Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
10 Jan.2017: 11 Rabius Sani 1438: Vol:8, No:85
INDIA
Law was amended after Shah Bano case, can do it for jallikattu too: Venkaiah Naidu
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-conclave-south-venkaiah-naidu-jallikattu/1/853680.html
New Delhi:Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today invoked Constitution amendment to nullify the Supreme Court order in the Shah Bano case as a possible way out to allow jallikattu, which was banned by the apex court recently.Venkaiah Naidu hinted that in the view of strong emotional connect of the people of Tamil Nadu with jallikattu, the Centre is mulling over a way out after the Supreme Court banned it."We are getting suggestions (to amend the law). After all, we did it in the Shah Bano case," said Naidu adding, "But, we will have to see. We will have to discuss. We will have to weigh what court thinks."However, Naidu was non-committal about bringing an ordinance to deal with the Supreme Court order on Jallikattu, saying,"I am not dealing with the subject in the govt." Venkaiah Naidu said, "Personally, I feel that Jallikattu is a traditional art. It is a traditional sport in Tamil Nadu. Nobody should have problem with this."IndiaToday
SC to hear various petitions on polygamy,triple talaq today
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-to-hear-various-petitions-on-triple-talaq-today-4467299/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear various petition on the Constitutional legitimacy of triple talaq and polygamy in the Muslim community. Several women have filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the triple talaq practice. The Central Govt has also told the top court that it is against gender injustice and for equality between men and women under the Constitution.However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has defended the practice, saying it is better to divorce a woman than kill her. Rights bestowed by religion can’t be questioned in a court of law, it said.ANI
Talaq: Nida asks Aala Hazrat family to boycott ex hubby
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/nida-asks-aala-hazrat-family-to-boycott-ex-hubby/articleshow/56427176.cms
Bareilly: Nida Khan, ex-wife of Aala Hazrat seminary head's nephew, on Monday claimed that her ex-husband and his family never followed Shariat. She made this statement a day after women clerics slammed her for not following the Shariat. Nida alleged that they had physically assaulted her on many occasions which is totally against Shariat. She also demanded Aala Hazrat should boycott her former husband. Women clerics on Sunday at a press conference held at a guest house situated near the seminary had claimed that Nida has been divorced and she should accept it. The clerics also claimed that instead of moving court, she should have consulted city qazi as prescribed in Shariat.Nida was divorced by Sheeran Raza Khan, nephew of the seminary head Subhan Raza Khan.TOI
National-level boxing player Imran kicked out for sporting beard in Mumbai
http://www.siasat.com/news/national-level-boxing-player-imran-kicked-out-sporting-beard-mumbai-1105881/
Mumbai: A National-level taekwondo and kick-boxing player barred from a boxing competition because he has the beard as part of his Muslim faith.According to Hindustan Times report, Sayyed Imran Ali, a second-year BCom student at GR Patil College in Mumbra came to University Sports Pavilion in Marine Lines last Monday to compete for his match. But the university officials citing the rule by International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) barred him from the ring after he refused to shave his beard off.Uttam Kendre, director, University of Mumbai (MU) department of physical education and sports said, “[Indian Boxing] Federation requires boxers to be clean-shaven before every match.”Imran Ali, who sports a goatee, said he was not aware of the rule since this was his first competitive boxing.“I have been participating in kick-boxing, karate and taekwondo competitions at the state and the national level for the past seven years. My small beard was never an issue,” said the boxer, who runs a martial arts training centre in Mumbra.HT / siasat
Mumbai University bars bearded Muslim student from boxing event
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-universi-bars-bearded-muslim-student-from-boxing-event/story-BxY7wI4i4hAALqJ2z0s5NN.html
Babri Masjid case: SC asks Muslim board to submit documents by Jan 23
http://www.millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=351480
New Delhi:Responding to the plea of Hindutva league, the Supreme Court directed the Sunni Waqf Board to submit all the related transcripts and documents to the apex court within Jan.23, 2017. While hearing the prolonged debatable case on Jan.4, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy asked the appellants to clarify that since 2010, why they have not submitted their documents to the court.After the apex court asked the Sunni Waqf Board to be present at the Registrar Court within this month, the members visited the court on Monday to explain. The order also mentioned that, “In case learned counsel has not appeared so far. Let them appear before the concerned Registrar within a period of ten days from on Monday. Let office to submit its report in this regard.”On September 30, 2010 the Allahabad High Court pronounces its verdict that the land to be divided into three parts. 1/3 goes to Ram Lalla represented by Hindu Maha Sabha, 1/3 to Sunni Wakf Board, 1/3 goes to Nirmohi Akhara. millenniumpost
‘We often sleep empty stomach’: BSF jawan’s video exposes the mess caused by corruption
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/web-edits/we-often-sleep-empty-stomach-bsf-jawans-video-exposes-the-mess-caused-by-corruption/
New Delhi:At a time when those complaining about standing in bank queues due to demonetisation are being asked by the ‘so called nationalists’ to compare their pain to that of the soldiers standing at border, a BSF jawan has shared three videos which describe how our national heroes are badly treated,while doing their duty, by none other than the administration. The videos expose the dismal state of affairs in the Armed forces and the hardships our soldiers face everyday due to the “corrupt practices” of their own officers. And there is nothing nationalist about it. In fact, the videos, that have gone viral, may deter young aspirants from joining the armed force.The video suggests that our jawans are not just exposed to the security threat from across the border and the elements, but are also subjected to humiliation and insult when it comes to their daily meals which are both substandard and insufficient. In fact, they even sleep empty stomach at times, the video reveals.Army or paramilitary jawans usually don’t speak against seniors fearing strict punishment. However, Jawan Tej Bahadur of 29 battalion showed courage, may be because of his desperation, to talk about that humiliation without caring about the consequences. indianexpress
'Can a BSF jawan work 10 hours on such food?': Soldier posts horrifying videos of substandard food
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bsf-jawan-facebook-video-horrible-food-on-duty/1/853469.html
Demonetisation
RBI says demonetisation was Modi govt's idea, deepens secrecy around move
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rbi-says-demonetisation-was-modi-governments-idea-deepens-secrecy-around-move/articleshow/56444329.cms
New Delhi: Contrary to popular belief, it was the govt which had "advised" the RBI to junk Rs 500/1000 notes on Nov.7 and the board of the central bank the very next day recommended the demonetisation.In a 7-page note to Parliament's Department-Related Committee of Finance headed by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, RBI stated that the Govt had on Nov.7, 2016 "advised the RBI that to mitigate the triple problems of counterfeiting, terrorist financing and black money, the Central Board of the RBI may consider withdrawal of the legal tender status of the notes in high denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000."RBI's Central Board met the very next day to "consider the Govt's advice," and after "deliberations," decided to "recommend to Central Govt that the legal tender status of the banknotes in the high denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 be withdrawn."Union Cabinet headed by PM Modi met within hours of that recommendation on Nov.8 and banned circulation of old 500 and 1000 rupee notes.In the note to the panel, RBI said it had been in the last few years working on introduction of new series of banknotes with improved security features to secure them against counterfeiting.PTI
Cleared Rs 2000 note in May, no talk then on 500, 1000:RBI
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/cleared-rs-2000-note-in-may-no-talk-then-on-500-1000-rbi-demonetisation-rti-reply-4467228/
Mumbai: RBI has said that its Central Board approved the proposal to issue new notes of the denomination of Rs 2,000 as early as May 2016, a fact it mentions in its note to the Standing Committee on Finance, but adds that there was no discussion on a possible withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes at its board meetings in May or July or August.In its RTI reply to an application filed by The Indian Express, RBI said the Central Board discussed and approved the proposal to introduce Rs 2,000 notes on May 19 last year.To a specific question on whether there was a discussion on a possible withdrawal of legal tender of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes at any of the board meetings of RBI last year, the RBI said that this was not discussed during the May 2016 Board meeting or the subsequent Board meetings on July 7 and August 11.
OTHERS
Kashmir unrest: Education sector badly affected, says report
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/kashmir-unrest-education-sector-badly-affected-says-report/
Jammu:The education sector has been badly hit in Kashmir Valley during the five-month-long unrest, causing “irreversible loss” to students, the Economic Survey Report has said. “Due to the closure of schools, the academic session got badly hit to the extent that it caused irreversible loss of study and tuitions to the students. The exams conducted by J&K Board of Secondary Education (JKBOSE) for 10th and 12th standard students covered only 50 % of the total syllabus.“However, an option has been given to the students to appear in March (for 100 % syllabus coverage) also,” according to the Economic Survey Report, 2016, tabled in the Assembly today.It said 31 school buildings were gutted — 17 fully and 14 partially — during the five-month-long unrest following the killing of \Burhan Wani in an encounter, whereas 15 school buildings were saved by employees of education department and local community from being burnt. PTI
RSS affiliate holds dialogue with Kashmiri students on nation-building
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rss-affiliate-holds-dialogue-with-kashmiri-students-on-nation-building-1646906
Over 1,000 Kashmiri students from 25 universities came together in Delhi for a "Kashmir Student's Conference" organised by Muslim Rashtra Manch, an affiliate of the RSS, in Delhi's Constitutional Club.Billed as a 'Dialogue on Students' Role in nation building', the conference saw officials from a host of ministries like Home, HRD and Minority Affairs. They spoke on a number of issues -- ranging from special scholarships for students from the state under the All India Council for Technical Education, to Udaan, a special initiative of the National Skill Development Corporation which seeks to provide skills and job opportunities to about 40,000 Kashmiris over 5 years. ndtv
Mufti Sayeed death anniversary: Top Hurriyat leader pays tribute in special issue of Sheeraza
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mufti-sayeed-death-anniversary-top-hurriyat-leader-pays-tribute-in-special-issue-of-sheeraza-4467430/
Srinagar:On the first death anniversary of former CM and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has released a special issue of multilingual magazine Sheeraza. The special issue traces Sayeed’s life from childhood to death. Several people, including family members and politicians, have written in it on their association with the former CM. Also, senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat has penned a piece for the magazine, in which he has written in detail about his close association with the former CM. indianexpress
Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, activist Sagar Rabari arrested ahead of Vibrant Gujarat Summit: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dalit-leader-jignesh-mevani-4467944/
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad police on Tuesday arrested Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and activist Sagar Rabari, a day after they had announced to disrupt Vibrant Gujarat Summit being held in Gandhinagar. PM Narendra Modi is also attending the event. A police team arrested Mevani at his home in Meghaninagar and brought him to Gujarat University police station. Police said that Mevani, convenor of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch and Rabari, general secretary of Gujarat Khedut Samaj, were arrested for violation of police commissioner’s notification under section-144 of CrPC .Joint Commissioner of Police, sector-1, Piyush Patel said that the duo was arrested after an FIR against them was lodged on Monday at Vadaj police station under section-144 of CrPC.
Months Before Sahara Was Granted Immunity, Tax Panel Member Was Abruptly Transferred
https://thewire.in/98125/sahara-income-tax/
New Delhi: 5 months before the Income Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC) granted Sahara India immunity from any future prosecution and penalty over the Sahara diaries, a member of the bench that eventually heard the company’s application was transferred under less than normal circumstances. According to a report in The Hindu, IRS officer Baldip Singh Sandhu was appointed in March 2016 as a member of the ITSC in Delhi and was appointed to the principal bench headed by the chairman of the tax settlement commission.The bench that Sandhu was appointed to was the same bench that, on November 10 2016, issued the immunity order for the Sahara group.However, before that, on July 19, Sandhu “was transferred out to Chennai” even though his appointment was “location-specific and non-transferable”. The Hindu reports that on July 19, Sandhu was relieved of his duties and a finance ministry official came to the commission to serve him his transfer order.Sandhu’s transfer was then taken to the Delhi High Court, which in an October 26 order, declared that he could not “now be transferred to the Additional Bench, Chennai; the appointment is against a particular vacancy and the appointee is not transferable to another vacancy that may have arisen, without the consent of the appointee”.THE WIRE
SC pulls up Govt for no mechanism to monitor NGO funds
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-pulls-up-centre-for-no-mechanism-to-monitor-ngo-funds-4467838/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today pulled up the Centre for not putting in place a regulatory mechanism to monitor the funds and their utilisation by NGOs, societies and voluntary organisations. A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar directed the Rural Development Secretary and Director of Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), which comes under Rural Development Ministry, to be present before it this afternoon with all relevant records.PTI
Police approach Areeb Majeed to serve IRF notice
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-approach-is-suspect-areeb-majeed-to-serve-irf-notice/
Mumbai; In their bid to look for office-bearers of the IRF to serve a notice on it to appear before a judicial tribunal, police personnel from Dongri police station approached Areeb Majeed on Saturday at Arthur Road jail. Kalyan-based youth, facing trial for allegedly being a member of Islamic State, has no links with Zakir Naik’s IRF, as per investigation by the NIA. Earlier last week, police officials had said they will be scanning prison records to see if any IRF members were previously jailed. When contacted, senior police officials too appeared surprised by the local police approaching Majeed to serve a notice pertaining to IRF. The chargesheet filed by the NIA against Majeed in 2015 makes no mention of his association with the IRF.After the govt issued a ban on the organisation founded by televangelist Naik, it is required under the UAPA to present before a tribunal its case proving sufficient cause for the ban.A tribunal comprising Delhi High Court Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal will be adjudicating the decision and a notice is required to be issued to IRF to make its representation against the ban.While one copy was served to a lawyer representing IRF, police officials had been attempting to trace office-bearers to serve the notice since its office in Dongri has been shut since the ban.Advocate Mubin Solkar, who represents the IRF, said the organisation’s legal team will be present before the tribunal in Delhi.Meanwhile, NIA has begun arguments to frame charges against Majeed. indian express
NIA directed to exchange cash seized from ISIS suspect with new notes: indiatoday
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nia-isis-suspect-new-notes/1/853573.html
New Delhi: The echoes of demonetisation rang out in an NIA special court in the capital when it asked the probe agency to exchange the Rs 2.83 lakh in now-invalid currency seized from an alleged ISIS recruit and keep the amount ready in legal tender.Syed Mujahid approached the court through his counsel, MS Khan, seeking the return of his "hard-earned money and parents' savings" that NIA confiscated during searches at his Karnataka home in Jan.2016. The agency seized a total of Rs 5.42 lakh in old banknotes from Mujahid and two others-Nafees Khan and Mudabbir Mushtaq Shaikh. Mujahid told court that the amount seized included money from his fruit-selling business as well as the pension of his parents. Mujahid's parents were govt servants- his father retired as a tehsildar while his mother was a school headmistress.
No dog meat in top Hyderabad eatery’s biryani:report
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-dog-meat-in-top-hyderabad-eaterys-biryani-says-report/
Hyderabad:Almost a month after a top eatery in Hyderabad hit headlines over a WhatsApp message alleging it was using dog meat in its famous biryani, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has stated that the raw meat samples collected from Shah Ghouse Cafe and Hotel at Gachi Bowli on Dec.13 contained “sheep meat only”. The samples were tested by National Research Centre on Meat at Chengicherla on the outskirts of Hyderabad which submitted its result report to GHMC Monday stating the meat sample given to them “is sheep (Ovis Aries) meat only”.The samples were collected by GHMC officials after a message went viral on WhatsApp that dog meat was added by Shah Ghouse Cafe in its famous biryanis. The WhatsApp message contained photos of a dead dog and a skinned carcass. indianexpress
Kerala: Samastha leader Bappu Musaliyar passes away
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/samastha-leader-bappu-musaliyar-passes-away/articleshow/56442574.cms
Malappuram: Senior leader of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama and Kerala state haj committee chairman Kottumala Bappu Musaliyar, 65, passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode on Tuesday. He was under treatment for age related diseases for last some weeks.Bappu Musaliyar is general secretary of Samastha Education Board and also chairman of Suprabhatham daily, the mouth piece of Samastha faction of Sunnis. He is also Mushwara member of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama. Timesofindia
Lucknow mourns demise of Shahi Imam Waizi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/city-mourns-demise-of-shahi-imam/articleshow/56430917.cms
Lucknow: Shahi Imam of the historic Teele Wali Masjid, Maulana Fazlur Rahman Waizi breathed his last on Monday. He was 75 and battling with chronic liver disease for the past few months. Hundreds from all walks of life and across the state, including CM Akhilesh Yadav reached to mourn the demise and pay tributes to the priest who was popular among all religious communities and hailed as a bridge between Shia and Sunni sects in the city. TOI
After Modi,Kolkata imam threatens Tarek Fatah on TVshow
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/after-pm-modi-kolkata-cleric-threatens-tarek-fatah-on-television-show-117010901414_1.html
Kolkata: Two days after issuing a 'fatwa' against PM Narendra Modi, a Kolkata cleric on Monday threatened to slit the throat of Pakistan-born author and political commentator Tarek Fatah, with whom he appeared on a television programme."Your throat will also be slit," Syed Mohammad Nurur Rahman Barkati, the Shahi Imam of Kolkata's Tipu Sultan Mosque, told Fatah while responding angrily to the latter's statement that India has come a long way from the medieval practices when people's throats were slit.Both Barkati and Fatah were part of a discussion programme on a private news channel where the cleric viciously attacked PM Narendra Modi, accusing him of spreading communalism and ruining the life of common people through the demonetisation move.
W.Bengal: Muslim leaders strongly condemn Shahi Imam Barkati's fatwa against PM Modi
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-west-bengal-muslim-leaders-strongly-condemn-shahi-imam-barkati-s-fatwa-against-pm-modi-2290795
Kolkata: Muslim leaders in West Bengal have criticised the fatwa against PM Narendra Modi by Syed Md Nurur Rahman Barkati, Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Masjid. On Jan.7, the Muslim cleric had declared a reward of Rs 25 lakh to anyone who cut off the beard of PM Narendra Modi, shaved his head and smeared him with ink.Different Muslim organisations too came down heavily against Barkati. Md Nooruddin, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said that the comments were dangerous and would help those who had indulged in polarisation politics. “An imam should be balanced in his views. He may have his political suggestions but he should not be issuing any fatwa like this. This will damage the reputation of Muslims and BJP will reap political dividend from it,” he told DNA.Similar was the view of Md Kamruzaman, general secretary of All Bengal Minority Youth Federation.Some, like Abdul Aziz, president, Milli Ittehad Parishad said that the state should take steps against such statements.DNA
Nagpur; No band, baaja and baraat, body tells Muslims
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/no-band-baaja-and-baraat-islamic-body-tells-muslims/articleshow/56429292.cms
Nagpur: After anti-kite flying appeal, city's Islamic organization Assaqafatur Razaviya of Satranjipura has asked Muslims to avoid "splurging on matka party (singing paeans to groom), playing musical band, video shooting and crackers during marriage celebrations. On Dec.26, TOI had reported about the organization's anti-kite flying campaign to dissuade Muslim youths from 'vice'. As part of the campaign, the body, that draws its ideology from Barelvi movement, had pasted posters outside several masjids across the city beside spreading the message through discourses.In the latest move, organization has citied Holy Quran's verse 31 of Chapter 7 Al-Araf. "Allah fizool karchnewalo ko pasand ni karta (God doesn't like people who splurge)," reads the poster issued by the organization. "Quran Shareef and Hadith both forbid splurging on useless activities. Making images is also a sin. Playing music, bursting crackers, matka party are all waste of money," president of the organization Maulana Ateeque-ur-Rehman told TOI.
UP: In a first, electoral rolls to be printed in Urdu for seats with high Muslim population
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/-in-a-first-electoral-rolls-to-be-printed-in-urdu-for-seats-with-high-muslim-population/articleshow/56427264.cms
Bareilly: The chief electoral officer (CEO) of UP has decided, for the first time, to print electoral rolls in Urdu for those constituencies which have a sizeable population of Muslims. The voters' list is usually prepared in Hindi and English in the state but this time voters in select constituencies will find it in Urdu also. In Bareilly, district election officer (DEO) Pankaj Yadav has selected two constituencies - City and Cantt - where voters will find the electoral rolls in Urdu at polling booths. "At every polling booth, a voters' help desk will be set up to provide them important information regarding the exercise of their franchise. Besides, at every booth in City and Cantt constituencies, the electoral rolls will be printed in Urdu along with Hindi and English," Yadav said.According to sources at Election Commission, around 100 constituencies in the state, where over 25% of the voters are Muslims, will have electoral rolls printed in Urdu. Bareilly is one of the districts in UP where Muslim population is over 30%. However, the 2011 census data of demographics based on first language or mother tongue is yet to be released by the Registrar General of India.
UP polls: AIMIM releases first list, says next one will have Dalits too
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/aimim-releases-first-list-says-next-one-will-have-dalits-too/
Lucknow : AIMIM on Monday released its first list comprising 11 candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections, also announcing a series of public meetings of party chief Asaduddin Owaisi, starting from Kairana in Shamli district on Jan.13. The declared candidates are contesting from Agra South, Firozabad city, Kairana, Koil (all of first phase), Behat, Saharanpur, Moradabad City, Moradabad Dehat, Kundarki, Bareilly city and Amroha city (all in second phase).While all these candidates are Muslims, party state president Shaukat Ali said that more will be declared for both phases very soon, and will include Dalits as well. Like BSP, AIMIM too plans to contest elections banking on Dalit-Muslim votes. indianexpress
Dhule riots: Victims demand govt report to be made public
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/city-others/dhule-riots-victims-kin-demand-government-report-to-be-made-public/
Mumbai: 4 years after the Dhule riots, parents of the six men who were killed in police firing have demanded that the Judicial Commission report on the riot be made public. “The report was submitted to the state govt in October last year. It has been over four years since our children were shot dead when they were trying to flee the violence. The govt should come out with the report to let people know the truth of what happened that day,” Raees Patel, whose 17-year-old son Saud Patel was killed in police firing, said.The parents of the six met local authorities, including the district collector, to submit their request. The state, meanwhile, has said it is evaluating the contents of the report and would make the findings public at an appropriate time.Violence broke out in Dhule on January 6, 2013 over payment of a hotel bill. The fight turned into a major riot and six persons were killed when the police opened fire on the mob. The post-mortem reports of four of the six stated that they had been shot in the back. One was shot in the neck.
3 yrs after riots hit Muzaffarnagar, victims still in colonies
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jan/10/three-years-after-riots-hit-muzaffarnagar-victims-still-in-colonies-1557933--1.html
Muzaffarnagar : Phugana is a village some 2 hours from Muzaffarnagar. Locally it’s called a village of khandahars, ruins. The streets are lined with destroyed houses, shops and desecrated places of worship. These are the ruins of the communal riots of August 2013 but from the walls licked black by the flames you’d think it happened yesterday. Until then, this had been a dusty village of 2500 Muslim families living peacefully alongside 18,000 Jats. The land-owning Jats are beneficiaries of the Green Revolution of the 1970s and ‘80s and today wield great influence over Muzaffarnagar’s administration. newindianexpress
Under SC lens, BJP neta says he won’t accept NHRC post
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/under-supreme-court-lens-bjp-neta-says-he-wont-accept-nhrc-post/articleshow/56432057.cms
New Delhi: Within a month after the Supreme Court agreed to examine the validity of his proposed appointment as a member of National Human Rights Commission, BJP vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna has withdrawn his consent for the post.A panel comprising PM, Lok Sabha Speaker, deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Union home minister and leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had recommended his appointment as a non-judicial member of the NHRC.But immediately after, a PIL filed in SC questioned how an active politician could be appointed for the post.TOI
SC seeks NHRC’s reply on anti-custodial torture law
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-seeks-nhrcs-reply-on-anti-custodial-torture-law/articleshow/56432105.cms
New Delhi: The Supreme Court sought a response on Monday from the National Human Rights Commission, to be submitted within a month, on the need for a stand-alone anti-custodial torture law and brushed aside the Centre's ploy to dissuade judicial intervention in the issue by terming it a legislative exercise. PIL by ex-law minister and Congress member Ashwani Kumar sought a direction to the govt to enact a stand-alone law to punish police for custodial torture.Solicitor general Ranjit Kumar said Parliament had already taken note of the issue and was taking steps in this regard. Timesofindia
China tightens security at PoK, Afghan borders
http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/china-tightens-security-at-pok-afghan-borders-to-curb-terror/964191
From Modi to Bhagwat, how Urdu is being strategically used
https://www.thequint.com/politics/2017/01/10/the-strategic-use-of-urdu-by-mohan-bhagwat-and-narendra-modi-prime-minister-rss-hindi-politics-bjp-sangh-language
WORLD
European court: Swiss Muslim girls must swim with boys
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/european-court-swiss-muslim-girls-swim-boys-170110111956446.html
The European Court of Human Rights upheld a decision of a Swiss court backing fines on Muslim parents who refused to allow their daughters to take part in mixed swimming lessons on the basis of their religion.The parents, both Turkish-Swiss dual nationals, appealed to the court over a fine handed down by education authorities after they declined to send two of their daughters to mixed swimming lessons.They said that the requirement, imposed by the school up until the age of puberty as part of its physical education curriculum, violated their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion enshrined in article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.While the court acknowledged that the requirement was an interference with the freedom of religion, it ruled that the interference represented a "legitimate aim" to protect foreign pupils from social exclusion.DPA /Aljazeera
Morocco bans production and sale of Burqas citing security reasons
http://www.news18.com/news/world/morocco-bans-production-and-sale-of-burqas-citing-security-reasons-1334049.html
Rabat: Morocco has banned the production and sale of burqa full-face Muslim veils, apparently for security reasons, media reports said on Tuesday.While there was no official announcement by authorities in the North African nation, the reports said the interior ministry order would take effect this week."We have taken the step of completely banning the import, manufacture and marketing of this garment in all the cities and towns of the kingdom," the Le360 news site quoted a high-ranking interior ministry official as saying.It said the measure appeared to be motivated by security concerns, "since bandits have repeatedly used this garment toperpetrate their crimes."Most women in Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI favours a moderate version of Islam, prefer the hijab headscarf that does not cover the face.AFP
Turkey vote brings Erdogan a step closer to increased executive power
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-increased-executive-power-turkey-parliament-vote-a7518846.html
Turkish parliament has voted to advance a bill on constitutional reform that would allow sitting President Tayyip Erdogan to stay in office until 2029.Under the proposed far-reaching changes to the executive branch of government, the power to appoint and dismiss government ministers would become the purview of the president rather than the prime minister. The reform would also allow Erdogan to become leader of the ruling party while in office again, and possibly stay in power for another 12 years. independent
Turkey renames street after assassinated Russian Envoy
http://www.asianage.com/world/europe/100117/turkey-renames-street-after-slain-russian-ambassador.html
Army offensive tightens noose on rebel-held Douma
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/army-offensive-tightens-noose-rebel-held-douma-170110044859673.html
Health workers in a besieged rebel-held suburb of Damascus have said daily attacks by Syrian troops are stretching them to limit, and many fear the fall of Aleppo has emboldened the govt of President Bashar al-Assad to step up its offensive.The Douma suburb is a flashpoint town and is the largest rebel-held area on the Damascus outskirts, which the govt is trying to retake. In a report published on Monday, Assad said that his forces are on the road to victory, citing the recapture of Aleppo as a "tipping point" in his fight against Syrian rebels."We don't consider it [retaking Aleppo from the rebels] as a victory. The victory will be when you get rid of all the terrorists," Assad told French journalists visiting the Syrian capital on Monday.As fighting intensifies in Douma, most field clinics have been moved to basements, and health workers worry that medical supplies are running out. Aljazeera
US troops 'kill dozens of ISIL fighters' in Syria raid
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/troops-kill-dozens-isil-fighters-syria-raid-170109171506017.html
UN: Civilians increasing flee IS-held Mosul;135500 now out
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11779965
UN's humanitarian aid agency says an average of 1,000 people have fled the Iraqi city of Mosul each day over the last week amid a stepped-up Iraqi offensive to retake the city from the Islamic State group.Spokesman Jens Laerke of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told reporters Tuesday in Geneva that some 135,500 people have fled Mosul since the operation began in mid-October. AP
Iran ready to discuss 2017 hajj with Saudi : official
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/iran-ready-to-discuss-2017-hajj-with-saudi-arabia-official-1.3234712
A senior Tehran official says Iranian authorities are ready to "participate in bilateral talks" with Saudi Arabia about the 2017 hajj pilgrimage. IRNA quoted Ali Qaziaskar, a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying that Iran like other Islamic countries received an invitation letter from Riyadh to discuss next pilgrimage.AP
Citing Russian defence ministry, Israeli website says Egypt to send troops to Syria next week
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170110-citing-russian-defence-ministry-israeli-website-says-egypt-to-send-troops-to-syria-next-week/
Russian defence ministry has reportedly announced that Egypt would send troops to Syria to observe the implementation of the truce reached between the Syrian regime’s forces and the armed opposition, according to the Israeli website Rotter.The news website added that the Egyptian troops will arrive in Syria early next week, noting that a number of Egyptian officers had been already in Syria to pave the way for the troops’ arrival.At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on Egypt as a partner to join his country along with Turkey and Iran in the talks on Syria’s future and the implementation of the truce, according to Rotter.Putin spoke with the Egyptian president yesterday and promised to resume flights between Russia and Egypt soon. Middleeastmonitor
Israelis to build another wall along Gaza border
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170110-israelis-to-build-another-wall-along-gaza-border/
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman has approved a budget of NIS3.34 billion ($870 million) to build a wall along the border with the Gaza Strip, Ynet News reported on Monday. The project is said to be one of the biggest and most expensive ever undertaken and is meant to be combined with several other security measures along the 64 kilometre de facto border. Like the “smart” fence on the Egyptian border, explained Ynet News, this one will have concrete walls deep underground and equipment to detect tunnels. The wall will have both offensive and defensive capabilities. Although the project is still in its initial stages, it is expected to move forward in the coming months. middleeastmonitor
Daesh members arrested in West Bank, claims Israeli radio station
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170110-daesh-members-arrested-in-west-bank-claims-israeli-radio-station/
'Forgotten' army of 400,000 Muslim soldiers who fought for British freedom in World War I: mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/forgotten-army-400000-muslim-soldiers-9589884
America dropped 26,171 bombs in 2016. What a bloody end to Obama's reign: Medea Benjamin, The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/09/america-dropped-26171-bombs-2016-obama-legacy?CMP=share_btn_fb
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:02 PM)
