NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
18 June 2018:03 Shawwal 1439: Vol:10, No:46
INDIA
CBSE removes 17 languages from national teacher test
https://scroll.in/latest/883080/cbse-removes-17-languages-from-national-teacher-test
The Central Board of Education has removed 17 languages from the list of options for Central Teacher Eligibility Test 2018, Times of India reported on Monday. The board has now limited the options of languages to Hindi, English and Sanskrit. The languages that have been dropeed include Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati and Bengali. So far, candidates were allowed to choose two languages out of 20 options. However, they will now have to choose two from the three available options.The test is mandatory for appointment of teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas as well as private institutions affiliated to the CBSE. The test is divided into to papers – one for those opting to teach Classes 1 to 5 and the other for those opting to teach Classes 6 to 8. The test has two compulsory language sections. While the first is to decide proficiency in chosen medium of instruction, the second is for communication and comprehension.Experts believe the move could leave candidates from southern states at a disadvantage. In 2016, around 7.06 lakh candidates across the country applied for the test, including 12,700 from Tamil Nadu.Retired director of government exams, K Devarajan, told TOI that in Tamil Nadu, candidates select English as language 1 and Tamil as language 2.Educationist Prince Gajendra Babu claimed that the move violated Articles 14, 15, 16 and 21 of the Constitution. “Rights of minority language students from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal and Gujarat have been denied,” he told the newspaper. “If teachers are not allowed to write in these languages, how will they teach students?” scroll.in/TOI
Centre drops Tamil, 16 other languages from teacher test
https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOICH%2F2018%2F06%2F18&entity=Ar00311&sk=F7FC1DA2&mode=text
DMK slams dropping of Tamil, 16 regional languages
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/ctet-central-teacher-eligibility-test-dmk-leader-kanimozhi-slams-removal-of-tamil-16-other-languages
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi has slammed CBSE’s decision to drop 17 languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati and Bengali from the list of options for CTET 2018, as reported by the Times of India on June 18. TOI also reported that while until last year, 20 language options were available for candidates, now “CBSE, which conducts the test mandatory for teacher appointments in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas as well as private institutions affiliated to CBSE, has limited the options to Hindi, Sanskrit and English, with candidates having to should choose two from these”.DMK leader took to Twitter to express her anger at the decision which will come as a blow to speakers of several regional languages. “The decision to drop Tamil and 16 other regional languages from CTET is highly condemnable and strikes at the root of federalism. Students of CBSE whose mother tongue is Tamil will be put to a great disadvantage without teachers. Students are forced to study Hindi and Sanskrit instead of their mother tongue. This will lead to another language struggle throughout the country. This is another of BJPs efforts to make a Hindi-Hindu Hindustan,” said Kanimozhi.nationalheraldindia
Modi Calls for Discussion on Simultaneous Elections
https://thewire.in/politics/modi-simultaneous-polls-niti-aayog-meet
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi has broached the subject of conducting simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies at the fourth meeting of the governing council of the policy think tank NITI Aayog. Addressing 23 chief ministers, one Lieutenant Governor and several Union ministers who are members of the council, the PM urged for a wider debate in the matter, Hindustan Times reported.“PM called for widespread debate and consultations on simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas, keeping in view various aspects such as the resulting financial savings and consequent better utilisation of resources,” an official release for meeting said. Rajiv Kumar, vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, quoted the Prime Minister’s observation that the country remains in “perpetual election mode,” suggesting the creation of one uniform voter list for all elections at the meeting, an NDTV report said.He said even the exercise of preparing the electoral rolls for the three-tier elections – municipal, state and country – consumes considerable time and money and is an elaborate exercise. NITI Aayog had last year suggested synchronised, two-phase Lok Sabha and assembly polls from 2024 so as to ensure minimum ‘campaign-mode’ disruption to governance.Earlier in January, President Ram Nath Kovind had suggested the idea of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.Kovind’s remarks were in sync with Modi’s comments, wherein he had advocated simultaneous polls during a meeting of NDA allies. Election Commission (EC) and the Law Commission of India too are studying the viability of simultaneous polls.In April, Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat had remarked that simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were a possibility if necessary amendments were made to the constitution and a sufficient number of electronic voting machines were made available. The EC had also come up with the alternative of ‘one year one election’ in the case of simultaneous elections not working out.thewire
Centre ends suspension of anti-terror ops in J&K: Over 40 killed since 16 May
https://www.firstpost.com/india/centre-ends-suspension-of-anti-terror-ops-in-jammu-and-kashmir-more-than-40-killed-since-16-may-4530661.html
A month-long suspension of anti-terror operations ends in Jammu and Kashmir as Centre on Sunday decided not to extend its unilateral initiative, declared on 16 May to coincide with the holy month, evoking dismay among people in the state.The home ministry announcement, a day after Eid festivities, said that operations against the militants will resume. "The Government of India decides not to extend the suspension of operations in Jammu and Kashmir announced in the beginning of Ramzan," a ministry statement said.It said the "security forces are being directed to take all necessary actions as earlier to prevent the militants from launching attacks and indulging in violence and killings".A record 20 grenade attacks, 50 militant strikes and 41 killings took place in Kashmir during the month-long suspension of security operations, officials quoted by HT said.According to officials, there were 18 incidents of terror between 17 April to 17 May and the figure rose to more than 50 during the suspension of operations. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a series of tweets said that the decision to not conduct counter insurgency operations in the state had been taken "in the interests of the peace-loving people of Jammu and Kashmir, in order to provide them a conducive atmosphere to observe Ramzan".firstpost
Kashmir issue one of Modi govt's biggest failures: Cong
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kashmir-issue-modi-govts-biggest-failures-congress-bjp-narendra-modi-pawan-khera-jammu-and-kashmir/241890
New Delhi: Congress attacked PM Narendra Modi over the Kashmir issue, calling it one of his government's biggest "failures", and wondered what India gained out of his foreign trips when he failed to stall "horrible" UN report on the alleged human rights violation there.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera underlined his party's concern over the situation in the Valley, and asked the government to make public the measures it is taking for the security of the pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to start on June 28."Are you (government) capable of giving the pilgrims security?" he asked at a press conference here. The Congress has been waiting for 4 years for an all-party meeting on the Kashmir issue, Khera said.PTI
Kashmir: Police, doctor differ on cause of death of civilian post Eid celebrations
https://scroll.in/latest/882926/kashmir-police-doctor-differ-on-cause-of-death-of-civilian-post-eid-celebrations
Doctors and the police differed on the cause of death of a youth in violence after Eid prayers in Anantnag in South Kashmir on Saturday. The police claimed 20-year-old Sheeraz Ahmed was killed when a grenade exploded in his hand, but doctors said he had been hit by pump action gun bullets in the neck and chest, Indian Express reported.Nearly two dozen people were injured in violence after Eid prayers in several parts of Kashmir on Saturday. Clashes between protestors and security forces were reported in Shopian, Srinagar, Pulwama, Sopore and Kupwara.Protests broke out after Eid prayers at Ashajipora in Anantnag. Protesting youth allegedly threw stones at security forces. The police used tear gas shells and pellet guns to disperse the crowd, reported the HT. Ahmed was killed during the clashes.“Most of the youths [who were brought to the hospital] had pellet injuries,” Anantnag District Hospital medical superintendent Dr Majeed Mehrab told Indian Express. He said 23 youths other than Ahmed, and some policemen, were brought to hospital with injuries. Nine people were taken to Shri Maharaja Hasi Singh Hospital in Srinagar by 1 pm, according to Greater Kashmir.Dr Saleem Tak of the Srinagar hospital said that 12 people from various parts of the Kashmir Valley were admitted on Saturday. “All of them have been hit by pellets,” he said. “Seven of them have been hit in their eyes.” In Shopian, 7 protestors were injured in similar clashes between security forces and civilians.One person was injured in clashes in Safakadal area of Srinagar soon after the prayers, PTI reported, quoting a police official.Earlier on Saturday, an Indian Army soldier was killed in alleged ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. Suspected militants also fired at security forces at Lasjan, injuring a jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force.
J&K confidential document: Police want youths going to Pakistan to get clearance certificate
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-confidential-document-police-want-youths-going-to-pak-to-get-clearance-certificate-5220782/
Following inputs that youths from Valley are crossing over to Pakistan on valid visas for arms training, Jammu and Kashmir Police has recommended that youths intending to visit Pakistan should be asked to get a clearance certificate from police before embarking on the trip. “Any youth between the age group of 18-30 years, who intends to go to Pakistan on valid visa, should get clearance slip from the concerned district SSP or FRRO office,” reads a confidential police report prepared by Jammu and Kashmir Police, accessed by Indian Express. “Anybody failing to provide the said slip at checkpoints, the said person should not be allowed to cross over, even though if with valid visa.”“For the past some time, particularly since 2016, a new trend in the terrorist recruitment has emerged and local youth of valley are being sent to Pakistan on valid documents, where they are being trained in terrorist camps and then sent back either through the same route or along with the group of terrorists via LoC as part of infiltration,” says the report that was prepared recently.Indian Express
Suggestion of India, Pakistan, China trilateral summit great idea: Chinese envoy
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/suggestion-of-india-pakistan-china-trilateral-summit-great-idea-chinese-envoy/story-0i90BTlkqOFZEC9Hqag62I.html
New Delhi:Bilateral ties between India and China can’t take the strain of another Doklam episode, Chinese envoy to India Luo Zhaohui said on Monday, emphasising on the need to find a “mutually acceptable solution” on the boundary issue through a meeting of the Special Representatives. Chinese envoy said at an event in New Delhi that “some Indian friends” had suggested a trilateral summit comprising India, China and Pakistan was a “very constructive” idea. Leaders of China, Russia and Mongolia hold a similar meet, he noted.“This is a proposal suggested by some Indian friends and it is a very a good and constructive idea. Maybe not now, but in the future, that is the great idea.”Dwelling on Sino-Indian ties, he said it is quite natural to have differences but they need to be controlled and managed through cooperation.“We need to control, manage, narrow differences through expanding cooperation. The boundary question was left over by history. We need to find a mutual acceptable solution through Special Representatives’ Meeting while adopting confidence building measures,” he said.“We cannot stand another Doklam (sic),” the envoy said.PTI
4 Assam Rifles jawans killed in Nagaland ambush
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-assam-rifles-jawans-killed-in-nagaland-ambush/articleshow/64624824.cms
Guwahati: At least 4 jawans of the 40th Assam Rifles were martyred and six injured in an ambush laid by suspected NSCN (Khaplang) terrorists at Aboi in Mon district of Nagaland near Indo-Myanmar border.A defence source said that two fatal casualties on the Assam Rifle side have been confirmed while two of the six injured jawans are in a critical state. The injured jawans have been airlifted on an Army chopper to Jorhat in Assam for medical aid. The jawans were collecting water when they were attacked by terrorists who were in hiding. This is the second time that Assam Rifles jawans have been targeted in the state in this manner.TOI
Manipur extrajudicial killings campaign calls upon Rajnath to safeguard activists
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/manipur-extrajudicial-killings-campaign-calls-upon-rajnath-to-safeguard-activists-118061700482_1.html
Imphal: Over a thousand Indians on Sunday called upon Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to end harassment and attacks on activists and human right defenders who highlighted alleged extrajudicial executions in the state, rights watchdog Amnesty International India said.On June 11, a petition was launched by Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM), which also commenced the global "BRAVE" campaign" demanding that there must be no attacks on human rights activists, said an Amnesty International India release.It also sought that the government ensure all complaints of intimidation and attacks against these activists are investigated in a timely, independent and impartial manner, it added.IANS
Nirav Modi travelled from London to Brussels on Indian passport last week
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/nirav-modi-travelled-from-london-to-brussels-on-indian-passport-last-week/articleshow/64629762.cms
Nirav Modi, the main accused in the Rs 13,000-crore PNB fraud, is still using Indian passport for travelling. There are reports that the diamond merchant used Indian passport for travelling as recently as last week on June 12, when he took Eurostar train to travel from London to Brussels. Though Indian government has revoked Modi’s passport on February 24, he is still using Indian documents to travel as no red corner notice has been issued against him. CBI moved the Interpol only last week on June 11 for a red corner notice. The agency did so after a charge sheet was recently filed against Modi. Since Interpol sometime rejects requests for red corner notice in the absence of a charge sheet, CBI waited for the charge sheet to be filed to move red corner notice against Modi. economictimes
Is the Nirav Modi case compromised? Top CBI sleuth's email ID blocked after 'suspicious activity': Report
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/is-the-nirav-modi-case-compromised-top-cbi-sleuth-email-id-blocked-after-suspicious-activity-report-2601791.html
BJP MP Kamlesh Paswan hired shooters to kill my brother: Dr Kafeel Khan
http://twocircles.net/2018jun17/423800.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
A week after Kashif Jameel was shot by unidentified shooters in Gorakhpur, his brother Dr Kafeel Khan organised a press conference in UP Press Club in Lucknow in which he alleged that Kamlesh Paswan, MP from BJP, was the man behind the attack.Kamlesh Paswan is MP from Basgaon seat. His business partner Satish Nangalia was also named by Dr Khan during the press conference on Sunday. Khan alleged that Paswan hired shooters to kill Kashif Jameel as Paswan had been trying to grab a piece of land belonging to Dr Khan’s uncle.However, Kamlesh Paswan conducted a press conference immediately after the allegations came out in media and called them ‘baseless’. According to Dr Khan, Kamlesh and his associates Satish Nangalia, Nikahat Ara, and Numan tried to grab the land — which originally belongs to a maternal uncle of Kashif and Kafeel — in Feb.this year. Kashif’s family registered an FIR in the case, and Kashif, along with his cousin and uncle, was pursuing the lawsuit in the court.Dr Khan alleged that Kashif was threatened by Paswan’s men just a few days before the attack, in order to make them withdraw the case and to sell the land to Paswan. Otherwise, he would be killed.Dr Khan further alleged that it was Kamlesh Paswan’s decision to chose such a spot for the attack which was about 400 meters away from the Gorakhnath temple so that fingers could be raised on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who was resting in the temple that night.While addressing the delay in his brother’s treatment, Dr Khan accused City SP Vinay Kumar Singh and Praveen Singh, CO at Gorakhnath for violating the Supreme Court guidelines and the Police Act by delaying the surgery of his brother for about 4 hours. Kafeel demanded the removal of both the police officers.He further demanded a CBI probe or investigation under the supervision of a High Court judge, otherwise, case could be affected given the power of Kamlesh .According to local sources, the land in question is worth Rs 25 crore. Kamlesh and 12 others were booked for land grabbing and violence on Feb.18 this year.TwoCircles
Modi Govt will have to do lot more to win over Muslims: Naqvi
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/modi-govt-will-have-to-do-lot-more-to-win-over-muslims-says-union-minister-naqvi-1781123.html
New Delhi: Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said the Modi government would have to do a lot more to gain the confidence of Muslims "whose minds have been poisoned over the last 70 years".Naqvi also said BJP government would remind Muslims of the schemes the government started for their development and the efforts it made against 'triple talaq' during the campaigning for the 2019 elections. "We have to do a lot more to gain the confidence of Muslims because their minds have been poisoned over the last 70 years. But, the good thing is that the new generation, the women are evaluating the BJP on its merits and demerits. This is a very positive development," Naqvi told PTI. PTI
"Should PM React If Dog Dies?": Pramod Muthalik On Gauri Lankesh Killing
https://www.ndtv.com/bangalore-news/gaura-lankesh-murder-pramod-muthalik-says-why-should-pm-modi-react-if-some-dog-dies-in-karnataka-1869006
Bengaluru:Pramod Muthalik, the chief of the Karnataka-based rightwing group Sri Ram Sene, has provoked anger with a comment in defence of PM Narendra Modi. Hitting out at people who have accused PM Modi of keeping silent on the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, Pramod Muthalik questioned on Sunday, "why should the PM react if some dog dies in Karnataka?"Pramod Muthalik's Sri Ram Sene is notorious for a vicious attack in 2009, on young men and women at a pub in Mangalore.Investigators are looking into the outfit's possible links to the murder last year of Gauri Lankesh, who was known for her strong views against rightwing groups."2 murders happened in Karnataka and two happened in Maharashtra during the Congress regime. No one is uttering a word over Congress government's failure. Instead, they are asking why PM Modi is silent and not commenting on Gauri Lankesh's death. Many wanted PM Modi to react after Lankesh's death. Why should PM react if some dog dies in Karnataka?" ANI said quoting Pramod Muthalik. NDTV
Delhi: Thousands march to PM’S house against ‘undeclared emergency’, stopped midway by police
http://caravandaily.com/portal/thousands-march-to-pms-house-against-undeclared-emergency-stopped-midway-by-police/
New Delhi: Even though most of the TV channels under-reported the Aam Aadmi Party’s announcement to hold a march to the house of PM Narendra Modi against what it called ‘undeclared emergency’ in Delhi, tens of thousands of people come out on the streets of the National Capital to take part in the march on Sunday.However, they could not reach PM’s residence as they were stopped midway on the Parliament Street by the Delhi Police and contingent of paramilitary forces.AAP had called for the march to force the PM to end the bureaucrats’ strike, which the party claimed was instigated by the PM.For the past seven days, Delhi CM and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, along with three senior leaders of his government and party, are camping inside the waiting area of Lieutenant Governor’s house seeking appointment for a meeting but the LG Anil Baijal has refused to meet them.In view of this march, IAS officers’ association held a press conference on Sunday to say that they are not on strike. The Kejriwal government said the babus were not listening to the ministers and not attending their meetings.caravandaily
"Can't hold strike in someone's house": HC on Kejriwal sit-in
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/who-authorised-delhi-chief-minister-arvind-kejriwals-sit-in-at-lt-governors-office-asks-delhi-high-c-1869095
In a strong reprimand for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the capital's high court today observed that his week-long sit-in at the office of Lieutenant Governor, Anil Baijal, is unwarranted. "This can't be called a strike. You can't go inside someone's office or house and hold a strike there," said the court.Mr Kejriwal is holding an unprecedented protest against the Lieutenant Governor, who, he says, is working in a brazenly partisan fashion and at the instance of PM Narendra Modi to prevent the Delhi government from functioning.Specifically, Chief Minister contends, bureaucrats or IAS officers are refusing to show up to work - or working only selectively - and Lieutenant Governor must intervene to change that. The court hearing this morning was based on a petition that argues that the protest is unconstitutional, that Kejriwal and his ministers "consider themselves above the law" and should be ordered to get back to work.The court said it will take up the case on Friday and asked for the officers to be included in the petition.NDTV
AAP's Sisodia, On Hunger Strike At Lt Governor's, Taken To Hospital
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-deputy-chief-minister-manish-sisodia-on-protest-fast-at-lt-governors-being-shifted-to-hospital-1869237?pfrom=home-topscroll
Asked PM to intervene, resolve ‘constitutional crisis’ in Delhi, say four CMs after NITI Aayog meeting
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aap-protest-arvind-kejriwal-lg-anil-baijal-four-cms-ask-pm-narendra-modi-to-intervene-resolve-constitutional-crisis-in-delhi-5221821/
New Delhi:Chief Ministers of 4 states took up their Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal’s continuing dharna at Raj Niwas with PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council Sunday. Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, N Chandrababu Naidu of AP, HD Kumaraswamy of Karnataka, and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala sought Modi’s intervention in ending the “constitutional crisis” in Delhi.Kejriwal and three of his ministers have been sitting in at the office of Delhi’s lieutenant governor for the past week to press their demand that L-G should get the capital’s striking govnt officials back to work. Kejriwal did not attend Sunday’s NITI Aayog meeting.“I along with the Hon’ble CMs of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala have requested Hon’ble PM today to resolve the problems of Delhi government immediately,” Banerjee tweeted after the meeting with Modi. Talking to reporters later, she said that a situation like the one in Delhi “cannot have a place in a democracy”.Asked how the PM had responded, Banerjee said he had not said anything, but Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said,“We will see.”indianexpress
Clash Between 2 Groups in MP’s Shajapur on Eid, Section 144 Imposed
https://newsclick.in/clash-between-2-groups-mps-shajapur-eid-section-144-imposed
Communal tension persisted in Maniharwadi area of Shajapur district on Saturday (on Eid) after members of two communities clashed over volume of the sound of DJ which led to stone pelting in the area.However, the promptness of police prevented a major communal clash and no casualty was reported until a day after the incident. City police arrested 30-35 people in connection with the incident on the basis of CCTV footage, and booked them under relevant sections of the IPC.According to Shajapur police, a few Muslim youths, who were celebrating Eid by playing DJ music at Maniharwadi Market square of the city on Saturday afternoon, allegedly pelted stones at a procession being carried out by the Rajput community on the occasion of Maharana Pratap birth anniversary, following an argument over lowering the volume of the DJ music.About half a dozen people received minor injuries during the clash. While two cops were injured; one of them lost his sight. In addition to that, around 10 vehicles were set on fire and a number of shops were vandalised, according to the police. Heavy security forces have been deployed in the area and section 144 of the CrPc has been imposed, prohibiting the assembly of four or more people.newsclick
Uttar Pradesh: Tension in Bhadohi after clashes
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-tension-in-bhadohi-after-clashes-muslim-dalit-clashes-5221383/
Bhadohi:Tension prevailed in the Kotwali area of Bhadohi when 4 persons were injured following clashes between people from two communities, police said Sunday. SP Sachindra Patel said, “In the violence that erupted here between two communities yesterday, 4 persons sustained injuries in stone pelting. As many as 18 persons have been arrested.” SP said the problem started almost three days ago, when a few boys belonging to the minority community allegedly entered a marriage place in a Dalit locality forcibly, and started objecting to songs being played there. The boys were allegedly beaten and chased away, the official said.“On the day of Eid, after the Muslim boys had offered namaz, they saw the Dalit boys who had chased them away, and started beating them. At this point, stone pelting between the two communities broke out. Police reached the spot and controlled the situation. As many as 13 Muslim and 5 Hindu boys were arrested,” SP said.TOI
Mamata counters minority politics barb with ‘BJP’s Muslim hatred’
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/cm-mamata-banerjee-counters-minority-politics-barb-with-bjps-muslim-hatred/articleshow/64619705.cms
KOLKATA:Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has finally come out with a strong counterpoint to the BJP’s “minority appeasement” rhetoric against her. Addressing a congregation on Red Road on Saturday on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, she said those who accuse her of Muslim appeasement are “neither friends of Hindus nor of Muslims”.“Some people say that I love Muslims, and you (BJP) love Hindus. But why do you hate Muslims?” she asked and added, “Some accuse me of Muslim appeasement. My question to them is whether loving Hindus means you have to hate Muslims. I respect and love all communities and religions. This country belongs to everybody.”Political observers believe that Banerjee, with this “Muslim hatred” coinage, will make BJP follow her with rebuttals because the party can’t ignore the Muslims in a state where they form 27% of the electorate. Banerjee’s going on the offensive charged up her party ranks who had felt shy to respond to BJP state president Dilip Ghosh’s claim that the CM’s chanting mantras on the dais or her flaunting her Hindu lineage showed that the “minority appeasement” campaign against her was gaining public acceptance. TOI
Chandrababu Naidu joins Muslims in Eid prayers
https://www.siasat.com/news/chandrababu-naidu-joins-muslims-eid-prayers-1369430/
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday joined Muslims in offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.Wearing a skull cap, he stood with Muslims to offer Eid ‘namaz’ at Municipal Grounds in Vijayawada.He greeted Muslim leaders and commoners on the occasion of Eid, which marks culmination of holy month of Ramadan. Addressing the gathering later, he conveyed his greetings to the Muslims in Urdu. He said Muslims observed the fast during the month for the well-being of the mankind.Naidu said he prayed to the Almighty Allah for all help to the state and for the prosperity and happiness of the people.ANI
Eid celebrated peacefully amid prohibitory orders in Ranchi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/eid-celebrated-peacefully-amid-prohibitory-orders-in-ranchi/articleshow/64619994.cms
Ranchi/Jamshedpur: Eid was celebrated with great fervour in the state amidst heavy deployment of police force in the capital and other sensitive areas on Saturday. Thousands of devotees offered namaaz at various mosques across the state and greet each other on the occasion.Governor Droupadi Murmu and chief minister Raghubar Das extended Eid wishes and appealed to people across every community to enjoy the festival with peace and harmony.In Ranchi, prayers were offered at over 55 places, including Harmu Idgah, Ekra masjid, Jama masjid and other mosques at Doranda and Badgai. The Eid prayers started at around 7AM and concluded by 10AM in the capital. People from different faiths also gathered at the Idgah and wished their Muslim brethren.The district administration was on high alert for the past several days in view of the festival and the clashes between two groups of people at different places in the district. Apart from deployment of police across the city, there was heavy presence of security forces at sensitive places including Ekra Masjid, Kishoreganj, Nagri, Itki, and Khelari.TOI
Jharkhand lynching: BJP MP to offer legal aid to the murderers of Muslim men
https://www.siasat.com/news/jharkhand-lynching-bjp-mp-offer-legal-aid-murderers-muslim-men-1369620/
RANCHI: BJP parliamentarian Nishikant Dubey promises to pay legal bills of accused in connection with the lynching of two Muslim men in Jharkhand’s Godda on suspicion of cattle theft.“They’ve been falsely implicated. They’ve been sent to jail. Those, who can’t fight their case, the government provides them legal aid. And since I am their MP, I, in my capacity, will take care of every single expense that they will incur in fighting their case from the lower court to the Supreme Court,” he was quoted by NDTV.2 Muslims Chiraguddin alias Charku Ansari, 35, and Murtaza Ansari, 30, were beaten to death by mob of some 100 people on June 13 accusing them of stealing cattle in tribal-dominated Dullu village in Godda district while the other three managed to fled the spot.The two deceased were residents of Taljhari in the district.Following the incident, Godda police arrested arrested persons, Munsi Murmu, Kaleshwar Soren, Kishan Rai Tudu and Johan Kisku under various section of IPC. It registered a FIR against the four and 100 other unknown persons who are yet to be arrested.siasat
Madras HC Rejects Plea To Ban Popular Front Of India
http://caravandaily.com/portal/madras-high-court-rejects-plea-to-ban-popular-front-of-india/
Chennai: Madras High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking ban on the Popular Front of India observing that it cannot decide which organisations should be banned and which organisations might continue.Petitioner K Gopinath had approached the High Court after sending representations to the Centre and State Government seeking ban on PFI but getting no response from there. According to LiveLaw.in, the petitioner had alleged that Popular Front is an extremist and militant Islamic fundamentalist organisation and thus it should be banned. He approached the High Court seeking a direction to the authorities to consider his demand.Refusing to entertain his plea, the bench of the Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice PT Asha observed in their order on last Friday: “It is not for this Court to decide which organisations should be banned and which organisations might continue. That is in the realm of the Executive powers of the State.”Popular Front has been strongly raising the issues of human rights violations of Muslims and other backward communities in different parts of the country. It was active in ensuring justice to some victims of cow lynching in BJP-ruled Jharkhand.Caravan News
Kerala Police looking at details of all former SIMI activists
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jun/17/kerala-police-looking-at-details-of-all-former-simi-activists-1829507.html
Kochi: As per the investigation by Kerala Police into the arrests of IS sympathisers in Kerala, a few of the arrested have a history of being SIMI associates. Officers said the SIMI's earlier tone of activities in the state had certain underlying similarities with the IS doctrine and campaign.Union Ministry has asked for reports on SIMI from all states as the ban on the organisation ends on Jan.31, 2019.newindianexpress
Hyderabad mosque opens its doors to all faiths
https://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180618/masjid-e-quba-opens-its-doors-to-all-faiths.html
Hyderabad:People of different faiths attended the open mosque event held at Masjid-e-Quba in Nanalnagar of Mehdipatnam on Sunday. The programme, first in the city, was organised by the managing committee of the mosque to dispel misconceptions about Islam and mosques in the minds of people of different communities.Intach member P. Anuradha Reddy, one of the visitors to the mosque, said, “It is a great start by organisers to promote better understanding between communities.”She said that as a woman she was never allowed to enter mosques except the historic places. “Now I got an opportunity to see what a mosque looks like from inside and observe the activities there,” she said. A group of women volunteers explained about the rights of women and girls in Islam including education, property and their position in the families. “Volunteers also explained to us the rights of animals and how one should be kind towards they,” Ms Reddy said.Printed charts explaining the basic tenets of Islam were putup on the first floor of the masjid for visitors. Dates and sheer khurma was served to visitors at ground floor.D. Chronicle
Hyderabad: Masjid-e-Quba holds open house to dispel misconceptions about Islam
https://www.siasat.com/news/hyderabad-masjid-e-quba-holds-open-house-dispel-misconceptions-about-islam-1369796/
Gujarat: Dalit groom reaches bride’s home on horse under police protection in
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-dalit-groom-reaches-brides-home-on-horse-under-police-protection-in-5221751/
A marriage procession of a Dalit youth was carried out under police protection at Parsa village of Mansa taluka in Gandhinagar district on Sunday after some locals from upper-caste Darbar community objected to the groom riding a horse, and threatened them of dire consequences. Police protection was sought by the groom, Prashant Solanki, a resident of Mehsana town, on reaching Parsa village, where he was scheduled to tie the knot with Varsha Parmar.After reaching close to the village in a car, Prashant, who works at a dairy plant, was scheduled to reach the bride’s house on a horse with the wedding party and a DJ team accompanying him. “However, as soon as we reached the village, some 10-15 villagers, belonging to the Darbar community, threatened the person who had brought the horse. They threatened us saying that the groom cannot ride a horse because it is something which only “shoorvir” (courageous) like Darbars can do,” said Vipul Solanki, cousin of the groom.The groom’s family called the police and sought protection. Police personnel were deployed at the village and the marriage procession was held under police protection.indianexpress
Despite Pending SC Verdict, Ayushman Bharat Insurance Using Aadhaar as Identifier
https://thewire.in/health/ayushman-bharat-insurance-scheme-proposes-aadhaar-as-identifier
New Delhi: Although the Supreme Court order on the legitimacy of the government’s drive to make Aadhaar mandatory for entitlements is pending, the entire architecture of the new National Health Protection Scheme has been built around it.At the press conference in February, which was held to announce the roll-out of this programme, The Wire had asked officials if Aadhaar card would be mandatory to avail the scheme’s benefits. They had said Aadhaar would be used for identifying beneficiaries, but beneficiaries would not be denied insurance coverage for the lack of it.However, the actual tender documents show the scheme has built in a mechanism to deny people healthcare if they do not have, refuse or cannot obtain an Aadhaar number. For those who do have the number, the scheme is likely to deny benefits if their biometric credentials do not work. The scheme documents do not say if any alternative mechanisms are allowed, to ensure that people are not denied their rights and entitlements.All patients who approach to avail the scheme will be advised to obtain an Aadhaar card/number within a stipulated time frame, if they do not already have one. Patients will be given treatment without Aadhaar only the first time, according to the documents.Early in the tender document, it says: “The benefits under the AB-NHPM Risk Cover shall only be available to an AB-NHPM Beneficiary through an EHCP after Aadhaar based identification as far as possible.”It offers the following caveat: “In case Aadhaar is not available then other defined Government recognised ID will be used for this purpose.”On denial of benefits, it says: “No person shall be denied the benefit in the absence of Aadhaar Card through use of alternate Government ID.”thewire
WORLD
UN expresses 'grave worry' over Saudi-UAE operation in Hudaida
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/expresses-grave-worry-saudi-uae-operation-hudaida-180618074902696.html
UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein has voiced concern that the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates-led military operation in Yemen could endanger millions of civilians, as the coalition continues to pound Houthi fighters in the port of Hudaida."I emphasise my grave worry regarding the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition's ongoing attacks in Hudaida - which could result in enormous civilian casualties and have a disastrous impact on life-saving humanitarian aid to millions of people which comes through the port," Hussein said on Monday.He was speaking at the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he gave an overview of the overall human rights situation, while denouncing the threat of growing "chauvinistic nationalism" around the world.On Monday, coalition Apache attack helicopters pounded Houthi positions, as civilians fled in search of shelter from the biggest battle of the war in three years.aljazeera
US bombs Syrian positions, Syrian military source tells state media
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180618-us-bombs-syrian-positions-syrian-military-source-tells-state-media/
Syrian state media, citing a military source, reported early on Monday that US-led coalition aircraft had bombed “one of our military positions” in eastern Syria, leading to deaths and injuries.The strike took place in al-Harra, southeast of Albu Kamal, it reported. There were no immediate details on casualties.A commander in the military alliance backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also told Reuters that drones, “probably American,” had bombed positions of Iraqi factions between Albu Kamal and Tanf and Syrian military positions.A spokesman for the coalition was not immediately available.middleeastmonitor
Israel strikes Hamas targets in Gaza over burning kite flying
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/israel-strikes-hamas-targets-gaza-flammable-kite-flying-180618083051105.html
Israeli jets have struck nine targets belonging to Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip, in response to incendiary kites and balloons Palestinians sent across the border, the military said.The attacks, which came early on Monday, were accompanied by sirens sounding in Israeli areas near the Gaza Strip at daybreak.It was not immediately clear what was struck or whether there were casualties. In recent weeks, Palestinians have been attaching oil-soaked rags to kites and flying them over the Gaza border fence to start fires in Israeli territory.So far, no Israelis have been hurt by the fires, but they have caused $2.5m in damage to farmland, according to Israel's government.aljazeera
Israel targets rights groups with bill to outlaw filming of soldiers
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180617-israel-targets-rights-groups-with-bill-to-outlaw-filming-of-soldiers/
Israel moved on Sunday to snap the lens shut on rights groups that film its troops’ interactions with Palestinians by introducing a bill that would make it a criminal offense.Rights groups frequently film Israeli soldiers on duty in the occupied West Bank, documentation the organisations say is necessary to expose abuse by the military.A video filmed by Israeli rights group B’Tselem in 2016 showing an Israeli soldier shoot dead an incapacitated Palestinian assailant drew international condemnation and led to the soldier’s conviction for manslaughter in a highly divisive trial.The proposed law, formulated by the ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu party in PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, would make filming or publishing footage “with intent to harm the morale of Israel’s soldiers or its inhabitants” punishable by up to five years in prison.The term would be raised to 10 years if the intention was to damage “national security”.middleeastmonitor
Afghanistan: Taliban resume fighting as Eid ceasefire ends
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/afghanistan-taliban-resume-fighting-eid-ceasefire-ends-180618044536196.html
On the final day of a 3-day Eid al-Fitr ceasefire, the Taliban said they would resume fighting, despite President Ashraf Ghani's announcement that the government was extending its own ceasefire with the group by 10 days.In the statement on Sunday, the Taliban repeated their preconditions for peace talks, including that they would only negotiate directly with the US and that foreign forces should leave Afghanistan."Our fighters will now resume their operations across the country against the foreign invaders and their internal puppets," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Al Jazeera.In an unexpected move, Ghani on June 5 announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban until June 20, coinciding with the end of Ramadan.On June 9, the Taliban announced that their fighters would stop attacking Afghan security forces for the three days of Eid for the first time in the nearly 17-year conflict.Hundreds of soldiers and police officers have been killed since the Taliban launched their spring offensive in April this year in a bid to control large swaths of the country.The first day of the ceasefire on Friday started with Taliban, civilians and officials offering Eid prayers together in mosques across the country.Pictures and videos emerged on social media later that day of Afghans celebrating Eid with men identified by them as Taliban fighters."It was a moment of extreme happiness for us that we got to celebrate Eid this way - without any fear," Zahid Khan, a resident of Jalalabad told Al Jazeera.The celebrations were cut short with a first attack claimed by the ISIL on Saturday that killed at least 30 people and wounded more than 65 in Nangarhar province.The second attack, a suicide bombing in Jalalabad on Sunday, close to the governor's office in Nangarhar province, killed at least 18 people. No group immediately claimed responsibility.aljazeera
India Welcomes Afghanistan's Decision to Extend Ceasefire With Armed Groups
https://thewire.in/diplomacy/afghanistan-ceasefire-taliban-india
New Delhi: India welcomed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s announcement extending the unilateral ceasefire with militant groups and hoped that the gesture would be reciprocated by them as well as their supporters.Last week, the Afghan government announced a seven-day ceasefire with an aim to encourage the Taliban to join the reconciliation process. Subsequently, the Taliban also announced a three-day ceasefire till June 17.External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India supports a “truly” Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process in an atmosphere free of terror and violence. “We welcome the decision of President Ghani to announce ceasefire and its extension. We hope this gesture would be reciprocated by armed groups and their supporters with complete cessation of terrorist violence,” Kumar said, responding to a question on Ghani’s announcement. He said India supports all efforts that can bring lasting peace to the war-torn country.PTI
Separation of children from families drives US immigration debate
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/separation-children-families-drives-immigration-debate-180617185653260.html
The US policy of separating families has drawn bipartisan condemnation and is adding new furvour to ongoing US immigration policy reforms. Trump administration has faced increasing criticism over what advisers have claimed is a conscious decision to take minors away from undocumented immigrant parents and guardians.More than 2,000 children have been separated from their families. Their parents have been detained and charged with illegally entering the country. Critics on both sides of the aisle have said such actions are not in accordance with US values, but the Trump administration and its defenders say it is part of "get tough" policy against undocumented migrants.aljazeera
Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia critical, not able to walk on her own: BNP leader
http://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/ex-bangladesh-prime-minister-khaleda-zia-critical-not-able-to-walk-on-her-own-bnp-leader/242127
Dhaka: Bangladesh's imprisoned former PM Khaleda Zia is critically ill and not able to walk on her own, a senior leader of the main opposition BNP has said.The 72-year-old three-time former premier was jailed for five years in February in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million takas (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned-politician.Khaleda used to walk to the family members whenever they visited her at the jail but now she is critically ill, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.timesnownews
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Politics of Opportunism: BJP-Congress Flip Flop vs AAP Firmness on Delhi Statehood:SUBODH VERMA
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14140/Politics-of-Opportunism-BJP-Congress-Flip-Flop-vs-AAP-Firmness-on-Delhi-Statehood-
Kashmir Ceasefire Is Dead, Now Brace for More Violence:Happymon Jacob
https://thewire.in/security/kashmir-ceasefire-is-dead-now-brace-for-more-violence
End of the Road for Dialogue with Separatists in Kashmir?Mudasir Ahmad
https://thewire.in/security/end-of-the-road-for-dialogue-with-separatists-in-kashmir
Interview: 'AGP Will Break Alliance If BJP Passes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill'
https://thewire.in/politics/interview-agp-will-break-alliance-if-bjp-passes-citizenship-amendment-bill
Shujaat Bukhari Silenced: Tribute to slain editor from Rising Kashmir newspaper staff
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jun/18/shujaat-bukhari-silenced-tribute-to-slain-editor-from-rising-kashmir-newspaper-staff-1829611.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:37 PM)
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