NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
09 July 2018:24 Shawwal 1439: Vol:10, No:61
INDIA
2012 Delhi gangrape: SC upholds death sentence for 3 convicts, dismisses review petition
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/2012-delhi-gangrape-sc-upholds-death-sentence-for-3-convicts-dismisses-review-petition/story-CgZvKe4vXb8W4EwUJIzIeP.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of three of the four convicts in the Dec 16 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old woman saying there was no error in the judgment.3 had filed a review petition after the top court upheld the death sentences on May 5, 2017.A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan delivered its judgment on the pleas of Mukesh (29), Pawan Gupta (22) and Vinay Sharma (23).The four death row convict, Akshay Kumar Singh (31), did not file a review petition against the apex court’s order on May 5, 2017.“Review applications cannot be entertained.. convict cannot be allowed to re-agitate the grounds of appeal. There has to be an apparent error on record to show it resulted in miscarriage of justice,” the bench said in its judgement.“The death row convicts failed to point out ‘error’ in the judgement,” the court said. “Convicts were heard elaborately during appeals and no grounds have been made out for review of its verdict.”The top court in its 2017 verdict had upheld the capital punishment awarded to them by the trial court and confirmed by the Delhi high court in the case of gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedic student on Dec. 16, 2012 that had left the country shocked and outraged.One of the accused in the case, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the capital’s Tihar jail.A juvenile, who was among the accused, was convicted by a juvenile justice board. He was released from a reformation home after serving a 3-year term.HT
SC bars ‘outsiders’ from praying in Taj Mahal Mosque, upholds Agra authority order
https://www.news18.com/news/india/sc-bars-outsiders-from-praying-in-taj-mahal-mosque-upholds-agra-authority-order-1805915.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the Agra authority's order which barred non-residents of the city from offering Friday prayers at a mosque in the Taj Mahal complex.A bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the Taj Mahal was one of the seven wonders of the world and people can offer their prayers at other mosques also.The petition had challenged the Jan.24, 2018 order passed by ADM (City) Agra which said that those who are not residents of Agra, would not be allowed to enter the mosque situated at the Taj Mahal for offering customary prayers on Fridays on grounds of security.Petitioner Syed Ibrahim Hussain Zaidi, president of Taj Mahal Masjid Management Committee, Agra, told the bench that several tourists visit Agra throughout the year and the order of ADM (City), Agra restraining them from offering their prayers at the mosque inside the Taj Mahal was illegal and arbitrary."Why for such prayers they should go to the Taj Mahal," the bench said, adding "There are other mosques also. They can offer their prayers there." news18
SC junks plea against Agra authority order barring outsiders at mosque in Taj Mahal
http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/sc-junks-plea-against-agra-authority-order-barring-outsiders-at-mosque-in-taj-mahal/1312767
SC refuses to delay tomorrow's Section 377 hearing, rejects Centre's plea for more time to file response
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-refuses-to-delay-section-377-hearing-rejects-centres-plea-for-more-time-to-file-response/articleshow/64914508.cms
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has admonished the Centre for its delay in filing a response to petitions against Section 377 of IPC, and said it wouldn't grant it more time. Section 377 of IPC criminalises homosexuality. The Centre had requested the SC for more time to file its response to the petitions. The Constitution Bench of the top court will tomorrow hear petitions against Section 377 of the IPC.The SC said the matter had been pending for a while and the Centre should have filed its response by now."We will go ahead with the scheduled hearing. We will not adjourn it. You (Centre) file whatever you want during the hearing", said a bench of CJI Dipak Kisra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud.TOI
No place for Sharia court, this isn't Islamic Republic of India, says BJP spokesperson Lekhi; Muslim Law Board says SC allowed it, observing it's not a parallel court
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/09/political-leaders-reject-muslim-personal-law-boards-proposal-to-set-up-a-shariat-court-in-every-d-1840558.html
New Delhi: BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi disapproved the idea of establishing a Shariat court in all districts across the country as proposed by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Lekhi said that there is no place for such court in India, as it is not an 'Islamic Republic of India.' "You can discuss religious matters but court binds this nation. There is no place for Shariat Court, be it at district or village or city level. This is not the Islamic Republic of India," Lekhi said.Union Minister PP Chaudhary said, if a Shariat Court is formed, verdict passed by such court would be against the Indian Constitution and so is not enforceable."As far as the opening of a court is concerned, it can only be in accordance with law and body opening it, should be competent under the law. Any verdict given by such court is against Constitution and so is not enforceable," Chaudhary said. Even the Congress party spurned the proposal and termed the idea against the Indian Constitution. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the special provision of a particular religion is always taken care by the Supreme Court and High Court and hence any other court is not needed."I do not subscribe to the idea. It is completely against the India Constitution.We have a well-established constitution, whenever there is a specific provision of a particular religion that is also being taken care by the Supreme Court and the High Court. I do not think there is a need to establish a Shariat court in all the districts," Rajeev Shukla said.JDU's national secretary general KC Tyagi also disapproved the need to establish such courts.Talking to ANI on AIMPLB’s plans to open Shariat courts in all districts of the country, Zafaryab Jilani, a member of the board said, “Muslim Personal Law Board started it in India in 1993. This is nothing new. The central Govt has no relation with it. SC had also allowed it to continue while observing that it's not a parallel court.” "We don't call it Shariat court. It's Darul Qaza, where Qazi solves matrimonial disputes or suggests ways for separations if issues aren't solved. This will only help people, especially women, to seek justice. We discuss this in all our meetings, and will once again take it up in our next meeting on July 15," he said.newindianexpress/ANI
Now, Sharia courts across India? Congress leader backs AIMPLB plan, Swamy says – ‘Arrest them’
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/now-sharia-courts-across-india-congress-leader-backs-aimplb-plan-swamy-says-arrest-them/1236895/
AIMPLB, Shia Waqf Board lock horns over Shariat court
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/aimplb-up-shia-waqf-board-lock-horns-over-shariat-court-proposal-118070800687_1.html
Amartya Sen hits out at Modi govt, says India has taken a quantum jump in wrong direction since 2014
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amartya-sen-bjp-indian-economy-narendra-modi-5251046/
New Delhi:Nobel laureate and renowned economist Amartya Sen has criticised BJP-led central Govt, stating that the country has taken a “quantum jump in the wrong direction” since 2014. “Things have gone pretty badly wrong… It has taken a quantum jump in the wrong direction since 2014. We are getting backwards in the fastest-growing economy,”Sen said. The economist was speaking during the launch of Bharat Aur Uske Virodhabhas’, Hindi edition of his book ‘An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradiction’ that he co-authored with development economist Jean Dreze.With the economy on a downslide, Sen said, the country is now second worst in the subcontinent region. Of the six countries in the region–India was the second best after Sri Lanka 20 years ago. “Now, it is the second worst. Pakistan has managed to shield us from being the worst.” He further said the Govt has also deflected from issues of inequalities and the caste system. He pointed out that there were a whole group of people, those who clean lavatories or sewage with their hands whose demands and needs have been neglected.Highlighting the recent report of a Dalit youth who was whipped for asking a salary hike from the manager of a petrol pump in MP, he said they (dalit) are going around without any kind of certainty about their next meal, healthcare or education.Taking a dig at the BJP-led Govt , the economist added that during freedom struggle it was difficult to see that a political battle could be won by playing up the Hindu identity, but that has changed now. “But, that has happened. Which is why, at this time, the whole issue of Opposition unity is so important,” 84-year-old economist said. “It is not a battle of one entity against the other (or) Modi against Rahul Gandhi, it is an issue of what India is,” Sen addedCommenting on PM Narendra Modi’s ambitious healthcare scheme–Ayushmann Bharat, development economist and activist Jean Dreze termed the soon-to-be launched scheme a “hoax” as it was actually not big as it was being claimed to be. “The budget (for the scheme) for this year is 2,000 crore. Even if it is spent, it’s less than 20 rupees per person,” he said.indianexpress
India’s call on US sanctions against Iran oil will be in national interest: Union Minister Pradhan
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-call-on-us-sanctions-against-iran-oil-will-be-in-national-interest-says-dharmendra-pradhan/story-O2cc6kHKZqFDMuuDELa5zH.html
New Delhi:Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan has said India sees the US sanctions on Iran as a ‘challenge’ given its close ties with both countries, but will take a ‘considered and comprehensive’ view, based on ‘national interest’, and find a way to secure its energy needs: His comments come a week before a US expert-level delegation arrives in India, on July 16 and 17, to discuss sanctions with Petroleum Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs experts and share each other’s perspective on its impact on global oil markets.India, led by private players, purchased around 10% of its crude oil from Iran in 2016-17, but the figure has risen to 18% this year with 33 million tons of crude being imported.In an interview, Pradhan underlined the importance of ties with both countries. “We have a special strategic relationship with US. We have a historic, cultural and civilisational relationship with Iran. Iran is also a factor in India-Afghanistan relationship because of its geographic proximity. Our economic interests are tied to both. Govt will take a comprehensive view.”When asked how it will deal with the fallout of the sanctions, the minister said, “Let us wait and watch. The Govt has a considered view. National interest is paramount and we will align our decision on that.”HT
90% of BJP candidates will lose in upcoming polls:BJP MP
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/raj-kumar-saini-90-per-cent-of-bjp-candidates-will-lose-in-upcoming-elections-1879984
Faridabad: BJP has neither "intent" nor the "right policies" and 90% of the candidates who contest as its nominees in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will lose, Raj Kumar Saini, the BJP's MP from Haryana's Kurukshetra claimed today.aini, who has repeatedly criticised BJP in recent times, was addressing a 'Loktantra Bachao' (Save Democracy) rally in the Tigaon village in Kurukshetra district.BJP does not have the right policies nor does it have the right intent and 90 % of those who contest on the party's ticket in the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha polls will lose, he said.Saini also attacked the Indian National Lok Dal claiming a party whose leaders faced serious corruption charges was dreaming of coming to power in the state.PTI
389 people died in communal riots in last 4 yrs
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/story-in-numbers-389-people-have-died-in-communal-riots-in-last-4-years-118070800677_1.html
There have been “no big communal riots” in India over the past four years, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, said recently. Naqvi’s claim is not true, according to Indiaspend’s analysis of Govt data.3 “major communal incidents” were reported in (Baduria-Basirhat district North 24 Parganas, West Bengal) 2017, (Hazinagar, West Bengal) 2016 and (Saharanpur, UP ) 2014, according to the home ministry’s annual reports, with no “major communal incidents” reported in 2015.A “major” communal incident is one that results in more than 5 deaths or leaves over 10 people injured. An incident that results in one death or 10 injured is termed as “important or significant”.As many as 2,920 “communal incidents” were reported in India over 4 years ended 2017, in which 389 people were killed and 8,890 injured, according to the home ministry’s reply to the Lok Sabha on Feb.6, 2018 and Feb.7, 2017. UP — India’s most populous state — reported the highest number of incidents (645) over the last 4 years, followed by 9th— most populous, Karnataka (379), and the 2nd-most populous, Maharashtra (316). UP also reported the highest number of deaths in these communal incidents (121) between 2014 and 2017, followed by Rajasthan (36) and Karnataka (35).IndiaSpend
Kathua rape-murder a conspiracy of terror groups: lawyer of accused
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kathua-rape-murder-a-conspiracy-of-terror-groups-lawyer-of-accused-5251493/
Jammu: Ankur Sharma, lawyer for the main accused in the Kathua gangrape-murder of a minor girl, on Sunday urged Governor NN Vohra to immediately order a CBI inquiry into the case. The rape-murder case, he said, “appears to be a big conspiracy of terrorist organisations’’. Describing the previous Mehbooba Govt as “Wahabi, Salafi, Islami and Jihadi”, he also asked the Governor to withdraw minutes of the Tribal Affairs Department meeting chaired by then CM on Feb.14 as these gave “clear directions to the state Govt to provide immunity to land encroachers and bovine smugglers and slaughterers superseding law of the land’’.“Rape-murder case and Feb14 minutes of the meeting were inter-related with a clear agenda on how to convert the Hindu majority into a minority in Jammu to enable Mehbooba Mufti and mainstream political parties of Kashmir fulfill separatists and terrorists’ agenda of 100% Islamisation of J&K,’’ he added.He said, “With full responsibility and on the basis of information and evidence gathered, I say that the rape and murder is in fact a terror killing.”indianexpress
Even Lord Ram cannot stop rapes, crimes against women: BJP MLA in UP
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/even-lord-ram-cannot-stop-rapes-crimes-against-women-bjp-mla-in-up/story-SXuqNNEBQ9GrKyY4DXXrpL.html
Varanasi: A BJP MLA in UP has stoked controversy by saying on Sunday that even Lord Ram would not have been able to stop the rising incidents of rape and crimes against women.“I can say this with conviction that even Lord Ram will not be able to prevent such instances. This is natural pollution, which has not left anybody untouched,”said Surendra Singh, who represents Bairia seat, on being asked about the recent molestation incident, a video of which went viral on social media.As a solution, Surendra Singh suggested, “It is people’s responsibility to treat others as their family, as their sisters. We can only control it through values, not constitution.”HT
We believe in Yogi Adityanath's assurance on Ram Temple in Ayodhya: VHP
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/08/we-believe-in-uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-adityanaths-assurance-on-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-vhp-1840310.html
Gorakhpur:Vice-President of VHP Champatrai today expressed "full faith" in UP CM Yogi Adityanath's assurance that the Ram Temple will be built soon in Ayodhya but urged people to have patience."VHP is determined on the issue of Ram Temple.We know Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya and it is also true that there was a temple where he is virajmaan now.We cannot let Ayodhya turn into a Muslim university or an Islamic centre," he told reporters in Gorakhpur, the home turf of Adityanath."The way in which CM has made us believe that soon Ram Temple will be constructed in Ayodhya, I have full faith in him that it will happen. We need to have patience," he said.PTI
2013 Parbhani Masjid blast: Imam to appeal against acquittals of accused
http://www.asianage.com/metros/mumbai/090718/masjid-blast-imam-to-appeal-acquittals.html
Mumbai: Imam of Mohammedya Masjid in Parbhani has approached the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay HC seeking permission to file a criminal appeal against the acquittal of 4 accused in the 2003 Parbhani masjid blast case. Earlier, he had filed a review petition in the court which he withdrew and is in the process of filing an appeal to challenge acquittal of all the accused because the scope of review petition is small.“Yes, an appeal is being filed in the high court to challenge the acquittal of all the accused in the Parbhani masjid blast case,” said Hafiz Nadeem, the head of the legal department of Jamiat-e-Ulema Maharashtra, which provides legal help to Hafiz Abdul Qadeer, the imam of Mohammadya masjid and also the original complainant in the blast case.According to a lawyer, the review petition was filed in a hope that the state will file the appeal against the acquittal of the accused but even after one-and-half years the Govt didn’t file the appeal challenging the trial court judgment. So, the Imam, the original complainant, is now filing the appeal. “A petition is already filed in the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court seeking leave to file the appeal against the acquittal,” said the lawyer. The contention of the petitioner is that the trial court failed to consider material evidence against the accused.It may be recalled that on August 18, 2016 a Sessions court in Parbhani had acquitted Maroti Keshwarao Wagh, Yogesh Ravindra Deshpande, Sanjay alias Bharauo Vittal Chowdhari and Rakesh Dhawade. ASIAN AGE
AMU seeks legal opinion on UPSCST Commission notice
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/amu-seeks-legal-opinion-on-upscst-commission-notice/articleshow/64911978.cms
Agra: AMU has sought a legal opinion to assess if they are answerable to the State Commission or not, after the UP SC/ST Commission, which has served them a notice for not implementing Dalit reservation in the university. The institute has been asked by the commission to reply by August 8. AMU spokesperson Shafey Kidwai said, "We are consulting our legal team whether central universities come into the purview of the commission or not." A decision to respond to the notice will only be taken after examining the legal opinion.UP SC/ST Commission chairperson Brijlal, however, had clarified earlier that summons will be issued to the university if they fail to respond to the notice within the stipulated timeframe.In a 6 page notice, the Commission had disapproved of AMU's stand of not providing quota to Dalit students.According to reports, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javaedkar has also justified the queries of the SC/ST Commission. He said that the Commission is a legal statuary body and had raised valid questions.TOI
Next J&K CM must be a Hindu or Sikh: Swamy
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/jammu-kashmir-jk-chief-minister-mehbooba-mufti-cm-hindu-sikh-bjp-subramanian-swamy-sajad-lone-pdp-governors-rule/251872
New Delhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has demanded that the next CM of J&K should be a Hindu.BJP leader indicated that the “tradition” of having only Muslim CM s in the state was “imposed” by India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, and it was time to do away with that tradition. “If PDP has a Hindu or a Sikh member, we can make that member the CM,” Swamy was quoted as telling news agency ANI. “The tradition imposed by Nehru that there would only be a Muslim CM in J&K will not be tolerated.”After days of backroom negotiations, hopes of a new Govt forming in J&K have somewhat brightened, reports suggest. The only sticking point now is over CM's post, it is believed. According to a report in Indian Express, the talks are being held between the BJP, rebel PDP MLAs and the Sajad Lone-led People's Conference Times Now Sources told IE that BJP was willing to accommodate other demands, but was clear that the CM post should go to it. The names of BJP’s Jammu leader Jitendra Singh and Lone are doing the rounds as potential CM candidates.timesnownews
IPS officer's brother joins militant ranks in Kashmir
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/ips-officer-s-brother-joins-militant-ranks-in-kashmir/617185.html
Srinagar:On militant commander Burhan Wani's anniversary on Sunday, militant group Hizbul Mujahideen released pictures of new recruits that include brother of an IPS officer.Shamsul Haq Mengnoo, 25, a resident of south Kashmir’s Shopian, was pursuing his BUMS from a Govt college at Zakura on the outskirts of Srinagar and went missing from May. Shamsul’s elder brother Inamul Haq is 2012 IPS batch officer who is posted in north East.“Yes, Shamsul has joined Hizbul,” a police officer said.The picture of Shamsul holding a gun shows his date of joining militant ranks on May 25, 2018. His code name shown in the picture is Burhan Sani. Over the past two years, it has been a trend of the new age militants they announce their joining by releasing pictures with guns on social media. Shamsul is the fourth highly-educated youth to join militant ranks this year. Hizb has reportedly also released pictures of over a dozen other new recruited militants on Burhan's anniversary. Over 50 youth already have joined militant ranks so far this year.Meanwhile, normal life was affected across Kashmir Valley on death anniversary of militant commander Burhan Wani. His killing in 2016 had triggered a 6 month long unrest that led to the killing of nearly 80 people. Authorities had imposed curfew in Tral- the native town of Wani and restrictions were imposed in many part of Srinagar to ensure peaceful day.tribuneindia
Militant, civilian killed in separate incidents in Kashmir
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/militant-killed-in-kupwara-encounter/article24369608.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar:Initial reports suggest suspected militants on Sunday night around 11 p.m. barged into the house of PDP worker Abdul Majeed Dar in Shahgund area of Bandipora. “The militants intended to kidnap the PDP worker. However, his wife Shakeela resisted it. In the scuffle, the woman was stabbed. She succumbed to her injuries in a Srinagar hospital later,” said a police official.Contrary to the police statement, Dar said the armed men “were looking for gold and cash”.“These men asked for the keys of the locker in the house. They took away cash worth Rs. 3 lakh and the gold of my daughter,” Mr. Dar said. The police said it has registered a case and started an investigation. Meanwhile, an unidentified militant was killed early this morning in an overnight encounter with security forces in Kupwara district of J&K , police said.thehindu
Congress’ Alpesh Thakor says MLAs have power to do ‘Janata Raids’, police slam vigilantism
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-alpesh-thakor-says-mlas-have-power-to-do-janata-raids-police-slam-vigilantism-5251489/
Gandhinagar: Gujarat Police have questioned the act of Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, youth leader Hardik Patel and Independent legislator Jignesh Mevani in conducting a ‘raid’ on the house of a woman at Adivada village in Gandhinagar, and claiming to have recovered two pouches of countrymade liquor from her, calling it irresponsible vigilantism.Based on the complaint of 55-year-old Kanchanba Makwana, a widow and mother of four, who accused the three youth leaders and the 15-20 supporters they came with of planting the liquor, police have registered an FIR against them. On July 5, Hardik, Thakor, Mevani and the others had conducted what they called ‘Janata Raid’ at Makwana’s residence, claiming they were acting on “information” that contrymade liquor was sold there. The trio later released a video of the ‘raid’, and showed two pouches saying these were “recovered during the raid”. Defending their actions,Thakor said, “Under the provisions of the Representation of People Act, elected members of a Legislative Assembly are called Gazetted Officers who are empowered to conduct Janata Raid.” However, he couldn’t recall the “exact section” which said this.indianexpress
Jharkhand: 16 preachers held for ‘conversion bid’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jharkhand-under-act-16-preachers-held-for-conversion-bid-5251495/
Jharkhand Police have arrested 16 preachers, including 7 women,for allegedly trying to convert local residents to Christianity and making objectionable comments against tribal places of worship in Dumka. All 16 were booked under the Freedom of Religion Act, which came into force last year. Dumka SP Kishore Kaushal said: “An FIR was registered on basis of a gram pradhan’s complaint in the matter. Following initial investigation,16 people have been arrested, who are allegedly preachers. Further probe is on.”According to complaint registered at Shikaripara police station by Ramesh Murmu, pradhan of Phool Pahari village, the 16 preachers had arrived in a bus from West Bengal on Thursday evening. Murmu alleged that they put up loudspeakers in the village and began inviting people to gather and that they spoke about Christianity and asked people to join it.Police said at least 10 of the arrested had come from West Bengal’s Birbhum district. “Others were from different places in Dumka and Godda. West Bengal’s Birbhum is adjacent to Shikaripara border and the bus had come from there,” said police.Indian Express
Lynch mobs acted with impunity knowing victims lived on margins
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/murderous-mob-lynch-mobs-acted-with-impunity-knowing-victims-lived-on-margins-5251481/
A migrant worker, three mentally challenged men, a patient undergoing treatment for depression, 2 members of a denotified tribe, a “colourfully dressed” visitor outside a dargah, 5 nomads. Of the 20 people lynched in the last 3 months across the country by murderous mobs fuelled by rumours of child-lifters, 13 were “soft targets” from the margins of society, who are the “most vulnerable to such attacks”, an investigation by Indian Express has revealed.Police records accessed by Indian Express of 27 lynchings from 9 states over 1 year also show that in all these cases, there was no previous enmity involved.All the victims were strangers trapped in areas inflamed by rumours, mainly over social media, of child kidnappers on the prowl.Unfortunately, all victims happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, says Bipin Bihari, Additional DGP, Maharashtra.ADGP says,“The fact that most the victims were from the marginalised sections suggests that there probably was no fear among the mob of the consequences. In all the cases reported in Maharashtra, the victims were strangers, especially tribals or nomads who failed to convince the mob or present their side of the story convincingly.”indianexpress
Dhule lynching: Another man seen in video assaulting victims nabbed; total arrests now 26
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dhule-lynching-case-arrests-child-lifting-rumours-whatsapp-5251229/
Mumbai: Dhule Police on Sunday arrested 1 more person who is believed to have led the mob in the July 1 lynching case in which five nomads were killed on the suspicion of being child lifters in Rainpada hamlet, around 350 kilometres from Mumbai. Dashrath Timbalke (35), a resident of Rainpada, was arrested from the neighbouring district by a team of the local crime branch.“Timbalke is seen in the video wearing a white shirt and assaulting the victims with an iron rod. Based on reliable information, a crime branch team nabbed Timbalke and brought him to Dhule,” said Dhule Superintendent of Police M Ramkumar.The police so far has found 40 clips of the incident that were shot by bystanders on their mobile phones. Of the 26 arrested, while eight are from Rainpada where the incident took place, the rest of the accused are from the neighbouring hamlets located at a distance of two to 20 kms. Indian express
Lynching incidents part of conspiracy hatched by ruling govt for political gains: CPI (M)
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lynching-incidents-part-of-conspiracy-hatched-by-ruling-govt-for-political-gains-cpi-m-5251164/
New Delhi :Accusing the BJP of patronising the people behind mob lynching, CPI(M) said the incidents in Tripura are part of a bigger conspiracy hatched by the ruling party to create fear for political gains. CPI(M), main opposition party in Tripura, said the lynching incidents began after BJP came to power in the state.“Objectively, if we consider the incidents of mob lynching in Tripura, we can feel that it is part of a greater conspiracy. It seems that they are trying to create a situation of frenzy in that state, which BJP can use sometimes against the communists or the minorities. Basically, they are trying to spread madness around nationalism by keeping an eye on 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” CPI(M) state secretary Bijan Dhar told PTI.PTI
Uttarakhand govt school students to chant ‘Bhojan Mantra’ before mid-day meals
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-govt-school-students-to-chant-bhojan-mantra-before-mid-day-meals-5251143/
Dehradun: Uttarakhand school education dept.is all set to instruct its 12 lakh students across the 18,000-odd schools to chant the Bhojan Mantra (a mantra for food) before having the mid-day meals. The Sanskrit mantra will also be painted on the walls of the kitchens in all schools. In July first week, during a review meeting of the school education dept. Uttarakhand School Education Minister Arvind Pandey and the officials in the meeting suggested that the daily chanting of the Bhojan Mantra be incorporated in the school curriculum.R. K. Kunwar, Director, School Education, said, “In the review meeting, the school education minister and several officials of the school education department suggested that the Bhojan Mantra be chanted before children eat the mid-day meals. We are planning to send out instructions for it to the concerned offices. However, chanting the mantra or painting it on the kitchen walls won’t be compulsory. It will be left to the discretion of the school authorities and the students.”
Civil Service Seniors Demand Removal of Jayant Sinha, and Apology from BJP to the People of India
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14337/Civil-Service-Seniors-Demand-Removal-of-Jayant-Sinha-and-Apology-from-BJP-to-the-People-of-India-
New Delhi: The open endorsement of the accused in the Ramgarh lynching by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha has invited strong condemnation from retired senior civil servants who have demanded he resign or be removed for contempt of the rule of law and the Constitution of India. In a strongly worded statement a group of retired bureacurats who have held responsible positions in Govt have also asked the party he represents, that is the Bharatiya Janata Party to apologise for his action to the people of India.Sinha had welcomed with sweets and garlands the eight accused in the lynching of Alimuddin a year ago by a cow mob.thecitizen
Ex-IPS officers, journalists condemn police threats to rights activist Rajeev Yadav
http://caravandaily.com/portal/former-ips-officers-journalists-condemn-police-threats-to-rights-activist-rajeev-yadav/
Lucknow:Ex-IPS officers, Journalists and Human Rights activists have strongly condemned the threats allegedly by a cop to eminent rights activist and Rihai Manch leader Rajeev Yadav. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, they demanded UP Police chief to take immediate action against the cop and ensure security to Yadav.Those who addressed the media at the Lucknow Press Club included S.R. Darapuri, retired IG of Police, UP ; Syed Wasim Ahmad, retired DIG, UP ; Senior Journalist Sharad Pradhan; Eminent Rights activist Arundhati Dhruv; Rihai Manch president Advocate Mohammad Shoaib and general secretary Rajeev Yadav. Rajeev Yadav has been strongly speaking against police encounters in the state. Recently, he had led a fact-finding team to Barabanki, Bahraich and Azamgarh where several Muslims have been in jail under National Security Act for the past 6 months.caravandaily
Assam FT Notices Generate Tensions on Eve of Final Citizens List: Ailing Gopal Das Commits Suicide
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/14333/Assam-FT-Notices-Generate-Tensions-on-Eve-of-Final-Citizens-List-Ailing-Gopal-Das-Commits-Suicide-
Jaymati Das in her mid 50s has got tired of proving her and her sons’ citizenship. She has made any number of visits to the court to prove that she and her two sons are genuine Indian citizens.Her husband Gopal Das had also received a similar notice. Sick and ailing, Das could not take the pressure and committed suicide.“This is what we were destined to see. After all the humiliation, I lost my husband. Now, do you think I deserve to be alive here?” a sobbing Jaymati said sitting on the steps leading to her tiny residence at Nichilamari village in Assam’s Udalguri district. This is near the India-Bhutan border.To check alleged illegal settlers in Assam, the Border dept.of Assam police, sends names of “doubtful” persons to the respective branches of the Foreigners Tribunal or FT which were set up to deal with the illegal settlers issue. The Citizen
Gurugram has Hindu-Muslim problem far bigger than namaz row:HT
https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurugram/gurugram-has-a-hindu-muslim-problem-far-bigger-than-the-namaz-row/story-jjV4MH3LQZcRI3lQI65CYO.html
Gurugram:On 10 June, a Hindu priest and his followers met at a budget bar in Gurugram to declare war on Muslims. The alcohol had been replaced by a vegetarian buffet, the doors and windows thrown open to light up the dark interior, the tables and chairs rearranged to host a press conference, but the smell of cheap whiskey remained thick in the air.Ignoring the inappropriate setting, Narsinghanand Saraswati stared hard at the collected members of the press and made his urgent announcement: “We are about to launch a revolution on the land of Gurgaon.” Just out of arrest for trying to set himself on fire in front of Haryana’s CM’s residence to protest public namaz in Gurugram, Sawaswati said he was going to organise a maha havan in the city to “destroy the enemies of Hindus.” The head of All India Saints Council, Saraswati, who has built an army of 15,000 young Hindus to fight ISIS, was asked by journalists if he is counting on the support of the BJP in his “revolution”.He fulminated in response. “No political party can save us. Advani ji is too old, retired. Modi ji hasn’t done anything for Hindus in 4 years to inspire any faith. I don’t know whether Yogi ji is with us or not anymore.” He said all he needed are young Hindus burning with anger, “Our motto should be: Gita in one hand and Gun in another.”Sitting on his left, young and muscular Amit Hindu twirled his goatee. A wrestler trained in his village’s RSS akhada, the 23-year-old, who insists that he be known by his chosen last name, said he had only goal in life: “to live for Hindus and to die for Hindus.” This is what he used to do all day with a bunch of unemployed friends, each affiliated with a local Hindu organisation, in an empty ground near his village, Kanhai, in Gurugram’s Sector 53. “We used to treat the space as our office. We discussed problems, like the smuggling of cows, and came up with plan of action,” he said. This land was their turf for every day of the week except Friday when Muslims gathered there to offer the afternoon’s namaz. It made them very angry.On April 20, eight or 10 young men from 2 villages, Kanhai and Wazirabad, rode their motorbikes to the public ground just as the Muslims were about to start their prayers and asked them to pack up, leave, and never return. On April 27, Sector 53’s police arrested 6 friends of Amit for outraging religions feelings, disturbing religious worship and criminal intimidation. They were let out on bail 3 days later.By June 10, two of them had been arrested and released again.“They had a fight with someone and busted his head,” Arvind Dahiya, the officer in charge of the police station, said. The young men keep making trouble, he added. “If it’s not Muslims, it will be someone else. Most of them are in and out of jail.”A member of the newly formed Sanyukt Hindu Sangarsh Samiti, an umbrella organisation for Gurugram’s vast network of Hindu-interest groups, Bohra said the rising number of Muslim migrants in the villages left the native Hindus with no other option but to fight for survival.In his own village,he later mentioned, Muslims made up less than 2% of the population.“This city is sitting over barrels of gunpowder,” said Rajeev Mittal, a leading light of the Sanyukt Hindu Sangarsh Samiti.“Sparks have been flying across the two sides. The matter has been under control because of the tolerance of Hindus, but things can blow up any day,” he said. “Our own Muslims we can live with, but the majority of Muslims arriving in Gurugram are from Bangladesh.All of them undocumented. Most of them Rohingyas,” he said, checking his phone for alerts from WhatsApp groups buzzing with Hindu solidarity. The Gurugram police deny the presence of undocumented migrants from Bangladesh in the city. Official denials do not rattle Rajeev Mittal, however. “These people aren’t worthy of living in civilized society by nature or by behavior. Do you know that Rohingyas burn people alive and eat their flesh?”A native of Nadia district in West Bengal, Akbar Ali can live on fish curry. It’s what he has been cooking every day for a living since he left his village 10 years ago. 2 months ago, he left his cooking job in Mumbai to join his uncle’s restaurant in Sector 49’s Bengali Market in Gurgaon. The market caters to the needs of blue-collar migrants from West Bengal who provide their services to white-collar residents of South City, one of Gurugram’s many private townships, as maids, cooks, drivers, security guards and construction workers. Dozens of people from Nadia live in Ali’s tenement; hundreds from other districts live around Bengali Market; and thousands from his state live in the backyards of shopping malls, gated colonies, and private townships across Gurugram’s newly developed sectors.HT
In one Haryana village, a dispute about shelter in a cemetery reveals fragility of Hindu-Muslim ties
https://scroll.in/article/885133/haryana-villagers-damage-shelter-being-built-inside-cemetery-alleging-muslims-were-erecting-mosque
The Muslim burial ground in Haryana’s Patla village is in a frightful state. It has a boundary wall on just two sides. In April, with a grant from the discretionary fund of Sonipat’s MP– Ramesh Kaushik of BJP– local administration had attempted to complete the boundary wall and build a shelter inside the graveyard in April. This led to intense tension between Hindus and Muslims in this corner of Sonipat, which borders the Rajiv Gandhi Education City that promises “world class” education. By the middle of June, parts of the shelter’s walls had been constructed but the lintel beams were yet to be put in place. Hindu villagers are convinced that Patla’s Muslim families were building a mosque in the graveyard that would have evolved into a madrassa or Islamic seminary. Late on the evening of June 19, they gathered in large numbers, rallying support from neighbouring villages like Sewli and Jakholi, and brought down the structure’s walls.Dozens of Muslim families who had come from Bihar to work in the developing Rai block of Sonipat left the day after the demolition. Begh Raj, a former bus driver in his 50s, who lives next door to the graveyard, was direct and unapologetic about what he thought of the matter. “Topi-wale ko hamne bhaga diya,” he said. We have driven away the ones with the skull-caps. Raj owns a few buffaloes that are tied to stakes planted in the graveyard.“If they try to build the mosque, we will kill them, you can write it down,” he added. Fewer than 10 Muslim families count themselves as original residents of Patla. They own homes in the village, but not farmland. scroll.in
Muslims did not move SC against ‘Mata ki Chowki’
https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/fake-news-muslims-file-sc-petition-against-hindu-ritual
On July 7, several claims on social media alleged that members of the Muslim community filed a petition in the Supreme Court against holding ‘Mata ki Chowki’, a Hindu ritual, in public spaces.Among those who tweeted this misinformation was lawyer Prashant Patel Umrao who followed it with a question – “Should Hindus allow Namaz and Muharram on roads?”Umrao deleted his tweet the next day. Alt News has archived its cached version that can be accessed here. In less than 24 hours when the tweet was live, more than 1,000 people ‘liked’ it and over 700 retweeted it. A quick read through the comments section shows that a few hours are enough to spread hate. The word quickly spread on both Facebook and Twitter, with many sharing Patel’s tweet. However, the petition was neither filed by ‘Muslims’ nor was it against the ritual. It was in fact in favour of the ritual and was filed by an organisation, Jyoti Jagran Manch, that was denied permission by NGT to hold ‘Mata ki Chowki’ and ‘jagran’ (overnight prayer meeting)at a park in South-West Delhi. While the petition referred only to the aforementioned Hindu rituals, the SC’s hearing would pertain to the larger question of whether any religious function should be permitted at public spaces.thequint
WORLD
Netanyahu forms alliances to block European support for Palestine
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180709-netanyahu-forms-alliances-against-the-eu-to-block-european-support-for-the-palestinian-cause/
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is working to get closer to countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In so doing the Israeli PM is seeking to form a pro-Israel alternative to the European Union, which includes countries that traditionally supported Israel but criticized its settlement policy in Palestinian occupied territories.Netanyahu officially launched his plan a year ago, last July, when he was speaking at a meeting in Budapest, which included PMs of Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. At the time, it was not clear whether it was intended or deliberate that the microphone remained open in the presence of journalists before cutting it off, according to a report published by Haaretz on Sunday.Netanyahu told the leaders of the four countries meeting in Budapest that, “In order to provide Israel with technology, the European Union is the only international organization that requires political considerations. We have special relations with China apart from the interference of any political issue. Indian PM, Narendura, told me that the interests of India are top priority to him. Also, Russia and Africa do not set any political conditions, only the EU does. This is irrational and contradicts the European interests”.middleeastmonitor
Israel denies Swedish peace activist entry to Palestine
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/israel-denies-swedish-peace-activist-entry-palestine-180708093609750.html
After spending over 11 months walking through high-altitude plateaus, windswept forests and muddy migrant trails, a Swedish activist's attempt to reach occupied Palestine has come to an abrupt end after Israeli authorities turned him away from the border.Benjamin Ladraa, 25, began his journey on August 5, 2017 to raise awareness of Israel's 70-year occupation of Palestine.But early on Friday, Israeli officials denied him entry at the Allenby crossing which links Jordan to the occupied West Bank.Ladraa was just hundreds of metres from his destination after walking more than 4,800km from the Swedish city of Gothenburg and across mainland Europe."I spent 11 months making this journey to raise awareness of the occupation, and despite being interrogated and denied entry I would do it all again," he said.aljazeera
Ex-commander: Israel will gain nothing from new attack on Gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180709-ex-commander-israel-will-gain-nothing-from-new-attack-on-gaza/
Israel will gain nothing from a new military attack on the Gaza Strip, ex-Israeli Commander Shlomo Turgeman said. Shlomo who led the offensive against Gaza in 2014 said: “Israeli Govt has to improve the economic situation in Gaza in order to decrease the level of security danger posed to Israel.”“At the same time,Govt should stop Hamas from reinforcing its power.”Turgeman warned that the occupation of Gaza would mean taking responsibility for the lives of 2 million Palestinians. He stressed that Israel would not accept this “even if Gaza was served on a golden plate” as this would be a greater financial burden and an economic disaster for Israel.MEMO
Syria truce deal 'breached' as western Deraa clashes intensify
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/syria-truce-deal-breached-western-deraa-clashes-intensify-180708112158789.html
Syrian army and a rebel group in the southern province of Deraa have accused each other of breaching a ceasefire deal agreed two days ago.Opposition activists said on Sunday that Syrian Govt air raids targeted a group of rebel fighters in Um al-Mayadin village, just 5km north of the Jordanian border, killing at least four people.The ceasefire deal - brokered by Russia, a Syrian Govt ally, on Friday - saw rebels agree to hand over heavy weapons in exchange for security guarantees and safe passage to other areas.Rebels in Um al-Mayadin refused to give up their arms, a source in Deraa province said. They accused Moscow of not abiding by the agreement. It was not clear which part of the deal they referred to.Under the agreement, Russian military police were to be deployed in the Deraa areas previously held by rebels.It was also agreed that Syrian Govt forces were to withdraw from 4 villages in eastern Deraa:Kahil, al-Sahwa, al-Jiza and al-Misaifra. As of Sunday, the Syrian forces had not pulled out of the villages.aljazeera
Erdogan set to be sworn in as Turkey's 1st executive Prez
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/erdogan-set-sworn-turkey-executive-president-180708165200590.html
Tayyip Erdogan is set to be sworn in as president of Turkey after his election victory last month which allowed him to keep his post with increased powers.The inauguration ceremony on Monday will be attended by dozens of foreign leaders and dignitaries, including Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.The event in the capital, Ankara, will conclude the transition from a parliamentary system to an executive presidency, in line with the constitutional changes approved in a referendum last year.Under new system, 64-year-old Erdogan will lead the state's executive branch and have the right to appoint and remove vice-presidents, a newly introduced position, as well as ministers, high-level officials and senior judges - without parliamentary approval.The president will also have the power to dissolve parliament, issue executive decrees and impose a state of emergency. Prime ministry will not exist in the new system.Later today, Erdogan, who secured another 5-year term by winning 52.5% of the votes in the election, will announce his new cabinet.aljazeera
Turkey train crash: Toll jumps to 24 in Tekirdag derailment
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/10-killed-train-derails-northwest-turkey-180708175832123.html
24 people were killed when a train derailed in northwest Turkey this weekend, Deputy PM Recep Akdag said on Monday, a sharp jump from the previous toll of 10.Anadolu agency quoted Akdag as saying search operations this morning had now been completed at the wreck of the train, which derailed on Sunday evening in Tekirdag region while heading towards Istanbul.At least 73 people were wounded in the crash, state media quoted the health ministry undersecretary as saying.aljazeera
Ethiopia,Eritrea agree to normalise ties, reopen embassies
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/ethiopia-eritrea-agree-normalise-ties-reopen-embassies-180708193947747.html
Ethiopia and Eritrea have agreed to restore relations following a landmark meeting between the 2 countries' leaders in Asmara, aimed at ending decades of diplomatic and armed strife.The announcement on Sunday capped weeks of whirlwind change, driven by new Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed, who was welcomed for face-to-face talks in the Eritrean capital by President Isaias Afwerki."We agreed that the airlines will start operating, the ports will be accessible, people can move between the 2 countries and the embassies will be opened," Abiy said at an official dinner."We will demolish the wall and, with love, build a bridge between 2 countries,"Abiy continued.
Myanmar charges Reuters reporters under Official Secrets Act: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/myanmar-charges-reuters-reporters-official-secrets-act-180709042144322.html
A court in Myanmar has charged two jailed Reuters news agency journalists with obtaining secret state documents, moving the landmark press freedom case into its trial stage after six months of preliminary hearings.Yangon district judge Ye Lwin on Monday charged reporters Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, with breaching the colonial-era Official Secret Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.The two journalists were detained in December for possessing material relating to security operations in conflict-hit Rakhine state. Myanmar has faced global condemnation and accusations of extrajudicial killings, ethnic cleansing and genocide as some 700,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine state in Myanmar to Bangladesh following a military crackdown "on insurgents".
'We want peace': A Rohingya family's 40 years of suffering
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/beaten-kidnapped-detained-rohingya-abused-decades-180708051959731.html
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Fact Check: 21 Ways the Fake News Factory Is Trying to Get Hindus to Fear, Hate Muslims:Arjun Sidharth
https://thewire.in/communalism/fact-check-twenty-one-ways-the-fake-news-factory-is-trying-to-get-hindus-to-fear-hate-muslims
State Instruments Have Mutilated the Babri Masjid's Corpse. Will the SC Break the Pattern?Satya Prasoon
https://thewire.in/law/state-instruments-have-mutilated-the-corpse-of-babri-masjid-will-the-sc-break-the-pattern
Stringent J&K anti-defection law may thwart BJP’s plan to give state a Hindu CM:Maneesh Chhibber
https://theprint.in/opinion/stringent-jk-anti-defection-law-may-thwart-bjps-plan-to-give-state-a-hindu-cm/80308/
Su-raj (good governance) and Ms Swaraj:P Chidambaram
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/su-raj-good-governance-and-ms-swaraj-lynching-rumour-mongering-5250203/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:11 PM)
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