NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
13 OCT. 2018: 03 Safar 1440: Vol: 11, No:30
INDIA
Do You Want Everyone In India To Be Vegetarian:SC asks petitioner seeking ban on meat
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-asks-petitioner-do-you-want-everyone-in-india-to-be-vegetarian-1931232
New Delhi: "Do you want everybody in this country to be vegetarian?," the Supreme Court on Friday asked a petitioner who has challenged the export of meat from India. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta made this observation while hearing a plea which said that export of meat cannot be encouraged or promoted in the country."We cannot pass an order that everyone should become vegetarian," the bench told the counsel appearing for the petitioner organisation.The counsel told the court that this matter should be heard after which the bench posted it for hearing in Feb.The court also dealt with a separate petition filed by the organisation on the issue of promoting organic farming in the country.At the outset, the bench said that this issue was for the Govt to decide.The petitioner's counsel told the court that they have already raised this issue before the Govt but no steps have been taken in this regard."It is not our job to tell all this to the Govt ," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing in Feb.PTI
Do you want entire country to be full of vegetarians? SC Asks Petitioners Seeking Ban Of Meat Exports
https://www.livelaw.in/do-you-want-entire-country-to-be-full-of-vegetarians-sc-asks-petitioners-seeking-ban-of-meat-exports-read-petition/
Hindu hardliners force meat sellers to shut shop in Gurugram
https://in.reuters.com/article/india-politics-meat/hindu-hardliners-force-meat-sellers-to-shut-shop-in-gurugram-idINKCN1MM2AB
Gurugram:Hindu hardliners are forcing meat sellers to shut shops in Gurugram, which is home to global outsourcing firms, saying they must respect the feelings of majority Hindus celebrating a 9-day festival.The drive against the mostly Muslim shopkeepers in Gurugram during Navaratri festival is the highest profile campaign since Hindu vigilantes targeted people engaged in the slaughter of cows, considered sacred to Hindus.With a national election due by May, some states ruled by PM Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Govt are drawing accusations that they are not doing enough to curb the activities of Hindu hardliners.One meat shopkeeper referred to the 1947 division of British India into the independent India and Pakistan. “This is the first time since partition that we have been asked to close shops for this long a period,” said Sajid Qureshi, whose family has been selling meat for decades.Men are roaming around on motorbikes and surveying areas to check for shops selling meat, said Rajeev Mittal, head of Sanyukt Hindu Sangarsh Samiti, an umbrella organisation of 22 Hindu groups.4 other meat retailers told Reuters they were suffering heavy losses but were scared to keep their shops open, adding that it looked unlikely that they would be allowed to reopen for another week.Reuters
Mumbai: After tender mentions ‘beef’, BMC clarifies it meant buffalo meat
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mumbai-bmc-tender-bycull-zoo-beef-clarifies-buffalo-meat-maharashtra-beef-ban-5399748/
Mumbai :Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had to issue a hasty clarification after an advertisement for supply of animal feed to a zoo run by the civic body mentioned ‘beef’ as one of the items needed. The goof-up took place due to wrong translation of the term ‘buffalo meat’ as “beef” in the tender notice published in Gujarati and Hindi papers, a civic official said Friday. Sale and purchase of beef, which generally means cow meat, is banned in Maharashtra. The corporation put out advertisements in several papers Tuesday, seeking suppliers of meat, fodder, eggs, and other types of animal feed for Byculla Zoo.The ad in English and Marathi mentioned buffalo meat, but the term was translated as “beef” in Hindi and Gujarati papers. PTI
NIA attaches 5 properties of Zakir Naik
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/zakir-naik-case-nia-attaches-five-properties-of-absconding-preacher-118101201288_1.html
Mumbai: A special NIA court here has ordered attachment of 5 properties belonging to Islamic preacher Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, an agency statement said on Friday. Situated in Mumbai's Mazgaon area, the 5 properties include a 1,360-square feet shop in Crystal Residency building, two flats bearing numbers B-1005 and B-1006 in Jasmin Apartments at Dockyard Road, and two other flats numbering 1,701 and 1,702 in a building known as "Maria Heights" at Belvedere Road. The court order came following NIA request to issue an order to attach Naik's properties.NIA made the request when the court on June 15 declared Naik "Proclaimed Offender" under Section 82 of CrPC, owing to a pending non-bailable warrant against him.In Nov.2016, NIA had registered a case against Naik, who is currently living in Malaysia and has been granted permanent resident status there, under the IPC and UAPA.IANS
Supreme Court stays Uttarakhand High Court’s ban on religious organisations issuing fatwas
https://scroll.in/latest/898072/supreme-court-stays-uttarakhand-high-courts-ban-on-religious-organisations-issuing-fatwas
The Supreme Court has stayed the Uttarakhand High Court’s ban on religious organisations issuing fatwas, Bar and Bench reported. Fatwas are legal opinions provided under Islamic law by a Muslim cleric.A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta were hearing an appeal filed by Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind against the High Court’s order. The organisation claimed that the HC had “misinterpreted and misapplied” the SC’s order in the Vishwa Lochan Madan case.In Vishwa Lochan Madan vs Union of India & others, the Supreme Court had held that a fatwa is not a decree and is neither binding on anyone nor enforceable. Uttarakhand court had delivered its verdict in a case in which the family of a woman who was raped was banished from Laskar village in Haridwar on the basis of a fatwa. An advocate had drawn the court’s attention to a media report about it.The appellant told the SC that a V-C of Darul Uloom Deoband had said a fatwa is, “an advice or an opinion given in response to questions asked by an individual on a personal or religious matter. It is not binding on anyone. Whether the person who sought the advice follows it or not is his or her wish.”The SC issued notices to the HC and the state Govt on the matter.scroll.in
Ban on Fatwas: SC stays HC order
https://barandbench.com/ban-on-fatwas-supreme-court-stays-uttarakhand-high-court-order/
Deoband, Aala Hazrat outfits welcome SC stay on Uttarakhand HC's ban on fatwas
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/darul-uloom-welcomes-sc-stay-on-uttarakhand-hcs-ban-on-fatwas/articleshow/66186537.cms
Meerut: Islamic seminary Darul Uloom has welcomed the Supreme Court's stay order on Uttarakhand high court's blanket ban on fatwas. Ashraf Usmani, in-charge, organisation and development department of Darul Uloom, said, "We have full trust in our judiciary and we know that the law of the land will not let anyone compromise our fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. Regarding the HC order, I can only say that the matter was not pursued by the defendants judiciously; otherwise, such an order would not have come at the first place. Now, I have full confidence that Article 25 of the Constitution will remain intact." Darul Uloom’s sentiments were echoed by Salman Hasan Raza Qadri, vice-president of Jamat Raza-e-Mustafa, outfit affiliated to Dargah Aala Hazrat. “Fatwas are being passed for nearly 200 years. Fatwas show the way to people what they should do in the light of Shariat. People ask questions on several matters and clerics answer their queries on the basis of religious books,” said Qadri. Maulana Iqbal, a scholar from Madarsa Rashidiya in Haridwar, told TOI, “Issuing fatwas in the view of the Shariat is not against the law and the constitution as these are given by mufti. We welcome the SC's order staying the Uttarakhand high court's order. However, action should be taken against those who pass orders like a dictator in local panchayats and misuse their powers. The word fatwa is misused by these so-called panchayats.” TOI
AMU students face sedition charge after funeral prayer bid for militant killed in J&K
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amu-mannan-wani-jk-hizbul-mujahideen-5400093/
Lucknow:Police in Aligarh have invoked several sections of IPC, including one related to sedition, in their FIR against two named and several unidentified Kashmiri students of AMU who allegedly tried to conduct funeral prayers on the campus following the killing of PhD student-turned-militant Mannan Bashir Wani in north Kashmir Thursday.A resident of Kupwara in J&K, Wani was expelled from AMU in Jan.this year after he appeared in a photograph on social media with a message claiming he had joined Hizbul Mujahideen. Aligarh Civil Lines SHO Vinod Kumar said: “FIR has been filed on a complaint of police sub-inspector Israr Ahmed who collected information about yesterday’s incident through his source. 2 Kashmiri students, who are named in FIR, are Waseem Ayub Malik and Abdul Hafeez Meer. Other unnamed students are also from Kashmir. As per FIR, Kashmiri students of AMU on Thursday raised slogans of ‘azadi, azadi’ on the campus. They also raised slogans against the country while showing support to a terrorist.”“We are presently in coordination with AMU administration and will also seek footage of CCTVs installed on the campus to identify the other accused. So far, no one has been arrested and an investigation into the case has begun,”SHO said. Meanwhile, AMU Friday issued notice to 9 Kashmiri students for allegedly trying to conduct namaz-e-janaza on the campus. A 3-member committee, including two assistant proctors and a deputy proctor, has been formed to submit a report.“Disciplinary action has been initiated against 9 Kashmiri students by issuing notices to them. So far, 9 Kashmiri students have been identified and the committee is presently examining footage of CCTV installed at AMU campus to identify other students who attempted to take out namaz-e-janaza,” said AMU PR in-charge M Shafey Kidwai.indianexpress
Kashmir observes shutdown after PhD scholar-turned-militant killed in encounter
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-observes-shutdown-after-phd-scholar-turned-militant-killed-in-encounter-mannan-wani-5400149/
Srinagar: Kashmir valley observed a complete shutdown Friday, a day after PhD scholar-turned-militant Mannan Wani and his associate were killed in a pre-dawn encounter in north Kashmir’s Handwara.The call for shutdown had been given by the joint separatist leadership. Shops and business units remained closed in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, with traffic remaining off the roads. There was a huge presence of security personnel in parts of Srinagar city. Educational institutions and colleges also remained shut. Previous day, authorities in a few districts, fearing protests by students, had ordered the closure of schools and colleges as ” “precautionary measure”.In Srinanar’s old city, curfew-like restrictions were imposed and the authorities didn’t allow Friday prayers to be held at the Jamia Masjid. In Kupwara district of Kashmir – where Wani hailed from – clashes broke out between security personnel and stone-throwing youth.indianexpress
J&K urban local body polls: Only 3.5%voter turnout in Kashmir valley; merely 1.8% in Srinagar
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-urban-local-body-polls-third-phase-voter-turnout-security-militants-live-updates-5400168/
The third phase of the J&K urban local body elections began across 300 polling stations at 6 am on Saturday amid stringent security measures. Just 3.5% of the electorate voted in the third phase of the urban local body polls in militancy-hit Kashmir Valley.Voting for the third phase of municipal polls ended peacefully on Saturday in J&K's Samba, Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla districts, with an overall turnout of 16.3 %, news agency IANS reported. Final polling percentage for Srinagar is 1.8%. Only 2740 of the total 153091 votes cast.As many as 365 candidates are in the fray for the elections. A thick security blanket has been thrown around the polling stations, while security forces are conducting area domination exercises to ensure an incident-free election, officials said. Out of the 300 polling stations, 241 stations – 222 in the Kashmir Division and 19 in Jammu Division – have been categorised hypersensitive, police said. 96 wards of 8 urban local bodies, comprising a total electorate of 193990 electors,are scheduled to go to polls.indianexpress
Ayodhya issue: Mosque at disputed site against Islamic principles, claims Wasim Rizvi
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/ayodhya-issue-mosque-at-disputed-site-against-islamic-principles-says-shia-waqf-board-chief-wasim-rizvi/1346470/
New Delhi : Days after terming the Babri Masjid as “a blot on India’s landscape”, Shia Waqf Board chairman Wasim Rizvi has once again raked up the issue of Ram Janambhoomi. Rizvi on Thursday cited a fatwa by top Iranian shiite cleric Ayatollah Sistani to allege that a mosque on a disputed site is not permitted according to the principles of Islam. Rizvi said that he had sought a fatwa from the cleric on whether Maulanas and Mauvlis can expel someone from Islam. He said that the Iranian cleric has clearly stated that Maulana and Maulvi have no authority to expel anyone from Islam. Rizvi said this while rejecting the last month’s announcement by a few Muslim clerics that he has been expelled from Islam for making objectionable statements.According to a report in Aaj Tak, Rizvi had put up a question to Sistani whether a mosque can be constructed on a disputed piece of land. The cleric had responded saying, “As per the Islamic principles, it is not permitted.”The development comes a few months after a Kanpur-based resident had claimed that he had asked Sistani whether the Waqf Board can give away the property owned by it to people of other religion for religious purpose. In his response, according to the Indian citizen, Sistani had said that “it is not possible”.Rizvi said that Sistani’s fatwas are accepted worldwide and therefore, “Muslims should not comment on the Ayodhya issue now”.financialexpress
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Telangana urges people to support 'public manifesto of demands'
http://www.uniindia.com/jih-urges-people-to-support-public-manifesto-of-demands/states/news/1376104.html
Hyderabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) (Telangana and Odisha) has appealed to all people to support the 'Public manifesto of demands' and cast their votes in favour of those candidates and political parties who vow to fulfill these demands.Releasing ‘public manifesto demands’ at a press conference here , JIH (Telangana and Odisha) President Hamid Mohammed Khan said in order to achieve people's objectives, this manifesto presents practical proposals and demands that turn Telangana into a peaceful, prosperous and welfare state.It includes some demands for minorities and weaker sections of the society for their upliftment in social economic, educational and political spheres. JIH, supported the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh and the formation of the State of Telangana for fulfilling the obligations of justice and the overall development of its people and all regions, he said JIH is a principled and ideological organisation and justice has always been central to its struggle.It has always tried to ensure justice to all people and all sections of society and to uplift the weaker and backward sections of the society, Khan said JIH has always condemned all sorts of discriminations on the basis of region, language, religion and caste. Besides 13-charter of demands for minorities including sub-plan in budget, establishment of branch campuses of central universities, promotion of urdu language and renaming the existing women’s college, Koti as ‘ Khair Unnisa Women’s University as a mark of respect to the donor of the property, Public Manifesto of demands also included providing employment to the youth; steady growth of farmers, agricultural workers and rural economy; police reforms, peace and Law and protecting the culture of Telangana.UNI
Yogi hate speech: Imprisoned petitioner’s wife moves NHRC alleging police threats
http://caravandaily.com/portal/yogi-hate-speech-case-imprisoned-petitioner-pervezs-wife-moves-nhrc-alleging-police-threats/
Gorakhpur:The wife of lawyer Pervez Parwaz has written to the NHRC alleging that after the arrest of her husband in a fake rape case, the local police are now threatening her and her sons with false cases. Pervez, who has been fighting a legal case against UP CM Yogi Adityanath over a hate speech since 2007, was arrested and sent to jail last month in a case of alleged rape. Recently, the Supreme Court had asked the Gorakhpur court to reopen the hate speech case against the then Lok Sabha MP Adityanath.As per the letter written by Pervez’s wife Rehana Begum, a false case of rape was registered against Pervez in June 2018. After investigation, the local police found the case fake and closed it. But it was reopened and a fresh inquiry was conducted and Pervez was arrested on 25th September, just a day before the case was to be heard in the Allahabad High Court. He and a co-accused had moved the HC against the rape case. The court on 26th September stayed the arrest of the co-accused. However, Pervez has since been in jail.“Gorakhpur police are disturbing me and my sons even though there is not a single case against me or my sons. The police are hatching a conspiracy to implicate us in a false case and threatening us. This all is being done so that Pervez Parwaz could be pressured to withdraw his case against Yogi Adityanath,” Rehana wrote in the letter.She has sought protection from NHRC.caravandaily
Documentary says Sangh Parivar behind Kandhamal violence, innocent Christians fraudulently framed
http://caravandaily.com/portal/documentary-reveals-sangh-parivar-behind-kandhamal-violence-innocent-christians-languishing-in-jail-for-last-10-years/
New Delhi:Concerned over the plight of 7 Christians languishing in jail for ten years after being wrongly implicated in the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, Delhi Minorities Commission(DMC)has raised its voice for speedy justice in the case. Despite being no evidence against them, they were imprisoned and no action was taken against the real culprits responsible for the killing and Christian community was deliberately targeted in Kandhamal violence in Aug-Sept 2008, allegedly by Sangh as claimed in Documentary. “It is shocking to know about the plight of these innocent people who had to spend 10 years in jail for no fault of theirs. Our mandate is to speak up for the voiceless and minorities. That is why the Commission decided to host this programme to spread awareness about the injustice to the Christian minorities,” said Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, DMC chairman. He was speaking on the occasion of the release of a chilling documentary titled, “Agony of Kandhamal” screened at Delhi secretariat auditorium on Thursday. Dr Khan said, “It is not right that there is no hearing on the appeal of the accused. Judiciary must take up such cases on priority basis. We want to create public awareness about such instances of injustices, so that they don’t recur. We will also write to NHRC, so that the innocents get justice and the real culprits are punished.”Commission spoke about delay in disposing of the appeal of 7 Christians of Kandhamal.Among them, Munda Badamajhi is mentally challenged and other 6 are illiterates.They were convicted by the lower Court to life sentences. The appeal of the convicts has been pending before the Odisha High court since Nov.2013.In the violence that continued over a month, at least 100 people were reportedly (37 as per Govt records) killed. According to the National People’s Tribunal headed by retired Delhi HC judge AP Shah, more than 600 villages were ransacked in which 232 churches destroyed,5600 houses were looted and burnt and 55000 people compelled to flee their homes.Caravan Daily
Triple talaq law part of Govt's efforts to protect Muslim women:PM
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/india/triple-talaq-law-part-of-govt-s-efforts-to-protect-muslim-women--says-pm.html
New Delhi:Hoping that Parliament will pass the Bill banning inistant Triple Talaq, PM Narendra Modi said the legislation to protect the Muslim women was part of Govt 's efforts to provide justice. He was addressing an event to mark the 25th anniversary of NHRC here and also said that the Commission has an important role to play in Govt's efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.Modi said that the Govt is committed to improve the lives of people by ensuring their rights. He cited various steps taken by Govt in this regard and said the triple talaq legislation is a part of the effort to provide justice to the oppressed. "I am confident that this key legislation will be accorded approval by Parliament soon," he said. The bill is pending before Rajya Sabha with Lok Sabha having already passed it. dailypioneer
Triple talaq illegal in Islam: Kalbe Jawwad
https://www.siasat.com/news/triple-talaq-illegal-islam-kalbe-jawwad-1419501/
Jaunpur:Noted Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said that Islam has declared triple talaq as illegal but Govt should not interfere in religious affairs.He said Muslim Personal Law should take initiative to put a complete ban on triple talaq. He said it is against the Quran.He said talaq on phone, email and letter can also be not accepted.Islam doesn’t allow oppression of women, hence triple talaq should strictly be banned and this should be done under Muslim personal law.”siasat
Action against Rohingya Muslims shouldn't be seen through prism of human rights: Rajnath
https://www.firstpost.com/india/action-against-rohingya-muslims-shouldnt-be-seen-through-prism-of-human-rights-rajnath-singh-5369491.html
New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that action against the Rohingya and other illegal immigrants should not be viewed through the prism of human rights as India has never ill-treated foreigners. Addressing the silver jubilee foundation day event of the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi, Singh said India is a secular country and the human rights are not based on any religion."I believe there is no place for inhuman actions in the name of strict action. But it is also my firm belief that actions taken in the national and societal interest should not be seen from the viewpoint of human rights violation," he said, in presence of PM Narendra Modi, the chief guest at the function.PTI
Women praying along with men in mosques is not acceptable to us: Samastha Jamiyyathul
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/oct/12/women-praying-along-with-men-in-mosques-is-not-acceptable-to-us-samastha-kerala-jamiyyathul-ulama-1884307.html
Kozhikode:Adopting a rigid stance on the entry of women into mosques, the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama — an influential body of Sunni scholars and clerics —said women and men will not be allowed to jointly worship in mosques controlled by it even if the Supreme Court passes an order permitting it. “Our stand is clear. Anything that goes against Shariat (Islamic law) cannot be accepted,” Samastha general secretary Prof K Alikutty Musaliyar told reporters when quizzed about allowing women into mosques.When asked whether adopting such a stance would be construed as challenging the apex court, he said there are avenues to legally question adverse court orders in the court itself. Asked about CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Minister KT Jaleel coming out in support of women entry into mosques, Alikutty Musaliyar said “It may be acceptable for them, but it’s certainly not acceptable to us,” he said. “There is no ban on entry of women in mosques. There is only a restriction on unrelated men and women offering prayers together in mosques. We abide by the Prophet’s words that house is the supreme place of worship for a woman,”he said.newindianexpress
Kerala Shiv Sena threatens mass suicide if ‘women enter Sabarimala Temple’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-shiv-sena-threatens-mass-suicide-if-women-enter-sabarimala-temple-5400476/
Defying the Supreme Court order, Kerala unit of the Shiv Sena on Saturday warned of mass suicide if women dared to enter Sabarimala Temple. “Our women activists will gather near the Pamba river on Oct.17 and 18 as part of a suicide group. If any young woman tries to enter Sabarimala, our activists will commit suicide,” Peringammala Aji, a member of Sena, was quoted as saying by the news agency.Sena has been vociferously protesting against the SC verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the shrine.On Sep.28, the top court, in a 4-1ruling, ended the entry ban on women of menstruating age at Sabarimala temple, contending that the centuries-old custom at the shrine was not an essential religious practice and “the attribute of devotion to divinity cannot be subjected to rigidity and stereotypes of gender”.indianexpress
UP:Communal tension in 2 districts, cops deployed
http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/131018/communal-tension-in-2-districts-cops-deployed.html
Lucknow: Religious events in Bulandshahr and Bahraich districts in UP have led to communal violence and tension in the past 24 hours and a heavy deployment of police has been made in both the districts.According to reports, a “shobha yatra” being taken out in Bulandshahr district on Thursday evening led to tension between two communities when those participating in yatra resorted to firing by pistols and rifles in the procession. The police arrested one accused from the spot while the other managed to escape. Sources said that both the men who opened fire were heavily drunk.Ompal Lodhi was leading a procession carrying an “akhand jyoti” (immortal flame), while Premvir Lodhi was leading a similar procession. The firing began when Ompal Lodhi refused to allow the yatra led by Premvir Lodhi saying that his yatra would pass first.As the two groups opened fire, there was panic in the area and the police stalled Premvir’s yatra and later led it to its destination under police security.In Bahraich, a face-off was witnessed between the 2 communities over installation of an idol of Durga on Thursday. A similar incident had taken place a day earlier in which 8 cops were injured.Asian Age
India elected to UN Human Rights Council with highest votes among candidates
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-wins-seat-to-united-nations-human-rights-council/298571
New Delhi: India won a seat to Human Rights Council at United Nations with highest votes among all candidates. Five countries including India contested the election for five vacancies in the Asia Pacific region - thereby assuring the election of all 5. The other 4 candidates are Bangladesh, Bahrain, Fiji and the Philippines. "Thanks to the support of all our friends UN, India wins seat to Human Rights Council with highest votes among all candidates, India's Ambassador to UN Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement on Twitter.Times Now
JNUSU Demands Inquiry Into Plagiarism Allegations Against Seven Professors
https://thewire.in/education/jnusu-demands-inquiry-into-plagiarism-allegations-against-seven-professors
New Delhi:JNUSU office-bearers Friday submitted complaints to HRD ministry and the UGC demanding an inquiry into allegations of plagiarism against 7 professors of the varsity. JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) cited media reports claiming that some professors, holding administrative posts, were accused of plagiarism by some students.“Some of the accused teachers hold administrative positions in the university and some are part of various committees that decide our academic policies,” JNUSU said in its complaint.The students’ union has demanded an inquiry against the professors and their suspension from administrative and academic duties.JNU professor Buddha Singh, whose name figures in the complaint, said, “These allegations are baseless and an attempt to destroy the academic environment of the university.” Krishnendra Meena, another professor whose name figures in the complaint, said he had resolved the matter amicably.PTI
Rahul slams Centre for snatching Rafale deal from HAL
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/rahul-gandhi-slams-centre-for-snatching-rafale-deal-from-hal
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described HAL as a "strategic asset" in aerospace, saying the country owed a debt to it, as he stepped up his campaign against the Modi government over Rafale fighter jet deal.Reaching out to present and ex employees of defence PSU at an interaction with them here, Gandhi said, work done by HAL for the country was tremendous and the country owed debt to it for "protecting us" and creating a scientific vision.“I have not come here to give a speech, I have come to listen to you,” Gandhi said, as he began his interaction with HAL employees, including some retired staff."...HAL is a strategic asset in aerospace, not an ordinary or regular company," Gandhi said at the event organised at Minsk Square near HAL head quarters.PTI
India’s decision to buy oil from Iran, missile systems from Russia is ‘not helpful’, says US
https://scroll.in/latest/898024/indias-decision-to-continue-buying-oil-from-iran-post-sanctions-not-helpful-says-united-states
US is “carefully reviewing” India’s decisions to go ahead with oil purchases from Iran and an agreement with Russia for the supply of S-400 Triumpf missile systems, PTI reported. President Donald Trump in Aug.reimposed economic sanctions against Tehran and said that anyone doing business with Iran would not be doing business with US. US expects all countries, including India, to reduce their Iranian oil imports to zero. Sanctions come into effect from Nov.4.In a department briefing, Nauert said US had clarified its policies to its allies. “We believe that countries coming together and recognising the malign influence that Iran has had around world is important,” she said. “We know that Iran and Govt of Iran has taken the benefits that it received under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and they have poured that money not into their own population, not into the good of the people, not into its medical hospitals and things of that nature, but rather they’ve used it for its own nefarious programmes.”scroll.in
Pune: Petrol dealer head of Muslim Rashtriya Manch
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/petrol-dealer-prez-of-mrm/articleshow/66170624.cms
Pune:Petrol dealer Ali Daruwalla, a resident of Pune, was recently appointed as the president of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), affiliate of RSS and headed by a senior pracharak. A letter of appointment was handed over to Daruwalla by Virag Pachpore, national convener of MRM.Daruwalla said,“MRM president’s post covers Pune district, and will strive to bring the Muslim population on the same page as other citizens, spreading virtues of brotherhood, peace, harmony and affection.” TOI
WORLD
Israel kills 7 Palestinians at Gaza March of Return protest
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/Israeli-fire-kills-six-Palestinians-Gaza-March-Return-protest-908358250
Israeli forces have killed 7 Palestinians during protests in the eastern Gaza Strip near the military fence separating the blockaded Palestinian territory from Israel, Gaza's health ministry said.Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesperson for health ministry in Gaza, said that 6 Palestinians were killed and 112 others injured when Israeli soldiers opened fire on protesters on Friday in the eastern Gaza Strip.Thousands of Palestinians joined demonstrations as part of the March of Return protests that started on 30 March to demand an end to Israel's 11-year blockade on Gaza and the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their hometowns in what is now Israel. Qudra said 4 Palestinians-Ahmad al-Taweel, 27; Mohamed Ismail, 29; Ahmad Abu Ne’eim,17;and Abdullah al-Daghma, 25- were killed east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Tamer Abu Ermanah, 27, was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers east of the town of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, he said. Israeli soldiers also shot and killed Afifi Mahmoud Afifi, 18, in eastern Gaza City, Qudra said.Gaza's health ministry said late on Friday that a 7th Palestinian was killed. His name was Mohamed Abbas. Ministry said 192 Palestinian demonstrators were injured. Of those,140 people-including 45 kids, 8 women and 2 paramedics-were hurt by live ammunition.middleeasteye
Israel orders immediate halt of fuel deliveries to Gaza
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/israel-orders-halt-fuel-deliveries-gaza-181012192523705.html
Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman has ordered an immediate halt to fuel deliveries headed to the besieged Gaza Strip in response to what he said were attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians, his office announced on Friday.The announcement on Friday follows the killing of 6 Palestinians by Israeli forces during the ongoing March of Return protests."Israel will not tolerate a situation in which fuel tankers are allowed to enter Gaza on the one hand, while terror and violence are used against [Israeli] soldiers and Israeli citizens on the other," the statement from Lieberman's office read.Qatari-bought fuel began arriving on Tuesday in a bid to alleviate the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave and prevent any escalation in Israeli-Palestinian violence."The Qatari fuel to the Gaza strip's power plant today is aimed at partially improving electricity [supply] in Gaza," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said at the time.The fuel deliveries were aimed at easing months of protests along the separation fence east of Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli and Egyptian blockade for more than a decade.United Nations has warned that Israel's 11-year blockade of the strip has resulted in a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation.Under UN-brokered deal, Qatar pays for the fuel which is then delivered through Israel with UN monitoring, a diplomatic source said. A Qatari official, speaking to Reuters, said Doha planned to help with Gaza's power crisis "at the request of donor states in the UN, to prevent an escalation of the existing humanitarian disaster".aljazeera
Palestinians condemns international psychology association’s 2019 conference in Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181013-palestinian-union-of-social-workers-and-psychologists-condemns-international-psychology-associations-2019-conference-in-israel/
Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists has issued a formal statement earlier this week condemning the decision of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP) to hold its 2019 annual conference in Israel. In December 2017, an international group of mental health clinicians requested that the IARPP reconsider that plan, but IARPP refused. In Jan. 2018, 3 organizations, the USA-Palestine Mental Health Network, the UK-Palestine Mental Health Network, and Jewish Voice for Peace then launched a petition signed by 1400 mental health professionals worldwide protesting the IARPP plan to meet in Israel. There were subsequently two other petitions in protest of the IARPP decision to meet in Israel: one signed by a group of members of the Israeli organization Psychoactive and another signed by a group of Palestinian mental health clinicians who are citizens of Israel.MEMO
Hamas seeks ceasefire with Israel without ‘political prices’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181013-hamas-seeks-ceasefire-with-israel-without-political-prices/
The leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh said that his movement is working with regional and international players to reach a ceasefire with Israel.In a speech delivered at the Visitors of the Holy City of Jerusalem Conference held in Istanbul, Haniyeh explained: “Currently, we work with different parties such as Qatar, Egypt and the UN to put forward some understandings in a bid to reach a ceasefire with the Israeli occupation”. Haniyeh also reiterated that his movement would not pay any “political prices” for the ceasefire, stressing that any deal would not be at the expense of Palestinian unity. He added that Hamas would never make any concessions at the expense of Palestinian rights, including the right of Palestinian people to resist the illegal Israeli occupation. Hamas leader also emphasised the movement’s rejection to the so-called “Deal of the Century,” urging free people around the world to fight this deal which aims to liquidate the Palestinian issue and deprive the Palestinians of their legitimate rights.middleeastmonitor
Saudi Emir calls for military campaign against Kuwait, sparks backlash
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181013-saudi-emir-calls-for-military-campaign-against-kuwait-sparks-backlash/
Saudi Emir Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Saudi has called for a military campaign against Kuwait, sparking a wave of criticism and calls not to meddle in others’ internal affairs.Al-Saudi wrote on Twitter: “Kuwait needs [a] new ‘Operation Decisive Storm’ to purge it from the dirt of [the Muslim] Brotherhood and the supporters of Hamads [the Qatari ruling family]”.Operation Decisive Storm is the name given to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen in 2015, where civil war has since devastated the country.Al-Saudi’s comments sparked a backlash on Twitter, with one user writing: “Kuwait does not need advice from you. Thank God, we have our own emir Subah al-Ahmad al-Subah whom we obey. He does not need your advice, too. Unlike others, he is not isolated from his people”.Another user wrote: “All the Gulf States need to be purged from [the Muslim] Brotherhood on top of which is Saudi Arabia. Twitter users have full freedom to tweet whatever they want excluding criticising God, Prophets and the emir. If this existed in Saudi, twitter would have been plagued with the Brotherhood’s poisons”.middleeastmonitor
Malaysia Frees 11 Uighur Muslims, Defying China Handover Request
https://www.news18.com/news/world/malaysia-frees-11-uighur-muslims-defying-china-handover-request-1907291.html
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has freed 11 ethnic Uighur Muslims who escaped from immigration detention in Thailand, their lawyer said Friday, ignoring a request from Beijing to deport the group to China.In the dramatic breakout last Nov. 25 members of the persecuted minority used blankets to climb out of their cells in a daring pre-dawn escape from immigration detention in southern Thailand.11 of them, all men, escaped overland to neighbouring Malaysia, where they were caught and charged with illegal entry.Southern Thailand and Malaysia share a common border, which is easily penetrable. Group were freed and flew to Turkey on Tuesday, their lawyer Fahmi Abdul Moin said. "Prosecutors decided to drop all charges on humanitarian grounds," he said. The decision was made after lawyers wrote to the Malaysian attorney general urging that the charges be withdrawn, Fahmi added.In a faxed comment to AFP, China's foreign ministry said it was looking into the reports, but said it was opposed to "illegal immigration.""These people are Chinese, and we are firmly against sending them to third countries," it said, adding:"We hope Malaysia attaches great importance to China's position and concerns."HRW welcomed the group's release."These 11 men faced detention, torture or worse if they were returned to China,"HRW deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson said.China had asked Malaysia's previous Govt to repatriate group in Feb,but new PM Mahathir Mohamad has taken a more independent stand with Beijing.AFP
Afghanistan: Taliban confirms talks with US peace envoy in Qatar
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/envoy-afghan-peace-meets-taliban-officials-qatar-181013084549975.html
A Taliban delegation has met with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict, the armed group said on Saturday, in the first official confirmation of talks between the two sides.The meeting with Khalilzad and other US officials took place on Friday and talks will continue, Taliban said in a statement emailed to journalists.The meeting occured as President Donald Trump's administration pushed to find a way to end the 17-year-old Afghan war, the Wall Street Journal previously reported.The Journal, citing a person familiar with the gathering, said Khalilzad met with Taliban officials in Doha, the second time in four months that US officials have held face-to-face talks with Taliban representatives. Khalilzad's is currently on his first trip as special representative. 11-day trip was to take him to Afghanistan, Pakistan, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The State Dept declined to say whether the meeting with Taliban officials in Doha took place.Alice Wells, the State Department deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, met Taliban officials in Doha in July for what were described as talks about talks.A Taliban official who was part of the four-person delegation to that meeting said it produced "very positive signals".A US-led coalition forced the Taliban from power in 2001 in the aftermath of the Sept.11 attacks on Washington and New York.aljazeera
Pakistan: No single country can bring Taliban to talks
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-no-single-country-can-bring-taliban-to-talks/1280492
Pakistan told Washington that no single country could bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table since Islamabad has lost its influence on the Taliban, an official said on Friday.On Oct. 9, a veteran U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, Wasington's newly appointed representative for finding a peaceful and political solution to 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, has visited Islamabad where he met Pakistani officials, including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.During his meetings, Khalilzad sought Pakistan's help to bring Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table."Pakistan fully supports the policy of negotiations with Taliban, it is a shared responsibility to bring Taliban to the negotiation table and no single country can be expected to undertake this task unilaterally," Mohammad Faisal, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said. The spokesman explained that the role of the US, the Afghan Govt and other regional players is equally important and that is why ambassador Khalilzad is visiting other countries including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to elicit their support. Anadolu
Blast at electoral rally kills 13 in Afghanistan
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/blast-at-electoral-rally-kills-13-in-afghanistan/1280710
Kabul:At least 13 people were killed and more than 30 wounded in a blast at an electoral rally in Afghanistan, officials confirmed on Saturday.Khalil Aseer, police spokesman in the northern Takhar province, said the incident took place in the Rustaq district. According to Aseer, explosives hidden in a motorcycle caused the blast in the afternoon at the electoral rally of a female candidate, Nazifa Yousufi Bek, for forthcoming Wolesi Jirga (lower house) elections. The candidate was not harmed.There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.Anadolu Agency
Western Firms' Walkout Over Khashoggi Hurts Saudi Modernisation Plans
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/western-firms-walkout-over-khashoggi-hurts-saudi-modernisation-plans-1931402
The growing number of Western companies distancing themselves from Saudi Arabia over the alleged killing of dissident Jamal Khashoggi is undermining the kingdom's push to diversify its economy beyond oil and provide more opportunities for its young and often restive population. By Friday afternoon, nearly a dozen tech, media and entertainment companies had backed out of a Saudi investment conference to be held this month, as dismay over Saudi agents' alleged murder of Khashoggi spread to companies that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has tried to woo.One of the firms that was among the recipients of the $27 million the kingdom spent on U.S. lobbying last year, announced it would stop its representation. "We are terminating our relationship," said Richard Mintz, managing director of The Harbor Group. Companies and executives backing away from the kingdom, including Uber Technologies Inc.,Viacom Inc. and at least two prominent tech investors, are the very ones the crown prince has sought to cultivate over the past year as the kingdom attempts to modernize its economy and ensure jobs for its young population. More than 60 % of Saudis are under age 30.There may well be limits to the corporate world's willingness to censure the Saudis. Big banks and consulting firms that earn large sums issuing bonds for the kingdom or offering strategic advice have largely stayed mum on their plans to sponsor or attend the Riyadh conference, nicknamed Davos in the Desert. Some lobbying firms that work for the kingdom also withheld comment.And so far the White House has steered clear of harsh criticism, with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Friday saying he's still planning to attend the summit -- a statement that drew condemnation from two Senate Democrats.President Donald Trump called Khashoggi's suspected killing a "terrible thing" but stopped short of assigning blame and noted that the dissident wasn't a U.S. citizen. He told reporters later Friday: "A lot of people are going over to the investment conference. We'll see what happens. Maybe some won't be going. We'll make that determination very soon."Washington Post
Missing Saudi writer had big plans for his troubled region:AP
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/missing-saudi-writer-had-big-plans-for-his-troubled-region/articleshow/66183068.cms
Beirut: Saudi contributor to Washington Post who went missing more than a week ago and is feared dead had major plans, including a string of new projects to promote inclusiveness and accountability lacking around the Arab world, his friends say.Jamal Khashoggi, a prolific writer and commentator, was working quietly with intellectuals, reformists and Islamists to launch a group called Democracy for the Arab World Now. He wanted to set up a media watch organization to keep track of press freedom. He also planned to launch an economic-focused website to translate international reports into Arabic to bring sobering realities to a population often hungry for real news, not propaganda.Part of Khashoggi's approach was to include political Islamists in what he saw as democracy building. That - along with his sharp criticisms of the kingdom's crackdowns on critics, its war in Yemen and its policy on Iran - put him at odds with the rulers of Saudi Arabia, which deeply opposes Islamists like the Muslim Brotherhood, seeing them as a threat.The Saudi journalist, whose 60th birthday is this weekend, had also personal plans. He bought an apartment in Istanbul and planned to marry the day after he disappeared. He planned to commute between Istanbul and his home in Virginia.Khashoggi had incorporated his democracy advocacy group, DAWN, in Jan.in Delaware, said Khaled Saffuri, another friend. The group was still in the planning stages, and Khashoggi was working on it quietly, likely concerned it could cause trouble for associates, including activists in the Gulf, Saffuri said. Project was expected to reach out to journalists and lobby for change, representing both Islamists and liberals, said another friend, Azzam Tamimi, a prominent Palestinian-British activist.Tamimi said he and Khashoggi had set up a similar pro-democracy project together in 1992 when they first met. It was called Friends of Democracy in Algeria, he said, and followed the botched elections in Algeria, which Govt annulled to avert an imminent Islamist victory.When Sunni Islamists rose to power in other parts of the region, Khashoggi was pragmatic. He argued that the future of the region can't be without Islamists and denounced Govt s' crackdowns on them. He argued the most effective way to challenge Iran's growing influence in the region is by allowing Sunni political Islam- a rival to Shiite Iran- to be represented in Govt s.Khashoggi was to marry his Turkish fiancee on Oct. 3.
Trump Says He Will Call Saudi King About Khashoggi, Calls Case "Terrible"
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/trump-says-he-will-call-saudi-king-about-khashoggi-calls-it-terrible-thing-1931429
Facebook accepts data of 30 million users stolen
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/facebook-data-breach-faqs-5400263/
Facebook Data Breach: Facebook’s latest data breach just got worse. The social network has put out more details about the attack which exploited a vulnerability in Facebook’s code between July 2017 and September 2018 impacting the view as feature that lets people preview how their profile appears for others. While Facebook claimed that fewer users — 30 million and not 50 million as originally thought — had their access tokens stolen by exploiting 400,000 accounts.But if you thought that was good, comes the revelation that the attackers accessed name and contact details of 15 of the 30 million, and everything from gender to relationship status for another 14 million. Just 1 million of the 30 were lucky enough to not have any of their data compromised. Facebook is already sending customised messages to the 30 million affected users to explain what has happened. It will also suggest steps to protect themselves. The only silver lining to this really dark cloud is that “Messenger, Messenger Kids, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, Workplace, Pages, payments, third-party apps, or advertising or developer accounts” have not been affected by this specific attack.indianexpress
UN accused of letting 'abusers' into human rights council
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/accused-letting-abusers-human-rights-council-181013075557872.html
Bahrain, Cameroon and the Philippines were among a number of countries controversially elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday, sparking sharp criticism from rights groups and the US.Around a third of seats on the 47-member council, based in Geneva, were open for slots lasting from 2019-2022. A 97-vote majority from the 193 nations that make up UN's General Assembly is needed for approval. For the first time since the council was created in 2006, each voting region agreed in advance on 18 candidates to be in the running for 18 seats - removing any competition.New members Bahrain, Cameroon, the Philippines, Somalia, Bangladesh and Eritrea were elected with between 160 and 178 votes - and immediately drew criticism from activists in Europe and North America dismissing them as "unqualified" due to their human rights records. "By putting forward serious rights violators and presenting only as many candidates as seats available, the regional groups risk undermining the council's credibility and effectiveness," HRW, said. aljazeera
US pastor Andrew Brunson convicted for terrorism, left Turkey after release
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/turkish-prosecutor-seeks-10-year-jail-term-pastor-181012073353582.html
An American pastor has flown out of Turkey after he was released by a Turkish court following 2 years in detention. Andrew Brunson, whose detention caused a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Ankara, left on a US military flight bound for Germany on Friday. The White House said Brunson will arrive at a military base in Maryland on Saturday.The evangelical pastor was convicted of terror-related charges and sentenced to 3 years, one month and 15 days in jail on Friday. But he was immediately freed, taking into account the time already served and good conduct during the trial. The court also lifted his house arrest and overseas travel ban, paving the way for his return to the US.After the court decision, Brunson travelled to his home and then left for the airport in Izmir province with his wife Norrine. "This is the day our family has been praying for - I am delighted to be on my way home to the US," Brunson said in a statement after his release."This is good news for the Americans, as well as the Turkish market. Everybody was waiting for this court decision, as there was pressure on the Turkish lira following the tension between the US and Turkey" over the Brunson case, reported Al Jazeera's Sinem Koseoglu from Izmir, after the court reached its decision. Brunson, 50, was arrested in 2016 as part of the Govt crackdown in the wake of a failed coup bid. He has been under house arrest since July.Friday's court decision ends the friction over his case that caused a crisis in relations between the two NATO allies.Al Jazeera
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
Muslim Girls On The Verge Of Leaving Deen: Maulana Mahfouz Rahmani
http://caravandaily.com/portal/muslim-girls-on-the-verge-of-leaving-deen-maulana-mahfouz-rahmani/
Inside story of the hunt for Najeeb, JNU student who disappeared into thin air:Ananya Bhardwaj, Kritika Sharma
https://theprint.in/governance/inside-story-of-the-hunt-for-najeeb-ahmed-the-jnu-student-who-disappeared-into-thin-air/133628/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Mathura: Muslim woman adopts Hinduism, claims 'no respect for women in Islam'
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/Mathura-Muslim-woman-adopts-Hinduism-says-no-respect-for-women-in-Islam/articleshow/66178955.cms
Hyderabad;Archaeology Dept turns its focus on Khairatabad Masjid
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/archaeology-dept-turns-its-focus-on-khairatabad-masjid/article25195183.ece
Dr Arif Siddiqui exposes influence of Jewish and Christian wives on Muslim rulers
https://www.siasat.com/news/dr-arif-siddiqui-exposes-influence-jewish-and-christian-wives-muslim-rulers-1419246/
Tablighi Jamaat leadership dispute echoes in US, Britain:Abdus Sattar Ghazali
http://www.ummid.com/news/2018/October/12.10.2018/tablighi-jamaat-leadership-dispute-echoes-in-united-states-britain.html
Political players will keep Ayodhya fires burning:Sujata Anandan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/political-players-will-keep-ayodhya-fires-burning
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:44 PM)
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