NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
11 July 2018:26 Shawwal 1439: Vol:10, No:63
INDIA
Adultery should remain a crime for sanctity of marriage: Centre tells SC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/adultery-section-497-ipc-should-remain-a-crime-for-sanctity-of-marriage-centre-tells-supreme-court-5255117/
New Delhi: Centre has contended that adultery should remain an offence and opposed a petition before the Supreme Court that sought to make men and women equally liable under Section 497 of the IPC. A Constitution bench of the SC is re-examining the constitutionality of Section 497 of IPC that incorporates provisions for the adultery law. The bench will also adjudicate whether the exemption granted to women from being punished for adultery required to be changed. “Adultery should remain an offence. Diluting adultery law will impact the sanctity of marriages. Making adultery legal will hurt marriage bonds,” the Centre said in its affidavit before the SC. Centre said Section 497 was enacted so as to safeguard the sanctity of marriage.The court is hearing a petition filed by non-resident Keralite Joseph Shine, filed through advocate Suvidutt Sundaram, challenging the constitutionality of Section 497 IPC read with Section 198(2) of the CrPC, which deals with prosecution for offences against marriages.The petitioner has said Section 497 IPC was unconstitutional as it discriminated against men and violated Article 14, 15 and 21. “When the sexual intercourse takes place with the consent of both the parties, there is no good reason for excluding one party from the liability,” PIL contended. Adultery is not considered a criminal offence towards women in India and has been in limelight for being discriminatory towards men. On Jan.5, a 3-judge bench of the SC, headed by CJI Dipak Misra, referred PIL to a Constitutional bench. The bench had contended the provision seemed “quite archaic, especially when there is societal progress”. In 3 earlier judgments in 1954, 1985 and in 1988, the court had upheld the provision.
Centre objects to dropping of adultery as an offence
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-objects-to-dropping-of-adultery-as-an-offence/article24388419.ece?homepage=true
Homosexual: Centre leaves it to wisdom of SC to decide on constitutionality of Section 377 IPC
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-hearing-on-section-377/article24387288.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi: Union Govt has told the Supreme Court that it would leave it to the wisdom of its judges to decide the constitutionality of Section 377 IPC, which criminalises sexual activities "against the order of nature", including homosexual activities.It, however, said the court should specify that the right to choose a partner should not extend to perversions like incest. Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before a Constitution Bench led by CJI Dipak Misra that by freedom of choosing a partner, a person should not be allowed to choose his sister as his partner. Such an act would go against the tenets of Hindu law."My choice of partner should not be my sister...prohibited under Hindu law. Allowing the choice of a partner should not extend to incest...sado-masochism...," Mehta said.In a sharp retort, Justice DY Chandrachud said the Bench was not here to adjudicate over any "kinky notions" of sexual orientation.Justice Chandrachud addressed Mehta to say that the prerogative of this hearing was to understand the nature of a relationship and bringing it under the protection of Article 21 (fundamental right to life) of the Constitution.CJI said the court was considering the issue of "protecting the relationship". The court was not confining its ambit to LGBTQ or sexual orientation, it is looking into the aspect of 2 consenting adults who will not be liable for criminal action for their relationship.Justice Rohinton Nariman intervened to say that the Bench was delving into the "content" of the fundamental right. Justice Chandrachud said, "Mr. Mehta, we are not even on the sexual act. We are examining whether the relationship between two consenting adults is itself a manifestation of Article 21...We are on the nature of the relationship and not going to talk on marriage, etc."He further observed,"It should not come to a situation where two homosexuals enjoying a walk on the Marine Drive be distrubed by the police... we want to protect relationship."Handing over a 4-page affidavit to the Bench, Mehta said, "We will leave it to the wisdom of the court".But the affidavit makes it clear that the Centre is staying neutral only on question of whether Section 377 IPC is constitutional or not.Mehta made it clear that if the court ventures into aspects like same sex marriage, etc, Centre would respond with a detailed affidavit showing "legitimate State interest" after "wider consultations in the govt".thehindu
SC raps authorities, says protecting Taj Mahal may be a ‘hopeless cause’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-raps-authorities-says-protecting-taj-mahal-may-be-a-hopeless-cause/article24388334.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:The Supreme Court has condemned apathy shown by authorities to the cause of protecting Taj Mahal, saying the preservation of the monument may be a “hopeless cause.” Green Bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta was miffed to find out that the authority in charge of the Taj Trapezium Zone was still entertaining applications from industrialists to expand their factories into the protected zone despite a long-standing moratorium from the SC.The Bench told petitioner-activist MC.Mehta that if “they (authorities) trouble us we will trouble them back.”The court directed the chairman of the authority to appear before it on the next date, June 31.Justice Lokur compared the Taj to the Eiffel Tower of Paris, saying 16th century marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his departed wife, Mumtaz Mahal, was far more beautiful.The court said while Eiffel sees 80 million visitors, Taj has 5 million, and yet it is crumbling.In May, ASI said unwashed socks worn by visitors and rampant algae seem to turn the Taj Mahal from its natural white to yellow, brown and green.ASI, charged with the maintenance of the historic monument, said numerous footfalls everyday has taken a toll on the Taj. It is not possible to distribute socks to all the visitors. Many go wearing their own socks. The discussion in the court ranged from the commitment or the lack of it on the part of the authorities to protect the monument to getting disposable socks from abroad.HT
No interim order against ruling on ‘creamy layer’ in quota for SC, ST govt. staff in promotions: apex court
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-refuses-to-pass-interim-order-on-plea-on-reservation-to-scst-in-govt-jobs/article24387361.ece?homepage=true
The Supreme Court has refused to pass an interim order against its 2006 verdict, which dealt with the application of ‘creamy layer’ in reservation for SC and ST categories in Govt job promotions.A Bench of CJI Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said a 7-judge Constitution bench is needed to consider the 2006 M Nagraj case verdict. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal said the matter should be heard urgently by a seven-judge Constitution Bench, as lakhs of jobs in railways and Services were stuck due to confusion over various judicial pronouncements.The Bench said one Constitution Bench was seized of various matters and the issue could be taken up only in August first week.PTI
Media reports on setting up of shariah courts fake: Muslim Personal Law Board
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/media-reports-on-setting-up-of-shariah-courts-fake-says-muslim-board/story-WaBFJQRSp8EW8Rv1ZX5PPP.html
Lucknow:All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has hit out at a section of the media for spreading fake news regarding its plan to set up ‘shariah courts’ in each district of the country.“@AIMPLB_Official never demanded a parallel court system. It has been and will be running Darul Qazas under the arbitration act. Our Darul Qazas are only arbitration centers that are helping the society. Please ignore fake news,” it tweeted.AIMPLB secretary Zafaryab Jilani said there was no proposal for setting up new ‘darul qazas’ on the agenda of the board’s meeting in New Delhi on July 15. “We had set up our first centre in 1993 and more centres have come up since. Their progress report is presented to the board from time to time,” he said.“We do not call them ‘shariah courts’ as is being made out by a section of the media. A similar attempt to stoke a controversy and challenge the legality of these centres was made earlier too, and a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, which upheld their validity in 2014.”Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, member of the board’s executive council, said it was precisely to counter these propaganda and misinformation that the body had decided to constitute a special panel of its own to present the “true picture”.A case in point was also the heat generated on the instant triple divorce bill, Mahli said.“The board is very happy with the way its women members led a countrywide protest and played an active role in the passing of triple talaq bill.”He said campaign not only created awareness but also helped in removing misconceptions among both Muslims and non-Muslims that instant triple divorce was one of the most deplorable practices and should be shunned by the community.HT
Will not easily give in to India's demand to deport Zakir Naik: Malaysian PM
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/current-affairs-trends/will-not-easily-give-in-to-indias-demand-to-deport-zakir-naik-malaysian-pm-2694741.html
Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad has said his Govt would not give in easily just because India demanded that preacher Zakir Naik should be deported for alleged terror activities and money laundering, a media report said. 3 days after meeting Naik, wanted in India for alleged terror activities and money laundering, the Malaysian PM said his Govt would always ensure it looked into all factors before responding to any demand."We do not easily follow the demands of others. We must look at all factors before we respond," Mahathir was quoted as saying by New Straits Times."Otherwise, someone will become a victim," he said.Responding to questions on Naik, who is has permanent resident status in Malaysia, and India's request to have him extradited, Mahathir said the Govt would always ensure it looked into all factors before responding to any demand.PTI
Zakir thanks Malaysian PM for not deporting him; vows not to break laws
http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2018/jul/11/zakir-naik-thanks-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-for-not-deporting-him-vows-not-to-break-laws-1841741.html
Zakir Naik has thanked PM Mahathir Mohamad for not deporting him and promised not to break any laws of the country.Naik, in a statement published in Malaysian papers, thanked Mahathir for examining his case from an "unbiased perspective". aik said Mahathir's decision reaffirmed his faith in Malaysia's justice and communal harmony. "I am humbled to be a part of this diversity, and I also acknowledge the sensitivities it entails.I would never wish to disrupt or jeopardise this balance in any way or to break the rule of law of this country because it is my primary concern to foster the social harmony currently enjoyed by its citizens," he said.He said that while he hoped for justice and peace to return to India, he remained indebted to Malaysia - not just as one seeking fair treatment, but as an "individual with a love of humanity".He also claimed that over the last few years, thousands of news articles, YouTubevideos and social media posts have attributed "appalling statements" to him that he did not make.PTI
Never promoted terrorism in any form: Zakir Naik
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/never-promoted-terrorism-in-any-form-zakir-naik-1282738-2018-07-11
India will lose 'special privileges' if it buys crude from Saudi , US: Iranian diplomat
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iranian-diplomat-warns-india-of-losing-oil-privileges/article24381075.ece
New Delhi:Iran will end “special privileges” for India if New Delhi tried to replace Iranian crude with supplies from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the US, said a senior Iranian diplomat in New Delhi on July 10.Speaking at an event organised by the All India Minorities Front at Parliament annexe, Massoud Rezvanian Rahaghi said that Iran had tried to help India whenever possible on strategic issues like energy and connectivity, but argued that India’s investment promises in the port of Chabahar have not been delivered.“In previous round of U.S. sanctions between 2012 to 2015, Iran did its best to ensure security of oil supply to India....However, if India were to replace Iran with countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, US and others for the 10% of its oil demand then it may have to revert to dollar-denominated imports which mean higher CAD and deprivation of all other privileges Iran has offered to India,” Rahaghi said.Iranian response comes days after India was asked by the Donald Trump administration to drastically cut down crude supply from Iran. Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that Delhi would consult “all stakeholders” in ensuring energy security.thehindu
Iran criticises India for not making promised investments in Chabahar port
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iran-criticises-india-for-not-making-promised-investments-in-chabahar-port-1282373-2018-07-11
Rahul meets Muslim intellectuals, Congress says 'nothing religious' about it
http://www.uniindia.com/news/india/rahul-meets-muslim-intellectuals-congress-says-nothing-religious-about-it/1286077.html
New Delhi:Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today met some Muslim intellectuals here even as the party has sought to downplay it and said Congress doors are open for all sections of people. "We are not going by religious credentials of any one....Congress leaders have always interacted with all sections of people - especially intellectuals. We do no take it as a meeting with Muslim intellectuals", Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said.According to party sources, Muslim intellectuals and social activists including the likes of lyricist Javed Akhtar, academician Zoya Hasan and social activist Shabnam Hashmi have been invited for the meeting.According to Congress sources, the meeting will be followed by more such interactions to enlist people's views on various issues especially in the context of ensuing monsoon session of parliament and also elections due in 3 BJP ruled states like MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.Meeting between Gandhi and Muslim intellectuals including a few retired Govt officials will have special significance as All India Muslim Personal Board has recently made recommendation for introducing Shariat courts - a move that has been marred by controversies.UNI
Ban on PFI, SDPI will have adverse impact on society:CPM
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jul/11/ban-on-pfi-sdpi-will-have-adverse-impact-on-society-1841385.html
Thiruvananthapuram: Imposing a ban on SDPI or PFI and its operations could have adverse impact on Kerala society, feels the CPM. Even as vociferous demands for banning the outfit are doing the rounds, the CPM is of the view that such organisations should be socially ostracised rather than legally banned.Post-Abhimanyu murder, clamour for banning SDPI has gained ground. Though many in the Left front, including senior CPI leaders, have raised the demand for banning the outfit for allegedly promoting extremist activities, the CPM has kept mum on the same.Citing the examples of the Sangh Parivar, CPI(ML) and SIMI, in addition to that of the Communist party itself, CPM state leadership feels banning the outfit might not be a clever move at this juncture. Imposing a ban will only lead to the organisation gaining support among the masses or making a reappearance in other forms. newindianexpress
Key witness in 2008 serial blasts case turns hostile
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/key-witness-in-2008-serial-blasts-case-turns-hostile/articleshow/64938837.cms
Ahmedabad: In a setback for Gujarat police, an important witness in the 2008 serial blasts case has turned hostile before the special court that is trying the case. Over the last decade, nearly 80 persons from 11 states have been arrested in this case and jailed and the prosecution has examined as many as 1,050 witnesses before the special court so far. Ironically, 2 material witnesses who link the accused with the crime have turned hostile. Talib Abdul Gaffar Maniyar of Surat did not support the prosecution’s case when he took the witness box 10 days ago. He also disowned the statement he had made before police earlier. The prosecution declared him hostile. He was supposed to identify suspects who had participated in conspiracy meetings, but the identification did not materialize because of Maniyar’s retraction, said a defence lawyer. A special prosecutor confirmed that the witness turned hostile during his examination-in-chief. Sources said Maniyar was earlier associated with the SIMI. After SIMI was banned by the central Govt in 2001, his friends in SIMI stayed in touch with him. He would be invited to various programmes between 2001 and 2008. In his statement before police, he said he had participated in some meetings held in Ahmedabad. He was thus one witnesses, apart from 26 secret witnesses, who had witnessed the suspects being present at the alleged conspiracy meetings.Maniyar is the second important witness who has not supported the prosecution’s case. In March 2017, Khalid Adnan Gujarati of Surat was the first material witness to be declared hostile by the prosecution. He too was an important witness to the alleged meetings where the accused persons hatched the serial blasts conspiracy. timesofindia
Elder brother of Dr Kafeel Ahmed charged with fraud, wrong guy arrested for attempt on life of younger sibling
http://twocircles.net/2018jul10/424341.html
Investigation into the life-threatening attack on Kashif Jameel, the younger brother of Kafeel Ahmed Khan, took a curious turn last week.Gorakhpur Police both arresting a man in relation to the murder and then filed a case of forgery and illicit financial transactions against Adeel Ahmed Khan, elder brother of Kashif and Kafeel.On June 30, Gorakhpur Police arrested Ashish Raj Srivastava alias Bholu and claimed that he was the actual shooter. Srivastava, who has been an employee of Adeel Ahmed, was released the next day. But after being released from police custody, Srivastava aka Bholu alleged the Gorakhpur police of trying to torture him in an attempt to make him accept the charge that he shot at Kashif Kameel on June 9. Bholu’s arrest also becomes suspicious because he was arrested just a day after Kashif’s family met Yogi Adityanath, the state’s CM , requesting him to refer the case to CBI.Even the family of Kashif Jameel raised questions over the arrest and alleged violent interrogation of Srivastava and said that the police is doing so because they have apparently failed to arrest the real culprit in the case. TCN
Waseem Rizvi claims receiving death threat from Pakistan
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/10/up-shia-waqf-board-chairman-waseem-rizvi-claims-receiving-death-threat-from-pakistan-1841341.html
Lucknow: UP Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi claimed today that he has received death threat from Pakistan-based group Jamaat-e-Islami.In a statement issued here today, Rizvi said:"The threat message from Jamaat-e-Islami came through email. Rizvi said that he has informed the SSP about this.According to a spokesperson of the Lucknow Police, they are in process of registering a case under the IT Act.PTI
Indian intelligence infiltrated IS ring to track, arrest Afghan suicide bomber sent to hit Delhi:Indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-intelligence-infiltrated-is-ring-to-track-arrest-afghan-suicide-bomber-sent-to-hit-delhi-5254357/
New Delhi:In an audacious counter-intelligence operation, unprecedented in its scale and scope, Indian security agencies infiltrated an Islamic State ring to thwart a bid by an IS Afghan suicide bomber to strike New Delhi.The operation included the Indian “plant” supplying the IS operative with explosives — without triggers — and even arranging for his accommodation in the capital.The arrest by Indian agencies happened in New Delhi around Sept.2017 but it’s only now that top diplomatic and intelligence sources have confirmed details to the Indian Express.IS operative, who lived in New Delhi in the guise of an engineering student, was flown to Afghanistan days after he was arrested and is, at present, understood to be in custody at a key US military base in Afghanistan.In fact, so “high value” is this Afghan bomber that his confessions and interrogations are seen as one of the possible reasons behind the string of successes achieved recently by US forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan, sources said.Sources have said that an 18-month-long surveillance operation in Afghanistan, Dubai and New Delhi yielded intelligence that a group of 12 IS operatives were being sent after training in Pakistan to carry out bomb attacks in the region.One of them, an Afghan national in his mid-twenties and the “son of a wealthy businessman,” was given New Delhi as his target for a suicide attack.Sources said that as part of his undercover “mission,”he got himself admitted to a private engineering college on the outskirts of the capital, along the Delhi-Faridabad highway. Initially, he lived in the college hostel but, sources said, he subsequently rented a ground-floor apartment in Lajpat Nagar.As many as 80 Indian investigators and security personnel had to be deployed for “physical surveillance” during the peak 1-month period of the operation to ensure that the target was never out of sight and did not slip away, sources said.There is an indication, from his questioning, that the suicide bomb attack in the Manchester arena in UK on May 22, 2017, killing 23 people, could have been triggered by a member of the same IS group which included the Afghan picked up from New Delhi.There is information that IS operation began with sleuths of R&AW tracking a suspicious transfer of $50,000 by individuals under their watch from Dubai to a location in Afghanistan and then linking the dots with intelligence shared by US about New Delhi being a possible target in the near future for an IS strike.
Departmental inquiry initiated against J&K IAS officer Shah Faesal for ‘sarcastic’ tweet
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-orders-enquiry-against-jks-ias-officer-for-sarcastic-tweet-against-rape-culture/
Srinagar : A departmental inquiry has been initiated against 2010-batch IAS officer Shah Faesal for his April 22 tweet which said, “Patriarchy+ Population+ Illiteracy+ Alcohol+ Porn+ Technology+ Anarchy = Rapistan!”. Faesal,ex MD of J&K State Power Development Corporation, had topped the civil services exam and is the only Kashmiri to have done so. He is currently on leave from the state Govt and is on a Fulbright scholarship to the US.On Tuesday, he posted an image of the letter he received by email with a message that read, “Love letter from my boss for my sarcastic tweet against rape-culture in South Asia. The Irony here is that service rules with a colonial spirit are invoked in a democratic India to stifle the freedom of conscience. I’m sharing this to underscore the need for a rule change.”The letter he posted stated,“The department of personnel and training, Govt of India, a copy of communication along with its enclosures, in which several references have been made by you in which contents are prima facie in contravention of the extant provisions of all India services (service rules).”The letter states that the Govt of India has asked J&K General Administration Department to initiate an inquiry into Faesal’s tweets, as he “allegedly failed to maintain absolute honesty and integrity” in discharge of his official duty. Faesal said,“It’s nothing but bureaucratic over-enthusiasm…I don’t think this warrants any action. Rape is not part of Govt policy that criticism of rape would mean criticism of Govt policy and invite action.”indianexpress
Shah Faesal probe: Bureaucratic over-enthusiasm, says Omar Abdullah in IAS officer’s defence
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shah-faesal-probe-bureaucratic-over-enthusiasm-says-omar-abdullah-in-ias-officers-defence-5253217/
Ex-J&K CM Omar Abdullah came out in defence of Shah Faesal, IAS officer who faces disciplinary action for his posts on social media. Defending the officer, Omar Abdullah tweeted: “I see this notice as a case of bureaucratic over-enthusiasm where people who are pushing the files at the top do not understand the spirit of the times we are living in. IANS
J-K: NIA steps up quizzing of Hurriyat leaders, others in terror-funding case
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/j-k-nia-steps-up-quizzing-of-hurriyat-leaders-others-in-terror-funding-case-5254284/
New Delhi:Days after PDP-BJP Govt in J&K fell, after BJP withdrew support, NIA has begun its crackdown on separatists and has called, among others, a Hurriyat faction member related to a PDP legislator for questioning in connection with a case of terror funding.Sources said the agency last week called for questioning 10 people from the Valley, including Hurriyat leaders.They were questioned on suspicion that they played a role in funding anti-India agitations.It is learnt that among those called is Mohammad Shafi Reshi, an advocate affiliated to Hurriyat’s SAS Geelani faction and is uncle of Yasir Reshi, an MLC of the PDP.Another person called is Hurriyat leader Ghulam Nabi Sumji, sources said. A former MLA of Muslim United Front, Sumji had resigned from the Assembly in 1989 to join the Hurriyat to represent Muslim Conference. Last month, the then Mehbooba Mufti Govt had approved Sumji’s pension application in what was seen as an attempt to make peace with Hurriyat.Sources said that barring one, none of those summoned have turned up for questioning — they are understood to have sought more time. “Most of them have said they are not well. They will be called for questioning again,” said an official privy to investigation details.indianexpress
Intel agencies in JK target social media to fight radicalization
https://www.livemint.com/Politics/Yqaiw3Sj7NUL8RY6pRur5N/Intel-agencies-in-JK-target-social-media-to-fight-radicaliz.html
New Delhi: Intelligence units operating in Kashmir have begun to break into social media groups, which they say have emerged as the biggest instruments of radicalization in the Valley.“There are more than 500 active WhatsApp groups in the Valley and these are key instruments of radicalization. We have now identified some of these groups and have stealthily broken into them and have started tracking whenever any incriminating message is sent. We have made a slow, but steady start at slowing down radicalization,” said a senior intelligence official, seeking anonymity.The local commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad use WhatsApp to send out their message to the youth, while “the smaller mosques in some of the districts are notorious for recording clips and quickly circulating them on WhatsApp”, said the official quoted above.livemint
Spike in militant recruitment after end of Valley ceasefire: J&K data
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-militant-hiring-burhan-wani-hizbul-mujahideen-lashkar-e-taiba-terrorist-5254335/
New Delhi :There has been a spike in the recruitment of local youths by militant groups in Kashmir following the end of the Ramzan ceasefire. According to data compiled by J&K’s Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), month of June saw 27 youths from the Valley — mainly from the districts of Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam in South Kashmir — joining militancy. “The increase in the number of local youths picking the gun last month came after June 16, which was Eid, when the ceasefire ended and the security forces decided to undertake operations,” said Srinagar-based security official.indianexpress
Modi’s economics to fail like Vajpayee’s ‘India Shining’, says Subramanian Swamy
https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/modis-economics-to-fail-like-vajpayees-india-shining-says-subramanian-swamy/1236881/
As the Lok Sabha election is less than a year away, Modi Govt has reiterated that it will stick to fiscal prudence, while senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that economic development is not going bring in votes. Subramanian Swamy said that the economy is not in a good state and that the Govt will need to five more years to fulfil promises.Economist and statistician Swamy said, “Economic development is not going to bring in votes. (Atal Bihari) Vajpayeeji used ‘India Shining’ as his Govt ’s campaign motto but failed.” According to the Rajya Sabha member, ‘Hindutva’ and corruption-free India are going to get votes for BJP as did in 2014.financialexpress
Muslims demand review of SC order restricting Namaz at Taj Mahal
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/muslims-demand-review-of-the-sc-order-restricting-namaz-at-taj-mahal-1281772-2018-07-10
Agra: The Supreme Court has restricted the Friday Namaz offered at the Taj Mahal to only the local Muslim community, restricting the outsiders from entering the Taj Mahal. A local resident Syed Ibrahim Zaidi through a review petition had asserted that since Namaz is permitted to be offered in all heritage monuments without any distinction of local and outsider, the same rule should be applied to Taj Mahal as well. However, the SC turned down the petition which has angered the local Muslim community which is demanding that the ministries of Home, Culture, and Tourism should coordinate among themselves and ensure that the fundamental right of the Muslims to offer Namaz at any mosque in the country is upheld. Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad chairman Sami Aghai said that this was a clear attack on the fundamental rights of the Muslims that have been guaranteed by the Constitution and this cannot be tolerated. indiatoday
Court denies Muslim woman maintenance under Hindu law
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/muslim-woman-cant-seek-maintenance-under-hindu-marriage-act-hc/articleshow/64938459.cms
Bhopal: MP high court has ruled that maintenance under Hindu Marriage Act is substantive right of a wife but under Muslim law, a woman has right to sue her husband for maintenance only if he neglects or refuses to maintain her without any lawful cause. With this, Justice Vandana Kasrekar overturned the order of a lower court, which had allowed application of a Muslim woman for interim maintenance under Section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act. Kaneez Hasan had filed the application for interim maintenance in the court of civil judge, Sirmaur (Rewa district), when the judge was hearing her husband’s petition for restitution of conjugal rights since she was living separately. Kaneez sought maintenance and legal expenses under section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act.The trial court ordered the husband to pay Rs 2,500 a month as maintenance though his counsel argued that the duo is governed by Muslim Law and maintenance can’t be granted under Hindu Marriage Act. The husband challenged it in HC. Kaneez’s counsel argued that the trial court’s order was “proper and just” as it is empowered under Section 151 CrPC to grant such relief. After hearing arguments, the judge said: “Both the parties in the case are Muslims. Under Muslim law, there is no provision for awarding maintenance pendente lite (during pendency of case), it’s only provided under Hindu Marriage Act. However, if the wife wants interim maintenance, she is entitled to file a plea under Section 125 of CrPC before a family court.” TOI
Nitish slams Giriraj Singh's statement on Nawada communal clashes, calls it stunt
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nitish-slams-giriraj-singh-s-statement-on-nawada-communal-clashes-calls-it-stunt-1281147-2018-07-09
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar slammed Union Minister Giriraj Singh for accusing his Govt of being communal and provoking violence in the state during Nawada clashes.In the past also Singh has accused Bihar Govt of having a mindset of suppressing Hindus.Terming Singh's statement a media stunt, Kumar said the minister is making statement on a matter which is under police investigation and is pending before the court. This creates an unhealthy atmosphere for the people of the country.indiatoday
Delhi university proposes to introduce Islam and international relations paper in MA
https://www.dailypioneer.com/city/du-proposes-to-introduce-islam-and-international-relations-paper-in-ma.html
New Delhi:Political Science department of Delhi University has proposed to introduce a paper named “Islam and International Relations” in its masters course. If introduced the students will study “Islam and the question of transnational terrorism” as a topic in their syllabus.The paper will also cover sub-topics like “Islam and the west after 9/11”, “Iraq war and making of ISIS”, “the Afghanistan war and making of Al-Qaeda”, “US, military industrial complex and Islamic extremism”,“Wahhabism, petrodollar Islam and the globalization of transnational jihad” among others.At times when world is struggling with religious fundamentalists and terrorists who are compromising the peace and tranquility of the nations across the world, the course tends to “explain as to how in recent times, genealogy and archeology of the religious and political thought in Islam and its connection with the systemic contours of societies and political institutions has emerged to be one of the most contested subjects in humanities and social sciences,” stated the course objective. The course then lays out “as to how such an interest has been the product of the radicalization of political Islam and the growing unhealthy interface that has developed between Islam and violence, as a result of the globalization of Jihad that has brought in the medieval notions of a contest between adobe of Islam (Dar al-Islam) and land of unbelievers (Dar al-harb). Owing to this, Islam has become a prominent element in the sphere of security studies. On this count, the study of Islam becomes very crucial for the students of International Relations”.A teacher of political science at a DU college, on condition of anonymity said that the work on the plan of introducing the course was going on since last more than one year but “in-silos”, fearing the strong opposition from the left faction. The department has uploaded the course on its website and has invited suggestions from all stakeholders. If introduced, it will be offered as an elective paper for semester III and IV students.“The paper Islam and International relations is under the broad umbrella of topic of international relations,” said Professor Navnita Chadha Behera, HoD Political Science, DU.Other sub-topics that paper proposes to cover includes “Orientalism and the western interpretation of Islam”, “Islam's encounter with colonialism and modernity”, “Islam: From Prophethood to Imperialism” etc.dailypioneer
AIMPLB senior functionary calls bitcoin against Islamic law: deccanchronicle
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110718/aimplb-member-calls-bitcoin-against-islamic-law.html
Hyderabad: Calling bitcoins to be un-Islamic, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has asked the Muslim community shun them. In a statement issued on June 29, AIMPLB senior functionary Maulana Wali Rahmani said financial currencies must be rooted within the Islamic finance model, such as paper currency, which can be exchanged in equal measure with gold and silver. “Bitcoin has no set rules, which is considered as a contract annulment in Islam. That is why it is forbidden,” he said.While RBI has also banned any transactions in bitcoin in India, the Muslim world remains divided over the crypto currencies. While Saudi cleric Shaikh Assim Al Hakeem had pronounced the bitcoin to be an open gate for money laundering, drug money and haram (forbidden) money, UAE allows digital currency and is home to a number of cryptocurrency “noobs”. Muslim scholars in Egypt and Turkey too have stated that bitcoins were incompatible with Islam because their value was “open to speculation” and they could be used in “illegal activities”. Sharia principles, in addition to banning interest payments, emphasise on real economic activity based on physical assets, and frown on speculation.
Skin of banned animal found in Jaunpur; panic prevails among Muslims as Hindutva outfits attack houses
https://www.siasat.com/news/skin-banned-animal-found-jaunpur-panic-prevails-among-muslims-hindutva-outfits-attack-houses-1379025/
Shahgunj: Skin of a banned animal was found in Ashrafpur village of Jaunpur. After the complaint of former Pradhan a case has been registered against 6 persons, while 2 were arrested and sent to jail. The incident created tension in the area Muslims are forced to go to a safer place leaving the village.According to sources, a skin of banned animal was found 4 kilometres away from the village on July 2. On finding the skin, members of Hindutva outfits reached the village and expressing suspicion over some Muslims of Quraysh community lodged complaint with the police led by former Pradhan of the village. A case has been registered against 6 persons and 2 have been arrested and sent to jail.Members of Hindutva outfits are reaching the village scaring Muslims. Some of them attacked Muslim houses and vandalised them. This has created panic among the Muslims of the village and they are forced to flee from the village in panic.siasat
Israel ambassador calls on UP CM Adityanath
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/israel-ambassador-calls-on-uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-adityanath-5254031/
Lucknow:Ambassador of Israel to India Daniel Carmon on Tuesday called on UP CM Yogi Adityanath at Lucknow, officials said.“A delegation led by Carmon met UP CM at his official residence in Lucknow,” Govt spokesperson said. On the occasion, Adityanath presented an idol of Lord Buddha to the ambassador.PTI
A week after felicitating Ramgarh lynching convicts, Jayant Sinha expresses regret
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jayant-sinha-regret-felicitating-ramgarh-lynching-convicts-5255004/
New Delhi:A week after he felicitated 8 men convicted in a lynching case related to cow vigilantism in Jharkhand, Union Minister Jayant Sinha expressed regret for the incident on Wednesday, even as he reiterated that guilty will be punished. Union Minister had come under severe condemnation from the opposition due to his actions.“Law will take its own course. Guilty will be punished & innocent will be spared. If by garlanding those men (Ramgarh lynching case convicts) an impression has gone out that I support such vigilantism then I express regret,” Sinha was quoted as saying by ANI. After facing flak from several quarters, Sinha had said he “unequivocally condemns all acts of violence and rejects any type of vigilantism” and is committed to “honouring the due process of law”.indianexpress
Gujarat's largest Muslim ghetto gets its first Govt high school
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/states-largest-muslim-ghetto-gets-its-first-Govt -high-school/articleshow/64938906.cms
Ahmedabad: Juhapura, one of the largest Muslim ghettos in Asia, which saw a massive influx after the 1993 post-Babri riots and the 2002 post Godhra riots, has finally got its first Govt secondary and higher secondary school. On Monday, the Govt Secondary and Higher Secondary School opened its doors to local students in neighbourhood which is home to an estimated 3.5 lakh people. The school has a capacity of 420 students in classes IX to XII and has already admitted 380 students, including 180 girls. The school is seeing 15 students turn up to register every day.The area has 30 primary schools and 10 higher secondary school, but most of these are grant-in-aid or self-financed schools. This is the first Govt high school. TOI
Rashtriya Muslim Manch to Organise First Ever Grand Namaz and Quran Recitation in Ayodhya
https://www.news18.com/news/india/rashtriya-muslim-manch-to-organise-first-ever-grand-namaz-and-quran-recitation-in-ayodhya-1807839.html
Lucknow: For the first time in the history of Ayodhya, a grand namaz along with a Quran recitation session will be organised on the banks of Saryu river.The event is being organised by the Rashtriya Muslim Manch tomorrow. Around 1500 Muslim clerics are expected to take part in the event along with many Hindu devotees.The clerics will also visit around 200 mausoleums of Sufi saints.Media coordinator of Rashtriya Muslim Manch, Raza Rizvi said, "We are organising a grand event in which more than 1500 Islamic scholars and clerics will be participating and performing wazu (ablution) with the running water of Saryu river in Ayodhya, as it is said in Islam that running water is pure, and then they will offer namaz. Post that Quran Khani (recital) will also be organised to give out a message of peace and brotherhood to the world. We believe that these prayers will contribute towards building of Ram Temple soon in Ayodhya amidst peace and brotherhood."The event seeks to send out a message of peace and brotherhood and is also seen as an attempt by Rashtriya Muslim Manch to break its anti-Muslim image. RSS national executive member Indresh Kumar is patron of Rashtriya Muslim Manch.news18
Students's Union Members 'Barred' From Academic Council Meet: JNUSU
https://thewire.in/education/studentss-union-members-barred-from-academic-council-meet-jnusu
New Delhi: JNU students’s union (JNUSU) has alleged that their office-bearers have been “illegally debarred” from attending upcoming Academic Council (AC) meeting on Friday by the varsity administration.The students’s union claimed that it is mandated in the JNU statutes that the JNUSU office bearers are special invitees to the AC.“However, in an utterly bizarre move, the JNU administration has informed the JNUSU that it will be debarred from attending the upcoming AC meeting on July 13 due to an ongoing inquiry against them for an alleged act of indiscipline in the last AC meeting,” said the JNUSU in a statement.JNUSU wishes to communicate to the administration that no such inquiry has been instituted or nothing regarding any such inquiry has been intimated to the office bearers. It is therefore utterly baseless for the administration to keep out the JNUSU, which is a representative body of all JNU students, said the statement.PTI
Unnao rape case: CBI files charge-sheet against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar
https://www.newsx.com/national/unnao-rape-case-cbi-files-charge-sheet-against-bjp-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar
CBI on Wednesday filed charge sheet against accused UP BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in Unnao rape case. The development comes days after the national investigative agency filed charge-sheet against the brother of Kuldeep Singh Segar and 4 other in connection with the killing of Unnao rape victim’s father. CBI arrested Kuldeep Singh Sengar on April 13 after Allahabad High Court slammed the Yogi-Adityanath-led UP Govt . In April, the victim girl tried to commit suicide outside the Yogi Adityanath’s house. NewsX
Ghatkopar plane crash: Maria Zuberi’s family demands independent inquiry
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/ghatkopar-plane-crash-maria-zuberis-family-demands-independent-inquiry
Family members of Maria Zuberi, who was killed in a plane crash in Ghatkopar on June 28, questioned the silence of Govt authorities and the companies involved. The family has filed a complaint with Mumbai police against the concerned officials alleging that they were responsible for the crash directly or indirectly.While addressing the media persons in Mumbai, on Tuesday, Zuberi’s husband Prabhat Kathuria said, “The family has attempted to file an FIR, but the police are yet to register it. The crash of the Beechcraft Airplane, ten days ago, left, not just us, but all of Mumbai in shock.”Deputy Commissioner of Police Akhilesh Kumar said the police had not registered an FIR till Tuesday evening. “We received a complaint application on Tuesday evening. Besides, our investigation is in progress and we are awaiting DGCA report,” he said.nationalheraldindia
Modi Govt is targeting my family: Yogendra Yadav
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/modi-Govt -is-targeting-my-family-yogendra-yadav
National president of Swaraj India party, Yogendra Yadav, today accused PM Narendra Modi of targeting his family following Income Tax raids on two hospitals run by his sisters in Rewari, Haryana.Even as the raids were ongoing in Kalawati Hospital and Kamla Nursing Home, both established in 1979, at time of writing this report, party sources said that both the hospitals make donations to Yadav’s Party.nationalheraldindia
Cost of Modi’s demonetisation: IAF raised bills of Rs 29.41 crore to ferry currency notes, reveals RTI
https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/cost-of-modis-demonetisation-iaf-raised-bills-of-rs-29-41-crore-to-ferry-currency-notes-reveals-rti/1236127/
Over Rs 29.41 crore was spent on using Indian Air Force’s ultra-modern transport aircraft —C-17 and the C-130J Super Hercules — to ferry the newly-issued Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 currency notes post-demonetisation, according to an RTI reply.The move to scrap the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was announced by PM Narendra Modi on Nov. 8, 2016, and saw 86% of currency being sucked out of the system, needing an urgent operation to replenish it with the new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes issued after demonetisation.financialexpress
A Swami banned from entering Hyderabad for 6 months
http://www.jantakareporter.com/entertainment/swami-paripoornananda-banned-from-entering-hyderabad-for-six-months/197002/
The Hyderabad Police’s decision on Wednesday to ban Swami Paripoornananda, a Hindu religious leader, from the city for six months for allegedly making provocative statements against other communities.The decision came precisely two days after Telangana Police meted out a similar treatment to film critic Kathi Mahesh by externing him from Hyderabad for six months for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus through his alleged derogatory comments on Lord Ram and Sita, reported IANS. Police served the externment order to Swami under Section 3 of Telangana Prevention of Anti Social and Hazardous Activities Act 1980 citing that his acts are calculated to cause harm and danger to persons or property.SIASAT
WORLD
UN concerned about new Israeli restrictions on Gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-un-concerned-about-new-israeli-restrictions-on-gaza/
UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process, Nicolay Mladenov, has expressed his concern at the latest Israeli restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli-led siege for 12 years.“I am concerned by the consequences of Israel’s decision to temporarily suspend imports and exports with the exception of basic humanitarian supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing,” Mladenov explained.“Humanitarian assistance is no substitute for commerce and trade. I urge [Israeli] authorities to reverse this decision.”The United Nations, he pointed out, is continuing its engagement with Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, as well as regional and international partners, to reduce tensions, support intra-Palestinian reconciliation and resolve all humanitarian challenges.“This latest development must not divert us from this urgent course of action. Everyone must step back from the trajectory of confrontation and escalation.”P
Hamas condemns PA actions to undermine lifting of Gaza siege
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-hamas-condemns-pa-actions-to-undermine-lifting-of-gaza-siege/
Hamas has welcomed all efforts to alleviate the suffering of the besieged people in the Gaza Strip, the movement’s Political Bureau said on Tuesday. However, it also condemned the Palestinian Authority’s attempts to undermine efforts to ease or lift the siege.“All serious initiatives are welcomed with open arms and we appreciate the efforts made by more than one party in this regard,” said the bureau. “However, the movement deplores the PA’s attempt to disrupt these efforts under the illusion that the easing of the humanitarian situation in Gaza is part of the ‘deal of the century’.”A statement from Hamas pointed out that the PA is contributing to the siege by imposing sanctions, cutting salaries and obstructing regional and international efforts to have it lifted. “This is separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank — intentionally or unintentionally — and paves the way for Trump’s deal.”MEMO
Israel to demolish Palestinian homes in Bethlehem
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-israel-to-demolish-palestinian-homes-in-bethlehem/
Israeli occupation authorities handed demolition orders to owners of two Palestinian houses and a fence in the neighbourhood of Nahaleen in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Chairman of Nahaleen Municipality Subhi Zaidan told the news agency that the Israeli occupation forces accompanied by employees from the Israeli Civil Administration distributed the demolition orders.MEMO
Israel ‘not ruling out’ eventual ties with Syria’s Assad
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180710-israel-not-ruling-out-eventual-ties-with-syrias-assad/
Israel held out the prospect of eventual contacts with Syria under President Bashar al-Assad, in a nod to his regime-consolidating advances in a 7-year-old civil war that Israeli officials had initially predicted would topple him.Assad’s Russia-backed forces have advanced in southwest Syria and are on course to reach Quneitra, a rebel-held district abutting Golan Heights frontier with Israel. That has stirred Israeli concern that he may try to deploy troops there in defiance of a 1974 UN demilitarisation accord on Golan.Touring Israeli-occupied Golan, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman ramped up threats to use armed force should Damascus encroach militarily. “Any Syrian soldier who will be in the buffer zone risks his life,” Lieberman told reporters.However, Lieberman appeared to signal acknowledgment that Assad would regain control of the Syrian side of the Golan.middleeastmonitor
Israel foiled 160 assassination attempts on Arab leaders
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-israel-foiled-160-assassination-attempts-on-arab-leaders/
Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has foiled more than 160 assassination attempts against former and current Arab leaders;Kurdish journalist in Israel Mahdi Majeed claimed. Majeed said he discovered the information in classified intelligence documents, which would be revealed later, without specifying the dates of the assassination attempts or the way they were foiled.“Without the Israeli Mossad, half of the current Arab leaders would have been buried,” Majeed said on Twitter.
Turkey arrests televangelist ‘Harun Yahya’, followers for forming criminal gang, fraud, sexual abuse
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/turkey-arrests-televangelist-adnan-oktar-multiple-charges-180711105001781.html
A notorious televangelist has been arrested by Turkish police from his home on dozens of charges that include fraud, sexual assault, and military espionage.Adnan Oktar was arrested in Istanbul by the city's police financial crimes unit after an operation that had spread over 5 provinces.According to Turkish daily Hurriyet, security forces seized an arms cache, body armours and armoured vehicles at the televangelist's residence. Oktar was caught as he was trying to run away, the daily added.A total of 235 arrest warrants were issued in a major crackdown on his supporters, with 79 arrested so far in raids supported by helicopters.The detention warrant accuses Oktar and his followers of dozens of charges, including money laundering, forming a criminal organisation, sexual abuse of children, torture, illegal recording of personal data, and political and military espionage.Oktar is host of talk show programmes on his television channel, A9, where he mixes discussion of Islam and dancing with women he calls "kittens".He has been regularly denounced by Turkey's religious authorities, with Ali Erbas, head of Turkey's Diyanet religious affairs agency earlier this year saying that Oktar had "likely lost his mental balance". According to Reuters, Oktar hosts talk show programs on his television channel, A9, on which he has discussed Islamic values and sometimes danced with young women he calls “kittens” and sang with young men, his “lions”.In 2006, Oktar wrote the Atlas of Creation under his pen-name Harun Yahya, arguing that Darwin’s theory of evolution is at the root of global terrorism. He has written more than 300 books, translated into 73 languages, his channel says on its website.aljazeera
Report: 27 Syria regime fighters killed in surprise attack near Latakia
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-report-27-syria-regime-fighters-killed-in-surprise-attack-near-latakia/
At least 27 Syrian regime forces and pro-Govt fighters have been killed in a surprise attack by opposition factions in the western province of Latakia; the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said .The surprise attack was launched late on Monday against a village and observation posts controlled by the regime forces in Latakia near the border with Turkey.“At least 27 regime forces and loyal fighters were killed in violent clashes and artillery shelling on the village of Atira,” the head of the observatory Rami Abdul Rahman said.According to Abdul Rahman, the rebels and Islamist fighters forced the regime forces out of the observation posts during the attack during which another 40 regime fighters were wounded.memo
IS fighters quietly regrouping a year after Mosul,Raqqa fell
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/islamic-state-fighters-quietly-regrouping-a-year-after-mosul-raqqa-fell/story-Gkg2Sh0TrHPIAprUFqjY0H.html
Islamic State fighters have been quietly regrouping in the desert a year after their key stronghold of Mosul in Iraq was taken and Raqqa in Syria fell late last year, with an estimate putting the number of fighters in the two countries at more than 8,000.Reports about fighters regrouping in the Syrian desert and in Libya have emerged since October last year, and US Army spokesman Col Ryan Dillon recently admitted that the dreaded terror group hasn’t given up despite being defeated militarily.“Many have run…back into the desert areas and into these vast rural areas to hide and attempt to regroup,” Dillon said. “Others have attempted to go back into and blend back in with population centres as well.”
Egypt using fatwas to limit population growth
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-egypt-using-fatwas-to-limit-population-growth/
Egyptian Govt has resorted to Islamic edicts to curb the country’s high population growth rates, a German report has said.Germany’s Deutschlandfunk Radio reported that the fatwa – or Islamic legal opinion – in Egypt has become an important means of combating population growth, adding that Egyptian Edict House has allowed the use of contraceptives in spite of the fact that Al-Azhar scholars oppose it.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has often warned of danger of population growth and described it as one of the country’s biggest problems, just like terrorism.Early marriage in rural areas hinders family planning programmes, German report said.MEMO
US ambassador meets leaders of Al-Islah party in Riyadh, praises ‘Muslim brotherhood of Yemen’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180711-us-ambassador-meets-leaders-of-al-islah-party-in-riyadh-praises-muslim-brotherhood-of-yemen/
US ambassador to Yemen, Matthew Toler, praised the role of Al-Islah, the Muslim Brotherhood of Yemen, in pushing forward the political process in a country despite a raging three-year war.This came during the US ambassador’s meeting with leaders of the Yemeni Al-Islah party, in the Saudi capital on Monday headed by Chairman of the Supreme Yemeni Congregation for Reform, Mohammed Abdullah Al-Yadumi. According to Al-Sahwa Net website, which is associated with Al-Islah, Al-Yadumi discussed the latest developments in Yemen and a number of issues and topics of common concern with the US ambassador. Most prominent of which were developments in the West Coast and the city of Al-Hudaydah, the tragic humanitarian situation caused by the coup d’état on the State’s institutions and the need to make efforts to end this suffering.Al-Yadumi reiterated Al-Islah’s support for the efforts of UN envoy Martin Griffiths and all efforts that are aimed at stabilizing and achieving peace in accordance with the three terms of reference of the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and international resolutions, on top of which Resolution 2216 in order to end the coup and restore the stolen weapons.MEMO
Pakistan: Suicide blast kills ANP candidate, supporters at election rally
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/suicide-bomber-kills-anp-candidate-supporters-election-rally-180710201101463.html
A suicide bomb attack at an election rally in the northwestern city of Peshawar, Pakistan, has killed at least 20 people, including prominent local politician Haroon Bilour, police said.The attack on Tuesday at a campaign event organised by the Awami National Party (ANP) also wounded at least 69 people, according to the local police chief.Bilour was a provincial assembly candidate for the July 25 general elections. His father, Bashir Bilour, also a prominent ANP politician, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2012.Police said the bomber struck when Bilour was about to address some 200 supporters."According to our initial investigation, it was a suicide attack and Haroon Bilour ... was the target," police official Shafqat Malik told AFP.aljazeera
Afghanistan: Gunmen attack Jalalabad education building
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/afghanistan-clashes-ongoing-jalalabad-education-building-180711053151719.html
At least 10 people have been killed and another 10 wounded in an attack at a Govt building of the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, local officials said. Armed men entered an office of the education department in the provincial capital of Nangarhar at around 9:30am on Wednesday, setting off at least two big explosions and sparking an hours-long battle with security forces. "So far, 10 bodies have been recovered and taken to local hospitals," Attaullah Khogyani, spokesperson for the Nangarhar provincial governor, said in a statement. "10 people have also been wounded."One security guard was among the dead, Asif Shinwari, spokesperson for the Nangarhar education department told Tolo News, a Kabul-based news website.No group has so far claimed responsibility for the raid.This is the third major attack in Jalalabad in less than two weeks and the second one in as many days.aljazeera
OIC calls for Afghan cease-fire
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-based-islamic-organization-calls-for-afghan-cease-fire/2018/07/11/acc139aa-8502-11e8-9e06-4db52ac42e05_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.cf4c72a265d7
Riyadh:A summit of religious scholars organized by the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called for a new cease-fire in Afghanistan, a request already dismissed out of hand by the Taliban.The summit held by the 57-nation organization ended Wednesday. Participants issued a communique asking all sides in the conflict to put down their arms and begin “direct Afghan negotiations” to end the country’s nearly 17-year war.Govt of President Ashraf Ghani had welcomed the conference, which came after a cease-fire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The Taliban accepted a three-day truce, but rejected Ghani’s offer to extend it.The Taliban dismissed the Saudi summit before it began, saying they only want direct talks with the US on the withdrawal of all American troops.AP
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Secularism, Plurality Under Pressure, We Resisted That Pressure: Hamid Ansari
http://caravandaily.com/portal/secularism-plurality-under-pressure-we-resisted-that-pressure-hamid-ansari/
Turkey's Erdogan Starts Presidential Rule, Names Son-in-Law as Finance Minister:Reuters
https://thewire.in/world/indonesia-retreating-from-democracy-authoritarianism
Politics over namaz inside historic Taj mosque likely to survive beyond 2019:Hilal Ahmed
https://theprint.in/opinion/politics-over-namaz-inside-historic-taj-mosque-likely-to-survive-beyond-2019/81089/
'Let Govts Be Open to Criticism,' Says IAS Officer After Tweet Leads to Inquiry
https://thewire.in/Govt /ias-shah-faesal-jammu-kashmir-twitter
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:05 PM)
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