Evening NEWS DIGEST
11 Nov.2017: 21 Safar 1439:Vol:9, No:44
INDIA
Demonetisation, GST failures; PM Modi should sack Jaitley: Yashwant Sinha
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/yashwant-sinha-calls-for-pm-modi-to-replace-jaitley-for-making-a-mess-of-gst/story-gB5spBqOUbBV2oRxqq4uVI.html
Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha urged PM Narendra Modi on Friday to replace Union finance minister Arun Jaitley over issues with GST, saying “no amount of tinkering with tax rates” will set things right.“With full responsibility, I urge PM to bring in a new FM (finance minister) and also constitute a committee, headed by Vijay Kelkar,to recommend fundamental changes in the GST,” Sinha, once a Union finance minister, said. This isn’t the first time Sinha has criticised the top leadership of his own party over the Govt ’s economic policies. In late September, he wrote a newspaper opinion calling last year’s note ban an “unmitigated economic disaster” and the implementation of the GST a “badly conceived and poorly implemented” havoc. Those comments drew a sharp rebuttal from Jaitley, who took a jab at “an 80-year-old man looking for re-employment”.Jaitley did not name anyone but his reference was largely understood to be to Sinha.“I may be 80, but I have presented all my 7 Budget speeches ‘standing up’ unlike Jaitley. All I am saying is that he did not apply his mind, blinded as he was with the obsession to achieve a revenue neutral rate to avoid any fall in tax collection,”he said.Demanding Jaitley be sacked, Sinha said: “GST in the present form has become ‘kabad’ (junk). Everyday changes in tax rates are not going set the faulty rate structure right.A complete overhaul is necessary. Even petrol and diesel should be brought under its ambit for the benefit of people”.Sinha also repeated his attack on the note ban. “One year is a long time. It has failed in its objective of flushing 4-5 lakh crore of black money from the system. Almost 99% of the currency is back in the banks and some currency in Nepal and district co-operative banks are still to be counted,” he said.He said 20 lakh jobs had been lost due to the scrapping of the high-value notes.“Govt is taking recourse to false claims on note ban to celebrate its success. A raid raj is underway to bolster the Govt ’s claim on tackling black money,” he said, adding,“incidents of halt in stone pelting instances happened in 2010 and 1931 too. Did it happen due to note ban then?”BJP leader called for a new commission to look into status of the implementation of quotas for SC, ST and OBCs and for ways to remove road blocks, including dealing with the 50% cap on quota imposed by Supreme Court. hindustantimes
Demonetisation,GST failed;Jaitley should be sacked:Sinha
http://zeenews.india.com/india/demonetisation-gst-failures-pm-narendra-modi-should-sack-arun-jaitley-yashwant-sinha-2056065.html
My Son Should Be Probed, but So Should Jay Shah: Sinha
https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/yashwant-sinha-jay-shah-paradise-papers-amit-shah-jayant-sinha
Taking another pot shot at Govt, Yashwant Sinha, said that everyone named in Paradise Papers – including his son, Jayant Sinha – should be investigated, as long as BJP chief Amit Shah's son, Jay Shah is also brought under the scanner.
‘Latest revisions in GST fail to woo small traders, ad-hoc nature of reforms not in interest of Small, Medium Enterprises’
http://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/msme/latest-revisions-by-the-gst-council-fail-to-woo-small-traders-ad-hoc-nature-of-reforms-not-in-the-interest-of-msmes
New Delhi:With the GST Council announcing relief after the council meeting in Guwahati, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises say that the revisions fail to meet the expectations of the economy.Talking to KNN, V.K Agarwal Past President of Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) highlighted the concerns around the ongoing ride of the new tax reformAgarwal said that the nature in which the GST Council is addressing the concerns is not very rational."It has become a lobby driven approach, only the industry that is able to pressurize and lobby is getting their voices heard whereas the small and micro industries are yet to be heard" he said.Agarwal further highlighted that Govt by constantly revising items under different tax slabs hints towards inability of tax office in rightly placing the items prior to implementation. Commenting on the compliance burden that still prevails, he said that despite repeated requests of the industry, the units are asked to comply with multiple norms which further makes it difficult for the units to focus on their production." Govt expects us to file multiple entries at different points under the new taxation. Micro units that operates on a one man show format, there isn't the luxury of such infrastructure" he added.Calling for a rationalisation instead of relief, Agarwal said that the Govt needs to explore ways for proper rational behind the placement of items under different tax slabs.KNNINDIA
Knee-jerk GST overhaul a damning example of ad-hocism that continues to govern India's public policies: firstpost
http://www.firstpost.com/business/knee-jerk-gst-overhaul-a-damning-example-of-ad-hocism-that-continues-to-govern-indias-public-policies-4204969.html
Retention of cement in 28% GST slab unfortunate: Cement Manufacturers' Association
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/retention-of-cement-in-28-gst-slab-unfortunate-cement-manufacturers-association-2435845.html
Cement Manufacturers' Association (CMA) expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the product from the 200 items on which the Centre slashed GST rate to 18 % from 28 percent. The retention of the cement in the 28 % GST bracket, along with luxury items such as washing machines and air conditioners, is quite unfortunate, CMA head Shailendra Chouksey said."This is a disappointment for the entire industry as cement is integral to the Govt 's key schemes such as housing for all, Swachh Bharat-related constructions and building of other key infrastructure projects," he said.PTI
In 2019, we will reduce GST rate to just one slab of 18%:Rahul Gandhi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-2019-we-will-reduce-gst-rate-to-just-one-slab-of-18-says-rahul-gandhi/articleshow/61604262.cms
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi appears confident his party will win the next general elections because he said if BJP doesn't reduce GST tax rate to a flat 18% "we will do it in 2019".He said he's not happy even though the Centre cut GST rate yesterday on more than 200 items, to 18% from 28 percent. He also said India "doesn't need" 5 different tax slabs and GST regime needs a structural overhaul."We are not happy. We want the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' to be abolished and people get one tax slab of GST. We want only one 18 % tax slab. If BJP does not do it we will do it in 2019," said the Gandhi scion who was speaking from the campaign trail in Gandhinagar in poll-bound Gujarat."Gabbar Singh Tax" is what Rahul calls the GST. He's implying the GST is as villainous as Gabbar Singh, an iconic baddie from Hindi cinema.Rahul also said it was the pressure put on the Govt by ordinary people and by the Congress that forced the Govt 's hand and led to it slashing rates. timesofindia
GST aimed to break backbone of India, benefit selected businessmen: Rahul Gandhi
https://www.newsheads.in/india/politics/gst-aimed-to-break-backbone-of-india-rahul-gandhi/article/9622.html
CBI should probe fixation of 'exorbitant rates' by GST Council: Goa Congress
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cbi-should-probe-fixation-of-exorbitant-rates-by-gst-council-goa-congress/articleshow/61607531.cms
Congress in Goa today demanded a CBI probe into the matter of initial fixation of "exorbitant rates" by the GST Council.In a statement here, Goa Congress chief Shantaram Naik said the GST Council had caused a "notional" loss of Rs 20,000 crore to the central and states' exchequer."CBI should, suo motu, investigate into the matter of initial fixation of exorbitant rates by GST Council and now causing approximately Rs 20,000 crore loss to the Centre and states," he said.Central agency should start criminal proceedings against those responsible for the loss, Naik said.Congress leader said the Rs 20,000 crore loss may be "notional" but the damage caused to the Centre and state Govt s is real.PTI
GST tax rollback: It took 4 months for common sense to germinate, says Chidambaram
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gst-tax-rollback-it-took-4-months-for-common-sense-to-germinate-says-chidambaram/story-LLfjyTAUt2jvZndsCmqJWK.html
P Chidambaram on Saturday took a dig at the Govt over GST roll back in tax slabs, saying it took four months for commonsense to “germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit”.“Ministry of finance must be complimented for ‘improving’ the macro-economic situation in four months and 10 days!” Chidambaram said in a tweet.HT
Car sales fall in October as GST hits festive demand
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/car-sales-fall-in-october-as-gst-hits-festive-demand/articleshow/61604859.cms
Car sales declined 5% in Oct.and inventories remained at higher level as GST hit demand in the festive season, auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) said.Vishnu Mathur, directorgeneral of Siam said that festive season sales for cars were "below expectations" and dealerships still have high stock levels with them. However, SUVs saw higher demand and sales went up by 12%.TOI
GST Council cuts tax rates on 213 items; eating out to get cheaper: thehindu
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/gst-council-meet-lower-tax-rates-on-213-items-5-eating-out-to-get-cheaper/article20104609.ece
GST Council sharply reduced to just 50 the number of items in the highest tax rate of 28%. At its 23rd meeting in Guwahati, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, it also staggered the return filing process, reduced the tax rates on restaurants and expanded the Composition Scheme for small firms.Tax experts termed the Council’s decisions — virtually upending the original GST structure — a bold decision ahead of the Gujarat elections. The decisions are expected to win over businesses struggling to cope with the transition to the new indirect tax system.The Council decided to reduce the tax rate on 178 of the current 228 items from 28% to 18%, with effect from November 15. Items with tax rates reduced to nil from 5% include guar meal, sweet potatoes, and dried or frozen fish.
Congress likely to allot 20-25 seats to Hardik Patel’s outfit in Phase 1 of Gujarat polls: Reports
https://scroll.in/latest/857480/congress-likely-to-allot-20-25-seats-to-hardik-patels-outfit-in-phase-1-of-gujarat-polls-reports
Congress on Friday approved the names of 80 candidates for the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections that will be held on Dec.9, theHT reported. The party is likely to announce the names of its candidates by Nov. 16, The Hindu reported. During its central election committee meeting, the party also earmarked 20-25 seats for the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti. Patel was supposed to forward to the Congress his list of candidates by Thursday, but it did not arrive by the time the Congress panel met. Patel is now expected to send his list in a few days after which the Congress will finalise names.Patel leaders within the Congress have asked for 60 seats for the members of the Patidar community. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is reportedly willing to field them in at least 50 constituencies, according to the Hindustan Times. scroll
Drama in Supreme Court as chief justice annuls order on case casting aspersions on judiciary
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drama-in-supreme-court-as-chief-justice-annuls-order-on-case-casting-aspersions-on-judiciary/story-GM6g35NCZJfmyJAJJkvjoK.html
New Delhil:There was high drama in the Supreme Court for the second consecutive day on Friday, with the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra constituting a special 5-judge bench to hear a case casting aspersions on the judiciary and, at the same time, annulling an order passed by a two-judge bench of the apex court on Thursday, listing the case for hearing by a Constitution Bench of the five-senior most judges of the court, minus the Chief Justice himself.The drama wasn’t restricted to the scrapping of the day-old order, though. It also included criticism of that order, an exchange between the chief justice and lawyer Prashant Bhushan – with the latter asking the former to recuse himself from the case and the former refusing to do so, and a demand by a group of lawyers for a contempt petition against Bhushan for casting aspersions on Chief Justice.At the heart of the controversy that is roiling the country’s top court, and forcing judges and lawyers to take sides, is a case filed by Prasad Education Trust seeking relief from a Govt order barring it from admitting students to its medical college in 2017-18 and 2018-19. The trust sought relief from the SC and the Allahabad high court. On Sept.18, a bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice denied it relief for 2017-18 and asked the Medical Council of India to reassess the college regarding its admission of students for 2018-19. hindustantimes
'Black day' in SC history: Prashant Bhushan explains court ordeal
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/nov/11/black-day-in-supreme-court-history-lawyer-prashant-bhushan-explains-court-ordeal-1698370.html
New Delhi: Petitioner and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who had sought an SIT Investigation in the medical college bribery scam, termed CJI,Justice Dipak Misra, overriding J Chelameshwar's order as a 'black day' in the history of the Supreme Court."I feel that the behaviour of the CJI and the bench was not proper. We haven’t yet seen the order of the court. We’ll first see and then take the call on our future course of action," Bhushan told ANI."But this is certainly a black day in the history of the Supreme Court," he added.The above-mentioned matter pertains to a medical college bribery scam against IM Quddusi (retired Orissa High Court judge) who was arrested among others, by CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Bhushan, earlier in the day, tweeted that CJI Dipak Misra presided over a "hand-picked bench to override yesterday's order" by another top court bench.hushan went on to explain the ordeal of the day's proceedings."It was one of the most unfortunate days for the Supreme Court and the judiciary, where the credibility of the court has been greatly undermined and that too effectively by the CJI himself. The petition was seeking an independent SIT investigation into a CBI FIR effectively registered against the judges of SC, including the CJI, particularly the CJI. We were asking for an independent SIT investigation and that it should not be left with the CBI, which is a caged parrot under the Central Govt ," Bhushan said."A similar matter was heard the previous day in which it was observed that it is a very important case and can have serious ramifications and therefore, it should be heard by five seniormost judges of the Supreme Court on Monday. Today when our matter came to a different bench, the two judges first apparently said that it should be connected with the earlier case but then at 2:45 pm, I received a call from the registry that the CJI has constituted a seven-judge bench," he added.Bhushan further said that thereafter, a five bench started the proceedings, but instead of hearing the matter on merits, it started asking all kinds of random lawyers present there about the propriety of court no. 2 hearing this matter the previous day."When I said that CJI should not be hearing this matter because he has a conflict of interest as this FIR is effectively seeking an investigation into his role also, he ignored my point and once again started listening to random lawyers," he said, adding, "He did not allow me to say anything on the merits of the case."Bhushan added that after trying for 4-5 times, he left the court.ANI
Minority status for Hindus: Supreme Court declines plea
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/minority-status-for-hindus-supreme-court-declines-plea-4932059/
New Delhi: Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a plea seeking minority status for Hindus in seven states and one Union Territory where the community numbers have fallen according to 2011 Census. A bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi “closed” the writ petition after BJP leader Ashwani Kumar Upadhyay, who had filed it, prayed “for liberty to withdraw this writ petition and instead approach the National Commission for Minorities”. Indianexpress
All Eyes On SC Hearing Challenging Rakesh Asthana’s Appointment as CBI Special Director: thewire
https://thewire.in/196037/eyes-sc-hearing-challenging-rakesh-asthanas-appointment-cbi-special-director/
PIL petition calls for disclosure of all relevant records pertaining to Asthana’s appointment.On Nov.13, the Supreme Court will be hearing a most unusual case. For the first time in the history of the country, the appointment of a serving top officer of India’s premier police investigating agency is being questioned because he is himself being investigated in a corruption case by the same agency.The person concerned is Rakesh Asthana, officer of 1984 batch of IPS belonging to the Gujarat cadre. He was appointed as special director of the Central Bureau of Investigation on Oct.22 by an order issued by appointments committee of cabinet comprising PM Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh.This appointment is being challenged through a PIL petition filed by the non-Govt organisation Common Cause on the ground that Asthana is not a person of “impeccable integrity.” A disclaimer is in order: this writer is a member of the governing council of this organisation.
Birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan who modernized army, roads, irrigation system observed amid protests
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/tipu-sultan-birth-anniversary-observed-protests-171110154035000.html
Govt of southern Indian state of Karnataka on Friday celebrated the 268th birth anniversary of 18th century ruler of erstwhile kingdom of Mysore amid protests from Hindu nationalist outfits.The state Govt led by Congress party says Tipu Sultan is a freedom fighter who fought against the British colonial rulers, but right-wing BJP, which is the main opposition party in Karnataka, calls him "tyrant" and "anti-Hindu bigot".BJP and its affiliate organisations staged state-wide protests against the honoring of the controversial ruler that started three years ago by the state Govt."Indians are not divided over Tipu Sultan. It's only people motivated by a certain ideology and politics who want to create divisions," said Mridula Mukherjee, who taught history at JNU, referring to right-wing forces."Here was a man who tried his best to try and resist Western conquest," she told Al Jazeera.BJP and its ideological parent RSS claim Tipu was a fanatic who destroyed temples and forcibly converted Hindus to Islam during his 17 years of reign.Historians say this is part of the larger campaign run by Hindu groups who paint Muslim rulers as barbarians and harsh against their Hindu subjects. Roads named after Muslim kings from medieval era have been changed and the Govt of PM Narendra Modi has been accused of pushing for rewriting of history books to suit the Hindu nationalist agenda. There are historical accounts of Tipu funding many temples and monasteries but those accounts are not highlighted while his acts against Hindu community are often exaggerated. "All rulers of the pre-modern era and even in the modern era when they went for conquest of another people, there was inevitable cruelty and brutality, so Tipu was not unique. Tipu was not an Ashoka or a Buddha. He was just like any other medieval ruler," Mukherjee said.Rakesh Sinha, ideologue of the RSS, admits Tipu Sultan was an Indian ruler with "both positive and negative traits", but says he is against celebrations and "iconisation" of the controversial ruler.#TipuJayanti trended all day as people from both sides of the divide came out on the social media to express their views.Mani Shankar Aiyar, senior leader of the Congress Party and former federal minister said that the present ruling establishment (BJP) wants to "promote a very business-oriented nationalism" in place of the idea of India of Jawaharlal Nehru.Nehru's idea of India, he said "essentially meant anyone living in India is an Indian and that we don't allow the sins of their fathers to visit their children". Aiyer said that those who want a Hindu Raj (rule) in a secular India "keep trying to find examples in Muslim rulers of India of wrongs that they may have done, and then exaggerating them".Tipu is also credited with modernisation of army, roads and irrigation system, and historians point out attempts are being made to show Tipu's multi-layered personality from a narrow sectarian prism. aljazeera
How Tipu Sultan was the original tech innovator: ET
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/miscellaneous/how-tipu-sultan-was-the-original-tech-innovator/articleshow/61588682.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Even as Tipu Sultan's legacy weathers a political hailstorm in Karnataka, ET explores how the ruler of Mysore was a tech innovator. 18th Century ruler -who was the last hurdle to the British's domination over South India -introduced ground-breaking changes to the economy and even created technology parks across his kingdom. On his `Jayanti' today, ET looks back at the radical changes Tipu brought about and which shaped the economy of the region well into the modern era. Tyrant. Iconoclast. Religious bigot. If this is the image the British painted of Tipu Sultan centuries ago, political groups of today are terming him a "fanatic", "opportunist", "rapist", "anti-Hindu" and "anti-Kannada." Historians and researchers, on the other hand, regard Tiger of Mysore as a secular, progressive king who was constantly on the lookout for the best global technology for his kingdom. Records suggest that he developed industries, laid the foundation of the silk trade and encouraged foreign technology. To advance these, Tipu established banking networks and cooperatives, where capital was raised from the public (similar to banks inviting deposits), the principal held on an annual basis and returned with interest (or `nafa'). In her book `Tiger:Life of Tipu Sultan', Australian researcher Kate Brittlebank describes Tipu as a middlesized king with tawny complexion, broad chest, slender waist and short mustachios.Although he encouraged Islamic conversions, historical evidence never painted him as a fanatic. "In fact, Tipu's attitude is primarily one of acceptance and understanding. This is most evident in his revenue and commercial regulations, which require his non-Muslim heads of departments to take oaths of service according to the conventions of their respective faiths. Additionally, regulations instruct that when non-Muslim officials attend court, they are to be fed appropriately; or in other words, they should only be offered food permitted them," she writes. "British called him a shopkeeper,"says historian Nidhin George Olikara, who specialises in Tipu. "He established trading houses for Mysore products worldwide, including places like Puducherry , Kutch, Karachi, Oman, Baghdad and Constantinople." Tipu, Olikara explains, preferred to do cashless, barter transactions for two reasons -one was to create a market for Mysorean goods and workmen abroad and the other, more important reason, was to curtail the drain of wealth out of India, which the Europeans, especially British, were notorious for. He realised that trading in currency would sap Mysuru's purchasing power at some point. How Tipu was the original Tech innovator. One incident that highlights Tipu's economic strategy was a procurement deal with France in Oct.1788 When French wanted to import pepper, sandalwood, cardamom, cotton yarns, gum and ivory, Tipu demanded that the goods be paid for by articles including cannons, ammunition, silk and woollen goods. "Only the balance, if any , would be paid in bullion or silver," pointed out Olikara. Long before the Nehruvian fillip to public sector undertakings, Tipu Sultan ruled that certain key industries would be monopolised by the State. This included sugar, salt, iron, tobacco, sandalwood and mining of silver, gold and precious stones. Tipu Sultan's library was apparently filled with translations of world literature. `Tiger of Mysore' would make handwritten observations of foreign countries. Ships arriving at his port in Mangaluru would bring various gadgets like telescopes and barometers. He often asked European ambassadors to bring him the latest technology from their lands instead of precious stones and jewellery . Partly inspired by the industrial revolution sweeping Europe, the ruler modified foreign technology to meet his ends. economictimes
Several BJP MLAs, leaders defy party diktat, join Tipu celebrations
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/bjp-mlas-leaders-defy-party-diktat-join-tipu-celebrations/articleshow/61602147.cms
Bengaluru: In an embarrassment to BJP leaders who were vehemently opposing the Tipu Jayanti fete, 3 BJP MLAs and some second-rung leaders participated in the celebrations held across Karnataka on Friday, defying the party line.While former minister and BJP MLA from Vijayanagara (Ballari) Anand Singh chose to participate in the Govt held event at Ballari, Shahapur MLA Guru Patil not only attended the celebrations but also praised the 18th century ruler. Singh, who arrived at the event organized at Hosapete draped in a shawl with tiger stripes, spoke in Urdu."There have been protests against Tipu Jayanti organized by the Gov and even our party is against it. But I am not a politician who will get into such a controversy. As a human being, I will rush to offer help to anyone, irrespective of community," Singh said. timesofindia
Protests mar Tipu, 140 Hindu right wing activists detained
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/protests-mar-tipu-jayanti-karnataka-140-hindu-right-wing-activists-detained-71436
For Pune University’s Academic Gold Medal, Only Vegetarians and Teetotallers Need Apply
https://thewire.in/196123/pune-universitys-academic-gold-medal-vegetarians-teetotallers-need-apply/
No matter how meritorius you are and no matter your how excellent your academic performance, you are not going to get a gold medal unless you are a vegetarian and a teetotaller. At least not in Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).University, whose admirers call it the Oxford of the East, has issued a circular to that effect, angering students and education activists who have called it an attempt at inculcating ‘sanskari’ values among students. However university officials deny any such intention and claim that the conditions are hardly new and were laid down by the family that gives away medal and price amount. SPPU confers a gold medal called the ‘HBP Yogmaharshi Rashtriya Kirtankar, Ramchandra Gopal Shelar Urfa Shelarmama Suvarnpadak’ to the best post graduate student. Students of science and non-science streams are given the medal every alternate year. This year’s (2016-17) winner for the best student will be given to a PG student of the non-science stream.The circular lists ten conditions for application. Condition number seven says students should be vegetarian and without bad habits like consuming alcohol.As per condition number three the student should believe in and follow Indian culture, traditions and thinking in his daily life. Another condition compels that students should have participated in activities such as spreading awareness about HIV, blood donation, the environment, literacy and cleanliness. The rules also say a prospective winner should have won medals and awards in individual and group category of sport in national and international competitions. And in that too, the student who does Yoga, Pranayama and meditation will be given preference. It also compels student to be skilful in singing, dance, drama and oratory skills.Students and education activists have slammed move as saffronisation of education. Satish Gore, president, Student Federation of India, SPPU, said, “We condemn this act by the university to spread right wing ideology across colleges in the university. The university should follow principles of equality as per the constitution. We are going ask the vice chancellor to drop the conditions or we will agitate.”Sagar Duryodh, student representative of All India Students Federation at the University said, “this rule is against the progressive ethos of Maharashtra and also of Pune University. Are students who eat non-vegetarian food inferior in any way? This is ridiculous and we want the VC to take the circular back.” thewire
Remembering Maulana Azad, India’s 1st education minister
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/remembering-maulana-abul-kalam-azad-indias-first-education-minister-4932256/
Nov.11 is a special day in Indian history. On this day, the country celebrates National Education Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of freedom fighter and independent India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Remembered as Maulana Azad, his contribution to building an education foundation in this country has been remarkable. Since a very young age, Maulana was an literature enthusiast. He is considered as one of the greatest Urdu writers of the 20th century. His work was recognised through his journalistic practice, publishing works critical of colonial British Raj and espousing causes of Indian nationalism. He has also written many books including India Wins Freedom, Ghubar-e-Khatir, Tazkirah and Tarjumanul Quran.In 1920, he was elected as one of the founding members to establish Jamia Millia Islamia at Aligarh in UP without the help of the British.Later in 1947, he was elected as the first education minister of the independent India. He served the post as education minister till 1958. Under his tenure, he founded most of the major cultural and literary academies we have today including first IIT, UGC Sangeet Natak Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sahitya Academy as well as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and School of Planning and Architecture. Indian express
Here's Why Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's Birthday Is Celebrated As National Education Day
http://www.india.com/buzz/national-education-day-2017-heres-why-maulana-abul-kalam-azads-birthday-is-celebrated-on-november-11-2621401/
I’m a great admirer of prophet of Islam;Ram Jethmalani
https://www.siasat.com/news/im-great-admirer-prophet-islam-says-ram-jethmalani-1255315/
Ram Jethmalani who is an eminent Indian lawyer and politician says, he is a great admirer of the prophet of Islam, and is a student of holy Qur’an.While speaking about secularism at Algebra, The Arts and Ideas Club, he said that there is so much of misunderstanding and total unawareness today among different communities about what India’s constitution is.He said that people in India seem to forget that India is a secular state, and secularism means the subordination of religion to reason. Siasat
Oh shed! In Kannur, RSS worker blows up roof while making bomb: indiatoday
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/explosion-rashtriya-swayamsevak-sangh-worker-kannur-koothuparamba/1/1086364.html
An explosion took place on the property of RSS worker Valayangadan Raghu in Kannur's Koothuparamba area, allegedly while he was making a bomb in his shed. The explosive that went off was a country-made bomb. Koothuparamba police said the blast occurred in a shed close to Raghu's house. Roof tiles and window parts were blown away.Police also recovered 500 gm of gun powder, which was allegedly used to make bombs.A case was registered against Raghu, but he and his son absconded after the incident.Last year, a BJP worker died in an explosion in Koothuparamba while he was making country-made bombs. indiatoday
Rare ayurveda and yoga manuscripts pit Patanjali against culture ministry
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rare-ayurveda-and-yoga-manuscripts-pit-patanjali-against-culture-ministry/story-ID8gQ1TRPMxE3B2mu3ikVP.html
New Delhi:There is a tussle going on between Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Divya Yog Mandir Trust Patanjali Yogpeeth and the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) which comes under the Union ministry of culture over access to copies of rare manuscripts on ayurveda and yoga.Patanjali wants to access digital copies of the manuscript for research, but NMM doesn’t seem to be too keen on sharing the documents, despite the intervention of its parent ministry, the ministry of culture. NMM director V Venkata Ramana Reddy could not be reached for comment because he went on a month-long medical leave last week. People familiar with the matter at NMM said on condition of anonymity that Reddy’s message to them, mentioning the intervention of the minister of culture and asking that the manuscripts be shared, was seen as more of a guideline than a direction.NMM’s position has been that there are copyright issues. In August, Reddy wrote to Patanjali: “NMM cannot use or provide to any third party digital copies of any manuscripts without the prior permission of the manuscripts holders. We have written to the ministry regarding the ownership rights and also requested the institutes, which have been covered under the digitization project to provide their consent for making the digital data accessible to people on the website of NMM.”HT
Yoga Teacher Rafia Naaz's House Attacked In Ranchi
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/woman-yoga-teacher-rafia-naazs-house-attacked-in-ranchi-1774041
Ranchi: Unidentified assailants have allegedly pelted stones at the house of a woman yoga teacher in the Hatia area of Ranchi, following which security was increased at her residence, an official said.A few days back, Rafia Naaz was allegedly threatened by members of her community after she performed yoga. She had informed the Ranchi SSP about it, DSP Vikas Chandra Srivastav said.Following her meeting with the SSP, the police had provided security to her. But after she gave an interview to a TV channel today, some people pelted stones at her house, the police officer said.The police are investigating the matter, he said.PTI
Husband took me to Saudi as sex slave, planned to sell me: Kerala woman
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/111117/husband-takes-kerala-woman-to-saudi-as-sex-slave-plans-to-sell-her-to-isis.html
A 25-year-old woman on Friday approached Kerala High Court alleging that she was forcefully converted after her marriage to a Muslim and taken to Saudi Arabia for sex slavery.The woman has filed a petition in the high court calling for her marriage to be nullified. She alleged that she was sexually exploited, forced into sexual relationship and blackmailed with videos before getting married, according to a report in NDTV."After reaching Saudi Arabia, 9th respondent showed his real colour. He was considering the petitioner as sex slave. Woman, who is a Keralite, was born and brought up in Gujarat. She met Muhammed Riyaz, whom she accuses of forcefully marrying her, while studying at a private institution in Bengaluru.The case will be considered on Nov.13.ANI
Hindu Woman Converted to Islam to Live With Muslim Man as His Fourth Wife
http://www.india.com/news/india/jabalpur-hindu-woman-converts-to-islam-to-live-with-muslim-man-as-his-fourth-wife-2620648/
New Delhi: Neither religious boundaries nor the court of law could stop Jabalpur’s Shama Khan (previously Shiva Parihar) from reuniting with her husband. The Hindu woman adopted Islam to live with the love of her life but her parents objected to the relationship as the man already had three wives.Shamim Khan, a resident of Damoh, had filed a petition before a court in Jabalpur alleging that Shama, his fourth wife, was kept under houses arrest by her parents and urged the court to set her free. The court ordered the police to drop Shama to her husband’s house under full protection.Arguing the matter, public prosecutor Akshay Namdev told the court that Shamim, who is tailor by profession, already had three wives and three sons and thus, Shama would find it difficult to adjust.However, Shama, 26, told the court that she was ready to live with Shamim as his fourth wife despite the fact that he hasn’t divorced his other three wives. ” I know he has three wives and has not taken divorce from them. Despite this, I am ready to live with him,” Dainik Jagran quoted her, as saying. India.com
‘BJP Borrowed Its Entire Plank of Protecting Rights of Indigenous People in Assam Polls From Us’
https://thewire.in/196024/bjp-borrowed-entire-plank-protecting-rights-indigenous-people-assam-polls-us/
New Delhi: Even as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 1951, is being updated in Assam as per Assam Accord under the supervision of the Supreme Court, there is a rising demand among the indigenous people of the state to grant them “constitutional safeguards” based on that Accord.As per clause six of the Accord, signed between All Assam Students Union (AASU), All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad and the then central and state Govts in 1985, “Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the culture, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people”. Though what constitutes the “Assamese people” has not been spelt out in the Accord, and present AASU leaders haven’t dwelt much on it apart from using the term ‘Khilonjia’, there is presently a signature campaign being run by an organisation called PrabajanVirodhi Manch(PVM) demanding “constitutional safeguards” for indigenous people.Spearheaded by Upamanyu Hazarika, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court, the organisation has demanded that the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP Govt bring in a legislation in this regard. Delhi-based Hazarika said the party grabbed power based on the plank of protecting the rights of indigenous people from the Manch. Arguing for it, Hazarika stated that “the process of identifying and deportation of the illegal immigrant from Bangladesh has not yielded results and updating the NRC as per the Accord will not be enough to protect the rights of the local people.” thewire
Massive ‘Mahapadav’ Protest in Delhi Highlights Plight of India’s Workers
https://thewire.in/196195/massive-mahapadav-protest-delhi-highlights-plight-indias-workers/
New Delhi: Even as New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar no longer remains the bastion of resistance it once was, Parliament Street has over the past two days turned into a sea of workers from across the country who have come together to draw attention to rising joblessness. Flagged by various Left-affiliated and other independent trade unions to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation, the ‘Mahapadav’, as the dharna is being called, seeks to address the fast deteriorating conditions of workers in India today. The protest hopes to make a powerful statement against what the organisers call the “anti-people policies” of the Modi Govt .While most of the workers assembled attributed the dismal state of affairs in employment conditions to the twin blows of demonetisation and GST, many remain hopeful that the Govt may lend them an ear now while taking what the PM had referred to as “harsh steps.”The protest is not merely about criticising the Govt . Many still believe that GST and demonetisation may serve India’s interests in the long-run but also want the Govt to take immediate steps to penalise the powerful loan defaulters, who, according to them, enjoy political immunity.Many of them think that Modi’s promises are big but he has not been able to deliver. “Workers are the backbone of the economy. How can the economy grow if they are in an unprecedentedly miserable state?” asked a truck driver from Odisha.Irrespective of their political affiliations, the workers wished to show a mirror to the Govt , tell the officials that all is not well and hoped the PM will now sit up and address their long-neglected concerns. thewire
Delhi sees protests by trade unions, farmer groups
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/city-sees-protests-by-trade-unions-farmer-groups-aikscc-4932140/
3 Reasons Why Big Media Blacked Out The Massive Workers Mahapadev (Sit In)
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/12229/3-Reasons-Why-the-Big-Media-Blacked-Out-The-Massive-Workers-Mahapadev-Sit-In
Pollution level in North India remains severe, Varanasi tops the list
http://zeenews.india.com/india/pollution-level-in-north-india-remains-severe-varanasi-tops-the-list-2056220.html
New Delhi: Cities across North India continued to be `severe` on the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Saturday, as per the report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Varanasi topped the list at 491, followed by Gurugram at 480, Delhi at 468, Lucknow at 462 and Kanpur at 461, in the AQI. Pollution level is categorised as `severe` when the AQI ranges between 401 and 500, which affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.ANI
Delhi air pollution: Delhi govt defers rollout of odd-even, to approach NGT for exemption to women,2-wheelers
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/odd-even-cancelled-delhi-pollution-ngt-arvind-kejriwal-kailash-gehlot-4932854/
New Delhi: Delhi Govt on Saturday deferred implementation of its car rationing scheme, which was scheduled to kick off from November 13. The announcement came after a review meeting of the ongoing situation, following new directions from the National Green Tribunal, ordering the Govt to lift exemptions granted to women drivers and two-wheelers under the proposed Odd-Even plan. Delhi Govt is now going to move another application with the green body on Monday to review its order and exempt women drivers and two-wheelers from the Odd-Even scheme. Delhi Govt in the past two phases of the rationing had kept them out of the scheme.The current phase of the policy was scheduled to be implemented for a period of five days. The Govt in a statement said, “The NGT has issued directions to withdraw many of the exemption including the exemption to two-wheelers and women drivers. This Govt gives the highest priority to the safety and security of women and therefore, it feels that the exemption to this category should continue.”Meanwhile, on giving exemption to two-wheelers, the Govt said, “considering the large number of two-wheelers in Delhi, unless an adequate number of buses are available, implementation of Odd-Even will cause great hardship to such persons. This is not feasible to arrange such a large number of buses at this stage.” indianexpress
Delhi smog: Doctors say N90 masks can help protect from ill-effects
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/delhi-smog-doctors-say-n90-masks-can-help-protect-from-ill-effects/articleshow/61606168.cms
Stop pellet guns, involve Pak in talks: Hurriyat to Govt
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/stop-pellet-guns-involve-pakistan-in-talks-hurriyat-to-Govt -4932120/
Jammu: Hurriyat Conference has asked the Govt of India to stop the use of pellet guns, release all political prisoners and Kashmiri youths from jail, and involve the leadership of Kashmir and Pakistan in talks if it wants to resolve the Kashmir issue. “We want to tell the Govt of India that this 70-year-old Kashmir issue cannot be solved in one day,” said Devinder Singh Behal, a confidant of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, at a gathering to mourn the death of a militant in Pulwama.Behal was arrested by NIA in Jammu in July following raids at his Bakshi Nagar residence in connection with the probe into the funding of terror activity in the Valley.A video shot at the gathering shows Behal saying that he has been sent by Geelani to assure the grieving family that the organisation and the people of state are with them. “We are with you and will continue to be with you in future,” he said, adding that whatever Hurriyat does will be for its own people.Referring to the Centre’s appointment of Dineshwar Sharma to carry out dialogue with stakeholders in J&K, Behal said, “And the second big thing, as you all know about the initiation of peace process by the Govt of India, we want to say that this 70-year-old Kashmir issue is not a matter that can be solved in just a day. We want to tell the Govt of India that if it wants to solve the issue in right earnest, it will have to first ban the use of pellet guns. Secondly, it shall release all the political prisoners and Kashmiri youths lodged in jails, and thirdly it shall remove bunkers set up in Srinagar town, villages and all places in the Valley. Thereafter, it will have to agree on involving the leadership of Kashmir and Pakistan in the dialogue process.” indianexpress
Farooq Abdullah claims PoK belongs to Pakistan; rejects the idea of 'Azad Kashmir'
http://www.firstpost.com/india/nc-leader-farooq-abdullah-claims-pok-belongs-to-pakistan-rejects-the-idea-of-azad-kashmir-4205069.html
Srinagar: Opposition NC president Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday that talk of an independent Kashmir was "wrong" as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers— China, Pakistan, and India.Abdullah also claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.His statement comes days after Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality"."I am saying that there is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side," the MP from Srinagar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the party HQRS.PTI
Relief for Abu Salem as court rules he can’t be tried in Bhopal murder case
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/relief-for-abu-salem-as-court-rules-he-can-t-be-tried-in-bhopal-murder/story-rTBGq17lElcJJw2ksmT2CN.html
Bhopal:A single bench of the high court in Jabalpur has quashed the production warrant issued in gangster Abu Salem’s name by Bhopal district court in connection with a double murder case in which he was allegedly involved. Salem’s advocate Alok Baghrecha said Justice Vivek Agrawal ruled that Salem cannot be tried for any other case apart from the nine mentioned in the extradition treaty between India and Portugal, under which he was brought to India. hindustantimes
Muslim clerics in Jharkhand oppose govt move on national anthem in madrasas: hindustantimes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muslim-clerics-in-jharkhand-oppose-govt-move-on-national-anthem-in-madrasas/story-knfaLrHmoYDAucVu3LMisM.html
Ranchi:Several Muslim clerics in Jharkhand have opposed BJP govt’s proposal to make singing of the national anthem mandatory in madrasas, terming it as violation of the basic principles of the Islamic learning centres.State education minister Neera Yadav on Thursday announced the Govt will issue a notification mandating the singing of Jana Gana Mana in every school and madrasa. The notification is likely to be issued on November 15, Jharkhand’s statehood day.BJP-ruled UP has already made it compulsory for singing the national anthem and flag hoisting in madrasas, a move criticised by Muslim groups as a forced show of patriotism and nationalism. Jharkhand’s Islamic scholars said madrasas follow their own routine for years, which include singing of Maksud Tarana (madarsa song) every morning.“We do not have a problem with our students singing the national anthem on important days like August 15 and Jan.26, but making it mandatory to sing the national anthem every day is unfair and violated our basic principle...,” said maulana Azghar Misbahi, who runs Jamia Faizanul Quran Madarsa in Ranchi’s Bariatu.Maulana Rizwan Ahmed Quazmi, who runs the Maulana Islamia Madarsa in Upper Bazar locality of Ranchi, said the mandate was an imposition on the madrasas and violated many rules.
Clashes break out over mosque toilet in Aligarh, 2 dead, 25 families flee
http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/aligarh-tense-as-muslims-flee-village-over-communal-clash/story-9othEsYRwYXgGFUi4IV9vO.html
Aligarh:At least 25 Muslim families have fled an Aligarh village after a dispute over a mosque toilet sparked communal clashes and arson that left two people dead, officials said on Saturday. A firewood shop was burnt down on Friday night despite additional security personnel deployed in Khurrampur Nagla Mewati village, about 20 km from Aligarh.Sources that said about 155 Muslims who fled the village are unwilling to return as tension ran high in the area. The village had an estimated 2,000 people before the clashes on Nov. 9.One person, identified as Ramveer Sharma (50), died on Thursday in the hospital, while another person, identified only as Hasin, was killed in crossfire during the clashes. Sharma was injured and admitted to a hospital where he died, officials said.Sharma, 50, had allegedly led a group of Hindus to demolish the toilet attached to a mosque when the clashes started. The toilet was constructed on his land, allegedly without his knowledge.The death of Sharma sparked fresh tension when several BJP leaders reached the hospital with their supporters and later blocked a key road with the body.The blockade was lifted only after the administration stepped in.Family members and his associates said he had been seeking the administration’s nod for demolishing the toilet for a long time. Aligarh DM Rishikesh Bhaskar Yashod said he has sought documents to clear the confusion over the toilet land.“Politicians, particularly from BJP, are giving it (the incident) a communal colour. As MPs and MLAs have interfered in the incident, the administration is under pressure. Muslim families have deserted the village leaving behind their domestic animals. We will only return to the village when the administration guarantees us security,” said Aslam, a relative of Hasin. hindustantimes
Students start campaign for University in Muslim-majority Murshidabad
http://twocircles.net/2017nov10/418273.html
Murshidabad, one of the most densely populated districts of the state of West Bengal, does not have a single full-fledged University and students from various groups have started a protest to demand for the same.In a press meet held in Kolkata Press Club on Nov.8, Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) announced that they will lead a 10-day long campaign for a university in Murshidabad district.SIO state president Osman Gani said, “The legitimate demand to set up a full-fledged University is the need of the hour.”SIO is also planning to march against the same. “We are going to march to the West Bengal Assembly on November 21 against this selective discrimination and educational deprivation,” said Gani.He also said, “The demand for a university in Murshidabad is the long-term aspiration of about 80 lakh people in the area and it is at the verge of explosion.”The demand for a University in Murshidabad, which has a majority Muslim population, has been going on for the past several years.TwoCircles
Saharanpur illegal mining: BSP MLC Mehmood Ali’s land, bank account seized
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsp-mlc-mehmood-alis-land-bank-account-seized-4932104/
Lucknow : Saharanpur administration has begun attaching properties of BSP MLC Mehmood Ali in order to realise the Rs 44 crore he owed the Govt after an inquiry found that he had illegally mined in Saharanpur. In the last three days, the administration has seized around nine hectares farming land in seven villages and also seized his bank account. Mehmood Ali alleged that he was being harassed because he is a BSP worker.District Mining officer, Saharanpur, Pankaj Kumar said that complaint against Ali was filed in 2012 after which an inquiry was conducted. On the basis of the findings, notices were served to him and his two partners seeking reply, he added. Meanwhile, SDM, Sadar, Sangeeta informed that Ali’s house could not be attached as he is not the owner.
Mobile, social media distracting women from their life’s purpose:GIO's women conference
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/mobile-social-media-distracting-women-from-their-lifes-purpose/articleshow/61606278.cms
Nagpur: As a Muslim, one is expected to be a responsible human being, said Sana Mubashera, district organizer, Girls Islamic Organization. She was addressing the women's conference on 'Role of women in social reform' organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Nagpur Metro's Women Wing at Muslim Football Ground, Mominpura."A woman's workplace is her home. She plays different roles in her life, but the most important of all is of a mother. Due to influence of mobile, Internet and social media, women have become distracted from their life's purpose," Mubashera said."Islam provides a repository of strength. However, many girls are going astray due to the influence of TV serials. Mothers should treat their daughters as friends and have them share things. Hijab is a societal way of protecting girls but other sensible approaches should also be tried. Check their mobiles for any messages and pay surprise visits to their schools and colleges," she said, adding the concept of purdah had been chosen for women by Allah himself.Zeba Khan, Jamat-E-Islami Hind Nagpur (West), then took to the dais to speak about how angels came to support people in need. "Angels come to help those who are going through difficult times and those who are weak, with Allah's choice and permission. For them to come to your rescue, always be disciplined about the recitation of Quran on holy days and prayers. Take care of those who are unwell. When you truly believe in Allah and his teachings, angels will be by your side even after life," she said.Sajeda Parveen, secretary of Maharashtra Muslim Women's Wing, was the chief guest at the event. "Allah has treated men and women as equal in all ways and both are close to god," she said. Women, however, commanded respect in all their roles.
'National monument status could have saved Babri Masjid'
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/national-monument-status-could-have-saved-babri-masjid/articleshow/61604695.cms
KOCHI: Archaeologist K K Muhammed has said that the controversy over Babri Masjid in Ayodhya could have been avoided if it was declared as a national monument."The masjid should have been preserved without demolishing it,'' he said after inaugurating a talk on 'Taj Mahal and India', organized by KPCC Vichar Vibagh in Kochi on Friday.He was replying to the question on the future of the masjid. "We excavated the relics of temple from the masjid. Muslims should hand over the land to Hindus since it belongs to them. Ayodhya is sacred place for Hindus like Mecca and Madina is sacred place for Muslims. But when the mosque was demolished, communist historians sabotaged the move to hand over the land to Hindus," he said.Terming the demolition of the mosque a blemish on the nation, he said there were plans to conserve the mosque as a national monument. "If the mosque was not demolished and was declared a national monument, the controversy over it could have been avoided," Muhammed said. timesofindia
Najeeb Case: Court Defers Hearing On CBI Plea
http://caravandaily.com/portal/jnus-missing-student-najeeb-case-court-defers-hearing-cbi-plea/
New Delhi;A court here on Friday deferred the hearing on the CBI’s plea seeking consent for a lie detector test of nine students in connection with the case of the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed.As the concerned judge was on leave, the court listed the matter for November 13 for further hearing.The court had in the last hearing allowed the CBI plea seeking early hearing on the application seeking consent of nine students for a lie detector test.IANS
Don’t Let Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Involuntarily Violate Fundamental Rights:UN Official
https://thewire.in/196102/dont-let-swachh-bharat-abhiyan-violate-fundamental-rights-says-un-official/
New Delhi: United Nations special rapporteur Leo Heller on Friday urged the Centre to ensure that its emphasis on constructing toilets under the Clean India Mission or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan “should not overshadow the focus of drinking water provision for all” and that it “should not involuntarily contribute to violating fundamental rights of others, such as those specific caste-affected groups engaged in manual scavenging, or those who are marginalised such as ethnic minorities and people living in remote rural areas.”Winding up his visit to India, which has come at a time when the mission is at a crucial juncture of eliminating open defecation, UN special rapporteur called on all levels of Govt of India to incorporate a human rights perspective in their national programmes on water and sanitation.“Everywhere I went, I saw the logo of the Clean India Mission – Gandhi’s glasses. In its third year of implementation, now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses with the human rights lens,” he said. thewire
WORLD
Israel instructs diplomats to support Saudis: Cable
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/israel-instructs-diplomats-support-saudis-cable-171110134749905.html
Nazareth: Israel has instructed its overseas embassies to lobby their respective host countries in support of Saudi Arabia and its apparent efforts to destabilise Lebanon, a recently leaked diplomatic cable shows.The cable appears to be the first formal confirmation of rumours that Israel and Saudi Arabia are colluding to stoke tensions in the region.Sent by the Israeli foreign ministry and disclosed by Israel's Channel 10 news this week, the cable demanded that diplomats stress Iran and Hezbollah’s engagement in "regional subversion".That closely echoes accusations Riyadh levelled against Tehran and the Lebanese faction in recent days.Some analysts have noted that diplomatic moves by Israel to intervene directly in a seemingly internal Arab matter are "very rare".Yossi Alpher, a former adviser to Ehud Barak when he was Israeli PM , called the cable "extremely presumptuous"."Do the Saudis really need Israel to put in a good word for them in capitals around the world?" he told Al Jazeera.But others believe Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli PM , who also heads the foreign ministry that issued the cable, may be looking to gain from an uptick in uncertainty in the region.The cable comes as Saudi Arabia has dramatically escalated its rhetoric against Iran and Hezbollah. There are widespread suspicions that Riyadh ordered Hariri to step down as a way to destablise Lebanon, whose complex and fragile political set-up has struggled to contain sharp sectarian divisions.The leaked cable instructed Israeli diplomats "to stress that Hariri resignation shows how dangerous Iran and Hezbollah are for Lebanon's security".The diplomats were told to appeal to the "highest officials" in their host countries to press for Hezbollah’s expulsion from the Lebanese govt.It further called on Israeli diplomats to back Saudi Arabia in its war in Yemen, emphasising that the missile directed at Riyadh required "more pressure on Iran and Hezbollah".Menachem Klein, a politics professor at Bar Ilan University, near Tel Aviv, said that it was likely Netanyahu expected and wanted the cable to go public."If you send a diplomatic cable and start lobbying every foreign capital, you have to expect that it won’t remain private for long," he told Al Jazeera."Netanyahu's aim was to make clear to the Saudis that he can help. The message is, 'We have special relations with Western countries and we can help you advance your political goals against Iran and Hezbollah, which we share'."Analysts have suggested that renewed sectarian conflict in Lebanon - a possible outcome of Hariri’s resignation - could also leave it more vulnerable to Israeli aggression.Noam Sheizaf, an Israeli journalist, told Al Jazeera the cable appears to be "part of Israeli efforts at coalition-building with Saudi Arabia and most of the Gulf states"."Israel understands that the Saudis lost to Iran in Syria and Yemen, and now they need an ally with the military and diplomatic power that Israel can provide," he said.Jeff Halper, an Israeli analyst, suggested that Israel had even grander ambitions."As strange this sounds, the cable shows how Israel is becoming the unlikely leader of the Sunni world," he said.Al Jazeera
Saad Hariri resignation 'illegal':Hezbollah
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/nasrallah-saad-hariri-resignation-illegal-171110141956412.html
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah has declared that the country's PM is currently detained in Saudi Arabia and that his "forced" resignation is unconstitutional because it was done "under pressure". Hassan Nasrallah said he was sure that Saad Hariri was forced to resign as part of what he called Saudi Arabia's policy of stoking sectarian tensions in Lebanon. Nasrallah said Hariri is being prevented by Saudi officials from returning to Lebanon, which is why "we deem the resignation of Hariri illegal and invalid". aljazeera
Middle East Eye: Senior Saudi figures tortured, beaten in purge
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-senior-figures-tortured-and-beaten-saudi-purge-1489501498
Some senior figures detained in last Saturday's purge in Saudi Arabia were beaten and tortured so badly during their arrest or subsequent interrogations that they required hospital treatment, Middle East Eye can reveal.People inside the royal court also told MEE that the scale of the crackdown, which has brought new arrests each day, is much bigger than Saudi authorities have admitted, with more than 500 people detained and double that number questioned.Members of the royal family, Govt ministers and business tycoons were caught up in the sudden wave of arrests orchestrated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, under the banner of an anti-corruption drive.Some, but not all, of the top figures arrested were singled out for the most brutal treatment, suffering wounds to the body sustained by classic torture methods. There are no wounds to their faces, so they will show no physical signs of their ordeal when they next appear in public. Some detainees were tortured to reveal details of their bank accounts. MEE is unable to report specific details about the abuse they suffered in order to protect the anonymity of its sources.The purge, which follows an earlier roundup of Muslim clerics, writers, economists and public figures, is creating panic in Riyadh,Saudi capital, particularly among those associated with the old regime of King Abdullah, who died in 2015, with power then passing to his half-brother, King Salman.Many fear the primary purpose of the crackdown is a move by MBS to knock out all rivals both inside and outside the House of Saud before he replaces his 81-year-old father.On Wednesday night, 7 princes were released from Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, where they had been held since Saturday. The top royals have been moved to the king’s palace, sources told MEE.The crown prince’s cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, who continues be under house arrest, has had his assets frozen, the Reuters news agency reported. Sons of Sultan bin Abdulaziz have also been arrested and had their assets frozen.One of the most famous is Prince Bandar bin Sultan, a former Saudi ambassador to Washington and confidant of ex-US president George W Bush.There is no word on his fate, but Saudi authorities said that one of the corruption cases they are looking at is the al-Yamamah arms deal, in which Bandar was involved. Middleeasteye
Erdoğan criticizes Saudi Crown Prince’s ‘moderate Islam’ pledge
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-criticizes-saudi-crown-princes-moderate-islam-pledge-122262
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has criticized the recent vow by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to make Saudi Arabia a bastion of “moderate Islam”.“Islam cannot be either ‘moderate’ or ‘not moderate.’ Islam can only be one thing,” Erdoğan said in a speech at a program hosted in Ankara by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on women’s entrepreneurship on Nov. 9.“Recently the concept of ‘moderate Islam’ has received attention. But the patent of this concept originated in the West,” Erdoğan said.“Perhaps the person voicing this concept thinks it belongs to him. No, it does not belong to you,” he added, noting that he was “asked about ‘moderate Islam’ at meetings in the European Parliament many years ago.”“They are now trying to pump up this idea again. What they really want to do is weaken Islam ... We don’t want people to learn about religion from foreign facts,” Erdoğan said, also criticizing the previous practice banning women from driving in Saudi Arabia. The ban was recently lifted with an order from King Salman requesting that driving licenses be issued to women.“You say ‘moderate Islam’ but you do not allow women to drive. Is there any restriction in Islam banning women from driving? There is no such thing,” he said. Meanwhile, Erdoğan also blasted the OIC for “obstructing” certain plans that Turkey wants to implement to support women’s rights within the OIC.“Turkey proposes a women’s platform within the OIC but some leaders of the organization do not agree,” he added. hurriyetdailynews
Discrimination against Muslim women in EU states spreading like a virus: Erdoğan
https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2017/11/10/discrimination-against-muslim-women-in-eu-states-spreading-like-a-virus-erdogan-says
UAE plot to wage financial war on Qatar revealed
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/uae-plan-wage-financial-war-qatar-revealed-171109165302445.html
A UAE plan to attack Qatar's financial system has been revealed in a folder of an email account belonging to UAE ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba.The Intercept, a US-based investigative website, obtained the folder and exposed the plot, which involves an attack on Qatar's currency "using bonds and derivatives manipulation".UAE also aims to increase Qatar's debt by controlling its "yield curve", according to the report.According to the Intercept, Luxembourg's private Banque Havilland- owned by family of Britain's controversial financier David Rowland - developed the plan for UAE.Its objective is to push Qatar's economy to collapse, reduce the value of its bonds and increase its credit cost, ultimately creating a currency crisis that drains the country's reserves. The document further reveals that while weakening Qatar's economy, UAE would also launch a PR campaign to draw attention to this development as part of its campaign to have Qatar eventually stripped of its role of being the host of the football World Cup 2022. Aljazeera
Hamas restoring relations with Iran: Analysts
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-restoring-relations-with-iran-analysts/962614
GAZA:After years of tension over Syria’s civil war, relations between Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Iran are developing and returning to what it was in the old days, analysts believe."Hamas' relations with Iran are fully recovering since the group’s recent internal election," Walid al-Mudallal, head of the Center for Policy and Development Studies in Gaza, told Anadolu Agency.He blamed policies of oil-rich Saudi Arabia for pushing Hamas again toward Iran."There is a wave of hostility led by Saudi Arabia against Hamas, and it is logical for the group to look for backers," he said.Shia Iran is a main backer of Hamas, which has ruled the blockaded Gaza Strip since 2007.Al-Mudallal pointed out that Hamas has decided to restore its relationship with Iran, as the group "is not interested in adventure amid current Arab and regional conditions". "Hamas would not receive financial or logistical support by other axes, unlike the Iranian axis which the group is not ready to lose," he said.The analyst, however, said that Hamas was not interested in antagonizing other parties such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and UAE.Palestinian political analyst Mustafa al-Sawwaf cited relations between Arab states and Israel for pushing Hamas toward Iran."Hamas is seeking support for the resistance, something which Arab states don't respond do, while Iran does," he said.Anadolu agency
Trump, Putin agree 'no military solution' in Syria: aljazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/trump-putin-agree-military-solution-syria-171111090130089.html
Russia and the US will continue their efforts fighting against the ISIL group in Syria, US President Donald Trump and Russian Vladimir Putin have agreed.In a joint statement released by the Kremlin and issued on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Vietnam on Saturday, the leaders agreed there was no military solution to the conflict in Syria and called on all parties to take part in Geneva process.White House did not immediately confirm the details of the statement.Syria's Bashar al-Assad's commitment to the process, in line with a UN Security Council resolution, implies "constitutional reform and free and fair elections under the supervision of UN" in which all Syrians can participate, the statement further said. Local Russian media also reported that the two parties promised to maintain existing Russian-US military channels of communication to ensure the security of the armed forces.
ISIL 'recaptures 60%' of last Syria stronghold
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/isil-recaptures-60-percent-syria-stronghold-171111073242793.html
Reports that ISIL has recaptured major parts of al-Bukamal, its last stronghold in Syria, have emerged 2 days after the Syrian army declared it had taken full control over the town. Rami Abdulrahman, head of UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, told Al Jazeera on Saturday that ISIL has captured some 60% of al-Bukamal, an eastern town in Deir Az Zor province on the border with Iraq. Abdulrahman also said the centre of al-Bukamal has continued to witness fierce fighting between ISIL and Syrian army and its allies Hezbollah, Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces(PMF), and Iranian Revolutionary Guard. ISIL's retaliatory attacks come after Syrian army's announcement on Thursday that it had regained full control of the town. Following the statement, Syria's political and armed opposition denounced the entry of Iraqi PMU in al-Bukamal as a violation of its sovereignty. "Entry of the militias of PMF into the town of Albu Kamal and any other part of the Syrian territory is a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty, especially as PMF militias are part of military establishment of Iraqi govt,"National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces said. "Assad regime is primarily responsible for the current situation in Syria and for exposing the country to various forms of foreign hegemony, occupation, and violation of sovereignty." A video circulating online, said to be released by ISIL's news agency Amaq on Friday, purportedly shows ISIL fighters battling Assad forces in what the narrator says are the outskirts of al-Bukamal.The video, which bears Amaq agency logo, is titled "Syrian regime forces fail to enter al-Bukamal city for the third day in a row." It shows an ISIL fighter speaking to the camera and claiming the Syrian army - despite being backed by the Russian air force - has failed to take control over the town. AL JAZEERA
In fierce fightback, IS retakes almost all of vital Syria border town, says Monitor: AFP
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/in-fierce-fightback-is-retakes-almost-all-of-vital-syria-border-town-monitor/story-euQuqtPLd5JHAwO0pxPmpJ.html
Palestinian elected as Rapporteur of UNESCO Cultural Committee
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171111-palestinian-elected-as-rapporteur-of-unesco-cultural-committee/
Palestine’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Mounir Anastas, has won election for the post of Rapporteur for the organisation’s Cultural Committee, Quds Press has reported. The result was announced on Thursday.An Italian official has been elected as President of the Committee, with representatives of Venezuela, Albania, the Philippines and Zambia taking positions as members.During its meeting, Committee agreed unanimously, without the need for a vote, on a resolution to maintain the cultural heritage of Jerusalem’s Old City. The resolution called for an interactive monitoring delegation to be sent to the Old City in order to evaluate the situation and carry out a work plan and prepare advice on the measures needed to be taken in cooperation with all interested parties. middleeastmonitor
Hamas: PA’s security coordination with Israel greatest threat to unity
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171110-hamas-pas-security-coordination-with-israel-greatest-threat-to-unity/
Security coordination between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel will harm the Palestinian national interests and negatively affect the chances of promoting a national reconciliation, Hamas said yesterday.In an official statement, the movement’s spokesman, Fawzi Barhoum, stressed that “Hamas is surprised by the PA in the West Bank’s resumption of security coordination and cooperation with the Zionist enemy, which is the equivalent of the greatest danger to the Palestinian people, its unity and its legitimate rights including the right to resist the occupation.”“PA’s security coordination distorts the reputation of the Palestinian people, its struggles and history,” he added.Barhoum called on the Palestinian people to pressure the PA to stop what he described as actions “that harm the national interest”. Middleeastmonitor
Israel accuses Myanmar Rohingya of ‘committing war crimes’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171109-israel-accuses-muslims-in-burma-of-committing-war-crimes/
Israel says it sold arms to Myanmar army because it understood the situation in the country better than the UN does, Haaretz reported Deputy Consul General in New York, Amir Sagie, saying.Speaking to 6 American rabbis who voiced concerns about reports of Israeli arms sales to Myanmar amid what the UN has been described as the “ethnic cleansing” of its Muslim population, Sagie defended his country saying that both sides in conflict are “conducting war crimes”.In response, Sagie noted: “We deny totally any kind of relations or any connection to Israel with this tragedy. There is no direct or indirect connection with what is going on with Rohingya people.”He refused to give details about Israel’s arms trade with Myanmar. “Israel does not discuss publicly with our friends or our foes Israel’s military or defence relationships,” he pointed out. middleeastmonitor
'Bangladesh close to Rohingya repatriation deal with Myanmar': Prothom Alo
http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/166115/Bangladesh-close-to-Rohingya-repatriation-deal
Remained focused on having a 'bilateral' solution to the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh is very close to reaching a repatriation agreement with Myanmar, said foreign secretary Shahidul Haque on Saturday."Currently, we're focusing on signing a bilateral agreement for return of Rohingyas...we're very close in terms of reaching a return agreement with Myanmar authorities," he said.The foreign secretary was addressing a dialogue titled 'Addressing Rohingya Crisis: Options for Bangladesh' arranged by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at a city hotel.He, however, said if the bilateral arrangement does not work finally, Bangladesh has other options on the table which he would not share right now.
Bangladesh Chief Justice resigns amid criticism over constitutional amendment verdict
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/world/bangladesh-chief-justice-resigns-amid-criticism-over-constitutional-amendment-verdict/265722.html
Dhaka:Bangladesh's Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha has resigned, 6 weeks after he went on long leave amid criticism by the ruling party over his decision to scrap Parliament's authority to impeach Supreme Court judges.President's office said on Saturday that it had received a letter of resignation from Sinha, who is abroad.Sinha, the country's first Hindu Chief Justice in Muslim majority Bangladesh, took office on Jan.17, 2015. His tenure was to end in January next year, Bdnews24.com reported.He came under fire from the ruling Awami League party after the top court in July this year scrapped the 16th constitutional amendment, stripping the Parliament of its power to impeach apex court judges. Ruling party leaders also attacked Sinha for his observations on Bangladesh's politics, past dictatorships, Election Commission, corruption, governance and judiciary in the verdict.The Awami League accused him of "belittling" the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in some of the observations.The opposition BNP of former Premier Khaleda Zia had welcomed the verdict, which restored the Supreme Judicial Council provision in the Constitution, a system introduced during the party founder Ziaur Rahman's military rule to sack top court judges. Sinha sat in his office for the last time on August 24 before the annual vacation of the apex court started. The Govt announced his "sick" leave on Oct.3, a day before the vacation ended.He left Bangladesh for Australia on Oct.13, to stay with his eldest daughter Suchana Sinha. Before leaving, he issued a statement, saying he was "not sick" and was "quite embarrassed" about how a specific political quarter, including some ministers and PM Sheikh Hasina herself, had criticised him over one of the verdict. IANS
Govt forced Chief Justice Sinha to resign: Opposition BNP
https://bdnews24.com/politics/2017/11/11/govt-forced-chief-justice-sinha-to-resign-bnp-says
Chief Justice SK Sinha has been forced by Govt to step down from office, claims the BNP."Govt has filed 11 cases against him, which is a clear indication that he was forced to resign," said Moudud Ahmed, who sits on BNP's policymaking National Standing Committee.BNP had claimed that Sinha was forced to take leave after he went abroad on leave last month.The Govt instead of going for the legal option to seek a review of the verdict turned up heat on the top judge, according to Moudud. Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha at a reception by Bangladesh Women Judges Association at Dhaka’s Judicial Administration Training Institute on Saturday. “The resignation tainted the nation and the judiciary's independence and integrity," Moudud, who served as law minister under the 2001-6 BNP-Jamaat administration, said at an event in Dhaka.BNP Standing Committee Member Khandker Mahbub Hossain echoed him."He was forced to take leave for health reasons. And now Govt forced him to resign," said Hossain, a former vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council.Describing the move as a 'blatant attack on the judiciary', he said that it was aimed to 'influence' the judiciary. bdnews24
South Sudan using food as weapon of war -UN report
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171111-south-sudan-using-food-as-weapon-of-war-un-report/
South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s Govt is using food as a weapon of war to target civilians by blocking life-saving aid in some areas, UN sanctions monitors told the Security Council in a confidential report seen by Reuters on Friday.During 2016 and 2017, the UN monitors said a military campaign by Govt troops in the northwestern town of Wau and surrounding areas in Western Bahr el-Ghazal targeted civilians on ethnic grounds and displaced more than 100,000.“ Govt has during much of 2017 deliberately prevented life-saving food assistance from reaching some citizens,” the monitors wrote.
French politicians protest over Muslim street prayers
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41950826
About 100 French politicians have marched on a street in a Paris suburb in protest at Muslims holding Friday prayers in public.Politicians, wearing tricolour sashes of office and singing the national anthem, disrupted about 200 worshippers on a street in Clichy.Police kept 2 groups apart but some scuffles broke out.Critics say the prayers are an unacceptable use of public space in France's strictly secular system. Worshippers, however, say they have nowhere else to go since the town hall took over the room they used for prayers back in March. bbc
"We Want God":Thousands of nationalists to march in Warsaw
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/thousands-fascists-march-warsaw-171111052813155.html
Thousands of nationalists and fascists are expected to flock to Warsaw on Saturday to attend an annual "Independence March" under the banner: "We Want God".The rally, which is scheduled to begin at 3pm local time, coincides with Poland's independence day on Nov.11.According to Independence March organisers, the event is the biggest patriotic gathering of its kind in Europe.Having launched as a smaller gathering in 2009, it now draws tens of thousands of supporters, including many from neighbouring countries. The slogan "We Want God" aims to remind that Poland is still the bastion of faith and religiosity in Europe, organisers have claimed.The chairman of the Independence March association, Robert Bakiewicz, said during a recent press conference that the protesters want to confront atheist Europe and respond to the "invasion of immigrants"."We are recalling the fighting church, which for centuries was the keystone and fundament of Europe", he said. "We want to show Catholicism not as a faith of weakness, but as a faith of strong people".Beata Szydlo, current PM , leads the right-wing populist Law and Justice party. On Thursday, she told a conference in Warsaw that Poland was "in favour of an EU where Christian traditions are not censorship". Elsewhere, on Friday, the far-right All Polish Youth and National Radical Camp groups held a conference focusing on "the vision after the collapse of the West, that is, the old world in the post-European Union era ... social and economic changes and the shock of the future". aljazeera
Pakistan’s religious parties announce revival of MMA
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistans-religious-parties-announce-revival-of-mma-after-a-deacde/article20103936.ece
Lahore: 6 mainstream religious parties of Pakistan have decided to revive Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a decade after the political alliance was dissolved over differences.The parties in the MMA represent all the four schools of thought — Brelvi, Deobandi, Ahle Hadith and Shia.The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (United Council of Action) would contest next elections under the old symbol (book) and manifesto. The parties’ heads decided to contact other religious parties to convince them to join the alliance.The six parties are Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulma-i- Islam-Fazal, Jamiat Ulma-i-Pakistan-Noorani, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Samiual Haq and Islami Tehreek.The leaders of these parties held a meeting on Thursday at Jamaat-i-Islami headquarters in Lahore’s Mansoora and announced that they have decided in principle to revive the MMA.The leaders of the parties expressed hope that under the MMA platform they will perform well in 2018 polls.“We have decided to revive MMA,” Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq said, adding that the decision was taken in the light of recommendations of the six-member committee tasked to formulate mechanism for the revival of the MMA.PTI
US Marine gets 10 years for abusing Muslim recruits, taunting them as terrorists
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-marine-gets-10-years-for-abusing-muslim-recruits-taunting-them-as-terrorists/story-iYM8zvLSxhhOKfKEYvAqOP.html
Washington;A US Marine Corps drill instructor was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for abusing more than a dozen Muslim recruits, one of whom died in 2016,US media reported.Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Felix was convicted a day earlier of maltreatment of the recruits during their basic training at the Parris Island, South Carolina base.A jury of eight fellow servicemen and women considered Felix, an Iraq war veteran, the most to blame of 6 instructors who ordered and participated in extreme hazing of the recruits, taunting them as terrorists.2 of them were forced into industrial-sized clothes dryers and in one case the machine was turned on when they did not renounce their faith.AFP
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
India-Israel: from a hush-hush relationship to open celebration:Zafarul-Islam Khan, Milli Gazette
http://www.milligazette.com/news/15967-india-israel-from-a-hush-hush-relationship-to-open-celebration
Why India alarmed at US funding of NGOs promoting religious freedom?Abdus Sattar Ghazali, Milli Gazette
http://www.milligazette.com/news/15965-why-india-alarmed-at-us-funding-of-ngos-promoting-religious-freedom
Fate of Millions of Assamese Muslims Hangs in Balance As SC Takes Up Citizenship Issue:MANZAR BILAL QASMI
http://caravandaily.com/portal/fate-millions-assamese-muslims-hangs-balance-sc-takes-citizenship-issue/
Saudi's last card in Lebanon: Use Israel to strike Hezbollah: Prof.Madawi Al-Rasheed
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/saudi-arabia-and-lebanese-house-many-mansions-592984507
Viral Video: Indian muslims burning the National flag and raising ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in Punjab is fake news: Alt News
https://www.altnews.in/viral-video-indian-muslims-burning-national-flag-raising-pakistan-zindabad-slogans-punjab-fake-news/
Gujarat Elections: Will Muslim voters be game changer on some seats? Abdul Hafiz Lakhani
http://kashmirwatch.com/caste-and-community-polarisation-is-the-key-for-gujarat-election-this-time-will-muslim-voters-be-game-changer-on-some-seats/
In its journey to sites of lynchings, Karwan-e-Mohabbat found a stark waning of compassion, solidarity:Harsh Mander
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/lynching-hate-through-a-caravan-darkly-karwan-e-mohabbat-nagaon-mob-saharanpur-dalit-cow-hindu-muslim-4931872/
Militant Buddhism Is on the March in South-East Asia – Where Did It Come From?PETER LEHR
https://thewire.in/195375/militant-buddhism-march-south-east-asia-come/
Voter Opinion Polls:Falling BJP support, GST anger and questions about Jay Shah: Data from new Gujarat survey
https://scroll.in/article/857406/falling-bjp-support-gst-anger-and-questions-about-jay-shah-data-from-new-gujarat-survey
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:15 PM)
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