NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
10 Dec. 2018:02 Rabiul-II 1440: Vol: 11, No:72
INDIA
BJP Ally Upendra Kushwaha Quits As Minister, to Attend Opposition Meet
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjps-sulking-ally-upendra-kushwaha-wont-attend-key-meet-may-exit-today-1960233
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bihar ally Upendra Kushwaha quit as union minister and exited BJP-led NDA today in a move that had been anticipated for months because of his growing resentment with another ally, Nitish Kumar, and his dominance in seat-share for the 2019 general election. Kushwaha is also expected to join a big opposition meet to discuss a common strategy to fight the BJP next year.Kushwaha, the chief of the RLSP, had been flirting with the opposition for some time and met with Congress president Rahul Gandhi this morning before sending his resignation to PM Modi."Nearly five years ago I joined the National Democratic Alliance, under your leadership, with tremendous hope and expectations. During the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 you made several commitments to the people of Bihar and to the nation at large. It was in this context that I had extended my unconditional support to the BJP," the minister of state wrote in his resignation letter. Kushwaha leaves NDA minus his two state lawmakers or parliamentarian Arun Kumar, who had floated his own party earlier. But his exit triggers political realignment in Bihar, which has 40 seats, just before the national election.It is a huge boost for the opposition, especially for RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, who has taken charge of the opposition in Bihar since his father was jailed for corruption in Dec 2017. Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar's arch rival who quit his JDU last year, is believed to be ready to merge his party with Kushwaha's, so together they can have a better share of seats in an opposition alliance.Upendra Kushwaha has been upset over seat-sharing for the 2019 national polls, in which Nitish Kumar seems to have struck a better deal than other allies in Bihar.Kushwaha has made no bones about his disenchantment with the BJP. He had been feeling short-changed since BJP struck a even-steven seat deal with Nitish Kumar, the Bihar chief minister, last month.The message for Kushwaha was that he would not be given more than two seats to contest in the Lok Sabha election. Bihar sends 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha. His sharpest public expression of revolt against the NDA came in a strongly-worded statement by the RLSP expressing concern over what it believed were objectionable and unnecessary decisions taken by BJP and the central government. "We are not opposed to construction of mosques and temples. But this is not the function of political parties and their meddling in such matters causes tensions in the society and diverts the attention of the public from real issues," said the party's resolution.On the growing chorus for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya by BJP's leaders and allies, RLSP's resolution said it "gives rise to the suspicion that the largest party in the coalition ruling the Centre, and some of its leaders, are deliberately trying to make the people forget about poverty, illiteracy and unemployment and get swayed by emotive issues. The party strongly condemns this attitude".The resolution also criticised the Nitish Kumar government in the strongest terms.ndtv
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind seeks judicial probe into Bulandshahr mob killing
http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2018/dec/09/jamaat-chief-seeks-judicial-probe-into-mob-killing-1909121.html
New Delhi: Condemning the killing of Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Saturday termed the murder as a “pre-planned conspiracy”. The prominent Muslim organisation also demanded a judicial probe into the matter alleging that anti-social elements in UP have political backing. “We demand a judicial probe into the matter. UP chief minister’s statement that the Bulandshahr cow slaughter should be investigated shows how insensitive and indifferent he is regarding the death of a police officer, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty,” said JIH acting president Nusrat Ali.The cold-blooded murder of a police officer by an unruly mob, which was filmed by the culprits, shows the extent of the breakdown of law and order in Uttar Pradesh, he said. “These anti-social elements, who murdered SHO, know that they have the backing of their political masters. The blame lies with those who have been peddling politics of hate,” he said.Ali also spoke about the Babri Masjid dispute and said that the JIH was hopeful that the Supreme Court will rule in favour of a mosque at the disputed site. He said that Jamaat is against an out-of-court settlement as proposed by some “self-appointed mediators”. “We want the apex court to give its judgment regarding the dispute as soon as possible. We see that some affiliated outfits of the RSS are pressurising the govt to acquire land by issuing an ordinance, but this would be against,” he said. newindianexpress
Jamaat demands judicial probe into Bulandshahr violence, SHO death
http://theindianawaaz.com/jamaat-demands-judicial-probe-into-bulandshahr-violence-sho-death/
Army soldier Jitendra held, accused of ‘fomenting trouble,’ ‘instigating’ mob and shouting ‘slogans’
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/indian-army-soldier-jitendra-malik-arrested-accused-of-fomenting-trouble-instigating-mob-and-shouting-slogans/222658/?fbclid=IwAR1_5JVzRitKQvdnYQ6tFMWWtTP4IHU1HJpzRoMM5IpzOIFcKGTaBuCnvmI
Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday confirmed that the armyman Jitendra Malik, also known as Jitu fauji, had been formally arrested in connection with the Bulandshahr violence that killed police officer Subodh Kumar Singh.Malik was posted in Spore in J&K and was visiting his home on a 15-day leave when the Hindutva militants caused a large-scale violence in Bulandshahr, killing Singh. One protester too was dead. Malik had fled to Sopore after the news of Singh’s murder spread. A special task force of the UP Police had travelled to Sopore to catch him. Indian Army handed Malik over to the UP Police task force, which brought the man to Uttar Pradesh on Saturday night. Confirming the news Anand Kumar, the ADG, Law and Order, of the UP Police, said that Malik was fomenting crowd on the fateful day. He told NDTV, “His (Jitendra Malik) presence has been established at the site where the incident has taken place. You can clearly see him fomenting trouble and instigating the crowd. And also, he’s trying to foment trouble. Therefore, we will ascertain his culpability as per his role. As of now, we have some kind of inkling, some kind of evidence by bystanders and people who were there that this man had something to do with the violence there.” Kumar also said that several questions remained unanswered and the STF team will grill the army soldier to find answers. He said, “Why is an armyman there? Why’s he instigating? He’s supposed to be upholding the highest tradition of (inaudible). What’s his role there? What is he doing there, shouting slogans?”The gruesome murder of Singh had stunned members of civil society in India particularly after a video emerged indicating the role of Hindutva supporters in slaughtering the cow and bringing carcasses to the site of the protest to inflame passion. The Uttar Pradesh Police, had later asked the journalist, who posted the video on Twitter, to share the unedited version of the video with them.Police are also on the lookout for one Yogesh Raj, a leader of Hindutva armed group Bajrang Dal and also a key accused. Jantakareporter
Bulandshahr violence: After a BJP MP backed accused, another takes aim at murdered SHO
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bulandshahr-violence-bjp-mp-murdered-sho-kumar-subodh-singh-5485763/
Meerut :Days after a BJP MP came out in support of the main accused in the killing of SHO Subodh Kumar Singh following a brutal attack by a mob over the alleged killing of cows in Bulandshahr, another MP from the party, has chipped in, this time to point fingers at the slain policeman. Meerut MP Rajendra Agrawal said that the team investigating the violence last Monday should also check whether the SHO became a target because the station under his charge allegedly failed to check cow slaughter and cattle smuggling.“Whatever has happened in Bulandshahr on December 3 leading to the death of the Siana Station House Officer in mob lynching is highly deplorable. But the probe team should also include within its purview why no action was taken by the SHO in connection with FIR lodged regarding cow smuggling at the Siana police station before the violence,” Agarwal said.“If cow slaughter has been declared by UP CM Yogi Adityanath as a serious crime, then we will have to look into the working of police stations, including Siana, over a broader time period. If we have to uproot the menace of cow slaughter, we will have to look at all aspects, down to the police station level,”he said.indianexpress
Shut down Darul Uloom Deoband: Bajrang Dal west UP chief
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/shut-down-darul-uloom-deoband-bajrang-dal-west-up-chief/articleshow/67006082.cms
Muzaffarnagar: Launching a scathing attack on the world-renowned Islamic seminary Darul Uloom, Deoband, Bajrang Dal’s convenor for its Meerut prant which comprises 24 districts of west UP, Balraj Dungar, said, “If the seminary is closed down, it will lead to an end of love jihad, land jihad and will also result in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.” “Once this university is closed down, all problems will be solved,” he said. Last month, Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh had stirred a controversy by calling the leading Islamic seminary in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district, a “temple of terrorism”. The authorities at the university had vehemently condemned the statement. The seminary, in news mostly for its fatwas, had reacted sharply in September when the Uttarakhand high court issued a ban on fatwas and declared them illegal. Ashraf Usmani, in-charge, Organisation and Development Department of Darul, had then said, “I think Uttarakhand HC has given this order out of some confusion. In its 2014 order, the SC had clearly stated that a fatwa is an opinion, only an expert is expected to give. it is not sanctioned under our Constitutional scheme. It is an informal justice delivery system with an objective of bringing about amicable settlement between the parties. Even Supreme Court did not ban fatwa and allowed its prevalence as it has no legal status. I feel that Uttarakhand HC must reconsider its decision under the light of this judgment.” TOI
Today’s lynching mobs no less dangerous that those who razed Babri: ex-karsevak Deshpande
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/todays-lynching-mobs-no-less-dangerous-that-those-who-razed-babri/articleshow/67017796.cms
A former karsevak, who has now turned atheist, believes the ‘decentralised mobs’ active in the country today can lead to unprecedented situations, and are no less dangerous then those who demolished the Babri Masjid in Dec. 1992. He has also urged people to stay away from the Ram temple movement that the Hindutva forces are trying to revive.“Earlier, the frenzied mob demolished the Babri mosque that led to riots in the country, but now there are thousands of mobs in every part of the country. They are lynching, beating, killing. I feel this is the most dangerous situation. They just need a small trigger to go on a rampage. Unfortunately, the mobs are sponsored by the present BJP govt. PM Narendra Modi is silent on the issue. Ayodhya-type pre-planned incident might not happen now, but worse things can happen anywhere and anytime in the country,’’said Prof Abhijit Deshpande, Marathi faculty at KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce, a one-time ardent karsevak, who has long stopped believing in the cause of Ram temple and the God himself. Deshpande, however, said that the support for round two of the Ram temple movement may not be that strong this time round.The aftermath of the Ram temple movement left so much impact on Deshpande’s life that he not only lost faith in the cause but also in the God himself.“We went to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, but they demolished the Babri Masjid. My transformation from a karsevak to an atheist started from that point,’’ said Deshpande.Under the influence of Hindutva ideology taught in RSS shakhas, Deshpande who is originally from Parbhani in Marathwada, went to Ayodhya along with other karsevaks in 1992. He said he was taken aback when he realised that the plan was not to build the Ram temple, but to demol ish Babri Masjid. Deshpande was in SYBA then, and was Vibhag Karyavah of RSS shakha in Parbhani. Later, in 2004 he penned an autobiographical booklet ‘Ek Hota Karsevak’, admitting the mistake of Babri demolition.After coming back from Ayodhya, Deshpande saw social and communal tensions erupt across the country.Muslim neighbours, college friends suddenly came under the cloud of suspicion for the majority community, he said.“I started relating previous things with Babri demolition. In shakhas, we were shown video cassettes explaining how the then Mulayam Singh govt in UP prevented karsevaks from entering Ayodhya between 1989 and 1991 and how the karsevaks were beaten up by police. We were taught a game at shakha in which one group was given a task of taking a stick to a little elevated area and the other group was to prevent them from doing so.This was nothing but a rehearsal to climb the Babri Masjid and hoist a saffron flag on it. When the demolition took place on Dec. 6, 1992, I reached the site at around 3.30 pm and was surprised to see that the work was carried out in a very systematic manner. Karsevaks were ready with pickaxes, spades, hoes, and utensils to carry away the debris, which showed that it was not spontaneous act. The demolition was pre-planned, and the leaders knew about it,’’ Deshpande said.Now, remembering the events after 26 years, he the holds the Congress and RSS-BJP equally responsible for the demolition. “RSS, BJP and other Hindutva elements wanted it (demolition) to happen and contributed to it, and the Congress allowed it to happen. Congress government at the Centre did not prevent the demolition that started at around noon, and went on till 4.30 pm.Army reached Ayodhya late in the evening, and by that time the karsevaks had been safely removed from the town.Rajiv Gandhi government’s move to go against Supreme Court’s decision in Shah Bano case gave fuel to Hindutva forces. RSS-BJP combine could mobilise support on the issue, terming it as an anti- Hindu decision. This led to opening of the disputed site of Babri Masjid, and the rest is history’’ he said.Mumbai Mirror
Bulandshahr: In Nayabans village, Muslims feel 'terrorised' by Hindus as tension surges before polls
https://www.firstpost.com/india/bulandshahr-violence-in-ups-nayabans-village-muslims-feel-terrorised-by-hindu-activists-as-religious-tension-surges-ahead-of-election-5698461.html
Nayabans:Nayabans isn’t remarkable as northern Indian villages go. Sugar cane grows in surrounding fields, women carry animal feed in bullock carts through narrow lanes, people chatter outside a store, and cows loiter. But this week, the village in UP state became a symbol of the deepening communal divide in India as some Hindu men from the area complained they had seen a group of Muslims slaughtering cows in a mango orchard a couple of miles away.That infuriated Hindus, who regard the cow as a sacred animal. Anger against Muslims turned into outrage that police had not stopped an illegal practice, and a Hindu mob blocked a highway, threw stones, burned vehicles and eventually two people were shot and killed, including a police officer.The events throw a spotlight on the religious strains in places like Nayabans since PM Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist BJP came to power at the national level in 2014 and in UP in 2017. Tensions are ratcheting up ahead of the next general election, due to be held by May. BJP said it was “bizarre” to assume the party would benefit from any religious disharmony, dismissing suggestions that its supporters were largely responsible for the tensions. “In a large country like India nobody can ensure that nothing will go wrong, but it’s our responsibility to maintain law and order and we understand that,”party spokesman Gopal Krishna Agarwal said. “But people are trying to politicize these issues.”Nayabans, just about three hour’s drive from Delhi, has about 400 Muslims out of a population of 4,000, the rest are Hindu.“For 40 years mikes were used in the mosque, calls for prayer were made five times a day, but no one objected,” said Waseem Khan, Muslim community leader in Nayabans. “We resisted initially but then we thought it’s better to live in peace then create a dispute over a mike,” he said. “We don’t want to give them a chance to fan communal tensions.” Reuters
Hindu monks, large crowds call on Modi to help build Ayodhya temple
https://in.reuters.com/article/india-election-religion/hindu-monks-large-crowds-call-on-modi-to-help-build-ayodhya-temple-idINKBN1O805D
New Delhi:Dozens of Hindu monks and tens of thousands of followers, gathered under the banner of groups linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party, on Sunday urged the government to help build a temple on the ruins of a 16th-century mosque.Causing a frenzy in a crowd of more than 200,000 people, Hindu seers made a series of fiery speeches laced with religious overtones to demand action paving the way for a temple in the northern town of Ayodhya.After the demolition of the mosque, both Hindu and Muslim groups petitioned the Supreme Court to help resolve the issue. The top court has sought more time to give its verdict. Reuters
Will topple govt if Ram temple construction is opposed: Swamy
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/will-topple-govt-if-ram-temple-construction-is-opposed-swamy201812080753050001/
New Delhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has warned that if the Centre or Uttar Pradesh government tries to oppose the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya,he would "topple the govt.""If our matter (Ram temple) is listed in January, we'll win it in two weeks. Because my two opposing parties are the central government and Uttar Pradesh govt. Do they have the guts to oppose me? If they do, I'll topple the government. Though I know that they won't do it," he said while addressing a gathering at the JNU here.
Not Able to Rent a House in Jammu, Says Ex Kathua Lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat
https://thewire.in/rights/lawyer-deepika-singh-rajawat-housing-threats
Srinagar: Lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat, who played an important role in the Kathua rape case, is finding it difficult to rent a home in Jammu.Rajawat’s housing problem began after the Bakharwal family, whose case made her an overnight star, removed her as their lawyer. Rajawat received rape and death threats, and was constantly trolled, following which then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti provided her with govt accommodation. The lawyer lives in a govt quarter in Gandhi Nagar, with her six-year-old daughter. Threats against her have increased manifold over the course of the past few weeks, she says, as the family’s application to remove her as their lawyer came to light. Since governor’s rule was imposed in J&K, things have become harder for her. Her accommodation was provided on Mufti’s verbal orders and Rajawat was told to vacate immediately after she was removed from the Kathua case.Moreover, three personal security officers (PSOs) – two for her and one for her daughter – had been assigned. She told The Wire that her daughter’s PSO was reassigned, though there has been no change in the circumstances around her safety.Because of constant harassment by officials of the estates department, even Rajawat wishes to vacate the premises. But she has found that people in Jammu are unwilling to rent houses to her. Kathua case has created a negative image about the activist.thewire
Accused of ‘Love Jihad’, This Kashmiri Youth is Not Giving Up on His Rajasthani Bride
https://www.news18.com/news/india/accused-of-love-jihad-this-kashmiri-youth-is-not-giving-up-on-his-rajasthani-bride-1965341.html
Srinagar: Gulzar Ahmad and Ritu Khandelwal had been dating for six months when they finally thought of getting married. But the young couple knew that their journey was not going to be easy because of their religions. Ahmad hails from Kashmir and is a Muslim, Khandelwal is a Hindu from Barmer district of Rajasthan.Gulzar moved to Jodhpur, Rajasthan from north Kashmir’s Kupwara in 2014 and started working as a chef in a restaurant. 21-year-old then shifted to Barmer in 2015 where he began working in another restaurant. Ritu used to visit the place often and when Ahmad spotted her one day it was “love at first sight”.“We both fell in love at first sight, perhaps,” says Gulzar. “She was a college student and later began teaching at a school. Our relationship grew stronger but I was always scared because of our different religions,” he adds.“When Ritu proposed marriage to me, I told her it was not possible,” he says. “But she surprised me, saying she will convert to Islam.” In December 2017, the couple moved to Srinagar and married in J&K High Court.The couple got married in December last year.“Ritu converted to Islam and we filed the affidavit before the court and then we got married,” says Gulzar. Ritu was given a Muslim name, Zainab. Soon after learning about their marriage, Ritu’s parents filed a police case against Gulzar, terming it another case of ‘love jihad’, alleged campaigns to convert non-Muslim women via marriage to Muslim men. news18
Out of 180 Million Indian Muslims, only 108 joined IS: Ex-Intelligence Bureau chief
https://www.siasat.com/news/out-180-million-indian-muslims-only-108-joined-ex-intelligence-bureau-chief-1443437/
New Delhi: The basic notion about Muslims in India or the Western-European countries is that, they are all – ‘terrorists’, but contradictory to this false notion, the fact is, this misconception of Muslims can be best termed as “ISLAMOPHOBIA” that has taken over the whole world as we know it, because of some inhuman people who have not only insulted the religion by their evil actions but have also disregarded their religion’s basic principles.Speaking of Indian Muslims, according to recent statistics there are currently 180 million Muslims living in India alone and of these 180 Million Muslims, only 108 Muslims are reported to have joined Islamic State said Former Intelligence Bureau director Syed Asif Ibrahim who retired as IB Chief in 2014, TOI reports. Adressing a seminar on ‘Cooperation against Radicalisation and Terrorism between UAE and India’ which was organised by Policy Perspectives Foundation in collaboration Abu Dhabi-based thinktank Emirates Policy Group on Friday Mr Ibrahim said: “As a result of the Sufistic and non-Salafi nature of Islam in India as well as the existence of a strong and vibrant democracy, only about 108 Indian Muslims joined ISIS which is 0.000058% of India’s 180 million Muslims. Of these 108, 50% of joinees went from the diaspora in West Asia…the ones exposed to Salafi radicals. 40% went from the coastal region in India, which was the recipient of Shafaiyei Islam, which came via the sea.”“The more religious you are the more fundamentalist you are is the current narrative, but this was proven wrong by UK’s security agencies, which interviewed ISIL returnees. Almost 90% returnees had little knowledge of religion. Strong religious education acts as a bulwark against radicalisation.So much so that in many madrasas in India, CVE(countering violent extremism) is a key chapter in most religious texts,” he pointed out. Siasat
Many Indian Muslims have no faith in police:survey
https://www.siasat.com/news/many-indian-muslims-have-no-faith-police-claims-survey-report-1443524/
New Delhi: According to a survey conducted throughout the country, it was revealed that the Muslim communities have no faith in police. This survey was conducted by the Human Rights Foundation and Goyal initiative. This survey was conducted in 8 cities. These institutions asked the Muslims about the functioning of the police and they also interviewed 25 former police officers. Questions were asked to the members of the affected families who did not have faith in the police. They felt that there is no proper representation of Muslims in the police force. Muslims should get their share according to their population which is 14%, but in police force, their representation is only 8%.On the other hand in prisons, there are 21% undertrials. Zafer Ul Islam, Chairman of Minorities Commission in Delhi, released this report. He told that the Police Act is in favour of the rulers. Many representations were made for changing the Police Act, but failed. Siasat
Muslims, Hindus Unite at International Summit in Rishikesh
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/muslims--hindus-unite-at-international-summit-in-rishikesh.html
Dehradun:A number of Hindu and Muslim leaders and youth joined forces at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh for an event on strengthening inter-religious collaboration of Hindu and Muslim leaders and youth. The event was organised as a show of interfaith unity and harmony in a time of growing global strife.Religious leaders shared experiences, discussed challenges and potential solutions, highlighted successes, and identified potential areas for concrete joint collaboration during the two-day event which concluded on Sunday. The gathering will also take dialogue into action through a two-day youth leader training at Parmarth Niketan which will conclude on Monday, during which young faith leaders and youth from faith-based organisations will be trained to be champions of peaceful and inclusive societies. Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, “India is not just a piece of land but a land of peace. We are the longest standing democracy that has provided refugee and home to people of all faiths. To me, interfaith is when we enter into the common faith of our one humanity. We remember that we may worship our own but we must respect all.”KAICIID programme director Muhammad Shifan Rafaideen said, “On behalf of KAICIID, it gives me profound joy to be part of the Parmarth Niketan and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance launch of this event on peaceful dialogue, diversity, social coexistence. This partnership is important for us to enhance inter-religious dialogue within the Indian context.Together we are working to accomplish the noble goal of strengthening peace and harmony between and within communities, especially for youth to be included, is the thread of all religions.”Imam Umer Ahmes Ilyasi opined, “When we first brought Gurukul and Madrasa children together here we had a great purpose and intention behind it and that was that it would be the beginning of a nationwide revolution which will begin to shape a more peaceful and inclusive societies. ”dailypioneer
Muslims in this village divide road on caste lines
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/muslims-in-this-bihar-village-divide-road-on-caste-lines-1405849-2018-12-09
Caste runs deep in Indian society and religion is no bar. In Bihar's Muzaffarpur, a Muslim mohalla has a road that has been split into two. People living in the area have divided the road that divides them by building a wall. Half of the road now belongs to the Sheikhs, considered upper caste, and the other half to the Ansaris, considered lower in the caste order among Muslims. The problem is the narrow road has a wall in the middle and is useless for cars or other four-wheelers.Damodarpuri Tola in Panapur Haveli panchayat in Muzaffarpur's Kanti is a Muslim-dominated village. Sheikhs among them have had their domination questioned by Ansaris. Recently, on November 18, a wedding in an Ansari household led to a fight between the two communities within the community. The Sheikhs did not like the Sheikh-level pomp and show on the Ansari side. A quarrel turned into a free for all.indiatoday
BJP files caveat in SC over 'rath yatra' in W. Bengal
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-files-caveat-in-sc-over-rath-yatra-in-west-bengal/articleshow/67011281.cms
The West Bengal BJP has said it had filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to ensure that it got a hearing in case the state government moved the apex court against the Calcutta High Court verdict on the party's proposed "rath yatra". "We have filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to ensure that we do not go unheard if the Bengal government decides to move the apex court against the order passed by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court (on the "rath yatra")," state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said.He claimed that the West Bengal govt did not want the saffron party to conduct the "rath yatra", adding, "We are apprehensive that the government may move the Supreme Court."A caveat is a notice that states that certain actions may not be taken without informing the person who has given the notice.The caveat in the apex court was filed by the BJP Saturday.A division bench of the Calcutta High Court came down heavily on West Bengal govt Friday for not responding to BJP letters, seeking permission for three "rath yatra" in the state, and directed top officials to take a decision on the processions by Dec.14.Justices Biswanath Somadder and A Mukherjee said the government's silence on the permission was "astonishing and astounding". PTI
Leave Owaisi’s AIMIM, We'll Support You: BJP Offer to KCR 48 Hours Before Telangana Election Results
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/leave-owaisis-aimim-only-then-will-we-support-you-telangana-bjps-offer-to-kcr-1965221.html
Hyderabad: Hinting that it is open to extending post-poll support to TRS leader K Chandrashekar Rao in Telangana, BJP on Sunday asked the caretaker CM to ditch Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM first. Telangana BJP chief K Laxman said no government can be formed in Telangana without the saffron party’s support. “TRS has to make its stand clear. If TRS aligns with Majlis (AIMIM), there is no question of the BJP extending support to it. BJP will support non-Congress, non-Majlis party. The final decision will be taken by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi, but no party will get clear majority in Telangana,” Laxman said. The offer is likely to bolster Congress and TDP’s claim of TRS being a ‘B-team’ of BJP. The saffron party had also made a similar charge against KCR, accusing him of colluding with the ‘Mahakutami’ or grand alliance of Congress and TDP.Owaisi had earlier said that his party would win the seats that fall in Hyderabad, while the government would be formed by KCR again. He, however, said his party would not join the government.The exit polls have been almost unanimous in predicting that KCR’s gamble of advancing the assembly polls will pay off and he will retain power. Republic TV and Times Now forecast that his party would win 50-65 and 66 seats in the 119-member assembly. TV9 Telugu and India Today forecast a tally between 75-85 and 75-91 for the ruling party respectively. Some exit polls saw a tighter battle between TRS and Congress-TDP combine.The counting of votes would be taken up on December 11.news18
Women challenge Nizamuddin dargah ban, which is in place because ‘dead can see them naked’
https://theprint.in/governance/women-challenge-nizamuddin-dargah-ban-which-is-in-place-because-dead-can-see-them-naked/160743/
New Delhi: Protests are still on against the Supreme Court’s order to allow women inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple, but similar restrictions at other places of worship are already being challenged.A new petition in the Delhi High Court has sought the entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah in Delhi.Filed by three women law students, the plea takes exception to a notice pasted on the premises that bars women from the main shrine of the renowned dargah, otherwise known for its unique character of embracement and transcendence across religious and caste lines. While men and transgenders are allowed inside the south Delhi shrine, women have to pray, kneel and kiss the wall behind the grave of the Sufi saint.“These 3 law students had come to Delhi and visited the dargah,” advocate Kamlesh Mishra, their lawyer, said. “There, they saw this notice that barred women from entering it, so they approached me and asked if it could be challenged, and I said, of course, it can be.”The students first made a representation to the government as well as the Nizamuddin dargah trust in late Nov. When it was not responded to, they moved the Delhi HC.ThePrint
Large number of Muslim women likely to go to Haj without 'Mehram' in 2019: Naqvi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/large-number-of-muslim-women-likely-to-go-to-haj-without-mehram-in-2019-naqvi/articleshow/67011046.cms
New Delhi: A large number of Muslim women are likely to go to Haj without 'Mehram' (male companion) next year, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Sunday. Naqvi, while chairing a meeting here with representatives of organisations associated with Haj, said that the Haj Committee of India has received more than 2,23,000 applications for Haj 2019 till now.The over 2,23,000 applications include about 47 per cent women, he was quoted as saying by a statement released from his office.Haj application process had started on November 7, 2018, and the last date for it is Dec.12. Naqvi said that more than 2,000 women have applied to go for Haj in 2019 without 'Mehram' with the number likely to go up.Naqvi said that in 2018, for the first time, the Centre had lifted the ban on women going to Haj without Mehram, which resulted into about 1,300 women going for the pilgrimage without any male companion. They had been exempted from the lottery system and more than 100 women Haj coordinators and Haj assistants had been deployed to assist the Indian women Haj pilgrims, Naqvi said.For the first time after Independence, a record number of Muslims -- 1,75,025 -- from India performed Haj in 2018 and that too without any subsidy, he said.Naqvi said that making the Haj process completely digital has helped in making the entire process transparent.PTI
AMU, Jamia Hamdard among 19 more shortlised as Institutions of Eminence
http://www.ummid.com/news/2018/December/09.12.2018/amu-jamia-hamdard-among-19-more-shortlised-as-institutions-of-eminence.html
New Delhi:An Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) constituted by the Modi Government in New Delhi has recommended selection of 19 more institutions, including AMU and Jamia Jamdard New Delhi, as Institutions of Eminence (IoEs).Government and UGC had earlier jointly approved a scheme of providing Regulatory Architecture for setting up and upgrading of 20 Institutions (10 from public sector & 10 from private sector) as world class teaching and research institutions called as ‘Institutions of Eminence’.Regulatory Architecture has been provided in the form of UGC (Declaration of Govt Institutions as Institutions of Eminence) Guidelines, 2017 for public Institutions and UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2017 for private Institutions. "Under this scheme, 114 applications (74 from public sector and 40 from private sector) were received in the Ministry for selection of IoEs", the HRD Ministry said. Probably to balance the inclusion of still to be born Jio Institute in the list, the government has included two more greenfield or yet to be set up institutes Bharti Airtel group-backed Satya Bharti Foundation and Krea University. Besides Jamia Hamdard, other private universities in the list are Vellore Institute of Technology, Amrita Vidyapeeth, Indian Institute of Human Settlement and Institute of Public Health Sciences. Among the Central Universities along with AMU are BHU, Tezpur University and the University of Hyderabad besides 2 state universities-Andhra University and Savitribai Phule Pune University. ummid.com
UGC panel has 19 names for ‘excellence' status
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/ugc-panel-suggests-19-more-names-including-amu-and-bhu-for-eminence-tag/articleshow/67015094.cms
Renowned Historian, Jamia Millia's Ex-VC Mushirul Hasan Dies
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/renowned-historian-jamia-millias-ex-vc-mushirul-hasan-dies
New Delhi, Dec 10: Renowned historian Mushirul Hasan, a former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, died on Monday. He was 71.Hasan, who was also a former Director General of National Archives of India, wrote extensively on the 1947 partition of India.He served as Pro Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia between 1992 and 1996 and headed the institution between 2004 and 2009.Hasan's 'Namaz-e-Janaza' was performed at Babul Ilm and Jamia Mosque. The burial will take place at the Jamia graveyard.Condoling his death, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said his work would continue to shape the nation's consciousness."A historian, a teacher, a Vice Chancellor, an archivist: Mushirul Hasan blended all fine qualities of our syncretic culture and scholarship. His work and his books continue to shape our consciousness. Condolences to Zoya Hasan (wife) and others in his family," he tweeted.IANS
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