NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
05 AUG. 2019: 03 ZilHajj 1440:Vol: 11, No:263
INDIA: J&K ISSUE
Special status of J&K scrapped; Bifurcation Bill passed, Ladakh, J&K to be Union Territories
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-kashmir-live-updates-section-144-srinagar-omar-abdullah-mehbooba-mufti-5878558/
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the govt has scrapped the special status granted to the state of Jammu and Kashmir by modifying Article 370 of the Constitution. Article 370 of the constitution is a ‘temporary provision’ granting special autonomous status to J&K.Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Shah assured that when “the situation gets normal and the right time comes” the govt is ready to make J&K a state again, adding that it may take longer than expected. While the Union Territory of Ladakh will be without a legislature, the Union Territory of J&K will be with a legislature. Hours after the announcement, the Rajya Sabha has passed J&K Reorganisation Bill, 2019 that proposes the bifurcation of the state into 2 union territories-J&K and Ladakh. Late Sunday night, mainstream party leaders – NC leaders Omar and Farooq Abdullah, and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, among others – were placed under house arrest and mobile, broadband internet and cable TV services were entirely shut down.The govt order also said no public meetings or rallies would be allowed and there would be “no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed”. Identity cards of service officials would be considered as movement passes in various areas. Indianexpress
BSP, AAP, BJD spring surprise by backing govt on Article 370, JD(U) stages walkout
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-kashmir-article-370-parliament-amit-shah-5879583/?fbclid=IwAR1RrvJO-8Bf_opQo27aPlkoPjT2IHFh08a8XLkO-HqQSZ-t6E15hYYRFbA
Even as the Govt today modified Article 370, which gives special status to J&K, and moved a bill to bifurcate the state into two separate union territories, it received support in the Parliament from unlikely quarters, with staunch critics like Mayawati’s BSP and AAP backing the move.Apart from BSP and AAP, fence-sitters like Naveen Patnaik’s BJD, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP, Bodoland People’s Front (BDF), TRS and TDP also supported J&K Reorganisation Bill, which provides for formation of Union Territory of Ladakh without legislature and a separate one for J&K with the legislature.NDA allies Shiv Sena, AIADMK and SAD also backed the Govt move amid a massive uproar by the Opposition.In an embarrassment for BJP, BJP’s Bihar ally JD(U), which had also opposed the Triple Talaq Bill, staged a walkout as soon as Home Minister Amit Shah moved the resolution on Article 370 as also J&K Reorganisation Bill 2019.“ Nitish Kumar is carrying forward the tradition of JP Narayan,Ram Manohar Lohia and Fernandes. So our party is not supporting the Bill moved in the Rajya Sabha today. We have different thinking. We want that Article 370 should not be revoked,” senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said.Besides JD(U), Congress, TMC, DMK, PDP, CPM, RJD and Vaiko’s MDMK vehemently opposed the move, with members creating a ruckus in the Well of the House and shouting slogans such as ‘We want justice’ and ‘Don’t divide Kashmir’. SP members, however, did not join them in the well.Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said his party supported the Centre’s decisions on J&K. “We hope this will bring peace and development in the state,” the CM tweeted. indianexpress
NDA has cut off India's head:Ghulam Nabi Azad
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article-370-nda-has-cut-off-indias-head-says-ghulam-nabi-azad/article28821970.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:Leader of the the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday accused the Union Govt of doing vote-bank politics by abrogating Article 370 that guaranteed special status to J&K.August 5 would be written in Indian history as a black-letter day,he said at a press conference in the Parliament complex.Azad charged the Rajya Sabha TV with blacking out Opposition protests inside the House.“ NDA has cut off India's head and the BJP is responsible for weakening India...People of J&K and the people of India -- from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, from Sikkim to Gujarat -- will fight against this. All the secular parties will fight this and will stand with the people of the State,” he said.Article 370 was the thread that not only bound the 3 regions -- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh - but also with the rest of India. “I make this allegation that that they are doing this to get votes... If there was one provision that acted like a thread and bound every region then it was Article 370. There were provisions for all three regions and religions,” he said. Thehindu
‘Darkest day of democracy’: Opposition leaders condemn scrapping of Article 370
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/article-370-scrapped-reactions-omar-mehbooba-mufti-kejirwal-5879361/
Indian govt’s decision to repeal Article 370 is a move against UNSC resolution: Pakistan Prez
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/indian-govts-decision-to-repeal-article-370-is-a-move-against-unsc-resolution-pakistan-president
In the first official reaction coming in from Islamabad, Pakistan President Arif Alvi said today that the Indian Govt's decision to repeal Article 370, which gives special status to J&K,was against the resolution of the UNSC. "India's attempt to further change status of Indian Occupied J&K is against the resolutions of UNSC and against wishes of the Kashmiri people,"official Twitter handle of President said."Pakistan supports and insists on a peaceful resolution based on wishes of Kashmiri people and stands with them in their hour of need," he said in another tweet.IANS
J&K: Pakistan president calls for joint session, Pak Army chief calls Corps Commanders meeting
https://www.newsx.com/national/jammu-and-kashmir-article-370-abrogation-pakistan-president-calls-for-joint-session-pak-army-chief-calls-corps-commanders-meeting.html
Pakistan President Arif Alvi has immediately called Joint Session of Parliament in the wake of Narendra Modi-led govt’s decision to scrap Article 370. PML-N president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto have been demanding an emergency meeting of the parliamentary leaders to discuss the ongoing situation. Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa called for a meeting of the Corps Commanders Conference to discuss the situation after India decided to scrap Article 370.NewsX
Imran Khan says India’s move to scrap Article 370 ‘illegal, violates UN resolutions’
https://theprint.in/world/imran-khan-says-indias-move-to-scrap-article-370-illegal-violates-un-resolutions/272696/
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday termed India’s move to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir as “illegal” and said it will “further deteriorate” relations between the nuclear-capable neighbours.Khan made the remarks while speaking with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad on the situation in Kashmir, Geo News quoted a statement issued by the Foreign Office.During their conversation, Khan said changing the status of Kashmir was “illegal and a violation of UN resolutions”.“India’s move will further deteriorate relations between nuclear-capable neighbours,” Khan was quoted as telling the Malaysian prime minister.On his part, Prime Minister Mahathir said that Malaysia was closely monitoring the situation in Kashmir and would remain in contact with Pakistan, the channel reported.Mahathir also said that he was looking forward to the UN General Assembly session next month and a meeting with Khan on the sidelines in New York.PTI
No unilateral step can change disputed status of J&K': Pak foreign office
https://www.news18.com/news/world/no-unilateral-step-can-change-disputed-status-of-jk-pakistan-condemns-decision-to-repeal-article-370-2258811.html
J&K: 8,000 more paramilitary troops airlifted to state from parts of country; IAF and Army on alert
https://scroll.in/latest/932888/j-k-8000-more-paramilitary-troops-airlifted-to-state-from-parts-of-country-iaf-and-army-on-alert
At least 8,000 paramilitary personnel were airlifted to J&K on Monday from several parts of the country, including UP, Odisha and Assam, NDTV reported.The security forces were being brought to Srinagar on C-17 transport planes of the Indian Air Force, NDTV quoted unidentified sources as saying. This deployment was an addition to the 35,000 soldiers who were already brought into J&K recently. Meanwhile, Indian Army and Air Force were also put on high alert after the decision to revoke Article 370, according to ANI.scroll.in
UN Appeals to India, Pakistan to Exercise Restraint
https://thewire.in/world/un-appeals-to-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has appealed to India and Pakistan to “exercise maximum restraint” to ensure that the situation does not further deteriorate, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, amidst sudden spike in tensions between the two neighbours. “UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) observed and reported an increase in military activity at the Line of Control in recent days. The UN appeals to both sides to exercise maximum restraint to ensure that the situation does not further deteriorate,” a statement issued by Dujarric said.PTI
J&K:Amnesty cautions Centre on rights violations
https://scroll.in/latest/932905/j-k-special-status-amnesty-international-cautions-centre-on-human-rights-violations-in-state
Amnesty International India has issued a statement against Centre’s decision to revoke the special status granted to J&K, saying that it could stoke ongoing tension in the state and end up alienating the locals. It also cautioned the govt that the developments could increase risk of further human rights violations. scroll
It’s a political decision, it’s not a wise decision: Soli Sorabjee on Article 370
https://www.thequint.com/news/law/article-370-35a-abrogation-jammu-kashmir-soli-sorabjee-historic-step-blunder?fbclid=IwAR0ek6IBXUPujb96NWBbBpkx3BxNllr1x-JCEI8lAUqbHTbQix0JZ5fsaeY
Shortly after Centre moved to revoke Article 370 through a Presidential Order, former attorney-general of India Soli Sorabjee said “nothing revolutionary has been done” and that it was merely a political decision.“It’s a political decision, it’s not a wise decision,” Sorabjee told ANI. Asked if this was a historic step by NDA govt, Sorabjee responded saying “a historic step can also be a blunder.” “Nothing revolutionary has been done. Article 35A wasn’t a part of the Constitution. It was inserted by a Presidential Order. The laws of India which were not applicable to the state of J&K will now apply,” he added. Sorabjee also highlighted the manner in which the leaders in the state like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were put under house arrest.“You didn’t ask me about the arrests, but to my mind I don’t like this at all. I think it is very unnecessary and very unpleasant. It sends a wrong signal to people of Kashmir. I don’t approve of it,” Sorabjee said.thequint
Repealing Art.370 an extremely regressive, undemocratic step: ex J&K interlocutor Habibullah
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/repealing-article-370-is-an-extremely-regressive-undemocratic-step-former-jandk-interlocutor-wajahat-habibullah?fbclid=IwAR1qH0nauC7Gav7DFnHv-IJd12X6MoP_qTV5g-CMtGu_MsvaNWKFU3V2Pxc
Denouncing the move regarding article 370, former J&K interlocutor Wajahat Habibullah underscores that this is an extremely regressive step. He highlights that the Govt has made it real for the people of Kashmir that they weren’t living in a democracy anymore.“This is an extremely regressive step and what its objective is, I fail to understand. If the idea was to remedy the law and order situation, then this is going to make it worse. Kashmir will be on a boil as it will be taken very badly by people in Kashmir,” points out Habibullah.“It remains for the courts to say if a Presidential order can change the Constitution. I can’t give a legal opinion, but on the face of it, this is illegal. Article 370 was a temporary provision but changing anything in the Constitution without consultation with the people is itself unconstitutional. Most people don’t even know what has happened as they have been cut off.This is an undemocratic measure. Why have they taken such an undemocratic measure? Because they know that it would have regressive repercussions in Kashmir. If fact, it is Kashmir which has always been a problem for them. Earlier, they would say J&K, now problem is in the open.Problem is Kashmir,” explains first CIC.nationalheraldindia
Omar, Mehbooba arrested: Reports
https://scroll.in/latest/932934/former-j-k-cms-omar-abdullah-and-mehbooba-mufti-arrested-after-article-370-revoked-reports
Former J&K CMs Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were today formally arrested after being placed under house arrest late on Sunday night, NDTV reported. Mufti has been reportedly taken from her home in Srinagar to a nearby govt guest house.Earlier in the day, both the leaders condemned the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution, which provides special status to J&K. They have been vocal in their criticism against this move and Abdullah also indicated that his party might challenge it in court.An order issued to Mufti by the chief executive officer said her “activities are likely to cause breach of peace keeping into consideration your recent activities”.scroll.in
Totally unconstitutional and undemocratic: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Article 370
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/totally-unconstitutional-and-undemocratic-punjab-cm-capt-amarinder-singh-on-article-370-5879826/
Terming it as “totally unconstitutional”, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh flayed Centre on the manner in which it imposed its decision on J&K, saying that the democratic fabric of the nation had been ripped apart with this unprecedented “violation” of the Constitutional norms.“It is a dark day for the Indian democracy,” said Amarinder, adding that the Constitution of India had been rewritten without following any legal provisions. “Such a historic decision should not have been taken and pushed through in this arbitrary manner,” he said. This will set a bad precedent as it would mean that the Centre could reorganise any state in the country by simply imposing President’s rule,he said. indianexpress
J&K Bills: Punjab bans celebrations, protests
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jk-bills-punjab-bans-celebrations-protests/article28822022.ece?homepage=true
Kashmir: Scrapping Article 370 "Unconstitutional", "Deceitful" Says Legal Expert A.G. Noorani
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kashmir-article-370-scrapping-constitutional-expert-reacts-noorani_in_5d47e58de4b0aca341206135?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
New Delhi: Modi Govt’s decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian constitution through controversial means is “utterly and palpably unconstitutional,”said respected scholar and constitutional expert AG Noorani. The author of many books about Kashmir, including on Article 370, tells HuffPost India that the Supreme Court must declare this decision as “void”. He said,”It is utterly and palpably unconstitutional. An unconstitutional deed has been accomplished by deceitful means. For a fortnight, the Governor and other people told a whole load of lies. And I am sorry that the Army Core Commander (Chief) was also enlisted to spread this false thing of inputs from Pakistan. It was all a falsehood. They have undermined the Army’s non-political character. This is patently unconstitutional. Thing is that I had always predicted that they are out to fulfill their Saffron agenda: Uniform Civil Code, Ayodhya and Abrogation of Article 370. It remains to be seen how they accomplish the Ayodhya agenda. “
Yasin Malik is Absolutely Fine: Tihar Prison DG Refutes Rumours of Kashmiri Separatist's Ill Health
https://www.news18.com/news/india/yasin-malik-is-absolutely-fine-tihar-prison-dg-refutes-rumours-of-kashmiri-separatists-ill-health-2258123.html
New Delhi: DG of Tihar Prison on Sunday said the reports about the ill-health of Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, who is presently lodged in Tihar prison, is completely "incorrect" and he is "absolutely fine". Goes said there is no reason for any worry about his health. Goel's statement came hours after Malik's wife Mushaal Hussein Malik in a video message talked about her apprehension regarding the health of jailed JKLF chief. Malik is currently in jail in connection with terror funding cases. "Malik is absolutely fine. There is no reason for any worry about his health," Goel said.DG also said rumours regarding Malik's health are completely false.In the video message, the Pakistan-born wife of Malik had claimed that his health conditions was deteriorating and he needed urgent attention.news18
Article 370: It’s the beginning of disintegration of India, says Chidambaram
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article-370-its-the-beginning-of-disintegration-of-india-says-chidambaram/article28822443.ece?homepage=true
Senior Congress leader and ex Union Home Minister P. Chidamabaram, said the Govt move of scrapping Article 370 was “the beginning of the disintegration of India if the current Govt continues to be in charge.”Monday was the worst day in the constitutional history and “the idea of India as a union of States is in grave danger,” he said.“What they have done is a constitutional monstrosity. People of India, people of every State must wake up to the grave danger that was set as an example today by these completely unconstitutional and illegal resolutions. I want to warn every party, every State, every citizen of India that the idea of India as a union of States is in grave danger,” he said at a press conference.“They can dismember every State and break it up. This is the beginning of disintegration of India. I am sorry to use such strong words but this is the worst day in the constitutional history of India,” he stated. He accused the Govt of “dismembering” J&K, and claimed that every State in the country could be similarly dismembered.“All that they have to do is to dismiss the elected Govt, impose President's rule, dissolve the elected Assemblies, Parliament takes the power of the State Assembly, Govt moves a resolution and Parliament approves it and the State can be broken up,” said he, who is also a noted constitutional lawyer.“What have they done.They dismembered the State of J&K by mischievously interpreting both Article 3 and Article 370 of the Constitution. If this can be done in J&K, then let me caution you that it can be done to every other State,” he noted.“Every State can be broken up into two or 3 or more Union Territories by mischievously misinterpreting Article 3 and Article 370 and they won't stop at that,” he added. thehindu
J&K bifurcation: DMK sees ‘murder of democracy’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/jammu-and-kashmir-bifurcation-dmk-sees-murder-of-democracy/article28822239.ece?homepage=true
Article 370 revoked in J&K: MHA asks security forces to remain alert
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/article-370-35a-revoked-security-on-alert-jammu-and-kashmir-indian-army/464046
New Delhi: Soon after the Govt’s decision to abrogate Article 370 of Constitution from J&K, officials today said all security forces formations across the country are on 'high alert'.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory, directing all CAPFs and central security agencies to take "necessary precautions" to ensure that peace and communal harmony is maintained across the country. "An advisory for remaining on a high alert mode has been issued to all the security forces across the country, especially for their units based in J&K," said a senior official.The concerned authorities have been asked to pay special attention to areas that are communally sensitive.It read: "Adequate publicity may be given to the measures taken by state Govts, Union Territories to inspire confidence in the sections concerned and to sensitise the public against any mischief or breach of peace."Law enforcement agencies in the states and Union Territories have been asked to keep an eye on the circulation of unverified news, rumours, and messages on social media.timesnownews
Left Parties to Hold Country-Wide Protests on August 7 Against Dismantling of J&K
https://www.newsclick.in/Jammu-Kashmir-Dismantling-Protest-by-Left-Parties-Article-370
Condemning scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution and dismantling the state of J&K amid massive troop build-up and a clampdown by central forces in the state, CPI(M) and other Left parties have called for a nationwide protest day on Aug 7.“This is the biggest attack on national unity and the concept of India as a Union of States,” said a statement by CPI(M) politburo.“It is universally acknowledged that the unity of India lies in its diversity. BJP-RSS rulers cannot tolerate any diversity and the federal principle. They are treating J&K as occupied territory. Trampling on the Constitution, they are converting Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh as two centrally-ruled Union Territories. This is the biggest attack on national unity and the concept of India as a Union of States,” the party said. The politburo noted that in the run-up to “these authoritarian measures”, tens of thousands of troops were deployed in the state, leaders of major political parties were detained and movement of public prohibited.Demanding that Govt "end the seige in Kashmir", CPI-ML Liberation party tweeted that the Govt through its decision had ended the last bridge between the state and the Constitution.newsclick
Not Just J&K, India's Constitution Provides Special Powers to 10 States: The wire
https://thewire.in/Govt/jammu-kashmir-constitution-special-powers-10-states
Is J&K the only state to enjoy special powers under the constitution? No.While Article 35A granted under Article 370 gave J&K special status, Article 371 was brought in to create special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat. Both these Articles have existed from the time the constitution was adopted in 1950.However, parliament, under powers granted by Article 368, added a number of constitutional provisions under Article 371 to grant special powers and privileges to as many as nine other states.Take Article 371A which bestows special powers on Nagaland. The state can have its own administrative and legal mechanisms based on Naga customary laws, and the right to carry on religious and local social practices. People can have land ownership and the right to transfer land and other resources as per local practices. The provision also grants special powers to the governor to overrule the decision of CM on a law and order situation. There is also Article 371B,meant for Assam.Article 371C was brought in to generate certain special provisions for Manipur.Article 371D and E are meant for AP which grants the president certain special powers over the state Govt, including ensuring reservation in employment and education. Article 371F is for Sikkim as per which it became an Indian state in 1975.Article 371G concerns formation of Mizoram as a state in 1986. Again, Article 371H is applicable for Arunachal Pradesh, which also grants the governor special powers on the state’s law and order situation. Under Article 371I, Goa assembly has special powers to make laws on sale of land, ownership of property.Article 371J grants special powers to 6 backward districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region under which they can establish special development boards, reservation in jobs and education institutions, etc.
Germany urges India to hold talks with Kashmiris
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/germany-urges-india-to-hold-talks-with-kashmiris/1550072
Berlin :Germany urged the Indian Govt on Monday to hold dialogue with the people of J&K and comply with the Constitution, as tensions rose over a move to scrap the special status of the region.Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said Germany was closely following developments in the region.“We believe that all further steps of the Govt must comply with India’s Constitution,” she said, and urged the Govt to respect civil rights secured by the law.“We are calling on the Indian Govt to hold dialogue with the population concerned about its plans, its intentions,” Adebahr added.Anadolu Agency
OTHERS
Rajasthan passes Protection from Lynching Bill
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-assembly-passed-protection-from-lynching-bill-5880309/
Jaipur :Rajasthan Assembly on Monday passed the Bill, against mob lynching, which makes it cognisable, non–bailable and non-compoundable offence with life imprisonment and fine up to Rs 5 lakh.Following “many” such lynchings “resulting in loss of livelihood, injuries and death of persons at the hands of mob” the Gehlot Govt said it hopes to “nip the evil in the bud.” The state had witnessed a spurt in lynchings in 2017, beginning with dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in April 2017. The Bill, tabled on July 30,was discussed today and subsequently passed by voice vote.During the discussion in the state Assembly on Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said that there already are sufficient provisions in the Indian Penal Code to penalise those who commit such offences. He said that the Bill defines two people as a mob, which goes against the definition of a mob, and accused the Govt of trying to please a particular community through the Bill. Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore termed the Bill a “black law, which will affect generations to come.” indianexpress
Assam districts panic, notices at night for NRC hearings 300 km away: indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/assam-districts-panic-notices-at-night-for-nrc-hearings-300-km-away-5878376/
On Sunday, Abu Sama and Abu Bakkar boarded a packed bus with their young children and wives, hoping to make it to a hearing of National Register of Citizens(NRC) in Jorhat, over 300 km away, scheduled for Monday. The daily wage labourers were among the hundreds of people in at least 2 districts of Lower Assam, Kamrup (Rural) and Barpeta, to have received “sudden” notices to appear for NRC hearings in far-off towns within the next few days, starting Monday.The notices started arriving Saturday night. With the short deadline adding to the panic, and the Govt tight-lipped, villagers across the 2 districts hired vehicles to make the long travel, many of them for the first time in their lives. The bus Sama and Bakkar boarded was hired for Rs 30,000 by those served notices in their village. Other families were seen clambering onto Tata Sumos and pick-up trucks, headed, apart from Jorhat, for towns like Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Golaghat.Referring to Sontoli, a local police officer said, “It seems almost every house has received a notice in this area.”A few of his colleagues too had got notices, he added, and had applied for leave.In adjoining Goroimari, where many received notices too, there was panic selling to arrange money for travel.NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela did not respond to calls or multiple text messages regarding the notices. He had earlier been censured by the SC, which is monitoring NRC, for talking to the press.The notices come 3 days after Assam Govt tabled in the Assembly district-wise data of exclusion from the draftNRC published last year— defying a SC order against it — to underline that in districts bordering Bangladesh the exclusion percentage was lower than in areas with indigenous populations. indianexpress
Muslims included in Assam NRC being made to give another test, alleges organisation
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/aug/04/muslims-included-in-assam-nrc-being-made-to-give-another-test-alleges-organisation-2014058.html
Ayodhya: 4 proposals saw some light till talks failed
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-mediation-four-proposals-saw-some-light-till-talks-failed-5878326/
New Delhi:Attempts to find a settlement in the Ayodhya dispute by the Supreme Court-appointed mediation committee continued till the last minute of the deadline, with intense talks towards the end of July holding out a tantalising hope that a “breakthrough” could be achieved. After a firm proposal submitted by those asking for the mosque did not elicit any response from those asking for the temple, the committee tried to get a consensus on what it called “the four elements” for arriving at a deal. But, with some of the contesting parties not agreeing to these proposals, the committee had to report to the SC that the proceedings had “failed”. Based on detailed conversations with the sides involved in the mediation, Indian Express has learnt that the side asking for a mosque submitted a proposal in a sealed envelope, during the committee’s second meeting in Faizabad,for a mosque and a temple adjacent to each other within the disputed area. It also gave a detailed layout for the same. But the proposal was a non-starter as it elicited no response from the side asking for the temple.Thereafter, mediation committee tried to break the logjam by formulating four essential elements for a possible deal, which were underpinned on the premise that the mosque would be completely relocated outside the contentious area. Though some sides did warm up to the four elements, an agreement could not be reached on the same.*Freeze status of all places of worship as per 1991 Act, or as on Aug.15,1947*Ask ASI to streamline process of declaring mosques as ‘monuments’ *In lieu of Babri Masjid, give alternative land and funds for a mosque elsewhere *Repair, refurbish, restore “about 20 mosques” in Ayodhya. IE
Jamiat, Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas put spokes in Ayodhya mediation effort:TOI
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jamiat-ram-janmabhoomi-nyas-put-spokes-in-ayodhya-mediation-effort/articleshow/70528168.cms
2 more INLD MLAs, one Independent join BJP in Haryana
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/two-more-inld-mlas-one-independent-joins-bjp-in-haryana/813347.html?fbclid=IwAR2m_CJkKKUjFkVaH8jLLK3E8yq079cUbloKBJiU7uWP_I8Khe5ISZnT2fE
In another setback for INLD ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls, 2 more party MLAs besides one Independent MLA joined the ruling BJP in Haryana today. INLD's Ram Chander Kamboj, MLA from Rania assembly segment in Sirsa district, who had recently resigned from the party and Naseem Ahmed, legislator from Firozpur Jhirka, joined BJP fold. Independent MLA from Saffidon, Jasbir Deswal, who has been supporting BJP, too joined the ruling outfit in the presence of CM and State unit chief Subhash Barala. Notably, Naseem Ahmed had switched over to the Congress, days before General Election were held for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana in the sixth phase on May 12.However, he had not resigned from his parent party INLD then.All 3 MLAs have joined BJP "unconditionally",Barala said.PTI
Of 89 secretaries in Modi govt, there are just 3 STs, 1 Dalit and no OBCs
https://theprint.in/india/governance/of-89-secretaries-in-modi-govt-there-are-just-3-sts-1-dalit-and-no-obcs/271543/?fbclid=IwAR3hhQTZP0V8gVhnUqzK1zUSPi5eh2jvS0H-dzkprIQ8P1jnofnL7W1rRfw
New Delhi: Only one of the 89 secretaries posted at the Centre belongs to the Scheduled Castes (SC), while 3 belong to the Scheduled Tribes, latest Govt data tabled in Parliament shows.None of the secretaries belong to the OBCs, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. A majority of the secretaries are from IAS.The representation of SC/ST/OBC officers in central Govt ministries/departments is lopsided even at the additional secretary, joint secretary and director levels. For instance, of the 93 additional secretaries in central Govt ministries, just six are SCs and five are STs, while there are no OBCs of this rank either. Among the 275 joint secretaries, 13 (4.73 % ) are SCs, 9 (3.27 % ) are STs and 19 belong to the OBC category.theprint.in
Once EVMs go, BJP will go too,says Raj Thackeray
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/once-the-evms-go-the-bjp-will-go-too/articleshow/70518067.cms
MNS chief Raj Thackeray is at the forefront of the opposition’s movement against EVMs. On Friday Raj, Congress state chief Balasaheb Thorat, NCP’s Ajit Pawar and Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan leader Raju Shetty held a press conference, calling for the use of ballot papers in the upcoming assembly election. They said a rally would be held in Mumbai on August 21 to raise awareness about the issue. MNS will also launch a door-to-door signature campaign. Last week, Raj met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to seek her support. Raj said once EVMs go, BJP will go too. While he refused to confirm if the MNS would fight the election, Raj said unless ballot paper returns, the country’s democracy would be under threat. Raj said, "this is not the first time I have spoken against EVMs. See in elections, people win or lose. But look at BJP. Even before the election they were claiming they would get 250 seats. Then they said 300. Where do think they get these figures from? Now they are saying they will get 200 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra poll. Lok Sabha results were shocking for everyone. For those who lost and even for those who won. If BJP is so confident, why doesn’t it agree to use ballot papers?" mumbaimirror
Unnao rape: SC orders victim to be airlifted to Delhi
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/unnao-rape-sc-orders-victim-to-be-airlifted-to-delhi-aiims-5879514/
The Supreme Court today directed that the Unnao rape victim, who suffered critical injuries in a car-truck collision last week, be airlifted from Lucknow to Delhi AIIMS. In a health bulletin issued earlier in the day, the doctors treating the victim and her lawyer said that both of them are critical but stable.“There has been an improvement in the health of the female patient. The male patient is breathing without ventilator support&is in a deep coma”, the bulletin said.Earlier, the SC had deferred the hearing on the issue of transfer of the woman and her injured lawyer to Friday as no one on behalf of their families appeared and sought their transfer. However,family’s lawyer D Ramakrishna Reddy later appeared before a bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose and said that the mother now wanted her injured daughter to be shifted to AIIMS for better care as she was still critical. Indianexpress
IMA founder may have kept bribe records
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ponzi-scam-ima-founder-may-have-kept-bribe-records-5878377/
Bengaluru: Investigations by a SIT of Karnataka police into a nearly Rs 1,400 crore scam, where over 40,000 investors in a firm called I Monetary Advisory Ltd have been cheated through a Ponzi scheme dubbed as sharia-compliant, have revealed that the firm’s founder, Mohammed Mansoor Khan, maintained records on his computer of bribes he paid officials.The names of several top police officers who served in the eastern jurisdiction of Bengaluru city, where the IMA Group is located, are present in the records maintained by the alleged scamster, multiple police sources familiar with details of records found on Khan’s electronic gadgets said.With SIT moving to obtain custody of Mansoor Khan on Thursday — for the first time after IMA founder was brought back to India from Dubai 10 days ago by officials of SIT and the ED of Ministry of Finance – investigations are expected to focus on the alleged payments documented by Khan on his computer.indianexpress
Thousands converge in central Delhi with message of peace and brotherhood
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/national/623107-thousands-converge-in-central-delhi-with-message-of-peace-and-brotherhood-traffic-hit
New Delhi:Thousands of people from various corners of the country converged in central Delhi on Monday for an event organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to spread the message of communal harmony and peace. People from UP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, among others, attended the event at the Talkatora Stadium where leaders from all faiths called for unity among all religions and peace, said Mohammad Younus Ansari, 28, a resident of Delhi."We are one and there is no reason why we should hate each other. We have remained together for decades, overcoming every challenge thrown at us. There's a certain section of people who are trying to instigate one community against the other for their vested interests. We will not them succeed," he said. Mohammad Iqbal, 58, said, "India belongs to all. We also fought for its independence...nurtured its soil with our sweat and blood. Some people for their narrow political gains are trying to make project the country as a Hindu Rashtra, and we are against it."PTI
WORLD
‘Israel to advance 2,400 settlement houses, vast majority deep in West Bank’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190805-report-israel-to-advance-2400-settlement-houses-vast-majority-deep-in-west-bank/
Israeli authorities are set to advance over 2,400 settlement housing units this week, in parallel to granting retroactive approval to four unauthorised settlement outposts. According to settlement watchdog Peace Now, the Higher Planning Committee of Civil Administration – a branch of the Defence Ministry which deals with a number of matters pertaining to the occupation – will convene today and tomorrow to discuss the plans.The published agenda for the meeting includes at least 2,430 housing units in settlements all over the occupied West Bank. Reports indicate that the vast majority of the housing units set to be advanced are located in settlements outside Israel’s illegal Separation Wall.The plans also include the “legalisation” of four illegal outposts. While all Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law, Israel distinguishes between authorised and unauthorised settlements. In practice, the latter are built with the tacit approval of occupation authorities.The four outposts to be “legalised” – effectively establishing new settlements – are located in the northern Jordan Valley, southeast of Bethlehem, and east of Jerusalem.Under PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Peace Now noted, “more than 30 new settlements (“outposts”) have been established”, along with “retroactive legalisation of existing outposts”.MEMO
‘2233 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa compound in July’
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/2-233-settlers-stormed-al-aqsa-compound-in-july-ngo/1549900
Over 2,200 Jewish settlers forced their way into East Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in July, according to a Palestinian NGO on Monday.“Around 2,233 Jewish settlers guarded by Israeli security personnel stormed the compound in July,” Wadi Hilweh Information Center said. NGO said Israeli authorities also banned 14 Palestinians, including two minors and two women, from entering the holy site for different periods of time last month.Anadolu Agency
Egypt begins demolition 2km either side of Sinai roads
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190805-egypt-begins-demolition-2km-either-side-of-sinai-roads/
Egyptian authorities have begun implementing a 2016 decree which allocates 2 kilometres of land either side of several roads in Sinai as Ministry of Defence property. The roads affected will be Al-Arish Road in Rafah, Ras El-Naqab Road in Nuweiba, Ras El-Naqab Road in Taba, Ismailia Road in El-Awja, East Port Said Road in El-Shat and Oyoun Mousa Road in Sharm El-Sheikh. The Executive Council of North Sinai has begun removing the walls on either side of these roads and then will begin removing houses and other structures. Both Al-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid will be heavily affected, as well as Bir Al-Abd in North Sinai. When the decree is implemented more than 80 % of the local population will be displaced.This latest phase is part of the systematic displacement of the residents of Sinai, which has accelerated under the presidency of Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, and has already seen roughly 100,000 people forced out.middleeastmonitor
Drone attack kills dozens at wedding in Libya
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/drone-strike-kills-dozens-wedding-libya-reports-190805012356795.html
At least 40 people have been reported killed and dozens injured after an air attack hit a wedding ceremony in southwestern Libya, according to media reports.Reports said forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar launched the attack on Sunday in the town of Murzuq.Al Jazeera learned that the victims were attending a wedding when the attack took place.Nearly 1,100 people have been reported killed since Haftar, based in eastern Libya, launched an offensive against the capital Tripoli on April 4.On Saturday, Libya's UN-recognised Govt of National Accord (GNA) said it had downed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of Haftar's forces.aljazeera
Afghan policeman opens fire on colleagues, kills 7
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/afghan-policeman-opens-fire-colleagues-kills-official-190805063810823.html
A policeman in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province has opened fire on his colleagues, killing seven other policemen, an Afghan official said.Sunday's attack was the latest case of so-called "insider attacks" - when an Afghan policeman or soldier turns his weapon on Afghan forces or international troops.Provincial spokesperson Jamal Nasser Barekzai said the attacker fled the scene of the shooting in Shawali Kot district, adding that an investigation was under way.Taliban spokesperson Qari Yusouf Ahmadi said the attacker joined the Taliban.The armed group, which effectively controls about half the country, is currently holding talks with US to end the country's 18-year conflict.The latest and eighth round of negotiations began on Saturday in Qatari capital Doha.A Taliban source told AFP that efforts were under way to organise a direct meeting between US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban cofounder Mullah Baradar, who heads the movement's political wing.aljazeera
US mourns as Democrats blame Trump's rhetoric for shootings
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/29-killed-mass-shootings-13-hours-190804150153352.html
2 mass shootings that killed 29 people in less than 24 hours in US has prompted debate over whether President Donald Trump's rhetoric was partly to blame for the surging gun violence.The first assault occurred on Saturday morning in the border city of El Paso in Texas, where a gunman killed 20 people at a Walmart store before surrendering to the police.Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the gun assault appeared to be a hate crime, and police cited a "manifesto" they attributed to the suspect, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, as evidence that the bloodshed was racially motivated.A four-page statement posted on an online message board and believed to have been written by the suspect, called the Walmart attack "a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas". Assistant Police Chief Matt Carper identified the suspect as 24-year-old Connor Betts, a white male from Bellbrook, Ohio, and said his sister Megan Betts, 22, was among those killed. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear.aljazeera
Al-Bashir’s party: ‘Constitutional Declaration’ exclusionary, overrides Sharia reference
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190805-al-bashirs-party-constitutional-declaration-exclusionary-overrides-sharia-reference/
The Sudanese National Congress Party described the constitutional declaration document agreed upon by the Military Council and the forces of Declaration of Freedom and Change as “bilateral and excludes all political and social components.”This came in a statement issued on Saturday night by party that used to be led by the ousted President Omar Al-Bashir.“This bilateral agreement has excluded all the components of political and social life, which would complicate the future of the transitional period with political practices based on exclusion, isolation and inclusiveness,” the statement said.The statement continued:“The deal has overridden the Constitution of 2005, which came with a consensus of all political parties without exception.” “Contrary constitutional requirement to adhere to Islamic Sharia reference in legislation, this agreement has been silent about this. It, therefore, makes room for broad secular trends.” the statement added.It also pointed out that the agreement has intentionally changed the ruling regime from a presidential system to a parliamentary system without any popular mandate through an elected parliament.On Saturday morning,African Union mediation in Sudan announced a “deal between Military Council and the Forces of Freedom and Change on all points of the constitutional declaration,” hours after the start of a meeting in the capital Khartoum.MEMO
Syrian army to resume operations in rebel-held Idlib
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/syrian-army-resume-operations-rebel-held-idlib-190805125652653.html
Syrian army has said it will resume operations against rebels in Idlib, according to state media.The announcement came just days after a truce was brokered during talks in Kazakhstan following weeks of deadly air raids by the Syrian Govt and its allies in the country's last remaining rebel-held area."Armed terrorist groups, backed by Turkey, refused to abide by the ceasefire and launched many attacks on civilians in surrounding areas," SANA reported army as saying."The armed forces will resume their military operations against terrorists," it said.aljazeera
Iran, Qatar hold joint coastguard meeting, Bahrain says it’s ‘under attack’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190805-iran-qatar-hold-joint-coastguard-meeting-bahrain-says-its-under-attack/
Iran and Qatar held their fifteenth coast guard meeting in order to enhance relations and develop field cooperation, according to Iranian media.The meeting, held in Tehran, consisted of the Iranian side headed by Border Guard Commander Brigadier General Ghasem Rezaei and the Qatari delegation headed by Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mohannadi, assistant DG of the country’s Coasts and Borders Security. Following the talks between the 2 states, Bahrain responded to the meeting and accused them of undermining and targeting its national unity, with Bahraini Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid stating at a meeting that “Qatari and Iranian conspiracies to subvert national unity and spark chaos are doomed to failure.”Al-Khalifa outlined that Iran and Qatar both play a trouble-making role in Gulf region, with Iran instigating sectarianism in Bahrain’s affairs while Qatar seeks to undermine family bonds and social cohesion. He reiterated that “this is against Arabic and Islamic values.”MEMO
Erdogan announces invasion east of Euphrates
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190805-erdogan-publicly-announces-turkey-invasion-east-of-the-euphrates/
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly announced the decision to launch a long-awaited military operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates River, and said that the US and Russia have been warned and provided with the information necessary.Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in the north-western city of Bursa yesterday, Erdogan stated that “We entered Afrin, Jarabulus, and Al-Bab, and now we’re going to enter east of the Euphrates,” adding that “We shared this with the US and Russia.”The military operation has been highly speculated on in recent weeks following talks between Turkish military figures such as Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar and US Envoy to Syria James Jeffreys regarding a proposed safe zone in northern Syria. At the start of the talks in July, Turkey warned that it would conduct the operation if an agreement was not reached for the establishment of the zone.MEMO
Flash: NEWS, views, Articles
Explained: Article 370 has not been scrapped but Kashmir’s special status has gone:Faizan Mustafa
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-article-370-has-not-been-scrapped-but-kashmirs-special-status-has-gone-5880390/
As Kashmir Is Erased, Indian Democracy Dies In Silence: Aman Sethi
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kashmir-erased-article-370-scrapped-indian-democracy-in-darkness_in_5d47e49be4b0acb57fcf1b4d?ncid=fcbklnkinhpmg00000001&fbclid=IwAR0Fkiig9QyFXghMMS7t-hMsTh2i8UDjpnbZlkuCkpPchSJnxZh24tg7dKM
At last, once-colonised becomes coloniser:Indrajit Hazra
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/Undertheinfluence/at-last-the-once-colonised-becomes-coloniser/?fbclid=IwAR3X_SzKkMf1lKDoNk3Tdw_KYTGR1uiw9ti6eDog_WjMhh31r8N376XAMr8
What Revoking Articles 370 and 35A Would Mean for Kashmir:Siddharth Varadarajan
https://thewire.in/video/beyondtheheadlines-heres-what-amit-shah-didnt-tell-parliament-about-kashmir?fbclid=IwAR2k7clyN9Lj87w4qp_utsNCuhE2TiaDeNib7M-23JgdT7rIXMF6FkEbctg
This is what Modi govt has done to scrap Article 370, 35A in J&K:Apoorva Mandhani, Debayan Roy
https://theprint.in/india/governance/explained-this-is-what-modi-govt-has-done-to-scrap-article-370-35a-in-jammu-kashmir/272369/?fbclid=IwAR1MK3uKUDEsJVMtmiZGmePfMfze-98nJK8W9hRR8RKyHnkFOcWBHIPrId8
Watch | Shah Faesal: If Article 370 Is Repealed, India's Relationship With Kashmir Will Also End
https://thewire.in/video/watch-shah-faesal-article-370-is-repealed-india-relationship-kashmir
BJP Delusion – Article 370 of Constitution of India can not be Abrogated: Justice Rajinder Sachar
https://sabrangindia.in/article/bjp-delusion-article-370-constitution-india-can-not-be-abrogated?fbclid=IwAR3pHK3m_0VYI8nucPWsfjz9uSEM6U-2aAlCs8I_ujkl-Y2e6dPo2RJSmzA
Pulling a Vietnam in Afghanistan:Stanly Johny
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/pulling-a-vietnam-in-afghanistan/article28815676.ece?homepage=true
Rajasthan’s effort to criminalise mob lynching is a good start:Farheen Ahmad Anmolam
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/rajasthans-effort-to-criminalise-mob-lynching-is-a-good-start/article28816623.ece?homepage=true
‘Hindus have been disproportionately targeted’: Why Assam Govt is not happy with the NRC:Arunabh Saikia
https://scroll.in/article/932649/hindus-have-been-disproportionately-targeted-why-the-assam-Govt-is-not-happy-with-the-nrc
Explained | How the status of J&K is being changed:K. Venkataramanan
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/explained-how-the-status-of-jammu-and-kashmir-is-being-changed/article28822866.ece?homepage=true
Article 370 ‘scrapped’: Full text of President’s Order
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/article-370-jammu-and-kashmir-removal-full-text-of-presidents-order-5879178/
Can Presidential orders do away with Article 371A to 371G?AG Noorani
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/can-presidential-orders-do-away-with-article-371a-to-371g
Kashmir Explainer: From Article 370 to Article 3, Modi-Shah Upend the Constitution
https://thewire.in/Govt/kashmir-explainer-article-370-narendra-modi-amit-shah-constitution
Article 370, Federalism and the Basic Structure of the Constitution:Faizan Mustafa
https://caravandaily.com/article-370-federalism-and-the-basic-structure-of-the-constitution/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq,(Released at: 8:55 PM)
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