NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
27 May 2019: 21 Ramazan 1440:Vol: 11, No:211
INDIA
Hate crimes against minorities continue as PM Modi calls to end fear and discrimination
https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/hate-crimes-against-minorities-continue-as-pm-modi-calls-to-end-fear-and-discrimination-368040.html?fbclid=IwAR0JcbhX7cqlXoJsOcmkpfKfpaKCtxrbtFUNceHrVyf5IANFgzOWRE65srk
After winning recently concluded Lok Sabha polls with a thumping majority, PM Narendra Modi addressed a gathering of newly-elected ministers and BJP members, setting the tone for the work to be done in the next 5 years. Modi made a strong reference to the condition of the minorities and govt’s role to uplift them. While his speech pleased many across the country, with a section applauding Modi for inclusive politics, the ground reality remains the same and more often than not, disturbing. On May 22, the day before counting of votes, 3 Muslims, including a couple, were beaten up by cow vigilantes in MP. Self-proclaimed gau rakshaks thrashed them after getting a tip-off that a Muslim couple and one other youth, travelling in an auto, were carrying beef. On May 26, a 25-year-old Muslim man was assaulted in Gurgaon by 4 unidentified youths for wearing traditional skull cap. "The accused threatened me, saying wearing cap was not allowed in the area. They removed my cap and slapped me, while asking me to chant Bharat Mata ki Jai," Alam said in FIR."As I followed their instruction and chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai, they asked me to chant Jai Sri Ram which I refused. At this, the youths picked up a baton from the roadside and began mercilessly beating me. They hit me at my legs and back," he added.In Jharkhand, Adivasi professor Jeetrai Hansda was arrested over a Facebook post where he mentioned the right to eat beef on May 25. He was attending a cultural function near Sakchi with some friends and staying at a hotel when police came and arrested him. On May 26, a group of self-styled gau rakshaks entered a dairy in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and accused people in the shop of cow slaughter and the sale of beef. They assaulted them and vandalised the shop.Next day, at least 50 men belonging to BJP-affiliate Bajrang Dal alleged that the dairy owner Qureshi be arrested on cow slaughter charges.However, police officers said there is no such evidence. In Gujarat, a mob of 200-300 upper caste people allegedly attacked the house of a Dalit couple in Mahuvad village on Vadodra, after husband allegedly put up a Facebook post saying that the govt does not permit the village temple to be used for Dalit wedding ceremonies. There has been a significant increase in hate crimes against Muslims in recent years. indiatimes
Youth shot at in Begusarai after he reveals his ‘Muslim name’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/man-shot-at-in-begusarai-for-his-muslim-name/article27259779.ece?homepage=true
Patna:A youth Mohd. Qasim was shot at in Begusarai district on Sunday morning allegedly after he was asked his name.An FIR has been lodged at local Cheria-Bariarpur police station of the district but the accused has not been arrested yet, said the police.A video of the injured youth speaking about the incident has gone viral on social media.Qasim,son of Aghanu Mia of Khanjahanpur Panchayat of ward no. 11, was shot at in Kumbhi village under Cheria-Bariyarpur police station on Sunday morning allegedly by Rajiv Yadav of the village. Qasim is a detergent salesman and he had gone to Kumbhi village on his bike for his business purposes.“I was stopped by Rajiv Yadav and he asked me my name…when I told him my name he fired at me and said you should go to Pakistan,” said Mr. Qasim in the video and FIR lodged at the local police station.“The attacker Rajiv Yadav was drunk and when he started loading another cartridge in his pistol I pushed him and fled away,” he added further.Shot in the back, Qasim is heard saying in the video that “no one witnessing the incident came to his rescue and somehow” he reached the police station and the police took him to the sadar (town) government hospital for further treatment.“Yes, Mohd. Qasim has lodged an FIR in the incident at local Cheria-Bariarpur police station and has also named one person in the FIR…we are conducting raid to arrest him but he is at large,” Begusarai Superintendent of Police Awakash Kumar told The Hindu over phone.thehindu
Raipur: 3 cow vigilantes arrested for vandalising dairy on suspicion of beef trade, says report
https://scroll.in/latest/924881/raipur-three-cow-vigilantes-arrested-for-vandalising-dairy-on-suspicion-of-beef-trade-says-report
3 men have been arrested in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur for allegedly vandalising a dairy run by a Muslim man after suspecting beef was being sold there, Indian Express reported. Though members of local right-wing groups demanded action against the dairy shop owner, no case has been filed yet.On Saturday evening, a group of self-styled “gau rakshaks”, or cow vigilantes, allegedly entered the dairy in the city’s Gokul Nagar area and assaulted people in the shop, the police said. “They assaulted [dairy shop owner] Usman Qureshi and his associates at the dairy and vandalised the premises,” an official told the paper. “We have CCTV footage of the incident and are investigating based on that.”The next morning, a group of at least 50 members of right-wing groups, including the Bajrang Dal, chanted slogans at DD Nagar police station. They demanded that a first information report be registered against Qureshi on cow slaughter charges. They accused the police of bias and claimed they had found “bones” behind the shop. The police said no evidence of cow slaughter had been found yet. A Congress government is in power in the state. ASP Prafull Thakur said that the 3 people people who had been arrested were sent to judicial custody. The accused – Ankit Dwivedi, Amarjeet Singh and Shubhankar Dwivedi – have been charged.scroll.in
Kanhaiya accuses BJP govt of inaction in cases of violence against Dalits and Muslims
https://scroll.in/latest/924905/kanhaiya-kumar-accuses-modi-government-of-inaction-in-cases-of-violence-against-dalits-and-muslims
Kanhaiya Kumar, CPI candidate who lost to BJP’s Giriraj Singh in Bihar’s Begusarai Lok Sabha seat, has accused the ruling government of inaction in cases of complaints of violence against Dalits and Muslims.“Recently in Begusarai, one man and woman were hassled and one Muslim vendor was asked to go Pakistan and threatened that he would be shot dead,” Kumar alleged in a Facebook post on Sunday. “Here, culprits have gained courage as the administration does not take action against them.”Kumar said culprits have the audacity to post videos of such violence because of the government’s silent support. scroll.in
Gambhir calls attack on Muslim man in Gurgaon ‘deplorable’, demands ‘exemplary action’
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/gautam-gambhir-calls-attack-on-muslim-man-in-gurgaon-deplorable-demands-exemplary-action-5750074/?fbclid=IwAR0fvvse6NWs8yqUrflC1cH83vUnkHIPMbcrpClGF37fRcTS4byFbdm5PT0
New Delhi:Gautam Gambhir, former cricketer and East Delhi MP-elect from BJP, on Monday termed the attack on a Muslim man in Gurgaon “deplorable” and demanded “exemplary action” against culprits, M. Barkat Aalam has said that he was attacked on his way home on Saturday night and also forced to chant ‘Jai Sri Ram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’indian express
Combating radicalisation during Ramzan: In Mumbai, a police outreach to Muslims
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/combating-radicalisation-during-ramzan-in-mumbai-a-police-outreach-to-muslims-5749723/
Mumbai: This Ramzan, senior police officers in Mumbai have been reaching out to the Muslim community with one goal: Publicise the “negligible participation of Indian Muslims in international terrorist theatres”.Several IPS officers said that they have been meeting Muslim community leaders at Iftar parties over the last 2 weeks. “We have been reassuring community leaders of safety in spite of events in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The feedback we have received is that there will be no reactions, no matter what happens elsewhere in the world,” said a senior Maharashtra police officer.Police outreach comes against the backdrop of the killing of 51 people at mosques in Christchurch,following last month’s bombings in Sri Lanka. “After both incidents, we asked maulanas to make appeals to maintain peace during Friday prayers,”said officer.The move follows recommendations made at the annual conference of DIGs and IGs of states, UTs and CAPF last Dec.for utilising “mainstream forces to counter instances of radicalisation”. “So far, I have been to 2 Iftar parties in South Mumbai to informally speak to Muslim community leaders and local residents. We are reassuring Muslims that nothing will happen to them here in spite of events in neighbouring countries,”said a senior Mumbai Police officer.There are also instructions to mosques and restaurants, and food stalls serving worshippers and tourists till the early morning hours, to keep a watch for suspicious persons, objects and vehicles, and ensure smooth flow of traffic, said police, adding that community leaders are roped in each time an inflammatory post is noticed on social media to quash radical talk and rumour mongering.indian express
Another Muslim man ends life over NRC, journalist shares harrowing story from Assam
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/another-muslim-man-ends-live-over-nrc-shame-journalist-shares-harrowing-story/249222/?fbclid=IwAR2MD2v__-qm8gu3z-0laW4wwyiPwqeRghLN_FapZMfOpYKr7zBX9JuNxkk
A Muslim man, believed to be in his early 90s, ended his life in Assam on the prospect of being declared a foreigner and sent to detention centre. Ashraf Ali’s body was found from a school campus, close to his hut in Sontoli in Boko, 70 kms west of Guwahati.Journalist Rohini Mohan took to Twitter to share a heart-wrenching story of the family’s plight. In a video shared by Mohan, Ashraf Ali’s body was seen lying on the floor as his mourning family members sat around it in the light of just a candle flame.In a series of tweets, Mohan wrote, “Reporting in #Assam on the chaos & fear arnd the govt naming ppl foreigners, we ran into this funeral. 93-yr-old Ashrab Ali frm Salausuti, Kamrup, drank pesticide yday, after his #NRC hearing, called coz someone filed an objection against his inclusion in citizens register.” Ashrab Ali’s name, according to the journalist, was in the NRC draft list but someone filed an objection prompting the authorities to call his entire family for a hearing on 23 May. “The objector apparently didn’t turn up, which is common in Assam today, even though 3 lakh objections were filed,” wrote Mohan.She added, “His son said that when the #NRC official took his biometrics, Ashrab was extremely worried this meant that he has “become a foreigner”. The citizenship of his 2 sons and daughter depends on his own.”Mohan shared a short video clip, shot by News18 journalist Abdul Kalam Azad, showed a packet of purple ‘furadan,’ a kind of pesticide, which the deceased was believed to have consumed to end his life.In the next video shared by Mohan, the deceased’s daughter Asiya was seen wailing next to her father in the light of a candle flame.Ali, according to Azad, was the 23rd Muslim to end his life over the issue till date since 2015 when the updation process started with most victims belonging to poor families.“This list is not exhaustive. The list I’ve prepared is based on news reports and personal verification of incidents, mainly in Brahmaputra Valley. It doesn’t include such incidents, if any, from Barak Valley,” HT quoted Azad.Mohan quoted Ali’s family members as saying that the deceased ‘felt shame’ over the prospect of being declared a foreigner.jantakareporter
Assam: Elderly man found dead after NRC objection hearing, family claims he committed suicide
https://scroll.in/latest/924877/assam-elderly-man-found-dead-after-nrc-objection-hearing-family-claims-he-committed-suicide
RSS cleared the air in Northeast, Assam on citizenship bill
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rss-cleared-the-air-in-northeast-assam-on-citizenship-bill/articleshow/69516237.cms
Guwahati: Widespread protests in Assam and the rest of the Northeast over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill were a worry for the BJP ahead of the polls, but RSS ensured that the party came out unscathed and with its best performance ever from the region. BJP increased its tally of Lok Sabha seats in Assam to 9 from 7 in 2014. Across Northeast India, it increased the count to 14 from eight. BJP-led NDA won 18 of the 25 seats in the northeast region. Ahead of the elections, RSS cadres across Assam had initiated mass contact programmes, where it explained to people that Bill was not inconsistent with the interest of the indigenous people. RSS distributed around 90 lakh leaflets explaining what the Bill was all about and why Assam needed it. In the past one year, there was stout resistance to the Bill, which is aimed at making minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible to apply for Indian citizenship. Assam had witnessed a series of agitations, bandhs and blockades to protest against the government move. There were also some organisations, however, supporting the Bill in Assam’s Barak Valley where the majority speaks Bengali. TOI
Ayodhya temple back in spotlight: Mohan Bhagwat says ‘Ram’s work’ will surely be done
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/ayodhya-temple-back-in-spotlight-mohan-bhagwat-says-rams-work-will-surely-be-done/1589961/
The issue of Ram Mandir has returned to spotlight days after BJP stormed back to power with a super-sized victory in the Lok Sabha elections. In his first remarks after the declaration of the Lok Sabha elections result, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has hinted at reviving the campaign for the construction of a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.Bhagwat said that construction of a Ram temple is “our own work and we will do that”.“Ram’s work is to be done and will surely be done. Everybody will have to do Ram’s work collectively,” he said.“India’s becoming of a superpower (country) will be different from other countries becoming a superpower. Shakti (power), if Ram uses it, it is another thing, and Ravan using the shakti will have a different meaning,” he said.Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case is currently pending before the SC. The top court has favoured the mediation route for an amicable resolution to the decades-old dispute. Financialexpress
Muslim Clergy React Sharply to RSS Statement on Ram Temple
http://caravandaily.com/muslim-clergy-react-sharply-to-rss-statement-on-ram-temple/
LUCKNOW;RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s support for a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya has evoked a sharp reaction from the Muslim clergy.Zafaryab Jilani, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and also of All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, one of the petitioners in the Ayodhya case, said: “RSS chief’s statement is uncalled for at this point of time when the mediation process is on. Muslims have always said they will accept the Supreme Court verdict. So why make such statements? More so, at a time when the Prime Minister has called for instilling confidence.”Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, Imam of Eidgah said: “It is not right to make such statements when the matter is in the Supreme Court. The mediation process is also on under court supervision.“Muslims are waiting for a decision and the Hindu leaders should also exercise patience. Such statements will only serve to create controversy and panic.”Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas said that since the matter was sub-judice, leaders of both the communities should refrain from making statements.IANS
MP govt seeks extension of SIMI ban
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/mp-govt-seeks-extension-of-simi-ban/articleshow/69510273.cms
Bhopal: Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has sought extension of ban on SIMI while a dozen affidavits have been filed in support of the organisation. A tribunal constituted by the Union home ministry to decide on the ban is in Jabalpur and is holding 2-day hearing in MP. MP government presented a list of 22 FIRs filed against SIMI members across 12 districts in the last 4 years. An officer of the rank of additional superintendent of police in Khandwa was made a nodal officer for this purpose. He had submitted his report on an affidavit beffore the tribunal that seeks a further extention of the ban on SIMI. Meanwhile, “10 to 12 people have submitted affidavits in support of lifting the ban on SIMI on ground that the organisation has not been involved in any unlawful activities in the last many years and even those who were arrested have been acquitted by competent courts,” said an advocate at Jabalpur who helped in drafting applications for SIMI supporters. The hearing is being held at Jabalpur. MP ATS had sent letters to SIMI men lodged in Bhopal jail, seeking their representations against the Centre’s decision to extend the ban on their organization. However, none of them including SIMI’s former national general secretary Safdar Nagori, Abu Faisal and 27 other alleged office-bearers of the banned outfit in Bhopal jail have made their representations. They were asked to respond through lawyers within a week. This tribunal will ascertain whether there is sufficient reason to continue with the ban. TOI
Coming 5 ys important like the period 1942-1947: PM Modi in Gujarat
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-pm-modi-amit-shah-rally-surat-fire-lok-sabha-elections-5749382/?fbclid=IwAR1t1ReKpPQnxd9wSYM9GZetHIS1Vrrrswn7dWvInqIJEe3Aw3SW0_vHL18
New Delhi :In his first visit to his home state after BJP’s massive win in the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief on the Surat fire tragedy, in which 22 students were killed, and described the incident as “heartbreaking”.Addressing a public rally in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said, “Surat tragedy was heartbreaking. I was in a dilemma whether to attend the programme or not. One side it was ‘kartavya‘ and on the other side it was ‘karuna‘. Families who lost their children, lost their future.”Comparing the next five years to the period between 1942-1947, Modi said his second term as prime minister would be of “jan bhagidari and jan chetna“. “The coming 5 years will be very important for India, like the period between 1942-1947,” he said.Modi also asserted that 2019 mandate was a pro-incumbency vote and a positive vote.indian express
Budgam helicopter crash | Feel cheated, says family of sergeant on board Mi-17
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/budgam-helicopter-crash-feel-cheated-says-family-of-sergeant-on-board-mi-17/article27241178.ece?fbclid=IwAR1DZ4tq4Qbot_YD0b4sZR7Tiqbi7UA6QBEcslzZkEG23kYbQR8RA53PrsE
Jhajjar:A day after the Feb.26 Balakot air strike, as Indian and Pakistani fighter jets were engaged in combat over the Naushera sector in J&K, news filtered in of an Mi-17 helicopter crashing in Budgam. 6 IAF personnel on board and a civilian were killed; among them was sergeant Vikrant Sherawat. With preliminary probe findings suggesting that the helicopter was shot down by India’s own ground-based air defence systems, Sherawat’s family said they feel cheated over being kept in the dark all these months — IAF officers who brought his remains home had alluded to a “technical fault”.At their house in Bhadani village here, Sherawat’s father Sri Krishan, 62, lies on a wooden bed, anguish writ large on the farmer’s face. “We had the right to know the circumstances in which he died. We don’t understand the politics. But it could be because of the elections that the facts were hidden from us. The way the Pulwama attack was politicised to seek electoral mileage, it seems the matter [friendly fire] was hushed up to avoid embarrassment to the government in election season,” says Krishna.Sherawat’s widow Suman said that a week after the incident, she had stumbled upon an article in a Hindi daily suggesting that the chopper was possibly hit by friendly fire.Kanta Devi, the late sergeant’s mother, said that a couple of his Air Force friends from neighbouring villages had also hinted at it, but advised her to keep silent.The Court of Inquiry probing the incident is expected to submit its report in the next couple of weeks but until a definitive official version is shared with them, all the family has is information through the media.“News reports suggest the senior-most officer among those guilty is being transferred as punishment. I demand that all officers responsible be given strict punishment,” said Devi. thehindu
Ratan Tata to attend RSS function in Nagpur
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/ratan-tata-to-attend-rss-function-in-nagpur-736202.html
New Delhi:Bengaluru and Gurugram are among the top 5 preferred destinations in the Asia Pacific to set up offices by technology companies because of better business conditions as well as the availability of engineers and real estate for growth, according to a report. The report by property consultant CBRE said technology companies continue to fuel office demand in APAC region, despite the absence of any principal city or cluster of the same status as Silicon Valley. Technology sector accounted for 23% of total leasing activity in 2018. The study has ranked 15 cities of Asia Pacific in 3 categories based on their performance with regard to business conditions, innovation environment, and cost and availability. Business conditions and innovation environment were each given a weightage of 40 per cent while cost, a relatively less important consideration for tech firms, was given 20 per cent weightage."Leading cities are Beijing, Bengaluru, Shanghai, Singapore and Gurugram.These cities score highly in terms of business conditions and innovation environment, as well as providing costs and availability that are supportive of business growth," the report said.These cities are preferred destinations for a wide range of traditional and new tech companies seeking to establish a base of operations in Asia Pacific. Hyderabad figures in the list of 5 competent cities along with Hangzhou,Shenzhen,Tokyo, and Seoul.These cities already host tech industry sub-sectors and demonstrate solid performance across most categories. deccanherald
Mahmood Madani sends best wishes to PM Modi for his polls victory
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2019/may/27/muslim-body-sends-best-wishes-to-pm-1982334.html?fbclid=IwAR04Sl1Ha9uHXvOvwFVbtS642IljtIJV1FH16sMz60OsonST-EiHk0wQWFg
New Delhi:Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind congratulated PM Narendra Modi on his second term victory with huge margin in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. In a letter, Jamiat general secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani expressed hope that Modi-led NDA government will pay attention to the development of minorities in terms of education health and employment.On Saturday, the Prime Minister advised BJP MPs to make attempts to reach out to the minorities who have been living in an “imaginary fear”.Welcoming the speech made by the Prime Minister at the Parliament Central Hall, Madani hoped that the message of the Prime Minister would be implemented by the government in full earnestness and promptness across the country.newindianexpress
Owaisi's Dig At Ramdev Over "3rd Child" Remark Involves PM Modi
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asaduddin-owaisi-jabs-ramdev-on-population-control-remark-says-pm-shouldnt-lose-right-to-vote-2043493
New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM, today took a dig at Yoga teacher Ramdev who said that "third child shouldn't be allowed to vote" as part of suggestions to check population.Owaisi, in a sarcastic tweet, slammed Ramdev and said PM Narendra shouldn't "lose his right to vote just because he's the 3rd kid.""There is no law preventing people from saying downright unconstitutional things, but why do Ramdev's ideas receive undue attention?"AIMIM chief, who has also been a constant critic of PM Modi in the past, asked in the same tweet this morning.He also took a dig at Ramdev over his Yoga poses. "That he can do a thing with his stomach or move about his legs shouldn't mean @narendramodi lose his right to vote just because he's the 3rd kid (sic)," Owaisi wrote on Twitter.PM Modi, the third child of Damodardas Modi and Hiraba Modi, was born on Sept.17, 1950 in Gujarat's Vadnagar.Ramdev, at a press conference in Haridwar on Sunday, had said: "India's population should not be more than 150 crores in the next 50 years as we are not prepared or ready to bear more than that."He went to suggest a punitive measure to check population.
Rahul Gandhi insists he will quit, says Congress has to find new chief: Reports
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rahul-gandhi-insists-he-will-quit-says-congress-has-find-new-chief-reports-102500
2 days after Congress Working Committee ‘unanimously rejected’ party President Rahul Gandhi’s offer to reign, it appears that the leader is unlikely to change his mind about stepping down. According to NDTV’s Sunil Prabhu, Rahul Gandhi met with Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Ahmed Patel on Monday and conveyed that the party would have to find a new President as he would not give into pressure to continue in the top post.Telegraph’s Sanjay K Jha also reported that Rahul Gandhi had insisted that the new President should be from outside Congress’ first family, ruling out the idea of his mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Vadra taking over. NDTV areported that despite their initial reluctance regarding his resignation, Sonia and Priyanka later agreed with Rahul. They both were of the opinion that Congress needed ‘a change of guard and a total reset’. One leader who was present at Saturday’s CWC meeting and quoted by Telegraph stated that Rahul had, however, made it clear that he would not be abandoning the party.“The essence of his argument, however, got lost in the concerns over his resignation. He said I am not going anywhere; I am going to fight harder. If you believe in my leadership, I don’t need any post to prove myself,” said the leader, who added that Rahul had said he would carry on with intense political campaigning while a new party chief looked after the organisation’s affairs. It was at Saturday’s CWC meeting that was called to take stock of the poll debacle where Rahul Gandhi took responsibility for the Congress’ defeat in Lok Sabha polls. Following CWC meeting, Congress leader KC Venugopal had confirmed to the media that Rahul had presented his resignation. However, he added, that it had been unanimously rejected by CWC, which had also requested him to restructure party and go in for a complete overhaul.PTI
3 more Congress chiefs send resignations to Rahul Gandhi, 6 have quit so far
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-up-and-odisha-jharkhand-congress-chief-resigns/story-lMAldPcamDDTAARUyJNkHL.html
Chandigarh: 3 more state Congress chiefs resigned on Monday taking ‘moral responsibility’ for party’s poor performance in Lok Sabha elections , days after the PM Modi-led NDA swept to power bagging 352 of 542 seats .These resignations take to six the number of party unit chiefs who have resigned after the its poor show in the Lok Sabah elections -- the others being UP party chief Raj Babbar, Odisha’s Niranjan Patnaik and Ashok Chavan of Maharashtra.Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jhakar emailed his resignation to Rahul Gandhi taking moral responsibility for losing to actor Sunny Deol from Gurdaspur though the party did reasonably well winning 8 of the states 13 seats as compared to 3 seats in 2014. The BJP and its ally SAD won two each.Congress chief in Jharkhand, Ajoy Roy, sent in his resignation taking moral responsibility for the party’s poor show in the state where they won just one of the state’s 14 seats.HT
Month After Quitting Congress, Gujarat MLA Alpesh Thakor Likely to Join BJP
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/month-after-quitting-congress-gujarat-mla-alpesh-thakor-likely-to-join-bjp-2161417.html
Ahmedabad: Gujarat MLA Alpesh Thakor, who had quit the Congress ahead of Lok Sabha election, is likely to join BJP, sources said on Monday.Thakor had resigned from the grand old party in April after his outfit, the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena, gave him a 24-hour ultimatum. His party was said to be unhappy with the local party leadership as their leader was keen to contest from Patan Lok Sabha seat, but the Congress chose former MP Jagdish Thakor over him.Congress had also ignored Thakor Sena's demand for ticket to a member of the outfit from Sabarkantha Lok Sabha seat."Thakor Sena, during the core committee meeting, passed a resolution to severe ties with the Congress. We have not consulted Alpesh Thakor before taking this decision," Jagat Thakor, a member of the outfit, had told reporters in April."After the meet, we told him to make his stand clear within 24 hours. If he wants to remain with the Congress, then he has to leave the Thakor Sena. And if he wants to be with us, then he has to resign from the party and as an MLA," he added. News18
‘Many democratic nations degenerated into dictatorships’: Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Nehru
https://scroll.in/latest/924909/many-democratic-nations-degenerated-into-dictatorships-rahul-gandhi-pays-tribute-to-nehru?fbclid=IwAR3T0CBZBr0xhPHR18uL_BGnJMJkK9-mQJ-1UvVWJjrGduZmLw2ue0FgNVw
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said many democratic nations as young as India have degenerated into dictatorships. He made the comment while paying tribute to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary. It was an apparent jibe at PM Narendra Modi, whom he has described as an “insecure dictator” in the past.Nehru died on May 27, 1964.scroll.in
Days After Poll Results, Lalu Yadav Skipping Lunch In Jail, Says Doctor
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/general-election-results-2019-days-after-poll-results-lalu-prasad-skipping-lunch-in-jail-says-doctor-2043218?fbclid=IwAR1r5OpW9SVMJEhuNWNQwzoAxpYkQgbX1xaFNvc6lc8iEe4W9WDQuxST9As
Ranchi: Jailed former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has been skipping lunch and keeps quiet most of the time after his party suffered a humiliating rout in the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.RJD failed to win any seat in Bihar, once its bastion, and Jharkhand. Despite the Modi wave in 2014, RJD had won four seats from Bihar."Lalu Prasad's routine has changed in the last two to three days. He is having breakfast and dinner but not taking lunch," said Umesh Prasad, the doctor in-charge of the former leader's health at the RIMS in Ranchi.According to doctors, Lalu Prasad, currently serving a 14-year sentence in Jharkhand in a multi-million-rupee fodder scam, is given insulin doses 3 times a day. But since he was not taking his meals on time, the doctors were not being able to administer the doses as they did earlier. IANS
Lok Rajniti Manch support Mayawati’s demand to re-conduct polls using ballot papers
http://twocircles.net/2019may26/431503.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Lok Rajniti Manch, a people’s politics forum have, in their press release, extended their support to Mayawati in her demand to re-conduct polls.They say that the manner in which recently conducted Lok Sabha polls has given an unprecedented one-sided mandate favouring BJP, casts aspersions on electoral process. It appears as if BJP had managed a grip to control all institutions in democracy to get its desired results. We demand that to ensure citizens of India continue to believe in democracy, 100% VVPAT and EVMs data be tallied. If irregularity to large extent is found then as demanded by national leader of BSP Mayawati, entire election be conducted using ballot paper.Dr. Lubna Sarwath, one of the members of the forum said,” The entire electoral process itself has been subverted. In the entire campaign the model code of conduct was broken several times but no action was taken against PM. Even the district official of Latur complained to Election commission against Modi but no notice was sent to him. Moreover the complaint was not even lodged on the Election site where there are nearly 500 complaints.”“PM Modi also made such crude remarks but no notice was issued to him. The party even received such large amounts that everywhere their visibility was in-you-face.”“Further, the law clearly states that a criminal cannot contest elections, but a terror accused has contested elections and even won. She should be disqualified. ” she added.The press statement further says, even the counts of EVM VVPAT do not tally.TCN
India, Pak officials meet, discuss modalities for Kartarpur corridor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pak-officials-meet-discuss-modalities-for-kartarpur-corridor-5750786/
Chandigarh :Officials from Pakistan and India on Monday held a meeting to discuss the modalities for a corridor linking Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur across the border.The meeting lasted for about two hours and a host of issues pertaining to the building of the corridor were discussed, an official said.The meeting took place at the Kartarpur Zero Point.The group from the Indian side had officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Land Ports Authority of India, National Highways Authority of India, among others, the official said.PTI
Youths shoot 3 kids dead over family rivalry
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/youths-shoot-three-kids-dead-over-family-rivalry/articleshow/69499941.cms
Meerut: Angry at not being invited to an iftar party, three youths, in their late twenties, allegedly shot three children of a family dead in Bulandshahr. Bullet-ridden bodies of the children were found floating in the reservoir of a tubewell on Saturday, sending shockwaves in the region. Several used cartridges were found near the crime scene. 3 children have been identified as Abdul (8), Aasma (7) and Aleeba (8). The victims had gone missing on Friday night.Their bodies were found in Dhatoori village under Salempur police station, around 15 km from the spot where they were last seen in Faislabad locality of Bulandshahr. Bodies have been sent for post-mortem.Avdhesh Awasthi, SHO Salempur police station told TOI, “All three have been shot dead. Bullet wounds on the bodies show that they were shot more than once. Bloodstains have been found at various spots near the crime scene.” SSP Bulandshahr N Kolanchi has constituted four teams to crack the case and arrest the culprits. He has also suspended 2 policemen, including SHO of Bulandshahr Kotwali, for negligence. Suspended SHO Dubey, who is yet to be relieved of his charge, said, “An FIR under IPC section 302 (murder) has been filed against Malik and two friends Bilal and Imran. Bilal has been arrested and efforts are on to arrest the remaining two.” Kolanchi said, “Primary investigation has revealed that Malik was miffed at not being invited to an iftar party hosted by the family. The children went missing at 9:30 pm on Friday. No action was taken by the local thana. So, I have suspended station SHO Dhruv Bhushan Dubey and constable Ashok Kumar with immediate effect.” Hafiz Alam, father of Aleeba, had organised the iftar gathering where Malik was not invited. TOI
Saradha chitfund case: Rajeev Kumar seeks seven days’ time to appear before CBI
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/saradha-chitfund-case-rajeev-kumar-seeks-seven-days-time-to-appear-before-cbi/article27261598.ece?homepage=true
Kolkata Senior IPS officer and former Commissioner of Kolkata Police Rajeev Kumar on Monday sent a letter to CBI seeking an extended time of seven days to appear before the agency. On Sunday evening, a group of CBI officers arrived at his residence in South Kolkata and served a notice to him in his absence asking him to appear before the agency on Monday.During the day, a group of officers from West Bengal's CID, which is headed by Kumar, arrived at Central Govt Officers (CGO) complex in Salt Lake and submitted his letter to the agency. It was learnt that in the letter, Mr Kumar said that he was on leave due to personal reasons and sought seven more days to appear before the agency. CBI is keen to question Kumar in connection with the muti-crore Saradha chit fund case, as he has served as head of Special Investigation Team probing the case on a day-to-day basis.thehindu
WORLD
Saudi king invites Qatar's emir to GCC summit in Mecca
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/saudi-king-invites-qatar-emir-gcc-summit-mecca-190526203906436.html?fbclid=IwAR0x1DhNv5CKbZW10tH-oreEa85Yyj_XNTS6riFwyesdaGS8F0H1tnkeh_s
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received an invitation from Saudi King Salman to attend the emergency Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit on May 30, Qatari foreign ministry said. Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani received message while meeting the GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Doha.Earlier this month, King Salman had proposed holding two summits in Mecca at the end of May to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region, according to the SPA. The announcement followed drone attacks on oil installations in the kingdom and attacks on four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the coast of the UAE.aljazeera
Trump says US not seeking 'regime change' in Iran
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/trump-meets-japanese-emperor-trade-concerns-dominate-visit-190527012202887.html
President Donald Trump has said the US is not looking for "regime change" in Iran. He said this on Monday after bilateral talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has offered to broker a dialogue between the two nations."We're not looking for regime change, we're looking for no nuclear weapons," Trump said at a joint press conference in Tokyo on Monday, adding that he believed "we'll make a deal" with Iran.Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen with the US deploying troops to the region, but Trump sought to downplay concerns about military conflict. With Abe at his side, Trump told reporters at Akasaka Palace that "nobody wants to see terrible things happen".Earlier, Trump became the first foreign leader to meet Japan's newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito, on a state visit overshadowed by tensions over trade and policy on North Korea. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greeted Trump at the Imperial Palace in the Japanese capital as part of a formal welcome ceremony that was broadcast live on national television.Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne on May 1, opening what is called the era of "Reiwa" or "beautiful harmony". Trump and Abe spent the weekend playing golf, eating out and watching sumo.aljazeera
Sudan military council chief ends UAE visit amid meddling warning
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/sudan-military-council-chief-ends-uae-visit-meddling-warning-190527072135511.html
The head of Sudan's military council has concluded a visit to the UAE ahead of a general strike called by Sudan's protest movement demanding the council hand over power to civilians.General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. According to Sudanese news reports, Burhan briefed Crown Prince Mohammed on the latest developments in Sudan, including efforts of the council and political forces to reach solutions to the country's political crisis. Crown Prince Mohammed tweeted that he "affirmed the UAE's support in preserving Sudan's security and stability".aljazeera
Cyprus elects first Turkish Cypriot to European Parliament
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/cyprus-elects-turkish-cypriot-european-parliament-190527081235092.html
Cyprus has elected a Turkish Cypriot as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the first time on the ethnically divided island.Niyazi Kizilyurek, a 59-year-old university professor, was among six MEPs elected in Sunday's vote by the majority Greek Cypriot and minority Turkish Cypriot communities that are separated by barbed wire.Kizilyurek, who has been a supporter of the reunification of Cyprus for many years, was on the ticket of the main Greek Cypriot opposition party, the communist Akel.A Greek Cypriot party having a Turkish Cypriot running was unique for Cyprus, as was the stream of 5,600 voters who crossed the UN-patrolled ceasefire line to cast ballots in the government-controlled south.Akel leader Andros Kyprianou thanked Turkish Cypriots who worked with the party saying: "Peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented".aljazeera
Syrian forces pound rebel targets in besieged northwest
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/syrian-forces-pound-rebel-targets-northwest-syria-190526184701969.html
Syrian govt forces pounded positions in the northwest of the country on Sunday as troops on the ground seized a town retaken by rebels days before. The bombardment helped Russian-backed Syrian soldiers capture the small town of Kafr Nabuda in the north of Hama province, the third time it has changed hands in the latest offensive, sources on both sides said. Syrian state SANA said Kafr Nabuda town was taken from fighters led by Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham group.A spokesman for one of the rebel formations in the area, Turkey-backed National Liberation Front, confirmed government forces had recaptured Kafr Nabuda after eight-hours of heavy bombardment, Reuters said.aljazeera
Myanmar Grants Early Release to Soldiers Jailed for Killing Rohingya Muslims in 2017
https://thewire.in/south-asia/myanmar-grants-early-release-to-soldiers-jailed-for-killing-rohingya-muslims-in-2017
Yangon: Myanmar has granted early release to seven soldiers jailed for the killing of ten Rohingya Muslim men and boys during a 2017 military crackdown in the western state of Rakhine, 2 prison officials, two former fellow inmates and one of the soldiers told Reuters.The soldiers were freed in November last year, the two inmates said, meaning that they served less than one year of their 10-year prison terms for the killings at Inn Din village.They also served less jail time than the two Reuters reporters who uncovered the killings. The journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, spent more than 16 months behind bars on charges of obtaining state secrets. The two were released in an amnesty on May 6.Win Naing, the chief warden at Rakhine’s Sittwe Prison, and a senior prison official in the capital, Naypyitaw, confirmed that the convicted soldiers had not been in prison for some months.Reuters
Nepal on high alert for general strike after explosions
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/nepal-high-alert-general-strike-explosions-190527071219627.html
Security forces in Nepal have been on high alert amid a general strike on Monday called by an outlawed communist group suspected in a series of explosions that killed four people and wounded seven more in the capital.Two vehicles were burned in Makawanpur district southeast of the Nepali capital, while schools and main markets remained closed in Kathmandu, according to local media. Normal life has been affected across the country as the Maoist splinter group, which calls itself the Communist Party of Nepal, enforced the strike.There was no immediate claim of responsibility but police said they suspected involvement of the splinter group, whose pamphlets were found in a house where one of the explosions took place on Sunday.Police arrested 12 members of the banned outfit in connection with the blasts, according to Bishwa Raj Pokharel, a police spokesman. The Maoist splinter group was banned in March and many of its members were arrested.aljazeera
Sisi regime puts thousands of Egyptians on death row:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sisi-regime-puts-thousands-of-egyptians-on-death-row-tv35mjd2x
More than 2,440 people have been sentenced to death in Egypt since President Sisi began a crackdown on opposition after coming to power six years ago, according to new figures.Most were convicted and sentenced in mass trials of more than 15 defendants. The campaign group Reprieve, which compiled the figures, called it a human rights crisis.There were five trials in which more than 75 people were sentenced to death at the same time. Among them were at least ten minors. Ahmed Saddouma was 17 when he was accused of taking part in “terrorist acts” in 2015, and was given a death penalty in a mass trial last year.thetimes.co.uk
Palestine welcomes Czech move on Jerusalem
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/palestine-welcomes-czech-move-on-jerusalem/1490165
RAMALLAH:Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Monday welcomed the Czech Republic's rejection to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In a statement, the ministry lauded the Czech "commitment to international resolutions and international law". On Saturday, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis reiterated rejection to relocate his country's embassy in Israel, citing that the move would contradict with the stances of the EU and UN. Last year, Czech President Milos Zeman promised a relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem during a speech before the Israeli Knesset (parliament). Israel has been trying to convince world countries to transfer their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Israel: Likud’s minister urges bill to disperse Knesset
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-likud-s-minister-urges-bill-to-disperse-knesset/1489811
Israeli ministers announced that they will submit a bill to dissolve the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and call for new elections unless a government is formed within three days. Likud MK Miki Zohar, the chairman of the House Committee, tweeted the draft bill earlier in the day to dissolve the Knesset.The decision to seek the dissolution of parliament later in the week was made at a meeting of Likud ministers. Zohar told Channel 12.The vote will go for a first and second reading on Monday, while the final vote will be on Wednesday as the deadline for forming a coalition expires.The move is an escalation from the Likud to force Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman to back down from his demand to pass the so called ultra-orthodox "draft law".Anadolu Agency
Israel releases former Arab MK after 2 years in prison
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-releases-former-arab-mk-after-2-years-in-prison/1490225
Jerusalem :Israeli authorities on Monday released former Arab member of Knesset (Israel's parliament), Basel Ghattas, after two years in prison. In April 2017, Ghattas was sentenced to two years in prison after he was convicted of smuggling cell phones to imprisoned Hamas members. According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Ghattas had signed a plea deal -- following lengthy negotiations between his lawyers and the Israeli state prosecutor's office -- under which he served two years behind bars. Anadolu Agency
Flash: views & NEWS
Harsh Mander’s open letter on 2019 results: A savage summer, a merciless drought
https://scroll.in/article/924758/harsh-manders-open-letter-on-2019-results-a-savage-summer-a-merciless-drought?fbclid=IwAR1SCsRq1fWWpwHWJtx_lffvVtuldNxfoTzu1Li6zQX6Tum5-ap1RWVrRTE
India’s Muslims quiver in the new dawn of an emboldened Narendra Modi:Michael Safi
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/26/india-muslims-narendra-modi-bjp-new-dawn?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR31wHe1WHDm5kUWMIgTBLBCDIHGMePdXp21aHUMHwqLkoPU6YV0h5RuOdU
Why the BJP’s Hindutva Experiment Failed in Kerala:Anoop Sadanandan
https://thewire.in/politics/elections-2019-results-kerala-bjp-hindutva
‘Modi’s win will see India’s soul lost to a dark politics,’ says ‘The Guardian’ editorial
https://scroll.in/latest/924554/modis-win-will-see-indias-soul-lost-to-a-dark-politics-says-the-guardian-editorial?fbclid=IwAR3njJSkSXjz-V3hfh90MD77CI6NSpQqfEOQ9BYUpaUOmZDlyWWmX4SOSlw
The mayor who wears a hijab: Cllr Rakhia Ismail, UK's first Somali-born female mayor
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-48401923/the-mayor-who-wears-a-hijab?SThisFB&fbclid=IwAR3R6Bkp3ZfDUmObshdM63KsChMxtiTH9Eug-gAjgOwx6qLg-MmXQn1akiw
Minorities must repose trust in Constitution, majority must recognise them as equal stakeholders:Tahir Mahmood
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/keep-the-faith-pm-modi-lok-sabha-election-results-minorities-in-india-muslims-dalits-5749490/
3 Factors That Led to BJP's Impressive Gains in West Bengal:Deepankar Basu and Debarshi Das
https://thewire.in/politics/election-results-2019-bjp-west-bengal
Are Muslims’ indirectly helping in making India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’?Hem Raj Jain
http://twocircles.net/2019may26/431499.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Congress must realise it can’t fight an ideological battle through policy:Yamini Aiyar
https://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/the-congress-must-realise-it-can-t-fight-an-ideological-battle-through-policy/story-76mcoeM4YHTP44GRkAG2QI.html?fbclid=IwAR3RJJUHRFPrUFgRIUyBtOll65iK7kqZXkZwYw8zGEgwOGOanzBsO4gto0g
Are we on the path to a Hindu Rashtra?Ashutosh Varshney
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-bjp-rahul-gandhi-lok-sabha-elections-2019-5749518/
Spoiler alert: Because we don’t need to know what comes next: Kaif Siddiqui
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/game-of-thrones-marvel-avengers-endgame-spoilers-5749531/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:05 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment