*08 DEC. 2019: 10 Rabius Sani 1441: Vol: 12, No: 77*
*INDIA-CAB NRC*
Controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to Be Tabled in Lok Sabha tomorrow
https://thewire.in/government/citizenship-amendment-bill-to-be-tabled-in-lok-sabha-on-monday
New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah will on Monday introduce the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, in the Lok Sabha.In the afternoon, the home minister will introduce Bill to amend the 6-decade-old Citizenship Act and later in the day, it will be taken up for discussion and passage, according to the Lok Sabha’s List of Business for Monday. The Bill has triggered widespread protests in northeastern states with a large section of people and organisations opposing the Bill, saying it will nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for deportation of all illegal immigrants irrespective of religion.thewire
CAB represents Jinnah, Savarkar’s 2-nation theory: Protest in Delhi against CAB, NRC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/protest-in-delhi-against-cab-nrc-6155875/
New Delhi :Hundreds of people from across Delhi, including students, gathered near Jantar Mantar here on Saturday to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the proposal for nationwide implementation of the NRC.“CAB represents Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s and Savarkar’s two-nation theory, and will alter the very character of India,” said Yogendra Yadav, president of Swaraj India, during the protest.Accusing BJP of playing vote bank politics, Yadav said, “They are tinkering with the Constitution and the very soul and idea of India. The NRC of Assam excluded both Hindus and Muslims, which goes against the BJP’s narrow interest. With the CAB, it assures the Hindus that even if you’re caught in the NRC net, don’t worry, as long as you’re Hindu, you’ll be kept out of it… “ He added, “Implementing NRC is against all marginal sections of society… But NRC plus CAB—-that makes sure that it hits only Muslims.” Congress MP from Kishunganj, Bihar, Mohammad Jawed said that move would hurt India internationally. “If it is passed, world over the message will go that a Muslim-hating government is leading this country… The Congress is very clear —- we do not appease any religion, and have always been with the weak, poor and the disenfranchised,” he said.On the proposal to implement NRC nationwide, activist Umar Khalid said, “Assam NRC exercise took Rs 1,300 crore. If implemented across India, it will take lakhs of crores. And the government keeps increasing fees for education, and cutting budgets for education and healthcare.”indian express
Photos: Hundreds Protest Against Citizenship Bill in Delhi
https://caravandaily.com/photos-hundreds-protest-against-citizenship-bill-in-delhi/
Passage of citizenship Bill will mark victory of Jinnah’s thinking over Gandhi’s: Shashi Tharoor
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/passage-of-citizenship-bill-will-mark-victory-of-jinnahs-thinking-over-gandhis-tharoor/article30237126.ece?homepage=true
The passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament will mark the definitive victory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s thinking over that of Mahatma Gandhi’s, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Sunday, asserting that the exercise of granting citizenship on the basis of religion will reduce India to a “Hindutva version of Pakistan”. Ex Union Minister also alleged that BJP government wants to single out “one community” and refuses to grant its members asylum from oppression on the same conditions as other communities.In an interview to PTI, Tharoor said even if the Bill is passed by both the Houses of Parliament, he is confident that no bench of the Supreme Court will allow such a “blatant violation” of fundamental tenets of India’s Constitution to go unchecked.“It is a shameless performance by a government which as recently as last year, refused to entertain any discussion on developing a National Asylum policy, which I had proposed in a Private Members Bill and shared personally with the then Home Minister, his MoSes and his home secretary,” Tharoor said. Suddenly, they are going the extra mile in granting citizenship to refugees, whereas in reality, they don’t even want to take the basic steps as required under international law to improve the determination of refugee status or ensure decent treatment of refugees, he alleged.“All of this makes it abundantly clear that this is merely a cynical political exercise to further single out and disenfranchise an entire community in India and in doing so, a betrayal of all that was good and noble about our civilization. It will reduce us to a Hindutva version of Pakistan,” Tharoor asserted.“Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Maulana Azad, Dr Ambedkar believed the opposite, that religion had nothing to do with nationhood. Theirs was the idea of India and they created a free country for all people of all religions, regions, castes and languages,” Tharoor said.The Constitution reflects this basic idea of India which the BJP now seeks to betray, he alleged.Asked about the contention that religion cannot be the basis of citizenship, he said BJP has paved the way for Pakistan’s founder Jinnah’s idea of a nation — where religion would be intrinsic to nationhood — to take root in India and in doing so, dismember the idea of India that Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Azad, Ambedkar and their contemporaries fought for.He said the Bill also goes against the historic legacy that Hindus were proud to lay claim to.Referring to the Muslims, he said BJP government wants to single out one community and refuses to grant it asylum from oppression on the same conditions as other communities.Asked about a NRC nationwide as proposed by BJP, he claimed there is tremendous opposition to the idea because in practice it will cause enormous social upheaval.PTI
Assam not dustbin for aliens, says AASU as protests against CAB intensify
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-not-dustbin-for-aliens-says-aasu-as-protests-against-cab-intensify/story-rSXIUoJoYZxPS23IEVUu1M.html
Guwahati:Protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) have intensified in Assam ahead of BJP-led NDA government at Centre tabling it in Lok Sabha on Monday.Student organizations, civil society groups and opposition parties in Assam have been protesting against the legislation saying it would lead to influx of religious minorities from Bangladesh and hurt the interests of indigenous communities.Sit-in protests, rallies and protest marches have been held in the state since the past week and ministers of BJP-led coalition in Assam which includes Asom Gana Parishad have been shown black flags and their effigies burnt.North East Students Organisation (NESO), which comprises of student bodies from 7 states in the region, has called a 11-hour general strike beginning 5 am against the CAB on Tuesday.All Assam Students Union (AASU), the state’s biggest student body, has also announced a series of protests opposing the legislation.“Assam is not the dustbin for illegal immigrants. BJP at Centre is bent on bringing the legislation based on its numbers in Parliament. We will not accept it and continue protests,” said AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya. Congress and AIUDF, the two main opposition parties in the state, are also protesting against CAB saying it is against provisions of Assam Accord of 1985.HT
Left parties plan to move amendments to CAB
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/left-parties-plan-to-move-amendments-to-cab/1680662
Left parties, opposed to the Citizenship Amendment Bill that is likely to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday, have decided to move amendments to CAB.Left would move two amendments seeking deletion of reference to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and religions in the Bill and bringing under its ambit refugees from all neighbouring countries, it said on Sunday. CAB is being opposed by the Congress as well as other opposition parties, but the government has decided to go ahead with it. North East Students Organisation (NESO), also opposed to the Bill, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah whether the government is for citizens or illegal migrants."From its attitude and approach it shows the government is for the illegal migrants," the NESO, which is spear-heading the protest against the amendment of Citizenship Act, 1955, noted in its letter to Modi and Shah.NESO has also called for a northeast shutdown on Dec.10.IANS
Union minister heckled in Assam by anti-CAB protesters
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/union-minister-heckled-in-assam-by-anti-cab-protesters-1626270-2019-12-08
Fresh protests in Manipur against Citizenship Bill
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/dec/08/fresh-protests-in-manipur-against-citizenship-bill-2073274.html
A series of fresh protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 were launched in Manipur’s Imphal Valley today.People came out in large numbers in many areas and shouted slogans denouncing the Bill. Manipur People Against CAB (MANPAC) is spearheading protests in the Imphal Valley. Opposition Congress, Left parties and other political parties have already issued statements rejecting the Bill. Protestors have announced that all activities would be suspended from tonight to Dec.11,3 am.newindianexpress
Persecuted minorities of neighbouring nations victims of partition, India duty-bound to give them citizenship: BJP leader Ram Madhav
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/persecuted-minorities-of-neighbouring-nations-victims-of-partition-india-duty-bound-to-give-them-citizenship-madhav/articleshow/72425561.cms
NEW DELHI: India is duty-bound to give citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries as they are "victims" of the decision to divide the country on religious lines, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav has said while defending the Citizenship Amendment Bill.Responding to criticism of the Bill from political parties, Madhav said a similar legislation 'Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam)' Act was enacted in 1950 by the then Congress government led by Jawaharlal Nehru."Let me remind critics of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Nehru government had passed a similar bill in 1950 for expulsion of illegal immigrants mainly from erstwhile Pakistan (Bangladesh) and had categorically said that minorities of East Pakistan wouldn't be covered under the bill," Madhav told PTI.Asserting that India has always kept its doors open for oppressed minorities, Madhav said," The persecuted minorities of the neighbouring countries, which are proposed to be given citizenship in the bill, are victims of the historical decision to divide this country on religious lines. And India is duty-bound to give citizenship rights to these minorities."Madhav, who is party's pointsman for Northeastern states, said the government and Home Minister Shah held extensive consultations with various stakeholders from the region to address their apprehensions.PTI
Enemies may use CAB to push own people: R&AW
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/enemies-may-use-cab-to-push-own-people-raw-783713.html
India's external spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) had expressed "great concern" over the possibility of the enemies exploiting the legal framework provided by the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to push their "own people" into the country. R&AW's concerns were placed before a Joint Parliamentary Committee, which scrutinised the now lapsed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 earlier when one of its Joint Secretary deposed before the panel headed by BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal."Our only concern has been that the agencies who are inimical to us should not have a legal framework within which they can exploit our situation and infiltrate their own people into our own country. That is a matter of great concern for us," R&AW official was quoted as saying in the panel report placed in Parliament in January this year.deccanherald
Teesta Setalvad slams Modi government’s NRC move at press conference in Pune
https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/activist-teesta-setalvad-slams-modi-government-s-nrc-move-at-press-conference-in-pune/story-X01K5dG3QlJg4iOIDvNZJK.html
Pune:Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad has said that Narendra Modi regime is creating fear among the common people in the name of NRC.She said that through NRC, the government is targeting the most marginalised communities like tribals, Dalits and other minorities.She was addressing a press conference on dangers of NRC which was organised by educationist PA Inamdar.She further added that social, economic, cultural and ideological fabric of the nation has been torn apart and the regime wanted to change the secular fabric of the country.HT
NRC to affect not only muslims, but majority of people: Karnataka KPCC chief
http://www.uniindia.com/nrc-to-affect-not-only-muslims-but-majority-of-people-karnataka-kpcc-chief/south/news/1814172.html
Karnataka Pradesh Congress committee (KPCC) spokesperson S M Patil Ganihar on Saturday said that NRC is going to trouble not only Muslims, but also the majority community if it applied across the country and he called upon people of all sections of the society to sternly oppose the implementation of NRC in the country.Ganihar said “Some people have made the wrong assumption that NRC is meant to target only Muslims in the country. But in reality, it is going to affect every Indian citizen. NRC being implemented in Assam has already proved that of among 19 lakh people removed from the list are over 13 lakh are non-Muslims. So, non-Muslims should not assume that NRC will not create any problem for them”, he said.UNI
*KASHMIR & SOUTH ASIA*
Resolution tabled in US Congress asks India to end Internet ban, free detainees, allow global observers to access Kashmir
https://thewire.in/diplomacy/resolution-tabled-in-us-congress-asks-india-to-end-internet-ban-free-detainees-in-kashmir
Even as India hired a second lobbying firm, the country’s troubles on Capitol Hill show no sign of ending with a new resolution introduced in US Congress urging it to lift the communications clampdown, release political detainees and preserve religious freedom in Kashmir expected to pass.The resolution, introduced in the house on Friday by the first Indian American congresswoman, Pramila Jayapal, has been co-sponsored by Republican house representative Steve Watkins from Kansas. New Delhi hopes the resolution will be undermined by some of the controversies surrounding Watkins – of unwanted sexual advances and exaggerated claims about his past. This is the second resolution on Kashmir introduced in three weeks.Earlier on Nov.22, Rashida Talib introduced a resolution “condemning the human rights violations taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and supporting Kashmiri self-determination”. Till Saturday, the Congress’ online database did not show any additional co-sponsors for Talib’s H.Res. 724.Jayapal’s initiative is more serious as it has bipartisan backing from Watkins. The text of the resolution, which was uploaded on Friday, also avoids taking a stand on the wider question of Union Territory’s status: there is no reference to Kashmir being a dispute, nor does it wade into the issue of nullification of Article 370.After being introduced in the house on Friday, H.Res. 745 has been referred to the house foreign affairs committee. The congressional panel will consider the resolution and amend the text if required, before it goes to the floor of the house. These non-binding resolutions are supposed to express the sentiment of the legislative branch on a particular issue, ranging from Taiwan to Tibet.Indian diplomatic sources told The Wire that Jayapal’s resolution is likely to be passed, but with a narrow margin.However, Talib’s initiative, which has been referred to house foreign affairs subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and non-proliferation, is not expected to see the light of the day, as per Congressional sources.Also in departure from Talib’s draft resolution, text of H.Res 745 includes the Indian govt’s stated arguments for its actions in Kashmir. The draft resolution states that house “rejects arbitrary detention, use of excessive force against civilians, and suppression of peaceful expression of dissent as proportional responses to security challenges”. Further, it urges India to remember there should be respect for human rights and of international humanitarian law in actions taken “in pursuit of legitimate security priorities”. Thereafter, the resolution proposes 6 steps for New Delhi. These range from lifting restrictions on communication, restoration of internet access, releasing all “arbitrarily detained people” to allowing international human rights observers and journalists to access J&K.It also calls on Government of India to “condemn, at the highest levels, all religiously motivated violence, including that violence which targets against religious minorities”. Meanwhile, faced with a possible tumultuous period in US congress, Indian embassy has hired another lobbying firm with the hope of having better outreach with Democrats on Capitol Hill.thewire
Internet down, NEET aspirants in Valley struggle to upload forms
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/internet-down-neet-aspirants-in-valley-jk-jammu-kashmir-struggle-to-upload-forms-6155974/
Srinagar :With Internet yet to be restored 4 months into August 5 lockdown in the Valley, thousands of students hoping to apply for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for entry into medical courses have been facing a tough time.While the government has set up Internet kiosks — one at each of 10 district headquarters — to “facilitate” the applications, students say these kiosks are too few in number. Over 20,000 students from Kashmir appeared for the NEET exams last year and sources say the number is likely to increase this year. Early Saturday morning, Shaista Rashid Bhat, 19, left her home at Larkipora village in Anantnag district, hoping to submit her NEET form in Srinagar. But at 4 pm, she was still waiting for her turn at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar, where the government has set aside a few computers for students to submit their NEET examination forms. After waiting in a queue for 10 hours, Bhat said she was preparing to return home without submitting her form.By around 4 pm on Saturday, only 73 students had submitted their NEET forms at this TRC and Shaista’s serial number in the queue was 123. A poster outsider the centre asks students to keep their documents and photographs ready in a pen drive. But what perplexes them is the message that they should keep “a mobile number from outside the state for OTP”. “By snapping Internet, government has already put us at a disadvantage in comparison to students from other places,” said Ajaz Rashid, a student awaiting his turn at TRC.indianexpress
Watch | Tight curbs on Internet in J&K offices
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tight-curbs-on-internet-in-jk-offices/article30236746.ece?homepage=true
Eviction fear in J&K over ban
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/eviction-fear-in-jammu-and-kashmir-over-construction-ban/cid/1724867?ref=more-from-india_india-page
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued notifications banning civilian constructions and repairs near the army’s field ordnance depots in various Valley districts except if they are approved by the army or top district officials, triggering fear that it could be a prelude to evicting thousands of residents from their homes. Many people in Jammu and Kashmir believe the erstwhile state’s special status was scrapped to facilitate the settlement of outsiders to change the region’s demography. The army and the Valley administration dispelled such fears and said it was a “country-wide phenomenon” and an “age-old practice”.The notifications have been issued following the instructions of the defence ministry and under provisions of the Works of Defence Act (WODA), 1903, which is applicable in the whole of the country, they said.An officer said the notifications for Jammu and Kashmir were issued following the issuance of WODA notifications by the defence ministry on July 13.telegraphindia
*RAPES & KILLING *
Telangana: Anger in tribal belt over woman's gang rape, murder
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/anger-in-agency-over-yellapatar-gang-rape-murder/article30231264.ece
Asifabad: Tribal belt in the erstwhile undivided Adilabad district is manifest with anger and revulsion over the Nov.25 ghastly incident of gang rape and murder of a 30-year-old Budiga Jangam Scheduled Caste woman deep inside its Agency area.What is also unusual is that the victim was waylaid in a secluded place between Yellapatar and Ramnaik tanda habitations in Lingapur mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, raped by three timber smugglers and brutally murdered.“We want a speedy trial as well as death penalty for the perpetrators,” demanded an irate Mohammed Imtiaz Khan, member Telangana State Haj Committee from Jainoor as he tried to shake off the anger. “All communities living in the Agency area are shocked by the incident,” he continued in the same vein. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind extended financial help to the family of the Yellapatar victim. This was done purely on humanitarian grounds according to people of Jainoor.thehindu
Won't Perform Last Rites Till CM Visits: Unnao Rape Victim's Kin Want Capital Punishment for Accused
https://www.news18.com/news/india/wont-perform-last-rites-till-cm-yogi-adityanath-visits-us-says-unnao-rape-victims-family-2416145.html
Unnao: The sister of the deceased Unnao rape victim said on Sunday her family will not perform the last rites unless Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrives in her village and assures of strict action against the accused.The body of the rape victim who succumbed to severe burn injuries in a Delhi hospital on Friday night arrived in her native village here on Saturday. Her sister said the last rites would be performed only in the presence of Adityanath. "I personally want to speak to Yogi Adityanath," she said.The sister demanded government job for one of the family members and immediate capital punishment to the accused.When the victim's sister was told that awarding capital punishment is the job of the court, she asked "Who will make rounds of court?"Later, when Unnao district administration proposed that the aggrieved family can meet the chief minister in Lucknow, the family members rejected the proposal saying they will not go there to meet him. They insisted that the chief minister come to village and fulfil their demands.news18
‘Come after you get raped’: Now, a woman in Unnao accuses police of refusing to file her complaint
https://scroll.in/latest/946181/come-after-you-get-raped-now-a-woman-in-unnao-accuses-police-of-refusing-to-file-her-complaint
A woman in Hindupur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district, the same area where a rape complainant was set on fire last week, has accused the police of turning her away when she tried to file an attempted rape complaint, HT reported. The woman claimed that the police had refused to register her complaint and told her “rape has not happened, come when it happens”.The woman said three men from from the her village had tried to rape her a few months ago. “These three men stopped me and started pulling my clothes,” she said. “They also attempted to rape me.” The complainant said she visited the Unnao and Bihar police stations in the district for more than three months but no one paid attention to her case, India Today reported. She identified the accused as Ram Milan, Guddu, and Ram Babu. “After the incident, I called 1090, they asked me to call 100,” the woman said. “I called 100. I reported the matter in Unnao, they [the cops] asked me to report it to the area where the incident happened.” The woman said the accused often visited her home, and had threatened to kill her if a complaint was filed.scroll
*ECONOMY*
India in growth recession; extreme centralisation of power in PMO not good: Raghuram Rajan
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-in-growth-recession-extreme-centralisation-of-power-in-pmo-not-good-raghuram-rajan/articleshow/72423533.cms
New Delhi: Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan said India is in the midst of a "growth recession" with signs of deep malaise in Indian economy that is being run through extreme centralisation of power in PMO and powerless ministers.Penning down his recommendations to help the ailing Indian economy out of the ongoing slowdown in India Today magazine, he called for reforms to liberalise capital, land and labour markets, and spur investment as well as growth.He also urged India to join free trade agreements judiciously in order to boost competition and improve domestic efficiency."To understand what has gone wrong, we need to start first with the centralised nature of the current government. Not just decision-making but also ideas and plans emanate from a small set of personalities around Prime Minister and in PMO."That works well for the party's political and social agenda, which is well laid out, and where all these individuals have domain expertise. It works less well for economic reforms, where there is less of a coherent articulated agenda at the top, and less domain knowledge of how the economy works at the national rather than state level," Rajan wrote.Stating that previous governments may have been untidy coalitions but they consistently took path of further economic liberalisation, he said, "extreme centralisation, coupled with the absence of empowered ministers and the lack of a coherent guiding vision, ensures that reform efforts pick up steam only when PMO focuses on them, and lose impetus when its attention switches to other pressing issues".PTI
Onion price breaches Rs 200 a kg in Bengaluru
https://www.cnbctv18.com/agriculture/onion-price-breaches-rs-200-a-kg-in-bengaluru-market-4833221.htm?fbclid=IwAR0hVK0qFwByj45L3UrkqBi1YosmGBn-nkQlxc7sViqmg0ptYydz_C6HI9c
Price of onion shot up to a whopping Rs 200 per kg in Bengaluru due to severe short supply in the market, an official said on Saturday."Onion price touched Rs 200 per kg in some retail shops of Bengaluru after its wholesale rate ranged between Rs 5,500 and Rs 14,000 per quintal," state agricultural marketing officer Siddagangaiah said. As a result, the most common and staple vegetable was conspicuously missing from the menu in homes and restaurants across this tech hub.According to Siddagangaiah, skyrocketing onion prices and the bulb's shortage is expected to last until mid-Jan.Almost 50 percent of the onion production gets lost after factoring in crop loss and post-harvest loss, leaving only the balance to arrive in the market.IANS
Indian economy is in bad shape, world knows govt is run by incompetent managers: Chidambaram
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-economy-is-in-bad-shape-world-knows-govt-is-run-by-incompetent-managers-chidambaram/articleshow/72424360.cms
Trichy: Global community knows that Indian government is run by incompetent managers who neither understand the gravity of the economic situation nor do they have any solution to solve it, ex-Union finance minister P Chidambaram said on Sunday citing a recent article in the Economist magazine which said the “economy is incompetently managed and doing badly.”Chidambaram said the sole focus of the government was to give tax incentives to the corporates while burdening common man with taxes.“Big corporates have been given tax incentives by forcefully getting Rs 1.5 lakh crore from RBI,” he said.He said economy was in a bad shape. “Govt, which has no clue about tackling the revenue deficit, is planning to increase GST rates in coming GST council meeting,” he said.A man holding a garland made of onion to welcome Chidambaram in Trichy today. TOI
India's weak economic data turns FPIs from net buyers to net sellers in December
https://thewire.in/economy/indias-weak-economic-data-turns-fpis-from-net-buyers-to-net-sellers-in-december
Reversing their buying trend, foreign portfolio investors (FPI) turned net sellers in December with a net outflow of Rs 244 crore from the capital markets amid subdued economic data.According to the depositories data, foreign investors pulled out a net sum of Rs 1,668.8 crore from equities. FPIs, however, invested Rs 1,424.6 crore on a net basis in the debt segment, resulting in a total net outflow of Rs 244.2 crore in December so far.FPIs had been net buyers for two months to November. They invested Rs 16,037.6 crore in October and Rs 22,871.8 crore in November on a net basis.“FPIs adopted a cautious approach while investing in Indian equities, on the back of subdued economic indicators. It has not been a good year for the Indian economy so far and the recently released GDP number which continued the southward march for the seventh quarter in a row falling to 4.5% reaffirmed the slowdown in the Indian economy,” said Himanshu Srivastava, analyst manager research, Morningstar Investment Adviser India.PTI
*OTHERS*
Delhi factory where 43 died in fire was illegal; Police arrest factory owner, manager; register case
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-fire-news-delhi-factory-where-43-died-in-fire-was-illegal-didnt-have-clearances-2145363?pfrom=home-topscroll
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-fire-anaj-mandi-rani-jhansi-road-live-updates-death-toll-injured-6156200/
New Delhi: Most of the 43 labourers who died in the fire that broke out early this morning in a factory in a congested central Delhi neighbourhood died of asphyxiation, emergency services personnel have said. A NDRF team, dispatched to aid the Delhi fire department with rescue operations, swept the structure with gas detectors and found large amounts of toxic smoke and hazardous carbon monoxide. NDRF team also found that some windows at the rear of the building were sealed shut, thereby trapping poisonous gases inside the already cramped and dimly-lit interiors."We found carbon monoxide (CO). After this we searched the area manually. The entire third and fourth floors of the building were engulfed with smoke. CO levels were very high," said Aditya Pratap Singh, NDRF official. Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas that, when inhaled, is harmful to human beings because it displaces oxygen. Inhalation leads to loss of consciousness, suffocation and death."There was a room... where most of the workers were sleeping... which had only a single space for ventilation. The maximum number of workers rescued was from the third floor. Due to the burning of materials present in the building CO was formed," NDRF official added.According to Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Service, building that burned down also did not have the necessary clearances and fire safety equipment.The massive fire, in the Anaj Mandi area of the national capital, was reported at 5.22 am. Experts say factories and small manufacturing units that are set up, often illegally, in old and overcrowded quarters of big cities and towns; the cost of land is relatively cheaper. Mohammad Masih, who owns the adjacent building, told NDTV that the brothers who owned the building had rented it out for workshops - bags, printing paper and plastic were manufactured there and hundreds of labourers lived in the building.Delhi Police arrested factory owner Rehan and his manager Fukran, and registered a case under section 304 of IPC after detaining him. According to an unidentified elderly man whose 3 nephews were working in the factory, "My nephews Mohammed Imran and Ikramuddin were inside the factory. I don't know their whereabouts." CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for kin of the deceased.NDTV / indianexpress
2 AMU students booked for demanding ‘Punish those guilty of Babri demolition’
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/2-amu-students-booked-for-demanding-punish-those-guilty-of-babri-demolition
Two students of AMU have been booked by the police for sharing an “objectionable” social media post related to the Babri Masjid demolition with a picture of senior BJP leader L.K. Advani.Talha Mannan and Sharjil Usmani were booked on a complaint filed by BJP Yuva Morcha district in charge, Prateek Chauhan. The post was an invitation to a public meeting on Friday at AMU's Kennedy lawn on the subject -"Punish Those Guilty of Babri Demolition".Chauhan stated that such kind of a meeting was an effort to provoke the youth and vitiate the peaceful atmosphere.Anil Samaniya, Circle Officer Civil Lines, confirmed the development and said that Mannan and Usmani were booked. He said that the matter was being probed.Meanwhile, AMU proctor Afifullah Khan, said that Manna is the student of MA Education while Usmani was an ex student.IANS
NIA charge-sheets 2 TN men for allegedly seeking recruits for IS
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nia-charge-sheets-two-tn-men-allegedly-seeking-recruits-islamic-state-113645
NIA has filed a chargesheet against 2 Tamil Nadu natives who were arrested for allegedly recruiting persons and propagating the ideology of Islamic State. The chargesheet was filed against 33-year-old Mohammed Azarudeen H and 38-year-old Shiek Hidayathullah Y at NIA Special Court in Ernakulam. The duo are residents of Coimbatore in TN and were nabbed by NIA officials in June.thenewsminute
27 students committed suicide across 10 IITs in last 5 yrs: RTI
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/27-students-committed-suicide-across-10-iits-in-last-5-years-rti-2145351
27 students across 10 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the country have committed suicide in the last five years, reply to a RTI query has revealed. As per the data provided by Department of Higher Education working under Ministry of HRD, IIT-Madras tops the list with suicides by 7 students during this period.PTI
Karnataka Jamaat-e-Islami Hind to celebrate Masjid Darshan day
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/jamaat-e-islami-hind-to-celebrate-masjid-darshan-day/articleshow/72419929.cms
Hubballi: Karnataka unit of Jaamat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) is launching Masjid Darshan Day and ‘Prophet Mohammad for All’ all over the state this month. Jaamat is inviting local leaders and people of other religions to watch their afternoon and evening prayers. It’s also opening mosques to Muslim women on such occasions. Mohammed Saad Belgami, state president of JIH, told TOI that the organisation has launched this initiative across the country. “There is no fixed date for any unit of JIH to do it. Local units can fix the date after consulting local mosque management committees. In Karnataka, we’re celebrating Masjid Darshan Day in 150 places where our units are functioning. It’s already started in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Bidar, Basava Kalyan and a few other places,” he said.He said the initiative is aimed to disprove misconceptions. “Our local units invite all brothers and sisters, who live in our neighbourhood, to witness prayers on a particular day. We’ll provide refreshments. Apart from this day, people of other religions can visit mosques after obtaining permission of the management. Our 10,000 cadres are approaching all 12,000 mosques of Karnataka in due course of time. Our aim is to ensure accessibility of mosques for all, irrespective of religion and gender,” he said.MA Shukoor, president, JIH Koppal unit, said all India president Syed Sadatullah Husaini of Delhi urged all units of the country to be involved in such activities. “We’re holding this event at Masjid-E-Ala in Koppal today. We’re inviting Abhinava Gavisiddeshar Mahaswamiji of Gavimath Koppal and Gurumahant Swamiji of Vijay Mahanteshwar Math Ilkal. The mosque will be open from 8am to 5pm for all. A prayer of 20 minutes will be held while one can know the method of prayer and other rituals,” he said.TOI
Rearing cows diminish criminal mindset of prisoners, claims Mohan Bhagwat
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rearing-cows-diminish-criminal-mindset-of-prisoners-claims-mohan-bhagwat/story-athTxtt6VmrvFqifkbzefI.html
Pune:RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that experience has shown that “criminal mindset” of jail inmates decreased when they were given the task of looking after cows.Such observations and findings should be documented for proving the cow’s qualities to the world, he said.Bhagwat was speaking at an event organised by Go-Vigyan Sanshodhan Sanshtha.“Cow is the mother of universe....it nurtures soil, it nurtures animals, birds and it also nurtures humans and protects them from diseases and makes the human heart as tender as flower,” he said.“When jails set up cow sheds and prisoners started rearing cows, the authorities saw that the criminal mindset of these prisoners started diminishing, and I am telling you this from experiences shared by some jail authorities,” he said.“If you want to prove the qualities of the cow to the world, we have to start doing documentation. We will have to carry out psychological experiments on prisoners, and assess the changes in them after they rear cows for a certain time, and findings need to be sourced from different places,” he said.However, today Hindus are the ones who send cows to slaughterhouses, he said.HT
Why did Brahmins become vegetarian? Ambedkar asks in this excerpt from ‘Beef, Brahmins and Broken Men'
https://www.thehindu.com/books/why-did-the-brahmins-become-vegetarian-br-ambedkar-asks-in-this-excerpt-from-beef-brahmins-and-broken-men-an-annotated-critical-selection-from-the-untouchables/article30208983.ece?homepage=true
B.R. Ambedkar’s 1948 work The Untouchables: Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables? has been re-issued as Beef, Brahmins and Broken Men: An Annotated Critical Selection from The Untouchables, published by Navayana with an Introduction by Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd. This excerpt is from the chapter that deals with the conflict between Brahmanism and Buddhism and how it led to the Brahmins first giving up eating beef, and then turning vegetarian.For generations the Brahmins had been eating beef. Why did they give up beef-eating? Why did they, as an extreme step, give up meat eating altogether and become vegetarians? It was to get one step ahead of Buddhists that the Brahmins gave up beef-eating, says BR Ambedkar. thehindu
*WORLD*
Suu Kyi to defend Myanmar in world court on Rohingya genocide, set to make history
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/suu-kyi-to-defend-myanmar-in-world-court-on-rohingya-genocide-set-to-make-history-2145187
The Hague: Former democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is set to make legal history when she defends Myanmar in The Hague this week against charges of genocide targeting the Buddhist state's minority Rohingya Muslims. The tiny west African state of Gambia, acting on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, will ask the International Court of Justice to take emergency measures to halt Myanmar's "ongoing genocidal actions".But in a highly unusual move, the office of Nobel Peace laureate and Myanmar civilian leader Suu Kyi has said she will lead a team to the UN's highest court, based in the turreted Peace Palace in the Netherlands.Legal experts said Suu Kyi would be one of the first national leaders to personally address the tribunal since it was set up in 1946 after World War II to rule in disputes between countries.Her plan to appear before the court's judges for the three-day hearing starting Tuesday was "unprecedented and also very unwise", Cecily Rose, an assistant professor in international law at Leiden University, told AFP."States never ever send politicians to lead legal teams at ICJ," she said. Although Suu Kyi's background was "impressive, she has no legal qualifications and would be completely at sea before the court," Rose added. Around 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee into camps in Bangladesh after Myanmar's military launched a violent crackdown in 2017, which UN investigators conclusions amounted to genocide.The case will be the first international legal attempt to bring Myanmar to justice over the crisis, and is a rare example of a country suing another over an issue to which it is not directly a party.Muslim-majority Gambia's case alleges that Myanmar has breached 1948 UN Genocide Convention. It is seeking the special measures pending a future decision by the court on whether to take on the wider case.Any final judgment could take years.Suu Kyi has said she is heading to The Hague in order to "defend the national interests of Myanmar".Experts say Suu Kyi now risks being in the legal firing line herself. "It's highly unusual for top leaders to go to ICJ themselves to defend their countries," said Willem van Genugten, professor of international law at the Netherlands' Tilburg University.ICJ judges have only once ruled that genocide was committed: 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Bosnia.AFP
Trump tells Jewish-Americans he is Israel's best friend
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/trump-tells-jewish-americans-israel-friend-191208075752662.html
US President Donald Trump aimed to make inroads in the politically important Jewish-American vote with a Florida speech in which he declared himself the best friend Israel has ever had.At a conference in Hollywood, Florida, the Republican real estate magnate said Jewish-Americans had been wrong to vote for Democrats under his predecessor Barack Obama."So many of you voted for people in the last administration," he said. "Someday you'll have to explain that to me because I don't think they liked Israel too much."By contrast, Trump said, "Jewish state has never had a better friend in the White House than your president, Donald J Trump."He was speaking at a meeting of Israeli-American Council, a non-profit whose funders include billionaire Jewish-American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam - both high-profile Trump supporters. AFP
Israel air raids in Gaza Strip after rocket attacks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/israel-air-raids-gaza-strip-rocket-attacks-191208062255355.html
Israeli aircraft carried out attacks in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip early Sunday, hours after three rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave towards southern Israel.The air raids targeted two sites belonging to the Qassam Brigades, the Hamas military wing, in northern Gaza with another series of sorties at a Qassam site west of Gaza City, Hamas officials said.There were no immediate reports of injuries in Gaza.No Palestinian group claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, but Israeli army said Hamas was responsible for any attack "transpiring and emanating" from Gaza Strip.aljazeera
Hamas chief arrives in Turkey as part of foreign tour
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191208-hamas-chief-arrives-in-turkey-as-part-of-foreign-tour/
Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Turkey on Sunday, the Palestinian resistance group said.The visit is the first leg in a foreign tour that will also take Haniyeh to Malaysia, Russia, Qatar, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Kuwait.A Hamas source said Haniyeh and his accompanying delegation arrived in Istanbul at dawn.The foreign tour is the first by Haniyeh since he was elected leader of the Palestinian resistance group in 2017.A Palestinian source told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that Haniyeh had obtained permission from Egyptian authorities to conduct the tour during his recent visit to Cairo.Anadolu Agency
Iraq protests: Death toll jumps to 25 in Baghdad attack
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2019/12/killed-central-baghdad-assailants-fire-live-rounds-191206190824237.html
Iraqi officials raised the death toll to 25 today after attacks by unidentified gunmen who targeted anti-government demonstrators near the main protest camp in Baghdad.Over 130 others were also wounded by gunfire and stabbings near Tahrir Square on Friday night, the main protest camp in the Iraqi capital.It was the most violent flare-up for weeks and came a week after parliament accepted prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's resignation following two months of huge protests demanding his departure and the overhaul of the country's political system.Iraq's parliament was to hold an emergency session on Sunday to discuss the bloodshed.aljazeera
Regime, Russian jets kill 19 civilians in Idlib, Syria
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/regime-russian-jets-kill-19-civilians-in-idlib-syria/1666897
Idlib:Russian and Syrian regime fighter jets on Saturday struck what is supposed to be a cease-fire zone in northwestern Syria, leaving at least 19 civilians dead, according to the opposition aircraft observatory. The observatory said Russian jets struck settlements in villages in Idlib, Syria in the southern Marratinnuman district, while regime forces mounted air and ground attacks on the town of Kafranbil and other local villages.According to Syrian opposition Civil Defense (White Helmets), Russian jets killed four civilians in the village of Al-Bara and eight in the marketplace in the village of Belyun. Regime airstrikes also left one civilian dead in the village of Bicgas, five others dead in the village of Bdeite, and one dead in the marketplace in the village of Tel Mennis.Many civilians were also reported wounded in the airstrikes, and children were among those killed. The wounded civilians were taken to nearby health facilities with the White Helmets' help. Notably, in the village of Bara, Russian jets struck a school, mosque, and bakery.Anadolu Agency
Malaysia’s ruling party makes fresh push for Anwar to take over as PM
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/malaysias-ruling-party-makes-fresh-push-for-anwar-to-take-over-as-pm/article30236889.ece?homepage=true
Leaders of Malaysia's ruling party on Sunday renewed a push for Anwar Ibrahim to lead the country, as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad dithers on the timing of the planned power transition he had promised to his former rival-turned-ally. Mahathir, elected to power in May 2018, had promised to hand over the reins to Anwar (72), soon after laying the groundwork for a new administration.But Mahathir has said he may need more time to repair the damage left by the scandal-tainted government of his predecessor, Najib Razak, while Anwar grapples with deep-seated factionalism within his own People's Justice Party (PKR), largest member of the ruling coalition. Hundreds of delegates were seen holding “Anwar PM-8” placards at Sunday's congress, a year after he was elected the party's president.Reuters
Japan asked for one sex slave for every 70 soldiers in WW2 to 'prevent rape, disease', documents show
https://www.news18.com/news/world/japan-asked-for-one-sex-slave-for-every-70-soldiers-in-ww2-to-prevent-rape-disease-documents-show-2415961.html
Tokyo: Japan's army during World War II asked the government to provide one sex slave for every 70 soldiers, according to historical documents reviewed by Kyodo News service that highlight the state role in the so-called “comfort women” system. 23 documents were gathered by Japan's Cabinet Secretariat between April 2017 and March 2019, including 13 classified dispatches from the Japanese consulates in China to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo dating back to 1938, according to Kyodo. The sex slaves issue has been a source of a painful dispute between South Korea and Japan. The women were from Korea, Taiwan and Australia, the Philippines as well as Japan.AP
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
CAB a majoritarian exercise to prove Muslims have lesser place in the ‘new India’:Tavleen Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-legally-weaponised-6155936/
In an economy sans economists, ministers resort to ‘bluff’ and ‘bluster’:P Chidambaram
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economy-sans-economists-chidambaram-indian-slowdown-gdp-6155929/
Rajeev Dhavan to argue review petitions by Muslim parties in Ayodhya case if open hearing takes place
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/rajeev-dhavan-to-argue-review-petitions-by-muslim-parties-in-ayodhya-case-if-open-hearing-takes-place-aimplb20191206212253/
Chhattisgarh: Story of another ‘encounter’ https://indianexpress.com/article/india/story-of-another-encounter-chhattisgarh-6156001/
4 myths about the Citizenship Bill – from fighting religious persecution to helping NRC-excluded:Shoaib Daniyal
https://scroll.in/article/946053/four-myths-about-the-citizenship-bill-from-fighting-religious-persecution-to-helping-nrc-excluded
Citizenship Amendment Bill: No Country for Muslims:Aijaz Zaka Syed
https://caravandaily.com/citizenship-amendment-bill-no-country-for-muslims/
Interview | Raising Ayodhya, Kashmir Won't Work in Jharkhand Elections: Babulal Marandi
https://thewire.in/politics/interview-raising-ayodhya-kashmir-wont-work-in-jharkhand-elections-babulal-marandi
Economic Slump: India’s Rickety Bridge Over Troubled Waters:Dev Kar
https://thewire.in/economy/india-economy-rickety-bridge-over-troubled-waters
It’s Recession, agree economists and warn that worse is yet to come:Tathagata Bhattacharya
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/its-recession-agree-economists-and-warn-that-worse-is-yet-to-come
Overseas ‘Friends’ of BJP no ‘friend’ of India:Ashis Ray
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/overseas-friends-of-bjp-no-friend-of-india
Next UK parliament may be most diverse with many Indian MPs in contest:PTI
https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/next-uk-parliament-may-be-most-diverse-with-many-indian-mps-in-contest-2145305
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:55 PM).*
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