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Evening NEWS DIGEST
30 April 2017: 03 Shaban 1438: Vol: 8, No:178
INDIA: Erdogan’s visit
Erdogan on Kashmir: India, Pakistan must keep dialogue channel open
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/turkey-president-erdogan-on-kashmir-india-pakistan-must-keep-dialogue-channel-open-4634457/
New Delhi; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that in order to solve the Kashmir problem, both India and Pakistan need to “build bridges, strengthen dialogue between different stakeholders”. Erdogan, who is on a two-day state visit to India, in an interview to TV news channel WION said that Kashmir question upsets both countries and “surmounting the Kashmiri challenge will contribute tremendously to the global peace”. As quoted and translated by the channel, Erdogan said: “The relations between India and Pakistan if we dig and closer, I can confidently say that the relations between the two nations are improving on a daily basis which makes me very happy. But this Kashmir question, this question saddens us deeply because I think this is a question that upsets both of the countries involved and surmounting the Kashmiri challenge will contribute tremendously to the global peace.”Pointing out that the 70-year old issue will hurt future generations, he said: “For the last seven decades, this question (Kashmir issue) has not been settled. And I believe, doing so will provide relief to both the countries. Extending conflicts, extending questions and carrying these questions to the future will be unfair to the future generations because they will have to pay the price. And right next to the prosperity of the Kashmiri people we need security and stability in South Asia. We want this region to be peaceful. We want to win friends wherever we go.”Erdogan said that both India and Pakistan are Turkey’s friends and they must keep the dialogue channels open and engage different stakeholders.“India is our friend in the region. Pakistan is our friend in the region. And there are certain aspects that contribute tremendously to our ancient relations. In terms of faith, in India, we have followers of the Muslim faith. And in Pakistan there are Muslims and this brings us even closer. We have to build bridges, strengthen dialogue between different stakeholders. We shouldn’t allow more casualties to occur. We should strengthen multilateral dialogue. We can be involved in multilateral dialogues. I think we have to seek out ways to settle this question once and for all. It will provide great benefits to both the countries.”Erdogan defended Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif of being a well-meaning person and said that he has been discussing these issues with him at length.“My dear friend, the PM of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif is an individual with whom I have been discussing these issues at length and I know he is a man of good intentions. I know he is a good intended man. I heard him personally speak of his will to settle this question once and for all. So if we keep the dialogue channels open, we can settle this question once and for all. And all around the world, there is no better option than to keep the channels of dialogue open if we have to contribute to global peace. If we can do this, I think we can garner very positive results. And I would like to remind you that security, stability, and prosperity of the region is very important to us. I want this mentality to prevail among leaders.” Indianexpress
Sharif is a good-intentioned man...India should keep dialogue channels open to solve J&K issue:Erdogan’s interview
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/interview-sharif-is-a-good-intentioned-man-india-should-keep-dialogue-channels-open-to-solve-jk-issue-turkish-president-2422662
Turkey’s Erdogan in India, to hold talks with Modi on NSG membership, counter-terrorism, Gulen‘s FETO
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/turkey-s-erdogan-in-india-to-hold-talks-with-modi-on-nsg-membership-counter-terrorism/story-lbtKpCDseVQKuSvtmyZQVI.html
New Delhi: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and will hold wide-ranging talks with PM Narendra Modi on key bilateral and regional issues, including India’s NSG membership bid and ways to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and trade.This is Erdogan’s first foreign visit after winning a referendum on April 16 that further consolidated his executive powers.Apart from his wife Emine Erdogan, Turkish President is accompanied by senior cabinet ministers and a 150-member business delegation that will take part in a meeting of the India-Turkey Business Forum. Ahead of his visit, India had played down proximity between Turkey and Pakistan as well as Ankara’s statements on J&K , saying the Govt is aware that Turkey has a very close relationship with Pakistan and it is their bilateral matter. 2 sides were also expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism during the presidential visit here.After a failed coup in July last year to topple Erdogan, Turkey had blamed Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO) for it and said the outfit has “infiltrated” India. Turkey had also asked India to take action against the organisation. Asked about the action taken by India so far, she said Turkey had raised it with the Govt, which has noted their concern. Issues relating to regional security, situation in Middle East, particularly Syria, are likely to figure during talks between Modi and Erdogan.PTI
Erdogan arrives on 2-day visit to India; NSG, FETO, bilateral trade on top agenda: 10 points
http://www.india.com/news/india/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-arrives-on-two-day-visit-to-india-nsg-feto-bilateral-trade-on-top-agenda-10-points-2084681/
Turkish president arrives in India: Trade, terror to be focus of Modi-Erdogan talks; IANS
http://www.firstpost.com/india/turkish-president-arrives-in-india-trade-terror-to-be-focus-of-modi-erdogan-talks-3415152.html
Jamia invites Erdogan, some oppose ‘dictator’: TOI report
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/jamia-invites-erdogan-some-oppose-dictator/articleshow/58438852.cms
New Delhi: Tayyip Erdogan, on his 2-day tour to India, will be presented with an honorary doctorate degree at Jamia Millia Islamia."Erdogan will visit the campus as Jamia is the only institution in the country which provides academic courses in Turkish language and literature. We have certificate as well as diploma courses and advanced diploma covering both Ottoman and modern Turkish language," said Mohsin Ali, founder of Turkish department Jamia.Speaking on the relation between Turkey and India, Ali said both the nations have an old relationship. "Our Bhakti movement and the teachings of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, both talk about intolerance and peace." "This event will boost the educational relationship between the countries. More than 30 students of our university have gone to Turkey for the student-exchange programme so far," he added.Some students and alumni, however, have opposed the decision claiming that Erdogen has been involved in "blatant human rights violation and has become a dictator in Turkey."There are campaigns against the felicitation. On a website, change.org, started by a Jamia alumnus, Shuddhabrata Sengupta, an appeal has been made to reverse the decision.Criticising the campaign Ali said "This is done by a section of students who are supporters of Islamic preacher Fetullah Gulen." Saima Saeed, deputy media coordinator Jamia said "President's visit is part of a state visit and those protesting against the honour have no idea about it. One should not give cognizance to these fringe elements."timesofindia
Erdogan's India Visit: JMI To Confer Doctor Of Letters Degree To Turkish President Erdogan
http://www.ndtv.com/education/erdogans-india-visit-jmi-to-confer-doctor-of-letters-degree-to-turkish-president-1686797
Jamia to confer Turkish president Erdogan with doctorate, alumni and some disappointed: TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017apr29/408650.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
OTHERS
Teen girls with stones are new threat in Kashmir conflict:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/teen-girls-with-stones-are-the-new-threat-in-indias-kashmir-conflict/2017/04/28/5933168a-2a92-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html?utm_term=.324f131e2867
Srinagar:The first stone was heavy in her hand before she let it fly. It arched through the smoky air and hit the khaki leg of a soldier. She barely stopped to watch the man grimace before she picked up another. In India’s restive Kashmir territory, the weapon of choice of separatist youth against Indian security forces is a stone — or a brick if they can get it. Indian soldiers have their own slingshots too, as well as conventional weapons and pellet guns that have killed and maimed scores. This month a round of fresh violence has broken out in the valley, with a dozen killed in clashes with Indian security forces — sparking days of student protests across Kashmir. Schoolgirls in headscarves and school uniforms have joined forces with male protesters in large numbers for the first time in recent memory.“A lot of these boys have been killed,” said Nisha Zahoor, 18, a senior who took up “stone pelting” during a standoff with paramilitary forces in a market square last week.“Now girls will go out and protest for freedom.”Officials hoping not to see a repeat of five months of violence that paralyzed the region last year have appealed for calm. The state’s leader, Mehbooba Mufti, flew to New Delhi this week to urge PM Narendra Modi to hold talks with separatists. A new female police battalion has been established to deal with the schoolgirls and other public safety issues. Mufti’s Govt also instituted a month-long ban on social networking sites WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and others Wednesday to slow the spread of incendiary viral videos among young people — including one in which the army strapped a man to the hood of a jeep as a human shield. washingtonpost
Meet young Kashmiris behind viral videos telling stories of Valley: Hindustan times
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/meet-the-young-kashmiris-behind-the-viral-videos/story-hNnytgiLC2SksxuZD3hRfJ.html
Delhi spent ` 3000 cr on migrants, families of slain forces personnel, surrendered militants since 1989: greaterkashmir
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/delhi-spent-3000-cr-on-migrants-families-of-slain-forces-personnel-surrendered-militants-since-1989/247922.html
Srinagar:A whopping Rs 3000 crore have been spent on the rehabilitation of migrants, surrendered militants and the families of security forces personnel killed in militancy related incidents in Kashmir since 1989, a report of Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, has revealed.The report for the year 2016-2017 states that under the “Relief and Rehabilitation scheme”, the total amount reimbursed to the J&K Govt since 1989 is Rs 27228.65 Crore. “During the current financial year, Rs 363.04 Crore were reimbursed to the J&K Govt . The scheme broadly covers relief and rehabilitation of families of civilians and security forces killed in militancy related incidents and the rehabilitation of surrendered militants,” the official report said. “The scheme also covers Kashmiri and Jammu migrants.”The report, however, doesn’t mention the number of families or the surrendered militants covered under the scheme. Pertinently, at least 300 youth had returned to their respective homes after the then CM Omar Abdullah introduced “rehabilitation policy for the youth willing to return from Pakistan administered Kashmir, in 2010.”62000 migrant families: The MHA report further states that due to onset of militancy in J&K in early 1990s, most of the Kashmiri Pandit families along with some Sikh and Muslim families migrated from Kashmir to Jammu, Delhi and other parts of the India. “At present, there are about 62,000 registered Kashmiri migrant families in India, out of which about 40,000 families are residing in Jammu, about 20,000 families in Delhi/NCR and about 2000 families are settled in other states,” the report states.
Over 40,961 lost their lives in terror attacks in J&K : RTI
http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/over-40961-lost-their-lives-in-terror-attacks-in-jammu-and-kashmir-rti/articleshow/58436378.cms
As per latest data released by Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), over 40,000 human lives have been lost in terror attacks in different parts of J&K state right from the year 1990 to March 31, 2017 and during the same period over 13,000 security personnel have also been injured in such incidents.The reply has come to the fore in response to an online RTI plea of Jammu resident Raman Sharma.In her reply dated 17th April/2017, Deputy Secretary-cum-Chief Public Information Officer of the home ministry has provided the records of 28 years which reveal that right from year 1990 to March 31, 2017, 40,961 humans have lost their lives in different terror attacks in the state including innocent civilians, brave soldiers and dreaded terrorists. It's been informed that 13,941 civilians and 5,055 security personals sacrificed their lives whereas 21,965 terrorists have also been neutralised.Mumbai Mirror
Will support Kashmiri 'political struggle: Pak army chief
http://www.firstpost.com/world/pakistan-will-support-kashmiri-political-struggle-says-its-army-chief-qamar-javed-bajwa-3415416.html
Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday visited the LoC and said his country would continue to support the "political struggle" of the Kashmiris for the right of "self-determination". Bajwa, who toured the areas in Haji Pir sector, was briefed about the alleged "ceasefire violation" by the Indian troops and the state of preparedness of the army to face any aggression.The army chief said Pakistan would continue to support the struggle of the Kashmiris. "We will always stand by their (Kashmiris) rightful political struggle for the right of self-determination and recourse to basic human rights," Bajwa said in an interaction with troops. He accused India of "state-sponsored" terrorism in Kashmir.Bajwa alleged that India was not only involved in aggression against the people in Kashmir but also against the people living on the Pakistani side of the LoC and the Working Boundary. India has repeatedly rejected Pakistan's allegations of rights violations in Kashmir.PTI
How new generation of Kashmiri women has taken to purdah:TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/how-a-new-generation-of-kashmiri-women-has-taken-to-the-purdah/articleshow/58437514.cms
Srinagar: Just behind the spired gatehouses of Jama Masjid in the old city, modestly dressed teenage girls and young women walk through a teeming street, and many stop to buy a la mode burqas and abayas at 'Haya-un-Nisa' (demure women's veil), which was not very long ago known as Suraj Tailors.Like the name of the shop, Kashmiri women's fashion sense has changed.Set up in 1980, the tailor shop used to stitch Kashmir's traditional kameez salwar (tunic and trousers), worn with a chiffon, georgette or crepe dupatta (stole) by both Muslim and Pandit women. Most Muslim women used to cover their heads either loosely or tucked behind their ears."No one knew my father's real name, Bashir Sahab, at the time. He was so popular for his immaculate stitching that everyone called him Suraj, the brightest," says Touseef, who now runs the shop that sells designer abayas (cloak) and burqas (full body veil), most of them manufactured in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and some imported from Dubai. Touseef displays these new trends in his shop — black embroidered and artwork abayas, caftans cut from the popular Saudi fabric Nida Firdous, which can be worn with a niqab, covering the whole body except eyes, jilbab (Iranian chaddar), front-open abayas, front-closed burqas that cover the whole body except head, feet and hands. The latest, he points out, is the jean abaya, made of denim fabric."Mostly high school, college-going girls and young brides are regular customers in the market. Women in Kashmir imitate Dubai and Saudi fashion sense more. It is a pity that simple burqas are outdated. The only women who wear unpretentious burqas in Kashmir are girls of Darul Uloom madrassas," says Touseef.Touseef regrets that Afghani (one-piece veil that hangs down covering the face and the whole body), chudidaar and baggy burqas tailored from long-lasting butter crepe and peach fabric, once favoured by old Kashmiri Muslim women, do not have any takers now.There were three tailors in the Nowhatta market in the 1980s. Now, Touseef says, there are over a dozen shops in the same trade, even though most of them have no family or traditional background in tailoring or garment sales. Nowhatta's abaya market is the distributor to all the districts in the entire Kashmir valley. Haya-un-Nisa, which manufactures locally as well with over 15 designers at a workshop in Hawal, sells cloaks worth Rs 40,000 per day on an average. Timesofindia
Triple talaq has no sanction in Shariat, it is a question of inequality: Venkaiah Naidu
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/triple-talaq-has-no-sanction-in-shariat-it-is-a-question-of-inequality-venkaiah-naidu/story-tC12KOehOpQqoyiUC62pJP.html
Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asserted that triple talaq is not a religious issue as it has no sanction in Shariat amid a raging debate on the issue.He also hit out at the Congress for keeping “silence” on the matter for past several years.“Triple Talaq is not a religious issue as it has no sanction in Shariat. It is a matter of right of equality and right to live with dignity of Muslim women along with other women.“Why this discrimination...this must be put to an end and it should not be politicised,” Naidu said.On senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge charging PM Modi with politicising triple talaq issue to gain political mileage, Naidu said, “What the PM said yesterday is that Muslim society should think on this.”PTI
Azan complaint may be vali, says AIMPLB leader Maulana Umari; he also criticizes for spreading misconception about triple talaq
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-azan-complaint-may-be-valid-aimplb-official-2422700
Kolkata: An All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) official said on Saturday that if the sound of azan disturbs someone, his complaint should be given attention."Islam prohibits causing inconvenience to anyone. One should look into the complaint the singer had made because of the disturbance caused to him by azaan and, if it is found to be true, remedial steps should be taken," Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, Vice-President, AIMPLB, told DNA on the sidelines of a seminar he had come to attend in Kolkata. He also said that the singer had specified that his problem was not with the azan per se, but rather with the loudspeakers. "It can be the loudspeakers of a masjid or a temple as well. We should not unnecessarily make an issue out of the statement," he said.Umari was in Kolkata for a discussion on the issue of triple talaq. He said that a lot of misconception is being spread about triple talaq and it is being made to look as if the entire population of Muslim women is in distress. "Cases of talaq or divorce among Muslim couples is negligible in percentage and the one-off cases are being highlighted in the media to make it look as if the practice is rampant. In reality, it is an attempt by politicians to shift focus from other important issues plaguing the Muslim community, such as unemployment, lack of education and social security," Umari said. DNA report
Owaisi's poser to Modi on Triple Talaq: Why not to get back your estranged wife first?
http://ummid.com/news/2017/April/29.04.2017/asaduddin-owaisi-on-modis-wife.html
Malegaon: Hitting back at PM Narendra Modi for his new found concern expressed every now and then for Muslim women, especially the Triple Talaq victims, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday asked him to get his abandoned and estranged wife back before talking about the rights of Muslim women."PM nowadays is worried over the plight of Muslim women who have suffered because of triple talaq and talks of equality and rights of women. Why doesn't he bring back his estranged wife who is also suffering ever since she has been abandoned by him?", Owaisi asked while addressing a public meeting in Malegaon."Your estranged wife is sitting on the fence and is ready to come back even by a simple phone call. When will you oblige her my dear PM ?", Owaisi asked.Hyderabad MP and President of AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi was in Malegaon on Friday to kick-start the party's campaign ahead of the civic elections scheduled to be held on May 24.During his hour-long speech, Owaisi also slammed media for ignoring the plight of PM Modi's estranged wife while running non-stop debates on Triple Talaq. "The media has made it a routine to play on the issue almost on daily basis. Why the media is silent on the plight of PM 's wife", Owaisi asked."Muslims are not alone who divorce their wives. Muslim women are not alone who are targeted in this country. Then why nobody is talking about them? Aren't they human being and citizen of this country", he asked.Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also accused Narendra Modi of double standard and questioned his "Sab Ka Saath Sab ka Vikaas" mantra.Owaisi said that the PM was very quick to express his grief and concern over events outside of India but maintained silence on crimes against Muslims and other marginalised regularly taking place in the country.
Do not interfere in Muslim laws: Abu Azmi
http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/do-not-interfere-in-muslim-laws%E2%80%88abu-azmi/1060027
Mumbai : While the Muslim Women organisations are fighting against practice of ‘triple talaq,’ Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Asim Azmi has threatened non-Muslims not interfere in the matters of Muslim Personal Law Board.In a series of tweets, Azmi stated that MPL Board is competent authority to look into it. RSS backed NGO had moved a signature campaign against triple talaq which was supported by lakhs of Muslim women. Azmi has tweeted as ‘so much hue and cry on triple talaq is uncalled for. Any interference in our Muslim Personal Law is strictly not acceptable. Let this be clear.’ He further tweeted, ‘Also let us not forgot we have Muslim Personal Law Board which is the competent authority which will look into the issues if any arises.’ He stated that the issue of triple talaq is pending before the Supreme Court which will conduct hearings on it very soon. freepressjournal
Combining UP, Bihar,W.Bengal can stop BJP in 2019: Lalu
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/even-now-if-congress-puts-priyanka-gandhi-forward-they-will-see-a-dramatic-change-lalu-prasad-yadav/articleshow/58436897.cms
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has been synonymous with Bihar for almost one and a half decades. In a candid chat with Prerna Katiyar, the former Bihar CM , talks about the possibilities and prospects of a mahagatbandhan for 2019, the performance of the alliance in Bihar, on India becoming a Hindu rashtra, the perceived Modi wave, the promise of prohibition and the reality on the ground. "Nitish Kumar and I wholeheartedly wanted the SP to become part of a mahagatbandhan but a senior leader did not let it happen. We tried the grand alliance formula but owing to past differences between Mulayam and Mayawati, they could not unite. Meanwhile, the SP allied with the Congress. I also campaigned and held roughly 40 rallies. But the campaigning started very late. We have come to the conclusion that if we unite West Bengal, Bihar, UP and Punjab — from east to west — we can stop the BJP in 2019. BJP is trying in every direction. They (RSS-led BJP) talk about Pakistan, kabaristan, shamshan — inse gareeb ka pet bharta hai kya (do these issues help the poor get a square meal)? They want to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims, they talk about utilitarianism and in reality divide and rule. They are taking advantage only because we stand divided. Now we have realised their game plan. Sonia Gandhi called up and has invited me — I told her that the Congress is an all-India party and that it should take the initiative. I have always supported the Congress. I am supporting her as well as Mamata Banerjee. All of them — Mamataji, Soniaji, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav — are being harassed by the BJP, which resorts to character assassination, working round-the-clock to damage them and keep them tense. But now things are looking up as other parties are also gradually realising their strategy. I have spoken to Mayawati as well to dispel her differences with the opposition that there is no point in getting the votes split. This way, the North will get consolidated. In Tamil Nadu, BJP is trying to create friction by getting hold of a faction. In Maharashtra, a war is on between the BJP and the Shiv Sena that will benefit us — things are looking up," Lalu said. economic times
Guwahati declares ‘silent zone’ around all religious places
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/guwahati-declares-silent-zone-around-all-religious-places-4633756/
Guwahati: DM of Kamrup (Metro) district, which includes Guwahati city and its suburbs, has declared a radius of 100 metres from “all prominent religious places” under his jurisdiction — including temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches — as a “silent zone”. According to a notification issued Friday evening, DM M Angamuthu has also asked the State Pollution Control Board to submit a monthly report on noise pollution in these zones.The notification states that it was issued in “compliance of the direction received from the Govt of Assam”. It states that the decision was taken under Rule 3 (2) of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, of the Environment Protection Act of 1986. The notification, however, does not directly refer to the use of microphones and loudspeakers in places of worship. indianexpress
Netas troop to Pehlu village, why none from govt, ask kin
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/netas-troop-to-pehlu-village-why-none-from-govt-ask-kin/articleshow/58439026.cms
Mewat: Politicians have started making a beeline for Jaisinghpur, 15km off Nuh in Mewat, the village of Pehlu Khan who died earlier this month after being lynched by gau rakshaks, along with four other Muslim dairy farmers.On Saturday, it was turn of Yogendra Yadav, the leader of Swaraj India. Yadav gifted Pehlu's family a cow and told them his party was consulting some Supreme Court lawyers and would approach the apex court directly if nothing concrete happened in the case soon."There is no point in expecting from the state Govt s — both in Haryana and Rajasthan — to bring justice to Pehlu Khan. Miscreants are using the cow as an excuse to disrupt harmony. Cows are dying after eating polythene on roads, while Muslims in Mewat are rearing more than 30,000 cows," Yadav said.Before Yadav, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, youth Congress leader Mubarik Khan, Haryana AAP chief Naveen Jaihind, Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and INLD MLA Zakir Hussain have visited the village and sympathised with the family.However, no one from the ruling BJP or the state Govt has visited the family yet. "From the Govt side, not even a tehsildar has visited us. There has been no help of any kind from the state Govt ," Pehlu's son Irshad told TOI.
Cow vigilantism: 2 suspected 'cattle thieves' lynched to death in Assam's Nagaon
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-cow-vigilantism-two-suspected-cattle-thieves-lynched-to-death-in-assam-s-nagaon-2423239
Guwahati: In a first case of cow vigilantes going to the extremes in Assam, a mob today lynched two men in Nagaon district suspecting them to be cattle thieves.Senior police officials said the men, aged between 20-25 years, were severely beaten up by the mob, who alleged that they were involved in cow theft. "When the police reached the spot, they were being thrashed by a mob of villagers near Kasamari grazing reserve under Nagaon police station," Nagaon superintendent of police Debaraj Upadhay told PTI. "Team immediately took the men to hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries," he added. The mob continuously thrashed them with sticks while chasing them for about 1.5 km, from Kasamari in Nagaon police station area to Jajori police station area, he said. Upadhay said the men were identified and their parents have registered a complaint with the police.An FIR has been lodged and investigation is on, the SP said, adding no arrest has been so far. DNA /PTI
HRW slams Govt for lack of action against cow vigilantes
http://twocircles.net/2017apr29/408671.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
HRW has alleged Indian Govt of silence and denial over the violence unleashed by cow vigilantes across the nation in the past couple of years.The criticism from HRW comes two days after the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) alleged that 10 of the 29 Indian states are suffering from severe religious rights violation, and blamed Hindu nationalist groups for the situation.“Indian authorities should promptly investigate and prosecute self-appointed ‘cow protectors’ who have committed brutal attacks against Muslims and Dalits over rumors that they sold, bought, or killed cows for beef,” HRW said.Acknowledging the link between Hindutva groups and the BJP, the report added, “Instead of taking prompt legal action against the vigilantes, many linked to extremist Hindu groups affiliated with the ruling BJP, the police, too often, have filed complaints against the assault victims, their relatives, and associates under laws banning cow slaughter.”Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of HRW said, “Self-appointed ‘cow protectors’ driven by irresponsible populism are killing people and terrorizing minority communities.”.TCN
How 4 sick cows sent a district into panic mode in UP’s Bareilly
http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/how-four-sick-cows-sent-a-district-into-panic-mode-in-up-s-bareilly/story-XvNkIXUD0kB6OTb13RNGPJ.html
Bareilly: When 4 cows of Shamsuddin Saifi, a 52-year-old marginal farmer in Bareilly, fell ill on Friday, his first reaction was to call the caretaker of the nearest animal shelter. Little did he know that his call would galvanise the entire district administration into action.The cows had returned after grazing in a nearby forest at 6:30 pm and were “foaming at the mouth.” Responding to Saifi’s call, the in charge of the animal shelter called the district veterinary officer (DVO) and requested him to send veterinary doctors to Saifi’s village Chaubari, 12 km from the district headquarters. Apart from the DVO, the caretaker also informed the district magistrate, initiating a relay of calls among senior district officialsAt 9 pm, the newly appointed DM Pinki Jowel, called her subordinate, ADM Alok Kumar and asked him to ensure availability of veterinary doctors and keep an eye on the situation in the village. “The knee jerk response was to prevent any Alwar-like incident in Bareilly,” said a senior district official on condition of anonymity. Hindustantimes
Monkeys allegedly kill a cow, terrorise people in Jharkhand :HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/monkeys-kill-cow-terrorise-people-in-jharkhand-villages/story-hNdlrJiDe3wwmNmOuwxxoJ.html
Dhanbad: If you kill a cow, you might end up in jail in BJP-ruled states. But what happens when monkeys kill one? They just get away with it. That’s what is happening in 13 villages of Rajgunj panchayat in BJP-ruled Jharkhand.Last week, Raju Agrawal, resident of Rajgunj Bazar area, allegedly lost his cow to the simians. The apes attacked and bit his cow, which led to its death, the poor man said, and blamed forest officials for not taking deterrent action.Cows are considered sacred by Hindus and its slaughter is a punishable offence in most states of the country. However, law enforcement authorities mock at the logic, saying there is no law to punish animals in this country, even if they kill the revered cows.Moreover, monkeys are also associated with faith—Hanuman, the monkey God of the Hindus was a trusted aide of Lord Rama. And so, villagers do not retaliate. But the apes have shown no leniency on humans.For about 2 years, a tribe of 30-35 monkeys have been creating havoc in the villages in Baghmara block of Dhanbad—attacking and injuring people and pets, snatching edibles, taking away clothes left to dry, damaging household items and roof tiles.
In Adityanath’s Raj, Police Officers Pay Price for Enforcing Law on Hindutva Mobs: thewire
https://thewire.in/130439/agra-saharanpur-police-transfer-hindutva/
Meerut: BJP leaders in Saharanpur and Agra are relieved that the senior superintendents of police of the two districts were transferred early this week. Though SSP of Saharanpur, Love Kumar, and SSP Agra, dePritinder Singh, were removed from their current postings as part of a large-scale shuffle in the state police, their transfer by the Adityanath Govt is seen as a direct result of their decision to enforce the law on BJP leaders and workers of RSS affiliates like the Bajrang Dal and VHP after they engaged in major incidents of hooliganism in the two districts last week.Kumar and Singh were removed hours after a delegation of party MPs and MLAs from western UP led by Muzaffarnagar MP Sanjeev Baliyan – a minister in the Centre – met Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday and complained against the two top cops and reportedly pushed for their removal. Their transfer orders, as part of the large-scale shake up of the police in state, came on Wednesday. Kumar had booked members of the ruling BJP including local MP Raghav Lakhanpal, for allegedly taking out an illegal procession through a communally sensitive area which led to clashes last week.
They paid a price for Adityanath's hate speech – and now have fallen silent: Scroll.in
https://scroll.in/article/835416/they-paid-a-price-for-adityanaths-hate-speech-and-now-have-fallen-silent
He enunciated every word carefully: “In our village… Adityanath… called for an assault… on 19. 6. 2002… morning 9 am…” Ninety-year-old Mohammad Hanif Ansari still remembers vividly the day 15 years ago when 42 Muslim homes, including his own, were torched in Mohan Mundera village in eastern UP ’s Kushinagar district.The corpse of a teenage girl lay rotting in the village. The girl, from the Rajbhar community, died after she was allegedly raped on the night of June 16, 2002. Her family said the rapist was Suleman, an employee of a local Muslim family. The girl’s family refused to cremate her, or allow for a postmortem, until he was arrested. Hearing about the incident, BJP MP from Gorakhpur and the head of the Gorakhnath temple, Adityanath announced he would visit the Muslim-majority village. His workers spread the word, asking Hindus of the area to mobilise for the meeting. It was characteristic of Adityanath’s style of politics.
'Dara Shikoh was founding father of secularism in India': dnaindia
http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-dara-shikoh-was-founding-father-of-secularism-in-india-2422713
New Delhi: Two months after Dalhousie Road was renamed as Dara Shikoh Road, the eldest son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan was remembered once again at a two-day conference organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi.Inaugurating the international meet titled 'Dara Shikoh: Reclaiming the Spiritual Legacy of India', Minister of State for External Afffairs MJ Akbar called Dara 'a child of India' who lost the battle of life but won the war of harmony among different religion bodies.The event which saw participation of scholars and historians from seven countries namely Iran, USA, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and India stressed that the environment would have been different if Dara would have become the Mughal emperor instead of his younger brother Aurangzeb.Stating that we need to get closer to each other, Iranian Ambassador to India Gholamreza Ansari described 'tolerance' as the legacy of Dara. Relating it with history of India, he said, "Democracy in India is different from other countries as here it is indigenous."ICCR president Lokesh Chandra described Dara as the founding father of secularism in India and credited him of bringing different cultures into dialogue and finding a closer connection between Hinduism and Islam.
HRD forwards shortlist for AMU V-C post to President
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/hrd-forwards-shortlist-for-amu-v-c-post-to-president-4633701/
New Delhi: JRD Ministry has forwarded the names of finalists for the post of Aligarh Muslim University V-C to President Pranab Mukherjee. Tariq Mansoor, principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, is learnt to be the frontrunner for the job. Abu Saleh Sharif, executive director and chief scholar, US-India Policy Institute, Washington, and Shahid Jameel, CEO, Welcome Trust and DBT India Alliance are the other 2 contenders. The incumbent V-C, Lt. Gen Zameeruddin Shah, is set to retire on May 15. The list of three finalists was sent by AMU’s court, the supreme governing body of the university, which had selected these names from the five forwarded by its executive council in Feb. indianexpress
Aide of top BJP leader in U’khand knew exact booth-wise votes almost a week before counting
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/aide-of-top-bjp-leader-in-ukhand-knew-exact-booth-wise-votes-almost-a-week-before-counting/articleshow/58436291.cms
Dehradun: Questions are being raised over the accuracy of a prediction made on Facebook by the close aide of Uttarakhand BJP spokesperson Munna Singh Chauhan on the booth-wise votes that had been polled in Vikasnagar constituency of Dehradun district. The aide, Raju Binjola, had accurately predicted the voteshare of both Congress and BJP in many key booths of the constituency more than a week before the results were declared.In a post on his Facebook wall on March 2, Binjola had predicted that as per his estimation, the BJP was to win 37,590 votes, Congress 32,572 and others 6,523 in the Vikasnagar constituency. When the results came out on March 11, BJP got 38,895 votes and Congress 32,477, which was very close to what Binjola had predicted.In some booths like Dhalipur, Bhimwala and Kata Pathar, the numbers predicted by Binjola were right on mark for both BJP and Congress. At Dhalipur for instance, he had predicted 750 votes for Congress and the party got exactly that many. Similarly, in Badwa,he predicted 260 votes for BJP, and party got 287.At Nawabgarh, the prediction for BJP was 1,200 votes and the party got 1,235 votes. At Kedarwala , he claimed 410 votes for BJP and the party got 501. The prediction for Congress was 1046 votes in the booth and the party received 957 votes. At Dhakrani, too, the prediction was extremely close.Senior Congress leader Navprabhat who contested against Chauhan, told TOI that he suspected foul play in the way Binjola had accurately predicted the results. “How can someone make so accurate a forecast unless there is some hanky panky going on?” he said. Navprabhat, who was transport minister in the Harish Rawat Govt , had filed a PIL in the Nainital HC alleging tampering of EVMs in the Vikasnagar constituency following which the HC on Thursday gave orders to seal and seize all the EVMs in the constituency. timesofindia
WORLD
Trump slams China, Russia and India on climate treaty
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/decision-on-climate-treaty-soon-says-trump/article18334019.ece?homepage=true
Washington: US will take a decision on its continuation in the Paris climate treaty within the next two weeks, President Donald Trump said on Saturday, naming China, Russia and India for allegedly contributing nothing under the treaty. During the campaign, Mr. Trump had promised to withdraw from the treaty, but senior officials of his administration are divided over the issue. A decision is expected before the G-7 summit on May 26-27.“Our Govt rushed to join international agreement where the U.S. bears the costs and bears the burden while other countries get the benefit and pay nothing and this includes deals like the one-sided Paris Climate Accord. Where the US pays billions while China, Russia and India have contributed, and will contribute, nothing,” Trump said, addressing a rally in Pennsylvania to mark his 100th day in office, where he revisited a series of controversial and divisive claims and statements that fueled his rise to power. "I'll be making a big decision on the Paris accord over the next two weeks, and we will see what happens," the President said, hours after thousands of people marched in the US capital in support of the climate treaty. Trump administration has already taken several measures that undermine US commitments under the treaty. Thehindu
'We're all Muslims': How Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists united against Trump in Detroit: independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-muslim-ban-immigration-how-detroit-united-against-islamophobia-racism-a7708781.html
When Donald Trump announced a ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries days after he took office, Fatima Salman decided she had to respond immediately. On Facebook, she spoke to others outraged over the President’s executive order and his suspension of the country’s immigration plan. Within 17 hours, they had organised a protest at Detroit’s airport that drew up to 10,000 people.“It was huge,” she said. “There were people from all walks of life. There were people carrying signs saying ‘We all Muslims’ written in Arabic, which they’d printed off Google Translate. Some of them were spelled wrongly, but it was very sweet.”The call to action led by Ms Salman, 39, a social worker, was typical of the way one of America’s most iconic and diverse cities responded to the President’s executive orders – by uniting and not lying down. As Trump marks 100 days in the White House, people in Detroit from various ethnicities, communities and religions have come together in an unprecedented way to try to protect those at risk to being detained and deported. Christians, Jews and Muslims have gathered for rallies. Congregants from a Latino catholic church marched to a local mosque, while Muslims came out in solidarity with people from Mexico and Central America.“You have 120 languages in Detroit. In a five mile radius of where you are, there are 70,000 Arab Americans,” said Hassen Jaber, chief executive of Access, a group that works to help the Arab-American community.
Turkey fires 3,900 in second post-referendum purge
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170430-turkey-fires-3900-in-second-post-referendum-purge/
Turkey on Saturday expelled more than 3,900 people from the civil service and military as threats to national security, in the second major purge since President Tayyip Erdogan was granted sweeping new powers.Erdogan won those concessions in a referendum in mid-April, which rights groups and some Western allies believe has brought the country, a NATO-member and European Union candidate, closer to one-man rule.The expulsions – carried out in conjunction with media curbs – affected prison guards, clerks, academics, employees of the religious affairs directorate and 1,200 members of the armed forces including nearly 600 officers.They were fired for suspected links to “terrorist organisations and structures presenting a threat to national security”, according to a decree in Official Gazette. middleeastmonitor
Turkey expels 4,000 civil servants, bans TV dating programs: AP
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/turkey-expels-4-000-civil-servants-bans-tv-dating-programs/story-iCI8oiTjOYdYGEjbdbpaWP.html
Syria: Air strikes 'kill White Helmets rescuers' in Hama
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/air-strikes-kill-white-helmet-volunteers-hama-170430033614547.html
Air strikes have killed at least 8 first responders from the Syria Civil Defence in Hama province, according to the group also known as White Helmets.Saturday's air strikes hit rescuers' centre in Kafr Zita, located in northwestern Syria, and civilians who rushed to the scene to help were also struck, according to the Syria Civil Defence's Twitter posts. The air strike was one of the deadliest against the rescuers who operate in opposition-held areas and who have grabbed world attention for operating in extreme conditions, pulling survivors out of recently struck areas.The volunteers have often been targeted by Govt air strikes, in what are known as "double tap" attacks, as they work to rescue others. Syrian Civil Defence operates in much of Syria's rebel-controlled territory. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said number of those killed is likely to rise as the search mission continues.It was not clear who carried out the air strikes, but Syrian Govt and Russia aircraft have targeted opposition-held areas. Aljazeera
Airstrike kills 15 Iraqi civilians in Mosul: Activist
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/airstrike-kills-15-iraqi-civilians-in-mosul-activist/808370
Nineveh; At least 15 Iraqi civilians were killed on Sunday when a warplane struck their house in western Mosul, according to an Iraqi rights activist."Victims were taking refuge inside the house when the plane struck the building," Mohamed Fadel said.He said 5 other people were injured in the attack.It remains unclear whether the airstrike was carried out by an Iraqi or a US-led coalition plane.Anadolu
Muslim Brotherhood leader Ghoneim sentenced to death by Egyptian court
http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/muslim-brotherhood-leader-ghoneim-sentenced-to-death-by-egyptian-court-117043000291_1.html
Cairo: Muslim Brotherhood leader and preacher Wagdy Ghoneim and two others were sentenced to death by an Egyptian court on Sunday over terror-related charges.Ghoneim, 66, was sentenced in absentia while the two other accused were present at the Cairo Criminal Court during the sentencing. 5 other defendants were sentenced to life in prison.Ghoneim and other defendants were found guilty of forming an outlaw cell from 2003 to 2015 for obstructing the constitution and state institution, assaulting citizens and harming national unity.Earlier this month, the Cairo Criminal Court referred the case's document to the Grand Mufti, who is according to Egyptian law must review all death sentences. However, Grand Mufti's decision is not binding. Final verdict of the death sentence was issued on Sunday. PTI
Khamenei dismisses Rouhani’s detente policy ahead of vote
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170430-irans-leader-dismisses-rouhanis-detente-policy-ahead-of-vote/
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticised President Hassan Rouhani for saying his detente policy with West had caused the threat of war to fade as tensions intensify in Tehran aheadof May poll.Rouhani, a pragmatist whose election in 2013 led to a diplomatic thaw between Iran and the West, championed in 2015 a landmark deal in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in return for lifting of international sanctions.A standoff between Rouhani, who is seeking a second term, and Khamenei’s allies, who opposed the nuclear deal, has intensified in recent months ahead of the May 19 vote.
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
Erdogan comes to India a winner and loser: Bobby Ghosh, editor-in-chief, Hindustan Times
http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/erdogan-comes-to-india-a-winner-and-loser/story-2vpN1Wga3HI97PTOLO2tcO.html
Erdogan's visit to India likely to provide fresh fillip to India-Turkey relations in a changing world: Omair Anas
http://www.firstpost.com/india/erdogans-visit-to-india-likely-to-provide-fresh-fillip-to-india-turkey-relations-in-a-changing-world-3414524.html
It's a pity Modi doesn't see cow vigilantism and lynching of minorities as threat to Constitution: Valson Thampu
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/india-constitution-vigilantism-modi-bjp-communalism-dadri/story/1/16930.html
Kejriwal a dangerous idea: No establishment will let him survive:Saeed Naqvi
http://economictimes.indiatimes.comhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kejriwal-a-dangerous-idea-no-establishment-will-let-him-survive/printarticle/58430310.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Party is over for India’s ‘presstitutes’:Nita Bhalla, S. Asia Chief Correspondent for Thomson Reuters Foundation
http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/the-party-is-over-for-india-s-presstitutes/story-K2EEzHoeiFMl9LlXDnQdiI.html
The facts are clear; UN is biased towards Israel, not Palestine: Nasim Ahmed
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170429-the-facts-are-clear-the-un-is-biased-towards-israel-not-palestine/
Imposing Hindi across India is not just bizarre but potentially inflammatory: Karan Thapar
http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/imposing-hindi-across-india-is-not-just-bizarre-but-potentially-inflammatory/story-WISU7ih2InHX0helP8QpqM.html
Hindu invitation, Jain feast at Muslim wedding: Family’s message for harmony: hindustantimes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hindu-invitation-jain-feast-at-muslim-wedding-a-message-for-communal-miscreants/story-gpGZaxGopJnpnOeI4oDIiP.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:33 PM)
