NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
30 OCT. 2018: 20 Safar 1440: Vol: 11, No:45
INDIA
CBI may bury evidence against Asthana, R&AW official shielded accused: officer Bassi
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cbi-may-bury-evidence-against-asthana-r-aw-official-shielded-accused-claims-shunted-officer-1378651-2018-10-30
CBI DSP Ajay Kumar Bassi, who was investigating the allegations of bribery and corruption against CBI special director Rakesh Asthana, has claimed that the agency is trying to bury evidence available against Asthana and other senior officers.Bassi moved a petition in the Supreme Court today challenging his transfer order by CBI interim chief M Nageshwar Rao. Bassi, in his plea, also alleged that R&AW special secretary Samanta Goel was involved in shielding "middleman" Manoj Prasad, a Dubai-based businessman.He also claimed that Samanta Goel was in touch with both Asthana and Prasad's family members after the businessman was arrested on Oct.16.He claimed that calls recorded through phone surveillance and WhatsApp communication accessed after seizing Prasad's phone revealed links between the Prasad brothers - Manoj and Somesh, Asthana, Sunil Mittal - father-in-law of Manoj Prasad - and Samanta Goel."Transcripts are available with the CBI but there is a strong chance that they may not place the same on record," Bassi claimed in his petition before the SC.Bassi was recently removed from investigation in the bribery case against Asthana. He was transferred to Port Blair and the investigation into the case against Asthana was handed over to CBI SP Satish Dagar.He claimed that Dagar "has been instructed to ensure" a clean chit to Asthana and to implicate "honest officers" by claiming that CBI special director was being "falsely implicated". Bassi sought a SC order for a stay on his transfer.He also sought a SC-monitored SIT to probe FIR against Asthana and others. He also demanded that all transcripts and other evidence against Asthana should be placed before the SC in sealed cover."Manner of transfer indicates malafide intent and shows vindictiveness because the fact that the name of Asthana and Sai Manohar were cropping up," Bassi said in his petition.Bassi gave details of the records, including a chart showing "shift" in CBI probe after money was demanded and paid. He claimed that there is a "link between the summons issued to the complainant (Sathish Sana) and illegal gratification obtained by the above named public servants (Asthana and Devender Kumar, and relief provided to Sathish Babu Sana)." "There is a suspicion that the same may be tampered with or destroyed. It is unfortunate to note that the present Investigating Officer has concentrated his efforts not on the allegations of FIR, but has started roving and fishing enquiry in the investigation made by the Applicant," says the DCP.The SC is yet to set a date for the hearing in this case but lawyer Sunil Fernandes, appearing for Bassi, requested the bench to hear the plea on Friday. indiatoday
BI row: Officer Bassi challenges transfer in SC, claims ‘incriminating evidence’ against Asthana
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-vs-cbi-rakesh-asthana-ak-bassi-transfer-supreme-court-5424912/?fbclid=IwAR3JBVdxCRpQ24eSfxH58aSz3ManY8eSpjO6kEHV23IuuNzkAFn8xJEX3b8
SC orders police protection to Satish Sana, complainant in bribery case against Asthana
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-satish-sana-rakesh-asthana-bribery-case-cbi-5425046/
The Supreme Court today directed Hyderabad Police to provide adequate security to businessman Satish Sana, complainant in the alleged bribery case against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana. A bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices UU Lalit and KM Joseph refused to stay CBI summons against Sana and also rejected his plea for recording of his statement in presence of retired ex SC judge AK Patnaik.Sana, on whose complaint an FIR was registered against the CBI Special Director, had moved the apex court on Monday seeking police protection and a stay on the notice issued by the agency summoning him for interrogation.PTI
CBI Row: Dy SP, Middleman Remanded To 14-Day Judicial Custody In Asthana Bribery Case
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/cbi-row-dy-sp-middleman-remanded-to-14-day-judicial-custody-in-rakesh-asthana-bribery-case/319305
Malegaon blast : Lt Col Purohit, Pragya Thakur, 5 others charged with terror conspiracy, murder
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2008-malgaon-blast-purohit-nia-pragya-thakur-5425327/
New Delhi :A special NIA court Tuesday charged all 7 accused, including Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi and Sudhakar Chaturvedi, were charged with terror conspiracy, murder and other related offences.The court rejected a plea by Lt Col Purohit to defer the framing of charges.All the accused face trial under the UAPA given that the special NIA court earlier this month rejected their pleas on the applicability of the anti-terror law against them. The case will be heard next on Nov.2. All 7 are accused of executing a blast in Malegaon on Sept.29, 2008. A bomb that was allegedly planted on a motorcycle exploded, killing 6 and injuring 101.Bombay High Court on Monday had also refused to stay the framing of charges by the trial court against Purohit and other accused persons. However, a bench of Justices SS Shinde and AS Gadkari agreed to hear a petition filed by Purohit challenging his prosecution under UAPA next month.indianexpress
SC Dismisses Fresh Plea To Declare Mosque As An Integral Part Of Namaz Of Muslim Community
https://www.livelaw.in/sc-dismisses-fresh-plea-to-declare-mosque-as-an-integral-part-of-namaz-of-muslim-community/
The Supreme Court on Monday also dismissed a new writ petition that sought a declaration that mosque is an integral part of Namaz of a Muslim Community. The bench comprising of CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph observed that the said prayers had been considered in recent order in Ayodhya case and that reference to a larger Bench was refused in that matter.Issue a writ of mandamus in the nature of directing that the mosque is an integral part of Namaz of a Muslim Community by considering observatory part of the judgment and order passed in Dr. M. Ismail Faruqui and ors. Vs. Union of India and Ors. (1994) 6 SCC 360;A reference be made before the Larger Bench for consideration in Dr. M. Ismail Faruqui and ors. vs. Union of India and Ors. (1994) 6 SCC 360. The bench then dismissed the plea holding the same as not maintainable.livelaw.in
After SC pushback on Ayodhya, calls grow for bypass with ordinance for Ram Temple
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/call-for-ordinance-to-fast-forward-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-grows-1939485
New Delhi: The demand that the Govt pass an Ordinance to clear the decks for building a Ram Temple at Ayodhya gained momentum on Monday after the Supreme Court hit pause on the hearing of the Ayodhya title suit. Within hours of the court pushing back the hearing to January, UP BJP leaders like Sanjeev Baliyan and Vinay Katiyar and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of BJP, pushed for an Ordinance as a contingency plan to fast-forward the temple.Soli Sorabjee, a former top law officer of the Govt , however, pointed out that under the Article 123 of the constitution, an ordinance can be brought only in cases of necessity, not expediency. "Ordinance will be legally vulnerable. Once the ordinance is brought in, it can be immediately challenged in Supreme Court and Govt will face legal trouble," he said.RSS, which admitted to hoping for a positive judgment from the top court and the work at the temple site to be underway before 2019, has called for an "early decision"."With the construction of the temple, an atmosphere of unity and harmony will be created. With this in view, the Supreme Court should make an early decision and if there are any difficulties, the Govt should make a law to remove all hurdles in the way of giving land for temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site," Arun Kumar, chief spokesperson of RSS said.BJP leader Sanjeev Baliyan, who is among the 4 BJP leaders named in the Muzaffarnagar riots case, said he was "surprised" at the "priorities" of the top court. "I am of the view that the Ram temple should be constructed. Govt should explore all possibilities," he said.BJP's central leaders have not commented on the matter. Congress said the temple issue is routinely brought up every five years before the elections. Asaddudin Owaisi has dared Govt to bring an ordinance. "If they have the courage, they should bring an Ordinance on Ram Temple construction. They are trying to scare us about bringing an Ordinance, why don't they bring it,"he said.ndtv
Owaisi dares Centre to bring Ram Mandir ordinance
http://www.ummid.com/news/2018/October/29.10.2018/asaduddin-owaisi-on-ram-mandir-ordinance-sc-hearing-on-babri-masjid-case.html
We will wait for SC verdict, say litigants in Ram Janmabhoomi/Babri mosque case
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/we-will-wait-for-sc-verdict-say-litigants-in-ram-janmabhoomibabri-mosque-case/1411695
Litigants in the Ram Janmabhoomi/Babri mosque title suit said on Monday they would wait for the Supreme Court verdict in the case, after the apex court said the schedule of hearing will be decided in the first week of January next year.There were, however, differing views on the demand by VHP and other Hindu outfits that the Govt bring in a law to build Ram temple, with Iqbal Ansari of Sunni Waqf Board terming it as a "political gimmick" ahead of the elections.Mahant Dinendra Das, representative of Nirmohi Akhara which is one of the main parties from the Hindu side, said that "the court will follow its procedure and we should wait for the verdict".He claimed that bringing a law to build Ram temple "will not be a good decision of the Govt because title of the land belongs to Nirmohi Akhara"."We will get back our land through court verdict only," he said. Another litigant from the Hindu side 'Ram Lalla Virajman ', represented by Triloki Nath Pandey, said there was little anyone could do after the court put off the matter to Jan."We will wait for the court's verdict as we have been waiting for more than hundred years," he said.Pandey, however, supported the demand for a law to construct the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Iqbal Ansari said, "We will wait for the court verdict as we have have full faith in the Supreme Court.""The proposal for making a law for Ram temple is a political gimmick as when the elections approach, a political party always raises the issue," he said. "When the matter is before the court, let the court decide. Interference of Govt in matters that are before the court will not be good for the country, especially in Ayodhya issue," he said. outlookindia
Ram temple issue likely to dominate agenda of 3-day RSS review meeting
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ram-temple-issue-likely-to-dominate-agenda-of-3-day-rss-review-meeting/story-SpcSMIRg3ugBiCZUZBkW6H.html
Mumbai:With the Supreme Court adjourning the hearing on the Ayodhya till Jan., the issue is most likely to dominate the midterm review meeting of RSS. All-India Executive Committee meeting of RSS will be held at Uttan in Bhayander between Oct.31 and Nov.2.Meeting will be presided over by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and will be attended by the organisation’s top brass.They will review the progress of the initiatives taken by the organisation to strengthen its network and also chalk out their future plans. However, it is unlikely to pass any resolution in the meeting.RSS will also brainstorm on various other issues apart from Ram temple, including the performance of the Narendra Modi-led Govt at the Centre as well as the 2019 polls, sources said.HT
Ram Mandir will be constructed even if SC decides against it: Sadhvi Prachi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/ram-mandir-will-be-constructed-even-if-sc-decides-against-it-sadhvi-prachi/articleshow/66420455.cms
Meerut: VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi has said that Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya irrespective of what the Supreme Court decides in the case. Sadhvi said, “Ram Mandir will be constructed even if the Supreme Court decides against it. The temple will be made exactly the way it was earlier before the demolition.” TOI
Congress, radicals are to blame for dragging Ram Temple case: Waseem Rizvi,
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/oct/29/congress-radicals-are-to-blame-for-dragging-ram-temple-case-shia-board-1891491.html
Lucknow: UP Shia Central Waqf Board head Waseem Rizvi, has blamed Congress and radical Muslim leaders for the Ayodhya land dispute being, what the board believed, entangled in legalities. "Due to some radical Muslims and politics of Congress party, the issue of construction of Ram Temple is stuck in courts,” Shia body chief, Rizvi, said. ANI
Why no consultation before talaq ordinance? Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/why-no-consultation-before-talaq-ordinance/articleshow/66410211.cms
Kozhikode: Even while the entire state is hotly debating the Supreme Court verdict on women entry to Sabarimala, Sunni leader has come up with a different angle to controversy.Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF) state general secretary Sathar Panthaloor asked the BJP leadership as to why the central Govt brought an ordinance on triple talaq without consulting any Muslim scholar or organization. The SC had declared the triple talaq unconstitutional and wanted Parliament to bring in legislation. Accordingly, the Centre brought an ordinance in September that made the practice of instant triple talaq a crime saying that there is “overpowering urgency and a compelling necessity to bring the ordinance.”“BJP leadership now says that the order on Sabarimala is against the belief of majority, but Centre didn’t consult any Muslim body before passing a law that touches the Sharia, which is very important for Muslims. No effort was made to know what the majority in the Muslim community think of criminalising triple talaq,” Panthaloor said.All India Muslim Personal Law Board has come out against the ordinance describing it as “infringement of the Sharia law”.Samstha Kerala Jam-Iyyathul Ulema, body of Sunni scholars, organized a protest meeting in Kozhikode and had collected 10 lakh signatures against the ordinance.In the memorandum to be submitted to President, Samastha said “fundamental rights of the Muslims in India are being trampled by criminalising triple talaq in the ordinance”. TOI
Union minister Alphons’ shocker! ‘Muslim and Christian ladies tried to enter Sabarimala'
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/sabarimala-temple-kj-alphons-kerala-muslim-christian-lady-watch-hindus-communal-tension-lord-ayappa-bjp/306321
Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons on Monday stoked a controversy when he said that a Muslim lady and a Christian lady wanted to enter the Sabarimala temple with an intention to disturb the law and order. Opposition has slammed the statement, calling it an attempt by Alphons to communalise the issue.Alphons said what could be the intention of a Muslim lady and a Christian lady, who were going to Sabarimala. He further alleged that they were not going because of their love for Lord Ayappa but to create a law and order situation.“What is (are) the kind(s) of people who are trying to climb Sabarimala? I have gone to Sabarimala twice. 2 people who were trying to climb Sabarimala:One was a lady belonging to some other religion, say Muslim lady and 2nd was a Christian lady. Now, tell me, were they going to Sabarimala because they love Ayappa? What was their intention? I think the entire intention of these people was to create a law and order problem.”Times Now
Muzaffarpur home abuse case: SC shifts Thakur to Punjab jail; asks why Manju Verma still free
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/muzaffarpur-shelter-home-abuse-brajesh-thakur-manju-verma-supreme-court-5425004/
The Supreme Court today ordered the transfer of Muzaffarpur shelter case main accused Brajesh Thakur to a high-security jail in Punjab’s Patiala district. Questioning the Bihar Gov, the court asked why former minister Manju Verma was still not arrested. Verma’s husband Chandrashekhar Verma allegedly has close ties with Thakur.“Just because she happens to be cabinet minister doesn’t make her above the law. The whole thing is highly suspicious. Why has she not been arrested? It’s too much. Nobody is bothered about the law,” the court said. It has also asked CBI to submit by tomorrow the list of officers who investigated the case until now. Around 50 cartridges were seized from Verma’s residence when CBI conducted a raid in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. She had stepped down as the Social Welfare minister after her name surfaced in the case. She had also filed an anticipatory bail plea, but it was rejected by the Patna High Court.indianexpress
Sedition case: Cops seek AMU explanation on revoked suspension of two students
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sedition-case-cops-seek-amu-explanation-on-revoked-suspension-of-two-students-5424470/
Lucknow :Police have sought an explanation from AMU over why the suspension of 2 students was revoked. The 2 were booked in a sedition case for allegedly attempting to hold funeral prayers on campus after the death of scholar-turned-militant Mannan Wani on Oct.11.They have asked for a report on the university’s internal inquiry conducted by a 3-member committee against Waseem Ayoub Malik and Abdul Haseeb Mir— both were reinstated on Oct. 16.“We want to see what evidence and facts are mentioned in the inquiry report that led to cancellation of suspension,” said investigating officer and Civil Lines police SHO Vinod Kumar. Abdul and Waseem are pursuing a PhD in history and biochemistry, respectively.“We have requested AMU to provide footage from CCTV installed near the spot where students had assembled… The video… has been sent to the forensic science laboratory in Agra,” said Kumar.Kashmiri students have been regularly approaching AMU authorities, demanding that FIR be quashed.AMU registrar Abdul Hamid said,“We are providing all possible help for police investigation…We explained to them (students) that police are conducting the investigation and we cannot do anything.”indianexpress
Meerut restaurant case: Police move court, say remove dacoity charge against BJP councillor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/meerut-restaurant-case-police-move-court-say-remove-dacoity-charge-against-bjp-councillor-5424477/
Meerut :Meerut police have moved an application in court to remove the dacoity charge from the FIR registered against BJP councillor Manish Chaudhary — currently in jail since he repeatedly slapped a sub-inspector at his restaurant on Oct.20 — on the plea that “no conclusive evidence has been found against him to implicate him under IPC section 354”.Moreover, action may soon be taken against the sub-inspector and woman lawyer who had allegedly arrived inebriated at Chaudhary’s restaurant and misbehaved with staff, after which the councillor had slapped the policeman. Chaudhary had been arrested after the incident while the sub-inspector, Sukhpal Panwar, was transferred.At a Sunday press conference, Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh said, “A case will be registered on the basis of the complaint on behalf of the councillor against the police officer and woman in the restaurant issue. Meerut police will also closely look all the videos of the incident that have surfaced so far.”indianexpress
DU Proposes Course in Islam and International Relations, Critics Ask Why Not in Hinduism
https://www.news18.com/news/india/du-proposes-course-in-islam-and-international-relations-critics-ask-why-not-in-hinduism-1923981.html
New Delhi: For the first time in its history, the Political Science department of Delhi University has proposed “Islam and International Relations” to be taught at the post graduate level. Awaiting a nod from Academic Council (AC), the paper intends to introduce “students to multi-layered and multi-faceted theoretical, conceptual and philosophical issues that act as roadmap when we attempt at understanding the linkages between the history, culture and theology of Islam and structuration processes that are involved in the functioning of international relations”. At a recent meeting of the Standing Committee on Academic Affairs of Delhi University, a point was raised by an academic who questioned why other religions should be left out. “Why just Islam and International Relations? Why can’t we study other religions as well in the arena of International Relations,” asked Dr Geeta Bhatt, an academic and a member of the AC who was present at the Standing Committee meeting.Professor Sanjeev Kumar HM, who designed the course, said: “There was no opposition, but one suggestion was made on including other religions as well. We were asked why only Islam? Why can’t we design a course on Hinduism and International Relations or Buddhism and International Relations or Christianity and International Relations?” He is hopeful that the course will get a nod in the AC. The Standing Committee has okayed the idea, but they think there should be designing of courses on other religions as well.Kumar believes that this argument of including other religions was made “to water down the idea of having a course in Islam”. He said, “Other religions can be taught under a different design – maybe a course on comparative religions in post secular International Relations, but that is going to be a different trajectory”. He further said: “We cannot have full course on other religions and International Relations because the space you need in terms of ideas is not same with others.” Kumar said the scholarship in Islam and IR is booming and the reasons are plenty. news18
Hindutva ideologue Malhotra appointed JNU honorary visiting professor
https://scroll.in/latest/900213/hindutva-ideologue-rajiv-malhotra-appointed-honorary-visiting-professor-at-jnu
Hindutva ideologue and author Rajiv Malhotra has been appointed an honorary visiting professor at JNU’s Centre for Media Studies. Malhotra tweeted on Monday to say that he would deliver his first lecture as visiting professor on Nov.2 on the subject of “Sanskrit Non-Translatables”. Other recent appointments at the premier institution include Subhash Kak, an Indian American computer scientist, who has been named among the adjunct faculty at the institution’s School of Engineering and as an honorary visiting professor at the Centre for Media Studies. Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta is also among the honorary visiting fellows of the centre.scroll.in
India Listed Yet Again Among World's Worst for Unsolved Journalist Murders
https://thewire.in/media/india-cpj-global-impunity-index-getting-away-with-murder
New Delhi: Even as the international diplomatic fracas that has erupted over the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues to dominate headlines around the world, Committee to Protect Journalists released its Global Impunity Index on Monday titled “Getting Away with Murder:CPJ’s 2018 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free”.In its eleventh report, which ranks states with “worst records of prosecuting the killers of journalists”, CPJ states that “a lack of justice in the murders of journalists creates an entrenched climate of censorship”.“In the past decade, at least 324 journalists have been silenced through murder worldwide and in 85% of these cases no perpetrators have been convicted. It is an emboldening message to those who seek to censor and control the media through violence,”report reads. Impunity Index is released annually to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Nov.2.CPJ calculates the number of unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country’s population. For the index released this year,CPJ examined journalist murders that occurred between Sept.1,2008,and Aug.31, 2018.At the top of the list for the fourth year in a row is Somalia with its dismal record of convicting perpetrators and 25 unsolved cases, followed by Syria, Iraq, South Sudan and the Philippines. The report clarifies that all 14 of the countries have appeared on the index at one point or other since CPJ began to compile list in 2008.thewire
India tops in child deaths due to pollution in 2016: WHO report
https://www.newsx.com/national/india-tops-in-child-deaths-due-to-pollution-in-2016-who-report
As per the recent report by WHO, India witnessed the most number of air pollution-induced deaths of children below the age of 5. The following data is from the year 2016. Following study took data from around 194 countries dealing with toxic air problems where India topped the list as it witnessed the deaths of at least 1 lakh children who were below the age of 5. The deaths occurred because of health complications faced by the children due to high indoor and outdoor air pollution.The following revelations were made in a report titled Air Pollution and Child Health. Report was made public on Oct.20 in Geneva. India, which topped the list, was being tailed by Nigeria, Pakistan, DR Congo and Ethiopia. According to report, Nigeria witnessed the death of around 98,000 children while Pakistan stood third with 38,252 deaths of minors. On the other hand, the report stated that the ratio of deaths to the population during a particular period were much higher in the above-mentioned countries in comparison to India.As per the WHO report, India witnessed the most number of deaths of a premature baby due to toxic air pollution under 5 years of time. According to the report, almost 98% of the children below the age of 5 in India were exposed to PM2.5 levels. NewsX
Rahul: J&K is on fire because of Modi’s mistakes
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-jk-is-on-fire-because-of-modis-mistakes-5424460/
Ujjain :Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said PM Narendra Modi had made “mistakes” on J&K , as a result of which the state is “on fire”.Addressing a public meeting here in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also alleged that ‘One-Rank, One-Pension’ (OROP) scheme has not been implemented so far and the PM was telling “lies” on the issue. Referring to J&K , he said the state is “on fire” right now, apparently referring to the latest killings in the state by terrorists.Modi Govt “opened the doors of J&K for terrorists. No politician was martyred in J&K but armymen are laying their lives there because of Modi’s mistakes,” Gandhi said.“PM talks about surgical strike, army, navy but doesn’t talk about army men. He makes claims. At least, tell us what you did about those who carried out the surgical strike,” he said.PTI
DD news cameraman, 2 cops killed in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/doordarshan-crew-chhattisgarh-maoists-attack-camera-man-killed-live-updates-5425161/
New Delhi:2 policemen and a cameraperson from national broadcaster Doordarshan were killed today in a Maoist attack in poll-bound Chhattisgarh. 2 security officers were also injured in the attack that took place in Dantewada district’s Aranpur village. The police were patrolling in the area when the attack took place.DD team was in Dantewada for election coverage and was moving in vehicles. 2 other DD News staffers, including a journalist from Delhi, are reported to be safe. “Today our patrolling party was ambushed by Naxals in Aranpur. Whether the attack is related to the polls will be ascertained only after a probe.Those killed were identified as SI Rudra Pratap, Assistant Constable Mangalu and DD News cameraman Achyutanand from Delhi,” DIG(anti-Naxal operations) Sundarraj said. Reinforcements were rushed to the spot,he said.IE
BJP contemplating to field more Muslim candidates in West Bengal
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-contemplating-to-field-more-muslim-candidates-in-west-bengal-5424898/
Kolkata :BJP in Bengal is contemplating to field “considerable” number of Muslim candidates in the Lok Sabha elections next year with an intent to make inroads into CM Mamata Banerjee’s solid support base among minorities, and corner a sizeable share of this numerically crucial vote bank.The saffron party’s aim to make a shift in its political strategy in West Bengal appears to be a result of their harvesting a good number of seats in the local body election early this year by fielding Muslim candidates.BJP had fielded over 850 candidates from the minority community in the poll to the three-tier panchayats, with nearly half of them winning the elections.In the last Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had fielded only two minority candidates in the state, which has a total of 42 seats.State BJP president Dilip Ghosh told PTI, the party will aim to field “considerable” number of Muslim candidates, given the fact that the state has nearly 30 % Muslim population.PTI
Madras HC: No need to review minority institutions’ status
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/hc-no-need-to-review-minority-institutions-status/articleshow/66406940.cms
Madurai: Madurai bench of Madras High Court has observed that if an educational institution is once granted minority status by the Govt, there is no need to review them periodically like a driving license. Court cited earlier orders and set aside a Govt order (GO) passed by the education department granting minority status to a school in Tirunelveli for 5 years. The management of Hindu Middle School in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district-a Christian minority institution approached the bench following GO passed in Nov. last year.According to the school management, a civil court had passed a judgment recognizing the minority status of the institution in 1983. Meanwhile, school authorities had approached Govt seeking recognition of the minority status and in response the education department passed the GO granting minority status until 2022.TOI
Warangal: BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal leaders held
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2018-10-30/BJP-Viswa-Hindu-Parishad-Bajrang-Dal-leaders-held/433945
Warangal:The bandh call given by BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and others was partial here on Monday. It may be noted here that several organisations including Brahmin Seva Samithi called for a bandh and peace rally protesting the attack against Shiva Sai temple priest D Satyanarayana by Syed Sadiq Hussain of Warangal. However, the Warangal police, who organised a meeting with religious heads on Sunday, were able to appease the Brahmin Seva Samithi from enforcing bandh on Monday. In spite of this, the activists of BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal tried to enforce bandh. However, the police arrested and shifted the protestors to Hanamkonda, Subedari, KUC, Matwada, Intezargunj and Mills colony police stations.Meanwhile, the priest Satyanarayana, who is undergoing treatment at the MGM hospital, is said to be recovering. Several leaders from the BJP and leaders from Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) visited him at the hospital.HANS INDIA
Supreme Court allows all southern states to burst crackers for 2 hours on Diwali morning
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-allows-all-southern-states-to-burst-crackers-for-2-hours-on-diwali-morning/story-oYyWnjDsa5y5sREYTd89vL.html
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today allowed all southern India states to burst crackers for two hours on Diwali morning.The top court added that if the states want they can scatter the timings but must not breach the 2-hour window.The order came on a petition by the Tamil Nadu Govt requesting the court to let the state burst crackers for two hours each in the evening and morning.“If we are not permitting South Indian staying in Delhi to burst crackers in the morning then the same should also apply to North Indians living down south,” the top court said. Earlier this month, the court allowed low-emission firecrackers between 8 pm and 10 pm this Diwali while ruling out a blanket ban on fireworks.HT
After Sanjiv Bhatt Is Denied Bail Again, Wife Claims Harassment by State Agencies
https://thewire.in/rights/sanjiv-bhatt-ips-gujarat-narendra-modi
Ahmedabad: Former Gujarat police officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s wife has alleged that state agencies are “colluding to harass” her and her husband after he was denied bail in a 22-year-old narcotics case yet again. Bhatt is now due to be produced in a Palanpur Court on October 30 for a routine check required every 15 days when an accused is remanded to judicial custody.Speaking to The Wire, Shweta Bhatt claimed that she was not even allowed to see her husband for the first two weeks. “I don’t understand why they [state CID] needed police custody; we are not running anywhere. They could have spoken to us at any point they needed, but all these years they haven’t done anything and the case has not moved forward.”Bhatt was arrested by state CID in a narcotics planting case that has been pending since 1996, when he was the Banaskantha Superintendent of Police. I.B. Vyas, who was a police inspector with the local crime branch at the time and who led the investigation in 1996, was also arrested on the same day. The arrests come five months after Gujarat high court directed the agency to conclude its probe within 3 months.“We were not even informed that the high court had passed such an order,” Shweta Bhatt said about the order, adding that her husband had been granted leave in the matter.thewire
Assam Police Arrests Teacher Abu Taleb for 'Insulting' Modi in Facebook Post
https://thewire.in/rights/assam-teacher-arrested-prime-minister-modi
New Delhi: In yet another case of an arrest for sharing a meme, cartoon or message allegedly insulting PM Narendra Modi, an Assam teacher was taken into custody on Monday for his comments on Facebook. According to Northeast Now, Abu Taleb, who teaches Hindi at Lakhipur High School in the state’s Goalpara district, invited trouble when he wrote on the social media platform:“Voting for Narendra Modi’s BJP candidate and garlanding a dog is the same thing”. Assam Police arrested Taleb after an FIR was filed based on two complaints by the president of the BJP’s Lakhipur unit and the Inspector of Schools of Goalpara district, Nripen Da, according to Scroll.in.thewire
WORLD
EC scraps Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami registration as party, bars it ahead of Dec polls
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-jamaat-e-islami-barred-ahead-of-dec-polls/1297374
Dhaka: With parliamentary elections looming this December, Bangladesh's largest Islamist party has been effectively barred from competing, the country's electoral authority announced late Monday Bangladesh’s Election Commission cancelled the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, in a new notice. “The commission secretariat issued a notification on Sunday after it recently got the full order of the High Court” -- the lower division of the Supreme Court -- Helal Uddin Ahmed, the commission’s secretary, confirmed to Anadolu Agency. The notice was issued on Sunday but only announced on MondayIn 2013, the High Court declared Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration with the Election Commission illegal, but a detailed decision spelling out the order only just arrived at the commission. Jamaat has yet to respond to the move.But Mujibur Rahman, the party’s vice chair, claimed the election commission's decision was prejudiced.“Instead of providing a favorable atmosphere for the upcoming national elections in December, the election commission is working for the Awami League [ruling party] to make the party’s candidates victorious,” he charged.Anadolu
Ex-PM Zia’s jail term doubled to 10 yrs by court
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/former-pm-khaleda-zias-jail-term-doubled-by-bangladesh-court/article25367882.ece?homepage=true
Bangladesh court today doubled a jail term for imprisoned Opposition leader Khaleda Zia from 5 to 10 years following a prosecution appeal.The decision came the day after Zia, 73, was ordered jailed for 7 years in a separate case, piling pressure on the Opposition ahead of a national election.The increased term was ordered over embezzlement charges for which Zia, arch-rival of PM Sheikh Hasina, was sentenced in Feb.BNP, main Opposition movement that Zia still leads from behind bars, has vowed nationwide marches later Tuesday to protest the verdict.The latest court ruling deals a crushing blow to BNP and its embattled leader, who despite being jailed had clung to a faint hope of running against Hasina in election slated for Dec.AFP
Top Palestinian body PLO calls for suspension of Israel recognition: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/top-palestinian-body-calls-suspension-israel-recognition-181030053457580.html
A top Palestinian body authorised Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to suspend recognition of Israel and stop security coordination with Tel Aviv.Palestinian Central Council (PCC)-a body of PLO - said the suspensions should be in place until Israel recognises the Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Palestine's official Wafa news agency reported.Following a 2-day meeting in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, the council said the PLO and Palestinian Authority will also end security coordination and suspend economic agreements as set out under 1994 Paris Economic Protocol. It also decided to revoke the validity of the Oslo Accords.The council said the decision was made "in light of Israel's continued denial of the signed agreements".The decision must be approved by Mahmoud Abbas and the PLO Executive Council.Abbas again vowed to block any peace plan led by US President Donald Trump. Abbas compared the expected Trump peace plan to 1917 Balfour Declaration, which saw the British Govt commit to the creation of a state for Jews in historical Palestine."If Balfour Declaration is passed, this deal will not pass," he said.
Another Israeli minister visits UAE, calling for 'peace and stability'
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/another-israeli-minister-visits-dubai-calling-peace-and-statbility-661971661
Israel's communications minister called for "peace and security" on Tuesday during a visit to UAE, as his country launches an unprecedented diplomatic push into Gulf states."Peace and security in every state...with economic and scientific progress is what guarantees a future for the coming generations," Ayoub Kara said at a telecommunications conference in Dubai.Kara's statement, at the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference, comes after visits of Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Oman and Culture Minister Miri Regev to Abu Dhabi in the past week.Neither Oman nor UAE has diplomatic ties with Israel.Normalising ties with Israel remains the most controversial policy debate in the Arab world, which largely boycotts the Jewish state over its occupation of Palestinian land and denying Palestinian refugees the right of return.Regev, known for controversial comments about Arabs and Muslims, on Sunday toured the famed Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi, wearing a red full-length abaya and white headscarf and speaking to the camera in Hebrew."This is the first time that an Israeli minister is here on a visit," Regev said, surrounded by a group of people in traditional Emirati dress.Regev is a member of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and ex spokeswoman of Israeli army.Israel's national anthem was also played at a judo tournament in Abu Dhabi on Sunday after one of its athletes won gold.middleeasteye
BDS:15 Arab, Muslim countries cooperate with Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181030-bds-15-arab-islamic-countries-cooperate-with-israel/
20% of Arab and Islamic countries possess diplomatic relations with Israel, the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) global campaign reported.“9 Arab countries possess full diplomatic ties with the Israeli occupation, while six others who are experiencing lower-scale relations with Israel,” BDS said in its recent reports entitled “The reality of normalisation in Arab and Islamic world.”BDS warned the Arab states of what it described as a “dangerous reality” resulting from “Arab countries’ unprecedented normalisation with Israel.” Palestinian-led campaign called on all Arab and Islamic countries “to renounce normalisation with the occupation [Israel] as well as pressuring them to recognise the rights of the Palestinian people.”Anti-Israel organisation pointed out that it has been following what it described as “formal and informal normalisation” across Arabic region, accusing some complicit countries of “committing an unforgivable crime.”BDS is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality.MEMO
Israelis vote in local polls, amid Palestinian boycott
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israelis-vote-in-local-polls-amid-palestinian-boycott/1297809
Israeli voters went to polling stations today in the municipal election, amid a boycott by Palestinian residents. Over 6.6 million Israelis are eligible to cast their ballot in the vote. Anadolu
Palestine demands ICC investigate occupation’s killing of 3 children
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181030-palestine-demands-international-criminal-court-to-investigate-occupations-killing-of-three-children/
Palestine Liberation Organisation has called International Criminal Court to investigate the killing of three children from the Gaza Strip by a missile that an unmanned drone targeted at the security fence on Sunday evening.Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the crime of the killing of 13-year-old boys Khaled Bassam, Mahmoud Said, Abdel Hamid Abu Zaher, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sitri.MEMO
Khashoggi case: Erdogan says no point in protecting culprits in Khashoggi murder
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/jamal-khashoggi-case-latest-updates-181010133542286.html
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor to find out who ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and not spare "certain people" in his investigation. "Who sent these 15 people? As Saudi public prosecutor, you have to ask that question, so you can reveal it," Erdogan said, referring to the 15-man team suspected of being behind the hit."Now we have to solve this case. No need to prevaricate, it makes no sense to try to protect certain people," he told reporters in Ankara.Erdogan said the Turkish prosecutor had told his Saudi counterpart that 18 suspects in the case could be tried in Turkey. Saudi officials also needed to reveal the identity of a local cooperator said to have been involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, he said.Saudi's chief prosecutor on Tuesday visited the consulate in Istanbul where he was murdered,according to AFP journalist at the scene.aljazeera
Turkey: Saudi Attorney General admits ‘Khashoggi’s murder was premeditated’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181030-turkey-saudi-attorney-general-admits-khashoggis-murder-was-premeditated/
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mouloud Jawish Oglu said Monday that the Saudi Prosecutor, Saud bin Abdullah bin Mubarak has admitted during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was planned in “advance”.“The exchange of information between the Saudi Attorney-General and his Turkish counterpart in Khashoggi case will be helpful,” he told reporters during a press conference with his Georgian and Azeri counterparts, expressing hope that “Saudi will complete the investigation into Khashoggi’s death as soon as possible”.“Saudi Attorney General’s visit is very important and came at the request of Riyadh. Cooperation between Saudi Attorney General and his Turkish counterpart should continue in the Khashoggi’s case without wasting time” he added.middleeastmonitor
Saudis know where Khashoggi's body is and must release it: His fiancee
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jamal-khashoggi-memorial-1224419128
Saudi Arabia knows where Jamal Khashoggi’s body is and should release it immediately, his fiancee said on Monday at an event commemorating the murdered journalist.“It is a human and Islamic demand,” Hatice Cengiz told a crowd of friends, activists, politicians and journalists that had gathered in London’s Westminster. Cengiz, dressed in black and visibly distressed, said she was “disappointed in the actions of the leadership of many countries, particularly in US”.“President Trump should help reveal the truth and ensure justice be served. He should not pave the way for a cover-up of my fiance’s murder,” she said.“Let’s not let money taint our conscience and compromise our values.”middleeasteye
US pushing Saudi to end GCC crisis, Yemen war
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/pushing-saudi-arabia-gcc-crisis-yemen-war-bloomberg-181030052111400.html
US is ratcheting up pressure on Saudi Arabia to restore relations with Qatar, Bloomberg has reported, as the kingdom comes under increasing international scrutiny for its role in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Washington's thrust is aimed at resolving the more than year-long political and economic isolation imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia and 3 other Arab states, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing three unnamed sources said to be familiar with US efforts.Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and UAE severed political and economic ties with Qatar in June 2017, imposing a land, sea and air embargo on the small Gulf state, which is home to a major US airbase. Quartet accused Qatar of "supporting terrorism", a charge it vehemently denies, and issued a list of 13 demands it said Doha would have to meet to end the crisis.Last week,Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised Qatar's economy in a rare conciliatory remark about it.aljazeera
‘Release of Taliban leaders unlikely to aid Afghan peace process’: Anadolu
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/release-of-taliban-unlikely-to-aid-afghan-peace-process/1297472
Pakistan released two key Afghan Taliban leaders last week reportedly at Washington’s request in an apparent attempt to revive a stalled peace process. Development follows a meeting earlier this month between US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Pakistani and Taliban officials in Doha. The release of Mullah Abdul Ghani, commonly known as Mullah Baradar,and little-known commander Abdul Samad Sani is seen as a major development by the three key stakeholders -- US, Pakistan and Afghanistan. But analysts do not view the development as a major breakthrough towards ending the war.Washington had previously voiced concern that the commanders would rejoin the Taliban ranks."Mullah Baradar and Mullah Sani's release is a mere confidence-building measure--not less not more,"Rahimullah Yusufzai, Pak-based expert on Afghan affairs, said. Afghan analysts believe that Baradar could have proven valuable for peace efforts had he been released years back when he had significant clout with the "rebels". Ex-Afghan intelligence chief Rahmatullah Nabil dubbed his release a move by Islamabad to evade growing US pressure. Taliban welcomed the release of Barada. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed noted there has been ‘no deals or references/contacts used’ for his release.
Trump plans to end birthright citizenship: Axios
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/president-trump-plans-birthright-citizenship-axios-181030110121293.html
US Govt is planning to end birthright citizenship for babies of non-immigrants and undocumented immigrants born on US soil, President Donald Trump said.In an interview with "Axios on HBO", Trump said he is working with legal counsel to put an end to the practice, which has existed since 1968 and stipulates that citizenship is automatically granted to any person born within US territory. "We're the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby and the baby is essentially a citizen of the US for 85 years with all of those benefits," Trump told Axios.aljazeera
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
"RSS Head Mohan Bhagwat Has Committed Contempt of Court":Interview with Rajeev Dhavan
https://www.newsclick.in/rss-head-mohan-bhagwat-has-committed-contempt-court
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta Cannot Appear in the Babri Masjid Case:Rajeev Dhavan
https://thewire.in/law/ayodhya-solicitor-general-tushar-mehta-babri-masjid-case
‘Gujarat model’ splits CBI:Power struggle after entry of trio close to the PM :Imran Ahmed Siddiqui
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gujarat-model-splits-cbi/cid/1672889
In the Babri Case, ‘Heavens Have Already Fallen’ and the Title Suit Can Wait:The Wire Analysis
https://thewire.in/law/babri-masjid-ayodhya-land-title-suit
3-judge SC bench that's hearing Babri case: CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Kaul, Justice Joseph
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-mandir-babri-masjid-dispute-meet-the-three-judge-sc-bench-that-is-hearing-the-case-1377675-2018-10-29
Times Now’s Navika Kumar accused of inciting Hindus on SC’s Ayodhya order-Lubna Usman
http://www.jantakareporter.com/entertainment/times-nows-navika-kumar-accused-of-inciting-hindus-on-supreme-courts-ayodhya-order/215816/
Ayodhya Case Deferment Hits Hindutva Hard
http://caravandaily.com/portal/ayodhya-case-deferment-hits-hindutva-hard/
Chief Justice who called Modi ‘model and hero’ among 4 recommended for elevation to SC
https://theprint.in/governance/sc-collegium-recommends-four-high-court-chief-justices-for-elevation-to-apex-court/142412/
Ayodhya Act 1993: When Congress passed law for construction of Ram mandir, BJP opposed it
https://www.latestly.com/india/news/ayodhya-act-1993-when-congress-passed-law-for-construction-of-ram-mandir-and-bjp-opposed-it-462331.html
A bureaucrat’s report on Assam’s NRC takes a more hardline stand on migration than political parties:Ipsita Chakravarty
https://scroll.in/article/900024/a-bureaucrats-report-on-assams-nrc-takes-a-more-hardline-stand-on-migration-than-political-parties
Opinion Did Israel's PM Netanyahu Secretly Visit Islamabad? How One Tweet Sparked Hysteria and a Political Crisis in Pakn: Khuldune Shahid, haaretz
https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-did-israel-s-pm-netanyahu-secretly-visit-pakistan-how-one-tweet-sparked-a-crisis-1.6602522
Why can’t Shehla Rashid celebrate Sinead O’Connor’s embrace of Islam?Gurmehar Kaur
https://theprint.in/opinion/why-cant-shehla-rashid-celebrate-sinead-oconnors-embrace-of-islam/142206/
Gaza's drinking water spurs blue baby syndrome, serious illnesses
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/gaza-drinking-water-spurs-blue-baby-syndrome-illnesses-181029110434881.html
Defence firms see only hundreds of new US jobs from Saudi deal
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/defence-firms-hundreds-jobs-saudi-deal-181030091719795.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:25 PM)
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