Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
01 Nov.2017: 11 Safar 1439:Vol:9, No:35
INDIA
Israeli army chief visits Army’s Northern command HQRS in J&K
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/31/israeli-army-delegation-visits-armys-northern-command-headquarters-in-jammu-and-kashmir-1688359.html
Srinagar:Signalling the increased defence cooperation between two countries, Israel’s chief of ground forces Major General Yakov (Kobi) Barak Tuesday visited Army’s Northern command HQRS in J&K to interact with army commander and other senior officers.Defence spokesman in Jammu, Colonel NN Joshi, said Major Gen Barak accompanied by some other Israeli army officers visited the HQRS of northern command at Udhampur in Jammu. Major General Barak was accompanied by wife Mrs Orit Barak and defence attachés of Israeli embassy in New Delhi.Joshi said the chief of Israeli ground forces called on Northern Command chief Lt Gen Devraj Anbu to discuss the matters of mutual interest.Sources said the meeting was also attended by some other army commanders. “During the meeting, army officials briefed the Israeli delegation of Pakistan’s proxy war in J&K counter-militancyancy operations undertaken by security forces to end 28-year-old militancy in the State,” they said. They said army commanders also briefed the Israeli delegation about the consistent efforts made by Pakistani troops to infiltrate militants into J&K from LoC and IB in the State.Sources said Israeli ground force chief briefed the army commanders about the measures taken by Israeli troops to prevent infiltration of militants from Gaza and West Bank.“Israeli delegation expressed full satisfaction in further pursuing enhanced cooperation between both countries,” Joshi said. He, however, refused to admit that the army delegations of two countries discussed militancy.Joshi said Mrs Barak accompanied by Gowri Anbu, Regional President, AWWA, Northern Command also paid a visit to Asha school at Udhampur. Israel and India enjoy good defence and economic ties and India has been procuring hi-tech military hardware from Tel Aviv.newindianexpress
Top Israeli commander visits Northern Command HQ in JK
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-top-israeli-commander-visits-northern-command-hq-in-jk-2556833
Khattar Govt on backfoot over religious duties for teachers
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/khattar-Govt-on-backfoot-over-religious-duties-for-teachers-117110100404_1.html
Chandigarh :BJP Govt in Haryana headed by CM Manohar Lal Khattar is on the defensive following its order asking teachers to carry out religious duties.The order was issued by the Education Department officials asking teachers to carry out religious duties, including distributing 'prasad', during a religious festival in Yamunanagar district.The Yamunanagar District Education Officer (DEO), in his note dated October 29, sought an explanation from certain teachers who had failed to report for duty for training for the Kapal Mochan festival of the Hindus.The Govt school teachers were asked to get training and carry out the work of priests in view of lakhs of people coming for the festival.A section of the teachers have protested against the diktat of the Education Department and the Khattar Govt. They accused BJP govt of pursuing a "Hindutva agenda". BJP spokesman Jawahar Yadav on Wednesday defended the Khattar Govt's decision saying that teachers were not being asked to perform the duties of priests.IANS
Haryana Teachers to Undergo ‘Pujari Training’:Khattar Govt
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/teachers-in-haryana-to-undergo-pujari-training
Junaid Khan lynching: Haryana AG asks AAG Naveen Kaushik to resign
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/junaid-khan-lynching-haryana-ag-asks-aag-naveen-kaushik-to-resign/
New Delhi: In connection with Junaid Khan murder trial case, Haryana Advocate General on Wednesday asked Additional Advocate General (AAG) Naveen Kaushik to resign. Kaushik had allegedly assisted the defence counsel in the case. He was among the first lawyers to be selected on the Govt panel when BJP came to power in the state in 2014.Kaushik, against whom the Faridabad’s Sessions Judge has sought action for “suggesting questions to be put to the witnesses” at the trial, has maintained that he had nothing to do with the proceedings of the case. He claims he was there only to help his lawyer friend, who had moved an application before the trial court that evidence should be recorded in Hindi. Kaushik has been associated with the RSS since his childhood, as per his own admission, and is organising secretary of the Bharatiya Bhasha Abhiyan in the north region for the last two-and-a-half years. He is also associated with the Chandigarh unit of Adhivakta Parishad, an RSS-affiliated advocates’ organisation.
Babri Masjid: Man claiming to be Mughal descendant demands appointment as caretaker of property
http://www.firstpost.com/india/ayodhya-dispute-man-claiming-to-be-mughal-descendant-demands-appointment-as-caretaker-of-property-4186269.html
Lucknow: A man claiming to be the descendant of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar on Tuesday staked claim over the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site insisting that the demolished mosque belonged to Babur, therefore, he should be appointed the caretaker of the property.Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy even presented his "DNA report" before the media to support his claims."Babri mosque belonged to emperor Babar, and as I am a descendant of the Mughals, I am the owner of the Babri mosque," Tucy told newspersons.He demanded that the Sunni Waqf Board of UP declare him as the 'Mutwalli' adding that he had met the minister concerned, Chaudhary Laxmi Narain, on Tuesday in this regard."The minister asked me to move an application before the Sunni Waqf Board," he claimed.Stressing that he would move court in case the Sunni Waqf Board did not appoint him as the 'Mutwalli', Tucy said that he will help find an amicable solution to the long standing dispute through dialogue.He also welcomed the reported initiative of Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in resolving the dispute.He, however, did not give any clear answer to questions as to why he did not lay claim over the disputed site in so many years since the demolition in 1992.When contacted, UP Sunni Waqf Board chairman Zafar Farooqui said that he was not aware of any such application being moved before the board in this regard. If an application is received, it will be examined in accordance with the law, he added.PTI
Ravi Shankar representing ‘govt interests’ in Ayodhya dispute: Congress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sri-sri-ravi-shankar-representing-govt-interests-in-ayodhya-dispute-congress-4916134/
New Delhi:Congress on Tuesday dubbed spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar a “Govt agent” who is representing its interests in the Ram Temple dispute in Ayodhya. “Sri Sri is representing the Govt interests,” Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said when asked about the mediation being done by the Art of Living Foundation head in the Ram Temple issue in Ayodhya. Congress leader said the Supreme Court had made it very clear that a settlement was possible, but he asked as to who had appointed people like the Art of Living Foundation chief to take charge. “Now the whole issue is, if they are Govt agents working towards this, I think that defeats the very purpose the Supreme Court mentioned,” the Congress leader said.PTI
On TV debate, BJP leader fails to sing Vande Mataram, even after mobile prompts: Indian Express Video
http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/viral-videos-trending/video-of-bjp-leader-singing-vande-mataram-wrong-looking-at-his-phone-on-tv-will-leave-you-in-splits-4915085/
New Delhi:It doesn’t get more ironical than this.As BJP pushes for singing Vande Mataram mandatory in schools, its own spokesperson was cornered during a heated debate on a news channel. Navin Kumar Singh was sparring words with Mufti Ejaz Arshad Qasmi of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board on the issue, when the latter challenged him to sing the national song right then.After an initial bout of hesitation, Singh – pumped with nationalist fervour – agreed on condition that Qasmi would accompany him in the duet. BJP leader then went on to carefully attempt singing/reading the lyrics of the song from his phone – only to get most of it terribly wrong, much to the amusement of AIMPLB member as well as people online.As it happens, this wasn’t the first time a BJP member got the words to Vande Mataram wrong. Previously, during another television show, UP’s minorities welfare MoS Baldev Singh Aulakh was unable to sing the song as well. On both instances, the leaders were massively trolled on social media.
India Today report on conversions: PFI refutes allegations, defends its charitable work
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pfi-popular-front-of-india-kerala-muslims-ravi-shankar-prasad/1/1080089.html
New Delhi:Stung by the hidden cameras, Popular Front of India (PFI) has swung into action defending its work. The members of the group have alleged malicious agenda against their organisation. The Delhi branch of PFI, refused to acknowledge the presence of any former member by the name of Ahmed Sharief, who confessed on hidden camera he received funds with a final aim to establish Islamic state.Speaking to India Today in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area, members of the PFI alleged there is an attempt to show their social work in bad light. "We are not aware of any former member Ahmed Sharief. In fact, Zainaba is not even a member of PFI. She is a part of a woman rights group. She has no authority to speak on our group. PFI is primarily a male tehreek." said one member of PFI at the office.Amid the complete confusion, the members added their senior authority in Delhi was Abu Bakr, and they are aware of a KM Sharief who is currently in Kerala. At present, members of the PFI are busy preparing for an event on Nov 5."The organisation is being given a bad name. We focus on social work for Dalits and Muslims. PFI doesn't indulge in conversions as any agenda.", added a member. Popular Front of India is active in Kerala, Rajasthan and several other states. Last month there organised public rallies across the country by the group. PFI has been under Govt surveillance for a while now against its source of funding.Union minister for law and justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad took note of India today sting op and said, "Like the NIA took action on Hurriyat tapes, this report also must be taken into consideration by scrutiny agencies. PFI showed a face of peace and amity and owned up a dangerous confession on hidden camera.
Rajathan HC pulls up police in alleged love jihad case, seeks reply from state govt
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/raj-hc-pulls-up-police-in-alleged-love-jihad-case-seeks/1/1080161.html
Jodhpur: Pulling up the state police over its handling of a case of a womans alleged forcible conversion to Islam and marriage, the Rajathan High Court today directed it to register an FIR and submit a report after her family claimed that it was an instance of love jihad.A bench of justices GK Vyas and MK Garg also directed the state Govt to file a reply clarifying legal provisions pertaining to religious conversion in the state. Hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by 22-year-old womans brother, the bench expressed anger over the "negligence" of the police, which allegedly refused to file an FIR on her familys complaint. The court questioned as to how the police could assume that the girls conversion was legal "just by way of an affidavit over a stamp paper of Rs 10", when there was no provision in law in this regard. "By this way, tomorrow, even I could address myself as Gopal Mohammad," it said.In his petition, the brother claimed that one Faiz Modi had been harassing his sister for long and abducted her while she was going to college.She was made to sign some papers by him and fake marriage documents were prepared, he alleged.When family members could not find her, they approached the police which refused to file an FIR stating that Faiz Modi had already produced proof of marriage and an affidavit of religious conversion by the woman dated April 14, the brother alleged.He alleged that she was blackmailed by the accused with objectionable pictures and forced to convert to Islam and marry him.Appearing from the petitioner, lawyer Gokulesh Bohra argued that the girl was with her family till October 25, while the documents were predated by six months.Hearing the petition, the court today asked the Rajasthan Govt to specify the laws and guide lines for conversion in the state.The court directed that the girl be sent to Nari Niketan (women shelter) for 7 days and instructed the police to ensure that no one meets her there.Seeking a detailed report in the matter, the court asked the police whether it tried to probe the truth of the purported affidavit by the girl.It directed the police to file an FIR and probe the matter.PTI
‘Gau Rakshaks attack publicly because they know govt is on their side’
http://twocircles.net/2017nov01/418057.html
The same day as PM Narendra Modi criticized the acts of the so-called cow vigilantes, a man was killed by a mob on the pretext of carrying beef. And if there were hopes that the condemnation by PM will stop the series of deaths in the country, they have most certainly been dashed away.When words, however symbolic they may be, of PM, make so little impact on actions of a certain section of the society (which let us not forget, idolises Modi as their leader), we are only left to wonder. Who is to be blamed for this: the weak laws of our nation, or the rather brazen alliance between these so-called cow vigilantes and the men in power?To understand this better, TCN spoke with Mohammed Sajjad, founder of ‘Misaal Foundation’ and the convener of ‘Citizens against hate’.Sajjad has extensively studied 24 incidents of mob lynching in the name of cow protection and prepared a report. During the conversation, Sajjad touched on several aspects of this apparent madness, including how these acts had been encouraged time and again by people in power. The incident of Akhlaq is one he mentions: where a cabinet minister openly sided with the assailants. But the encouragement goes much beyond mere words:Sajjad points out that almost inevitably, the assailants are people who are members of the extended BJP family:RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Yuva Vahini etc.“In Bulandshahr, FIR has been filed against a member of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, in Ramgarh main accused in BJP district media cell president while in Pune in the murder of Mohammed Mohsin Shaikh, the main accused is a member of Hindu Rashtra Sena,” Sajjad says. In other cases too, things are no different, he adds. To prepare the report, Sajjad says, they only took the cases where attacks resulted in death. Most of the 24 cases are related to cow protection and they have resulted in the death of 35 people. “We have also found that in places where ‘cow protection’ may not work as an agenda, the assailants have used various other issues to target minorities. For example, in one incident in Jharkhand, the Adivasi crowd was incited over claims that the alleged perpetrator was kidnapping children while the Hindus were told that he was trading in beef,” Sajjad says during the interview.TwoCircles
Ahmed Patel says youth with IS ties worked at hospital inaugurated by PM Modi
http://indianexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/ahmed-patel-says-youth-with-islamic-state-ties-worked-at-hospital-inaugurated-by-pm-4916978/
New Delhi:Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel on Wednesday said Gujarat youth arrested on suspicion of having links with the Islamic State had worked at a hospital instituted by BJP leaders. Addressing a rally in poll-bound Gujarat, he added that the hospital had been inaugurated by the PM.His remark comes days after Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani accused him of “managing” the hospital which employed the youth. Rupani had said Patel should explain the circumstances behind employing youth and had sought Patel’s resignation. “BJP is talking about terrorism; Congress leaders have suffered because of terrorism,”Patel said,while addressing a rally in Jambusar. “I conducted a research. He worked in hospitals instituted by BJP leaders. Care Hospital where he (the suspect) worked was inaugurated by the PM.”“BJP is asking for my resignation from the Rajya Sabha because they are nervous. I won the seat due to our MLAs… let the judiciary take a call in the case,”Patel, who is the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, added. Indianexpress
Gujarat polls: UP’s Shia, Sufi leaders to rally for BJP?
http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/ups-shia-sufi-leaders-to-rally-for-bjp-here/articleshow/61376990.cms
Sufi seers and Shia preachers from UP and other parts of the country are likely to land in Gujarat to campaign for the saffron party in coming days. They may canvass for BJP in 35 to 40 constituencies that have a sizeable number of minority community voters.“A section of Sufi as well as Shia communities is leaning towards BJP.The party’s victory in UP substantiates the fact that they have voted for it there. Their representatives can speak about development work done by BJP in UP,” said a source in the party. He added that it was likely that religious leaders from other parts of the country too would arrive for campaigning. However, Sufi Mehboob Ali Chisti, head of BJP minority cell, said, “We have not invited or planned to invite any Sufi or Shia preachers in Muslim areas but they are free to come.”Meanwhile, a Sufi NGO has organised marches of Sufi and Hindu religious leaders November 15 onwards, claiming to spread the message of communal harmony. However, the organizer claims that the programmes are not for any party’s election campaigning. “We see political parties trying to create a divide based on caste and religion ahead of elections, because of which people have to suffer.We have organised various programmes from November 15, where we will meet people and spread the message of communal harmony,” said Anwar Shaikh, president of Muhibban-E-Ahlebait Foundation. “We have also collected data of 36,000 Muslim women who favoured triple talaq issue when it was pending before the Supreme Court. We will also have a conference for Muslim women,” said a source from BJP minority cell. Sufi Mehboob Ali, said,“We will hold big public meetings in 35 to 40 constituencies where Muslim votes will be crucial.”ahmedabadmirror
SC for decriminalisation of politics, asks Centre to constitute spl court for cases against MPs, MLAs
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-for-decriminalisation-of-politics-asks-centre-to-constitute-special-court-for-cases-against-mps-mlas-4917334/
New Delhi: Strongly pitching for decriminalisation of politics, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to constitute special courts on lines of fast track court for speedy disposal of cases pending against MPs and MLAs. The SC told the govt that decriminalisation of politics has to be done and asked for the estimated expenditure on constituting special courts for cases against MPs and MLAs. It also asked Centre to apprise how many of 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as per 2014 data, have been disposed of within one year.The court was hearing a PIL seeking debarring of convicts for life from contesting polls and stopping them from entering judiciary and the executive. In its response, the Centre told the SC that recommendation of the Election Commission and Law Commission, favouring life ban on politicians convicted in criminal cases, is under active consideration. indianexpress
Musician TM Krishna attacks Modi over Gujarat riots
http://twocircles.net/2017oct31/418050.html
New Delhi: Carnatic music vocalist T.M. Krishna, who received the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration on Tuesday, made a veiled attack on PM Narendra Modi over 2002 Gujarat riots, saying “a leader who does not have the humility to apologise for genocide under his watch” does not help to integrate.He also rued that “national integration has been replaced by an ugly form of nationalism and jingoism”.Lauding ex PM Manmohan Singh for apologising for the 1984 riots, he termed it a “reflective and essential statement”.“Some detractors may say it does not change anything. It cannot change the past, but it definitely, certainly changes the future. A leader who doesn’t have the humility to apologise for genocide under his watch, does not integrate,” said Krishna in his speech at Indira Gandhi Award forNational Integration.IANS
NTPC boiler explosion LIVE: 10 dead, several injured at Unchahar plant in Raebareli
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ntpc-explosion-several-injured-in-blast-at-unchahar-plant-in-raebareli-uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath-4917623/
Raebareli:At least 10 people have been killed and several others injured when a boiler exploded at NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Raebareli on Wednesday, said police. The toll is expected to rise. SP Shivhari Meena told PTI that according to initial reports “50-60 persons have suffered injuries” in the explosion. He added relief and rescue operations were underway and the injured have been ruspahed to nearby hospitals.Govt has taken cognizance of the incident. PTI reported that CM Yogi Adityanath, who was away in Mauritius on a three-day official visit, ordered that necessary steps be taken for rescue and relief. “CM has taken cognizance of the Unchahar accident and has directed principal secretary (home) to ensure that all steps are taken for rescue and relief,” PTI quoted principal secretary Awanish Awasthi, who is accompanying CM, as saying.The explosion triggered panic among workers who ran helter-skelter.District administration rushed ambulances to NTPC plant and directed health officials to provide prompt treatment to the injured. indianexpress
14 killed in transformer explosion in Rajasthan village, Raje Govt orders probe
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/at-least-13-killed-7-injured-as-transformer-explodes-in-jaipur-village-4916887/
New Delhi:Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje has ordered a high-level probe into the incident in which 14 people have been killed so far when a transformer exploded at Shahpur town’s Khatulai village in Rajasthan late Tuesday evening, according to PTI. While 5 people died on the spot, nine people who had sustained severe burn injuries succumbed while undergoing treatment at the SMS Hospital later in the night, Jaipur District Collector Siddharth Mahajan said. A total of 22 people were taken to hospital after the incident. indianexpress
Karnataka Mutt head arrested for assaulting a Muslim
https://www.siasat.com/news/karnataka-mutt-head-arrested-assaulting-muslim-1250385/
Kalaburgi: On charges of assaulting a Muslim man, the police on Monday night arrested the head of Karuneshwara Mutt in Jevargi taluk. Siddalinga Swamy is also an honorary president of Sri Ram Sene, who has been taken into 10 days of custody awarded by a local magistrate.A case was registered based on the complaint by a man, Nizamuddin, on Oct. 14. Siddalinga in an attempt to resist the arrest was absconding. On his return to Mutt on Monday, police officials went to the scene and held him, The News Minute reports.When people came to know about his arrest, they starting to prevent the police to take him by arriving in tractors from different villages. They even had a clash with the police, four policemen including the Assistant SP Lokesh Kumar were injured during the incident while vehicles were also damaged.According to DSP (Rural), SS Hullur, the accused was facing other charges as well, including one for delivering a hate speech during Ganesh festival. siasat
Delhi Police arrest gangster hired by Chhota Shakeel to murder writer Tarek Fatah: indiatoday
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-tarek-fatah-chhota-shakeel-islam-dawood-ibrahim/1/1079670.html
New Delhi:Delhi Police has arrested a man named Naseem who was wanted in Tarek Fatah case, an attempt to murder, a robbery in Gokulpuri and many other cases. Naseem aka Rizwan allegedly has connections with the underworld.This is the second arrest made for targeting Pakistan born writer Tarek Fatah this year. Earlier this year, Delhi Police's special cell arrested a man named Junaid for planning to target Tarek Fateh on the orders of Chhota Shakeel.IndiaToday
Police to be considered 'guilty' of torturing and injuring prisoners unless they can prove otherwise
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-5037021/India-s-Law-Commission-change-custodial-torture-rules.html#ixzz4xBVolral
India's Law Commission is planning a crack down on police engaging in custodial torture. Recommending a new bill with provision for life term for cops found guilty of the offence, the commission has said it will be presumed that it was inflicted by the police unless it is proved otherwise.'The burden of proof shall lie on the authority concerned to explain such injury. This must be included in the Indian Evidence Act,' the panel headed by Justice BS Chauhan said in a report submitted to the law ministry. Law Commission had been asked to examine the issue of ratification of UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment and submit a report.As many as 15, 300 people died in police custody in India between 2001 and 2015 and 16,000 injured. But less than 50% of custodial deaths led to a case being registered. On an average, 98 people die in police custody every year in India.The commission also recommended making the definition of 'torture' wide enough to include inflicting injury, either intentionally or involuntarily, or even an attempt to cause such an injury, which will include physical, mental or psychological injury.In order to curb the menace of torture and to have a deterrent effect on acts of torture, it recommended 'stringent punishment extending up to life imprisonment and fine to the perpetrators of such acts'. Regarding payment of compensation, it said the courts will decide upon a justiciable compensation bearing in mind the socio-economic background of the victim and will ensure that the compensation so decided will suffice the victim to bear the expenses on medical treatment and rehabilitation. dailymail
Manipur:Muslim bodies oppose ‘plan to move mosque’
https://www.northeasttoday.in/muslim-organisations-in-manipur-oppose-alleged-plan-to-move-mosque/
Manipur:Various Muslim organisations in Manipur strongly opposed the alleged move of Ukhrul District Bar Association for the eviction of a mosque at Ukhrul in view for the construction of a new district court in the area.Muslim organisations such as All Manipur Muslims Organisation Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), Muslim Council Manipir (MCM), Manipuri Muslim Online Forum (MMOF), United Manipur Muslims Women Development Organisation (UMMWDO), All Manipur Muslims Girls Students Organisation (UMMWDO) and many others opposed the move of the Ukhrul District Bar Association asking to shift the mosque to other area so that a new District Court complex can be set up there.Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, AMMOCOC president SM Jalal said that the Muslims are not against developments and construction of the new District Court “but the shifting of the masjid is against the Islam religious principles”. According to Islam religious principles, once any mosque was installed in an area, it cannot be changed to other places “till the world ends,”Jalal stated.A joint memorandum of Rayotang Shimva Organisation(RSO)and AMMOCOC has been submitted to the Governor, CM and other concerned authorities praying for proper demarcation of land allotted to District Court Complex, Ukhrul claiming that the mosque area was excluded in Govt order for the construction of the said new complex.Jalal claimed that the mosque, established in 1995 with the approval from Govt of Manipur, was the oldest among the three masjids built in the hill districts HQRS.Muslim outfits also condemned Manipur Law Minister L Jajentakumar who had reportedly assured the public to shift the mosque during his last visit to Ukhrul. northeasttoday
Agra gangrape & communal incitation case: No sexual assault injuries near girl's private parts, say gynecologists
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/agra-gangrape-mail-today-investigation/1/1079616.html
Agra:At a time when all of Agra is talking about an alleged gang rape of 20-year-old girl who is now in coma, a Mail Today Investigation found it to be untrue and cooked up to give it a deliberate communal angle.Netizens must have encountered a series of videos, shot by the girl's family, claiming gang rape by Muslim boys. In the videos, which are viral on social media sites, the family is also blaming UP Police for shielding the accused and portraying the gang rape case as a road accident. After hate messages were spread across the country, Mail Today went to Agra to investigate the matter and also to know why the family is terming it a case of gang rape while police are calling it an accident. However, the investigation found the couple to be in a consensual relationship.Rather, the girl seems to be a victim of attempted honour killing. Also, the couple did suffer an accident. Speaking to Mail Today, the parents of the girl, who is admitted in Rainbow hospital in Agra, claimed that on October 23, at about 10 am, the girl left home in her college uniform."At around 3.30 pm, my neighbour received a call from one Pappu Usman that the girl met with an accident and is admitted at SN Medical College. When we reached the hospital, we found her traumatised. Her eyes were swelled up. She had nail marks on her arms and she was mumbling 'leave me, let me go'," victim's mother said.Rajvir, a distant relative said, "When admitted to the hospital, she was dressed up in a man's clothes. One Hashim, who lives near their residence in Kheria Mor, was also lying in a bed next to her. He was in his under garments and his clothes were on the girl's body. Her college uniform was missing."However, a photo of Hashim accessed by Mail Today, where he can be seen lying on the hospital bed, shows that he was wearing the same clothes - yellow check shirt and monkey-wash jeans -that he was wearing at the time of his accident as captured on CCTVs and eyewitnesses."Hashim and his friends raped the girl and police are saving them. Cops are saying they met with an accident. If it is true, how come she received injuries as if someone had beaten her up?" a relative questioned."Her father registered a kidnapping case against 8-10 persons. Based on their complaint, Hashim has been arrested," said Agra SSP Amit Pathak.He maintained that the couple met with an accident. 2 gynecologists who examined her in SN Medical College and Rainbow hospital confirmed that there were no sexual assault injuries near her private parts.Mail Today
Price of non-subsidised LPG hiked by Rs 93, jet fuel price up too
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/cooking-gas-jet-fuel-prices-hiked/articleshow/61399330.cms
New Delhi: Cooking gas (LPG) price was on Wednesday hiked by Rs 4.50 per cylinder, the 19th increase in rates since July 2016 when the Govt decided to eliminate subsidy on it by raising prices every month.Also, jet fuel or ATF price was increased by 2 % on firming international rates, the fourth straight increase in rates since August, according to price notification posted by state-owned retailers.The price of non-subsidised LPG or market priced cooking gas has been hiked by Rs 93 to Rs 742 per bottle. At the last revision on October 1 the rate was hiked by Rs 50 to Rs 649 per bottle.Subsidised LPG price has been hiked by Rs 4.50 per 14.2- kg cylinder to Rs 495.69.Since the implementation of the policy of monthly increases from July last year, subsidised LPG rates have gone up by Rs 76.51 per cylinder. A 14.2-kg LPG cylinder was priced at Rs 419.18 in June 2016.PTI
Centre trying to curb students’ voices:Teesta Setalvad
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-trying-to-curb-students-voices-says-teesta-setalvad-4916286/
Kolkata:Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad on Tuesday said cutbacks in postgraduate and doctoral scholarships by UGC was aimed at silencing the voices of students at central universities. Speaking at a discussion on ‘Freedom of Speech, My Right’, organised byCPM mouthpiece Ganashakti, Setalvad said: “Every structure of our democracy has gotten further hegemonised, rather than getting more democratised… Not just what is happening at JNU, but what is happening at all central universities today. The real fight back is coming from young students who are capturing opposition space by challenging an extremely hegemonic Govt. 25,000 UGC PhD and PG scholarships were cut back last year. 35,000 scholarships are likely to be cut now. That means you will not have a Kanhaiya Kumar or Rohit Vemula or Sheila Rashid or Umar Khalid, because you do not want these sections to come and question the set-up.”She also wondered why there had been no reports of lynching in the previous regime. “The entire culture of lynching that this regime has encouraged. How come there was no Mohammad Akhlaq incident. How come there was no Ayub incident. How come there was no Pehlu Khan or Junaid Khan incident before May 2014? The storm troopers on the streets function with an understanding and belief that the regime at the top protects them,” she said. indianexpress
Who was Abdul Gavi Desnavis and why Google is celebrating Urdu writer’s birth anniversary
http://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/who-is-abdul-gavi-desnavis-and-why-google-celebrates-urdu-writers-birth-anniversary/914707/
Search engine giant Google has paid rich tribute to eminent Urdu writer Abdul Qavi Desnavi on his birth-anniversary today. The doodle is aesthetically appealing in black and white. Apart from being a writer, Desnavi was a critic, bibliographer, and linguist. During his lifetime, he had received several awards, accolades for his contribution. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib and Allama Iqbal are some of his well-known works. It has been learnt that Desnavi was born in a Bihar village named Desnavi. He was born to the family Muslim scholar Sulaiman Nadvi. Desnavi’s father was Mohammed Saeed Raza. Raza was Professor of Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.Designed by guest artist Prabha Mallya, the Google home page shows the bespectacled scholar in a black bandhgala at work against a stylised Google written in the manner of the Urdu script. Desnavi exerted powerful influence on the evolution of Urdu literature and academic thought in India, Google’s doodle page said. In the course of a literary career that spanned 5 decades, he authored a vast body of Urdu works covering fiction, biographies, poetry, and anthologies, it said. financialexpress
WORLD
Hamas hands over Gaza border crossings to PA
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/hamas-hands-gaza-border-crossings-pa-171031190038739.html
Hamas has handed over administrative control of five border crossings in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. Wednesday's handover, the first in over a decade, is part of a deal agreed on in the latest round of Egypt-brokered reconciliation talks between Hamas and the PA-ruled Fatah political party in Cairo on Oct.12.Fatah spokesperson Osama Qawasmeh told Al Jazeera that no conditions were set by Fatah or Hamas for the handover."The issue is simply a matter of restoring the status quo back under the Palestinian Authority's control, as was the case before the 2007 split," he said, referring to the political schism that ended with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip after an attempted coup by US-backed Fatah strongman Mohammad Dahlan.PA will take administrative charge of the three cargo crossings including the Karam Abu Salem crossing on Egyptian border, as well as the Rafah and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossings - the latter which is controlled by Israel in the north of the Strip. In a statement on Tuesday, PA minister of civil affairs, Hussein al-Sheikh, said the national unity Govt is prepared to work closely with Egyptian authorities to prepare the Rafah border crossing for operation by November 15, as specified by 2005 deak on Movement and Access.Rafah, the main border crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip, has been largely closed to Gaza's population of two million since Hamas took over.Qawasmeh said that this handover would make the lives of Palestinians in Gaza "much easier"."This will no doubt help enable a huge part of people's lives to travel outside the Gaza Strip for whatever reason such as seeking medical treatment, undertaking a scholarship in a university, and leisurely travel," he said."The movement of products will be facilitated quicker and will make it easier for import and export trade," he added.Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, echoed his counterpart."We hope that handing over control would lead to a better quality of life for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip," he told Al Jazeera.He stressed that handing over control was not a security issue, but rather a logistical one. aljazeera
Egyptian army destroys cross-border tunnels with Gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171031-egyptian-army-destroys-cross-border-tunnels-with-gaza/
The Egyptian army has destroyed three cross-border tunnels linking Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula to the blockaded Gaza Strip, a military spokesman said Tuesday.In a statement posted on Facebook, Army Colonel Tamer al-Rifai said the army had demolished three tunnels found under Egypt’s border with the Hamas-run coastal enclave.Due to a decade-long blockade imposed by both Israel and Egypt, the Gaza Strip’s roughly 2 million inhabitants have come to rely on a sophisticated network of cross-border tunnels to import basic commodities, including food, fuel and medicine. middleeastmonitor
Israel, US call on EU to declare Hezbollah terrorist outfit
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171101-israel-us-call-on-eu-to-declare-hezbollah-a-terrorist-organisation/
Israel’s Yesh Atid party leader, Yair Lapid and US Congressman, Ted Deutch have called on the EU to declare Hezbollah a “terrorist organisation”.In a joint statement published in Spain’s La Sierra newspaper and Italian Corriere Della Sera paper, the officials described Hezbollah as “the most horrifying terrorist organisation”.The 2 called on European countries to cancel what they called “false distinction” between the political and military arms of Hezbollah, and to declare the whole organisation a terrorist group.“This distinction is false and has no credibility,”Deutch said, adding that whoever believes that “declaring Hezbollah a terrorist organisation will make it difficult to provide assistance to Lebanon is mistaken”. “Look at Gaza Strip, for example. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organisation, but that did not affect efforts to provide assistance because of the humanitarian situation there,” he said. middleeastmonitor
UN backs Palestinian efforts to hold Israel accountable
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171101-un-backs-palestinian-efforts-to-hold-israel-accountable/
Israeli govt and a US senator have reacted angrily to news that the UN’ development budget for Palestine includes support for Palestinians to “seek legal recourse for violations by the occupying power”.UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the State of Palestine “presents the strategic programming framework” of the UN system in the occupied Palestine territory, and “presents its collective response to national development priorities”.It is intended to cover a five-year period,2018-2022 inclusive, beginning on 1 Jan.2018. 16 UN agencies with offices in Palestine and four non-resident agencies are signatoriesto the UNDAF, which has four “strategic priority areas”. middleeastmonitor
Iran: No need to extend 2,000km ballistic missile range
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/iran-extend-2000km-ballistic-missile-range-171031135651513.html
Iran has no need to extend the current 2,000km range of its ballistic missiles as they can already strike enemy targets in case of aggression, the head of the Revolutionary Guard has said. Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari told reporters in the capital, Tehran, on Tuesday that the missile range can cover "most of American interest and forces" within the region, even as he underlined the programme's defensive purpose. Jafari said the ballistic missile range is based on the limits set by the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.But he warned Iran's enemies of the "high costs" of provoking his country. Meanwhile, Iran's military chief of staff Mohammad Hussein Bagheri was quoted as saying on Tuesday that the military is trying to improve the accuracy of its ballistic missiles, but added that they are not intended to carry nuclear warheads. aljazeera
Assad's siege of Syria's Eastern Ghouta an 'outrage' - UN
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/assads-siege-syrias-eastern-ghouta-outrage-171101110216963.html
UN has described the Syrian govt's siege of Eastern Ghouta an "outrage" and has asked for an immediate lifting of the siege so that aid can reach the civilians. Isolated population is dying from bombing, hunger and cold weather.People in a besieged neighbourhood in Homs were hoping that a lasting ceasefire agreement would eventually be negotiated. Opposition fighters,their families and civilians are experiencing severe food,water and medicine shortages. Aljazeera
Qatar, Iran to set up joint trade committee
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171101-qatar-iran-to-set-up-joint-trade-committee/
Qatar and Iran agreed yesterday to set up a joint transport and communications committee to facilitate trade exchange, air and maritime transport between the two countries, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.The agreement came during a meeting between Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister, Abbas Akhoundi, and the Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim Seif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, held in the Iranian capital of Tehran.The two ministers discussed mutual cooperation in the fields of transport, ports and aviation. They also agreed to form a joint trade committee aims at serving the two countries’ mutual trade interests.During the meeting, Al-Salaiti hailed Iran’s “positive role” towards the Qatar since the beginning of the current Gulf crisis. middleeastmonitor
8 dead as truck rams into New York crowd
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/fatalities-driver-plows-york-crowd-171031202803694.html
At least 8 people in New York City have been killed and 11 injured after a driver rammed into cyclists and pedestrians before being shot by police, according to US officials.The incident on Tuesday "was a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians", Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City, told a news conference.Police said a 29-year-old male driver of a rented pick-up truck entered a busy bicycle path on the West Side of Lower Manhattan shortly 3:05pm, striking a number of people along the route.The truck then crashed into a school bus, injuring at least two children and two adults.After the collision, the driver exited the vehicle brandishing two imitation guns, at which point he was shot by a police officer. The suspect was wounded in the abdomen and transferred to a local hospital, James O'Neill, police commissioner, told the same press conference.A paintball gun and a pellet gun were recovered from the scene. There was no information about the suspect's motive.New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said there were no indications of a wider plot.Aljazeera
Trump reactions to ISIL & far-right attacks compared:aljazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/trump-reactions-isil-attacks-compared-171101071156691.html
A vehicle-ramming attack in New York City has drawn a strong reaction from US President Donald Trump, who called the attacker "very sick and deranged" and pledged to step up vetting of those entering the US.At least eight people died and 11 people were injured late on Tuesday after a man drove a rented pick-up truck into cyclists and pedestrians in New York City, before being shot and wounded by police officers.The city's mayor, Bill de Blasio, condemned the attack as "cowardly" and investigators have labelled it a "terrorist" incident. Local news stations, citing sources in law enforcement, said the attacker, who they named as Sayfullo Saipov, had left a note inside the car in which he pledged allegiance to the ISIL.Trump's reactions to attacks perpetrated by the far right, however, take on a starkly different tone, and sometimes do not elicit a reaction at all.When white supremacist James Alex Fields Jr drove his car into a crowd of anti-racist protesters, killing one and wounding 19 others, Trump wrote: "Condolences to the family of the young woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!"Trump's critics have seized on his reactions to different attacks as evidence of his alleged propensity for far-right ideas.Under his most recent tweet on the attack in New York, opponents of the US leader accused him of reacting more strongly to attacks committed by Muslims than those by white supremacists.
Amnesty to Ben Ali-Era Officials Is to Remove ‘Policy Paralysis’:Tunisian FM
https://thewire.in/193231/tunisia-foreign-minister-khemaies-jhinaoui/
New Delhi: 6 years on,Tunisia remains the only democratic survivor of Arab Spring.Poised at a turning point, the North African Arab state has to grapple with a slow economic recovery, high unemployment and ensuring that new democratic institutions took firm hold. At the same time, Tunisia has to buckle up to the terror threat spilling over from Libya, even as hundreds of young Tunisians travelled to join the so-called IS.Tunisian Govt has been particularly under pressure from civil society to make serious dents in widespread endemic corruption. Corruption remains a political hot potato as it was one of the underlying causes of the Jasmine Revolution – a stark lack of economic opportunity and social dignity for the majority, while the ruling elite of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime prospered.Earlier this month, President Essebsi Beji Caid Essebsi signed into law a controversial legislation which gave immunity to officials who had worked with the earlier regime – despite street protests from civil society. The installation of ministers from the previous dictatorship also led to allegations of impunity.Speaking to The Wire, the Tunisian foreign minister Khemaies Jhinaoui defended the reconciliation law as necessary to remove ‘policy paralysis’ and aid economic recovery. In a wide-ranging interview, he spoke about the challenges of meeting conditions of IMF loans, terrorism and the latest round of the Libya talks.Jhinaoui had been a career diplomat for over 37 years, before he took over his present position in Jan.2016. His first diplomatic posting had, in fact, been in Delhi for 4 years in the early eighties – during which he witnessed the NAM summit, aftermath of Indira Gandhi assassination and initial years of PM Rajiv Gandhi. His arrival to Delhi on Saturday was his first return to India after he left in 1986.Economic and Security cooperation was the major focus of his visit to Delhi. He co-chaired the Joint Commission Meeting with Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, where they set a target to quadruple trade to $1 billion over next five years and signed 6 agreements.The Wire spoke to the Tunisian foreign minister ahead of his meeting with Swaraj on Monday.The Wire
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
India’s plural,diverse identity is under threat:Hamid Ansari
https://thewire.in/192978/indias-plural-diverse-identity-threat/
As Opposing Narratives on Demonetisation Clash, Even Modi Can’t Fool All the People All the Time: M.K. VENU
https://thewire.in/192904/opposing-narratives-demonetisation-clash-even-modi-cant-fool-people-time/
Taj Mahal is a money spinner, despite cutbacks by BJP:Kanchan Srivastava
http://www.atimes.com/article/taj-mahal-is-a-money-spinner/
In Approach to South Asia, Trump is On Wrong Side of History – Gen Mirza Aslam Beg
http://caravandaily.com/portal/trump-on-the-wrong-side-of-history/
‘We Live in Times When National Integration Has Been Replaced By Ugly Nationalism’: TM KRISHNA
https://thewire.in/193134/live-times-national-integration-replaced-ugly-nationalism/
And Now Dowry Becomes "Asset" For "Ugly Girls" And "Low Status" Boys!SHOMA A.CHATTERJI
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/7/12127/And-Now-Dowry-Becomes-an-Asset-For-Ugly-Girls-And-Low-Status-Boys-
UN rapporteur urges sanctions on Israel for driving Palestinians ‘back to dark ages’: Philip Weiss
http://mondoweiss.net/2017/10/rapporteur-sanctions-palestinians/
Dissent is smothered and self-censorship takes its place, endangering democracy itself:Soli J. Sorabjee
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/censorship-intolerance-freedom-of-speech-freedom-of-expression-human-rights-intolerance-in-india-democracy-religious-intolerance-human-rights-1975-emergency-freedom-of-press-political-intol/
Ease of Doing Business in an uneasy India hides, not reveals: Salman Anees Soz
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/ease-of-doing-business-in-an-uneasy-india-hides-not-reveals-4916706/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:15 PM)
