NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
04 Dec. 2018:25 Rabiul-I 1440: Vol: 11, No:69
INDIA
4 arrested as Bajrang Dal members names surface in Bulandshahr violence FIR
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bulandshahr-violence-4-arrested-raids-on-say-police/article25660890.ece?homepage=true
Bulandshahr:Police today booked over 70 persons, including some with alleged links to groups affiliated to the RSS, on charges of mob violence in Bulandshahr, UP , on Monday in which a police officer and a civilian were shot dead following allegations of cow slaughter.4 persons, Chaman, Devendra, Ashish Chauhan and Satish, have been arrested so far, said a senior police officer. Five others have been detained and six teams formed to nab the absconding.The police also filed an FIR against 7 locals, all Muslims, for alleged cow slaughter on the complaint from one Yogesh Raj, reportedly a Bajrang Dal member.In the mob violence FIR, the police have named 27 persons, while 50-60 others are 'unknown'. Some of them are allegedly members of Bajrang Dal. Accused number one Raj's social media profile, and information though local sources, link him to the Bajrang Dal. He is allegedly the district convenor of the outfit, which is the youth faction of the VHP.His family members have confirmed his connection to the Bajrang Dal as well as his presence at the spot on Monday, but denied that he had any role in the murder, according to sources in Bulandshahr. A video footage of him arguing with the police at the spot has also surfaced.A former pradhan of Mahav village, where the carcasses were allegedly discovered, has also been booked in FIR filed on a complaint from sub-inspector Subash Chandra at the Syana police station. So are Shikhar Agarwal, who is allegedly the BJP Yuva Morcha's Bulandshahr city president, and VHP leader Upendra Raghav, though the police have not mentioned their identity.It appeared prima facie that Sumit, the youth killed during the mob violence, was a part of the protesters.A video has surfaced showing Sumit being shot amid chaotic scenes in a field where youth are running amok with lathis and charging towards a policeman accusing him of firing the bullet. It was, however, not clear who shot him. A bullet recovered from Sumit's body has been sent to forensics to ascertain its calibre. Inspector Subodh Singh was killed by a .32 bore weapon, police have confirmed, but were not saying if it was his service weapon or owned by a rioter, said police official.FIR concerning cow slaughter lacks details. It charges seven persons, identified as Sudef Chaudhary, Ilyas, Sharafat, Anas, Wajid, Pervez, and Sharfuddin, all of Nayabas village, under Sections 3, 5 and 8 of UP Cow Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1995 and Section 295 of IPC. thehindu
Bulandshahr violence a pre-planned conspiracy by VHP, RSS, Bajrang Dal: UP minister
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bulandshahr-violence-a-pre-planned-conspiracy-by-vhp-rss-bajrang-dal-up-minister-5477767/
New Delhi:Claiming that Bulandshahr incident was a pre-planned conspiracy by VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS, UP minister OP Rajbhar today raised questions on the incident being coinciding with Muslim Ijtema event. The minister also suspected BJP’s involvement in the violence. “This is a pre-planned conspiracy by VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS, now police is even naming some BJP members. Why protest happened on the same day as Muslim Ijtema event? It was an attempt to disturb peace,” ANI quoted Rajbhar as saying. Indianexpress
Bulandshahr violence ‘pre-planned conspiracy by VHP, Bajrang Dal,RSS’ to disturb Muslims’ Ijtima: UP minister
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/yogi-adityanaths-minister-says-bulandshahr-violence-pre-planned-conspiracy-by-vhp-bajrang-dal-and-rss-to-disturb-muslims-ijtima-event/221936/?fbclid=IwAR01mZX4kGXh9mUhlmdr418dFdcuElqcbfXhjAHR5uFL88tB4XlS6EMOTac
Bulandshahr violence: 'CM Yogi only says cow cow cow, my brother was killed for investigating Akhlaq case'
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bulandshahr-violence-cm-yogi-only-says-cow-cow-cow-my-brother-was-killed-for-investigating-akhlaq-case-2692145
The sister of a police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh who lost his life in Bulandshahr violence has slammed UP CM Yogi Adityanath and said that they don't need any money."My brother was investigating Akhlaq case and that is why he was killed, its a conspiracy by Police," said Singh's sister. She also said that her brother should be declared martyr and memorial should be built. "We do not want money," she added.dnaindia
Bulandshahr Violence: Slain Policeman's Sister Calls His Killing a 'Police Conspiracy'
https://thewire.in/communalism/bulandshahr-mob-violence-cop-killed-cow-slaughter
How many more lives in the name of religion, asks son of Bulandshahr cop killed in violence
https://www.news18.com/news/india/how-many-more-lives-in-the-name-of-religion-asks-son-of-bulandshahr-cop-killed-in-violence-1960177.html
Lucknow: A day after police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was killed during clashes in Bulandshahr, his son pleaded not to spread hatred in the name of religion. After performing the last rites of his father on Tuesday, Abhishek Singh said: “I have lost my father, but how many more lives will be taken in the name of religion? Kindly do not spread hatred in the name of religion.” He also said that his father never differentiated in the name of religion. Subodh Kumar was the investigation officer in the Akhlaq lynching case from September 25, 2015 to November 9, 2015. Kumar’s uncle Ram Avtar Singh has alleged that Subodh was killed as he was associated with the investigation in the Akhlaq lynching case.According to late Subodh Kumar’s wife, Rajini SIngh, there were two occasions in the past when he survived bullet injuries.Demanding justice for her husband, Rajini said that the guilty should be dealt with sternly. “Justice should be given to him by shooting down those who killed my husband. My husband had suffered bullet injuries earlier also but he survived twice. However, this time he was not so lucky,” she said. news18
Bulandshahr Police exposes fake news peddler Surdarshan TV’s Suresh Chavhanke for linking police officer’s murder by Hindutva mob to Ijtima
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/bulandshahr-police-exposes-fake-news-peddler-surdarshan-tvs-suresh-chavhanke-for-linking-police-officers-murder-by-hindutva-mob-to-ijtima/221877/?fbclid=IwAR2mnND3JZjaHNLkUj38e_KJbZNJN5wrp40nWpG3ByqDaEo1kitA8_MyNTg
A group of violent right-wing Hindutva mob on Monday killed a police officer in UP’s Bulandshahr district. There are reports that the Hindutva mob killed the officer, identified as Subodh Kumar Singh, by firing at him. The shocking video of Singh’s dead body lying out of his official vehicle has gone viral on social media platforms.Among those killed is also a protester, a member of the stone-pelting mob in Bulandshar. According to reports, the mob had attacked the local Syana police station. However, pro-RSS Sudarshan TV’s Suresh Chavhanke, made a desperate attempt to link the Monday’s violence to the Muslim congregation(ijtima), which concluded today. According to local reports, more than 50 lakh Muslim devotees had gathered in Bulandshahr for a 3-day congregation. In a series of tweets, Chavhanke linked the violence to the peaceful congregation of Muslim devotees. In one tweet, he wrote that the violence had erupted local residents objected to the alleged slaughtering of cows in the congregation. He urged his followers to watch Sudarshan TV for updates on ‘lathicharge, burning, firing and deaths.’His subsequent tweet read,“After the controversy over Bulandshahr Ijtima, many school children are stuck and crying. People are stuck in forests, frightened inside their homes. This is what local residents told Sudarshan TV in live conversations.”No sooner had this known peddler of fake news post his tweet, Bulandshahr Police took to Twitter to expose the communal man masquerading as a journalist. The tweet by Bulandshahr Police read, “Please don’t spread fake news. This incident has no connection with the Ijtima. The World Ijtima concluded beautifully. The said incident took place around 40-50 kms away from the place, where Ijtima was organised. Appropriate actions are being taken against the perpetrators of today’s violence.”Shockingly, despite being exposed by the Bulandshahr Police, Chauhan, who enjoys support from BJP, has not deleted his communally charged tweets carrying fake news. He’s been arrested in the past for stirring communal tension and was accused of rape by a former woman employee. jantakareporter
Police Refutes Sudarshan News' Claim Linking Bulandshahr Violence With Islamic Gathering
https://thewire.in/media/sudarshan-news-links-islamic-gathering-with-bulandshahr-violence-police-denies-connection
Bulandshahr violence: Instead of taking care of UP, Yogi is in Telangana and spewing venom, says Kapil Sibal
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bulandshahr-violence-instead-of-taking-care-of-up-yogi-is-in-telangana-and-spewing-venom-says-kapil-sibal-5477524/
New Delhi :Reacting to the killing of a police officer by a mob in Bulandshahr, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said he is amazed how a mob killed a police officer investigating the Akhlaq lynching case. Sibal criticised UP CM Yogi Aditynath for choosing to attend election campaigns in Telangana instead of looking after the situation in his state. “Instead of taking care of his state Yogi is going to Telangana and spewing venom,” Sibal was quoted as saying by ANI.indianexpress
Bulandshahr violence: Opposition members, activists slam Adityanath for 'gallivanting' after inspector 's murder
https://www.firstpost.com/india/bulandshahr-violence-opposition-members-activists-slam-yogi-adityanath-for-gallivanting-after-subodh-singhs-murder-5666681.html
Investigating officer of Akhlaq lynching case shot dead during mob protest against cow slaughter in
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-inspector-subodh-kumar-singh-killed-in-bulandsahr-was-investigating-officer-in-akhlaq-lyching-case-2691906/amp?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR1ow4kvfKP-iXC_9TDwfFlUXdga1TPkuCBMkJEgwvcDF5kobkpL8VL08jM
Assam: 40 lakh out, only 7 lakh claims in as NRC deadline nears
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/national-register-of-citizens-assam-nrc-supreme-court-5477199/
Guwahati :A fortnight to go for the deadline, Hanif Ali (48), a resident of Majortop village in Kamrup district of Assam, has not been able to file a claim against his exclusion from the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), published on July 30. He has spent the past month searching for his “actual” grandfather.The final draft NRC had listed 2.8 crore people, leaving out 40 lakh applicants, with the Supreme Court fixing December 15 as the last day for them to submit ‘Claims and Objections’. So far, only around seven lakh claims have been filed — indicating the difficulty those excluded face in getting onto NRC list.Under ‘Objections’, people could raise objections to inclusion of a name in the NRC.Hanif Ali, whose two sons work as tailors in Guwahati, used the ‘legacy’ data of his grandfather Mokrum Ali, whose name he knew was in the 1951 NRC from Goalpara district. But during ‘family tree verification’ process, NRC officials found that the Mokrum Ali whom Hanif Ali listed was a different man with the same name. Hence, Ali and his 20-member family were left out. While Ali hoped to give the legacy data of his father Rustom Ali, whose name appears in the 1966 voters’ list, in the Claims round, this has been ruled out following a decision of the Supreme Court. Standard Operations Procedure of the Claims and Objections round accepted by the court says that a person cannot use a different legacy person than the one used during the initial application. Hence Hanif set out on a journey to trace his ancestors, to a riverine island in Goalpara district. “I travelled to Tiapara, around 120 km away from Majortop. After weeks, I found out that my grandfather lived not in 62 Tiapara (as he had mentioned in the NRC papers) but in 63 Tiapara. I have now found the name of my actual grandfather in both the 1951 NRC as well as the 1954 voters’ list. This took time. I will file the Claim soon.”Guwahati-based activist A B Khandekar, president of an organisation working on citizenship-related issues, slams this “freeze” on legacy persons.Apart from “freezing of legacy person”, setting the cut-off date for documents that could be used by a person to establish link to his ancestors as August 31, 2015, is also hindering filing of Claims — as testified by many people The Indian Express spoke to across villages. Shoripan Nessa, an illiterate woman in her 30s and a resident of Hatisala village in Kamrup, was excluded from the final draft after she tried establishing her ‘linkage’ to her father through a Gaon Bura certificate (a certificate issued by the village headman) which was disqualified, probably because the headman did not maintain proper backend data/register. If Nessa now tries to get any certificate establishing her links to her father from any other local authority, in all probability — as the SOP stands now — it won’t be accepted. “The only respite Nessa, and hundreds like her, now have is the ration card,” says Akram Hussain, the panchayat president of Hatisala-Bhalukabari. But the SOP mentions that ration cards will be subject to “rigorous scrutiny and only on veracity may be considered”. Hussain, who is coordinating with multiple NGOs to help people fill up the Claims form, adds, “There is confusion regarding which documents to submit afresh. Illiterate, poor people, who comprise a large percentage of those excluded, do not understand much of the complexities.”indianexpress
Malegaon blast: Two witnesses examined on first day of trial at special NIA court in Mumbai
https://scroll.in/latest/904455/2008-malegaon-blast-two-witnesses-examined-on-first-day-of-trial-at-special-nia-court-in-mumbai
The trial in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case will continue on Tuesday at a special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai, a day after two witnesses recorded their statements, The Hindu reported.Special Public Prosecutor Avinash Rasal examined the witnesses, reported the HT. The first witness – a doctor who carried out the autopsy of four of the six people killed in the blast – told the court that the victims had multiple injuries on their bodies due to the explosion.A local physician in Malegaon who had examined an injured person told the court that the person’s hearing was impaired and he lost his ability to speak because of the blast. Rasal had earlier submitted that the prosecution would examine medical experts since some of the accused have not accepted the medical examination reports of the blast victims and the injured. Cross examination of witnesses was adjourned because the lawyer of one of the accused, Sudhakar Dwivedi, failed to appear in court.Special judge Vinod Padalkar penalised him Rs 2,500.scroll.in
In final arguments, CBI asserts that Sohrabuddin encounter was fake
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sohrabuddin-encounter-fake-cbi-court-tulsiram-prajapati-1401819-2018-12-04?fbclid=IwAR3zuZnv2mJGj7eumrcF6aGTJpEVJ1qlEJCwK_27mAJl7u-W-7OpwQ8OM3w
Mumbai: CBI concluded its final arguments before special CBI court in Mumbai by saying that the encounter that killed Sohrabuddin Sheikh and others was fake.Sohrabuddin was killed in 2005 by a joint team of Rajasthan and Gujarat Police while his close aide Tulsiram Prajapati was killed in 2006. CBI said that both these encounters were fake.Public Prosecutor BP Raju representing CBI, said that evidence presented by the agency before the court suggests that the encounters were fake.Talking about Sohrabuddin encounter, Raju suggested that a report submitted by Senior Inspector of Rajasthan Police falsely claimed that Sohrabuddin had links with Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISI and he was coming to assassinate a "big political leader". Raju said Kumbh Singh, then a SI of District Special Branch of Udaipur Police, denied having received such information. He was examined as a prosecution witness. However, judge SJ Sharma asked why there wasn't a probe to find out the source of the information.Prosecution pointed out that there were no blood stains on a ticket which police had claimed was in Sohrabuddin's pocket at the time of the encounter. Hence, there was doubt whether the ticket (Surat to Ahmedabad) was really in Sohrabuddin's pocket especially when other seized items including a driving license were stained with blood.When BP Raju argued that the ticket was "planted" the court asked whether CBI interrogate any of the 38 accused about this.indiatoday
Gujarat Riots: SC Adjourns Zakia Jafri’s Plea Against SIT Clean Chit to Modi Till Jan
https://www.newsclick.in/gujarat-riots-sc-adjourns-zakia-jafris-plea-against-sit-clean-chit-modi-till-january
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has adjourned till Jan.the hearing on a plea by Zakia Ahsan Jafri challenging clean chit to then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and others by SIT for their alleged inaction in the 2002 post-Godhra riots, including an attack on Gulberg society that lead to the killing of her husband. Zakia, widow of Congress leader and former member of Parliament, Ahsan Jafri, has challenged Gujarat High Court order upholding clean chit to Modi and others by SIT. The bench directed the posting of the matter to the third week of Jan.as counsel Kapil Sibal told the court that they wanted to file some additional documents and needed time. newsclick
SC will hear pleas on 22 extra-judicial killings when Modi was Gujarat CM
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/sc-refuses-centres-request-to-hear-pleas-on-22-extra-judicial-killings-when-modi-was-gujarat-cm?fbclid=IwAR0RhlfqGJuLY_srPkbdet9dt1qwS_QcLEU4hbnkm7PWckiDn89YsjNYb3Q
Despite opposition by Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, the Supreme Court has decided to hear a plea regarding 22 alleged fake encounters that took place in Gujarat when Narendra Modi was the CM of the state.Talking to the National Herald, activist Shabnam Hashmi said: “Javed Akhtar and I had filed an application in the Supreme Court through advocate Prashant Bhushan in April and demanded a copy of Justice HS Bedi report.”The committee headed by Justice Bedi—who had replaced Justice MB Shah—to probe alleged fake encounters, which took place in Gujarat between 2002 and 2007 when Narendra Modi was CM, was appointed in 2012. The committee submitted its report to the SC in a sealed cover in March this year.The committee had look into whether the encounters that included the Ishrat and Sohrabuddin cases, showed a pattern that people from the minority community were targeted as terrorists.nationalheraldindia
Maharashtra: IPS officer ‘brags’ of filing false cases against Dalits, Muslims in video
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mumbai-ips-officer-brags-of-filing-false-cases-against-dalits-muslims-in-video-5477136/
Mumbai : Days after a video, purported to be of probationary IPS officer Bhagyashree Navtake of the Maharashtra Police speaking about booking Dalits and Muslims under fake cases went viral, DSP posted at Majalgaon in Beed was on Monday transferred to Aurangabad intelligence department.The state home department has also asked Inspector General of Police Cherring Dorje to probe the veracity of the video and the claims made in it.In the five-minute clip, a woman in denims and a black shirt is seen seated on a chair with a group of men on plastic chairs opposite her. Woman is heard saying she has filed false cases against 21 Dalits who filed complaints under SC/ST Act at her police stations. She is also heard saying that she has filed cases under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC against Muslims, ostensibly so that they are unable to procure bail easily.“I saw you when you were brought in front of me, but I could not do anything as there were other policemen. I know you were pleading with me, but if I had stopped them, they would have objected. And a wrong message would have gone out that I am supporting you because I am a Maratha, as they have also seen how I have thrashed 21 Dalits and Muslims in the past six months… I have registered cases under Section 307 against Dalits, and hence a strong message was sent out that madam doesn’t spare anyone. If I had spared you, it would have looked like madam is a Maratha and hence stopped us from assaulting (Marathas),” she is heard saying. She goes on to disclose her interrogation techniques, including, apparently, beating up Dalits.indianexpress
Kurian Joseph: Ex-CJI Dipak Misra was ‘remote-controlled by external source’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kurian-joseph-ex-cji-dipak-misra-external-source-5476890/
New Delhi :In an explosive revelation, former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph on Monday said ex-Chief Justice Dipak Misra was “remote-controlled by an external source” that impacted the administration of justice.However, Joseph refused to divulge on who the “external source” was and the cases where there was bias.Ex-judge was quick to point out that things started changing for good during the remaining part of Justice Misra’s tenure as CJI after the historic press conference by four senior-most judges of the apex court, of which he too was a part.“The then CJI was working under influence of some external source. He was remote-controlled by an external source. There was some influence of some external source that was impacting the administration of justice,” Justice Joseph told PTI. Joseph retired on Nov. 29. Joseph’s remark gave fresh fodder to the Congress to allege that the Govt was interfering in the highest levels of the judiciary. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi demanded separate parliamentary and judicial inquiries into the matter.Joseph further revealed that the former CJI wasn’t taking decisions independently. “We are sure that the CJI was not taking decisions on his own,” he said.
Congress demands inquiries into former SC judge Kurian Joseph’s charge against ex-CJI Dipak Misra
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/probe-ex-sc-judge-kurian-josephs-charge-congress/article25656679.ece
New Delhi: Congress has said the statement made by retired Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph on Jan.12 press conference by four judges against then CJI Dipak Misra only “proved” its allegation that “Modi’s Govt was interfering with the judiciary at the highest level.”Apart from a response from the PM, party demanded separate judicial and parliamentary inquiries into Justice Joseph’s charge.thehindu
Minority tag a hindrance to career progression: Justice Joseph
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/minority-tag-a-hindrance-to-career-progression-says-justice-joseph/articleshow/66913174.cms
Bhima-Koregaon case: SC asks Maharashtra govt to produce chargesheet against five activists
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhima-koregaon-case-supreme-court-asks-maharashtra-govt-to-produce-chargesheet-against-five-activists-5477037/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court has asked the Maharashtra Govt to produce the chargesheet filed against five activists arrested over alleged Maoist links in the wake of the investigations which followed the Bhima-Koregaon violence.A bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi said it would go through charges against Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Sudhir Dhawale, Mahesh Raut and Rona Wilson. The bench also comprises justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph. On Monday, the bench asked state Govt counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, to produce the chargesheet by Dec.8.The bench was hearing an appeal filed by the state Govt, challenging a Bombay High Court order which had set aside a Pune trial court’s decision allowing the police time beyond the stipulated 90 days to file the chargesheet against the accused, who were charged under UAPA. indianexpress
Under fire, NITI Aayog says was told to look at GDP back series data
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/niti-aayog-gdp-data-calculation-rajiv-kumar-5475525/?fbclid=IwAR29x49rpRNL3Qa0WFUOixsJqsKpXD015q9wpC4O0WXg6yaESK9uJ_AVmPM
New Delhi :Facing Criticism over NITI Aayog’s presence at the release of GDP back series data by Central Statistics Office (CSO) last week, Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said his department was asked to “have a look” at the data before it was released. He also said the Govt was open to making any improvements if factual and methodological errors were pointed out in the calculation of data.Many economists have questioned NITI Aayog’s role in the release of the statistical exercise of CSO, which comes under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Imple- mentation (MoSPI). “Everybody knows that until not too long ago, Department of Statistics was part of the Planning Commission.There have always been close links between the two, simply because we use data so extensively and we work together.For example, the task force on employment statistics was chaired by my predecessor.Its recommendations are now being implemented by CSO. In this case also, when they were about to release the back series, they asked us to have a look,” Kumar said in an interview with Indian Express.indianexpress
AMU rejects charge that veg food was being cooked in oil used for non-veg dishes
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/aligarh-muslim-university-veg-food-controversy-5476684/
New Delhi: AMU has rejected allegations that vegetarian food was being cooked in oil used to prepare non-vegetarian dishes. The denial came after a section of vegetarian students alleged that they were served food cooked in oil that had been used to make non-vegetarian dishes.Students of Sir Syed Hall (North), in a letter to the vice-chancellor, alleged that the cooks use the same oil to fry chicken and pooris. They demanded strict action against the cooks and suggested a separate kitchen for cooking vegetarian food.The matter came to light on Nov.26 when a student received a call from the hostel’s dining hall about the bad quality of cooking oil being used for frying pooris. Following the alert, a group of students reached the kitchen and found that the oil was blackish in colour and had been used to fry chicken a day earlier.Bhartiya Yuva Morcha’s city unit chief Nikhil Maheshwari issued a statement, alleging that the incident was a “deliberate ploy” to hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Even though there were reports that a complaint was filed, Inspector said that no such grievance was lodged.AMU spokesman Shafey Kidwai said an inquiry conducted by the provost revealed that the allegation was “completely baseless”. He said respect for religious sentiments of all students was the hallmark of the university’s secular traditions from the time of its foundation.Kidwai said 4 members of cooking staff had confirmed to the university that “fresh cooking oil released by the kitchen stock was used for cooking the entire vegetarian meal”. Refuting reports that vegetarian food was being cooked in oil used to prepare non-vegetarian dishes, he said after a group of students lodged a complaint with the cook, the oil was immediately changed.Ex AMU union head Mashkoor Usmani said the whole controversy was handiwork of Yuva Morcha and denied any such incident taking place.indianexpress
Adityanath May Face Legal Action for Hanuman Remark
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/yogi-adityanath-may-face-legal-action-for-hanuman-remark?fbclid=IwAR1UbdVV_FfqPOZybMrQdEe_nmmX21ATbiDCLJcKu5AQ5b-0X8Xsg7D-MeA
Jaipur: Suresh Mishra, President of Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha, has filed a petition in a lower court here seeking permission to file an FIR against UP CM Yogi Adityanath for calling Lord Hanuman a Dailt Tribal.Mishra accused Adityanath of hurting the sentiments of Hindus by making the statement at an election rally in Rajasthan. Mishra said the petition had been filed under Sections 295, 295(A) and 298 of the IPC. The court shall hear the case on Dec11.(IANS)
Babri Masjid Demolition: Narasimha Rao Failed Muslims But So Did Congress, Says Former PM's Biographer
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/12/02/babri-masjid-demolition-narasimha-rao-failed-muslims-but-so-did-congress-says-former-pms-biographer_a_23603413/
Speaking to HuffPost India, Santosh Dubey, a Shiv Sena leader who was one of the main accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, claimed that former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao was involved in the plot to demolish the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on 6 December 1992. This was not the first time that a kar sevak or a leader of the Hindu right had made such a claim. Last year, R.V. Vedanti, a former BJP lawmaker, told the media that Rao was involved. In 2014, Hindu right leaders said that same in a film secretly recorded by CobraPost.Vinay Sitapati, who wrote Half Lion: How P.V. Narasimha Rao Transformed India, a biography of ex PM and Congress leader which was published in 2016, told HuffPost India there was "zero" evidence that Rao was involved in the plot. However, he adds that there is no question that Rao prioritised personal and political ambition at one of the gravest moment's in India's post-independence history, and made a serious error of judgement in trying to negotiate with the Hindu right instead of imposing President's Rule in UP .huffingtonpost
Govt with Owaisi to stage riots on Ram mandir issue: Raj Thackeray
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/Govt -with-owaisi-to-stage-riots-on-ram-mandir-issue-raj-thackeray-1401842-2018-12-04
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has alleged that the Govt is planning to stage riots on the Ram mandir issue.Thackeray claimed that he got a call from Delhi informing about the designs to stage riots. "I got a phone from Delhi this morning and it is quite serious. In days to come, there will be riots in the name of Ram mandir and there are talks with Owaisi for that", he alleged."The present Govt has no substantial work to show and they have no option left than to create riots between Hindus and Muslims", he added.Raj said that the recent verbal spat between UP CM Yogi Adityanath and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi were a trailer of what is to come.During Telangana election rally, Adityanath had hit out at Owaisi saying that if BJP is voted to power, Owaisi will be forced to flee from Hyderabad like the Nizam. Hitting back at Yogi, Owaisi had said that India is his father's country and no one can force him to flee.Attacking Yogi Adityanath, Raj said, "I always wonder whether he is a CM . Till date, he has never spoken one word about the state's development. He only talks about hatred between castes and religion."indiatoday
Build a University at the Disputed Ayodhya Site: Sisodia
https://thewire.in/politics/build-a-university-at-the-disputed-babri-masjid-site-manish-sisodia
New Delhi: As the Sangh parivar and its political arm, BJP, raise the volume on their demand for a Ram temple to be constructed at the disputed Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya, Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia has a different suggestion.“Ask both Hindus and Muslims and if both the communities agree, then build a university there. Let children of Hindus, Muslims and Christians… Indians as well as foreigners come and study there together. Ram rajya (reign) won’t be created through any temple, but through education,” Sisodia told NDTV.thewire
Punjab & Haryana HC says no, school keeps minority tag
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-says-no-school-keeps-minority-tag/articleshow/66932769.cms
Chandigarh: Even as the Punjab and Haryana high court has passed a judgment stating that Vivek High School in Sector 38 is not a minority institute, it continues to call itself so on its website. Despite being a nonminority school, the institute has not advertised seats it should offer to economically-weaker section (EWS) students. School authorities have challenged the HC verdict, and a decision is pending.As per the UT legal cell, authorities of the Chandigarh administration and legal experts, by calling itself a Sikh minority school on its website, the school is misleading parents.Earlier this year on August 17, the high court had decided that Vivek High School was not a Sikh minority institute. It was in response to a petition filed by the UT education department challenging the minority status of the school on the basis that they had made changes to the trust deed for getting Sikh minority status. “It’s misleading. Till the order is not stayed, the school is bound to admit 25% EWS students under provisions of RTE Act,” said advocate Suveer Sehgal, former UT senior standing counsel. Accepting that the minority status has been declined, chairman of Vivek High School HS Mamik said, “We have filed an appeal.”TOI
Shiv Sena wants 'compulsory sterilisation' of Muslims
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/shiv-sena-wants-compulsory-sterilisation-of-muslims/articleshow/66929188.cms
Mumbai: Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna called for immediate and stringent measures, including compulsory sterilisation, to control Muslim population in an editorial on Monday. Referring to a report of the BSF that the Muslim population had increased in Rajasthan villages which touch the Pakistan, Saamna said the Centre should initiate immediate measures to check the trend. Saamna wondered if BJP-led Govt at the Centre would show the courage, after having taken firm steps against triple talaak, to amend the civil code to check the rising Muslim population. Meanwhile, Muslim leaders condemned the suggestion by Saamna that Muslim men should be compulsorily sterilised, saying it was an attempt to polarise voters before the 2019 elections. "All the surveys show that Muslims' rate of growth has come down in the recent years," MIM legislator Waris Pathan said.TOI
Modi terms minority reservation act of treason
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/modi-terms-minority-reservation-act-of-treason-118120400036_1.html
Hyderabad :PM Narendra Modi has said attempts to provide reservation to minorities are betrayal with the nation and an insult to the framers of the Indian Constitution.Addressing an election rally of BJP, he called for defeating any such move to protect the country's unity.Hitting out at TRS Govt for its move to increase reservation for minorities to 12%, Modi said he was surprised how the power-hungry were pushing for religion-based quota for the sake of their family and to save their seats of power.Stating that the issue of religion-based reservation was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, the PM said the great personalities framing the Constitution decided against it in the interest of the country's unity.IANS
EOW to arrest Nowhera Shaikh in cheating case
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/eow-to-arrest-nowhera-shaikh-in-cheating-case/article25657984.ece
Mumbai: Unit I of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is set to arrest Nowhera Shaikh, managing director of Heera Gold Group, who is now in the custody of the Mumbai Police. Tushar Doshi, DCP, said, “We have sought her custody and initiated the procedure in court. We have received complaints from 31 people of being cheated by the group.”A 40-year-old woman and 30 others, who had invested ₹1.59 crore in the firm, had filed the case with Nerul police on Nov.13.The complainant, a resident of Kharghar, had invested ₹2 lakh in 2016 and received returns of ₹6,000 every month, totalling over ₹1.50 lakh. She invested another ₹5 lakh in May 2018 and received ₹8,000 in Sept, but then returns stopped. A single parent of two, the complainant had taken a loan of ₹5 lakh to educate her Class XI daughter.The complainant said, “I invested in the group hoping that I would get a monthly return and use it to pay my daughter’s fees. After the returns stopped, my daughter had to drop out.She was attending integrated classes for IIT-JEE and Class XI. Now I cannot afford the quarterly fees of ₹50,000.I also had to shut down three parlours owing to the losses.I am totally bankrupt now.”thehindu
Will refund investors in 4 parts, Nowhera tells court
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/will-refund-investors-in-4-parts-nowhera-tells-court/articleshow/66916387.cms
US-Based Groups Flay Modi for Failure to Stop Attacks on Religious Minorities
https://www.newsclick.in/us-based-groups-flay-modi-failure-stop-attacks-religious-minorities
Expressing deep concern over growing attacks on religious minorities by Hindutva outfits in India, religious freedom activists based in the US criticised PM Narendra Modi for his failure to stop the violence.Participating in a recent event titled “Religious Freedom in India: A Briefing on Capitol Hill”, organised by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) on the Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the activists urged Modi to condemn such violence against religious minorities as well as take all necessary measures to curb the rise of Hindutva extremism and punish the Hindutva groups involved in violence. IAMC is the largest advocacy organisation of Indian Muslims in the US.In a statement, Katrina Lantos Swett, former Chair of US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), independent bipartisan federal commission tasked with defending religious freedom outside the US, said, “Inflammatory rhetoric and a conception of India’s national identity increasingly based on religion have contributed to an atmosphere of intimidation, exclusion, and even violence directed at non-Hindus.newsclick
Criminal cases against MPs, MLAs: SC asks for special courts in Bihar, Kerala
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/criminal-cases-against-mps-mlas-sc-asks-for-special-courts-in-bihar-kerala/article25661443.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today directed the constitution of special courts in each district of Bihar and Kerala for the trial of pending criminal cases against present and former MPs and MLAs.A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph passed the directions for setting up special courts in every district of the two States and also sought compliance reports from the Patna and Kerala high courts by Dec. 14.PTI
Now, Bahraich BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule says Hanuman was “slave of ‘manuwadi’ people”
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/lord-hanuman-was-slave-of-manuwadi-people-says-bahraich-bjp-mp-savitri-bai-phule/article25662414.ece?homepage=true
Lucknow: Bahraich BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule on Tuesday, claimed that Lord Hanuman was “a Dalit and a slave of ‘manuwadi’ people,” joining a row which erupted over UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s statement that the deity was a Dalit.She alleged that Dalits and backwards were being called ‘bandar’ (monkey) and ‘rakshas’ (demon). “Lord Hanuman was a Dalit and a slave of ‘manuwadi’ people. He was a Dalit and a human. He did all for Lord Ram then why he was given a tail and his face was blackened. Why was he made a monkey?,” Ms. Phule said.“When he did all for Lord Ram with devotion, he (Lord Hanuman) should have been made a human and not a ‘bandar’ (monkey). At that time also he had to face humilation due to being a Dalit. Why can’t we Dalits be considered humans?” she told PTI over phone.When asked about the Ram temple issue, which is pending in the Supreme Court, Ms. Phule said the BJP is raking up the matter as it has no other issues.“The country does not need a temple. Will it end unemployment and other problems of Dalits and backwards? The temple will benefit Brahmins, who are only 3%. The money offered in temples are used by them for their gains and make our community (Dalit) their slave,” she said.PTI
Kashmir would have been resolved if BJP had not lost 2004 elections, Vajpayee had told Imran Khan
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/kashmir-would-have-been-resolved-if-bjp-had-not-lost-2004-elections-vajpayee-had-told-imran-khan-3249211.html
Pakistan PM Imran Khan said war is not a solution to the Kashmir issue, which can be resolved through talks.In an interview to a group of TV journalists here, Khan said unless there was a dialogue, various options on resolution of Kashmir cannot be discussed.When asked about the formula to resolve the Kashmir issue, Khan said there were two or three solutions, which have been in discussions.He, however, refused to share more details, saying it was "too early to talk about them". Khan claimed he was informed by late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former foreign minister Natwar Singh during a conference that Kashmir would have been resolved if BJP had not lost the 2004 Lok Sabha elections."It shows that there is a solution of Kashmir and both countries were close to resolve it," the Pakistani PM insisted.Asserting that Pakistan was serious to develop peaceful ties with all its neighbours, Khan claimed India was not ready to hold talks with the country due to the upcoming general elections.PTI
Imran On What Ex-PM Vajpayee Told Him About Kashmir
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/imran-khan-says-war-not-a-solution-to-kashmir-issue-1957353
Kashmir: 10 arrested at suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad modules in Pulwama, say police
https://scroll.in/latest/904369/kashmir-ten-arrested-at-suspected-jaish-e-mohammad-modules-in-pulwama-say-police
J&K Police has said it had busted two modules of militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district and arrested 10 persons, PTI reported. A large quantity of incriminating material was also recovered, said the police.Four persons were arrested from one module in Tral for their alleged involvement in militant attacks in the region, and six were arrested at the second module in Khrew area of Pampore, police said.scroll
J&K: 2 FIRs filed a day after mob in Kathua torched truck allegedly used for cattle smuggling
https://scroll.in/latest/904449/j-k-two-firs-filed-a-day-after-mob-in-kathua-torched-truck-allegedly-used-for-cattle-smuggling
J&K Police registered two first information reports on Tuesday, a day after a mob set a truck on fire in the state’s Kathua district alleging that the vehicle was being used to smuggle cattle. Protestors also tried to block Jammu-Pathankot national highway, prompting the police to fire tear gas shells and use batons to disperse the crowd, PTI reported.Though no one has been arrested, one person has been “taken in apprehension”, Senior Superintendent of Police Shridhar Patil said.“We will first verify his involvement in bovine smuggling. After that, we will take action in the arson incident.”scroll.in
Govt rejects higher military service pay for one lakh personnel, army upset
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-rejects-higher-military-service-pay-for-one-lakh-personnel-army-upset/story-JaHEc7eHR9sYrTxPgOF1yL.html
Govt has rejected a long-standing demand of the armed forces for higher Military Service Pay (MSP) for around one lakh personnel including Junior Commissioned Officers, military sources told PTI on Tuesday.They said the Army is anguished over the decision by the finance ministry, and will seek its review. Around one lakh service personnel, including 87,646 JCOs and 25,434 personnel from the Navy and Indian Air Force, will be affected by the decision.The MSP was introduced to the services recognising their unique service conditions and hardships. “The proposal for higher MSP for JCOs and equivalent rank of the Navy and IAF has been rejected by the finance ministry,” said a source.PTI
Won’t contest 2019 polls, says BJP’s Uma Bharti, 2nd minister to opt out
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uma-bharti-won-t-contest-lok-sabha-polls-to-concentrate-on-ram-temple/story-x4OF07edpgRUqo1JYeAAVK.html
New Delhi:Senior BJP leader and Union minister Uma Bharti announced on Tuesday she will not contest the Lok Sabha election next year and will concentrate on the issues of Ram Temple in UP ’s Ayodhya and cleanliness of the River Ganga for the next one-and-half years.Her announcement in Bhopal comes at a time when there is increasing demand from Hindu organisations to find a legislative solution to the Ram temple issue. Bharti was one of the most visible faces of the Ram temple movement.The former CM of Madhya Pradesh had said last week that her party does not have a patent on the Ram temple while calling for all parties to come together to build the temple in Ayodhya.Hindu groups, including the BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, have called for a law or an ordinance to facilitate the building of a temple at the disputed site. The RSS has also threatened a 1992-like campaign for its construction.HT
UP: 'Tablighi Ijtema' concludes in Bulandshahr; lakhs of devotees participates
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bulandshahr-ijtema-2018-bulandshahar-latest-news-today-muslims-up-uttar-pradesh-dariyapur-tablighi-ijtema/325335
Bulandshahr: Lakhs of devotees gathered in Bulandshahr in UP in order to attend the final day of 'Tablighi Ijtema', bringing the city to a grinding halt. The 'Tablighi Ijtema' is a 3-day Islamic congregation which began on Dec.1, and ended on Monday. Local media reports claimed that almost 10 lakhs Muslim devotees, from various parts of the country, had swarmed to the city in UP to attend the congregation. Several devotees from Gulf nations, besides several Islamic scholars and preachers, also attended the three-day function. Most of the roads in Bulandshahr witnessed heavy traffic jams on Sunday as lakhs of devotees made their way on foot to Dariyapur village to attend the Ijtema. As per TOI, all of the major routes from Delhi and other neighbouring cities to Bulandshahr saw a grinding traffic jam on Sunday.A massive tent was constructed on an 8 lakhs sq. feet area in Dariyapur to accommodate nearly 10 lakh people attending the mega event. As per local media reports, Railways also created temporary halts for 12 trains in Bulandhshahr to facilitate easy travel of the devotees. "Almost all the major passenger and express trains are running over-crowded. Passengers boarding in and around Bulandshahr forcibly occupied reserve seats in the trains with no special trains for people visiting in large numbers," a devotee who returned to Meerut on Sunday, identified as Rafiq Ahmed, told TOI.However, officials of the local administration claimed that all adequate measures had been put in place in order to maintain the law and order situation in the city. Times Now
Bulandshahr villagers open gates of temple for Muslims to offer namaaz in courtyard
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/bulandshahr-villagers-open-gates-of-shiva-temple-for-muslims-to-offer-namaaz-in-courtyard/articleshow/66911290.cms
It was indeed a rare spectacle, at least for the people of western UP , when scores of Muslims bowed down to offer namaz in the courtyard of a Shiva temple in Bulandshahr. Setting example of bonhomie amid rising communal rhetoric in the region, residents of Bulandshahr’s Jainpur village on Sunday afternoon threw open the gate of Shiva temple for Muslim devotees who couldn’t reach the mosque on time due to traffic congestion.As a sea of devotees gathered in Bulandshahr on Sunday to attend the final day of ‘Tabligi Iztema’, a three-day Islamic congregation, a few men got stuck in traffic near the village at the time of namaaz. When the Muslim men narrated their tale to the locals, they decided to take up the matter with the temple committee members. Together, in unison, they decided to throw open the temple gate for the Muslims. Soon, the Shiva temple’s water taps were opened for ‘wazu’ and mats were laid for namaz in its courtyard. “The message of love and brotherhood should spread far and wide. Some Muslim brothers got stuck in the traffic jam here and it was namaaz time. Since there wasn’t any other place for them to offer prayers, we opened the gate of the Shiva temple and asked them to come in,” said Amar Singh, the priest of the Shiva temple.“So many Muslims were in the city on Sunday for ‘Tabligi Iztema’. When some of them came to us and requested to offer prayers inside the temple premises, there was no way we could have refused. Love is prayer and prayer is love, and we just did our little bit,” said Chaudhary Sahab Singh, a member of the temple management committee. Village pradhan Ganga Prasad said: “The villagers sat and decided this together. It was decided in unison to open the temple gate.”TOI
WORLD
Trump writes to Imran Khan, says Taliban talks fundamental to ‘enduring’ ties; Pak Welcomes
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/donald-trump-writes-imran-khan-taliban-talks-fundamental-to-enduring-ties-5477283/
Washington:US President Donald Trump has asked for Pakistan’s help with faltering Afghan peace talks in a letter to new PM Imran Khan in which he made clear that Islamabad’s assistance was “fundamental” to the health of the two countries’ strained relationship, a senior Trump administration official said. US president wants to end the 17-year-old conflict between Afghan security forces and the Taliban, who are fighting to drive out international forces and reestablish their version of strict Islamic law after their 2001 ouster.The administration official, who did not want to be identified, said on Monday that Trump requested “Pakistan’s full support” for the US effort to advance the Afghan peace process and for US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad’s trip to the region. Trump also said in the letter to Khan that he “recognises that Pakistan has the ability to deny the Taliban sanctuary on its territory,” the official said.“The letter also makes clear that Pakistan’s assistance with the Afghan peace process is fundamental to building an enduring US-Pakistan partnership,” the official said.Pakistani foreign ministry had a different take on the letter, saying Trump asked for its “support and facilitation” in negotiating an end to the war, and offered to renew bilateral ties.Officially allies in fighting terrorism, Pakistan and the US have a complicated relationship, bound by Washington’s dependence on Pakistan to supply its troops in Afghanistan, where the US still has 14,000 troops, but plagued by accusations Islamabad is playing a double game.Trump appointed Afghan-born US diplomat Khalilzad as special envoy tasked with pushing through peace talks. Khalilzad said last month he hoped a deal would be reached by April 2019.But Afghan Taliban militants said they had not accepted any deadline and said a three-day meeting in Qatar between their leaders and Khalilzad ended with no agreement. Khalilzad began an eight-country tour, including Pakistan, Russia and Qatar, to promote peace and convince the Taliban to join negotiations.US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday that the war in Afghanistan had gone on for long enough.“We are looking for every responsible nation to support peace in the subcontinent and across this war in Afghanistan,” Mattis told reporters. “It is time for everyone to get on board.” “President Trump has also acknowledged that the war had cost both USA and Pakistan. He has emphasised that Pakistan and USA should explore opportunities to work together and renew partnership,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that Pakistan was committed to playing “a facilitation role in good faith”.Reuters
Donald Trump writes to Imran Khan, seeks Pakistan's help with Afghan peace talks; Islamabad welcomes decision
https://www.firstpost.com/world/donald-trump-writes-to-imran-khan-seeks-pakistans-help-with-afghan-peace-talks-islamabad-welcomes-decision-5666651.html
'Afghan war cost US, Pak dearly': Trump now wants Imran Khan's help to deal with Taliban;
https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/afghan-war-cost-us-pak-dearly-trump-now-wants-imran-khans-help-to-deal-with-taliban/325424
CIA chief to brief senators on Khashoggi murder: media
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/cia-chief-senators-khashoggi-murder-reports-181203230703353.html
CIA Director Gina Haspel will give a closed-door briefing to leaders of several US Senate committees this week on the killing of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, US media reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources. According to Wall Street Journal, the briefing will take place on Tuesday. Reuters, citing a source familiar with the planned meeting, said Haspel will brief the Republican and Democratic leaders of US Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Appropriations. Reuters source added that Senate Intelligence Committee already had been briefed by CIA chief. A Senate source also said Senate leaders would also participate in the briefing, which is scheduled for 11:30am local time. aljazeera
Qatar quits OPEC as Saudis walk tightrope on oil prices
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/qatar-quits-opec-saudis-walk-tightrope-oil-prices-181203222739862.html
As ministers from Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major oil producing countries prepare to gather in Vienna for a crucial meeting later this week, the cartel is absorbing yet another hit to its waning influence.The latest blow to OPEC was delivered on Monday when Qatar announced it is quitting the bloc next month to focus on LNG production.Qatar is a relatively small oil producer and its decision to end its nearly six-decade-long membership in OPEC is not expected to have a major influence on energy prices. Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi dismissed the notion that the move was driven by Doha's ongoing feud with OPEC's de facto leader Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has led a land,sea and air blockade against Qatar since June 2017.Nevertheless, some analysts see Doha's break with the cartel as deeply symbolic, especially given fact OPEC has in the past overcome major divisions to coordinate energy policy. "More than anything, we suspect that Qatar's withdrawal from OPEC has been spurred by its ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia and its allies," Jason Tuvey, Capital Economics' senior emerging markets economist, wrote.aljazeera
If US stops oil, then no oil will be exported from Gulf: Iran
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-oil-hassan-rouhani-iran-if-us-stops-our-oil-then-no-oil-will-be-exported-from-the-gulf-1957612
Geneva: US will not be able to stop Iran exporting its oil and any move to prevent Iranian crude shipments passing through the Gulf would lead to all oil exports through the waterway being blocked, Iran's president said on Tuesday.US has imposed sanctions on Iran and U.S. officials say they aim to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero in a bid to curb the Islamic Republic's missile programme and regional influence. "America should know that we are selling our oil and will continue to sell our oil and they are not able to stop our oil exports," President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech during a trip to the northern Iranian city of Shahroud."If one day they want to prevent the export of Iran's oil, then no oil will be exported from the Persian Gulf," he said.Reuters
Israel launches military operation against 'Hezbollah tunnels'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/israel-launches-military-operation-hezbollah-tunnels-181204060126929.html
The Israeli forces have launched what they call "an operation to expose and neutralise" tunnels between Lebanon and Israel, allegedly dug by armed group Hezbollah.The operation was announced by the Israeli military on Twitter on Tuesday. Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus told Reuters that the operation would only take place on Israel's side of the border and that it would not extend into Lebanon. "We see the Hezbollah activities as a flagrant and blatant violation of Israeli authority," he told Reuters.Hezbollah has not responded to the military operation yet.aljazeera
Iran to mobilise opposition against US anti-Hamas resolution
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181204-iran-to-mobilise-opposition-against-us-anti-hamas-resolution/
Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif has said that his country is to oppose and mobilise opposition against a US draft resolution condemning Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions, Iranian media reported yesterday.During a phone call between Zarif and Chief of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, Zarif said that Iran “will do its best to unite other Islamic and progressive states at the General Assembly to prevent the ratification of US-draft resolution, which stands in contradiction with UN Charter.”On its website, Hamas said that Haniyeh had made several calls to Arab and Islamic leaders asking them to do their best to undermine the proposed US resolution.MEMO
Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Tulkarem raid
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2018/12/israeli-forces-kill-palestinian-22-tulkarem-raid-181204102856165.html
Israeli forces have killed a young Palestinian man during a predawn raid in Tulkarem in occupied West Bank. Mohammed Hossam Abdel Latif Habali, 22, was shot in the head and lower limbs with live ammunition early today, Palestinian Wafa reported. He was rushed to Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarem, where he was pronounced dead.Wafa reported that Israeli forces raided a number of Palestinian homes in several neighbourhoods and that a crowd gathered in the area. Local sources said Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.An Israeli military spokesperson said that while troops were operating there, "a violent riot was instigated in which dozens of Palestinians hurled rocks".aljazeera
Rashida Tlaib endorses BDS movement
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/rashida-tlaib-endorses-bds-movement-1006656677?fbclid=IwAR3cvtKbD5BBb0vAPbwDHouOC5wrnFwMKE4n5PPhXyvkDhVUULdhEIjUX-g
Congresswoman-elect Rashida Tlaib has become just the second US lawmaker to express support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement for Palestinian rights. “I personally support the BDS movement,”Tlaib said in an interview with The Intercept news site.“I want us to see that segregation and how that has really harmed us being able to achieve real peace in that region,” said Tlaib, a Palestinian-American lawmaker who was elected to the US House of Representatives last month.Tlaib, who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, was elected in a Michigan constituency that is home to a large Arab-American population.She also said she plans to skip a trip to Israel organised by the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC) for new US lawmakers, Intercept reported, opting to lead a Congressional delegation to the occupied West Bank instead.middleeasteye
Sri Lanka Crisis: Rajapaksa Files Appeal in SC Against Interim Court's Order
https://thewire.in/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-rajapaksa-files-appeal-in-sc-against-interim-courts-order
Colombo: An appeal was filed on Tuesday in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court against a court order that barred Mahinda Rajapaksa from acting as PM.The Court of Appeal in an interim order on Monday temporarily halted Rajapaksa and his Cabinet from functioning in their positions in response to a case filed by 122 legislators against his disputed Govt . The court set the hearing of the case for Dec. 12 and 13.MP Gamini Lokuge said the appeal was filed in the Supreme Court against the interim order issued by the Court of Appeal, Daily Mirror reported. Rajapaksa had said on Monday that he would appeal against the Court of Appeal’s interim order.“We will not agree with the interim order issued by the Court of Appeal today suspending the Cabinet. We will appeal to the Supreme Court first thing tomorrow against it,” Rajapaksa said in a statement. He said that it was the Supreme Court which has the power to interpret the Constitution.PTI
Yemen's Govt to swap hundreds of prisoners with Houthis
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/yemen-Govt -swap-hundreds-prisoners-houthis-181204101254473.html
Stockholm: Yemen's Govt has said it has agreed to a large-scale prisoner swap with its adversaries, the Houthi rebels, as part of a "confidence-building measure", suggesting the warring sides could come to a ceasefire agreement at peace talks in Sweden later this week.Yemen's foreign minister, Khaled al-Yamani, said on Tuesday that his Govt had "come to an agreement" with the Houthis after spending the "past eight to nine months locked in negotiations"."When we head to the negotiations in Sweden, we will discuss the operational issues of this agreement, how it can be implemented, how to exchange the detainees, prisoners, abductees and the forcibly disappeared," he said.aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
A Cowshed and Rs 62 Lakh Mercedes: The Dual Face of Goa Governor Mridula Sinha:Devika Sequeira
https://thewire.in/politics/goa-governor-rti-mercedes-raj-bhavan-lifestyle
Is the RBI Over Capitalised? Only if You Compare Apples With Oranges:V.K. Sharma
https://thewire.in/banking/is-the-rbi-over-capitalised-only-if-you-compare-apples-with-oranges
As Elections Near, Security Forces Have Scaled Up Anti-Militancy Operations in Kashmir: Mudasir Ahmad
https://thewire.in/security/kashmir-militancy-operations-security-forces
Ex-BJP Leaders Could Be Assets for the BJD or Congress in Odisha:Priya Ranjan Sahu
https://thewire.in/politics/odisha-bjp-congress-bjp-elections
Even as Mayawati tries to sideline him, Bhim Army is expanding: Badri Narayan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bahujan-politics-chandrashekhar-azad-mayawati-bsp-5476991/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:13 PM)
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