Evening NEWS DIGEST
26 Oct.2017: 5 Safar 1439:Vol:9, No:30
INDIA
Zakir Naik's 9 speeches inflammatory, including 'Every Muslim should be a terrorist', 'Eating Prasad is Haram', 'Jesus Christ was a Muslim': NIA chargesheet
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/what-nia-chargesheet-says-about-islamic-preacher-zakir-naik/1/1076121.html
New Delhi:NIA today filed chargesheet against Zakir Naik in a special court in Mumbai. NIA has booked televangelist for inciting communal hatred. Naik's NGO IRF and firm Harmony Media Private Limited(HMPL) have also been named in 104-page chargesheet.Zakir has been charged under IPC Sections 295 A (for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (for utterances (speeches) with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) and 505-b (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility). NIA chargesheet says that prima facie scrutiny of financial documents reveal domestic and foreign transactions. The huge transaction to charitable trusts and other organisations is suspected to be an evasion of income tax, trade tax, custom duty, exchanges.NIA investigation has revealed that 19 immovable properties, including land, worth Rs 104 crore are connected with the Naik. The source as well as mode of acquisition of these properties are under investigation.NIA chargesheet includes 85 statements made under Section 161 in CrPC. These are essentially witness statements recorded by NIA. The most damning statement is of Naik's sister Nailah Noorani who has confessed that Naik was using her as a tool in a company set up by him. NIA chargesheet mentions recovery of 50 DVDs wherein at least 9 speeches are inflammatory, hurting religious sentiments. Speeches including statements such as 'Every Muslim should be a terrorist', 'Eating Prasad is Haram', 'Jesus Christ was a Muslim'. Chargesheet says that IRF educational trust run by Naik received huge annual donations of upto Rs 6 crore but donor name was shown as a well-wisher. A major portion of donation, as per NIA, may not have been shown in the Trust records, but pushed into Naik's private firms. According to NIA, huge amounts of cash were collected through donations by 2 Islamic schools run by IRF in Mumbai and Chennai and through Dawah Training Programme. Naik's two bank accounts in Dubai and India are now under the scanner.Naik is believed to have acquired citizenship of Saudi Arabia but this has not been confirmed yet. NIA chargesheet has come nearly a year after MHA cracked down on Naik's IRF and NIA filed an FIR against him. india today
NIA files chargesheet against Zakir Naik in hate speech, incitement case
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nia-files-chargesheet-against-zakir-naik-in-hate-speech-incitement-case/story-5p08i4hGyIdPbbjFFv0EiJ.html
Centre may amend IPC to make triple talaq criminal offence: Bill to be tabled in next Parliament session
http://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/centre-may-amend-ipc-to-make-triple-talaq-criminal-offence-muslim-divorce-laws-1.2339458
New Delhi: In the wake of the Supreme Court order asking the Centre to bring a legislation on triple talaq, the Union Govt is planning to amend a section of Indian Penal Code (IPC) to make the practice of talaq-e-bidat a criminal offence. Highly placed sources in the Home Ministry told Mathrubhumi that instead of bringing an entirely new law, the Govt is mulling to amend IPC 497 and add a sub-section 497 (A). Once the amendment is made, the practice of talaq-e-bidat, that allows men to pronounce talaq thrice in one sitting and render the divorce irrevocable, will attract imprisonment up to 3 years. Sources said the Govt is considering making it a criminal offence since such practices continue to prevail in the society even after the Supreme Court’s injunction. A bill in this regard will be tabled in the next Parliament session after the Cabinet’s approval. In its Aug.22 order, SC set aside, by a majority verdict, the practice of divorce through instant triple talaq among Muslims, saying the practice was void, illegal and unconstitutional. A 5-judge Constitution Bench, in a 395-page order, said “In view of the different opinions recorded by a majority of 3:2, the practice of ‘talaq-e-biddat’ — triple talaq is set aside.”The minority verdict by CJI JS Khehar and Justice S Abdul Nazeer favoured keeping on hold the practice of triple talaq for 6 months. The judges in the minority verdict also said that if the Centre does not bring a law within 6 months,then its injunction on triple talaq will continue. mathrubhumi
Rohingya issue needs a constructive approach: Foreign Secretary Jaishankar
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rohingya-issue-needs-constructive-conversation-says-jaishankar/article19924298.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:''India’s behaviour in the South Asian and Bay of Bengal regions does not mean that it is a leading power but shows that it is an ‘aspiring leading power’, which has regional responsibilities to shoulder.''Rohingya refugees staying in Bangladesh and India will have to return to their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar and there is need for a ‘constructive’ approach to deal with the issue, avoiding harsh criticism, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said on Thursday.“Exodus of a large number of people from Rakhine state to Bangladesh is clearly a matter of concern. Our objective would be to see how they can go back to their place of origin. Clearly that is not easy. We are talking to Bangladesh and separately engaged with Myanmar and we feel that this is a situation better addressed with practical measures and constructive conversation, rather than doing very strong condemnations and having checked the condemnation- box, move to the next issue. There is need for a sober, sensitive and locally sensitive approach in dealing with the humanitarian emergency that the exodus has become,'' he said.Jaishankar was speaking at a think tank event on prospects of India-Japan cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Asia-Pacific regions. He said that both sides were ‘mirror images’ of each other in terms of potentials, and have clear areas of convergence in the Asian humanitarian and strategic architecture.the hindu
'My father hits me, I'll be killed anytime,' says Hadiya
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/261017/kerala-love-jihad-my-father-hits-me-ill-be-killed-anytime-says-hadiya.html
Kottayam: "You need to get me out...I will be killed anytime," said Hadiya, who was put in the protective custody of her parents by the Kerala High Court in June after it annulled her marriage on the charge of ‘love jihad’.“I know my father is getting angry...He hits and kicks me when I walk,” Hadiya, a 25-year-old homoeopathic doctor, can be heard saying in Malayalam in the video published by The News MinuteThe video, which was originally taken by activist Rahul Easwar, ends on an abrupt note with Hadiya saying, "What if my head or any part of my body hits somewhere and I die..."Hadiya alias Akhila had converted to Islam and married a Muslim, Shafin Jahan. Visitors have been barred from meeting Hadiya in her residence, which is guarded by the police.Deccan Chronicle
IPS who deposed against Advani in Babri case denied extension in R&AW
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ips-who-deposed-against-lk-advani-in-babri-case-denied-extension-in-raw-4906813/
New Delhi:Govt has turned down Uttarakhand cadre IPS officer Anju Gupta’s proposal for granting permanent secondment in R&AW on the grounds that already a large number of officers at the joint secretary-level posted in the external intelligence agency have been granted extension.Gupta, earlier in the UP cadre, was among the star witnesses in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case and has deposed against veteran BJP leader LK Advani before a special court in Rae Bareli in 2010, saying that Advani made a “provocative speech” in Ayodhya before the mosque was attacked and demolished by a mob.“He looked euphoric, his provocative speech, applauded by his other party colleagues, infused enthusiasm amongst kar sevaks,” Gupta is said to have told the court. She was then posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Faizabad and was the security in-charge of VVIPs in Ayodhya on Dec.6, 1992. Gupta also made similar deposition before CBI and the Liberhan Commission.A 1990 batch IPS officer, Gupta opted for the Uttarakhand cadre after bifurcation of UP in 2000 since her husband, Shafi Ahsan Rizvi, an 1989 batch IPS officer, chose Uttarakhand cadre. Rizvi is currently a joint director in the IB and in charge of economic intelligence. indianexpress
Adityanath visits Taj Mahal days after BJP leaders’ controversial remarks
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh-chief-minister-yogi-adityanath-visits-taj-mahal/article19923245.ece?homepage=true
Agra: UP CM Yogi Adityanath visited Taj Mahal today days after some BJP leaders made provocative statements against 17th century Mughal era monument.Accompanied by scores of security personnel, officials and jostling crowds of supporters, he walked down the path leading to Taj Mahal along with State Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Adityanath, first BJP CM of the State to visit the monument, entered from the western gate.Donning a mask, wearing yellow gloves and wielding a broom,CM,accompanied by about 500 BJP members including MLAs from western UP, swept a parking area, in an apparent bid to promote the Swachh Bharat mission. Visit is seen by many as a damage control exercise after the eruption of a series of controversies.PTI
Accenture faces new bias suit by an Indian Muslim worker
http://www.livemint.com/Companies/1FOWK6K8zV5y2cCrNHxKlL/Accenture-faces-new-bias-suit-by-an-Indian-Muslim-worker.html
New York: Accenture, one of the larger US consulting firms, was sued last year by an Indian employee who claimed that he and hundreds of workers like him who took part in the company’s Global Careers Program were discriminated against. The complaint filed by Elton Kent alleged he was paid less than American employees and received fewer benefits, including paid paternity leave.Accenture settled the case for $500,000 without admitting or denying wrongdoing. Last June the company publicized “Inclusion Starts With I,” an internal program meant to raise awareness of bias in the workplace. A video appears on the company’s website with people holding signs detailing their run-ins with discrimination, including a woman whose sign says there’s a strain when conversations aren’t in her first language and a black man whose reads that he laments “being labelled entitled and lacking drive.”Last week, Accenture got sued again, by a Muslim Indian man bringing allegations similar to those lodged by Kent. In the new suit, Mohammed Ali alleged that he was paid a lower salary and demoted, and that he didn’t receive an annual bonus, because of his race and religion. According to Ali, he regularly exceeded annual sales targets, with the exception of fiscal year 2015. He claims he was paid less than his counterparts and was given a $50 million sales target, while his colleagues had targets of $30 million.His manager, who’s white and who knew Ali is a practising Muslim, justified the elevated target by telling Ali he “wasn’t going to be like Bernie Sanders and give handouts,” according to the complaint, and also told Ali he agreed “with all of Trump’s views.” Statements were allegedly made during the first half of 2016 when then-candidate Donald Trump was calling for a Muslim immigration ban. livemint
Delhi firecracker ban had no impact, say studies: thehindu
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/delhi-firecracker-ban-had-no-impact-say-studies/article19921329.ece
Pollution levels recorded in the National Capital Region on Deepavali and the two following days were in close agreement with forecasts that assumed that the entire stock of unsold firecrackers in the city was used.This data indicates that a October 9 Supreme Court ban on the sale of firecrackers in the city had no effect, and partly explains why air pollution remained severe despite it.The idea behind the Supreme Court judgment was to test whether reduced firecracker use could alleviate the noxious pollution in Delhi during winter.To forecast pollution levels on October 19, 20 and 21 as a result of this ban, Goa-based research group, Urban Emissions, simulated three scenarios using weather and emissions data.In the first, the ban led to no reduction in firecracker use; in the second, there was a 25% reduction while in the third, the drop was 50%.“The pollution peaks only matched at 0%. This means that there was no effect of the ban on what people managed to burst,”said Sarath Guttikunda, the director of Urban Emissions.
Faridabad’s Junaid lynching: HC notice to Haryana govt on plea seeking Junaid case transfer to CBI:indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/faridabad-lynching-hc-notice-to-haryana-govt-on-plea-seeking-junaid-case-transfer-to-cbi-4906721/
Chandigarh; Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice to the Haryana Govt on a petition seeking transfer of the investigation into the murder case of Haryana teenager Junaid Khan to the CBI. Junaid was stabbed to death onboard a train in June this year. Petition, filed by Junaid’s father Jalaluddin, states that so far, police have carried out a “seemingly casual and shoddy investigation” in the case and the probe has been “subverted in a calculated manner” to help the accused in the case. He has claimed that the investigation was getting influenced by “some high-ups” since it began and the police deliberately did not record the “correct statements” of the accused.“Investigation was managed to minimise the damage to the accused and to ensure that most of them are released on bail and face no serious trial,”Jalaluddin said in the plea. 15-year-old Junaid, his brother and two cousins were attacked on a Mathura-bound train in June. The teenager was stabbed to death by the accused and thrown off the train.“It is a clear case of deliberate distortion of true facts in the course of investigation and provides a clear illustration of the subversion of the investigating functioning of various persons engaged in the task of investigation. The true facts and the correct version have been derailed by introducing calculated distortions, discrepancies and contradictions,” counsel said in the plea.
UN Body Praises Author Nayantara Sahgal For Returning Sahitya Akademi Award After Dadri Lynching
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/un-body-praises-author-nayantara-sahgal-for-returning-sahitya-akademi-award-afte/303482
Author Nayantara Sahgal has been praised by a UN monitor for cultural rights for returning her Sahitya Akademi award two years ago following the killing of Mohammed Ikhlaq by a mob in UP's Dadri in 2015.According to IANS, Karima Bennoune, the special rapporteur for cultural rights, told a General Assembly committee dealing with social, humanitarian and cultural affairs: "Women artists often play a significant role in calling out fundamentalism and extremism. For example, in response to what they perceived as ‘rising intolerance and growing assault on free speech’, coupled with violence against intellectuals, approximately 40 leading Indian writers, including women writers, returned their literary awards in protest." Bennoune added,"This effort came to prominence after well-known writer Nayantara Sahgal returned a prize” with the explanation that “India’s culture of diversity and debate is now under vicious assault."Bennoune is a professor of international law at the University of California-Davis School of Law.Sahgal, the niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, had announced her decision to return her Sahitya Akademi award in the year 2015.Outlook
'Savarkar Apologised to British 6 Times to Fight them': BJP Leader’s Claim Triggers Jokes in Kerala:Newsclick
https://newsclick.in/savarkar-apologised-british-6-times-fight-them-bjp-leaders-claim-triggers-jokes-kerala
The claim by JR Padmakumar, the BJP Kerala spokesperson, that Hindu Mahasabha leader VD Savarkar had apologised not once, but six times to the British so that he could participate in the Indian freedom struggle, has triggered an avalanche of jokes from Kerala’s famed meme factories.The argument was made by Padmakumar during the course of a news debate in Manorama channel on Tuesday.Padmakumar’s comments have resulted in an explosion of jokes in the Malayalam cyber space. A small sample of translated memes can be seen below. Since the RSS was not part of the freedom struggle, claiming that Savarkar was a participant in the freedom struggle has been the only option for Sangh Parivar spokesperson to claim some link with the Indian people’s fight against British colonial rule. But Savarkar had petitioned the British several times during his jail term at the Andamans and subsequently after his release, seeking forgiveness and offering complete cooperation.While Savarkar was lodged in the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he had written in his mercy petition on 14 November 1913:"If the Govt in their manifold beneficence and mercy release me, I for one cannot but be the staunchest advocate of constitutional progress and loyalty to the English Govt which is the foremost condition of that progress... Moreover, my conversion to the constitutional line would bring back all those misled young men in India and abroad who were once looking up to me as their guide. I am ready to serve the Govt in any capacity they like, for as my conversion is conscientious so I hope my future conduct would be." newsclick
China defends Pak against criticism by India, US on terrorism
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-defends-pakistan-against-criticism-by-india-us-on-terrorism/story-tZrQRS7dBQLol9eOlForgK.html
Beijing:China once again came out in defence of Pakistan against criticism by India and the US for not doing enough to wipe out terrorist outfits from the country and praised Islamabad’s efforts in combatting terrorism.A day after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and US secretary of state Rex Tillerson told Pakistan to act against terrorists on its soil, China said Pakistan has done a good job in countering terrorism. “Pakistan is at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts. For many years, Pakistan has made positive efforts to counter terrorism and has made great sacrifices,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.China has earlier too made similar statements whenever “all-weather ally” Islamabad has been slammed for failing to curb terrorism. “We believe that the international community should recognise the efforts made by Pakistan in counter-terrorism,” Geng said.IANS
India asked to share details of 1961 plane crash that killed former UN chief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-asked-to-share-details-of-1961-plane-crash-that-killed-former-un-chief/story-jE8mCLCcqM0PbfTg64EJ0I.html
An eminent jurist has appealed to India to share any information it may have on a plane crash that killed former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, which he said was possibly the result of “hostile action”.The request to India was contained in the report by former Tanzanian Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman on Sept.1961 crash that was released on Wednesday. Othman said that “given the decolonisation and geopolitical situation of the Congo in the 1960s and contributions made to UN operations” India may hold relevant information about the crash 56 years ago while Hammarskjold was on a crucial mission to resolve the Congo crisis.India was a major player in UN peacekeeping operations in Congo at that time,contributing around 4,700 troops to the mission.Othman was asked by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to look into the latest information emerging about the crash, which had been the subject of several investigations and myriad theories.Othman said that “it appears plausible that an external attack or threat may have been a cause of the crash”near Ndola in what is now Zambia and was then the British-controlled Northern Rhodesia.IANS
Swiss couple attacked in Agra: Sushma seeks report
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/swiss-couple-attacked-in-agra-sushma-swaraj-seeks-report-from-up-govt-4907008/
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said she has asked for a report from UP Govt regarding an alleged incident of assault on a Swiss couple in Agra. Swaraj tweeted, “I have just seen this (report). I have asked for a report from the State Govt.” Swaraj added officers will reach out to the couple in the hospital. The couple is being treated at a hospital in Delhi. Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons also wrote to UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressing concern over the attack.The couple from Switzerland was allegedly chased and attacked by a group of youths in Agra’s Fatehpur Sikri on Sunday. Quentin Jeremy Clerc (24) said that he and his girlfriend Marie Droz were first followed by the group of young people who later attacked them, leaving Clerc with a fractured skull and a clot in his brain, reports said. Droz’s arm was reportedly fractured in the assault and she also suffered multiple bruises. indianexpress
Abdul Karim Telgi, fake stamp paper scam kingpin dies
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/abdul-karim-telgi-fake-stamp-paper-scam-kingpin-passes-away/
Abdul Karim Telgi, kingpin of the counterfeit stamp paper scam, passed away in Bengaluru due to multiple organ failures on Thursday, reported ANI. Telgi who was arrested in Ajmer in Nov. 2001 had been suffering from diabetes and hypertension for over 20 years. He was admitted to Victoria hospital last week after he collapsed in prison. He was also undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS.Telgi was lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central jail in Bengaluru for the multi-crore fake stamp paper racket, along with a massive fine of Rs 202 crore. He was previously given special privileges like an assistant in prison on account of his severe condition. indianexpress
NIA raids Salahuddin's ancestral house in J&K's Budgam
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-raids-syed-salahuddins-ancestral-house-in-jks-budgam/articleshow/61245507.cms
Srinagar: NIA raided Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin's house in Soibugh village of central Kashmir's Budgam district, sources said.The raid came two days after HM chief's son Shahid Yousuf was arrested by NIA in a terror funding case. Shahid was sent to judicial custody for seven days by a special court on Wednesday.Reports said NIA team reached Salahuddin's ancestral house at about 4.30am. It recovered several mobile phones, laptop and some documents and left around 7am, sources said. According to reports, HM chief's sons and 2 daughters live in the said house.timesofindia
Tipu Jayanti: ‘Stringent action against those disturbing peace’
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/tipu-jayanti-stringent-action-against-those-disturbing-peace/article19913891.ece
Bengaluru: CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday cautioned “anti-social elements” against disturbing communal harmony in the guise of opposing Tipu Jayanti, even as Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samiti is launching an agitation on Wednesday objecting to the event to be observed on Nov.10.Patapat Srinivas, co-ordinator of the samiti, said they plan to hold protests in all districts and will organise Onake Chaluvali (pestle agitation), torchlight procession and black flag demonstration. BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders, including Pratap Simha, MP; zonal secretary of VHP S. Gopal, writer Addanda Karyappa, and D.S. Veerayya, MLC, participated in an event organised to plan the protests.Meanwhile, accusing the BJP and Sangh Parivar of politicising the issue with an eye on the Assembly polls, CM Siddaramaiah said: “Some people are engaged in dividing the society. Govt will not tolerate any activity of that kind and stringent action will be taken against them.” He said that there was no question of reversing its decision on the celebrations. thehindu
51 Hindu families migrated from Pakistan to Chhattisgarh get Indian citizenship
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/51-hindu-families-migrated-from-pakistan-to-chhattisgarh-get-indian-citizenship-4906967/
Raipur:As many as 51 Hindu families who had migrated from Pakistan several years ago and have been living on the outskirts of the city were on Wednesday granted Indian citizenship. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to award citizenship after PM Narendra Modi granted the power to states to do so.He and Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh awarded the certificates of Indian citizenship at a function to mark the 73rd birth anniversary of Sant Gobindram Saheb here at Saddani Darbar.These families settled down in Saddani Darbar area on the fringes of Raipur several years ago.“Chhattisagrh has become the first state in the country to grant Indian citizenship to the migrated Hindu families. The state has set an example by taking such an important step,” Ahir said.PTI
Nariman: ‘Ruling Party’s Support to Private Person’s Defamation Suit Must Be Condemned’
https://thewire.in/191023/nariman-ruling-partys-support-private-persons-defamation-suit-must-condemned/
New Delhi: “Any support extended by a political party in power to a private person’s defamation suit against another private person (of any profession or calling) is condemnable and must be condemned,” said jurist Fali S. Nariman on Wednesday. His observation, made in a written message to the Press Club of India, was read out at a meeting to discuss the defamation cases filed against The Wire by BJP president Amit Shah’s son for reporting on his business affairs.Shah’s son, Jay Shah, has filed a criminal defamation case and a civil defamation case seeking Rs 100 crore in damages. He has already secured an ex-parte ad interim injunction against The Wire from a civil court in Ahmedabad which its editors say they intend to challenge.PCI meeting was called to discuss “Issues arising out of support extended by the ruling party and Govt to a private person’s defamation suit against journalists”. Chaired by veteran journalist Anand Sahay, the gathering was addressed by PCI president Gautam Lahiri, lawyers Prashant Bhushan and Karuna Nandy and the former editor of the Economic and Political Weekly, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.In his opening remarks, Lahiri said anyone was free to file a defamation suit but the Press Club of India was shocked to see “Govt machinery rallying to defend a private citizen … That is why we have called this meeting.” He said the PCI had also invited railways minister Piyush Goyal – who had come out in defence of Jay Shah, described by his lawyer as a “private citizen” – and Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to give their point of view. “We received a message from Goyal that he had “noted” our invitation,” said Lahiri, while Prasad did not reply at all.The Wire
After Editor’s Exit, Hindustan Times Pulls Down Controversial ‘Hate Tracker’: thewire
https://thewire.in/190869/hindustan-times-hate-tracker/
New Delhi: Hindustan Times appears to have taken down its hate tracker initiative, a microsite that aimed at being a “national database on crimes in the name of religion, caste and race”.Readers and viewers who tried to access the tracker on Wednesday morning were greeted with a 404 error message that indicated that its contents are currently no longer available on newspaper’s website.Although the official reason behind the hate-tracker’s take-down is unknown at the moment, two journalists within the organisation that The Wire spoke to confirmed that it had been removed for the moment.A detailed emailed questionnaire has been sent to current editor R. Sukumar and chief content officer Rajesh Mahapatra and the story will be updated if and when they respond.The hate-tracker, which was intended to be a “crowd-sourced database of hate crimes in India since Sept.2015” was an editorial initiative driven by former HT editor Bobby Ghosh, who joined the publication in May 2016.
V K Singh in Iraq to coordinate search operations for missing Indians
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/v-k-singh-in-iraq-to-coordinate-search-operations-for-missing-indians-4906459/
New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh is in Iraq to meet senior officials to coordinate the search operations for the 39 missing Indians and find concrete information related to their whereabouts.In a statement on Tuesday, the Iraqi embassy in New Delhi said Iraq and India continue their close cooperation in order to find the location of the missing Indians who were kidnapped by ISIS group in June 2014.PTI
Gujarat: 2 held for ‘IS-inspired plan’ to attack synagogue
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-held-in-gujarat-for-lone-wolf-attack-plot-ats-4906670/
Ahmedabad: Gujarat ATS arrested 2 persons, a criminal lawyer and hospital lab technician, from Surat for allegedly plotting an Islamic State-inspired lone-wolf terror attack on a synagogue in Ahmedabad.ATS alleged that one of the accused had planned to flee to Jamaica after the attack and had his visa ready.ATS officials identified the accused as Ubed Ahmed Mirza, 29, a criminal lawyer who lives in Surat’s Saiyedpura, and his associate Kasim Stimberwala, 31, a resident of Badekha Chakla, also in Surat.According to FIR registered by ATS, Stimberwala had resigned as an echo technician at Sardar Patel Hospital, Ankleshwar and was “planning and preparing for immigration to Jamaica in the immediate future and indulge in jihad under the guidance of Abdullah el-Faisal, a radical preacher based in Jamaica”.FIR also claimed that Stimberwala was in touch with the preacher.FIR mentioned that in 2014, 4 youths had been arrested in Kolkata, who revealed names of Stimberwala and Mirza “for having an active role in their radicalisation”.Mirza also runs a restaurant in Surat called Dawat and practises criminal law in the district court.
Centre, state govt working on the lines of ‘Ram Rajya’:UP Governor Naik
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-state-govt-working-on-the-lines-of-ram-rajya-says-up-governor-ram-naik-4906397/
UP Governor Ram Naik today said that the central and the state Govt s are working on the lines of ‘Ram Rajya’ for the development of the underprivileged.Governor said this concept is in accordance to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s vision at the time of independence.“Both Govts are working towards the development of the last man in the social ladder as per the concept of ‘Ram Rajya’ visualised by the Father of the Nation at the time of independence,” Naik said.PTI
Muzaffarnagar riot victims denied burial ground in village where they were re-settled
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/muzaffarnagar-riot-victims-denied-burial-ground-in-village-where-they-were-re-settled/articleshow/61229497.cms
Muzaffarnagar: Victims of 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, who had been re-settled in a village in Budhana area here, have now allegedly been denied burial ground. They said that although they had been given a plot till 2016, permission has been revoked. The victims are too poor to avoid a vehicle to carry the bodies elsewhere.More than 300 families affected by the riots, from villages like Fugana, Kharad and Kakra in the area had been re-settled at Loi village, and had built houses after getting compensation from the Govt in 2013-14.Saleem Saifi, 30, who fled with his family from Fugana village and now lives in Loi, said, "Fugana is more than 10 km from here, and we have settled in Loi. Locals are now refusing to allow us to bury our dead in Loi. Where do we take them?""After we settled here, we started burying our dead in the village graveyard. A year ago, other villagers refused to allow us to bury our relatives, saying they needed the land for their own families. We had a burial ground in Fugana, but it is too far for us to take the bodies. We have some old and sick people in our families, and it has become a serious issue," said Akhtar Ahmad, another riot victim.Loi village has four graveyards, which belong to different Muslim castes. "There is no Govt land remaining in the village. Some time ago, I had offered a plot to the re-settled families at very low rates, but they have not got back to me on this. I am trying to sort out the matter," said Mohammad Dilshad, pradhan of Loi. timesofindia
Rajasthan passes Bill to provide 5% quota to Gurjars, 4 other communities
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/rajasthan-passes-bill-to-provide-5-obc-quota-to-gurjars-4-other-communities/487583.html
Jaipur:Rajasthan Assembly passed by a voice vote a Bill to provide 5% quota to 5 communities, including Gurjars, in the OBC by raising its limit from 21 to 26% . However, the opposition Congress MLAs continued for the third day their protest cum sit-in in the well of the House demanding crop loan waiver by the Vasundhara Raje Govt .In a sudden turn of events, Congress legislators who were in the well on farmers’ demand suddenly appeared with placards and raised anti-BJP slogans for "killing" Gujrars during their agitation in the past.BJP ministers and MLAs exchanged heated arguments on this issue when Parliamentary Affairs Minister RS Rathore questioned Opposition whether they were against OBC quota Bill or dishonouring the Gurjar community. Presenting the Bill, Arun Chaturvedi, minister in-charge, told the House the new legislation would provide for the reservation of seats in educational institutions in the state and of appointments and posts in services for the category. tribuneindia
Govt To Crack Down On Misleading Ads:PM Modi
http://profit.ndtv.com/news/your-money/article-Govt -to-crack-down-on-misleading-ads-says-pm-narendra-modi-1767597
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi today said a new consumer protection law is on the anvil to crack down on misleading ads and ensure that grievances are redressed in a time-bound and cost effective manner.He also said the Govt has enacted a new GST law which will benefit consumers in the long run as prices would come down because of competition among manufacturers."Today we are in the process of enacting a new Consumer Protection Act keeping in view business practices and requirements of the country. The proposed Act lays great emphasis on consumer empowerment," he said. "Stringent provisions are proposed against misleading advertisements. A Central Consumer Protection Authority with executive powers will be constituted for quick remedial action," he added.PTI
BJP attacking religious minorities to divert people’s attention: Teesta
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/bjp-attacking-religious-minorities-to-divert-peoples-attention-teesta/articleshow/61230038.cms
Mangaluru: Human rights activist Teesta Setalvad urged people "not to get carried away by BJP's ploy to attack religious minorities in a bid to divert people's attention from the failures of the Union Govt ."She was speaking at a seminar on 'Talking peace in times of hate' at Sahodaya Hall, Balmatta on Wednesday. She called upon Mangalureans to unite against fringe elements and fight against communal forces in Dakshina Kannada and condemn the deaths that have taken place due to such issues over the years.During the session, it also emerged that the district is gaining notoriety for communal tension as a student from JNU, Delhi, said he was in the city to do a study on communal tension in DK as for his PhD thesis.
Centre hands over Assam's Islam murder case to CBI
http://www.newindianexpress.com/pti-news/2017/oct/25/centre-hands-over-assams-lafikul-islam-murder-case-to-cbi-1683149.html
Guwahati:Acting on the Assam Govt 's request, the Centre has handed over the case of killing of All Bodo Minority Students Union (ABMSU) president Lafikul Islam to CBI, an official release said.A notification has been issued in this regard by the central Govt , the state Govt said in a release tonight.ABMSU president Lafikul Islam was killed by unidentified miscreants at Titaguri market in Kokrajhar district on August 1.PTI
UP: Pregnant Woman Thrashed to Death for ‘Defiling’ Bucket Belonging to Upper Caste Family: newsclick
https://newsclick.in/shocker-pregnant-woman-thrashed-death-defiling-bucket-belonging-upper-caste-family
“If we don’t work for a living, how will we survive? How will we feed children?” And that is why Savitri Devi, despite of being pregnant, had gone to collect garbage from homes at Khetalpur Bhansoli village in Bulandshahr district of UP at around 9 am on Oct.15.While going for work, 34-year-old woman somehow lost balance and accidentally touched a bucket belonging to one Anju Devi, an upper caste woman belonging to Thakur community. Savitri did not know that she had ‘defiled’ the bucket and had to pay price for her ‘sin’. She was allegedly beaten with sticks and kicked in the stomach by Anju and her son Rohit Kumar to the extent that she suffered a miscarriage and “ante mortem head injury” at the spot.She was taken to the district hospital in serious condition but doctors “refused” to see her. There was no external bleeding and they “said she was fine”. But “she kept complaining of severe headache and stomach pain”. 6 days after the incident, her condition worsened and she lost consciousness. She was again rushed to another hospital where she was declared brought dead by doctors on Oct. 21.
WORLD
Iraqi PM dismisses Kurds offer to freeze vote results
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/iraqi-pm-dismisses-kurds-offer-freeze-vote-results-171026101520455.html
Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi has rejected a proposal from Kurdish leaders to "freeze" the results of secession vote, saying only a complete annulment would be a sufficient condition for the resumption of talks between Baghdad and Erbil.Speaking to reporters in the Iranian capital Tehran on Thursday, Abadi said his Govt had warned Iraq's northern Kurdish region against holding the referendum - the results of which overwhelmingly supported Kurdish secession."As we told our brothers in Kurdistan in the past, we will not allow the danger of disintegration to put our country at risk," Abadi said."We will only accept the abolition of the referendum and the adherence to the Constitution," he added, describing military operations taking place on the outskirts of the region's borders as "constitutional" and aimed at "extending federal authority over those areas."Abadi's trip to Iran today is seen as a continuing effort to bolster Baghdad's call for a unified Iraq. aljazeera
Israel companies in talks to invest in Saudi’s ‘smart city’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171026-israel-companies-in-talks-to-invest-in-saudi-arabias-smart-city/
Several Israeli companies are in talks with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia about business opportunities in the Kingdom’s new “smart city”, according to documents obtained by the Jerusalem Post.Israeli daily claims to have seen correspondence confirming economic cooperation between Arab diplomats and businessmen in Tel Aviv; Israeli firms will reportedly be competing under the table for billion-dollar contracts from the Saudi Govt .“Saudis are not so willing to cooperate with the Israelis formally, but … it’s much easier to create all kinds of cooperation on water, energy, ag-tech, food tech. This is the stuff that the prince of Saudi [Mohammed Bin Salman] wants to promote in the smart city,” said a source in Israeli venture capital who is familiar with the project.On Tuesday, Saudi officially launched NEOM, a developmental project to create an economic zone spanning the country and parts of Egypt and Jordan. Designed to free the Kingdom of its dependency on oil, it will focus on industries including water, biotechnology,food,advanced manufacturing and entertainment ;at an estimated cost of $500 billion.The project is part of Bin Salman’s 2030 economic vision for the country, which he has also promised will come with modernisation.middleeastmonitor
Yemen: US drone strikes kill 69 suspects in 10 days
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171026-yemen-us-drone-strikes-kill-69-suspects-in-ten-days/
US administration is increasing targeted drone strikes in Yemen, killing some 60 suspected fighters in the last ten days in addition to nine suspects yesterday, US Central Command told MEMO.“In the last 10 days, US forces have targeted and killed approximately 60 ISIS terrorists in Yemen,” Maj Earl Brown, US CENTCOM spokesman confirmed.2 separate airstrikes targeted moving vehicles and killed “9 ISIS terrorists in the Al-Bayda Governorate of Yemen”, Brown continued. The strikes were in coordination with the Yemen Govt ’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations against “ISIS and AQAP to degrade the groups’ ability to coordinate external terror attacks and limit their ability to hold territory seized from the legitimate Govt ”, Brown explained. middleeastmonitor
Pro-UAE militias escalate attack on Al-Islah in Yemen
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171025-pro-uae-militias-escalate-attack-on-al-islah-in-yemen/
Militants led by Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, head of UAE-backed South Transitional Council, have increased their attacks on the Al-Islah party.Al-Islah, with whom Al-Zubaidi has previously been aligned, ceased its alliance with the UAE’s man in the south of Yemen following his rift with the internationally backed President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.Al-Zubaidi’s forces have escalated their attacks on Al-Islah since the Gulf blockade on Qatar began in early June. One of the reasons why UAE, Saudi, Bahrain and Egypt claimed to have cut relations with Doha was its support for the “terrorist” Muslim Brotherhood group to which Al-Islah is affiliated.Last week, the militias loyal to the UAE arrested 11 Al-Islah leaders, raided two of their headquarters and set one in fire.Early this week, eight of the 11 leaders were released.According to Al Jazeera, Al-Islah is the main political party to oppose the rise of the Houthis and had tried to distance itself from the Brotherhood in an effort to ease Abu Dhabi’s anxiety about its Islamist ideology.middleeastmonitor
Yemen:US, Gulf states place sanctions terror supporters
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171025-us-gulf-states-place-sanctions-on-yemen-supporters-of-terrorism/
US, backed by a number of Gulf Arab states, has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and one organisation, a statement by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revealed .The move was taken in an effort to target leaders, financiers and facilitators of Daesh in Yemen and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). “Through this action we are aggressively targeting radical extremists in Yemen and the surrounding region who pose a direct threat to the security of the United States, Yemen, and the international community.”“This action was taken in partnership with the Saudi Arabia, as co-chair of the recently established Terrorist Financing Targeting Centre (TFTC), as well as all other TFTC member states: the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the UAE,” it added. middleeastmonitor
US House passes sanctions on Iran-backed Hezbollah
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171026-us-house-passes-sanctions-on-iran-backed-hezbollah/
US House of Representatives on Wednesday backed new sanctions on Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, part of an effort to take a tough line against Tehran without immediately moving to undermine an international nuclear agreement.3 Hezbollah-related measures passed by voice vote, without opposition. The House will vote on Thursday on another bill, to impose additional sanctions on Iran related to its ballistic missiles program. President Donald Trump said on 13 October he would not certify Iran is complying with an international agreement on its nuclear program, and threatened that he might ultimately terminate the accord.middleeastmonitor
Israel to vote on annexing illegal West Bank settlements
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171025-israel-to-vote-on-annexing-illegal-west-bank-settlements/
Israeli ministers are expected vote next week on the so-called “Greater Jerusalem bill” which would annex 19 illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to Israel’s municipal boundaries for Jerusalem, according to Israeli paper Haaretz. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu threw his support behind the bill earlier this month, which would reportedly allow the settlers to retain their autonomy but afford them voting rights in the city’s mayoral race.It would meanwhile create “independent municipalities” for some 100,000 Palestinian citizens or residents of Israel who live within Israel’s Jerusalem municipality borders but are located on the other side of Israel’s illegal Separation Wall.Haaretz reported that the bill is expected to win the support of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, and be sent to the Knesset, for approval.According to the bill, the settlements of Ma’ale Adumim – which itself is home to between 125,000 and 150,000 Israeli settlers – Gush Etzion, Efrat, Beitar Illit and Givat Zeev will be included under Jerusalem’s municipal jurisdiction, but not officially annexed to Israel, Haaretz said. middleeastmonitor
Israel to expand illegal settlement in East Jerusalem
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/israel-expand-illegal-settlement-east-jerusalem-171025185558556.html
Israel has approved plans for 176 new Jewish homes in occupied East Jerusalem. Expansion to the settlement of Nor Zion would make it the largest in the city, situated in the middle of a Palestinian neighbourhood.Israeli ministers are also expected to vote on Sunday on a controversial bill that would bring illegal W.Bank settlements around Jerusalem under jurisdiction of city;a move Palestinians call annexation.aljazeera
UN to blacklist 190 companies doing business in occupied Palestine
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171026-un-to-blacklist-190-companies-doing-business-in-occupied-palestine/
Some of the biggest companies in the world, including Hewlett Packard, Motorola and Caterpillar are facing the prospect of being included on a UN blacklist of companies that violate international law for doing business in occupied Palestinian territories.Up to 190 companies (130 Israeli and 60 international) could find themselves on the UN blacklist after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, sent a threatening letter to the corporations for operating in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Jordan Valley; areas occupied under international law.Israeli officials and western diplomats involved in the matter, as well as companies that have been threatened with inclusion on the UN blacklist, have confirmed the letter but according to the same reports the Trump administration and Israeli officials are pushing the UNCHR to prevent the list’s publication. middleeastmonitor
Pak accountability court issues bailable warrants against ousted PM Nawaz Sharif
http://www.apnlive.com/world-news/pak-accountability-court-issues-bailable-warrants-ousted-pm-nawaz-sharif-30385
In yet another setback to ousted Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, who has been indicted in graft cases linked with the Panama Papers leak, an accountability court in Islamabad, on Thursday, issued bailable warrants against him in connection with two corruption references.Sharif has been granted time till November 3 to present himself before the court. If Sharif fails to appear before the accountability court on the said date, non-bailable warrants may be issued against him.On earlier hearings in the case, Sharif’s legal team had claimed that he was in London to attend to his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer. However, exPM and his wife are currently in Saudi Arabia, where they had arrived earlier this week and were reportedly en route to Pakistan.As the hearing into the three corruption references against Nawaz and his family members began in the accountability court on Thursday, former PM’s lead counsel Khawaja Haris pleaded before Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir that his client should be exempted from appearing in court owing to his wife’s illness and ongoing treatment. apnlive
Not govt’s business to tell women what to wear: Canadian PM on Quebec’s ban on face coverings
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/not-govt-s-business-to-tell-women-what-to-wear-trudeau-on-quebec-s-ban-on-face-coverings/story-2hWYX0ZcHzKW0oUhjYvNzH.html
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said it is not Govt’s business to tell a woman what to wear, seemingly referring to Quebec’s ban on face coverings that was okayed by lawmakers on Wednesday. PM also said his govt was studying the implications of the law: “As a federal Govt , we are going to take our responsibility seriously and look carefully at what the implications are.”Rights groups say the ban, which prohibits citizens from covering their faces while giving and receiving state services, marginalises Muslim women who wear burqa or niqab in the mainly French-speaking Canadian province.While the law, which takes effect by July 1, 2018, does not specify which face coverings are prohibited, the debate has largely focused on the niqab worn by some Muslim women, which covers everything but the eyes. hindustantimes
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Modi Govt’s policy paralysis won’t fix economy: P. Raman
https://thewire.in/190418/narendra-modi-economy-policy-slowdown-jobs/
Odd-even 3.0 on Delhi roads? All you need to know about the previous drives:HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/odd-even-3-0-on-delhi-roads-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-previous-drives/story-PCCNxlojeY07OmpCRNrHLP.html
Leather Workers, Flayers Are Victims of Thick-Skinned Polity:Sanjiv Phansalkar
https://thewire.in/190700/leather-workers-flayers-are-victims-of-thick-skinned-polity/
Rohingya girls under 10 raped while fleeing Myanmar, charity says: The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/25/rohingya-children-fled-myanmar-violence-charity
Police Diluted Charges Against Accused in Pehlu Khan’s Murder Case: Fact-Finding Report:The Wire
https://thewire.in/191267/police-diluted-charges-accused-pehlu-khans-murder-case-fact-finding-report/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:10 PM)
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