20 NOV. 2019: 22 Rabiul Awwal 1441: Vol: 12, No: 62
INDIA
NRC will be done across India, Amit Shah, 'but Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi refugees will get citizenship under CAB'
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/nrc-will-be-done-across-india-amit-shah-tells-rajya-sabha-but-hindu-sikh-christian-buddhist-jain-and-parsi-refugees-will-get-citizenship-under-cab-7678801.html
New Delhi: National Register of Citizens (NRC) process will be carried out across India, Home Minister Amit Shah said in Rajya Sabha today while making it clear that there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion. Shah said government accepts that refugees - Hindu, Buddhists, Jain, Christians, Sikhs and Parsis - who left Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to religious atrocities should get Indian citizenship."The process of NRC will be carried out across the country. No one irrespective of their religion should be worried. It is just a process to get everyone under the NRC," he said replying to a supplementary during Question Hour in Upper House.He said there is no provision in NRC that people belonging to other religions will not be included in the register. "People from all religions who are Indian citizens will be included.There is no question of any discrimination on the basis of religion. NRC is a different process and the Citizenship Amendment Bill is different," Shah said.In Assam, the NRC process was carried out as per Supreme Court order, he said and added that when NRC process will be implemented in the entire country Assam will also be included. Home Minister said that in Assam, people whose name has not figured in the draft list, have the right to go to the Tribunal. "Tribunals will be constituted across Assam. If any person doesn't have the money to approach tribunals, then Assam government will bear the cost to hire a lawyer," he said.He reiterated that all citizens of India irrespective of religion will figure in NRC list. The home minister said the government accepts that Hindu refugees, Buddhists, Jain, Christians and Sikh and Parsi should get this country's citizenship and this is why the Citizenship Amendment Bill is there. He said Lok Sabha had passed the Bill and Select Committee had approved it but Lok Sabha had lapsed. "Now it will come again. It has no connection with the NRC," he said.PTI
US commission calls NRC ''downward trend in religious freedom'', says 1.9 million Assam residents may soon be deemed stateless
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/us-commission-calls-nrc-downward-trend-in-religious-freedom/1666633
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/uscirf-expresses-concern-over-nrc-says-19-million-assam-residents-may-soon-be-deemed-stateless/1666724
A US govt commission has called NRC a "downward trend in religious freedom" in India amid efforts to link Assam to Kashmir issue.In a brief released on Tuesday, US International Commission on Religious Freedom (USICRF) said, "NRC as a tool to target religious minorities and, in particular, to render Indian Muslims stateless has become one more example of the downward trend in religious freedom conditions within India."The brief is a part of the latest political push in US against India over human rights to expand the campaign beyond Kashmir issue to Assam using NRC.Several persons who criticised India before 2 Congressional panels for rescinding the special status of Kashmir and imposing restrictions there also brought up NRC in Assam. A press release accompanying release of the brief quoted from USICRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava''s testimony on Kashmir last week before the House of Representative Lantos Commission on Human Rights at a hearing labelled as "Jammu and Kashmir in Context." She had asserted, "Worse yet is that Indian political officials have repeatedly conveyed their intent to direct and use NRC process to isolate and push out Muslims in Assam. And now, across India, political leaders are seeking to expand NRC and implement different citizenship standards for Muslims altogether." The brief prepared USICRF Policy Analyst Harrison Akins said, "Both national and state leaders from ruling BJP have pushed for implementation of an NRC in other states, including Maharashtra, UP, and West Bengal." The document said that when it was realised that large numbers of Bengali Hindus were also excluded from NRC in Assam, BJP politicians called for a "re-verification" and a review by the Supreme Court. USICRF Chair Tony Perkins was quoted in the press release as saying, "updated NRC list and subsequent actions of the Indian government are essentially creating a religious test for citizenship to target Assam''s vulnerable Muslim community. We urge Indian government to protect the rights of all of its religious minorities as enshrined in the Indian constitution."The brief said, "The growing concern is that those declared to be ''illegal immigrants'' will become stateless. India and Bangladesh currently do not have a repatriation agreement, with each repatriation case handled ad hoc between the 2 governments."IANS
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/uscirf-expresses-concern-over-nrc-says-19-million-assam-residents-may-soon-be-deemed-stateless/1666724
‘Never in Bengal’: Mamata on Shah’s pan-India NRC pitch
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/never-in-bengal-mamata-banerjee-on-amit-shah-s-pan-india-nrc-pitch/story-ohSxu79PukJEWG6VzgL6hK.html
New Delhi:West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit back at home minister Amit Shah for saying that a NRC, similar to the one in Assam, will be implemented across the country.Banerjee said she will never allow division on the basis of religion in her state.“There are few people, who are trying to create disturbance in the state in the name of implementation of NRC. I want to make it very clear, we will never allow NRC in Bengal,” she said at a rally in Sagardighi.HT
Want faulty NRC in Assam scrapped: Assam Govt after Amit Shah's plan
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/himanta-biswa-sarma-after-amit-shahs-plan-want-faulty-nrc-in-assam-scrapped-2135754?pfrom=home-topstories
Guwahati: Home Minister Amit Shah's plan to redo NRC exercise in Assam along with the rest of India today found support from BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has long termed the final list prepared exclusively for the northeastern state earlier this year as "faulty"."We believe that NRC prepared by ex state coordinator Prateek Hajela has failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Assam. There are many shortcomings, as we have already pointed out. While various groups in Assam have already filed review petitions before the Supreme Court, we now want this faulty list to be scrapped in favour of a nationwide NRC," Sarma, who is also Finance Minister of Assam, said.ndtv
Modi Govt must disclose all details about electoral bonds before Parliament, says Congress
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/modi-govt-must-disclose-all-details-about-electoral-bonds-before-parliament-says-congress
Congress demanded today that government must disclose all details about electoral bonds before Parliament, alleging that the scheme resulted in money laundering and destroyed transparency in the funding of political parties.Describing electoral bonds as a "political bribery scheme", the opposition party said it was a scam that tarnished the image of the Indian democracy."What we are talking about today leads straight to the PM's office. BJP govt is running 90 per cent of the business in this country with a few industrialists," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.He alleged that the scheme of electoral bonds resulted in money laundering and destroyed transparency in the funding of political parties.Addressing a press conference, Azad, along with party colleagues Randeep Singh Surjewala and Anand Sharma, said under the electoral bonds scheme, the donor buying the bonds could hide his identity and at the same time, a political party needed to share the details as regards from whom it got how much money.PTI
War of words over Kashmir situation in Parliament: Amit Shah claims 'total normalcy' in Valley, Congress says HM referring to 'some other state'
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/war-of-words-over-kashmir-situation-in-rajya-sabha-amit-shah-claims-total-normalcy-in-valley-congress-says-hm-referring-to-some-other-state-7679111.html
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said in Rajya Sabha that total normalcy prevails in Kashmir with government offices and educational institutions functioning fully, but Internet connection will be restored after the local administration feels it is fit to do so.He also asserted that not a single person has died in police firing since 5 August when Centre abrogated special status of the state although many feared there would be bloodshed and more killings. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 are prevalent only in certain areas from 8 pm to 6 am in the valley, he said. Responding to a series of questions on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir during Question Hour, Shah said government offices, educational institutes, courts, health centres, banks and media outlets are functioning fully."As far as Internet service is concerned, an appropriate action will be taken on recommendation of the local administration. Neighbouring country is still doing some mischief and we will restore the connection as soon as local administration says it is fit to do so,"he said.To a supplementary question on how much more time would be needed to bring normalcy in Kashmir, Shah said, "The situation there was always normal. There were many notions spread all over the world. There is total normalcy prevailing. After 5 August , not a single person has died in police firing although many feared there would be bloodshed and more number of killings."As the Home Minister gave out figures supporting normalcy in the Valley, Leader of Opposition in Upper House, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "It looks like the Home Minister is referring to the report of some other state."When Opposition members objected to the Chair giving more time to the Home Minister to reply on Kashmir during the Question Hour, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said, "It is a national security issue".PTI
Home Ministry justifies EU MPs' visit to Kashmir, but deflects question on why Indian MPs were barred
https://www.firstpost.com/india/home-ministry-justifies-eu-parliamentarians-visit-to-kashmir-in-rajya-sabha-but-deflects-question-on-why-indian-mps-were-barred-7678641.html
In response to a specific questions on why Indian legislators could not be allowed into Kashmir while European parliamentarians could visit the state, the Ministry of Home Affairs barely said that MePs' visit was a private visit which allowed people-to-people contact. The clampdown in Kashmir Valley was discussed in Rajya Sabha today as Opposition leaders raised various aspects of the complex issue, including communication blockade, arrest of local politicians and the govt's refusal to allow Opposition members to visit the Valley, even as it facilitated the visit of Members of European Parliament to sensitive region.The government on its part, merely repeated the official position in the Parliament, without giving any additional details. In response to a specific question on why Indian legislators were not allowed into Kashmir while European parliamentarians were allowed, the Ministry of Home Affairs barely said that the MEPs' visit was a private visit which allowed 'people-to-people contact'. Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy —in response to an unstarred question by Sukhram Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party — said, a group of European parliamentarians that recently visited Kashmir was on a "private visit" to the country.firstpost
Over 5,000 people arrested since Aug 4 in Kashmir: Home Ministry
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-5000-people-arrested-since-august-4-in-kashmir-home-ministry-6129072/
Jammu and Kashmir administration has put behind bars more than 5,000 people since August 4, a day before the government announced abrogation of the state’s special status. The government today told Parliament that since August 4 as many as 5,161 people have been arrested for maintenance of law and order in the erstwhile state. These arrests were preventive in nature and a majority of those arrested have been released since. Currently, 609 people, 218 of whom are alleged stone pelters, continue to be under detention, Ministry of Home Affairs told Rajya Sabha during question hour.indianexpress
BJP leader thrown out of Asia pacific summit for disrupting Pakistan's speech on Kashmir
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-bjp-leader-thrown-out-of-asia-pacific-summit-for-disrupting-pakistans-speech-on-kashmir/342680
BJP leader Vijay Jolly was thrown out of Asia Pacific Summit, 2019 in Cambodia on Tuesday when he tried to disrupt the speech of Pakistan National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri on Kashmir issue.In a video, Jolly can be seen escorted out by security personnel when he tries to disrupt the speech. Suri was seen talking about Kashmir issue and accusing the Indian government of committing human rights violation in the Valley.An enraged Jolly stood up and objected to Suri's speech, saying "Kashmir is not the issue of this summit...This is not right." The security personnel then grabbed Jolly and took him out of the conference held in Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.outlookindia
Watch: BJP leader Vijay Jolly dragged out of summit for disrupting Pakistan leader’s speech on J&K
https://scroll.in/latest/944338/watch-bjp-leader-vijay-jolly-dragged-out-of-summit-for-disrupting-pakistan-leaders-speech-on-j-k
Jammu and Kashmir terror-funding: ED takes possession of 7 J&K properties
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/jammu-and-kashmir-terror-funding-ed-takes-possession-of-7-jk-properties/517060
New Delhi: Over 3 months after the Centre abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Enforcement Directorate took possession of 7 properties attached in connection with its probe into a terror-funding case involving Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM) chief Syed Salahuddin and others.A senior ED official said all the seven properties were attached by the financial probe agency earlier in the case."But this is for the first time that we took possession of the properties in the Valley," he said, adding "earlier we had to rely on other agencies to take possession".He said the said properties are located in Anantnag, Sopore and Bandipora.Official said 7 properties were earlier provisionally attached. "After confirmation of the orders by the competent authority, ED officials visited the places and put up notices declaring the agency has taken over physical possession of the parcels of land," he said.According to senior ED officials, Central probe agency has issued orders for attachment of 13 properties belonging to Mohammad Shafi Shah and 6 others of HuM under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.IANS
Yashwant Sinha announces plan to visit Jammu and Kashmir from Nov.22-25 to assess ground situation
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/yashwant-sinha-announces-plan-to-visit-jammu-and-kashmir-from-november-22-25-to-assess-ground-situation/story-kpffBgO0C9D3H4AOGXYcUJ.html
New Delhi:A civil society group, which includes former Union minister Yashwant Sinha, will go on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 22 to assess the ground situation in the region after the central government nullified Article 370, which gave the erstwhile state special powers.The members of the Concerned Citizens’ Group plan to return on November 25 and will then release their report on the ground situation in the region, Sinha said.PTI
Kashmir shutdown caused losses of more than USD 1 billion: Trade body
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/economy/191119/kashmir-shutdown-caused-losses-of-more-than-usd-1-billion-trade-body.html?fbclid=IwAR3miRrew5uSO2bk5t_Johumpl-55nuv6etLCyGNSTIvluQ419v657OKsiE
Srinagar: Economic losses in Kashmir have run well over a billion dollars since India revoked its autonomy and statehood in August, main trade body in the Himalayan region said, adding that it planned to sue the government for damages. India turned its erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into a federally-controlled territory, tightening control in a shock move it said would rein in militancy in the region also claimed by neighbouring Pakistan, and promote its development.But Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said development was elusive, thanks to a protracted shutdown after people closed markets and businesses as a mark of protest, and for fear of reprisals from insurgents. It estimated economic losses ran into least 100 billion rupees (USD 1.40 billion) by September, but now exceeded that, said Nasir Khan, its senior vice president. “We’ll ask the court to appoint an external agency to assess the losses, because it is beyond us,” said Khan, adding that India’s telecoms blackout in the region meant the body could not reach business owners by telephone to prepare estimates.Instead, it had to send staff to meet them and gather details. India’s home ministry and local government officials did not respond to detailed requests for comment. REUTERS
AMU lady professor booked over post on Kashmir, Hindu Mahasabha filed complaint
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amu-professor-booked-over-post-on-kashmir-hindu-mahasabha-filed-complaint-6128944/
Aligarh:The police here have registered an FIR against an AMUprofessor for sharing posts on social media that allegedly hurt the morale of the security forces in the Valley.FIR cited an “inappropriate post” in which the assistant professor, whose husband is based in Kashmir, referred to the communication blackout in the Valley immediately after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.“Sach mein sampark toot jana kitna khatarnak aur dukhad hota hai, chahe Chandrayaan ho ya Kashmir,” the post said on the “pain” caused by losing contact. “whether it is Chandrayaan or Kashmir”. Huma Parveen, 34, from AMU’s Mass Communication department has been booked on charges of promoting enmity between different groups.The action followed a complaint on Nov.14 by Hindu Mahasabha spokesperson Ashok Pandey over weeks-old posts.When contacted on Wednesday, Huma Parveen said, “I have not written a single post myself but have just shared a few posts published either in leading news portals or by some friends.”Acccording to the professor, she shared these posts with her husband Naeem Shaukat, with whom she had lost contact during the communication blackdown immediately after the Centre’s decision to nullify Article 370.PTI
SC asks Kerala to stay clear of women's entry issue for now, come up with law to administer Sabarimala
https://www.news18.com/news/india/sc-asks-kerala-govt-to-stay-clear-of-womens-entry-issue-for-now-come-up-with-law-to-administer-sabarimala-2394037.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Kerala government to stay clear of the controversy surrounding women's entry into the Sabarimala hill shrine while framing an exclusive law to administer it.A three-judge bench, led by Justice NV Ramana, pointed out that issues relating to entry of women between the age of 10 and 50 have been referred to a seven-judge bench and, thus, it should be avoided for the time being.The occasion for the bench to cite the recent Sabarimala judgment arose when it went through a draft legislation presented by state government. Kerala govt in the draft had reserved one-third of the posts for women in the temple advisory committee of what it called 'Travancore-Cochin Religious Institutions Act'.news18
Congress, Sharad Pawar Talk After He Meets PM, Closer To Deal With Shiv Sena
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-in-separate-meets-with-sharad-pawar-sanjay-raut-on-maharashtra-2135797?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: Congress and NCP appeared close to sealing an alliance with Shiv Sena to form a government in Maharashtra on Wednesday, hours after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar set the cat among the pigeons. An alliance seemed to be taking shape as top Congress leaders held discussions with the NCP at Sharad Pawar's home while a senior Congress leader separately met Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut. Congress sources said their leader Sonia Gandhi "is positive" on government formation.Sonia Gandhi had been reluctant to join hands with the ideologically contrasting and pro-Hindutva Shiv Sena, which fell out with long-time ally BJP over power-sharing after 2 won Maharashtra election together. According to the deal in circulation, the Shiv Sena has to share chief ministership with NCP, with its chief Uddhav Thackeray getting the first turn. Other details include two deputy chief ministers, one from the Congress.ndtv
Public sector banks reported more frauds in first half of FY20 than in entire FY19, shows data
https://scroll.in/latest/944324/public-sector-banks-reported-more-frauds-in-first-half-of-fy20-than-in-entire-fy19-shows-data
Public sector banks reported 5,743 cases of fraud in the first half of the ongoing financial year, involving Rs 95,760 crore, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Rajya Sabha. This is much higher than the cases RBI reported in state-run banks in the full 2018-’19 year – 3,766 cases involving Rs 64,509 crore.Sitharaman said that only 1,007 of the cases reported between April 1 and Sept.30 – involving Rs 2,509.86 crore – were frauds that took place this year, due to “comprehensive measures” taken to reduce such cases. The government distinguishes such data based on the date of reporting and the date of occurrence.State Bank of India reported 2,939 fraud cases, involving Rs 25,417 crore, between April 1 and Sept.30 – of these, 550 cases involving Rs 11 crore took place this year. PNB reported 225 cases of fraud worth Rs 10,822 crore, while Bank of Baroda had 180 cases worth Rs 8,273 crore.scroll.in
Rs 2,000 note is main denomination for hoarding of unaccounted income, assets:Centre
https://scroll.in/latest/944302/rs-2000-note-is-main-denomination-for-hoarding-of-unaccounted-income-assets-says-centre
The Rs 2,000 note has been the main denomination for hoarding of unaccounted income and assets, The Hindu reported referring to a reply by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha.Sitharaman told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that an analysis of the search cases involving cash seizures of more than Rs 5 crore revealed that 67.91% of the cash was in the form of Rs 2,000 notes in 2017-’18, 65.93% in 2018-’19, and 43.22% in 2019-’20 financial years. However, the data also implies that percentage of Rs 2,000 notes found by Income Tax Department in cash seizures has been on the decline.scroll.in
Protest will go on: JNU students meet HRD ministry panel, seek meeting with V-C
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jnu-v-c-unresponsive-students-meet-hrd-ministry-panel-give-details-of-police-lathicharge-1620782-2019-11-20
Agroup of students of JNU met a panel of HRD ministry officials on Wednesday morning, days after the clashes with Delhi Police personnel, and told the officials about the brutal police action.Coming out of the meeting, JNUSU member Apeksha said, "HRD ministry officials gave us a patient hearing. We informed them that the protests will go on and we want a meeting with the V-C."She added, "We also sought action against the police." According to sources from inside the meeting between JNUSU office-bearers and HRD ministry officials, the students spoke at length about V-C of the university being unavailable and unresponsive to their needs.The students also gave out details of the alleged lathicharge done by Delhi Police personnel when the protesting JNU students were marching towards the Parliament on Monday.indiatoday
Visually-challenged JNU student beaten by Delhi Police during march to Parliament over fee hike
https://www.firstpost.com/india/visually-challenged-jnu-student-beaten-by-delhi-police-during-march-to-parliament-over-fee-hike-7676301.html
A video of Delhi Police beating up a visually-challenged JNU student, who was a part of the protests against the fees hike and amended hostel manual, went viral.In an account given by postgraduate history student Shashi Bhushan Pandey, he said that the police beat him up and stomped on his chest and stomach even after he clarified that he was visually-challenged. He further alleged that when he told one the cops that he was visually-challenged, he was asked “If you are blind, then why have you come for the protest?”Pandey was a was part of a human chain when personnel of Delhi Police took him aside and beat him up with lathis, following which he had to be taken to the AIIMS trauma centre. Pandey said, "I removed my spectacles to show them that I can't see. Still they beat me up. A student who intervened was also beaten up. My friends told me street lights had been switched off and police were beating students. They made me stand on the side of a road, but policemen started nudging me with lathis from behind."firstpost
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind condemns police crackdown on JNU students
https://theindianawaaz.com/jamaat-e-islami-hind-condemns-police-crackdown-on-jnu-students/
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has condemned the crackdown on the students of JNU by Delhi Police and CRPF. JIH Vice President Muhammad Salim Engineer said: “We condemn the lathi-charge by Delhi police and CRPF on protesting students of JNU.There are reports of many injured students and even journalists who were covering the protest. In a democratic setup, such use of excessive force against the student community is quite deplorable. We feel that students’ demand for rollback of their hostel fees, which has been hiked 1000%, is genuine and JNU administration and HRD Ministry must accept it.” theindianawaaz
BHU students continue protest against appointment of Muslim Sanskrit professor; varsity backs scholar, RSS calls opposition 'absurd'
https://www.firstpost.com/india/bhu-students-continue-protest-against-appointment-of-muslim-sanskrit-professor-varsity-backs-scholar-rss-calls-opposition-absurd-7676621.html
The prestigious Banaras Hindu University is in the midst of an unsavoury controversy as a group of students from the varsity's faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan (SVDV) are up in arms against appointment of a Muslim Sanskrit scholar as their teacher. Firoze Khan, a 29-year-old postdoctoral scholar of the ancient Indian language, was among 10 candidates shortlisted to teach at SVDV in BHU. While others scored between 0 to 2 on a scale of 10, Firoze scored full marks due to his exceptional credentials, media reports said. But all that is beyond the point for a bunch of students who have been sitting on dharnas since 7 November to protest against the appointment of a Muslim in a 'Hindu' university.Students insist that a stone inscription on the campus clearly states that no Muslim can study or teach in the department; varsity administration insists this is untrue, TOI reported. So far, BHU administration has stood firmly behind Firoze with the varsity's vice-chancellor Rakesh Bhatnagar backing his appointment. BHU administration has clarified there will be no discrimination on appointments on the grounds of religion. An RSS functionary too, weighed in on the pointlessness of the protests and said, "It is absurd that BHU students are protesting against a Muslim teaching Sanskrit in their university. I don’t know what are the fundamentals of BHU and on what grounds are students protesting, but I know that Sanskrit is for all."firstpost
BHU students protest against Muslim to teach Sanskrit, a Muslim teaches Gita, Ramayan to Sanskrit students at AMU
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/bhu-students-protest-against-muslim-to-teach-sanskrit-a-muslim-teaches-gita-ramayan-to-sanskrit-students-at-amu
While students of BHU are protesting against appointment of a Muslim professor at its Department of Sanskrit, BHU’s neighbouring and contemporary AMU has a Muslim professor heading its Sanskrit Department where both Hindu and Muslim students – Hindus are in majority – learn Gita, Ramayana and Mahabharata from him. The department has both Hindu and Muslim teachers. Now contrast BHU protest with AMU where Sanskrit is being taught for the past 144 years – since its inception. AMU’s Department of Sanskrit has 6 teachers – 3 professors and three assistant professors. While four of them are Muslims, two are Hindus. Talking to India Tomorrow, Prof. Mohammed Sharif who heads AMU’s Sanskrit Dept, said “The atmosphere of Sanskrit at AMU is very good. Students from both Hindu and Muslim communities study here and teachers are also from both communities.”“At AMU, most of students at the Sanskrit department are Hindus, roughly out of 15, some 12 are Hindus and 3 Muslims,” he said. When asked if Hindu students ever objected that they won’t learn Sanskrit from Muslim professors, Prof. Sharif said: “I teach Gita, Ramayana and Mahabharata to them. I teach Pali also. Only I teach these subjects to them. Our students, most of them are Hindus, want to do Ph.D.under my guidance. I am their first priority as a guide. They go to other teachers only when I am not available.”India Tomorrow
Govt in Kerala faces flak over senior CPM leader's 'Islamic extremists promoting Maoism' remark
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/pinarayi-vijayan-govt-faces-flak-over-senior-cpm-leader-mohanans-islamic-extremists-promoting-maoism-remark-2393633.html
CPI(M) in Kerala is on receiving end of furious criticism from Muslim groups and other political parties over Kozhikode Secretary P. Mohanan’s remark, which claimed that “Islamic extremists” are providing fodder to Maoists as the state is witnessing an unprecedented rise in the incidents of violence.The controversial comment comes at the backdrop of the recent killings of Maoists in alleged fake encounters and the arrests of two student CPM activists by the Left government under the anti-terror UAPA for their alleged Maoist leanings.Following the immediate backlash, Mohanan clarified that he never intended to slam Islam as a religion.“Ex-Naxal leaders are now active members in NDF and Popular Front. These outfits are responsible for Pantheerankavu incident where 2 youngsters were arrested for their pro-Maoist campaigning,”he said. He also questioned Muslim League’s justification of NDF.As the matter landed up in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala urged the government to clarify on the alleged presence of Islamic terrorism in the state. He also asked not to give the terrorist activities any communal angle. Meanwhile, Muslim League demanded that the government name Islamic groups that Mohanan alleged is acting in favour of Maoism in Kerala.news18
‘Fathima’s Death is Institutional Murder’: Tamil Nadu Muslim Women Demand Justice
https://caravandaily.com/fathimas-death-is-institutional-murder-tamil-nadu-muslim-women-demand-justice/
Federation of Tamil Nadu Muslim Women has condemned the situation leading to demise of Chennai IIT student Fathima Lathif and demanded that justice be meted out to her and her family. A humanities student, she was found dead in her room at Sarayu hostel on the campus.The Federation sought the immediate arrest and suspension of the concerned faculty and an end to the “castiest discriminatory practices” existing in educational institutions in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to Caravan Daily, A.S. Fathima Muzaffer, convener of the federation and also member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, termed Fathima Lathif’s ‘suicide’ as another instance of “institutional murder” at IIT Madras.Caravan Daily
Swamy Nithyananda’s 2 disciples arrested in Ahmedabad ashram
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/two-women-managers-of-nithyanand-ashram-arrested/article30026299.ece?homepage=true
Gujarat police today arrested two disciples of Swamy Nithyananda in connection with the alleged kidnap and wrongful confinement of children at Nithyanand Ashram in Ahmedabad.The police have also booked Swamy Nithyananda, who is said to be out of the country, on the charge of kidnap, illegal confinement and use of children for collecting donations from followers to run the ashram. Arrested disciples are Sadhvi Pranpriyanand and Priyatatva Riddhi Kiran, both managers of the ashram, which has been in the centre of a controversy since a Bengaluru based couple filed a complaint against it for allegedly confining their minor daughters.The duo have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping at least four children, keeping them in illegal confinement in a flat and using them as child labourers to promote activities of the ashram to collect donations.thehindu
CBI chargesheets lawyer Punalekar, Sanatan member Bhave in Dabholkar murder case
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-chargesheets-lawyer-punalekar-sanatan-member-bhave-in-dabholkar-murder-case-6128759/
Pune :CBI today filed a supplementary chargesheet in Dr Narendra Dabholkar case against 2 of the accused —advocate Sanjeev Punalekar and his aide Vikram Bhave — who were arrested in May this year for being part of the conspiracy to kill the anti-superstition activist.While Punalekar (53), an office bearer of VHP, was granted bail by court in July, Bhave who is a member of Sanatan Sanstha is still in judicial custody.indianexpress
‘Should’ve shocked nation’s conscience’: Rahul on 10,000 Jharkhand tribals booked for sedition
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-jharkhand-pathalgadi-movement-sedition-6128685/
New Delhi :Quoting a report that claimed over 10,000 Jharkhand adivasis were booked for sedition in a single district between 2017 and 2018, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said the news should have shocked the conscience of our nation and raised a media storm. “That any Govt. could slam the draconian “sedition” law on 10,000 Adivasis, fighting against state oppression, should have shocked the conscience of our nation & raised a media storm. But it hasn’t. Our “sold out” media may have lost its voice; as citizens can we afford to?” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.The former Congress president tagged a media report stating that the Raghubar Das-led Jharkhand government had slapped sedition charges on as many as 10,000 Adivasis in Khunti district for taking part in the Pathalgadi movement.indianexpress
Netaji’s grand niece worships Godse in Gwalior
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/netajis-great-granddaughter-worships-godse-in-gwalior-6127808/
Bhopal :Nathuram Godse, who was hanged for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, was worshipped by freedom fighter ‘Netaji’ Subhas Chandra Bose’s grand niece in Gwalior. Rajyashri Choudhary, who is also the national president of Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, worshipped Godse’s portrait by offering prayers at the Hindu outfit’s Daulatganj office.Choudhary and Mahasabha national spokesman Nisha Katoch arrived at the outfit’s office after offering prayers at Rani Laxmibai’s statue on the occasion of her birth anniversary.The two leaders also blamed the Jawaharlal Nehru government for Gandhi’s death. In response, state minister Govind Singh said Congress government would not let Godse’s ideology flourish in the state, and would crack down on elements who worship him.indianexpress
Jaisalmer: 1 Army jawan dead, another injured in war exercise
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/jaisalmer-one-army-jawan-dead-another-injured-in-war-exercise20191120134431/
Jaisalmer: 1 Army jawan died while another was injured on Tuesday in a tank-related incident during an exercise in the Jaisalmer sector."The incident occurred during the movement of T-90 tanks near Phalsund town," a spokesperson of Indian Army informed.The injured Jawan has been referred to the hospital.Indian Army is conducting war exercises at several places in the desert area near Jaisalmer.Further details are awaited. ANI
AIMIM set to contest all seats in Bengal polls
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aimim-set-to-contest-all-seats-in-2021-bengal-assembly-polls/
Kolkata :Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM is set to make an electoral debut in West Bengal, with the party planning to field its candidates in all the 294 Assembly seats in the 2021 polls. Last month, the party won the Assembly bypoll in Bihar’s Kishanganj, located on the border with West Bengal.“We have a presence in all the villages of West Bengal. We will contest the Assembly polls in 2021. This is the first time that we will contest polls in Bengal, and we plan to contest in all the seats,” AIMIM spokesperson Asim Waqar, who is also the party’s observer for West Bengal, said.indianexpress
Kerala: WPI's march against corruption in housing project on Nov 25
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2019/nov/20/march-against-corruption-in-housing-project-on-nov-25-2064118.html
Kochi: Welfare Party of India will take out a march to the city corporation office on Nov.25 alleging corruption in the implementation of the housing project by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) in West Kochi area. As many as 398 families listed as beneficiaries of the project will join the march.The members said CSML had allocated Rs 120 crore and Rs 131 crore for housing and drinking water projects, respectively, in the area. However, the delay in their implementation had forced slum dwellers of Kalvathy, Thuruthy and Koncheri areas to live in dilapidated structures, they said.newindianexpress
Tipu Sultan birth anniversary: Architectural wonders built by the tiger of Mysore
https://www.news18.com/news/india/tipu-sultan-birth-anniversary-architectural-wonders-built-by-the-tiger-of-mysore-2393365.html
Tipu Sultan, ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, who was born on November 20, 1750, was also a pioneer in rocket artillery. The ruler, who made use of rockets against the British forces and their allies during the Anglo-Mysore wars, was also in correspondence with Napoleon Bonaparte and would use their French-trained army to assist the French in their struggle with the British.A major thorn in the East India Company’s way, he also commissioned a number of forts and patroned temples during the course of his life, which have withstood the ravages of time.Primary among those is the Srirangapatna Fort, which came into prominence during Tipu Sultan's rule. The fort, which is believed to have been built by Timmanna Nayaka in 1454, was fully fortified and its architecture modified by Sultan with the help of French architects to protect it from invaders. The place gains more significance since it is also the fort where Tipu was killed in battle during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.Despite being known more for his wars and administration, the ruler also commissioned several works and despite being a Muslim king, patroned several temples as well.news18
WORLD
Sri Lanka's new Prez names brother Mahinda as PM
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/mahinda-rajapakse-named-new-sri-lanka-pm-by-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-2135785?pfrom=home-topscroll
Colombo: Newly elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday named his brother Mahinda as Prime Minister, cementing the grip on power of a clan credited with crushing Tamil Tigers a decade ago. Mahinda, a two-term president himself, is due to be sworn in as premier on Thursday following the resignation of Ranil Wickremesinghe after his party suffered a humiliating defeat at the weekend's presidential polls.e Rajapaksa brothers are credited with brutally destroying the Tamil Tigers to end Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war, with the security services they controlled accused of war crimes and multiple human rights abuses.A spokesman for the new administration said Rajapaksa, 74, will be sworn in by his younger brother Gotabaya, aged 70.Two other brothers, Basil and Chamal, are also active in politics.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe formally announced his resignation Wednesday clearing the way for the Rajapaksas to form a minority government ahead of possible snap elections early next year.AFP
Newly-elected Lankan President Accepts Imran Khan's Invite To Visit Pakistan: Report
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/newly-elected-lankan-president-accepts-imran-khans-invite-to-visit-pakistan-report-2135674
Newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has accepted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's invitation to visit his country, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said today.Imran Khan on Tuesday telephoned President Rajapaksa to congratulate him on his electoral win and invited him to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, reported PTI. Sri Lankan President will first travel to India on Nov 29 at invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said on Tuesday. This is likely to be his first official visit abroad after assuming office.Mr Jaishankar arrived in Colombo on Tuesday on an unannounced two-day visit. He became the first foreign dignitary to call on President Rajapaksa.PTI
Sondland: Highly-anticipated impeachment witness testifies
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/sondland-highly-anticipated-impeachment-witness-testify-191120122436242.html
US Ambassador Gordon Sondland, the most anticipated witness in Trump impeachment inquiry, will face questions about his evolving accounts of Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine and a newly revealed summertime phone call with US president. Sondland, a wealthy hotelier President Donald Trump tapped as his ambassador to European Union, is more directly entangled than any witness yet in the president's efforts to get Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and Democrats in 2016 poll. Yet Sondland has already amended his testimony once - "I now do recall,"he said, talking to Ukraine about investigations.aljazeera
Presidential candidates open to leveraging US support for Israel
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2019/11/18/presidential-candidates-open-to-leveraging-us-support-for-israel
Comment: American politicians vying for Oval Office in 2020 recently engaged in a watershed shift in the conversation about the American-Israeli relationship. Several Democratic presidential candidates voiced their support for policies of accountability toward Israel that could leverage the latter's US support to change its behaviour toward the Palestinians. South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg vowed to ensure that American support for Israel "does not get turned into US taxpayer support for a move like annexation." Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren concurred in a recent statement, saying US should "create consequences for [Israel's] problematic behaviour."Former mayor of El Paso, Texas, Julian Castro was less committed in his comments but still said he "would not take that off the table." Even Senator Amy Klobuchar (D. Minnesota), running a centrist campaign - was the only 2020 contender to vote earlier this year for the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 that contained anti-BDS legislation - avoided taking a declarative position recently, stating that "It's not a good idea to negotiate these things right now."By far, Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) has been the most specific in his description of how he would handle the issue of US support for Israel. Sanders opposed the idea of unquestionable support for Israel. Speaking of the annual allotment of foreign military financing that goes to it, Sanders said "some of the $3.8 billion should go right now to humanitarian aid in Gaza."alaraby.co.uk
Israeli settlements are still unlawful: UN, Red Cross
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191119-un-red-cross-say-israeli-settlements-are-still-unlawful/?fbclid=IwAR1fUginSL4hK-uQuyj3eJL84eR902bgK5PXlqD-orDfD_3zGckRuySUWPs
UN and International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) said that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory remain in breach of international law, rejecting the Trump administration’s position accepting them.The United States on Monday abandoned its four-decade-old position that the settlements, built on land Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War, were inconsistent with international law.“We continue to follow the long-standing position of the UN that Israeli settlements are in breach of international law,” UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said.“A change in the policy position of one state does not modify existing international law nor its interpretation by the International Court of Justice and the Security Council,” he said.middleeastmonitor
Netanyahu approves fast-tracking of bill to annex Jordan Valley
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/netanyahu-approves-fast-tracking-bill-annex-jordan-valley-191120112625151.html
Israel's prime minister has approved the fast-tracking of a proposed law to annex the Jordan Valley, territory it already occupies.The decision comes after US announced that it no longer viewed Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal..aljazeera
PA to call for Arab League meeting to discuss US position on settlements
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191120-pa-to-call-for-arab-league-meeting-to-discuss-us-position-on-settlements/
Secretary of PLO’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat said that Palestinian Authority (PA) is to ask the Arab League’s foreign ministers to meet in order to discuss Israeli settlement and the new US position on them.In a press conference held in Ramallah, Erekat said that the PA President Mahmoud Abbas had been carrying out contacts with many countries and international bodies to encounter this position.He also said that the PA Representative to the UN Riyad Mansour had started discussions with UN Security Council members in relation to the US decision.“We will knock on the door of every international body, starting from the ICC, ICJ and UN Human Rights Council,” he added.middleeastmonitor
Secret Documents Show How Tehran Wields Power in Iraq at US Expense: New York Times
https://www.news18.com/news/world/the-iran-cables-secret-documents-show-how-tehran-wields-power-in-iraq-at-us-expense-2392157.html
In mid-Oct, with unrest swirling in Baghdad, a familiar visitor slipped quietly into the Iraqi capital. The city had been under siege for weeks, as protesters marched in the streets, demanding an end to corruption and calling for the ouster of the Prime Minister, Adil Abdul Mahdi. In particular, they denounced the outsize influence of their neighbour Iran in Iraqi politics, burning Iranian flags and attacking an Iranian consulate.The visitor was there to restore order, but his presence highlighted protesters’ biggest grievance: He was Maj.Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s powerful Quds Force, and he had come to persuade an ally in the Iraqi parliament to help the prime minister hold onto his job.It was not the first time Soleimani had been dispatched to Baghdad to do damage control. Tehran’s efforts to prop up Mahdi are part of its long campaign to maintain Iraq as a pliable client state.Now leaked Iranian documents offer a detailed portrait of just how aggressively Tehran has worked to embed itself into Iraqi affairs. The documents are contained in an archive of secret Iranian intelligence cables obtained by Intercept and shared with NYT.The unprecedented leak exposes Tehran’s vast influence in Iraq, detailing years of painstaking work by Iranian spies to co-opt the country’s leaders, pay Iraqi agents working for the Americans to switch sides and infiltrate every aspect of Iraq’s political, economic and religious life.
150 Indians deported for flouting visa norms, illegally entering US arrive at Delhi airport
https://www.news18.com/news/india/150-indians-deported-for-flouting-visa-norms-illegally-entering-us-arrive-at-delhi-airport-2393497.html
Their American dream shattered and huge savings wasted, nearly 150 Indians returned home broke today after being deported for either violating visa norms or illegally entering US.As they stepped outside the airport, one after the other, they appeared sad. Some said they felt dejected that they could not realise their American dream even after several attempts."This was the fourth time I have been deported," said Singh Jabarjung, 24, from Punjab's Bhatinda.PTI
‘Won’t invest in any new projects in Andhra’: UAE-based Lulu group snubs YSRCP govt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uae-based-lulu-group-snubs-ysrcp-govt-says-it-will-never-invest-in-andhra-again-6127977/
Hyderabad :Snubbing YSRCP govt in Andhra Pradesh, UAE based Lulu Group has said that it will never invest in the state again after the government cancelled the allotment of land in Visakhapatnam to build an international convention centre.The group stated that although they were allotted land in Visakhapatnam by previous TDP govt in a transparent manner, they accept the new government’s decision to revoke the land allotment. Lulu group officials, however, made it clear that they will never invest in AP again. indianexpress
views, Articles, FEATURES
India is entering a new dark age:Shikha Dalmia, The Week
https://theweek.com/articles/877752/india-entering-new-dark-age?fbclid=IwAR3odBGtsKLkZSc94oq_JjjgS0nkQLdk3Ittbqxse2-DFjrKIUV8I0K9s4A
Ayodhya verdict: SC would have done well to revisit Gujarat HC's 'rebuild mosques' order post violence:Jyoti Punwani
https://www.firstpost.com/india/ayodhya-verdict-supreme-court-would-have-done-well-to-revisit-gujarat-hcs-rebuild-mosques-order-post-2002-violence-7675781.html
Amid Assam's citizenship debate, meanings of 'Assamese' and 'indigenous' must be addressed:Shaheen S Ahmed
https://www.firstpost.com/india/amid-assams-citizenship-debate-meanings-of-assamese-and-indigenous-must-be-addressed-7676011.html
PMC Bank scam raises serious questions on RBI’s efficiency as regulator; central bank should wake up from its slumber: Dinesh Unnikrishnan
https://www.firstpost.com/business/pmc-bank-scam-raises-serious-questions-on-rbis-efficiency-as-regulator-central-bank-should-wake-up-from-its-slumber-7677421.html
BHU protest against Muslim teacher shows how communal vitriol is undermining India:Sruthisagar Yamunan
https://scroll.in/article/944289/the-daily-fix-bhu-protest-against-muslim-teacher-shows-how-communal-vitriol-is-undermining-india
Electoral bonds will undo demonetisation success, RBI Governor Patel told Arun Jaitley:Sanya Dhingra
https://theprint.in/economy/electoral-bonds-will-undo-demonetisation-success-rbi-governor-urjit-patel-told-arun-jaitley/323753/
Islamophobia: What’s Common between Payal Tadvi and Fathima Latheef:Ram Puniyani
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/islamophobia-whats-common-between-payal-tadvi-and-fathima-latheef
With Leeway for Misuse, Gujarat’s New Anti-Terror Law Could Be Worse Than POTA:Mahtab Alam
https://thewire.in/rights/gujarat-gctoc-anti-terror-law-potential-misuse
How Finance Ministry Decided RBI's Dissent on Electoral Bonds Meant 'Indirect' Approval:Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar
https://thewire.in/government/finance-ministry-electoral-bonds-rbi
Modi PMO Ordered Illegal Electoral Bond Sale Before Vital State Polls:huffingtonpost
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/electoral-bonds-modi-illegal-sale-state-elections_in_5dce6b7ee4b01f982effa205
'Choked & Crippled': How The Internet Shutdown Is Devastating Kashmir’s Entrepreneurs And Innovators:huffingtonpost
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/internet-blockade-kashmir-370_in_5dd4120ee4b028849eab18c9?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:09 PM).
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment