NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
19 May 2018:03 Ramazan 1439: Vol:10, No:24
INDIA
Karnataka POLITICS
LIVE: Yeddyurappa resigns as CM, says he couldn’t get numbers; no floor test required
http://indianexpress.com/elections/karnataka-floor-test-live-updates-yeddyurappa-bjp-congress-jds-mlas-supreme-court-kumaraswamy-siddaramaiah-kg-bopaiah-5182656/?#liveblogstart
In a dramatic turn of events, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa announced his resignation after he failed the to secure the magic number –112– required to form the govt.In his emotional address to the House, Yeddyurappa said he had many dreams of developing Karnataka. “If only people would have given us 113 seats instead of 104, we would have made this state a paradise.”Attacking Congress and JDS over their ‘unholy alliance’, the outgoing CM said, “Those who were swearing on the names of each other’s fathers and calling each other names before polls, have now come together to form this unholy alliance.” According reports, Governor Vajubhai Vala is now expected to ask JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy to form the govt with the help of the Congress.Meanwhile,the swearing-in of 210 MLAs was completed before the Assembly adjourned for a small recess. House reopened at 3.30pm. BJP leader Soma Sekhara Reddy, Congress leaders Anand Singh, Prathap Gouda who were not present in the morning, were sworn in after the House reconvened.The drama intensified after the Congress released audio clips accusing BJP of trying to lure its MLAs before the crucial trust vote in the House. In one of the audio clips released by the Congress Chief Minister Yeddyurappa is purportedly heard offering ministry to Congress leader BC Patil. Minutes later, the party released another clip allegedly featuring BJP MLA Sreeramulu and BC Patil.Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected Congress’ petition challenging the appointment of K G Bopaiah as the pro tem speaker ahead of Karnataka floor test. The bench, however, allowed the floor test to be telecast live. “Live broadcast of floor test would be the best way to ensure transparency of proceedings,” the judges said. Alleging that Bopaiah had helped Yeddyurappa to survive the floor test in 2010, the Congress has moved the apex court challenging his appointment. "Karnataka has won. BJP's unconstitutional efforts to rule have failed. Their illegal means of manufacturing a majority stands exposed. Congress & JD(S) have fought & upheld democracy. Karnataka will now get a stable Govt that will focus on Development," Congress' Karnataka handle said in a tweet. Rahul Gandhi is also expected to address the media briefly.indian express / SCROLL.IN
Karnataka Floor Test Live: Yeddyurappa Resigns After Long Speech, Walks Out
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/karnataka-assembly-floor-test-live-updates-bjp-bs-yeddyurappa-to-prove-majority-government-formation-1854318?pfrom=home-topscroll
Floor test to be telecast live for transparency at 4pm today, says SC, but rejects Cong’s plea, Bopaiah to continue as pro tem speaker
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-assembly-floor-test-supreme-court-rejects-congress-plea-k-g-bopiah-to-continue-as-pro-tem-speaker-5182842/
Where will the numbers come from, wonders SC
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/karnataka-where-will-the-numbers-come-from-wonders-sc/articleshow/64228877.cms
"Missing" Congress Lawmaker Reaches Karnataka Assembly, Pushes BJP Men
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/karnataka-floor-test-team-congress-jds-back-in-bengaluru-hours-ahead-of-trust-vote-1854250
Kumaraswamy alleges BJP hijacked 2 of his MLAs
https://thewire.in/politics/kumaraswamy-alleges-bjp-hijacked-two-of-his-mlas
‘Ministerial berth with 100 times growth,’ Congress releases audio clip, claims BJP poaching its MLAs
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ministerial-berth-with-100-times-growth-congress-releases-audio-clip-claims-bjp-poaching-its-mlas/story-XJdOIXmxGqK0gignBIlsaI.html
Yeddyurappa’s alleged call to Cong MLA: ‘Come back, we will make you minister’
http://indianexpress.com/elections/b-s-yeddyurappa-alleged-call-to-cong-mla-come-back-we-will-make-you-minister-5182977/
Karnataka fallout: RJD’s Tejashwi meets Bihar governor, stakes claim to form govt
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rjd-s-tejashwi-yadav-meets-bihar-governor-stakes-claim-to-form-govt/story-JA6jXrgKAJtQH5SmkKqIZO.html
Patna:Leaders of Bihar’s principal opposition party RJD and the Congress on Friday met governor Satyapal Malik to stake a claim to form the Govt in the state as they upped the ante against BJP for allegedly ignoring constitutional norms in Karnataka.“There is one Constitution in India and one rule. What applies in Karnataka should also apply in Bihar,” Leader of the opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said.Yadav led the march to Raj Bhawan of MLAs of RJD, Congress and CPI(M-L) Liberation in the afternoon and said RJD was the single largest party and should be invited to form the govt by the governor as it happened in Karnataka.Yadav said the RJD, Congress and CPI-ML with 111 MLAs would easily pass the floor test if invited to form the Govt by the governor.HT
Karnataka prompts Congress, RJD ‘Me too’ campaign, stake claim to form govt in Goa, Bihar
http://www.apnlive.com/politics/karnataka-prompts-congress-rjd-me-too-campaign-stake-claim-to-form-govt-in-goa-bihar-43546
OTHERS
Palestine finds support in Delhi; Protests against recent Israeli attacks
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/6/13850/Palestine-Finds-Support-In-Delhi-Protests-Against-Recent-Israeli-Attacks
New Delhi: “We must lend our support to the most severely affected population in the world.Palestinians have been cornered in Gaza and West Bank. They can't get food or medical supplies and are living under the oppression of the Israelis.” said Dr. S.Q.R. Illyas, President of the WPI at a joint protest held today against the recent killings of Palestinian people at the Gaza border.Around 50 protesters gathered at 4.00pm and began chanting slogans against the Israel-India trade, Israeli military, and extending their support to the people of Palestine, claiming that Jerusalem is their capital. The protest was initially to be held in front of the Embassy of Israel in Delhi but the protesters were allowed to walk for a mere fifty metres in front of the Indian Christian Cemetery. Organisations like United Against Hate (UAH), Naujawan Bharat Sabha (NBS), Welfare Party of India, and Boycott, Disinvestment, Sanctions movement (BDS) also took part in the protest.The protest also saw the involvement of student unions from all over the country, including that of Jamia Millia Islamia, AMU, JNU, and Delhi University signifying the support of the youth to the cause.Shedding light on the recent relations of Israel and India, Khalid Saifi of United Against Hate organization stated, “There are like minded forces on both sides now and hence you have a thriving relationship.” He went on to say, “We are law abiding citizens with a significant voice and our voice will reach its destination.”“Mahatma Gandhi said that Palestine belongs to Palestinians just like Britain belongs to the British. What Israel is doing in Palestine needs to be condemned by India and not doing so is giving support to them.” said Dr. Illyas highlighting the drastic change that took place between the two countries relations.thecitizen
100 mass organisations to hold protest in state capitals against Modi Govt on May 23
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/100-mass-organisations-to-hold-protest-in-state-capitals-against-modi-Govt -on-may-23/story-tWwrWvItpDq6E93yDcCsZP.html
New Delhi;Over 100 mass organisations will hold marches in all state capitals on May 23 to protest against the “anti-people” policies being pursued by the central Govt .Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan (JEJAA), an umbrella organisation consisting of trade unions, peasant organisations, agricultural workers, state and central Govt employees, bank and insurance workers, college and university teachers, students, women, Dalits, Adivasis, and environmentalists, would observe ‘Protest Day’ on May 23.“The protest day would be the launch of a series of struggles with the aim of making Govt accountable for the devastating impact of its policies and betraying the people especially workers, peasants, women, and youths by its false promises. The campaign would put forward the slogan...either Govt changes its policies or people would change Govt,”said Hannan Mollah, a member of JEJAA coordination committee.Leaders of JEJAA also accused BJP-RSS of unleashing terror by spreading caste and communal hatred and violence.Riots, encounter killings, murders and rape against women and children have become routine with RSS-BJP leaders in the forefront shamelessly protecting the perpetuators of such crime, organisation leaders said.After successful farmers march in Maharashtra organised by All Indian Kisan Sabha, which is also part of JEJAA, leaders feel that only a conglomeration of various “progressive” outfits can mobilise people to take on BJP govt.PTI
Ramzan ceasefire a chance for stable, progressive J&K: Modi
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ramzan-ceasefire-a-chance-for-stable-progressive-jk-modi/article23935403.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar:PM Narendra Modi has described Ramzan ceasefire “a chance for youth to have a stable and progressive J&K” and “an awakening call to those who exploit Islam”. “Ramzan ceasefire is not mere a ceasefire but an awakening call to those who exploit Islam. Many countries, which had chose a certain path, are looking for return routes now. Those youths influenced by foreign forces and attack their own motherland should join the mainstream and take an active participation in J&K’s progress and contribute to its pride,” said Modi in his speech in Srinagar, after inaugurating a slew of development projects. He said Centre will provide all support be make J&K a crown of the country, while terming his visit during Ramzan “a privilege”.thehindu
Internet suspended, schools closed for Modi's J&K visit
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/internet-suspended-schools-closed-for-narendra-modis-jk-visit/article23933307.ece?homepage=true
Modi to launch JK hydropower plant as Pak seethes
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/modi-to-inaugurate-hydro-project-in-kashmir-as-pakistan-protests/article23934769.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates today a hydroelectric power plant in J&K, prompting protest from neighbour Pakistan that says the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.330-megawatt Kishanganga hydropower station, work on which started in 2009, is one of the projects that India has fast-tracked in the volatile State under Modi amid frosty ties between the nuclear-armed countries.Pakistan has opposed some of these projects, saying they violate a World Bank-mediated treaty on the sharing of the Indus river and its tributaries upon which 80% of its irrigated agriculture depends. “Pakistan is seriously concerned about the inauguration [of Kishanganga plant],” its Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. “Pakistan believes that the inauguration of the project without the resolution of the dispute is tantamount to violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.”Kishanganga project was delayed for several years as Pakistan dragged India to the International Court of Arbitration, which ruled in India's favour in 2013.India has said the hydropower projects under way in J&K are “run-of-the-river” schemes that use the river’s flow and elevation to generate electricity rather than large reservoirs, and do not contravene the treaty. Reuters
PM Modi arrives in J&K on day-long visit
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-arrives-in-jammu-and-kashmir-on-day-long-visit/story-IjU03e61TqwvfZ6FztAuXI.html'
Listen to our ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Mirwaiz tells PM Modi day before his visit
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/listen-to-our-mann-ki-baat-mirwaiz-tells-pm-modi-day-before-his-visit/story-H1TmxrF8Cdb81NH5c2F0EL.html
Srinagar:Mirwaiz Umar Farooq invoked PM Narendra Modi’s monthly radio address on Friday and asked him to allow Kashmiris to carry out a peaceful protest march during his visit on Saturday and listen to “our Mann Ki Baat”.Mirwaiz wanted cessation of security operations, which the Centre announced for the holy month of Ramzan, to be made a permanent feature and be followed by demilitarisation before the final resolution of Kashmir issue.“Mr Modi, all have been listening to your ‘Mann ki baat’ for years now. As you come here tomorrow, allow us Kashmiris to peacefully gather at Lal Chowk so that you hear our ‘Mann ki baat’! It’s just three words — Resolve Kashmir Dispute. @narendramodi,” he said in a tweet. The protest march was called by separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik, to register their demand for “freedom for which we have been sacrificing our lives for the past 70 years”.Authorities have been confining separatists to their homes or lodging them in jails whenever they call such protest rallies.Modi is scheduled to visit Kashmir on Saturday and inaugurate projects in the state.Mirwaiz said that if the Govt is sincere, they should make the ‘Ramzan ceasefire’ permanent.“…Goodwill gestures or CBMs (confidence building measures) cannot be meant for a month alone, but have to be long term and meaningful. If the Govt of India really means business, it must look at real CBMs like demilitarisation and repealing the draconian AFSPA, PSA, and DAA,” he said.HT
MP: Muslim Man beaten to death in Satna for alleged cattle slaughter
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bhopal/mp-man-beaten-to-death-in-satna-for-alleged-cattle-slaughter-5182734/
Bhopal: A man was allegedly beaten to death, while another has been critically injured by villagers in Amgar village of Badera Police Station in Satna district for allegedly killing cattle on Friday. Riaz, 45, was killed in the incident while Shakeel, 33, has been critically injured. The police have picked up 4 to 5 suspects in the case and an investigation is underway.Late on Thursday, 2 people returning to the village found a group with the cattle.According to initial reports, when villagers reached the spot 4 accomplices of Riaz and Shakeel fled, following which they were severely beaten up. By the time police reached the spot, in the wee hours of Friday, Riaz was already dead and Shakeel, a driver, was in a critical state.Police found a slaughtered bull and meat of two other bulls packed in sacks from the spot. Satna SP Rajesh Hingankar said that villagers attacked the duo.He said that four to 5 suspects have been taken into custody and they are being questioned. indianexpress
Ramzan prayers stopped in village near Gurugram as old row flares up
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/ramzan-prayers-stopped-in-village-near-gurgaon-as-old-row-flares-up/articleshow/64228600.cms
Gurugram: 30 kms from Gurugram, on the way to Pataudi, is Bhora Kalan, a village with a population of around 30,000 people.A state highway bisects the village’s main market. By the time you have travelled a kilometre into the bylanes on either side, the busy roads are replaced by narrow alleys, lined with old houses flaunting arches, wooden carved doors and murals. The bylanes converge at an old post office, right next to a mazar, which witnessed tense scenes on Friday.Just after 4-5 Muslim men had gathered at the mazar to prepare for the first Friday prayers of Ramzan, around 50 local Hindu youths gathered there and threatened the faithful not to offer prayers at the mazar. The crowd kept swelling, and eventually, the prayer assembly was disrupted.“Initially, there were around 50 men. But soon, it swelled to at least 200. It was around 12 noon. Things were beginning to heat up when cops arrived to intervene, around 12.30pm. But we could not offer our prayers, and this was the first jumma namaz of Ramzan,” said a vegetable seller of the village, requesting anonymity.The atmosphere of festivity had turned into one of apprehension by then. This, however, was not the first time Muslims of the village had been stopped from offering prayers. Bhora Kalan has a history of such muscle flexing, according to villagers. In 2013, some villagers had asked their Muslim neighbours not to invite any maulvi or imam from outside the village for Friday or Ramzan prayers. As a result, Friday prayers stopped in the village for a year, before restarting in 2014.“In the past, they didn’t directly ask us not to pray, but told us we can’t ask a maulavi from another village over, which means we couldn’t offer Friday or Ramzan namaz,” said a 30-year-old who works at a cement plant in Gurugram. He added the matter was later resolved and they have been offering prayers without interference for last two years.But last Friday, when the whole of Gurugram offered Friday prayers amid an atmosphere of fear, tension began brewing again in Bhora Kalan.Hindus again warned Muslims not to invite maulvis.TOI
Meerut: Hindu outfits object Muslims offering namaz at a tomb triggers clash
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/meerut-objection-to-muslims-offering-namaz-at-a-tomb-triggers-clash-5180939/
Meerut:Security was tightened at Meerut’s Shastri Nagar area after a clash involving two communities on Wednesday night. The incident happened after BJP-led Hindu groups objected to Muslims offering namaz at a tomb. According to BJP, the function, held close to the gole mandir in Sector-3, was a first and they did not want a “new tradition” to begin. A Muslim group, however, denied this and said they had often offered namaz there.Soon after the moon was sighted on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan, many people gathered at the tomb to offer prayers. However, certain Hindu outfits’ members arrived and objected to this. The arguments soon spiralled out of control leading to a clash. People from both sides pelted stones at each other.The police were informed of the incident and managed to control the ruckus. Two persons were injured in the clash. “No arrests were made in this connection and leaders of both communities have given in writing that they will not begin a new tradition at the tomb which means that the status quo will remain. We have deployed police force in strength as a precautionary measure,” SSP (Meerut) Rajesh Kumar Pandey said.When contacted, BJP Shastri Nagar traders’ cell general secretary Jatin Chandana said that it was for the first time that “hundreds” had gathered at the tomb, which is located in an area with few Muslims, to offer namaz. “We are not opposed to prayers by any community. But we will not allow any new thing to begin in our area,” he said.Meanwhile, chief of Yuva Sewa Samiti Badar Ali said that members from his community used to visit Shastri Nagar tomb and offered prayers inside the tomb.indian express
Gurgaon Model of Preventing Namaz Spreads to Yogi-Land:newsclick
https://newsclick.in/gurgaon-model-preventing-namaz-spreads-yogi-land
In Meerut, power utility ropes in maulvis to wean people from illegal connections
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-meerut-power-utility-ropes-in-maulvis-to-wean-people-from-illegal-connections-5182622/
“You will get uninterrupted power supply throughout the holy month of Ramzan and all faults will immediately be repaired, provided you pay your electricity bills in time and also refrain from the illegal connections at least during holy days of Ramzan.”This is an announcement that vehicles of the Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) will blare from loudspeakers in Division-3, a Muslim-dominated area in Meerut from Saturday.Along with this, the company has also sought maulvis’ help to ensure timely payment of dues and weaning people away from taking illegal connections. In return, the company says it will put on hold its drive against illegal connections. The public utility, the highest earner for the ailing UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), has been suffering losses to the tune of 40 % under the zone.“We have convinced the maulvis to appeal to worshippers after Ramzan prayers to refrain from going for illegal connections at least during the the holy days. We have decided to put on hold our ongoing campaign against katia connections during these days. We will also make announcements from our vehicles and also distribute pamphlets to dissuade people from opting for an illegal power line,” said Sanjay Sharna, Executive Engineer, Division-3, which covers Gola Kuan, Nicha Sadiqnagar and Jakir Colony.PVVNL expects their request to Muslim clerics to take shape soon. “I had gone for namaz at the mosque in Hapur Road last evening but the cleric did not say anything about electricity bills but yes, I have heard that they have been told to do so after the prayers during Ramzan,” said Julfikar Nasim, a resident of Hashimpura on Hapur Road.indianexpress
Stop cultural events at Nauchandi fair during Ramzan: Meerut’s Mayor Verma
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/stop-cultural-events-at-nauchandi-fair-during-ramzan-mayor/articleshow/64211605.cms
Meerut: As the month of Ramzan began on Thursday, Meerut Mayor Sunita Verma in a letter to municipal commissioner Manoj Chauhan sought cancellation of cultural events at Nauchandi fair saying that it will affect prayers and other rituals at a nearby mosque situated in Muslim community. Verma said, “I have written a letter to the Meerut municipal commissioner seeking to cancel all the cultural events at the Nauchandi fair because the venue is situated in close proximity to a mosque here. Since Ramzan started from Thursday, and the Muslim community will come here to offer namaz, the programmes at the fair will disturb them in prayers. People from the Muslim community had approached me in this regard, and I have written a letter to the municipal commissioner to maintain peace here.”Qazi Zainus Sajidin, Meerut qazi, said, “This is a welcome move. In fact, this will help in averting any tension that might occur between the two communities, and will make the Ramzan prayers pass peacefully here.TOI
Closure of abattoir angers Junagadh Muslims
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/closure-of-abattoir-angers-junagadh-muslims/articleshow/64227593.cms
Rajkot: The huge Muslim community living in Junagadh is seeing red after the municipal corporation sealed the only abattoir in the city following orders of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). Interestingly, this abattoir was already sealed by GPCB way back in 2010 as JMC was found flouting pollution norms. However, after receiving representations from the locals during the Ramzan month, the collector had intervened and gave permission for temporary operations. The abattoir was never sealed then.There are nearly 60,000 Muslims living in Junagadh city and those living in near-by villages purchase raw material from this abattoir. Besides Muslims, other non-vegetarian food consumers and hoteliers are also dependent on this abattoir for their daily supply.The closure order that comes in the holy month of Ramzan has angered the butchers who blocked the city roads on Thursday for few hours to protest the decision..M K Nandani, deputy municipal commissioner, said, “We have requested the GPCB to revoke the closure order and assured them to following all the conditions and norms. GPCB wants us to install ETP which will take three to four month. We have make the provision to allocate the funds for this facility.”TOI
JNU academic council ratifies course on ‘Islamic terrorism
https://www.newsx.com/national/jawaharlal-nehru-academic-council-ratifies-course-on-islamic-terrorism
JNU has been mired in controversy after the University Council recently announced that they will soon introduce a course on Islamic Terrorism under a Centre for National Security Studies (CNSS). This decision by the University authorities faced severe criticism from the faculty members alleging that such a move will spread communalism in the campus. Speaking to media, Sudhir K Suthar, an office-bearer of JNU Teachers Association reportedly said,“Many JNU Academic Council members opposed the proposal to impart courses on ‘Islamic Terrorism’.They felt that it was communal in nature”.Suthar further stated that a dozen of members opposed the topic ‘Islamic Terrorism’ so as to not club any religion with terrorism, and suggested to call the phenomenon ‘religious terrorism’. According to sources, a proposal to set up the CNSS was given approval, with ‘Islamic terrorism’ set to be taught there. While the AC agenda mentions it as one of the “key areas” of study, there is no clarity so far as to whether it would be offered as an independent course. Some AC members, including the JNU Students’ Union office-bearers, said it had been passed as a course. But Professor Ajay Dubey, who chaired the committee to work out modalities of setting up CNSS, said no course on the subject had been proposed. He did not answer any further questions. Venting anger over the issue, a senior professor in anonymity said, “This is a brazen attempt to promulgate Islamophobia and should be protested vehemently. The term should be ‘religious extremism’ rather than Islamic terrorism”.The report further suggests that it was also proposed that the center would also be an academic and research institute with autonomy over the agenda of its research and course curricula. It will have only MPhil and Ph.D students during its first 5 years after which the master’s programmes may be started.newsx
AMU violence: Magisterial inquiry report delayed
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/amu-violence-magisterial-inquiry-report-delayed/articleshow/64227205.cms
The magisterial inquiry report of the May 2 violence at AMU, which was to be submitted on Friday, has been delayed and is now likely to be presented in a week’s time.Confirming this, DM CB Singh said due to the transfer of ADM Bachhu Singh, who was entrusted with the inquiry, the report had been delayed. He said he has directed the new ADM, Uday Singh, to submit the report within a week.According to a senior official, the inquiry will be looking into the circumstances as to how Hindu right wing activists managed to reach the gates of AMU the second time and why no action was taken by the police to stop them. He said the inquiry would also assess as to why no FIR was registered against the activists then.TOI
AMU students threaten fresh stir if demands not met
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/aligarh-muslim-university-students-threaten-fresh-stir-if-demands-not-met/story-KF8b8MZ2tdth8AKMVTvJiN.html
With the onset of Ramzan, the agitating students of AMU withdrew their 3-day hunger strike and 15-day dharna. But leaders of AMUSU threatened to launch a fresh agitation, if their demand for a judicial inquiry into the violence on the campus over a portrait of Mohammed Ali Jinnah is not fulfilled.“This should not be viewed as an end to our agitation but as preparation for a possible second stage of our struggle which would be launched, if needed, at an all-India level in case authorities fail to fulfill their commitment,” said AMUSU president Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani. “We would have our delegations meeting home minister and President of India besides others concerned and would press for our demand,” he added.The agitation by students ended on Wednesday night after Nafeesa Begum, the mother of missing JNU student Najeeb, persuaded the AMU students to end their indefinite hunger strike.AMU VC Professor Tariq Mansoor too expressed solidarity with the agitating students after visiting them.HT
End to students' protest a Ramzan gift: AMU VC
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/end-to-students-protest-a-ramzan-gift-amu-vc-118051800592_1.html
Human rights panel sends notice to Rajasthan Govt over alleged police brutality against Dalits
https://scroll.in/latest/879510/human-rights-panel-sends-notice-to-rajasthan-Govt -over-alleged-police-brutality-against-dalits
NHRC has issued a notice to Rajasthan Govt over alleged police brutality against Dalits during protests held against a Supreme Court order that diluted the SC and ST(Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Multiple Dalit organisations had called for nationwide shutdown on April 2. Commission took cognisance of a media report, which alleged that several Dalits were falsely implicated in criminal cases during the bandh and jailed, with no provision for bail even after six weeks. The commission issued a notice to the Rajasthan chief secretary asking for a report in six weeks. It also directed the state’s director general of police to submit a report on the actions taken against the alleged police brutality.scroll.in
Kathua case: Delhi HC sends notices to Google, Facebook and Twitter for revealing girl’s identity
https://scroll.in/latest/879500/kathua-case-delhi-hc-sends-notices-to-google-facebook-and-twitter-for-revealing-girls-identity
Delhi High Court on Friday said that social media platforms had done a “great disservice to the nation” by uploading content that revealed the identity of the 8-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and then murdered in Kathua district of J&K in Jan.The court issued notices to search engine giant Google, social media networks Facebook and Twitter and video-sharing website YouTube, after their local subsidiaries said they were not the concerned entity to reply to the notice, PTI reported. “You have done a great disservice to the nation,” a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Hari Shankar said. “India has been branded. It is an injustice to the nation and to the victim’s family.”scroll.in
Assam D voter issue: SC accepts Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind plea
https://www.siasat.com/news/assam-d-voter-issue-sc-accepts-jamiat-ulama-i-hind-plea-1356910/
New Delhi: An important petition in connection with Assam D voter issue was presented in Supreme Court before a bench of Justice A K Goel and Justice Indu Malhotra. Advocate Fazal Ayyubi and senior advocate Kapil Sibal followed up the case on behalf of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. Later the bench accepted the petition for hearing and forwarded it to a bench comprising of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice FR Nariman. ‘D voter’ is a category of voters in Assam where ‘D’ stands for ‘doubtful’. The citizenship rights, entitlements and privileges of a D voter are withheld until they prove their citizenship. Many who have certificates have also been put into D voter list. The number of such people is nearly 1.5 lakh.siasat
SC collegium says needs further deliberations on judges’ elevation
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-collegium-says-needs-further-deliberations-on-judges-elevation/story-5Qq9BourB3Mvp8jJLFmsjK.html
The Supreme Court collegium has said that an unanimous view existed on further deliberation and broad-based consideration of names of High Court Chief Justices before it sent to the Centre its reiteration on the elevation of Uttarakhand Chief Justice K.M. Joseph as an apex court Judge.A resolution adopted at May 16 meeting of the SC collegium said:“...in the meeting of the collegium, an unanimous view was expressed that there should be further deliberation and broad-based consideration of the names of the Chief Justices as well as Judges of the High Courts, which are at present not represented in the SC.“In view of the above, the meeting stands deferred to be held at the earliest.” Resolution was uploaded on the SC site on Friday.IANS
Ex-diplomat Madhuri Gupta convicted of spying for ISI
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ex-diplomat-madhuri-gupta-convicted-of-spying-for-isi-5182566/
New Delhi: Former diplomat Madhuri Gupta was on Friday convicted by a Delhi court for passing secret information to Pakistan’s ISI during her posting in Islamabad in 2010, eight years after she was arrested by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell. A bench of Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma held Gupta (61) guilty under various provisions of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), including spying and wrongful communication of classified information.The court, however, acquitted Gupta of stringent provisions of OSA, which entails a maximum punishment of up to 14 years, as the prosecution could not prove it.indianexpress
Sohrabuddin, Prajapati ‘Fake encounter’ cases: Warrant against four accused for not appearing before court
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sohrabuddin-prajapati-fake-encounter-cases-warrant-against-four-accused-for-not-appearing-before-court-5182531/
Mumbai:The special court hearing the case of alleged fake encounters of Sohrabuddin and Tulsiram Prajapati on Friday issued a warrant against four accused after their advocates remained absent for the hearing even as two witnesses were present for deposition. The court issued the warrants against Gujarat policeman Mukesh Parmar, Rajasthan policemen Himanshu Singh Rawat and Shyam Singh Charan, and another accused Rajendra Jirawala. Special Judge SJ Sharma passed an order directing the Superintendent of CBI in Mumbai to execute the warrant and bring the accused before the court on June 4, the next hearing in the case.indianexpress
Varanasi tragedy: Flyover was being constructed without design approval
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/varanasi-tragedy-flyover-was-being-constructed-without-design-approval
Under-construction flyover in Varanasi was being constructed without any approval of the flyover drawing or design by concerned departments, or any enquiry into the standard norms fixed for beams. Moreover, there was no record maintained about how much concrete, cement or sand are being used in the construction of the beams. Besides, the interim report of the initial investigation into the Varanasi tragedy reveals that the heavy beam was being fixed in the column without first tying it to the cross beam and even the officials who inspected the site had not issued any report on these details.The investigation report into the collapse of the under-construction flyover in PM’s parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, states that it caved in due to 2 heavy beams and has found UP State Bridge Corporation Managing Director Rajan Mittal and five other officials responsible for it.Rajan Mittal has been shunted out of the department.nationalheraldindia
19 killed as cement-laden truck overturns in Gujarat
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/19-killed-7-injured-as-cement-laden-truck-overturns-in-gujarat/story-jjVx6tWy0EduIdAbsb1u8I.html
Ahmedabad: 19 people were killed and seven others injured when a truck turned turtle in Gujarat’s Bavalyali village on the Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar road on Saturday morning.The truck, which was loaded with cement sacks, met with the accident around 2.30 am. The driver fled from the scene soon after the incident.“The deceased include 12 women and 3 children. They were all from the same family,” said an officer with the Bhavnagar police. The injured were taken to the Bhavnagar civil hospital for treatment, he added. HT
Dumper crushes siblings going to school, girl dies in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/dumper-crushes-siblings-going-to-school-girl-dies/articleshow/64228883.cms
New Delhi: A 12-year-old girl was crushed to death by a speeding dumper while she and her 14-year-old brother were waiting on a divider to cross a road in Shaheen Bagh, near Okhla, on Friday morning.The brother is critical. The dumper carrying building material tried to overtake a truck when the driver lost control on the narrow road and crushed Ishrat and her brother, Irshad, against the grille of the divider.They were dragged for a few metres after which the driver stopped the vehicle and tried to flee. He was caught by locals and thrashed before being arrested. He told police he was in a hurry to cross the Delhi border to avoid being penalised for violating entry rules.The incident took place around 6.45am when Ishrat, a Class 6 student, and her brother, Irshad, were on their way to a Govt school in Noor Nagar near Jamia Nagar. TOI
WORLD
UN votes to send war crimes investigators to Gaza
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/votes-send-war-crimes-investigators-gaza-180518142752946.html
UN ' top human rights body has voted to send a team of international war crimes investigators to probe the deadly shootings of Gaza protesters by Israeli forces.A resolution calling on UN Human Rights Council to"urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry" was backed on Friday by 29 members.2 members - the US and Australia - voted against and 14 abstained.Investigators must"investigate all alleged violations and abuses ... in the context of the military assaults on large-scale civilian protests that began on 30 March", Approved resolution said. The commission of inquiry will be asked to produce a final report next March.aljazeera
UN rights chief: Israel's Gaza response 'wholly disproportionate'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/rights-chief-backs-calls-inquiry-gaza-killings-180518091207861.html
UN human rights chief has slammed Israel's deadly reaction to protests along the Gaza border as "wholly disproportionate" and backed calls for an international investigation.Addressing a special session of UN Human Rights Council on Friday, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said there was "little evidence" Israel made an effort to minimise casualties during mass border protests by Palestinians on Monday.He said Israeli forces had killed 106 Palestinians, including 15 children, since March 30. More than 12,000 were injured, at least 3,500 by live ammunition.aljazeera
Muslim countries leaders call for international protection force for Palestinians
https://www.firstpost.com/world/muslim-leaders-call-for-international-protection-force-for-palestinians-4474973.html
Istanbul:Muslim leaders called on Friday for an international force to be deployed to protect Palestinians after dozens of protesters were shot dead by Israeli forces on the Gaza border this week.At a special summit in Turkey convened by President Tayyip Erdogan, they also pledged to take "appropriate political (and) economic measures" against countries that followed the US in moving their Israel embassies to contested Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.Erdogan, who is campaigning for re-election next month, used the summit to verbally attack Israel, comparing the actions of its forces to Nazi Germany's treatment of Jews in World War Two, when millions were killed in concentration camps.He also castigated the US, saying its decision to move its embassy had emboldened Israel to put down the protests at the border with Gaza with excessive force. Most countries say the status of Jerusalem - a sacred city to Jews, Muslims and Christians - should be determined in a final peace settlement between Israel and Palestinians and that moving their embassies now would prejudge any such deal.The final declaration of the meeting of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation described the killing of 60 Palestinians, protesting the embassy move on Monday, as "savage crimes committed by the Israeli forces with the backing of the US administration".It said the violence should be put on the agenda of the UNSC and General Assembly, and called on UN to investigate the killings.Jordan's King Abdullah said the US decision 5 months ago to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital had "weakened the pillars of peace ... and deepened the despair that leads to violence."Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called on Muslim countries "to totally cut their relations with the Zionist regime (Israel) and also to revise their trade and economic ties with America".UN must send "an international peace force to the people of Palestine, who are losing their young children to Israeli terror every day," Erdogan said, comparing the proposed deployment to peacekeeping forces sent to Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s.Reuters
Erdogan calls on Muslim countries to unite and confront Israel
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/erdogan-calls-muslim-countries-unite-confront-israel-180518185258629.html
Israel FM: We will not cut our diplomatic ties with Turkey
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180518-israeli-foreign-minister-we-will-not-cut-our-diplomatic-ties-with-turkey/
Israeli Foreign Ministry said it had decided not to sever its diplomatic ties with Ankara following recent tension in the relationship resulting from Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip last Monday, which took the life of tens of Palestinian and injured thousands.Israeli Radio quoted Tzipi Hotovely, Deputy Foreign Minister as saying “After having several consultations, including those with PM Benjamin Netanyahu, we decided not to sever ties with Turkey.”“Turkey is a huge country in the region, our airlines pass through its airspace, we share business relations together and Turkey has a large Jewish community there which needs an Israeli backup,” she said. In the same interview she attacked, Tayyip Erdogan, describing him as “a tyrant with hands stained with blood.”MEMO
US embassy move to Jerusalem a ‘mistake’: UK envoy
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180518-us-embassy-move-to-jerusalem-a-mistake-uk-envoy/
UK’s ambassador to Ankara has described the US’ decision to move its embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as “a mistake”. Dominick Chilcott said: “As you may know, rather like the Turkish Govt, British Govt’s view is we are not moving our embassy to Jerusalem. And we think it was a mistake for the Americans to have taken that step.” Chilcott commented on President Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to UK.MEMO
Tens of thousands enter al-Aqsa for Ramadan's 1st Friday
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/tens-thousands-enter-al-aqsa-mosque-ramadan-friday-180518162708677.html
O.Jerusalem - Over 100,000 Palestinians, many of them from the occupied West Bank, have made their way to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem for first Friday of Ramadan. Palestinians from the occupied territories, who otherwise cannot access Jerusalem, are typically allowed to enter the city under strict conditions during the Fridays of holy month.On most days, Qalandiya checkpoint, main gateway in the West Bank to Jerusalem and beyond, resembles a land border, complete with terminals, turnstiles and security detectors.This time, Palestinian men over 40 and women of all ages were allowed to pass, with most streaming past concrete barriers without being stopped,as Israeli soldiers stood close by.aljazeera
Egypt to open Rafah crossing with Gaza for Ramadan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/egypt-open-rafah-crossing-gaza-ramadan-180518083041272.html
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has ordered the opening of Rafah border crossing with Gaza Strip for the entire holy month of Ramadan, days after mass protests along the Gaza-Israel border in which more than 60 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces.Sisi made the announcement on Twitter, marking the longest duration since 2013 that the only crossing connecting Gaza to Egypt would be accessible for. aljazeera
Qatar may save Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner from bankruptcy
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180518-qatar-may-save-trumps-son-in-law-from-bankruptcy/
Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has been desperately seeking for someone to bail his family out from a poor real estate investment which threatens to wipe out their fortune. Their rescue, according to New York Times, is coming in the shape of deal with none other than a company linked to Qatar.The company controlled by White House adviser Kushner is said to be close to receiving a bailout by a company with financial ties to Govt of Qatar, according to executives briefed on the deal. The paper’s report revealed that Charles Kushner, Jared’s father and head of Kushner Companies, is in advanced talks with Brookfield Asset Management over a partnership to take control of the 41-story tower in Midtown Manhattan.The father and son team believed that they had bought a real estate trophy but since purchasing the building 11 years ago for a record-setting $1.8 billion, they have struggled to regenerate enough rent to cover the enormous mortgage on their investment. The building today is said to only generate about half its annual mortgage payment, and 30 % of the 41-story tower is vacant.Desperate to plug the hole which threatened to send them towards possible bankruptcy, the Kushner family went searching the globe for a partner for the building, including meeting as recently as last year with a billionaire from Qatar, Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, the country’s former PM .middleeastmonitor
Taliban pledge not to target Afghan army, police:Aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/taliban-pledge-target-afghan-army-police-180518095456444.html
The Taliban says it will not target the Afghan police and military in the country any more due to the high number of casualties suffered by the security forces in the ongoing conflict.The armed group declared in a rare statement on Friday "a general amnesty to all military formations, national army, national police, Arbakis (local police) and all employees of the regime to safeguard their lives and wealth".While stating that the main target of its recently launched spring offensive in the country are Americans and their allies, the armed group said security officials often come under fire because they are "protecting the foreign invaders and the corrupt regime which they have installed"."These security forces, however, are our own countrymen who have joined the ranks of America due to misguidance or other reasons,"statement said."In case you do leave the enemy ranks ... mujahideen of Islamic Emirate shall use every means at their disposal to try and ease your life."
Muslims forced to eat pork, drink alcohol as punishment in China's Islamic 're-education' camps,claim ex inmates
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/china/article-5738531/Thank-Party-China-tries-brainwash-Muslims-camps.html?ito=social-facebook
Former inmates have told of the horror after being detained in China's indoctrination camps for Muslims, where they were physically and mentally tortured.Around 900,000 to one million Muslims are estimated to have been detained in such re-education camps in China's western province of Xinjiang as Beijing tries to clamp down on potential separatist movements. Omir Bekali and Kayrat Samarkand, both former detainees, have told the Washington Post that these former prisoners have been forced to eat pork and drink acohol, forbidden in Islam, as punishment.Hour upon hour, day upon day, Bekali and other detainees in these new indoctrination camps had to disavow their Islamic beliefs, criticise themselves and their loved ones and give thanks to the ruling Communist Party. When Bekali, a Kazakh Muslim, refused to follow orders each day, he was forced to stand at a wall for five hours at a time. A week later, he was sent to solitary confinement, where he was deprived of food for 24 hours. After 20 days in the heavily guarded camp, he wanted to kill himself.dailymail/AP
Cuba plane crash leaves more than 100 dead
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44176899
More than 100 people have died after a Boeing 737 airliner crashed near Cuba's main airport in Havana, country's worst air disaster in decades. 3 women were pulled alive from the wreckage, but are said to be in a critical condition.The plane, which was nearly 40 years old, was carrying 104 passengers and 6 crew members.All 6 crew members on board were Mexican and the majority of the passengers were Cuban, with 5 foreigners reported to be among them.bbc
10 killed in Texas school shooting, gunman arrested
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/multiple-fatalities-after-shooting-at-texas-high-school/article23929990.ece?homepage=true
A student opened fire at a high school in the US state of Texas on Friday, killing at least 10 people, mostly students, in the latest such incident in the country.The incident took place at Santa Fe High School in the city of the same name, located about 50 kilometres southeast of Houston. An unidentified law enforcement officer was shot, but sources said he was “clipped” and was not seriously injured.At least 10 people — nine students and a teacher — were killed in the gunfire, CNN quoted a law enforcement official as saying.PTI
Protest in Baghdad against Iranian general’s visit
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180518-hundreds-protest-in-baghdad-against-iranian-generals-visit/
Hundreds of Iraqis have protested in central Baghdad against the visit of Iran’s Major General Qasem Soleimani to their country. With their chants of “Iran, out, out” they expressed the popular desire for Iran to stop interfering in Iraq’s domestic affairs. The demonstrators demanded that Soleimani — who commands the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps — should liberate the occupied city of Jerusalem instead of destabilising the security of Iraq and Syria.Soleimani arrived in Iraq on Saturday, when the country held its first legislative elections in years. He is holding talks with Iraqi politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new Iraqi Govt with Iran’s approval. “Soleimani is discussing with rival politicians to pave the way for agreement on the formation of a ruling Shia coalition,” said one source who mediates between Shia cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr and other senior politicians.middleeastmonitor
Critic of Iran, Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr’s bloc wins Iraq elections
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/shia-cleric-moqtada-sadrs-bloc-wins-iraq-elections/article23933725.ece?homepage=true
An alliance headed by former Shia militia chief Moqtada al-Sadr has won the parliamentary elections in Iraq, the poll panel said.Final results released by the Electoral Commission gave Sadr’s Saeroun bloc 54 seats, while current PM Haider al-Abadi was in third place with 42.Sadr cannot become PM himself as he did not stand as a candidate, BBC reported. However, he was expected to play a major role in forming the new govt. Sadr has reinvented himself as an anti-corruption champion after making his name as a militia chief fighting US forces after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He is also a fierce critic of Iran.Some 5,000 American troops remain in Iraq supporting local forces, which were fighting the IS.Saeroun (Marching Towards Reform) list is an alliance between Sadr’s Istiqama party and 6 mostly secular groups, including the Iraqi communist party.It pushed the pro-Iranian Fatah alliance into second place with 47 seats. Fatah combines the political wings of militias in the Shia-led paramilitary Hashd al-Shaabi force and is led by former Transport Minister Hadi al-Amiri.IANS
EU moves to block US sanctions on Iran
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/eu-moves-block-sanctions-iran-180517134848253.html
European Commission will launch the process of activating a law that bans European companies and courts from complying with US sanctions against Iran after Washington pulled out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.Jean Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, said on Thursday the commission has a "duty to protect European companies" from American sanctions."We now need to act, and this is why we are launching the process to activate the 'blocking statute' from 1996. We will do that tomorrow [Friday] morning at 10:30," he told a news conference in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, after a meeting of EU leaders. aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Ramadan Ceasefire In Kashmir Meaningless If Media War Continues: Saeed Naqvi
http://www.apnlive.com/india-news/ramadan-ceasefire-in-kashmir-meaningless-if-media-war-continues-43572
After Gujarat Seat, Vajubhai Vala Has Now Sacrificed the Constitution for Modi :Jaiveer Shergill
https://thewire.in/politics/karnataka-governor-vajubhai-vala-modi
Ayodhya;To Offer Namaz Is An Essential Practice, But To Offer It At Mosque May Not Be, Argues Ram Lalla’s Lawyer K Parasaran
http://www.livelaw.in/ayodhya-day-6-to-offer-namaz-is-an-essential-practice-but-to-offer-it-at-mosque-may-not-be-argues-k-parasaran/
Mockery of Justice: Kasganj Riots Accused Made Govt Witness:Newsclick
https://newsclick.in/mockery-justice-kasganj-riots-accused-made-Govt -witness
Jinnah In My Room:Nirupama Subramanian
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jinnah-potrait-aligarh-muslim-university-in-my-room-5180826/
Appointment of Yeddyurappa Rests on False Assumption About Governor's Powers:P.D.T. Achary
https://thewire.in/politics/karnataka-elections-false-assumptions-governor-powers-majorities
Why Attorney-General Venugopal’s words in court remind us of the dark days of Emergency:Maneesh Chhibber
https://theprint.in/opinion/why-attorney-general-venugopals-words-in-court-remind-us-of-the-dark-days-of-emergency/60354/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:49 PM)
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