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Evening NEWS DIGEST
21 June 2017: 25 Ramazan 1438: Vol: 8, No:223
INDIA
Amnesty International: Immediately release people, arrested for cheering Pak cricket win: so far 19 held
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/india-people-arrested-cheering-pakistan-cricket-must-be-immediately-released
The arrests of at least 19 people for celebrating the Pakistan cricket team’s victory over India in the final of a major tournament is another worrying sign of the erosion of freedom of expression in India, Amnesty International said today . Asmita Basu, Programmes Director of Amnesty International India, said:"These arrests are patently absurd, and the 19 men should be released immediately. “Even if the arrested men had supported Pakistan, as the police claim, that is not a crime. Supporting a sporting team is a matter of individual choice, and arresting someone for cheering a rival team clearly violates their right to freedom of expression.” Asmita Basu said:“These cases show just why the sedition law should be immediately repealed. This law is excessively broad and vague and makes it easy to silence people who are legitimately exercising their right to freedom of expression.“Nobody should have to go to prison merely because they are accused of causing offense. The sedition law has no place in a rights-respecting society, let alone one that has a proud tradition of pluralism and debate.”
Families of 15 held for ‘celebrating’ Pak cricket win allege bursting of crackers a conspiracy hatched by outsides
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sedition-charge-will-ruin-our-lives-say-families-of-15-arrested-for-celebrating-pakistan-win/story-bkQLGS4FLaGRruiwkSnuTJ.html
Bhopal:“This is a conspiracy against us…a sedition charge will ruin our lives,” rues Yusuf Tadvi, a resident of MP’s Burhanpur district.Hours ago, police arrested his two nephews on charges of sedition for allegedly celebrating Pakistan’s victory against India in the finals of the Champions Trophy. 2 minor boys were among 15 people from the Muslim-dominated village of Mohad picked up on the charges.The police say the arrests followed complaints from a local resident that Muslim youth were marching in the village and shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. But the families say they weren’t celebrating at all, and that the arrests were a conspiracy to target the Muslims as they didn’t vote for the ruling BJP.“Around 1.30 am, cops barged into our house, started searching and picked up my son Mehmud and took him away, while thrashing him all along. We didn’t celebrate Pakistani victory at all,” says Rafiq Imam, whose 25-year-old son is among the 15 arrested.“They want to polarise the village as it has substantial population from both communities,” he alleges. All arrested have been sent to judicial custody.A person convicted for sedition --- a law introduced by the British --- can be in jail for life.Rashid says the police action has struck terror in the village and most Muslim families have sent their young children to other places to hide, as they fear police might arrest them too.The families allege that the bursting of crackers was a conspiracy hatched by outsides – a charge the police say they are looking into. HT reached out to the complainant but he said he was too scared to speak.But the families aren’t convinced. Gulshaer Gulzar says his younger brother Idwar Gulzar, who is in his mid-20s, was picked up on Sunday evening while he had gone out after dinner. “It is a conspiracy against us”, he adds.Masood Ahmed Khan, secretary of a local Muslim advocacy group, fears such police action encourages radicalism. “Over the years we have seen authorities harassing our youth in Muslim dominated areas of districts like Burhanpur, Khandwa and so on. Slapping such serious charges on our people on flimsy grounds sends a very wrong signal to the community,” he says.In another incident, 22-year-old Mehbood Ali was booked in Sheopur district for a Facebook post in which he praised Pakistan’s bowling attack and spoke about celebrating their victory.HT
Muslim minors in Mussoorie held for shouting pro-Pakistan slogans after Champions Trophy final
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/muslim-minors-held-for-shouting-pro-pakistan-slogans-after-champions-trophy-final-4715559/
New Delhi: 3 minor boys were on Tuesday arrested for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans in Mussoorie after the ICC Champions Trophy final on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. The three minor Muslim boys were held after the locals lodged an FIR against them.The trio, who were allegedly calling out slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ after the Indian team lost ICC Champions Trophy final to Pakistan, were produced before a juvenile court. They have been sent to a juvenile home, according to SI Rajiv Routhen, who is probing the case. There is no further information on the case as the police refused to divulge into details saying that the accused were juveniles and nothing more can be said about them right now. In a similar instance, 3 Muslim boys were held in Khamaria village in Ujjain district for alleged pro-Pak sloganeering after the Champions Trophy final on Sunday night. indianexpress
Kerala BJP leader complains against Pakistan victory ‘celebrations’, 23 charged
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-bjp-leader-complains-against-pakistan-victory-celebrations-23-charged/story-t8JSn2khg7PSPJfHCgocSL.html
23 people, who allegedly celebrated Pakistan’s victory over India in the Champions Trophy cricket final, have been booked on various charges, including rioting and unlawful assembly, police said on Wednesday.Cases have been registered against Razaq, Masood, Siraj and 20 others of Kumbadaje panchayat on a complaint from a local BJP leader Rajesh Shetty, they said.In Kerala, police said, the group allegedly burst crackers and raised slogans in support of the Pakistani cricket team, which crushed India by 180 runs in the final at London on June 18 and lifted the coveted trophy.Police said cases for offences, including punishment for unlawful assembly, rioting and negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances under the Indian Penal Code, had been registered against the 23 people.No arrest has been made so far, police said, adding investigations were on to identify the 20 others.PTI
Kovind as President: Dalit activists Prakash Ambedkar, Mevani slam BJP
http://www.catchnews.com/amp/politics-news/ram-nath-kovind-as-president-dalit-activists-unimpressed-with-bjp-s-decision-66364.html
BJP's “masterstroke” in nominating Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit, as its presidential nominee, might not achieve the desired political results.Dalit activists are unimpressed by the move and many of them called it a political farce. They said that this was nothing but an attempt at symbolism given the recent cases of atrocities against Dalits in the country. Dalit community is one of the most marginalised communities in the country – having faced centuries of discrimination and oppression at the hands of Upper Castes. There is a perception that atrocities against Dalits have increased after BJP came to power at Centre. Violent incidents have taken place across the country – Mirchpur in Haryana, Una in Gujarat, Ahmadnagar in Maharashtra to name a few. UP , where Kovind hails from, has been a major flashpoint with Dalits being attacked in Mainpuri, Unnao, Sambhal and Saharanpur. In the Saharanpur alone, 2 people were killed and at least 40 injured in clashes between Dalits and Thakurs last month.Dalit leaders have expressed cynicism over the decision saying it only highlights the hypocrisy of the Govt .Jignesh Mevani, Dalit leader from Gujarat, told Catch, “This is not the first time the NDA Govt has appointed a President from a community that was under attack. For instance after the Gujarat riots in 2002, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was nominated as President by the NDA. This time they have done the same with Ram Nath Kovind.”He said this would be meaningless as far as the state of Dalits in the country is concerned. catchnews
Presidential polls: JD(U) supports Ram Nath Kovind’s nomination, to skip Opposition’s meeting
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-polls-jdu-to-support-ram-nath-kovinds-nomination-4715513/
In a big blow to the Opposition, JD-U today decided to back the NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind for President post. The JDU also decided to skip the opposition meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. “JD-U has decided to support Kovind in the presidential election. Since the party has decided to support the NDA nominee, there is no need to attend the meeting of the opposition parties convened by Congress President Sonia Gandhi,” JDU spokesman Rajiv Ranjan said. He also said that the party’s decision has been conveyed to Gandhi and Lalu Prasad, the chief of coalition partner RJD.JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi said, “We decided to extend support to NDA’s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind as his tenure as Governor had been peaceful.” Earlier on Wednesday, there were reports that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had told the party lawmakers to vote for Kovind in the upcoming presidential election on July 17.The JD-U decision came as a shock for the 17-party front led by Congress which is meeting in New Delhi on Thursday to decide on its strategy in the Presidential election, most probably putting up a candidate in what the Left parties called an “ideological battle”. It remains to be seen whether BSP, which has also said that it cannot oppose a Dalit candidate unless the opposition has a more popular Dalit nominee, attends the opposition meeting. indianexpress
Presidential poll: Lalu to support Opposition candidate
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/presidential-election-2017-lalu-prasad-yadav-to-support-opposition-candidate-3731593.html
Patna: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said his party will go with other opposition parties in their choice for a presidential candidate."We will go with the decision of opposition parties, which will meet in New Delhi on Thursday," he said.Lalu brushed aside questions on the JD(U) extending support to NDA's pick for the president's post, former Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind.PTI
Saudi imposes family tax: It will hit Indians hard
http://www.financialexpress.com/money/saudi-imposes-family-tax-here-is-how-it-will-hit-indians-hard/729187/
Expats, including Indians, living in Saudi Arabia seem to be a worried lot today. After all, the Saudi govt’s plan to introduce an ‘expat levy’ from July 2017, with charges of up to SR800 per worker to be phased in by 2020, is going to cost them heavily, which many of them may be unable to bear. In 2017 itself, each dependent of expats will incur a monthly fee of Saudi Riyal (SR) 100 from July onwards, which will increase every year until 2020. The levy on expat workers will also be gradually revised upwards from next year, providing an additional impetus for employers to hire more Saudis.“When Saudi Arabia borrowed (first time in the recent history) for their annual budget last year, one thing was clear — All is not well with this oil producing country which not only survived but thrived steadily with the boom in oil prices until 2014. After the US companies started production of Shale oil, the crude oil prices have nosedived and are hovering near USD45 per barrel,” says Atul Surana, Certified Financial Planner, Catalyst Financial Planning.Experts say that the fortune of the Saudi govt is shrinking with the falling crude oil prices. As the saying goes – ‘Adversity is the mother of wisdom,’ the Saudi Govt is inventing a way out of this misfortune. “Plan to introduce an ‘expat levy’ from 2017 was confirmed during the recent budget announcement, with charges of up to SR800 per worker to be phased in by 2020. Companies currently pay a levy of SR200 per month per expat employee, but only for expat employees that exceed the number of Saudi employees.But that will be gradually increased from next year, the govt’s “Fiscal Balance Program – Balanced Budget 2020” document shows,” says Surana. Financial Express
Donald Trump effect in Saudi ? Indian immigrant’s dream can go sour with new levy plan
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59255074.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Intelligence agencies claim Maoist, Islamic radical support behind people's protests in Kerala:India Today
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-intelligence-agencies-maoist-islamic-radical/1/982868.html
Maoists and Islamic radical groups have agreed to be a part of a game plan in Kerala- discrediting CPI(M) led Left Front Govt by exploiting people's unrest against developmental projects. According to a state intelligence report, Maoist sympathizers and Islamic radical groups are actively associating with raging people's protests raging in the state."A group of extremists act as think-tanks and protest managers under the cover of social activists. They are using social media platforms for the misinformation campaign against police and Govt and instigating social action against developmental projects. We have identified some of them and are monitoring their activities," a senior police official in state intelligence wing said. According to the senior police official, the "invisible presence" of the extremist group was noted first within Pempilai Orumai, an all women plantation workers solidarity, during protests in Munnar and later against GAIL pipeline projects in Malappuram and Kasargod. "Police arrested J. Manoj, a former plantation worker who has suspected links with Maoist ultras on June 15.Manoj was one of key campaigners of Pempilai Orumai protests. He has links with banned organizations in Tamil Nadu and with Maoist leaders operating in Kerala. We started scanning his movements and operations after we found huge money transactions through his bank accounts from unknown sources," senior police official revealed.
Fake handles with Muslim names defend Raj CM on Zafar’s death
https://www.thequint.com/news/2017/06/20/fake-twitter-handles-defend-vasundhara-raje-zafar-khan-death
A tweet by Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje over the death of a man allegedly lynched by civic officials has generated a new controversy with several fake Twitter accounts speaking in defence of the state Govt .Civic body officials in Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh have denied that they assaulted Zafar Khan on 16 June, leading to his death, after he objected to them taking photographs of women defecating in the open, the Indian Express reported. Khan’s death has sparked concerns about growing incidents of locals taking law and order into their hands.The word ‘demise’ was also used by IG Police Udaipur’s handle @igpoliceudaipur, which BOOM made a few calls and verified as a legitimate account.Raje’s 18 June tweet, which received 388 replies at the time of writing this story, received many angry responses, most of which criticised her for using the word ‘demise’, which implied that Zafar Khan died of natural causes, a statement corroborated by local police to BOOM. Anand Shrivastava, IG of Police, Udaipur Range, told BOOM that police had set up a medical board comprising five doctors, who ruled that Zafar Khan died due to cardio respiratory failure.Aashif Khan kept replying to Raje’s tweet, arguing with others who replied on the thread and insisted that Zafar Khan’s death was caused by a heart attack.However, Aashif Khan is a fake account that has stolen a picture of Sandeep Amar, Chief Executive of Indian Express Digital. BOOM found a Nov.2012 article that carried Sandeep Amar’s image. We contacted Amar, who confirmed that his picture has been misused and that he reached out to Twitter to take appropriate action against the account.A second fake account named ‘Juned Khan’ tweeting in favour of Raje’s Govt was also spotted. The account has misused a picture of one Sandeep Biswas, faculty at Central University of Jharkhand. Biswas was not immediately available to comment. More fake accounts were spotted by other users on Twitter who called out their bluff.Boomlive / The Quint
Pratapgarh Congress leaders meet DM, demand arrest of accused, compensation for Zafar Khan's family
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/pratapgarh-congress-leaders-meet-dm-demand-arrest-of-accused-compensation-for-zafar-khans-family?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Jaipur: A delegation of Congress leaders of Pratapgarh district in Rajasthan met the District Magistrate or Collector on Monday and demanded arrest and prosecution of the accused named in the FIR for the killing of social activist Zafar Khan.Despite police lodging named FIR against the assaulters with murder charges soon after the incident, no arrests have been made, nor has the victim family got any compensation from the district authorities or Govt .In the FIR lodged by Khan's elder brother Noor Mohammed, civic employees called Kamal Harijan, Ritesh Harijan, Manish Harijan and municipal commissioner Ashok Jain were made accused.IndiaTomorrow
Yoga Day: Farmers perform ‘Shavasana’ - a corpse pose, block roads to demand relief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/international-yoga-day-farmers-perform-shavasana-block-roads-to-demand-relief/story-nKQBpgCfjhZwPdSGCFQbDJ.html
Bhopal/Mumbai/Dehradun: A farm crisis sweeping several states left its mark on the International Yoga Day celebrations on Wednesday as several politicians used the occasion to send a message about the agricultural distressFarmers and MP Congress leaders performed ‘Shavasana’ (a corpse pose) in different programmes to protest against CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, whom they hold responsible for the death of five farmers in police firing in Mandsaur two weeks ago.In Bhopal, a group of farmers under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh headed by Shivkumar Sharma ‘Kakkaji’ performed Shavasana.In UP where CM Yogi Adityanath approved a loan waiver 2 months ago, hundreds of farmers blocked roads and highways to perform shavasana.The members of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) and their supporters demanded immediate compensation for the families of farmers killed in Madhya Pradesh.“ We selected shavasana because we wanted to show the Govt that farmers are reduced merely into a dead body if they are not treated well. Farmer don’t deserve bullets if they demand good rates or loan waiver ,” said Bhartiya Kisan Union’s Alok Varma.A group of farmers with BKU blocked the traffic on the Delhi- Dehradun highway in Daurala area on Wednesday by. Dharmendra Malik, the Union’s spokesperson said that the farmers also performed Yoga on Delhi- Saharanpur- Hardwar highway at Chutmalpur in district Saharanpur, Mansoorpur, Rampur Tiraha, Lalukheri and Budhana in district Muzaffarnagar, Hapur chungi in Hapur and many other locations on different highways.HT
Some Muslim youngsters in MP practise yoga, delink it from religion:HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/muslim-youngsters-in-madhya-pradesh-practise-yoga-delink-it-from-religion/story-heFASNgrB6MI5kDAyczfJI.html
Bhopal:While most Muslims object to practising yoga on the ground that it is anti-Islamic, a group of youth from the community in Bhopal is doing the asanas, saying it is wrong to see everything through the religious prism.For these youngsters, yoga is just an exercise to become strong, shlokas are just sayings in Sanskrit and the word Om is just an official term.16-year-old Gulnaz (name changed) feels that neither is her religion Islam so insecure that it could be affected by just a morning exercise called yoga nor is Hinduism so small that it can be taught during a 15-minute yoga.For Sahista Bano (21), a student of MLB College, Bhopal, who has been practising yoga for three years, it is the best way to keep her mind ‘fresh’.Engineering student Zaidul Haq, who hails from Sheopur district, is another yoga enthusiast who has no problems chanting shlokas starting with ‘Om’. hindustantimes
India is Afghanistan’s most reliable partner: Pentagon
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-is-afghanistan-s-most-reliable-partner-pentagon-report/story-74vISvQMjJtnRAjE5wt5xI.html
India is Afghanistan’s most reliable regional partner, the Pentagon has said in its latest Afghan report, the first under the Trump administration.“India is providing significant training opportunities for Afghan officers and enlisted personnel. Approximately 130 Afghans travel to India each year to attend various military academy and commissioning programs,” it said in 6- monthly report to the US Congress.“India is Afghanistan’s most reliable regional partner and the largest contributor of development assistance in region, including civil development projects such as the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam and the Afghan parliament building,” Pentagon added.HT
Diplomatic efforts underway to initiate Indo-Pak talks:UN
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/diplomatic-efforts-underway-to-initiate-indo-pak-dialogue-un-117062100444_1.html
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has assured that diplomatic efforts are underway to re-initiate a dialogue between India and Pakistan for resolving the decades-old Kashmir dispute. Guterres said that he met PM Nawaz Sharif thrice and Indian PM Narendra Modi twice to bring them to the negotiating table, Radio Pakistan reported. He expressed concern over the escalating tensions between the 2 countries amid repeated violations on the Line of Control.ANI
Pak Abdul Basit hints at ‘rethink’ in Kulbhushan case
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-s-abdul-basit-hints-at-rethink-in-kulbhushan-jadhav-case/story-lc3KqHZKWPkOrSMtyBETmK.html
New Delhi:Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit has said that there is “room for rethink” in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, and confirmed that Pakistan will not carry out his death sentence until the hearing in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is over.In an interview to The Hindu, Basit said Pakistan would like the process in the ICJ to be over quickly, “but until (it does), we are committed”. The case pertains to the death sentence awarded by a Pakistani military court in April to the former Indian Navy officer, Jadhav, for alleged involvement in “spying” and “subversive activities”. Hindustantimes
SIMI undertrials :Abu Faisal told me he is being tortured, says wife
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/abu-faisal-told-me-he-is-being-tortured-says-wife/articleshow/59242553.cms
Bhopal: "My daughter has met her father just 15-20 times in her entire life", said Afia, wife of alleged SIMI man Abu Faisal. Humna, 5-year-old daughter of Faisal, had also come along with her mother to meet her father at Bhopal Central Jail, during the visit of NHRC team on Tuesday. The team has come to Bhopal Central Jail to probe allegations of the kin of jailed SIMI activists that they are being tortured and deprived of their basic rights, post the jail-break that took place last year."We got married in 2011 and few months later my husband was arrested. Humna was born in Jan. 2012, when her father was in jail. Since then, she has only met him four times in a year, i.e., on Rakhi, Bhaiduj, Bakar Eid and Eid. Apart from it, she has only seen him from behind the bars at meeting rooms of the jail. Today also she came with a wish to meet 'Abbu'," Afia told TOI. "When I met him on June 10, he told me that he is being tortured," Afiya said.Apart from Afiya, kin of almost all the 21 alleged SIMI men were present during the hearing. Wife of one of the accused Mohammed Jubair said, "He never tells me, but by seeing him I get the feeling that he is not being given food. He has lost his weight drastically." Samething was said by Jarina Bee, mother of one of the accused Mohammed Habeeb. "I saw my son seven months ago, but see his condition now". timesofindia
SIMI undertrials allege torture in Bhopal jail, National Human Rights Commission pays a visit
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/simi-undertrials-bhopal-central-jail-human-rights-commission/1/983400.html
VHP slams panel’s plan to set up helpline for minorities
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vhp-slams-commission-s-plan-to-set-up-helpline-for-minorities/story-bbelmh1c9j3EeoefMvnFZP.html
New Delhi: Hardline hindutva outfit, VHP, has objected to a proposal by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) to start a helpline for minorities in distress.At its meeting earlier this month, chaired by the newly appointed chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasn Rizvi, the NCM had decided to expedite the process of setting up the helpline, which could be used by minorities to register complaints against atrocities and communal violence.RSS-affiliate has however slammed the decision and dubbed it as one that will "foster separatism". Surendra Jain, the joint general secretary of VHP said NCM's move will strengthen the feelings of separatism in the Muslim community and demanded the setting up of a “majority commission”. VHP leader said the NCM must answer whether only Muslims in the country are victims of communal violence. NCM chief could not be reached for his comment.HT
Now, Aadhaar mandatory for TB patients seeking govt cash benefits
https://thewire.in/149709/aadhaar-manadatory-tb-cash-benefits/
New Delhi: Union health ministry has made Aadhaar a compulsory document for tuberculosis patients availing treatment under the Govt ’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). According to the Govt notification, “An individual eligible to receive the benefit under the Scheme, is hereby, required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication.”The notification says that the scheme offers conditional cash assistance as a benefit. The beneficiaries include TB patients, private healthcare providers and treatment supporters. RNTCP says it aims to provide “universal access to tuberculosis care.” India has 2.8 million cases of TB as of the data from 2015. This data was in fact revised by the WHO because India had been under-reporting TB. In 2015 alone, 6.1 million new TB cases were reported to the WHO as India had been reporting only 59% of TB cases until then. thewire
Woman who chopped off swami’s penis is under pressure from Sangh Parivar, says boyfriend
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/woman-who-chopped-swami-s-penis-under-pressure-sangh-parivar-says-boyfriend-63910
A few days ago, there was a shocking development in the case where a young law student from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala chopped off the penis of a self-styled godman, Sreehari alias Ganeshananda Theerthapada. Aparna* (not her real name) changed her statement in the letter dated June 12, saying that Sreehari had never sexually abused her in the years they had known each other.Now, in another shocking twist, a man filed a habeas corpus petition in the Kerala High Court on Monday, seeking for her to be released from ‘forceful confinement’. The man who has filed the petition is 35-year-old Ayyappadas, native Kottarakkara, Kollam.Interestingly, according to Aparna, Ayyappadas was the one who had soured the relationship between her and Sreehari and also hatched the plan for the godman to be framed. Aparna, in a letter written to Sreehari’s lawyer on 12th June had said that Ayyappadas, who was Sreehari’s disciple, had mislead her and asked her to chop off Sreehari’s penis.In his petition, Ayyappadas claims that Aparna was forced to write the letter where she states that she was not raped by Sreehari.“Even in the conversation that Aparna had with Ajith, telecasted in some TV channels, it can be seen that there is manipulated version to help the Swami. The phone call also throws serious doubt about the genuineness of the same. These are attempts to save the criminal from the prosecution,” petition adds. thenewsminute
Darjeeling unrest 12 Muslim clerics stranded
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/darjeeling-unrest-12-muslim-clerics-stranded/articleshow/59234455.cms
Darjeeling: Even as supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) are protesting on the streets of Darjeeling and security forces are continuing to patrol areas, the region is reeling under the fallout of the protests.Muslim clerics on religious tour have been left stranded in the hills."For the last four days, we couldn't arrange proper food and water after finishing Ramazan prayer, a cleric told Ei Samay .He also said that they want to return to Delhi as soon as possible but in current situation it won't be that easy.On Monday, 12 clerics prayed in front of Darjeeling DSP's office to draw attention of police as well as locals."We had filed a written request to Police for help in leaving the hills but they didn't respond," Mohammad Kashem, a Muslim cleric, told media."As we are unable to acquire proper food and water, we will die if this continues for few more days," he added. Another Muslim cleric, Faizal Ahmed said, "During Ramazan, we make religious trips to various parts of the country.But we have not seen such a violence anywhere." Meanwhile, police has now decided to shift the clerics to Siliguri for safety till the situation normalises. timesofindia
Instant Talaq un-Islamic,even we did away it:Ex PakCJ
http://www.news18.com/news/india/instant-talaq-un-islamic-even-we-did-away-with-it-former-pakistan-cj-1438997.html
New Delhi: As India looks forward to the landmark verdict in the triple talaq case from the constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar next month, one point of law that was repeatedly highlighted in front of the bench was how many Islamic nations had done away with the practice of instant divorce and one country which found prominent mention was Pakistan. Ex- and 23rd Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, who was also the lone dissenting judge in the landmark verdict where he held military courts to be unconstitutional, spoke to News18 from Lahore and said that “triple talaq was never a part of pure Islamic history and was not considered valid as per Islamic law.”“Instant talaq or triple talaq has not been considered valid in Islam and it is not considered to be the best form of divorce under Islamic law. If you look at what jurists have opined in the 1000-year old history that it was never acceptable and it has never been the most accepted of talaq in any era of Islamic history,” said the former Chief Justice of Pakistan. The procedure of Talaq in Pakistan is governed by a statutory enactment under section 7 of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance, 1961, which states that husband pronounces talaq (orally or by way of Deed of Divorce) and sends written notice by registered post to the Union Council (UC), mentioning address of his wife.Thereafter, the concerned UC sends a copy of the notice to wife by registered post and it constitutes arbitration Council within 30 days of receipt of notice. Once the iddat period (90 days from the date the UC receiving the talaq notice) is over, the UC issues a certificate of talaq. News18.com
Muslim Boy bags top rank in Kerala Engineering Exam
http://twocircles.net/2017jun20/411711.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Shafil Maheen from Kozhikode bagged the first rank in the Kerala Engineering Entrance Examination results announced on Tuesday. He secured first rank by scoring 587.1312 marks. Shafil, a student of Rays Public School, Kozhikode is the son of KA Niyas and Dr.Shamjitha of BP Angadi in Tirur of Malappuram district.Shafil, whose favourite subject is maths, said hard work helped him win the rank. TCN
He’s an RTI activist, not a terrorist: Why Bhatkalis believe Afaq Lanka’s arrest is a case of mistaken identity
http://twocircles.net/2017jun20/411678.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
While Shabbir Gangauli’s acquittal is a case of justice delivered albeit after nine years of torture, there are many Bhatkal residents who continue to languish in jail. Four such people were arrested over four days in the second week of Jan 2015. However, as locals allege, these arrests reek of conspiracy and are shrouded in controversies. In the second of the nine-part series, Amit Kumar meets the family and friends of one of the arrested, Syed Afaq Lanka, and investigates why his arrested came as such a shock to the residents of Bhatkal.On Jan 7, 2015, 35-year-old Syed Ismael Afaq Lanka walked into the office of the Karnataka Information Commission in Bangalore regarding an RTI that he had filed. A homoeopathic doctor by profession, Lanka had been trying to follow up on an issue related to his hometown of Bhatkal. He met the concerned authorities and went home. Lanka was well-known for his social work and his medical work back home, even though he had moved to Bangalore with his wife, kids and parents a year ago.A day later, at, the Bangalore Police announced that Afaq and his cousin Abdus had been arrested from Bangalore. Both of them were identified as IM operatives who were the main suppliers of explosives for blasts across the country and were said to be close to Reyaz Shahbandri alias Reyaz Bhatkal. But as is often the case with these arrests, there is more than what meets the eye.TCN
Hindu cannot be terrorist, there is nothing called Hindu terror: Haryana minister Anil Vij
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindu-cannot-be-terrorist-there-is-nothing-called-hindu-terror-haryana-minister-anil-vij-4715414/
New Delhi :Hitting out at the Congress party for coining the term Hindu terrorism, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said, “A Hindu can never be a terrorist and the term was used by the grand old party for taking political mileage.” In reference to terror attacks in past, Vij said that “those belonging to Pakistan were let off and people from India were arrested and were labelled as Hindu terrorists.”He added that “there cannot be a terminology as Hindu terrorism because a Hindu can only end terrorism from the world”. He also said that with the rising cases of terror attacks involving Muslims, the Congress wanted terrorism cases against Hindus too for political benefits. indianexpress
Resident doctor at AMU college 'rapes' minor
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/resident-doc-at-amu-college-rapes-minor/articleshow/59239582.cms
Agra: A minor was allegedly raped on the pretext of marriage by a resident doctor pursuing MDS in Dr Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College of AMU.Police have registered a case against the accused doctor Shadab under IPC section 376 (rape) and ¾ of POCSO Act. SI Israr Ahmad of police outpost under Civil Lines jurisdiction said, "A 17-year-old girl of Dodhpur area has given a written complaint against Dr Shadab accusing him of raping her on the pretext of marriage." "According to the girl, the two became friends a few weeks back when she came for tooth scan. The doctor gave his number and even visited the girl's house to meet her parents. He offered her to give tuitions to her for medical entrance exams. Later, he cheated her on the promise of marriage. Soon, the doctor's wife came to know about the duo's relationship. It was after the doctor's wife's call, the teenager and her parents came to know about the doctor's marital status," he added. timesofindia
Nagpur: Muslims get involved in charity works for Ramzan
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/city-muslims-get-involved-in-charity-works-for-ramzan/articleshow/59242507.cms
Nagpur: Apart from the daily roza and iftaar during ramzan, several social activities and charity work related to education, health and setting up of businesses, is undertaken by Muslims, not only at organizational level, but also at a personal level. "Under Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, we are collecting cash from various people and we will be distributing it to the poor people after Ramzan," said Nazimuddin Ghazi, professor of Qidwai Junior College, Teka. The organization is also engaged in distribution of kits comprising wheat, oil, rice and other essentials to the needy. Total of 600 families have received the kit in areas such as Mankapur, Jaffer Nagar Ring Road and Taj Nagar. A part of the collected money is circulated to the Maharashtra as well as Delhi branches, informs Zeba Khan, member of the ladies wing of Jamaat. Individually, Ghazi has also donated cash and food grains to relatives and acquaintances. "My focus is also to help those who want to set up a small business," he says, adding that he has helped nearly 15 homes so far in areas such as Jaffer Nagar and Ahbab Colony based on each family's financial conditions.TOI
To check ISIS radicalisation online, Maharashtra ATS comes up with a video: india today
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharashtra-ats-video-to-check-isis-online-radicalisation/1/983771.html
Mumbai:In a first, the Maharashtra ATS has created a video aimed at making parents aware about the dangers of online radicalisation. The video, which India Today has accesed, has is part of a campaign that the ATS plans to run with the help of celebrities.The video begins with a set of parents talking about the high hopes they have of their son and how they believe that the extended hours he spends on the internet will help him become an engineer.The parents express happiness that their son is always on his laptop, browsing the internet. Cutaways, however, show the boy coming across videos tutoring youth on how to make bombs.The video also shows the boy transferring funds to 'SYRIA', which viewers are presumably supposed to under to mean the Islamic State.
Farmers unite to get back cattle ‘seized’ by gau rakshaks
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/farmers-unite-to-get-back-cattle-seized-by-gau-rakshaks/article19110486.ece
Tumakuru:Nearly a month after failing to get their cattle back from gau rakshaks who had ‘seized’ the animals from them on May 25 and later filed a complaint claiming that the animals were being transported for slaughter, six farmers staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tumakuru on Tuesday. Members of the RPI also lent their support to the protest.During investigation, the police had shifted the cows to the Dhyan Foundation Gaurakshak Trust in M.H. Patna in Gubbi taluk. And though the farmers were able to prove that they had purchased the cows for dairy purposes, the Trust is now demanding ₹1.7 lakh fees for looking after the 39 head of cattle. The farmers from Belagavi had travelled to Erode in Tamil Nadu to purchase 37 Jersey cows and two buffaloes for dairy purposes. All the animals were pregnant. On the return journey, as they passed through Tumakuru, around 200 gaurakshaks from the Bhagat Kranthi Sene stopped the two lorries in which the cattle were being transported. They allegedly attacked the farmers and the lorry drivers, and took the cattle to the local police station. thehindu
How ‘Gau bhakshaks’ float cows from India to Bangladesh
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/how-gau-bhakshaks-float-cows-from-india-to-bangladesh/729470/
New Delhi:Cow smuggling: At a time when the government has launched a crackdown on cattle smuggling in the country, a report has exposed how smugglers are using the most cruel way to transport cows from Assam to Bangladesh via river Brahmaputra. India Today TV has exposed that cow smugglers in district Dhubri of Assam tie the legs of the animal to wood logs and raft them across the river to the neighbouring country. The smugglers do so in a bid to dodge security forces.Locals told that channel that everyday the smugglers transport around 300-400 cows by this way. The cows are also marked with symbols to make it easy to identify for traders across the border. However, many cows die in the process. financialexpress
UP: One killed as Dalits, Jats clash in Meerut
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/618469/one-killed-dalits-jats-clash.html
Lucknow:Before it could heal from the sectarian violence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh was once again rocked by clashes in Meerut district, leaving one person dead and around two dozen injured. Police sources said Dalit and Jat communities clashed in Gejha village on Monday night over a trivial issue. A Jat youth reportedly made an objectionable remark about a Dalit man, prompting members of the community to attack the Jat’s house.Tension heightened in the village after Pintu Chaudhary, a Jat youth who was severely injured in the clashes, died in a hospital late on Monday night.Two persons have been arrested in connection with the killing and security personnel have been deployed in large numbers to prevent further clashes. Senior police and civil officials have also rushed to the village to monitor the situation. A few weeks ago, the neighbouring Saharanpur district had also witnessed large-scale clashes between Dalits and Thakurs that left three people dead and scores others injured. deccanherald
Alleged rape of Dalit in Gujarat's Banaskantha: ‘Police diluted rape case to sexual harassment’
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/police-diluted-rape-case-to-sexual-harassment-4714360/
Ahmedabad:Patidar and Dalit leaders on Tuesday accused Banaskantha police of not registering a case regarding rape of an 18-year-old at Bural village in the district. They claimed the police diluted the complaint of rape by filing an FIR for sexual harassment. Jignesh Mevani of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch (RDAM), Reshma Patel and Chirag Patel of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) in a joint press conference here brought the Dalit girl and claimed that she was raped on June 10 when she went out to relieve herself in the open.
Replace ‘SC’ with ‘Dalit’in official communications:Guj min
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/replace-sc-with-dalit-in-official-communications-gujarat-minister-4714100/
Ahmedabad;Gujarat Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Atmaram Parmar has asked officials of his department not to use the word ‘Dalit’ and replace it with ‘Scheduled Castes’ while drafting and issuing any official communication in the future.Parmar, a prominent Dalit face of the BJP dispensation in Gujarat, claimed that this change was necessary to avoid any confusion while communicating with the Centre. He also said the word Dalit was no longer preferred by the community, as several representations have been made, urging the government to avoid using the word in official communications, such as circulars, orders and notifications.PTI
WORLD
King Salman removes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, appoints his son Mohammed as next Crown Prince
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/saudi-arabia-appoints-king-salman-son-crown-prince-170621033707437.html
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has appointed his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as heir, in a major reshuffle announced today.A royal decree removed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, a 57-year-old nephew of the king, as next-in-line to the throne and replaced him with Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who was previously the deputy crown prince. According to the official Saudi Press Agency,newly-announced crown prince was also named deputy PM and maintained his post as defence minister.The former crown prince was also fired from his post as interior minister, the decree said. The series of decrees also amended Article V of the kingdom's statute of ruling, stipulating that from now on only the sons and grandsons of the founding King Faisal Al Saud can be kings and crown princes. The decision by King Salman to promote his son and consolidate his power was endorsed by 31 out of 34 members of the Allegiance Council, the decree said.The council is made up of senior members of the ruling Al Saud family.The Saudi king called for a public pledging of allegiance to the new crown prince early on Wednesday, the channel said. Mohammed bin Nayef promptly vowed loyalty to his successor after the decree. Some royal observers had long suspected Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power under his father's reign might also accelerate his ascension to the throne. The young prince was little known to Saudis and outsiders before Salman became king in Jan.2015. He had previously been in charge of his father's royal court when Salman was the crown prince.Over the weekend, the king had issued a decree restructuring Saudi Arabia's system for prosecutions that stripped Mohammed bin Nayef of longstanding powers overseeing criminal investigations.Instead King Salman ordered that a newly-named Office of Public Prosecution and prosecutor report directly to the monarch.Mohammed bin Nayef was not believed to have played a significant role in Saudi and UAE-led efforts to isolate Qatar for its alleged support of Islamist groups and ties with Iran.The prince had appeared to be slipping from public eye as his cousin, Mohammed bin Salman, embarked on major overseas visits, including a trip to the White House to meet President Donald Trump in March.That visit to Washington helped lay the foundation for Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia in May, which marked the president's first overseas visit.The trip was promoted heavily by the kingdom as proof of its weight in the region and wider Muslim world. Despite Mohammed bin Salman's ambitions, which include overhauling the kingdom's economy away from its reliance on oil, the prince has faced criticism for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which he oversees as defence minister.The newly-minted crown prince also ruled out any chance of dialogue with Iran.In remarks aired on Saudi TV in May, Mohammed bin Salman framed the tensions with Iran in sectarian terms and said it is Iran's goal "to control the Islamic world" and to spread its Shia doctrine.He also vowed to take "the battle" to Iran. aljazeera
Saudi king's son Mohammed is new crown prince
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40351578
Saudi king ousts nephew to name son as first in line to throne
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/21/saudi-king-upends-tradition-by-naming-son-as-first-in-line-to-throne
Decoding the 'soft coup' that makes Mohammed bin Salman most powerful man in Saudi
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59256443.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Qatar deposits billions into local banks to prevent cash shortage
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170620-qatar-deposits-billions-into-local-banks-to-prevent-cash-shortage/
Qatar’s national wealth fund, which is the region’s largest lender, has deposited billions of dollars into local banks.Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) made the deposit following the withdrawal of funds by banks from neighbouring Arab countries that have imposed a blockade on the gas-rich Gulf nation.Local Qatari banks were shored up by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund as the standoff between the Gulf countries begin to effect the amount of liquid assets available to residents. QIA was forced to deposit billions of dollars of cash, reported Gulf News, as lenders of some banks in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain started withdrawing funds from the country. The banks, according to the source, did not want to be identified and the exact amount remains unclear. middleeastmonitor
US questions real motives behind Gulf blockade on Qatar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/mystified-gulf-states-position-qatar-170620185107951.html
US state dept says it is "mystified" that Gulf states have not released details of the claims they are making against Qatar, more than two weeks after they imposed a blockade on the country and cut ties with it. Heather Nauert, spokesperson for the state department, said in a press briefing on Tuesday that the more time goes by, "the more doubt is raised" about the anti-Qatar measures imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their allies."At this point, we are left with one simple question: Were the actions really about their concerns regarding Qatar's alleged support for terrorism or were they about the long-simmering grievances between and among GCC countries," she said, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council. aljazeera
Sartaz Aziz says Pakistan's ex-army chief Raheel Shariff is in Saudi on his own, can't be recalled
http://www.firstpost.com/world/sartaz-aziz-says-pakistans-former-army-chief-raheel-shariff-is-in-saudi-arabia-on-his-own-cant-be-recalled-3731801.html
Islamabad: Adviser to the Pakistan PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday told Parliament that former army chief General Raheel Shariff had taken command of the 41-nation Saudi-led military coalition in his personal capacity and cannot be recalled.The adviser was briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on the on-going diplomatic rift in the Middle East that began after Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Yemen and the Maldives severed their ties with Qatar, Dawn news.IANS
Israel to go all out if war breaks out with Lebanon:air force chief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/israel-to-go-all-out-if-war-breaks-out-with-lebanon-says-air-force-chief/story-vyQ2CPxuiA52tw36QqND8H.html
Israel would use all its strength from the start in any new war with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the Israeli air force chief said on Wednesday, sending a firm warning a decade after their last conflict.At annual Herzliya security conference near Tel Aviv, Maj Gen Amir Eshel said qualitative and quantitative improvements in the air force since the 2006 Lebanon war meant it could carry out in just two or three days the same number of bombings it mounted in those 34 days of fighting.“If war breaks out in the north, we have to open with all our strength from the start,” he said, pointing to the likelihood of international pressure for a quick ceasefire before Israel can achieve all its strategic goals.Israeli politicians and generals have spoken often of an intention to hit hard in Lebanon if war breaks out, in an apparent bid to deter Hezbollah. Reuters
UN: Israel ties with armed Syrian groups are ‘concern’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170621-un-israel-relations-with-armed-syrian-groups-are-a-concern/
Increasing contact between Israeli armed forces and militants fighting in Syria has become a cause for concern for the UN, a recent report by the organisation suggests.Issued by the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which maintains the ceasefire between Syria and Israel in the occupied Golan, the report said interactions between Israeli forces and militants could lead to escalations and cause harm to members of the UNDOF deployed to the Golan Heights.The report stated: “Relative to the previous reporting period, there has been a significant increase in interaction between Israel Defence Forces soldiers and individuals from the Bravo side [Syrian].”In total, UNDOF observers confirmed 16 interactions between Israeli forces and unknown individuals during the reporting period. “Occurring on four occasions in February, three in March, eight in April and on one occasion in May,” the report said.It added:"Unknown individuals, armed and unarmed, accompanied by mules, approached the Israel Defence Forces position and were met by and interacted with Israel Defence Forces personnel. In some instances personnel and supplies were observed to have been transferred in both directions. On all occasions, the unknown individuals and mules returned to the Bravo side."While UNDOF observers said that they cannot confirm or verify the nature of the interactions mentioned, “as previously reported by UNDOF, there is a concern that such interaction heightens the risk of clashes between the armed groups and the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.” middleeastmonitor
Israel continues blockade on Palestinian town for 4th day
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170620-israel-continues-blockade-on-palestinian-town-for-fourth-day/
Israeli forces are continuing their strict siege on the town of Deir Abu Mish’al, west of occupied Ramallah, for the fourth day in a row following a stabbing attack by three residents of the town which led to killing an Israeli policewoman in Jerusalem on Friday.Imad Zahran, head of the town council, said the Israeli military forces continue to close the town’s entrances with concrete blocks, leaving Palestinian vehicles unable to leave or enter the town. “The residents are not allowed to use their cars to move to and from the town.”In an interview with Quds Press, Zahran said Israeli soldiers harass Palestinians in the town and subject them to field investigations. Soldiers also regularly raid the homes of residents in the middle of the night, he explained. middleeastmonitor
Finsbury Park: Right-wing extremists respond to attack on Muslims by urging UK to 'cast Islam out of country'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/finsbury-park-attack-muslims-islam-right-wing-extremists-response-uk-a7799901.html
Right-wing extremists have responded to the Finsbury Park terror attack by urging UK citizens to “rise up and cast Islam out of their country.”Extremists also sought to defend the attack, in which a van ploughed into Muslims after late-night Ramadan prayers, by claiming:“This is war …We have the right to fight back.”The social media posts were shown to The Independent amid anxieties that the British authorities are “way behind” the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by right wing extremists to radicalise followers online.Tell Mama, the anti-hate and Islamophobia group said that extremists are now covering their tracks by using untraceable mobile phones and (Virtual Private Network) VPN services that conceal their computer’s location – leaving the police unable to find them. They have also used less regulated social networks like the Russian-based VKontakte (VK) service to build up “spider’s web” networks of like-minded individuals who then support and radicalise each other. independent
FinsburyPark mosque: 100% rise in Islamophobia in UK
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/finsbury-park-mosque-chief-100-rise-in-islamophobia-in-uk/articleshow/59239627.cms
Top IS cleric Turki Binali killed in US-led airstrike in Syria
http://www.firstpost.com/world/top-islamic-state-cleric-turki-binali-killed-in-us-led-coalition-airstrike-in-syria-3729787.html
Beirut: US-led coalition said on Tuesday that it had killed the Islamic State group's self-proclaimed top cleric in an air strike in May on a Syrian town near the Iraqi border."Coalition forces killed Turki Binali, the self-proclaimed 'Grand Mufti' or chief cleric of Islamic State in an air strike on 31 May in Mayadeen, Syria", the coalition said in a statement,.AFP
Refugee Crisis: Desperate for shelter and food, kids including 4-yr-old forced into ‘survival sex’
http://www.siasat.com/news/refugee-crisis-desperate-shelter-food-kids-including-4-yr-old-forced-survival-sex-1202408/
In a mournful situation, refugee camps have been turned into prostitution camps by the Greeks, as smugglers in Greece, Italy and elsewhere in Europe are forcing refugees including children into prostitution to pay “debts”, while refugee children have started resorting to ‘survival sex’ after months of affliction to hunger and desperation for shelter and money or to raise money to leave Greece. “I told myself, ‘Look at yourself – you came to Europe, what was your aim?’ I am not doing this because I like it but I don’t have the money, I don’t have a choice,” said one of the refugee child forced into selling sex to survive in Greece.A four-year-old girl is among those raped in camps that were supposed to afford them protection.A study by Harvard University is warning of a “growing epidemic” of sexual exploitation and abuse in the country, which houses 62,000 asylum seekers stranded by the EU-Turkey deal and border closures through Europe. siasat
50 people killed in CAR's Bria despite ceasefire deal
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/dozens-killed-car-bria-ceasefire-170620214545920.html
Around 50 people have been killed in Bria, in the Central African Republic, when clashes broke out between rival armed factions despite the signing a day earlier of a truce deal, the mayor of the town has said.Bodies lay in the streets of Bria, around 580km northeast of the capital, Bangui, and dozens more people were treated for shotgun wounds after fighting erupted at dawn on Tuesday. "I can say there are around 50 dead. There are 42 bodies that were taken to the hospital. There are also bodies in the neighbourhoods that have not been picked up yet," Maurice Belikoussou, mayor of Bria, told the Reuters news agency.Witnesses said houses were looted and set on fire during the clashes. The medical charity Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, said it had already received 35 wounded by 9:30am (08:30 GMT) at the hospital it runs in the town. Most had been shot."We signed the agreement, but we have to defend ourselves, we can't allow an attack to happen without reacting," Djamil Babanani, spokesman for the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (FPRC), an armed rebel group formerly belonging to the Muslim Seleka coalition, told AFP. aljazeera
Marriage at the age of 14 is allowed in the US. New York State just banned it
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/new-york-states-bans-child-marriage-which-is-otherwise-permissible-in-the-united-states/
In America, marrying at the age of 14 is permissible. A Reuters report informs that between 2000 and 2010, about 1,70,000 children were married within the country – which was the data shared by anti-child marriage group, Unchained at Last. Within the state of New York itself, 3,800 children were wedded during that period.On Tuesday, the New York state made a historical move, declaring a ban on child marriages within the state. Underage marriages are allowed across the United States, provided there is parental consent. But the new state law has raised the legal age to marry from 14 years to 17 years, where adolescents can marry with the will of their parents and the court. indianexpress
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
The rise of Mohammed bin Salman: Alarm bells should be ringing; Jamal Elshayyal
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/something-rotten-state-saudi-1943008007#sthash.9rtImHj5.dpuf
Pity the poor, and pity poor Palestinians:Yvonne Ridley
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170621-pity-the-poor-and-pity-the-poor-palestinians/
If Emergency is declared, ‘President’ Kovind will happily sign it: Jignesh Mevani
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/2017/06/20/if-emergency-is-declared-president-ram-nath-kovind-will-happily-sign-it-jignesh-mevani
Multiple fake videos circulated on social media claiming Indian Muslims celebrated Pakistan’s victory:Pratik Sinha https://www.altnews.in/multiple-fake-videos-circulated-social-media-claiming-indian-muslims-celebrated-pakistans-victory/
L K Advani would have been the most fitting Sangh Parivar choice for the post:Karan Thapar
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-man-who-wont-be-president-ram-nath-kovind-lal-krishna-advani-4714096/
Good bye, Mr Advani:Zafar Agha
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/2017/06/20/good-bye-lk-advani-presidential-elections-rss-modi
Facts Don't Back Argument That Most Indian Muslims Wanted Partition:86% of adult Muslims in British India did not even have the right to vote:Rupa Subramanya
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/rupa-subramanya/facts-dont-back-the-argument-that-most-indian-muslims-wanted-pa_a_22488885/
Ram Nath Kovind: An RSS favourite who believes in ‘Sewa, Sadhana & Sambodhi’:Vasudha Venugopal
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59225673.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
PM Modi’s choice of gifts for foreign dignitaries will surely surprise Yogi Adityanath; Sam Jawed -
https://www.altnews.in/pm-modis-choice-gifts-foreign-dignitaries-will-surely-surprise-yogi-adityanath/?utm_content=buffer43538&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
What Really Goes on at the All India Hindu Conference?Sneha Vakharia
https://thewire.in/149477/all-india-hindu-conference/
From WikiLeaks, a Glimpse Into Ram Nath Kovind’s Views on Discrimination Against Dalits: Ajoy Ashirwad Mahaprashasta
https://thewire.in/149571/wikileaks-ram-nath-kovind-discrimination-dalits-sangh-parivar/
Modi govt – a massive failure in providing jobs: Deepak
http://thenewsexpress.co/unemployment-report-india/
Facebook and Twitter are being used to manipulate public opinion – report, The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/19/social-media-proganda-manipulating-public-opinion-bots-accounts-facebook-twitter?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+AUS+v1+-+AUS+morning+mail+callout&utm_term=231409&subid=20218295&CMP=ema_632
As India’s Economic Indicators Slump, FDI Inflows Have Never Looked Better. Why?Nilanjan Banik, Khanindra Chandra Das
https://thewire.in/149210/indias-economic-indicators-slump-fdi-inflows-never-looked-better/
Arresting those cheering Pakistan team on sedition charges is ridiculous: Sarthak Ray
http://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/arresting-those-cheering-pakistan-team-on-sedition-charges-is-ridiculous/729612/
Charging people with sedition for raising ‘pro-Pakistan’ slogans is ridiculous: HT EDITORIALS
http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/charging-people-with-sedition-for-raising-pro-pakistan-slogans-is-ridiculous/story-5mr06JMxrYoWIWsSwH8PDI.html
No fatwa to eat wife: How fake news mills are used to fan hatred for Muslims:Reyaz M
http://www.dailyo.in/variety/fatwa-fake-news-muslims-islamophobia-whatsapp/story/1/17930.html
Hundred days of Yogi Adityanath and Muslims: Challenging times ahead; Faisal Fareed, TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jun21/411723.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:13 PM)
