Wilcken said the Iraqi authorities have helped to arm and equip the Shia fighters - who are part of the Popular Mobilisation Unit - and pay their salaries. aljazeera
Yemen's orphans face 'catastrophe' as fighting rages
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/yemen-orphans-170105052409798.html
Dar Ri'ayat al-Aytam orphanage in Sanaa has been struggling with a lack of funds since Houthi rebels captured the capital in autumn 2014, and the situation has worsened in recent months. Abdullah al-Hindi, the head of the orphanage, said that almost two years of war had decimated the economy, and there have been severe cuts to public spending. aljazeera
Israel and China agree new construction deal
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170105-israel-and-china-agree-new-construction-deal/
China has agreed for thousands of migrant construction labourers to work in Israel in a bid to alleviate a housing crisis the Israeli govt said.Beijing and Jerusalem are in the final stage of forging a deal to let 20,000 Chinese construction workers come to Israel over the next few years.The deal was sealed by an Israeli delegation,which left for China on Monday, that included the Finance Ministry’s housing chief, Avigdor Yitzhaki, and the Construction and Housing Ministry’s Director General, Asher Armoni.Outlining details of the deal, Haaretz commented that workers would arrive in several groups. The first group of 4,000 workers would arrive within next 6 months. Dates however have not been set.middleeastmonitor
Israel sentences Palestinian UN worker for aiding Hamas
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170105-israel-sentences-palestinian-un-worker-for-aiding-hamas-in-plea-deal/
Hamas to partake in preparations for Palestinian National Council meeting in Beirut
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170105-hamas-to-partake-in-preparations-for-pnc-meeting/
Myanmar commission's report on Rohingya 'flawed': HRW
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/myanmar-commissions-report-rohingya-flawed-hrw-170104195719040.html
A commission investigating violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State has denied security forces had abused Rohingya Muslims, a claim slammed by the Human Rights Watch.The commission's report and the HRW's reaction to it came on Wednesday, days after a video emerged showing police beating civilians from the Muslim minority. aljazeera
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:03 PM)
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