NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
04 Sept. 2018: 23 Zilhajj 1439: Vol: 10, No:99
INDIA
AMU opposes idea to drop word ‘Muslim’ from its name, calls suggestion ‘preposterous’
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/amu-to-govt-idea-to-drop-muslim-from-name-preposterous-5338265/
New Delhi:Hitting back at the government panel that suggested the word “Muslim” be dropped from its name, AMU, in its formal response to UGC,has called the proposition “preposterous” for ignoring the institution’s long history and unique character.Criticising the committee for going beyond its mandate, AMU Registrar Javaid Akhter wrote to the govt, “Name of the university gives us an idea about its history, purpose and character and preserving the same is our bounden Constitutional duty.”“Committee incorrectly draws the conclusion that by renaming AMU as Aligarh University would instil secular values. One must recall that in India the concept of secularism arises more from the discourse of justice and equality than from an anti-religious position mostly practiced in the West,”he said in response to 15 suggestions contained in the audit ordered by the government.As reported by the paper on Oct.9, 2017, the above recommendation was mentioned in an audit of AMU by one of 5 committees set up by UGC on April 25 last year, at the behest of HRD Ministry, to probe complaints of irregularities against 10 Central universities. Although the panel’s audit mandate was limited to infrastructure and academic, research and financial operations in the 10 varsities, the report on AMU suggested that the institution should either be called just ‘Aligarh University’ or be named after its founder, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. According to committee, the presence of the word “Muslim” impinges on the secular character of the university, which is funded by union govt.Reacting to report, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had told reporters on Oct.9, 2017, that the government would not accept the suggestion to rename AMU.The committee had also recommended that the selection process of AMU’s V-C should be tweaked to align it with the appointment procedure followed by other central universities. Currently, AMU has a greater say in appointment process. The university defended its process saying “it is in line with top class world universities who have all the freedom and autonomy to choose their own V-Cs best suited to them”.“The selection process advised by the panel and followed by other Central universities is neither perfect nor infallible. No one even knows what objective criteria are followed by the search committee in shortlisting the candidates,” AMU’s response states. In response to the committee’s criticism that AMU promotes a culture of “inbreeding” in which a majority of faculty appointments are of its former students, the university cited statistics that 388 teachers have experience of working outside AMU and 237 of its teachers have worked abroad including reputed institutions like Harvard University, University of California, University of Michigan and Washington University.indian express
CJI Misra set to deliver 10 key judgments with 20 working days left before retirement; R. Gogoi sets to be top judge
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cji-dipak-misra-set-to-deliver-10-key-judgments-with-20-working-days-left-before-retirement/story-2OziOtwt4Y8N53ZPZmMiDK.html
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ranjan-gogoi-next-chief-justice-of-india-is-a-judge-who-stands-up-for-the-law/story-BIXAyzg00Id4iHcKXUAITO.html
New Delhi:With just 20 working days left in the term of CJI Dipak Misra, verdicts in at least 10 important cases, including a key case related to the politically-sensitive Babri Masjid case are expected over the next few weeks.Perhaps the most keenly-awaited ruling by a bench led by CJI Misra is the one on NDA government’s ambitious push to Aadhaar, the biometric-based national identification platform. Petitions filed by social activists have challenged the constitutional validity of Aadhaar and its enabling 2016 law. A constitution bench had on May 10 reserved the verdict after a marathon 38-day hearing, spanning four months.A constitution bench is also expected to deliver its verdict on petitions demanding decriminalization of section 377 Indian Penal Code that criminalizes homosexuality. The verdict was reserved on July 17. A 3-judge bench headed by Justice Misra will also give an answer to the pertinent question on whether a mosque is integral to Islam. Meanwhile, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, the most senior Supreme Court judge set to be the country’s next chief justice, will be the first from the north-east where he had started legal practice as a lawyer 40 years ago. On Tuesday, Chief Justice Dipak Misra recommended to the government that the top court’s senior-most judge who had openly criticised his decisions just seven months ago, should succeed him. HT/HT
SC to hear plea seeking to limit physical access to EVMs only to authorised persons
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-to-hear-plea-seeking-to-limit-physical-access-to-evms-only-to-authorised-persons/articleshow/65671413.cms
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear after two weeks a plea seeking direction to the authorities to ensure that physical access to EVM is limited only to authorised engineers after obtaining security clearances.The petition, filed by a journalist and Uttarakhand-resident Ashish Goyal, sought to publish the list of such authorised engineers and be made available to the contesting political parties as well as be uploaded on the web site of Election Commission of India (ECI).A bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, which for the time being did not issue the notice, asked the petitioner (Goyal) to serve the copy on the counsel for the poll panel.The bench later posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks.The petition said the upkeep and maintenance of EVMs during elections is by the authorised engineers of Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Limited, the 2 govt firms that are also made parties in the matter.TOI
Activists’ arrest case: PIL in HC seeks action against policemen who briefed media
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/activists-arrest-case-pil-in-hc-seeks-action-against-policemen-who-briefed-media-5339326/
Mumbai:A PIL was filed in Bombay High Court Tuesday, seeking action against senior IPS officer Parambir Singh and other police officials who briefed the media on their case against some prominent activists arrested over their alleged Maoist links.Singh, state ADG, along with Pune police had addressed the media in Mumbai on the case on Aug.31.During the press conference, Singh had read out letters purportedly exchanged between the activists. Activist Sanjay Bhalerao, who claims to be a witness to the Bhima Koregaon violence, filed a criminal PIL in the HC seeking action against Singh and the other policemen. The petition sought the high court to initiate action against Singh and the other police officers who held the press conference and disclosed “crucial and vital information” pertaining to the case.It also urged the court to direct the state government to take action against the police officers under Article 311 of the Constitution under which a civil servant can be dismissed for misconduct.The petitioner alleged that the probe carried out by the Pune police was politically motivated and with malafide intentions.The apex court ordered that the five be kept under house arrest till Sept. 6.PTI
Hindu outfit responsible for Bhima-Koregaon riot:Pune Deputy Mayor
http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/hindu-outfit-responsible-for-bhima-koregaon-riot-claims-pune-deputy-mayor/1348769
Mumbai:Siddharth Dhende, Deputy mayor of Pune Municipal Corporation, rubbished the govt and police claims of a Naxal connection behind Bhima-Koregaon caste riots. Dhende claimed leaders of Hindu outfits,Manohar Bhide and Milind Ekbote are the conspirators of Bhima-Koregaon riots.He claimed water tankers filled with kerosene were prepared before the night of riot and it was a not a spontaneous reaction but a pre-planned conspiracy.Dhende, a leader of RPI – Athawale group, had visited Bhima- Koregaon, Vadhu-Budruk, Sanasgaon and riot affected villages after meeting Vishwas Nangare-Patil, Special IG of Kolhapur range. Patil had formed coordination committee to assist police and had been told to submit the report. “We met people of the affected villages, spoke to them and tried to connect the missing dots between Elgar Parishad and riots.We, members of coordination committee, found there was no connection between speeches delivered at Elgar Parishad and the riots on Jan. 1,” claimed Dhende. Locals said to the committee members that there was an environment created pointing to a conspiracy by Bhide and Ekbote. According to another committee member, a board that was placed near the tomb of Govind Ganapat Gaikwad, a member of Mahar community who had performed the final rites of the slain Maratha king Sambhaji, was pulled down by Hindutva activists at Ekbote’s instigation 3 years ago as a precursor to the events of Dec.29 last year. freepressjournal
Mumbai right-wing terror plot: suspects planned to hurl bomb and escape via highway
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sunburn-terror-plot-suspects-planned-to-hurl-bomb-and-escape-via-highway/19764195
The only reason right-wing activists didn't bomb Sunburn 2016 in Pune was because EDM (electronic dance music) festival was cancelled at the last minute. Arrested accused Sharad Kalaskar told ATS that they had made full preparations, including assembling crude bombs, and had every intention of hurling them into the crowd, before making their escape on a motorcycle. As per sources in ATS, Kalaskar was supposed to execute the plan along with Sudhanva Gondhalkar, 39, another arrested accused from Pune. During interrogation, Kalaskar told the agency that they had made crude bombs, which they planned to throw at revellers at Sunburn, to cause panic and damage. He added that they had planned to go to the venue on motorcycles, and escape via the highway. He also said they were against the western music festival as it was against Hindu culture.mid-day
Mumbai Right-Wing Terror: Accused Vaibhav Raut Had A Secret Room To Stash Arms
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/right-wing-terror-vaibhav-raut-had-a-secret-room-to-stash-arms/19764198
ATS, which is currently investigating the Nalasopara arms haul, stumbled upon a secret room inside the house of arrested accused Vaibhav Raut, soon after his arrest. According to a police officer, when ATS raided Raut's home in Nalasopara again on August 11 — a day after he was held — they found and seized one laptop, 2 CPUs, 4 airguns, 20 boxes of airgun bullets, 2 notebooks, one diary, one mobile phone, 3 SIM cards and 2 other papers.The cops also seized an Innova that was parked in Raut's premises. Cops said they were completely unaware of this secret room on the day Raut was held. mid-day
Hyderabad twin bomb blasts: 2 of 5 accused convicted, 2 others acquitted, sentencing on Monday
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/verdict-2007-hyderabad-twin-bomb-blasts-5338475/
New Delhi: 11 years after 42 people were killed in twin blasts that rocked Hyderabad, a special NIA court convicted 2 and acquitted 2 others in the case on Tuesday. The quantum of punishment will be announced on Monday. The 2 convicted are Aneeq Shafeeq Sayeed and Ismail Chaudhary.2 blasts had occurred at Gokul Chat eatery in Koti and the laser show auditorium at Lumbini Park around 7.45 pm on Aug.25, 2007. Earlier, the judgment was to be delivered on Aug.27, however, Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge T Srinivas Rao postponed it to Sept.4. Those arrested included Mohammed Akbar Ismail Chowdhari, Aneeq Shafique Sayeed, Farooq Sharfuddin Tarkash, Mohammed Sadiq Israr Ahmed Shaik and Tarik Anjum — were produced before the court on August 27 through video conferencing from Cherlapalli Central Prison.The accused were arrested by the Maharashtra ATS in Oct. 2008. Counter Intelligence wing of Telangana Police filed 3 chargesheets against Mohammed Sadiq, Ansar Ahmed Badshah Shaik, Akber Ismail and Anique Shafeeq Syed and others — some of whom are still absconding. indianexpress
IS case: NIA court frames charges against six
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-court-frames-charges-against-six-alleged-isis-members/articleshow/65672031.cms
New Delhi: A court in Kerala has framed charges against 6 youths, for allegedly trying to carry out terror activities in parts of southern India, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. A case was registered suo-motu by NIA on Oct.1, 2016 based on information regarding activities of some youths, who had the intention of furthering the objectives of the proscribed terrorist group in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, NIA said in a statement.TOI
Malegaon blasts: SC refuses to entertain Lt Col Purohit’s plea for SIT probe
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2008-malegaon-blasts-cse-sc-refuses-to-entertain-lt-col-purohits-plea-for-sit-probe-5338862/
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to admit a plea by Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit seeking an SIT probe into his alleged abduction, illegal detention and brutal torture in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The bench, comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Naveen Sinha and KM Joseph, said admission of the plea may interfere with the ongoing trial in the case. The SC, however, has allowed Purohit to raise his contentions in the trial court. The direction came after the SC agreed with senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Purohit, that “some forum had to look into it”.Purohit, who is named a key conspirator in the case, is currently out on bail.indianexpress
HC refuses to stay framing of charges in Malegaon case
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/bombay-hc-refuses-to-stay-framing-of-charges-in-2008-malegaon-case
Bombay High Court has declined to stay a lower court order for framing of charges in a case against Lt. Col. Shrikant P Purohit and 13 other accused in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blast.Purohit had challenged the decision of the lower court in the high court, seeking a stay on the framing of charges on September 5, the critical pre-trial process in the case.IANS
5 held for plot to target Hindu leaders: TN police says they active in defending radical Islam, posts on social media against critics of Islam, Prophet
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/five-held-for-plot-to-target-hindu-leaders-tamil-nadu-police-5338245/
Coimbatore police has said they had arrested 5 youths under UAPA for an alleged conspiracy to kill leaders of 2 Hindu fringe groups in TamilNadu.Relatives and acquaintances of one of those arrested, however, said he had gone from Chennai to Coimbatore to look for footpath space to sell clothes ahead of the festive season. According to police, they received information that Ashiq (25)from Coimbatore, and his friends, who were arriving from Chennai, were plotting to target Hindu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath and Sakthi Sena leader Anbu Mari.Besides Ashiq, Ismail (25) from Dindivanam, Salavuddin (25) from Otteri,Jafar Sadiq Ali(29) from Vyasarpadi near Chennai and Shamsuddin(20) from Pallavaram in Chennai were picked up. The police statement said all of them were “active in defending radical Islam and posted on social media against those who criticise Islam and Prophet”. The police said some of the accused were members of the Indian National League (INL). INL founder Tada J Abdul Rahim said Salavuddin and Ali were active in his movement till 5 months ago. Rahim said the youths were picked up when they had gathered in Coimbatore to look for footpath space to sell clothes. “Taking them into custody, linking them in a murder conspiracy and foisting charges such as UAPA is a conspiracy against Muslim youth, they should be immediately released,” he said.Rahim, whose outfit has arranged lawyers for the accused, said Salavuddin went to towns and sold old clothes during festive seasons while Ali worked as a helper in interior decoration works. “It may be a fact that these youths were very vocal and outspoken in defending Islam on social media when hate mongers put up posts against Islam and Islamic groups. Their tone and tenor in resisting hatred online might have been equally problematic and needed correction as they sound angry in this age. But foisting such serious cases to trap them forever is cruel,” Rahim said.indian express
Mob in Delhi chases, thrashes 16-year-old boy to death on suspicion of thievery
https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/crime/article/mob-in-delhi-mukundpur-chases-thrashes-16-year-old-boy-to-death-on-suspicion-of-thievery/279751
New Delhi: In yet another case of mob justice, a 16-year-old boy was beaten to death allegedly over suspicion of being a thief. The incident took place in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur area in the early hours of Tuesday. While police have arrested three men in connection with the death, three others are still on the run, suggest reports.DCP Northwest Aslam Khan told PTI that the boy entered a house with the intention of stealing valuables and was caught in the act by the owner of the house who along with others, thrashed the boy to death.The boy's kin recovered his body from near their residence and reported the matter to the police. The boy was reportedly found with his hands and legs tied. The boy's uncle told police that he had arrived in the city about 15 days back and apart from studying at a local madrassa, he was also working at an electrical goods repair shop.Those accused have been identified as Nand Kishore, Raj Kishore, Triveni, Deshraj, Sohan Lal and Sant Lal. times now
Allahabad retired cop Abdul Samad beaten to death, CCTV footage goes viral
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/allahabad-retired-cop-beaten-to-death-cctv-footage-goes-viral-5338723/
Lucknow:A 70-year-old retired sub-inspector (SI) embroiled in a property dispute was beaten to death by three assailants in broad daylight in the Shivkuti police station area of Allahabad on Monday. CCTV footage of the assault showed the retired cop, Abdul Samad Khan, trying to shield himself as the 3 deliver fatal blows using sticks. He eventually stops resisting and is left bleeding on the street. The footage went viral on social media as no passerby comes forward to help him. Khan was later taken to a nearby private hospital where he died during treatment.According to the police officials, an FIR has been registered against the three assailants and 7 others for murder. One of the accused has been arrested.“According to the investigation so far, these people had some property dispute related to a house and had argued before. The incident was of Monday when Khan was going on his bicycle and was attacked by Mohammad Yusuf, his brother Mohammad Sebu and relative Ibne,” said SP (city) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava. Meanwhile, an FIR was registered in the evening against one Junaid, his sons Yusuf and Sebu, his relative Ibne and six others for allegedly killing Khan. According to the police officials, Yusuf has been arrested while they are looking for the other two accused who are absconding.indianexpress
'They said I was Indian, now i am not': people removed from NRC draft caught in flux
https://thewire.in/rights/assam-nrc-final-draft-excluded-people
Guwahati: Fields spread across rural and semi-rural pockets of Goroimari and Pub Malaibari in the two Kamrup districts of Assam, nestled within the fertile plains of Brahmaputra Valley, are glistening with the green velvety sheen of winter paddy – but an ominous air looms over them. In the last seven months, many who tend to these fields have been caught between the uncertainty of first being labelled as ‘Indians’, and then that label being taken away.The uncertainty, brought upon by their exclusion from the final draft of the NRC published on July 30, refuses to dissipate. Though Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated a few days ago in these Muslim-majority areas, residents said the confusion over the exclusion of some names from the final draft NRC, even though they were in the first draft, somewhat dampened the annual celebrations.The villagers were referring to over 1,15,000 names that were included in the first draft of the NRC, published on Dec.31, 2017, but were left out of the final draft. The Supreme Court on July 2 approved a proposal submitted by NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela, which said that these 1.15 lakh people ‘have not been found admissible for inclusion’ in the final draft during the verification process. A breakdown of this 1.15 lakh figure, given by the NRC state office, said that 65,694 names were removed because of a mismatch in the family tree, and 48,456 because they were married women who submitted only panchayat certificates to prove their link to their parental families.Among those 1.15 lakh people is Sydur Rahman, 44, from Bhalukabari in the Goroimari Circle, around 60 km from Guwahati. Rahman didn’t find his name in the final draft, along with five other members of his family. Though his wife’s name was not in the first draft, he and three other family members’ names were. Now, seven months later, his entire six-member family has been left out of the final draft.These 1.15 lakh people were to fill a form to seek the ‘Reason for exclusion of names in final draft NRC’.The form was to be given out from August 7, which changed to August 10. Finally, the forms were given out from Aug 20.thewire
VHP to launch campaign against 'ills of love jihad' in WB schools, colleges; TMC says "won't allow"
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/vhp-to-launch-campaign-against-ills-of-love-jihad-in-wb-schools-colleges-tmc-says-wont-allow/1376172
Kolkata:VHP Tuesday said it would launch a campaign this month in various schools and colleges of West Bengal against the "ills of love jihad', inviting a strong rebuke from the ruling TMC, which asserted that "we will never allow the nefarious designs" of the Sangh Parivar to succeed.The VHP, along with its youth wing, the Bajrang Dal, and women's wing, the Durga Vahini, would organise awareness campaign against "love jihad" and also use social media as a tool to reach out to the youth, VHP media head Sourish Mukherjee said.'Love jihad' is a term coined by some Hindu groups to refer to the alleged efforts by Muslim men to target women from other religious communities for conversion through love affairs.outlookindia
Governor’s office intervened to end J&K kidnap drama
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/governors-office-intervened-to-end-jk-kidnap-drama/article24857907.ece
New Delhi: J&K Governor’s office took strong exception to the detention of the father of Hizbul Mujahideen ‘commander’ Riyaz Naikoo by the local police, which led to a spate of abductions of relatives of policemen in the Kashmir Valley last week.It was on the intervention of senior officials in Governor Satya Pal Malik’s office that Naikoo’s father Asadullah was released and the impasse over the abduction of 11 relatives of policemen in south Kashmir on August 31 was brought to an end, a top source told The Hindu.A senior government official said that 32 J&K policemen had been killed this year, and most were targeted killings.He said there should be no “over-reaction” to these kinds of threats as it would trigger more panic, and the government did not want a repeat of the 1990s when Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homes.thehindu
Targeting policemen hits home: 1 of 5 cops was recruited from south Kashmir
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/why-targeting-policemen-hits-home-1-of-5-cops-was-recruited-from-south-kashmir-5338277/
Srinagar: The recent killing of policemen and the abduction of Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel last week strike at the heart of the government-citizenry interface in the state. This alarming trend is particularly accentuated in south Kashmir, which has sent one in every five police personnel recruited by the J&K Police in the last 3 years.Official records show that the J&K Police recruited 9,381 policemen from 22 districts in the state, of which 1,647 were from the four districts of south Kashmir — Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam. In addition, close to 2,000 Special Police Officers (SPOs) have been recruited from these districts in just the last 2 years. J&K Police is the second largest government recruiter in the state, next only to the Education Department, and comprises 31,000 SPOs in addition to the regular forces of over 90,000 men.While south Kashmir has been the new battlefield of militants, it is also home to over 20,000 police families. Since the emergence of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as the new face of militancy in 2015, more than 300 youths have joined militant ranks.The number of policemen recruited from these 4 districts has also surged 5-fold. indianexpress
‘Tit for tat’: A raft of abductions in Kashmir shows the Valley is caught in a cycle of retaliation
https://scroll.in/article/892852/tit-for-tat-a-raft-of-abductions-in-kashmir-shows-the-valley-is-caught-in-a-cycle-of-retaliation
Shujaat Bukhari murder case: Kashmir Editors Guild expresses regret over police not filing chargesheet
https://www.firstpost.com/india/shujaat-bukhari-murder-case-kashmir-editors-guild-expresses-regret-over-police-not-filing-chargesheet-5106571.html
Srinagar: Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) has expressed regret over the police not filing a chargesheet in the murder case of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari who was shot dead by suspected militants in June."KEG regrets that the police have not been able to file a chargesheet in the broad daylight murder of the senior journalist so far. This was despite the fact that the police claimed to have solved the case," a spokesman of the guild said in a statement.Referring to the reports of media persons in the Valley allegedly being asked by security agencies to disclose their sources, KEG said a journalist cannot be forced to reveal his source of information and "it is considered illegal across the democracies of the world".PTI
J&K: MBA graduate joins Hizbul Mujahideen; Army ready to help if he shuns violence
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jk-mba-graduate-joins-hizbul-mujahideen-army-ready-to-help-if-he-shuns-violence/articleshow/65671560.cms
Jammu:A 29-year-old MBA graduate in Jammu and Kashmir has joined the Hizbul Mujahideen, prompting the Army to assure all possible help if he shuns the path of violence, a senior officer said.The picture of Haroon Abbas Wani with an AK-47 rifle has gone viral on social media recently, indicating his joining the group on Saturday. Wani is a resident of Ghat area of Doda district and a master of business administration degree holder from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra.His family has made a passionate appeal for his return. "The biggest jihad is to serve elderly parents. There is no need for jihad as we are happy," his aunt said in a video message, adding that his decision had left them ashamed. "Your mother and father has fallen sick and they need you very badly. Please return."His uncle, Farooq Ahmad Wani, said he was very good at studies and gave no inkling of his joining the terror group ever. He was working in a private company in Jammu and "we are unable to understand who lured him into this path".PTI
Separatists call for boycott of panchayat polls in J&K
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/separatists-call-for-boycott-of-panchayat-polls-in-jammu-and-kashmir-5338216/
Srinagar: Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) — alliance of separatist leadership in Kashmir — comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik Monday called for a boycott of the panchayat and municipal polls scheduled in J&K from Oct.1.Underscoring that the government of India wanted to “thrust and enforce panchayat and municipal elections upon us through additional deployment of lakhs of forces under the pretext of lapse of developmental fund”,JRL said it wanted to convey to the government “the loud and clear message by the people of Kashmir that they boycott any kind of participation in elections and instead only demand right to self-determination”. Calling for election boycott, JRL said that the “enforced elections are nothing but another assault on people to harass them and cause them further inconvenience and agony”. They said that any participation in these elections is propagated as a people’s verdict in favour of India and hence they are used “as a means to dilute J&K disputed status and undo the holding of a referendum…”indianexpress
AFSPA: Army chief Bipin Rawat asks why officers, soldiers filed plea in SC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/afspa-army-chief-bipin-rawat-asks-why-officers-soldiers-filed-plea-in-sc-5338214/
New Delhi :Army Chief General Bipin Rawat is learnt to have questioned the need for serving officers and soldiers to approach the Supreme Court in their personal capacity against the alleged dilution of AFSPA.“Army was fighting these cases, the government is aware of these cases, and AFSPA is a very strong law which provides protection to the soldiers. Now, if these guys (petitioners) lose the case, what will happen,” sources quoted Rawat as saying during a three-hour-long interaction with Colonel-rank officers and their wives Sunday. Nearly 700 Army officers and soldiers have approached the Supreme Court against the so-called dilution of AFSPA, which shielded them from prosecution without the central govt’s nod. Rawat is learnt to have pointed out that most of the signatories had never participated in counter-insurgency operations.indianexpress
Student Lois Sofia, jailed for shouting ‘fascist BJP govt down’ on flight with TN party chief, granted bail
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sofia-lois-tuticorin-police-tamil-nadu-bjp-tamilisai-soundararajan-fascist-5338765/
New Delhi:A Thoothukudi court Tuesday granted bail to Lois Sofia, a 28-year-old studying in Canada, a day after her arrest at Tuticorin airport for shouting “fascist BJP government down, down” on board a flight in the presence of Tamil Nadu BJP cheif Tamilisai Soundararajan. Sofia, who was travelling with her parents, was taken into custody after Soundararajan filed a complaint with the airport police.The arrest had led to intense outrage against the police and AIADMK government. Reacting to the arrest, DMK chief MK Stalin accused the Tamil Nadu government of stifling the right to free speech.Targeting AIADMK-led government in the state, Stalin also said that if it was going to imprison people voicing dissent, then he would repeat Sofia’s slogan. “Tamil Nadu govt’s anti-democratic actions, against the right to free speech, are highly condemnable. She must be released immediately. How many people will be imprisoned if you arrest everyone who says that? I will also say it. ‘BJP’s fascist government down, down’,” Stalin tweeted.indianexpress
Withdraw your blasphemy law Mr Amarinder Singh, protect India's Constitution:Retired Civil Servants
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14868/Withdraw-Your-Blasphemy-Law-Mr-Amarinder-Singh-Protect-Indias-Constitution
New Delhi:A group of retired civil servants have written letters to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh expressing alarm over “your (Punjab govt's) plans to amend IPC to make acts of sacrilege against religious books a major offence, punishable with life imprisonment. Our objections, echoing similar disagreements widely expressed in the press, are on several grounds. We hope your cabinet will reconsider this decision, which we consider is not wise or thought through, and will withdraw the amendment bill. "Constitutional Conduct, as the civil servants' group calls itself, has written of the vitiated secular environment and urged Congress leadership to ensure that the secular spirit of India is preserved and strengthened. “You will agree that we have already paid a heavy price for our past sins of pandering to extremist sentiments of various religions for short term political ends. You will also appreciate that Congress party itself has a chequered history of occasionally fishing in communal waters, making it vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy. In a situation where the need to uphold our secular values has become more critical than ever before, we believe it is incumbent on you as leader of that party to stand by those values and shun the temptation to score short term political points,”letter states.thecitizen
Refrain from using word Dalit, stick to Scheduled Caste: I&B Ministry tells media
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/refrain-from-using-word-dalit-stick-to-scheduled-caste-ib-ministry-to-media-5338274/
New Delhi:Ministry of I&B has told the media to “refrain from using the nomenclature Dalit” and, instead, use only the Constitutional term, ‘Scheduled Caste’.Dalit rights groups have opposed the I&B ministry’s order, asserting that the term holds political significance and a sense of identity.In March, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued similar orders to all state governments, stating that only the term ‘Scheduled Caste’ should be used in all official communication, adding that the term ‘Dalit’ does not find mention in the Constitution or any statute.In its order issued on Aug.7, I&B ministry cited a June order by the Bombay High Court, directing Union government “to consider the question of issuing such direction to the media and take suitable decision upon it within next 6 weeks”. The petitioner had said that following the social justice ministry’s circular, the media too should be asked to stop using the word ‘Dalit’.indianexpress
US Chokes Iran Oil Flows To Buyers Who Vowed Resistance, Including India
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-opposing-us-sanctions-indias-iran-oil-imports-tumbled-1910871?pfrom=home-topstories
The world's top oil buyers are discovering that U.S. sanctions on Iran will squeeze their trade flows whether they agree with America or not.It was only about three months ago that foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said that the country won't adhere to unilateral restrictions and will continue buying Iranian crude. China also made similar comments and was said to have rejected an American request to cut imports. Japan and South Korea have held talks with the U.S. aimed at securing exemptions. Yet for all the pushback and negotiations, an emerging pattern shows U.S. sanctions are succeeding in throttling Iran's sales to its customers even before the measures take effect in early November. While America initially wanted a complete halt in purchases, traders are now concerned that even a revised aim for only cuts would take out enough supply to create a market deficit -- which other producers may struggle to fill.Bloomberg
Can’t have an airline completely owned by Qataris: Aviation Ministry
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/qatar-airways-india-aviation-ministry-5339327/
New Delhi:The central government has indicated that it could turn down Qatar Airways’ plan to launch an airline in India in its current investment format, with RN Choubey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation saying that as per the current rules it was not possible to have an airline entirely owned by Qataris.“Current policy of the government is that the substantial ownership and effective control should remain with Indian nationals and they will have to comply. You cannot have substantial ownership of more than 50 per cent because then you are violating the policy,” Choubey said, on the sidelines of the International Aviation Summit organised by International Air Transport Association (IATA) here on Tuesday.He also pointed out that so far no formal proposal had been made by Qatar Airways.Also on the sidelines of the event, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al-Baker is learnt to have told reporters that the airlines that the rules of allowing a foreign entity to own 100 per cent domestic carrier were not clear. “What we are given to understand is that an airline cannot own 100 per cent. A foreigner can but not an airline. I don’t know what is the difference between a foreigner and an airline. If Qatar Investment Authority own 51 and I own 49 that is not allowed. Again, this is very ambiguous. The rule is not very clear,” Al Baker said.In reply to reporters seeking response on Al Baker’s comments, Choubey said: “If he thinks that he should have an airline that is entirely owned by Qataris, presently it is not possible. If he thinks that he can run an airline that is 49 per cent foreign owned 51 per cent Indian owned, that is possible. They will have to find an Indian partner and it is possible.”The Qatar Airways chief executive also told reporters that the airline didn’t have any problem in forming a partnership, but needs to find the right partner.indian express
In Rafale season, govt rejects Russia’s request for Adanis as AK-rifle deal partner
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-rafale-season-govt-rejects-russias-request-for-adanis-as-ak-rifle-deal-partner-5338285/
New Delhi :Already under Opposition fire over the Rafale fighter deal with France, the government has turned down a Russian request to make the Adani Group its partner for the joint manufacture of Rs 3,000-crore worth of AK-103 assault rifles for the Indian Army.In April, the two governments had agreed that the Russian firm, Kalashnikov Concern, will only partner government-owned Indian Ordnance Factories.Sources said the Defence Ministry last month rejected the Russian proposal on grounds that the foreign vendor did not have the option to select the Indian company in joint manufacturing partner, including transfer of technology, in inter-government agreements.“We have conveyed to the Russians that if they insist on Adani as their partner, they should come through the tender route,” sources said.To further its Make in India programme, the government had been keen on promoting the private sector in defence manufacturing, but the political controversy around discharge of offsets in the Rafale deal by Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence has led to greater caution on the part of the government.indianexpress
Delegation of Jharkhand farmers visit Israel to learn farming techniques
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delegation-of-jharkhand-farmers-visit-israel-to-learn-new-farming-techniques-5338696/
Ranchi:Drip irrigation, plastic mulching, multiple crops and good income – Gandura Oraon had everything going for him. What he did not have was a passport. But when he did have one and travelled for the first time outside India, Oraon has returned overwhelmed by the scale and technological perfection to which farming has been taken in a country smaller than Jharkhand.Oraon was part of the first-ever batch of 26 farmers (one each from all the 24 districts and three from Ranchi) from Jharkhand to have gone to Israel for a four-day visit, beginning August 26, to learn the best practices in drip irrigation and other technologies that make farming a profitable business done with virtual pin-point accuracy.indianexpress
2+2 dialogue: US wants India to join group to check IS funding
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/22-us-wants-india-to-join-group-to-check-islamic-state-funding-5338232/
New Delhi;Ahead of the first ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and the US, Washington is learnt to have suggested that New Delhi should be a part of Counter ISIS Finance Group (CIFG), a broad international group formed to “degrade” and “defeat” ISIS. With US, Italy, and Saudi Arabia as co-chair, the group was established in January 2015, and has 49 member states, including Australia, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq and China as observers.US homeland security officials and their Indian counterparts have worked on a draft plan related to six areas, including anti-terror cooperation in intelligence sharing, terror financing and cyber security, that will be shared during the September 6 dialogue, said officials. CIFG, global coalition to prevent Islamic State’s use of the international financial system, has been holding discussions with member states and intergovernmental bodies like Financial Action Task Force(FATF) since 2015. North Block officials maintained that the group has no physical infrastructure in India and has managed to influence a very small section of youth. “Our intelligence and investigating agencies have managed to counter financing of these small modules. We have been sharing our findings with various foreign agencies and have participated in various FATF deliberations on terror financing. Islamic State and all its manifestations have been banned in India under UAPA,” a senior home ministry official added.indianexpress
Top BJP ministers to skip World Hindu Congress in US amid calls for boycott by Indian diaspora
http://caravandaily.com/portal/top-indian-ministers-skip-world-hindu-congress-amid-calls-for-boycott-by-indian-diaspora-organizations/
Chicago:The Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), an umbrella organization of progressive groups across the US that is spearheading the call for a boycott of the World Hindu Congress (WHC), has welcomed the withdrawal of top Indian ministers of BJP from the event. WHC is being organized from 7-9 September by the VHP of America, the American branch of India-based VHP, as well as other Hindu American groups such as the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), that are tied to extremist Hindutva organizations in India.Top ministers of the Narendra Modi-led government belonging to BJP are unlikely to attend the World Hindu Congress being held in Chicago. They are believed to have cancelled their programme under pressure from the opposition of their participation in the Hindu Conclave from local organizations in the US.While the official explanation given is that the ministers were needed for a “National Executive” meeting of the party, it is clear the BJP was aware of the WHC’s dates well before their party meeting was planned. The BJP is the ruling party in India, and although it openly espouses the same Hindutva ideology as the radical organizations represented at the WHC, it is keen on downplaying this existential link at international fora, said AJA in a statement. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has already cancelled his trip, some others are also unlikely to attend it. However, organisers claim that at least 2 BJP Chief Ministers, Yogi Adityanath and Devendra Fadnavis have confirmed their participation, it is reported.caravandaily
RSS-backed trade union says Modi govt policies led to exploitation of labourers
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/rss-backed-trade-union-says-modi-govt-policies-led-to-exploitation-of-labourers
RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) will launch a nationwide agitation on September 6 against the Modi government's reforms that it says have led to "extreme exploitation and harassment" of the labour sector and led to increasing unemployment in the country.CK Saji Narayanan, chief of one of the largest trade unions in the country, said that they would stage protests in all the districts demanding among other things, scrapping of "fixed-term employment", which he said was “destroying” the labour sector.“Because of these so-called reforms, contract labour has now become the default model of employment in India. Today 67% of the organised sector workers belong to this category. The trend of contract labour system has increased with the elimination of permanent posts in private and public entities as well as government departments,” Narayanan said.IANS
Tulsiram Prajapati ‘fake’ encounter case: Udaipur SP threatened to kill me, says nephew Kundan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tulsiram-prajapati-fake-encounter-case-udaipur-sp-threatened-to-kill-me-says-nephew-kundan-5338261/
Mumbai:In the Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter case, his nephew told the court on Monday that the then Udaipur Superintendent of Police had threatened that he would also be killed by the police along with his uncle. Kundan Prajapati, Tulsiram’s maternal nephew, while deposing as a prosecution witness, also told the court that he, along with his friend, was assaulted by Rajasthan policemen. He added that both of them were sent to Udaipur jail in an alleged false drug possession case.At the relevant time, Dinesh MN, who was also named as an accused in the case but was discharged last year, was the Udaipur SP.Kundan recalled that his uncle, Tulsiram, was lodged in Udaipur central jail. indian express
BSP Panchayat member Dilshad shot dead in Delhi's Batla House
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bsp-panchayat-member-dilshad-shot-dead-in-delhis-batla-house-1910737
New Delhi: A 35-year-old BSP panchayat member from Uttar Pradesh was shot dead allegedly by two unidentified men in southeast Delhi's Batla House on Monday, police said.The deceased was identified as Dilshad, who was living in Jogha Bai Extension in Jamia Nagar, they said.Police were informed about the incident at 6.05 pm, following which Dilshad was rushed to Holy Family Hospital where he died during the course of treatment, said Chinmoy Biswal, DCP (southeast). Local enquiry has revealed that two persons, who were wearing helmets and were on foot, fired 4 rounds at him, he said.Police said a case had been registered and investigation was underway. He was involved in real estate business in Okhla and was also connected to the Bahujan Samaj Party in Meerut, police said.It is suspected that the murder was a fallout of personal enmity, they said. NDTV
1 Dead, 19 Injured In Majerhat Bridge Collapse in Kolkata, Traffic, Trains Hit
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/majerhat-bridge-collapse-in-west-bengal-south-kolkata-live-updates-bridge-collapses-in-south-kolkata-1911203
KOLKATA: Majerhat bridge has collapsed in West Bengal's capital Kolkata. Many are feared to have been trapped under the Majerhat bridge. A large crowd gathered at the spot near to where the bridge collapsed. Commuters travelling on cars and bikes are feared to have been trapped. Rescue operations are said to be underway. A segment of the bridge suddenly collapsed, according to early reports. 1 dead, 19 injured in bridge collapse according to reports.NDTV
Communal harmony: Hindus raise ‘Nara-e-Takbeer’ slogan near a Masjid in Delhi
https://www.siasat.com/news/communal-harmony-its-best-hindus-raise-nara-e-takbeer-slogan-near-masjid-delhi-1402098/
New Delhi: In a display of communal harmony, during the janamashtami procession Hindus raised ‘Nara-e-Takbeer’ slogan when the procession reached Bada Hindu Rao masjid. The locals of the area were pleasantly surprised.So far we had been receiving the reports of provocative slogans raised during religious processions, but this time Hindus showed communal harmony and revived the cosmopolitan culture of India thus discouraging the communal elements. This time also elaborate security arrangements were made in the area fearing communal tension as the procession had to pass that way, but when the procession reached Ahle Sunnat Masjid of Bada Hindu Rao, all those present there were surprised to hear Nara-e-Takbeer slogan raised by Hindus.At first, it was thought that the slogans were raised by Muslims, but going after the procession, it was found that elderly and youth donning saffron attire with Tilak on their forehead were raising slogan.Social worker Sayeed Khan said we were pleased to see the message of brotherhood by the participants of the procession. We welcomed the procession at Azad market; people of both communities hugged each other and distributed sweets.siasat
WORLD
Saudi Arabia seeks death penalty for prominent Sunni scholar Salman al-Odah
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-seeks-death-penalty-against-sunni-scholar-salman-odah-168423080
A Saudi prosecutor demanded the death penalty for prominent Sunni scholar Salman al-Odah on Tuesday, his son and Saudi rights groups confirmed.Odah, 61, is an internationally renowned Sunni Muslim scholar and cleric known for his progressive views on controversial social issues.He was referred to a secret trial in mid-August in Riyadh after nearly a year in detention without charges. Saudi official media announced on Tuesday that “a person affiliated with a terrorist organisation” was sentenced to death, but did not name Odah.Saudi rights activists told Middle East Eye that leaked news from a Riyadh court confirmed that the person is Salman al-Odah, who is affiliated to the International Union of Muslim Scholars, which the kingdom has labelled as a “terrorist organisation”. Charges were not declared at the beginning of the trial. Instead, on Tuesday, the state prosecutor brought 37 charges against Odah, including “leading a terrorist group” and “inciting public opinion against the ruler”. In response to the news, thousands of Saudis took part in a viral hashtag on social media “Salman al-Odah is not a terrorist” and demanded his release.“The death penalty against Odah would be a bad omen for what is yet to come,” Yehia Assiri, activist and director of the London-based AL-Qist human rights organisation, told MEE.Odah, Assiri said, was not a typical political opponent. He did not publicly criticise Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman or the Saudi government, but it is his reformist views which threaten the state, Assiri said.“By declaring such sentences, the Saudi authorities seek to silence everyone, or to force people into non-peaceful means of opposition,” he said.Odah was detained on 10 Sept.2017, along with 20 other people, as part of a crackdown that saw many moderate Islamic clerics detained after Mohammed bin Salman became the kingdom's crown prince and heir to the throne last June.Odah, who has more than 14 million Twitter followers, was arrested after tweeting a prayer for reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbour Qatar: "May God harmonise between their hearts for the good of their people," he said before his detention.middleeasteye
PTI's Arif Alvi elected new Pakistan president
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ptis-arif-alvi-elected-new-pakistan-president-reports/articleshow/65672835.cms
Dr Arif Alvi, one of the founding members of Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, was elected as the new President of Pakistan on Tuesday, according to media reports. Alvi defeated PPP candidate Aitzaz Ahsan and the Pakistan Muslim League-N nominee Maulana Fazl ur Rehman in a 3-way contest to become the 13th president. Of the 430 votes cast in the National Assembly and Senate, Alvi received 212 votes, Rehman bagged 131 and Ahsan garnered 81; 6 votes were rejected, DawnNews reported, citing unofficial results.Alvi secured 45 of the 60 votes cast by the Balochistan's newly elected lawmakers, it said.In the PPP-dominated Sindh Assembly, Ahsan got 100 votes, while Alvi bagged 56. Just a solitary vote was cast in the favour of Rehman.In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Alvi received 78 of the total 109 votes, while Rehman and Ahsan got 26 and five votes respectively.In Pakistan, the President is considered as a symbol of the federation and head of the state and exercises all powers on the recommendations of the prime minister. Outgoing President Mamnoon Hussain's tenure ends on Sept.8.A dentist by profession, 69-year-old Alvi is one of the founding members of PTI. PTI
Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of Afghan armed group, dies
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/jalaluddin-haqqani-founder-prominent-afghan-armed-group-dies-180904045625949.html
The founder of the Haqqani Network, one of Afghanistan's most effective and feared armed groups, has died after a long illness, their affiliates the Afghan Taliban announced on Tuesday.The Taliban statement said Jalaluddin Haqqani had been ill and bed-ridden for several years."If his excellency Haqqani Sahib has departed us physically, his ideology and methodology continue to endure," it said.Haqqani, who founded the network in the 1970s, relinquished operational leadership of the group some years ago to his son Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is now deputy leader of the Afghan Taliban. "Jalaluddin Haqqani ... has been ill for quite a long period of time ... so I don't see a lot of impact in terms of reduction in violence," Mushtaq Rahim, a political analyst based in Kabul, said. "He has already relinquished the leadership to his son ... so [I] don't expect much happening in terms of tactics, in terms of intensity of engagement," he added.Afghan Defence Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the death was not expected to mean any major change for Haqqani Network. "Operationally, his death will not have an impact on the group," he said, adding that Haqqani's role in recent years was ideological rather than practical.Haqqani rose to prominence as a guerrilla leader in the US-backed campaign against Soviet forces occupying Afghanistan but later allied himself with the Taliban, fighting American troops after the Taliban were removed in 2001.aljazeera
Trump warns Syria not to 'recklessly attack' Idlib province
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/trump-warns-syria-recklessly-attack-idlib-province-180904054937863.html
US President Donald Trump has warned the Syrian government against launching an attack on rebel-held Idlib province amid concerns that the planned offensive will create a new humanitarian crisis."President Bashar al-Assad of Syria must not recklessly attack Idlib Province. The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy," Trump said in a tweet on Monday.The warning came as Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with the Syrian president in a surprise visit to Damascus ahead of an expected government offensive on Idlib.The northern province is the last major rebel stronghold fighting al-Assad, who is backed by both Russian and Iranian forces.Moscow and Tehran have insisted on fighting what they say are terrorist groups, with Zarif saying that areas under rebel control must be "cleaned out" and brought back under government authority.aljazeera
Civilians in Syria's Idlib fear imminent regime assault
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/civilians-in-syrias-idlib-fear-imminent-regime-assault/1246082
Civilians living in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, fearing a possible assault by the Assad regime and its allies, are looking to Turkey to ensure the region’s safety. Idlib residents are urging Turkey to increase the number of observation points in the area with a view to protecting civilians from an attack they believe is imminent. Idlib resident Abdurrahman -- who declined to give his last name due to security concerns -- said a major attack by the regime would likely prompt a fresh outflux of refugees. Ahmad Allush, another civilian resident of Idlib, said a major assault by the regime and its allies would prompt a number of refugees to flee to Turkey. Anadolu Agency
Assad sought peace with Israel in 2010: Kerry memoir
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/assad-sought-peace-with-israel-in-2010-kerry-memoir/1245985
Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad sent out peace feelers to Israel -- via the US -- in 2010, according to a new book by Obama-era Secretary of State John Kerry, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Tuesday. In his new memoir, “Every Day is Extra”, Kerry writes about his experiences dealing with international issues and U.S. policymaking during his career in politics and diplomacy.In regards to Syria, Kerry -- who served as a senator before his diplomatic appointment -- recalls a meeting he had with Assad while he was chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.According to Kerry, when he “pressed” Assad regarding the latter’s continued support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the Syrian leader said: “Everything is to be negotiated.”Kerry goes on to say how Assad had voiced readiness to change Syria’s policy on Hezbollah in the event that sought-for talks with Israel bore any fruit. Anadolu Agency
US website: Palestinian Intelligence delegation visits Washington to hold talks with CIA
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180904-us-website-palestinian-intelligence-delegation-visits-washington-to-hold-talks-with-cia/
US website AXIOS has quoted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as saying that a Palestinian intelligence and security delegation led by Maj. Gen. Majid Faraj, Head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service (PGIS), has visited Washington to hold talks with CIA officials.According to the website, during his meeting with some Israeli Knesset members in his office in Ramallah, on Sunday, said that he hopes to maintain security coordination and exchange of intelligence information with the US. This is despite his decision to sever all forms of relations with the White House against the backdrop of US President Trump’s decision last year to transfer his country’s embassy in Israel to the city of Jerusalem.CNN has quoted on its Arabic version website the Executive Director of the Israeli non-governmental organisation Peace Now, Shaqued Morag, and Knesset member of Meretz Party, Moshe “Mossi” Raz, as saying that President Abbas talked during the meeting about the US proposal on “the possibility of forming a Palestinian-Jordanian confederation.”MEMO
Gaza students fear losing scholarships over exit permit
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/gaza-scholarship-students-plea-rafah-exit-permit-180904054721879.html
A group of Palestinian students from Gaza has issued a desperate plea for help as they face the prospect of losing their scholarships in Europe due to a long waiting list for leaving the besieged enclave.14 students successfully obtained European visas to study at various universities in Hungary, but have not been able to receive exit permits to leave Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. If the permits are not issued by the end of the week, they face the likelihood of joining the 56 percent of graduates who are currently unemployed in Gaza.aljazeera
Man who stabbed tourists in Amsterdam names Wilders, cites 'insults' to Islam:Reuters
https://in.reuters.com/article/amsterdam-station-stabbing/man-who-stabbed-tourists-in-amsterdam-names-wilders-cites-insults-to-islam-idINKCN1LJ1WO
Amsterdam:A man who stabbed two American tourists at Amsterdam’s central station last week named Dutch, anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders during police questioning and said he was motivated by perceived insults to Islam in the Netherlands, prosecutors said.The man, identified by Dutch media as Jawed S, is a 19-year-old Afghan with residency in Germany, who traveled to Amsterdam to carry out an attack because of what he said were repeated insults to God, the Koran and Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, prosecutors said in a statement. Reuters
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
Time To Punish Modi For Demonetisation Fiasco - By Yashwant Sinha, ndtv
https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/time-to-punish-modi-for-demonetisation-fiasco-by-yashwant-sinha-1899596?pfrom=home-topstories
Line of Control as International Border is the only solution to Kashmir problem: Ex RAW chief AS Dulat, Times now
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/line-of-control-as-international-border-is-the-only-solution-to-kashmir-problem-ex-raw-chief-as-dulat-jammu-and-kashmir-pakistan-india-isi-terrorism/279624
There is a concerted effort to pressurise J&K police. Security forces must not fall into trap of a tit-for-tat fight:D.S. Hooda, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/new-target-in-the-valley-jammu-and-kashmir-police-hizbul-mujahideen-5338134/
Dalits must be addressed with genuine sensitivity, not hypocritical benevolence:Tarun Vijay, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/dalit-atrocities-protests-empowerment-modi-government-5338130/
The word Dalit is not ‘unconstitutional’. It is empowering:SHIVAM VIJ, the print
https://theprint.in/opinion/the-word-dalit-is-not-unconstitutional-it-is-empowering/111517/
Major Gogoi’s Hotel Escapade Exposes Vulnerabilities of Women in Kashmir:Farooq Shah, the wire
https://thewire.in/security/major-gogois-hotel-escapade-exposes-vulnerabilities-of-women-in-kashmir
If You Raise Questions, You Are Anti-Govt, Anti-National: Adivasi-Rights Activist Stan Swamy On Bhima-Koregaon Crackdown, caravan magazine
http://www.caravanmagazine.in/governance/government-policy/interview-adivasi-rights-activist-stan-swamy-bhima-koregaon-crackdown
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:56 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment