25 Sept. 2017 NEWS DIGEST ~ NEWS DIGEST

Evening NEWS DIGEST

25 Sept. 2017: 4 Muharram 1439:Vol:9, No:03

INDIA

I went to Kerala event as state guest, no police officer warned me about PFI: Hamid Ansari

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/exclusive-i-went-to-kerala-event-as-state-guest-no-police-officer-warned-me-abou/302219

Former Vice president Hamid Ansari has said he went to Kerala as a state guest and no police officer warned him against attending an event organized by a Delhi-based Institute along with the women’s wing of PFI, an organization that is suspected of having terror links.The saffron group VHP had lambasted him for attending the event.Ansari told Outlook in a telephonic interview he was invited to the event by the Delhi-based Institute of Objective Studies, and no other organiser’s name was mentioned in the invitation. He was apparently ambushed by the organizers by not revealing that PFI’s unit was part of the event.“I was invited by a Delhi-based body called Institute of Objective Studies; they had come to me saying they are organizing a study on status of women and role of women in making a humane society, with a focus, of course, on Muslim women,” said Ansari.“I was a state guest, which is the standard practice. When a former President or former Vice-President travels, the state Govt makes the necessary arrangements, starting with security. Senior police officials met me, but nobody told me not to go for it or there was a second sponsor. The controversy came as a great surprise to me,” he told Outlook.VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain had said Ansari ‘stands exposed’ after attending the programme. "He was spreading dissatisfaction in the Muslim community even when he was holding the post of Vice President," Jain had said.Earlier, Calicut University had cancelled permission to hold the programme on the campus saying that the parent body of the Chair of Islamic Studies at the University objected to the women’s wing of PFI, which were initially not part of the event, later collaborating with it. However,PFI sources in Kerala said that only the Delhi-based Institute of Objective Studies organised the event and the PFI has not organised it.But amid the hullaballoo over the organisers not being kosher, what got sidelined was the content of Ansari speech that blamed patriarchy in India for gender inequality.The former deputy head of state also spoke at length on how women should overcome this ‘subordination.’Outlook

Ansari draws VHP's ire for reportedly attending PFI event

https://www.oneindia.com/india/hamid-ansari-draws-vhp-s-ire-attending-pfi-event-2550231.html

BHU: Varanasi tense, Teesta arrested, demonstration planned at Lanka, protests all over the country

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/bhu-varanasi-tense-teesta-arrested-demonstration-planned-at-lanka-protests-all-over-the-country

BHU students are planning to hold a huge demonstration at Lanka.The administration and police are keeping a strict vigil. The entire city is put under strict watch and social activists and political leaders coming from outside are also being closely watched.UP Police first detained and then arrested social activist and writer Teesta Setalvad. She had gone to Varanasi to take part in a youth training programme. But police detained her as soon as she reached the airport. Despite her telling the police that she has come to Varanasi to participate in a different programme, the police refused to let her go.The administration in Varanasi is making every effort to stop people from supporting the BHU girl students. A huge demonstration is being organised at Lanka Gate on Monday evening. BHU has already declared holidays till Oct. 2. The rest of the degree colleges have also been closed till Oct. 2.On Sunday evening, UP Congress president Raj Babbar was detained and not allowed to enter BHU.The members of All India Democratic Women Association were also stopped by the police from staging a demonstration at Singh Dwar of the BHU. They had some arguments with the police. Members of the Samajwadi Party too tried to stage a protest at the gates of BHU but all were detained and removed from there.Many students’ organisations and social bodies are organising protests and demonstrations in many parts of the country against the police lathi-charge on girl students in BHU. These demonstrations are being held in Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Bhopal and in the states of Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Meanwhile, UP Governor Ram Naik has announced a four-member committee to probe into the incident of violence in BHU.nationalheraldindia

Student organisations, women activists stage protests against crackdown on BHU students

http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-student-organisations-nsui-abvp-cyss-aisa-women-activists-stage-protests-against-crackdown-on-bhu-students-403223

We Were Locked Inside Hostels, Our Friends Beaten Up Outside: BHU Female Students

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/bhu-banaras-hindu-university-molestation-case-locked-hostels-friends-beaten-up-female-students/#.njh5z927e

FIR against 1000 students for BHU violence

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/fir-against-1000-students-for-bhu-violence/articleshow/60828156.cms

Varanasi: An FIR has been registered against over 1,000 students in connection with the violence in the Banaras Hindu University here and also against policemen involved in the baton-charge on protestors. Seperate FIRs have been registered at the Lanka Police Station in connection with the violence on the campus, the police said today.Besides the students, an FIR has been filed against unidentified policemen involved in the baton-charge.A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a lathicharge by the police in the BHU where a protest on Saturday night against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent. PTI

AMU students march in support of BHU protestors

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/amu-women-students-take-out-protest-march-in-support-of-bhu-students/articleshow/60817949.cms

Agra: Women students of AMU held a protest march in support of their counterparts in Banaras Hindu University, who were beaten up and abused by police personnel during a protest rally on Saturday night.A large number of BHU students, who were protesting against the alleged sexual harassment of a female student, were cane charged by the police.While condemning BHU incident, AMU students said that they want to send the clear message to BHU V-C that he will not be able to "silence" the students through organised violence. One of the protesting students, slamming VC, said, "We are outraged at his double standards where at one hand he screams 'Beti bachao beti padhao' but on the other he keeps mum at the harassment of women students in his campus.Addressing the protest march, students said that AMU stands with BHU and will not tolerate gender or community bias.

Cracks emerge in victorious alliance in University of Hyderabad Students Union polls,claims NewIndianExpress

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2017/sep/25/university-of-hyderabad-cracks-emerge-in-victorious-alliance-1662279.html

Hyderabad Alliance for Social Justice (ASJ), which emerged victorious in University of Hyderabad (UoH) Students Union (SU) elections on Friday, has already started developing cracks. ASJ is a coalition of 2 panels of student organisations formed to defeat RSS backed students organisation ABVP. A panel led by CPM backed SFI and other is headed by Ambedkar Students Association (ASA). A rift has become public between the 2 panels. The reason behind the rift is Jamaat-e-Islami Hind backed Students Islamic Organization claim of being part of the ruling coalition of ASJ, which SFI has outrightly rejected.All India joint secretary of SFI B Sambashiva said, “We cannot accept being allied with SIO which UoH unit of SFI had made clear before students union election. SIO is claiming to be part of ruling coalition in UoH to show off in other university campuses.” Laeeq Ahmed Khan, president of SIO Telangana said, “We were part of ASA led panel last year along with MSF during students union election and continue to be a member of the panel this year as well.”Another reason behind difference between ASA and SFI led panels is a public spat between SFI and IUML backed Muslim Students Front. MSF has alleged SFI of being islamophobic saying that after election results, SFI members raised hateful slogans against MSF and SIO.To this, SFI released statement on Sunday condemning derogatory remarks made by certain individuals. Surprisingly, ASA has been quite on the entire episode. ASA could not be contacted for its comment.

NIA probe identifies 60 students behind 2017 protests in J&K, suspects separatists' role in fuelling crisis

http://www.firstpost.com/india/nia-probe-identifies-60-students-behind-april-2017-protests-in-jammu-and-kashmir-suspects-separatists-role-in-fuelling-crisis-4079793.html

Srinagar: NIA and J&K Police are currently investigating nearly 60 students for taking part in stone-pelting and "provoking violence" during the students' protests in April 2017, of which nearly 35 have already been questioned.The police and NIA also suspect that separatist leaders funded the April 2017 students' protests, and the recent NIA summons to Aala Fazili, a PHD student in University of Kashmir's pharmacy department, is part of the investigation."The police have identified at least 60 students who took part in the April 2017 protests," a senior police official said."Fazili was making pro-separatist speeches on the campus. There are allegations against Fazili that he was active in separatist activities on the campus for a long time. He was active even before protests triggered in Kashmir in July 2016 following the killing of former Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Muzafar Wani," said a police official.Fazili, however, is not the only student being questioned by the NIA and J&K Police. An official told Firstpost that the J&K Police and the NIA are looking into the role of nearly 60 students, including a PHD scholar of Islamic Studies, in fanning unrest against the Govt inside the University of Kashmir campus. Firstpost

Cops confirm Kashmir ‘human shield’ had voted before being tied to army vehicle

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cops-confirm-kashmir-human-shield-had-voted-before-being-tied-to-army-vehicle/story-a7jAMA8JiJv4RVj8SIvJVK.html

Srinagar:An interim report of a police probe into the infamous ‘human shield’ episode in Kashmir last April backs the claim of Farooq Ahmad Dar who was tied to an army vehicle and driven around for 5 hours, that he had gone out to vote that morning.An Army officer Major Leetul Gogoi who ordered Dar to be tied to a vehicle, had claimed Dar was the ring leader of stone pelters and was leading a mob.“Police saw voter mark on Dar’s finger the day we went to investigate the case,’’ a senior police official in Budgam who did not want to be identified told HT.The police report also corroborates the same. “During investigation, it came to light that that the victim Farooq Ahmad Dar had cast his vote at polling booth in his native village, Chill. After casting his vote, he along with Hilal Ahmad Magrey left for Gampora for a condolence meeting,” the report says.The interim report says “investigation of the instant case is going on and after obtaining reports from District Election office Budgam/Coy Commander 53 RR Camp Beerwah and analysing of video clips the investigation of the instant case will be concluded on its merits.”HT

41,000 deaths in 27 yrs: Anatomy of Kashmir militancy in numbers: HT

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-anatomy-of-kashmir-militancy-in-numbers/story-UncrzPTGhN22Uf1HHe64JJ.html

Kashmir releases tourism video with Shah Faesal’s to counter negative portrayal

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-tourism-video-with-shah-faesal-s-lyrics-crosses-one-million-views-on-facebook-in-24-hrs/story-vmvqJHfKPc65pyy7od5C0L.html

Srinagar: J&K has launched a new five-minute film to counter perceived “negative portrayal of Kashmiris” in the national media and highlight the hospitality offered by Valley locals to visitors. The video, Warmest Place on Earth, garnered over 1.5 million views on Facebook and 35 thousand views on YouTube in a little over 24 hours. It was released by the CM Mehbooba Mufti at a grand launch function in Srinagar on Saturday evening attended by senior minister and top officials.The film.5-minute video has a Kashmiri song with powerful lyrics playing in the background, which is written by Indian Administrative Service officer Shah Faesal. HT

Funding: NIA summons Geelani's son, few others to Delhi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/terror-funding-case-nia-geelan-naseem/1/1055194.html

Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani's son Naseem Geelani, Yaseen Khan of Kashmir Traders and Marketing Federation and some others have been summoned by the NIA to Delhi on Monday. According to sources, NIA has also summoned Shah Wali Mohammad of Sopore district and Abdul Hameed Magrey. However, Naseem has sought more time for appearing before NIA citing father Ali Shah Geelani's ill health.Meanwhile, Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom is also likely to be summoned in the coming week. india today

Sufism being replaced with Wahabism while IS ideology merging with left wing parties:warns Jaitley

https://www.oneindia.com/india/sufism-being-replaced-with-wahabism-warns-jaitley-2550246.html

The effect of communism is fading in the states of Kerala and West Bengal said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley."Traditional political brands like the Left and Right are gradually fading out. Electoral relevance is also declining, as we have seen post the breakup of Soviet Union and abandonment of state-controlled economy by China. Even in states like West Bengal and Kerala, the presence of the ideology is being washed away, and slowly the support for us (BJP) is going up in numbers," said Jaitley.Jaitley further said that a part of Islamic State's ideology is converging with certain extreme-left ideas. He warned that Sufism was being replaced by 'Wahabism' in the Kashmir Valley, which has been on the boil for well over a year now.He was addressing a National Seminar on Integral Humanism-Indian Way of Attaining Sustainable Development Program in New Delhi where he said: "The demand for political autonomy is rising as an Islamist movement. You can see the signs throughout India. I feel India is fortunate that elements like ISIS are few as compared to other countries. However, the opinions arising from them and ultra-left opinions are converging in some sectors."OneIndia News

ISIS-like Ideologies Now Converging With Ultra-Left, Says Arun Jaitley, Cites JNU Incident as Example

http://www.india.com/news/india/isis-like-ideologies-now-converging-with-ultra-left-says-arun-jaitley-cites-jnu-incident-as-example-2495097/

Doklam row: China deployed more, standoff began earlier

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/doklam-issue-india-china-deployed-more-standoff-began-earlier-4859674/

New Delhi:Contrary to public perception that the border standoff between India and China at Doklam involved a small number of troops, the Chinese had posted more than 12,000 soldiers, 150 tanks and artillery guns opposite Sikkim at Phari Dzong in Chumbi Valley during the 73-day standoff, a new book has revealed.The book, Securing India The Modi Way: Pathankot, Surgical Strikes and More (Bloomsbury), written by Nitin A Gokhale, also contains Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) images of the site, which show that the standoff had actually started in the third week of May — it was made public by the Chinese on June 26.Apart from a blow-by-blow account of the standoff, the book includes extensive quotes from NSA Ajit Doval, military chiefs and other senior Indian officials on Modi government’s approach to security issues. A chapter of the book, which will be released by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in Delhi on Friday, was accessed by Indian Express.

'China used loudspeakers, tanks to bully India, Bhutan during Doklam standoff'

http://zeenews.india.com/india/china-bullied-india-bhutan-during-doklam-standoff-says-new-book-2045401.html

Gurgaon civic body polls:Independent candidates win 21 out of 35 while BJP wins 13 seats

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/independent-candidates-win-21-out-of-35-seats-in-gurgaon-civic-body-polls-4859695/

Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) elections, held on Sunday, saw independent candidates emerging victorious in 21 of the 35 wards, leaving the BJP — which fielded candidates in every ward and also runs the government in the state — with only 13 seats. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), meanwhile, secured just one seat.The elections, being held after 6 years, involved a total of 202 candidates in the fray, of whom 147 were independent candidates, and 20 were fielded by INLD. Although the tenure of the earlier councillors, elected by a voter turnout of 63.3 per cent in 2011, ended in June 2016, fresh elections had been delayed due to disputes over demarcation of wards. Voter turnout remained low, with only 55.92 per cent of voters showing up at polling booths across the city. According to officials, Gurgaon has a total of 5,58,884 voters, of whom 2,92,938 are men and 2,65,946 are women. Only 3,12,550 of them exercised their franchise across the 35 wards.Among the many who chose to stay home were residents of gated condominiums in the city, with their reasons for the decision ranging from lack of relevance of the elections to a dearth of candidates who deserved their vote.“I am not dependent on MCG for my day-to-day needs. These are provided by the private builder of my locality, so MCG polls have little impact on my life,” said a resident of a private condominium in DLF5, where booths saw one of the lowest turnouts. Results, declared late Sunday evening, saw relatives of prominent figures in the city among those who lost their seats to their opponents. indianexpress

Setback for BJP in Gurgaon civic polls

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/setback-for-bjp-in-gurgaon-civic-polls/articleshow/60820731.cms

Amnesty: India's Rohingya need support, not expulsion

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/amnesty-rohingya-india-support-expulsion-170925063519931.html

Amnesty International has initiated an online campaign and petition calling for people's support to stop India's plan to deport thousands of Rohingya refugees living across India. Characterising Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers as illegal immigrants and deeming them "security threats" will expose them to grave risks if forcibly returned, the rights group said on Monday, while pushing #istandwithrohingyarefugees campaign online.Last week, India's Govt said it had evidence showing that some Rohingya in the country have ties to "terror organisations" and pose a security threat that justifies a mass deportation of the approximately 40,000 Rohingya."In terms of India's position, it is their legal and moral obligation to not allow the expulsion from happening," Arijit Sen, project manager at Amnesty Indi said.More than 800,000 Rohingya currently live in Bangladesh, nearly 600,000 arrived in the last year. aljazeera

Protest in Punjab against killings of Rohingyas

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/protest-in-punjab-against-killings-of-rohingyas-in-myanmar/article19752389.ece

Phagwara: A Punjab-based Muslim body took out a rally here to protest against the killings of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Members of Muslim Dharmik Committee Punjab, led by its state president Maulana Ubais-ur-Rehman, carried out a march from Jama Masjid to Tehsil complex last night, a police official said on Monday.They also presented a memorandum to duty magistrate Swapan Kaur for forwarding it to President Ram Nath Kovind. “We have sought the intervention of President Kovind and PM Modi against the atrocities on Rohingya Muslims,” said he.They also demanded that the Rohingya seeking asylum in India should be allowed to settle here. PTI

UP: Cops scuttle Bajrang Dal’s plan to perform ‘shuddhikaran’ for Hindu woman

http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/up-cops-scuttle-bajrang-dal-s-plan-to-perform-shuddhikaran-for-hindu-woman/story-B1dKHAHCL0q00q0D36xfkJ.html

Meerut: Police beat back Bajrang Dal supporters who tried to forcibly take away a married couple from police custody in Hapur on Sunday evening after accusing the man of forcing the woman to convert to Islam after marriage. Police lathi-charged Bajrang Dal workers when they insisted on ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification ceremony) of the woman. Police also took the couple to a police station to ensure their safety.Hapur’s SP, Hemant Kutelia transferred police station in-charge, Kotwali Nagar, Samrjeet Singh for using force on protesters. He also directed the police officials to provide security to the couple. “Police had to use mild force to stop them. The situation is under control,” Kutelia said.Later, BJP MP from Meerut, Rajendra Agarwal and other leaders sat on a dharna to protest against police action on Bajrang Dal workers.The demonstration ended later in the night after the party leaders reportedly talked to CM over the phone. BJP leaders are likely to meet CM to brief him about the incident.On Monday, the couple left for an undisclosed destination with the police facilitating their travel.Police said 26-year-old woman fell in love with a Muslim man while working at his coaching institute in Sitamarhi in Bihar. He had a branch of his institute in Hapur and the duo eloped from Bihar and settled in Shivpuri locality of Hapur where they had a court marriage last month.HT

Peepli Live co-director Farooqui acquitted of rape charge

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/peepli-live-co-director-mahmood-farooqui-cleared-of-rape-charge/story-RN50d54OvQEcyR19ojRkJN.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=recommended-for-you

New Delhi: Delhi high court on Monday cleared Peepli Live co-director Mahmood Farooqui of charges of raping a US citizen, setting aside a lower court verdict that sentenced him to seven years in jail. The high court quashed the rape charges giving the 44-year-old film-maker benefit of doubt. Delhi Police had on June 19, 2015 lodged an FIR against Farooqui on the complaint of the woman, an American citizen of India descent, after which he was arrested. HT

MP ‘baba’ Gyandayal Anand booked for ‘sodomising’ devotee a decade ago

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/complaint-lodged-against-mp-godman-for-sodomising-devotee-a-decade-ago/story-akvcOaHHd4YKF2xrIQORrN.html

Bhopal: Emboldened by the recent conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Singh for raping 2 of his devotees, a 29-year-old man from MP lodged a police complaint against a self-styled godman for allegedly sodomising him a decade ago.In his complaint registered on Sunday, the victim said he used to work with the Anand Trust at Ishagarh in Ashok Nagar district in 2007 when Gyandayal Anand alias Chakki waale Baba committed the crime in an inebriated condition. An FIR has been registered against the so-called religious man under section 377 of IPC that criminalises carnal intercourse against the order of nature, Ashok Nagar SP Santosh Singh Gour said. The victim said in the past one decade, he faced intimidation, but the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda encouraged him to lodge a criminal complaint against Gyandayal Anand.HT

Congress must find space for religion: journalist Tully

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-must-find-space-for-religion-says-mark-tully-4859684/

New Delhi: Veteran journalist Mark Tully has suggested that the Congress party should consider looking at the Gandhian model of nationalism to revive itself, and must find a place for religion in its politics. Tully, who has seen the Congress evolve from the time before Indira Gandhi took over its leadership, said that the party’s leaders need to revive its ideology and state what it stands for.“ Congress should find a place for religion” in what the party stands for, said Tully. When the Congress talks about secularism it gives the impression that they are “anti-religion” while “most Indians are religious”, he said. Suggesting that the party should look at “a nationalism with a religious colouring to it, which was a multi-faith religious colouring to it,” he said that according to Congress and its supporters today, “if you say anything about Hinduism, if you say anything about religion, you are RSS”.

Mulayam rules out forming new party as of now, accuses son Akhilesh of betrayal

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sp-leader-mulayam-singh-yadav-rules-out-forming-new-party-as-of-now-targets-son-akhilesh/story-vg3er11IGUSqhup1BB3LmO.html

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh launched a fresh attack against his son and former CM Akhilesh, accusing him of betrayal but didn’t announce his own outfit as was widely expected.77-year-old leader, who was replaced as the SP chief by Akhilesh in the run-up to the Feb.-March election that ended disastrously for the party, said he would not attend the party’s national convention in Agra on Oct. 5.“I am not forming any new party as of now,” Mulayam told a crowded press conference in Lucknow. He was responding to questions if he would part ways with the party he founded 25 years ago.

Mukul Roy quits Trinamool Congress

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mukul-roy-quits-trinamool-congress-to-resign-as-mp-after-puja/article19751009.ece?homepage=true

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Mukul Roy on Monday resigned from the working committee and primary membership of the party."Today, I will resign from the working committee of the TMC... I will resign as MP after the pujas," Roy said in a hurriedly called press conference.One of the most prominent leaders of the Trinamool Congress, Mr Roy, who also served as Railway Minister, was associated with the party since its inception in January 1998. Till a few years ago, he was considered the second most powerful leader after party chairperson Mamata Banerjee. thehindu

Jamiat slams Nitish for slow relief work in flood-hit Seemanchal

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/jamiat-ulama-criticizes-nitish-for-slow-relief-work-in-flood-hit-seemanchal?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29

Patna: Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind has alleged that Bihar Govt of CM Nitish Kumar was not doing relief and rehabilitation work effectively in the flood-hit Seemanchal region of the state. Jamiat's General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani raised question mark over the relief operation by Bihar Govt in Seemanchal. He said that although one fourth of the total population of Seemanchal have lost everything but only a meagre amount of five hundred crore have been announced for their rehabilitation. Maulana was taking stock of the newly constructed 74 houses by Jamiat for the flood victims. He also handed over the key of one house to a widow. IndiaTomorrow

Untouchability Didn't Exist In Ancient India, It Came From Outside In Last Thousand Years:RSS Leaders

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/rss-leader-says-untouchability-didn-t-exist-in-ancient-india-it-came-from-outside-in-last-thousand-years-330422.html

RSS ideologues often say things that most people find obnoxious. Now, a senior RSS leader Krishna Gopal said that the practice of untouchability didn’t exist in ancient India and it came from outside in last thousand years. The joint general secretary of RSS said no person living in ‘our streets, our towns can be untouchable."When I believe (as a Hindu) that there is Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv in humans (Jab maine manaa insan me Brahma, Vishnu aur Shiv hain), then why discriminate? This (tradition of) discrimination came in the last thousand years. There was no such thing as the untouchability in this country (before that)," he said."Our Vedic rishis never mentioned this. Where did it come from?...it came from outside," Gopal claimed.Indiatimes

Muslim as chief guest at RSS’ function: Political compulsion or a paradigm shift? Economic Times

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/60820620.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

In a significant departure from past, organisers of one of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Dusshera functions and Shastra Pujan ceremonies in Nagpur for young volunteers, or Shishu and Bal Swayamsevaks, on Sunday invited an eminent Muslim homeopath as its chief guest. For the first time in RSS history, a Muslim was given such an honour. The decision to invite Munawar Yusuf is a noteworthy step in RSS efforts to secure acceptance among Muslims. It also paves the way for tighter embrace of eminent and politically neutral Muslims.

Naroda Gam massacre: Gujarat SIT requests judge to visit riot site

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/25/2002-naroda-gam-case-gujarat-sit-requests-judge-to-visit-riot-site-1662564.html

Ahmedabad: SIT today requested the judge, who is hearing the 2002 Naroda Gam massacre case, to visit the site of the incident to understand the topography of the area.Special SIT judge P B Desai agreed to visit the site on an application filed by prosecutor Suresh Shah. Desai asked the lawyers of the accused and the victims to submit a joint application with the SIT regarding the same, which they did.The court is likely to pass an order on the application tomorrow.PTI

SBI lowers minimum balance to Rs3,000; pensioners, minors exempted

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/sbi-lowers-min-balance-to-3000-exempts-pensioners-minors/article19752698.ece?homepage=true

Mumbai:The country’s largest lender State Bank of India on Monday lowered the minimum average monthly balance (MAB) requirement in a savings account to ₹3,000 from ₹5,000, in addition to revising downwards penalties for non-adherence. The revised MAB requirement and charges will become applicable from Oct. , the bank said in a statement.The public sector lender also decided to exempt pensioners, beneficiaries of social benefits from Govt and minors from the requirement of minimum balance in savings account.PTI

Rupee crashes to 6-month low of 65.10 on against dollar

http://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/rupee-close-Sept.-25-2017/article19752608.ece?homepage=true

Triple talaq verdict led to confusion: Scholars

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/triple-talaq-verdict-led-to-confusion-scholars/articleshow/60821736.cms

Charminar: Muslim women scholars and intellectuals held a meeting at Jamiat-Ul-Mominath at Moghalpura on Saturday to debate the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq. The women scholars felt that the SC order had triggered confusion among Muslims across the country. After the meeting, one of the parti cipants, Mufti Mohammed Hassanuddin, said that women research scholars shared their perspective on the issue. "The SC passed the judgment on triple talaq owing to pressure from a few women who had moved the court for their personal gains. Instant triple talaq is already prohibited in Islam," said Hassanuddin.While some scholars alleged that the triple talaq issue was raised for political gains, others said there were several important issues that needed immediate attention in the Muslim community. They demanded that the Centre should seek opinion of Muslim religious leaders before bringing a new law in this regard. timesofindia

‘Love India, but not Eman’s doctor’: Why family of ‘world’s heaviest woman’ moved her out of India

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-eman-ahmed-s-family-moved-her-out-of-india/story-lp5TEji5pFqonBcPnppTMN.html

Egyptian national Eman Ahmed Abdelaty,once known as the world heaviest woman, had undergone a weight reduction surgery in Mumbai in March before being moved to a Abu Dhabi hospital, where she died on Monday.According to medical experts at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Eman died to “complications from the underlying comorbid conditions, including heart disease and kidney dysfunction”.Her sister Shaimaa Selim had asked doctors in Abu Dhabi not to speak to the media without her permission over Eman’s treatment.She had told the HT her sister was doing better there because the hospital treated them “like humans, not animals”. Selim was referring to the day Eman was discharged from Saifee Hospital in Mumbai when hundreds of journalists were given direct access to the hospital lobbyI still love India and its kind people, but not Dr Muffazal Lakdawala (Eman’s doctor) and Saifee. Fame and propaganda made them crazy,” she said.HT

WORLD

Iraqi Kurds vote in independence referendum: aljazeera

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/iraqi-kurds-vote-independence-referendum-170925032733525.html

People in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan are voting in an independence referendum, amid rising tensions and international opposition.Polls opened at 05:00 GMT with balloting also taking place in the disputed areas between the northern city of Erbil and the capital Baghdad, as well as the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, which is ethnically mixed.The central Govt in Baghdad, which strongly opposes the referendum, sought control of the region's international border posts and airports on Sunday, in anticipation of Monday's vote.Iraq's Govt has also called on foreign countries to stop importing oil from the Kurdish region and to deal with them instead.In a televised address on Sunday, Iraq's PM Haider al-Abadi warned of the dire consequences of the vote and vowed to never accept the disintegration of Iraq."This is an unconstitutional decision against the social fabric of our citizens. We will not recognise the referendum, nor its results," Abadi said.Meanwhile, the President of Iraq's Kurdish regional government, Masoud Barzani, has defended the decision to hold the referendum."Is it a crime to ask people in Kurdistan to express in a democratic way what they want to have for the future?" he asked in a speech on Sunday.The Kurdish leader also said he would seek talks with Iraq's central Govt on how to implement the outcome of the vote. About 2,065 polling stations are open for 10 hours. A total of 5.6 million people are eligible to vote in Kurdistan and other Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Iraq, according to the election commission.Voters will be asked: "Do you want the Kurdistan region and Kurdish areas outside the region to become an independent state?" Official results are expected by Tuesday.Meanwhile, Iran closed its border with northern Iraq's Kurdish region on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said."At the request of Iraq, we have closed the airspace and ground borders with the Kurdish Regional Government," ministry spokesman Behram Qasimi said at a news conference in Tehran.A day earlier, Iran halted flights to airports in Iraqi Kurdistan at the request of the central Govt in Baghdad, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Moscow: Russian general killed in Syria because of US policy

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/moscow-russian-general-killed-in-syria-because-of-us-policy/article19752396.ece?homepage=true

Russian Defence Ministry said the general had been killed by shelling near Deir al-Zor.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that “2-faced policy” of the US was to blame for the death of Russian general Valery Asapov in Syria, RIA news agency quoted him.“Death of Russian commander is the price, the bloody price for the two-faced American policy in Syria,” Ryabkov told reporters, according to RIA. The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday the general had been killed by shelling near Deir al-Zor.REUTERS

US air strikes kill 17 ISIL fighters in Libya

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/air-strikes-kill-17-isil-fighters-libya-170925001105704.html

6 US air strikes on an ISIL desert camp in Libya killed 17 fighters and destroyed 3 vehicles, the first American attack in Libya since President Donald Trump took office in Jan.US Africa Command said in a statement on Sunday that strikes on Friday targeted a camp 240km southeast of Sirte, a city that was once the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant stronghold in Libya.The camp was used to move fighters in and out of Libya, plot attacks and store weapons, the statement said. aljazeera

HRW: US-led coalition killed dozens in school bombing

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-hrw-us-led-coalition-killed-dozens-in-school-bombing/

US-led coalition forces killed 84 civilians including 30 children in Syria in March because it failed to take adequate precautions in minimising civilian casualties, said HRW in a 42-page report.The rights group investigated coalition attacks on a school near Raqqa as well as three other attacks in the area that resulted in significant civilian casualties. While HRW did not dispute coalition claims that it was targeting Daesh fighters, it confirmed that “hundreds” of civilians were also at the site including dozens of people queuing up for bread next to a refugee shelter.In its investigation, HRW interviewed dozens of locals who had witnessed the carnage. A local HRW activist confirmed the names of 145 civilians, including 38 women and 58 children, whom he says were killed in airstrikes in the town of Tabqa between 19 March and 10 May. middleeastmonitor

Trump slaps travel ban on Chad, North Korea, Venezuela

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/trump-slaps-travel-restrictions-korea-venezuela-170925012654413.html

President Donald Trump slapped new travel restrictions on citizens from North Korea, Venezuela and Chad, expanding the list of countries covered by his original travel bans that have been derided by critics as targeting Muslims.Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia were left on the list of affected countries in a new proclamation issued by the president on Sunday. Restrictions on citizens from Sudan were lifted."We cannot afford to continue the failed policies of the past, which present an unacceptable danger to our country," Trump said. "My highest obligation is to ensure the safety and security of the American people, and in issuing this new travel order, I am fulfilling that sacred obligation."Iraqi citizens will not be subject to travel prohibitions but will face enhanced scrutiny or vetting.The current ban, enacted in March, was set to expire on Sunday evening.The new restrictions, slated to take effect on Oct.18, resulted from a review after Trump's original travel bans sparked international outrage and legal challenges.Unlike the first ban - which sparked chaos at airports across the country - officials said they had been working for months on the new rules, in collaboration with various agencies and in conversation with foreign governments.The addition of North Korea and Venezuela broadens the restrictions from the original, mostly Muslim-majority list. aljazeera

Sudan vows to normalise ties with US as travel ban lifted

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/sudan-vows-to-normalise-ties-with-us-as-travel-ban-lifted/1154224

Khartoum;Sudan vowed today to step up efforts to normalise relations with the US after Washington dropped the country from a list of countries facing a US travel ban.President Donald Trump decided to remove Sudan from the list just days ahead of an Oct. 12 decision on whether to permanently lift decades-old US sanctions on Khartoum.The decision was "a positive development in the two countries' bilateral relations", the Sudanese foreign ministry said in a statement. outlookindia

Qaradawi: In spite of Egypt, millions pray for Mahdi Akef

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-al-qaradawi-in-spite-of-egypt-millions-pray-for-mohammed-mahdi-akef/

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Head of the Muslims Scholars International Union, mourning the death of former Supreme Guide of the Muslim brotherhood Mohammed Mahdi Akef, has criticized the Egyptian regime.“While the Egyptian regime prevented the popular funeral of former Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahdi Akef, millions of Muslims around the world prayed for him”, al-Qaradawi said in a speech following performing a funeral prayer for Akef, at his home in Doha. Khalid Mashaal, former Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, leaders of the Egyptian opposition and a number of scholars were present.Al-Qaradawi declared that Muslims were performing absentee funeral prayers for Akef in Istanbul, Gaza, and al-Aqsa Mosque. Moreover, members of muslim brotherhood brothers did, as well as millions around the world. Al-Qaradawi thanked Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim, who allowed the absentee funeral prayer to be performed at any mosque they choose. But the people poured in the Sheikh’s house for condolences.Mashaal explained that “when Arafat used to visit Cairo, he couldn’t but pay a visit to the martyr Akef, for his sincere positions, and his long jihadist history since the beginning of the occupation.”He added that “Palestinian prisoners prayed for the martyr (Akef) in the occupation’s prisons as Palestinians prayed for him in al-Aqsa Mosque and Gaza, too.”Mashaal also stressed that Akef “was eager to maintain the unanimity of the Palestinian position and he permanently called for unity and reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas.”In a statement on Friday, the Muslim Brotherhood called disciples and supporters of Akef around the world to hold absentee funeral prayer after the authorities banned funeral services in Egypt, according to the statement. On Saturday morning, Akef’s family finished his burial ceremony in eastern Cairo cemetery, in presence of security guards and only 4 people, according to Anadolu earlier interview with Abd el-Menem Abd al-Maqsood, head of Akef’s defense committee. After the burial ceremony, Akef’s daughter, Alia, stated in a post on her Facebook page that: “they banned every single thing” without providing any further details.On Saturday, the Egyptian Endowment Ministry banned the absentee funeral prayer on Akef without a prior official permit, warning that those who violate the ban will be subject to legal accountability, according to the statement. middleeastmonitor

Sudanese president aid Al-Senoussi: Sisi regime culpable in the death of Akef

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-ibrahim-al-senoussi-sisi-regime-culpable-in-the-death-of-akef/

Ibrahim Al-Senoussi, a counsellor to Sudanese president and former Secretary-General of the Sudanese Popular Congress Party, criticised the Govt of Egypt over the death of Mahdi Akef.According to Al-Senoussi, the fact that Akef’s remained in prison, despite his old ages and illness, demonstrates that the Egyptian authorities are in fact culpable in his demise.Senoussi described Akef – who is former General Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood – as a “martyr”.“The death of the former Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader in the hospital under the Egyptian security forces’ supervision and his burial in a funeral that was not attended by people and the media is an evidence of the great extent of injustice and tyranny that characterize the Egyptian regime,” he said. He added: “The absence of people from Akef’s funeral prayer and burial rituals also reflects the sense of fragility that stains this corrupt and oppressive regime, which is afraid of Akef living or dead.”Senoussi also stressed that “The martyrdom of Akef is a continuation of the killing process by the coup authorities in Egypt since they came to power in July 2013.” middleeastmonitor

German polls:Merkel wins 4^th term as her bloc gets most votes while far-right nationalist AfD enters parliament

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/german-election-merkel-party-secures-votes-170924153712134.html

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has won a fourth term in office after a general election that has surged an overtly nationalist party to enter parliament for the first time in decades.Merkel's centre-right Christian Democratic Union party secured 33 % of the vote on Sunday, down about nine % compared to the last election in 2013.Their main rival and current coalition partner, the centre-left Social Democrats led by Martin Schulz, got around 21% of vote - their worst result in post-war Germany.But the biggest change to Germany's political scene was the emergence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as the country's third biggest political force with 12.6 % of the vote.Pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) bounced back into parliament with 10.1 % of the vote, while the environmental Greens scored 9.2 % and the leftist Die Linke picked up 8.9 percent.The far-right, anti-immigrant party was founded just four years ago as an anti-euro force. Its manifesto included a pledge to ban all mosques and criminalise people wearing the veil.Forming a coalition Govt is expected to be an arduous process for Merkel that could take months as all potential partners are unsure whether they really want to share power with her. aljazeera

German polls: Anti-AfD protests erupt in Berlin, terming new 'nazi party'

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/german-election-anti-afd-protests-erupt-berlin-170924190818128.html

Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets in central Berlin after exit polls showed that far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party had become Germany's third-largest political force.Shouting slogans such as "All Berlin hates the AfD!" and ''Nazi pigs!", the demonstrators gathered outside a building in Germany's capital where the anti-immigrant party's leaders were celebrating winning an estimated 13.1 % of the votes in Sunday's federal poll.The election result produced shockwaves, both internationally and domestically. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said Nazis are back in the German parliament.Major Jewish groups also expressed alarm and dismay about the nationalists' strong showing on Sunday.Josef Schuster, president of the German Central Council of Jews, said the party "tolerates far-right thoughts and agitates against minorities". aljazeera

Majority of Brits think UK should recognise Palestine as state

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-majority-of-brits-think-uk-should-recognise-palestine-as-a-state/

A majority of the British public believe the UK should recognise Palestine as a state, according to the results of a new YouGov poll published Monday.53% of respondents said they agree with such a step, as opposed to just 14% who disagreed (33% said they were ‘neutral’).Responding to poll, Manuel Hassassian, Palestinian envoy to UK, said public opinion has been shifting. “I have been here for 11 years and have noticed dramatic changes in the British public’s views on Palestine”, he said.“That only 14 % say they wouldn’t want the Palestinian state to receive recognition is an indication of the Palestinian cause worldwide being accepted”, he added. middleeastmonitor

Israel set to advance plans for 2,000 settlement homes next week

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-israel-set-to-advance-plans-for-2000-settlement-homes-next-week/

Israeli authorities are expected to advance plans as soon as next week for up to 2,000 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank.According to a report in Haaretz on Monday, citing an unnamed senior Govt official, most of the homes in question will be advancing to another stage in the planning process.However, some plans will be ready for immediate construction, reportedly including some 300 homes in Beit El, “which the Govt promised to settler leaders more than five years ago, following the demolition of illegally built homes in the settlement’s Ulpana neighbourhood”.The official said that “over the next 2 days, final talks will be held to decide whether to add or remove certain construction plans from the committee’s agenda”. middleeastmonitor

Hamas criticises Abbas for continuing punitive measures against Gaza

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-hamas-criticises-abbas-for-continuing-punitive-measures-against-gaza/

Hamas said that there is no reason for PA President Mahmoud Abbas to delay cancelling his punitive measures against the Gaza Strip, Al-Resalah newspaper reported.Members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) have pointed out that the PA’s punitive measures against the Strip, such as cutting civil servants’ salaries, cutting electricity and limiting medical services and funds, have hit young professionals and the poor the hardest.Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that Abbas should have cancelled punitive measures against Gaza as soon as Hamas dissolved the administrative committee of Gaza, which he claimed was the reason for such measures. middleeastmonitor

Hamas has good intention on reconciliation: Fatah official

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-hamas-has-good-intention-on-reconciliation-says-senior-fatah-official/

The Secretary of Fatah’s Executive Committee said on Sunday that Hamas has a good intention towards reconciliation with his movement, Al-Quds has reported. Jebril Al-Rajoub noted that the committee discussed this issue during its latest meeting in Ramallah and that he is optimistic about ending the internal division.“We insist on opening a new page and to strengthen the internal Palestinian front,” he explained. Fatah leadership is to hold a series of meetings to review the internal political track.Al-Rajoub stressed the importance of the Palestinian National Council and claimed that after the siege is ended, “between 300 and 500 national figures” would be able to go to Gaza where a PNC meeting could be held. At the moment, he pointed out, no Arab country would agree to host the PNC due to the ongoing wars in the region. middleeastmonitor

53 attacks on mosques and churches in Israel produce 7 convictions

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-53-attacks-on-mosques-and-churches-in-israel-produce-seven-convictions/

More than 50 Christian and Muslim sites in Israel and the occupied West Bank have been attacked over the last 8 years, but authorities have only filed nine indictments.According to official data reported by Haaretz, 53 mosques and churches have been vandalised since 2009 (data goes up to July 2017). Yet only nine indictments have been filed, and only seven convictions handed down. 45 of the cases have been closed, with just eight still under investigation. middleeastmonitor

Egypt’s court sentences 14 for football stadium stampede

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-egyptian-court-sentences-14-for-football-stadium-stampede/

An Egyptian court has sentenced 14 people over violence at a football stadium in Cairo in 2015. 2 people were sentenced to life in prison and 12 were handed between 2 and 10 years in prison over the deadly football stadium stampede in which 19 people died when police fired tear gas at fans as they tried to make their way into the Cairo football stadium.Their sentences can be appealed. The match between Cairo teams Zamalek and ENPPI was one of the first football games that the public had been allowed to attend following a ban that was imposed after 70 people were killed and 1,000 were injured in the stadium riots in Port Said in 2012.The police – who reportedly encouraged the violence at the Port Said stadium – turned off the lights which created confusion among the crowds. People were crushed as crowds pushed against a locked gate to try and get out of the stadium. The ban has now been reinstated.

Oman expels Indian preacher for criticising siege on Qatar

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170925-oman-expels-indian-preacher-for-criticising-siege-on-qatar/

Omani authorities have asked the Indian Muslim preacher Suleiman Ben Taher Al-Husseini to leave the country after he criticised the Saudi-led siege on Qatar,Rassd.net reported yesterday.Omani foreign ministry said that Sheikh Suleiman’s religious lecture at the College of the Sharia Sciences on Tuesday did not “conform to the principles of the country, its system and its policies”. Sheikh Suleiman criticised Saudi Arabia for its alliance with the US and President Donald Trump, as well as for boycotting Qatar.He said that these countries are hostile to Qatar because it hosts Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and Grand Muslim Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradawi. Sheikh Suleiman said that the US is the enemy of Muslims, stating that it had killed over a million Muslims in Iraq, a million in Afghanistan and around a million in Syria.middleeastmonitor

Under attack for violence in Rakhine state, Myanmar Army blames Rohingya Muslims for killing 28 Hindus: abp live

http://www.apnlive.com/india-news/under-attack-for-violence-in-rakhine-state-myanmar-army-blames-rohingya-muslims-for-killing-28-hindus-28042

At a time when the global community has been slamming the Myanmar Govt for alleged state-sponsored violence against lakhs of Rohingya Muslims in the country’s troubled Rakhine state, the Myanmar Army said on Sunday that it had discovered a mass grave of 28 Hindus in the region. The Myanmar Army has blamed the killings on Muslim Rohingya militants associated with Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. A report by AFP (Yangon) said that the Army’s announcement “could not be independently verified in a region that has been seized by communal violence since Rohingya militant raids on August 25 triggered a sweeping security crackdown.” “Security members found and dug up 28 dead bodies of Hindus who were killed by ARSA extremist Bengali terrorists in Rakhine State,”a statement posted on the army chief’s website said. Army said that security officers found 20 dead women and eight men in the graves, including six boys under the age of 10.

Turkey blames Myanmar of 'Buddhist terror' against Rohingya

http://www.news18.com/news/world/turkey-president-erdogan-accuses-myanmar-of-buddhist-terror-against-rohingya-1528031.html

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday accused the security forces in Myanmar of waging a "Buddhist terror" against the Rohingya Muslim minority in the country, hundreds of thousands of whom have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. Erdogan, who has repeatedly highlighted the plight of the Rohingya, again accused the Yangon Govt of carrying out a "genocide" against the people in Rakhine state.AFP

Muslim surgeon stabbed outside UK mosque in alleged ‘hate crime’

http://indianexpress.com/article/world/muslim-surgeon-stabbed-outside-uk-mosque-in-hate-crime-4860688/

London :A 58-year-old Muslim doctor in the UK was stabbed in his neck on his way to a mosque by two men who shouted “abusive” comments, media reports said on Monday. Nasser Kurdy, was attacked on Sunday with a knife from behind near the Altrincham Islamic Centre in Greater Manchester. Two men, aged 32 and 54, were arrested within an hour of the attack, which the force is treating as a hate crime but not terrorism related, Greater Manchester Police said. “This is a very nasty and unprovoked attack against a much-loved local man,” Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson saidPolice are treating the incident as a hate crime, the Manchester Evening News reported. Kurdy was rushed to hospital but has since been discharged, the report said.PTI

Nearly 50,000 people evacuated from Bali amid fears of Mount Agung's volcanic eruption

http://www.firstpost.com/world/nearly-50000-people-evacuated-from-bali-amid-fears-of-mount-agungs-volcanic-eruption-4080691.html

Karangasem: Nearly 50,000 people have evacuated their homes for fear of an imminent volcanic eruption on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, disaster officials said Monday. Mount Agung, 75 km from the tourist hub of Kuta, has been shaking since August and threatening to erupt for the first time in more than 50 years.The disaster mitigation agency said 48,540 people had fled and the number was expected to rise because more than 60,000 people lived in the danger zone."There are still people who don't want to be evacuated," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, an agency spokesman, told a press conference."The reason is firstly, the mountain hasn't erupted yet. Secondly, they are worried about their livestock."AFP

Pak, Russian armies begin second joint exercise

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistani-russian-armies-begin-second-joint-exercise/story-voynrHcKFkpiBvedBNC9bM.html

Special forces of Russia and Pakistan on Monday began a joint counter-terrorism exercise in the Mineralnye Vody region, weeks ahead of Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s visit to Moscow.The two-week exercise, the second in the Druzhba (friendship) series, will focus on counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue and cordon and search operations, the media wing of the Pakistani military said.“The joint exercise will enhance and further strengthen military ties between both the countries and share Pakistan Army’s experience in the war against terrorism,” the military said in a statement. The opening ceremony of the exercise was attended by senior military officials of both countries. hindustantimes

Pakistan's Zia-ul-Haq pressed China for joint nuclear-test backed by Saudi, Libya

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/zia-ul-haq-pressed-china-for-joint-n-test/article19747423.ece

Pakistan under Zia-ul-Haq pressed China in 1980 for a “joint [nuclear] explosion” to be carried out at a Chinese site, given the “new technical problems” Rawalpindi was facing in going for its own nuclear test.This was the assessment of ambassadors of the socialist countries based in Islamabad ahead of Gen Zia’s visit to China and North Korea in May 1980. The analysis is contained in a ciphered telegram sent by the Hungarian Embassy to its headquarters on April 30, 1980, now available at the Wilson Centre digital archive in Washington. Though there have been consistent reports of the Chinese sharing nuclear technology with Pakistan, this cable is perhaps the first from non-Western sources that points to the intensive contacts between the two countries in this sensitive field.In May 1979, Soviet ambassador Sarvar Alimzhanovich Azimov informed his socialist colleagues in Islamabad that Pakistan possessed both “material and intellectual capabilities” to carry out a nuclear explosion.“Execution of the programme is being accelerated by the recent discovery of uranium of a favourable composition near Dera Ghazi Khan. They began to set up the already available enrichment facility in the vicinity of the quarry,” Hungarian Embassy quoted the Soviet envoy as saying in his May 17, 1979, cable to HQRS.Soviet ambassador also stated that the Pakistani nuclear programme, proceeding at an accelerated pace, was “actively supported” by both Saudi Arabia and Libya.Interestingly, on the same day as the Hungarian cable was sent in 1979, Israeli PM Menachem Begin wrote to his British counterpart Margaret Thatcher informing her of Libya’s close partnership with Pakistan in the nuclear field. British, too, shared the Israeli (and Soviet) view of close Pakistani-Libyan collaboration in nuclear field.thehindu

Sharif returns, scotching rumours of escape

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/sharif-returns-scotching-rumours-of-escape/articleshow/60831171.cms

Islamabad: Pakistan's ousted PM Nawaz Sharif returned to Islamabad on Monday to face corruption cases filed against him and his children by the country's anti-graft body in the accountability court after spending nearly a month with his ailing wife.With his return, Sharif put to rest speculation by his political rivals that he had left the country to escape facing corruption cases in courts. Since he left Pakistan on August 30, the Imran Khan-led opposition PTI was claiming that he would not return to Pakistan. timesofindia

FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS

How RSS Efforts to Prove Deen Dayal Upadhayaya’s Murder Was ‘Political’ Came Undone:A.G. NOORANI

https://thewire.in/181125/deen-dayal-upadhyaya-death-mystery/

BJP’s Renaming Spree Revives Controversy over the Midnight Death of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya: P. RAMAN

https://thewire.in/169417/bjp-renaming-spree-deen-dayal-upadhyaya/

Hindustan Times Editor’s Exit Preceded by Meeting Between Modi, Newspaper Owner: ANUJ SRIVAS

https://thewire.in/178102/hindustan-times-bobby-ghosh-narendra-modi-shobhana-bhartia/

Jharkhand’s anti-conversion law is part of ongoing project to politicise tribal identity along religious lines:Shahana Munazir

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jharkhand-freedom-of-religion-bill-religious-conversion-tribals-4859508/

Pakistan showed a wrong image at UNGA, but Kashmir’s pellet woes are real:Abhishek Saha

http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/pakistan-showed-a-wrong-image-at-unga-but-kashmir-s-pellet-woes-are-real/story-3swkKdrW2mTldifKgyVRXK.html

Maharashtra: History lessons, Maratha style: Musab Qazi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-s-tryst-with-history/story-6ffBn2q1vLXyHbyrQfFB6J.html

After Hadiya, now Athira: Why Kerala is in the grip of panic over religious conversions:TA Ameerudheen

https://scroll.in/article/851682/after-hadiya-now-athira-why-kerala-is-in-the-grip-of-panic-over-religious-conversions

Haryana cops killed 36 people in a day, yet there’s no outrage:Robin David

https://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/On-the-bounce/haryana-cops-killed-36-people-in-a-day-yet-theres-no-outrage/

Refugees in Delhi: Centre's decision to deport Rohingyas has other Stateless migrants living in India worried that they could be next:Pallavi Rebbapragada

http://www.firstpost.com/india/refugees-in-delhi-centres-decision-to-deport-rohingyas-has-other-stateless-migrants-living-in-india-worried-that-they-could-be-next-4079789.html

NITI Aayog’s three year agenda does not recognise the role of trade policy in agriculture:Siraj Hussain

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-sketchy-roadmap-niti-aayog-three-year-action-agenda-tyaa-4859507/

Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:19 PM)

NEWS DIGEST

NEWS DIGEST

25 September 2017