*31 DEC. 2019: 4 Jamadi-1, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 96
*anti-citizenship act stir*
Indians plan citizenship law 'protest parties' on New Year's Eve
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/indians-plan-citizenship-law-protest-parties-year-eve-191231113632248.html
Thousands of Indians are set to ring in the New Year by holding protests against a citizenship law, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempts to dampen demonstrations that have run for nearly three weeks. India has been rocked by the protests after the government passed the CAA, easing the way for non-Muslim minorities from the neighbouring nations to gain Indian citizenship. Combined with opposition to a proposed NRC, many Indians fear the move will discriminate against the minority Muslim community and chip away at the country's secular constitution.Protesters plan at least three demonstrations in New Delhi, the capital, including the area of Shaheen Bagh, where hundreds of residents have blocked a major highway for 18 days.Poetry recitals and speeches are planned by organisers at a protest outside New Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia university, which was stormed by police this month."New Year's resolution to defend the constitution," read the schedule for another protest planned in New Delhi, now in the grip of its second-coldest winter in more than a century. Social media was buzzing with invitations to join such protests. "Bring your art materials, solidarity candles, placards, snacks and blankets," said a post announcing "New Year's Eve at India Gate" in New Delhi.The protesters plan to hold readings from the constitution, poetry, music and candle-light marches at these gatherings which mostly start at 10 pm and are expected to end shortly after midnight.Student and civil society groups, opposition parties and others also plan events on New Year's Day to mark their opposition to the law.At some meetings, mass pledges to defend the constitution and hunger strikes are planned.Police said they planned to deploy additional forces in New Delhi on New Year's Eve, with traffic curbs imposed in some parts of the capital.Similar "protest parties" are being organised at designated sites in other major Indian cities.In the southern city of Hyderabad, at least two small groups of demonstrators have been organising flash protests, to skirt police restrictions on larger gatherings.Street-side poetry recitals, stand-up comedy, and music performances are also planned in the financial capital of Mumbai and the eastern city of Kolkata.aljazeera
'Won't leave': Women lead protest in India capital's Muslim area of Shaheen Bagh :aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/leave-women-lead-protest-india-capital-muslim-area-191230062707469.html
CAA protest: Bangladesh Suspends Mobile Networks Along India Borders Citing Security
https://thewire.in/south-asia/bangladesh-suspends-mobile-networks-along-india-borders-citing-security
Bangladesh government has suspended mobile networks along the borders with India, citing security reasons “in the current circumstances”, a move that will affect around 10 million users in the area, according to media reports. The operators suspended the networks on Monday within one kilometres of the borders with India, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC), in its order to telecommunications service providers – Grameenphone, Teletalk, Robi and Banglalink – on Sunday, said network coverage in the border areas should be suspended until further notice “for the sake of the country’s security in the current circumstances”, it said.“A high-level meeting of the government took this decision, following which the instructions were issued,” BTRC Chairman Jahurul Haque was quoted as saying by bdnews24, declining to give further explanations.A BTRC official was quoted as saying in Dhaka Tribune that around 2,000 base transceiver stations have been closed that would affect around 10 million users in 32 districts that share a border with India and Myanmar.According to the report, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen expressed ignorance over the government’s decision.“I do not have any such information. Let me know about it first and then I will comment,” Kamal said.Brig Gen (retd.)SM Farhad, secretary-general at Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, said, “mobile network operators in Bangladesh are compliant with government regulations; accordingly, the directive on border network coverage has already been implemented.“This decision will certainly have an impact since a large segment of citizens in the border areas will be out of the range of the internet, voice and other services.”Bangladesh government’s directive came days after the Indian government passed the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act.Bangladesh was learned to have been upset following the rollout of NRC in Assam around four months ago even though India conveyed to it that the issue was an internal matter of the country.PTI
Bangladesh shuts down telecoms along India border citing security concerns
https://in.reuters.com/article/india-citizenship-protests-bangladesh/bangladesh-telecom-operators-shut-down-services-along-india-border-idINKBN1YZ0JJ
Indian expats in Abu Dhabi submit memorandum to embassy; want CAA revoked
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-expats-in-abu-dhabi-submit-memorandum-to-embassy-want-caa-revoked/articleshow/73044437.cms
Dubai: A group of Indian expats in UAE have submitted a memorandum to Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi expressing concerns over contentious amended Citizenship Act which many claim is "discriminatory" on religious grounds, according to a media report.Around 30 people from the Indian community met with the embassy officials on Sunday to voice their opposition with the CAA), Gulf News reported.The community members contended that the newly passed law propagates a divisive society, the report added.Speaking to the Gulf News after handing over the "Letter Of Opposition To CAA" Abdullah Khan, an Abu Dhabi resident, said, "I am worried about my family in India. I tried to call them in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh but did not succeed as the communication lines and Internet were shut down after protests over the CAA.""Indian community here decided to register its humble request to abolish the law which divides society where people of all religions otherwise live together peacefully," Khan said. Another Abu Dhabi resident, Sanjay Manohar Pancha, who also turned up at the embassy, said, "I would like that all people be given their equal due as per the Constitution of India, whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians."PTI
Activists rally against ‘illegal’ surveillance of CAA protests
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/activists-rally-against-illegal-surveillance-of-caa-protests/articleshow/73039535.cms
Bengaluru: Digital rights activists are up in arms over what they term as illegal acts of mass surveillance by law enforcement authorities in Delhi during the recent protests against CAA and proposed NRC.In letters to the home ministry and Delhi Police commissioner on Sunday, Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has asked Delhi Police to cease the use of facial recognition technology and video surveillance to identify protesters rallying against the legislation.“Due to the glaring illegality and the immense injury caused to the fundamental right of privacy, risks of discrimination and subsequent coercive action, we demand an urgent halt to the Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) along with consequential demands seeking transparency and accountability on its use,” wrote Apar Gupta, executive director at IFF, a digital rights body. A copy of the letter has been posted on the IFF website.Gupta also claimed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s guidelines on use of drones appear to have been flouted by Delhi Police for purpose of surveillance.ET
CAA Protests: When Police Uses Your Face Against You
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/caa-nrc-protest-facial-recognition-delhi-police_in_5e0b1304c5b6b5a713b373c0
Use of Facial Recognition Software at PM Modi's Delhi Rally Sparks Privacy Fears
https://www.news18.com/news/india/use-of-facial-recognition-software-at-pm-modis-delhi-rally-sparks-privacy-fears-2441241.html
Tamil orator Nellai Kannan draws flak for asking why no Muslims are finishing Modi, Amit Shah
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-orator-nellai-kannan-faces-flak-for-comments-against-pm-modi-amit-shah/
Chennai :Tamil orator Nellai Kannan is facing heat for his comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at a rally in Melapalayam. At the rally organised by SDPI against the new citizenship law and the proposed nationwide NRC on Monday, Kannan had said “There is one guy called Amit Shah. (Modi) is the Prime Minister but (Amit Shah) is his brains. If Amit Shah is finished off then Modi is finished too. Leave that be to one side.” He then goes to say, “But none of you are finishing it. Let that be to one side. I keep thinking you all will do something,” looking around at the Muslim dignitaries on the dais. The rally was attended by Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T Velmurugan, and other popular Muslim fronts.Kannan’s controversial remarks went viral across social media, with netizens slamming the Tamil writer for his comments. According to reports, Melapalayam police have booked Kannan.Kannan, who started his political career with Congress, campaigned for AIADMK in 2006 despite Congress being in alliance with DMK. MMK leader and MLA Thamimum Ansari said they don’t agree with Kannan’s views. “Whoever it is, they must hold their tongue. Protests against CAA/NRC are taking place considering the interest of the country, the sole purpose of our protests will get diverted if people like Nellai Kannan speak something like this. And a party like BJP knows how to make a small issue into a bigger problem. People who are in a responsible position should know what they speak,” he added. Sources close to AIADMK said the government is yet to take a decision on Kannan’s controversial remarks.indianexpress
State legislatures have no power: RS Prasad after Kerala passes resolution against new law
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/state-legislatures-including-kerala-assembly-has-no-power-on-citizenship-law-rs-prasad-6193319/
New Delhi :Hours after the Kerala Assembly Tuesday passed a resolution demanding scrapping of the CAA, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Tuesday asserted that only the Parliament has powers to pass any law regarding citizenship, not Assembly. The law minister allayed fears regarding the new citizenship law reiterating that CAA does not relate to any Indian citizen. “CAA neither creates nor takes away the citizenship of any Indian. Vested interests are doing a lot of disinformation campaign. It is perfectly Constitutional and legal,” said Prasad.The law minister questioned the hypocrisy of the opposition parties recalling that late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had provided citizenship to minorities from Uganda and Sri Lankan Tamils, respectively. “It’s ok if Congress did so and it is a problem when Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah did the same? This is double standards and hypocrisy of the worst order,” he said strongly defending the CAA which has triggered protests across the country in the past weeks.Regarding the compilation of NPR, Prasad said it is “compendium of usual residents and nothing to do with citizens”. “The national population register data is used for development and framing of policy. This data which emerges out of this becomes the basis for policymaking,” said the law minister.indianexpress
MK Stalin urges TN CM to follow Pinarayi’s lead, pass anti-CAA resolution in Assembly
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mk-stalin-urges-tn-cm-follow-pinarayi-s-lead-pass-anti-caa-resolution-assembly-115098
Welcoming Kerala Assembly adopting a resolution demanding scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act, DMK on Tuesday urged ruling AIADMK to go in for a similar move in the Tamil Nadu legislature against the contentious law to protect the Constitution.Expressing happiness on adoption of the anti-CAA resolution in the Kerala Assembly moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, DMK president MK Stalin said it was a welcome move. Urging Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami to adopt a similar resolution in Tamil Nadu Assembly on January 6 when the House convenes for the first session of 2020, Stalin also tweeted about it.thenewsminute
8 refugees from Sindh in Pakistan receive Citizenship in Rajasthan
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/eight-refugees-from-sindh-in-pakistan-receive-indian-citizenship-in-rajasthan/533933
Kota: In a first development after the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 8 Pakistani citizens who were living in Kota since 2000 were given Indian citizenship on Monday after they received a certificate from the District Collector of Kota. According to sources, they had fled Sindh district of Pakistan after being religiously persecuted.When asked about the same, the people who have been granted citizenship said that they’re very happy about it. However, this move has been brought after the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that CAA and NRC would not be implemented in the state. Meanwhile,local administration called it a routine process of granting citizenship. It is also being said that since most of the Hindu migrants in Pakistan have connections in Rajasthan, there is immense pressure being put on Chief Minister, by the people waiting to get the Indian citizenship, to consider the implementation of the Act in the state. Times Now
Students not branded anti-nationals, facts twisted about CAA:Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/students-not-branded-anti-nationals-facts-twisted-about-caa-says-minister-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi/article30435753.ece#
No one in the Government has branded students as anti-nationals, facts are being twisted about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, tells BusinessLine. He said, " NPR has nothing to do with any controversy nor is it linked in any way to NRC. It is conducted every ten years since 1951."Naqvi said,"I have no comments to make on the CM. Violence is not acceptable, whether it is from the crowds or from the police. There has been damage to public property in UP. I am not justifying anything but the priority has to be to restore peace."Over police action on Jamia Millia and AMU and branding students as anti-national, urban naxal, he said, "A lot of us have come out of student movements and no one in this Government will brand students as anti-nationals. No one has done that. One may venture to say that they have been misguided. But how can you say we have called them urban naxals? The term urban naxals has not been used against students."thehindubusinessline
NCP chief Sharad Pawar supports Mamata in her fight against CAA, NRC
https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/ncp-chief-sharad-pawar-supports-mamata-banerjee-in-her-fight-against-caa-nrc/articleshow/73043584.cms
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s letter in which the CM had requested pan-India support in her fight against the CAA and NRC.Pawar agreed to extend his support to the on-going fight and also expressed his willingness to be a part of the plan to take on the Narendra Modi-led govt.Addressing Banerjee, he wrote in the letter, “I totally agree with your concern and pledge to stand in solidarity with all like-minded leaders and parties to present against the implementation of CAA and nationwide NRC. I will be happy to associate myself with any concerted plan to rise against the authoritarian regime of the Central Government and for saving our democracy.”He also asked the CM to keep him informed about the meeting or any other steps taken against CAA or NRC.punemirror
Assam Says It Suffered Rs 1,000-Crore Loss Due To Citizenship Law Protest
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-says-it-suffered-rs-1-000-loss-crore-due-to-citizenship-law-protest-2156951?pfrom=home-topstories
Tourism in Assam suffered an estimated loss of Rs 1,000 crore due to violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act, a top official said on Tuesday.The sector has been badly hit in December and will be in January too, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah told a press conference in Guwahati. Along with domestic tourists, their flow from abroad too took a hit after a number of countries issued travel advisories due to the ongoing protests, Mr Baruah said."The peak season of tourism is from December to March. Due to violence during the protests, the sector suffered badly. We estimate that the loss in December and January will be Rs 500 crore each," he said.ndtv
CAA protest: Director of Higher Education Assam asks govt servants not to criticize the govt
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/caa-protest-director-of-higher-education-assam-asks-govt-servants-not-to-criticize-the-govt/articleshow/73040377.cms
Guwahati: With several state government employees taking part in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest, Director of Higher Education Assam has asked the government servants not give any statement of fact or opinion criticizing the government.In an office order G Phukan Director of Higher Education stated, “It is brought to the notice of all concerned that under 7 of the of the Assam Civil Service (conduct) rules 1965, a government servant shall not make any statement of fact or opinion criticizing the government. If the government servant is found criticizing the government, he/she will be held responsible for violation of Rule 3 and rule 7 of Assam Civil Service (conduct) rules 1965 which will attract the appropriate provisions of the Assam services (discipline and appeal) rules 1964."economictimes
Jamia Students & Teachers Move NHRC For Action Against Police Violence In Campus
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/jamia-students-teachers-move-nhrc-for-action-against-police-violence-in-campus-151171
Three students (Rahul Kapoor, Qasim Usmani and Aquib Rizwan) and Prof. Majid Jamil, Secretary of the Teachers' Association of Jamia Milia Islamia University filed a complaint against the police brutality toward students at the National Human Rights Commission on Monday.As per the complaint, on 15th December, a peaceful protest being conducted by the students of Jamia against the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, culminated in the use of excessive force in the form of lathicharge and tear gas shells by Delhi Police. The complaint added that multiple students were grievously injured, with one student losing an eye. Many more were detained with no access to medical or legal aid.livelaw.in
Maharashtra: Thousands of Muslims, dalits take out 4th rally against CAA in Amravati
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/4th-rally-against-caa-at-amravati/articleshow/73037400.cms
Amravati: Thousands of Muslim and dalit organizations on Monday took out a rally to the collectorate in protest of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).Raising slogans against government, the participants marched peacefully to the collectorate. But seeing the magnitude of the protest, the administration was forced to divert the traffic connecting Irwin Square and Collectorate Road.This was the fourth rally against CAA in the city. It started from Deputy Ground on Walgaon Road and marched to collectorate via Chitra Chowk, Malviya Chowk, and Irwin Chowk. Police halted the rally near the collectorate by putting the barricades after which leaders of the Muslim community and office-bearers of various organizations addressed the gathering.The protesters displayed pictures of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Shahid Rajguru , Birsa Munda, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Annabhau Sathe. They carried placards protesting CAA and NRC and also waved national flag. Leaders of various organizations condemned CAA and urged the Centre to withdraw it. They alleged that Muslims were being branded as anti-nationals even though the Constitution has given equal rights to every religion and caste. They said that the Centre was aiming to create a rift among different religions.TOI
‘We the People’: Naseeruddin Shah Reads Preamble, T.M. Krishna Sings National Anthem in A Video Amidst CAA-NRC Protests
https://caravandaily.com/we-the-people-naseeruddin-shah-reads-preamble-t-m-krishna-sings-national-anthem-in-a-video-amidst-caa-nrc-protests/
NEW DELHI:Legendary Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah and Carnatic musician T M Krishna have chosen their own way of protest and lending their support to the mass protests against the controversial and discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by Indian parliament earlier this month.The video released by Karwan-e-Mohabbat, a civil society initiative against hate and communalism, on YouTube and other social media platforms on Monday has amassed sizeable viewership besides being talked about on internet and mainstream media.In the video backed by visuals from the protests against CAA-NRC, Shah is reading out the preamble of the constitution while Krishnan is singing the national anthem of India.“In the continuing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the upcoming NPR-NRC, it is once again the time to look back at the diversity of our country, its geography and its people, and our constitutional virtues,” description under the video reads.Several prominent Bollywood personalities have come forward and voiced their dissent against the controversial Act. In fact Swara Bhasker and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub are at the forefront in this fight of public against the Citizenship act. It has been now over three weeks since protests began erupting in the cities and towns across the country.The rallies are marked by protestors carrying Indian Flag, photos of India’s founding fathers and reading of preamble of the constitution.caravandaily
Kolkata-Based Filmmaker Allegedly Attacked for Opposing CAA, NRC
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/kolkata-filmmaker-ronny-sen-allegedly-assaulted-caa-rc-protest?fbclid=IwAR0p5yxCH6JS8BV2r-h2kaIHOcKhACcpxJiUs3vs-y6BIqKOfWcAEtMfnlg
Kolkata-based filmmaker Ronny Sen on Monday, filed a police complaint alleging that he was manhandled for participating in anti-CAA, NRC protests in the city.In a Facebook post, Sen named a person Avijit Dasgupta, who has been allegedly harassing him because of his posts "against the NRC/CAA/NPR.""This guy, Avijit Dasgupta, calls me and starts abusing me on the night of 28 December and he was angry because of my posts against the NRC/CAA/NPR," he wrote in the post.Sen further alleged that Dasgupta kept sending 'abusive messages' and, on Monday night, attacked him with a Bhojali (machete).THE QUINT
Polls on CAA, Modi’s 2.0 ‘Deleted’, as the results indicate truth
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/polls-on-caa-modis-20-deleted-as-the-results-indicate-truth
Amid the ongoing protest against CAA and proposed NRC, some organisations and individuals took to Twitter to conduct polls seeking how the netizens perceived the much-heated topic of the decade and whether they were in favour of the agitation against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act or not. The Quint pointed out various polls which were ‘deleted’ after the results were apparently not in favour of the CAA and the ruling dispensation.A poll purportedly released by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Isha Foundation on December 30, asked users whether they think the protests against CAA and NRC are justified, followed by a link to a video explaining Sadhguru’s take on both.But the poll was not available on their handle later in the day. However, users on the social media website attached screenshots of the poll to point out how majority of the respondents had voted in the affirmative to the question rather than in the negative before it was apparently taken down.nationalheraldindia
*‘Scrap CAA’: Kerala Assembly passes resolution against citizenship law*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-assembly-resolution-scrapping-citizenship-amendment-act-pinarayi-vijayan-6193045/
New Delhi :Kerala Assembly Tuesday passed a resolution demanding scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was cleared by both Houses of Parliament last month.The ruling CPI(M)-LDF and the Opposition Congress-led UDF supported the resolution while BJP’s lone MLA and former Union minister O Rajagopal’s was the only dissenting voice in the one-day special session.While presenting the resolution, Vijayan said the CAA is against the “secular” outlook and fabric of the country and would lead to religion-based discrimination in granting citizenship.“The Act contradicts the basic values and principles of the Constitution. In view of the anxiety among the people of the country, the Centre should take steps to drop the CAA and uphold the secular outlook of the Constitution,” he said.The Chief Minister added that the contentious act had “dented India’s image in front of the international community.” Vijayan also ensured the Assembly that there won’t be any detention centres in the southern state.He hit out strongly against RSS, BJP’s ideological parent, alleging that it is going ahead with a dangerous agenda to break the country’s secular principles and undermine minorities.“RSS considers Muslims, Christians and Communists as their internal enemy. In Germany,Hitler similarly saw Jews and Bolsheviks as his internal enemy. RSS’s views are that of Hitler’s,” Vijayan said. Chennithala, supporting the resolution, said, “Centre’s aim is to turn India into a theocratic state. That’s why they have brought the CAA. They are going ahead with implementing NPR. The Centre cannot go ahead without taking the states into confidence. We’re not against a census but there are changes in the questionnaire. It is creating fear in the minds of people. Through NPR, they want to implement the NRC.”indianexpress
*Days before CAB tabled in House, inter-ministry meet discussed strategy*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/days-before-cab-tabled-in-house-inter-ministry-meet-discussed-strategy-6192207/
New Delhi :About two weeks before the government brought in the citizenship Bill in Parliament, an inter-ministerial meeting took place in New Delhi to discuss the strategy to deal with the fallout of the then-proposed law, sources have said.The meeting was held in November-end when Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), sources said, was “looped in”, and a strategy was devised to deal with the international dimensions.After the Bill was passed, sources said MEA asked Indian ambassadors in about 120 embassies across the world to go and brief the foreign governments, in case they were “interested”.Every Indian ambassador was sent all facts about the law and the rationale behind the legislation. This strategy was different from the one adopted from the previous occasions.Throughout 2019, the government had held several briefings for the diplomatic community on various issues it had described as “domestic”: Pulwama attack, Balakot airstrike, revocation of Article 370 in J&K, and the Ayodhya verdict.But they were not briefed even once on CAA and its ramifications.“This time, we felt India’s ambassadors will be able to do the job well, and they can respond to all the questions,” a source in the government said.Sources said the government felt the matter was “domestic” in nature, and the Bill had gone through the legislative process and debate in Parliament.The diplomats have publicly maintained that the CAA is an “internal issue”, but when Indian Express spoke to ambassadors and diplomats from at least 16 countries, across all continents, over the last few days on the new law and the protests, they expressed “concern” at the situation.Indian Express
*States can't refuse to conduct NPR, says MoS Home Kishan Reddy*
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/states-cant-refuse-conduct-npr-says-mos-home-kishan-reddy-115047
Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy on Monday said states can neither refuse to carry out the Census and NPR exercise nor stop the process.BJP leader said that the proposed NPR would be almost the same as the one in 2010, with some more details being sought to implement welfare measures."Some states are saying we will not conduct it or the cabinet will take a final decision," he said in an obvious reference to West Bengal and Kerala, which have stopped NPR related work.thenewsminute
*Did not see any Hindus or Muslims… just students protesting: Raghu Rai*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-nrc-hindus-muslims-students-citizenship-law-protests-raghu-rai-6192012/?fbclid=IwAR0uuXjp1mQVglFr4W5F8J7DoqaddNk7efvDP6lWi9dN2dL3nK8faEcO_mg
Agartala :Veteran photojournalist and Padmashri awardee Raghu Rai said he feels people who have lived for three or four decades in India should not be thrown out by any system. He also warned that “wrong policies” to communally segregate India might end up further dividing the country.“I think there is no reason we should throw out those who have spent many years in his country. Those who have lived here for 20, 30 or 40 years are part of us now. Like it or not, they are here. I don’t know why they (government) are applying NRC, unless they have different agenda behind it,” Rai said, explaining his experience covering the recent protests against CAA and NRC and equating them to what he saw covering refugees over the years, especially in Tripura during the Bangladesh crisis.indianexpress
*Hundreds of Jamia Students, Residents Offer Funeral Prayer in Absentia for Those Killed in CAA Protests*
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/hundreds-of-jamia-students-residents-offer-funeral-prayer-in-absentia-for-those-killed-in-caa-protests
New Delhi:Hundreds of students of Jamia Millia Islamia and local residents offered funeral prayer in absentia for all those people killed during the protests against the controversial CAA in the last two weeks.In UP alone, at least 20 Muslims were killed – some of them in police firing – on December 19 and 20 when protests turned violent.In Karnataka also, two Muslims were killed in police firing during protests in Mangalore. Students of Jamia and local residents have been continuously protesting against CAA and central government move to conduct nationwide updation of NRC.India Tomorrow
*100 organisations against CAA to unite under one banner*
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/100-organisations-against-caa-to-unite-under-one-banner/article30435913.ece?fbclid=IwAR3AJ8tE0jq4TRp8DR7mvAnRbUeCTIc3PRNUOaIWW_Duf1q_8VdRvX4GWyw
Mumbai:Nearly 100 organisations from across the country have decided to fight the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, NPR and the NRC under one banner - We the People of India.“We are appealing to all the people protesting against the CAA, NPR and nationwide NRC to come under a single banner - We The People of India. This is the first phrase of our Constitution and there can’t be anything bigger than that,” said Yogendra Yadav, founder of Swaraj Abhiyan party.The groups will be having a series of nationwide protests and demonstrations in January on significant days that mark the birth or death anniversaries of notable people. The series of protests will start from January 3, which is the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule.The groups will also be protesting on January 8, when farmers’ groups and left-backed trade unions have also called for a Bharat Bandh. The next set of demonstrations will be held on January 12, which is the national youth day and the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. Noted activist Harsh Mander said that in Assam, NRC process was not communal and everyone had to participate in the process, adding that the national NRC is even more dangerous due to NPR, which will allow government officials to pick and choose “doubtful” citizens.“It’s a project that’s so large and so unimplementable. The ultimate objective of a CAA and NPR and NRC is to throw our Muslim brothers and sisters into a vortex of uncertainty for years and years. Your life comes to a halt and all you can think about is where can I get that document,”he said.Noted human rights activist Teesta Setalvad said that the country had rejected the government’s plan to decide citizenship on the lines of religion.“This is a really historic moment. I haven’t seen the kind of citizen participation since the Emergency,” she said. Student activist Umer Khalid said that they will also be pressuring the state governments to bring formal and legal resolution of some sort against NPR and NRC and they were going to give a call to boycott NPR when the process starts. “The undocumented in the country are worst affected,” Noted linguist and activist Ganesh Devy said. Medha Patkar and Kavita Krishnan also attended the meeting against CAA and NRC in Mumbai on Monday. thehindu
*Mumbai keeps protests alive, hundreds gather in Kurla*
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/mumbai-keeps-protests-alive-hundreds-gather-in-kurla/article30437641.ece
The agitations against the CAA and NRC continue in Mumbai, with the latest protest being held in Kurla on Monday.Around 500 residents of the locality and nearby areas gathered at Gandhi Maidan in Kurla (West) for the protest, which began around 2.30 p.m. The protesters said the country needs jobs, education and healthcare and not the CAA and NRC.The protesters displayed placards and raised slogans such as ‘CAA se aazadi’ (freedom from CAA) ‘Hindu Muslim Ekta Zindabaad Zindabaad’ (long live Hindu-Muslim unity) and ‘Jamia teri azmat ko assalaam assalaam’ (salute to you, o great Jamia), the latter being a reference to the courage and resilience shown by the students of the Jamia Milia Islamia. These students, and others from institutes across the country, bore the brunt of terrible atrocities by the police after they started protesting the laws.thehindu
*Jaggi Vasudev chides students over not reading CAA, but says he hasn’t read it himself*
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/jaggi-vasudev-chides-students-over-not-reading-caa-says-he-hasn-t-read-it-himself-115079
Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, released a nearly 22-minute long video on the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. This was even shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called it a “lucid explanation’ and said that Jaggi provides “provides historical context, brilliantly highlights our culture of brotherhood. He also calls out the misinformation by vested interest groups.”The kicker in the video, however, comes when Jaggi Vasudev — who released a video that is 21 minutes and 57 seconds long on the Act — starts with: “Because I’ve not read the Act fully. I only know it from the newspapers and whatever else is generally out there.” He then goes on to reprimand the students protesting, asking them “how come they can’t read the damn Act.”thenewsminute
*RSS-BJP Behind Violence on CAA Protesters in UP, Other States: Left*
https://caravandaily.com/rss-bjp-behind-violence-on-caa-protesters-in-up-and-other-states-left/
New Delhi:At a massive protest rally here against police brutalities on anti-CAA-NRC demonstrators in Uttar Pradesh and other BJP ruled-states, the Left parties on Monday condemned the governmental offensives and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his adamant attitudes. They noted that the PM made no reference to the police firings in his monthly radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, even as tens of innocents had died in the firings.In reference to the PM’s observation that “the youth of India doesn’t like anarchy,” the Left leaders asked the PM as to who spread anarchy and violence. They also condemned the Yogi Adityanath government’s drive of confiscating properties without court order in the aftermath of the CAA protests. All India Kisan Sabha leader and former MP, Hanan Mullah, said the BJP and the RSS were responsible for the violence in UP and the other states they ruled. Caravan Daily
*CAA part of Hindutva enterprise, says Kapil Sibal*
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/caa-part-of-hindutva-enterprise-says-kapil-sibal
Amid protests against the new citizenship law (CAA) and the Congress extending support to agitation, former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said it was crafted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance the Hindutva enterprise."The CAA has been choreographed to further polarise India as part of a larger Hindutva enterprise," he told IANS and added, to plead innocence was "nothing but a well thought strategy of Modi."IANS
*CAA: Muslim forums to hold protest on New Year day in Kochi*
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/caa-muslim-forums-to-hold-protest-on-new-year-day-in-kochi/article30437506.ece
Kochi :Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani will address a protest meeting of Muslim organisations here on New Year day demanding the withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, Kerala Muslim Jamaath, Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League, MES and MSS will join a host of other Muslim organisations and various jamaat councils and mahal coordination committees for the protest meeting as well as a rally preceding the meeting at Marine Drive in Kochi. thehindu
*CAA protest:'Centre not addressing our fears': Grandson of late Muslim League leader quits BJP*
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/centre-not-addressing-our-fears-grandson-late-muslim-league-leader-quits-bjp-115031
Sayid Thaha Bafaki Thangal, the grandson of SA Bafaki Thangal, one of the founder members of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Kerala, has quit the BJP in protest against the controversial CAA. 5 months ago, Sayid, a member of Muslim League's first family in Kerala, had quit IUML to join BJP's Minority Morcha as its State Executive Committe member. However, he resigned from the party following the contentious CAA and the government's reluctance to address the massive protests against the act. The politician, who is the chairperson of the Thangal Trust, also told local media that the Muslim community is visibly shaken and that the Centre has not done anything so far to allay their fears. "Muslim community today is in a state of deep fear. But, the Centre is not even holding an all party meet. And is not responding to this fear among the community. Therefore, I do not wish to see my community upset and continue in this party," Thangal told Asianet news. thenewsminute
*They can take away my posts: Historian Irfan Habib*
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/they-can-take-away-my-posts-leftist-historian-historian-irfan-habib/533656
Kannur: Historian Irfan Habib, presently embroiled in a controversy over his 'squabble' with Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, on Monday said that if the government wishes it can take away his posts. "If they wish they can take away Professor Emeritus at the Department of History of the AMU and also another post, which is bigger than Emeritus," said Habib to the media here on Monday.Last week at the inaugural function of the 80th Indian History Congress in Kannur University, Khan alleged that Habib broke protocol and even went to the extent of pushing aside his security aides while he was speaking."I am an 88 year old man and his ADC would be around 35 and how can I do that. Everything is there for everyone to see and all saw also what happened," the historian said.IANS
*Seelampur anti-CAA protest: Court grants bail to two accused on medical grounds*
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/seelampur-anti-caa-protest-court-grants-bail-to-two-accused-on-medical-grounds20191231134536/
A Delhi court on Tuesday granted interim bail to two accused who were arrested after a protest against the citizenship law turned violent in the Seelampur area earlier this month.Session Judge Brijesh Garg granted bail for three weeks on medical grounds and asked the accused - Ali and Moinuddin - to pay Rs 20,000 with a surety of like amount. The court will now hear the matter on January 21.It has further directed the medical examination of the duo to be conducted.The court asked how the other accused sustained injuries to which the defence counsel said that he received them during a lathi-charge.The court expressed apprehensions over it and said that it could not be because of lathi-charge. Replying to that, the Delhi Police said that he sustained injuries in a blast from a petrol bomb.Yesterday, the court had issued a show-cause notice to the jail authorities for not producing the medical reports of the accused.Delhi Police had arrested 14 people at the protest on December 17. Subsequently, the court sent them to 14-days judicial custody a day later.ANI
*Nearly 400 St Xavier's students, alumni protest against police crackdown on Jamia, AMU in Kolkata*
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2019/dec/30/nearly-400-st-xaviers-students-alumni-protest-against-police-crackdown-on-jamia-amu-2082844.html?fbclid=IwAR0y5Wqt1TLxx57qylHcv0OxJNcaSFiFiE1IRFGsp5Tk8IGLnrUqpodh4uo
KOLKATA: St Xavier's College Monday joined the protest by educational institutions across the country against the alleged police crackdown at Jamia Millia Islamia and AMU for opposing the CAA. Nearly 400 students, alumni and faculty members of the 160-year-old institution took out a silent protest march from the college premises at Park Street holding banners saying "We stand in solidarity with Jamia Millia Islamia and AMU".The protest march, organised by St Xavier's Students Council and St Xavier's College Kolkata Alumni Association, moved along a short stretch of Park Street and Short Street.PTI
*Kolkata: NRC necessary to drive out illegal Muslim immigrants, says BJP chief Dilip Ghosh yet again*
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-nrc-necessary-drive-out-illegal-muslim-immigrants-says-bjp-chief-dilip-ghosh-6192161/
Kolkata :Reiterating that Indian Muslims have nothing to worry about the new citizenship law, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Monday once again said that NRC was necessary to drive out illegal Muslim immigrants from the country. Ghosh also accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of supporting those who carried out violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to secure her vote bank.“Indian Muslims need not worry. Only Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh will have to leave the country. So, NRC is necessary to drive them out,” he said at a rally in support of the CAA at Baruipur in North 24 Parganas.indianexpress
*At Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA stir, protesters brave biting cold 24x7*
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/at-shaheen-bagh-anti-caa-stir-protesters-brave-biting-cold-24x7/story-gtSvJGXOycR6kq8tJ7kxwN.html
New Delhi: 3 electric heaters, multiple layers of mattresses and blankets, braziers, and copious amounts of chai — this is how around 200 protesters braved the coldest night of the season at the GD Birla Marg in south Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh on Friday. Protesters have been camping on the road around-the-clock since December 15 to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), demanding a roll-back of the newly amended law. And as their protest clocks two weeks, nothing seems to deter the local residents. Not even the cold wave conditions that threaten to give Delhi its second coldest December in more than a century.Set up using bamboo and tarpaulin sheets, the protest site had local residents huddled together with multiple blankets around them. As the minimum temperature dropped to 2.4 degrees Celsius in the early hours of Saturday, grilles on the divider along the road were lined with mattresses and blankets, to protect protesters in the enclosure from the biting cold.“I was running a slight temperature last night and had to take some medicine. But we don’t care if we fall ill or die or if police comes to beat us. We will not move from here unless the CAA is rolled back. We are here to save our Constitution,” said Rizwana Bano, mother of three, a first-time protester who has been at Shaheen Bagh for two weeks now.Like Bano, a large number of women from the locality head to the protest site every night where they participate in open-mics to express their thoughts and attend movie screenings at the spot. A majority of protesters echo a similar sentiment — the temperatures are nothing compared to the “threat” of the CAA and NRC that they said they now face. HT
*Shaheen Bagh protesters asked to end stir as normal life being hit*
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/shaheen-bagh-protesters-asked-to-end-stir-as-normal-life-being-hit/article30428581.ece
*In Delhi, Women Protest Against Citizenship Law For 15 Days In Biting Cold*
https://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/trending-tonight/in-delhi-women-protest-against-citizenship-law-for-15-days-in-biting-cold-536534
*CAA-NRC protests: UP CRACKDOWN*
*Vandalised, Brutalised, Fearful Muzaffarnagar Muslims Hesitant to File Complaints Against Police*
https://caravandaily.com/vandalised-brutalised-fearful-muzaffarnagar-muslims-hesitant-to-file-complaints-against-police/
After 10 days of violent anti-CAA protests and brutal police crackdown on Muzaffarnagar Muslims, the city continues to live in the shadow of fear. Vandalised houses and a prominent Shia madarsa are empty. Households have left their properties and went underground. Those injured in the police action are either behind bars or nursing their physical wounds while in hiding. Despite massive evidence (both pictorial and video) of police brutality, no one is coming forward to file a complaint.As this correspondent toured the city to know the people’s version of December 20 events and subsequent police action, he found that almost each and everyone sulked and needed to be assured of safety before opening up about what happened on December 20 and after.“You don’t know there are police informers everywhere. Even, how can we trust you? You may reveal our names to police,” said one Waseem Ahmed (name changed) who has a shop at Meenakshi Chowk, the epicentre of December 20 protests. His shop, along with 66 others, was sealed by the police after protests. The main market of the city remained closed for six days.Most of these shops are of Muslims and the Meenakshi Chowk bazaar was the bedrock of the market economy of city’s Muslims. Sealing has struck the core of this market. The six-day closure, according to shopkeepers, is estimated to cause around Rs 20 crore. “This loss has added to our woes. We are already facing the brunt of extremely slow economy,” said a shopkeeper. Around 500 local vendors, hawkers and pavement shopkeepers were dependent for their business on the market. “We all have suffered in the last week,” said Arshad Chaudhary, who sells religious books on the pavement along the mosque in the market.Caravan Daily
*Citizenship Act protests; Why fear has gripped Muslims in Indian state of UP : BBC report*
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50946271
CAA-NRC: Hundreds of Youths Served Notice Despite ‘Non-involvement in Protests’ in UP
https://www.newsclick.in/CAA-NRC-hundreds-youths-served-notice-non-involvement-protests-UP
Lucknow: Shazar Alam, 23, who runs a small saloon in Muslim Nagar, about 15 kilometre away from the Lucknow district headquarters, is scared and contemplating if he should return to his hometown in Sitapur, as his name has appeared in the notice issued to people in the backdrop of the alleged rioting.Shazar, along with hundreds of other youths from both Hindu and Muslim communities, from at least four localities of extended Lucknow, have been asked to furnish a financial bond worth Rs 300 each under Section 107/116 of the Criminal Procedure Code. According to Lucknow-based lawyer Mayank Shukla, this section of the CrPC works as an assurance that people will not take part in any kind of protest and they will appear in the court 12 times in the next six months. As per Shukla, an executive magistrate has the power to invoke this section against anyone who might pose a threat in terms of breaching the peace.He says that these notices have come as a shock for many families and they are now scared for the future and careers of their young lads.“I have taken cases of 16 such youths who come from lower middle class families. All these boys, mostly from the Muslim community, do not have any criminal record, but still have been issued the notice. Their family members are now worried that their kids may get a ‘gangster’ or ‘dabang’ tag and this could hurt their future,” Mayank says.Explaining the complexity of the case, the advocate says, “One such boy is a meritorious kid who has even received a gold medal for his performance in the studies. But he has also been made to furnish the bond worth Rs 300. The boy is very scared and his family members are now contemplating if they should shift him to some other place after six months [once the obligation to appear in front of the executive magistrate ends]. The family of the boy also fears that the kid may slip into depression.”“This is just one case I am talking about. There are many others who are going through the same and now, they being Muslims, feel that there is no end to it,” the advocate adds.Meanwhile, Lucknow police remained unavailable for comment and even the tehsil has been closed for winter vacations.newsclick.in
*Yet Another Warning From Yogi Adityanath: 'Those Who Stand In The Way Of Public Welfare Will Be Punished'*
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/yogi-adityanath-warning-uttar-pradesh-cm-priyanka-gandhi_in_5e0ac6c0c5b6b5a713b3172a?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
Even as reports of gross police excess come out of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued yet another warning against anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests saying those who stand in the way of “his work of public welfare” will be punished. Adityanath’s Twitter account, referring to him in third person, and called him a saint. The tweet said, “Whoever stands in the way of the saint’s continuous efforts of public service and welfare of the people will be punished.” Taking a dig at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s criticism on police atrocities in the state and government apathy, the tweet said, “How will those — who have inherited politics and have forgotten the country, and indulge in politics of appeasement — understand the meaning of serving the public?”In another tweet the chief minister’s office said that he had donned his saffron robes, and renounced everything, to serve people. Adtiyanath’s BJP government has muzzled dissent through several methods, including “damage” notices to protesters who allegedly vandalised public property.huffingtonpost
*Akhilesh Yadav: ‘300 MLAs upset with him… Yogi gave free hand to cops to save chair’*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/akhilesh-yadav-yogi-adityanath-caa-protests-violence-uattar-pradesh-police-6192418/
Lucknow :Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav speaks on the ongoing protests against the new citizenship law and argues that the SP is at the forefront of the agitation.Akhilesh said," People are angry over the political situation…As for UP, even today, if you go to villages and ask about the election results, they say it is beyond comprehension that the (Opposition) alliance lost… After the BJP government was formed (at the Centre)…decisions have been taken with an eye on 20 crore population…Public is angry because the government assures the decisions are in their interest. Noteban was a decision, its outcomes are before everyone. GST was a big decision…its impacts are before us…Now even big economists have started talking about a major economic crisis…Banking system is collapsing, NPAs have risen…No one is ready to take credit from banks…What is left of the economy? How are you going to get out of this chakravyuh?" Akhilesh continued, "Look at the number of NHRC notices to UP government…UP has got the largest number of notices for custodial deaths, fake encounters… You should listen to our CM’s language. This state has seen great chief ministers, but none of them would have said “thok do” on the House floor… CM used such language and gave a free hand to police because over 200 MLAs were upset with him…he gave a free hand to save his chair…""…I am telling the truth. Socialists don’t make false allegations…Didn’t 200 MLAs sit on protest? Add 100 more angry with him, that makes it 300 who are upset with him. There were talks of his replacement…After this episode, do you think BJP can dare remove him?…People in the government are happy that no one is going to ask about investments in the next six months…We want to know how much investments announced during PM, BJP president, and the President’s visit have come," he added.
*Protest damage notices: Uttar Pradesh goes where no state has gone before*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/protest-damage-notices-uttar-pradesh-goes-where-no-state-has-gone-before-6192271/
New Delhi :Following damage to public property in the anti-CAA-NRC protests, the Uttar Pradesh government has slapped notices on 372 people (out of 478 identified) to recover damages. It has cited a set of Supreme Court recommendations from 2007 and a 2011 Allahabad High Court order to justify this after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared “badla” (revenge) on rioters. An analysis of protests and consequent action taken by administrations of at least six states — including Uttar Pradesh — in the past shows that the Yogi Adityanath government’s move to recover damages is unprecedented, at least in scale.Indian Express analysed key public protests in the past four years in the states of UP, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. Barring the national capital, all these states were ruled by BJP at the time of the protests.In neither case, did the state send any notices to rioters or protestors for recovery of damages. “MP administration has not sent notices to anyone with regard to any protest in the past few years. In fact, a mechanism to implement the SC order has not been set up fully here,” a senior MP police officer said.indianexpress
*UP Police Writes to Home Ministry, Seeks Ban on PFI*
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/up-police-writes-to-home-ministry-seeks-ban-on-pfi
Uttar Pradesh Police has reportedly written to the Union Home Ministry seeking ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) for its alleged involvement in violent protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the state earlier this month.According to ANI , Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police OP Singh has written a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, requesting to “impose a ban on Popular Front of India (PFI) as investigations found PFI’s involvement in the violent protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act that took place on 19 December.”Deputy Chief Minister of UP, Keshav Prasad Maurya has also called for ban on PFI.India Tomorrow
*Preparations complete to neutralise PFI in UP, says DGP :IANS Special report*
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/preparations-complete-to-neutralise-pfi-in-up-says-dgp-ians-special/1696945
*CAA: Forget Protests, Yogi's Govt Is Muzzling Funerals*
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/caa-protests-uttar-pradesh-police-deaths-yogi-adityanath_in_5e09f013e4b0843d3609a47c?ncid=fcbklnkinhpmg00000001&fbclid=IwAR1DymClvmt4xpNhgyBd__HqbjGNQzbH3m32X4YTt6zmGmK2U44FLZcyv2g&fbclid=IwAR2e8quYtEsbiwCK1utb-dskxbJpqMj3PEgWPXu0EHU4FnahpcjPN2N8b-U
NEHTAUR:Uttar Pradesh police shot 20-year-old Mohammed Suleman dead in the afternoon of December 20. At midnight, his father was called to the closest police station to discuss funeral arrangements.Suleman’s corpse was found by his family at a busy intersection in Nehtaur, a bustling urban settlement in Bijnor district, shortly after the state police trained their guns on a crowd of mostly Muslim men raising slogans against the controversial CAA. The demonstration in Nehtaur was part of hundreds of similar protests across the country.Immediately after his death, Suleman’s family took his body to Bijnor’s district hospital, where the corpse was held by the police pending a post-mortem. Suleman’s post-mortem would be conducted in the early hours of December 21, a police officer told his father Zahid Hussain, but the body would be released to his grieving family on the condition that he be buried immediately and at a spot far away from Nehtaur, where Suleman and his family lived. No friends or mourners could be called for the funeral, and the abbreviated ceremony would be conducted under strict police bandobast.“The police said, ‘You are rioters, you will cause a riot at the funeral’,” said Suleman’s elder brother Shoaib, who accompanied his father to the police station. “They said, ‘Just dig a hole anywhere and bury him.’” Suleman’s family had to patiently explain their death rituals to the disinterested police force.A little after 7 am on December 21, Suleman’s body was loaded into a police vehicle and accompanied by a police convoy that navigated the circuitous backroads from Bijnor to a cemetery in a village called Baghdad Ansar, where his grandmother lived.On the same night, another desperate family from Nehtaur was conducting a similar negotiation with the police. Anas Hussain, 21-year-old father of an 8-month-old child, had been shot dead when he stepped out of a narrow alley and into the path of a bullet most likely fired by the police. Here too, the police were refusing to hand over the body until the family chose a spot far away from Nehtaur.Eventually, the police brought the body to a cemetery in a village called Mithan, and stood guard over the body as Anas’s brothers dug a grave, as Anas’s father heated water to wash his son’s body, as Anas’s uncle organised a wooden frame to lower the corpse into the grave. “Most of our family wasn’t allowed to see Anas one last time,” said his father Arshad Hussain, his eyes welling up with tears.huffingtonpost
*After Rs 6 lakh DD, Bulandshahr DM says notices would have been sent otherwise*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/after-rs-6-lakh-dd-bulandshahr-dm-says-notices-would-have-been-sent-otherwise-6192230/
Bulandshahr : 3 days after a group of Muslim residents of Bulandshahr handed over a draft of Rs 6.27 lakh to the administration for damage caused to public property in violence during protests against the citizenship law and NRC, DM Ravindra Kumar on Monday said the administration had estimated the amount for losses incurred, and recovery notices would have started going out had this initiative not come from “some good citizens”.On the assessment of damage, DM Kumar said, “I constituted a committee comprising members of the district administration, police, PWD and traffic officials. One police vehicle — a Tata Sumo — had been damaged, along with one walkie-talkie set and minor damages to the road. They estimated this figure after proper deliberation.” He said, “Some good citizens came forward to compensate the assessed damages. If it wouldn’t have been the case, we would have had to recover it from those found responsible, as announced by the Chief Minister.”“There is widespread fear that anyone might be picked up, arrested, and asked to pay damages. Our message is that the Muslim samaj is cooperating with the administration, and we hope the administration cooperates with us — by not harassing innocents. They should take action only against people against whom they have evidence,” said Haji Akram, councillor from Bulandshahr’s ward 37 and BSP member.Haji Yunus, block pramukh of Bulandshahr, BSP member and one of the key facilitators of the initiative, called it “a gesture of goodwill from the people”.Some people in the city also question the message being sent out through this initiative. “I am uncomfortable with it. By doing this, it appears we are saying that we are responsible for what happened; that we are culprits. We should instead demand an impartial inquiry and investigation into police’s role in violence and damage,” said Amir Ghazi, an advocate.SSP Singh said the police are trying to identify those involved in violence. “Charges have been pressed against 23 named individuals and 1,050 unknown people. So far, 13 people have been arrested — all from among those put down as “unknown” — after studying CCTV footage and other evidence,” SP (City) Atul Kumar Srivastava said.
*In Bulandshahr, families wrecked by CAA violence pay UP administration 'damages', beg state to withdraw cases so they can avoid ignominy of court appearance*
https://www.firstpost.com/india/in-bulandshahr-families-wrecked-by-caa-violence-pay-up-administration-damages-beg-state-to-withdraw-cases-so-they-can-avoid-ignominy-of-court-appearance-7845301.html
*Giriraj Singh backs Meerut SP’s ‘go to Pakistan’ remark*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/giriraj-singh-backs-meerut-sps-go-to-pakistan-remark-6192170/
New Delhi :Union minister Giriraj Singh on Monday backed Meerut SP Akhilesh Narayan Singh for his “go to Pakistan” remark made to people protesting against the new citizenship law.“SP did what police should do, what a patriot should do….. Those who live in India but abuse it and hail Pakistan have no right to stay here,” Giriraj Singh leader said. “I urge those speaking against the SP to look at the entire incident or people of the country will ask questions from them.”indianexpress
*AMU students continue protest against CAA on the campus*
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/amu-students-continue-protest-against-caa-on-the-campus/articleshow/73036763.cms
Aligarh:AMU students continued their protest against the CAA on the campus on Monday. The students have been protesting since December 16.Senior Supreme Court advocate Asad Hyat Khan was also present at the protest to address the students. Highlighting the importance of these protests, Khan said, “Several political parties have changed their stance on CAA after mass protests. This shows the need to protest against such acts.”He also called for protestors to remain peaceful. In the same breath, he called for the government and administration to stop the misuse of CrPC Section 144 to prevent dissent. He said that CAA and NRC are issues of the general population and by taking the lead in these protests, students are strengthening the power of civilians at large.TOI
‘Regret what happened’: AMU VC pens open letter, says move to call cops was in ‘good faith’
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/regret-what-happened-amu-vc-pens-open-letter-says-move-to-call-cops-was-in-good-faith/story-uke532zpXSIYSS0hXiEE7O.html
Aligarh:Days before AMU is to reopen after its winter break, V-C Tariq Mansoor on Tuesday regretted police action during the anti-CAA protest on campus on December 15 night and sought to assure students of their safety and the right to protest peacefully.Prof Mansoor gave the assurance to students and their parents in an open letter written to them, nearly a week before the varsity is set to reopen on January 6 after its winter break. “I want to tell you and your families that I regret what happened (on December 15),” VC wrote.Referring to the decision to call in the police on the night of December 15, he said it was taken in “good faith and a clear conscience” as it had become imperative to disperse the protesters who had become charged up over the rumour that two student protesters at Jamia Milia Islamia in New Delhi had been killed.The vice chancellor made an impassioned appeal to students “to consider with an open mind” the circumstances which compelled him to take the unpleasant decision of inviting the police to enter the campus.In his open letter to students, Prof Mansoor said he would “fully share” their concerns on any subject provided it is done “in a peaceful and democratic manner”.PTI
Tauqeer Raza, Veerpal Singh to join hands to protest against CAA
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/tauqeer-veerpal-to-join-hands-to-protest-against-caa/articleshow/73036956.cms
Bareilly: Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Tauqeer Raza Khan on Monday said he and his followers, along with people of different faiths, would stage a protest against the CAA peacefully. As many as 786 volunteers would court arrest after offering prayers on Friday. District head of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Veerpal Singh Yadav has joined hands with IMC. He said he along with his party workers would also join the protest against the government. Raza said, “We have decided not to gather in large numbers as we did on December 20. Anyone can take advantage and ignite violence. We will peacefully protest with 786 people. Several social and political organizations have come forward to support us. We are also seeking permission for staging a dharna at Ramleela ground if govt does not withdraw CAA and NRC.”Shailesh Pandey, SSP, Bareilly said, “If anyone gathers in large numbers and violates section 144, then appropriate action will be taken against them.”TOI
*OTHERS*
Internet in govt hospitals, SMS to all mobile phones services, shut for 5 months to be restored in Kashmir from midnight
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-mobile-internet-sms-services-restored-6193422/
New Delhi :Internet services in government hospitals and SMS to all mobile phones in the Kashmir Valley will be restored from midnight of December 31, PTI quoted Jammu and Kashmir official spokesman Rohit Kansal as saying. On December 10, SMS was enabled on some mobile phones in Kashmir in order to facilitate students, scholarship applicants, traders and others.Though the Jammu and Kashmir administration allowed service providers to resume machine-based messages, subscribers were not allowed to send any messages from their mobiles, the officials had said. Kansal said it has now been decided that the services will be restored throughout the Kashmir Valley.On December 27, mobile internet services were restored in Kargil district of Ladakh, 145 days after they were snapped in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 when the Centre revoked J&K’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. Phones fell silent on August 5, when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganised the state into two union territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Mobile phones in Kashmir buzzed back to life after a gap of 72 days on October 14, but SMS facilities were stopped within a few hours after the Army claimed terrorists were using SMS services to mobilise people.indianexpress
SMS Service In Kashmir, Shut For 5 Months, To Be Restored On New Year Day
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sms-service-in-kashmir-banned-for-5-months-to-be-restored-tomorrow-2156899?pfrom=home-topscroll
Police reimpose restrictions on movement of Congress leaders in Jammu
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-reimpose-restrictions-on-movement-of-congress-leaders-in-jammu-6193159/
Jammu :Two months after they were allowed to move out of their homes post removal of Article 370, state Congress president G A Mir and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand were among the five senior Congress leaders who were asked to stay inside their houses in Jammu on Tuesday by the UT Police.Apart from Mir and Tara Chand, others who were detained include Mula Ram and Raman Bhalla, both former ministers and senior party leaders, besides Youth Congress president Uday Chib. After the Centre scrapped Article 370, these leaders were among many who were confined to their houses. However, in October this year, they were allowed to move out.indianexpress
‘We’re back in the Stone Age’: Kashmir has gone close to 5 months without the internet
https://scroll.in/article/948342/were-back-in-the-stone-age-kashmir-has-gone-close-to-five-months-without-the-internet?fbclid=IwAR3YzLbek_V5d-i86Ttzwnm0WnEOw2Ae82IVBFLLpN4fXLmXA1_YjQIkEg0
“Internet hai toh job hai [If there is internet, there is a job],” said 32-year-old Shahid Wani, who lives in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.The last time he was able to access the internet was on August 4. Wani worked with Cenedex India Limited, a private software company with a branch in Srinagar.“All our work depended on the internet,” he explained, sitting in his home in Wasoora village. “I joined the company two and a half years ago, and headed a team of six software developers.”Unlike many other companies which shut down after the internet ban, Cenedex paid their Srinagar staff salaries for the month of August. But, a little more than a month into the internet ban, the company mailed its Srinagar staff to say it would be closing operations in the city.“I couldn’t even see that mail myself,” said Wani. He had shared his email password with a cousin based in Delhi. “It was he who read out the mail to me.” Kashmir Valley enters the last day of 2019 without internet.Essential services have been hit and the impact on the economy has been devastating. In a report published in December, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated that four months of shutdown and restrictions had cost the Valley’s economy Rs 17,878 crore and thousands had lost jobs.Academic research has also been hampered. On October 14, 38-year-old research scholar Javid M Dad got a letter from Bangalore telling him he had been selected for the BRICS Young Scientist Conclave that was to be held in Brazil. “But I failed to make it – they had already taken 20 scholars for the conclave,” he said.After five months, Dad feels, Kashmiris have become “acclimatised” to the internet ban.He said, “But still, at the back of my mind, there is always a feeling that we are like second-class citizens. There’s always this feeling that we shouldn’t be treated this way. We have been thrown back to the stone age.”scroll
Opposition Cries Foul as J&K HC Opens District Court Vacancies on Pan-India Basis
https://thewire.in/law/opposition-cries-foul-as-jk-hc-opens-district-court-vacancies-on-pan-india-basis
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir high court has invited applications from candidates from all over the country to fill 33 vacancies in districts courts of the Union territories of J&K and Ladakh, triggering an opposition outcry against the opening of the state employment to all Indians in two UTs after the nullification of Article 370. The high court’s notification has triggered a vociferous protest from various opposition parties, including the National Conference, JKNPP and various Left parties, which have demanded reservation for locals in government jobs in J&K. NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana made the demand, arguing that unemployment has alarmingly grown in UT during recent years and the state jobs must be reserved for locals alone.“J&K government jobs are for local educated unemployed and should be reserved for local youths only,” said Rana.He voiced concern over limited avenues of employment in J&K, saying a thrust is needed to be laid on a fast track recruitment process and to put in place a robust mechanism of employability.He said a roadmap had already been drawn in this regard a few years ago, which, he said, has fallen prey to political myopia.Terming as “unacceptable” opening of state jobs in J&K for all Indians, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party accused Union territory’s government of having jeopardized the career of unemployed educated youths in J&K.“It would not only mar prospects of local, unemployed, educated youths but would also have a demoralising effect upon the educated and aspiring youths of the erstwhile state,” JKNPP chairperson Harsh Dev Singh told reporters here.CPI (M) state secretary G.N. Malik too opposed the move saying it is BJP government’s “first gift” to the unemployed youths of J&K after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. Team Jammu chief Zorawar Singh Jamwal said that the advertisement was a shocker for everyone in J&K notwithstanding their overwhelming support to abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.PTI
"Reserve Right To Strike Sources Of Terror": New Army Chief General MM Naravane Warns Pakistan
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-reserves-right-to-strike-sources-of-terror-army-chief-general-mm-naravane-warns-pakistan-2156955?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: Hours after taking charge as India's new Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane issued a strongly-worded warning to Pakistan to desist from sponsoring terrorism, telling PTI "we reserve the right to pre-emptively strike at sources of terror". The Army Chief said India had "multiple options across (the) spectrum of conflict... to respond to any act of terror sponsored or abetted by Pakistan". General Naravane, who succeeded General Bipin Rawat, also said his focus would be on ensuring the Army maintained high standards of operational readiness to "face any threat at any time".General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who was appointed to his position this morning, assumes the new after he was appointed Vice Chief of the Army in September. He earlier headed the Eastern Command, which guards India's nearly 4,000-kilometre-long border with China.ndtv
Air India privatisation: IndiGo, Etihad show interest in ailing national carrier; govt likely to come up with EoI next month
https://www.firstpost.com/business/air-india-privatisation-indigo-etihad-show-interest-in-ailing-national-carrier-govt-likely-to-come-up-with-eoi-next-month-7844251.html
In a big relief for the ailing Maharaja-Air India, budget carrier IndiGo and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways reportedly have approached the government to acquire the debt-laden national carrier, according to news reports.This development has come soon after a senior official of Air India expressed concern about the future of the struggling airline, which he said, might be shut down by June next year if it could not find out a buyer.In the case of these two firms, IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share, can buy 100 percent in Air India while Etihad can acquire only 49 percent due to the current norms of FDI policy, said a report in Economic Times.Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri claimed that the bid to privatise the ailing Air India was going ahead well even as the government's efforts in the past to find a suitable buyer for the crisis-hit airline did not succeed, reported Mint.“The only way forward is for Air India’s privatisation," Puri was quoted as saying in the report.firstpost
What Nitish Said Amid War Of Words Between Prashant Kishor And Ally BJP
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/what-nitish-kumar-said-amid-war-of-words-between-prashant-kishor-and-bjp-2156775?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today sought to project a united face amid the war of words between his deputy Prashant Kishor and ally BJP over the seat-sharing for next year's assembly election in the state. "Sab theek hai (all is well)," Mr Kumar was quoted as saying on the alliance in the state.Prashant Kishor, whose criticism for BJP started with the passage of the CAA and NRC, had recently suggested that his party must get a lion's share in seat distribution for the polls. "If we look at the 2010 assembly polls, which JD (U) and BJP had last contested together, the ratio was 1:1.4. Even if there is a slight change this time, it cannot be that both parties fight an equal number of seats," Kishor said.His comments drew a stinging remark from the BJP, which accused Mr Kishor of hurting NDA with his adverse remarks. "A person running a business for profit first tries to create a market for his service, thinks about the welfare of the country later," Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi of BJP tweeted, without naming Kishor.Mr Kishor's new demand indicates a shift in Nitish Kumar's party's strategy from 2015 and 2019 polls in which JD(U) has insisted on even seat sharing arrangement with its alliance partners. Despite having two lawmakers in parliament, JD(U) had made BJP to agree to an even seat-sharing arrangement in the 2019 national polls; Nitish Kumar also contested the 2015 assembly elections with the RJD on an equal sharing formula. In both the elections, the JD(U) trailed its alliance partners.ndtv
Kerala ranks at the top, Bihar last on NITI Aayog’s sustainable development goals index
https://scroll.in/latest/948389/kerala-ranks-at-the-top-bihar-last-on-niti-aayogs-sustainable-development-goals-index
Kerala emerged at the top while Bihar remained in the bottom of the list in the Sustainable Development Goals Index 2019, released by the NITI Aayog on Monday. The report assesses the progress of states and Union Territories on several parameters, including social, economic, and environmental.Kerala came out on top with a score of 70, the report showed. “Chandigarh too maintained its top spot among the UTs with a score of 70,” the report said. “Himachal Pradesh took the second spot while Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana shared the third spot.”scroll
RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch protests Huawei conducting 5G trials in India
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/rss-affiliate-swadeshi-jagaran-manch-protests-huawei-conducting-5g-trials-in-india
RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagaran Manch has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest against the DoT's decision to allow Chinese company Huawei to conduct 5G trials in India. In a letter to Modi, Ashwani Mahajan, SJM's National Co-Convenor, expressed "disappointment after Department of Telecom allowed Chinese company Huawei to conduct 5G trials in India. As you are aware, that we endorse the development and evolution of technology and strongly back its use to make human life more meaningful and easy. But we are equally conscious of the national security and the privacy issues of our fellow countrymen."Letter said the presence of Chinese companies in India's telecommunications networks would compromise national security. Huawei has been banned in several countries as more and more countries realise the full implications of having Huawei and Chinese companies in their communication networks.IANS
*Yogi government identifies site for mosque land*
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/yogi-government-identifies-site-for-mosque-land
Even as the Sunni Central Waqf Board remains undecided about accepting the five-acre land offer made by the Supreme Court in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title verdict, the Yogi Adityanath government has shortlisted five sites for the proposed mosque.The five sites are outside the "Panchkosi Parikrama" limits, in accordance with the wishes of saints and seers who had wanted the proposed mosque at a 'safe distance' so that there would be no conflict in the future.The Panchkosi Parikrama is performed over a two-day period in Ayodhya during the monsoon months. The devotees first take a holy dip in the Saryu River and then do a Parikrama of 15 kms along the periphery of the city. It is said that over two lakh devotees and 50,000 saints and seers from Prayagraj, Haridwar, Mathura and Kashi participate in the event.According to official sources, the state government has identified four sites on the Ayodhya-Faizabad road, Ayodhya-Basti road, Ayodhya-Sultanpur road and Ayodhya-Gorakhpur road. The fifth site is proposed on a highway, away from the Parikrama route."The details of the proposed sites have been sent to the Centre for approval and clearance. We have ensured that all sites have easy access," said an official.IANS
Uttar Pradesh govt identifies plots for Ayodhya mosque
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-mosque-up-govt-identifies-plots-1632763-2019-12-31
*Construction of Ram temple should not be delayed: Iqbal Ansari*
http://www.uniindia.com/news/north/construction-of-ram-temple-should-not-be-delayed-iqbal-ansari/1837588.html
Ayodhya:Prominent Muslim litigant in the Babri Masjid case Iqbal Ansari has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence minister Rajnath Singh to expedite the Ram temple construction at Ayodhya."When the court has given its verdict in favour of the Ram temple, then there should not be any delay in the construction of a grand temple," he told mediapersons here on Monday.UNI
*Our New Year Greetings Must Go First to Farooq, Omar, Mehbooba & Others Detained Since Aug 5: Chidambaram*
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/our-new-year-greetings-must-go-to-farooq-omar-mehbooba-others-detained-since-aug-5-chidambaram
NEW DELHI:Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday sent his first greetings for the New Year to incarcerated politicians and civic leaders of Jammu and Kashmir who are behind bars since August 5 this year when the Article 370 was abrogated and the state was bifurcated into two union territories.“Our first greetings for the New Year must go to Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and other leaders detained in J&K since August 5 without any charge. May the New Year bring them freedom and justice!” tweeted Chidambaram Tuesday morning.In his next tweet, he greeted all people for the New Year and stressed that struggle for freedom is a never-ending struggle.India Tomorrow
*Entire Nagaland Declared 'Disturbed' for 6 More Months Under AFSPA*
https://thewire.in/government/nagaland-afspa-disturbed
New Delhi: The entire state of Nagaland has been declared a “disturbed area” for six more months, till June-end, under the controversial AFSPA which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice.In a notification, Home Ministry said central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958), the central government hereby declares that whole of the said state to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from December 30, for the purpose of that Act,” it said.A home ministry official said the decision to continue the declaration of Nagaland as “disturbed area” has been taken as killings, loot and extortion have been going on in various parts of the state which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there.PTI
*Kota Infant Death Toll At 91, NCPCR Says Hospital Had Broken Doors, Pigs Roaming On Campus*
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kota-infant-deaths-ncpcr-says-hospital-had-broken-doors-pigs-roaming-on-campus_in_5e0ab964e4b0b2520d1a4410?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage
KOTA, Rajasthan — Fourteen more infants have died at the J K Lon hospital here in the last five days, taking the number of deaths to 91 this month, even as apex child rights body NCPCR said it found the hospital to be in the “worst condition” with broken doors and windows, shortage of staff and pigs roaming in its campus.“The 14 infants, including six newborns, died in the period between December 25 and December 29 in NICU and PICU units of the hospital,” the newly appointed superintendent of the hospital, Suresh Dulara, said on Monday.Earlier, 77 infants had died till December 24 including 10 within 48 hours on December 23-24, he said.On the cause of deaths, Amrit Lal Bairwa, Head of Department of Pediatrics, said that they are analysing the reasons behind the 77 deaths till December 25.A team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights team visited the hospital, where 940 children have died this year, after which its chairperson Priyank Kanoongo issued a show cause notice to Vaibhav Galtiya, Secretary of Medical Education Department in Rajasthan government, and sought an action taken report from him on its findings.“It is evident that there was no glass in windows panes, gates were broken and as a result the admitted children were suffering with extreme weather condition,” Kanoongo said.“Pigs were found roaming inside the campus of the hospital,” he said in the notice.huffingtonpost
*Govt. has started on wrong foot on Chief of Defence Staff appointment: Congress*
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-has-started-on-wrong-foot-on-chief-of-defence-staff-appointment-congress/article30440596.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday raised several questions over the appointment of General Bipin Rawat as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), saying the government has started on a “wrong foot” on the issue.The party also asked whether the country was headed on a portentous path.Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said the government has started on a wrong foot on the appointment and only time will unfortunately reveal the implications.“With great regret and fullest of responsibility may I say that the Govt has started on a very wrong foot with regard to CDS. Time alone unfortunately will reveal the implications of this decision,” he said on Twitter.He also asked why the appointment of a CDS is fraught with difficulties and ambiguities.Mr. Tewari wondered if the CDS as Permanent Chairperson of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee outrank the three service Chiefs.PTI
*General Bipin Rawat: Army better prepared to take on challenges at Pakistan, China border*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-chief-general-bipin-rawat-chief-of-defence-staff-doklam-pulwama-6192565/
New Delhi :General Bipin Rawat, who retired on Tuesday as the Army chief and is set to take over as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), said the Indian Army was better prepared to take on the challenges at Pakistan and China border. “Yes, they are better prepared. I thank all the soldiers of the Indian Army who supported me in the last three years of my tenure,” PTI quoted Bipin Rawat as saying.Conveying his wishes to his successor Lieutenant General Manoj Naravane, General Bipin Rawat said, “Hope Army will rise to greater heights under the new Army Chief.”indianexpress
*Gauhati High Court orders eviction of ‘ineligible’ from tribal land*
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/gauhati-high-court-orders-eviction-of-ineligible-from-tribal-land-in-assam/cid/1731535
Gauhati High Court has ordered eviction of non-tribals and other persons “not eligible to hold possession of land” in tribal belts and blocks protected under Chapter X of Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886. The court passed the order in response to a public interest litigation filed by Prodyut Kumar Bora, seeking the court’s intervention in protecting the tribal belts and blocks from illegal occupation by non-tribals and others.Assam has 17 tribal belts and 30 blocks in Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Nagaon, Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Kamrup, Kamrup (metro), Goalpara, Dhemaji, Darrang, Bongaigaon and the four districts under Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).The order was issued to the deputy commissioners of Bongaigaon, Kamrup (metro), Morigaon, Sonitpur and Tinsukia districts and the principal secretary of BTC, which governs Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri districts. Maximum encroachment was observed in these nine districts. A division bench of Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua had on December 9 ordered the deputy commissioners of districts having tribal belts and blocks and the principal secretary of BTC to evict all non-tribal and other people illegally occupying land, following due process of law. telegraphindia
*Maharashtra gets Muslim ministers after 5-year hiatus*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-gets-muslim-ministers-after-5-year-hiatus-6192166/
Mumbai :After a 5-year gap of no representation, Muslim ministers have made an entry in a big way in the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government. In the full-size cabinet that was sworn-in Monday, there were four Muslim ministers, including three Cabinet ranked. On Monday, Nawab Malik and Hasan Mushrif of NCP and Aslam Shaikh of the Congress were sworn-in as Cabinet ministers. Shiv Sena’s Abdul Sattar took oath as a Minister of State. This is also the maximum ever reperesntation of Muslims in state’s Cabinet ranks. In the late CM Vilasrao Deshmukh-led government in 2004, there were 3 Muslim ministers who held the Cabinet rank. Though, the highest Muslim representation was in Deshmukh’s term between 1999 and 2003 with a total of seven ministers, only two were given Cabinet ranks.At present, the state’s legislative assembly has 10 Muslim MLAs, slightly better than 2014, when 9 MLAs were elected.
*Forest cover up but large tracts of dense forest have turned non-forest*
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/forest-cover-up-but-large-tracts-of-dense-forest-have-turned-non-forest-6192377/
New Delhi :The biennial State of Forest Report (SFR), released Monday by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, announced an overall gain of 3,976 sq km of forests in India since 2017. But hidden in the not-so-fine print of the report is a loss of 2,145 sq km of dense forests that have become non-forests in those two years.What largely offset this loss is the conversion of 1,858 sq km of non-forest areas to dense forests since 2017. Dense forests are defined by canopy cover: over 70% is considered very dense and 40-70% medium dense. Unlike natural forests, commercial plantations grow rapidly and show up as dense cover in satellite images. A monoculture, however, cannot substitute natural forests in biodiversity or ecological services.Dr Subhash Ashutosh, DG, Forest Survey of India, said: “Some of these are fast-growing species such as bamboo in the north-eastern region. Also rubber and coconut plantations in the southern states. We need more time and resources if we are to identify and classify plantations through ground-truthing in the biennial report.”indianexpress
*Central Board of Direct Taxes extends deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar to March 31, 2020*
https://scroll.in/latest/948339/central-board-of-direct-taxes-extends-deadline-to-link-pan-with-aadhaar-to-march-31-2020
Central Board of Direct Taxes on Monday said that the last date for the mandatory linking of the Permanent Account Number with Aadhaar card has been extended from December 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. This is the eighth time that the Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the deadline, PTI reported.On December 16, Income Tax Department had said it was mandatory to link the PAN card with the Aadhaar card on or before December 31. scroll
*Muslim body demands anti-lynching law in Jharkhand*
http://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/muslim-body-demands-anti-lynching-law-in-jharkhand-393452
New Delhi: After new Chief Minister Hemant Soren took over in Jharkhand, a Muslim body has demanded an anti-lynching law in the state following lynching cases during the term of the previous government. Naved Hamid, President of the All India Majlis Mushawarat told IANS: "I am thankful to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for dropping the sedition cases lodged against the activist in Pathalgadi movement and I would request the Chief Minister that please enact an anti-lynching law in the first session of the Assembly session." As per reports, Jharkhand saw at least 22 cases of lynching after the killing of Tabrez Ansari hit the headlines earlier this year.IANS
*WORLD*
Protesters storm US embassy compound in Baghdad
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/iraqi-protesters-attempt-storm-embassy-baghdad-191231090526066.html
Dozens of protesters broke into the US embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area, prompting tear gas and sounds of gunfire.Witnesses reported rising from inside the compound and said they saw at least three US soldiers on the roof of the main building inside embassy.It was not clear what caused the fire at the reception area near the parking lot.A man on a loudspeaker urged the protesters not to enter the compound, saying: "The message was delivered."US ambassador to Iraq and other staff were evacuated from the embassy.Earlier, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the embassy to decry US air attacks in Iraq and Syria that killed 25 fighters from an Iran-backed Shia group.Shouting "Down, Down USA!" the crowd hurled water bottles and smashed security cameras outside the embassy grounds.Iraq's caretaker prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called on the protesters to leave the compound "immediately.""We recall that any aggression or harassment of foreign embassies will be firmly prohibited by the security forces," Abdel Mahdi's office said several hours after the attack began. US military carried out the strikes on Sunday against the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah. Washington claimed it was acting in retaliation for last week's killing of an American contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that it blamed on the group.The protesters raised flags of the powerful paramilitary group Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces), of which Kataib Hezbollah is part, and several people climbed over the wall of the embassy and chanted "death to America" and "no, no America", witnesses said.Tuesday's attempted embassy storming took place after mourners held funerals for fighters killed in a Baghdad neighbourhood, after which they marched on to the heavily fortified Green Zone and kept walking until they reached the embassy. aljazeera
Kabul: 17 killed due to hazardous levels of air pollution
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/kabul-17-killed-due-hazardous-levels-air-pollution-191231062957367.html
At least 17 people have died of respiratory infections in Kabul over the past week due to hazardous levels of air pollution, Afghanistan's health ministry said.More than 8,800 patients have visited government hospitals in a week, suffering from health conditions, including lung problems, as air quality worsened in the capital, Deputy Minister of Public Health Fida Mohammad Paikan, told reporters on Monday.Officials have started cracking down on local business thought to be the main contributors to air pollution in Kabul after they were asked to do so by the Afghan president, Leila Samani, a spokeswoman for Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency told dpa news agency on Monday.Three wedding halls and two property management offices were shut down for causing heating-related pollution, the municipality and environmental agency said.aljazeera
Israeli top court hears case on Netanyahu's future
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/israeli-top-court-hears-case-netanyahu-future-191231101901890.html
Israel's Supreme Court has convened to hear a petition on whether an indicted member of parliament can form a new government, a key test case for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to see if he can prolong his political career after elections in March.If the court decides Netanyahu is ineligible, it could precipitate a constitutional crisis in Israel, and exacerbate the already tenuous ties between the Israeli government and judiciary.The court is not expected to hand down an immediate ruling on Tuesday and may ask for a full panel of the court to convene on the matter. Either way, it was wading into uncharted territory.aljazeera
*Netanyahu: Israel will soon normalise ties, sign peace with Arab states*
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191231-netanyahu-israel-will-soon-normalise-ties-sign-peace-with-arab-states/
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that normalisation and formal peace agreements will be made with several Arab states, last night during at a Likud event in Tel Aviv.“I intend in the coming years to conclude normalisation and peace agreements with several Arab countries,” Netanyahu said recalling his visit to the Sultanate of Oman, a country with which Israel currently has no formal diplomatic relations.Speaking to supporters about his landslide victory to remain, leader of the Likud party, Netanyahu also touted his past achievements and pledges for future, including bringing American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over all illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, he spoke about tomorrow’s hearing at the High Court of Justice’s on whether a candidate with pending indictments should be allowed to form and lead a government.Hinting towards further normalisation with Arab, in particular, Gulf states, Netanyahu retweeted a post by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nayhan along with the message that “The time has come for normalisation and peace.”middleeastmonitor
*Inside China’s push to turn Muslim minorities into an army of workers:New York Times*
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/inside-chinas-push-to-turn-muslim-minorities-into-an-army-of-workers/
The order from Chinese officials was blunt and urgent. Villagers from Muslim minorities should be pushed into jobs, willing or not. Quotas would be set and families penalized if they refused to go along.“Make people who are hard to employ renounce their selfish ideas,” the labor bureau of Qapqal, a county in the western region of Xinjiang, said in the directive last year.Such orders are part of an aggressive campaign to remold Xinjiang’s Muslim minorities — mostly Uighurs and Kazakhs — into an army of workers for factories and other big employers. Under pressure from authorities, poor farmers, small traders and idle villagers of working age attend training and indoctrination courses for weeks or months, and are then assigned to stitch clothes, make shoes, sweep streets or fill other jobs.These labor programs represent an expanding front in a major effort by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to entrench control over this region, where these minorities make up about half the population. They are crucial to the government’s strategy of social reengineering alongside the indoctrination camps, which have held 1 million or more Uighurs and Kazakhs.The labor bureau of Qapqal ordered that villagers should undergo military-style training to convert them into obedient workers, loyal to employers and the ruling Communist Party.
*US prosecutors charge suspect in Hanukkah stabbing rampage with hate crime*
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/u-s-prosecutors-charge-suspect-in-hanukkah-stabbing-rampage-with-hate-crime-6192915/
New York :Federal prosecutors filed hate-crime charges on Monday against the man accused of a stabbing rampage at the New York-area home of a Hasidic rabbi during a Hanukkah celebration, saying he kept journals with references to Adolf Hitler and “Nazi culture.”Grafton Thomas, 37, a former U.S. Marine with a history of severe mental illness, according to his attorney, entered no plea during his brief initial federal court hearing in White Plains, New York, and was ordered to remain in custody.Saturday’s assault, which left five people wounded and followed a recent spate of anti-Semitic incidents in the greater New York City area, prompted law enforcement to further bolster its presence in Jewish neighborhoods across the region.Reuters
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
*Arrest of Md Shoaib, SR Darapuri in UP insults their human rights work legacy:Sandeep Pandey*
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/caa-citizenship-law-protests-up-police-arrests-6192094/?fbclid=IwAR0xYvlng20MaRdLhG5v-XWXFHGvL3AohRRcZrMaAHsismSr-jOlZ8ocq3c
*Never been more aware of my Muslim identity than I am today:Kabir Khan*
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jnu-dissent-caa-protests-nrc-jamia-millia-islamia-freedom-to-speak-up-6192099/
*Domestic political climate affects external relations. India must recognise this urgently:C. Raja Mohan*
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economy-slowdown-foreign-policy-caa-protests-nrc-raja-mandala-challenge-lies-within-6192100/
*CAA is in line with India’s ethos of fraternity: HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank*
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/caa-protests-nrc-secularism-muslims-hindutva-civilisation-an-act-of-empathy-6192115/
*Common intention under Section 34, IPC cannot be confused with similar intention: Calcutta HC*
https://www.barandbench.com/news/common-intention-under-section-34-ipc-cannot-be-confused-with-similar-intention-calcutta-hc?fbclid=IwAR1X5D7AX0DvjS6GR6MakeQqw0YI3bUilQm2NOw6Wg_tc_FHaRLVW0po16I
*UP govt’s decision to demand compensation from protesters, arbitrarily targeting one community, is a new low:Indian express editorial*
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/up-caa-protest-public-property-damage-compensation-6192114/
*Struggle for India's Democracy Is Only Just Beginning:Prem Shankar Jha*
https://thewire.in/rights/narendra-modi-ramlila-maidan-rss-police-protests
*Golwalkar's Idea of Culture as War Drives BJP's Scorn for Democracy and Minorities:Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee*
https://thewire.in/politics/golwalkars-idea-of-culture-as-war-drives-bjps-scorn-for-democracy-and-minorities
*‘Our nation to keep and guard’:Shaheen Bagh isn’t stopping to say: NO CAA*
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/anti-caa-protest-at-delhi-s-shaheen-bagh-our-nation-to-keep-and-guard/cid/1731630?ref=top-stories_home-template
*Afghan citizenship, defined and redefined over decades of change:Faizan Mustafa*
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/afghan-citizenship-defined-redefined-over-decades-of-change-6190832/
*Bias inherent in NPR-NRC implementation guidelines:Mala Jay*
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/bias-embedded-in-npr-nrc-implementation-guidelines
Delhi Police Using Facial Recognition Tech – How Can We Dodge It?Srinivas Kodali
https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/delhi-police-facial-recognition-software-technology-how-to-avoid
To invoke Allah or to not: Secular Islamophobia and the protesting Indian Muslim:Mudasir Amin And Samreen Mushtaq
https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/to-invoke-allah-or-to-not-secular-islamophobia-and-the-protesting-indian-muslim
“They are shutting down the campus to quell the protests”: AMUSU president Salman Imtiaz
https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/aligarh-muslim-university-students-union-president
'CAA Counters The Very Concept Of India', Senior Advocate Indira Jaising
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/caa-is-the-official-legislative-heralding-of-hindu-rashtra-senior-advocate-indira-jaising-151174
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:10 PM).*
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