14 Jan 2020: 18 Jamadi-1, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 107
*anti-citizenship act stir*
Court slams Delhi Police, says protest a constitutional right, Jama Masjid is not Pakistan while hearing bail plea of Chandrashekhar Azad
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chandrashekhar-azad-bail-plea-delhi-court-jama-masjid-6215734/
During the bail plea hearing of Chandrashekhar Azad at Delhi’s Tis Hazari court, Judge Kamini Lau today came down heavilyon the public prosecutor saying the Bhim Army chief has a “constitutional right to protest.” “What is wrong with dharna? What is wrong with protesting? It is one’s constitutional right to protest,” she asked the prosecutor. The plea has been adjourned till tomorrow. Azad has been in jail since December 21 in connection with protests against CAA in Old Delhi’s Daryaganj area. Azad’s outfit had organised a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against Act on December 20 without police permission.“You are behaving as if Jama Masjid is Pakistan. Even if it was Pakistan, you can go there and protest. Pakistan was a part of undivided India,” Judge Lau said, stressing that the citizens have a right to protest. When the prosecutor mentioned that prior permission was needed, Judge Lau countered it saying that the SC has repeatedly said that the use of Section 144 is an “abuse.” The Judge also added that she had seen many people who had protested outside Parliament who later went on to become leaders and ministers. She also said that in things which should have been said in Parliament were not said, which is why people are out on the streets.In response to a post by Azad on social media ahead of his march which the prosecution had pointed to, the judge asked: “what’s wrong with them.”“I want you to show me under which law it is prohibited for someone to protest outside religious places”, the judge asked the Prosecutor. She asked Delhi Police to explain how they had broken the law, questioning the police about whether they read the Constitution.indianexpress
Is Jama Masjid in Pak, what's wrong in protesting: Delhi court on Chandrashekhar Azad's arrest
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/is-jama-masjid-in-pakistan-delhi-court-asks-police-on-chandrashekhar-azad-arrest-1636705-2020-01-14
Shaheen Bagh protest: Delhi HC dismisses plea seeking to open Kalindi Kunj road, says police's responsibility to manage traffic
https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-high-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-to-open-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-stretch-says-polices-responsibility-to-manage-traffic-7902431.html
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-high-court-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-caa-protests-6215713/
Saying that it is the responsibility of the police to manage traffic, the Delhi High Court today disposed of an application seeking directions on the removal of barricades from Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj stretch, which has been closed since 15 Dec.due to ongoing protests against the CAA."It ought to be kept in mind that whenever any agitation or protest is going on, situation is like fluid – keep on changing looking to the temperament of the protesters and resistances by other people. Simultaneously, police has to maintain the law and order. Hence, respondents have all power, jurisdiction and authority to control the traffic, wherever protests or agitations are going on, in the larger public interest. In such a situation, no specific writ, order or direction can be issued by this Court as to handle the agitation or protest or the place of protest and the traffic. It all depends upon the ground reality and the wisdom of the police, where situations may keep changing every 10 minutes," read the Delhi High Court order.On Monday, the HC had agreed to hear a PIL seeking to open Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch.The petition, filed by advocate and activist Amit Sahni, said the road closure is "causing huge inconvenience/hardship to lakhs of commuters every day and they are compelled to take different routes for last one month".Besides Delhi Police, the plea has made the Centre and the Delhi government as parties, seeking from them requisite assistance to the police in addressing the issue.firstpost
High Court Tells Delhi Police To Find Solution To End Road Closure At Kalindi Kunj Over Protests
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/high-court-tells-delhi-police-to-find-solution-to-end-road-closure-at-kalindi-kunj-over-protests-2163695
Shaheen Bagh protests: Review curbs as per your wisdom, HC tells Delhi Police
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-high-court-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-caa-protests-6215713/
Delhi Cops Told To Use "Persuasion" To End Shaheen Bagh Blockade: Sourceshttps://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shaheen-bagh-protest-caa-delhi-cops-told-to-use-persuasion-to-end-shaheen-bagh-blockade-sources-2163970?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: For nearly a month, hundreds of women and children sitting on a road at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi have become the face of the countrywide protests against the CAA, which makes religion a criteria for Indian citizenship for the first time. Today, the police started the process of clearing that stretch of the city following orders from the Delhi High Court on a petition citing huge traffic problems on a vital connecting road.The police have been directed to use "persuasion" rather than force to open the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj road, a senior official has told NDTV.The police are in touch with religious leaders and have urged them to persuade protesters to clear the way, the official said.ndtv
CAA against Right to Equality: Kerala govt moves SC, first state to do so
New Delhi: For nearly a month, hundreds of women and children sitting on a road at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi have become the face of the countrywide protests against the CAA, which makes religion a criteria for Indian citizenship for the first time. Today, the police started the process of clearing that stretch of the city following orders from the Delhi High Court on a petition citing huge traffic problems on a vital connecting road.The police have been directed to use "persuasion" rather than force to open the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj road, a senior official has told NDTV.The police are in touch with religious leaders and have urged them to persuade protesters to clear the way, the official said.ndtv
CAA against Right to Equality: Kerala govt moves SC, first state to do so
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-govt-moves-supreme-court-against-caa-1636630-2020-01-14
Kerala government led by Pinarayi Vijayan has moved the Supreme Court against CAA saying the amended law is against the provisions of Right to Equality granted by the Indian Constitution.With this, Kerala government is the first state government to move the SC against the Citizenship Act, to which several states have raised objections. Kerala was also the first state assembly to move a resolution against CAA.LDF government of Kerala has challenged CAA and also Passport Act and Foreigners Act Rules.In its petition, Kerala government has said that the CAA should be declared violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution and basic structure of secularism in India.indiatoday
JNU:Seize phones of members of WhatsApp groups that plotted the attack, HC tells police
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-violence-delhi-hc-googlewhatsapp-cctv-footage-delhi-police-6215805/
Delhi High Court today directed Google and Whatsapp to preserve and provide information sought by Delhi Police in connection with January 5 violence inside JNU campus. It also asked the police to seize the phones of members of 2 WhatsApp groups — Unity Against Left and Friends of RSS — on which the incident was allegedly plotted.Justice Brijesh Sethi directed Google to preserve data from Google Drive as early as possible on January 5 violence. WhatsApp, however, said because of end-to-end encryption, it cannot preserve data. The HC also directed the JNU administration to provide CCTV footage of the incident to Delhi police at earliest.The court was hearing a petition filed by 3 JNU professors — Ameet Parameswaran, Atul Sood, and Shukla Vinayak Sawant — seeking to preserve CCTV footage, WhatsApp conversations and other evidence related to the violence that unleashed on campus of the premier institution injuring over 30 students and teachers.Meanwhile, Delhi Police Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, will on Tuesday question 2 suspects — Sucheta Taluqdar and Priya Ranjan — and some of those who were injured in the rampage. The cops will also question those who called the police control rooms on the day of the violence, they said. On Monday Delhi Police had told the high court that they have written to WhatsApp Inc to provide it with details of 2 groups created on January 5 to allegedly mobilise miscreants from inside and outside JNU.indianexpress
Delhi Police to question 2 suspects in JNU violence case today; forensic officials to collect evidence from university campus
https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-police-to-question-two-suspects-in-jnu-violence-case-today-forensic-officials-to-collect-evidence-from-university-campus-7904101.html
Delhi Police's Crime Branch, which is probing the JNU violence case, on Tuesday will question two suspects and some who were injured in the attack by a masked mob on 5 January, officials said.Police will also question those who made calls to police control rooms on the day of the violence, they said. Sucheta Taluqdar and Priya Ranjan will be questioned along with some people who were injured in the attack, officials said.The officials said a Forensic Science Laboratory team (Cyber) will also be visiting the campus to collect evidence.PTI
Delhi Minorities Commission appeals to CJI to take cognizance of police brutality against CAA, NRC protesters
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dmc-appeals-cji-sa-bobde-to-take-cognizance-police-brutality-against-caa-nrc-protesters-1636740-2020-01-14
Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has appealed to CJI SA Bobde to take cognizance of the alleged police brutalities during recent protests against the CAA and NRC in various parts of the country.Zafarul Islam Khan, DMC chairman, in a letter to CJI SA Bobde, said that police behaviour in various states has been "highly objectionable" during the protests against CAA and NRC. Zafarul Khan in his January 10 letter has attached a list of 87 instances of "police brutality" against protesters in UP, Karnataka, Assam, J&K, Gujarat and Delhi.PTI
UP Police electrocuted, arrested me for giving legal aid to anti-CAA protestors: Rajasthan lawyer Faisal
https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/up-police-electrocuted-arrested-me-for-giving-legal-aid-to-anti-caa-protestors-kota-lawyer-1636579-2020-01-14?fbclid=IwAR2XOV2M-vPdoWzjcNoTugeBae5WoHQO2vddcqlPcbVvEJIEC7QrNsjrioQ
Jaipur: Mohammad Faisal, a Rajasthan based lawyer, has accused Uttar Pradesh Police of wrongful arrest during the ongoing anti-CAA protests in the state.Faisal, a lawyer based out of Kota district in Rajasthan, has claimed that he had visited Uttar Pradesh's Shamli to help people involved in anti-CAA protests, who were falsely implicated by UP Police.He claimed that he was wrongly picked by SOG team of Uttar Pradesh Police from inside the Kairana Court in UP's Shamli. He alleged that he was arrested by the UP Police despite telling them that he was a lawyer from Rajasthan who was there to help people by providing them legal aid.Faisal claimed that he was electrocuted four to five times and subjected to physical torture by UP Police's SOG in custody.He has also claimed that the police levelled "false charges" of spreading violence and also that he was involved in anti-CAA protests when he was not."When I was providing legal aid to people inside Kairana Court, Shamli, I had gone for legalese, then at 5 in the evening, SOG team arrived and was about to take me by arresting me. I opposed them. I told them that I am an advocate and a local advocate who was also there with me, he also opposed it," Faisal said."After that, I was taken to Kairana station, then I showed them my Rajasthan Bar Council ID. Police told me my ID is fake. They claimed I am from West Bengal and have come here to spread violence," he added.Faisal alleged, "I was physically assaulted, mentally tortured, filthy abuses were hurled. After that, SOG team electrocuted as well ... I was electrocuted four to 5 times ...On asking their name, I was slapped. After that, I was put inside the lock-up at 11 in the night and a fraudulent FIR based on protest incident of December 20 was filed against me. On the basis of an FIR on December 22, I was arrested and on the 24th, I was produced in the Court, from where I was sent to judicial custody," Mohammad Faisal said.Kota lawyer also said that UP Police had claimed that he was a member of PFI and was involved in distributing pamphlets for them.Faisal claimed that he has never had any association with PFI and that he was associated with NCHRO which was involved in providing legal aid. He was produced before the court in Kairana and from there, he was sent to jail where he had to spend 13 to 14 days in judicial custody.Faisal has said that he will be filing a case against the UP Police who he accused of defaming him. indiatoday
Muslim Lawyer Arrested by UP Police Over 'Militant Links' after anti CAA protests, Narrates Ordeal
https://thewire.in/rights/muslim-lawyer-arrested-by-up-police-over-militant-links-narrates-ordeal
CAA protest: ‘You are a Hindu, why are you friends with Muslims’, police asked activist in custody
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/caa-protest-you-are-a-hindu-why-are-you-friends-with-muslims-police-asked-activist-in-police-custody/article30565299.ece?homepage=true&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR0FEf5VhCrruB_nR3emHZhl_EzBEaai0CyvkpQJ8wvcqg2TFjXJ5vd9Of8
“You are a Hindu, why are you friends with Muslims.” This is what the Uttar Pradesh police allegedly told Robin Verma, an activist and teacher, who was arrested in connection with the protests against CAA in Lucknow on December 20. Released from the Lucknow district jail on Tuesday after being granted bail last week, Verma narrated his ordeal to The Hindu and alleged that police physically tortured and insulted him and even threatened to degrade his wife and infant daughter. Verma said police scanned his phone, which is still in their custody along with his driver’s licence, and insulted him for having Muslims on his contact list and WhatsApp chats. “A [Muslim] student of mine had wished me on my birthday. They saw the message and asked me why do you know him. Why do you have Muslim names on your phone list? Why are you friends with them? Why do you go with them,” Verma said.The Hindu
Injured anti-CAA protest in UP, man succumbs; Firozabad death toll reaches 7
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/injured-in-firozabad-protest-on-december-20-man-succumbs-6215161/
A 26-year-old man, who suffered a bullet injury during anti-CAA protests in UP’s Firozabad on December 20, succumbed to his injuries late Sunday night. With this, at least 20 people have died in UP alone during anti-CAA protests. Mohammad Abrar, a daily wage labourer, was first admitted to a government hospital in Agra, and then sent to Delhi, where he was operated upon at Indraprastha Apollo hospital.He suffered a gunshot wound in the spine.Abrar’s brother Abdul Mukhtalib said, “At the hospital, we were told that he is paralysed waist down but he had made it out alive. On January 9, he was discharged from the hospital and brought back home to Firozabad. On Sunday, at 11 pm,he died.” Abrar is survived by his wife and their 6-year-old son. Abrar’s brother said, “On the day of the violence last month, my brother was on a bike and was returning home when he was shot at. Eyewitnesses there told us that he was shot by the police. Around 6 pm, we found out that Abrar had been taken to a hospital.” It takes the toll of those killed in Firozabad to 7.indianexpress/PTI
Muslim women on indefinite protest against CAA, NRC in Allahabad
https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/muslim-women-on-indefinite-protest-against-caa-nrc-in-allahabad.html
Muslim women are holding an indefinite protest against CAA and NRC in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad district. The women, in large numbers, began their protest at Mansoor Ali Park on Sunday. Sara Ahmed, one of the protesters, alleged that Union government is indulging in "communal attacks"."CAA and NRC are not two different things.They are connected," Ahmed claimed. She alleged that an attempt is being made to "destroy" the basic structure of the Constitution through CAA and NRC. Women from Chowk, Kareli, Chakiya and other areas of the city are joining the protest."We are being asked to prove our citizenship despite the fact that our ancestors have lived in this country. How will we produce proofs of our forefathers," said Seema Aazad. Another woman said their agitation will continue till the NRC is scrapped.republicworld
As AMU reopens, VC seeks security for himself, family citing threats from 'lumpen elements'
https://www.news18.com/news/india/as-amu-reopens-today-vc-seeks-security-for-himself-family-citing-threats-from-lumpen-elements-2455499.html
Aligarh: Professor Tariq Mansoor, V-C of AMU, has sought from the state authorities extra security for himself and his family before the university reopens on January 13, citing threats from "lumpen elements and outsiders".AMU was closed early for winter vacations from December 16, a day after students clashed with police during a protest against the contentious CAA on campus.VC has written a letter to the state authorities, including DGP and the home secretary, asking for extra security for himself and his family in view of threats posed by "lumpen elements and outsiders, including some rusticated students.”The letter, which was marked as 'secret', has somehow been leaked in the media, sources said. Later, Mansoor said in a statement that he has no problem if "students exercise their democratic rights by holding peaceful protests" against any legislation which is rankling them. Meanwhile, AMU Teachers Association (AMUTA) passed a resolution urging VC to take necessary steps to ensure that "false and exaggerated charges" levelled against students by police after Dec 15 violence are withdrawn.News18
CAA: Microsoft boss Satya Nadella calls India's new citizenship law 'sad'
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51101766
Microsoft boss Satya Nadella has spoken out about India's controversial new citizenship law.India-born executive said what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant succeed in the country's technology industry.His comments come amid ongoing, sometimes violent, protests against the law.he CAA has been criticised as it is seen as discriminating against Muslims.Speaking at a Microsoft event for editors in New York, Nadella said:"I think what is happening is sad,primarily as sort of someone who grew up there...I think it's just bad," according to BuzzFeed."I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes next CEO of Infosys," he said. Nadella grew up in Hyderabad-India's technology hub-but is now an American citizen.Soon afterwards Microsoft India issued a statement quoting Nadella where he reiterates his hope for "an India where an immigrant can aspire to found a prosperous start-up".But adds that "every country will and should define its borders,protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly."BBC
'...Bangladeshi Creating Unicorn in India': Amid CAA Debate, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's View
https://www.news18.com/news/india/satya-nadella-microsoft-ceo-citizenship-amendment-act-bangladesh-2457029.html
CAA: Malaysia’s PM says ‘concerned’ about palm oil boycott but will speak against ‘wrong things’
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/caa-row-malaysias-pm-says-concerned-about-palm-oil-boycott-but-will-speak-against-wrong-things-6215727/
Malaysia is concerned about India's new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against “wrong things” even if it costs his country financially.India, the world's biggest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules that traders say effectively ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the world's second-biggest producer and exporter of palm oil after Indonesia.The move came after New Delhi objected to Mahathir's criticism of India's new religion-based citizenship law. As Malaysian palm refiners stare at a massive loss of business, Mahathir said his government would find a solution.“We are concerned of course because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand we need to be frank and see that if something goes wrong, we will have to say it,” he told reporters. “If we allow things to go wrong and think only about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things will be done, by us and by other people.” Reuters reported on Monday the Indian government had informally instructed traders to stay away from Malaysian palm oil.To make up for the potential loss, Malaysian officials say they are trying to sell more to Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria and Jordan.But replacing the top buyer won't be easy, and that's why the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, whose members include palm workers, has urged the two countries to talk things out.REUTERS
Indian diaspora protests CAA-NRC in Munich; demonstration part of fresh round of agitations across Europe this month
https://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-diaspora-protests-caa-nrc-in-munich-demonstration-part-of-fresh-round-of-agitations-across-europe-this-month-7902031.html
A section of Indian diaspora in Munich gathered at Odeonsplatz on Saturday, a tourist hotspot in the city centre, to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act, NRA, and the police violence against students and protesters in India. This is 2nd protest conducted by Indian diaspora in Munich against CAA-NRC.In Munich, protesters held slogans urging Indian government to uphold the values of the Indian Constitution. The demonstration was also in solidarity with the attacks on JNU, police brutality against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia and AMU, as well as heavy-handed crackdown against peaceful protests in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka.Banners and posters declared solidarity with student protests in India and also with women’s protests such as the one at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, where hundreds of women — including new mothers — have been protesting for the past 4 weeks against CAA-NRC. Slogans were also raised in Bengali, English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu. Cities across Europe saw a renewed round of protests over the last week. On Sunday, protests against CAA-NRC were held in Amsterdam, on Friday and Saturday, protests were held in German cities of Aachen, Berlin, and Munich. London saw several rounds of protests including on 4 and 11 Jan. Edinburgh saw protests on Friday, while demonstrations were held in Stockholm on 4 January.firstpost
India is abandoning fundamental rights:35 US human rights lawyers
https://thewire.in/rights/caa-nrc-kashmir-india-fundamental-rights
In a statement, a group of 35 human and civil rights lawyers of South Asian descent have expressed grave concerns about “ongoing legal abuses and human rights atrocities” in India. Their statement covers CAA and NRC, and the way protests against the two have been cracked down on by the government, as well as the Central govts actions in Kashmir.“The crisis unfolding in India today is rooted in a long history of impunity and failed democratic institutions,” signatories have said. They say that India has not been able to keep its minorities safe, and violence against the marginalised has become commonplace.“BJP and PM Modi have built upon this troubled history with a Hindutva nationalist agenda,” they continue. To counter this, they argue, US lawmakers must raise their voice and take action, by condemning the CAA and NRC, and also demanding that legal observers and foreign journalists be allowed complete access in Kashmir.thewire
Citizenship Act protests: 61 people in Hyderabad booked for flash protest against law
https://scroll.in/latest/949839/citizenship-act-protests-61-people-in-hyderabad-booked-for-flash-protest-against-law
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-who-staged-flash-protest-against-caa-hyderabad-booked-unlawful-assembly-116046
Hyderabad Police on Monday registered a case against activist Khalida Parveen and some students of the University of Hyderabad for organising a flash protest against CAA in Tolichowki on Sunday. All participants in the protest were women. The police said the protestors were not granted permission, and Parveen, 65, was booked under IPC sections related to unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint and public nuisance.“Protest caused a lot of public nuisance and inconvenience and obstruction of free flow of traffic towards Mehdipatnam and towards Raidurgam area,” said Venkatramana, the sub-inspector who filed the case. “I have taken custody of 61 members and photographs of the protest through video cameras. Others have absconded.”Parveen said the protestors would seek legal advice.“My work is activism,” she added. “NRC and CAA are completely against the spirit of the Constitution. If we do not raise our voices now, then when will we?” The activist said the protestors were not afraid of being attacked with batons, and prison. “We are using our democratic right to dissent,” she added.A few women had started the protest under Tolichowki flyover on Sunday.They held the national flag and squatted on the road. Soon, the crowd of protestors swelled. The demonstrators raised slogans such as “Modi your dictatorship will not work and “kaala kanoon wapas lo” (repeal this black law).The News Minute
Police book cases against University of Hyderabad students for CAA, NRC protests
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140120/police-book-cases-against-university-of-hyderabad-students-for-caa-nr.html
IPS officer Abdur Rehman who quit over CAA offered waqf post by Maharashtra government
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/state-offers-waqf-post-to-ips-officer-who-quit-over-caa/articleshow/73236456.cms
IPS officer Abdur Rehman, who had resigned in protest hours after the CAA was passed in Rajya Sabha, has been offered a post in state waqf board.The minorities affairs ministry, which oversees the waqf board, has asked him to continue to serve the people through the board, instead of quitting. The central government is yet to accept Rehman's resignation.Confirming that an offer has been made, Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said his ministry needs "an upright officer" to ensure transparency and quick disposal of cases before the waqf board.Sources said Rehman has sought time to respond to the offer.Rehman was the first government official to express his dissent over CAA. mumbaimirror
Gandhi manifest in anarchist movements led by people, says Oxford professor Faisal
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gandhi-manifest-in-anarchist-movements-led-by-people-says-oxford-prof-6215230/
Mumbai :Amid protests against CAA, NRC and NPR across the country, author and Oxford University professor Faisal Devji has said that “the presence of Mahatma Gandhi is manifest in the leaderless, anarchist movements” led by the people. Devji, Professor of Indian History at University of Oxford and Fellow of St Antony’s College, said, “What I find interesting about these protests today are that they are rightly, perhaps, launched in the name of the Constitution and its ideals of equal citizenship. In a way, they are accusing the state of falling short of its own founding document, its own professed ideals. They have effect because they have taken ownership of nationalism. Gandhi is a strange fish in these waters because he was not a statist, he did not like the state. He was an anarchist, philosophically,” Devji said.indianexpress
India's Ruling Party Lawmaker Threatens to Shoot Protesters: New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/13/world/asia/ap-as-india-ruling-party-threat.html?fbclid=IwAR2G4ECqFhgOXAAgUOITpEAa3-8huGAqNvUoK9xr5kdyKNPPdysf_jC2l48
Head of Indian PM Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP in the state of West Bengal has threatened to shoot and jail people who protest a new citizenship law that has triggered a month of nationwide demonstrations. Dilip Ghosh, a member of India's Parliament and the president of BJP in West Bengal, made the comments to party members on Sunday in a district of the state that borders Bangladesh.Cabinet Union Minister Babul Supriyo distanced BJP from Ghosh's comments, calling them “very irresponsible” on Twitter on Monday.“Look at Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, our government has shot these demons like dogs," Ghosh said.NYT
Protests against CAA should continue even without opposition unity: Amartya Sen
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/protests-caa-continue-without-opposition-unity-amartya-sen-1502845093.html
New Delhi :Nobel prize winner economist Amartya Sen on Monday stressed the need for opposition unity in the country for carrying forward the protests against the CAA but said even if unity is not there, the protesters still have to move on and do whatever is necessary.“Opposition unity is important for any kind of protest. Protest becomes easier then,” Sen told media persons on the sidelines of the first Nabanita Deb Sen Memorial Lecture, which was delivered by him. Sen, however, said the protests shouldn’t stop if unity among the parties is not there.“Unity is important if the protest is for a proper cause. But if unity is not there, it doesn’t mean that we will stop protesting.“As I said, unity makes protests easier, but if unity is not there, we still have to move on and do whatever is necessary,” he added.Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, meanwhile, has supported Sen’s comment.thestatesman
Protests against CAA should continue even without opposition unity: Amartya Sen
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/protests-caa-continue-without-opposition-unity-amartya-sen-1502845093.html
New Delhi :Nobel prize winner economist Amartya Sen on Monday stressed the need for opposition unity in the country for carrying forward the protests against the CAA but said even if unity is not there, the protesters still have to move on and do whatever is necessary.“Opposition unity is important for any kind of protest. Protest becomes easier then,” Sen told media persons on the sidelines of the first Nabanita Deb Sen Memorial Lecture, which was delivered by him. Sen, however, said the protests shouldn’t stop if unity among the parties is not there.“Unity is important if the protest is for a proper cause. But if unity is not there, it doesn’t mean that we will stop protesting.“As I said, unity makes protests easier, but if unity is not there, we still have to move on and do whatever is necessary,” he added.Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, meanwhile, has supported Sen’s comment.thestatesman
Amartya Sen: ‘Should be deeply aware of what we are protesting against’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amartya-sen-should-be-deeply-aware-of-what-we-are-protesting-against-6215211/
Police enter Gujarat Vidyapith, disrupt kite festival carrying anti-CAA messages
https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/police-enter-gujarat-vidyapith-disrupt-kite-festival-carrying-anti-caa-messages/articleshow/73243600.cms
Gujarat police on Tuesday allegedly entered Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad and disrupted a protest planned by the students to raise their voice and concerns over the CAA and NRC.The incident took place a month after over 1,000 students and faculty of IIMs issued a statement against CAA calling it 'discriminatory and violative of the Constitution'.On the occasion of Uttarayan, the students had decided to protest against CAA by flying the kites with a message written — No CAA, No NRC.The students also confronted the police who were asking them to show their ID cards for entering college without permission."You are welcome (in the varsity), but if you have come wearing an official uniform, you must have taken permission. Then show us that permission. You can't see our identification card inside the campus," the students said confronting the police.Later, the students stopped the police and said, "You can't ask us for ID cards. We can do whatever we want on campus. This is Central university, why is the state police here?"ahmedabadmirror
CAA protest: Bengaluru's Church Street filled with 'Free Kashmir', BJP 'cancer' graffiti; Modi called a 'fascist'
https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/citizenship-act-protest-bengalurus-church-street-filled-with-free-kashmir-bjp-cancer-graffiti-modi-called-a-fascist-794427.html
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/no-caa-free-kashmir-graffiti-found-bengaluru-s-church-street-walls-116057
Graffiti on the walls of Bengaluru’s Church Street has been there for a long time. But if you looked at the graffiti closely on Tuesday morning, there were some additions. “Free Kashmir”, “Fascist Modi Resign”, “No CAA”, “No NRC” was some of the writing found on the walls on the walls of Church Street. Some of the words were spray painted on the already existing graffiti on abandoned walls and shutters of Shringar Shopping Complex opposite the Times Now office.More such slogans, such as “BJP is cancer, kill it before it kills you” and “I will not show my papers” were spray painted on walls adjoining the MG Road metro station on the Church Street exit.Cubbon Park Police Station Inspector B Iyyana Reddy told TNM that an FIR will be registered by them on a suo motu basis, and no suspects have been identified yet. When asked under what sections FIR will be registered, he said, “At this moment we cannot disclose further details.”thenewsminute
Bengaluru sees record 82 protests in just one month on CAA and NRC
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2020/jan/14/bengaluru-sees-record-82-protests-in-just-one-month-2089262.amp?fbclid=IwAR1B3aYUoC1_4MdrcBNwtmH0SZYV6FzlvDMiBGyc88-l8jjdVNC8v8DLtiQ
Bengaluru could soon have the tag of ‘Protest City’, adding to its numerous tags. The city has witnessed a record number of protests in a month ever witnessed in history. A whopping 82 protests have been staged in Bengaluru since December 12 when Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee held first anti-CAA and NRC protest -- a figure which City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao says could well be more than total number of similar protests held in New Delhi.newindianexpress
Odisha: Bajrang Dal activist booked for threatening to kill CAA protesters in 'video'
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/cuttack/bajrang-dal-activist-booked-for-threatening-to-kill-caa-protesters-in-video/articleshow/73225042.cms
Sambalpur: The police on Sunday registered a case against Bajrang Dal district convener Tapan Pattnaik after a video surfaced that purportedly shows him threatening to shoot anyone who opposes the CAA. As the video went viral, the Sambalpur unit of Bhim Army lodged a complaint with Dhanupali police demanding Pattnaik's arrest.In the video, Pattnaik is seen telling members of the minority community to abide by the Centre's move on CAA. "If anyone refuses to abide by the CAA and tries to create disturbance, the person will be shot," Pattnaik is seen saying. From the video it is unclear where it was shot and when.TOI
*J&K AND S. ASIA*
Situation in Kashmir Violates Human Rights: US Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
https://thewire.in/world/situation-in-kashmir-violates-human-rights-us-congresswoman-debbie-dingell
Washington: “The situation in Kashmir violates human rights,” a US Congresswoman has said, as she joined as cosponsors to a resolution urging India to end restrictions on communications and mass detentions in the newly-created Union Territory.The resolution No 745 that was introduced in the House of Representatives last year by Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal now has 36 cosponsors, of whom two are Republicans and 34 from the opposition Democratic Party. “The situation in Kashmir violates human rights. Thousands have been detained unjustly & millions are without access to the internet & telephones,” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said in a tweet Monday night.“That’s why I signed onto House Resolution 745 so the US can let the world know we will not stand by while these violations happen,” she said.Dingell represents 12th Congressional District of Michigan.The Congressional resolution is currently before the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action.thewire
Hizb militants led police to rogue officer
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hizb-ul-militants-led-police-to-singh/article30560793.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar :Police had been on the trail of J&K DSP Davinder Singh for at least 2 days before his arrest on Saturday, a senior govt official said on Monday.Singh was arrested while travelling in a vehicle with two wanted Hizb-ul Mujahideen militants and a lawyer. Preliminary questioning of DSP has suggested that he had been sheltering militants in lieu of money and wanted top Hizb-ul Mujahideen commander Syed Naveed Mushtaq alias Babu and his accomplices did stay in his house located next to 15 Corps’ HQRS in Srinagar’s high security Badamibagh area on Friday.Officers of the country’s top intelligence gathering agencies — IB and RAW — also questioned Singh in Kashmir. Official sources said agencies were looking into his connections within Kashmir and outside, especially across the border in Pakistan.“So far, the investigations could not establish his links with any other police officer or colleague within the police department or him being in touch directly with people in Pakistan or PoK. However, investigations are still on and operation is being widened,” an official said.The police officer came under the security agencies’ radar after two top Hizb militants, including cop-turned-militant commander Babu and Rafi Ahmad, and lawyer Irfan Shafi left south Kashmir on Friday and headed towards Srinagar. They also made several phone calls on the way.According to police sources, the police officer arranged for trio to move from Shopian to Srinagar. 3 militants headed straight for Singh’s Srinagar house.thehindu
Interrogation on: DySP Davinder Singh sheltered militants at J&K home, say cops:indianexpress
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/interrogation-on-dysp-davinder-singh-sheltered-militants-at-jk-home-say-cops-6215050/
What if DSP Singh was Khan, asks Congress's Adhir Ranjan, demands fresh probe in Pulwama attack
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/what-if-dsp-davindar-singh-was-khan-congress-demands-pulwama-probe-1636684-2020-01-14
New Delhi:Opposition leader Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has asked what if Jammu and Kashmir Police DSP Davinder Singh was a Muslim.In a series of tweets, Adhir Ranjan has said "enemies of the country" should not be spared, irrespective of their social background."Had Davindar Singh by default been Davindar Khan, the reaction of troll regiment of RSS would have been more strident and vociferous. Enemies of our country ought to be condemned irrespective of Colour, Creed, and Religion," the Congress leader has said.Congress leader has further said, "The chink in the armour is exposed in the valley much to the consternation of us, we cannot afford ourselves to be penny wise and pound foolish.""Now question will certainly be arisen as to who were the real culprits behind the gruesome Pulwama incident, need a fresh look on it," said Chowdhury.indiatoday
4 soldiers, 5 civilians killed in two avalanches in Kashmir
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-avalanche-hits-army-post-machil-soldiers-killed-loc-6215723/
3 Army soldiers, one BSF man and 5 civilians have been killed in 3 separate avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir since Monday night, PTI reported. While 3 soldiers were killed and one went missing after an avalanche hit an Army post along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Machil sector today, a BSF jawan was killed and 6 others were rescued after an avalanche along LoC in Naugam sector at 8:30 PM on Monday, officials said. indianexpress
Lost generation of Kashmir’s Ikhwanis looks at politics to revive relevance in ‘new J&K’:theprint
https://theprint.in/india/lost-generation-of-kashmirs-ikhwanis-looks-at-politics-to-revive-relevance-in-new-jk/348649/
Lolab (J&K): For more than 18 years now, Nazir Ahmad has rarely been out of his home, which adjoins an Army camp at the secluded village of Lolab in Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Ahmad, now 60, is a former member of the Ikhwan force — the state-backed controversial counter-insurgency militia that played a crucial role in breaking the backbone of Kashmir militancy at its peak in 1990s. However, force, comprising surrendered militants, was accused of having carried out massive human rights violations, extortion and unleashing terror in the region. It’s a past that has now come to haunt the former Ikhwanis. Ahmad takes pride in counting the number of militants he killed after 1993 but he lives in fear every moment.After all, even his comrades in positions of power have been murdered over the years. Among them is Mohammed Yusuf Parray alias Kukka Parray, supreme commander of Ikhwan and later a legislator, and more recently Abdul Rashid Parray alias Rashid Billa, ex chief commander of Ikhwan, who was gunned down at his home in 2017. “Along with the Army, my group had killed nearly 150 militants and made around 250 surrender, of whom 117 gave up arms in a single day. But we have lost our families too,” he says. Ahmad says soon after word spread that he had joined the Ikhwaans, militants landed up at his village one day and killed his brother, brother-in-law and 6 of his comrades. His house was burnt down. But Ahmad says his work did not reap any dividends. Ahmad says he and his comrades would want to join politics and contest for the sarpanch posts before making the step up to the assembly elections. The mainstreaming of Ikhwanis, however, will not be an easy ride considering their reputation in the Valley. theprint
*ECONOMY*
Economic slowdown woes: 16 lakh fewer jobs in FY20, reveals SBI research report
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/economic-slowdown-woes-16-lakh-fewer-jobs-in-fy20-reveals-sbi-research-report
The economic slowdown has adversely impacted employment generation in the country as nearly 16 lakh fewer jobs are projected to be created in FY20 compared to 89.7 lakh fresh jobs in FY19, a report by SBI said.According to the SBI research report- Ecowrap, there is a decline in remittances in a few states like Assam and Rajasthan, reflecting downsizing of contractual labourers."In FY19, India had created 89.7 lakh new payrolls as per EPFO data. In FY20, as per current projected this number could be at least 15.8 lakh lower," the report said.EPFO data primarily covers low paid jobs as the salary is capped at Rs 15,000 per month. As per the calculation done by the report, during April-Oct.2019, the actual net new payroll was 43.1 lakh which annualised comes out to be 73.9 lakh for FY20. EPFO data does not cover government jobs, state government jobs and private jobs as such data have moved to NPS, beginning 2004.PTI
Bengaluru co-op bank customers panic as RBI imposes restriction on withdrawals
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bengaluru-co-op-bank-customers-panic-as-rbi-imposes-restriction-on-withdrawals-6216260/
Bengaluru:Panicked customers of Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank today thronged the bank to withdraw their money, after RBI imposed restrictions on withdrawals.RBI had on January 10 stopped the bank from doing business with immediate effect, for alleged irregularities in transactions. According to RBI, customers can withdraw only Rs 35,000 from their savings account, current account or any other deposit account. On Monday, the Bank chairman, K Ramakrishna, told customers 62 loans had locked up Rs 300 crore of deposit. “The money is safe with the bank and people don’t need to worry,” he said. Most customers of the Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank are retired employees and senior citizens. Speaking to indianexpress.com, Mukund Rao, retired headmaster and bank customer, said “They (bank) made a big mess by giving unsecured loans to 62 people without proper documents. Now, RBI instructions have made us face the consequences.”Many had deposited their retirement benefits in the bank for a high rate of interest. “I am a retired person and whatever retirement benefits I received were deposited in this bank. I have been associated with the bank for the past five years, never faced any problem. But now, this has happened. There is no clarity from the bank or from RBI,” Balakrishna, a customer, said.Customers who face hospital bills or marriages in their family are especially worried. Nagarathna, a housewife from Basavanagaudi, said, “There are many allegations against the bank. Some are saying the bank management has given loans without proper documents to politicians. The government should probe this and return our money. Many people here have emergencies, but can’t get at their money.”M Vasudev Maiya, chief advisor of the bank, said there was no need to worry.indianexpress
Bad news! RBI restricts cash withdrawals up to Rs 35,000 in a Bengaluru bank
https://www.ndtv.com/business/rbi-imposes-withdrawal-limit-of-rs-35-000-for-sri-guru-raghavendra-sahakara-bank-account-holders-2163799
‘Don’t panic’, Tejasvi Surya tells depositors as RBI caps withdrawal limit of Bengaluru bank
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/bjp-mp-tejasvi-surya-to-co-operative-bank-depositors-dont-panic-fm-sitharaman-personally-monitoring-situation-6215590/
India’s wholesale inflation rises to 2.59 per cent in December: Govt data
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/india-wpi-wholesale-inflation-rises-2-59-per-cent-in-december-government-data-6215788/
New Delhi :The wholesale inflation across the country rose to 2.59 per cent in December, according to the data released by Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The wholesale price index (WPI) grew 0.58 per cent during the month of Nov 2019 and it rose to 3.46 per cent in December 2018, data showed.The rise in WPI during the previous month was attributed to the spike in the prices of food articles like onion and potato.indianexpress
Govt appoints Patra as new RBI deputy governor
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/government-appoints-michael-patra-as-new-rbi-deputy-governor-6215626/
New Delhi :The government today appointed Michael Patra as deputy governor of RBI.Patra, who is presently Executive Director at the central bank and is in charge of the research department of RBI has a seat on 6-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).indianexpress
*OTHERS*
SC junks curative pleas filed by 2 Nirbhaya convicts, clears way for execution on Jan 22
https://www.news18.com/news/india/nirbhaya-verdict-live-updates-2012-delhi-gang-rape-supreme-court-2457621.html
New Delhi: A 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the curative pleas filed by Nirbhaya case convicts Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh, paving the way for their execution on January 22. The bench of Justices NV Ramana, Arun Mishra, RF Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, which was hearing the pleas, found no merit in the petitions.Vinay and Mukesh had moved a curative petition — the last legal remedy available to convicts — in the top court after a Delhi court issued a death warrant in their name and announced January 22 as the date of their execution. 2 other convicts Pawan and Akshay are also slated to be executed on the same day at 7am in Delhi's Tihar Jail premises.Alleging systematic bias against poor, Vinay had cited the Jessica Lall murder case, stating that Siddharth Vashisht/Manu Sharma was given life imprisonment and not death sentence despite it being a "brutal and unprovoked murder of a defenceless woman".The execution will take place on in Jail No 3, he said, adding that UP Prison authority has confirmed that Pawan Jallad from Meerut will be sent to hang the four convicts.news18
Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: SC unhappy with CBI probe report on ‘larger conspiracy’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajiv-gandhi-assassination-case-supreme-court-unhappy-with-cbi-probe-report-on-larger-conspiracy/article30565248.ece?homepage=true
The Supreme Court expressed its unhappiness with the status report of the CBI on the probe into the larger conspiracy behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu in 1991.Instead of revealing the progress made to unearth the truth, the report filed in the SC by the investigating agency merely parrots its past reports over the years.“We are not happy with the report,” a Bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta said on Tuesday.The court called for the presence of a senior law officer, an Additional Solicitor General to appear and kept the case on hold to be taken up later.thehindu
Telangana Town Tense After Clashes, Internet Suspended In 4 Districts
https://www.ndtv.com/telangana-news/bhainsa-telangana-town-tense-after-clashes-houses-set-on-fire-19-injured-2163617?pfrom=home-topstories
A town in Telangana's Adilabad district, 304 km from Hyderabad, remains tense as at least 19 people, including 8 police personnel, were injured after clashes broke out between people of two communities on Sunday. Thirteen houses were set on fire and 26 vehicles were burnt in the violence that continued the next day.Large gatherings have been banned in the town of Bhainsa till tomorrow and internet has been suspended by the state authorities in Adilabad and 3 other districts.The violence started on Sunday night after some residents of Bhainsa objected to noise created by revving up of bikes without silencers by some young men.Even as reconciliation was being achieved, the situation spun out of control when an unidentified person threw a stone. This led to stone-throwing by two sides and a night of unabated violence. A huge police force was brought in to control the situation but stray incidents of violence continued on Monday too. Police carried out lathicharge multiple times to control sporadic clashes.At least 60 were taken into custody and 6 FIRs were registered. Police said CCTV footage from the area is being examined.Internet services were suspended in Nirmal, Adilabad, Mancherial and Asifabad to prevent social media rumours and instigation."I demand Chief Minister to take action against all culprits. I also demand him to provide compensation to everyone who suffered losses. I appeal to the people of Bhainsa to maintain peace,"MP Asaduddin Owaisi said.ndtv
Mosques Constructed on Encroached Govt Land Will Face Demolition:BJP MP Parvesh Verma
https://www.news18.com/news/india/mosques-constructed-on-encroached-govt-land-will-face-demolition-says-bjp-mp-parvesh-verma-2457037.html
New Delhi: BJP MP Parvesh Verma on Monday said mosques constructed on encroached government land in Delhi will face demolition. West Delhi MP stated this at a press conference while replying to a query on the issue of encroachment on government land which he had raised last year.Verma noted that he had previously said that he will write to Lt Governor for action if anyone complains to him regarding encroachment on government land for building temples or gurudwaras. "But, no temple or gurudwara are found on government land, only mosques are found on government land."Mosques on government land are certain to be demolished," he said at the press conference.PTI
Trump likely to visit India at end of Feb, say sources
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/trump-likely-to-visit-delhi-in-the-end-of-february-say-sources/article30564430.ece?homepage=true
Security and logistics teams from Washington are expected in Delhi this week to prepare for a possible visit by US President Donald Trump, multiple sources have confirmed to The Hindu. The visit, which has not yet been announced, would bring US President to India a year after he declined an invitation to be chief guest at Republic Day celebrations, and will go ahead at the end of Feb.as long as dates don’t need to be changed to accommodate the impeachment process in US Senate.Sources said the decision to visit India, at PM Narendra Modi’s invitation, was discussed during a telephone call between the leaders on Jan.7.thehindu
Parliament may soon go vegetarian as Bikanerwala and Haldiram likely to take over canteen
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/parliament-may-soon-go-vegetarian-as-bikanerwala-and-haldiram-likely-to-take-over-canteen
IRCTC may soon cease to be the caterer to the canteen in Indian Parliament. It is very likely going to be replaced by the private brand like Bikanerwala and Haldiram, reported TOI. IRCTC is a subsidiary of Indian Railways.This will mean that the menu available for Member of Parliament will only be vegetarian.In the past few months, IRCTC has faced criticism over the quality of its food served in Parliament and subsidies offered. This triggered a demand for fresh caterers. Bikanerwala and Haldiram, along with the govt-run ITDC, are top contenders likely to replace IRCTC. According to sources, the final decision is likely to be between Bikanerwala and Haldiram.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is likely to decide on the matter during absence of a parliamentary food panel.nationalheraldindia
*WORLD*
US Senate to begin impeachment trial against Trump on Jan.21
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/us-senate-to-begin-impeachment-trial-against-president-donald-trump-on-january-21
US Senate is likely to begin impeachment trial against President Donald Trump on January 21 after House of Representatives last month impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival, a top Republican Senator has said.435-member House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with “high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached in vote that was based on bitter political divide. Now, 100-member Senate, where Republicans are in majority, needs to put Trump on trial before he can be removed from White House. After holding it on for weeks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to send its impeachment to the Senate sometime this week and that could be as early as today. The impeachment in the Senate is unlikely to pass through given that GOP has majority in 100-member Senate.PTI
US Attorney General Barr: Soleimani killing was 'legitimate'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/attorney-general-barr-soleimani-killing-legitimate-200113203551686.html
US President Donald Trump clearly had the authority to kill Qassem Soleimani, United States Attorney General William Barr said on Monday, adding that the White House consulted with his Department of Justice before the strike on the Iranian commander.Barr told reporters that Soleimani was a "legitimate military target" and the strike was a "legitimate act of self-defence".Barr did not cite any specific evidence, but said, "We had a situation where the Iranians had already embarked on a series of escalating violent action taken against our allies, taken against American people, our troops, with the avowed purpose of driving us out of Middle East."aljazeera
Iran announces first arrests in downing of Ukrainian airliner
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iran-announces-arrests-downing-ukrainian-airliner-200114071925923.html
Iran's judiciary has announced the arrests of an unspecified number of suspects in the accidental downing of a commercial passenger jet during a major confrontation with US last week.In comments carried by state media, spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday that "extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested". He did not offer additional details.aljazeera
Iran signals Canada will play active role in downed flight probe
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iran-signals-canada-play-active-role-downed-flight-probe-200113202047667.html
Iran has signalled that Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) will play a more active role than international rules require in investigation of the Iranian military's shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner last week, according to the agency's head, Kathy Fox. "In this investigation - and I want to be clear about this - we do not yet fully know what the scope of our role will be," Fox said in a news conference on Monday in Ottowa. She added that "there have been early signs that Iran is allowing TSB to play a more active role than normally permitted", including by inviting its investigators to participate in downloading and analysing the data in the cockpit voice and flight data recorders "whenever and wherever that takes place".Canada has been invited to participate in the probe because a large number of its citizens were involved, but according to international rules, Iran leads the investigation.aljazeera
'Clerics get lost!': Iran protests rage on for a third day
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/lost-iran-protests-rage-day-200113142114027.html
Protesters denouncing Iran's clerical rulers took to the streets and riot police deployed to face them in a third day of demonstrations after authorities acknowledged shooting down a passenger plane by accident. Demonstrations, some apparently met by a violent crackdown, were the latest twist in one of the most serious escalations between US and Iran since 1979 Iranian revolution swept US-backed shah from power. Video from inside Iran showed students on Monday chanting slogans including "Clerics get lost!" outside universities in the city of Isfahan and in Tehran, where riot police were filmed taking positions on the streets.aljazeera
Transfer of Palestinian minors from prisons a 'violation of law'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/transfer-palestinian-minors-prisons-violation-law-200113175427362.html
Israeli Prison Service (IPS) transferred at least 33 Palestinian child detainees on Monday from Ofer prison to Damoun without presence of adult representatives, a move slammed by Palestinian activists and civil organisations. Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) warned it undermines the responsibility to provide caretaker rights for minors."This move puts the minors at risk of abusive measures by IPS in the absence of their adult overseers," PPS said.Amina al-Tawil, a researcher at Palestinian Prisoners' Center for Studies, said the transfer is in violation of the law that states prisoners under the age of 18 cannot be moved from one prison to another without adult representatives.According to prisoners' rights group Addameer, over 12,000 Palestinian children have been detained by the Israeli army since year 2000, and serve time in same detention facilities as adult Palestinian prisoners.aljazeera
Israel to demolish 8 houses in occupied West Bank
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200113-israel-to-demolish-8-houses-in-occupied-west-bank/
Israeli occupation forces handed out demolition orders to eight Palestinian families in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron .Local sources quoted the coordinator of the Protection and Steadfastness Committee, Fuad Al-Amouri, as saying that the houses were located between the Carmel and Susiya villages in Yatta, adding that they were owned by “Annan Abd Rabbo, Muhammad Zain, Khalil Rubaei, Mahmoud Rubaei, and Qasim Abu Tahfa.”middleeastmonitor
Hamas: PA arrested 195 members in one week
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200114-hamas-pa-arrested-195-members-in-one-week/
Hamas has said that the local security forces of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in occupied West Bank had arrested 195 its members in a week. Hamas explained in a statement that the detainees were “ex-prisoners, former political detainees, and university students from Nablus and Hebron.”“Since the call for an election by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on 26 Dec, PA security forces have been carrying out arrests against Hamas members to obtain information about the movement’s activities and potential presidential candidates,” statement added.middleeastmonitor
Libya's Haftar leaves Moscow without signing ceasefire agreement
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/libya-haftar-leaves-moscow-signing-ceasefire-agreement-200114064637135.html
Libya's renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar has left Moscow without signing an agreement that would have formalised a tentative ceasefire in the war-wracked country, according to Russia's foreign ministry.After hours of negotiations brokered by Russia and Turkey, Haftar on Monday evening asked until Tuesday morning to look over the agreement already signed by Fayez al-Sarraj, head of UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).But Haftar, whose eastern-based forces launched an offensive to seize the GNA's base of Tripoli in April, left Moscow without signing the deal drafted at the indirect talks, Russia's foreign ministry was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on Tuesday.Libyan sources confirmed Haftar's departure.It is unclear where this leaves a peace summit scheduled to take place in Germany's capital, Berlin, on Sunday. aljazeera
UN strips Lebanon, Yemen of voting privileges
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200113-un-strips-lebanon-yemen-of-voting-privileges/
Lebanon has expressed its “regrets” over UN’s decision to strip it of its voting privileges in General Assembly, as a consequence of the country failing to pay its dues.UN’s decision on Friday targeted 7 countries altogether – Lebanon, Yemen, Venezuela, Central African Republic, Gambia, Lesotho and Tonga – for not paying their financial contributions to the organisation in time, meaning they will be unable to participate in the 75th UN General Assembly to be held on 15 Sept.2020.MEMO
Turkey orders 176 soldiers detained over Gulen ties: state media
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/turkey-orders-176-soldiers-detained-gulen-ties-state-media-200114061417425.html
Turkish prosecutors have ordered detention of 176 members of the armed forces over suspected links to a network blamed by Ankara for a 2016 coup attempt. Suspected followers of US-based religious leader Fethullah Gulen have been swept up in a sustained crackdown since the failed coup in which some 250 people were killed. Operations against network of Gulen's network are still routine in Turkey.aljazeera
US-Egyptian citizen dies after 6 yrs in Egypt custody
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/egyptian-citizen-dies-years-egypt-custody-200114071031993.html
Egyptian-American Moustafa Kassem has died after more than 6 years in custody in Egypt, according to officials. Egypt's attorney general said in a statement that dual citizenship holder died in a hospital in Cairo on Monday, a day after being transferred there from prison. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. According to Kassem's daughter, Dima, his health deteriorated after launching a hunger strike inside the prison to protest against his arrest during a 2013 crackdown by security forces against supporters of ex President Morsi after the army toppled him. Kassem had long insisted he was falsely charged and had no links to any opposition groups.Dima alleged that her father had suffered from a case of intentional medical negligence, which led to his death. She also said that Kassem was first imprisoned for a period of five years without being formally charged.aljazeera
Saudi executed 184 people in 2019: Rights group
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/saudi-arabia-executed-184-people-2019-rights-group-200113135624530.html
Saudi Arabia executed 184 people in 2019, the most in a calendar year in 6 years, human rights organisation Reprieve has said, calling it a "grim milestone" for the kingdom.Of the executions announced by Saudi Press Agency last year, 88 were Saudi nationals, 90 were foreign nationals and 6 people were of unknown nationality, a statement released on Monday by Reprieve said. The group said 37 people were executed by Saudi government on a single day on April 23, including three who were children when they had committed their alleged offences.aljazeera
Bangladesh arrests Sufi singer under internet law after protests
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/bangladesh-arrests-sufi-singer-internet-law-protests-200113134818615.html
A top Bangladeshi Sufi folk singer has been arrested under a controversial internet law that critics say is used to stifle free speech after alleged anti-Islam comments triggered protests, police said.Shariat Sarker, 40, was arrested under Digital Security Act for "hurting the religious sentiment of Muslims" in Mirzapur city on Saturday, local police chief Saidur Rahman said. An Islamic scholar filed a case against Sarker over comments made at a show in Dec, Rahman said, adding that a local court on Sunday remanded him to 3 days' custody."We arrested him after Maulana Faridul Islam filed a case against him," said Rahman. aljazeera
Tunisia lawmakers propose no-confidence of speaker Ghannouchi
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tunisia-lawmakers-propose-no-confidence-of-speaker/1701642
Tunisian Free Constitution Party said on Monday it was preparing a petition to withdraw confidence from Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, who is also the leader of the Ennahda party.The head of the Free Constitution Party's parliamentary bloc, Abir Moussi, accused Ghannouchi of mismanagement and irregularities, represented in his recent visit to Turkey where he met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan without informing the parliament on the outcome of the meeting.She added that according to the Tunisian law, the no-confidence vote against the speaker required the signatures of 73 lawmakers, as well as a simple majority -- 109 votes -- in a public session of parliament.Yet, observers do not expect the Free Constitution Party will be able to gather the necessary support for the move. For its part, Ennahda downplayed Free Constitution Party's attempt, accusing it of raising unimportant issues. Ennahda's spokesman, Imad al-Khamiri, stressed that the priority for the Tunisian parliament was to focus on forming a government in light of failure of Habib Jemli's government to gain the parliament's confidence.Anadolu
7 Taliban commanders escape in Afghan prison break
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/7-taliban-commanders-escape-in-afghan-prison-break/1701131
Kabul:At least 7 Taliban commanders broke out of a prison in Afghanistan, officials confirmed Monday.The prison break took place last evening in the southeastern Paktia province.Abdullah Hasrat, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the prisoners escaped through the mosque inside the facility in Gardez city, located 120 kilometers south of the capital Kabul.Local broadcaster Tolo News reported that a total of 23 inmates managed to flee prison.Zabihullah Mujahed, Taliban spokesman, claimed in a tweet that their fighters have managed to reach a secure place.Anadolu Agency
German Muslim thinker Dr Murad Hoffmann, author of "Islam as an Alternative", dies
https://www.tellerreport.com/news/2020-01-13---the-author-of-%22islam-as-an-alternative%22-and-%22german-muslim-diaries%22----the-departure-of-the-thinker-murad-hoffmann-.Sye4sv7cgL.html
German Muslim diplomat, writer and thinker Murad Wilfried Hoffmann died at the age of 89, after a long struggle with illness and a life full of intellectual work and authorship of important books in modern Islamic thought, including "German-Muslim Diaries" and "Islam as an alternative."Central Council of Muslims in Germany mourned Hoffmann, who worked as his adviser, and the council's statement added that German Islamic thinker died among his loved ones.Dr. Murad Wilfred Hoffmann was the ambassador of his country in Algeria and Morocco, born in 1931 to a Catholic family in Aschaffenburg, a large town in northwestern Bavaria, and embraced Islam in Sept.1980, provoking a controversy because of his high diplomatic status. Hoffmann worked for German Foreign Ministry from 1961 to 1994, and he specialized in issues related to nuclear defense. tellerreport/ aljazeera
Pakistan: 36 killed amid disasters as rain, snow, severe cold grip the country
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/avalanche-kills-21-in-pakistan-administered-kashmir/1701893
At least 21 people were killed and 17 injured after an avalanche that struck a village in PoK, the Pakistani government said on Tuesday.Rescue operations were launched for another 10 victims who are missing after the incident, which occurred in the mountainous Neelam Valley on Monday evening, according to a statement by the State Disaster Management Authority of Azad Kashmir.Meanwhile, 36 people have been killed and dozens injured due to heavy rains, avalanches and landslides in different parts of the country over four days, local broadcaster Dawn News reported.Anadolu Agency
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
CAA, NRC protests are an opportunity for students, Muslims to provide leadership:Apoorvanand
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-amendment-act-caa-national-register-of-citizens-nrc-protests-6214982/
Kashmir and CAA protests forcing foreign leaders to take a second look at PM Modi’s India:Jyoti Malhotra
https://theprint.in/opinion/global-print/kashmir-caa-protests-force-foreign-leaders-to-take-second-look-at-modi-india/349186/
CAA does not violate Constitution, protects minorities from theocracies: Gaurav Bhatia, BJP spokesman, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-amendment-act-caa-protests-support-rally-6214988/
Davinder Singh Arrest Raises Many Questions. How NIA Handles It Could Raise More:Swati Chaturvedi, thewire
https://thewire.in/security/davinder-singh-afzal-guru-nia
Acceptable face of anti-CAA stir has to be met with all-out effort:Swapan Dasgupta
https://www.freepressjournal.in/editorspick/acceptable-face-of-anti-caa-stir-has-to-be-met-with-all-out-effort-2
Shadow of Anti-CAA Protests Looms Over Delhi Assembly Polls:Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar
https://thewire.in/politics/anti-caa-protests-delhi-assembly-polls
It’s not inflation but economic stagnation that poses a bigger worry for India:ANDY MUKHERJEE
https://theprint.in/opinion/its-not-inflation-but-economic-stagnation-that-poses-a-bigger-worry-for-india/349198/
2 reasons that can keep CAA-NRC protests from evolving into a larger anti-Modi movement:ASIM ALI
https://theprint.in/opinion/two-reasons-risk-caa-nrc-protests-from-becoming-larger-anti-modi-movement/349064/
Women, Mainly Muslims, Aren’t Voiceless. CAA-NRC Protest Is Proof:SRIMATI GHOSAL
https://www.thequint.com/voices/women/muslim-women-resistance-protest-shaheen-bagh-delhi-park-circus-kolkata-anti-caa-nrc
Why protesting Indians are chanting the Constitution:Soutik Biswas
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51088907
Exposing Pakistan record on minorities? CAA actually makes Delhi more like Islamabad:Rohan Venkataramakrishnan
https://scroll.in/article/949772/the-daily-fix-exposing-pakistan-record-on-minorities-caa-actually-makes-delhi-more-like-islamabad
India's nationalist TV anchors are oddly silent on Davinder Singh
https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/01/14/anchors-arnab-goswami-gaurav-sawant-kashmir-davinder-singh-sudhir-chowdhury?fbclid=IwAR28utgXHXmqswt3JfEN3dXbcq3xPq3F1aPFvrbVTANaaQE1GklcSpf0TIc
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:25 PM).
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment