NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
01 May 2018:14 Shaban 1439: Vol:10, No:11
INDIA
Kathua rape: New JK Deputy CM calls it a minor issue, BJP MLA who backed accused made minister
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-cabinet-reshuffle-kavinder-gupta-sat-sharma-kathua-rape-5157627/
Jammu:The rape of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua’s Rasana village, which sparked outrage across the country, is a “minor issue” and giving the case “too much importance” is “not the right thing” to do, according to J&K’s new Deputy CM and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta.Speaking to reporters after his swearing-in Monday, Gupta said,“Rasana is a small issue. We should think about ensuring that such incidents do not recur. Ensuring that the girl gets justice is among the challenges before the Govt . I feel that by giving so much importance to Rasana, we are not doing the right thing.”Gupta was the J&K Speaker before swapping posts with Nirmal Singh in a reshuffle directed by the party. Singh had backed CM Mehbooba Mufti’s decision to stick to a probe by the Crime Branch in the Kathua case, though many BJP leaders had backed the demand for a CBI inquiry.On Monday, among 8 MLAs inducted to the Council were BJP state president Sat Sharma and Kathua MLA Rajiv Jasrotia.In Feb., Sharma had sent 2 BJP ministers at the time, Chander Parkash Ganga and Lal Singh, to address a rally of protesters who had gathered under the Hindu Ektya Manch, a new outfit, to back the accused in the rape case and demand a CBI probe. The two later resigned after the visit sparked controversy.Jasrotia was also present at gathering.Reacting to the new appointments, NC leader Omar Abdullah posted on Twitter: “2 BJP ministers removed in J&K for attending a pro-rapist rally & a MLA who is reported to have attended the same rally is promoted as a minister. Why are BJP/ @MehboobaMufti confused about where they stand on the #Kathua rape?’’Gupta, who replaced Singh, is a first-time MLA from Gandhi Nagar but an old BJP and RSS hand. He has served as Jammu mayor for 3 terms, between 2005 and 2010.indianexpress
Kathua victim mocked: 'Pro rape' MLA 'rewarded' by BJP for supporting rapists?
http://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/kathua-victim-mocked-pro-rape-mla-rewarded-by-bjp-for-supporting-rapists/223072
J&K Cabinet Rejig Reeks of Disregard for Kathua Child Rape, Murder
https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/jammu-kashmir-bjp-cabinet-reshuffle-disregard-for-kathua-child-rape-murder
J&K Cabinet reshuffle: With 2019 in mind, PDP accommodates legislators from Pulwama and Srinagar
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-cabinet-reshuffle-with-2019-in-mind-pdp-accommodates-legislators-from-pulwama-and-srinagar-5158402/
Hindu outfit-led protest in Gurugram demands ban on Friday Namaz in open
https://thewire.in/communalism/hindu-outfit-led-protest-in-gurugram-demands-ban-on-namaz-in-open
New Delhi: Several outfits, led by the Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, staged a demonstration in Gurugram on Monday (April 30), demanding that the case registered against six men for disrupting namaz be withdrawn and a city-wide ban implemented on offering namaz in the open.On April 27, the 6 men in question had disrupted a namaz in a vacant plot in Sector 53 in Gurugram.An Indian Express report said the protesters have submitted a letter addressed to CM Manohar Lal Khattar and deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh alleging that under the false pretext of prayers, the worshippers were chanting anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans. And that they intended to occupy the land illegally. “When some patriotic youth stopped them from doing this, police conducted a one-sided investigation.Does chanting ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ come in the ambit of offence that the youth were arrested?” they said in the letter. However, the worshippers, who have been gathering at the site for the last decade to read namaz every Friday, have denied the allegations. “We don’t even talk to each other when reading the namaz; chanting slogans is out of the question. These are just false allegations,” said Wajid Khan, who heads Nehru Yuva Sangathan Welfare Society Charitable Trust and was the complainant in the case.6 men who had disrupted the prayers with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Radhe Radhe’ are rumoured to be affiliated with pro-Hindu groups.The Hindu quoted Gurugram Shiv Sena chief Gautam Saini, who was among protesters, as saying:“Crimes against women are on the rise across the country and it is difficult to establish the identity of these men offering namaz in large numbers near the village every Friday. It is not known whether they are Rohingyas, Bangladeshis or Mewatis. It is a potential threat to the girls and women of the village.”Outfits have stated this in their letter as well:“Rohingyas and Bangladeshis residing in Gurgaon should also be identified and marked.Permission should not be given to read namaz in Hindu colonies, sectors and neighbourhoods. Permission should only be given in those places where the strength of this population is more than 50%, otherwise there will continue to be a possibility of peace being obstructed.”thewire
Gurugram: Hindu outfits protest, demanding ban on Friday ‘namaz’ in open spaces
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/hindu-outfits-protest-want-friday-prayers-at-open-spaces-stopped/articleshow/63979046.cms
Gurgaon Hindu outfits demand: Allow namaz only in areas with over 50% Muslims
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gurgaon-outfits-demand-allow-namaz-only-in-areas-with-over-50-muslims-5157790/
Justice KM Joseph elevation to SC: ‘Surprising that SC judge indicates decision before Collegium meeting’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/justice-km-joseph-elevation-surprising-that-supreme-court-judge-kurian-joseph-indicates-decision-before-collegium-meeting-5157882/
New Delhi: A day after Justice Kurian Joseph said that the Supreme Court Collegium is likely to reiterate its recommendation to elevate Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph after Govt ’s request for reconsideration, a top Govt functionary expressed “surprise” that a “possible decision” has already been taken before Collegium meeting. Justice Kurian Joseph had 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.”Collegium is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.“There is a well-established tradition that honourable judges don’t speak their mind on sensitive issues like judicial appointments. What’s further surprising is that if the possible decision has already been taken even before the meeting, then what is left to be considered? It is surprising that a senior judge and member of collegium is indicating that the collegium might have to reiterate its recommendations to elevate justice KM Joseph,”Govt functionary said.“This has never happened,” said the functionary, “a member of the collegium discussing whom to appoint and not to appoint…it is distressing.”The functionary denied that Govt’s request to reconsider the case of Justice KM Joseph is because of his verdict against President’s rule in Uttarakhand. “This is for two obvious reasons. One, elections were held and a popular BJP Govt was elected in the state.And, secondly, verdict of Justice KM Joseph was affirmed by Justice JS Khehar who also quashed NJAC but was elevated as CJI during BJP govt.”I.E.
Govt would Have 'No Option' If Collegium Reiterates Justice KM Joseph’s Elevation, say ex- SC Judges
https://www.news18.com/news/india/govt-would-have-no-option-if-collegium-reiterates-justice-km-josephs-elevation-say-former-sc-judges-1734341.html
New Delhi: Days after the Centre asked the Collegium to reconsider the elevation of Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court, all eyes are on CJI-headed body to see if it reiterates its Jan.10 recommendation. While Justice Kurian Joseph has hinted at a possible reiteration by the Collegium, former Supreme Court judges said that CJI has to take a call in consultation with other judges in reiterating the name and that he is not “master of the Collegium” like he is the “master of the rolls”.According to former SC judge PB Sawant, all judges have an equal say in the Collegium and “Govt objections need to be examined before a call is taken”.“CJI is only a member of the Collegium. The appointment has to be approved by the Collegium and only then is it sent to Govt . If it is not approved by the Govt and a reaction is to be sent, then the entire Collegium meets and an opinion is sent,” Justice Sawant said. Another former SC judge, Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly, who has seen the functioning of the Collegium from close quarters, said that “reiteration of Justice Joseph’s name must be there as everyone expects so”, especially when the reason given by Govt was not something which was “discovered after recommendation of the Collegium”.News18
Global tender floated for shipping firms to revive sea route for Haj: Naqvi
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/global-tender-floated-for-shipping-firms-to-revive-sea-route-for-haj-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-5157517/
Govt has floated a global tender, seeking applications from shipping firms as part of its efforts to revive an option of sending pilgrims for Haj by sea, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. Saudi Arabia had earlier given its nod to India’s plan to revive the option of sea travel to Jeddah, over 2 decades after the practice was stopped. We have issued a global tender. We have asked for applications from shipping companies,” Naqvi said. The secretary and joint secretary from the ministry will soon hold talks in Saudi with officials from its shipping ministry and others on issues related to travel of Haj pilgrims by sea, he said.Asked when the sea route would become operational for Haj pilgrims, he said, “We are trying and our goal is for 2019.It will only be from Mumbai.”
Naqvi credits Modi govt for most minority candidates cracking UPSC, Muslim forum rubbishes his claims
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-credits-modi-govt-for-most-minority-candidates-cracking-upsc-5157871/
New Delhi:Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said the Modi govt’s policy of “development with dignity” without any discrimination has ensured that 131 people from minority communities, including 51 Muslims, have cracked the civil services examination this year.Naqvi claimed that this is the first time since Independence that so many people from minority communities have cleared UPSC exams.Out of 1,099 people selected last year, 126 candidates belonged to minority communities.These include 52 Muslims(4.5%).“There is immense talent in minority communities, especially Muslim youths. But previous govts did not put enough effort to create an environment that would give them confidence,” Naqvi said. “PM Modi’s govt has given an atmosphere to protect and promote the talent of youths from minority communities, which has resulted in such a large number of youths from minority communities being selected for top administrative services.”Of the successful Muslim candidates, 26 had been coached and helped by Zakat Foundation. Its president Zafar Mahmood, however, rubbished Naqvi’s claims. He said, “Minister is showing himself in a poor light by saying this. UPSC does not follow Govt’s diktat — it is a 100-% transparent organisation.” Mahmood said,“We have been making concerted efforts for the last 10 years to ensure that bright students from the community sit for competitive examinations. We have also been organising orientation programmes giving them confidence.These results are a fruition of that effort.”indian express
Record 131 candidates from minority communities selected in civil services: Naqvi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/record-131-candidates-from-minority-communities-selected-in-civil-services-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi/articleshow/63975649.cms
UPSC results: ‘Want to tell society madrasas in Kerala can contribute civil servants’
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/want-to-tell-society-madrasas-in-kerala-can-contribute-civil-servants-5157889/
Having never had the opportunity to attend a mainstream school, let alone college, after primary school education, T Shahid, a former madrasa teacher from Kerala, has proved that tenacity eventually triumphs. 28-year-old native of Thiruvallur village, in Kozhikode district, has cracked the UPSC examination in his sixth attempt, ranked 693.Son of madrasa teacher Abdul Rahman Musaliyar and homemaker Sulekha, Shahid said he was forced to opt for a Muslim religious educational institution, run by an orphanage at Kappad in Kozhikode, at age 10 given financial crisis at home.After 12 years of religious education and leading a secluded life at the Islamic seminary, Shahid bagged the religious ‘hasni’ degree, a course which equipped him to become a madrasa teacher. While studying for hasni, he completed Class X and Class XII, and finally got a degree in English — all through distance courses.“From 2010 to 2012, I worked as a madrassa teacher in Kannur for Rs 6,000,” Shahid said.indianexpress
Nagaland: AFSPA will continue in the state, says Rijiju
https://thenortheasttoday.com/nagaland-afspa-will-continue-in-the-state-says-rijiju/
New Delhi: Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said AFSPA will continue in Nagaland as it is a “special case” and the “peace agreement” hasn’t been finalised there yet.Nagaland is the only State in the northeast, apart from eight police stations in Arunachal Pradesh, where ASFPA continues to be imposed by the Union Home Ministry.Nagaland, Manipur and Assam are the only three States in the northeast that continue to be under AFSPA. Last year, Home Ministry gave up its power and asked Assam Govt to take a decision on continuing AFSPA in the State.Nagaland’s Deputy CM Y. Patton said the State Govt would reiterate its request to the Centre to revoke AFSPA.“The discussion on the Naga political situation is on and we are expecting Govt of India to solve the problem at the earliest. We have requested to lift AFSPA but we have been asked to wait for some time. When the solution (Naga deal) comes, automatically AFSPA will go,” Patton said.thenortheasttoday
AFSPA will continue in Nagaland: Rijiju
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/afspa-will-continue-in-nagaland-rijiju/article23732912.ece?homepage=true
Tripura CM trying to create a new political narrative through his 'controversial' comments: Political scientists
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/biplab-deb-trying-to-create-a-new-political-narrative-through-his-controversial-comments-political-scientists/articleshow/63977044.cms
Guwahati:If “class-struggle” was integral to political narratives in the previous Left-ruled Tripura, political scientists feel state’s new CM Biplab Kumar Dey is trying to create a new political narrative through his "controversial" comments with the rightist shift in state’s politics.Political scientist and and head of political science department at Gauhati University, Nanigopal Mahanta says that when Left was in power it centered its political narratives on the “binary of class-struggle”.“The narratives on the reductionism of class-struggle, bourgeoisie or imperialism didn’t help the Left to retain power. On the other hand, new CM is trying to address a particular constituency, maybe RSS through his comments,”Mahanta observes.He says that in both the instances—when Left was in power and now BJP at helm--- “people’s narrative” was given a miss.TOI
'Open paan shop' to 'Narada Muni' remarks: 'India didn't sign up for this', Congress slams BJP leaders
http://www.dnaindia.com/node/2610344
PM Narendra Modi had recently told BJP leaders to avoid making controversial remarks as it diverts attention from the real development work. But Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb has been in the headlines for controversial reasons and this is adversely affecting BJP's image which is embroiled in a tough battle against Congress in Karnataka Assembly elections 2018. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani seems to have joined the bandwagon. Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury has targetted BJP for making statements which don't do any good to people rather than cropping up irrelevant issues. In the backdrop of Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb making controversial statements, the Congress party on Tuesday tore into the Centre.Last week, Rupani had equated Google with mythological character Narada Muni while Biplab Kumar Deb suggested the youth to open a paan shop rather than running behind a Govt job.dnaindia
Narad was like Google who had all information: Guj CM
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/narad-muni-was-like-google-who-had-all-information-guj-cm-118043000833_1.html
Bhopal: Why doesn’t Govt impart skill development in pakoda making, ask job aspirants
http://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-why-doesnt-Govt -impart-skill-development-in-pakoda-making-ask-job-aspirants/1268325
One of 40 'Naxals' Killed in 'Encounter' Was Child, Say Villagers, 7 More Missing:thewire
https://thewire.in/rights/gadchiroli-encounter-lost-children-of-gattepalli
Gattepalli: For 5 days, the residents of Gattepalli, a tiny hamlet in Gadchiroli Maharashtra, had no idea where many of their children had disappeared after they had gone to attend a wedding in a nearby village on April 21. When the tragic news finally came, it was by accident.“Oh, is that Raasu? But her cheeks look swollen in this picture. Look at the forehead closely, she had an exceptionally broad forehead and small eyes,”said Bisru Ataram in Madiya language as he peered – almost by chance – into the mobile phone of a visitor, advocate Lalsu Soma Nagoti.On the evening of April 27, Ataram accidentally saw and recognised the photo of one of the children – it was 16-year-old Raasu Chacko Madavi. In shock, he immediately shared the news. Photo was part of the list of 16 people who had been killed in an encounter with the police for being suspected Naxals just a few days ago.For Raasu’s sisters – Vanji, 20, and Jano, 18 – it was a traumatic moment as the news sank in. It was equally distressing for other villagers who had been waiting for some sort of official confirmation from police after they had heard of the encounter.
Gift sword to sisters to behead love jihadis; Cow slaughterers must be slaughtered in public: Sadhvi Saraswati in Kerala, case filed
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gift-sisters-sword-behead-love-jihadis-sadhvi-saraswati-vhp-function-kerala-5157555/
A case under non-bailable sections has been registered against Sadhvi Saraswati, a Hindutva hardliner, for making divisive comments aimed at promoting enmity and hatred between religious communities at a gathering in Kasaragod district in the state. The case has been filed at the Badiadka police station in the district, four days after the controversial preacher made the remarks at a public gathering.An officer at the police station said that the case under sections 295(a), 153 and 506 of the IPC has been booked against the sadhvi in response to a complaint by a private individual. He said that police has begun an investigation and is looking at gathering evidence of the remarks that were made at a function called ‘Virat Hindu Samajotsavam’ organised by VHP at Badiadka-Bolgatta ground. Close to 10,000 people were reported to have attended the function.In continuation of such vitriolic statements, she went on to say that those who indulge in the slaughter of cows must be similarly slaughtered in public. Her remarks alluded to the consumption of beef in the state. She also added that no force can stop the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.indianexpress
Kerala will be Islamic state in 10 yrs claims Filmmaker Sudipto Sen
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kerala-will-be-islamic-state-in-10-years-filmmaker-sudipto-sen/articleshow/63976654.cms
New Delhi: Kerala will turn into an Islamic state in 10 years, said documentary filmmaker Sudipto Sen on Monday whose film on religious conversion was opposed at JNU by a section of students. Sen's "In Name of Love" was screened last week amid protests led by the left-wing students union of JNU. It led to a violence between the union members and the organisers, many of whom belonged to the right-wing RSS.His entire movie, Sen said, was based on an interview given by former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan in 2010 in which he, as shown in the film, spoke about the issue of conversion. Asked whether he was open to conversation with left-wing students who opposed his movie's screening, he said his film was his "language" and that he was not averse to opposition provided people watched his movie first."I personally do not believe in 'love jihad'.Our film is based on the issue of conversion, it is based on the statistics of 33,000 girls who were either converted to Islam or trafficked to Middle East."IANS
Love jihad will change demography of Kerala soon: Naveen Kumar
http://www.abplive.in/india-news/love-jihad-will-change-demography-of-kerala-soon-naveen-kumar-690822
Dalit houses ransacked in Haryana village, 18 arrested
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/city-others/dalit-houses-ransacked-in-haryana-village-18-arrested-5157878/
Yamunanagar:“It was just a case involving a boy and a girl. What was our fault? Why were our houses ransacked?” asked 80-year-old Satpal, a Dalit,while pointing to a shattered window pane in his house in Yamunanagar district’s Karhera village on Monday.Haryana Police on Sunday arrested 18 youths out of 30, mostly from the Rajput community, accused of attacking Dalit households late on Saturday evening over alleged elopement of a girl from the upper caste community with a Scheduled Caste boy on April 24.DSP Ajay Singh Rana said that the accused were produced before a court on Monday and sent to judicial custody for 14 days. Keeping in view the tension in the village, heavy police force has been deployed in the village. Also on Monday, a panchayat meeting in the village involving both communities failed to resolve dispute.indianexpress
UP Dalit man allegedly forced to drink urine for refusing to harvest crops
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-dalit-man-allegedly-forced-to-drink-urine-for-refusing-to-harvest-crops/story-zm3RgyZm3KnKJh7kvmnE1I.html
Lucknow:A Dalit man in UP’s Badaun was allegedly beaten and forced to drink urine by ‘upper caste’ men after he refused to harvest their wheat crop late last month and then had to wait for a almost a week before the police registered a complaint.In his complaint to the police on Sunday, the victim who is around 50 years old alleged that he was tied to a tree by four ‘upper caste’ men who manhandled him after he refused to harvest their wheat crop. He also alleged that the accused forced him to drink their urine and pulled his moustache.The complaint was lodged at the Hazratpur police station which had initially refused to register his complaint.On Monday, SSP of Badaun, Ashok Kumar, ordered the suspension of inspector Hazratpur Rajesh Kumar for dereliction of duty and ordered a departmental inquiry against him.HT
In Rajasthan, Valentine’s Day is now Mother-Father Puja Day
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-rajasthan-valentines-day-is-now-mother-father-puja-day/article23732296.ece
Jaipur:All over the world, Valentine’s Day may be synonymous with a celebration of romantic love. But not in Rajasthan, and certainly not from the next year. Education Dept has issued an order declaring that from 2019, all govt schools will observe Feb.14 every year as Matr-Pitr Pujan Diwas (Mother-Father Puja Day).The stated objective of the order is to counter the growing influence of Western culture among teenagers. The event finds a mention in Education Dept’s yearly calendar, ‘Shivira Panchang.’The order, issued last week, stated that on this special day, parents would be invited to the schools where their wards would honour them. They would also get an opportunity to spend some time on the school campus and interact with teachers.Education Minister Vasudeo Devnani had recently said in the Assembly that the decision would promote Indian culture and inculcate a sense of love in students for their parents. “Students should learn to love and respect their parents first before anyone else,” he had said.Educationists have expressed outrage over the move. “This amounts to a forcible imposition of the RSS’s agenda under the pretext of promoting Indian culture,” said Rajiv Gupta, a retired professor of Sociology of Rajasthan University. He said the Govt wanted to control the mindset of youngsters by enforcing a value system opposed to democratic culture and freedom of choice.M.I. Siddiqui of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said the teenagers studying in schools should be free to celebrate the day as they wish. “The creation of an artificial festival and its imposition in the State-run educational institutions violates all norms of democratic governance,” he said.the hindu
First Muslim IAF Chief Idris Hassan Latif passes away
https://www.siasat.com/news/first-indian-muslim-iaf-chief-idris-hassan-latif-passes-away-1349103/
Hyderabad: Ex-chief of IAF, Air Chief Marshal Idris Hassan Latif, died here on Monday. He was 94. He breathed his last at a private hospital, where he was admitted last week with pneumonia, family sources said. He was the first Indian Muslim to become the head of the Indian Air Force. He is survived by three children. His wife Bilkees Latif, a noted social activist and writer, died in Oct. last year.Latif headed the IAF from Sept. 1978 to Aug. 1981 and after his retirement, served as the Governor of Maharashtra and India’s Ambassador to France. He will be buried in the old city of Hyderabad today. IANS
Restrictions imposed in JK as separatists protest civilian's death in encounter
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/restrictions-imposed-in-jk-as-separatists-protest-civilians-death-in-encounter/articleshow/63982513.cms
Srinagar:Restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar, Pulwama and Kulgam of J&K today in view of a strike call by separatists to protest the killing of a civilian near the site of an encounter with security forces.A police official said the curbs have been imposed in police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Maharajgunj. The restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, he said. Two militants, including top Hizbul Mujahideen ultra Sameer Ahmad alias Tiger, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Drabgam area of Pulwama District yesterday. Meanwhile, a civilian was killed in the security forces' action against protestors near the scene of gun battle.PTI
Congress to get clear majority in Karnataka: Survey
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-to-get-clear-majority-survey/articleshow/63982413.cms
Bengaluru: Pollsters have predicted a hung assembly but C fore on Monday foretold an absolute and clear majority for the ruling Congress, with 118 to 128 seats.As per the C fore survey, BJP will get 63 to 73 seats, with JD(S) coming in third with 29 to 36 seats. The survey data states that the poll prediction exercise was carried out in 61 of the 224 assembly segments, with 6,247 voters being interviewed. C fore says the survey is said to have an error margin of 2 percentage points and 95% confidence level.The survey says Congress will make heavy inroads into Bengaluru, a BJP bastion, by winning 17 to 19 of the 28 seats, and BJP securing only 8 to 10 seats. BJP currently has an edge, holding 13 of the 28 segments.TOI
AIIMS says he is fit, Lalu alleges conspiracy
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lalu-discharged-from-aiims/article23730296.ece?homepage=true
RJD chief Lalu Prasad left AIIMS in a wheelchair on Monday after being discharged against his wishes.AIIMS said Prasad, who has been at the hospital since March,“has improved significantly”, and that he is being referred back to Ranchi Medical College for treatment of his chronic issues.“He is currently stable and is fit to travel,” the hospital said. Prasad, however,said he was not well enough to be sent back to Ranchi. “This is unfair; it is a conspiracy to worsen my health. I am being shifted to a place where there are no facilities. It is a tough time, but I will face it. My health has not improved,” he said, citing heart, kidney and blood sugar problems.“My back hurts and I feel dizzy... I have fallen in the bathroom several times.My blood pressure and sugar keep shooting up,” he said.RJD called the move a “conspiracy to murder him.”thehindu
Chhattisgarh: Journalist charged with sedition for sharing cartoon on SC verdict in Loya case
https://scroll.in/latest/877453/chhattisgarh-journalist-charged-with-sedition-for-sharing-cartoon-on-sc-verdict-in-loya-case
Chhattisgarh Police on Monday charged a Bastar-based journalist with sedition for sharing a cartoon on Facebook that allegedly made derogatory references to the judiciary and the Govt , PTI reported.The cartoon commented on the Supreme Court’s decision to reject petitions calling for an independent investigation into the mysterious circumstances in which special CBI judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya.“A case has been registered against Kamal Shukla under Section 124-A of IPC with Kotwali police station of Kanker district on the complaint of a Rajasthan-based person,” Superintendent of Police KL Dhurv told the news agency.scroll.in
Fresh plea in SC against polygamy, halala through BJP leader
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/fresh-plea-in-sc-against-polygamy-nikah-halala/articleshow/63975804.cms
New Delhi: A woman, who along with her three minor kids were thrown out of the matrimonial home after her husband re-married, has moved the Supreme Court seeking to declare the practices of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims as unconstitutional.Rani alias Sabnam, in her petition filed through lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, she had married one Muzammil on Feb.8, 2010 as per Shariayat rites. Plea, which may come up for hearing during the week before a bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra, said that "extra-judicial talaq" amounted to cruelty and be made an offence under section 498A (subjecting a married woman to cruelty) of the IPC. "The instant petition raises an important issue of General Public Interest i.e. prevalent practice of Polygamy including Nikah-Halala which is unconstitutional and even then the same is prevailing in our country. The said practices which certainly comes within the domain of personal law cannot be immune from judicial review under the constitution," it said.Union ministries of Woman and Child Welfare, Law and Minority Affairs and National Commission for Woman have been made parties to the litigation. PTI
WORLD
Netanyahu claims: Iran pursued 'secret N programme'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/netanyahu-accuses-iran-secretly-pursuing-nuclear-programme-180430173237447.html
Israel's PM has accused Iran of having secretly pursued a nuclear programme amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Unveiling a cache of files purporting to show that Iran "brazenly lied" when it said it did not have a nuclear programme, Benjamin Netanyahu gave a theatrical presentation on Monday claiming to have "conclusive" evidence of the "secret programme".His speech came against a backdrop of sustained efforts by the Trump administration and its allies at home and in the Middle East to cancel, or at least renegotiate, 2015 nuclear pact signed between Iran and the US, France, Russia, Germany, China, UK and EU."You may well know that Iran's leaders repeatedly denied ever pursuing nuclear weapons...well tonight I'm here to tell you one thing - Iran lied, big time," Netanyahu said.He claimed that Iran, after signing the nuclear deal, intensified its efforts to hide files pertaining to its nuclear programme."A few weeks ago, in a great intelligence achievement, Israel obtained half a tonne of the material inside these vaults,"Netanyahu said before proceeding to show "55,000 pages" and another "55,000 files on 183 CDs".Later on Monday Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, denounced Netanyahu's address as a stunt."The boy who can't stop crying wolf is at it again,"he said on Twitter, referring to Netanyahu's 2012 UN General Assembly presentation that used props to allege Iran's nuclear threat.aljazeera
Israel's Iran documents show N-deal was built on lies:US
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43958205
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says a landmark nuclear deal with Iran was "built on lies", after Israel claimed to have proof of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme.He said it showed that the accord with Iran and 6 world powers in 2015 was based on deception, and not goodwill.President Trump has long signalled his desire to abandon the deal and is due to make a decision in the coming weeks.Other Western powers say Iran has kept to the deal and it should be continued. "The documents obtained by Israel from inside Iran show beyond any doubt that the Iranian regime was not telling the truth," Pompeo said."We assess that documents we have reviewed are authentic," he said, adding:"Iran hid a vast atomic archive from the world and from IAEA -until today."Pompeo also warned that US was now "assessing what the discovery of Iran's secret nuclear files means for the future". Trump, who has been vocal about his opposition to the Obama-era deal, said he had viewed part of Netanyahu's presentation and said the situation was "not acceptable".He said he would make a decision on whether to retain the deal on or before 12 May.Bbc
Iran FM dismisses Israeli claims on nuclear program
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/201620/iran-fm-dismisses-israeli-claims-on-nuclear-program
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has dismissed claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Tehran’s pursuit of its nuclear program as “baseless”. "President Trump is jumping on a rehash of old allegations already dealt with by the IAEA to 'nix' the deal. How convenient. Coordinated timing of alleged intelligence revelations by the boy who cries wolf just days before May 12. But Trump’s impetuousness to celebrate blew the cover," Zarif said on Twitter. worldbulletin
Iran says it can produce higher enriched uranium if US exits nuclear deal: Reuters
https://in.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-deal/iran-says-it-can-produce-higher-enriched-uranium-if-u-s-exits-nuclear-deal-idINKBN1I1160
Iran has the technical capability to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before a multinational nuclear deal was reached to curb its nuclear program, state TV quoted the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization,Ali Akbar Salehi,as saying.He warned Trump against taking that course.“Iran is not bluffing...Technically,we are fully prepared to enrich uranium higher than we used to produce before the deal was reached...I hope Trump comes to his senses and stays in deal.”
Ex-CIA chief says Netanyahu's warning on Iran deal already published in 2007 report
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/storm/ex-cia-chief-says-netanyahus-warning-on-iran-deal-already-publicized-in-2007-report/vp-AAwzLd5
Michael Hayden was head of CIA in 2007, when the agency published a report concluding that Iran had once operated a nuclear weapons program. He says Monday's announcement from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu mostly echoed that decade-old report. CBSN's
Israel’s parliament authorizes Netanyahu, Lieberman to declare war alone
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/5/1/Knesset-authorizes-Netanyahu-Lieberman-to-declare-war-alone
Jerusalem, (PIC) The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has voted in favor of granting premier Benjamin Netanyahu the power to declare war solely with the approval of his army minister Avigdor Lieberman.The vote on Monday amended a law which previously required the whole cabinet to vote on such a move, transferring that authority to Netanyahu and Lieberman.The Knesset approved the amendment 62 to 41, allowing the two Israeli leaders to declare war in "extreme situations.”The change was introduced by Netanyahu shortly before he gave a speech on Monday in which he claimed to have proof of Iran having secretly pursued a nuclear program.
US 'fully supports Israel's right to defend itself': Pompeo
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/pompeo-fully-supports-israel-defend-180430084655179.html
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to criticise Israel for the killing of dozens of unarmed Palestinian protesters during weeks of rallies on the Israel-Gaza border as he concluded his diplomatic tour in the Middle East.After stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel, Pompeo headed to Jordan's capital, Amman, where he held talks with Ayman Safadi, Jordan's minister of foreign affairs, on Monday.At a press conference after the meeting, Pompeo was asked if the US took a position on the recent protests at Gaza-Israel border, in which nearly 50 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire."We believe the Israelis have the right to defend themselves, and we're fully supportive of that," Pompeo, who was confirmed as the top US diplomat last week, replied.While relations between Israel and the US are at their closest in decades, the Palestinian leadership has boycotted the White House since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in Dec.aljazeera
38 Israel police stations in illegal West Bank settlements, report finds
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-38-israel-police-stations-in-illegal-west-bank-settlements-report-finds/
There are dozens of Israeli police stations located in the occupied West Bank in settlements considered illegal by the international community, including some built on privately-owned Palestinian land, a new report has found.The report, “Cops and Robbers: Distribution of Israel Police stations throughout the West Bank”, is the work of Kerem Navot, an anti-occupation Israeli civil society organisation.Giving some background, Kerem Navot explain that just one week after Israel’s military occupation had begun in June 1967, the Israeli army signed an order “allowing Israel Police to operate in the West Bank, despite the fact that it was not part of the sovereign territory of the State of Israel.”middleeastmonitor
Ex-Egypt official: Israel did asked for land swap for peace with Palestinians
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-ex-egypt-official-israel-did-asked-for-land-swap-for-peace-with-palestinians/
Ex-Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has for the first time confirmed that Israel has on numerous times requested land swaps in an effort to resolve Palestine-Israel conflict, Arabi21 reported.Aboul-Gheit, who is currently the secretary of Arab League, revealed he witnessed the land swap request that was repeated four times. He did not say who else requested the land swap.“There were some illusions between 2003 and 2006,” he said, while giving a speech for the Egyptian army marking the liberation of Sinai. “I was a witness to these requests when I was a foreign minister.They said: Let’s exchange lands with you.”MEMO
Netanyahu spreads fake news to incite against Palestinian citizens
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-netanyahu-spreads-fake-news-to-incite-against-palestinian-citizens/
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of spreading “fake news” in order to incite against Palestinian citizens, after the premier shared a widely-debunked story on Facebook. According to Times of Israel, Netanyahu posted to his Facebook page a news story from a right-wing news site, which claimed fans of Bnei Sakhnin “whistled and booed” during a minute silence held before a league match Saturday in memory of ten teenagers killed in a hiking accident.“An utter disgrace,” Netanyahu wrote yesterday along with a link to the article. “I expect that all public leaders, Jews and non-Jews, to forcefully condemn this embarrassing behaviour.”MEMO
Hamas:PNC meet ‘blatantly violates unity of our people’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-hamas-pnc-meeting-blatantly-violates-the-unity-of-our-people/
Holding Palestine National Council meeting “does not convey unity in a practical way”, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said.PNC, he continued, “does not reflect the nation as a whole, but rather blatantly violates the unity of our people and the legitimacy of the organisation and questions its ability to represent our people.”In a speech delivered today, Haniyeh said that “what [Palestinian Authority President] Abu Mazen is doing confirms the exclusion of the active forces in the Palestinian arena.” He pointed out that most of the active Palestinian forces and factions boycotted this council, hence reflecting the division.“The real aim behind holding the conference reflects the poor plots which are made and that our people have rejected,” Haniyeh added.middleeastmonitor
Syria announces Yarmouk camp evacuation agreement
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/syria-announces-yarmouk-camp-evacuation-agreement-180430162239804.html
Syrian Govt has reached an evacuation deal with fighters from Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to leave Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus.Official SANA news agency announced on Monday that the fighters and their families, numbering about 5,000, would be evacuated in two stages, the first of which would see 1,500 people transported to the rebel-controlled Idlib province in northwestern Syria.The deal is part of a wider agreement between HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, and President Bashar al-Assad's govt to surrender heavy and medium military hardware.aljazeera
Syria regime bombards Homs destroying only hospital
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180430-syria-regime-bombards-homs-destroying-only-hospital/
Syrian regime has stepped up its assault on opposition groups in northern Homs province after negotiations failed on Saturday. A barrage of missiles are reported to have fallen on the numerous towns and villages across the countryside over the weekend, including Al-Zafaraneh, Talbissah and Al-Adawiyya, leaving at least two people dead, including one child, according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.White Helmets civil rescue unit also reported that more than 200 rockets fell on the town of Rastan in less than one hour, killing a woman and her child as well as injuring some 25 others.Videos from the ground show multiple airstrikes on a village on the outskirts of Talbissah with smoke issuing from the ruins of the destroyed buildings.MEMO
‘US won’t withdraw from Syria unless peace achieved’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180501-us-wont-withdraw-from-syria-unless-peace-achieved/
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Monday the US will not withdraw its forces from Syria unless peace is fully achieved throughout the country.“We do not want to simply pull out before the diplomats have won the peace, so you win the fight and then you win the peace,” Mattis told reporters at Pentagon.Asked whether there has been any progress in assembling some sort of ground force for Syria that would provide stability after the US withdraws, he noted that he would meet with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and said the US is working with other countries in the region in this regard.Describing the Syrian crisis as “the most complex security issue” in his four decades of Govt service, Mattis said they are battling Daesh while attempting to revive the Geneva peace talks to end the civil war.MEMO
Muslim Brotherhood, 1,529 defendants placed on terror list for 5 more yrs:Egypt Today
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/49048/Aboutrika-MB-placed-on-terror-list-for-5-more-years
CAIRO: The Cairo Criminal Court has reordered placing the Muslim Brotherhood organization and 1,529 defendants, including retired footballer Mohamed Aboutrika, on the terror list for another 5 years, the official state Gazette reported on Monday. The list contained MB leaders, including former president Mohamed Morsi, his son Osama and his daughter Shaimaa. The list also included the group’s leader, Mohamed Badie, Khairat al-Shater and former Parliament Speaker Saad Al-Katatni.Also placed on the list are former Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Bassem Ouda; businessman Hassan Malek;MB-affiliated Freedom and Justice Party spokesman Hamza Zawbaa; former presidential adviser Essam al-Erian; Mohamed Al-Beltagi; and Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, head of the Doha-based International Union of Muslim Scholars. The list also included Wasat Party Chairman Abul-Ela Mady and his deputy, Essam Sultan. egypttoday
Jewish candidate runs for Tunisia's Islamist Ennahdha party's: 'My family were against it'
http://www.newsweek.com/jewish-candidate-runs-muslim-party-my-family-were-against-it-905467
A Jewish contender is making history in Tunisia by running for an Islamist party in the country’s first municipal elections since the ousting of the former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.Simon Slama said that if he were to win for the Ennahdha Party on May 6, he would swear on the Koran as well as the Jewish holy book, Torah.54-year-old sewing machine salesman told AFP that his decision to stand for office in Monastir was opposed by his family."All my family were against my choice. My brother was angry and my wife went days without speaking to me. But I managed to convince them," Slama said.The Jewish community in the country numbers only about 1,200, down from several hundred thousands before it became independent in 1956. Slama said he hoped his candidacy will help “remove fears for Jewish Tunisian citizens” in the predominantly Muslim country and chose the party because it was the most active and most serious on the political scene. "Ennahdha has changed its strategy. It is no longer a religious party, it is a civil party," he says. Since then it has modernized its image and fought and won a campaign not to criminalize normalizing ties with Israel. It also has women in the party who do not wear the Islamic veil.Rene Trabelsi, who organizes the Jewish pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, on the island of Djerba told the AFP: "This candidacy brings pride for the Jewish community. "It has created a positive image of an open Tunisia that we can all share," he added.newsweek
Trump declines to apologise for Muslim ban call
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/trump-declines-to-apologise-for-muslim-ban-call-118050100157_1.html
US President Donald Trump has declined to apologise for his campaign-era proposal to ban all Muslims from the America, saying "there's nothing to apologise for", media reported. "There's no reason to apologize," Trump said on Monday during a joint news conference alongside Nigerian President when asked if he would apologise for his call during 2016 presidential campaign for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering US."There's nothing to apologize for. We have to have strong immigration laws to protect our country."
Pakistan-origin Sajid Javid becomes new UK home secretary after immigration row
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-origin-sajid-javid-becomes-new-uk-home-secretary-after-immigration-row/story-BFDNfVqbxcBbiUC2eUYrzM.html
London:Sajid Javid, whose parents migrated from Pakistan to Britain, was on Monday appointed UK home secretary after Amber Rudd resigned following bruising headlines on immigration and her lack of awareness of Home Office activities.Javid, 48, is the first member of an ethnic minority to hold the keyoffice of home secretary.Rudd was the fifth cabinet minister to resign after PM Theresa May formed her minority Govt following the 2017 general elections. One of them was Priti Patel, who left following her unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials while on a holiday.Javid is a former banker whose father was a bus driver. His rise in politics is often hailed as an example of Britain’s multiculturalism.HT
Hafiz Saeed’s political outfit holds convention at Nankana Sahib
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hafiz-saeeds-political-outfit-holds-convention-at-nankana-sahib/articleshow/63979287.cms
AMRITSAR: Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has openly come in support of Milli Muslim League (MML), a political front of Hafiz Saeed. PSGPC general secretary Gopal Singh Chawla not only extended support to MML but also held party’s convention at Nankana Sahib, birthplace of founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev, on Saturday.Sources in the intelligence said Chawla played a key role in organising an MML convention at Nankana Sahib, which was attended by Hafiz Saeed and MML president Saifullah Khalid. Sources added that the convention was primarily held to garner support of Sikhs in Pakistan for the ensuing general elections in the country.“We have reports that Gopal, Saeed and Saifulla spewed venom against India and tried to stir up emotions on the name of Kashmir and Khalistan,” said sources.Sources added that Chawla not only extended warm welcome to the outfit’s leaders but also assured them support of the Sikh community to their candidates. Chawla’s close relation with the terror mastermind is not hidden as in the past also he had posted his pictures with Saeed on his social media account.The convention at Nankana Sahib happened a couple of days after Abdul Rehman Makki, brother-in-law of Saeed, reportedly used objectionable language against Guru Nanak during a rally held at Multan. None of the PSGPC leaders had condemned Makki’s objectionable uttering against the Sikh guru. timesofindia
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Incomparable data sets, cherry-picking, dubious statistical analysis are behind claims of robust employment growth:Mahesh Vyas
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pm-narendra-modi-india-job-growth-unemployment-rate-economy-demonetisation-bjp-5157708/
May Day: Justice denied as less than 2% of workers get assured pension :BHARAT DOGRA
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/may-day-justice-denied-as-less-than-2-per-cent-of-workers-get-assured-pension-benefits
SC and Making of ‘Love Jihad’ Case:SATYA PRASOON & ASHIWINI TALLUR
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/7/13679/The-Supreme-Court-and-the-Making-of-the-Love-Jihad-Case
Kathua rape: BCI’s clean chit to Jammu Bar worrying; CBI probe could go the same way:Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/kathua-rape-bcis-clean-chit-to-jammu-bar-worrying-cbi-probe-could-go-the-same-way
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 2:38 PM)
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