NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
10 OCT. 2018: 28 Muhram 1440: Vol: 11, No:22
INDIA
Rafale deal: SC asks Centre to submit in a sealed cover details of decision-making process by 29 Oct
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-asks-centre-to-provide-details-of-rafale-decision-making-in-sealed-cover/article25175959.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi: The Supreme Court today asked the Central Govt to provide details in a sealed cover of the decision-making process in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France by Oct. 29, but clarified that it does not want information on pricing and technical particulars.Bench, comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S.K. Kaul and K.M. Joseph, also made it clear that it was not taking into account the allegations of corruption in the deal made in the petitions.The court was hearing various petitions seeking directions, including asking the Centre to reveal details of the deal and the comparative prices during the UPA and NDA regimes in a sealed cover to the court.Centre opposed the petitions and sought that they be dismissed on the ground that they were filed to gain political mileage.Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the court that the issue in question pertained to national security and such issues could not be reviewed judicially.The court, however, did not issue notice to the Centre on 2 PIL petitions filed by two lawyers, seeking a court monitored probe into the deal. The court fixed the next hearing of the petitions on Oct.31.Congress leader and RTI activist Tehseen Poonawala withdrew his PIL plea, which had sought a direction against the Centre on why the Cabinet approval was not sought as part of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) before signing the procurement deal with France on Sept.23, 2016. Rafale deal is a pact signed between the Govt s of India and France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly-away condition as a part of the upgrading process of Indian Air Force.Rafale is a twin-engine Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA)manufactured by Dassault Aviation.Indian Air Force had advanced a proposal to buy 126 fighter aircraft in Aug2007 and floated a tender.PTI
Rafale deal: Sitharaman contradicts herself yet again
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/rafale-deal-nirmala-sitharaman-contradicts-herself-yet-again
On the day the Supreme Court was to announce its decision whether the Centre must reveal details of Rafale deal and the comparative prices during the UPA and NDA rule,Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave interviews to two media houses on the Rafale deal. The Supreme Court did ask the Centre to provide details of the decision-making process in deal in a sealed cover.In the interviews to both Economic Times and The Hindu, Sitharaman has claimed that the criticism on ordering just 36 jets is misplaced because the remainder of the original 126 aircraft will be manufactured locally under a new ‘Make in India’ process. “36 will come in flyaway condition. As for the rest, we have issued a ‘Request for Information’ [for 114 fighter jets]. We’ve got seven companies that have shown interest and are now talking to them. So, the competition has been widened.There’s nothing to support the conclusion that we’ve reduced our requirement,”pointed out Sitharaman.According to Sitharaman, as a result of this RFI for 114 jets, the companies will decide who they want to join hands with. “Under the strategic partnership, we have already come up with two deals — one for the Navy, one for the Air Force,” said Sitharaman.nationalheraldindia
Yashwant: PM Modi is responsible for Rafale scam
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/yashwant-sinha-pm-narendra-modi-is-responsible-for-rafale-scam
Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has said that the economic turmoil in the country had sent the Indian rupee into a coma.Speaking on Rashtra Manch platform, formed early this year, Sinha said: "Narendra Modi, when he was Gujarat CM, had said the Indian rupee was in ICU when its value was ₹60 against American dollar. Now when the rupee is nearing ₹75, what can be said? It is now in coma."Sinha, and BJP rebel from Patna Shatrughan Sinha, SP MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari, ex Gujarat CM Sureshchandra Mehta and Minister Praveensinh Jadeja had gathered to address a public gathering. He also expressed concern over the attacks on north Indian migrants in Gujarat. “I am not pointing fingers at anybody but the safety and security of its citizens is the state Govt’s responsibility.” Speaking to reporters earlier, Sinha said: "Current situation is such that a citizen cannot express himself against the Govt . If he or she does, they are dubbed anti-nationals. Which is entirely against the fundamentals of democracy." Referring to the Rafale defence deal, he said: "We (Myself, Prashant Bhushan and Arun Shourie) have filed a petition to CBI regarding the Rafale deal, which is a huge scam by NDA Govt ."And only one person is responsible for it, PM Narendra Modi,"Sinha asserted. "Nobody, not even the PM , has the right to violate the Defence Procurement Procedure, but that was violated by the PM . If this shoddy deal is unearthed by the CBI, many skeletons will tumble out."Sinha said they would wait for a CBI response for around a month. "After that we will decide on our further course of action, whether to approach the judiciary or not.""What kind of governance mechanism is this when every defaulter, after carrying out huge financial cams, is easily fleeing out of the country?"IANS
Modi govt splurges ₹5,000 crore on publicity, twice the amount spent by UPA in 10 years
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/modi-govt-splurges-indian-rupee5000-crore-on-publicity-twice-the-amount-spent-by-upa-in-10-years
BJP Govt at the Centre headed by PM Narendra Modi has so far splurged a whopping amount of approximately ₹5,000 crore in advertisement and publicity through different media, an RTI reply has revealed.Noida-based RTI activist Ramveer Tanwar had sought details from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting related to all the expenditure incurred by Modi Govt on self-promotion, advertisement and publicity in all media since 2014. Modi Govt , according to the reply, has spent the highest amount of money--approximately ₹2208 crore--on advertisements through electronic media, followed by a massive expenditure on print media for publicity.nationalheraldindia
#MeToo movement: MoS MJ Akbar must either offer satisfactory explanation or resign, says Congress
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mj-akbar-bjp-metoo-movement-sexual-harassment-congress-demands-resignation-5395599/
New Delhi : Demanding an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations levied on Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, Congress on Wednesday said BJP minister should step down in the wake of the #MeToo movement.Congress leader Jaipal Reddy said Akbar must either offer a satisfactory explanation or resign forthwith. At least 6 women journalists have come on record to accuse MoS Akbar of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour when he worked as a newspaper editor. Akbar, on a visit to Nigeria with a trade delegation, did not respond to an email, calls and WhatsApp messages sent to him seeking his comment.He is the first political public figure to feature in the growing list of men — so far largely from the media, film and entertainment — named in India’s own #MeToo movement that is gathering momentum since it broke on social media last week.BJP did not respond to these allegations. When Akbar’s senior, Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj was asked by a reporter to comment on the issue, she did not.indianexpress
#MeToo: 6 women speak up, accuse Minister MJ Akbar of sexual harassment when he was Editor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/metoo-movement-six-women-speak-up-accuse-minister-mj-akbar-of-sexual-harassment-when-he-was-editor-5394625/
Number of Muslims in higher education remains low
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-number-of-muslims-in-higher-education-remains-low-2673637
While the 'PM 's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities', with special focus on promoting education among minorities has helped increase overall literacy rate of Muslims to around 60%, there is no headway in increasing their numbers in higher education. As per an all-India survey on higher education, there were just 5% Muslim students studying in various universities in 2017-18.The silver lining is that in 2016-17, the proportion was 4.9 % , the enrolment having increased by 0.1 % .Among university teachers, there were just 4.9% Muslims. In northern India, the average enrolment of Muslims in non-minority universities is around 1-3% .The numbers are quite high in Jamia Millia Islamia at 50% and 75% in AMU. Centre for Educational Research & Training(CERT), that studied 34 universities, found just 63,325 Muslim students pursuing their education out of the total 9,15,806 students, showing an alarming dropout rates among Muslims.But in some institutions such as Maulana Azad National Urdu University and Central University Of Kashmir (J&K) the ratio was above 90% . dnaindia
Appointment of Sachar Committee by govt was a communal act: RSS-linked think tank
https://www.oneindia.com/india/appointment-of-sachar-committee-by-the-Govt -was-a-communal-act-says-rss-2790051.html
New Delhi:Central for Policy Analysis, a RSS-linked think tank based in Patna in Bihar has come up with India Minority Report that tells issue of minority has been mishandled by the various Govt s in the country. Right from so-called backwardness of minority communities to educational policies and many other, they have been dealing with the issue in a faulty manner. The report will be submitted to the Govt .There are many such think tanks linked with RSS that are working on policy issues including issues related to the minorities.Executive chairman of Centre for Policy Analysis Durga Nand Jha told Oneindia that there are many faulty issues as far as policies towards minorities is concerned. "Actually the appointment of a committee headed by Justice Rajendra Sachar by Govt of India in 2005 was a blatant communal act. The problem of underdevelopment has more of a geographical connotation than a communal one.If Muslims are backward, it is because of their large concentration in those states that are economic underachievers and laggard on various developmental parameters," said Jha.The think tank not only questions constitution of Sachar Committe but also questioned the rationale for the existence of a separate wing for education of minorities such as 'National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions' in Ministry of HRD. "Aren't such regulating bodies at the national level compartmentalizing education on religious lines and weakening the national mainstream? No one can deny the fact that education of minority students is important in order to build an inclusive society but it no way necessitates and justifies the separate existence of minority institutions," said Jha.Report demands discontinuance of 'Council for Minority Educational institutions', a body constituted by HRD Ministry.oneindia
World Mental Health Day: India at threshold of epidemic, every sixth person needs help
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/world-mental-health-day-india-at-threshold-of-epidemic-every-sixth-person-needs-help/1344116/
India is standing on the threshold of a mental health epidemic with a greater number of people affected by mental health issues in the country than the entire population of Japan.According to 2015-16 National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) survey, every sixth person in India needs mental-health help. To compound the problem, India has just about 5,000 psychiatrists and less than 2,000 clinical psychologists. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!According to NMHS survey, people in the lower income group suffer more from mental health problems and these are the people with least access to mental health treatment. Have you ever thought that the maid who works in your home, the sweeper who keeps your lane clean, and the rickshaw-puller who takes you places needs mental health treatment support? Poverty, domestic violence, alcohol and drug addiction and the very stigma of being underprivileged takes a toll on these people.financialexpress
16 IS suspects move court seeking speedy trial
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-islamic-state-terrorists-trial-5394354/
New Delhi: 16 Islamic State suspects, arrested from across the country on charges of recruiting and financing people to join the terror outfit, on Tuesday moved a Delhi court seeking day-to-day trial.District Judge Poonam A Bamba issued notice to NIA and sought response by Dec.3, the next date of hearing.Advocate MS Khan, representing some of the accused, said that while the law mandates speedy trial of NIA cases, proceedings in the present case “are going slower than the speed of a snail”. “Proceedings in the case are going at a very slow pace, depriving the fundamental right of the accused to have a speedy trial…It has been almost three years and not even charges have been framed,” the counsel said in the application. NIA had filed its charge sheet before the court outlining the role of all the accused in a larger conspiracy of ISIS to further the terror group’s ideology. The accused against whom agency had filed the charge sheet include Syed Mujahid, Mohd Aleem, Mohd Obaidullah Khan,Nafees Khan, Mohd Shareef Moinuddin Khan, Asif Ali, Najmul Huda, Mudabbir Mushtaq Shaikh, Mohd Abdul Ahad, Suhail Ahmed, Mohd Hussain Khan, Mohd Afzal, Imran and Abu Anas.PTI
Maoist-linked terror funding case: NIA raids 15 locations in Jharkhand, West Bengal
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/oct/09/maoist-linked-terror-funding-case-nia-raids-15-locations-in-jharkhand-west-bengal-1883270.html
New Delhi: NIA has conducted searches at 15 locations of the companies located in Jharkhand and West Bengal, associated with purchase and transport of coal in Amrapali and Magadh Coalfields in a case related to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) terror funding.The searches were conducted at Ranchi, Hazaribagh and Jamshedpur of Jharkhand along with Durgapur in West Bengal. According to an official release of the investigating agency, at least fifteen teams of NIA, assisted by Jharkhand Police, carried out searches at the residences and offices of managers of different companies associated with purchase and transport of coal in Amrapali and Magadh coalfields for their alleged role in providing funds to LWE organization TPC (Tritiya Prastuti Committee).Several documents related to payments made to Amrapali and Magadh Area Committee, bank account details and fixed deposits, deduction of levy amount, computers, hard discs, mobiles containing accounts of companies, diaries containing entries of money paid to Naxal outfits TPC (Triitya Prastuti Committee) and PLFI (Peoples Liberation Front of India), Rs. 68 lakh cash along with 10,000 Singapore Dollars and 1300 US Dollars have been seized during the search.newindianexpress
3 students with alleged links to Kashmir terror group arrested in Jalandhar
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jalandhar-three-students-with-links-to-kashmir-terror-groups-arrested-5395822/
Chandigarh: 3 Kashmiri students studying in an engineering college were arrested in Jalandhar on Wednesday, and police claimed to have busted a module of Kashmiri militant outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH).The operation to arrest the students was carried out by a joint team of the Punjab Police and Special Operations Group of J&K Police. All 3 students were nabbed in the hostel of CT Institute of Engineering Management and Technology, located in Shahpur on outskirts of Jalandhar, Suresh Arora, DGP (Punjab), said in a statement issued here.Police, which conducted a raid on the hostel early Wednesday morning, also claimed it had recovered two weapons, including an assault rifle, and explosives from the room of a student identified as Zahid Gulzar. Gulzar is a B. Tech (Civil) student and a resident of Rajpora in Srinagar. Gulzar was detained along with Mohammed Idriss Shah, a resident of Pulwama, and Yusuf Rafiq Bhatt, a resident of Noorpura in Pulwama.indianexpress
Delhi school divided: Hindu and Muslim students assigned to separate sections
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/delhi-school-divided-hindu-and-muslim-students-assigned-to-separate-sections-5394644/
New Delhi:A section of teachers employed by North Delhi Municipal Corporation has alleged that a primary school in Wazirabad is segregating Hindu and Muslim students in different sections.Attendance records of the North MCD Boys’ School, Wazirabad village, Gali Number 9, accessed and analysed by Indian Express, as of Oct.9, show the section-wise break up of students. MCD schools offer education only till Class V and according to Right To Education Act, each section should ideally have 30 students at the primary level.CB Singh Sehrawat, the teacher put in-charge of the school on July 2 after the principal was transferred, denied deliberately segregating the students on the basis of religion. “Reshuffling of sections is standard procedure which happens in all schools. This was a management decision to try and do the best we can to see that there is peace, discipline and a good learning environment in the school. Children fought sometimes.”Asked if the fights were on the basis of religion, he said, “Of course children this young don’t know about religion, but they squabble over things. Some children are vegetarian, so there may be differences, and so on. We need to look after the interests of all teachers and students.” A source in the school, however, said that the reshuffling of sections based on religion began only in July this year after Sehrawat took over.indianexpress
Hindu, Muslim groups back protest over sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/hindu-muslim-groups-back-protest-over-bargari-sacrilege/articleshow/66127570.cms
Jalandhar: 4-monthold protest over sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari village in Faridkot has largely been identified with Sikhs. Some have even called it a gathering of radicals. On Sunday, however, the protests saw participation by a few hundred Hindus, Muslims and at least one Left-leaning farmer union.Photos of Hindus and Muslims at the protest site have gone viral and have largely received positive comments on social media. “People stopped me at several places and took pictures or selfies,” says Kotkapura resident Naresh Singla whose picture with a tilak on his forehead and carrying a Sikh flag while riding a bike has gone viral. “I have been participating in every protest after the sacrilege cases were reported in 2015 as we have great devotion for the Guru Granth Sahib.”Singla runs a small business in Kotkapura.It is well-known that many Hindus revere Sikh holy book. They also offer prayers at gurdwaras.Justice Ranjit Singh Commission, set up after Congress came to power in Punjab in 2017, had found that 162 cases of alleged sacrilege were reported in Punjab, mostly in 2015.The maximum cases – 20 – were reported from Ludhiana, followed by 18 in Amritsar, 16 in Jalandhar and 11 each in Bathinda and Tarn Taran. Commission’s report has sparked a major political row with many Sikh groups demanding that the accused be booked.Around 500 Muslims from Ludhiana have also visited Bargari. “We wanted to stand by the Sikhs who have been seeking justice for sacrilege and the police firing cases of 2015. As traffic was heavy and we walked towards Bargari, Sikh protestors not only gave us respect but also took selfies with us,”said Suraj Deen.TOI
Sabarimala verdict: Supreme Court order has effect of Abrahamising core of Hindu faith, say petitioners
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-verdict-supreme-court-order-has-effect-of-abrahamising-core-of-hindu-faith-say-petitioners-5394629/
Representatives of the palace in Kerala’s Pandalam, where Lord Ayyappa is believed to have grown up, and People for Dharma, an association of women devotees, have sought an open court review of the Supreme Court verdict lifting age restrictions on the entry of women into the Sabarimala shrine, saying it “has the effect of Abrahamising the core of the Hindu faith, namely diversity, and altering its identity”.The review pleas were submitted on Monday and allotted dairy numbers on Tuesday.Three other review pleas were already filed on Monday — by Nair Service Society (NSS) representing the Nair community and Delhi-based NGO ‘Chetana Conscience of Women’ and National Ayyappa Devotees (Women’s)Association.The counsel representing National Ayyappa Devotees (Women’s) Association, which was not a party to the original petition, sought to mention the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The bench, however, told him that review would come in due course.indianexpress
Sabarimala verdict: Muslim League supports devotees
https://in.news.yahoo.com/sabarimala-verdict-indian-union-muslim-090600310.html
Indian Union Muslim League took out a rally in Kerala's Changanassery supporting protests against Sabarimala verdict. Ayyappa devotees have been holding protests against Supreme Court verdict over women's entry in Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. A 5-judge Constitution bench, headed by ex CJI Dipak Misra, on Sept. 28, lifted a century-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. ANI
BrahMos engineer arrested: ‘Pak handlers’ promised him job in US, fat pay
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/brahmos-engineer-arrested-pak-handlers-promised-him-job-in-us-fat-pay-5394655/
Mumbai :Nishant aggarwal, the senior systems engineer of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited,who was arrested on Monday on espionage charges, was promised a job in America with a hefty pay package by his “Pakistani handlers”, sources privy to the probe said.“His interrogation has revealed that he was promised better job prospects by the handlers who posed as women and honey-trapped him.These accounts have been traced to Pakistan,” said an official. The agencies are probing if Aggarwal leaked sensitive data pertaining to the supersonic cruise missile, Brahmos, to his “handler”, who is suspected to be from Pakistan.indianexpress
Rohingyas in Delhi wary of giving details to govt
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rohingyas-in-delhi-wary-of-giving-details-to-govt/articleshow/66151440.cms
New Delhi: Rohingya refugees in Delhi, who have been asked to fill nationality verification forms by the home ministry, say they fear getting deported back to Myanmar if they give their details to the Govt.Several of them living in the Capital for years said they have refugee cards certified by the UNHCR, the United Nations' refugee agency, and are wary about taking their children, who were born in India, back to violence-hit Myanmar. UNHCR, the global organisation mandated to protect the rights of refugees, said it has contacted Indian authorities for more details on the Rohingya refugees being asked to fill nationality verification forms.Union home minister Rajnath Singh on October 1 said the state Govt s have been asked to identify Rohingya refugees in their regions and collect their biometric details.Centre will send the biometric reports collected by states to the Myanmar Govt through diplomatic channel for resolution of the issue.The Delhi Police has distributed the nationality verification forms to Rohingya living in various refugee camps across Delhi in the last two days.PTI
Governor "Named" Srinagar Mayor Before Civic Poll Results, Allege Parties
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-governor-satya-pal-malik-named-srinagar-mayor-before-civic-body-poll-results-alleg-1929633
Srinagar: J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik has come under attack for his comments on NDTV "naming" the next mayor of Srinagar, even before the civic polls are over. The opposition says it exposes the elections as a farce, more of a "selection". Both National Conference of former CM Omar Abdullah and Congress have strongly reacted to the governor's comments. Speaking to NDTV earlier this week, the governor had, responding to allegations of unfair polls, said: "Both parties (NC and Mehbooba Mufti's PDP) are regretting they did not participate. As per my information Srinagar is getting a new mayor who is a foreign-educated young person and if this leader emerges, both parties are jittery."He also said: "...boy's name is Mattoo, he is very well-educated...The day he becomes mayor, he will be better than (National Conference leader) Farooq (Abdullah) saab in that time. He will get more respect."The comments are proof the elections are "managed", said NC spokesperson Aga Rohullah, as voting took place on Wednesday in the second round of staggered 4-phase civic polls in J&K , which will end on Oct. 16."These elections are not conducted in a true spirit of democracy. The Governor in an interview to your channel has already named a person as Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Elections are yet to conducted, polls are yet to be held, the Governor goes to name a particular person for a particular post - this suggest that elections are managed, people are already deleted and they are calling 'selection' democratic," Mr Rohullah said.The Congress also lashed out at the governor.ndtv
J&K urban local body polls LIVE: Low voter turnout amid strike call, just 1% show up till 2 pm in Anantnag
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-urban-local-body-polls-voting-live-updates-election-second-phase-5394709/
Polling to the second phase of J&K local body polls is underway. On Wednesday, 49 wards of three municipal committees, a municipal council and parts of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation will vote. Following a low turnout in the first phase of municipal polls which concluded on October 8, the state election office Tuesday decided to change the poll timings again to 6 am to 4 pm. The initial timings were 7 am to 2 pm. This was changed from 7 am to 4 pm.Over 1,000 candidates will participate in the second phase, and security arrangements have been put in place for smooth conduct of the voting process, according to the officials.In the first phase of local body polls on Monday, the turnout in Jammu region was nearly 70 % but in the Valley it was just 8.2 % . The four-phase elections began on October 8 and will end on October 16.indianexpress
Saudi to supply extra oil to India to make-up for US sanctions: Report
https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/saudi-to-supply-extra-oil-to-india-to-make-up-for-us-sanctions-report/story-EbNg1apEiV0WBF5f7vrvGO.html
Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, will supply Indian oil buyers with an additional 4 million barrels of crude oil in November, several sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.The extra supply indicates a willingness by Saudi Arabia to increase crude supply to make up the shortfall once sanctions by the United States on oil exports from Iran, the third-largest producer in the OPEC, start up on Nov.4.India is Iran’s top oil client after China, though several refiners have indicated they will stop taking Iranian barrels because of the sanctions. Reliance Industries Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corp , Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemicals Ltd are seeking an additional 1 million barrels each in Nov. from Saudi, the sources said.3 of the companies did not immediately reply to an email from Reuters seeking comment. Mangalore replied “no comments” when contacted by email.HT
Govt ‘unhappy’ with CBI director meeting Arun Shourie, Prashant Bhushan
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-unhappy-with-cbi-director-meeting-arun-shourie-prashant-bhushan/story-byZ357q411sezDJDiP9JII.html
Govt is understood to be unhappy with CBI Director Alok Verma meeting former Union minister Arun Shourie and lawyer Prashant Bhushan who demanded a probe into the alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal, with a senior Govt functionary saying it is “rare” for the agency chief to meet politicians.Last week, Shourie and Bhushan had met CBI Director, submitted documents and demanded a probe into alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal and offset contract.“This was perhaps for the first time that politicians have met CBI Director in his office. Such a meeting is rare,” the functionary said, indicating that the Govt has not taken the meeting kindly.Buttressing his point, the functionary claimed, in normal circumstances, when a politician seeks appointment with CBI chief, he or she is advised to submit complaints or any other documents at the reception of the agency HQRS.The functionary, without elaborating, also said some Govt officials have gone “rogue” and they have engaged in bitter fight among themselves and if such quarrel continues, the organisations concerned will suffer.HT
Delhi: Muslim man pressurized by neighbour to become Hindu
https://www.siasat.com/news/muslim-man-pressurized-neighbour-become-hindu-1418753/
New Delhi: A non-Muslim man is pressurizing a Muslim man to become Hindu. Hindu man is threatening to kill the entire family of Muslim man if they don’t convert. A complaint has been lodged but no action is taken so far. Both had a scuffle on some issue after which the non-Muslim man had been jailed. After release from jail, he filed a rape case against the Muslim man.Ashraf Ali told that he bought a flat in Rohini sector 25, three and a half year ago where he has been living with his family. After a few days, the non-Muslim man who resides on the first floor of the building met Ashraf and told that Hindu religion is the best and asked Ashraf to accept Hinduism. He said as the majority in India are Hindus, you will have no problem. Muslims are in minority here. Ashraf says initially he shrugged off, but the man started harassing Ashraf’s wife and children asking them ‘when you will become Hindu?’ He also threatened if you don’t become Hindu you will be killed.The man broke the hand of Ashraf’s pregnant wife with the help of his friend. He also assaulted Ashraf. He was then jailed. But soon after release from jail, he again started harassing Ashraf and his family. He filed a rape case against Ashraf involving a girl who is in the flesh trading profession.siasat
“Will forcibly close meat shops”, Gurugram Muslim traders seek protection from Police
https://www.siasat.com/news/will-forcibly-close-meat-shops-muslim-traders-seek-protection-police-1418697/
Gurugram:Yet, again, Muslim meat traders are being boldly threatened across Gurugram by right-wing Hindutva groups with Navaratri period that has begun today, is triggering safety concerns among Muslims butchers in the region.According to reports, Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti (SHSS) Gurugram, which represents 22 Hindu groups such as the Shiv Sena, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and the Hindu Sena, reportedly sent a letter to deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh stating they would not allow meat shops to run in this Navaratri, Tatkalnews reports.“If any shop opens during Navratri we would close it ourselves. If any case happens due to it, we will take care of it,” said Gautam Saini, Shiv Sena district head.He also said that his team of 500 people has also been informed to take care of the matters across the city in this Navratri.Muslim traders in the region say they have earlier put up curtains on the direction of some of the Hindu groups, but, though that being done, they have now come to threaten us with dire consequences say the meat traders.At one place, people also hung a poster in Hindi saying, “Best wishes for Navratri from the Muslim community”.siasat
Migrants are safe in Muslim dominated areas in Gujarat: Milli council
https://www.siasat.com/news/migrants-are-safe-muslim-dominated-areas-gujarat-milli-council-1418814/
Ahmedabad:All India Mili Council, Gujarat expressed concern over the attack on north Indian labourers in several areas of Gujarat. It said the rise of the parochial sentiments following a crime by a labourer from Bihar has caused a massive exodus from the state which is not in the interest of Gujarat.Its president Mufti Rizwan Tarapuri said here on Tuesday that it is reminiscent of attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra by Shiv Sena in 1960s, in Assam in 1980s and in Karnataka in 2012. He said the hate campaign by a group of Gujarat against north Indians leading to violence is a serious development and the state Govt cannot escape the responsibility for the crisis. He also noted that migrants are safe in Muslim dominated areas of Gujarat. There are many areas in Gujarat where migrants of various community live together with harmony and peace even present situation.The entire north Indian community cannot be punished for the crime of one person, which simply reflected the political motives.siasat
Gujarat HC seeks govt's reply on why it supports only Hindu religious places
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-hc-seeks-govts-reply-on-why-it-supports-only-hindu-religious-places/articleshow/66149445.cms
Ahmedabad: Gujarat high court today asked the state Govt to explain why it has chosen to fund only Hindu religious places for development in the state through Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board. A bench of chief justice R S Reddy and justice V M Pancholi asked the Govt lawyer to take instructions from concerned authorities on the subject in response to a PIL that questioned on secular credentials of Gujarat Govt .Petitioner Mujahid Nafees has taken exception to the Board’s decision to allocate funds for development of only Hindu pilgrimage places – 358 in number - and to exclude religious places belonging to other faiths – Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. His advocate KR Koshti argued that funding religious places belonging to only one faith and ignoring places of other religions is illegal and violative of the Constitution of India.PIL contended that Govt being secular is expected not to promote and maintain religious sites of a particular community from taxes and proceeds collected from all citizens. Public money must not be spent for promotion and maintenance of religious sites of one particular religion.Petitioner also maintained that the expenditure incurred by state Govt only on Hindu religious places is against the rules and regulation of the Board. The funds are aimed at creating lodging and boarding facilities for pilgrims at religious places and not meant for maintenance of temples by footing their electricity bills etc. TOI
WORLD
In Bangladesh 19 awarded death; equal number, including Khaleda's son, get life term in 2004 grenade attack case
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/bangladesh-court-sentences-19-death-2004-attack-case-181009111251124.html
Dhaka: A Dhaka court has handed down death penalty to 19 people, including two former ministers, and sentenced a top opposition leader to life imprisonment over a 2004 attack on the current PM Sheikh Hasina. "They shall be hanged by their neck," said Justice Shahed Nuruddin of the special tribunal, who also awarded life imprisonment to Tarique Rahman, exiled son of former PM Khaleda Zia.Zia is already languishing inside a Dhaka jail following her conviction in a corruption case, which came in advance of the country's general election scheduled to be held by the end of the year. Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the opposition BNP, was jailed for 10 years in absentia in the same corruption case as her mother. He has been living in exile in London since 2008.Bangladesh's Law Minister Anisul Haque said the Govt will move a higher court to seek death penalty for Rahman too. "We will also take diplomatic steps to bring Tarique back from London," he said.The security in and around the special tribunal in the capital, Dhaka, was beefed up anticipating protests from BNP leaders and activists.Senior BNP leaders, including former State Minister of Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and former Deputy Minister of Education Abdus Salam Pintu, were given capital punishment for hatching the plot to assassinate Hasina.BNP said the conviction was "politically motivated" and the party does not "accept it".Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party's secretary general, said the verdict against its leaders is "just another example of using judiciary for political revenge".BNP alleges that Hasina is crushing dissent and putting rivals behind bars to strengthen her re-election bid.aljazeera
Saudi Govt planned Jamal Khashoggi hit: NY Times
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/saudi-royal-family-planned-khashoggi-hit-ny-times-181010035444430.html
Top Saudi leaders deployed a 15-man hit squad to lie in wait for dissident writer Jamal Khashoggi inside Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul, New York Times said in an explosive story.Among the assassination team was a forensic expert who brought a bone saw to dismember Khashoggi's body after killing him, the Times reported on Tuesday, citing an unidentified "senior official" as saying. Al Jazeera could not immediately verify the news report.The hit squad finished the murder operation within two hours and departed Turkey for various countries, said Times' source, citing information from "top Turkish officials"."It is like Pulp Fiction," the senior Turkish official was quoted as saying, referring to the graphically violent 1994 Hollywood movie by director Quentin Tarantino. Accusations the Saudi leadership directly ordered the alleged assassination of Khashoggi will put further pressure on the US and other allies to demand a transparent investigation, with possible serious repercussions to bilateral relations if it does not come to fruition.Saudi officials have denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance and alleged murder, saying he left the consulate on Oct.2. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has demanded that Riyadh prove his departure from the building.Turkish Govt hasn't provided formal evidence that could back up the spate of anonymous allegations that the Saudi writer was killed inside the Istanbul consulate.aljazeera
Turkey accuses 15 Saudis of hiding and killing Khashoggi
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181010-turkey-accuses-15-saudis-of-hiding-and-killing-khashoggi/
A source in the investigation team set up by the Turkish General Directorate of Security to investigate the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi revealed that the prosecutor in Istanbul will issue charges of hiding or killing a person against 15 Saudis who Turkish sources have said were security officers who arrived on board two planes and were in the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi.The team’s first finding was counting 26 cars in the Saudi consulate fleet, four of which are suspected of carrying out suspicious activities related to the disappearance of Khashoggi, 59.He added that these cars came out of the consulate after an hour or more of the Saudi journalist’s entry to the building after 1pm.The investigations found that the Saudi cars took a different route than they usually would, as shown by surveillance cameras. Two of these cars were highly suspicious – according to the special investigation team they disappeared from the surveillance cameras for hours and then went back to the consulate.middleeastmonitor
Bin Salman’s adviser threatened to kill opposition, even if they hide under the Kaaba curtain
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181010-bin-salmans-adviser-threatened-to-kill-opposition-even-if-they-hide-under-the-kaaba-curtain/
A tweet by Saud Al-Qahtani, an adviser to Royal Court of Saudi Arabia who is close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, threatening to kill the opposition even if they hide under the Kaaba curtain has been widely condemned.Al-Qahtani tweeted a Qur’anic verse: “Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of Makah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than they who spent afterwards and fought.” He continued: “During the conquest of Makah, the prophet ordered to kill a specific group of people even if they hide themselves under the Kaaba curtain #the blacklist.Khashoggi was on this blacklist. Also included are the names of numerous journalists, scholars and sheikhs who are opposed to bin Salman’s rule and have ended up in Saudi Kingdom’s prisons. middleeastmonitor
UK imam fired from Saudi-funded mosque for criticising Saudi royal family
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-imam-fired-saudi-funded-mosque-criticising-saudi-royal-family-312296296
A British Imam has accused the Saudi Govt of firing him from a London mosque it controls after he criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the country's royal family.Ajmal Masroor, who regularly comments on British-Muslim issues, worked at the Fitzrovia Mosque, also known as Goodge Street mosque in central London, which is run by the Saudi-funded Muslim World League.The imam led Friday prayers once a month at the Muslim World League's offices and ran marriage counselling sessions there before they were cancelled by the mosque.Masroor's firing took place just days after he used his personal Facebook page to post a Middle East Eye video and describe the Saudi royal family as being "corrupt, despotic and totally anti-Islamic".In another post, the imam had also criticised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his campaign to arrest activists and Islamic scholars. "I am 100 % sure that they fired me because of my comments about Mohammed bin Salman where I said he was not a reformer but a conformer," said Masroor."When I asked why they were firing me, I was told that it was an order that had come from the top. Which means the Saudi Govt wanted me out." middleeasteye
Nikki Haley resigns as US ambassador to UN
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/nikki-haley-resigns-ambassador-united-nations-181009141907862.html
US President Donald Trump has accepted Nikki Haley's resignation as US ambassador to the US, saying she would be leaving his administration at the end of the year.In the White House's Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump called the ambassador a "very special" person "who gets it", adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off.Trump said that together they "solved a lot of problems".Haley, 46, said she had no immediate plans, and denied she would be running for president in 2020.Trump said on Tuesday that she could have her "pick" of posts if she ever decided to come back to the administration. "We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose - hopefully you'll be coming back at some point but in a different capacity. You can have your pick," the president said. Trump added he was considering many candidates for Haley's job and that a successor would be named in two to three weeks.aljazeera
Son of Mohamed Mursi’s detained: family, sources
https://in.reuters.com/article/egypt-arrests/son-of-ousted-egyptian-president-detained-family-sources-idINKCN1MK1Q6?il=0
2 security sources said Abdullah Mursi was arrested on charges of “spreading false news”, in connection with an interview he gave to AP last week that focused on his father’s detention.In the interview, Abdullah said his father’s health had deteriorated due to prison conditions and that the family was rarely allowed to visit.Abdullah’s brother Ahmed told Reuters police officers did not present an arrest warrant and said they were taking Abdullah for questioning.An interior ministry spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. The former president, a senior figure in Muslim Brotherhood, has been jailed since he was overthrown by the military in 2013, following mass protests against his rule. Abdullah is the youngest of his 5 children. Another son,Osama, is also in prison and was among hundreds recently sentenced in connection with protests against Mursi’s overthrow.Reuters
China Uighurs: Xinjiang 'legalises' Muslim internment camps
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45812419
China's western Xinjiang region has written internment camps for Muslim Uighurs into law amid growing international concern over large-scale disappearances there.Xinjiang says camps will tackle extremism through "ideological transformation". Rights groups say detainees are made to swear loyalty to President Xi Jinping and criticise or renounce their faith.In August, China denied allegations that it had locked up a million people.But officials attending UN human rights meeting admitted that Uighurs "deceived by religious extremism" were undergoing re-education and resettlement. Xinjiang has seen cycles of violence and crackdowns for years. China accuses Islamist militants and separatists of orchestrating trouble.bbc
China launches anti-halal campaign in Xinjiang
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/china-launches-anti-halal-campaign-in-xinjiang/articleshow/66143933.cms
Shanghai: The capital of China's Xinjiang region, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority, has launched a campaign against halal products to stop Islam penetrating secular life and fuelling "extremism".In a meeting on Monday, the Communist Party leaders of Urumqi led cadres to swear an oath to "fight a decisive battle against 'pan-halalization'," according to a notice posed on the city's official WeChat account.Everyday halal products, like food and toothpaste, must be produced according to Islamic law.China has been subject to heavy criticism from rights groups and foreign Govt s amid reports of a punitive crackdown that has seen the detention of as many as 1 million mostly Muslim ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang.Beijing has denied it is systematically violating the rights of Xinjiang's Muslims, saying it is only cracking down on extremism and "splittism" in the region.The official Global Times said on Wednesday that the "demand that things be halal which cannot really be halal" was fuelling hostility towards religion and allowing Islam to penetrate secular life.As part of the anti-halal campaign, Ilshat Osman, Urumqi's ethnically Uighur head prosecutor, penned an essay entitled: "Friend, you do not need to find a halal restaurant specially for me". Reuters
Maldives president challenges election defeat
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/maldives-defeated-president-challenges-election-result-181010093101354.html
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has filed a court challenge against his election loss, citing a "lot of complaints from supporters", according to a lawyer.The complaint was filed at the island nation's Supreme Court today, said Mohamed Saleem, the president's lawyer.Yameen lost the September 23 election by a 16% margin to opposition leader, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in an outcome hailed as a win for democracy in the crisis-hit Indian Ocean archipelago.The result was widely accepted, including by US, China, India, and the European Union.Yameen conceded defeat a day after the election, but has since alleged widespread irregularities in the vote.The president, who says he will stay on in office until the end of his term on Nov.17,has offered little evidence to back his claim. Aljazeera
Pak appoints new head of ISI
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/pakistan-appoints-head-powerful-intelligence-agency-181010081753041.html
Pakistan has appointed a new chief for its powerful intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), as the previous appointee completed his term, the military said. Lieutenant-General Asim Munir will take over from the outgoing ISI chief Lieutenant-General Naveed Mukhtar, the military's press wing said in a brief statement released today.Munir, who was promoted late last month, previously served as the head of Military Intelligence.A decorated army officer, Munir has previously commanded Pakistani forces in the northern district of Gilgit-Baltistan.aljazeera
Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestle biggest ocean polluters: Report
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/coca-cola-pepsi-nestle-biggest-ocean-polluters-report?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Manila: Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle are among the companies that contribute most to ocean pollution with single-use plastics, according to a study presented on Tuesday by the "Break Free from Plastic" initiative. The environmental movement, launched in 2016, has helped clear the coasts of 42 countries around the world of discarded plastics. "These brand audits offer undeniable proof of the role that corporations play in perpetuating the global plastic pollution crisis," said Von Hernandez, the Global Coordinator of Break Free From Plastic, at the presentation of the study in Manila. Between September 9 and 15, over 10,000 volunteers carried out 239 plastic cleaning actions on coasts and other natural environments in 42 countries, Efe news reported. They collected more than 187,000 pieces of plastic, of which more than 65% were from products by Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle. But companies such as Danone, Mondelez, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever, among others, were also mentioned in the report. " Companies have a choice to make. They can be part of the problem or they can be part of the solution", Hernandez told Efe."If they continue the use of problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging they are just encouraging more production and more pollution". Around 100,000 pieces of plastic collected were made of materials like polystyrene, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or film of single-use plastic that were not biodegradable, the report said.IANS
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
India Today sting on Sanatan Sanstha terror links creates massive political ripples
https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/newsroom/video/india-today-sting-on-sanatan-sanstha-terror-links-creates-massive-political-ripples-1359826-2018-10-09
‘It is an upper-caste protest’: Ezhava outfit in Kerala denounces RSS plans for Sabarimala stir
https://scroll.in/article/897631/it-is-an-upper-caste-protest-ezhava-outfit-in-kerala-denounces-rss-plans-for-sabarimala-stir
Babri Dispute: Need for Reconciliation With Justice — Prof Ram Puniyani
http://caravandaily.com/portal/babri-dispute-need-for-reconciliation-with-justice-prof-ram-puniyani/
Media Pressure Forces Facebook to Restore Accounts of Caravan Daily Scribes, Others
http://caravandaily.com/portal/media-pressure-forces-facebook-to-restore-accounts-of-caravan-daily-scribes-others/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:41 PM)
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