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Evening NEWS DIGEST
17 Aug. 2017: 24 Zulqidah 1438:Vol:8, No:258
INDIA
Before Kerala case, SC upheld inter-faith, inter-caste marriages in ‘free and democratic’ India: legal experts call ordering NIA probe ‘absolutely horrific’
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharana-pratap-turned-battle-to-hills-how-rajasthan-class-12-texbook-describes-battle-of-haldighati/story-LpE0FDwuB6poKOCfRnKzHP.html
New Delhi: A few years back, the Supreme Court came to the rescue of a sitting Rajasthan High court judge’s daughter, allowing her to go with a man she wanted to marry. Girl was kept under house arrest by her father, justice RS Rathore, because the man she intended to marry was outside her caste.The top court, however, ascertained the wishes of the woman and let her go with the person.A similar incident played out in the Supreme Court more than 20 years ago.2 Delhi-based advocates, Vipin and Jaspreet Gogia, approached the top court seeking protection from the woman’s father, a civil servant in Punjab. Jaspreet’s father was opposed to the marriage as she was a Jat Sikh and Vipin a Khatri Hindu. Despite the court’s intervention, the couple were allegedly abducted by a team of Punjab Police from outside the court premises. The then CJI, MN Venkatachaliah, threatened the Punjab Police chief and Delhi Police of consequences unless the couple returned safely. Days later, the couple returned and Supreme Court blessed the union. In a recent landmark judgment, the Supreme Court stood up for inter-caste and inter- religion marriages.“This is a free and democratic country, and once a person becomes a major he or she can marry whosoever he/she likes. If the parents of the boy or girl do not approve of such inter-caste or inter-religious marriage the maximum they can do is that they can cut off social relations with the son or the daughter,” court said.“Inter-caste marriages are, in fact, in the national interest as they will result in destroying the caste system,” it added.But a recent interfaith marriage between a Hindu woman and a Muslim man in Kerala has become a matter of national security, with the top court asking the NIA to probe the marriage between Shafin Jahan and Akhila.While all of this plays out in Kerala case -- legal experts have called the Supreme Court ordering a NIA probe “absolutely horrific”.“I am horrified. In every case of inter-caste or inter-religion marriage, the first instinct of the court is to ascertain the wishes of the girl and protect her from any influence. But here, the court has decided to first let police investigate the matter and in the end speak to the girl,” said Sanjay Hegde, a senior advocate.Anand Grover, another senior advocate, too felt the court order was not correct.“Why do you need the investigation? In this case, the girl and her marriage is the core issue and not something else. Ultimately, it is about the wishes of the girl, she is an adult and she can take decisions for herself,” he added. hindustantimes
NIA probe into Kerala ‘love jihad’ is another blow to individual autonomy:Faizan Mustafa
http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/nia-probe-into-kerala-love-jihad-is-another-blow-to-individual-autonomy/story-fGCLp7YHXNUqrqttz8ukhM.html
SC ordering NIA to ‘probe’ Kerala woman’s conversion to Islam is insulting: dailyo.in
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/religious-conversion-love-jihad-supreme-court-kerala-woman-akhila-islam-nia-hindutva/story/1/19022.html
"Wasn't forced to convert to Islam", says woman in alleged Kerala Love Jihad case
http://www.oneindia.com/india/wasn-t-forced-to-convert-to-islam-says-woman-in-alleged-kerala-love-jihad-case-2523571.html
While the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked NIA to probe an alleged case of love jihad in Kerala, the woman in question, Akhila Ashokan rechristened Hadiya has said that she did not convert to Islam by force. In a video played by news channels, Hadiya is seen saying that she embraced Islam by choice. "I did not convert to Islam because of anyone's force or incitement. I understood what Islam is and realised its truth and only then converted. I do not believe in idol worship anymore and that is why I embraced Islam," the video shows Hadiya saying. The video comes at a time when the Supreme Court has asked NIA to investigate the love jihad angle in Hadiya's conversion and marriage to a Muslim NRI man. OneIndia News
Kerala Love Jihad Case; 'Will I live like this', asks woman on camera
http://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/in-kerala-love-jihad-case-will-i-live-like-this-asks-woman-on-camera-1738791
Akhila was already Hadiya when she came to us, say Kerala Islamic centre: OneIndia News
http://www.oneindia.com/india/exclusive-akhila-was-already-hadiya-when-she-came-to-us-says-kerala-islamic-centre-2523717.html
Satya Sarani, an Islamic study centre has come under the radar for its alleged role in a suspected Love Jihad case from Kerala. Speaking exclusively to OneIndia, the manager of the centre has refused charges of the organisation indulging in religious conversions. "She came to study here in 2016 and pursued a course for two months. She registered her name as Hadiya while all her certificates and records bore the name Akhila. We have recorded both names. She came here with the name Hadiya," said Mohammed Rauf, who introduced himself as the manager of Satya Sarani. "Wasn't forced to convert to Islam", says woman in alleged Kerala Love Jihad case Hadiya's father accused the Islamic centre of keeping her captive and influencing her thus forcefully converting her to Islam. The centre, however, has denied all charges. "We only offer courses in Islam to those interested. She came here for one such course. We do not indulge in religious conversions as alleged. Neither did we convert her, nor did we arrange for her to get married to anyone," Rauf added.He also said that Hadiya had come to study at Sathya Sarani after Kerala High Court had allowed her to do so. This claim is, however, contradictory to the proceedings in court. When Akhila aka Hadiya's father filed a habeas corpus petition for the first time. Akhila produced documents to prove that she had taken admission into Sathya Sarani to study Islam. The court, at this juncture, had neither instructed her to continue her studies nor was in the know of the same till Hadiya herself submitted all records. Institution also denied having any role to play in the alleged Love Jihad angle and insisted that Hadiya left the course almost towards its end and left to Salem. Later in 2016, she got married to an NRI, Jefin Jehan. The institution has been in the news time and again over allegations of indulging in religious conversions and for links with PFI. BJP and RSS are Kerala have been demanding for its closure for years now.
At Islamic Seminary That 'Converted' Akhila to Hadiya, Love Jihad Has no Takers
http://www.news18.com/news/india/at-islamic-seminary-that-converted-akhila-to-hadiya-love-jihad-has-no-takers-1493381.html
Love Jihadis 'Compromise' Young Girls, Convert Them To Islam. It Is A Dimension Of Terrorism: Swamy'
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/love-jihadis-compromise-young-girls-convert-them-to-islam-it-is-a-dimension-of-t/300442
Dubbing 'Love Jihad' as a dimension of terrorism, BJP Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy on Thursday asserted that NIA is the appropriate agency for the investigation as in the latest case the girl was allegedly being sent to the ISIS. Swamy said, " Love Jihad is a dimension of terrorism; they are going to be recruited for terrorist activities. These Love Jihadis are preying on young girls. They are compromising them, taking photographs of them, blacking them and then making them convert to Islam. In the latest case, the girl was being sent to the ISIS. So, therefore NIA is appropriate agency for the investigation into this." outlookindia
Love jihad case: Owaisi questions hypocrisy over women’s freedom
https://www.nyoooz.com/news/hyderabad/896918/love-jihad-vs-triple-talaq-owaisi-questions-hypocrisy-over-womens-freedom/
Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked those championing women’s rights in the triple talaq issue why they were not defending the same freedom of choice when a Hindu woman decided to marry a Muslim man. He was answering a reporter’s question here on NIA’s statement in the Supreme Court that a “pattern” was emerging in Kerala as part of the alleged ‘love jihad‘ campaign. “In the triple talaq issue, everybody criticised that there is no independence to take decision for Muslim women. Now, a 24-year-old woman (in Kerala) takes a decision on her own (to marry a Muslim man), what happens to that independent decision? Why are those voices silent now?” Owaisi asked. Siyasat/ nyoooz
Ex-SC Judge to get rs 1 lakh per sitting in love jihad probe
http://www.news18.com/news/india/ex-supreme-court-judge-to-get-rs-1-lakh-per-sitting-in-love-jihad-probe-1493433.html
New Delhi: In order to “guide” the NIA in probing alleged cases of ‘Love Jihad’, ex-Supreme Court judge R V Raveendran will be paid a compensation of Rs 1 lakh per sitting at Bengaluru and Rs 2 lakh per day for travelling outside the city.A bench led by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar fixed the remuneration in its final order released on Wednesday evening.“Mr. Justice RV Raveendran shall be paid a consolidated fee of Rs.1,00,000/- for a sitting with National Investigation Agency at Bangalore, and Rs.2,00,000/- per day for travelling outside Bangalore, apart from reimbursement of all travelling, boarding, lodging and secretarial expenses, while discharging the responsibility entrusted to him,” stated the order. news18
SC reserves order on bail plea of Malegaon blasts accused Colonel Srikant Purohit
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/sc-reserves-order-on-bail-plea-of-malegaon-blasts-accused-colonel-srikant-purohit/811944/
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved order on bail plea of Malegaon blasts accused Colonel Srikant Purohit. Earlier it was reported by ANI that NIA is opposing the bail of Col Srikant Purohit and argues that the Bombay High court order should be upheld by the Apex court. Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit was accused of conspiracy for terror and murder. He the first Armyman who was booked under a terror act which shook the belief on the nation. Purohit who comes from a middle-class Maharashtrian Brahmin family is the son of a bank officer. Born in Pune, Purohit got his education from the Abhinav Vidyalaya and Garware College. financialexpress
Defiant UP madrasas might face NSA case for defying Adityanath govt's I-Day diktat: dnaindia
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-defiant-up-madrasas-might-face-nsa-case-2532336
Lucknow: Quite a few madrasas in UP may face action under the stringent NSA for partly defying the Yogi Adityanath Govt 's order that the tricolour must be unfurled and the national anthem recited on their premises as part of Independence Day celebrations.NSA was enacted in 1980 primarily to deal with the country's security, defence and foreign relations. It has provisions to detain citizens on presumption of possible tension alone without any recourse to challenge the detention order.Many of UP's 16,000 madrasas didn't take the order well that was to "inspire students and help them learn more about the contribution of freedom fighters".A few madrasas in Western UP's Bareilly and elsewhere in the state did flag hoisting but refused to recite the national anthem — Jana Gana Mana... — on the ground that "Islam does not allow anyone except Allah to be praised". A few Hindu organisations and locals lodged a complaint with Bareilly divisional commissioner PV Jagan Mohan in this regard."We have asked complainants to produce evidence. An inquiry has also been initiated and if complaints are found true, NSA would be invoked against madarsa management committees for causing disrespect to the national anthem," he warned. Relevant sections of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, may also be invoked against the erring madrasas, he said.There was no clarity if this will be a statewide action. The state Govt has sought legal opinion on whether or not the NSA can be invoked against madrasas who defied its order that had also said that all I-Day events on their premises must be videographed and footage submitted to UP Madarsa Shiksha Parishad as proof. CM has asked divisional commissioners to obtain footage and furnish a list of all erring institutions in UP where nearly a fifth of India's Muslim population lives. NSA is invoked for preventive arrests to check incidents that might lead to tension.Qazi of Bareilly, Maulana A Raza Khan, had already announced that reciting the national anthem is "un-Islamic as it contains words which are against the basic tenets of Islam." Lawyers said that the police was free to invoke the NSA or any other law against madrasas, but courts would take a final call. Only 600 of the madrasas in UP are Govt aided.
UP minister seeks report on madrassas skipping anthem on Independence-Day
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/up-minister-seeks-report-on-madrassas-skipping-anthem-on-independence-day/articleshow/60092171.cms?
Yogi’s Madrassa Diktat: Congress says using NSA against disobedient madrasas unlawful
http://www.indialivetoday.com/yogis-madrassa-diktat-congress-says-using-nsa-against-disobedient-madrasas-unlawful/189536.html
Lucknow: Congress has said targeting the Madrasas with NSA will be unlawful. Speaking to News agency on the same, Congress leader Dwijendra Tripathi said, “They probably don’t understand what NSA is all about. If they do anything like this, then the High Court will take action against them. Tripathi further said that NSA is only implemented if a person or a society disturbs the public order. “Apex Court has examined this law and said that if a religion doesn’t allow a person to sing the national anthem, then no one can enforce them,” he added. “Commissioner shouldn’t make statements which aren’t lawful and not under the parameters of the NSA,” he added.ANI/
If offering namaz on road cannot be banned, how can I ban Janmashtami in police stations: Adityanath
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/yogi-adityanath-janmashtami-namaz-eid-uttar-pradesh-communal-religion/74008
UP CM Yogi Adityanath stated that he has no authority to ban the celebration of Janmashtami in police stations because he also cannot ban the offering of namaz on roads during the festival of Eid.He also said that after being briefed by officers regarding the usage of microphones, DJs and music systems during the Kanwar Yatra, he had asked the administration if a ban on the sound could be enforced and if such a thing was impossible, then the Yatra would continue as it always had. However, he mentioned at the event organised by the Prerna Jansanchar Evam Shidh Sansthan, Noida and Lucknow Jansanchar Evam Patrakarita Sansthan that when he was told so by the officers, he stated that how would it be a Kanwar Yatra if music was not played."I asked if this was a kanwar yatra or a funeral procession. If they don’t play music and drums, don’t dance and sing, don’t use the mike, how will it be a kanwar yatra," he said. Times Now
Muslim leaders angry after MP Govt ignores Muslim freedom fighters in advertisements
http://twocircles.net/2017aug16/415221.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Clerics across Madhya Pradesh have criticised the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh Govt for ignoring and insulting Muslim freedom fighters in an advertisement published on Independence day, Aug.15. Advertisement listed freedom fighters like Rani Lakshmibai, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ramprasad Bismil, Bheema Nayak, Shankar Shah, Raghunath Shah and many others. But Govt has not mentioned any Muslim freedom fighter in their advertisement.Condemning this act, the MP unit of Coordination Committee for Indian Muslims, an umbrella organisation for various Muslim organisations, issued a press statement, asking the Chouhan Govt why it was not able to find a single Muslim freedom fighter?What makes this advertisement interesting is that all the freedom fighters listed are either related to MP or born there. The statement said, “People know that followers of every religion took part in freedom struggle. They did not do it to make their name, but to give us a free country.”It further said, “PRO of MP govt published names and photos of 12 freedom fighters. But there is not any single Muslim name among them.”“PRO limits freedom fighters to a specific religion. We condemn this act, and ask a public apology from PRO of the govt,” said the statement.Masud Ahmad Khan, the secretary of the committee, said, “Any CM does not want to taint his image. PRO and Govt should clear the confusing situation.”Khan noted that freedom fighters were related to Madhya Pradesh. He said, “Rani Lakshmibai was from UP, but Bundelkhand was a part of MP during her times. But it is strange that Govt forgets Muslim freedom fighters of the state.”TwoCircles
2 Gujarat officers, accused in fake encounters and reinstated after retirement, forced to quit by SC
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-gujarat-officers-accused-in-fake-encounters-and-reinstated-after-retirement-forced-to-quit-by-sc/story-eS5ihWrQEXbPNOtirxp0kI.html
2 senior Gujarat Police officers, NK Amin and TA Barot, who have been accused in encounter killing cases, undertook before the Supreme Court on Thursday that they will demit their posts during the day. Amin, who retired in August last year as SP, has been re-appointed as SP of Mahisagar district of Gujarat on contractual basis for one year. He faced trial in the Sohrabuddin and Ishrat Jahan fake encounter killing cases. Barot has been re-inducted in October last year as Deputy Superintendent of Police with Western Railways at Vadodara for one year after his retirement. He was accused in the Ishrat Jahan and Sadiq Jamal encounter cases.A bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud considered statement of the lawyer appearing for the two police officers and asked them to “step down” from their posts during the day itself. The bench then disposed of a plea filed by former IPS officer Rahul Sharma against re-induction of the two officers. Ex-IPS officer, in his plea filed through advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma, has referred to the apex court’s order allowing Gujarat Govt to accept the offer of state’s top cop PP Pandey to relinquish posts of director general and inspector general of police. Sharma had challenged the Gujarat high court’s decision dismissing his plea against re-induction of the two officers.The plea alleged that Amin had been charge-sheeted by CBI in the two encounter cases and has already spent “close to 8 years in judicial custody” and was immediately re-instated as the SP after getting released.PTI
Sharad Yadav’s meeting for opposition unity attended by 16 parties
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/KUCMM2GHzhBYQlDDSJw2lJ/Sharad-Yadavs-meeting-for-opposition-unity-attended-by-17-p.html
New Delhi: Leaders of 16 political parties on Thursday pledged to save India’s “composite culture” as they gathered in the capital in a renewed bid to forge opposition unity at a meeting hosted by rebel JDU leader Sharad Yadav.The meeting, called Sanjhi Virasat Bachao (save the composite culture), is the first step by opposition parties to come together after JDU chief Nitish Kumar decided to break away and join hands with the NDA on 26 July to form the Govt in Bihar. Kumar’s move caused disaffection among sections of the JDU, with leaders including Sharad Yadav raising concern over the Bihar CM ’s decision.Prominent opposition leaders attended Thursday’s meeting, including ex-PM Manmohan Singh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and J&K National Conference head Farooq Abdullah. Among those who were not present at the day-long event were TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad.In a speech, Rahul Gandhi attacked the central Govt , saying it has failed to keep its promises. He said that PM Narendra Modi wants to create “a Swachh (clean) India but we want Sach (honest) India.”He alleged that RSS, BJP’s ideological wellspring, was changing the Constitution of India. “Constitution gives us the right to have one man, one vote.They want to change Constitution,” Gandhi said.Analysts say meeting was a preliminary step for opposition parties to come together. livemint
Sharad Yadav unites opposition parties in a show of strength against RSS-BJP
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/628518/sharad-yadav-unites-opposition-parties.html
Sharad Yadav compares BJP reign with that of Adolf Hitler
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-sharad-yadav-compares-bjp-reign-with-that-of-adolf-hitler-2533021
China or Pakistan no threat, forces within India more dangerous: Farooq Abdullah
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-or-pakistan-no-threat-forces-within-india-more-dangerous-farooq-abdullah/story-ZfwXZWoJYVmhLd5x1BOeeN.html
NC president Farooq Abdullah launched a scathing attack on the ruling NDA, saying that any outside source doesn’t pose any threat to India, as those dwelling inside the nation are even more dangerous.Addressing the crowd at the ‘Sanjhi Virasat Bachao’ programme, Abdullah said, “Any outside source doesn’t pose any threat to India, as those dwelling inside the nation are even more dangerous. China cannot do anything to us, Pakistan cannot do anything to us, it is the thief sitting inside the country that is ruining the nation and dividing all of us.”Abdullah further said that he very proudly calls himself an Indian Muslim, saying that Muslim Indians fought for the freedom struggle of India.Abdullah said, “Earlier our fight was with the British, but today it is against our own people.”HT
Prasar Bharti admits it had asked Tripura CM to rework his Independence Day speech: Report
https://scroll.in/latest/847535/prasar-bharti-admits-it-had-asked-tripura-cm-to-rework-his-independence-day-speech-report
Broadcasting agency Prasar Bharti, which runs DD and All India Radio, has said that it had intimated Tripura CM Manik Sarkar about the “controversial and objectionable content” in his Independence Day speech before deciding against airing it, Indian Express reported.This comes a day after Doordarshan dismissed allegations that it had intentionally blacked out Sarkar’s speech.In Sarkar’s speech, he had claimed that the “spirit of secularism” was under threat in India. “Conspiracies and attempts are underway to create an undesirable complexity and divisions in our society...by inciting passions to convert India into a particular religious country and in the name of protecting the cow,” he had said in the speech. scroll
JNUSU calls panel findings on Vemula suicide ‘stupid’
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/jnusu-calls-commission-findings-on-vemula-suicide-stupid-117081601446_1.html
New Delhi: The report that said Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit and that his suicide was not a result of any political and administrative discrimination was dismissed by JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) as “stupid” and just another act in a series of “manipulatory tactics” by the Centre. A one-man Commission, constituted to look into the suicide of Hyderabad University scholar Rohith Vemula, came up with its findings on Tuesday stating that the scholar did not commit suicide because of any pressure exerted by Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya or university’s V-C Appa Rao Podile and that it was a decision “of his own”.But the student body of JNU, governed by Leftist parties, refused to trust the findings of the Commission.“It’s not just Hyderabad University, but in all the central universities that the Centre is engaging in manipulatory tactics. Rreport’s findings are stupid in that its outcome was predecided,” Amal PP, Vice President, JNUSU, said.He said that Commission could not have been completely impartial for “it was mandated by the same agency (HRD Ministry) which was a party to the controversy”.“Why is there no action against ABVP student N. Susheel. Even in the JNU case, they accused us of raising anti-national slogans. Videos which were claimed to have captured those slogans later turned out to be doctored… there is no justice for Najeeb even after one year of his going missing… Is this the justice of ‘Sangh Parivaar’,” he asked. Refusing to buy the Commission’s finding that Vemula was not a Dalit, JNUSU President Mohit Pandey said the govt has turned into a Dalit “manufacturing factory”. He also demanded an independent judicial probe in the matter.“It’s upto them who they want to pose as Dalit and who they do not,” he told IANS over phone referring to the newly-elected President of the country Ram Nath Kovind.IANS
Gorakhpur DM says children died due to oxygen shortage; Dr kafeel given clean chit
http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/top-stories/gorakhpur-dm-report-children-died-due-to-oxygen-shortage-23746
Gorakhpur: A report submitted by Gorakhpur’s DM Rajeev Rautela to the UP Govt has held disruption in oxygen supply responsible for deaths of more than 30 children from August 10 to 11 at Govt-run Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College and Hospital.On Aug.12, Adityanath Govt had asked the DM to launch a probe into the death of several children at the BRD Hospital.DM’s report has charged the medical college’s principal, doctors, paramedical staff and clerks of BRD Medical College with criminal negligence.However, DM has said that the state Govt was not aware of the impending oxygen crisis in the hospital as none of the concerned authorities including the principal of the medical college informed it.In the report, it is being said that the principal Rajiv Mishra was aware of the impending oxygen crisis but he failed to alert the medical education and health departments.He has been also accused of failing to inform the Govt of pending bill of Rs 69 lakh of oxygen supplier Pushpa Sales.Instead of tackling the situation, Rajiv Mishra had gone on leave after the visit of CM Yogi Adityanath got over on Aug.9. Hospital’s purchase committee. Dr Kumar had also gone on leave on August 11 without taking permission of college Principal Rajiv Mishra.The report has also recommended strict action against Pushpa Sales for its failure to refill oxygen cylinders.DM Rajeev Rautela in his report has also demanded action against Dr Satish Kumar, a member of BRD Medical. The report has also recommended action against paramedical staffer Gajanan Jaiswal, who was responsible for maintaining a log book of oxygen supply.Dr. Kafeel Ahmed Khan, who was suspended by Govt after he was hailed as hero in the entire episode for arranging oxygen cylinders by spending money from his own pocket, has not been indicted in DM's report, NDTV reported. India Samvad
Dr Kafeel Ahmed may have made some mistakes, but he is not responsible for death of children in Gorakhpur: TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017aug16/415188.html
SC norms on sound system of mosques need to be followed: Madras High Court
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-norms-on-sound-system-of-mosques-need-to-be-followed-madras-high-court-4799896/
Chennai:Madras High Court on Wednesday observed that freedom of religion is a fundamental right which cannot be interfered with but stressed that the Supreme Court guidelines on sound system used by mosques for giving prayer calls should be followed.The observations were made by the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar during the hearing of a PIL on the matter.The public interest litigation alleged rampant seizure of loudspeakers used for ‘azaan’ or the prayer call by mosques in Pollachi taluk in Coimbatore district by officials without verifying whether the sound levels were within the permissible limits or not.Petitioner Shaw Nawaz Khan, president of Pollachi “Aikkiya Jamath”, sought to forbear the Coimbatore Rural Superintendent of Police and the Additional Superintendent of Police, Pollachi, from confiscating the loudspeakers in the mosques without examining the decibel levels.When the petition came up, the bench said offering prayers was the fundamental right and it cannot be interfered with. However, at the same time, it said, the petitioners had to follow the Supreme Court guidelines in operating the sound system. “There can be no doubt that freedom of religion is a fundamental right. The religious practice that do not contravene the law of the land ought not be interfered,” it said.The bench then directed the petitioner to file an affidavit on seizure details of loudspeakers and posted the petition to September 4 for further hearing. PTI
Azan cannot be disturbed if within legal decibel limits: HC
https://barandbench.com/azan-within-legal-decibel-limit-madras-hc/
2 Lakh minority students ‘disappear’ from official records in U'khand
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/2l-minority-students-disappear-from-official-records-in-ukhand/articleshow/60102283.cms
Dehradun: Uttarakhand govt’s scholarship scheme for children from minority communities belonging to below-poverty-line (BPL) families has seen a curious trend of late. The scheme which is meant for students of classes I to X has seen a sharp decline in the number of beneficiaries in the past two years — so much so that over 88% are no longer enrolled in the scheme. Data accessed exclusively by TOI revealed that there were 2,21,800 students who were enrolled for the scheme in 2014-15, but in 2016-17 the number suddenly dipped to just 26,394. What accounts for the disappearance of almost 2 lakh students who were availing benefits of the scheme merely 2 years earlier? The scholarship amounts varied depending on the class the student was in. Students in classes I to V were entitled to around Rs 50 per month, those in classes VI to VII almost Rs 80 per month, while the scholarship amount was around Rs 120 for students of classes IX & X. There are various theories being circulated to explain the missing students. Since "disappearance" happened after the minorities welfare department — which oversees the scheme — decided to digitise all its records from 2015-16 onwards, the prevailing theory is that digitisation of records busted the "massive corruption" that used to happen in the guise of the scholarship scheme.“The amount meant for students availing of the scholarship was paid to either the schools or madrassas where they were enrolled. After the records became digitised, details of the students were required to be uploaded online. This might have alarmed those indulging in wrong-doing. Consequently, we saw that many districts stopped coming forward to avail of the scheme. In fact, as many as 6 of the 13 districts reported in the last financial year that there were no takers for the scheme,” said a source in the minorities welfare dept.TOI
Naqvi discusses sea route for Haj pilgrims with Saudi envoy
http://twocircles.net/2017aug16/415213.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has discussed the option of sending Haj pilgrims from India through the sea route with Saudi Arabian Ambassador Mohammed Alsati, who called on him at his office. Naqvi said that various issues related to the ongoing Haj 2017 were discussed in a meeting. The issue of reviving the option of sending Haj pilgrims by the sea route was also discussed. Naqvi said talks on sending Haj pilgrims through the sea route are already on with Saudi Govt and the response is very positive.He said that a meeting in this regard would be held between the Minority Affairs Ministry and the Union Shipping Ministry under the chairmanship of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi on Aug.28.The Minister said that the new Haj policy for 2018 would be unveiled this month with a focus on providing world class facilities to Haj pilgrims.IANS
Telangana: ABVP and RSS goons chanting jai shri Ram beat up Muslim college principal On I-Day for unfurling national flag wearing shoes:
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/muslim-college-principal-beaten-up-by-goons-chanting-jai-shri-ram-and-bharat-mata-ki-jai-on-independence-day-for-unfurling-national-flag-wearing-shoes-328008.html
In a shocking case, a college principal in Telangana was roughed up, allegedly by ABVP and RSS men on Independence Day because he was wearing shoes! Incident happened in Nizamabad when Mohammed Yakeenuddin, principal of Govt Junior College at Nandipet Ailapur, was hoisting the national flag.A video of the incident which appears to be shot by the attackers themselves shows a group of men who pulled Yakeenuddin away from the function while raising slogans like Jai Sree Ram and 'Bharat Mata ki jai'.According to reports some even asked the principal to go to Pakistan, even though it is not clearly audible in the video. Yakeenuddin tried to reason with the goons saying that there was no such rule against wearing shoes while unfurling the national flag and that even PM Modi was wearing shoes, but to no avail, as they continued to shout slogans against the principal. INDIATIMES
Muslim college principal heckled by ABVP, RSS men
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-muslim-principal-heckled-by-abvp-rss-activists/1/1026996.html
Shiv Sena's transport wing chief claims party minister Raote targeted him for being a Muslim
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/shiv-senas-transport-wing-chief-claims-party-minister-raote-targeted-him-for-being-a-muslim/articleshow/60102521.cms
The chief of Shiv Sena's transport wing created a flutter on Wednesday when he publicly accused senior party leader and state transport minister Diwakar Raote of using a "derogatory term" for him. Haji Arafat Shaikh of the Shiv Vahatuk Sena alleged he was probably being targeted as he was a Muslim. He also claimed Raote had been shunning his followers and had not created any new auto or taxi stands."What kind of justice is this in the party?" Shaikh asked during a party function in Bandra. Shaikh expressed his willingness to leave the post "if people so wanted".The incident has brought differences in the Sena to the fore. Sena leader Anil Desai and minister of state Arjun Khotkar, who were present at the dais, advised Shaikh to be patient.Shaikh is the nephew of Shiv Sena's only Muslim leader late Sabir Shaikh.He started his political career with the Sena and later moved to the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. Around two years ago, he rejoined the Sena and was made a deputy leader.Mumbai Mirror
On BJP’s mind now: Inroads into Maratha, Muslim areas in Maharashtra
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-bjps-mind-now-inroads-into-maratha-muslim-areas-in-maharashtra-4800120/
Mumbai: BJP has decided to make inroads into the areas dominated by Maratha and Muslim communities to expand its electoral base in Maharashtra. On the first day of the 2-day state BJP executive meeting that commenced Wednesday, the party deliberated that it should focus on the untapped segments and constituents.“PM Narendra Modi’s call on ‘New India’ and CM Devendra Fadnavis’s ‘Modern Maharashtra’ mantra will be the central theme of our conclave,” a senior BJP functionary said.The conclave that started in the backdrop of serious corruption charges against state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve and Housing Minister Prakash Mehta is unlikely to see any action against the leaders.Marathas constitute 33 % of the state’s population and Muslims 10 to 12 % .Indian Express
Chinese media now debates military options as Doklam crisis festers
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinese-media-now-debates-military-options-as-doklam-crisis-festers/article19509635.ece
Beijing: China’s media campaign on the Doklam crisis has become sharper, shriller, and a shade bizarre, with a daily newspaper on Thursday threatening that Chinese authorities may soon issue an “ultimatum” to India to end the Himalayan standoff. Simultaneously, state-run Xinhua news agency released a video mocking India for deliberately disregarding the enormity of the mounting crisis. Both items allude to the urgency in defusing the crisis and avoiding a war through India’s unilateral withdrawal from the Doklam plateau. thehindu
China, India dangerously close to military conflict: Foreign Media
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-and-india-dangerously-close-to-military-conflict-foreign-media-1738624
After clash in Ladakh, India braces for more 'shallow intrusions' by PLA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/indian-forces-bracing-for-shallow-intrusions-by-chinese-troops/articleshow/60094852.cms
New Delhi: Indian forces are bracing for more "shallow intrusions" or "needling probes"+ from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in vulnerable spots along LAC, according to sources in the Indian defence establishment.This assessment comes even as the two forces held a border personnel meeting (BPM) in eastern Ladakh on Wednesday to calm down tempers, a day after Indian and Chinese soldiers pelted stones at each other near Pangong Lake. PLA is unlikely to try anything near the already restive Sikkim-Bhutan-Sikkim tri-junction+ because Indian troops are militarily much better-placed there and can easily threaten China's narrow Chumbi Valley in the region, if required, the according to India's assessment. "But PLA could try something in eastern Ladakh, as was seen on Tuesday, or eastern Arunachal or Lipulekh Pass and Barahoti in the central sector (Himachal-Uttarakhand)," one of the sources said. timesofindia
4 top J&K ministers in Delhi Friday to firm up support for Article 35A
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/four-top-jammu-and-kashmir-ministers-in-delhi-today-to-firm-up-support-for-art-35a-4800090/
New Delhi: J&K Govt is sending four top ministers to Delhi on Friday to explore further “legal support” for the state Govt in Supreme Court on Article 35A. They are also expected to explain to leaders at the Centre the “devastating implications” in case the constitutional provision is struck down and ensure the Union Govt backs the state’s stance in the apex court.“We are going to Delhi on 18th (Aug) to see what can be done to put up a strong defence to our case,’’ state Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan said. “We will meet people and seek further legal opinion.”He said the J&K Govt ’s talks with the Centre have been “very fruitful”, and that PDP and BJP, coalition partners in the state, are talking at every level.Appreciating PM Narendra Modi’s views on ways to resolve the Kashmir impasse in his Independence Day speech, Khan said, “It (the speech) said everything. It gave everyone a lot of hope. So I don’t think there is any reason to worry.”Khan was referring to Modi’s remarks that the Kashmir problem cannot be resolved through “gaali” (abuse) or “goli (bullets)”, and that change can “only come by embracing Kashmiris”.Besides the Law Minister, his senior Cabinet colleagues Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, Horticulture Minister Syed Basharat Bukhari and Information, Food and Supplies Minister Choudhary Zulfikar will travel to Delhi. Drabu was the PDP’s points person in the party’s talks with the BJP, which was represented by Ram Madhav, during the coalition formation. Drabu and Madhav were also architects of the agenda of alliance between the two parties. He is seen as close to the BJP brass and is valued in Delhi, especially after he brought J&K under GST regime without any major hassle. Bukhari is a former Law minister, while Choudhary is an influential Gujjar leader from Rajouri, and his presence in the group of ministers is said to be important. indianexpress
US terror tag on Hizbul unlikely to affect militancy in Valley
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/us-terror-tag-on-hizbul-mujahideen-unlikely-to-affect-militancy-in-valley-4800992/
Srinagar: On Wednesday, US State dept declared Kashmir’s largest indigenous militant group Hizbul Mujahideen as foreign terrorist organization. The decision comes a month after Mohammad Yusuf Shah, alias Syed Salahudin, was declared as global terrorist by the US state department. Salahudin, the chief commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, based in Muzaffarabad, PoK, is also the chairman of United Jihad Council (UJC) – an umbrella group of militant outfits operating in J&K .For India, designation of Hizb as a foreign terror outfit is going to be a big diplomatic victory as it will also put Pakistan under pressure to rein in Hizb and its leadership in that country. India will sure use this as an opportunity to deal with the militants and their sympathizers in Kashmir with an iron hand, where militants are already feeling the heat of stepped up anti-militancy operations by the forces. US decision may, however, embolden India further as human rights violation in the Valley could now be overlooked by the West.However, on ground in Kashmir, the US designation is not going to affect the militancy much, as has been seen in the case of Lashkar, which continued its lethal attacks against Indian forces in the Valley even after US ban. Kashmiri militants who are fighting with Indian forces have never looked towards the US for help, nor they have any assets there or travel to US or other countries.For common Kashmiris, who see their struggle as secular, legal and a fight for restoration of plebiscite rights as envisaged under UN resolutions, the US ban is going to serve more as a psychological setback as for decades people have been looking towards the US for its support and intervention in resolving Kashmir issue. After this decision, majority of people here may realize that US is, in no way, going to support any sort of armed struggle in Kashmir whether run by locals or foreign cadres of any militant outfit. Also, in Kashmir this decision is seen as a major shift in US policy towards Pakistan and the Kashmir issue and also a favour to India.However, the fillip side of the US ban is that more and more Kashmiri youth may get attracted towards the radical militant organizations like al Qaeda or ISIS or may force Hizb to drop its opposition to the entry of these organisation into Kashmir Jihad. indianexpress
Pak: US move to blacklist Hizbul Mujahideen ‘unjustified’
http://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistan-us-move-to-blacklist-hizbul-mujahideen-unjustified-4801477/
Islamabad: Pakistan has said that it was “disappointed” with the US decision to designate the Kashmiri militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen as a foreign terrorist organisation and termed the move as “completely unjustified.”“ Designation of individuals or groups supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said here.PTI
Despite restrictions in Kashmir, thousands participate in funeral of slain LeT commander Lelhari: Greater Kashmir
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/kashmir-despite-restrictions-thousands-participate-in-funeral-of-slain-let-commander-ayub-lelhari/257880.html
Thousands of people on Thursday participated in the last rites of slain LeT commander Ayub Lelhari in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.An eye witness said that thousands of people marched towards Lelhar – anvestral village of the slain District Commander of LeT – despite restrictions imposed by the authorities.He said that forces had sealed all the entry and exit points of Kakapora area to limit gathering of people.However, people took detours through orchards and by-lanes to reach the ground where funeral prayers of Lelhari were offered.
Do not deport Rohingyas to Myanmar ‘where they face persecution’, HRW urges India
https://scroll.in/latest/847576/do-not-deport-rohingyas-to-myanmar-where-they-face-persecution-human-rights-watch-urges-india
Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged Indian Govt to “abide by its international legal obligations” and not forcibly deport Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar, “where they face persecution”. The organisation said the community needed protection from “systematic abuse” by officials and state security forces in Myanmar.“India has a long record of helping vulnerable populations fleeing from neighboring countries, including Sri Lankans, Afghans, and Tibetans,” said HRW South Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguly. “Indian authorities should abide by India’s international legal obligations and not forcibly return any Rohingya to Burma without first fairly evaluating their claims as refugees.”HRW refuted Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju’s statement that New Delhi was not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, saying India was still “bound by customary international law” to not forcibly return refugees to a place where they face serious threats. scroll
Syria hesitant about India’s role in reconstruction after Modi’s Israel visit: HT report
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/syria-hesitant-about-india-s-role-in-reconstruction-after-modi-s-israel-visit/story-qrCg8r1UGcTvtyrsNknOKK.html
Damascus: Syrian Govtis hesitant about inviting India to participate in the war-torn country’s reconstruction because of public disappointment over PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, a top aide to President Bashar al-Assad has said.The views expressed by Bouthaina Shaaban, one of the closest aides of Assad, could be perceived as a snub by Indian policy-makers, especially since New Delhi has tacitly backed Syrian regime since the country’s conflict began in 2011. Sipping a glass of wine at a hotel in the “green zone” of Damascus, Shaaban speaks of the bitter taste left by Indian PM’s visit to Israel. “Allow me to say that Syrian people are very disappointed with the visit of PM Modi to Israel, because Israel is an occupying and a colonial force which has deprived Palestinians of their indigenous rights. We never expected India will move from its righteous and moral stand and pay that huge courtesy to Israel,” Shabaan, a frequent visitor to India said.HT
TMC sweeps 7 civic bodies in Bengal, BJP a distant 2nd, Left wiped out
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tmc-sweeps-civic-polls-in-west-bengal-bjp-emerges-as-main-challenger/story-dXzV6uvfD4YdGBZJUVPZhI.html
Kolkata: CPI(M) has failed to win even a single ward out of the 148 that went to the polls at seven civic bodies in West Bengal on August 13, even as TMC emerged triumphant. The ruling party swept the polls held at Dhupguri, Haldia, Panskura, Durgapur, Cooper’s Camp, Nalhati and Buniyadpur municipalities. BJP emerged second in the race, although with just six seats, while the Left parties put up a dismal show in the electoral contest preceding the crucial 2018 panchayat polls. Forward Bloc, only Left Front partner to notch a seat, blamed the tie-up between the Congress and Left for the loss. “HT
Jayalalithaa’s death to be investigated by commission headed by retired judge
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-Govt -announces-probe-into-jayalalithaas-death/article19509186.ece?homepage=true
Chennai;Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami also announces that Veda Nilayam, residence of the former CM in Poes Garden in Chennai, will be converted into a Govt memorial.The death of the former CM , Jayalalithaa, would be investigated by a commission headed by a retired judge, Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami announced in Chennai on Thursday.He also announced that Veda Nilayam, residence of Jayalalithaa in Poes Garden in the city, will be converted into aGovt memorial.The announcements indicate a step closer to a potential merger of the two AIADMK factions - the AIADMK (Amma) and AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma).
10 kids a Day lost in Delhi as activists blaming trafficking gangs, families eager to dump their daughters for shocking stats
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4797390/Ten-children-DAY-missing-Delhi.html#ixzz4q19op7Kt
India's capital has a reputation for swallowing up the young and many are never found. Shocking figures on missing children from Delhi submitted by MHA in Lok Sabha recently bolster this notoriety.According to NCRB data that was furnished, nearly 900 girls and 500 boys, all minors, have gone without trace from the Capital between January and July this year.A total of 2,179 girls, or about 10 a day, had gone missing, but 1,291 were found.Similarly, of 1,365 boys who have vanished, 881 were either tracked down or returned on their own.In all of last year, a total of 1164 girls and 648 boys went missing and their status remained so despite frantic countrywide police investigations.Importantly, Delhi is leading among all states and union territories over the past number of years for lost children.In 2014,city recorded 7136 'unrecovered' children while larger and more populous MP stood second at 5,344 with West Bengal third at 3,424. DailyMail
Bihar floods: 98 dead;93 lakh people in 15 districts hit
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-floods-death-toll-rises-to-98-93-lakh-people-in-15-districts-affected/articleshow/60105152.cms
Patna: Flood situation in Bihar worsened on Thursday as the death toll mounted to 98 due to the deluge which has affected nearly 93 lakh people in 15 districts, forced postponment of examination and cancellation of trains.The toll due to the floods triggered by rains in Nepal and northern parts of the state was 72 on Wednesday, and 73.44 lakh people in 14 districts were hit. Saharsa was the latest district to be affected, officials said.Araria district accounted for 20 deaths, followed by East Champaran(14),West Champaran(13),Madhepura(12), Sitamarhi (11),Kisanganj (8),Purnea (5), Madhubani (5), Darbhanga (4), Saharsa (3), Sheohar (2) and Supual (1), said Disaster Management Dept Principal Secretary.PTI
Undercover team finds 'Nikah Halala' services for sale where divorcees marry, have sex, then divorce just to REMARRY their first husband, claims Mail Today report
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4797244/PAYING-sex-Islamic-scholar-save-marriage.html
A number of religious scholars in India are asking to be paid for a one-night stand with divorced Muslim women who are using Islamic law to save their marriages, an India Today investigation has found.Women are charged anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh to participate in nikah halala, a controversial practice that requires a woman to marry someone else, sleep with him and get a divorce again in order to remarry her first husband under personal laws, probe discovered. They demanded the perpetrators shown in the network's special report be prosecuted for rape.Probe found many Islamic scholars putting themselves up for sale to women desperate to restore their broken marriages.At a restaurant in Ghaziabad, the undercover team first met Mohammed Nadeem, an imam at Madina Masjid in Moradabad's Lal Bagh neighbourhood.Cleric was already married.But he was negotiating his role play as a husband for a night with the reporters posing as relatives of a fictitious divorced Muslim woman. 'Will your wife object to it?' asked a reporter. 'No, no. She won't have any objection,' imam Nadeem replied.v 'Have you spoken with her?' the reporter prodded. 'No, I haven't spoken with her. I haven't told her. What's the need to tell her?' Nadeem asked.Moradabad imam admitted he had officiated several nikah halala marriages.This time, he proposed a package deal for the entire service, including sex. 'It's Rs 1 lakh,' he said. Imam Nadeem guaranteed issuing divorce after spending a night with the bride for her to become eligible to go back to her first husband in accordance with the personal law. The business of one-night grooms is widespread, the India Today investigation observed.At Delhi's Jamia Nagar, the team met Zubair Qasmi, a qualified maulana married with 2 wives. He nominated himself for a nikah halala in exchange for money. 'I spend many nights out. It's much easier to manage this with 2 (wives).'One would think I am with the second. And the second would think I am with the other. It's not at all difficult with two (wives),' he bragged.Zubair Qasmi based his fee on mehr, money or a gift a Muslim groom pledges to his bride during Islamic marriages.'Don't worry about anything. I'll make every arrangement. If Rs 30,000 is set as mehr, it will be either Rs 40,000 or Rs 50,000 (in return for participation in nikah halala). No problem in it,' Qasmi said.The rot runs deep. Next, India Today's investigative journalists visited Mohammad Mustaquim of Delhi's Darul Uloom Mahmoodia Madrasa.'There was a woman in the room. I went there and had sex. Before leaving at 2-3 am, I divorced her,' he confessed.Mohammad Mustaquim performed nikah halala even without formal marriage.'So you have taken part in 3 nikah halala. You actually married on one occasion, right? Other 2 nikha halala were without marriage,' the reporter asked. 'Without marriage,' he admitted. 'After sleeping with her,I left at 1 am.' Mustaquim's fee for this service included donation for his madrasa.'You'll have to pay Rs 20,000 for the madrasa. I am ready to do it for whatever amount. I have done it several times before,' he said.
WORLD
Turkey to boost military cooperation with Iran after army chief's visit; Erdogan to 'visit Iran in near future':Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-analysis-idUSKCN1AX0H1
Ankara; Turkey and Iran have agreed to boost military cooperation after talks in Ankara this week between the Iranian armed forces chief of staff and Turkish leaders, President Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said on Thursday.Iran's military chief General Mohammad Baqeri met Erdogan on Wednesday on a visit Turkish media said was the first to Turkey by an Iranian military chief of staff since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.Erdogan spokesman Ibrahim Kalin described the visit as "fruitful and successful", adding that talks focused on counter-terrorism, the battle with Islamic State, and a joint effort by Iran, Turkey and Russia to stem the fighting in parts of Syria."An agreement was reached to hold further high-level visits from now on," Kalin told a news conference. "A series of activities will also be held to boost military cooperation."Baqeri's trip to Ankara came days ahead of a planned visit by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Iran's semi-official Tasnim agency quoted Baqeri as saying he had agreed with Turkey to hold joint training courses, and increase counter-terrorism intelligence sharing.He said Erdogan would visit Iran in the near future.
Iran,Russia,Turkey mark new turn with $7 billion drilling deal
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/08/16/531912/Iran-Turkey-Russia-drilling-deal-sanctions
Turkey’s Unit International which signed a drilling deal last week with Russia's state-owned Zarubezhneft and Iran's Ghadir Investment Holding says the contract is worth $7 billion.The drilling in Iran will take place at three oil fields estimated to hold 10 billion barrels of reserves and produce 100,000 barrels per day and a large natural gas field with a production capacity of 75 billion cubic meters per day, the company said on Tuesday.Unit did not name the field but said its reserves are enough to meet Turkey's gas demands for the next 150 years, with the production equal to 1.5 times 50 billion cubic meters of gas which Turkey imports annually. presstv
Israel holds another 72 Palestinians over Al-Aqsa protests
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170817-israel-arrests-another-72-palestinians-over-al-aqsa-protests/
Israeli occupying forces have arrested 72 Palestinians this week over their alleged participation in protests over access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to the Palestinian Information Centre. Spokeswoman for the Israeli police, Luba Al-Sumari, said in a statement that 43 of those detained had already been charged.“Anyone involved, directly or indirectly, in violent riots, will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said. middleeastmonitor
Rights group: Israel’s ban on Arabs entering Al-Aqsa ‘illegal’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170817-rights-group-israels-ban-on-arabs-entering-al-aqsa-illegal/
An Israeli rights group has slammed Israel’s banning of Palestinian residents of town of Umm Al-Fahm from entering Al-Aqsa compound, calling it “illegal” and “irrational”.Last week, reports emerged Arab citizens of Israel were being prevented from entering occupied East Jerusalem to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque.Adalah, rights group, confirmed the reports yesterday and revealed that the reason for their prevention is due to nationals being members of the Jabareen family.middleeastmonitor
Turkey: Kurdish independence vote could start civil war in Iraq
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170817-turkey-kurdish-independence-vote-could-start-civil-war-in-iraq/
Referendum of Kurdish independence from Iraq could “result in a civil war”,Turkish Foreign Minister Mouloud Jawish Oglu warned.“We are looking forward to seeing the region retreat from its referendum plan regarding its independence from Iraq,” Oglu said, adding: "Holding the referendum at a time when the country is experiencing all of these issues will make the already bad conditions even worse, and could perhaps even result in a civil war." middleeastmonitor
Saudi King Salman invites Qatar pilgrims to Hajj
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/saudi-king-salman-invites-qatar-pilgrims-hajj-170817034013009.html
Saudi Arabia will open its land border with Qatar to allow Hajj pilgrims to pass through, its official press agency said.A statement on official Saudi Press Agency on Thursday said the Salwa border point would be open for Qatari citizens who wish to perform the annual pilgrimage to pass through with no electronic permissions needed.The statement added that Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has invited Qatari pilgrims to perform this year's Hajj pilgrimage at his expense. King Salman also ordered that private jets belonging to Saudi airlines be sent to Doha airport "to bring all Qatari pilgrims on his expenses".Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani welcomed the decision, but insisted that Hajj should not be politicised and that the move should also include a full lifting of the political and economic blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi and 3 other countries. aljazeera
More than 100 cross-party politicians demand action over ‘Muslim Problem’ article in Sun newspaper
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/over-100-cross-party-politicians-demand-action-over-muslim-problem-article-in-sun-newspaper-a7895211.html
Over 100 cross-party politicians have signed an open letter demanding action over a column in The Sun for “using Nazi-like language” regarding the Muslim community in Britain, The Independent can reveal. In a scathing letter MPs from Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Green party unite to say they “were truly outraged by the hate and bigotry” in a comment piece written by the paper's former political editor Trevor Kavanagh. In the article Mr Kavanagh argues Islam constitutes the “one unspoken fear” which unites Britain and wider Europe but claims the phenomenon has been suppressed by political correctness.“The common denominator, almost unsayable until last week’s furore over Pakistani sex gangs, is Islam,” he wrote after 18 people were convicted in a Newcastle grooming gang last week.“Thanks to former equalities chief Trevor Phillips, and Labour MPs such as Rotherham’s Sarah Champion, it is acceptable to say Muslims are a specific rather than a cultural problem." Independent
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
There should be no place in India for Modi’s uncivil words against Hamid Ansari:Jawhar Sircar,Ex CEO PrasarBharati
https://thewire.in/168765/narendra-modi-hamid-ansari/
But Earth moves, Rohith Vemula is a Dalit: Chandra Bhan Prasad
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/but-the-earth-moves-and-rohit-vemula-a-dalit-4800694/
India’s Muslims and the Price of Partition:Ajaz Ashraf
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/opinion/india-muslims-hindus-partition.html
Edited excerpts from Manik Sarkar’s I-Day speech that Doordarshan, AIR declined to broadcast:Manik Sarkar
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/spirit-of-secularism-is-under-attack-manik-sarkar-independence-day-speech-doordarshan-air-telecast-denied-4799952/
Gujarat RS elections: Vast resources of the BJP could not turn right into wrong:Randeep Singh Surjewala
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/vast-resources-of-the-bjp-could-not-turn-right-into-wrong-gujarat-rajya-sabha-elections-amit-shah-ahmed-patel-irani-congress-won-4800001/
Hizbul Mujahideen ban goes global, but will it reach Valley?D. Suba Chandran, Dean at National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/web-edits/hizbul-mujahideen-ban-goes-global-but-will-it-reach-the-valley-kashmir-pakistan4800861/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:10 PM)
