NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
29 July 2018:15 Ziqada 1439: Vol:10, No:76
INDIA
In Assam, 1.5 Crore people wait to know citizenship status as NRC draft to be released tomorrow
https://www.firstpost.com/india/nrc-draft-to-be-released-on-monday-amid-tight-security-list-to-include-all-citizens-living-in-assam-before-1971-4845091.html
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-assam-1-5-crore-people-wait-to-know-citizenship-status-10-facts-1891590
Guwahati:Nearly 1.5 crore people are on tenterhooks in Assam over their citizenship status as the government prepares to release the final list of Indian citizens living in the state tomorrow. The National Registry of Citizens was envisaged in view of illegal migration into the state from neighbouring Bangladesh. But many complained that they were left out of the list despite submitting sufficient proof. The registry update is seen by critics as a move to target Assam's Muslim population on the pretext of weeding out Bangladeshi migrants. Security has been strengthened and the Centre has rushed troops in Assam to maintain law and order. NRC was first prepared in 1951 after a census. The latest updation of the list in Assam contains the names of descendants of those whose names were in the 1951 list, or those who were in Assam's Electoral rolls till March 24, 1971.The descendants of those who can prove citizenship till March 24, 1971,will also be considered Indian citizens. So will those who came between Jan.1, 1966 and March 25, 1971, and registered themselves with the Foreigners Registration Regional Officer. Of the 3.29 crore applicants in Assam, 1.9 crore have been cleared in first round of lists as Indian nationals on Jan.1 this year. Early this month, NRC authorities have disclosed that 1.5 lakh people will be dropped from the first list, since anomalies were found in their documents. Around 50,000 of them are rural women.The women had thought they were safe since they submitted a certificate from their village panchayat that said they were citizens. But they have been asked to submit other documents, like marriage certificate and school leaving certificates, which they do not have. NDTV
Assam: Citizenship test rattles Muslim survivors of 1983 Nellie massacre; 'govt is trying to finish us off',they say
https://www.firstpost.com/india/nrc-in-assam-citizenship-test-rattles-muslim-survivors-of-1983-nellie-massacre-govt-is-trying-to-finish-us-off-they-say-4844451.html
Nellie: 36 years after losing his parents, sister and a 4-year-old daughter in one of India’s worst sectarian massacres, Abdul Suban says he is still trying to prove he’s a citizen of the Hindu-majority nation.Suban is one of hundreds of thousands of Bengali-speaking Muslims categorised as “doubtful voters”, who will not find their names in a NRC the northeastern border state of Assam will release on Monday.“If the government has decided to brand us foreigners what can we do?” said the 60-year-old. “NRC is trying to finish us off. Our people have died here, but we will not leave this place.”Suban was seated with his wife at their house a few hundred metres from a vast paddy field where, in 1983, scores of people were chased down and killed by machete-armed mobs intent on hounding out Muslim immigrants. He survived by running as hard as he could and hiding behind a bush for days.Work on the citizens’ register has accelerated under the govt of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist BJP.With an eye on the 2019 national election,BJP’s Hindu-first campaign has become more strident, critics say, playing to its core base with divisive programmes such as the citizenship test in Assam, already a tinderbox of ethnic and religious tensions. Elsewhere in the country’s northern heartland, lynchings of Muslim cattle traders have risen under Modi in the country where many Hindus consider cows sacred, further deepening social divides.Several other survivors of the “Nellie Massacre”, which killed around 2,000 people from more than a dozen villages, gave accounts of burying bodies in a mass grave now partly under water.They said they hoped the release of NCR list on Monday would not spark further violence. Security has been tightened across Assam.The citizenship test is the culmination of years of often violent agitations by Assamese demanding the removal of outsiders they accuse of taking jobs and cornering resources in the state of 33 million, known for its tea estates and oil fields. Suban said both he and his father were born in Assam, and showed Reuters a soiled yellow document that showed his father’s name in the list of voters in Assam for 1965, before the cut-off date.The local border police declined to discuss individual cases, but said not all documents furnished by suspected illegal immigrants were valid.Reuters
NRC list: Govt will help all genuine citizens:Assam CM
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/we-will-help-all-genuine-citizens-says-sonowal/article24542751.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi: Ahead of the publication of the second list of the updated NRC on Monday, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has said residents need not panic and his government will provide help to all “genuine” citizens whose names may not figure in the list. Sonowal said, “Nobody needs to panic. This is just a draft NRC.There is a process of Claims and Objection where one can apply for their name to be included if their names don’t figure in NRC. Even those people who are illiterate, our government will help provide assistance to them. Nobody will be treated as a foreigner until the entire NRC process is over.” The hindu
On eve of NRC 'complete draft' publication, 52 Bangladeshi immigrants deported
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/29/on-eve-of-nrc-complete-draft-publication-52-bangladeshi-immigrants-deported-1850297.html
Guwahati: Amidst widespread anxiety and fear, the "complete draft" of updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be published in Assam on Monday at 9:45 am. On the eve of the draft's publication, 52 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were deported to the neighbouring country through Assam's South Salmara-Mancachar district on Sunday."Altogether 52 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were pushed back to Bangladesh today. All of them were declared foreigners. They had entered the country illegally and were arrested over a period of time from different parts of the state," South Salmara-Mancachar Superintendent of Police, Amrit Bhuyan, said.newindianexpress
Homosexuality should be private matter, agrees meeting attended by top RSS, BJP leaders: theprint
https://theprint.in/governance/homosexuality-should-be-private-matter-agrees-meeting-attended-by-top-rss-bjp-leaders/90213/
New Delhi: A meeting that involved senior RSS and BJP leaders has agreed to treat sexual preference as a private matter and not to support any protests against homosexuality, at a time when the Supreme Court is considering whether to decriminalise gay sex or not.The ‘Young Thinkers Meet’ was held Saturday in the Himachal Pradesh town of Kasauli. It was organised by the India Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank known to be friendly with the RSS and the BJP. The meeting was chaired by the foundation’s director and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and RSS sah sarkaryavah (joint general secretary) Krishna Gopal. The fact that this topic was discussed at such a conclave is being viewed as significant, since RSS is thought to be against homosexuality.“It was a planned and scheduled discussion under ‘group activity’. The sentiments of the youth were heard and agreed upon. They also debated criminalisation of homosexuality,” said a source who attended the meet. A senior RSS functionary told the participants that “there are many other issues that need the attention of youth and others in the country; let us focus on those”, indicating that RSS now wants homosexuality to be treated as a private matter.Hansa, a young marine law expert from Hyderabad who attended the meeting, said: “Section 377 has to be read down as it is against basic structure of the Indian Constitution. It also violates the entrenched spiritual principles in India.”Swadesh Singh, an assistant professor in Delhi University and another participant, said that agitations against homosexuals need to be curbed.Akshat, an entrepreneur based in Delhi and a graduate from Kellogg School of Management in the US, said, “Section 377 should be read down to include only offenses against animals and children. Adults should be free to choose their sexual orientation, but they should also be sensitive to the sensibilities of others around them.” Theprint
Another Muslim lynched in Gujarat on suspicion of mobile phone theft
http://caravandaily.com/portal/another-muslim-lynched-in-gujarat-on-suspicion-of-mobile-phone-theft/
Ahmedabad: In yet another case of mob lynching, Ajmal Vahoniya, 22, was beaten to death by a mob on suspicion of mobile theft in Gujarat’s tribal-dominated Dahod district Saturday night. Another person Bharu Mathur, 25, who was with Ajmal, was also brutally assaulted by the mob. He was rushed to the hospital by the police and is in critical condition. As per media reports, the attackers suspected them to be mobile thieves and some 20 men gathered and thrashed them, police said. When the police reached the spot of crime Ajmal Vahoniya had died and Bharu Mathur was in critical condition and he was rushed to the hospital. Bharu’s condition is said to be critical. Police have registered a case but no arrest has been made yet.Reports say both the victims had been released from jail just a couple of days ago. Both have cases of theft, rioting and dacoity against them.caravandaily
Man lynched in Gujarat over suspicion of theft
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/man-lynched-in-gujarat-over-suspicion-of-theft/article24546767.ece?homepage=true
Secretary panel explores three options to deal with lynching cases
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/panel-of-secretaries-looking-at-3-options-to-deal-with-lynching-cases/story-POCDVGImysNasUioxYGooN.html
New Delhi:A committee of top civil servants is looking at 3 options to deal with cases of lynching — a model law that states can emulate, a central law with states passing their own enabling legislation and amendments to Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to strengthen the legal response to what the Supreme Court (SC) has termed “mobocracy”.The committee of secretaries headed by Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba, which held its first meeting on Friday, met on Saturday with Tehseen Poonawalla, who filed a petition in the SC seeking a separate legislation to deal with lynching, people familiar with the matter said. Poonawalla made a presentation before the panel on a draft anti-lynching bill called ‘Manav Suraksha Kanoon’(human protection law).A home ministry spokesperson refused to comment on the deliberations of the committee, which has to make its recommendations to a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union home minister Rajnath Singh in 4 weeks. GoM ,which also consists of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and social justice and empowerment minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, will then report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the measures recommended to deal with incidents of lynching and mob violence.“I was called for a presentation on the draft central legislation suggested by us. During the interaction, first question came from the home secretary, who wanted to deliberate why there is a need for a separate law. I explained that so far there is no set definition of lynching, which is different from mob violence or rioting. First we need to define it in order to punish those who are responsible for it,” said Poonawalla.“I argued that whenever the Parliament has enacted a special law like the Schedule Cast and Schedule Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, it has helped in bringing down the number of incidents and victims. Therefore the Parliament needs to enact a law with provision for enabling legislation by the states. Once passed by the Parliament, the central legislation will be the minimum what a state government will be required to do in this regard. I also informed the panel about the similar kind of legislations passed by other countries,” said Poonawalla.Besides the home secretary, the panel consists of Union secretaries for legal affairs, legislative affairs, justice and social justice and empowerment.Pitching for a central law, Poonawalla said the Constitution provides for protection of minorities but while defining minorities, there is a need to look beyond religion.HT
Bajrang Dal activist held for smuggling cows in Bantwal
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/bajrang-dal-activist-held-for-smuggling-cows-in-bantwal/article24536628.ece
Mangaluru: Barely a few hours after VHP and Bajrang Dal staged a protest in Mangaluru on Thursday against illegal transportation of cows, one of their activists was arrested by the police on the charge on doing exactly that near Vitla.In a release, Ravikanthe Gowda, Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada, said that 48-year-old Shashi Kumar, son of Krishna Bhat of Padaru village near Vitla in Bantwal taluk, was the arrested.He is a Bajrang Dal activist. Along with him, the police also arrested Abdul Harris, 21, son of Mohammed of Kolandu village in the same taluk. On a tip-off, Vitla police sub-inspector Nagaraj H.E. and his team stopped a mini-truck at the Kadambu junction near Vitla Padnur around 11 pm on Thursday. They found in the vehicle four cows and a calf, all tied together.The cattle were being taken to Kerala through Salethur. Kumar, an agriculturist, was providing protection to Harris for transporting cows till Salethur, from where the vehicle was supposed to enter Kerala. According to the police, a Bajrang Dal activist tipped them off on the matter.They said the accused did not have any documents for transporting cattle. The had also allegedly modified the body ofthe truck to make it resemble a vehicle transporting construction material. The police said Harris was involved in a few criminal cases, including one of cattle theft in Alike in Bantwal taluk earlier. He also has cases registered againsthim at the Konaje police station in Mangaluru. Meanwhile, VHP zonal secretary and former State president of Bajrang Dal Sharan Pumpwell claimed that Kumar was not associated with the Bajrang Dal, VHP or any other right-wing outfit. He alleged that the police have linked him with the Bajrang Dal only to bring disrepute to the organisation.thehindu
China moves troops to Doklam, Indian army says routine movement
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-moves-troops-to-doklam-indian-army-not-fretting/story-XCoHPj4Eqncfmc6SSDBLXP.html
New Delhi:The India army has downplayed reports about heightened activity by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Doklam plateau and attributed this more to the rotation of troops and winter stocking than a desire by China to strengthen its presence in a region where armies of the two countries were locked in an uneasy 73-day standoff last year.Senior army officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Chinese had made no attempt to cross the Torsa nullah that virtually bisects the 100 sq km plateau near the tri-junction of India, China, and Bhutan. They added that there had been no change in the ground situation.PLA, the Indian army (out of Doklam, or Doka La as India calls it) and the Royal Bhutanese Army (at Chela Post) are stocking their posts for winter. When there’s a changeover for troops, the strength of the posts is temporarily doubled with outgoing troops briefing their incoming counterparts. The army’s explanation comes after US Congresswoman Ann Wagner said during a US Congressional hearing on Wednesday that the Chinese PLA had resumed activities in Doklam.The army officers cited above added that, specifically, the PLA battalion guarding the Batang La-Meru La-Sincha La axis, which is part of the Doklam plateau, is being rotated with supporting logistics activity.
Mehbooba asks Kashmir separatists, parties to unite for Article 35 A
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mehbooba-asks-kashmir-separatists-parties-to-unite-for-article-35-a/story-Hw9E7rtvbpdyOkhJGR0VTO.html
Srinagar:Amid fears of tinkering with special status of Jammu and Kashmir, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged separatists and mainstream parties to join hands to defend Article 35 A.The Supreme Court will on August 6 hear a petition on challenging the validity of the Article 35A of the Constitution, which empowers the state’s legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them.Mufti, while addressing people at Sheri Kashmir Park in Srinagar on the 19th foundation day of PDP, said the regional parties need to bury their differences for state’s special status.“I am informing to all the parties like separatists, National Conference, Congress that our biggest challenge is Article 35 A. We should forget our differences and come together to defend Articles 35 A and 370 just like we did for the past two years,” she said.Her statement comes a day after separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq warned of massive agitation if special rights accorded to the state under the Constitution were taken away.HT
More Kashmiri youths joining militancy now than ever before: Omar Abdullah
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/more-kashmiri-youths-joining-militancy-now-than-ever-before-omar-abdullah/story-1vcY8AHg2rg4EFTwhIXmFL.html
Kolkata:Alleging that more youths from Jammu and Kashmir have been joining militancy in recent years, former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday regretted that “not enough attention” was paid to the state during the recent no-confidence motion in Parliament.“In my tenure (as chief minister, 2009-2015) there were years when the number of people who joined militancy was in 20s, while last year, it was over 200,” Abdullah said at the Think Federal Conclave in Kolkata.Slamming the BJP-ruled Centre for its claim on the number of terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the statistics were taken in isolation and not compared with the number of youths joining militancy. Coming down heavily on the BJP-PDP coalition that ruled the troubled northern state from 2015 till last month, Abdullah said militancy was “reborn” in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 when the alliance was formed.IANS
Dissolve J-K assembly; prepare ground for fresh elections: Farooq Abdullah
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dissolve-j-k-assembly-prepare-ground-for-fresh-elections-former-chief-minister-farooq-abdullah-5281768/
Srinagar: Farooq Abdullah has favoured dissolution of the state assembly so that horse trading is put to rest and all the political parties prepare the ground for fresh elections. The National Conference leader, however, hoped that Governor’s rule would stay for some time “so that some stability returns” to the state.“I think one of the good things is Governor’s rule right now in the state. The focus now is on development and he (N N Vohra) has been able to give a solid administration which is unbiased…at the same time he wants peace to return to the state and is taking measures to see that people are not harassed unnecessarily,” Abdullah, a Lok Sabha member, said during an interview here to PTI.PTI
India provides ‘unprecedented’ accommodation to its religious minority population: report
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-provides-unprecedented-accommodation-to-its-religious-minority-population-report-5281401/
Washington: Indian government provides “unprecedented” religious accommodations to its religious minority population, says a report by a US-based Hindu advocacy group, according to which India is a force for stability in the region. As such, it is critical that the US continues to strengthen relations with India, in order to bring greater stability to the region and prevent the growth of radical Islamist and Communist/Maoist terrorism, Hindu American Foundation (HAF) said in its latest policy brief titled ‘India: Democracy in Diversity’.Released at the historic rotunda of the US Capitol this week, the policy document highlights India’s centuries-old status as a multi-religious, multi-ethnic region, and later nation-state, that is both the birthplace of four of the world’s religions, as well as a refuge for faith communities fleeing persecution.The report also details the ways in which the Indian government “provides unprecedented religious accommodations to its religious minority population”, with more than USD 600 million allotted in 2016-2017 in benefit programs, the allowance for faith-based law for both Muslims and Christians,and how India has had significant minority representation at all levels of government, military, and judiciary.Highlighting the infrequent nature of interreligious conflict in the country, the report explores the varied root causes — from pecuniary to political, and historical to religious — of the same. “Though there have not been major riots or attacks targeting religious minorities in India in recent years, there have been reports of individual incidents involving attacks by Hindus on Christians and Muslims,”report acknowledges. HAF said that it unequivocally condemns these attacks and believes that any such violence is unacceptable and contravenes Hindu teachings and India’s pluralistic ethos.PTI
Over 1,000 ‘war rockets’ of Tipu Sultan’s era unearthed
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-1000-war-rockets-of-tipu-sultan-unearthed-5280938/
Shivamogga:Over 1,000 “rockets” used during the period of 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan have been unearthed from the silt of an abandoned well at a village in Shivamogga district, officials said on Saturday.Workers digging an old well at an area garden at Bidanuru stumbled upon the ‘ironcased’ cylindrical type of rockets used during the period, a top archaeology department official said.Department of Archaeology Commissioner Venkatesh told PTI that similar rocket type models of the Tipu Sultan period were found near the same place six years ago.He said the rockets would be preserved at ‘Shivappa Nayak Museum Shivamogga’ as ‘rocket gallery.’Similar rockets of the Tipu Sultan period are preserved at London Museum.Tipu Sultan, who took over the reins of administration of Mysuru kingdom after the death of his father Hyder Ali, fought the mighty British army fearlessly adopting modern warfare techniques.He is credited with being the first ruler in the country to introduce military tactics of using mass attack rockets in 18th century.Experts said the “Iron-cased rockets” found in the well are designed and crafted as cylindrical iron tubes that can be launched easily by a soldier. On launching, it would allow great compression of the filled ‘gun powder’ and consequently reach a firing range of two km with accuracy, they said.Adopting rocket warfare, Tipu became a pioneer in using the rocket technology in India. According to experts, Tipu employed this technology in second ‘Anglo-Mysore’ war in 1780 and achieved remarkable results posing a big challenge to the British Army.PTI
SC accepts Buddhist claim in Ayodhya dispute: economic times
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/new-twist-supreme-court-accepts-buddhist-claim-in-ayodhya-dispute/articleshow/65180728.cms
The legal battle over the Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid dispute got a new twist on July 23, with a Buddhist petitioner joining the fray.A writ petition filed by Vineet Kumar Maurya, an Ayodhya resident, was admitted and tagged along with the 13 other appeals pending against a 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court. A slew of appeals against this verdict, from both Hindu and Muslim parties, followed in the Supreme Court. 7 years later, in Dec.2017, the SC began its final hearing on the dispute. Maurya’s petition, the first Buddhist one to be admitted, appeals the SC to direct the government “to declare disputed land in question as Ayodhya Buddha Vihar” under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Buddhist presence in Ayodhya has been noted since the very first Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report in 1862-63. In fact, Ayodhya is also known as Saket, which itself is considered to be a great centre of Buddhism. According to historians and scholars, Buddha resided in Saket/Ayodhya for a number of years.However, while ASI reports confirm the Buddhist link to Ayodhya, whether or not Ayodhya is the same Buddhist Saket remains to be proven conclusively. 5 archaeological surveys have been carried out in present-day Ayodhya. Alexander Cunningham, founder of the ASI, conducted the first one in 1862–63. He failed to find any evidence of Hindu temples, but did find remnants of Buddhist structures.Alois Anton Fuhrer surveyed the area in 1889–91 and essentially reiterated the discoveries made by Cunningham.Sharad Sharma, VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, thinks Maurya’s petition is motivated and should not have been admitted by the SC. Khalik Khan, a nominee of Maulana Mehfooz-ur-Rahman, a party in the title suit, says BJP and VHP have been attacking Muslims without any proof that a Hindu temple was destroyed for the construction of Babri Masjid. “Now, that debate stands widened as Maurya’s plea argues that the mosque came up on a Buddhist site, and used artefacts like pillars that could be of Buddhist origin.”
Aadhaar details leaked after TRAI chief throws breach challenge
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/aadhaar-details-leaked-after-trai-chief-throws-breach-challenge?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi: Alleged personal details of Indias telecom watchdog chief R.S. Sharma were leaked on Saturday after TRAI chairman threw a challenge and tweeted his 12-digit Aadhaar asking if it had made him vulnerable to any security risk. A French security expert, who goes by the nickname Elliot Alderson and uses twitter handle @fs0c131y, in a series of tweets caused ripples on the social media, leaking "personal address, DoB, your alternate phone number" and explaining to Sharma, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman, how risky it was to make the Aadhaar number public. "People managed to get your personal address, DoB and your alternate phone number. I stop here, I hope you will understand why make your Aadhaar number public is not a good idea," Alderson wrote. Sharma, a known defender of Aadhaar, has been maintaining that the unique ID does not violate privacy and the government reserved a right to create such a database of residents since it gives subsidies on state-run welfare schemes. Amid a debate on privacy concerns, which has also reached the Supreme Court, activists and people in general fear that the 12-digit biometric number was harmful to citizen's privacy.IANS
After Telecom Regulator's Aadhaar Challenge, His Personal Details Leaked
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hours-after-telecom-regulators-aadhaar-challenge-his-personal-details-let-out-1891477
Experts pick holes in data protection Bill
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/experts-pick-holes-in-data-protection-bill/article24542431.ece
NEW DELHI:While the draft Bill for protection of personal data of Indian citizens has been welcomed as a positive start, it is not without loopholes, according to various stakeholders who have called for an in-depth consultative process before the Bill becomes a law.An expert panel headed by Justice B.N. Srikrishna, on Friday, submitted its report on data protection as well as the draft ‘The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018’ after a year-long consultation process.“India’s data protection law will shape the relationship between users and the companies and government entities they entrust with their data,” said Mitchell Baker, Chairwoman of Mozilla – the company behind Firefox browsers.“This draft bill is a strong start, but to truly protect the privacy of all Indians, we can’t afford loopholes such as the Bill’s broad exceptions for government use of data and data localisation requirements,” she added.Mishi Choudhary, managing partner at MCA, emphasised that the Bill in its current form should not be introduced in Parliament and further consultations must take place.Among other things, she pointed out that the recommendations make every offence cognizable and non-bailable which just creates more hurdles for businesses and individuals.thehindu
Jamia’s BE Students Demand a Full-time Status for Course, Accuse Administration of Misleading
https://newsclick.in/jamias-be-students-demand-full-time-status-course-accuse-administration-misleading
New Delhi: More than a hundred students of BE from Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) have been protesting since Monday with the demand to declare the engineering course full-time for the batches from 2014-15 to 2018-19. At least 3 of the students started indefinite hunger strike from Wednesday to mount pressure on the administration to accept their demands.Jamia's engineering department runs two courses: B.Tech. in the morning and B.E. in the evening. Both the courses have regular classes, but reportedly due to Jamia administration's mistake, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has not approved of BE as a full-time course. A student, who is participating in the protest, said that during admission in Jamia, it was never written in its prospectus that it’s a part-time course, neither was it written on the fee slip. Shahzib Jamal, who is student of BE 4th year, said that 1,400 students are enrolled in this course, and 350 more will be enrolled for the upcoming session. He said that a few students recently visited AICTE office, and they have been informed that they cannot do anything in this regard. Jamia administration will have to decide whether it will be a part-time or a full-time course.Jamal added, "If there is any delay in changing the part-time status to full-time on AICTE website, we want an assurance letter saying that we are eligible for any government job in all states of India, PSUs etc." Jamia Media Coordinator Saima Saeed said, "This course is 39 years old, but the students have woken up just now. When you are taking admission, you can see it on the Jamia's website that it is a part-time and self-finance course, then why this protest now? Still, we (administration) are trying to look at the legal process to make it full-time.It will take some time, as the AICTE has some norms and regulations."However, the website of JMI only mentions that it’s an evening course on the introduction page of the programme. Students’ Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has extended support to the protesting students of JMI. Criticising administration's show cause notice issued to the protesting students, Nahas Mala, president, SIO of India, said that the administration is cheating the students and they didn’t mention that B.E (evening course) is a part-time course, which they have mentioned for other courses in the prospectus and on the official website. “But after the completion of the degree, the certificates given are of a part-time course.” Newsclick
Charges Framed Against UP Minister Mohsin Raza in 29-Year-Old Road Rage Case
https://thewire.in/government/charges-framed-against-up-minister-in-29-year-old-road-rage-case
Lucknow: A court here framed charges today against Mohsin Raza alias Arshad, a minister in BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh, in connection with a 29-year-old road rage case. Additional chief judicial magistrate Nirbhay Prakash also framed charges against co-accused Akbar and fixed August 4 for the recording of evidence of the prosecution witnesses.The accused were present in the court at the time of framing of charges.A truck driver, Lallan, had lodged an FIR at the Wazirganj police station on August 4, 1989, alleging that the two accused had suddenly come in front of his truck and though no one was hurt, they had stopped his vehicle and assaulted and abused him.PTI
50% of BJP, JDU Leaders will be in Jail if Allegations around all Shelter Homes Honestly Probed: Tejashwi
http://caravandaily.com/portal/50-of-bjp-jdu-leaders-will-be-in-jail-if-allegations-around-all-shelter-homes-honestly-probed-tejashwi/
Patna: With a fresh set of medical reports confirming that 34 out of 42 minor girls were raped at the state-run shelter home in Muzaffarpur, 70 kms from the state capital, RJD leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav has intensified attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his JDU-BJP coalition govt.“If all the allegations around Orphanages, Shelter/Remand Homes of the State are thoroughly and honestly investigated, half JDU & BJP leaders will be politically finished or behind the bars! Every Bihari knows this truth!,” tweeted Tejashwi.As many as 34 minor girls housed in the shelter home have been raped as against earlier figure of 29, police said on Saturday. The medical examination of 42 girls had earlier found that at least 29 of them were raped, at least three were made to undergo abortion, and another three are pregnant.caravandaily
Allahabad: Girl students who showed black flags to Amit Shah arrested
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/allahabad-girl-students-who-showed-black-flags-to-amit-shah-arrested
4 students of Allahabad University—Neha Yadav, Rama Yadav, Kishan Maurya and Mohit Yadav—launched a courageous protest in the intellectual capital of Uttar Pradesh, showing black flags to the convoy of BJP President Amit Shah, shouting slogans “Amit Shah Wapas Jao! (Amit Shah, Go back!)”.They were demanding from Amit Shah that the woes unleashed on the students of Uttar Pradesh should be put to an end.These students of Uttar Pradesh have created a record of sorts by showing black flags to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now BJP chief Amit Shah. NSG attached to Amit Shah’s convoy dragged the girl students and lathi charged them.They were pulled by the hair and were forcibly pushed into a jeep.nationalheraldindia
69 killed in rain-related incidents in UP in 4 days
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/many-killed-in-rain-related-incidents-in-up-in-four-days/article24545620.ece?homepage=true
Lucknow:As many as 69 have died and 86 others injured in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh since Thursday as heavy rains pounded different parts of the state, a senior official said on Sunday.The maximum of 11 deaths were reported from Saharanpur, followed by other places.“69 persons have been killed and 86 injured in the rain-related incidents in the state since Thursday,” Relief Commissioner Sanjay Prasad told PTI here.PTI
HC pulls up Delhi Police for separating Hindu-Muslim couple
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/delhi-high-court-pulls-up-delhi-police-for-separating-hindu-muslim-couple
Delhi High Court has slammed Delhi Police for forcibly separating an inter-faith couple despite knowing well that Muslim woman is above 21 years and had married the Hindu man of her own free will.A bench of Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Vinod Goel has sought an explanation from Delhi Police over allegations that they kept the husband in the police lock-up from July 3 to 5 without presenting him in any court. The court order came while hearing a habeas corpus filed by the man who was seeking the wife's whereabouts.The couple got married in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on June 28, 2018 and then started residing at the man's residence at JNU campus in New Delhi.On July 3, at around 8 pm, policemen accompanied by JNU security personnel and others in civilian clothes forcibly took away the woman and handed over the man to police, who was taken to Loni police station and kept in the lock-up for three days.The court has asked the police to explain how it proceeded to act on the complaint received from the woman's brother despite knowing that she was an adult and entitled to take her own decisions.The bench met the young woman in the judge’s chamber. She told the judges that she had married the man of her own choice and the marriage was registered at Ghaziabad.To ensure that there was no untoward or unpleasant incident hereafter, the court has directed the police to provide security to the couple as well as their family and listed the matter for further hearing on August 7.The bench spoke to the young woman's mother and explained to her that although she may have reservations about her daughter's marriage to someone from a different religion, the latter is entitled to make her choices as she was an adult.The girl's mother told the court that it would be up to her daughter to decide what she wanted to do with her life.As the young woman wished to return to her husband, the bench gave her the permission to reunite with her husband, who was also present in the courtroom.nationalheraldindia
WORLD
Imran Khan to be sworn in as Pakistan PM before Aug 14, says party
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/imran-khan-to-be-sworn-in-as-pakistan-pm-before-aug-14-says-party/article24545716.ece?homepage=true
Islamabad: Imran Khan will be sworn in as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister before the country’s independence day on August 14, his party has announced, even as it is trying to reach out to smaller parties and independents to form the next govt.Though PTI has emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly after the July 25 elections, the party is still short of numbers to form its government on its own.PTI leader Naeenul Haq told media last night that consultations are on to complete the number game. “We have done our homework and he will take oath as Prime Minister before August 14,” Haq said. According to the complete preliminary results announced by ECP, the PTI has obtained 115 general seats — 12 short of a simple majority — while the PML-N and PPP have won 64 and 43 seats, respectively.PTI
Pak Jamaat decides against MMA chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s proposal to boycott assemblies
https://nation.com.pk/29-Jul-2018/ji-decides-against-fazl-s-proposal-to-boycott-assemblies
Lahore: MMA President Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s proposal that legislators-elect should not take oath as protest against the alleged rigging in the electoral process has not been heeded to by a major component of the 5-party alliance – Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan- and there are indications that even the JUI-F’s elected members are not ready to comply with the idea of their party chief. Maulana Fazl had floated the idea at an all-party conference hosted by the PML-N in Islamabad on Friday. Except for the JI and the JUI-F, no member of any other component of the religious alliance was elected in July 25 polls.Political observers say that the development is very embarrassing for the cleric – which has been part of almost all governments in the past – and has isolated him. Fazal was a candidate from two NA constituencies of his home district and was defeatred on both of them.The JI, which was present at Friday’s APC and was thus regarded as a supporter of Maulana Fazl’s idea, is scheduled to meet at its HQRS in Mansoora today to discuss the latest political situation and work out the party’s future line of action.Many JI leaders and workers have already extended congratulation messages to PTI Chairman Imran Khan on his victory despite having reservation on fairness and transparency of poll process. The background discussions with some senior JI leaders suggested the party was not in mood to go into any protest rather it will fight its case through parliament and play a role of strong opposition at the centre and in provinces. A meeting of 80-member central executive council is also called by JI Chief Sirajul Haq in first week of Aug. MMA bagged 12 seats of National Assembly in polls and Maulana Abdul Akbar is only leader of JI who elected through the platform from Chitral-1. JI’s Inayatullah, Syed Abdul Rashid and Wajih Hassan are elected from KP and Sindh on PA seats. MMA won 9 seats of Balochistan Assembly and all members belong to JUI-F. JI decision against Maulana Fazal’s call might create cracks in 5 parties religious alliance. The JUP-Imam Noorani (Brelvi/Sunni party), Islami Tehreek (Shia party) and Markazi Jamiat Ahlehadith (Ahlehadith party)—are the other component of the alliance and are backing Fazal’s proposal but none of their party member is elected in polls.nation.com.pk
Netanyahu promises to ease house demolitions in Druze communities post-Nation State Law
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180728-netanyahu-promises-to-ease-house-demolitions-in-druze-communities-post-nation-state-law/
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apparently promised to ease the demolition of “illegal” homes in Druze communities in the wake of the Nation State Law which many see as discriminatory. His government does not demolish or stop the construction of any building in Jewish towns and cities, and applies building regulations only in Arab towns, including those populated by Druze.The new law has prompted leaders of the Druze Arab community, specifically those who advocate military service in the Israel Defence Forces, to protest at what they believe is a betrayal of the “blood pact” that they have with Israel. This has prompted sympathy from Israeli leaders and senior ministers, not only because of the service of young Arabs from the Druze community in the IDF, but also because the leaders of these Zionist parties rely on the Druze for votes at election time.Druze feel that the Nation State Law excludes their children from the public domain in Israel apart from military service and voting. Netanyahu, who pushed hard for the racist law, held talks on Friday to see how to compensate Israel’s “Druze citizens” as well as a meeting with the leadership of the sect.middleeastmonitor
Israeli Arab MP resigns to protest Jewish state law
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180729-israeli-arab-mp-resigns-to-protest-jewish-state-law/
In protest of Israel’s controversial “Jewish nation-state” law, a Israeli Arab lawmaker from opposition Zionist Union lawmaker on Saturday quitted the parliament.According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Zouheir Bahloul termed the parliament (the Knesset) “racist” for passing the law, which sparked international criticism of Israel.Bahloul said the law brushed the Arab citizens aside, both officially and constitutionally.Arab lawmaker said his resignation will come into effect in September when the Knesset returns from its summer recess and vowed not to step back from his decision.MEMO
Palestinian teenage activist Tamimi freed from Israeli jail
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/palestinian-ahed-tamimi-freed-jail-180729051621393.html
Occupied West Bank: Palestinian teen activist Ahed Tamimi has been released from Israeli prison after completing an 8-month sentence in a case that sparked international condemnation. Tamimi broke down in tears as an emotional crowd welcomed her in the village of Nabi Saleh on Sunday. She was released with her mother, Nariman, who also served an eight-month sentence. Addressing the crowd, Tamimi thanked activists and the media for their support during her prison stay."This is a very happy moment for me," Tamimi's father, Bassem, said prior to his daughter's release. "We have missed them a lot. But I am also worried because the [Israeli] occupation is continuing and still in our lives."Aljazeera
Israel-Gaza tensions: UN envoy in Egypt for ceasefire talks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/israel-gaza-tensions-envoy-egypt-ceasefire-talks-180729053707340.html
UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace is in Cairo for talks on preventing a further escalation of violence in Gaza. Nickolay Mladenov's meeting with Egyptian officials comes amid weekly Palestinian protests along the Gaza-Israel border. 150 Palestinians, most of them of civilians, have been killed since the protests first began 18 weeks ago.aljazeera
Evacuations aim to change Syria demography
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/204474/evacuations-aim-to-change-syria-demography
Syrian opposition have warned that the forced evacuations by regime forces in the country’s southwestern Daraa province aims to change the demographic structure in the area.“The Assad regime, backed by Iran, began the forced evacuation in Daraa. The same scenario took place in Eastern Ghouta and Homs before,”Abdurrahman Mustafa,chairman of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, told a press conference on Friday.“As a result of this forced migration policy, there is now a large population density in Idlib,” he said.Mustafa said that since the U.S. left the areas where it was a guarantor country, “the regions have left to their fate”.The opposition leader said the Turkish presence in Idlib as a guarantor country is the “only solution” to the problem. “Turkey is already in Syrian lands to assure security,”he said.worldbulletin
Powerful quake kills 14 on Indonesia's Lombok island
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/powerful-quake-kills-10-indonesia-lombok-island-180729052501194.html
At least 14 people were killed and more than 160 injured after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Lombok island. Sunday morning's tremor was followed by 2 strong secondary quakes and more than 60 aftershocks, damaging more than a thousand buildings. The earthquake - at a depth of seven kilometres - was on land and did not trigger a tsunami.Many people were hurt after being hit by falling debris from damaged buildings. 67 were hospitalised with serious injuries."It happened so suddenly at around six in the morning. Suddenly everything simply collapsed," said Siti Sumarni, a resident of Sembalun, the worst-hit area. "My child was inside the house, thankfully he survived."Standing outside a green tent set up on a dusty field, she said nothing was left of her house.
Philippine Muslims hope new law brings 'dream of peace'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/philippine-muslims-hope-law-brings-dream-peace-180729100615338.html
Supporters of the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group gathered in their tens of thousands on Sunday to discuss a landmark law granting them autonomy, with one expressing hope it would make their "dream of peace" a reality.President Rodrigo Duterte last week signed the law, a key step to ending a Muslim rebellion in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that had claimed about 150,000 lives since the 1970s.Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, supporters and local residents from various parts of the southern island of Mindanao, including women in headscarves and fighters carrying arms, trooped to the main rebel camp there for a consultation. Their leaders are seeking support for the law ahead of a referendum on the measure, which creates an expanded autonomous region and is aimed at ending one of Asia's longest and deadliest conflicts."This is our dream. If we end this [fighting], hopefully we can live in peace," Nasser Samama, a 61-year-old veteran rebel fighter, told AFP at Camp Darapanan.Muslim rebels have long battled for independence or autonomy in Mindanao, which they regard as their ancestral homeland.aljazeera
Iran approves release of protest leaders Mousavi and Karroubi, family says
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-approves-release-protest-leaders-mousavi-and-karroubi-family-says-1005495734
Iran's top security body has approved the release of opposition figures Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, under house arrest for seven years for leading mass protests in 2009, a family member has told local media."I have heard that the decision to lift the house arrest was approved by the Supreme National Security Council," said Hossein Karroubi, son of the jailed reformist, according to the Kalameh news website, which is close to the family."This decision will be presented to the [supreme] leader so that this case can be concluded," he said, adding that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would have 10 days to veto the decision.There was no official confirmation of the decision, but Sunday's reports come at a time when Iran's leaders are keen to unite conservative and reformist factions to face down increasing pressure from the US and a worsening economic crisis.Mousavi, 76, and Karroubi, 80, were reformist candidates in the controversial election of 2009, which was won by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.middleeasteye
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
A look at Medina of 7th century that Imran Khan wants to model Pakistan on:Aastha Singh
https://theprint.in/governance/a-look-at-medina-of-7th-century-that-imran-khan-wants-to-model-pakistan-on/89599/
Beef Exports From India Doubled Under Modi Government: Rahul Kumar, Senior Journalist
https://www.theasianindependent.co.uk/beef-exports-from-india-doubled-under-modi-government/
No-confidence motion: Debate, questions, but no answers:P Chidambaram
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/across-the-aisle-debate-questions-but-no-answers-5281058/
Imran Khan: ‘I Liked What I Saw’:SYEDA HAMEED
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/5/14521/Imran-Khan-I-Liked-What-I-Saw
Muslims’ enrolment in higher education rises by 37%, gender parity also improves:NIKHIL RAMPAL
https://theprint.in/governance/muslims-enrolment-in-higher-education-rises-by-37-gender-parity-also-improves/90152/
NRC Final Draft: How One Document Will Determine the Fate of These Assamese Women:Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
https://thewire.in/politics/nrc-final-draft-how-one-document-will-determine-the-fates-of-these-assamese-women
Assam Will Have to Rediscover Human Relations: Tapodhir Bhattacharjee on NRC
https://thewire.in/rights/assam-nrc-tapodhir-bhattacharjee-media-backlash
Modi Remains Silent On Lynching – In His ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Address To Nation
http://caravandaily.com/portal/modi-remains-silent-on-lynching-in-his-mann-ki-baat-address-to-nation/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:02 PM)
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