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Evening NEWS DIGEST
28 May 2017: 01 Ramazan 1438: Vol: 8, No:202
INDIA
Ramadan curfew imposed in Kashmir after violence, amid thousands attend Sabzar Bhat's funeral: Aljazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/india-imposes-ramadan-curfew-kashmir-violence-170528110100694.html
Thousands of people on Sunday defied a strict curfew across most of Kashmir to attend the funeral of a top rebel commander killed by security forces.Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, a senior leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen group, was fatally shot on Saturday in a gun battle with Govt troops in his hometown of Tral.His death sparked widespread protests and clashes in parts of Kashmir, leaving one civilian dead and dozens of others wounded.On Sunday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, authorities imposed strict security measures, erecting barricades in Srinagar and other cities, as well as partially cutting telephone services to thwart further protests.Still, thousands assembled in Tral to attend Bhat's burial, shouting anti-India and pro-independence slogans."People were walking on foot to take part in the funeral," 27-year-old Abid Ahmad, who traveled from Srinagar to Tral, told Al Jazeera."But then we took alternate routes to reach there."The lockdown in the mainly Muslim region crippled life across most of Kashmir.Srinagar's central mosque remained shut and devotees were barred from offering prayers on the first day of the Ramadan fasting period. "Restrictions have been put in place today so that mobs don't gather and incite violence," Shesh Pal Vaid, a police spokesman in Srinagar, told Al Jazeera.Authorities cut off internet mobile and calling services on Saturday, just hours after a month-long ban on 22 social media sites like Facebook and Twitter ended."It is very suffocating to have curfew on the first day of the holy month," Parvez Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, told Al Jazeera. "The phones are blocked and mobile internet is shut. Everything is shut."He added: "It's very disturbing. We don't know what is going to happen in the next moment and how much the situation would escalate."Al Jazeera
Wani’s father attends funeral of Hizbul militant Sabzar
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/burhan-wani-s-father-attends-funeral-of-hizbul-militant-sabzar-bhat/story-Ek79Xexmo6OQL4pvRKRcnK.html
Hizbul Mujahideen Sabzar Bhat killed, Kashmir on boil
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/hizbul-mujahideen-sabzar-ahmad-bhat-killed-kashmir-on-boil-pulwama-encounter-militant-burhan-wani-srinagar-curfew-hurriyat-4677632/
Curfew, restrictions in Kashmir to prevent violence
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/curfew-restrictions-in-kashmir-to-prevent-violence/article18594006.ece?homepage=true
Kashmir unrest: Thousands attend Sabzar Bhat's funeral amid curfew-like restrictions
http://www.firstpost.com/india/kashmir-unrest-thousands-attend-sabzar-bhats-funeral-amid-curfew-like-restrictions-3490137.html
Moving forward with permanent solution for Kashmir: Rajnath
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/moving-forward-with-permanent-solution-for-kashmir-rajnath-singh-4677981/
New Delhi:Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that BJP-led NDA Govt has found a “permanent solution” to the vexed Kashmir issue but there would be no compromise on the territorial integrity of India. The Minister also ruled out inviting separatist groups for talks on Kashmir and said whoever wanted to talk “development and peace” was welcome.“We have come up with a permanent solution to solve Kashmir. The initiative has begun. We are moving forward,” Rajnath Singh said. Minister, however, refused to elaborate on what kind of solution the BJP Govt has found for J&K, which is battling nearly three decades of a violent separatist campaign. Pressed further if the solution was “political in nature”, Rajnath said: “It is too early to discuss it in public. I don’t want to discuss it with the media.”Asked about the possibility of talks with Hurriyat leaders, the Minister said the Govt was ready for talks with all stakeholders but there would be no invitations to individuals or organisations. Rajnath Singh attributed recurring street unrest, increasing number of stone-pelting protests and heightened militancy related incidents to radicalisation of youth in the Kashmir Valley. “Radicalisation is a global phenomena. We are aware of it and we will tackle it.” Asked if the central Govt was satisfied with the way the state administration was handling the situation in the wake of fresh trouble, the Minister said:“There is no reason to be unhappy about it.”IANS
Pakistan terms Sabzar Bhat encounter as 'extra-judicial,' accuses India of trying to change Kashmir's demography
http://www.firstpost.com/india/sartaj-aziz-terms-sabzar-bhat-encounter-as-extra-judicial-accuses-india-of-trying-to-change-kashmirs-demography-3488899.html
In a statement on Saturday, the Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Sartaj Aziz expressed grave concern at the constant ceasefire violations by Indian forces at line of control.The killing of Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Ahmad Bhat has been condemned by Pakistan, with Aziz accusing India of conducting "extra-judicial killings."According to News18, Aziz stated, "India had killed 12 Kashmiri youth in Kashmir since Friday in Pulwama and Baramulla. Three of them were martyred extra-judicially as has been done on numerous occasions in the recent past."Aziz urged the international community, including the UN and human rights organisations, to step in and ask India to immediately stop the "ruthless killing of defenceless Kashmiris," IANS reported.He then accused India of making attempts to discredit the Kashmiri indigenous movement. He also alleged that India was trying to change the demography of Kashmir to convert the majority Kashmiri into minority territory, which Pakistan has brought to the attention of the UN. firstpost
Pakistan calls Sabzar Ahmad Bhat 'martyr' says India killing 'defenceless Kashmiris'
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-calls-sabzar-ahmad-bhat-martyr/1/964760.html
J&K 'human shield' row: Can't tell Army to just 'wait and die' if people throw stones, petrol bombs, says Army Chief
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jk-human-shield-row-can-t-tell-army-to-just-wait-and-die-if-people-throw-stones-petrol-bombs-says-bipin-rawat-2453673
Indian Army is facing a "dirty war" in J&K which has to be fought through "innovative" ways, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said, stoutly defending the use of a Kashmiri as a 'human shield' by a young officer.In an interaction, Rawat said the main objective of awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, when a Court of Inquiry was finalising its probe into the incident, was to boost the morale of young officers of the force who are operating in a very difficult environment in the militancy- infested state. "This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war....That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat said.PTI
At Srinagar hospital, many injured by pellets, bullets: Had no role in protests
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/srinagar/at-srinagar-hospital-many-injured-by-pellets-bullets-had-no-role-in-protests-4677160/
Srinagar:Several injured people from south Kashmir brought to Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital on Saturday claimed that they were caught in pellet firing or teargas shells even though they were not part of the protests following the killing of militant leader Sabzar Ahmad Bhat. Security forces maintained that many of those injured today were marching towards the encounter site in Saimoh, a village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Having undergone a surgery on his left eye at the hospital, Ghulam Hassan Shiekh nursed his thoughts on how to break the news of his injury to family members. Sheikh, 60, works as a cobbler in the main square of Shopian town, and was hit by pellets all over his body, throat, abdomen, and left eye. “My family doesn’t know about it (his injury). I was winding up business around 1.30 pm after I felt tension in the area. I had taken permission from police and CRPF personnel deployed at the main chowk. I urged them to let me close my business, when suddenly a stone was thrown from somewhere… I don’t know where… and I was hit with pellets,” he said.Officials at SMHS told The Sunday Express that 14 injured people had come to the hospital until late afternoon. Of them, six were hit by pellets, five had firearm injuries, and the remaining three had teargas shell injuries. For a polytechnic student (he refused to give his name) from Tral’s Dadasara, the native village of militant Sabzar, it was a “rebirth”. The bullet had pierced his groin, say medical reports. “We — a group of five boys — were marching towards Saimoh when the SOG suddenly opened fire at us. I just remember an SOG man pointing his gun towards me… and then I fell unconscious,” the youth said in pain.At SMHS’s emergency ward, final-year college student Sahir Mushtaq’s mother and three relatives, who had just arrived from Saimoh, the same village where Sabzar and his associate was killed in the encounter, said the youth missed death “by a whisker”. Medical records say a bullet had pierced Mushtaq’s left earlobe. indianexpress
Shun politics to initiate dialogue with stakeholders of Kashmir, says Sharad Pawar
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/shun-politics-to-initiate-dialogue-with-stakeholders-of-kashmir-says-sharad-pawar-4677121/
Nagpur: NCP president Sharad Pawar has called for shunning politics to talk to the various stakeholders in Kashmir, to calm down the situation there. Pawar was talking to the media on the sidelines of a function to celebrate the 61st birthday of Union Road Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, at the residence of former state Minister Anil Deshmukh. “The situation in Kashmir is very worrisome. Recent election saw a turnout of only 7% which shows that the people there are going away from democracy. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had initiated dialogue with the stakeholders in Kashmir to bring peace to the troubled state,” said Pawar. indianexpress
Impose Governor’s rule if J&K is to be saved: Farooq Abdullah
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/impose-governors-rule-if-jammu-kashmir-is-to-be-saved-farooq-abdullah-4677741/
Srinagar:Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah on Sunday called for the immediate imposition of Governor’s rule in the state, stressing that it was the only way to control communal tension in the country. “We have never been promoters of Governor’s rule; we have always opposed it. But there is no other way,” Abdullah, the newly elected Member of Parliament from Srinagar, told PTI. National Conference chief, who was recently called to New Delhi by PM Narendra Modi for a discussion on Kashmir, said Modi wanted a “peaceful end” to the situation in the state, reeling under unrest for months.PTI
2 Kashmiri separatist leaders summoned to appear before NIA tomorrow
http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/two-kashmiri-separatist-leaders-summoned-to-appear-before-nia-tomorrow/969961
Srinagar: NIA has summoned two Kashmiri separatist leaders to its headquarters in Delhi tomorrow in connection with a case related to the funding of terror and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.Farooq Ahmad Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' and Javed Ahmed Baba alias 'Gazi' of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat have been asked to bring certain bank and property documents, besides other papers, before the NIA team that had questioned them here for four consecutive days earlier this month.out look
Nearly 4.5 lakh people internally displaced in India due to conflict and violence in 2016, says new report by IDMC
http://twocircles.net/2017may27/410219.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has published a report which claims that last year India saw displacement of 4.48 lakh people, just because of conflicts and violence. The report also says that there are 7.96 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in India.The report says, “India’s significant economic growth and recent attempts to improve its social protection system have failed to resolve the persistent problem of inequality between social groups and between people living in urban and rural areas.”It further says, “Rapid population growth and the inability of the poorest segments of the population to benefit from the country’s economic growth have exacerbated interethnic and interreligious tensions over access to land and resources.”Report specifically accounts AFSPA enacted in Jammu and Kashmir and north-eastern states of the country as one of the major causes of such displacements and accounts it as ‘conferring an impunity for excessive and disproportionate force that has led to human rights violations’. twocircles
Police complaint over ‘ISIS slogans’ in Delhi University
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-complaint-over-isis-slogans-in-du-4677059/
New Delhi:Delhi Police Saturday said they have received a complaint from a Delhi University student who claimed to have seen “ISIS slogans” on a wall on campus. “A complaint has been received, we are examining it,” DCP (north) Jatin Narwal said. The complaint was filed by DUSU secretary Ankit Singh Sangwan, also an ABVP member. The complaint, addressed to SHO, Maurice Nagar, states: “Students from Delhi School of Economics alerted me about objectionable slogans on the wall of the commerce department. When I went there, I saw ‘I am SYN ISIS’, which implies support for ISIS. Building also had ‘Justice for Naxals’, ‘AFSPA’, ‘Azadi’ and text in a language I couldn’t understand. I request you to take strict action against the culprits and to get the walls painted.” indianexpress
ICSSR Chief wants to scrap 'Hindu-Muslim riots' lesson from school Textooks
http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/stop-teaching-hindu-muslim-riots-in-schools-says-icssr-chief/299118
Braj Bihari Kumar, newly appointed chairman of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), said schools textbooks should drop lessons on Hindu-Muslim or caste riots because they might affect students’ mindset. Kumar, 76, an admirer of PM Narendra Modi, said students would become activists instead of learners, if such lessons are taught in schools, reported HT. “Class 6 textbook of social sciences mentions Hindu-Muslim riots, caste riots... They (the writers) want to create social activists rather than students or learners. Do you think anti-Muslim riots should be taught to class 6 or 7 students? Even in class 12, they shouldn’t be taught,” Kumar told HT. CBSE recently proposed that the Class 12 Political Science II book refer to the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat simply as the “Gujarat riots” instead of the current “anti-Muslim riots”. The proposal was made in a meeting of the CBSE’s course review committee in New Delhi.Kumar, who has been serving as the editor of the two quarterly journals published by a society called Astha Bharati, replaced eminent academic SK Thorat, who was appointed by UPA Govt. ICSSR is dedicated to social science research in India. The opposition accuses BJP Govt of trying to impose its ideology and erase secular thoughts from textbooks. In the past three years, BJP-ruled states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra faced allegation of saffronising education by changing schoolbooks. outlookindia
Don’t teach students about Hindu-Muslim, caste riots as they turn into activists: ICSSR chief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/don-t-teach-students-about-hindu-muslim-caste-riots-as-they-turn-into-activists-icssr-chief/story-QnxAICHzQHrjaXonDfbNjK.html
‘Covert bid by Sangh forces to ban cattle slaughter’
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/covert-bid-by-sangh-forces-to-ban-cattle-slaughter/article18587272.ece
The notification issued by Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on regulation of livestock markets has ignited an acrimonious political debate in Kerala, with Left parties and the United Democratic Front terming it as a covert attempt by Sangh Parivar forces to impose a nationwide ban on cattle slaughter and BJP alleging a smear campaign against the govt. thehindu
RSS trying for force vegetarianism; ban on cattle sale conspiracy to create 'Hindu rashtra': CPI
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/rss-trying-for-force-vegetarianism-ban-on-cattle-sale-conspiracy-to-create-hindu-rashtra-cpi-3490385.html
CPI on Sunday alleged the Central notification banning sale of cattle for slaughter was part of RSS conspiracy for a "Hindu Rashtra.""Sangh Parivar is trying to force vegetarianism. This is part of their Hindu Rashtra conspiracy," CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said. It is a "most unwise" decision and the party condemns it, he said adding the course of agitation on the issue would be discussed at the CPI secretariat meeting on 31 May.PTI
Kerala, Bengal, TN’s DMK battle Centre over cattle sale rules
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-bengal-tamil-nadu-dmk-battle-centre-over-cattle-sale-rules-4677093/
kolkata:On A day the ruling parties of Kerala and West Bengal, and the main Opposition in Tamil Nadu, raised the pitch of their protest against the Centre’s decision to bar sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets, the otherwise acrimonious CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF in Kerala stood on the same page on Saturday. Supporters of both fronts organised beef festivals across the state, cooked meat in the open, and their leaders — CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Ramesh Chennithala — wrote to PM Narendra Modi, seeking withdrawal of the decision.indianexpress
Youth Congress workers slaughter cow in Kerala market
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/youth-congress-workers-slaughter-cow-in-kerala-market-animal-activists-cry-foul/story-MW0w6xgd17R15CEBrjMAoN.html
The “beef festival” in Left-ruled Kerala took a nasty turn in Kannur on Sunday evening when a group of Youth Congress leaders slaughtered a cow in public and distributed the cooked meat.Several youth groups of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-headed UDF opposition have organised these festivals to protest against the Centre’s recent decision to ban sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, a move criticised by several states. “It is a thoughtless act and it will only help Sangh Parivar outfits. It is sad that Youth Congress activists stooped so low for publicity,” CPI(M) member of Parliament MB Rajesh said.Beef is a staple in Kerala and the new rules have caused widespread anger.
UP Shia Waqf Board chairman accuses state minister Mohsin Raza of selling waqf property
http://www.ptinews.com/news/8743054_Board-chairman-accuses-minister-of-selling-waqf-property.html
UP Shia Central Waqf Board Chairman Waseem Rizvi today accused Minister of State for Muslim Waqf and Haj Mohsin Raza of violating laws and selling endowment property, a charge denied by the latter."Raza had sold off his ancestral land at Safipur in Unnao district through his mother and uncles in 2005,2006 and 2011.The land, registered as a waqf property in 1937, had 4 graves -- of Raza's great grandparents and grandparents," said Rizvi.He maintained that a land with more than three graves was considered to be a cemetery, which by nature was waqf property and thus, could not be brought or sold.Rizvi said CM Yogi Adityanath was informed about it and he had promised an inquiry into the alleged violation.PTI
Modi Govt breaks another tradition; appoints BJP man as minority commission chief
http://caravandaily.com/portal/modi-govt-breaks-another-tradition-appoints-bjp-man-as-minority-commission-chief/
New Delhi:Meet the new chairperson of National Commission for Minorities Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi, who pronounced after assuming the charge Friday that “his first and top most priority will be removing the ‘misgivings’ about the Modi Govt in minorities ”. For this, he said, he would visit every nook and corner of the country.Besides Rizvi, 4 other members of the panel also assumed charge which had been without any member or chairman since March this year. According to the NCM Act 1992, Commission should comprise a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and 5 members. However, the panel, which was created to safeguard the interest and rights of all six notified religious minorities by the central Govt , is still short of two members.Rizvi, who succeeded Naseem Ahmed, a former bureaucrat, is a former national general secretary of the BJP Minority Morcha and also a former president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of BJP Minority Morcha. Besides, he had also campaigned for Narendra Modi during the general elections in 2014.The new Minority Commission chief refused to speak on the prevailing intolerance and communal tensions in the country and violent attacks on minorities, particularly on Muslims. Instead, he stated that he would work to remove “bharam” (misconception) about the Govt .Caravan Daily
Modi greets nation on Ramzan, prays for peace, harmony
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-greets-nation-on-ramzan-prays-for-peace-and-harmony/story-Qj1BRpy4gCf56dipaiN9NP.html
As the holy month of Ramzan began on Sunday, PM Narendra Modi greeted the nation and prayed that it enhances the spirit of peace and harmony in the country which is “proud” to have people from all faiths and communities.He hailed the fact that in India, believers and atheists as well as “those believing in idol worship” and “those opposing the idol worship” co-exist peacefully.Modi said that ultimately, all religions, faiths, ideologies or traditions give the message of peace, unity and goodwill.“Greetings on the start of Ramzan. May this holy month enhance the spirit of togetherness, peace & harmony across the world,” he tweeted this morning.Later, in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the PM said, “I convey my hearty greetings to everyone in India and elsewhere in the world, especially the Muslim brethren at the advent of the auspicious month of Ramazan.”He noted that prayers, spirituality and charity are accorded the highest priority during the month of fasting.PTI
Sadhvi gets more time for furnishing Rs. 5 lakh bail surety
http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/sadhvi-gets-more-time-for-furnishing-rs-5-lakh-bail-surety/1075813
Mumbai : In a relief to Sadhvi Pragya, the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts case, Bombay High Court recently granted four weeks for her to furnish Rs 5 lakh surety.Sadhvi had approached the Vacation Bench presided over by Justice Prakash Naik and Justice Makarand Karnik seeking extension of time for furnishing her bail surety of Rs 5 lakh.This comes a month after she was granted bail by a Division Bench presided over by Justice Ranjit More and Justice Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi. freepressjournal
It is common to dub an aggressive Muslim a terrorist, Dalit activist a Naxal, says Jignesh Mevani: economictimes
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/it-is-common-to-dub-an-aggressive-muslim-a-terrorist-and-a-dalit-activist-a-naxal-says-jignesh-mevani/articleshow/58875632.cms
Last Sunday, Bhim Army and its on the run founder Chandrashekhar Azad “Raavan” sneaked into national consciousness — well, almost — when reportedly 50,000 supporters from several Dalit groups gathered at Jantar Mantar in the capital to protest against atrocities on the community. While Chandrashekhar, who is wanted by the UP Police for allegedly instigating violent protests, dramatically surfaced at the rally, Dalit activists like Jignesh Mevani , an Ahmedabad based lawyer, and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar were also present. Mevani said, "Registration of offence against an activist is always a convenient ground on the part of the state machinery to malign him or her. Certain groups have started giving Chandrashekhar the tag of Naxalite. It is a usual practice. If a Muslim is aggressive in attitude and body language, he is dubbed a terrorist. Similarly, a Dalit activist is conveniently labelled a Naxalite." Replying to the question why does Chandrashekhar calls himself Raavan Dalits, Mevani said, "Shudras and and even the Dravidian people believe in the mythological interpretation that Raavan was a Shudra. In that reference, maybe Azad wants to pose as a representative of a section of society that has been historically sidelined."
Saharanpur: Dalits now know the 'political' has failed them; have decided to do it themselves
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/saharanpur-rajput-dalit-clashes-dalits-now-know-political-has-failed-them-ambedkar-mayawati-728399
A tale of 2 villages in Punjab: Dalits evicted from land, illegally & legally
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/a-tale-of-two-villages-in-punjab-dalits-evicted-from-land-illegally-legally-4676996/
Amritsar: 2 incidents involving Dalits and panchayat land in separate villages in Patti Assembly constituency in Tarn Taran have raised suspicion that powerful local interests are at play in both. In the first, 50 Dalit families of Nathuchak village who were given five marla plots on panchayat land each to construct their homes in the last months of the SAD-BJP Govt have found to their dismay that the change in Govt has brought about a change of mind among some villagers over the allotted the land. It was in Nov.2016 that the village panchyat passed the resolution to allot them the plots on three acres of land, which was previously being let out to villagers for contract farming. Soon after the allotment, the sarpanch, who was close to Akali Dal, resigned as he got a Govt job. An administrator was appointed to look after the panchayat. In the Assembly elections, most voters in this village voted for Congress candidate from Patti who won. Local leaders of the party wield more influence now. Meanwhile, the Dalit allottees began planning construction on their plots, and some had begun to build. Suddenly, on May 5, some villagers allegedly told the allottees to take their possessions and leave, and started ploughing the land again to sow the next crop.The allottees complained to the district administration, but so far they have not been given any assurance that their plots will be returned to them. indianexpress
UP:150 Dalits converted,claims Buddhist monk;DM denies
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-150-dalits-converted-claims-buddhist-monk-administration-denies/story-puQJbTJJrOxPK05O76UAuJ.html
Bareily: As many as 150 Dalits have reportedly converted to Buddhism here on the occasion of Buddha Purnima earlier this month, though the district administration has denied it.“As many as 150 Dalits have converted to Buddhism here during the Buddha Purnima celebrations on May 10,” Gyanendra Maurya, president of the Bharatiya Baudh Dhamm Darshansar Society and Research Centre, told PTI on Saturday.Dalits decided to embrace Buddhism to safeguard their “dignity and honour”, he claimed, adding that hundreds of members of the community had been expressing their desire to convert, but his society did not want to publicise the issue.DM Pinki Jowal, however, said that following reports of conversion, an inquiry was conducted by officials which revealed that no such ‘deeksha’ programme was held.PTI
RSS to hold camps for Dalits to ‘sort out’ issues
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/rss-to-hold-camps-for-dalits-to-sort-out-issues/articleshow/58874331.cms
Bareilly: After several cases of Dalits threatening to leave Hinduism were reported from the region, the Moradabad division spokesperson for RSS, Pawan Jain, told TOI that the Sangh will organise camps in Dalit-dominated localities and will sort out the issues due to which the community feels persecuted."If Dalits are converting to other faiths due to oppression by administrative officials or by the upper castes, it will be discussed at a high level and all the issues will be sorted out. If they want to convert to Islam or Christianity, it is their constitutional right. All these issues will be looked into soon," said Jain.The senior RSS functionary said that the organization will review the social problems being faced by Dalits, after organising the camps. Incidents like the Valmiki community of a Sambhal village who threatened to convert to Islam after being allegedly denied haircuts by upper caste diktat would also be discussed, he said.TOI
Day before Adityanath’s visit to village, Dalits were distributed soaps; Congress calls it ‘untouchability’
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-day-before-cm-yogi-adityanaths-visit-to-village-dalits-were-distributed-soaps-shampoo-congress-calls-it-untouchability/689767/
New Delhi: Congress today slammed the Yogi Adityanath-led Govt in Uttar Pradesh on reports that nearly 100-odd Dalit families in Mainpur Deenapatti village in Kushinagar district were distributed soaps and sachets of shampoo, a day ahead of the CM ’s visit last Thursday, an ANI report said.“This is untouchability. Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes act case should be registered against the officials and the CM ,” senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi was quoted as saying by the agency on Kushinagar incident. financialexpress
Defying panchayat’s order, dalit groom mounts horse under police protection
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/dalit-groom-mounts-horse-under-police-protection/articleshow/58874713.cms
Ajmer: Defying the village panchayat's order, a Dalit groom on Saturday night rode on a horse in his marriage procession in Padampura village of Gagal region of Ajmer under tight police security. Earlier, the Samants had announced that the Dalit groom would not be allowed to ride a horse in his baraat and had threatened the Dalit community of consequences. However, a complaint was given to the district administration on Saturday morning which provided police security. There was tension in the village but the Dalit groom rode on the horse till the bride's house. timesofindia
AAP, Congress, BSP to stay out of EVM Hackathon after Election Commission refuses access to motherboard
http://twocircles.net/2017may27/410195.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Last week, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a hackathon for the EVMs. However, it seems that parties like the AAP, Congress and BSP, who had been most vocal against the use of EVMs, have decided to not participate in the challenge.The step by the aforementioned parties becomes even more surprising given that parties like CPM, RJD and NCP have agreed to participate in the challenge even though they have hardly ever raised doubts over the credibility of EVMs. However, ECI rejected RJD’s application as it reached after the deadline of 5 PM on Friday.Trinamool Congress asked ECI for more time to let the party decide representatives for EVM hacking and demonstration, but the ECI turned down the request and asked TMC to send the names and application, if any, by the set time and date.Reportedly, the AAP requested the ECI to let them change the EVM’s motherboard, possibly to prove their point, which ECI turned down citing the demand as irrational. AAP has written a letter to the ECI and has asked that why ECI is running away from no-holds-barred hackathon. AAP leader Gopal Rai said, “Conditions put by ECI do not resolve the issue. Commission has denied our request to touch the machines.”TCN
‘Nehru was most determined fighter against creation of Hindu Rashtra’: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nehru-was-the-most-determined-fighter-against-creation-of-hindu-rashtra-4677162/
Chandigarh:On day of Jawaharlal Nehru’s death anniversary, Left intellectuals and Congress leaders remembered him as a visionary, who saved India from becoming a “mirror image”of Pakistan at a seminar organised by the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (here in the city.Harish Puri, an expert on the Ghadar Movement and a professor at Punjabi University, said Nehru’s handling of the post-Partition situation prevented the spread of communal sentiments among Hindu refugees from Pakistan. Puri said he had to fight not just RSS but communal elements within the Congress as well.“Nehru was the most determined fighter against the creation of a Hindu Rashtra,” Puri said.“In the Congress party, there were people who had a communal bent of mind but Nehru fought against such people with all the means at his command.”Puri conceded that Nehru did make “some mistakes” but he understood that India was a country of diverse people and it was a must to respect the sentiments of all people.
With Nehru writing to its PM, Israel gave arms to India in 1962
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/with-nehru-writing-to-its-pm-israel-gave-arms-to-india-in-1962/article18591835.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi: Despite his strong ties with the Arab world, PM Jawaharlal Nehru did not hesitate to reach out to Israel when the situation demanded.According to documents in the Israeli archives in Jerusalem, at the peak of the 1962 India-China hostilities, Israeli PM David Ben Gurion wrote to Nehru expressing Israel’s “fullest sympathy and understanding”, and provided weapons to the Indian forces.In a Nov.18, 1962 letter to Ben Gurion, Nehru writes, “We are grateful for your concern for the serious situation that we face today in our border regions. I am sure you will appreciate that while India has never claimed an inch of territory belonging to another country and is traditionally and fundamentally wedded to ideals of peace and friendly settlement of disputes, she cannot but resist aggression on her own soil in the interest of safeguarding national integrity and maintaining respect for standards of international behaviour.” The Hindu
eMigrate violates our sovereignty: UAE envoy
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/emigrate-violates-our-sovereignty-uae-envoy/article18592481.ece
New Delhi: UAE, one of the largest employers of Indians in the Gulf, has raised a red flag with the Ministry of External Affairs over the Govt ’s flagship eMigrate programme over what it terms as “sovereignty issues.”After hundreds of complaints from workers about mistreatment, the MEA’s Overseas Affairs department (then a separate ministry) had in 2015 set up a database initiative called the eMigrate programme, that gathers extensive information on emigrants as well as foreign employers, their companies and recruiting agents.“India wants to build a databank to extract information about these companies in the UAE. We consider this a breach of our sovereignty,” UAE Ambassador to India Dr. Ahmed Al Banna told The Hindu in an interview, confirming that he has raised it with the MEA’s Secretary for Overseas Indian Affairs Dnyaneshwar Mulay earlier this month. The Hindu
Delhi: Muslim Woman shoots abductors, rescues hostage
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-woman-shoots-abductors-rescues-hostage/articleshow/58875979.cms
New Delhi: When the white Indica drew near their white Swift Dzire, the two men holding a scared Delhi University student hostage inside got out to get their hands on the ransom they had demanded. For half an hour that Thursday night, Mohammad Rafee and Akash, fearing a police trap, had got the Indica to follow them from the original ransom drop spot at Shastri Nagar to a lonely park in Bhajanpura. When the door of the Indica opened, out stepped a child, or so it seemed. As the two parties eyed each other warily, the young hostage loosened himself from his abductors' grip, and before they could react, gun shots rang out.On the other side, Ayisha Falaq, 33, trembled, her .32 bore pistol still hot in her hand. The national-level shooter-cum-coach had shot one of the men on his waist, the other in his foot. She had instinctively pulled out the licensed gun she habitually carried in her purse and shot at the men who had held her 21-year-old brother-in-law Asif hostage for five hours. "When we got the ransom call, Ayisha was afraid, but insisted that it would be she who would hand over the money to Asif's abductors," Falaq Sher Alam, Ayisha's husband, told TOI on Saturday. timesofindia
WORLD
Iran ready for talks ‘toward peace’ with Arab states:Rouhani
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/iran-ready-for-talks-toward-peace-with-arab-states-says-president-hassan-rouhani/story-NGjh9yji8cc7EbCHLZ5VFI.html
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has told the Qatari Emir that Tehran is ready for talks with Arab nations to reach a “real agreement toward peace and brotherhood.”Rouhani’s website quoted him as saying in a phone conversation with Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, that the Muslim world is beset by divisions and should take steps “toward peace and brotherhood.”“In this direction we are ready for talks aimed at reaching a real agreement,” Rouhani said. The report added that the Qatari Emir said in response that talks between Iran and Arab states of the Persian Gulf should continue.AP
Iran's Khamenei says Saudis will fall: Reuters
http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/news/world/iran-khamenei-saudis-fall-rouhani-calls-better-ties-article-1.3201760
Dubai: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday Saudi Arabia's rulers faced "certain downfall" for aligning themselves with the United States, hours after the country's pragmatist president called for improved ties with Gulf states."They (Saudi leaders) act cordially towards the enemies of Islam while having the opposite behavior towards the Muslim people of Bahrain and Yemen," Khamenei told a religious gathering, according to his Twitter account. "They will face certain downfall," he told a Koran reading event marking the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Serbia: Belgrade authorities demolish mosque ahead of Ramadan; Mufti denounces demolition illegal
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/serbia-belgrade-authorities-demolish-mosque-ahead-of-ramadan-mufti-denounces-demolition-illegal/story-VOzu4A0OhH1bhOThevBVdM.html
Belgrade:Local authorities demolished an illegal mosque on the outskirts of Belgrade after Serbian police secured the area in a pre-dawn action on Friday, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, despite protests by local Muslims and Islamic clergy.The construction of a two-storey mosque without a minaret in the Zemun Polje neighbourhood started in 2014 even though the authorities had refused to grant it a construction permit.On Thursday, the authorities attempted the demolition of the building but withdrew after protests by Muslims from the neighbourhood, mainly members of the Roma (Gypsy) minority. Early on Friday, they returned with the police escort and tore down much of building.Belgrade’s city manager Goran Vesic said the authorities “destroyed an illegally built building, in line with law,” the Tanjug reported. Belgrade’s top Islamic cleric, Mufti Mustafa Jusufspahic, said the Islamic community would protest to the Serbian president. “We are unpleasantly surprised as this happened on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan,” Jusufspahic said. Reuters
UK school bans shoulder-baring tops, accused of ‘sexualising girls’
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/uk-school-bans-shoulder-baring-tops-accused-of-sexualising-girls-4677686/
London:A ban on shoulder-baring strappy tops at a UK girls school has sparked a row, with the students accusing the institution of “sexualising young girls” over uniform rules. Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School in Kent is facing criticism from students after sixth form pupils, who are allowed to wear their own clothes, were banned from wearing strappy or sleeveless tops or revealing their shoulders.Headteacher Matthew Baxter was quoted as saying that, “The subject was discussed with the deputy heads and it has been decided that both Langton schools will ensure that the same dress code applies to all students within their sixth form.” PTI
Burma’s Muslims face restrictions on where to pray during Ramadan – HRW
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2017/05/burmas-muslims-face-restrictions-pray-ramadan-rights-group/#j3uCs8b1dZcww2SU.99
As Ramadan begins, Muslims in Burma are increasingly restricted in where they can pray or study their faith, points out HRW. Using Thaketa Township in Rangoon as a case study, Richard Weir, a Fellow in the Asia Division of HRW, highlights the pressure on the Muslim community after the closure of the township’s 2 Islamic schools, or madrassas. AsianCorrespondent
UAE uses US attacks in Yemen to get rid of Brotherhood
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170527-uae-uses-us-attacks-in-yemen-to-get-rid-of-muslim-brotherhood/
UAE uses US attacks on Yemen to get rid of the Al-Islah Party, which represents the Muslim Brotherhood in the country, Moheet reported experts as saying.“There is a clear political function behind the American escalation in Yemen related to the war on terror,”an expert said,according to Moheet. American attacks on people suspected to have links with Al-Qaeda increased during the Trump administration more than they had been during the Obama administration.Speaking to Al Jazeera, researcher Yassin Al-Tamimi said: “What is happening today in Yemen is that regional powers use Al-Qaeda and the US at the same time in order to wage a fake war on terror in a third country, Yemen. These regional powers are represented by Abu Dhabi.”The researcher continued: “Abu Dhabi took a position against legitimacy in Yemen. It is settling accounts with Yemeni parties which supported the revolution of 11 Feb.2011, mainly the Al-Islah Party.”He reiterated that the UAE “covers its operations through carrying out joint operations with the American military,” noting that its “most dangerous plan is dividing Yemen.”Al-Tamimi pointed out that American operations are taking place in areas controlled by the legitimate Govt in Yemen. middleeastmonitor
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
How Did Savarkar, a Staunch Supporter of British Colonialism, Come to Be Known as ‘Veer’? pavan kulkarni
https://thewire.in/140172/veer-savarkar-the-staunchest-advocate-of-loyalty-to-the-english-Govt /
Tortured, Abused And Terrorized, Alleged Simi Men Languishing In Bhopal Jail Fear For Their Lives: Abdul Bari Masoud | Caravan Daily
http://caravandaily.com/portal/constantly-tortured-alleged-simi-undertrials-fear-for-lives-in-bhopal-jail/
3 years of Modi govt: No jobs, no peace:P Chidambaram
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/across-the-aisle-behind-the-celebrations-no-jobs-no-peace-narendra-modi-bjp-4676942/
Administration failed to gauge the repercussion of Dalit issues
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/interview-administration-failed-to-gauge-the-repercussion-of-dalit-issues-2453356
Half measure: Triple talaq-forbidding marriage contract may not do Muslim women much good: Flavia Agnes
https://scroll.in/article/838518/half-measure-triple-talaq-forbidding-marriage-contract-may-not-do-muslim-women-much-good
Caste asunder: How a small village in India has been torn apart by caste-based violence between Dalits & Thakurs: DailyMail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4548638/Small-village-India-torn-apart-caste-based-violence.html#ixzz4iNUU5F00
Rule Banning Cattle Sale For Slaughter Contradicts Act Permitting Slaughter Of Animals For Food:Manu Sebastian
http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/why-prevention-of-cruelty-to-animals-regulation-of-livestock-markets-rules-2017-/299119
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:06 PM)
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