NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
30 April 2018:13 Shaban 1439:Vol:10, No:10
INDIA
SC collegium may counter Centre’s decision on KM Joseph with facts: Justice Kurian Joseph
https://scroll.in/latest/877374/sc-collegium-may-counter-centres-decision-on-km-joseph-with-facts-justice-kurian-joseph
The Supreme Court collegium will use “facts and precedents” to counter the Govt’s arguments against Justice KM Joseph’s elevation as a judge in the top court, Justice Kurian Joseph told the Indian Express. He added that the Centre had not “put facts in perspective” when it rejected KM Joseph for the judgeship.In an interview published today, Justice Kurian Joseph said:“Collegium might have to reiterate its recommendation furnishing facts and figures, and citing precedent, which have not been put in perspective by the Govt when it returned his name. The actual facts will be put up before the govt.”KM Joseph is the chief justice of the Uttarakhand High Court. The collegium of five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court had in January recommended his name for elevation. More than three months later, the law ministry on April 26 notified Indu Malhotra’s appointment, but refused to clear KM Joseph’s, even though the collegium had named both in the same recommendation.The ministry justified the decision by saying there were 11 High Court chief justices who were senior to KM Joseph, and none of those courts had representations in the Supreme Court at present. It also said judges from marginalised communities had not been appointed to the top court “for long”. Collegium will meet on Wednesday to discuss the Govt’s response to its recommendation.
SC may send name of Uttarakhand Chief Justice to govt again: Justice Joseph
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-may-send-name-of-km-joseph-to-govt-again-justice-kurian-joseph-5156653/
SC collegium questions record scanning of candidates named for HC judgeship
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/sc-collegium-questions-govt-move-scan-record-candidates-recommended-hc-judgeship-1502629085.html
The Supreme Court collegium has questioned the govt’s move to hold “detailed scrutiny” of professional record of advocates and judicial officers recommended for judgeship by high courts, but Law Ministry continues to send a summary of the candidates’ professional track record to the body of top five judges. In July 2017, Law Ministry had informed the Cabinet Secretary that, “now the process of detailed scrutiny of proposals received for the appointment of judges from high courts has been initiated.”“In the case of advocates, their reported judgments (in cases they represented), and in case of judicial officers their case disposal time and number of adjournments are being evaluated by an in-house team having legal background.But the govt’s move was recently questioned by the apex court collegium.PTI
UP Govt can’t reclaim Waqf properties now, SC stays Allahabad HC order
http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/up-govt-cant-reclaim--waqf-properties-now.html
New Delhi:UP Govt will not be able to reclaim Wakf properties, including mosques and madrasas, registered with the Sunni or Shia Waqf Board. The Supreme Court has stayed a 2-month-old order of the Allahabad High Court, which had virtually sounded the death knell for these mosques and madrasas that either stood on agricultural land or stood transferred as Waqf property by tenure holders having no actual ownership over the lands in question.The Allahabad High Court verdict of Feb.23, 2018 directly affected the property owned by Waqf Board in the State. UP Sunni Waqf Board and the Jamait Ulema-e-Hind approached the SC with a prayer for staying the directions. The HC even directed the State to act on its orders and report compliance in three months, latest by May 28, 2018. Bench of Justices Kurian Joseph, M Mohan Shantanagouder and Navin Sinha of the apex court stayed the operative portions of the judgment that had asked State authorities to proceed against the erring mosques and madrasas. The court felt the order had serious ramifications and hence required to be heard at length. In the HC, the issue came up with regard to a madrasa situated in Fatehpur where a man named Mahmood Hussain started a makeshift mosque and sought permission to offer prayers. The local villagers had complained to the authorities on the use of loudspeaker following which the DM denied him permission to offer namaz and azan.Against this order passed on Sept.6,2017, Hussain approached HC.dailypioneer
Delhi Minorities panel seeks clarification on Friday Namaz from MHA
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/delhi-minorities-panel-seeks-clarification-on-friday-namaz-from-mha-118042900330_1.html
New Delhi: Delhi Minorities Commission has sent a query to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs seeking clarification over a provision that allows the Muslim employees of the Govt attend the Friday Namaz during work hours.The move came after a delegation of Muslim teachers in Delhi met the Commission Chairman Dr Zafarul Islam Khan and sought his help in this issue. The delegation of teachers from schools run by the Delhi Govt and civic bodies said on Fridays, they faced difficulty in attending Namaz as they needed to reach their respective schools 15 minutes before 1 am which clashes with their prayer time, Khan said."The teachers cited an MHA order of 1954 that said Muslim Govt employees have the right to offer Friday prayer but a deduction from their salary could be made for the working time used in it."Last week a query was sent to the Union home secretary seeking to know if the 1954 order still exists and the current status on the issue. A reply is awaited," Khan said.The Commission also sought clarification over the issue from the Delhi govt's Directorate of Education (DoE) and the municipal corporation. "Directorate of Education said that no such relaxation is possible as it will hurt the interests of the students. The commission is yet to receive a reply to its notice from MCD," he said. The commission will formally approach the Delhi Govt and seek intervention of Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who is incharge of the Education department, if needed, he said.PTI
Was made scapegoat, no probe into deaths in other departments: Dr Kafeel Khanout on bail
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/was-made-scapegoat-no-probe-into-deaths-in-other-departments-gorakhpur-doctor-kafeel-khan-out-on-bail-5156613/
Lucknow:Released from jail after nearly eight months, Dr Kafeel Khan, paediatrician at BRD Medical College Hospital who was suspended following the death of around 30 children over two days in August last year, said he had been made a “scapegoat” to cover up “administrative failure”, and for “exposing the system”. While “the junor-most doctor” had been sent to jail, Khan added, “no questions had been asked of the head of the department or the chief medical superintendent of the hospital”.Admitting shortage of liquid oxygen supply, blamed for the deaths, Khan said it was not a problem just at the paediatrics ward but the entire hospital, and that letters regarding this had been sent to officials, “including CM”.Govt denies the deaths were due to shortage of liquid oxygen.“If I say there was no shortage of oxygen, I would be lying to myself and I would be lying to the whole nation… The whole story was of the budget (to pay the supplier of the oxygen), which they claimed was released. But the fact remains that the company had written over 14 letters in the previous six months, warning officials that they would cut off the supply. Some of the reminders were even sent to CM ,” Khan, who was granted bail on April 24 and who returned home on Friday night, said. Alleging that there were 18 casualties in just Ward No. 14 of the Medicine Department during that time, Khan said, “This is documented. There was no Dr Kafeel there…The whole hospital is supplied liquid (oxygen). There should be an inquiry into casualities in other departments (too).”indianexpress
Member of PM's Advisory Council Accused of 'Inventing' Employment Data:thewire
https://thewire.in/labour/member-of-pms-economic-advisory-council-accused-of-inventing-employment-data
The head of the Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) has accused economist Surjit Bhalla, who is a member of the PM ’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), of distorting and “dishonestly presenting” its nationwide employment survey to claim that India created 15 million jobs in 2017.CMIE does one of India’s largest employment surveys, with a sample over 5,00,000 respondents, which is done every month.In a recent article for Indian Express, titled ‘Robust Job Growth, Not Fake News’, Bhalla, who draws on CMIE’s database and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data, notes that job creation in 2017 was likely 15 million. CEO of CMIE, Mahesh Vyas, however told The Wire that his organisation’s survey for 2017 shows an overall employment growth of just 1.8 million.Then how did Bhalla get a figure of 15 million even while extensively drawing from the CMIE database? It appears that he simply cherry-picked part of the CMIE data and took other portions from the recent EPFO subscriber survey and arrived at a figure which Vyas describes as an “invention”.In his analysis, Bhalla takes CMIE survey data for new employment generation in the age group of 25-to-64. In the 25-64 age category, new employment in 2017 is 11.8 million.
J&K cabinet reshuffle: 7 new ministers sworn in, Kavinder Gupta takes oath as deputy CM
https://www.newsx.com/national/jk-cabinet-reshuffle-bjp-pdp-to-induct-7-new-ministers-kavinder-gupta-new-deputy-cm
Days after the resignation of 2 BJP ministers in J&K, who shielded the accused men of Kathua rape and murder case, BJP’s Kavinder Gupta replaced deputy CM Nirmal Singh in the cabinet reshuffle. 7 new ministers were sworn in as ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir government Earlier, BJP had asked all its ministers to resign from their post expect Nirmal Singh. He was serving as the deputy minister of the state since April 4, 2016. The deputy CM of J&K had supported the decision by CM Mehbooba Mufti to move the Kathua rape and murder case to Crime Branch, however various BJP leaders in the state had demanded CBI probe into the heinous crime, which sparked outrage across the country.According to the reports, Nirmal Singh has close relations with PDP leaders and Mehbooba Mufti. BJP leader Kavinder Gupta, once a member of RSS, is likely to replace Nirmal Singh. He was elected as MLA for the first time in Assembly elections from Jammu’s Gandhinagar constituency. However, he had served as Jammu Mayor for 3 times between 2005 and 2010. From the BJP side, 5 ministers will take the oath, PDP will induct 2 new faces. The oath-taking ceremony will be held today in Jammu. Recently, the BJP faced a backlash over the state government stalling demand for a CBI probe in the Kathua rape and murder case.newsx
J-K: Grazing lands must not be converted, say Gujjars, Bakarwals nomads
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/j-k-grazing-lands-must-not-be-converted-say-gujjars-bakarwals-nomads-5156301/
Nomadic Gujjars and Bakarwals in J&K have demanded that the grazing lands must not be converted for any purposes in the state.In a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation held in Jammu on the topic “Tribes and land issues,” both the communities stated that Govt should come up with a law, immediately, and restrict conversion of grazing land, including its change of title/ ownership. “Such conversions are adversely affecting tribal migratory culture and nomadic way of life of STs who are already passing through tough times in J&K ,” the communities stated.The programme was presided over by noted Gujjar researcher Dr Javaid Rahi while a number of tribal elders, youth and scholars attended the programme.Dr Javaid Rahi in his presidential address stated that Gujjars and Bakarwals are main animal-rearing communities of the state and lakhs of nomads are solely dependent upon the grazing land. He said “Grazing areas, pastoral land and other community resources belonging to a tribe/village /area or others may not be converted or vested to an agency or agencies for any type of usage. Such changes can badly affect centuries-old traditions of Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis, Sippis and Chanpas of Ladakh.”indianexpress
Influx of Rohingyas to Bangladesh security challenge for entire region: Indian envoy
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/influx-of-rohingyas-to-bangladesh-security-challenge-for-entire-region-indian-envoy/story-uOjN0KcHSxcjdsk6kK0MuJ.html
Agartala:Rohingya influx from Myanmar to Bangladesh is a serious common security challenge for the entire region, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said in Agartala.“Rohingya influx from Rakhine state of Myanmar to Bangladesh is a serious and common security challenge not only for Bangladesh but for the entire region,” Shringla said.“Bangladesh has engaged itself to address the issue. They have taken up the issue with the UN. Bangladesh Govt is also working through multilateral agencies besides bilateral negotiations with Myanmar.“Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement to repatriate the Rohingya Muslims. This is a humanitarian crisis even though the issue posed a common security challenge not only for Bangladesh but for all the countries of the region.”IANS
Gorkhaland forum chief Binoy Tamang, mosque dismisses Rohingya rumour
https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/tamang-mosque-dismisses-rohingya-rumour-1502628900.html
Kurseong: Muslim community belonging to Anjuman Islamia mosque at Thakur Bari in Kalimpong, and chairman of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Board of Administrators Binoy Tamang put to rest speculations that a group of Rohingya Muslims have winded up to the Hills. Addressing a press conference in Kalimpong on Saturday, mosque officials said that the people in Muslim attire who entered Kalimpong were not Rohingyas, but a team from Sonarpur in District 24 Parganas in Kolkata, and that these people wander from one place to another to give discourses and understand the Islam religion and culture in depth.“We travel across the country once a year, talking and understanding Islam,” the leader of the visiting team, Shek Sahinsha, said. “We travel to any part of the country and stay in mosques for 3-4 days and discuss our religion and culture. We have come here from Kolkata via Siliguri and we will return as our work is done here.We did not know that we would fall prey to such allegations,” he said.15 persons in the team also produced their Aadhar and voter identity cards to prove that they are bonafide Indian citizens.Masud Sultan, the secretary of the Kalimpong mosque, said that the video that had gone viral and the allegations were totally baseless.It may be mentioned here that the video showing a group of Muslims getting down from a bus in Kalimpong had gone viral very recently, fuelling speculations that they may be Rohingya refugees.the statesman
Custodial death: FIR against UP cops who framed Narendra Singh in cow slaughter case
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/custodial-death-fir-against-cops-who-framed-man-in-cow-slaughter-case/articleshow/63964407.cms
Meerut: Police had to finally give in to the demands of the agitating family of Narendra Singh (35) who was arrested on cow slaughter charges along with three others by Mawana police here on April 21. Singh died in jail on April 24 and his family had alleged torture by the police at the behest of a local gram pradhan.An FIR for murder has now been lodged against the accused policemen.An inquiry by the Meerut SP found the cow slaughter charges to be false. 3 accused policemen, including SHO of Mawana police station Brijesh Kushawaha have already been suspended pending a magisterial probe into the custodial death.“We tried to pacify the agitating family to wait for findings of the magisterial probe but they were adamant that a case of murder be lodged against the policemen. I have ordered an FIR to be lodged based on the complaint of the family,” Rajesh Kumar, SP, said.The family alleged that Narendra was tortured so much that his nails had come off. Police however claimed that Narendra, an alcoholic and a drug addict, was mentally unstable when he was lodged in jail and in poor health. The post-mortem report had claimed asphyxia due to inhalation of fluids as the reason of death, with no fatal ante-mortem injuries.Meanwhile, indefinite hunger strike by Narendra's family entered the fourth day on Sunday. A mahapanchayat by Gujjar community led by SP leader Atul Pradhan was organized at Narendra’s residence in Pallavpuram on Sunday.TOI
Gurgaon: 6 who disrupted namaz get bail, outfits to go ahead with protest
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gurgaon-namaz-disruption-case-men-arrested-bail-hindu-outfits-protest-5156164/
Gurgaon:A Gurgaon Court has granted bail to the six men who were arrested for disrupting a namaz in an open field in the city’s Sector 53 on April 20. The men had obstructed the Friday prayers by arriving at the scene minutes before they commenced, and chanting “Jai Sri Ram” and “Radhe Radhe” while directing worshippers to disperse from the spot. Confirming this, Arvind Dahiya, SHO of Sector 53 police station where a case has been registered, said, “A Gurgaon Court granted bail to the six men today.”FIR registered indicated the involvement of “seven or eight men” and also mentioned two people by name. Police, however, maintained that “the names mentioned are wrong”. “FIR has mentioned two people by name, but investigations so far have found that no people by these names were involved,” SHO said.“We had identified all those who were visible in the video of the incident and apprehended them. It seems only these 6 men were involved,” he added.Despite bail being granted to the six men, right wing outfits in the city, however, have decided to hold a demonstration on Monday, demanding that the case against the men be revoked and a ban on reading of namaz in the open be imposed.indianexpress
After Karnataka now Lingayats from Maharashtra demand religious minority status
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/after-karnataka-now-lingayats-from-maharashtra-demand-religious-minority-status/222518
Nashik: Lingayat community members took out a morcha here to demand a separate religion status for the community in Maharashtra as done in neighbouring Karnataka. Community members from 5 districts - Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar and Nandurbar - took part in the morcha which started from Star-Zone mall and ended at Nashik Road's divisional revenue commissioner office. The rally, which also saw participation from women, was organised by Lingayat Sangharsh Samiti of North Maharashtra.Participants demanded religious minority tag for the Lingayat community in Maharashtra as done by Congress govt in poll-bound Karnataka. Samiti members said the Lingayats account for 9% of total population of Maharashtra. timesnownews
Polls: SDPI to help Congress across Karnataka
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/300418/sdpi-to-help-congress-across-karnataka.html
Mangaluru: Congress, which has always blamed SDPI of having a secret pact with the BJP, has managed to persuade SDPI leaders to withdraw all its candidates except 3. Though it has brought a cheer to Congress camp as minority votes would not be split, some Congress leaders are concerned that this 'understanding’ could backfire as Hindu votes could consolidate in favour of BJP. Since its inception in 2009, SDPI has strengthened itself in Dakshina Kannada and parts of Mysuru and North Karnataka. This time, it had decided to contest from 50 constituencies, but withdrew from 47, in an apparent understanding with the Congress. Not long ago, the ruling party had alleged that SDPI and BJP have a secret pact to divide the minority votes and to defeat the Congress. But Congress leaders in the district and state have succeeded in persuading the SDPI not to field candidates from any constituency in Dakshina Kannada district.deccan chronicle
Will allow dissenting opinions in Congress: Rahul on Khurshid's 'Muslim blood' remarks
http://www.abplive.in/india-news/will-allow-dissenting-opinions-in-congress-rahul-on-khurshids-muslim-blood-remarks-690239
New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said he would allow different voices to flourish within the organisation but stressed all must present a united face when it comes to fighting forces like the RSS, in his first public comments on recent dissenting opinions expressed by senior party leader Salman Khurshid.Addressing the party's 'Jan Aakrosh Rally' at the Ramlila Maidan here, with the senior leader in audience, Gandhi said, the party will respect its experienced and young leaders and workers alike.Action will be taken against anybody who shows disrespect to own party colleagues, he said."I want to give an example. Salman Khurshidji is sitting here. A few days back, he voiced opinions which were against the party line. I am ready to accept from this platform that there will be different opinions in our party and that I will allow different opinions to flourish in the party, he told the gathering.Gandhi said he will protect people like Khurshid, who has opinions different from the party's. But, I do want to say something that when the party is fighting against the RSS, then we will have to do so with unity and love.As Gandhi spoke these lines from the stage, Khurshid was seen clapping in the audience. He later said only truth prevails in the Congress party.PTI
Sharad Pawar hits out at ‘talkative Modi’s silence’ over attacks on Dalits, minorities, women
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/ncp-chief-sharad-pawar-hits-out-at-talkative-modis-silence-over-attacks-on-dalits-minorities-women-5156632/
Pune:NCP chief Sharad Pawar has attacked PM Narendra Modi over what he termed the worsening condition of Dalits, minorities and women in the country and the “talkative PM’s” silence on key public issues.Pawar was speaking at the party’s plenary at Nisarg Mangal Karyalaya, which was attended by NCP officebearers from across the state. At the meet, party general secretary DP Tripathi announced that Pawar would continue as NCP president as the internal election committee did not receive any other nomination and Pawar was elected unopposed. Jayant Patil was chosen as NCP’s new state president. While Hemant Takle retained the post of party treasurer, Nawab Malik was elevated to the post of vice-president. Sunil Tatkare, the outgoing state president, was elevated to the post of national general secretary.indianexpress
Dangerous situation… social injustice behind this: BJP MP Udit Raj on mass conversion of Dalits in Una
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dangerous-situation-says-bjp-mp-udit-raj-on-una-dalits-conversion-to-buddhism-5156945/
New Delhi:A day after 450 Dalits in Una embraced Buddhism alleging atrocities on them, BJP MP Udit Raj cited “social injustice” as the reason behind the move. Calling it “a dangerous situation”, BJP MP is quoted by ANI as saying: “Dalits are beaten up for even having a moustache. I don’t know what alternative they have.”More than a thousand Dalits, including the family allegedly flogged by cow vigilantes in July 2016, converted to Buddhism at an event organised in Mota Samadhiyala village near Gujarat’s Una district. Not believing in Hindu gods and goddesses was among 22 resolutions that the converts made. The conversion will be recognised only when registered with the district collector, as per the Gujarat Freedom of Religion law.Among the new converts were Balu Sarvaiya, his wife Kunvar, his sons Vashram and Ramesh, who were victims of the alleged assault. They were joined by Balu’s nephew Ashok and relative Bechar who were also beaten up in June 2016. Balu and Kunvar who had rushed to rescue the 4 were also beaten up by the assailants.After the conversion ceremony,Balu said,“I feel relieved and empowered today. Today I junked blind faith forever. This is so liberating. After I was assaulted and humiliated, I realised that these things were burdening me. Now that I have thrown them out of the window, there will be a revolution. Now no god or goddess will prevent us from doing what we want to do. We shall study, educate ourselves and choose suitable professions.”indianexpress
BJP MLA present, Una Dalits assaulted by ‘cow vigilantes’ adopt Buddhism
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-mla-present-una-dalits-adopt-buddhism-cow-vigilantes-gujarat-5156647/
Rajasthan: Dalit groom allegedly attacked by upper caste men for riding horse, police accused of inaction
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-dalit-wedding-procession-allegedly-attacked-by-upper-caste-men-police-accused-of-inaction-5157112/
Jaipur:A day before the marriage of his younger brother, 24-year-old Bhanwar Lal Regar realised that not much has changed in the past eight years. As Regar ducked to escape the stones hurled at him and saw his friends being beaten up for being part of the Bindoli procession of a Dalit groom, he remembered the day in 2010 when a similar procession before his elder brother’s marriage was stopped by upper caste villagers. “The police watched silently on Sunday night as the men armed with sticks, stones and axes beat us. They even misbehaved with the women in the procession and tore their clothes,” said Regar, a resident of Gordhan Pura village in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district. A Dalit procession was allegedly attacked by upper caste men on Sunday night who were outraged over a scheduled caste groom riding a mare during the traditional ceremony of Bindoli, a day before his marriage. “After we decided that we will bring a mare for the Bindoli procession of my younger brother Uday Lal, we started getting threats from the village. We submitted an application to the police following which they provided us security. But at the time of the attack, they did nothing,” said Regar.indianexpress
Lockdown in Phagwara as Dalit hurt in clash dies
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/lockdown-in-phagwara-as-dalit-hurt-in-clash-dies/articleshow/63967857.cms
Phagwara: 19-year-old Dalit youth Yashwant aka Bobby, who was shot on the eve of Ambedkar Jayanti during a clash between right-wing Hindu groups and Dalit activists, died of his injuries on Sunday morning at DMC Hospital in Ludhiana after battling for his life for over a fortnight.The police put Phagwara in lock down to prevent any recurrence of violence in the town. Punjab has the highest population of Dalits in the county in percentage terms which is concentrated in the Doaba region, including Phagwara.TOI
Hyderabad: Muslim bodies demand Macca retrial
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/300418/hyderabad-muslim-bodies-demand-macca-retrial.html
Hyderabad: At a public meeting held in Yakutpura, eminent Muslim leaders demanded that the state Govt stress for a retrial in the Macca Masjid bomb blast case and Vatoli verdict pronounced by the Adilabad court. They also demanded the Govt make public the report of Aler encounter where 5 under- trails were killed. Mushtaq Malik, president of Tahreeq Muslim Shabban, who addressed the meeting, said that the state Govt has powers to conduct fresh investigation into the blast case. 9 innocent persons were killed and 58 injured in the blast, yet after 11 years there is no clarity as of who had carried out the blast. The prosecution only proved in the court about a blast in the mosque while it failed to prove charges against the persons who were allegedly behind the blast resulting in their acquittal. Maulana Syed Tariq Quadri, advocate general secretary of Sufi Academy, said that 7 members of a family were burned down by some elements in Vatoli and those caught by the crime investigation department were acquitted by the court. Both the judgements were pronounced on the same date and the people are losing faith in the govt, he said.Deccan Chronicle
Senior leaders out, CPI brings in JNU’s Kanhaiya Kumar
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/senior-leaders-out-cpi-brings-in-kanhaiya-kumar-former-jnu-student-union-president-5156563/
Thiruvananthapuram:S Sudhakar Reddy was re-elected as CPI general secretary for the third term at the party’s 23th Congress in Kollam on Sunday. Former JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was elected to 125-member party national council.Senior party leaders C Divakaran, Sathyan Mokeri, CN Chandran and Kamala Sadanandan were dropped from the national council.Expressing displeasure over his removal from the National Council, Divakaran said, “I have no godfathers in the party and did not want to get a position in the council with someone’s support.’’indianexpress
India imported metals from N.Korea in violation of UNSC resolutions:UN report
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-imported-metals-from-north-korea-in-violation-of-unsc-resolutions-says-united-nations-report-5156397/
India imported about 2.4 million dollars worth of iron and steel, iron and steel products, copper and zinc from North Korea last year and exported precious metals and stones worth USD 578,994 to the country in violation of UNSC resolutions banning such trade with North Korea, according to a report by an UN panel of experts.According to a March report of the Panel of Experts established by Secretary-General regarding implementation of sanctions and UNSC resolutions relating to North Korea, the country exported a total of USD 62,184,815 in iron and steel between January and September 2017 to Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, China,Costa Rica, El Salvador, India,Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines and Russia.PTI
UP to ensure 24X7 power during Ramzan
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/up-to-ensure-24x7-power-during-ramzan/articleshow/63967176.cms
Lucknow: BJP Govt has ordered round-the-clock power supply to Muslim dominated districts during the forthcoming month of Ramzan in UP . The move comes about a year after PM Narendra Modi, during UP assembly election campaign, accused the then ruling Samajwadi Party of playing politics over religion by giving long hours of power supply on Eid than Diwali.UP energy minister Srikant Sharma on Sunday said that instructions had been issued to all divisions to ensure refurbishment of transmission and distribution system so that no power break occurred during the holy month of Ramzan.TOI
UP: Mother-son duo killed after mosque minaret collapses
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/mother-son-duo-killed-after-mosque-minaret-collapses-118043000368_1.html
Balrampur: A mother-son duo were killed and two others injured here when minaret of a mosque fell on an adjacent house during the thunderstorm which struck the town, police said today. The incident took place last night when Mehrunissa (28) and her son Munir (3) were sleeping in the their house in Dulhindeh village under Mahrajganj Terai police station area, they said.PTI
Delhi HC denies bail to Fasih Mahmood in terror case
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hc-denies-bail-to-im-member-fasih-mahmood-in-terror-case-118042900279_1.html
Delhi High Court has denied bail to Fasih Mahmood, who was deported from Saudi Arabia in 2012, in connection with a case of setting up of an alleged illegal arms factory here.The court said there was no valid reason to grant bail to Mahmood, considering the gravity of offence and serious allegation against him.Justice SP Garg noted that the accused has already been denied bail earlier by the high court and the Supreme Court in 2016.Mahmood's counsel sought bail, saying that merely because the e-mail IDs of the cousin brother of the accused were found on his laptop, it cannot be taken as an incriminating circumstance against him.He said no evidence has surfaced to infer if the accused ever attempted to exhort any individual to carry out the activities of IM in India. However, the bail plea was opposed by public prosecutor Amit Chadha who contended that the allegations against the accused were serious in nature.The revision petition filed by Mahmood against charges framed by the trial court is pending before the high court and is listed for hearing on May 22.PTI
MP: Newly recruited cops tagged with castes, triggers controversy
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-newly-recruited-cops-tagged-with-castes-triggers-controversy-5156630/
Bhopal : MP Govt was left red-faced on Sunday after reports of newly-recruited police constables with their castes – ‘SC’, ‘ST’ and ‘OBC’ – marked on their chests during a medical examination at a Govt hospital emerged.The controversy was triggered after the candidates from the reserved categories were stamped with their caste identification on their bare chests during the three-day medical examination process at the Dhar district hospital. However, candidates from the general category were not labelled.While sources claimed the caste stamps were used to avoid confusion among candidates – as height and chest measurement norms are different for constables belonging to general and reserved categories – Dalit leaders in the state have called it a blatant violation and sought arrests of the guilty under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.indianexpress
Legal notice to Swamy for 'maligning' AMU
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/legal-notice-to-swamy-for-maligning-amu/articleshow/63963766.cms
AMU Students’ Union president Mashkoor Ahmad Uamani has sent a legal notice to BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy for making a “false and mischievous” statement against AMU by dubbing it as an “atankwadi vichardhara ka adda (a hub of terrorist ideology)”.Usmani said Swamy’s accusation have been mischievously designed to defame and malign AMU and to discredit it as an institution of higher learning. He said such comments adversely affect the prospects of university students. Uamani called upon Swamy to tender an unconditional apology within seven days of the receipt of the legal notice. “If he fails to do so, legal proceedings will be initiated against him,” he warned.“We had urged him (Swamy) at an earlier the press conference to apologise for his statement but he didn’t do so,” said the AMUSU head He said AMU is an institution of national importance and many country’s heads/politicians/historians/scientists have passed out of it.“Swami’s allegations have hurt the sentiments and shattered the confidence of students,” said Uamani, adding that Swamy has failed in his duty as a responsible parliamentarian.TOI
Kerala church row: Jacobites seek govt intervention to resolve century-old dispute
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/kerala-church-row-jacobites-seek-govt-intervention-to-resolve-century-old-dispute-5156666/
New Delhi:Jacobite faction of a Kerala church has sought the intervention of the Centre and state Govts in a century-old dispute with the Orthodox faction following a Supreme Court verdict that gave the latter control over more than 1,100 parishes — an administrative district — and their churches. Heads, priests and the followers of the Jacobite Syrian Christians — which declare its allegiance to the Holy Apostolic Throne of Antioch — staged a protest march from Mandi House to India Gate here on Friday evening seeking an out of court settlement in the matter. They have also urged the Govt to intervene for an amicable resolution in the matter.According to the Jacobite faction, the SC’s July 3 verdict in favour of the Orthodox faction “affect millions of faithful as they will lose their right to practice their faith in their own ancestral parishes. The faithful are even prevented from burying their dead in the cemeteries, according to the rites of their faith”.On March 19, the Supreme Court headed by Justice Arun Misra issued yet another order upholding its July 3 verdict, but the Jacobite leaders said it was done “without considering the arguments of our counsels and the scope of the case”.They have pointed out that the Supreme Court, while dealing with the Babri Masjid issue, had said it would be better if the disputes over matter of faith were resolved outside court.indianexpress
Bihar: Viral video shows girl molested, clothes ripped off; 4 arrested
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-jehanabad-viral-video-shows-girl-molested-clothes-ripped-off-4-arrested-5156988/
Patna:Jehanabad police on Monday arrested four persons for allegedly molesting a teenage girl and trying to rip her clothes while filming the incident, ANI reported. The police identified the accused on the basis of a video footage that went viral on social media on Saturday night.“Faces of two people have been matched with people in the video and other two were making the clip. Other four to five people have been named by them,” Nayyar Hasnain Khan, Patna Zonal IG said, adding that a search operation is underway to nab the other accused. Viral video shows at least 5 boys misbehaving with a teenaged girl and trying to rip her clothes off. Girl, while trying to defend herself, falls on the ground, but later regains consciousness and tries to escape the boys, most of whom look in their teens.indianexpress
Mamata's party wins over a third of seats without contest
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/west-bengal-panchayat-elections-mamata-banerjees-trinamool-congress-wins-more-than-third-of-seats-wi-1844797?pfrom=home-topscroll
Even before the May 14 local body elections in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee's party has won a stunning 34% seats unopposed. There were no opposition candidates for these seats by the time nominations closed on Saturday, which means a walkover for TMC. Without a single vote being cast, the Trinamool has won over 20,000 of 58,692 Panchayat seats in the state - the highest number to go uncontested in Bengal's history. In all these seats, the opposition either withdrew candidates or had failed to complete paperwork.NDTV
WORLD
Palestinians should 'accept Trump proposals or shut up':Mohammed bin Salman: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/mbs-palestinians-accept-trump-proposals-shut-180430065228281.html
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, MBS, has told heads of US-based Jewish groups that the Palestinian leadership must accept conditions for peace put forward by the administration of US President Donald Trump, according to a report on Israeli media. During a closed-door meeting last month in New York with the organisations' leaders, bin Salman harshly criticised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Channel 10 news reported on Sunday, citing an Israeli diplomatic wire and sources."In the last several decades the Palestinian leadership has missed one opportunity after the other and rejected all the peace proposals it was given," bin Salman reportedly said in a report published on Axios website by Barak Ravid, Channel 10's senior diplomatic correspondent. "It is about time Palestinians take the proposals and agree to come to the negotiations table or shut up and stop complaining."Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December, a move that drew international criticism. Bin Salman reportedly pressured Abbas to accept the US framework for peace after Trump's recognition of Jerusalem. However, the Palestinian leadership has boycotted the White House since Trump's announcement in December. Abbas said the US was no longer an "honest broker" in peace talks.
Missiles kill 26 pro-regime fighters in Syria including Iranians: Monitor
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/missiles-kill-26-pro-regime-fighters-in-syria-including-iranians-monitor/articleshow/63968981.cms
Beirut: Missile strikes overnight in central Syria killed at least 26 pro-regime fighters, most of them Iranians, a monitor said Monday.Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the missiles struck a military base in the province of Hama late Sunday, in an assault it said bore the hallmarks of an Israeli operation."At least 26 fighters were killed, including four Syrians," the monitor said, adding that the main target of the missile strike was the base of the regime's 47th Brigade."The others are foreign fighters, a vast majority of them Iranians," said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of Britain-based war monitor."Given the nature of the target, it is likely to have been an Israeli strike,"he said, adding that strikes also hit an air base in nearby Aleppo province where surface-to-surface missiles were stored.Syrian state media late Sunday had denounced a "fresh aggression" following reported raids by "enemy missiles".Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz told army radio that he was "not aware" of the latest strikes.AFP
Govt forces continue bombardment of Yarmouk camp
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/syria-war-Govt-forces-continue-yarmouk-bombardment-180429073153001.html
Syrian Govt forces continue to launch air strikes on ISIL-held pockets in Hajar al-Aswad, one of the neighbourhoods of the besieged Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.The strikes on Sunday are part of a campaign to retake the last rebel-held towns on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, which has seen a dramatic increase of violence over the last weeks.Since the beginning of the campaign on April 19, at least 18 civilians have been killed, activists in nearby rebel-held towns told Al Jazeera. The ongoing bombardments have prompting fresh warnings by the United Nations about a looming humanitarian disaster in the area. As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces battled to retake Hajar al-Aswad and Tadamun, areas that make up a considerable chunk of Yarmouk, the Syrian army said on Saturday it retook control of the Qadem district, state-run news agency SANA reported.aljazeera
Syria: US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces reclaim territory hours after Govt capture
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/syria-sdf-reclaim-territory-hours-Govt-capture-180429184747155.html
US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) repelled a Syrian govt attack on a string of villages along the Euphrates River in the eastern Deir Az Zor province.A statement by the Kurdish-led SDF said on Sunday its fighters mounted a counter-offensive against troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, adding they were driven "far away" from the villages they had momentarily captured earlier in the day. Syria's official SANA news agency announced on Sunday that Syrian Govt forces seized four villages east of the Euphrates River. aljazeera
Twin blasts kill 29 including 9 journalists in Kabul
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/twin-explosions-kill-20-afghanistan-kabul-180430051432828.html
At least 29 people, including 9 journalists, have been killed and dozens wounded after two explosions hit Kabul, according to Afghan health officials.The blasts went off during rush hour on Monday morning in the Shash Darak area of the Afghan capital.Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul, said the armed group ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber detonated himself close to National Directorate of Security, main Afghan intelligence agency, TOLO News quoted an interior ministry spokesman as saying. In another explosion that followed 20 minutes later, a second suicide bomber targeted emergency medical workers and journalists who had arrived at scene. Afghan Journalists Safety Committee reported that 9 journalists who rushed to cover the aftermath of first explosion were killed in the second blast. A spokesperson for the Afghan health ministry said the attacks also wounded 49. AFP reported that its chief photographer in Kabul was among the fatalities.aljazeera
Israel wounded 30 Palestinian athletes in Gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-israel-wounded-30-palestinian-athletes-in-gaza/
Israeli occupation forces shot and wounded 30 Palestinian athletes in the besieged Gaza Strip since the start of the “Great March of Return” on 30 March, the Palestinian Ministry of Youth and Sport revealed yesterday.Several were shot in the head and were in a critical condition, the ministry added.“A number of the wounded had their lower limbs amputated such as Alaa Al-Dali who was preparing to represent Palestinian in the Asia tournament.”MEMO
Israel razes hundreds of olive trees in Jordan Valley
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-israel-razes-hundreds-of-olive-trees-in-jordan-valley/
Israeli occupation forces uprooted and damaged hundreds of olive trees planted by pro-Palestine supporters during the past week in the northern Jordan Valley, Palestinian mass media said. Human rights activists from B’Tselem, Aref Daraghmeh, said: “Israeli occupation forces uprooted the olive trees planted by Palestinians and pro-Palestine activists last week in Bardala neighbourhood in northern Jordan Valley.”Daraghmeh noted that the trees were planted to replace olive trees which had previously been uprooted by the Israeli occupation forces the week before.middleeastmonitor
Israeli military kills 3 Palestinians along Gaza Strip border
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-military-kills-three-palestinians-along-gaza-strip-border-1574822185
Israeli troops shot and killed three Palestinians along the border with Gaza Strip in two separate incidents on Sunday, Israeli military said.The shootings follow a month of violence along the Israel-Gaza border, where Palestinians have been holding protests every Friday pressing for the right of return for refugees and their descendants to what is now Israel.In the first incident on Sunday, two men "attempted to infiltrate" into Israel from the southern Gaza Strip, the military said in a statement. Soldiers shot and killed one of the men, and the other was wounded and held for questioning.middleeasteye
Iraq’s ISIL: 19 Russian women handed life sentences
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/iraq-19-russian-women-handed-life-sentences-joining-isil-180429143235839.html
A court in Baghdad sentenced 19 Russian women to life in prison for joining ISIL fighters in the country.A Central Criminal Court ruling determined on Sunday the Russian women were guilty of "joining and supporting" ISIL, AFP reported.The women, many accompanied by their children, addressed the court through a translator - a Russian -language professor at Baghdad University hired by the Russian embassy.A Russian diplomat at the hearing said the families of the women will be contacted and "informed of the verdict".aljazeera
At least 15 migrants die after boat sinks off Algerian coast
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180429-at-least-15-migrants-die-after-boat-sinks-off-algerian-coast/
At least 15 African migrants died on Sunday when their boat trying to reach Europe capsized off the Algerian coast, a coast guard official said.Coast guard and civil protection authorities rescued 19 of 34 people on board, state news agency APS said.The boat sank off the coast of Oran, a city some 450 km west of the capital Algiers, the official told Ennahar TV station, adding that the boat had departed from Morocco.MEMO
Deportation targets for Indians, Pakistanis reason for UK home minister's resignation?
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/deportation-targets-for-indians-pakistanis-reason-for-uk-home-ministers-resignation/articleshow/63969992.cms
London: One of Britains most senior cabinet ministers has resigned after growing pressure over her handling of targets to deport illegal immigrants. The resignation of home secretary Amber Rudd came after documents leaked in the British press showed that she set a target to increase the number of deportations by 10%, despite her denials.Rudd has been forced to quit after weeks of criticism of the British Govt's treatment of long-term migrants from the Caribbean, known as the Windrush generation. They were threatened with deportation and some were even denied medical treatment because they didn't have documents to prove that they had been living in the UK for decades.But ironically, and perhaps unfairly, for Rudd, leaked documents also indicate that the policy of forced removal of illegal immigrants was aimed at recent arrivals, mainly from India and Pakistan, and not for the Windrush generation, though some were affected by it.IANS
Rohingya Refugees Tearfully Plead for UNSC Help
https://thewire.in/south-asia/rohingya-refugees-tearfully-plead-for-un-security-council-help
Bangladesh: Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh made emotional pleas to UNSC on Sunday for help to return safely to their homes in neighbouring Myanmar and for justice over the reason they fled – accusations of killings, rapes and arson.During a visit to an unclaimed strip of territory between the two states dubbed no-man’s land, several tearful women and girls threw themselves at British UN Ambassador Karen Pierce as they recounted what had happened to them.“It shows the scale of the challenge as we try as a Security Council to find some way through that enables these poor people to go home,” Pierce said. “The sad thing is there’s nothing we can do right today that will make their distress any less.”UNSC envoys – who will travel to Myanmar on Monday and meet with its de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi – also visited a dry and dusty Kutupalong refugee camp that housed many of the nearly 700,000 Rohingya who fled Myanmar.Reuters
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Watch: Decoding the Legal Issues Around the Babri Masjid Case;Kumar Ketkar
https://theprint.in/opinion/why-people-compare-modi-with-indira-and-why-they-shouldnt/53752/
Reading Dalit literature changes established accounts of nationalism, colonialism & modernity:RITA KOTHARI
https://theprint.in/opinion/even-as-dalit-literature-expands-legislative-and-social-transformation-remain-chequered/53744/
How Dalits Have Been Fighting Upper Caste Nationalism to Protect Their Rights:Vikas Pathak's latest book review
https://www.news18.com/news/india/how-dalits-have-been-fighting-upper-caste-nationalism-to-protect-their-rights-1732995.html
Understanding the new Dalit identity: Radical, angry, urgent and international:SURAJ YENGDE
https://theprint.in/opinion/the-new-dalit-identity-has-to-be-radical-angry-urgent-and-international/53797/
Will Red Fort Become Dalmia Red Fort?Sohail Hashmi
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/will-red-fort-become-dalmia-red-fort-5156808/
Young Muslims crack civil services: from up’s most illiterate district, Syed Ali Abbas secures 137th rank
http://caravandaily.com/portal/?p=78314
Story of an Innocent in Jail:SEEMA MUSTAFA
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/13666/The-Story-of-an-Innocent-in-Jail
Friend or Enemy of Dalits?SANDEEP PANDEY
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/13668/Friend-or-Enemy-of-Dalits
Jharkhand: Behind lynching convictions, High Court drive involving police, prosecutors
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jharkhand-behind-lynching-convictions-high-court-drive-involving-police-prosecutors-5156552/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 3:41 PM)
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