NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
17 NOV. 2019: 19 Rabiul Awwal 1441: Vol: 12, No: 59
INDIA: BABRI MASJID VERDICT
Ayodhya: AIMPLB to file review plea, rejects land offer
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/ayodhya-aimplb-to-file-review-plea-rejects-land-offers
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/aimplb-to-seek-review-of-sc-verdict-in-ayodhya-case-refuses-alternative-5-acre-plot/articleshow/72094797.cms
Luchnow:All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) today declared that it will file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya issue.AIMPLB also decided not to accept 5-acre land for the mosque at an alternative site since it is against the tenets of Islam. “We have decided to file a review petition as we cannot accept any other land except that meant for the masjid. Thus land offered would not be accepted,”AIMPLB member SQR Ilyas said while addressing the media after their meeting. Senior AIMPLB member and convener of All India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) Zafaryab Jilani said that the case had been filed in court on behalf of all Muslims and the board was representing the sentiments of the community which wanted to exercise its constitutional rights and file a review petition. Jilani said in reply to a question that senior lawyer Rajiv Dhawan would continue as their lawyer and they would try to file the petition within 30 days of the judgment. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Arshad Madani, who attended the board meeting, told reporters that he approved of the decision to file a review petition."Though we do not have much hope and know that the petition will be dismissed, we will still file a review petition. It is our right,"he said. Reacting to Babri plaintiff Iqbal Ansari's refusal to file a review petition, Jilani said that the board was exercising its constitutional right and there was no politics in the issue. He said that Ansari was probably being pressured by the district administration not to file a review petition. The board spokespersons said that the SC verdict was self-contradictory."The court has accepted the fact that namaaz was offered on the site and that idols were forcibly placed at the site on the night on Dec.22-23, 1949. The SC judges also ignored the fact that under Waqf rules, the place of mosque cannot be shifted. There was also no proof of any temple under the domes of the demolished mosque," they said. They said that they had not contested the case for an alternative land. Earlier in the day, the venue of the board meeting was hurriedly changed from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama to Mumtaz Degree College,following protests by supporters of Maulana Salman Nadvi. Jilani, however, told reporters that officials from the district administration had tried to stop the meeting at Nadwa and hence the venue had to be changed.Members who had arrived at the venue were taken to Mumtaz Degree College and the media was not informed of the venue. These included senior leaders Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, vice president Maulana Jalaluddin Umri, Asma Zahra of the women's wing, board secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and president of Jamait Arshad Madni. UP minister Mohsin Raza, meanwhile, said that AIMPLB was trying to derive political mileage and was also attempting to vitiate the atmosphere by holding a meeting after the verdict had been welcomed by the entire country. He demanded a probe into the funding of AIMPLB.IANS/PTI / indianexpress
Ayodhya: AIMPLB, Jamiat to file review petition
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-verdict-muslim-parties-jamiat-ulama-i-hind-supreme-court-6124134/
Over 103 eminent citizens, scholars call for Ayodhya verdict review
https://caravandaily.com/over-103-eminent-citizens-call-for-ayodhya-verdict-review/
New Delhi:Over 103 academics, authors and artistes including prominent economist Prabhat Patnaik and political scientist Zoya Hasan have publicly called for a review of the Supreme Court verdict empowering the Centre to build a temple at site where Babri Masjid once stood. According to The Telegraph, the statement, issued through CPM-backed Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust, has been signed by 103 people.Some of the prominent signatories are political scientists C.P. Bhambri and Zoya Hasan; economists Prabhat Patnaik, Utsa Patnaik, C.P. Chandrashekhar and Jayati Ghosh; historians D.N. Jha, Irfan Habib and Shireen Moosvi; journalists Antara Dev Sen, Sukumar Muralidharan, Anand Sahay and Pamela Philipose; theatre artistes M.K. Raina, N.K. Sharma and Keval Arora; and former bureaucrat Wajahat Habibullah.The signatories said: “Finally, the court’s assigning to the government of India the task of setting up a Hindu religious trust to build the future Rama temple on the Babri Masjid site implies that in the court’s view it is the government’s duty to cater to Hindu religious interests.This surely is hardly in consonance with the supposed secular nature of our state. We, the undersigned, therefore, earnestly urge the Supreme Court to review its judgment.”Supriya Varma, an archaeology professor at JNU who appeared as a prosecution witness in the case and objected to an ASI report that claimed that a non-Muslim structure predated the mosque at Ayodhya site, is also a signatory.Telegraph/Caravandaily
More land needed to create Ayodhya temple township: Architect
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ayodhya-verdict-more-land-needed-to-create-ayodhya-temple-township-architect-2133961
After the Supreme Court ordered construction of a Ram Temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya, the main architect of temple, Chandrakant Sompura said today more land would be needed to create a township for the temple. Sompura, who made the design for Ram Mandir nearly 30 years ago, said: "The construction of the temple itself would not take up much space, but for the construction of the township, we need more land." "Right now, we have included a hall for food, a bhog shala, a Pujari quarter, and also a place for visitors to stay. However, we need to construct hospitals and hotels, so that it will be a township of its own and attract people from all across the country and even foreigners," he added. Sompura also said that the temple will consist of nearly 250 pillars, and that each pillar will contain nearly 16 statues of Ram.While speaking on the estimated cost of the project, Sompura said: "the completion of the project would cost nearly Rs. 50-60 crores, excluding the development cost."ANI
POLITICS
Congress-NCP pay homage to Bal Thackeray for first time amidst Maha impasse; Fadnavis heckled by Sena workers
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/congress-ncp-pay-homage-to-bal-thackeray-for-the-first-time-amidst-maha-impasse
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/fadnavis-heckled-by-sena-workers-at-bal-thackeray-s-death-anniversary-function-11573992828397.html
For the first time, Congress and NCP paid homage to the founder of Shiv Sena, the late Bal Thackeray on his seventh death anniversary and later BJP also joined in, today. The day started with thousands of Shiv Sainiks coming from across Maharashtra and queuing up at 'Shivtirth' for their turn to offer tributes to the charismatic and firebrand leader who passed away on this day in 2012.Later, NCP state president Jayant Patil, ex Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Jitendra Awhad, also reached Shivaji Park - where 'Shivtirth' is situated - and paid their respects.An erstwhile close confidante of the late leader, Bhujbal was seen getting emotional and later recalled the relationship he enjoyed with the late Thackeray.NCP President Sharad Pawar who is in Pune paid rich tributes to the leader, describing him as a person who kindled pride in the Marathi 'manoos', was known for his courageous personality through which he gave a direction to society and politics. Congress leaders including Bhai Jagtap came and paid homage and recalled his services to the state and people of Maharashtra. Subsequently, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi, other family members and top party leaders entered Shivaji Park and offered floral tributes, bowed before a statue of late Thackeray and paid homage.Ex CM Devendra Fadnavis was heckled by some slogan-shouting workers of the Shiv Sena as he left Shivaji Park here after paying tribute to Bal Thackeray. Some workers of the Shiv Sena, which recently snapped ties with the BJP, standing close to the former CM's convoy shouted in Marathi Fadnavis' assembly poll campaign slogan: 'I will be back (as CM)' along with Sena's traditional 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki jai' war cry.Fadnavis and his entourage, which included several senior BJP leaders, moved on without reacting to the jeers.IANS /PTI
Sena MPs To Sit In Opposition Benches In Both Houses: Union Minister
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sena-mps-to-sit-in-opposition-benches-in-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-pralhad-joshi-2133903
Shiv Sena MPs are being allotted seats on the opposition side in both houses of parliament as its minister has resigned and party is "working out" alliance with Congress and NCP to form government in Maharashtra, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said. The party said on Saturday that it would not attend a meeting of NDA constituents on the eve of the winter session of Parliament."Shiv Sena's minister has resigned from NDA government... they are not attending today''s NDA meeting and working out alliance with the Congress and the NCP. So it is natural that they will be allotted seats on the opposition side in both houses," Joshi told reporters after the all-party meeting.PTI
Parliament winter session: PM Modi says open to discussion on all issues; Opposition demands Farooq Abdullah’s presence
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/winter-parliament-session-citizenship-bill-ayodhya-economy-kashmir-6123864/
A day before the Parliament winter session is set to begin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday assured that the government will discuss all issues as Opposition demanded that detained Lok Sabha MP Farooq Abdullah be allowed to attend the House. The demand was raised during an all-party meeting attended by the prime minister today.“Govt is ready to discuss all issues within the framework of rules and procedures of Houses,”Modi was quoted as saying by PTI.At govt-convened meeting, Opposition demanded that issues of economic slowdown, job loss and farm distress must be discussed during the session, Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said. Farooq Abdullah’s detention was also raised at the all-party meet, NC MP Hasnain Masoodi said, adding that the government is under constitutional obligation to ensure his participation in the Parliament session. “How can a parliamentarian be detained illegally? He should be allowed to attend Parliament,”Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Congress also demanded that ex finance minister P Chidambaram be allowed to attend the session. “Past precedents are such that MPs have been allowed to attend Parliament sessions even if their cases were being heard.indianexpress
‘Govt should not mistake us Nagas for Kashmir’
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/govt-should-not-mistake-us-nagas-for-kashmir-6123386/
80 kms to the north of Imphal city, atop a hill, lies Ukhrul. An uneasy calm is palpable in the town, headquarters of one of Manipur’s 5 Naga districts. At the heart of it, next to a new statue of Mahatma Gandhi —old one was vandalised ahead of the 2014 general elections — a banner announces a candle-light vigil “for an inclusive, honourable solution… for lasting peace in our Naga Homeland”. The other signs of the long-lasting demand for Greater Nagaland, going back to the early 20th century, have gone “underground”. They include cadres of the main NSCN (I-M) camp in Hebron, Nagaland, as well as other camps in the state and Manipur, who have “gone to jungles” in preparation for what might happen now that the Oct. 31 deadline for final Naga peace accord has lapsed. Around 300 are estimated to have crossed over into Myanmar. Indian government too has rushed in forces, apprehensive of what may follow. The fulcrum of much of the developments is Ukhrul home of NSCN (I-M) supremo Thuingaleng Muivah, one of the tallest leaders of Naga movement and chief negotiator in the talks with the government. For six decades, Naga leaders such as Muivah, late comrade Issak Chisi Swu and ex-ally S S Khaplang, have held off the might of the Indian State — while supporting almost all the armed rebellions in Northeast.The ceasefire, signed between I K Gujral-led government and NSCN (I-M) in 1997, marked a pause in an armed conflict that had claimed hundreds of lives by then. In 2015, amidst much fanfare, Modi-led NDA-I govt announced that the two sides had reached a ‘framework agreement’, without revealing the contours of it. 5 years later, there is no clarity still,with the ceasefire now hanging by a thread.indianexpress
SOUTH ASIA AND J&K
Kashmir: If Govt Depts want internet, heads have to take responsibility for any misuse
https://thewire.in/government/kashmir-government-offices-internet
Srinagar: Government departments in Kashmir can get back their internet services only with a rider: the head of the department will be held responsible for any misuse. This is part of an undertaking that field departments in Kashmir are required to submit to the Jammu and Kashmir police to seek restoration of internet facilities in their offices to carry out department work. The government-enforced internet gag in the restive Valley completes 105 days on Sunday. This unprecedented step, according to many officials The Wire spoke to, has badly hit work culture in the Valley – where a governance deficit continues to add to people’s woes.The prevailing situation, a senior official from the engineering department said, forced field departments to take up the matter with the respective administrative heads at the civil secretariat, highest seat of governance in J&K.After days of deliberations, the government brought issue to the notice of security agencies.thewire
Don’t Air Iran, Turkish, Malaysian TV Channels: I&B Ministry Tells J&K Cable Operators
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-dont-air-iran-turkish-and-malaysian-tv-channels-ib-ministry-tells-jk-operators/342517
Information and Broadcasting Ministry today asked cable operators of Kashmir Valley not to air any channel from Iran, Turkey and Malaysia.A senior official of the Ministry Vikram Sahay had a long meeting with cable operators, here in Srinagar, at the Information Department office.In the meeting, according to operators, the official read out Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and directed them to adhere to the regulations of the law. Sahay, who is the joint secretary in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, told the operators that they are violating the law by airing channels from 'Muslims' countries, especially Iran, Turkey and Malaysia. Sahay was told that while no channel from Malaysia was being aired in the Valley. Sehar TV, a religious channel of Iran, was being aired as it is watched by the Shia community. The operators also told the official that Al-Arabiya channel-run by Saudi Arabia-was also being aired. The official said that both, Al-Arabiya and Sehar TV shouldn’t be aired in the region.In the meeting, the official also sought information from the operators about the most popular TV shows in Kashmir. However, the operators, while talking to the media after the meeting with Sahay, said that the internet blockade is posing difficulties for them and they are unable to fully control their operation and some channels automatically prop up.The operators brought to the notice of ministry official that religious channels like Astha were being aired in the Valley.Sahay refused to talk to media persons. outlookindia
Caught on TV: Ex-Army officer wants ‘death for death, rape for rape’ in favour of Kashmiri Pandits
https://scroll.in/video/944004/caught-on-tv-ex-army-officer-wants-death-for-death-rape-for-rape-in-favour-of-kashmiri-pandits?fbclid=IwAR1qheIeohtBRKKK-6AuNcri11YAYTC6Cb9pwor_lUk4CKMazNhMDHr2nyM
Retired Major General SP Sinha has stirred a controversy by asking for “death in return for death, and rape in return for rape” to avenge atrocities against Kashmiri Pandits during their exodus from Kashmir in 1990. The former Army officer made the comments while appearing on a live debate on Hindi news channel TV9 Bharatvarsh. His statements were met with strong disapproval from other panelists, much of the audience, and the moderator, journalist Sumaira Sheikh. Some sections of the audience, however, approved, though they reprimanded by Sheikh.scroll
Detained J&K politicians shifted to MLA Hostel, Mufti’s daughter claims leaders ‘roughed up’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-detained-leaders-shifted-to-mla-hostel-sajad-lone-shah-faesal-manhandled-6124288/
New Delhi:As Srinagar continues to battle harsh weather conditions, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday shifted all 34 political leaders who had been detained at the Centaur Hotel since August 5 to MLA Hostel, officials said.PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti claimed that leaders like Sajad Lone, Waheed Para, and Shah Faesal were “roughed up” during the transfer.“SKICC detainees shifted to MLA hostel, Srinagar today. Police manhandled them & roughed up Sajad Lone, Waheed Para & Shah Faesal. Is this how you treat elected representatives? Why humiliate them? J&K is under martial law & police seems be inebriated with power,” Iltija tweeted from Mehbooba’s handle.“The same Waheed Para whose work for strengthening democracy in J&K was lauded by former Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.The very same Shah Faesal who was called Kashmir’s role model when he topped UPSC exam. Once appreciated & now humiliated. Why?” Twitter thread added.On Friday, Mehbooba was also shifted from her accommodation in Chashma Shahi to a government residential quarters in Srinagar, close to the city centre of Lalchowk.She was the first mainstream political leader to be shifted to a different location following their arrest after the abrogation of Article 370.“She was shifted in the afternoon today. We had requested the government to shift her because the hut where she was kept was not fully equipped for Kashmir’s winters. I had written a letter a month ago,” Iltija said.indianexpress
J&K: 5 suspects arrested in Sopore area of Baramulla district
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jk-five-terror-suspects-arrested-in-sopore-area-of-baramulla-district-2801975
5 terror suspects were arrested on Saturday by a joint team of police and security forces in the Sopore area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, news agencies reported.Kashmir Zone Police, in a statement, said, "Sopore Police has arrested three individuals for threatening and intimidating locals in the area. Incriminating materials, including threat posters of LeT outfit, were recovered. A case has been registered." Later J&K police stated that 2 terrorist associates were arrested today - Ulfat Bashir Mir & Aijaz Ahmad Bhat - at Kupwara Bypass crossing. Incriminating materials, including ammunition, were recovered. As per initial investigation, both are linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and a case has been registered against them for the same, the police said.dnaindia
J-K: Army man killed, 3 injured in IED blast in Akhnoor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/j-k-army-jawan-killed-three-injured-in-ied-blast-in-akhnoor-6124286/
New Delhi :One Army jawan was killed and two others were injured in an IED blast in Akhnoor of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident took place near LoC in Palanwala sector of the area.indianexpress
BJP leader Nirmal Singh removed as Jammu And Kashmir assembly speaker
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-leader-nirmal-singh-removed-as-jammu-and-kashmir-assembly-speaker-2133931
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir administration headed by Lt Governor GC Murmu has issued a notification ending the tenure of legislative assembly Speaker and senior BJP leader Nirmal Singh who was appointed to the post under provisions of now-revoked J&K Constitution.The order comes days after several political parties, especially the Jammu-based National Panthers Party (NPP), questioned Mr Singh's continuation on his post despite the dissolution of the Assembly, scrapping of provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.PTI
OTHERS
Allahabad HC seeks Centre, UP govt to come clear on issue of merger of Shia, Sunni waqf boards
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/nov/16/allahabad-hc-seeks-centre-up-government-to-come-clear-on-issue-of-merger-of-waqf-boards-2062703.html
Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court asked both Central and Uttar Pradesh government to clear their stand on the issue of the merger of Shia and Sunni Waqf Boards into a common Muslim Waqf Board.The court also asked both the govts to pass appropriate orders on a PIL seeking quashing of Shia and Sunni waqf boards in UP and establishing a single waqf board to be called Muslim Waqf Board.Passing the order on Friday evening, the bench comprising Justice Pankaj Kumar Jaiswal and Justice Alok Mathur explained that it was not passing any order on the merit of the case. Petitioner Hussain had petitioned the high court seeking disbandment of 2 separate waqf boards referring to Section 13 (2) of the Waqf Act.The Act provides that the state government is empowered to set up separate waqf boards for Shia and Sunni sects only upon the satisfaction of either of two conditions: one, the number of Shia waqfs is more than 15 per cent of all waqfs in the state. Two, the income of the properties of Shia waqfs in the state is more than 15 per cent of the total income of properties of the waqfs in the state.newindianexpress
Salman Hasani should quit, Maulana Rabey Hasani writes: Siasat report
https://www.siasat.com/maulana-salman-hasani-should-quit-maulana-rabey-hasani-writes-1731026/
Maulana Salman Nadvi informed that he has received a letter written by Maulana Rabey Nadvi, Rector of Nadwat-ul-Ulema of Lucknow in which he has advised him to tender his resignation as he has reached the age of superannuation. Extension of his service may not be possible in view of the stand taken by him. If he does not tender his resignation, action would be taken against him, the letter says.Reacting to this, Salman Nadvi told that so far, he has been abiding by the traditions but there is a limit to it. He pointed out that there are many aged teachers who are a continuation in the institution despite their retirement and some of them are so old that they can’t even read the texts properly but they are being continued in service. Why can’t they be dismissed, he asked. There are also teachers who remain absent from classes and do not complete the syllabus.Salman Nadvi pointed out that the managing committee can’t take any decision against him without hearing his version. If any action is taken against him, it would be unconstitutional, he said. If this is done, legal action will be launched.Criticizing Maulana Rabey Hasani, Salman Hasani told that Maulana Rabey Nadvi wants to appoint his son-in-law, Maulana Hamza Nadvi as his successor which would not materialize.He raised the issues of giving certain facilities to the students of Bhatkal and asked why are not these facilities provided to the students belonging to Kashmir.siasat.com
‘Muslim women have to reclaim their lost space’, says journalist Ziya Us Salam
https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2019/nov/17/muslim-women-have-to-reclaim-their-lost-space-says-journalist-ziya-us-salam-2062827.html?fbclid=IwAR2C5kfHeNR73vRwTQ2vgNYRTWESqu0xUmuO-NzLz0lDW9rDRRrX2AGVXUg
At a time the Supreme Court has clubbed the issue of women’s entry to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala along with similar issues such as the entry of Muslim women to mosques, journalist Ziya Us Salam’s ‘Women in Masjid: A Quest for Justice’ couldn’t have come out at a more opportune time.He says its high time mosques in India opened their doors to women. Salam said, "the tacit ban on women’s entry is a result of sustained indoctrination. Many women have forgotten the rights conferred on them by the Quran. The way forward comes from looking back. Look back to the sunnah (way of life) of Prophet Muhammad.He permitted women to enter mosques. Quran permits them as well. The answer lies in following the Prophet. Who are maulanas to deny what is sanctioned by the Quran?Also, sooner or later, mosques will have to make provisions for women.They are admitted in West Asia, US, Europe. Why not India? The book states that Muslim women enjoyed greater freedom during Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule."newindianexpress
Assam NRC: Office functions without newly-appointed state coordinator, work hangs midway
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/nov/16/assam-nrc-office-functions-without-newly-appointed-state-coordinator-work-hangs-midway-2062663.html
Guwahati:Process to prepare the “speaking orders” by office of NRC is likely to get delayed as it is functioning without the boss.The speaking orders will be issued to over 19 lakh people left out of NRC citing the reasons behind their exclusions. The process will be followed by the filing of appeals in various foreigners’ tribunals by those excluded challenging their exclusions.They will get 120 days time to file the appeals.Recently, the state government appointed Hitesh Dev Sarma,who is an officer of Assam Civil Services, as NRC state coordinator. He replaced IAS officer Prateek Hajela who was transferred to his home state Madhya Pradesh by the government in deference to an order passed by the Supreme Court.While people were expecting Sarma to assume charge to expedite the work, he went on a month-long leave. The development comes even as some opposition parties are going for his jugular after they accused him of being “communal” and “biased”. They are demanding government revoke his appointment. Sarma allegedly made some controversial comments on Facebook on the issue of the NRC.newindianexpress
Air India, Bharat Petroleum to be sold by March 2020, social media shocked
https://www.newsx.com/national/air-india-bharat-petroleum-sale-nirmala-sitharaman-social-media.html
A flood of responses started pouring in on Sunday, after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement of selling the shares of Air India and oil refiner, marketer BPCL. From sarcastic comments to hilarious one yet again, twitter has received one more reason to debate and discuss over a current issue.One of the users wrote that it’s an extremely decision and also said that they should sell PSUs as they are a burden for the poor of this country. If Atal Bihari Vajpayee can privatise with half seats then Modiji can also do very well.Another user wrote that it proves that the government is unable to run its own organizations successfully. They just want to get rid of them instead of making strategies to make them profitable.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while speaking to a leading daily that the government is looking for an investor for Air India and oil refiner, marketer BPCL as they are planning to wrap up the sale by March. While speaking to a leading daily, Sitharaman an investor showed interest in Air India. This is the same sale, which was aborted a year ago, due to slightly warm response.Additionally, the minister pointed out that as the tax collections are under stress, the government is banking on receipts from the disinvestment to shore up revenues. Due to the right decision timing, several sectors have come out of the distress. Moreover, the strategic disinvestment of the two state-run companies is critical. It is available for the government to meet its disinvestment target of Rs 1 lakh crore for the current fiscal year.However, Sitharaman said that she expected GST collections to be revived. There were signs of revival in consumer sentiment.Regarding the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on Essar Steel, the minister said the ruling strengthened the constitutionality and legal strength of IBC law resulting into a significant impact on the balance sheets of banks in the next quarter.She further stated that consumer sentiment has shown some signs of revival which was manifested in demand of nearly Rs 1.8 lakh crore. newsx
PMC Bank Scam: Ex-BJP MLA's Son and Bank Director Rajneet Singh Arrested
https://thewire.in/banking/pmc-bank-scam-ex-bjp-mlas-son-and-bank-director-rajneet-singh-arrested
Mumbai: One of the directors of the scam-hit Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, Rajneet Singh, son of ex-BJP MLA Sardar Tara Singh, was on Saturday arrested by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), an official said.Rajneet was taken into custody in the evening at the EOW office, as investigators found his replies on the loan granted to the realty group HDIL, which has failed to repay, unsatisfactory and unconvincing, according to the official.Besides being a director, Rajneet is also a member of the loan recovery committee of the bank, he said.Rajneet was questioned over the loan provided by the bank to HDIL group companies and the steps taken, if any, to recover the pending dues, the official added.“Rajneet provided unsatisfactory and unconvincing explanations, which hints at his likely role in the scam,” he said, adding that Rajneet will be produced before a holiday court and his police remand will be sought.PTI
Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank report NPA divergences; losses widen for 2019
https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/bank-of-india-indian-overseas-bank-report-npa-divergences-losses-widen-for-2019/cid/1719926?ref=latest_home-template
New Delhi:State-owned Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank have reported divergences in their bad loans for fiscal ended March 2019, resulting into widening of net losses for the year.Chennai-headquartered Indian Overseas Bank has reported a net non-performing asset (NPA) divergence of Rs 358 crore for 2018-19, due to which the divergence in provisioning came in at Rs 2,208 crore, according to a regulatory filing by the bank.The bank has an adjusted loss of Rs 5,999.88 crore in the fiscal ended March 2019, higher than Rs 3,737.88 crore reported earlier, due to the divergence.Banks have to report divergence in asset classification and provisioning for NPAs as per the risk assessment Report of RBI subject to certain conditions, which is the gap between the bad loans as declared by lenders and that assessed by the regulator.Bank of India on the other hand had a fall in its net NPA divergence by Rs 329 crore for 2018-19, because NPAs reported by the bank were higher than that assessed by RBI.PTI
FIR registered in connection with 'vandalism' of JNU's administration block
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/fir-registered-in-connection-with-vandalism-of-jnu-s-administration-block/cid/1719929?ref=latest_home-template
Delhi police have registered an FIR in connection with the "vandalism" of administration block of the JNU last week, officials said today.A complaint was submitted by chief security officer of JNU on Thursday evening, following which an FIR was registered against unidentified persons on Saturday, police said. The administration had submitted photographic and videographic evidence in the matter.On Wednesday, students had painted various messages for V-C inside the administration block as they barged inside the building to talk to him about the hostel fee hike. Left-backed AISA condemned the registration of FIR.2 other complaints — one by professor Buddha Singh, chairman of Swami Vivekananda Statue Installation Committee and another by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha — were filed on Saturday against "objectionable" messages written on base of a statue of Swami Vivekananda.PTI
Another Person Arrested in UP's Kushinagar Mosque Blast Case
https://www.news18.com/news/india/another-person-arrested-in-ups-kushinagar-mosque-blast-case-2389529.html
Gorakhpur: One more person was held in connection with the Kushinagar mosque blast case, taking the total number of arrests to 7, a senior police official said. 7th accused in the blast case was arrested in Turkpatti police station area of Kushinagar district late Friday night, SHO Sanjay Kumar said. He identified the man as Salauddin Ansari alias Munna.PTI
Telangana: Journalist Critical of Central, State Govts Charged Under UAPA
https://thewire.in/media/telangana-journalist-critical-of-central-state-govts-charged-under-uapa
New Delhi: In what appears to be yet another case of the government punishing journalists for their critical writing, the Telangana police charged N. Venugopal, editor of Telugu monthly journal Veekshanam, under UAPA and Telangana Public Security Act, among other stringent laws.Although he has not been arrested, he was booked as the seventh accused in a case of Maoist conspiracy against the state.Venugopal has been a severe critic of the majoritarian leanings of the Modi government as well as of K. Chandrashekar Rao-led TRS government in the state. He was one of the most important civil society voices advocating for a separate Telangana state. However, since the formation of the state, he has emerged as one of the strongest critics of TRS establishment and its alleged “anti-people policies”.In the remand case diary, the police named him as an accused and said that he is a member of “Viplava Rachayitala Sangham(Revolutionary Writers Association)”. Popularly known as “Virasam”, the forum was founded by Varavara Rao and is known for its radical Left positions. However, Veekshanam’s editorial team said that Venugopal has ceased to be associated with Virasam since 2009, following a “controversy on an article he wrote at that time”.thewire
Kerala: Event put off in view of Hindu marriage, village to mark Milad-un-Nabi today
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-event-put-off-in-view-of-hindu-marriage-village-to-mark-milad-un-nabi-today-6123323/?fbclid=IwAR1fQ7xoUIMNn7b6R6ydGrgFGbXpjVkaB7HWCHydWjtSx5QTa_PJtSVJp_I
Muslims of a village in Kerala’s Kozhikode district will celebrate Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, a week later, on Sunday, after having postponed the event on its original date, November 10, as a friendly gesture to accommodate and help smooth conduct of a Hindu wedding at a house opposite the local mosque.Jama Masjid at Edivetti village, under Changaroth panchayat of Kozhikode, sits right across the house of Indira Nambiar, whose daughter Prathyusha, a post-graduate student, got married last Sunday. Mahallu committee (local committee) secretary NC Abdurahiman said, “Hindu family had already fixed the wedding for Nov.10. They did not realise it was Milad-un-Nabi. Functions take place through the day during a marriage, and we would have also conducted many cultural events (on Milad-un-Nabi). We decided to postpone the functions at the mosque to avoid disturbing the marriage function.”Indira Nambiar said they did not imagine that the mosque would postpone its functions for her daughter’s wedding. “The mahallu committee told us that they were postponing their event to November 17 to help us. We did not make any such request. Many members of the masjid came to our house to bless my daughter that day,” she said.indianexpress
FIR against activists after offering prayers to Godse
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/fir-against-activists-after-offering-prayers-to-godse/1664486
Gwalior:MP police have registered an FIR against some activists, two days after they worshipped Nathuram Godse here on his ''70th sacrifice day'' and distributed leaftlets that denigrated Mahatma Gandhi. FIR was lodged by Congress activist Ravindra Chouhan, who said that he was handed a leaflet on Thursday that used objectionable language for Gandhi adding that his feelings and those of others who follow Gandhi''s ideals had been hurt.ADG Rajababu Singh said teams have been dispatched to arrest outfit''s leader Naresh Batham and his associates, and no one would be spared.IANS
Vehicles torched outside agency that acquired farmland in Unnao for township
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/unnao-protest-turn-violent-vehicles-torched-over-demand-for-adequate-compensaton-6124228/
New Delhi :A day after farmers clashed with police during a protest against land acquisition in Unnao, several plastic pipes and vehicles outside a state agency godown were torched on Sunday.The incident occurred around 11 am outside the godown of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), which acquired the land for the Trans-Ganga City project near Kanpur.“Some anti-social elements had set fire to plastic pipes kept outside the godown. Apart from this, two vehicles were also set afire,” Additional District Magistrate Rakesh Singh was quoted as saying by PTI. Adding that action will be taken against the culprits, the DM further mentioned that there has been no loss of life in the incident.indianexpress
60% jump in farm fires between 2002-2016: Study
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/60-jump-in-farm-fires-between-2002-and-2016-study-6123537/
New Delhi:Between 2002 and 2016, fire count in Punjab’s fields increased by 60%, a study that has drawn a link between rising paddy productivity and stubble burning in the state suggests.According to the study, ‘Connecting Crop Productivity, Residue Fires, and Air Quality over Northern India’, published in the journal Nature, rice production in Punjab increased by 25% and vegetation index by 21% between 2002 and 2016. Crop residue is estimated to be 1.5 to 2.25 times the quantity of the crop.The rise in fire counts led to an increase in aerosol loading by nearly 43%, which are fine particles suspended in the air that cause air quality to deteriorate and aid formation of haze and smog, over not just Delhi but the Indo-Gangetic plain, the study said. It also noted a 60% spike in the concentration of ground-level particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres over Delhi post-monsoon.indianexpress
Are you Pakistani? Are you a terrorist? Questions Muslim children face at school
https://www.thehindu.com/society/are-you-pakistani-are-you-a-terrorist-the-questions-muslim-children-face-at-school/article29982016.ece?homepage=true
Stereotypes about the Muslim community have entered into classrooms and playgrounds, seeping in from the polarising rhetoric prevailing in the larger world of politics, society, mass media and social media. 9-year-old Zoya* found herself answering a rather confounding question at her Delhi school recently: does her father make bombs at home? What led to the question? The classmate had seen a picture of Zoya’s father in her school diary, in which he has a beard.Things slowly got worse. Zoya’s classmates would often refuse to sit with her during lunch because they assumed that she was eating meat. “As if dal and chapatti don’t exist in a Muslim’s diet,” says her father Irfan Ahmed, a journalist. “This is such a stupid stereotype, that Muslims are always gorging on beef or mutton or whatever.” As these instances became more common, Ahmed taught his daughters to stand up to the bullying and not back down.Fathima still remembers the day her 11-year-old son Abdul came back from school and asked if being a Muslim was a ‘bad thing’. “He said he did not want to go back to school. He was in tears,” says Fathima. “When I tried to find the reason, he asked me why Muslims were called ‘terrorists’. I was stumped.”Fathima slowly discovered that for nearly 2 years, Abdul had been bullied in his up-scale school in Bengaluru by a group of boys in class. “My son was told that as a Muslim he had no place in India and that he should move to Pakistan,” says Fathima. “He was also repeatedly told that all Muslims were terrorists. He just couldn’t handle it anymore.”Fathima then complained to the school, which eventually intervened, disciplined and counselled the bullies, who apologised to Fathima and Abdul. “But it happened only when I said I would file a police complaint,” says Fathima. “My son went through harassment only because he was Muslim.” By then, Abdul had been diagnosed with clinical depression. Stories like Zoya’s and Abdul’s are far from uncommon in the country today.“There is an anti-Pakistan, anti-Kashmir, anti-Bangladesh narrative that is endorsed by mainstream news TV and is unfortunately also championed by the state and our leaders,” says Natasha Badhwar, writer and activist.thehindu
WORLD
Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa wins presidency as Premadasa concedes
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/sri-lanka-vote-rajapaksa-wins-presidency-premadasa-concedes-191117053329452.html
Colombo:Gotabaya Rajapaksa has won Sri Lankan presidency after a closely fought election, as his main opponent Sajith Premadasa of the ruling United National Party (UNP) conceded defeat.Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary and brother of 2-time former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, based his campaign for Saturday's election on providing strong leadership on national security issues, following coordinated bombings in April that killed at least 269 people.Rajapaksa secured victory with 52.25 percent of the vote, according to final results announced by Sri Lanka's election commission."As we usher in a new journey for Sri Lanka, we must remember that all Sri Lankans are part of this journey," Rajapaksa said in a Twitter post."Let us rejoice peacefully, with dignity and discipline in the same manner in which we campaigned."Earlier on Sunday, Premadasa had issued a statement conceding defeat: "At the conclusion of a hard-fought and spirited election campaign, it is my privilege to honour the decision of the people and congratulate Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his election as the seventh President of Sri Lanka."Keheliya Rambukwella, spokesman for Rajapaksa's SLPPparty, said national security is Rajapaksa's "primary concern", along with the revival of the economy.Rights groups have long called for investigations into alleged rights abuses committed during Rajapaksas previous terms in power, including UN allegations that more than 40,000 people were killed by security forces in the final days of the country's civil war in the north, as Tamil rebels took shelter among civilians."As defence secretary during his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa's decade-long presidency ending in 2015, he was a leading figure in a government that many minority Tamils and Muslims, as well as opposition politicians, blame for terrible political violence and repression,"International Crisis Group's Alan Keenan said earlier this week.aljazeera
Lebanese tycoon Safadi withdraws PM candidacy
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/lebanon-safadi-withdraws-pm-candidacy-urges-hariri-post-191116211453658.html
Former Lebanese finance minister and business tycoon Mohammed Safadi has withdrawn his candidacy to be the next prime minister, amid pressure from protesters who have been calling for an overhaul of the country's political system.In a statement released by his office on Saturday, Safadi, 75, said it would be difficult to form a "harmonious" cabinet supported by all the parties.Safadi added that he hoped outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri would be designated again for the post.aljazeera
One month on: Hope, defiance as Lebanon protests persist
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/month-hope-defiance-lebanon-protests-persist-191117082420709.html
Beirut: A month has passed since people in Lebanon first took to the streets in what quickly became a nationwide protest movement against a ruling class seen as corrupt and incapable of running the country. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part, demanding an end to Lebanon's political system where power is apportioned among ethnic and religious groups, and formation of an independent technocratic govt to tackle the country's spiralling financial crisis and improve access to basic services, such as electricity and water.It began on Oct.17 with a small demonstration in Beirut over proposals for new taxes, including on WhatsApp calls, which soon spread to dozens of towns and cities across the country. Protesters lit fires on main roads and blocked highways, while banks, schools and universities closed. Normal life was put on hold as a new revolutionary reality dawned.aljazeera
Israel-Gaza ceasefire continues to hold
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/israel-gaza-ceasefire-continues-hold-191116180804646.html
A shaky ceasefire in and around Gaza has been tested after 2 rockets were fired towards a town in Israel. Israeli warplanes struck Hamas targets in Gaza in response. About 34 people died earlier this week in the worst cross-border fighting in months.aljazeera
WhatsApp blocks hundreds of Palestinian journalists’ accounts
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191116-whatsapp-blocks-hundreds-of-palestinian-journalists-accounts/
WhatsApp has blocked access to hundreds of Palestinian journalists and activists who were providing live updates during Israeli offensive on Gaza, Safa news agency reported.This came less than 24 hours after the end of the two-day Israeli offensive which resulted in the death of 34 Palestinians and wounded 111 others. Palestinian journalists and activists, who were active during the Israeli offensive, reported that their accounts were blocked and they were unable to use them. Gathering of Palestinian Journalists condemned this step and accused WhatsApp of being complicit in Israel crimes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.It also said that this came as a result of their efforts to disclose the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian civilians and civil targets.“This is to cover up the Israeli crimes and this is a continuation of the mother company, Facebook, as well as Twitter which had banned and blocked pages and accounts of hundreds of Palestinian journalists and media companies with thousands and millions of followers,” the group said.middleeastmonitor
Tunisian president hails the resilience of Gaza Strip
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191116-tunisian-president-hails-the-resilience-of-the-gaza-strip/
Tunisian president, Kais Saied, hailed the resilience and steadfastness of the Gaza Strip in a Facebook post .While he was the first and only Arab president to post about Gaza, which was under Israeli attack, he wrote “Gaza insists on remaining the land of dignity.”The president also called on the International Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities to stop the Israeli attacks on the people of Palestine.middleeastmonitor
Imminent end of crisis between Qatar and other Gulf States
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191116-eminent-end-of-crisis-between-qatar-and-other-gulf-states/
Signs of an imminent end for the crisis between Qatar and the other Gulf States have been emerging, likely through Kuwaiti mediation.Kuwaiti newspaper, Al-Qabas, reported that the Kuwaiti Emir sent a message to the Saudi King, urging him to end the crisis.There have been reports that athletes from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are taking part in the Gulf Cup Tournament, to be organised by Qatar this month.AFP reported that a Qatari delegation is planning to pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia in the coming few days.According to Bloomberg, an informed source claims that the solution to the crisis is concentrated on reinstating Qatari-Saudi relations, hoping that this would end UAE and Bahraini boycott.middleeastmonitor
‘Absolutely no mercy’: Leaked files show China’s mass detention of Muslims in officials’ own words
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/absolutely-no-mercy-leaked-files-show-chinas-mass-detention-of-muslims-in-officials-own-words/articleshow/72095227.cms
The students booked their tickets home at the end of the semester, hoping for a relaxing break after exams and a summer of happy reunions in China’s far west.Instead, they would be told that their relatives and neighbors were missing — all of them locked up in an expanding network of detention camps built to hold Muslim ethnic minorities.Authorities in Xinjiang region were worried that the situation was a powder keg. And so they prepared. Leadership distributed a classified directive advising local officials to corner returning students as soon as they arrived and keep them quiet. It included a guide for how to handle their questions, beginning with the most obvious: Where is my family?“They’re in a training school set up by the government,” the prescribed answer began. If pressed, officials were to tell students that their relatives were not criminals — yet could not leave these “schools.”The question-and-answer script also included a barely concealed threat: Students were to be told that their behavior could either shorten or extend the detention of their relatives.The directive was among 403 pages of internal documents that have been shared with New York Times in one of the most significant leaks of govt papers from inside China’s ruling Communist Party in decades.NYT/TOI
Flash: NEWS, views and Articles
Liberals must also share responsibility for the Ayodhya verdict: Did they expect anything different?Purushottam Agrawal
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/liberals-must-also-share-responsibility-for-the-ayodhya-verdict-did-they-expect-anything-different
What the Ayodhya judgment makes evident: New India is a place of 'no Muslim things':Misria Ali
https://www.firstpost.com/india/what-the-ayodhya-judgment-makes-evident-new-india-is-a-place-of-no-muslim-things-7660991.html
Look at history as sequence of events, not psyche-soothing myths: Tariq Ghazi
https://www.siasat.com/look-history-sequence-events-not-psyche-soothing-myths-1726814/?fbclid=IwAR1Lf5R1yxXiMwP7-Kla8ejCKRKP3jicKl4xuArNBxJ66n0vwkA6kEKr_bA
‘Homophobic, misogynist and a bigot’ — meet Jair Bolsonaro, India’s Republic Day chief guest:Srijan Shukla
https://theprint.in/world/homophobic-misogynist-and-a-bigot-meet-jair-bolsonaro-indias-republic-day-chief-guest/321549/?fbclid=IwAR3cBNH0-My8wdpYy183VH5JzEpK7LSTCWPin68bINiKuXTwIgT0y8PJlZg
For future reference:Ayodhya verdict offers a precedent to end other such disputes:Soni Mishra
https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/11/14/for-future-reference.html
Pakistan’s Kartarpur peace initiative doesn’t come from a position of weakness:AYESHA SIDDIQA
https://theprint.in/opinion/pakistans-kartarpur-peace-initiative-doesnt-come-from-a-position-of-weakness/322141/
How Western Media Bias Allows Israel to Get Away with Murder in Gaza:RAMZY BAROUD
https://caravandaily.com/how-western-media-bias-allows-israel-to-get-away-with-murder-in-gaza/?fbclid=IwAR2Ep29fRdmc5Y9vlsYiVmEP6mksqthkpcqrav_GlY66VbMWPIh-E17GCVc
Fifth Column: Rafale was reckless campaign, Congress has to focus on chinks in Modi’s armour: Tavleen Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/fifth-column-rahul-gandhi-beyond-rafale-6123361/
What would reverberate is for VHP to say sorry for destruction of Babri Masjid: Meghnad Desai
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/out-of-my-mind-now-rss-turn-to-show-magnanimity-6123365/
Gained in translation: In the shadow of Ayodhya:Khalid Alvi
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/gained-in-translation-in-the-shadow-of-ayodhya-6123374/
Parts of Delhi HC Order Denying Chidambaram Bail Taken From an Unrelated Case:Ravi Nair
https://thewire.in/law/delhi-high-court-p-chidambaram-bail
‘Wanted employment, not alms’: His fight began with Bhopal gas leak, lasted till death despite personal cost
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/wanted-employment-not-alms-his-fight-began-with-bhopal-gas-leak-lasted-till-death-despite-personal-cost-6123492/
Are lies finally running out of steam? Is the truth catching up with BJP?Rahul Pandey
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/are-lies-finally-running-out-of-steam-is-the-truth-catching-up-with-bjp
National Press Day: Indian media has sacrificed truth at the altar of servitude and largesse
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/national-press-day-indian-media-has-sacrificed-truth-at-the-altar-of-servitude-and-largesse
MEA ‘brief’ on Ayodhya verdict skips mention of 1992 mosque demolition
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/mea-brief-on-ayodhya-verdict-skips-mention-of-1992-mosque-demolition
SC should not only be impartial but seen to be so:SA Aiyar
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/Swaminomics/sc-should-not-only-be-impartial-but-seen-to-be-so/?fbclid=IwAR3MrlqryMfDkMQu-EnUyDV3GgHd88iL0-eL6XE0s1c5SeO4D7anf4DhlsA
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:04 PM).
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment