Evening NEWS DIGEST
23 April 2017: 25 Rajab 1438: Vol: 8, No:172
INDIA:PERSONAL LAW RELATED ISSUES
MP family court nullifies triple talaq for not following norms: PTI
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-court-nullifies-triple-talaq-for-not-following-norms/638815/
Ujjain:A family court here has “nullified” the triple talaq given by a man to his wife on the grounds that due procedure, as prescribed in Muslim religious texts, was not followed in the matter. Additional principal judge of the family court, Omprakash Sharma on March 9 observed that the procedure adopted by Tousif Sheikh to divorce his wife was “illegal” and “ineffective” and nullified the same. Arshi Khan got married to Tousif from Dewas on Jan. 19, 2013 and after some time he (Tousif) started demanding money from her. When his demands were not fulfilled, he started troubling her, the victim’s lawyer Arvind Gaud said.After some time the woman left her husband’s place and returned to her parents’ home. She later filed a case under Anti-Dowry Act against Tousif, said Gaud. That case is still pending in the court, he said.Meanwhile, on Oct. 9, 2014, Tousif verbally divorced Arshi by stating talaq in Ujjain court premises, where they had come in connection with some other case.Later, he informed her through a notice that he had divorced her by stating talaq thrice while coming out of the court premises on that date.Arshi challenged divorce on the grounds that due procedure as prescribed in the Muslim religious text was not followed in the matter, Gaud said. The court in its order found discrepancies in it and said that Tousif had failed to mention in his reply that through which method ‘Talaq Ahsan or Talaq Hasan’ he had divorced his wife.The judge said that he failed to give credible evidence of the presence of Arshi in the court premises as mentioned by him when he had pronounced talaq thrice, while as per the religious law, the presence of the woman in question is mandatory. The court also observed that no steps were taken by the parties concerned for any mediation on the issue as per religious law. Court took into account various decisions given by other courts on the issue before declaring the talaq as “illegal”, “ineffective” and “nullified” it Tousif raised the issue of jurisdiction of the family court on the matter but the judge turned down his plea. A statement issued by Gaud and his assistant Hafiz Qureshi said they highlighted provisions mentioned in various Muslim religious texts on the issue to convince the court that due procedures were not followed in the matter.PTI
MP family court quashes triple talaq, says husband failed to follow sharia: HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/ujjain-court-quashes-triple-talaq-says-husband-failed-to-follow-sharia/story-IZBS3i6I69tTDNbG5kYPWL.html
While triple talaq row rages, women say they need jobs: timesofindia
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/while-triple-talaq-row-rages-women-say-they-need-jobs/articleshow/58322829.cms
Hyderabad: Many Muslim divorcees and widows feel that while the issue of triple talaq is being taken seriously by the govt, others such as their welfare, including provision of jobs, are seldom talked about. These widows, young and old, want the government to ensure employment for them."When a talaq issue comes to the fore, police and media rush to support the woman. Though this is good, there are other women of the community whose husbands have either met with an accident or been murdered. They have to run from pillar-to-post to get justice. They need jobs and skills," said Naseem Begum, AAP women's wing state president. Karimunnisa, whose husband was murdered, says that the wheels of justice have moved slowly in the case of her husband. "My husband, Muneer, was killed under Pahadi Shareef police station limits. He was the sole bread winner of the family. I was called to the station twice and made to sit for hours. The police seem to be serious enough with talaq cases. But I am yet to get justice. I am not satisfied with ongoing investigation. I want my husband's killers hanged,'' says Karimunnisa, who has to fend for herself and her two children alone.A young woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she was divorced in 2010 and was looking for a better job to provide for her daughter. Parveen Begum, a 35-year-old divorcee, says after her husband's death, she has been struggling to make ends meet. Now, her life depends on 1,000 pension, which is not sufficient for her and her 2 daughters.My husband, Muneer, was killed under Pahadi Shareef police station limits. He was the sole bread winner of the family. I was called to the station twice and made to sit for hours. The police seem to be serious enough with talaq cases. But I am yet to get justice.I am not satisfied with the ongoing probe
Muslim Personal Law Board to use social media to clear confusion over Talaq, marriage, inheritance & women rights; mulls news channel
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sharia-laws-muslim-board-mulls-news-channel-to-use-social-media-to-clear-confusion/story-EanV3BzsasjbfTvCssthFI.html
Lucknow: To clear confusion over Sharia laws, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has decided to tread the social media path and also explore the possibility of starting a TV news channel and newspaper. The board has decided to constitute a special social media committee, which will provide clear information about various issues pertaining to divorce, marriage, halala, warisana haq (inhertiance rights) and women’s rights among other issues. It will also convey the board’s stand on these contentious issues.“Senior office bearers along with a large section feel the medium through which Sharia laws are being criticised, the same medium should be utilised to register our presence and also to present the right picture of things,” AIMPLB senior executive member Maulana Yasin Usmani said.He said in the executive meeting of AIMPLB in Lucknow on April 15 and 16, the issue cropped up and it was decided to form a social media committee.“For this, the board authorised its chairman Maulana Rabe Hasan Nadwi and general secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani,” Usmani said. “The committee is likely to be formed soon. It is quite possible that office bearers of the board, who are active on the social media and have in-depth knowledge about Sharia laws, may be included so that they can immediately respond to queries on the social media and give their reaction.” Board also discussed at its recent meeting the idea of starting a TV news channel and newspaper, Usmani added.“Most of the office bearers in principle had agreed to the idea. But, on the issue of non-availability of the required resources in the current scenario, no decision was taken,” he said. “Keeping in mind the present circumstances, the AIMPLB has to take some tangible steps in this direction.”PTI
AIMPLB to adopt social media to clarify Sharia laws
http://www.ptinews.com/news/8636344_AIMPLB-to-adopt-social-media-to-clarify-Sharia-laws.html
AIMPLB to adopt social media to clarify Sharia laws on issues like talaq, inheritance and women's rights
http://www.firstpost.com/india/aimplb-to-adopt-social-media-to-clarify-sharia-laws-on-issues-like-talaq-inheritance-and-womens-rights-3400234.html
Having Deserted His Own Wife, Modi Has No Right to Speak for Muslim Women: Muslim Intellectuals
http://caravandaily.com/portal/modi-has-no-moral-right-to-speak-for-muslim-or-any-other-woman/
New Delhi: As the debate on triple talaq – particularly in the electronic media – has crossed all the levels of decency, the Indian Muslims have really started to feel the heat. They see in it as a clear design to malign and demonize Muslims and Islam. Now they have decided that the best defense is a good offense. So for the first time, prominent Muslim leaders and groups hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for preaching “justice” for Muslim women. They questioned his moral right and authority to speak about Muslim women when he himself is ‘guilty’ of abandoning his wife and allowing crimes against Muslim women and stalking of young women in Gujarat under his orders.Terming Modi’s new-found love for Muslim women as “sheer hypocrisy”, Welfare Party of India President Dr S Q R Ilyas told Caravan Daily that “a person who did not do justice to his wife for the last 48 years and allowed sexual assaults on Muslim women during the 2002 riots in Gujarat has no moral right to speak about Muslim women or any other women of the country”. “First Mr Modi used to deny that he is a married man and now he himself has admitted his marital status by revealing his wife’s name. What does then prevent him from bringing his estranged wife to his home honorably?” Dr Ilyas asked.Dr Ilyas has underlined that Modi not only deprived Jashodaben’s rights of a wife, but also rights of a citizen as she did not get a passport to visit her family members abroad. In 2015, Jashodaben had applied for a passport but her application was rejected because she failed to produce marriage certificate or a joint affidavit with the spouse which is mandatory for getting a passport.Echoing his views, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Secretary, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that the PM’s sudden concern for Muslim women is a pretense and reflects his sheer duplicity on the subject.Speaking to Caravan Daily, Maulana Rahmani asked: “Where was he when Muslim women were being raped and pregnant women’s womb were being ripped apart with swords and tridents under his watchful eyes during the Gujarat pogrom of 2002?”The survey conducted by Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) claimed the divorce rate among Muslims to be as high as 11% as opposed to the Census. However, when this scribe contested survey findings with the BBMA founder member Zakia Soman, her only explanation was that divorced Muslim women did not reveal their status to Census enumerators.Furthermore, a random sample survey done by the Muslim Mahila Research Kendra (MMRK) contradicts BBMA’s claims. Dr. Asma Zehra, who is also a member of the AIMPLB, said MMRK collected data through RTI applications in family courts in Muslim concentration districts that showed the prevalence of divorce among minority community to be lower than Hindus, contrary to the perception that is sought to be made about his community being a perpetually divorcing lot. A random survey of 13,000 women across the country showed 100 cases of divorce, of which a dozen were through instant triple talaq.Dr. Ilyas said it is a clear-cut case of making a non-issue as a very serious matter while Muslim women feel safer and secure than Hindu women who have been by and large regarded as a ‘chattel’.Caravan Daily
Gujarat: Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind women’s wing to hold Muslim personal law awareness drive
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/triple-talaq-jamaat-e-islami-e-hind-womens-wing-to-hold-awareness-drive-in-state/
Vadodara: AT A time when BJP-led Central govt has been raising the issue of triple talaq in the Muslim community, the Girls Islamic Organisation, a woman’s wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind, has launched a state-wide campaign in Gujarat to raise awareness among the Muslim community on Muslim Personal Laws, as well as started initiatives to “clear misconceptions” harboured by other communities, regarding the important issues pertaining to talaq and marriages. On Saturday, members of GIO— Fatima Tanveer and Razia Shaikh—arrived in Vadodara to kick off the campaign, which will continue until May 7. Addressing the issue of triple talaq and marriages in Islam, Tanveer said, “We are planning to undertake mohalla meetings, public gatherings, table top discussions as well as door-to-door campaign to educate the Muslim community members about the issues of personal laws, so that they do not get swayed by the misconceptions that are being promoted these days such as triple talaq and polygamy.” Tanveer blamed the ongoing campaign against triple talaq as a “conspiracy” to influence Muslims who are unaware of the personal laws. Speaking about Muslim women, who have reportedly supported Narendra Modi in public on his stand on triple talaq, Tanveer said, “We do not know if these women are really Muslim or not. Islam is a religion that does not believe in coercion. Anyone who wants to follow the tenets based on the commandments of Allah, is free to do so. None of us has the right to alter these tenets.”Tanveer added that Shariah law is sacrosanct and cannot be altered and said that the notion of triple talaq being torturous to a woman is wrong. JIH will also hold signature campaigns across the country after 15 days programme to sensitise people, especially women, in the community on the issues. indianexpress
Muslim personal law should not be changed: JIH
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/muslim-personal-law-should-not-be-changed/article18194394.ece
Rajamahendravaram: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Rajamahendravaram, said on Saturday they would fight against every move aimed at changing the Muslim Personal Law. At a press conference here, JIH Rajamahendravaram president Mustafa Shariefthe aim of their movement was to bring awareness among the Muslim society on their spiritual acts and allay apprehensions about Muslim laws in other communities.
Shelter homes for triple talaq victims in the offing? UP govt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/shelter-homes-for-triple-talaq-victims-in-the-offing/articleshow/58324251.cms
Lucknow: UP govt has taken note of the demand from Muslim organisations campaigning against triple talaq to use Waqf property for creating shelter homes for women who have suffered because of the controversial practice. All India Women Muslim Personal Law Board chairperson Shaista Amber had given a proposal to state minister for women and child department Rita Bahuguna Joshi earlier this week that shelter homes for women should be constructed on Waqf properties. While confirming this, Joshi, however, said it was yet to be discussed properly."UP government is already running shelter homes," she said. "We believe in `sabka saath sabka vikas' and the approach would be to look for a solution that benefits all women in need," she added.It will be a good idea and infect long overdue. timesofindia
Parda, polygamy and triple talaq have suppressed Muslim women: Tripura governor Tathagata Roy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/parda-polygamy-and-triple-talaq-have-suppressed-muslim-women-tripura-governor-tathagata-roy/articleshow/58317315.cms
Coimbatore:Muslims are not questioned for their crimes because of vote bank politics, said Tripura governor Tathagata Roy at a university event here on Saturday. Roy was addressing on furthering the role of women in Indian polity, and said that traditions like parda (veil), polygamy and triple talaq have suppressed women in the country.Roy said that the reason we do not find enough women making inroads in politics is because of the suppression by the society. "Nobody questions about these traditions because it will affect their vote bank. Most of these traditions are followed by Muslims," said Roy. "Recently some steps have been undertaken to create an atmosphere where Muslim women are made aware of their rights, and they are beginning to come out and speak for themselves," he added.Roy said that he is not against the Muslim community. "I respect Muslims and their religion is as much important as the Hindu, Christian or any other religion," he said. Quoting examples of some Muslim women who have spoken for their rights, he spoke about famous Bangladesh author, Tasleema Nasrin, a Syria-born psychiatrist practicing in the US, Wafa Sultan, Pakistan-born Irshad Manji who is an author and educator in Canada, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Dutch-American activist originally from Somalia.TOI
These case studies show how triple talaq tears lives of Muslim women apart: PTI story
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/these-case-studies-show-how-triple-talaq-tears-lives-of-muslim-women-apart/articleshow/58324469.cms
Jamat-E-Islami To Organise Public Meeting On Muslim Personal Law Today
http://www.siasat.com/news/jamat-e-islami-organise-public-meeting-muslim-personal-law-today-1174404/
OTHERS
Mega defence deals likely during PM Modi's visit to Israel
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mega-defence-deals-likely-during-prime-minister-narendra-modis-visit-to-israel-1684933
New Delhi: A raft of mega defence deals including procurement of an air defence system for the Indian Navy are likely to be sealed during PM Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel which will be first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Jewish nation.Ahead of the visit, which is likely to take place in July, Israeli envoy Daniel Carmon said it will be a "big" visit, reflecting the depth of cooperation between the two countries in a range of key areas.The much-awaited deal for Barak-8 air defence missile systems for the navy and procurement of Spike anti-tank missiles for the Indian Army are expected to be firmed up during PM Modi's visit to Tel Aviv."India, Israel relations are big enough. The visit, when it takes place, will be a very very important visit. It will be one of the most important visits that Israel has witnessed in many many years," Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon told PTI in an interview.PM Modi's visit coincides with the establishment of 25 years of diplomatic relations between the 2 countries. A number of other defence deals are also likely to be discussed.Asked about specific defence deals, the envoy only said the relationship has gone beyond buying and selling and that the two countries are now focussing majorly on joint research and development."Israel has very good relations with India and the relationship has various facets including defence," he said.PTI
Indo-Israel ties more visible under Modi govt: Israel
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indo-israel-ties-more-visible-under-modi-govt-israel/articleshow/58326330.cms
Amnesty lobbies in US on human rights issues in India
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/amnesty-lobbies-in-us-on-human-rights-issues-in-india/article18195016.ece?homepage=true
Washington/New Delhi: Leading NGO Amnesty International is lobbying with the United States’ lawmakers to advocate for “protection of human rights defenders” in India among other countries, as also to seek “political pressure” on the American companies responsible for the Bhopal gas tragedy.It also wants the top leaders of the US and India to demonstrate “the importance of making the respect and protection of human rights an integral part of a just society.”In its latest quarterly lobbying disclosure report filed with US Senate last week, Amnesty International has listed “protection of human rights defenders” in India and several other countries among the “specific lobbying issues” for the quarter ended March 31.There are several other issues listed in the report, including the issues related to the Trump administration, on which it has lobbied with the Senate as well as various government departments in the US during this period. While the lobbying report did not further explain the India-related lobbying issues, the global rights group told PTI, in reply to specific queries, that it raises human rights issues around the world at various levels of government to supplement its “research, campaigning and mobilisation to highlight various human rights issues and seek accountability.”An analysis of previous disclosure reports filed by Amnesty shows that it has been lobbying on India-related issues in the past also, while in the year 2014 ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, one of the “specific issues” included that visit itself.Under the US laws, all entities engaging in lobbying activities with the lawmakers and the government departments need to file a ‘lobbying disclosure report’ on a quarterly basis, listing out the lobby issues, the departments and offices approached and the costs involved.Incidentally, Modi is expected to visit the US later this year.PTI
Delhi: Vigilantes Attack Cattle Transporters in South Delhi, Police Blame ‘Animal Rights’ Activists
https://thewire.in/127425/gau-rakshaks-attack-cattle-transporters-in-south-delhi/
A senior journalist who encountered the victims at the metro station questioned why the policemen at the scene did not intervene on behalf of the victims. 3 men transporting buffaloes in a truck were allegedly beaten up by vigilantes near Kalkaji metro station in south Delhi late Saturday night. Senior journalist Hartosh Singh Bal, who witnessed the incident, said he even spoke to the alleged perpetrators of the crime who were all “sporting saffron tilaks” and they admitted to beating up the men, who were all Muslims. Bal, who first tweeted about the incident at 1:50am, kept providing regular updates through his Twitter account. He said he first saw the victims “lying by [the] roadside”. Alleging collusion with the police, Bal wrote that the accused, who beat up the cattle transporters, “were all milling at the spot when police came,” but not one of them was picked up by the cops.The Quint originally reported the story, saying the attack took place around 11:45 pm on Saturday night when Ashu, Rizwan and Kamil were accosted while on their way to Ghazipur with a truck containing cattle.According to NDTV, a local police officer said the attackers were not ‘gau rakshaks’ but members of an animal rights NGO:“The NGO People for Animals has been working against animal cruelty in Delhi for a long time. they are not ‘gau rakshaks‘ (cow protectionists),” he said. The office of Union Minister Maneka Gandhi – a well-known animal rights activist who is also the chairman of PFA … however, denied that the men are connected to the organisation.The Wire
3 Muslim youths transporting buffaloes assaulted in Delhi
https://scroll.in/latest/835397/delhi-three-muslim-youths-assaulted-by-activists-for-transporting-buffaloes
Agra: Violence breaks out as police arrests Hindu activists for attacking Muslim grocers
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/agra-violence-hindu-activists-muslim-grocers-fatehpur-sikri-sadar-police-station/1/936242.html
Agra: During the Akhilesh Yadav rule in UP, the BJP continuously harped about the alleged lack of law and order in the state claiming that electing the BJP was the only way the state could regain its sense of security. However, barely a month after Yogi Adityanath govt assumed power, UP has witnessed a bevy of crime against the police itself. A number of Police personnel have been gunned down in the state and police stations and residences of police officials have been attacked by members of Hindu outfits.Following on the heels of Saharanpur, where Hindu outfit members attacked Saharanpur SSP's residence, led by a BJP MP, a large mob attacked the Fatehpur Sikri and Sadar police stations of Agra, beating up a Deputy SP, a station house officer and looted away a sub inspector's pistol. Several vehicles were damaged and a motorcycle set on fire before the mob could be brought under control.The mob, led by Fatehpur Sikri MLA Ch. Udaybhan Singh, had been staging a sit-in at the Fatehpur Sikri police station demanding the release of some Hindu outfit members who had been arrested for assaulting a couple of Muslim grocers Muvin and Rizwan in Fatehpur Sikri. The grocers had filed an FIR against the accused and six of them had been arrested and were sent to be kept in the lockup at the Sadar police station.The mob, led by Fatehpur Sikri MLA Ch. Udaybhan Singh started a sit-in at the police station and his supporters attacked Station Officer Malpura's vehicle and attacked an Additional Superintendant of Police and a Deputy Superintendant of Police's vehicle was overturned. Only when the Senior Superintendant of Police Dr. Pritinder Singh arrived at the scene, did the situation come under control.indiatoday
Bajrang Dal men attack Agra police station to rescue 5, S-I injured
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bajrang-dal-men-attack-agra-police-station-to-rescue-5-s-i-injured-4624345/
Bajrang Dal men attack police station in UP, thrash cop and burn police vehicle to rescue 5 supporters
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/bajrang-dal-police-station-agra/118305/
Yogi Effect: UP Administration Flouts Supreme Court Orders at Babri Masjid Site in Ayodhya
https://thewire.in/127392/yogi-effect-supreme-court-orders-babri-masjid-site-violated/
Ayodhya: In the first indication that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s support for the speedy construction of a Ram temple at the disputed Babri Masjid site is leading to policy changes on the ground, the district administration has violated a long-standing order of the Supreme Court by allowing a sadhu armed with a trishul, or trident, to enter the the makeshift Ram Lalla shrine where the Babri Masjid once stood.On Saturday afternoon, VHP leader Ram Vilas Vedanti along with senior Hindu cleric Abhay Chaitanya – who was armed with a trishul – entered the shrine in violation of the Supreme Court’s 2002 order that the status quo be maintained and that “no religious activity of any kind by anyone either symbolic or actual including bhumipuja or shila puja, shall be permitted or allowed to take place.”Speaking to The Wire, Anil Kumar, additional district magistrate (law and order) of Faizabad district, said, “Yes, we allowed the sadhu with t a trishul to enter the premises because the trishul was his religious symbol and such kind of religious symbols are allowed.”Kumar’s reasoning was countered by the Muslim petitioners in the case, who say there is no ambiguity in the Supreme Court’s instructions.“In March 2002 , a Supreme Court bench in the case of Aslam Bhure Vs Union of India banned all types of symbolic religious activities at the disputed site. Now that the Faizabad administration had allowed a person in with his religious symbol – and the symbol is a weapon – the Supreme Court’s order has been violated”, said Khaliq Ahmad Khan, a party from the Muslim side in the Babri Masjid/Ram Janmabhoomi case before the Supreme Court.“The SC in its previous order of maintaining status quo at the disputed site had said that the status quo of Jan.7, 1992 will be maintained at the disputed shrine, and on that date only one priest was allowed to offer worship to deity, so no further clarifications of religious symbols are needed and what happened at the Babri site is an open violation of Supreme Court’s two order in this sensitive issue”, Khan added. “By allowing a sadhu armed with a trishul inside the disputed premises, the district administration has breached existing security norms which are in the knowledge of the SC,” Haji Mahboob, another party in the case, told The Wire. “Under these norms, even pens, paper, wallets, bags, watches and anything besides the clothes on the devotee’s body are banned. So does the Faizabad administration have an approved list of religious symbols which they have allowed?,” he asked. ” Mahboob said he has spoken to the Faizabad commissioner and district magistrate and registered his objection over the issue. “We will make a formal complaint to the competent authorities on Sunday.” thewire
Questions raised over entry of ‘sadhu with trishul’ in Ayodhya complex
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/questions-raised-over-entry-of-sadhu-with-trishul-in-ayodhya-complex/story-iZpChYSmEhxhKBs5M6cseI.html
RSS gem: Babar and his general should be tried in court for building impure mosque in Ayodhya
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-mandir-ayodhya-babri-masjid-muslims-indresh-kumar-rss/1/935870.html
Kolkata: Senior RSS ideologue Indresh Kumar on Saturday said that Muslims in India have understood that even Allah doesn't want an 'impure' mosque at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Speaking to India Today, the veteran RSS functionary and convener of its minority cell - Muslim Rashtriya Manch said, "Muslims have realised that since Allah himself has not allowed the mosque to come up there, it's unlikely that it will ever come up."Questioning the legitimacy of the Babri Masjid, Kumar said that the 15th century structure was named after an individual (Babur) and so it could never be used by Muslims as they only worshiped one God."The land is disputed and it was claimed after destroying a Ram temple that existed there, thus Allah never accepted the structure and even namaz was never conducted at the place. Today, Muslims have realized that it was an illegal structure," he explained.Going back in time, the veteran RSS ideologue blamed the dispute on a mistake by Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in the subcontinent."Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was destroyed by Babur 400 years ago. Had he not indulged in that act to build such an impure mosque, there would not have been such a predicament today. I would like to appeal to the courts of the land that if someone needs to be tried it should be Babur and his army general Mir Baqi," he added.At a time when the RSS backed Muslim Rashtriya Manch is backing the call for a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Kumar said that many in the community have stated that they don't want an 'illegal' mosque, especially one that was built on a disputed land. indiatoday
RSS to eulogise Bangladesh’s national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as ‘good Hindu’: HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rss-to-eulogise-bangladesh-s-national-poet-kazi-nazrul-islam-as-good-hindu/story-a1RgOk3YlAh5sRoPLDXVnK.html
New Delhi: RSS has found in Bangladesh’s national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam an epitome of a “good Hindu”. The revolutionary-poet’s “nationalism”, which the Sangh says is reflected in his opposition to the British imperial rule in India and his efforts at uniting Hindus and Muslims, has earned him the epithet.To honour the poet-laureate, the Sangh is planning to mark his birth anniversary on May 25 in West Bengal. It will also translate Nazrul’s works into all Indian languages. A Hindi translation of 39-poems by him is expected to hit the stands by the year-end.“Being Hindu is not practising a religion, but a way of life. Kazi Nasrul practised Islam, yet he lived as a dedicated Hindu, fighting for Indian ethos and against British,” RSS’s West Bengal secretary Jishnu Basu said.
Catholic priests meet Yogi, request freedom to worship without fear
http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/catholic-priests-meet-yogi-request-freedom-to-worship-without-fear/story-kdGjNwvnKLuw5NO876XL1L.html
Lucknow: A delegation of bishops from Catholic churches of Uttar Pradesh met chief minister Yogi Adityanath here on Friday and requested him to ensure safety of their places of worship.The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of a recent incident in which right-wing Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV) activists brought a prayer service at a church in Dathauli area of Maharajganj district to a halt, alleging that the pastor was converting Hindus to Christianity.“We requested the chief minister to ensure the safety and security of our places of worship, and the freedom to worship without fear,” said Fr Gerald John Mathias, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Lucknow, after the meeting. hindustantimes
Adityanath promises land for Maulana Azad Urdu university's new campus in Lucknow
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath-maulana-azad-national-urdu-university-lucknow/1/935890.html
Lucknow:CM Yogi Adityanath has promised to provide land for a new campus to the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad, in Lucknow. The decision was taken in a closed-door meeting with chancellor of MANUU Zafar Sareshwala in Lucknow a few days ago. It is to be mentioned that the BJP in its poll agenda in the recently concluded Vidhan Sabha elections has promised many reformatory schemes to upgrade the 48,000 odd madarssas in the state and the Urdu education overall."At present, we have 11 campuses across the country but not a single in UP. Yogiji has given a positive response and we hope things will be materialised soon," said Sareshwala. Indiatoday
Hindutva outfits protest ban on coloured scarves at Taj Mahal
http://twocircles.net/2017apr22/408271.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Agra: Even as preparations for the annual 3-day Urs of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan beginning on Sunday go on apace, the controversy relating to the entry of visitors with saffron-coloured scarves threatens to disturb the fragile communal peace here.Officials however said on Saturday evening that the matter has been resolved. A few days ago, women fashion models from 34 countries had visited the Taj Mahal. Some of them wore saffron scarves which were not allowed and had to be left at the gate.This infuriated the saffron outfits in the city. For the past four days, members of the Shiv Sena, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu Jagran Manch and Bajrang Dal have been protesting at the gates of the Taj Mahal.IANS
Bajrang Dal, VHP men enter Taj Mahal wearing saffron
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bajrang-dal-vhp-men-enter-taj-wearing-saffron/story-GxW7PYY6GkGcBnTpMzBCRI.html
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal to challenge Assam's draft population policy in Supreme Court
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/-aiudf-chief-badruddin-ajmal-to-challenge-assams-draft-population-policy-in-supreme-court/articleshow/58318611.cms
Guwahati: AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said that he is thinking of approaching the Supreme Court against the two-child norms for government jobs proposed in the Assam government's draft population policy. "The draft policy is against the fundamental rights. The government should have focused more on improving education and health facilities in backward areas where the population is high. We will challenge it in the Supreme Court if the population policy is finalized," Ajmal said here on Saturday.Ajmal termed the draft population policy as against Muslims and other marginalized communities of the state.While the draft policy stated candidates having more than 2 children will be made illegible for government jobs, it also suggested the government to legislate legal mechanism to bar people from being elected or nominated to panchayat and other local bodies elections if they are found to have more than two children.Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that the draft state population policy suggested several socio-economic interventions besides medical-led intervention to check state's population growth.TOI
Assam State Jamiat Ulama mulls legal option after SC ration card order
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/assam-state-jamiat-ulama-mulls-legal-option-after-sc-ration-card-order/articleshow/58325275.cms
First year of BJP in Assam sees mostly Muslims declared as foreigners, thrown in detention camps
http://twocircles.net/2017apr22/408237.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
With BJP at the verge of completing its first year in power in Assam, the number of people allegedly declared as foreigners and put in detention centres across the state has also seen an increasing trend. Presently, D voters are detained in separate barracks located within the jail premises of Goalpara (male), Kokrajhar (female), Silchar, Dibrugarh(male), Jorhat and Tezpur for both male and female inmates.Before losing the elections in 2015, the Tarun Gogoi govt had allotted 125 acres of land in Goalpara district of Lower Assam for setting up a ‘full-fledged foreigners’ detention centre for declared foreigners.According to a report in Assam Tribune on April 30, 2016, there were about 489 detainees, which include 28 convicted Afghanistan nationals whereas the others are Bangladeshis and lodged in the 6 detention centre attached with the respective jails. This includes those declared foreigners by tribunals along with those convicted under various Sections of the law, including the Foreigners Act.Assam based lawyer, Advocate A.S Tapader, who is pursuing cases of many people who have been declared as foreigners, feels that mostly, it is Muslims who are at the receiving end after the coming of BJP in power.“At his first public rally in Assam during 2014 election campaign, Narendra Modi had said that Hindu Bangladeshis would be removed from camps and will be given citizenship. He kept that promise and enacted this. Certain class of foreigners are exempted as per 3-A, Foreigners Amendment order 2016, and the Registration of Foreigners Amendment rules 2016, hence mostly Muslims are being picked up by The Border Police and being thrown in detention camps,” he said.Tapader also termed detaining of declared foreigner as a gross violation of human rights and has sent letters to various human rights organisations.“They are not given chance to get bail and fight their cases in courts. Border police have been given enormous power to pick and put declared foreigners in detention centres,”he added.TCN
Navnirman Sena chief arrested after hoardings appear in Meerut threatening Kashmiris
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/navnirman-sena-chief-arrested-after-hoardings-appear-in-meerut-threatening-kashmiris/story-63SUucB1CczBbEn82REsQP.html
Meerut: Amit Jani, president of UP Navnirman Sena, was arrested late on Saturday in Meerut. Police teams were on the lookout for him after the organisation displayed about 8-10 controversial hoardings in the city asking Kashmiris to leave the state.SSP J Ravindra Gaur said that Jani was caught while he was trying to leave town. He will be presented in court on Sunday to seek remand. A complaint accusing Jani of spreading hatred was lodged at Partapur police station on Thursday night. Soon after, Jani disappeared and a decision was taken to send out teams to locate and arrest him. hindustantimes
Unrest in Kashmir: Situation fragile…Battle of minds as vital as bullets, says Srinagar Corps chief
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-lt-gen-sandhu-says-violence-will-go-on-developments-on-expected-lines-indian-army-4624349/
New Delhi: While asserting that the situation in Kashmir is “on expected lines”, the Army’s top commander in Kashmir has said that the forces have to win “the battle of minds” as much as “the battle through bullets”.In an interview to The Sunday Express, Lt General J S Sandhu, Commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, called the security situation “fragile”. “Public support to terrorists, their glorification and increased radicalisation are issues of concern,” said the officer in-charge of the Army in Kashmir, adding that “the battle of minds is as important as the battle through bullets, and we are trying to steer them (youths) away from the violent path”.Saying the Army is monitoring the situation and keeping an eye on the “trends”, Lt Gen Sandhu added, “The security situation is fragile. Violent protests and stone-throwing incidents will occur, but possibly may not be as widespread or as intense… The developments have been on expected lines.”Admitting the increased recruitment of locals into militancy since July 2016, when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed, Lt Gen Sandhu said, “We need to dissuade youth from joining the tanzeems (militant organisations), we can try to wean them (away) to a brighter future. Skill-development, creation of job opportunities, interaction with parents and elders, are several steps that need to be taken.”
PM Modi appeals to states to 'look after' students from Jammu and Kashmir
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-appeals-to-states-to-look-after-students-from-jammu-and-kashmir-1684982
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi today made a strong appeal to states asking them to help integrate the young men and woman from Kashmir into the mainstream. The comment -- made at the Governing Council meet of Niti Aayog, followed a similar appeal by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.Recently, some Kashmiri students were in thrashed in Rajasthan's Mewar and a hoarding in Meerut had asked Kashmiris to leave Uttar Pradesh. Amid these events and the fresh outbreak of unrest in the state following the April 9 parliamentary by-elections in Srinagar, Ms Mufti had said other states should "take care" of the students from Kashmir, so when they return, they can act as ambassadors of that state.Seconding her remarks, PM Modi suggested that states could also organise events in Jammu and Kashmir in which young people would like to participate. He urged the states to reach out to students from Jammu and Kashmir from time to time. ndtv
India should recognise Balochistan as separate country: Subramanian Swamy
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-should-recognise-balochistan-as-separate-country-subramanian-swamy/articleshow/58328150.cms
Vadodara: India should recognise Balochistan as a separate country if Pakistan went ahead with the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy said today. "Pakistan should be taught a lesson by recognising Balochistan if it executes Jadhav. Not only that, Pakistan should be divided into Balochistan, Pakhtunistan and Sindh to teach it a lesson for encouraging cross-border terrorism," he said. Swamy was delivering a lecture on 'India and International Terrorism', organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad, an NGO, at the Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad Nagargruh in Akota locality here. economictimes
Cleanse Mumbra of 'Islamic Terror' Elements to Save India: Shiv Sena
http://www.news18.com/news/india/cleanse-mumbra-of-islamic-terror-elements-to-save-india-says-shiv-sena-1380801.html
Mumbai: Expressing concern over a Islamic State suspects arrest in Mumbra town in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena on Saturday said the Muslim-dominated town should be cleansed of "Islamic terror" elements to save the country.The party said the town was on the route to becoming an "IS terror factory". Mumbra, around 30 km to the north of Mumbai, is a town with around a 1 million population, with Muslims in majority. IANS
Can’t give verdict on communal consideration: Madras HC pulls up trial court judge
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/cant-give-verdict-on-communal-consideration-madras-hc-pulls-up-trial-court-judge-4624331/
Chennai: Calling A lower court order the “worst judgment”, the Madras High Court on Saturday acquitted five people in a 2010 temple burglary case and said that it is ridiculous on the part of trial court to conclude that the accused had committed murder and robbery because they belong to a particular community. In July 2015, a sessions judge in Kancheepuram had given life imprisonment to the five. The court ruled that they are from a particular criminal community whose main occupation is stealing and dacoity.Acquitting all convicts, HC bench of Justices S Nagamuthu and N Seshasayee said, “In our little experience, we have not come across this kind of worst judgment. Let this be the last judgment ever written on communal considerations.” The bench also observed, “Judiciary cannot afford to decide cases by tracing criminal activities of the forefathers of the accused. No court of law can stigmatise a community as a whole.”Stating that this is a classic example on how a court should not pen a judgment, the court directed the HC registrar’s office to circulate a copy of the judgment to all principal sessions judges in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to prevent further judgments based on “extraneous considerations like communal and social background in future.” HC said finding of guilt on communal considerations is unconstitutional. indianexpress
HC raps sessions court over temple burglary case verdict, frees 5
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/hc-raps-sessions-court-over-temple-burglary-case-verdict-frees-5/articleshow/58314799.cms
Judicial panel dismisses plea for cross-examination of evidences in Bhopal encounter
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/judicial-panel-dismisses-plea-for-cross-examination-of-evidences-in-encounter/articleshow/58320786.cms
Bhopal: Justice SK Pandey-headed judicial commission for inquiry into jailbreak and encounter of alleged SIMI activists dismissed a petition filed by representatives of the slain men for cross examination of all documents submitted by police and jail department.The commission, however, shared true copies of 25 documents they had asked for in a separate application.Sources said the police and jail department have submitted a lot of documents related to the case. There are many that cannot be given by the commission to the respondents since the case is still being investigated by CID, said a police officer privy to the information. Applicants have been allowed to inspect the documents as and when required and they have been doing so for the last many days, said sources. timesofindia
For job’s sake, Yogesh Kumar could embrace Islam
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/for-jobs-sake-yogesh-kumar-could-embrace-islam/articleshow/58320846.cms
Jaipur: 20-year-old Yogesh Kumar from Barwasi village of Nawalgarh block in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan says he's happy to embrace Islam if that will assure him a proper caste certificate. "I belong to the Rana caste. We have long been conducting our lives like Rajputs, who are Hindu. A notification was issued in 1997 listing the Nagarchi, Damami, Rana and Baiti (Barot) castes as Other Backward Castes. There are both Muslims and Hindus in these caste groups. In 2013, after one Habib Ahmed Damami approached the government saying his forefathers had converted at the time of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the government issued orders that recognizes only Muslims in these groups as OBC. The proposal was for Hindus to get Scheduled Caste status, but that has not happened," says Yogesh Rana.Rana has been applying for jobs, and his peculiar caste situation is proving a big hurdle in landing a government job. He had earlier been selected for the Central Reserve Police Force but could not produce appropriate caste documents.The department of social justice on Sept.13, 2013 recommended that Hindus in these four caste groups be granted Scheduled Caste status. That recommendation has not been acted upon yet. Meanwhile, Nagarchis and Damamis are counted as OBC even in the Central list for Rajasthan. timesofindia
Delhi MCD polls live updates: Polling time ends, Kejriwal attacks Delhi EC over EVM ‘malfunction’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mcd-elections-2017-live-updates-bjp-aap-congress-delhi-municipal-4624381/
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday questioned the State Election Commission over reports of EVMs malfunctioning in parts of the capital city. He also claimed that people with voter slips were turned away from polling booths. Speaking with news agency ANI, Kejriwal said: “Reports from all over Delhi of EVM malfunction, people with voter slips not allowed to vote. What is State EC doing?”Earlier Sunday morning, Kejriwal cast his vote along with his family members including his daughter, a first-time voter. L-G Anil Baijal and Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken were among the other prominent faces who cast their votes.Polling time for Delhi Municipal polls ends, says ANI.
'EVMs are Extremely Vulnerable Machines,' tweets Congress leader; Kejriwal agrees with him
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/evms-are-extremely-vulnerable-machines-tweets-congress-leader-aaps-arvind-kejriwal-agrees-with-him/articleshow/58326917.cms
New Delhi: Congress and the AAP found common ground today when it was reported that several EVMs at the Delhi civic poll election booths weren't working.A Maharashtra Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla, cited and replied to a quote by an AAP sympathizer, which talked about "faulty EVMS.". AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal then retweeted Poonawalla's tweet, in which he came up with an interesting version of what EVM stands for - 'Extremely Vulnerable Machines.BJP has been battling allegations of "EVM fraud" since the results of the recent five Assembly polls were announced last month. The first politician to allege such "fraud" was BSP chief Mayawati, after which the Congress, AAP and the SP have joined the chorus.In fact, Delhi chief minister Kejriwal yesterday told a news agency he fears "5 to 10 per cent" EVM tampering in Delhi's civic polls. timesofindia
MCD polls: Voters face problems due to faulty EVMs in some wards
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/mcd-polls-voters-face-problems-due-to-faulty-evms-in-some-wards/articleshow/58326599.cms
SC sets maintenance benchmark under Hindu Law: 25% of ex-husband’s net salary to be paid to his divorced wife
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-sets-alimony-benchmark-25-of-ex-husbands-net-salary/articleshow/58288399.cms
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has set a benchmark for maintenance to be paid by a husband to his estranged wife, stating that 25% of his net salary might constitute a "just and proper" amount as alimony.A bench of Justices R Banumathi and MM Santanagoudar made the observation while directing a resident of West Bengal's Hoogly, earning Rs 95,527 a month, to set aside Rs 20,000 as maintenance for his former wife and their son, turning down the man's plea that the amount was excessive. The court said the amount of maintenance or permanent alimony must be sufficient to ensure that a woman lived with dignity after separating from her husband.Its order came on the man's plea challenging a Calcutta high court order directing him to pay her Rs 23,000 per month. Though the apex court said there was nothing amiss in the high court order, it reduced the amount by Rs 3,000 on the ground that the man had remarried and hence needed to provide for his new family."25 per cent of the husband's net salary would be just and proper to be awarded as maintenance to the (former) wife. The amount of permanent alimony awarded to her must be befitting the status of the parties and the capacity of the spouse to pay maintenance, which is always dependant on the factual situation of the case... and the court would be justified in moulding the claim for maintenance passed on various factors," the bench said."A Hindu woman's right to maintenance is a personal obligation so far as the husband is concerned, and it is his duty to maintain her even if he has no property.... It is well settled that under the Hindu Law, the husband has got a personal obligation to maintain his wife and if he is possessed of properties then his wife is entitled to a right to be maintained out of such properties," the SC had said in a judgment it had delivered in 2016.TOI
Maintenance amount must be befitting status of parties: Supreme Court on alimony
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/maintenance-amount-must-be-befitting-status-of-parties-supreme-court-4624657/
25% Of Husband’s Net Salary Just & Proper To Be Awarded As Maintenance To Wife: SC
http://www.livelaw.in/25-husbands-net-salary-just-proper-awarded-maintenance-wife-sc/
After courting controversy on the issue, Sonu Nigam now posts recording of an 'azaan' on Twitter
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/after-courting-controversy-on-the-issue-sonu-nigam-now-posts-recording-of-an-azaan-on-twitter/articleshow/58323396.cms
New Delhi: It appears singer Sonu Nigam absolutely loves to court controversy, or to be in the spotlight, or both.Early in the morning today, he posted on Twitter a recording of an 'azaan', the morning prayer of Muslims, which like devotional songs of other religions in India is often played over multiple microphones. This one, too, was broadcast.Nigam doesn't say in his tweet where he recorded this particular 'azaan' from and on what day. All he says is "Good morning India."Last week, the singer posted several tweets talking unfavourably about, in general, religion-related material being broadcast over microphones and "forced religiousness." There was a huge uproar with many saying he was insulting religion or Muslims or both, and many talking about his hypocrisy as he, too, has performed devotional songs, on microphones, at all-night Hindu religious events.TOI
Why can’t a woman live in peace in India, no one can force her to love: SC
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-can-t-a-woman-live-in-peace-in-this-country-no-one-can-force-her-to-love-sc/story-CJNE3dtu9oNhqsRLI2y8WL.html
New Delhi: Why can’t women live in peace in this country, a Supreme Court bench, apparently exasperated over growing crimes against women, has observed.The observation came when a bench headed by justice Dipak Misra was hearing an appeal filed by a man who was sentenced to seven years in jail by the Himachal Pradesh high court for allegedly teasing and compelling a 16-year-old girl to take the extreme step of committing suicide.“Why can’t women live in peace in this country,” the apex court said while reserving its verdict on the appeal.Maintaining that no one can force a woman to love someone as she has her own independent choice, the bench, which also comprised justices AM Khanwilkar and MM Shantanagoudar, said “a woman has a choice to love or not to love a person. No one can force her to love somebody. There is a concept of love and man has to accept it”. PTI/HT
‘No one from Kerala hit in US bombing in Afghanistan’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-one-from-kerala-hit-in-us-bombing-in-aghanistan-4624335/
One of the Kerala youths, reportedly living in an IS-controlled area in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, has conveyed to a social activist that Keralites holed up there had not suffered any casualty in the last week’s US bombing.Around 25 people from Kerala, including women and children who had left the country in last June to lead true Islamic life, are reportedly in Nangarhar. 2 of them were reportedly killed in separate incidents over last 3 months.Sources said Ashfak Majeed Kallukettiya Purayil, who is believed to be living in Nangarhar along with his wife and child, has sent a Telegram instant message to social activist B C A Rahman saying that the news of five Keralites having died in the bombing was fake.Purayil confirmed that they were living in the area where the US is carrying out bombings. “We have come to engage in jihad. No doubt, jihad is going on. Doing jihad is ultimate satisfaction.’’ In another thread, Purayil had stated that his family was waiting for shahadat (martyrdom).“We will never come back. We cannot lead the life of a true Muslim. This worldly life has the value of a wing of a mosquito.’’ indianexpress
Writers denounce nationalism, target ruling establishment
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/writers-denounce-nationalism-target-ruling-establishment-roundup-117042200629_1.html
Dehradun: The country's leading writers and intellectuals denounced nationalism and targeted the central government for propagating hate among the masses. on the concluding day of a literature festival here on Saturday. In what was an absolute one-sided discussion, authors Nayantara Sehgal, Nandita Haksar, Harsh Mander and Kiran Nagarkar -- all known to be from one school of thought -- publicly condemned nationalism at a session titled "Nationalism in Digital India" during the WIC India Dehradun Community Literature Festival.The tone for the discussion was set by the moderator, journalist Rana Ayyub, who sort of shifted the discussion to the issue of nationalism under the NDA govt, instead of a debate on nationalism in the digital age that the session otherwise promised.Noted writer and intellectual Kiran Nagarkar was asked by the moderator to share his views on similarities between Donald Trump's America and Narendra Modi's India.Reflecting his views on the "Muslim ban" in the US, Nagarkar said that it was not right to single out one community, adding that Hindus are, in his own words, as much capable of terrorism as any other community in India.He then said that he does not give a damn about nationalism and is yet a proud Indian.Accusing the ruling establishment of PM Narendra Modi of propagating hate among the masses, Nagarkar alleged that it hates questions.Harsh Mander, a former member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council and closely associated with the Congress party, said that there is a great churning about the idea of nationalism in contemporary times.IANS
WORLD
Ahmadinejad says he won’t endorse other candidates after he & his deputy Baghaei barred from running in presidential poll
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/irans-ahmadinejad-says-wont-endorse-other-candidates/article18195200.ece?homepage=true
Tehran: After he and Hamid Baghaei, his deputy and presidential-hopeful, were barred on Khamenei’s advice from running in the polls.Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that he won’t endorse other candidates in next month’s election, after he and his deputy were barred from running.“We clearly announce that we have not and will not support any candidate in the upcoming elections,” he said in a letter, signed by himself and his former deputy and presidential-hopeful Hamid Baghaei. Both were barred from running on Thursday by the conservative-dominated Guardian Council, which vets candidates for public elections.Ahmadinejad’s candidacy came against the advice of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who said it would “polarise” the nation.Campaigning began on Friday for the May 19 presidential election with incumbent Hassan Rouhani facing a tough battle against two conservative rivals — cleric and judge Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ahmadinejad’s anti-Israel rhetoric and nuclear ambitions saw Iran increasingly isolated from the outside world. He is still popular among the poor sections of the society, who were fond of his populist policies such as distributing monthly cash handouts.AFP
‘Let Sunnis run for president’ says Iranian scholar
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170423-let-sunnis-run-for-president-says-iranian-scholar/
A prominent Iranian Sunni religious scholar has called for a change in the country’s constitutional article that bars Sunnis from being elected president. “Constitutional articles are not divine orders. They are created by God’s servants,” said Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi on his website.The law preventing Sunni candidates in the presidential elections should be changed. A first round of the elections is slated for May 19. If no candidate gets more than 50%of the vote, a runoff election will be held between top two candidates. He urged unity between Shias and Sunnis, saying both “should be able to be president.” middleeastmonitor
Deadly Israeli strikes target Syria's Quneitra province
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/deadly-israeli-strikes-hit-syria-quneitra-province-170423055729975.html
Israeli forces have attacked pro-Syrian govt groups in the countryside of Quneitra, 2 days after carrying out similar strikes in the same region.An Al Jazeera correspondent said Sunday's attacks targeted fighters loyal to the Syrian government in the Naba al-Fawwar area of Quneitra province, which is located in the 30% of the Golan Heights that is not under Israeli occupation. 3 fighters from the pro-govt National Defence Forces (NDF) were killed and at least two more were wounded in the attack, an NDF official told AFP.UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the attack but did not have additional details. Rebel forces and other armed groups battling Bashar al-Assad govt and its allies control much of the Quneitra area. Israeli army said on Friday that it had targeted positions inside Syria in retaliation for mortar fire that hit the northern part of the occupied Golan Heights."Israeli army targeted the source of the fire," an army statement said without giving further details.An army spokeswoman told AFP that she was unable to elaborate on how Israel retaliated or to identify any targets that were hit. aljazeera
Syria regime, Russia bombs Hama with white phosphorous
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170422-syria-regime-russia-bombs-hama-with-white-phosphorous/
Covered by Russian aerial support, Syrian regime forces have continued striking wide areas in the northern countryside of Hama with internationally-banned weapons, Egyptian news site Mugtama reported on Friday. Reporting statements and reports by Syrian activists, including the Hama Media Centre, the Syrian regime launched more than 200 rockets and 70 airstrikes on northern Hama countryside on Wednesday and Thursday. Hama Media Centre noted that the towns of Taybet Alimam, Halfaya and Kafarzeita were mainly affected, claiming that these areas were hit with white phosphorous, cluster bombs and napalm.Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported: “The regime forces in cooperation with Russia launched attacks on the northern countryside of Hama.” Al-Araby Al-Jadeed noted that the aim of these continuous attacks might be to reach to Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Hama in order to conceal the signs of the recent chemical attack that drew a US response of 59 cruise missiles. middleeastmonitor
Russian raid kills 7 in Syria’s Idlib
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170423-russian-raid-kills-7-in-syrias-idlib/
At least 7 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province on Sunday, according to a local civil defence official.A Russian warplane struck a residential area in Jisr al-Shughour city in the province, Mustafa al-Ahmad told Anadolu Agency. He said many houses were destroyed in the attack.Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity. This led to a military conflict between the Syrian opposition groups and the Assad regime over the war-torn country’s territory. middleeastmonitor
FIFA may demand Israel stop settlement games
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170423-fifa-may-demand-israel-stop-settlement-games/
Football’s top governing body may set Israel a six-month ultimatum to end games in settlements in the occupied West Bank, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Sunday. FIFA’s monitoring committee on Israel-Palestine suggested the decision will be made at the upcoming FIFA congress in May, warning either Israel as a country or settlement-based teams should be suspended if the games do not stop.The issue has been pushed in recent years by the Palestinian football association who has demanded Israel be punished for continuing to play games in the settlements, which are illegal under international law. middleeastmonitor
HRW calls for end to Egypt military aid
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/human-rights-watch-calls-egypt-military-aid-video-170423034821206.html
Human Rights Watch has appealed to the US and other countries to halt all military aid to Egypt after a video of security forces apparently carrying out summary executions surfaced.HRW said the Egyptian soldiers executed at least 2 people and as many as eight unarmed detainees in the country's Sinai region.The he soldiers appeared trying to make the incident look as if they were engaged in clashes with fighters the group said.Explaining that those killed had been arrested in Rafah last summer, Joe Stork, of HRW's Middle East section, said the group collected testimony that suggested security forces have been removing prisoners from detention centres and executing them."We have several testimonies of people being pulled out of detention for no reason that's clear to us, and they never get brought back to detention - and in some cases, like this one, they end up dead," Stork told Al Jazeera. "The army and the security forces [claim] that this is the result of some sort of shoot-out between terrorists and security forces."In the past, Egypt has claimed those killed were "terrorists" engaged in clashes with security forces in Sinai, where the army is battling a local affiliate of the ISIL group.The video, which was posted online on Thursday by Mekameleen, an opposition TV channel based in Turkey, appears to show two blindfolded men being shot in the head by uniformed soldiers.In the video, one young blindfolded man is aggressively questioned by the officers who ask him if he is a member of the Abu Sanana family.When he responds "no" and says that he is from al-Awabadah, they ask him where his grandfather lives before forcing him to the ground and removing his blindfold.One of the soldiers then shoots him in the head.A person off-screen can be heard repeatedly shouting "Not just the head" as a second soldier then fires at the body on the ground.Ahmed Mefreh, a lawyer and human rights researcher, told Al Jazeera the killings amounted to war crimes. aljazeera
Former chair of Al-Ahram paper describes Sisi’s supporters as “barking dogs”
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170423-former-chair-of-al-ahram-describes-sisis-supporters-as-barking-dogs/
The dispute between journalist Ahmad Al-Sayyid Al-Najjar, who resigned last Wednesday from his position as Al-Ahram Board Chairman – which is Egypt’s biggest state-owned newspaper, and the supporters of the regime of Abd Al-Fattah Al-Sisi, including journalists and parliamentarians, grew sharper.In a statement released by him, Al-Najjar announced that he resigned his position more than three years ago to protest against the early decisions made by the National Press Association which prohibited board chairpersons from taking any financial or administrative decision during the coming period without first reporting to the Association. He also stressed that he objected to remaining in a post without a mandate. middleeastmonitor
Muslim teen boxer in US wins right to fight in hijab
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/boxing/muslim-teen-boxer-in-us-wins-right-to-fight-in-hijab/articleshow/58326491.cms
Washington: A 16-year-old Muslim-American boxer, who wants to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, has won the right to wear a hijab and fully cover her arms and legs while boxing in the US.Amaiya Zafar, from Oakdale, Minnesota, no longer will have to choose between her religion or the boxing ring after she recently won a battle that will allow her to wear a hijab and fully cover her arms and legs while taking part in bouts in the US.PTI
4-year-old girl among refugees raped in Greece as thousands of asylum seekers trapped in camps
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-trapped-greece-children-girl-raped-boys-selling-sex-prostitution-eu-athens-a7695971.html
“I told myself, ‘Look at yourself – you came to Europe, what was your aim?’ I am not doing this because I like it but I don’t have the money, I don’t have a choice.”Those are the words of one of many refugee children forced into selling sex to survive in Greece, where a 4-year-old girl is among those raped in camps that were supposed to afford them protection.A study by Harvard University is warning of a “growing epidemic” of sexual exploitation and abuse in the country, which houses 62,000 asylum seekers stranded by the EU-Turkey deal and border closures through Europe.“We had a case of a 4-year-old girl who was raped,” a psychologist at a camp in Athens told researchers. “Mother did whatever was possible to report it.”But aid workers and officials say there is often nowhere to turn, with victims trapped in camps with their abusers too frightened to go to police or authorities, who frequently lack interpreters and specialists. Independent
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi: Here’s what happened 1934 onwards: Radhika Iyengar
http://indianexpress.com/article/research/babri-masjid-ram-janmabhoomi-heres-what-happened-over-the-years/
As Hindutva Toughs Run Riot in UP, Will Adityanath Enforce the Law on His Own Cadre? MK VENU
https://thewire.in/127437/as-sangh-parivar-members-riot-in-up-will-adityanath-enforce-law-on-his-own-cadre/
Government and AIMPLB must empower Muslim women to solve triple talaq issue: Shafeeq Rahman
http://www.dailyo.in/variety/triple-talaq-muslim-women-empowerment/story/1/16798.html
Should SC favour Sikh beard but disapprove Jewish, Christian & Muslim beards? Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood
http://twocircles.net/2017apr22/408217.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Plot thickens with the SC order on Ayodhya: Has Modi thrown Advani under bus? Manoj Mitta
https://scroll.in/article/835317/babri-masjid-case-with-bjp-leaders-to-be-tried-will-modi-succeed-where-even-nehru-failed
Pellet guns take toll on civilians in Kashmir: Aljazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/04/pellet-guns-toll-civilians-indian-administered-kashmir-170423052248825.html
The Valley on Campus: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-valley-protest-on-campus-afzal-guru-naseem-bagh-shopian-4624268/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:33 PM)
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