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Evening NEWS DIGEST
24 Aug. 2017: 01 Zilhajja 1438:Vol:8, No:264
INDIA
SC says privacy is fundamental right, ruling may have bearing on Aadhaar, beef ban; big setback for Govt?
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/right-to-privacy-is-a-guaranteed-fundamental-right-says-supreme-court/story-KvePlHt4UZK5igK0ecG6AL.html
New Delhi: Individual privacy is a “guaranteed fundamental right”, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, a landmark verdict that could now test validity of Aadhaar, the controversial biometric identification project the Govt has been pushing but critics have opposed as intrusive.Issuing a unanimous ruling, the nine-judge bench said right to privacy was at par with right to life and liberty, and that the verdict will protect citizens’ personal freedom from intrusions by the state. Aadhaar law will now be tested against Thursday’s right to privacy judgment, lawyers in the case said. Order also has a bearing on broader civil rights as well as a law criminalising homosexuality. A ban imposed on the consumption of beef in many states and alcohol in some could also come up for review. “This right to privacy is protected under Article 21 and it is intrinsic to the Constitution,” said Chief Justice of India J S Khehar, reading out the verdict for the nine-judge bench. Article 21 guarantees the right to life and liberty as inviolable fundamental rights. Central Govt has been pushing for the wide use of Aadhaar, saying it is necessary to plug leakages in its subsidy schemes and to ensure benefits reach those targeted. But critics say the move violates privacy, is vulnerable to data breaches and helps Govt spy on people.This led to multiple petitions in court challenging Aadhaar on the question of privacy.The Govt had argued citizens have a right to privacy but it is not an absolute right. But petitioners in the case contended that the right to privacy is at the heart of liberty and freedom.In upholding privacy as a fundamental right, the top court overruled all earlier judgements that had said the right to privacy was not part of the Constitution. HT
India’s landmark Supreme Court ruling could be damning for Modi’s biometric payment scheme
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/india-supreme-court-ruling-privacy-modi-biometric-payment-scheme.html
Right to privacy: Opposition leaders hail SC verdict, Rahul Gandhi says decision a ‘major blow’ to fascist forces
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/right-to-privacy-congress-aap-cpi-m-tmc-hail-supreme-court-verdict/story-804jQYYnVNSeb30HPZMrTO.html
New Delhi: In a landmark decision that will affect the lives of all Indians, the Supreme Court on unanimously declared that right to privacy was a Fundamental right under the Constitution. The ruling on the highly contentious issue was to deal with a batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of various social welfare schemes. While the Centre had argued that right to privacy is not a Fundamental right, the petitioners had contended that when a citizen gives his biometrics and personal details to the Govt and when in turn it is used by commercial organisations, it is a breach of privacy. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi welcomes SC judgment on right to privacy, tweets: “SC decision marks a major blow to fascist forces. A sound rejection of BJP’s ideology of suppression through surveillance.” P Chidambaram said that privacy is at the core of personal liberty, an inalienable part of life. Chidambaram said the Article 21 has acquired a new magnificence by virtue of this judgment.He said the Aadhaar, as conceived by the previous Congress-led UPA Govt , posed no challenge to the right to privacy. “It is Modi sarkar’s implementation that does. It is the current Govt which argued that there is no fundamental right to privacy,” he said. “We salute the Supreme Court and the many counsels who worked tirelessly, did extensive and splendid research and presented persuasive arguments before court.” Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the verdict.CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said ruling that the right to privacy is a fundamental right will have far-reaching consequences in various domains. Mamata Banerjee also welcomed the ruling.
Right to privacy verdict LIVE: Rahul Gandhi welcomes SC ruling, says decision a ‘major blow’ to fascist forces
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/right-to-privacy-verdict-live-supreme-court-to-deliver-judgement-today/story-ZyFHuyTzteT9yte9vIdCRI.html
Right to privacy lead petitioner says Section 377 not a matter of privacy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/right-to-privacy-lead-petitioner-says-section-377-not-a-matter-of-privacy/articleshow/60210658.cms
Bengaluru: Ex-Karnataka high Court judge, KS Puttaswamy, the lead petitioner in the right to privacy matter that the 9-judge Supreme Court bench held was a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of Constitution, argues that choosing of same sex partners, however, is not a matter of privacy. Puttaswamy, 92, whose PIL challenging Aadhaar being mandatory was among the original petitions that made way to the larger debate of right to privacy termed Thursday's order as a landmark judgement that will go a long way in restoring people's confidence in democracy."I was born 22 years before India attained Independence, and was brought up in old Mysuru, which was a model state and not a tyrannical one. Although there was no absolute freedom, there was representative democracy. Those were significant landmarks in the development of our country. And, so many years later when I had to draft the petition (in 2012) I did it with the best of my intentions," he said."If somebody is trying to apply this (judgement) with Section 377,it will be a blind application with no reason or rationale. The institution of marriage, evolved by humans for centuries, is one of the oldest and let's not degenerate it into a sex trade. If the society has been preserved, it is because of marriage," he argued.Arguing that the IPCand the Napoleonic Criminal Code of France are two of the best penal codes in the world that have been scrutinised enough to survive this long, he said: "How do you say that unnatural offences will be affected by this judgement, I simply laugh at it."On whether choosing one's partner is not a matter of privacy, he said:"It is all mistaken.For your information, even animals don't go astray. It is only the man that goes astray. They have something called as mating season. Unfortunately for us, 365 days is mating season (sic)." timesofindia
PERSONAL LAW vs UNIFORM CIVIL CODE
Confusion over teiple talaq verdict deepens as SC declines to "clarify" order when Kapil Sibal says it did not represent majority opinion of bench
http://www.news18.com/news/india/kapil-sibal-tries-to-reopen-triple-talaq-case-sc-turns-him-down-1500247.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to "clarify" its verdict that had by majority declared instant triple talaq to be un-Islamic and unconstitutional.Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who appeared for the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India JS Khehar, who had authored the minority ruling in this case with Justice S A Nazeer.Sibal submitted the final page of order at the end of 395-page judgement does not reflect the majority view of the bench. He wanted further clarifications."To our mind, the judgement is clear.There is no need for any clarification," CJI Khehar said.The court, however, said the counsel can file appropriate application, if he felt so.The top court's 5-judge bench by 3:2 had on August 22 declared the practice of instant divorce by pronouncing talaq thrice at one go as arbitrary and unconstitutional. It also concluded that the practice is not part of Islam.The 3 separate verdicts totalling 395 pages, written for the majority by Justices Kurian Joseph and RF Nariman, did not concur with the minority view of CJI and Justice SA Nazeer that 'triple talaq' was a part of religious practice and the govt should step in and bring in a law. 3 judges, Justices Joseph, Nariman and UU Lalit, expressly disagreed with CJI and Justice Nazeer on the key issue whether triple talaq was fundamental to Islam.CNN-News18
Is CJI’s contradiction led other 3 judges to strike down Triple talaq? CJI first declares talaq under fundamental right, later stays for 6 months, even orders legislation
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/triple-talaq-verdict-cjis-view-had-contradiction-justice-kurien-joseph-caught-it/articleshow/60200409.cms
New Delhi:Justice Kurian Joseph caught the constitutional contradiction in Chief Justice JS Khehar's 272-page judgment which held the minority view — that triple talaq was a constitutionally valid mode of divorce being intrinsic to Islamic personal law and hence part of fundamental rights. Of the 272 pages, Justice Khehar and Justice S Abdul Nazeer devoted 268 pages to examine triple talaq from every possible perspective — legal, constitutional and theological — and recorded, "We have arrived at a conclusion that talaq-e-biddat (tripletalaq) is a matter of 'personal law' of Sunni Muslims belonging to Hanafi school. It constitutes a matter of their faith. It has been practised by them for at least 1400 years."We have examined whether the practice satisfies the constraints provided under Art 25 (right to religion) of the Constitution, and have arrived at the conclusion that it does not breach any of them.We have also come to the conclusion that the practice being a component of 'personal law', has the protection of Art 25 of the Constitution."Having constitutionally cloaked triple talaq, the CJI declared, "Religion is a matter of faith, and not logic. It is not open to a court to accept an egalitarian approach over a practice which constitutes an integral part of religion. After making triple talaq immune from judicial interference, CJI remembered SC's constitutional powers under Art 142 to do 'complete justice'.In the last 4 pages, CJI dealt with the near unanimous view that the practice was "arbitrary and gender discriminatory" and said India should take the legislative route to do away with this practice as had been done by countries with sizeable Muslim populations and even by theocratic Islamic states. This 4-page discussion persuaded the CJI and Justice Nazeer to stay the practice of triple talaq, which they had declared to be a fundamental right. This raised the discomfiting question — can a constitutional court stay the operation of a fundamental right? CJI and Justice Nazeer did that, albeit for a period of 6 months, to enable Parliament to legislate on it.They even went on to "beseech different political parties to keep their individual political gains apart while considering the necessary measures requiring legislation". Justice Joseph, who along with Justice RF Nariman and Justice U U Lalit constituted the majority in striking down triple talaq, caught this contradiction, even though mentioning it fleetingly, out of respect for the CJI, in his 27-page judgment. Justice Joseph said, "After the introduction of Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, no practice against the tenets of Quran is permissible. Hence, there cannot be any constitutional protection to such a practice (triple talaq) and, thus,my disagreement with the learned Chief Justice for the constitutional protection given to triple talaq."He nailed the contradiction by writing, "I also have serious doubts as to whether even under Article 142, the exercise of a fundamental right can be injuncted (stayed)."TOI
Jamiat defiant:Triple talaq still valid, punish if you wish to
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jamiat-defiant-triple-talaq-still-valid-punish-if-you-wish-to-4810666/
Striking a defiant note a day after the Supreme Court set aside the practice of instant triple talaq Jamiat Ulama-i general secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani said that regardless of the court ruling, the practice of talaq, including instant triple talaq, will continue in the country and will be considered valid. “If you want to punish the person for it, you can do so but the divorce will be recognised,” Madani said. “We are viewing this very seriously. Not only do we not agree with the judgment, we think this is a direct assault on the fundamental right to practice religion. The repeated reference to nikaah, halala, polygamy etc have raised apprehensions that there may be more such interference on the anvil,” he said. “I want to state in unequivocal terms that talaq will continue to happen even though it is the worst sin in Islam, even instantaneous talaq will happen. If you want to punish the person, you can but the divorce will be deemed to have happened,” Madani said. He cited the example of owning a revolver licence. “Police has given it to me for self-defence, not to kill somebody,”he said, trying to explain why Islam incorporated the provision of talaq while deeming it halal.indianexpress
Congress, Muslim Personal Law Board must apologise to Muslim women now: UP minister Raza
http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/congress-all-india-muslim-personal-law-board-must-apologise-to-muslim-women-now/story-x7o2QGLewlVXBgAN6Jp2QL.html
Lucknow:UP govt’s Muslim face Mohsin Raza in an interview hailing the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq, blamed AIMPLB and the Congress for keeping quiet on the exploitation of Muslim women for so long. On the SC order on triple talaq, "It’s a historic order that would liberate our sisters from the exploitation they suffered for so long. And who made them suffer? It was All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Congress that refused to act against this exploitation for obvious reasons. Remember how the then Congress Govt circumvented an SC judgement in the Shah Bano case through an act in 1986. That’s how Muslim women were made to suffer for vote bank reasons." Attacking AIMPLB, UP minister said, "How can an NGO that the AIMPLB actually is be so powerful that it started influencing decisions, being oblivious to exploitation of women?."He added, "They (AIMPLB) started looking within only when they realised that their tactics to suppress Muslim women won’t work any longer. In fact, I would say that if the Board still refuses to see reason after the SC order and remains rigid, then it should be banned. In fact, both the Board and Congress must apologise to Muslim women."HT
7 yrs after banning Triple Talaq, MP’s sharia court reacts to SC
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/08/23/mp-sharia-court-banned-triple-talaq
Long before the Supreme Court’s judgment holding triple talaq unconstitutional, the judges of MP’s Sharia court had put an end to hearing cases related to the unsavory practice, restricting themselves to only single talaq cases since 2010. Welcoming the SC’s 3-2 verdict of 22 Aug, Shariat court (Dar-ul-Qaza) Chief Judge Mushtaq Ali Nadvi said: “I have often opposed the practice of instant talaq and urged the parties to follow Shariat laws related to nikah and talaq,” adding that courts “banned seven years ago what the SC has done today”. Emphasising that he “stands by” AIMPLB, Nadvi said that he would abide by the decisions that this body takes in the course of the next week or so.Dar-ul-Qaza is the only Sharia court in MP, run by Bhopal Masajid Committee, which hears, resolves and delivers judgements on matrimonial disputes of the Muslim community but it does not force the parties to follow its pronouncements. The court is presided over by two judges –Ali Nadvi and Sayed Babar Hussain Nadvi.When asked whether Parliament should legislate a law to do away with triple talaq, Ali Nadvi said:Parliament is free to make laws on any subject and several Bills remain pending in both Houses, but the central Govt has been targeting a single community and has been racking up religious issues to get political mileage. These moves, Ali Nadvi said, are against the spirit of Article 25 of the Constitution, which says that “All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion subject to public order, morality and health. Setting aside MP HS judgement against Dar-ul-Qaza and Darul ifta, an SC's 3-judge Bench led by RM Lodha (then CJI), ruled in 2014 that while the institution of Dar-ul-Qaza has no legal status, they were not altogether illegal.Bench added that the institutions functioned as “informal justice delivery systems” that amicably settled disputes between parties in the light of the “book of Allah” and “sunnat of the Prophet”.To drive home their point, the judges said that institutions represented “alternative dispute resolution mechanisms” which settled disputes outside the court. Justice Lodha-led Bench said for good measure that a fatwa was an experts’ opinion which influences Muslims, but parties to a dispute could either accept, ignore or reject it. Besides, the Bench held that Shariat courts had no right or power to enforce fatwas and if they did so, it would be illegal. Earlier, we would rarely entertain unilateral decisions involving triple talaq but after a few cases adjudicated by the Supreme Court in the past, we would take decisions in the presence of both the parties. And since the second party (wife) would not appear before us,we would cajole the 2 parties to approach the district court. “Now it is an unwritten rule in our court that we don’t accept triple talaq cases,”added Ali Nadvi, who is also Shahr-e-Qazi. thequint
Triple talaq case- can justice Nariman’s view on arbitrariness be treated as a binding declaration of the constitution bench? Manu sebastian
http://www.livelaw.in/triple-talaq-case-can-justice-narimans-view-arbitrariness-treated-binding-declaration-constitution-bench/
OTHERS
Jamaat Islami seeks govt, parties help for incident-free Eid
http://theindianawaaz.com/jamaat-islami-seeks-govt-parties-help-for-incident-free-eid/
New Delhi:The President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari has written to the Home Minister of India, various CMs of India and the heads of major political parties of India seeking their cooperation in ensuring a peaceful and incident-free Eid ul Adha. It may be noted that Jamaat along with some prominent Ulema and Muslim organizations have also issued a joint advisory to Muslims on how to conduct themselves during Eid.Indian Awaaz
Muslim leadership issues Eid Al-Adha advisory for community
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/top-muslim-leadership-issues-eid-al-adha-advisory-for-community?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi: Top Muslim leaders of the country on Wednesday issued a joint and nationwide advisory in view of the upcoming Eid al-Adha or Bakrid. While admitting that Muslims may encounter some difficulties this time in procuring and sacrificing the animal, the leaders asked the community not to become negligent of this important responsibility. Instead, "you should help each other and observe the qurbani in the same manner as you have been doing previously," they said.The leaders also asked the community not to sacrifice animals on roads, ensure highest level of cleanliness and hygiene and not to do any such thing that could disturb neighbors especially those belonging to other faiths. "You should not take the law in your hands under any circumstances," they said.Perhaps it is first time, at least in recent time, that top leadership has issued such advisory. This could be seen in the backdrop of recent attacks of cow vigilantes and central Govt's notification banning sale/purchase of cattle from cattle marker for slaughtering or religious sacrifice. The joint advisory has been issued by: Maulana Syed Muhammad Rabey Husni, President, AIMPLB, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, President JIH, Maulana Mehmood Madani, of Jamiat, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Navaid Hamid, head of Majlis-e Mushawarat, Maulana Ali Asghar Imam Mehdi head of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees, Maulana Yaseen Akhtar Misbaahi and Maulana Kalbe Jawwad. IndiaTomorrow
Joint Advisory by Muslim Orgs, Scholars of various sects head of Eid ul Adha in days Cow terrorism
http://www.milligazette.com/news/15825-joint-advisory-by-indian-muslim-orgs-scholars-of-various-sects-on-the-occasion-of-eid-ul-adha-in-these-days-cow-terrorism
Muslim bodies issue advisory to community on Eid ulAdha
http://theindianawaaz.com/muslim-bodies-issue-advisory-to-the-community-on-eid-ul-adha/
Satisfied with Maharashtra Govt measures to check cow vigilantism: HC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/satisfied-with-govt-measures-to-check-cow-vigilantism-hc/articleshow/60198941.cms
Mumbai: Bombay high court has said that it was satisfied with the measures taken by the Maharashtra Govt to "maintain law and order" and declined to issue any directives over cow vigilante attacks."We are satisfied that the state has taken necessary steps to ensure the festivals are celebrated in peace," said a division bench of Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice Makrand Karnik, while pointing out that this year the Muslim festival of Bakr Eid coincides with Hindu festivals like Gauri Pooja and Ganesh Chathurthi. HC accepted the state's assurance to take measures "to ensure no untoward incidents take place while transporting animals for Eid." HC reiterated that it was not inclined to "judicially legislate on the issue or what should be done by the state." The HC went through the circulars issued by state DG and Mumbai police commissioner as well as a confidential communication by commissioner of state IB to police stations across the state. Additional public prosecutor Jayesh Yagnik informed the court that all steps had been taken to maintain law and order. timesofindia
Muslim front seeks proper arrangements while carrying out symbolic sacrifice
http://www.navhindtimes.in/muslim-front-seeks-proper-arrangements-while-carrying-out-symbolic-sacrifice/
Vasco: Progressive Muslim Front, Vasco, has urged the directorate of animal husbandry to direct the chairman of Goa Meat Complex to make necessary arrangements there, and the law enforcing agencies to do the needful in providing a safe atmosphere to the Muslims for carrying out the symbolic sacrifice on the occasion of Eid ul Adha. navhindtimes
Sikhs Show Unity With Muslim Leaders In Punjab After Quran Sacrilege
https://www.sikh24.com/2017/08/23/sikhs-show-unity-with-muslim-leaders-in-punjab-after-quran-sacrilege/#.WZ7lS_gjG1s
Malerkotla:A team of Shiromani Akali Dal headed by General Secretary S. Amrik Singh Ballowal, reached Malerkotla to inquire about the sacrilege of ‘Quran Sharif’ that had occurred a few days back. The sacred Muslim holy book was desecrated by some miscreants.Meeting President of Muslim Federation of Punjab Advocate Movin Faruqi and others in Malerkotla, the SADA team had full details of the incident shared with them. SAD (Amritsar) also expressed solidarity with Muslim community in these unfortunate time to support the struggle for bringing the culprits to justice.Interacting with media on this occasion, SAD (Amritsar) General Secretary S. Amrik Singh Ballowal said that that attacks on minorities and sacrilege of their religious scriptures won’t be tolerated at any cost in Punjab. He added that the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) was steadfast to fight against Indian state’s oppression and hooliganism of Hindu fanatics. sikh24
Hussaini Brahmins: Hindus who fought for Imam Hussain in war of Karbala: india.com
http://www.india.com/news/india/hussaini-brahmins-the-hindus-who-fought-for-imam-hussain-in-war-of-karbala-655259/
Term ‘Hussaini Brahmins’ comes as a surprise for the majority of readers. It is perceived as if 2 contradicting words are aligned together.However, its definition is a source of inspiration for those who believe in plurality, unity and diversity. At a time when communal animosity is escalating between Hindus and Muslims, one should reminisce the valour shown by Brahmins residing in North-West frontier (Pakistan) by joining the martyrdom of the revered Islamic figure.Rahab Singh Dutt, upper-caste Hindu belonging to Mohyal community traveled all the way to Iran, along with his sons to join Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad in the war of Karbala. The famous battle was fought against caliph Yazeed, who had turned corrupt and spread a cruel rule in the region of al-sham (now Iraq, Iran and Syria). Since grandson of prophet took objection to his unjust methods, Yazeed launched a war against him. Imam Hussain, who was left with a few number of supporters in the region of Central Arab (now Medina, Oman and Yemen) wrote a number of letters to neighbouring tribes and regions which had maintained good relations with Prophet Muhammad. One such letter reached Brahmins of North-West frontier.Despite knowing the fact that he was participating a one-sided battle and destined to lose, Datt joined the forces of Hussain. According to Sunita Jhingran, who claims to be a Mohyal descendant of Rahab Singh Dutt, “Our ancestors joined the forces because Imam Hussain was fighting against the oppression of people under Yazeed’s rule. He was fighting for true Islam, which was propagated by the beloved prophet. Rahab Singh Dutt was a warrior who joined the forces of the Imam since he was standing for the righteous.” Rahab Singh Dutt joined the losing battalion of Hussain. Dutt did not die in the battle, but his 7 sons who accompanied him lost their lives shortly after the beheading of Imam Hussain. After the battle, he met Hussain’s sister, Zainab and narrated his story. According to Vipin Mohan Jhingran, who claims to be a Hussaini Brahmin, Zainab was moved to tears after confronting Dutt. “Family of Prophet told our ancestor Rahab Singh Dutt that from now you are not just Brahmins, but ‘Hussaini’ Brahmins,” said Jhingran.Hussaini Brahmins thrived in the regions of Pakistan in the pre-independence era. Community members are identified with surnames such as Mohan, Bali, Chibber,Dutt, Bakshi, Lav, Bimwal and Jhingran. After partition, they migrated to India and settled in various parts of the nation.
No Durga idol immersion on Oct 1 due to Muharram, maintain communal harmony: Mamata
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-durga-idol-immersion-on-oct-1-due-to-muharram-maintain-communal-harmony-mamata-banerjee/story-yX0bcInCo7rhbOas4CRIOK.html
Kolkata: With Muharram scheduled a day after Dussera this year, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee asked the people on Wednesday to cooperate with each other and not to fall prey to provocation leading to communal problems.Some quarters may try to instigate people to flare up communal tension and there are people who may try to take political advantage of this, Banerjee said, addressing a meeting of Durga Puja committees in the evening.She asked, “Why should we take the blame because of some people who are trying to take political advantage?,”Banerjee directed SPs in the districts to talk to Durga Puja committees and Muharram committees regarding holding of their rallies, and said that there would not be any idol immersion on Oct.1, on scheduled day of Muharram. “Immersion will resume on Oct.2 and will continue till Oct. 4,” she said. CM also asked the people not to pay heed to posts on social networking sites leading to communal disturbances.“It is the latest trend. People are posting fake photos of incidents on social networking sites. People must be very cautious about this and remember that cybercrime is also a crime,” she said.“Muharram is not a festival we must keep that in mind. It’s our responsibility. I have heard that some people have plans to disturb and drive people in a wrong path,” she said stressing that the puja committees should play a “bigger role” in this context.PTI
Shiv Sena compares Jain monk to Zakir Naik for backing BJP in municipal polls , says BJP won polls using ‘money’, ‘muni’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/shiv-sena-compares-jain-monk-to-zakir-naik-says-bjp-won-polls-using-money-muni-4810656/
Mumbai: 2 days after BJP won Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation polls with a clear majority, the Shiv Sena charged its alliance partner in the state Govt of winning the polls using “money” and muni (monk), referring to a Jain monk who reportedly made a videographed plea to community members to vote for the BJP. Sena also compared the Jain monk to Dr Zakir Naik, calling his canvassing for votes a “fatwa”. Sena on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India, objecting to Jain monk Naypadmasagarji Maharaj’s video in which the spiritual leader is seen urging the community to vote for the BJP to create a “meat-free society”. The Sena has demanded the disqualification of the candidates who benefited from the monk’s speech. “Monk has campaigned on religious lines to help BJP candidates win. BJP won the polls using money and muni. BJP’s victory is a disgrace to Maharashtra’s culture,” said Sanjay Raut, senior Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP, addressing the media at the Sena HQRS in Dadar. “Jama Masjid’s Imam used to come out with such fatwas earlier. Now, the Jain monk came out with a fatwa in the Mira Bhayander polls. Such people are political goons, I compare them to Zakir Naik,” said Raut. He said as campaigning on religious lines is a violation of the model code of conduct, the party has filed a complaint with Election Commission of India and State Election Commission.BJP has bagged 61 seats out of 95 in the Mira Bhayander civic polls held on Sunday. The Sena, which was hoping to win more than 45 seats, received a major setback and won only 22 seats. Congress won 10 seats while NCP could not open its account.. indianexpress
SC issues notice to Centre on plea against rule denying reservation benefits to Dalit Christians
http://www.livelaw.in/ghar-wapsi-issue-sc-notice-centre-plea-rule-denying-reservation-benefits-dalit-christians-read-petition/
Supreme Court has issued notice to the ministry of social justice and empowerment on a petition filed by All India Catholic Union and leading Christian political activist John Dayal challenging the validity of para 3 of Constitution( SC) order 1950 by which dalit Christians are denied reservation benefits. PI Jose, the lawyer who appeared for the petitioners told the court that this provision was being misused by Hindu right wing organizations like the RSS and VHP to indulge in Ghar Wapsi, that is re-conversion of Christians and Muslims into Hinduism “The petition also raises the point that RSS and its affiliates are misusing the delay in not hearing the original 2004 petition on this issue by engaging in Ghar Wapsi etc. and therefore there is a need to hear the matter early, even though UOI is delaying it by not filing a reply”, said advocate Jose.As per para 3 of Constitution (scheduled castes) order 1950 which the petition has challenged, “no person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of a scheduled caste”.he court issued notice and directed it to be taged with Writ Petition no. 180/2004 (old matter).Expressing concern over ‘Ghar Wapsi’or the re-conversion programme indulged in by Hindu right wing outfits, they moved a fresh petition for of the clause. Dayal and the Christian body argued that bodies like the RSS and VHP are capitalizing on the delay by luring dalit Christians to re-convert by promising them Scheduled Caste rights and other incentives. Admitting the petition, a bench of chief justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud issued notice to the Social Justice Ministry seeking their response. livelaw
Kerala: Father files complaint against activist Easwar for leaking video, showing Hadiya still practicing Islam
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/08/23/complaint-against-rahul-eshwar-for-releasing-hadiyas-video
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Days after activist and TV personality Rahul Easwar released the controversial "Love Jihad Tapes", that show Hadiya (a Hindu woman who embraced Islam and took up the name Hadiya) questioning her mother on her choice of religion, her family has filed a complaint against Rahul.In his complaint given to the Sub Inspector of Police (Vaikkom) Saby, Ashokan, Hadiya’s father, alleges that Rahul had cheated them by releasing the footage.SI Saby told TNM that while they have received a complaint, the police have initiated preliminary probe on Ashokan's complaint. An FIR is yet to be lodged, he added. On 17 August, Rahul had released a selfie photograph of him, Hadiya and Ashokan, where Hadiya was seen wearing a hijab. He also released a 1 minute 53 seconds video showing Hadiya arguing with her mother.In a 6-page complaint to the police, Ashokan alleged that Rahul had exploited the family's distress and had cheated them. Ashokan has also accused Rahul of being the tool of terrorist organisations in convincing the world that Hadiya continues to live as a Muslim.By leaking the photograph and video, Rahul provided fodder to the media, that ran prime time shows arguing that Hadiya was still a practicing Muslim, the complaint says.However, Rahul had told TNM that the photographs and the video was taken with the knowledge and permission of the family. Asked whether his action had violated the court order, Rahul had said that the Kerala HC had already recorded Hadiya's statement and that a "mere technicality that the case is sub-judice shouldn't stop him from revealing the truth." thequint
Hadiya's father files complaint against activist Rahul Easwar for releasing video
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hadiyas-father-files-complaint-against-activist-rahul-easwar-releasing-video-67231
Hindu family coverts to Islam in MP after facing social boycott since 28 years
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hindu-family-coverts-to-islam-after-facing-social-boycott/1/1032873.html
Chhatarpur: A Hindu man and his family here have embraced Islam after allegedly facing social boycott for over 28 years since he married a Muslim woman.Vinod Prakash Khare (51), a resident of Rajnagar town in the district in Bundelkhand region, said he had married a Muslim woman nearly 28 years back. Post the marriage, his wife was assigned a Hindu name. However, their alliance was not accepted by the family, relatives and society at large and his family was ostracised, he alleged.Khare, his wife, daughter and sons converted to Islam on August 21. "The Hindu society has not been supportive of us. Nobody used to invite us to marriages," he said."I was not even allowed to lend a shoulder to my father’s body during his funeral procession. In such times, the Muslim society helped us, so our family decided to accept Islam," said the man, who is now rechristened as Ghulam Mohammed.Rajnagars SDM Ravindra Choukse said he was aware about familys conversion. "I have got information about the conversion of Khare and his family. In case of any dispute or controversy necessary steps would be taken," Choukse said.PTI
RSS worker murdered on roadside in Kerala, communal tensions might flare up
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rss-worker-stabbed-on-roadside-in-kerala-communal-tensions-might-flare-up/story-ZVuzYgLnODeTZsRmLWVj4K.html
A RSS worker accused of murder was stabbed to death early on Thursday in Kerala’s Malappuram district, police said, ratcheting up temperatures in a state that has seen a spate of political violence. Vipin – whose body was found on the roadside with several stab wounds – was allegedly part of a team that murdered Aneesh Kumar, also known as Faisal Pullani (31) 8 months ago for converting to Islam. Vipin was released on bail last week.Tension gripped the sensitive Kodinji area after the murder and police tightened vigil across the district. Eight members of Faizal’s family also converted to Islam last month.Vipin’s murder was the latest in a string of political killings in the state that has prompted the RSS to blame the ruling Left Front of murdering opponents. Earlier this month, a 34-year-old RSS worker was killed and his hands chopped off allegedly by CPI(M) supporters. hindustantimes
‘Pig, go back to India’: Indian origin CEO abused by Trump supporter in US
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pig-go-back-to-india-chicago-ceo-abused-by-donald-trump-supporter-in-the-us/story-Z6TM0va6B9KwnPUAr15c2J.html
New Delhi: An Indian-origin CEO in the US was racially abused after he wrote an article saying he will not defend US President Donald Trump’s economic agenda after the violence in Charlottesville where white supremacists clashed with counter-demonstrators.“I recently told New York Times I was ‘rooting’ for certain aspects of Trump’s economic agenda,” Ravin Gandhi, CEO of GMM Nonstick Coatings, wrote for CNBC. “After Charlottesville and its aftermath, I will not defend Trump even if the Dow hits 50,000, unemployment goes to 1 percent, and GDP grows by 7%. Some issues transcend economics, and I will not in good conscience support a president who seems to hate Americans who don’t look like him,” he said.What followed were a string of racist attacks on email and Twitter and Gandhi posted a voicemail on YouTube on Thursday of a woman abusing him and saying: “You’re a f****** Indian pig.”Continuing with the rant, the alleged Trump supporter can be heard scornfully saying: “Get your f****** garbage and go back to India, and sell it there.”The woman also called the Indian American US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley a “Bangladesh creep” and said they will start taking down Buddhist statues.Gandhi is not a Buddhist and grew up in Illinois’ Waukegan, the Chicago Tribune reported.The audio has more than 7000 views, with a user pointing out that India wasn’t a Buddhist majority country and saying: “Why are racists so ignorant?”HT
India warned plan to deport Rohingya refugees will only inflame persecution: theguardian
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/24/india-warned-plan-to-deport-rohingya-refugees-will-only-inflame-persecution
New Delhi :A plan by Indian Govt to deport tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees will increase harassment of the persecuted Muslim minority while proving impossible to implement, activists have warned.Earlier this month, India’s ministry of home affairs sent a letter to each of the country’s state Govts asking them to identify and deport all illegal immigrants, including Rohingya refugees.The letter said the refugees were a potential security threat and a burden on resources, calling on law enforcement and intelligence agencies to take “prompt steps in identifying the illegal migrants and initiate the deportation processes expeditiously”. But Madhurima Dhanuka, coordinator of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s prison reforms programme, said deporting the Rohingyas to Myanmar was “legally, procedurally and practically impossible”.“Rohingyas are not merely economic illegal immigrants, but people who have been forced to flee their homeland for fear of persecution,” she said. “This distinguishes them from other illegal immigrants who the Govt has the authority to deport or prosecute.”
Purohit claims he kept Army in loop, Army blew his cover
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/colonel-shrikant-purohit-claims-he-kept-army-in-loop-army-blew-his-cover-4810786/
New Delhi:A key defence of 2008 Malegaon blast accused Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit, who stepped out of Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai Wednesday after being granted bail by the Supreme Court, was that he had infiltrated radical Hindutva groups as an IB officer and had informed his superiors about it.In interviews, Purohit maintained that the Army always stood by him. But an inquiry, conducted by DG Military Intelligence after it was informed by the IB of his involvement, found that he had taken counter-measures to dissociate himself from the blast case and generated intelligence on alleged involvement of accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur after learning from his sources that she was going to be held by the Maharashtra ATS. Inquiry concluded that “the officer is highly indoctrinated, deals with illegal proliferation of weapons and hiding facts”. Inquiry report also said that his wife,Aparna Purohit, “revealed that her husband has deep hatred for Islam and he may be involved in activities directed against them”. indianexpress
India swine flu death toll rises above 1,000 this year
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41034038
India appears to be in the grip of a swine flu outbreak with 1,094 recorded deaths over the past eight months, said an official report on Wednesday.The last 3 weeks have seen the highest number of fatalities, at 342.A total of 22,186 cases have been reported across the country.The number of deaths this year is four times more than fatalities recorded over the equivalent period in 2016, which itself saw a dip in occurrences of the disease.The western state of Maharashtra is the worst affected, where the death toll stands at 437, according to data revealed by Union Health Ministry. Neighbouring Gujarat follows closely with 297 deaths. bbc
Ram Rahim rape case verdict highlights: HC raps Haryana govt for not imposing section 144 on time
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-dera-sacha-sauda-chief-rape-case-cbi-punjab-haryana-security-dera-followers-live-updates-4810979/
A notification has been issued to suspend mobile internet services in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh as the situation has aggravated ahead of the verdict against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh rape case. Thousands of Dera followers have already gathered in Panchkula in show of support to Ram Rahim. Security has been beefed up with around 5,000 police personnel have been deployed in the city, as authorities are anticipating large-scale violence in case the verdict goes against Ram Rahim.The Army has also been contacted by the state Govt s to ensure assistance in maintaining law and order. Schools and colleges in Panchkula were closed on Wednesday and are said to reopen on August 28. Suspension of mobile internet is also being considered in order to curb violence from spreading. indianexpress
New Rs 50 note out? Before RBI’s official release, Mumbai man seen possessing one
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/new-rs-50-note-out-before-rbi-official-release-mumbai-man-seen-possessing-one-4811851/
A new Rs 50 bank note, that is scheduled to be circulated by the Reserve Bank of India soon, was found in possession of a Mumbai man on Thursday. An exclusive picture of the man with the new note has been accessed by The Indian Express. Govt has confirmed that the Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs 50 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (new) series, which will bear the signature of central bank governor Urjit Patel.The new denomination Rs 50 banknote has motif of Hampi with Chariot on the reverse, depicting the country’s cultural heritage. The base colour of the note is Fluorescent Blue. However, all banknotes in the denomination of Rs 50 issued by the central bank in the earlier series will continue to be legal tender. indianexpress
India is full of accidents, natural disasters: China warns citizens
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/dont-visit-india-its-full-of-accidents-disasters-china-warns-citizens/articleshow/60211504.cms
Beijing: China intensified its criticism of India and issued a second advisory warning its citizens living in India about various safety risks. The moves come ahead of the BRICS summit, which will see leaders from five countries, including PM Narendra Modi, meeting in the Chinese city of Xiamen in early Sept."It seems that Indian side is slapping its own face," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said while discussing reports that India was building a road between Marsimik La to Hot Spring in Ladakh sector.China's ire at Indian infrastructure comes in the wake of the Doklam dispute, which took place after India objected to road building by Chinese troops in the disputed area. timesofindia
China slams India for road construction in Ladakh
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/soft-on-pakistan-china-slams-india-for-road-construction-in-ladakh/article19553208.ece?homepage=true
Beijing:China slammed India for apparently building a new road in the Ladakh sector, but lavished praise on Pakistan as its key partner. The move signals a sharper polarisation of Beijing’s ties in the subcontinent, following the Doklam crisis.“It seems that Indian side is slapping its own face,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, in response to reports that India was building a road between Marsimik La to Hot Spring. The area is not far from the Pangong lake in Ladakh, where there was an unarmed clash between Indian and Chinese troops earlier this month.Ms. Hua’s warning that the decision to build a road could boomerang on India, came in backdrop of the crisis in the Doklam plateau, where Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a lengthy stand-off. thehindu
WORLD
Pak should not be made 'scapegoat' for failure of US military to win war in Afghanistan: Foreign Minister
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4815846/Pakistan-says-U-S-not-make-scapegoat-Afghan-failures.html#ixzz4qfKHWjZu
Pakistan has rejected President Trump's criticism of its efforts to fight terrorism saying it should not be used as a scapegoat for the failure of US military to win the war in Afghanistan.US President Donald Trump unveiled his policy for Afghanistan on Monday, committing to an open-ended conflict there and singling out Pakistan for harbouring Afghan Taliban insurgents and other militants.US officials later warned that aid to Pakistan might be cut and Washington might downgrade nuclear-armed Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally to pressure it to do more to help bring about an end to America's longest-running war. Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif added his voice to a chorus of indignation in Pakistan over the US criticism, reiterating Pakistan's denial that it harbours militants.'They should not make Pakistan a scapegoat for their failures in Afghanistan,' Asif said. 'Our commitment to war against terrorism is unmatched and unshaken.'Asif said Pakistan had suffered great losses from militancy - the Govt estimates there have been 70,000 casualties in militant attacks, including 17,000 Pakistanis killed - since Pakistan joined US 'war on terrorism' after 2001, attacks on the US.But he said Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism were being taken for granted and dismissed the notion the US could 'win war against terror by threatening us or cornering us'.US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is due to meet Asif in coming days, on Tuesday outlined a range of options to change Pakistan's approach but conceded there were concerns about putting too much pressure on Pakistan.Asif said Pakistan was also angered by Trump's appeal to India to do more in Afghanistan. 'Attempting to isolate Pakistan will not yield anything but a dangerous sharpening of strategic fault lines,' said Sherry Rehman, a senior opposition politician and former Pakistani ambassador to the US. Opposition politician Imran Khan said Pakistan should finally learn a valuable lesson: 'Never to fight others wars for the lure of dollars,' he said on Twitter.Daily Mail
Pakistan bars LeT, 64 groups from collecting hides on Eid
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/pakistan-bars-let-64-groups-from-collecting-hides-on-eid-4811904/
Tajik National Bank to freeze Islamic organisations' bank accounts: Xinhua report
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/23/c_136549842.htm
Astana:Tajik National Bank will freeze the accounts of 1,178 terrorists and extremists organizations that are on a list provided by the National Security Committee, according to reports on Wednesday.The list, which is constantly updated, has been expanded from the one six months ago, which listed only 200.The organizations listed are officially banned in the Central Asian country by the Supreme Court. Among them are the Muslim Brotherhood, Jamaat-e-Islami, Taliban Movement, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Tablighi Jamaat, the Islamic State group and the Jabhat Al-Nusra. Corresponding authorities are required to immediately and unconditionally freeze the bank accounts of all the people and organizations on the list. The move is partly intended to fight money laundering.
Qatar restores ambassador to Iran amid regional crisis
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/qatar-restores-ambassador-iran-regional-crisis-170824035841379.html
Qatar says its ambassador will return to Tehran more than 20 months after he was recalled in protest over the ransacking of Saudi's missions by protesters angry at Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric.In a statement released on Thursday, the Qatari foreign ministry said its ambassador would "return to resume his diplomatic duties", as Doha wanted to strengthen ties in all fields with the Islamic republic.The information office did not specify an exact date for the ambassador's return - or provide his name - but said Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed "bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing them" in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.The decision to restore ties with Iran comes amid Arab diplomatic dispute.Qatar recalled its ambassador to Tehran in January last year after Saudi Arabia cut ties with the Islamic Republic, accusing Iran of failing to protect its embassy in the capital and consulate in Mashahd against protesters who had ransacked them.Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a research fellow at James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University said the decision to install the ambassador shows Qatar is prepared "to go in a different direction".Qatar, which is dependent on food imports, imported the vast majority of its food from its Gulf neighbours before they imposed a punishing trade and travel blockade. aljazeera
Qatar restores diplomatic ties with Iran despite demands by Arab neighbors
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/qatar-restores-diplomatic-ties-with-iran-despite-demands-by-arab-neighbors/2017/08/24/9288e05c-6666-492f-8f32-bc68541c3867_story.html?utm_term=.8f929715c667
Civilians in Raqqa under fire 'from all sides': Amnesty
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/civilians-raqqa-fire-sides-amnesty-170824004428242.html
Civilians fleeing the battle to remove ISIL from the Syrian city of Raqqa face a "deadly labyrinth", with fire coming from "all sides", rights group Amnesty International has warned.Amnesty said on Thursday that the US-led coalition campaign to drive the ISIL group out of its de-facto capital has killed hundreds of civilians, and those remaining there face greater risk as the fight intensifies in its final stages."As the battle to wrest Raqqa from Islamic State intensifies, thousands of civilians are trapped in a deadly labyrinth where they are under fire from all sides," Amnesty Senior Crisis Response Adviser Donatella Rovera said, referring to another name used for ISIL.In recent days, the US-led coalition intensified its ferocious bombing campaign in Raqqa, more than half of which has been captured by US-led SDP battling ISIL.Residents told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that at least 100 civilians were killed over a 48-hour span by US-led air attacks on the city.UN estimates that up to 25,000 civilians may remain in the city with tens of thousands of others have already fled, risking ISIL sniper fire and mines.Amnesty criticised US-led campaign for artillery and aerial bombardment on areas containing civilians and asked for an end to attacks that risk being indiscriminate. "Whether you live or die depends on luck because you don't know where the next shell will strike, so you don't know where to run," a former Raqqa resident told Amnesty. Aljazeera
Sisi secures Israel’s interests in Syria
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170824-sisi-secures-israels-interests-in-syria/
An Israeli report has praised Egypt’s intervention in managing the Syrian crisis and its efforts to rein in Iran’s influence in the country in a manner which serves Tel Aviv’s interests.In an article titled “In Blow to Iran, Egypt Becomes Surprise New Player in Syria”Arab affairs analyst for Haaretz, Zvi Bar’el, said that Egypt “received Saudi and Russian permission to conduct negotiations between the rebel militias and the regime, both in Ghouta Al-Sharqiya [east of Damascus] and the northern neighbourhoods in the city of Homs. In both cases, it managed to get a cease-fire deal signed – in the former on July 22, in the latter in early August.”The two areas fall on the map of de-escalation zones that Russia, Turkey, and Iran agreed to establish, in coordination with the US. middleeastmonitor
YouTube removes Syrian videos showing war crimes
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170824-youtube-removes-syrian-videos-showing-war-crimes/
YouTube has blocked thousands of Syrian videos showing atrocities and violations of human rights carried out during the ongoing conflict, Anadolu reported yesterday.YouTube is using a new artificial intelligence programme that tracks and monitors videos with “violent contents” and at the same time “violates publishing rules” set by company.Various media organisations have been targeted by Youtube’s new programme, including Middle East Eye. Middle East Monitor’s YouTube channel has also been suspended for allegedly violating YouTube’s guidelines. Some of the content which was flagged included footage of the aftermath of Daesh atrocities and human rights abuses committed by other armed groups.Due to the lack of clarity on why the content has been pulled it’s difficult to say if this is an attack on media freedom or a consequence of the new automated technology. middleeastmonitor
Hamas condemns Sudanese minister’s call to normalise relations with Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170824-hamas-condemns-sudanese-ministers-call-to-normalise-relations-with-israel/
Hamas condemned the call by a Sudanese minister to normalise relations with the occupation state of Israel. “The minister’s remarks are racist and provocative, and incite against Palestinian resistance, Hamas and the Palestinian people,” the movement said. “They do not reflect the values and principles of the Sudanese, who love the Palestinians and support their resistance.”What makes the comments all the more reprehensible, said Hamas, is that they were made by a member of the Mahdi family, which is well known for its support for the Palestinian cause. The statement reiterated that Arab and Islamic nations “are the strategic depth of the Palestinian people and their just cause.”Hamas called for the Sudanese people, govt and factions to condemn remarks of Investment Minister Mubarak Fadel, not least because they reflect “clear ignorance about Palestinian cause.” middleeastmonitor
Committing to a 2-state solution displays bias, claims US official
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170824-committing-to-a-two-state-solution-displays-bias-claims-us-official/
Committing to a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict would make the US a biased intermediary, the US State Dept announced. Spokeswoman Heather Nauert made this point during a press briefing at the White House, while insisting that US President Trump has made a peace agreement a top priority.“We are not going to state what the outcome has to be,” Nauert explained. “It has to be workable to both sides. That’s the best view as to not really bias one side over the other, to make sure that they can work through it.”The comments came as an American delegation headed by Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner arrived in Tel Aviv last night to resume negotiations between Israeli govt and the Palestinian Authority. middleeastmonitor
Commission urges Myanmar to end Rohingya restrictions
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/commission-urges-myanmar-rohingya-restrictions-170824083520877.html
Myanmar must scrap restrictions on movement and citizenship for its persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority if it wants to avoid fuelling extremism and bring peace to Rakhine state, a commission led by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan said on Thursday. Rights groups hailed the report as a milestone for the Rohingya because the Govt of Aung San Suu Kyi has previously vowed to abide by its findings.The mistreatment of approximately 1.1 million Rohingya has emerged as Myanmar's most contentious human rights issue as it makes a transition from decades of military rule.Annan was appointed by state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to head a year-long commission tasked with healing long-simmering divisions between the Rohingya and Buddhists in the western state, which is one of the poorest in the country."Unless current challenges are addressed promptly, further radicalisation within both communities is a real risk," 9-member commission said in its final report, describing the Rohingya as "single biggest stateless community in the world". aljazeera
Thousands of Rohingya flee Myanmar for Bangladesh
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/thousands-rohingya-flee-myanmar-bangladesh-170823193439077.html
Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have crossed into Bangladesh since Myanmar announced a military buildup in violence-hit Rakhine state earlier this month, according to community leaders.Rohingya leaders in Bangladesh told AFP on Wednesday that at least 3,500 had arrived in recent weeks, piling pressure onto already overcrowded refugee camps in the Cox's Bazaar area near the Naf river that divides the two countries. That is despite stepped-up patrols by Bangladeshi border and coast guards, who said this week they had pushed back a boat carrying 31 Rohingya, including children."aljazeera
UN probes Yemen air strike as death toll 'rises to 41'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/probes-yemen-air-strike-death-toll-jumps-41-170824070648855.html
UN is investigating reports of a Saudi-led air strike on a hotel near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, as the death toll rose to at least 41 people, including women and children. Hussain Albukhaiti, an activist based in Sanaa, said that at least 13 people were still missing on Thursday after the air strike a day earlier.Houthi rebels were apparently target of Wednesday's air raid, which hit Muntazah al-Shabab li-Rihla wa-Nawm - a popular hotel in Arhab district north of the capital. aljazeera
UN issues rare warning over 'alarming' racism in US
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/issues-rare-warning-alarming-racism-170823225952827.html
UN human rights experts have called on the US and its leadership to "unequivocally and unconditionally" condemn racist speech and crimes, warning that a failure to do so could fuel further violent incidents. The rare "early warning and urgent action" statement, which is reserved for serious situations, was issued by UN CERD.It stopped short of criticising US President Trump by name. aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Supreme Court rules privacy is fundamental right: Here’s full text of the judgment
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-rules-privacy-is-fundamental-right-here-s-full-text-of-the-judgment/story-Wheiu7B8nbgbqtJYT1KzkO.html
Hadiya case &myth of 'Love Jihad' in India:Saif Khalid
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/hadiya-case-myth-love-jihad-india-170823181612279.html
If Govt s want, they can discourage the dishonourable practice- encounter:Keki N. Daruwalla
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/encounters-in-the-dark-d-g-vanzara-4810546/
SC invalidated triple talaq, but majority did not uphold constitutional values over religious belief:Pratap Bhanu Mehta
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/supreme-court-verdict-on-triple-talaq-small-step-no-giant-leap-4808945/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:45 PM)
