NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
16 OCT. 2019: 16 Safar 1441: Vol: 12, No: 38
INDIA : Babri Masjid land case
Hearing concludes: SC reserves verdict, asks all parties to submit written note within 3 days; closed door meeting likely tomorrow on mediation report
https://www.firstpost.com/india/ayodhya-ram-mandir-babri-masjid-land-dispute-case-hearing-in-supreme-court-today-latest-news-and-updates-supreme-court-reserves-judgment-order-in-ayodhya-case-sunni-waqf-board-cji-gogoi-7506141.html
Supreme Court today reserved the judgment in the Ayodhya land dispute case, concluding 40-day-long marathon hearing. A written note is to be submitted in the next 3 days. Supreme Court has finished hearing all arguments in the Ayodhya case one hour before the set deadline. According to latest reports, the SC bench hearing the case will sit in chambers tomorrow and a closed door proceeding is likely on the cards to discuss the mediation panel report. News18 reports the bench will take a call on the way forward in the case. Questioning the Hindu parties' claim, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who is appearing for the Muslim side, said, how can the Hindu side make claims from an illegal act, since they are relying upon all illegal acts, including 1855. He said that the Hindu side relies upon statements made by people in year 2000. "Even if we assume that you had title, what do we say? That then over time we have title by adverse possession," he says. In response to the claim that Waqf Board has no right since there was no Mutawalli, Dhavan submits that Uttar Pradesh Muslim Waqfs Act is the operative act and it stated that the board has the right to take steps to get back the Waqf's properties. Reading parts of a document relied upon in Suit 4 which has been objected to by CS Vaidyanathan claiming that there is contradiction in translation, Dhavan said that what Jilani had placed before Allahabad High Court was a transliteration from Persian introduced by Justice Agarwal.He further argues that Mishra's arguments are not based on knowledge of land revenue, to which Mishra interjects saying his books on land revenue have been used as references for PhDs. Dhavan questions how can the Hindu side make claims from an illegal act, since they are relying upon all illegal acts, including 1855. He said that the Hindu side relies upon statements made by people in year 2000. "Even if we assume that you had title, what do we say? That then over time we have title by adverse possession," he says.Mentioning that the Sultanate was established in 1200s, Dhavan says that Babur was a conquered and that when Islam came to India, it was a very attractive religion in terms of equality. "My plea is not a plea of title alone. It is of Waqf. My plea is not adverse possession, it is an alternative plea," Dhavan says.Addressing the submission by Ranjit Kumar that Gopal Singh Visharad's legal heirs were not substituted in Suit 4, Dhavan submits that there was no such obligation. He submits that the son of a litigant cannot claim to have succession in a suit filed for rights of worship. Referring to the 1992 demolition of the mosque, Dhavan submits, "The building that was destroyed was of Muslims. The right of its reconstruction, its restoration can only be with the Muslims."He ends his submissions with "Saare jahan se acha hindustan humara, hum bulbule hain iski, ye gulsitan humara. Hindi hain hum, watan hai hindustan humara. This is the spirit of our Constitution,my lords." firstpost
SC likely to pronounce verdict between 4-17 Nov
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/71616539.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Waqf board dismisses reports of withdrawing appeal
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sunni-waqf-board-dismisses-reports-of-withdrawing-ayodhya-appeal/articleshow/71617495.cms
UP Sunni Central Waqf Board today dismissed reports that it had agreed to withdraw its appeal in the Ayodhya case. Chairperson of Board, Zufar Farooqi, responding exclusively to TOI, said there was “no truth” in the reports which had suddenly started doing the rounds since early Wednesday morning, even as the apex court continued to hear the closing statements in the case.TOI
Waqf Board will drop Babri Land claim if other mosques are guaranteed protection
https://thewire.in/law/breaking-sunni-waqf-board-files-for-settlement-drops-claim-to-babri-masjid-land
The primary Muslim litigant in the title dispute case has informed the Supreme Court that it is willing to drop its appeals in the matter – and its claims to the land on which the historic Babri Masjid stood for centuries before it was demolished by Hindutva activists and leaders in 1992 – provided the Centre is willing to guarantee that all other places of worship in India will be protected from similar encroachment.“Settlement has been filed. I cannot say more now,” a source familiar with the proceedings said today morning.The court, however, continued with its hearings, and at the end of the day’s proceedings said it was reserving its judgment.The surprise development came on the last day of the hearings scheduled by the five judge-constitution bench of the SC. According to informed sources, Sunni Waqf Board and some but not all of the Hindu litigants have signed the settlement proposal, which has been submitted via 3-member mediation panel that the court had set up earlier this year.Significantly, VHP-backed Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas has not accepted the terms of the settlement. Besides firm safeguards for all other mosques in India, settlement envisages the renovation of 22 existing mosques in Ayodhya, permission to build another mosque in lieu of the Babri masjid at some other location, and the possibility of worship in a number of historic mosques which are currently under the care of Archaeological Survey of India. The Wire
Dhavan explains why he tore Mahasabha’s maps inside SC, says ‘Islam is extremely attractive faith for people in a caste-ridden society’
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/rajeev-dhavan-explains-why-he-tore-hindu-mahasabhas-maps-inside-supreme-court-says-islam-is-extremely-attractive-faith-for-people-in-a-caste-ridden-society/269543/
Senior Supreme Court advocate Rajeev Dhavan has defended his decision to tear the documents and maps submitted by Hindu Mahasabha saying that CJI Ranjan Gogoi had allowed him to do so. Dhavan said that he ‘wanted to throw the pages away’ but CJI told him that he could tear them. “And I tore them, so I’d say it was with the permission of court,” Dhavan said.CJI agreed with him stating that he indeed had allowed Dhavan to tear the pages.To which Justice SA Nazeer commented, “It’s widely reported.” Dhavan, who is representing Muslim petitioners, said that the Babri Masjid should be restored at the site where it stood before its demolition on 6 Dec.1992. Dhavan also said that Islam was ‘an extremely attractive faith for people living in a caste-ridden society.’jantakareporter
NBSA issues advisory regarding Ayodhya matter
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/nbsa-issues-advisory-regarding-ayodhya-matter/articleshow/71614402.cms
News Broadcasters Standard Authority (NBSA) has issued an advisory for coverage of Babri Masjid case. NBSA has advised to not speculate court proceedings, ascertain facts of hearing, not use mosque demolition footage, not broadcast NSE-1.61% any celebrations and ensure that no extreme views are aired in debates.ANI
Ayodhya mediation panel files settlement doc in SC
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ayodhya-mediation-panel-files-settlement-document-in-supreme-court/article29698305.ece?homepage=true
Ayodhya mediation committee today filed a settlement document in the Supreme Court. A source said the settlement reached in talks have been filed in the court. The filing of the settlement coincides with the last day of hearing by the Ayodhya Bench. Details of the settlement are confidential and not known. thehindu
How Babri Masjid Action Committee was born
https://www.news18.com/news/india/rs-2000-from-islamic-scholar-a-meeting-in-lucknow-byway-how-babri-masjid-action-committee-was-born-2347423.html
Ram Temple Construction Will Begin From Dec.6: Sakshi Maharaj
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-mp-sakshi-maharaj-says-ram-temple-construction-will-begin-from-december-6-2117695
On the last day of the hearing in Babri Masjid land dispute in the Supreme Court, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj has announced that Ram temple construction will begin in Ayodhya from Dec.6.Incidentally, Dec.6 was the date when Babri mosque was demolished in 1992. "It is logical that temple construction should begin on the date when the structure was demolished," Sakshi said.IANS
Weeks before Ram Temple final verdict, RSS meet
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/weeks-before-ram-temple-final-verdict-rss-meet-in-haridwar
As the Babri Masjid dispute hearing draws to a close, the RSS focuses on -- what's next? The ideological mentor of the RSS has called a meeting in Haridwar to primarily discuss on this and much more, staring Oct 31.The high-level meeting is not just any meeting. This takes place once in every 5 years. Though the Sangh has not said in clear terms, but sources say Ram Mandir will be the top agenda when Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat meets his top ranking deputies including Bhaiyaji Joshi, Dattatreya Hosebole and Krishna Gopal.The importance of the meeting can be gauged from the presence of all the pracharaks of all organisations affiliated to the Sangh till Nov.4. A source said, passing a resolution on Ram Mandir cannot be dismissed as well.IANS
INDIAN ECONOMY
India slips to 102nd place on Global Hunger Index, Pak, Nepal, Bangla, Lanka far better at feeding their citizens
https://www.news18.com/news/india/india-slips-to-102nd-place-on-global-hunger-index-pakistan-nepal-far-better-at-feeding-their-citizens-2347547.html
India has been classified as a country with ‘serious’ levels of hunger according to this year’s Global Hunger Index (GHI), slipping from 95th rank in 2010 to 102nd in 2019. The country with the severest problem of hunger at rank 117 is Central African Republic.GHI calculates levels of hunger and undernutrition worldwide. 4 indicators for the index are undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting (weight for age) and child mortality. The annual report says among 117 countries ranked, 47 countries are in ‘serious’ and ‘alarming’ hunger levels and one in ‘critically alarming’. India’s dismal performance on hunger is directly linked to the high levels of child undernourishment. Neighbouring countries like Nepal (73rd), Sri Lanka (66th), Bangladesh (88th), Myanmar (69th) and Pakistan (94th), although all in the ‘serious’ hunger category are better at feeding its citizens than India, according to this index. China (25th) has moved to a ‘low’ severity category and Sri Lanka is in the ‘moderate’ 70.Another shocking statistic is, when it comes to infants aged six months to 23 months, only 9.6 percent of them in India are fed a "minimum acceptable diet". This means that less than 10 percent of the infants in India are properly fed.The child wasting rate in India stands at 20.8 percent which, according to the index, is the highest wasting rate of any country studied for GHI report. The child stunting rate, at 37.9% , has also been termed as very high.The report also mentions the central govt’s Swachh Bharat program, saying open defecation is being practiced despite the construction of new toilets and it highly jeopardises the population’s and children’s health. “Even with new latrine construction, however, open defecation is still practiced. This situation jeopardises the population’s health and consequently, children’s growth and development as their ability to absorb nutrients is compromised,” report reads.news18
India’s Global Hunger Index score shows a serious problem when it comes to children
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/india-hunger-index-world-food-day_in_5da6af6be4b02253a2fa6f84
‘Under stress’, 3 PMC Bank depositors die within 24 hours
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/under-stress-three-pmc-bank-depositors-die-within-24-hours-6070996/?fbclid=IwAR19Qde2080aA1y_0LyHdUThS7gaBOQgYonPZEspOqeFc2Ykz6w6Sf1YkIs
Over 3 weeks after the RBI moved against PMC Bank for various irregularities, and imposed a curb on withdrawals, 3 of the cooperative bank’s account-holders, including a 51-year-old who had lost his job with the defunct Jet Airways in April, died over the last 24 hours in Mumbai.2 of the deaths have been attributed to heart attacks with families and friends claiming that they were under “severe stress”. 3rd death was that of a 39-year-old doctor, who was “suffering from depression” and committed suicide, police said. Former Jet Airways senior technician Sanjay Gulati died after having a meal at his home in Oshiwara Monday night while Fattomal Punjabi (59) collapsed around Tuesday noon at his electronics shop in Mulund’s Sindhi Colony.indianexpress
India's fuel demand dips to lowest in over 2 years
https://thewire.in/economy/india-fuel-demand-lowest-in-two-years
India’s fuel demand slipped to its lowest in over two years in Sept.2018 after a fall in diesel and industrial fuel consumption negated the rise in petrol and LPG sales. Consumption of petroleum products in September dropped to 16.01 million tonnes, its lowest since July 2017, from 16.06 million tonnes in same month last year, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).Diesel, the most used fuel in the country, saw demand drop by 3.2% to 5.8 million tonnes, while naphtha sales were down by a quarter to 844,000 tonnes.PTI
Sitharaman blames Manmohan, Raghuram for high NPAs of PSU banks, says banks had worst phase under UPA rule
https://www.newsx.com/business/nirmala-sitharaman-blames-manmohan-singh-raghuram-rajan-for-high-npas-of-psu-banks-says-banks-had-worst-phase-under-upa-rule.html
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today hit out at former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan by holding them responsible for bad loans in state-run banks. She blamed Manmohan Singh and Rajan for putting public sector banks at the worst phase. Addressing at the Columbia University, Sitharaman alleged that the combination of Singh and Rajan responsible for issuing a massive amount of loans in PSUs during the UPA rule.The recent attack comes just after Rajan blamed Modi-led government of vision for framing new policies to keep the economy intact. He had also said BJP government failed to achieve economic growth.Sitharaman has been witnessing severe criticism over the economic slowdown in the country. Since taking over as the Finance portfolio, she has announced several policies to boost the economy. Recently, she announced the corporate tax cut on companies who have a turnover up to Rs 400 crore to 25 percent. Sitharaman also announced Rs 1.45 lakh crore fiscal stimulus by slashing corporate tax to 22 percent which was earlier 30 percent.newsx
J&K ISSUE & SOUTH asia
Produce orders related to shutdown and detentions of leaders in Kashmir: SC to Centre
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/produce-orders-shutdown-detentions-kashmir-sc-centre-article-370-restrictions-tushar-mehtra-anuradha-bhasin-6072179/
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to produce orders concerning the shutdown and detentions in Jammu and Kashmir, reported Bar and Bench. 3-Judge Bench of Justices NV Ramana with R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai was hearing a petition filed by Kashmir Times Editor Anuradha Bhasin challenging the restrictions placed on media and communications in the Valley. The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that why the orders concerning the imposition of restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir were not placed on record.“Is it done purposefully?” the Court asked. Mehta argued that the petition by Bhasin originally prayed only for the lifting of the curbs in the region. “The situation on the ground is changing gradually. The petitioner has now expanded the scope of the prayer to seek production of the orders also,” he argued. Advocate Vrinda Grover, arguing for Kashmir Times editor, objected to this submission to say that the petition seeks production of these orders as the first point of prayer so that the validity of the decisions can be examined. The court acknowledged and agreed with Grover’s submission on this. Solicitor General Mehta, however, said, “We will place on record these orders but nobody can seek an appeal on executive orders concerning the national security, especially not the petitioners.” The bench then said that if the Centre wished to not divulge reasons for not placing any order on record, an affidavit detailing the reasons is to be filed. The court will hear the matter next on Oct.25.indianexpress
J&K: Militants kill migrant labourer from Chhattisgarh in Pulwama; 2nd such attack on non-locals in 2 days
https://www.firstpost.com/india/militants-kill-non-local-worker-from-chhattisgarh-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-pulwama-incident-occurs-two-days-after-mobile-services-resumed-in-valley-7507551.html
A migrant worker from Chhattisgarh was shot dead by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday, barely 2 days after another non-local was murdered in the Valley by unknown miscreants in broad daylight. The police refrained from revealing the name of the victim, who was a brick kiln worker, CNN-News18 reported. The victim had apparently stayed put at his job due to financial constraints, even after the government had appealed to all non-locals to exit the Valley before it struck down the semi-autonomous status of the state.This is the second such incident reported from the Valley after the government announced the revival of some of the communication channels. On Monday, a driver of an apple truck was killed and an orchard owner was assaulted in Sindhu Shirmal village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, apparently in an attempt to dissuade people from resuming trade activities and normal life. Truck driver hailed from Rajasthan.firstpost
‘ Pak to remain in grey list till Feb 2020 in FATF’; Pakistan Govt rejects reports
https://www.news18.com/news/world/pakistan-to-remain-in-grey-list-till-feb-2020-as-fatf-asks-country-to-step-up-effort-to-end-terror-financing-reports-2348103.html
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided, in principle, to keep Pakistan in its Grey List till Feb.2020, directing Islamabad to take extra measures for complete elimination of terror financing and money laundering, according to media reports today.In a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, FATF reviewed the measures that Pakistan has already taken to control money laundering and terror financing, reported Dawn News.The Paris-based task force has urged Pakistan to take extra measures for complete elimination of terror financing, it quoted Aaj TV. FATF will take a final decision on Pakistan's position in Feb. 2020. A formal announcement about the interim developments will be made on Friday, which is the last day of FATF's ongoing session, the report said.However, Pakistan's Finance Ministry spokesperson Omar Hameed Khan rejected the reports of the country remaining in the Grey List, saying "it is not true and nothing before Oct.18 (can be confirmed)". The FATF has decided to give respite of four months to Pakistan to help her implement remaining recommendations of the task force, Aaj TV reported. If Pakistan continues in the 'Grey List', it would be very difficult for the country to get financial aid from IMF, World Bank and EU.news18
India will replace Malaysian palm oil imports, says trade body after Mahathir said India 'invaded Kashmir'
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-will-replace-malaysian-palm-oil-imports-says-trade-body/story-5mAQqYeHKEjlJx1vwbVIBJ.html
India, the world’s top palm oil buyer, is shunning purchases from Malaysia after the Southeast Asian nation’s prime minister criticized its policy in Kashmir, sparking the latest trade spat in the region.Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last month told UN that India “invaded and occupied” Kashmir. Since then, many Indian buyers of palm oil have started shifting to Indonesian supplies amid concern that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will curb purchases of the vegetable oil from Malaysia.“India will replace Malaysian palm oil imports by buying more from Indonesia and increasing edible oil supplies from Ukraine,” said Bipul Chatterjee, who heads CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics and Environment in Jaipur, India. “It’s the first time ever that India has used its heft as a trade partner to express unhappiness about a political statement.” The spat is the latest regional diplomatic dispute to impact trade flows. “China and US often use trade ties as a means of power,” Chatterjee said. “It seems India has also entered the game where trade is not just trade, it is also a weapon.”“This is a reaction from traders so we cannot react to their personal decision,” Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today, referring to Indian buyers avoiding Malaysian palm oil. “If the government launched a boycott or something like that, then we will have to work diplomatically perhaps to reduce the kind of action that they have taken.”Malaysia will seek a diplomatic solution if India restricts imports of some products, Mahathir added. Bloomberg
JK Police arrest Hyat Ahmad Bhat
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/jk-police-arrest-hyat-ahmad-bhat-the-brain-behind-soura-unrest
Jammu and Kashmir Police today arrested Hyat Ahmad Bhat, who is believed to be the brain behind the unrest in Soura on the outskirts of the city immediately after the Centre withdrew the state's special status. Terming it an important development, the police said a swift operation was launched by a team led by a deputy superintendent of police in the Anchar area on the outskirts of the city to nab Bhat.After being nabbed, he was interrogated as he is alleged to be the brain behind the violent protest in the area, which has remained out of bounds for security forces since August 5.The police alleged that Bhat was "instrumental" in mobilising miscreants in and around Jenab Sahib Soura on Srinagar-Leh highway.PTI
‘Azadi’, ‘Burhan Wani’ written on apples from Kashmir; fruit sellers threaten boycott
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/azadi-burhan-wani-written-on-apples-from-kashmir-fruit-sellers-threaten-boycott
Kashmir apples with messages like 'We want freedom', 'I luv Burhan Wani' and 'Zakir Musa come back' written on them were found in boxes bought by fruit sellers in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, prompting police to probe the matter. The fruit sellers on Wednesday threatened to boycott apples from Kashmir if the government fails to take action.The fruit sellers opened the apple boxes purchased from the wholesale market here only to find the messages written on the apples with black marker.Led by president of Kathua wholesale market Rohit Gupta, fruit sellers here held protests and raised anti-Pakistan and anti-terrorist slogans.PTI
Kashmiri students announce boycott of annual Sir Syed celebrations in AMU over situation in J&K
https://www.news18.com/news/india/kashmiri-students-announce-boycott-of-annual-sir-syed-celebrations-in-amu-over-situation-in-jk-2348415.html
Kashmiri students in AMU today said they will boycott the annual Sir Syed day celebrations, including a traditional dinner tomorrow, to express their anguish over the situation in the valley following the revocation of the state's special status.There are about 1,300 Kashmiri students studying in AMU currently. Talking to reporters here,Sajad Rathar, a Kashmiri student leader and former vice president of AMU students' union, said, "When the rest of world is celebrating the 202nd birth anniversary of Sir Syed, we are living in pain."news18
EDUCATION & INSTITUTIONS
UP Headmaster Suspended After VHP Complains of Iqbal's Iconic Song Sung in Assembly
https://thewire.in/communalism/up-headmaster-suspended-after-vhp-complains-of-urdu-song-sung-in-assembly
A headmaster of a government primary school in Uttar Pradesh has been suspended after VHP workers complained that he was making students recite a “religious prayer,”reported Indian Express.The “prayer” in question is the iconic Urdu poem Lab pe aati hai gua, also known as Bachche ki dua, which was written in 1902 by Muhammad Iqbal, who also wrote Saare jahaan se achchha. The poem is frequently sung in schools across India and deals with the subject of god guiding one from darkness to light.VHP workers’ complaint against the Pilibhit headmaster Furqan Ali, led to a full blown inquiry by the Bilaspur block education officer Upendra Kumar, who found that the former was making students sing it in the morning assembly.The fact that the song is written by a Muslim poet and uses the word “dua” – the Urdu word for supplication – and ‘rabb’ and ‘Allah’ for god might have contributed to VHP’s and the administrations anxiety over it.Though Pilibhit DM Vaibhav Srivastava said that the headmaster had been suspended “because he was not getting the national anthem sung,” both BEO Kumar and Bisalpur’s basic shiksha adhikari Devendra Swarup refuted his claim. They said that not only was national anthem regularly sung at the school, the complaint was solely that ‘a song sung in madrasas’ was being sung at the school. The headmaster has said that students frequently sing patriotic slogans like Bharat mata ki jai in assembly too. Ironically, poem in dispute is a part of govt prescribed Urdu syllabus and contains verses on contributing to the homeland.Although this incident took place in a government school, the saffron rightwing has long since had its eye on madrasas, with plans afoot to severely regulate their curriculum. Despite the wide prevalence of religious celebrations of other faiths in a government school student’s curriculum, there has been a growing attempt to sideline even vaguely Muslim religious practice in under the current dispensation. thewire
VHP complains about school poem by Iqbal, Pilibhit headmaster suspended
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vhp-complains-about-school-poem-headmaster-suspended-6070860/
Muslim elite 'promote' English, regional languages: Just 0.8% enroll in Urdu schools
https://www.counterview.net/2019/10/muslim-elite-promote-english-regional.html
A new report, “A New Agenda For Education Of Indian Muslims in 21st Century”, claiming to be independent and non-sponsored, has said that the ascendancy of regional languages and English, both in education and in general use, has seen a corresponding decline of Urdu, which is particularly sharp among school-going Muslim children. Pointing out that the number of people declaring Urdu as their first language has declined in 2011 to only 4.2% of Indian population, suggesting that only about 30% of Muslims declared Urdu as their first language, the report, authored by Dr John Kurrien, says that even Maharasthra, which has the largest proportion of students studying in Urdu medium schools, only 6.7% get enrolled in Urdu medium sections.Pointing out that even 6.7% figure is misleading, the report says, “Less than 2% of all students were enrolled in ‘complete’ Urdu medium schools, i.e. those that had all the sections/ stages from primary to higher secondary”, adding, “The proportion of Urdu enrollment in other incomplete 38 schools which had only secondary or higher secondary sections or both, was also very limited, ranging from 1.1% to 5.6%. Enrolment in Urdu medium schools for the country as a whole is far worse, says the report, noting, “While the total proportion of students in Urdu medium sections is 2%, only 0.8% of all Indian students are enrolled in Urdu medium schools which have all four schools stages/sections from primary to higher secondary.” In Karnataka, the report further quotes a Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) study of 55 madrasas, stating, about 50% of the madrasas offered Kannada as a subject, pointing out, “Many madrasa students immersed in religious instruction in Arabic and Urdu would find it far more difficult than regular students to cope with academic requirements when they transition to mainstream educational institutions.”counterview
Where Is Najeeb? Massive protest held on 3rd anniversary of his mysterious disappearance
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/where-is-najeeb-massive-protest-held-in-delhi-on-3rd-anniversary-of-his-mysterious-disappearance-from-jnu?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi:This evening 3 years ago, a 22-year-old first-year postgraduate student had a scuffle with a group of students in his room at a hostel in Delhi’s premier JNU. He made frantic calls to his mother at home in Badaun district. She reached JNU next morning but only to find his belongings in his room and one of his slippers on the stairs of the hostel. Her son Najeeb Ahmed was not there. Najeeb remains untraced, dead or alive, till date. On 3rd anniversary of his mysterious disappearance today, a huge protest demonstration was held near Parliament House in Delhi and in several other cities across the country. Besides hundreds of students from various colleges and universities in Delhi, including JNU, Delhi University, Jamia Millia and AMU,eminent persons, including celebrated writer Arundhati Roy, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Prof Apoorvanand and Lok Sabha MP Kunwar Danish Ali were present at the protest demonstration. They also addressed the gathering.More importantly, 3 women were on the stage on whose joint call this event was organized. They were Fatima Nafees, mother of Najeeb, Shaista Parween, widow of mob-lynching victim Tabrez Ansari, and Kavita Lankesh, sister of slain journalist Gauri Lankesh. Rajani Singh, widow of slain inspector of Bulandshahr Subodh Kumar Singh, was also scheduled to be among them but she could not make it to the event.“We are here to commemorate 3rd anniversary of Najeeb’s disappearance.It is the bad luck of India that we are holding such anniversary on several occasions. One anniversary is on the disappearance of Najeeb which we have been observing for the last 3 years. Another is for Tabrez Ansari, Subodh Kumar Singh and Gauri Lankesh. Why are we holding such anniversaries? What is its need and what is the compulsion? There is only one reason behind this. In none of these cases, the government and probe agencies have any interest in ensuring justice to the victim families,” said Prof. Apoorvanand while addressing the massive gathering. Many youth leaders and rights activists including Nadeem Khan, Umar Khalid and Wali Rahmani, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan also spoke on the occasion. India Tomorrow
AMU students hold peaceful protest seeking justice for Najeeb
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/amu-students-hold-peaceful-protest-seeking-justice-for-najeeb/articleshow/71603169.cms
Aligarh: A group of students of AMU and members of Student Islamic Organisation (SIO), staged a peaceful protest in the campus on Tuesday to demand justice for JNU student Najeeb. Over 1,000 shirt tags, reading “Let us not forget #WhereisNajeeb” and “I am Najeeb. Three years of forceful disappearance”, were distributed in campus with a request for students to wear them for a day. SIO secretary Talha Mannan said this was a message to the government and saffron outfits that “we” are not scared, and will continue to fight fascism just like Najeeb. SIO president Obaidur Rehman Naufal said Najeeb’s disappearance was not just an accident, but a planned conspiracy to create a fear among minority community students. “Our organisation always stands against such issues and will fight such forces,” said Naufal. Addressing the peaceful protesters, Naufal said the main reason behind Najeeb’s disappearance was that he belonged to the minority community and was studying in a prestigious higher educational institute. “If we really want to express our anger, then every person of the community should obtain higher education,” he said, adding this will defeat the purpose of those who don’t want them to get educated.TOI
NCERT to revise 14-years-old curriculum framework, set up committee by month-end
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/ncert-to-revise-14-years-old-curriculum-framework-set-up-committee-by-month-end-6072151/
NCERT is planning to review 14-year-old National Curriculum Framework (NCF) in accordance with a new national education policy (NEP) and set up a committee for the purpose.According to NCERT Director Hrushikesh Senapaty, the council is going to announce a committee by the end of this month which will revisit the NCF to bring it on lines of the new education policy. NCF has been revised four times so far – in 1975, 1988, 2000 and 2005. The new proposed revision will be the fifth of the framework.“We are just waiting for the new education policy to be finalised and a committee for reviewing NCF will be announced by month-end. The committee, however, will keep NEP as the base of revision. Ultimately the textbooks will be revised as per the new framework,” Senapaty told PTI.“It has been over 14 years since the last framework was revised. We did review the textbooks in last 2 years but once the new education policy is in place, the curriculum framework will need thorough revision,” he said.The council is also undertaking a survey in 6 blocks to analyse the quality of primary education available and the areas that need change.“The blocks that have been identified for the preliminary survey are in Shillong, Mysore, Rajasthan, Bhopaland Orissa. A team of NCERT officials is visiting each of the block and conducting the survey. Once the finding are received, the survey will be conducted in more areas and the findings will also be reviewed for the new curriculum framework,” Senapaty said.indianexpress
Will not vacate office following eviction notice from varsity administration: JNUSU
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/will-not-vacate-office-following-eviction-notice-from-varsity-administration-jnusu/articleshow/71616785.cms
JNUSU today said it will not vacate its office following an eviction notice by university administration. Dean of Students (DoS), professor Umesh Kadam, had sent a notice to the students' union on Tuesday asking them to vacate it. JNUSU was not notified last year due to non-compliance with Lyngdoh Committee Report and the matter is sub-judice. Newly-elected union is yet to be notified, he said in the notice."To prevent misuse of property, it is decided by the Competent Authority of the University that the said room shall be locked immediately and the same may be handed over to JNUSU after notification of the same," according to the notice.PTI
OTHERS
As air quality worsens, Delhi shares NASA images of crop burning nearby
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-shares-nasa-images-of-crop-burning-nearby-as-air-quality-worsens-2117425
Delhi government shared NASA satellite images depicting "largescale stubble burning" in the national capital and its adjoining areas on Tuesday, a day when the region's overall air quality slipped to "very poor" levels.In a letter to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi Environment Minister Kailash Gehlot claimed that stubble burning in neighbouring states through Nov has "always contributed significantly to higher PM2.5 levels" in the national capital. The claim came a day after SC-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority said that local sources of pollution in Delhi, UP and Haryana are the primary reasons for poor air quality that plagues the national capital every winter.Stubble burning is a post-harvest practice aimed at clearing fields.ndtv
After Savarkar, BJP may propose Bharat Ratna for Godse: D Raja
https://indianexpress.com/elections/after-savarkar-bjp-may-propose-bharat-ratna-for-godse-d-raja-cpim-6070502/?fbclid=IwAR0fKMNh0jcGVPg4CK7qtXD1BT6-BwpPr56NY4D-h-yhAKh-CQgUmqgUKng
Mumbai :Slamming Maharashtra BJP for mooting Bharat Ratna award for V D Savarkar, CPI general secretary D Raja on Tuesday said the ruling party may even propose the honour for Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse. The election manifesto of Maharashtra BJP, released on Tuesday said the party will ask the NDA government at Centre to confer India’s highest civilian award on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar.“This is biggest irony of our times that while we are all celebrating the birth centenary of Gandhiji, the BJP is seeking Bharat Ratna to Savarkar, who was an accused in his assassination case,” Raja said.“The day may not be far off for BJP to demand Bharat Ratna to Gandhiji’s assassin Nathuram Godse. This is part of their agenda,” he said.PTI
‘PM Modi Should Focus More on Women Than Cows’: Vikuonuo Sachu, Miss Kohima
https://www.thequint.com/neon/social-buzz/modi-focus-more-on-women-than-cows-vikuonuo-sachu-miss-kohima?fbclid=IwAR3kEErsW8bwRJ7o19T15FEOZnTfR0d5m-FbrEJaqlgX4iq1F0SP2Mn4nuo
Vikuono Sachu, second runner-up of Nagaland’s Miss Kohima Contest, has been creating a buzz after her reply in question-and-answer round floored the audience. On 5 Oct., Miss Kohima 2019 contestant, Sachu, during the personal interaction round, was asked, “If PM of our country Modi invites you to chat with him, what would you say?” 18-year-old, without mincing her words replied, “If I were invited by PM, I would tell him to focus more on women instead of cows.” Her reply went viral on social media and many took to Twitter to appreciate girl for her straightforward answer.thequint
RSS shakhas growing at fastest rate since 2010, getting younger too: Vaidya
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rss-shakhas-growing-at-fastest-rate-since-2010-getting-younger-too/story-ZOOFAqds4D8179QDHgNo8I.html
Bhubaneswar: The growth of RSS has been the fastest-ever since 2010 with nearly 20,000 new shakhas (RSS camps) added over the last 9 years, a senior RSS office-bearer said on Wednesday.“Since 2010, we have added 19,584 new shakhas, the highest growth in the history of RSS. We have now over 57,000 shakhas in the country. Though it is not easy to organise a shakhas considering the paucity of time that people have, we added about 6,000 new shakhas between 2010 and 2014. This is about 1,500 new shakhas every year,” said Manmohan Vaidya joint general secretary to stress the Sangh’s growth when the BJP was out of power.HT
‘Am accused of stealing goats and hens’: Azam Khan breaks down in tears at poll rally
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/am-accused-of-stealing-goats-and-hens-azam-khan-breaks-down-in-tears-at-poll-rally/story-lyl9CsMi3VfmASa0yDK0IN.html
Rampur:Senior SP leader Azam Khan turned emotional and broke down into tears while addressing an election rally in Rampur, stating that he has been now been accused of stealing goats and hens.Khan was addressing an election rally here on Monday for upcoming by-polls.“I have been slammed with IPC 307 (attempt to murder). My self-respect proved too costly for me, my friends. Now, the accusation that I have stolen goats and hens will also remain with me!” said Khan.“O God! Why didn’t you kill me at that very moment if I had ever committed such a crime?” he rued.HT
tURKEY SYRIA OPERATION
'Turkey can never declare ceasefire in north Syria': Erdogan ahead of US delegation's visit to Ankara
https://www.firstpost.com/world/turkey-can-never-declare-ceasefire-in-north-syria-recep-tayyip-erdogan-ahead-of-us-delegations-visit-to-ankara-7505161.html
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed a US proposal to broker a ceasefire in northern Syria and said he was not worried over US sanctions, in comments published in Turkish media today.He also said Syrian army's entry into the flashpoint northern Syrian city of Manbij was not a "very negative" development for his country as long as the region is cleared of Syrian Kurdish fighters."They tell us 'to declare a ceasefire'. We can never declare a ceasefire," Erdogan told journalists on a flight back from Azerbaijan."US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel today to Ankara to press Turkey to halt its offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters,"Donald Trump said. "It is not possible for us to declare a ceasefire" until Turkey clears the "terror organisation" from its border, Erdogan said, referring to the Kurdish forces.AFP
"Cannot Keep Track" Of Donald Trump's Tweets, Says Turkey President
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/turkey-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-says-cannot-keep-track-of-us-president-donald-trumps-tweets-2117752
US trained SDF for possible Turkish operation
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-trained-sdf-for-possible-turkish-operation-report/1615248
U.S. forces trained SDF, a rebranded version of the YPG terror group, for a possible operation by Turkish forces in northeastern Syria, Foreign Policy magazine reported Tuesday. Citing a U.S. Army officer who worked with the group, the magazine said SDF was taught sophisticated battlefield tactics, including how to build a network of tunnels beneath key towns in northeast Syria as a contingency against a Turkish military campaign. The officer told Foreign Policy that the group started to work on tunnels after Turkey seized Afrin, Syria in 2018.The officer also said US troops conducted several rehearsals with SDF on how to coordinate in case of a Turkish operation as well as training to build a "defense in depth," a military strategy that seeks to cause a delay to an attacking force. Ex-US Army officer who also worked with SDF confirmed the "group built tunnels as a contingency" against Turkey, said the report.Anadolu
Putin invites Erdogan to Russia amid Syria offensive
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/vladimir-putin-invites-turkeys-recep-tayyip-erdogan-for-working-visit-amid-syria-offensive-says-krem-2117610
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the conflict in Syria in a phone call with Tayyip Erdogan and invited the Turkish leader to visit Russia soon, the Kremlin said.Putin invited Erdogan "for a working visit in the coming days". "The invitation was accepted," Putin's office said in a statement late Tuesday.AFP
No 'Major' Breakout of IS Militants in Syria; US
https://www.news18.com/news/world/no-major-breakout-of-islamic-state-militants-in-syria-says-us-2347471.html
US is not aware of any "major" escape of Islamic State extremists since Turkey launched its assault on Syrian Kurdish fighters holding the prisoners, an official said."We haven't seen any major successful breakout so far of the detainees," the senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity.However, the official said that anywhere between 50 and 150 wives and children of Islamic State prisoners had escaped in the chaos after Turkish forces attacked last week."We don't know where they went. That's one significant event there," the official said.AFP
Hamas defends Turkey’s right to protect its borders, supports Syria territorial integrity
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191016-hamas-defends-turkeys-right-to-protect-its-borders-supports-syria-territorial-integrity/
Hamas expressed its appreciation of Turkish stances on the Palestinian issue and support for the rights of the Palestinian people.In a statement on the situation in north-eastern Syria, Hamas said: “The movement understands Turkey’s right to protect its borders, defend itself and remove threats to its national security against the tampering of the Zionist Mossad in the region, as part of Israel’s efforts to undermine Arab and Islamic world national security.”Hamas affirmed Syria’s territorial integrity on its entire land and national borders calling for a prompt resolution of disputes and differences in the region and between countries to defend the nation’s causes, especially the Palestinian one, most importantly Jerusalem, which is under continuous aggression by the occupation forces and Israeli settlers, primarily targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque.middleeastmonitor
Israel’s chief rabbi calls for protecting Kurds
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191016-israels-chief-rabbi-calls-for-protecting-kurds/
Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau called for Israel to prevent a potential genocide against Kurds in north Syria, Israeli Channel reported.According to Safa news agency, report added Lau told President Reuven Rivlin during a meeting that it is a “duty” to help the Kurds as much as possible in order to prevent a genocide before it is too late.Safa reported PM Benjamin Netanyahu saying: “Israel strongly condemns the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria and warns of ethnic cleansing against the Kurds by Turkey and its agents.”He added: “Israel is ready to offer humanitarian assistance for courageous Kurdish people.”MEMO
WORLD
Jewish settlers storm Al-Aqsa to observe Sukkot
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/jewish-settlers-storm-al-aqsa-to-observe-sukkot/1615595
Jerusalem:Hundreds of Jewish settlers forced their way into Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, according to a Palestinian agency."Around 400 settlers backed by Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa compound since early morning,"Religious Endowments Authority, a Jordan-run agency responsible for overseeing the city's Muslim and Christian holy sites, said. According to it, Israeli police detained a Palestinian girl inside the complex, but without specifying the reason for the arrest. Sukkot is a week-long holiday, which started Sunday evening and will continue until coming Sunday. Anadolu
Anger as Israel official attends Morocco conference
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191016-anger-as-israel-official-attends-morocco-conference/
Moroccan anti-normalisation activists have expressed their anger as a former Israeli interior minister attended an international symposium in Marrakech and gave a presentation, a move the activists described as a “crime of penetration”.Ex-Knesset member Meir Sheetrit attended World Policy Conference, which was held last weekend in Marrakech. The event was attended by ministers and officials from Moroccan and all over the world, according to Al-Quds Al-Arabi. Morocco Observatory Against Normalisation with Israel said the presence of Sheetrit is a “new Zionist crime of penetration”, denouncing conferences in Morocco that allow current and former Israeli officials to attend.MEMO
Palestinian parliament calls for Saudi to release Palestinian prisoners
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191016-palestinian-parliament-calls-for-saudi-to-release-palestinian-prisoners/
First Deputy Speaker of Palestinian Parliament Ahmad Bahar called on Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to release Palestinian prisoners held in the kingdom.During a meeting with the families of the prisoners, Bahar said that Palestinian prisoners in Saudi jails have not violated the country’s rules.Abdul Majeed Al-Khodari, brother of Mohammad Al-Khodari who was detained in April, said the families of the prisoners had formed a popular body in order to start organising activities in support of the prisoners. middleeastmonitor
Salman Ouda’s relative detained after tweeting support for Palestine
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191016-salman-oudas-relative-detained-after-tweeting-support-for-palestine/
Saudi Arabia has arrested young activist Abdel-Aziz Al-Ouda over a tweet in support of Palestine, Abdullah Al-Ouda, son of detained prominent preacher Salman Al-Ouda, revealed .“The family was shocked by the detention of Abdel-Aziz Al-Odah over a tweet in support of Palestinian cause,” Abdullah tweeted.“This detention discloses the wicked intentions regarding the detention and crackdown campaigns [in Saudi ]. Even tweeting in support of Palestine and defending it [became illegal].”Twitter users in Saudi Arabia showed their support for Abdul-Aziz and led to his name trending in the kingdom.“#Saudi activist Abdul Aziz al-Odah was recently arrested by the Saudi authorities for tweeting in support of #Palestine,” Shujaat Ali Quadri tweeted.MEMO
Will Imran’s Saudi-Iran tour ease tension in region?
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/progress-imran-khan-saudi-iran-mediation-tour-191016095831793.html
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan's visits to Iran and Saudi Arabia to help facilitate talks between the regional rivals have ended with no set commitments for dialogue although Tehran reiterated its readiness to come to the negotiating table.Khan met Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince MBS in the Riyadh.This followed a trip over the weekend to the Iranian capital Tehran to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. aljazeera
Qatar denies support for Brotherhood, Nusra
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/16/c_138474437.htm
Qatar has denied that it offered support for Muslim Brotherhood, Nusra Front or any other organizations, stressing that these allegations "do not make sense."
Nigerian Prez vows crackdown on abusive Islamic schools
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/nigerian-president-vows-crackdown-abusive-islamic-schools-191015183524707.html
Nigeria's president has ordered a crackdown on abuse at Islamic schools, after a second police raid in less than a month revealed men and boys subjected to beatings, abuse and squalid conditions.Nearly 300 had been held captive at a school in the Daura area of Katsina, the home town of President Muhammadu Buhari, where police said they discovered "inhuman and degrading treatment" following a raid on Monday to free the remaining students.Late last month, police freed hundreds from similarly degrading conditions in neighbouring Kaduna state. aljazeera
Flash: NEWS, views, Articles
Muslim bodies' surprise support to the Modi government's action on Article 370:Ziya Us Salam
https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/article29665076.ece?fbclid=IwAR2gZtONZr4R02fumQV3FgjqSwK2VUNGfyeqB6g-El2yDwslwBrthV5ORPk
Not just Hindu versus Muslim: Ayodhya dispute has several parties battling each other in court:Sruthisagar Yamunan
https://scroll.in/article/939909/not-just-hindu-versus-muslim-ayodhya-dispute-has-several-parties-battling-each-other-in-court
Collegium’s actions show that NJAC which was struck down four years ago is back, with a vengeance:Madan B Lokur
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/govt-calling-the-supreme-court-shots-narendra-modi-6070659/
'JJ Committee Neither Applied Mind, Nor Reviewed Report on J&K Minors' Detentions':Mahtab Alam
https://thewire.in/rights/jj-committee-neither-applied-mind-nor-reviewed-report-on-jk-minors-detentions
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:27 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment