Evening NEWS DIGEST
31 July 2017: 07 Zulqida 1438: Vol: 8, No:247
INDIA: IRAN, CHINA PAK & J&K
Iran-India row over Farzad B gas field: Tehran says not obliged to give deal after New Delhi threatens to cut crude oil imports
http://www.firstpost.com/india/iran-india-row-over-farzad-b-gas-field-tehran-says-not-obliged-to-give-deal-after-new-delhi-threatens-to-cut-crude-oil-imports-3875423.html
Despite optimism expressed by PM Narendra Modi and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani in the past on the Farzad B gas field, Tehran has said that it is under no obligation to award the Farzad B gas field to New Delhi, TOI reported. The report said that the latest development may be in retaliation to India's decision to cut crude oil imports from Iran. In May, India had taken the decision in response to the row between New Delhi and Tehran on development of the Farzad B gas field.To break the deadlock over the project, India also offered to invest $11 billion in the development of the gas field. However, the Majlis Energy Commission, the parliamentary committee on energy, said that while India and Iran have jointly conducted the technical surveys on Farzad B, there is no clause which mentions that the contract would ultimately be awarded to India, report noted."Under equal circumstances, this company (ONGC Videsh Ltd) could take priority. However, if there is a difference between the Indian company and other firms in terms of technology, technical knowhow and investment, Iran will, based on the independence and freedom that is has, choose the company which would best serve the country's national interests," Asadollah Gharekhani, an Iranian lawmaker was quoted by TOI as saying.The continuing deadlock over the development of the gas field in the strategically-located Persian Gulf prompted Iran to rethink its partnership with India and instead tie-up with Russia.HT reported that the Iranian petroleum minister Bijan Zanganeh pointed out Russia as a possible partner if the deal falls apart. " Indian side has failed to make an appropriate offer," Zanganeh was quoted as saying.However, India took a conciliatory approach and said that it would not mind if the project is not awarded to ONGC Videsh Ltd. Nevertheless, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged Iran to take a call over the deal. "Iran is a sovereign country and we expect that since we were with it during its challenging days, Iran should reciprocate. We will only make investment if we see returns,” Financial Express quoted Pradhan as saying. firstpost
Despite India's Rs 70,000-cr offer, Iran says 'not obliged to give Farzad-B gas field deal to New Delhi'
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world-despite-india-s-rs-70-000-cr-offer-iran-says-not-obliged-to-give-farzad-b-gas-field-deal-to-new-delhi-latest-breaking-news-today-394037
Chinese Soldiers Entered Uttarakhand's Barahoti Last Week: Home Ministry Officials
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chinese-soldiers-enter-uttarakhands-barahoti-last-week-home-ministry-officials-1731490?site=full
New Delhi:Some 50 Chinese soldiers entered into Uttarakhand's Barahoti last week and spent about two hours before going back, home ministry sources said on Monday. The incident took place on July 25 Tuesday, around 9 am. The Chinese entered 1 km into Indian territory and allegedly ordered cattle herders to leave with their animals. Last year, there was a similar transgression by fewer Chinese soldiers, also in July.Officials say there have been many such transgressions as both sides have different perceptions of the Line of Actual Control.This year, however, it has taken place at a time India and China are locked in a massive standoff at the border in Sikkim, the longest between the two countries since the 1962 war.2 days after Chinese soldiers entered Barahoti, India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Beijing and met with the Chinese leadership including President Xi Jinping. Doval highlighted "major problems" in ties during his meetings.Doval's meeting with President Jinping has not resulted in the defusing of tension. com
‘Pak blocked UK bid to catch suspects in 1984 Indian diplomat’s murder case’
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/declassified-files-reveal-pakistan-stonewalled-uk-in-indian-diplomat-s-1984-murder/story-xdiVG6kNfx0blUefnmYOqM.html
London: 3 suspects in the Feb.1984 murder of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre had fled to Pakistan but Islamabad repeatedly denied their presence or cited difficulties in tracing them to British authorities seeking their extradition, newly declassified files show. Posted in India’s consulate in Birmingham, Mhatre, 48, was kidnapped by elements owing allegiance to a Kashmir-based militant group on February 3 and body was found in nearby Leicestershire two days later.3 people were convicted and jailed in Britain.Documents released by Britain’s national archives reveal that the West Midlands police had provided locations of the three suspects in PoK, but officials in Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) stonewalled UK efforts to apprehend them.In August 1984, Britain requested the Pakistan Govt , then headed by Gen Zia-ul-Haq, to initiate extradition proceedings against the three. The documents state that the Govt agreed to the request “should it be established that the accused are in Pakistan”. hindustantimes
Pak terror funding case: NIA conducts raid at Devinder Singh's residence
http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-258798.html
Srinagar: NIA on Monday conducted a raid at the house of the Chairman of JK Social Peace Forum (JKSPF), Devinder Singh Behl, in connection with terror funding case in Nowshera. NIA yesterday interrogated Behl at his residence over his suspected connections with separatist elements.NIA also conducted searches at various premises of Behl, who is also a member of the legal cell of the Hurriyat.He is a close associate of a top Hurriyat leader and regularly attends funerals of militants. During the searches, NIA team recovered four mobile phones, one tablet, other electronic devices, incriminating documents, financial papers and some other articles.NIA is investigating into his role as courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to the separatist leaders from Pakistan based handlers.Earlier on Wednesday, separatist leader and DFP chairman Shabir Shah, was sent to a 7-day ED custody in connection with a terror-funding case. On July 24, NIA arrested 7 separatists over money laundering charges for funding terror in the Kashmir Valley. All 7 separatist leaders - Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate - were later sent to 10-day NIA custody.ANI
Called For Questioning, Syed Ali Shah Geelani's Son Admitted In Hospital
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/summoned-for-questioning-syed-ali-shah-geelanis-son-admitted-in-hospital-1731522
Srinagar: The investigations into terror funding in J&K have now drawn the sons of separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani's sons into its ambit. Reports say the NIA has summoned both his sons for questioning, but they may not be appearing before the agency soon. Naeem Geelani, elder of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was to be questioned today, was admitted in Srinagar's hospital on Sunday after he complained of chest pains. NDTV
Govt shouldn’t only target those who don’t agree with it: Naseem Geelani
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-shouldnt-only-target-those-who-dont-agree-with-it-naseem-geelani/
Srinagar :Naseem Geelani, younger son of hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani, today said the Govt shouldn’t only “target” those who don’t agree with it and that the same yardstick should be used for everybody. Naseem has been summoned by NIA in connection with investigations into the funding of subversive activities in Kashmir.“Accountability is good but there should be same yardstick. Don’t target only those people who don’t agree with you,” he said in a Facebook post. “(It should be) same for all politicians, you must not have forgotten name of Palm Jumaria Dubai and many more. At least we are ready, what about others?” he asked.PTI
Hizbul commander attends militant’s funeral, cautions people about al-Qaeda
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hizbul-commander-attends-militant-s-funeral-cautions-people-about-al-qaeda/story-Jnd1RT5FyD014VY2e1ZpnN.html
Srinagar:Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo was spotted at Sunday’s funeral of an operative of the outfit who was among two militants killed in a shootout with security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.Naikoo, a 30-year-old postgraduate, is said to have told the crowd at the funeral that the Kashmiri separatist movement has nothing to do with global terrorist groups, al-Qaeda and Islamic State.Thousands of people gathered at the funeral of Shariq Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Takuna in Pulwama. The other slain militant was Shabir Ahmad Mir of neighbouring Anantnag district.The killings triggered protests in Pulwama and an unaccounted number of people were wounded in police action to disperse the crowds.Valley paper Greater Kashmir on its website published a picture of Naikoo addressing the mourners and cautioning them about “efforts being made to defame the Kashmir freedom struggle”.“The Pakistani flag is our flag. Linking our struggle with al-Qaeda and IS is a ploy to defame it,” the news daily quoted Naikoo saying. hindustantimes
J&K: ‘militants’ loot over Rs 5 lakh from Anantnag bank
https://scroll.in/latest/845629/jammu-and-kashmir-suspected-militants-loot-more-than-rs-5-lakh-from-a-bank-in-anantnag
3 masked gunmen, believed to be Hizbul Mujahideen militants, looted Rs 5.2 lakh from a J&K Bank branch in Arwani village of Anantnag district on Monday, the police said. The assailants were wearing a burqa, reported India Today. Eyewitness said the three men brandished their weapons and ran away after stealing the cash, the publication reported.Police said they used CCTV footage to establish the link between the accused and the Hizbul Mujahideen. scroll
J&K violence dents economy, over 5% dip in credit growth in 9 Valley districts
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-violence-dents-economy-over-5-dip-in-credit-growth-in-9-valley-districts-4774831/
New Delhi:Unrest in J&K over the last year severely dented economic activity and credit growth across nine districts in the Valley, which were affected the most by the turmoil, according to data available with Reserve Bank of India. RBI data show that credit growth across these districts, including Srinagar, fell below 5 % for the quarter ended March 2017. While the year-on-year credit growth in Srinagar stood at 8.37% in the quarter ended March 2016, it fell to 0.34% in the quarter ended March 2017, which was lowest among the 22 districts in the state. In Shopian, it fell from 10.25% to 1.15% in the same period and in Anantnag, from a high of 20.6% to 7.35% .The story is similar across Samba, Baramulla, Bandipore, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Badgam and Pulwama. An economic expert in Srinagar said that the unrest since the middle of 2016 appears to have had a bigger impact as it followed the 2014 floods, which made a severe dent on the state’s economy. “Almost everything has come to a standstill over the last one year. Historically, tourism-oriented sectors, such as hotels, transportation, handicraft and horticulture, have been the major sectors driving credit growth. But with decline in tourism over the last one year, all these sectors have suffered,” said the expert.TOI
LYNCHING, COMMUNALISM & POLITICS
2 accused in Dadri lynching case gets bail; father praises BJP govt in UP
http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/2-accused-in-bisada-lynching-case-gets-bail-father-praises-bjp-govt-in-up/story-or1Hi3GIp1SnUGudNznzTM.html
Noida:Vishal Rana (21) and Hari Om (26), accused in 2015 lynching of Mohammad Ikhlaq in Bisada for allegedly slaughtering a cow, was granted bail by the Allahabad high court on Monday. Vishal’s father Sanjay Rana (47), a local BJP leader, said his son “got justice” because Uttar Pradesh “has a BJP Govt ”.“Though Govt has no say in court’s decision, it ensured justice is done,” he said, and claimed that in the previous regime, officials were did not ensure fair investigation. Sanjay also claimed that “the whole village, including Muslims, were happy over the bail of my son”.“I do not have any grouse against my Muslim brothers. I am annoyed over Ikhlaq’s family, who slaughtered a cow and later made my family victim for it. It was a mob that attacked the family and I have suffered for it,” he claimed. hindustantimes
Junaid Khan’s family wonders how is the accused who was given bail less guilty? indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/faridabad-lynching-their-only-question-how-is-he-less-guilty4774844/
Khandawali: “He held me and my brothers and dragged us towards the man who was going to stab us. How is he any less guilty than the main culprit?” asks Shaqir Khan, 23, brother of 15-year-old Junaid, who was stabbed to death over a month ago. News of one of the accused, Chander Parkash, being granted bail three days ago by a Faridabad court has left him disappointed and angry.When Shaqir reached Ballabhgarh station, he too was dragged in and stabbed. His father Jalaluddin says, “Man who helped kill my son is now roaming free. He got bail in a month. We are scared.”He adds, “When PM Modi gave that speech, we were hopeful of getting justice but not anymore. We have lost faith in Govt. Today, they’ve granted him bail, tomorrow they will say Junaid has no stab wounds. Kuch bhi kar sakte hai, inki niyat mein hi khot hai.”
Accused in Junaid Khan’s train lynching granted bail
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/accused-in-junaid-khans-train-lynching-granted-bail-4773531/
Faridabad Lynching: A scattered Junaid family fights fear, financial woes
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/faridabad-lynching-a-scattered-junaid-family-fights-fear-financial-woes-4774840/
Khandawali : Even as Chander Parkash — an accused in the Faridabad lynching case — got relief after he was granted bail by a Faridabad court earlier this week, things have not looked up for Junaid Khan’s family since he was stabbed to death on June 22. Almost 40 days after the incident, a financial crisis has hit the Khans of Khandawali as the earning members of the family have lost their livelihood.The stab wounds on the neck and the chest have rendered Junaid’s brother, Shaqir Khan, unemployed. The 23-year-old was a driver with a private company until last month, but the events that unfolded on June 22 changed his life. His father, Jalaluddin, too has lost his job. He too used to drive a car for a company but the owner has hired a new driver. His eldest son, Ismail, 24, has stopped plying his auto “out of fear”. indianexpress
RSS activist murder: CPM, BJP shake hands to prevent violence, all-party meet on August 6
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-activists-murdered-kerala-chief-minister-pinarayi-vijayan-calls-for-all-party-meet-on-august-6-bjp-cpm-4775311/
New Delhi;Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan called for an all-party meeting on August 6 in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the series of violent incidents involving members of BJP-RSS and CPI-M workers. Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with the BJP and RSS leaders, Vijayan said peace meetings would be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Kannur. “After the recent incident, it was decided that meeting between leaders of all political parties be held and it will be done district wise,” he said.IeMalayalam reports that it was decided at the meeting to ensure that violence is not repeated with clear instructions to all party workers on both sides not to engage in any violence.Meanwhile, a video that is going viral shows the CM asking journalists to leave the room where the meeting was supposed to take place. A visbily unhappy CM is seen asking the journalists to come out of the room. CM and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan are seen waiting for the journalists to troop out of the room. indianexpress
After a brutal killing of their worker, RSS groups spread fake video; Kerala Police warns of action
http://en.southlive.in/southly/2017/07/30/rss-spreads-fake-video-claiming-that-of-karyavahak-killed-in-thiruvanathapuram
After an RSS Karyavahak was hacked to death on Saturday night at Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, a fake graphic video of a brutal killing is being spread by some groups and persons having allegiance to Sangh Parivar as that of the RSS men killed.One of the persons who shared the video, Devdutta Maji, describes himself as Vice President of Hindu Samhati. “A Nagar Karyavah Rajesh Ji was brutally killed by communists in Thiruvananthapuram. Chopped off his hands and stabbed for 10’s of times.But don't worry, Netas are safe in Nagpur and Delhi,” he writes on his Facebook profile. The video has already shared more than 2500 times.Meanwhile, taking serious note of the video, Kerala DGP Lokanath Behera has warned that those who spread the video will be booked under relevant penal sections.The video has also been shared to several Sangh Parivar Facebook groups.The video, which was taken from an overseas website, shows body a person with both hands chopped off lying in pool blood with many stabs on his body. The body in the video also shows the face and it is apparently clear that it not of Rajesh, the man killed yesterday. The clippings has a title which reads: “Support Hindu Samhati to stop anti-Hindu pogrom.” southlive
Lok Sabha debates mob lynching: ‘Hindustan’ should not become ‘lynchistan, says Congress; states must also act, replies BJP: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindustan-lynchistan-mob-lynching-lok-sabha-debate-congress-bjp-mallikarjun-kharge-4775959/
New Delhi:Opposition and centre were locked in a bitter exchange of words over the issue of mob lynching in Lok Sabha on Monday. While Congress accused the Narendra Modi led Govt of encouraging organisations behind the violence in the garb of cow vigilantism, BJP slammed the opposition for repeatedly targeting it saying many cases cited by them are sub-judice.Initiating a discussion on the issue of mob lynching in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said ‘Hindustan’ should not be allowed to become “lynchistan”. He also said that violence in the name of religion and cow protection began only after BJP assumed power. “There is an atmosphere of fear and terror across the country, which has brought a bad name to India in the world” said the leader. Holding Hindutva groups like Bajrang Dal and VHP responsible for the violence Kharge said, “Why are incidents of mob violence increasing so rapidly? Who is allowing groups such as the Bajrang Dal and VHP to flourish? It is also being done so that your ideology and philosophy could be established in the country,” the Congress leader said, pointing to the BJP’s “links” with these outfits.He also read out a list of the violence carried out in the name of cow vigilantism. He also said the states of Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, where BJP Govt s were in power, have become hubs of mob lynching. Kharge also referred to the Faridabad lynching in which Junaid Khan was killed. Condemning his death, the Congress leader said that people from Hindutva organisations are taking law into their own hands to kill people over beef. Accusing the Govt of double speaking on violence, Kharge said the Kerala governor had summoned the DGP on the murder of a BJP worker, but no such action was taken when people were killed in other states. Sougata Roy of Trinamool Congress quoted the findings of a magazine to say that between 2010-2017 there were 63 incidents of mob violence in the name of cow protection. He also demanded a separate law — “Manav Suraksha Kanoon”(human protection law) — to deal with incidents of lynching, saying that there are no enough mechanisams now. He also agreed to Kharge’s remarks that VHP and Bajrang Dal were leading the mob violence. Roy referred to the killing of Mohammad Akhlaq, Pehlu Khan and Junaid Khan and said it took long time for the state and central Govt s to condemn such lynching incidents. He maintained that the PM has made “just two statements” — one in 2016 and the other a few days ago — and asked, “Why did it take him so long?”Asaduddin Owaisi, President of AIMIM, meanwhile, took a jibe at the Modi Govt saying, mob lynching will continue to be a part of India as long as BJP is at the helm of power. BJD leader Tathagat Satpathy also crticised the incidents of mob violence and said that rural economy is getting damaged by incidents of lynching as an economic cycle has been stopped.
#UnitedAgainstHate: Impressive Bike Rally Taken out against Lynching
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/unitedagainsthate-impressive-bike-rally-taken-out-against-lynching
New Delhi: With the sole motive of uniting the society against communal hatred and culture of lynching, peace activists took out an impressive bike rally in Delhi on Sunday. Besides Delhi, such rallies were taken out in dozens of other cities in different states.Concerned with the growing trend of lynching that is result of communal hatred, the activists took out the bike rally from Mandi House area in the heart of Delhi to Nuh in Haryana - the state which has witnessed two deaths in lynching in the last 4 months.Wearing white T-shirts with #UnitedAgainstHate printed on them, the youths were shouting slogans, on and off, against politics of hate, lynching and cow vigilantism.Some were carrying the National Flag - Tiranga on the bonnet of their bikes. Eminent social leaders, politicians and student leaders who flagged off the bike rally included Father M D Thomas, Bhai Paramjeet Singh, Swami Agnivesh, Harsh Mandar, Nivedita Menon, Ali Anwar, Shehla Rashid, Manoj Jha, Gauhar Raza, Aditya Nigam, Apoorvanand Jha, Yogendra Yadav, Anil Chamadia and Mohit Panday. IndiaTomorrow
'United against hate' bike rally sets off for Mewat from Delhi
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/united-against-hate-bike-rally-sets-off-for-mewat-from-delhi-1731189
Rajya Sabha passes the amended Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliament-live-updates-monsoon-session-july-31-2017/article19395015.ece?homepage=true
Lok Sabha was adjourned after discussions. No bills passed; Rajya Sabha passed the amended version of the Constitutional Amendment Bill according constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes with amendments.Lok Sabha on Monday discussed the issue of mob violence and lynchings in detail, with the Congress demanding answers about action taken so far. Several Bills were also introduced in the LS, including the GST Bills for J&K .Rajya Sabha passed the amended version of the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 and The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 after intense discussion about the Clause III of the Bill. Bill was finally passed without Clause III.The Hindu
It takes hackers less than 90 seconds to break into EVMs at global conference
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/90-seconds-break-evms/139817/
It took less than 90 seconds for hackers to break into the electronic voting machines at the Def Con hacking conference in Las Vegas over the weekend.A report by website The Register said that ‘the first cracks in the systems’ defenses started appearing within 90 seconds, revealing an embarrassing low level of security before a machine was hacked wirelessly.Jake Braun, who originally sold the idea for such conference, said, “Without question, our voting systems are weak and susceptible. Thanks to the contributions of the hacker community today, we’ve uncovered even more about exactly how.“The scary thing is we also know that our foreign adversaries – including Russia, North Korea, Iran – possess the capabilities to hack them too, in the process undermining principles of democracy and threatening our national security.” US had invested heavily into exploring the options of adopting EVMs particularly after the counting disaster in 2000 Presidential elections. Latest development on the hackability of the EVMs assumes significance in light of the raging debate in India over the machines’ questionable credibility. EVMs are being used for all elections in India and the machines came under heavy scanner after the assembly elections were conducted in 5 states, UP, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur in February-March this year.Many rival political parties had blamed the hacking of EVMs for the unprecedented victory of the BJP in UP after it won 325 lout of 403 assembly seats.This had prompted the Election Commission to invite political parties for hackathon but they were not allowed to tinker with the motherboards of the machines. The challenge to hack EVMs was also restricted to Indian nationals.These conditions had prompted several leading political parties to pull out of the hackathon challenge.Janta Ka Reporter
BJP offering Rs 15 crore, poll tickets: Gujarat Congress MLAs
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-offering-rs-15-crore-poll-tickets-gujarat-congress-mlas-4774816/
Bengaluru: A group of 42 Congress MLAs from Gujarat, who are holed up in a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru to escape alleged poaching attempts by the ruling BJP in Gujarat ahead of Rajya Sabha polls, put up a united front Sunday and sought to dispel perception that many of them were being held against their wishes. They also claimed to have the support of the requisite 45 MLAs necessary for ensuring that Ahmed Patel, senior Congress leader and aide to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, is elected again to Rajya Sabha in next week’s polls. Congress spokesperson and MLA from Abdasa constituency, Shaktisinh Gohil, who addressed the media at the Magnolia Resort said the MLAs were not in their constituencies after the floods because they were being poached by the BJP with allurements such as Rs 15 crore and tickets to contest the forthcoming Assembly polls.“BJP is using below-the-belt tactics to lure the MLAs. They are using the threat of IT raids and the CBI to target the MLAs. Until now, this was not being done but with the Rajya Sabha polls around the corner they have started it,” Gohil said. He dismissed reports that the Congress MLAs were being forced to part with their mobile phones and live in semi-captivity in Bengaluru.“Game of BJP is to get 22 of the 57 MLAs of the Congress. 6 have resigned and 7 more have been lured but they have not resigned and they are having some doubts. I would like to appreciate the MLAs here who have not succumbed to offer of Rs 15 crore or threats,’’ he said. According to Gohil, BJP began targeting Congress MLAs after winning over the party’s chief whip and then a tribal MLA. “Tribal MLA was made to sit in a vehicle by a police officer who was earlier accused of involvement in a fake encounter and was offered Rs 15 crore and the guarantee of a ticket to contest the next polls. After they won the MLA, who is a simple person, they began using him to target other MLAs,” Gohil alleged. indianexpress
'No one capable enough to compete with Modi': Nitish on 2019 polls
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tried-my-best-to-save-grand-alliance-but-was-left-with-no-other-choice-nitish-kumar/articleshow/59846547.cms
New Delhi: In a verbal pat on the back to new ally BJP, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said on Monday that no person or political party has the ability to challenge PM Narendra Modi in the 2019 general election."Given the current political scenario, no one can compete with Narendra Modi,"Nitish said.Elaborating on what went on behind the scenes after the CBI filed a graft case and conducted raids on the Yadav's properties, Nitish said he had tried to ignore the furor in the media. But soon fingers were pointed at him+ for not taking action against the accused.He said he had tried to save the grand alliance but was forced to break away after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family refused to come clean on the corruption allegations against them."I didn't have a choice, I tolerated everything. But when the corruption allegations were made, it created a hubbub not only in the state but on a national level," Nitish said at the press conference."The media was reporting a lot about the case but I tried to ignore that and continued working. I thought this happens in an alliance. Then, people started questioning, they have a zero tolerance policy for corruption, so what will they do now?" said Nitish. timesofindia
JD(U)'s Sharad Yadav describes Nitish's decision as unfortunate, says it's against Bihar people's mandate
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/jdus-sharad-yadav-breaks-silence-on-nitish-kumars-decision-says-its-against-bihar-peoples-mandate-3876703.html
JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav finally broke his silence on JD(U)'s tie-up with BJP in Bihar on Monday describing it as "unfortunate" and said he did not agree with the decision taken by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar."I don't agree with the decision in Bihar. It is unfortunate," Sharad told reporters outside Parliament."The mandate of the people (in Bihar in 2015) was not for this," the Rajya Sabha member said on Nitish's decision to end the two-year Mahagathbandhan between the JD(U), and RJD and the Congress in the state.He had so far only tweeted his criticism of the BJP-led central Govt . firstpost
No new slaughterhouse in Bihar, total ban on cow slaughter: Minister
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-new-slaughterhouse-in-bihar-total-ban-on-cow-slaughter-minister/story-2zfaoDTCPGHWLpauSLYTVL.html
Patna:Newly appointed animal husbandry minister Pashupati Kumar Paras on Monday said no new slaughter house will be opened in Bihar and that there will be a total ban on cow slaughter.“No new slaughter houses will be opened and there will be a total ban on cow slaughter,” Paras said, adding that his department would not issue any licenses to set up new slaughter houses in the state.Paras, younger brother of Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan, was inducted by CM Nitish Kumar in his cabinet on Saturday. hindustantimes
Chhattisgarh to start ambulance service for cows:CM
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-to-start-ambulance-service-for-cows-announces-cm-raman-singh/story-mosY0g1m8ulVJruqzgIJ1H.html
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Govt will begin an ambulance service for cows, CM Raman Singh said, joining a number of BJP-ruled states to put a stronger focus on protection of the animal that is considered sacred by Hindus.The service will be started in ten districts in the next few months, Singh said, addressing a programme organised by the state’s commission for protection of cows at Pandit Ravi Shankar University on Sunday.HT
Besides buying forest land, Chhattisgarh minister wife also encroached on 13.9 hectares of govt land
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/besides-buying-forest-land-chhattisgarh-minister-wife-also-encroached-on-13-9-hectares-of-govt-land-4774813/
Raipur :Last Wednesday, hours after Indian Express reported that 4.12 hectares of forest land have been acquired in Chhattisgarh for a resort by Sarita Agrawal, the wife of State Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, CM Raman Singh sought an official report on the deal. Officials have now found that 13.9 hectares of Govt land was encroached upon for the project.Investigations by Mahasamund district revenue officials have also found that notices red-flagging the “encroachment” were sent four months ago to Aditya Srijan Pvt Ltd, the company which acquired the land and has Sarita Agrawal and Abhishek Agrawal, the son of Brijmohan Agrawal, as its directors.Replying to the notice through its representatives, the company struck a defiant note and stated that they wanted to retain this parcel of Govt land, which they claimed was within their property’s boundaries. In exchange, records show, they offered to give the Govt another tract. indianexpress
Majority of Muslims in India are descendants of Hindus: BJP MP Hukumdev Yadav
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/muslims-in-india-are-descendants-of-hindus-says-bjp-mp-hukumdev-narayan-yadav-4775675/
New Delhi:Majority of Muslims in India are descendants of Hindus, a BJP member claimed in the Lok Sabha on Monday while asking both the communities to respect each other’s sentiment. Participating in a debate on lynchings, Hukumdev Narayan Yadav slammed the opposition for targeting the central Govt over incidents of lynchings, saying PM Narendra Modi has repeatedly come out strongly against such acts.He raised the issue of killing of RSS workers in Kerala, which is ruled by Left Front Govt . Yadav asserted that the responsibility of containing mob violence is that of the state Govts.PTI
OTHERS
Fabrication of evidence serious offence: SC in 2002 Gujarat riot case
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/fabrication-of-evidence-serious-offence-sc-in-post-godhra-riots-case-gujarat-2002-riots-4776056/
New Delhi : A high-voltage hearing was on Monday witnessed in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence in a 2002 post-Godhra riot case in the Supreme Court which asked a volley of questions to social activist Teesta Setalvad for opposing a probe against her former aide Rais Khan Pathan. The SC was hearing the appeal filed by Setalvad and her NGO, CJP, against a decision of the Gujarat High Court upholding a magisterial court order for a probe against Pathan. “It is a serious offence whosoever has done it. Either they (Setalvad and her NGO, CJP) are wrong or Pathan is wrong. We will look into it,” a bench of justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Setalvad, questioned procedure adopted for continuing with the probe against Pathan when his petition to become a court witness was dismissed. However, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the Gujarat Govt and Pathan respectively, said Setalvad and her NGO have no locus standi in the criminal case as they were not parties to the matter either in the high court or the trial court. After hearing the matter partly, the bench posted it for hearing to Aug.21, saying it would examine the matter on the question of law. It refused to grant four weeks to Setalvad to keep ready the compilations, brief notes and synopsis of the matter.When Sibal sought more time, bench said it will “vacate the stay on the high court order and allow the investigation to continue and list the matter after 6 months”.PTI
Bhagwad Gita next to Kalam statue raises furore, grandnephew places Quran and Bible in response
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bhagwad-gita-next-kalam-statue-raises-furore-grandson-places-quran-and-bible-response-65994
Merely 2 days after a grand opening of Abdul Kalam memorial in Rameswaram, controversy broke out over a Bhagavad Gita copy that was placed in front of a statue of the former President. Kalam's grandnephew in response, kept a copy of the Quran and the Bible, on Sunday, along with the Hindu text, in what he claims to be an effort to avoid further speculation regarding the matter. MDMK founder Vaiko brought up the matter on Saturday while addressing the media in Ezhumpur. He asked, why a statue of Abdul Kalam playing the Veena was present in the memorial and claimed that it was not right to place a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in front of the statue. The veteran politician alleged that this was against the values of secularism that the former President stood for. Talking to The News Minute Kalam's grandnephew Salim said, "Kalam has never liked such controversy. So it was my duty to end it. These texts were already in a glass box near the statue and due to the haste with which the memorial was completed, it couldn't be placed there. And since the public keep visiting, it seemed like a better idea to showcase them in the glass box." Vaiko, however, was not convinced. In a telephonic interview to Puthiya Thalaimurai, he said, "If they had kept the Tirukkural nobody would have questioned it. Kalam is known to have spread messages of that scripture. But making the Bhagavad Gita part of that installation shows that there is a Hindutva agenda in place."He further added, "Salim may have placed the other books with good intention but can he represent all the other religions in this way as well? What about the Sikhs, the Zoroastrians and others?"Salim, however, rebutted this claim by stating that a library will soon be open to the public, with all the books Kalam has read. The News Minute
Kalam wasn't a Muslim: Islamic leader
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/apj-abdul-kalam-muslim-statue-memorial-tamil-nadu-late-president-quran-tamil-nadu-thowheed-jamath-jainulabudeen/1/1015045.html
Even before the controversy over placing the Bible and Quran near late president APJ Abdul Kalam's statue could subside, a pro-Muslim group leader has come up with a shocking statement claiming that Abdul Kalam was not even a Muslim. Jainulabudeen, leader of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath alleged that Kalam was not a Muslim as he prayed to idols and respected naked sadhus."Before he became a president, nobody knew him. He was just another scientist in the crowd. BJP and the Sangh noticed him and lack of his objection to praying to idols or getting blessings from Sankarachariyar. This is why they made him the president," he alleged.He went ahead and claimed that Abdul Kalam just had a Muslim name and that Thowheed Jamath will not protest for not placing a Quran in his memorial. indiatoday
Imams affiliated to Delhi Wakf Board not getting salaries: Sources
http://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/imams-affiliated-to-delhi-wakf-board-not-getting-salaries-sources-255161
New Delhi:Delhi Wakf Board (DWB) affiliated mosque's Imam and thousands of widows are not getting their salary and widow's pensions since past three months as the board has become completely defunctional, when former lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung had dissolved it and set up a CBI inquiry in October last year. According to DWB source, almost 350 old mosques are registered under Delhi Wakf Board while, more than 300 mosques Imam and Moazines get monthly salary from it. Read This - Why reports on 300% rise in Shah's assets vanished, asks AAP On Oct.7 last year, L-G declared the reconstitution of the board and announced the appointment of its CEO and members as illegal and void ab initio, superseded as per procedure, and that it would be administered by a special secretary-level bureaucrat through an additional charge. The appointments in question were made by AAP's Okhla MLA Amantullah Khan. During the past 11 months, the Wakf board is getting bad to worse in context of Widow's Pension as well as Imam Salaries. Some members said that after the Imams and widows got their dues just before Eid in June ,2017. The Board could not disburse salary of Imams and widows pensions millenniumpost
Sedition case: Azam Khan has not mended his ways, says Attorney-General
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sedition-case-azam-khan-has-not-mended-his-ways-says-attorney-general-kk-venugopal/article19396814.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:Trouble may be brewing for Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan with his controversial statement calling the brutal Bulandshahr gangrape as a “political conspiracy” coming back to haunt him.Appearing before a Bench led by Justice Dipak Misra, Attorney-General KK Venugopal highlighted how Mr. Khan had not mended his ways even after rendering an apology to the Supreme Court and was recently booked for sedition for allegedly making statements against Army. Attorney-General said, by calling the brutal crime a “political conspiracy,” Khan chose to brand the victims — a woman and her 14-year-old daughter — as “liars.” Venugopal, who was called by the Bench to assist the court, said the "atrocious" statement made by Khan was actually a message to the police to close its investigation. thehindu
Bulandshahr gang rape case: SC to examine revival of case against Azam Khan
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bulandshahr-gang-rape-case-sc-to-examine-revival-of-case-against-azam-khan/articleshow/59850107.cms
SC grants Mahdani permission to attend son’s marriage
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-grants-abdul-nasser-madani-permission-to-attend-sons-marriage-4775473/
New Delhi:PDP chairman Abdul Nasser Mahdani has got permission from the Supreme Court to attend the marriage function of his son. He will be released from August 1 to 14, however, will have to foot the bill for his security in Kerala during the period.Mahdani had moved the apex court after the Bangalore NIA court gave him permission only to meet his elderly parents, but not to attend the marriage. The function is scheduled to be held at Thalassery on August 9. indianexpress
WORLD
Iraq's influential Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr makes rare Saudi visit, meets with newly crowned Prince
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/iraq-muqtada-al-sadr-rare-saudi-visit-170731073908238.html
Iraq's influential Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has made a rare visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials.Sadr's office released a statement on Sunday, saying he had been invited to the kingdom.He was greeted by Thamer al-Sabhan, Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to Iraq, on his arrival in the kingdom on Sunday. Sadr, who last visited Saudi Arabia in 2006, attended "discussions of common interest" during his trip to the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. "We have been very pleased with what we found to be a positive breakthrough in the Saudi-Iraqi relations, and we hope it is the beginning of the retreat of sectarian strife in the Arab-Islamic region," a statement from Sadr’s office said. Iraq and Saudi Arabia agreed last month to set up a coordination council to upgrade strategic ties as part of an attempt to heal troubled relations between the Arab neighbours.Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2015 following a 25-year break. In Feb.this year, Adel al-Jubeir made a rare visit to Baghdad, marking the first official visit by a Saudi foreign minister to Iraq since 1990.Saudi Arabia is concerned about the influence of its rival Iran in Iraq, which backs Shia fighters battling the ISIL group there.Sadr is among those who have called for the Shia fighters to be disbanded. Sadr, an anti-American Shia leader, commands a large following among the urban poor of Baghdad and the southern cities, including Saraya al-Islam, or Peace Brigades militia. aljazeera
Anti-Qatar bloc opens ‘emergency routes’ to Qatari planes
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/anti-qatar-bloc-opens-emergency-routes-to-qatari-planes/article19396218.ece?homepage=true
dubai: 4 Arab states that have cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar said that they have opened up air routes that Qatari planes can use in case of emergency.UAE’ foreign ministry said that 9 corridors were being opened in coordination with International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO. PTI
Qatar denies Arab states’ air corridor claim
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/qatar-denies-arab-states-air-corridor-claim-170730202957789.html
Qatar has denied Saudi media reports that Arab states would allow Qatari planes to use air corridors in emergencies, saying they were spreading "false information".Qatar's transport and communications ministry and its aviation authority on Sunday denied claims that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain had taken such a decision, state QNA reported. aljazeera
Qatar rebuts Saudi 'Hajj politicisation' claim
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/qatari-rebuts-saudi-hajj-politicisation-claim-170731060458375.html
Qatar's foreign minister has rebutted accusations by his Saudi counterpart that Qatar is trying to politicise the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, appeared to accuse Qatar on Sunday of politicising the issue and "declaring a war" against the kingdom by demanding the internationalisation of the Hajj pilgrimage.The claim was rejected by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in an interview with Al Jazeera. aljazeera
Saudi foreign minister calls internationalisation of Muslim Hajj pilgrimage a declaration of war: Reuters
http://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/saudi-arabia-foreign-minister-calls-internationalisation-of-muslim-hajj-pilgrimage-a-declaration-of-war/787114/
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister called Qatar’s demands for an internationalisation of the Muslim hajj pilgrimage a declaration of war against the kingdom, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Sunday, although it was unclear whether Qatar had actually made any such demand. “Qatar’s demands to internationalize the holy sites is aggressive and a declaration of war against the kingdom,” Adel al-Jubeir was quoted saying on Al Arabiya’s website. “We reserve the right to respond to anyone who is working on the internationalisation of the holy sites,” he said.However, it was unclear whether Qatar made the demand. It did accuse the Saudis of politicizing Hajj and addressed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion on Saturday, expressing concern about obstacles facing Qataris who want to attend hajj this year. No one from the Qatari Govt was immediately available for comment.
Turkey's Saadet Party protest as thousands of people rally in Istanbul against Israel's Al-Aqsa mosque measures
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-thousands-rally-in-istanbul-against-israel-s-al-aqsa-mosque-measures-2518621
Thousands of people rallied in Turkey's largest city on Sunday against security measures Israel has imposed at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, shortly after Israel removed other measures that led to two weeks of violent Palestinian protests. Rally in Istanbul, called" Big Jerusalem Meeting" and organised by Turkey's Saadet Party, drew some five thousand people to Yenikapi parade ground on the southern edge of Istanbul. Protesters were brought in by buses and ferries from across city, waved Turkish and Palestinian flags, and held up posters in front of a giant stage where the chairman of the Saadet party and representatives from NGOs addressed crowd. Reuters
Thousands to be evacuated from Lebanon-Syria border
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/lebanon-syria-border-deal-170731130956132.html
Convoys of buses are waiting to transfer thousands of Syrian fighters and refugees from Lebanon's border region into rebel territory in Syria in exchange for Hezbollah prisoners.Under a local ceasefire between the opposition fighters and Hezbollah, about 9,000 fighters and their relatives were to leave on Monday, in exchange for eight Hezbollah fighters held by the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the al-Nusra Front. The first step of the ceasefire, brokered by Lebanon's internal security agency, unfolded on Sunday as the two sides exchanged the bodies of dead fighters.The deal includes the departure of all Jabhat Fateh al-Sham fighters from Lebanon's border region around the town of Arsal, along with any civilians in nearby refugee camps who wish to go. Aljazeera
Russia's Putin orders 755 US diplomatic staff to be cut
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40769365
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that 755 staff must leave US diplomatic missions, in retaliation for new US sanctions against Moscow.The decision to cut staff was made on Friday, but Mr Putin has now confirmed the number who must go by 1 Sept.It brings staff levels to 455, the same as Russia's complement in Washington.This is thought to be the largest action against diplomatic staff from any country in modern history, says BBC's Laura Bicker in Washington. The number includes Russian employees of the US diplomatic missions across Russia,BBC's Sarah in Moscow adds.BBC
UK: Female soldiers are victim to sex attacks twice a Week
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4744268/Female-soldiers-victim-sex-attacks-twice-WEEK.html#ixzz4oQ2zG5ck
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws show between 2012 and 2017 there was a total of 363 sexual abuse allegations made across the army, air and sea cadet forces, both historical and current.Of these 282 cases have been referred to the police and 99 instructors have been dismissed as a result of claims against them.To date the MoD has paid out over £2 million to victims of the abuse, according to the programme. According to the MoD, military police launched at least 113 investigations into claims of rape, sexual assault and harassment last year. DailyMail
Pak anti-corruption body announces filing of 4 criminal corruption cases against Sharif, children and son-in-law
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/nab-files-four-criminal-corruption-cases-against-sharif-children/article19396719.ece?homepage=true
National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Pakistan’s top anti-corruption body, on Monday announced the filing of four criminal corruption cases against deposed PM Nawaz Sharif and his children — Hussain, Hassan and daughter Maryam, and son-in-law Captain Safdar. Separate cases will also be filed against Captain Safdar and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.As per NAB law, Mr. Sharif and his children can be arrested any time on the orders of NAB chairman. Conviction means at least 7 years in prison.the hindu
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
'They killed him because he was an Arab':Kin of Palestinian killed by Israeli police: aljazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/07/killed-arab-170730123638005.html
1.5 Trillion Dollars Of Muslims’ Deposit Interest Lying Unclaimed In Indian Banks: milligazette
http://caravandaily.com/portal/1-5-trillion-dollars-of-muslims-deposit-interest-lying-unclaimed-in-banks/
An Open Letter to EPW’s Trustees from Partha Chatterjee:Partha Chatterjee
https://thewire.in/163160/epw-sameeksha-trust-partha-chatterjee/
'Fake' riot photos from Bengal yes;'fake' flood photos from Gujarat No:BJP's politics of convenience:Shubham Ghosh
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/fake-riot-photos-bengal-yes-fake-flood-photos-gujarat-no-bjps-politics-convenience-smriti-irani-nupur-sharma-736613
Is Rise of Hindutva Proportional to Growth of Muslim Middle-Class?Mayank Mishra
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/07/31/rise-of-hindutva-growth-of-muslim-middle-class
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:44 PM)
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