NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
16 June 2019: 09 Shawal 1440:Vol: 11, No:222
INDIA
Ahead of Budget session, at all-party meet chaired by PM Modi, Opposition demands debate on unemployment, farmer distress
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-all-party-meeting-today-parliament-budget-session-5783111/
New Delhi:Ahead of tomorrow’s Parliament budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday convened an all-party meeting in the national capital in which the Opposition pressed for a debate on several issues including farm distress, unemployment and drought. The first session of the newly-constituted 17th Lok Sabha will be held from June 17 to July 26.The meeting was attended by representatives of all parties, including Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and TMC leader Derek O’Brien.As the Prime Minister sought to drum up support for the key bills ahead of the Parliament meet, Azad assured that bills which are in the interest of the people will not be opposed.Azad also called for early elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under President’s rule. He questioned why assembly polls could not be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha. It appears as thought Centre wants to run the state through the Governor’s administration, he alleged. Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien, on the other hand, demanded that Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, be brought immediately in the session.indianexpress
PM Modi invites chiefs of all parties to deliberate upon ‘one nation, one election’ issue
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-prime-minister-all-party-meeting-congress-bjp-one-nation-one-election-5783117/
Budget session of Parliament to starts tomorrow; Talaq bill tops government’s agenda
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/talaq-bill-tops-governments-agenda
New Delhi: 17th Lok Sabha gets going from Monday with the pro-tem Speaker administering oath to the newly-elected MPs over the next 2 days. The first session with 30 sittings is to go on until July 26. It’s both budget session and monsoon session. The government has convened a meeting of all political parties on the eve of the session on Sunday to discuss the agenda for the session. Topping its agenda is the anti-triple talaq bill criminalising the age-old practice of divorcing Muslim women at the spur of moment.The Bill remained stuck in the first Modi government because of the Opposition refusing to agree on some of the harsh provisions. It is to be reintroduced first in the Lok Sabha and then taken to the Rajya Sabha where the government is expecting support of some regional parties to get it passed in this session.The Bill prescribes three years of jail to any Muslim man practising the triple talaq and he can get bail only from the magistrate before the trial begins if his wife concurs. The Opposition led by the Congress have objected to the jail term and sought the government compensation to the deserted wife and her children instead of the Bill requiring the husband to provide for their maintenance. How can a man in jail pay the maintenance, the opposition parties ask.The government has been resorting to the course of three Ordinances so far after the Bill failed in the Rajya Sabha, the last being the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights) on Marriage Ordinance issued in February that was cleared by the Union Cabinet as a Bill on Wednesday for introduction in Parliament.freepressjournal
India-Israel ties in upward trajectory courtesy Modi-Netanyahu equation: Indian envoy
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-israel-ties-in-upward-trajectory-courtesy-modi-bibi-equation-indian-envoy/article27956240.ece?homepage=true
Tel Aviv:PM Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have used their “excellent” personal equation to deepen the bilateral ties which are moving in an “upward trajectory”, India’s Ambassador to Israel Pavan Kapoor has said.Ties between India and Israel, into the 27th year now, strengthened with Modi’s historic visit to the country in July 2017 during first term, Kapoor told PTI.Stating that the relationship is moving in an “upward trajectory”, the envoy said, “Modi and Netanyahu share an excellent equation and it is in their tenure that we have had Modi coming to Israel for the first time and Netanyahu visiting India”.Ambassador Kapoor said that a lot of people from India and Israel are travelling to each other’s countries for work and leisure and that has pushed tourism.“I think what both [Modi and Netanyahu] have tried to do is to build this connection between the institutions so that the relationship grows in all sectors. They have expanded and deepened the relationship in several areas and it is bound to increase,” Mr. Kapoor said.He specifically singled out the post-conscription visits by Israelis to India as a special draw to find “solace”. “People of both countries are spending, experiencing each other’s countries. A large number of Israeli people travel to India after their military service and they go and find solace [in India], they spend many months travelling and they have a good experience,” he said.Indian tourist arrivals to Israel has jumped to 70,000 last year from 12,000 earlier, he said. “It is a Holy Land... we have a lot of pilgrimage tourist coming in for visit to Jerusalem,” Kapoor said.He said yoga, which originated in ancient India, is popular in Israel too. Speaking about the cultural similarities, the envoy said that just like Indians, Jewish people have close ties with families and sit down for dinners Friday evening.Talking about the presence of Indians in Israel, Kapoor said, “About 12,000 to 13,000 Indian nationals stay in Israel and bulk of them are in caregiving industry and help the elderly folks in Israel. Then we have about 25 to 30 Gujarati diamond merchant families who have been here for many years and they are doing good business.”There are also 550 Indian students pursuing doctoral and post-doctoral studies, Kapoor said, adding a few Indian corporates also have their offices in Israel.PTI
India, Myanmar conduct joint operation to destroy militant camps in Northeast
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-myanmar-conduct-joint-operation-to-destroy-militant-camps-in-northeast/article27956142.ece
New Delhi:The armies of India and Myanmar carried out a 3-week-long coordinated operation from May 16 in their respective border areas, targeting several militant groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, defence sources said on Sunday.The first phase of “Operation Sunrise” was conducted three months ago along the Indo-Myanmar border, during which a number of camps of north-east-based militant groups were busted. Myanmar is one of the strategic neighbours of India and shares a 1,640-km border with a number of north-eastern states, including the militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.Sources said during “Operation Sunrise 2”, the armies coordinated with each other to bust camps of militant outfits, including Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), the United Liberation Front of Assam (I) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland.They said at least six dozen militants belonging to these groups were nabbed and several of their camps were destroyed during the operation, adding that the two sides might launch the third phase of the operation, depending on intelligence inputs and the ground situation. According to security agencies, there were over 50 camps of insurgent groups from the north-east in Myanmar till 2018.Besides the Indian Army, troops from the Assam Rifles were also a part of the operation.In June 2015, the Indian Army had carried out an operation against NSCN(K) militants in areas near the Indo-Myanmar border, days after militants killed 18 army personnel in Manipur.In the first phase of “Operation Sunrise”, the Indian Army targeted members of Arakan Army, an insurgent group in Myanmar, who were opposed to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project. The project is viewed as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.On the Indian side, work is on to extend the Aizawl-Saiha National Highway by 90 kilometers to the international border at Zorinpui.PTI
India, Myanmar Armies Hit Terror Camps Along Border In Joint Ops: Report
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-myanmar-armies-hit-terror-camps-along-border-in-joint-ops-report-2054080
SEBI bans NDTV’s Roys from market for 2 yrs, says step down
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/sebi-bans-ndtvs-roys-from-market-for-2-years-says-step-down-5781596/
Mumbai :Securities and Exchange Board of India (SBI) has banned NDTV Ltd Chairman Prannoy Roy and Managing Director Radhika Roy from the securities market for two years and restrained them from holding any key managerial personnel or directorship in the company for two years.In an order, Sebi said they failed “to conform to the fair and transparent principles of trades in the securities market” in a case relating to transfer of NDTV shares. The Roys, who were the promoters and majority shareholders in NDTV, will have to step down following the order which comes into force with immediate effect. “The way loan agreements have been used to deceitfully transfers shares of NDTV up to 30 per cent to Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Limited (VCPL) without the knowledge of NDTV board or its shareholders, it can be held that the acts of the noticees (Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy and their firm RRPR Holdings Pvt Ltd) are in stark violation of Regulation 4(1) of PFUTP Regulations, being unfair trade practices,” the order said.In a statement Friday evening, Radhika and Prannoy Roy said the SEBI order was based on “an incorrect assessment and is a highly unusual and perverse direction”. “The SEBI order delves into and presents conclusions on issues that were not raised in the show cause notice,” said the statement. They will take urgent legal action within the next few days, it said.The market regulator banned Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy and RRPR Holdings from accessing the securities market and prohibited them from buying, selling or otherwise dealing in securities, directly or indirectly, for two years. It also said the existing holding, including units of mutual funds, of the noticees will remain frozen during the period of restraint. Sebi also restrained them from holding the position of Director or any key managerial personnel in any other listed company for one year.In June 2018, Sebi had ordered VCPL, a little-known company with links to some corporate houses to make an open offer to NDTV shareholders after the capital markets regulator determined that VCPL had indirectly acquired a majority control in media company 9 years ago. indianexpress
Ayodhya panel meets AIMPLB delegation
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ayodhya-panel-meets-aimplb-delegation/story-2eXxAkaeih92aHP0Zjwn7J.html
Ayodhya:The Supreme Court-appointed Ayodhya mediation panel on Saturday held three-hour-long discussions with an All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) delegation.“We were invited by the panel for talks. We communicated to them the AIMPLB stand on the Ayodhya land dispute,” said a member of the delegation led by AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani.“We did not give any written submission to the panel but simply conveyed our views, which were finalised in a meeting of the AIMPLB at Nadwa College in April,” said the member, adding the board was in favour of an amicable and peaceful settlement at the earliest.Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya reiterated that, if required, a law would be enacted for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.HT
Modi has courage, must bring ordinance to construct Ram temple: Uddhav in Ayodhya
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uddhav-thackeray-ram-lalla-temple-ayodhya-shiv-sena-5782909/
New Delhi :Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the courage and support to bring an ordinance for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya,“The government should bring an ordinance for construction of Ram temple. The issue concerns all Hindus and the temple has to be constructed at the earliest,” he said, raising the slogan of “Kanoon banao, mandir banao (formulate law and construct temple)”.The Sena chief arrived in Ayodhya this morning along with his son Aditya Thackeray and offered prayers at the makeshift Ram Lalla temple along with 18-newly elected MPs of his party, who were in town since Saturday evening. He is scheduled to return to Mumbai today itself.“The case is in court for many years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the courage. If the government takes the decision, there is no one to stop it. Not only Shiv Sena, Hindus of the whole world are with this,” Uddhav saidindianexpress
Alert in J&K after Pakistan’s input to India and US on threat of ‘IED-vehicle’ attack
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/alert-jk-pakistan-input-india-us-threat-ied-vehicle-attack-awantipora-pulwama-sco-summit-bishkek-5782710/
Srinagar:Pakistan is said to have shared information regarding the threat of a possible attack in Pulwama district, probably near Awantipora, a top security official in Srinagar has confirmed to Sunday Express.At SCO Summit in Bishkek, which Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also attended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Pakistan needs to create an atmosphere “free of terrorism”, but at this stage, New Delhi has not seen that from Islamabad. PM also said he has made efforts to initiate peace with Pakistan, but his efforts have been “derailed”.The entire security grid in J&K is on its toes after the alert, which came just days ago, regarding a possible attack by militants using an improvised explosive device mounted on a vehicle.“Pakistanis shared this information regarding the possibility of such an attack with our High Commission in Islamabad. They had also shared this information with the Americans, who too, informed us. So this information has come directly as well as via the Americans to us,” the official said.“The attack, Pakistanis say, is being ostensibly planned to avenge the killing of Zakir Musa,” the official said.“We are reading Pakistan’s sharing of this information in two ways. It is either a way to make sure that they avoid blame if a big attack takes place, because they have already shared the information with the Americans. Or it is a genuine attempt to inform us ahead after they found out, particularly because the information is regarding a plan to attack by members of an al-Qaeda linked group,” the top security official said.“We also understand that any activities of terrorists linked to al-Qaeda are seen differently by them (Pakistan),” the official said.Another senior police officer confirmed the alert. “We are always on alert, especially in South Kashmir. But we are taking this alert very seriously,” this officer said.indianexpress
Srinagar deputy mayor booked for ‘illegally appropriating’ subsidy
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/srinagar-deputy-mayor-booked-for-illegally-appropriating-subsidy-5782712/
Srinagar:J&K Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday registered a case against Srinagar’s Deputy Mayor, Sheikh Imran, for allegedly illegally appropriating Rs 16.50 crore in government subsidy and gratuitous One Time Settlements (OTS) from the J&K Bank. The agency also registered cases against several bank and government officials. Imran, who is also the Director of the Kehwa Group of Companies, had set up a cold storage unit under M/S Kehwa Square Private Limited, at Lassipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama. The total projected cost of the unit was Rs 33 crore and it was eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy government, according to the norms of the Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan (HMNEH) States.“…The assessed cost of the project was Rs 33 crore with the subsidy component thereof calculated to Rs 16.50 crores i.e. 50% of estimated project cost (EPC). (The proposal) was sent to an empowered monitoring committee of the MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture), Govt. of India, for final approval,” an official release of the ACB said.The agency has alleged that Sheikh, in connivance with bank and state government officials, sought to appropriate the Rs 16.50 crore subsidy by declaring the unit a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) “without paying a single installment”. The anti-corruption watchdog further claimed that the cost of the project was found much lower than the projected Rs 33 crore, during its inquiry.indianexpress
Terrorists planning attack on Israeli targets in India: Intelligence
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/jun/15/terrorist-planning-attack-on-israeli-targets-in-india-intelligence-1990580.html
New Delhi:Intelligence sources have issued an alert warning that terrorists could target Israeli citizens and their establishments in Delhi and other places in India. The alert says a group of JeM and unidentified terrorists affiliated with the IS is planning to carry out an attack on Israeli targets in New Delhi and other places in June. The possible target may include the cultural centre of the Israel embassy, synagogues, Jewish School and hotels frequented by Israel nationals in Delhi and other cities, the inputs warn. The important Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot is celebrated in June during which Jews frequently visit synagogues and Chabad House. Alleging that it could be a ploy f Pakistani ‘deep state’, security analyst J K Verma said, “The whole plan could help Pakistan’s ISI in two ways.Not only will they be able to malign India by carrying out such nefarious activity, but they will be able to hit Israel also which remains on the target of terrorist groups.”In 2012, a biker had attached a sticky bomb to the car of the Israeli defence attache’s wife in New Delhi. During the 26/11 attack also, Israeli establishments were targeted.newindianexpress
Kashmiri separatist leaders received funds from abroad, utilised them for personal gains: NIA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmiri-separatist-leaders-received-funds-from-abroad-utilised-them-for-personal-gains-nia-5783164/
New Delhi :NIA has alleged that its probe into terror financing in J&K has revealed that hardline separatist leaders received funds from abroad and utilised them for personal gains — from amassing properties to paying for foreign education of their kin. Agency has interrogated several top leaders of Hurriyat Conference and other organisations and claimed that they had confessed to receiving funds from Pakistan to fuel separatist sentiments among the people of Kashmir Valley.In a statement issued Sunday, NIA said the firebrand leader of Duktaran-e-Milat, Asiya Andrabi, was grilled by it about the educational expenses of her son in Malaysia incurred by Zahoor Watali, who was arrested in a terror funding case.“During interrogation, Asiya Andrabi admitted that she had been collecting funds and donations from foreign sources and Duktaran-e-Milat had been organising protests by Muslim women in the valley,” it claimed.NIA has already approached the relevant authorities for providing evidence relating to certain bank accounts used by Asiya Andrabi’s son Mohammad bin Qasim while he was in the university, it said. Another hardline separatist leader, Shabir Shah, had to face some tough time when he was confronted about his businesses, including a hotel in Pahalgam which is allegedly funded through foreign funds received by him from Pakistan, the statement said.PTI
Kathua case: Court ignored prosecution eyewitnesses while acquitting Vishal
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/kathua-case-court-ignored-prosecution-eyewitnesses-while-acquitting-vishal
The only acquittal in the Kathua rape-and-murder case came as the trial court set aside the statement of three prosecution witnesses who had claimed that Vishal Jangotra, the son of main culprit Sanji Ram, was in the area at the time of the crime.District and sessions judge Tejwinder Singh relied on the statement of the landlady of Vishal that he was in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh where he was studying in a college.According to the 432-page judgement delivered on June 10, the prosecution counsel relied on the three eyewitnesses who had claimed to have seen Vishal in Kathua on January 13 and 14 last year and forensic experts' opinion that writing samples of Vishal did not tally. "The prosecution claims that as per the said report (handwritting), the questioned signatures do not tally with the standard items in general writing habits such as movement, skill and speed. The differences observed in writing are fundamental in nature," according to the verdict.Vishal had presented his signature in the attendance sheet of his college to show that he was in Meerut, and not in Jammu and Kashmir as claimed by the prosecution.The prosecution also submitted evidence of mobile operators to prove the fact that Vishal was very much present in Kathua on days when the crime against the eight-year-old nomadic girl were committed in Kathua.PTI
Muslims fear displacement from Jama Masjid area as Agra Metro project moves forward
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/metro-agra-project-muslims-displacement-jama-masjid-1549662-2019-06-15
Agra: Ministry of Railways, UP government and the local administration of Agra are actively involved in the planning for Agra Metro Rail project.As per an estimate, at least 10,000 houses and commercial establishments will come in the demolition zone when the Metro will be constructed through the densely populated city which has already triggered voices against the project in Agra.These voices are getting louder as the project advances as was seen when the Metro project team reached Jama Masjid area of the old city for a survey.A large group of local residents surrounded the team and demanded that the Metro project be scrapped altogether or at least kept away from their area as the city does not need a Metro.Talking to IndiaToday,in, Sami Aghai, Chairman of Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad (BMVP) said that there is no need for a Metro train in a small city like Agra. If the entire project is not scrapped, then at least Jama Masjid route should be removed from detailed project report (DPR) of Agra Metro as the streets here are very narrow and construction of the Metro will cause massive displacement of the local population. Sami Aghai said, "These streets are used for prayers on Friday when thousands of Muslims come to Jama Masjid for weekly prayers. The festival of Eid is celebrated in this area around the mosque and at that time, the roads get jam-packed with Muslims and if the roads are taken away by the Metro project, there will hardly be any space around the mosque left to handle such huge crowds."Social activist Vijay Upadhyay said that instead of the Metro project, the local administration and state govt should think about improving the state of roads in the city and regulate the traffic on these roads."The entire city was suffering from drainage problems and instead of investing in improving the existing infrastructure of the city, a huge financial burden of the Metro project was being laid on the city's back which will only harm its economy," Vijay Upadhyay said. Hindustani Biradari Vice-Chairman Vishal Sharma said that Agra is a tourist city and the first priority for the administration should be to improve the city's facilities so that the tourists do not get stuck in traffic jams."These jams tarnish the image of city and the need of the hour is to ensure that the traffic moves smoothly. There was no need of a Metro in the city as the city wasn't that big to necessitate a Metro train.Metro is being unnecessarily used as a status symbol," Sharma. indiatoday
"We seek permission to end our lives", Father, 3 daughters write to UP CM on unclean drinking water
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/we-seek-permission-to-end-our-lives-father-and-his-three-daughters-write-to-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-on-unclean-drinking-water
Hathras:Contaminated water in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras is pushing residents to the wall. Unable to get clean drinking water for themselves, a father and his 3 daughters have written a letter to PM Narendra Modi seeking his permission to end their lives.Chandrapal Singh, a farmer from Hasayan block in Hathras, has been making rounds of government officials with complaints about the water in the area tasting like brine (salty)."We cannot drink this water. Whenever my daughters drink it, they throw up. The crops are also drying because of excessive salt in it. I cannot afford bottled water for the family. My pleas for action have fallen on deaf ears and I have now sought permission from the Prime Minister to end my life and also that of my minor daughters," he told reporters.The other residents of the area are also battling with the problem. "The water is so salty that even the animals do not drink it.We have to walk three to 4 kms to get potable water," said Rakesh Kumar.However officials, when contacted, feigned ignorance about the problem.IANS
Bengal doctors’ strike: Docs beat us too, let guilty be punished, say kin of deceased
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-kin-of-patient-whose-death-triggered-violence-at-nrs-see-communal-twist-5782652/?fbclid=IwAR24OscE9o1km8PGvUtkZex8YauMftCbtCwC5H6FVsWOPwNjOaue1BV1UB0
Kolkata:As the doctors’ protest entered fifth day Saturday, family of Mohammad Sayeed (75), whose death triggered the violence at NRS, alleged that though some of his neighbours were arrested after the incident, no action has been taken against the medicos who allegedly assaulted them. They also alleged that attempts are on to add a “communal twist” to the incident.“We lost a family member. The doctors also beat us up and the CCTV footage will prove it. Every citizen should have equal access to justice. 5 of our neighbours were arrested and are now in jail. What about the doctors? Let the guilty be punished, be it our neighbours or the doctors. We are also aggrieved at the injury of the doctor who might have been hit by a stone. We pray for his speedy recovery. But the strike needs to be lifted too. Thousands of patients are suffering,” said Taiyab Hussain, grandson of Sayeed, sitting in their travel agency office in Tangra’s Bibi Bagan Lane. Following Sayeed’s death, clashes broke out between the junior doctors and the relatives of the patient, leaving one doctor critically injured. Soon after the violence, junior doctors at the hospital initiated cease-work which got support from doctors in 13 state-run hospitals across the state. 5 persons were arrested in connection with the violence.The family members of Sayeed also lodged a complaint against 3 doctors of NRS hospital.Indian Express met the family of the deceased on Saturday to get their side of the incident.indianexpress
Doctor attacked in Kolkata’s NRS hospital is doing fine, his death is a hoax
https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-doctor-attacked-in-kolkata-nrs-hospital-is-doing-fine-his-death-is-a-hoax-1549405-2019-06-15?fbclid=IwAR0evd8qUFACu8OjsNmVvmgVz1AO3MtxZBAhPvMyfFui6Nnh-2V9kZIqnvc
New Delhi:Doctors in Kolkata have been on protest over the past few days after two of their colleagues were beaten up by relatives of a patient who died during treatment. Amid the stand-off, many on social media claimed that one of the injured doctors has passed away.Junior doctor Paribaha Mukhopadhyay and Yash Tekwani are the victims who got beaten up at the NRS medical college, Kolkata and it is claimed that Paribaha Mukhopadhyay has passed away.The protests later spread across the medical fraternity in West Bengal and gradually, all over the country. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had warned doctors to resume services or face stern action.A Facebook Page named Renu Pandeya, Samajsevika posted a photo of the doctor and claimed that he has passed away.India Today’s Anti Fake news War Room (AFWA) has found the claim to be completely false.The post has been widely shared by many social media users. Here is the archived version of the post.West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi went to meet the injured doctor on Friday evening, and later told media persons that he is doing fine.indiatoday
No one has ever doubted Muslims’ nationalism. No one doubts it, and never will: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/idea-exchange-no-one-has-ever-doubted-muslims-nationalism-no-one-still-doubts-it-and-never-will-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi/1608869/
As NDA government led by Modi embarks on its second term, riding on the promise of ‘Sabka Vishwas’, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, union minister of Minority Affairs and the Cabinet’s only Muslim face, will have a key role to play. He has continued in the Cabinet with the same portfolio as in the last government but perhaps with a bigger mandate to fulfill. Soon after taking over, the government announced scholarships for 5 crore students from minority communities. During Naqvi’s previous stint in the ministry, the Haj subsidy was done away with and women were allowed to go on the pilgrimage without a Mehram or male companion. In an interview, Naqvi said, "The Sachar Committee Report was a bundle of failures of the Congress government. The Congress office had that report, which I think is now infested by termites. But we focused on education, employment and empowerment (of minorities). The Sachar Committee revealed the circumstances of those times but it was only during Modiji’s time that the mood changed in favour of development. Take, for example, the pucca houses being built for the poor — no one is asking whether it is in a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Parsi or Christian area. Your caste or community shouldn’t be a criterion for getting electricity.Over 32% minorities have benefited from the (Pradhan Mantri) Mudra Yojana. With the money received, poor people start small car-repair shops, etc. What the Sachar committee said is not important, what is important is what we are doing." He said, " If IS (Islamic State) or al-Qaeda could not establish their roots in our country, even though they did it in big European nations, it’s thanks to Indian Muslims. This is why no one has ever doubted their nationalism and bhakti (patriotism), no one still doubts it, and never will. As far as their freedom is concerned, there is what the Constitution guarantees them. India is the only country where they get to read the namaaz even on the streets, where the azaan is broadcast through loudspeakers in mosques.I’m not saying that there is no discrimination; it has been happening for the past 70 years. But discrimination has reduced, though it should completely end."financialexpress
Encephalitis kills 65 in Bihar, govt says disease spread due to heat wave:HT
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-encephalitis-death-toll-rises-to-65/story-ER7sATIkdzV76oP8ctokQI.html
The toll from acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Bihar reached 65 on Saturday. Of these, 55 deaths have been reported from Muzaffarpur’s SKMCH Hospital and 10 from KMC, private hospital. SKMCH’s medical superintendent, Dr SK Shahi, confirmed the deaths of eight more children on Saturday.So far 55 children had died at the hospital, he added.As many as 53 children, with AES like symptoms, were admitted to the two hospitals on Saturday.These children were brought from various parts of the district as well as adjoining East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Vaishali, and Samastipur districts. District authorities said that the children were suffering from high and irregular fever,vomiting, seizures, and acute headaches.
UP Cop dismissed for seeking Yogi Govt’s dismissal
https://caravandaily.com/up-cop-dismissed-for-seeking-yogi-governments-dismissal/
Etawah: In a bizarre incident, a Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) constable has been dismissed for demanding the dismissal of Yogi Adityanath govt in UP.The constable Munish Yadav, on Saturday, wore a red Samajwadi cap with his uniform and went to the district collectorate carrying a placard which said, ‘Yogi sarkar ko barkhast karo’.Munish Yadav told the media that the state govt should be dismissed because it has failed to control the law and order situation. He said that he had come to give a memorandum in this regard to the Governor, through DM.DM J.B. Singh said that the constable had not met him but he had heard about the incident from media persons.IANS
"As Long as We Are Alive, No One Can Demolish This Mosque," say Elderly Sikhs in Punjab Village
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/as-long-as-we-are-alive-no-one-can-demolish-this-mosque-say-elderly-sikhs-in-punjab-village?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Ludhiana:In the times of rising communal tensions and incidents of hate crimes, a glimmer of hope is coming from Ludhiana district of Punjab where a group of elderly Sikhs have come out to save a dilapidated mosque even when there is no Muslim resident in the village.A news website dailysikhupdates.com posted an article on Saturday about a few elderly Sikhs in the village of Hedon Bet in Ludhiana district of Punjab who have refused everyone approaching them with the intentions of demolishing a mosque which was built in 1920.Despite the fact that there is not a single Muslim living in the village now, the Sikh villagers, particularly elderly ones, have vowed to protect the mosque as their religious duty. During the partition of India, the Muslims from this village had left for Pakistan.India Tomorrow
WORLD
9 Lankan Muslim ministers who quit likely to reconsider decision on request of Buddhist leaders
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/9-lankan-muslim-ministers-who-quit-likely-to-reconsider-decision-on-request-of-buddhist-leaders-119061500748_1.html
Colombo : 9 Sri Lankan Muslim ministers, who resigned recently in the wake of growing anti-minority sentiments in the country following the Easter suicide bombings, are likely to rejoin their office on the request of chief Buddhist prelates. Along with the nine ministers, two provincial governors from the minority community also resigned on June 3 to allow the Lankan government to investigate allegations against some of them on links to an Islamist extremist group blamed for the deadly terror attack that claimed 258 lives."There will be a meeting on June 18 to reconsider our positions since we have been asked to return to our ministerial positions," AHM Haleem, who was one of the ministers to quit, told reporters here.Haleem, who was the Minister of Posts, said the ministers are reconsidering their decision after the chief Buddhist prelates urged them to return to the govt.There are 19 Muslims lawmakers in the 225-member Parliament and nine of them held Cabinet, state and deputy ministerial positions. 9 Muslim politicians had also protested what they term the government's inability to ensure the safety of their community which constitute 9 per cent of the island's 21 million population.Their resignations came four days after thousands of people, majority of whom were Buddhist monks, launched a protest in the pilgrim city of Kandy, demanding the expulsion of 3 Muslim leaders whom they alleged were linked to NTJ - blamed for the attacks.PTI
Netanyahu's wife admits criminal wrongdoing in catering case
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/netanyahu-wife-admits-criminal-wrongdoing-catering-case-190616091513164.html
Wife of Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted to the misuse of public funds and asked a Jerusalem court to approve a plea bargain convicting her of fraud and breach of trust.Under charges in an amended indictment, Sara Netanyahu would plead guilty to exploiting the mistake of another person and pay a fine along with compensation, but corruption charges against her would be dropped.In a small room at the Jerusalem magistrate's court packed with journalists, Netanyahu told the judge she was aware of the charges. Her lawyer and a prosecutor asked Justice Avital Chen to accept the deal. Aljazeera
Khashoggi death painful, stop exploiting case: Saudi Crown Prince
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/jamal-khashoggi-death-painful-stop-exploiting-case-politically-says-saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-2053995
Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has warned against "exploiting" murder of Jamal Khashoggi for political gains, in what appeared to be a veiled attack on Turkey.Turkey's ties with Saudi have come under strain since the murder of Khashoggi in Istanbul, which tarnished international reputation of the crown prince. Turkish officials were the first to report the murder and have continued to press Saudi for information on the whereabouts of his dismembered body, which has yet to be found."The death of Jamal Khashoggi is a very painful crime," Prince told Asharq al-Awsat."Any party exploiting the case politically should stop doing so, and present evidence to (Saudi) court, which will contribute in achieving justice,"he added, without directly naming Turkey.AFP
Saudi's Crown Prince blames Iran for tanker attacks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mbs-blames-iran-tanker-attacks-190616062134950.html
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has accused archrival Iran of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, adding he "won't hesitate" to tackle any threats to the kingdom.Two tankers were struck by explosions on Thursday, the second attack in a month in the strategic shipping lane amid a tense United States-Iran standoff, prompting fears of a regional conflagration and sending oil prices soaring."We do not want a war in the region... But we won't hesitate to deal with any threat to our people, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our vital interests," MBS told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published on Sunday.aljazeera
Sikhs Present $60,000 Cheque to Christchurch Mayor for Mosque Attack Victims
https://caravandaily.com/sikhs-present-60000-cheque-to-christchurch-mayor-for-mosque-attack-victims/
Christchurch: Over NZ$10 million were raised for victims of the mosque attacks across three major fundraisers. New Zealand’s Sikh community also rallied together to raise more than NZ$60,000 for victims and their families. The collection was done within five days of posting an appeal on Facebook, with the help of over 1600 donations.This amount was presented to Lianne Dalziel, the Mayor Christchurch on Wednesday, 12 June at a function held at the Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Christchurch, reported news portal SBS Punjabi.A cheque of NZ$60,000 was delivered in the presence of the members of the Muslim and Sikh communities.Abdul Aziz from the Linwood Islamic Centre, Mirwaiz from Al Noor Mosque and other members of the Muslim community marked the occasion to appreciate the fundraising efforts of the Sikh community.caravandaily
More Arab countries may designate Muslim Brotherhood terrorist says ex member: Egypt Today
http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/2/71629/More-Arab-countries-may-designate-Muslim-Brotherhood-terrorist-former-member
Cairo:Former leader at the Muslim Brotherhood Tarek al-Beshbishy said that more Arab countries may designate the group a terrorist organization such as Tunisia and Alegria. Beshbishy’s statement came after the Cassation Court at Jordan had ruled on May 29 that Muslim Brothehood that was licensed in 1946 as a charity and a branch of the mother group in Egypt has been dissolved since June 16, 1953. That date marks the publication of a law on charity organisations in the Official Gazette, as reported by Jordan Times. Since then, the brotherhood has failed to comply with the law as a charity. However, it has maintained its legal political arm Islamic Action Front Party, which was founded in 1992. Egypt Today
Hong Kong leader apologises for handling of extradition bill
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/hong-kong-leader-apologises-massive-protests-190616130155693.html
Hong Kong's embattled leader has apologised to public with "utmost sincerity and humility" after massive protests demanding she step down over her administration's handling of a bill that would have allowed extraditions to China. Chief Executive Carrie Lam "admitted that shortcomings in the government's work has led to a lot of conflict and disputes in Hong Kong society and has disappointed and distressed many citizens," a statement from her office said. aljazeera
Flash: views & NEWS
Draft National Education Policy Pushes Centralising Agenda, Short Changes Poor Students:Anita Rampal
https://thewire.in/education/national-education-policy-draft-hrd-ministry
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq
(Released at: 842 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment