Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
11 June 2017: 15 Ramazan 1438: Vol: 8, No:214
INDIA
Indira's panel on cow slaughter ban having RSS chief Golwalkar never gave its report
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indiras-panel-on-cow-slaughter-ban-having-golwalkar-never-gave-its-report/articleshow/59096347.cms
New Delhi: Cow slaughter was as contentious an issue half-a-century ago as it is today, with an "attack" on Parliament by saffron-robed sadhus prompting the then PM Indira Gandhi to constitute a committee that included RSS chief MS Golwalkar to examine a national law to ban it.A new book on Gandhi by senior Congress leader and family loyalist Jairam Ramesh narrates how Golwalkar, who remained the supreme leader of RSS for over 30 years, was nominated to the panel to defuse "crisis" following the attack by sadhus on Parliament on Nov.7, 1966.The committee, which included important Hindu religious leaders, including Shankaracharyas, remained in existence for 12 years but did not submit a report."On June 29, Indira Gandhi set up a high-power committee to examine the entire issue of a national law to ban cow slaughter. It was headed by A K Sarkar, a former chief justice of India and had as its members experts like Dr V Kurien." High-power committee was given six months to submit its report...It was to keep meeting for 12 years till it was disbanded by Indira Gandhi's successor in 1979. Committee never submitted its report," Ramesh said, "The first crisis she faced in November 1966 was on the cow when sadhus attacked Parliament, people died, and the home minister resigned.""She set up a committee to look into the issue of a national ban on cow slaughter. One of the important members on this committee was MS Golwalkar, besides Shankaracharyas, to defuse the crisis," he said introducing the book- 'Indira Gandhi: A life in Nature' at a function here yesterday. Ramesh told the select gathering, which included Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh, that Gandhi's successor Morarji Desai finally dissolved the committee in 1979. MP and Congress Working Committee member Karan Singh, then a minister in Indira Gandhi cabinet, acknowledged the turn of events, saying "That's correct. The committee never submitted its report."PTI
Note ban has & may continue to result in a slowdown:SBI
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/note-ban-has-and-may-continue-to-result-in-a-slowdown-sbi-4698490/
New Delhi:Country’s largest lender SBI has expressed apprehensions that demonetisation may continue to result in slowing down of the economy, and adversely affect its business. The Govt had discontinued Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes from Nov.9, 2016 and issued new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 currency notes in exchange for the discontinued ones.The long-term impact of this move on the Indian economy and the banking sector is uncertain, SBI told institutional investors prior to its Rs 15,000 crore share sale through private placement. The effects of India’s recent demonetisation decision are uncertain, which may adversely affect the bank’s business, results of operations and financial condition, the bank said in the Preliminary Placement Document to investors while flagging the ‘risk factors’.PTI
Gujarat HC concludes hearing in Zakia Jafri’s plea against Modi, others
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/IYeVwWNkhsGfp9ZSwkIh6J/HC-concludes-hearing-in-Zakia-Jafris-plea-against-Narendra.html
Ahmedabad: Gujarat high court has concluded hearing a petition filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of slain former MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging a clean chit to PM Narendra Modi, the former CM of Gujarat, and others in 2002 riots cases.Justice Sonia Gokani on Friday concluded the hearing while allowing filing of a written submission by Jafri’s lawyer Mihir Desai on 19 June and a reply by the Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team on 3 July, before pronouncing the judgement. Zakia Jafri had moved the HC against a closure report filed by SIT on the issue of larger criminal conspiracy involving Modi and others behind the 2002 riots cases.Her husband Ehsan Jafri was one of the victims of the riots as a mob had set their house in city’s Gulberg Society on fire. Senior counsel representing the SIT, C.S. Vaidyanathan, said in his concluding argument that the SIT report challenged by Jafri was based on investigation conducted under the watchful eye of the apex court and was largely accepted by all. He said the lower court had looked into all aspects of allegations to conclude that there was no further need to investigate the matter from a larger conspiracy angle.Desai said the magistrate who accepted the SIT’s closure report did not even think of other options like rejecting the report or order a fresh probe. The criminal review petition by Zakia Jafri and NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace, run by activist Teesta Setalvad, has demanded making Modi and 59 others as accused on charges of criminal conspiracy behind the riots. Zakia also prayed for the rejection of the closure report of the Supreme Court-appointed SIT giving clean chit to Modi and others.PTI
Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi tells govt he wants to step down as India’s top law official
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/attorney-general-mukul-rohatgi-tells-govt-he-wants-to-step-down-as-india-s-top-law-official/story-fbrE3M0nk9gexItxF7MHPP.html
New Delhi:Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi has told the Govt that he wants to step down as the country’s top law official.He had served 5 years as the additional soliciter general during NDA Govt led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.The current National Democratic Alliance Govt gave an extension to Rohatgi but the order did not specify till when he would hold the post. Rohatgi said he has completed three years as the country’s top law official and that he wants to go back to his private practice. Rohatgi was appointed as the 14th attorney general of India in June 2014. Son of former Delhi high court judge Justice Awadh Behari Rohatgi, Rohatgi has represented the Gujarat Govt in the Supreme Court in 2002 Gujarat riots and fake encounter death cases, including Best Bakery and Zahira Sheikh cases.
Rashtra is supreme and Rashtra ka naam Hindu Rashtra hai; RSS veteran MG Vaidya
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59088141.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
At 94, MG Vaidya is older than the RSS itself, founded as it was in 1925. Over the decades, the former official spokesperson — his son Manmohan Vaidya has since stepped into that role — has seen anointment of 6 sarsanghchalaks, the arrest of three of them (Hedgewar, Golwalkar and Deoras) and four bans. In an interview with ET, the Sangh's grand old man weighs in on the Modi Govt , how the Kashmir issue should be resolved and the RSS's long shadow on the Centre. He said, "Sangh's ideology is that rashtra is supreme and rashtra ka naam Hindu rashtra hai. To quote Ernest Renan: A nation is a spiritual principle... and not a group determined by the configuration of earth... a nation is a soul... the nation, like the individual, is the fruit of a long past spent in toil, sacrifice and devotion." On the place for minorities in the Hindu rashtra, he said, "They can become part of rashtra. A nation involves people. People are the nation. State is a political association. A nation can have many states. To become a nation of people, there are 3 prerequisites: sentiment about the land in which they live, second is their attitude towards history, third and most important is their cultural values — what is wrong and what is right.I have been a teacher for 17 years in a Christian college in Nagpur. Once a senior Christian teacher asked me if he too could become an RSS member: 'What shall I have to do?' I told him you can and for that you don't have to leave your Bible, your Christ or your church. But, I said, you will have to accept the validity of other faiths and religions. He said no to this, adding if he accepts this, he will not be able to propagate his religion. What is Hindu? It is the commonwealth of many religions. Bharat Mata ki jai kahiye — aur Hindu ho gaya. One must accept plurality of faith. Even in the Sangh we have Muslims via the Muslim Rashtriya Manch.In Meghalaya RSS, we have 95% Christians. On reservations, he said "It is my personal opinion that there must be reservations for SC and ST for a few years — say, 10 or 15 years — but later reservation must have an economic basis." economictimes
India is a Hindu Rashtra since ancient times, demands for declaration unnecessary: UP Minister
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-is-a-hindu-rashtra-since-ancient-times-demands-for-declaration-unnecessary-up-min/story-r55hjNNq7cUKn0ZVjMM2FK.html
Ballia: The demands to declare India a ‘Hindu Rashtra (nation)’ are “unnecessary” as India has been one since ancient times, UP ’s Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters, Shahi also blamed opposition parties alleging they were trying to instigate farmers in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.“India has been a Hindu rashtra since the ancient times....The demands for declaring it as such are unnecessary,” Shahi said.India is already a Hindu rashtra as per its historical and cultural heritage, the minister stressed.BJP’s Salempur MP, Ravindra Kushwaha, who was present, however maintained silence over the issue.Replying to another question, Shahi appealed to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh to desist from violence and exercise restraint.PTI
Israel to offer to build Spike anti-tank missile under Make in India
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/israel-to-offer-to-build-spike-anti-tank-missile-under-make-in-india/story-NUyQpXpFyibyQtg2kBFiIJ.html
New Delhi: Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, also the chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, will be on a four-day visit to Israel from Sunday as Tel Aviv is set to offer manufacturing of Spike hand held “fire and forget” anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) to India under Make in India.This is the last Indian high-profile visitor to Israel before PM Narendra Modi lands in Tel Aviv on July 5.Admiral Lanba will be in Israel till June 15.Admiral Lanba visit comes after a Parliamentary delegation led by minister of state for agriculture and parliamentary affairs SS Ahluwalia went all over the Jewish nation in search of state of the art agricultural technologies.Top Govt sources said that Lanba will be visiting Haifa naval port along with interactions with Army and Air Force chiefs of Israel. His visit will be to understand regional security without delving into hardware acquisition. However, it is now clear that Israel wants to participate in the Make in India initiative with offer to making Spike ATGM.HT
Mandsaur farmers’ protest: Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar, Swami Agnivesh arrested
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mandsaur-farmers-protest-yogendra-yadav-medha-patkar-swami-agnivesh-detained-in-ratlam/story-yL6JhE0jJUUSlwvuUMd9gP.html
Bhopal:Civil activists Swami Agnivesh, Medha Patkar, Yogendra Yadav and scores of other activists were arrested on Sunday in Ratlam on the way to Mandsaur, where they were going to meet members of the aggrieved families of 5 members who were killed in a police firing.According to sources, police arrested the civil activists at a toll plaza late in the afternoon. They were being taken to Jaora in Ratlam by the police.When contacted, DIG police Ratlam range Avinash Sharma said that in all about 35-40 people had been arrested because they did not listen to the police’s request to not to visit Mandsaur as prohibitory orders were issued under section 144 of CrPC. The arrested activists also include ex-MLAs Sunilam, Kalpana Parulekar and Paras Saklecha, all from MP.
Farm crisis because of centre’s irrational policies: RSS-affiliated BKS
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/farm-crisis-because-of-centre-s-irrational-policies-rss-affiliated-bks/story-RuadPwc4ivb6dC1BHiD82O.html
New Delhi: As farmers seethe in parts of the country, demanding financial help from the govt, a farmers’ body affiliated to the RSS has blamed the Centre’s “irrational policies” for the crisis.Farmers were not the Central Govt ’s “priority”, BKS National Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra said, demanding that they be given higher prices for crops and farm produce.“The Centre is more concerned about consumers and rising prices of food items than farmers. They are not a priority for the Govt ,” Mishra told PTI.He said farmers were buying agricultural inputs on maximum retail prices.“Then why they should get minimum selling price,” he asked.PTI
Farmers’ body threatens to block highways to protest Centre’s policies
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/farmers-body-threatens-to-block-highways-to-protest-centre-s-policies/story-FOfY8KsUchRg4ih0Q0HvFM.html
New Delhi:A farmers’ organisation has announced that it will block traffic for three hours on all national highways across the country on June 16, upping the ante against the Govt ’s “anti-farmer policies”.The announcement comes at a time when the Opposition has stepped up its campaign against BJP Govt over its alleged failure to provide relief to the farming community and the death of five people in police firing during a Madhya Pradesh farmers’ agitation. At a meeting in the capital on Saturday, the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, a group of 62 farmers’ unions, passed a resolution seeking the dismissal of Shivraj Singh Chauhan as the CM of MP.hey would also approach the national human rights commission against the killing of the farmers in Mandsaur.HT
Chief in jail, Bhim Army turns to ex cops, professionals to strengthen cadre: timesofindia
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/chief-in-jail-bhim-army-turns-to-ex-cops-professionals-to-strengthen-cadre/articleshow/59088196.cms
Meerut: Bhim Army, whose founder and chief Chandrashekhar is now in police custody, is now gearing up for the next phase of asserting Dalit rights and defending the community against "persecution", tapping into a large number of former policemen to train its cadres in self defence. This is part of a move by the ideologues of the organization to rope in professionals and retired bureaucrats to strengthen the organization."May 21 was a turning point for the Bhim Army when close to 50,000 Dalits congregated at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against Dalit atrocities in Saharanpur. We could witness only two kinds of people - youth and elderly. Many of the latter were retired professionals, doctors and policemen. Our youth have energy but it needs to be channelized with the help of intellectual elders, who have the will and experience to guide the movement," said Kalyan Singh, ideologue and national spokesperson of Dalit organization.Ghaziabad-based Singh, 62, is himself a retired DSP with decades of experience in UP Police, and criticized the way in which his former department handled the aftermath of Dalit-Thakur clash in Saharanpur's Shabbirpur village."It appears that under pressure from the CM, the department is instigating Dalits to a point where they are forced to retaliate," Singh said.Following the arrest of Chandrashekhar from Dalhousie in Himachal, organization will now be seeing a greater role by former policemen in training its members to defend themselves "and the community".TOI
RSS-backed body throws spanner in UP’s industrial policy
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-backed-body-throws-spanner-in-uttar-pradeshs-industrial-policy-4698775/
Lucknow:The proposed industrial policy of the UP Govt has not gone down well with an RSS-backed body, which has demanded that certain points in the draft be reconsidered. Throwing a spanner in the policy, Laghu Udyog Bharti, an RSS affiliate associated with small scale industries and having a network of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) in the country, said it is sore that there is no encouragement for the industries which have either closed down or are on the verge of closure. The blue print of the ‘UP Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy-2017’, which promises ease of doing business, tax relief and continuous power supply and aims at promoting units in the backward Purvanchal and Bundelkhand regions, has already been approved by CM Yogi Adityanath.RSS affiliate aired its views even before the draft was uploaded on the website of the department eliciting suggestions and objections of people before it is finalised and presented before the state cabinet.PTI
I&B denies screening certificate to films on Rohith Vemula, JNU, Kashmir Valley
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ib-denies-screening-certificate-to-films-on-rohith-vemula-jnu-valley-4698254/
The union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has denied censor exemption to three documentaries, based on recent national controversies, for screening at the upcoming International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala. The festival, which begins on June 16, is organised by the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, a body under the state govt’s Dept of Cultural Affairs.Films screened at film festivals do not require a certificate from the Censor Board, but they must have a censor exemption certificate from the Ministry. Without censor exemption, no documentary or feature film can be screened at a festival. The films denied screening at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala are The Unbearable Being of Lightness (based on Rohith Vemula’s suicide), In the shade of Fallen Chinar (on the unrest in Kashmir), and March, March, March (based on the student agitation at JNU).Academy chairman Kamal said they had sent all 200-odd films to the Ministry seeking censor exemption. “All the films, except these three, got exemption. Ministry hasn’t cited any reason for denying censor exemption for these films, which are based on socially relevant themes. I think these films were denied screening permission because they deal with intolerance in the country. We have moved an appeal, asking the Ministry to consider the plea seeking censor exemption again.We are yet to get a reply,”he said.indianexpress
Students of different Universities stage joint protest against Yogi govt against arrests of 14 Lucknow students
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20170610/3121980.html
New Delhi: Students from different universities today staged a protest in Delhi against the Yogi Govt in UP on pushing saffronisation in university campus in Lucknow.Student members of the AISA from Delhi University, JNU and Jamia University gathered here at the UP Bhawan staging a protest in wake of the arrests of 14 students of Lucknow University demanding their immediate release.In her address to the protesting students here, Ms Sucheta De, National President of AISA, said , "From day one of coming to power the Yogi Govt in UP has been attacking the constitutional values. It has let loose his people to openly attack the Dalits, Minorities and anyone who dare to raise a voice against him.Students from different organisations including AISA had carried out an agitation against the alleged misuse of university's fund and also raised slogans against increasing ''Gunda Raj'' in the sate and cases of assault on women, to which the UP police came down heavily and took 14 students in custody. Later, the students were slapped with several charges.The protest was also joined by the members of the Joint Action Committee that was formed by the students of various universities of Delhi. BASO, BAPSA and the United OBC forum of the JNU was also a part of the agitation.UNI
In a first, Irfan Habib denied funds by IHCR to hold seminar on India’s regional history
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/in-a-first-irfan-habib-denied-funds-by-ihcr-to-hold-seminar-on-indias-regional-history/712173/
New Delhi: Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has turned down a request to financially assist Aligarh Historians Society’s (AHS) annual seminar which was held last year. This was the first time that the ICHR had turned down AHS’ request to fund its annual seminar on India’s regional history. ICHR had been funding seminars in AMU history department since the year 2000. AHS is headed by ICHR’s former Chairman Professor Irfan Habib, who is currently the professor emeritus of the department of history of AMU. Habib had been the Chairman of ICHR from Sept.9, 1986, to July 1, 1990, according to the Indian Express.Research Projects Committee (RPC) of ICHR, which evaluates funding proposals had in August 2016 met to consider the seminar titled ‘India and its Parts — Past and Present.’ According to the minutes of the meeting of the RPC, of which the current ICHR Chairman is a member, the seminar was not funded as it did not find the proposal adequate to finance it. Professor Purabi Roy and Professor Michael Danino had also attended the meeting, according to the Indian Express.Indian Express
Gujarat HC stays Govt action against missionary school
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/court-stays-govt-action-against-missionary-school/articleshow/59091306.cms
Ahmedabad: Gujarat high court has stayed state Govt from taking any action against a school run by Christian missionaries in Surendranagar district, after education authorities imposed a penalty on the school and threatened to cancel its permission for not giving free admission to poor students under the Right to Education Act.Surendranagar District Primary Education Committee imposed a penalty of Rs85,000 on St Thomas School in Limbdi town for refusing free admissions under RTE laws. A private school is mandated to give free admission to poor kids on 25% seats in class 1.The school authorities argue that the school is not liable to give free admissions under RTE, because it is a minority institution. When education authorities sought reply from the school over not granting admission under RTE, the school's trust, Jeet Prakash Trust, explained that it is not obligatory on their part. But the authority slapped a fine on the school, and later on May 31 issued a notice as to why the school's permission should not be cancelled for failing to abide by the law.TOI
Jesus Christ compared to devil in Gujarat text book, Board claims "printing mistake"
http://www.timesnow.tv/india/article/gujarat-textbook-deepa-jayakumar-christian-jesus-christ-minority-community/62922
Ahmedabad: A blunder in a Class IX Hindi language textbook published by the Gujarat board, that compares Jesus Christ to "haivaan" (devil) has caused massive outrage amongst the Christian community.Left embarrassed, officials of the Gujarat State School Textbook Board (GSSTB), the publisher of the textbook, have rectified the blunder in the online version of the book available on their website and removed the controversial word. Assuring an internal inquiry, GSSTB Executive President Nitin Pethani said it was a "printing mistake", reports PTI.The controversial reference appears on page 16, which is in the chapter titled "Teacher-student relationship in Indian culture". "The textbook has depicted our God in a bad light. We condemn the word used for Jesus Christ. It has hurt our religious sentiments. We want the Govt to withdraw the book immediately," an agitator said. GSSTB has stated that though they have removed the error from the online edition, it'll be impossible to do so from the print editions as the textbooks have already been distributed.Times Now,
Haj 2017: Pact with Saudi increases Indian pilgrims’ quota to 1.70 lakh, subsidy to be gradually phased out
http://www.india.com/news/india/haj-2017-pact-with-saudi-arabia-increases-indian-pilgrims-quota-to-1-70-lakh-subsidy-to-be-gradually-phased-out-2223795/
New Delhi: For the Haj pilgrimage a quota of 1,70,025 pilgrims has been allotted this year. This figure is higher compared to the last year which was 1,36,020. The addition has been made after India inked pact with Saudi Arabia. Out of the total figure, 1.25 lakh seats have been reserved for Haj Committee of India and remaining 45,000 for the private tour operators.This year, the Haj Air Travel Committee was formed in the beginning of January under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary of MoCA G. Ashok Kumar. This committee is formed every year to introspect the air travel arrangements for Haj. The committee consists of other Joint Secretary level officers of Ministry of Minority Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs. It further consists of the DG of Civil Aviation, CEO of HCoI and a representative of the Airports Authority of India.With an aim to scrap the subsidy system in ten years, way back in 2012, the Supreme Court had asked the then Congress Govt in power to reduce the amount of Haj subsidy. Ministry of Civil Aviation apparently cut down on the subsidy provided for Haj operations from 836.56 crores in 2012 to Rs. 405 crore in 2016. India.com
Indian army set to deploy fleet of armed choppers in North East to counter China
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-set-to-deploy-fleet-of-armed-choppers-in-north-east-to-counter-china/story-Zw1XRqEGaZmKVAhF8JnEtM.html
New Delhi:Beefing up its force levels in the northeast to counter China, the Indian Army is all set to deploy a squadron of weaponised Dhruv advanced light helicopters in Assam’s Likabali town. This will be the army’s first armed helicopter unit in the region.India has redoubled its efforts to strengthen its deployments in the eastern sector, with the raising of a new mountain strike corps and stationing of front-line Sukhoi-30 fighter planes. The armed force is also engaged in the reactivation of advanced landing grounds, deploying supersonic cruise missiles and proposed basing of special operations aircraft.Speaking on the condition of anonymity, army sources said the Dhruv Mk-IV squadron with 10 indigenously-built helicopters was likely to be functional in two to three months, as part of an overarching plan to scale up the force’s offensive capabilities in the eastern sector. hindustantimes
Eroding tolerance, rising caste and communal divisiveness are affecting India: J&K Governor NN Vohra
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/eroding-tolerance-rising-caste-and-communal-divisiveness-are-affecting-india-jammu-and-kashmir-governor-nn-vohra/711980/
J&K Governor NN Vohra has said that the growing divisiveness along caste and religious belief is one of the main reasons behind the strain in community relations across the country. Speaking at the first BK Nehru Memorial Lecture at the Centre of Research in Rural and Industrial development on Saturday, Vohra also said the erosion in tolerance for different views and beliefs was a cause of considerable anxiety, reports The Indian Express. With keeping the focus of his speech on good governance, Vohra urged the political leadership of the country to accept their responsibilities and assume leadership to play a pro-active role in promoting productive governance in order to get rid of corruption, misgovernance and administrative malfunctions. He said, “The ongoing practice would no longer do to attribute all our failures on various fronts merely to the deficiencies of the bureaucracy”.Indian Express
Congress leaders from J&K, northeast minority communities meet Rahul: IANS
http://www.india.com/news/agencies/congress-leaders-from-jk-northeast-minority-communities-meet-rahul-2222513/
New Delhi;Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met party leaders from minority communities of J&K and northeast and sought their views on how to strengthen support from these communities in these states.“This was a meeting of leaders of minority communities from J&K and northeast.This is an extension of the last meeting with leaders of minority communities from across the country,” said a Congress leader.
Miscreants set fire to furniture in Madrassa in Mangaluru
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/miscreants-set-fire-to-furniture-in-madrassa-in-mangaluru-117061000615_1.html
Mangaluru:Unidentified persons entered a 'Madrassa' at Elpel in Kukkippady village near here and torched the furniture inside the religious institution, police said today. It is suspected that the miscreants gained entry into Jalalia Madrassa, on June 8, as the front door was not locked, and set fire to the furniture using Kerosene, they said.Doors and windows of the Madrassa were partially burntin the blaze and an empty Kerosene bottle was found inside thehall, police said. On a complaint from Mavinakatte JummaMasjid President Abdul Razack yesterday, police reached thespot and conducted investigations. PTI
Betting on Lanka-India match leads to violence in Meerut; 10 injured, 19 booked
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/betting-on-lanka-india-match-leads-to-violence-in-meerut-10-injured-19-booked/articleshow/59088137.cms
Meerut: A fight between two friends of different faiths, allegedly over betting money involved in Thursday's India-Sri Lanka match, took a communal turn and led to clashes between two communities in city's Mohalla Sarai Jhajhar area on Friday night, leaving at least ten people injured. The condition of four injured persons is said to be serious.Tension prevailed in the area on Saturday, and heavy police contingent was deployed to contain further escalation of violence. Police booked 19 people in connection with clashes.Anil Pratap Singh, station in-charge of Sikandrabad police station, said: "It was a matter between just two friends. One of them put some money in betting during the India-Sri Lanka cricket match on the advice of the other, but he lost."It led to a fight between the duo and some unsocial elements also got involved, leading to a full blown clash.Scores of people of both the communities came face-to-face and pelted stones. Several bullets were also fired in the melee. At least 10 persons were injured and taken to hospital." timesofindia
W. Bengal: Clash between 2 communities triggers tension in Purulia
http://indiablooms.com/ibns_new/news-details/N/31855/west-bengal-clash-between-2-communities-triggers-tension-in-purulia.html
Kolkata: A major clash erupted between two communities over a local issue in West Bengal's Purulia district on Saturday, reports said. According to reports, people of two communities engaged in a clash with each other since Saturday morning at Chowk Bazar area in Purulia town. Several shops, stalls and bikes were ransacked and few of those were set on fire by the fighting groups.Debasish Dutta, a local man, told IBNS, "This happened first time in Purulia since my birth, I never witnessed such situation before.""People were fighting with each other, vandalized stalls were lying on the roads, several bikes and goods were burning on streets- Purulia was turned into a battlefield for few hours today," Dutta said.Later, a heavy police force along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the spot and policemen brought the situation under control after dispersing agitators from the area.A local police official told IBNS, "Two local groups engaged in a skirmish with each other over a local issue. Our force brought the situation under control very fast."The official, however, claimed that there was no communal violence or tension in Purulia town."No particular community or communities was/were involved in the incident as the issue was not religious," the official added.Police, however, detained over 20 persons for their alleged involvement in the clash, according to reports.IBNS
Gujarati Hindu woman fasts with Muslim friends for 34 yrs
http://www.siasat.com/news/gujrati-hindu-woman-fasts-muslim-friends-34-years-1197926/
Ahmedabad: 85-year-old Pooriben Leuwa, a Gujarati Hindu woman has been fasting during Ramadan for the past 34 years. She says that she and her Muslim friends “share a faith called love”.She pledged to a saint in Ahmedabad’s Jamalpur area, Bala Pir Bawa to fast during the holy month. After her husband’s death, she and her daughters moved some 2.5km from their old Tajpur Mominwad neighbourhood in Jamalpur. But it did not stop her from observing rozas, TOI reports. “For the past two years I have not been keeping well,” Pooriben said. “My family and my doctor have allowed me to observe just three rozas this year – 27th, 28th and 29th. But I argue with them every day to allow me to observe the entire 30 days.”Her family was battling a property dispute with her brother-in-law in 1982, she said. “I had vowed at the Bala Pir Bawa dargah that if I win the legal battle I would observe rozas,” she said. “We won the civil case in a year and I kept my vow.”“During the 1969 riots, our Muslim neighbours formed a human shield to protect my family against riotous mobs,” she said. “I had 6 girls and each of them was kept safe by our Muslim friends. My husband and I and our children were given food by our Muslim neighbours for more than a month during the curfew.” In her new neighbourhood, Saujanyawas in Danilimda, she is referred to as ‘Pooriben khala’.siasat
Fasting Muslims to take part in PM’s yoga day event in UP
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fasting-muslims-to-take-part-in-pm-s-yoga-day-event-in-uttar-pradesh/story-T7UfzEhs6mTFAfYVURO5vI.html
Lucknow: At this year’s International Yoga Day celebrations here, PM Narendra Modi will have for company scores of roza-observing Muslims who will be performing various asanas.At least 300 Muslim men and women under the banner of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch will be among the 55,000-strong participants at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan.“More than 1,000 Muslims had contacted us about participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations, but at least 300 have confirmed their participation. Most of the participants will be observing roza, while performing yoga. “In fact most of them are likely to arrive to the programme venue after Sehri (pre-dawn meal),” Mahiraj Dhwaj Singh, national co-convenor (organisation) of Muslim Rashtriya Manch for UP and Uttarakhand, told PTI.Azam Khan, national president of Shriram Mandir Nirman Muslim Karsevak Manch, will also be performing yoga while fasting.“I will be participating in the third International Yoga Day celebrations and performing various yoga asanas (postures),” he said.Singh said a request seeking a separate area for the Muslims participants will be made to the organisers.Mohsin Raza, minister of state for Muslim Waqf and Haj, when contacted, said, “I will also participate and perform yoga while observing roza. Both yoga and roza are good for one’s health.”PTI
Muslim Villagers Return UP Govt Money And Build Toilets On Their Own As 'Good Deed' In Ramadan
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/muslim-villagers-return-up-govt-money-and-build-toilets-on-their-own-as-good-deed-in-ramadan-323549.html
In what surprised administration authorities have called a "noble gesture", residents of a village in Bijnor turned down Rs 17.5 lakh from the Govt and chose instead to collect money on their own to build their toilets as a good deed to mark the holy month of Ramadan. After inspection, the village, Mubarakpur Kala, was declared open defecation free (ODF) on Friday. Mubarakpur Kala falls under Haldaur block and has a total of 661 families, predominantly Muslim, making a population of over 3,500. Only 146 families had toilets in their houses. Others used the fields. indiatimes
Unrest in UP after Yogi Govt cracks down on Varanasi street vendors
http://twocircles.net/2017jun10/411118.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Since past few weeks, Varanasi’s city administration was trying to uproot the micro-level business setups of street vendors but on Friday, it turned violent.On Friday evening, Police force reached the roads surrounding the Banaras Hindu University. The road has numerous shops of various vendors. These shops serve a majority of the population coming into BHU hospital as well as the students of the BHU.After reaching on the spot, Police started vandalising the street shops and allegedly started beating the vendors too. Soon after it happened, various students and activists from BHU reached the spot and started protesting against the Police action.TCN
One-night stand not marriage under Hindu law: HC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/one-night-stand-not-marriage-under-hindu-law-hc/articleshow/59089781.cms
Mumbai: A one-night stand or a physical relationship between a man and a woman does not fall under the definition of marriage under Hindu laws, the Bombay high court said recently in an important order. A child born out of such an encounter may not have any rights over the father's property, if there is no marriage, the court added."Broadly, either customary solemnisation of marriage is required or performance of legal formality is a condition precedent to label that relationship as a marriage... Any sexual intercourse which took place by choice or by chance or by accident is not a marriage," said Justice Mridula Bhatkar.The court pointed to Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act that restricts itself to "marriage" but recognises that the society is going through changes. "In some countries, homosexual unions are accepted as marriages; so also live-in relationships and children born within such relationships have posed as complicated issues and a challenge to legal thinkers to define the term marriage whether in a wider or narrow meaning," judge said.
‘How can we convert those who already follow our faith?’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/how-can-we-convert-those-who-already-follow-our-faithproselytisation-madhya-pradesh-4698185/
For the 60 children from the impoverished tribal district of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, 5-day summer camp in Nagpur was over even before it had begun. For those who accompanied them, the ordeal is far from over. Dogged by charges of attempts to proselytise, 4 of them, including a minor, are still lodged in prison.The group, on its way to Nagpur, had set off on a local train from Meghnagar in western Madhya Pradesh on May 21. They were to reach Ratlam, some 90 km away, on the same day, from where they were to take a bus to the Maharashtra town.Ratlam is as far as they got, as the police, with right-wing activists in tow, rounded up the children and those accompanying them at the town’s railway station.In the hours of confusion that followed, aggravated by pressure from the activists, police concluded that the 60 were being “kidnapped for religious conversion,” and detained six people in the group, including two women and the minor, on suspicion of facilitating the kidnapping.While the children were then shuttled between shelter homes over the next two days before being reunited with their parents, those detained were charged under sections 363 (kidnapping) and 34 (criminal act committed by several people) of the IPC, sections 3 and 4 of the MP Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, and the non-bailable Section 84 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.In the three weeks that have followed, the two women have secured bail, while the three men and the minor, are still in jail in Ratlam, 294 km from capital Bhopal.Parents have been left wondering why those they had entrusted their children with are continuing to be punished.
‘Few Muslims in Jamalpur’, so ‘Rampur’ proposed as village name
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/few-muslims-in-jamalpur-so-rampur-proposed-as-village-name-4698268/
Surat;A member of Jamalpur panchayat in Navsari district, has proposed changing the name of the village to Rampur, on the grounds that it has “only three Muslim houses and no mosque”. The proposal came from Pratyush Patel during a gram sabha meeting on Friday, which was headed by sarpanch Sajan Bharwad, also a Gau Raksha Dal leader. Patel also proposed that there should be a complete ban on sale of non-vegetarian food and liquor in the village.With some of the members opposing the proposal, the issue will be taken up again in the panchayat board meeting, scheduled for June end.Patel, who hails from Saurashtra, said that he proposed to change the name from Jamalpur to Rampur because there were only three Muslim houses and no mosque in the village.He reasoned that not just names of cities like Bombay, but that of many areas in Delhi and Kashmir have been changed.
‘Change Jamalpur name to Rampur’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/change-jamalpur-name-to-rampur-4698265/
Video confession reveals PFI worker killed by RSS in Kannur
http://twocircles.net/2017jun10/411073.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Kannur: Putting its leadership in trouble, an RSS worker has confessed that he killed Fazal, a member of PFI.A video with the confession of RSS worker Subeesh was submitted to the CBI court in Kochi on Friday.The video was submitted by CPIM leader and accused in Fazal murder case Karayi Rajan. video shows Subeesh revealing that Fazal was killed by 4 RSS activists including him on Oct.22, 2006 at Thalassery in Kannur district.In the video, he names the other three as Prateesh, Pramesh, and Shinoy.According to video, 4 RSS workers went to local leader Thilakan’s residence. After hearing of the attack on Fazal, Thilakan slapped Subeesh and asked the gang to keep weapons which had Fazal’s blood at his house. He further ordered not to tell anyone about the murder.TCN
Guwahati lawyer, ToI reporter come to rescue of Muslim cop asked to prove his citizenship in Assam
http://twocircles.net/2017jun10/411155.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
A constable in Assam Police has landed in a rather strange, but a familiar situation in Assam, where he has to now prove his Indian citizenship.Abu Taher Ahmed has been serving as a constable at South Salmara police station in Dhubri district of Assam. After 10 years in service, Ahmed was served a notice from foreigners’ tribunal during mid march asking him to appear in court to prove his citizenship.Ahmed was almost with no help when he was slapped with notice, but Aman Wadud, a human rights’ lawyer based in Guwahati and a report from TOI reporter Abdul Gani came to his rescue.While talking to Times of India, Ahmed said, “I was shocked and didn’t know how to react when I got the notice.” Ahmed has to be present in court on August 8 with all the relevant papers to prove his citizenship. “What the court has said, I will follow it. I am an ordinary man, I hope it will be cleared soon,” said Ahmed.TCN
4 Muslim journalists win RedInk Award for excellence in Journalism
http://twocircles.net/2017jun10/411113.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
4 Muslim journalists were announced as winners of the prestigious “RedInk” award for Excellence in Journalism-2017 among 28 others from across the country.Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis was chief guest at the award ceremony which was held on Wednesday, June 7 at the Jamshed Bhaba Theatre, Nariman Point.Aamir Rafiq Peerzada (NDTV), Ryan Naqash (Scroll.in), Alia Allana (Fountain Ink) and Atir Khan (India Today) were shortlisted for the award.TwoCircles
arab STATES’ diplomatic crisis
Kuwait: Qatar ready to heal Gulf rift
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/kuwait-qatar-ready-heal-gulf-rift-170611104242520.html
Kuwait on Sunday said that Qatar is willing to hold a dialogue with Gulf Arab countries that cut ties with it and was ready to listen to their concerns, in the latest twist of a major diplomatic rift. Kuwait has led a mediation effort to defuse an escalating crisis after Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, along with Egypt and a group of smaller countries, severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting "terrorism" - allegations Doha denies. 3 Gulf states also imposed a land, sea and air blockade, and ordered all Qataris out within 14 days, while calling their own citizens back."[Kuwait] affirms the readiness of the brothers in Qatar to understand the reality of the qualms and concerns of their brothers and to heed the noble endeavours to enhance security and stability," Kuwait's state-run KUNA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah as saying on Sunday."Kuwait stresses the inevitability of solving this disagreement within the Gulf framework," he added.Al Jazeera's Ibrahim Mohamed, reporting from Kuwait City, said that the Kuwaiti foreign minister also stressed that his country "will continue to mediate with the aim of mending fences and to address the root causes of the differences".Qatar has condemned the boycott declared by its neighbours as "collective punishment", as hundreds of mixed-citizenship Qatari couples are facing the grim prospect of being split from their families. aljazeera
Qatar group to seek blockade damages from Gulf states
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/qatar-group-seek-blockade-damages-gulf-states-170611052533110.html
A Qatari rights group says it will take legal action against Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain after receiving hundreds of complaints by citizens affected by a blockade imposed by the three Arab states on the country. Qatar's NHRC on Saturday said it was working to hire an international law firm to address damages the blockade has caused citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The moves by the Gulf states against Qatar amount to a "collective punishment and international crime", NHRC Chairman Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri said at a press conference. aljazeera
Qatari FM: For Arabs, Hamas is a resistance movement
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/qatari-fm-arabs-hamas-resistance-movement-170610224850422.html
Arab nations view Hamas as a "legitimate resistance movement" and not a "terrorist organisation as viewed by the US", Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has said. In an interview with Russia Today during a visit he paid to Moscow on Saturday, the Qatari foreign minister rejected accusations that Qatar was supporting Hamas."US views Hamas as a terror organisation. But to the rest of the Arab nations, it is a legitimate resistance movement. We do not support Hamas, we support the Palestinian people," he said."Hamas' presence in Qatar doesn't mean there's support for Hamas in Qatar which cooperates with the Palestinian Authority. Al Jazeera
Hamas: Gulf diplomatic crisis an 'internal' Arab affair
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/hamas-gulf-diplomatic-crisis-internal-arab-affair-170610214047776.html
Senior Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk, commenting on the Gulf diplomatic crisis, has said that "Arab differences are internal affairs".A member of Hamas' political bureau, Marzouk said on Saturday it would "remain directed towards Palestine and Jerusalem, and towards national unity and the cohesion of the Palestinian people". Marzouk's comments came at a time of diplomatic crisis in the region after Gulf and other Arab countries cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting "extremists" - including Hamas - and Iran. Al Jazeera
Reports: Qatari pilgrims harassed in Mecca Grand Mosque
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/reported-saudi-blocking-qatari-pilgrim-condemned-170610223616958.html
Saudi authorities have prevented Qatari nationals from entering the Grand Mosque in Mecca, marking a sharp escalation in the Gulf diplomatic crisis, Doha-based Al Sharq newspaper has reported.Qatar's NHRC received complaints from Qatari citizens that pilgrims from Qatar were barred from entering the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, the paper said on Saturday.Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, the NHRC head, called the incident a flagrant violation of the right to practice religious rites as permitted by human rights conventions, paper said.aljazeera
Russia appears reluctant to choose sides over Qatar-GCC rift
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/06/russia-appears-reluctant-choose-sides-qatar-gcc-rift-170611044945409.html
Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says dialogue will solve the diplomatic crisis dividing the Gulf Arab nations.He has been in Russia trying to shore up support against an embargo on Qatar.But the Russian Govt appears hesitant to choose sides amid major differences with Qatar over the Syrian conflict.Moscow is a major backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Doha supports armed groups fighting the Govt . Al Jazeera
Amnesty slams embargo on Qatar over rights violations
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/06/amnesty-slams-embargo-qatar-rights-violations-170611043333304.html
Amnesty International has published a report criticising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE after they imposed an embargo on Qatar.The human rights group says their actions are having brutal effects, from splitting families apart to limiting food supplies in the country. Al Jazeera
German foreign minister: Gulf crisis could lead to war
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/sigmar-gabriel-gulf-crisis-lead-war-170610204151829.html
The dispute between Qatar and other Arab states could lead to war, Sigmar Gabriel, German foreign minister, has told a newspaper. However, he says he still saw a chance to defuse the tension. Al Jazeera
Turkey: Qatar military base for the security of Gulf
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/turkey-qatar-military-base-security-gulf-170610150500657.html
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has told Bahrain's foreign minister that Turkey's military base in Qatar was aimed at contributing to the security of the entire Arab Gulf region, and was not aimed at any specific Gulf state.Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish foreign minister, made the announcement on Saturday during a joint press conference on Saturday in Istanbul with Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Bahraini foreign minister. aljazeera
Qatar, in regional crisis, hires former US attorney general
http://www.ptinews.com/news/8787576_Qatar--in-regional-crisis--hires-former-US-attorney-general.html
Dubai: Qatar has paid USD 2.5 million to law firm of a former attorney general under US President George W Bush to audit its efforts at stopping terrorism funding, a matter at the heart of the Gulf diplomatic crisis that erupted last week.John Ashcroft personally will lead his Washington-based firm's efforts "to evaluate, verify and as necessary, strengthen the client's anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing" compliance, according to documents filed to the US Justice Department.AP
India urges Gulf nations to resolve Qatar crisis through talks
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-urges-gulf-nations-to-resolve-crisis-through-talks/articleshow/59090172.cms
New Delhi:Amid the crisis in the Gulf, India on Saturday urged countries in the region to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations.The Govt said in a statement that it had also received assurance about the well-being and safety of resident Indian communities."We are closely following the emerging situation in the Gulf region in the wake of the recent decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar," said the Govt in a statement. timesofindia
Iran sends 5 planes of food to Qatar, another to be sent today
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/iran-sends-five-planes-of-food-to-qatar-4698804/
WORLD
Anti-Muslim marches held in several US cities
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/anti-muslim-marches-underway-cities-170610172259016.html
Right-wing marchers have taken to the streets in several cities across the United States for National March Against Sharia, an anti-Muslim campaign that has been roundly criticised by rights groups and watchdogs.Responding to a call by ACT for America, march participants came out in at least 28 cities in some 20 states on Saturday.The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has described ACT for America as an "extremist" organisation and the largest grassroots anti-Muslim group in the country. Counterprotesters amassed in several cities to oppose the nationwide marches, with clashes and skirmishes taking place at a handful of the march sites. Speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of the marches, Corey Saylor of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described the marches as "Islamophobic" and part of a phenomenon that leads to the "creation of an environment in which violence [against Muslims] feels permissible".Alia Salem, a Dallas-based Muslim-American and social justice activist, argued that anti-Muslim xenophobia long predates the presidency of Donald Trump."Islamophobia wasn't created by Donald," Salem said."It was empowered to a certain extent. More than anything, the idea of white supremacy within segments of our population have been empowered through his presidency." aljazeera
Woman assaulted, hijab ripped off in hate crime in UK
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/woman-assaulted-hijab-ripped-off-in-hate-crime-in-uk/articleshow/59093253.cms
London: A woman in the UK was allegedly pushed to the ground and her hijab ripped off amid a spike in hate crime incidents following the two terror attacks by Islamists that claimed 30 lives.The assault took place in Fengate, Peterborough, after the woman had just got out of her car and crossed the road with her three-year-old daughter when she was pushed from behind and knocked to the ground.She had her hijab pulled off and thrown towards her. No words were exchanged in the assault, but police have confirmed they are treating it as a racially or religiously aggravated hate crime, Peterborough Telegraph reported.PTI
Austria to ban burqas from Oct
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/austria-to-ban-burqas-from-october-4696742/
Vienna:New Austrian legislation came into force on Friday that will ban the full-face Islamic veil in public places from Oct 1. The outlawing of the burqa or other clothing concealing the face follows similar moves in other countries in the European Union, starting with France in 2011. In Austria, people who break the new law could be fined up to 150 euros, according to the legislation approved by parliament in May and signed into law by the president this week.Other measures include a clampdown on distributing extremist material, and immigrants being obliged to sign an “integration contract”. A 12-month “integration programme” will include courses in “values” and the German language. Failure to attend can result in cuts to social security payments. The legislation was hammered out by the centrist Govt amid strong support for the far-right and the arrival of 90,000 asylum-seekers since 2015.AFP
Lanka Muslim party hints 'external hand' behind attacks on religious centers
http://www.ptinews.com/news/8785544_Lanka-Muslim-party-hints--external-hand--behind-attacks-on-religious-centers.html
Colombo:Sri Lanka's main Muslim party today alleged role of an "external hand" behind a series of attacks on Islamic religious centres in the country in recent weeks."With all our political experience we can seen an external hand to disturb the peace in the country," Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem said.Muslim civil society groups had claimed that there have been over 30 incidents of racial hatred attacks against the community in the last seven weeks. They have also accused the police of inaction to prevent the attacks."Those responsible for maintaining the law and order are being directed by an invisible hand," Hakeem, who is also a Govt minister, told a gathering in the central town of Kandy.Several centres of Muslim minority have been facing arson attacks since mid April. The attacks were largely blamed on the Buddhist extremist group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).PTI
Israel PM wants UN's Palestinian refugee agency closed
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-pm-wants-uns-palestinian-refugee-agency-closed/839321
Jerusalem:Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has called for closing the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees. Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said he told US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley during a meeting last week "that the time has come for the UN to reconsider the continued existence on UNRWA."Netanyahu accused the agency of "considerable incitement against Israel" because of its criticism of Israeli policies, and called for it to be integrated into the wider UN agency for refugees around the world.AA
US troops killed in 'insider attack' in Nangarhar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/troops-killed-insider-attack-nangarhar-170610143131831.html
3 US soldiers were fatally shot and a fourth was wounded in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon confirmed on Saturday following reports that an Afghan army soldier turned his weapon on US soldiers.Afghan officials initially said two soldiers had been killed, but a Pentagon statement said three US soldiers were killed and one US soldier was wounded.Taliban claimed responsibility for Friday's "insider attack", which occurred in the district of Achin."In joint US-Afghan military operation two American troops were killed when an Afghan member of army commando opened fire on them," Attaullah Khogyani, a provincial spokesman, told Al Jazeera, adding that two other US troops were wounded."The Afghan commando was also killed in counterattack."Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, claimed four US soldiers were killed in the attack. aljazeera
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi freed from prison in Zintan
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/saif-al-islam-gaddafi-freed-prison-zintan-170610190700610.html
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been released from prison, according to fighters who control the facility.A statement from the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, a militia which controls Zintan, a mountainous region southwest of the capital Tripoli, said Saif al-Islam was released late on Saturday."The armed group has issued a statement on its Facebook page saying that it has recently released Saif al-Islam Gaddafi upon request from the House of Representatives (HoR), the parliament that is based in the eastern city of Tobruk,” Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from the capital, Tripoli, said. aljazeera
4 Chinese warships arrive on shores of 'all-weather friend' Pakistan for 'training' mission
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/four-chinese-warships-arrive-on-shores-of-all-weather-friend-pakistan-for-training-mission/articleshow/59093648.cms
NEW DELHI: 3 Chinese navy warships arrived Saturday on 'all-weather friend' Pakistan's shores for a four-day "goodwill and training" visit, reported Pakistani media and China's official news agency Xinhua.The ships are docked in Karachi.Shen Hao, the commander of the fleet of China'a People's Liberation Army (PLA) ships, reportedly said the visit will "further promote the understanding and mutual trust between the two peoples and boost the cooperation and friendship" between them.TOI
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
The concept of Hindu Rashtra is not only outdated but also impossible:Arjun Dangle, founder members of Dalit Panthers
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/dalit-discrimination-yogi-adityanath-religious-politics-bjphindu-rashtrathe-battle-for-values-4698219/
Inside the Hindu mind, a battle for a Hindu nation: Samar Halarnkar
https://scroll.in/article/840275/the-battle-for-hindu-rashtra-is-raging-inside-the-hindu-mind-and-it-is-no-longer-a-fringe-fantasy
A bastion of women nawabs: erstwhile princely state of Bhopal has many distinctions:Rana Safvi
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/a-bastion-of-women-nawabs/article18958335.ece
Changing face of mob: New narrative of nationalism has created dangerous public emotion:Appu Esthose Suresh
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/changing-face-of-the-mob-new-narrative-of-nationalism-has-created-dangerous-public-emotion/story-pSk9zYbHjGOF7S6ac9uHeK.html
Ajmer's 'cannon girl' battles dargah rules that prefers male heir: Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/without-fauzias-fire-4698071/
The target is not Qatar but Saudi Arabia :Yasin Aktay,
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170611-the-target-is-not-qatar-but-saudi-arabia/
Bandhs galore in Kerala, Sangh top list with 25 calls
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bandhs-galore-in-god-s-own-country-sangh-parivar-top-list-with-25-calls/story-uRGs25ZJBTkUsN178P4hrN.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:30 PM)
