NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
04 SEPT. 2019: 04 MUHARRAM 1441: Vol: 12, No: 04
INDIA
Hindus were allowed to worship in outer portion, but it did not entitle Hindu body to claim ownership of inner portion of Babri Masjid:Muslims parties to SC
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/ayodhya-sc-queries-muslim-parties-over-nirmohi-akaharas-right-as-devotee-over-disputed-land/1611799
New Delhi:The Supreme Court todayasked Muslim parties whether they will agree that Nirmohi Akahara has been in possession of the outer courtyard of the disputed Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri masjid land at Ayodhya as they have accepted Akahara to be a devotee of Ram Lalla. A 5-judge Constitution bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi was told by senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Muslim parties including Sunni Waqf Board and one of the original litigants M Siddiq, that Nirmohi Akhara being the ''shebait'' (devotee) was only seeking right to manage and offer puja and was not claiming title."You do not dispute their (Akhara''s) shebaiti rights,"bench asked Dhavan on 19th day of hearing in the case. "No. I do not," Dhavan replied to the bench."If you accept that Akahara as ''shebiat'' then do you also accept that it was in possession of the outer courtyard," the bench asked. Dhavan said rights of Akahara as a devotee may be "fine", but they did not change its juristic status and moreover, as a ''shebait'' it was only seeking right to management and not the title.Consistent with the submissions (Muslim side), Akahara has been asking for management rights of outer courtyard where at ''Ram Chabutara'', Hindus claimed to have been worshipping and it has nothing to do with the inner portion, he said. Akahara was allowed to perform puja in the outer courtyard and it did not entitle the Hindu body to claim ownership of inner courtyard.The bench then referred to pleadings of lawsuit of Sunni Wakf Board and said it had sought title over entire disputed area.It said by accepting that Akahara has rights as ''shebait'' "then you are necessarily giving up your claim over ''Ram Chabutara'' and ''Sita Rasoi'' of outer courtyard...Therefore, outer courtyard cannot be a mosque." "Our case is that in 1885, Akahara had sought enforcement of the right of prayer at ''Ram Chabutra'' and not title over the property,"he said, adding that it was merely an easementary right."Technically, your lordships can say that some portion may be given," he said. The court then said the right of ''shebait'' may be related to management only, but "so far as the deity (Ram Lalla Virajman'') is concerned,its right is more than easementary one." Dhavan objected and said people can say that Hindus were allowed to go to near the railing inside the place to offer prayers, but it did entitle them to the title right. Dhavan extensively dealt with alleged contradictions in pleadings of Akahara and said it had made Govt officials as parties and never claimed title as it was challenging the attachment of the disputed site by the receiver in 1950 following placing of idols inside on the intervening night of Dec 22-23, 1949. The HC had granted one third of disputed site to Akahara as nobody with the better title came up to claim the outer courtyard and said Justice Agrawal had said that Akahara was "not entitled to any relief" and the HC, by majority of 2:1, had dismissed their suit, he said. He said the concession of Akahara that it does not oppose the deity was not of much help as the deity cannot own the property. Dhavan gave the list of documents of Akahara which were rejected by the HC by terming them as "irrelevant" and "inadmissible"."Merely because Mosque was landlocked and could not be reached except by passing through the places of Hindu worship, does not mean that it would cease to be a mosque,"he said, adding that Akhara was seeking entire property on this strange ground.Dhavan would continue his submissions tomorrow.PTI
SC to look into attack on Muslim petitioner's son
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/top-court-to-look-into-attack-on-muslim-petitioners-son-in-ayodhya-2095692
New Delhi: The Supreme Court said today that it would look into the claim that the son of one of the original litigants in Babri masjid land dispute, has been attacked in Ayodhya.The moment a 5-judge Constitution bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, assembled to commence hearing on in the sensitive case, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan brought to its notice that Iqbal Ansari had been attacked by a shooter at Ayodhya."Whether this requires an investigation or not, I do not know. Sometimes, a simple observation from the bench is enough," Dhavan, appearing for Muslims parties, told the bench."We will look into this," Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said.PTI
NRC ASSAM FINAL LIST
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind offers free legal aid to those excluded from NRC list
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/09/03/Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind-offers-free-legal-aid-to-those-excluded-from-NRC-list.html
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has announced that it would provide free legal aid to those who have been excluded from the final list of Assam NRC.Expressing concern over the exclusion of nearly 20 lakh people from NRC, the Jamaat also opposed extending the exercise to other states. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, JIH vice-president S. Ameenul Hassan said, "We feel that many could not make it into the list because of minor inaccuracies in their documents. Jamaat will offer free legal aid to those excluded from NRC, irrespective of their religion, caste and creed.""We oppose extending the NRC process to other parts of the country. The Govtshould focus on core issues of welfare and development," he said.In response to a question, JIH secretary for community affairs, Malik Mohtasim Khan, said NRC list was a fitting reply to those who were saying that Assam has 40 lakh infiltrators. " NRC is a relief to the people of Assam. We demand that the Govtmust provide reasons for exclusion in writing to those who could not find their names in this final list. We also expect that the Govtwill not render these nearly two million citizens 'stateless' as it will be very damaging for India’s image in the international community," he said.When asked about the situation in Kashmir, JIH vice-president Mohammed Jafar said, "We are also concerned, as all the people of our country are, over the situation in Kashmir. It is the duty of the Govtto ensure that the basic human rights of people are granted."Jafar said the Govtmust restore normalcy in the state as soon as possible by withdrawing the heavy military presence, uplifting the communications blockade and restoring democracy by allowing popular Govtto come to power.theweek
BJP trying to politicise NRC: Jamaat-E-Islami Hind
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/bjp-trying-to-politicise-the-nrc-issue-says-jamaat-e-islami-hind
Jamaat accuses ruling party of politicking NRC Issue
https://caravandaily.com/jamaat-e-islami-accuses-ruling-party-of-politicking-nrc-issue/
Assam NRC: FIRs lodged against Coordinator Hajela for deliberate exclusion of ‘genuine Indian citizens’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam-nrc-muslim-organisation-files-fir-against-coordinator-for-farcical-document/article29330113.ece?homepage=true
Guwahati: FIRs have been lodged in Guwahati and Dibrugarh against Prateek Hajela, the Coordinator for Assam’s NRC for deliberately excluding “genuine Indian” citizens from the updated citizens’ list.The first complaint was lodged on Sep 3 evening. Asom Garia-Maria Yuba Chhatra Parishad lodged the FIR at Guwahati’s Latasil Police Station for producing an expensive “farcical” document that left out many indigenous people. The organisation represents Garia and Maria, 2 categories of indigenous Assamese Muslims.“Final NRC is a bhekubhaona (farce) and a waste of time and resources. It is full of anomalies with three members of a family in and 2 members out, armed forces personnel excluded, one son in and another out despite using the same legacy data. This shouldn’t have happened at least to the original inhabitants of the State,” a spokesperson of the organisation said. The complaint against Hajela had been filed so that Govtprobed the entire process of NRC updating exercise, the spokesperson said.On September 4, Chandar Mazumdar, a member of All India Legal Aid Forum lodged an FIR against Hajela at a police station in Dibrugarh town. Mazumdar said NRC Coordinator had his family deliberately excluded from NRC. All Assam Bengali Yuba-Chhatra Parishad has demanded his arrest and removal as the State NRC Coordinator for producing a “faulty” document that omits many “genuine Indians” and includes “foreigners”.“Over 90% people excluded from NRC are Hindus, and for this State Coordinator is solely responsible,” the association’s head Swapan Kumar Mandal said.thehindu
RSS to ask for reintroduction of Citizenship Amendment Bill
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rss-to-ask-for-reintroduction-of-citizenship-amendment-bill/articleshow/70969254.cms
Guwahati: RSS will ask Modi Govtto reintroduce Citizenship Amendment Bill. “We have been saying that NRCNSE 2.22 % will not bear results and Assam will not be free of foreigners. The final NRC has proved this right. A large number of Hindus and other local communities have been excluded from NRC. We will insist that the Centre reintroduce Citizenship Amendment Bill by Dec, immediately after the appeal at the foreigners’ tribunal is completed. This NRC cannot be final,” said a senior RSS leader who did not wish to be named.The bill meant to give Indian citizenship to refugee Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan was shelved in Feb after Lok Sabha passed it following stiff resistance from several organisations in the northeast who feared that their states would be flooded with refugees from neighbouring Bangladesh. TOI
BJP Plans for NRC in Bihar's Muslim-Dominated Seemanchal? Newsclick.in
https://www.newsclick.in/BJP-Plans-NRC-Bihar-Muslim-Dominated-Seemanchal
Patna: Contrary to Bihar’s ruling JD-U’s stand against NRC, its ally, the BJP wants the NRC to be implemented in Seemanchal, a Muslim-dominated backward region of the state. It was revealed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha, who is also considered to be close to the RSS.“We strongly favour NRC in Seemanchal region of Bihar. NRC should be implemented there like Assam to flush out all those from Bangladesh who had settled there,” Sinha said.Sinha, a vocal champion of the BJP’s Hindutva politics, said the population in Bihar’s bordering districts has been increasing. This proves that large number of Bangladeshis were settled in the Seemanchal region.“There is an urgent need of NRC in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnea and Araria districts,” he added.For BJP and RSS, Seemanchal is a priority area as the concentration of Muslim population is highest there, and BJP has so far failed to make much inroad in the region.
J&K ISSUE
Human rights in Kashmir ‘an international issue’:UK Foreign Secretary
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/human-rights-in-kashmir-an-international-issue-says-uk-foreign-secretary?fbclid=IwAR2_LWEPxW-M692lylgwhsUqk-qyncVkL-G26FAJcgjy03pEvfrRYb0nEPs
British new foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, told House of Commons that the human rights situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir following the lockdown of the region by Modi Govtfor over four weeks is "an international issue". This reflects a failure of Indian foreign relations. Britain is a permanent member of the powerful UNSC, enjoying veto powers in it. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Raab on the phone last month. But it would appear both he and diplomats at the Indian high commission in London have been ineffective in convincing UK to India's point of view. As soon as UK parliament commenced proceedings on Tuesday after a long summer recess, a barrage of aggressive questions from around 15 MPs greeted Raab from all sections of the house on Modi administration's treatment of people in Kashmir following abrogation of J&K's special status. The questioners included Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, who raised the matter of unlawful "detentions" by Indian authorities. Replying to a question from Steve Baker, Conservative MP from Wycombe, Raab said, "The issue of human rights is not just a bilateral, or domestic issue for India or Pakistan—it is an international issue." He added, "We should, with all our partners, expect internationally recognised standards of human rights to be complied with and respected." Baker of course represents a constituency with an estimated 10,000 people of Pakistani origin and is likely to have been under pressure from a section of his constituents to put his question. Anne Main, another Conservative MP, compared the state of affairs in Kashmir to the Rohingya crisis. However, Raab repeatedly made statements which queried BJP govt's democratic and human rights credentials. "We are concerned about the situation in Kashmir...It is important that internationally recognised human rights are fully respected...There are duties owed to the international community at large, and we will certainly be scrutinising the situation carefully to see that those rights are respected...I raised concerns about the situation with Indian Foreign Minister on 7 Aug."nationalheraldindia
Violent clashes near Indian High Commission in London, 2 arrested
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/violent-clashes-near-indian-high-commission-in-london-2-arrested/article29330348.ece?homepage=true
London:2 people remain in custody after being arrested during clashes as thousands of protesters led by British Pakistani groups descended upon the Indian High Commission in London against the abrogating Article 370 that gave special status to J&K.The Indian High Commission reported damage to its premises.The ‘Kashmir Freedom March’ began at Parliament Square on Tuesday and moved towards India House, with protesters waving anti-India placards and chanting slogans such as ‘Azadi’ and ‘Stop Shelling in Kashmir’. “Two people were arrested for criminal damage and remain in custody,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.London Mayor Sadiq Khan branded the clashes as unacceptable behaviour and called on the police to take action against the perpetrators.A UK Opposition Labour Party MP from Birmingham, Liam Byrne, has launched an online petition over the Kashmir issue and was among the politicians backing Tuesday’s protests.PTI
India calls violence outside London embassy ‘unacceptable’, asks UK to take strong action
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-high-commission-in-london-vandalised-as-protests-over-kashmir-turn-violent-5964642/
India today raised strong objections against the violent protests outside the Indian High Commission (IHC) in London over the abrogation of special status to J&K. The protesters had vandalised and damaged windows of the building.Calling the incident “unacceptable,” Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said, “This is the second time in less than a month that such an incident has taken place affecting security and normal functioning of our Mission.” ANI reported. indianexpress
India slams Pakistan as it tries raising Kashmir issue at Unicef conference in Colombo
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-delegation-slams-pakistan-as-it-tries-raising-kashmir-issue-at-unicef-conference-in-colombo-1595172-2019-09-04
After Maldives, a Pakistani delegation participating at UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Right's Convention in Colombo, Sri Lanka raked up the Kashmir issue, leading to yet another war of words between the Indian and Pakistani delegation. Indian delegation comprising Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal spoke in unison to counter Pakistan's claims. After India's presentation on 'Child Rights', the floor was given to Pakistani side. However, instead of sticking to the agenda of the forum, Pakistan's Member of National Assembly from PML-N, Mehnaz Akber Aziz, started by saying, "I would like to draw your attention to the situation in Kashmir today. Curfew continues for 30 days."Hearing Pak delegation, BJP's Sanjay Jaiswal raised objections and asked, "Is this an issue to talk over here?" adding that India has rectified a law which was within its constitution.But the Pakistani delegation continued. Aziz and the other two Pak leaders, Uzma Kardar and Kanwal Shauzab, tried to make statements on the situation in Kashmir under the garb of "child rights".Meanwhile, the chair intervened to check the Pakistani delegation and asked it to stop using the forum to serve a political agenda.indiatoday
Kashmiri Youth Succumbs to Pellet Injuries in Srinagar, Restrictions Reimposed
https://thewire.in/rights/kashmiri-youth-succumbs-to-pellet-injuries-in-srinagar-restrictions-reimposed
Srinagar: A Kashmiri youth who was injured during protests last month died at a Srinagar hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, prompting authorities to reimpose restrictions in parts of the city, officials said. Asrar Ahmed Khan was part of a group holding protests in Soura on August 6, a day after the Centre revoked J&K’s special status and announced its bifurcation into two union territories, they said.PTI
In J&K, questions over whether Urdu will remain official language
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-jk-questions-over-whether-urdu-will-remain-official-language-5963326/?fbclid=IwAR0PdU1gYWF9cIzWOxcoNBV_4cGqy3lkVfSmnWqXtA-PYa39f8e5RnhCBrA
On ground in J&K, one of the questions being raised after the Centre’s decision to scrap the state’s special status, is whether Urdu will remain the official language. Section 47 of the J&K Reorganisation Act empowers the new Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of J&K to “adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the Union Territory of J&K or Hindi as the official language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes.”The business in the Assembly, the law states, shall be transacted in the “official language or languages of UT of J&K or in Hindi or in English.” Before Aug 5, Urdu was the official language of J&K state, while official transactions and orders were also conducted and issued in English.When contacted, J&K Governor’s advisor Farooq Khan said: “All special provisions have been thrown into the dustbin of history where they always belonged. In the new set-up, everything will be done afresh. A child has taken birth, so it will be nurtured with all the love and care by Govt of India. The Centre’s welfare schemes, which used to be mutilated in the previous set-up, are being pursued with full vigour.” Asked about the status of Urdu as J&K’s official language post-August 5, Khan said: “Reorganisation Act is very clear that the new official language or languages will be chosen by the new Assembly. Hindi is the national language so it would be an official language of UT of J&K. Urdu will also be given its due place.’’Dogra rulers recognised Urdu as a state and official language of J&K in 1889. indianexpress
In private, J&K sarpanchs admit: we are hiding from our voters
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-private-jk-sarpanchs-admit-we-are-hiding-from-our-voters-amkt-shah-meeting-5963575/?fbclid=IwAR0VjJkQg_HGI9EfKCfw5WyfREyKQlW-RayLXSF0ZqAC5yOZiDyf1zwiNiQ
New Delhi :Among the panchayat representatives from Kashmir, who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and later interacted with the media, Zubair Butt stood out.At the conference hall in North Block, as sarpanch after sarpanch stood up to describe how the removal of J&K’s special status under Article 370 had empowered them, Butt, a young sarpanch from Harwan in Srinagar, took the mic and began speaking on difficulties being faced by people in downtown Srinagar due to the restrictions in place.“Movement and communication is a serious problem in downtown Srinagar. Supplies, including that of fuel, are scarce. Barring ration, getting anything else is difficult,” he said. He also said that the administration was paying for construction work in panchayats at 2012 rates. Minister of State Jitendra Singh intervened and assured all help to Butt and promised that the rates would also be revised.But this moment captured the difficult situation many elected panchayat members from Kashmir find themselves in following Aug.5 announcements. While most representatives made feeble complaints while speaking on record, a majority admitted privately that they were living in fear, uncertain about the future. Indianexpress
Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, Lakhvi, Dawood Ibrahim declared terrorists under new anti-terror law
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/masood-azhar-hafiz-saeed-dawood-ibrahim-declared-terrorists-under-new-anti-terror-law/article29330657.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi: Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, Lashkar-e-Taiba's Hafiz Saeed, his deputy Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who planned and executed 1993 Mumbai serial blasts are among the first four individuals to be designated as "terrorists" under the new anti-terror law passed by the Parliament in July.Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a gazette notification declaring the four individuals as 'terrorists' under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of UAPA.To designate Azhar, MHA mentioned five terror cases including the Pulwama attack where 40 CRPF personnel were killed. thehindu
Pak Army on Kashmir issue: Nuclear countries have no room for war
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-pakistan-army-nuclear-war-article-370-5965402/
Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan Army on Wednesday said Kashmir was their “jugular vein” and called the scrapping of special status in J&K under Article 370 an “immoral” step by PM Narendra Modi, Dawn reported.“Kashmir is our jugular vein and we will go to any lengths to protect it,” Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor said at a press conference at its headquarters.DG of ISPR further said India had “indirectly continued to attack Pakistan” and cited example of Kulbhushan Jadhav. indianexpress
Kartarpur corridor: India, Pakistan agree on visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims to gurdwara
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kartarpur-corridor-third-round-of-talks-between-india-pak-underway/article29329827.ece?homepage=true
Attari:India and Pakistan reached an understanding on visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims based on their faith but no formal agreement could be signed."However, owing to certain differences on a few key issues, an agreement could not be finalised. Pakistan has insisted on charging a service fee for allowing pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, which is not agreeable in the spirit of smooth and easy access through the corridor. Pakistan has also shown its unwillingness to allow the presence of Indian consular or protocol officials at the gurdwara premises. Pakistan side has been urged to reconsider its position," a Govt source said.The third round of talks on the modalities for operationalisation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was held at Attari checkpoint in Punjab on Wednesday. thehindu
India, China put Special Representative talks on Sep 9-10 on hold due to “scheduling” issue
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-china-put-special-representative-talks-on-sep-9-10-on-hold-due-to-scheduling-issue/articleshow/70967097.cms
India and China have put on hold their Special Representative talks on boundary issues on Sept.9-10 apparently due to scheduling issues. However, Delhi may have sought a date change as China’s Special Representative and State Councillor Wang Yi who is also Foreign Minister was scheduled to arrive in Delhi from Pakistan in what is being seen as hyphenating Indo-Pak ties.While there was no official word from either Delhi or Beijing on this development, sources said that dates were not convenient for NSA and India’s Special Representative and Wang to meet for the next edition of SR talks.It is not yet certain if the SR talks will happen before the second edition of informal summit near Chennai mid-Oct. India over the years has sought dehyphanation of its ties with Pakistan and more so amid current state of Indo-Pak ties. Several countries have made efforts to dehyphanate Indo-Pak ties and their leaders do not visit India while visiting Pakistan.It would have been Wang’s maiden visit to India since India decided to abrogate Article 370 and reorganised state of J&K. Wang will be in Pakistan over the next weekend and he will also hold China-Pak-Afghan trilateral where attempts will be made to include Afghanistan into CPEC.economictimes
Lookout circular mala fide exercise of power, J&K politician Shah Faesal tells Delhi High Court
https://scroll.in/latest/936168/lookout-circular-mala-fide-exercise-of-power-j-k-politician-shah-faesal-tells-delhi-high-court
Former bureaucrat Shah Faesal has told the Delhi High Court that the lookout circular issued against him was a “completely malafide exercise of power” and was not based on reasonable grounds, PTI reported. Faesal was stopped at Delhi Airport and sent back to Srinagar where has been under detention since August 14.scroll.in/
INDIAN ECONOMY
India’s economy suffers automotive crash, pain spreads to villages
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-economy-suffers-automotive-crash-pain-spreads-to-villages/story-S1673eNRzErBDyqSFtGuMO.html
The narrow lanes in Aliyar and Kasan villages in Manesar, an automotive manufacturing hub on New Delhi’s southern outskirts, would usually be packed on Sundays with migrant workers employed at the nearby plants enjoying their day off, but not anymore.These are hard times for an area dependent on the fortunes of companies like Maruti Suzuki, the carmaker with the largest market share in India, and motorbike maker Honda Motor Co’s local unit. The auto and component makers in and around Manesar, have shed thousands of jobs. Nationwide, according to industry estimates, automakers, component manufacturers and dealers have laid off about 350,000 workers since the start of the year, in response to plunging car sales. Figures for August, like July, are expected to show a drop of more than 30%, making a 10th straight month of decline.As the crisis in the sector bites harder small businesses in towns and villages around Manesar, home to one of the 3 plants where Maruti Suzuki cars are made, have seen a fall off in trade.“There are already fewer workers in the village and those who still have jobs are either not getting paid for working overtime or are not spending as much out of fear they may lose work and need the money,” said grocer Rahul Jain, his shelves stacked with toothpaste and soaps from fast-moving consumer goods companies like Hindustan Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive and Dabur India.Reuters
Truck sales crash 60%; Ashok Leyland sees decline of 70% in Aug
https://thewire.in/business/truck-sales-crash-60-ashok-leyland-sees-decline-of-70-in-august
Sales of medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles (M&HCVs), excluding buses, considered a barometer of economic activity, more than halved in August, as transporters – struggling with excess capacity owing to a slowing economy and consumption slowdown – deferred purchases, monthly sales data released by truck makers shows.India’s economy grew by 5% in the June quarter, the slowest in over six years. The manufacturing sector fared worse, growing at an abysmal 0.6%. Overall volume at India’s top 4 M&HCV makers – Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher, and Mahindra & Mahindra – fell 59.5% to 31,067 units during the month, compared with the year-ago period. In desperation, truck makers are offering discounts up to Rs 9,00,000 on high-tonnage (above 49 tonnes) duty trucks.thewire
India's August Gold Imports Slump to Three-Year Low as Prices Hit Record High
https://thewire.in/macro/indias-august-gold-imports-slump-to-three-year-low-as-prices-hit-record-high
New Delhi/Mumbai: India’s gold imports plunged 73% in August from a year ago to the lowest level in three years as a rally in local prices to a record high and a hike in import duty discouraged retail buying, a Govtsource said on Wednesday.Lower imports by the world’s second biggest consumer could cap gains in global prices that are trading near six-year highs, but would help the south Asian country bring down its trade deficit and support the rupee.India imported 30 tonnes of gold in August, down from 111.47 tonnes a year ago, said the source, who asked not be named as he was not authorised to speak to media. In value terms, August‘s imports fell 62% to $1.37 billion, the lowest since August 2016.Reuters
India Services Growth Slows in August on Weaker Demand: PMI
https://thewire.in/macro/india-services-growth-slows-in-august-on-weaker-demand-pmi
Just 1 in 5 Mudra beneficiaries started new business, half of extra jobs were self-employment: Govt survey
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/just-1-in-5-mudra-beneficiaries-started-new-business-half-of-extra-jobs-were-self-employment-govt-survey-5963553/
New Delhi :The government’s constant refrain has been that its flagship Mudra scheme is an engine for entrepreneurship and employment. A survey by the Labour Ministry, yet to be made public, offers a reality check: just one out of five beneficiaries (20.6 %) from the sample survey availed of Mudra loan for setting up a new establishment, the rest used the funds for expanding their existing business.Draft Report on Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana Survey conducted by the Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment has found that 1.12 crore additional jobs were created during April 2015-Dec.2017, the first 33 months following the rollout of the scheme. Of this, 51.06 lakh were self-employed or working owners which also included unpaid family members while 60.94 lakh were employees or hired workers.To put this in context, the number of additional jobs in 33 months was less than 10 % of the total number of loans.indianexpress
OTHERS
After Jamita, Jamaat seeks dialogue with Hindus to build brotherhood among communities:TOI
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-juh-jamaat-e-islami-hind-seeks-dialogue-with-hindus-to-build-brotherhood-among-communities/articleshow/70966119.cms
New Delhi: Just days after the meeting between RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Jamiat Ulama -i- Hind (JUH) chief Maulana Arshad Madani where they deliberated on working on communal harmony, another minority organisation Jamaat -e- Islami Hind (JIH) has reinforced the need for a dialogue with representatives from the Hindu community to build brotherhood. They feel that both Muslim and Hindu communities need to work together to prevent people with vested interests from spreading hatred. JIH however, cautioned that neither can RSS be considered as the lone representative of Hindus nor JUH the representative voice of all Muslims. They called for bringing on board the many voices that represent both communities. When asked how they sought to build on the spirit of harmony, JIH vice-president S Ameenul Hasan cited “Sadbhavna Manch” programme launched in Karnataka last year by JIH. Around 200 such platforms drawing upon people of different religions have been created to have a dialogue with people and resolve differences amicably. JIH cites this as an attempt to create a harmonious community level partnership. “We now plan to expand this to the entire country by setting up the about 2,000 such platforms across the states in one year,” Hasan added.
‘I just want to see him in jail’: Muslim women are using the new triple talaq law to get justice
https://scroll.in/article/935235/i-just-want-to-see-him-in-jail-muslim-women-are-using-the-new-triple-talaq-law-to-get-justice
Barely 2 hours after her marriage was solemnised on the night of August 15, Ruby Khan found herself at the receiving end of triple talaq. 24-year-old from Agra in UP had been engaged to a man named Nadeem for a year and had been assured that his family had no expectations of dowry.But after her nikah, during the wedding reception, Nadeem’s family suddenly demanded a car as dowry.“When we refused, his family told him to give me teen talaq and he just left me,” a tearful Khan told Scroll.in over the phone. “I had read about such stuff in the news, but I never thought it could happen to me.”The next day, Khan gathered herself, went to a nearby police station and filed a case against Nadeem under the triple talaq law passed by Indian Parliament on July 31.Muslim women across the country have been filing cases against their husbands, with headlines reporting dozens of cases filed in UP, Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and several other states. Many of the complainants have been aided by local politicians or organisations such as the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, which has been at the forefront of the movement against triple talaq. However, other women have chosen to take on their husbands on their own, after hearing about the new law in the news.Scroll.in spoke to 3 Muslim women who have filed triple talaq cases against their husbands. While one saw the law as an opportunity to seek justice for infidelity and mistreatment, others used it to bolster their cases of dowry harassment. What the women had in common, however, was a strong desire to see their husbands punished in the strongest way possible.scroll
Need leaders who can argue fearlessly to PM, says Murli Manohar Joshi
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/need-leaders-who-can-speak-fearlessly-to-pm-says-murli-manohar-joshi-5963600/
India needs a leadership that can argue with the PM on issues based on principles, and fearlessly express views without worrying whether he would be pleased or angry, BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi said. Joshi made remarks at a memorial meeting for Congress leader and exUnion minister S Jaipal Reddy in Hyderabad. Joshi said:“I feel there is an acute need for such a leadership today that can,based on principles, without fear, express views clearly without worrying whether PM will be pleased or angry, and argue with him.” indianexpress
"Vendetta Politics" Says Rahul Gandhi After DK Shivakumar's Arrest
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vendetta-politics-says-rahul-gandhi-after-dk-shivakumars-arrest-2095628
New Delhi: Congress's Rahul Gandhi today tweeted his support for DK Shivakumar, the party's senior leader in Karnataka who was arrested last evening in connection with a money laundering case. Enforcement Directorate, which made the arrest, has accused him of not cooperating with the investigation -- a charge under which P Chidambaram was also arrested by CBI a fortnight ago."The arrest of DK Shivakumar is another example of the vendetta politics unleashed by the Govt, using agencies like the ED/CBI & a pliant media to selectively target individuals," Mr Gandhi's tweet, issued a day after the arrest, read.The Congress has called Mr Shivakumar's arrest "vendetta politics" by the centre. In a tweet, the party has also argued that it was an attempt "to distract the public from their failed policies & the sorry state of the economy".NDTV
'Not before me': Gujarat HC judge withdraws from hearing of Sanjiv Bhatt's bail plea
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/03/not-before-me-hc-judge-withdraws-from-hearing-of-sanjiv-bhatts-bail-plea-2028431.html?fbclid=IwAR06CuJ2o7WtMbhwH2OefkVfsVT8vi3_t0ibJE3UgYM4lFcw7R1RpOe5lvQ
Ahmedabad: A Gujarat High Court judge on Tuesday withdrew himself from the hearing of a bail plea filed by sacked IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case of custodial death.Justice VB Mayani, who sat on a division bench with Justice Harsha Devani, said "not before me" when the bail application of Bhatt and Pravinsinh Zala, another convict, came up.The judge did not assign any reason for the recusal.Bhatt and Zala's appeals against conviction are pending before the same division bench. A sessions court in Jamnagar has sentenced Bhatt and Zala to life sentence for a custodial death in 1990.On Oct.30, 1990, Bhatt, then ASP of Jamnagar, detained around 150 people after a communal riot in Jamjodhpur following a 'bandh' against the halting of BJP leader LK Advani's 'rath yatra' for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya.One of those arrested, Prabhudas Vaishnani, died in a hospital after his release from police custody.PTI
Ravidas temple: Hundreds of Sikhs join protest march in Jalandhar
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ravidas-temple-row-hundreds-join-protest-march-in-jalandhar-5965903/
Hundreds of Sikhs along with Ravidas community members participated in a protest in Jalandhar against the demolition of a temple of Guru Ravidas in Delhi’s Tughlakabad area.Earlier this month, DDA had demolished the temple following a Supreme Court order. Threatening to launch an agitation, the protesters urged Govtto rebuild the temple at the original spot. They chanted ‘Mandir Wahin Banega’ as they marched through streets of the industrial town, which has sizeable Dalit population.indianexpress
Punjab: 18 dead in explosion at cracker factory
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-blast-cracker-factory-batala-live-updates-5966057/
New Delhi :At least 18 people were killed in a blast at a cracker factory in Punjab’s Batala on Wednesday. Expressing grief over the loss of lives, CM Amarinder Singh said rescue operations are underway.“Deeply anguished to learn of the loss of life due to the blast in the firecracker factory in Batala. Rescue operations are underway with the DC & SSP heading the relief efforts,” tweeted Singh.The incident took place around 4 pm at the factory located in a residential area, PTI quoted IG (Border Range) SPS Parmar.indianexpress
2 months after ‘graveyard’ dispute, SCs lose their jobs
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/two-months-after-graveyard-dispute-scs-lose-their-jobs/article29326487.ece?homepage=true
Madurai: 2 months after members of a Scheduled Caste community were disallowed by caste Hindus from using a common graveyard in P. Subbulapuram village in Peraiyur taluk in Madurai, leading to the filing of a police complaint, former continue to be targeted in a systematic manner.During a visit to the village on Tuesday, The Hindu found that the land leased out to members of the SC community for cultivation had been taken back by the caste Hindus. The SC community alleged that they had been disallowed from working in farmlands owned by caste Hindus as daily wagers.A. Nataraj, who used to work in the farmlands, said he used to earn ₹300 per day, and the women, ₹120. thehindu
Substandard mid-day: Week before roti-salt video, Mirzapur kids were served rice-salt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/substandard-mid-day-meal-week-before-roti-salt-video-mirzapur-kids-were-served-rice-salt-5963628/
Seur: A week before Pawan Jaiswal, a correspondent of Jansandesh Times in UP’s Mirzapur district, recorded a video of a Govt primary school serving only roti and salt under the midday meal scheme, the same school had served students a meal of only rice and salt.On Tuesday, 2 days after UP Govt booked Jaiswal along with 2 others, including Seur village pradhan pratinidhi (representative of the village head) on charges of criminal conspiracy and fraud for recording the video, a cook at Seur Govt primary school and students studying there said that this was not first time meagre meals were served. Rukmani Devi (40), whose daughter is a student at the school, said, “Rice and salt was served around a week before the journalist came and shot the video. That day, I told the headmaster in charge Murari Lal about the lack of supplies and that rice and salt is being served. He told me to shut up and said nobody will believe children if they say rice and salt was served.” Rukmani is also one of 2 cooks for the midday meal scheme at the school. Murari Lal denied the allegation. Another local resident, Kailash said his daughter, who also studies in the same school, told him what she ate at school every day. FIR charged Jaiswal and Rajkumar Pal with criminal conspiracy for making the video and “maligning the image of state govt”.indianexpress
Kerala: Protest against AIR producer over anti-Muslim FB posts
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/protest-against-air-producer-over-anti-muslim-fb-posts/articleshow/70970116.cms
Kozhikode: Protests and complaints have come up against K R Indira, writer and programme producer at All India Radio, for her anti-Muslim Facebook posts. Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) state general secretary Banas T has submitted a complaint against her to state police chief Loknath Behara and cyber cell. "In her Facebook post, Indira said the people of Assam, who lost their citizenship after the final draft of NRC was published, should be housed in refugee camps and sterilised," Banas said in his complaint. It said Indira also commented that Muslim women are breeding like pigs and they should be sterilised by adding birth control medicine in pipes that supply drinking water. The comments will endanger the peaceful co-existence between communities besides creating hatred in society against Muslims, it said. In another complaint submitted to Wayanad district police chief, Supreme Court lawyer Sreejit Perumana has sought necessary police action as the posts amount to criminal offence. "The office of the state police chief had directed me to file a complaint with Wayanad police and cyber cell," Sreejith said. Meanwhile, a group of activists and writers has demanded Indira's expulsion from All India Radio and stringent legal action against her. TOI
Police FIR against AIR producer in Kerala for inflammatory post on Facebook
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-fir-against-air-producer-in-kerala-for-inflammatory-post-on-facebook-5965871/
Muslims invite Hindus to mosques in Nagpur to counter social media messages
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/article-370-kashmir-muslims-invite-hindus-mosques-nagpur-counter-social-media-messages-5963596/
Nagpur:Upset over a social media post alleging that after Article 370 was scrapped large quantities of arms were recovered from several mosques in the Kashmir Valley, the Muslim community here has invited Hindus to visit mosques in a bid to counter messages trying to create a rift between the communities.The message was posted by a city-based lawyer in a WhatsApp group.Farhat Baig, a member of group, decided to invite Hindu community to city’s Chhoti Masjid on Sept.5.indianexpress
WORLD
After Brexit vote defeat, UK PM challenges rival to vote for early elections on Oct 15
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/after-brexit-vote-defeat-boris-johnson-challenges-rival-to-vote-for-early-elections-on-october-15-5965653/
Challenging his Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn to vote for an early election on Oct.15, United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson today claimed it was a Labour-led plan to try and prevent a no-deal Brexit a ‘surrender bill’. He also said that the Rebel Bill is the only thing that stands in the way of Brexit on Oct.31.“We are making substantial progress on Brexit. This Govt will take this country out of the European Union on Oct.31st, and there is only one thing that stands in our way, it is the ‘surrender bill’ currently being proposed by the leader of the opposition (Corbyn),”Johnson told Parliament.In a heated parliamentary debate, Johnson said that if Corbyn voted in favour of a draft law against the govt’s Brexit strategy then he should also support an election to “allow the people of this country to have their view”. He added that the rebel bill is likely to lead to “more dither and delay”.
UN: Over 1,000 civilians killed in Syria over 4 months
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/1000-civilians-killed-syria-4-months-190904094645974.html
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet says her office has tallied over 1,000 civilian deaths in northern Syria over the last 4 months, the majority of them due to air strikes and ground attacks by President Bashar al-Assad's forces and their allies.Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva today that 1,089 civilians were killed in the war-battered country between April 29 and Aug.29, including 304 children.She said nearly all, 1,031 of the deaths, were reportedly attributable to Govt forces and their allies in Idlib and Hama provinces. Another 58 were caused by "non-state actors," she said.aljazeera
Half of Idlib's kids may miss school as battles rage
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/syria-idlib-children-school-battles-rage-190902150153694.html
More than half the children living in Syria's besieged Idlib province will probably be unable to attend school this year as fighting between rebel groups and Syrian forces destroyed hundreds of learning facilities, according to a new report released today.Aid group Save the Children found 87 education facilities were destroyed and hundreds damaged during months of fighting. The schools that remain open are under constant threat of air attacks and shelling. "Teachers are telling us that parents are pleading with them to shut schools for fear of them being attacked," Sonia Khush, Save the Children's Syria country director, said in a statement. "How can the international community stand by." aljazeera
Israel claims to uncover Hezbollah missile plant
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/israel-claims-uncover-hezbollah-missile-plant-lebanon-190904063634550.html
Israel has accused Hezbollah of building a precision-missile factory in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, just days after a cross-border flare-up between two foes.In a statement accompanied by satellite images, Israeli military said that Hezbollah, with Iranian assistance, had brought specialised equipment to a weapons factory near the village of al-Nabi Shaith, in the Bekaa Valley, with the intention to set up a production line for precision-guided missiles."IDF is exposing a facility belonging to Hezbollah ... designed to convert and manufacture precision-guided missiles," the statement said.aljazeera
Hong Kong withdraws China extradition bill as Beijing bows to protesters after demonstrations
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/hong-kong-extradition-bill-china-carrie-lam-protests-latest-a9090966.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3bYPHDsTnENiZq2HP_mRM-zns6u5ZdFoiKfcx5uYOhC0OS_ncpGQ3KBNA#Echobox=1567578534
Hong Kong’s chief executive has announced the formal withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill that sparked weeks of unrest, finally meeting a key demand of the protest movement.In a pre-recorded video message, Carrie Lam said the government was scrapping the bill “in order to fully allay public concerns”. She had met pro-Beijing politicians earlier on Wednesday to inform them of her decision.It prompted a surge in Hong Kong stocks. As well as the commitment to withdraw the bill the next time the city’s legislative council meets, Ms Lam also promised to start meeting citizens and protest leaders so that they could “air their grievances”. The government had previously said it would only engage in dialogue once the situation had “calmed down”.The Independent
China has grabbed more land than East India Company had ever done: Ex-Maldives President
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/china-has-grabbed-more-land-than-east-india-company-had-ever-done-ex-maldives-president/
Drawing parallels between the erstwhile East India Company and China, ex Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed said Beijing has grabbed more land than the East India Company had ever done. “In the last few years, without a single shot being fired, China has grabbed more land than the East India company had ever done. If I were to take this contract to commercial arbitration, it will be same as somebody in Kolkata taking East India company to arbitration,” Nasheed was quoted as saying by ANI.In his address to the Indian Ocean Conference in Male, in which India is also a participating country, Nasheed said that during the last 5 years, a large amount of commercial money had come to the Maldives, they have been invested or spent on inflated projects and most of these projects are funded by China’s Exim bank. indianexpress
‘Pakistan is the most dangerous of all countries I dealt with,’ says former US defence secretary Mattis
https://scroll.in/latest/936220/pakistan-is-the-most-dangerous-of-all-countries-i-dealt-with-says-former-us-defence-secretary
Former US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said in a book that he considers Pakistan “the most dangerous” of all countries he dealt with in his career. Mattis made the remark in his latest book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead, HT reported. “Of all the countries I’ve dealt with, I consider Pakistan to be the most dangerous, because of the radicalization of its society and the availability of nuclear weapons,” Mattis wrote in the autobiography, which was released on Tuesday.scroll.in
Flash: NEWS,views,Articles
Centre did not renew President’s rule in J&K in time. It is a gaffe that has had dire consequences: SC lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jk-special-status-presidents-rule-article-356-on-a-shaky-foundation/?fbclid=IwAR2iDWfyyJT4mcmQN3DCcqlyax-MWVskm5nkfM55YlMxIzO5CcbCwTQ5ywc
NRC cannot be the definitive document to prove citizenship: Mitra Phukan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/assam-nrc-exclusion-identity-issue-5963163/
Govt's red carpet for foreign capital is unreliable in long run: Binoy Viswam
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-budget-2019-20-5963162/
No Resolution in Sight, Kashmir's Problems Are Being Increasingly Made Invisible:Badri Raina
https://thewire.in/rights/no-resolution-in-sight-kashmirs-problems-are-being-increasingly-made-invisible
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq,(Released at: 7:02 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment