NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
20 AUG. 2019: 18 ZilHajj 1440:Vol: 11, No:270
INDIA
Assam’s NRC: time limit to appeal before Foreigners Tribunal increased to 120 days
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assams-nrc-time-limit-to-appeal-before-foreigners-tribunal-increased-to-120-days/article29179899.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi :As Aug.31 deadline for the final publication of Assam’s National Register of Citizens(NRC) nears, Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) said today that “non-inclusion of a person’s name in NRC does not by itself amount to him/her being declared as a foreigner” as they would be given adequate opportunity to present their case before Foreigners Tribunals (FTs).The time limit to appeal before FTs is also being increased from 60 to 120 days.Home Minister Amit Shah had reviewed the NRC process with Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and other senior officials on Monday.The Ministry in its statement said, “It was decided that in order to facilitate persons excluded from NRC, adequate arrangements will be made by State Govt to provide full opportunity to appeal against their non-inclusion. Every individual, whose name does not figure in final NRC, can represent his/her case in front of the appellate authority, i.e. Foreigners Tribunals.Under the provisions of Foreigners Act 1946 and Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964, only Foreigners Tribunals are empowered to declare a person as a foreigner. Thus, non-inclusion of a person’s name in NRC does not by itself amount to him/her being declared as a foreigner.”It said that State Govt would also “make arrangements to provide legal aid to the needy people amongst those excluded from NRC.” Adequate number of such tribunals was being established at convenient locations.“As it may not be possible for all those excluded from final NRC to file the appeal within the prescribed time, MHA will amend the rules to increase the present time limit of filing of appeals in FTs from 60 days to 120 days regarding exclusion from final NRC. The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 are also being amended accordingly,” it said. The Supreme Court has, in the past fortnight, twice rejected State’s and MHA’s plea for re-verification. The hindu
Babri hearing:Ram Lalla’s lawyer shows SC more evidence to claim temple existed at disputed site
https://scroll.in/latest/934492/ayodhya-hearing-ram-lallas-lawyer-shows-sc-more-evidence-to-claim-temple-existed-at-disputed-site
The advocate representing the deity Ram Lalla in the Ayodhya case continued to argue in the Supreme Court today, citing more evidence to suggest that a temple existed at the disputed site in the past. CS Vaidyanathan claimed that artefacts and records clearly pointed to the fact that the site was Ram’s birthplace, Bar and Bench reported. Referring to a report by Archaeological Survey of India, Vaidyanathan said the temple in Ayodhya was destroyed to build a mosque, according to PTI. He said the report referred to figures of crocodiles and tortoises, which were alien to the Islamic culture.This was the 8th day of the hearing. Vaidyanathan showed the court documents about a 12th-century stone slab with a Sanskrit inscription that was recovered from the site. He said the verses on the slab mentioned a Vishnu temple that was built in Ayodhya. The disputed structure was put in place either on the ruins of the temple or by pulling it down, the advocate claimed. Scroll
Aadhaar-social media profile linking: SC concerned at dangers of dark web
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aadhaar-social-media-profile-linking-supreme-court-concerned-at-dangers-of-dark-web/article29182197.ece?homepage=true
The Supreme Court today stressed the need to find a balance between the right to online privacy and the right of the State to detect people who use the web to spread panic and commit crimes.A Bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Ghose expressed concern over the dangers of the dark web.Justice Gupta said, “Though I do not know how to access it, I have heard about the dark goings-on in the dark web. It is worse than what happens [in the service web].” The Bench’s comments were in response to submissions made by Attorney General K.K. Venugopal about need to link social media profiles of registered users with their Aadhaar numbers, and if required, have platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to share the 12-digit unique identity with law enforcement agencies to help detect crimes.Venugopal argued, “The linking of social media profiles of the users with Aadhaar is needed to check fake news, defamatory articles, pornographic materials, anti-national and terror contents in the online media.” He referred to how online game Blue Whale had not long ago terrorised parents and claimed several young lives in India.He said the government found it a challenge to trace the 'originator' of such online content.The services of social media platforms, which were used to circulate such content, was the need of the hour. “We do not have the mechanism to find out the originator... We cannot have people commit crimes.”Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Kapil Sibal, representing social media platforms, said they had moved the SC for the sole purpose of transferring the proceedings pending in High Courts to the apex court for adjudication.thehindu
Malaysia: Zakir Naik apologises for Chinese remarks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/malaysia-zakir-nair-apologises-controversial-chinese-remarks-190820065048604.html
Zakir Naik has apologised for making racially sensitive remarks in Malaysia, a day after he was questioned by police for hours over the comments.Naik has come under fire for comments that pitted Malaysia's ethnic and religious minorities against the predominantly Muslim Malay majority."It was never my intention to upset any individual or community," the Muslim preacher said in a statement on Tuesday."It is against the basic tenets of Islam, and I would like to convey my heartfelt apologies for this misunderstanding,"Naik said. Meanwhile, Malaysian police said Naik is barred from delivering public talks in the country, according to The Star newspaper. Malaysian police questioned Naik for 10 hours on Monday about a speech earlier this month in which he said Hindus in Malaysia had "100 times more rights" than the Muslim minority in India, and that Malaysian Chinese were guests of the country.Several cabinet ministers publicly called for Naik, who has permanent residency in Malaysia and has lived there for about three years, to be expelled from the country.PM Mahathir Mohamad said Naik had crossed a line. Mahathir on Sunday said Naik "can preach but he wasn't doing that... he was talking about sending the Chinese back to China, Indians back to India, that's for me a political move," according to Bernama.aljazeera
No arrest shield for Chidambaram at SC in INX media case, told to come tomorrow
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-arrest-shield-for-chidambaram-at-supreme-court-in-inx-media-case-told-to-come-tomorrow/story-PVQR5m4EtiUtZFzcTcENxM.html
New Delhi:Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who rushed to the Supreme Court after the high court rejected his request for pre-arrest bail in INX media case, will have to wait till tomorrow morning to get the court’s intervention. “We have been advised to approach the senior-most judge tomorrow for mentioning the matter,” senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who led a battery of top lawyers for P Chidambaram, told reporters. The case is being investigated by ED and CBI.Sibal had requested the top court’s registrar for an early hearing hours after Delhi High Court turned down Chidambaram petitions for anticipatory bail. A subsequent request by Chidambaram’s lawyers to give him 3 days to appeal against the decision was also turned down. HT
J&K ISSUE
'Tough' situation, says Trump after calls with PM Modi, Imran Khan
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/-tough-situation-says-donald-trump-after-calls-with-pm-modi-imran-khan-1566272936480.html
US President Donald Trump urged PM Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan to work towards reducing tension in the region over Kashmir, describing the situation as "tough".Trump asked Khan over phone on Monday to "moderate rhetoric" with India, soon after a 30-minute conversation with Modi, during which the Indian leader raised the issue "extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence" by leaders of Pakistan."Spoke to my two good friends, PM Modi of India, and PM Khan of Pakistan, regarding Trade, Strategic Partnerships and, most importantly, for India and Pakistan to work towards reducing tensions in Kashmir," the US President said in a tweet."A tough situation, but good conversations!" he said.PTI
Saudi Crown Prince calls up Imran over Kashmir
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/saudi-crown-prince-bin-salman-calls-up-imran-khan-over-kashmir
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had a telephonic conversation with Pakistan PM Imran Khan on the Kashmir situation.The Monday night phone call comes a fortnight after Khan had called up the Saudi Crown Prince to inform him about India's move to revoke the special status of J&K .Both the leaders discussed a host of issues including the ongoing Kashmir crisis. Khan briefed the Saudi royal about the situation in "India-occupied Kashmir", said Pakistani media reports. Crown Prince's phone call came as US President Donald Trump spoke with Khan and Indian PM Narendra Modi and urged both sides to defuse tensions over Kashmir." Crown Prince was also briefed by the Pakistani PM on the latest developments in Kashmir," it added.IANS
Army chief told Govt: Ready for Pakistan war
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/army-chief-told-Govt-ready-for-pakistan-war/cid/1698983
New Delhi:In the run-up to Balakot strike, army chief General Bipin Rawat conveyed to Govt top brass that his force was ready to deal with any ground offensive by Pakistan and take the battle into enemy territory, military sources said.Indian Army was prepared for a conventional war with Pakistan that would have included entering the neighbouring country, sources told PTI.The army chief informed Govt about the preparedness of his force when it was considering various options, including carrying out an aerial raid, after Pulwama attack. Gen. Rawat, at a closed-door interaction with a group of retiring army officers on Monday, said force was combat-ready for any hostilities from the Pak Army after Balakot strike, sources said.The sources said the Indian Army had finalised contracts to procure ammunition worth Rs 11,000 crore after Uri attack in Sept. 2016, and had received 95% of total order. PTI/ Reuters
India, Pak spar over using ‘water as weapon’
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-pak-spar-over-using-water-as-weapon/story-iD3kCW6KFDA3fYV90497wN.html
Accusing India of waging “fifth-generation warfare”, Pakistan said on Monday New Delhi had failed to inform it about the release of water from a dam that could cause flooding across border.India, however, rejected the claim saying that under the terms of a water treaty between the two nations it had informed Pakistan about the release of excess water late on Monday when it crossed the threshold.Islamabad said the unexpected release of water into the Sutlej river that flows from India to Pakistan was part of an attempt by New Delhi to flout the longstanding treaty between the countries.“They try to isolate diplomatically, they try to strangulate economically, they’re trying to strangulate our water resources – and water automatically will have an impact on your economy, your agriculture and your irrigation,” news agency Reuters quoted chairman of Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority, Muzammil Hussain, as saying.India was using its position upstream to wage “fifth-generation warfare” on the country, said Hussain. India’s federal water resources ministry dismissed the allegation, saying that, under the treaty, advance information needs to be given in a situation when “extraordinary discharges of water from reservoirs and flood flows” could harm the other party.HT
Pakistan's opposition parties target Imran Khan for 'sellout' on Kashmir
https://zeenews.india.com/world/pakistans-opposition-parties-target-imran-khan-for-sellout-on-kashmir-2228453.html
Unable to fathom that J&K is an integral part of India and that the dissolution of Article 370 is India's internal matter, Pakistan's opposition parties have now started accusing Imran Khan and his Govt of 'sellout.'According to Dawn, leaders from a number of opposition parties came together to denounce the manner in which the Pakistan Govt has worked since Article 370 was revoked by India to truly integrate J&K . While the move promises to bring peace, prosperity and security to the people of J&K , Pakistan has been - unsuccessfully - crying foul. And while Imran has been unable to garner any international support, he now faces pressure from within his own country."The present situation gives rise to fears that it might have been decided in PM Imran Khan's meeting with Donald Trump last month that Pakistan will keep silent if India decides to change the fate of Kashmir,"said JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, adding that it was an international conspiracy of which Pakistan Govt is a part of.While Pakistan's biggest opposition parties - PPP and PML-Nawaz - did not attend the meeting, the other parties together decided to march to Islamabad and 'launch a movement which will end with the ouster of Govt. The sense of desperation, helplessness and panic in Pakistan could well be summed up by what Rehman said next. "Yesterday we were thinking of how to get Srinagar, but today we are worried about how to protect Muzzafarabad"zeenews
Ex-wife Reham slams Pakistan PM Imran, alleges 'deal' on Kashmir
http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2019/aug/20/reham-khan-slams-pakistan-pm-imran-alleges-deal-on-kashmir-2021283.html
Alleging "a deal" on Kashmir, Reham Khan, former wife of Pakistan PM Imran Khan, has slammed his lack of decisiveness and attempts to please Indian PM Narendra Modi as reasons for the recent developments in the state."I would say that Kashmir ka sauda ho gaya hai (Kashmir has been sold off). We were taught from the beginning that 'Kashmir Banega Pakistan'," she said in the interview that has gone viral on the social media.According to Reham, the day (Aug.5) Kashmir announcement was made, one of her team members called her up to say, 'Ma'am what you said is coming true'. "I told him please pray that it does not come true," she said."What did I tell you in August last year, what the deal would be on Kashmir?""Modi did what he had to do; he did what he had come with a mandate to do, to revoke Article 370.But your PM Imran Khan, the day he was to give a policy statement (on Kashmir), he got up to say, 'I knew he (Modi) was going to do this'; we also knew he (Modi) was going to do this. Imran said 'I knew this when I met him in Bishkek and he was rude to me', I knew this when Pulwama happened'."When you knew this was going to happen, then why did you extend the hand of friendship (to Modi)? And why were you giving him missed calls?""And when you knew all this, and did nothing, then it means that you are incapable of doing anything, or you are very weak," she said.IANS
J-K: Army man killed, 4 injured in cross border firing by Pakistan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-kashmir-cross-border-firing-loc-poonch-army-man-killed-four-injured-5920538/
Pakistani troops targeted forward posts and villages along LoC in J&K’s Poonch district today, in which an Army man was killed and four others were left injured. The firing from across the border took place even as the security lockdown continues in most parts of the Valley following revocation of J&K’s special status.indianexpress
‘As an Indian, I am not proud’: Amartya Sen criticises Centre’s decisions on J&K
https://scroll.in/latest/934480/as-an-indian-i-am-not-proud-amartya-sen-criticises-centres-decisions-on-jammu-and-kashmir?fbclid=IwAR1I_oF0nVkW3_EiB2NLcBqhxUsK3gXtnAMbIWbM5GQ8XFFWbT9l9b_-Dnk
Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has criticised Modi-led administration’s decision to revoke J&K ’s special status and split the region into 2 Union Territories, NDTV reported.“I don’t think ultimately you will have any resolution in Kashmir without democracy,” 85-year-old economist said, adding that Centre’s decision emphasised majority rule “as opposed to it sustaining the rights of all human beings”. “As an Indian, I am not proud of the fact that India, after having done so much to achieve a democratic norm in the world – where India was the first non-Western country to go for democracy – that we lose that reputation on the grounds of action that have been taken,” Sen said. He added that it should have been up to Kashmiris to decide on the rights of land use in the state as it was their land and they have a legitimate point of view.He also criticised the Govt’s decision to arrest and detain the political leaders of J&K. “I don’t think you will ever have fairness and justice without hearing the voices of the leaders of the people and if you keep thousands of leaders under restraint and many of them in jail, including big leaders, who have led the country and formed govts in the past, you are stifling the channel of democracy that makes democracy a success,” Sen said.The economist called the decision to put the state under a huge security blanket to prevent any backlash that might lead to loss of life and property a “colonial excuse”. scroll
Focus turns to domicile laws, land, jobs in proposed Union Territories of J&K , Ladakh
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/focus-turns-to-domicile-laws-land-jobs-in-proposed-union-territories-of-jammu-and-kashmir-ladakh/article29161988.ece
Srinagar:With the revoking of the special status of Kashmir, Pandits, Dogras and Buddhists have made separate demands for domicile laws in the proposed Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. The reasons they cite include the need to maintain the current population status, ensuring jobs for local people and the rights over land use.BJP State spokesman Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, who is a Kashmiri Pandit who left the Valley in 1990s, said that the domicile laws were “need of the hour”.“The first preference for jobs should be given to locals. Govt should fix quotas for locals. These locals should also be allowed to compete for the rest of job quota in open merit too. This is in vogue in many States,” he said.Chrungoo opposed the UT status. “Who would like a UT status for all time? Unfortunately, the local leadership was becoming an obstacle to eliminating terrorism and containing law and order situation. The next five years are crucial now to establish peace. It remains a reality that a Kashmiri cannot live without the aspects of culture and civilisation. I don’t foresee a change in demography,” he said. Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Ladakh MP, has filed a memorandum with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda for tribal status to ensure that the land rights stayed with the local community.Kargil-based leader Haji Inayat met Munda for guarantees on land rights and jobs.In Jammu, National Pathers Party leader Hasrh Dev Singh said a domicile law needed to be enacted “so that outsiders could be barred from participating in selections in Govt jobs and stop purchase of property of poor through distress sales.” the hindu
Schools in shuttered Valley re-open but parents fearful, kids stay away
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-bifurcation-article-370-scrapped-schools-in-valley-open-students-stay-away-parents-fearful-5918648/
Srinagar:As primary schools re-opened in the Valley for first time in over a fortnight since J&K was placed under an unprecedented security blanket, teachers reported to work across Kashmir as restrictions were eased Monday, but classrooms were empty with most students staying away.And with the security lockdown continuing in most parts of the Valley, parents expressed concerns about the safety of their children. Despite poor attendance, administration has also decided to re-open the Valley’s middle schools starting tomorrow.indianexpress
Imran seeks global intervention against NRC
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/imran-seeks-global-intervention-against-nrc/articleshow/70746469.cms
Less than a fortnight before the publication of the final updated NRC in Assam, Pakistan PM Imran Khan sought to draw the attention of the international community towards the mega exercise alleging that 40 lakh Muslims could lose their citizenship. "Already 4m Indian Muslims face detention camps & cancellation of citizenship. World must take note as this genie is out of the bottle & the doctrine of hate & genocide, with RSS goons on the rampage, will spread unless the international community acts now to stop it," Imran tweeted, referring to the exercise of updating NRC. The exercise to update NRC has been undertaken to identify citizens of the country living in Assam. More than 40 lakh people from various communities had not found a place in the draft NRC released in July last year. Recently, another one lakh, who had been included in the draft NRC, were dropped after "reverification" of their documents. In both cases, those excluded were given a chance to file claims for inclusion in NRC again. TOI
OTHERS
Forensics cleared Pehlu clips, police versions raised doubts
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/forensics-cleared-pehlu-clips-police-versions-raised-doubts/story-ZOkQuWIyTSrBpQ5mlabgNL.html
Jaipur:2 video clips that captured a mob attacking dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan’s Alwar were cleared as genuine by a Govt forensic lab,but contradictory statements by investigating officers undercut their authenticity and prevented them from being treated as key evidence, HT has found.According to the forensic report, seen by HT, 2 separate videos shot on April 1, 2017 – which captured a mob attacking 55-year-old Khan – were not tampered with. “No discontinuity has been detected in two separate videos of the incident,” read the report issued by State Forensic Science Laboratory, Jaipur, and dated July 10, 2018.In her judgment of Aug.14, additional district judge Sarita Swami mentioned the forensic report in a sentence, but it was not considered a key piece of evidence. Swami noted that two of the four investigating officers in the case — Ramesh Sinsinwar and Parmal Singh — said the videos were not sent for forensic examination even when the forensic lab report was part of the court records. The forensic report showed that the videos were received by the lab on Jan.11, 2018 — almost two-and-a-half months after the charge sheet was filed in the case, and more than eight months after Khan died of injuries suffered in the mob attack.HT
Malegaon blasts: NIA opposes journalists’ plea for public hearing, says case is sensitive
https://scroll.in/latest/934485/2008-malegaon-blasts-nia-opposes-journalists-plea-for-public-hearing-says-case-is-sensitive
NIA has insisted in a special court in Mumbai that even though it supports press freedom, the trial in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case should be held in camera, PTI reported. A hearing is said to be “in camera” – Latin for “in chambers” – if only the judges, lawyers, the parties to the case and witnesses are present. The public and the press are barred from such hearings.The agency had in July sought an in-camera hearing,saying it was essential to maintain harmony in society and ensure the safety of witnesses. A group of journalists had filed a petition on August 5 challenging the request, after which the special NIA court asked the agency to respond. Scroll
3 officers allegedly asked for bribe in Hafiz Saeed-linked case, shifted
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-officers-of-national-investigation-agency-transferred-for-allegedly-taking-bribe-to-drop-businessm-2087614
New Delhi:3 NIA officers have been transferred overnight for allegedly demanding Rs. 2 crore in bribes to not name a Delhi-based businessman in a terror-funding case involving Hafiz Saeed. The action against the officers, who have been shifted pending a "thorough examination of the matter", comes after the businessman, who has not been named, filed a complaint of misconduct with the agency. A probe has been ordered and will be overseen by a DIG-rank officer."A complaint of misconduct was received against the officers. An enquiry into the allegations is being conducted by a DIG-level officer. In the meantime, 3 officials have been transferred out to ensure a fair probe," an NIA spokesperson was quoted in an IANS report.One of the transferred officers is a SP, who has also been involved in cases like 2007 Samjhauta blast case. The other 2 are junior officers. All 3 were investigating the Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF), run by Hafiz Saeed,They had carried out searches at the businessman's residence in North Delhi, after which they demanded a bribe to keep his name out of the case. "We have initiated an enquiry against the officials to maintain a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Strict action will be taken if they are found to have indulged in corruption," a NIA officer said.In a chargesheet filed last month, the agency had named 7 persons, including Hafiz Saeed, on charges of criminal conspiracy under UAPA. The document stated that FIF deputy chief Shahid Mahmood tasked associates Mohammed Kamran, a Pakistan national from Dubai, with routing funds from Pakistan to India via Dubai.ndtv
Madras HC deletes remarks on Christian co-ed institutions
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-hc-deletes-remarks-on-christian-co-ed-institutions/article29181327.ece
Madras High Court today agreed to remove a contentious paragraph from one of its judgments since it was related to accusations faced by Christian missionaries of indulging in forcible religious conversions and supposed “general feeling” among parents, especially of girl children, that co-educational Christian institutions were highly unsafe for the future of their children.Justice S. Vaidyanathan agreed to delete the relevant paragraph from his verdict in a case filed by a Madras Christian College (MCC) professor accused of sexually harassing girls during a study tour to Karnataka in January this year.The decision to delete was taken after MCC counsel made a representation in open court on Tuesday and urged the court to remove the observations. The controversial paragraph read: “Before parting with the judgment, this Court feels it appropriate to point out that Christian missionaries are always on the source of attack in one way or the other and in the present era, there are several accusations against them for indulging in compulsory conversion of people of other religions into Christianity. Now, there is a general feeling amongst the parents of students, especially female students that co-educational study in Christian institutions is highly unsafe for the future of their children and though they impart good education, the preach of morality will be a million dollar question. As long as a religion is practised in streets in lieu of its worship places, like Temple, Mosque, Church, etc., such devastation, as in the present case, does occur and will be mushrooming.”thehindu
Opposition slams ED summons to Thackeray, Joshi
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/opposition-slams-ed-summons-to-thackeray-unmesh-joshi?fbclid=IwAR2dff7SEhRw3kzNX0LoHpQHFBuNIa6ViNtbjoIwHdClFGY_I6AS4zElUXs
Maharashtra Opposition has slammed ED's move summoning MNS President Raj Thackeray and ex-Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi's son Unmesh in an IL&FS related case."This is nothing but bulldozing tactics by BJP Govt against Opposition. Thackeray had raised several pertinent issues before Lok Sabha elections and is now being targeted," said state Congress President Balasaheb Thorat.Thorat said instead of tackling burning issues like inflation, unemployment, the economic crises and farmers problems, the Govt was adopting "dictatorial tactics" to silence its critics.Joshi Junior has been summoned by the ED on Monday, while Thackeray, his former business partner in realty firm Kohinoor CTNL, has been asked appear before it on August 22.IANS
‘Purely mala fide action’: Kamal Nath on nephew Ratul Puri’s arrest
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/purely-mala-fide-action-kamal-nath-on-nephew-ratul-puri-s-arrest/story-sCuTfi2ZL9WBKa5JmiSyyH.html
MP CM Kamal Nath has said that the arrest of his nephew Ratul Puri is “purely mala fide” action. Puri, a businessman, was arrested on Tuesday morning by ED in connection with a money laundering case.“I have no connection with the business they are doing. To me, it appears to be a purely mala fide action. I have full faith that courts will take corrective stand in this,” Kamal Nath was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.Ratul Puri was arrested in connection with a money laundering case concerning an alleged bank fraud of Rs 354 crore, officials familiar with the matter said.HT
FIR against Azam, wife & son for ‘usurping’ land
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fresh-fir-against-azam-khan-wife-son-for-usurping-land-5918752/
Lucknow :Another FIR was lodged against Rampur MP Azam Khan on Monday for allegedly usurping around 86 bighas of land classified as Enemy Property.In the FIR lodged at Azim Nagar police station, Khan’s wife Tanzeen Fatima and MLA son Abdullah Azam Khan have also been named along with 6 others, including head of UP Shia Central Waqf Board Wasim Rizvi.SHO Amreesh Kumar said the case has been lodged for getting around 86 bighas of Enemy Property land transferred to Shia Waqf board and then to the Jauhar Trust, of which Azam is the president.indianexpress
Yediyurappa inducts 17 Ministers in Cabinet
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yediyurappa-inducts-17-ministers-in-first-cabinet-expansion/article29171770.ece?homepage=true
More than 3 weeks after he was sworn in as the CM, B.S. Yediyurappa on Tuesday expanded his ministry by inducting 17 ministers into his Cabinet.This is the first Cabinet expansion after he assumed office on July 26 and proved his Govt’s majority on the floor of the Assembly. New Ministers were administered the Oath of Office and secrecy by Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.They include former CM Jagadish Shettar, 2 former deputy CMs — K S Eshwarappa and R Ashoka — independent MLA H Nagesh and Laxman Sangappa Savadi, who is not a member of Assembly or Council, and MLC Kota Srinivas Poojari.PTI
Triple Talaq: Plea in Delhi HC says law violates rights of Muslim husbands
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/triple-talaq-plea-in-delhi-hc-says-law-violates-rights-of-muslim-husbands-5918372/
New Delhi:A petition before Delhi High Court has alleged that that the new legislation which makes instant triple talaq a punishable offence is a violation of fundamental rights of Muslim husbands.The petition by Advocate Shahid Ali, which came up before a bench of CJI DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar, said the legislation criminalising the practice of instant triple talaq and making it a non-bailable offence punishable with three years of imprisonment would shut down all room for compromise between the husband and wife.The plea argued that since instant triple talaq has been declared void by the Supreme Court, the act of its pronouncement cannot be construed to be a criminal offence or even as a simple wrong or a civil wrong. Ali said the Act is violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution and is liable to be struck down.The court, after hearing contention of counsel, listed the matter for further hearing on Oct.18.A similar challenge is pending consideration before the SC where a Kerala-based Muslim body has alleged that the talaq act violates fundamental rights of Muslim husbands.indian express
After ‘triple talaq’, Jharkhand woman accuses husband of rape, forced conversion
https://www.hindustantimes.com/ranchi/after-triple-talaq-jharkhand-woman-accuses-husband-of-rape-forced-conversion/story-CpAPswpok779iIHKiU68zN.html
Ranchi:A woman has lodged a police complaint in Ranchi alleging that she was duped into marriage by a man who allegedly coerced her into embracing Islam and eating beef, raped her for six years, administered her sedatives to get her to have sexual relations with others, video graphed the act and finally divorced her by way of triple talaq.She has identified the accused as Sonu alias Md Abul Kaish.Sonu (37) said, “I am a lawyer in Delhi. Baseless allegations have been levelled against me. When I was working with NGO in Ranchi, woman was introduced to me along with her brother. Her brother and I developed a good bond. When I shifted to Delhi, he once visited me seeking some job. I helped him to find a job in a cloth factory. Later, he had taken a loan of Rs 3.75 lakh from me to open a cloth shop in Ranchi. When I demanded money back, they started threatening me with lodging a false case.”HT
India will lose 10% of its economy if climate change is not addressed by 2100: Study
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/climate-change-impact-india-will-lose-10-of-its-economy-by-2100-study/story-vLP3tuDnIHUrTVoHyGd6WJ.html
India will lose 10% of its economy by 2100 if nothing is done to address climate change, according to a study co-authored by researchers from University of Cambridge and published by the National Bureau of Economic Study.The study that makes projection for the business as usual scenario and a scenario where the countries have come together to implement the Paris Agreement suggests that all countries – the rich, the poor, the hot, and the cold ones – will suffer economically by 2100 if nothing is done.United States, which has pulled out of the Paris Agreement, will lose 10.5% of its GDP by 2100, according to the study. GDP is the monetary measure of all the final goods and services produced, which provides an economic snapshot of the country.The study found that Canada, which some claimed will benefit from a rise in temperature, would also lose 13% of its income by 2100.However, with Paris Agreement in place, both the countries would lose only 2% of the GDP.HT
Pune: Over 7,000 ordnance factories workers on strike, production at complete halt
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-over-7000-ordnance-factories-workers-on-strike-production-at-complete-halt-5919585/?fbclid=IwAR3TlJJ3X-1QEhXGeRJLNY5YTmH2GDimTjqPhbf_rOxSnVM9xB8gOL9ro5U
Pune :More than 7,000 workers from 3 key Defence manufacturing units in Pune went on a strike from today morning, bringing production to a complete halt. The agitation is part of a nationwide month-long strike of over 82,000 ordnance workers from 41 factories, against the proposed ‘corporatisation’ of the factories by the Govt.Almost all civilian workers from the Ammunition Factory in Khadki, the High Explosives Factory in Khadki and the Ordnance Factory in Dehu Road in Pune began the strike at respective factory gates from 7 am. Local police had deployed force as a precautionary measure. The civilian workers affiliated to 3 major unions are part of the strike — AIDEF affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), INDWF affiliated to INTUC and BPMS, which is part of the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh of RSS. Some key bodies of officers from ordnance factories have declared moral support to the strike. Indianexpress
Now, midday meals in MP madrassas
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/now-midday-meals-in-mp-madrassas/articleshow/70746486.cms
MP cabinet has decided to bring 1,375 madrassas under the midday meal scheme. "Madrassas that are approved by state Madrassa Board will be brought under midday meal scheme. There are 1,406 such madrassas in the state, of which 1,375 will be included," law minister P C Sharma said . TOI
We enjoy excellent relations with Islamic world: India
https://zeenews.india.com/india/we-enjoy-excellent-relations-with-islamic-world-india-2228410.html
New Delhi: Ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit to UAE and Bahrain from Aug.23-25, India has said that its ties with Gulf countries are at an all-time high and New Delhi enjoys excellent relations with Islamic world. Responding to a question on ties with the Islamic world, TS Tirumurti, Secretary Economic Relations, MEA said, "Our engagement has been extremely robust and our relations with the Arab countries and many of the other countries are at an all-time high. There is absolutely no doubt about it, our relations with the Gulf are at an all-time high. And there is absolutely no question of the fact that we enjoy excellent relations with the Islamic world."During the visit to UAE, Modi will be conferred Zayed Medal, the highest civilian award of the west Asian country.zeenews
No point providing land to India for Agartala airport extension: Bangladesh opposition
http://www.uniindia.com/no-point-providing-land-to-india-for-agartala-airport-extension-bangladesh-opposition/world/news/1703007.html
Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said there is no reason for Bangladesh to provide its land to India in Brahmanbaria to expand Agartala airport."There have been media reports about it (India’s desire to use Bangladeshi land in Brahmanbaria). We are closely observing the matter," said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.UNI
WORLD
Military convoy targeted in northern Syria: Turkey
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/syria-alleges-turkish-convoy-entered-idlib-armed-rebels-190819095722932.html
Air raids have struck near a Turkish military convoy making its way through Syria's rebel-held Idlib province, Turkish defence ministry has said, adding that at least three civilians were killed and 12 wounded. Ministry "strongly condemned" Monday's air raids, saying they were contrary to "existing agreements as well as our cooperation and dialogue with Russia". It also called for "urgent measures" to prevent a repeat of the incident.Turkey said the convoy was heading to one of its observation posts in Morek in northwest Syria, but the Syrian Govt said it had entered the country carrying ammunition to help opposition fighters who have lost ground this month amid a Russian-backed military push to retake the country's last rebel-held area. As this develops, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that Syrian army troops and their allies have entered Khan Shaikhoun, strategic area.aljazeera
Syria: Rebels withdraw from Idlib's Khan Shaikhoun
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/syria-war-armed-rebels-withdraw-idlib-khan-shaikhoun-190820063255105.html
Syrian opposition fighters have withdrawn from a key town in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province, northwest of the country, local activists and a war monitor have said."Khan Shaikhoun has become completely surrounded by Govt forces and rebel fighters withdrew early on Tuesday," Suleiman Abdulqader, a local activist in southern Idlib, said."They moved towards the north and east for now in an attempt to prevent troops from advancing to new points," he said.Withdrawal from Khan Shaikhoun, one of the province's largest towns, comes days after fierce fighting between armed rebel factions and forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad.Backed by Russia militarily, Govt forces surrounded the town on Monday as clashes continued in and around the area for a third consecutive day. aljazeera
Ilhan Omar:Go to Israel see cruel reality of occupation
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/ilhan-omar-israel-cruel-reality-occupation-190819212811754.html
Democratic US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib sharply criticised Israel on Monday for denying them entry to the country and called on fellow members of Congress to visit while they cannot.Omar, of Minnesota, suggested Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu were suppressing the congresswomen's ability to carry out their oversight role."I would encourage my colleagues to visit, meet with the people we were going to meet with, see the things we were going to see, hear the stories we were going to hear," Omar said at a news conference. "We cannot let Trump and Netanyahu succeed in hiding the cruel reality of the occupation from us."
Bangla seeks to repatriate 3000 Rohingya to Myanmar
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/bangladesh-seeks-repatriate-3000-rohingya-myanmar-190820060941498.html
Bangladesh will work with the UN refugee agency to determine if more than 3,000 Rohingya refugees will accept Myanmar's offer to return home, officials said, nearly 2 years after a military crackdown sparked their exodus.Over 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine state for camps in Bangladesh - joining 200,000 already there - but virtually none has volunteered to return despite the countries signing a repatriation deal last year."It will be a joint exercise led by UNHCR," Abul Kalam, Bangladesh's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, told Reuters news agency on Monday.UN Security Council is due to discuss the latest repatriation plan behind closed doors on Wednesday at the request of France, Britain, US, Germany and Belgium, diplomats said.aljazeera
Thai official dismisses Muslim insurgent demand on detainees
https://in.reuters.com/article/thailand-south/thai-official-dismisses-muslim-insurgent-demand-on-detainees-idINKCN1V90DA?il=0
A Thai deputy PM dismissed on Monday a demand made by a Malay Muslim group to free those detained over alleged links to the long-running insurgency in Thailand’s mainly Muslim south as a pre-condition for formal talks.Officials of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) met a Thai delegation at an undisclosed location in Southeast Asia on Friday and demanded the release of detainees, a leader of the group told Reuters.The insurgency in Malay-speaking region of predominantly Buddhist country has killed some 7,000 people over the past 15 years and has flared on and off for decades.“How can you say that? Everything must follow the justice procedure,”Thai Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan said when he was asked about BRN’s demand.BRN also demanded that Thai Govt conduct a transparent investigation into alleged abuses by security forces after allegations that a man from the south, Abdullah Isamusa, 32, fell into a coma after being interrogated by military.Reuters
Sudan: Al-Bashir 'received $90m from Saudi'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/sudan-ruler-al-bashir-arrives-court-face-graft-charges-190819082851872.html?fbclid=IwAR2-QfhSXCNUiJioaVreL-_akCNEH5Ygzwl0kSsSSf0EgDt-gHG2v3C_wyA
Omar al-Bashir received millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, a police investigator has told a court in Sudan's capital at the start of the former president's corruption trial months after he was toppled by the military in the wake of mass protests against his autocratic rule.Al-Bashir, who is charged with illicit possession of foreign currency and accepting gifts in an unofficial manner, admitted to receiving the $90m in cash from Saudi royals, Brigadier General Ahmed Ali testified on Monday. Nearly 7 million euros was found at al-Bashir's residence, as well as smaller amounts in US dollars and Sudanese pounds, he said. "The accused told us that the money was part of a sum of $25m sent to him by Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be used outside of the state budget," Ali said, referring to the powerful crown prince of Saudi. The investigator said al-Bashir had said he also received 2 previous payments of $35m and $30m from Saudi's former King Abdullah. After the nearly 3-hour hearing, al-Bashir's lawyer dismissed the accusations, telling reporters it was usual for leaders to hold amounts of foreign currency.aljazeera
IS regaining strength in Iraq,Syria:New York Times
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/islamic-state-is-regaining-strength-in-iraq-and-syria-5919121/
5 months after US-backed forces ousted the Islamic State from its last shard of territory in Syria, the terror group is gathering new strength, conducting guerrilla attacks across Iraq and Syria, retooling its financial networks and even targeting a vast new pool of recruits at an allied-run tent camp, US and Iraqi military and intelligence officers said.Though President Donald Trump hailed a total defeat of the Islamic State earlier this year, defense officials in the region see things differently, acknowledging that what remains of the terror group is here to stay. Indianexpress/NYT
Flash: NEWS,views,Articles
How inclusion of Ram Janmasthan as a party to Babri case gave Hindu side upper hand:Sruthisagar Yamunan
https://scroll.in/article/934202/how-inclusion-of-ram-janmasthan-as-a-party-to-babri-masjid-dispute-gave-hindu-side-the-upper-hand
Delhi should support region’s reform agenda, deepen economic, security cooperation: Raja Mohan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pm-narendra-modi-uae-gulf-visit-5918216/
National Medical Council Act offers little change, brings in a host of new problems: Shah Alam Khan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bad-prescription-national-medical-commission-bill-5918348/
Nehru in his letters exposed how RSS and Sangh's policies alienate Kashmiris:Piyush Babele
https://www.dailyo.in/politics/jawahar-lal-nehru-rss-sangh-right-wing-kashmir-violence-atal-behari-vajpayee-sheikh-abdullah/story/1/12459.html?fbclid=IwAR0l_U0Slc2pgavfQil4tBMYIzKmTSFyidN86nSGsXvNnUJBeJ212Dzn7YE
Is BJP Fuelling Kashmiri Separatism for Electoral Gains?Nikhil R. Puri
https://thewire.in/security/bjp-jammu-kashmir-separatism
Modi’s Dream of a $5-Trillion Economy Faces New Global Headwinds:M.K. Venu
https://thewire.in/economy/modis-dream-of-a-5-trillion-economy-faces-new-global-headwinds
Lebanon: Where Christians are banned from selling property to Muslims
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-49399480/where-christians-are-banned-from-selling-property-to-muslims?fbclid=IwAR05lrZZwbmjZK-Sipk7IC9cDpcsCJDsfLSX4_SxdjKJ9aQlCoapxpzxpFk
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq,(Released at: 7:17 PM)
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