Evening NEWS DIGEST
04 Dec.2017: 14 Rabial Awwal 1439:Vol:9, No:64
INDIA
Babri hearing to begin tomorrow: Muslims feel an out of court settlement will be surrender
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ayodhya-dispute-muslims-feel-an-out-of-court-settlement-will-be-surrender-117120300377_1.html
For MA Siddiqui, this would be 40th year as a lawyer in the Ayodhya dispute case – one of the first cases he took on the day he started practicing law. His client Hashim Ansari, the youngest of the petitioners in the Sunni Waqf board's appeal in 1961 died last year at the age of 95. "Hashim was a very vocal man. His house was barely 200 metres away from the Babri mosque. Whether he is dead or alive is immaterial to the case. The solution to Ayodhya is a matter of public interest and his death would have no impact whatsoever," says Siddiqui. While the Ayodhya land dispute has finally reached the country's highest court, the solution that people like Siddiqui have been seeking all their working lives may still be some distance away. "Allahabad High Court has committed an error by partitioning the inner side of the mosque compound as this was the property of Muslims before 1949. The high court has presumed that Hindus were also having a faith that it was the birth place of Ram. This faith was never proved by any evidence. Hindus never exercised any such right until 1949.Faith is not evidence. Evidence is what is defined under Indian Evidence Act 1872," says Zafaryab Jilani, lawyer of the Sunni Waqf board representing the Muslim side in the case."Our appeal in the Supreme Court is going to be that the entire trifurcation of the birth place of Ram is illegal. The place of birth of Ram belongs to Nirmohi Akhara. We will also challenge the high court's ruling that Nirmohi Akhara came into existence only after Babar.Ramananda bairagees who make up Nirmohi Akhara have been in existence from times immemorial. The formal nomenclature came later," says RL Verma, the lawyer for the Nirmohi Akhara in the case."Faith is not a matter of a few decades. It is a matter of centuries. We have shown that this was not the place of faith of the Hindu community or the birthplace of Ram. We have given historical and other evidence in court. There is no new evidence that can now be given," says Jilani.While conflicting histories has introduced its own set of complications, there also seems to be a bigger divide than ever before on who is representing the Hindu side in the case. If the Nirmohi Akhara decides to challenge this part of the order in the highest court, it would intensify the acrimony between Hindutva representatives and Nirmohi Akhara. That's because the suit on behalf of Lord Ram, to whom a third of the land has been awarded, was filed by a former judge affiliated to the VHP. At present, the representative of Ram in the case is senior VHP leader Triloki Nath Pandey. If the Nirmohi Akhara manages to successfully challenge the VHP's claim over Lord Ram, it could repudiate the VHP's decades-long projections of being the champions of a new temple as is evidenced by their stone carving workshops in Ayodhya and large-scale displays of an envisaged temple at its base camp at Karsewakpuram in Ayodhya. "VHP is the outside party in this case. Their influence has gone up manifold in Ayodhya after 1989. They started buying properties and organising agitations in Ayodhya," says Verma. "In 1949, big people were not involved. Since 1976, RSS and BJP have taken up this matter. Pictures depicting Ram in chains were pasted across Ayodhya and the impression was given that these people have come to free him. This was an emotional call to Hindus," says Siddiqui. With fissures deepening among the non-Muslim parties in the case, there have been efforts by people like Sri Sri Ravishankar to act as mediators with the goal of negotiating an out of court settlement. But even a so-called out of court settlement is a minefield not all parties want to enter. Muslims represented by the Sunni Waqf board are averse to an out of court settlement. Nirmohi Akhara welcomes Ravishankar's mediation but wants to firmly keep out VHP from the talks. "We are willing to accept Sri Sri Ravishankar as the mediator. We want a solution. Our claim is that the entire disputed site is ours. We are opposed to the VHP. Their goal is to make a Ram temple with a portrait of Ashok Singhal outside. They want to build a temple and employ Nirmohi Akhara as priests. That is impossible," says Verma. "We do not want to waste our time on third parties who have no legal grounds. I am advising Sri Sri Ravishankar not to enter into this. He should first approach the VHP. Only if the VHP is willing to negotiate should he approach us," says Jilani. Beyond the preparations of a final push for the disputed site in courts or the negotiating table, there is a sense of subdued anticipation among VHP cadres in Ayodhya.Business Standard
Ayodhya hearing to begin from tomorrow
http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/ayodhya-hearing-to-begin-from-tomorrow/
Ayodhya: The Supreme Court on Tuesday will commence day-to-day hearing in the vexed Ayodhya title suit.Now, all the eyes are the SC judgement. The SC full bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Mishra and also comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazar would sit on day-to-day basis to expedite the case.The lawyers of the petitioners are already camping in New Delhi. The petitioners for Hindu side are Nirmohi Akhara, Hindu Maha Sabha, Ram Lalla Virajaman, one Ramesh Chandra Tripathi and Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, who represents Ramjanambhoomi Punaudhar Samiti.The Muslim side has Sunni Central Waqf Board along with five other petitioners. dailyexcelsior
MIM, MBT organise Babri protest meetings in Hyderabad
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/mim-mbt-organise-babri-protest-meetings-in-old-city/articleshow/61910796.cms
Hyderabad: Muslim groups and political parties have organised protest meetings ahead of the 25th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition. United Muslim Forum along with MIM leaders organised a meeting at Dargah Guntal Sha Baba Road, while Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) held a meeting at Moghalpura on Sunday. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi participated in the public meeting organised by UMF at Dargah.Speaking about Babri Masjid case, the Forum said that it would accept the court verdict. "We will accept the judgment of the court," Muneeruddin Ahmed of the Forum said.Another protest meet was held at Urdu Ghar-Moghalpura under the ageis of MBT. MBT demanded the arrest of RSS chief Mohan Baghwat for his recent remarks on Ram Mandir."All secular forces should jointly condemn Mohan Baghwat's stand as the matter is before the Supreme Court. I demand his arrest for propagating confusion and contumacy," MBT president Majeed Ullah Khan said.Speaking about the judgment, Khan said, "In light of consistent injustices in Babri Masjid case, fascist forces are trying to influence Indian society through their radicalised ideologies."Pointing at the demolition of Babri Masjid, MBT spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan said it was more a failure of secular forces than success of right-wing outfits.
'Is RSS chief Bhagwat Chief Justice of India', asks Owaisi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/is-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-the-chief-justice-of-india-asks-owaisi/articleshow/61911984.cms
Game of Ayodhya director Sunil Singh’s house vandalised
http://www.newsx.com/entertainment/game-of-ayodhya-director-sunil-singhs-house-in-lucknow-vandalised
Game of Ayodhya director Sunil Singh’s house was vandalised by workers of Hindu Jagran Manch. The group protested the release of the film in front of the house of the director. While protesting, the workers vandalised the property, painting the house black and put a lock on the door of the house. Soon the police reached the spot but was unable to control the protesters. After the protesters turned more violent extra force was called but this attempt also failed to control the agitated workers.Later, police decided to increase the security and stationed para-military forces in front of the director’s house. Commenting on the incident director Sunil Singh said, “People are protesting against the movie without even watching the film which is unjust. Taking law in hands and protesting against a film is disturbing and a threat to the entire film fraternity and the sovereignty of the nation.” Sunil Singh further added that he is not scared of such threats and will release the film on Dec.8.‘Game of Ayodhya’ is based on Liberahan commission’s report that BJP has dumped, the director said. Talking about the film the director had said, “I tried to tell the real story of the Babri Masjid demolition through the lens of a love story and how a journalist helps them.”NewsX
Law important to create fear among those following triple talaq: Minorities panel chief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/law-important-to-create-fear-among-those-following-triple-talaq-minorities-panel-chief/story-hdARpugOdkrRpKm7m0TEvK.html
New Delhi:The chairman of National Commission for Minorities, Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi, has said a law is important “to create fear” among those still following triple talaq, despite the Supreme Court suspending the practice for a specific period in the country. Dismissing the contention of several Muslim organisations, Rizvi said those who were in favour of triple talaq earlier were the ones against the law now.“The SC delivered a huge verdict on triple talaq, but many people are still following the practice. Many cases of giving talaq through WhatsApp and phone have come up (since the SC’s decision),” he said. “A law is important to create fear among those still following the practice of triple talaq. If there is a punitive provision, they will be afraid of it and it will help eradicate triple talaq. This law will benefit all the women and the Muslim community at large,” Rizvi said.According to a draft law, triple talaq will be declared illegal and will attract a jail term of 3 years for the husband.The draft Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill was sent to the state Govt s last Friday for their views. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and several other Muslim organisations have voiced their opposition against the govt’s step to frame a law in this regard, calling it an interference in the personal laws of a community.HT
Parsis’ petitions to retain Parsi matrimonial courts
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/parsis-petitions-to-retain-matrimonial-court-juries/story-jpEU9WEn1TjF4gksQmPljI.html
Mumbai: The Supreme Court is hearing a petition that questions the validity of Parsi matrimonial courts that follow a jury system.Though the court observed that the country’s parliament would be a better platform to decide the issue, it has asked for Govt’s view on the petition. The petitioner, who had earlier approached Bombay high court seeking the dissolution of her marriage, said the procedure laid out under the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act of 1938 made divorces a long and torturous exercise. According to her, the jury system made the procedure cumbersome, without any access to recourses such as mediation and settlement that are available to Hindu women under the family court system.The petitioner said hearings in her case has been delayed because jury members — called delegates — have not been appointed. There are special matrimonial courts presided over by a high court judge at Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai — though as Mumbai-based lawyer Armaity Engineer pointed out, these are not the only courts that hear Parsi matrimonial matters; district courts in Pune, Bengaluru and Surat also look at them. In the case of the high courts, the chief justice nominates a judge, who, aided by delegates, hears the dispute. Names of delegates are suggested by Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), the community’s largest representative body. The delegates — there are five though it was seven earlier — are selected by draw of lots. The parties in the divorce case can object to a delegate’s presence if they suspect his or her impartiality. The Bombay high court hears an average of 50 cases a year.
Initiate High Level Judicial Inquiry Into Judge Loya’s Death: Ex-Civil Servants Write to CJI
https://thewire.in/201575/initiate-high-level-judicial-inquiry-into-death-of-judge-loya/
New Delhi: 32 signatories, including retired secretaries to the Govt of India, four former ambassadors and a former chief information commissioner of a state Govt , today appealed to Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and the chief justice of the Bombay high court to order a high level probe into the death of Judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya.The appeal attached the request made by ex-Navy chief Admiral (Retd.) L. Ramdas, also to CJI and the chief justice of the Bombay high court, that a high level judicial enquiry be initiated into the controversial circumstances of the death of Judge Loya. Justice (Retd.) BH Marlapalle, former judge of Bombay high court and Justice (Retd.) AP Shah, former chief justice of the Delhi high court have also expressed the need for an enquiry.The pleas seeking a probe have followed 2 reports the Caravan magazine published that quoted immediate members of Loya’s family, who questioned the circumstances surrounding his death. Loya, who was presiding over CBI court in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, passed away on Dec.1, 2014, after a heart attack while in Nagpur to attend a colleague’s daughter’s wedding.The Wire
Pune's Mohsin murder case: Ujjwal Nikam blames MP for quitting as special public prosecutor
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mohsin-shaikh-murder-case-ujjwal-nikam-blames-mp-for-quitting-as-special-public-prosecutor-4966458/
Pune: Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam has finally revealed the reason behind his decision to quit as special public prosecutor (SPP) in Mohsin Shaikh murder case. Responding to a question during a programme on ABP Majha, a regional news channel, on Nov.30 Nikam blamed a “Member of Parliament” and a “journalist”, who had opposed his appointment as SPP in the case, after pointing out that he had been “felicitated by some Hindu organisations”. Nikam did not name either the journalist or MP.Following a request made by Nikam earlier this year, the state Govt had cancelled his appointment as SPP in the case. RV Chavan, the section officer, law and judiciary department, had passed an order in this regard on May 19, 2017. Mohsin, an engineer in a private firm, was attacked, allegedly by members of Hindu Rashtra Sena, during communal clashes in Pune in June 2014. Days later, Mohsin succumbed to his injuries.As per documents, which were procured by the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad under RTI, on July 20, 2014, Hussain Dalwai, a Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, had written to then CM Prithviraj Chavan, stating that Nikam should not be assigned the Mohsin Shaikh murder case.Dalwai had asked Chavan to consider a demand made by Rashtrapremi Kruti Samiti, a social organisation.Documents, obtained via RTI process, reveal that Pune-based activist Anjum Inamdar, of Rashtrapremi Kruti Samiti, had written to then CM Chavan and the state law department, on June 12, 2014. Inamdar had opposed Nikam’s appointment as SPP and claimed that the lawyer was “close to Hindu extremist groups”. When contacted Nikam on Saturday, he refused to comment on the issue. MP Hussain Dalwai, on the other hand, told this newspaper that while he “respects” Nikam, he “has his doubts” about the prosecutor.Meanwhile, Mohsin’s family had requested the appointment of advocate Rohini Salian as SPP. Later, lawyer Ujwala Pawar, district govt pleader in Pune court, appeared as SPP in the case. indianexpress
Hadiya's 'husband' was in touch with IS men before their marriage: NIA
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hadiyas-husband-was-in-touch-with-is-men/articleshow/61908549.cms
New Delhi: Shafin Jahan, 'husband' of Akhila Asokan alias Hadiya, was allegedly in touch with 2 key chargesheeted accused in ISIS Omar-al-Hindi case, Manseed and P Safvan, via a closed Facebook group comprising activists of PFI's political arm SDPI as well as a popular messaging application, during the months preceding his marriage to Hadiya, an NIA probe has found.Both Manseed and Safvan, arrested in October last year, have been chargesheeted by NIA in the Omar-al-Hindi case. The case relates to criminal conspiracy by members of an IS-inspired group to target HC judges, senior police officers and political leaders as well as places of public importance in south India.NIA believes it was Manseed and his SDPI associates including Muneer, a friend of Shafin Jahan, and not matrimonial website 'waytonikah.com' that brought Hadiya and Shafin together so as to 'arrange' their alliance. The two got married in Dec.2016. timesofindia
Hadiya case: CPI(M)'s Brinda Karat attacks NIA
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/hadiya-case-cpims-brinda-karat-attacks-nia/articleshow/61904452.cms
New Delhi: CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has accused NIA of being out on a "fishing expedition" in Kerala and interrogating couples in inter-caste or inter-community marriages. Party's politburo member said instead of celebrating inter-caste and inter-community marriages as "symbols of India's open and liberal approach", there was a campaign against them. "NIA is on a fishing expedition having already interrogated 89 such couples in Kerala," Karat said in the latest issue of party organ 'People's Democracy', while referring to Hadiya case. PTI
Army Chief Rawat going into detail on Myanmar surgical strike leaves govt red-faced
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-chief-rawats-remarks-on-myanmar-raid-leaves-centre-red-faced/article21255413.ece?homepage=true
While India is working to improve ties with Myanmar, comments by Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, confirming for the first time that Indian troops crossed into Myanmar in 2015 for operations, are being seen as a cause of concern, officials in Home and External Affairs Ministries have said. However, neither Ministry agreed to comment on the issue. Govt has been trying to get Myanmar’s support for its efforts to control cross-border movement of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland rebels and Rohingya refugees. “Army Chief should have been mindful of the realities in Myanmar and our efforts there. Such detailed discussion on the operations wouldn’t help the situation at all,” a senior official in the security establishment, who asked not to be named, said.At a book release function in Pune on Friday, Rawat elaborated on the cross-border raid carried out by Army on NSCN-K militant hideouts in Myanmar.He particularly underlined the difficulties that Special Force commandos faced in Myanmar “after crossing over” and the “heavy losses” they inflicted on the militant camp there. It is the first time a senior Govt functionary has given such extensive details of the operation. While military sources had circulated some details of the operation at the time, Govt of India had moved in quickly to stop any official reports after the Myanmar govt and military objected, saying only that an operation was carried out “along the border”.“We will not allow any foreign military operations in Myanmar territory,” Zaw Htay, Director in Myanmar President’s office, said a day after the surgical strike. “Every country must respect the other country’s sovereignty.”The Hindu
India allows 1,300 Buddhists from Myanmar’s Rakhine state to enter Mizoram
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-allows-1-300-buddhists-from-myanmar-s-rakhine-state-to-enter-mizoram/story-5dRuYW8qDtLvnTXqYT0NXM.html
Aizwal: In a contradiction of its own policy, Indian Govt has allowed over 1300 tribal Buddhist refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine region to enter Mizoram. The refugees left their homeland because of the ongoing war between the Myanmarese Army and the Arakan Army, made up of Buddhist insurgents. This comes nearly a month after the Union Home Ministry had directed the northeastern states to take strict measures to prevent Rohingyas -- who are Muslims -- from entering Indian territory despite persecution by Myanmar regime. The new group of refugees, belonging to Chin and few other communities of Myanmar, have come to four villages in Lawngtlai district.According to sources in the Mizoram Govt , the administration is struggling hard to bring down the rising tensions among the refugees and the residents of Laitlang, Dumzautlang, Hmawngbuchhuah and Zochachhuah villages. According to the state administration, the refugees are being taken care of on humanitarian grounds as all of them came to escape clashes back home.IANS
UP civic poll results: SP may be losing Muslim vote to BSP
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-civic-polls-results-hint-at-muslims-deserting-sp-for-bsp-4966609/
A majority of the Muslim community, which has backed SP in most elections after the Babri Masjid demolition, appears to have voted for BSP this time. According to local leaders, the combination of Muslim-Dalit votes helped BSP win the two mayor seats of Aligarh and Meerut and its candidates performed better than than SP candidates on various other seats.In Aligarh, SP candidate Mujahid Kidwai stood fourth with only 16,510 only votes, while BSP’s Mohd Furqan bagged 1.25 lakh votes to defeat BJP’s Rajeev Kumar who got 1.15 lakh votes. Local BJP leaders claimed that Muslims voted for BSP in the city, which has approximately 2.68 lakh Muslim voters and about 50,000 Dalit voters. “Muslims are always with the SP. But some faults in the numbering of candidates on EVM helped BSP. Also, of 50,000 Dalit votes, nearly 40000 went to BSP. These Dalit voters voted BJP in the Assembly polls,” said Kidwai.A BJP leader in Aligarh said,“In past elections, less number of Hindu candidates compared to Muslim candidates led to a division of Muslim votes.But this time, only 2 Muslim candidates contested and a majority of Muslim voters found the BSP nominee stronger than that of SP and they voted BSP to defeat BJP.” BJP leader added that Dalit voters backed the BJP in the past when BSP did not contest on party symbol. “This time, BSP contested on symbol and Dalits voted them. BJP too got Dalit votes, but less as compared to BSP,” he said.In Muslim-dominated Meerut, BSP’s Sunita Verma bagged 2.34 lakh votes and defeated state BJP vice-president Kanta Kardam who got 2.05 lakh votes. SP’s Deepu Manothia got only 47,153 votes and finished third.There are around 2.4 lakh Muslim voters and 1.25 lakh Dalit voters in Meerut corporation area. “Barely 2000 Muslims voted SP.Most of them voted BSP. Senior SP leaders are responsible for this situation.indianexpress
Muslims in West UP repose faith in Mayawati
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/muslims-in-west-up-repose-faith-back-in-mayawati/articleshow/61904456.cms
BJP loss in Meerut, Aligarh due to illegal abattoir ban?
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/bjp-loss-in-meerut-aligarh-due-to-illegal-abattoir-ban/articleshow/61910544.cms
Lucknow: The ban on illegal slaughterhouses by CM Aditya Nath Yogi might have boosted his image as a strong leader who can take tough decisions and complex issues head-on, but the decision seems to be the cause for BJP losing Meerut and Aligarh mayoral elections.The meat lobby, party insiders said, mobilized the Muslim community to vote en-masse for BSP candidates to ensure BJP defeat.Despite Mayawati not campaigning and not even casting her vote, Dalits in general and Jatavs in particular stood with BSP and this made choice easy for Muslims.This tactical move is a worrying sign for Samajwadi Party as minority community has remained loyal to it for long but voted for BSP in Meerut, Aligarh and Saharanpur where BSP candidate was the runner-up.Political observers said the meat trader lobby has a strong influence in Meerut. A BJP insider said leaders like Yaqoub Qureshi, whose family is in slaughterhouse business, gets his support mainly from Muslims who are somehow involved in the trade. timesofindia
Parliament may take up bill seeking jailing of religious leaders seeking votes for party
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/parliament-may-take-up-bill-seeking-jailing-of-religious-leaders-seeking-votes-for-party-4966211/
New Delhi:A private member’s bill seeking up to seven years’ imprisonment of religious leaders, who appeal to their followers to vote for a political party, is likely to be taken up for consideration in the winter session of Parliament beginning Dec.15. INLD MP Dushyant Chautala has proposed an amendment to the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, to restrain religious institutions from acting at the behest of political parties.“No religious institution or manager or spiritual leader thereof shall issue any direction on appeal to any person or group of persons to vote or refrain from voting in any election in favour of any political party or any individual that election,” according to the bill, introduced in 2015.“And if any spiritual leader does so, he or she shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years,” Chautala, an MP from Sirsa in Haryana, has proposed in the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Bill, 2015.There is also a provision in the bill for Rs 1-10 lakh fine on offenders. The broader objective of this bill is to check politicisation of religion, religious institutions and spiritual leaders. At the same time, it aims at preventing criminalisation of such institutions, he said.As politicians should not enter into religious activities, similarly religious leaders should not enter into political activities, he said. A private member’s bill is a legislation which any MP can proposed in his or her personal capacity. Most of the times these bills don’t enact into a law as they are not proposed by the Govt . indianexpress
Letter issued by Gandhinagar archbishop a "fatwa":Modi
http://www.thehindu.com/elections/gujarat-2017/letter-issued-by-gandhinagar-archbishop-a-fatwa-says-modi/article21258805.ece?homepage=true
Ahmedabad:PM Narendra Modi has said “rashtrabhakti” motivated him and his Govt to help people of various faiths, including Christians, and dubbed as “fatwa” a letter issued by Gandhinagar archbishop. PM was referring to the letter issued last month by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from “nationalist forces”.“I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a ’fatwa’ (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is nationalism that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world,” Modi said.PTI
Farmers will also carry out surgical strike against govt for not keeping its promise:Yashwant Sinha
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/farmers-will-also-carry-out-surgical-strike-against-govt-for-not-keeping-its-promise-says-yashwant-sinha-narendra-modi-demonetisation-4966355/
Nagpur: Senior BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha on Sunday castigated his own party for not fulfilling the promises made to farmers as he launched a campaign from Maharashtra’s Akola for their justice. Addressing farmers at a programme called “cotton, soyabean and paddy rally, organised by Shetkari Jagar Manch, Sinha said BJP had forgot the promise of 50% minimum support price (MSP) it had made to the ryots before coming to power. “Before coming to power, he BJP had promised to give 50% over and above the minimum support price (MSP). But after coming to power, the party forgot the promise,” Sinha said, referring to PM Narendra Modi, who had made the promise in Vidarbha at a ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ programme before 2014 polls. “Just as Indian soldiers had carried out surgical strikes across border, the farmers will also carry out a surgical strike against Govt till justice is achieved,” Sinha said. indianexpress
Rahul Gandhi nominated as Congress president; Poonawalla calls it ‘black day’ for party
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-nominated-as-congress-chief-shehzad-poonawalla-calls-it-black-day-for-party-4966816/
New Delhi:As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the post of Congress president, worker Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday called it a “black day” for the party. Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla reiterated that the election is a “farce,” and claimed the party was fielding a “dummy” candidate against Gandhi. Poonawalla’s remarks come days after he first alleged that the organisational polls were rigged to favour Gandhi.Brushing aside Poonawalla’s “silly” comments, the Congress had initially said the party does not get blackmailed by anyone.A day before the election process began, PM Narendra Modi raised Poonawalla’s remarks while campaigning for Gujarat elections in Surendranagar. At a rally on Sunday,Modi had said, “A youth named Shehzad Poonawalla called the process to elect the Congress president as rigged… he said democratic values in this election have been torn apart in public view.” indianexpress
Modi govt weakened Lokpal Act: Anna Hazare
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/modi-Govt -weakened-lokpal-act-hazare-anti-corruption-crusader-4967291/
New Delhi:Social activist Anna Hazare has alleged that Modi-led Govt at Centre weakened the anti-corruption Lokpal Act, PTI reported on Monday.“Ex-PM Manmohan Singh rarely speaks, but he had also weakened the Lokpal law (when it was framed). “Modi has further weakened the law by presenting an amendment in Parliament on July 27, 2016 through which a provision was made that relatives of (Govt ) officers including wife, son, daughter and others will not have to submit details of their properties every year,” Hazare said, talking to reporters here last evening. indianexpress
MP assembly passes bill awarding death for rape of girls aged 12 or less: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-assembly-passes-bill-awarding-capital-punishment-to-rapist-of-girls-below-12-years-of-age-4967372/
New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh assembly today unanimously passed a bill that will see rapists of girls 12 years or below being hanged till death. The move comes after the Cabinet approved bill last week.Called Dand Vidhi (MP Sanshodhan) Vidheyak, 2017, the bill will be sent to the Centre and will need the assent of the President to become a law.The development comes after the latest NCRB report revealed that MP recorded the highest number of rape cases in the country. The bill proposes death penalty or a minimum term of 14-year rigorous imprisonment or life imprisonment till death for raping girls aged 12 or less.Minimum punishment increases to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for gang rape of girls aged 12 or less.
RSS leader murder: Some say they did not see clash, others point to ‘outsiders’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-leader-murder-some-say-they-did-not-see-clash-others-point-to-outsiders-4966540/
New Delhi: Around 7 am on Sunday, Rayees Ahmad was on his way home to Nahali village when he heard about a clash between a group of police personnel and a mob near Bada Masjid. At least 20 officers from NIA, UP ATS and police from Ghaziabad and Meerut were pelted with stones and fired at during the exchange.While one constable sustained a bullet injury, 5 others received minor injuries, police said. “police vehicles were on one side of a pond, where the mob had gathered.People objected to someone being arrested. There was an exchange of fire and stone-pelting, said Ahmad, the head of Nahali village. On the other side of the pond in Ghaziabad’s Bhojpur area, the house — which belongs to Malook, the suspect the police were looking for — remained locked on Sunday evening. According to NIA, Malook was allegedly involved in supplying arms in the murder of an RSS leader in Punjab nearly two months ago.According to local residents and police, this was not the first time that Malook’s name has come up in a police investigation. “There are seven-eight cases against him. He was an accused in the murder of the village pradhan in 2011-12. He was arrested but later acquitted,” said Akash Tomar, SP (City), Ghaziabad.Ahmad said Malook’s family owned “7-8 bighas” and farming is their main source of income. “Property belongs to his grandfather. Malook’s father Shokeen, his wife and their four sons live here with their families. Most of them are engaged in farming but Malook does not really do any work,” Ahmad said.While some residents of the village claimed that they did not see what happened, others said they “did not know anyone who was part of the mob”. “Around 6 am, I heard a commotion, and then gunshots. I took my children and hid inside the house,” said a woman whose house is next to Malook’s.Ahmad,too, maintained, he did not recognise anyone who had allegedly “attacked the police”.“They must have come from outside. I do not know who opened fire at the police or started pelting stones,” he said. indianexpress
NIA-UP Police team under fire in Ghaziabad, cop injured
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nia-up-police-team-under-fire-in-ghaziabad-one-cop-injured-4966539/
Bihar: 10 arrested after firing at religious procession triggers clashes in Patna
https://scroll.in/latest/860088/bihar-10-arrested-after-firing-at-religious-procession-triggers-clashes-in-patna
10 people were arrested after more than a dozen, including a few policemen, were injured in clashes in Patna’s Phulwari Sharif locality on Saturday night, Hindi daily Jagran reported. The area had been tense since the morning after two groups almost came to blows. The police had then stepped in and defused the situation.The clashes reportedly broke out in the evening after unidentified gunmen on bikes shot at people at an Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. In the ensuing violence, an angry mob torched a number of vehicles, ransacked shops and set a few houses ablaze, Hindi paper Hindustan reported. Senior police officers, including Inspector General (Patna zone) Nayyar Hasnain Khan and DIG Rajesh Kumar, visited the neighbourhood and deployed around 300 policemen and Rapid Action Force personnel. The police had to fire tear gas shells and charge the protestors with batons to bring the situation under control, Bhopal Samachar reported. scroll
Security supervisor Gaikar nabbed for hoax ISIS terror threat at Mumbai airport
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/security-supervisor-nabbed-for-hoax-isis-terror-threat-at-mumbai-airport-117120300701_1.html
Mumbai:An employee of a private agency has been arrested for allegedly putting up a hand-written note at the Mumbai airport's cargo facility threatening a possible attack by terrorist organisation ISIS, a senior police official said on Sunday.A private security guard found the note in a toilet in the cargo section around 6 pm on Nov.29 and it read "attack the cargo on 26.01.18 or anytime - ISIS", police said.The police official said that Askhay Gaikar, 24, working as a security supervisor of a private agency at the airport, was arrested on Sunday after his role was established in the incident."Someone had circulated a video in their WhatsApp group of a similar incident that had taken place at the airport in 2015. After watching the clip, he thought of doing something similar," he said.PTI
Bhopal gas tragedy: Many women couldn’t become mothers again
http://twocircles.net/2017dec03/418736.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Bhopal: The tragedy that struck this city 33 years ago following methyl isocyanate leak from an industrial unit has not allowed some women to be mothers again and many homes have not been able to hear the playful voice of children.City’s third generation, born after the tragedy that struck in 1984, is also suffering from ailments.Rashida Bi, who is involved in improving lives of the families of victims, says a women of her family had miscarriages four times.“The impact of the gas that leaked from the Union Carbide plant is still there. There are many women who could not become mothers. This has been proved by research also. The biggest pain of a woman is not being able to become a mother,” Bi said.The Bhopal gas tragedy, considered the world’s worst industrial disaster, occurred on the intervening night of Dec.2-3,1984, at the Union Carbide India Ltd plant here,with over 500,000 people exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other toxic chemicals.The immediate death toll was 2,259 but later Govt put the toll at 3,787, while health of thousands of others was affected.IANS
Bhopal gas tragedy survivors march to site of accident
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhopal-gas-tragedy-survivors-march-to-the-site-of-accident-burn-effigy-4966002/
Lakshadweep islands suffer over Rs 500 cr loss due to cyclone: MP Faizal
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/cyclone-ockhi-lakshadweep-islands-suffer-over-rs-500-cr-loss-mp-mohammad-faizal/
Kochi:Lakshadweep islands, which was hit by Cyclone Ochki, has suffered a loss of over Rs 500 crore, Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said on Sunday. Faizal sought the Centre’s assistance to restore normal life in the islands isolated by the storm. He said normal life in three islands — Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaratti — was badly hit by the cyclone.Around 500 houses suffered damage, several coconut trees got uprooted and electric and communication lines were disrupted due to the calamity in Minicoy island alone, he told PTI.Several crores of rupees have to be spent for rebuilding the houses and paying compensation to farmers who suffered huge losses as rains accompanied by strong winds lashed the Lakshadweep islands under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi, Faizal said.PTI
Minorities insecure, suffocated: Scholars
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/minorities-insecure-suffocated-scholars/507879.html
Chandigarh:Despite all Constitutional guarantees of India being a sovereign socialist, secular, democratic republic, the minority sections in India — Dalits, creative artists, writers, rationalists and sensitive, enlightened citizens — are all feeling suffocated, insecure and less-than-equal citizens of India since the communal ideology has come into power at the Centre and some big Indian states. This was stated by scholars from Delhi, Panjab and Punjab varsities and representatives of minority organisations from across India during a 2-day seminar which concluded at Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS),Chandigarh. Prof Kulwant Singh, president, IOSS, highlighted several acts of intolerance and violence by those in majority.Prof Apoorva Nand from Delhi University said: “When saffron fanaticism is being promoted under the garb of nationalism, majority of Hindus are answerable for the undesirable activities of some fringe radical, vocal elements. In fact, it is not only a struggle between majority and minority communities, but also a struggle between the enlightened and half-baked Hindutva zealots.”Prof Khalid Mohd from Panjab University said Muslim bashing was rampant under the garb of terrorism, love jihad, ghar vapsi, triple talaq, 4 marriages and beef-eating, etc. tribuneindia
WORLD
Yemen’s Houthi TV: Ali Abdullah Saleh killed in Sanaa
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/houthi-media-ali-abdullah-saleh-killed-sanaa-171204123328290.html
Yemen's ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh has been killed in the capital, Sanaa, according to the radio station of the Houthi-controlled interior ministry.Footage circulating on social media on Monday appeared to display a body resembling Saleh, with one video showing how armed militiamen used a blanket to move the corpse into the back of a pickup truck.There has been no independent confirmation of Saleh's death. Saleh's party earlier denied that their leader had been killed and said he was continuing to lead forces in their clashes against his former allies-turned-foes, the Houthi rebels, in Sanaa.He has made no public appearances since the reports of his death surfaced.Sources close to Saleh told Al Jazeera that the head of the former president's security detail, Hussein al-Hamidi, was also killed, but did not provide further details.The reports of Saleh's death came two days after the former president expressed his openness to talks with a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels, in what the fighters called "a coup" against their fragile alliance. His comments on Saturday came after days of deadly clashes between forces loyal to him and the Houthis rebels, signalling an end to their united front against the Saudi-led coalition.Earlier on Monday, a Sanaa-based activist told Al Jazeera that the Houthi rebels had gained control of the majority of Sanaa from Saleh's forces."Only small pockets remain," Hussain Albukhaiti, who has close ties to the Iranian-backed Houthis, added.Albukhaiti said that fighters had secured key areas south of the capital, including the "very strategic" Al-Mesbahi residential area, which is approximately 200 metres from Saleh's home."The area around his home is completely surrounded and may be taken over by the Houthis within the next few hours," he said.The tactical alliance between Saleh and the Houthis had often appeared fragile, with both groups suspicious of each other's ultimate motives and sharing little ideological ground.
Yemen’s Houthi TV says ex-president Abdullah Saleh killed by rebel forces
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/yemen-s-houthi-tv-says-ex-president-abdullah-saleh-killed-by-rebel-forces/story-BPqRh2BJPTACssJkLFHRdO.html
Trump is 'close' to a decision on whether to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem: Jared Kushner
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/04/jared-kushner-sets-stage-donald-trumps-israel-embassy-decision/
US President Donald Trump is close to a decision on whether to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his son-in-law and Middle East peace envoy Jared Kushner said Sunday. Palestinian leaders are lobbying desperately against such a move, which the Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said would boost fanaticism and violence while sinking hopes for peace.But Kushner, the 36-year-old head of a small and tight-knit White House negotiating team, made a rare public appearance to put an optimistic face on his efforts."The president's going to make his decision," Kushner told the Saban Forum, choosing not to deny reports Trump will declare Jerusalem Israel's capital on Wednesday."He's still looking at a lot of different facts and when he makes his decision he'll be the one who wants to tell you. So he'll make sure he does that at the right time."Telegraph UK
Kushner: Trump still weighing embassy move to Jerusalem
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/kushner-trump-weighing-embassy-move-jerusalem-171203153326059.html
Dozens of MEPs urge Israel to abandon ‘Jewish nation-state’ bill
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171204-dozens-of-meps-urge-israel-to-abandon-jewish-nation-state-bill/
Dozens of Members of European Parliament (MEPs) have urged the Israeli government to abandon a draft “Jewish nation state” bill, reports the Jerusalem Post.A statement by the 189-member Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament reads: "We express our deep concern over the nation-state bill currently under debate in the Knesset, which can be interpreted as an attempt to deepen and legalise systemic discrimination against the Palestinian Arab minority in the country." Letter comes two weeks after a delegation of Joint List MKs visited Brussels, and according to MK Yousef Jabareen, the statement “is certainly a result of our visit”, adding: “The topic of the nation-state bill was one of the main topics we brought up in our meetings at the EU.”Jabareen told Jerusalem Post that one EU official said the bill has “a flavour of apartheid”. middleeastmonitor
Palestinians urge Arab, Muslim Govts to stop 'Al-Aqsa incursions'
http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2017/dec/03/palestinians-urge-arab-islamic-Govt s-to-stop-al-aqsa-incursions-1717468.html
Ramallah:Palestinian national unity Govt on Sunday urged the Govt s of Arab and Islamic countries to end "incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque" by Jewish settlers under the protection of Israeli forces. Govt Spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said in a statement that the settlers stepped atop the Dome of the Rock inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, under the protection of the Israeli police and military forces, describing it as "insistence by the Israeli Govt to desecrate holy sites and attacking the most sacred site for Arabs and Muslims in occupied Arab Jerusalem city, violating all norms, international laws, human principles and ethics," Xinhua reported.IANS
US withdraws from UN Global Compact on Migration
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/withdraws-global-compact-migration-171203160804853.html
Donald Trump's administration said it was withdrawing the US from an international pact aimed at improving global migration and refugee issues, prompting criticism from the UN. US has been a part of the non-binding New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants since it was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly last year.The declaration called for negotiations on a Global Compact for Migration, aimed at protecting the rights of refugees and migrants and helping them resettle.It also seeks to fight xenophobia, racism and discrimination towards refugees and migrants.But late on Saturday, US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said the declaration's "approach is simply not compatible with US sovereignty" and that the US will instead define its own migration plan. "No country has done more than the US, and our generosity will continue," Haley said in a statement."But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone," she added.UN General Assembly president said he was disappointed with the decision."I regret [the] US decision to disengage from process leading to a UN global compact on migration," Miroslav Lajcak tweeted after the decision was announced. aljazeera
Egypt's Ahmed Shafik still considering presidential bid
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/egypt-ahmed-shafik-presidential-bid-171204063356068.html
Ahmed Shafik, former Egyptian PM , says he is still considering running in next year's presidential elections but that he will need to explore the option further.Appearing on Egypt's Dream TV channel on Sunday evening, Shafik denied that Egyptian authorities had kidnapped him, as was claimed by his family after he vanished upon his arrival in Cairo on Saturday."Today I am here in the country, so I think I am free to deliberate further on the issue, to explore and go down and talk to people in the street ... so there's a chance now to investigate more and see exactly what is needed ... to feel out if this is the logical choice," Shafik said.The presidential hopeful landed in the Egyptian capital on Saturday after he was deported from the UAE, where he found refuge in 2012 when he narrowly lost the presidential elections against Mohamed Morsi. Aljazeera
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan see big trade boost with Qatar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/turkey-iran-pakistan-big-trade-boost-qatar-171203175422055.html
Doha: The move by Turkey, Iran and Pakistan to increase bilateral trade with Qatar, following a Saudi-led blockade, has benefited all four countries, according to experts.Saudi Arabia, UAE Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed a land, air and sea blockade on it on June 5. Analysts said the crisis has helped Iran, Pakistan and Turkey increase bilateral trade with Qatar, as well as open new commercial routes and strengthen political ties. "Trade between Iran and Qatar increased by 117 % in less than 6 months and it shows the short-term effect of this crisis and bodes well for both countries in the long term," Luciano Zaccara, an expert on Gulf and Islamic studies at Qatar University, said. Al Jazeera.
US: Teacher reports 6-year-old Muslim boy with Down's Syndrome to police for 'terrorism'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/tecaher-pearland-texas-reports-muslim-boy-terrorism-a8088751.html
A supply teacher's call to police about a six-year-old Muslim boy with Down’s Syndrome led to his family being investigated for terrorism. Officers launched the probe after six-year-old Mohammad Suleiman allegedly kept repeating the words “Allah” and “boom” class. His parents from the Texan city of Pearland, around 20 miles south of Houston, have claimed this cannot be true because “he doesn’t speak at all” and has “the mental capacity of a one-year-old.”The boy’s father said the family been through hell after becoming the subjects of both a police and social services investigation.“The last 3 or 4 weeks have been the hardest of my life,” Maher Suleiman told the Fox26 news channel. “My wife and kids were crying a few days ago and I told them everything is fine. “Mohammad was born with Down’s Syndrome Chromosome 21. He needs care all the time."He added:"They claim that he’s a terrorist. This is so stupid, this is discrimination actually. It’s not implied discrimination, it’s a hundred percent discrimination.” Teacher was covering for a regular member of staff at the CJ Harris Elementary School when he made the call. Independent UK
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
How did Houthi-Saleh alliance collapse? Faisal Edroos
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/yemen-houthi-saleh-alliance-collapse-171204070831956.html
Independents Rock BJP Boat in UP, Party Vote Share Slumps By 12 % In 8 Months:Amaresh Mishra
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/12424/Independents-Rock-the-BJP-Boat-in-UP-Party-Vote-Share-Slumps-By-12--In-8-Months
97% of BJP candidates defeated in Azamgarh civic polls in UP:Caravan News
http://caravandaily.com/portal/97-bjp-candidates-defeated-azamgarh-civic-polls/
UP Civic Polls: BJP Performed Poorly Even in Modi, Yogi Constituencies; Caravan News
http://caravandaily.com/portal/civic-polls-bjp-performed-poorly-even-constituencies-modi-yogi/
Not just Hadiya: Indian courts have had a long problem accepting women’s free choices:Shoaib Daniyal
https://scroll.in/article/859846/hadiya-not-the-only-case-courts-in-india-have-long-had-a-problem-dealing-with-gender
Babri Masjid case: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind pins hope on Supreme Court: Greater Kashmir
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/india/babri-masjid-case-jamaat-e-islami-hind-pins-hope-on-supreme-court/267915.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:41 PM)
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