NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
10 Jan. 2019: 03 Jamadiul-I 1440: Vol: 11, No:98
INDIA
Babri Masjid hearing deferred till Jan 29 as Justice Lalit recuses self after Muslim petitioners object
https://www.news18.com/news/india/ayodhya-hearing-deferred-till-jan-29-as-justice-uu-lalit-recuses-himself-after-objection-from-muslim-petitioners-1997455.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court today deferred the hearing in the Ayodhya title dispute case to Jan. 29 after Justice UU Lalit, who was part of a Constitution bench to hear the case, recused himself on Thursday. Justice Lalit appeared for former Uttar Pradesh CM Kalyan Singh in 1994, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan — who was appearing for the Muslim petitioners — told the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi soon after the court assembled. Though Dhavan said he was not seeking Justice Lalit's recusal, the judge opted out of the hearing in the matter. The bench, also comprising Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana and DY Chandrachud, noted the submissions made by Dhavan.Dhavan also drew the attention of the bench to the fact that the matter was earlier fixed for hearing before a 3-judge bench but CJI took a decision to list it before a 5-judge Constitution Bench. He further submitted that there was need for a judicial order to set up a 5-judge Constitution bench.CJI, however, quoted Supreme Court rules mandating that any bench should comprise two judges and there was nothing wrong in constituting a five-judge Constitution bench. CJI said in view of the facts and circumstances of the matter and the voluminous records pertaining to it, this was a fit case for constituting a 5-judge bench.In its order, the bench said the SC registry will physically examine the records stored in 50 sealed trunks in the room, which has also been kept sealed. The SC said the records pertaining to the matter are voluminous and some of the documents are in Sanskrit, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Persian and Gurmukhi that need to be translated. If required, the apex court registry can take the service of official translators, the bench said.Reacting to the delay, litigant Iqbal Ansari told CNN-News 18 that they would obey the order of the court. "The court was going to hear the case but due to the recusal by the judge, the court gave the next date. The court is independent, there is no religion in court. Lots of people hoped that the hearing would begin today but the court will not come under pressure. No ordinance will come and no law will be made."BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said the bench was looking into the title question and the hearing had "nothing to do with Ram Temple hearing". "It's a commitment that we will build Ram temple. A new generation has asked us to build it now and we will do it," he said.As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the SC against Allahabad High Court judgement,news18
Reason behind Justice Lalit's exit from case
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ayodhya-case-hearing-reason-behind-justice-uu-lalits-exit-from-ayodhya-dispute-case-1975635
Ayodhya title suit appeals: Justice Lalit recuses himself, Bench to fix time of hearings on Jan. 29
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ayodhya-title-suit-justice-uu-lalit-recuses-himself-from-hearing-case-posted-to-jan-29/article25957523.ece?homepage=true
Early Resolution Of Ayodhya Will Benefit Country: Minorities Panel Chief Rizvi
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/early-resolution-of-ayodhya-will-benefit-country-minorities-commission-chief-syed-ghayorul-hasan-riz-1975808
New Delhi: National Commission for Minorities chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi said today that no hinderance should be created in the hearing of the Babri Masjid land title dispute in the Supreme Court, saying the earliest resolution of it will benefit both Hindus and Muslims.Rizvi also thanked PM Modi Govt for the 10-% reservation in employment and education to the economically weaker sections, claiming it will be more beneficial for the minorities most of whom are financially poor, he said."No one should create any hurdle in the hearing of the case. The country as well as Hindus and Muslims will be benefitted with the earliest resolution of the dispute," Rizvi told reporters.PTI
Ayodhya land dispute HIGHLIGHTS: Supreme Court adjourns hearing, VHP objects
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-ram-mandir-hearing-supreme-court-live-updates-5531253/
Objection of AIMPLB about absence of Muslim Judge on bench is disturbing: VHP
https://in.news.yahoo.com/objection-aimplb-absence-muslim-judge-081708016.html
new delhi:VHP has said that what has happened in the Supreme Court on Jan. is exactly that the organisation has been raising doubt about all this while.VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, "After the bench was announced Iqbal Ansari - Muslim party in the case asked the very first question that why there is no Muslim judge in the bench. It will be demanded that some Muslim judge must be in it. Similar argument in a bit refined manner was presented by Congress-sponsored lawyers including Rajeev Dhavan indirectly that UU Lalit contested case of Kalyan Singh and court succumbed to their pressure." So for VHP it is an attempt to replace him with a Muslim judge in the Constitution bench.OneIndia
10% quota bill for general category challenged in SC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/10-% -reservation-general-category-poor-supreme-court-narendra-modi-Govt-5531949/
New Delhi:A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday challenging Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 that gives 10 % reservation in jobs and education for the economical weaker sections (EWS) of the general category, PTI reported. The petition—by NGO Youth for Equality and Kaushal Kant Mishra—sought the quashing of the bill saying that the economic criteria cannot be the sole basis for reservation.It stated that the bill violates the basic feature of the Constitution as the reservation on economic grounds cannot be limited to the general categories and the 50% ceiling limit cannot be breached. The latest development came a day after Parliament approved the Bill and, thereby, effecting a change in the Constitution to add a new chapter to laws on reservation nearly three decades after Mandal Commission recommendations came into force. Late Wednesday night, and a day after the Bill sailed through Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha too gave its stamp of approval at the end of a marathon nine-hour debate that saw Opposition tearing into the Govt. Questioning the timing, Opposition members had said “electoral compulsions” had forced the Govt to push the legislation in “haste”. Govt hit back with Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad saying “sixes are hit in the slog overs” of a cricket match and “more sixes will come”. Rajya Sabha voted 165-7 in favour of the Bill — meeting the requirement of a majority of not less than 2-thirds of the members present and voting for effecting a constitutional amendment. Indianexpress
If India provides concrete evidence against Zakir Naik, we won't compromise: Anwar Ibrahim
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/exclusive-if-india-provides-concrete-evidence-against-zakir-naik-we-won-t-compromise-says-malaysia-s-anwar-ibrahim-1427576-2019-01-10
Even as India continues to seek extradition of Zakir Naik who is being probed in India for alleged charges of spreading terror and money laundering, the former deputy PM of Malaysia said that the new Govt in Kuala Lumpur was prepared to "scrutinise" and cooperate with New Delhi on the case.Anwar Ibrahim, who is in New Delhi for the Raisina Dialogue, spoke to India Today.He said, "I believe we are prepared to scrutinise and study every aspect of the case. Our position against terrorism and terrorist cells is very clear. We strongly support every counter terrorism effort. Having said that, we will have to abide by known international decorum and ensure that once you have a compelling case, you will have to adduce some evidence. We cannot agree based on what is alleged." After the victory of his coalition party, Pakatan Harapan, and his own win in the by-election after being released from prison, Anwar Ibrahim is all set to take over from the current Malaysian PM , Mahathir Mohamad, in 2 years.Speaking on cooperation over the issue of Naik, he elaborated that there was yet to be a real contact between India and Malaysia on the matter while also explaining that any pictures of Naik with him or other leadership are "old" except for one instance of a photo with PM Mahathir after he took office. "The arrangements and contracts were with the previous govt.Since we came to power, there has been an understanding that Naik should be more subdued or controlled. This seems to be the practice. We have to observe this because India has officially notified us. Out of respect, we need to take cognizance of that," he said. He added, "I was made to understand some documents were produced, but our concern is that we need to really be convinced that there is a legitimate premise for a case against any individual before we act. This is a normal arrangement with any country. There is certainly a willingness to look at the case. We are willing to look at the case if substantive arguments are placed before us."Once he takes office, he said, he would "renew the commitments of PM Mahathir." Ibrahim has been engaging with a host of scholars and political leaders. He met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday and will be meeting PM Narendra Modi on Thursday."I met Rahul Gandhi and discussed numerous issues. Was quite impressed. I look forward to meeting the PM who has always been kind to me. There are some personal messages from PM Mahathir for the Indian PM on how to take relations forward", he said. india today
Anwar Ibrahim in India on 5-day visit: ‘India must make itself heard on issues like Rohingya crisis’
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/anwar-ibrahim-india-visit-must-make-itself-heard-on-issues-like-rohingya-crisis-5531156/
Activists, Academics Urge President to Act on 'Sectarian' Citizenship Bill, NRC
https://www.thewire.in/communalism/activists-academics-urge-president-to-act-on-sectarian-citizenship-bill-nrc
New Delhi: A group of 135 academics and activists have written to President Ram Nath Kovind, urging him to “ensure justice” to those who have been excluded from the final draft of National Register of Citizens. The signatories have also opposed Citizenship Amendment Bill, which was recently passed by parliament, saying that it “discriminates on the ground of religion and violates the constitutional principle of equality”.thewire
Citizenship Bill excluding Muslim immigrants taking India further into abyss of bigotry: Indian Americans
http://twocircles.net/2019jan10/428377.html
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, has called the bill passed by the lower house of India’s Parliament, granting citizenship to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from neighboring countries unconstitutional and reflective of Modi administration’s deep animus towards Muslims and other minorities. In addition the IAMC has called on US Senate to conduct a hearing on the sustained attacks against religious freedom of minorities in India.“The fact that India’s right-wing Hindu nationalist administration has come this far in advancing its agenda of turning Indian Muslims into second-class citizens while legislating preferential treatment of Hindus should generate international concern over the future of India as a secular, democratic polity,” said Ahsan Khan, President of IAMC. twocircles
Citizenship Bill: Sahitya Akademi Awardee, 2 Others Charged with Sedition Amid Protests in Assam
https://www.news18.com/news/india/citizenship-bill-sedition-charges-against-sahitya-akademi-awardee-2-others-1998061.html
Guwahati: Sedition charges have been brought against Sahitya Akademi awardee Assamese litterateur Dr Hiren Gohain, senior journalist Manjit Mahanta and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi in Assam today, police said, as protests continue in the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.Police suo motu registered a case at the Latasil police station here, Guwahati Police said.PTI
P Chidambaram's "Salute" To IAS Topper Who Resigned Over Kashmir Killings
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shah-faesal-resignation-p-chidambarams-sharp-attack-on-bjp-rulers-after-ias-toppers-exit-1975559?pfrom=home-topstories
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today launched a scathing attack on the BJP govt over IAS officer Shah Faesal's resignation. Today, Chidambaram in a series of tweets said the world will take note of Faesal's "cry of anguish and defiance". Calling his resignation an "indictment of the BJP Govt", the former home and finance minister said Shah Faesal's "every word of statement was true." Chidambaram also tweeted about another police officer who "said the same thing" as Shah Faesal and attacked the BJP "rulers" for not giving any reassurance.ndtv
‘Depends on what people of Kashmir want’: Shah Faesal on political future after quitting IAS
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/depends-on-what-people-of-kashmir-want-shah-faesal-on-political-future-after-quitting-ias/story-a5tF9wgj5LYUxU0o2z4VaK.html
Kashmiri IAS officer Shah Faesal, who quit IAS to protest against “unabated killings” in J&K, sought ideas on Thursday, especially from youths, to decide his future course in politics.In a statement posted on Facebook, Faesal said: “I have an idea how I can do it but I want ideas from the people before taking a final decision.“It has been a storm of abuse and adulation. Hundreds and thousands of people reacted to my resignation in hundreds and thousands of ways. I totally expected this.“As of now I have quit the service. What I am going to do hereafter also depends on what people of Kashmir want me to do. More so the youth.“I have an idea how I can do it. I am sure you have ideas too and you want me to factor those ideas in before I take a final decision.“If you are ready to come out of Facebook/Twitter and show up in Srinagar tomorrow (Friday), we could think this through together.“My choice of politics will be decided by real people, not fb likes and comments.HT
Sedition Charges On Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid Soon: Delhi Police Chief
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kanhaiya-kumar-umar-khalid-to-be-charged-with-sedition-soon-delhi-police-chief-1975420
Delhi Police will soon file a charge sheet in the sedition case against ex JNU students' union head Kanhaiya Kumar and other activists, including Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik said. Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested in 2016 in a sedition case for allegedly organising an event in JNU campus on Afzal Guru. The arrests had triggered a huge controversy with the opposition slamming the police for "working at the behest of the ruling BJP"."The case is in stage of finalisation. The investigation was complex as the team also had to visit other states to take statements. The charge sheet will be filed soon," he said.PTI
PM-led select panel begins meeting to decide CBI chief Alok Verma’s fate
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-led-select-panel-begins-meeting-to-decide-cbi-chief-alok-verma-s-fate/story-i9QxYdncGWWL1AAaaQGm0L.html
New Delhi:The selection committee’s meeting on CBI chief Alok Verma comprising PM Narendra Modi, CJI and leader of largest opposition party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has begun in New Delhi.This is the second meeting of the Selection Committee in the case after the Supreme Court directed it to meet within a week to discuss Verma’s case.The panel’s meeting on Wednesday remained inconclusive with Kharge asking for some documents including the enquiry report by the CVC into the matter.“I have asked for certain documents from Govt concerning the matter including the CVC’s enquiry reports,” Kharge said.HT
Reinstated CBI Chief Revokes Rao's Transfer Orders
https://thewire.in/Govt/reinstated-cbi-chief-alok-verma-revokes-nageshwar-raos-transfer-orders
New Delhi: Hours after resuming office, reinstated CBI Director Alok Verma proceeded to revoke most of the transfer orders issued by the then acting Director in-charge, M. Nageshwar Rao with immediate effect. Selection committee panel comprising PM Narendra Modi, Justice A.K. Sikri and the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge met on Wednesday evening to discuss the case of reinstated CBI Director Verma, but meeting was inconclusive.thewire
Out on bail, CBI DSP moves court against Verma’s orders to reinstate officers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-dsp-devender-kumar-alok-verma-transfer-order-delhi-high-court-5532059/
New Delhi: CBI’s DSP Devender Kumar, who is out on bail in connection with bribery allegations involving the agency’s Special Director Rakesh Asthana, moved the Delhi High Court against Director Alok Verma’s decision to reinstate several officers considered close to him. Kumar, who was arrested in Oct.last year, petitioned the High Court to also direct CBI not to allow Verma to deal with the bribery FIR against him and Asthana.Kumar’s petition is likely to be listed for hearing on Friday before Justice Najmi Waziri, who has already reserved verdict on various petitions of Special Director Rakesh Asthana, Kumar and middleman Manoj Prasad seeking to quash the bribery FIR against them.indianexpress
2002 Gujarat Riots: Judge P.B. Desai Ignored Evidence, says Activist Harsh Mander
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/2002-gujarat-riots-judge-pb-desai-ignored-evidence-says-activist-harsh-mander?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi:Special SIT court judge P.B. Desai "ignored evidence" that former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in a mob attack in Ahmedabad's Gulberg Housing Society during 2002 riots, did all that was possible within his power to protect Muslims from the "rage of the mob" and instead echoed the position of then CM Narendra Modi that his killing was only a "reaction" to his "action" of shooting at the mob, says human rights activist Harsh Mander. He says that "the learned judge", who retired in Dec.2017,overlooked statements by surviving witnesses that Jafri made repeated desperate calls to senior police officers and other persons in authority, "including allegedly CM Modi", pleading that security forces be sent to "disperse the crowd" and rescue those "against whom the mob had laid a powerful siege".Mander, who quit IAS in Gujarat in the wake of the riots, makes these observations in his just released book, "Partitions of the Heart: Unmaking the Idea of India", published by Penguin.Activist, who works with survivors of mass violence and hunger as well as homeless persons and street children, goes on to quote the late journalist Kuldip Nayar to establish that Jafri had desperately telephoned him, "begging him to contact someone in authority to send in the police or the Army to rescue them". Mander says Nayar rang up Union Home Ministry to convey to it the seriousness of the situation. Home Ministry said it was in touch with the state Govt and was "watching" the situation. Jafri called again, pleading with Nayar to do something as the mob was threatening to lynch him. In the chapter titled "Whatever happened in Gulberg Society?",Mander contends that Jafri did everything within his power to protect "those who believed that his influence would shield them from the rage of the mob". Mander says Jafri begged the mob to "take his life instead" and in a show of valour went out "to plead and negotiate" with the angry crowd. IANS
Gujarat encounter case: Cop opposed giving report to petitioners, said ‘they are strangers to situation in state’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-encounter-case-cop-opposed-giving-report-to-petitioners-said-they-are-strangers-to-situation-in-state-5531249/
Ahmedabad:Objecting to the sharing of Justice H S Bedi’s report on 17 police encounters in Gujarat with the petitioners, a Gujarat Police officer had told the Supreme Court that “strangers can’t be permitted to analyse the evidence gathered during a criminal investigation by supplying them with the reports”. SC on Wednesday, however, directed the Gujarat Govt to hand over the report’s copy to the petitioners. DSP J M Bharwad, who was investigated by SC-appointed-STF in one of 17 encounters, in an affidavit to the court said that if the petitioners were given the copies of the report, “it would result into a position where strangers would be debating about the possibility of guilt or otherwise of police officers, including the present”.Bharwad was probed by STF officers for his alleged role in the death of one Kasim Jafer Hussain whose family had accused that he was killed in police custody. Hussain’s alleged custodial death is among the 17 cases probed by STF that was monitored by retired justice Bedi.Bharwad, who is currently Deputy SP, Jetpur, has claimed that he moved the court as “there is a likelihood of the applicant (Bharwad) and many other honest police officers being affected by the orders which may be passed in the present petitions that are absolutely motivated and nothing but abuse of process of law”.indianexpress
MP home minister rules out re-probe into SIMI jailbreak incident, charts new roadmap
https://www.news18.com/news/india/mp-home-minister-rules-out-re-probe-into-simi-jailbreak-incident-charts-new-roadmap-1995611.html
Bhopal: Newly appointed Home Minister Bala Bachchan charts the road map to a safer Madhya Pradesh. Speaking on the inaugural day of MP assembly in Bhopal, Bachchan assures a makeover for the existing dismal law and order situation in the state. The Minister accepted that the police is not as harsh as it should be with criminals. Reviewing law and order in the state with senior police officials, he asked for stringent measures while dealing with criminals.A fear of law must be established among them, he added. In addition, Bachchan has also directed police officials to be supportive and empathetic towards the general public. "I reminded them of their constitutional duties of serving the public and ensuring law and order,"said he.News18
NIA to Probe Conspiracy by Kerala Youths to Join Anti-Assad Terror Groups in Syria
https://www.news18.com/news/india/nia-to-probe-conspiracy-by-kerala-youths-to-join-anti-assad-terror-groups-in-syria-1997337.html
New Delhi: NIA has registered a case to probe an alleged conspiracy by some youths in Kerala to join Salafist terror organisations Jund al-Aqsa and Jabhat al-Nusrah in their attempt to overthrow the Bashar al-Assad Govt in Syria.The agency has registered a case under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and waging war against an Asiatic power at peace with the Indian Govt.NIA has also booked the youths under the stringent UAPA, the agency said. NIA said it had received credible information that from 2013 onwards, certain youths, originally from Kerala and Karnataka but based in Qatar, had hatched a criminal conspiracy to wage war against Syria, an Asiatic power at peace with Govt of India.PTI
Bulandshahr violence: Accused BJP youth wing member arrested from Hapur
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bulandshahr-violence-shikhar-agarwal-subodh-kumar-singh-5531371/
New Delhi:Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha member Shikhar Agarwal, one of the accused in the killing of Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh in Bulandshahr, was arrested today.He was held from the adjoining Hapur district by the Bulandshahr police, a senior police official said.“Shikhar Agarwal was arrested this morning. We are interrogating him and will produce him in the local court later today,” ASP Atul Kumar Srivastava was quoted as saying by PTI.Subodh Kumar Singh, the station house officer of Siyana, and local youth, Sumit Kumar, were killed on Dec.3 in mob violence near Siyana village in Bulandshahr during protests against alleged cow slaughter.So far, over 35 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, including Army jawan Jeetender Malik, Prashant Nat who allegedly shot the inspector dead and Kalua who had attacked him with an axe, the police said.indianexpress
Group that killed Gauri Lankesh also watched Mangaluru rationalist Narendra Nayak
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/group-that-killed-gauri-lankesh-also-watched-mangaluru-rationalist-narendra-nayak-5531066/
Bengaluru:Members of a Hindu extremist group involved in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017 also watched activities of rationalist Narendra Nayak in Mangaluru in 2016 after identifying him as a target, according to the details of investigation placed in court by a Karnataka SIT.One of the persons arrested in the case, Rajesh Bangera, 50, allegedly the arms trainer of the group, has provided details of a 2-day surveillance by him on the movements of Nayak, the president of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations.SIT has enclosed details of ‘panchnamas’ conducted at various locations in Mangaluru where Bangera and a Mangaluru youth, who was recruited and trained to carry out an attack, allegedly conducted surveillance on rationalist for 2 days. As per the panchnama, Nayak’s home was pointed out to Bangera by an associate living in Mangaluru. SIT probe has also found that Bangera trained four youths identified as Mohan, Yathin, Yathish and Kumud in the usage of guns prior to carrying out the surveillance. One of these youths was taken along by Bangera for surveillance, SIT’s probe details indicate.
Won't allow gay sex in Army:Chief General
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wont-allow-gay-sex-in-the-army-says-chief-general-rawat-1975706
New Delhi: Gay sex will not be allowed in the Indian Army, its chief General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday when asked to comment on the Supreme Court decriminalizing homosexuality."We will not allow this to happen in the Army," said General Rawat, addressing his annual press conference. He said the Indian army has its own laws on homosexuality."We are not above the country's law but when you join the Indian Army, some of the rights and privileges you enjoy are not what we have. Some things are different for us," he said.When asked about the Supreme Court ruling on adultery, he said the Army is "very conservative"."We can't allow it to perpetrate into the Army," he said.ndtv
Can’t be left out of the bandwagon: Army chief Rawat on talks with Taliban
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/taliban-peace-talk-analogy-cant-be-applied-in-jk-talks-in-valley-only-on-our-terms-army-chief-bipin-rawat-5531599/
New Delhi :A day after Bipin Rawat said there should be negotiations with the Taliban, but without conditions, the Army chief Thursday said India ‘can’t be left out of the bandwagon’ if a number of other countries are talking to them as it has ‘interests in Afghanistan’.Speaking at an annual press briefing, he, however, clarified that the ‘Taliban analogy’ cannot be applied in Jammu and Kashmir where the Govt has rejected unconditional talks with the stakeholders, including separatists and militants, adding that talks in the Valley ‘will be on our terms’.On talks with Hurriyat, Rawat said, “Our position is very clear that shun the gun and stop taking support from the western neighbour. Talks can happen only if they shun violence.” Army chief had yesterday also pitched for talks with Taliban, saying there should be “negotiations” but “without conditions”.indianexpress
If ready for talks with Taliban, why not Kashmiri separatists? ask Omar and Mehbooba
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/if-ready-for-talks-with-taliban-why-not-kashmiri-separatists-ask-omar-and-mehbooba/story-0MAzybOyZVE8OonPhKFhkN.html
Srinagar:Ex CMs Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti wondered why the Centre was not initiating a dialogue with the separatists in J&K if Army chief General Bipin Rawat could bat for holding talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan.“We bat for talks with taliban, autonomy for Tibet & Tamil areas of Sri Lanka yet we are unwilling to look at engagement or political initiatives in J&K. Why is our policy all about “do as we say, don’t do as we do”? Engagement for Taliban, Operation All-Out for Kashmir,” Abdullah tweeted.HT
Nope, says Prakash Javadekar to reports on proposal to make Hindi mandatory in schools
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/prakash-javadekar-hindi-mandatory-schools-class-eight-1427617-2019-01-10
Union minister Prakash Javadekar has rejected reports that a committee tasked with framing a new education policy for the country has recommended making Hindi language compulsory until Class 8."Committee on New Education Policy in its draft report has not recommended making any language compulsory," Javadekar said in a tweet. "This clarification is necessitated in the wake of mischievous and misleading report in a section of the media."The committee in question is a nine-member panel led by space scientist Dr K Kasturirangan. The committee was constituted in 2017 in order to formulate a new policy on school and college-level education in the country. According to reports this morning, the committee's draft on New Education Policy (NEP) included a recommendation that studying Hindi language must be made mandatory up to Class 8.Among the other reported recommendations of the committee were suggestions that a uniform national-level syllabus be developed for science and mathematics and that certain local languages such as Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili be made a mode of instruction up to Class 5 in regions where they are spoken.According to the reports, the NEP also recommended that a Devanagari (in which Hindi is written) script be developed for certain tribal dialects that are currently being written in Roman (in which the English language is written).India Today
Academics write to ISCA:’Deeply shocked,disturbed’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/thirty-seven-academics-write-to-isca-deeply-shocked-disturbed-5531135/
Mumbai:37 distinguished science academics and communicators signed a letter against the “unscientific claims” made at the Indian Science Congress this year that was sent to the general president of the Indian Science Congress Association.“We are deeply shocked and disturbed that false claims, based on confusing episodes in mythology as science, have been made in the 106th Indian Science Congress, that too in scientific presentations made to the Children Science Congress. Such content in ISC undermines the long scientific tradition of ISC which, in the past, has been led by outstanding scientists such as Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Sir Ram Nath Chopra and Prof P Parija. Such claims tarnish the image of Indian science globally, and also undermine the credibility of genuine contributions of the great science personalities of yore, that too, in front of young and impressionable minds. Stories from our epics are poetic, enjoyable, rich in moral elements and in imagination but are not scientifically constructed or validated,” reads the letter.Noted academics who have signed the letter include astrophysicist Jayant V Narlikar, molecular biologist at IISC Bengaluru Dipankar Chatterji, scientists at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education Aniket Sule, MC Arunan and G Nagarjuna, faculty member at IIT Bombay Abhijit Majumder, science educator Arvind Gupta, faculty member at JNU Dhruv Raina, and faculty member at Centre of Excellence on Basic Sciences SG Dani.indianexpress
Triple talaq bill stuck in Rajya Sabha
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/triple-talaq-bill-stuck-in-rajya-sabha/articleshow/67460442.cms
New Delhi: A Bill to criminalise Muslim instant divorce practice of "triple talaq" remained stuck in Rajya Sabha in face of a combined opposition insisting that it be scrutinised by a select committee of the House.The Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha on Dec.27 last year, had come up for discussion just once in the subsequent 7 sittings of the House but couldn't pass through the opposition muster. Rajya Sabha did not discuss the bill before being adjourned sine die after the winter session was extended by a day.TOI
‘Telangana supports EBC quota Bill, but what about Muslims & STs?’
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2019/jan/09/ts-supports-ebc-quota-bill-but-what-about-muslims--sts-1922667.html
TRS has expressed support for the bill envisaging 10% reservation for EBCs of privileged castes, but suggested that pending bills seeking 12% and 10% quota for Muslims and Scheduled Tribes respectively be considered first. Participating in the debate on the Centre’s Bill in Lok Sabha, TRS floor leader AP Jithender Reddy said, “We support your bill, but the Central Govt should support bills adopted by Telangana Assembly in 2017 to provide 12% reservation to Muslims and 10 % reservation to STs. I support your bill and urge you to support our bills.”new india nexpress
Not paid for 3 years, 650 teachers of govt-aided madrassas in UP’s Bijnor
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/not-paid-for-3-years-650-teachers-of-Govt-aided-madrassas-in-ups-bijnor-on-the-brink-of-penury/articleshow/67444777.cms
Bijnor: As many as 650 contractual teachers of Govt-aided madrasas in Bijnor are on the brink of penury. They have not been paid for the last 3 years. Repeated requests to the Govt departments have fallen on the deaf ears, they claim.In Bijnor, there are 250 such madrasas, but none of the teachers employed there have been paid the dues. On Tuesday, a large number of them staged a protest at the district minority welfare office here seeking their dues. These teachers get a monthly stipends ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000.The teachers have been hired under central and state sponsored scheme SPQEM (Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarsa).On Tuesday, madarssa teachers met district minority welfare officer Praveen Mishra and demanded their dues.A madarsa teacher, Mohammad Salim, said,“We were appointed in 2009. Teachers get a monthly stipend ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000. The teachers with graduate degrees are entitled to be paid Rs 8,000 per month while those who have completed their PG are paid Rs 15,000.But, unfortunately, we have not got our salary since 2015 and have submitted several memorandums to the concerned authorities.” “However, in such a situation, we continue to teach the students. The central Govt is not paying heed to our plight,” Salim alleged. TOI
Illegal construction damaging Hyderabad’s oldest mosque
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/jan/10/illegal-construction-damaging-citys-oldest-mosque-1923138.html
Illegal construction work taking place along the boundary of the 5-century old Jama Masjid in Golconda — oldest mosque in the city — has damaged a portion of its original structure. The mosque established in 1518 by Sultan Quli Qutb Shah and located in front of the Golconda Fort’s entrance is now enveloped by eateries and shops.The construction work encroaches on the mosque’s land, including the small bylane just beyond Bala Hisar Gate that leads to the ancient structure. A large portion of the outer fringe of the mosque had been levelled and foundation pillars erected, when Express visited the spot on Wednesday. Those in-charge of construction work objected to photos being taken. S Arif, who introduced himself as a traffic policeman and one of the members of the mosque’s committee, urged that the photos taken by Express be deleted and claimed to have taken up `30-lakh “conservation work” inside the mosque. The mosque comes under the protection of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the listing Golconda Fort and Ruins.new indian express
HC rejects bail plea of Muslim youth murderer
https://www.siasat.com/news/bombay-high-court-rejects-bail-plea-muslim-youths-murderer-1454615/
Mumbai:In the latest setback to Hindu extremists, Mumbai High Court rejected bail plea of a Hindu extremist who was accused in the brutal killing of a Muslim man who was the resident of Nampur village near Malegaon. Intervening into the case on behalf of victim’s brother, Jamiat Ulama strongly opposed the plea. During the hearing, advocate Mateen Shaikh who was engaged by Jamiat told Justice Nitin Sambre that the plaintiff with the help of two accused had killed Waris Shaikh resident of Nampur village on Jan. 24, 2018, resulting in tension in the area. Advocate Mateen Shaikh told the court if the accused is released on bail, the situation in the area may become volatile. Besides, he will try to wipe off the evidence. Charges have already been framed in the lower court.siasat
GST exemption limit doubled to give relief to small businesses
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/gst-relief-for-small-businesses-fm-arun-jaitley-doubles-tax-exemption-limit/
Providing some relief to small businesses under GST regime, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised the annual turnover for availing composition scheme to Rs 1.5 crore from Rs 1 crore effective April 1, 2019. This move is aimed at wooing a key voting group ahead of Lok Sabha elections due later this year.After GST Council Meeting, Jaitley said, “Those who come under the composition scheme will pay tax quarterly, but the return will be filed only once a year. GST exemption limit has been doubled to Rs 40 lakh annual turnover and Rs 20 lakh for northeastern states.” indianexpress
Treasurer Jamiat Maulana Haseeb passes away
https://www.siasat.com/news/treasurer-jamiat-ulama-i-hind-maulana-haseeb-passes-away-1454945/
Deoband: Treasurer of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Haseeb passed away after suffering from heart attack. He was 83. Religious scholars, political and social personalities thronged at his residence at Shah Bukhari locality here to have his last glimpse.Maulana was the student of Shaikhul Islam Maulana Husain Ahmed Madani. His son and acting manager of Muslim Fund Deoband, Sohail Siddiqui said Maulana Haseeb died after a short illness.Maulana was laid to rest at Qasmi graveyard in presence of thousands of mourners.siasat
WORLD
US to pull forces from Syria, continue fight against ISIL:US Secretary Pompeo
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/pull-forces-syria-continue-fight-isil-pompeo-190110115122004.html
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US will withdraw its troops from Syria while continuing the battle against ISIL. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo on Thursday, Pompeo said that Washington remained a steadfast partner in the Middle East. "President Trump's decision to withdraw our troops has been made. We will do that," the top diplomat said.Pompeo is in Egypt as part of a Middle East tour aimed at reassuring Arab partners after President Donald Trump announced his plans to withdraw US forces from Syria.He met Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Ittihadeya Palace on Thursday to discuss security and economic cooperation. He is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the American University in Cairo on Washington's broader Middle East objectives.Pompeo arrived in Egypt after stops in Jordan and Iraq where he sought to reassure leaders that withdrawing from Syria does not mean the US is abandoning the fight against the ISIL armed group or easing pressure on Iran.From Egypt, Pompeo will travel to the Gulf Arab states - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait - to press the case.aljazeera
Pompeo in Egypt amid concerns over Trump's Middle East policy
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/pompeo-egypt-concerns-trump-middle-east-policy-190110082751296.html
5-point 'non-paper' for Syria delivered by Bolton to Turkey
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-us-five-point-non-paper-syria-delivered-bolton-turkey-1769325167
Turkey says will launch Syria attack if US delays troop pullout
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/turkey-launch-syria-attack-delays-troop-pullout-190110092123874.html
Turkey will go ahead with an offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters in Syria if the US delays the withdrawal of its troops from the war-torn country, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said."If the [withdrawal] is put off with ridiculous excuses like Turks are massacring Kurds, which do not reflect the reality, we will implement this decision," he told NTV. Cavusoglu said a military operation against US-allied Kurdish YPG, which it has pledged to carry out in northeastern Syria, is not dependent on the pullout of US troops."We are determined on the field and at the table ... We will decide on its timing and we will not receive permission from anyone." Turkey has long condemned the US for its military relationship with the Kurdish fighters.aljazeera
Egyptian activist Douma jailed for 15 years at retrial
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46817157
An Egyptian activist who was a leader of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for rioting at a retrial.Ahmed Douma was also fined $335,000 over his alleged role in a Cairo protest in Dec.2011, in which a science academy was set ablaze. He had appealed against the 25-year sentence he was handed in 2015.Douma has been imprisoned since 2013, when he was convicted of violating a law that banned unauthorised protests. The law was introduced after the military overthrew President Mubarak's democratically-elected successor, Morsi, and launched a crackdown on dissent. More than 1,000 protesters were killed in clashes with security forces. Since then, at least 60,000 people are reported to have been arrested or charged, hundreds have been handed preliminary death sentences, and hundreds more have gone missing in apparent forced disappearances. BBC
Taliban kills dozens of Afghan forces as peace efforts continue
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/taliban-kill-21-afghan-police-peace-efforts-continue-190110082054319.html
A series of Taliban attacks in western and northern Afghanistan has killed 21 members of the country's security forces, Afghan officials say.Jamshed Shahabi, spokesperson for the governor in western Badghis province, said the fighters overran outposts there, killing six policemen on Wednesday.Council member Shamsul Haq Baeakzai in northern Baghlan province said seven members of the local police force were killed there on the same day. In northern Takhar province, council member Ruhollah Raufi said eight policemen were shot. Taliban also attacked security checkpoints in Kunduz province, killing soldiers and police. Attacks wounded dozens of other members of the security forces. Taliban has claimed responsibility for these attacks. Meanwhile, Pakistani and Afghan officials are meeting in Islamabad to discuss Taliban peace negotiations.US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, has also been trying to restart a peace process with Taliban. He is on his fourth trip to the region since being appointed in September. He will visit India, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Several senior Taliban leaders are in Doha, Qatar. There were reports on Wednesday that talks in Doha between the Taliban and US were cancelled over "agenda differences". However, US Ambassador to Afghanistan, John Bass, tweeted:"Reports of US-Taliban talks Wednesday inaccurate.Taliban should talk to fellow Afghans as much as they talk to media."Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on a visit to India that Iran has had intelligence contacts with the Taliban because it needed to secure border areas controlled by the Taliban on the Afghan side."I think it would be impossible to have a future Afghanistan without any role for the Taliban," Zarif, who is in New Delhi for talks with Indian leaders said. "But we also believe that Taliban should not have a dominant role in Afghanistan."aljazeera
Abbas put pressure on Egypt to close Rafah Crossing
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190110-abbas-put-pressure-on-egypt-to-close-rafah-crossing/
Mahmoud Abbas put pressure on Egypt to close the Rafah Border Crossing, a former Egyptian diplomat has revealed. According to Safad, ex-Ambassador Abdullah Al-Ash’al said that the Palestinian Authority and Fatah President withdrew the PA’s own security officers from the border post in order to “embarrass” Cairo.The PA announced on Sunday that it would withdraw its officers as from Monday. Hamas sources claim that the Egyptian authorities requested the movement to replace the PA officers with its own staff.Egypt then announced that it had closed the crossing for Palestinians wanting to leave the Gaza Strip. It will remain open for those Palestinians wishing to return to the besieged territory.MEMO
Diplomats from India, 11 other countries visit China’s Xinjiang province
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/diplomats-from-india-11-other-countries-visit-chinas-xinjiang-province/1439012/
China took diplomats from 12 countries with large Muslim populations, including India and Pakistan, to its volatile Xinjiang province where tens of thousands of members of the minority Uyghur Muslims have been interned in education camps. UN’s Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination last year said that it was alarmed by “numerous reports of ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities” being detained in Xinjiang region and called for their immediate release. Estimates about them “range from tens of thousands to upwards of a million,” it had said. China defended the camps, saying they are re-education camps aimed at de-radicalising sections of the Uygur population from extremism and separatism. US and several other countries besides UN officials have expressed concern over the camps.Regional Govt invited diplomatic envoys as well as representatives of diplomatic envoys from Russia,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Thailand, and Kuwait, state-run Xinhua reported.The diplomatic envoys visited local markets, farmers, educational institutes, mosques, factories, as well as vocational education and training centres. Throughout the trip, they interacted with local vendors, students, and workers in Xinjiang and learned about region’s progress in maintaining social stability, improving people’s livelihood and developing local economy, it said. Diplomats also visited Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, the largest mosque in Xinjiang. Besides diplomats, the Chinese foreign ministry also took a small group of journalists to the far western region.PTI
No Indian Content on Pakistani TV Channels, It Damages Our Culture: Chief Justice Saqib Nisar
https://www.news18.com/news/movies/no-indian-content-on-pakistani-tv-channels-it-damages-our-culture-chief-justice-saqib-nisar-1996811.html
Pakistan's Chief Justice Saqib Nisar said that the country's Supreme Court would not allow Indian content to be shown on Pakistani TV channels as it "damages our culture".Nisar's remarks came as a three-member apex court bench heard an appeal filed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) against the High Court's decision to ban the broadcast of Indian content on TV channels in the country, Dawn paper reported. Pemra's counsel Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri told the Supreme Court that foreign content was banned on court orders before a High Court issued a stay. IANS
Rohingya Hindu refugees in Bangladesh want to return to Myanmar: US daily
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/rohingya-hindu-refugees-in-bangladesh-want-to-return-to-myanmar-us-daily
Rohingya Hindus who sought refuge in Bangladesh want to return to Myanmar but were not being allowed by Bangladesh officials, according to Los Angeles Times.In a report from Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, the paper said on Wednesday that 105 Hindu families were ready to leave when a deal was made by the UN last May for refugees to return home to Rakhine state in Myanmar.But they are stranded in Bangladesh because their return home was canceled when the UN decided it was not safe for refugees to go back to Myanmar, Hindu refugees were quoted as telling the newspaper.400 Hindu refugees in Bangladesh are segregated and housed in a separate facility called Hindu Camp, which is under round-the-clock security.IANS
Houthi drone targets Yemeni officers, kills soldiers
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/houthi-drone-attack-hits-military-base-yemen-reports-190110071518307.html
Sanaa:A Houthi drone attack has killed at least 5 Yemeni soldiers and wounded several senior officers from the Yemeni army, including the country's chief of staff, a Govt official and Houthi spokesperson said. Thursday's attack on a military parade at the al-Anad military base wounded at least 20 military personnel, the official said, including Mohammad Saleh Tamah, the head of Yemen's Intelligence Service, Mohammad Jawas, a senior military commander and Ahmed al-Turki, the governor of Lahij province.Abdul Guddoos al-Shahari, a spokesperson for the Houthis, told Al Jazeera that the Yemeni army's chief of staff, Abdullah Al-Nakhee, was also wounded in the attack.aljazeera
Govt to amend law to bring Banfladesh Jamaat to trial: Bangla minister
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2019/01/09/Govt-to-amend-law-to-bring-jamaat-e-islami-to-trial-says-law-minister
The Govt will amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to bring Jamaat-e-Islami to trial as a political party, said Law Minister Anisul Huq.The law minister in his second term of office spoke to the journalists following a reception organised by the Legislative and Parliament Division on Wednesday.Jamaat is yet to face trial as a party for its role against the independence of Bangladesh during the Liberation War due to the complications the in existing law, although some of its leaders had been tried and hanged.Awami League Govt had moved to amend ICT Act during its last tenure but it never happened.bdnews24
flash: views & NEWS
Triple talaq: India must continue with its tradition of legal pluralism: Faizan Mustafa
https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/triple-talaq-india-must-continue-with-its-tradition-of-legal-pluralism-and-true-gender-equality/cid/1681273
Why Indian history has forgotten Fatima Sheikh but remembers Savitribai Phule:Dilip Mandal
https://theprint.in/opinion/why-indian-history-has-forgotten-fatima-sheikh-but-remembers-savitribai-phule/175208/
Citizenship Bill: Hindu Biharis Were Once Assam's 'Saviours', Now its Hindu Bangladeshis: Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
https://www.thewire.in/rights/citizenship-bill-hindu-biharis-hindu-bangladeshis
Ayodhya Dispute: No Muslim in SC's 5-judge Constitution bench: Haji Mehboob
https://www.abplive.in/videos/ayodhya-dispute-no-muslim-in-scs-5-judge-constitution-bench-haji-mehboob-892924
In Ayodhya case, over 30,000 pages, Awadhi and Persian scripts, videos
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-ayodhya-case-over-30-000-pages-awadhi-and-persian-scripts-videos/story-WHlxFhXeOayoWXznuiLnRK.html
Haren Pandya Case Should be Reinvestigated Says Policeman Who First Probed Killing:Siddharth Varadarajan
https://thewire.in/security/gujarat-officer-who-first-probed-haren-pandya-killing-wants-matter-reinvestigated
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:12 PM)
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