NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
01 June 2019: 26 Ramazan 1440:Vol: 11, No:215
INDIA
US move unfortunate, says India as Trump ends $5.6 billion trade preferential trade status
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-move-unfortunate-says-india-as-trump-ends-preferential-trade-status-2046416
New Delhi:India will "always uphold its national interest" in trade matters as "our people also aspire for better standards of living", the Govt said today in response to US President Donald Trump ending India's designation as a beneficiary nation under a key preferential trade programme."India as part of our bilateral trade discussions, had offered resolution on significant US requests in an effort to find a mutually acceptable way forward. It is unfortunate that this did not find acceptance by US," Govt said in a statement. Generalised System of Preference (GSP) is the largest and oldest US trade preference programme and is designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from designated beneficiary countries."I have determined that India has not assured the US that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets. Accordingly, it is appropriate to terminate India's designation as a beneficiary developing country effective June 5, 2019," said Trump on Friday, ignoring requests made by several top American lawmakers to reverse the decision as it may harm American businesses.In a statement, the Coalition for GSP executive director Dan Anthony said Trump's decision will cost American businesses over $300 million in additional tariffs every year, PTI reported. Under GSP programme, nearly 2,000 products including auto components and textile materials can enter the US duty-free if the beneficiary developing countries meet the eligibility criteria established by US Congress.India was the largest beneficiary of programme in 2017 with $5.7 billion in imports to US given duty-free status,according to Congressional Research Service report in Jan.NDTV
India's economic growth falls to 5.8%, Behind China; unemployment at 45-yr high
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gdp-growth-falls-to-5-8-in-january-march-quarter-slowest-in-five-years/articleshow/69598816.cms
India's GDP (gross domestic product) growth for Jan-March (Q4) quarter slowed to 5.8% from 6.6% in the previous (Oct-Dec) quarter,Govt data showed on Friday. This is the slowest GDP growth rate in 5 years, due to poor performance in agricultural and manufacturing sectors.The previous low was 6.4% in 2013-14. Meanwhile, India's unemployment rate rose to 6.1% in 2017/18 fiscal year, according to data released by the statistics ministry.The announcement of GDP figures meant that India lost its place as world's fastest-growing major economy to China, which is currently on 6.4% growth.Central Statistics Office (CSO) also revealed that GDP growth during 2018-19 fiscal stood at 6.8%, lower than 7.2% in the previous financial year. Confirming unemployment rate projected in a pre-election leaked report, Govt on Friday said joblessness in the country was 6.1% of total labour force during 2017-18, the highest in 45 years. The data released by the labour ministry, on a day when Modi 2.0 Cabinet took charge, showed 7.8% of all employable urban youth being jobless, while the percentage for the rural was 5.3 %.The joblessness among male on all India basis was 6.2% , while it was 5.7 % in case of females. TOI
First day of Sitharaman as Fin Min: RBI admits Indian economy isn’t fast growing, it’s crawling
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/economy/first-day-of-nirmala-sitharaman-as-fin-min-rbi-admits-indian-economy-isnt-fast-growing-its-crawling
Amit Shah, Rajnath assume office today, GDP at 5-yr low, unemployment at a 45-yr high
https://www.firstpost.com/india/daily-bulletin-amit-shah-rajnath-singh-to-assume-office-today-gdp-at-five-year-low-unemployment-at-a-45-yr-high-days-top-stories-6738391.html
Amid much speculation and anticipation, the portfolios of the Cabinet ministers of Narendra Modi's second term as PM were announced on Friday. BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday took charge as the 30th Union Home Minister at a time when the country is facing terrorism, secessionism and Maoist insurgency challenges.The former Home Minister Rajnath Singh got the defence ministry. Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed as the Finance Minister, making her the first woman to be a full-time Finance Minister. She will also be the Minister of Corporate Affairs.Former foreign secretary-turned-minister S Jaishankar got External Affairs ministry while Smriti Irani was given the charge of the Women and Child Development Minister along with retaining Textile Ministry, according to an official communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.Nitin Gadkari will continue to be the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, while Piyush Goyal has been given the charge of the ministries of Railways and Commerce. Ravi Shankar Prasad will also continue to helm the Ministry of Law, Telecom as well as IT Ministries. The Budget Session of the Parliament is scheduled to be held from 17 June to 26 July. Sitharaman, as Finance Minister in NDA-II govt, will present Modi 2.0 govt's maiden Budget that should look to take out the country from slowing growth, create jobs, attract investments and tackle banking sector woes.Sitharaman, on her first day in office, was greeted by GDP growth rate slowing down to a 5-year low, and unemployment rate rising to 45 year high. firstpost.com
Modi govt to present FY20 Union Budget on July 5
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/modi-government-to-present-fy20-budget-on-july-5/articleshow/69601534.cms
Modi sarkar 2.0 has 22 ministers with criminal cases, Harsimrat Badal richest Union minister
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modi-sarkar-2-0-has-22-ministers-with-criminal-cases-harsimrat-badal-richest-union-minister-1539887-2019-06-01
New Delhi:Of 57 ministers inducted in Narendra Modi-led NDA govt-2, 22 (39%) have declared criminal cases against themselves according to the self-sworn affidavits filed by the ministers. Of these, 16 ministers in the newly formed Cabinet have serious criminal cases registered against them.Serious criminal cases include terrorism, treason, arson, murder, rape, robbery, burglary, communal disharmony, electoral violations, and kidnapping, among others. 6 ministers - Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Babul Supriyo, Giriraj Singh, Nityanand Rai, Amit Shah and Pralhad Joshi - have declared cases related to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony (IPC Section-153A) and deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs (IPC Section-295A).indiatoday
Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on a plea seeking committee to draft Uniform Civil Code
https://scroll.in/latest/925459/delhi-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-on-a-plea-seeking-judicial-commission-to-draft-uniform-civil-code
The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Centre and the Law Commission on a petition seeking to constitute a judicial commission or a high-level expert committee to draft a Uniform Civil Code, Bar and Bench reported.A division bench of CJI Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi issued the notice after hearing a plea filed by lawyer and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petitioner said the code should be formed after considering the best practices of all religions, sects, civil laws of developed countries, and international conventions. It should then be published online for at least 60 days for extensive public debate and feedback, the petitioner said.The court, as an alternative, can also direct the Law Commission to draft the code in spirit of Article 44 of the Constitution within three months, Upadhyay said in his petition.In his petition, BJP leader noted that the Directive Principles of State Policy in Constitution are “affirmative instructions from the ultimate sovereign to the State authorities”. These directives aim to secure social, economic and political justice for all citizens as well as the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, he added. Lawyer said the objective to Article 44, which says the state shall endeavour to provide citizens a uniform civil code, is to promote fraternity, unity and national integration as it assumes there is no connection between religion and personal laws in a civilised society. Article 44 does not to encroach upon religious liberties guaranteed under Article 25, Upadhyay added.The matter will be next heard on July 8. scroll.in
Delhi HC Issues Notice To Centre, Law Commission On A Plea For Uniform Civil Code
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-law-commission-on-a-plea-for-uniform-civil-code-read-petition-145380
‘No proof that Easter bombers visited India’: Sri Lanka president
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-proof-that-easter-bombers-visited-india-sri-lanka-president/story-FGfSlrFey0MdApO2PlZbKJ.html
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said he had not received any report from the country’s security agencies that the suicide bombers behind the Easter Sunday attacks had travelled to India.“I have not received any reports which say that they have travelled to India. My officers have not reported any connection to India up to now,” Sirisena told a news conference at which he spoke in Sinhala.His remarks were in contrast to comments by Sri Lanka Army chief, Lt Gen Mahesh Senanayake, during an interview with BBC earlier this month. Senanayake said some bombers responsible for the attacks had travelled to Kashmir, Kerala and Bengaluru either for training or to establish links with other organisations.Sirisena, who was in Delhi for PM Narendra Modi’s swearing-in along with other leaders from member states of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec), said he was not informed by Sri Lanka’s defence chiefs about an alert sent by Indian intelligence agencies more than a fortnight before the April 21 bombings.Noting that he was in Singapore at the time of the attacks, Sirisena said a “clear report” had been sent on April 4 by Indian intelligence agencies to their Sri Lankan counterparts about a possible attack. Letters and correspondence were exchanged between the defence secretary and inspector general of police on this issue, he said.“I was in Sri Lanka from April 4 to April 16…However, none of the defence chiefs informed me about the receipt of such intelligence. Had I known of this possibility, I would never have left the country…That is why I have taken action to remove the defence secretary and inspector general of police,” he added.HT
Pratap Sarangi, New Minister, Led Bajrang Dal When Graham Staines Was Burnt Alive With His Sons
http://caravandaily.com/pratap-sarangi-new-indian-minister-led-bajrang-dal-when-graham-staines-was-burnt-alive-with-his-sons/
New Delhi:When PM Narendra Modi’s new cabinet was sworn-in,the loudest applause and cheers were reserved for a little-known, frail-looking man from Orissa, now Odisha, called Pratap Chandra Sarangi. 64-year old Sarangi had been virtually unknown outside Orissa, until he became a so-called social media hero this week with many BJP supporters cheering for his rags-to-riches political success and extraordinary story as BJP’s new Member of Parliament from Balasore in Orissa. However, belying his newfound social media celebrity, Sarangi has a controversial and divisive past. As a BBC report a day later pointed out, “Sarangi was the leader of Bajrang Dal when a Hindu mob brutally killed Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines and his two children in 1999.”Indeed, Staines and his two children were burnt alive by Sarangi’s close aide and associate Dara Singh in their jeep, sending shockwaves across the world, including the West.While everyone including the Christians saw the Bajrang Dal and Dara Singh as responsible for the horrific killings, an official inquiry incredibly found no evidence that any one group had been behind the attack. After a lengthy trial, Dara Singh and 12 others were convicted in 2003. But the high court in Orissa commuted a death sentence for Singh two years later.It also freed 11 others who were given life terms in prison, suggesting there was not “enough evidence” to support their convictions.Caravan News
‘You will be missed’: Netizens emotional as Sushma Swaraj says goodbye to MEA
https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/netizens-emotional-as-sushma-swaraj-says-goodbye-to-mea-5760054/
New Delhi :Sushma Swaraj not being part of the second Modi Cabinet has left many sad online.The new set of cabinet ministers under Modi govt took charge of their respective portfolios on Friday, a day after the swearing-in ceremony. But amid all the celebrations, people of India were sad to see Sushma Swaraj being dropped from the cabinet. As she bid goodbye and thanked the PM for giving her the opportunity to serve the nation for the last five years, people turned emotional online.While Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was given the charge of her ministry, people went down memory lane to remember numerous instances when she offered assistance to people, often going beyond the call of duty.indianexpress
Congress demand explanation from EC after website claims EVM vote count mismatch in over 370 seats
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/website-claims-evm-vote-count-mismatch-in-more-than-370-seats-ec-pulls-down-data-from-website/250073/
A report by the news website The Quint claimed that its investigation had found ‘serious discrepancies’ in 373 constituencies that went to polls in the first four phases of the election. The website said it did not delve into vote counts of the last three phases of the parliamentary elections. What’s even more serious is that Election Commission, according to the website, removed the data from its website eciresults.nic.in after news portal contacted the national poll body seeking clarifications. Constituencies where the mismatch were found included Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram, Dharmapuri and Sriperumbudur and Mathura in UP. These 4 seats recorded the highest number of mismatch in votes. BJP’s Hema Malini won from the Mathura parliamentary seat. Bihar’s Aurangabad seat too allegedly reported a mismatch in EVM votes.The website reported, “Early on 27 May, The Quint had emailed the EC questions on the discrepancies in all 373 constituencies. An EC officer even contacted us saying that they will send a reply soon. By afternoon, on the same day, we found that the ticker mentioning “final voter turnout” mysteriously disappeared from the EC’s website eciresults.nic.in.” Former Election Commission OP Rawat was quoted as saying, “Prima facie, it appears to be a serious issue. I am not aware of any such occurrence (where votes polled didn’t match with votes counted) in the past, that is, during my tenure as chief election commissioner.” Reacting to the story, the Congress wrote, “Elections are the one chance the people have to hold govts accountable, people should have confidence in the system. There has been a consistent mismatch between the number of votes cast & EVM vote count, EC must explain these discrepancies.”jantakareporter
Mamata accuses BJP of manipulating EVMs, proposes mass movement
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/mamata-accuses-bjp-of-manipulating-evms-proposes-mass-movement
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has held her party Trinamool Congress' core committee meeting where she accused the BJP of manipulating the EVMs in the Lok Sabha polls and asked her party members to initiate a mass movement against it, a Trinamool Congress source said.She questioned how BJP President Amit Shah and PM Modi were so confident about getting 300-plus seats even before the election had ended, the source said.Urging the party leaders and activists not to lose their heart over the results of 2019 polls, which saw the BJP making stunning inroads in Bengal by winning 18 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats, Banerjee said the party will spring back in the future elections. TMC supremo, who had announced the formation of 'Jai Hind Vahini' and 'Banga Janani Vahini' by the party's youth and women workers on Thursday to counter the rise of RSS and BJP in the state, also named the party leaders who would head the groups during Friday's meeting.IANS
‘Hyderabad safe zone for terror’: MoS Reddy stands firm on comments, Owaisi calls it unfortunate
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hyderabad-safe-zone-for-terror-mos-reddy-stands-firm-on-comments-owaisi-calls-it-irresponsible-5760155/
New Delhi :A day after claiming that Hyderabad is a safe zone for ‘terrorists’, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy stood firm on his statement saying he didn’t say anything wrong, ANI reported. “There are places in a country where terror activities are on a rise. If an incident takes place in Bengaluru, Bhopal, its roots are traced to Hyderabad. State police, NIA have arrested terrorists in Hyderabad every 2-3 months. I didn’t say anything wrong,” Reddy was quoted as saying by ANI.Reddy had said, “Wherever in the country, a terrorist incident happens, its roots are in Hyderabad. Supporters of terrorists will be permanently eliminated. Our main goal is the country’s integrity, unity, and security.” He further added, “India is not dharma satram (free place to stay) for everyone; we will conduct a census to find out who are Indians and who are intruders in the country.”Reacting to Reddy’s comments, AIMIM leader Asadduddin Owaisi called it ‘unfortunate’ and said, “An MoS speaking like this! This shows their hatred for Telangana, Hyderabad. Such irresponsible statements don’t suit a minister, but we expect this from him. Wherever they see Muslims, they take them for terrorists. We can’t cure them.”indianexpress
Muslims aren’t tenants, constitutional rights can’t be denied: Owaisi
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muslims-aren-t-tenants-constitutional-rights-can-t-be-denied-owaisi/story-PzrS1aAkWzwFlFdKNMtDXI.html
‘We will rise again,’ Sonia to Congress MPs at parliamentary party meet
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-elected-congress-parliamentary-party-leader/story-pg7GRrRs4IgVXk61h3nszL.html
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi who was elected leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) at a meeting of party MPs at the Central Hall of Parliament on Saturday rallied her battered party saying it will rise again.The parliamentary party meeting to elect the leader of the Congress was held a week after its president Rahul Gandhi announced his decision to quit the post following the drubbing in the recent general election that saw Modi-led NDA storming to power with 352 of 542 seats polled.The meeting of the newly-elected Congress Lok Sabha MPs took place ahead of the Parliament session beginning on June 17. Congress Rajya Sabha MPs and 52 newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs attended the meeting.Sonia Gandhi is also the chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party in both Houses. Addressing MPs she said decisive measures to strengthen the party are on the anvil.HT
Full digitalisation of Waqf properties record, GI tagging for same : Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/full-digitalisation-of-waqf-properties-record-gi-tagging-for-same-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi20190531194028/
New Delhi: Soon after taking charge as Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that there would be 100% digitalization of the record related to waqf properties and Geographical Indication mapping of all Waqf properties."There would be 100 % digitalization of the records of Waqf properties. Further, we will launch a programme on war footing for the GI mapping of all waqf properties," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.He said that "3E" (Education, Employment and Empowerment) would be his priority with special focus on education of girl child."We will focus on 3E i.e. Education, Employment and Empowerment. For the education of girls large scale programmes would be launched, scholarships will be provided, ITI's, polytechnics and several other institutes for imparting training would be developed,"said he.ANI
Airspace restrictions lifted, 11 points opened for Pak
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/airspace-restrictions-lifted-11-points-opened-for-pakistan/story-zN3CNBtVLLqu3A5nxgiW9M.html
India has removed restrictions on its airspace along the Pakistan border. According to a senior official of the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), the 11 entry and exit points for Pakistan were opened on Friday afternoon and International Civil Aviation Organisation(ICAO) was informed about it.“However, flights will be able to use the airspace only when Pakistan also opens the airspace from its side. We have informed ICAO and now they will hold consultations with Pakistan.The day Pakistan decides to remove restrictions,flight operations will resume,”official added. According to a senior official of IAF, temporary restrictions were in place on the direction of IAF.HT
J&K: 5 including 4 militants killed in two separate encounters in Valley
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-five-including-four-militants-killed-in-two-separate-encounters-in-valley-5759589/
Srinagar :4 militants were killed on Friday by security forces in two separate encounters across the Valley, the J&K police said.While two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) operatives were gunned down in an encounter in Shopian district, two others – whose identity and affiliation is yet to be ascertained – were killed in Pulwama. A third body was found after the Shopian encounter however, while locals claimed he was a civilian, security forces said he belonged to the same HM group.Confirming the Shopian encounter, A J&K Police spokesperson said security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the Sugan area of Shopian on Friday morning, following inputs about the presence of militants.Officials said the encounter broke out around 4.10 am.“In the ensuing encounter, 02 listed terrorists along with the other one who was part of this group were killed,” the police spokesperson, said.In the evening, the police spokesperson said Jasim “is also identified as a local militant, who had joined the terror group recently.”Regarding the Pulwama encounter the spokesperson said it took place in the Midoora area of Awantipora. “In the ensuing encounter, 2 militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved. Their identities and affiliation are being ascertained.”indian express
Mirwaiz to PM: Accept peace offer from Imran Khan
https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/010619/mirwaiz-to-pm-accept-peace-offer-from-imran-khan.html
Srinagar: Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged the new Govt at the Centre to accept Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s renewed offer of holding dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.He said that the Hurr-iyat Conference, the am-algam of Kashmiri separatist parties, would support the move and all other peace initiatives that may lead to an amicable resolution of the Kashmir dispute.The Mirwaiz while speaking at Jumat-ul-Wida (the last Friday of Ramzan) congregation at Srinagar’s historic Grand Mosque said, “Imran Khan’s repeated offer of dialogue on all issues between India and Pakistan including Kashmir should be seriously considered by the new dispensation in New Delhi headed by PM Nare-ndra Modi as the way forward.”Later while speaking to this correspondent, the Mirwaiz said that peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue could transform both India and Pakistan and usher in a new era of stability and progress in South Asia and put an end to the bloodshed in J&K . Reiterating that the Hurriyat Conference would support all the peace initiatives that are aimed at a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, he said, “We in the Hurriyat Conference have endorsed and actively supported all the initiatives that were taken in the past by the governments of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh to resolve the issues with Pakistan and here in J&K .”ASIAN AGE
Muslim man in MP abused, beaten, paraded for asking for box of mobile phone, claims hate crime; police term it 'scuffle'
https://www.firstpost.com/india/muslim-man-in-mp-abused-beaten-paraded-for-asking-for-box-of-mobile-phone-claims-religion-based-hate-police-term-it-scuffle-6735561.html
Rajgarh: Just less than a week after the horrific incident of hate crime in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district where a Hindu man was beaten and forced to thrash his Muslim friends, including a woman, another alleged hate crime related incident surfaced in the state’s Rajgarh district recently.A 20-year-old Muslim youth was beaten up and verbally abused by a group of men belonging to another religion on 28 May. Victim identified as Sameer Ullah, a resident of village Kotri-Kalan in Kurawar town of Rajgarh district, had gone to buy a new mobile phone at a shop run by Rinku Mishra. According to Sameer, after buying the phone, he asked Rinku for the box of the phone, and that's when things turned ugly as Rinku with some of his friends started hurling communal abuses at him. The argument turned violent soon as Rinku and three of his friends beat Sameer viciously. Sameer was beaten with batons and empty cold drink bottles.Sameer is recuperating at a private hospital in the state capital of Bhopal, where he was referred to by the Rajgarh Civil Hospital. Sameer sustained serious injuries on his head and limbs."I had demanded the right cover box of the mobile phone I purchased. When I told them my name for writing in the receipt, they mocked me and started making religion-specific remarks and when I protested, they started beating me up,” said Sameer when this reporter met him at the hospital.Sameer also claimed that he was robbed of Rs 76,000, which he had got after selling crops, by the attackers.Hateem Khan, Sameer’s cousin alleged that his brother was "paraded and beaten across Kurawar like police takes procession of criminals"."He had just reached to buy a new mobile phone and Rinku started hurling religion-specific abuses at him when he demanded the right box of the new handset," claims Khan.Sameer was beaten with batons, cold drink bottles and belts inside and outside the shop. He tried to run away, but they chased him down.Pradeep Sharma, SP, Rajgarh district said, "Sameer Ullah had himself reached the Kurawar police station to lodge the FIR. The scuffle started over the box of the mobile phone and it was Sameer Ullah who first slapped Rinku. Following which, Rinku and others thrashed him.”"I don’t think it’s a case of mob lynching and was just a scuffle as Sameer himself had reached the police station to lodge a complaint," Sharma added.firstpost
Telangana: Cops intervene to end social boycott of Muslims, others in Nizamabad
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/310519/nizamabad-cops-intervene-to-end-social-boycott.html
Nizamabad: Social boycott of around 1,200 families of the Padmashali, Goud and Muslim communities in Balkonda mandal in Nizamabad district has sparked a controversy. The Village Development Committee (VDC) ordered social boycott of these families a fortnight ago for not abiding by its rules.The VDC warned the villagers that they would have to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000 if they violated the social boycott. As a result, the villagers of Balkonda would not speak to the Padmashali (weaver),Goud (toddy tapper) and Muslim families, avoided visiting their shops, or doing business with them, and tenants belonging to these communities were told to vacate their houses by the owners within 10 days.A police team led by Armoor ACP counselled both groups on Wednesday evening. They also organised an Ifthar party for both Muslims and Hindus at Jama Masjid in Balkonda. Commissioner of police Kartikeya said that pro-active and sincere efforts of the police convinced the VDC members to withdraw the social boycott.At present the situation in Balkonda is peaceful, he said. Self-styled VDC activists created tension in Balkonda and friendly policing yielded good results, he said. Land disputes had led to the social boycott of 3 communities.Deccan Chronicle
Social boycott imposed against Muslims in Telangana village over land dispute
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/social-boycott-imposed-against-muslims-telangana-village-over-land-dispute-102706
Madurai : 3 injured in communal clash near Silaiman
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/3-injured-in-communal-clash-near-silaiman/articleshow/69604820.cms
Madurai: 3 sustained cut injuries when a group of people from another community attacked them using sharp lethal weapons near Silaiman in Madurai district on Thursday night. While the injured were hospitalized, a search for the accused was underway. The injured people were identified as S Balamurugan, 23, C Vasanth, 23, and G Rajkumar, 27, from S Puliangulam village. According to police sources around five friends were sitting in a public place and were watching a video on a mobile phone. While they laughed out loudly in a chorus while watching the video, one A Athivalavan, 35, who passed through the side on his two-wheeler mistook them for teasing him.He called up his friends Thavamani, Mahabarathi, Mahaprabhu and Ajith.They reached the spot armed with sharp weapons and started attacking opponent gang and escaped in no time. TOI
UP: 4 beaten up for ‘eating beef’, 7 youth booked
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttar-pradesh-4-beaten-up-for-eating-beef-7-youth-booked-5759511/
4 labourers were allegedly beaten up by a group of youths who claimed that they were ‘eating beef’ in Bareilly district. A purported video of the incident, which occurred Wednesday, showing a group assaulting the labourers with belts while they were eating under the shade of a tree went viral on social media. The suspects can be heard asking the labourers why they were “eating meat in the open and if the meat was beef.” In the video, labourers are heard saying that it was buffalo meat, but youths continue attacking them.Police took cognizance of the incident and registered an FIR against 4 identified persons and 3 unidentified persons.indianexpress
Man sets teenage girl afire in Meerut, incident triggers communal tension
https://www.news18.com/news/india/man-sets-teenage-girl-afire-in-meerut-incident-triggers-communal-tension-2167469.html
Meerut: A 14-year-old girl is battling for life after being allegedly set on fire in UP's Meerut district by a man who was upset over a past relationship between his sister and the victim's brother, police said.The attack created tension between the Hindu and Muslim communities at a village in Daurala area, 15 km north of Meerut city, as the victim and the accused belong to two different communities, the police said. The man poured a bottle of kerosene over the girl while she was sleeping on the rooftop of her house with her parents on Wednesday night. The girl suffered 80 % burns and first taken to a district hospital and then referred to a hospital in Delhi, an officer said.The police have registered a case but are yet to make an arrest. The youth presented himself before the police, claiming innocence, Daurala Circle Officer Jitendra Kumar said.PTI
Hindu names commonplace in Maharashtra's Tadvi Bhil Muslims, community of doctor who commit suicide
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hindu-names-commonplace-in-maharashtra-s-tadvi-bhil-muslims-119053000675_1.html
The suicide of 26-year-old doctor Payal Tadvi, allegedly due to casteist slurs by three seniors, has put the spotlight on Hindu names commonly used in Tadvi Bhil Muslim tribal community, found in parts of Maharashtra. Tadvi community is listed under Scheduled Tribes and is also found in pockets of Rajasthan, Gujarat and MP.Payal belonged to Tadvi Bhil Muslim community. Gynaecology PG student had secured admission in a state-run medical college and hospital in Mumbai last year through a reserved category seat. Tadvi Bhils are a sub-caste of the Bhil community and among them, those who adopted Islam are known as Tadvi Bhil Muslims, said a social activist from Payal's home district Jalgaon. Jalgaon has over 60,000 Tadvi Muslims.Asked about the tribal community following Islam as religion, he said, "It is very interesting in our part that many newborn boys and girls have names not typically from Islam or a particular book.You will find many young boys and girls having Hindu names as well.Names like Sagar and Sameer are quite common in Tadvi community following Islam." However, they are not so rigid while practicing Islam and also retain aspects of Hindu culture, he said.PTI
Bareilly: Commotion at Chowki Crossing’s mosque before alvida namaz
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/commotion-at-chowki-crossings-mosque-before-alvida-namaz/articleshow/69603630.cms
Bareilly: A state of commotion prevailed before the beginning of Alvida namaz at Chowki Crossing mosque as police on Friday did not allow worshippers visiting the mosque to block the road. According to police, they have been receiving complaints about worshippers blocking the road by parking their vehicles around the mosque for namaz, affecting traffic for over an hour. As rumour of police denying worshippers offering namaz at the mosque spread here, members of the mosque committee met SP(city) Abhinandan Singh and the matter was sorted out. Later, worshippers offered namaz, but they did not block the entire road. Namaz was, however, started 40 minutes after the scheduled time. SP said, “We have been receiving complaints from commuters that worshippers block the road from both sides for namaz. They should offer namaz, but the entire stretch should not be blocked as there is heavy flow of traffic at Chowki Crossing. We spoke to the committee members and lifted the blockage.” Umar Qadri, whose father Hasan Qadri is mutavali (caretaker) of the mosque, said, “A rumour was spread here that police had denied permission to offer namaz here. Police had, however, only asked us not to block the entire stretch and we agreed to it, because we do not want to cause inconvenience to anyone.” Timesofindia
Lucknow:Non-Muslims to forge peace with roza, social media gets ball rolling
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/non-muslims-to-forge-peace-with-roza-social-media-gets-ball-rolling/articleshow/69591105.cms
When Lucknow native Meha Dhondhiyal posted on her social media account that she would observe a roza on the last Friday of Ramzan, her announcement snowballed into a movement joined by several non-Muslims making the same pitch. Alvida Juma, or last Friday of Ramzan, is regarded as an auspicious day. A thought that germinated through social media has now spread in several cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. In Lucknow, many are ready to fast for a day as a gesture to stand together with Muslim friends. In her post, Meha had written, "Friends, I am going to keep an alvida roza just express my solidarity with traditions of Muslim friends." (sic) "In times when polarisation and hate speeches are taking the centrestage, this is my way to expressing solidarity with Muslims. I want to purify my soul especially after the xenopheboic elections the country just witnessed," Meha said. She also asked if other non-Muslim friends were interested and the chorus grew louder.TOI
SC relief for woman who married a Muslim
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-relief-for-woman-who-married-a-muslim/story-r9nlJ9cdJHzLb1YBvL9ObJ.html
The Supreme Court has put on hold a Chhattisgarh High Court order directing a 23-year-old woman to undergo a psychiatric test because she married a Muslim man against the wishes of her family.A vacation bench led by Justice MR Shah earlier this week stayed the high court’s May 15 order, directing it to give a fresh hearing to the petitioner Anjali. The top court said the HC had not heard Anjali personally before directing her to subject herself to a psychiatric evaluation. The HC order was passed on a petition filed by Anjali’s father. The bench set aside the “ex-parte order” [issued without hearing the other side] after it was told by Anjali’s lawyer, Gaurav Agrawal, that woman had filed an application seeking to be heard but the high court chose to ignore it. Agrawal argued the HC order violated Anjali’s fundamental right to life and liberty as she was an adult and free to decide her life partner as held by the SC. HT
WORLD
Mecca summit supports Palestinians, backs Saudis in Iran standoff
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/mecca-summit-supports-palestinians-backs-saudis-iran-standoff-190601063421981.html
Political leaders and heads of state from Islamic nations have condemned countries that have made the "illegal and irresponsible decision" to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.In a joint statement on Saturday, at the end of a summit of 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the leaders called on countries that have moved their embassies to Jerusalem to rethink their strategy which they said constituted "a serious violation of international law and international legitimacy". OIC urged member countries to take "appropriate measures" against countries that move their embassies to Jerusalem. "Palestinian people have the right to achieve their inalienable national rights, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State,"the final statement said. The OIC's statement comes as Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner prepares to roll out economic aspects of his long-awaited Middle East peace plan at a conference in Bahrain later this month.The plan, dubbed the "deal of the century",has already been rejected by the Palestinians, who say Trump's policies have shown him to be blatantly biased in favour of Israel.Kushner, who was in Jerusalem on Friday on the latest leg of a regional tour to sell the plan, had looked to an alliance with Saudi against Iran as a way to gain Arab support. But Saudi King Mohammed bin Salman told leaders of the IOC countries gathered at the summit: "Palestinian cause is the cornerstone of the works of the OIC, and is the focus of our attention until the brotherly Palestinian people get all their legitimate rights."We reaffirm our unequivocal rejection of any measures that would prejudice the historical and legal status of Quds [Jerusalem]."The meeting was the third international summit to be held in Saudi since Thursday. OIC also backed Saudi over escalating tensions with Iran, as King Salman warned that "terrorist" attacks in Gulf region could imperil global energy supplies. The remark came after sabotage attacks damaged four vessels, two of them Saudi oil tankers, off the coast of UAE and twin Yemeni rebel drone attacks shut down a key Saudi oil pipeline.Tehran has strongly denied involvement in any of the incidents. Analysts say Riyadh's strategy to counter Tehran is not being helped by divisions within Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. OIC summit also urged US to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of "terrorism".aljazeera
MB urges Arab unity, rejects US peace plan
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/muslim-brother-hood-urges-arab-unity-rejects-us-peace-plan/1494326
Muslim Brotherhood has called for “urgent action” to resolve an ongoing crisis in inter-Arab relations and expressed its rejection of US administration’s so-called “Deal of the Century”.The group made the remarks in a Friday statement issued after 3 emergency summits held in Mecca this week by the Arab League, GCC and OIC.In its statement, the Brotherhood said that the triple summits had been convened “amid a stormy atmosphere that threatens the future of the region and unprecedented fissures in the Arab world”.The group urged leaders who took part in the summits to “reduce the widening gap between [Arab] regimes and their people by opening the door to greater freedoms”.The Brotherhood also called for the “elimination of rifts between Arab states, especially those caused by the ongoing Gulf crisis”. It also called for reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah with a view to “realizing the Palestinian people's right to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital”.Anadolu
Hezbollah warns war against Iran would engulf region
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/hezbollah-chief-warns-war-iran-engulf-region-190531205107426.html
Head of the Lebanese political and armed movement Hezbollah has warned that any war against Iran would cause the Middle East to "erupt".Hassan Nasrallah said that US "know well that any war on Iran will not remain confined to Iran's borders. The entire region will burn", leading to all US forces and interests in the region being "annihilated". The head of the Iran-backed movement made the comments as emergency meetings of Gulf Cooperation Council and OIC and Arab League took place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.aljazeera
Demonstrations in 30 countries on Quds Day
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190601-demonstrations-in-30-countries-on-quds-day/
People in 30 countries around the world have organised demonstrations to mark Al-Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan. Several Palestinian and organisations called on people to join demonstrations in support of Jerusalem and the city’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as to highlight Israel’s aggression against the city and its holy sites.The demonstrations were launched in Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Iraq, 19 Indian cities, 24 Pakistani cities, 12 US states, 8 European countries and 11 African countries, in addition to Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Hundreds of African, Asian and European cities take part in the demonstrations each year.middleeastmonitor
260,000 pray at Jerusalem mosque on last Friday of Ramdan
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/260000-pray-at-jerusalem-mosque-for-final-friday-prayers-of-ramdan/articleshow/69603896.cms
Jerusalem: More than 200,000 Muslims took part in the final Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of annexed east Jerusalem, as Israel heightened security following a Palestinian stabbing attack. The religious authority in charge of the compound, the third holiest site in Islam, said in total 260,000 worshippers took part in the midday prayers. The prayers came only hours after a Palestinian teenager stabbed 2 Israelis inside the Old City before being shot dead by Israeli security. In a separate incident, another Palestinian teenager was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank as he sought to sneak into Jerusalem, reportedly to pray at Al-Aqsa.TOI
Lebanon agrees to talks with Israel over maritime dispute
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/lebanon-agrees-talks-israel-maritime-dispute-190530132656645.html
Beirut:As US and Iran face off against each other across the Gulf, the often-turbulent waters of the eastern Mediterranean were less choppy this week.Lebanon, home to the Iran-backed armed group and political movement Hezbollah, agreed last week to a process to resolve a maritime dispute with Israel on the condition that negotiations are held under the watch of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).Israel, historically critical of UNIFIL's role in Lebanon, reluctantly accepted the condition as long as the US, its main international ally, was also involved. The details of the precise role to be played by UNIFIL and the US are still being worked out, Lebanese officials said.aljazeera
Sudan’s Al-Mahdi: Military Council, ‘Forces of Change’ causing counter-revolution
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190601-sudans-al-mahdi-military-council-forces-of-change-causing-counter-revolution/
The escalation between Sudan’s Military Council and forces of the “Declaration of Freedom and Change” has “paved the way for the counter-revolution to obstruct the revolutionary process,” head of the Sudanese Umma Party Sadiq Al-Mahdi has said.This came in a speech by the leader of the opposition national party at the annual fast-breaking held by his party in Sudan’s second city Omdurman on Thursday.Al-Mahdi explained that the escalation by the forces of the “Declaration of Freedom and Change” has also pushed the Military Council to escalate its actions, leading to the revival of counterrevolutionary forces.He stressed that the general strike – which was held on Tuesday and Wednesday this week – “revived the counter-revolution,” pointing out that the strike made the Military Council “budge from its position”. Al-Mahdi added: “I warn the Military Council against taking the position of overthrown President Omar Al-Bashir.”He continued: “Military Council’s move opens wide doors to counterrevolutionary movements or coups by a leftist movement from Free Officers, as happened in May,” referring to Free Officers Movement which carried out 1969 coup led by Gaafar Nimeiry.Anadolu Agency
We unintentionally killed 1,300 civilians in air strikes on IS: US-led coalition
https://www.wionews.com/world/we-unintentionally-killed-1300-civilians-in-air-strikes-on-islamic-state-us-led-coalition-223226
US-led coalition has said it had unintentionally killed over 1,300 civilians in air strikes during its fight against Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria since 2014.The figure is far lower than death tolls given by groups which have monitored the conflicts in the two countries."The coalition conducted 34,502 strikes between Aug.2014 and the end of April 2019," it said in a statement.AFP
Syrian NGOs warn of mass displacement in last rebel-held area
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/syrian-ngos-warn-mass-displacement-rebel-held-area-190531191804447.html
Syrian NGOs decried the inaction of the international community amid mounting violence in the last rebel-held stronghold of Idlib, saying it had triggered the biggest wave of displaced people since the war began.The recent bombardments by Syrian govt and Russian forces in the country's northwest have killed dozens of civilians and pushed 300,000 people towards Turkey's border, NGOs said at a press conference in Istanbul."This is the single largest mass displacement in Syria since the beginning of the crisis" in 2011, they said.aljazeera
Afghan Taliban leader pledges to keep fighting until goals met
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/afghan-taliban-leader-pledges-to-keep-fighting-until-goals-met/article27398937.ece?homepage=true
Kabul: Head of the Afghan Taliban pledged on Saturday to continue fighting until the movement's objectives were reached and indicated it was still not ready to open talks with the Western-backed Govt in Kabul.In his annual message ahead of next week's Eid al-Fitr holiday,Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada sought to reassure Afghans that the Taliban wanted an end to decades of conflict and a Govt that represented all Afghans.But he offered little sign of agreeing to a ceasefire or of opening direct negotiations with the Kabul government, which the Taliban regard as an illegitimate foreign-imposed regime.He also gave no sign the Taliban would repeat last year's truce over the three-day Eid holiday that ends of month of Ramadan, which led to unprecedented scenes of Taliban fighters and govt soldiers mingling and even embracing in the streets of Kabul.“No one should expect us to pour cold water on the heated battlefronts of Jihad or forget our 40-year sacrifices before reaching our objectives,” he said in the message, adding that the Taliban aimed for “an end to the occupation and establishment of an Islamic system”. Taliban representatives have been talking with US diplomats for months about withdrawing over 20000 US and NATO coalition troops in exchange for guarantees that Afghanistan will not be used as a base for militant attacks. They have also met senior Afghan politicians and civil society representatives, most recently in Moscow this week, as part of a so-called intra-Afghan dialogue to discuss the country's future.But they have shown no sign of agreeing to demands for a ceasefire and formal negotiations with President Ashraf Ghani's govt, which Haibatullah accused of trying to sabotage dialogue between Islamic Emirate and Afghan political figures. “Islamic Emirate shall pay no heed to such futile efforts and diplomatic obstructions being created for the intra-Afghan dialogue,” he said.Reuters
US: 12 dead, 4 injured in Virginia Beach shooting
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-12-dead-4-injured-in-virginia-beach-shooting/1494610
The death toll rose to 12 in a shooting at a municipal center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Friday, according to the local police chief."We do have an additional victim. [We] now have 12. One victim succumbed to the injuries on the way to the hospital," James Cervera said at a follow-up news conference."We also have four additional victims being treated in area hospitals." Shooter entered Building 2 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center shortly after 4 p.m. Friday and indiscriminately opened fire. "He is a longtime employee of the public utilities," Cervera said.The suspect was killed after exchanging gunfire with officers.Anadolu Agency
Flash: views & NEWS
Explained: Why having one Minister for Rural Development & Agriculture is key step forward
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-having-one-minister-for-rural-development-agri-is-key-step-forward-5759544/
Understanding BJP’s Victory: Critical Questions, Electorate’s Response and Way Forward:M. Aariz Imam | Caravan Daily
http://caravandaily.com/understanding-bjps-victory-critical-questions-electorates-response-and-way-forward/?fbclid=IwAR3AN0fkYHs5xkfk3s43dlaqsvn4K2TAjPeuqw87UebJd4MMs8a_Ag75FRM
Not enough Muslim MPs
https://www.indiatoday.in/up-front/story/not-enough-muslim-mps-1539533-2019-05-31
Push from China could force Pakistan to operate as a normal state: Khaled Ahmed
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pakistan-china-ally-corridor-normal-state-5759377/
Left out of Govt, BJP office-bearers who toiled hard somewhat disappointed
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/left-out-of-govt-bjp-office-bearers-who-toiled-hard-somewhat-disappointed-5759460/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:52 PM)
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