NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
17 July 2019: 13 Dhul Qadah 1440:Vol: 11, No:247
INDIA
Home minister Amit Shah pitches for nationwide NRC, says 'infiltrators' in every inch of India will be identified and deported
https://www.news18.com/news/india/amit-shah-pitches-for-nationwide-nrc-says-infiltrators-on-every-inch-of-india-will-be-deported-2234825.html
New Delhi: Once again pitching for National Register of Citizen to be a nationwide exercise and not just restricted to Assam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that the Govt will ensure that all illegal settlers in India are deported as per international law.The minister was replying to a supplementary query by Samajwadi Party member Javed Ali Khan on whether NRC will be implemented in other states as well." Currently, NRC is a part of Assam Accord.Centre – as per its election manifesto – is dedicated to weaning out illegal immigrants from every inch of this country. We will make sure that all such immigrants are deported as per international law," he said. Shah’s statement came on a day when his ministry informed the House that it was contemplating pushing the July 31 deadline to release the final NRC in Assam further to "maintain fairness" of procedure.Noting that the Centre has received many representations for extending NRC deadline in Assam, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said a petition signed by about 25 lakh applicants submitted to Centre and the President demanded extension to correct anomalies. Since many genuine names have been left out and many bogus names are registered, the minister said, "So the Govt has requested the Court to extend the time for this purpose. There will be some delay but the NRC will be implemented properly without any faults," he said, asserting that the Govt's intention is to ensure no genuine citizen is left out of NRC.To a query on number of Rohingya Muslims in India, Rai said, "We don't have an accurate data. They are spread across the country. Some of them have gone back to Bangladesh. We will get the data soon."The govt's intention is to ensure no illegal immigrant is registered under the NRC. Foreigner tribunals have also been set up to curb illegal stay of foreigners in India, he added.In its manifesto for Lok Sabha polls, the party had promised to “implement the NRC in a phased manner in other parts of the country”. He has also said that the Govt would bring a Bill in Parliament to provide citizenship to “Hindus refugees” left out of the NRC.News18.com
NRC deadline approaching, families stranded in Assam floods stay home, don’t want to be rescued
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/nrc-deadline-approaching-families-stranded-in-assam-floods-stay-home-dont-want-to-be-rescued-5833091/
Morigaon: For 2 days now, Parvesh Kumar, a rescuer from NDRF, has been trying to persuade Rina Begum, a resident of Tulsibari village in Assam’s Morigaon district, to leave her half-submerged house.Over the last 48 hours, as rescuers shuttle her neighbours from their marooned homes to dry land, Begum, a 50-year-old grandmother of 4, watched but remained defiant. “How can we leave our home?” she says, standing in waist-deep water.Kumar says Begum’s family isn’t the only reluctant one.“There are many families who are refusing to leave their homes,” he says.“Yesterday, we went to a very remote area. There were 20 people stuck in one house, but only 7 came back with us.” The team still gave the villagers their phone number, in case they changed their mind. Later at night, as the water rose, Kumar got a call. “When it gets worse, they change their mind usually,” he says.In minority-dominated areas of Assam, home and land are tangible markers of identity in a state that is days away from the July 31 deadline for publication of the final NRC.“This could be one of the reasons that they feel so scared to leave their homes,” says an official from the local administration. When the rains came on July 8,Begum did not pay much attention. But by Sunday afternoon, when 2 embankments in Laharighat and Bhuragaon revenue circles were breached and the water rose above their waists, Begum and her daughter started stowing away their paddy on the roof. As did her sister-in-law and niece, in the house next door.Their husbands, daily wage workers, were in Dibrugarh.Begum’s family is among 52 lakh people who have been affected by first wave of floods this monsoon. At least 30 out of 33 districts in Assam are reeling, with 1,47,304 people in 695 relief camps.Many say it’s the worse deluge in more than a decade.In Morigaon, over 5 lakh people were affected. In Laharighat revenue circle, where Begum’s home is,1lakh people were affected,with NDRF in action for past 5 days.indianexpress
Govt notifies top panel to look into Assam Accord clause on social, cultural identity
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-notifies-top-panel-to-look-into-assam-accord-clause-on-social-cultural-identity-5833094/
Govt has notified a high-level committee that is expected to look into the implementation of a clause of Assam Accord that seeks to provide safeguards to preserve and promote social, cultural and linguistic identity of Assamese people.The committee, headed by retired Gauhati High Court judge Biplab Kumar Sarma, will also make recommendations on reservation for Assamese people in the Assembly, and other local bodies.It will also look into the need for reservation in Govt jobs for Assamese people, besides recommending measures required to preserve culture and identity of local people.Intended as part of Clause 6 of Assam Accord, the committee was notified by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday. The committee was first notified in January, but its members did not join in protest against the citizenship amendment Bill.Notably, All-Assam Students Union,among signatories of the accord, is also demanding rights over land and natural resources for Assamese people.indianexpress
Parliament passes bill to give NIA more powers, Opposition fears misuse
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/parliament-passes-bill-to-give-nia-more-powers-opposition-fears-misuse
Parliament today passed a bill giving more powers to NIA to probe terrorist acts against Indians and Indian interests abroad amid Opposition’s reservation over the law that feared NIA can be misused by the Centre and that it may encroach upon the states’ rights of policing. The Bill amends NIA Act, 2008 that provides for a national-level agency to investigate and prosecute offences listed in the scheduled offences, was passed by Rajya Sabha with a voice vote.Further, the Act allows for creation of Special Courts for trial of scheduled offences. Defending the bill, the Govt refuted opposition's allegations of "misuse" of NIA law to target members of a community, and stressed that people have given the mandate to the Govt to protect the country from terrorism. The amendments to NIA Act will allow the agency to probe terrorist acts against Indians and Indian interests abroad, cybercrimes and cases of human trafficking.Oppostion members asked Centre to ensure that states' right to policing remains intact and they should be allowed to assist NIA to probe terrorism cases. Congress member Vivek Tankha said: "NIA is a policing agency...it is facing challenges and one day there may be a situation where NIA enactment would be struck down (by court)."TMC leader Derek O'Brien echoed similar views and said, "Under section 6, state power is bypassed. The issue of federalism is a cause of concern. If human trafficking and cyber crimes goes in central list, then there is big chance of conflict.”PTI
Kulbhushan case: ICJ grants India consular access, asks Pak to review death
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kulbhushan-jadhav-icj-verdict-live-updates-india-pakistan-5833995/?#liveblogstart
In a victory for India, the International Court of Justice, in a 15:1 verdict, has granted consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and directed Pakistan to suspend his death sentence. It also requested Pakistan to review and reconsider the conviction and sentence of Jadhav. Pakistan’s judge was the lone dissenter.However, ICJ has rejected remedies sought by India, including annulment of military court decision convicting Jadhav, his release and safe passage to India.Jadhav, a retired Navy officer, was arrested allegedly on March 3, 2016, and India was informed on March 25. He was sentenced to death on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017.During the hearing at ICJ, India pointed out the “egregious violation” of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to Jadhav.indianexpress
Hafiz Saeed arrested by Pak counter terrorism dept
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-arrested-live-updates-by-pakistans-counter-terrorism-department-report-5833793/
Jamat ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed was arrested Wednesday by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in connection with charges related to terror financing, according to Geo News.Pakistani news channel, citing sources, said the arrest was made when Saeed was travelling to Gujranwala from Lahore to appear before an anti-terrorism court. indianexpress
India pitches to grill Dawood aide in London, Pak rushes to his defence
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-makes-pitch-to-grill-dawood-ibrahim-aide/story-LSqmRiXV2jINUmDAuri2EP.html
New Delhi:India is hoping the UK will approve its request to interview Jabir Siddiq, aka Motiwala, considered one of Dawood Ibrahim’s closest aides, because it believes this will help get some insights into the drugs and extortion operations the main accused in 1993 Mumbai attacks still runs in the country, and perhaps even provide some proof of the fugitive’s presence in Pakistan.According to Jabir’s dossier with Indian security agencies, which has been reviewed by HT, he is the only one of Dawood’s associates who is a trustee in the Karachi-based Islam Baba Trust, where Ibrahim, his wife, his son and two sons-in-law are trustees. This trust is described by Indian national security establishment as a religious front to manage properties of the D-company. India is also working with US enforcement agencies to get access to Siddiq – he is currently in Wandsworth jail in south-west London, awaiting extradition to US on charges of drug smuggling. HT
Israel Aerospace signs $50 million follow-up deal with Indian navy
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/israel-aerospace-signs-50-million-follow-up-deal-with-indian-navy/story-bYRkWkDToC2L6HEdwQHPxH.html
State-owned defense contractor Israel Aerospace Industries said today it signed a $50 million follow-up contract to provide complementary missile systems to Indian navy and India’s MDL Shipyard.The deal involves a range of maintenance and other services for sub-systems of Israel Aerospace’s naval medium range surface-to-air missile.“This contract is a breakthrough as it advances us from system development and delivery to looking after the operational needs of our customers,” said Boaz Levi, general manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group at Israel Aerospace.Reuters
SC rules: Rebel Karnataka MLAs can’t be compelled to participate in trust vote
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-crisis-supreme-court-verdict-rebel-mlas-speaker-floor-test-5833553/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today left it to the Karnataka Assembly Speaker to decide on the resignations of the 15 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs but ordered that they should not be compelled to attend the proceedings of the state Assembly. The apex court’s order comes ahead of the floor test that is scheduled to take place in Karnataka Assembly tomorrow.In an interim order, a bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose said it thought fit to permit the Speaker to decide on the resignations “within such time frame as Speaker may consider appropriate”. The bench added that MLAs should be given an option to attend or not to attend the proceedings of the House. The order came on petitions by MLAs challenging the action of Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in not accepting their resignations. The bench said it was of the view that the Speaker should not feel fettered by any order and should be free to make a decision. The court directed that the Speaker’s decision be placed before it as and when it is taken.A total of 16 Congress and JD(S) MLAs have submitted resignations since July 6. This means the coalition strength will fall to 101 compared to BJP’s 105 plus 2 Independents in 224-member House. If the resignations are accepted,13-month-old Congress-JD(S) govt in Karnataka will lose the majority, paving the way for BJP to stake claim to form govt.Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Kumaraswamy, said what mattered was the motive of MLAs and Speaker had to take this into account. “Your lordships are not dealing with individual resignations. But here is a situation where they are hunting in a pack,” he said, referring to MLAs travelling to Mumbai after political storm erupted.He said their petition did not disclose any fundamental right that warranted the filing of a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution.indianexpress
‘Terrible judicial precedent’: Congress on SC order on Karnataka rebel MLAs
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/terrible-judicial-precedent-congress-on-sc-order-on-karnataka-rebel-mlas/story-P8yugAxOfyoesYDXIVs7AJ.html
Congress today said the Supreme Court order on Karnataka rebel MLAs, absolving them of the obligation to attend Thursday’s floor test, sets ‘terrible judicial precedent’.“SC’s order nullifying Whip and by extension, operation of Constitution’s Xth Schedule to punish MLA’s betraying the public mandate, sets a terrible judicial precedent! Blanket protection to MLA’s, who are driven not by ideology but by far baser concerns, is unheard-of,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted hours after the SC order.Congress leader also raised two points in the follow up tweet asking: ”Does this mean Court can interfere with the working of the State Legislature by deciding when a Whip will be enforced.” In the second poser, Congress’s Communication in-charge asked: “Does this mean abandonment of the ‘Basic Structure’ doctrine of Separation of Powers?”HT
Karnataka: No question of going to Assembly, say rebel MLAs after SC verdict
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-crisis-live-updates-supreme-court-order-verdict-mlas-resignations-plea-speaker-kumaraswamy-congress-jds-5833259/?#liveblogstart
Welcoming the Supreme Court’s verdict which said 15 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs should not be compelled to take part in the trust vote which is scheduled to be held in Karnataka Assembly tomorrow, rebel MLAs who are in Mumbai said there is no question of going back to attend the floor test. “We honour the Supreme Court’s verdict. We all are together. We stand by our decision. There is no question of going to the Assembly,” ANI quoted MLAs as saying.indianexpress
MP govt tables cow vigilantism bill in state assembly
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-govt-tables-cow-vigilantism-bill-in-state-assembly-5833835/
New Delhi:In a bid to crack down on cow vigilantism, the Congress Govt in Madhya Pradesh today tabled the cow vigilantism bill in the state assembly. On June 26, the Govt had proposed a jail term of 6 months to 3 years and a fine of Rs 25,000-50,000 for those who engage in violence against anyone booked under the anti-cow slaughter Act.Kamal Nath govt had cleared an amendment to MP Gauvansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, 2004— anti-cow slaughter law passed by previous BJP govt — to include this provision. Additional Chief Secretary(Animal Husbandry) Manoj Shrivastava had said that the punishment will increase to minimum one year and maximum 5 years if a mob is involved in cow vigilantism. In case of repeat offenders, the jail term will be doubled.The amendment also seeks to punish those who abet cow vigilantism by providing a jail term of one to 3 years. People who damage property of those charged under the anti-cow slaughter law will also be punished.The move had come in the wake of an incident near Kachhiwara, under Dundaseoni police station in Seoni district, on May 22, when 5 people had thrashed 3 persons, including a Muslim man and woman, on suspicion of carrying beef.Earlier, the state Govt had decided to ease rules governing the transportation of cows to ensure that farmers and traders are not harassed by cow vigilantes and stopped by police. The Govt also decided to allow trade of cows between farmers by removing a condition that they could buy bovines only from bazaars or haats.indian express
Gujarat: Thakor community bans inter-caste marriages, mobile use by girls in 12 villages
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-thakor-community-bans-inter-caste-marriages-mobile-use-by-girls-in-12-villages-5833069/
Ahmedabad:Thakor community in 12 villages of Dantewada taluka in Banaskantha district has adopted a resolution banning inter-caste marriages and prohibiting unmarried girls from using mobile phones. The move comes after several inter-caste marriages were reported recently from the district.The resolution has also laid out penalties for families in which inter-caste marriages take place. If a Thakor girl falls in love with and marries a boy from another community, the family will have to pay a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh. If a Thakor boy marries a girl from another community, the fine is Rs 2 lakh.On July 14, a meeting of nearly 800 Thakor leaders, including community and mohalla representatives and youths, from the 12 villages was held at Jegol village, where a nine-point resolution was passed and everyone was ordered to abide by it. Anyone violating any of the nine points will be considered an offender and punished by the community, the resolution said. The diktat also says unmarried girls will not be allowed to use mobile phones and the parents of those found carrying the devices will be held responsible. indianexpress
Modify syllabus over portrayal of gods, riots: DU academic council
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/modify-syllabus-over-portrayal-of-gods-riots-du-academic-council-5832968/
New Delhi:After objections were raised by a section of teachers over the undergraduate syllabus of English, History, Science, Political Science and Sociology, Delhi University’s Academic Council (AC) Tuesday referred syllabus of English and History back to the respective departments for reconsideration, thereby refusing to pass it as it is, AC members said.On syllabi for Political Science and Sociology, some AC members said they too had been sent back for modification,while others claimed they were passed with “minor modifications”. Student outfit ABVP also protested against proposed syllabus. National Democratic Teachers’ Front(NDTF) claimed the story ‘Maniben alias Bibijan’ introduced in the English syllabus, based on the Gujarat riots, has shown characters from the Bajrang Dal and RSS in a “bad light” and as “murderers”.Some AC members claimed that later in the day, ABVP members tried to barge into V-C’s office. They allegedly surrounded V-C lodge and demanded that HoDs of History and English along with AC member Ghosh be handed over to them.indianexpress
UP: ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ Recited on UP Road to Oppose ‘Namaaz’ on Streets
https://caravandaily.com/hanuman-chalisa-recited-on-up-road-to-oppose-namaaz-on-streets/?fbclid=IwAR1tiYRXqpFHqlb2jqvFOCRbxUJgJmF1kecfEKryKwOrroFgC1I84PJi4-k
Hathras: Activists of Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV) have recited “Hanuman Chalisa” on the road in UP’s Hathras to oppose ‘namaaz’ on the streets by Muslims.According to reports, a group of HYV activists sat outside a Hanuman temple in Sikandrarau area and recited the “Hanuman Chalisa” repeatedly for over an hour on Tuesday evening. HYV men said that they would continue to hold recitation of “Hanuman Chalisa” every Tuesday till the Muslims stopped offering ‘namaaz’ on the roads.Ravindra Kumar Singh, a HYV activist, said that by offering ‘namaaz’ on the roads on Fridays, Muslims were causing inconvenience to the people since roads remained blocked.“If they stop this practice, we will also stop otherwise we will make sure that ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ is recited outside each Hanuman temple on Tuesdays,” he said.Police was silent on the issue. A Police official said, “There is no complaint and no trouble so our role does not figure in the matter.”caravandaily
‘Are Muslims ever asked to read Hanuman Chalisa?’ Hindu girl refuses Ranchi court order to distribute Qurans post bail
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-are-muslims-ever-asked-to-read-hanuman-chalisa-hindu-girl-refuses-ranchi-court-order-to-distribute-qurans-post-bail-2772527
Richa Bharti, a young woman had been granted bail by a Ranchi court after being arrested refused to follow the court’s orders to distribute 5 Qurans.She had been asked to donate a Quran to the Sadar Anjuman Islamia Committee and 4 other copies to various schools and colleges. Judicial magistrate Manish Singh, asked her to donate the copies while granting her bail. Expressing shock that she had been arrested for a Facebook post, she told Zee News: “I had posted something and I never realised that Muslims from my own mohalla would get me sent to jail." Expressing her dissent, she said: “I am not ready to distribute Qurans. There are lots of Muslims who post a lot of wrong things. There's no action against them. Like Faizu had posted a video on TikTok saying if Muslims become terrorists, then one shouldn't blame them.”Expressing her dissent, she said: “I will not distribute Qurans. Tomorrow they will say, accept Islam.Has a Muslim ever been asked to Ramayana paath or Mahabharata paath?"A case was registered against her in Pithoria Police station when she shared a message on Facebook asking why 'only became terrorists seeking revenge'. dnaindia
J&K cops overhaul village defence committees, PDP says Centre design to arm RSS workers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-cops-overhaul-village-defence-committees-pdp-says-centre-design-to-arm-rss-workers-5833095/
Jammu:The setting up of 7 new village defence committees recently by J&K Police in areas around Kishtwar town has triggered a controversy, with PDP describing it as the Centre’s move to arm RSS workers against a particular community.The decision to overhaul the anti-militancy grid through setting of new VDCs was taken following militant activities in the hilly district, 6 years after it was declared militancy-free by the police, official sources said. VDCs, comprising villagers and police officers, were earlier set up in the mid 1990s after militancy had spread to the Chenab Valley area, sources said.Senior PDP leader and former MLC Firdous Tak has said that 60 new VDC members have been deployed in communally-sensitive areas and Govt is arming RSS and BJP workers against a particular community following the killing of a BJP leader and RSS functionary. This will disturb peace and communal amity in the area, he said, comparing the VDCs to Ikhwan force — pro-Govt militia groups formed in the Valley in the backdrop of the militancy of ‘90s.Tak has demanded the Governor’s administration to withdraw its decision of setting up new VDCs, failing which the PDP will take out a procession in Kishtwar town and hold a dharna at the SSP’s office on July 19.The hilly district already has 3,251 VDC members— nearly 800 of them SPOs — who have been provided weapons by the police.indianexpress
J&K separatists reject colonies for return of Pandits
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/j-k-separatists-reject-colonies-for-return-of-pandits/story-J7vICgi1eaQSqkWwBhWLyL.html
Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has rejected the idea of creating separate colonies for the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.Geelani said they wholeheartedly and sincerely want the Pandits to return. “But will oppose any move to settle them in separate colonies as it negates the very fabric of our social, cultural and mutual bonds.” He said they welcome with open arms anybody displaced from the state since 1947. Former CM Mehbooba Mufti endorsed Geelani’s stand. “Welcome Geelani Sahabs statement.Its a sentiment shared by Kashmiri Muslims who want their Pandit brethren to come back home...” tweeted Mufti.HT
PDP founding member resigns from party, says it has ‘upended’ after Mufti’s death
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pdp-founding-member-resigns-from-party-says-it-has-upended-after-muftis-death-5833950/
Srinagar :Founding PDP member Mohammed Khalil Bandh today resigned from the primary membership of the party, saying it had “unpended” after the death of former CM Mufti Sayeed.In a setback to PDP, the former J&K minister said in his letter that it was not worth continuing when the basic and founding principles of the party had been compromised.Bandh said the decision to resign from the post of district president of militancy-hit Pulwama as well as basic membership of PDP was taken after thorough deliberations with his workers.PTI
Congress’ Vikramaditya lands in trouble for tweets on 1931 Kashmir agitation
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-vikramaditya-singh-lands-in-trouble-for-tweets-on-1931-kashmir-agitation-5833201/
Jammu:Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh has landed in trouble over his tweets describing July 13, 1931 martyrs as “rapists, criminals and looters”. Kishtwar CJM Sudhir Khajuria has ordered SHO Kishtwar to investigate whether it makes out to be a cognizable offence. Singh is the grandson of late Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler of J&K.Directing SHO to hold a preliminary inquiry, CJM ordered that “if any cognizable offence is made out, SHO Kishtwar police station is directed to proceed in accordance with law”.The directions came on a complaint filed by district chief of People’s Conference Sajjad Najjar seeking action against Singh for his “derogatory remarks” against those killed on July 13,1931,by then Maharaja’s forces in Kashmir.indianexpress
Over 56,000 acres of land in J&K with defence departments, wings, organisations: Govt
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/over-56000-acres-of-land-in-jammu-and-kashmir-with-defence-departments-wings-organisations-govt/article28515695.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:Over 56,000 acres of land in J&K is with different defence departments, wings and organisations, and the total rent paid for it to land owners or the State Govt in the last three years is more than ₹134 crore, Lok Sabha was informed today.Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, in his written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, gave details of district-wise total land in J&K with the different defence depts, wings and organisations. He said the land with different defence departments, wings and organisations is 18935.474 acres in Jammu, 3757. 845 acres in Srinagar, 2326.644 acres in Budgam, 2152.83 acres in Anantnag, 3963.03 acres in Udhampur, and 3529.871 acres in Kargil.PTI
Kathua child rape, murder case: HC to hear plea of victim’s father tomorrow
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kathua-child-rape-murder-case-hc-to-hear-plea-of-victims-father-tomorrow/article28507694.ece?homepage=true
The Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear tomorrow a petition seeking an enhancement of the sentence awarded to the convicts of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu's Kathua in 2018.Justice Rajiv Sharma said this while during the preliminary hearing of the case today.Connected matters are scheduled for hearing on that day.The girl from the nomadic Bakerwal community was kidnapped from Kathua’s Rasana area on Jan.10 in 2018 and found dead on Jan.17.thehindu
As Tiranga TV Implodes, Kapil Sibal, Wife Come Under Fire from Employees
https://thewire.in/media/tiranga-tv-kapil-sibal-barkha-dutt
New Delhi: In a series of tweets, Tiranga TV consulting editor Barkha Dutt has lashed out at Congress MP Kapil Sibal and his wife Pramila Sibal – promoters of the channel – accusing them of withholding the salaries of nearly 200 employees and forcing them to leave without proper compensation. She also accused the couple of using offensive language against female staffers of the channel.The channel was initially launched as Harvest TV in January this year, but the following month its name was changed to Tiranga TV. Staffers say the channel is likely to go off air soon but is still broadcasting as of Monday evening.Dutt, who earlier worked at NDTV 24×7 as a senior editor, levelled serious allegations of violation of labour norms and misbehaviour against Sibal and his wife.Dutt claimed that a large number of employees had given up other offers and jobs to join the channel because of an assurance given by Sibal that they would have a tenure of at least 2 years.The channel, which was launched a few months before Lok Sabha polls, was primarily financed by Sibal’s wife. It tried to counter the large time allotted to cover BJP on most mainstream news channels. While Sibal put in a large amount of money, and staffers were assured that there was a nearly Rs 40 crore corpus that would provide at least two years’ salaries, it was not to be.As Congress fared badly in the polls, Rs 300 crores which were to be generated from various sources to keep the channel running over a long period suddenly appeared a big challenge.“The company faced troubles after May 23, day BJP Govt returned to power; the investors backed off and the current investor refuses to invest further,” a channel source told Outlook.the wire
Terror detentions: A locked office, and a neighbourhood left in the dark in Chennai
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/terror-detentions-a-locked-office-and-a-neighbourhood-left-in-the-dark-in-chennai-5833043/
Chennai:Last Saturday, when they saw their apartment block on TV and a man being led away, residents of Krishna Apartments on Poonamallee high road in Chennai were bewildered. They had no clue to what was happening in their complex. Much later, they found out that the man taken away, Syed Mohammed Bukhari, was being questioned in an alleged terror case.“On Saturday,a few men in plainclothes, escorted by a police team, came at 5 am. There was a search operation and it went on for several hours. Later, we learnt that one of the men living in the house was being questioned as a terror suspect. Who knows what the truth is,” a resident said.Bukhari, an office-bearer of the religious organisation Wahdat-e-Islami Hind, was detained for questioning by NIA. It arrested 2 others — Hassan Ali Yunusmaricar and Harish Mohammed, both from Nagapattinam — “based on incriminating facts revealed during searches and subsequent probes”. On Monday, 2 days after the search at Bukhari’s residence, 14 persons, deported from UAE and apprehended by NIA for suspected association with the arrested men, were flown from New Delhi to Chennai on a special flight.The men were produced before an NIA court which granted their custody to the agency. Sources claimed that the men were members of Wahdat. The Wahdat, on its part, has maintained it is a religious organisation with no connection to radical thought. Established in 2009 in Chennai as a religious organisation, it had denied links to the banned SIMI. Officers of the Tamil Nadu police declined to comment on the case, saying they have not been kept in the loop. indian express
Gather info on RSS netas, Nitish tells Bihar intel
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gather-info-on-rss-netas-nitish-kumar-tells-bihar-intel/articleshow/70253101.cms
Patna: Bihar Police Special Branch, the intelligence wing of the state police which briefs CM Nitish Kumar (who is also home minister) on sensitive issues, was directed to gather "detailed information" on the state functionaries of the RSS and its 17 subsidiary outfits in a letter issued by SP (Special Branch) on May 28, two days before the swearing-in of the Modi Govt at Centre.The letter had been addressed to all deputy SPs of Special Branch and asked them to furnish information such as names, addresses,posts and occupations of RSS office-bearers. JDU leader KC Tyagi called it a routine issue. TOI
NHRC registered 79 cases of discrimination against minorities and 672 against SCs in 2018-19
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/nhrc-registered-79-cases-of-discrimination-against-minorities-and-672-against-scs-in-2018-19-1563275262548.html
Union Govt has informed Lok Sabha about the state wise break up of number of cases of discrimination or victimization against minorities and scheduled castes registered with NHRC for the last 3 and a half years. In 2018-19, NHRC registered 79 such cases of harassment against minorities and 672 such cases against Scheduled Castes (SCs).A comparison of data in the last 3 years also shows that the number of cases of harassment against in 2018-19 is significantly higher than those in the earlier two years.livemint.com
Chhattisgarh govt to make separate arrangement, serve eggs at kids’ homes after row
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-govt-to-make-separate-arrangement-serve-eggs-at-kids-homes-after-row/story-fYE4l9dmVaDPl4D0KihW5N.html
Congress-led Govt in Chhattisgarh has said ‘separate arrangements’ for boiling eggs will be made for children, who want to eat them during mid-day meals at schools, after its decision triggered a row in the state. The Govt also said that if parents do not agree upon on the issue of serving eggs in a particular school, they should be served to the children at their homes.“The students who are not willing to consume eggs should be identified by the authorities and separate sitting arrangements should be made for them,” Govt said. HT
9 killed, 20 injured in UP gunfight between 2 groups over property dispute
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/9-killed-17-injured-in-up-gunfight-between-2-groups-over-property-dispute/story-JBkL5tMBimDSRBqUXGpo9L.html
Varanasi: 9 people, including 3 women, were killed and 20 others were injured on Wednesday when a property dispute in eastern UP’s Sonbhadra district led to a gunfight between two groups.The shootout at Ubbha village in the district lasted for nearly an hour.A police officer said trigger for the gunfight was a land dispute. The two groups opened fire using country-made pistols and also attacked one another with sharp weapons. Sonbhadra DM Ankit Kumar Agarwal told UP news channel, Bharat Samachar, that the clash between the two groups involved nearly 100 people. The village is close to the state’s border with Madhya Pradesh.HT
20-year-old murder case against Yogi dismissed
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/20-year-old-murder-case-against-yogi-dismissed
A special court has given a major relief to UP CM Yogi Adityanath in a 20-year-old murder case as it dismissed the case. Allahabad High Court's special court for MPs and MLAs, on Tuesday, dismissed the 1999 case of murder of head constable Satya Prakash Yadav against the CM.Yadav was the personal security officer of then Samajwadi Party leader Talat Aziz who was killed in Maharajganj after Yogi and his supporters reportedly opened fire at Aziz and the supporters.CB-CID probing the case had filed a final report which gave a clean chit to Yogi Adityanath.IANS
CBI searches ex MP Ateeq Ahmad’s premises in UP
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-searches-former-samajwadi-party-mp-ateeq-ahmads-premises-in-up-5833737/
New Delhi :CBI today searched the premises of former Samajwadi Party MP Ateeq Ahmad and others in Allahabad and Lucknow in a case related to the abduction and assault of a businessman, officials here said.The searches are being conducted at six places in the 2 UP cities, they said, adding that details would be given later.PTI
Akhilesh forms 21-member panel to probe ‘fake cases’ lodged against Azam Khan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/akhilesh-yadav-forms-21-member-panel-to-probe-fake-cases-lodged-against-azam-khan-5833806/
Lucknow:Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has constituted a 21-member committee, led by leader of opposition in Legislative Council Ahmad Hasan, to probe “fake cases” lodged against party MP Azam Khan in Rampur.“21-member committee of party legislators led by Leader of Opposition in Legislative council will reach Rampur on July 20 and probe fake cases pertaining to encroachment of land of farmers against Khan, who is also the vice-chancellor of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, and incidents to harass him by the district administration,” SP chief spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said.The committee will submit its report to the party president within three days of the visit, he said.Based on the findings,SP may try to put pressure on BJP govt for alleged harassment of Khan.indianexpress
WORLD
Turkish says consulate employee killed in Erbil
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/turkish-diplomats-killed-iraq-erbil-security-sources-190717123133688.html
Turkey's foreign ministry says one Turkish consulate "employee" has been killed in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq.Security sources earlier said that at least 3 Turkish security personnel were killed in the attack.Among those reported shot dead was Turkish deputy council-general.Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid, citing security sources, said the incident took place in the upscale neighbourhood of Ankawa. "They were shot at point blank range by unknown assailants,"Bin Javaid reported from Iraq's capital, Baghdad. "So far we do not know what was the motive behind the attack and no one has claimed responsibility but security forces are saying that these people knew exactly who they wanted to target and how they wanted to target them," he said. In recent weeks, Turkey has been carrying out cross-border operations against the outlawed Kurdistan PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq.PKK has been fighting against the Turkish state in predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey since the 1980s and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.aljazeera
Sudan's ruling generals, protest leaders sign power-sharing deal
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/sudan-generals-protesters-sign-landmark-political-accord-190717062504892.html
Sudan's ruling generals and an alliance of opposition groups have signed an accord creating a transitional power-sharing body, after weeks of negotiations aimed at breaking the political deadlock that has gripped the country since the toppling of President Omar al-Bashir in April. 2 sides signed the document today after intense overnight talks in the capital, Khartoum, over the details of an agreement reached earlier this month to establish a joint military-civilian sovereign council that will rule the country by rotation. 22-clause accord said the 11-member governing body will rule the country for just over three years, after which elections will be held.It will have a total of six civilians, including five from the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) and five soldiers from the Transitional Military Council (TMC). It will be headed by a general during the first 21 months of the transition, followed by a civilian for the remaining 18 months.The umbrella protest movement will nominate PM, who will name a cabinet of 20 ministers, excluding the interior and defence ministers, the accord said. aljazeera
US slaps sanctions on Myanmar army chief over Rohingya abuses
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/slaps-sanctions-myanmar-army-chief-rohingya-abuses-190716232914447.html?fbclid=IwAR14DHyfD2mTfeVew0h4esSMA_pngR4L0od7DhHjwWRVZVuT7UIZOou8Ky4
US has announced sanctions on Myanmar's military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and three other military leaders due to their role in the "ethnic cleansing" of the Rohingya minority.The State Department said on Tuesday it took action after finding credible evidence they were involved in the violence 2 years ago that led about 740,000 Rohingya to flee across the border to Bangladesh."With this announcement, the US is the first Govt to publicly take action with respect to the most senior leadership of the Burmese military," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said."We remain concerned that Burmese Govt has taken no actions to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, and there are continued reports of the Burmese military committing human rights violations and abuses throughout the country," he added.aljazeera
US House condemns Trump’s ‘racist’ tweets in extraordinary rebuke
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-house-condemns-trumps-racist-tweets-in-extraordinary-rebuke/article28497084.ece
In a remarkable political repudiation, the Democratic-led US House voted to condemn President Donald Trump’s “racist comments” against 4 Democratic Congresswomen of colour, despite protestations by Trump’s Republican congressional allies and his own insistence he hasn’t “a racist bone in my body.”2 days after Trump tweeted that 4 Democratic Congresswomen should “go back ” to their home countries — though all are citizens and three were born in USA — Democrats muscled the resolution through the chamber by 240-187 over the near-solid GOP opposition.The rebuke was an embarrassing one for Trump even though it carries no legal repercussions, but the highly partisan roll calls suggests it is unlikely to cost him with his die-hard conservative base.PTI
British PM hopeful Boris Johnson said Islam left Muslim world 'literally centuries behind'
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-islam-muslim-comments-democracy-tory-leadership-contest-a9006211.html
British PM hopeful Boris Johnson has been accused of “promoting hatred” after penning an essay arguing Islam caused the Muslim world to be “literally centuries behind” the West. Johnson claimed there was something about Islam that held back development in parts of the world, creating a “Muslim grievance” fuelling virtually every conflict.“The more bitterness and confusion there has been, to the point where virtually every global flashpoint you can think of – from Bosnia to Palestine to Iraq to Kashmir – involves some sense of Muslim grievance,” he wrote, in 2006.The comments were attacked by Tell Mama, an organisation which monitors anti-Muslim hate, which said he had demonstrated a lack of understanding of the religion.The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said people would want to know if likely next PM still believed “Islam inherently inhibits the path to progress and freedom”. independent
Hamas delegation meets Russia officials in Moscow
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190717-senior-hamas-delegation-meets-russia-officials-in-moscow/
A Hamas delegation headed by Dr Musa Abu Marzouq met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Bogdanov in Moscow.Abu Marzouq briefed the Russian official on the political developments of the Palestinian issue including the US’ “deal of the century”, stressing that all Palestinian people reject it.Senior Russian official confirmed that Moscow is interested in following up on the political developments in Palestine and the region.He stressed that Russia supports the Palestinian rights and rejects deal of the century, highlighting that Moscow’s absence during the Bahrain workshop was evidence of this. Russia’s deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the visiting delegation that national unity should be a priority for all Palestinian factions, expressing his rejection of the “punitive policy” adopted by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.middleeastmonitor
Jordan appoints new Qatar envoy, two years after downgrading ties
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/jordan-appoints-qatar-envoy-years-downgrading-ties-190717054825527.html
Jordan has appointed a new ambassador to Qatar, a step towards restoring normal relations two years after Amman withdrew its ambassador in solidarity with Gulf Arab allies who severed ties with Doha.Zaid Al Louzi, a senior Jordanian career diplomat and secretary general of Jordan's foreign ministry, was appointed as the new ambassador to Qatar on Tuesday.
Ghannouchi, Ennahda’s possible candidate for Tunisian legislative elections
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190717-ghannouchi-ennahdas-possible-candidate-for-tunisian-legislative-elections/
Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement announced on Tuesday that its Head, Rached Ghannouchi, could run for the next legislative elections in Oct.“The movement’s basic law stipulates that its head will be party’s candidate for the legislative or presidential elections,” Ennahda’s spokesperson, Imed Khemiri told Anadolu Agency.Khemiri said that the candidature of the head of the movement at the top of the list of “Tunis-1” for the legislative elections “is possible yet still not a final decision so far.”middleeastmonitor
Trump Refuses To Criticise Turkey Over Russia Missile Deal
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-refuses-to-criticise-turkey-over-russia-missile-deal-2070747
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has declined to criticize Turkey's acquisition of a Russian missile system assailed by the Pentagon and NATO, making no mention of sanctions Washington had threatened over the purchase.In his first comments since Turkey began taking delivery of the S-400 system last Friday, Trump said Turkey was forced into the move by his predecessor Barack Obama, and that he understood why they opted to buy the Russian missiles.AFP
Flash: views & NEWS
All mosques should have a designated place for women: Faizan Mustafa
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/her-own-space-to-pray-muslim-women-mosque-entry-prayer-5832900/
Why Is the MLA a Commercial Commodity in Karnataka?M. Sridhar Acharyulu
https://thewire.in/politics/karnataka-political-crisis-kumaraswamy-yeddyurappa-siddaramaiah
RSS in Textbooks: Contrasting Concepts of ‘Nation’ and ‘Nation Building’:Ram Puniyani
https://www.newsclick.in/RSS-Textbooks-Contrasting-Concepts-Nation-Nation-Building
Govt,RSS branding dissenters as public enemies: The Caravan’s executive editor writes to UK, Canada
https://caravanmagazine.in/media/rss-bjp-dissenters-public-enemies-caravan-vinod-jose-uk-canada
Centre, Assam Move SC Over NRC 'Sample Re-Verification,' Deadline Extension
https://thewire.in/law/centre-assam-move-sc-over-nrc-sample-re-verification-deadline-extension
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq
(Released at: 7:48 PM)
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