NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
19 July 2018:05 Ziqada 1439: Vol:10, No:69
'Jewish nation-state' LAW
Israel passes controversial 'Jewish nation-state' law
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2018/07/israel-passes-controversial-jewish-nation-state-law-180719050559316.html
Israel's parliament today adopted a law defining the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people, provoking fears it will lead to blatant discrimination against its Palestinian citizens. The legislation, adopted by 62 votes to 55, makes Hebrew the country's national language and defines the establishment of Jewish communities as being in the national interest.The bill also strips Arabic of its designation as an official language, downgrading it to a "special status" that enables its continued use within Israeli institutions.It stipulates that "Israel is the historic homeland of the Jewish people and they have an exclusive right to national self-determination in it". It also states that an undivided Jerusalem is the capital of Israel."This is a defining moment in the annals of Zionism and the history of the state of Israel," PM Benjamin Netanyahu told the Knesset after the vote.Palestinian members of the Knesset have condemned the bill."It has passed a law of Jewish supremacy and told us that we will always be second-class citizens,” Ayman Odeh,head of the Arab Joint List - an alliance of four predominantly Arab parties - said in a statement following law’s passage. Ahmed Tibi, one of the lawmakers, said: "I announce with shock and sorrow the death of democracy."Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, called the law a bid to advance "ethnic superiority by promoting racist policies"."Jewish nation-state law features key elements of apartheid, which is not only immoral but also absolutely prohibited under international law," said Hassan Jabareen, general director of Adalah."By defining sovereignty and democratic self-rule as belonging solely to the Jewish people - wherever they live around the world - Israel has made discrimination a constitutional value and has professed its commitment to favouring Jewish supremacy as the bedrock of institutions."According to Adalah,there are currently over 65 Israeli laws that discriminate against Palestinian citizens in Israel and Palestinian residents of the Occupied Palestinian Territory on the basis of their national belonging.aljazeera
Hamas: Nation-State bill officially defines Israel as apartheid entity
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/7/19/Hamas-Nation-State-bill-officially-defines-Israel-as-apartheid-entity
Gaza(PIC):Hamas strongly denounced today the adoption by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, of the new Nation-State Basic Law, charging Israel of officially adopting an apartheid system of rule.Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said “such a racist law” has seen the day thanks to the US unconditional support for Israeli occupation and its apartheid regime.“Such a law will not change the defacto situation. Palestinians are and will forever remain the real sovereigns in Palestine”, said Barhoum.He called on the Palestinians to opt for a unified national strategy so as to defend Palestinians’ rights and land against such schemes. Hamas urged the international community to work on reining in the unabated flow of Israel’s apartheid policies and prosecute the Israeli occupation for its flagrant breaches of international resolutions.
‘Extremist’ Israeli legislation draws storm of outrage
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/-extremist-israeli-legislation-draws-storm-of-outrage/1208577
Turkey slams Israel's 'Jewish nation-state' law
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-slams-israels-jewish-nation-state-law/1208662
Ankara:Turkey slammed a new Jewish nation-state law passed by Israel's Knesset, saying it "disregards" norms of universal law. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said: “The Jewish nation-state law passed by the Israeli parliament today disregards norms of universal law and ignores the rights of Palestinians.” The statement came after Israel's Knesset on Thursday passed a law which declares the country to be “the nation-state of the Jewish people”.Anadolu
INDIA
Rajnath Singh condemns mob lynchings, says onus on states; Congress walks out of Lok Sabha
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajnath-singh-mob-lynching-lok-sabha-congress-5265863/
New Delhi:Condemning instances of lynching and mob violence, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the onus lies on state Govt s to ensure they are not repeated in future. Singh also blamed the spread of fake news through social media for the lynchings.“The lynching incidents happened in the past well. I condemn all the incidents on behalf of my Govt . Unverified reports, fake news spread through social media is a trigger. It is the state Govt ’s responsibility to ensure that no such incidents take place in the future. Law and order is a state subject. This is why we have requested the social media operators to keep a tab in order to avoid the spread of fake information,” he said in Lok Sabha. He noted that the Centre had already issued two advisories in connection with the lynchings in the past. The Congress, however, walked out in protest after Singh’s statement. The party had moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha over the issue of mob lynching.“Home Minister’s statement in Lok Sabha on mob lynching was not satisfactory at all, that is why we staged a walkout from the house. This is not a game of ping-pong that states and Centre keep shifting responsibilities,” Congress MP Sashi Tharoor told ANI.
Lynchings caused by rumours spread through social media, says Govt
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Govt -blames-social-media-for-the-spread-of-rumours-that-led-to-mob-lynchings/article24459732.ece?homepage=true
Changes will make RTI Act useless: Rahul Gandhi
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/changes-will-make-rti-act-useless-rahul-gandhi/article24458567.ece
Congress President Rahul Gandhi today attacked BJP Govt over proposed changes to RTI Act, saying they will render the law useless.The proposed amendments, circulated among Members of Parliament, seek to do away with the parity given to information commissions with the Election Commission in terms of salary, allowances and conditions of service, RTI activists have said.Every Indian deserves to know the truth and the BJP wants to hide the truth. BJP believes the truth must be hidden from the people and they must not question people in power. Changes proposed to RTI will make it a useless Act, Gandhi said on Twitter.He added that the changes being suggested must be opposed by every Indian.Gandhi tagged a letter by the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information, which has challenged the amendments on grounds that thy undermine the independence of information commissions.Centre on July 18 said it is considering a proposal to amend RTI Act, 2005, to frame rules on salaries and services of CIC and Information Commissioners.PTI
Lok Sabha passes bill that allows assets seizure of economic offenders
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fugitive-economic-offenders-bill-2018-lok-sabha-5266340/
Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 has been passed in the Lok Sabha Thursday, which will empower authorities to attach and confiscate properties and assets of economic offenders. The bill will replace an ordinance promulgated by the Govt in April this year.Speaking in the lower house, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said the ordinance is the need of the hour. “Cases where the total value involved in such offences is Rs 100 crore or more, will come under its purview. Till 2014 nothing was done on this front,” he said.indianexpress
Decision on minority status for Hindus won’t be revealed before 2019 polls
https://theprint.in/governance/decision-on-minority-status-for-hindus-wont-be-revealed-before-2019-polls/84219/
New Delhi: Fearing political backlash from Hindu groups, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has decided to go slow on its report meant to examine whether Hindus can be granted minority status in seven states. It will only submit its report after the 2019 elections.“The demand to grant minority status to Hindus is untenable… This way, every state would have its own minorities,” an official in the commission said on the condition of anonymity.“But BJP govt can’t send out the message that it is not in favour of granting minority status to Hindus, so we have decided to submit the report after the 2019 elections. Govt has made up its mind to postpone the issue till after the elections.”A 3-member sub-committee was set up by the commission in January, based on BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay’s plea in the Supreme Court for granting minority status to Hindus in states where they account for less than 50 % of the population — J&K, Punjab, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, plus Union Territory of Lakshadweep.The SC rejected Upadhyay’s plea in Novr, and asked him to approach NCM instead.NCM has been reluctant to grant minority status to Hindus from the very beginning. According to reports in the media, in its interim report, the commission had already concluded that it is not possible to grant Hindus minority status at national level due to “constitutional boundaries”. Moreover, scores of communities will rise up to demand minority status across the country if it is granted to Hindus in these states.theprint
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/have-received-requests-to-grant-minority-status-to-hindus-in-jk-Govt /articleshow/65042492.cms
Kathua case: Parties call for review of appointment of defence counsel as AAG
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kathua-case-parties-call-for-review-of-appointment-of-defence-counsel-as-aag-5265412/
Srinagar:The appointment of a defence counsel for the Kathua rape-murder accused as additional advocate general has drawn criticism from political parties.“Ironic that a day after celebrating World Day for International Justice, the defence counsel in the horrific rape & murder Kathua case has been appointed as Additional Advocate General,” said ex J-K CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. “Rewarding those who defend alleged murderers & rapists is abhorrent & a shocking violation of the spirit of justice. Such a move will only serve to encourage the rape culture rampant in our society. Expect the @jandkgovernor to intervene.”Sawhney was also appointed as additional advocate general by J&K administration.Mufti’s party urged Governor NN Vohra to “review” the decision.indianexpress
AAP issues whip in favour of tomorrow's no-confidence motion against Modi Govt in Parliament
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/19/aap-issues-whip-in-favour-of-tomorrows-no-confidence-motion-against-modi-Govt -in-parliament-1845643.html
New Delhi: A whip has been issued by the AAP for its Lok Sabha MPs to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against Modi Govt to be taken up in the Lower House tomorrow.The chief whip, Bhagwant Mann, issued the directive that will be binding on the four MPs of the party in the Lok Sabha, said a senior AAP leader.Among them is the party's suspended MP from Patiala Dharamvir Gandhi.PTI
Shiv Sena to back govt. in no-confidence vote tomorrow
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shiv-sena-to-back-modi-govt-in-no-confidence-vote/article24460687.ece?homepage=true
Mumbai :Shiv Sena will vote in favour of the BJP-led Govt during the Opposition sponsored no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on Friday, according to a source close to party chief Uddhav Thackeray.“We will support the BJP. A formal announcement will be made,” source told PTI in Mumbai on Thursday.The no-trust vote will be the first one since NDA Govt was formed four years ago. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s decision to accept the motion, moved by former BJP ally TDP and others came on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament on Wednesday.PTI
Minority rights not diluted:Rajnath Singh
http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/190718/minority-rights-not-diluted-says-rajnath-singh.html
New Delhi: Amid concerns raised by some Rajya Sabha members over recent Supreme Court order on the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asserted that there is no dilution of the Act and no institution or individual can take away rights of the marginalised. Singh said that the govt has already taken steps by amending the relevant law. He added that Modi Govt felt that special courts were insufficient, and hence 194 special exclusive courts have been established to improve the conviction rate.Minister of state for home affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said special exclusive courts have been set up in 24 states, and special courts in 30 states.ASIAN AGE
Minorities Directorate to be set up in Maha in a month: minister
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/minorities-directorate-to-be-set-up-in-maha-in-a-month-kamble/1352055
Nagpur: Maharashtra minister Dilip Kamble today told the state Legislative Council that Minorities Directorate would be set up in the state within a month.He informed the House that the structure of the directorate has been finalised and it would be set up soon after the cabinet gives its nod.The Minister of State for Minority Affairs also said that the state is soon likely to receive from the Centre the funds saved after the scrapping of Haj subsidy, which would be used for the education of the minority children.He was replying to the issues concerning minorities raised by MLCs Khwaja Baig, Anand Thakur, Husnabanu Khalife, Jogendra Kawade, Girish Vyas and Haribhau Rathod and Neelam Gorhe.outlookindia
Modi govt rejects judge’s name as Delhi HC chief justice, cites lack of experience
https://theprint.in/governance/modi-govt-rejects-judges-name-as-delhi-hc-chief-justice-cites-lack-of-experience/85105/
New Delhi: Modi Govt has rejected yet again a name suggested by the Supreme Court collegium. This time the recommendation was to appoint Aniruddha Bose, a Calcutta High Court judge, as the chief justice of Delhi High Court. Reason? The Govt has said that Bose — who has been a judge since 2004 — doesn’t have any experience as a chief justice to handle such a prominent high court.Sources in the Supreme Court told ThePrint that the file was sent back a few days ago.Now the Govt wants the collegium to recommend another name in place of the 59-year-old Justice Bose for Delhi High Court, which has been without a full-time chief justice for more than a year.In declaring Bose’s lack of experience as the reason to reject his nomination, the Centre seems to have conveniently forgotten that in the past there have been several chief justices of Delhi High Court who began their tenures as apex judges in this very court. They include Justice G. Rohini, who was a puisne judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court before she was appointed as the first woman chief justice of Delhi High Court, and Justice N.V. Ramanna, currently in the Supreme Court, who was a judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court, before he was appointed as chief justice of the high court in the national capital.Also, several of the bigger high courts than the one in Delhi, including Punjab and Haryana, Bombay, Calcutta and MP, have had chief justices who were puisne judges in their parent high courts.The development comes days after ThePrint reported that the Modi Govt had returned the names of two advocates recommended by the Supreme Court collegium for elevation as high court judges. Even in that instance, the Centre’s decision was unprecedented in that it cited nothing adverse against the two candidates — Harnaresh Singh Gill and Mohammed Nizamuddin.theprint
Rajasthan: 5 arrested for allegedly assaulting men transporting cows
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-five-arrested-for-allegedly-assaulting-men-transporting-cows-5266233/
Jaipur:Police in Rajasthan’s Kota district have arrested five people for allegedly being part of a mob that assaulted two men who were transporting bovines to MP on Tuesday night. Praveen Tiwari (30), the owner of the bovines and Ahmad Ali (40), driver of the truck in which they were travelling, sustained injuries in the attack and received treatment in a hospital in Kota, said officials.“My family is engaged in the business of dairy farming near Dewas in MP. I had come to Jaipur to purchase bovines. After spending Rs. 2.25 lakh, I purchased 7 milch cows near Chomu in Jaipur before we started for MP on Tuesday,” Tiwari said.“The staff of the toll plaza along with several other people started assaulting us as soon as they saw we were transporting cows. Over 40 people assembled in the area and everybody was beating us. Some claimed to be members of Hindu outfits. They were forcibly trying to make us confess that we were taking the animals for slaughter,” said Tiwari.Ali, a resident of Tonk district in Rajasthan said that he has been driving inter-state vehicles since the past 22 years but had never faced such an incident. “The men were abusing and beating us. That’s when somebody who was passing by informed the police. If the cops hadn’t come, they would have killed us. I often go on long tours to states such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra but such an instance has never happened,” said Ali.“We have arrested 4 people -Arjun, Yogesh, Ajay, Naresh and Arjun- in the matter and preliminary investigation suggests that they worked at the toll plaza. During questioning the accused have revealed that they felt animals were being illegally transported,” said Rajendra Kumar Meena, station house officer, RK Puram police station.Indian Express
Jharkhand CM pre-planned the mob attack: Agnivesh
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/news/watch-jharkhand-cm-pre-planned-the-mob-attack-agnivesh-tells-nh
Social activist Swami Agnivesh has accused Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das of "pre-planning" the mob attack on him, saying that he had written a letter to Das 15 days prior to his rally in Pakur district where he was attacked by activists from BJP's youth wing."I had written a letter to Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das informing him that I would be taking up the issue of Adivasis. I had also requested an appointment with him so I could discuss these issues in person," Agnivesh told National Herald in an exclusive interaction after being discharged from AIIMS Trauma Centre on Thursday."This was 15 days prior to the rally where I was attacked. On July 16, I waited at CM's office in Ranchi for hours but wasn't given time with him, following which I took the night train and proceeded to Pakur," he said.Agnivesh said that around a lakh adivasis had gathered for the rally, which was organised to discuss the plight of the primitive tribes under the BJP state Govt ." Jharkhand Govt has signed 210 MoUs with corporates, as part of which 3.5 lakh acre of tribal land will be given away to these big businesses without the consent of the adivasi community. It is a classic instance of crony capitalism that is at play in Jharkhand," he said."I was due to address the rally, which had the presence of around a lakh locals, to highlight the injustice being meted out to adivasis. They had invited me from Delhi just for the rally.They had made all the arrangements," said the former academic at St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, who left his job to take up the cause of adivasi community.nationalheraldindia
Muslim organizations condemn mob attack on Agnivesh
http://caravandaily.com/portal/muslim-organizations-condemn-mob-attack-on-swami-agnivesh/
New Delhi:Top Muslim organizations have strongly condemned the assault of 78-year-old peace activist and eminent social worker Swami Agnivesh allegedly by a Hindutva mob in Jharkhand.Navaid Hamid, president, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, said Mushawarat “strongly condemns brutal attack on Swami Agnivesh by Sangh Terrorists in Jharkhand and demands immediate arrest of culprits.”Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, India’s one of the largest organizations, has also condemned the “heinous and cowardly attack” on Agnivesh. “We strongly condemn the heinous and cowardly attack in Jharkhand on renowned social activist and Arya Samaj leader Swami Agniveshji. He has always been in the forefront for social justice and communal harmony. Till now most of the mob-lynchings took place against those from the Muslim community but now a renowned religious head from the majority community has been attacked and it shows the severity of the situation,’’ said Jamaat chief Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari in a statement.Jamaat chief further said: “He has been attacked by those who want to polarize society in the name of religion and cannot tolerate anybody who exposes their divisive policies. It seems the attackers were confident that they can break the law and no action would be taken against them. We demand stern action against the guilty and the officers who were in charge of maintaining law and order but failed to protect Swamiji.’’Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, while condemning the incident, said the attack on Swami Agnivesh shows that communal forces are considering themselves above law.“It is unfortunate that Swami Agnivesh was assaulted by a mob the day the Supreme Court of India said that mob violence cannot have any place in democracy,” said Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani.caravandaily
Jamaat-e-Islami condemns attack on Swami Agnivesh
http://theindianawaaz.com/jamaat-e-islami-condemns-attack-on-swami-agnivesh/
ABVP activists beat up Missionary College staff in Yogi’s Gorakhpur
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/abvp-activists-beat-up-staff-of-missionary-college-in-yogis-gorakhpur
In CM Yogi Adityanath’s home town Gorakhpur, a group of unruly activists of ABVP beat up staff and teachers of a Missionary college, alleging corruption in the institute run by Catholic Diocese of India.Nearly 40 activists of ABVP reportedly barged into the office of Saint Andrew's College and allegedly assaulted the Proctorial board staff and teachers when they were not allowed to meet the principal of the college.Principal of the college, JK Lal, has lodged a written complaint against general secretary of ABVP's Gorakhpur unit, Saurabh Kumar Gaur and 40 others unnamed ABVP workers. “They (ABVP activists) were alleging corruption in the institute. Around 40 of them barged into the office and wanted to meet me. The staff told them that a delegation of only 5-6 people can be allowed to meet the principal. This infuriated them and they started assaulting members of the proctorial board. They even beat up non-teaching staff,” Lal said.The whole incident has been recorded on the CCTV. The College administration has submitted the footage to the police as the proof of how ABVP activists thrashed the staff and vandalised the office.St Andrews College is around 100-year-old minority college run by Catholic Diocese of India and is credited as an institution that has produced the who’s who in Gorakhpur.Even today, wards of the top political leaders, including those belonging to the Saffron party, are studying here.nationalheraldindia
Declared an Indian in ’17, Assam cop again listed as doubtful voter
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/declared-an-indian-in-17-assam-cop-again-listed-as-doubtful-voter/story-wSSX7ZlW8W3cz0rhrTmT2K.html
Guwahati:An Assam police officer’s 10-year-long struggle to prove his nationality continues even after he was declared an Indian citizen by a Foreigners Tribunal last year.Assistant sub-inspector Shah Alam Bhuyan has again been marked as a ‘D voter’ or doubtful voter in the state’s voter list even though he was declared an Indian citizen by the tribunal in 2017. ‘D voter’ tag means Bhuyan will again have to wait till his case comes up in the Foreigners Tribunal where he will have to prove that he is an Indian citizen and not an illegal immigrant. The ‘D voter’ tag may spell trouble not just for Bhuyan but for his family too. In a recent order, the Supreme Court had said the inclusion of ‘D voters’ and their descendants in NRC will be kept on hold. The deadline to release the final draft of the NRC is July 30.There are 100 Foreigners Tribunals in Assam that adjudicate on cases of individuals whose citizenship is suspected by the border branch of the Assam police.HT
Households without toilets used to identify backward minority concentration areas:TOI
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/households-without-toilets-used-to-identify-backward-minority-concentration-areas/articleshow/65043930.cms
New Delhi: An assessment of households lacking a toilet has been for the first time a deciding factor for identification of backward minority concentration areas under the flagship infrastructure development programme for these communities which was expanded from 196 districts to 308 in May by the Centre. The programme is seen as an attempt to reduce the gap between the national average and the minority communities on backwardness parameters.Govt’s Multi Sectoral Development Programme(MsDP)revamped as Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)was rolled out by the ministry of minority affairs after Cabinet approval in May. Earlier “basic need” parameters for identification of backward areas included pucca house, access to electricity and potable water. Under the revised scheme “latrine in house” was added.
Modi Govt misusing Ram Mandir issue to create communal divide: Raj Thackeray
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modi-Govt -misusing-ram-mandir-issue-to-create-communal-divide-raj-thackeray-1288848-2018-07-18
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, during a press conference, has said that BJP Govt is misusing the Ram Mandir issue to create divide among communities. "Ram Mandir should be constructed but it should not be used for political mileage. Now four years have passed and again this ruling Govt is misusing Ram Mandir issue to create divide among communities."He also claimed that India has borrowed so much loan because of PM Narendra Modi's adamant nature. Talking about Govt's inability to stop train accidents, he said, "Just for the adamant nature of PM Modi, India has borrowed so much for Bullet Train. At present Govt is not able to stop or control train accidents."indiatoday
Raj Thackeray: BJP won because of EVMs, won’t return to power in 2019
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/raj-thackeray-bjp-won-because-of-evms-wont-return-to-power-in-2019/
SDPI is RSS among Muslims: Kerala CPIM chief
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sdpi-is-indian-version-of-islamic-state-kerala-cpim-chief-1289706-2018-07-18
Kerala's CPI(M) chief alleges that SDPI is the Indian version of Islamic State (IS). Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's sharp remarks comes days after a SFI activist was killed inside a college campus in Kochi.It was alleged that SFI activist was killed by people having associations with SDPI or PFI.Balakrishnan said, "SDPI is a version of IS in India. IS attacks the Muslims also, similarly SDPI's attack is also against Muslims. SDPI is the enemy if Muslims in India."Balakrishnan said that RSS and SDPI are two sides of the same coin. He also said that SDPI is the RSS among Muslims.SDPI, PFI, Campus Front and NDF have been facing a lot of heat after the murder of SFI activist and student Abhimanyu. Police carried out extensive searches in many offices of SDPI and PFI. Over 600 activists belonging to these bodies have been charged with various sections.indiatoday
Aircel-Maxis case: P Chidambaram listed as an accused by CBI in fresh charge-sheet
https://www.newsx.com/national/aircel-maxis-case-p-chidambaram-listed-as-an-accused-by-cbi-in-fresh-charge-sheet
CBI today listed ex Finance Minister P Chidambaram as an accused in the supplementary charge-sheet filed in Aircel-Maxis case in Delhi’s Patiala House Court. His son Karti Chidambaram and 16 others have already been accused in the ongoing case. CBI has also named two Govt officials in the new charge-sheet and has charged them with ‘Abuse of Power’. Patiala House Court will take cognizance of the matter on July 31, Tuesday.In its new charge-sheet, CBI has stated that two sets of money trails were discovered regarding Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance during the investigation of the case. Among the total 18 accused, there are some public office holders, both working and retired, who have been named in the charge-sheet.NewsX
Bhopal Municipal Corporation workers raze historic 18th century Zeenat Manzil
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/150-years-of-history-turn-to-dust/articleshow/65049783.cms
Bhopal:Unmindful of importance of heritage protection, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) initially indicated only a tower of Zeenat Manzil, the wall of which touches the mosque, would be demolished. There were calls on social media to protect Shams-ul-Masajid, popularly called Heera Masajid, much before the civic body began demolition early Wednesday morning. The rare mosque is made of marble, considered one of the first experiments of Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum, before she undertook the task of building Taj-ul-Masajid, one of the largest mosques in the world. “Pillar of Zeenat Manzil is tilting towards the mosque and might cause more damage,” explained BMC corporator Mohammed Saud. However, when demolition task force began using a hydraulic crane, they targeted a pillar on the opposite side, which did not directly threaten the mosque. “There are cracks on that wall, too,” said BMC officials. Till evening, BMC had first demolished portions of the palace, which are not threatening the mosque. But many of those who care about heritage structures say the whole exercise raises doubts. There is a need to know who will gain from the loss of priceless heritage, they say. TOI
Bomb Explodes At Under-Construction Temple In Allahabad, Live Bombs Also Recovered
http://caravandaily.com/portal/bomb-explodes-at-under-construction-temple-in-allahabad-live-bombs-also-recovered/
Allahabad: A child was injured when a bomb exploded at an under-construction temple in Rasoolabad area under the Shiv Kuti police station in Allahabad on Wednesday. Four live bombs were also recovered from the site.13-year-old Manish, who was playing near the debris of the under-construction temple, was injured in the explosion. He was rushed to the local hospital where his condition is said to be out of danger.4 crude bombs were also recovered from the site and have been sent for forensic checking, a police official told IANS. “They have since been diffused and we are questioning the people around to ascertain how the crude bombs reached the garbage dump near a temple,” the official told IANS.caravandaily
Hindu population in Bangladesh increasing: Sushma
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindu-population-in-bangladesh-increasing-sushma-swaraj-in-rajya-sabha-5266275/
New Delhi:Countering perception that the population of Hindus in Bangladesh was declining, the Govt today quoted official records of that country to state that it has instead risen by 2% in 2017. Responding to questions in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also said the Govt has from time to time raised the issue of the plight of minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries at the bilateral level and made efforts to take them to a logical conclusion.She urged members to pass the Citizenship Act amendment bill, pending in Upper House, to help resolve issues pertaining to atrocities and attacks on minorities, including those in Pakistan. “About the demographic changes in Bangladesh, as per statistics of the Bangladesh Bureau, in 2011 there were 8.4 % Hindus in the country, which has risen to 10.7 % in 2017.PTI
India could lose trade dispute with U.S. at WTO: Commerce Secretary
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/india-could-lose-trade-dispute-with-us-at-wto-commerce-secretary/article24462255.ece?homepage=true
Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia on July 19 said there was a “real” possibility that India could lose the trade dispute that the U.S. had filed in the WTO on export subsidies. This, she said, was because income levels in India had crossed the threshold for exports to be subsidised.“There is a real possibility that India will lose the trade dispute with the U.S. at WTO over subsidising exports,” she said at an ICC interaction in Kolkata. However, India has been responding “very strongly” to the U.S. allegations, Ms Teaotia said.She said while direct subsidy to exports cannot be given, Govt can legitimately support regulatory compliances required in other countries. “Benefits to services exports will remain untouched, and GST refunds to exporters will continue as well,” she said.PTI
Top News: India’s fake research paper shops, Jio’s projected Rs 100 crore revenue in first year
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/top-news-fake-science-jio-institute-cbi-ed-parliament-goa-fish-scare-5265666/
New Delhi :An investigation by Indian Express revealed that fake research paper shops publish papers for a listed “charge” or “fee”. These publications exist online, and claim to have a list of experts as editors, and employ minimal or no editorial checks before publication.In another news, Jio Institute has projected Rs 100 crore revenue from students in first year. Here’s the top news of the day.The investigation has discovered over 300 publishers in the country who manage what are called “predatory journals” that claim to be international and publish papers for a listed “charge” or “fee” that ranges from $30-$1,800 per piece. Shyamlal Yadav finds that several of these publications exist online, claim to have a list of experts as editors, and employ minimal or no editorial checks before publication. Read more here.Indian Express
Mumbai-based taxi driver graduates with son, says ‘there is no age to study’
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/city/mumbai/mumbai-based-taxi-driver-graduates-with-son-says-there-is-no-age-to-study/videoshow/65050625.cms
Beaming with joy Farook Shaikh said that there is no age to study. Shaikh, is a Mumbai based taxi driver who recently completed his graduation along with his son. He seemed to be at the the top of the world as he graduated in the same year as that of his son. He was not financially well off. Owing to his deteriorating financial condition, Shaikh took up the job of taxi driver and decided to pursue graduation to earn better. TOI
We don't tip terrorist, writes customer because waiter had a Muslim name
https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/we-don-t-tip-terrorist-writes-customer-of-waiter-with-muslim-name-1290419-2018-07-19
Last weekend, a young man named Khalil Cavil was waiting tables at Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa, Texas, like any other Saturday. At one point, he noticed one of his customers leave their table after paying the bill.As usually, Khalil headed over to the now-empty table to collect the bill and his tip money. But instead of a tip, he found a message that would leave him, and later many on social media, much shaken."We don't tip terrorist," the customer had written on the bill, circling Khalil's name in black ink. On that note, the customer, whom Khalil respectfully leaves unnamed, left zero tip on a $108 bill."At the moment I didn't know what to think nor what to say, I was sick to my stomach," Khalil wrote on Facebook as he shared a photo of the bill.Speaking to local Texas channel KMID Big 2 News, Khalil said that the customer probably assumed he was Middle Eastern because of his first name, which means "friend" in Arabic.In reality, Khalil was named so in memory of his dad's best friend.IndiaToday
Arshad Qasmi, Farah Faiz slap each other during live debate; cleric remanded to 14-day judicial custody
https://www.siasat.com/news/arshad-qasmi-farah-faiz-slap-each-other-during-live-debate-cleric-remanded-14-day-judicial-custody-1382603/
New Delhi: Outrage was caused during a live debate on a news channel when the member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Ejaz Arshad Qasmi had a heated argument with the women present in the panel which resulted in the physical scuffle.Farah Faiz who filed petition in Supreme Court in connection with triple talaq slapped Qasmi who in turn slapped the woman twice.The incident created outrage and the channel called police. Qasmi was taken into custody.It was clear in the clipping that woman first slapped Qasmi.Farah is associated with RSS and is head of Rashtrawadi Muslim Mahila Sangh. Qasmi has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody. siasat
Muslim scholars appealed to boycott TV debates
https://www.siasat.com/news/muslim-scholars-appealed-boycott-tv-debates-1382714/
New Delhi: For several years news channels are conducting debates regarding Muslims and Islam. All this is planned and doesn’t aim at solving the issue but to make fun of a particular community and to give other community a chance to attack that particular community. Muslim scholars have appealed Maulvis who are invited by TV channels to boycott debates. Convener of Delhi Islah-e-mashera committee of All India Muslim Personal Law Board said that Ulama for the sake of fame and wealth participate in the debates even though they know that this will tarnish the image of the religion.General Secretary Jamiat Ulama Delhi, Maulana Abdur Razzaq said that it has become a business for the so-called moulvis to participate in TV debates with no or little knowledge of shariah. saisat
UP minority commission team rushes to Bareilly over fatwa against Nida Khan
http://www.uniindia.com/up-minority-commission-team-rushes-to-bareilly-over-fatwa-against-triple-talaq-crusader/states/news/1293467.html
Bareilly: A 2-member UP Minority Commission rushed here today to investigate into the fatwa and other issues anti triple talaq activist Nida Khan.The team, after meeting the DM and SSP, directed to provide 24 hour security Khan.UNI
WORLD
Turkey's emergency ends as bill seeks to keep some of its powers
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/turkey-emergency-rule-ends-Govt -seeks-powers-180718181341957.html
A state of emergency imposed in Turkey after a coup attempt two years ago comes to an end today, as the Govt seeks to pass new legislation to keep in place some of the measure's powers. Emergency rule was imposed five days after the coup attempt on July 20, 2016, to enable authorities "to take swift and effective action against those responsible" for it.Govt then extended it seven times, facing criticism from the opposition and Turkey's Western allies.More than 250 people, excluding the plotters, were killed during the coup attempt, which Ankara blames on the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a religious leader living in self-imposed exile in US. Gulen has denied any involvement. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made ending the state of emergency a key promise during his campaign ahead of last month's presidential and parliamentary elections. After winning the June 24 poll, Erdogan became Turkey's first executive president with significantly increased powers.The Govt recently said it would not seek an extension of the state of emergency, under which tens of thousands of people were either sacked from public institutions or arrested.US and many members of EU, as well as international rights groups, repeatedly condemned the detentions and purges in the country. Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International's Turkey researcher, said the state of emergency was used by Govt to counter legitimate opposition in the country, rather than to target threats to national security.Erdogan's AK Party on Monday submitted a new bill seeking to keep some measures allowed under the state of emergency for another 3 years. Proposed legislation is expected to be taken to parliament next week,following discussions at Justice Commission. aljazeera
Govt air raids pound rebel holdout in southwest Syria
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/Govt -air-raids-pound-rebel-holdout-southwest-syria-180718190713493.html
Syrian Govt forces have unleashed an intense bombing campaign on the densely-populated southwestern town of Nawa, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 100, according to activists and rescuers.The air raids, which were launched on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday, hit the rebel-held city's only hospital, rendering it non-operational and causing dozens of reported casualties.The bombardment is part of the Govt 's military offensive - which it began on June 19 - on the remaining opposition pockets in the southwestern region, which includes the Deraa and Quneitra provinces which straddle the border with Jordan and the frontier with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.Nawa, home to at least 100,000 people, is the largest urban centre still controlled by rebels in Deraa province.aljazeera
Syria rebels agree to surrender zone bordering Golan
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-rebels-agree-surrender-zone-bordering-golan-705768319
Syrian rebels have agreed to surrender a sensitive area bordering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, an activist group and opposition source said on Thursday, the latest in a series of deals expanding Govt control over key territory.The agreement follows another deal that saw thousands of residents evacuated on Thursday morning from two pro-Govt towns in northern Syria long besieged by hardline rebels. Both deals, negotiated by Govt ally Russia, will be seen as victories for President Bashar al-Assad over the seven-year uprising that once threatened his rule.With a mix of military force and negotiated surrenders, his forces this month captured more than 90 % of Daraa, the southern province where protests against him first erupted in 2011.They then began intensely bombing rebels in Quneitra, a crescent-shaped province wedged between Daraa and the buffer zone with the Israel-occupied Golan to the west. Under pressure, rebels have agreed to hand over Quneitra and the buffer to Govt forces, an opposition negotiator and an activist group told AFP today.
Israel, Russia discuss return to 1974 Syria border area
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180719-israel-russia-discuss-return-to-1974-syria-border-area/
Israel and Russia are reportedly holding talks on the withdrawal of Syrian regime forces from the Golan Heights area and a return to the 1974 demarcation lines, according Israeli television broadcaster Kan.Working groups in both countries have been studying issues including no-man’s land, demilitarized zones and the deployment of Israeli and Syrian forces on both sides of the border, the report said, citing a Russian diplomatic source.Israel and Syria are believed to have agreed to return to 1974 Agreement on Disengagement drawn up in the wake of the 1973 October War, with Syria stating it will withdraw from the region after it has defeated the remaining opposition forces near the border.MEMO
Israel hits Gaza Strip, martyring Palestinian, injuring 3
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-hits-gaza-strip-martyring-palestinian-injuring-3/1208676
Gaza:One Palestinian was martyred today -- and 3 others injured -- in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.“Martyr Abdel-Karim Radwan, 22, succumbed to injuries sustained as a result of the strike,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.“3 injured individuals, meanwhile, have since been taken to Gaza’s European Hospital for treatment,” he added.In its own statement, Israeli army confirmed the strike, saying: “An Israeli warplane targeted an activist cell that had been launching incendiary balloons near a Hamas position in the southern Gaza Strip.”Anadolu Agency
Hamas reveals details of Egyptian reconciliation proposal
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180719-hamas-reveals-details-of-egyptian-reconciliation-proposal/
Senior Hamas leader Musa Abu-Marzouq revealed the details of Egyptian proposal for Palestinian reconciliation, Safa reported. He said:“New proposal includes mechanisms to carry out reconciliation in stages in a limited timeframe,” stressing that Hamas had accepted this proposal and “will not carry out any more reconciliation discussions”. Cairo said that it was waiting for Fatah’s reply. “We hope that Egypt receives a positive response from Fatah in order to put an end to this era,” Abu-Marzouq said.The proposal starts with lifting all the punitive measures imposed on the Gaza Strip, according to Abu-Marzouq. He noted that the proposal is limited because of the strict timeframe based on the Cairo Agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas in 2011.MEMO
Israel sends threatening letter to Hamas leaders, Israeli media claims
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180719-israel-sends-threatening-letter-to-hamas-leaders-israeli-media-claims/
Israeli authorities have sent a threatening letter to Hamas leaders through Egypt’s intelligence agency, Quds Press reported yesterday.According to the Israeli TV Channel 10, Israel said in the letter that it is ready to carry out a military offensive against Gaza if the incendiary balloons are not stopped. Hamas replied with a letter from Cairo, saying that it would stop the kites and balloons after Friday in return for reopening the crossings, mainly Rafah, and with the improvement of economic and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.Palestinian youths used the incendiary kites and balloons to face Israeli aggression against the protesters taking part in the Great March of Return and to put pressure on Israel to lift its 12-year siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.middleeastmonitor
Hamas defiant after Israeli threats over burning kites
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/hamas-defiant-israeli-threats-burning-kites-180718184538863.html
Hamas says protesters sending burning kites into Israel have a right to continue, despite Israeli threats to stop them.Israel, which has intensified its blockade of Gaza, say millions of dollars worth of crops have been destroyed on their side and further attacks will not be tolerated.aljazeera
Israel okays construction of more settler homes on Palestinian land
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/7/19/Israel-okays-construction-of-more-settler-homes-on-Palestinian-land
Israeli occupation authorities green-lighted the constructions of dozens of houses for Israeli settlers on the outskirts of Itamar illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands southeast of Nablus.The Hebrew-speaking Channel 7 said the occupation authorities approved a bid to build 62 settlement units near Itamar, in the northern occupied West Bank.PTI
Palestinian officials denied entry to US to attend UN meet
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/7/19/Palestinian-officials-denied-entry-to-US-to-attend-UN-meeting
Washington, (PIC) Palestinian ambassador to UN Riyad Mansour said that US authorities refused to provide a Palestinian delegation of six experts travel visas to attend an important meeting that was held at the UN headquarters in New York.Mansour told journalists that Israel also “complicated the matter” by refusing to allow several members of the delegation to travel from Ramallah to Jerusalem, where the US Consulate is located, to check on their visas.He said such measure violated UN agreement with the United States as host country of the world organization, which requires the US to facilitate UN work and allow delegates to attend UN meetings.
Hungary follows US in pulling out of UN migration pact
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/hungary-pulling-migration-pact-180718174019778.html
Hungary's right-wing Govt is withdrawing from a UN pact on migration, saying the global deal encourages movements of people which are "dangerous for the world".After 18 months of negotiations, the draft for the Global Compact for Migration was approved on Friday by 191 UN member nations, but not US, which withdrew in December saying it was "inconsistent" with its "immigration and refugee policies". Hungary, whose PM Viktor Orban won a third consecutive term in April on a fiercely anti-migration platform, decided not to sign the final document at a ceremony in Morocco in December.aljazeera
Rohingya report more violence, persecution in Myanmar: UN investigators
http://morungexpress.com/rohingya-report-more-violence-persecution-in-myanmar-u-n-investigators/
Geneva: Muslim Rohingya refugees reaching Bangladesh say violence, including torture, persists against them in Myanmar and the overall environment remains “menacing” for ethnic and religious minorities, UN human rights investigators said today. Members of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar ended a 5-day visit to the refugee camp of Kutupalong in Cox’s Bazar where they interviewed new arrivals among the more than 700,000 Rohingya who have fled Rakhine state since an army crackdown last August.“They referred to the overt threats they faced of violence and persecution, being cut off from their sources of livelihood, and the overall menacing environment that finally compelled them to leave for Bangladesh,” investigators said, adding that the arrival of new refugees reflects the “the continuing gravity of the human rights violations in Myanmar.”Reuters
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
A law for lynching isn’t enough. It recurs due to climate of impunity, political encouragement:Harsh Mander
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/supreme-court-on-mob-lynching-law-against-lynching-case-social-media-whatsapp-rumuors-5265173/
View From Right: Organiser editorial questions objectives and timing of AIMPLB raising issue of Dar-ul-Qaza
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sharia-courts-muslim-personal-law-board-shariat-act-law-commission-uniform-civil-code-5263732/
Just One Month After Hapur Lynching, Qasim's Wife Says 'It's Like He Never Existed'
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/07/18/its-like-he-never-existed-says-the-wife-of-the-muslim-man-lynched-just-a-month-ago-in-up_a_23484442/
In BJP's Reaction to Attack on Swami Agnivesh, a Message For Lynch Mobs:Apoorvanand
https://thewire.in/rights/swami-agnivesh-attack-lynch-mobs-bjp
“Completely False”, Write Former Civil Servants to BBC In Response to Minister Prasad’s Allegations In Interview
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14437/Completely-False-Write-Former-Civil-Servants-to-BBC-In-Response-to-Minister-Prasads-Allegations-In-Interview
Putin made PM Modi wait for an hour ahead of their first meeting in 2014!
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/not-just-trump-putin-made-modi-also-wait-for-an-hour
Child asks mother why Muslim man was wearing skull cap & her answer is what we all need to hear: Shewali Tiwari
https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/human-interest/child-asks-mother-why-muslim-man-was-wearing-skull-cap-her-answer-is-what-we-all-need-to-hear-349683.html
Why Narendra Modi did not want a no-confidence motion in March (but is okay with it now):Anita Katyal
https://scroll.in/article/887102/why-narendra-modi-did-not-want-a-no-confidence-motion-in-march-but-is-okay-with-it-now
Online petition roasting NRC goes viral:Counter-move clarifies update bid doesn't target religion
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/online-petition-roasting-nrc-goes-viral-245707
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:44 PM)
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