12 JAN. 2020 FLASH NEWS
INDIA
Zakir Naik claims Modi Govt offered him safe passage in return for support for its Kashmir policies; also opposes CAA
https://scroll.in/latest/949565/zakir-naik-claims-centre-offered-him-safe-passage-in-return-for-backing-its-kashmir-policies
Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Saturday claimed that a representative of the Narendra Modi government had approached him in Malaysia in September, and offered him safe passage to India in return for support for the government’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status, and other related decisions. Naik has been in self-imposed exile in Malaysia since 2016. In a YouTube video on Saturday, Naik said the representative told him he had met Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah before visiting him. “I thought, imagine, the same BJP government, who hounded me for 3-and-a-half years; the same prime minister of India Narendra Modi, who used my name no less than nine times in a span of two minutes, in an election speech in May 2019, now they are bartering with me for a safe passage?” Naik said. “It is too straight to be true.”Naik said he was responding to media speculation about Islamic scholar and preacher Yasir Qadhi, who initially claimed earlier this week that BJP government had said it would drop money laundering charges against Naik if he supported it on Kashmir. Naik claimed the representative told him that the government would like to use the preacher’s connections to improve India’s relationship with other Muslim countries. “And I said, as long as you do not ask me to do anything against the teachings of the Quran, against the teachings of the Sahih Hadith, as long as it benefits the Muslim ummah, I have no problem in cooperating with you,” the preacher added. Naik claimed he “flatly refused” the government’s offer. “I said according to me revoking Article 370 is unconstitutional, and it is taking away the rights of the people of Kashmir,” he added. “I cannot support an Act of injustice, and neither can I betray the people of Kashmir.”The preacher claimed he was told that he was free to speak against any enforcement agency in India, but not against the government and Prime Minister Modi. “I told him, according to me, NIA, ED...they are not to blame,” Naik added. He said the agencies were just obeying the government. The preacher claimed he also told the government representative that he was not in Malaysia to speak against any government, but to spread the message of Islam. He added that on December 17, he had given a press statement against the Citizenship Amendment Act, and expressed astonishment at Indian clerics who had backed the government on Kashmir. “Now I realise that these Muslim leaders may have been pressurised, may have been forced to support the unjust BJP government, or face the consequences,” Naik said.In a message for Indian Muslims, he said: “It is noble to speak against injustice. But if you fear backlash, the least you can do is keep quiet. But supporting an unjust act is un-Islamic.” Naik claimed Muslims supporting the CAA were “bartering their place in heaven for security in the material world”.scroll
Refused offer from Modi to support BJP govt's Kashmir move in return for safe passage: Zakir NaikIndia
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/refused-offer-from-modi-to-support-bjp-govts-kashmir-move-in-return-for-safe-passage-zakir-naik/538654
anti-citizenship act stir
PM Modi: People with vested interests misguiding youth on Citizenship Amendment Act
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-citizenship-law-protests-west-bengal-kolkata-6212459/
New Delhi :Reiterating that the Citizenship Amendment Act is not a law to revoke citizenship, but to grant it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said some people with vested interest are misguiding the country’s youth.Speaking at a prayer meet to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at Belur Math, Modi said, “There are a lot of questions among the youth about the new citizenship law, and some are being misled by rumours around it… it is our duty to clear their doubts.“I repeat again, Citizenship act is not to revoke anyone’s citizenship, but it is to give citizenship. After independence, Mahatma Gandhiji and other big leaders of the time, all believed that India should give citizenship to persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan.”indianexpress
Amit Shah Unveils Over 5 Lakh Letters To PM In Support Of Citizenship Act
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amit-shah-unveils-over-5-lakh-letters-to-pm-in-support-of-citizenship-act-2162636
Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday unveiled over 5 lakh postcards written by the residents of Ahmedabad to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanking him for the CAA. The postcards were stacked on the dais as Mr Shah addressed a gathering of BJP workers who formed letters "CAA'' in front of him.
No going back on the CAA, it’s here to stay: Naqvi
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-going-back-on-the-caa-naqvi/article30548942.ece?homepage=true
HYDERABAD:Central Government has ruled out scope for any changes in CAA. Moreover, the Act does not contain any provisions that will affect the minorities, Muslims in particular, Union Minister of Minorities Affairs Mukthar Abbas Naqvi said categorically here on Sunday, adding there is no taking back the Act and it is here to stay. “People opposing the Act should understand that there will not be any backtracking on the Act passed by the Parliament after thorough study of the report submitted by the Joint Select Committee comprising members from all political parties,” he averred.thehindu
CAA-NRC will not be implemented in Bihar: Prashant Kishor
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/caa-nrc-not-be-implemented-in-bihar-prashant-kishor-1636185-2020-01-12
JD(U) vice-president and poll strategist Prashant Kishor took to Twitter on Sunday to declare that the CAA and NRC will not be implemented in Bihar."I join my voice with all to thank #Congress leadership for their formal and unequivocal rejection of #CAA_NRC. Both @rahulgandhi & @priyankagandhi deserves special thanks for their efforts on this count. Also would like to reassure to all - Bihar me CAA-NRC implement nahi hoga [CAA-NRC will not be implemented in Bihar]," Prashant Kishor tweeted.indiatoday
Opposition Meet Tomorrow On Citizenship Law, NRC Amid Protests
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/citizenship-amendment-act-nrc-opposition-meet-tomorrow-amid-protests-sources-2162749?pfrom=home-livetv
New Delhi: The opposition parties would meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss the current political situation in the backdrop of the student protests and the contentious citizenship law and the citizenship list NRC. The meeting, expected to signal opposition unity, however, will not be attended by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati, sources said.Mamata Banerjee, peeved by the clashes between the workers of the Left and her Trinamool Congress during last week's trade union strike, has declared that she would not attend the opposition meeting. Underscoring that it was she who mooted the idea of the meet" she said, "What happened yesterday in the state -- it is no more possible for me to attend the meeting anymore".ndtv
American Civil Society Calls for Sanctions Against Amit Shah, Yogi
https://caravandaily.com/american-civil-society-calls-for-sanctions-against-amit-shah-yogi/?fbclid=IwAR1SXK9aJwrkzWNzK7hoPcMpx5hxvkbeQsh8g6jWaYzWUCFhpzJaFHQi50E
NEW DELHI:Civil society groups in the United States have urged the Donald Trump administration to impose sanctions against Union home minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath over the passage of the controversial CAA and the brutal crackdown on anti-CAA protesters. “Sanction India’s Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath, in light of their blatant violations of human rights, as per the recommendations of US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The commission previously stated that should CAA pass, the US government “should consider sanctions against the home minister and other principal leadership,” the groups demanded.Among the civil rights groups were the Indian American Muslim Council, the International Society for Peace and Justice, the Islamic Circle of North America’s Council for Social Justice, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Council on Minority Rights in India, Engage, and the Justice For All Baltimore County Muslim Council. They held a press conference in Washington to urge Trump administration to take up the issues of the CAA and human rights violations vis-a-vis the protesters, with Indian government.caravandaily
Anurag Kashyap asks PM Modi to show political science degree, father’s birth certificate
https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/anurag-kashyap-asks-pm-narendra-modi-to-show-science-degree-father%E2%80%99s-birth-certificate-24834?fbclid=IwAR2ub8Yln0M1GYypoWVJJSu93MUg88-vhl9HJe9wzl6tPxc2s4eMAp4hKAY
Mumbai:With the CAA coming into effect, Anurag Kashyap has raised in voice in protest once again. The filmmaker, who has been vocal against the CAA ever since it was passed by Parliament on December 11, has now launched a personal attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family.Protesting against this on Twitter, Kashyap landed a personal attack against Prime Minister Modi. Tweeting in Hindi, he demanded proof that PM Modi is educated and wanted to see his degree in "entire political science".Kashyap did not stop here, he also said that PM Modi should show his birth certificate, along with that of his father and his entire family's to the nation. Only then he can ask for papers from citizens. The filmmaker used the hashtag #f kCAA as a mark of protest.tribuneindia
In Bathinda, anti-CAA and NRC protest by Muslim, Sikh groups
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/in-bathinda-anti-caa-and-nrc-protest-by-muslim-sikh-groups/articleshow/73201241.cms
BATHINDA: Members of Muslim and Sikh organisations joined hands here on Friday to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and NRC. Enthused by support from Sikh outfits and members of civil society, Muslim organisations put a lot of energy in opposing the act and the proposal for a NPR.Assembling near the statue of Constitution architect BR Ambedkar, protesters demanded that the act be repealed and the proposal for NRC be scrapped. The protest was held under the banner of Nagrik Ekta Manch, comprising representatives from organisations representing all religions.Before the protest, two marches were taken out after Friday prayers, one from Hazi Rattan mosque and the other from Kikar Bazaar mosque. Both marches culminated at the statue at the district administrative complex here.TOI
Nagpur: Citizens come together, start Shaheen Bagh-style protest
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/citizens-come-together-start-shaheen-bagh-style-protest/articleshow/73205671.cms
NAGPUR: Undeterred by the Modi government’s move to notify the CAA gazette and #congratulationsindia, the social media campaign by RSS-BJP supporters, people from across the spectrum gathered at Samvidhan Square to begin a four-day Shaheen Bagh-style dharna under ‘We The Citizens of India’ banner on Saturday afternoon. The first day witnessed peaceful activities with speeches from the common man to recital of poems, patriotic songs and creative posters. RJ Shahnawaz, who is visually impaired and unschooled, made a powerful recital of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s ‘Hum Dekhenge’, explaining the meaning and context of each verse. Visitors and protesters also participated in a signature campaign on a banner put up on the Vidhan Bhavan grills. An exclusive slot for students has been fixed.TOI
Akhilesh meets relatives of six anti-CAA protest victims, hands over Rs 5L cheques
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/akhilesh-meets-relatives-of-six-anti-caa-protest-victims-hands-over-rs-5l-cheques-6212225/
Lucknow : SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday met six families of people who died during anti-citizenship law protests in Firozabad and handed each a Rs 5 lakh cheque. “The national president met the family members of those who died in police firing and expressed condolences. Akhilesh met the families of Nabi Jan (21), Rashid (25), Arman (24), Md Haroon (30), Muqeem Qureshi (18), Md Shafiq (45),” read a statement issued by the party on Saturday.
Will help 25 Pakistani Hindu refugees resettle in Muzaffarnagar village:BJP MLA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/will-help-25-pakistani-hindu-refugees-resettle-in-muzaffarnagar-village-says-bjp-mla-6212632/
A BJP MLA has said he would facilitate the resettlement of 25 Hindu Pakistani refugees in Kawal village here and has given financial assistance to them. 25 Hindu Pakistanis are living in a refugee camp in the national capital. 5 of the refugees, who had come to India after allegedly facing religious persecution in Pakistan, on Saturday met Khatauli BJP MLA Vikram Saini hereSaini is an accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.PTI
Hundreds of Women Protest against CAA-NRC near Parliament House in Delhi
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/hundreds-of-women-protest-against-caa-nrc-near-parliament-house
NEW DELHI:A large number of women belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Girls Islamic Organization and other women organisations participated in a demonstration against CAA & NRC organized by Alliance Against CAA and NRC at Jantar Mantar near the Parliament House here on Saturday. After taking out a protest march in the Jantar Mantar lane, women started their program by singing Saar-e Jahan se Achcha Hindustan Hamara...by Allama Mohammed Iqbal.Protesters raised several slogans like “we want Azadi from CAA and NRC.”Addressing the protesters, rights activist and convenor of the Alliance Against CAA and NRC, Ravi Nair said the role of women is very important in making the movement against CAA-NRC successful. “Women form half of the world population. You are mothers of the world. Don't give up this movement till the goal is achieved,” Nair exhorted. WPI president Dr. Qasim Rasool Ilyas said that anti-CAA movement launched by students of Jamia Millia Islamia has united Hindus and Muslims of the country and BJP has miserably failed to divide the people on this issue. indiatomorrow
CAA: Ready to quit to protect the rights of minorities, says Tamil Nadu minister
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/caa-ready-to-quit-to-protect-the-rights-of-minorities-says-tamil-nadu-minister/1819867/
Amid the row over the Citizenship Amendment Act, Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani on Saturday said he is ready to quit his post to protect the rights of the minority community. “Nothing will happen to minorities and if anything happens, I will stand with them. The post is not important to me and I am ready to quit to protect their rights,” he said. Speaking at a function to distribute Pongal harvest festival gifts at Karumbukadai, a Muslim dominated area in the city, Velumani said Chief Minister K Palaniswami had made the ruling AIADMK’s stand clear on the floor of the House on the CAA. Besides, he had taken up the matter at the Central government level after a delegation from Jamaath met him a few days ago, he said.PTI
JNU VIOLENCE
JNU tapes impact: Delhi Police summons 'ABVP activist' Akshat Awasthi, he refuses to join probe
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jnu-violence-live-delhi-police-students-teachers-abvp-1636131-2020-01-12
New Delhi: After India Today's sting operation unmasked Akshat Awasthi's involvement in JNU violence case, the Delhi Police had asked him to join the probe along with another student Rohit Shah. However, Awasthi refused to join the investigation.A first-year student of the French degree program at JNU, Akshat Awasthi, identified himself in footage of Sunday's attack -- and as an activist of ABVP. Meanwhile, another student Rohit Shah is heard confessing that there were 20 ABVP activists from JNU who were involved in the Sunday attack.On Sunday, the Delhi Police identified seven more of the 60 people -- from a Whatsapp group -- from several videos and photos that went viral on social media in connection with the JNU violence case.The statements of a warden, 13 security guards and five students have also been recorded, sources said.indiatoday
JNU Tapes: JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh thanks India Today for explosive sting
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jnu-tapes-jnusu-president-aishe-ghosh-thanks-india-today-for-explosive-sting-1636054-2020-01-11?fbclid=IwAR1EF4-ZnHMFuMpX82ASfO3pbL9w_UUo2McxJC5ABsMQKxBQWRUF2AOoSeU
New Delhi: India Today's explosive investigation into the violence in JNU on January 5 has sent ripples across the country. After India Today's #JNUTapes investigation was aired on national TV on Friday, it has become the talking point all over the nation.JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh thanked India Today for unearthing the role RSS's student wing ABVP students in stoking the violence.In a press conference, Aishe Ghosh said, "I want to thank India Today for what they have done for us."In Part 1 of JNU Tapes, India Today TV exposed three student activists who accepted they were involved in the violence and vandalism in JNU on January 5 and prior to it. 2 of the 3 activists said they are members of ABVP while the third said she is affiliated to AISA and is a former JNUSU president.indiatoday
JNU attack ‘state-sponsored’, VC must be dismissed: Congress fact-finding committee
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/jnu-attack-state-sponsored-vc-must-be-dismissed-congress-fact-finding-committee
A fact-finding committee of the Congress on the JNU violence on Sunday said the January 5 attack inside the university campus was "state-sponsored" and recommended Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar be dismissed and criminal investigation initiated against him. Congress had appointed a four-member fact-finding committee to carry out a detailed inquiry into the violence at JNU.Sushmita Dev, member of the committee, said the committee recommended that Kumar should be dismissed immediately and all the appointments in faculty should be probed and independent inquiry should take place.PTI
Cops To Question 9 Suspects In Server Room Violence Before JNU Attack
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cops-to-question-9-suspects-in-server-room-violence-before-jnu-attack-2162732?pfrom=home-topscroll
Delhi Police has issued notices to nine students allegedly involved in clashes hours before the January 5 JNU attack on students and faculty. The suspects, who include injured student union leader Aishe Ghosh, had been named and identified on Friday on the basis of viral social media posts and statements from hostel wardens, security guards and students. They will be questioned starting Monday, with different time slots for each individual. The cops also said female suspects need not present themselves at the Crime Branch office but would be questioned by female officers at a time and place of their choosing.NDTV
OTHERS
Jammu and Kashmir: Detention of political leaders and internet restrictions worrying, says US envoy
https://scroll.in/latest/949580/jammu-and-kashmir-detention-of-political-leaders-and-internet-restrictions-worrying-says-us
US has called the visit of envoys from 16 countries to Jammu and Kashmir an “important step”. But the US State Department also voiced concern over the detention of political leaders and the internet blockade in the region. US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster was part of the delegation to assess the situation in the Union Territory.“Closely following @USAmbIndia and other foreign diplomats’ recent trip to Jammu and Kashmir,” State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs tweeted. “We remain concerned by detention of political leaders and residents, and internet restrictions. We look forward to a return to normalcy.”The delegation of envoys were from 16 countries such as US, South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Maldives, Morocco, Fiji, Norway, Philippines, Argentina, Peru, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Guyana. Delegates from the European Union are believed to have refused the invitation because they did not want a guided tour and would not be allowed to visit detained chief ministers.scroll
No special relief, J&K land curbs may be for agricultural plots only
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-special-relief-jk-land-curbs-may-be-for-agricultural-plots-only-6212186/
New Delhi :The protection for land ownership and against acquisition in Jammu and Kashmir may be restricted to just agricultural land, and not be on the lines of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Besides, Ladakh is unlikely to be included under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution which grants tribal regions autonomy of administration and legislation. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is formulating provisions on these issues in consultation with the local administrations of the two Union Territories, said while protection of jobs for local people may be guaranteed through requirement of 15 years of domicile in Jammu and Kashmir, land protection would remain confined to agricultural land.indianexpress
J&K: Senior police officer detained with two militants in Kulgam, say reports
https://scroll.in/latest/949599/j-k-senior-police-officer-detained-with-two-militants-in-kulgam-say-reports
A deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police was on Saturday caught with two militants – from Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba – in Kulgam district, PTI reported, citing officials. However, the police have not yet released an official statement. Davinder Singh was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry on August 15 last year. He is currently posted as the deputy superintendent of police at the Srinagar airport.The two militants have been identified as Naveed Babu and Altaf. Babu is accused of being involved in the killing of 11 migrant workers in south Kashmir in October and November last year.scroll
India to observe one-day state mourning for Oman’s Sultan Qaboos
https://scroll.in/latest/949604/india-to-observe-one-day-state-mourning-for-omans-sultan-qaboos
Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday declared that India will observe a day of state mourning on Monday as a mark of respect following the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The ministry added that the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India on Monday.scroll
War of words over Assam eviction:Jamaat says Muslim families targeted; officials say HC had rejected their pleas:The Hindu report
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/war-of-words-over-assam-eviction/article30545320.ece
GUWAHATI:Over a month after an eviction drive, officials in Sonitpur district of Assam have been accused of having selectively targeted 426 Muslim families at the behest of the local BJP MLA.But the officials have said these families had encroached upon government land, had their petitions rejected by the Gauhati High Court twice and were in the way of a 4-lane highway project. Furthermore, they said, the process of eviction, carried out on December 5 and 6, had begun in 2018.On Dec.27, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) said in a statement that the people of the Sootea Assembly constituency “have been let down” by their BJP MLA Padma Hazarika.Nearly 1,800 people of the 426 families “were evicted mercilessly by the district administration, and their homes were demolished on December 6 at his behest”.A JIH team, led by its national secretary Mohammad Ahmed, visited the evicted families who have been living in temporary sheds in the adjoining Tezpur constituency that AGP veteran Brindaban Goswami represents.Hazarika could not be contacted, but one of his loyalists said MLA was being “unnecessarily dragged into a government drive against encroachers” that had been given a communal colour.“A section is creating a controversy out of a non-issue.Families evicted had come from elsewhere and built unauthorised houses on the bed of the Jia-Bhoreli river that shifted course, westward, towards Tezpur, ” Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner Manvinder Pratap Singh said.thehindu
Himanta Biswa Sarma wants to become Assam CM, eating up BJP: Badruddin Ajmal
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/himanta-biswa-sarma-wants-to-become-assam-cm-eating-up-bjp-badruddin-ajmal-1636140-2020-01-12
Guwahati: AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Saturday accused Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of eroding BJP from inside saying that he has an ambition of becoming the chief minister of the state."He (Sarma) has the dream of becoming the chief minister for several years. He left the Congress over this dream and is eroding BJP from inside. He wants to send Sarbananda Sonowal away as soon as possible so he can become the chief minister," Ajmal told ANI.ANI
Muslims not considered as human beings, treated like insects in the BJP regime: Badruddin Ajmal
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/muslims-not-considered-as-human-beings-treated-like-insects-in-the-bjp-regime-badruddin-ajmal-1636089-2020-01-12
More than 500 Sikhs face eviction from scheduled tribal block in MP
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/more-than-500-sikhs-face-eviction-from-scheduled-tribal-block-in-mp/story-yw2NPLpA27hZuuSz1h5McP.html?fbclid=IwAR3AkTgCds-FiwSzQYZgFjPwEsEcOcV8C6rN4sHoYchDhehXcPghQCClS5k
SHEOPUR:Madhya Pradesh government’s drive against mafia and encroachments has an unusual casualty – the Sikhs in the tribal-dominated Karahal tehsil of Sheopur district, about 400 km north of Bhopal on the Rajasthan-MP border, who have been declared as illegal occupants of land in the notified scheduled tribe block.About a fortnight ago, farm houses of 11 Sikhs were demolished and standing crop levelled on the ground that they bought tribal land on the basis of forged papers and have encroached on forest and other government land, too. The Sikhs denied the charge even as the Akal Takht termed the government action as harassment of the community within the country. About 100 Sikhs families came here in the past more than two decades and are in possession of hundreds of acres of agriculture land.Among them, is Kehar Singh, 73, who came to Saharia tribals dominated Karahal in Sheopur district, from Sirsa in Haryana, more than 600 km away, in 1996. He built a farm house over a piece of land measuring more than 25,000 sq feet in course of time in the midst of about 50 acre agriculture land near Gothra village.HT
Maharashtra: At least 8 feared dead in explosion at chemical factory in Palghar
https://scroll.in/latest/949568/maharashtra-at-least-eight-feared-dead-in-explosion-at-chemical-factory-in-palghar
Eight people were feared dead in a blast at a chemical factory in Tarapur chemical zone near Mumbai on Saturday evening, Hindustan Times reported. The factory is located in Palghar district, around 100 km from Mumbai. The blast occurred at the time of production.At least five people were seriously injured, according to the newspaper. The explosion, which took place around 7.20 pm, was so massive that it was heard 15 km away, police spokesperson Hemant Katkar told PTI.
Gujarat: 1,895 persons sought religious conversion in 5 years, 53% in Surat
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/freedom-of-religion-bill-religious-conversion-in-india-gujarat-surat-6210512/
Ahmedabad :In the past 5 years, 1,895 applications seeking religious conversion have been filed in Gujarat, of which 53% were from Surat. While more than 94% of the applicants were Hindus, about 4 percent were Muslims and a little over one percent were Christians.A total of 1,003 applications were received from the diamond and textile hub of Surat during the period between July, 2014 and June, 2019. This was revealed in data tabled by the state government in the Gujarat Assembly during its fifth session which concluded last month.Apart from Surat, the districts of Banaskantha (196 applicants), Junagadh (161), Anand (92) and Surendranagar (80) reported a significant number of applicants who wished to change their religion. Most of these were Hindus, stated the government’s reply to an unstarred question asked by Naushad Solanki, a Congress MLA from Dasada — a reserved Assembly seat for Scheduled Castes.indianexpress
WORLD
Protests in Tehran after Iran admits shooting down plane
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iranian-protesters-demand-khamenei-quit-downing-plane-200111171757858.html
A group of Iranian protesters has demanded Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders step down after Tehran admitted its forces mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, killing all 176 people on board."Commander-in-chief [Khamenei] resign, resign," videos posted on Twitter showed hundreds of people chanting in front of Tehran's Amir Kabir University on Saturday.Protesters chanted slogans denouncing "liars" and demanded the resignation and prosecution of those responsible for downing the plane and allegedly covering up the accidental action.Others on Twitter asked why the Boeing 737-800 was allowed to take off on Wednesday, at a time when tensions between US and Iran were so high - Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed moments after departing from Tehran, hours after Iran struck bases housing US troops in neighbouring Iraq in retaliation to the US assassination of a top Iranian commander last week.Fars news agency reported that Iranian police dispersed students that were chanting "destructive" and "radical" slogans during the gathering in the capital.UK confirmed its ambassador, Rob Macaire, was arrested briefly during the demonstrations, accused of "inciting" the protesters in front of the Amir Kabir University. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the arrest was a "flagrant violation of international law" and repeated calls for Iran to de-escalate tensions.aljazeera
Anger after Iran admits downing plane: All the latest updates
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/protests-iran-admits-downing-plane-latest-updates-200112055030204.html
US calls on Iran to apologize for arresting UK ambassador
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/us-calls-on-iran-to-apologize-for-arresting-uk-ambassador
US has called Iran to apologise for detaining British ambassador to Tehran, reportedly during protests against the regime.Iranian authorities briefly detained Britain's ambassador in Tehran on Saturday, according to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law," Raab said in a statement after the detention of Rob Macaire."This violates the Vienna Convention, which the regime has a notorious history of violating. We call on the regime to formally apologize to the UK for violating his rights and to respect the rights of all diplomats," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus tweeted.PTI
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim to visit Iran for talks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/qatar-emir-sheikh-tamim-visit-iran-talks-200112070120423.html
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is due to arrive in Iran's capital, Tehran, to hold talks with senior officials, including President Hassan Rouhani.The visit on Sunday comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following US assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes at US targets in Iraq.aljazeera
views, Articles, FEATURES
· Why NPR is more dangerous than the Assam NRC:Harsh Mander & Mohsin Alam Bhat
· https://scroll.in/article/949097/why-the-national-population-register-is-more-dangerous-than-the-assam-nrc?fbclid=IwAR26dwWQWOBewkmD3yMFFhB8aYb4RsI5iGSLQnzhh9w0TmFEBf96Dyo347I
· I am Hindu and I don’t want India to be a Hindu state:Aekta Kapoor
· https://www.cnbctv18.com/buzz/i-am-hindu-and-i-dont-want-india-to-be-a-hindu-state-5030021.htm?fbclid=IwAR2iv7MdXb5d4Tk9fusixOZlPdh1kcjSTOlnIyUnK_VZZNwgwDacqC_BHiU
· It’s clear now – the real fight of Modi govt’s supporters is against women:JYOTI YADAV
· https://theprint.in/opinion/its-clear-now-the-real-fight-of-modi-govts-supporters-is-against-women/348419/
· Delhi prof who said tombs & mosques were not just ‘Muslim’, but ‘Indian Muslim’:NARAYANI GUPTA, theprint
· https://theprint.in/opinion/sahapedia/the-delhi-prof-who-said-tombs-mosques-were-not-just-muslim-but-indian-muslim/348390/
· Nankana Sahib Is Undoing of Kartarpur's Movement Towards an Inclusive Pakistani Identity:Haroon Khalid, thewire
· https://thewire.in/religion/kartarpur-nankana-sahib-attack
· The Tragic Demise of a ‘Declared Foreigner’ at Goalpara Detention Centre:Abdul Kalam Azad, thewire
· https://thewire.in/rights/goalpara-detention-death-assam
· Ex-AMU V-C Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah writes: Why did police go berserk in Jamia, Aligarh but fail to act at JNU?
· https://scroll.in/article/949458/ex-amu-vice-chancellor-writes-why-did-police-go-berserk-in-jamia-aligarh-but-fail-to-act-at-jnu
· Fifth column: Difficult for BJP’s social media army to label Muslims, leftists, liberals as ‘anti-nationals’:Tavleen Singh
· https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/fifth-column-the-cost-of-abusing-power-6211995/
· Once upon a time in Morbi:Leena Misra , Gopal B Kateshiya
· https://indianexpress.com/article/india/morbi-engineering-college-protests-citizenship-amendment-act-caa-gujarat-6212019/
· Sunday Long Reads: Anti-CAA stir, Akbar Padamsee, cinema and more
· https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/sunday-long-reads-jnu-attack-caa-nrc-akbar-padamsee-cinema-6212498/
· Modi & Shah must wonder why the narrative is not following their script:Sujata Anandan
· https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/modi-and-shah-must-wonder-why-the-narrative-is-not-following-their-script
· India's education system, arrested by inequality and loopholes in policy, sets poor children up for failure:India Anjali Mody
· https://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-education-system-arrested-by-inequality-and-loopholes-in-policy-sets-poor-children-up-for-failure-7857241.html
· Outrage after Jeopardy! host rules Bethlehem not in Palestine:Usaid Siddiqui
· https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/jeopardy-episode-palestine-question-uproar-200111165110124.html
· Why the CAA is illogical, immoral and ill-timed, writes Ramachandra Guha
· https://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/why-the-caa-is-illogical-immoral-and-ill-timed-opinion/story-AwBFkNxmdQD4vPViar6iJJ.html
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