NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
01 May 2019: 25 Shaban 1440:Vol: 11, No:190
INDIA
Maharashtra Maoist attack: 15 security men killed in IED blast, DGP says no intelligence failure
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gadchiroli-maoist-attack-security-personnel-injured-dead-ied-explosion-5704625/?pfrom=HP
New Delhi:At least 15 security personnel were killed in an IED explosion in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra Wednesday noon. The incident comes hours after Maoists set fire to around 30 vehicles in the region.DIG (Gadchiroli range) Ankush Shinde said, “Quick Response Team (QRT) was from Kurkheda police station. They were going to Purada village in a private vehicle. The blast occurred at around 12.30 pm near a nullah called Lendari in which 15 of our jawans have become martyrs.”Asked if QRT was rushing to the arson spot, Shinde said, “We don’t rush to such spots since it is always fraught with the danger of ambush. I will have to get the ground report about where the QRT was headed.” Initial photographs from the site showed remains of a vehicle after the explosion.Incidentally, the Kurkheda area had long been free from Maoist violence for a long time.indianexpress
Naxal attack LIVE: 16 killed, Congress says Modi govt learnt no lessons from Pulwama
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gadchiroli-naxal-attack-live-updates-security-personnel-killed-ied-explosion-5704719/
Congress today attacked BJP-led Govt over the Naxal attack in Gadchiroli, saying that despite its "tall talk" no lessons from Pulwama have been learnt, reports PTI. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said the country needs preventive action, accountability for this failure and not 'jumlas'(rhetoric) and lectures."Once again terrorists have targeted the convoys of our jawans. Clearly despite their tall talk no lessons from Pulwama have been learnt. It is a wake-up call for state and central govts," he said, referring to the strike in Pulwama in J&K .NCP chief Sharad Pawar demanded Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' resignation following IED blast carried out by Naxals in Gadchiroli in which 15 policemen and a civilian died, reports PTI. Fadnavis holds the home portfolio and "he should step down immediately", Pawar tweeted.indianexpress
Thousands more set to be out of NRC in additional draft list of exclusions
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/thousands-more-set-to-be-out-of-nrc-in-additional-draft-list-of-exclusions/story-jzN2ycLjn8RnFEhZmMcJbJ.html
Guwahati:National Register of Citizens may exclude thousands of people who were wrongly included in July 30, 2018, in the next draft to be published on July 15, govt officials said.According to officials in the office of the state coordinator of NRC familiar with developments the list will be published on June 15 with names of those who were part of the complete draft which came out on July 30, 2018 but were subsequently found to be ineligible for various reasons. The officials refused to give a number of such individuals.The names in the June 15 draft will have a window of 15 days to file for claims for inclusion in the complete NRC which is scheduled to be published before the July 31 deadline, the official said.“Till the final list is published we have the authority to suo moto re-verify details and exclude those who have been wrongfully included,” said one official adding that this is not new as around 1,50,000 persons who made it to the first draft published on December 31, 2017 were excluded from the subsequent complete July draft.The Supreme Court which is monitoring the process gave its nod for publishing the list after looking into a submission by NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela on April 10.“During the hearings for the claims for inclusion in the NRC which are ongoing several cases have come to light where people seem to have been wrongfully included,” said official.Azizur Rehman, chief coordinator of the Coordination Committee of Minority Organisations of Assam said suo moto re-verification seems to be a ploy to exclude Indian citizens. “They have decided to bring this additional draft without any consultation.It appears they want to exclude Indian citizens who have already made it to NRC draft. We will move the SC against this,” said Aziz.HT
UN designates Masood Azhar as global terrorist; China lifts hold
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/un-designates-jem-chief-masood-azhar-as-global-terrorist/article27002685.ece?homepage=true
UN today designated Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist him under the Security Council’s Sanctions Committee.“Big, small, all join together. Azhar designated as a terrorist in @UN Sanctions list. Grateful to all for their support,” India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. When asked whether China has lifted the hold, Akbaruddin said that “yes, done.”China removed its hold on the proposal, which was moved by France, U.K. and the US in the Security Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in Feb.PTI
2 Tamil Nadu preachers went to Sri Lanka, police track one, the other deported: Indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sri-lanka-blasts-tamil-nadu-towheed-ntj-5703647/?pfrom=HP
Mumbai:2 Muslim preachers from Tamil Nadu travelled to Sri Lanka to deliver sermons on towheed, a few years ago, but had to leave after local Muslims complained that they were causing sectarian unrest, according to their former associates.The role of Tamil Nadu towheed groups in spreading their version of a pure Islam among Sri Lankan Muslims has come under the scanner.P Jainulabdeen, who was until last year associated with Tamil Nadu Towheeth Jamaath (TNTJ), was deported from Colombo after All Ceylon Jamiyyat Ullama (ACJU) complained to police in 2006 that his sermons were creating divisions among Muslims in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, “PJ”, as he is better known, tried to go back in 2008, and more recently, in 2015, but was denied a visa on both occasions, a former aide said.Another well-known towheed preacher, Kovai Ayub of Coimbatore, who belonged to Jamiat ul Quran al Hadith (JUQH), a Tamil Nadu towheed group that predates TNTJ, gained notoriety in Sri Lanka in July 2009 after police launched a manhunt for him on a complaint from Sri Lankan Ministry of Religious Affairs. Tamil Nadu Towheeth Jamaath has denied any links to towheed groups in Sri Lanka, and has stressed its role in speaking against social evils such as dowry.indianexpress
Kerala on high alert following Sri Lanka serial blasts; phone calls, social media on surveillance India
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kerala-on-high-alert-following-sri-lanka-serial-blasts-phone-calls-social-media-on-survelliance/409999
A Day after NIA arrested Riyas Aboobacker Kerala Police Chief Loknath Behera on Tuesday said that police is at high alert in the state since the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka. Behra said that Indian Coast Guard Commandos and Bomb Detachment Squad are on alert while adding that analysis of technical data including phone calls, social media activities are being carried out on a daily basis. timesnownews
Viral video showing Muslims protesting crackdown by Sri Lanka after blasts is false: indiatoday
https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/viral-video-showing-muslims-protesting-crackdown-by-sri-lanka-after-blasts-is-false-1514064-2019-04-30
New Delhi:Since the deadly Easter blasts in Sri Lanka, social media has seen a flurry of posts, many of which later turned out to be false. Now, a video circulating on social media claims that Muslims have been protesting in London against the crackdown by Sri Lanka following the attacks.India Today's Anti-Fake News War Room has found the claim to be false, as the viral video has no relation with the recent attacks. This is a video of a protest that happened in 2013 in London."Protest in London against action taken by Sri Lankan Govt..Against Tertorist who organised synchronised bomb attacks in the country..! Their brothers just killed 290 Christians in Srilanka..! Is this a joke or something.. Now terrorists are Victims..!!", posted a Twitter user "Major Subrat Mishra SM" on Monday. The post has 2-minute-long viral video attached in which Muslim men with placards against the Sri Lankan govt can be seen. According to Mishra's Twitter bio, he is a decorated army veteran. Hundreds have liked and shared his post.indiatoday
NIA verifying how close Kerala came to 'suicide attack': the hindu
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nia-verifying-how-close-state-came-to-attack/article26994919.ece?homepage=true
NIA is reportedly verifying how close Riyaz Aboobacker, the 29-year-old youth from Palakkad, has come to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala.NIA had claimed that it had thwarted a home-grown terror plot following his arrest on Monday.Officials privy to the contours of the probe said the agency would examine whether the suspect had attempted to fabricate an explosive device, scouted for potential targets, made dry runs, experimented with timer devices or endeavoured to recruit any person as a possible suicide bomber.thehindu
Have no links with any militant outfit:Jamiat-e-Talaba
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/have-no-links-with-any-militant-organisation-ijet/article26996200.ece
Srinagar:Following allegations by the police of “luring youth into militancy”, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IjeT), an influential students body in J&K, on Tuesday said the organisation had “no links with any militant person or organisation” and that their activities were “within the ambit of law of the land”.“IjeT has no links with any militant person or organisation.All our activities are peaceful and within the ambit of law of the land. Hundreds of students associated with the IJeT are and remain law abiding citizens and never indulge in any subversive activity,” said the organisation’s spokesman. The statement comes a day after IGP, Jammu, Manish Sinha, claimed that group was “involved in radicalising youth from non-criminal background into taking up arms”.IjeT, students’ wing of J&K Jamaat-e-Islami, said it was just focused on “imparting moral values to students and guiding them in education and achieving excellence in professional careers”.“The person mentioned by the police is not a member of the IJeT. He might have attended any of our public meetings somewhere in Kashmir in the past, like hundreds of students do, but he has never officially been part of our organisation anytime in the past,” said the spokesman.thehindu
PFI refutes news report linking it with extremism
http://www.nagalandpost.com/pfi-refutes-news-report/194958.html
Dimapur:Responding to the news report published a Northeast Today Guwahati based report- ‘Guwahati on alert after Sri Lanka attack’ on April 27 and republished in this paper,Popular Front of India (PFI) has clarified that its activities were very open and transparent. “We never engaged in any secret or subversive activities. It is not our agenda also,” PFI Assam unit president Aminul Haque stated. PFI was reacting to the report wherein the web portal, quoting a senior IPS officer of Assam on condition of anonymity, had alleged that “PFI has set its roots in Assam which is another matter of concern.” The report had also alleged that “PFI is known as an Islamic fundamentalist outfit in India and since its inception, it has been accused of various anti-social and anti-national activities…and also a radical Islamists outfit and suspected links with SIMI…”PFI stated that the reporter, without substantiating the allegations with any evidence, other than referencing to ‘senior IPS officer of Assam police’ had made superficial claims to show the organization in bad light.In fact, PFI claimed that it was a registered “national-level body with HQRS at the national capital and is committed to the Indian Constitution and the democratic system of the country.” nagalandpost
Kerala: If he is a terrorist, let him perish in jail, says father of Riyas Aboobacker
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sri-lanka-attack-islamic-state-isis-nia-kerala-5703720/
Palakkad: Riyas Aboobacker, 29, was arrested a day later on suspicion of being an IS recruit and “for conspiring to commit a terrorist act”. When Indian Express reached Riyas’s home, it found a family struggling to cope with shock and disbelief. “If my son is a terrorist or anti-national, let him perish in jail, we won’t help him,’’ said his father Aboobacker, a worker at a mango plantation in the area.Riyas is Aboobacker’s eldest son, and has a younger brother and a sister who is married.According to family,Riyas turned to Internet to learn more about religion because the family never sent him to a madrasa. “In those days, we were staying at Chappakkad, a remote village, where nearest madrasa was about 8 km away. So he felt that he didn’t get a proper religious education,’’ said Riyas’s brother, who declined to be identified.Neighbours said they were still in shock over the arrest. “His long beard was a cause of concern because it was unusual. You will not find a Muslim youth in this region sporting such a long beard and hair,’’said Sirajuneesa,local resident.indianexpress
Days after blasts, Sri Lanka cable operators block Zakir Naik's Peace TV: Sources
https://www.newsnation.in/world-news/breaking-zakir-naik-peace-tv-sri-lanka-cable-operators-block-islamic-preacher-terrorist-dubai-article-222442.html
Days after serial blasts on Easter Sunday, cable operators in Sri Lanka blocked Zakir Naik’s Peace TV, according to sources. The official announcement in this regard is yet to be made. newsnation
Ban burqas in India: Shiv Sena asks PM after Lanka
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shiv-sena-asks-pm-narendra-modi-to-ban-burqas-in-india-5704545/
Mumbai:Welcoming Sri Lanka’s decision to ban the niqab or face veil in the wake of Easter Sunday attacks, Shiv Sena demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi follow in its footsteps and ban burqas in India.In an editorial in its mouthpiece, Saamana, the party said the demand is being made in the national interest. “It has happened in Ravana’s Sri Lanka. When will it happen in Ram’s Ayodhya? We are asking this question as PM Modi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya today,”said the editorial noting that the current dispensation has enacted a law against triple talaq in a bid to prevent the exploitation of Muslim women.It further said that Sri Lankan President has shown courage by announcing that wearing the face veil in public places is a criminal offence.“Sri Lankan president announced the restrictions as an emergency measure to ensure that the security forces do not face any difficulty in identifying people. People wearing face-masks or other veils could pose a danger to national and social security,” the editorial read. Sena further said there were no Mahatma Jyotirao Phule or Shahu Maharaj in Muslim community. “So, it has worked in favour of whimsical leaders like Shahabuddin, Azam Khan, Owaisi brothers and Abu Azmi. If such religious practices and the traditions are coming in the way of national security, then it must be ended. Modi needs to do all this. It is an equally courageous work, like the surgical strike,” Sena added. However, Sena has distanced itself from burqa ban demand. “It is not the party’s official stand. Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had repeatedly spoken about the burqa ban in the past. BJP too had made the demand in the past. In the Saamana editorial, I have analysed the issue in wake of burqa ban decision announced in Sri Lanka,” said Sanjay Raut, executive editor of Saamana and Shiv Sena MP.indianexpress
Hindu Sena wants Home Ministry to ban burqa, nikab to prevent terror attacks
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hindu-sena-wants-home-ministry-to-ban-burqa-nikab-to-prevent-terror-attacks-1513913-2019-04-30
New Delhi:Right-wing fringe group Hindu Sena has written to Home Ministry, demanding a complete ban on face covers, burqa and niqab at public places and govt and private institutions on the lines of Sri Lanka to prevent attacks.In his letter to Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba,Hindu Sena head Vishnu Gupta said intelligence failures in Sri Lanka led to synchronized suicide bombings by terrorists in churches."We request you to immediately formulate policies at both tactical and strategic levels to prevent occurrence of such attacks in India and Indian territories, including embassies and high commissions, all across the world," the letter read. "Please impose a ban on full face covers and dresses like burqa and niqab at all public places and inside govt and private institutions.These kind of head coverings enable terrorists to hide their identity from CCTV cameras and other surveillance measures in place. Sri Lanka has already implemented this policy,"he said.PTI
Pragya Thakur makes another controversial comment. This time it’s about burkhas
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pragya-thakur-makes-another-controversial-comment-this-time-it-s-about-burkhas/story-JyVgRGUlhqMqxuvLnIjOyL.html
Bhopal;BJP’s Sadhvi Pragya Thakur has waded into another controversy after her comments against the former chief of ATS Hemant Karkare and Babri Masjid sparked outrage in the political circles.This time, BJP’s candidate from Bhopal demanded a ban on burkhas for what she said was for the sake of national security. Pragya Thakur, said on Wednesday that terrorists often take advantage of burkhas by wearing them during their nefarious activities. “We have to remove our burkhas at airports and also when we visit foreign countries during checking. Then we do not say anything. In a democracy, this decision should be taken by them (Muslim community) on their own and I am confident they will take this decision keeping the interest of the country paramount,” she said in Bhopal.Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi criticised Thakur for not picking up matters that are relevant to the people.HT
Valley traders allege trucks with perishables being unnecessarily stopped on national highway
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/valley-traders-allege-trucks-with-perishables-being-unnecessarily-stopped-on-national-highway-5703770/
Srinagar :Anger is brewing among fruit and vegetable traders in the Valley as they allege trucks carrying perishable items are being unnecessarily stopped on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, causing a huge loss to them.Traders at New Kashmir Fruit Mandi Association in Srinagar’s Parimpora, the Valley’s biggest fruit and vegetable market, had earlier announced an indefinite strike beginning on Monday. However, they said on Tuesday that they will suspend the strike on Wednesday in view of Ramzan following an appeal by the civil society and authorities.“Since Jan, fruits and vegetable-laden trucks arriving from different parts of the country are frequently and deliberately being stopped at different spots on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for weeks together, particularly at Udhampur naka. Similarly, trucks loaded with apples from various cold stores of the Valley were also stopped on the way for days together at Qazigund and various nakas on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway,” said Ayub Bhat, general secretary of the fruit association. “This unjustified practice by the Governor’s machinery resulted in losses of thousand of crores to fruit and vegetable growers.”Basheer Ahmad, the association’s president, said it is causing a lot of problems to the dealers. indianexpress
Pelted with stones by villagers after ‘theft bid’, Dalit youth dead: UP Police
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pelted-with-stones-by-villagers-after-theft-bid-dalit-youth-dead-up-police-5703774/
Lucknow :A Dalit youth died after being pelted with stones by unidentified villagers after he was allegedly caught attempting theft in a house at Mundipur village under Manikpur police station area of Pratapgarh early Tuesday, police said. Villagers reportedly threw stones at three constables who tried to save Satish Raidas (25), the police said.The constables suffered minor injuries. The situation was controlled after an additional police team arrived and used mild force to disperse the crowd. Raidas was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.ASP, Pratapgarh, Shivaji said an FIR was lodged against unidentified villagers on a complaint filed by Raidas’s father Pancham Lal, who runs a grocery shop. No one has been arrested.Autopsy has been conducted and the report is awaited.indianexpress
Tweets on Jain monk: HC quashes FIR against Dadlani, Tehseen Poonawalla; fines them Rs 10 lakh
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tweets-on-jain-monk-hc-quashes-fir-against-vishal-dadlani-tehseen-poonawalla-fines-them-rs-10-lakh-5703757/
Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed an FIR against singer and composer Vishal Dadlani and political activist Tehseen Poonawalla for allegedly hurting religious sentiments for their tweets on Jain monk Tarun Sagar. However, the court has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh each to “do justice” to the Jain community, even if it has ruled that no charge under the law is made out in the case.In August 2018, an FIR was registered against Dadlani and Poonawalla in Haryana’s Ambala district after they questioned the authorities for inviting Sagar to address the Haryana legislative assembly.While Dadlani had later apologized to the monk, Poonawalla told the court that he has no regrets over the tweets.On Monday, Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan, ruling in favour of Dadlani and Poonawalla, said the question still arises whether the petitions are to be allowed simply or the power under Section 482 CrPC can also be used to ensure “justice can also be done to the followers of Jain religion”.Justice Sangwan in the verdict further observed that the Supreme Court has already held that it is not the task of the criminal law to punish individuals merely for holding unpopular views, and ruled that offence under Section 295-A of IPC, Section 153-A IPC, Section 509 of IPC and Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is not made out in FIR registered against Dadlani and Poonawala.indianexpress
ELECTIONS
Dismissed BSF jawan Tej Bahadur’s nomination from Varanasi rejected, says he’ll move SC
https://indianexpress.com/elections/dismissed-bsf-jawan-tej-bahadur-yadavs-nomination-from-varanasi-rejected-5704927/?pfrom=HP
New Delhi:SP-BSP-RLD candidate and ex BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency was rejected Wednesday. Yadav said he will now approach the Supreme Court following the rejection of his nomination.“My nomination has been rejected wrongly. I was asked to produce the evidence at 6.15pm yesterday, we produced the evidence, still my nomination was rejected. We will go to the Supreme Court,” 43-year-old Yadav said.The latest move came after the returning officer in Varanasi had served a notice to Yadav seeking an explanation over alleged discrepancies in the 2 sets of nomination papers he filed for the Varanasi seat, which will go to polls on May 19.While in the first set of papers on April 24, he had mentioned that he was dismissed from BSF, in second set of papers—as the Samajwadi Party nominee—he did not give out this information. He was also required to submit a no-objection certificate from BSF, giving reasons for his dismissal.indianexpress
Bhim Army to canvass for SP-BSP’s Varanasi candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019-bhim-army-to-canvass-for-sp-bsp-s-varanasi-candidate-tej-bahadur-yadav/story-jmjDI0etl1XsZ2FvO5dnSL.html
Fake Chowkidar is afraid of real Chowkidar, says Tej Bahadur after his nomination gets rejected
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/fake-chowkidar-is-afraid-of-real-chowkidar-says-tej-bahadur-after-his-nomination-gets-rejected-in-varanasi
Sacked BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav lambasted PM Modi after his nomination was rejected in Varanasi. Yadav who was fielded as Mahagathbandhan candidate from Varanasi, called Modi fake Chowkidar and said, “I am being blocked from fighting elections as nakli chowkidar of the country is afraid of asli (real) chowkidar.” Earlier in the day, Yadav alleged that BJP was creating “roadblocks” in his nomination process to “prevent” him from contesting elections against Modi as they fear Modi will lose the election.“I had filed my first nomination as an independent candidate on April 24 and on SP party symbol on April 29. If there were any issues with the nominations, why wasn’t I informed earlier?” questioned Yadav.nationalheraldindia
Beyond star craze, demand for infrastructure from MP: Send us to Pakistan if you can’t give us a bridge
https://indianexpress.com/elections/punjab-beyond-star-craze-demand-for-infra-from-mp-send-us-to-pakistan-if-you-cant-give-us-a-bridge-5703741/?pfrom=HP
Gurdaspur :Gurdaspur, which has seen a movie-star MP in Vinod Khanna for four terms and again has actor Sunny Deol (BJP) pitted against the Congress’s Sunil Jakhar, is not exactly bubbling over with enthusiasm despite high-profile contest on cards. Unemployment, pitiable condition of roads, lack of adequate health facilities, and industry, are some of the issues that find an echo in this border constituency instead of nationalist jingoism. At Makora Pattan, the village where Ravi and Ujh rivers join in a confluence and 9 villages are physically cut off from rest of the country during the monsoon months each year, facing Pakistan border on the other side of the river, an agitated villager said, “Look at the condition of this bridge. No politician has ever done anything for us. Send us to Pakistan if you cannot give us a bridge.”Villages are joined with the mainland by a pontoon bridge, which can be described as ramshackle at best. Due to the strategic location of the river-crossing, there is an Army post nearby — no one is allowed to cross the river unless identified first. This Lassiyan enclave, as it is known in Army, is a territory that lies in adverse possession — that is, territory that lies across Ravi next to Pakistan border.indianexpress
Now, Manish Sisodia alleges BJP trying to ‘buy’ seven AAP MLAs at Rs 10 crore each
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aap-mlas-horse-trading-bjp-manish-sisodia-arvind-kejriwal-5705058/?pfrom=HP
New Delhi:2 days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stirred a hornet’s nest by claiming that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday alleged that 7 AAP MLAs had been offered Rs 10 crore each to switch over to BJP.Accusing BJP of indulging in horse-trading, Sisodia claimed BJP had earlier too tried to “buy” AAP MLAs and they were given an appropriate response by the public.“Since the BJP does not have any development issue to raise, it has now come down to indulging in horse-trading by attempting to buy seven of our MLAs at Rs 10 crore each,” PTI quoted Sisodia as saying. Referring to Modi’s claims at a rally in West Bengal that 40 TMC MLAs would switch sides once the BJP wins the Lok Sabha elections, Sisodia said it did not behove the prime minister to make such remarks.indian express
Pulwama attack was BJP's conspiracy just like Godhra, says Shankersinh Vaghela
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/pulwama-attack-was-bjps-conspiracy-just-like-godhra-says-shankersinh-vaghela20190501185219/
Ahmedabad: Pulwama attack was BJP’s conspiracy as was Godhra, said ex CM Shankersinh Vaghela here on Wednesday.“Vehicle with RDX which was used in Pulwama attack was bearing the registration initial of Gujarat-- GJ.Godhra was a conspiracy,” said Vaghela, who is now in NCP. Vaghela said: “Terrorism is used by BJP govt to win elections. A number of terrorist attacks have taken place since the last five years.”“No one was killed in Balakot air strike. Even none of the international agency was able to prove that 200 militants were killed. Balakot airstrike was a planned conspiracy. It was supposed to happen,” Vaghela said.“Even after getting information from intelligence sources regarding Pulwama attack, no pre-emptive measures were taken. And if you had information about Balakot, then why didn’t you take action against these camps. Why were you waiting for something like Pulwama to happen,” he said.“BJP is involved in the whole thing. It is going to bring the sectarian conflict to win elections,” he said. Taking a jibe at BJP, Vaghela said:“BJP’s Gujarat model is false. The state is suffering. BJP leaders are upset with party.They feel that they are bonded labourers.”ANI
Waseem Rizvi threatens to commit suicide, if Modi does not come back to power
http://www.uniindia.com/up-shia-waqf-board-chairman-threatens-to-commit-suicide-if-modi-does-not-come-back-to-power/die/news/1581400.html
Lucknow:UP Shia Central Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi triggered yet another controversy on Tuesday, when he announced to self-immolate in front of Ram temple at Ayodhya, if Narendra Modi did not become the Prime Minister of the country again.In a statement here, Rizvi said the fanatic Muslims were giving him life threat for supporting the Ram temple and if Modi loses, then he will have no other option, but to commit suicide.UNI
INLD MLA Naseem, JJP’s Illyas join Congress
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019-inld-mla-naseem-ahmed-jjp-s-mohd-illyas-join-congress/story-P3akSSp1DVK0FMse0T3inK.html
Chandigarh:INLD suffered another setback with its legislator from Ferozepur Jhirka, Naseem Ahmed joining Congress on Tuesday.Another INLD leader, Mohammad Illyas who, in Feb, had switched sides to join Dushyant Chautala’s JJP also joined Congress. Announcing duo’s induction in the Congress, party in-charge for Haryana, Ghulam Nabi Azad said in New Delhi that both the Meo-Muslim leaders will give a fillip to the campaign of the party candidate in Gurgaon parliamentary constituency.3 assembly constituencies of Meo Muslim dominated Mewat district—Punhana, Ferozepur Jhirka and Nuh—are a part of Gurgaon Lok Sabha seat. INLD had won 2 seats in Mewat district – Nuh and Punhana—in 2014 assembly elections.Naseem Ahmed, son of ex Congress minister Shakrullah Khan, is a 2-time INLD MLA. Illyas remained a minister in INLD govt from 2000 to 2005 when Om Prakash Chautala was the chief minister.HT
Rajnath Singh meets Muslim clerics in Lucknow
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/rajnath-singh-meets-muslim-clerics-in-lucknow-119043000709_1.html
Stepping up the campaign for BJP in the state, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh met prominent Muslim clerics here on Tuesday.Rajnath Singh met Lucknow Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali and Shia clerics Maulana Agha Roohi and Maulana Yasoob Abbas.Rajnath Singh is pitted against SP candidate Poonam Sinha and Congress candidate Pramod Krishnam from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency.Polling in Lucknow will be held on May 6, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.ANI
JMI & AMU will get minority status if our party comes to power: Sheila Dixit
https://www.siasat.com/news/jmi-amu-will-get-minority-status-if-our-party-comes-power-sheila-dixit-1492509/
New Delhi: In an interview to the ‘Inquilab’, former chief minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit said the main rival of Congress is BJP but since AAP is also in the fray so they are fighting against it too. She admitted that she was not in favour of the alliance. Because Congress is a big party hence it should go solo,she said.Saying that she fulfills whatever promises she makes, Sheila Dixit said if we form Govt at the Centre we will do justice, will implement minimum income scheme, fill the vacant post, adopt strict attitude towards illegal occupation of Waqf lands, remove encroachments on Waqf lands, will give minority status to AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia and will give constitutional status to Minority Commission. Siasat
Ex-Cong MLA stands by 'Atishi is Jew' remark; tells Muslims to beware of AAP leader's 'Jewish roots'
https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/article/ex-congress-mla-stands-by-atishi-is-a-jew-remark-tells-muslims-to-beware-of-aap-leaders-jewish-roots/410147
New Delhi: 2 days after AAP's Lok Sabha candidate from East Delhi, Atishi, rebuffed former Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan's allegations, ex-Congress MLA has again accused the AAP of allegedly fooling Muslims by portraying its candidate as a Punjabi Hindu. “Yes, I stand by my comment, 100 % . Arvind Kejriwal is brazenly indulging in caste and politics of religion. He forced Atishi to remove Mar-Lena from her name. Jews have no place in Indian culture. I believe in Islam. I am a follower of Islam and a Jew can't lead Muslims. And I am ready to face any punishment for my remark, the former Okhla MLA said.Asif Mohammad Khan had raised a political storm when he asked voters during a rally in Batla House area of Jamia Nagar not to vote for Atishi, alleging that she was a 'Jew'. Khan had also urged his supporters to spread the word about Atishi's 'so-called Jewishness' to every Muslim household. In her rebuttal, Atishi claimed that she belongs to a Punjabi Hindu family and the ex-Congress leader is just spreading lies against her to achieve political gains. Earlier, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted in the support of Atishi, saying she is a Hindu Rajput.Muslim-dominated Jamia Nagar comes under East Delhi Lok Sabha seat. The densely-populated locality has around 2 lakh Muslim voters. Atishi is pitted against Congress leader and Delhi's ex minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.In a 3-cornered contest, BJP has fielded ex cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Meanwhile, AAP leader and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan said the party is not going to take any action against ex Congress MLA.“We don't want to give any importance to his illogical statements. And that's the reason we haven't taken any action against him. We don't want to make a hero out of him. Asif should know that there are no conversions in Judaism and how can a Jew be born in a Punjabi family?,”he said. timesnownews
Fire breaks out on the sixth floor of Shastri Bhawan
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fire-breaks-out-on-the-sixth-floor-of-shastri-bhawan/story-Tq1vD0o1PYGDj5RA8qg0QP.html
New Delhi:A fire broke out on sixth floor of the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday afternoon, a Delhi Fire Service official said. The fire department said they received a call about the blaze at 2.15 PM after which seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot.The fire was later brought under control by 2.55 pm. No injury or casualty has been reported, the senior fire officer said. The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained, they added. Shastri Bhawan houses Ministries of Law, I&B, Corporate Affairs, Chemicals and Petrochemicals and HRD.PTI
‘Burning files’: Rahul Gandhi’s tweet attack on PM after Shastri Bhawan fire
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/your-day-of-judgement-is-coming-rahul-gandhi-s-latest-barb-at-pm-modi/story-3lBU9ir8MqTzXsVE5IbszI.html
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi took pot shots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday after a fire broke out at the national capital’s Shastri Bhawan which houses several key ministries.“Modi ji burning files is not going to save you. Your day of judgement is coming,” Gandhi tweeted.Gandhi has been gunning for Modi over the Rafale aircraft deal, insisting that the agreement to purchase French fighter planes was nit above board.The fire which broke out in the afternoon was immediately doused. The fire department deployed at least seven fire engines to extinguish the blaze.There were no casualties reported in fire.Ministries of HRD, Law and Justice, I&B, Corporate Affairs, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Culture, Women and Child Development are some of the ministries housed in the building.HT
PM Modi's 'Majority is Minority' Speech Not a Poll Code Violation, Rules Election Commission
https://www.news18.com/news/india/modis-majority-in-minority-speech-not-a-poll-code-violation-rules-election-commission-2123455.html
New Delhi: Election Commission has given a clean chit to PM Narendra Modi for his speech in Maharashtra's Wardha, saying that there was no model code violation by him.The speech was examined by the poll body after a Congress delegation met EC officials and brought up Modi's comments in which he had indirectly questioned Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad in Kerala. Gandhi is also contesting from the Congress bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.News18
Punjab & Haryana HC notice to Sadiq over plea on his SC status
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/plea-says-muslim-born-sadiq-cant-fight-from-sc-seat-hc-issues-notice/articleshow/69121667.cms
Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Congress candidate from Faridkot, Mohammad Sadiq, and the returning officer of Faridkot (reserved) parliamentary constituency over a plea seeking directions not to accept his candidature. In his plea, Moga resident Kamaljit Singh has said that any individual who was born a Muslim could not be deemed as a member of any scheduled caste (SC). Faridkot is a parliamentary seat reserved for members of the SC community. Sadiq, born Muslim in 1939, had declared vide a newspaper ad in 2006-07 that he had become a Sikh and belonged to Doom Marassi caste, according to the petition.The divisional bench comprising Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli issued notices while hearing the petition filed by Kamaljit Singh, a resident of Moga in Punjab. The matter has been fixed for September 12 for further hearing. “An individual not belonging to a religion and not practising caste system cannot convert to a religion practising caste system and take upon himself any particular caste that he would like to as that would be a fraud on the Constitution as has been held by the SC in ‘Lily Thomas and others versus Union of India and others’,”petitioner argued. TOI
‘BJP doesn’t want Dalit leader, they only want Dalit votes’ says Udit Raj
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-doesn-t-want-dalit-leader-they-only-want-dalit-votes-says-udit-raj/story-nPwNEu1SKYG1o2zKeN7E6H.html
Jaipur:Dalit leader and Member of Parliament Udit Raj on Tuesday alleged that a dalit can rise to any position in the BJP only if he is “deaf and dumb” and said President Ram Nath Kovind was nominated to highest office because he did not raise his voice in the party.“In BJP, a deaf and dumb Dalit leader can reach any position. First they made one such leader the national president and later the President,” he said.He clarified that he was not commenting on the office of the President but referring to condition of dalits in BJP. Raj recently joined the Congress after BJP denied him a ticket from A Delhi constituency from where he was elected in 2014.HT
WORLD
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood says it will continue 'peaceful' work regardless of Trump moves
https://in.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-muslimbrotherhood-reaction/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-says-it-will-continue-peaceful-work-regardless-of-trump-moves-idINKCN1S62C5
cairo:Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood said on Tuesday it would continue to work in line with “our moderate and peaceful thinking” regardless of moves by US President Donald Trump’s administration to designate it a foreign terrorist outfit.“We will remain ... steadfast in our work in accordance with our moderate and peaceful thinking and what we believe to be right, for honest and constructive cooperation to serve the communities in which we live, and humanity as a whole,” the Brotherhood said in a statement on its official website. Brotherhood says it is a non-violent movement and denies any relationship to violent insurgencies.Reuters
Iran slams US plan to designate Brotherhood a terror group
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/iran-slams-plan-designate-muslim-brotherhood-terror-group-190501095140184.html
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticised a US plan to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation."US is not in position to start naming others as terror organisations and we reject any attempt by the US in this regard," he told reporters on a sideline of a conference in Doha today."US is supporting the biggest terrorist in region,that is Israel.". aljazeera
US peace envoy meets Taliban leader as Doha peace talks resume
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/taliban-due-resume-doha-peace-talks-bid-war-190501061030851.html
US peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met with co-founder of Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, as the two sides gathered in the Qatari capital today to hammer out a peace deal."Full withdrawal of foreign forces" and "preventing Afghanistan from harming others" were to be 2 key agenda points, said Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, in an email statement. American and Taliban officials resumed their sixth round of talks in Doha to end 17-year conflict while Afghan govt hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal."There will be no other side except US and Taliban representatives in the meeting, but some Qatari officials will remain present as hosts," said spokesman for the armed group.None of the talks, which began in July last year, have so far included the Afghan govt, which the Taliban views as a puppet regime. This week, Afghan president convened a rare grand assembly known as a loya jirga to set out Kabul's conditions for peace talks with Taliban.jirga has a purely consultative function, but it carries significance in Afghan politics and society. Doha meetings mark the highest level of negotiations between the two sides since US ramped up peace efforts last year as Trump administration is eager to end the war.aljazeera
US army halts tracking land controlled by Afghan gov't, fighters
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/army-halts-tracking-land-controlled-afghan-gov-fighters-190501092423849.html
US military has stopped tracking the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Afghan Govt and armed fighters, a US watchdog said on Tuesday, one of the last remaining public metrics that tracked the worsening security situation in the war-torn country. The move comes as US and Taliban officials held several rounds of talks, the latest of which began on Wednesday in Doha, Qatari capital, according to a Taliban spokesman.Taliban announced the start of a spring offensive in early April.Even before the announcement, combat had intensified across Afghanistan in recent weeks and hundreds of Afghan troops and civilians have been killed.Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report published late Tuesday night that US military had told watchdog it was no longer tracking the level of control or influence Afghan Govt and fighters had over districts in the country. NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan had told SIGAR that the assessments were "of limited decision-making value to (RS) Commander."Colonel David Butler, spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan, said that while Resolute Support was no longer doing the analyses, the intelligence community did its own classified assessment of districts controlled by the govt and Taliban.Reuters
Israeli HC orders demolition of Palestinian homes
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/palestinian-homes-israeli-high-court-rules-favour-demolitions-190501091246225.html
Israel is expected to demolish more Palestinian homes. Israeli High Court has ruled 60 houses in occupied East Jerusalem should be knocked down.Palestinians say Israel is trying to settle as many Jews as possible on the edge of Jerusalem's old city and rename an area the Palestinians consider their capital the City of David.aljazeera
Syria:US sanctions on Iran lead to fuel shortages
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/syria-sanctions-iran-lead-fuel-shortages-190501105527863.html
US sanctions against Iran are causing fuel shortages in govt-held parts of Syria.Iranian ally,Lebanese Hezbollah group, is also being prevented from sending fuel to Syria. Sanctions are working in favour of Russia, which is looking to step in and fill the gap in supply. aljazeera
NZ media to avoid white supremacist views at Christchurch trial
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/nz-media-avoid-white-supremacist-views-christchurch-trial-190501033843013.html
New Zealand's major media organisations have pledged not to promote white supremacist ideology while covering the trial of the man charged with killing 50 people at two mosques in March.5 outfits, which signed the agreement today, said they were aware that the suspect behind the Christchurch attack, self-proclaimed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, might try to use the trial as a platform to promote white supremacist or "terrorist" views.The outfits said commitment extended to coverage of Tarrant's 74-page "manifesto", posted online before the attack, as well as broadcasting symbolic images.That clause came after Tarrant made a hand gesture at his first court appearance, which is sometimes associated with white supremacists. aljazeera
Uighur wives forced to drink alcohol and eat pork in China’s ‘re-education’ camps: AFP
https://www.wionews.com/world/uighur-wives-forced-to-drink-alcohol-and-eat-pork-in-chinas-re-education-camps-214757
Their Uighur wives vanished in 2017, swept up in a Chinese dragnet tackling Islamic extremism, now they've been released — but the Pakistani husbands left behind say freedom has come at a price: The women must prove their "adaptability to Chinese society", and publicly sacrifice their religious ideals.The group of around 40 women — all from the western Chinese province of Xinjiang and married to traders from neighbouring Pakistan— were among some 1 million people believed to be held in a network of internment camps that authorities downplay as "vocational education centres". But the men say their partners were forced into acts that are haram, or forbidden, to followers of Islam — both in the camps and now they've been freed."She said they had to eat pork and drink alcohol, something she still has to do," one merchant, who recently visited his wife at her parents' house in Xinjiang said,on condition of anonymity." She was told that she had to satisfy the authorities that she no longer possesses radical thoughts if she does not want to go back," he explained, adding that she had given up praying and the Quran had been replaced by books on China at his in-laws home.
Assange sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for bail breach
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/julian-assange-sentenced-to-50-weeks-in-prison-for-bail-breach/article27001304.ece?homepage=true
London:WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was sentenced today to 50 weeks in jail for breaching a British court order seven years ago, when he took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden.Australian whistleblower, who was arrested on April 11 after Ecuador gave him up, will serve the nearly one-year sentence while fighting a separate attempt to transfer him to the US.47-year-old, his shaggy beard neatly trimmed, raised his fist to supporters in the public gallery at London's Southwark Crown Court as he was taken down to the cells.They responded by raising theirs and shouting "Shame on you!" towards the court.AFP
Maduro: 'Coup attempt' defeated as police clash with protesters
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/maduro-coup-attempt-defeated-police-clash-protesters-190501053933415.html
Demonstrators clashed with police on the streets of the Venezuelan capital on Tuesday, spurred by opposition leader Juan Guaido's call on the military to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, who said he had defeated an attempted coup.An apparently carefully planned attempt by Guaido to demonstrate growing military support disintegrated into rioting as palls of black smoke rose over eastern Caracas.Maduro declared victory on Tuesday over uprising - congratulating armed forces for having "defeated this small group that intended to spread violence through putschist skirmishes"."This will not go unpunished," Maduro said in an address broadcast on TV and the radio.aljazeera
Japan's new Emperor Naruhito ascends Throne
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/japan-emperor-naruhito-ascend-chrysanthemum-throne-190501011016998.html
Japan's new Emperor Naruhito has formally ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, a day after his father Akihito abdicated from the world's oldest monarchy and ushered in a new imperial era.aljazeera
Flash: views & NEWS
Sri Lanka’s headscarf ban will only embolden racist vigilantes who harass Muslim women during attacks on the community:Megara Tegal, The Independent
https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2019/04/30/sri-lankas-headscarf-ban
The Freedom Fighter and Labour Leader Still Beloved in Jamshedpur:Afshan Khan
https://thewire.in/labour/may-day-abdul-bari-labour-leader
We might enter an 'RSS meets Jio' ideological world: Pratap Bhanu Mehta
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-new-techno-nationalism-technology-elections-5703564/?pfrom=HP
Colombo’s ban on the niqab is against a woman’s right to choose: Editorial, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/sri-lanka-blasts-veil-ban-sirisena-rajpaksha-isis-muslims-5703594/?pfrom=HP
On Pragya trail, prayers, temple visits, Pulwama, but all down ultimately to ‘deshdrohi’ Digvijaya Singh:
https://indianexpress.com/elections/pragya-thakur-digvijay-singh-lok-sabha-elections-madhya-pradesh-5703627/?pfrom=HP
Unemployment rising, banks ridden with defaults but number of Indians with ₹1000 Cr wealth double since 2016 :Nantoo Banerjee/IPA
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/unemployment-rising-banks-ridden-with-defaults-but-number-of-indians-with-indian-rupee1000-cr-wealth-double-since-2016
Handling of harassment complaint against cji perpetuates existing power imbalance:GautamBhatia
https://thewire.in/law/cji-ranjan-gogoi-sexual-harassment-case
MNREGA job spike to take some load off Congress in Rajasthan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mnrega-job-spike-to-take-some-load-off-congress-in-rajasthan-5699667/
In 2015, SC had termed ‘frivolous’ plea on Rahul’s citizenship
Https://Www.Thehindu.Com/Elections/Lok-Sabha-2019/Sc-Had-Termed-Frivolous-Plea-On-Rahuls-Citizenship/Article26996174.Ece?Homepage=True
Muslims in Civil Services: Success Stories of Minority Institutions -- Jamia Hamdard Residential Coaching Academy
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/muslims-in-civil-services-success-stories-of-minority-institutions----jamia-hamdard-residential-coaching-academy?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:22 PM)
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