NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
18 NOV. 2019: 20 Rabiul Awwal 1441: Vol: 12, No: 60
INDIA
Northeast erupts in protests against Citizenship Bill move
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/northeast-erupts-in-protests-against-citizenship-bill-move/article30007080.ece?homepage=true
Students’ organisations across the northeastern States took to the streets to protest against the Centre’s move to introduce the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill during the winter session of Parliament.The Bill seeks to fast-track the process of granting citizenship to 6 non-Muslim communities who left Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan allegedly due to religious persecution.Members of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) marched up to a point near Raj Bhavan in Guwahati from where a small group submitted a memorandum to Governor Jagdish Mukhi. The union demanded the withdrawal of the proposed bill in memorandum addressed to PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “This is a communal bill and threatens the existence of the indigenous peoples of Assam and elsewhere in the northeast,” AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya said.While other organisations led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti launched a door-to-door campaign to drum up support against the bill, members of 9 political parties that formed Left Democratic Front, Assam, staged a sit-in demanding the scrapping of the bill.AASU is a constituent of the North East Students’ Organisation, which spearheaded Monday’s protest across the eight States in the region and submission of memoranda to Governors of the respective States. The protests were peaceful barring minor clashes between demonstrators and police in Imphal. Apart from the students’ groups, an organisation called Manipur People Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, steered the protests besides imposing an 18-hour shutdown in Manipur from today. Organisations such as Tripura Students’ Federation, Khasi Students’ Union (Meghalaya), All Arunachal Students’ Union, Naga Students’ Federation (Nagaland) and Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizoram) took out rallies in their respective States. In Mizoram, parties such as People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram joined protest. “Proposed Citizenship Bill is harmful for the entire northeast. But the BJP-led NDA Govt at Centre appears to be putting the interest of illegal migrants above that of indigenous people,”party head Vanlalruata said.NGOs in Meghalaya have vowed not to relent until Centre dumps the bill. To drive home the point, Confederation of Meghalaya Social bodies has called for a night road blockade across the state today.thehindu
CAB is another trap like NRC to make legal citizens refugees: Mamata
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cab-is-another-trap-like-nrc-to-make-legal-citizens-refugees-mamata-banerjee/articleshow/72110233.cms
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has lashed out against BJP Govt at the Centre for planning to introduce the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Parliament and said the proposed legislation is a "trap" like NRC to exclude Bengalis and Hindus as legal citizens of the country. "Centre is planning to bring in CAB but let me tell you it is just another trap like the NRC. It is a trap to exclude Bengalis and Hindus from the list of legal citizens and make them refugees in their own countries," she said. PTI
Electoral bonds: Modi Govt rejected RBI objections to scheme, says report
https://www.newsx.com/national/electoral-bonds-modi-Govt-rbi.html
Modi-led BJP Govt had summarily rejected RBI opinion electoral bonds, HuffPost India claimed in a sensational report. It also claimed that former finance minister Arun Jaitley ignored RBI’s advice that electoral bonds could help funnel black money into politics and devaluate the Indian currency. The ruling BJP only sought the central bank’s opinion only to pretend that the Govt is following the RBI’s advice in financial matters, the reports added. In 2017, the Modi Govt planned to amend laws regarding the electoral bond policy to infuse offshore money into Indian politics. The document also claimed that any Govt amends laws only after it made consultations with ministries and other Govt officials which may be impacted by the proposed changes or have a view on the matter. But in electoral bonds, Govt sidelined its ministers and most important RBI. On Jan.2, 2018, NDA Govt had notified Electoral Bond Scheme 2018. Hasmukh Adhia, who was holding the revenue secretary then, had dismissed RBI’s concerns which also noticed that Govt had never been serious about RBI’s feedback, to begin with, such scheme. The letter signed by Adhia and later signed off by Arun Jaitley was moved to RBI with a fact that creation of electoral bonds, and the amendment to RBI Act, means to introduce transparency and cleansing system of political funding in India. newsx
Electoral bonds: Seeking secretive funds, Modi govt overruled RBI
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/rbi-warned-electoral-bonds-arun-jaitley-black-money-modi-Govt_in_5dcbde68e4b0d43931ccd200
Electoral bonds should be scrapped, BJP should answer: Congress
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/congress-on-electoral-bonds-scheme-modi-govt_in_5dd2738ce4b02947481a9166
Congress leader Rajeev Gowda today accused the Modi Govt of corruption as he laid out contents of a HuffPost India report on electoral bonds. Gowda said, “Think about who actually controls this information (who bought electoral bonds). The only party that will know who contributed and to whom will be Central govt.The central Govt has the instrument to extort money.”Gowda called electoral bonds an “elaborate charade aimed at hiding how black money is being converted to white.”“It aims to stop us from knowing who is contributing to the coffers of the BJP,” he said.“Congress has received about Rs 500 crores in electoral bonds, rest of the Rs 6000 crores has gone to BJP,” Gowda said.huffingtonpost
Electoral Bonds: Opposition leaders react
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/electoral-bonds-opposition-leaders-react-to-huffpost-india-exclusive_in_5dd23d8ae4b02947481a0676
After day-long protest, JNU Students' Union to meet centre's official
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/entry-exit-gates-at-4-major-metro-stations-in-central-delhi-shut-amid-protest-by-jnu-students-over-f-2134479
Leaders of JNU Students' Union have gone for a meeting with Human Resource Development secretary after a day-long protest over fee hike. The protesters are returning to campus now, sources said.Delhi Metro had closed entry and exit gates at the Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk. Lok Kalyan and Central Secretariat stations after hundreds of JNU students clashed with cops after taking to the streets to demand a full rollback of the recent hostel fee hike. In tweets posted on its official Twitter account, DMRC said the decision to shut key Yellow Line stations amid JNU students' protest was taken after discussions with the police. Education Ministry formed a 3-member panel this morning to recommend measures to restore normal functioning of the university.ndtv
Police brutally lathicharge JNU students marching towards parliament against hostel fee hike, injured include journalists too
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/police-brutally-lathicharge-jnu-students-marching-towards-parliament-against-hostel-fee-hike-injured-include-journalists-too
New Delhi:Hundreds of JNU students, who were on Monday marching to Parliament to protest 1000 % hike in their hostel fee, were brutally lathicharged by Delhi police and CRPF personnel, resulting in injuries to many of them. It was the first day of the Winter Session of the Parliament and students had planned the march to bring the issue of hike in hostel fee to attention of Parliament and the nation. They took out the march after they failed to secure rollback of the hike through sit-in and other forms of peaceful democratic agitations. Police said they resorted to lathicharge as students had taken the law in their own hands and indulged in violence. But students said their march was completely peaceful and police action was unwarranted. But the video footage as shown by media proved students march was completely peaceful. Among the injured included several journalists, for example, V Arun Kumar of newsclick.in and Naushad of MediaOne TV channel, besides several students. One of the students among 70 taken to Badarpur ACP office alleged that clothes of many women students were torn, they were bleeding and in some cases, they suffered injuries to their bones due to beating by lathis. Many other detained students were taken to Kalkaji police station. Students alleged that police lathicharged them when they crossed Jorbagh Metro Station to proceed towards Parliament.Ex-JNUSU chief N. Sai Balaji, in videos circulated on his twitter handle, alleged that he was beaten by police on his head while many were beaten on their chests, back and everywhere. Civil rights activist Kavita Krishnan said that JNU students alleged that cops were saying “Mullah ji ko pakdo” as they beat up the bearded students they thought are Muslim. Several opposition parties have strongly condemned the police lathicharge on JNU students who were protesting against the hostel fee hike here today.India Tomorrow
In clips, JNU students’ protest march to Parliament: Delhi police accused of assaulting protesters
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/in-video-clips-jnu-students-protest-march-to-parliament-delhi-police-accused-of-assaulting-protesters
JNU protest: Delhi Police attempts to remove students from protest site
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-protests-live-updates-parliament-session-jnusu-march-delhi-police-6124977/?#liveblogstart
JNUSU appeals to students of other universities to join its protest march to Parliament
https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/jnusu-appeals-to-students-of-other-universities-to-join-its-protest-march-to-parliament/story-317qekCADGXBG4qE5UPzqM.html?fbclid=IwAR05IJPbahB6iJXP7eaQNl70gunJEzIXxz3pP4NGZcRq6trvM4lxrF9pUvg
BABRI MASJID VERDICT
Ayodhya order "faulty", but will ask Muslims to "move on": Ex-BJP leader Yashwant Sinha
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ayodhya-verdict-flawed-but-must-be-accepted-yashwant-sinha-2134065
Mumbai: Ex-BJP leader Yashwant Sinha has criticised the Supreme Court's judgment in the Ayodhya issue, but said the Muslim community should accept it. Sinha was speaking at the Mumbai Lit Fest.Asked about his views about the historical verdict, he said, "The Supreme Court judgment is a faulty judgment, it is full of flaws, but I will still ask the Muslim community to accept the judgment and put the whole thing behind us."Let us move on. There is no judgment after the SC judgment," he said. Sinha, meanwhile, also claimed that LK Advani and other senior leaders of BJP were "apologetic and contrite" about the demolition of the Babri Masjid for some time initially, before taking credit for the Ram Mandir agitation later.The bureaucrat-turned-politician said while joining BJP in 1993, he had taken a conscious decision to join a "communal force", thinking it to be a better alternative than a "corrupt force (Congress).PTI
VHP says Muslims should accept SC's Ayodhya Verdict, sites 'Gandhi's view' on Somnath
https://www.news18.com/news/india/vhp-says-muslims-should-accept-scs-ayodhya-verdict-sites-gandhis-view-on-somnath-2390123.html
Mumbai: VHP has said that Muslim community should accept the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya dispute, and claimed that Mahatma Gandhi had made a similar appeal in the case of Somnath Temple. The statement by VHP general secretary Milind Parande came soon after AIMPLB favoured seeking a review of the judgment. Parande also said that similar disputes about religious sites in Kashi and Mathura were not on the VHP's agenda."Mahatma Gandhi had made a similar appeal to Muslims, urging them to accept the decision of the then union Govt to reconstruct the Somnath temple (which had been destroyed in the earlier centuries) in Gujarat," he claimed here."As the court's decision on the Ramjanmabhoomi is unanimous, I think there is no need for review petition," the VHP leader said.PTI
Uddhav Thackeray cancels Ayodhya visit due to security reasons
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uddhav-thackeray-cancels-ayodhya-visit-security-reasons-1620056-2019-11-18
Mumbai:Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has cancelled his scheduled visit to Ayodhya due to security reasons, party sources said today.Uddhav was scheduled to visit Ayodhya in UP on Nov. 24."Due to security concerns in Ayodhya, Shiv Sena chief did not get permission from security agencies to visit the place," sources in the party said.The sources also said that the delay in forming the Govt in Maharashtra is also one of the reasons for cancelling his tour.ANI
After Ayodhya verdict, Nirmohi Akhara plans to meet PM Modi this week
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/after-ayodhya-verdict-nirmohi-akhara-plans-to-meet-pm-modi-this-week-2391471.html
Nirmohi Akhara, a main litigant in the Ayodhya case, has decided to meet PMNarendra Modi this week over its demand to be part of a trust for Ram Temple construction here, it has said.The akhara's chief seers and members of the executive body met here and decided to meet the PMthis week over its demand for "important" posts in the trust's management, its counsel and spokesman Ranjeet Lal Varma said.These post may be that of president or secretary, he said, adding the akhara also demands that the right to worship diety Ram Lalla be given to the Ramanandiya Vaishno Sect, to which the akhara belongs.Varma said hence, the right to worship the deity historically remains with the akhara.PTI
Muslim Board can't file review petition: Hindu Mahasabha lawyer on Ayodhya verdict
https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/181119/muslim-board-cant-file-review-petition-hindu-mahasabha-lawyer-on-ayodhya-verdict.html
New Delhi: AIMPLB is not a party to Ayodhya land dispute case and so does not have the right to file a review petition, said Varun Sinha, lawyer of Hindu Mahasabha."AIMPLB is not a party to this litigation. It is the Sunni Waqf board that has to take the call to file a review petition. Only the parties in the matter can file a review petition in the Supreme Court," Sinha said.PTI
Vinay Katiyar warns Owaisi against raising Ayodhya issue for political gains
http://www.uniindia.com/news/north/vinay-katiyar-warns-owaisi-against-raising-ayodhya-issue-for-political-gains/1793453.html
Ayodhya: BJP leader and former MP Vinay Katiyar has lambasted AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi for attempting to create communal disturbances in the name of Ayodhya verdict for his own vested political interest. Katiyar said, "After the Supreme Court gave its ruling in favour of the Ram temple, the entire country showcased a real communal harmony and not a single cracker was burst but filing of review petition by Owaisi and AIMPLB speaks otherwise."UNI
Muslim Law Board fought over Ayodhya for political benefits, claims Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/muslim-law-board-fought-over-ayodhya-for-political-benefits-bjp-leader-manoj-tiwari-2134120
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said that AIMPLB's statements after the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya Babri Masjid title dispute should not be given much importance as it was being done by the organisation to grab the limelight."They never fought for rebuilding the mosque, they fought for ulterior motives, for reaping political benefits. Now that the issue has been resolved they have nothing to be in the limelight, their only motive is to spread hate in the country and therefore there is no need to pay any attention to them," Tiwari said.ANI
AMU SU hails AIMPLB’s Ayodhya move
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/amusu-hails-aimplbs-ayodhya-move/article30000671.ece
Ghaziabad:AMU Students’ Union has welcomed the decision of AIMPLB to file a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict. A statement issued by AMUSU president Salman Imtiaz said the verdict “appeared one-sided in the conclusion.”“We consider the building of the temple over the land of the mosque as a humiliation, injustice, and subjugation of Muslim minorities. It appears a step towards the creation of Hindu domination in India wherein Muslims will be rendered to second-grade citizens,” Imtiaz said.He further said AMUSU was committed to the cause of Babri Masjid, and it would never allow India to lose its constitutional core.thehindu
Hindu families offer land for Mosque in Ayodhya
http://www.uniindia.com/news/north/hindu-families-offer-land-for-mosque-in-ayodhya/1792468.html
Ayodhya: In a glaring example of efforts to strengthen communal peace and harmony post Supreme Court verdict on Nov. 9 on the long pending temple-mosque dispute, some locals have offered their land for building mosque in the region. District administration is searching for land at prominent places for mosque and few of them were shortlisted for consideration. One Raj Narayan Das has offered his 5 acres land near Bada Gaon at Sarangapur road.UNI
2 held in Mangaluru for distributing handbills against Ayodhya verdict
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/two-held-in-mangaluru-for-distributing-handbills-against-ayodhya-supreme-court-order/articleshow/72103326.cms
Mangaluru:Police have arrested 2 persons for distributing pamphlets allegedly against the Ayodhya verdict in Kodi village of Ullal police station limits.Police commissioner PS Harsha confirmed the arrests, but held back details over security concerns. Sources said supporters of a group, which held an event on Saturday, distributed and pasted the handbills on walls of a few buildings.Scores of people gathered in front of the police station, demanding release of the arrested duo.TOI
BJP MLA Raja Singh: If AIMPLB drags Ayodhya issue, we will claim for 40,000 temples
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/bjp-mla-raja-singh-if-aimplb-drags-ayodhya-issue-we-will-claim-for-40000-temples/articleshow/72096352.cms
Hyderabad: BJP's lone MLA in Telangana Assembly, Raja Singh, advised AIMPLB against filing a review petition for Ayodhya issue in the Supreme Court.He said Hindus would claim for the 40,000 temples demolished for masjids during various Muslim rulers' regimes.In a video message, BJP's firebrand MLA alleged that AIMPLB had corrupt members. One of them is a traitor from Hyderabad, he added.mumbaimirror
Certain premises of SC verdict on Ayodhya raise serious questions: CPI-M
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/certain-premises-of-sc-verdict-on-ayodhya-raise-serious-questions-cpi-m20191118161917/
CPI-M today said that 'certain premises' of the Supreme Court judgment on the Ayodhya dispute raise 'serious questions' and "verdict deviates by widening the ambit referring to Hindus and Muslims" instead of dealing with the petitioners in this case.In a statement titled 'Ayodhya dispute: Verdict delivered, not justice' issued by the party politburo, CPI-M said it has always maintained that the resolution of the Ayodhya dispute must be through a negotiated settlement, failing which, the only way is to resolve the matter through a court verdict."This is the only manner in which a secular republic governed by the rule of law can deal with such a dispute. The verdict has now been delivered. There are, however, certain premises of the judgment that raise serious questions," said the statement.It said that the five-member Constitution bench states repeatedly the commitment to upholding constitutional values and that `the adjudication of civil claims over property must remain within the secular...The title cannot be established on the basis of faith and belief..' Despite such declarations, the end result of the verdict has given precedence to faith and beliefs of one side. Instead of dealing with the petitioners in this case, the verdict deviates by widening the ambit referring to Hindus and Muslims,"it added.ANI
No temple under Taj, Qutub Minar: Archaeologist K K Mohammed
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/no-temple-under-taj-qutub-minar-archaeologist-k-k-mohammed/articleshow/72100112.cms
Nagpur: KK Mohammed, the archaeologist who gave an opinion there had been a Hindu temple on Babri Masjid site, said at a public meeting on Sunday he had no idea the matter would snowball into such an issue. If he had any idea, he would have taken some photographs of the traces of a temple he found on the mosque land, he said.Mohammed was part of 10-member ASI team which excavated the Babri Masjid site in 1976-77. The sole Muslim member, he was the one to say that the mosque was built on temple land. As he took questions from the public Mohammed said as Ram Mandir issue has been amicably settled, now there is no need to convert every mosque into a temple on the grounds that there was a Hindu shrine before. He also rejected all speculation of Taj Mahal or Qutub Minar, or even Kaba in Mecca, being built on sites of Hindu temples.He said it’s true that certain wrongs have been done in the past but Muslim today is not to be held responsible for it.Quoting Sanskrit verses, Mohammed held the audience, including RSS functionaries, spell bound. “I stood my ground despite all the pressure from officials as well as leftist historians. Ram Mandir is as holy for Hindus as Mecca is to Muslims. On the other hand, for Muslims, Babri Masjid does not hold any major importance,” he said.TOI
SOUTH ASIA AND J&K
Map row: Nepal’s PM claims Kalapani area, tells India to ‘withdraw’
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/map-row-nepals-pm-claims-kalapani-area-tells-india-to-withdraw-6124580/
Kathmandu :With protests mounting, Nepal PMK P Oli said that Kalapani area at tri-junction of Nepal, India and Tibet belonged to Nepal, and “India should immediately withdraw its army from there”. It was Oli’s first public response to a controversy triggered by official India maps released recently that included Kalapani, an area located on the western edge of Nepal. While there was no official response from Delhi, sources reiterated that the maps depicted India’s “sovereign territory accurately” and there had been no revision in the boundary with Nepal.Addressing a meeting organised by Nepal Yuva Sangam, youth wing of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, Oli said, “We will not allow even an inch of our territory to be occupied by any country, India must vacate it.” However, he overruled suggestions that Nepal come out with an amended map including the contested areas. Dialogue will follow after India “withdraws its army from our land”, Oli said.Nepal has seen protests by both ruling and opposition parties over the India maps. Participants at an all-party meeting called by Oli 3 days ago, including former PMrs and ex-foreign ministers, asked him to take up the issue with India immediately. The new maps were released by India to factor in the newly-created Union Territories of J-K and Ladakh. These maps include Pok as part of J&K, and Gilgit-Baltistan, also controlled by Pakistan, in Ladakh.In a statement on Nov.6, Nepal Foreign Ministry said, “The Govt is clear that the Kalapani area lies within Nepalese territory.”In a reaction a day later, Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, “Our map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India. The new map has in no manner revised our boundary with Nepal…The boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing mechanism. We reiterate our commitment to find a solution through dialogue in the spirit of our close and friendly bilateral relations.”indianexpress
Opposition leaders in Lok Sabha demand Farooq Abdullah be allowed to attend House
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/opposition-leaders-in-lok-sabha-demand-farooq-abdullah-be-allowed-to-attend-house/articleshow/72107683.cms
New Delhi: Attacking the Govt over the detention of sitting Lok Sabha MP Farooq Abdullah, opposition members on Monday termed the National Conference leader's detention as illegal and demanded that he be allowed to attend the House.Opposition leaders also raised the issue of MPs not being allowed to visit J&K after abrogation of its special status, whereas MPs from Europe have been taken to the state, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury describing EU delegation as "bhade ke tattu" (hirelings)."Our leader Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to visit (J&K), several MPs were sent back...whereas bhade ke tatu from Europe were being taken there. Isn't it an insult to all MPs. I want to ask MPs of ruling alliance don't they think it was their insult," Chowdhury said.On the detention of Abdullah, he said NC supremo has been under detention for 106 days and it is his constitutional right to attend the House. Raising the issue during zero hour, Chowdhary said it was an "atrocity" not to allow the former J&K CM to attend Lok Sabha proceedings.PTI
30 political detainees in Srinagar moved amid claims of manhandling
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/30-political-detainees-in-srinagar-moved-amid-claims-of-manhandling-6124754/
Srinagar :Numbering over 30, all the mainstream political leaders kept under detention at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar since Aug.5 were on Sunday afternoon moved to MLA hostel within the city, amid allegations of manhandling by police. PDP claimed that the hostel wasn’t equipped with heating facilities, the reason unofficially given for shifting the detainees. This led to protests, after which some leaders were allegedly roughed up. People’s Conference (PC) claimed its chairman Sajad Lone had been “manhandled and misbehaved with” under the pretext of security checking.While DM Srinagar Shahid Chaudhary didn’t respond to calls, SSP, Security, Kashmir Imtiyaz Hussain denied the claims. “There are some mandatory drills which need to be followed…We followed those. Nothing of this sort happened,” he said. He later reiterated the same on Twitter.PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti tweeted that Lone, senior PDP leader Waheed Para and chairman of J&K People’s Movement Shah Faesal were manhandled. Claiming that “new jail windows are blocked with wood, (it) lacks heaters & has surveillance jammers”, Iltija, who uses Mehbooba’s handle, wrote a series of tweets, saying “manhandling started when Sajad Lone was repeatedly frisked & asked to undress”. indianexpress
J&K detainees slam police attempt to strip search Peoples Conference chief Sajjad Lone
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir-detainees-slam-police-action/article30000415.ece
Ex-Army officer apologises for his ‘rape for rape’ remark on TV, says he was disturbed
https://theprint.in/india/ex-army-officer-apologises-for-his-rape-for-rape-remark-on-tv-says-he-was-disturbed/322560/?fbclid=IwAR2bChCwcUM9nbO87URDZ-_I-gEZYqNcwn94Yq2upo5NvYsl6Jl1an5zYT8
New Delhi: Retired Major General S.P. Sinha, who has stirred a controversy by appearing to endorse rape and murder as legitimate military tactics during a TV debate, apologised today and said he was in a “disturbed state of mind” after hearing “sordid” tales of torture.In a hand-written letter addressed to TV9 Bharatvarsh, a copy of which was also marked to ADGPI, Sinha said he regretted the episode and offered an apology.“On hearing sordid and very rousing stories from the Kashmiri families who were present during discussion, I was very deeply moved. In the disturbed state of mind, I made remarks which were unwarranted,” he said in the letter. During the TV debate Sunday on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Sinha, who was in Ordnance Corps, asked “death in return for death, and rape in return for rape” to avenge the brutalities on Kashmiri Pandits.His remarks drew an instant rebuke from fellow panelists as well as the woman anchor. The retired major general was asked to apologise but he had refused then. theprint
Exiled in UK, Pakistan MQM leader seeks asylum from Modi for himself, aides
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/exiled-in-uk-pakistan-mqm-leader-seeks-asylum-from-modi-for-himself-aides-6124858/
London:Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, living in exile in UK, has urged PMNarendra Modi to grant him and his colleagues asylum or at least some financial assistance to take his case to the International Court of Justice.Promising that he would not interfere in politics, Hussain took to social media last week to relay a new speech, in which he also welcomed the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya case. 67-year-old is due to stand trial in UK on an offence of encouraging terrorism through a speech relayed to his followers in Pakistan a few years ago.“If India today, and PM Modi, allow me to come to India and provide me asylum with my colleagues, I am ready to come to India along with my colleagues, because my grandfather is buried there, my grandmother is buried there, my thousands of relatives are buried there. I want to go there, to their graves,” said Hussain, in a speech.A controversial figure in Pakistan, he has been accused of inciting violence in Karachi from exile in UK. PTI
OTHERS
More talks needed on Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar after meeting Sonia Gandhi
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ncps-sharad-pawar-after-meeting-sonia-gandhi-says-more-talks-needed-for-final-decision-on-maharashtr-2134530
NCP leader Sharad Pawar, after a 45-minute meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her home in Delhi today, said more discussions would be held before a final word on getting together with the Shiv Sena to form Govt in Maharashtra. "We have to sort out some more issues," Sharad Pawar told reporters.With leaders from both parties denying any decision, the biggest hint of an alliance in the making was seen in the gesture by Congress and NCP not to put up candidates for the post of mayor or deputy mayor in BMC elections. The cash-rich Mumbai civic body is controlled by the Shiv Sena.Sources indicated that the two parties have inched closer to a Sena-NCP-Congress alliance but officially, asserted that more talks would be held to discuss the way forward. "Pawar met the Congress president today and briefed her on the situation in Maharashtra. It was decided that in a day or two, representatives from NCP and Congress will meet in Delhi to discuss the way forward," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. This was seen as a clear indicator that the Congress is on board with aligning with Shiv Sena. A formula that has been floating around is a Shiv Sena CM and a deputy CM each from NCP and Congress.But each party is seen to be holding out in negotiations to get a bigger share.ndtv
Don’t misuse Money Bills, consult Rajya Sabha more: Manmohan Singh in Parliament
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dont-misuse-money-bills-consult-rajya-sabha-more-manmohan-singh-in-parliament-6125821/
New Delhi :Speaking in Rajya Sabha Monday, former PM Manmohan Singh said the role of the Upper House must not be undermined, and it should be allowed more time to study and debate Bills.“In 16th Lok Sabha, only 25% Bills were referred to committees as compared to 15th and 14th LS. Regardless of what the other House does, it is crucial for our House to form select committees to ensure Bills received go through detailed scrutiny,” Singh said. The Congress MP from Rajasthan said misuse of the Money Bill provision should be avoided. “We have seen instances of misuse of the Money Bill provision by the Executive, leading to the bypassing of Rajya Sabha on important matters. Those in Treasury benches must ensure this is avoided,” Singh said.“If not for the efforts of our first PMJawaharlal Nehru, Rajya Sabha would have been reduced to a mere revising House, relegated to a secondary position in the functioning of our democracy. He ensured the closest cooperation between the two Houses, and if that cooperation is not maintained, it will affect the working of our Constitution,” former PM added.indianexpress
Yashwant Sinha accuses finance minister of fudging Budget numbers to hide fiscal deficit
https://scroll.in/latest/944067/yashwant-sinha-accuses-finance-minister-of-fudging-budget-numbers-to-hide-fiscal-deficit
Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha has accused Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of fudging Budget numbers to conceal the real fiscal deficit. Sinha said Sitharaman in her Budget presentation on July 5 had relied on estimates used in the Interim Budget of Feb. 1, though Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi had provided revised estimates.“Because the revenue receipts had declined so considerably that she wouldn’t have claimed that fiscal deficit would be only 3.3% or whatever that claim was,” Sinha, said. “She fudged the figures and it was so blatantly obvious that the figures were fudged.”Sitharaman had said at the time that “every number quoted in Budget is authentic”.scroll/PTI
Fiscal stimulus needed to revive India's stuttering economy: Analysts
https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/fiscal-stimulus-needed-to-revive-india-s-stuttering-economy-analysts-1620227-2019-11-18
India has depended on monetary policy to support its economy growing at its slowest pace in 6 years but the Govt must now deploy more direct fiscal stimulus or risk a long period of stagnation, analysts and experts say. Growth in Asia's third-largest economy has been hit by weak consumer demand and slower Govt spending amid pressures from Sino-US trade war, and more recent economic data suggests growth could fall further. RBI has already chopped 135 basis points off its key lending rate, but this has failed to spur demand.In an opinion piece in The Hindu oday, ex PM Manmohan Singh - architect of liberalization of India's economy - wrote Govt needs to "act quickly to restore consumption demand through fiscal policy measures since the impact of monetary policy seems muted."He warned the economy risks stagflation - high inflation combined with stagnant demand and high unemployment - if it fails to act.Other economists agree. "It's not a question of debate, it has now become imperative," said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist at L&T Financial. "We need to keep aside all other considerations and work in the interest of growth." Economists and analysts say it is time to loosen the purse strings and let the fiscal deficit climb above the targeted 3.3% until economy is back on its feet.Reuters
US ‘bullied’ India into accepting sanctions, but age-old ties will survive: Iran foreign minister
https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/iran-minister-says-us-bullied-india-into-accepting-sanctions-but-age-old-ties-will-survive/cid/1720154?ref=top-stories_home-template
Iran’s foreign minister Javed Zarif said that in the long scheme of things nothing can break Islamic Republic’s “civilisational ties” with India. Even so, Zarif said Tehran wished India could have shown more backbone and had refused to be "bullied" by Washington into agreeing to implement US sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy. Zarif, who waxed lyrical about the age-old links forged between the 2 countries by “poets, mystics and merchants”, said at a press interaction that Tehran had expected India -- which was Iran’s biggest oil client before the latest far-reaching sanctions -- to be “more resilient vis-a-vis US pressure.”A career diplomat, Zarif said he understood why India wasn’t keen on being a sanctions-buster as New Delhi didn’t “want to agitate” US President Donald Trump. “People want to be on the right side of Trump” but the problem is “he hasn’t got a right side,” he said. It’s a “global strategic mistake” made by countries around the world, he added.The more you “accept the actions of a bully (like Trump), the more you put yourself on the receiving end” of bullying, Zafir said. India was “already being bullied by US because they are telling you not to buy oil from us,” he told visiting members of Indian Women’s Press Corps.telegraphindia
Punjab: Dalit man’s death spurs protest in Sangrur, kin deny nod to autopsy
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dalit-mans-death-spurs-protest-in-sangrur-kin-deny-nod-to-autopsy-6124735/
Chandigarh:A day after a Dalit labourer from Sangrur died due to injuries sustained after being beaten up and forced to drink his urine, his family started a sit-in protest at PGI in Chandigarh Sunday, while declining permission for a postmortem to be conducted till a written assurance on their demands was received from Govt. In Sangrur, Dalit outfits also started an indefinite blockade of the Sangrur-Jakhal state highway in the family’s support. While the family has demanded Rs 50 lakh as compensation, the state Govt has offered financial assistance, job to the next of kin, and pension as per the SC/ST Act.Jagmale Singh (37), from from Changali Wala village in Sangrur, had succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. All the four accused — Amarjeet Singh, his son Rinku, and the latter’s friends, Lucky and Binder — have been arrested. The four, all residents of the same village, had reportedly targeted Jagmale following an altercation on Oct. 21. All of them belong to the Jat Sikh community. The four accused have been booked for murder and under the SC/ ST Act.The victim’s body, meanwhile, has been kept at a mortuary in PGIMER, Chandigarh. Manjeet Kaur, Jagmale’s wife, said,”We want compensation worth Rs 50 lakh. The way they tortured my husband is third-degree torture. The Govt needs to compensate us.” indianexpress
INX Media: ED moves HC seeking rectification of inadvertent error in Chidambaram’s bail order
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/inx-media-ed-moves-hc-seeking-rectification-of-inadvertent-error-in-chidambarams-bail-order-6125436/
Enforcement Directorate today approached the Delhi High Court seeking rectification of an “inadvertent” error in the order denying bail to former Union finance minister P Chidambaram in INX Media money laundering case. The ED in its application urged the court to correct the “accidental slip/inadvertent error” that is there in the Nov. 15 verdict passed by Justice Suresh Kait.The facts of another case have found mention in the Delhi High Court order denying bail to Chidambaram.The error is there in four paragraphs of 41-page judgment.Justice Kait reproduced some paragraphs from a 2017 Supreme Court order rejecting bail to Delhi-based lawyer Rohit Tandon in a money laundering case.The judge also referred to a previous 2017 order of the high court in the case of Tandon versus the ED in which it was observed that “there is a provision of trial by a special courts in case of ‘schedule offences’ under PMLA.Possibility of a joint trial would arise under Section 44 of PMLA only when a charge sheet is filed upon completion of probe and the case is committed to a special court.PTI
SC agrees to hear Chidambaram’s bail plea after Delhi HC rejected it
https://scroll.in/latest/944094/inx-media-case-sc-agrees-to-hear-p-chidambarams-bail-plea-after-delhi-hc-rejected-it
The Supreme Court today agreed to hear former Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s plea after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail application in the INX Media case, Bar and Bench reported. The High Court had dismissed the bail plea on Friday, saying the charges against him were serious and that he “played an active role”. However, the court said the matter will be taken up “tomorrow or day after”.scroll.in
Justice Bobde takes oath as new CJI
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/justice-sharad-arvind-bobde-takes-oath-as-new-chief-justice-of-india-6125050/
New Delhi :Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde today was administered oath as 47th Chief Justice of India by President Ram Nath Kovind. He succeeds outgoing CJI Ranjan Gogoi and will have a tenure of around 17 months till April 23, 2021.Justice Bobde, 63, is 4th judge from Maharashtra to hold the highest judicial post. Earlier, Justice Prahlad Gajendragadkar, 7th CJI, held office from 1964 to 1966, Justice Hidayatullah, 11th CJI, held office from 1968 to 1970, and Justice Y V Chandrachud, 16th CJI, served from 1978 to 1985.In the last 2 years, Justice Bobde has been part of 3 historical judgments of the Supreme Court. On Nov.9 this year, he was part on the five-judge constitution bench that delivered a unanimous verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute case.Justice Bobde was also part of 9-judge SC bench which had, in August 2017, unanimously held that Right to Privacy was a constitutionally protected fundamental right in India. He was also part of 3-judge bench that clarified that no Indian citizen should be deprived of basic services and Govt subsidies because they did not have an Aadhaar card.indianexpress
Dalit activists call for Patanjali boycott after Ramdev’s remark on Periyar, Ambedkar
https://theprint.in/india/dalit-activists-call-for-patanjali-boycott-after-ramdevs-remark-on-periyar-ambedkar/322666/
New Delhi: Several Dalit activists and tribal groups have called for a boycott of Patanjali products after Ramdev, the brand’s founder, allegedly called supporters of anti-caste activists Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and B.R Ambedkar “intellectual terrorists” during a TV interview. Twitter users have protested against his comment, with #ArrestRamdev, #BoycottPatanjali and #ShutDownPatanjali trending on the micro-blogging site. While the hashtag #BoycottPatanjali started trending on Twitter Friday, it was #ShutdownPatanjali and #ArrestRamdev Sunday.In an interview to Republic TV on 11 Nov., the Patanjali founder also said “intellectual terrorists” were trying to divide the society.Activist Hansraj Meena, Professor Dilip Mandal and All India Progressive Women’s Association’s general secretary and CPI Politburo member Kavita Krishnan were among those who called out Ramdev for his comment.Meena, in his tweet, said Ramdev was “attacking the identity of indigenous people”.theprint
Rationalist Nayak debunks Ramdev's claim on Tulasi stopping mobile radiation
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/rationalist-narendra-nayak-debunks-baba-ramdevs-claim-on-tulasi-stopping-mobile-radiation/article30006580.ece?homepage=true
Mangaluru:Debuking Baba Ramdev's claim that keeping Tulasi behind the cell phone will stop radiation, Rationalist Narendra Nayak today said the yoga guru was trying to create unnecessary scare about the non-ionising radiations coming of mobile phones. Nayak, who is the president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, was reacting to the statement made by Ramdev during the ongoing Yoga camp in Udupi.During the yoga demonstration on Saturday, Ramdev reportedly claimed that speaking on the mobile phone with Tulasi leaves in the backcover of the mobile phone will prevent effecting the body from the radiation. He reportedly demonstrated the technique before the audience. Debunking Ramdev's claim, Nayak demonstrated at his office in V.T. Road, that placing Tulasi or any other leaves does not stop the radiation. He covered his mobile phone with Tulasi leaves and made a person to call him. Mobile phone started ringing. "This shows the radiation is on." He then placed few others leaves over the mobile phone, and then followed by placing his mobile phone in the microwave oven.On both occasions, the mobile phone rang with calls were made.thehindu
‘For religious purpose’: Cow dung cakes hit the shelves at New Jersey store for Rs 215
https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/cow-dung-cakes-sold-at-new-jerseys-subzi-mandi-viral-tweet-leaves-netizens-in-splits-6125561/
New Delhi :Time and again, several “desi” products have made it to the western market and the recent one that has found its way to a grocery store in New Jersey is cow dung cake. While earlier this year it was the Amazon selling ‘natural’ coconut shells for nearly Rs 1400, this grocery store in New Jersey is selling cow dung cakes for as much as $2.99 or Rs 215.“My cousin sent me this. Available at a grocery store in Edison, New Jersey. $2.99 only. My question: Are these imported from desi cows or are they from Yankee cows?” tweeted a user Samar Halarnkar along with a picture of packed cow dung cakes. On the packaging, the label notes that the product is for “religious purposes” and is not “eatable”.Once shared online, the post instantly triggered hilarious reactions online, leaving netizens baffled about the source of the cow dung. “Isko dekh ke maine DUNG rah gaya,” read one of the many comments on the viral post.indianexpress
UGC Increases Fellowship Amount For Scholarships Awarded To SC, OBC, Minorities
https://www.ndtv.com/education/ugc-increases-fellowship-amount-for-sc-obc-minorities-2133591?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR2YQtekpBESTjMKwlyTVvXPW9uJJZizYclLY490__5X7AgHqTzbOrAO1fQ
Months after UGC notified an increase in the fellowship amount of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), Commission has now increased the fellowship amount for scholarships awarded to SC, OBC and Minorities. In a notice, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt, has notified an increase in the fellowship amount for 3 Fellowships- National Fellowship for SCs (NFSC),National Fellowship for OBCs (NFOBC), and Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF).The scholarship amount has been increased from Rs. 25,000 per month to Rs. 31,000 per month for first two years of JRF and from Rs. 28,000 per month to Rs. 35,000 per month for the remaining period of the tenure (SRF).HRA will be provided at the revised rate of 8%, 16% and 24% is allowed as per Govt of India norms as applicable in the city/location where the Research Fellow is pursuing their research.The revised rate of fellowship will be granted with effect from Jan 1, 2019.ndtv
Karnataka: Congress MLA Tanveer Sait attacked in Mysuru, undergoes surgery
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-congress-mla-tanveer-sait-attacked-in-mysuru-undergoes-surgery-6124995/
Karnataka Congress MLA Tanveer Sait was attacked by a knife-wielding man Sunday night while he was attending a wedding ceremony in Mysuru. While the attacker was taken into custody, the legislator was rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery. Reports suggest that his condition is now stable. While the motive behind the attack is yet to ascertained, police said that an investigation into the matter is ongoing. According to police, Sait suffered a serious injury to his neck in the attack. Doctors shifted him to the ICU, and surgery was carried out.“Accused is identified as Farhaan Pasha, a resident of Udayagiri, works as a carpenter and is being interrogated. The reason behind the attack is yet to be ascertained,” Mysuru City Police Commissioner said, after visiting MLA in hospital.Sait is a 5-time MLA from Narasimharaja seat in Mysuru.The 52-year-old was ex Primary and Secondary Education Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet and a minister in the SM Krishna cabinet. indianexpress
Meghalaya-based insurgent group HNLC banned by govt
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/meghalaya-based-insurgent-group-hnlc-banned-by-govt/articleshow/72111063.cms
Meghalaya-based insurgent group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has been banned by the central Govt for its increased activities of violence and other subversive acts.In a notification, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said HNLC along with all its factions, wings and frontal organisations has been openly declaring as its objective the secession of the state's areas, which are largely inhabited by Khasi and Jaintia tribals, from Indian Union.The group continues to intimidate and bully civilians to extort funds, maintains links with other insurgent groups of Northeast to carry out acts of extortion and intimidation, and maintains camps in Bangladesh to give sanctuary and training to its cadre, it said.The central Govt is also of the opinion that HNLC's activities are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India. PTI
Yogi Adityanath Govt mulling to change name of Agra to Agravan
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/nov/18/yogi-adityanath-Govt-mulling-to-change-name-of-agra-to-agravan-2063417.html?fbclid=IwAR3gN7qIVF1IajBwevtmvtKGN72KYu2_xaKKT7m5Zs17sixmvE5FurREgCY
Lucknow: After changing the names of Allahabad to Prayagraj and Mughalsarai to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, Yogi Adityanath Govt in UP is planning to change the name of Agra to Agravan.The state Govt has asked Ambedkar University in Agra to look into the historical aspect of the name. The history department of the university is now looking at the proposal.Prof Sugam Anand, head of the department of history in Dr BR Ambedkar University of Agra, confirmed this. He said, "we have received a letter from the state Govt to look for historical evidence if Agra city was known by any other name. We have begun the research and will reply to the letter."According to sources, the Yogi Govt is planning to change the name from Agra to Agravan since some historians believe that this was the original name of the city that is home to Taj Mahal.It had re-ignited the controversy on the issue. Tourism trade experts, however, have reservations on any such move.IANS
Will retire from politics once law enacted to control population: Giriraj Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/will-retire-from-politics-once-law-enacted-to-control-population-giriraj-singh-6124368/
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that he would retire from politics when the legislation “to control population” will be enacted in the country.Singh, who is a minister of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries in the Narendra Modi-led Govt, also said that two of his long-cherished dreams — scrapping Kashmir’s special provisions and Ram temple construction at Ayodhya — have been recently fulfilled.“It’s time I take retirement from politics as two of my wishes have been fulfilled. I will make an exit the day a bill is enacted to control population,” Singh was quoted as saying by PTI .indianexpress
Marriage cannot be a 'settlement' in rape cases: HC
https://thewire.in/law/marriage-cannot-be-a-settlement-in-rape-cases-delhi-hc
New Delhi: On a question whether the fact that the offender and the victim in a rape case have got married and “settled” the dispute between themselves should be a “good enough” reason to quash an FIR of rape and consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, the Delhi high court ruled that the offence of rape falls under the category of “heinous and serious crime” which cannot be quashed even if the parties have settled their dispute or got married.This significant verdict is bound to have implications on a large number of rape cases in India reported against those who were known to the victim.As per the latest report of the NCRB, out of a total of 32,559 cases of rape reported across the country in 2017, in 10,553 cases, the accused were “friends, online friends, live-in partners or separated husbands” of the victims. In another 16,591 rape cases, the accused were family friends, employers, neighbours or other known persons. In more than 93% of the cases, the rape was by known persons.The decision was given by the Delhi high court Justice Brijesh Sethi while hearing a petition by a man requesting to quash an FIR for rape registered against him in Sept.2013 at the Safdarjung Enclave police station in Delhi by his live-in partner.thewire
11 killed in Bikaner as bus collides with truck
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/11-killed-in-rajasthan-s-bikaner-as-bus-collides-with-truck-on-highway/story-WZOpBBJn5Tlh8mf3D0pdIP.html
Bikaner: 11 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured on Monday when a bus collided head-on with a truck in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, police said.Seven bodies were recovered from Lok Parivahan Seva (Public Transport Service) bus as both the vehicles went up in flames immediately after the accident at around 8am on the Bikaner-Jaipur National Highway 11, said Bikaner’s superintendent of police Pradeep Mohan Sharma.The passengers were trapped inside the vehicle as the bus was crushed in the accident near Seruna, 43 km from Bikaner.Out of the 11 dead, nine were identified as Om Singh, Bheru Singh, Arun Kumar, Kajal, Lalit, Maya Kanwar, Navveta, Anita and Raju Meena.HT
BHU professor:I am a Muslim, why can't I teach Sanskrit
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/bhu-professor-i-am-a-muslim-why-cant-i-teach-sanskrit/articleshow/72092216.cms
Varanasi:As a child, Firoz Khan remembers his grandfather Gafur Khan in Rajasthan singing bhajans to swaying Hindu crowds. The tradition continued. His father Ramjan Khan studied Sanskrit and would often preach from a gaushala near their house in Jaipur's Bagru village on the need to look after cows."We had no problems then," said Khan.That's until he reached BHU as a professor to teach Sanskrit. Students from the department erupted in revolt. "A Muslim can't teach us Sanskrit," they said and sat in protest on Nov. 7. "This isn't what Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya would have wanted," others raged as Khan was appointed assistant professor in the literature department of Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan.The agitation has continued. The students have remained adamant on their demand to move Khan to a different department despite a meeting with V-C Rakesh Bhatnagar on the futility of it a day earlier on Thursday. They haven't budged even after the administration made it clear that the selection committee had unanimously recommended selection of Khan "on basis of prescribed UGC guidelines and BHU Act".TOI
WORLD
China welcomes new Sri Lankan president, and old friend, Gotabaya Rajapaksa
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-welcomes-new-lankan-president-and-old-friend-gotabaya-rajapaksa/story-IFaiHrWIcSlZ13VqI9G0eK.html
China on Monday congratulated the newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, saying Beijing is ready to work with the new leadership for “high-quality” cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), ambitious intercontinental connectivity project launched by President Xi Jinping.The Rajapaksa family, including the new president and his elder brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, are considered close to Beijing. It was under the elder Rajapaksa’s presidential reign between 2005 and 2015 that Beijing emerged as a key economic ally and major investor of the war-torn country. “Sri Lanka has successfully held presidential election, which is a major agenda political agenda at home. We are pleased to see that and offer our sincere congratulations to Gotabaya on his success,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang, said today.“China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners with sincere mutual assistance everlasting friendship,” he said.“We stand ready to on the basis of respect, equality and mutual benefit work with the new leadership and the Govt for high-quality BRI cooperation and greater progress in bilateral ties to bring more tangible benefits to two countries and their people,” Geng said at the regular ministry conference. Rajapaksa was the defence secretary – during his elder brother’s presidency – at the end of the civil war with Tamil rebels. China at the time was one of the main suppliers of arms and ammunition for the Sri Lankan army. HT
Gotabaya sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/gotabaya-rajapaksa-sworn-sri-lanka-president-191118072535784.html
Gotabaya Rajapaksa was on Monday sworn in as the Sri Lankan president a day after he was declared the winner in the closely fought election in the South Asian island nation. Rajapaksa, who is the first retired military officer to assume the top office, appealed to minority Tamils and Muslims - who form about 20 %of Sri Lanka's 22 million population - to rally around him.In his address to the nation, he said, "I knew that I could win with only the votes of the Sinhala majority. But I asked Tamils and Muslims to be a part of my success. Their response was not what I expected. However, I urge them to join me to build one Sri Lanka."Sri Lanka's Muslims are among those most fearful of a Gotabaya presidency," said Alan Keenan, project director for Sri Lanka at the International Crisis Group.aljazeera
Palestinian journalists protest against wounding of colleague
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/palestinian-journalists-protest-wounding-colleague-191118055904018.html
Israeli forces in Bethlehem have fired tear gas at Palestinian journalists protesting against the wounding of a colleague by apparent Israeli fire, an incident that sparked outcry among media workers in occupied West Bank.Palestinian freelance photojournalist Muath Amarneh has been in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem since being hit in the eye on Friday while covering a protest in Surif, close to Hebron.Amarneh said he was some way from the protesters when he was struck by what he believes was Israeli fire."After clashes started, I was standing to the side wearing a flak jacket with press markings and a helmet," 35-year-old told AFP.aljazeera
Israeli threat to Al-Aqsa Mosque is getting worse
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191118-israeli-threat-to-al-aqsa-mosque-is-getting-worse/
Israel’s threat to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Rahma Gate have been getting worse, Deputy Director of Jerusalem Religious Endowment Department, said. Najeh Bkeerat told the Palestinian Information Centre that the rising threat is due to Israeli aggression and the lack of Arab, regional, international and Islamic deterrence in response to this. Bkeerat added that the lack of awareness about the importance of the Palestinian cause, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque among Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims is another reason for the increasing Israeli danger. Bab Al-Rahma was re-opened in February for the first time since 2003, before being closed again by the Israelis a month or so later.“Israeli occupation authorities are trying to send a message to the world, through their aggression, that it is keeping tight control over Al-Aqsa Mosque,”Bkeerat explained. He insisted that Israel’s increasing number of violations of the sanctity of the site suggest that the occupation state is preparing something against the Noble Sanctuary. He did not rule out that the increasing number of Jewish settlers raiding Al-Aqsa Mosque are part of a campaign by the Israeli right wing to attract more support.middleeastmonitor
Israel threatens to take even more Palestinian land in occupied West Bank
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191118-israel-threatens-to-take-even-more-palestinian-land-in-occupied-west-bank/
Israeli occupation authorities have renewed their threats that they will take even more Palestinian-owned land and farms around the West Bank city of Salfit, Maan reported on Sunday.The Director of Civil Affairs in Salfit, Usama Musleh, said that the Israelis had renewed the expropriation warrants distributed to the Palestinian farmers in the area. He noted that the Israeli occupation army takes the same measures with Palestinian land near the illegal Israeli settlements, before taking it off its rightful owners.“Israeli forces use these lands for a period between four and six years,” he told Maan. “Then they annex them to the settlements.” He noted that the renewal of the latest expropriation warrants will expire on 31 Dec 2022.middleeastmonitor
Trump’s admn frustrated, disappointed with Netanyahu
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191118-trumps-administration-frustrated-disappointed-with-netanyahu/
US President Donald Trump’s administration feels frustrated and disappointed with Israel in general and PMBenjamin Netanyahu in particular, Ynet News reported US officials saying.Israeli website reported White House sources saying: “Americans are discouraged and frustrated by Israeli politics and the current political crisis, which has prevented the White House from unveiling the political part of the deal of the century.”According to US sources, Ynet News reported, Trump distanced himself from Netanyahu, whom he has previously helped, after he failing twice to form a Govt. “The president doesn’t like losers,” a White House source told the Israeli news site, adding that its sources reported Trump speaking about Netanyahu in a negative manner.The sources noted that Trump helped Netanyahu by relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognising the annexation of the occupied Golan Heights and designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a foreign terrorist organisation.middleeastmonitor
Nir Barkat: Trump plan would be ‘most aligned with Likud’s thinking of any American presidency’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191118-nir-barkat-trump-plan-would-be-most-aligned-with-likuds-thinking-of-any-american-presidency/
Former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has claimed that the Middle East “peace plan” from the Trump administration would be the “most aligned with Likud’s thinking of any American presidency”.In a wide-ranging interview with the Times of Israel, Barkat – a senior Likud MK who is open about his ambitions to lead the party one day – revealed that he has shared a plan for Israel’s economic development of the occupied West Bank with senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner.According to Barkat, the plan – titled “Developing Win-Win Economy in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]” – would see a quarter of a million Palestinians employed in Israeli-run industrial zones in the occupied territory, as well as some two dozen “Biblical tourism sites” across the region.“Right now, the current status quo is civil separation, and Israeli security and the game-changer is creating a joint economy in industrial zones in Area C and tourism through Bible stories,” he said.The report stated that Barkat made the presentation to Kushner in the summer, “at the direct request of PMBenjamin Netanyahu”.MEMO
UK: Tories to ban councils from boycotting products from Israel under manifesto plans
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191118-uk-tories-to-ban-councils-from-boycotting-products-from-israel-under-manifesto-plans/
Conservative Party will include in its election manifesto a ban on public bodies from boycotting or sanctioning foreign states, reported the Sunday Telegraph.The report noted that “the policy will cover boycotts of products or divestment from pension funds connected to foreign states.”However, the ban is primarily aimed at Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which seeks to pressure Israel to abide by international law and respect Palestinian rights.Since its launch in 2005, BDS campaign has grown into a global, civil society-based movement, with support amongst students, academics, artists, trade unions and local communities.middleeastmonitor
Rouhani warns protest-hit Iran cannot allow 'insecurity'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/hassan-rouhani-warns-protest-hit-iran-insecurity-191117204223963.html
President Hassan Rouhani warned on Sunday that "anarchy and rioting" would not be tolerated after fuel price rises led to deadly mass protests throughout Iran.An estimated 87,000 people took part in the demonstrations, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, and at least two people were killed.Dozens of banks and shops were set on fire or damaged in the violence and about 1,000 arrests were made."People have the right to protest, but that is different from riots," Rouhani was quoted as saying. "We cannot let insecurity in the country through riots."Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards echoed Rouhani's statement on Monday, warning of "decisive" action if unrest does not cease, according to state TV. "If necessary we will take decisive and revolutionary action against any continued moves to disturb the people's peace and security," the statement carried by state media said.It is unclear how many people have been killed or wounded as videos from the protests have shown people gravely wounded. Access to the internet was also severely curtailed by the authorities.aljazeera
Iraq protesters block roads to main Gulf port, southern oilfields
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iraq-protesters-block-roads-main-gulf-port-southern-oilfields-191118114533036.html
Iraqi demonstrators have blocked roads leading to oilfields and the main port in the country's south, according to security officials, while protesters in Baghdad forced the closure of Iraq's central bank.For the second time since the start of anti-establishment demonstrations last month, protesters today blocked the entrance to Umm Qasr commodities port near Basra, preventing employees and tankers from entering and bringing operations down by 50 percent, two port sources said.If the blockage continues, operations will come to a complete halt, the sources told Reuters News Agency. The port was previously blocked from October 29 to Nov. 9 with a brief resumption of operations between Nov. 7-9. aljazeera
Lebanon like a 'sinking ship':parliament speaker
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/lebanon-resembles-sinking-ship-parliament-speaker-191118090812664.html
Lebanon is like a sinking ship that will go under unless action is taken, Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament has been quoted as saying, referring to the Mediterranean country's deep economic and political crisis. The statement on Monday coincided with protests across Lebanon entering their second month after people first took to the streets on Oct.17 in what quickly became a nationwide protest movement against a ruling class seen as corrupt and incapable of running the country."The country is like a ship that is sinking little by little," he said, according to Al Joumhouria. "If we don't take the necessary steps, it will sink entirely."aljazeera
HRW: Deadly attacks on Sudan protesters were planned
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/rights-group-deadly-attacks-sudan-protesters-planned-191118051853223.html
HRW has accused Sudan's security forces of planning deadly attacks on protesters in the country earlier this year, warning that the violence could amount to crimes against humanity. In a report released today, US-based rights group called on Sudan's transitional authorities to commit to "genuine accountability" for the violence in June perpetrated against the protesters."Sudan's new Govt needs to show it is serious about holding those responsible for the lethal attacks on protesters to account after decades of violent repression and atrocities against civilians," Jehanne Henry, associate Africa director at HRW, said."They should start by pursuing justice for the brutal attacks on protesters since last Dec, ensuring that all investigations are independent and transparent, and conform with international standards," he added.On June 3, armed attackers in military uniforms raided a sit-in camp outside the military HQ in central Khartoum, shooting and beating pro-democracy protesters who had occupied the area for months. Over 100 demonstrators were killed following the raid on the sit-in site, according to the protest-aligned Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, while more than 700 others were reportedly wounded in the attack and subsequent days of violence. aljazeera
Flash: NEWS, views and Articles
Fountainhead of India’s economic malaise: Dr. Manmohan Singh
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-fountainhead-of-indias-economic-malaise/article30000546.ece?homepage=true
With economic centre of gravity shifting to states, India’s growth hinges on cooperative federalism:Duvvuri Subbarao
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-five-trillion-economy-nirmala-sitharaman-pm-modi-gdp-6124752/
Protests in BHU against hiring of a Muslim Sanskrit professor speak of dismal times:Rajesh Kochhar
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bhu-students-protests-muslim-sanskrit-professor-appointment-6124746/
How a small collective is challenging the might of biased Hindi journalism on Kashmir
http://twocircles.net/2019nov17/433396.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Ayodhya Verdict: Secularism, Rule of Law and Faith of Minorities:Prannv Dhavan, Parth Maniktala
https://barandbench.com/secularism-rule-of-law-and-the-ayodhya-verdict/
Babri verdict based on faith, not evidence:A G Noorani
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/171119/babri-verdict-based-on-faith-not-evidence.html
Modi’s new citizenship law will rip open the wounds of Partition:SHIVAM VIJ
https://theprint.in/opinion/modis-new-citizenship-law-will-rip-open-the-wounds-of-partition/322456/?fbclid=IwAR2mBY0HMYlkMYc4LsRc2Yyuf46dwjB5y4KsNLUZxQFEh810exxs4y6Oh9w
How Nehru Betrayed Kashmir and Kashmiris, Creating an Endless Tragedy:AJIT SAHI
https://caravandaily.com/how-nehru-betrayed-kashmir-and-kashmiris-creating-an-endless-tragedy/
Vanishing Coaching Centres, Preparations From Jail: Exams in J&K
https://thewire.in/education/jammu-and-kashmir-exams
In Pakistan, Kartarpur applause mixes with Kashmir recall: Murtaza Shibli
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/in-pakistan-kartarpur-applause-mixes-with-kashmir-recall/cid/1719978?ref=india_india-page
Gogoi’s tenure as CJI was marked by deafening silences on crucial issues:Sruthisagar Yamunan
https://scroll.in/article/944015/ranjan-gogois-tenure-as-chief-justice-was-marked-by-deafening-silences-on-crucial-issues
Karkare’s life & 26/11: His daughter’s book is ready
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hemant-karkares-life-26-11-his-daughters-book-is-ready-6124636/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:09 PM).
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