Evening NEWS DIGEST
10 Dec.2017: 20 Rabial Awwal 1439:Vol:9, No:68
INDIA
Torture widespread, legal aid system unsatisfactory: SC ex-judges in study
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/torture-widespread-legal-aid-system-unsatisfactory-sc-ex-judges-in-study-4974598/
New Delhi:Torture is “rampant” in the criminal justice system and the legal aid system is unsatisfactory, 60 former Supreme Court judges have revealed according to a study that attempts to understand “judicial thought and adjudicatory processes” that govern the administration of death penalty in India. The report, ‘Matters of Judgment’ — published by the Centre on the Death Penalty at National Law University, Delhi — delves into three issues: investigative and trial processes, sentencing in death penalty cases and judicial attitudes towards death penalty. On investigative and trial processes, the study states that 38 judges (out of 39 who responded to this question) acknowledged that “torture was rampant” in India’s criminal justice system, while one said that it does not happen at all. Twelve judges justified the use of torture, citing reasons such as an overburdened police force; and 17 of them said that torture is unacceptable and does not work. “Torture is the worst human rights violation,” a former Chief Justice of India who served as an appellate judge for 26 years is quoted in the study as saying.On wrongful convictions, 43 out of the 49 respondents acknowledged the possibility and six judges denied it. 14 judges felt that wrongful convictions were a direct result of improper investigation; while 13 said that susceptibility of the criminal justice system to power, money and corruption was the main reason behind wrongful convictions.The study says that when asked about abolition/retention of the death penalty in India, 29 former judges identified abolitionist justifications, 39 identified retentionist justifications, 14 retentionist judges took the position that there was no reason to consider abolitio in India. indianexpress
Adultery law: Supreme Court to re-examine IPC provision holding only men liable
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-to-re-examine-adultery-law-holding-only-men-liable-4974576/
New Delhi: 32 years ago, his father authored a judgment reaffirming the position in law that in cases of adultery, only the man can be punished and the woman would not be liable even as an abettor. On Friday, the son, Justice D Y Chandrachud, as part of a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, agreed to take a fresh look at this.The court issued a notice to the Centre on a public interest litigation challenging the constitutionality of the IPC provision dealing with adultery, saying it appeared to be “archaic” and did not appear to be gender-neutral.The court was hearing a petition filed by non-resident Keralite Joseph Shine, filed through advocate Suvidutt Sundaram, challenging the constitutionality of Section 497 IPC read with Section 198(2) of the CrPC. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Kaleeswaram Raj said that Section 497 IPC was unconstitutional as it discriminates against men and violates Article 14, 15 and 21. “When the sexual intercourse takes place with the consent of both the parties, there is no good reason for excluding one party from the liability,” he said.The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India, said, “Ordinarily, the criminal law proceeds on gender neutrality but in this provision, as we perceive, the said concept is absent. That apart, it is to be seen when there is conferment of any affirmative right on women, can it go to the extent of treating them as the victim, in all circumstances, to the peril of the husband… A time has come when the society must realise that a woman is equal to a man in every field. This provision, prima facie, appears to be quite archaic.When the society progresses and the rights are conferred, the new generation of thoughts spring, and that is why, we are inclined to issue notice.” indianexpress
Come up with detailed vision document to protect Taj Mahal: SC to UP
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/come-up-with-detailed-vision-document-to-protect-taj-mahal-sc-to-up-4974581/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to come up with a “detailed and comprehensive vision document” that will protect the Taj Mahal for at least a couple of centuries. “In our opinion, a detailed and comprehensive vision document and plan with a futuristic perspective, which can protect and preserve the Taj and its environs and indeed the Taj Trapezium Zone, spread over six districts of Uttar Pradesh and district Bharatpur in Rajasthan, for a few hundred years at least should be prepared,” a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said while perusing an affidavit filed by the state government.
BHU question paper terms triple talaq, halala as social evils in Islam, sparks controversy
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-bhu-question-paper-terms-triple-talaq-halala-as-social-evils-in-islam-sparks-controversy-416143
New Delhi: Banaras Hindu University is again at the centre of a controversy, this time for the questions on Triple Talaq, Halala and Alauddin Khilji that appeared in its history and political science examination papers. MA History paper asked students to discuss triple talaq and halala as “social evils in Islam”. The question read: Discuss about teen talaq and halala as a social evil in Islam. Also, the political science question paper stated that the recently-implemented GST was a part of Kautilya’s Arthashastra. A question in History paper asked students to express their views on Rani Padmavati, the character on which Sanjay Leela’s Bhansali’s film ‘Padmavati’ is based and is in the midst of controversy. The question read: What do you mean by johar tradition? Describe Rani Padmavati's johar in the period of Allauddin Khalji. The alternate choice was: Describe the position of Muslim women in the Sultanage age. Some students alleged that the university administration was trying to impose a particular ideology through education. However, the varsity disagreed with students’ views. "If students are not taught and asked about such things then how will they know about it? When they are taught medieval history these things automatically become a part of it. History has been distorted and we need to teach these things to them so that they know the 'real' history," BHU History Assistant Professor Rajiv Srivastava told ANI.He further questioned the examination pattern of JNU and AMU and added that Islam has demerits which must be raised. indiatvnews
Questions on Triple Talaq, Alauddin Khilji in BHU trigger controversy:ANI
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/questions-on-triple-talaq-alauddin-khilji-in-bhu-trigger-controversy201712100724280001/
Suspected ‘Cow Smuggler’ Killed in Encounter in Alwar; Family Claims Foul Play
https://thewire.in/203457/suspected-cow-smuggler-killed-encounter-alwar-family-claims-foul-play/
Jaipur: A day before 22-year-old Talim Hussain, a truck driver from the Salaheri village in Nuh tehsil of Mewat district in Rajasthan, was killed in an encounter with the police in Alwar, he had come home to see his newborn son, Faizan.The encounter took place in Janta Colony area late on Wednesday night. A group of five to seven people were seen transporting cows in a “stolen” mini truck. When the police tried to stop them, they allegedly opened fire at the policemen.“Talim was a truck driver, not a cow smuggler. He was at home until 9 pm on Wednesday. He didn’t inform anyone where he was going and with whom. The next morning, a few boys of our village came home and showed us Talim’s encounter video on the internet,” said 24-year-old Aarif, Hussain’s brother who works as a line man in the electricity board in Mewat.“how can someone who has never taken up arms in his life, fire at the police? I called him at around 8:30 am on Thursday, but someone else picked up the phone who told us that he had found the phone on the road and wanted us to collect it. We felt something was wrong. When we reached there, the police told us that Talim was a cow smuggler and had been killed in an encounter,” he added. “Even if they charged him of cow smuggling, they had no right to kill him. It is really sad that in our country, humans are being killed to protect animals,” Mohammad Ali, Hussain’s elder brother, told The Wire.Social activists claim that such incidents are on the rise in Alwar because of Hindu-dominated villages in the area where self-styled cow vigilantes extract money from dairy farmers in return for permission to carry the cows. If they refuse to pay, they are often beaten up and killed, activists claim.“This is not an isolated incident. The police and gau-rakshaks have been targeting us for the past three years. Now they are at a stage where they don’t even need any permission. Even if they suspected Hussain to be a cow smuggler, they should have caught him alive,” said Noor Mohammad, Alwar’s secretary of PUCL.“At 2:00am on Thursday, the police’s night patrolling team saw the men loading cows in their truck and immediately reported about it to the control room. We then set up blockades to catch the vehicle,” SP, Alwar, Rahul Prakash told The Wire. thewire
Muslim Man From Bengal Was Burnt Alive In Rajasthan Due To Hate, Not 'Love Jihad': Cops
https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/muslim-man-from-bengal-was-burnt-alive-in-rajasthan-due-to-hate-not-love-jihad-say-cops-335288.html
Police in Rajasthan probing the brutal murder of a 45-year-old daily wage worker from Bengal over alleged 'Love Jihad' has said that initial probe has failed to substantiate the claims made by the accused.33-year-old Shambhu Lal Raigar, who was arrested for the murder of Mohammand Afrazul, was seen in a video saying that he was acting against alleged "love jihadis".“The accused, Shabhu Lal Raigar, said that he committed the crime over ‘love jihad’, but it has not been established so far that any such theory was behind the killing of the labourer,” Inspector General of Police, Udaipur, Anand Srivastava said.Raigar, who became jobless after his marble business failed, has been sent to three days in police custody while his nephew who made the video and uploaded it on the internet has been sent to a juvenile home by a court in Rajsamand.Police also said Raigar's claim that he had rescued a local girl who was a 'victim of love jihad' was unfounded. Raigar had earlier said that he rescued a woman who had eloped with a Muslim man from Bengal and brought her back to home. Police said there was no evidence to back his claim. The woman in question, in the condition of anonymity, told Indian Express that Raigar did not rescue her and she had returned from her husband's home after two years as she did not like living there. She also said the Raigar's victim had nothing to do with the man she had eloped with.She identified the man as Mohammed Bablu Sheikh, and not Mohammand Afrazul who was killed by Raigar.Police said, Raigar, a father of three, was obsessed with watching hate videos on his phone and did not know his victim previously.His family said they knew about his financial issues, but said they are equally clueless why a deeply religious man, who practiced yoga would do such a dastardly act. indiatimes
Rajasthan Govt Announces Rs 5 Lakh Compensation To Family Of Muslim Labourer Afrazul,
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/rajasthan-govt-announces-rs-5-lakh-compensation-to-family-of-murdered-muslim-lab/305362
Rajasthan hacking: WhatsApp group with BJP MP, MLA as members hail killer
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-hacking-whatsapp-group-with-bjp-mp-mla-as-members-hail-killer-4975919/
Rajsamand:3 days after he murdered migrant labourer Mohammed Afrazul and circulated videos of the killing, Shambhulal Regar, 36, is being hailed in messages doing the rounds of some WhatsApp groups here, including one in which BJP MP from Rajsamand Hariom Singh Rathore and MLA Kiran Maheshwari are members.The WhatsApp group, ‘Swachh Rajsamand, Swachh Bharat’, has been created by Prem Mali, who claims he is a BJP “booth vistarak” (booth-level worker) in Rajsamand.“ Love jihadis beware, Shambhu Lal has awakened, Jai Shri Ram,”reads a message on the group. “Sukhdev will fight Shambhu’s case and get him justice. A lawyer should be like you. Jai Mewar, Jai Mavli. Will fight free of cost, Advocate Sukhdev Singh Ujjwal Mavli,” reads another post.Sukhdev Singh Ujjwal is a lawyer from Mavli in Udaipur district. When contacted, he denied any plans to take up Regar’s case. “I have no idea about this message circulating on social media. I have no plans to defend Regar, I am already stuck with a lot of work. I don’t know how this came on social media… Maybe some client did it,” he said.Rathore, local MP, said he was not aware about the messages. “I am ignorant about this sharing of content on social media in support of Regar. I am not active on WhatsApp and it’s been a long time since I last switched on the app,” he said, adding that it was not possible for an MP to follow each and every WhatsApp group. “There are thousands of people connected in WhatsApp, how am I concerned with this? Have I reported on anything? It’s clear now that the accused was a man with perverted mentality and was mentally disturbed,” said Maheshwari, the local MLA who is also the state higher education minister. indianexpress
Rajasthan hacking: ‘My youngest daughter wakes up screaming. Nobody kills even an animal in that manner’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-hacking-my-youngest-daughter-wakes-up-screaming-nobody-kills-even-an-animal-in-that-manner-4975918/
Muslim Man's Murder In Rajasthan A Criminal Incident, Not "Love Jihad": Naqvi
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/muslim-mans-murder-in-rajasthan-a-criminal-incident-not-love-jihad-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-1785761
New Delhi: Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today sought to see the burning to death of a Muslim labourer in Rajasthan earlier this week as a "criminal incident" and not as a case of "love jihad" as was being alleged.He also, without naming anyone, said that some "sick" people were allegedly trying to disturb the communal harmony in society. He said a crime should not be clubbed with religion. Naqvi, however, stressed people allegedly doing so will not succeed in their "nefarious designs".Naqvi, who chaired a meeting of general body of Maulana Azad Education Foundation here, also said that short- term certificate courses of 'GST facilitator' and 'sanitary supervisor' have been providing employment opportunities to a "large number" of youth from minority communities."It is an unfortunate incident. We should not club crime with religion and treat criminal incidents as criminal incidents only. The state government has already taken strict action against the guilty," Naqvi said, when asked about the alleged "love jihad" incident.He added, "Some sick people are trying to disturb the communal harmony in society. But they will not succeed in their nefarious designs." PTI
Owaisi questions PM’s silence on Muslim labourer’s killing in Rajasthan
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/owaisi-questions-pms-silence-on-muslim-labourers-killing-in-rajasthan-4976737/
Hyderabad:AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the people in Gujarat he was pained by “abuses” hurled at him but kept mum on the heart-rending killing of a Muslim labrourer in Rajasthan. Referring to the killing of Afrazul, who hailed from West Bengal, allegedly in the name of “love jihad”, Owaisi alleged Muslims were being targeted under the BJP rule because of their faith.PTI
Protests in Rajasthan, Kolkata against hate-murder of labourer in Rajasamand
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/protests-in-rajasthan-kolkata-against-hate-murder-of-labourer-in-rajasamand?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi: The horrific video and reports of the brutal murder of a labourer Mohammed Afrazul in Rajasthan's Rajasamand district, triggered several protests in Rajasthan and Kolkata on Friday. Agitators demanded immediate resignation of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and stringent punishment to the culprits.In Udaipur, Rajasthan Muslim Parishad (RMP) took out a massive protest rally while in Jaipur, youths along with members of several civil rights groups, held a protest against the killing.Holding protest in Jaipur, protesters said in statement, "Brutal murder of Mohammed Afrazul, and sharing its video on social media by the killer shows that CM Vasundhara Raje has failed to control hate crime against Muslism in the state repeatedly. It proves how much lawlessness prevailed in the state. The central and state BJP governments have made the state a laboratory of Hindutva forces who are spreading venom against Muslims. CM Raje must resign and PM Narendra Modi must break silence."The joint statement was issued from PUCL, Rajasthan, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangatha (RMKSS), Rajasthan Nagrik Manch (RNM), Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM), Jan Vichar Manch (JVM), Dr. Ambedkar Vichar Manch, Pink City Zari Handloom Work Mazdoor Union (PCZHWMU), Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS) Jamait Islami Hind, National Muslim Women Welfare Society (NMWWS) and National Alliance for People's Movement (NAPM).Besides, in Kolkata, the members of TMC also held a massive protest rally in Kolkata.While in Delhi, students in JNU campus, burnt efigy of BJP and RSS on Friday, accusing that the target killings of Muslims have become a normal affair in a particular atmosphere that has been created under Modi govt. IndiaTomorrow
Afrazul case: Protests in various parts of Bengal, Delhi sees silent human chain calling for ‘Muslim lives Matter’
http://twocircles.net/2017dec09/418970.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
"Can't End Terror Until We Uproot Islam," Said Minister Anantkumar Hegde. Old Video Surfaces
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/union-minister-anantkumar-hegde-cant-wipe-out-terrorism-till-we-uproot-islam-1785351
Bengaluru: Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde has landed in another controversy after actor Prakash Raj tweeted a video of a hate speech he reportedly made almost two years ago.The video, reportedly from March, 2016, shows Mr Hegde saying, "As long as there is Islam in the world, there will be terrorism. Until we uproot Islam, we can't remove terrorism."Mr Hegde, who is a BJP leader from Karnataka, also said, "If there is opportunity in the media - write exactly this. Telecast exactly this. Islam is a bomb for world peace. There will be no peace in the world as long as Islam is there." 5-time parliamentarian was not a minister then.Sharing the video on Twitter, Prakash Raj said, "This minister says .."Islam should be wiped out in this world" ..so when he talks of HINDUTVA does he mean it's a way of life...#justasking." The actor, who has been critical of the BJP over a range of issues recently, also said, "Who are you guys...Are you guys reincarnation of Germans HITLER (sic)."49-year-old Anantkumar Hegde, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is no stranger to controversy. Earlier this week a case was registered against him for allegedly abusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress in a speech in Kittur of Belagavi district recently.A local Congress leader in Mysuru filed the police complaint alleging that Mr Hegde had said the chief minister would "lick boots for vote and seat." ndtv
Mayawati challenges BJP, says, conduct Lok Sabha polls with ballot paper
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mayawati-challenges-bjp-says-conduct-lok-sabha-polls-with-ballot-paper-4976771/
Nagpur:BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday challenged the BJP to conduct Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections on ballot paper instead of EVM.Addressing a rally at Nagpur, Mayawati said, “If BJP thinks that they are honest and transparent then they should conduct all the upcoming elections in the country with ballot paper instead of EVM.” She said that BJP’s silence on the issue showed that EVMs had irregularities in elections that were conducted in various parts of India since 2014.PTI
More than 100 EVMs malfunction in first phase of Gujarat polls, demand for ballot papers grows: jantakareporter
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/100-evms-malfunction-first-phase-gujarat-polls-demand-ballot-papers-grows/163651/
Within few hours of the the first phase of Gujarat assembly polls, there have been complaints of over 100 EVMs malfunctioning. Some machines have already been replaced, said the Election Commission officials stationed at the affected polling booths.70 of those machines were reported from Surat alone. Rest were reported to have malfunctioned across Saurashtra region, another BJP bastion, where the saffron party had won more than 40 seats in 2012.Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti, however, played down the significance of EVMs malfunctioning. He told NDTV, “There are 24,000 polling booths in Gujarat. The problem has occurred in 7 or 8 booths. We have a number of EVMs in reserve. Concerned officials keeping continuous check.” Opposition parties have been demanding the use of ballot papers casting their doubts on the reliability of the machines used in the Indian election process. Some have accused the BJP of directly benefiting from the tampered EVMs. Soon after the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, both Mayawati and Arvind Kejriwal had complained of potential tampering in the EVMs. As the reports of faulty EVMs poured in, the demand to return to ballot papers gained momentum. jantakareporter
Modi govt blew away Rs 3,755 crore tax payers’ money on publicity in 3.5 years: jantakareporter
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/modi-blew-away-rs-3755-crore/163586/
An RTI reply has revealed that the Centre’s Narendra Modi government blew away a whopping Rs 3,755 crore tax payers’ money in three and half years on its publicity till October this year. RTI request filed by Greater Noida-based social activist Ramveer Tanwar revealed that expenditure on advertisements from April 2014 to Oct.2017 through electronic, print media and outdoor publicity is Rs 37,54,06,23,616, according.The reply by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, headed by Smriti Irani, was reported by IANS. Critics of Modi government have often accused the government of paying more attention on publicity than delivering poll promises.RTI reply further added that the central government had spent over Rs 1,656 crore on electronic media advertisements, including — community radio, digital cinema, Doordarshan, Internet, SMS and TV channels. As for the print media, the government spent more than Rs 1,698 crore.On outdoor advertisements, which include hoardings, posters, booklets and calendars, the central government has spent over Rs 399 crore, the RTI reveals.
'Pakistan interfering in Gujarat polls', PM Modi claims Islamabad wants Ahmed Patel as chief minister
http://indianexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/gujarat-elections-pm-modi-says-congress-leaders-mani-shankar-aiyar-manmohan-singh-had-secret-meeting-with-pakistan-officials-4976351/
Palanpur:Claiming that Pakistan was interfering in Gujarat elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday raised questions over an alleged appeal by former director general of the Pakistan Army, Sardar Arshad Rafiq, on making senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel as chief minister of Gujarat. “Why is Pakistan’s retired army officer using his brain in Gujarat elections. Doesn’t all these things raise questions and concern? Congress has to reply to this,” Modi said while addressing a rally at Palanpur in Banaskantha district, which shares its border with Pakistan.Stepping up his attack on Mani Shankar Aiyar, the PM claimed the suspended Congress leader made the “neech aadmi” jibe at him after an alleged “secret meeting” between Pakistan officials and top leaders of the party. Modi asked Congress to come clean on the issue. “There were media reports on Saturday about a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar’s house. It was attended by Pakistan’s high commissioner, Pakistan’s former foreign minister, India’s former vice-president (Hamid Ansari) and ex-PM Manmohan Singh. The meeting went on for three hours and the next day Aiyar calls Modi ‘neech’,” the PM said, while apologising for a sore throat.Modi said the issue was a serious and sensitive one and asked the Congress the reason for holding such a “secret meeting” during the Gujarat elections. indianexpress
Gujarat: PM Modi alleges Aiyar held secret meetings with Pak diplomat, final voter turnout in 1st phase 66.75 %
http://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/gujarat-elections-live-pm-modi-rahul-gandhi-address-rallies-ahead-of-second-phase-of-polling/story-LgUxAS0Z9mss5QeOGbPc8O.html
Congress has misled Muslim community: PM Modi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-has-misled-muslim-community-pm-modi/articleshow/61995272.cms
PM Narendra Modi accused Congress of misleading Muslims of the country by giving them 'fake' promise of reservation while addressing an election rally in Gujarat's Lunavada.In his speech, PM also attacked 'Congress politician' Salman Nizami after accusations surfaced that he had questioned the identity of PM Modi's family and supported the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir. PM asked the people if they are ready to accept a person who has openly insulted the Indian armed forces and supported Afzal Guru.On Friday, a controversy erupted after tweets, supposedly made from Nizami's Twitter handle, supporting the idea of independent Kashmir and accusing Indian Army of committing rape, emerged.Nizami was quick to dismiss the tweets as fake and termed it a politically motivated campaign to slander him. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla responded to PM Modi's remarks and said that Nizami is not associated with the party. timesofindia
Why Did PM Modi Go To Pakistan For Wedding In Sharif's Family, Asks Congress
http://www.indian24news.com/politics/why-did-pm-modi-go-to-pakistan-for-wedding-in-sharifs-family-asks-congress/328340-news
New Delhi: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala launched a counter-attack at Narendra Modi on Sunday after the Prime Minister alleged that Pakistan was interfering in the Gujarat election to help the Congress and asked why he had made a surprise stopover in the neighbouring country nearly two years ago. “PM made a stopover in Pakistan to attend a marriage ceremony in PM Nawaz Sharif’s family. Was he invited there?” Surjewala asked, referring to Modi’s Dec. 2015 visit, the first by an Indian premier in over 10 years. Congress communications in charge also asked Modi why officials from Pakistan were made to visit the Pathankot terror attack site. indian24news
Accused of terror-link fund, Mevani threatens to sue BJP
http://indianexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/accused-of-terror-link-fund-jignesh-mevani-threatens-to-sue-bjp-4975838/
Ahmedabad:While Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday campaigned in Vadgam, where the party is supporting Independent candidate Jignesh Mevani, the BJP accused the Dalit leader of receiving funds from Social Democratic Party of India, a political wing of PFI. Mevani denied the charges and threatened to file a defamation suit againt the BJP once the elections are over.Addressing mediapersons in Ahmedabad on Saturday, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that SDPI had confirmed giving Mevani election funds. He also asked why the Congress was “silent” on the issue. “It is serious that (the) Congress is mum on SDPI’s financial help to Mevani. Not only this, it is (also) campaigning for him,” Patra said. indianexpress
Hindu Yuva Vahini dissolves Lucknow city unit, over 2,500 workers resign
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindu-yuva-vahini-dissolves-lucknow-city-unit-over-2-500-workers-resign-4974620/
Lucknow:Moments after the Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV) dissolved its Lucknow Mahanagar unit on Friday, more than 2,500 HYV workers from this now-defunct unit and Lucknow district units resigned, alleging negligence by senior leaders and also accusing the outfit’s state secretary, Pankaj Singh, of corruption.HYV state organisation secretary P K Mall dissolved the Mahanagar unit, claiming that an internal report stated that the workers were trying to make money by using their association with HYV.Soon after, HYV Lucknow Mahanagar secretary Akash Singh, accompanied by vice-president Ram Krishna Dwivedi and other office-bearers, announced their resignations at a press conference in Lucknow.They demanded that CM Yogi Adityanath —founder of HYV — order a probe into the work contracts allegedly procured by Pankaj Singh from the state government and also details of his income and assets following the 2017 UP polls. indianexpress
Hindu Mahasabha, Jamiat to come together for peace meet in Lucknow
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hindu-mahasabha-jamiat-to-come-together-for-peace-meet-in-lucknow/articleshow/62002244.cms
Lucknow: An all religion 'National Unity Seminar' to be held in Lucknow on December 12, is set to bring together heads from Akhil Hindu Mahasabha, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) and those from the Christian clergy, on one stage.To be organised by Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh, in a show of unity, national president of Akhil Hindu Mahasabha-Swami Chakrapani, head of JUH, Maulana Syed Arshad Madani and Acharya Pramod Krishnam of Kalki Pithadishwar are said to be part of the programme againt communalism and hate. The Hindu Mahasabha and JUH are both litigants in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi dispute as well.Holding a press conference on the same on Saturday, state chief of Jamiat, Maulana Syed Ashad Rashidi said that the current atmosphere of hate in the country is maligning the country's image and spoiling the tradition of unified living in India. "Division in the name of religions and toying with the unified traditions of India is categorically being done by hate mongers and communal forces. People are being divided on madir-masjid. The seminar is an attempt from us to send out a message of peace from the pedestal," he said.With the three names confirmed, Rashidi said that other religious heads from other faiths will also be part of the unity seminar to be held at Rifa-e-Aam club on Tuesday. "Most people in the country are secular and it is for the government's to book perpetrators of hate crime in name of imaginary theories of love jihad and ghar wapsi. Strong action will ensure curtailment of such incidents," he added.Addressing media Rashidi also said that intrusion in Muslim personal law is not in aid of Muslim women, but a warning sign for Muslims in a secular country, something which will not be accepted. The state head of organisation of Muslim clergy also said that saffronisation of the country, literally and in the education setup will be detrimental to India's secular nature."There is a conspiracy to make Muslims second grade citizen in their own country by taking away many of our constitutional rights. Civil law being made by meddling with Muslim personal law is one such act,"he said. timesofindia
Post Babri posters, government submits report to MHA on PFI’s activities in districts
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/post-babri-posters-government-submits-report-to-mha-on-pfis-activities-in-districts-4975788/
Lucknow:In a report to MHA recently, the state government has submitted detailed information on the presence, activities, organisational structure and police cases lodged against Karnataka-based PFI in the districts.On Dec.5, the eve of Babri Masjid demolition, posters related to the event had surfaced at Bijnor and Meerut districts, leading to unidentified PFI office-bearers being booked by the police.The posters demanded that a mosque be rebuilt at the disputed place in Ayodhya.ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar confirmed that such a report had been sent to the Centre.Sources in the UP Police said that the MHA had sent a letter, asking for a detailed report about PFI’s activities in the state in the last few years.“In all, around six cases have been lodged against the outfit in Uttar Pradesh till now. In most cases, barring the two lodged in regard to the December 5 event, closure reports were filed by the police,” said a source, adding that the report was submitted to the Centre around a month ago.When contacted, PFI’s UP and Delhi secretary, Anees Ansari, said: “Our organisation helps poor people from all communities. The recent FIRs were lodged because we raised the Babri Masjid demolition issue. We would fight the cases registered on false charges.”He added that PFI has two units to look after eastern and western regions in UP.Ansari claimed the Dec.5 posters “did not carry any objectionable content”. indianexpress
Tamil Nadu:Protests break out over demolition of Madrasa-E-Azam School
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/101217/protests-break-out-over-demolition-of-madrasa-e-azam-higher-secondary-school.html
Chennai: Nearly 200 students protested around midnight on Friday and into the early hours of Saturday outside the Madrasa-E-Azam Higher Secondary School on Anna Salai, fearing the demolition of the heritage building and, further, of the area being put to “commercial use”. According to souces, fake news on razing of all the buildings in the school, including the labs and mosque, on social media, galvanised the protest.“Around 10:30 am, people started pouring in and by 2 pm, nearly 2,500 people, including old school students and members of the Muslim community gathered at the scene. The Deputy Commissioner of Police had arranged a meeting with the Joint Commissioner and other unions to sort the issue in the morning”, said Abdul Salam, election officer, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam.He further added that during the meeting, Education Minister, K. Sengottaiyan who was on a phone call ensured that the CMDA approved demolition of only one building, which too would be reconstructed according to the norms of Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI). Howver, sources said the demolition has been put on hold for now. Among the people who attended the meeting were members of Manidhaneya Munnetra Kazhagam,Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Nadu Thowheeth Jamath and Muslim League.The school was built nearly 200 years ago and has a capacity to hold 1500 students and yet only 203 students have enrolled due to its dilapidated structure.A wall reportedly collapsed and members from various communities say this has become a common occurrence since the building has been abandoned since 2001.DECCAN CHRONICLE.
Do not understand problem in singing Vande Mataram: Vice President of India
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/do-not-understand-problem-in-singing-vande-mataram-m-venkaiah-naidu-4976666/
Chennai :Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said he did not understand what was the problem in singing “Vande Mataram”, which meant “salutations to the mother”, a song that had inspired millions during the country’s freedom movement. He recalled that Sister Nivedita, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, had opened a girls’ school and tried to inculcate the nationalist spirit in the students by introducing “Vande Mataram” as a prayer song.“She (Sister Nivedita) had introduced Vande Mataram as a prayer song in the school…now, some people have a problem with Vande Mataram also. What is Vande Mataram? Mata Vandanam, Amma Vanakkam — that is Vande Mataram. “After so many years, now we are discussing (if) Vande Mataram is good or not, nationalism and patriotism are good or not. Also, we feel shy to talk about all this,” Naidu said.PTI
Uttarakhand custodial death of Raza: ‘I didn’t go to take govt money. Is cost of my son’s life Rs 3,000?’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/i-didnt-go-to-take-govt-money-is-cost-of-my-sons-life-rs-3000-uttarakhand-custodial-death-4975906/
Dehradun:Mehsar Jahan, 50, opens a purse and takes out a passport size photograph of her son Ziyauddin Raza enclosed in a plastic bag, along with a Rs 10 note. She found the money in the pocket of “Zia’s” trousers, the one he was wearing when he was found dead in Katoratal police station in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district on February 28 this year.“Bas yehi bacha hai (This is all that’s left of my son),” Mehsar says, her frail frame shaking as she breaks down into uncontrollable sobs, while kissing Ziyauddin’s photo.Ten months later, the policemen charged in the death of the 19-year-old are out on bail, and the CBI has just taken over the case.At their two-room house in Bailjudi near Kashipur town, Ziyauddin’s father Mohammad Yameen recalls how the teenager would work at a local furniture shop, making sofa sets, to help support the family — Yameen and Mehsar and their five remaining children. Ziyauddin, the third of the siblings, earned Rs 7,000-8,000 a month.After Ziyauddin died, Yameen, 59, says, they struggled to even move court. “I earn just about Rs 4,000 a month. It’s difficult to run a family with that little money, how was I to hire a lawyer?” Yameen, who sells vegetables on a cart, says.In the first week of March, Manisha Bhandari, a lawyer, approached the family and offered to fight the case for free. In the appeal before the Nainital High Court, she asked for a CBI probe. “First the case was handled by the local police, and later by CB-CID. But to ensure an unbiased inquiry we wanted the CBI,” Bhandari said. indianexpress
Abdul Gani Bhat’s Muslim Conference in turmoil over meeting with interlocutor on Kashmir
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/10/professor-abdul-gani-bhats-muslim-conference-in-turmoil-over-meeting-with-interlocutor-on-kashmir-1723762.html
Srinagar: Senior separatist leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat’s party - Muslim Conference (MC) - is in turmoil in Kashmir over his reported meeting with interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma.Some disgruntled party leaders have revolted against Prof Bhat and removed him as party president but he has hit back by expelling them from the party.Claiming himself to be acting chairman of Muslim Conference, Mohammed Sultan Magray on December 9 wrote a letter to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference, informing him about removal of Prof Abdul Gani Bhat as chairman of the party.Muslim Conference is a constituent of Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz and Prof Bhat is executive member of the separatist conglomerate.“As you know, former president of MC Prof Abdul Gani Bhat held a secret meeting with Government of India’s interlocutor on Kashmir, which is a cause of concern for the party and united separatist leadership. In this backdrop, an emergency meeting of office bearers of the party was held in Srinagar in which it was unanimously decided that Muhammad Sultan Magray will be the acting president, Manzoor-ul-Haq Bhat vice president, Mehraj-ud-Din general secretary of MC,” reads the letter written by Magray to Mirwaiz. newindianexpress
WORLD
Trump Jerusalem move sparks more protests across Muslim world
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trump-jerusalem-move-sparks-more-protests-across-muslim-world-n827626
Thousands took part in angry anti-US demonstrations around the Muslim world Friday over the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces in the West Bank and around the Gaza border on the third consecutive “day of rage” over the decision, which sparked uproar among world leaders and upended decades of American policy.Palestinian Health Ministry said a 30-year-old was killed and that more than 35 other people were wounded in skirmishes between Israeli forces and protesters along Gaza's border with Israel. It was the first death since the clashes started after President Donald Trump's speech on Wednesday.Demonstrations also took place across the Middle East and around the Muslim world, many of them outside U.S. diplomatic outposts.In the Jordanian capital of Amman, hundreds of protesters chanted "Jerusalem is Arab" and "America is the head of the snake."In the Pakistani city of Peshawar, more than 200 Islamists marched through the old city chanting anti-American slogans. US flags and effigies of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were burned during a separate protest outside the Peshawar Press Club.Several thousand protesters gathered in front of the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where another Trump effigy was set alight.In Indonesia, hundreds attended a rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. Some waved Palestinian flags, while others shouted "Allahu Akbar" — or "God is greatest."nbcnews
UN rejects US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/un-rejects-us-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israeli-capital/510605.html
Members of the UNSC have criticised Washington's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and warned that it would raise tensions in the area even as Washington stood alone steadfastly defending its decision.The political conflict over Jerusalem could turn into an unrelenting religious conflict, France's Permanent Representative Francois Delattre told an emergency meeting on Friday.Citing several Council resolutions, he said that any unilateral changes to the city's status would be null and void.The international community would only recognise modifications of the 1967 borders accepted by both sides, he said in a statement that reflected the broad convergence of views of both US allies and others in the Council.One of the Council resolutions adopted in 1980 specifically asks member countries not to put their diplomatic missions in the "Holy City" considered sacred by Jews, Christians and Muslims.IANS
Arab states demand reversal of Trump’s Jerusalem move
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/middle-east-unrest/arab-states-demand-reversal-trump-s-jerusalem-decision-n828136
Arab foreign ministers on Sunday demanded that the US rescind President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, calling it a "grave" development that puts Washington on the same side as "occupation" and the violation of international law.In a resolution long on rhetoric but short on concrete actions, the ministers denounced what they claimed was an "illegal" and "dangerous violation" of international law. "It's a dangerous development that places the United States at a position of bias in favor of the occupation and the violation of international law and resolutions," the resolution said.It said it would seek a U.N. Security Council resolution rejecting the U.S. move.The two-page resolution adopted by the emergency meeting, which began Saturday night, did not include any punitive actions against the US, like a call for a boycott of American products or suspending or downgrading ties with Washington.AP/ REUTERS
Jamaat, CPIM condemn US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
http://theindianawaaz.com/jamaat-condemns-us-decision-to-recognize-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/
New Delhi:In a statement Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, T Arif Ali said: ‘’we are deeply concerned and deplore the recent decision by the Trump administration to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and shift the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This would alter the religious and legal status of Jerusalem and is unacceptable. It would be a clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions especially UNSCR 478 of 1980. It would destabilize the region, create conflict, offend the religious sensibilities of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims and delay a just and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”The JIH Vice President averred: ’’The international community has remained a mute spectator to the recent escalation of Judaization of Al Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) including attacks on its Arab, Muslim and Christian landmarks; and continuous attempts to displace and expel Palestinians living in Jerusalem by all means of harassment, especially in the form of revoking their residency permits, prohibiting them from living in the city and banning them from all forms of construction, including rebuilding and renovating their homes and places of worship. The Israeli occupation authorities have also refused to issue permits to educational, medical and services institutions, all the while continuing to implement policies aiming to change the Arab identity of the Holy city”.“Jamaat-e-Islami Hind calls upon America to refrain from any move that alters the legal-religious status of Jerusalem and expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian cause that requires effort and cooperation on the part of all justice loving people in order to bring to an end to the discriminatory colonial occupation that continues to challenge the entire free world’’.CPI(M) has strongly condemned the decision of US President Donald Trump, to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to shift the US Embassy there from Tel Aviv. theindianawaaz
Coptic pope cancels Pence meeting over Jerusalem
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/egypt-coptic-pope-cancels-pence-meeting-jerusalem-171209174617042.html
The leader of Egypt's Coptic Church has cancelled an upcoming meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence, protesting against Washington's move to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital.The move by Pope Tawadros II on Saturday came a day after Palestinian leaders also said that Pence, who is scheduled to visit the region later this month, was not welcome in the occupied territories.In a statement, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt said it "excused itself from hosting" Pence when he visits the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Dec.20.It said Trump's decision "did not take into account the feelings of millions of Arab people". aljazeera
Rouhani: Ready to restore ties with Saudi
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/rouhani-ready-restore-ties-saudi-arabia-171210084010955.html
In a speech broadcast Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran is ready to restore ties with Saudi Arabia if it stops bombing Yemen and cuts its alleged ties with Israel. Saudi severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian demonstrators attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in response to Saudi execution of a prominent Shiite dissident leader.Tensions spiked again last month after the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that was intercepted near Riyadh. Rouhani said that Iran and Saudi could have "good relations" if Saudis end their "misguided friendship" with Israel and halt the "inhuman bombardment" of Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is battling Iranian-allied rebels known as Houthis.aljazeera
Bahraini delegation visits Israel
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/bahraini-delegation-visits-israel-171210074923592.html
Amid ongoing controversy over the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, a Bahraini delegation has arrived in Israel to "send a message of peace", according to media reports.A report in Times of Israel on Sunday said the visit indicated a warming of ties between the two countries, which do not maintain diplomatic relations.Comprising two dozen members of a group called This Is Bahrain, the delegation will stay in Israel for four days to "send a message of religious tolerance and coexistence", according to the Times.Bahraini officials have previously suggested that stronger ties between Israel and Bahrain could benefit both countries in confronting their mutual rival, Iran. aljazeera
Nepal’s left alliance wins 81 seats,heading towards majority
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/nepal-left-alliance-wins-72-seats-heading-towards-majority-4976300/
Nepal’s Left alliance was today heading towards comfortable majority in the parliamentary elections, winning 81 of the 89 seats so far in the historic polls that many hope will bring the political stability to the country. CPN-UML led by former premier K P Oli and the CPN-Maoist led by former premier Prachanda have forged electoral alliance for both the provincial and parliamentary elections. According to results released by the Election Commission, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist–Leninist (CPN-UML) has won 51 seats while its alliance partner CPN Maoist-Centre has bagged 21 seats.The ruling Nepali Congress, which was the largest party in the last election, won only 10 seats, according to tallies. Two Madhesi parties have won five seats.The Federal Socialist Forum Nepal led by Upendra Yadav has won 2 seats whereas Rastriya Janata Party led by Mahanta Thakur has bagged 3 seats.Naya Shakti Party led by former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai has won one seat and an independent was among winning candidates.The vote counting is in progress for remaining 76 seats. The house of representatives consists of 275 members, of which 165 would be elected directly under the first-past-the-post system while the remaining 110 will come through the proportional representation system. Indianexpress/PTI
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
A man was hacked to death. What did news channels discuss on prime time?By Arjun Sidharth -
https://www.altnews.in/man-hacked-death-news-channels-discuss-prime-time/
On Jerusalem, Modi Government is Putting Ideology Over National Interest: MANOJ JOSHI
https://thewire.in/203682/indias-response-trumps-jerusalem-move-pursues-ideological-goals-rather-national-interests/
A Proposed Law Is Stoking the Worst Fears of India’s Bank Depositors. Here’s Why: M.K. VENU
https://thewire.in/203091/new-proposed-law-stoking-worst-fears-indias-bank-depositors/
Rajasthan Man Who Brutally Killed Worker Did Not Betray A Violent Bent:Harsha Kumari Singh
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajasthan-man-who-brutally-killed-worker-did-not-betray-a-violent-bent-1785814?fb
Fourth Rajasthan lynching demonstrates indoctrination of hate:Kavita Srivastava
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/fourth-rajasthan-lynching-demonstrates-indoctrination-of-hate-4975098/
Three Mosques: “Muslim Generosity Would Electrify Hindu Masses”: Saeed Naqvi
http://www.apnlive.com/india-news/three-mosques-muslim-generosity-electrify-hindu-masses-saeed-naqvi-33745
Teesta Setalvad Withdraws Her Appeal In SC Challenging The Investigation Into The Complaint Filed By Her Former Employee[Read Order]
http://www.livelaw.in/teesta-setalvad-withdraws-appeal-sc-challenging-investigation-complaint-filed-former-employee-read-order/
'Muslim Vote? Does Muslim Life Even Matter In India,' Asks A Gujarati Doctor On Election Day
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/12/09/does-muslim-life-even-matter-in-india-says-gujarati-doctor-who-helped-rehabilitate-2002-riot-victims_a_23302111/
Left Sweeps Nepal: China Beckons As India Watches:SEEMA MUSTAFA
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/5/12472/Left-Sweeps-Nepal-China-Beckons-As--India-Watches
Hate crimes have become so routine the death of Afrazul barely found mention in the next morning’s newspapers:Tavleen Singh
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/fifth-column-speak-up-prime-minister-narendra-modi-4975821/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:04 PM)
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