NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
24 Sept. 2019: 24 Muharram 1441: Vol: 12, No: 20
INDIA : J&K ISSUE
Trump, with Imran by his side, offers J&K mediation for 3rd time; Describes Modi's comments on Pak at Houston event as very aggressive;
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/donald-trump-in-meeting-with-imran-khan-says-want-to-see-everyone-treated-well-in-kashmir-i-can-be-a-2105932
New York:US President Donald Trump renewed his offer of arbitration between India and Pakistan on Monday ahead of a meeting with Pakistani PM Imran Khan. The offer - his third - came barely 24 hours after he shared stage with PM Narendra Modi at a huge public meeting in Houston and emphasised the US stand to "free the world of radical Islamic terrorism". At the beginning of Monday's meeting with Imran Khan, President Trump said if both Khan and PM Modi wanted him to mediate an agreement between them on Kashmir, he was "ready, willing and able"."If I can help, I will certainly help... If both (India and Pakistan) want, I am ready to do it...I have very good relationship with PM Modi. I have very good relationship with PM Khan... I would be an extremely good arbitrator. I have never failed as an arbitrator,"he told reporters, Imran at his side. Earlier too, during meetings with Imran in which Pakistan President had raised the Kashmir issue, President Trump had talked of mediation between Islamabad and New Delhi. But India had said a firm "no", reiterating that Kashmir was a bilateral issue.In his address on Sunday, PM Modi launched into a strong attack on Pakistan, which is also attending the UN General Assembly and is expected to raise Kashmir. Without naming the country, he said they have "made hatred towards India the centre of their agenda. They support terror, they harbour terrorists".But asked if he agreed with India's stand that Pakistan is a base for terrorists, President Trump said, "I have been pointing much more to Iran". Describing PM Modi's comments on Pakistan at the Houston event on Sunday as "very aggressive", Trump, however, added that it was "well received" by 50,000-strong Indian-Americans who were attending the programme. On US-Pakistan ties, Trump said: "People in my position have treated Pakistan very badly... I trust Pakistan but people before me didn't, but they didn't know what they were doing," he said in response to a question.NDTV
Imran listening, Trump says: Heard a very aggressive statement from India
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/imran-khan-listening-donald-trump-says-heard-a-very-aggressive-statement-from-india-kashmir-6022596/
Imran or Modi? The tweet battle over Donald Trump
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49806692
Trump’s mention of Kashmir mediation again, India says no, thank you, all eyes and ears on Modi-Trump meeting today in New York
https://www.newsx.com/national/india-reiterates-no-mediation-stance-on-kashmir-says-wait-for-tomorrows-meeting-between-pm-modi-and-donald-trump.html
After US President Donald Trump once again offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asserted that New Delhi’s stance on mediation is known adding that there can’t be any third-party mediation.The Foreign Ministry asserted that the media should wait for tomorrow when both PM Narendra Modi and US President Trump meet for another round of talks.
Indian refuses to comment on Trump's mediation offer on J&K, says 'wait' for bilateral meet
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-diplomat-refuses-to-comment-on-trumps-mediation-offer-on-jk-says-wait-for-bilateral-meet/articleshow/71271884.cms
Hasan Minhaj and crew allegedly denied entry at 'Howdy Modi' event in Texas
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/hasan-minhaj-allegedly-denied-entry-at-howdy-modi-event-in-texas-2319471.html
While Indians celebrated the success of 'Howdy Modi', the event held for PM Narendra Modi in Housaton, Texas on Sunday, not all were allowed to be part of the event. Indian-American stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj was in Houston to attend the grand event. He even posted a photo of himself outside the rally's venue. However, when he tried to enter NRG Stadium with his camera crew, he was allegedly denied entry with authorities citing lack of press credentials and limited accommodation for crews as the reason. Minhaj, who is popular as the host of his weekly Netflix show Patriot Act, was told that no press credentials were available for him or his team, Dawn reported. Minhaj is best known for his witty and sharp socio-political commentary against both the Trump and Modi regimes. news18
Situation in Kashmir ‘very bad’, no mark of freedom of speech: Ghulam Nabi Azad
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/situation-in-kashmir-very-bad-gulam-nabi-azad-6024992/
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday said the situation in the Valley is “very bad.” Azad, who is on his maiden 6-day tour of J&K after the revocation of J&K’s special status on August 5, said, “I do not have to say anything to media right now. I spent 4 days in Kashmir and arrived Jammu to 2 more days. After the end of the six-day tour, I will say whatever I have to say.” His three earlier bids to visit J&K, his home state, had failed as he was sent back from the airport by the authorities. Azad’s visit became possible after the Supreme Court on Sept.16 allowed him to tour the state. Talking about his current visit and submitting of an assessment report of the situation in the state to the Supreme Court, he said, “I was not even allowed by the administration to visit 10 % of the places where I had planned to go in the Valley during my stay there.” Referring to the detention of the political leaders in the state, he further said, “There is no mark of freedom of speech in J&K.”indianexpress
PSA against Farooq Abdullah: J&K dossier has 27 charges, 3 FIRs, his quotes from 3 years ago
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/psa-against-farooq-abdullah-jk-dossier-has-27-charges-3-firs-his-quotes-from-3-years-ago-6022611/
Srinagar:A J&K dossier on invoking the stringent Public Safety Act against National Conference leader and Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah runs into 21 pages and lists 27 charges, 16 police reports, 3 FIRs and 13 statements in favour of abrogated Article 35A.Abdullah, also a 3-term CM of J&K, was already under detention at his Gupkar Road residence when PSA order was issued against him by Srinagar DM on Sept. 14. His home was declared a subsidiary jail given his “standing” and “keeping in consideration his advanced age” — he will turn 82 next month. The dossier notes that “the subject” has tremendous potential for creating an environment of public disorder within Srinagar district and other parts of the Valley. The conduct of the subject, it states, is seen as fanning the emotions of general masses against Union of India, and instigating public with statements against the unity and integrity of India.indianexpress
Restore Article 370, 35A in J&K, withdraw army, paramilitary forces': Women’s groups
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/womens-groups-raise-concerns-over-rights-violations-in-kashmir-demand-restoration-of-article-370
A team of women's rights activists today raised concerns over alleged human rights violations in Kashmir after a visit to the Valley, and demanded that Article 370 be restored and Army as well as paramilitary forces be withdrawn with immediate effect.Presenting a fact-finding report, the five-member team also called for the immediate restoration of all communication lines, including internet and mobile networks.The group, comprising Annie Raja, Kawaljit Kaur and Pankhuri Zaheer from National Federation of Indian Women, Poonam Kaushik from the Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan and Syeda Hameed from the Muslim Women's Forum, visited Kashmir from Sept.17-21.The group, which addressed a press conference here on their findings, visited several villages in the districts of Shopian, Pulwama and Bandipora."We wanted to see with our own eyes how this 43-day lockdown had affected people, particularly women and children," the report stated.The team demanded that the Army and paramilitary forces be withdrawn with immediate effect from the Valley in order to achieve normalcy."Restore Article 370 and 35A. All future decisions about the political future of J&K must be taken through a process of dialogue with the people of J&K," the activists said in their report.All army personnel must be removed from the civilian areas of J&K, they demanded.PTI
Bhagwat meets international press, discusses Kashmir, NRC and Ram temple with journalists
https://scroll.in/latest/938360/mohan-bhagwat-meets-international-press-discusses-kashmir-nrc-and-ram-temple-with-journalists
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday told journalists working for the international press that the move to revoke J&K’s special constitutional status would help integrate the state with the rest of India, HT reported. The leader of the right-wing nationalist outfit, which is the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said Kashmiris do not need to worry about losing their jobs or land.RSS organised the meeting, which was restricted to 80 journalists from 50 media organisations, to articulate its position on matters such as the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya to a nationwide ban on cow slaughter. It was an off-camera and off-the-record briefing, and went on for almost two-and-a-half hours.“We have been requested to keep the contents of the discussion under wraps,” an unidentified journalist from an international radio network told IANS. “But all I can say is he [Bhagwat] projected what he believes RSS is for and took questions liberally.”RSS leaders such as Manmohan Vaidya, Krishna Gopal, and Bajran Lal Gupta, who heads the North India division, were present at meeting. Bhagwat reportedly explained Sangh’s version of Hindutva and emphasised that Hinduism stood for diversity in unity. RSS chief is said to have explained to the journalists that his organisation viewed every Indian as a Hindu.Bhagwat also answered questions on matters such as caste-based reservation, homosexuality, uniform civil code, and NRC in Assam. He reportedly said the NRC was not about expelling people but identifying those who are not citizens.RSS chief backed the Citizenship Amendment Bill. He said there was no place for Hindus in the world except India.
Kashmiris need not fear losing land, jobs after scrapping of special status: RSS chief
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmiris-fear-losing-land-jobs-abrogation-article-370-jk-special-status-bhagwat-rss-6024784/
Pakistan rejects Indian Army's statement on reactivation of Balakot terror camp
https://thewire.in/security/pakistan-rejects-indian-armys-statement-on-reactivation-of-balakot-terror-camp
Pakistan tyoday rejected as “completely baseless” the Indian Army chief’s statement on the reactivation of terror camp in Balakot that was destroyed by the IAF earlier this year. Foreign Office said, the allegation of “infiltration” from Pakistan reflects “a desperate attempt” of India to divert international attention from the “humanitarian crisis” in J&K, adding that New Delhi will not “succeed in misleading the world community through these diversionary tactics”.PTI
Punjab arms drop: Amarinder Singh hits out at Pakistan, urges Amit Shah to look into drone issue
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-drone-arms-drop-pakistan-amarinder-singh-amit-shah-6024330/
New Delhi :Flagging the recent incidents of Pakistan-origin drones delivering weapons and communication devices into the state, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh today requested Home Minister Amit Shah to look into the issue first hand. Singh further said the drone incidents were just one of Pakistan’s “sinister designs” following the scrapping of J&K special status. “Recent incidents of Pakistan-origin drones dropping consignments of arms and ammunition is a new and serious dimension on Pakistan’s sinister designs in aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370. Request Amit Shah ji to ensure that this drone problem is handled at the earliest,” Singh tweeted.The fresh push by Punjab CM on the issue comes two days after Punjab Police claimed to have busted a terrorist module of the revived Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) that delivered weapons using a drone from Pakistan to Taran Tarn by violating the Indian air space three to four weeks ago. According to a communique by CMO, terror group was conspiring to unleash a series of terrorist strikes in Punjab and adjoining states. Police seized a huge cache of arms, including 5 AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand grenades during the operation.indianexpress
INDIAN ECONOMY
RBI puts curbs on PMC Bank, restricts withdrawal to Rs 1,000 per account; chaos at branches
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/rbi-imposes-restrictions-on-pmc-bank-withdrawal-restricted-to-rs-1000-per-account-6024113/
Mumbai :In a move that created panic among thousands of customers, RBI today slapped restrictions on Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Ltd (PMC Bank), a leading co-operative bank headquartered in Mumbai, for violation of various regulations.In its directions to the bank, with a deposit base of Rs 11,617 crore, the central bank said depositors will be allowed to withdraw only Rs 1,000 of the total balance in every savings bank account or current account or any other deposit account. Hundreds of customers rushed to PMC Bank branches across the state as soon as RBI announcement came out. Chaos prevailed around the branches as customers were unable to withdraw more than Rs 1,000 from the bank. RBI said the bank will also not be able to grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations without prior approval in writing from RBI. RBI has told the bank not to enter into any compromise or arrangement and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets except as notified in the RBI directions dated Sept. 23.
Cotton exports falter due to higher local prices: dealers
https://in.reuters.com/article/india-cotton-exports/indias-cotton-exports-falter-due-to-higher-local-prices-dealers-idINKBN1W91MP
Indian traders have been struggling to sign export contracts for the new season crop as local prices are prevailing above global prices after New Delhi raised the minimum buying price to support farmers, an industry official said.Lower exports by the world’s biggest cotton producer in 2019/20 season starting from Oct. 1 could support global prices and help rivals such as the US and Brazil increase cargoes to key Asian buyers such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and Pakistan.“Indian supplies are uncompetitive due to higher prices. Buyers are giving preference to Brazil and US,” Arun Sekhsaria, managing director of exporter D.D. Cotton told Reuters. Reuters
Coal India workers protest over easing foreign investment rules, output hit: Reuters
https://in.reuters.com/article/coal-india-strike/coal-india-workers-protest-over-easing-foreign-investment-rules-output-hit-idINKBN1W91IN
New Delh:Protests by workers at Coal India Ltd today over implementation of reforms including allowing 100% FDI in coal mining paralysed operations and hit production, company officials and union leaders said. The company, which accounts for over 4-fifths of coal output and employs about 300,000 people, registered a 30% attendance due to the strike, which included about 17,000 executives, a Coal India official said. World’s largest coal miner declined to comment on the total output loss due to the strike. India depends on coal-based utilities for 3-quarters of its electricity generation.
India turns to UAE for extra LPG imports as Saudi cuts supplies
https://in.reuters.com/article/india-saudi-lpg/india-turns-to-uae-for-extra-lpg-imports-as-saudi-arabia-cuts-supplies-idINKBN1W91S2
India will get two additional cargoes of LPG from UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) to make up for a shortfall from Saudi Arabia, two Govt officials said.India’s oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier in the day tweeted that ADNOC had agreed to give two additional cargos of LPG on an urgent basis to meet higher demand in the upcoming festive season. He said the cargoes will reach India in the next two months.The sources said additional supplies from ADNOC would compensate for lower imports from Saudi, which has lowered refinery runs to meet its oil exports commitment after attacks on its oil facilities.Reuters
OTHERS
VVPAT has actually made election rigging possible: IAS Kannan Gopinathan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/vvpat-has-actually-made-election-rigging-possible-says-ias-kannan-gopinathan?fbclid=IwAR0iKEsLCIaNibbSb5qqPLISCrPo33X64-6wnH6N2T8EQ_I9q5mVS8JKn_o
Taking strong exception to Election Commission’s (EC) stated position that the introduction of VVPAT machines has made elections more transparent, former bureaucrat Kannan Gopinathan today said that VVPAT has actually made rigging easier.Gopinathan, who recently quit the prestigious IAS over the Modi Govt’s handling of Kashmir issue, has argued how VVPAT has disconnected Ballot Unit (on which a voter casts his/her vote) of the electronic voting machine from the Control Unit (in which votes are stored in electronic form).A VVPAT prints a slip showing the symbol and candidate’s name for which a voter has voted. This slip is visible to the voter for 7 seconds before it falls down into a box where it is stored for counting if need be. As DM, Gopinathan has had a firsthand experience of handling EVMs and VVPAT and is well aware of how the machines function.“So, by introducing VVPATs, we have created so much vulnerability to an otherwise fool-proof process, while not adding adequate checks, either in the process or during the counting. I feel there is an urgent need to address this so that the process become more robust,” Gopinathan said in a series of tweets. “Unlike before, Ballot Unit (BU) is not connected to Control Unit (CU - Memory of EVM) directly any more. It is connected through VVPAT. Means what you press on that blue button in BU is not registering the vote in CU anymore. But what VVPAT communicates to CU is! nationalherald
Christians soft target for Islamic radicals, National Commission for Minorities writes to Amit Shah
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/christians-soft-target-for-islamic-radicals-ncm-writes-to-shah/articleshow/71268598.cms
New Delhi: National Commission for Minorities vice-chairman has written to home minister Amit Shah drawing his attention to a complaint of a father from Kozhikode in Kerala who has alleged that attempts were being made to convert his daughter to Islam by blackmailing her.NCM vice chairman George Kurian on Monday issued a statement saying " spate in organised religious conversion and using the victims for terror activities by trapping them through "love jihad" has shown that the Christian community is a soft target for Islamic radicals." He goes on to add that "it is important that the home ministry takes note of this alarming trend and order a probe by NIA and bring in an effective law to curb such fraudulent activit- ies of radicalised elements." The statement comes in the backdrop of NCM having received complaints from 2 Christian families. In one incident that took place in Kerala's Kozhikode, a Christian college student was allegedly raped and the act was filmed by the accused who mounted pressure on the victim to get her converted to Islam and when she refused an attempt was made to abduct her from the hostel she was staying in.TOI
NCM in letter to home minister cites complaint from Christians in Kerala to danger of ‘love jihad’
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ncm-in-letter-to-home-minister-cites-complaint-from-christians-in-kerala-to-danger-of-love-jihad/articleshow/71265066.cms
SC bench to meet 16-year-old girl who claims her marriage is valid under Islamic law
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/23/sc-bench-to-meet-16-year-old-girl-who-claims-her-marriage-is-valid-under-islamic-law-2037928.html
The Supreme Court has sought the presence of a 16-year-old UP girl, her father, and husband before it on Oct. 1 to adjudicate her plea challenging Allahabad High Court order which declared her marriage as invalid.A bench headed by Justice NV Ramana said it will interact with minor girl, her father, and husband over the matter. The court asked its Registry to arrange a psychiatrist, preferably female, from AIIMS who will also interact with the girl.The UP Govt told the apex court that the girl has now been shifted to a child home in Lucknow from Nari Niketan.The girl, in her petition, claimed that she entered into the marriage with the Muslim man after attaining puberty, which is valid under the Islamic law.ANI
Court admits Shahjahanpur law student's interim bail plea
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/law-student-who-accused-chinmayanand-of-rape-allegedly-detained-in-extortion-case/article29499183.ece?homepage=true
Lucknow:A local court in Shahjahanpur today accepted the anticipatory bail plea of a law student, who had accused former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand of rape, and granted her temporary relief from arrest till Sept. 26. Earlier in the day, Shahjahanpur law student was allegedly detained for questioning in an extortion case alleged by Chinmayanand.The law student had approached the court seeking anticipatory bail against her arrest, after the Allahabad High Court declined to grant her relief.The law student had earlier approached the HC seeking protection against her arrest and also prayed that she be allowed to record a fresh statement under Section 164 of CrPC.However, a Division Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Manju Rani Chauhan said the court had no jurisdiction to entertain a petition or an application for stay of arrest of the accused or the victim in the case, and asked her to move an appropriate application in an appropriate court.“...the matter has been placed before us only to monitor the investigation,” the court said.thehindu
Supreme Court asks Centre to frame regulations to curb social media misuse
https://scroll.in/latest/938310/top-news-trump-calls-modis-remark-on-kashmir-aggressive-claims-he-didnt-know-pm-would-say-that?fbclid=IwAR1iaReahTHZBMawFYAt31L9nEEktVqIo0rc-yzzUJph-QWqzTZBoQ_fPLQ
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to strike a balance between privacy and reputation of individuals and sovereignty of the state while drafting regulations to check the misuse of social media. The court has been asked to inform within three weeks the time needed to frame the regulations. Donald Trump on Monday said his offer to mediate in the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan was still in place if both countries agreed to it. He made the remark in a press meeting with Pakistan PM Imran Khan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York City.
Gorkhas up in arms against omissions from NRC list
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gorkhas-up-in-arms-against-omissions-from-assam-nrc-list/story-FHSiSH0ZSC4g3FXflwfinN.html
Guwahati: When updated NRC was published on August 31,over 1.9 million applicants whose names were missing, were told they would have to file appeals at the more than 200 Foreigners’ Tribunals (FTs) established for the purpose across Assam. But 60,0000-100,000 of those left out of the NRC are angry and refusing to do so. These are the Gorkha, a community from an ancient kingdom in western Nepal, who were first brought to the northeastern state as workers and soldiers by British colonizers, when the latter annexed Assam in the early 19th century.“Assam’s Gorkhas won’t go to the Foreigners’ Tribunals to prove their citizenship. Being tried thus is an insult for an Indian,” Sukhman Moktan, president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha (BGP) said.So far, the state Govt’s indication that a decision on exempting the Gorkhas is yet to be made, has fallen on deaf ears. Since weeks, Gorkha groups have kept up protests for guaranteed inclusion in the NRC.HT
Centre to Reintroduce Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in November: Himanta
https://thewire.in/Govt/centre-to-reintroduce-citizenship-amendment-bill-in-november-himanta
Karimganj: Central Govt will reintroduce Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament in November, Assam Finance, Health and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Sarma said that Govt will table CAB in the Parliament in November and a new NRC will be prepared under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.“We have held public meetings to explain to the people that all the interests and existing legal provisions in the North East region for the benefit of the indigenous people will be protected. We respect the inner line permit (ILP) system, Sixth Schedule provisions”, he said.PTI
Man transporting cows assaulted in Rajasthan: cops
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/man-transporting-cows-assaulted-in-rajasthan-police-6022674/
Jaipur :A man who was allegedly transporting cows illegally was assaulted by a mob in Rajasthan’s Alwar district in the early hours of Monday, police said, adding that he is a suspected cow smuggler.An FIR against around 50-60 unidentified persons has been lodged for the assault, police said.According to the police, the incident happened near Fusa Ki Dhani village under Shahjahanpur police station around 3-4 am on Monday. They said the man, identified as Munfed Khan, was caught and beaten up by local residents.“Cow smugglers were transporting bovines in two pickup trucks. After receiving information from local villagers… police had set up a barricade,” said ASP, Neemrana, Siddhant Sharma. He said one of the trucks managed to get away, but the other vehicle was confiscated by the police. Khan, who was in the second vehicle, was then assaulted by a mob, police said.indianexpress
Jharkhand Adivasi lynching: It was pre-planned and targeted to attack Christians to divide Adivasis
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/jharkhand-adivasi-lynching-injured-man-was-working-on-hisfield-when-mob-attacked
Fagu Kachchap, who was beaten up on Sunday on the suspicion of cow slaughter, has said that he had no clue why he was assaulted.On Sunday, a tribal man Kalantus Barla, who is differently abled, was lynched to death in Suari village in Khunti district. Two others Kachchap and Philip Horo were severely injured.“I went to work on my fields in the morning at 8 am and a mob came rushing into fields and beat me up. My wife was also there. Thankfully, she was not attacked. I have no clue why I was attacked. I am just a poor farmer,” said Fagu Kachchap to a team, which went to meet him at RIMS in Ranchi. Fagu was saved because a village chowkidar and the police came soon enough and rushed him to the hospital.Kachchap, who was visibly weak, has several broken bones and could barely speak. He kept insisting he had no idea why he was attacked. His wife who was in the hospital with him did not speak much.According to news reports, Kalantus Barla, Philip Horo and Faagu Kachchap were attacked under the suspicion of having slaughtered a cow. But, DIG Homkar Amol Venukant has stated that there was no clarity on the issue. He said investigations were on and that no one was arrested. However, villagers have stated that Bajrang Dal members were behind the attack. The women in the village said that Barla had come to his sister’s house in village to attend the annual puja.“I had gone to visit the family of Kachchap and they have small children. They have land and cattle for agricultural purposes. He was in the field in the morning to take care of his field when the mob attacked. It was an attack that happened in broad daylight and yet no arrests have been made,” said Brinda Karat, CPI(M) leader.She added that RSS has organised a demonstration in the area to prevent the arrest and investigation of into this case of lynching. There has been a rise in the attacks on Adivasis, both Christian and Sarna by murderous mobs on the pretext of sow slaughter. Consumption of meat of dead cattle is common among several Adivasi communities.nationalherald
Jharkhand lynching: Detained men’s kin blame vigilante group
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jharkhand-lynching-detained-mens-kin-blame-vigilante-group-6022660/
Beef Biryani: Gujarat HC suspends 10-yrs jail term of Muslim man, orders his immediate release on bail
https://caravandaily.com/beef-biryani-gujarat-hc-suspends-10-years-jail-term-of-muslim-man-orders-his-immediate-release-on-bail/
Gujarat High Court has suspended the 10-years jail term awarded to a Rajkot resident Salim Kadar Makrani by a trial court which had convicted him under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act.The HC has also suspended Rs one-lakh fine imposed on him by the trial court and ordered his immediate release on a personal bail bond of Rs.10,000/- and one surety of like amount. The trial court had convicted and sentenced Makrani in July this year in a case of alleged cow slaughter lodged against him in Jan.As per a report in LiveLaw.in, FIR in this case was lodged in January on the basis of a complaint by one Sattar Koliya who had accused Makrani of stealing his calf, slaughtering it and serving it at the wedding feast of the latter’s daughter. The case was lodged under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act was made more stringent with some amendments in 2017. The trial began in April and on July 6, the trial court at Rajkot convicted and sentenced the accused for the offence of cow slaughter – it was perhaps first conviction under the law after it was made more stringent in 2017.Makrani challenged the trial court judgement in the High Court.Caravan News
Wife of Election Commissioner Lavasa, who refused to give clean to PM for poll violations, gets IT notice
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/wife-of-election-commissioner-ashok-lavasa-who-refused-to-give-clean-to-pm-modi-for-poll-violations-gets-it-notice/267253/
Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who shot to fame in this year’s Lok Sabha elections after he refused to give a clean chit to PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for poll code violations? His wife Novel Singh has now received notices from Income Tax department in relation to her income as an independent director of multiple companies.Singh, a former banker, who resigned from the State Bank of India around 2005, has reportedly received IT notices since ‘August 2019.’ The Election Commissioner’s wife said that she had clarified her stand to IT department in a series of communications. “It is clarified that having served as a Class I officer with the State Bank of India for 28 years and having acquired vast experience in Banking and Development, I continue to be engaged in various professional activities, including as independent Director in a few companies,” News18 website quoted a statement from Novel Singh.In May this year, Lavasa had written an extraordinary letter to the Chief Election Commissioner stating that he had decided to skip the meetings on Model Code of Conduct violations since his dissent was not recorded in the past.In an equally extraordinary development, CEC Arora had issued a public statement calling the controversy ‘unsavory’ and ‘avoidable.’jantakareporter
ED moves court to declare Zakir Naik a fugitive economic offender
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/ed-moves-court-to-declare-zakir-naik-a-fugitive-economic-offender/articleshow/71269985.cms
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday filed a fresh application before a special court under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to declare Zakir Naik a Fugitive Economic Offender.Special PMLA judge PP Rajvaidya will hear arguments on the agency’s application on Sept. 30. Mumbai Mirror
Terror case: Gujarat ATS arrest Abdul Wahab Sheikh
https://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-gujarat-ats-arrest-terror-accused-2791975
A joint team of Crime Branch in Ahmedabad and ATS on Monday arrested a man who is accused of funding Jihadi elements in the state. The man identified as Abdul Wahab Sheikh (50), a resident of Juhapura, was arrested after he arrived at the city airport from Saudi Arabia, cops said.BV Gohil, ACP, Crime Branch said that Sheikh was arrested from the city airport while returning from Saudi Arabia. "We arrested him on the basis of a tip off. He is wanted in connection with the 2003 Jihadi conspiracy case," said Gohil.According to police, Sheikh, had provided financial support to Jihadi elements in the state who wanted to avenge the 2002 Godhra riots in which many Muslims were killed.They said Sheikh had been living in Saudi Arabia since 1999, but visited Gujarat frequently.He was last seen in Gujarat in 2002 and had absconded to Saudi Arabia as soon as his name emerged in the Jihadi conspiracy case.Gohil in a press conference held in the city said that the probe revealed that Sheikh had sent money to Jihadi elements in the state thrice. The money was sent through Abdul Majed and Abdul Ghulam Ali. The former is his own brother.DNA
Had no idea of his terror activities: Kalimuddin’s neighbours
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/had-no-idea-of-his-terror-activities-kalimuddins-neighbours/articleshow/71266425.cms
Jamshedpur:The double storey building at the end of the lane on Road Number 12 in Jawaharnagar in Mango wears a deserted look but till mid 2017 it was abuzz with visitors for its ground floor was a madrassa owned by Md Kalimuddin Muzahari who was on the run for 3 years and whom Jharkhand ATS arrested on Saturday from near Tatanagar railway station.Kalimuddin lived on the top floor of the building, along with his parents and his brothers.“It has been over two years since his father and mother shifted to their native village in Rargaon near Chandil on Ranchi-Tata highway while his brothers live elsewhere,” 88-year-old neighbour, M.Shamsuddin, said. He added that none of Kalimuddin’s family members has come to this colony for more than a year.In 2018, police attached the building after Kalimuddin fled the city following court warrant and his parents shifted to their native village while his brothers went elsewhere in the town to stay. Confectionery store owner Mohamed Ethesham (52) — whose shop is close to Venus Public School, which is a few meters away from Kalimuddin's house — said, “Madrassa was one of the landmarks of the locality which witnessed a rush of local children.”He added, “Children from the surrounding slums went there to study religious discourse.” Today that madrassa has turned into a place for cattle grazing. TOI
SIO launches 10-day outreach campaign 'One God-One Human Family’ across Maharashtra
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/maharashtra-sio-launches-10-day-outreach-campaign-across-state-6022926/
Pune :Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) launched a 10-day state-level campaign called ‘One God-One Human Family’ from Sept.23 to 30 in Maharashtra. SIO plans to target at least 60 lakh people, especially students and youths, across 20 districts in Konkan, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada regions, to spread its ideology.“With the growing atrocities and discrimination based on language, caste and religion in the state, the Students Islamic Organisation of India started this campaign to make society more equitable and harmonious. We need to make people aware of their position in the world and share a message of mutual love and brotherhood,” said Kamran Khan, Pune district president, SIO.“Even though human population is geographically divided in various areas and countries and this divide might have created additional divisions of race and language, the entire human population is from one god and we are equal before the almighty, therefore we are all one.”SIO members and associates, throughout the campaign, will engage students in over 100 cities and towns,approaching temples, institutes and churches through corner meetings, lectures in schools and colleges, street plays, human chains and exhibitions. A caravan will tour various districts in the state to raise awareness about the need to create a “god-conscious” and “equal society”.indianexpress
Don’t demolish mosque, Telangana Wakf Board to NHAI
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/240919/dont-demolish-mosque-telangana-wakf-board-to-nhai.html
Hyderabad: The Wakf Board has asked National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to refrain from demolishing a mosque for the extension of Highway No 161 at Sultanpur village, Pulkal mandal, in Ranga Reddy district.A meeting between the Wakf Board and NHAI and Revenue department was held to discuss the matter. Chairman of the Wakf Board Mohammed Saleem clarified that in Islam a mosque is a very sacred place where Muslims perform their prayers and Muslims have very strong sentiments attached to mosques. He said demolition of a Masjid will attract the rage of the community and it is contrary to the Wakf Act. He asked the officials to explore alternative routes and avoid demolition of the mosque.CEO of Wakf Board, Abdul Hameed,said a religious structure cannot be demolished under any circumstances, and specific permission of the Wakf Board and prior approval of the Govt is required if there is any such proposal.Deccan Chronicle.
Ram was born in Ayodhya, but nobody knows which specific place: Muslim Parties In SC
https://www.newsnation.in/india/news/lord-ram-was-born-in-ayodhya-but-nobody-knows-which-specific-place-muslim-parties-in-supreme-court-238616.html
On 29th day of hearing in Babri Masjid title dispute case in the Supreme Court, the Muslim parties accepted that Ram was born in Ayodhya. However, they insisted that no one knows the exact birthplace. "I am giving in to the argument that Ram was born there, but does it make the place a juristic personality? Nobody till 1989 claimed the place as juristic personality," senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Muslim parties, said."They just say Ram was born here. None of contours of the area are mentioned anywhere in the plaint...Hindu parties have argued that all existing structures be demolished at Ram Janmabhoomi and a new Temple be constructed there," Dhavan told the SC bench led by CJ."Ram has to be respected, no doubt about it. If Ram and Allah are not respected, this great nation which has diversity like no other nation will fall apart," Dhavan said.newsnation
Only formality of pressing EVM button remains: Shiv Sena takes a dig at Amit Shah
https://www.thehindu.com/elections/maharashtra-assembly/only-formality-of-pressing-evm-button-remains-shiv-sena-takes-a-dig-at-amit-shah/article29491578.ece?homepage=true&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR3rjVQjDAY2-VuKq7PJXb8klYJ2Ktv1xD1ACswZb54YZ9yju12ksXCsSh4
Shiv Sena on Monday took a swipe at the senior ruling alliance partner, saying since BJP had already decided everything, only the formality of pressing EVM button was left in the name of elections. Sena made its displeasure known in an editorial, overflowing with skepticism, in the party mouthpiece Saamana.The Uddhav Thackeray-led party appeared critical of BJP chief Amit Shah’s plan to push the nationalistic narrative ahead of next month’s Maharashtra Assembly poll.At a rally in Mumbai on Sunday, Shah made it clear that the Modi Govt’s decision to abolish the special status for J&K by abrogating Article 370 will be a key plank of BJPs Maharashtra campaign.PTI
Pakistan earthquake: 8 dead, over 100 injured in PoK; mild tremors felt in Delhi-NCR
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pakistan-earthquake-tremors-delhi-ncr-islamabad-6024824/
New Delhi :Mild tremors were felt in the Delhi-NCR region Tuesday afternoon after a moderate 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Pakistan, including capital Islamabad. At least 8 persons were killed and over 100 people, including women and children, were injured in PoK, PTI reported. According to US Geological Survey, epicentre of the earthquake was 10 km south-east of New Mirpur, Pakistan. Several cities in the northern parts of the country — including Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Lahore—felt the tremors. However, Minister for Science Fawad Chaudhry said that the intensity of the quake was 7.1.The quake jolted the entire Jammu province, which came around 4.33 pm. At various places especially in Chenab Valley region, people said that the earthquake was so intense that people came out of their buildings in panic.The tremors lasted for 8-10 seconds but were felt strongly, DawnNewsTV reported.indianexpress
WORLD
Parliament Suspension "Void": UK Top Court Cancels PM Boris Johnson's Move
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/boris-johnsons-move-to-suspend-parliament-in-run-up-to-brexit-unlawful-says-uk-supreme-court-2106328
London: Britain's Supreme Court ruled today that PM Boris Johnson acted unlawfully in suspending parliament in the run-up to Brexit, in a stunning blow that sparked immediate calls for him to resign. 11 judges of the country's highest court were unanimous in their verdict, which they said meant parliament could now immediately reconvene.Johnson had argued that shutting down parliament until Oct.14 was a routine move to allow his new Govt to set out a new legislative programme. But critics accused him of trying to silence MPs ahead of Britain's scheduled exit from the European Union on Oct.31 -- terms of which remain unclear."The court is bound to conclude... that the decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue was unlawful," Supreme Court President Brenda Hale said.She said this was "because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of parliament to carry out its constitutional functions".She said the suspension was as a result "void and of no effect", adding: "Parliament has not been prorogued". The Speaker of the House of Commons, said MPs should reconvene immediately. Ruling is a major blow to Johnson, and sparked calls for him to stand down.AFP
UK Labour Party votes to stop arms trade with Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190924-uk-labour-party-votes-to-stop-arms-trade-with-israel/
British Labour Party voted in favour of a motion which could see Britain cease trade with Israel if it doesn’t comply with international human rights laws.The motion, titled “Ethical Foreign Policy” was proposed by Hove Constituency Labour Party (CLP) and Birkenhead CLP, and would only come into effect if the Labour party wins the next general election and the motion is passed by parliament.The motion included a call to “work globally for an alliance” rejecting trade agreements with Israel that failed to recognise the rights of Palestinians, and declared Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan – dubbed the “deal of the century” – a “one-sided attempt to destroy Palestinian rights”.It also called on any future Labour Govt to apply international law on settlements in illegally occupied Palestinian territories.MEMO
Morocco accused of being lenient towards Israeli activities
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190924-morocco-accused-of-being-lenient-towards-israeli-activities/
Moroccan Observatory Against Normalisation with Israel has accused the authorities in Rabat of being lenient towards Israeli activities “targeting the national fabric” of Morocco, Arabi21.com reported on Monday. The organisation has accused the security, judicial, executive and legislative authorities of turning a blind eye to Israeli “crimes” which aim to “undermine safety and security” in the country.“Normalisation [of relations with Israel] is a clear violation of the national sovereignty and national sense of Morocco,” said Observatory in a media statement. All of this is being dealt with irresponsibly by Rabat, which should act according to the authorities’ national duty, it added.Moroccan organisation revealed that an Israeli parliamentarian from the right-wing Likud party regularly disguises himself as a tour guide and leads Israeli army officers and intelligence staff and politicians on what it called “suspicious” visits to Morocco. middleeastmonitor
Rights centre to UN: Israel breaching convention against racial discrimination
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190924-rights-centre-to-un-israel-breaching-convention-against-racial-discrimination/
A legal rights centre has told a UN committee that Israel has failed to comply with its 2012 recommendations to reverse racially discriminatory practices. Adalah has submitted 2 reports to UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination (CERD), ahead of committee’s preliminary questions to the State of Israel, regarding its compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.The two reports cover “violations of the rights of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel” and “violations of the rights of Arab Bedouin citizens in Naqab/Negev”, the latter a joint submission with the Negev Coexistence Forum (NCF). CERD will review Israel at its upcoming session in Geneva on 4-5 Dec.MEMO
Guterres opens UNGA debate, warns of global 'disquiet'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/hold-general-assembly-2019-latest-updates-190916224113531.html
World leaders have gathered in New York City for the 74th session of UN General Assembly (UNGA). The meeting comes amid simmering tension in the Middle East over recent attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, which the US blames on Iran, allegations Tehran denies. UNGA also comes just days after millions of young activists and their supporters marched in thousands of cities worldwide to demand greater action on climate change. The general debate is taking place from 24 Septto Sept. 30, with dozens of world leaders scheduled to address the General Assembly.There is a looming risk of the world splitting in two with the two largest economies, US and China, creating rival internets, currencies, financial rules "and their own zero sum geopolitical and military strategies," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned.aljazeera
Imran Khan blames Trump tweet for derailing Afghan peace deal, lauds China
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-pm-blames-donald-trump-tweet-for-derailing-afghan-peace-deal/story-bLEMjL7AObWqnvmgAEvbLO.html
Hours before a planned meeting with Donald Trump, Pakistani PM Imran Khan blamed him for derailing a peace deal aimed at ending the longest-running war in U.S. history.Speaking at Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Khan said he would urge Trump to resume talks with the to pave the way for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.“The peace deal was just about to be signed -- this is painful for us -- the peace deal was about to be signed and you know President Trump,” Khan said, trailing off. “He should have discussed it with us.”Earlier this month, talks between US and Taliban broke down after Trump tweeted he had canceled secret meetings at Camp David intended to allow a drawdown of American forces after 18 years in Afghanistan.Before meeting Trump, Khan said relations with his nation’s other neighbors have also proven challenging. Khan said he’s “more worried about India” than his own country, warning about the rise of Hindu nationalists.PM also lauded the nation’s “special relationship” with China despite criticism over Beijing’s crackdown on Muslim minorities and concern that billions of dollars in Chinese loans could put Pakistan in a debt trap.“They helped us when we were at rock bottom,” said Khan, who was set to meet a Chinese delegation after his remarks. “China is one country we can all learn from.”Bloomberg
Pak committed biggest blunder by joining US in its war on terror post 9/11: Imran Khan
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/us/pak-committed-biggest-blunder-by-joining-us-in-its-war-on-terror-post-911-imran-khan20190923203837/
New York: Pakistan committed one of the biggest blunders by joining US in its war on terrorism in the aftermath of 9/11 attack, PM Imran Khan said."Pakistan by joining US after 9/11 committed one of the biggest blunders. 70,000 Pakistanis died in this. Some economists say we had 150 billion, some say 200 billion loss to the economy. On top of it, we were blamed for the US not winning in Afghanistan," said Khan.ANI
Rights groups:650 detained in latest anti-Sisi protests
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190924-rights-groups-650-detained-in-latest-anti-sisi-protests/
Over 650 Egyptians were arrested from across arrested across Egypt in the latest wave of demonstrations against Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, local rights sources reported. The sources told Arabi21 that that 300 of the detainees were standing trial at the Supreme State Court, adding that 60 others were transferred for imprisonment pending investigations. The defendants’ lawyers said that the security forces had arrested the Egyptian activist and human rights lawyer, Mahienour El-Masry, along with several other journalists, who were being interrogated by the country’s Supreme Court. One of 10 lawyers explained that most of the detainees from the street vendors, who happened to be present in the area where demonstrations took place. Demonstrations last Friday were sparked off by an online campaign launched by an Egyptian businessman living in self-imposed exile in Spain.middleeastmonitor
Exiled Egyptian businessman complains of surveillance in Spain
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/exiled-egyptian-businessman-complains-surveillance-spain-190924110609498.html
Flash: NEWS,views,Articles
Backlash against Modi as Indian PM 'endorses Trump for 2020 in breach of diplomatic convention'
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/modi-trump-howdy-houston-texas-rally-2020-election-a9116926.html?fbclid=IwAR06NWjbqaFICaVIQizhavHUT7wmLWp_YwLqxPWE-LzKpgn8Ik45VEbs_Y8
Why We, as Hindu Americans, Are Opposed to Modi's Undeclared Emergency:Raju Rajagopal, Sunita Viswanath
https://thewire.in/rights/why-hindu-americans-are-opposed-to-modis-undeclared-emergency
Tax cuts meant to protect corporate profits, of no benefit to consumers:V Venkateswara Rao
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/economy/tax-cuts-meant-to-protect-corporate-profits-of-no-benefit-to-consumers
Punjab lends voice to protests against Govt’s Kashmir policy:Amreek
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/punjab-lends-voice-to-protests-against-Govts-kashmir-policy
Cow smuggling rampant in ‘cow welfare state’:Sunita Shahi
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/cow-smuggling-rampant-in-cow-welfare-state
#Rethink Aadhaar: An year after SC’s Aadhaar judgment, we need to keep talking about Aadhaar:Ria Singh Sawhney
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/rethink-aadhaar-an-year-after-scs-aadhaar-judgment-we-need-to-keep-talking-about-aadhaar
Hugs Aside, Trump Is Probably Not Modi's 'True Friend'. Here's Why: Akshita Jain
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/donald-trump-narendra-modi-pakistan-imran-khan_in_5d89bdbae4b0d26946539ffd
Modi's UN Speech On Climate Change Can't Mask His Govt's Sketchy Track Record;Rohini Chatterji
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/modi-climate-change-bjp-un_in_5d899999e4b0938b59333fc3?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
World's Richest Families Are Keeping More Money In Cash In View Of Climate Change, Recession
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/worlds-richest-families-cash-climate-change-recession_in_5d89d19ee4b0d2694653d4b5?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Ahead of presidential elections: start of trial of former Algerian regime’s symbolic figures
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190924-ahead-of-presidential-elections-start-of-trial-of-former-algerian-regimes-symbolic-figures/
Modi Should Spend More Time At Home:Panos Mourdoukoutas
https://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2019/09/21/modi-should-spend-more-time-at-home/?fbclid=IwAR0rT1SR9hdDSMG9rQjcJAX84txJRJRhXSU1Z8ijiaKH7QkCUwb2pfn1IKM#2fd857869983
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq,(Released at: 6:54 PM)
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