NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
13 June 2018:28 Ramazan 1439: Vol:10, No:45
INDIA
Schools must organise monthly sermons by religious leaders – Saints-Mahatmas:Rajasthan Govt
https://thewire.in/education/rajasthan-govt-says-schools-must-organise-monthly-sermons-by-religious-leaders
New Delhi: Rajasthan education department has decided that all Govt schools in the state must organise sermons by religious leaders at least once a month.The academic calendar released by the department says that schools must hold lectures by “Saints-Mahatmas” on the third Saturday of every month, NDTV reported. This calendar has been sent to all district education officers in the state.In addition, the schools will also hold ‘Bal Sabhas’ for 5 minutes on Saturdays, Indian Express reported. These ‘sabhas’ can also be held in the zero hour after morning prayers, the calendar said. On the first Saturday of the month, biographies of well-known people will be read out. On the second, students will hear stories on ‘inspiration’ and ‘moral values’. On the third it will be spiritual leaders and on the fourth, quizzes will be organised. On the fifth Saturday, plays on moral values will be enacted and patriotic songs will be sung, the newspaper quoted the calendar as saying. Director, secondary education Nathmal Didel said that programmes of this sort were in the 2016-17 calendar as well. “This is irrespective of any religion; it could be a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian. The saints, who are locally known, respected, and in whom people have faith could share values of life with the students,” he said.HT reported that the education department has also announced another initiative – setting up ‘Bharat Darshan’ galleries in schools. “The move is to apprise over 85 lakh students of the Indian culture and prominent personalities,” tweeted education minister Vasudev Devnani, adding that the galleries will have biographical paintings of freedom fighters and prominent people, and detailed information on rivers.the wire
Rajasthan govt schools to hold lectures of "Saints-Mahatmas"
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajasthan-Govt -schools-to-hold-lectures-of-saints-mahatmas-1866407
Rajasthan students to get sermons by saints, classes on sanskar
https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/saturday-sabhas-rajasthan-students-to-get-sermons-by-saints-classes-on-sanskar/story-iRpCDABMCNaaSyXlVjwU8L.html
Nearly a Third of India's Adivasis Fear Being Framed for Maoist Activities, Finds Study
https://thewire.in/rights/nearly-a-third-of-indias-adivasis-fear-being-framed-for-maoist-activities-finds-study
New Delhi:A substantial chunk of India’s marginalised population harbours fears of being falsely implicated in anti-state Maoist activities as well as petty crimes – a feeling only reinforced by the recent arrests in Bhima Koregaon case.Targeting of social activists whenever their voices get too loud for the state’s comfort, however, is not new. Just last April, Central Govt accused two civil rights groups working for tribals in Odisha and Jharkhand of working as a front organisation for the CPI (Maoist).The findings of a recent study, conducted to analyse popular perception about police along state and community lines, brought out how marginalised communities fear police targeting. Survey found such fears to prevail among 27% of Adivasis and 35% of Dalits, according to ThePrint. Survey by NGO Common Cause and Lokniti, a research initiative of the Centre for Study of Developing Societies, included 5,563 respondents across 22 states and was conducted in June-July 2017.thewire
Sri Sri's Ram Mandir foray a deja vu of Vajpayee's tactic: Book
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/sri-sri-s-ram-mandir-foray-a-deja-vu-of-vajpayee-s-tactic-book-118061201072_1.html
New Delhi:Ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee kept a distance from the Ram temple movement and in private conversations objected to its agitational stance, according to a new book titled "Shades of Saffron:From Vajpayee to Modi" by seasoned journalist Saba Naqvi. The book, said to reveal "hitherto unknown aspects" about the BJP, points out that Vajpayee openly admitted to "being irritated by questions about the Ram temple in Ayodhya".But Naqvi, who has had the first-hand experience of covering BJP for well over two decades, contends that "building of a grand Ram temple was a core issue that the BJP couldn't afford to ignore"."Vajpayee therefore made a subtle change in tack and said that it was no longer necessary for a BJP Govt to enact a legislation to build a temple at Ayodhya," Naqvi writes in the book, published by Westland."We will resolve the issue through dialogue -- the same way we resolved the Azadari dispute between the Shias and Sunnis of Lucknow. A law will not be needed," Vajpayee, who is currently undergoing treatment for urinary tract infection at AIIMS here, is quoted as saying in the book.In this context, Naqvi explains that it is fascinating that the "issue is again central to the BJP as it heads for the 2019 general elections" with PM Narendra Modi at the helm.IANS
Mumbai: Haj house Imam absolved of terror charges
http://www.uniindia.com/haj-house-imam-absolved-of-terror-charges/states/news/1258737.html
Mumbai:Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal of the Maharashtra Govt against the acquittal of Haj House Imam Ghulam Yahya Baksh by a lower court for allegedly harbouring 3 militants and links with Lashkar-e-Taiba. ATS had on Jan.14, 2006, arrested Baksh, 47, who was working as Imam at the Haj House in South Mumbai since 1996, for allegedly providing shelter to 3 militants from J&K .Baksh, hailing from West Bengal, was charged under various sections of the UAPA.Consisting of Justices A Govi and Justice S Kotwal, the bench concurred with a lower court order which had acquitted Baksh on the ground that prosecution failed to establish charges.UNI
Surat: Youth beaten up for transporting calves, 4 ‘cow vigilantes’ booked
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/youth-beaten-up-for-transporting-calves-four-cow-vigilantes-booked/
Surat:Suspected cow vigilantes beat up a youth who was transporting calves in his van near Ishroli village in Surat district on Tuesday. Muhib Abubakar, a resident of Mota Taiwan in Valsad town, was on his way from Mahuva taluka with 6 calves in his van. He was intercepted by 4 youths in a car near a petrol pump on Mahuva Bardoli road, according to the police complaint. Seeing the four alight from the car with wooden sticks, Abubakar tried to escape but got beaten up, the police said. He managed to escape into a sugarcane field. He then reached Surat in an auto-rickshaw and got admitted in the New Civil Hospital.The hospital informed Bardoli police station, after which police recorded Abubakar’s statements and lodged a complaint against cow vigilantes under IPC sections 323, 324 and 114. Police recovered Abubakar’s van near the petrol pump in Ishroli, but the calves were missing. Bardoli police sub-inspector B K Patel said, “We have registered an offence against four cow vigilantes. Abubakar is out of danger but he had multiple injuries on his head and hands.”indianexpress
Gauri Lankesh's Killer Caught? Speculation Rife as Police Arrests Another Suspect
https://thewire.in/rights/another-suspect-arrested-gauri-lankesh-killing
Bengaluru: Another suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, police said today but denied speculation about him being the assassin.SIT of Karnataka police probing Lankesh’s killing said it has arrested 26-year-old Parashuram Waghmare from Sindhagi in Vijaypura district of the state.Waghmare was produced before 3rd Additional CMM’s court here which remanded him in SIT custody for 14 days for further interrogation, an official release said.IGP B K Singh, who heads the SIT, told PTI that nothing has emerged during the probe so far to suggest that Waghmare had shot Lankesh.“No. That thing has not come in our investigation,” he said amid speculation in the media that Waghmare could be the assassin.Waghmare’s is the 6th arrest in connection with the killing of Lankesh, who was shot dead in front of her house here last year. PTI
Koregaon Bhima: 4 of 5 arrested have no links with Elgaar Parishad, says retired Bombay High Court judge
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/koregaon-bhima-four-of-five-arrested-have-no-links-with-elgaar-parishad-says-retired-bombay-high-court-judge-5215101/
Mumbai:Condemning the recent arrests of alleged Maoist sympathisers by the Pune police, retired Bombay High Court judge BG Kolse Patil, one of the organisers of the Elgaar Parishad, said that four of the five arrested were not at all associated with the event.Last week, the police had arrested advocate Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut and professor Shoma Sen from Nagpur, Sudhir Dhawale from Mumbai and Rona Wilson from Delhi claiming that they are suspected members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoists). Police had claimed they all had participated, some as organisers, in the Elgaar Parishad at Shaniwar Wada in Pune on Dec.31, 2017, a day prior to Bhima-Koregaon riots in which two persons were killed.All the arrested have been booked under UAPA. Elgaar Parishad had been accused of fomenting the violence.“Barring Sudhir Dhawale, the other four arrested were not at all associated with the Elgaar Parishad in any manner,” Justice (retd) Kolse Patil said.Speaking on police allegations of Maoists funding the Elgaar Parishad, Justice (retd) Kolse Patil said the event was organised with limited resources. “This allegation is 100 % false. We didn’t incur any expenses there. The stage was set up by an institute that had hosted a function the previous night and we used the same stage,” he added.He said the alleged letter, found by police, targeting PM Narendra Modi was a fake. “If the letter had such an important content, why no secrecy was maintained? How did It reach the BJP spokespersons, the media immediately after the court proceedings?’’ Justice (retd) Kolse Patil added. Shoma Sen’s daughter said the police did not inform her family where they were taking Sen and they learnt about the arrest only after 24 hours. indianexpress
Kathua rape and murder case: Medical board to determine age of accused claiming to be juvenile
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kathua-rape-and-murder-case-medical-board-to-determine-age-of-accused-claiming-to-be-juvenile-5215034/
Pathankot District and Sessions Court, which is hearing the gangrape and murder case of an eight-year-old Kathua girl, on Tuesday ordered a medical board be set up in Jammu to determine the age of one of the eight accused in the case, who has pleaded to be treated as a juvenile. The court has also ordered a bone ossification test on the accused and sought a report by July 2.While one of the eight accused in the case has already been declared a juvenile by a Kathua court, a second accused, facing trial before the Pathankot court, moved an application last week for treating him as a minor citing his matriculation certificate.The accused, at present, has been charged with attempt to rape and other offences and is being treated as an adult.indianexpress
VHP members vandalise Taj Mahal’s west gate, say it blocks path to a 400-year-old Shiva temple
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/agra-vhp-members-vandalise-western-gate-of-taj-mahal-say-it-blocks-path-to-a-shiva-temple-5214760/
Lucknow:A group of VHP members tried to vandalise the west gate of the Taj Mahal on Sunday alleging that Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is blocking the way to a 400-year-old Shiva temple while constructing a closed area for Taj Mahal.A video footage of the incident shows VHP workers with hammers and iron rods trying to vandalise western entrance of Taj Mahal (on Basai Ghat) even as they removed the turnstile gate installed by ASI. The right-wing activists were also raising slogans against them. However, police said there’s an optional path to the Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple on the Basai Ghat, but the right-wing members weren’t satisfied with the explanation.Meanwhile, after the ASI lodged a complaint, an FIR was registered on the same day against five members of VHP and 20-25 of their unidentified associates. indianexpress
Give Taj an Indian identity… rename it Ram or Krishna Mahal: BJP MLA Surendra Singh
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/give-taj-an-indian-identity-rename-it-ram-or-krishna-mahal-bjp-mla-surendra-singh-5215132/
BJP MLA Surendra Singh on Tuesday reiterated his demand for renaming the Taj Mahal in Agra either Ram or Krishna Mahal “to give the monument an Indian identity.”Reiteration came a day after he had made the suggestion at a gathering in Ballia. Singh said he will ensure names of monuments like Taj Mahal and localities such as Lucknow’s Akbari Gate and Mughalsarai tehsil in Chandauli will be renamed within 15 days if he ever is in a position to do so.“I would write to (CM ) Yogi Adityanath to take up the issue. I appreciate and thank him for taking the initiative to rename Mughalsarai railway station (after Deendayal Upadhyay),’’ he said.indianexpress
Attack on Kafeel Khan’s brother: Condition deteriorates, referred to Lucknow hospital
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kafeel-khans-brother-attacked-condition-deteriorates-referred-to-lucknow-hospital-5214842/
Dr Kafeel Khan’s brother, who was shot at by unidentified assailants, was referred to KGMC hospital in Lucknow today after his condition deteriorated.His brother Kashif Jameel was shot at on Sunday night when he was returning home on his bike near JP Hospital in Humayunpur north area, with 3bullets hitting him. According to the hospital, 35-year-old Kashif Jameel’s surgery was done by Dr R V Dubey and the bullets were removed. He has been referred to trauma centre at KGMC. Kashif Jameel is an engineer by profession, and married just a year ago.Dr Kafeel accused police of making unnecessary delay in his brother surgery, Police intentionally delayed the surgery and wasted three golden hours. Police have denied the allegations. Syed Iqbal, a local Congress leader, raised question on the law and order situation in the state. “I appeal for proper and speedy investigation and strict action against the culprits,” he added.PTI
Ranchi attack: Maulana hit even before he could react to Jai Shri Ram demand, says friend
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ranchi-attack-maulana-hit-even-before-he-could-react-to-jai-shri-ram-demand-says-friend-5215074/
Ranchi: 5 people have been arrested for beating up a Muslim priest returning home late Sunday night after prayers, even as the friend, who was riding pillion on his motorbike and fled during the attack, said the attack was sudden and brutal, and the assailants fled just as quickly.Officer-in-charge of Nagri police station Ram Narayan Singh said, “We have arrested 5 people. The attack was sudden, and the reason is being ascertained. As far as the allegation that they (victims) were asked to chant the name of a (Hindu) God is concerned, it is still being probed.”A police officer said the accused have confessed to having assaulted the priest, Azhar-ul-Islam, in his mid-20s, who has been working as a maulana at Agdu basti mosque in Ratu, in Jharkhand district, for the last one year. According to the victim’s childhood friend Mohammad Imran, a maulana at a Delhi mosque who has come home on Ramzan break, the assailants attacked Azhar after demanding that he say “Jai Shri Ram”. Imran said, “When we crossed Daladali Chowk on Ring Road, around 4 km from Agdu, we saw two vehicles — a dark-coloured Scorpio and a white smaller car. We did not make much of it but by the time we reached the petrol pump, barely 500 metres from Chowk, white vehicle overtook us and stopped. 4 people got off, carrying hockey sticks and rods.” Imran said Azhar was riding at a speed of 30-40 km when one of them shouted Bolo Jai Shri Ram.“Before we could even realise what was happening, or reply, one of them hit Azhar hard on his face with a hockey stick. We fell off the bike. While they started hitting Azhar, I ran away.They chased me for a while but gave up,” Imran said.indianexpress
Prime accused in Assam lynching arrested, ‘made phone call about child abductors’
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/prime-accused-in-assam-lynching-arrested-made-phone-call-about-child-abductors/story-E7yFddcHd2blSPRiEFLB8J.html
Police in Assam have arrested a 30-year-old man alleged to be the prime accused in the lynching of two men, who were killed last week on suspicion of being “child lifters” in the state’s Karbi Anglong district, a senior official said on Wednesday.“He is the prime instigator of the incident. It is him who made that phone call to the villagers spreading the rumour of the presence of 2 child lifters,” director general of police Kuladhar Saikia said.Alphajoz Timung was apprehended on Tuesday night after being on the run for a few days since the lynching.“He was on the run on his motorbike within a geographical area of 20 square kms. We managed to track him down through the three cell phones he was carrying,” a senior police official said.HT
Aurangabad lynching: Fed by social media rumours, lynch mob ‘didn’t hear pleas’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/aurangabad-lynching-fed-by-social-media-rumours-lynch-mob-didnt-hear-pleas-5215000/
Aurangabad: Social media was rife with rumours and fake news about alleged midnight attacks and thefts in villages of Vaijapur taluka, about 70 km west of Aurangabad town, even in the weeks leading up to the lynching of 2people from tribal communities in Chandgaon village of the taluka on the morning of June 8, according to police and local residents.Such was the level of tension that residents of Chandgaon and nearby villages have been patrolling at night for weeks — in groups — according to Mohanrao Salunkhe, former sarpanch of Chandgaon.DSP Somay Munde said, “In the week before June 8, three people were arrested for spreading rumours on social media about alleged attacks at night. We came across (multiple) fake messages, with gruesome images, circulated on WhatsApp about attacks by Pardhi groups. It created unrest against the community.”But barring a few minor incidents, no major attack or robbery has taken place in the region recently, he added.8 people from Pardhi and Bhil tribes ostensibly walked into this tense atmosphere on Friday.Found moving “suspiciously” —they were there for “hunting”, according to one victim —residents attacked them, and were soon joined by people from nearby villages.“We kept shouting that we are not thieves and have come for hunting, but they did not listen to us,” Gangaram Bhosale, one of the 6 njured, said. indianexpress
Senior BJP, RSS Leaders Unhappy With Lack of Transparency on Party Treasurer: thewire
https://thewire.in/politics/senior-bjp-rss-leaders-unhappy-with-lack-of-transparency-on-party-treasurer
New Delhi: After The Wire published an article on how the BJP has not revealed to the public or the Election Commission who the party’s treasurer is, some leaders in the top echelons of the BJP and RSS have expressed surprise that audited accounts of the party submitted to the EC were not signed by an officially appointed treasurer.EC guidelines stipulate that national political parties identify who their treasurer – or person officially designated to maintain accounts – is. This is an important requirement, as former chief election commissioner S.Y. Qureshi told The Wire, but the BJP’s audited accounts sent to the EC are signed by an unidentified individual who has scribbled “for treasurer”. The treasurer too remains unnamed in any party statement or document.A BJP leader who is also a senior member of the cabinet and is close to the RSS brass told The Wire on Tuesday, on condition of anonymity, that this sort of thing has never happened before in the party and that rules used to be followed scrupulously, to the last detail. He said the post of treasurer is very important and the party has never undermined that post in the past.Senior leaders have suggested that BJP’s casual approach to what is such an important element for financial transparency is reflective of the increasing centralisation of party affairs in hands of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and a handful of others around them.There is a section of BJP leadership which is perturbed by this centralisation, which even extends to PMO telling ministers who they can hire as part of their personal staff, including chowkidars.In a pre-election year, the question of financial transparency assumes even greater significance and it is completely valid for people to ask who is playing the role of treasurer,said another party leader.
‘No one cares about party’: Chorus of dissidence grows louder in Adityanath’s UP :theprint
https://theprint.in/politics/no-one-cares-about-party-chorus-of-dissidence-grows-louder-in-adityanaths-uttar-pradesh/69499/
New Delhi: Barely 15 months into his term as UP CM , Yogi Adityanath is witnessing a chorus of dissidence from BJP MLAs and MPs. The complaint is that they are not being heard by the bureaucracy that is running the show with a CM still trying to come to grips with the state administration.Party insiders allege that Sunil Bansal, RSS point person in UP and the state unit’s general secretary (organisation), has emerged as another power centre, but even he keeps the MLAs at arm’s length.MLA Shyam Prakash had written a poem to express his discontent with the state administration after the party’s loss in last month’s Kairana Lok Sabha bypoll, while others are calling out the leadership more directly.Sadhna Singh, the BJP MLA from Mughal Sarai, said she had not been given an appointment with party president Amit Shah despite repeated calls to his office.
Ministry denies info on land allotment for new BJP HQ in Delhi
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/ministry-denies-info-on-land-allotment-for-new-bjp-hq-in-delhi-rti-activist
Information sought under RTI Act about the allotment of land to BJP for it's new headquarters at 6, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, in New Delhi has been denied by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, an activist said on Tuesday.New Delhi-based activist Nutan Thakur had in February this year sought a copy of the file related to the land allotment, to which the ministry's CPIO Rajanish Kumar Jha said that the information sought was by third party and has not provided any stake in the property, hence it cannot be provided.The activist, in a statement to the media, however claims that allotment of Govt land was not third party information and should have been provided.IANS
Not Just me, Some Judges Also Feel That Democracy is Under Threat:BJP MP
https://thewire.in/caste/not-just-me-some-judges-also-feel-that-democracy-is-under-threat-says-bjp-mp
BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule from UP’s Bahraich district recently threw a gauntlet at her party, slamming Govt over reservations and attacks on Dalits. She even described Jinnah as a ‘mahapurush’ (great man), and organised a “Save the Indian Constitution” rally in Lucknow on April 1. Claiming that the Constitution was under threat, she said, “Sometimes they (BJP) claim they will change the Constitution, sometimes they say they’ll scrap reservations. Baba Saheb’s Constitution is under threat.”After the recent controversy over Jinnah’s portrait at AMU, Phule had said that “Muhammed Ali Jinnah is a ‘mahapurush’, and will always remain so. He contributed to India’s freedom struggle and his portrait needs to find a place where it is required.” She said in an interview with The Wire, "Subramanian Swamy recently stated that the Constitution will be changed in such a way that reservations will be rendered useless. If this happens, the bahujan samaj will lose all their rights.If today a member of the bahujan community has the opportunity to become a pradhan, block president, district panchayat member, legislator, professor, doctor, CM , PM or president, it is only because of the Constitution written by Babasaheb, and the reservation policy. And yet, there is a conspiracy to dismantle the Constitution and end reservations. If that happens, what will happen to the rights of the bahujan community? What will be their condition ?Not just us, but even some judges of the Supreme Court have expressed fear that democracy is under threat.Today, Scheduled Caste girls are doused in petrol and set on fire. If a bahujan community member rides a horse, he is gunned down. Villages are set on fire. A series of mob killings are taking place. Babasaheb’s statues are being routinely demolished. And instead of arresting the culprits, those complaining against such incidents are being arrested and framed with serious charges."thewire
Modi rally at expressway launch a day before Kairana bypoll not illegal but avoidable: EC official
https://theprint.in/politics/modi-rally-at-expressway-launch-a-day-before-kairana-bypoll-not-illegal-but-avoidable-ec/69665/
New Delhi: PMO had informally reached out to Election Commission to check if PM Narendra Modi could address a rally in Baghpat just a day before the crucial polls in neighbouring Kairana, ThePrint has learnt.A day before the hotly contested Kairana bypoll, Modi inaugurated the country’s first Eastern-Peripheral Meerut-Delhi Highway barely 50 km from the poll-bound district. Observers and opposition leaders had criticised him for breaking convention of PM campaigning for a bypoll, and that too a day before the election.“His office had checked with us whether it would be alright to address a rally there before the election,” a senior Election Commission official said on condition of anonymity.theprint
BJP offered Bhaiyyuji cabinet post to prevent him from speaking about ‘illegal mining’, claims Digvijaya
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-offered-bhaiyyuji-cabinet-post-to-prevent-him-from-speaking-about-illegal-mining-claims-digvijaya-singh-5214896/
New Delhi:Following the demise of Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has alleged that the spiritual guru was offered the post of minister of state by the Shivraj Singh-led BJP Govt in an attempt to prevent him from voicing his concerns regarding “illegal mining” in the state.“He was worried about illegal mining in Narmada by Shivraj (Madhya Pradesh) govt and was offered the post of minister to shut his mouth. He rejected the offer and had told me about it on call,” Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.Bhaiyyuji Maharaj was found dead at his residence in Indore, where he allegedly shot himself and left a suicide note, which talked about stress and being fed up with life, but did not spell out a reason for the same. Police said Bhaiyyuji was rushed to Bombay Hospital in the city, where he was declared dead.indianexpress
Congress wrests Jayanagar seat from BJP, takes tally in Karnataka Assembly to 79
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-sowmya-reddy-wrests-jayanagar-assembly-seat-from-bjp-takes-party-tally-in-bengaluru-to-15-5215473/
Congress defeated BJP to win Jayanagar Assembly election seat on Wednesday, taking the party’s tally in the Karnataka House to 79. Its candidate Sowmya Reddy, the daughter of former minister Ramalinga Reddy, defeated BJP’s BN Prahlad by a margin of over 2,800 votes. Elections to the Karnataka were held on May 12, but due to the death of BJP candidate B N Vijayakumar, elections to this seat was deferred to June 11. Prahlad and Vijayakumar were brothers.The win increases the Congress’ tally in Bengaluru to 15 of the 28 Assembly seats. JD(S), which had initially fielded Kalegowda for the seat, had withdrawn its candidate and extended support to Sowmya. This was the first election that the parties, which have announced that they will fight the 2019 Lok Sabha polls together, fought together. Jayanagar recorded an estimated 55% voter turnout.There were 19 candidates in fray.indianexpress
UP BJP IT Cell to Set up 'Cyber Sena' of 200,000 Social Media Experts to Tap Voters
https://thewire.in/politics/up-bjp-cyber-sena-social-media-voters
New Delhi: UP BJP has geared up to prepare its “cyber sena” for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party hopes to have around 200,000 such trained social media experts across the state within the next three months.At a recent meeting of the members and office bearers of the IT cell of UP BJP, vice-president of the saffron party’s state unit, JPS Rathore, said, “For the upcoming general elections to Lok Sabha in 2019, we are preparing cyber sena across the state, and at every polling booth, there has to be a cyber yodhaa (cyber warrior).”IT kaaryakartaas (IT cell workers) of the party come from different parts of the state.“The internet and social media have become an effective and efficient tool to take various welfare measures to the masses. They have also evolved as a viable medium to communicate the party’s thoughts to the masses.Party is mulling to prepare an army of 150,000 to 200,000 trained workers across the state,” Rathore told PTI.PTI
Tale of 2 Iftar parties: Rahul invites political leaders, BJP's Naqvi to host triple talaq victims
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-rahul-gandhi-iftar-party-ramzan-triple-talaq-teen-talaq-muslims-indian-national-congress-bharatiya-janata-party/239641
New Delhi: While Congress President Rahul Gandhi is all set to host an iftar party on Wednesday that will be attended by Opposition leaders, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi will also be throwing an iftar party today – only difference is that the BJP leader’s party would host only women, mainly victims of triple talaq.Naqvi’s party is being read as the saffron party’s attempt to reach out to the Muslim community. The party will be held at the senior BJP leader’s residence today at 6 pm. As part of BJP’s ‘Sampark for Samarthan’ or ‘Contact for Support nation-wide outreach programme ahead of the 2019 polls, Naqvi has also met representatives of Muslim and Christian communities. As per reports, Naqvi had earlier in the past stated that Ramzan fast should not be the “domain” of either the Govt or political parties. However, party sources have been quoted in a few reports as saying that the party leadership thought it was desirable to hold the iftar party for Muslim women, given the fact that the Centre had brought in several measures to facilitate their empowerment.Sources also reportedly said that the iftar party at Naqvi’s residence had the blessing of BJP President Amit Shah. Meanwhile, the iftar party thrown by the Congress is likely to be attended by former President Pranab Mukherjee, Pratibha Patil, ex-vice president Hamid Ansari and several opposition leaders. Timesnownews
Letter With Bullets Asks BJP's Lone Muslim MLA in Assam to Resign in 15 Days
https://www.news18.com/news/india/letter-with-bullets-asks-bjps-lone-muslim-mla-in-assam-to-resign-in-15-days-1776515.html
An FIR has been registered against unknown persons after Assam BJP MLA Aminul Haque Laskar received a letter, along with two bullets, directing him to leave the party within 15 days as he was a "Muslim".The letter to Laskar, BJP's lone Muslim MLA who represents the Sonai constituency in Cachar district, came from an unknown group 'Save Secure and Development Protection Force of Muslim, Barak Valley Zone', police said."We have registered an FIR against unknown persons for a threatening letter to Laskar on Sunday. Two live cartridges of .32 pistol also came with the letter," Silchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Indrajit Chakraborty said.news18
UP: Muslims want arrest of man for sharing objectionable post on Prophet
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/muslims-want-arrest-of-man-for-sharing-objectionable-post-on-prophet-mohd/articleshow/64563183.cms
Muzaffarnagar: Purkazi town of Muzaffarnagar remained tense on Tuesday after the police promised the agitating Muslim community to arrest a person who allegedly uploaded an ‘objectionable’ post on Prophet Muhammad which went viral in social media.Hundreds of Muslims had gathered in Bhokaredi village and held a meeting, demanding arrest of Harsh Chaudhry, who has been absconding ever since a complaint was filed against him on Monday.After receiving information about the gathering, the police went to the spot to assuage the agitating Muslims. The cops promised to arrest the accused within two days. They have filed an FIR into matter.”Similarly, another incident of sharing ‘objectionable’ post about Prophet has come to the fore under Purkazi police station area.A case has been registered against an unidentified person and efforts are on to nab the culprit, said police.SSP Anant Deo Tiwari said, “I have instructed police to take action into this matter. Both culprits will be arrested and will be sent to jail.”TOI
'Bengaluru police sprayed chilli on eyes of Muslim man who married Hindu girl': Kerala HC issues notice
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/bengaluru-police-sprayed-chilli-on-eyes-of-muslim-man-who-loved-hindu-girl-kerala-hc-issues-notice/articleshow/64563015.cms
Kochi: Kerala high court has sought the views of Bengaluru police on a habeas corpus petition filed by a Muslim man alleging that his Hindu lover, whom he married as per Muslim rites, is detained there. It is also alleged that the man was brutally tortured by Bengaluru police at the instance of the woman’s parents.A petition filed by 27-year-old Fasil Mahmood of Kuttiyady in Kozhikode alleging that his lover Pinky B alias alias Ayesha Fathima is being detained by her father Bhura Ram of Basavanapura in Bengaluru South is being considered by the court.According to petition,Fasil met Pinky while running a restaurant opposite to her father’s shop at Bannerghatta Road and they had been in love for 2 years. The woman, who belongs to Chowdari caste, converted to Islam, changed her name, and got married to Fasil as per Muslim religious rites, the petition said. Copies of certificates allegedly issued by the Karnataka Govt regarding the conversion and change of name and marriage have been produced before the court.After marriage, the couple resided at Kozhikode but Kuttiyady police took them into custody and handed them over to Bengaluru police without producing them before a court, it is alleged. They were also forced to sign blank stamp papers by police, the petition said.Bengaluru police allowed the woman’s father to take her away and brutally assaulted him by keeping him in police custody for 4 days from March 28th,as per petition.TOI
Woman’s ‘detention’: HC seeks view of Bengaluru cops
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/womans-detention-hc-seeks-view-of-bluru-cops/articleshow/64563712.cms
Rampur: 4 detained in bid to prevent communal tension
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/four-detained-in-bid-to-prevent-communal-tension/articleshow/64563665.cms
Rampur: Police have booked 4 people — 2 each from two different communities — and arrested them to prevent communal tension after members of both communities locked their horns over playing of loudspeakers at a religious site without seeking prior permission of the administration in Kadeempur village under jurisdiction of Kemeri tehsil.Circle officer Ashutosh Tiwari said, “4 detainees — identified as Roopchand, Dharmender, Nabbo Shah and Mohammad Asif — have been booked and sent to jail.Meanwhile, loudspeakers were also removed from the religious site.”According to police, some members of a community installed loudspeakers at a religious site without having permission from administration, which was objected by members of another community. “After police reached the village, the loudspeakers were removed and those who were inciting communal tension, from both sides, were arrested and brought to the Kameri police station. Further, heavy police force has been deployed in the village to avert any untoward incident.TOI
Pak summons senior Indian diplomat over 'ceasefire violations'
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pakistan-summons-senior-indian-diplomat-over-ceasefire-violations/articleshow/64570166.cms
Pakistan summoned India's acting deputy high commissioner and condemned the alleged "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian troops across the Line of Control which resulted in the death of a civilian.The acting director general (South Asia and SAARC) summoned the commissioner and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian forces yesterday in Chirikot Sector, Foreign Office (FO) said.The firing resulted in the killing of one civilian in Trothi village."The Indian forces along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas," Pakistan said.In 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 1100 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the killing of 29 innocent civilians, while injuring 117 others.PTI
4 BSF personnel killed in Pak Rangers firing in Samba
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/officer-among-4-bsf-personnel-killed-in-pakistan-rangers-firing-along-ib-in-samba/article24149664.ece?homepage=true
jammu: 4 BSF personnel were killed and three others injured in Pakistan's firing in Jammu's Ramgarh Sector on Tuesday night.A Jammu-based BSF spokesman said Pakistan Rangers manning Post Asraf started "unprovoked firing on the border outpost of BSF at 9:40pm in Ramgarh Sector on Tuesday". Pakistan used flat and high trajectory weapons to inflict casualties on Indian side, said the spokesman.4 BSF jawans were killed as "our men retaliated this unprovoked fire", he added.BSF identified the deceased jawans as Assistant Commandant Jitender Singh;sub inspector Rajneesh, assistant sub inspector Ramniwas, Constable Hansraj. "3 other bordermen received severe injuries," said spokesman.thehindu
2 policemen killed, 12 security personnel injured in 3 militant attacks in Kashmir
http://www.uniindia.com/~/2-policemen-killed-12-security-personnel-injured-in-3-militant-attacks-in-kashmir/States/news/1258348.html
Srinagar: 2 Constables (SgCts) were killed and 12 security personnel, including 10 CRPF, injured as militants struck at 3 places during the holy night of Shab-i-Qadr in south Kashmir. The militant attacks came hours after CM Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over the militant attacks and said, how far this political process could be carried forward depends upon the improvement of the situation at the ground level. UNI
Never-ending wait for justice to Tufail Mattoo, whose death sparked 2010 Kashmiri 'Intifada':TCN
http://twocircles.net/2018jun12/423704.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Srinagar: Lone son of his family, Tufail Mattoo’s name is a synonym to the bloody summer of 2010. The son of a handicraft businessman- Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo, was killed by Govt forces’ tear gas shell that hit his head. Mattoo senior handed over a Rs 10 note to his son as bus fare when he was going to a tuition centre. Tufail was preparing for a medical entrance test. Mattoo didn’t know that the Rs 5 coin that was with Tufail would remain as “souvenir” for him and his son wouldn’t return.He was at home when some neighbours rushed to him with the news that shattered his life, forever: his son had been killed. His skull was bust open with the tear gas shell and he died on the spot with the 5-rupee coin in his right hand. Tufail’s death led to widespread protests triggering months’ long anti-India summer uprising during which men in uniform killed nearly 120 people, mostly youth.On the long-drawn battle of Mattoo, political commentator Gowhar Geelani maintained that the trigger that led to 2010 summer uprising was the extra-judicial killings in Machil in which 3 civilians were lured for a job and killed in fake encounter by Indian army along the LoC.An FIR was filed 11 days after Tufail was killed after the family had run from pillar to post and pleaded with the magistrate to order police to do it.Human rights activist Khurram Parvez said that Tufail Mattoo was brutally killed at a time when the anger was already brewing up among the people against the killing of three innocent Kashmiris in a fake encounter by Indian Army.Ashraf has attended more than 50 court hearings in past 8 years and he has lost all hopes on Judiciary.TCN
‘Ask for your forgiveness’: Chef Kochhar apologises for Islamophobic remarks, could face legal action in Dubai
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/chef-atul-kochhar-apologises-for-saying-hindus-were-terrorised-by-islam-quantico-priyanka-chopra-5215176/
New Delhi:After drawing criticism for saying Hindus were “‘terrorised” by Islam over 2,000 years, Michelin-star chef Atul Kochhar Tuesday issued an apology for his remarks. Recognising the inaccuracies of his statement, he said it was insensitive and wrong.Kochhar had waded into the controversy over an episode of Quantico starring Indian actor Priyanka Chopra which showed Indian nationalists trying to frame Pakistan in a terror plot. He was targeted on social media for his remarks — now deleted — and called out for bigotry. Kochhar, of Indian origin, is the head chef of a popular restaurant in Dubai.“There is no justification for my tweet, a major error made in the heat of the moment on Sunday. I fully recognise my inaccuracies that Islam was founded around 1,400 years ago and I sincerely apologise. I am not Islamophobic, I deeply regret my comments that have offended many,” Kochhar said.indianexpress
Plea on appointing minority panel chief: Karnataka Govt asked to respond
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/plea-on-appointing-minority-panel-chief-karnataka-Govt -asked-to-respond/article24147941.ece
Karnataka High Court has asked the State Govt to respond to a petition, which has sought a direction to the State to adopt rotation policy to appoint persons to the post of chairperson of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dines issued the direction while adjourning by three weeks further hearing on the petition, filed by one B. Vinod, a resident of Shivamogga.It has been contended in the petition that only persons belonging to the Muslim community are being appointed as chairperson of the commission and persons from other minority communities like Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhist, and Parsis were not getting opportunities to head the commission.thehindu
WORLD
Palestinians seek UN vote blaming Israel;US wants changes
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/palestinians-seek-un-vote-blaming-israel-us-wants-changes/2018/06/12/fe0f75a6-6e91-11e8-b4d8-eaf78d4c544c_story.html?utm_term=.233645e0a637
Palestinians and their supporters are hoping an emergency meeting of UN General Assembly tomorrow will adopt a resolution deploring what it calls Israel's "excessive use of force," particularly in Gaza, and seeking recommendations to protect Palestinian civilians.US is demanding changes.Arab and Islamic nations decided to go to 193-member assembly, where there are no vetoes, following the US veto of virtually the same resolution in the UNSC on June 1.US Ambassador Nikki Haley called that Kuwait-sponsored resolution "grossly one-sided" for criticising the use of force by Israel while not mentioning the Islamic militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza.Haley sent a letter to all UN member states today calling the proposed General Assembly resolution "fundamentally imbalanced" for "ignoring basic truths about the situation in Gaza" and not mentioning Hamas.She proposed an amendment condemning Hamas for firing rockets into Israel and inciting violence along the Gaza-Israel border fence, "thereby putting civilians at risk." The proposal also would condemn the diversion of resources in Gaza to building tunnels to infiltrate Israel and equipment to fire rockets and express "grave concern" at the destruction of the Kerem Shalom crossing point to Israel "by actors in Gaza." While UNSC resolutions are legally binding, General Assembly resolutions are not, although they do reflect international opinion.AP
7 injured as Israeli forces raid West Bank camp
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/7-injured-as-israeli-forces-raid-west-bank-camp/1173528
7 Palestinians were injured by Israeli army gunfire on Wednesday during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Ramallah, according to Palestinian Red Crescent.Red Crescent said 2 Palestinians were injured with live ammunition, four others with rubber bullets, while one suffered from teargas inhalation during clashes in al-Amari refugee camp in Ramallah city.“None of them suffered life-threatening injuries,” it added. The clashes erupted after Israeli forces raided the camp to arrest a Palestinian man accused by army of killing a soldier, according to local residents.In a statement, Israel’s Shin Bet security agency said it had arrested a Palestinian suspected of dropping a marble slab on an Israeli soldier during operational activity at the al-Amari refugee camp, killing him.Anadolu
Israeli Minister: West Bank will soon become part of Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180613-bennett-the-west-bank-will-soon-become-part-of-israel/
The occupied West Bank and all the illegal settlements in it “soon become part of the State of Israel”, head of the Jewish Home Party and Minister of Education in Israeli Govt , Naftali Bennett, said yesterday.According to Hebrew news site 0404, Bennett’s statements came in response to Israeli occupation forces’ evacuation of 15 houses in the settlement of Netiv HaAvot on a hill belonging to Palestinian civilians in the town of Al-Khader, west of occupied Bethlehem.Bennett confirmed that the Govt had approved the establishment of a settlement in the area, adding that a huge neighbourhood will be built on this hill.The demolition comes almost two years after Israeli High Court of Justice first ruled that buildings had been constructed on private Palestinian land. The court ordered that they be demolished by 8 March 2018, but granted a three-month delay to arrange temporary housing for the evicted settlers.MEMO
Palestinian refugees face further displacement in Syria
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180613-palestinian-refugees-face-further-displacement-in-syria/
Palestinians who fled the besieged and now destroyed Yarmouk refugee camp in the outskirts of Damascus face further displacement as they have been ordered to leave the homes in which they took refuge in the surrounding towns.As displaced Syrians return to their homes, many have given the Palestinian occupants two weeks to vacate properties and find alternatives, leaving the refugees in a dire situation and risking homelessness.Fleeing Palestinians moved to Babbila, Yalda and Beit Sahem in the south of Damascus are unable to return to Yarmouk as the refugee camp has been completely destroyed with DG of the Political Department of PLO Anwar Abdul Hadi saying that the process of reopening roads and removing the rubble in the area will begin after the Muslim festivl of Eid this weekend.middleeastmonitor
Saudi, UAE, launch attack on Yemen's port city of Hudaida
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/saudi-uae-launch-attack-yemen-port-city-hudaida-180613054921062.html
Saudi Arabia and UAE have launched an assault on Yemen's port city of Hudaida, in the biggest battle of a three-year war between a Saudi-backed coalition and Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels.The air strikes on Wednesday morning targeting Houthi positions are supported by ground operations by Yemeni troops south of the Red Sea port, the internationally recognised Yemeni Govt -in-exile said in a statement.The exiled Govt "has exhausted all peaceful and political means to remove the Houthi militia from the port of Hudaida", it said in a statement."The liberation of Hudaida port is a turning point in our struggle to recapture Yemen from the militias that hijacked it to serve foreign agendas," the statement added.aljazeera
Iraq's Sadr announces political alliance with pro-Iranian bloc: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/iraq-sadr-announces-political-alliance-pro-iranian-bloc-180613045304818.html
Iraq's Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has announced a surprise alliance with pro-Iranian political bloc led by Hadi al-Amiri in a bid to form Govt after last month's elections resulted in a hung parliament.At a joint press conference with Amiri in the Shia holy city of Najaf, Sadr hailed the formation of "a true alliance to accelerate the formation of a national Govt away from any dogmatism".The move by Sadr, who is opposed to Iranian involvement in the country, is the first serious step towards forming a new Govt after weeks of negotiations between parties. 2 Shia figures said they would keep the door open for other winning blocs to join them in forming a new Govt .Sadr and Amiri are strange bedfellows.Sadr, who once led violent campaigns against US occupation that ended in 2011, has emerged as a nationalist opponent of powerful Shia parties allied with neighbouring Iran and as a champion of the poor.
Egypt army withdraw forces from Sinai
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180613-egypt-army-withdraw-forces-from-sinai/
Egyptian army has launched a major operation to withdraw its troops from North Sinai, northeast of the country, in preparation for the end of Sinai 2018, the military operation which has been ongoing in the peninsula since 9 Feb.Military sources told New Khalij that the withdrawal process started several days ago and included the withdrawal of about 70 % of military forces in what has been the largest military operation carried out by the Egyptian army since Oct.1973 war.All branches of the Egyptian armed forces have participated in the operation with air and sea support including a Mistral helicopter carrier, a Dassault Rafale combat aircraft and Special Forces from Egyptian Army and Interior Ministry. The sources, who asked not to be identified, stated that the ongoing withdrawal process indicates the divergence of military data and the growing disinterest of media outlets in the operation.middleeastmonitor
Taliban assure Afghans of bright future once U.S. "invaders" leave
https://in.reuters.com/article/afghanistan-taliban/taliban-assure-afghans-of-bright-future-once-us-invaders-leave-idINKBN1J90SS
KABUL:Taliban told “American invaders” to leave Afghanistan in an announcement marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, assured the people of a bright future under Islamic rule and said it had already liberated “vast areas” of the country.The Taliban, who announced a surprise three-day ceasefire over the Eid holiday, except against foreign forces, also denounced the U.S. relocation of its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, which “further exposes the absolute hatred of American officials towards Islam”.Taliban leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhunzada said in the statement that Afghans’ salvation lay in “American and other occupying forces” leaving and repeated a call for talks with the US.“If the American officials truly believe in a peaceful end to the Afghan imbroglio, then they must directly present themselves at the negotiation table,” Akhunzada said.“We also assure our nation (of) a bright future for our country accompanied by peace and prosperity, Allah willing,” he added.Reuters
Dutch anti-Islam party to hold Prophet cartoon competition
https://in.reuters.com/article/netherlands-wilders-mohammed-cartoons/dutch-anti-islam-party-to-hold-prophet-mohammad-cartoon-competition-idINKBN1J825X
Amsterdam:Freedom Party of Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders will hold a competition of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad, it said .The party said the plan to hold the competition in the party’s secure offices in Dutch Parliament had been approved by the Dutch Counter-terrorism Agency NCTV.Cartoons depicting Prophet have provoked violent responses in the past.Wilders’ Freedom Party is the leading opposition party in parliament after coming in second place in elections last March. He has called for the Koran to be banned, and says Islam is a totalitarian faith.“Freedom of speech is threatened, especially for Islam critics,” Wilders said in a statement. “We should never accept that. Freedom of speech is our most important freedom.”Reuters
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Tough Times Ahead for Indian Businesses if Trump Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs:Noor Mohammad
https://thewire.in/trade/us-india-trade-donald-trump-tariffs
In Assam, a Myth, WhatsApp and Lack of Faith in Justice System Have Fuelled Lynchings:Shaheen Ahmed
https://thewire.in/rights/assam-lynching-child-lifting-rumours
Mob Lynching in the Name of Nationalism, Continues:Newsclick
https://newsclick.in/mob-lynching-name-nationalism-continues
Govt’s bureaucratic recruitment from business houses clashes with India’s constitutional mandate:Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood
http://twocircles.net/2018jun12/423714.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Real Voting Data Shows Rahul Closing in on Modi:RAGHAV BAHL
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/real-voting-data-shows-rahul-closing-in-on-modi
Adani Power: Australian Coal to Produce Power in Jharkhand and Sell to Bangladesh:Newsclick Report
https://newsclick.in/adani-power-australian-coal-produce-power-jharkhand-and-sell-bangladesh
Simultaneous elections will go against Constitution’s basic structure:Shantaram Naik
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-one-nation-one-poll-5214858/
Does the Archbishop have no right to interfere in India’s domestic politics?Michael Pinto
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/letting-the-delhi-archbishop-write-anil-coutos-letter-narendra-modi-bjp-rss-2019-elections-rakesh-sinha-5215267/
Opposition comes up with ‘Plan 400’ to defeat BJP in 2019:nationalheraldindia
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/opposition-united-comes-up-with-plan-400-to-defeat-bjp-in-2019-one-to-one-fight
Christian community members fear communalism under BJP rule will polarise 2019 Lok Sabha elections: Anwarul Hoda
https://www.firstpost.com/india/christian-community-members-fear-communalism-under-bjp-rule-will-polarise-2019-lok-sabha-elections-4507689.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:22 PM)
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