NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
22 July 2018:08 Ziqada 1439: Vol:10, No:71
INDIA
Day After Alwar Killing, Centre Mulls Changes in IPC to Deal With Mob Lynching
https://www.news18.com/news/india/day-after-alwar-killing-centre-mulls-changes-in-ipc-to-deal-with-mob-lynching-1819835.html
New Delhi: A day after a man was lynched in Rajasthan’s Alwar, the Centre is considering the possibility of amending the Indian Penal Code to define 'mob lynching' as a penal offence, a senior government functionary has said. Another option being considered is to draft a model law that states can adopt to prevent incidents of mob lynching, he said. "Everything is in the preliminary stage as the entire Supreme Court order asking the Centre to come up with a new law has to be examined," he added. If the IPC is amended, the government will not have to bring a standalone law on mob lynching. If the burden of proof to prove innocence is put on the accused, then certain sections of the CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act would also require amendments, the functionary said. He said it will take several days before the government firms up its stand. The government may also further strengthen the framework relating to social media to ensure that rumours which may lead to such incidents are checked. Several cases of lynching and mob violence have been reported from across the country in the recent past, the latest being from Rajasthan where a man was beaten to death on Friday.PTI
Alwar mob lynching: 3rd accused arrested; victim's autopsy report reveals fractured ribs, broken wrist
https://www.firstpost.com/india/alwar-mob-lynching-third-accused-arrested-victims-autopsy-report-reveals-fractured-ribs-broken-wrist-4793861.html
A day after 2 men were taken into custody in the Rajasthan lynching case, a third accused was arrested by the police on Sunday, according to several media reports.The autopsy report revealed that the ribs of the victim, Akbar Khan, were fractured due to a thrashing. The broken ribs led to water filling in his lungs, which caused his death, CNN-News 18 reported. Khan's wrist was also broken, according to the autopsy.On Saturday, two accused, Dharmendra Yadav and Paramjeet Singh Sardar, were arrested. A group of villagers lynched Khan, 28, in Alwar district on Saturday allegedly on suspicion of cow smuggling. Khan and his friend Aslam were taking two cows to their village in Haryana through a forest area near Lalawandi in Alwar when 5 men attacked them, said Subhash Sharma, Station House Officer, Ramgarh Police Station.Reports said Khan was taken to the hospital three hours after the incident. The victim's father, Suleiman, has called for quick action and said, "We want justice. The culprits should be arrested soon."BJP leader Gyan Dev Ahuja on Sunday said the Alwar lynching accused must be released as sources have informed him that Khan was taken to the police station and beaten up for being a 'cow smuggler', CNN-News reported. VHP leader Naval Kishore Sharma also threw his weight behind Ahuja.firstpost
3 Arrested In Alwar After Man Killed For 'Cow Smuggling'
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-arrested-in-rajasthans-alwar-after-man-killed-for-cow-smuggling-1887585
Alwar lynching victim was sole breadwinner, family faces uncertain future
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/alwar-lynching-milkman-s-family-now-faces-uncertain-future/story-i30NHTWpeigoaHVkKq9KDP.html
Akbar Khan, the man who was beaten to death on suspicion of being a cow smuggler in Rajasthan, was the sole breadwinner of his family.Hailing from Haryana’s Mewat district, Khan had gone to Lalavandi village (in Alwar district) with his friend Aslam to buy two cows to expand his milk supply business, his family said.Aslam Khan, who returned to Kolgaon village in Haryana’s Mewat district on Saturday morning, said he hid in the fields taking advantage of the dark while a crowd attacked Akbar. Khan said they had bought the cows for Rs 60,000 from one of the villagers there and Akbar was walking the cows while he was riding the motorcycle alongside when they heard the gunshots.“Some started shouting that we were trying to steal cows.They rushed towards us.I got scared and ran towards the field. Akbar was holding the cows then,” Khan said. He said he cannot recognise any of attackers because of the darkness, but can recognise their voices as they were “abusing us very loudly”.Akbar’s family members said he wanted to start his own dairy in the village with 10 more cows. He had taken a loan from his in-laws and friends to buy 2 cows on Friday.He lived in the village with his wife,7 children and parents.Villagers said his wife,Asmina, 30, lost consciousness on hearing about the attack. Later, Asmina said the family owned 3 cows and did its best to care for them. They supplied milk to the dairy owners in the area. “How can I lead a life without my husband? I have 4 son and 3 daughters,”she said. Family members denied allegations that he was smuggling cattle.They said he had borrowed Rs 50,000 from his mother-in-law and the rest from friends. Sher Mohammad, sarpanch of Mev Panchayat in Alwar,said that when Union ministers felicitate lynching accused, then vigilantes get encouraged to kill innocents, referring to minister Jayant Sinha’s act.HT
Lynching in Alwar, Union minister sees a ‘conspiracy’ given ‘the PM’s popularity’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lynching-in-alwar-union-minister-sees-a-conspiracy-given-the-pms-popularity-5268739/
My husband was killed because he was Muslim, says Alwar lynching victim’s wife
https://theprint.in/security/my-husband-was-killed-because-he-was-muslim-says-alwar-lynching-victims-wife/86733/
Taking Alwar Mob Victim To Hospital, Cops Stopped For Tea, Cow Transport
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/taking-alwar-mob-victim-to-hospital-cops-stopped-for-tea-cow-transport-1887678
'Safer to be a cow than a Muslim': Shashi Tharoor tweets after Alwar lynching,
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/safer-to-be-a-cow-than-a-muslim-shashi-tharoor-tweets-after-alwar-lynching-sitaram-yechury-backs-comment/258153
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor launched a scathing attack against BJP after the Alwar lynching case. He said that in several places in the country, it is safer to be a cow than a Muslim. Left leader Sitaram Yechury has also backed the Cong leader in his comment. Several other leaders also came out in support of Tharoor."It seems safer in many places to be a cow than a Muslim," he said in a tweet. "Why BJP Ministers' claims about reduction in communal violence don't stand up to the facts," he said referring to the recent Alwar case where a Muslim youth was lynched by a mob.He said that BJP's claims that lynchings have gone down don't reflect in the situation in the country. timesnownews
Central law will prevail over personal law: Bombay HC
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/220718/central-law-will-prevail-over-personal-law-bombay-high-court.html
Bombay High Court has held that Central law shall prevail over personal law in instances when both are conflicting. HC made the observation while hearing an abortion plea of a 16-year-old rape survivor wherein the accused’s family claimed that Muslim personal law permitted the marriage of a 16-year-old and there was no rape.The court, however, held that as the Central law has set the age of majority for girls at 18 years, it would prevail over personal law. During the hearing of an abortion plea filed by the father of the rape survivor, who was 22-weeks pregnant, the division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Girish Kulkarni was informed by counsel appearing for the accused that as per Muslim personal law, a girl can get married after attaining 15 years of age, hence the case could not be construed as rape and the abortion plea should be dismissed. However, assistant Govt pleader Kavita Solunke submitted that as girl in question was not a Muslim, personal law could not be applied to her and her plea for abortion could not be dismissed as Central law had fixed the age for marriage at 18 years and she was governed by Central law and not personal law.After hearing both sides, the court upheld the state’s arguments.The court and said that when laws were in conflict over an issue, the law governing the entire population would prevail and in the current case as the girl was not a Muslim, age of marriage prescribed under Central law would prevail.The court then directed the Govt to initiate the process of appointing a committee of experts to examine girl.HC also directed the Govt to submit the report on whether the abortion of 22-week foetus could be permitted. deccanchronicle
Delhi university to start course on “Islam & transnational terrorism”, Minority Commission issues notice
http://caravandaily.com/portal/delhi-university-to-start-course-on-islam-transnational-terrorism-minority-commission-issues-notice/
New Delhi:Delhi Minorities Commission has issued a notice to the Delhi University over its proposed course on “Islam and International Relations” under which various controversial topics like “Islam and Transnational Terrorism”, “Wahhabism”, “Petrodollar Islam” and “Globalisation of Transnational Jihad” will be taught.Political Science Dept.of university is considering a proposal to start an elective course titled “Islam and International Relations” at the third or fourth semester of MA (Political Science). The draft of the proposed course has been uploaded on the website of the Delhi University and some media outlets have carried news reports on it.Delhi Minorities Commission has issued a sou motu notice to Registrar of Delhi University and asked him: “Has the university, while starting a course on “Islamic terrorism” deliberated that individuals and groups belonging to many religions have indulged in terrorism across the world in recent times?” “In such a situation, starting a course only on “Islamic terrorism” will send a wrong message to society, increase communal tension and help hate politics,” said the commission. The minority panel has also asked the Registrar of the varsity to send all information about this course, a list of the books which will be used to teach this course and if persons and groups belonging to other religions also will be studied under this course.Recently, there were media reports about a similar proposed course to be started at JNU. The title of the course was “Islamic Terrorism.” But after the swift intervention of the minority commission and some Muslim organizations including Jamiat Ulama and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, JNU backtracked and its Registrar wrote to the panel that no such course has been approved.Under the title of “Course Objective”,it reads:“This paper introduces masters students to the multi-layered and multi-faceted theoretical, conceptual and philosophical issues that act as road maps when we attempt at understanding the linkages between the history, culture and theology of Islam and the structuration processes that are involved in the functioning of international relations. The course explains as to how in recent times, the genealogy and archeology of the religious and political thought in Islam and its connection with systemic contours of societies and political institutions has emerged to be one of the most contested subjects in humanities and social sciences."caravandaily
Sexual preference can be a personal choice: Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sexual-preference-can-be-a-personal-choice-says-law-minister-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/65086552.cms
In the Govt ’s first formal comment on its decision not to oppose decriminalisation of Sec 377 that makes homosexuality illegal, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the stance recognises changing social attitudes. He also said the offer to Congress for a legislative ‘package’ on gender rights is not posturing. He said, "many societies are changing and the Govt ’s stand on Section 377 is an example too. There was a view that may be sexual preference is also a personal choice. Why not decriminalise it? Other issues like same-sex marriages are a separate matter.This was a purely human issue. It is a recognition of changing attitudes in India." On triple talaq bill, the minister said, "more than 30 years ago, the Shah Bano case offered a big window when the Supreme Court held that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to maintenance. The clergy at the time was not willing to concede even a pittance of less than Rs 200 for the divorced wife. But at that time, the society did not rise to the occasion. Late Rajiv Gandhi, who was the PM, did not back the progressive intervention of someone like Arif Mohammad Khan. Now the SC order declaring triple talaq unconstitutional offers a close similarity. The firm commitment of PM to this reform is a big difference. This also came about as a large number of Muslim women went to court challenging triple talaq. Now the issue of nikah halala is in court. Both issues have two common factors. Both have been regulated in substantial measure in Islamic nations." "Triple talaq is going on unabated despite the SC order. I am open to any meaningful suggestion. But the whole issue is centering around not making it criminal. If a wife files a complaint at a police station, the offending husband is granted bail. If a section is so determined to hand out triple talaq in spite of the order of the SC, how will a bailable provision be a deterrent? Is it raised with regard to dowry deaths? The law, like the one on domestic violence, is applicable to Hindus and Muslims alike. So to say who will feed the family if the errant husband is jailed is a misleading argument. In the nikah halala case, we have cases where a woman is forced to “marry” a relative of her husband and divorce again to undo a triple talaq," he continued. TOI
Will support talaq bill if alimony provision added: Cong women's chief
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/will-support-talaq-bill-if-alimony-provision-added-cong-women-s-chief-118072200381_1.html
New Delhi:The chief of the Congress women's wing has said the party would support the instant triple talaq bill if the Centre includes a provision of alimony. All India Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev alleged that the BJP Govt was trying to strike a quid pro quo with the passing of the Muslim Women(Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill and women's reservation bill."We were never against the instant triple talaq bill. But the bill, in its present form, would be harmful to the interests of the Muslim women. It should have a provision of alimony for the victim," Dev told PTI."I tabled an amendment in the Lok Sabha for the provision of alimony in the bill, but it did not get passed. If the amendment is accepted, then we would definitely support the bill," she said.Dev said the aim of the bill was to ensure justice for the Muslim women and end the practice of instant triple talaq. "But what will happen to the livelihood of the women if their husbands go to jail?" she asked, adding that this aspect should be kept in mind.Last Monday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had written to PM Narendra Modi, asking him to ensure the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Monsoon Session of Parliament. A day later, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad responded to the letter with a "new deal" of equality and adequate representation by joining hands to pass the bills on women's reservation, instant triple talaq and nikah halala."The Govt is indulging in dealings. Did they say in their manifesto that the they would pass both the bills together? We didn't have the majority. But they have clear majority. If the Congress and BJP both support the women's reservation bill, then it can be passed," Dev added.PTI
We believe in Islamic laws without an iota of doubt, say Barailly's Muslim women, refute Nida Khan's triple talaq, Halala related allegations as baseless
https://www.siasat.com/news/we-believe-islamic-laws-without-iota-doubt-rafia-shabnam-1383076/
Bareilly: While BJP leaders on one side stood up in support of Nida Khan, Muslim women are raising voice against her. Some went on to say that Nida Khan who is against Sharia laws was not fit to become the daughter-in-law of Aala Hazrat family.A delegation of an organisation ‘Sab Ka Haq’ met the team of district minority commission which arrived from Lucknow. The women members of the organisation met Rummana Siddiqui and Kunwar Iqbal of Minority Commission and refuted the allegation that Nida was forced to sleep with her father-in-law to facilitate her remarriage to her first husband. They said the allegation is baseless.They demanded unbiased probe into the matter and strict action against the culprits. President of the organisation Rafia Shabnam told that commission members that she will submit a memorandum to the PM Narendra Modi with one lakh signatures of Muslim women which would categorically state that we the Muslim women believe in all the teachings of Islam and we feel ourselves secure in our religion and we believe in Islamic laws without an iota of doubt. siasat
Loudspeakers permitted under noise pollution rules: Delhi Police tells HC
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/loudspeakers-permitted-under-noise-pollution-rules-delhi-police-tells-hc-118072200159_1.html
New Delhi:The police have told the Delhi High Court that loudspeakers were permitted under noise pollution rules which only lay down restrictions, like timings and decibel level, to regulate their use. Delhi Police made the submission before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar which was hearing a PIL seeking ban on use of loudspeakers at religious places in the national capital.Delhi Govt additional standing counsel, Gautam Narayan, told the court that under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 use of loudspeakers was permitted and it only lays down conditions regulating or restricting their use. The police, in an affidavit placed before the bench, said that if the petitioner, activistSanjjiiv Kkumaar, wanted a ban on loudspeakers, he should challenge the rules.The court listed the matter for further hearing on Oct.16 to give time to the petitioner to file his response to the affidavit of Delhi Police.The plea has said loudspeakers were never part of any religion as the instrument came into existence only in 1924. It also claimed that loudspeakers were never part of any religion whether Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism or Zoroastrianism. The petitioner has also said the use of loudspeakers takes away the right of the citizens to speak with others, their right toread or think or the right to sleep.PTI
Kerala school denies promotion to 2 Muslim students, child rights panel intervenes
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-school-denies-promotion-to-two-muslim-students-child-rights-panel-intervenes-5269281/
The national child rights panel has directed its Kerala counterpart here to take immediate action on a complaint that the management of a private school here had allegedly denied promotion to two Muslim students.The direction was based on a complaint by Naushad Thekkayil who alleged that girl students had not been promoted to the next class as they were wearing uniforms with long sleeves.The complainant alleged the girls-Fathima Thasneem and Hafsa Parveen, studying in sixth and second standards of a private school at Thiruvallam near here-had not been promoted to the next class by its principal. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) asked the state panel to take immediate action for violation of child rights and also ensure that the children should not be deprived of studies and promoted to higher classes.The directive was given in a letter sent to Chairperson of Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, CJ Antony, a copy of which was released to the media.indianexpress
UP Police to deploy digital volunteers to check social media rumours, fake news
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-police-to-deploy-digital-volunteers-to-check-social-media-rumours-fake-news-1291336-2018-07-20
Lucknow:In the wake of several mob lynching incidents triggered by rumours spread through WhatsApp and other social media platforms, the UP police is forming teams of digital volunteers at all the police stations to counter fake news spread by anti-social elements."All the 1469 police stations across the state will shortlist 250 people from various walks of life including teachers, retired servicemen, retired army/ policemen, serving/ex-pradhans, priests/maulvis, student leaders, lawyers, SPOs and other prominent people," said UP Director General of Police OP Singh while speaking to media."The selection of digital volunteers would be done at the sole discretion of SSP or SP of the district. Those willing to contribute can also apply on UP Police official website. The volunteers will be selected only after thorough verification of their background. We would ensure that people who are influential, well respected, peace loving and cooperative are only selected," added DGP.indiatoday
Trilokpuri again: 10 men held after stone pelting, communal tension escalated
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/trilokpuri-again-10-men-held-after-stone-pelting-communal-tension-escalated-5268507/
New Delhi:A scuffle during a cricket match on Thursday night at Trilokpuri’s block 20 escalated into stone pelting and communal tension in the area, which had seen trouble in February as well.Trouble started when 18-year-old vegetable vendor Shoaib was allegedly beaten up by “boys from another community,” around 9.30 pm,his family claimed. Shoaib’s sister Sadiqa said, “We heard a noise in the lane near our house. When I called our elder brother about it, he told me Shoaib has been beaten up by some boys who live nearby.” Police have arrested 10 men, including Shoaib, and deployed around 50 officers in the area as a precautionary measure.DCP (east) Pankaj Kumar Singh said, “We arrested Shoaib, Noor Mohammad, Rashid, Rahul, Ankit, Lalit, Saqib and three more men."DCP Singh said, “Our investigation has revealed the role of each of these boys.” Shoaib sustained injuries on his head, back and shoulders, and was rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. His mother Farhad (45) alleged, “He was denied entry there and we took him to Mayur Vihar Phase I police station, where officers refused to register our complaint… they lathicharged us, even women were beaten up.”Recalling the incident, Rashid’s eight-month pregnant wife Rukhsar (22) claimed: “He was home. I was serving him dinner when police came and dragged him away… they also pushed me and I fell. He wasn’t even at the scene of fight”.indianexpress
Media Hub in Noida Plastered With Islamophobic Posters, Police Delay Filing an FIR: NewsClick
https://newsclick.in/media-hub-noida-plastered-islamophobic-posters-police-delay-filing-fir
Noida: Hindu Sena, a right wing group, reportedly put up several anti-Muslim hoardings targeting the religion and its holy scripture Quran in Noida's Film City area on Friday.One of the hoardings read: "Gair Muslim ki pakdi gayi ladkiyon se vaishyavriti mat karwao, yadi zabardasti vaishyavriti karwaoge to Allah tumhe maaf nahi karega (Do not involve non-Muslim girls in prostitution, and if you do so forcefully, Allah will never forgive you).” 'Quran 24:33' is written on the top of the hoardings, as if it was taken from the holy scripture of Islam. A hoarding which was dropped on the floor read: “Aseem Waqar ka bayan – Muslim Gujarat ko nahi bhool sakta. To Hindu bhai kyun bhoolein ki 10 crore Hinduon ka narsanhar Muslim shasakon ne kiya (Aseem Waqar stated that Muslims cannot forget what happened with them in Gujarat. So how can Hindu forget that 10 crore Hindus were massacred by Mughal emperors).”Another hoarding said: "Islam me shadi nahi hota hai. Karar hota hai. Nikah ka arth shadi nahi hai. Meher me paise dekar ladkiyon ko khaeeda jata hai. (Marriage is a contract in Islam. Nikah does not mean marriage and by giving money to the girls in meher, they actually buy the girls).”One of the posters also said that Hindu does not vote for Modi because of road, petrol, onion or tomato, but they vote to save themselves (Hindu community) and their generation.These posters were put up in Film City in NCR, which is a home to several mainstream media houses, where police patrols round the clock. A person named Surjit Yadav of Hindu Sena has reportedly put up these hoardings. After receiving several complaints, police have removed the hoardings. This kind of hate-mongering in an area which is frequented by reputed journalists, who set the agenda for the ‘prime time’, is quite dangerous. Speaking to Newsclick, a journalist said, "Till 10 o'clock in the night, there were no such hoardings but when I was returning to the home finishing my night shift, I saw almost 50 hoardings put up. Later after complaining to the Noida police, those were removed."He further said that the police did not file an FIR against Surjit Yadav, even after receiving a written application and said that they will do the FIR process on Sunday as they had to look into a murder case.
3 militants killed in encounter in Kulgam
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/three-militants-killed-in-encounter-in-kulgam/article24487021.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar ;Security forces killed 3 militants in an operation in south Kashmir's Kulgam on Sunday morning. The militants were believed to be behind the abduction and killing of a policeman on Saturday."3 bodies of terrorists were recovered with 3 weapons from the encounter site so far. The group tortured our colleague Constable Mohd Saleem of Kulgam and killed him brutally,"said DGP SP Vaid.3 militants were encircled at Wani Mohalla of Khudwani area in Kulgam early in the morning. The hiding militants fired upon the search party of the Army, police and CRPF.The slain militants are believed to have kidnapped Constable Saleem from his residence on Friday night in Kulgam. The body of the policeman was recovered on Saturday in Kulgam.Police said body bore torture marks.thehindu
Girls Go Missing in Kashmir, Stoke Tensions; At least 5 missing from Srinagar alone: thecitizen
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/14451/Girls-Go-Missing-in-Kashmir-Stoke-Tensions
Srinagar:Young girls ‘mysteriously’ disappearing from different parts of Kashmir, particularly in the capital Srinagar, has sparked anguish among the people with J&K Police failing to make any breakthrough in the cases.The latest victim of the emerging trend is a 19-year-old girl, Aisha Yasin, a resident of Nowgam locality on the outskirts of Srinagar. The teenage girl has been reported missing by her family since July 17 and a report about her ‘mysterious disappearance’ was filed by her uncle on Thursday.“She had left home saying that she was going to market. When she didn’t return, we became worried and called our relatives, but in vain. Due to the fear of social stigma, we didn’t tell anyone about it. It was only when the night was over that we informed the police,” Mohammad Yasin, the victim’s father, said.Aisha is not the only girl who has been reported missing this month. According to police data, at least 5 girls disappeared mysteriously in July from Srinagar alone. There are similar cases from other parts of Valley. Police sources said more than dozen females have been reported missing from last three months and majority of them happen to be teenage girls.“My daughter had gone to school but when she didn’t return home, we informed police and filed a complaint. 2 weeks have gone by but there is no trace of her. Even police has been unable to find her,” said Nazeera Akhtar, whose daughter, Talya Rasool, is missing since July 6.A senior police officer said there is no evidence to suggest involvement of any organised crime racket behind the missing girls’ cases that have been reported to the police this year.thecitizen
Dhule lynching: ‘Victims were pushed, dragged 400 metres before being lynched’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dhule-lynching-victims-were-pushed-dragged-400-metres-before-being-lynched-5269439/
Mumbai :A distance of 400 metres separates Gotilamba from Rainpada village in Dhule district in Maharashtra. On July 1, this 400-m distance turned fatal for 5 people from nomadic tribal communities. The five were were lynched at Rainpada on suspicion of being child lifters.Piecing together the sequence of events, police probe has revealed that local residents first confronted the 5 at Gotilamba, after they were spotted offering biscuits to a local girl.As rumour of child lifters’ presence spread from Gotilamba to Rainpada, the victims were pushed and dragged through the 400-m stretch by the mob. They died as a result of the beatings.Dhule police are now looking for two villagers from Gotilamba, who they have identified as “instigators”. The police suspect these two people manhandled the victims and led them to Rainpada, where a Sunday bazaar was underway. As the word spread that child lifters had been caught, the locals decided to teach them a “lesson”, the police said.“The victims were members of the Govani community that begs for a living. In this case, the victims, who were camping at Pimpalner — around 40 km from Rainpada — left early July 1 morning,” Dhule SP M Ramkumar said.“They took a bus from Pimpalner and around 10 am, got off at the last stop of Hanumanpada where they begged… They reached Gotilamba by 10.30 am. This is where they offered biscuits to a girl and were spotted by the 2 accused,” SP said. So far, police have found 40 clips of the incident shot by bystanders on mobile phones. The police say those arrested are seen assaulting the victims in the videos. “Our focus is to arrest those who assaulted the victims, not the bystanders,”SP Ramkumar said. “We are studying the clips to zero in on the accused.”indianexpress
Assam NRC: Bonafide Indians will get opportunities to prove citizenship, says Rajnath
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/assam-national-register-of-citizens-rajnath-singh-5270002/
New Delhi :With only eight days to go for the publication of the 2nd and final draft of the National Register of Citizens in Assam, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said there was no need to panic as adequate opportunity for claims and objections would be available top all bonafide Indians to prove their citizenship. Sensing that there might be a law and order situation if many were left out of the list, Singh said NRC, to be published on July 30, was only a draft.“All claims and objections will be duly examined. An adequate opportunity of being heard will be given before disposal of claims and objections. Only thereafter, final NRC will be published,” the home minister said. Singh further said that according to Citizenship Rules, a person not satisfied with the outcome of claims and objections could appeal in the Foreigner’s Tribunal. “Therefore, there is no question of anyone being put in a detention centre after the publication of NRC,” he said.In a series of tweets, Singh said NRC was being updated in line with the ‘Assam Accord’ and the exercise was being carried out in a totally impartial, transparent and meticulous manner. “I will like to assure everyone that NRC exercise is being carried out in a totally impartial, transparent and meticulous manner and will continue to be so,” he said.In a bid to pacify those whose names might not make it to the final draft, the home minister said no one would be harassed. “We will ensure that every individual gets justice and is treated in a humane manner. All individuals will have sufficient opportunity for all remedies available under the law,” he said.indianexpress
Threatened by Hindutva groups, Kerala writer Hareesh withdraws novel depicting caste system
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/threatened-by-hindutva-groups-kerala-writer-s-hareesh-withdraws-novel-5269433/
Malayalam writer S Hareesh has announced withdrawal of his novel “Meesha’’,being serialised in ‘Mathrubhumi’ weekly, following alleged threats from Hindutva outfits.Members of Hindutva outfits and fringe elements have been protesting against Hareesh, as well as the publishers, alleging that the novel insults temple-going Hindu women and traditions.On Saturday, BJP Mahila Morcha members marched to the head office of Mathrubhumi in Kozhikode, demanding novel’s withdrawal.The novel, narrated in a Dalit background, depicts caste system that prevailed in Kerala about half-a-century ago.Mathrubhumi weekly’s editor, Kamalram Sajeev, tweeted the novelist’s decision on Saturday, “S Hareesh withdraws his novel ‘ meesha’, literature is being mob lynched, darkest day in Kerala’s cultural history, lightless days to follow.indian express
Gorakhpur infant deaths: Another round of victimisation has started, says Kafeel Khan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gorakhpur-infant-deaths-another-round-of-victimisation-has-started-says-kafeel-khan-5269315/
New Delhi:Kafeel Khan, who recently walked out of jail after being arrested in connection with the death of infants at a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur last year, today alleged that he is being victimised again.He also demanded that all those who failed in their responsibilities to provide oxygen to the kids be put behind bars.Khan, who worked as nodal officer at BRD Medical College, at Gorakhpur, was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court on April 25. Over 60 children, mostly infants, had died at the hospital within a week in August, 2017. There were allegations that the deaths occurred due to disruption in oxygen supply.Interacting with journalists at an event organised by the ‘Dwarka Collective’,an initiative by local residents, Khan said he was the junior most doctor and had no say in the hospital administration but despite this, he was targeted.“I had continuously tried to save the lives of nearly 400 kids admitted to the hospital, but we could not save the lives of 63 kids due to no oxygen,” he said.“Those children lost their lives because of the callous attitude of people sitting in the capital (Lucknow),”he added.The vendors had written almost 40 letters to the HoD, the principal secretary over 6 months asking for dues to be cleared, Khan said, adding that they had even threatened to stop the supply of oxygen cylinders.Khan alleged that there were 10 charges against him, but Gov could not produce any evidence to prove those charges. “Who is going to give back the nine months I spent in jail? Another round of victimisation has started,” he said, alleging that state Govt was neither removing him nor revoking his suspension. Khan demanded that all those who were responsible for the oxygen supply should be put behind bars.PTI
Govt to increase scholarship for girl students from minority communities
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/Govt -to-increase-scholarship-for-girl-students-from-minority-communities/articleshow/65090986.cms
Ministry of Minority Affairs has decided to increase scholarship of schoolgirls belonging to minority communities by up to 15%. Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), a subordinate organisation of the ministry, has decided to increase the total budget for its 'Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship Scheme' for schoolgirls.It has also decided to start aggressive campaign to increase awareness about the scheme.PTI
No-confidence motion: Number count leaves Opposition red-faced
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-confidence-motion-number-count-leaves-opposition-red-faced/article24485176.ece?homepage=true
12-hour debate on the no-confidence motion moved against the Modi Govt was fierce, but in the end the Treasury carried the day and the Opposition saw some depletion in its ranks when the votes were counted. The Hindu spoke to the floor managers of major parties involved in the debate and an interesting picture has emerged on voting preferences.The NDA ranks, which should have totalled up to 312, came down to 294 with the Shiv Sena’s 18 members refusing to participate in the day’s proceedings.However, the ruling coalition got a shot in the arm with the AIADMK voting with the Govt . With the southern support, the numbers for the Govt should have gone upto 331, with AIADMK’s 37 MPs. However, the tally on the electronic board at voting was 325 MPs with the Govt ; that meant that 4 AIADMK MPs and two BJP MPs did not vote. “Kirti Azad is abroad for personal reasons and Porbandar MP Vithal Radadiya is seriously ill and couldn’t make it,” one of the Govt ’s floor managers said. 11 members of TRS walked out before the vote, and BJD abstained.The strength of those opposing the Govt should have stood at 144, but the electronic board showed only 126. In the Congress, two members were absent including MP Pradesh Congress Committee President Kamal Nath and Arunachal Pradesh MP Ninong Ering.thehindu
CWC authorises Rahul Gandhi to take call on alliances for 2019 polls
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-working-committee-rahul-gandhi-sonia-manmohan-singh-5270003/
New Delhi:The Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, on Sunday authorised party chief Rahul Gandhi to take decisions on pre-poll and post-poll alliances for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections. AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot said the Congress chief would form the election campaign committee.“Rahul Gandhi has been authorised to form the election campaign committee and take decisions on the pre-poll and post-poll alliance,” Gehlot said. While Congress has advocated a policy of forging state-specific alliances to tackle the Narendra Modi juggernaut, Gandhi has kept the cards close to his chest for next year’s elections.indianexpress
WORLD
Israel evacuates 800 White Helmets from Syria to Jordan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/israel-evacuates-800-white-helmets-syria-jordan-180722053258159.html
Israel has evacuated 800 White Helmets rescuers and their families from Syria to Jordan overnight at the request of the US and European countries.On Twitter, the Israeli military said it had "recently completed a humanitarian effort to rescue members of Syrian civil organisation and their families" after a "request of the US and additional European countries".Israeli military also tweeted that the "civilians were subsequently transferred to a neighbouring country". It did not give details regarding the number of those evacuated, but Jordan on Sunday said it had taken in 800 White Helmets rescuers from Israel and plans to transfer them to the UK, Canada and Germany.Canadian officials told public broadcaster CBC that they "agreed" to accept 50 White Helmets volunteers and their families, which could mean up to 250 people.The request came as the White Helmets volunteers and their families were threatened by advancing forces of the Syrian Govt in the south of the war-ravaged country.Raed al-Saleh, head of the Syrian Civil Defence, confirmed to Al Jazeera that some of its volunteers were evacuated. "A number of volunteers were evacuated to their families for purely humanitarian reasons," he told Al Jazeera. "They were trapped in a dangerous area," he added. White Helmets came to prominence in 2012 for their work rescuing those trapped in rubble after air raids by Syrian Govt and Russian warplanes. Al Jazeera
Syrian White Helmets: 800 Rescue volunteers evacuated to Jordan by Israel
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syrian-white-helmets-800-rescue-volunteers-evacuated-jordan-israel-2000071666
Philippine President to sign law for more autonomous Muslim region
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/philippines-duterte-approve-autonomous-bangsamoro-proposal-180722053525020.html
Cotabato City, Philippines:The indigenous Moro Muslims, a minority population in the predominantly Christian Philippines, are on the verge of securing their own substantially autonomous territory as Congress hands over a law for President Rodrigo Duterte to sign on Monday.If all goes according to plan, Bangsamoro Organic Law will establish the Bangsamoro autonomous region on the country's southern island of Mindanao and may put an end to five decades of violent conflict that has left more than 100,000 people dead. While the law is expected to be signed on Monday, it will still need to be ratified by a plebiscite, which is expected to take place later this year.The Bangsamoro, which means "Nation of the Moro", will replace a nominally autonomous Muslim region which has largely been run by the central Govt in Manila, and has failed to quell the Moro rebellion.The law will allow the Bangsamoro Govt to have its own parliament, retain the lion's share of local revenues, regularly receive a fixed portion of the central Govt 's revenues and manage the territory's natural resources.It will also incorporate Islamic law into the region's justice system.In return for autonomy, the law will require the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to gradually disband its thousands-strong army.Despite the bill only covering "85 to 90 percent" of items originally afforded the rebels in a 2014 peace agreement that foreshadowed the measure, leaders of the MILF say they are satisfied."This may not be a perfect law but it is good to start with," said Ghazali Jaafar, MILF's second-in-command.The law's passage will cap off 22 years of negotiations between the MILF and the Philippine Govt.
Saudis ban Kuwaiti group over Brotherhood links
https://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudis-ban-kuwaiti-group-over-brotherhood-links-1.2254741
Cairo: Saudi authorities have banned dealings with a Kuwaiti charity group over suspected links with the Muslim Brotherhood, Saudi aper Okaz reported on Saturday.The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has issued a circular banning charity associations and non-Govt al institutions in Saudi Arabia from dealing with the Social Reform Society in Kuwait for its ties to the Brotherhood, the paper added.The circular also bans Saudi institutions from dealing with any other group that have direct or indirect links with organisations designated as terrorist in Saudi Arabia.The move comes in response to available information that the Kuwaiti group maintains a “suspicious relationship with terrorist” Brotherhood, Okaz reported. Social Reform Society is seen as a main financier of the Brotherhood, which is outlawed in Saudi Arabia, Okaz quoted unnamed Kuwaiti sources as saying.gulfnews
Blair advising Saudis under $12m deal with his institute: Report
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/blair-advising-saudi-under-9m-deal-between-country-and-his-institute-report-1679707539
Tony Blair is advising the Saudi Govt under a £9m ($11.8m) deal with his "institute for global change," the Sunday Telegraph reported.The former UK PM 's group reached an agreement earlier this year to help support Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's modernisation programme under a "not for profit" arrangement, the Telegraph reported.Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a programme of reforms intended to open up and diversify the kingdom's oil-centric economy by selling public assets, including a stake in the world’s biggest oil producer, Aramco, and reinvesting the funds.The deal is first major agreement to have emerged involving Tony Blair Institute (TBI), which Blair established in 2016 after winding down his commercial operations, the Telegraph said.The newspaper said the institute received a $10m payment in January for the work, which is being carried out by its staff based in the Middle East. The payment was made from Media Investment (MIL),a Guernsey-registered firm that is a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group, according to the Telegraph. Sources told the newspaper that the total provided to the institute so far exceeded $12m. The funding is not mentioned on the institute's website, in spite of a subsequent post praising Saudi Arabia and its crown prince. Blair's office said the institute was "under no duty to disclose donors or donations" and declined to say what discussions Blair had held with members of the Saudi royal family or Govt about the funding.middleeasteye
Iran lifts ban on non-Muslim city council member after outcry
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180722-iran-lifts-ban-on-non-muslim-city-council-member-after-outcry/
A top Iranian body on Saturday lifted a ban imposed by a hardline-led council on a politician from the minority Zoroastrian religion who had been elected to a city council in the central city of Yazd, the state news agency IRNA reported.The rare reversal came after a widespread public outcry, lobbying by reformists and criticism by President Hassan Rouhani over of the ban by the Guardian Council, which vets laws and elections for compliance with Iran’s Islamic constitution. The Expediency Council, tasked with resolving conflicts between parliament and the Guardian Council, backed parliamentary amendments allowing members of recognised religious minorities to run for city councils, IRNA reported.middleeastmonitor
Khamenei backs threat to stop Gulf exports if oil sales halted
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/khamenei-backs-threat-stop-gulf-exports-oil-sales-halted-180721105325655.html
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has supported a suggestion by President Hassan Rouhani who hinted earlier this month that Tehran may block regional oil exports if its own sales are stopped following the US' withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.Rouhani's apparent warning on July 3 that Iran may disrupt oil shipments from neighbouring countries came in reaction to looming US sanctions and efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to force all countries to halt purchases of Iranian oil.Even though Rouhani did not mention the Strait of Hormuz, his comments were nonetheless seen as a threat to the narrow strategic passageway located between Iran and Oman, through which at least 18.5m barrels of oil moved every day in 2016, according to a US energy department report.aljazeera
Germany drops economic sanctions against Turkey
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/germany-drops-economic-sanctions-turkey-180722082521419.html
Germany has lifted economic sanctions on Turkey and relaxed its travel advice to the country, German officials said, after Ankara ended its two-year state of emergency.A 1.5 billion-euro ($1.7bn) limit on export guarantees to Turkey would not be renewed this year, Germany's economy ministry told AFP, confirming an earlier report by the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.aljazeera
Blast hits Kabul airport following exiled Afghan vice president’s return, casualties feared
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/blast-hits-kabul-airport-following-exiled-afghan-vice-president-s-return/story-j1uRqXM45goxYZ57jGL3UK.html
Kabul:An explosion near Kabul’s international airport injured several people on Sunday, officials said, shortly after Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum returned to the country after more than a year in exile.Scores of senior government officials, political leaders and supporters had gathered at the airport to greet the powerful ethnic Uzbek leader and former warlord, clad in a Western suit and sunglasses.An explosion was heard as the convoy of vehicles was departing. But Dostum, who was travelling in an armoured vehicle, was unharmed, said his spokesman Bashir AHmad Tayanj.“The blast was probably caused by a suicide bomber,” said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish, adding there were an unknown number of casualties.Dostum, who is linked to a catalogue of human rights abuses in Afghanistan, was mobbed like a celebrity as he left the chartered plane from Turkey where he has lived since May 2017.His return, which has been the subject of much speculation, comes amid violent protests in several provinces across northern Afghanistan, his traditional power base.AFP
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Mobs are killing Muslims in India. Why is no one stopping them?Rana Ayyub
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/20/mobs-killing-muslims-india-narendra-modi-bjp?CMP=share_btn_fb
Lynch Mobs Now a Full Fledged Extortion Industry, Although Minister Suggests ‘Conspiracy’ Because of PM’s Popularity
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14453/Lynch-Mobs-Now-a-Full-Fledged-Extortion-Industry-Although-Minister-Suggests-Conspiracy-Because-of-PMs-Popularity
The most powerful vote bank has always been the Muslims and this does not belong to BJP:Tavleen Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bjp-congress-muslims-2019-general-election-monsoon-session-fifth-column-back-to-vote-banks-5269347/
No-Confidence Debate Reveals that 2019 is Far From Settled:Harish Khare
https://thewire.in/politics/the-no-confidence-debate-reveals-that-2019-is-far-from-settled
Mob Violence And Political Will — Aijaz Zaka Syed
http://caravandaily.com/portal/mob-violence-and-political-will-aijaz-zaka-syed/
Shashi Tharoor: It seems safer in many places to be a cow than a Muslim:SHASHI THAROOR
https://theprint.in/opinion/shashi-tharoor-it-seems-safer-in-many-places-to-be-a-cow-than-a-muslim/86621/
Anatomy of lynching: Muslims live in fear after Hapur violence; cows still suffer on streets despite holy tag
https://www.firstpost.com/india/anatomy-of-lynching-family-of-hapur-violence-victim-says-muslims-live-in-fear-cows-still-suffer-on-streets-despite-holy-tag-4793571.html
WhatsApp Rumours Take Communal Turn, Target Rohingya Muslims
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/whatsapp-rumours-take-communal-turn-target-rohingya-muslims
Reuters: Islamist parties running in Pakistan's election
https://in.reuters.com/article/pakistan-election-religion-factbox/factbox-islamist-parties-running-in-pakistans-election-idINKBN1KC05H
'Our bodies are Turkish, our souls Islamic!' The rise of Turkey's ultra-nationalists:Tom Stevenson
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/our-bodies-are-turkish-our-souls-islamic-rise-turkeys-ultra-nationalists-1547206700
Lynch mobs now full fledged extortion industry, although minister suggests ‘conspiracy’ because of pm’s popularity
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14453/Lynch-Mobs-Now-a-Full-Fledged-Extortion-Industry-Although-Minister-Suggests-Conspiracy-Because-of-PMs-Popularity
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:28 PM)
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