NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
28 June 2018:13 Shawwal 1439: Vol:10, No:54
INDIA
Citizenship Bill in Assam: Harsh Mander’s report highlights grave rights violation in detention centres for so called illegal migrants
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/citizens-bill-in-assam-harsh-manders-report-raises-doubts-over-nrc
The report by human rights activist Harsh Mander on National Register for Citizens (NRC) in Assam clearly indicates that by the implementation of NRC, displacement of Muslims in large numbers from the state may take place and they may be targeted in the name of ambiguous citizenship. Harsh Mander has resigned from his role as Special Monitor for minorities of NHRC. He cited the commission’s refusal to act on a report he submitted on the state of detention centres that house people declared as “foreigners” in Assam as the primary reason for his decision.Thus, he has once again raised question on the functioning of various organisations and commissions under Modi govt.Harsh Mander shared his report with National Herald which NHRC should have sent to the govt. 37-page long report highlights how the basic human rights are being violated in the detention centres going on in Assam’s Goalpara and Kokrajhar for the so called illegal migrants. These people in the detention centres are forced to live in miserable conditions.As the special monitor of the NHRC, Harsh Mander had visited these detention centres from Jan 22 to Jan 24. He was accompanied by 2 officials of NHRC and one researcher. He found out that even married couples and their children are kept separately and they have no information about each other for years. Women are kept in Goalpara detention centre while men are kept in Kokrajhar. People living in these centres have no legal right to get in touch with their family members. It completely depends on the benevolence of Jail officials to allow them to talk to their family members.A prisoner named Subhash Roy asked NHRC special monitor, in which country does the constitution grant this right to the government to keep parents away from their children.Mander said half of the prisoners at these detention centres are Muslims, though there are some Hindus too. The most significant issue is that of the prisoners’ children. They stay with their parents till they are 6-years old and then they are sent to some distant relatives. Because these prisoners are considered foreigners and Bangladeshis, and both India and Bangladesh refuse to accept them as their citizens, their condition is very precarious. Many of them belong to Myanmar too.The report says, in Goalpara, out of total 62 convicted foreign nationals, 54 are from Bangladesh, including 4 Hindus. All the 54 Bangladeshi nationals have completed their term of punishment and all want to go back to their country. But they don’t have any contact with family members in Bangladesh. Most of their families even don’t know that they are detained in Indian detention centre. One Muslim woman is from Myanmar, she told that she is married to an Assamese Muslim and had a child from him. Both Mother and Child were detained. Her husband visited her for some time, but then stopped. She doesn’t have any communication with her family in Myanmar now.Harsh Mander told NH that half of the prisoners of these detention centres are Muslims, though there are some Hindus too. The most significant issue is that of the prisoners’ children. They stay with their parents till they are 6-years old and then they are sent to some distant relatives. Because these prisoners are considered foreigners and Bangladeshis, and both India and Bangladesh refuse to accept them as their citizens, their condition is very precarious.4 special UN envoys have highlighted the same questions in their letter to the Government of India on June 11, as were raised by Harsh Mander in his report. Harsh Mander said the way NHRC overlooked his report submitted in March 2018 and did not send it to the government makes it clear that it was done with a political motive. It was for the first time that someone went to these detention centres to monitor the entire situation. It took a lot of time for Harsh Mander to make NHRC concede to this. But when NHRC forwarded the report by the 2 officials accompanying him and stopped his report, then Harsh resigned and made his report public.nationalheraldindia
Assam: NRC final draft delayed, next date only after SC hearing on July 2
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/assam-nrc-final-draft-delayed-next-date-only-after-sc-hearing-on-july-2-5237252/
Guwahati:The final draft of the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) will not be published on June 30, as was scheduled, and the next date will be finalised only after a Supreme Court hearing on July 2, a senior official confirmed Thursday.NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela said, “The publication of the final draft of the NRC will not happen on June 30. I will seek a fresh date from the Supreme Court on July 2, the date of the next hearing.”The deadline for preparing the final draft of the NRC was set by the Supreme Court — which is monitoring the exercise — as June 30. The first draft – that verified 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore who applied as legal citizens of India – was published on the midnight of Jan 1. NRC is a register containing names of Indian citizens — and is an attempt to identify illegal immigrants in Assam. Hajela explained that the next date for publication of the final draft cannot be speculated on because it will depend on what the SC says. Speculative figures are, however, rife as to how many people will be left out of the NRC. Government sources peg the number at 50,000 while some activists representing Bengali-speaking Hindus as well as Muslim communities of the state say it will be in tens of lakhs. indianexpress
Kerala : Families of '12 persons suspected to join IS', hit back at police, say will return after Quran studies in Yemen
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jun/28/kerala-families-suspected-of-joining-the-is-hit-back-at-police-say-will-return-after-quran-studies-1834758.html
Kasargod: 2 families in Kasargod suspected of joining the Islamic State (IS) in Yemen have hit back at the police, saying they joined an Islamic religious institute at Hadhramaut, and will return after studies. “Police convoluted the statement of my father-in-law to make it a missing complaint and trigger fears that we have joined the IS,” said Sawad, one of the 11 persons from Kasargod, who are in Yemen.He said his father-in-law, Abdul Hameed of Mundamkulam in Chemnad panchayat, apprised the police that they are in Yemen. “But that statement was turned into a missing complaint,” he told Express through WhatsApp voice chat from Hadhramaut.On Tuesday, Kasargod town police registered a FIR “based on Hameed’s complaint” that his daughter Naseera (25), her husband Sawad (35) of Mogral, their children Musab (6), Marjana (3), and Muhammil (11 months); and Sawad’s second wife Rahanath (25) of Palakkad, have gone missing from Dubai. Rahanath is both deaf and mute.When contacted on Tuesday, Kasargod circle inspector C A Abdul Rahim said Hameed feared they had joined the IS.Hameed also said Sawad’s friend Anwar, his wife Zeenath and their three children had gone missing, an officer said. “But we did not register the second FIR,” he said. However, Hameed refuted the charge. “My daughter Naseera calls her mother every two day. They had told us that they were going to Yemen for studies. Where is the question of a missing complaint?” he said. “I did confront the CI about the wrong news and he said he will look into it,” he said. Sawad’s father M P Ashraf too said his son had kept him in the loop about his plans.Sawad, who ran a mobile phone business in Dubai, was living with his family in the Emirate for the past two years. “My second wife joined me in Dubai recently on visiting visa,” he said. He also has a perfumed oil (attar) business in Dubai.“But for long, I wanted to study the Quran. Initially, we thought of moving to Saudi Arabia, but preferred Yemen because of the low cost of living,” said Sawad, who had studied upto Class X.newindianexpress
2+2 dialogue postponement not linked to trade, Iran sanctions: US
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/22-dialogue-postponement-not-linked-to-trade-iran-sanctions-us/article24276312.ece?homepage=true
The abrupt postponement of the first 2+2 dialogue between India and the US, which was scheduled to take place on July 6, has nothing to do with any disagreement between the two countries, a spokesperson of US State Department said.“This scheduling change has nothing to do with trade, sanctions, or any other policy issues. We remain firmly committed to our partnership with India and look forward to rescheduling the 2+2 as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said, when asked whether the postponement of the July 6 event was linked to disagreements between India and US on sanctions against Iran and trade.“US-India relationship is a major priority for this administration, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership,” the official said. Sources familiar with the developments said, the cancellation of the dialogue is linked to the fast movement in US President Donald Trump’s plans to have a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has emerged as the point man for Trump’s risky foreign policy ventures, is being asked to focus on Russia, according to a source. Pompeo is likely to travel to Russia ahead of Trump-Putin summit in mid-July.thehindu
Nikki Haley meets PM Modi, calls for cutting dependence on Iranian oil
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nikki-haley-narendra-modi-sushma-swaraj-iranian-sanctions-5236087/
New Delhi: US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and told him that it was important that India cut its dependence on Iranian oil. She also assured the prime minister that the US would work to allow India to use an Iranian port as a corridor to Afghanistan, Reuters reported.The new demands indicate the extreme push of the Trump government in levelling sanctions against the Iranian regime.indianexpress
Gujarat govt seeks Israel’s technical support to set up desalination plants
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-govt-seeks-israels-technical-support-to-set-up-desalination-plants-5236075/
Jerusalem:Gujarat govt has sought Israel’s technical assistance in setting up ten desalination plants along its 1600-km-long coast line as a part of its plan to become water-sufficient by 2050. The move came after Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is on a six-day tour to Israel, visited the Dan Region Waste Water Treatment Plant at Shafdan.Established in 1977 by Israel’s National Water Company, Mekorot, the plant having a capacity to treat 3.70 MLD of water is the biggest in the country. Gujarat had recently launched its waste water treatment policy under which a 100 MLD desalination plant will be set up near Jodia in Jamnagar district.“In addition, 10 desalination plants near the coastal line are in the pipeline, for which Gujarat will seek technical assistance from Israel,” a press statement said. Israeli officials and experts made a presentation on ‘Waste Water Treatment’ before the Gujarat delegation during Rupani’s visit to the plant.indianexpress
PNB fraud case: Can’t travel to India, threat to life due to mob lynching trend, says Mehul Choksi
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/pnb-fraud-case-cant-travel-to-india-threat-to-life-due-to-mob-lynching-trend-says-mehul-choksi-5236402/
Mumbai:Seeking cancellation of non-bailable warrants against him, absconding accused Mehul Choksi has cited “the recent trend of mob lynching” and said there is a threat to his life due to which he cannot travel to India. Choksi on Wednesday approached the special CBI court in Mumbai seeking cancellation of 2 non-bailable warrants issued against him in April and May, stating 10 reasons for his non-appearance before the court in PNB alleged fraud case. “It is most respectfully submitted that there have been various reported cases of mob lynching and one of the cases was in relation to an accused who was mob lynched while being inside a jail. This recent trend of mob lynching is growing and is attempting to giving justice on the road by the general public, and subsequently there is no prosecution because of non-identification of a particular individual is giving rise to the said tendency (sic),” his plea says.Choksi said there is a threat to his life from various people and hence he is unable to disclose his current location in public. He has listed five groups that have “grievances and anger” against him, including existing employees, whose salaries and dues have not been paid because of freezing of his accounts, families of employees who have been arrested, landlords, creditors of supplies and services, whose dues have not been paid, and customers whose jewellery has been taken away. Choksi has also claimed other “safety threats”,including from jail inmates.indianexpress
Trouble brewing in Bihar alliance
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/trouble-brewing-in-bihar-alliance/article24273886.ece?homepage=true
Patna/New Delhi:Seat adjustment talks are yet to get under way in Bihar in both the ruling and Opposition camps but political turbulence appears clearly indicated in the State after conflicting signals emanated from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.BJP chief Amit Shah, mindful of the same, will be in the State on July 12 for a customary meeting of the party organisation, but, sources said, he would also be meeting with Kumar and also Minister of State for HRD, Upendra Kushwaha, who also heads the RLSP. Kumar created a flutter not only with a strongly worded speech on communal violence two days ago, but also because his close aide, Sanjay Singh made a tough statement on seat adjustment in the State for 2019, saying: “If BJP does not want an ally in Bihar it can field its candidates in all 40 Lok Sabha seats.”On Wednesday, however, another close aide of Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP R C P Singh tried to pour oil on troubled waters.There are no differences in NDA in Bihar and it is strongly united…whenever the alliance partners would sit together, seat adjustment will be done,” he said. He also termed Mr. Sanjay Singh’s remarks as his personal view, and the Congress a “sinking ship.” This contradictory posturing was evident in the Congress ranks as well, with State leaders including PCC chief Kaukab Quadri holding meetings on JDU joining the Mahagathbandhan again, while the Central leadership denied any such move.thehindu
UP: CM Yogi refuses to wear Muslim skullcap at saint Kabir's Mazaar
http://www.abplive.in/india-news/up-cm-yogi-refuses-to-wear-muslim-skullcap-at-kabirs-mazaar-716050
New Delhi: Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Sant Kabir Nagar today, UP CM Yogi Adityanath went to inspect the ongoing preparationson Wednesday, where he stirred new controversy by refusing to wear the skullcap at Sant Kabir’s Mazaar. When warden tried to put the cap on Yogi’s head, he smilingly denied. However, Khadim Hussain the warden of the place later provided an explanation on the entire matter.PM Modi too, when he was Gujarat’s CM, had on one occasion refused to don the Muslim skullcap.Prime Minister will visit Maghar in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh on the 500th death anniversary of the the saint and poet Kabir Das on Thursday, where he will paying floral tribute at his Samadhi and will offer a Chadar at the Sant Kabir Das Mazaar.The Prime Minister will visit the Sant Kabir Cave. He will unveil a plaque to mark laying of Foundation Stone of Kabir Academy, which will highlight the great saint’s teachings and thought.abplive
Aurangzeb forced Kashmiri Pandits to change their religion: Yogi Adityanath
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aurangzeb-forced-kashmiri-pandits-to-change-their-religion-yogi-adityanath-5236488/
Lucknow:After Akbar, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday targetted another Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, claiming that he “forced Kashmiri Pandits to change their religion.” Addressing a gathering of Banjaras in Lucknow, the chief minister said: “When Aurangzeb began torturing Kashmiri Pandits, then to free themselves, a group of Kashmiri Pandits met Guru Tegh Bahadur in Delhi and told him about their suffering and how they were being forcefully converted.” Aditynath said that Guru Tegh Bahadur came to the rescue of Kashmiri Pandits and asked them not to be afraid of Aurangzeb. A few days earlier, Adityanath had said that Mughal emperor Akbar was not great and that only 16th century Mewar king Maharana Pratap was.
Uttarakhand HC bans use of loudspeakers in temple, masjid without permission
https://www.siasat.com/news/uttarakhand-hc-bans-use-loudspeakers-temple-masjid-without-permission-1374356/
Nainital: In an important decision Uttarakhand High Court directed the state government to put a curb on sound pollution and industrial pollution. It also banned places of worship from using loudspeaker without permission. Taking serious note of pollution issue spread by an industrial unit in Teerathnagri, Haridwar the Court slapped a fine of 5 Cr on the unit. The direction was issued by a division bench of justices Rajiv Sharma and Lok Pal Singh while hearing a public interest litigation seeking action against a toy factory in Haridwar district, filed by one Mahender Singh.The petitioner said that an industrial unit is clearing industrial waste in Haridwar which was creating pollution in the area and also polluting the drinking water. The court also issued verdict regarding noise pollution in the state and asked the places of worship not to use loudspeakers without permission. siasat
Hijab ban: College principal stands firm as fringe groups up the ante
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280618/hijab-ban-college-principal-stands-firm-as-fringe-groups-up-the-ante.html
Mangaluru: The controversy over the St Agnes College not allowing Muslim girls to wear hijab in class is snowballing with the Campus Front of India (CFI) deciding to hold protests in all parts of the district on Thursday.On Monday Muslim students and CFI members had protested against the college for its no head scarf rule in class. The girls, who participated in the protest, have been issued notices by the college and been given three days to respond. They have also have been told to bring their parents to the college, according to CFI."We are very unhappy with the college administration for not listening to the students or us and trying to come out with a solution. It is being adamant,"said CFI state council member, Riyaz Kadambu,adding that organisation planned to hold protests in all the taluks of the district on Thursday and if the college still did not relent, would decide on its future course of action.CFI district president, Imran PJ, said it planned to hold a meeting of the college students, their parents and religious heads to discuss the issue. Pointing out that even the principal of the college, who was a nun, covered her head with a scarf, and several student nuns too covered their heads, another activist demanded, “ When they are allowed to wear head scarves, why not Muslim girls ?” The college,however, claimed that all students were attending classes and there was no unrest among them. "Classes are on as usual with all students attending them. These are not new rules. They have been around for several years,” said the college vice principal.DeccanChronicle
Reports linking Shujaat Bukhari’s murder to LeT is an attempt to defame outfit, says its chief
https://scroll.in/latest/884425/reports-linking-shujaat-bukharis-murder-to-let-is-an-attempt-to-defame-outfit-says-its-chief
Lashkar-e-Taiba said reports about its cadres involvement in the assassination of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari were an attempt to defame outfit, PTI reported. J&K Police on Wednesday identified three suspects in the Bukhari murder case. Two of them are local militants from South Kashmir and the third is a Pakistani, Naveed Jatt, the police said.“We would like to call their bluff,” said LeT chief Mahmood Shah. “If Indian forces are truly convinced that this heinous crime was committed by mujahideen [LeT militants], then they should have no objection to an independent investigation of this murder by a neutral country such as China or Russia.” Shah said the outfit would fully cooperate in the investigation. LeT spokesperson said the reports were an attempt to “demonise and defame” the outfit, according to GNS. “It is not a secret to anyone that Indian forces have time and again killed innocent Kashmiris, Indians and even foreign tourists to defame and demonise the mujahideen...” scroll.in
Missing J&K cop Irfan Ahmad Dar has joined Hizb;group
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/irfan-ahmad-dar-missing-j-k-cop-has-joined-hizbul-mujahideen-terror-group-claims-1270952-2018-06-27
Srinagar:Hizbul Mujahideen on Wednesday claimed that SPO Irfan Ahmad Dar, who went missing with his AK-47 rifle, has joined its ranks.In a tele-statement, Burhan-ud-Din, operational spokesperson of the outfit, said, "SPO Irfan Ahmad Dar, a resident of Nehama Kakapora of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, who fled with his rifle has joined Hizbul Mujahideen." According to local media, Dar has been missing since Tuesday evening. Security forces have launched a search operation to trace his whereabouts.indiatoday
20 yrs on, Hyderabad woman waits for Indian citizenship
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/20-years-on-this-hyderabad-woman-waits-for-indian-citizenship-5236769/
Toufeeq Ali, a resident of Hyderabad, has appealed to the govt to give Indian citizenship to his 75-year-old sister Habeeb Unnisa Begum. She has been allegedly waiting for over 20 years to officially become a citizen of India.abeeb Unnisa’s marriage was performed in Hyderabad in 1955 and then her brother-in-law took the couple to Pakistan for a better livelihood. They entered into Pakistan through Indo-Pak border illegally and started searching for job opportunities. However, the couple was struggling to make ends meet, Begum’s brother told ANI.When Unnisa wanted to come back to India, the Indo-Pak border was closed. Later, her brother-in-law applied for the Pakistan passport of the couple and they returned to India via ship. In 1987, they applied for renewal of the Pakistan passport but subsequently submitted it back to the Pakistan Embassy for cancellation and took renunciation letter from them. After that, they applied for Indian citizenship in 1997 and have been waiting since then.Ali, along with his sister Habeeb Unnisa, has met different authorities to get the Indian citizenship in the past 20 years.indianexpress
Truck transporting cattle to Kashmir intercepted, set on fire
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/truck-transporting-cattle-to-kashmir-intercepted-set-on-fire-5236835/
Jammu: Tension erupted in Ramban town along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway after some local youths intercepted a truck carrying cattle to Kashmir and set it ablaze on Wednesday night. Nearly 2 dozen bovines were rescued by local police before the vehicle was set ablaze, sources said. Its three occupants, including the driver, managed to escape.The youths intercepted the truck following a tip-off that cattle was allegedly being smuggled to the Valley. The truck was immediately handed over to police who rescued the bovines, while its occupants managed to escape.As the news spread, more youths gathered in the town and raised slogans against the state government and police. Soon tempers ran high and some of the protestors set the truck ablaze.indianexpress
Dalits return to Odisha village after attack — with assurance from officers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dalits-return-to-odisha-village-after-attack-with-assurance-from-officers-5236427/
Nayagarh : 10 days after they were attacked, and their homes destroyed by people from the locally dominant castes, in the village, more than a hundred people from Pano community, a Scheduled Caste group, from Bodasa village of Odisha’s Nayagarh district returned to their wrecked homes on Tuesday night following assurances on security from the SP and the district Collector.They had spent the last few days at a refugee camp.“The community has returned to the village under my personal supervision,” SP Asish Kumar Singh said on Tuesday. He said he has deployed additional police personnel to prevent further skirmishes.Thirteen people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Pano basti (quarter) and await trial.The victims, though, will have to spend the next few weeks with little protection from the incessant rain lashing part of the state.indianexpress
Talking of ‘strong’ India, JNU V-C quotes Jana Sangh founder Mookerjee speech criticising Nehru
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/talking-of-strong-india-jnu-v-c-quotes-syama-prasad-mookerjee-speech-criticising-jawaharlal-nehru-5236326/
New Delhi : JNU V-C M Jagadesh Kumar on Wednesday quoted Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s speech attacking former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru — after whom the university is named — for raising the “cry of communalism” to divert attention from bigger issues, and said the country was facing a similar situation today.Kumar was chairing an event on the campus organised by Centre for Media Studies, on the ‘Contribution of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’. MoS, PMO, Jitendra Singh, ex-BJP MP Tarun Vijay and Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) also attended the event. Concluding the event, Kumar said, “In his speech on June 2, 1951 as a Member of Parliament, Mookerjee said, ‘The cry of communalism is being raised by Pandit Nehru just to divert the attention of the country when we are facing great challenges to overcome poverty, hunger, maladministration, corruption and complete surrender to Pakistan.’ Today, we are in the same situation. While we are fighting to build an inclusive, integrated and strong India, there are inimical forces both within and outside India who are trying to divert our attention from building a strong, unified nation.”indianexpress
As Macro Risks Build, Rupee Hits All-Time Low
https://thewire.in/macro/as-macro-risks-build-rupee-hits-all-time-low
New Delhi: The rupee fell to an all-time low of 69.09 against the dollar in early trade on Thursday, as a combination of factors including higher oil prices, a widening current account deficit and foreign portfolio outflows pushed the currency lower.The Indian currency closed at 68.63 on Wednesday, a nearly 19-month low, with the previous all-time intraday low taking place on November 24, 2016 (68.86).According to market estimates, the rupee has weakened by a little over 8% this year, making it the worst performer in Asia. Reuters reported on Thursday morning that traders were hopeful of the RBI stepping in to prevent further losses in the currency.Any impact on a currency is a function of vulnerability and shock, according to DK Joshi, Crisil’s chief economist.thewire
3 ABVP Leaders, 3 Others Arrested for Attack on Professor in Bhuj
https://thewire.in/education/two-abvp-leaders-three-others-arrested-for-attack-on-professor-in-bhuj
New Delhi: 5 people, including 2 ABVP office bearers, have been arrested for attacking a chemistry professor at the Krantiguru Shaymji Krishna Verma Kachchh University in Bhuj. Professor Girin Baxi, the head of the chemistry department, was attacked on Tuesday, allegedly by members and supporters of the ABVP (students’ wing of RSS), and ‘a black substance’ was thrown at his face, Indian Express reported. They also reportedly paraded him around the registrar’s room and gheraoed the vice-chancellor’s room for almost an hour.ABVP was alleging a discrepancy in the university’s electoral rolls.“They claimed that voter registration forms submitted by ABVP supporters were selectively rejected by Prof Baxi. However, prima facie, their claim was found to be baseless as all the forms were rejected as per the rules. Nonetheless, we had scheduled a hearing on the issue at 4.30 pm on Tuesday. But the ABVP supporters became aggressive and attacked Prof Baxi,” vice-chancellor Chandrasinh Jadeja told the newspaper.thewire
Karan Singh’s Grandson Joins Lal Singh Rally on Kathua
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/14227/Karan-Singhs-Grandson-Joins-Lal-Singh-Rally-on-Kathua
Jammu/New Delhi: Dogra politics has claimed the family of the last ruler of J&K ‘Maharaja’ Hari Singh and his son Congress scion Karan Singh. The latters grandson Ranvijay Singh was a prominent figure at a torchlight march taken out by controversial Minister Lal Singh in Jammu last night in support of his demand to hand over Kathua investigation to CBI.Lal Singh took out a torchlight procession in Jammu city with Ranvijay Singh by his side. Ranvijay is the son of Karan Singh’s younger son Ajatshatru Singh, who is a BJP legislator. Interestingly both sons of the Congress leader namely Vikramaditya Singh, and the younger Ajatshatru had joined the J&K regional parties--PDP and NC-- ahead of the 2014 Assembly elections.Vikramaditya Singh had joined Mufti Sayeed-led PDP while his younger brother was associated with the National Conference. The latter shifted mid course to the BJP along with his wife Ritu Singh and son Ranvijay.During the torchlight procession he repeatedly assured the people that he was “fighting to restore the dignity and the honour of the ethnic Dogra minority which has been facing the worse ever discrimination by the successive state governments.”Local newspapers have reported him as saying, “Those who dubbed the whole Dogra community as pro-rapists are part of the game plan. They will be exposed. The perception created by some forces that Dogras are pro-rapists was a conspiracy against Jammu and its Dogras to defame and weaken them.”thecitizen
Jats clash with Dalits in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, several injured
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/jats-clash-with-dalits-in-rajasthans-bhilwara-several-injured
The morning of June 27 turned into a nightmare for the Dalits of Mangalpura, Rajasthan, when a minor argument escalated into a caste conflict.Mangalpura is part of the Bhilwara district city council area, with its residents hailing from several communities. Most of the youth from the Jat community are active in organisations like Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, VHP, etc.On the fateful morning of June 27, some youth from the Jat community attacked people from the Dalit community. Many people got injured in the incident.The report recorded by the victim, Saira Bali, states that at 8:30 in the morning, some of her neighbors, including Shivram Jat, Shankar Lal Jat, Gopal Jat, Radheshyam Jat and Raju Jat, armed with sticks, entered the house and attacked the family. They also hurled caste abuses. The accused were blaming the Dalits for digging boundaries in their fields, while the Dalits say that they didn’t do any such thing.Dalit victims have alleged that Jats especially targeted the Dalit women.A dozen Dalits have been injured in this attack. According to eyewitness, Jats, assaulted Dalits for 40 minutes.nationalheraldindia
Protect My 4 Daughters From Harassment: Muslim Father Writes To Yogi, Modi
http://caravandaily.com/portal/protect-my-four-daughters-from-harassment-muslim-father-writes-to-yogi-modito-protect-daughters-from-harassment-father-of-4-daughters-writes-to-modi-yogi-adityanath/
Meerut:A Muslim man from Mawana, near Meerut in Uttar Pradesh has sought help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after continued harassment of his four madrasa-going daughters by young men in the neighbourhood.A father of four young daughters aged 17, 16, 14 and 12 wrote a letter to PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath on Sunday, a day after the men barged into his home and attacked the girls, even sexually abusing the 12-year-old. The group allegedly threatened the girls with an acid attack.The letter was written on Sunday but reached the media on Tuesday – the day a global survey of the Reuters Foundation ranked India as the most dangerous country for women.The harassment has been reportedly taking place on a daily basis and has reached such a level that the girls have stopped attending madrassa and are forced to stay indoors. The poor man felt himself helpless before the inhuman attitude of the young men and their improper threatening attitude.Speaking to ANI, 2 girls said, “We stopped going to madrasas due to it (harassment). They barged into our house, threatened us of acid attack. Even living at home has become difficult.”The man in his letter said the accused have kept up with the stalking and bullying for many months now and have not stopped despite warnings and complaints to their families.The local police has started probe into the allegations.caravandaily
WORLD
Israel plan to expand illegal settlement in Bethlehem
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180628-israel-plan-to-expand-illegal-settlement-in-bethlehem/
Israeli occupation authorities are planning to push plans to double the size of an illegal settlement built on private Palestinian land near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Quds Press reported .Quoting the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Quds Press said the planned expansion of the illegal Jewish settlement would isolate the Palestinian village of Al-Walja and separate it from the rest of the Palestinian territories.The expansion “would create territorial contiguity between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion settlement bloc, which is adjacent to Bethlehem,” Haaretz added.middleeastmonitor
Pro-govt air strikes in southern Syria hit 3 hospitals
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pro-government-air-strikes-southern-syria-hit-hospitals-daraa-639312253
Bombardment by pro-govt forces of rebel-held southwestern Syria forced three hospitals out of service overnight as a Russian-backed assault gathered pace, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a medical relief group said. medical facilities were located in the towns of Saida, al-Jiza and al-Musayfra near the Jordanian border to the east of Daraa city. Observatory said it had no immediate information on the fate of medical staff or the patients inside the facilities.Earlier this month, the Syrian govt launched a major offensive to recover the area from rebels, which the UN says has so far forced up to 50,000 people to flee towards the Jordanian border. Jordan, which already hosts more than 650,000 Syrian refugees, has said it will not open the border.UK-based Observatory says some 47 civilians have been killed since the govt assault started on 19 June.middleeasteye
Qaradawi's jailed daughter goes on hunger strike in Egypt
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ola-al-qaradawi-goes-hunger-strike-egypt-solitary-confinement-83024390
The daughter of Qatar-based Egyptian imam Yousef al-Qaradawi has gone on hunger strike after almost a year in solitary confinement in Egypt, her lawyers and family said.The 56-year-old Ola al-Qaradawi and her husband, Hosam Khalaf, were arrested on 30 June 2017. While their detention has been periodically renewed, they have not been presented with formal charges or a trial date, according to their attorneys. Qaradawi told her lawyer in Cairo on Tuesday that she is "done with one year of solitary confinement," her daughter Aayah Hosam said."She said, I'm done with this, and I can't take this anymore, so I'm going on a hunger strike from today to demand my freedom," Hosam told Middle East Eye.Hosam suspects that the couple's detention is related to a regional feud between Egypt and Qatar.middleeasteye
UK involved in torture & rendition of terror suspects:MPs
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-rendition-intelligence-committee-1332812232
UN was involved in the torture and rendition of hundreds of terror suspects, a powerful parliamentary committee has found, accusing the UK government of turning a blind eye to its allies' mistreatment of detainees. British government has also failed over the past decade to develop a clear policy on rendition, despite intense scrutiny of the practice used after the 9/11 attacks, the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) found.In particular, the government did not ensure that UK allies are prevented from using British territory - the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, especially - for the practice without prior permission, the ISC outlines in one of two damning reports released on Thursday. According to the reports, there is no evidence of UK officers directly carrying out the mistreatment of detainees.However, domestic and foreign intelligence services MI5 and MI6 were aware “at an early point” that the US was mistreating detainees and the spy agencies were involved in hundreds of torture cases.middleeasteye
Pak placed on FATF’s ‘grey list’ on failing to curb terrorism
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistan-placed-on-fatfs-grey-list-on-failing-to-curb-terrorism-5236774/
Pakistan has been placed on the grey list by the Financial Action Task Force for failing to curb anti-terror financing despite its diplomatic efforts to avert the decision, an official said on Thursday.The decision was taken late last night at the global financial watchdog Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) plenary session in Paris where Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar represented Pakistan, according to official sources.The announcement comes a day after Pakistan submitted a comprehensive 26-point action plan to the FATF to choke the funding of militants groups, including Hafiz Saeed-led JuD and its affiliates, to avoid being blacklisted by it. The placement on to grey list could hurt Pakistan’s economy as well as its international standing.PTI
Polish parliament approves change to soften controversial Holocaust law
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/poland-parliament-approves-change-controversial-holocaust-law-180627151740383.html
Poland's parliament approved on Wednesday changes to a controversial bill that imposed fines and prescribed a maximum 3-year sentence to anyone found guilty of ascribing "responsibility or co-responsibility to the Polish nation of state for crimes committed by the German Third Reich" during World War II.The measure adopted in the Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament, will remove the three-year sentence to allusions of crimes committed in Nazi concentration camps on Polish soil as "Polish", but will maintain fines for those found guilty of breaching the law.Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the law "was and remains the battle for the truth during World War II and in the post-war period." aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Updating NRC, Citizenship Amendment Bill could lead to a redrawing of the demographic map of South Asia:Sanjib
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/assam-citizenship-amendment-bill-protests-national-register-of-citizens-citizenship-immigrants-sarbanand-sonowal-5236229/
Bearded Muslims as terrorists, and other media compulsions:Saad Razi Shaikh
http://twocircles.net/2018jun27/423944.html
Hindus versus Muslims: Deccan history has been inaccurately reduced to a battle of religions:Manu S Pillai
https://scroll.in/article/884370/hindus-versus-muslims-deccan-history-has-been-inaccurately-reduced-to-a-battle-of-religions
Another Aadhaar challenge Supreme Court must address: Excessive delegation:Madhav Khosla, Ananth Padmanabhan
https://theprint.in/opinion/another-aadhaar-challenge-supreme-court-must-address-excessive-delegation/76024/
Demonetisation was designed to benefit BJP Demonetisation was designed to benefit BJP:
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/economy/demonetisation-was-designed-to-benefit-bjp
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 12:37 PM)
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