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Evening NEWS DIGEST
18 Feb.2017: 20 Jamadiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:119
INDIA
No concept of National Song in Constitution, SC declines Centre plea on Vande Mataram; but to examine making National Anthem mandatory in offices, courts
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-concept-of-national-song-in-constitution-says-sc/story-UYFUDprZTPnLUorcQIJ6dJ.html
New Delhi: There is no concept of a national song, the Supreme Court said on Friday, declining to entertain a plea to direct the Centre to frame a national policy to promote Vande Mataram. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said Article 51A (fundamental duties) of the Constitution requires to promote and propagate the National Anthem and the National Flag.“The Article does not refer to National Song. It only refers to National Flag and National Anthem. Therefore, we do not intend to enter into any debate as far as the National Song is concerned,” said the bench, rejecting the prayer of petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay, a BJP spokesperson.Upadhyay had said India is a US and not an association or confederation of states. His plea to make reciting the National Anthem compulsory in offices, courts and legislative houses and Parliament was also declined. But the bench agreed to hear the petitioner’s prayer to make it mandatory for schools to play or sing the National Anthem on working days.govt has already asked the SC to revisit its 1986 judgement which ruled that singing of the National Anthem was not mandatory.“Patriotism must be inculcated in kids. It cannot be done in adults. So, singing the National Anthem in schools… as a part of the curriculum, must be made compulsory,” the govt’s top law officer, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, told the court, which fixed April 18 to hear his argument at length. hindustantimes
SC refuses to debate plea to declare ‘Vande Mataram’ as national song
http://www.newsx.com/national/56237-supreme-court-refuses-to-debate-plea-to-declare-vande-mataram-as-national-song
Can singing national anthem be made mandatory in schools? Supreme Court to examine
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/can-singing-national-anthem-be-made-mandatory-in-schools-supreme-court-to-examine/articleshow/57209272.cms
SC to examine making National Anthem mandatory, not National Song
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-to-examine-making-national-anthem-mandatory-not-national-song/articleshow/57209217.cms
SIO moves SC for NEET question papers in Urdu
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/in-mumbai-petition-filed-in-supreme-court-for-question-papers-in-urdu/story-FHSDwapDgHlNqrFvVmMdBJ.html
Mumbai: A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) against the central govt's decision to not conduct National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance-Test (NEET) in Urdu. The court is likely hear the plea next week. NEET holds the key to medical and dental colleges across the country, and all health science courses in the state. This year, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to conduct NEET in 10 languages including English, Hindi, and Marathi. However, the list doesn't include Urdu, which serves as the medium of instruction for hundreds of junior colleges across the country. The petitioner — Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) — pointed out that the govt has included Gujarati, Kannada, Assamese and Oriya in its list of the languages that the papers will be available in, even though they have fewer takers than Urdu. "It appears to be a case of selective discrimination, as Urdu has been arbitrarily and unreasonably left out. A large number of students study science in Urdu medium junior colleges in states such as Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka and Telangana. NCERT even provides class 11 and 12 books in Urdu," said Syed Azharuddin, national secretary, SIO. In Maharashtra, an estimated 15,000 students from around 168 Urdu-medium junior colleges will appear for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations in the science stream. Following persistent demands from students, the govt s of Maharashtra and Telangana had requested the Union ministry to conduct NEET in Urdu as well, but to no avail. Mohammed Ali Shaikh, public relations secretary, SIO (South Maharashtra), said, " Urdu-medium students will now be forced to take NEET in an unfamiliar language, in which they have not studied physics, chemistry and biology. It's a severe problem, considering the fact that NEET is now the only door for medical education in the country. By not including Urdu, the govt has effectively shut that door on many deserving students." HT
Students move SC for NEET in Urdu
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/students-move-sc-for-neet-in-urdu/articleshow/57213084.cms
NEET 2017: Student Islamic Organization Moves Supreme Court To Conduct NEET In Urdu
http://www.ndtv.com/education/neet-2017-student-islamic-organization-moves-supreme-court-to-conduct-neet-in-urdu-1660824?fb
Bombay HC’s controversial bail order in murder case of Muslim techie under SC scanner
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bombay-hc-s-controversial-bail-order-in-murder-case-under-sc-scanner/story-g6BJoMvwi667Ppp940Xs5M.html
New Delhi: A controversial bail order by the Bombay high court in which it observed that 2 members of the Hindu Rashtra Sena (HRS) did not murder a Muslim in Pune in 2014 due to personal enmity but because the victim belonged to a minority community has come under the Supreme Court’s scanner.A bench of Justice SA Bobde and Justice LN Rao issued notice to the Maharashtra govt and 2 men of the HRS -- Vijay Rajendra Gambhir and Sri Ganesh -- who were released after the HC order in Jan.A response was sought from them and the state on a petition filed by the brother of the victim -- Mohsin Sheikh -- who wants the bail to be cancelled.The petitioner’s lawyer Farrukh Rasheed told HT that a separate petition to cancel the bail of the third accused -- Ajay Dilip Lalge -- will be filed on Feb20. The bench also indicated that it would hear the matter after 4 weeks.“We know the urgency of the matter and at this stage we are with you,” the court told senior counsel Dushyant Dave when he requested the bench to hear the case soon. “They (accused) are roaming free,” Dave contended. Justice Mridula Bhatkar’s Jan.12 order granting bail to the accused on the ground that they had been provoked “in the name of religion” came under severe criticism.HT
SC issues notice to Maha in Muslim techie murder case
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-supreme-court-issues-notice-to-maharashtra-in-muslim-techie-murder-case-2326848
Disclose Godse's statement in Gandhi assassination trial:CIC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/disclose-godses-statement-in-gandhi-assassination-trial-cic/articleshow/57210413.cms
New Delhi: The statement of Nathuram Godse, along with other relevant records related to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, should be "proactively disclosed" on the website of the National Archives, the CIC has ruled. Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said, "One may disagree with Nathuram Godse and his co-accused but we cannot refuse disclosure or circulation of his opinion."At the same time, neither Nathuram Godse nor the holder of his theme or opinion can go to the extent of killing a person whose philosophy he cannot agree with," he said in his order. Petitioner Ashutosh Bansal had demanded the charge sheet and Godse's statement, among other details, from Delhi Police which forwarded the application to National Archives of India (NAI), saying the records have been handed over to it. PTI
POLLS & POLITICS
Tamil Nadu govt headed by Edappadi Palaniswami wins trust vote after chaos in assembly
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-govt-headed-by-edappadi-palaniswami-wins-trust-vote-after-chaos-in-assembly/articleshow/57220932.cms
Chennai: Edappadi K Palaniswami govt in Tamil Nadu on Saturday won the trust vote with 122 MLAs favouring him, after the assembly witnessed chaos and eviction of 89 legislators who went on a rampage demanding secret ballot.Rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam got 11 votes.Palaniswami won the confidence vote in the assembly where only AIADMK legislators -- MLAs supporting party general secretary V K Sasikala and former CM O Panneerselvam -- were present. There were no opposition legislators with DMK (88) and IUML (1) MLAs having been evicted and their ally Congress members walking out in protest.The House that assembled at 11am witnessed two adjournments after Speaker P Dhanapal said he would hold division vote. The opposition parties and the rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam's side insisted on holding secret ballot. timesofindia
Trust vote: Stalin arrested in Chennai, violence breaks out across TN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-trust-vote-mk-stalin-arrested-in-chennai/articleshow/57222047.cms
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswamy sails through the state’s first crucial floor test in 30 years
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-cm-edappadi-palaniswamy-sails-through-the-states-first-crucial-floor-test-in-30-years/556782/
Voting in phase-III of crucial UP elections tomorrow
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/voting-in-phase-iii-of-crucial-up-assembly-elections-tomorrow-117021800391_1.html
Lucknow:Home Minister Rajnath Singh's Lok Sabha seat Lucknow and SP strongholds Kannauj, Mainpuri and Etawah will be among 69 assembly constituencies that will witness voting tomorrow in the third phase of the UP polls. Over 2.4 crore people are eligible to decide the fate of 826 candidates in fray, preparations for which has been completed. Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur, Unnao, Barabanki and Sitapur are among the 12 districts where these Assembly seats are spread over. Etawah is the native place of SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav, while another key district is Mainpuri, from where Tej Pratap Yadav is an SP MP. From Kannauj Dimple Yadav, wife of CM Akhilesh Yadav is an MP. PTI
Modi not helping Muslims get jobs, they sit idle and produce more kids: Azam Khan
http://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/modi-not-helping-muslims-get-jobs-they-sit-idle-and-produce-more-kids-azam-khan/story-02SXFwCIc0CghWERNsOwSP.html
PM Narendra Modi is not paying heed to the Muslim community’s unemployment issues. Since they have no other work to do, Muslims have so many children, UP’s urban development and parliamentary affairs minister Mohd Azam Khan said on Friday -- courting yet another controversy. Khan at an election rally in Allahabad said a large number of Muslims were unemployed and it was for this reason that they gave birth to more children.“Had badshah (emperor) Modi paid more heed to giving Muslims employment, the Muslims would have not produced so much,” the Samajwadi Party leader said.HT
BJP demand for ban on Shiv Sena's Saamana: Won’t curb freedom of speech by banning newspaper, says Naidu
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-demand-for-ban-on-saamana-wont-curb-freedom-of-speech-by-banning-newspaper-says-venkaiah-naidu-4530869/
Pune: 2 days after BJP’s Maharashtra unit urged the state Election Commission to ban publication of Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana for 3 days, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu Friday said that his party would not curb the freedom of speech by banning publication of any newspaper. “It is not the principle of our party to ban publication of any newspaper. So, we will not curb the freedom of speech by banning publication of any newspaper. They can write whatever they want to. If they write against the PM , they would themselves hamper their credibility,” Naidu said when asked about the state BJP’s demand. indianexpress
OTHERS
2005 Delhi blasts - College to jail: How cops stole 12 years of Mohammad Rafiq's youth
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/college-to-jail-how-cops-stole-12-years-of-his-youth/articleshow/57215328.cms
New Delhi: Mohammad Rafiq Shah was a student of MA (final) at Shah-i-Hamadan, Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, when on the midnight of Nov.21, 2005, his world plunged into darkness.He was picked up by officials of Delhi Police's special cell and STF of Kashmir Police.2 days later - after allegedly subjecting him to torture and humiliation at an STF camp - they brought him to Delhi. His crime: he was alleged to have planted a bomb in a DTC bus in Govindpuri on Oct.29, 2005, which injured many people.12 years later, when he walked free on Thursday - after additional sessions judge Reetesh Singh acquitted him of all charges - the police were facing serious questions of credibility and human rights violations. Rafiq's claim that "he was made an accused to assuage the public perception that Delhi Police was incompetent to act against terrorism" and that "he was a vulnerable target... made a scapegoat" rang true. Police, it seems, deliberately ignored his alibi at every step to prove their case. They brushed aside his plea that it could be proved he was in his class on the day of the blast. It relied on dubious witness es who ended up contradicting themselves, exposed Rafiq to many people when he was in custody before a test identification parade (TIP) could be conducted and suppressed inconvenient facts.TOI had as early as on Feb.12, 2006, raised the question whether it "could be a case of harried cops under pressure to show results, targeting an innocent boy?" In a front-page report, "Delhi bomber was in class on Oct.29", we had reported that Rafiq was actually attending his MA classes in his college in Srinagar. It was also reported that Rafiq had refused to appear for TIP as he had already been presented before some people, one of whom could be a witness in the Govindpuri blast.The ground had been laid in Srinagar where Rafiq -according to his reply during framing of charges on Jan. 21, 2008 which was cited by the judge - was allegedly forced to drink urine, kept naked and sexually abused, all in order to perhaps break his spirit. He had also alleged that rats were put in his trousers and attempts made to hurt his religious sentiments. "It seems I am being victimised only because I am a Kashmiri Muslim," he said, expressing his faith that justice would prevail and the police get exposed.TOI
Delhi serial blasts: Rafiq Shah free after 12 years, but life won’t be same:HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-serial-blasts-free-after-12-years-but-life-won-t-be-same-for-rafiq-shah/story-uANBaYOSwcnWWO61lAdUvL.html
Delhi blasts: College alibi, call records, how case fell apart after 12 years
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-blasts-college-alibi-call-records-how-case-fell-apart-4530926/
New Delhi:Mohd Hussain Fazli and Mohd Rafiq Shah, 2 men acquitted in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts that claimed 67 lives, left for Kashmir on Friday — after having spent the last 12 years in jail. Acquitting the 2 men, a trial court had said on Thursday that the prosecution had “miserably failed” to prove their guilt. A closer look at the judgment, passed by Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh, suggests why the court arrived at this conclusion.According to the court, one of the key things the prosecution failed to prove was that Shah was not in the Valley on October 29, 2005, when he was alleged to have placed a bomb in a DTC bus in Delhi. According to the court, three of his teachers at Kashmir University had testified that he was present on campus that day, and had even attended classes. The university had also produced his attendance records for that day. indianexpress
2005 Delhi blasts: ‘Knew my son is innocent… but it took 12 long years, now his youth is already over’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/2005-delhi-blasts-knew-my-son-is-innocent-but-it-took-12-long-years-now-his-youth-is-already-over-4530805/
Delhi blasts: Tariq Dar cannot walk out of prison yet
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-serial-blasts-tariq-ahmed-dar-cannot-walk-out-of-prison-yet/story-2mqNhwfwl6SAUxOulUUrkI.html
Delhi: Tariq Ahmed Dar was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by a Delhi court on Thursday, which he has already served having been in prison as his trial dragged on for 12 years. Dar, however, was unlikely to be released from prison as a case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was pending against him.Dar’s counsel Satish Tamta expressed confidence that Dar would not have to stay in Tihar prison for long as the maximum punishment under the PMLA act is of seven years. Dar has already served more than 11 years behind bars after his arrest in the case.Tamta will file a bail application for Dar’s release on Friday. hindustantimes
Court slams IO for ‘shabby’ probe into role of accused
http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-2005-bomb-blasts-court-slams-io-for-shabby-probe-into-role-of-accused-2326908
Rafiq Shah, Accused In 2005 Delhi Serial Blasts, Walks Free After 11 Years In Prison
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/02/18/rafiq-shah-accused-in-2005-delhi-serial-blasts-walks-free-afte/
Malegaon blasts: HC reserves its order on Purohit plea for bail
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/malegaon-blasts-bombay-hc-reserves-its-order-on-purohit-plea-for-bail-4530973/
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court Friday reserved its order in the petition filed by Lt Col Prasad Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts, challenging a lower court order that denied him bail. Purhoit was arrested in 2008 for allegedly procuring RDX to carry out blast and hatching the conspiracy. On Friday, NIA concluded its arguments, and said prima facie there was enough evidence to suggest Purohit played a major role in conspiring and executing the blasts. indianexpress
Hindutva terror cases will be ‘made to collapse’ by govt: Chidambaram
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hindutva-terror-cases-will-be-made-to-collapse-by-govt -says-chidambaram/story-64AuYRpFOwbjk04Gw7jA5I.html
New Delhi: All terror cases involving right-wing Hindutva groups will be “made to collapse” in courts as the NDA govt is using investigation agencies to advance its “political objective”, former home minister P Chidambaram has said.His remarks came a fortnight after a Dewas court acquitted Sadhvi Pragya in Sunil Joshi murder case. Joshi was the alleged mastermind of what came to be known as “Hindu terror” that was linked to right-wing group Abhinav Bharat and some individuals associated with the RSS. Asked how the so-called Hindutva terror cases—transferred from states to NIA during his tenure as union home minister-- were falling apart, Chidambaram told HT: “It shows how the investigation agency is being used to advance their (the ruling party’s) political objective. How can witness after witness turn hostile? Is there not a single witness who will come and depose?”“If this is the truth, then take action against those officers who took the statement. It cannot be that the set of officers who recorded the statement and the set of officers, who are now watching helplessly as witness after witness turns hostile, both cannot be discharging their duties. One (set) of then has failed to do his duty. They are pursuing a political agenda. In all these cases, every case will be made to collapse.”He said that when he was in office, he didn’t give any instruction to NIA or whichever agency was investigating. “The court is the place where the investigation must be monitored and must be properly guided. And the court was doing its job. But govt changes, everything changes. What kind of criminal law administration is this?” hindustantimes
Zakir Naik aide in ED custody till Feb 22
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/zakir-naik-aide-in-ed-custody-till-feb-22-4530798/
Mumbai;A special court has allowed Enforcement Directorate custody of Aamir Gazdar, an alleged close associate of IRF founder Dr Zakir Naik, till Feb.22. Gazdar, arrested on Thursday under charges of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was produced before court on Friday evening.ED claimed that Gazdar was a “close confidante” of Naik and was involved in “all the illegalities” on his behest. ED alleged Naik had established dummy firms in India and abroad to camouflage the diversion of funds received by him “through his illegal activities of provocative speeches”. ED alleged Gazdar was a director in at least 6 such companies, four based in Mumbai and two in England.Advocate Tariq Sayyed, appearing for Gazdar, told the court that since a separate probe is being carried out by the National Investigation Agency, the documents were in their custody. He also stated that since the allegations by the agency pertain to IRF and Naik, Gazdar’s custody is not required. indianexpress
We need 'solid evidence' to back India's efforts to ban Masood Azhar at UN: China
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-need-solid-evidence-to-back-indias-efforts-to-ban-masood-azhar-at-un-china/articleshow/57204858.cms
Beijing: Ahead of its strategic dialogue with India, China on Friday said "solid evidence" was needed for it to back efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.Foreign secretary S Jaishankar and China's executive vice-foreign minister Zhang Yesui will hold a new round of strategic dialogue in Beijing on Feb 22, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a media briefing here.The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on the international situation and other regional and global issues of mutual interest in the strategic dialogue which is an important communication mechanism between India and China, he said. Commenting on reports of "friction points" in the bilateral relationship, including the Masood Azhar issue and India's admission into NSG, Geng said "differences are only natural". On the Azhar issue, Geng said China will support the move if there is solid evidence. PTI
Clashes outside Srinagar’s Jama Masjid after General Bipin Rawat’s comments, Pakistani flags waved
http://www.india.com/news/india/clashes-outside-jama-masjid-after-general-bipin-rawat-comments-pakistani-flags-waved-1848183/
Srinagar: Clashes broke out outside iconic Jama Masjid in Srinagar after Friday prayers. Many protestors waved Pakistani flag while protesting against Army chief Bipin Rawat’s warning to those who obstruct Army operations. According to reports, the protestors pelted stones on security personnel.Army chief Bipin Rawat had said that the young people who had been obstructing the forces during encounters against militants would be dealt with strictly.“We would now tell the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism, displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue,” he had said. india.com
Shifting of Shahabuddin to Tihar jail begins amid tight security
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shahabuddin-s-transfer-to-tihar-jail-begins-amid-tight-security/story-kDuJtHCfj9N1VHWN9YLiTK.html
Patna: Ex-RJD MP and strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin was shifted from Siwan jail to Patna in the wee hours on Saturday amid tight security. He is likely to be taken to New Delhi later in the day and lodged in the high-security Tihar jail there on the Supreme Court’s orders. Siwan jail superintendent BK Bhardwaj said Shahabuddin was escorted out the jail around 2.40am and taken to Patna’s Beur central prison.HT
Pakistani Sufi cleric will have to leave India, SC says courts can’t grant visas
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistani-sufi-cleric-will-have-to-leave-india-sc-says-courts-can-t-grant-visas/story-iZo7zyRpkSOxc9XebvETNN.html
New Delhi: A Pakistani Sufi cleric’s plea to extend his and his wife’s visa was on Friday declined by the Supreme Court, which told him that it was not for courts to grant or reject visas. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra refused to get drawn into Syed Waseem Ur Rehman’s submission that Sufism faced serious threats from Islamist terrorists in Pakistan where around 100 people died in a suicide bomb blast on Thursday. Rehman and his wife Sayeda Saima Waseem Ur Rehman had moved the SC against the govt’s decision to let him stay in India. hindustantimes
AMUSU invites JNU's Shehla Rashid for talk, later files FIR against her for allegedly disrespecting Prophet:IndiaToday
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amu-students-union-jnu-shehla-rashid-fir/1/884928.html
New Delhi:AMU Students Union (AMUSU) has filed a FIR against JNU student leader Shehla Rashid for allegedly disrespecting Prophet Muhammad in a Facebook post. Addressed to the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh, FIR filed by AMUSU member Ghazala Ahmad claims the JNU student posted on Jan.9 "objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad and other religions" which has angered the community. Interestingly, FIR against Rashid was filed even as AMUSU had invited her for an all-India student leaders' meet on 'The role of student leaders in building contemporary society', scheduled in Aligarh on Saturday. Among the others invited for the event are JNUSU ex-president Kanhaiya Kumar, JNUSU president Mohit Pandey, JNUSU ex-president Akbar Chaudhary, Allahabad University student leader Adil Hamza, Delhi University student leader Kawalpreet Kaur, and JNU student Umar Khalid. FIR against Rashid was filed even as the AMUSU had invited her for an all-India student leaders' meet on 'The role of student leaders in building contemporary society.' The AMUSU letter to the cops also says if Rashid comes to Aligarh for the event, there is a possibility of "the situation turning sensitive".Rashid, in a Facebook post today, has denied the allegations and cancelled her visit to Aligarh since it "might create an unnecessary media spectacle".Rashid said she is being misunderstood by the AMUSU about her post on Prophet Muhammad. "In the allegedly blasphemous post, I am making a distinction between hate speech and blasphemy. In fact, it is my topic of research to accurately define hate speech in India. However, some people are hell bent upon insisting that I insulted the Prophet (SAW). This is not true," she wrote.There is no clarity yet on whether the event scheduled on the AMU campus on Saturday will be held.
Jodhpur: University professor suspended for inviting JNU's Nivedita Menon to a conference
https://scroll.in/latest/829577/jodhpur-university-professor-suspended-for-inviting-jnus-nivedita-menon-to-a-conference
Jodhpur:The governing body of Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur on Thursday suspended English department professor Rajshri Ranawat after she organised a conference where JNU professor Nivedita Menon. Ranawat was the director of the conference.BJP-linked youth organisation ABVP had protested against Menon’s presence at the event and her speech. scroll
RSS leader questions NDA policies, says response to farmers’ suicides not enough: hindustantimes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rss-leader-hosabale-questions-modinomics-says-govt-response-to-farmers-suicide-not-enough/story-ItTKt4f4qKG8fPTMDykyaM.html
New Delhi: BJP-led NDA govt’s claim of pursuing a pro-poor economic policy was questioned on Friday by a senior RSS ideologue, who termed continuing farmer suicides a corollary of an untamed agrarian crisis.In an indictment of the economic policies of the Centre, RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the govt’s response to the suicides committed by hundreds of farmers in the past one decade was not enough. Govt policies have failed to create equitable wealth for a large section of the population and instead focused on a “few individuals,” helping them become “billionaires,” Hosabale said.
Surprised,people are not standing up against demonetisation: Rajiv Bajaj
http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-surprised-people-are-not-standing-up-against-demonetisation-rajiv-bajaj-1660569
Industrialist Rajiv Bajaj has slammed govt's demonetisation move, which, he says, has hit 2-wheeler and three-wheeler industry hard and resulted in big job losses. "Personally, surprised people are not standing up and saying anything," Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto, told NDTV Profit. Speaking about the impact of the notes ban on the industry, Mr Bajaj said,"There has been double-digit de-growth of the industry purely and directly as a result of this. The experience of Bajaj Auto has been no different from that of the industry. It has hit us hard, whether it is the motorcycle industry or 3-wheelers.Especially, so for 3-wheelers which is cash dependent."Rajiv Bajaj is one of very few industry leaders who have slammed demonetisation."A large supplier of mine who supplies to Bajaj and others like Yamaha and Honda told me in December that he alone had to let go 3,000 people as a result of downturn in demand across all his customers," Bajaj said. NDTV Profit
Note ban idea wrong, don’t blame its execution: Bajaj
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/demonetisation-idea-wrong-dont-blame-its-execution-rajiv-bajaj-4529180/
Note ban has taken the fizz out of India biz: Pepsi’s Nooyi
http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/pepsico-chief-on-demonetisation/article9547370.ece
India’s demonetisation move has had a significant impact on PepsiCo’s India business in the fourth quarter.PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, in an earnings analysis call on Wednesday, said “...demonetisation had a significant impact on our India business in the fourth quarter. And there are still some lingering effects. I’m not sure we are totally out of the woods,” she stated. Nooyi said India saw a massive change because 80 % of its currency was taken out of circulation and the implementation had its share of challenges. Nooyi said that the company hopes that by the time the second quarter rolls by, “we would be through the bulk of the demonetisation challenges. And the new currency and the digital currency will be back in circulation and we’ll be back to normal retail activity.”Nooyi is among several global leaders who had to fend off queries from analysts and investors this month on the impact of the govt’s demonetisation decision. thehindubusinessline
Rs 2,000 notes printed when Rajan was RBI governor but bear Patel’s signature
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/demonetisation-rs-2-000-notes-printed-with-patel-s-signature-while-rajan-was-still-rbi-governor/story-EeK3zes9GsKDuTEe5k3hXP.html
New Delhi:The newly launched 2,000-rupee banknotes carry the signature of present central bank chief Urjit Patel but the process to print those bills began when his predecessor Raghuram Rajan was still in office, a HT investigation has found.Two RBI presses that produced Rs 2,000 bills told HT that they initiated the “first stage of printing process” on August 22, the first working day after the government named Patel the next central bank chief.Patel, however, didn’t take over from Rajan until almost two weeks later on Sept.4, raising questions over why the outgoing governor’s signature was not on the bills.Questions sent by email to the RBI and the Union finance ministry seeking clarification on whether Rajan was a party to the decision to introduce Rs 2,000 notes or why the new bills didn’t bear his signature went unanswered.HT
Dr. Safdar Sultan Islahi dies in a road accident
https://www.facebook.com/JIHMarkaz/?fref=ts
New Delhi: The Secretary of Idara Tehqeeq o Tasneef Islami (Aligarh) Dr. Safdar Sultan Islahi died in a car accident today morning. He was on the way from Aligah to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Markaz to attend a board meeting of the Idara along with Dr. Zafarul Islam Islahi. Dr. Zafarul Islam also sustained injuries and admitted in a Hospital. Dr. Safdar Sultan was a professor of Arabic, Logic and Philosophy at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and belonged to Azamgarh.He was a member of the shoora of JIH UP (West) as well as a member of the Council of Representatives (numanyndgaan) of Jamaat.
Rohith Rohith was a Dalit': Letter from his grandfather surfaces after Guntur collector's report: thenewsminute
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rohith-was-dalit-letter-his-grandfather-surfaces-after-guntur-collectors-report-57410
Days after the Guntur district administration in Andhra triggered controversy, by stating that University of Hyderabad (UoH) research scholar Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit, a letter written by Rohith’s paternal grandfather has begun doing rounds.The letter which states that Rohith was a Dalit, is addressed to Guntur district collector Kantilal Dande, and submitted in June last year. “After Radhika Vemula (Rohith's mother) got divorced from my son, I very rarely used to meet her. Once I came to know that Radhika Vemula is suffering [from] paralysis, I met her. At that time, I was privately informed by Anjali Devi, that Radhika did not belong to Vaddera community, but was from the community of scheduled caste…I strongly affirm that she belongs to the SC community and her children also get the same caste because they were brought up by her, without any support from my family or my son (Mani Kumar). Therefore our caste cannot be attributed to her or her children,” the letter reads.Last week, the state govt has reportedly decided to 'cancel' Rohith's Scheduled Caste certificate.
Letter from Rohith’s grandad says he was Dalit
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180217/despite-contrary-allegations-letter-from-rohiths-grandad-says-he-was-dalit.html
Law is clear: Vemula, her children are dalits: Anurag Bhaskar
https://thewire.in/109846/legal-precedent-establishes-radhika-vemula-and-her-children-are-dalits/
Gujarat:Dalits boycotted for not moving dead cow
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/dalits-boycotted-for-not-moving-dead-cow/articleshow/57213024.cms
Ahmedabad: If a person of the so-called forward caste engages in any social or financial dealings with around 30 dalit families in Rantej village of Bahucharaji taluka of Mehsana district, he will be fined Rs 2,100. This has been decided by the village panchayat after a social boycott of dalits was announced. The dalits had refused to remove a dead cow.The dalits had decided not to dispose of carcasses after they were not allowed to sit with members of other communities at a feast in a temple.Amrut Rathod, 52, a skinner from dalit community, approached the police on Friday to lodge a complaint. He said there was a feast at Sikotar Matata temple on Feb.8 and 9 where dalits were asked to sit in a separate group.TOI
With His Challenge Being Rejected Mufti Wajidi Takes on Tarek Fatah on Twitter: Ghazali Khan
https://www.urdumediamonitor.com/2017/02/16/challenge-rejected-mufti-wajidi-takes-tarek-fatah-twitter/
WORLD
Erdogan: Muslim Brotherhood is ideological, not terrorist organisation
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170217-turkeys-erdogan-muslim-brotherhood-is-ideological-not-terrorist-organisation/
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come out in defence of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood after recent international pressure against the movement, particularly from the US, seeks to list the group as a terrorist organisation. Erdogan said that he did not consider the Brotherhood to be a terrorist organisation because “it is not an armed group, but is in actual fact an ideological organisation,” adding that “there would be no tolerance for the Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey if they had anything to do with terrorism, and we have not seen or observed any action [from them] that indicates this.” Erdogan’s comments were made during an interview with the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya during his recent visit to the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, as part of his recent tour of the Arabian Gulf states.Responding to a question about US administration of President Trump considering blacklisting the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, he said:“Personally, I don’t consider the Muslim Brotherhood to be a terrorist organisation as it is not an armed group, but is in actual fact an ideological organisation.” He added that Brotherhood was “divided and present in many different places, and I haven’t seen any armed activity from them. If I had, then my position towards them would be like my position towards any terrorist organisation.”“If they are treated as terrorists, I believe that is not the right thing to do,” the Turkish president said.Rubbishing claims that the Brotherhood were like the Gulenist faction, the he explained that “we are talking about an organisation that committed terrorist attacks and used weapons, and was looking for [the opportunity to overthrow the Turkish govt for decades.” middleeastmonitor
Strong Sisi got rid of the Muslim Brotherhood, claims Libya’s Haftar
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170218-strong-sisi-got-rid-of-the-muslim-brotherhood-claims-libyas-haftar/
The leader of Libyan forces loyal to the parliament in Tobruk has hailed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi for his strength in getting rid of the Muslim Brotherhood, Anadolu reported on Friday. Haftar, who is well-known for his anti-Islam position, told Egypt’s On Live TV that the Brotherhood did not exist in Libya until it went there from Egypt.The renegade colonel, who has been trying to control the country by force of arms, added: “All praise to Allah that a strong hand — Al-Sisi’s hand — appeared on time and got rid of the Brotherhood.” As far as he is concerned, he pointed, the movement which won the free, democratic election in Egypt in the wake of 25 Jan. Revolution is now “scattered” across the globe.middleeastmonitor
Iran has sudden policy change towards Saudi Arabia
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170218-iran-has-sudden-policy-change-towards-saudi-arabia/
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has asked Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Bin Said to mediate for direct and “unconditional” dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Anadolu reported on Friday. This sudden policy change was initiated when Rouhani handed over a message to Qaboos during his visit to Muscat on Wednesday. “Rouhani’s visit sent important messages in the light of the ongoing instability in the region,” commented Iran’s Economic World. “The most important message is that which was given by Rouhani to Qaboos to pass on to GCC.” Rouhani apparently told Qaboos that Tehran is ready for direct and “unconditional” talks with Riyadh and the other GCC countries.Another aim of the visit, said Economic World, was to neutralise the regional threats in the light of the violent rhetoric of the new US Donald Trump and his policies in the region. Middleeastmonitor
US anvoy at UN says Trump supports 2-state solution
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170217-us-ambassador-at-un-says-trump-supports-two-state-solution/
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said US still supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a day after Donald Trump suggested he is open to new ways to achieve peace.“First of all, 2-state solution is what we support. Anybody that wants to say the US does not support the two-state solution – that would be an error,” Haley told reporters at UN.
Pakistan Senate passes Hindu marriage bill:PTI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-senate-passes-landmark-hindu-marriage-bill/articleshow/57218547.cms
A bill to regulate marriages of minority Hindus in Pakistan is set to become a law with the Senate unanimously passing it.The Hindu Marriage Bill 2017, which is the first elaborate Hindu community's personal law, was adopted by the Senate.
Pak Army kills '100 terrorists' after Sehwan shrine blast
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/army-kills-100-terrorists-sehwan-shrine-blast-170217142846147.html
Pakistan's army has killed more than 100 "terrorists" in less than 24 hours following a suicide blast at a Sufi shrine, the deadliest attack in the country in more than 2 years.The killings, announced by the military's media office, come amid calls for more security in the country following a string of recent attacks. Military said: "Over 100 terrorists have been killed since last night and sizeable apprehensions also made."A day earlier, at least 88 people were killed and hundreds were injured when a suicide attacker targeted Sufis as they performed a devotional ritual at the famous Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, a town in the southern Sindh province."Army is for security," military statement said. "We shall not let the hostile agenda succeed whatever it may cost."Pakistan repeatedly blamed Afghanistan for giving safe haven to fighters on its side of the border.aljazeera
15 Shia militiamen killed in Daesh attack west of Mosul
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/15-shia-militiamen-killed-in-daesh-attack-west-of-mosul/753258
IS fighters kill 18 Afghan soldiers in attack on outpost
http://in.reuters.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-idINKBN15W1SB
US airstrike may have killed 18 women, kids in Mosul
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170218-us-airstrike-may-have-killed-18-women-kids-in-mosul/
‘Dad, carry me’ cries Syria child who has legs blown off by Assad regime
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170217-dad-carry-me-cries-syria-child-who-has-legs-blown-off-by-assad-regime/
Europe's biggest paper ran a bogus refugee 'sex mob' story. What now?Christian Christensen
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/17/europes-biggest-paper-bild-bogus-refugee-sex-mob-story?CMP=fb_gu
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:17 PM)
