NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
06 July 2019: 02 Dhul Qadah 1440:Vol: 11, No:238
INDIA
Karnataka crisis: 12 rebel MLAs leave for Mumbai
https://www.newsx.com/national/karnataka-crisis-14-mlas-who-resigned-to-be-moved-to-goa-say-reports
The shaky Congress-JD(S) coalition govt in Karnataka is again in the doldrums with at least 14 MLAs of the ruling alliance submitting their resignations with Karnataka Assembly Speaker’s office on Saturday. Of 14, 12 rebel MLAs have been flown to Mumbai for safe-keeping in the continuance of resort politics. Earlier, reports had said they will be flown to Goa.BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa told the media that Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who is playing the trouble-shooter to keep the alliance on, tore some of the resignations at the Assembly Speaker’s office. Shivakumar, in his turn, told the media nobody will resign and that he will be meeting the MLAs. 3 MLAs are said to have promised to withdraw their resignations if the CM’s post is given to Siddaramaiah. Congress and JDS together have 116 in 224-member state assembly where 113 is majority mark. The coalition will crash if 14 lawmakers quit. BJP has 105 MLAs. BJP had first been called to form the govnt but had to resign since they didn’t have the numbers to pass a confidence vote in the state assembly.NewsX
Karnataka MLAs resign Live : Congress tears into BJP for ‘orchestrating’ MLAs’ resignation
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-congress-jds-mlas-resignation-live-updates-kumaraswamy-5818313/?#liveblogstart
New Delhi:Congress-JDS coalition has sprung into action with a series of meetings being held in Bengaluru and New Delhi as leaders try to pacify MLAs. Congress alleged the saffron party’s hands behind the resignations as spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, condemned the “orchestrated move” by BJP and reminded PM Narendra Modi of his oath.He said that democracy is being denigrated and the constitution is being trampled in broad daylight in the state.indianexpress
Karnataka: Union Minister Gowda says BJP all set to form govt, BS Yeddyurappa to become CM
https://www.newsx.com/national/karnataka-15-congress-jds-coalition-mlas-set-to-resign-say-reports
On being asked about if BJP will form the govt in Karnataka, Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda has said that Governor is the supreme authority, as per the constitutional mandate. He added that if he calls us, certainly we are ready to form the govt. We are the single largest party, we have got 105 people with us. He added that BS Yeddyurappa will be the Chief Minister if a new Government is formed in Karnataka.newsx
Nothing will happen, govt will continue: Siddaramaiah
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-political-crisis-live-updates-mlas-resignation-push-karnataka-ruling-coalition-to-the-brink/article28303427.ece?homepage=true
In Karnataka, amid a flurry of resignations by the ruling combine MLAs, senior Congress leader and coalition coordination committee chief Siddaramaiah has asserted that the govt in Karnataka would continue. thehindu
BUDGET 2019
Opposition: Budget Benefits Corporate Sector, Ignores Common People
https://thewire.in/politics/opposition-reaction-union-budget
New Delhi: Opposition leaders criticised Union govt for presenting a business-as-usual Budget on Friday, and not seriously addressing the lingering problems of unemployment and agrarian crisis.At the same time, most opposition parties expressed their dismay over finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman not disclosing outlay figures in her speech. While she elaborated the second Modi govt’s plans, targets and missions, she steered clear of detailing budgetary allocations in her speech.This not only breached convention, but appeared unethical as Finance Bill was put to vote in Lok Sabha immediately after finance minister finished her speech, opposition parties felt.Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram accused Union govt of withholding crucial information in Budget. He pointed out that “insipid” budget speech gave out no detail regarding the Govt’s expenditure, revenue, fiscal deficit, and even the allocation for the defence sector, and was an “unusually opaque exercise”.“Has there ever been a Budget speech that does not disclose the total revenue, the total expenditure, fiscal deficit, the revenue deficit, the additional revenue mobilisation or financial concessions? Has there ever been a Budget speech that does not disclose allocations to important programmes like MGNREGA, mid-day meal scheme, healthcare etc. and to vulnerable sections like SC/ST, minorities, women? We are shocked by the departure from the usual practice,” he said at a press gathering.He also said that the increased custom duties and taxes on a large number of goods, including petrol and diesel, is “protectionist and exploitative” in nature and will increase the taxpayer’s burden.He added that the Budget did not contain any noteworthy long-term or structural reform, as most announcements were only “expansion of current programmes and schemes”.“Modi Govt treats India as one big state govt and has taken upon itself the responsibility to do things that are the right and duty of state Govts. This is not cooperative federalism, it is an unequal partnership imposed by Centre upon state govts,” he said.Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surejewala tweeted to say that the budget was anti-common people.Left parties hit out at the Govt for completely ignoring basic issues of people and making cosmetic announcements. They also said that the entire budget was an exercise to benefit the corporate sector while leaving the poor to fend for themselves. CPI(M) said, “first budget of second Modi Govt was a payback gift after the elections to corporate India and foreign financial interests. The Budget and the speech were full of several promises and commitments that would help big corporate capital and the wealthy to strengthen their grip on the Indian economy and foster greater integration of the Indian economy with international financial markets. Nothing, however, was there for India’s working people – kisans and workers – who would be left to fend for themselves in a world of shrinking opportunities for employment and livelihood.”AAP also hit out at the Govt for doing little for common people who are in dire need of employment opportunities and quality education. Mamata Banerjee too attacked govt for increasing prices of fuel.Even BJP’s own Subramanian Swamy pointed out contradictions in Budget speech. He tweeted,"target stated in Budget is doubling of farm income by 2022 from base year 2018.That means doubling in 4 years which means a compound average annual rate of growth of 18% per year.At present farm income is growing at 2.0%per year.Sweet dreams."thewire
Opposition terms budget fraudulent, says it’s old wine in a new bottle
https://www.newsx.com/national/opposition-terms-budget-as-fraudulent-says-its-an-old-wine-in-a-new-bottle
Budget exposes Modi govt’s apathy towards minorities welfare
https://caravandaily.com/union-budget-exposes-modi-govts-apathy-towards-minorities-welfare/
Prominent minority groups and leaders sharply reacted to the Union Budget which did not increase a single penny in the outlay for the welfare of minorities and unfortunately it has reduced the allocations for scholarship scheme contradicting Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Naqvi’s claim that Modi Govt will provide 50 million scholarships to minority students in the next 5 years. Minority Ministry has been allocated Rs 4,700 crores,same as previous fiscal.Ex- Minority Affairs Minister K Rehman Khan said it has again proved the hollowness of govt’s tall claims made for the empowerment of minorities just after its re-election. Generally, every ministry’s budget get enhanced by 10% taking into account inflation and other factors but in the present budget nothing such happened. Flaying budget, Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat said Modi govt’s promises to the minorities were mere rhetoric. Mushawarat chief, Navaid Hamid pointed out that the present govt which wants to win the confidence of minorities, particularly Muslims, was even averse using term minority.Like Gujarat budget, finance minister also did not utter minority word even once in her speech in parliament that shows this govt’s ‘commitment’ for the minority welfare, he said. Hamid pointed out that govt has not paid a single penny as it had promised after Haj subsidy was abruptly withdrawn some 2 years back.Caravan Daily
Minority Ministry budget allocation same as 2018-19
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/minority-affairs-ministry-budget-allocation-same-as-2018-19/articleshow/70096125.cms
Budge: Minority Education Fund Slashed, Allocation For Free UPSC Coaching Raised by Modi Govt
https://www.latestly.com/india/politics/budget-2019-minority-education-fund-slashed-allocation-for-free-upsc-coaching-raised-by-modi-govt-988519.html
Union Budget 2019-20 has slashed educational grant for minorities. While the govt reduced budget allocation for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for minorities, it substantially raised funds for providing free and subsidised coaching for UPSC exams to minority candidates.In the budget, the Govt reduced funds allocated for educational empowerment of minority to Rs 2,362 crore from Rs 2,451 crore last year. The budget allocation for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships has been reduced from Rs 1,296 crore last year to Rs 1,220 crore this year, and from Rs 500 crore to Rs 496 crore this year, respectively. Under Support for students clearing prelims conducted by UPSC, SSC, SPSC etc scheme, the govt, however, increased the budget for providing free and subsidised coaching for minority candidates from Rs 8 crore last year to Rs 20 crore this year. When the Modi Govt abolished the Haj subsidy, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had said that the saved money would be used to educate the Muslim community. A ministry official said the reduction in budget allocation for minority education is marginal and that more funds have been allocated for other schemes meant for the betterment of minorities. “These schemes have been operational for some time and do not need more money. We are instead focusing on persuading more Muslims to prepare for UPSC,” the official was quoted as saying.latestly.com
India hikes gold import duty, industry fears smuggling surge
https://in.reuters.com/article/india-economy-budget-gold/india-hikes-gold-import-duty-industry-fears-smuggling-surge-idINKCN1U00R3
Mumbai:India raised the import duties on gold and other precious metals on Friday in a surprise move that industry officials say could dampen retail demand and boost smuggling in the world’s second-biggest bullion consumer.Lower demand from India could weigh on global prices that are trading near their highest level in 6 years.Jewellery trade associations have asked India’s Govt to reduce gold import duties, which have caused a surge in smuggling. The Govt instead hiked the duty to 12.5% from 10% as policymakers try to bring down the fiscal deficit and recapitalise banks.“This is a shocking move.We were expecting reduction in the custom duty,” Anantha Padmanabhan, chairman of All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) said, adding the hike has effectively raised smugglers’ margins.Gold smuggling surged in India after the Govt raised the import duty to 10% in August 2013. Grey market operators - businesses that smuggle gold from overseas and sell it in cash to avoid the duties - got a further boost in 2017 when India imposed a 3% sales tax on bullion. India has been trying to bring transparency in bullion trading by curbing cash transactions but the hike “will dilute efforts to reduce cash transactions”, said Somasundaram PR, MD of World Gold Council’s Indian operations.Reuters
Promise to provide scholarship to 1 crore Muslim students not fulfilled in Union Budget : Owaisi
https://www.indiatoday.in/budget-2019/story/promise-provide-scholarship-1-crore-muslim-students-not-fulfilled-union-budget-2019-asaduddin-owaisi-1563226-2019-07-06
Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has lashed out at Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi for not fulfiling promise of providing scholarship to one crore Muslim students in Union Budget. Owaisi said: "Naqvi had promised to give scholarship to one crore Muslims students every year. Why was the scholarship not provided in the Union Budget?"ANI
Economic survey cites Hinduism, Islam, Christianity to deter tax evasion
https://www.thehansindia.com/business/economic-survey-cites-hinduism-islam-christianity-to-deter-tax-evasion-543825
Economic Survey 2018-19 tabled in Parliament, has suggested ways to bring about behavioural changes to widen the tax net in India.The document listed out methods such as linking religion to tax evasion, rewarding top taxpayers by naming roads, building and trains after them, and expediting boarding privileges at airports, fast-lane privileges on roads and toll booths, special "diplomatic" type lanes at immigration, among others. The document noted that in Hinduism, non-payment of debts is a sin and also a crime. The scriptures ordain that if a person's debts are not paid and he dies in a state of indebtedness, his soul may have to face evil consequences, according to News18 report. Survey quoted Hinduism's doctrine of pious obligation and read, "Therefore, it is the duty of his children to save him from such evil consequences. Further reinstating the need to link religion with tax evasion, it read, "Under Islam, Prophet Muhammad advocated – O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt.Advertise With Us A person cannot enter Paradise until his debt is paid off. All of his wealth could be used to pay the debt and if it is insufficient then one or more heirs of the deceased could voluntarily pay for him." The Survey also quoted from the Bible. "Bible says, 'Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another - Romans 13:8' and 'The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives -Psalm 37:21'," it noted. thehans
LYNCHING ISSUE
Muslim Quack Lynched by Mob in Assam for Allegedly Raping Two Women
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/quack-lynched-by-mob-in-assam-for-allegedly-raping-two-women
A 45-year-old quack was lynched by mob in West Karbi Anglong district of Assam HT reported. Hussain Ali, a traditional doctor, allegedly raped a 22-year-old tribal woman on 3 July on the pretext of conducting a ritual to cure her partially blind mother.He took the woman to a separate room to perform the rituals saying that they will help cure her mother’s blindness, the police said. Then he allegedly made her smell a substance that made her semi-conscious and then raped her. He also allegedly threatened her to not tell anyone about the incident.Ali visited the woman’s house the next day as well, report said, and created a scene after finding out that she wasn’t at home.Then he took a 16-year-old relative of the woman and allegedly raped her too.The Quintu /HT
Bihar police save man from being lynched by cow vigilantes
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-police-save-man-from-being-lynched-by-cow-vigilantes/story-lAManm3g4HeeSHbJSbUJOO.html
Bhabua:Police in Bihar’s Bhabua town saved a truck driver, who was carrying animal bones in his vehicle, from being lynched by cow vigilantes on Wednesday evening, officials said. The incident happened at 8 pm on Wednesday on the western outskirts of Bhabua when at least 100 vigilantes chased the truck on motorcycles alleging the driver was transporting beef and cow skin in his truck. The truck had started from Babura village in Bhabua district and was bound for Gujarat.The mob was led by Uttam Patel, a self-styled state president of the youth wing of Hindu Samaj, police said. The men dragged the driver out of the truck, held him captive and assaulted him at a place just a few hundred yards from the residence of SP, they said.The driver told the mob he was carrying animal bones in his truck but the men did not stop their assault. They also damaged the truck. “A police team rushed to the spot within a few minutes and rescued the driver from being lynched,” SP Dilnawaz Ahmad said. Uttam Patel and his supporters opposed the police action and asked them to hand over the driver to them. They threatened the police officer that he would be removed from service and would have to face dire consequences.Patel and about 60 of his supporters were booked for the attack on driver, threatening police and obstructing officers on duty. HT
3 youths thrashed in Ranchi, ‘forced’ to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/three-muslim-youths-thrashed-forced-to-chant-jai-shri-ram-in-ranchi/article28302858.ece
Bhubaneswar:Tension prevailed at the MG Marg in Ranchi on Friday after 3 youths of a minority community were thrashed and allegedly forced them to chant “Jai Shri Ram” by a group of people.The youths were treated in a hospital and later discharged.Enraged community members blocked the MG Marg near Church Complex, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits. Police rushed to the spot to control the situation. The community leaders continued to demonstrate till late in the evening.“We have deployed police along MG Marg to prevent further escalation. Now the area is peaceful. We are keeping a close watch on the situation,” SSP Anish Gupta said over the phone on Saturday.Aamir Wasim, who lodged a complaint at the Doranda police station, said he and his friends, Altaf Ali and Ali Ahmed, had gone to the airport area to take photographs.“We were riding our 2-wheelers and were in kurta pajama when some people besieged us.Without any provocation, they beat us up and told us to chant “Jai Shri Ram”. As the crowd got bigger, we fled from the spot,” said Wasim, adding that security personnel near the Birsa Munda Airport rescued them.On Friday, Muslims took out an ‘Akrosh’ rally to protest against attacks on their community members in Ranchi.thehindu
Surat: Police open fire as clash breaks out with people protesting against mob lynching
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/surat-police-open-fire-lobs-tear-gas-shells-as-clash-breaks-out-with-people-protesting-against-mob-lynching-5817550/
Surat : Tension gripped Surat as police opened fire and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse people protesting against the lynching of Tabrez Ansari Friday. Clashes between the protestors and police broke out in Nanpura area of the city.People from a minority community led by Versatile Minority Forum president advocate Babu Pathan and his associates had taken out a rally to condemn the mob lynching Ansari reportedly without police permission.Police lobbed tear gas shells and fired in the air to disperse the mob to control the situation as the organisers of the rally were arrested.The group had sought permission to take out the rally from Badekhan Chakla to Nanpura near Dotiwala bakery at Makkai pul circle, which was not granted.On Friday afternoon, a large number of minority community people gathered at Badekhan Chakla in Surat, where local youth were seen carrying banners and photos of Tabrez while raising slogans calling for stopping mob lynchings and strict punishment for accused. As they reached Nanpura Makkai pul circle police were present to stop them due to lack of permission. indian express
Hyderabad:Muslims form panel to curb mob violence
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/050719/hyderabad-muslims-form-panel-to-curb-mob-violence.html
Muslim organisations have constituted a board to deal with incidents of mob violence and hatred. Called the ‘Khairsugali Board’ (goodwill board), it will take account of incidents on a monthly basis and strive to promote communal harmony.A meeting of representatives of various community organisations was held in Hussamia Manzil, Panje Shah. The meeting was convened by Moulana Mohammed Hussamuddin Sani Jafar Pasha. The participants discussed the increasing incidents of violence and lynching by mobs in the country and felt the need of adopting a collaborative approach to tackle the situation. They demanded enactment of a specific law against mob violence and to ensure death penalty to culprits of such heinous crimes.Participants in the meeting observed that it was high time to take multi-pronged initiatives to handle the situation. Moulana Mufti Abdul Mughani Mazah-eri, city president of Jamiat-e-Ulema said that a few people were trying to destroy the democratic fabric of the country and tarnish its image of rich and tolerant culture. He said that the board would strive to promote integration among different communities and create an atmosphere of tolerance. “We will convince people to raise their voices against atrocities against humanity. This Board will also focus on character building of Muslim community,” he said.Board will have representatives of Jamiat, Jamat-e-Islami, Tamir-e-Millat, Majlis-e-Ilmia, Majlis Khatam-e-Nabu-wat, Najat-ul-Ulema, the Shia community, Ahle Hadees, Safa Bait-ul-Maal and Sufi.Sufis of the city are also contemplating to take up the issue. Deccan Chronicle
Muslim clerics demand anti-lynching law
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/muslim-clerics-demand-anti-lynching-law/articleshow/70079515.cms
Govt Needs to Take Immediate Steps to Curb Mob Lynching: Sufi Scholars
https://caravandaily.com/govt-needs-to-take-immediate-steps-to-curb-mob-lynching-sufi-scholars/?fbclid=IwAR2DpYS1tec6wwpYhe8xFRDVrp0jz36pC3kxLQszXh5G_TM5U6mJOomLnXE
Jamiat demands law against mob lynching
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/all-india-jamiat-ulama-i-hind-demands-law-against-mob-lynching/1633098/
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has expressed concern over the “growing” incidents of mob lynching targeting religious minorities and sought a special law to curb them. In a meeting of its working committee, it stressed that mere cosmetic attempts to tackle the menace “would not suffice” as it was the duty of PM to ensure the safety of minorities. Jamiat Chief Maulana Arshad Madani, who presided over the meeting, told the media that a demand was raised to enact a special law to deal with mob lynching.He also warned that a hugely diverse and multi-religious country like India cannot be governed by one particular ideology or religion. The country will move on the path of progress if it follows secularism and religious neutrality, he said alleging that minorities especially Muslims were being targeted because of their religion. Madani claimed that attempts were being made to abolish the rule of law in the country as well as undermine the judiciary.If the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law is not upheld, then the country will pay a heavy price for this blunder, he said. Everybody needs to uphold the Constitutional values and preserve the age-old ethos of religious tolerance and communal harmony, he said. Without taking any names, Madani said some forces were trying to divide the people on communal and caste lines and spreading hatred to reap political dividends.PTI
Owaisi, Arshad Madani seek legislation to curb mob lynching
https://caravandaily.com/assam-nrc-a-humanitarian-crisis-looming-large/
‘Threat to nation’: Kerala House resolution demands end to lynchings
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/threat-to-nation-kerala-house-resolution-demands-end-to-lynchings-5815761/
Days after 24-year-old Tabriz Ansari died following a mob attack in a village in Jharkhand,Kerala Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning mob lynchings, demanding an end to such barbarities.The resolution said there has been a four-fold increase in mob lynchings since 2014, and most of these crimes have been committed by self-styled vigilantes. It said that such crimes increased from 5 %t in 2010 to 20 %t in 2017.“Mob lynching is the brutal crime against humaneness. Emergence of the thought that law can be taken into hand with the backing of power and money is a threat to the very security of the nation. Mob lynching has to be eradicated forever to ensure the diversity and unity of the country and protection of every Indian citizen. Kerala, the land of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, has the responsibility to tell the country the path of humaneness, prudence and love,” it said.The resolution stated that if incidents of mob lynching are allowed to recur, the democratic, judicial and law and order system would collapse.indianexpress
Meerut Violence: Net services again suspended
https://www.newsclick.in/Meerut-Tabrez-Ansari-Internet-Down
Meerut: Internet services were suspended as a precautionary measure in Meerut district on Friday after certain protests held on June 30 against the lynching of Tabrez Ansari in Jharkhand went out of control and took a violent turn.As per reports, the incident took place on Sunday when a local outfit, Yuva Sewa Samiti (YSS), had sought permission to take out a peace march to pay homage to Tabrez Ansari. However, the administration claimed that they denied the permission as Section 144 of CrPC was in place. Yet, the outfit went ahead with the march. The protesters had claimed that during Friday prayers(June 28), it was announced that a peaceful procession will take place in Meerut since such protests are taking place everywhere across the country. But despite repeated requests to the police as well administration, the officials remained inaccessible. When the protesters began to assemble, police reportedly lathicharged to disperse mob. Later, head of YSS, Badar Ali, who had organised the march, was arrested by police days after the police had announced a reward of Rs 5,000 for anybody providing information about Ali. FIRs have been filed under various sections of IPC and "NSA will also be invoked against those who are being identified by us through available mobile videos to us," Meerut's SSP said. Police have registered cases against nearly 2,575 persons (75 named, 2,000 unidentified) in 5 different police stations of Meerut district.Meanwhile, this is second time when net services were suspended by local administration within 5 days.NewsClick approached a dozen people to talk about the current situation, but people refused to comment over the issue saying that Muslims of Meerut are living in fear and do not want to speak to the media. However, IA Khan, uncle of Badar Ali, said, “My nephew Babar led the protest, but when people started to assemble, police suddenly came and asked not to protest. Babar was targeted because his organisation is doing tremendous work for the needy people. There is not a single crime against Babar and police made him ‘wanted’ criminal just because of the protest.” Several Muslim families have decried that the police have wrongly framed several youths who were not even present or were simply passing the area when the incident took place.newsclick
Communal violence: Net remains closed in Agra
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/following-communal-violence-internet-closed-agra-1563054-2019-07-05
Days after communal violence that broke out in Agra following a protest march by Muslims in the city, internet remained down on Friday to prevent spreading of fake news after Friday prayers.A large police contingent from the neighbouring district was deployed around Jama Masjid where Friday prayers are held.Police presence ensured a calm situation despite the protest march call by Muslim organizations and the Bhim Army. Activists belonging to both Muslim organizations and Bhim Army have either been picked up by police or are in hiding due to the strict checking throughout Agra and DGP OP Singh is himself monitoring the sitution. Friday prayers were also held peacefully in Taj Mahal, which was open for two hours just for the prayers. A large number of CISF jawans were on a strict vigil during prayers.indiatoday
‘Jai Shri Ram’ not part of Kolkata’s culture:A.Sen
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jai-shri-ram-not-part-of-kolkatas-culture-amartya-sen/article28303094.ece?homepage=true&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR1qpYBectom8l4p3QzN5735cAgIK-sUUCuOzWyZSudksSTsPl1ZsLCWyUQ
Kolkata :Economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has said the affinity towards the slogan, ‘Jai Shri Ram’, was a recent development in West Bengal and not part of Kolkata’s culture.It was not a phrase to which any consequence was attributed earlier “in my days,” he said “It [Jai Shri Ram] is a recent import used as a pretext to beat people up,” he said in an interaction with students of Jadavpur University in Kolkata, where he was a professor of economics in the mid-fifties, on Friday. Earlier in the day, at a seminar, Professor Sen said when “someone is asked to alight a rickshaw, told to repeat a particular phrase [and then] hit with stick if the person refused to say so then I am alarmed.”“We do not want to discriminate between various castes, religion or communities, but it is increasing,”he said at the seminar. Later in the evening, in Jadavpur University, where he interacted with social scientist Partha Chatterjee, Sen reiterated the issue of discrimination.“These days, when I hear that members of a particular community are scared and going out of their houses in this city with an element of fear, then I fail to recognise this city…the city of my pride.We need to ask questions now,” he said.He further said in the question and answer session that Bengalis were not connected with “culture” of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or Ram Navami but this new culture was imported to promote divisive politics in the State. thehindu
OTHERS
Gujarat: Ex-BJP MP Dinu Solanki, 6 others guilty of killing RTI activist
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rti-activist-amit-jethwa-murder-former-bjp-mp-dinu-bogha-solanki-convicted-5818304/
New Delhi :A special CBI court on Saturday convicted former BJP MP from Junagadh, Dinu Bogha Solanki, and 6 others for the murder of RTI activist Amit Jethwa in Ahmedabad in 2010. The quantum of punishment will be announced on July 11.Jethva was shot dead on July 20, 2010, by 2 assailants outside the Gujarat High Court. Through RTI replies, the social worker had exposed the illegal mining activities in Gir forest allegedly by the former MP.Initially, the murder case was investigated by Ahmedabad DCB which chargesheeted six persons — Shiva Solanki (nephew of Dinu Solanki), Shailesh Pandya, Bahadursinh Vadher, Panchan G Desai, Sanjay Chauhan and Udaji Thakore.After Solanki was given a clean chit by DCB, Jethva’s father Bhikhabhai moved the High Court. indian express
Haren Pandya murder case: SC convicts 12 persons for killing former Gujarat home minister
https://www.newsx.com/national/haren-pandya-murder-case-supreme-court-convicts-12-persons-for-murder-of-former-gujarat-home-minister
The Supreme Court has convicted 12 persons for their involvement in the murder of former Gujarat home minister Haren Pandya. Pandya, who was th then home minister in the Narendra Modi govt in Gujarat, was shot dead in Ahmedabad while he went out on a morning walk in March 2003. A bench headed by Justices Arun Mishra and Vineet Saran allowed CBI and the Gujarat Govt challenging the high court order where all the convicts were acquitted from the charges.However, the apex court rejected a PIL filed by NGO CPIL seeking a court-monitored fresh probe into the Haren Pandya murder case. The SC also imposed a Rs 50,000 fine on the CPIL and said no further would be entertained in this murder case.The accused were convicted earlier for the conspiracy by a POTA court. The convicts are- Asghar Ali, Mohammad Rauf, M. Parvez Abdul Kayum Sheikh, Parvez Khan Pathan, Mohammad Farooq, Shahnawaz Gandhi, Kalim Ahmed, Rehan Puthawala, Mohammad Riaz Sareswala, Aniz Machiswala, Mohammad Yunus Sareswala and Mohammad Saifuddin.Newsx
Convicts in Kathua rape case appeal in High Court
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/convicts-in-kathua-rape-case-appeals-in-punjab-and-haryana-high-court
The main convicts in the Kathua rape case appealed against his conviction in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which has admitted the petition. Among the accused, Sanji Ram, Parvesh Kumar, and Deepak Khajuria had approached the High Court against their life terms while Anand Dutta and Surinder Kumar had appealed against their five-year jail term.“Admitted. Recovery of fine shall remain suspended during the pendency of the appeal,”said a division bench in an order.The HC has listed July 18 for the hearing of all the appeals by 6 convicts.nationalheraldindia
BJP MP’s security men thrash toll plaza employees in Agra
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/watch-video-bjp-mp-ram-shankar-katheria-security-men-thrash-toll-plaza-employees-in-agra-5818090/
New Delhi:Employees at a toll plaza in Agra were allegedly thrashed by the security personnel of BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria following an argument.As per a video released by the news agency, the security personnel of Katheria, who is also the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes, also opened fire in the air to create fear. The reason behind the argument is not clear.The incident comes a week after a toll collector at Kherki Daula toll plaza in Gurgaon was dragged on the bonnet of a car for 100 metres when he tried to stop a commuter from passing without paying tax. Another toll operator, in the same booth, was beaten up with a brick by a commuter the next day. 2 persons were arrested in connection with the case.indian express
Curious transfer from CBI and ‘downgrading’ of ‘midnight’ Nageshwara Rao
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/the-curious-transfer-from-cbi-and-downgrading-of-midnight-nageshwara-rao
Last year in October the Govt was in such panic that the then CBI director Alok Verma was sacked post-midnight and Nageshwara Rao made to replace him and join around 1.30 in the morning.Equally unceremoniously Rao’s tenure in CBI, where he was serving as Additional Director after the Govt appointed a regular, full-time director in Feb this year, was cut short on Friday this week. Ironically, he has been posted as Director General of Fire Services and Civil Defence and Home Guards, a post which Verma had refused to join.Officialdom is intrigued by sudden shifting out of Nageswara Rao from CBI yesterday -- a day when the Govt and the rest of the people were otherwise totally preoccupied with the presentation of Budget in Parliament.nationalheraldindia
Aligarh: Man beaten up for ‘reciting Bhagavad Gita’ at home, 2 held
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/aligarh-man-beaten-up-for-reciting-bhagavad-gita-at-home-two-held-5818046/
Lucknow:Aligarh police arrested 2 persons Friday for allegedly beating up a 42-year-old man, their neighbour, for “reciting Bhagavad Gita” at his residence in Delhi Gate police station area.Police said Dilsher Khan was reciting from the holy book Thursday morning when Mohammad Sameer (20) and Zakir (21) entered his house and assaulted him. On Friday Sameer and Zakir were produced before a local court, which sent them to judicial custody, said SHO of Delhi Gate police station, Indresh Pal Singh.According to SHO, Khan told the police that he recites holy books, Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana every morning and 2 suspects had objected to this several times.On Khan’s complaint, an FIR was registered against Sameer and Zakir. indianexpress
Coimbatore:Fanatics on social media under scanner
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/fanatics-on-social-media-under-scanner/articleshow/70079965.cms
Coimbatore: To keep a tab on potential troublemakers in the city, a police team from the special intelligence cell has started monitoring social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp for inflammatory or provocative messages. The team has been gathering the details of people who are posting inflammatory messages to disturb the communal harmony. TOI
Mumbai wall collapse: Jamaat joins rescue team
http://twocircles.net/2019jul04/431871.html
Mumbai :The heavy incessant rains in Mumbai resulted in wall collapse in Malda east, a suburb in Mumbai, leaving nearly 25 persons dead and more than 160 injured. Hasib Bhatkar, Mumbai President of Jamaat e Islami Hind, and 15 other volunteers joined the rescue work. The city has received nearly 1000 mm of rain in 3 days, second highest in the last 45 years since July 2005.“Mumbai is now limping back to normalcy but the hutments are grieving the deaths of their relatives. Some are running after their injured kin, who have been admitted in the Bhagwati Hospital”, said, Hasib.However, the CM of Maharashtra has announced the Rs.5 Lacs compensation for the immediate kin who have died but people have lost everything they had. “We are providing them immediate relief like food, water and other essentials. We have also provided them immediate cash relief for daily work”, said Hasib Bhatkar.Jamaat has started the survey and some of their workers are visiting Bhagwati Hospital to help the injured and their relatives. The rescue team of Jamait is co coordinating with the locals and other NGOs who are working there, also getting the list of Panchnamas by the local police to reach their families. twocircles
‘Justice For Kashmir’ banner flies above during India-Sri Lanka World Cup match
https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/justice-for-kashmir-banner-flies-above-during-india-sri-lanka-world-cup-match/article28304485.ece?homepage=true
Leeds:In yet another incident that had political overtones, an unnamed aircraft flew over the Headingley stadium with a pro-Kashmir banner during the World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka, in Leeds today. Minutes after the match began, an aircraft carrying the banner ‘Justice for Kashmir’ flew above the ground.This is second such incident inside 10 days after Afghanistan and Pakistan fans clashed at the venue after ‘Justice for Balochistan’ banner was displayed by an unnamed aircraft that landed at the Bradford airport.PTI
Nagpur:BJP leaders to lead Haj training for pilgrims
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/bjp-leaders-to-lead-haj-training-for-pilgrims-at-bhat-hall/articleshow/70079304.cms
Nagpur:BJP-dominated Haj committee of Maharashtra has planned a major event involving top leaders, including city MP and union minister Nitin Gadkari, to train around 2,000 pilgrims before they leave for Jeddah. Departing from regular practice, mandatory training programme, which used to be held in the Haj House near Mominpura so far, has been organized at Suresh Bhat Auditorium near RSS Smruti Mandir premises at Reshimbagh. A number of other BJP leaders, like state minister for tribal affairs Parinay Fuke and mayor Nanda Jichkar will share the dais with Muslim clerics, who would train Hajis (pilgrims) on June 7, Haj committee members told TOI. Haj travel will begin from June third week. The plan has also led to a political controversy, with grass roots level Congress workers opposing the event on the grounds that BJP is eyeing political mileage from the event. They are also against holding the mandatory training programme out of the Haj House, which has been venue over years. Organizing the event at the auditorium next to Smruti Mandir is as good as holding it in RSS premises, said Muslim activists affiliated to Congress. Meanwhile, protests were held against the move by Muslim groups.TOI
WORLD
Tunisia bans face veils in public institutions
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/tunisia-bans-face-veils-public-institutions-bombing-190705132559010.html
Tunisian PM Youssef Chahed has banned the wearing of the niqab - a full-face veil - in public institutions with immediate effect, citing security reasons."Chahed signed a Govt decree that bars any person with an undisclosed face from access to public HQRS, administrations, institutions for security reasons," an official source told Reuters on Friday.The decision, which was reported on state media, comes at a time of heightened security in the country following a double suicide bombing in the capital, Tunis, on June 27 that left two people dead and 7 wounded.Witnesses said one of the bombers was disguised in a niqab. Interior Ministry denied this and said the mastermind of the bombings blew himself up on Tuesday to evade capture.The attack was the third such incident within a week and came at the peak of tourist season as Tunisia prepared for an autumn parliamentary election.In 2011, women were allowed to wear the hijab and niqab in Tunisia after a decades-long ban under secular presidents Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Habib Bourguiba, who rejected all forms of Islamic dress.In Feb.2014, the interior minister instructed police to step up supervision of the wearing of the niqab as part of "anti-terrorism" measures to prevent its use as a disguise.Tunisia is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Islamic and secular parties share rule. It is considered the sole democratic success story of Arab Spring uprisings, but has struggled with an economic slowdown and social unrest. Aljazeera
Tunisian Prez makes public appearance
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/tunisian-president-public-appearance-leaving-hospital-190706111602325.html
Tunisia's 92-year-old president Beji Caid Essebsi has made his first public appearance since leaving hospital after an unspecified serious illness.Video from the president's office showed Essebsi signing a decree on Friday, authorising elections in Oct and Nov, and making a brief address four days after being discharged from a military hospital.In a statement later, his office said the president also extended the nation's ongoing state of emergency by one month.
Daughter of al-Qaradawi remanded in Egypt again
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/daughter-islamic-scholar-al-qaradawi-remanded-egypt-190705075853657.html
The daughter of scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi has begun a hunger strike after Egyptian prosecutors hit her with new charges, according to her lawyer.Ola al-Qaradawi, who has been held for more than two years, was taken into custody on Thursday only a few hours after her release in a previous case.Her lawyer, Ahmed Magdi, said she had been remanded by Egyptian prosecutors for 15 days pending further investigation into new charges of "joining a terrorist group". Qaradawi's fresh charges mean she could be held in pre-trial conditions for another 2 years, according to Egyptian law.Magdi said his client had begun a hunger strike to protest against the decision. Al-Qaradawi's daughter, Aayah, told Middle East Eye her mother has "reached the point where she is not able to take it any more"."She's been in solitary confinement for the past two years; she's not even in contact with other prisoners," she said.Al-Qaradawi, a Qatari citizen of Egyptian origin, and her husband, Hosam Khalaf, an Egyptian national, were both arrested by Egyptian security forces in 2017. aljazeera
Muslims in Sri Lankan highlands to down shutters as hardline Buddhists meet
https://in.reuters.com/article/sri-lanka-buddhist/muslims-in-sri-lankan-highlands-to-down-shutters-as-hardline-buddhists-meet-idINKCN1U01G1
Colombo:Shops owned by Muslim traders in Sri Lankan central highlands district of Kandy will remain closed on Sunday as thousands of hardline Buddhist monks gather to decide who to back in the country’s upcoming presidential elections.Gathering, called by Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the influential head of Buddhist nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), is worrying Muslim traders and residents in Kandy, an ancient capital that was rocked by violence last year as mobs ran amok for 3 days vandalising mosques, homes and businesses. There have also been a spate of anti-Muslim riots in the country in recent weeks, blamed in part on Buddhist groups, in apparent reprisal for April bombings.“All Muslim-owned shops are likely to be closed on Sunday to avoid any possible confrontation, as thousands of monks are expected in the town for the conference,” Niyaz Muheeth, president of the Kandy Muslim Traders Association, said.Sri Lanka’s apex body All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), urged Muslims to avoid visits to the central district that contains Kandy on Sunday.In response, BBS said in a statement thousands of monks are expected to gather in Kandy to take a crucial decision on behalf of the country.In a letter to police, Dilantha Withanage, CEO of BBS, accused Muslim groups including ACJU of trying to sabbotage the Sunday event, by misleading the police with fabricated information and complaints.In recent years, Buddhist hardliners, led by BBS, have stoked hostility against Muslims, saying influences from Middle East have made Lankan Muslims more conservative and isolated.Reuters
Wahhabism confronted: Sri Lanka curbs Saudi influence after bombings:Reuters
https://in.reuters.com/article/sri-lanka-saudi/wahhabism-confronted-sri-lanka-curbs-saudi-influence-after-bombings-idINKCN1U00LZ
Destruction of Syrian refugees' shelters in Lebanon condemned
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/destruction-syrian-refugees-shelters-lebanon-condemned-190705102212768.html
A human rights group has condemned Lebanon's order for Syrian refugees to demolish their hard shelters as tantamount to "illegitimate pressure" on them to return to their war-torn country.Lebanon, a country of some 4 million people, says it hosts at least 1.5 million Syrians on its soil after they fled the long-running war, many living in informal settlements in the country's east. Nearly a million are registered as refugees with UN High Commissioner for Refugees.To discourage any permanent settlement, Lebanese authorities had given Syrians living in the region of Arsal until July 1 to demolish shelters made of anything but timber and plastic sheeting.Families were forced to tear down any small cinderblock rooms they may have built, with the army stepping in to destroy at least 20 remaining hard shelters as the deadline passed on Monday."This crackdown on housing code violations should be seen for what it is, which is illegitimate pressure on Syrian refugees to leave Lebanon," HRW refugee rights director Bill Frelick said on Friday.aljazeera
China Muslims: Xinjiang schools used to separate children from families
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-48825090
China is deliberately separating Muslim children from their families, faith and language in its far western region of Xinjiang, according to new research.At the same time as hundreds of thousands of adults are being detained in giant camps, a rapid, large-scale campaign to build boarding schools is under way.Based on publicly available documents,and backed up by dozens of interviews with family members overseas, BBC has gathered some of the most comprehensive evidence to date about what is happening to children in the region. Records show that in one township alone more than 400 children have lost not just one but both parents to some form of internment, either in the camps or in prison. Formal assessments are carried out to determine whether the children are in need of "centralised care". Alongside the efforts to transform identity of Xinjiang's adults, the evidence points to a parallel campaign to systematically remove children from their roots. BBC
UNCS calls for Libya ceasefire
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/security-council-calls-libya-ceasefire-190706065220959.html
United Nations Security Council has called on Libya's warring parties to commit to a ceasefire after a deadly air raid on a detention centre for migrants and refugees near the capital, Tripoli. "The members of the Security Council stressed the need for all parties to urgently de-escalate the situation and to commit to a ceasefire," the 15-member body said in a joint statement.aljazeera
Flash: views & NEWS
Budget misses the opportunity to weigh in on some big issues. It lacks bold ideas: Bhaskar Chakravorti
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/union-budget-2019-narendra-modi-nirmala-sitharaman-5817668/
Does Modi 2.0’s First Budget Back Its Promises With Adequate Expenditure? Arun Kumar
https://thewire.in/economy/modi-budget-promises-expenditure
Budget reeks of a lack of real ambition:Jayati Ghosh
https://thewire.in/economy/budget-2019-reeks-of-a-lack-of-real-ambition
Why the Boost to Healthcare in Budget 2019 Should be Viewed With Caution :T. Sundararaman
https://thewire.in/health/why-the-boost-to-healthcare-in-budget-2019-should-be-viewed-with-caution
Budget: A Mixed Bag of Good and Bad With No Clear Roadmap:Sushant Hede
https://thewire.in/economy/budget-2019-a-mixed-bag-of-good-and-bad-with-no-clear-roadmap
UNsc listens to increasing mob lynching,hate crimes against Muslims,Dalits In India:Shabina Akhtar
https://www.newsclick.in/UN-human-right-mob-lynching-hate-crimes-muslims-dalits-india
Photos of Missing Suicide Note Recovered From Payal Tadvi's Phone
https://thewire.in/caste/payal-tadvi-suicide-note-receovered
Echoes of Tabrez’s Brutal Killing in UN; World Body Demands Answers from India on Hate Crimes Against Muslims
https://caravandaily.com/echoes-of-tabrezs-brutal-killing-in-un-world-body-demands-answers-from-india-on-hate-crimes-against-muslims/?fbclid=IwAR3ROyC__GfyKZYlBr7bqlAHQBASGwZd9Hkrwe1zYhjrR-o_3qCR6pOfHro
Amarnath Yatra: Amit Shah's Highway Ban a Nightmare For Kashmiris:Farooq Shah
https://thewire.in/rights/amarnath-yatra-kashmir-traffic-advisory
Fact-check: Was the case of Tabrez Ansari’s mob-attack raised at a UN convention?
https://www.altnews.in/fact-check-was-the-case-of-tabrez-ansaris-mob-attack-raised-at-a-un-convention/
Centre and Gujarat Govt gun for whistleblowers and dissenters:Aakar Patel
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/centre-and-gujarat-Govt-gun-for-whistleblowers-and-dissenters
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq
(Released at: 8:46 PM)
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