NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
18 Dec. 2018:10 Rabiul-II 1440: Vol: 11, No:78
INDIA
NRC to be limited to Assam for now: Govt informs Lok Sabha in written reply India
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/nrc-assam-draft-full-form-meaning-list-news-national-register-of-citizens-of-india-hansraj-ahir-trinamool-congress-bharatiya-janata-party-nrc-latest/333012
New Delhi:The Govt on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that National Register of Citizens of India (NRC) will be limited to Assam “for now” and that “at present” the Govt did not have plans to extend the project to other states. The information was shared with the Parliament as a written reply by Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir.The reply was submitted in response to the question posed by Trinamool Congress MP Prasoon Banerjee. In the reply, Ahir wrote, “At present, there is no proposal to extend the NRC to states other than Assam.” NRC is a list of Indian citizens in Assam, which is being updated by the Govt in order to weed out illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other regions residing in the state.The final draft of the NRC was released in July this year, triggering a political turmoil after it was revealed that the draft NRC list had left out names of around 40 lakh people out of a total of 3.29 crore applicants. Names of 2.89 crores people were included in NRC draft list. Opposition parties, including the Congress and TMC, had accused BJP of targeting a particular minority community through the list, a claim vehemently denied by the ruling party.Times Now
Send triple talaq bill to select panel: AIMPLB
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/send-triple-talaq-bill-to-select-panel/articleshow/67136328.cms
Lucknow: Soon after the Union Govt introduced a fresh bill in Lok Sabha to make the practice of ‘triple talaq’ a penal offence on Monday, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said that it was a move for political gains and is not aimed at safeguarding women’s rights as is being claimed.It demanded that the bill be sent to a select committee, which should hear the opinion of Muslim community on it.AIMPLB executive committee member Qasim Rasool Ilyas said, “Tabling of bill in Lok Sabha is only for political gains. It is not for protection of women’s rights. The law will only be misused against Muslim families.” The board reiterated that it would challenge the law against triple talaq in Supreme Court.On Sunday, AIMPLB had formed an internal committee to approach MPs and heads of political parties for opposing Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018.“We are meeting political parties, even BJP allies that are not part of saffron brigade, to oppose the bill. We have contacted JDU and SAD while Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP will also be approached,” he added.AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said,“Bill is completely against the religious and fundamental rights of the community. It was drafted without any consultation with Muslim bodies and is purely anti-Muslim. Around 5 crore Muslim women have rejected bill by signing a petition. TOI
RSS mouthpiece on poll results: ‘BJP was caught up in problematic turf of false narratives on quota issue’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-mouthpiece-on-election-results-bjp-was-caught-up-in-problematic-turf-of-false-narratives-on-quota-issue-5498221/
New Delhi :Claiming that there is no “anti-Modi” sentiment, an editorial in RSS mouthpiece Organiser, in reference to the recent Assembly polls, says that BJP was caught up in the problematic turf of false narratives on the reservation issue and anger from both sides. “Though some people have already started projecting this as the beginning of the end of the Modi Govt and some calling it the victory of Rahul Gandhi, in reality, the election results have posed more questions to the political parties, pollsters and us as a nation. Whether the respective parties, pundits and ‘we the people’ are ready to read the message beyond numbers for the future course of democracy is critical,” the editorial reads.It says that the message (of the results) for the BJP was more complicated, but still clear. “After the strong anti-incumbency and fake narratives, the way BJP almost pulled off Madhya Pradesh and the way they recovered in Rajasthan, clearly shows that there is no anti-Modi sentiment,” it reads. “The agrarian distress is real, but if it was the main reason behind this verdict, then the BJP could not have registered victory in almost fifty % rural constituencies. The BJP was caught up in the problematic turf of false narratives on the reservation issue and faced anger from both sides.”It says the losses of the BJP in stronghold of Shekhavati region of Rajasthan, Mahakaushal of MP and central Chhattisgarh give some indications. “Anti-BJP votes got consolidated in favour of the Congress while the pro-BJP votes remained silent,” it reads.indianexpress
Muslim Body Welcomes Delhi HC Verdict in Anti-Sikh Riots Case, Demands Anti-Genocide Law
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/muslim-body-welcomes-delhi-hc-verdict-in-anti-sikh-riots-case-demands-anti-genocide-law?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi: A pan-India umbrella body of Muslim organizations has welcomed the Delhi High Court verdict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case whereby a senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and some others were awarded life sentence.All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM) has also welcomed the reference in the verdict to the riots of Mumbai (1993), Gujarat (2002), Kandhamal (2008) and Muzaffarnagar (2013).AIMMM President Navaid Hamid “welcomed the judgement in Anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and conviction of Sajjan Kumar who is an important criminal actor of this anti-Sikh pogrom in Delhi in 1984.” AIMMM president welcomed the reference to other riots.“We also welcome the references of other anti-minority violent incidents of past including that of Gujarat and Orissa in the Sajjan Kumar conviction judgement,” said Hamid.Hamid also demanded an anti-genocide law. “If union Govt led by PM Narendra Modi is sincere in slogan of justice for all, it should bring anti-genocide law in parliament in the current session only as India is signatory to the Anti Genocide Declaration of United Nations since more than six decades. The violent incidents against minorities and other marginalised groups occurred only because of planned hate campaigns and hatred towards them because of their identities and patronage of the state actors,” said Hamid.indiatomorrow
After Sajjan Kumar Verdict, Muslim Body Calls for Anti-Genocide Law
http://caravandaily.com/portal/after-sajjan-kumar-verdict-muslim-body-calls-for-anti-genocide-law/
Hope those involved in Gujarat, Muzzafarnagar riots will also be punished: Kejriwal
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hope-those-involved-in-gujarat-muzzafarnagar-riots-will-also-be-punished-arvind-kejriwal-5498776/
New Delhi:Welcoming the sentencing of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-sikh riots, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal hoped other “big leaders” involved would also be punished, as also those who perpetrated communal violence in Gujarat and Muzzafarnagar. Kejriwal said ordinary people are peace-loving and wish to live in harmony, but such riots are “incited politically”.“I welcome Delhi High Court verdict convicting Sajjan Kumar in 1984 riots case.. It took a lot of time. It was delayed, but it finally came,” he said on the sidelines of an event here.“And, I hope all other big leaders involved in this (1984 anti-Sikh riots), with time they would also get the toughest of punishments. As, also those involved in other such mass killings which took place after it, whether it was Gujarat riots or Muzaffarnagar riots,” Kejriwal told reporters. “People wish to live peacefully, and Hindus and Muslims do not want to fight with each other, but parties instigate it and big political leaders do it,” he said. He said if tough punishment is given, then in future, such incidents would not happen.indianexpress
OIC, Pakistan Strongly Condemn India for Bloodbath of Kashmiri Civilians
http://caravandaily.com/portal/oic-pakistan-strongly-condemn-india-for-bloodbath-of-kashmiri-civilians/
Jeddah: Hours after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on the international community to “intervene” and stop the ongoing bloodshed in the Indian-administered Kashmir, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a statement strongly condemning the “killing of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces”.“OIC General Secretariat expressed strong condemnation of the killing of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces in Indian-occupied Kashmir where direct shooting at demonstrators in Pulwama region claimed the lives of a number of innocent citizens,” read a statement by the organisation on Monday.“The secretariat condemned this terrorist act and called upon the international community to play its role in order to reach a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Kashmir, in accordance with the relevant international resolutions adopted by OIC and UN Security Council, and fulfill aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”It added the condolences of the general secretariat to the families of the victims.While addressing a press conference a day earlier, Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi shared that he had written a letter to the OIC secretary general along with letters to the UN secretary general and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Condemning the killing of 11 Kashmiris by Indian forces in Pulwama on Saturday, Pakistan foreign minister said he had asked the officials to intervene with haste “so that people could get relief from this brutality”. Qureshi also added that he had asked the OIC to immediately convene an inter-ministerial meeting of its’ Contact Group on Kashmir, saying Pakistan was ready to host the event.Pakistan PM Imran Khan also sharply condemned the killings of innocent civilians at the hands of Indian security forces. “We will raise issue of India’s human rights violations in IOK & demand UNSC fulfill its J&K plebiscite commitment,” the premier said in a tweet.caravandaily
Jamiat condemns killing of innocent civilians in Pulwama and demands punitive action
http://twocircles.net/2018dec17/427850.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
New Delhi: Maulana Mahmood Madani, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has expressed his deep concern over and condemned killing of six civilians including a child by security forces in Pulwama district, Kashmir. He said that suck brutal killing is unacceptable in any parts of the world. He further said that history testifies to the fact that peace and order in any troubled region cannot be restored by killing its own people. He also said that the central Govt should derive a lesson from its flawed policies about Kashmir and initiate process for confidence building among Kashmiri people. Madani has also demanded the central Govt take punitive action against guilty personals and provide adequate financial compensation to the family members of those killed. Beside that a sense of responsibility can be created among security forces so that they may have a feeling that they are not above the law.twocircles
Demonetisation hit growth by 2% points, says paper by Gita Gopinath & 3 other experts
https://theprint.in/economy/demonetisation-hit-growth-by-2-points-says-paper-by-gita-gopinath-3-other-experts/165547/
Demonetisation lowered India’s economic growth by at least 2 percentage points in the quarter of its announcement, a new paper authored by 4 economists, including IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath, has said. The paper, published by US-based National Bureau of Economic Research Monday, argued that both informal and formal sector activity was severely impacted in the immediate aftermath of PM Narendra Modi’s shock move announced on 8 Nov.2016.There was a “contraction in employment and nightlights-based output due to demonetisation of 2 p.p. and of bank credit of 2 p.p. in 2016Q4 relative to their counterfactual paths, effects which dissipate over the next few months”, the paper said.The Indian economy grew at 7% in the third quarter of 2016-17 and at 6.1 % in the fourth quarter of 2016-17 as demonetisation hurt sectors such as construction and financial services, among others. Gabriel Chodorow-Reich, assistant professor at Harvard University’s economics department,Prachi Mishra, managing director, global macro research, Goldman Sachs, Abhinav Narayanan, manager-research at RBI, are the co-authors of the paper.All 4 have issued a disclaimer that the paper has been authored in their personal capacity and doesn’t reflect the views of their organisations.theprint
Rafale verdict: Redacted CAG report? experts say no precedent, no provision
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rafale-verdict-redacted-cag-report-experts-say-no-precedent-no-provision-5498294/
New Delhi :In Para 25 of its Rafale verdict, the Supreme Court said that CAG report on the deal “has been examined by the Public Accounts Committee” and that “a redacted (parts edited out after being judged sensitive) portion of the report was placed before Parliament, and is in public domain.”Given that there is no CAG report so far and, therefore, nothing has been sent to Public Accounts Committee(PAC), Govt , in its application, asked the court to correct this. It told the court that all it had submitted in sealed cover on the subject was a statement of the process. That the report of the CAG is examined by the PAC and “only a redacted version of the report is placed before the Parliament and in public domain”.Several experts and retired officials of CAG and Parliament have raised questions over this claim, arguing that there is only one CAG report — there is no example of any “redacted version” being placed in the public domain.“There is no provision for any redaction of a CAG report, nor is there a precedent. There is no such thing under the law, under the Constitution,” former Secretary General of Lok Sabha P D T Achary said.Indian Express.
CBI vs CBI: Alleged middleman Manoj Prasad granted bail
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-vs-cbi-alleged-middleman-manoj-prasad-granted-bail-5499022/
New Delhi :A Delhi court Tuesday granted bail to alleged middleman Manoj Prasad, arrested in connection with bribery allegations involving CBI special director Rakesh Asthana who has been sent on indefinite leave by the Govt .Defence Counsel Vikas Pahwa argued that the CBI could not file the chargesheet against Prasad in the stipulated time of 60 days. Granting bail to Prasad, Special CBI judge Santosh Snehi Mann said that no purpose will be served by keeping him in further custody.Arrested on October 17, Prasad is currently in judicial custody. On November 13, the Delhi High Court had denied him bail in light of the serious allegations against him.On Oct.31, co-accused and CBI DSP Devender Kumkar was granted bail after the agency did not oppose his bail petition. The agency had registered an FIR against Asthana and others on a written complaint of businessman Sathish Sana on October 15.Besides Asthana, Prasad and Kumar, another alleged middleman Somesh Prasad has also been named as an accused in the case.indianexpress
Disproportionately high population of Dalits, Adivasis lodged in jails, says study
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/disproportionately-high-population-of-dalits-adivasis-lodged-in-jails-says-study-5498277/
New Delhi:Dalits and Adivasis constitute a disproportionately high number of prisoners with respect to their share of the country’s population, a study has shown, which adds that even behind bars, these prisoners face caste discrimination from jail authorities and their fellow inmates.A report titled ‘Criminal Justice in the Shadow of Caste’, released by National Dalit Movement for Justice (NDMJ) this week, details how caste discrimination affects Dalit and Adivasi prisoners in terms of their right to food, wage, employment, accommodation, medical, bail, parole, and similar rights to trial and appeals. “Deeply entrenched prejudices against Dalits and Adivasis play an important role in their harassment and incarceration,” it states.Citing data from NCRB, the report says, “Dalits and Adivasis – two of the most vulnerable sections of Indian society – make up a considerable number of India’s prison population.”Report says that these 2 communities account for about 24.2% of the country’s population, but constitute 34 % of prisoners.NCRB 2015 data shows that 21.6 % of undertrails (61,139 out of 2,82,076) belong to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 12.4 % (34,999 out of 2,82,076) are from Scheduled Tribes (STs). As per the 2011 Census, the SC and ST population accounts for 16.2% and 8.2% of overall population, respectively.indianexpress
Bulandshahr Mob Violence: In Open Letter, 83 Civil Servants Seek Adityanath’s Resignation
https://www.newsclick.in/bulandshahr-mob-violence-open-letter-83-civil-servants-seek-adityanaths-resignation
Over 80 top retired civil servants have written an open letter to the public, expressing their dismay at “complete collapse of constitutional values” following the “instigated and engineered with malicious intent violence” in Bulandshahr that led to the killing of a UP police officer and a civilian, and have called for the resignation of CM Adityanath.The incident, says the letter, shows that in “India’s most populous state, UP, fundamental principles of governance, of constitutional ethics and of humane social conduct stand perverted. CM of the state acts as a high priest of the agenda of bigotry and majoritarian supremacy – an agenda which now seems to take precedence over everything else.” “Much as CM may try to mislead by calling it an accident, this was murder with intent. It was murder most foul,” former civil servants said on killing of police officer Subodh Kumar Singh on Dec.3,by a Right-wing violent mob.newsclick
Former Civil Servants Pen Open Letter Over Breakdown of Law and Order in UP
https://thewire.in/rights/former-civil-servants-open-letter-bulandshahr-up
Right-wing propaganda blog OpIndia caught spreading fake news even after Rajasthan Police’s clarification
http://www.jantakareporter.com/entertainment/right-wing-propaganda-blog-page-caught-spreading-fake-news-even-after-rajasthan-polices-clarification/223864/
Right-wing propaganda blog page OpIndia is known for peddling fake news. Not so long ago, the website had faced embarrassment after the Mumbai Police gave a public dressing down to a Rajasthan IAS officer, Sanjay Dixit, for posting the OpIndia link on Twitter. Dixit had to delete his tweet based on a fake story, published by the right-wing blog page.The website is back in the news after it has once again been found to be spreading fake news. This time, OpIndia resorted to spreading fake news despite the Rajasthan Police’s calling out of a Twitter user for mischievously using a six-month-old video from Ranchi with a misleading caption that claimed Muslims were beating up people in Rajasthan after the Congress’ electoral victory.On 16 Dec., official Twitter handle of the Rajasthan Police had warned a Twitter user @Ashok6510 for spreading a fake video. The tweet by the Rajasthan Police had said, “Hellow @Ashok6510, Rajasthan Police is watching you. This is an old video and from Ranchi in Jharkhand. You must immediately delete the video, or else the case will be handed over to the Cyber Unit. Do not spread such rumours in future.” The user was quick to delete the fake video. But OpIndia wrote a blog, defending the user’s claims. The headline of its blog read, “Rajasthan Police ends up declaring a true incident as ‘fake news’ on Twitter.”jantakareporter
Those who want Masjid should leave the country, every Hindu must produce 5 children: Saints
https://www.siasat.com/news/those-who-want-masjid-should-leave-country-every-hindu-must-produce-5-children-saints-1446898/
Srinagar: Hansdev Acharya chief of the Committee formed for the construction of Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya by VHP told that those who want to construct Babri Masjid in Ayodhya should leave the country. Without mentioning J&K he said we will not allow 2 constitutions and two flags. He lauded state governor Satya Pal Malik and said the latter did not let the party supporting militants, form the Govt . He was addressing the Dharma Sabha organised by VHP on Sunday at Parade Ground.Mahant Dinesh Bharti appealed every Hindu to produce 5 children and give weapon in the hands of their children.Senior leaders of BJP state unit including J&K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina, 3 ex BJP leaders Sat Sharma, Sham Choudhary and Chander Parkash Ganga, VHP, RSS leaders with Chief Guest Swami Jagadguru Hansadevacharyaji, Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti and others attended Sabha.Acharya said construction of temple will be announced on Jan.31 and the day when it is announced construction will begin the same day.siasat
UP panel suggests 7% quota for Yadavs & Kurmis, says they are politically influential
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/up-panel-suggests-7-quota-for-yadavs-kurmis-says-they-are-politically-influential/articleshow/67137290.cms
Lucknow: 4-member social justice committee set up by the BJP Govt in UP for categorizing various sub-castes within OBC has suggested that of the total 27% quota meant for OBCs, only 7% reservation may be given to Yadavs and Kurmis.The panel is of the opinion that these two castes are not only culturally but also economically and politically influential. Yadavs form the core vote base of Samajwadi Party while Kurmis happen to be key voters of BJP ally, Apna Dal.The committee, headed by Justice Raghvendra Kumar has, in all, categorized the OBCs into 79 sub-castes. The report is likely to be tabled by backward welfare minister and BJP ally, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, in the winter session of the UP assembly which is scheduled to start from Tuesday. Rajbhar has also threatened to launch a mass agitation beginning Dec.24 if the recommendations of the committee are not implemented ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.The committee in its report submitted to UP Govt has given maximum mileage to More Backward Castes including Lodh, Kushwaha and Teli, proposing 11% reservation for them. 400-page report says that employment opportunities to the More Backward Castes was just half of their population. The report adds that though some of the subcastes in the category were getting more job opportunities, are to be bracketed in the emerging ‘middle class’.Most Backward Castes like Rajbhar, Ghosi and Qureshi (among Muslim community) are proposed to be given 9% reservation, the report says. According to the report, these communities are either engaged in class III or class IV category jobs or are completely jobless.TOI
Delhi Waqf Board steps in after mismanagement complaints at Nizamuddin Dargah
https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2018/12/16/des9-dl-nizamuddin-dargah-waqf.html
New Delhi;Delhi Waqf Board has moved to intervene in the management of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah after receiving complaints of mismanagement and irregularities in donations received at the famous Sufi shrine. Delhi Waqf Board chairman Amanatullah Khan has invited applications from eminent citizens to form a new committee that will keep record of the donations and ensure its use in public welfare, an official said. "We will soon form the committee that will ensure proper maintenance of the dargah and audit of the 'nazrana' (donations) received there," Khan said. He alleged that there was no record of the donations received at the dargah, which is a waqf property, over the years. The dargah of Nizamuddin Aulia has several mazars -- including those of the Sufi saint and his disciple, Amir Khusrau -- that attract a large number of visitors.The offerings from the devotees are collected under 'baridari' system through nearly 400 'pirzadas' -- custodians of Sufi mausoleums and descendants of those buried at a dargah. "As per a 1970 gazette notification of the Waqf Board, 'pirzadas' are managers who have the right over the offerings at the dargah," said Farid Ahamad Nizami of Anjuman Peerzadan Nizamiyan Khusravi, a coordination committee of the dargah. Nizami rejected allegations of irregularities in collection of donations, saying 'pirzadas' has been managing the dargah for centuries with the help of offerings of the devotees, without any interference of the waqf board.PTI
Bahraich Communal Clash: After Withdrawing UAPA, Muslims Accused Now Charged With CLA
https://www.newsclick.in/bahraich-communal-clash-after-withdrawing-uapa-muslims-accused-now-charged-cla
UP Police that had earlier “wrongly booked” nearly 200 Muslims under the UAPA in Khair village of Bahraich district over a communal clash during procession for Durga idol immersion, have now removed UAPA, and have instead imposed Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act on them – an act no less draconian than the former.A local journalist, Saleem Siddiqui, told Newsclick that the Muslim community has been terrified following this move. "Those who have been booked under Section 7 of CLA Act are called to the police station every now and then, and money is extorted from them. Police ask for money according to their capacity. If they do not give it to the police, they are sent behind the bars. Because of fear, people are still not coming back to the village. Only women and children are left in the village," he said.Saleem added, "People of Khair Bazar do not even know about CLA or UAPA. Most of the people who have convicted are farmers and poor people. The local police is terrorising them."Bahraich Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover told Newsclick that the police officials in-charge prior to him had “erroneously” attributed serious charges like UAPA.It was a 'typographical error'. When asked how did the police identify 200 accused, who are ‘unknown’ according to FIR, he replied that the police have a video as the evidence. Rights lawyer Abubakr Sabbaq said, "This section prevails only in UP which is a draconian, pre-independence era provision to control any movement against the British Govt . This section was also used in 2001 Kanpur ADM murder case, and recently in Bahraich, where police arbitrarily registered a crime report under the provisions of UAPA, but later replaced it with CLA after unrest in civil societies, and their opposition. It’s misused by UP police only."newsclick
Meals at AMU to be prepared under CCTV surveillance
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/meals-at-amu-to-be-prepared-under-cctv-surveillance/articleshow/67134446.cms
AMU authorities have decided that meals for vegetarian students will be prepared under CCTV surveillance from now onwards. This decision was taken in view of the recent controversy after vegetarian students were served food that was cooked in the oil used for non-vegetarian food. The authorities have decided that no separate kitchens will be constructed, but an area for cooking vegetarian food will be earmarked within the same kitchen to meet the demand of students. Confirming the move, spokesperson of the university, Shafey Kidwai, said that initially five CCTV cameras will be installed at Sir Syed Hall (North) as the issue was raised by vegetarian inmates of SS hostel recently. He said remaining halls will be covered after discussion with the provost of the respective hostels and food monitoring committee.In a letter written to AMU V-C Prof Tariq Mansoor, M.Tech student, Sonveer Singh, demanded a separate kitchen for vegetarian food in each residential hostel. He also demanded that food monitoring committees must be formed in every residential hostel to check the quality of food, and all meals should be prepared under CCTV surveillance. He demanded separate tables for vegetarian students in all messes. According to the spokesperson, separate utensils are already being used for cooking and serving food to vegetarian students.TOI
JNU admin accused of cancelling subscriptions for journals citing lack of funds
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/jnu-admin-accused-of-cancelling-subscriptions-for-journals-citing-lack-of-funds
JNU Students’ Union has accused the varsity of cancelling subscriptions of important journals citing paucity of funds. Making the announcement at a press conference, the students body shared documents of Library Advisory Committee meeting held in Nov.Prior to holding the presser, JNUSU said it had got a letter from the administration advising them not to hold the press conference outside the library since such activities within 100 metres of the administration block have been prohibited by the Delhi High Court.JNUSU, however, said the press conference was held 800 metres away from the administration block. It alleged that seven subscriptions were dropped by the varsity. These include EBSCO -International Security and Counterterrorism, Wiley Subject Collection Journal, Nature Journals, Sage Journals, Cambridge Journal, Cell Press Journal and Science Direct, the JNUSU said.It accused varsity admin. of cutting down library funds from ₹8 crore to ₹1.7 crore.They also raised questions over the discrepancies found in the funds that are being used for conducting the online entrance exam.nationalheraldindia
Manipur Journalist Sentenced to One Year Jail Term for Criticising BJP-Led State Govt
https://thewire.in/media/kishorechandra-manipur-journalist-sentenced-jail-nsa
Imphal-based journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem, who was taken into custody by the state police under NSA on Nov. 26, has been sentenced to a 12-month jail term – the maximum period of detention allowed under Act. The advisory board of NSA, set up under Section 9 of the Act to look into the allegations brought by the state Govt against the journalist, met on Dec.11 and conducted hearings on the matter. On Dec.13, the board submitted its report to authorities approving his detention under the NSA.The approval order reportedly said:“After considering the proximate past activities of the [detainee] and potential danger of his activities which are prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of public order and there is apprehension of his continuing to act in [similarly] prejudicial activities, the moment he is released from detention, is further of the opinion that the said person should be detained for the maximum period of 12 months as provided under Section 13 of the said Act.”thewire
Pune techie Mohsin Shaikh murder: Father fighting legal battle dies of heart failure
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mohsin-shaikh-murder-father-fighting-legal-battle-dies-of-heart-failure-5498274/
Pune :Mohammed Sadiq Shaikh (63), father of techie Mohsin Shaikh, who was allegedly murdered by activists of Hindu Rashtra Sena (HRS) in Pune, died in Solapur on Monday due to heart failure. Mohammed Sadiq had been fighting a legal battle demanding justice for Mohsin.Hailing from Solapur, Mohsin was working as an engineer in a private firm in Pune. During the clashes following circulation of objectionable pictures of Shivaji Maharaj and Bal Thackeray,youths associated with HRS allegedly attacked Mohsin while he was going home after offering prayers at a mosque on June 2, 2014. He died in hospital.His brother Mobin Shaikh (26) had filed a complaint of murder, following which police had arrested 21 HRS activists, including their leader Dhananjay Jayram Desai. While most of the accused were released on bail, Desai is still lodged in Yerawada jail.Advocate Ujjwal Nikam had been appointed SPP in the case following a request from Moshin’s family to then CM Prithviraj Chavan. But Govt cancelled his appointment on May 19, 2017. On June 16, 2017, Sadiq wrote to the state Govt for appointing of Rohini Salian.Govt, however, appointed senior lawyer and district Govt pleader Ujjwala Pawar as prosecution lawyer.In Sept.2014, Sadiq applied for compensation under a central Govt scheme to compensate civilian victims of terror-related violence.indianexpress
UP principal beats up students for not saying ‘As-salaam-alaikum’, suspended:HT report
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-principal-beats-up-students-for-not-saying-as-salaam-alaikum-suspended/story-82Rt0IgXIqQPAeTjQntNqM.html
A principal of a secondary school in UP’s Shahjahanpur has been suspended for allegedly beating up students for not greeting him with ‘As-Salaam-Alaikum’, officials said. Students of Bilhari Secondary School in Tilhar area told visiting principal secretary and nodal officer of the district, Dimple Verma, on Sunday their principal Chand Mian demanded that they should greet him with “As-Salaam-Alaikum”. They said he beat up those who wished him with a “good morning”.‘As- Salaam-Alaikum’ is a religious salutation among Muslims and means ‘Peace be upon you’ in Arabic.Chief development officer Prerna Sharma said one of the students even showed injury marks on his neck to the visiting official.The student was sent for a medical examination and the preliminary inquiry report has been handed over to basic shiksha adhikari (BSA) Rakesh Kumar.“Principal Chand Mian has prima facie been found guilty and has been suspended. Further inquiry is on,” Kumar said.
W.Bengal: Another TMC leader - Mukhtar found dead in Arambagh, 2 held
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-another-tmc-leader-found-dead-in-arambagh-two-held-5498349/
Kolkata:3 days after a Trinamool Congress leader was shot dead at point blank range in Adra area of Purulia, another party worker, identified as Sheikh Mukhtar (40), was found dead on Sunday night at Harinkhola in Hooghly district’s Arambagh. 2 persons have been arrested in this connection, police said. One of them has been identified as Sheikh Akhtar, police added. Mukhtar was an ex Arambagh Panchayat Samiti functionary. “There are multiple injuries on his body. Prima facie it appears that he has been beaten to death. We are waiting for the primary autopsy report to ascertain more details,” said a senior police official. A section of TMC workers and the deceased family alleged that Mukhtar was killed by a rival group of the same party.“Some TMC workers came to our house and took my husband with them. They were all Laltu’s people who also works for ruling party. Later, Mukhtar was found dead,”said Sayerana, wife of deceased.indianexpress
Don't ask votes on religion but demand for Ram temple is not communal: Gadkari
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nitin-gadkari-ram-temple-agenda-aaj-tak-1411857-2018-12-18
New Delhi:Progressive and democratic political parties in the country should not ask votes in the name of caste, religion, sect or language, but the issue of Ram temple is different as it is not a communal issue, said Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Speaking at Aaj Tak, Gadkari, he, said, "In my opinion, parties should ask for votes on the basis of the development works they have done or propose to do. Young voters don't vote on issues of caste, religion, community and language. They evaluate a Govt on the basis of its performance. But unfortunately there are some who want these issues to persist."However, when asked about the issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya and why BJP rakes it up just ahead of elections, Gadkari said Ram temple issue is different.indiatoday
Replace Modi with Gadkari if you want to win 2019 polls: Maharashtra leader tells RSS
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/replace-modi-with-gadkari-if-you-want-to-win-2019-polls-maharashtra-leader-tells-rss
In what comes as a huge embarrassment to the ruling BJP, a prominent Maharashtra farmer leader has demanded that the RSS must replace PM Narendra Modi with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari if BJP wishes to win the 2019 general elections.The demand has come from a state-Govt panel, Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) Chairman Kishore Tiwari, on a day when Modi was in Maharashtra to attend a series of events, including laying foundation stones for Metro Rails in Thane and PuneIn his letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Suresh Joshi, Tiwari said the BJP's defeat in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was the direct outcome of "arrogant leaders" who implemented devastating decisions like demonetisation, GST, fuel prices hike and other anti-people measures.IANS
BJP May Lose 40 Lok Sabha Seats in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana
http://caravandaily.com/portal/bjp-may-lose-40-lok-sabha-seats-in-madhya-pradesh-rajasthan-chhattisgarh-and-telangana/
Recently concluded Assembly election for five states, most specifically for 3 Hindi heartland ones, has been considered as semi-final to upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP ruled key states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with humongous majority, performed perfectly in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and thus its loss in these assembly polls has seriously dented party’s parliamentary calculus.There are total 83 Lok Sabha seats in MP,Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. Barring Mizoram, BJP had performed well in states and had bagged 63 seats. Congress had scored merely six, while others had grabbed 14 seats.Poll analysts believe if all these states vote in 2019 as they have in recent polls, BJP’s tally may dip to 23 from 63, while Congress may jump to 40 from six. Rest may be wrested by others.Close scanning of previous poll records in the country shows that all these states have historically voted in the same way in both Assembly and Lok Sabha polls 90-95%.Caravan Daily
Rahul promises nationwide farm loan waiver in 2019
https://www.livemint.com/Politics/7LwvDjmvXuOu9q3s8XMoxM/Rahul-Gandhi-promises-nationwide-farm-loan-waiver-in-2019.html
New Delhi: A day after 2 Congress-ruled states, MP and Chhattisgarh, announced farm loan waivers within hours of new CM s taking charge, Congress head Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday upped the ante over farm distress and said if voted to power, his party would ensure a farm loan waiver in 2019 as well.“3 elections that the Congress has won in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have proved to be a victory of the people. We have said that the main fight in India is between farmers and the segregated sections on the one hand and rich industrialists on other.PM Narendra Modi in the last four years has taken Rs 3.5 lakh crore and has put it in the pockets of a few rich people. This victory is the victory of the marginalised people,” Gandhi said while speaking outside the Parliament. Gandhi turned up the heat on Modi, adding that “for the last four years he has not waived even a rupee of farm debt”.livemint.com
With Owaisi help,Jagan Reddy may win Muslim votes
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/181218/with-asaduddin-owaisi-help-jagan-mohan-reddy-may-win-muslim-votes.html
Vijayawada: After wooing the Backward Classes, there seems to be a competition between the ruling TDP and the YSRC for Muslim vote. At this juncture, MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s open announcement that he will campaign for his good friend YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in the AP polls next year is being seen as a game changer. Muslims make up 8.5 % of the overall population in AP. CM N. Chandrababu Naidu had been trying to woo them intensely after he snapped ties with BJP-led NDA by renewing his secular credentials. While it was evident that in the 2014 polls, a majority of Muslim minorities had sailed with YSRC, Naidu had been trying hard to bring them to TD fold again.Deccan Chronicle
WORLD
Trump did not tell Erdogan he would extradite Gulen: White House official
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/trump-erdogan-extradite-gulen-wh-official-181217220104122.html
US President Donald Trump did not commit during a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the G20 summit two weeks ago to extradite a Muslim religious leader based in the United States, a senior White House official said ."While meeting with President Erdogan at G20, the president did not commit to extradite Fethullah Gulen," said the official, who spoke to Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity. Erdogan blames Gulen for a failed coup in 2016. Gulen denies any involvement.Turkey has long sought the extradition of Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed US exile for nearly two decades.On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Trump told Erdogan at their meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina that the US "was working on extraditing Gulen and other people". Trump said last month he was not considering extraditing the preacher as part of efforts to ease Turkish pressure on Saudi Arabia over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.Erdogan said last week Turkey would start new initiatives abroad to target the financing of Gulen supporters.aljazeera
Airbnb denies Israel claim it reversed its settlement ban
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/airbnb-denies-israel-claim-reversed-settlement-ban-181218080049964.html
Global online rental marketplace Airbnb has denied a claim by Israel's tourism minister that it had reversed a decision to stop listings in the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.The statement on Monday comes after ex Public Security Minister of Israel Yariv Levin said in a Facebook post that Airbnb pledged "not to implement" its decision during a meeting between the two sides.But the San Francisco-based company said that comment was inaccurate, and said it is developing the tools needed to implement its policy while it continues to talk to stakeholders.Airbnb had announced in Nov that it would "remove listings in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that are at the core of the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians."It said it came to the conclusion based on an internal framework used to judge how it handles listings in occupied territories around the world.The move will lead to about 200 listings being removed from the popular accommodation website, which allows home-owners to rent out rooms, apartments and houses to people.aljazeera
Gazans to resume Umrah trips after 5 yr suspension
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181218-gazans-to-resume-umrah-trips-after-5-year-suspension/
Palestinians living in Gaza will be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, lesser pilgrimage, 5 years after they were stopped from doing so, Ma’an reported. The news site said sources had informed it that the Egyptian authorities would allow 1,000 pilgrims from Gaza to travel in Jan. The number would then increase to approximately 1,000 each week. The source said that 4,000 pilgrims would be able to travel to Mecca every month until the holy month of Ramadan, expected in May. According to the source, Egypt promised to reduce the cost of travel from Gaza to Cairo and from Cairo to the Saudi city of Jeddah.They also said they would secure the pilgrims’journeys and passage through Egypt, easing their path through checkpoints in Sinai.MEMO
Israel-Lebanon border tunnels violate 2006 truce: UN force
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/force-israel-lebanon-border-tunnels-violate-2006-truce-181217193539349.html
United Nations' peacekeepers in Lebanon have said 2 of the 4 tunnels allegedly discovered by Israel cross the border between the two countries, violating a ceasefire agreement that ended a 2006 war.In a statement on Monday, UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it "can confirm that two of the tunnels cross the Blue Line"."These constitute violations of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701," the peacekeeping force said in a statement, referring to the agreement that ended the 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006.The resolution bans all unauthorised weapons between the Litani River and UN-monitored border between Israel and Lebanon. Under the resolution, Lebanon's army is responsible for security on its side of the border in a zone from which any other armed force, including Hezbollah, is banned.Israel accuses Hezbollah of digging the tunnels. Lebanese armed group has not commented on the UN operation.aljazeera
Fragile Hodeidah truce takes effect, sporadic fighting reported
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/fragile-hodeidah-truce-takes-effect-sporadic-fighting-reported-181217235749367.html
A UN-brokered ceasefire deal has come into effect in the strategic Yemeni city of Hodeidah, but reports say sporadic fighting is still taking place in the embattled port.After a week of consultations in the Swedish town of Rimbo, representatives from the Houthi movement and the Saudi-UAE-backed Govt of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Thursday agreed to pull back their fighters to allow the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces and the establishment of humanitarian corridors. According to Yemeni officials and residents, intense fighting erupted in the final hours before the ceasefire took effect at midnight local time, with artillery shelling and heavy machine-gun fire shaking districts in the south and the east of the key city.aljazeera
California man convicted of supporting IS no extremist: ex CIA expert
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/california-man-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-no-extremist-says-former-cia-expert-5498447/
San Francisco :A California man convicted of attempting to support the Islamic State does not have the attributes of an Islamic extremist despite his discussions about making bombs and planning terror attacks, ex CIA employee who studies terror networks testified Monday. Marc Sageman described Amer Alhaggagi at a sentencing hearing as an internet troll who talked big to get a reaction out of people and look tough, but took no real action.“He’s a fabulist.He spins tales,” said Sageman, who evaluated Alhaggagi for the defense. “He wants to show that he’s a mean guy, but he’s really a coward. He really doesn’t do anything.”Alhaggagi, 23, pleaded guilty in July to creating social media accounts for IS supporters. Prosecutors paint a darker picture of him, saying he accessed an Islamic State bomb-making manual and boasted about a series of attacks he wanted to commit on behalf of the group, including setting off a car bomb outside a gay nightclub.AP
At UN General Assembly, Pak Votes in Favour of Abolishing Death Penalty
https://thewire.in/rights/un-general-assembly-pakistan-death-penalty
A record number of UN member states on Monday supported a key General Assembly resolution which places a moratorium on state-sponsored executions as a step towards abolishing the death penalty, according to Amnesty International. Pakistan, for the first time, voted in favour of the resolution. Despite having previously placed a moratorium on capital punishment in 2008, Pakistan resumed executions in 2014 following a militant attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School in which 149 people – mostly school children – perished. Pakistan marked fourth anniversary of the attack on December 16.Following its resumption of capital punishment, the country has carried out 496 executions – accounting for 13% of the global total, according to figures of Pakistan Justice Project.2 days prior to its vote in favour of the resolution, the Washington Post reported that Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa sanctioned death penalty for 15 people convicted by the country’s military courts for their involvement in attacks that killed 32 military personnel and 2 civilians.thewire
Russia, Iran, Turkey seek deal on Syria constitutional body at UN
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/russia-iran-turkey-seek-deal-syria-constitutional-body-181218061917052.html
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is set to hold talks with foreign ministers from Iran, Russia and Turkey in Geneva to discuss setting up a committee to draft a new constitution for the war-torn country.The high-level officials will be seeking UN's blessing on their joint proposal on Tuesday and they are expected to propose names for the constitutional committee. The meeting comes after diplomats from the 3 countries, who support different sides of the war - now in its eighth year - said on Monday they are close to an agreement to form a committee.The talks are meant to form a "credible, balanced, and inclusive" committee to draft a new constitution for Syria and usher in elections, a UN statement read.aljazeera
Erdogan: New military operation in Syria to 'start at any moment'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/erdogan-military-operation-syria-start-moment-181217153154007.html
Turkey may launch a new military operation in northern Syria at any moment, President Tayyip Erdogan said, adding US President Donald Trump had given a positive response to Turkey's plans.Erdogan's remarks on Monday came days after he announced Turkish forces would launch a new cross-border operation against the US-backed Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to the east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.YPG is considered a terrorist organisation by Ankara. American troops are also located to the east of the Euphrates River. Erdogan spoke on the phone with Trump on Friday and they agreed to ensure "more effective coordination" between their countries' military operations in Syria. "I spoke with Trump. The terrorists must leave the east of the Euphrates. If they don't go, we will remove them," Erdogan vowed during a TV speech in Konya.aljazeera
Imran Khan says Pakistan will do everything within its power for Afghan peace
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/imran-khan-says-pakistan-will-do-everything-within-its-power-for-afghan-peace-3304031.html
PM Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict.US and the Taliban have previously met on at least two occasions in Qatar but it is the first time that they are holding talks outside Doha, where the insurgent group has a political office, according to officials.Khan highlighted the role being played by Pakistan in holding the talks between the US and the Taliban in Abu Dhabi.He expressed his desire for peace to end the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan."Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between the Taliban and US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people," Khan said on TwitterKhan also said "Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process".PTI
Saudi,UAE, Egypt,Bahrain planned to invade in Qatar in 1996
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181218-saudi-uae-egypt-bahrain-planned-to-invade-in-qatar-in-1996/
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt planned to invade Qatar in 1996, the leader of a French mercenary group has revealed.Speaking to Al Jazeera, Paul Barrell said he personally led the plan after a failed coup attempt against the Qatari ruling family that year. Barrell told Al Jazeera that the UAE had provided him with great support to conduct the operation. It hosted him and his team at the InterContinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi where large weapons were stored. Barrell also admitted that he and his team had been given official UAE passports to facilitate their movement, asserting that current Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed was Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE’s Armed Forces at that time and was the one who provided the passports. Forty highly trained members of his team accompanied him to prepare for the attack, Barrell said.MEMO
Spl Report: Myanmar's moves could mean the Rohingya never go home
https://www.businessinsider.com/r-special-report-myanmars-moves-could-mean-the-rohingya-never-go-home-2018-12?IR=T
Myanmar's leaders are promising to bring home hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled a brutal military crackdown. But the Govt , led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, is taking steps that make their return increasingly unlikely. The areas where the Rohingya lived in Myanmar's western Rakhine State before the army ousted them are being dramatically transformed. The northern reaches of this region were once a Muslim-majority enclave in the overwhelmingly Buddhist nation.Hundreds of new houses are now being built in villages where the Rohingya resided, satellite images show. Many of these villages were burned, then flattened and scraped by bulldozers. The new homes are being occupied mainly by Buddhists, some from other parts of Rakhine. The security forces are also building new facilities in these areas.A clear picture of the changes on the ground has been elusive, however, because of restrictions on travel to the region. To document Myanmar's plans for the Rohingya, Reuters analyzed satellite photographs of construction work in the region from the past year and an unpublished resettlement map drafted by the Govt . Reporters also interviewed national and state-level Govt officials in charge of resettlement policy, aid workers, refugees in the camps in Bangladesh, and Rohingya still living in northern Rakhine.Reuters
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Pulwama encounter: Army can fight an army, not masses, says Markandey Katju on 7 civilian deaths after clashes with security forces: firstpost
https://www.firstpost.com/india/pulwama-encounter-army-can-fight-an-army-not-masses-says-markandey-katju-on-7-civilian-deaths-after-clashes-with-security-forces-5743921.html
What happened in Pulwama is not so frightening as darkness in rest of India:Mehmood ur Rashid, thewire
https://thewire.in/rights/what-happened-in-pulwama-is-not-so-frightening-as-the-darkness-in-the-rest-of-india
SC and Rafale: What if a Student Had Simply Copied Passages Like This?:Arun Shourie, The Wire
https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-on-rafale-what-if-a-student-had-simply-copied-passages-like-this
Mahakumbh is being used by BJP to broaden Hindutva’s appeal:Badri Narayan, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/kumbh-allahabad-prayagraj-yogi-adityanath-rss-hindutva-samrasta-narendra-modi-muslims-hindutva-of-melas-and-politics-5498154/
Lessons in bigotry: Meghalaya HC judge’s judgment was legally flawed:Faizan Mustafa, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sr-sen-meghalaya-high-court-judgsecular-pm-modi-judiciary-lessons-in-bigotry-5498113/
Bulandshahr: Unraveling the Anatomy of a Riot — Prof Ram Puniyani, caravan daily
http://caravandaily.com/portal/bulandshahr-unraveling-the-anatomy-of-a-riot-prof-ram-puniyani/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:32 PM)
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