NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
24 AUG. 2019: 22 ZilHajj 1440:Vol: 11, No:274
INDIA: J&K ISSUE
US working on 2-prong strategy to ease Indo-Pak tensions over Kashmir issue: Senior officials
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/us-working-on-two-prong-strategy-to-ease-indo-pak-tensions-over-kashmir-issue-senior-officials-5932849/
US is working on a 2-pronged strategy to defuse fresh tensions between India and Pakistan after New Delhi revoked the special status of J&K, senior officials from the Trump administration here said.The first strategy is to exert pressure on Pakistan to refrain it from indulging in any cross-border infiltration or providing material or financial support to terrorist activities in India, particularly in Kashmir, they said.The second strategy is to encourage India to bring normalcy in J&K and ensure that human rights of the people there are protected, political prisoners are released and channels of communications are reopened.President Donald Trump is “calling” on Pakistan “to prevent the infiltration of militants across the line of control and to crack down on terror groups on its territory that have attacked India in the past”, a senior US Govt official said.Reflecting on the first part of the strategy, another official said in the midst of the escalating Indo-Pak tensions, it is important that Islamabad demonstrates its commitment to not let its soil being used for cross border terrorism.Referring to the massive infiltration of terrorists and non-state actors by Pakistan inside India in 1989,official said US has warned Islamabad against repeating any such tactics. “1989 playbook was a failure for both the people of Kashmir as well as for Pakistan,” official said, adding that US does not want Pakistan to use the current Indo-Pak situation for massive infiltration of terrorist and non-state actors inside India.On 2nd part of the strategy involving India, US officials said Trump administration are focussing on human rights issues in J&K, particularly in Kashmir Valley.US “continues to be very concerned by reports of detentions” and continued restrictions in the region, a senior state department official said.“US urges respect for individual rights, compliance with legal procedures and an inclusive dialogue with those affected,”official added.Human rights issue, another official said, is likely to come up during the meeting between Modi and Trump in France on the sidelines of the G-7 summit.PTI
Rahul Gandhi, other opposition leaders sent back from Srinagar airport
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/as-rahul-gandhi-opposition-leaders-head-to-jammu-and-kashmir-Govt-says-stay-away-2089677
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 11 leaders of other opposition parties who landed today at Srinagar airport were sent back to Delhi, ANI reported. Restrictions have been imposed in J&K since the centre withdrew special status from the state and divided it into two union territories earlier this month.J&K Information and Public Relations Department on Friday tweeted political leaders should not "not visit Srinagar as they would be putting other people to inconvenience" at a "time when the Govt is trying to protect the people of J&K from the threat of cross border terrorism and attacks..."Among the parties that were part of the opposition's all-party delegation that landed at Srinagar were Congress, CPI(M), CPI, RJD, NCP, Trinamool Congress and DMK.ndtv
‘What is govt trying to hide’ asks Congress as Opposition leaders barred entry into Srinagar
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-govt-trying-to-hide-asks-congress-as-opposition-leaders-barred-entry-into-srinagar/article29243230.ece?homepage=true
Criticising Centre for stopping an Opposition delegation led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from visiting Srinagar, Congress today, asked what “Govt is trying to hide”. "If the situation in J&K is "normal" as govt claims, why has the delegation of Opposition leaders led by Rahul Gandhi been sent back from Srinagar airport? What is Modi govt trying to hide?,"the party asked. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said Govt itself should have sent an Opposition leaders’ team there to check the facts and win the people’s trust.“Opposition parties could have visited Srinagar and come back and told the truth to the whole country. It would have built confidence among people,” said Gehlot speaking outside Assembly today. Recalling ex PM Indira Gandhi’s move to send delegations of Opposition leaders to various countries amid Bangladesh liberation war, Gehlot said Centre was expected to do something similar after the revocation of J&K’s special status and abrogation of Article 370.Gehlot said instead of stopping Opposition leaders at Srinagar airport, Govt should have facilitated their visit to Srinagar and let them roam around and talk to the local people. It could have given the signal that democracy is still strong in J&K and and the entire country.PTI
Kashmir: PMO Refuses Information
https://www.newsclick.in/Kashmir-PMO-Refuses-Information-Article-370-Govt-Hiding
New Delhi: Strengthening the apprehension that there is something that is being veiled, PMO has refused to provide information related to the decision of abrogation Article 370 and 35 (A) – which had given J&K a special status. Lucknow-based activist Dr Nutan Thakur had sought copy of the official file of PMO related to the decision to abrogate Article 370, end the status of the statehood of the Valley and formation of Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.On Aug.21, Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of PMO disposed off RTI application, saying that it was being done “after due consideration”. Nutan has filed first appeal with PMO against the order, saying that information sought can only be refused under RTI Act if it is exempted under any provision. “Here, information has not been refused on any provision of RTI Act, but merely with use of words ‘after due consideration’, which is not proper,” said Thakur. She has now written to the first appellate authority, adding, “I had presented an RTI application to CPIO, PMO, seeking a copy of the official file – including the correspondence with various offices and the notesheet – related to Govt’s decision to abrogate Article 370. The request was disposed off by CPIO, saying that it was done after ‘due consideration’. The response of CPIO of PMO does not seem to be correct. An application can only be refused under RTI Act, if it is exempted under any provision of RTI Act. Here the CPOIO has not mentioned any provision of the Act under which the information was being refused. Instead, it merely used the word after ‘due consideration’, which is extremely cryptic and meaningless and has no legal sanctity under the RTI Act.”newsclick.in
Over 2,000 Rounded Up With No Recourse in Kashmir:NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/world/asia/kashmir-arrests-india.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR1SCNYsV7CZGE7iLwKagR2L84B0tQTl5FsyWBhyewmtv5B-1dCZegwV3do
New Delhi:On Aug. 5, Asifa Mubeen was woken up by the sound of barking dogs as police officers began pouring into her yard.Her husband, Mubeen Shah, a wealthy Kashmiri merchant, stepped out onto their bedroom balcony in the night air. The officers shouted that he was under arrest. When he asked to see a warrant, his wife said, the officers told him there wouldn’t be one.“This is different,” they said. “We have orders.” It was the start of one of the biggest mass arrests of civilian leaders in decades carried out by India, a close American partner that bills itself as one of the world’s leading democracies.Local officials say that at least 2,000 Kashmiris — including business leaders, human rights defenders, elected representatives, teachers, and students as young as 14 — were rounded up by the federal security forces in the days right before and after Indian govt unilaterally stripped away Kashmir's autonomy. Detainees have not been able to communicate with their families or meet with lawyers. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Most were taken in the middle of the night, witnesses said.Critics say that even under India’s tough public safety laws this is illegal, and that PM Narendra Modi is bending the Indian legal system to cut off any possible criticism in Kashmir and go after anyone with a voice — be that a successful merchant like Shah, a politician or a professor.“Kashmir is silent as a graveyard,” said Vrinda Grover, a human rights lawyer.The Indian Govt isn’t sharing what charges the detainees face or how long they will be held. Some were reported to have been flown on secret air force flights to jails in Lucknow, Varanasi and Agra.On Thursday, the United Nations Human Rights Office said it was “gravely concerned.’’Political analysts say the mass roundup was the final piece of a detailed plan that Mr. Modi’s Govt set into motion last year. nytimes
Imran to raise Kashmir issue at UNGA session next month: Report
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/imran-khan-to-raise-kashmir-issue-at-unga-session-next-month-report-4366371.html
Pakistan PM Imran Khan will raise the Kashmir issue during his address to UN General Assembly session next month, according to a media report. Khan's General Debate speech at the world body is scheduled for Sept.27, the Express Tribune reported.Quoting, what it called insiders, the report said Khan has directed his party to mobilise community members and human rights organisations to protest against India and PM Narendra Modi in New York during the summit. Khan will embark on a 4-day visit to US on Sept.23. He will hold meetings with his Malaysian counterpart as well as other world leaders on the sidelines of General Assembly session, besides meeting representatives from Pak diaspora and business community in the states, the report said.PTI
Yechury sees a fascistic project in Kashmir
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sitaram-yechury-sees-a-fascistic-project-in-kashmir/article29225607.ece?fbclid=IwAR3SvhkT-qvIN1G2NbqAXrzChkQO0ZHaqrTrrMMKxDX_-2C8jgwJ20J8UQs
Nullification of Article 370 is an attempt to change the demography of J&K, which is the only Muslim majority State in India,according to CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.He called to release a booklet prepared by his party to dispel what it claimed a “misinformation” campaign and “obfuscation” of facts by Govt on J&K.The booklet traces the history of J&K and the accession story.“Misinformation” was being spread to “ensure converting a secular democratic India into RSS’s vision of a Hindu Rashtra.That is the fascistic project.” To achieve that, it was necessary for them to change the demography of Kashmir.“It is only Muslim majority State in India. To change its demographic detail is the original objective of removing Article 370,” he said. the hindu
Press Council of India intervenes in ‘Kashmir Times’ petition to SC, supports media restrictions
https://scroll.in/latest/934978/press-council-of-india-intervenes-in-kashmir-times-petition-to-sc-on-media-restrictions
Press Council of India asked for permission from the Supreme Court to intervene in a plea filed by the Kashmir Times editor that demanded restrictions on communications in J&K be removed, The Wire reported. The press council, in its petition, supported the ban on media and said it was “in the interest of the integrity and sovereignty of the nation”.The council said that it would like to present its views to the court in order to assist in deciding on the petition filed by Kashmir Times executive editor Anuradha Bhasin. It said that it would do so “justly in the interest of the freedom of the press as well as in the national interest”.The application by the council also that there was no mention of the “abrogation of most contentious provision of the constitution” in Bhasin’s petition which had caused the restrictions. The press council, in its plea, also mentioned its functions under Section 13 of Press Council Act, 1978, and highlighted Norms of Journalistic Conduct to establish its locus standi.The Kashmir Times editor, in her petition, had stated that the restrictions were curbing the rights of journalists under the provisions of Articles 14 [equality before the law] and 19 [freedom of speech and expression] of the Constitution of India. She said the shutdown has fueled anxiety, panic, alarm, insecurity and fear among the residents of the Kashmir.It also said that the information blackout was a “direct and grave violation of the right of the people to know about the decisions that directly impact their lives and their future”. Bhasin further added that it stopped the media from reporting the developments and from knowing the opinions of the citizens of the state.scroll.in
National Conference dismisses reports of govt reaching out to former CM Omar Abdullah
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-conference-dismisses-reports-of-Govt-reaching-out-to-former-cm-omar-abdullah/articleshow/70818830.cms
NC has rubbished media reports that the Centre has reached out to its leader and Omar Abdullah, currently under detention, saying there is "absolutely no basis" for these. The reports, quoting highly placed sources, said that some officials of investigating agencies were in communication with Abdullah and exCM and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who is also under detention since Aug.5. The reports said that this outreach had raised the possibility of reopening space for political dialogue in Kashmir Valley which has been under strict restrictions for nearly 3 weeks now. "There is absolutely no basis for such speculative reports," an NC leader said here. PTI
OTHERS
LIVE: Jaitley to be cremated on Sunday
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/arun-jaitley-dead-live-updates-bjp-aiims-finance-minister-5911098/
New Delhi:Former Union finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley passed away on Saturday. Jaitley, 66, was admitted to AIIMS on Aug.9 after he complained of palpitations and restlessness. In a brief statement, the hospital today said ex Union minister died at 12.07 pm. He is survived by his wife Sangeeta and 2 children Rohan and Sonali. Ex-Union minister will be cremated on Sunday at 4 pm at the Nigambodh Ghat, BJP leader Sudhanshu Mittal said. On Sunday morning at 10 am, his body will be taken to BJP HQRS from his residence where leaders across the political spectrum are expected to pay their last respects.indianexpress
BSF officer and wife declared foreigners in Assam, tribunal orders arrest
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bsf-officer-and-wife-declared-foreigners-in-assam-tribunal-orders-arrest-2089593
Guwahati:2 months after a former army soldier was declared a foreigner and sent to a detention camp amid work on NRC list in Assam, a Border Security Force officer and his wife are likely to face similar action on the orders of a foreigners tribunal.The tribunal at Jorhat has declared BSF Assistant Sub-Inspector Muzibur Rahman and his wife as "foreigners" and ordered the Assam police to arrest them. The development comes at a time when NRC authorities are struggling to meet an Aug.31 deadline set by the Supreme Court. Rahman, a resident of Udaypur-Mikipatty in Assam's Golaghat district, is currently posted in Punjab as part of 144 battalion. According to sources, he and his wife were initially marked as "doubtful voters" by NRC authorities and referred to the Jorhat tribunal. BSF officer learnt about the judgment when he returned home on leave in July last week. "In 2018 in an ex party judgment he and his wife along with 26 others were declared foreigner in this same order. They are all from the same area. Rahman has already appealed to Gauhati high court on this. He is from Merapani of Golaghat district but works with BSF and posted outside .since he has already move the high court, we will now wait for the order from High Court, since the matter is sub-judice we will wait," said ASP of Golaghat Surjeet Singh Panesar. ndtv
NRC: BSF officer, wife declared foreigners when he was on duty in Punjab
https://scroll.in/latest/934982/nrc-border-security-force-officer-wife-declared-foreigners-when-he-was-on-duty-in-punjab
Final NRC on Aug 31: SPs across Assam asked to be vigilant
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/aug/23/final-nrc-on-august-31-sps-across-assam-asked-to-be-vigilant-2023275.html
Guwahati: With just a week left for the publication of final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC), Assam Police warned that stringent action would be taken against anyone found trying to create communal disharmony or circulate hate messages.Emerging from a security review meeting with the state’s DMs and SPs here, DGP, Kuladhar Saikia, told journalists that SPs had been asked to be vigilant. “We discussed various issues. SPs have been asked to take action against anyone trying to create a communal disturbance or circulate hate or fake messages through the social media. Strong legal action will be taken against such individuals,” Saikia warned.He said SPs had been also asked to regularly monitor the activities in the sensitive areas.The CM, who chaired the meeting, appealed to people to maintain peace. He hoped they would cooperate with the Govt in the manner they did during publication of previous 2 NRC drafts. newindianexpress
'Be Crisp, Pin-pointed, Precise': SC to Lawyer on 11th Day of Hearing in Ayodhya Case
https://www.news18.com/news/india/be-crisp-pin-pointed-precise-sc-to-lawyer-on-11th-day-of-hearing-in-ayodhya-case-2281699.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, hearing the politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute matter, told a lawyer for a Hindu party on Friday to be "pin-pointed" and "precise" in his submissions."Mr (Sushil) Jain, we look forward to your pin-pointed, crisp and precise arguments,"5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said as soon as the senior counsel for Nirmohi Akhara started advancing his submissions.Friday was the eleventh day of the hearing in the matter before the apex court.So far, the Akhara's arguments were contrary to the case it had built in the high court, the bench observed and asked Jain to "build" his case "on merits"."While arguing, always keep in mind that we have already looked at large part of the documents," it told Jain.On being told by the lawyer that a note was prepared and he would take around a week to conclude his arguments, the bench said, "You don't need a week, take a day and try your best to put forward the case."The bench said it had perused many documents and asked Jain to supplement the arguments advanced by other Hindu parties."You say that you will do this, you will do that, but you do not start," the bench told the senior lawyer.Jain said the Akhara was very poor, it had no money and its temple was taken away, adding that the Hindu body was entitled to put forward its case."Jain, still you have not started the submissions," the bench said, leading to commencement of arguments. The court would resume the hearing on Aug.26.PTI
Babri demolition: CBI judge seeks protection in SC
https://scroll.in/latest/934881/babri-masjid-demolition-case-cbi-judge-seeks-protection-in-supreme-court
Special CBI Court judge Surendra Kumar Yadav, who is conducting the Babri Masjid demolition trial, has sought protection for himself, PTI reported. This was among five of the judge’s requests to UP Govt.A bench of Supreme Court Justices RF Nariman and Surya Kant said that the judge had placed his requests in a letter written on July 27 and told the state Govt to consider all of them within two weeks’ time. The judges said that the requests seemed reasonable.The SC also told the state Govt to pass orders to extend the judge’s tenure within two weeks. The judge is due to retire on September 30. The court had told the state Govt last month itself to extend Yadav’s tenure till the completion of the trial but the Adityanath-led BJP administration has not yet issued an order.On July 19, the SC told the special CBI court that the judgement in the Babri Masjid demolition case must be delivered within nine months.scroll.in
Triple Talaq law to come under Supreme Court lens, notice issued to Centre
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/triple-talaq-law-to-be-reviewed-by-supreme-court-notice-issued-to-centre/story-weH1Tbze0XK4OQp0bkyNqJ.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a batch of petitions that challenge the triple talaq law on the ground that the law was not only disproportionate but also extremely excessive and stringent. Centre has also asked the central Govt to respond to petitions filed by various groups against the law.“We will examine this,”a bench of the top court comprising justices NV Ramana and Ajay Rastogi told senior advocate Salman Khurshid, who was appearing for one of the petitioners. The petitions filed by 2 organisations and an individual - Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulama, relegious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars; Amir Rashid Madni a politician and Islamic scholar and a Muslim organisation ‘Jamiat Ulama- I- Hind’ - have asked that the law be held unconstitutional and struck down.The judges did have a few questions before they agreed to issue notice and asked the petitioner why a practice already held null and void could not be made a punishable offence.Senior lawyer Salman Khurshid told the bench that there were many dimensions, including making the practice a punishable offence and a jail term of up to 3 years, which should be examined by the top court.According to the law, the practice of instant triple talaq is a cognizable offence.A cognizable offence is one in which the police may carry out an arrest without a warrant, and is used for serious crimes such as theft, rape and murder. Jamiat, one of the 3 that petitioned the court, said the provisions imposed excessive and disproportionate punishment and defined triple talaq, a non-bailable offence.There are graver offences under IPC for which lesser punishment is prescribed, the organization has submitted.HT
AIMPLB moves HC against PIL seeking UniformCode
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/muslim-body-moves-delhi-high-court-against-pil-seeking-uniform-civil-code/474825
New Delhi: All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has moved the Delhi High Court opposing a PIL seeking framing of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to promote unity, fraternity and national integration.Seeking to be impleaded in the matter, the board has contended in its application that PIL was not maintainable in law and ought not to be entertained.It has claimed that the petitioner, BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, was in the habit of filing frivolous pleas."It is submitted that the present petition is frivolous in nature and concerns an issue that is no longer res integra (untouched legal issue). The present issue was dealt with by the Supreme Court of India as far back as in the year 2003," AIMPLB's application said.It has also sought imposing exemplary costs on Upadhyay. Plea further states that the board was concerned with the impact that a UCC may have on the practical aspects of the personal laws of Indian Muslims."As such, the applicant is apprehensive that the present status quo (wherein Islamic Religious Law governs the personal matters of Indian Muslim) is sought to be attacked under the garb of the present mischievous petition," it said.In his plea, Upadhyay has contended that Centre has "failed" to put in place a UCC as provided under Article 44 of the Constitution. A UCC would replace the personal laws, based on the scriptures and customs of various religious communities, with a common set of rules governing every citizen of the country.The high court had on May 31 issued notice to the Centre seeking its response to PIL before the next date of hearing on August 27. PTI
PIL for Uniform Civil Code not maintainable: Muslim Personal Law Board tells Delhi HC, seeks impleadment
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/pil-for-uniform-civil-code-not-maintainable-muslim-personal-law-147433
New-gen Muslim women are better at family planning
https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/muslim-women-family-planning-india-1590955-2019-08-23
New Delhi:Population explosion is an age-old issue in the country, but it has gained traction once again after PM Narendra Modi mentioned it in his Independence Day speech.While addressing the nation on its 73rd Independence Day, PM said that those planning small families "deserve respect" and that their act was patriotic. However, some political leaders leveraged his statement to point fingers at a particular community. For them, it was an opportunity to peddle again the narrative that Muslim population is growing at a rapid pace in India and that it might soon outnumber the Hindu population. In fact, a few politicos from BJP have used this misinformation to exhort Hindu women to birth at least four children.But, India Today Data Intelligence Unit has found out that, currently, this narrative does not hold water. National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has shown that over past 24 years, new-generation Muslim families have done a better job at family planning, though their statistical figures still trail Hindu families. According to the WHO, "total fertility rate [TFR] refers to the total number of children born or likely to be born to a woman in her lifetime".In India, TFR for women has been reducing across all communities. While TFR for Muslim women in NFHS-1 (1992-93) was 4.4, it declined to 2.6 in NFHS-4 (2015-16). Though it is still higher than Hindu women, gap between Hindu-Muslim TFR has narrowed in the past 2 decades.In 1992-93, difference between Hindu-Muslim TFR was 1.1 children, which meant that Muslim women were likely to have 33 % more children than Hindu women. This reduced to 0.5 children in 2015-16, implying that Muslim women were likely to give birth to 23.8% more kids than Hindu women.Delaying the age at which a woman births her first child and increasing the gap between births of successive children has helped in reducing fertility rates in many countries. This phenomenon seems to be true for India too. india today
Minority panel at odds with MP Govt over notice
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/minority-panel-at-odds-with-mp-govt-over-showcause-notice-5932413/
Bhopal:Accusing them of not doing the job assigned to them and passing off personal tours as official tours, Congress Govt has served showcause notices on the chairman and members of MP State Minority Commission, asking why they should not be removed from office.Calling the move politically motivated and allegations unfounded, chairman and 4 members have threatened to move court if they are removed, arguing that the likely removal does not conform to any ground mentioned in the legislation governing the commission. Chairman Niaz Mohammed and members Amarjeet Singh Bhalla, Anand Bernad, Kamal Bhai and Tukdya Das Vaidya were appointed during BJP regime. While Bhalla’s term is set to end later this year, 3-year terms of others will end in July 2020. They said that the new Govt wanted them to resign in March and their refusal was followed by these notices.Indian Express
Bhim Army warns of nationwide protest if men not released
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ravidas-temple-demolition-bhim-army-warns-of-nationwide-protest-if-men-not-released-5932088/
New Delhi:Bhim Army has threatened a countrywide protest if the police does not release 92 members of its outfit, who were detained during an agitation against the demolition of Ravidas Temple in Tughlakabad, within 10 days. Standing in front of the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Kamal Singh Walia, general secretary of Bhim Army, said, “If they are not released in 10 days, we will start a Bharat bandh andolan. The Govt wants to drown this movement.”On Aug 21, Bhim Army, led by its chief Chandrashekhar Azad, led a march in Tughlakabad against the demolition of Ravidas Temple, following which police picked up 92 protesters, including Azad. Claiming that the protest was peaceful, Bhim Army said many protesters were planted by the Govt. “Some mischievous elements, who we suspect were planted by the police and Govt authorities, created trouble,” said the organisation’s lawyer Mehmood Pracha.indianexpress
Ravidas temple row: Muslim body supports to Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/230819/ravidas-temple-row-muslim-body-supports-to-bhim-army-chief-chandrashe.html
New Delhi:All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has extended its support to Bhim Army after the latter's chief Chandrashekhar Azad was on Thursday sent to 14 days judicial custody following his arrest on the charge of rioting in the wake of the demolition of Guru Ravidas temple in the national capital.A Delhi court on Thursday sent 96 people, including Azad, to 14 days judicial custody.AIMPLB member Mufti Ejaz Arshad Qasmi told ANI that wherever people are suppressed, Muslim body will support them.Anjuman-e-Haideri has also extended support to the Bhim Army chief. Its secretary Bahadur Abbas said that they "fully support" Azad.On Wednesday evening, Azad and his supporters had taken to the streets to protest against the razing of the temple and clashed with the police. They demanded the restoration of the shrine at the same site.ANI
INX Media: Chidambaram gets relief from Supreme Court in Enforcement Directorate case
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inx-media-sc-grants-interim-protection-to-chidambaram-in-ed-case-no-relief-in-cbi-matter/article29230879.ece
New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Friday protected former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram from arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED) till Aug.26, the next date of hearing.The ED is investigating charges of money laundering against him in connection with the INX Media case.“He already had the benefit of interim bail in ED matter. He was also questioned in this case. He will continue to get protection, ”Justice R. Banumathi, leading a Bench comprising Justice AS Bopanna, observed. The interim protection was granted despite repeated exhortations from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to the Bench that “Your Lordships' conscience should be satisfied before giving him any protection”. Mehta even voiced apprehensions whether the interim relief would be “misused” in the remand proceedings due on Monday in CBI court against Chidambaram. The court refused to take a sealed envelope proffered by Mehta, appearing for CBI and ED, which he said contained crucial evidence against Chidambaram.The Bench was hearing 2 separate appeals filed by Chidambaram on Aug.20, within hours after Delhi High Court refused him anticipatory bail. However, the petitions failed to get listed on Aug.21 for hearing in the SC. Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI from his Jor Bagh residence the same evening. He is on a five-day remand till Aug.26 with CBI.thehindu
‘Demonising Modi is wrong’: Abhishek Singhvi and Shashi Tharoor back Jairam Ramesh’s comments
https://scroll.in/latest/934877/demonsing-modi-is-wrong-congress-leader-abhishek-manu-singhvi-backs-jairam-rameshs-comments
Senior Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Shashi Tharoor backed party colleague Jairam Ramesh’s comments that PM Narendra Modi should not be demonised.“Always said demonising Modi was wrong.Not only is he PM of nation, a one-way opposition actually helps him,” Singhvi tweeted. “Acts are always good, bad and indifferent – they must be judged issue-wise and not person-wise. Certainly, Ujjwala scheme is only one amongst other good deeds.”Tharoor claimed he had argued for six years that Modi should be praised whenever he says or does the right thing, thereby adding credibility to the Opposition’s criticisms whenever he errs. “I welcome others in Opposition coming around to a view for which I was excoriated at the time,”MPsaid.scroll
Rakbar Khan lynching: Rajasthan Police arrest fourth accused in the case after one year
https://scroll.in/latest/934907/rakbar-khan-lynching-rajasthan-police-arrest-fourth-accused-in-the-case-after-one-year
Rajasthan Police has arrested a fourth accused in the lynching of Rakbar Khan in July last year in Alwar district, PTI reported.Vijay Kumar was arrested from Murtikala colony in Jaipur and was taken to Alwar later. Police said the fifth accused Naval Kishore is still absconding. The police arrested 3 other accused in the case – Dharmendra Yadav, Naresh Singh, and Paramjeet Singh. A chargesheet has been filed against them.Khan, a resident of Haryana, and his friend Aslam were transporting 2 cows through a forest area near Lalawandi in Alwar when they were attacked by a mob on July 20, 2018 on the suspicion of cow smuggling. While Aslam managed to escape and hide, Khan died of his injuries while in police custody.scroll.in
Ordnance workers to defer nationwide strike on Monday
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-nationwide-strike-of-ordnance-workers-to-defer-from-monday-5933662/
Pune :The nationwide strike of ordnance workers against proposed corporatisation of the factories will be deferred from Monday morning, a joint circular issued by three bodies in Pune said. The strike was called by the key worker federations.It was decided after the statement by Secretary, Defence Production, which said no final decision on corporatisation was taken by the Govt yet.A joint circular issued by 3 bodies on Saturday said that the strike will be deferred from 6 am on Monday considering the statement by Secretary, Defence Production that no final decision on corporatisation was taken by the Govt yet and all the concerns of the workers’ bodies will be reviewed. indianexpress
Chhattisgarh: 5 Maoists killed in encounter in Narayanpur, search operation underway
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarh-narayanpur-maoist-encounter-live-updates-5932954/
In an encounter which broke out in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district today, 5 Maoists were killed, police officials said. 2 DRG Chhatisgarh police personnel sustained bullet wounds during the encounter which took place in the Abhujhmaad forests and forces are trying to evacuate them from the spot.Police added more Maoists may have been hit as search operations are still underway.“The exchange of fire took place around 6 am in forest near Dhurbeda village, located around 20 km away from Orchha police station in the district.It occurred when a DRG team was out on a counter-insurgency operation,”DGP DM Awasthi told PTI.indianexpress
Govt takes U-turns, offers sops in bid to boost sinking economy
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/govt-announces-sops-in-desperate-bid-to-save-sinking-economy
Buckling under pressure from overseas investors, Govt on Friday rolled back the enhanced surcharge imposed on foreign portfolio and domestic investors in Budget 2019-20 as it announced a slew of measures to boost sagging economic growth."In order to encourage investment in the capital market, it has been decided to withdraw the enhanced surcharge levied by Finance (No.2) Act, 2019 on long/short term capital gains arising from the transfer of equity shares/units," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here.The move will dent Govt revenues by Rs 1,400 crore. Sitharaman had in her maiden Budget hiked surcharge on income tax paid by super-rich individuals. The surcharge, levied on top of the applicable income tax rate, was hiked from 15 % to 25 % for those with taxable income of Rs 2-5 crore, and to 37 % for those earning more than Rs 5 crore. This increased the effective tax rate for these two groups by 3.12 % and 7 % to 39 % and 42.74 %, respectively.Some 40 % of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) automatically came under the higher tax rate as they have been investing as a non-corporate entity such as trust or association of persons (AOPs), which in the Income Tax law are classified as an individual for the purpose of taxation."The enhanced surcharge on FPI goes, in simple words," she said. "In other words, pre-Budget position is restored." The super-rich tax on FPIs, along with lack of measures to boost the economy in the July 5 Budget, was largely blamed for foreign investors withdrawing over USD 3 billion from stock markets, putting pressure on indices and rupee. She also announced exempting start-ups from the so-called angel tax.nationalherald
Indian economy in a state of ‘high blood pressure’, says Shobhana Kamineni of Apollo Hospitals
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/indian-economy-in-a-state-of-high-blood-pressure-says-shobhana-kamineni-of-apollo-hospitals
Reacting over current economic slowdown in the country, Shobana Kamineni, executive vice chairperson of Apollo Hospitals said “Indian economy is in a state of high blood pressure.” Kamineni said, "Every country goes through its stresses and our country has a few more going on. It's global stresses, it's environment stresses, it's job stresses, it's tensions that are coming from all over. So I would say that we're in a state of high blood pressure,"Slowdown in the Indian economy is affecting the sales, forcing companies to slash production, job and has raised hopes in the business sector that the Govt will come up with economic stimulus to revive growth.Kamineni also indicated at growing concerns of shrinking demand, led by a drop in consumer spending, she described this phenomenon an ‘epidemic’.nationalheraldindia
Air India owes Rs 5,000 crore in fuel dues; hasn’t paid in 230 days, says OMCs
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-owes-5000-cr-in-fuel-dues-hasnt-paid-in-230-days-says-omcs-5932220/
New Delhi :Non-payment of dues by Air India to oil marketing companies, which led to the retailers snapping fuel supplies to the national carrier, has resulted in Lakshadweep going off India’s aviation map till such a time supplies are restarted to flag-carrier and its regional arm Alliance Air. The only flight connecting Lakshadweep to the mainland was flight from Kochi to Agatti airport operated by Alliance Air. This flight was cancelled on Friday.Air India owes Rs 5,000 crore to state-owned fuel retailers, due to which the three firms — Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, HP Corp – cut supplies to Air India and Alliance Air at six airports.“The joint decision to stop fuel supply to Air India from six airports, i.e., Kochi, Mohali, Pune, Ranchi, Patna and Visakhapatnam, was taken by the oil marketing companies in the wake of long overdue payments to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore,” IOC said in a statement issued on behalf of the three firms explaining the constraints that led to take the harsh decision. The overdue amount includes the interest accrued on the outstanding dues. indianexpress
Busts of Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose removed from DU campus
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/busts-of-savarkar-bhagat-singh-subhas-chandra-bose-removed-from-du-campus/articleshow/70814847.cms
New Delhi: Days after DU administration had asked the ABVP to remove the bust of VD Savarkar, Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose installed at DU's Arts faculty, Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) head Shakti Singh has removed the busts at around 2am on Saturday. The busts of VD Savarkar, Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose, was installed at DU's Arts Faculty on August 20. ABVP claimed that the busts were removed after the "DU administration gave assurance to ABVP that after DUSU elections, busts of freedom fighters will be re-installed following the procedure required." ABVP added that the busts have been kept safe by the University of Delhi. The student group reiterated that when the bust was installed they had asked DUSU to set up the statues only as per the procedure of the university. TOI
IAF chopper that crashed in Budgam on Feb.27 was hit by Indian missile, finds inquiry
https://scroll.in/latest/934931/iaf-chopper-that-crashed-in-budgam-on-february-27-was-hit-by-indian-missile-finds-inquiry
Mi-17 Indian Air Force chopper, which crashed in Budgam in J&K on Feb.27, was hit by an Indian missile during “friendly fire”, a high-level investigation found on Friday. The investigators also held four air force officers, including a group captain, guilty.As many as six military personnel and a civilian were killed in the incident, which took place a day after the air force conducted strikes in Balakot, Pakistan, and on the day of a dogfight between Indian and Pak jets.IAF HQRS had ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident. The inquiry found that the ‘Identification of Friend or Foe’ system on-board the helicopter was switched off, and there was a “vital gap” in coordination between the ground crew and the chopper.scroll.in/PTI
‘Welcome my brother to 2nd home,’ UAE crown prince confers PM Modi with highest civilian award
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-conferred-order-of-zayed-uae-s-crown-prince-thanks-him-for-visiting-second-home/story-bX4BDwSY5b2RXMJRpoqB8K.html
PM Narendra Modi was conferred the Order of Zayed, UAE’s highest civilian award, by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today. PM Modi reached Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital city from Paris on Friday, on the second leg of his 3-nation tour to France, UAE and Bahrain.The award has earlier been bestowed on several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin,Queen Elizabeth II and Chinese President Xi Jinping.Conferring the award on the Indian PM, crown prince, also expressed gratitude to his “brother” for visiting “his second home” and for his efforts to boost bilateral ties between the two nations.In Abu Dhabi, the two leaders discussed measures to improve trade and cultural ties between India and the UAE. PM Modi and Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also discussed the “full spectrum of the strong India-UAE partnership”, which has been “built over generations”, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.Kumar also tweeted that there was a “new energy” in the relationship between the two leaders.The PM on Saturday also launched the RuPay card to expand the network of cashless transactions abroad. UAE became the first country in the Middle East to initiate the Indian system of electronic payment. Hindustantimes
AP: Ad of Jerusalem yatra and Haj pilgrimage on tickets to Tirupati sparks row
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/andhra-pradesh-ad-of-jerusalem-yatra-and-haj-pilgrimage-on-tickets-to-tirupati-sparks-row
Advertisement of Jerusalem yatra and Haj pilgrimage on bus tickets in the temple town of Tirupati has sparked a row on Friday, compelling Andhra Pradesh Govt to order a probe.State Endowments Minister Vellampalli Srinivas said some of the tickets of AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) that were supposed to be issued from Nellore depot have been diverted to Tirupati. He said instructions were given for strict action against the erring officials.He said TDP and BJP leaders were trying to level baseless allegations against CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for every small issue with the "help of its friendly media" and trying to create untoward situation. "We will take action against all those who are purporting the vicious propaganda and trying to blame the state for such sensitive issues," he said. The minister said it was the previous TDP Govt which had given the contract for printing of religious material on the backside of RTC bus tickets. Condemning the incident, BJP demanded action against those responsible for what it calls hurting the sentiments of Hindus. IANS
WORLD
Sri Lanka ends emergency,imposed after bombings
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/sri-lanka-ends-emergency-rule-imposed-easter-bombings-190823134350525.html
Sri Lanka has officially ended 4 months of emergency rule imposed after a series of suicide attacks that killed over 260 people, left Govt in disarray and raised fears of renewed ethnic tensions in the island-nation. President Maithripala Sirisena allowed the emergency rule, which was put in place shortly after the April 21 bombings, to lapse by not signing a decree that would extend it for another month.He had previously extended the order on 22nd of every month following the massacres that happened when suicide bombers attacked three churches and three hotels around the capital, Colombo, and the eastern town of Batticaloa on Easter Sunday. "The minister of defence will not extend the state of emergency," official Govt news portal tweeted. The emergency laws gave the military and police sweeping powers to arrest and detain suspects without court orders. Critics charge it has been used to unfairly target Muslim citizens. Hundreds have been arrested since April as the Govt used the emergency order, as well as curfews and social media blackouts, to tighten security across the country and hunt members of 2 local Muslim groups it said were responsible for the attacks. Those groups had claimed allegiance to ISIL, although a Sri Lankan investigator said in July that the groups were inspired, but not directly linked, to ISIL. Lankan authorities say all those directly responsible for the suicide bombings have either been killed or arrested. Military and police have been accused of targeting the country's Muslim minority, activists and politicians under the emergency order, provoking further fear after the bombings threatened to inflame tensions between the majority Buddhist and minority Muslims. aljazeera
Myanmar Army raped Rohingya women with 'genocidal intent', govt did nothing to stop them: UN
https://www.indiatimes.com/news/world/myanmar-army-raped-rohingya-women-with-genocidal-intent-govt-did-nothing-to-stop-them-un-374183.html
Women are said to be the worst victims of conflicts anywhere in the world. We have heard the horror stories of how US soldiers raped Iraqi women during the Iraq war. Then the world saw how ISIS raped Yezidi women and kept them as sex slaves for years. Same was the case with Sudan. There have been reports about sexual violence against women during communal riots. Currently, one of the worst humanitarian crises is going on in Myanmar, where the Rohingya Muslim community is being targeted and reports suggest that thousands of Rohingyas have been killed so far. Hundreds of thousands have fled to neighbouring countries for safety. Sexual violence has been a known tool used against the Rohingyas by the troops in Myanmar. Even the UN expressed its worries about it in 2017. Let us intensify our efforts to end the horrific litany of sexual violence in conflict so that women, girls, men & boys have one less burden to bear as they work to rebuild shattered lives.“Now, the latest report by a team of UN experts have concluded that sexual violence committed by Myanmar troops against Rohingya women in 2017 was an indication of the military’s genocidal intent to destroy mainly Muslim ethnic minority. indiatimes.com/
Pakistan rejects reports of being placed in ‘enhanced blacklist’ by FATF’s Asia-Pacific Group
https://scroll.in/latest/934894/pakistan-rejects-reports-of-being-placed-in-enhanced-blacklist-by-fatfs-asia-pacific-group
Pakistan has rejected Indian reports that the Financial Action Task Force’s Asia Pacific Group placed Islamabad on an “enhanced blacklist” for non-compliance and non-enforcement of safeguards against terror financing and money laundering, Dawn reported. Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance called reports “incorrect and baseless”.The interGovtal body sets standards for fighting illicit finance globally. In June, global watchdog warned Pakistan to complete an action plan on terror financing and urged Islamabad to meet Oct.2019 deadline. In June 2018,Pakistan was put on its “grey list” and given a 27-point action plan to implement in order to be taken off the list.The Asia-Pacific Group concluded its meetings in Canberra, Australia, on Friday. scroll.in
Syrians feel deserted as Turkey cracks down
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/syrians-feel-deserted-turkey-cracks-190822150114760.html
Istanbul:Ab Kinan's* small-scale export business in Aksaray, Istanbul, has been closed for weeks, although not by choice. Turkish police arrived at the premises unannounced on July 23 and arrested Ab Kinan and a fellow Syrian colleague.Ab Kinan had lived in Turkey for 5 years and held an ID registered in Istanbul for the last three. He told Al Jazeera that after being held for nearly a week, he was deported to Idlib, a province in northwest Syria under rebel control and facing bombardment from the Syrian Govt and allied Russian forces since late April, without receiving an explanation. Since returning to his home country, he has moved between rebel-held Idlib city and the city of Afrin, which is controlled by Turkish forces and rebels, struggling to make a living and fearing for his wellbeing."I can't feel safe in this country, the situation is really bad," Ab Kinan told Al Jazeera. "I'll try to re-enter Turkey and go to Europe or somewhere else. It's really hard here."aljazeera
Erdogan to visit Russia after convoy targeted inSyria
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/turkey-erdogan-visit-moscow-convoy-targeted-syria-190823175438699.html
President Tayyip Erdogan will visit Moscow on Tuesday for a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, days after a Turkish convoy was nearly hit by air raids in the Syrian province of Idlib.The announcement came as Syrian forces, backed by Russia, continue to make advances into the last rebel stronghold in Syria's northwest region that borders Turkey.Since April, Syria and Russia have escalated their bombardment of Idlib,with over 500 civilians being killed in hostilities, according to UN.aljazeera
Tunisia arrests presidential candidate Nabil Karoui
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/tunisia-arrests-presidential-candidate-nabil-karoui-190823180054110.html
Authorities in Tunisia have arrested a controversial presidential candidate and founder of a major private television channel, Nabil Karoui, according to his political party.56-year-old is one of main challengers contesting the September 15 election following the death of President Beji Caid Essebsi last month.Karoui was charged with money laundering in early July shortly after stating his intention to stand in the polls, but has remained a leading candidate."About 15 police cars blocked the road and rushed to Nabil Karoui's car before armed civilian police asked him to come with them, saying they had instructions to arrest him," Oussama Khlifi, of the media mogul's Qalb Tounes party, said on Friday .Private radio station Mosaique FM quoted a judicial official confirming that an arrest warrant had been issued against Karoui and his brother Ghazi for money laundering.aljazeera
Israel delivered UAE, Saudi message to US to stop strike on Iran
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190824-israel-delivered-uae-saudi-message-to-us-to-stop-strike-on-iran/
UAE and Saudi Arabia likely asked US President Donald Trump not to attack Iran, Arab48 reported, citing diplomatic sources from both countries.Arab48 quoted Al-Monitor columnist Ben Caspit as saying that intelligence officials from Gulf States, “likely the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” travelled to US and asked the Americans not to strike Iran. Israel, according to Al-Monitor, was seemingly involved in passing the message from the Gulf States to US administration at the last minute. Discussing the reason for this, Ben Caspit said Gulf States were afraid of paying a “high price” for a “relatively small” US strike.Arab48 also pointed to previous Israeli analysis stating that Israel intentionally refrained from commenting on the US escalation in the Gulf because of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s role in advocating for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.The news website noted that Netanyahu – who at that time was a private citizen – took part in a Congress meeting prior to 2003 invasion and claimed that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s regime must be ousted because it was developing nuclear weapons.Therefore, Al-Monitor said, Netanyahu does not want to look as if he is pushing the US to carry out military action against Iran, a venture which could equally succeed or fail.middleeastmonitor
Iran test-fired new missile:Revolutionary Guards commander
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/iran-test-fires-missile-revolutionary-guards-commander-190824083607731.html
Iran has test-fired a new missile, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said, according to the country's Tasnim news agency."Our country is always the arena for testing a variety of defence and strategic systems and these are non-stop movements towards the growth of our deterrent power," Major General Hossein Salami said today. "And yesterday was one of the successful days for this nation," he said, without providing more information about the missile.On Thursday, Iran displayed what it described as a domestically-built long-range, surface-to-air missile defence system. aljazeera
N.Korea test-fires missiles again after joint drills end
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/north-korea-test-fires-missiles-joint-drills-190824030945767.html
North Korea fired 2 suspected short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Saturday in the seventh weapons launch in a month, South Korea's military said, a day after the North vowed to remain US biggest threat in protest against US-led sanctions on the country.N. Korea had been expected to halt weapons tests because 10-day US-South Korean drills, which it views as an invasion rehearsal,ended earlier this week.aljazeera
UNSC: Meeting discusses US missile test
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/security-council-meeting-discusses-missile-test-190823144255876.html
Russia and US have accused each other of risking a new arms race UNSC. The meeting was requested by Russia and China to discuss US testing of a land-based nuclear-capable missile. It comes after Washington pulled out of a Cold War-era missile treaty.aljazeera
Flash: NEWS,views,Articles
India insists all is well in Kashmir. But as communications shutdown continues, its citizens are struggling to reach outside world:time.com
https://time.com/5659671/kashmir-indian-Govt/?fbclid=IwAR1lA6kvZHtnRuqaOuQomsPeJvfehktnlwjo9gv6XrohnpUXTur5YbvMtb8
No govt can change ‘secular’ from Constitution: Justice Kurian Joseph
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/no-govt-can-change-secular-from-constitution-justice-kurian-joseph?fbclid=IwAR0mE_5GHdUUzHjKcaJM3GXD8ikpzRde0mSyoJ9s52xY45cDCGRlc-QmVAE
Shameful attempt to derail US-Taliban peace talks: The Telegraph
https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/shameful-attempt-to-derail-us-taliban-peace-talks/cid/1699633
BJP's Fantasy of Subjugating Pakistan Finds Expression in 'Kashmiristan':Arjun Appadurai
https://thewire.in/rights/bjp-kashmir-muslims-pakistan
'Eye For an Eye': In Srinagar, Pellet Guns Blind Indiscriminately:Mudasir Ahmad
https://thewire.in/rights/eye-for-an-eye-in-srinagar-pellet-guns-blind-indiscriminately
Venkaiah Naidu Used Fake Quote to Claim Ambedkar Opposed Article 370:Ajoy Ashirwad
https://thewire.in/politics/venkaiah-naidu-ambedkar-kashmir-article-370
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq,(Released at: 7:44 PM)
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