Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
15 June 2017: 19 Ramazan 1438: Vol: 8, No:218
INDIA
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on order banning cattle trade for slaughter
http://www.abplive.in/india-news/cattle-slaughter-ban-sc-issues-notice-to-centre-asks-to-file-response-in-two-weeks-539568
NEW DELHI:The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Centre on pleas challenging notification banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.The apex court has also asked the government to file its response within two weeks and posts matter for hearing on July 1.The controversial central notification banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter was challenged in the Supreme Court.The petitioner contended that the provisions in the notification were unconstitutional as they violated the fundamental rights including freedom of conscience and religion and right to livelihood.The plea claimed that the government notification issued last month was "against the freedom of religious practice to sacrifice the animals" and imposing a ban on slaughter of animals for food violates the right to food, privacy and personal liberty guaranteed to a citizen under the Constitution.It claimed that states like Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura and Karnataka have said that they would not implement the Centre's ban as it would impact the livelihood of those involved in this business.The order essentially means the supply of the meat of these animals will now largely hinge on direct transactions between farmers and registered abattoirs at the farm gate. Meat industry executives say such transactions at present do not cross 10 per cent of the total buffalo meat output.ABP LIVE
Cattle slaughter notification: SC issues notice to Centre
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cattle-slaughter-notification-supreme-court-issues-notice-to-centre/article19053422.ece?homepage=true
Centre signals cattle trade ban relief, new meat markets
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/won-t-push-states-to-enforce-cattle-trade-rules-centre-tells-sc/story-vlTREhyCTtm25Ur5b2Wf7K.html
Centre will not push states to enforce new rules that made it virtually impossible to buy cattle for slaughter, and will consider allowing separate meat markets so that exports don’t hurt, a top Govt law officer said on Thursday.Additional solicitor general P Narsimha’s comments signal an accommodating stand by the Govt after critics slammed the new rules as trying to dictate food habits with a backdoor ban on beef.“There is no beef ban in the country today… in view of the interim order by the Madras high court the central Govt is of the view that the rules are stayed across the country,” Narsimha said.Later in the day, environment minister Harsh Vardhan too said the Govt will look into all the complaints “in full depth and honesty”.HT
Cattle trade rules: Don’t impose dietary curbs, BJP ally in Nagaland tells Centre
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cattle-trade-rules-don-t-impose-dietary-curbs-bjp-ally-in-nagaland-tells-centre/story-MzouXjkdS7dbSxQvkzpfyM.html
Guwahati: Ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) in Nagaland has asked the BJP-led Govt at the Centre to refrain from imposing restrictions on the dietary habits of the people.A resolution in this regard was adopted at the central executive council (CEC) meeting of NPF at Dimapur on Wednesday. BJP is a minor partner of the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Govt in the state.“The CEC resolves to urge the (state) Govt to take up with the central Govt to desist from imposing restrictions on the dietary habits of the people,” said a statement issued by the party.HT
New rules on cattle trade: Muslim-Dalit group demands withdrawal of Centre’s notification: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/new-rules-on-cattle-trade-muslim-dalit-group-demands-withdrawal-of-centres-notification-4704550/
Kolkata:Demanding withdrawal of Centre’s notification banning sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter from animal markets, a group of Muslims and Dalits held a protest meet outside the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata on Wednesday.The agitators under aegis of ‘Shanti O Sampriti Mancha’, a common platform for Muslims and Dalits, also asked people to be aware of the “divisive politics” pursued by BJP and RSS to “create division between the 2 communities.”“We have seen how gau rakshaks have been carrying out attacks on farmers. In most of these attacks, Muslims and Dalits were targeted. With the Centre issuing a notification banning trade of cattle for slaughter from animal markets, these attacks will intensify. We demand that the Centre should immediately withdraw the notification,” Md Kamruzzaman, the group’s general secretary, said.He said that the BJP and RSS were masterminding such attacks. “This should be stopped and to do that Muslims and Dalits need to understand the politics behind it. Today’s protest meet was aimed at raising awareness about such politics,” he added.
'They want to weaken us, snatch our bread': Poorest begin to blame Modi as cattle crackdown ripples through $16 billion industry
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4603476/Cattle-slaughter-crackdown-ripples-Indias-leather-industry.html#ixzz4k5EkDxVR
In the backstreets of Agra's Muslim quarter, where shoes have been made for centuries, small-scale manufacturers are firing workers and families cutting back on spending as a Govt crackdown on cattle slaughter ripples through the community. The election of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Hindu nationalist BJP 3 years ago has emboldened right-wing Hindu groups to push harder for protection of the cow, an animal they consider sacred.Authorities in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, started closing down unlicensed abattoirs in March, immediately hitting production and sales in the Muslim-dominated meat industry.Last month Modi's Govt also banned trading cattle for slaughter, including not just cows, whose killing was already outlawed in most states, but also buffalo, an animal used for meat and leather. Now the squeeze is spreading to others in the Muslim minority and to lower-caste Hindus who cart cattle, labour in tanneries and make shoes, bags and belts - including for big name brands such as Zara and Clarks.Abdul Faheem Qureshi, a representative of India's Muslim Qureshi community of butchers, said in Uttar Pradesh some markets trading 1,000 animals last year were now down to as few as 100.Some large leather manufacturers support the UP state Govt 's move, arguing that allowing only licensed abattoirs to operate will clean the industry's image.Bigger exporters also say they have enough leather as they source hides widely, including from abroad.Still, millions work in the meat and leather industries, which are worth more than $16 billion in annual sales.DailyMail
Yogi govt announces dissolution of Shia, Sunni waqf boards
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/yogi-adityanath-govt-announces-dissolution-of-shia-sunni-waqf-boards-4705833/
New Delhi:UP Govt on Thursday announced to dissolve the Shia and Sunni waqf boards in the state in the wake of corruption charges against them, PTI reported. Minister of State for Waqf Mohsin Raza said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has approved to the dissolution of the boards. Raza further said the dissolution process has been initiated after reports of corruption were found against the Shia and Sunni waqf boards related to their properties.The chairman of the Shia Waqf Board, Wasim Rizvi along with minister for waqf in the previous Samajwadi Party Govt , Azam Khan, came under the scanner after an inquiry was conducted by the Waqf Council of India.A report submitted to the UP Govt by the fact-finding committee of the Central Waqf Council (CWC) had indicted Khan framing charges of corruption, mismanagement and misuse of office against him. After receiving multiple complaints against the waqf board in UP, a fact-finding committee was constituted, which was headed by Syed Ejaz Abbas Naqvi, who is also the in-charge of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand waqf boards. Raja recently handed over separate reports of the Waqf Council with regard to the two boards to the chief minister.The report states how Khan being a minister misused his position to grab properties under the boards. It also said that Kahn started a trust named Maulana Johar Ali Education Trust, through which he diverted funds from waqf properties to it. The report pointed out discrepancies in maintaining rent collection records on Waqf properties.The report recommended dissolving of the UP waqf board immediately and a prohibition on the entry of accused in waqf offices till the investigation is pending. Meanwhile, Khan has stated that the allegations against him are baseless.PTI
Yogi Adityanath's actions show state moving towards Ram Rajya: UP minister
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/yogi-adityanaths-actions-show-state-moving-towards-ram-rajya-up-minister/printarticle/59150544.cms
New Delhi: The Yogi Adityanath Govt ’s initiatives such as a daily Ram Leela in Ayodhya, Ras Leela in Vrindavan and setting up of Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan for pilgrims in Ghaziabad are all indicative of efforts to establish “Ram Rajya” in Uttar Pradesh, state’s religious affairs minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary has said. The senior BJP leader told ET that the Govt is not following a “policy of appeasement” like the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party regime but a policy of “janhit” (public interest). “Previous Govt built only a Haj House in Ghaziabad for Haj pilgrims. But we are also building a Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan in Ghaziabad at Rs 50 crore where pilgrims going for that yatra, the Chardham Yatra or the Sindhu Yatra to Ladakh can stay for free with all facilities,” said Chaudhary, who is MLA from Chaata in Mathura. economictimes
In Goa, Hundreds Are Gathering To Build A
Roadmap For A 'Hindu Rashtra'
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/06/13/this-right-wing-group-has-a-roadmap-to-make-india-a-hindu-ras_a_22139265/?utm_medium=Keywee&utm_source=FB&utm_campaign=this-right-wing-group-has-a-roadmap-to-make-india-a-hindu-ras&kwp_0=438957&kwp_4=1609102&kwp_1=694208
"Why is the "Hatkatro Khamba" allowed to gather dust instead of being displayed as a national monument," asked Ramesh Shinde, national spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, (HJS) a Goa based organisation that was established in 2002 for "Education of Dharma, Awakening of Dharma, Protection of Dharma, Protection of Nation and Uniting Hindus" according to its website. Speaking with HuffPost India, Shinde then explained that the pillar is widely regarded as a symbol of the atrocities committed against non-Christians during the Portuguese Inquisition of the 16th century."When will the Pope apologize for the bloodshed," Shinde asked. "We have never genuinely practiced secularism in this country, only minority-ism. If we are not going to be genuinely secular, then why not become a Hindu Rashtra."Starting tomorrow, HJS will host over 150 Hindu organizations from India and abroad in Goa to discuss the 'Road Map to the Establishment Of The Hindu Rashtra.HJS, widely regarded as a fringe Hindu group, burst into limelight after the CBI arrested Virendrasing Tawde, a member, in connection with the murder of the rationalist Narendra Dabholakar in Pune in 2013.HuffPost India
Govt should hang people who eat beef: Sadhvi in Goa
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-should-hang-people-who-eat-beef-sadhvi-in-goa-4704699/
Ponda:Stating that she will “request” the Central Govt to hang people who eat beef as “status symbol”, Sadhvi Saraswati, from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday urged Hindus to stock arms at home to “save our women from love jihad”.She made the remarks at the inauguration of a 4-day All India Hindu Convention, organised by the Hindu Janajagriti Samiti, which is allied to the Sanathan Sanstha. Some members of the Sanstha stand accused in the murder of rationalist and anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune in 2013. RSS, BJP and VHP had earlier distanced themselves from the event and the organisation, and no leader representing them were present at the Ponda event.Sadhvi Saraswati, who drew the loudest cheer, said at the inaugural session that the “biggest challenge” today is not converting a non-Hindu to Hinduism. “first we need to convert a Hindu to Hindu — that is our biggest challenge today… They are in the garb of seculars… these seculars are the first who will be attacked,” she said.On beef-eating, she said, “Jo vyakti apne ma People who take it as status symbol to eat beef… I request the Centre to hang them in public. People will then understand that cow protection is our responsibility.” indianexpress
UP: This is our Govt and we will not let you pray, Muslims in Sakatpur told
http://www.ummid.com/news/2017/June/15.06.2017/will-not-allow-you-pray-story-of-sakatpur-uttar-pradesh.html
Amroha, a city in western UP is known for two of its specialities : its Mango Orchards and the Communal Harmony.Be it the sequel of the Partition of India [in 1947], Moradabad riots of 1980 or the [polarisation of sentiments following) the demolition of Babri Mosque in 1992, Amroha has always remained very peaceful.This town and the villages around it have never allowed the fire of communal tension from outside spreading and coming close to it but some recent incidents seem to be trying to change this past character of Amroha.At a distance of about 36 kilometres from Amroha city, there is a town called Syed Nagli and from there at about five kilometres further there is a Hindu majority village known as Sakatpur, and that is in the news these days due to communal tension there.When I arrived in Sakatpur, nothing looked like an air of any communal tension there. And the people in the villages around who had not read newspapers were also unaware of any such incident. In the outskirts of the village children were playing cricket. Villagers were sitting in the chaupals [a communal meeting place]. On the face of it everything looked normal.Upon making enquiries it was found out that by organising congregational prayers the Muslims there have started a new tradition which has upset members of the majority community. In the village of about a total population of 3,000, Hindus, who are mostly Jats, total around 2,500 while Muslims are about 500 who mostly belong to backward castes.Urdu Media Monitor from BBC Urdu
‘Nationalistic’ advocate may get Allahabad HC job
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nationalistic-advocate-may-get-allahabad-hc-job/articleshow/59152121.cms
New Delhi: Appointments of judges for the Allahabad high court received a push with the SC collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar, recommending names of 20 advocates which includes JJ Munir who represented the petitioners opposing AMU's minority status.Instead of 19 names recommended by his predecessor, CJI Khehar has added Allahabad advocate JJ Munir who had successfully fought the case in courts in which Aligarh Muslim University lost its status of a minority institution and was declared a national and central university.The collegium has reiterated the other 19 names for the third time and the Centre is expected to clear the recommendations. Previously, the Centre had raised queries over inconsistencies in consultations with regard to some recommended candidates. It had communicated to the collegium that Munir's exclusion, on grounds of being too young, did not seem relevant as younger candidates have been recommended.There were 14 others from the judicial services, taking the total to a list of 44 names recommended for consideration of the judgeship. However, then CJI Thakur, rejected the names of 11 advocates, including that of Munir. While most of them were dropped for reasons of being kith and kin of judges or politicians, this didn't apply to Munir.Munir had acquired the reputation of a lawyer who had annoyed a section of Muslim opinion when he appeared for appeals that led to the verdict which struck down provisions grant ing minority institution status to AMU as unconstitutional. timesofindia
SP to observe yoga day to counter pro-Muslim image
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/sp-to-observe-yoga-day-to-counter-pro-muslim-image/articleshow/59151410.cms
Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party has decided to celebrate yoga day with enthusiasm, linking it to environment conservation by asking cadres to undertake cycle yatras, in an effort to build a counter narrative to BJP's terming of the party as pro-Muslim. When the SP was in power, it had shunned official celebrations on International Day of Yoga on June 21. indiatimes
Saffron group seeks ban on Kamasutra books at Khajuraho temple
http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/states-metros/saffron-group-seeks-ban-on-kamasutra-books-at-khajuraho-temp-22513
New Delhi: Members of Bajrang Sena, a saffron group, has reportedly demanded a ban on selling Kamasutra books inside the Khajuraho temple premises, a Unesco world heritage site in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district.Activists alleged that it was against India's culture and tradition. The temple is famous world wide for the graceful erotic sculptures on its outer walls.“Such things affect the image of Indian culture and traditions in the eyes of the foreigners,” said Jyoti Agarwal, president of Bajrang Sena Khajuraho unit. indiasamvad
Saharanpur violence: SIT exonerates 8 Thakurs
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lucknow/saharanpur-violence-sit-exonerates-eight-thakurs-4704579/
Lucknow: SIT, probing the caste violence in Saharanpur, has exonerated eight accused belonging to the Thakur community. The eight had been arrested for allegedly attacking 3 Dalits on May 23. SIT moved an application before a local court two days ago seeking their release, saying that they were found innocent during the investigation. It referred to the role of 14 others in the violence.“During investigation, we found that these eight accused were falsely named in the FIR lodged on various charges including attempt to murder. We had moved an application in the court under Section 169 CrPC and requested their release. The court has accepted the application and also has allowed the release,” said Saharanpur SSP Babloo Kumar. He said that they were looking for the other 14.
Dalits embrace Buddhism in protest against Saharanpur attacks
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/617510/dalits-embrace-buddhism-protest-against.html
Lucknow :Scores of dalits, including children, in Muzaffarnagar district embraced Buddhism in protest against attacks on their brethren by the dominant thakur community members in the neighboring Saharanpur district.According to the sources, the dalits of Nyamu village in the district converted to Buddhism at a ceremony at Sant Ravidas temple in the village in the presence of some buddhist monks on Wednesday.The matter came to light, when the converted dalits went round the village after the ceremony later in the evening. Reports said that slogans were raised against the UP Govt and the police during the procession.Sources said that the dalits had warned the district authorities that they would convert if alleged persecution of their brethren in Saharanpur was not stopped forthwith. They had also demanded immediate release of Chandrashekhar, Bheem Army founder and the main accused in Saharanpur violence, and his supporters. The conversion triggered alarm bells in the administration and senior officials rushed to the village to ascertain the veracity of the reports. ''We have received information about conversion....we are trying to ascertain the facts,'' said a senior district official in Muzaffarnagar on Thursday. deccanherald
Letter to Prez over ‘violence against Dalits, tribals, minorities’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/letter-to-president-pranab-mukherjee-over-violence-against-dalits-tribals-minorities-4705390/
Mumbai:Citing recent violent incidents in Saharanpur (UP) and Buldhana (Maharashtra), former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar and 10 other Dalit, Muslim and youth organisations have written to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking his intervention in ensuring that the perpetrators of violence against Dalits, tribals, Muslims, Christians and women are brought to book. The letter seeks action against cow vigilantes too.In the letter dated June 12, Mungekar writes: “We, the representatives of various social organisations in Maharashtra, express our deep anguish over the growing violence/atrocities against the Dalits, religious minorities — particularly the Muslims and Christians, and women in different parts of the country. During the last few years, particularly after the BJP has come to power at the Centre, the incidents of such heinous violence and atrocities have become a common feature in the country.” indianexpress
RSS Muslim wing pledges not to eat beef; breaks fast with cow milk in Ayodhya
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rss-muslim-wing-pledges-not-to-eat-beef-breaks-fast-with-cow-milk/article19054065.ece
New Delhi:Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), RSS’s Muslim wing, organised an Iftar party in Ayodhya, where Muslims broke their fast with cow milk.“Muslims took a pledge at the Iftar that they will not eat beef as it causes disease. They also agreed that cow milk is good for health and has medicinal values,” MRM patron Indresh Kumar told PTI.Kumar was the chief guest at the Iftar party organised last evening.MRM had invited prominent Muslim residents of the town, for the Iftar, the first meal after the day’s fasting.He also claimed that cow slaughter is not permissible in any religion, including Islam.PTI
Zakir Naik’s Islamic International School (IIS) illegal; parents should not enroll their kids:Govt
http://www.india.com/news/india/zakir-naiks-islamic-international-school-iis-illegal-parents-should-not-enroll-their-kids-says-bmc-2238457/
Mumbai: Education dept of Mumbai civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that Zakir Naik’s Islamic International School (IIS) has been operating illegally in Mumbai. The education inspector of BMC’s South Mumbai region BB Chavan issued a letter which stated that no school in Mumbai would run without the NOC (no objection certificate) from the local governing body, as defined under provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009. The school has around 135 students and runs classes from nursery to class X.In the letter, it was also mentioned that parents should not enroll their children in Zakir Naik’s IIS since it has no authorisation certificate. However, the letter doesn’t mention if the school has obtained an NOC from BMC. School was recently taken over by MLA Abu Azmi’s Niyaz Minority Education and Welfare Trust who had alleged “there was a conspiracy to harass” the school management.“The school is being run on the same lines (as earlier) with only some changes, including in its name and management. I have taken the premises on rent and have done nothing to invite the fury of the education department,” said Azmi. Abu Azmi also said that he would get in touch with the education department of BMC and see if any more permissions are required by the school to run it.“I would not want any controversy. Neither me nor the education department would want to jeopardize the future of the students. Therefore, I have asked our team to get in touch with the education officers and obtain all the required permissions,” Azmi said.india.com
Maharashtra education dept warns parents against enrolling wards in Zakir Naik-run school
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/maharashtra-education-dept-warns-parents-against-enrolling-wards-in-zakir-naik-run-school-4705352/
Advani for Prez , lobbies Shatrughan, claims wide support
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/presidential-election-lk-advani-for-president-lobbies-shatrughan-sinha-claims-wide-support-1712545
New Delhi: With BJP confirming that it will announce its nominee for the next President of India by June 23, party leader Shatrughan Sinha appears to have made his choice. Since Tuesday evening, Mr Sinha, a former actor, has been tweeting in support of BJP veteran LK Advani. In his posts, he has been sharing people's responses who support Mr Advani's candidature for the country's President.Sinha is part of a small bloc led by Advani that in 2013 unsuccessfully urged the BJP not pick then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its presumptive prime minister. Supporters of these leaders say that they have been relegated to the sidelines by PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Advani ,for example, who is 89, was placed on a committee of mentors that is meant to guide the party, but has no authority. ndtv
Gulf crisis: Migrant workers, including Indians, in Qatar worried about jobs and food prices
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/gulf-crisis-migrant-workers-in-qatar-worried-about-jobs-food-prices/story-2U8pxfta2np2ou9wbajIjL.html
Doha: Ajit, an Indian electrician, is just seven months into his new job but right now he is a worried man, like many other members of the huge migrant workforce in Qatar.He frets not only about his job, his future in the country but also the price of food.“If this continues, there will be problems for people like us, the workers. The price of food will go up and there will be no jobs,” he told AFP. He was referring to the diplomatic crisis in the Gulf that has seen Qatar isolated after regional giant Saudi Arabia and several allied countries cut all ties to Doha.Ajit earns 1,000 riyals a month ($275, 240 euros), of which he sends 600 home to his family.AFP
No offer made by Putin to defuse tension between Indian and Pakistan: MEA
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-offer-made-by-russian-president-vladimir-putin-to-diffuse-tension-between-indian-and-pakistan-mea/story-uMACQ3G9n21UiWXL8mKtQN.html
New Delhi:Russia has not made any offer to mediate between India and Pakistan, the Govt said on Thursday, after Islamabad “welcomed” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reported move to resolve bilateral tensions.“No offer of mediation between India and Pakistan was made by Russia to India,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.He said Russia is “very well” aware of India’s position on talks with Pakistan.“It is my understanding that Russia is very well aware of India’s consistent position to address all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an environment free of terrorism and violence,” Baglay said. hindustantimes
SCO charter prohibits India, Pakistan to raise bilateral issues: China
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/sco-charter-prohibits-india-pakistan-to-raise-bilateral-issues-china/articleshow/59157647.cms
Beijing: Welcoming India and Pakistan into the SCO, China today dismissed apprehensions that their differences could disrupt the unity of the grouping saying its charter strictly prohibits members to bring their bilateral hostility into the organisation. "As a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), we are very happy about the membership of India and Pakistan," China's Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said at a ceremony at the SCO headquarters here to formally admit the two nations as new members of the grouping. China, a dominant member of the now eight-member group, hosts the headquarters of the organisation. SCO headquarters held a ceremony today to hoist the flags of India and Pakistan. Indian Ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale and his Pakistan counterpart Masood Khalid attended the ceremony which included jointly beating a huge SCO cooperation drum heralding the admission of their respective countries into the grouping. India and Pakistan were formally admitted as members at Kazakhstan capital Astana at the SCO summit held on June 8-9. PTI
Malegaon blast: Secrecy be maintained on court of inquiry papers, says Court
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/malegaon-2008-secrecy-be-maintained-on-court-of-inquiry-papers-says-court-4704591/
Mumbai: Special court hearing the Malegaon 2008 blast case has directed that the secrecy of documents from the court of inquiry against Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit be maintained. The court has said while the accused and the prosecution (NIA) could refer to the documents as evidence in the case, its contents could not be shared with the public.In Jan, Ministry of Defence had approached the court seeking to maintain secrecy of the documents calling them sensitive in nature. It has made out a case for not sharing the documents with any third party, including other accused in the case.Arguing for bail last year, Purohit had been allowed for the first time to refer to the documents of the court of inquiry carried out by the Army. The ministry had submitted to the court earlier that it would provide truncated copies blacking out portions which would impact national security.Purohit had at that time said he was ready to provide an undertaking on not sharing the documents. The other accused including Major (Rt) Ramesh Upadhyay, however, objected before the court saying they too as co-accused should be allowed to use the documents as evidence in the case. indianexpress
Women take the lead in Zakat contribution: Hyderabadis contribute Rs. 750 crore for education, medicare
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/women-take-the-lead-in-zakat-contribution/article19052195.ece
Hyderabad: Muslim women who used to take a back seat when it comes to contributing Zakat as they lack income and substantial savings, have started taking the lead in making donations towards this annual payment mandated by Islamic law.Elders in the community say, women started calculating the exact Zakat amount for the gold they have. They pay two or more per cent of the networth of the gold they have towards Zakat. With the rising prices of gold, this contribution has substantially added an increase of 20 to 30 per cent on to the total funds donated by families to help the needy. Only women who have more than seven tholas of gold are expected to contribute.As per Shariah, Muslims are expected to contribute at least two per cent of their savings towards welfare of the poor. Zakat is the third among 5 norms which are to be compulsorily followed by Muslims. thehindu
This noble initiative is feeding Delhi's underprivileged during the month of Ramadan
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-underprivileged-food-ramadan-robinhood-army-iftar-islamic-relief-india-lifest/1/978550.html
During Ramadan, nearly one and a half billion people all over the world skip one meal every day for 30 days. This is done to know what hunger and starvation feel like, to understand what the poor and destitute have to go through and also to create a surplus of billions of meals.Thus, Ramadan, if done right, can turn into a large-scale civilian action for poverty alleviation and resource redistribution. Taking a step in that direction, Islamic Relief India has kick-started their Gift a Meal campaign to feed the poor and underprivileged on the occasion of Ramadan, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. For the month of giving of Ramadan, Islamic Relief India has partnered with restaurant chains, namely Nazeer Foods, Saleem's, Al Bake, Karim's and Hotel River View in Delhi. While some of these restaurants are providing a fixed number of specially packed Ramadan food packets each week, some of them have displayed campaign standees urging people who come to these restaurants to gift a meal to the poor for Rs 100. With the help of Robin Hood Army as their delivery partner, Islamic Relief India is distributing these food packets at raiin baseras, jhuggi jhopdi clusters (slums) and to the homeless who sleep on the streets of Delhi.One of the restaurants that is associated with the initiative.Akmal Shareef, Islamic Relief India's head of mission for India and Nepal says, "This campaign is very close to our hearts at Islamic Relief India. The smiles on people's faces when they get this Ramadan-special food is the satisfaction that keeps us going. It is encouraging to see so many restaurants coming together with Islamic Relief India to feed the poor and homeless of Delhi during the month of giving of Ramadan."Akmal also says that Ramdan is a month of sacrifice, compassion, promoting justice, peace and harmony. "We have been able to provide a meal to more than 500 people so far and aim to feed at least 5,000 underprivileged during the month of Ramadan." india today
Kejriwal may attend Okhla MLA’s iftar, signal to
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kejriwal-may-attend-suspended-okhla-mla-s-iftar-signal-to-2472815
Suspended AAP MLA Amantullah Khan today claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will attend an iftar party organised by him, a move that may further isolate Kumar Vishwas within the organisation. Khan said Kejriwal will attend an iftar party at the Ansari auditorium in the Jamia Millia Islamia University which falls under Okhla constituency that the former represents."AAP's Okhla unit is organising the iftar party. This will be attended by the chief minister," Khan said.There was no confirmation from the CMO on Kejriwal attending the event.If Kejriwal attends the iftar party, it will be a clear snub to Vishwas, who has publicly differed with the AAP leadership over several issues in recent months. Meanwhile, more dramatic scenes may play out in Okhla as sacked minister Kapil Mishra has announced that he will visit Batla House tomorrow to extend his support an an elderly lady, whom he said has been "threatened" by Khan's "goons" over property-related matters.PTI
44% elderly abused in public spaces; in Delhi 23% experienced mistreatment: survey
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/44-elderly-abused-in-public-spaces-in-delhi-23-experienced-mistreatment-survey/story-YNI3gYsrIr38uzldlO4JkJ.html
44% of India’s elderly have been abused in public spaces at some time or the other, a survey has found. In Delhi, 23% elderly experienced abuse and mistreatment by society due to their age, the HelpAge India study says. Bangalore topped the list with 70% elders experiencing abuse, followed by Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.HT
GULF DIPLOMATIC CRISIS
US Secretary Tillerson: Blacklisting Muslim Brotherhood complicates security and politics of the Middle East
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/tillerson-blacklisting-muslim-brotherhood-problematic-170614193311591.html
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said the classification of the Muslim Brotherhood in its entirety as a "terror" group complicates the security and politics of the Middle East. His testimony on Wednesday before the House Committee on Foreign Relations comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf, part of which centre on Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood.Tillerson said it was problematic to place the entire organisation - whose members amount to more than five million, some of whom occupy positions in Govt s across the region - on a "terror list"."There are elements of the Muslim Brotherhood that have become parts of Govt s," he said, pointing out parliaments in Bahrain and Turkey as examples. "Those elements... have done so by renouncing violence and terrorism," he said."So in designating the Brotherhood in its totality as a terrorist organisation… I think you can appreciate the complexities this enters into our relations with [Govt s in the region]."The top US diplomat said Washington had designated elements of the group that are committed to violence as "terrorists", but that a broad classification of the entire group would present complications. The Muslim Brotherhood is the oldest political Islamist group in the Arab world. While it is officially banned in some countries, in many others, its branches play an important role in domestic politics and often serve as Govt officials. aljazeera
Muslim scholars from Turkey support al-Qaradawi
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/muslim-scholars-from-turkey-support-al-qaradawi/842476
Istanbul:Leading Muslim scholars from Turkey published a statement, in support of chairman of Qatar-based International Union of Muslim Scholars Yousef al-Qaradawi."We declare that we are with the Qatari state and scholars like Qaradawi, who are against imperialism. We demand that the irrational action against them ends," the statement said.It described the treatment which Qaradawi, Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas received as unjust."Accusing these two distinguished movements as terrorists, and counting everyone close to them as enemy, is tantamount to wanting to destroy everyone who thinks of the Ummah and opposes imperialism," it said.AA
US naval warships arrive in Qatar for military exercise
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/naval-warships-arrive-qatar-military-exercise-170615044308096.html
2 US Navy vessels arrived in Doha to take part in a joint military exercise with the Qatari Emiri Navy just days after US President Donald Trump accused Qatar of being "a funder of terrorism at a very high level". aljazeera
Qatar signs $12 billion deal to buy F-15 jets from US
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-boeing-idUSKBN19531Y
Qatar's Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday the country signed a deal to buy F-15 fighter jets from the United States for $12 billion.The deal was completed despite the Gulf country being criticized recently by US President Donald Trump for supporting terrorism. reuters
UN agency to review airspace blockade against Qatar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/agency-review-airspace-blockade-qatar-170615140522138.html
UN aviation agency has said it will review requests from Qatar to intervene after its Gulf neighbours closed their airspace to Qatar flights. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency that regulates international air travel under the Chicago Convention, said it would host talks of envoys from Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt at its Montreal headquarters on Thursday to seek a "consensus-based solution" that addressed "current regional concerns". Aljazeera
Turkish FM urges peace, dialogue in Gulf crisis
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-fm-urges-peace-dialogue-in-gulf-crisis/841889
DOHA:Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday the crisis between Qatar and some Arab countries should be resolved “through peace and dialogue”.Speaking to Agency during his visit to Qatar’s capital, Doha, amid a diplomatic row in the Gulf region, Cavusoglu said the efforts by Turkey so far and the future steps to be taken were discussed during his meetings with several top Qatari officials.Accompanied by Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Cavusoglu met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Economy and Trade Minister Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim al-Thani. AA
WORLD
Khamenei warns Rouhani against dividing society and hints at ouster
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170615-khamenei-warns-rouhani-against-dividing-society-and-hints-at-ouster/
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has given an implicit warning to President Hassan Rouhani about what he called the polarisation and division of Iranian society. This was a reference to the reformists and moderates around Rouhani and the extreme right-wing loyal to the supreme leader.Reformist websites believe Khamenei’s statements to be similar to the warnings issued against the first Iranian president elected after the revolution, Abolhassan Banisadr. He was ousted in 1980 due to disputes with the head of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist, and has been living in exile in Paris for four decades.During a speech welcoming the heads of three authorities and senior Iranian officials on Monday, Khamenei reiterated that bilateral polarisation and dividing society into two is dangerous and will harm the country’s interests. He explained that drawing clear boundaries with the enemy will provide the foundation for national unity, adding that the officials must draw serious boundaries with foreign enemies and “their tails” within the country.Disputes have escalated from time to time between the supreme leader and the president, especially after the election of Rouhani for a second term in May. He won by a large margin against his competitor, Ebrahim Raisi, who was backed by Khamenei.middleeastmonitor
Iran kills 3 members of ‘Sunni Muslim Jihadist’ group, arrests 5: Media report
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/iran-kills-3-members-of-sunni-muslim-jihadist-group-arrests-5-media-report/story-fP2m2MREsfp8q7DTmCaWVN.html
London: Iranian forces killed three members of a Sunni Muslim jihadi group in the city of Chabahar in southeast Iran on Wednesday and arrested 5 others, the Mehr news agency said. It said one member of the security forces had also been killed.Mehr said the suspects were believed to be members of Ansar al-Furqan, a Sunni jihadi group based in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The group has threatened to carry out suicide attacks in revenge for the Govt executing Sunni prisoners.Reuters
'Hundred dead bodies' seen in besieged Marawi
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/dead-bodies-philippines-marawi-city-170615083913125.html
A Philippines politician said residents fleeing besieged Marawi City have seen about 100 dead bodies in an area where the army and ISIL-linked fighters have clashed in the last three weeks. Zia Alonto Adiong, a local politician who is helping with relief efforts in Marawi, told reporters on Thursday that 500-1,000 people were still trapped in the city, located on the southern island of Mindanao."Dead bodies, at least 100, are scattered around the encounter area," Adiong said. Volunteers have been trying to extricate hundreds of civilians caught in the crossfire via "peace corridors", Adiong said, but many of those trapped were still opting to hide rather than risk being discovered by the fighters.Most residents, however, have run out of food and water, Adiong added. Aljazeera
China to mediate between Pakistan, Afghanistan
http://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-to-mediate-between-pakistan-afghanistan/842447
Islamabad: Chinese foreign minister would visit Pakistan and Afghanistan in a bid to defuse tensions between the two countries, Pakistani foreign affairs adviser said Thursday."Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will first visit Kabul and then Islamabad in a next few days," Aziz told Voice of America.The tensions between the two countries broke out after the Afghan capital Kabul was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks including a truck bombing that killed up to 150 people and left more than 400 wounded.Anadolu agency
UN: 55% of International Organisation for Migration from Mosul are children
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170615-un-55-of-idps-from-mosul-are-children/
Children make up 55 per cent of Mosul’s displaced, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said. “More than 25,000 civilians have been displaced from western Mosul in the past five days,” it said in a report released yesterday.“The emergency site set up by the organisation at the Qayyarah airbase includes 28,387 children out of 49,564 displaced, while the second site in the Haj Ali area, south of Mosul, has 20,390 children out of 34,561 displaced,” it added.
Israeli politician calls on UN to stop using the term ‘occupation’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170609-israeli-politician-calls-on-un-to-stop-using-the-term-occupation/
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Tzipi Hotovely, has called on the United Nations to stop using the term “occupation” in reference to Israel’s control over Palestinian lands.The senior official claimed that the international organisation has been lured to repeating the “Palestinian propaganda vocabulary” and claimed that Israel does not occupy the land of anyone.“As a proof, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Israel’s liberation of Jerusalem and the West Bank,” she claimed.Hotovely’s remarks came in response to UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who accused the Israeli occupation of putting more burdens on the Palestinians and preventing them from developing. middleeastmonitor
Grenfell Tower fire: Muslims awake for Ramadan among heroes who helped save lives
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/14/local-heroes-saved-lives-helped-residents-grenfell-tower-fire/
Heroic residents of the Grenfell tower saved their neighbours by banging on their doors and guiding them to safety, it has emerged.Local community centres and religious buildings have opened to help those who have lost their homes, and left with nothing but their pyjamas.Some put their own lives at risk to rescue others.Rashida, a local resident, told Sky News how Muslims observing Ramadan may have saved lives in the tower block, as many of them were awake.She said: “Most Muslims now observing Ramadan will normally not go to bed until about 2am, maybe 2.30am, [when] they have their late night last meal. They do their last prayer.“So most of the families around here would have been awake and I think even with the noise of the helicopters, it would have brought a lot of attention to a lot of residents, non-Muslim as well, [who] would have thought 'something's going on that's not quite normal.'"She spoke of how tight-knit the community was, and how many different nationalities lived in the tower.She said: "It’s a very diverse area, we have all nationalities, all religions. We all live peacefully amongst each other, there is not much crime - [not] higher than anywhere else. You can walk around safely late at night… we all know each other. There is a very high population of Moroccans, and for some reason we all live close to each other. Everyone knows each other.”Nadia Yousuf, 29, told BuzzFeed Muslim residents were among the first to notice the fire, as they woke up to prepare to break their fast."They saw it just after they woke up to eat", she said.A man known as Michael told Sky News of how he saved a young girl. “I wasn’t woken up by the alarms at all, they were very, very quiet.“I was in bed, and I was on the verge of falling asleep and I smelt plastic. I woke up and looked around the flat, checked the plugs, everything was okay. “I went to the window to smoke a cigarette, I opened the window, and I heard someone saying, it’s getting bigger, its getting bigger. Telegraph . UK
London tower fire: Muslims awake for Ramzan helped save lives
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/london-tower-fire-muslims-awake-for-ramzan-helped-save-lives/articleshow/59156037.cms
Britain First Provoke Muslims Helping Grenfell Fire Families Outside East London Mosque
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/britain-first-east-london-mosque_uk_59414373e4b09ad4fbe4a201
Britain First today posted an angry video claiming it had been “ABUSED” outside the East London Mosque for the “heinous crime of standing on a British pavement and filming” - despite clear evidence to the contrary. Leader, Paul Golding, recorded a five minute diatribe from a car as they left the scene, claiming if they had stayed any longer they would have been “physically attacked”. He says: “We’ve just gone into the Whitechapel area of London with some leaflets and we’ve walked past the East London Mosque and we were very quickly surrounded by an ever-increasing mob of Muslims and white liberals screaming abuse.“We had things thrown at us, we had people spit at us and this was for the heinous crime of standing on a British pavement and filming.“That’s all we did... Whose country is this?”But pictures and video posted by the mosque tell a very different story and show the far-right group was being deliberately provocative just before prayers when Muslims in the area were helping those affected by the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower. huffingtonpost UK
Austria: More than 300 Muslim clerics call for tolerance
http://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/austria-more-than-300-muslim-clerics-call-for-tolerance/1075739
vienna: More than 300 clerics representing the majority of austria's Muslims are expressing support for a declaration condemning extremism and terrorism and urging their followers to integrate by actively participating in Austrian society.The initiative was launched by the Society of the Islamic Faith in Austria, which normally speaks for all Muslim groups in the country. At a signing ceremony today, society head Ibrahim Olgun said the declaration was meant as a clarification for the "black sheep" among Muslims who turn to extremism in the name of their religion.The document condemns "terrorist and extremist violence worldwide." It supports "pluralism, democracy and the rule of law as outlined in the Austrian constitution." outlookindia
Pakistan PM questioned by panel over family wealth
http://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-pm-questioned-by-panel-over-family-wealth/842434
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif created history on Thursday, by appearing before investigators probing a corruption case against his family, the first any head of state has done so in Pakistan.Sharif was questioned for three hours by an investigation team over his family’s links to alleged offshore accounts named in the Panama Papers.The move came after a Supreme Court ruling on April 20 which ruled out his disqualification, but asked an investigation team to look into money laundering allegations against him.
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
Hindu Rashtra conclave in Goa will do for Modi govt what Babri-Ram Temple conflict did for BJP: Ashok K Singh
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/hindu-rashtra-goa-conclave-bjp-hjs-sanatan-sanstha/story/1/17820.html
India Fast Moving Towards Law of The Jungle:Samiullah Khan, Urdu version of this article appeared in Mumbai Urdu News
https://www.urdumediamonitor.com/2017/06/13/india-fast-moving-towards-law-jungle/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:59 PM)
