NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
14 Jan. 2019: 07 Jamadiul-I 1440: Vol:11, No:101
INDIA
Despite SC's Stance on Sedition, Charge Slapped on JNU's Kanhaiya , Umar Khalid, Others
https://www.thewire.in/rights/despite-scs-stance-on-sedition-charge-slapped-on-jnus-kanhaiya-kumar-others
New Delhi: Delhi police on Monday filed its chargesheet against ex-JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) head Kanhaiya Kumar and others in a sedition case lodged in 2016. Delhi police also charged former students – Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya – for allegedly using ‘anti-India’ slogans during an event organised on JNU campus on Feb.9, 2016, on the anniversary of the hanging of Afzal Guru. Ex-JNUSU vice-president Shehla Rashid has also been charged, according to ANI.Others charged in the case are Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat, Aparajita Raja and Basharat Ali. Metropolitan magistrate Sumit Anand put up the chargesheet for consideration before a court on Tuesday.Police alleged that Kanhaiya incited the crowd and was part of the mob that allegedly raised ‘anti-India’ slogans.A case was registered on Feb.11,2016 against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP.In March 2016, a magistrate report into the event said that anti-India slogans were not raised and stated the videos were doctored to this effect. It is unclear if the police is using the same videos as evidence against the students.It may be recollected that on Jan.10, Assamese leaders and intellectuals Hiren Gohain, Akhil Gogoi and Manjit Mahanta were charged with sedition for opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.As TheWire has previously reported, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that sedition is constituted by written or spoken words which “have the effect of bringing contempt or dissatisfaction or the idea of subverting govt by violent means”. The SC said that if comments, however strongly worded, do not have tendency to incite violence, cannot be treated as sedition. It also ruled that raising pro-Khalistan slogans cannot amount to sedition as it evoked no response from the other members of the community.thewire
JNU case: Kanhaiya, Umar named in chargesheet
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-sedition-case-chargesheet-kanhaiya-kumar-umar-khalid-5537648/
Delhi Police files 1,200-page charge sheet in 2016 JNU sedition case involving Kanhaiya, Umar Khalid
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-police-files-1200-page-chargesheet-in-the-2016-jnu-sedition-case/article25992093.ece?homepage=true
Kanhaiya, others term charge sheet in sedition case ‘politically motivated’ in view of upcoming polls
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/kanhaiya-kumar-and-others-term-charge-sheet-in-sedition-case-politically-motivated-in-view-of-upcoming-polls
Kanhaiya Kumar and others, named in a charge sheet filed by Delhi Police in a sedition case, termed the move as "politically motivated" and questioned its timing, ahead of the parliamentary polls." The chargesheet is politically motivated. However, we want the charges to be framed and a speedy trial in the case so that the truth comes out. We also want to see the videos that have been placed on record as evidence by the police," said Kumar. Khalid said, "We reject the allegations.The move to file the charge sheet 3 years after the alleged incident is an attempt to divert the attention (of people) right before (parliamentary) polls. We will fight it out in court." Ex-JNUSU leader Shehla Rashid said, "this is a completely bogus case in which ultimately everyone will be acquitted. The timing of the charge sheet right before the elections just reflects how BJP wants to reap electoral benefits out of this. I was not even on campus on the day of the event." CPI Leader D Raja said, "It is politically motivated.PTI
Bulandshahr violence: NSA invoked against 7 arrested for cow slaughter
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bulandshahr-violence-nsa-invoked-against-seven-arrested-for-cow-slaughter-5538131/
New Delhi:UP Police have invoked NSA against 7 accused arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughter in Bulandshahr’s Siyana last month, officials said today.Cattle carcasses were found strewn in the fields outside village Mahaw in Siyana after which a mob went on the rampage alleging cow slaughter and attacked the local Chingrawathi police post.Police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and civilian Sumit Kumar died of bullet shots during the violence.2 separate FIRs were registered – one for the violence in which nearly 80 people including 27 named, and other for cow slaughter – at the Siyana police station.“Yes,” DM Anuj Jha said in response to a PTI query on whether the stringent NSA was invoked against those arrested in the cow slaughter case. One of the main suspects among the 27 named in the FIR, local Bajrang Dal leader Yogesh Raj, is still missing, while an Army jawan,Jitendra Malik, has been arrested and remanded in custodyindianexpress
Bhima Koregaon case: SC refuses to quash FIR against civil rights activist Teltumbde
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-refuses-to-quash-fir-against-activist-anand-teltumbde-in-koregaon-bhima-case-5537207/
New Delhi :The Supreme Court today refused to quash Pune Police’s FIR against civil rights activist Anand Teltumbde for his alleged involvement in the Bhima Koregaon violence in Jan.last year and for his alleged Maoist links, PTI reported. The SC also refused to interfere with the ongoing investigation in the matter. However, a bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul extended the interim protection from arrest granted to him by 4 weeks. Teltumbde can seek regular bail from the competent trial court in this time, the apex court said.The Bombay High Court had on Dec.21 dismissed the petition filed by Teltumbde seeking the quashing of FIR and granted him interim protection from arrest for 3 weeks.indianexpress
Bombay HC extends protection from arrest to Gautam Navlakha till Feb 18
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-extends-protection-from-arrest-to-gautam-navlakha-till-feb-18/article25993072.ece?homepage=true
Mumbai: Bombay High Court today extended protection from arrest of activist Gautam Navlakha till Feb.18 in the Bhima Koregaon case.A division Bench of Justices B.P. Dharmadhikari and Revati Mohite-dere was hearing a plea filed by Navlakha urging the court to quash FIR registered against him by Pune police. Advocate Yug Chaudhary appearing for Navlakha told the court that the special leave petition filed by the Maharashtra govt in the case will be heard on Feb.8.The SC thereafter said, "in this situation we are not in a position to take any view" and adjourned the hearing to Feb.18.thehindu
SC issues notice to Centre on MHA’s ‘snooping’ order, seeks reply within 6weeks
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mha-snooping-order-pil-supreme-court-notice-5537212/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and sought a response, within 6 weeks, on a PIL filed against the Ministry of Home Affairs’ notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system. The SC had earlier denied an early hearing in the case. The petition, filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, seeks quashing of the govt’s Dec.20 order which empowers the agencies to intercept any computer under IT Act. According to the notification, the subscriber or service provider or any person in charge of the computer resource will be bound to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies and failing to do will invite seven-year imprisonment and fine.10 agencies notified under the new order are IB, Narcotics Control Bureau, ED, Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), DRI, CBI, NIA, RAW, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and Delhi Police commissioner.indianexpress
Appointment of Rao as interim CBI chief challenged in SC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-nageshwar-rao-interim-cbi-chief-5537748/
New Delhi:A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of M Nageshwar Rao as interim CBI Director. Petition, filed by NGO Common Cause through senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, has sought the quashing of Jan.10 order by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet that allowed Rao to continue as the acting CBI chief. PIL has sought a direction to the Centre to appoint a regular CBI director by following the procedure laid down in Section 4A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act,1946, as amended by Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.Rao was appointed as the interim director for the second time after ex CBI chief Alok Verma was removed by a high-powered selection panel led by PM Narendra Modi and was transferred as Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards. However, Verma turned down offer by resigning from the IPS.indianexpress
No director of prosecution in CBI, govt seeks nominations from ministries
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-director-of-prosecution-in-cbi-govt-seeks-nominations-from-ministries-5537689/
New Delhi :Centre has sought nominations from different ministries to expeditiously fill the vacant post of the Director of Prosecution in CBI, which is working without its regular chief following the ouster of Alok Verma, officials said today. OP Verma, who served as the Director of Prosecution, completed his term on Dec.23, they said.Director of Prosecution is a crucial post in the federal probe agency. The incumbent, who works under the supervision and control of CBI Director, renders legal opinion in all cases probed by the agency, the officials said. Personnel Ministry has written to secretaries of all govt depts for names of eligible and willing officers, not below the rank of Joint Secretary and eligible for appointment as Special Public Prosecutor, they said. They have been asked to send the names by Jan.25 so that “an expeditious decision can be taken for filling the post of Director of Prosecution in CBI”. The selection of Director of Prosecution is made on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission. It is for the first time that CBI is working without its regular chief and the Director of Prosecution, the officials said.PTI
‘Pained’ over linking of London assignment to CBI panel decision, Justice Sikri pulls out
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/stung-by-controversy-justice-sikri-turns-down-govt-offer-5536551/
New Delhi :Days after he was nominated by CJI Ranjan Gogoi to the three-member panel that controversially decided to transfer CBI Director Alok Verma from the agency, an anguished Justice A K Sikri, has turned down a month-old offer from the central Govt for a part-time assignment in London, Indian Express has learnt. Justice Sikri is learnt to have written to the Law Ministry to formally withdraw his consent Sunday evening, as first reported by Indian Express, hours after theprint.in site reported about his selection as a member of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT).Justice Sikri, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, is learnt to have expressed his “pain” over the connection being drawn over his nomination to the CSAT with the decision of CBI panel that decided to transfer Verma, despite there being “no correlation” between the two. Official sources said that Justice Sikri’s decision has taken the Govt by surprise since it had obtained his consent for the assignment in the first week of Dec.last year, almost a month before CJI nominated him to the high-powered CBI selection panel.Sources said it was Asia’s turn in the Commonwealth body and India took the opportunity to take that slot.“By this move, Justice Sikri has demonstrated the highest standards of probity,” said a senior Govt functionary.Govt sources also pointed out that Justice Sikri was part of the Supreme Court Bench that assembled in the middle of the night last summer to curtail the window for the floor test in Karnataka over apprehensions of horse-trading following the Assembly elections. That ruling had dashed BJP’s hopes of winning a majority, sources said. Justice Sikri is scheduled to retire from the SC on March 6, 2019. As a part of the eight-member CSAT, he would have been called upon occasionally to appear on benches for dispute resolution, sources said.indianexpress
Congress demands CVC Chowdary’s removal: ‘He is govt puppet’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-vs-cbi-congress-removal-of-cvc-alok-verma-rakesh-asthana-5536469/
New Delhi:Congress demanded the immediate removal of Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary, accusing him of being a “puppet in the hands of the Govt ”. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said CVC had acted as an “ambassador” for former CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, and as an agent and messenger of the Govt to do “their hatchet jobs”. Congress demand comes on the day that Indian Express reported that ex CBI Director Alok Verma, in his formal submission to Justice A K Patnaik — the retired Supreme Court judge supervising the inquiry against him being conducted by Central Vigilance Commission — deposed that CVC Chowdary had paid a visit to his residence on Oct.6 as an “arbitrator” for Asthana. About the meeting, Verma submitted that Chowdary had concerns regarding Asthana’s annual performance appraisal report signed by him.“It is clear that after acting as an ambassador, after lobbying for Asthana, doing advocacy for Asthana, CVC is writing a report which is the entire basis of the (PM-led high powered) committee’s decision (to remove Verma)….Nobody has denied it, CVC has not denied it, it can be verified whether he came or not on that day,” Singhvi said.“CVC had forgotten that he has to be vigilant for public interest, he has to be vigilant for the nation, he doesn’t have to be vigilant for Asthana, he does not have to be a puppet, a vigilant puppet, in the hands of the political masters who want Asthana in that place,” he added. indianexpress
Swaraj, Jaitley Didn’t Want CBI Chief Removed; Why Was Only PM Issuing Orders At Midnight: Rahul
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/gadkari-swaraj-jaitley-didnt-want-cbi-chief-removed-why-was-only-pm-issuing-orders-at-midnight-rahul-gandhi-2000949.html
Dubai: Congress once again came to the defence of former CBI chief Alok Verma when party president Rahul Gandhi alleged that it was only PM Narendra Modi who wanted Verma removed as he was probing Rafale deal. Rahul, defending his assertion that Centre was destroying institutions, cited the the manner in which CBI chief was removed. Rahul questioned the urgency behind removing Verma twice in quick succession. "You tell me what was the urgency in removing CBI chief twice. What was the reason that PM was writing at 1:30 in the night to have Verma removed. The SC ordered that Verma be reinstated. And then within hours, PM again goes for his head,"Rahul said. "Sushma, Gadkari and Jaitley have not been asking for Verma's removal. It is only Modi who has been pushing for Verma's removal,"alleged Rahul. In his earlier response, Rahul Gandhi had blamed the removal of CBI chief on the "fear" coursing through PM Modi's mind. Congress claimed that Verma was removed without being given a chance to present his case, alleging that it showed that PM Modi was too afraid of an investigation, an apparent reference to its demand of a probe into Rafale deal. Rahul again alleged that Verma was removed as he was beginning to start the inquiry into Rafale deal.News18
SC keeps plea challenging passport amendment pending till Parliament decides on Citizenship Bill
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/sc-keeps-pil-against-citizenship-bill-pending-till-rs-votes-5537199/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today kept a PIL challenging Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015 pending until Parliament decides on the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 bill in Rajya Sabha. The petition challenges Govt order exempting “persons belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, namely, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who were compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution and entered into India on or before 31 st Dec., 2014….,” from the application provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946.The court said the notifications will become infructuous if the citizenship bill is passed by Rajya Sabha, asking the petitioner to raise the issue at an “appropriate time”.“If the Bill is not passed by Rajya Sabha, then this petition can be entertained“, said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.indianexpress
Biswa Sarma's 'Hidden Agenda' Called Out Over his Kashmir Remark to Defend Citizenship Bill
https://www.news18.com/news/india/assam-calls-out-himanta-biswa-sarmas-hidden-agenda-over-his-kashmir-remark-to-defend-citizenship-bill-2000959.html
Guwahati:A section of Assamese Muslims from Brahmaputra Valley Civil Society has condemned the recent statements made state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against the minority community.They have also demanded that the Minister should be no longer be allowed to serve.Senior advocate Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury said that Sarma is trying to create fear in the minds of the people with his remarks on Muslims and alleged that he has a 'hidden agenda' with AIUDF chief to divide Assam on communal lines.On Friday, defending Modi govt's controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Sarma said that its implementation is a must for the state to ensure it does not face a 'Kashmir-like' situation in the future.He then went on to claim that Muslims dwelling in Assam are descendants of Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the bill will protect 17 important assembly seats from going to AIUDF led by Badruddin Ajmal.“Anyone is free to support or oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as it’s a democratic right. But the dirty politics that some are playing to divide Assamese society should be condemned. Sarma termed Muslims of Assam as descendants of Jinnah and that NRC exercise is being done to chase away Jinnah’s family from Assam,"Choudhury said.Advocate demanded that Sarma should be booked under 295 of IPC and a suo moto case should have been filed against him for such objectionable and unconstitutional statements. “Both Ajmal and Himanta have a secret understanding and people of Assam should be careful of these two leaders,” he added.Ex-Medical College Principal, Dr Taufiqur Rahman Borbora criticised both leaders while recalling his association with them.He said, “Sarma keeps saying that there are 52 Islamic countries for Indian Muslims to take shelter in.This hurts us and we have never accepted Ajmal as our leader. He only attracts uneducated people with his ‘jhaar-phook’.”The irked community has also demanded the withdrawal of sedition cases filed against litterateur Dr Hiren Gohain, journalist Manjit and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi. news18
SC keeps pending petitions challenging notification on entry of minorities
http://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/sc-keeps-pending-petitions-challenging-notification-on-entry-of-minorities-336261
SC says UP encounters need ‘serious consideration’, issues notice to Yogi govt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-says-up-encounters-require-serious-consideration-issues-notice-to-yogi-adityanath-govt-5537237/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court Monday said the recent encounter killings in UP require “serious consideration” and agreed to examine the details in this regard, setting the date of further hearing on the matter on Feb.12.The apex court has issued a notice to the UP Govt on a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into recent encounter killings in the state, ANI reported.The state Govt earlier told the court the encounters took place in accordance with the norms. In November last year, the UP Govt attributed the deaths of “criminals” in police action in the state to the police acting in self-defence when attacked with firearms or lethal weapons and sought to deny insinuations that minority community members were being targeted.Last year, since the UP Govt took charge in March 2017, there have been 2,351 shootouts and 63 encounter deaths, spread across 24 districts, until Aug.4, 2018.indianexpress
‘Honey-trapped’ Army jawan arrested for sharing information with Pak spy
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-army-honeytrapping-isi-pakistan-spy-air-force-5536487/
New Delhi:Rajasthan police arrested an Army jawan posted in Jaisalmer district of the state after it was found that he was allegedly honey trapped by a Pakistani-based ISI operative. The jawan is accused of passing crucial information to the Pakistani agent who he met on Facebook.According to ANI, jawan was in touch with the suspected ISI spy who was using the profile name of ‘Anika Chopra’ on Facebook.“Army is providing all assistance to the civilian authorities in the investigation related to the Army jawan who was arrested by Rajasthan Police,” Defence PRO Colonel Sambit Ghosh told ANI. Army is now tracking multiple accounts of officers and jawans to probe if the Pakistani spy account was in touch with other personnel to get information from them, the agency reported.The jawan was in touch with the suspected ISI spy who was using the profile name of ‘Anika Chopra’ on Facebook.In the recent past, a Group Captain of the Indian Air Force was apprehended by the counterintelligence units of the Army, Air Force and the IB for sharing information about transport aircraft operations as he was posted in the air HQRS here. A Brahmos employee was also caught where the Pakistani spy had used the same modus operandi to trap the official. Sources in Army said jawan was apprehended and interrogated by intelligence agencies for over four months after he was found to be in touch with Pakistani ISI operative on the social media platform.indianexpress
Former Jammu-Kashmir cop, minor nabbed for Hizbul Mujahideen links
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/former-jammu-kashmir-cop-minor-nabbed-for-hizbul-mujahideen-links-5536693/
New Delhi:A Special Cell team of Delhi Police has arrested a 30-year-old former J&K Police constable and detained a minor on charges of association with the Hizbul Mujahideen.2 were identified by a team of two Inspectors dispatched to J&K to ascertain the link between suspected terrorists and arms smugglers based in northern India after the Special Cell noticed in two separate cases that suspected militants were looking for arms dealers in Delhi-NCR, police said.According to DCP (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah, “The two Inspectors, Sunil Rajan and Ravinder Joshi were working at Shopian when they got specific inputs about the former constable and the minor to be involved with Hizbul Mujahideen.” Special Cell then shared their inputs with the local police and in a joint operation apprehended the two, he said.The police identified one of the accused as Naved Mustaq, a resident of Nazneenpora, Shopian. Kushwah said Mustaq joined J&K police in 2012 and served as a constable before allegedly joining the militant outfit.indianexpress
Kulgam encounter: Al-Badr’s Valley chief, another militant killed
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kulgam-encounter-al-badrs-valley-chief-another-militant-killed-5536694/
Srinagar :A day after an encounter between security forces and militants in Yaripora area of J&K’s Kulgam district, 2 militants slain were identified as members of Al-Badr outfit, including the group’s Kashmir chief. A J&K police spokesperson said Sunday one of the militants was Zeenat-ul-Islam alias Zeenat alias Usman, the chief of Al-Badr in the Valley. The other was identified as Shakeel Ahmad Dar. Both were residents of Shopian district. After the encounter, mobile internet was suspended in Kulgam.“Both the killed terrorists were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr and were wanted for their complicity in a series of terror crimes, including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities,” spokesperson said. Police said Zeenat was associated with the Al-Badr outfit since 2006 and was later arrested. After his release,he “again got recycled in 2016 and subsequently got affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen”. However, he recently rejoined Al-Badr and consequently became the chief of the outfit, the spokesperson said.According to the police, several “terror crime cases were registered against him”. A senior police officer said on Sunday that the killing of Zeenat was a “big success” for security forces. “His killing is a success for us and a setback for militants,” said the officer.The officer said his name had cropped up during investigations of several IED blasts that took place in south Kashmir.indianexpress
Kashmir still a challenge due to Pakistan's destabilising activities: Rajnath
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kashmir-still-a-challenge-due-to-pakistans-destabilising-activities-rajnath-singh/articleshow/67528001.cms
Lakhimpur Kheri:Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by Pakistan, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said today."Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by neighbouring Pakistan. However, the army, CRPF, J&K police and IB men are acting in better coordination," he said.Speaking about Naxal incidents, he said they had dropped by 50 % during the last four years. Extremist violence in northeastern areas saw a decline of 80%, Singh said.PTI
Gujarat govt to act on 10% quota: Hurried decision will create confusion, says Congress
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-govt-to-act-on-10-quota-hurried-decision-will-create-confusion-says-congress-5536848/
Ahmedabad:Congress called Gujarat Govt ’s decision to implement 10 % quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) of the general category in education and Govt jobs from Jan.14 as a “hurried” one that would “create confusion among the candidates”.Gujarat Congress head Amit Chavda described the govnt’s decision as “a political announcement”. “Central govt generally informs state Govt s about the new Act and its rules and then it gets implemented. Here, Chief Minister has simply made an announcement through a tweet and a press release. We do not know the modalities of Act’s implementation, how will it be implemented and what will be the rules,” said Chavda.“BJP govt has said it will implement the provision from Jan.14,which is Uttarayan holiday. CM should explain the logic behind this announcement and the process to implement it,” he added.Meanwhile in Kolkata, Independent MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani said that the move to provide 10% quota to upper caste poor is a step towards realizing RSS-BJP’s agenda to remove caste-based reservations.“I am apprehensive and so are members of SC/ STand OBC that this is the first step towards putting an end to the reservation on the ground of socio-educational deprivation. It has been a long-pending agenda of RSS-BJP to discard the Constitution and end reservation based on caste system,” he said.indianexpress
Minority outfit to write to embassies of participating countries of Vibrant Gujarat summit
http://www.uniindia.com/minority-outfit-to-write-to-embassies-of-participating-countries-of-vibrant-gujarat-summit/west/news/1465884.html
Ahmedabad: Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) of Gujarat, set up in Dec.2016 to advocate issues concerning the minorities, said that it is going to write to the Embassies of all participating countries of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit requesting them to either boycott this bi-annual event or create pressure over the state govt to follow the norms of various international treaties India has signed with regard to human rights and treatment with minority communities.Mujahid Nafees, MCC coordinator, said that his organization would also protest against the Vibrant Gujarat summit.He alleged that the state Govt was overlooking the minority welfare issues.He demanded that Gujarat should setup separate Ministry for Minority Affairs and minority commission, budget allocation for the upliftment of minorities.Nafees said that in the minority areas in the state Govt schools up to class 12 should be open, the degree of Madrasa should be treated equivalent to that of the Gujarat board, special package should be given to minorities, a policy for the rehabilitation of those displaced due to communal riots should be made and 15 point program of the Prime Minister should be fully implemented.Notably, the event to be held from Jan.18 to 20 in Gandhinagar would see the participation of 2 Presidents, 4 PMs during its inaugural function.UNI
Why BJP Never Wanted to Send Triple Talaq Bill to Select Committee, Asks AIMPLB
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/why-bjp-never-wanted-to-send-triple-talaq-bill-to-select-committee-asks-aimplb?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi:All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has lambasted BJP-led central govt over the Triple Talaq Bill and asked why the saffron party, despite repeated requests from Opposition parties, did not want to send the controversial bill to Select Committee of the Parliament for thorough discussion with all stakeholders of the issue.In the wake of the strong and united opposition by most of non-BJP parties in the Rajya Sabha, the govt could not table the bill in the Upper House which was passed by Lok Sabha on Dec 28. Consequently,central govt re-promulgated the ordinance making instant triple talaq a criminal offence.Reacting over the approach of BJP in regard with the Triple Talq issue, AIMBPL said: “BJP4India led govt has no interest in Muslim women's welfare. It is interested in imprisoning Muslim men and destroying Muslim families. TT bill would be a curse for the country if it had been passed.” “Triple Talaq bill was a big political stunt to direct public attention away from important matters that concern everyone,” it said and added: “India needs development, welfare for farmers, social justice, corruption-free politics not triple Talaq bill.”AIMPBL has also thanked Opposition leaders and their parties for not allowing the passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha.India Tomorrow
Don't deny students, candidates right to wear hijab, carry kirpan: Delhi Minorities body to govnt depts
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-don-t-deny-students-candidates-right-to-wear-hijab-carry-kirpan-minorities-body-to-Govt -departments-498790
Delhi Minorities Commission has asked city Govt departments to allow minorities to wear dresses and carry articles as per their religious beliefs when appearing in recruitment and academic tests.Acting on commission's order,General Administration Department (GAD) issued a circular to all principal secretaries and heads of department asking for "appropriate action" on dress code for minority students and candidates appearing in examinations.Minority commission chairman Zafarul Islam Khan said the order was issued in view of complaints from members of minority communities that they faced difficulties when appearing in such examinations and were forced to take off their articles of faith.In its order, the panel said, "Muslim women cannot be denied their religious right to wear Hijab (headscarf). They must also be allowed to wear full-sleeve shirts. Sikhs are allowed to carry Kirpan (dagger) of reasonable length as per Indian Constitution's Article 25."The order noted that while the security precautions are very much required during examinations, it should not harm the interests of the minorities students and candidates."Where certain security arrangements and frisking are required, candidates must be clearly informed in advance that they have to present themselves at the frisking point, say half an hour. The frisking staff is fully within its rights to check Hijab of Muslim women and allow them in after making sure security requirements have been met," said the order.The panel has directed all Govt departments and educational institutions to "meticulously observe" its dress code order, saying failure to do so will invite legal action.Pursuant to the order, Directorate of Training and Technical Education has in its letter to principals of institutions under it has asked for necessary action.Khan said that compliance reports on the order have been received by the Commission from various departments including the Services under Delhi Govt . indiatvnews
Noida Namaz row: Firm offers space to Muslim women employees for Friday prayerMirror Now
https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/society/article/noida-namaz-row-private-firm-offers-space-to-muslim-women-employees-for-friday-prayer/346626
Noida: After the recent controversy over offering Friday namaz at Sector 58 public park in Noida, a private firm in Sector 64 provided space to its women employees to do the prayer on Friday, Jan.11. More than 60 Muslim women workers of the garment factory offered namaz on the terrace of the office.The garment factory has been providing space to its women employees to do the prayers since the last 10 years, according to a report in HT. The workers get an hour's break every Friday from 1 pm to 2pm to offer their weekly prayers and have lunch. A women employee who wished to remain anonymous told HT that the rooftop of the factory is divided into two parts every Friday, one for men and the other for women to perform their weekly prayers. The firm has also arranged for mats, mattresses and an Imam to assist the devotees. Reportedly, the company also organises Bhajans during the Navratras for its Hindu employees. The company's employees find that the work culture accepts people from different walks of life making its atmosphere a positive one.Imam Qari Mohammad Abbas (42) who has been visiting the company every Friday since the last decade to hold the prayers said that he has seen people from different faiths show equal compassion and harmony to others. Mirror Now /HT
Left out by SP-BSP, Congress to fight all 80 UP seats on its own
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/left-out-by-sp-bsp-congress-to-fight-all-80-uttar-pradesh-seats-on-its-own-5536806/
Lucknow :A day after the Samajwadi Party and BSP announced their alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, leaving out the Congress, the party said it would contest all 80 seats in UP on its own. Party, however, kept the doors open for a possible alliance, with Congress UP in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad, who made announcement on Sunday after several rounds of meetings with party leaders in Lucknow, saying that Congress was willing to accommodate any secular party that can fight the BJP.While admitting that the party was keen on being part of the anti-BJP alliance, Azad said, “We wanted a big alliance against BJP, we were ready to go with it… But, if someone does not want to walk along, then nothing can be done.”indianexpress
Lok Sabha elections 2019: Bhim Army backs SP-BSP alliance to defeat BJP
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/lok-sabha-elections-2019-bheem-army-backs-sp-bsp-alliance-to-defeat-bjp
Pitching for the inclusion of Ajit Singh led RLD in Mahagathbandhan in UP, Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar extended his support to SP-BSP alliance, in order to defeat BJP.All parties should come together to defeat the BJP in poll, said Azad. Tweeting his statement, Bhim Army chief also clarified that he will not contest the next Lok Sabha poll. nationalheraldindia
Kejriwal to not contest Lok Sabha elections, wants to focus on Delhi
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/aap-convener-arvind-kejriwal-to-not-contest-lok-sabha-elections-from-varanasi-will-field-another-candidate/story-Iuim0W9VSRG4xcIlYa8L2J.html
Lucknow:AAP said its convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field astrong candidate for the seat.“Kejriwal will not contest the Lok Sabha polls, as he wants to give special focus to his state.AAP will contest on all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryanaand Goa. The party will contest on some seats in UP, and final modalities will be worked out by February. Apart from Varanasi, the party will contest from seats in eastern and western UP, where the organisation is strong,”AAP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told PTI on phone.HT
SC issues notice to CBI on Sajjan Kumar’s plea against conviction in anti-Sikh riot case
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-issues-notice-to-cbi-on-sajjan-kumar-s-plea-against-conviction-in-anti-sikh-riot-case/story-DDTHD4akagqjHKxohJwmpK.html
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today issued notice to CBI on former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s appeal against his conviction in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.Kumar surrendered in a local court in Delhi on Dec.31 to serve a life sentence for killing 5 people of the same family in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots after Delhi high court rejected his plea for an extension of time till January 30 to surrender to start his sentence. The riots broke out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Oct. 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards.HT
WORLD
US 'a highly unreliable' partner to Ankara: Turkish official
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/highly-unreliable-partner-ankara-turkish-official-190114090055032.html
US has been "a highly unreliable partner" to Ankara as a result of inconsistencies in Washington's Syria policy, as well as its approach to Turkey and "terrorist" groups, a senior Turkish official said."Problems and misunderstandings between US and Turkey are results of the confusion and cacophony between the actors at different levels of the US administration and institutions," Yasin Aktay, who advises President Tayyip Erdogan in his AK Party, said today.Turkish and US officials have been trading barbs over Washington's support for Kurdish fighters in Syria and what will happen to the areas held by them in the north of the country after the planned US troop withdrawal. Erdogan said last week US administration is "seriously mistaken" in cooperating with Syrian Kurdish fighters, while Donald Trump threatened to "economically devastate" Turkey if it carries out a military offensive against the militia."We have said repeatedly we are not scared of and will not be intimidated by any threats," Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. "Economic threats against Turkey will get nowhere."aljazeera
US warns Turkey of economic 'devastation' if it hits Kurd forces: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/warns-turkey-economic-devastation-hits-kurd-forces-190114025231596.html
US President Donald Trump has threatened to "devastate" Turkey's economy if it carries out a military offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria, drawing a response from Ankara which warned Washington against "shadowing" the country's strategic partnership with "terrorist propaganda".Trump's threat came amid tensions between US and Turkey over the fate of Washington's Syrian Kurdish allies in fight against ISIL following his announcement last month that he plans to withdraw US forces from Syria."Starting long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions," Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to ISIL."Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," he added, while pushing for the creation of a 30km "safe zone"."Likewise, do not want Kurds to provoke Turkey."Trump did not detail who would create, enforce or pay for safe zone, or where it would be located.
Qatar will not normalise relations with Syria: Minister
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/qatar-normalise-relations-syria-foreign-minister-190114080234797.html
Qatar's foreign minister has said that he sees no need to reopen an embassy in Damascus nor any "encouraging" signs for a normalisation of ties with Syrian govt. Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also said Qatar still objects to an Arab League membership for Syria.Syria's membership of the Arab League was suspended in 2011 over the Govt 's violent response to protests at the start of what turned out to be an almost eight-year-long war. "Since day one, Qatar had reasons for which it supported suspending [Arab League] membership and those reasons are still there, so we do not see any encouraging factor," Al Thani said.Some Arab states, including some that once backed rebels against President Bashar al-Assad, are seeking to reconcile with him after decisive gains by his and allied forces in the war.aljazeera
Pompeo presses Saudis for accountability on Khashoggi murder
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/pompeo-presses-saudis-accountability-khashoggi-murder-190114103843748.html
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince that "every single person responsible" for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi needs to be held accountable.King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), "both acknowledge that this accountability needs to take place," Pompeo said in Riyadh following talks with the 2 men on Monday."They reiterated their commitment to achieve the objective, the expectations we set for them," Pompeo added.The secratary of state told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with the king and crown prince, including women's rights activists who have been detained for months and some allegedly tortured. aljazeera
Pompeo and MBS agree on 'importance' of Yemen de-escalation
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/pompeo-mbs-agree-importance-yemen-de-escalation-190114085552762.html
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have agreed on the importance of de-escalation in military operations in Yemen amid United Nations' peace efforts to end the conflict."On #Yemen, agreed on need for continued de-escalation and adherence to Sweden agreements, especially cease-fire and redeployment in #Hudaydah," the US embassy in Riyadh tweeted on Monday after a meeting between Pompeo and Prince Mohammed. Iranian-allied Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni govt agreed during peace talks in Sweden in Dec. on a ceasefire in Hodeidah and to withdraw troops from the strategic Red Sea port city.aljazeera
‘Assad regime tortured, electrocuted and raped Palestinian detainees’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190114-assad-regime-tortured-electrocuted-and-raped-palestinian-detainees/
Action Group for the Palestinians of Syria said that the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad has committed various violations against Palestinian refugees detained in its prisons, including “torture, electrocution and rape.” According to a report published on the group’s website, as many as 35 Palestinian female refugees have died of torture in the Syrian regime’s prisons and detention centres.Monitoring and Documentation Team in the Action Group confirmed that as many as 565 Palestinians refugees, including children and elderly persons, have died during and after torture by the regime.It claims that the Govt in Damascus continues to conceal more than 1,724 detainees in various prisons and security branches, including 108 women and girls. One Palestinian former detainee testified to the Action Group that the regime’s security forces violated herself and other women with electrocution, brutal beatings and rape, sometimes over 10 times a day.Similar torture was used against all Palestinian detainees, she insisted.MEMO
Palestinian teen shot by Israeli forces protest dies
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/palestinian-teen-shot-israeli-forces-friday-protest-dies-190114084722190.html
A 14-year-old Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces during mass protests along the perimeter fence on Friday has died of his wounds, Gaza's health ministry has said.Abdelraouf Salhah was shot in the head during the protest, as was 43-year-old female activist Amal al-Taramsi who died on Friday. 2 dozen Palestinians were also wounded, said the ministry's statement.Salhah was the third Palestinian to be pronounced dead since Friday's protest in the besieged territory.An estimated 13,000 Palestinians took part in Friday's demonstrations, an Israeli military spokesman said."The rioters have burned tyres and hurled blocks, explosive devices and grenades towards (Israeli) troops and at the Gaza Strip security fence," an army spokeswoman said.Another Palestinian, Anwar Quday, 33, died on Saturday of wounds from protests and clashes three weeks ago. The besieged enclave's health ministry said he was shot in the neck. Hamas has been orchestrating weekly mass protests along the perimeter fence since March last year to protest an Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed on Gaza for nearly a decade. aljazeera
'China is after us': Pak Uighur Muslims report intimidation
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/pakistan-uighurs-report-intimidation-lament-china-ties-190113223009841.html
Rawalpindi:On a cold winter evening, Mohammad Hassan Abdul Hameed, 34, walks towards his restaurant, past silk stores in the busy China Market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He, like many others here, belongs to the persecuted Uighur community from the Xinjiang province of China. Abdul Hameed's father arrived in Rawalpindi 50 years ago to work in a pilgrims' guesthouse intended for Uighurs heading to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj. Today, the guesthouse sits abandoned in the market, not far from Abdul Hameed's restaurant. According to members of the community, it was closed down at the request of China in 2006.Uighurs have been migrating to Pakistan since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some to work as traders and others escaping communist persecution. Today, China's brutal crackdown on the community has made headlines around the world as up to three million Uighurs are believed to be held in so-called "re-education camps" where they are made to renounce Islam.In Pakistan, there are around 2,000 Uighurs and for decades they have kept a low profile in the country - so much so that very few people are even aware of their presence.But their presence here has not gone unnoticed by China, Pakistan's "iron brother" and a helping hand at a time of economic crisis. According to the community, China has started putting pressure on Pakistan to silence its critics."They want to finish off Uighurs," Abdul Hameed says, referring to the Chinese. "Here, we cannot do anything according to our wishes because China is after us."Aljazeera
Ennahda will contest this year’s presidential elections:Tunisia’s Ghannouchi
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190114-ennahda-will-contest-this-years-presidential-elections-says-ghannouchi/
Tunisia: The leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda Party has said that the movement will participate in this year’s presidential elections, Anadolu has reported. Rached Ghannouchi insisted, though, that he is not running for office.Ghannouchi made his comment during a lecture on Saturday at the Centre for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies in Tunis. His talk was on the topic of The Path of the Revolution after Eight Years: Vision and Outlook.According to the veteran politician, Ennahda has not yet decided on how it will participate in the election. It could either stand a member as a candidate for the presidency or give its backing to someone else from outside the movement. “This is what happened in 2014, when Ennahda was neutral and fought in others’ battles,” he pointed out.Ennahda in the largest party in parliament, with 68 seats out of 217. “Democracy can be affected when the largest party in the country does not participate in the elections,”he explained. MEMO
flash: views & NEWS
How Will Shah Faesal's 'New Vocabulary' Fit Into J&K's Political Landscape?Azaan Javaid
https://www.thewire.in/politics/shah-faesal-jammu-and-kashmir
‘Upper Caste Quota is a Mockery’:Yogendra Yadav
https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/upper-caste-quota-a-mockery-reservation-objective-messed-with-yogendra-yadav
UP’s bid to revisit quota model is as debatable as Centre’s EWS Bill:Christophe Jaffrelot
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/yogi-adityanath-quota-reservation-bjp-uttar-pradesh-5536651/
Science Congress has lost its way, must be abolished altogether: Rajesh Kochhar
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-forum-for-pseudo-science-congress-5536665/
50 Students of Jamia Millia Clear UPSC Main Exam
http://caravandaily.com/portal/50-students-of-rca-jamia-cleared-upsc-main-examination-2018/
Elgar Parishad redux: Neo-liberalism and fascism destroying Indian economy, say retired judges:HT
https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/elgar-parishad-redux-neo-liberalism-and-fascism-destroying-indian-economy-say-retired-judges/story-ogGuBnmcZhVz97ve99zSwI.html
Friendship forged after 2002 Godhra riots continues to bloom
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-friendship-forged-after-2002-godhra-riots-continues-to-bloom-2707622
Mosque in Kerala also houses a modern art gallery
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/this-mosque-in-kerala-also-houses-a-modern-art-gallery/articleshow/67519356.cms
Branded terrorist out to ‘kill Modi’ died in fake encounter: ‘Firing was done in a top to bottom angle’: Ashutosh Sharma
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/branded-terrorist-out-to-kill-modi-died-in-fake-encounter-the-firing-was-done-in-a-top-to-bottom-angle
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:22 PM)
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