*01 DEC. 2019: 03 Rabius Sani 1441: Vol: 12, No: 71*
**INDIA: *NRC - CAB*
Citizenship Amendment Bill, likely in Parliament next week, amid continued protests
https://www.news18.com/news/india/citizenship-amendment-bill-to-be-tabled-in-rs-by-dec-10-says-assam-minister-as-protests-continue-2406751.html
Centre is set to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016,in the winter session of Parliament even as people in Assam and the Northeast continue to oppose it. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that the contentious legislation, which has already been passed in the Lok Sabha, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Dec.10.“The Bill would be tabled in Parliament by Dec.10. We are hopeful that it will be passed,” said Sarma in New Delhi.“Before the Bill is passed, Assam and the indigenous people of the state will be given a constitutional safeguard,”he said, emphasising that Centre will implement every recommendation made by a high-level committee on Clause 6 of 1985 Assam Accord, “without changing a comma or a full stop”.Sarma, also the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), reiterated that special provisions in the Bill will not override the existing provisions in State Acts - indicating that areas under Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime and those under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would not come under the ambit of the Bill.Sarma also outlined the procedural rules under the Bill.“After the implementation of Citizenship Bill, applicants (non-Muslim minorities of neighbouring countries) will have to apply for citizenship within a year of its implementation. A self-submission is desired from the applicant stating that he/she suffered religious persecution at a particular location of the neighbouring country, and this will be later verified by the Indian embassy in Dhaka,” he said.Union Home Minister Amit Shah has met political leaders and members of civil society organisations of Assam to discuss the Bill. A day earlier, Shah held a discussion with the stakeholders and political parties of Tripura and Mizoram. In a final push, Shah is also scheduled to hold talks with All Assam Students’ Union (AASU)on Dec.3.Several organisations in Assam who were present at the meeting with Shah, however, believe tweaked version of the Bill will spell disaster for the state. Asam Sahitya Sabha, All Bodo Students’ Union(ABSU) and All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) were among ethnic organisations that attended crucial discussion.“We have strongly opposed the Bill, and clearly stated we will not accept a Bill that violates the Assam Accord,” said AAMSU advisor Azizur Rahman.“I would rather choose to die than accept the Citizenship Bill—it will be more dangerous for Assam if some states of the Northeast, which are protected by ILP and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, are kept outside the purview of the Bill,” said RTI activist Akhil Gogoi, who also leads the peasants’body KMSS. Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF also said the party will continue to oppose the Bill that seeks to grant Indian citizenship to “persecuted” non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who migrated to India till Dec.31, 2014.“We oppose the Citizenship Bill as it is based on religion. We ask the Union Home Minister as to how the Govt will know if people were religiously persecuted. What machine does it have to detect persecution? Who will give the data on the number of people who came to Assam before Dec 31, 2014?” he asked. The party said the Bill, if passed, would render the updation of NRC meaningless. “If the Bill is passed, it will violate Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution,” AIUDF added.news18
Northeastern States to be shielded from citizenship law impact
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/northeastern-states-to-be-shielded-from-citizenship-law-impact/article30126585.ece
Citizenship Amendment Bill, likely in Parliament next week, has a new cutoff date
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shah-meets-ne-leaders-to-allay-citizenship-bill-fears/story-xC7mUYNqLu9fnChq9TEEpN.html
We will implement NRC across India: Rajnath Singh
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/we-will-implement-nrc-across-india-says-rajnath-singh-1624150-2019-12-01
Bokaro:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said the Govt will implement NRC across India. Addressing in Jharkhand's Bokaro, Rajnath said, "We will implement NRC across all states of the country.""Every Indian has a right to know who the illegal immigrants are in their land. Some parties find our fault in this as well, they accuse us of being communal," he said. Speaking on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, "We are going to build a grand temple of Lord Ram at the birthplace of Ramlalla, as promised by us in every manifesto."He added, "Some parties used to mock us on this promise, but now no one can stop us from building the temple."indiatoday
Congress' Adhir Ranjan Calls PM Modi, Amit Shah 'infiltrators' While Opposing CAB
https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/congress-adhir-ranjan-calls-pm-modi-amit-shah-infiltrators.html
Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, objecting to the Citizenship Amendment Bill push by BJP-led Govt, called PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah 'infiltrators.' Interacting with the media, Congress leader asserted that India is for everybody-- Hindus and Muslims. Adhir Ranjan said, "India is for everybody. It's for Hindus and Muslims. But they want to show that we will let Hindus live and not Muslims, is India somebody's estate? Everybody has an equal right. Amit Shah, Narendra Modiji, you are an infiltrator. Your home is in Gujarat, you came to Delhi, you are a migrant yourself. Legal or illegal, we will know later. In the world, Indians have the largest migrants." Addressing the Republic Summit, Home Minister Amit Shah elaborated on the contentious NRC. Home Minister claimed that it will not cause a divide between the Hindu and the Muslim community. Further mentioned that Citizen Amendment Bill will take care of all the refugees who are willing to come to India.Shah said, "Firstly NRC is not going to cause any difference between Hindus and Muslims. Everyone will need to prove that they're a citizen of India be it Hindu or Muslim. You are referring to the Citizenship Amendment Bill. In that bill people from 3 countries Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian those who come to India seeking asylum will be welcomed. It is not about Hindu and Muslims, these three countries are Islamic countries and the count of the minority in those countries has seen a drastic fall of 20 to 30 percent.""Minorities in these three countries are tortured, forced to convert their religion, and minority women are not treated well. So in this case, if they are willing to come to India to seek asylum, they will be considered as refugees and not intruders," Amit Shah added. He reiterated that NRC would be implemented across the country. republicworld
Congress’ Adhir Ranjan targets Centre over NRC, calls Modi, Shah ‘migrants from Gujarat’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-modi-shah-nrc-6145388/
Congress will build alliance against NRC, Citizenship Amendment Bill: Jairam Ramesh
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nrc-citizenship-amendment-bill-modi-amit-shah-congress-jairam-ramesh-1624004-2019-11-30
Guwahati: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh here said that Congress will take a leadership role in building an alliance with like-minded parties against the controversial bill and the proposed nationwide NRC. Ramesh accused PM Narendra Modi, Union Home minister Amit Shah and BJP of using Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and NRC as a political tool to divert the people's attention from the main issues of the country like current growth pangs of India."All political parties are opposed to it [Citizenship Amendment Bill and NRC] except BJP. But BJP uses threats and intimidation to bring parties around. But we have seen what has happened in Maharashtra. I hope other allies of BJP realise that they will be finished as long as they continue to support BJP,"Ramesh said. He further said that Naveen Patnaik was the first to realise as Shiv Sena realised this recently."I hope Bihar's CM will realise it too soon," Ramesh said.Ramesh said that BJP had used NRC issue during the election campaign in Maharashtra and West Bengal but the result did not turn out to be in their favour.indiatoday
Assam Govt has no information on people excluded from NRC list: State Minister
https://www.news18.com/news/india/assam-govt-has-no-information-on-people-excluded-from-nrc-list-says-state-minister-2406827.html
Guwahati: 2 days after senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that figure of Hindu Bengalis excluded from the updated final NRC would be tabled in the Assembly, Assam Govt on Saturday said it has no information of those left out of the controversial document.In a written reply to a query by Congress MLA Nurul Huda in Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said Office of NRC Coordinator has not shared the data of 19,06,657 excluded people with the state Govt.PTI
NRC: 1.6 lakh people fighting cases in Foreigners Tribunals, says Assam govt
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nrc-1-6-lakh-people-fighting-cases-in-foreigners-tribunals-says-assam-govt-1624009-2019-11-30
Nearly 1.6 lakh people are fighting for their cases in Foreigners Tribunals to prove their Indian citizenship across Assam, state Assembly was informed.Assam Parliamentary Affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said in a written reply to a query by AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam that cases were registered against 1,58,554 people in Foreigners Tribunal(FTs) till May 31, 2019.Out of all the orders as declared foreigners,1,31,459 cases have been contested by the accused and in 68,789 cases, the judgements were passed ex-parte, House was informed. Patowary replying on behalf of CM Sarbananda Sonowal, who holds Home portfolio, said that Assam currently has 1,13,738 'D' voters (doubtful voters) and necessary action is taken in this regard according to orders passed by FTs.PTI
With NRC Coordinator Still On Leave, Assam Appoints Temporary Chief
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/with-nrc-coordinator-still-on-leave-assam-appoints-temporary-chief-2141432
Guwahati: Assam Govt has appointed Babulal Sharma, Secretary of Home and Political Department, as temporary coordinator of NRC, which has been without an in-charge for weeks now. Sharma will take care of the process until Hitesh Dev Sarma, whom the Govt had appointed as coordinator earlier this month, returns from leave. Sarma replaced Prateek Hajela, who oversaw the exercise before the Supreme Court ordered his transfer in a move that surprised many. ndtv
200 arrested on India-Bangladesh border: ‘If caught in Bangladesh, we have papers. But in India…’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/if-caught-in-bangla-we-have-papers-but-in-india-6144776/
Bengaluru :In a settlement of tin huts that stands in the shadow of a high-rise apartment complex in Bellandur, Bengaluru, all talk is of the difficult journey back “home”.“This was a bustling colony. Now I look at it and I want to cry. Almost everyone has left.Those who haven’t are, like me, waiting to scrounge together some money,” said a greying man in his 40s, who asked not to be named. “We need Rs 15,000 per head to return: there is the train fare to pay, money for the trip; and there are guards to be paid off at the border,” he said. He said he has worked in the city’s waste collection and segregation business for 13 years, doing the “ganda kaam” that paid for the education of his 2 college-going daughters back home in Bangladesh. “A few weeks ago, I sent most of my family away. Only one daughter remains with me. If the govt does not want us here, what can we do? Better to be caught at the border than here,” he said. He said he was born in Mohonganj, Bangladesh, and came to India as a child with his parents. He lived and worked in Seemapuri, Delhi, for many years, before he moved to Karnataka capital. According to residents, of 200 families that lived here, only 10-20 remain. In some of the abandoned houses, local Kannadiga residents have moved in.In many other settlements (Thuburahalli, Haralur, Sarjapur) too, the story is of a reluctant but resigned exodus, turning many of the places into “ghost towns”, said a legal aid activist. Indian express
Concentration of minorities in some areas a worry: BJP national general secretary Santhosh
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/dec/01/concentration-of-minorities-in-some-areas-a-worry-bjp-national-general-secretary-santhosh-2069592.html
BJP national general secretary B L Santosh on Saturday stirred up a hornet's nest when he said that the concentration of minority communities in some parts of the country is a cause for worry.Santhosh, who was speaking at a panel discussion on 'New India: Demography—Dividend or Danger' at the ongoing Mangaluru Literature Festival, said, "The concentration of Muslims and Christians is high in some parts of the country, which is dangerous."He went on to add that the communities are not evenly spread and the central Govt will come up with measures to deal with the situation. However, he stopped short of divulging what steps the Govt could take. BJP leader pointed out that in South India,there is a 50% concentration of Christian population and in North-East, it is 37%."The concentration of minorities only in some areas is a threat and this has to be resolved. Malabar district in Kerala is a good example. There is a high concentration of the Muslim population and hence,they had demanded a separate North Malabar state," he said.In coastal Karnataka too, the concentration of these 2 communities is high. Ruling dispensation is not worried about their numbers, but the area-specific concentration, he stressed. "NRC is not a tool to target people on religious lines but is being done on humanitarian grounds. Hindus who were persecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan had come here seeking refuge.Those people will be given citizenship. Religion has nothing to do with this,"he asserted.newindianexpress
Minority refugees from other countries will get citizenship after CAB: BJP’s Bengal leader Vijayvargiya
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/minority-refugees-from-other-countries-will-get-citizenship-after-cab-kailash-vijayvargiya/articleshow/72311001.cms
Kolkata: Within 100 days of passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), Central Govt will start providing citizenship to the people from the neighbouring countries who have taken refuge in West Bengal. BJP’s Bengal minder Kailash Vijayvargiya on Saturday said that the govt is committed to provide citizenship to the people who had to leave their countries and seek asylum in India. “CAB will be passed in the parliament and will get a nod from the president. The Govt will start providing citizenship to these refugees within 100 days of that,” he said at a street corner in Dumdum. TOI
AMU's teachers' association rejects NRC and Citizen Amendment Bill; urges President to reconsider it
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/amus-teachers-association-rejects-nrc-and-citizen-amendment-bill-urges-president-to-reconsider-it/articleshow/72317798.cms
AMU Teachers' Association (AMUTA) has outrightly rejected NRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill and urged the President of India to reconsider it with thorough deliberations with all sections of the society.The general body of AMUTA in its meeting on Saturday resolved that there are several discrepancies in the final draft of NRC, and hence, this cannot be accepted in its present form. "It's a unilateral decision and other political parties, and the country’s citizens need to be consulted on this separately," said AMUTA members.GBM further resolved that since "our" great nation is already having a strong Constitution and laws which are capable of catering all needs, no attempt should be made by anyone to undermine its sanctity and force changes for vested political reasons. This is evident from the fact that the nation is already having stringent laws like Foreigners Act, 1946 and Passport Act 1920, as well as tribunals to detect, detain and deport all illegal migrants residing in the country.Hence, the much-hyped bogey of uncontrolled illegal migration is very easily covered by the said existing laws of the nation.According to AMUTA's secretary, professor Najmul Islam, NRC is being enacted with a political motive.TOI
BABRI MASJID CASE*
99% Muslims want review of SC judgment on Ayodhya dispute: AIMPLB
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/99-muslims-want-review-of-sc-judgment-on-ayodhya-dispute-aimplb/article30129230.ece
Lucknow:All India Muslim Personal Law Board today asserted that 99% of Muslims in the country want a review of the unanimous Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute.AIMPLB, which was not a party to the law suit, has previously said a review petition will be filed by Dec.9. “Muslims trust judiciary. That is why a review petition is being filed. However, the trust has weakened after the SC verdict on Ayodhya,” AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani told PTI.“99 % of Muslims of the country are in favour of a review petition. If it it understood that a big section is against this, it is wrong,”he said. Rahmani, however, said they “suspect our petition will be dismissed“.“(But) it does not mean we don’t file it. It’s our legal right. There are many contradictory things in the verdict,” he added. Asked about the suggestion that decades-long dispute should end after the SC verdict, Rahmani said, “They are those who did not have any interest in the mosque. They live in fear and want others to do so. Intellectuals raise this issue but they did not have any practical scheme to resolve issues of Muslim community. They should be asked what they have done for the community.”PTI
targets AIMPLB, Jamiat over Ayodhya review bid
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-slams-aimplb-jamiat-for-ayodhya-decision-review-bid-says-matter-closed-for-people-6145229/
Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has accused AIMPLB and Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind of trying to create an “atmosphere of division and confrontation” by seeking a review of Ayodhya verdict.The minister said that for Muslims the important issue is not just “Babri (mosque) but barabari (equality)” in areas of education and economic and social upliftment.Saying that everyone has the liberty to approach courts in a democracy, Naqvi added that attempts should not be made to entangle the decades-old complex issue which has been solved by a unanimous Supreme Court verdict.“All sections of the society have welcomed and respected the SC verdict. But if some people are unable to digest the fact that the unity has been strengthened after this verdict, it is sad,” he told PTI. indianexpress
Double standard to seek review of Ayodhya verdict: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/double-standard-to-seek-review-of-ayodhya-verdict-move-on-and-strengthen-economy-sri-sri-ravi-shankar/story-3Ha3zJXFAdRPUqQPULXTAK.html
Kolkata:Terming decision of AIMPLB and Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind to seek a review of the recent Ayodhya verdict as double standard, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said Hindus and Muslims should move on and work towards strengthening the economy. Sri Sri said the matter would have been solved long back, had one side not been insistent on building a mosque at the disputed site.“Yes, I am happy with the Ayodhya verdict. I have been telling this since 2003 that both communities can work on it...build mandir on one side and masjid on the other. But yeh zidd ki masjid wahi banana hai ka koi matlab nahi tha (stubbornness to build mosque at the disputed site was meaningless),” Sri Sri told PTI. “The same people who are planning to go for a review had earlier said they will accept the verdict, now they have changed their position,” founder of Art of Living Foundation said. 63-year-old guru, however, asserted that Ayodhya issue should “not be mixed up” with that of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura.PTI
Can there be peace without justice asks Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan on Ayodhya verdict
https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/justice-senior-advocate-rajeev-dhavan-on-ayodhya--150341
Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who argued for the Muslim side opined that a review petition should be filed against the Judgment of the Supreme Court which allowed the Hindu parties to build the Ram Temple in the disputed Site of Ayodhya. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Advocate Dhavan said, "those stones in Babri Masjid belong to the Muslims! The land they have given away but the stones belong to them! I am not their spokesperson, but I would tell them to take these stones and get artists to build a great monument of the injustice that has been perpetrated! What is this judgment as we see it? It is effectively an order to destroy, a mandamus to destroy! Let's assume that in 1992 the masjid was not destroyed and it was still standing today. The title in 1992 according to the judgment would have been with the Hindus. If it was still standing, the order of the SC properly read in fact means 'destroy it and move it'!...On the 'balance of probabilities', they said between 1528 and 1857, you have no evidence to prove that you prayed there...A waqf is a waqf! If I don't pray there for a century, it doesn't cease to be a waqf! And from 1528 onwards, first the Mughals and then Nawabs ruled there! Why on earth would there be, on a balance of probabilities, a masjid that was not prayed to when the muslims were in power? Ridiculous! They are saying Hindus had complete access to the whole cite and at least the outer courtyard. How is it possible? In order to reach the inner courtyard, where the Muslims used to go, you have to cross the outer courtyard! The choice is very simple- the mosque was there! It is a walled mosque! It was owned by the muslims! An 1885 judgment says that as far as the Hindu right is concerned, they cannot build a temple there! All that the Hindus had was a prescriptive right of prayer!...They reversed it! They said Hindus owned this walled mosque! Why? Because some gentleman said he had heard they prayed there before 1857? I was asked this menacing question by Justice Chandrachud...the sheer ridiculousness of this argument is there to be seen on the surface of the judgment only!" livelaw
Babri Demolition Post-verdict, Nyas says no to Shaurya Diwas, VHP divided
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/babri-demolition-post-verdict-nyas-says-no-to-shaurya-diwas-vhp-divided-6144886/
Lucknow:Senior leadership of VHP and prominent religious leaders in Ayodhya are divided on whether to celebrate Shaurya Diwas on Dec.6, in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict in the Barbri land dispute. The day is celebrated to mark demolition of Babri mosque in 1992.Before and after the Ayodhya verdict in favour of Hindu parties, religious and political leaders had urged people to restrain themselves from rallies and celebrations.While VHP leadership had on Friday announced that Shaurya Diwas (valour day) would be celebrated,Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das said there was no need for celebrations and everybody should focus on construction of the Ram temple.“Construction of the temple is the biggest programme. Shaurya Divas is done, and what could be a bigger Shaurya Diwas than construction of the temple? Ram temple is the only thing that remains, and that is what we are going to do. No programme is needed other than construction of the temple,”said Das. indianexpress
After Ayodhya verdict — ‘Nirmohi Akhara has everything, yet nothing’: Indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-verdict-babri-masjid-nirmohi-akhara-has-everything-yet-nothing-6144670/
Removed from directorship of AMU’s CPECEAMI for views on Ayodhya verdict, claims Dr Rashid Shaz; official calls it baseless
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/removed-from-directorship-of-cpeceami-for-views-on-ayodhya-verdict-claims-amu-professor20191201030457/
AMU professor Dr Rashid Shaz has claimed that he was removed from the post of director at Center for Promotion of Educational and Cultural Advancement of Muslims of India (CPECEAMI) over his views on Ayodhya verdict. AMU administration has termed the charge as "baseless".As per an office memo dated Nov. 21, V-C of the university ordered replacement of Shaz with Dr Naseem Ahmed Khan with "immediate effect". The memo did not cite any reason for his removal. Speaking over the matter, Shaz said that before Ayodhya verdict, V-C of the university had directed that "no one will speak on Ayodhya issue". However, he did not accept the order and shared his views on the Ayodhya verdict. The professor further claimed he was removed from the post as "part of the punishment" and said it was his conscience which prompted to share his views on Ayodhya verdict with the administration. He asserted that the university should have "freedom to think and speak. If it ends then the University has no significance."At the same time, AMU spokesman Dr Rahat Abrar said that the accusation is baseless and his removal was the part of a routine. "A director of CPECEAMI was appointed for 3 years while Shaz had served for 6 years," he said. Abrar, however, said that in the wake of the Ayodhya verdict, Centre appealed that everyone should respect the SC's verdict and not make any necessary comments. ANI
*J&K & SOUTH ASIA*
Pak minister says Kartarpur Corridor Gen Bajwa’s ‘brainchild’, Amarinder hits back
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amarinder-singh-pakistan-india-kartarpur-corridor-6145332/
New Delhi :Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh Sunday said that Pakistan Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid’s disclosure that Kartarpur Corridor was the “brainchild” of their Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa and that it will “hurt India forever” exposes Islamabad’s nefarious intent behind the initiative. Expressing serious concern over Rashid’s admission, Amarinder said that Rashid, while justifying his stance on the issue, he completely exposed the wicked design of Pakistan behind the Corridor, which India had hoped would emerge as a bridge of peace between the two nations. Amarinder also took a strong exception to Rashid’s “Corridor would hurt India forever” remark, saying that it is an “open and blatant threat” against India’s security and integrity. He also warned Pakistan to not attempt or indulge in any misadventure against India.“Don’t make the mistake reading weakness in our gratitude for opening the Corridor,” Singh said in a statement, asserting that India would give “befitting response” to any bid by Pakistan if it attacks its border or people. He also said that any such attempt by Islamabad will meet “retaliation of the kind” that Pakistan would never be able to survive.Amarinder’s remarks came a day after Rashid, a close aide of Pakistan PM Imran Khan, told reporters in Lahore that the opening of Kartarpur Corridor was the brainchild of Army chief General Bajwa and asserted that it will hurt India forever.“India will remember forever the kind of wound inflicted on it by Gen Bajwa by opening the Kartarpur corridor. General Bajwa strongly hit India by opening the corridor. Through this project, Pakistan has created a new environment of peace and won itself love of the Sikh community,” Rashid had said.The Punjab CM recalled that he had all along maintained that while he was extremely happy, as a Sikh, at the opening of the Corridor to enable access to Indian devotees to Kartarpur Gurdwara, “the threat it posed to our country could not be ignored”.“This had been quite evident from various facts, most notably that Bajwa had disclosed the Pakistani decision to build the Corridor to then Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu at the time of Imran Khan’s swearing-in ceremony,” he said.“Imran had not even taken over then, yet their Army chief had spoken about this to Sidhu. How was it possible unless Bajwa was the one behind the Corridor decision,” asked Singh while urging Sidhu to be cautious and not let his personal friendship with Khan cloud his judgment. indianexpress
Indo-Pak border ‘sensitive’ after the bifurcation of J&K due to frequent infiltration attempts: BSF DG
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/indo-pak-border-sensitive-after-the-bifurcation-of-jammu-and-kashmir-due-to-frequent-infiltration-attempts-bsf-dg/article30129999.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI:The Govt’s decision to bifurcate the erstwhile State of J&K has rendered the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and the international border along Jammu and Punjab “very sensitive” as terrorists are making continuous efforts to infiltrate India, a top BSF officer said on Sunday.Border Security Force Chief V.K. Johri, during his address on the occasion of the 55th Raising Day of the Force, said his troops have avowed to ensure that the sanctity of the borders, specifically the India-Pakistan border, is ensured “at every cost”. LoC in Kashmir and international border along Pakistan in Jammu and Punjab have become “very sensitive” due to recent administrative decisions, Johri said while referring to the bifurcation of J&K after the abrogation of Article 370.PTI
Entire public opinion in Kashmir has shifted in favour of separatists:Yogendra Yadav
https://caravandaily.com/yogendra-yadav-interview-entire-public-opinion-in-kashmir-has-shifted-in-favor-of-separatists/
The order stripping J&K of its special status has alienated the people of Kashmir and shifted public opinion in favour of separatism, said Yogendra Yadav, leader of the Sawaraj Abhiyan.“The authorities there jailed top leaders of pro-India political parties since then to avert chances of protest. However, the National Conference workers I spoke to during my brief Kashmir visit recently say Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gelani was always right,” Yadav said in an interview with Caravan Daily. Yadav said: “I was dismayed at the shift in popular perceptions in the valley. By such an act, PM Modi has done a disservice to the cause of Indian nationalism.”Yadav said many political observers in India think the country has taken a rightward shift under PM Modi. “The recent Supreme Court Judgement on Babri Masjid has further bolstered the nationalistic Hindu sensibilities. Though I too favour an early end to the highly politicized, decades-old Ayodhya dispute, I was disappointed with the nature of the verdict because it came from the SC. I expect a high quality of reasoning behind every court verdict.” He added: “I feel sad the SC let go of an opportunity for genuine truth and reconciliation”. Taking a dig at the traditional secular parties for their inability to defend secularism, Yadav said, “The real solution is to begin speaking to people, to Hindus as much as to Muslims, to explain to them that secularism is necessary to re-convince the younger generation that idea of India is worth defending.”Yadav is of the view that even as India has taken a majoritarian turn, the trend can be stopped.Caravan Daily
*POLITICS*
Congress’ Nana Patole elected unopposed as Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/congress-nana-patole-maharashtra-speaker-as-bjp-nominee-withdraws/article30128831.ece?homepage=true
Mumbai:Congress leader Nana Patole has been elected unopposed as Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as BJP candidate Kisan Kathore withdrew his nomination on Sunday.CM Uddhav Thackeray escorted Mr. Patole to Speaker’s chair in the Assembly. Congress on Saturday announced party MLA Patole as the candidate of the ruling Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance for the election to State Assembly Speaker’s post, while BJP named Kathore as its nominee. The deadline to withdraw the nomination was 10 am on Sunday. Patole represents Sakoli Assembly segment in Vidarbha, while Kathore is from Murbad in Thane district. This is the fourth term as an MLA for both.PTI
‘Still with Hindutva ideology, won’t ever leave it’: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/still-with-hindutva-ideology-won-t-ever-leave-it-maharashtra-cm-uddhav-thackeray/story-tMrbKVoaPE0QW4bsD4SC1O.html
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, who has formed a Govt in state with NCP and Congress, on Sunday asserted that Shiv Sena was always with the ideology of Hindutva.“I am still with the ideology of Hindutva and won’t ever leave it,”said Thackeray, who was speaking at a special session of the Maharashtra assembly, PTI reported. Thackeray took a swipe at his predecessor Devendra Fadnavis, who was elected leader of opposition in the assembly today,over his pitch during the poll campaign that he will be back as CM of Maharashtra. “I never said I will come back, but I came in this House,”Thackeray said.Sena chief then targeted BJP and Fadnavis for trying to form a govt without the required numbers in the assembly. Thackeray said he “will not do anything at midnight”. HT
‘Fadnavis’ haste for power sank BJP in 80 hours’: Sanjay Raut
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/devendra-fadnavis-haste-for-power-sank-bjp-in-maharashtra-sanjay-raut/story-4wepEo0Z5qZAm4yI40FCuN.html
Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today put Devendra Fadnavis in his line of fire saying his “haste to attain power” sank BJP in the state and turned him from CM to opposition leader.Rajya Sabha MP and editor of Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, Raut claimed in his column ‘Rokhthok’ that ahead of the Assembly polls, Fadnavis made “childish comments” that there would be no opposition party left in the state, the era of Sharad Pawar was ending and Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi would be the main opposition.“But he (Fadnavis) himself became the opposition leader,” Raut wrote. Fadnavis said he would come back, but his haste to attain power sank BJP within 80 hours, said Sena leader who regularly baited the party’s former ally after Maharashtra elections, “Over-confidence and his (Fadnavis’) reliance on Delhi-based senior leaders destroyed his politics,” Raut said.HT
*OTHERS*
Lokpal paying Rs 50 lakh every month in rent to New Delhi’s Ashoka Hotel
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lokpal-paying-50-lakh-every-month-in-rent-to-ashoka-hotel/story-LX5ZroWUu21WrDCIIJ5OYK.html?fbclid=IwAR053kgRiCONxWWvolFQ-3ctePkwtsYN9vHgEhnXTkIDRKhZVAWT7bY7wjo
New Delhi:In the absence of a permanent office in the national capital, the country’s apex anti-corruption body, Lokpal, set up to look into complaints against public servants, pays a monthly rent of Rs 50 lakh to Govt-owned Hotel Ashoka for the office space it occupies in 5-star luxury hotel.A reply under RTI Act, recently, disclosed that “Lokpal is provisionally operating from the Ashoka Hotel. Total monthly rent is around Rs 50 lakh and Rs 3 crore 85 lakh has been paid till now ( from March 22, 2019 to Oct.31) for rent fixed by DOPT.”In March this year, former judge of the Supreme Court, PC Ghose, was appointed by the Govt as India’s first Lokpal. Besides him, the Govt also appointed four judicial and four non-judicial members to all the nine posts in the office of Lokpal. Since then, office of Lokpal has been functioning from the second floor in Ashoka Hotel and has 12 rooms for its office space.HT has a copy of the response given by Lokpal secretariat to one RTI activist, Subham Khatri, who had earlier this year sought details from the Lokpal about its functions and disposal of complaints.RTI’s response also discloses that till Oct.31, 2019, Lokpal had received 1,160 complaints of corruption against public servants but none of them merited any inquiry. “A total of 1,160 complaints have been received by Lokpal to date out of which 1000 complaints have been heard by the bench of Lokpal.Preliminary inquiry has now been initiated in any of these complaints and in no case Lokpal had initiated full investigation yet,” reads the RTI reply.HT
Hyderabad vet murder: 3 police officials suspended for delay in filing FIR
https://scroll.in/latest/945434/hyderabad-vet-murder-three-police-officials-suspended-for-delay-in-filing-fir
Cyberabad Police has suspended 3 of its officials, including a sub-inspector, for delaying the registration of a first information report before the alleged gangrape and murder of a woman veterinarian near Hyderabad came to light, The News Minute reported. The woman was allegedly gang-raped by the accused before being killed and set on fire. Her sister alleged that the police did not search areas where the victim was last seen. Instead, they reportedly asked if woman had a boyfriend, if she was regularly in touch with men, and sought to know her phone habits. A detailed investigation revealed their involvement in the delay in registration of FIR. Those officials were identified as Shamshabad Sub-Inspector M Ravi Kumar, and head constables at Rajiv Gandhi Airport police station A Sathyanarayana Goud and P Venu Gopal Reddy. scroll.in
Vet rape-murder case: Telangana CM orders setting up fast-track court to expedite trial
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hyderabad-rape-murder-case-k-chandrashekar-rao-6145545/
New Delhi :Amidst growing outrage, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao Sunday directed authorities to set up a fast track court to expedite trial in the rape and murder of a 27-year-old Hyderabad-based veterinary doctor.In his first public statement since the incident, the CM called the incident “ghastly” and assured that the family of the veterinarian will be provided with all kinds of assistance.indianexpress
‘No sympathy, only justice’: Residents of Hyderabad rape victim’s colony turn away politicians
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hyderabad-veterinarian-rape-shadnagar-6145273/
Amid mounting public pressure and vocal protests by hundreds of people demanding death penalty for the four accused in rape and murder of a Hyderabad veterinarian, residents of the colony where victim stayed are turning away political leaders and film stars who wanted to call on her family Sunday to express their sympathies. The residents locked the gates of the colony and held placards that read:“No Media, No Police, No Outsiders”,“No sympathy, only action, justice”.indianexpress
People are afraid to criticise Govt, industrialist Rahul Bajaj tells Amit Shah
https://thewire.in/Govt/rahul-bajaj-amit-shah-dissent-pragya-thakur
New Delhi: Bajaj Group chairman Rahul Bajaj has raised concerns over the ability of the Narendra Modi Govt to accept criticism, its lack of action against mob lynchings and BJP MP Pragya Thakur’s recent remarks on Nathuram Godse to a crowded room of India Inc elite and top ministers including Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. “Nobody from our industrialist friends will speak, I will say openly… An environment will have to be created… When UPA II was in power, we could criticise anyone… You (the Govt) are doing good work, but despite that we don’t have the confidence that you will appreciate if we criticise you openly (Aap achchha kaam kar rahe hain, uske baad bhi, hum aapko criticise openly karein, confidence nahin hai ki you will appreciate),” Bajaj Group chairman said at an awards event organised by the Economic Times in Mumbai. Bajaj prefaced his remarks by wryly noting that he was “born anti-establishment” and thus his concern were “minor things”.The Wire
UP EPF scam: Politicians, bureaucrats in trouble as ED to probe money laundering
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/up-epf-scam-politicians-bureaucrats-in-trouble-as-ed-to-probe-money-laundering
Suspecting money laundering in Rs 4,122 crore Employees Provident Fund (EPF) scam in UP, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought documents from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of UP Police, and it will soon launch a probe into the multi-crore EPF scandal which involves controversial Mumbai firm, DHFL.Several politicians and senior bureaucrats having close association with DHFL management could be in trouble for violating norms while investing state employees hard earned money in a private company. Top sources in EOW informed IANS, that FIR relating to EPF scam has been provided to ED and all incriminating documents relating to investigation will be handed over to the central agency."During the course of investigation linkages of 28 brokerage firms with DHFL has come to light. The documents seized by EOW indicate that through these brokerage firms, PF funds of employees (invested by UP Power Sector Employees Trust in DHFL) has been laundered," said an IPS officer of the UP cadre, adding, "out of 28 firms, 14 firms seem to be suspicious as their addresses could not be verified".In a bid to unravel the nexus between brokerage firm and DHFL, EOW officials questioned 2 key Chartered Accountants in Lucknow for their role in assisting the company in money laundering.IANS
CAG reveals Rs 5,000 cr mining ‘scam’ in Haryana, Congress demands judicial probe
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/cag-reveals-rs-5000-cr-mining-scam-in-haryana-congress-demands-judicial-probe
The mining mafia active in Haryana during the previous BJP-led Khattar Govt has caused Rs 5,000 crore loss to the state exchequer. The 'mining scam' that took place right under the nose of Manohar Lal Khattar Govt has been exposed in the recent report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that was tabled in state Assembly. Taking a note of CAG report, Haryana Congress claimed that CAG report has exposed the “nexus” between Khattar Govt and mining contractors.Senior Congress leaders including Kumari Selja, President, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee and Randeep Singh Surjewala, Incharge Communication, Congress Committee, have demanded a probe into it by a sitting high court judge in the alleged scam. Surjewala also highlighted CAG) report that in which Govt auditor had reportedly detected a loss of Rs 1,476 crore in Haryana’s Mines and Geology Department because of “irregularities” in execution of its projects, he said.nationalheraldindia
IS case: NIA detains 2 men after raids in Tamil Nadu
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nia-detains-two-men-suspected-of-is-links-after-raids-in-tamil-nadu/story-c8z3Tf9pBsA3BpAeZutruI.html
Chennai: NIA on Saturday detained two men after it raided 2 residences and carried out searches at two places in Tamil Nadu in continuation of its crackdown on modules and lone wolves linked to the dreaded Islamic State (IS). The searches were conducted at the residences of S Sarfudeen of Trichy and Alavudeen of Thanjavur, both alleged associates of accused arrested for propagating the ideology of the IS, NIA said in a press release.Sarfudeen was about to leave for Dubai to take up an employment when NIA sleuths landed at his residence in Edamalaipatti Pudur in the suburbs of Trichy, his family said.According to locals, none of the inmates were either allowed to leave the house or outsiders permitted to enter during the search, which commenced early in the morning.HT
Chhattisgarh ‘encounter’ probe indicts security forces: No firing by villagers, no proof they were Maoists
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarh-june-2012-encounter-probe-no-firing-by-villagers-no-proof-they-were-maoists-6144815/
Raipur :In a damning indictment of the security forces, a one-member judicial commission setup to probe an alleged encounter in which 17 people, including six minors, were killed in Sarkeguda, in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, in June 2012, has noted the following findings: there was no firing by the villagers; there is no evidence to suggest they were Maoists; the villagers were assaulted and killed from close quarters; security forces may have fired “in panic”; and one of the victims was shot in the morning, several hours after the encounter at night.The commission chaired by Justice V K Agarwal, a retired Judge of MP High Court, submitted its report to the state Govt earlier this month. The report, reviewed by Sunday Express, says the injuries suffered by six security personnel were due to “cross-firing”, possibly by “bullets fired by fellow members of the security forces”, and there was “clear manipulation in investigation”. However, it also notes that the villagers’ claim that they were meeting to discuss a festival “appears highly doubtful”.On the night of June 28, 2012, teams of CRPF and Chhattisgarh Police, led by the former, had launched an operation to go to Silger, based on information about the presence of Maoists.According to the sequence of events put forth by the security forces, two teams left from Basaguda and came across a Maoist meeting at Sarkeguda, 3 km away. Villagers attending the meeting opened fire, and the security personnel retaliated.But the villagers claimed that they had assembled for a meeting to discuss a “Beej Pandum” festival, and the security forces had encircled them and opened fire. They also alleged that one person, Irpa Ramesh, was killed after being picked up from his home the next morning.indianexpress
Delhi high court directs Govt to appoint waqf board CEO in six weeks
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hc-directs-govt-to-appoint-waqf-board-ceo-in-six-weeks/articleshow/72313541.cms
Delhi high court has directed immediate appointment of CEO for Delhi Waqf Board, while taking a serious view of several encroachments on Waqf properties. Earlier this week, Justice Pratibha M Singh gave the AAP Govt 6 weeks’ time to fill the vacanc post of CEO and said the recommendations by the waqf board to the Govt in this regard, if not already made, should be made within 2 weeks.The court acted while hearing a plea relating to the alleged encroachments on a Waqf property in Paharganj. Petitioner, a concerned Muslim, said the dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Baqi Billah at Eidgah Chowk in Paharganj had been encroached upon, but despite several reminders and representations waqf board had not acted. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate M Sufian Siddiqui told the HC that in a communication Delhi Waqf Board clearly admitted that there were several encroachers on waqf property, yet no action had been taken to remove them. He urged the court to direct the board to discharge its statutory duties and take proper legal action against all the encroachers and remove them from the property.TOI
UP: 3 AIMIM leaders booked after police stop ‘outsiders’ from entering mosque
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/3-aimim-leaders-booked-after-police-stop-outsiders-from-entering-mosque-6144901/
Lucknow :A case of rioting and assault on public servant was lodged against 3 AIMIM leaders in Pratapgarh district on Saturday following a clash with policemen who refused locals to offer Friday prayers at a mosque located on the Reserve Police Lines campus. The row erupted on Friday noon when policemen stopped a group of people from entering the Police Lines. As people protested, Inspector Shailendra Singh, in-charge of Police Lines, told them that Pratapgarh SP Abhishek Singh had ordered to not allow outsiders to visit the religious places on the campus. As some of the men tried to enter the campus, a scuffle ensued with the policemen. Later, a case was filed against 3 AIMIM office bearers —- district president Israr Ahmad, general secretary Zafrul Hasan and secretary Shujatullah — and other unidentified persons. “We have been offering prayers at the mosque since I started practising at the district court. I have been told by elders that the mosque has been always open to non-police people forever. At least 200 persons offer Friday prayers there every week. On Friday, all of a sudden, police put up barricades,” said Saeedul Haque (35), a lawyer who was present during the scuffle.indianexpress
UP: Azam Khan’s PRO externed
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/azam-khans-pro-externed-6144755/
Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan’s close associate and PRO, Fasahad Ali Khan ‘Shanu’, was declared an offender under the Goonda Act and externed from Rampur district for 6 months. The order was issued by Rampur ADM Ram Bharat Tiwari on the basis of a report, submitted to his office by the local police, seeking direction to extern Fasahad Ali from Rampur.indianexpress
Madrasa teachers trained for mainstream formal subjects: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/madrasa-teachers-trained-for-mainstream-formal-subjects-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-4688551.html
Mumbai: Madrasa teachers are now being trained to impart education in mainstream formal subjects like Hindi, English, Marathi, maths, science, computers and other regional languages, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said yesterday.Naqvi also said the school dropout rate among girl students from minority communities has plunged to 35 % now from 70 % in 2014.Naqvi was addressing the valedictory session of madrasa teachers training programme at Anjuman-e-Islam here.The programme was organised by the ministry. The training was provided by Anjuman-e-Islam."Besides religious teaching, Urdu, Arabic and other languages,madrasa teachers are also being provided training for mainstream formal education like Hindi,English,maths, science, computer etc," Naqvi said. The ministry had launched a campaign around 4 years ago to connect madrasas with mainstream formal education system, he said. PTI
RSS affiliate calls Modi disinvestment plans anti-India, blames NITI Aayog consultants
https://theprint.in/india/rss-affiliate-calls-modi-disinvestment-plans-anti-india-blames-niti-aayog-consultants/328791/
RSS affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has called the Modi Govt’s strategic disinvestment of public sector enterprises an “imprudent business decision” that goes against India’s national Interest. Earlier this month, finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Modi Govt will undertake strategic stake sales in 5 state-run enterprises, including BPCL, Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and Shipping Corporation of India, along with transfer of management control in these firms.But SJM questioned the strategic disinvestment of BPCL and said “it is certainly not a good business decision”.In its resolution passed in the national assembly held in Hardiwar, SJM demanded that NITI Aayog’s report on public sector enterprises should be junked. It said there is a need for a fresh assessment of value and worth of public sector enterprises to achieve the vision of “doubling GDP in next 5 years and accelerating it further in corresponding years”.theprint
DRDO and SFC to look into why nuclear-capable Agni night test failed
https://theprint.in/defence/drdo-and-sfc-to-look-into-why-nuclear-capable-agni-night-test-failed/328862/
New Delhi: In a major setback, the first night trial of the 3,500 km range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-III, carried out by Strategic Forces Command, tri-service unit that oversees operations and security of nuclear weapons, failed after being tested at a defence base off Odisha coast Saturday.Officials are now studying the reasons for the failure of the missile that has been inducted into the Indian military.“We will have to analyse all information gathered to really say what happened,” a top Govt official told ThePrint when asked why the test failed.This was the first night test of the missile, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes; a successful test would have validated the technical parameters set for the user and its readiness to handle the weapon during night hours.The surface-to-surface missile carrying a dummy payload blasted off from an auto-launcher at the Abdul Kalam Island in full operational configuration at about 7.15 pm Saturday.theprint
Vodafone Idea, Airtel to raise call and data tariff from Dec. 3, up to 42%
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/vodafone-idea-to-raise-mobile-call-data-charges-from-dec-3/article30129279.ece?homepage=true
Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), a company jointly promoted by Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya Birla Group and British telco giant Vodafone Plc. on Sunday announced tariff hike for its pre-paid customers with effect from Dec.3. The company announced new pre-paid plans starting 2 days, 28 days, 84 days and 365 days validity starting ₹19 and going up to ₹2,399. The tariff hike is between 20% and 40% across plans.“Bharti Airtel today announced its revised tariff plans for its mobile customers. These tariffs will be applicable from Tuesday, Dec. 3, ” the company said .thehindu
Jio to hike mobile calling, data charges by up to 40% from Dec. 6
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/jio-to-hike-mobile-calling-data-charges-by-up-to-40-from-december-6-6145567/
Reliance Jio on Sunday said it will launch new unlimited plans from December 6, which will raise its voice and data tariff by up to 40 %. Mukesh Ambani led company, however, said that customers will get up to 300 % more benefits under the new plans and it will offer fair usage policy for outgoing calls from its subscribers on network of other telecom operators.PTI
Hyderabad to host 1st international halal trade show
https://caravandaily.com/hyderabad-to-host-first-international-halal-trade-show/
For the first time in India, an international halal trade show is being organised in the southern city Hyderabad, known as the Muslim cultural hub. The event, billed as the India International Halal Expo 2020, would be held from Jan.18 to 20, and could attract more than 200 exhibitors and 15,000 attendees from within and abroad. Halal market has been growing exponentially worldwide. The idea now is to tap potential in India, said Muazzam Ahmed Naik, CEO of Atoba Business Networks Ptv. He told Caravan Daily that India International Halal Expo 2020 would boost the global halal economy and act as a connecting point for the world’s halal industries. There, he said, is an increasing awareness among Muslims all over the world about the halal concept. Quoting the DinarStandard Report, Naik said the global Muslim spend vis-à-vis halal meat would reach $3.7billion by 2020 and this was the right time for companies to participate in India’s first halal tradeshow. Naik’s company, Atoba Business Networks, is the organiser of this mega event, and is based in Mumbai.Caravan Daily
*WORLD*
Iraq parliament approves PM Mahdi's resignation
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/iraq-pm-offer-quit-country-191201092331173.html
Iraqi legislators have approved PM Adel Abdul Mahdi's resignation during a parliament session held in the capital Baghdad amid weeks of deadly anti-Govt protests in the country.Referring to Article 76 of the country's constitution, Speaker Mohammad al-Halbusi on Sunday said President Barham Salih will now ask the largest political bloc in parliament to nominate the next PM.On Friday, an embattled Abdul Mahdi formally submitted his offer to step down following the killing of more than 50 demonstrators by the security forces in Baghdad and Iraq's mainly Shia southern cities of Nasiriya and Najaf.The statement by Abdul Mahdi, who assumed office a little over a year ago, came shortly after Iraq's top Shia leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, condemned the use of lethal force against the protesters and called for a new Govt. A cabinet meeting on Saturday had approved the statement, which also suggested the resignation of key members of the Iraqi Govt, including Abdul Mahdis' chief of staff.Legal experts say Abdul Mahdi's Govt will take on a caretaker role for 30 days or until the largest bloc in the parliament agrees on a new candidate to replace him.But with the question as to who forms the largest political bloc in parliament remaining unanswered, that decision may take longer to reach.According to legal experts, Abdul Mahdi's Govt has taken on a caretaker role, which will only address urgent issues until a new Govt is sworn in.Although Abdul Mahdi's statement offering to quit was welcomed by the protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, they said they will continue to demonstrate until they see a complete overhaul of the country's political situation.aljazeera
Iraq protesters burn shrine entrance in holy city, PM quitting 'not enough'
https://thewire.in/world/iraq-protesters-burn-shrine-entrance-in-holy-city-pm-quitting-not-enough
Iraqi protesters set fire to the entrance of a shrine in the southern holy city of Najaf on Saturday and security forces fired tear gas to disperse them, police and a demonstrator at the scene said, risking more bloodshed after a rare day of calm.The demonstrator sent a video to Reuters of a doorway to the Hakim shrine blazing as protesters cheered and filmed it on their mobile phones. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage. Demonstrations continued elsewhere including the southern city of Nassiriya where protesters earlier surrounded a police station and in Baghdad. But there were far fewer reports of casualties than on the previous two days, when scores were killed nationwide in the Iraqi capital and the south in clashes with security forces.Populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has supported the protests but not thrown his full weight behind them, said late on Friday that demonstrations should continue and that the people should pick the next PM.Reuters
Iranian opposition leader Mousavi compares Supreme Leader Khamenei to toppled Shah
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191201-iranian-opposition-leader-compares-supreme-leader-to-toppled-shah/
Iranian opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi has compared Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the Shah, the monarch deposed in a 1979 revolution, following the Govt’s crackdown on protests this month, Reuters reports. The unrest began on Nov.15 after the Govt of Iran, one of OPEC’s biggest oil producers, announced gasoline price hikes. But the protests quickly turned political, with demonstrators demanding the removal of top leaders. Khamenei has described the violence as the work of a “very dangerous conspiracy”. Tehran Govt has blamed “thugs” linked to its opponents in exile and the country’s main foreign foes, namely US, Israel and Saudi Arabia.Iran has given no official death toll, but Amnesty International has said that at least 161 people have been killed. Tehran has rejected this figure.Mousavi’s comments about Khamenei, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, were posted in a statement on the opposition Kaleme website. He made a reference to an infamous 1978 massacre which rallied public support and led to the toppling of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.“Killers of the year 1978 were the representatives of a non-religious regime and the agents and shooters of November 2019 are the representatives of a religious Govt,” he said. “Then the commander in chief was the Shah and today, here, the Supreme Leader with absolute authority.”middleeastmonitor
Saudi Arabia takes over G20 presidency from Japan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/saudi-arabia-takes-g20-presidency-japan-191201111457831.html
Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation on Sunday to take over the G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto the world stage following global uproar over its human rights record.The oil-rich kingdom has promoted a liberalisation drive including granting greater rights to women but faced strong criticism over a crackdown on dissent and the killing last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia takes over from Japan, will see it host world leaders for a global summit in its capital on Nov. 21-22, 2020.Saudi will host more than 100 events and conferences in the run-up to the summit, including ministerial meetings, the agency said."When Saudi assumes G20 presidency, it will become the first [Arab] nation to lead this interGovtal body," Dennis Snower, president of the think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said.AFP
Israeli protesters demand Netanyahu resign amid corruption charges
https://thewire.in/world/israeli-protesters-demand-netanyahu-resign-amid-corruption-charges
A large crowd gathered in Tel Aviv late Saturday, waving Israeli flags and demanding PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation.70-year-old last week became the first sitting head of Govt in Israel’s history to be indicted with fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Protesters at the rally, organized by the Movement for Quality Govt in Israel, held banners describing Netanyahu as a “corrupt” leader and calling for a “strong Israel, strong democracy.” Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing and dismissed the charges against him as part of “an attempted coup.” He is not required to step down unless he is convicted, but the charges against him have thrown Israeli politics into turmoil and opened up divisions in the country.Israel is in the midst of a crisis after two parliamentary elections this year ended in political deadlock. Voters will have to head to the polls for a third time if no Govt is formed before a December 11 deadline.DW
Palestinian teen shot dead by Israeli army in occupied West Bank
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/palestinian-teen-shot-dead-israeli-army-occupied-west-bank-191130204152018.html
Israeli forces have shot dead an 18-year-old Palestinian man in occupied West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian Ministry of Health said.The ministry identified the man as Badawi Masalmeh, adding that Israeli soldiers took his body after he died on Saturday.The Israeli army said its forces spotted three people hurling firebombs at Israeli vehicles, which local media said belonged to illegal settlers, on a nearby route and fired at them.The two others were arrested at the scene, near the entrance of an illegal Jewish settlement on the outskirts of Hebron. According to local media reports, medics were barred from the scene of the incident near the Palestinian town of Beit Awwa, about 22 kms west of Hebron.
Australian freed by Taliban recounts 6 failed rescue attempts by US forces;
https://www..com/news/2019/12/australian-freed-taliban-recounts-rescue-attempts-forces-191201085232188.html
An Australian man who spent 3 years in Taliban captivity has said he believes the US' special forces tried to rescue him and an American colleague and failed at least six times.Speaking in Sydney on Sunday for the first time since he was freed in a prisoner swap deal, 50-year-old Timothy Weeks said he never lost hope but the captivity "had a profound and unimaginable effect" on him. Timothy Weeks and American colleague Kevin King were freed on Nov.20 as part of a deal between the Taliban, US, Australian and Afghan govts.The pair - both professors at American University in Kabul - were kidnapped by gunmen wearing military uniforms as they returned home from classes in Aug.2016. "While expressing thanks to President Donald Trump and Australian PM for the work that led to their release, Weeks said some Taliban guards he encountered were "lovely people"."I don't hate them at all," he said. "And some of them, I have great respect for and great love for, almost. Some of them were so compassionate and such lovely, lovely people. And it really led me to think about ... how did they end up like this?"He added: "I know a lot of people don't admit this but for me they were soldiers. And soldiers obey the commands of their commanders. [They] don't get a choice."Weeks said he hugged some of his Taliban guards when they parted company on the day of his and King's release.aljazeera
China accuses UN rights chief of emboldening Hong Kong protesters
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/china-accuses-rights-chief-emboldening-hong-kong-protesters-191201015113648.html
China has accused UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of emboldening "radical violence" in Hong Kong by suggesting the city's leader conduct an investigation into reports of excessive use of force by police. UN's human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, wrote in an opinion piece that was published on Saturday in the local South China Morning Post that Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam's Govt should prioritise "meaningful, inclusive" dialogue to resolve crisis.Bachelet, who was twice president of Chile,urged Lam to hold an "independent and impartial judge-led investigation" into police conduct in their handling of the protests; one of pro-democracy protests' so-called 5 demands.aljazeera
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
India is as majoritarian a country now as its neighbours are :Aakar Patel
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/india-is-as-majoritarian-a-country-now-as-its-neighbours-are
Not just JNU: How India’s public universities becoming costlier hurts the most vulnerable:Aranya Shankar, Dipti Nagpaul, Ankita Dwivedi Johri
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/jnu-fee-hike-protest-students-underprivileged-sections-tiss-presidency-college-jamia-millia-islamia-hostel-fee-6141302/
Modi’s first mistake: PM’s image has taken a beating in Maharashtra mess:Tavleen Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/maharashtra-elections-narendra-modi-maharashtra-elections-ajit-pawar-amit-shah-devendra-fadnavis-first-mistake-6144716/
Modi 2.0 and Mumbai’s jugaad politics:Meghnad Desai
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economy-slowdown-gdp-hindi-article-370-uniform-civil-code-modi-2-0-and-mumbais-jugaad-politics-6144705/
JNU has failed larger cause in fee protests:Jitendra Suna
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jnu-has-failed-larger-cause-in-fee-protests/
Ashok Gehlot urges women to shun ghoonghat: ‘CM can say what he wants… Let women decide’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-ashok-gehlot-urging-women-to-shun-ghoonghat-cm-can-say-what-he-wants-let-women-decide-6144685/
Sunday Long Reads: Subsidised education, Muslim scholars, Mandarin, halwas and more
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/sunday-long-reads-subsidised-education-muslim-scholars-mandarin-halwas-and-more-6145029/
Amid BHU professor appointment row, a look at Muslim scholars of Sanskrit in history: Khalid Alvi
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/banaras-hindu-university-appointment-row-muslim-scholars-sanskrit-history-6142960/
When East India Company commissioned art from Indian artists:Pallavi Chattopadhyay
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/show-and-tell-wallace-collection-museum-london-show-forgotten-masters-indian-painting-for-the-east-india-company-william-dalrymple-6140600/
As Jharkhand votes, no party discusses mob-lynching cases, self-appointed gau rakshaks: Tale of 3 affected villages, and how they are getting by without govt aid:Natasha Trivedi
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/jharkhand-assembly-election-2019-as-state-votes-no-party-discusses-mob-lynching-cases-self-appointed-gau-rakshaks-tale-of-3-affected-villages-and-how-they-are-getting-by-without-govt-aid-7723221.html
Chidambaram Arrest: 100 Days and Counting, yet What Has Been Proven?Supriya Shrinate
https://thewire.in/rights/chidambaram-arrest-100-days-and-counting-yet-what-has-been-proven
Two yrs before 1971 war, RAW’s RN Kao told Indira Gandhi to be ready for Pakistan partition:Zorawar Daulet Singh
https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/2-yrs-before-1971-war-raw-chief-told-indira-gandhi-to-be-ready-for-pakistan-partition/325899/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:06 PM).*
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