Evening NEWS DIGEST
24 June 2017: 28 Ramazan 1438: Vol: 8, No:225
INDIA: LYNCHING & HATE CRIMES
They pulled our beards, flung skullcaps: killed teenager brother recalls horror on Delhi-Mathura train
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/06/24/they-pulled-our-beards-flung-skull-caps-brother-of-teenager_a_22952763/
Even as the shocking news of a Muslim teenager being lynched to death on a Delhi-Mathura passenger train came to light on Friday, details emerging about the incident show that 15-year-old Junaid Khan was killed in cold blood by a mob for no apparent reason.While the bereaved family is still reeling under the shock of what happened on the train, Junaid's brothers have recounted to several newspapers about how a group of men taunted, slapped and beat them up because they belong to a certain community.The 2 brothers of Junaid, Shaqir and Hashim have also sustained injuries from the incident that is prima facie a hate crime against a certain community. Shaqir, who is admitted in AIIMS in New Delhi, told Indian Express, "They flung our skull caps, pulled my brother's beard, slapped us, and taunted us about eating cow meat. Beef is not even cooked in our village. Once we reached Ballabhgarh, they took out knives. They were older than us — probably in their 30s — so we couldn't do anything."It was reported on Friday that the 3 brothers were returning to their village, Haryana's Ballabhgarh, after shopping for Eid in Delhi. Some other passengers on the train were suspicious that the tree were carrying beef in their bags and a scuffle broke out.They were attacked when they resisted.Shaqir tells Indian Express that it began with slapping and abuses and then between Ballabhgarh and Asaoti stations they were stabbed. What was a yearly ritual for the family before eid turned into a nightmare for them.In another report, Indian Express Ismail, the elder brother of the 3, talks about Junaid: "He was studying in a madrasa in Nuh district. Junaid was good at studies. He was a peace-loving boy, and even then, this happened to him."Both Hashim and Junaid wanted to become maulvis when they grew up. HT reports that on Wednesday the two had earned the title of 'Hafiz' after memorising the Quran and their mother even gave them Rs 1,500 for earning the title. The report says that since it was their first Eid as Hafiz, they went to Delhi to shop because they wanted to look their best.Jallaluddin, the father of the boys, says that they were supposed to bring home condiments for Eid, but what reached home was a dead body."Their mother asked them to fetch the best sewaiyan and sweets to be served on the festival. He promised to reach home early, but what reached home was his dead body. How could those men be so cruel to have pierced my son's body like that," a heartbroken Jallaluddin told HT. huffingtonpost
They kept saying we had beef, but we didn't: brother of teen killed on Train
http://www.news18.com/news/india/they-kept-saying-we-had-beef-but-we-didnt-brother-of-teen-killed-on-train-1442445.html
15-yr-old killed, brother says were called beef eaters
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/18-year-old-stabbed-to-death-they-flung-our-skull-cap-pulled-beard-ballabhgarh-mathura-bound-train-4719096/?utm_source=izooto&utm_medium=push_notification&utm_campaign=browser_push&utm_content&utm_term
4 Muslim youth beaten up, thrown off moving train, killing one teen while returning to Haryana
http://www.siasat.com/news/hate-crime-four-muslim-youth-beaten-thrown-moving-train-killing-teen-one-returning-haryana-1203473/
‘My friends asked me to attack them, I was drunk’: Man accused of beating Muslim boy to death on train
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/my-friends-asked-me-to-attack-them-i-was-drunk-man-accused-of-beating-muslim-boy-to-death-on-train/story-REKOBX6gq9RfkuGkgG8JSL.html
New Delhi:“I was drunk. My friends told me to attack them because they are cow eaters.”This is what a man accused of killing a 16-year-old Muslim boy and injuring his 3 brothers on board a Mathura-bound train has told police.The accused was part of a mob that attacked the four brothers, who were on their way back home to Haryana’s Ballabhgarh after Eid shopping at Sadar Bazar on Thursday evening. hindustantimes
‘How could they hate us so much’: Family in shock after 16-year-old Muslim boy stabbed to death on train
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/how-could-they-hate-us-so-much-family-in-shock-after-16-year-old-muslim-boy-stabbed-to-death-on-train/story-TEzAfE9atfWv0EHaXJm6JJ.html
:It was on Wednesday evening that Junaid and Hashim attained the title of a “Hafiz” after investing over 3 years to memorize the Quran by heart and got Rs 1500 as a reward from their mother. It was their first Eid after becoming a Hafiz and they wanted to look their best. To celebrate and shop, they planned a visit to Delhi’s Jama Masjid and promised to return before sundown. One of the 2 could not.“Junaid was so happy that he will be formally felicitated for their achievement on Eid. Since Ramzan started, he and Hashim had been reciting the Quran everyday at the mosque. They wanted to look good, so they specially went to purchase a new set of clothes to Jama Masjid. Their mother asked them to fetch the best sewaiyan and sweets to be served on the festival. He promised to reach home early, but what reached home was his dead body. How could those men be so cruel to have pierced my son’s body like that,” Jallaluddin, Junaid’s father, said. HT
Faridabad Lynching: Brothers were home for festival, two wanted to become maulvis
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/faridabad-lynching-brothers-were-home-for-festival-two-wanted-to-become-maulvis-4719262/
Not a single person from the Centre, Haryana govt contacted Junaid's family: CPI(M)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/not-a-single-person-from-the-centre-haryana-govt-contacted-junaids-family-cpim/articleshow/59299769.cms
New Delhi:A delegation of leaders of the CPI(M) visited the family of the Haryana teen who was murdered by a lynch mob on board a train on Thursday this week. The delegation, comprising senior CPM Politburo members Brinda Karat and Mohammed Salim, and Haryana state secretary Surinder Malik, among others, alleged that the attack was a result of the "sustained toxic propaganda of the sangh parivar against minority communities", and was the reason Muslims were feeling unsafe in public places. Timesofindia
UP: Cleric shot dead by unidentified persons while praying in the mosque
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-cleric-shot-dead-by-unidentified-persons-while-praying-in-the-mosque/story-rTxKejnqjNDsHB4YXVHklK.html
Varanasi: A 70-year-old maulvi, Mohammad Younus, was shot dead by four unidentified persons when he intercepted them after they threw a piece of meat on the premises of the mosque, in Naseerpur village of Mau district, late on Thursday night. Younus was the maulvi of the mosque where he was killed, police said.The murder enraged the locals and sparked tension in the village. They calmed down after police assured them speedy action in the case.Police said the assailants had come on two motorbikes and threw a piece of meat on the premises of the mosque. Younus and one Mohammad Jabbar, who had just offered prayers, were present there and took on the miscreants. The assailants then opened fire on them. Younus died on the spot but Jabbar escaped unhurt.Hearing the gunshots, locals rushed to the spot but the miscreants had fled by then. The locals then informed the police.Circle officer Pankaj Singh, along with a heavy police force, reached the spot and took body the body for post mortem.Singh said a case had been registered against unidentified assailants and teams had been deployed to arrest them. “Heavy police force and PAC personnel were deployed in the village to control the situation,” Singh said. hindustantimes
Pork pieces allegedly thrown at a mosque in UP’s Nasirpur village
http://www.siasat.com/news/pork-pieces-allegedly-thrown-mosque-ups-nasirpur-village-1203479/
Mau: Tension prevailed in Nasirpur village here after two motorcycle-borne men allegedly threw pieces of meat that appeared to be pork outside a mosque and opened fire at one person who was coming out after offering prayers.SP Abhishek Yadav said the miscreants were still at large and a large number of policemen have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.The incident occurred last night.70-year-old Yunus, who was coming out after offering namaz, suffered injuries after the two men opened fire on him, the SP said. The injured person has been admitted to the district hospital, he said. Siasat
UP:Communal tension after killing person offering namaz
http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/communal-tension-after-firing-a-person-after-offering-namaz.html
Dalit, Muslim kids 'buried alive' after sand mining dispute, BJP MLA's son booked
http://www.news18.com/news/india/dalit-kid-among-2-buried-alive-after-sand-mining-dispute-bjp-mlas-son-booked-1442173.html
Bahraich: An UP MLA’s son and a mining contractor have been booked for allegedly burying alive two children, including a Dalit, in Bhauri village of Bahraich district after locals resisted sand mining there.BJP MLA Subhash Tripathi refuted the allegation levelled against his son and termed it as a "conspiracy", while district administration has constituted a 3-member committee to probe the matter.Bodies of Karan (10) and Nisar (11) were found on Thursday in a drain in the village, adjacent to a place where mining was going on, following which irate villagers damaged the vehicles of contractors involved in the mining work.In his complaint to the police, Chetram, the father of Karan, a Dalit, said Nishank Tripathi and mining contractor Manoj Shukla were digging sand from his field instead of the area alloted to them.According to Chetram, on facing resistance, they buried alive the two children by putting sand on them with the help of a bulldozer, police said, adding an FIR was lodged on Thursday against Nishank and Manoj on the charge of murder and under SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act. However, the SHO of Baundi police station, where FIR was registered, said that postmortem report says that the 2 died due to drowning."Meanwhile, Samajwadi leader Azam Khan urged the NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind to participate in the last rites of the Dalit's son.PTI
Dalit child in UP killed after dad opposes BJP MLA’s son’s crime
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/2017/06/23/dalit-child-in-up-killed-after-dad-opposes-bjp-mlas-sons-crime
Mob lynching of J&K DSP: 3 more arrested
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jk-dsp-lynching-3-more-arrested-seven-identified/article19139861.ece?homepage=true
3 more persons allegedly involved in the June 22, 2017 mob lynching of DSP Mohammed Ayub Pandith in Srinagar have been arrested, J&K DGP S.P. Vaid said in Srinagar on June 24, 2017.“We have identified 12 persons in connection with the case and five of them have been arrested,” . Vaid told PTI.On June 23, 2017, the DGP said two persons were arrested, while another one was identified.PTI
Kashmiri DSP's lawyer cousin defended stone-pelters
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dsp-mohammad-abdullah-pandiths-lawyer-cousin-defended-stone-pelters/articleshow/59295335.cms
Srinagar:The family members of DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandith, lynched on Thursday night, are known supporters of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq family. More, Ayub's cousin, Mohammad Abdullah Pandith, a lawyer, often takes up the defence of stone-pelters and separatists in subordinate courts, and is a close associate of Mian Qayoom, a staunch associate of Hurriyat separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, sources said. Abdullah Pandith is an active member of J&K high court bar association and always on the forefront of any protest concerning Kashmir issue, police said.He defended Hurriyat (Geelani faction) separatist Firdous Ahmad Shah in 2015 when he was allegedly involved in a case of accepting slush money to the tune of Rs 3 cr from Pakistan for 2008 Mumbai attacks. He was subsequently charged by ED.TOI
Human lynching most ‘un-Islamic’ in holy Ramzan:Union Minister slams DSP's lynching
http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/human-lynching-un-islamic-holy-ramzan-dr-jitendra/
New Delhi: The lynching of a human being and that too, a fellow Muslim, in Kashmir is the most ” un-Islamic and unholy” act in the pious month of Ramzan, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today. “I have read Quran thoroughly and I can say this with all the confidence at my command”, he said. He said the tragic death of the officer was yet another eye-opener for the innocent masses of Kashmir who had been held to ransom for decades together by self-styled protagonists who claimed to have waged a war in the name of religion, jihad or Islam.“If this is a war in the name of religion can there be more irreligious act than this? And, if this is a war in the holy name of Islam, can there be a more un-Islamic and unholy act than this in the holy month of Ramzan?” Dr Singh asked.Dailyexcelsior
OTHER
Economist magazine: PM Modi not as much of a reformer as he seems, terms him more chauvinist than economist
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/economist-economist-pm-narendra-modi-not-as-much-of-a-reformer-as-he-seems/
New Delhi:In scathing criticism of PM Narendra Modi, international business magazine Economist claimed the NDA Govt under Modi’s leadership failed to usher in significant economic reform over the last three years that he has been in power.In a piece titled “India’s PM is not as much of a reformer as he seems”, Economist termed the yet to be launched GST ‘unnecessarily complicated and bureaucratic’ and claimed that the demonetisation move by the Govt was ‘counterproductive, hamstringing legitimate businesses without doing much harm to illicit ones.’The article states that despite having a majority that the country has not seen in decades and an Opposition that is ‘hopeless’, Modi has failed to introduce reforms on a large scale — attributing it to his lack of reform skills – squandering a golden opportunity that the current global economy as well the country’s political situation provide.“His reputation as a friend to business rests on his vigorous efforts to help firms out of fixes — finding land for a particular factory, say, or expediting the construction of a power station. But he is not so good at working systematically to sort out the underlying problems holding the economy back…. India does not just need power stations and parcels of land for development. It needs functioning markets for electricity and land—and capital and labour, for that matter.” The article also questioned the shrinking space for public debate under the Modi administration, stating that ‘Hindu nationalist thugs’ intimidate anyone who chides the Govt for arguably straying from India’s secular tradition. It goes on to state the CBI raids at the office and residence of NDTV co-founder Prannoy Roy as an instance of ‘heavy-handedness’ by the Govt .Terming him more a chauvinist than an economist, the article states that Modi has, himself, become the object of a ‘sycophantic personality cult’ – and it could well be a ploy to win consequent elections, adding that “it is not hard to imagine it going disastrously wrong”. Indian express
We have another kind of emergency in which constitutional rights are being suspended: Aruna Roy
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/people-now-say-there-is-contractor-raj-or-company-raj-not-our-raj-activist-aruna-roy/story-TlMYaPNOX741N5Ua0EcNHL.html
Jaipur:Aruna Roy, civil servant-turned-rights activist who spearheaded the movements that led to RTI and right to work legislations, has accused the Modi Govt of muzzling dissent, pandering to multinational companies, sidelining the minorities. Roy said, "There are two kinds of emergencies. The first one was a constitutional emergency, so everybody knew there was an emergency and people were jailed. Today, we have another kind of emergency in which constitutional rights are being suspended. What are the indications of an emergency? People are afraid to express themselves, which is the same today. They are scared of doing anything because they are beaten up... The inequality prevalent today is, in one sense, as bad as the Emergency." She said, "It’s rising. When you have a blatant imposition of something, it’s apparent to the people. But when it’s insidious, it takes longer. I think the poor have understood that this Govt is not theirs. At many places, I now hear people say that this is contractor raj or company raj, but not our raj. They also understand that all this mob justice and vigilantism is a failure of governance. Minorities now have their backs to the wall." She added, "Popularity can’t be gauged by the number of votes you get, and ethics can’t be gauged by the growth you bring in.Ethics is a much larger issue, and I don’t think anybody can stake claim to being another Gandhi, or another Nehru, or another Maulana Azad.I think one has to view the performance of a PM from a certain perspective, and for that I would quote Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words about the last man in the country being happy. A person is a good ruler if the last person in the country — and that should mean the minorities — is happy. Today, both the minorities and the poor are unhappy. Besides, there are agitations by a plethora of people."HT
Babri Masjid demolition case: NBW warrant against Mahant Dharam Das
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/babri-masjid-demolition-case-nbw-warrant-against-mahant-dharam-das-4719347/
Lucknow:The special court in Lucknow hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Mahant Dharam Das, an accused, on Friday for not appearing in the proceedings. Das is an invited member of Ramjanmbhoomi Nyas.“Court issued NBW against Mahant Dharam Das because neither he nor any lawyer representing him appeared before the court today. No application was moved in the court for Mahant Dharam Das seeking exemption from appearance in the court,” said special counsel for CBI, Lalit Kumar Singh.Meanwhile, prosecution witness and Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut also did not appear before the court to record his statement.
Babri Masjid Not a Mosque, But an Insult to Islam, claims RSS Leader Indresh
http://www.news18.com/news/india/babri-masjid-was-not-a-mosque-but-an-insult-to-islam-rss-leader-indresh-kumar-1441497.html
New Delhi: In an interview with News18’s Eram Agha, Muslim Rashtriya Manch patron Indresh Kumar says Muslims chose to come to RSS because secularists and socialists failed them. Kumar said, "MRM was formed by the Muslims, for the Muslims. The organizational committee told me it has presence in 7 to 8 countries now. MRM has spread to 25 prants (states) and has more than 2,000 branches. The core organisation group has 40 members who sit and discuss issues and chart out agenda. In such a short time, no other organisation has progressed so much." He said, "Everybody talked about mainstreaming of Muslims. But had they tried to bring them in mainstream, there would not have been Article 370. In Muslim localities, the National Flag should be unfurled. There should be respect for national symbols like the National Song and Anthem. If you see, no political party was able to make Muslims do this. There should be no celebration for Pakistan’s victory during Indo-Pak cricket match, no cheering for them. These are the symbols of mainstream. But in 70 years, they could not develop this — it was a big challenge ahead of us and also for those Muslims who were in the mainstream." He added, "With time, MRM has adopted different movements like cow protection and Uniform Civil Code. And recently, 7 lakh Muslims, including 40,000 from J&K, submitted their signatures to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking revocation of Article 370. No other state in India has dual citizenship and two flags. Why should J&K have it?" On Ram mandir issue Kumar replied, "Ram Mandir is an important issue. It is a belief that a mosque can only be built on non-controversial land, given in donation or waqf or it can be built on the land bought through proper purchase. But Babri Masjid was not built on such a non-controversial land. A mosque cannot be named after any mortal being. It should be named after a prophet or God. Babri Masjid was named after Babur – he didn’t take care of any such thing.This was not a mosque but insult to Islam." News18
Centre yet to push for Zakir Naik’s extradition
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-yet-to-push-for-zakir-naiks-extradition/article19136905.ece
New Delhi: More than 6 months after it first filed an FIR against Zakir Naik who is wanted on terror charges, and a month after it declared it would ask Interpol to have a red notice issued against him, the Govt has not yet contacted the Saudi authorities with a request to detain him in Saudi Arabia, where he is believed to be at present. Asked about Mr. Naik’s presence in Saudi Arabia, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Saud Al-Sati admitted in an interview to The Hindu that the wanted preacher visits Saudi Arabia from “time to time.”But significantly Ambassador Al-Sati said that “he was not aware” of any request from the Indian Govt on detaining Mr. Naik, or of withholding a citizenship or visa grants. Asked if as KSA Ambassador he would have received intimations of all such requests, Mr. Al-Sati repeated, “Well, I have not, yet.” Last week, Naik appeared on Arabic channel Al Majd TV from their studios in Riyadh to deny reports that he had accepted citizenships of any country, and boasted that he had been offered residence by at least 10 countries.“I have not made up my mind about whether I should take up another citizenship because of the difficulties I am facing on the basis of baseless charges [in India],” Naik told Riyadh-based religious channel Al Majd, owned by a Saudi businessman. “By God’s grace, I have been offered citizenship by at least 10 Islamic nations. Maybe in the future I will accept if appropriate, as even according to [Islamic texts], if people are persecuting me for my thoughts I have to protect myself,” he added. thehindu
With 42 killed, bloodiest Ramzan in Kashmir in yrs:TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/with-42-deaths-bloodiest-ramzan-in-kashmir-in-years/articleshow/59293538.cms
Srinagar: At least 42 people, including nine policemen, were killed in Kashmir in June in what could be the bloodiest Ramzan in the Valley in recent years. The toll includes 27 terrorists and 6 civilian deaths.A senior police officer said that Friday's lynching has resulted in fear among the lower rungs of security forces. Although the killing drew criticism from all quarters, security forces believe it's insufficient to deter people from acting against cops."Although she (Mehbooba) was very hard in her statement against the attack on police, we have got the signal not to act severely against the wrong-doers, even local militants because of political reasons," the officer said.
All Arab countries have theirs in Arabic, Indian passports will now be in Hindi too: Sushma
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/all-arab-countries-have-theirs-arabic-indian-passports-will-now-be-hindi-too-sushma-64125
Indian passports will henceforth be in both English and Hindi and 10 % discount will be given in passport fees to applicants below the age of eight and above 60, the Govt announced on Friday."From now on, all Indian passports will be in Hindi and English. We have asked the printing press in Nashik to print passports in these two languages," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said.Countries like Russia and Germany had passports in their respective languages, she said while addressing an event to commemorate 50 years of the Passport Act. "We often receive complaints as to why our passports are only in English," Swaraj said. "When all Arab countries have their passports in Arabic and Germans and Russians have it in their own languages, why can't we have ours in Hindi?" IANS
EC disqualifies MP Minister Narottam Mishra for paid news
http://www.ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/EC_disqualifies_MP_Minister_for_paid_news-555556/NATION/1
Election Commission has disqualified MP Irrigation Minister Narottam Mishra and barred him from contesting polls for 3 years for allegedly being involved in paid news during the 2008 assembly elections, an official said."As per law, Mishra stands disqualified from the date of issuance of order and debarred further for 3 years from contesting elections," an Election Commission official said.EC decision came on a complaint by Rajendra Bharti, who had fought the 2008 elections as a BSP candidate, but is now with the Congress. Bharti had filed the complaint of paid news in April 2009.IANS
Nitish is a cheat, claims RJD leader
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-elections-nitish-kumar-is-a-cheat-supports-ramnath-kovind-claims-rjd-leader/
Patna: RJD leader Bhai Virendra on Saturday described Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as a cheat who has made a “big mistake” by extending his support to NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind over former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar for the forthcoming presidential election. Bhai Virendra told ANI, “Nitishi ji is one of such people who has cheated every single person. He is the one who has always tried to fool people.”ANI
Won’t hesitate to ignore villages that don’t vote for TDP: AP CM Naidu
https://scroll.in/latest/841570/wont-hesitate-to-ignore-villages-that-dont-vote-for-tdp-says-andhra-pradesh-cm-chandrababu-naidu
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu said he will not hesitate to “ignore” the villages that choose not to vote for the TDP, NDTV reported. He asked the party leaders to “demand” votes from the people as his Govt had provided several benefits to them.“You [the voters] are taking the pension I am giving, using roads we have built, taking rations that we give, benefiting from our schemes, then why should you not support us politically?” he said in Kurnool district’s Nandyala where bye-elections will be held soon.He criticised his party leaders for failing to beat YSR Congress’ popularity in the constituency. He asked them to seek votes on the basis of development and question the voters why they wouldn’t vote for the TDP. “If they say they won’t vote for us, ask them why…even after getting so many benefits from us. I will not hesitate to ignore such villages that don’t vote for us,” he said. scroll
UN honours Mamata with highest public service award for girl child project Kanyashree
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-un-public-service-award-kanyashree-netherlands/1/986200.html
Kolkata: In a major boost to CM Mamata Banerjee's pet project 'Kanyashree', the United Nations today accorded its highest award for public service to the West Bengal Govt for the scheme initiated to empower girl child with education.The project was launched in 2011 soon after Mamata Banerjee came to power and has helped more than 40 lakh female students in the state.'Kanyashree' was ranked the best among 552 such social sector schemes from across 62 countries that were nominated for the coveted award. The award was presented at the World Public Service Forum by UN Assistant Secretary General at a ceremony in Hague in Netherlands. After receiving the award, CM Mamata Banerjee dedicated it to the people of her state and the country."We are delighted on behalf of our countrymen and the people of Bengal to receive the first prize on UN Public Service Day. Receiving the first prize from the UN for Kanyashree is a huge honour and recognition," Banerjee said.'Kanyashree Prakalpa' is a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in schools and other educational and skill development institutions along with preventing child marriage. indiatoday
Allahabad HC quashes UP govt order, reinstates Shia Waqf Board members
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/allahabad-hc-quashes-up-govt-order-reinstates-shia-waqf-board-members/story-33sUkpzKTKIiy9gwIdPftJ.html
Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Friday quashed the UP Govt order removing 6 members of the Shia Waqf Board and reinstated them to their respective positions. A vacation bench of Justice Ranjan Roy and Justice SN Agnihotri passed the order on the grounds that the members were not provided an opportunity to put forward their views, a clause mandatory in the Waqf Act, 1995.However, the court allowed the state Govt to proceed afresh in accordance with law against these members.The members -- Akhtar Hasan Rizvi, Syed Wali Haider, Ashfa Zaidi, Maulana Azim Husain Zaidi, Aalima Zaidi and Najmul Hasan Rizvi -- were removed by the Yogi Govt earlier this month on charges of gross anomalies in connection with Waqf properties.These members, who were appointed by the Samajwadi Party Govt , had filed a writ petition before the court against their removal.Admitting the writ on June 22, the court had directed the UP Govt to furnish all details related to removal of the members and fixed June 23 as next date of hearing. hindustantimes
Adityanath skips iftar hosted by governor at Raj Bhawan
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-cm-yogi-adityanath-skips-iftar-hosted-by-governor-ram-naik-at-raj-bhawan/story-kwkyGyHwjxcAikFgFhwT2M.html
Lucknow:UP CM Yogi Adityanath skipped an iftar party hosted by governor Ram Naik at Raj Bhawan in Lucknow on Friday.“The CM informed me over telephone that he will be in New Delhi for filing of nomination of NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind and will not be able to make it,” said Naik.Significantly, unlike his predecessors, Adityanath did not host an iftar, the first meal a Muslim takes after roza (the dawn-to-dusk fasting) during the month of Ramadan.Yogi, however, organised a ‘kanya poojan’ and hosted ‘falahari’ feast at the CM ’s residence during the ‘Navratri’ fasting recently.HT
Central ministers give Rashtrapati Bhavan Iftar a miss
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/central-ministers-give-rashtrapati-bhavan-iftar-a-miss-president-pranab-mukherjee-4719328/
New Delhi: No central minister showed up for President Pranab Mukherjee’s Iftar at Rashtrapati Bhavan Friday — this was the last he was hosting there before the end of his term next month. “There was not a single minister, not a single Govt representative and not a single BJP leader. In all these years, I have never been to an Iftar hosted by the President where there has been no representative of the Govt of India,” CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said. SP Rajya Sabha MP Javed Ali Khan, among those invited, said: “I could not spot a single minister at the Iftar hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee. In the past, I have attended 3 Iftars at Rashtrapati Bhavan and I remember seeing ministers like Rajnath Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Mahesh Sharma and Vijay Goel. This time, no one was there.”Rashtrapati Bhavan had made seating arrangements with ministers in mind — Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar was to share a table with Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. Rashtrapati Bhavan invites all members of the Union Council of Ministers to the Iftar.Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who had attended the event last year, too was missing. National Commission for Minorities chairman Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi was there but he steered clear of guests like Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Azad and Yechury.Among those who did attend the Iftar were former CEC S Y Quraishi, former Rajya Sabha MP Mohsina Kidwai, India Islamic Cultural Centre chief Sirajuddin Qureshi and theatre actor Aamir Raza Husain.Indian Express
Sikh group Khalsa Aid organises Iftar and blankets for fire victims in Srinagar
http://twocircles.net/2017jun23/411875.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
Srinagar: Khalsa aid, an international non-profit aid and relief organisation of Sikhs on Thursday June 22, organised an Iftar for the fire victims at Abi Novpora, Srinagar. The group also donated 52 blankets to 26 families who had lost their homes in April earlier this year.Most of the fire victims families were rendered homeless and were forced to live in tents. Some even started living in their wooden boats without any roof near the Dal Lake.“Khalsa aid wanted to help people in Kashmir. I had few friends here whom I asked for inputs and they suggested helping these fire victims as they were most deserving,” Jeevan Joth, Khalsa aid volunteer said.The group distributed blankets and served Iftar to more than 150 people on the banks of Dal Lake on Thursday evening. The relief organization intends to help fire victims further post eid by providing them beddings and other household items.“Muslims and Sikhs have a very close-knit relationship in both India and the rest of the world. Our group is right now working in various conflict zones of middle eastern countries.This program was also part of our outreach program,” Jeevan said.TwoCircles
ICSE’s science book uses picture of Mosque to refer to noise pollution: TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jun23/411856.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
In a clear case of Islamophobia, a book published by Selina Publishers of Daryaganj, New Delhi has used the picture of a Mosque in one of the pictorials while explaining the sources of noise pollution.The book is called called Integrated Science for 6th standard students of ICSE. It is crucial to mention that ICSE does not publish its books like CBSE or other state boards; rather it outsource books from various privately-owned publishers.The picture shows a man standing between various sources of pollution which are airplane, a fast moving train, couple of four wheeler vehicles and a mosque which is shown to emit sound causing noise pollution. The book is edited by SK Bhasin and is claimed to be written by ‘A team of experienced teachers’.The matter came into the light after a father circulated a message on Whatsapp regarding the same. The father, whose name is not clear as message gone viral without any identity of the sender, saw the book of her daughter studying in 6th standard and noticed the anomaly.
Muslim man arrested in Jharkhand for allegedly making anti-Modi remarks in video
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muslim-man-arrested-in-jharkhand-for-allegedly-making-anti-modi-remarks-in-video/story-pcsknePRCjoyzFLX1mRd1H.html
Ranchi: Police arrested a 20-year-old Muslim man on Thursday night in Jharkhand for a viral video clip where he is allegedly heard making derogatory remarks against PM Narendra Modi and India. The clip was shared widely in the state’s Sahibganj region before India’s shock loss to Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy last Sunday. In the video clip -- HT has a copy of it -- Sameer Ansari is allegedly heard backing Pakistan but also voicing his desire to see India humiliated.“The video was circulated in many WhatsApp groups. His statements were provocative and against the country, so, we had to arrest him, “said Sahibganj SP P Murugan. Local residents said Ansari was a student but police refused to confirm.Police said the video appeared to have been shot by another person who was heard asking Ansari to speak to the camera in the clip. The second man was arrested and identified as Mohammad Adil Kamran, who is said to be a friend of Ansari, sources said. hindustantimes
Jharkhand:2 held for video wishing for Pak victory in cricket final
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/city-others/2-held-for-video-wishing-for-pak-victory-in-cricket-final-4719334/
UP: Muslim Man burns 22-yr-old daughter to death for marrying against parents’ wishes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-up-s-moradabad-man-burns-22-year-old-daughter-to-death-for-marrying-against-parents-wishes/story-tBhlOFE51poInPXp5NxWXI.html
Moradabad: A Muslim man and his family allegedly tied his 22-year-old daughter to a cot, doused her in kerosene and burnt her to death in UP’s Moradabad on Friday afternoon, police said. Her husband’s relatives told police the attack occurred because her family was upset over her marriage that went against her parents’ wishes.Gulfasha Bi was at home with her two-year-old son and a female relative on Friday when her father and others allegedly roughed her up and set her on fire, but spared the child, police said. The rest of the family was away at a funeral. Gulfasha died on the spot. “House of one Gulfasha Bi 22, was attacked by her father Mashruf Raza Khan and others at around 2 pm on Friday. They reportedly manhandled her and later set her on fire before fleeing from the place,” said SP (city) Ashish Srivastav.Gulfasha’s in-laws told police that she married a man identified as Sajid Ali three years ago against the will of her parents. Gulfasha’s father and others refused to accept the marriage.Sajad’s father registered an FIR under 302(murder) and other sections of IPC against 11 people including Mashruf Raza Khan. One of the accused, Gulfasha’s cousin Ashraf, was arrested in Friday night. Police is on the lookout for the others. hindustantimes
No rape case if nikah follows elopement, says Gujarat HC
http://www.siasat.com/news/no-rape-case-nikah-follows-elopement-says-gujarat-high-court-1203698/
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has issued a verdict in the case of rape and abduction with Muslim girls. The court said if a Muslim girl elopes and gets married, there will not be any issuance of the rape case against the boy. According to the Shariah law, the marriage of the girl has been recognised before the age of 18 years, Court said.Gujarat high court recently subdued abduction charges against Arif Afvan, a youth from Dhoraji, who had eloped with a 16-year-old girl, 6 years ago. The girl’s father had lodged an FIR against the boy under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC for luring the girl out of her father’s legal custody. The couple had got married in 2011. The Qazi, who performed the nikah of the couple, had also issued a marriage certificate, reports TOI.When both of them started living peacefully, then Afwan appealed to the High Court to remove the case of kidnapping that had taken place. His lawyer also kept the arguments of the Supreme Court in the High Court. In view of all the parties, the Gujarat High Court lifted the charge of kidnapping against Afwan. Also, according to the Shariah, the girls get mature at the age of 15 and can get married. Similarly, allegations of rape, abduction and violation of POSCO were lifted against 28-year-old Yunus Sheikh, who had married the 16-year-old Muslim girl.However, the High Court had made it clear that the laws prohibiting child marriage cannot be ignored and action should be taken against the responsible people. siasat
NASA launches world’s smallest satellite designed by 18-yr old Tamil Nadu student Rifath Sharook
http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/india-creates-history-as-nasa-launches-worlds-lightest-satellite-designed-by-tamil-nadu-student-4717886/
India, on Thursday, created history after NASA launched the world’s smallest satellite, built by 18-year old Tamil Nadu student Rifath Sharook and his team. Named as Kalamsat, after ex- President APJ Abdul Kalam, the tiny satellite weighs around 64 grams. According to news agency ANI, the satellite was flown into the space in a NASA sounding rocket from a NASA facility in Wallops Island.With the launch of the satellite, India has created a global space record. Sharook said that the achievement would not have been possible without the support of his team. “It’s a 3D printed satellite. It is for the first time that 3D printing technology is being used in space. We have made history. The world’s smallest satellite has been launched in space. It was not possible without my team,” he said.indianexpress
Tamil Nadu:Indigenous satellite developed by Noorul Islam University students part of PSLV-C38 launch
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indigenous-satellite-developed-by-tamil-nadu-students-part-of-pslv-c38-launch/story-twbEoztqY5fh9LDSElXpfM.html
‘Red carpet’ welcome likely for PM Modi in Washington, Civil nuclear deal, terrorism on agenda
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/red-carpet-welcome-likely-for-pm-modi-in-washington-civil-nuclear-deal-terrorism-on-agenda-donald-trump-white-house-4719693/
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to have his maiden meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday. In a Facebook post, the PM said he aims to formulate “wide and robust” relations between the two nations. “I look forward to building a forward looking vision for our partnership with the new Administration in the United States under President Trump,” he wrote.According to reports, the White House will welcome the PM by “rolling out a red carpet”. PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Washington at 6 am IST on Sunday after a stopover in Portugal. According to a senior White House official, PM Modi will be the first world leader to be hosted by President Trump for a working dinner at the White House.“The White House is very interested in making this a special visit. We’re really seeking to roll out the red carpet. In fact, the two (leaders) will have dinner, a working dinner at the White House. This will be the first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under this administration. So, we think that’s very significant,” the official told PTI.PTI
Hyderabad police arrest converted man on suspicion of being an IS sympathizer: hindustantimes report
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hyderabad-police-arrest-man-on-suspicion-of-being-an-islamic-state-sympathiser/story-61haEtV4ifJeSiYTLApxMM.html
Hyderabad: Hyderabad police on Friday arrested a suspected Islamic State (IS) sympathiser, who was allegedly planning to carry out subversive activities in the country. 22-year-old Konakalla Subrahmanyam alias Omar was arrested from his room on Friday morning after a SIT received information about him.According to D Hari Kumar Yadav, assistant commissioner of police, SIT, Subrahmanyam embraced Islam in 2014, and changed his name to Omar.He later moved to Gujarat where he trained in religious rituals and scriptures. He subsequently visited Srinagar, Oomrabad, Ambur of Tamil Nadu, and Mumbai.“He has been chatting with ISIS sympathizers through social media network like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. He got in touch with Abu Qahafa Al-Hindi of Mumbai who is ISIS sympathizer and had been in regular conversation with him. Omar wanted to carry out subversive activities in the country with the instigation of Abu Qahafa Al-Hindi,” a police official said. Subrahmanyam, son of K Venkata Narasimha Rao, hails from Challapalli mandal in Krishna. In Hyderabad, he was living in a room at Bharatnagar in Tolichowki area. “The accused is being remanded to judicial custody,” Yadav said.
Balance on SIT list: 2 still on run, 2 murder cases in Muzaffarnagar riots: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/balance-on-sit-list-two-still-on-run-two-murder-cases-in-2013-muzaffarnagar-riots-4719324/
Lucknow: SIT, set up 3-and-a-half years ago to probe cases related to the 2013 riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts, is yet to trace 2 accused, who have been chargeheeted in 2 cases. Barring these, SIT till now has completed investigation into 509 cases and initiated action against 1,478 accused.The 2 on the run are Brijveer (36) and Gaurav (22) from Jat community. Both residents of Muzaffarnagar district, police have attached their properties. Chargesheets have been filed into both incidents, which took place in Muzaffarnagar.Barring Brijveer and Gaurav, action has been taken against all other accused facing charges in riot cases,” said Muzaffarnagar ASP Bajrang Bali, who is supervising SIT.A resident of Mohammadpur Rai Singh village, Brijveer was booked for the murder of his neighbour Raeesudeen, whose body was set on fire inside his house. In all, police had booked 21 in the case, said an SIT official.
4 held in UP for allegedly slaughtering buffaloes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/4-held-in-up-for-allegedly-slaughtering-buffaloes/story-RQE0ndBuEJJT6cU1QdikoL.html
Muzaffarnagar: Suspected cow meat and hides were seized from a village and 4 persons were arrested for “illegally slaughtering” buffaloes in 3 separate incidents, the police said on Saturday. Suspected cow meat and hides were seized from Nishana village in Muzaffarnagar on Friday evening after a raid was carried out based on information provided by the gram pradhan. Two persons, Anver and Riyasat, were booked in connection with the case, they said.The accused are on the run.In a second incident here, the police raided a house and seized suspected buffalo meat and hides in Jansath town. Four persons have been booked for “illegally slaughtering” buffaloes, SHO Kamal Singh said.Meanwhile, four persons — Saira Bano, Soniya, Salman and Riyasat — have also been arrested in the neighbouring Shamli district for “illegally slaughtering buffaloes”, the police said.HT
Now a school for girls next to Bulandshahr’s ‘Taj Mahal’, thanks to retired postmaster Qadri
http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/retired-up-postmaster-sacrifices-taj-mahal-dream-donates-land-for-govt-school/story-TTRWNhOmSUzbOsHBSXmVfL.html
Faizul Hasan Qadri, a retired 81-year-old postmaster, sprung to fame in 2015 for his attempts to build a mini Taj for his wife Tajamulli Begum who died in 2011. 2 years later, next to his incomplete ‘Taj’ in Bulandshahr’s Kaser Kalan, a small village nearly 150km from the National Capital, a Govt girl’s school is nearing completion.Reports of Qadri’s attempts to build a mini Taj had moved the then UP CM Akhilesh Yadav. Yadav had offered to help to Qadri, who instead sought help to build a school. Qadri donated his last piece of land for this school even as his dream project came to a standstill due to lack of funds. Qadri’s eyesight is now failing and his resources have dried up. He is now saving from his monthly pension of Rs 15,000 to finish his ‘Taj’. hindustantimes
Sikh group urges US lawmakers to take notice of increasing human rights violations under Modi regime
http://twocircles.net/2017jun23/411846.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Ahead of next week’s meeting between Indian PM Narendra Modi and President Trump, the US-based human rights advocacy group ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ) submitted a memorandum to US lawmakers urging them to undertake a Congressional delegation visit to Punjab to assess, report and apprise the US Congress of the recent spate of human rights violations against the Sikh community.On Tuesday and Wednesday, the rights group’s delegation met with Senators and members of the US House of Representatives and discussed the issues of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution which strips Sikhs of their separate religious identity by labeling them as Hindus and by denying the group the basic right to self-determination. They also brought to light the incidents in which members of the Sikh community have endured genocidal violence perpetrated by the Modi regime.TCN
To Choke Terror Funding, Case Registered Against Hafiz Saeed, Kashmiri Separatists
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/to-choke-terror-funding-case-registered-against-hafiz-saeed-kashmiri-separatists-1716266
New Delhi: Weeks after the NIA carried out raids targetting Kashmiri separatist leaders, the Enforcement Directorate too moved in, registering a case of money laundering against the separatists and Hafiz Saeed on Friday.Enforcement Directorate officials said they were probing how funds were received from Pakistani sources through hawala to finance terror activities and fund separatist activities. The agency's case also names Hizbul Mujahideen and Dukhtaran-e-Millat. ED case, like the one registered by the NIA, has not mentioned names of the Kashmiri separatists to keep the probe open-ended and look at the overarching terror funding pattern that keeps the Kashmir valley on the boil. ndtv
1993 Mumbai blasts case: TADA court adjourns argument on quantum of sentence till June 27
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/1993-mumbai-blasts-case-tada-court-adjourns-argument-on-quantum-of-sentence-till-june-27-4718713/
New Delhi: The argument on the quantum of sentence of punishment in the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts case in special TADA court has been adjourned till June 27 on Friday, reported news agency ANI. Earlier on Thursday, special CBI counsel Deepak Salvi began with submissions on the damage caused by the 12 serial blasts on March 12, 1993.Salvi had earlier said he would seek extreme punishment for all six convicts — Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, Feroz Abdul Rashid Khan, Taher Merchant, Karimulla Khan and Riyaz Siddiqui. Salvi further said,”While deciding on the punishment in this case, the court needs keep two numbers in mind…that 257 persons died in the blasts and nearly 713 citizens were brutally injured. These numbers are sufficient to display the brutality caused by the blasts. The men who caused the blast had brought 1500 kg of RDX (an explosive substance). It would have destroyed the entire city of Mumbai.” indianexpress
2008 Malegaon blast: Lt Col Purohit seeks scrapping of charges under MCOCA, UAPA
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/2008-malegaon-blast-lt-col-purohit-seeks-scrapping-of-charges-under-mcoca-uapa-4719296/
Mumbai: In an application filed on Tuesday, 2008 Malegaon blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit has sought discharge from the sections of MCOCA and UAPA applied against him. He has also sought the transfer of the case for trial before “the appropriate court of competent jurisdiction”.The case is currently being tried before a special court in the Mumbai district city civil and sessions court. If the accused is discharged from the two Acts, the case will have to be tried before a regular sessions court in Nashik district. On September 30, 2008, an explosion in the textile town of Malegaon had killed six and injured 101. indianexpress
2008 serial blasts case: Trial adjourned after accused challenge transfer to Bhopal jail
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/2008-serial-blasts-case-trial-adjourned-after-accused-challenge-transfer-to-bhopal-jail/
Ahmedabad:A special designated court adjourned trial in the 2008 serial bomb blasts case till June 29 after 10 undertrials wrote to the court that their transfer order has been challenged in the Gujarat High Court, which is likely to hear the matter on July 28.The 10 undertrials have been shifted to a Bhopal jail last month after their conviction by a special CBI court in a separate terror case. indianexpress
‘Support the innocent’ – campaign to bring back the dignity of falsely implicated terror vicitims
http://twocircles.net/2017jun22/411822.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
A small group of journalists have come together for a campaign which is to bring back the dignity and livelihood of those persons who have been falsely implicated in terror cases, and because of the same they had to spent their major chunk of life behind the bars.The campaign, which is launched as a crowdfunding program aims at the times when reporting about innocent Muslim people does not bring them their life back. The campaign reads, “When we, as journalists, covered their stories, we almost took it for granted that the worst is over for them. After all, they were out of the dungeons and back with their families and loved ones.”Many a times a journalist, who have worked on such terror cases, fails to look back at the life of the person which was devastated because he was wrongly framed in terror cases. As the campaign also reads, “Our job as journalists is to keep looking for a new story but rarely do we get time to go back to the subject of an old story.”The crowdfunding project supports four acquittals Rehmaana Siddiqui, Mohammad Irshad Ali, Mohammad Aamir Khan and Wasif Haider who are in need of different amount of money to kickstart their idle life.TwoCircles
Self-defence training programme for girls in W.Bengal madrasas
http://twocircles.net/2017jun23/411834.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Starting from July, the West Bengal Director of Madrasa Education will start a 45-day free of cost self-defence training programme for girls from Class 9 to 12.Parents, teachers, students all welcomed this initiative which seeks to improve the students’ fitness and train them in primary Karate.Abid Hossain, the Director of West Bengal Madrasa Education, said, “The minority department has undertaken an initiative for Madrasa girl students in order to improve their confidence level enough for their own security and for their physical fitness in their daily life.” He added that trained instructors will be employed in every Madrasas for this training from the next month and also said that it will be continued, if necessary, after reviewing the whole procedure and its outcome.TwoCircles
GULF CRISIS
Arab states issue 13-point list of demands to end Qatar crisis: Shut Al Jazeera, close Turkish army base, shun ties with Iran, Brotherhood within 10 days
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/arab-states-issue-list-demands-qatar-crisis-170623022133024.html
Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries that have cut ties to Qatar have reportedly issued a list of demands to end a major Gulf crisis, insisting that Qatar shut down the Al Jazeera network, close a Turkish military base and scale down ties with Iran. In the 13-point list, the countries also demand that Qatar sever all alleged ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and with other groups, including Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and ISIL. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain have now given Qatar 10 days to comply with all of the demands, which also include paying an unspecified sum in compensation for what they claimed to be "loss of life and other financial losses caused by Qatar's policies". The Iran provisions in the document say Qatar must shut down diplomatic posts in Iran, expel any members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and only conduct trade and commerce with Iran that complies with US sanctions.The demands regarding Al Jazeera state that Qatar must also shut down all affiliates and other news outlets that Qatar funds, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al Jadeed and Middle East Eye.If Qatar agrees to comply, the list asserts that it will be audited once a month for the first year, and then once per quarter in the second year after it takes effect. For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance. The document does not specify what the countries will do if Qatar refuses to comply.Saudi led Arab states demanded Qatar to shut down immediately the Turkish military base, which is currently under construction, and halt military cooperation with Turkey inside of Qatar. They also asked Qatar to sever ties to all "terrorist, sectarian and ideological organisations," specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIL, al-Qaeda, Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as Nusra Front) and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Formally declare these entities as terror groups as per the list announced by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt, and concur with all future updates of this list. And stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organisations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, US and other countries.Hand over "terrorist figures", fugitives and wanted individuals to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances. aljazeera
Saudi-led demands not 'reasonable or actionable': Qatar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/qatar-confirms-receipt-saudi-led-bloc-demands-170623214047175.html
Qatar has dismissed a list of demands submitted by four Arab countries as neither reasonable or actionable.The list was received by Qatar's ministry of foreign affairs on June 22, according to a report by state-run Qatar News Agency."This list of demands confirms what Qatar has said from the beginning - the illegal blockade has nothing to do with combating terrorism, it is about limiting Qatar's sovereignty, and outsourcing our foreign policy," Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed Al Thani, director of the Qatari Govt 's communications office, said."US secretary of state recently called upon the blockading nations to produce a list of grievances that was 'reasonable and actionable'. British foreign secretary asked that the demands be 'measured and realistic.' This list does not satisfy that criteria."Qatar also said it is reviewing the demands and is preparing an official response after confirming the receipt of a document containing demands from several Arab countries that cut ties with it and imposed a blockade against it earlier this month amid a major diplomatic crisis."The state of Qatar is currently studying this paper, the demands contained therein and the foundations on which they were based, in order to prepare an appropriate response to it and hand it over to the state of Kuwait," QNA said, citing a statement by ministry of foreign affairs. aljazeera
Turkey dismisses demand to close Qatar military base
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/turkey-dismisses-demand-close-qatar-military-base-170623082705489.html
Turkey has rejected a call from four Arab countries to shut down its military base in Qatar, saying the base was a guarantor of security in the Gulf and demands for its closure represented interference in its ties with Doha.Defence Minister Fikri Isik told Turkish broadcaster NTV that he had not yet seen a request for the closure of the base, but made clear his country had no plans to review a 2014 agreement with Qatar which led to it being set up.His reaction comes after Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, boycotting Qatar over alleged support for "terrorism", reportedly issued a list of demands including closing down the military installation."If there is such a demand, it will mean interference in bilateral ties," Isik said in an interview on Friday."The base in Qatar is both a Turkish base and one that will preserve the security of Qatar and the region."It is an important military base and no country should be disturbed by it." aljazeera
Ultimatum on Qatar is 'violation of human rights': NHRC
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/ultimatum-qatar-violation-human-rights-nhrc-170623215645625.html
Qatar National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has called on Doha not to accept a list of demands submitted by four Arab countries, stating that it contains conditions that violate human rights conventions and other international and regional agreements."By accepting those demands and conditions Qatar will be subject to international accountability and violating its commitments regarding human rights conventions," NHRC said in a statement on Friday." aljazeera
Rights groups condemn demand to shut Al Jazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/media-watchdog-slams-demand-shut-al-jazeera-170623111049529.html
Press freedom and human rights advocates, journalists and social media users have condemned a demand by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to shut Al Jazeera network and other media outlets in Qatar.The Arab states reportedly issued a 13-point list on Friday, demanding the closure of all news outlets that it funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Mekameleen and Middle East Eye."We are really worried about the implication and consequences of such requirements if they will ever be implemented," said Alexandra El Khazen, head of Middle East and North Africa desk at Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organisation promoting press freedom. aljazeera
The Guardian: Attack on Al Jazeera must be resisted
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/guardian-attack-al-jazeera-resisted-170623195601811.html
WORLD
Saudi prince Khalid reveals ‘US conditions’ for Mohamed Bin Salman to be king
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170624-saudi-prince-reveals-us-conditions-for-mohamed-bin-salman-to-be-king/
Saudi Prince Khalid Bin Farhan al-Saud, who lives in Germany, has revealed what he claims are the US conditions for helping Mohamed Bin Salman to become King of Saudi Arabia before his father’s death, thenewkhalij.org reported on Friday. Writing on Twitter, Khalid said that he had received the information from an informed source within Saudi Arabia’s ruling family. Alleged conditions include “absolute obedience to the US and Israel and carrying out whatever they ask him to do.” 2 other conditions, claimed Khalid, are stated in return for helping Bin Salman take the throne before the death of his father: “Working to settle all Gaza residents in north Sinai as an alternative homeland and Saudi Arabia along with the UAE will afford the needed funds; getting rid of Hamas and whoever supports it; and getting Sanafir Island from Egypt.”Bin Farhan said that the last condition would make the Gulf of Aqaba international waters instead of Egyptian territorial waters, which would facilitate Israeli shipping to and from the port of Eilat. It would also help Israel to carry out a project planned to operate in parallel to the Suez Canal. A retainer of around $500 million is also involved, he claimed. middleeastmonitor
Saudi police 'foil Mecca Grand Mosque attack'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/saudi-police-foil-mecca-grand-mosque-attack-170623203257114.html
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have foiled a "terrorist action" targeting the Grand Mosque in Mecca, according to officials. Saudi interior ministry said in a statement on Friday that a man who planned to attack the mosque blew himself up when security forces surrounded a house in Mecca where he was hiding.At least 11 people, including five policemen, were wounded in the collapse of a three-storey building where the suspect had barricaded himself, the ministry said.Five other people, including one woman, were detained during the operation, it added.Video showed what appeared to be a man's head lying among rubble from a collapsed structure.
Israel approves 7,000 housing units in Jerusalem settlements
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170623-israel-approves-7000-housing-units-in-jerusalem-settlements/
Israeli PM’s Office gave the green light to the Planning and Building Committee in Jerusalem to discuss the approval of some 7,000 housing units in illegal settlement blocs, Israeli media reported.Israel Hayom paper reported Israel’s Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Meir Turjeman, who heads the committee saying the units include 3,400 housing units in the illegal Gilo settlement, and 2,190 in the illegal Har Homa settlement, 920 in the illegal Pisgat Zeev settlement, 500 in the illegal Ramat Shlomo settlement and 94 in the illegal settlement of Ramot. “Even if I need [to meet] the chairman of the local planning and building committee twice a week, I will do it in order to advance this important step,” Turjeman said.The Jewish Home party, Netanyahu’s coalition partner, added: “This is an important first stage, and we thank PM for unfreezing building in Jerusalem.” “We expect support for the unified Jerusalem law and the cessation of the serious construction plan in the Kfar Saba settlement,” it added in reference to the Palestinian town of Qalqilya in the occupied northern West Bank.middleeastmonitor
Construction of 500 new housing units in O.Jerusalem
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2017/6/24/Construction-of-500-new-housing-units-in-O-J-lem
Knesset passes draft bill to annex illegal W.Bank settlements
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170623-knesset-passes-draft-bill-to-annex-illegal-west-bank-settlements/
Israeli Knesset approved in its preliminary reading a draft law allowing the application of Israeli law in the illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, Israeli media reported. Haaretz said 48 Members of the Knesset supported the bill while 39 voted against it on Wednesday.MK, Bezalel Smotrich, of the right-wing Jewish Home party, who initiated the bill said the decision includes transferring petitions against illegal construction in the settlements to the administrative court instead of the Supreme Court.“What is right for the residents of Tel Aviv is true to the residents of the settlements of Beit El and Kedumim,” he said, adding that “there is no justification for discussing petitions for construction in the Supreme Court.” middleeastmonitor
Hamas armed wing : Arabs & Muslims have to eliminate the Israeli occupation
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2017/6/22/al-qassam-arabs-muslims-have-to-eliminate-the-israeli-occupation
Gaza(PIC):Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, called on Arabs and Muslims to adhere to unity and cooperation in order to eliminate the Israeli occupation and liberate Occupied Jerusalem and all Palestinian territories. The spokesman of al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obaidah, called on Arabs and Muslims, in tweets over his personal Twitter account on the occasion of International Quds Day, to remove “Israeli cancer” and to halt their side battles. Abu Obaidah hailed all activists and people who mark the International Quds Day and support the Palestinian people. He urged the massive crowds of the Arab and Muslim nation to commemorate this event.
Thousands of Iranians tread on Israeli flag on Quds Day
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2017/6/23/Thousands-of-Iranians-tread-on-Israeli-flag-on-Quds-Day
Tehran, (PIC):Thousands of Iranians took to the Streets on Friday to mark the International Quds Day.Reporting from Tehran, a PIC news correspondent said a series of rallies kicked out in Tehran and other Iranian cities starting 10:00 am.
Turkey to scrap Darwin’s ‘controversial & redundant’ theory of evolution from schoolbooks
https://www.rt.com/news/393821-turkey-evolution-theory-schools/
Turkey is set to drop the “controversial” theory of evolution from the high school curriculum to better reflect local and national values, making it the second predominantly Muslim country after Saudi Arabia to not teach students Darwin’s theory.Educators in Turkey argue that Charles Darwin’s theory is too complex for teenagers to understand and that they should wait until they enter college to be able to comprehend and discuss secular scientific discourse. Starting from the 2019 school year, biology textbooks will, therefore, ditch a national curriculum chapter about the concept.“We have excluded controversial subjects for students at an age unable yet to understand the issues’ scientific background. As the students at ninth grade are not endowed with antecedents to discuss the ‘Origin of Life and Evolution’ section in biology classes, this section will be delayed until undergraduate study,” head of the Education Ministry’s curriculum board, Alpaslan Durmus revealed this week, according to Hurriyet Daily. He added the new curriculum reflects the “local and national values” of Turkish society. The decision to drop Darwin got the thumbs up from the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.“We made the simplification of redundancies. Elements inappropriate to our values have been removed,” Durmus noted, as quoted by Turkish language Cumhuriyet. Rt.com
Multiple blasts,firing in 3 Pak cities leave 62 dead, 100 injured
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/06/23/multiple-blasts-and-firing-in-three-pakistani-cities-leave-62-de_a_22887561/?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Peshawar/Karachi:Twin blasts tore through a market crowded with Eid shoppers in a mainly Shia town, a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car and militants opened fire on police in separate attacks in Pakistan's three major cities today, killing 62 people and wounding nearly 100.The suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden car near Inspector General of Police Ehsan Mehboob's office in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, killing at least 13 people, including seven policemen, and wounding 21 others.13 people, including seven policemen, died in the suicide car bombing, officials said. Hours later, two back-to-back blasts tore through a market crowded with the people shopping for Eid in the Shia-dominated Parachinar city in the Kurram tribal region, killing at least 45 people, mostly Shias, and injuring 75 others.PTI
Majority of terrorists who have attacked America are not Muslim, new study finds
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/terrorism-right-wing-america-muslims-islam-white-supremacists-study-a7805831.html
Most of the designated terrorist groups in the US are right-wing extremists, not Muslim, according to a new report.A joint project by the Investigative Fund at the Nation Institute, a nonprofit media centre, and news outlet Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting took a look at the 201 designated terrorism incidents within the US from 2008 to 2016.The results: “right-wing extremists were behind nearly twice as many incidents” as terror acts associated with those identified as “Islamist domestic terrorism”.The report identified 63 incidents involving those “motivated by a theocratic political ideology espoused by such groups as the Islamic State”. In that time period, this includes the San Bernardino shootings and Boston Marathon bombings, among others. independent
US-led strikes in Syria 'kill 472 civilians in a month'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/led-strikes-syria-kill-472-civilians-month-170623191702940.html
At least 472 civilians, including 137 children, have been killed during the past month of US-led coalition air raids in Syria, a monitoring group said.Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday the period between May 23 and June 23 saw the highest civilian death toll in coalition raids for a single month since they began on Sept.23, 2014.UK-based monitor said the deaths were mainly in the provinces of Deir Az Zor and Raqqa. Raqqa City is the self-declared capital of the ISIL group in Syria.SOHR's head, Rami Abdel Rahman, said the fatalities included 222 civilians in Deir Az Zor, in eastern Syria, and 250 others in the north-eastern province of Raqqa." This is the highest civilian death toll in the US alliance air strikes since they [the coalition] began bombing in the country on Sept. 23, 2014," Abdel-Rahman said.The latest toll brought the number of civilian deaths from the US-led air raids in Syria to 1,953, he said. aljazeera
UN: More than 1,000 children killed in Iraq in 3 years
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170623-un-more-than-1000-children-killed-in-iraq-in-3-years/
Russia bars opposition leader from 2018 presidential bid
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/russia-bars-alexei-navalny-2018-presidential-bid-170624045154337.html
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
If BJP wins 2019, will there be a 2024 poll? Don’t underestimate RSS opposition to the idea of India: Salman Anees Soz, TOI
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/if-bjp-wins-2019-will-there-be-a-2024-election-dont-underestimate-rss-opposition-to-the-idea-of-india/
‘Saudi Arabia and Iran have a common interest in fighting IS … blockade has to do with Qatar links with Muslim Brotherhood’: DP Srivastava, Ex-Indian anvoy to Iran
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/saudi-arabia-and-iran-have-a-common-interest-in-fighting-is-blockade-has-to-do-with-qatar-links-with-muslim-brotherhood/
Saudi and the Brotherhood: From friends to foes
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/saudi-brotherhood-friends-foes-170623093039202.html
Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi new crown prince, has few choices but lots to do to solve Gulf crisis:Omair Anas
http://www.firstpost.com/world/mohammad-bin-salman-is-saudi-arabias-new-crown-prince-few-choices-but-lots-to-do-to-solve-gulf-crisis-3736771.html
Times Now runs a prime time story 'CaliphateConvertsHindus' based on a 7 year old photoshopped image:Pratik Sinha -
https://www.altnews.in/times-now-runs-prime-time-story-based-7-year-old-photoshopped-image/?utm_content=buffer0717a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Arnab Reacts to Quint Report, Claims Times Now Manipulating TRPs
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/06/24/arnab-reacts-to-quint-report-claims-times-now-manipulating-trp
Ram Nath Kovind v/s Meira Kumar: Media bias in TV coverage of the two candidates:Sam Jawed -
https://www.altnews.in/ram-nath-kovind-vs-meira-kumar-media-bias-tv-coverage-two-candidates/
Dalit for president: tokenism wins:Amulya Ganguli
http://caravandaily.com/portal/dalit-for-president-tokenism-wins/
How WhatsApp and Facebook were used to incite a mob to demolish a makeshift mosque in Delhi: Abhishek Dey
https://scroll.in/article/841461/tragedy-foretold-how-whatsapp-and-facebook-were-used-to-incite-a-mob-to-demolish-mosque-in-delhi
In drought-hit Tamil Nadu, new cattle trade rules threaten to decimate small farmers: Sruthisagar Yamunan
https://scroll.in/article/841222/in-drought-hit-tamil-nadu-new-cattle-trade-rules-threaten-to-decimate-small-farmers
India’s PM is not as much of a reformer as he seems But he is more of a nationalist firebrand: The Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21723830-he-more-nationalist-firebrand-indias-prime-minister-not-much-reformer
Most Wanted in Bhatkal? A gynaecologist, a few surgeons and some good teachers: TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jun23/411882.html
Kisan politics draws attention to a contradiction in Hindutva worldview: Christophe Jaffrelot
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-return-of-kisan-politics-4719127/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:46 PM)
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