NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
20 July 2019: 16 Dhul Qadah 1440:Vol: 11, No:249
INDIA
Centre to Come Up with Anti-mob Lynching Law in this Parliament Session
https://caravandaily.com/centre-to-come-up-with-anti-mob-lynching-law-in-this-parliament-session/
New Delhi:A year after the Supreme Court directed the Govt to enact a law to deal with the rising cases of mob lynching in the country, the Centre is working out such a legislation and is likely to introduce it in the ongoing session of Parliament, according to sources.The Ministry of Home Affairs had asked Law Ministry to draw out a draft law after carefully examining rising incidents of violent lynching sparked by rumours spread on social media platforms, each of which has no less than 200 million users in the country.Referring to the SC directive, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked Centre why it was delaying the enactment of the law.“I would like to ask Home Minister (Amit Shah), why a law on mob lynching is not being made? Last year, the SC had asked the Govt to make a law on mob lynching. If you make all SC’s orders into laws, why not this?”Owaisi said in Lok Sabha.Rajasthan, which has witnessed over a dozen cases of lynching by the mob over the past two years, has announced plans to come up with a law against mob lynching.Earlier this month, the UP Law Commission also came up with a draft Bill recommending harsh punishment, including life imprisonment, for people involved in cases of mob lynching.IANS
Bihar's Chhapra lynching: 7 arrested so far, police deployed after fresh clashes
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/chhapra-lynching-seven-arrested-so-far-police-deployed-after-fresh-clashes/1650648/
7 people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of 3 people over alleged attempt to steal a buffalo in Pithauri village of Saran district of Bihar. Police said that a few others have been taken into custody for interrogation and assured that justice will be done.Saran SP Harikishore Rai said that prima facie investigation suggests that the three victims had gone to take away the buffalo and were caught by the villagers. He, however, refused to divulge further details.“Pithari village had reported a case of theft of three goats a day before. We have detained some villagers for questioning and are also looking into a complaint of the families of the victims,” he said.On Friday, three people were beaten to death by a mob in Nandlal Tola of Pithauri village over an attempt to steal a buffalo.The deceased persons were identified as Raju Nat, Bides Nat and Naushad Qureshi.Police told PTI that they were attacked by a mob which accused them of trying to steal a buffalo. While two of them died on the spot, another succumbed to injuries on way to the hospital.However, families of the victims vehemently denied the charges. Later, a clash erupted between the villagers and family members of the deceased persons. Deputy SP Ajay Kumar Singh said that he rushed to the village after fresh clashes were reported.He said that it was not a case of mob lynching. “The cattle allegedly being stolen was a buffalo. The attackers and the attacked belonged to the same social groups. The attackers will be identified and booked for taking law into their own hands,” he said.Meanwhile, victims’ families also created ruckus at the hospital where the bodies were taken for post mortem. This prompted police to use mild force to bring the situation under control. Heavy deployment of police was also in place at the village in view of the killings.financialexpress
Accused of killing peacocks, MP man thrashed to death by mob
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/accused-of-killing-peacocks-man-thrashed-to-death-by-up-mob-2072569?pfrom=home-topstories
Bhopal: A man accused of killing peacocks was thrashed by a mob in Lasudiya Atri village in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday.The victim, identified as Hiralal Banchada, suffered critical injuries and died of his wounds in hospital. The shocking incident comes only 2 days after 3 men, from same district, were stripped and beaten for allegedly stealing a goat. In all, at least 3 cases of mob-related violence have been reported from the state in as many days."Someone informed the Dial 100 emergency service of the state police about the incident. A police team rushed to the village and brought the critically injured man to the hospital, where he died later,"Rakesh Sagar, SP Neemuch district, said.10 men, 9 of whom have already been arrested, have been booked for murder and rioting, and also under relevant provisions of SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act.A separate case has been registered for killing peacocks against the victim, his son Rahul, and 2 others, who are absconding, under Wildlife Protection Act.The incident happened around 9 pm in an area under the jurisdiction of the Kukdeshwar Police Station, after villagers saw four men running through agricultural fields. They chased and caught one man- Hiralal Banchada-and found 4 dead peacocks. The mob then thrashed him and left him lying, critically injured, in the fields.On Thursday, a mentally challenged man was beaten up in Raisen district on suspicion of kidnapping children.He was found unconscious in Aklapur village and admitted to a hospital in Bhopal, where he died yesterday.The police are still searching for the accused. On the day before that, swift action by Dewas police saved the life of a mentally challenged woman who was thrashed after also being suspected of kidnapping children. Police have lodged a case against villagers.ndtv
Aurangabad: Hindu couple rescues Muslim man from miscreants
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/aurangabad-hindu-couple-rescues-muslim-man-from-miscreants/articleshow/70296324.cms
Aurangabad: A Hindu couple came to the rescue of a Muslim man after he was allegedly waylaid, beaten and forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” by a group of 10 unidentified men in the Hudco Corner area of the city around 12.30am on Friday. This is the first such incident to have been reported from the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. After victim Imran Ismail Patel, 28, approached Begumpura police, 10 unidentified men were booked for unlawful assembly and rioting. According to Patel, a waiter by profession, he was going home on his motorcycle when the group of men, who were also on motorbikes, waylaid him. They asked Patel questions before assaulting and forcing him to chant the slogan. Hearing Patel’s cries for help, the Hindu couple rushed out of their house and pleaded with the attackers not to harm him. They also retrieved the keys of Patel’s motorcycle from the assaulters and ensured that he went home safely. When contacted, the couple refused to comment on the issue, saying they feared a backlash from the goons. Taking cognisance of Patel’s complaint, DCP Nikesh Khatmode-Patil and crime branch inspector Madhukar Sawant spoke to him. Patel said, “The group snatched the keys of my motorcycle. They asked me several questions. Then they slapped me while forcing me to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ thrice. Hearing my cries for help, the couple came to my rescue.” The couple also stopped one of the assaulters from hitting him on the head with a stone, Patel said. “They even misbehaved with the couple for coming to my rescue,” he added. TOI
Family claims man lynched after bike accident in Alwar
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/family-alleges-man-lynched-for-bike-accident-in-rajasthan-5838799/
Jaipur:On day Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot announced that the state Govt will bring a law against mob lynching, a 28-year-old was allegedly assaulted by locals in Alwar, who succumbed to his injuries 2 days later.Harish Jatav, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday following an alleged assault on July 16 by locals for accidentally running his bike into a 55-year-old woman,his relatives say.Alwar SP Paris Deshmukh said, “On July 16 Harish was on his way back from Bhiwadi when he met with an accident in Phalsa village with Hakeeman, 55, who was crossing the road. Harish,who was alone on his bike, fell down and the woman too sustained injured. After being informed by locals, the police reached the spot and took Harish to a hospital, which administered his first aid and referred him to Delhi, where he was admitted in Safdarjung Hospital. Next day, on July 17, Hakeeman as well as Rattiram, Harish’s father, submitted separate complaints at Chopanki police station into the accident.In his complaint,Rattiram alleged that some people had assaulted Harish.”SP, however, said “Investigation so far, including accounts by independent eyewitnesses, does not point to a mob lynching.” He said that post-mortem is being conducted at Safdarjung Hospital and things will be clearer once the post-mortem report is received. However, Harish’s family insists that he was assaulted by locals.Uncle Jaswant said Harish, who worked as a truck driver, did not regain consciousness ever since he was attacked by the mob. SP said that Harish did indeed sustain head injuries but added that at the time of accident, he was not wearing a helmet. “The confirmation (whether it was a lynching) will come from the post-mortem report,” Deshmukh said.In his complaint, Harish’s father Rattiram, 60, had named one Umar Sher, a contractor, and unnamed others, as the accused. Hakeeman’s husband Jamaluddin, 65, too filed a complaint against Harish, accusing him of driving fast when he rammed his motorcycle into his wife. “She had lost consciousness following the accident.My sons Saraju and Ajru witnessed the accident and we rushed to the spot, where we found that biker was intoxicated,” Jamaluddin had alleged in his complaint. Indianexpress
Actor Ajaz Khan sent to 14-day judicial custody for controversial videos on lynching
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/actor-ajaz-khan-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody-for-controversial-videos/
Mumbai: A court here sent actor Ajaz Khan to judicial custody for 14 days on Saturday for allegedly uploading videos promoting communal hatred on a social media platform. Khan was arrested by the cyber wing of the Mumbai police and booked under IPC section 153A.The actor had posted 2 videos on a social networking website on July 9.The first one was regarding an alleged lynching incident in Jharkhand, in which Khan had allegedly asked the members of a particular community to unite and take revenge.dailyexcelsior
Muslims who stayed in Indian on promises of Azad, Nehru,Bapu now being punished:Azam on lynchings
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-muslims-who-stayed-in-indian-on-promises-of-azad-nehru-and-bapu-now-being-punished-azam-khan-on-mob-lynchings-2773877
SP MP Azam Khan has said Muslims who stayed in Indian during partition because of the promises made by the founding fathers of the country are now being punished. Speaking on the mob lynching of three men in Bihar's Saran district over alleged attempt to steal cattle, the Rampur MP said, "It is the punishment Muslims are getting after 1947. Muslims will face it whatever may it be.""Why didn’t our ancestors go to Pakistan? Ask this to Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Bapu. They had made promises to Muslims," Khan, known for his controversial statements, said. dnaindia
Babri demolition:SC orders trial against accused including Advani to be completed within 9 months
https://www.firstpost.com/india/babri-masjid-demolition-case-sc-orders-trial-against-accused-including-lk-advani-to-be-completed-within-9-months-7022001.html
The Supreme Court has ruled that the trial against LK Advani and the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition must be finished within the next 9 months.The accused, including senior BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh and LK Advani were charged with criminal conspiracy for their alleged role in the demolition in 1992.Now the SC has given a deadline stating that the trial must be finished in the next 9 months — going into Feb.or March 2020. The SC also said that the examination of witnesses and documents must be kept as short as possible.In April 2017, the SC had asked the special judge to complete the trial in 2 years. Earlier, the court had granted bail to all accused including Advani, Joshi and Bharati in the case. Bail was granted against the submission of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.Besides Advani,Joshi and Bharti, accused against whom the conspiracy charge was invoked included ex-BJP MP Vinay Katiar and Sadhvi Ritambara. In 2001, a CBI court had dropped conspiracy charges against them and the Allahabad High Court upheld the judgment in 2010.But the SC on 19 April this year ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Bharti and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the 27-year-old case. The SC had asked the special court to conduct day-to-day hearing, and that fresh charges were to be framed within a month.firstpost.com/ANI
SC seeks attorney general’s view on plea seeking to redefine minorities using state-wise data
https://scroll.in/latest/931107/sc-seeks-attorney-generals-view-on-plea-seeking-to-redefine-minorities-using-state-wise-data
The Supreme Court has sought Attorney General KK Venugopal’s assistance for dealing with a plea seeking state-wise population data on minority communities instead of national data. The SC noted senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi’s submissions that the law, which allows the declaration of a minority community on the basis of national data, was illegal.The bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi asked BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, petitioner, to furnish a copy of the plea to Venugopal’s office.It also listed the matter for hearing after 4 weeks.PIL plea has challenged the central govt’s 26-year-old notification that have the minority status to 5 communities – Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. It has also sought to declare Section 2(c) of National Commission for Minorities Act,1992,as unconstitutional as the notification was issued under the sub-section.BJP leader, in his plea, stated that the notification was in violation of basic fundamental rights. Upadhyay contended that Hindus – considered to be a majority community according to the national data – were in the minority in several states in the North East, and J&K . According to him, the Hindu community has been deprived of benefits made available to minority communities.scroll.in/PTI
Sonbhadra killings: My objective has been served, says Priyanka Gandhi after meeting victims’ family
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sonbhadra-killings-in-detention-priyanka-gandhi-meets-victims-family-members/
Family members of the victims in Sonbhadra firing case met Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Saturday at the Chunar guest house in Mirzapur where she was detained on Friday from visiting the district, reported ANI. Twelve members of the affected families met the Congress general secretary at the guesthouse, senior party leader Ajay Rai told PTI.“My objective has been served as I have met them (victim of Sonbhadra firing). I am still under detention, let’s see what the administration says. Congress party will give a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the person who died in the incident,” Priyanka said. Congress leader was detained and stopped from going to Sonbhadra where 10 people were gunned down this week, triggering a standoff with the BJP Govt in UP. UP DGP OP Singh had said on Friday that Priyanka and others were not allowed to go there because CrPC Section 144 was in force in Sonbhadra district to maintain peace.Even as she continues to sit on dharna, the Congress leader insisted earlier today she won’t leave until and unless she is allowed to meet the victims’ entire family. “It has been 24 hours. I am not going to leave until and unless I am allowed to meet the victims of Sonbhadra’s firing case,”Priyanka saidI.She also shared a video of aggrieved Sonbhadra families who were seen mourning the death of their near ones. “Is it a crime to wipe these tears?” she asked in a tweet.indianexpress
TMC Leaders Sit on Dharna at Varanasi Airport After Being Stopped From Visiting Sonbhadra
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/tmc-leaders-sit-on-dharna-at-varanasi-airport-after-being-stopped-from-visiting-sonbhadra-2238635.html
New Delhi:A delegation of TMC sat on dharna at the Varanasi airport on Saturday after being stopped from visiting the Sonbhadra district, where 10 people died in a caste violence. TMC said that a delegation comprising party senior leaders, including Derek O'Brien, Sunil Mondal and Abhir Ranjan Biswas were stopped at the Varanasi airport after they deboarded the plane in Varanasi.TMC in its tweet quoted Brien as saying: "Trinamool Parliamentary delegation detained at Varanasi airport.ADM, SP have not told us under which section. ("Doing as told from topmost"). We have told them that we will cooperate, wish to meet injured and then proceed to Sonbhadra to meet and give confidence to grieving families."news18
Karnataka Assembly adjourned till Monday without taking up voting on confidence motion
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/karnataka-assembly-adjourned-till-monday-without-taking-up-voting-on-confidence-motion
Karnataka Legislative Assembly has been adjourned till Monday without taking up the voting on the confidence motion moved by CM H D Kumaraswamy.In a face-off with Governor Vajubhai Vala, the JDS-Congress Govt in Karnataka defied the two deadlines set by him to demonstrate its majority in Assembly Friday itself. As the first deadline neared, ruling coalition vociferously questioned governor's power to issue such a direction, with Kumaraswamy citing a Supreme Court verdict that a governor cannot act as ombudsman of the legislature. The second missive by Governor was dismissed as a "love letter" by Kumaraswamy who criticised Vala for talking about horse-trading now "when it had been happening" for the last several days.Before adjourning the House for the day, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said the motion of confidence would reach finality on Monday and it would not be prolonged further under any circumstances, to which the Govt agreed.In his second missive to Kumaraswamy, governor expressed his "prima facie satisfaction" that the Govt has lost its majority confidence of the house.PTI
K’taka CM, Cong move SC against Governor’s interference in Assembly proceedings
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/ktaka-cm-cong-move-sc-against-governors-interference-in-assembly-proceedings
Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy and Congress moved the Supreme Court on Friday accusing Governor Vajubhai Vala of interfering with the Assembly proceedings during the debate on trust vote, and sought clarification on its July 17 order causing hindrance in issuing whip to the legislators.Kumaraswamy and Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao filed separate applications on Friday afternoon after the 1.30 PM deadline set by the Governor to conclude the proceedings of the confidence motion was not met.Both the applications sought clarification of the July 17 order of the apex court by which the 15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs were granted relief that they cannot be compelled to participate in the ongoing Assembly proceedings.The order "whittles down" a political party's power to issue whip to its MLAs as it has a constitutional right to do so and the court can't restrict that, they said.PTI
Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit passes away at 81
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-delhi-cm-sheila-dikshit-passes-away-at-81/article28619632.ece?homepage=true
Former CM of Delhi Sheila Dikshit passed away at a private hospital in the Capital on Saturday. Ms. Dikshit was 81.She was admitted to Fortis Escorts Hospital this morning and passed away at 3:55 p.m., according to hospital sources.Ms. Dikshit was brought in the morning on 20th to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi, in a critical condition with cardiac arrest. She had been appointed as the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president on Jan.10, days after Ajay Maken resigned from the post citing ill health.
Punjab CM accepts Navjot Sidhu’s resignation
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/punjab-cm-amarinder-singh-accepts-navjot-sidhu-s-resignation/story-3YCONSLopWbdGYkFRGjtkL.html
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has accepted Navjot Singh Sidhu’s one-line resignation and forwarded same to Governor.An official spokesperson disclosed that Amarinder Singh, who had been indisposed for the last 2 days since arrival from Delhi, saw the resignation letter this morning before sending it to Governor VPS Badnore to complete the formalities. The CM had earlier, in Delhi, said he would see the resignation letter, which was received at his Chandigarh residence in his absence, and take a decision. The letter, however, was just a single sentence resignation, with no explanation or elaboration, said the spokesperson.HT
Muzaffarnagar whitewash: Like in murder, accused got away in rape, rioting cases too
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/muzaffarnagar-riots-rape-cases-2013-express-investigation-akhilesh-yadav-Govt-5838765/
Witness after witness, even police officers, turning hostile; victims openly alleging fear and intimidation; long delays in medical examination in gangrape cases, in one case a delay of three months; no cross-examination of doctors or police list goes on.In 40 of 41 Muzaffarnagar riot cases, all the accused walked free. An investigation of court records of these cases by Indian Express shows that just as with the 10 cases of murder reported Friday, in the four cases of alleged gangrape and 26 cases of rioting as well, there were glaring gaps in prosecution which resulted in the acquittals of 168 men.All acquittals are in cases involving attacks on Muslims. At least 65 people were killed in the 2013 riots, all these cases were registered and investigation began when Akhilesh Govt was in power, the trial spanned both his and the current BJP govt. Consider the key findings in 4 gangrape cases that the court used to justify the acquittals:1)A victim in one case deposed that her medical examination was conducted after 3 months. The doctor told the court: “We did not find any bodily injuries during the medical test. It was found that she is 17 weeks pregnant.” There is no mention of the delay. Neither the doctor nor the investigation officer was cross-examined to explain the delay.2)-In the second case, the victim was examined one full week after she filed her complaint. However, the acquittal order makes no mention of the doctor’s final opinion and only states that he proved the authenticity of the medical examination documents before court. There is no word on what his findings were. 3)-3rd case merely mentions a “medical examination report”. Not only is the order silent on the findings in that report but court documents show that doctor was not even listed as a witness. This is in clear violation of procedure under law.4)-In 4th case, the judgment points out that the victim was examined 40 days after she filed complaint. Doctor deposed that the victim “is a mother of 5 children and conducting a medical test is not justified…and there is no indication of rape.” Doctor wasn’t cross-examined to either explain the delay or his conclusion.Indian Express
Indian Express: In 40 of 41 Muzaffarnagar riot cases, including murder, all accused are acquitted
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/express-investigation-in-40-of-41-muzaffarnagar-riot-cases-including-murder-all-accused-are-acquitted-5836996/
How 10 murder cases fell: “Police tutored me…forced to sign blank papers”
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/muzaffarnagar-riots-uttar-pradesh-2013-murder-cases-express-investigation-5838772/
IMA Ponzi scam: Mansoor Khan taken to Bengaluru, tussle between ED, SIT over who gets custody
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ima-ponzi-scam-mansoor-khan-taken-to-bengaluru-tussle-between-ed-karnataka-sit-over-who-gets-custody-1571498-2019-07-20
Mansoor Khan, IMA Group founder who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after he landed at Delhi Airport on Friday morning, has created tussle between the ED and Karnataka SIT. India Today TV has learnt that after being taken to Banglore on Saturday morning, both ED and Karnataka SIT wanted his police custody first to question him in connection with the multi-thousand crore Ponzi scam. Sources say that the Karnataka SIT may file an application before the court for Mansoor Khan's custody or joint interrogation. Mansoor Khan was produced before the magistrate judge in Delhi on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday by ED and was granted transit remand. Around 3 am on Saturday, ED team took Mansoor Khan to Banglore through a flight from Delhi, where he is expected to be produced before the designated court for further custody.Sources maintain that on Friday, Mansoor Khan was grilled by the ED officials whereas the SIT officials were hoping to examine him but with no luck. "As the arrest has been made by Enforcement Directorate, the primary agency to have the right of questioning and police custody is ED," said a source. However, the Karnataka SIT is the first agency to lodge an FIR in this case based on which the Enforcement Directorate registered an ECIR and started its probe. According to sources, Mansoor Khan revealed few big names which can have far-reaching political implications in future during the questioning in Delhi.indiatoday
Samjhauta blast: Pakistani woman challenges acquittal of Aseemanand, 3 others
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/samjhauta-blast-pak-woman-challenges-acquittal-of-aseemanand-three-others-5838659/
Chandigarh :A Pakistani national, the daughter of one of the 68 people killed in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast, on Friday filed an appeal before the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the acquittal of Swami Aseemanand and the other accused in the case. Hafizabad resident Rahila Wakil, whose father Muhammad Wakil was killed in the blast, filed the appeal through a relative based in UP . However, the plea has not been cleared by the High Court Registry yet for hearing due to certain technical objections.“We have filed the appeal and it will soon come up for hearing,” said advocate Momin Malik, who represents Wakil. Haryana Police, NIA and the Centre have been included as respondents in the case besides the accused, who stand acquitted at present.12 years after the blast, a special NIA court in Panchkula on March 20 had acquitted Aseemanand, Lokesh Sharma, Kamal Chauhan and Rajinder Chaudhary.The court had observed that a “dastardly act of violence” remains unpunished for want of credible and admissible evidence. Neither the NIA, nor the Centre has filed any appeal in the case.indianexpress
Shiv Sena threatens to perform puja in Taj Mahal, administration steps up security
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shiv-sena-threatens-to-hold-puja-in-taj-mahal-agra-administration-steps-up-security-5839279/
New Delhi:Agra administration has agreed to the request of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to provide extra security at the Taj Mahal following a threat from Shiv Sena of performing puja inside the mausoleum.In its letter to the administration, ASI stated that under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, performing any kind of religious practice or beginning a new tradition in the protected monument was a violation of the Act.On July 17, Shiv Sena’s Agra head Veenu Lavania announced that he and his aides would perform “aarti” at the Taj Mahal and dared the police and district administration to stop him.“Taj Mahal is not a mausoleum but Tejo Mahalaya, a temple of Lord Shiva. We will perform ‘aarti‘ at Tejo Mahalaya on every Monday of ‘sawan’,” Lavania was quoted as saying by IANS.IANS
Resolution of Kashmir issue on cards…no power on earth can stop it: Rajnath
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/resolution-kashmir-issue-rajnath-singh-home-minister-5839307/
Kathua :Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that resolution of Kashmir issue is on the cards and that “no power on the earth can stop it”. Singh, who visited Kargil War Memorial in Drass sector today, also inaugurated 2 bridges in Kathua and Basantar. “Resolution of Kashmir issue will take place soon, he said before inaugurating a 1,000 meters long bridge over river Ujh in border Kathua.Referring to his numerous appeals as Home Minister for talks to all those raking up Kashmir issue, Singh recalled that how Hurriyat leaders did not open their doors for visiting members of the all-party delegation once led by him to the Valley. “Resolution of Kashmir issue is bound to take place and no power on earth can stop it,” he said.indianexpress
In Apparent Reference To PoK, China's New Envoy Appeals To India: Report
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-apparent-reference-to-china-pak-project-through-pok-chinas-new-envoy-appeals-to-india-report-2072545?pfrom=home-topstories
Beijing: As Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India later this year for his second informal summit with PM Narendra Modi, China has said the two neighbours should not allow any "individual case" to disrupt the bilateral relations and take more initiatives to move forward the bilateral ties in a steady and sound way.China's new Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said that with two strong leaders at the helm in both the countries, the ties are set to reach new heights.Under the strategic guidance provided by President Xi and PM Modi at their first informal summit in Wuhan last year,China-India relations have gathered a "very good and sound momentum of development", Mr Sun told the Indian media in Beijing on Friday as he is set to travel to New Delhi to take over his new assignment. "This year the two leaders are going to hold another informal meeting. I believe, this will be a top priority in our bilateral relations which will surely take our relations on to new heights," he said.Officials say talks are on for Xi Jinping's visit to India which is expected to take place in Oct this year. The talks might be held in Varanasi, they said.A veteran Chinese diplomat with vast experience in South Asian affairs, Sun till recently served as China's Ambassador to Pakistan, where Beijing is cementing its all-weather ties with Islamabad with the USD 60 billion so-called "CPEC", which is strongly objected to by India as it passes through Gilgit-Baltistan region of PoK, which is part of J&K - India's northernmost state.During his hour-long interaction with the media, Mr Sun focussed on critical bilateral issues like the boundary dispute and the trade gap between India and China which last year crossed USD 57 billion in a USD 95.5 billion total trade."We have to do more than managing differences and take more initiatives in shaping our relationship," he said.However, in an apparent reference to the so-called "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" or "CPEC", which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or PoK, Mr Sun said both the countries should not allow "individual cases" to disrupt ties, reported PTI.PTI
India acquiring S-400 missile defence system from Russia ‘problem’ for US: PACOM commander
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-acquiring-s-400-missile-defence-system-russia-problem-for-us-pacom-commander-5839355/
India acquiring the S-400 missile defence system from Russia is a “problem” for US,a top American commander has said, asserting that Washington will continue to hold dialogue with New Delhi over the issue. India inked an agreement with Russia last October to procure a batch of the S-400 missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore.“India acquiring S-400. It’s a Russian air defense system from Russia. That’s a bit of a problem. But we continue dialogue. I think they intend to do that,” Admiral Philip Davidson, who is Commander of Indo-Pacific Command, told Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Davidson’s remarks came response to a question from Nick Burns, a former top American diplomat who played a key role in the India-US civilian nuclear deal.PTI
Outrage after Germany ambassador in India visits RSS HQRS
http://twocircles.net/2019jul19/432142.html
Controversy is raging after Germany’s Ambassador to India,Walter Lindner, visited the Nagpur HQRS of RSS on July 17, despite the group’s implication in anti-minority pogroms and heavily documented inspiration by European fascist movements, including that of Nazi Germany. He has tweeted about his visit with photographs of himself with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat before the photograph of Golwalkar.Golwalkar believed that being Indian meant being Hindu. So he wrote, “Only the Hindu has been living here as the child of this soil.” Just in case his reader misunderstood his intentions, he also phrased it another way: “We repeat: in Hindustan, the land of the Hindus, lives and should live the Hindu Nation.”And the RSS and its affiliate organisations go by this theory. Spokesperson Arvin Valmuci of Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI) in the press release of OFMI has said that “Being pictured with Nazi apologist Golwalkar, the Guru of Hate, sends a chilling message to India’s minorities. The global rise of neo-Nazism, especially its attempts to align with RSS to promote violent supremacist goals, poses a dire threat to the peace and harmony of the whole world. Ambassador Lindner legitimizes fascist ideology, including that of the defeated Nazi regime, by engaging with RSS on any level other than the harshest censure.”Valmuci also stated that the RSS has a stated goal of establishing India as an ethno-state. “Just like the Nazis wanted a purified Germany of Germans, where only Aryans were allowed to live and thrive, RSS wants India to be a nation where all non-Hindus are either treated as foreigners or else eliminated.” TCN
SC seeks Centre's response on Waseem Rizwi's plea to ban green flags with crescent and star
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/sc-seeks-centres-response-on-up-shia-waqf-board-chairmans-plea-to-ban-on-green-flags-with-crescent-and-star/456171
New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has asked the Centre to file its response on a plea filed by Shia Waqf Board chief Syed Waseem Rizvi, seeking a ban on green flags with crescent and star which resembles those with Pak's political party - Muslim League. The SC has asked Centre to file a reply within 2 weeks. Rizvi in his petition has argued that such green flags hoisted predominantly in Muslim dominated areas can "flare passions, tensions," while claiming that these green flags especially with crescent and star have never been part of any Islamic practice and do not have any role or significance in Islam.TimesNow
Modi govt will make same mistake as Rajiv Gandhi if triple talaq not criminalised: Arif Mohd Khan
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/modi-govt-will-make-same-mistake-as-rajiv-gandhi-if-triple-talaq-not-criminalised-arif-mohd-khan/1650284/
Batting for criminalising the practice of triple talaq, former Union minister Arif Mohammad Khan on Friday said that if it is not done the Modi Govt will be committing the same mistake as Rajiv Gandhi did in the Shah Bano case. Without naming the Congress, Khan said the party that had won over 400 seats in 1984 was suffering from the “curse of the destitute”. “What was Shah Bano given?Rs 147 to keep her body and soul together.The curse of destitute is haunting” them, he said. Khan said he wrote a 6-page letter to PM Narendra Modi in Oct.last year, requesting him to criminalise the practice of triple talaq.Delivering a lecture here on ‘Why triple talaq should be made a punishable offence’, Khan said a lot of “churning is taking place in Rajya Sabha” over the passage of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019. “I am hopeful that this time the ordinance criminalising triple talaq would be passed by Rajya Sabha as there is a lot of churning taking place and people are talking about what happened in 1986 (Shah Bano case),” he said.PTI
NIA Act: It would be a traversity of justice if a convict's appeal is not heard on merits: Delhi HC
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/nia-act-it-would-be-a-traversity-of-justice-if-a-convicts-appeal-146535
In a significant judgment upholding rights of accused especially the right to liberty, Delhi High Court allowed the plea of an accused person namely Farhan Sheikh while condoning the delay in filing and re-filing the appeal saying appellant has shown "sufficient cause" for the delay.Bench of Justice Vipan Sanghi and Justice I.S.Mehta while passing the judgment noted that they are dealing with the right of an accused/ convict, whose personal liberty stands curtailed by the conviction and the impugned order on sentence passed by Special Court and in their view, it would lead to the travesty of justice if the appellant's substantive appeal is not heard on merits, and is rejected at the threshold only on account of bar of limitation prescribed under Section 21(5) of NIA Act,particularly, when appellant has moved the application under Section 5 of Limitation Act.livelaw
‘BJP’s Ishrat using Islam to boost political career’
https://www.siasat.com/bjps-ishrat-jahan-using-islam-boost-political-career-1552744/
New Delhi: All India Imam Association (AIIA) head Moulana Sajid Rashidi has said Ishrat Jahan is using the Islam religion to move forward in her political career hours after she claimed that she was allegedly threatened for attending a Hindu religious event.“Ishrat is resorting to Islam to advance herself in the politics of Bengal and is trying to defame Islam. Islam clearly states that participating in any such program is not wrong but participating in the worship ceremony of any other religion is wrong. Ishrat participated in the Hindu ceremony while wearing a Hijab which is not allowed in the Islam religion,” he said.However, BJP leader Rahul Sinha supported Jahan and said that she is free to follow and participate in any religion of her choice.siasat
NIA quizzes editor of JK daily in terror-funding case
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-quizzes-editor-of-kashmir-daily-in-terror-funding-case/articleshow/70285831.cms
Srinagar:The owner-cum-editor of a local English newspaper, “Kashmir Reader”, Mohammad Hayat Bhat of Pampore, Pulwama district, appeared at NIA’s Delhi HQRS on Tuesday for questioning in connection with a terror funding case, official sources said.NIA had summoned Hayat Bhat, also known as Haji Hayat, last week. The questioning was still on, officials added. “Kashmir Reader” was launched in 2012 by Bhat, who ran a small advertising agency called “Helpline Advertising Agency” with aid from some other country, official sources claimed. Bhat got the Srinagar Municipal Corporation hoarding installation contract for Govt advertisements for 10 years, at about 150 places across Srinagar, for a meagre amount in 2007, said a municipal corporation official. TOI
NIA searches houses of 6 TN men who allegedly raised funds for IS
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-searches-houses-of-6-tn-men-who-allegedly-raised-funds-for-is/article28616674.ece
NIA, which is probing the alleged raising of funds for setting up IS in India after the arrest and deportation of 14 Indians from UAE, on Saturday launched searches at the houses of 5 of them who hailed from the district.After getting necessary logistical support from district police and administration, sleuths of the agency launched simultaneous searches at the palatial houses of four accused in Kilakarai and one accused at Thanichiyam in coastal Valinokkam with the local police and revenue officials.Five separate teams launched the searches at 6 a.m. at the houses of 4 accused — A. Rafi Ahamed, 55, J.M. Jafarullah Khan, 40, I.M. Sahul Hameed, 41, and U. Faisal Sherif, 44, — at East Street, Kilakarai. Only watchmen were present at the houses as the accused had been staying in UAE for long and had not visited the houses for almost 2 years, police sources said.thehindu
16 Tamil Nadu men were planning terror attacks, through knives, vehicles and poison: NIA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/16-tn-men-were-planning-terror-attacks-through-knives-vehicles-and-poison-nia/
NIA targeting Muslim youth: TN MLAs
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/nia-targeting-muslim-youth-mlas/articleshow/70284772.cms
Chennai: NIA came under fire in the assembly with 2 members accusing it of targeting Muslim youth. MJK MLA Thamimun Ansari and IUML MLA KAM Muhammed Abubacker said while there can be no doubt that terrorism in any form should be curbed, NIA should not be allowed to target youth of the minority community. “Youth picked up on suspicion by the agency are facing a lot of problems even after they are proved innocent. Their pictures are circulated, portraying them as terrorists.This jeopardizes their lives,”Ansari said. Abubacker urged Govt to regulate its functioning. Abubacker also urged Govt to enact a special law against mob lynching. “Kerala had enacted a law against lynching of innocent and Muslim youth in the name of religion, while Rajasthan is in the process of doing it. I request state to come up with such an act,” he said.TOI
Draft National Education Policy 'Is Against Constitutional Values': Student Body
https://www.ndtv.com/education/draft-national-education-policy-breaks-constitutional-structures-promotes-commercialisation-student--2072327
New Delhi:Draft National Education Policy breaks constitutional structures and values,promotes commercialisation and politicizes educational system by centralising all aspects of it, says Students Islamic Organisation (SIO). It said policy must refrain from homogenising India's heritage as being representative of any religion or certain castes. The Ministry of HRD had released Policy prepared by a committee under the chairmanship of DrK Kasturirangan for public consultation on May 31."If the policy intends to promote "Indian knowledge system",it should encompass all contributions from different religious, regional, and linguistic communities who are inalienable part of the Indian knowledge tradition," it said today while releasing here a report,NEP-2019, prepared in collaboration with Centre for Educational Research & Training (CERT). Instead of favoring Hindi or Sanskrit, according to the report, there should be a two-language formula, mother tongue and English, along with the option of studying a third language of either religious or cultural significance to the students as per Articles 29(1), 350A and 350B of the Constitution.It also said the proposed centralised bodies such as RSA,NTA,NRF,etc.,under one command are against the federal structure of Indian Union. "Such centralised bodies under one command will inevitably fall prey to the political expediency of ruling parties. Education has been in State List and in the Concurrent List since the 42nd Amendment and hence these bodies will be in gross violation of Constitution," it said. The report said policy takes a deeply contradictory approach towards the increasing commercialization of education in India and actively proposing a market model of education."Draft NEP betrays a homogeneous understanding of liberal arts education and has a market-oriented outlook for higher education," it said. "The policy is entirely silent on the question of children in distress and conflict, such as children in conflict with law, children who have been victims of trafficking and child labour, refugee children, children of tribal, nomadic and migrant communities and children born and raised in prisons with their mothers. This betrays a scant lack of respect to the question of access of education as well as that of the substantive implementation of right to education for all, not just for a few," the organisation said in its report. ET Mohammed Basheer, former Education Minister, Kerala and MP, Ponnani constituency; Syed Azharuddin,General Secretary, SIO; Prof Madhu Prasad, RTE activist; Ambarish Rai, RTE activist; Shyamolie Singh, student activist, JNU; Ramees EK, student activist,JMI and Syed Ahmed Muzakkir, Director, CERT were present during the press conference.NDTV
I-Day: RSS to organise events in Delhi madrasas to remember national heroes
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/independence-day-rss-organise-events-delhi-madrasas-remember-national-heroes-5836753/
New Delhi:RSS will be holding a programme in madrasas where the national flag will be hoisted and those who have made sacrifices from 1857 till now will be remembered around Independence Day, a senior functionary said.RSS’s senior member Indresh Kumar made the announcement at an event organised here to discuss the participation of Muslims in nation-building.“A programme will take place from August 12 to August 15 in Muslim areas and mohallas, madrasas and at different places wherein the national flag will be hoisted, the national anthem will be sung, slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be chanted and the sacrifices that have been made from 1857 to 1947 and 1947 till now will be remembered,” Kumar said.PTI
After NCERT syllabus, Adityanath govt announces NCC, Scouts training for madrassa students
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/after-ncert-syllabus-yogi-adityanath-Govt-announces-ncc-scouts-training-for-madrassa-students/1649362/
In a bid to modernise madrassas in the state, the Yogi Adityanath Govt in UP has decided that NCC and Scout training will be given to the students to bring them on a par with students of other educational institutions. This comes after the state Govt decided to introduce NCERT syllabus in the madrassas and hold exams similar to UP board’s examinations. Minority Welfare Minister Baldev Singh Aulakh said that Govt wants to bring madrasas to the mainstream and Muslim students to face competitive exams. He said that NCC and Scout training will make the kids physically strong and take up new assignments.“This NCC and Scout are important for the children. By introducing this, the students will learn more and get opportunity to explore themselves. NCC, Scout training will ensure physical fitness. Also, children will learn about the nation and patriotism. The Govt wants madrasas students to compete with other school kids and join Air Force and military. They should also be given chance like other students,” he said, adding that the Govt is aiming to modernise madrassas in every sense. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli, member of AIMPLB, welcomed the Adityanath govt’s decision to modernise the madrasas. financialexpress
JNU professor alleges harassment over her Muslim identity, minority commission sends notice
https://www.news18.com/news/india/jnu-professor-alleges-harassment-over-her-muslim-identity-minority-commission-sends-notice-to-university-2238415.html
New Delhi: JNU was issued a notice by Delhi Minorities Commission after a professor complained that she was being harassed due to her Muslim identity, an allegation denied by the varsity authorities.The notice and an interim order were issued to the varsity's Registrar over the complaint which alleged "systematic harassment" by JNU administration, especially by Director of the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy where the complainant is a teacher under a UGC-funded scheme, the DMC said.The professor has alleged that this was happening with the connivance of the JNU V-C, it said.The notice said the professor has complained with ample proofs that her salary has been stopped since April for no legal reason and she is not assigned classes or opportunity to supervise MPhil and PhD students. She is also not allowed to attend the Centre faculty meetings and is denied even the use of the official Internet and official email ID."Not content with all this, JNU administration is pressurising her to vacate her accommodation on the campus. Before joining JNU in 2013, complainant served Hyderabad Central University for 4 years as a permanent faculty member," the notice said.The complainant has alleged that all this was happening due to her Muslim identity, with a plan to finally "kick her out" claiming that she does no work, the notice said.However, a varsity official said, "She is in the university as part of a planned project by UGC and is not a permanent employee. Her salary is issued by the UGC and not by the varsity.UGC had not released salary but now they have released it and she has been paid."PTI
SC Bar Association condemns CBI raids on lawyers Jaising, Grover
https://scroll.in/latest/931181/supreme-court-bar-association-condemns-cbi-raids-on-lawyers-indira-jaising-anand-grover
Supreme Court Bar Association Executive Committee on Friday expressed concern over last week’s Central Bureau of Investigation raids against senior advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover, for alleged violations of FCRA by their non-Govtal organisation Lawyers’ Collective, Live Law reported. “SCBA EC expresses its concern over the raids and search operations conducted by CBI at the residences and offices in Delhi and Mumbai, of its two senior members known for their human rights work and public cause litigations,” the statement by President Senior Advocate Rakesh Kumar Khanna said. “There should not be any interference with the independence and professional discharge of duties of an advocate.”scroll.in
AAP leader comes out in support of jailed ex-cop Sanjiv Bhatt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aap-leader-comes-out-in-support-of-jailed-ex-cop-sanjiv-bhatt-5839446/
AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh Saturday met Shweta Bhatt, wife of sacked IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt who was last month sentenced to life imprisonment in a 29-year-old custodial death case. Bhatt was suspended from the Indian Police Service in 2011 and sacked by Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2015 for ‘unauthorised absence’ from service.“In Sanjiv Bhatt’s matter, the people of Gujarat and sensitive people believe whatever happened to him is not right. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a 30-year-old case, which raises a huge question on the entire system,” Singh told reporters after meeting Shweta Bhatt at her residence here.PTI
Home Ministry working to expand scope of NRC across India to deport illegal immigrants
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/home-ministry-working-to-expand-scope-of-nrc-across-india-to-deport-illegal-immigrants/story-rMN3uMW1gZic9FW8GqMDuN.html
While the finalisation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is at an advance stage in Assam, Home Ministry is working on modalities to implement across the country the exercise to identify illegal immigrants for deportation. An amendment in Foreigners(Tribunals) Order, 1964, issued by the central Govt on May 30 paves the way for expanding the scope of NRC beyond.The amended order empowers state Govts and even district magistrates of all states and Union Territories to set up tribunals to identify a “foreigner” who is living in India illegally.Until now, only the Centre had the power to constitute such tribunals, which were essentially quasi-judicial bodies unique to Assam.The NRC exercise in Assam - under the supervision of the Supreme Court - is one of the most keenly watched processes in the country as several lakh people will be rendered stateless once the final list is published.IANS
SC to hear govts' pleas on Tuesday for NRC recheck
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-to-hear-govts-pleas-on-tuesday-for-nrc-data-recheck/articleshow/70300803.cms
The Supreme Court decided to hear all stakeholders on July 23 on pleas of Centre and Assam Govt for reverification of 20% of the final draft NRC data which they claimed was required to correct “wrongful inclusion of lakhs of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and exclusion of indigenous Assamese” in border districts. They also sought extension of the July 31 deadline for publication of the final NRC. Arguing before a bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justice R F Nariman, Centre and Assam, alleged that local NRC officials, in collusion with illegal migrants, manipulated lists to benefit illegals and disadvantage genuine citizens. TOI
NRC: minority outfits fear large-scale exclusion
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nrc-minority-outfits-fear-large-scale-exclusion/article28599365.ece
Guwahati:Minority organisations in Assam apprehend a large-scale exclusion from the final NRC to be published on July 31. They have attributed it to the alleged pressure on officers handling the vetting process to be strict in accepting certain documents issued in other States, including in the northeastern region. Vetting, or careful examination of documents, is the last and most crucial phase of the exercise.It has 2 stages. The revenue circle officers take care of the first and the Deputy Commissioners of the districts handle the second. Expected to be completed by Saturday in some districts, vetting entails critically investigating the opinions of some 3,300 disposing officers for inclusion or exclusion of the applicants.The fear that the applications of most of those who reapplied — primarily the Bengali-speaking Hindus and Muslims and Gurkhas — could be rejected has stemmed from the NRC authority’s alleged instruction to treat certain documents with “utmost suspicion”.“Despite the SC allowing these documents...,we have come to know that officials handling the vetting process have been told not to entertain them.There is a conspiracy to deliberately keep certain communities out of NRC,” said leader of All Assam Minority Students’ Union. Some leaders of All Assam Bengali Youth Students’ Federation, too, expressed a similar apprehension.thehindu
Centre, Assam officer’s report at odds over NRC re-verification
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-assam-officers-report-at-odds-over-nrc-re-verification-5838688/
Gauhati HC grants anticipatory bail to poets alleged of writing communally charged poetry on NRC
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/gauhati-hc-grants-anticipatory-bail-to-poets--146528
Gauhati High Court has granted anticipatory bail to 9 people accused of writing communally charged poetry on Assam's citizenship crisis.An FIR had been lodged against them, by an informant alleging that a "Miya poetry" composed by Kazi Nei @ Kazi Sarowar Hussain and translated into English by Salim M. Hussain had gone viral in media. Such poetry had portrayed Assamese people as xenophobic which was a threat to the security of the nation in general and Assam in particular. Furthermore the poetry was also alleged to be contemptuous and was likely to create communal violence in the state.livelaw.in/
Lok Sabha passes NHRC amendment bill, govt assures protection of human rights
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/lok-sabha-passes-nhrc-amendment-bill-govt-assures-protection-of-human-rights-4225021.html
The Lok Sabha on July 19 passed a bill to expedite the process of appointment of chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) after the Govt assured steps were being taken "round-the- clock" to protect human rights.Piloting Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai, said changes in legislation will help in protecting human rights effectively.Addressing concerns raised by members on the amendment Bill, the minister said the Govt has made humanity "rajdharam", adding, during the era of PM Narendra Modi the women were coming forward and shouldering greater responsibilities. The amendment provides for reduction in the tenure of chairpersons of national and state human rights bodies to three years from the current 5 years.It also stipulates that besides a ex CJI, as is the current requirement, a former Supreme Court judge can also become NHRC chairperson. Similarly, a former high court judge can also become a state human rights commission chairperson besides a high court chief, according to the bill. Rai said the bill also gives more administrative and financial powers to these bodies.On the demand of Asaduddin Owaisi that the chairperson of NHRC should be from the national commission for minorities, the minister said there is a provision for OBC which will also include minorities.He further said till date NHRC has been bestowed with A rating and in the "coming days also the A rating would be maintained." Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions(GANHRI) had earlier accorded A rating to NHRC.Participating in the discussion, Pinaki Misra (BJD) said what differentiates India from China, Pakistan and others is that "our NHRC" is more consitutionally vaild. Owaisi asked the Govt "Why do you want to put the MPs of the ruling party in NHRC" and also asked the Centre to frame a legistion to prevent mob lynching.Opposing the bill, N K Premchandran (RSP) urged the Govt to come up with a comprehensive bill.PTI
With 43% share in hate crimes, UP still most unsafe for minorities, Dalits
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dalits-minorities-harassment-attack-cases-uttar-pradesh-india-1570980-2019-07-19
UP CM Yogi Adityanath and the state police may claim to have improved the state's law and order situation but records of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) show that despite this, UP continues to be the hub of harassment of minorities and Dalits.So much so that in the past three years, 43 % of all cases of harassment of minorities and Dalits,taken up by NHRC, were registered in UP . This includes cases of lynching. Indiatoday
Campaign to boycott hate mongering a ‘paper’
http://twocircles.net/2019jul19/432151.html
A signature campaign was organised today after the Friday prayers in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand district in more than 35 mosques against Dainik Jagran Hindi newspaper that had published fake news that Muslims were mob lynching of a juvenile thief on 12th July.The enraged Muslims had burnt copies of the newspaper then.And today they sent a memorandum to President of India appealing him to enact a strict law that will prevent such fake news that are communal and spread hatred and incite violence. Had not the people been proactive in Jamshedpur, there would definitely be violence between the 2 communities.Around 15000 people from not just the Muslim community but also Sikhs, Dalits and other backward caste communities signed the protest campaign. The signature campaign was organised by Bahujan Kranti Morcha and Raashtriya sikch Morcha. Leaders of both groups in Jharkhand Kashif Raza Sidddiqui and Rohit Deep Singh said,” We have been continuously boycotting Dainik Jagran from the last 7 days. And today we have collected 15000 signatures from peace loving people which we are going to send across to President of India”.TCN
Allahabad High Court sends notice to PM Modi on plea challenging his election to Lok Sabha
https://scroll.in/latest/931147/allahabad-high-court-sends-notice-to-pm-narendra-modi-on-plea-challenging-his-election-to-lok-sabha
Allahabad High Court on Friday issued a notice to PM Narendra Modi on a petition challenging his election from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, PTI reported. The plea was filed by former Border Security Force constable Tej Bahadur Yadav, whose nomination papers to stand for Lok Sabha election against Modi in Varanasi were rejected in May.Justice MK Gupta fixed the hearing on the matter for August 21.In his plea, Yadav claimed that his nomination papers had been wrongly rejected,and hence Modi’s election as a MP should be declared null and void.PTI/scroll
Centre appoints new Governors in 6 states, Anandiben transferred to UP
https://zeenews.india.com/india/centre-appoints-new-governors-in-6-states-anandiben-patel-appointed-as-up-governor-jagdeep-dhankhar-ramesh-bais-lal-ji-tandon-phagu-chauhan-rn-ravi-2220610.html
New Delhi: Centre Saturday appointed 6 new Governors in the states of MP, UP , West Bengal, Bihar, Nagaland and Tripura.MP Governor and former CM of Gujarat Anandiben Patel has been transferred as appointed the new as Governor of UP. Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon was also transferred and appointed as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. Senior Supreme Court advocate Jagdeep Dhankhar was appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal, replacing Keshari Nath Tripathi.zee
WORLD
18 Indians Among 23 Sailors Aboard British Tanker Seized By Iran
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indians-among-23-crew-members-aboard-british-tanker-seized-by-iran-2072418
Tehran: Iran opened an investigation on Saturday into a British-flagged tanker it alleges collided with a fishing vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions mount in the strategic waterway.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it seized the Stena Impero on Friday for breaking "international maritime rules" in the strait, a chokepoint for around a third of the world's sea-borne oil.Britain said Iran had seized two ships in the Gulf, and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned of "serious consequences" if the issue was not resolved quickly.The British owner of the second tanker, the Liberian-flagged Mesdar, said the ship had been temporarily boarded by armed personnel, but was free to leave and that all crew were "safe and well".The incidents came hours after a court in Gibraltar said it would extend by 30 days the detention of an Iranian tanker seized two weeks ago in an operation aided by British Royal Marines on allegations of breaching EU sanctions against Syria.The Guards also said Thursday they had seized another "foreign tanker" and its 12 crew days earlier for allegedly smuggling fuel, without giving further details.Tensions in the Gulf have soared in recent weeks, with US President Donald Trump calling off air strikes against Iran at the last minute in June after the Islamic republic downed a US drone, and blaming Iran for a series of tanker attacks.AFP
Tanker seizure shows Iran choosing 'dangerous path': UK
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/uk-tanker-seizure-shows-iran-choosing-dangerous-path-190720094138088.html
UK has told all British ships to avoid using the Strait of Hormuz for an "interim period" after Iran seized a UK-flagged tanker. The British Govt on Saturday also summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires in London over the incident, shortly after Jeremy Hunt, the UK foreign secretary, said the seizure showed "worrying signs Iran may be choosing a dangerous path of illegal and destabilising behaviour"."Our reaction will be considered but robust," Hunt wrote on Twitter, adding that the UK "will ensure the safety of our shipping".Iranian officials, meanwhile, said they had opened an investigation into the Stena Impero, alleging that it had collided with a fishing vessel off the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, near where the tanker is now anchored.aljazeera
US to deploy troops to Saudi as Gulf tensions soar
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/deploy-troops-saudi-arabia-gulf-tensions-soar-190720082258022.html
US has authorised the deployment of military personnel and resources to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon has said, as tensions in the Gulf mount over US's standoff with Iran, the kingdom's archrival.The Pentagon said in a statement on Friday that the move would provide "an additional deterrent" in the face of "emergent, credible threats" in the region.The statement on Friday came after Saudi Arabia's defence ministry confirmed that the kingdom would host US forces to boost regional security and stability."Based on mutual cooperation between Saudi Arabia and USA, and their desire to enhance everything that could preserve the security of the region and its stability ... King Salman gave his approval to host American forces," a ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by Saudi state news agency SPA.A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deployment would include about 500 military personnel and is part of a boost in the number of US troops in the Middle East that the Pentagon announced last month.US military also said it had patrol aircraft monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, and was developing a "multinational maritime effort" to ensure freedom of navigation in key Middle East waterways.aljazeera
Saudi envoy to UN: It is time to end war in Yemen
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190720-saudi-ambassador-to-un-it-is-time-to-end-war-in-yemen/
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the UN, Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, yesterday said that his country does not want war with Iran and that the time to end the war in Yemen has come.“We do not want war with Iran in Yemen or elsewhere,” Al-Mouallimi said, “it is high time that the war in Yemen should end and the Houthis should accept UN resolution 2216 by ending their illegitimate occupation of power in Yemen,” Anadolu reported.In the presence of Yemeni representative Abdullah Al-Saadi, the Arab League, the Emirati Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN and a representative of the Bahraini delegation on behalf of the Arab Group, Al-Mouallimi handed a copy of the decisions taken at the Arab Summit in Mecca to the UN chief.MEMO
Sudan: Deal between military, protest leaders suspended, talks postponed
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190720-sudan-deal-between-military-protest-leaders-suspended-talks-postponed/
A power-sharing deal between the Sudanese military and protest leaders has been suspended and talks postponed over differences among the opposition parties, protest leaders said.Sudanese and Arab media reported protest leaders as saying that the talks aimed at signing the second part of the deal were put off because opposition leaders needed more time to resolve differences among themselves.“The talks have been postponed,” Omar Al-Digeir, a prominent protest leader, told mass media. “We need more internal consultation to reach a united vision,” he added, without setting a new date for the resumption of talks. middleeastmonitor
Egypt: Family of deputy Brotherhood guide persecuted since 2013
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190720-egypt-family-of-deputy-brotherhood-guide-persecuted-since-2013/
The family of Khayrat Al-Shater, deputy to the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been subject to persecution since July 2013 when he refused to accept the military coup against late Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi, Arab 21 reported.Last week, Al-Shater sent a message for the first time since he was arrested, speaking about several issues. He stated that the deputy of the US Secretary of State, Qatar’s foreign minister, an EU representative and UAE’s foreign minister met him in prison in July 2013 and asked him to accept the de facto ruler of Egypt –army which carried out the coup.Al-Shater said that they told him if he accepted the military coup, they would release him and all members of his group. He said however that he refused their offer.Rights groups have recently revealed that Al-Shater’s family members, including his sons, daughters and sons-in-law were detained, tortured and prevented from family visitations.middleeastmonitor
10 civilians killed in Afghan security forces airstrikes
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/10-civilians-killed-afghan-security-forces-airstrikes-190720134158877.html
At least 10 civilians, including women and children, have been killed in airstrikes by Afghan security forces in the western Badghis province, officials said.Two other people were wounded in Friday night's attacks in Bala Murghab district, Ziauddin Akazai, a lawmaker from Badghis, said.Abdul Aziz Beg, head of the provincial council, said fighters surrounded an army base in the district.He said helicopters were trying to reach the base, but fighters were shooting from nearby villages. Three children, two women and five men were among those killed in the attacks, Beg said.The Taliban, who control roughly half of Afghanistan, posted photos of dead children on their Twitter account.Also on Friday, at least eight people were killed and more than 30 others injured after an IED blast went off near the entrance of Kabul University. aljazeera
Israel to demolish 100 Palestinian homes in occupied West Bank
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/israel-demolish-100-palestinian-homes-occupied-west-bank-190719170045437.html
Israel is due to begin demolishing 100 Palestinian homes near the separation barrier after a seven-year battle in Israeli courts.Many worry that a legal precedent has been set in Wadi al-Hummus, this being the first time demolition orders have been issued for 16 properties built with permits from the Palestinian Authority on land under its sole administration.aljazeera
Archaeologists find mosque from when Islam arrived in holy land:Reuters
https://in.reuters.com/article/archaeology-israel-mosque/archaeologists-find-mosque-from-when-islam-arrived-in-holy-land-idINKCN1UD252
:Archaeologists in Israel have discovered the remains of one of the world’s oldest rural mosques, built around the time Islam arrived in the holy land, they said .The Israel Antiquities Authority estimates that mosque, uncovered ahead of new construction in the Bedouin town of Rahat in the Negev desert, dates back to 7th to 8th centuries. There are large mosques known to be from that period in Jerusalem and in Mecca but it is rare to find a house of prayer so ancient whose congregation is likely to have been local farmers, the antiquities authority said. Excavated at the site were the remains of an open-air mosque — a rectangular building, about the size of a single-car garage, with a prayer niche facing south towards Mecca.“This is one of the earliest mosques known from the beginning of the arrival of Islam in Israel, after the Arab conquest of 636 C.E.,” said Gideon Avni of the antiquities authority.
'I’m an outsider': Why Raghuram didn't apply for top job at Bank of England
https://www.livemint.com/industry/banking/-i-m-an-outsider-why-raghuram-rajan-didn-t-apply-for-top-job-at-bank-of-england-1563612658512.html
Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has indicated the political challenges posed by Brexit were the reasons he didn’t apply to head up the Bank of England.In an interview with the BBC, Rajan confirmed he hadn’t sought the position and cited the fact that central banking “has become much more political in recent times" as an explanation for why not.Bloomberg
Anxiety in India over Afghan peace process:Anadolu Agency report
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/anxiety-in-india-over-afghan-peace-process/1536789
As major powers move toward finalizing a deal in Afghanistan, anxiety looms large in India over the fate of its $3 billion worth of investments and clout in the war-torn country.In the first annual budget of his second tenure presented in parliament earlier this month, PM Narendra Modi allocated 4 billion rupees ($58 million) for development work in Afghanistan. But anticipating a setback in case of a hostile Govt taking over Kabul, it slashed allocations for the construction of Iran’s Chabahar port to a mere 450 million rupees ($6.5 million) from 1.5 billion rupees ($21.8 million) for the year 2019-20.Last November, the US had exempted the port from its sanctions regime against Iran. India had committed a capital investment of $85.21 million for the development of two berths of the port and container terminals and the incurring of an annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million over the next few years.Keeping in view its unending hostilities with neighboring Pakistan, Chabahar port was hyped as a significant strategic point for India, not only to connect to Afghanistan, but also to control access to Central Asia and parts of Russia.Experts believe that the anxiety in India stems from the fact that even after providing $650 million to $750 million as humanitarian and economic aid, making it the largest regional provider of assistance for Afghanistan, it has been left out of the peace talks. Adding to concerns is that Pakistan has joined the US, Russia and China to strike a deal with the Taliban.Former Indian envoy to Afghanistan Rakesh Sood admitted that neither India nor its ally the Afghan Govt has found a place at the negotiating table. He, however, warned that the conflict in Afghanistan will not end, because peace was never the real objective of the talks. Instead, they were aimed at providing an excuse for American forces to leave the country.Sood said Pakistan’s patient investment in the Taliban has paid off.“After US exits, it will declare an end to its longest war. But it will not end the conflict in Afghanistan because peace in Afghanistan was never the real objective of the current flurry of talks. That is why the Afghans and India feel aggrieved,”he said.
Flash: views & NEWS
Destiny of Assam’s millions rests on documents that fade, fray, go missing in floods:Ipsita Chakravarty
https://scroll.in/article/931000/the-destiny-of-assams-millions-rests-on-documents-which-fade-fray-go-missing-in-the-floods
Shah Waliullah Dehalavi | An Outstanding Islamic Thinker:Faizaan Bhat
https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/todays-paper/op-ed/shah-waliullah-dehalavi-an-outstanding-islamic-thinker/
It’s Time to Call Amit Shah’s Bluff in the Samjhauta Blast Case:Siddharth Varadarajan
https://thewire.in/security/its-time-to-call-amit-shahs-bluff-in-the-samjhauta-blast-case
Cruel Irony of the German Ambassador's Visit to RSS HQRS:Sidharth Bhatia
https://thewire.in/world/german-ambassador-walter-lindner-rss-headquarters
With NIA Taking Control of Cases in Kashmir, Local Police Senses Lack of Trust:Auqib Javeed
https://thewire.in/Govt/nia-jammu-and-kashmir-police
Rajasthan Gangrape: Dalit Woman's Family Wary as Time to Record Statement Draws Closer:Shruti Jain
https://thewire.in/rights/rajasthan-gangrape-dalit-womans-family-wary-as-time-to-record-statement-draws-closer
Inclusion over exclusion: on Assam NRC
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/inclusion-over-exclusion/article28598577.ece
Mob Lynching Can’t be Tackled Without Taking on Brahminism:Ajay Gudavarthy
https://www.newsclick.in/mob-lynching-tackled-without-taking-brahminism
Watch: Why has justice been delayed to hate crime victim Mohammad Afrazul, asks his family
https://scroll.in/video/930978/watch-why-has-justice-been-delayed-to-hate-crime-victim-mohammad-afrazul-asks-his-family
Pakistan's tribal region: From militancy to elections
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistans-tribal-region-from-militancy-to-elections/1536022
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq
(Released at: 7:27 PM)
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