NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
17 Nov. 2018:07 Rabiul-I 1440: Vol: 11, No:56
INDIA
CBI war spills to state vs Centre: AP, Bengal bar agency; Jaitley says states don’t have sovereignty in matters of corruption
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-war-spills-to-state-vs-centre-andhra-pradesh-west-bengal-bar-the-agency-5450853/
New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today hit back at the Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments for their move to bar CBI saying, “there’s no sovereignty of any state in the matter of corruption. Only those that have a lot to hide take the step of not letting the CBI come to the state.’’Reacting to the controversy, the finance minister, who was in Bhopal to release the BJP’s manifesto for the assembly elections, alleged that the move in the case of AP was motivated by the fear of what is likely to happen than by any particular case. Alleging that the top leadership of Trinamool Congress was involved, he said the Sharda and Narada scams can’t be wiped out by merely saying we will keep away CBI.Escalating the political fight between non-BJP ruled states and the Centre in the run-up to 2019 elections, TDP-ruled AP has withdrawn the general consent given to the CBI to investigate any case in the state. This comes days after CM N Chandrababu Naidu accused the BJP and the Centre of using central agencies to destabilise his govt. Officials said CBI will no longer be able to carry out searches, raids or investigation in Andhra Pradesh without the state government’s consent. Late Friday, West Bengal was planning similar action with CM Mamata Banerjee backing the Andhra Pradesh move.“Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing in saying he won’t allow CBI in his state. We will also do the same in our state. We will cross-check the laws. They (BJP) are giving instructions to agencies from their party offices. From CBI to RBI, they have turned institutions into disasters,” Banerjee told TMC workers.AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, said: “Chandrababuji has done the right thing. Modi is misusing the CBI and Income Tax department…”There was no immediate comment from the CBI but a former officer of the agency, who handed policy matters, said “withdrawal of consent simply means that CBI officers will lose all powers of a police officer as soon as they enter the state unless the state govt has allowed them”.Andhra govt order comes at a time when Chandrababu Naidu is trying to rally non-BJP parties for an alliance in the run-up to 2019 state and Lok Sabha elections. Naidu has accused BJP of conspiring with AP Opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to topple his govt by using CBI and Income Tax department. I-T department had recently searched premises allegedly linked to TDP MP CM Ramesh. Presently, no major CBI case is being investigated in AP.The cases of meat exporter Moin Qureshi and businessman Sana Sathish Babu are registered in New Delhi. There is ambiguity, however, on whether the agency can carry out a search in the state in connection with an old case without the consent of the state govt.This is not the first time that a state govt has revoked “general consent” for CBI probes.Indian express
Day after Andhra, Bengal bar CBI, Jaitley says states don’t have sovereignty in matters of corruption
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/arun-jaitley-cbi-barred-andhra-pradesh-west-bengal-5451073/
CBI director Verma's responses to CVC put Modi Govt in the dock: The Wire
https://thewire.in/government/cbi-cvc-alok-verma-rakesh-asthana
New Delhi: CBI director Alok Verma, who was recently asked to step down to face an inquiry over charges of procedural irregularities, has accused the central vigilance commissioner K.V. Chowdary of bias and violating a Supreme Court order. Not only that, Verma has also put the blame squarely on the Modi govt for the crisis India’s top investigation agency is currently facing. Verma had recently filed a case against Rakesh Asthana, his deputy in the CBI, for allegedly accepting bribes from a Hyderabad-based businessman. Asthana, in turn, had charged Verma with similar acts of corruption. The Supreme Court then ordered an inquiry by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to determine the truth of the matter.CVC subsequently sent an elaborate questionnaire to Verma.Verma’s official response – copies of which have been seen by The Wire – is scathing in its remarks against the CBI’s special director Asthana and the way CVC is conducting its probe. The commission is focussing on Asthana’s “baseless” charges against him, Verma says while contending that his deputy complained only after CBI booked him in a corruption case.CBI director alleges that despite the SC specifically directing CVC to probe into the allegations made against him in the note/letter of the cabinet secretary dated August 24, “not one question raised is from the allegations mentioned” in the letter. Instead, he says, “majority of queries raised are for actions taken after Aug.24, 2018 and seem to be from an Oct. 18, 2018 letter by Rakesh Asthana to the CVC.”He adds that the October letter was “written after CBI had registered a case of extortion involving Rakesh Asthana”, had already arrested the main conduit, Manoj Prasad and had recorded the statement of Satish Sana, the businessman who allegedly paid around Rs 3 crore to Asthana. He also said that the CBI has incriminating evidence against Asthana in the form of WhatsApp messages, call intercepts and call detail records. Verma goes on to question CVC’s integrity as an independent investigator and hints at the support Asthana and Chowdary may have received from a “top official” at PMO in going after him.“…CVC seems to be on a roving expedition to cast aspersions on my integrity and impartiality, which have never once been questioned in the last 39 years of my career in which I have headed police forces across four states/union territories and two institutions (including CBI). I am surprised that the line of questioning being adopted by the CVC is as if I am already guilty and have to prove my innocence rather than the other way around,”Verma writes in his response to the CVC’s questions.“Also it seems to be more keen,” he adds, “to establish that Asthana is innocent in an FIR related to extortion where Asthana is an accused and his SIT is under scanner.”CBI director further reminded the CVC that he had expressed his apprehensions “at various times during the last year on the integrity of Mr Asthana” but it had not “paid any heed” to around half a dozen cases against him.Verma also notes that CVC and DoPT under PMO overrode his objections to Asthana’s appointment as the special director of the CBI in 2017. This, despite the fact that he had pointed out that at least six cases of corruption against Asthana were already being probed by CBI itself, Verma says.
IAF told SC in Rafale hearing: Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet under induction till 2021
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rafale-supreme-court-hearing-5450764/
New Delhi :In the ongoing controversy over the Rafale deal, the answers of the senior officers of IAF to the questions posed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday are seen as being critical to the case. Although their summoning by CJI Ranjan Gogoi drew a lot of attention, their responses dealt with the technicalities of the fighter aircraft fleet of IAF.Sources said that the response of the Assistant Chief of IAF, AVM J Chalapati, in the presence of Vice Chief and Deputy Chief of IAF, clarified that the Russian-origin Su30MKI is the latest aircraft to be inducted in India which will be under production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) till 2021. Speaking of Mirage2000 in response to a question by CJI Gogoi, he said that French aircraft, made by Dassault Aviation —maker of Rafale—was inducted in 1985.AVM Chalapati also told the SC that there is no standard definition of classifying the generation of fighter aircraft, but Sukhoi Su30MKI is a 4th generation fighter.As Beyond Visual Range missile in HAL-built indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is still under induction, it can be classified as 3.5+ generation. He thus placed them both as “between 4th and 3rd generation”. indianexpress
India seeks to buy anti-submarine choppers ‘Romeo’ from US for $2 billion
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-seeks-mh-60-romeo-seahawk-helicopters-from-us/story-Cz6fhWbkz2yEh1vitLuq9N.html
Washington:India has sought from the US 24 multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ anti-submarine helicopters for its Navy at an estimated cost of USD 2 billion, defence industry sources in Washington said on Friday.India has been in need of these formidable anti-submarine hunter helicopters for more than a decade now. The deal is expected to be finalised in a few months, informed sources told PTI, days after US vice president Mike Pence held a successful meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi in Singapore on the sidelines of a regional summit.India has sent a letter of request to the US for an “urgent requirement” of 24 multi-role helicopters – MH 60 Romeo Seahawk, sources said.PTI
Sabarimala Temple: Day After Sabarimala Opening, Hindu Groups Call For State-Wide Shutdown
https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/sabarimala-temple-opening-live-updates-day-after-temple-opening-hindu-groups-call-for-state-wide-shu-1948844
New Delhi: The Sabarimala temple was re-opened to devotees late last evening in the midst of continuing protests in and around the hilltop shrine. Today, a group in Kerala has called for a state-wide shutdown over the arrest of Hindu Aikya Vedi KP Sasikala, amid protests over allowing women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple nestled in the Western Ghats. The shrine is set to be open for a two-month pilgrimage. Some 500 women have registered themselves to visit the shrine to Lord Ayyappa, after the Supreme Court in September overturned a decades-old ban on entry of women between 10 and 50 years. Several women who had trekked to the temple had been turned back by protesters in previous attempts. On Friday, activist Trupti Desai had to spend an entire day at Kochi airport after she was surrounded by protesters determined to stop her from going to Sabarimala.ndtv
SC to hear plea challenging constitutional validity of Article 370 in April
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-constitutional-validity-of-article-370-in-april-5450298/
New Delhi :The Supreme Court Friday said it will hear in April a plea challenging the validity of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, following a request by the state and the Centre.A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and M R Shah said it will hear the matter in the first week of April 2019 after Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, sought adjournment on the ground that the current situation is very sensitive.“The political situation in the state is such that the matter should not be heard at this time,” he said.Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi and advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for Jammu and Kashmir said that a letter has been circulated seeking adjournment due to the ongoing nine-phase Panchayat polls in the state.To this, the bench said that it can tag the matter along with a batch of pending petitions challenging Article 35A of the Constitution, under which special rights and privileges are granted to the “permanent residents” of the state.The suggestion of the bench was opposed by the counsels for the state saying that the two issues are different entirely and the plea should not be tagged along with Article 35A pending petitions.The bench then posted the matter for further hearing in first week of April, 2019.On April 3, the apex court had said that Article 370 of the Constitution is not a temporary provision.PTI
J&K headed for Prez rule but assembly not to be dissolved for now: Governor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-headed-for-president-rule-assembly-no-dissolved-satyapal-malik-5450524/
Jammu :Jammu and Kashmir is headed for President’s rule but the state assembly will not be dissolved for now, Governor Satyapal Malik said Friday.His statement comes amid speculation that efforts are being made behind the scenes to cobble together a coalition government by various parties to succeed the PDP-BJP dispensation that collapsed in June when the BJP withdrew support to the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP. However, the numbers for a government formation don’t seem to add up for now.Malik himself is convinced that a popular government will not be possible. “I still do not see any government formation. No party has numbers so far and there is a clear message that nothing illegal will be allowed,” he said.PTI
Afridi’s remarks on Kashmir reflect view of every wise Pakistani:Shiv Sena
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shahid-afridis-remarks-on-kashmir-reflect-view-of-every-wise-pakistani-says-shiv-sena-5450671/
Mumbai :The Sena said Friday that former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi’s comments on Kashmir are the views of every “wise” Pakistani citizen. In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said that Pakistan had been driven to bankruptcy by supporting terrorism and corruption, and Prime Minister Imran Khan had been forced to sell buffaloes and vehicles from the Prime Minister’s residence to meet government expenses.“Pakistan is on the verge of financial bankruptcy and its crisis can be understood from the fact that it had to seek a bailout package from IMF. When IMF refused them, Pakistan had to beg before China,” said the editorial.indianexpress
Normal life hit in separatists-sponsored strike in JK
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/normal-life-hit-in-separatists-sponsored-strike-in-kashmir/articleshow/66664918.cms
Srinagar: Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley Saturday due to a strike called by separatists in protest against the conduct of the first phase of panchayat polls in the state.Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar– the summer capital of J&K, officials said.They said public transport was off the roads while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were plying in many areas of the city.The officials said similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the valley. Security forces were deployed in strength in sensitive places across the valley to maintain law and order, they said. Separatist leaders, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), had asked people to observe strike to protest against the "election drama". PTI
Bhima Koregaon case: SC defers hearing in arrests of activists matter to Dec. 3
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhima-koregaon-case-sc-defers-hearing-in-arrests-of-activists-matter-to-december-3/
The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing in the arrests of activists, held for alleged Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad case and the Bhima Koregaon violence, to December 3, ANI has reported.On October 29, the apex court had stayed the Bombay High Court order that had put on hold a trial court decision granting more time to Maharashtra Police to complete the investigation against five accused.Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Pune police in its chargesheet claimed that Elgaar Parishad, a one-day conference held in Pune on December 31 last year, was organised as per a plan by the banned CPI-Maoist, to mobilise Dalit groups and other organisations against govt. It further alleged that “inciting speeches” at the event “provoked the masses and aggravated violence” in Bhima Koregaon the next day, Jan.1, when thousands of people had gathered there to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.The chargesheet names 10 accused, including activists Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson, lawyer Surendra Gadling, professor Shoma Sen and former PM Rural Development fellow Mahesh Raut, all of whom were arrested on June 6.indianexpress
5 Muslims booked for derogatory post against Yogi Adityanath, RSS
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/five-booked-for-derogatory-post-against-yogi-adityanath-rss-5449610/
Bahraich: 5 persons have been booked under the IT Act for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS on Facebook, police said Friday.FIR was lodged on Thursday by Gaurav Gupta against Rana Sultan Javed, Zeeshan, Haroon Khan, Shafiq and King Khan at city police station, ASP Ajay Pratap Singh said.The accused made derogatory comments against the CM and RSS in their FB posts, Singh said. After FB post on Nov.14, locals held a protest and demanded registration of FIR.indianexpress
‘Anti-national’ messages shared on WhatsApp group, admin held: UP Police
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anti-national-messages-whatsapp-group-admin-arrest-police-5448734/
Meerut:A 25-year-old man was arrested in Baghpat Wednesday after he was found to be the administrator of a WhatsApp group in which “anti-national messages” were being shared, police said. FIR against the accused, identified as Naeem (25), was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Deepak Bamnauli, vice-president of Hindu Jagran Manch’s district,at Doghat police station. Police said accused had added around 30 Muslim youths from Baghpat to the group, and that it also had several “Pak-based” numbers. They said that messages “disrespecting the national flag and symbol were being created and shared on the group”.indianexpress
JNU has cut library budget to one-fourth, claims students union
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/jnu-has-cut-library-budget-to-one-fourth-claims-students-union-5451184/
New Delhi :JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) on Friday alleged that the university has slashed its library budget from Rs 8 crore to less than Rs 2 crore and doesn’t have funds to renew the subscription of e-journals, a crucial tool for research.The student body termed the Library Advisory Committee a “farce” where these decisions were allegedly taken. “In an extraordinary and surprising move JNU administration through Rector and Librarian have provided a detailed chart for privatisation of Dr B.R. Ambhedkar Library through massive fund cuts i.e. Rs 8 crore to Rs 1.7 crore,” said the union.IANS
Watch: Students chanting ‘Chalo Ayodhya’, ‘Mandir wahin banayenge’ in BBA University, Lucknow
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/watch-students-shouting-chalo-ayodhya-mandir-wahi-banayenge-in-bba-university-lucknow
As tension is gradually building up in and around Ayodhya over proposed VHP-Shiv Sena rally on November 25, a group of students in Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow was spotted chanting provocative slogans on the campus.In a 17-second video, which surfaced late Friday evening, November 16, students allegedly belonging to the RSS’ student wing ABVP can be seen shouting communal slogans such as : “25 November ko Chalo Ayodhya ” (0n November 25, let’s go to Ayodhya) and “Mandir wahi Banayenge ” (We will build the temple there only).Although the identity of the students cannot be ascertained, but sources told National Herald that the students in the video are associated with the ABVP. “They have been mobilising students for the proposed rally for quite some time,” told a student on the condition of anonymity.nationalheraldindia
'Muslims of India want Ram Temple' says Muslim Rashtriya Manch, plans massive gathering in Delhi
https://in.news.yahoo.com/apos-muslims-india-want-ram-063521489.html
New Delhi:Muslim Rashtriya Manch is set to organise a massive gathering at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi next month to press for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The aim of the gathering is to send across a mesage that Muslims of India want that Ram Temple be constructed in Ayodhya.Muslim Rashtriya Manch is an RSS affiliated organisation. Muslim Rashtriya Manch will also be mounting pressure on PM Modi-led Government at the Centre for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya."We are trying to gather Muslims from all over the country in December. We are calling 25,000 people to Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. We will send a message that the Muslims of India believe that it's time the Ram Temple is constructed in Ayodhya," Yasir Jilani of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch told ANI. yahoo news/ANI
Maharashtra: Day after backward class commission report, Dhangars, Muslims raise quota demand again
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-a-day-after-backward-class-commission-report-dhangars-muslims-raise-quota-demand-again-5450685/
Mumbai :A day after the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission said the Maratha community is socio-economically backward, govt has come under pressure from leaders representing the Dhangar and Muslim communities seeking reservation.Members of the ruling BJP representing the Dhangar (shepherd) community, along with opposition parties, urged the govt to expedite the process to include the community among Scheduled Tribes. Muslims leaders, cutting across party lines, have written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking him to consider five per cent reservation for the community in government jobs and education.BJP MP Dr Vikas Mahatme, who belongs to Dhangar community, said: “The demand to include Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribe category has been pending for several decades. Now, state govt should take a pro-active stand and make recommendations to Centre. The decision to include Dhangars in Scheduled Tribe category vests with the Centre.”On Muslim reservation issue, Congress-NCP leaders have decided to corner the state government.Congress MP in Rajya Sabha, Hussain Dalwai, said: “We welcome reservation to the Maratha community. Now, the government should show the same urgency in extending reservation to Muslims.” MP has written to CM about the issue. “The Muslims are not seeking reservation based on religion, but on socio-economic backwardness criteria,”MP said. indianexpress
I&B said don’t use ‘Dalit,’ Press Council chairman says not feasible
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ib-said-dont-use-dalit-press-council-chairman-says-not-feasible-5448842/
Disagreeing with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s advisory that the media should stop using word Dalit and replace it with Scheduled Caste, the Press Council of India has decided it will not issue a blanket ban on the use of the word Dalit. Press Council of India chairman Justice (retd) CK Prasad said “absolute prohibition is not advisable”,not even “feasible”. The decision was ratified at Council meeting Thursday, on the eve of National Press Day on Friday. In an advisory on Aug7 to all private satellite television channels, I&B Ministry had asked them to “refrain from using the nomenclature Dalit”, and use only the Constitutional term, ‘Scheduled Caste’.The advisory, which had cited a direction from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay HC, mentioned that “in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Bombay HC, the Constitutional term ‘Scheduled Caste’ in English and its appropriate translation in other national languages should alone be used for all official transaction”.indianexpress
Rajasthan polls: It’s Vasundhara Raje vs ex-BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s son Manvendra
https://www.hindustantimes.com/rajasthan-elections/rajasthan-polls-it-s-vasundhara-raje-vs-ex-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-s-son-manvendra/story-SrsdTLY43076Oqp2KYLsRI.html
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje will face former BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s son Manvendra, who switched to the Congress from BJP last month, in Jhalrapatan. The state goes to polls on Dec.7.“It is party’s decision to field me from Jhalrapatan. I am ready for challenge,” said Manvendra Singh soon after his name was released by the Congress this afternoon in its second list of 32 candidates. Singh is a sitting legislator from Sheo assembly seat in Barmer district.The Congress announcement came just hours after Raje filed her nomination for Jhalrapatan seat. She has been winning from the constituency since 2003.CM Raje, however, dismissed the challenge saying, “it isn’t a battle of individuals. Jhalarapatan is my home and its people are family so this is not my battle but of Jhalarapatan and its residents.The decision to field the ex-BJP leader is seen as an attempt to raise the stakes for BJP in her pocket-borough. It would, the Congress believes, also endear the party to Rajputs. The community, which makes up for seven per cent of the electorate in Rajasthan, has traditionally voted the BJP.HT
MP Polls: 38 lakh Muslim Voters, Only 4 Candidates
https://www.newsclick.in/madhya-pradesh-polls-38-lakh-muslim-voters-only-4-candidates
Bhopal:The number of Muslim political representatives in the Madhya Pradesh state assembly has declined in the last two decades according to the poll data. The political parties are giving a wide berth to Muslim leaders, irrespective of their population. There are between 37 to 38 lakh Muslim voters, out of 5.03 crore in the state, but there has been only one Muslim representative in the state assembly in the last 15 years, according to the data compiled by the Congress and the BJP's minority cell after the release of the final electoral list.The new house to be formed after the election gives no good news to them.While the Congress has given tickets to three Muslim candidates – Arif Aqueel from Bhopal North, Arif Masood from Bhopal Madhya and Masharat Shaheed from Sironj, BJP has given ticket to only one candidate, Fatima Rasool Siddiqui from Bhopal North. BJP has pitted her against Aqueel so that as a minority community candidate, she may cut into his vote share. Besides Bhopal North and Bhopal Cenral, Muslim voters influence the results of more than 25 seats. These constituencies are Narela, Burhanpur, Shahjapur, Dewas, Ratlam city, Ujjain-North, Jabalpur-North, Jabalpur-East, Mandsaur, Rewa, Satna, Sagar, Gwalior South, Khandwa, Khargone, Indore 1, Depalpur, according to the data.Yet, no party has made any attempt to increase the number of their representatives in the assembly.Commenting on the declining Muslim representation issue, senior journalist and political expert, L S Herdenia said that Muslims formed 6.57 per cent of the state’s 7.27 crore population, according to the 2011 census. So, their representation in the assembly should have from 15 to 20. “We must try to increase Muslim representation into the Parliament and state assembly. For this, political parties must encourage Muslims to participate in political activities and give tickets to them,” Herdenia said.Former Union Minister and ex-MP from Betul constituency Aslam Sher Khan said, “Division of Muslim population in different constituencies and polarisation of majority votes after the Babri Mosque demolition were the major reason. With the support of fundamentalist forces, the Digvijay Singh-led state government hatched a conspiracy against Muslims and divided the Muslim population. Or converted Muslim-dominated seats to reserved ones. Just like Betul in 2002." While constituencies such as Bhopal, Satna, Rewa, Narela, and Jabalpur were divided into different constituencies in 2002 by the Boundary Commission with the help of Congress’ Digvijaya Singh government. newsclick
Senior Telangana congress leader resigns
http://twocircles.net/2018nov16/427102.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Abid Rasool Khan, senior congress leader from Telangana tendered his resignation not only from the post of vice president Telangana congress committee but also from primary membership in Indian National Congress.Khan who served the INC from 32 years, in his resignation mentioned that the two main reasons that have disappointed him and due to which he has resigned are the appointment of Shaik Abdullah Sohail as the Chairman of the Minorities Commission who Khan feels has no social standing and has a shady background. And the other reason is appointment of working presidents from the Reddy, SC, Kamma and BC communities, but none from Muslim community.He expressed sorrow over the fact the congress party has conveniently side lined Muslims even though they are 15-18% .Only the votes of the Muslims matter to INC but not their interests.INC does not wish to empower the Muslims,he said in his letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi.
Zainul Ansari lynching: National Minority Commission issues notice to Bihar govt
https://www.siasat.com/news/zainul-ansari-lynching-national-minority-commission-issues-notice-bihar-govt-1433391/
Bihar: National Minority Commission issued a notice to the home ministry of Bihar govt in connection with the brutal killing of elderly person Zainul Ansari during Sitamarhi communal riots. The commission directed the ministry to reinvestigate the matter and submit the report within one month.The move came after a delegation of Sitamarhi Sangharsh Samithi called on Commission Chairman at the head office of National Minority Commission and demanded a high-level probe into the riots occurred on Oct. 19, so as to bring the perpetrators to justice.According to Inquilab, NCM chairman Ghayurul Hasan told that the Commission will also form a committee which would inquire into the matter.82-year-old Zainul Ansari was killed in communal clash 3 weeks ago, a day after Dussehra. He was cycling his way home 7 km away after visiting his sister. Hours later, on October 20, Ansari’s body was found – burnt, with both arms and legs charred. According to his family, Ansari was caught by a frenzied mob and killed.siasat
Post protests, court in Bihar’s Muslim-majority Kishanganj allows men to wear lungi on premises
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/nov/16/post-protests-court-in-bihars-muslim-majority-kishanganj-allows-men-to-wear-lungi-on-premises-1899184.html
Patna: In a major relief to men in Bihar’s Muslim-majority Kishanganj district, a local court on Friday withdrew a ban it had imposed ten days ago on the wearing of lungi on the court premises.After protests grew across the northeastern district against the order, district and sessions judge Dr Ratan Kishore Tiwary described the order as “advisory in nature”. In a letter he wrote to the two bar associations in Kishanganj, he added: “If not interested, let that order be treated as redundant”.“The withdrawal of this tughlaqi firman (insensible diktat) has sent waves of cheer across Kishanganj and the entire Seemanchal area of Bihar. Lungi has been a very popular casual wear of men in this region for centuries,” said Kishanganj-based journalist Hassan Javed.Muslims comprise about 78 per cent of the population in Kishanganj, making it Bihar’s only district and Lok Sabha constituency where Muslims outnumber Hindus. Located close to the Bangladesh border, Kishanganj is also India’s largest Muslim-populated area after the Kashmir Valley and Lakshadweep. Bihar has a 17% Muslim population.newindianexpress
Delhi on high alert after intel flags Jaish threat on WhatsApp:HT
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-on-high-alert-after-intel-flags-jaish-threat-on-whatsapp/story-c0AwQVc1uPJ0AJfqh4yvFK.html
New Delhi:The national Capital has been put on high alert after intelligence agencies were made aware of a message on a WhatsApp group, believed to be run by Jaish-e-Mohammed. The message said the militant outfit plans to strike sensitive locations in Delhi to avenge the killing of its commander in Jammu and Kashmir last month.The Intelligence Bureau on Tuesday circulated a letter, dated November 13, asking the intelligence wings of security forces to maintain “high priority alert” and “activate intelligence” in light of the threat. Hindustan Times has a copy of the letter which reads, “according to a message circulated by one Pakistani national Ameer Hamza, using the mobile number [redacted], in WhatsApp group ‘Jesh Communication Centre’ that Jaish-e-Mohammed is planning to carry out terrorist attacks on security establishments in Delhi to avenge the killing of its commander Usman alias Huzaifa in Tral, Pulwama, on October 30.”The letter adds that the Pakistani national, Hamza claims to be a part of JeM’s student wing, Talba al-Murabitoon, in Karachi, Pakistan. A letter has also been sent to various security establishments such as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Security Guards, Railway Protection Force and Delhi police to put high alert at important installations in Delhi.The advisory read, “It is requested to issue necessary guidelines and instructions to all unit commanders of Delhi-NCR based units/ battalions to take all precautionary and preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident. Force personnel be kept on highest alert and intelligence machinery should be geared up for collection and exchange of useful advance information to prevent occurrence of any such incident.”HT
After namaz at Taj, right wing activists now threaten to perform puja at Mughal-era monument
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/after-namaz-at-taj-right-wing-activists-now-threaten-to-perform-puja-at-mughal-era-monument/articleshow/66658207.cms
AGRA: After local Muslims offered namaz at a mosque inside the Taj Mahal complex to defy a recent ban order of the ASI, right wing activists on Friday threatened to offer ‘puja’ at the 17th century mausoleum if action was not taken against them. Local Muslims and members of Taj Mahal Masjid Intezamia Committee had defied the ASI’s recent order barring Muslims from offering namaz at the mosque on all days except Fridays.The right wing outfits, which claim that the Unesco world heritage monument was originally built on a Shiv temple and refer to it as Tejomahalaya, condemned the decision of the local Muslims to offer namaz there and sought action against them.Govind Parashar, leader of the lesser-known outfit, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, said that Hindus will perform “puja at the Tejomahalaya” if no action is taken against the “violators” of the ASI ban. He told TOI that he was jailed for 7 days for giving a call for offering ‘arti’ at “Tejomahalaya” in 2017, but no action is being taken against those who defied the ASI ban. Taj Mahal Masjid Intezamia Committee president Syed Ibrahim Zaidi said that Muslims had been offering prayers at the mosque for the past 400 years and the laws governing the monument came into existence only in 1958. “If we have violated any rule, legal action should be taken against us,” he said, adding that the right wing activists were unnecessarily making a political issue out of it. “We will send legal notices to all the people who have accused us of violating the SC order,”said Zaidi, adding that they will continue to offer namaz at the mosque on all days as “the apex court had never passed such an order”.TOI
Cyclone Gaja leaves 35 dead, heavy rains forecast for next 24 hours
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cyclone-gaja-tamil-nadu-imd-heavy-rains-forecast-for-next-24-hours-5451006/
New Delhi :At least 35 people were killed in the severe cyclonic storm Gaja that battered Tamil Nadu coast Friday. As many as 82,000 people were evacuated before the cyclone made landfall between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam in the state. IMD has predicted squally weather conditions in the area for the next 24 hours. The cyclonic storm has moved westwards towards interior Tamil Nadu bringing heavy rains to the Tamil-Kerala border region.Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences for the families of people who lost their lives due to Cyclone Gaja. Modi said that he spoke with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanswamy to take of the situation and assured that officials were working towards providing all possible assistance.indianexpress
PM Modi attends swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih: indianexpress
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-narendra-modi-maldives-president-swearing-in-ceremony-ibrahim-mohamed-solih-5450963/
New Delhi :PM Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, a step which is seen as an attempt to mend bilateral ties which nosedived under the outgoing Abdulla Yameen government. This is Modi’s first visit to the country as PM.Thousands of people cheered Solih, from the Maldivian Democratic Party, at the ceremony in a soccer stadium chosen to accommodate a large number of his supporters.On Friday, PM Modi took to Twitter to inform that he will be attending inauguration ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.“I will be in Malé tomorrow to attend the historic Inauguration Ceremony of the President-elect H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. I warmly congratulate him on his victory in the recent elections and wish him the very best for his tenure,” he said.
Heera Group founder seeks bail, claims vendetta by Muslim leaders led to arrest
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/heera-group-founder-seeks-bail-claims-vendetta-by-muslim-leaders-led-to-arrest-5450756/
Mumbai :Nowhera Shaikh, the Hyderabad-based founder of Heera Group of companies, said political vendetta by other Muslim leaders has led to her arrest. Shaikh (38) made the claim in the bail application she filed it before the special Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act (MPID) court this week.Shaikh has said she launched the All India Mahila Empowerment party last year and contested the Karnataka Assembly elections in May. “She (Shaikh) has earned enough popularity in political circles. The other Muslim leaders are jealous of her political growth and are apprehending rivalry,” Shaikh stated. Her party had ended up with a vote share of only 0.3 per cent. Many investors in Mumbai and other cities have come forward with complaints of cheating against Shaikh. She was arrested by Hyderabad Police after investors made complaints against her there. The Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) took her in custody from Hyderabad jail on October 26 and produced her in the special court in Mumbai based on the FIR against her, accusing her of cheating people of Rs 500 crore. Shaikh was remanded in police custody till November 8, after which the Thane EOW took her in custody for a separate case in their jurisdiction. In her bail plea, Shaikh claimed the cases against her were made to “harass her and cause loss to her company”. She has claimed that the main complainant in the case, a Mumbai resident, had invested in her company in 2017 and got dividends. In August, he sought to withdraw his investment and it was approved. She claimed that the withdrawn money will be paid in December to the complainant, but he had gone ahead and filed FIR. “Such persons as the complainant are a misguided lot and there is no substance or legality in their complaints,” Shaikh said in her plea. She has also said that the way she was treated by the police was “very humiliating”, claiming she was brought to Mumbai without proper paperwork just as she was to be released from jail in Hyderabad.indianexpress
WORLD
CIA says Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi's murder: reports
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/cia-concludes-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-khashoggi-murder-report-181117004639742.html
CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, US media reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi govt assertions that he was not involved. According to the Washington Post, who first reported CIA conclusion, US officials expressed high confidence in the CIA assessment, which is the most definitive to date linking bin Salman to the killing and complicates President Donald Trump's efforts to preserve ties with one of the closest US allies in the region.Both the Washington Post and AP cited unnamed officials familiar with the CIA conclusion. The accuracy of the reports could not be immediately verified.US Vice President Mike Pence, on a visit to Papua New Guinea, told reporters travelling with him that he could not comment on classified information."The murder of Khashoggi was an atrocity. It was also an affront to a free and independent press and the US is determined to hold all of those accountable who are responsible for that murder," he said."We are going to follow the facts," the vice president said, also adding that the US wanted to find a way of preserving a "strong and historic partnership" with Saudi Arabia.The State Depnt and the CIA declined to comment.In Friday's report, the Washington Post, citing people familiar with the matter, said the CIA reached its conclusions after examining multiple sources of intelligence, including a phone call that the prince's brother, Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the US, had with Khashoggi. Khalid told Khashoggi he should go to Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve the documents and gave him assurances that it would be safe to do so, the Post said.The newspaper, citing individuals familiar with the call, said it was not clear if Khalid knew Khashoggi would be killed but that he made the call at his brother's direction. Ambassador Khalid bin Salman said in a Twitter post on Friday the last contact he had with Khashoggi was via text on October 26, 2017, nearly a year before the journalist's death."I never talked to him by phone and certainly never suggested he go to Turkey for any reason. I ask the US government to release any information regarding this claim," he tweeted. The ambassador posted a second tweet, which he said included the embassy's full response to the Washington Post report. aljazeera
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi’s assassination: Washington post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-concludes-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-jamal-khashoggis-assassination/2018/11/16/98c89fe6-e9b2-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html?utm_term=.f7eada361c79
Washington opposes UN resolution on Syria's Israeli-occupied Golan
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/washington-opposes-un-resolution-syrias-israeli-occupied-golan-793042012
US opposed on Friday for the first time an annual draft resolution at the UN calling on Israel to rescind its authority in the occupied Golan Heights, drawing praise from Israeli officials.The Golan Heights, Syrian territory illegally occupied and subsequently annexed by Israel, forms a strategic plateau between Israel and Syria of about 1,200 square km.It was part of Syria until Israel captured it in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel moved settlers into the area and annexed the territory in 1981 in a move not recognised internationally.US has abstained in previous years on "Occupied Syrian Golan" resolution, which declares Israel's decision to impose its jurisdiction in the area "null and void," but US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley said on Thursday that Washington would vote against the resolution."US will no longer abstain when the UN engages in its useless annual vote on the Golan Heights," Haley, who will be leaving her post by the end of the year, said in a statement."The resolution is plainly biased against Israel. Further, the atrocities the Syrian regime continues to commit prove its lack of fitness to govern anyone," her statement said.Despite the US opposition, a UN General Assembly committee approved the draft resolution on Friday with 151 votes in favour and 14 abstentions. Only Israel joined US in voting no.General Assembly is due to formally adopt the resolution next month.middleeasteye
'We want it cancelled': Palestinians protest social security law
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/cancelled-palestinians-protest-social-security-law-181116154423135.html
Ramallah, occupied West Bank - Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have continued to protest against a controversial social security law, which came into effect at the start of the month. The latest of several demonstrations against the law was held in the city of Ramallah on Monday, where thousands of workers staged a sit-in outside the Palestinian government headquarters."The government is not listening to our concerns," said Jack Syriani, a worker at the Jerusalem School of Bethlehem and member of the National Social Security movement (NSSM), which has headed opposition to the law."We wanted to modify this law, but the government has refused to hear our concerns. Now we want it cancelled completely," he said.aljazeera
Iraq: Baghdad and Kurds strike deal to resume Kirkuk oil exports: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/iraq-baghdad-kurds-strike-deal-resume-kirkuk-oil-exports-181116170010040.html
Iraq says it has reached an initial agreement with Kurdish authorities to restart exports from the oilfields of Kirkuk, one year after flows were halted due to a standoff between the central govt in Baghdad and Kurdistan's semi-autonomous region.Asim Jihad, spokesperson for Iraq's oil ministry, said on Friday the country's new PM Adel Abdul-Mahdi's government had struck a deal with the Kurdish regional government to export 50,000 to 100,000 barrels per day."Federal government and the government of the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) reached a preliminary agreement to resume oil flows starting today from Kirkuk fields through the KRI's pipeline to the Ceyhan port in Turkey," he said .
UN committee condemns rights violations against Rohingya
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/un-committee-condemns-rights-violations-against-rohingya/article25524603.ece?homepage=true
A key UN committee overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Friday strongly condemning the continuing “gross human rights violations and abuses” against Rohingya Muslims who are treated as outsiders in Myanmar and were victims of a brutal campaign by the country’s military. General Assembly’s human rights committee approved the resolution by a vote of 142-10, with 26 abstentions. It is virtually certain to be formally adopted by the 193-member world body in Dec.Among those voting against the resolution were Myanmar neighbours China, Cambodia and Laos along with Russia. Bangladesh, which hosts 1.1 million Rohingya refugees, voted in favour.AP
Tariq Ramadan wins bail in France rape case
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/islamic-scholar-tariq-ramadan-wins-bail-in-france-rape-case-118111600093_1.html
Paris : Tariq Ramadan, a leading Islamic scholar held in France since February on charges he raped two women, on Thursday won conditional release after testifying in an appeals court.A Paris court ruled in favour of Ramadan after the 56-year-old Swiss academic, who has been in custody since February 2, made an impassioned argument for release. His bail was set at 300,000 euros and requires him to hand over his passport and report to police once a week."Where would I flee to?" he asked in his hearing, his first public appearance since his incarceration.Ramadan denies charges he raped the women in 2009 and 2012. One accuser is a disabled woman identified in media reports as "Christelle" and the other is a feminist activist, Henda Ayari.But last month Ramadan was forced to drop assertions he had no sexual contact at all with the women after an expert recovered 399 text messages between him and "Christelle", some of which detailed violent sexual fantasies. Ramadan subsequently said the sexual contact was "consensual".In court, Ramadan said he had no intention of becoming a fugitive from justice, and said his multiple sclerosis meant he had difficulty walking after 10 months locked up.AFP
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
SC hearing Zakia Jafri plea against Narendra Modi in Gujarat riots opens old wounds:Humra Quraishi
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/sc-hearing-zakia-jafri-plea-against-narendra-modi-in-gujarat-riots-opens-old-wounds
Modi govnt itself ruined 1000 defence manufacturing companies :Bhasha Singh
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/modi-government-itself-ruined-100-defence-manufacturing-companies
Renaming Spree: Erasing Muslim Heritage:Amulya Ganguli
http://caravandaily.com/portal/renaming-spree-erasing-muslim-heritage-amulya-ganguli/
For Sanitation Workers On the Front Line, Modi's Swachh Bharat Is a ‘Jumla':Akhil Kumar
https://thewire.in/labour/for-sanitation-workers-on-the-front-line-modis-swachh-bharat-is-a-jumla
Full Text of Response by Shourie, Sinha and Bhushan to Centre's Submissions on Rafale
https://thewire.in/government/response-by-shourie-sinha-and-bhushan-to-centres-submissions-on-rafale
Sabarimala temple: A rallying point for the Hindu far right?Zeenat Saberin
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/sabarimala-temple-rallying-point-hindu-181114132850072.html
BJP changes Muslim personal law but opposes centuries old custom change on Sabarimala?
https://www.siasat.com/news/bjp-changes-muslim-personal-law-opposes-centuries-old-custom-change-sabarimala-1432423/
A Legislation to Construct Ram Temple Will Legitimise Babri Masjid's Demolition:Sukumar Muralidharan
https://thewire.in/rights/ayodhya-ram-temple-babri-masjid
North California fire: Death toll at 71, over 1,000 missing
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/north-california-fire-death-toll-71-1000-missing-181117040535793.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:20 PM)
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