NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
04 July 2018:19 Shawwal 1439: Vol:10, No:58
INDIA
LG bound by ‘aid & advice’ of elected Delhi govt; Delhi govt’s decisions will not require concurrence of LG: SC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-verdict-arvind-kejriwal-anil-baijal-l-g-delhi-5245513/
A 5-judge Bench of the Supreme Court today unanimously held that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi is bound by the “aid and advice” of the popularly-elected Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Govt and both have to work harmoniously with each other. It noted that there is no room for anarchy or absolutism in a democracy.CJI Dipak Misra, who wrote the opinion for himself, and Justices AK Sikri and AM Khanwilkar held that except for issues of public order, police and land, the Lieutenant Governor is bound by the “aid and advice of the Kejriwal Govt , which has the public mandate.”“Real authority to take decisions lie in the elected Govt. This is the meaning of ‘aid and advice.’ Titular head (LG) has to act in accordance to aid and advice,” Justice DY Chandrachud observed in his separate opinion. He concluded that there is no independent authority with the LG to take decisions except in matters under Article 239 or those outside the purview of National Capital Territory (NCT) Govt.Every “trivial difference of opinion” between the LG and NCT Govt cannot be referred to President for a decision. The issues referred should be of substantive or national importance. In this regard, CJI interpreted the phrase “any matter” in the proviso to Article 239AA(4) as not “every matter.” Elected representatives would be reduced to a cipher if ‘any matter’ in Article 239AA (4) was interpreted as every matter of governance, Justice Chandrachud agreed.CJI wrote that a reference to the President was only an exception and not the general rule. “In this context, even in case of differences of opinion, LG and NCT Govt should act with constitutional morality and trust for each other. LG cannot act without applying his mind and refer everything to the President.”NCT Govt need only to inform the LG of its “well-deliberated” decisions. Govt need not obtain his “concurrence” in every issue of day-to-day governance.Referring to the prolonged spat between the LG and the Kejriwal Govt on various issues, from a freeze on appointment of bureaucrats to mohalla clinic staff to school teachers, CJI said the spirit of collective responsibility in the Constitution should not be “lost in drama.” “Constitutional discord should be avoided. There is a need for real discipline and wisdom.”A freeze on Govt decisions by LG negates the very concept of “collective responsibility.” CJI, however, adhered to the nine-judge Bench judgment of the Supreme Court in NDMC versus State of Punjab to conclude that Delhi is not a ‘State.’ The judgment also held that LG is not a Governor but only an “administrator in a limited sense.”thehindu
Decisions of Delhi govt will not require the concurrence of L-G:SC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-verdict-arvind-kejriwal-anil-baijal-l-g-delhi-5245513/
AAP Ki Dilli, says top court, emphasis on elected govt
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/lieutenant-governor-must-act-harmoniously-with-the-delhi-Govt -says-supreme-court-1877572
AAP's 10-lakh letter strong 'reminder' for PM Modi to 'grant Delhi full statehood'
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/aaps-10-lakh-letter-strong-reminder-for-pm-narendra-modi-to-grant-delhi-full-statehood-2663391.html
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal wants full statehood and he plans to intensify his party's campaign with AAP workers reaching every household in Delhi, along with a letter from Kejriwal. These letters will be their campaign vehicle to send a clear message to PM Narendra Modi.As per a report in India Today, Kejriwal blamed Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal for his lack of ability to deliver in various spheres. Addressing his party supporters, MLAs and ministers in Delhi, and sharing his 'demand' with a strong voice, Kejriwal said that if PM Narendra Modi fulfills his promise and grants Delhi full statehood before the 2019 general elections, his party will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital. And if he fails to do so, Modi would be left with nothing.Moneycontrol
Rejecting report of his return to India; Zakir Naik says won’t return till he feels ‘safe from unfair prosecution’; Govt sources say no communication from Malaysia
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/controversial-preacher-zakir-naik-to-return-to-india-today-sources-to-ndtv-1877674
New Delhi:Dr. Zakir Naik is heading back to India from Malaysia, sources told NDTV. "He is out of the country tonight. He will be taking a flight to India today I believe," a Malaysian Govt source told NDTV in Kuala Lumpur.Naik has called the report "totally baseless and false". He was quoted as saying: "I have no plans to come to India till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution. When I feel that the Govt will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland."His lawyer Dato Shaharuddin Ali said "as of today", there is no truth in the report that Zakir Naik was being sent back to India. Neither had he been served any extradition papers, he added. The home ministry says it has no communication from Malaysia on Naik's return.Zakir left India in 2016 and has been living in Putrajaya in Malaysia since. He was also given a permanent residency and embraced by top Malaysian Govt officials.When NDTV asked why he was "welcome" there, the source said: "You will have to ask the last Govt."Indian investigators have been demanding that Malaysia hand him over as he is wanted by NIA.Malaysia said India had failed to produce a red corner notice - which acts like an international arrest warrant - against him."In our conversations with Indian authorities like RAW, we said please give us an Interpol notice and we will arrest him, but they failed to do so," said an official.There has been speculation about a change of policy on Naik's stay in Malaysia after the exit of the Najib Razak Govt , the legal fight for which is on in court.The Home Minister of Malaysia was recently quoted as saying that Naik was subject to local laws if he had committed a crime. However, the police authorities couldn't confirm if his return was part of negotiations with India.NDTV
Zakir says won’t return to India till he feels ‘safe from unfair prosecution’
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/zakir-naik-says-won-t-return-to-india-till-he-feels-safe-from-unfair-prosecution/story-Zq3UfXhX94AlLcc3pbSoiJ.html
No communication from Malaysia regarding Naik's deportation: Govt sources
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/no-communication-from-malaysia-regarding-naik-s-deportation-govt-sources-118070400576_1.html
Zakir Naik won’t be extradited tonight: Malaysian Inspector General of Police
http://www.jantakareporter.com/politics/zakir-naik-wont-be-extradited-tonight-malaysian-inspector-general-of-police/195799/
UP govt proposes new dress code for madrassa students to put an end to kurta-pyjama wardrobe, senior minister rejects colleague’s remarks
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/up-govt-proposes-new-dress-code-for-madrassa-students-minister-rejects-colleagues-remarks-5245420/
Lucknow:Hours after UP Minister of State Mohsin Raza claimed that the state Govt might “soon propose a new dress code” for madrassa students, his senior ministerial colleague rejected the statement, saying that “the Govt has not formed any new policy” in this regard. Cabinet minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary tonight tweeted, “Govt has not formed any new policy pertaining to the dress code of the madrassas. On this issue, there is no view of the department.”Chaudhary is the Cabinet Minister for Minority Welfare, Muslim Waqf and Haj. Earlier in the day, the Minister of State for Muslim Waqf and Haj, Mohsin Raza, said, “The aim of the UP Govt is to bring madrassas at par with other educational institutions in every sense.Till now, students in madrassas have been wearing ‘kurta-payjamas’ but now this dress code will make it more formal…We might also try to meet the expenses,”said Raza. Raza said the current dressing style of madrassa students reflects a clear demarcation between them and the students of other schools which will come to an end now. The state Govt has already gone ahead with its plans to introduce NCERT books in the madrassas of UP in a bid to bring their students at par with their counterparts in other schools and to modernise education in madrassas affiliated to the State Madrassa Board. “Till now, students in madrassas wear white kurta-pyjama, which reflects a particular faith.We will very soon propose a new dress code for them,”minister said.Raza, however, refused to elaborate as to what the new dress code would be.PTI
Adityanath Govt proposes new dress code for madrassa students, to put an end to kurta-pyjama wardrobe
http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/yogi-adityanath-Govt -proposes-new-dress-code-for-madrassa-students-to-put-an-end-to-kurta-pyjama-wardrobe/1309549
Dress code for madrassas: Senior UP minister rejects colleague's statement on 'new govt policy'
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-dress-code-for-madrassas-senior-up-minister-rejects-colleague-s-statement-on-new-govt-policy-450892
AMU should clarify stand on SC/ST quotas or could lose funding: National Commission for Scheduled Castes
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/amu-should-clarify-stand-on-sc-st-quotas-or-could-lose-funding-katheria-118070300991_1.html
Aligarh :National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairperson Ramshankar Katheria said today AMU should clarify its stand on reservations for an SC quota or else it may lose central funding.Katheria said that the commission had written to the varsity asking why it was not fulfilling its constitutional obligations by providing reservations to the weaker sections."If the varsity authorities fail to provide the commission with a suitable answer to the written query asking it to prove that AMU is a minority institution, within a month of receiving the commission's missive, the NCSC would direct the UGC to stop all funding of AMU for not fulfilling its constitutional obligations," Katheria said. Katheria, ex minister of state in Union HRD ministry, said NCSC had decided to become a party in the ongoing case in the Supreme Court where the AMU is claiming to be a minority institution.While the UPA Govt had supported the claims of the AMU in the SC regarding its status as a minority institution, the present Modi-led Govt has reversed its stand and has submitted an affidavit rejecting the AMUs claim.PTI
No Muslim quota in AMU, seats reserved for internal students, says university
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/muslim-quota-amu-aligarh-muslim-university-5244203/
Days after UP CM Yogi Adityanath demanded quota for Dalits in minority-run institutions, AMU clarified that it has never followed the policy of reserving seats on the basis of religion or caste. In a press statement, the university clarified that AMU has never followed the policy of reserving seats for Muslims. “It rather reserves 50 % seats for internal students regardless of their religion or caste,” the university said.AMU further clarified that the university is being ‘governed by AMU Act 1981 which has granted minority status to it and the minority institutions are exempted by the Article 15 (5) from implementing constitutional reservations’.The case relating to AMU’s minority status is sub judice in the Supreme Court. indianexpress
AMU is not a minority institution: Chairman of UP SC/ST Tribe Commission
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amu-is-not-a-minority-institution-chairman-of-up-sc-st-tribe-commission-5245568/
Asserting that AMU is not a minority institution, UP Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Commission today issued a notice to the University asking it to explain why it does not give reservation to SC/ST communities. “We have asked (AMU) as to why SC/ST communities have not been given benefits of reservation. Under what circumstances it has been done,” said Chairman of UP SC/ST Commission Brij Lal. Brij Lal stated that the top court and various high court directives had established that AMU is not a minority institution. “Supreme Court has not yet passed any order in which the AMU was prevented from providing reservation benefits to SC/STs.In light of HC and SC directives, it has been established that AMU is not a minority institution,” he said.indianexpress
Free NCERT books yet to arrive in UP's madrassas: teachers' body
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/free-ncert-books-yet-to-arrive-in-ups-madrassas-teachers-body-by-abhinav-pandey/1342678
Lucknow:Confusion prevails in madrassas in UP over the distribution of free NCERT text books even as the academic session has begun from April.Every year, over 560 govt-aided madrassas were provided free books from class first to eight under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, under a govt scheme.However, a decision was taken by the state Govt in May this year that NCERT books would be introduced in madarassas.Madrassa functionaries complain that even as the academic session is underway, free NCERT books are yet to arrive."Most of the Basic Shiksha Adhikaris(BSA),who look after primary education in districts have not got NCERT books for free distribution.Earlier, books of Basic Shiksha Parishad were given to students. Now as NCERT books have been introduced, confusion prevails whether basic education department will provide free books or not," said General Secretary, Teachers Association Madaris Arabia, Diwan Sahab Zaman. The decision to introduce NCERT books should have been taken after consulting everyone, but this was not done, Zaman claimed. If there were consultations, the problems would not have been arisen, he said. UP cabinet chaired by CM Yogi Adityanath had in May approved the introduction of NCERT books for the Madrassa Board.When asked, Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Vedpati Mishra said, "No directive has been received in this regard (free books) from Centre. On June 14 a meeting of project approval board of the Human Resource Development ministry was held. After getting minutes of the meeting, it will be finalised whether madrassas will be given free NCERT books or not."Registrar of the Madrassa Shiksha Board, Rahul Gupta said, "560 aided madrasas are being provided free books and rest have to purchase it. I have talked to NCERT officials and written a letter to them informing tentative number of books needed so that it will be easy to publish books and ensure their availability."As far as free distribution of NCERT books to madrassas under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan is concerned, Basic Education department knows better, Gupta said.Zaman said he recently sought to know from the Registrar, Madrassa Board about distribution of books, but did not get any reply.PTI/outlook
Muslims feel socio-economic pinch across country: survey report
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/muslims-feel-socio-economic-pinch-across-country/articleshow/64838542.cms
Hyderabad: The socio-economic condition of Muslims across India declined between 2014 and 2016 and they have become wary about their security, reveals an all India survey report. Most Muslims say that their socio-economic condition has not improved even in the last 10 years. In fact, their economic growth in UP and Bihar has witnessed a decline. In terms of monthly per capita expenditure, Muslims are at the lowest rung, that is, below SCs and STs in urban areas, while they are slightly above STs in rural India, the survey said.Muslims think that given the present scenario poverty levels will slide further and religious freedom curtailed as well. On the brighter side, Muslims believe that their situation in education will improve by 2025 as well as their political participation. The report, “Vision 2025—Socio-Economic Inequalities, Why does India’s economic growth need an inclusive agenda”, will be released on July 7 in New Delhi. The report has been authored by economist Amir Ullah Khan and historian Abdul Azim Akhtar. Noted economist Amitabh Kundu, who headed the committee that critically evaluated implementation of Sachar Committee Report, has penned the preface of the report. TOI obtained a digital copy of the report and spoke with Amir Ullah Khan, who is a Hyderabadi.The report suggests that people are more worried about lack of access to credit followed by ghettoization and wide prevalence of discrimination. “Concern about security is state specific. In some states like UP people are more worried about their safety…mob lynching is the new phenomenon that is taking a toll,” Khan said. Muslims in Indian are not a monolithic block. They are more concerned about the problems they face in the state they live, Khan said. The main aspiration of Muslims is to have good education. A tiny portion of them go to Madrassas only for religious education. These are not substitute to secular education, report said.TOI
1.5 lakh people may lose their citizenship status in Assam
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/1-5-lakh-people-may-lose-their-citizenship-status-in-assam/story-E1sPoMsB2Vrc6oCPZ3Q3CM.html
Guwahati:Around 1.5 lakh people whose names were in the first part draft of the ongoing exercise of updation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), now risk earning the tag of illegal immigrant. They will not be part of the July 30 draft of the NRC following discrepancies reported in the second round of verification process, authorities said.The first draft published on midnight of Dec.31, 2017, had 1.9 crore names out of the 3.29 crore who applied. The Supreme Court on Monday extended the deadline to publish the second draft to July 30. NRC exercise is being conducted to identify alleged illegal immigrants in the state.As per the Supreme Court order, those who will be excluded, include 65,694 cases of family tree investigations, whose claims were found to be false in the second round of family tree verification, 48,456 cases of married women who submitted certificates issued by Gaon panchayats to prove their citizenship and 19,783 persons whose names were erroneously mentioned in the first draft.This has led to questions on the credibility of the ongoing exercise.“How is it possible that despite the exercise having been started in 2015, there are still errors,” asked Aminul Islam, the general secretary of AIUDF.HT
Muslims in Manipur are angry after BJP govt. razed down structures of dozens of its members in Imphal East
http://twocircles.net/2018jul04/424052.html
Manipur: Muslim residents of Kshetri Bengoon in Imphal East district woke up on Monday to the sounds of JCB machines which were brought by the local authorities to demolish the structures. The whole demolition drive which ended in few hours rendered 77 Muslim families homeless. Local residents did protest against the action of the local authorities but were chased away by the police with batons and tear gas shells which, according to locals, led to injury to at least 5 persons. “It was just 7:30 in the morning when police came along with the machines. It was a big surprise for the people as they didn’t expect Govt to rundown their houses,”Qudus Ahmed, a local said.“Everything was in chaos. There were more policemen than the locals. Few residents including women did try resisting the demolition, but were chased away by the police which led to few injuries as well,” he said.Earlier in April 2018, BJP-led state Govt had issued notification to evict the residents from Kshetri Bengoon Mamang Ching, Mantripukhri and adjoining areas in Imphal East district which Govt claimed was a ‘protected’ and ‘forest’ land. TwoCircles
Muslims are our brothers: Manipur CM
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/muslims-are-our-brothers-manipur-cm-118070301277_1.html
Imphal :CM N. Biren Singh said that Muslims in Manipur "were born by Manipuri mothers and we are blood relations". Referring to the 48-hour general strike and other forms of protests against the demolition of several houses and a school building at Khetri Begoon on Monday, Biren Singh said that the razing shall continue."There is no communalism in the present drive. When houses and shops of several elderly women and poor persons were demolished along the Nambil river, there is no protest even from the Muslim settlers at Khetri Begoon. "There were 3 houses with 9 family members at the village who are of dubious nationality," he said.IANS
Communal tension in Bareilly village after temple idols broken; 3 accused held
https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/communal-tension-in-bareilly-village-after-temple-idols-broken-3-accused-held-1277011-2018-07-04
Bareilly: Communal tension prevailed in Raituiya village in the district here when 4 persons allegedly beat a temple priest and damaged idols there, police said today.DM Virendra Kumar Singh said that out of the four accused, three were arrested in the night and damaged idols have been removed and process is on to install the new ones.The incident took place last night when the priest Anil Pandit was cleaning the temple under Aonla police station area when four persons Hasnain, Nadeem, Meseem and Firasat entered there in an inebriated state and beat him badly.They also damaged the idols, police said.Anil somehow managed to flee and reached the village after which agitated villagers also indulged in brick batting with the rival faction, they said.PTI
Gujarat: Youth attacked for wearing Muslim skull cap
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/youth-attacked-for-wearing-muslim-skull-cap/articleshow/64847555.cms
Ahmedabad:Digambar Sonar, a 21-year-old youth from the Narol area of the city, was allegedly beaten by 4 men who objected to him posting a display picture on his WhatsApp account wearing a Muslim skull cap. Police said the 4 men threatened him “for wearing a skull cap despite being a Hindu”. Sonar was assaulted by the four men — Sachin, Vijay, Kachori and an unknown man — so severely late on Monday night that he had to be admitted to LG Hospital in the city.Sonar states in FIR, “I had clicked myself wearing a skull cap on the festival of Eid on June 16 and posted it as my display picture on WhatsApp. Sachin, who is a friend and a member of a common WhatsApp group, saw my display picture and started abusing me for wearing a skull cap.”TOI
Tamil Nadu announces Haj subsidy, months after Centre scrapped grant
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tamil-nadu-announces-haj-subsidy-months-after-centre-scrapped-grant/articleshow/64841482.cms
Tamil Nadu Govt announced an annual subsidy of Rs 6 crore for Haj pilgrimage from this year, months after it had opposed the Centre's decision to do away with the monetary aid to the pilgrims. CM K Palaniswami made the announcement in the state assembly. Noting that the Central Govt had scrapped the Haj subsidy, he said the state Govt has been extending grant for the Hindus and the Christians for their overseas pilgrimage. Now Muslims too would be given a similar support, he added. "Amma's (late CM Jayalalithaa's) Govt which follows her footsteps will from this year provide Rs 6 crore subsidy every year for followers of Islam to undertake the sacred Haj yatra," he said. CM said this year a total of 3,728 people would undertake Haj pilgrimage under the new subsidy scheme, modalities of which are yet to be announced. PTI
Recurrent terror attacks common under UPA are now history: PM Modi
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/03/recurrent-terror-attacks-common-under-upa-are-now-history-prime-minister-narendra-modi-1837645.html
PM Narendra Modi has said that there has been the significant improvement in the internal security situation in the last 4 years with "recurrent terror attacks that were common under UPA" now being history and Maoist violence declining by 20% in the affected areas.In an interview with 'Swarajya' magazine, PM said: "I would like to salute our brave security forces who are eternally vigilant and are ensuring peace as well as prosperity for 125 crore Indians."You can ascertain our security situation from the fact that recurrent terror attacks that were common under the UPA are now history."IANS
Withdraw minority status for Muslims, stem their population growth: Togadia
https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/withdraw-minority-status-for-muslims-stem-their-population-growth-togadia-1276666-2018-07-03
Jaipur: Ex-VHP leader Praveen Togadia demanded that the minority status for Muslims should be withdrawn and they be made to adhere to the two-child policy to curb their population growth.The status of minority (for Muslims) should be withdrawn. A 2-child policy should be there to control their population," Togadia, who recently formed a new outfit Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad said at a press conference."The money collected from taxpayers should not be spent on them only, it should instead be utilised for the welfare of all poor and needy people, he added.The controversial leader said that his outfit will create a vote bank of 20 crore Hindus in the country to influence politics in a democratic manner. Togadia lashed out at Modi Govt for failing to tackle vital issues like inflation, farmer suicides, unemployment and women safety."More than 32000 cases of rape or attempt to rape took place in the country last year which clearly presents a picture that women and girls are not secured in the country," he said.PTI
A year after GST, small businesses report huge drop in sales, struggle with high costs of compliance
https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/a-year-after-gst-small-businesses-report-huge-drop-in-sales-struggle-with-high-costs-of-compliance/story-2NezKZ0MJ0EOxsocnavDtJ.html
New Delhi:For Rajesh Kapoor, a dealer of power tools and industrial hardware in Delhi, one year of GST reform has meant a 60% drop in sales.“In the last one year, we’re only able to sell about 40% of what we used to before GST came in. B2C (business-to-consumer) end of my business has taken a drastic hit. When a customer sees he’ll have to pay Rs 18,000 tax on a purchase worth Rs 1,00,000, he’d prefer to not buy the product from us at all,” said Kapoor.Kapoor’s business typically sees an annual turnover in the range of Rs 17-18 lakh. Small businesses like his were exempt from paying excise under old tax laws. Goods he sold were only taxed at 5% VAT, but now, under GST, most of the products fall under the 18% slab, and the others are taxed at 28%.“It’s discouraging customers from buying from us. They’d rather go to a branded store and shell out more money there, since they’re already used to paying more for brands,” he said. “When it comes to filing returns too, work needs to be delegated to a professional now. We can’t do much by ourselves.”HT
Chinese Army delegation in India, issue of resuming military exercise discussed
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chinese-army-delegation-in-india-issue-of-resuming-military-exercise-discussed/story-1yut38TcpuQNYTzaMRWabJ.html
New Delhi:A 10-member delegation of Chinese Army is in India with an aim to increase coordination between the militaries of the two countries along their disputed boundary, in the first such visit after Doklam standoff.The visit by the high-level Chinese military delegation led by Lt Gen Liu Xiaowu, Deputy Commander of Western Theatre Command of Chinese Army, is in sync with decisions taken at an informal summit between PM Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping.The delegation, which will be in India till July 6, has met Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt General Devraj Anbu during which ways to increase coordination between the two militaries were discussed, sources said.PTI
Rajasthan Govt to drop cases against Rajputs
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajasthan-Govt -to-drop-cases-against-rajputs/story-AAH8YwC3Z38wj2Bz74nZZO.html
Jaipur: Rajasthan Govt is in a damage-limitation mode, with assembly elections due by the year-end. In 2 days, it has taken two major decisions to minimise damage that may be caused by the Rajputs and the Gujjars, the 2 communities that have traditionally been BJP supporters but are miffed with the party of late.On Monday, Govt came out with clarifications regarding OBC and MBC (most backward classes) reservations for the Gujjars, prompting the pastoral community to withdraw its call to protest during PM Narendra Modi’s July 7 Jaipur visit.On Monday itself, the Govt made up its mind to withdraw cases against the Rajputs.HT
Maharashtra govt to pay Rs 1.21 cr to Mukul Rohatgi as legal fees in Loya case: RTI reply
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-govt-to-pay-rs-1-21-cr-to-mukul-rohatgi-as-legal-fees-in-loya-case-rti-reply/story-fFpbPcVjCwOJbzCKtQAQeK.html
Mumbai:Maharashtra Govt has decided to pay up Rs1.21 crore to senior counsel Mukul A Rohatgi, who represented the state Govt in the judge BH Loya case hearings before the Supreme Court, an RTI reply has revealed.The state Govt appointed Rohatgi - ex attorney general of India - as a special prosecutor in the case, besides ex solicitor general of India and senior lawyer Harish Salve, said RTI activist Jatin Desai.“In April, an apex court bench presided over by CJI dismissed a couple of petitions demanding an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of CBI special judge Loya,” said Desai. Representing Maharashtra, Rohatgi appeared in the matter 11 times before the Supreme Court, for which the state Govt approved Rs 11 lakh per hearing as his professional fees, he added. However, Desai said the information pertaining to the professional fees paid to Salve has not yet been provided by state Govt under RTI.“Even information on remuneration approved for Rohatgi was made available only in first appeal. So now, I plan to file an appeal for Salve,” Desai said.IANS
Ensure steps to prevent spread of rumours, Govt warns WhatsApp
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/Govt -warns-whatsapp-over-rumour-mongering-violence/story-TbZ6kXnYTflj5TcOibaMhJ.html
Govt has expressed its “deep disapproval”to instant messaging service company WhatsApp, over “irresponsible and explosive messages”, warning it to prevent the spread of rumours that have incited several instance of violence in the country in the last two months.“While the law and order machinery is taking steps to apprehend the culprits, the abuse of platform like WhatsApp for repeated circulation of such provocative content are equally a matter of deep concern,” the ministry of electronics and information technology said .An official familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity the implicit message is that if WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, does not take action, the Govt would be forced to act.HT
Horrified by terrible acts of violence, WhatsApp tells Govt : Whatsapp to launch new label to tackle rumours
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/horrified-by-terrible-acts-of-violence-whatsapp-tells-Govt /article24329188.ece?homepage=true
In the wake of the Govt of India’s missive to take immediate measures to prevent misuse of its platform, WhatsApp, in its response has said that it is taking a number of steps to tackle the issue of fake messages on its platform, including testing a new label that highlights when a message has been forwarded versus composed by the sender.The company, late on Wednesday, also announced “unrestricted monetary awards” for research on spread of misinformation on its platform to address the problem.“Like Govt of India, we're horrified by these terrible acts of violence and wanted to respond quickly to the very important issues you have raised. We believe this is a challenge that requires Govt, civil society and technology companies to work together,” the company said in its response to Ministry of Electronics and IT.The company said that it believed that false news, misinformation, and the spread of hoaxes were issues best tackled collectively: by the Govt , civil society and technology companies working together.thehindu
Friendship with woman, private car led to rifleman Aurangzeb’s murder by militants in Kashmir:HT
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/friendship-with-woman-private-car-led-to-rifleman-aurangzeb-s-murder-by-militants-in-kashmir/story-GkFOd7JxEQMNJgi61AYLmI.html
New Delhi:Love and a violation of several standard operating procedures (SOPs) led unsuspecting rifleman Aurangzeb to a brutal death, several officials have confirmed.Aurangzeb, an army jawan posted in South Kashmir’s Shadimurg, was abducted and killed soon after he left the 44 Rashtriya Rifles camp on June 14.He and his colleagues had hailed a private car and requested the driver to drop him to Shopian but the car was intercepted by terrorists, who dragged Aurangzeb out. The rifleman was on his way home, in Poonch, for Eid but was to meet a local woman before leaving the Valley. “He had come in contact with a woman and the two were in touch,’’ an official revealed. Unknown to Aurangzeb, the terrorists had found out that the armyman was seeing the woman. “They forced the girl to reveal details and discovered that he would be leaving the army camp and would be seeing her before proceeding to Poonch,’’ an army official said on condition of anonymity.
Emirates to discontinue ‘Hindu meal’ from in-flight menu
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/emirates-airlines-to-dicontinue-hindu-meal-from-in-flight-menu-5245023/
New Delhi:Dubai-based air carrier Emirates is discontinuing the ‘Hindu meal’ option from its in-flight menu.The airline, in a statement, said Hindu passengers will still be able to choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian options from a host of meals tailored to local tastes. Its updated menu now offers options like Vegetarian Jain Meal, Indian Vegetarian Meal, Kosher meal and Non-Beef non-vegetarian.Airline’s decision to withdraw the ‘Hindu meal’ option from the menu was taken following a review of its onboard products and services.“As part of our continuous review of the products and services available to customers, Emirates can confirm that it will discontinue the Hindu meal option. We constantly review our offering, taking into consideration customer uptake and feedback. This helps us improve service efficiencies,” statement read.indianexpress
Chant Vedic mantra to get a better crop: Goa minister backs project for farmers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chant-vedic-mantra-to-get-a-better-crop-goa-govt-scheme-for-farmers-5244821/
Panjim:A “vedic” technique which requires a farmer to sit, meditate and channel “cosmic energy” by chanting “Om rom jum sah” for at least 20 minutes a day for better yields, got the backing of Goa Agriculture Minister Vijay Sardesai Tuesday after he inaugurated a pilot project at a field, close to his residence in Fatorda.The project is named “Shiv Yog Cosmic Farming” and is designed by Dr Avadhoot Shivanand, a former chemical engineer turned godman, in Gurgaon through his Shiv Yog Foundation. Sardesai’s wife, Usha is a follower of this foundation and “shakti” videos have gone viral among farmers across the state on social media.Launching the project, Sardesai said: “There is no money involved and, as an agriculture minister, I will explore every method to increase interest in farming. If you convince me a rock show or a beauty contest will also help get people excited about agriculture, I will pull it in the middle of the fields. We need to now look into methods to get everyone interested in farming.”“My wife Usha is a Shiv Yogi and she is the one who has been promoting this philosophy. I was sceptical at first too, but it’s not magic. There are studies backing this method.”indianexpress
Witness turns hostile, denies police seized clothes and bullets belonging to Tulsiram in his presence
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/witness-turns-hostile-denies-police-seized-clothes-and-bullets-belonging-to-tulsiram-in-his-presence-5244861/
Mumbai:In the Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter case, a panch witness turned hostile, denying the police had seized any bullets or clothes belonging to Prajapati in his presence on Dec.28, 2006.According to his statement to CBI, he had said that he was at a hospital at Ambaji in Gujarat — where his nephew was admitted—when accused policemen approached to make become a panch witness for seizure of Prajapati’s clothes and bullets used in alleged encounter.indianexpress
Hyderabad : Anger over construction on graveyard
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/anger-over-construction-on-dabeerpura-graveyard/articleshow/64838621.cms
Charminar: Construction activities at a graveyard near Noor Khan bazaar in Dabeerpura area has angered the Muslim community with many blaming officials of the Telangana State Waqf Board for being negligent. Activists on Monday raised an alarm about the graveyard which has now turned into a 2-floor residential building with the cellar housing a stable for cows and buffaloes.Greater Hyderabad Minorities vice-president Mohammed Ahmed told TOI that the building has been constructed after razing graves in the area."We did everything possible to stop the illegal construction on graveyard land which is Waqf property, but no action has been taken by officials. An FIR was also registered against the Waqf board CEO in 2017, but to no avail," Ahmed said.TOI
WORLD
UN urges Egypt to free Qaradawi's daughter,son-in-law
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/urges-egypt-free-qaradawi-daughter-son-law-180703182044164.html
UN human rights office has urged Egypt to free the daughter of an Islamic scholar and her husband who have been held without a formal charge since June 30.Ola al-Qaradawi is the daughter of Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a leading Islamic scholar, who lives in exile in Qatar."We understand that Ola al-Qaradawi's health is frail and deteriorating and urge the authorities to ensure that her right to health and to physical and psychological integrity is respected,"Liz Throssell, spokesman for UN human rights office, told journalists in Geneva.Ola al-Qaradawi has been held in solitary confinement "in one of the worst prisons in Egypt", UN human rights office said.Her husband, Hosam Khalaf, is being held in similar conditions in a different prison, according to media reports."We call on Egypt to release all those arbitrarily detained in the country unconditionally," the office said.In June, a UN-mandated body issued a decision determining that Qaradawi and her husband had been arbitrarily arrested, and called for their immediate release. Qaradawi's prolonged solitary confinement could also amount to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, the office said.Cairo Govt claims that Ola al-Qaradawi and Hosam Khalaf were accused of belonging to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, which it says is a "terrorist" group.The family denies the accusation and last Sept.brought the case to the UN working group on arbitrary detention. aljazeera
Eypt’s Morsi spends 5th year in prison since coup
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/egypt-s-morsi-spends-5th-year-in-prison-since-coup/1193789
Cairo:Egypt’s first democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi spends his fifth year behind bars since he was ousted by the military in a coup in 2013. He was tried in 6 cases; a mass jailbreak, murder, spying for Qatar, espionage with Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanese group Hezbollah, insulting the judiciary and terrorism. “Verdicts against Morsi are politically-motivated,” Alaa Abdulmunsif, head of Salam Organization for Protection of Human Rights, told Anadolu. “The regime wants to get rid of him,” he said. In June 2016, an Egyptian court placed Morsi on the country’s official list of “terrorists” for 3 years. In the same year, the Court of Cassation, Egypt’s highest appellate court, upheld a 20-year jail term against Morsi on charges of murder during deadly clashes between supporters and opponents outside the Ittihadiya presidential palace in 2012. Morsi, along four other Brotherhood leaders, was also sentenced to death for alleged involvement in a mass jailbreak in 2011 during a popular uprising that swept former autocrat Hosni Mubarak from power. However, the Court of Cassation overturned the verdicts and ordered a retrial in 2016. Saeed Sadek, professor of political sociology at the American University in Cairo, believes that Morsi’s trials are the result of “political competition”. "How come those who overthrew him would set him free” he asked. Sadek ruled out any reconciliation between the Egyptian regime and the Muslim Brotherhood in the near future. Since Morsi’s overthrow, Egyptian authorities have launched a relentless crackdown on dissent, killing hundreds of his supporters and sending thousands behind bars for inciting violence. Anadolu Agency
Egypt coup: Five years since Sisi took power
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/egypt-coup-years-sisi-power-180703123648976.html
Ennahda candidate becomes first female mayor of Tunis
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/ennahda-candidate-becomes-first-female-mayor-of-tunis/1193826
TUNIS:Souad Ben Abdel-Rahim, the candidate for Tunisia's Ennahda movement, won the presidency of the Tunis municipality on Tuesday.The Ennahda candidate beat her rival, Kamalaldin Eidir, the nominee of the Nidaa Tounes party.Abdel-Rahim clinched 26 votes -- against 22 for Eidir -- in a second round of voting by the city’s municipal council, becoming the Tunisian capital’s first-ever female mayor.In May 6 local polls, independent candidates won 2,373 seats on municipal councils countrywide.Ennahda came in second with 2,139 seats, followed by the liberal Nidaa Tounes party (1,600 seats) and the leftist Popular Front party (261 seats), according to official results.According to Tunisia’s official electoral commission, the polls saw a voter turnout rate of 35.6 percent.The local polls were the first to be held in Tunisia since a popular uprising in 2011 led to the ouster of autocratic President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali after more than two decades in power.Anadolu Agency
Islamic State says al-Baghdadi’s son killed in Syria
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/islamic-state-says-al-baghdadis-son-killed-in-syria/article24329425.ece?homepage=true
Beirut: Islamic State group says the son of its leader has been killed fighting Syrian Govt forces.The announcement of the death of the young son of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared on the group’s social media accounts late Tuesday. It included a picture of a young boy carrying a rifle and identified him as Huthaifa al-Badri.The statement, dated this month, said he was an elite fighter, known as an “inghimasi,” who was killed while fighting Syrian and Russia troops at a power station in the central Homs province. It did not specify when he was killed.Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring group, said the most recent IS operations in the area were in the first two weeks of June.Al-Baghdadi has been reported killed or wounded on a number of occasions but is widely believed to still be alive. Observatory said late Tuesday that one of the group’s last pockets in the eastern Syrian province of Deir el-Zour came under intense shelling from the US-led coalition. At least 12 militants are believed to have been killed in Hajin, the Observatory said.AP
EU calls regime attacks on Daraa violation of int'l law
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-calls-regime-attacks-on-daraa-violation-of-intl-law/1194600
ANKARA:The European Union on Wednesday slammed attacks by the Bashar al-Assad regime and its allies on opposition-held Daraa province in southwestern Syria."Such attacks are clear violations of international law and international humanitarian law that also put at risk any progress in Geneva for the resumption of the political talks under UN mediation," EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said in a written statement.Anadolu
PA: Israel's freeze of prisoner family money 'declaration of war'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/pa-israel-freeze-prisoner-family-money-declaration-war-180703153140802.html
Palestinian leaders have condemned a "dangerous" new Israeli law that will withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in funds from the Palestinian Authority (PA) over welfare payments given to prisoners and their families.Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said in a statement on Tuesday that the move constituted a "declaration of war" against the Palestinian people who have fought for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He also said the move, which surpasses a "red line", was going to be confronted with a series of Palestinian decisions."All options are open … from the International Criminal Court to the United Nations Security Council," he warned.Similarly, Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation committee, said the move amounted to "theft".aljazeera
Israeli forces wound scores of women in Gaza rally
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/israeli-forces-wound-scores-women-gaza-rally-180703204015686.html
At least 134 Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli gunfire as thousands of Palestinian women demonstrated along the heavily fortified fence with Israel in the besieged Gaza Strip. Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesperson for Gaza’s healthy ministry, said in a statement on Tuesday that media representatives covering the event were among those who were injured at the scene, east of the enclave.The protest was the first mass women’s demonstration to take place in the strip since popular protests calling for Palestinians’ right of return began on March 30 in the strip.aljazeera
181 journalists hurt covering Gaza rallies: Committee
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/181-journalists-hurt-covering-gaza-rallies-committee/1194620
GAZA:At least 181 Palestinian journalists have been injured since Mar. 30, when Gazans began staging almost-daily rallies along the Gaza-Israel security fence, the Journalists Support Committee (JSC) said Wednesday.In a Wednesday statement, the JSC -- a non-profit organization comprised of Arab writers and journalists -- described the high number of injuries as “shocking to anyone who advocates for press freedom”.The JSC has documented the injury of 44 journalists by Israeli army gunfire since Mar. 30, saying the extent of these injuries varied from “moderate” to “lethal”.Anadolu agency
Israel fights polygamy among Muslim citizens
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180704-israel-fights-polygamy-among-muslim-citizens/
Israeli occupation authorities are fight polygamy among Muslims in Israel by imposing punitive measures including jail terms against men who take on more than one wife, Arab48 reported .According the report there are 6,200 polygamous families in Israel, occupied Jerusalem and the occupied Golan Heights. The rate of polygamy, the Israeli authorities say, is much higher than it is in Egypt, Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territories.New data has revealed that 75 % of polygamous husbands had two wives and normally opted to do so if their first wife was barren.Arab48 reported that Israel Police investigated 260 cases of suspected polygamy, referring 217 to the public prosecution which indicted only 12 cases.middleeastmonitor
Somalia’s Al-Shaabab declares war on plastic bags to protect ‘humans and animals
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180703-somalias-terror-group-bans-harmful-plastic-bags/
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab has placed a ban on the use of plastic bags over harm posed to the environment, the Independent reported today.Al-Shabaab-run Radio Andalus broadcasted the ban late on Sunday, claiming that discarded plastic “pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of humans and animals alike”, Mohammed Abu Abdullah, one of the group’s leaders based in southern Somalia said.Plastic bags join a long list of banned items in Al-Shabaab controlled territory in Somalia, including music, cinemas and smart phones. The group did not mention how the ban will be implemented, but the group usually use strict public punishments including stoning for those who do not comply. Abdullah added that logging of rare trees will also be added to the ban list, in a bid to preserve the environment.While commentators on social media joked about the groups “eco-friendly” stance as an Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Independent noted that Al-Qaeda has been “vocal” about environmental issues in the past. Even Al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen, Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), called out former US president Barack Obama in 2016 for not working to counter “climate change” issues.Al-Shabaab’s main political ambition is to take control and govern Somalia with a strict interpretation of Islamic law.middleeastmonitor
Malaysia's ex-PM out on bail, denies corruption charges
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/pm-najib-razak-charged-1mbd-corruption-scandal-180704045852576.html
Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak has denied corruption charges over the disappearance of millions of dollars from the 1MBD state investment fund, as part of a graft probe while he was in office.A day after his arrest, the Malaysian High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday charged Najib with abuse of power and three counts of criminal breach of trust for allegedly depositing 42m ringgit ($10m) in state funds to his personal bank account between December 2014 and February 2015.Najib, who was granted bail at 1 million ringgit ($250,000) in cash, vowed to prove his innocence. Aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Hatred against minorities is rising globally. But India offers an exceptional impunity for bigotry:Harsh Mander
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/hapur-mob-lynching-minorities-india-communal-violence-5244625/
‘I am the other’: Have India’s Muslims been systematically pushed out of the mainstream?Ziya Us Salam’s book ‘Of Saffron Flags and Skull Caps’
https://scroll.in/article/884792/i-am-the-other-have-indias-muslims-been-systematically-pushed-out-of-the-mainstream
If Mob Violence Has Gone Viral, Politicians Trading in Fear Must Share the Blame:Monobina Gupta
https://thewire.in/politics/if-mob-violence-has-gone-viral-politicians-trading-in-fear-must-share-the-blame
Assam: How 'Biased' Implementation of NRC Project Ruining Families, Separating Parents from Children:Newsclick Production
https://newsclick.in/assam-how-biased-implementation-nrc-project-ruining-families-separating-parents-children
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:48 PM)
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