NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
26 Dec. 2018:18 Rabiul-II 1440: Vol: 11, No:85
INDIA
Babri Action Committee to approach SC if ordinance passed; says Ayodhya verdict should not be hurried
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-verdict-should-not-be-hurried-says-babri-masjid-action-committee-1417318-2018-12-26
Ayodhya:Ahead of the next hearing in Ram Janmbhumi-Babri Masjid title suit in the Supreme Court on Jan.4, Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) has said the verdict should be delivered only after examining all documents. It said no urgency should be made on this issue. The committee has also passed a proposal that it will move the Supreme Court if the Govt brings in a law in Parliament to facilitate construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.In a statement, BMAC mentioned that all members who participated in the meeting were of the opinion that the verdict in this case should only be delivered after all documents, evidences related to this case are properly examined and arguments of all litigants are heard. BMAC convener and member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Zafaryab Jilani said,"Meeting was called in Lucknow on Tuesday to discuss the development in Ayodhya title suit case. The recent statements made by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, VHP and RSS leaders on this issue were also discussed.The committee has passed a proposal to approach the Supreme Court immediately if the Govt decides to bring legislation in Parliament for Ram temple construction.""I think the heckling of top BJP leaders and pressure for Ram temple construction is a well-planned strategy. It is only being done to polarise the Hindu votes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. If BJP leaders want to expedite the hearing in the SC, then Govt has to move an application before the court, which has not been done so far," added Jilani.In a meeting earlier, AIMPLB has also decided to approach the SC if Govt attempts to bring legislation to facilitate construction of Ram temple.Babri masjid litigant Iqbal Ansari, who was part of the meeting, said "It has been decided in the meeting that the verdict of the top court in this case should be accepted by everyone. The politics on this issue shouldn't take place."The meeting was attended by 70 members from different parts of the state, including AIMPLB members in Lucknow. Responding to it, UP BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi said, "We want the court to deliver the verdict at the earliest so that a grand Ram temple can be constructed in Ayodhya."indiatoday
Babri Action Committee appeals to Muslims not to react to inflammatory remarks on Ram Temple issue
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/babri-masjid-action-committee-appeals-to-muslims-not-to-react-to-inflammatory-remarks-on-ram-temple-issue/1424662/
BJP open to other options if Supreme Court doesn't fast-track Ayodhya title dispute case:Ram Madhav
https://www.firstpost.com/india/ram-madhav-says-bjp-open-to-other-options-if-supreme-court-doesnt-fast-track-ayodhya-title-dispute-case-5793271.html
New Delhi: BJP would have to look for 'other options' to build Ram Temple at Ayodhya if the Supreme Court doesn't fast-track the Ayodhya case and conclude it at earliest, said BJP general secretary Ram Madhav today. "Option of an ordinance has always been there but right now the matter is before the SC and it has given Jan.4 as date to decide about the next bench," said Madhav. The SC is scheduled to take up next week the Babri case along with public interest litigation questioning delay in the adjudication of the matter. "We are hoping that in a very fast track way the SC will take up the matter and conclude it early. If that doesn't happen then we have to look for other options. That Ram Temple should be built at Ayodhya is a commitment that BJP has supported 20-30 years ago," said Madhav. PTI
Swamy urges PM to announce construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/swamy-urges-pm-to-announce-construction-of-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-118122500439_1.html
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy urged PM Narendra Modi to announce the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Swamy said: "PM Modi today must announce just one minute after12 in the night that the disputed land of Ayodhya has been allotted to VHP for the construction of Ram temple. He should do this in accordance with the affidavit of ex PM PV Narasimha Rao."ANI
NIA arrests 10 after raids allegedly linked to IS affiliate group that plotted attacks:Indian Express report
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/new-isis-module-nia-searches-5509845/
NIA today arrested 10 people after they conducted searches at 17 locations across Meerut, Lucknow, Hapur, Amroha and Seelampur in connection with its probe into a new Islamic State-inspired module, ‘Harkat ul Harb e Islam’. The group was under NIA surveillance for some time, officials said.NIA IG Alok Mittal said a rocket launcher, several weapons and a cache of ammunition were recovered from the spots. He further said the group planned to target vital installations and politicians.“Recovery includes a rocket launcher, several weapons, ammunition and explosives. They were at an advanced stage of carrying a series of blasts,” Mittal said. NIA has identified Mufti Sohail, a Maulvi of Amroha mosque, as the chief of the IS-inspired module. NIA IG Alok Mittal said a rocket launcher, several weapons and a cache of ammunition were recovered from the locations.The main leader is Mufti Sohail, a Maulvi of an Amroha mosque. The group has a handler in a foreign country. They planned to target vital installations and important people, including politicians. They wanted to explode remote-controlled bombs and even conduct fidayeen attacks. They even tried. making a bulletproof jacket,” IG said.Of the 10 people detained by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western UP district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow. Five more were detained from north-east Delhi with the help of Delhi Police’s Special Cell, officials said.indianexpress
Engineer Among 10 Arrested For Terror Plot Targeting VIPs: Probe Agency
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-isis-linked-group-found-raids-in-16-locations-in-delhi-up-report-1968183
Discussion on Triple Talaq Bill in LS on Dec 27, BJP issues whip to MPs
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/discussion-on-triple-talaq-bill-in-ls-on-dec-7-bjp-issues-whip-to-mps-118122500598_1.html
New Delhi :BJP has issued a whip to its Lok Sabha members to be present in the House on December 27 when Triple Talaq Bill will be taken up for discussion and is likely to be put to vote.3-line whip is a strict instruction to the Members of Parliament from their respective party which necessitates their presence in the House and participates in the voting. Any breach of the whip has serious consequences including disciplinary action against the violators of the whip. The fresh Bill aims to make the practice of instant triple talaq among Muslims an offence under IPC with the provision of three-year jail for the husband. Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Dec.7, will replace the ordinance issued by the Central government in Sept., banning the instant triple talaq.With the Lok Sabha failing to function properly due to disruptions ever since the Winter Session began on December 11, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on last Friday had chaired a meeting of the Rules Committee during which law to punish erring members with disciplinary action was favoured. In that meeting, while referring to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's comments that his party was ready to discuss the instant Triple Talaq Bill on Dec.27, the Speaker had said: "I believe that on 27th the House will function smoothly."ANI
Triple talaq bill to be presented in Lok Sabha tomorrow: parliamentary affairs minister
https://scroll.in/latest/907092/triple-talaq-bill-to-be-presented-in-lok-sabha-on-thursday-says-parliamentary-affairs-minister
Noida DM retracts namaaz diktat after backlash, says 'cos not liable for religious beliefs of employees'
https://www.firstpost.com/india/noida-district-magistrate-retracts-namaaz-diktat-after-backlash-says-cos-not-liable-for-religious-beliefs-of-employees-5791421.html
After Noida police has issued a notice to companies telling them to keep their employees from praying namaz in public parks, the district administration got into a damage control mode and said on Wednesday that companies will not be held liable if their employees offer prayers at public parks in the city.DM BN Singh said: "Companies and business houses are not liable for employees' religious beliefs and prayers. The district administration will talk to the companies and clear their doubts."When asked about the directive and why it was issued in the first place, Singh said that the people seeking to pray in the park did not have the relevant permissions, including that of the relevant land-owning agency.And since there was no issuance of a NOC, permission was not granted.Trying to mitigate the damage caused by the random order, Singh also said that the directive was not designed for one particular community. Referring to a 2009 Supreme Court order which prohibited religious activities without the requisite go-ahead, he said: "This is applicable for all religions. This is not a mala fide directive; this is a bona fide process.""If they had permission from police and authority, they would be allowed to continue such activity,"he added.Singh's statements are in stark contrast to the directive issued on Tuesday, where the police warned the companies that if their instructions are not followed, they will be "held accountable." The notice, issued by the police of Noida's Sector 58, also clarified that Muslim employees should be asked to offer Friday prayers in mosques or on the premises of the company. The man overseeing the weekly namaaz prayers in the park,Adil Rashid, also refuted Singh's claims that permission was not taken, and said that he had filed a written request for the same five years ago."I gave the Noida administration a letter on 4 April, 2013. Weekly prayers have been going on since then, and nobody has objected until now," he said. He said that even Muslim policemen from the area came and offered prayers with them, and that the Noida administration has also gave water to those offering prayer in the park.According to Rashid,a man came to him on 7 Dec and "began arguing, saying that we do not have permission to pray here."Man claimed he had shut down Islamic activities in other areas of Noida as well. He was allegedly from Bajrang Dal.Police came to park on 14 Dec.and asked them to stop praying. Akhtar and Rashid were also detained by sector police after they were called for a discussion on 18 Dec.A disagreement followed, after which Rashid was arrested, the report said. He was held for continuing an assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse. He was granted bail on 22 Dec.firstpost
Companies will not be held liable, says Noida DM after backlash over Namaz notice
https://www.news18.com/news/india/companies-will-not-be-held-liable-says-noida-after-backlash-over-namaz-notice-1983709.html
Police notice illegal: Muslim bodies
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/police-notice-illegal-say-muslim-bodies/articleshow/67249203.cms
Noida: Police notice holding companies in Noida liable for employees praying in public spaces drew severe criticism from opposition parties and Muslim organisations. Navaid Hamid, head of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), an umbrella body of Muslim organisations, said the notice was both illegal and unconstitutional. “This is against the basic principles of the Constitution. The police official has done something which is against the oath he has taken for his service,” he said, referring to the missive sent by Sector 58 SHO Pankaj Rai. “Offering namaz is a personal affair of an individual and the employers have nothing to do with that. Companies do not encourage or stop individuals when it comes to religious beliefs and practices,” he added. Delhi Minorities Commission chairman Zafarul Islam Khan said Noida police had misused its power. “We could have sent a notice if this came under our jurisdiction. But we will send an advisory to UP Govt and DGP over the issue. A person is responsible for his/her own wrongdoings. But holding the companies responsible for employees’ religious beliefs is completely wrong. This is highhandedness of the local police personnel,” he said.Opposition parties also lashed out at the police, though BJP defended the notice. TOI
Noida police ban namaz in public spaces: Owaisi hits out at UP Govt
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/noida-police-ban-namaz-in-public-spaces-aimim-chief-asaduddin-owaisi-hits-out-at-up-Govt /336824
Noida: UP police's notice to private firms, asking them to stop Muslim employees from offering namaz in a local park, has spiralled into a political controversy. A day after the notice, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at UP Govt alleging that UP police would shower petals on kanwariyas, but told the Muslims that whatever they did, 'it was their mistake'. "UP Cops literally showered petals for Kanwariyas, but namaz once a week can mean disrupting peace & harmony. This is telling Muslims: aap kuch bhi karlo, ghalti to aapki hi hogi. Also, by law, how does one hold an MNC liable for what their employees do in an individual capacity?" Owaisi said.Times Now
Noida namaz row: Muslim workers say park was a convenient place to offer prayers
https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/muslim-workers-say-it-was-a-convenient-place-to-offer-prayers/story-ingMBeS3XHFh6ZsvgXkZIM.html
Noida:Noida Muslim employees working at offices in Noida’s Sector 58 on Tuesday said it was convenience that led them to offer namaz at a public park in the area. The workers said that for the past 5 years, public park in the middle of Sector 58 is visited by over 300 men every afternoon to offer namaz. On Fridays, over 800 people turn up for the ‘juma ki namaz’.“The nearest mosques from my office are in Khoda and Labour chowk. These are usually congested and to offer namaz, one has to climb on the rooftop. Namaz usually lasts for 15-30 minutes. But travelling to and from the mosque takes more than an hour’s time. No company allows this kind of break during work hours and so I had been offering namaz in the park, which saves time,” Taqweem Ahmed, a quality analyst in a firm, said.Similarly, Sadre Alam, a native of Araria in Bihar, said there are risks in offering namaz in the congested masjid at Khoda in Ghaziabad. “If 500 more people decide to offer namaz on the rooftop of congested masjid, it can cause a stampede. The park has an open space where we can offer namaz peacefully,” Alam who works in a sewing factory said.HT
Muslim leaders regret on the order of Noida police over ban on namaz at community parks
http://www.uniindia.com/~/muslim-leaders-regret-on-the-order-of-noida-police-over-ban-on-namaz-at-community-parks/States/news/1448843.html
Delhi Minority Commission Writes to UP DGP over the Prayer Issue in Noida
https://beyondheadlines.in/2018/12/delhi-minority-commission-writes-to-uttar-pradesh-dgp-over-the-prayer-issue-in-noida/
‘Pakistan will treat minorities as equals’: Imran Khan’s latest jibe at India
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-will-treat-minorities-as-equals-imran-khan-s-latest-jibe-at-india/story-aFpM174f12zFJaUyN9bKbM.html
Islamabad: Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan has again tried to compare the treatment of minorities in his country and India, saying these communities would be treated as equal citizens in “Naya Pakistan”, “unlike what is happening in India”, days after stating that he would “show” Modi Govt “how to treat minorities”.Khan’s latest comments came on the occasion of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday.“Naya Pakistan is Quaid’s Pakistan and will ensure that our minorities are treated as equal citizens, unlike what is happening in India,” he tweeted. He added that Jinnah had envisaged Pakistan as a “democratic, just and compassionate” nation.Targeting India in another tweet, Khan said:“His (Jinnah’s) struggle for a separate nation for Muslims only started when he realised that Muslims would not be treated as equal citizens by the Hindu majority.”Khan also claimed that Muslims in Pakistan were treated as equal citizens.IANS
Imran Needles India on Jinnah Birth Anniversary, Escalates Row Over Naseeruddin’s Remark
https://www.news18.com/news/india/imran-khan-needles-india-on-jinnah-birth-anniversary-escalates-row-over-naseeruddin-shahs-remark-1983287.html
Monitoring of messages, emails: Most ‘misuse’ within 3-day window for interception, say officials
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sop-for-monitoring-of-messages-emails-most-misuse-within-three-day-window-for-interception-say-officials-5509411/
New Delhi: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for interception, monitoring and decryption of messages and emails, firmed up in 2011, allows security and law enforcement agencies in remote areas to intercept and monitor without approval from Union Home Secretary up to three days, and this is where most of the alleged misuse of powers was reported, according to officials. Last week, Home Ministry issued the order, authorising 10 central agencies to monitor, intercept and decrypt all data contained in any computer system, which received much flak from opposition parties.Among alleged misuse of such powers is the case reported in 2015, in which Andhra Pradesh police registered cases in different police stations on allegations of phone-tapping of TDP MLAs.Similarly, in 2013, a Delhi Police constable and three private detectives were charged for obtaining call details records of Arun Jaitley, the then Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.Details of SOPs accessed by Indian Express says that relaxation of the three-day period is only applicable under “emergent cases” under Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951. Indianexpress
CM says Muslims better off in Gujarat than in other states, accuses cong of creating rift among communities
https://www.news18.com/news/india/vijay-rupani-says-muslims-better-off-in-gujarat-than-in-other-states-accuses-congress-of-creating-rift-between-communities-1983609.html
Ahmedabad: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has claimed the condition of Muslims living in the state was better than anywhere else in the country.Accusing the Congress of creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims, Rupani said the "votebank politics" in the country should come to an end now.Referring to the Sachar Committee report, Rupani, according to an official press release, said the condition of Muslims in BJP-ruled Gujarat was better than any other part of the country."For over 50 years, Congress treated Muslims as mere votebank, as a result Muslims lagged behind in education, employment and in terms of economic development," said Rupani.PTI
BJP ignoring Muslims, lost its plot, narratve: PM Modi supporter Zafar Sareshwala
https://www.abplive.in/education-news/recruitment-bulletin-top-5-Govt -jobs-of-the-day-26-dec-2018-iims-dda-assam-psc-others-offer-sarkari-naukari-check-details-884357?scroll=true
New Delhi: Expressing his concerns over "unbridled fringe elements" going completely unchecked in the ruling BJP, Gujarat businessman and PM Narendra Modi’s longtime aide, Zafar Sareshwala, today said motor-mouth leaders will drown the ship of the saffron party if not curbed immediately."Leaders like Giriraj Singh, Sadhvi Pragya, Uma Bharti, Sakshi Maharaj were not as vociferous in their vicious speeches as they are today. It is these unfettered motormouths who will drown the ship of the BJP, unless they are reined in by PM Modi immediately," Sareshwala, a vocal supporter of Modi said in an article on ThePrint. He charged that "these motormouths" and their remarks are responsible for pushing Muslims away and not Modi and his Govt. He said his proximity with Modi has assured him that PM is "neither communal nor anti-Muslim", adding that he will continue to believe this, unapologetically. He asserted BJP during its tenure has not done anything overtly and covertly anti-Muslim. Urging Modi to take charge of the situation, he said it appears to him that BJP has lost its plot and also the narrative."..BJP is ignoring the Muslims who make up nearly 15% of India’s population.This will only disadvantage the BJP."abplive
Political situation very difficult, cannot say who will be next PM: Ramdev
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/political-situation-very-difficult-cannot-say-who-will-be-next-pm-ramdev-5509452/
Chennai :Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who reached Tamil Nadu for a national meeting of his followers being organised at Rameswaram, said that political situation in India has become “very difficult” and one cannot say who will be the next PM.Ramdev said: “Now in India… in 2019…political situation is very difficult. We cannot say who will be the next PM…or who will lead the country. But situation is very interesting… fighting situation in politics…”He said, however, that his focus was not in politics. “My personal vision in politics now is…I am not supporting or opposing any person or a party,” he said. Ramdev added that his aim was not a Hindu country but a spiritual country. “…And a spiritual world through yoga and Vedic practices, divine practices. We are making a spiritual India, our mission is based on a spiritual India and spiritual world. This is our goal.”indianexpress
More ally trouble for BJP in UP ! Apna Dal says workers disrespected, may have to rethink alliance
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/more-ally-trouble-for-bjp-in-uttar-pradesh-apna-dal-says-workers-disrespected-may-have-to-rethink-alliance-anupriya-patel-ashish-patel-yogi-adityanath/336627
Lucknow:Just days after RLSP head Upendra Kushwaha quit NDA and joined the opposition Mahagathbanhan or Grand Alliance, there is more ally trouble brewing for the BJP. Now Anupriya Patel-led Apna Dal has warned the BJP-led NDA that it may have to rethink its alliance with the national party as its workers are not being given respect in UP .Apna Dal national head Ashish Patel blamed the UP BJP leadership for showing disrespect to his party workers and ignoring them. Citing an example, Patel said party leader and Lok Sabha MP Anupriya Patel had not been invited for the inauguration of a medical college in the state.“After the losses in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, NDA must understand that the workers of the three parties of the alliance in UP are demotivated. MPs, MLAs, and ministers are all unhappy. Central leadership needs to intervene and understand the cause of the problem. Otherwise, NDA will suffer big in UP ,” Patel told reporters. Times Now
Snubbed and sulking, BJP’s junior partners in UP ask for more
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/snubbed-and-sulking-bjps-junior-partners-in-up-apna-dal-ask-for-more-5509426/
Adityanath's divisive language is ticking off even his most ardent supporters in UP
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/bjps-lucknow-shia-muslims-yogi-adityanath_in_5c21a94ae4b0407e907dd12f
Lucknow:Shamil Shamsi, who runs a restaurant in Lucknow, has never paid much attention to tags like “anti-Muslim”. He is also unapologetic about his support for BJP in UP.44-year-old, who heads an outfit of Shia Muslim youth called Hussaini Tigers, is matter-of-fact about his politics. The “so-called” secular parties in the country, he claimed, have supported the Wahhabi fundamentalist factions of Sunni Muslims, driving the Shia Muslims, “a minority within a minority”, to seek the protection and patronage of BJP. Shamsi is a more committed BJP supporter than many actual party workers.In 2010, Hussaini Tigers donated Rs 15 lakh for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.In 2017 UP Assembly polls,youth leader claims that his organization was instrumental in getting BJP leaders elected in 70 constituencies where Shia Muslim population was around 20,000 each. In April last year, he launched Shia Gau Raksha Dal, pledging to end cow slaughter in India. But now, less than two years after Hindutva hardliner Yogi Adityanath took charge of UP, Shamsi says he is reluctant to campaign for the BJP in the 2019 general election.He’s not alone.The notoriously fractured Shia leadership in Lucknow is beginning to speak with one voice when it comes to condemning Adityanath. Referring to Hussaini Tigers, Shamsi said, “Honestly, we are in no position today to go into any Shia Muslim neighborhood and say ‘vote for the BJP’.” “The degree to which BJP has angered the Shias, there is nothing left after Yogi ji’s remark on Ali and Bajrang Bali,” he said. “You are CM of such a big state. How can you say this?”huffingtonpost
If BJP wants to win then Adityanath needs a do-over:Shia Muslim Chief
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/if-bjp-wants-to-win-then-yogi-adityanath-needs-a-do-over-says-shia-muslim-chief_in_5c2049fbe4b05c88b6fa32e7?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Lucknow:Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi, the most powerful Shia Muslim leader in India, says his community has always had a soft spot for BJP, but is troubled by CM Yogi Adityanath’s relentless anti-Muslim rhetoric and his name-changing spree in UP . Often described as ‘a minority within a minority,’ Shia Muslims support BJP. While community leaders say there are between 40 to 70 million Shia Muslims in India, a Pew Survey from 2009 has them at 16 to 24 million, around 10 to 15 % of the Muslim population in India. Jawad, whose family has been at helm of Shia Muslim affairs for over two centuries, talked about why Shia Muslims support BJP and whether Adityanath is hurting his party’s chances in 2019 general election.huffingtonpost
5 Years On, SIT Awaits Govt Nod to Prosecute 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots Accused
https://www.news18.com/news/india/five-years-on-sit-awaits-govt-nod-to-prosecute-2013-muzaffarnagar-riots-accused-1982607.html
Muzaffarnagar: SIT probing the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots is yet to get the permission of UP Govt to prosecute the accused, which include several MLAs and MPs, in around 20 riots cases. According to sources in SIT, state Govt has not responded to the investigative agency's request of initiating legal proceedings against the accused under IPC Section 153(A) (offence committed in place of worship) since the last 5 years.SIT had sought permission from the state Govt to prosecute the accused for allegedly making hate speeches during the riots in about 20 cases, including Kutba mass killing, they said. The police had registered cases against BJP MLA Umesh Malik, BJP MP Bhartendu Singh, Hindutva leader Sadhvi Prachi among others over their alleged role in the riots.It is alleged that the accused participated in a 'mahapanchayat' at Nagla Mandor and incited violence through their speeches during the riots. PTI
In Kamal Nath cabinet, Muslim minister for MP after 15 yrs
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-kamal-nath-cabinet-muslim-minister-arif-aqueel-for-madhya-pradesh-after-15-years-1967999
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath today expanded his cabinet inducting 28 ministers including Arif Aqueel, the lone Muslim face in the new council of ministers.Aqueel, MLA from Bhopal North, is the first Muslim minister in the state after 15 years.Keeping the regional balance in view, Nath inducted 9 MLAs from the Malwa Nivad region, 6 from central MP, five representing Gwalior-Chambal region and 3 from Bundelkhand in his cabinet.The ministerial team includes 11 loyalists of CM , 9 from Congress veteran's Digvijaya Singh's camp, 7 from Jyotiraditya Scindia's camp, and one from former state party chief Arun Yadav's camp.IANS
PNB resolves: National anthem will be played at every Annual General Meeting
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pnb-resolves-national-anthem-will-be-played-at-every-annual-general-meeting-5509449/
New Delhi:State-owned Punjab National Bank, wracked by Nirav Modi scam, has decided that the national anthem will be sung at every Annual General Meeting (AGM)and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), usually held to seek shareholders’ approval on key decisions. This idea was proposed by a shareholder of the bank at its last AGM and was approved by PNB’s Non-Executive Chairman Sunil Mehta, who chaired the meeting. Mehta informed the meeting held on Sept. 18, 2018, that national anthem will be sung at every AGM/EGM of the bank.Securities and Exchange Board of India and Reserve Bank of India rules do not require companies or banks to play the national anthem at AGMs and EGMs. indianexpress
J-K: Month since pellet injury, kin seek answers from doctors on Hiba’s eyesight
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/j-k-pellet-victim-hiba-nisar-eye-operation-indian-army-5509178/
Srinagar:Even as a month has passed since 20-month-old child Hiba Nisar suffered pellet injury in her eye, the family has no clear answers from the doctors about her sight.On Monday, youngest pellet victim was again examined by doctors at Srinagar’s Hospital after second surgery was performed earlier this month and the pellet was removed from her eye.“Doctors haven’t told me anything clear.They only said they feel an improvement. But they didn’t discuss whether she would regain her eyesight in her injured eye or not,” Hiba’s father Nisar Ahmad said at the hospital.When the doctors examined her eye condition, it was difficult for them to get a proper insight as Hiba continuously cried and didn’t allow doctors to see her eye properly.indianexpress
Anti-Encroachment Drive in Jammu, an Attempt to Drive Out Muslims?
https://www.newsclick.in/anti-encroachment-drive-jammu-attempt-drive-out-muslims
An anti-encroachment drive in Jammu on Dec.22 witnessed a mob pelting stones at a joint team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA). As per the reports, police were also attacked by a violent mob injuring at least eleven people, including six police personnel. The crackdown took place near the Nikki Tawi, which is the fourth bridge area of Jammu. The commencement of the drive had resulted in clashes by the residents of the area, which include mostly Gujjars. As per the report, the injured accused the mob of pelting stones and bricks on their team and their vehicles resulting in injuries to over 11 persons and damage to four vehicles.Speaking with NewsClick, a local said, “This is a selective anti-encroachment drive specifically targeted at Gujjar colonies, which is predominantly Muslim.Right-wing groups have been targeting Gujjars for a long time and the drive was a result of that. Since BJP has come to power, Gujjars and Muslims in Jammu have been feeling insecure.” A resident said that the encroachment was an attempt to dislodge Gujjars and evict them from Jammu. Gujjars living in the area have unanimously condemned the anti-encroachment drive by calling it an “attempt to evict Muslims.” Awami Ittehad Party chief, Er Rashid condemned the exercise by the authorities and called it a “selective and communal” approach. He said, “On Feb. 3 this year, the state assembly was told that there are 21 unauthorised colonies in Jammu city but one has the right to ask why only Muslim dominated colonies are being targeted.Not even a single unauthorised colony of any other community is being disturbed.”Jammu Muslim Front (JMF) has also condemned the anti-encroachment drive by calling it a “selective” drive against the Muslim community. They have appealed to the Governor to issue orders to the concerned authorities to “stop harassment of Muslims in Jammu region.”newsclick
Law minister pushes for SC/ST quota in judiciary
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/now-law-minister-pushes-for-sc/st-quota-in-judiciary/articleshow/67249375.cms
Lucknow: An all-India judicial service, with an entrance exam conducted by the UPSC, could provide reservation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes which would help create a pool of trained judicial officers from the deprived sections and improve the judiciary's representative character, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said. While an all-India judicial service with an exam-based intake at the entry level has been proposed in the past and Prasad has spoken on the need for the judiciary to be more representative, the minister referred to SC/ST quotas at the entry level in judicial services at a function organised by All India Lawyers Board in Lucknow.TOI
Delhi Minority Commission Issues Notice to UGC in Umaiyah’s Hijab Case
https://beyondheadlines.in/2018/12/delhi-minority-commission-issues-notice-to-ugc-in-umaiyahs-case/
New Delhi: Recently Umaiyah Khan, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia was not allowed to participate in UGC-Net exam for wearing hijab (scarf). Another Muslim woman of Goa was also not allowed to examination hall on the same ground. Taking suo motu cognisance of the Delhi incident, Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has issued a notice to Secretary, UGC saying that “it is a clear case of discrimination against a religious minority and an attempt to keep it away from the national mainstream. This practice has no legal or constitutional basis. Kerala High Court has clearly allowed Muslim women to appear in exams and tests while in Hijab (wearing a scarf and full sleeves)”.DMC has also issued clear orders to respect the religious rights of Muslim and Sikh women. DMC has asked Secretary, UGC, to reply (1) why this discrimination is allowed, (2) on what basis and (3) how you propose to undo the injustice done to Muslim women prevented from appearing in the NET\ JRF exam while in hijab,(4) what steps you are taking to prevent the repetition of this injustice in future.Beyond Headlines
Latehar lynching case: Families of victims demand compensation, jobs
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latehar-lynching-case-families-of-victims-demand-compensation-jobs-5510204/
New Delhi :Families of 2 cattle traders, who were beaten to death in Jharkhand’s Latehar district in March 2016, Wednesday demanded financial assistance and jobs from the state Govt .Last week, 8 people were convicted and awarded life imprisonment by a court in Jharkhand for lynching Majlum Ansari (32) and Imteyaz Khan (13).Talking to reporters here, Sayara Bibi, wife of Ansari (32), claimed that she had been receiving threats even after all the convicts were awarded life sentence.His family has requested the Govt for financial help as they have lost their lone breadwinner.Ansari is survived by his wife and five children.“I demand appropriate compensation and a job from the Jharkhand Govt. Where should I go for help? I do not have money to feed my children,” Sayara Bibi said.Imteyaz Khan’s mother Nazma Bibi said her son was just 13-year-old when he was beaten to death.“We are living under the shadow of fear. My elder son has left his home and started working in Ranchi due to threat to his life. My younger son has also stopped going to his school,” she said.PTI
Waqf Mafia Forces Activist to Commit Suicide in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra
https://beyondheadlines.in/2018/12/waqf-mafia-forces-activist-to-commit-suicide-in-ahmednagar-in-maharashtra/
Ahmednagar: The alleged suicide of Tauseef Shaikh of Karjat, Ahmednagar, who was protesting against illegal encroachment and illegal construction at Waqf land is the first incident of its kind in the country. Maharashtra has earlier seen dozens of Maratha Youths committing suicide to build pressure for Maratha reservation recently. Shaikh is the first Muslim of Maharashtra who committed suicide by pouring petrol over himself at Tahsildar office in front of Ahmednagar Collectors Office on Dec 21. He was very much disgusted as authorities were not paying attention to his applications and complaints against illegal encroachment of Waqf properties in Karjat tahsil of Ahmednagar district. Local Muslims are very much agitated after the death of Shaikh and are blaming Waqf Land Mafia and corrupt officials for suicide and death of Shaikh .It is being said that Police registered a case against Shaikh for committing suicide. But local Muslims and other residents are demanding that cases must be registered against those Waqf Land Mafia and officials involved in illegal encroachment of waqf land for abetment of suicide. They must be arrested under various penal offences. Waqf activists have demanded criminal cases under IPC and UAPA is registered against the waqf land mafia.“This mafia has more money than the billionaires in the country and is very secretive and its lifeblood is absolute corruption and anti-constitutional. The Maharashtra waqf board is a mafia hub which is working against the nation and the people and they must be booked under the national security act and conspiring to rob the nation,” Karjat waqf officials said drawing a parallel with the Mumbai underworld. “The state waqf underworld is the most dangerous mafia organisation which is gaining legal credibility, a dangerous sign for the nation.” they told media personsbeyondheadlines
In Meerut, Muslims sell their cows to stay clear of vigilantes
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/here-muslims-sell-their-cows-to-stay-clear-of-vigilantes/story-QwHw89IPjGaALBRvihz9fJ.html
Meerut:Badar-ul-Islam, an influential leader from Syana area of Bulandshahr who contested Lok Sabha election against BJP stalwart Kalyan Singh in 2004 and lost by a slender margin of 8,000 votes, says he sold his two cows after Yogi Adityanath came to power in UP. “Sensing the winds of change, I decided to sell my two cows as I didn’t want to buy trouble for myself. I have affection for cows and raised them at my home for over a decade as cow milk is considered best for the health of children and even adults,” he says.Approximately 60km away, many Muslims in Saundat village in Meerut also sold their cows and oxen soon after the Yogi Adityanath Govt came to power. Saundat is a Muslim-dominated village with hardly 200 Hindus in a population of over 7,000.General secretary of BJP’s Meerut unit Gulzar Hasan, who also belongs to this village, says the party has supporters in the village who voted for the BJP in the 2017 assembly elections.Villagers, however, admit that they had supported BJP in the hope of ‘acche din’ (BJP’s slogan promising a better future) but it turned out be a ‘jumla’ (rhetoric).They claim that BJP would lose support in the village as people are fed up with the politics of division and hate. “Saundat village is Muslim-dominated and only a handful of Hindus live here.But we do not believe in discrimination on the basis of religion. We even helped them in constructing the walls of the only temple in the village,”a villager says. Confirming the claims of Muslims, a villager Chaman Singh says Hindus never felt insecure in the village despite being in a minority.Kalwa, head of Saundat village, says his family always kept cows and oxen because of good quality of milk. “But I sold my cows to a milkman two months after the BJP came to power in UP,” he says.“I had an ox and after its death I buried it instead of selling the body as I feared trouble,” he says. Kalwa says over 200 cows and oxen have been sold by villagers in the last 2 years for fear of being implicated in false cases.HT
Union minister demands law for population control
https://scroll.in/latest/907025/union-minister-giriraj-singh-demands-law-for-population-control
Union minister Giriraj Singh has said the country needs a law to control the growing population, which is impeding progress and harmony in society, PTI said. “For development and social harmony in the country, controlling the population is important,” he said.The minister cited several sources to claim that while India’s population was equal to that of China, the world’s most populous country,natural resources were only finite.scroll
Aadhaar Act: Jairam Ramesh moves Supreme Court challenging passage of law as Money Bill
https://scroll.in/latest/907024/aadhaar-act-jairam-ramesh-moves-supreme-court-challenging-passage-of-law-as-money-bill
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh has moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its September 26 judgement upholding the passage of the Aadhaar Act in Parliament as a Money Bill.A 5-judge Constitutional bench, in a 4-1 verdict, had said that the Aadhaar Act does not violate the right to privacy but struck down Section 57 of the Act, which allowed private entities to use Aadhaar for verification purposes.In his petition, Ramesh has highlighted the dissenting opinion of Justice DY Chandrachud, who had held that passage of the Act as a Money Bill superseded Rajya Sabha and amounted to subterfuge. Govt does not have a majority in the Upper House.scroll.in
SC Junks Plea by Ex-Gujarat HC Judge Facing Charges Along With Sacked IPS Officer Sanjiv Bhatt
https://www.news18.com/news/india/supreme-court-junks-petition-by-former-gujarat-hc-judge-facing-charges-with-sacked-ips-officer-sanjiv-bhatt-1983667.html
New Delhi: 17 years on, the Supreme Court has dismissed a petition by ex judge of the Gujarat High Court who faces charges of conspiring with now-sacked IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to falsely implicate a lawyer in a drugs case.While junking the appeal filed by former judge Ramanlal Rajmal Jain, the top court also dismissed the plea moved separately by Gujarat Govt against prosecution of its police officers, including Bhatt. Ex-HC judge Jain and the Gujarat Govt had resisted the investigation and prosecution by Rajasthan police into the charges of falsely implicating a lawyer in 1996 to get him to forcibly vacate a property belonging to Jain's sister. Notably, with the dismissal of the petitions, the stay granted in 2002 against prosecution of the accused in the case charge-sheeted by the Rajasthan police also gets lifted.Rajasthan Police are now at liberty to proceed against all the accused. news18
Christian Gathering Attacked During Sunday Prayers In Maharashtra Village
https://www.ndtv.com/cities/christian-gathering-attacked-during-sunday-prayers-in-maharashtra-village-1967913
A congregation at prayer in Maharashtra's Kolhapur was attacked ahead of Christmas on Sunday. A group of nearly 20 masked people had attacked the group, who had gathered at the home of a local at Kowad village -- located on the Karnataka border -- when Sunday prayers were in progress.Twelve people were injured, some of them seriously. Four people have been admitted in the local hospital.A group of around 15 men, who came on motorcycles around noon, had tried to barge into the house of one Bhimsen Chauhan when the service was in progress.Armed with swords, iron rods and glass bottles, they threw stones on those attending the prayer and tried to barge into the house. But some women, who were part of the prayer meet, forced the attackers to back off by throwing chilly powder on them, reported PTI.A case has been filed and investigations are on, the police said. Govt is yet to comment on the matter.ndtv
WORLD
Bangladesh Police Crack Down on Opposition Activists, Arrest 10,500 Ahead of Elections
https://www.news18.com/news/world/bangladesh-police-crack-down-on-opposition-activists-arrest-10500-ahead-of-elections-1983445.html
Dhaka: Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said.The figures were released after the US urged PM Sheikh Hasina's govt to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term.Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on Nov.8 were intended to create a "climate of fear". The main opposition BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained.Its ally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP. "Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP.Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants.Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina.BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates. BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million."Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack," Ahmed told a press briefing. He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes.Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and BNP boycotted the 2014 election — saying it was not free and fair — gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.US State Department has also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by US govt, because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials.State Dept. spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence."AFP
Syria air defences 'confront Israeli missiles' near Damascus
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/syrian-air-defences-intercept-hostile-targets-damascus-181225203809916.html
Syrian state media says Govt air defences have intercepted missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets near the capital, Damascus.The reported raid on Tuesday hit an arms depot and wounded 3 soldiers, Syria's state-run news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official as saying."Our air defences confronted hostile missiles launched by Israeli warplanes from above the Lebanese territories and downed most of them before reaching their targets," the military source said.Lebanon's state-run NNA earlier reported that Israeli jets were flying at low altitude over parts of southern Lebanon.Nearly an hour after the attacks began, Damascus residents could still hear the air defence units firing towards targets in air.There was no immediate comment by Israeli military on the report."An IDF aerial defence system activated in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria," official Israeli army Twitter account later said.aljazeera
Syrian Govt forces 'enter' Kurdish-controlled Manbij region
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/syrian-Govt -forces-enter-kurdish-controlled-manbij-region-181225153526422.html
Syrian Govt forces have entered the country's northern border region of Manbij controlled by Kurdish fighters, local sources said and Turkey's state-run Anadolu. Trucks carrying regime forces and equipment, 2 tanks, and other armoured vehicles have arrived in the village of Arimah in the western countryside of Manbij, sources said.Arimah is 25km away from the centre of Manbij.The development comes a day after Turkish-backed Syrian fighters dispatched fighters and armoured vehicles to the front line along Manbij and days after Washington took an unexpected decision to withdraw troops from Syria.Manbij is controlled by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), seen as a "terrorist" group by Turkey.aljazeera
Israeli min makes remarks supporting PKK terrorists
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-min-makes-remarks-supporting-pkk-terrorists/1348708
Jerusalem:An Israeli minister has made disgraceful remarks to undermine Turkey's expected anti-terror operation in Syria and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan."I hope that they (Kurds) will win in their battle against the Turks. I hope that the international community will prevent Erdogan from massacring the Kurds," Jerusalem Post quoted Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked as saying on Dec. 23.Shaked was referring to Turkey's planned counter-terror operation against PYD/YPG terrorists in the region east of the Euphrates River in Syria.Since 2016, Ankara has carried out two similar military operations in northern Syria.The Israeli minister also said the U.S. withdrawal from Syria does "not help Israel and strengthens Erdogan".Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered all US forces in Syria to withdraw from the country, saying Daesh's defeat was his sole reason for being in the civil war-torn country.It is not the first time that Shaked has made provocative remarks, as she shared offensive remarks made by Israeli PM's former advisor against the families of Palestinian martyrs in 2014.Anadolu Agency
Half of Israelis don’t want Netanyahu as next PM:Poll
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/half-of-israelis-don-t-want-netanyahu-as-next-pm-poll/1349039
Half of Israelis don’t want PM Benjamin Netanyahu to be the next premier, according to a new survey.The poll by the Israeli Broadcast Authority showed that 37% of Israelis see Netanyahu as the strong favorite to win the early election on April 9. 52% of respondents, however, believe that Netanyahu should not be next PM.Ex-army chief Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party, trailed second with 13%, followed by Avi Gabbay, the chairman of the Labor party, with 7%, poll showed.The survey also found that Netanyahu’s Likud party would win 30 seats in 120-member Knesset (Israel’s parliament).Likud had won 30 seats in the last general election in 2015.Anadolu
Moscow helped get Trump elected:Ex-Israeli spy chief
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181226-moscow-helped-get-trump-elected-ex-israeli-spy-chief/
Tamir Pardo, former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, has claimed that Russian cyber-meddling helped influence 2016 US presidential elections in favour of current US President Donald Trump, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.According to Pardo, Russia chose the candidate most “politically advantageous” to it and used online “bots” to catapult Trump into the presidency. “Russia deployed tens of thousands of bots to influence the… elections in favour of Trump,” Haaretz quoted him as saying.He added:“They took a look at the political map in Washington, and thought, ‘Which candidate would we like to have sitting in the White House? Who will help us achieve our goals?’ And they chose him.”From that moment on, Pardo asserted, “they deployed a system [of bots] for the duration of the elections, and ran him for president”.middleeastmonitor
Turkey extends troops’ deployment in Afghanistan
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-extends-troops-deployment-in-afghanistan/1348562
The parliament on Tuesday ratified a motion to extend the deployment of Turkish troops in Afghanistan for another two years as part of the NATO’s support mission in the war-torn country.A legislation will put into effect on Jan. 6, 2019, allowing the Turkish Govt to send troops to Afghanistan to support NATO-led mission Resolute Support. As NATO-led International Security Assistance Force ended its 17-year combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2018, the mission has evolved into training and advising of the nascent Afghan security forces. Around 12,000 foreign troops from 28 NATO allies and 14 other partner nations agreed to support NATO mission in Afghanistan.Anadolu Agency
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Gau Rakshaks Strike Again, This Time A Cow Dies Instead of A Human:TARIQ HASAN
https://www.thecitizen.in//index.php/en/newsdetail/index/2/15863/gau-rakshaks-strike-again-this-time-a-cow-dies-instead-of-a-human
India: Secular Democracy or Hindu Rashtra? — Prof Ram Puniyani
http://caravandaily.com/portal/india-secular-democracy-or-hindu-rashtra-prof-ram-puniyani/
Real Threats to India Internal, Not China or Pakistan: Ex NSA-Foreign Secretary Menon
http://caravandaily.com/portal/real-threats-to-india-internal-not-china-or-pakistan-ex-nsa-foreign-secretary-menon/
Gauri murder probe unravelled conspiracy spanning 2 States
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/gauri-murder-probe-unravelled-conspiracy-spanning-two-states/article25829208.ece?homepage=true
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:34 PM)
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