Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
27 Sept. 2017: 06 Muharram 1439:Vol:9, No:06
INDIA
Note ban a disaster, GST poorly conceived: Yashwant Sinha lambasts Modi govt’s policies
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/economy-in-mess-need-to-speak-up-now-yashwant-sinha-lambastes-modi-govt-s-policies/story-cCwRAKy9oXWu492Lx1ji8O.html
New Delhi: Senior BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central Govt ’s economic policies,saying that the economy is headed for a downward spiral. In an opinion piece for the Indian Express, Sinha lambasts the Govt ’s decisions on the economic front. “I shall be failing in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy,” writes Sinha, adding that many within BJP are aware of the situation, but fear speaking up.In the no-holds barred piece, Sinha says demonetisation proved to be an “unmitigated economic disaster” and that the GST was a “badly conceived and poorly implemented” havoc.Finance minister Arun Jaitley comes in for the bulk of the criticism, as Sinha writes, “Arun Jaitley is considered to be the best and the brightest in this Govt . It was a foregone conclusion before the 2014 elections that he would be the finance minister in the new Govt .”Sinha further took on BJP president Amit Shah for citing ‘technical’ reasons for slowdown in the GDP rate and wrote, “Even the SBI, the largest public sector bank of the country, has stated with unusual frankness that the slowdown is not transient or “technical”, it is here to stay and the slowdown in demand has only aggravated the situation. It has openly contradicted what the BJP president said just a few days ago that the slowdown in the last quarter was on account of “technical” reasons and will be corrected soon.”In his scathing piece, Sinha says demonetisation was an “unmitigated economic disaster” and GST was a “badly conceived and poorly implemented” havoc. Sinha also said other people within the BJP were aware of the situation, but “fear” speaking up.On that note, the figures of the first quarter of fiscal 2017-18, released last month, showed the GDP growth rate falling at 5.7 percent, while in the concurrent period last year, the GDP was soaring ahead at 7.6 % .In his article, Sinha also took a jibe at raids conducted by Income Tax dept, ED and CBI and said that it has become “a new game to instill fear in the minds of people,” adding, “We protested against raid raj when we were in opposition. Today it has become the order of the day.”He also ridiculed the “massive” loan waivers given to the farmers “varying from one paise to a few rupees.”Sinha concluded his article by saying, “The PM claims that he has seen poverty from close quarters. His finance minister is working over-time to make sure that all Indians also see it from equally close quarters.”Sinha’s unsually sharp piece caused quite the stir and he started trending on social media.HT
The economy is on a downward spiral. Many in the BJP know it but do not say it out of fear:Yashwant Sinha
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/yashwant-sinha-arun-jaitley-gst-demonetisation-narendra-modi-economy-bjp-i-need-to-speak-up-now-4862716/
Industry Leaders Worried as More BJP Leaders Lambast Modi Govt’s Handling of Economy:Newsclick
https://newsclick.in/industry-leaders-worried-more-bjp-leaders-lambast-modi-govts-handling-economy
Yashwant, Subramanian Swamy blast economy: It's clear Modi govt needs to fix the mess before curbing dissent
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/yashwant-sinha-subramanian-swamy-blast-economy-its-clear-modi-govt-needs-to-fix-the-mess-before-curbing-dissent-4087981.html
Congress highlighted these weaknesses in economy. We were told to shut up: Chidambaram on Sinha’s article
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/chidambaram-on-yashwant-sinhas-article-will-power-now-admit-economy-is-sinking-4863330/
“Yashwant Sinha speaks truth to power. Will power now admit the truth that economy is sinking,” said senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday. He said this after senior BJP leader and former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha wrote in Indian Express criticising BJP govt’s handling of the economy. Chidambaram pointed out statistics that Sinha laid out to stress that the state of the economy was not as good as it was portrayed according to GDP growth rate numbers.indianexpress
Rahul Gandhi on Yashwant Sinha’s article: ‘The wings have fallen off our plane’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-on-yashwant-sinhas-criticism-of-modi-govt-the-wings-have-fallen-off-our-plane-4863673/
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, currently on a three-day tour to Gujarat, took to Twitter to hit out at the Govt over what BJP leader Yashwant Sinha termed as a ‘downward spiral’ of the Indian economy. Sinha expressed his views in an op-ed for Indian Express, saying he would be failing the nation if he didn’t voice his concern, even now.“Ladies & Gentlemen, this is your copilot & FM speaking. Plz fasten your seat belts & take brace position. The wings have fallen off our plane,” Gandhi tweeted. indianexpress
Farmers’ protests shake PM Modi’s 2019 bid as economy slows
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/farmers-protests-shake-pm-narendra-modis-2019-bid-as-economy-slows-4863517/
New Delhi: Anger over falling farm incomes has spilled onto streets across a swathe of India’s largest states as farmers struggle with food price deflation and a breakdown of the informal agriculture economy.For PM Narendra Modi — already grappling with a sharp slowdown in economic growth and looming job cuts in manufacturing — the protests involving hundreds of thousands of farmers highlight his struggle to deliver on the promises that swept him to power.On Sept. 15, state officials in Rajasthan joined those of UP and Maharashtra — all ruled by the BJP — in promising to waive farmers’ loans after 13 days of protests. But farmers aren’t satisfied.“We’re planning a national rally on Oct. 30 when we would carry torches to show light to state administrations bumbling in the dark,” said Amra Ram, 60-year-old leader of the All India Kisan Sabha — the farmers’ assembly that represents 15 million members — on the phone from Sikar, Rajasthan. “Our farm incomes are falling and there are no jobs for us anywhere else.” Farm and labor unions with an estimated combined membership of 30 million are also set to join the wave of demonstrations. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh — which is affiliated with the RSS, the ideological parent of Modi’s ruling BJP — plans to march to the Parliament to protest the Govt ’s policies on Nov.17, its president CK Sajjinarayanan said over phone from Thrissur in Kerala. The agriculture sector — employing more than half of India’s working population — was among the worst hit by Modi’s November cash ban which led plummeting produce prices. Despite the ensuing hardship, farmers largely supported Modi’s move, which they viewed as an attempt to target illegally hoarded wealth. Their backing helped propel the ruling BJP to election wins in key states such as UP .Still, farmers’ restlessness worsened after the implementation of the nationwide goods and services tax in July, which further hurt supply chains across India at the peak of monsoons, when prices of vegetables and grains were expected to gain.“There’s an uncertainty on the farm product prices — what will we do if we aren’t getting the right prices for our produce?” asked Arun Muluk, from Vadgaon Kashimbe near Pune, who joined at least 100,000 others in protests last month that shut down India’s financial capital, Mumbai. “Farmers have the potential to bring the downfall of this Govt — the Govt won’t even know how quickly the tide will turn against it.”The protesters belong to the Maratha community — a key vote bank in Maharashtra, many of whom are land owners or farmers. Their main demands included reservations for the community in jobs and higher education. indianexpress
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh blames ‘faulty advisers’ for economic slowdown
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bharatiya-mazdoor-sangh-blames-faulty-advisers-for-economic-slowdown/article19761422.ece?homepage=true
Army is opposing Black Cat commandos being stationed in Kashmir? India Today
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-army-kashmir-nsg-black-cat-commandos-counter-insurgency/1/1056761.html
New Delhi: It is Kashmir's best kept secret for at least a month now. Kept under wraps is a mini NSG hub-cum-regional training centre in J&K, where the Black Cats will soon be training security forces in the terror-hit region with focus on urban core operation, urban warfare and room intervention. Sources said the decision was taken by the ministry of home affairs, but setting up of the base was kept low key. DGP Sudhir Pratap Singh confirmed that the NSG had been deployed for training purpose, but refused to comment further on it. However, the latest entrant in the trouble-torn state has caused flutter and debate within the forces. Initially brought into the Valley for operational purpose, there seemed to be an opposition from certain quarters in the army and security forces. Due to this, the NSG team has been now been limited to train security personnel of CRPF and the J&K Police.High level sources confirmed to Mail Today that "a Company (40 personnel) of Black Cats commandos of the NSG have been camping at the CRPF pre-induction training centre in Lethapora, near Srinagar, for close to a month, though any sort of training is yet to begun".NSG's 51 Special Action Group (SAG), tasked to carry out anti-hijack and anti-terror operations, are currently stationed in south Kashmir. A top source said "the army has been opposing to it tooth and nail" as the security forces operating in the Valley are divided on utility of Black Cats in counter-terror operations.Despite being considered best in uniform to deal with counter-terror operations, NSG was not called on Aug.26 during a suicide attack at District Police Line,Pulwama. An army officer deployed in counter-terror operations in south Kashmir told Mail Today, "With regards to insurgency, army has always dealt with counter-terror operations while NSG deals only with the operations once every few years."A senior CRPF officer too echoed the sentiment saying, "There are already multiple agencies working in the Valley.It will lead to a further confusion if NSG is added as force multiplier." The NSG has trained state police's Special Operations Group (SOG) last December at their headquarters in Manesar. While Kashmir has largely been out of bound for NSG commandos, the initial steps may change the counter-terror scenario in the state, which has largely been infested by Pakistan-backed terror groups.
Rapid Action Force training CRPF personnel to tackle protesters in Kashmir Valley
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rapid-action-force-training-crpf-personnel-to-tackle-protesters-in-kashmir-valley/story-lNizrMhbHzzzOgagk7JcUP.html
New Delhi:Paramilitary forces deputed in parts of Kashmir Valley are being given special training to help them curb civilian protests in a more efficient way, thus inflicting minimum damage to the protesters.The move comes a year after scores of civilians were killed during the 2016 agitation that followed the killing of Burhan Wani.Officials told Hindustan Times that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) is currently conducting the six-week training exercise for CRPF personnel in south and central Kashmir.“The purpose of such training is minimum damage and maximum control,” said KS Bhandari RAF inspector general.The training was approved by the Union homes ministry earlier this month when home minister Rajnath Singh was about to visit UP . hindustantimes
Army inflicts ‘heavy casualties’ on Naga militants along Indo-Myanmar border, denies it was surgical strike
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-carries-out-counter-terror-ops-along-indo-myanmar-border-claim-heavy-casualties-to-naga-nscn-k-militants/story-XEXmZPZ8JV5NMXvsdWhwMI.html
Guwahati: Several militants believed to be of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) were killed in an early morning gunfight along the Indo-Myanmar border, the Indian Army said on Wednesday.The firefight that began around 4:45am lasted few hours and as per an army statement “a large number of casualties were suffered by the insurgents”.An army column that was operating along the border was fired upon by unidentified insurgents, the statement said.“Own troops reacted swiftly and brought down heavy retaliatory fire on the insurgents. The insurgents then broke contact and fled from the spot,” it said.The army also denied claims it was a “surgical strike”, saying its troops did not cross the international border. Initial reports talked about the army taking a few hits, the statement, however, said “own troops suffered no casualties”.The army in recent weeks has stepped up offensive against the insurgent outfits like the NSCN, which operate from Myanmar, and Wednesday’s assault could be a part of that.While the army refused to share the exact location of the encounter, reports suggested it could have taken place along Arunachal section of India’s eastern border.Naga insurgency is India’s longest. Modi Govt in Aug.2015 signed a peace deal with the NSCN (IM) faction, the details of which are still not known and not much has changed on the ground.The accord was signed a few months after NSCN (K) ended a 14-year truce with Delhi and renewed the “war of independence”. hindustantimes
Afghanistan’s Abdullah in New Delhi today as US pushes for stronger trade ties
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/afghanistan-s-abdullah-in-new-delhi-today-as-us-pushes-for-stronger-trade-ties/story-qTZdZjX0id5tBW5uYsZm4L.html
New Delhi:Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah arrives in New Delhi on Wednesday for a week-long visit during which he will hold talks with PM Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, looking to strengthen business ties between the two countries. Abdullah, along with finance minister Arun Jaitley and others, will inaugurate an India-Afghanistan trade fair that is sponsored by the US Agency for international development and is in keeping with US President Donald Trump seeking a bigger economic role for India to stabilise the war-torn country.Agriculture, education, healthcare and energy are among the key sectors expected to get a boost during the four-day event that begins Sept. 27. Hindustantimes
India assures support to Syria in fight against terrorism
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-assures-support-to-syria-in-the-fight-against-terrorism/story-zipHJqKVQj4WGRYfN4HtiJ.html
New Delhi: India on Wednesday assured its support to Syria in the fight against terrorism in the war-ravaged country, a major theatre of dreaded terror group ISIS.This was conveyed when visiting grand mufti of Syrian Republic Ahmad Badr Eddine Mohammad Abid Hassoun met home minister Rajnath Singh here.Singh assured the grand mufti of India’s support in eliminating terrorism in all fronts and recollected the long- standing friendship between India and Syria, an official statement said.Official sources said the issue of several Indians joining the ISIS and fighting for the terror group in Syria and Iraq is understood to have figured in the discussion. The home minister welcomed the grand mufti and discussion was held on wide ranging issues including terrorism and security, the statement said.Singh was confident that bilateral relations will improve further by such visits and wished that peace and stability is restored in Syria soon.The grand mufti thanked the home minister and appreciated the secular credentials of India. The grand mufti was particularly pleased to note the significance of unity in diversity in India, the statement said.PTI
No corner of the campus is safe for us, say girl students of BHU: newsclick.in
https://newsclick.in/bhu-violence-no-corner-campus-safe-us-say-female-students
“Male students fearlessly touch us, pass lewd remarks and go scot-free.”“It has become so common on the campus that nobody pays heed to it.”“The warden mockingly tells us, ‘Arre kaunsa pahar toot padha hai...sirf private parts hi to chuye hain...ladke hain to chedkhani karenge hi (Why to make a mountain out of the molehill? They have only touched your private parts ...They are boys, its okay if they do a bit of eve-teasing).”For the female students of BHU, this has become the new normal. And it gets worse from here.From grabbing women by their body parts to putting hands in their clothes, from masturbating outside the windows of the girl’s hostel to passing lewd comments on campus, the female students aren’t spared any kind of physical and mental harassment from the male students. Neither the teachers nor the police is interested in the student’s complaints. And this is exactly what happened in case of the sexual harassment of a Triveni Girls Hostel resident, which turned into a movement on Friday and Saturday. At around 6 pm on Thursday, while the student was on her way to her hostel, a couple of motorcycle-borne men came and allegedly tried to put their hands inside her clothes. When she raised the alarm, the guards ignored her complaints. Determined, she approached Proctor’s office which was barely 20 metres away from the place of the incident. But instead of looking for her assailants, the proctor questioned the victim on why she was out so late.“Though the issue molestation of a girl returning to the hostel at 7 pm became a big issue this time, this is not the first incident,” said a girl student of Naveen Hostel.“Few perverts masturbate outside the windows of my hostel without any fear. When we complain to the proctor, he asks us to catch the boys. We are advised to keep the window closed. We have given written complaints on several occasions but all in vain.” She further said that “No corner of the campus is safe for girls studying here. Molestation has become so common that nobody pays heed to that”.Fed up with this constant harassment and callous approach of BHU administration, girls of the university took to the street and started an agitation seeking a safe campus. “When we approach the chief proctor with complaints of sexual harassment in the campus, we are asked if we jot down the number of the bike-borne men who tried to molest us,” said one of them.“Once few men surrounded a girl when she had gone out of the hostel for a piece of work. She somehow managed to escape and reached the hostel guard and she was asked to go to the hostel. But the guard did not tell anything to the goons. They smashed the guard’s chair. Outsiders enter girls’ hostel premises without any hindrance. We do not feel safe here at all,” she recounted.A second-year student of Fine Arts department alleged that “The guards here never miss the opportunity to object when we are accompanied by our relatives or male friends”.Recalling the ordeal she suffered one day, a girl student alleged, “One day I was going somewhere. When I was sitting on a rickshaw, 2 bike-borne male students told me,‘Paanch hazar logi (Will you have sex with us for Rs 5,000)’.I felt helpless and cried throughout the night.”
BHU appoints MK Singh as new chief proctor, Adityanath says anti-social elements behind violence
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mk-singh-appointed-as-new-chief-proctor-of-bhu-adityanath-says-anti-social-elements-behind-violence-4863567/
‘I kept saying I was a teacher, but police never listened and continued to beat me’, BHU professor recounts ordeal
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhu-violence-women-professor-attacked-police-lathicharge-yogi-adityanath-sexual-harassment-protests-4863821/
Days after violence erupted at BHU following the alleged sexual harassment of a student, a women professor of the varsity has disclosed that it was not only students but wardens like her had also been mercilessly lathicharged by the police on the night when the incident took place. Recalling her ordeal, Pratima Gond, Assistant Professor of Sociology at BHU, said she was assaulted by the police while she was trying to save a student from being attacked. indianexpress
UP universities report most cases of sexual harassment in India: UGC data
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-universities-report-most-cases-of-sexual-harassment-in-india-ugc-data/story-3sr8oOVL9PeQh8ZQ0UfQOL.html
New Delhi:One in every 4 alleged cases of sexual harassment in India’s universities come from colleges in UP, according to official data, underscoring a problem that emerged in focus this week after a woman’s alleged molestation led to violence in BHU. A student said she was attacked outside her hostel in Varanasi’s BHU and her attempts to lodge a complaint were rebuffed, prompting several women students to begin a sit-in. Late on Saturday, police cane-charged the protesters as their numbers swell and an inquiry by the Varanasi administration blamed BHU officials for letting the agitation go out of hand. According to data collected by the UGC between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 for a first survey to size up the problem of sexual harassment on campuses, 103 women students alleged they were victimised. Among those, 24 were from UP, but none from the BHU.HT
UGC-Committee questions disbanding of JNU GSCASH
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/saksham-committee-questions-disbanding-of-jnu-gscash-4863792/
New Delhi:Members of UGC-appointed ‘Saksham Taskforce’ for ensuring gender sensitisation in universities have questioned the JNU’s decision to disband Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH).In an open letter to JNU administration, taskforce committee said, “We are consequently at a loss to understand why a well functioning body in JNU needed to be disbanded. Had we missed some important aspect that we need to know about”?Anjali Bhardwaj, Janaki Abraham, Kulwinder Kaur, Mary E John, Meenakshi Gopinath, Sanjay Srivastava, Susie Tharu and Uma Chakravarti are the members of the taskforce.PTI
Mukhtar Ansari, 7 others acquitted in double murder case
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsp-mla-mukhtar-ansari-seven-others-acquitted-in-double-murder-case/
Lucknow:A local court in Mau, on Wednesday, acquitted controversial BSP MLA Mukhtar Ansari and seven others in a double murder case that took place in City Kotwali police station area of Mau district on August 29, 2009. The court has, however, convicted three other persons to life imprisonment on murder charges.Mukhtar Ansari, MLA from Mau Sadar seat, is currently lodged at Banda district jail.“Additional District Judge Adil Aftab Ahmad on Wednesday acquitted Mukhtar Ansari and seven others in the double murder case on lack of evidence. The court, however, sentenced three others Raju Kannojia, Amresh Kannojia and Arvind Yadav to life imprisonment,” said Mukhtar’s counsel Daroga Singh. indianexpress
Firstpost Chief Reporter Gets Death Threats, Told 'You Will Meet The Same Fate As Gauri Lankesh'
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/09/26/firstpost-chief-reporter-gets-death-threats-told-you-will-meet-the-same-fate-as-gauri-lankesh_a_23223527/
Not even a month after the killing of Gauri Lankesh, a Delhi-based journalist has received death threats warning him not to write against RSS, BJP and PM Narendra Modi. Chief reporter of Firstpost, Debobrat Ghose, who mainly covers politics, has made a formal complaint to Delhi police.He was first sent messages on WhatsApp and then received calls telling him he will face the same fate as Gauri Lankesh.Ghose said, "I got the first message on the morning of Sept.21. I saw it an hour after I had received it. I thought it must be a forwarded message because it did not mention my name, so I ignored it."He got another message, around afternoon, the same day.The messages written in Hindi called Lankesh an 'anti-Hindutva and a traitor'. huffingtonpost
Madrasas go modern, challenge stereotype
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/madrasas-go-modern-challenge-stereotype
Azamgarh: Abu Osama, an alumnus of Madrasatul Islah, one of the oldest Islamic seminaries in this region, believed that after graduating from a madrassa he would not be able to compete in the modern world. He soon realised he was wrong. Osama, who works as assistant professor in the Dept of Social Work at Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad and who completed a masters degree from the Delhi School of Social Work, said: "I realised that there was so much I had learnt from the madrassa syllabi and curriculum besides Islamic values and ethics." Madrassas have been in the news for the wrong reasons, especially those located in Azamgarh, a district and city in eastern UP that was once known for producing people of high intellect and for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. However, in recent years it has, in media narratives, rather unfairly acquired the title of "terror nursery" because of its association with a succession of arrested Muslim extremists.There are around 19,000 madrassas in UP which have been in the cross-hairs of the BJP-ruled state Govt which questioned their patriotism and sought video evidence of their mandatory singing of the national anthem.But many of these madrassas,like those in Azamgarh,are challenging stereotypes to weave a positive counter-narrative. In seeking to keep pace with the times, a number of such madrassas have not only introduced modern,progressive syllabi but are also equipping their students with computers and other technological tools.These madrassas impart knowledge in science, mathematics, economics, education, political science, English, Hindi and Persian languages and computer science, apart from Quran, theology and Arabic language. Some of them have also started polytechnics and mini ITI.A large number of alumni of these institutions are either involved in research in universities in India and aboard, or work in public and private sectors across India.There are about 50 big madrassas in Azamgarh and neighbouring districts where approximately 50,000 students have been enrolled.When one enters Madrasatul Islah through its main gate, one finds the polytechnic building as the first academic building after the administrative block.About 50 km from Islah is another madrasa, Jamiatul Falah. Founded in 1962, it has 4,300 students of whom half are girls.Maulana Mohammad Tahir Madni, Director of Falah, says that introducing modern subjects is necessary for Islamic madrassas." Falah was founded on the basis that we will incorporate both Islamic and modern education. We have been doing that since the foundation of the Jamia," Madni told IANS. "Through it, we aim to educate our children and enable them to represent Islam and community in a better and sophisticated manner," Madni added.Mohammad Saoud Azmi, a research scholar in JNU on madrassa syllabus, sees the introduction of modern subjects in the madrassa education system as a step in the right direction.IANS
Raze mosque if it obstructs National Highways project: Madras HC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/raze-mosque-if-it-obstructs-nh-project-says-hc/articleshow/60838904.cms
Madurai: An abandoned mosque on the middle of an upcoming National Highways of India (NHAI) project in Sivaganga district shall be removed, with police assistance if necessary, the Madras high court has said."It is a clear from the fact that the notice could not be served on the interested persons (of the mosque). In any event, if it is an impediment for laying of the National highways, it has to be necessarily removed. We, therefore, direct the deputy general manager cum project director of NHAI and superintending engineer to remove the structure in two weeks from the receipt of a copy of order," said a division bench of justices KK Sasidharan and GR Swaminathan. The bench also directed the Sivaganga district collector and superintendent of police to extend their assistance for carrying out the demolition work. If needed, sufficient police force shall be provided for carrying out the work of removal of the structure in question, it said.The bench gave this direction on a PIL filed by Hindu Makkal Katchi south zone president S Balamurugan, and after hearing the response of deputy general manager cum project director M Muthudayar that the work in Manalur location had been hampered for a long time due to mosque. "Due to the mosque, the project is being stalled. Besides, there was no response to a representation given on July 15 last seeking action on it, " petitioner's counsel K Neelamegam said.Additional Govt pleader TS Mohamed Mohideen said it was originally a place of worship, but was no longer used by people and had become an abandoned one.A sum of Rs7.24 lakh compensation was awarded for the mosque building constructed on the Govt poromboke land.Though the money was deposited in the joint bank account of revenue authority and NHAI in March 2014, no one had claimed it so far.Thereafter, 3 persons claiming to be trustees of mosque, gave representation to the collector on Oct.5,2015 seeking to change the alignment of the road project to avoid demolishing of mosque. There is no possibility to change the alignment, the project director said. timesofindia
Jyotiraditya Scindia will be face of Congress in MP polls as Digvijaya goes on 'apolitical' yatra
https://www.oneindia.com/india/jyotiraditya-scindia-will-be-face-of-congress-in-mp-polls-as-digviaya-goes-on-apolitical-yatra-2551959.html
Congress party on Wednesday made it official that Jyotiraditya Scindia will be its face in poll-bound MP. Putting an end to long drawn speculations over who among Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath and Scindia will be the party's pick, senior leader Kamal Nath himself made the announcement in Scindia's constituency Guna. The announcement comes at a time when ex-CM and the seniormost Congressman from the state, Digvijaya Singh, is all set to begin a 3400 km walk that he deems in "apolitical". It has been a downward slide for Digvijaya Singh within his party ever since Congress failed to gather support and form the Govt in Goa where it emerged as the single largest party. oneindia
Rohingyas need to be shifted from Indian border, else Pak may use them as terrorists: J-K Deputy CM
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/pakistan-can-use-rohingyas-as-terrorists-j-k-deputy-cm-4863713/
New Delhi:Taking a tough stand on Rohingya Muslims, J-K Deputy CM Nirmal Kumar Singh on Wednesday said they have to be shifted else there are chances of Pakistan using them as terrorists. Singh said: “Rohingyas illegally entered India and are on border here. Have to be shifted else there are chances of Pakistan using them as terrorists.”Recently at a human rights seminar, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar were not refugees but illegal immigrants who would be deported. The Centre also cleared its stand on Rohingya refugees in a recently filed affidavit in Supreme Court, mentioning that refugees from Myanmar posed threats to national security. “Rohingya are not refugees. They have not come here after following proper procedures. No Rohingya has applied for asylum.They are illegal immigrants. Home Ministry has clarified its position through its affidavit in the Supreme Court that these are illegal immigrants, and they will be deported,” Singh had said. indianexpress
Please don't deport us to Myanmar where our men being killed, women raped: Rohingyas appeal to Indian govt.
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/please-dont-deport-us-to-myanmar-where-our-males-being-killed-women-raped-rohingyas-appeal-to-indian-govt
New Delhi: Rohingyas living in India made a passionate appeal to the central Govt not to deport them back to Myanmar at a time when male members of their community are being killed and women raped there.Addressing a press conference in Delhi on Tuesday, some representatives of Rohingyas, under the banner of Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, said the true story of what is actually happening on the ground in Rakhine is not coming out as media has been barred from the region."There is always curfew all the time. The news about atrocities over Rohingya is not coming out as media is not able to reach those areas. Our people are being killed, women are being raped. Even 28 Hindus have also been killed. Whether against Rohingya Muslims or Hindus it is a crime against Humanity. We are worried. Homes of the Rohingya people have been torched," said Mohd Shabbir, a young Rohingyan living in India for some years.Shabbir urged the Indian Govt to put pressure on Myanmar and do advocacy at international level for restoration of normalcy in Rakhine and assurance of security and rights to Rohingyas, rather than planning to deport those Rohingyas living here.IndiaTomorrow
That Rohingya feeling: NE no stranger to xenophobia, genocides, say experts: HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/that-rohingya-feeling-northeast-no-stranger-to-xenophobia-genocides-say-social-scientists/story-06Q284Y07C9rP5uh86KUlO.html
WORLD
Interpol approves Palestinian membership bid
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/interpol-approves-palestinian-membership-bid-170927110731224.html
Interpol has approved the Palestinian Authority's membership bid, a new victory in its drive for international representation despite strong Israeli opposition.Israel lobbies hard against Palestinian efforts to join global organisations to advance their goal of statehood.It claimed victory last year when the Palestinian bid to join the global police body was suspended. Interpol approved the Palestinian application along with a bid by the Solomon Islands during its annual general assembly in Beijing on Wednesday."New member countries State of Palestine and Solomon Islands bring Interpol's membership to 192," it said on its Twitter account.It did not detail the voting but candidacies require the approval of a two-thirds majority of countries present at general assembly, excluding abstentions. Palestine Liberation Organisation's negotiations affairs department said on Twitter they had received more than 75 % of the vote."Palestine's membership is the outcome of members defending this organisation's raison d'etre and advancing its core values, and a clear rejection of attempts at cynical manipulation and political bullying," Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said in a statement. aljazeera
Iraqi Kurds under pressure after independence vote
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/iraqi-kurds-pressure-independence-vote-170927095905287.html
Kurdish regional authorities in northern Iraq are under increasing pressure after Monday's independence referendum, as Iraqi Govt calls for a suspension of international flights to airports in the Kurdish region. Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) will suspend flights to and from Erbil airport in northern Iraq from Friday, citing an Iraqi Govt decision to block international flights at the airport, MEA Chairman Mohammad al-Hout said by phone."For now, we're stopping. The last flight is on 29th, until they solve the issue," he said. MEA's decision comes just hours after Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi threatened to impose an international air embargo on the Kurdistan KRG if it does not hand over control of its airports. aljazeera
Iraqi PM: Kurds must hand over airports or face embargo
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/iraqi-pm-kurds-hand-airports-face-embargo-170927032703001.html
Iraqi Govt has threatened to impose an international air embargo on the Kurdistan Regional Govt if it does not hand over control of its airports, as Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani says his people voted in favour of independence. On Tuesday, Barzani announced that majority of Kurdish voters supported independence in Monday's referendum.The results came shortly after PM Haider al-Abadi said that KRG has until 3:00pm local time on Friday to transfer control of the airports to the Iraqi Govt. aljazeera
Iraq: ISIL kills 7 soldiers in Anbar province
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/iraqi-isil-kills-soldiers-anbar-province-170927082601615.html
ISIL fighters have killed at least seven Iraqi soldiers and wounded 16 others in a series of attacks in the country's Anbar province, security sources said. Wednesday's attacks targeted several positions held by Iraqi forces in Anbar province, west of Baghdad, sources added.Iraqi forces were bringing reinforcements to area under attack, near the city of Ramadi, as clashes continued several hours after ISIL attacked troops with suicide car bombs, mortars and machine guns.aljazeera
Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/saudi-arabia-women-drive-170926190857109.html
In a reversal of a longstanding rule, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will now allow women to drive.In a royal decree signed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the order said it will be effective immediately but the rollout will take months, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.A high-level committee of ministers has been set up to examine the arrangements for the enforcement of the order.The committee will take up the recommendations within 30 days from the date of the decree, and will be implemented between 23 and 24 of June 2018, based on the Islamic calendar.The decree said that women would be allowed to drive "in accordance with the Islamic laws". aljazeera
Algeria’s largest Islamist party insists on taking part in elections
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170927-algerias-largest-islamist-party-insists-on-taking-part-in-elections/
Movement for the Society of Peace, the largest Islamist party in Algeria, announced on Tuesday that it insists on participating in the upcoming local elections scheduled for 23 Nov.Party leader Abdel Majeed Manasrah told a press conference in the capital Algiers that this is despite “all the difficulties” involved. “Our participation is based on the belief that the elections are the way to reflect the people’s will with regard to reform and change,” he explained. middleeastmonitor
Take Myanmar to UN court for crimes against humanity:Bangladesh’s NHRC
http://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/take-myanmar-to-un-court-for-crimes-against-humanity-/920176
Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called on the international community on Tuesday to take the Govt of neighboring Myanmar to the UN Court of Justice for committing crimes against humanity in Rakhine state.“We urged the OIC and the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] member states and UN organs to consider referring the matter [of persecution of Rohingya Muslims] to the International Court of Justice or the International Human Court,” commission head Kazi Reazul Hoque said at the International Ombudsman Conference in Istanbul.Anadolo
Hafiz Saeed’s house arrest extended by another month
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/hafiz-saeed-s-house-arrest-extended-by-another-month/story-7caQSz6KNQS25Tb6PZUHhI.html
The house arrest of Hafiz Saeed has been extended by another month by authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province, saying his activities pose a threat to the peace and tranquillity in the country. Saeed, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief, has been under house arrest since Jan.31 this year.PTI
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
We Won’t Wear Black: Women In Gujarat's Gir Stand Up For Rights Of Widows: Palak Gosai
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/village-square/we-won-t-wear-black-women-in-gir-stand-up-for-the-rights-of-widows_a_23210864/?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
There's A Secret Kashmiri Women Are Keeping From Their Families: Adrija Bose
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/09/23/theres-a-secret-kashmiri-women-are-keeping-from-their-families_a_23217518/?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Alt News Investigation – People behind the targeted harassment of Ravish Kumar via WhatsApp: Alt News
https://www.altnews.in/alt-news-investigation-people-behind-targeted-harassment-ravish-kumar-via-whatsapp/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:07 PM)
