27 Jan 2020: 01 Jamadi-2, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 116
*anti-citizenship act stir*
Now 626 EU MPs move 6 resolutions slamming India over CAA, Kashmir
https://caravandaily.com/now-626-eu-mps-move-6-resolutions-slamming-india-over-caa-kashmir/
India is facing a major diplomatic backlash from European Union (EU) parliament on the Citizenship Amendment Act and the clampdown on Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brussels for India-EU summit in March.As many as 600 of 751 members of the European Union parliament have moved six resolutions on both the issues, their greatest concern arising over the likelihood of the controversial citizenship law creating the “largest statelessness crisis in the world”.6 groups of European Union parliamentarians who moved the resolutions are the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats with 154 members; the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) with 182 members; European United Left and Nordic Green Left with 41 members; Greens/European Free Alliance with 75 members; Conservatives and Reformists with 66 members; and the Renew Europe Group with 108 members.While the resolution moved by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats denounced “the fact that India has incorporated religious criteria into its naturalisation and refugee policies”, the one by the European People’s Party expressed concern over “the CAA and the wide range of negative consequences that it might have for India’s international image and internal stability”.Over 150 lawmakers had earlier demanded that the European Union insist on a “strong human rights clause with an effective implementation and suspension mechanism” during any trade agreement with India. The resolutions — expected to be tabled during the plenary session of the European Parliament starting in Brussels next week — come days after the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked India 10 places lower in the Democracy Index over CAA and J&K clampdown.caravandaily
"Largest Statelessness Crisis," Predicts Draft Anti-CAA Resolution In European Union
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/largest-statelessness-crisis-predicts-draft-anti-caa-resolution-in-european-union-2169985
CAA, Kashmir internal matters: Govt on EU resolutions
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/caa-j-k-internal-matters-ravi-shankar-prasad-on-european-union-resolution-2170426
New Delhi: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today hit back at EU parliamentarians who sponsored six resolutions against citizenship law and the clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the government considered both issues "internal matters" and that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would soon speak to EU lawmakers to explain the country's position."The government has already explained this is an internal matter... even Prime Minister has," Prasad said, adding, "However, since you have asked me this question, let me ask a counter question... have my esteemed friends in EU parliament sought to raise questions over victimisation of Hindu girls and Sikh granthis in Pakistan? It is time they were objective".ndtv
Protests across World against CAA
https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/18226/Protests-Across-the-World-Against-CAA
Apart from a bad press on issues of citizenship and the economy, the government of India is in the firing line of peoples demonstrations across major cities of the world, including London, Washington, New York, Cape Town, Munich, Warsaw..Campuses have joined in with the list including students from Universities in Poland, US, UK, Finland to name just a few with the numbers increasing from ones and twos to the hundreds.thecitizen
Indian-Americans including Jewish, Hindu groups protest in 30 US cities against citizenship law on Republic Day
https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/indian-americans-protest-in-30-us-cities-against-citizenship-law-on-republic-day-2170106?pfrom=home-topstories
Washington: India's 71st Republic day celebrations in US were marred by protests and marches, albeit peaceful ones, against recent changes in the citizenship law by large number of Indian Americans in various cities of the country. Among Indian-Americans, CAA, however, also had a fair share of its supporters who sought to counter protesters by asserting that "India cares for Neighbouring Minorities" and "CAA Won't Impact Indian Citizens."Supporters, however, appeared to be outnumbered by protesters, who held peaceful rallies and marches in various US cities, carrying anti-CAA banners and raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanding CAA's repeal and revocation of the proposed NRC. They raised the demand ruing that India's secular fabric is under threat.In some of the cities, particularly New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and San Francisco having Indian consulates, and at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, the protestors shouted slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Hindu, Muslim Sikh, Isai: Aapas Mein Saab Bhai Bhai". The protesters, however were countered by a number of Indian Americans who supported the enactment and congratulated the Modi Government for taking such a bold step. The largest gathering of anti-CAA protestors was reported from Chicago where Indian Americans gathered in large numbers and formed several mile-long human chain.In Washington DC, over 500 Indian Americans marched from a park near White House to Gandhi Statue in front of Indian Embassy.Anti-CAA protests in at least 30 US cities were organized by recently formed Coalition to Stop Genocide, comprising several organizations like Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), Equality Labs, Black Lives Matter (BLM), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR). "Brutal crackdown by government in India on anti-CAA and anti-NRC protests has created a situation in which women in large numbers have come out on streets to challenge the divisive-communal-fascist agenda of govt," Magsaysay Award winner Sandeep Pandey said, addressing a gathering in Washington DC.IAMC president Ahsan Khan said from Bay Area in California, the rally of Indian Americans represents an extension of the massive unrest in India against ruling BJP government for its relentless attacks against the secular Constitution.ndtv
Protests at Republic Day events across U.S. call for repeal of Citizenship Amendment Act
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/diaspora-organisations-protest-caa-to-mark-republic-day-in-the-us/article30660433.ece
West Bengal becomes 4th state to pass resolution against CAA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-passes-resolution-against-caa-6237871/
New Delhi :West Bengal Monday became the fourth state to pass a resolution against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has vociferously protested against the law, demanding that it be repealed immediately. Kerala, Rajasthan and Punjab have already passed resolutions against the Citizenship law, which came into effect from January 10. Telangana government has also announced that it would not implement the legislation that has seen widespread protests across the country.Tabled by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee in the State Assembly, the resolution asks the Centre to repeal the amended Citizenship law and revoke plans to implement a nationwide NRC and update NPR, PTI reported.“CAA is anti-people, law should be immediately repealed,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the Assembly, challenging NDA-led government to “dismiss my government”.“Bengal had the guts to skip NPR meeting in Delhi. If BJP wants it can dismiss my govt Time has come to put aside narrow differences and fight together to save the country,” Mamata said during her address on the anti-CAA resolution.indianexpress
‘With help from NGOs, BJP on Aadhaar data collection spree in Bengal’: Mamata
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/with-help-from-ngos-bjp-on-aadhaar-data-collection-spree-in-bengal-mamata/story-GwSvatm4dsoQkFOtto1rmL.html
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Monday that BJP is collecting population data using NGOs and asked people to be careful about sharing personal information.“BJP is asking people to submit their Aadhaar card numbers. It is happening in some places at Jhargram. Some NGOs are doing this for the BJP in exchange for money. These are religious fundamentalist organizations. Be careful. Spread the message in every locality,”she said while addressing a gathering of her party’s students’ wing, Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.“I have seen the leaflet myself. It has BJP’s name on it and it asks people to submit their Aadhaar document at the BJP office. Why should people submit their Aadhaar document to them?”she questioned.HT
SC seeks Centre, Assam’s response on plea alleging exclusion of transgenders in NRC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-seeks-centre-assams-response-on-plea-alleging-exclusion-of-transgenders-in-nrc-6237684/
The Supreme Court today sought response of the Centre and Assam govt on a plea alleging exclusion of around 2000 transgenders in the final NRC in Assam.A bench comprising CJI S A Bobde and justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant issued notice to govt on the PIL filed by one Swati Bidhan Baruah.Baruah, first transgender judge from Assam, has moved the SC, citing exclusion of transgenders during NRC process and at stages subsequent to publication of the final draft.PTI
SC issues notice to Centre on fresh petitions challenging CAA, NPR
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-issues-notice-to-centre-on-fresh-petitions-challenging-caa-npr/articleshow/73660478.cms
The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Central government on fresh petitions filed before it challenging the CAA, and NPR process.A Bench of CJI SA Bobde refused to pass an order to stay the process and tagged the pleas along with other petitions scheduled to be heard by court. Fresh petitions were filed before the SC against the amended citizenship law and population register by All India United Democratic Front, Ason Jana Morcha, and others.One of petitions said that the collection of such data may lead to possible unsanctioned state surveillance of private citizens who have not engaged in unlawful activity. No provision or responsibilities have been fixed in case of unauthorised access to the data by third parties, the petition said.ANI
Proofs of religious beliefs to be required for applying citizenship under CAA
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/proofs-of-religious-beliefs-to-be-required-for-applying-citizenship-under-caa/1836682/
Non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs while applying for Indian citizenship under the controversial CAA, officials said today.The applicants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi faiths will also have to furnish documents to prove that they entered India on or before Dec.31, 2014. Those who will seek Indian citizenship under the CAA will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs and this will be mentioned in the rules to be issued under the CAA, a government official said.The central government is also likely to give a relatively smaller window of just three months to those who want to apply for Indian citizenship in Assam under CAA, another official said.Some Assam-specific provisions are expected to be incorporated in rules to be issued for the implementation of the CAA.PTI
‘Totally baseless’: PFI rejects charges of funding anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/totally-baseless-pfi-rejects-charges-of-funding-anti-caa-protests-in-uttar-pradesh-6237980/
New Delhi :Kerala-based organisation Popular Front of India has denied allegations of funding anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh.On Monday, reports had emerged quoting unnamed Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources as saying that the recent violent protests in UP against CAA had a “financial link” with PFI.A PTI report said the ED “has found that at least Rs 120 crore were deposited in bank accounts in western Uttar Pradesh after the Act was passed by Parliament late last year.”“It is suspected and alleged that these funds were used by PFI affiliates to fuel anti-CAA protests in various parts of UP, sources said, citing the findings of the ED probe report,” PTI report said.PFI has rejected the charge as “totally baseless”, pointing out that the ED has not released any official statement making such claims.A statement released by the body read: “The news attributes around 73 bank accounts to PFI and states that Rs 120 crore was transferred through these “alleged” Popular Front accounts to fund the anti-CAA protest. PFI had stated it multiple times that we fully comply with the law of land and the allegation of Rs.120Cr transferred from PFI’s accounts just before CAA protest is totally baseless and the people who are leveling these allegations should prove these claims.”The statement also said that there had been claims about PFI giving money to lawyers Kapil Sibal, Dushyant Dave and Indira Jaising, but these were payments made in 2017 for Hadiya case. Regarding allegations that PFI sent money to its Kashmir wing, the organisation said: “It is a open fact that PFI does not have any wing or branch in Jammu and Kashmir.”indianexpress
Lawyers Kapil Sibal, Indira Jaising reject claims PFI paid them for anti-CAA protests
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kapil-sibal-indira-jaising-pfi-caa-funding-allegations-1640648-2020-01-27
After Assam, UP, 3 more states charge JNU student Sharjeel Imam with sedition
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/after-assam-up-three-more-states-charge-jnu-student-with-sedition-6237076/
New Delhi:A day after sedition cases were filed in Assam and UP against Sharjeel Imam, a PhD student in JNU, for an anti-CAA speech he made at AMU on January 16, charges under the same offence were slapped against him in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Delhi.Police in Delhi and UP, meanwhile, have started conducting searches to trace Imam. Aligarh SSP Akash Kulhary said two teams are conducting searches in different areas of Delhi. “We are working closely with Delhi Police and should be able to find him soon,” said Kulhary. Delhi Police have sent a team to Bihar to look for Imam. Jehanabad SP Maneesh said local police assisted a team from Delhi in conducting searches Sunday morning at Iman’s village Kako. Imam’s three relatives were detained for about four hours and released, said sources. In videos of his speech, Imam can be heard calling for stepping up the protests in Assam through road blocks to force the Centre to listen. Imam, who is pursuing PhD in Modern Indian History, did his graduation from IIT-Bombay in computer science. He was briefly associated with the Shaheen Bagh protests in Delhi as a volunteer but left that on January 2.Speaking to Indian Express Saturday, Imam had said: “I was saying we should try to peacefully block roads wherever possible. In that context, I said you have to block roads going to Assam. It was basically a call for chakka jam.”indianexpress
Central agencies raid activist Sharjeel Imam's house in Patna, detain relatives
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jan/27/central-agencies-raid-activist-sharjeel-imams-house-in-patna-detain-relatives-2095091.html?fbclid=IwAR2x-mnqOxvQ-qKk6tTSp4QSJeeUxXXBWloXbhwSFfMN4BBD9wOjqanBkxw
'My son is not capable of instigating secession,' says mother of missing anti-CAA activist Sharjeel Imam after police raids at his Bihar home
https://www.firstpost.com/india/my-son-is-not-capable-of-instigating-secession-says-mother-of-missing-anti-caa-activist-sharjeel-imam-after-police-raids-at-his-bihar-home-7961751.html
Imam's speech misinterpreted, say jurists, academicians denouncing sedition charges against him
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/sharjeel-imams-speech-misinterpreted-say-jurists-academicians-denouncing-sedition-charges-against-him
Former judge at the Supreme Court of India, Markandey Katju has criticised Police charges against JNU student Sharjeel Imam for his allegedly inflammatory speech regarding anti-CAA protest and Assam at Aligarh. Besides Justice Katju, several individuals including academicians, journalists, jurists and activists have also come openly against the Police charges.In a statement signed by around 500 people including Jenny Rovena (Delhi University), Ravichandran Bathran (Dalit Camera), K Ashraf (University of Johannesburg), Aditya Menon (Journalist), they said: “his speech has been misinterpreted by Sangh media and BJP spokespersons and they are targeting Sharjeel Imam with false propaganda and intimidation.”“We, concerned activists, students and academicians, stand in solidarity with Sharjeel Imam and demand the revocation of all the cases against him immediately. We condemn in strongest terms Islamophobic behaviour of media and police against Anti-CAA protesters,” the statement reads.India Tomorrow
AMU students block highway demanding release of student held for heckling V-C on R-day
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jan/27/amu-students-block-highway-demanding-release-of-student-held-for-heckling-v-c-on-r-day-2095173.html
There seems to be no end to the unrest in AMU as hundreds of students blocked the main Aligarh-Moradabad Highway overnight till Monday morning demanding the release of a student who was held for allegedly heckling V-C Prof Tariq Mansoor during his Republic Day speech on Sunday. As per the official sources of AMU, the blockade, which started on Sunday evening, continued till 2 am. However, it finally ended at 11 am following the assurance of police administration that the arrested student A Mujtaba Faraz would be released soon. AMU V-C was heckled by a group of students during his Republic Day speech soon after he termed as "unfortunate" the recent happenings on the campus and said peaceful protests would be allowed on any issue within the ambit of the law. As V-C was giving his concluding remarks, a group of students raised slogans – V-C go back-- demanding his removal and a minor tussle ensued between two groups of students in the audience before security staff chipped in, according to eyewitnesses. 4 students--Tahir Azmi, Rafiuddin, Sudhir Gulati and A Mujtaba Faraz-- were whisked away by the security staff and taken to Proctor's office. They were then handed over to police by the university authorities.In afternoon, a group of protesters gathered at AMU Proctor's office demanding their release. Three students were later freed by the police. AMU Proctor, Prof Afifullah Khan, said 3 students were released whereas Faraz was sent to jail. newindianexpress
HC asks UP for report on police action during violence over CAA protests
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-government-asked-by-allahabad-high-court-for-report-on-police-action-during-violence-over-citizen-2170450?pfrom=home-topscroll
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh government has been asked by the Allahabad High Court for a report on police action during the large-scale violence that took place in the state in December over CAA.The court was hearing seven petitions filed over violence during protests against the citizenship law last month and the crackdown by the police in the state.Uttar Pradesh saw over 20 deaths after violent protests related to the citizen law broke out across many districts of the state last month. Most of these deaths are due to bullet injuries but the police have owned up to firing in only one instance."How many complaints have been filed against police or government officials over the crackdown on protesters?" the high court asked the UP government, seeking a detailed report on police action, according to Mehmood Pracha, the lawyer for one of the petitioners.The court also asked the government if the autopsy reports of those who died during protests have been given to their relatives. The case will be taken up again on Feb17.ndtv
Cong says it made 31-page representation to NHRC on UP police 'atrocities' on anti-CAA protesters, provided proofs of rights violations.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/cong-moves-nhrc-over-police-atrocities-on-anticaa-protesters-in-up/1719002
New Delhi:Congress on Monday moved National Human Rights Commission demanding action against alleged police atrocities on anti-CAA protesters in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that victims have been made accused in case-related FIRs and no police officer has been named.Congress delegation, led by senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, met top NHRC officials here and made a detailed 31-page representation which included videos and photographs as "evidence" of alleged atrocities and human rights violations.After the meeting, Rahul Gandhi alleged UP government has "gone to war against its own people" and urged NHRC to act decisively to protect the "Constitutional rights of our citizens"."A delegation of Congress leaders presented NHRC with evidence of the atrocities against the citizens of UP by the State Govt., which has gone to war against its own people. NHRC must act decisively to protect the idea of India & the Constitutional rights of our citizens," he said in a tweet. The party also submitted a memorandum to NHRC in which it has alleged that BJP government in the state "treats its own citizens like criminals".After the meeting, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said, "In Uttar Pradesh, there has been gross human rights violations. We have submitted videos and photos to the NHRC."PTI
CAA protests: Mayawati demands withdrawal of cases lodged against women in UP
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-protests-mayawati-demands-withdrawal-of-cases-lodged-against-up-women-6237671/
BSP on Monday demanded withdrawal of cases lodged by UP government against women protesting against CAA and NRC in the state. Women have been staging protests in different parts of Uttar Pradesh, including at the historic Clock Tower here, demanding scrapping of CAA and NRC.In a tweet, BSP supremo Mayawati said, “Wrong cases filed against women and others protesting against CAA/NRC by BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government should be immediately withdrawn, and those who lost their lives during this time should also be extended proper help, this is the demand of BSP.” PTI
In UP, 1,000 women booked in 8 FIRs as Lucknow, Prayagraj host their own Shaheen Bagh
https://theprint.in/india/in-up-1000-women-booked-in-8-firs-as-lucknow-prayagraj-host-their-own-shaheen-bagh/354696/
Lucknow: Several cities across Uttar Pradesh have become sites of women-led Shaheen Bagh-like protests against the CAA, but unlike the national capital, they have been booked by police for charges such as rioting. At least eight FIRs have been filed by police in different cities, including Lucknow and Varanasi, against over 1,000 women. These FIRs, which also name men, only concern the protests led by women and are apart from those filed against other demonstrations. While around three dozen people are identified by name in the FIRs, others are unnamed.theprint
Firozabad: Anti-CAA protests Of 34 FIRs, most filed in days after violence
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/firozabad-anti-caa-protests-of-34-firs-most-filed-in-days-after-violence-6236944/
Firozabad :Of 34 FIRs registered in Firozabad over anti-CAA protests on December 20 that turned violent, apart from the eight filed under Arms Act, only six were registered the same day, while the remaining were filed over the next four days.Nearly half (13) were filed by journalists, camerapersons or other private individuals, all of them on days following December 20. One of them said he didn’t mean to name the 3 accused in FIR, one said he had registered the case after police called him, while several said they were awaiting police action.21 of FIRs were filed by police or other government departments. Based on 34 FIRs, 28 people have been sent notices for damages, over destruction of public and private properties. Only 5 of FIRs contain names, mentioning 29 people. The others are against “unknown” persons or “crowds of thousands”.indianexpress
Sea of Tricolour as Shaheen Bagh celebrates R-Day
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/sea-of-tricolour-as-shaheen-bagh-celebrates-republic-day-6237028/
New Delhi :Amid chants of “samvidhan ki raksha, desh ki raksha”, the national flag was hoisted at Shaheen Bagh by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Junaid Khan and the ‘dadis of Shaheen Bagh’, Asma Khatoon (90), Bilkis Bano (82) and Sarwari (75) on Sunday.Radhika Vemula is the mother of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, who had committed suicide at the University of Hyderabad in 2016.Saira Bano’s son, 16-year-old Junaid Khan, had been lynched in a train in 2017.Hundreds thronged the protest site in a sea of tricolour — in the artwork at the site, on sashes, ribbons, caps and clothes worn by people, and the paint on their faces — and sang national anthem in unison.“We usually do flag hoisting ceremonies every year in our own galis, schools and madrasas. This is the first time we’re all getting together and doing it because ‘hum sab ek hai’. There’s a serious attack on the Constitution and now we all have to save it,” said Anisa Parveen (52).The celebrations had begun at midnight, with thousands reading the Preamble and singing the national anthem. Soon after the songs, speeches and slogans subsided, which included an address by journalist-activist Teesta Setalvad, the crowd thinned and women took some time to stretch their backs. But around 3 am, over a hundred students, youngsters and locals from the area gathered to listen to Professor Nivedita Menon. She was the inaugural lecturer of the series “Shaheen ki Taleem”, night classes initiated by a few students where professors from JNU and DU will give lectures on citizenship.Both Radhika Vemula and Saira Bano also spoke at the venue the next morning, with Vemula emphasising on Dalit-Muslim unity. “This is not just a fight of Muslims but also of Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs who will all suffer greatly … All those mothers who have lost their sons, all those women who are fighting today — come join me in my struggle, I will join you all in your struggle until this government is removed… I wish to start a new Dalit and Muslim movement,” she said, ending her address with, “Dalit-Muslim – behen behen, bhai bhai.”indianexpress
Republic Day at Shaheen Bagh: Dadis, Rohith Vemula’s mother hoist Flag amid chants of azaadi
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/republic-day-at-shaheen-bagh-dadis-rohith-vemulas-mother-hoist-national-flag-amid-chants-of-azaadi-and-jana-gana-mana/article30659224.ece
Flag Hoisting, Human Chains, Preamble Readings Mark Anti-CAA Protests on Republic Day
https://caravandaily.com/flag-hoisting-human-chains-preamble-readings-mark-anti-caa-protests-on-republic-day/
Shaheen Bagh offering platform to ‘tukde tukde’ gang: Union Minister attacks protesters, Kejriwal, Rahul
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ravi-shankar-prasad-shaheen-bagh-caa-protesters-suppressing-peaceful-majority-2170279?pfrom=home-livetv
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shaheen-bagh-protests-ravi-shankar-prasad-citizenship-amendment-act-caa-6237723/
New Delhi: Accusing protesters at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh of trying to suppress the views of a "peaceful majority" over controversial CAA, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for "standing with Tukde Tukde Gang"."Shaheen Bagh is emerging as a textbook case of a few hundred people seeking to suppress the peaceful majority. This is the true face of Shaheen Bagh and uncovering it in front of the country is very important. Rahul and Kejriwal are both silent on this issue," he said.Responding to charges, Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi, "Many people are facing difficulties because of Shaheen Bagh protest.BJP does not want the road to open, it is indulging in dirty politics instead. BJP leaders should immediately go to Shaheen Bagh to hold discussions and the get the road opened."ndtv
Jamia protests: ‘Write for Revolution’ — a new corner to agitate peacefully
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jamia-protests-write-for-revolution-a-new-corner-to-agitate-peacefully-6238043/
New Delhi :It has been over 45 days since violence rocked the Jamia Milia Islamia University with the Delhi Police entering the campus, attacking students and hurling tear gas shells. In the last month-and-a-half, students have been continuously protesting over the controversial CAA, with the movement spreading nationwide as the university and Shaheen Bagh emerge at the forefront.As days pass, several innovative ideas of dissent have taken shape across the university — one among them being ‘Write For Revolution’, a corner outside Jamia’s gate number 7, where the peaceful protesters can express themselves by writing their thoughts over the developments in the form they want — poetry, proses or essays.The small corner, giving life to knowledge, is filled up with posters, paintings, quotes, and essays written by students, faculties, and individuals taking part in the agitation — those who cannot get a chance to go up to the dais and speak their heart out. Started on January 20, the ‘Write for Revolution’ corner, which now has at least 10 volunteers apart from Nehal, sees a lot of protesters daily, penning down their thoughts and participating in the university’s peaceful protests.The thoughts or quotes that the protesters pen down at this corner are shared on the Instagram and Facebook handles of ‘Write for Revolution’ page.indianexpress
CAA protest:With 621-km human chain, Kerala pledges to protect Constitution
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/with-621-km-human-chain-kerala-pledges-to-protect-constitution-6236940/
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a human chain from the northern end of Kerala to the southern end, lakhs of people observed the Republic Day on Sunday with a pledge to protect the Constitution. 621-km-long human chain along the national highway was organised by the ruling Left Democratic Front as part of ongoing protests against the new citizenship law.For the first time, several mosques joined the Republic Day celebrations by hoisting the tricolour and reading out the Preamble of the Constitution following a direction by the Kerala State Wakf Board to observe Republic Day.Latin Catholic Church, whose followers mainly comprise people from the fishermen community in Kerala, too, joined the celebrations. The flag was hoisted, the Preamble was read out and people pledged to protect the Constitution at several churches, Also, priests spoke about importance of upholding Constitutional values. According to LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan, 70 lakh people cutting across political lines joined the human chain. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his cabinet colleagues, leaders of LDF, cultural activists, social workers, Muslim scholars, clerics, priests and nuns and lakhs of common people joined chain. Around 250 meetings were held before the people dispersed.indianexpress
Churches, mosques in Kerala read out Preamble to protest CAA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/churches-mosques-in-kerala-read-out-the-preamble-to-protest-caa-6236819/
Latin churches and mosques under Wakf board in Kerala hoisted the national flag and read out the preamble to the Constitution on Sunday on the occasion of Republic Day, in protest against the controversial CAA.Priests of all Latin churches read out a pastoral letter against the law, saying it was “unconstitutional” and affects not just the Muslim community but the whole of the country.Observing January 26 as the day to protect the Constitution, the letter said the biggest crime was to divide the people.“Dividing people is the biggest crime. It’s happening here. CAA is unconstitutional. It’s also against the secular democratic values of the country… This is not just against Muslims. But against the whole population of the country,” the pastoral letter said.National flag was also hoisted on the premises of the churches.All mosques registered under the Wakf Board also unfurled the tricolour as part of the Republic Day celebrations and read out the preamble to the Constitution in protest against the CAA.PTI
CAA will Destroy Secular India; Not Just Issue for Muslims but for All: Kerala Church
https://caravandaily.com/caa-will-destroy-secular-india-not-just-issue-for-muslims-but-for-all-kerala-church/
From children to elderly, thousands gather to form 11-km human chain in Kolkata
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/from-children-to-elderly-thousands-gather-to-form-11-km-long-human-chain-in-kolkata-6236355/
Kolkata :Waving the Indian national flag, thousands — from children to octogenarians — gathered in Kolkata to form a human chain on Republic Day, to oppose the CAA, NPR and NRC.People from different communities held hands to form an 11-km chain, stretching from the north to south of the city. Reading aloud the Preamble, participants pledged to protect the Constitution of the country and uphold the nation’s plurality.Starting from Shyam Bazaar in the north to Golpark in the southern part of the city, people came out to form the chain around noon, raising slogans of ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.People assembled around 15 major junctions in the city, such as Park Circus seven-point crossing, Mullick Bazar, Ripon Street-AJC Bose Road crossing, Nonapukur, Raja Bazar and Maniktala, and wearing badges and cards ‘saying no to NRC and CAA’.Organised by United Interfaith Foundation India (UIFI), comprising leaders of different religious communities in the state, the event saw an “overwhelming response”.Indian Express
CAA discriminatory, against principal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Gujarat Roman Catholic Diocese
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-discriminatory-against-principal-of-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-gujarat-roman-catholic-diocese-6238074/
Vadodara:Terming the new citizenship law as “discriminatory”, Gujarat Roman Catholic Diocese on Monday urged the government to follow the tenets of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family)’ on which the Constitution of India is based. The church also asked the government to reconsider its stand on the the proposed NRC and NPR.Expressing its concern over the proposed NPR and NRC being implemented along with CAA, the statement says, “We welcome the decision of the government of India to grant citizenship to the minorites from neighbouring countries like Pakistan Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who are facing religious persecution. However, it is a matter of concern that a particular community has been left out of this decision only because of its religious identity.”indianexpress
Chandrashekhar Azad arrives in Delhi after Hyderabad Police ‘forcibly sent’ him back over anti-CAA protest
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chandrashekhar-azad-forcefully-sent-to-delhi-from-hyderabad-over-anti-caa-protest-6237256/
New Delhi :Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad arrived in Delhi on Monday morning after he was “forcibly sent” to the airport by the police in Hyderabad, where he was detained ahead of a protest against CAA. He also claimed that his supporters were thrashed by cops before he was detained on Sunday.In a tweet in Hindi, Azad wrote, “Dictatorship is at its peak in Telangana. Peoples’ right to protest is being snatched. First, we were thrashed with sticks, then I was arrested and now I have been brought to the airport and being sent back to Delhi.” In tweet, he also tagged the office of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and said ” Bahujan society will never forget this insult. Will be back soon.” Read in MalayalamMd Rasheed, Bhim Army coordinator in Telangana, said, “Azad was taken to the airport by police and sent back to Delhi on a 7 am flight.” Aazad is unwell and will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, his aides said. If he’s okay, the Dalit leader will go to Karnataka on Tuesday to address two rallies in Gulbarga and Bidar, PTI reported.Azad was in the city to address an anti-CAA rally organised by All India India Dalit-Muslim-Adivasi Progressive Front. Lungerhouse police said the protesters did not have permission for the agitation and Azad was taken into preventive detention to prevent him from going ahead with it.indianexpress
Malegaon marks Republic Day with Preamble readings, rallies
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/malegaon-marks-republic-day-with-preamble-readings-rallies-6237058/
Malegaon :Malegaon woke up early on Sunday with its streets swamped by young men holding a bike rally, with the tricolour in their hands.According to local residents, AIMIM MLA Mufti Mohammad Ismail Qasmi had three weeks ago called for launching a civil disobedience movement from January 26. While his call to empty bank accounts and refrain from filling fuel at pumps on Sunday did not find takers, Malegaon marked 70 years of Republic with readings of Preamble of the Constitution at 70 places.In the weeks leading up to Sunday, Dastoor Bachao Committee, which organised a women’s protest earlier this month, selected spots significant to the town’s history.indianexpress
Anti-CAA Resolutions By States Is Constitutional Crisis: Yashwant Sinha
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/citizenship-amendment-act-yashwant-sinha-says-anti-caa-resolutions-by-states-is-constitutional-crisi-2170458
Lucknow: Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha on Monday termed the passing of anti-CAA resolutions by non-BJP states a constitutional crisis, saying this can't be ignored.He stressed that there was no need to bring the legislation as it was "anti-democratic" and "divided people on the basis of religion"."There is a constitutional crisis. You cannot ignore state governments.PTI
‘Won’t back off until CAA is withdrawn’: Mumbai women launch Shaheen Bagh-like protest
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/won-t-back-off-until-caa-is-withdrawn-mumbai-women-launch-shaheen-bagh-like-protest/story-Zim3NisMwUiIS5N0QmP9vI.html
Mumbai: A group of Muslim women, including household helps and students, in Mumbai have started an indefinite protest against the CAA, drawing inspiration from the agitation in New Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh.Those who have gathered on a road in Madanpura said that they won’t leave until central government withdraws the contentious act. The group, which has around 60-70 people, started gathering on the road on Sunday evening.“The government is just doing what it feels like. They have detained Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad when he was protesting against the act. The women in Uttar Pradesh are not being allowed to protest, this is completely unconstitutional,” Fatima Khan, a law student who is leading the protesters, said.HT
CPM leader who immolated himself dies 'over CAA', family demands judicial probe
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cpm-leader-who-immolated-himself-dies-community-demands-judicial-probe-6237774/
Bhopal :A CPM activist who allegedly immolated himself at Geeta Bhavan Square in Indore 3 days ago succumbed to his injuries late on Sunday.Tukoganj Police Station in-charge Nirmal Kumar Shrivas said it was not clear why the 72-year-old took the extreme step because police could not record his statement. Rameshchandra Prajapat, a tailor, sustained nearly 90 per cent burns and was being treated at M Y Hospital.A bag carrying anti-CAA pamphlets was found lying near him which has led many to speculate that septuagenarian immolated himself to register his protest against the CAA.While CPM leaders claimed Prajapat was disturbed by the new law and the countrywide protests and could have taken the extreme step due to that, his son Deepak Prajapat, 30, however, insisted that his father’s action had nothing to do with CAA. Other family members and Prajapat community demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.indianexpress
Hyderabad: Scrap Articles 14, 15 to enforce CAA, say intellectuals
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/270120/hyderabad-scrap-articles-14-15-to-enforce-caa-say-intellectuals.html
Hyderabad: Poets, writers and intellectuals who assembled in the city on Sunday demanded that the Centre abolish Articles 14 and 15 before implementing CAA. The implementation of the controversial law will grossly violate the fundamental rights of citizens which are guaranteed under the Constitution.Among those who had assembled at the event were Mr J.B. Hamed Mohammed Khan, president of the Jamaat-e- Islami Hind, TS, AP and Odisha, Telangana Press Academy chairman Allam Narayana, Sahitya Acad-emi award winner Kath-yayani Vidmahe. They were speaking at a one-day workshop organised by the Democratic Women Writers Association on equal rights. The participants have pointed out the need for people to understand what CAA stands for and rise up against it. Deccan Chronicle
JLF statement on anti-CAA protests: ‘Our duty is to ensure visitors can enjoy fest’
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jaipur/jlf-statement-on-anti-caa-protests-our-duty-to-ensure-visitors-can-enjoy-fest-6237913/
Jaipur :Following Sunday’s protest against CAA at Jaipur Literature Festival, event organisers issued a statement on Monday, saying they had to ask the protestors to leave to ensure visitors could enjoy the festival seamlessly.“Yesterday, while the venue was at full capacity, a few protesters who were not our speakers or invitees had to be asked to leave after they started sloganeering that was impairing the literary sessions, and for which we received complaints from our partners. On Sunday, 5 people were detained for raising anti-CAA slogans after a session, the police said. They were released following a warning to not repeat such acts, the police added. PTI
NRC-NPR apprehensions: Researchers prevented from conducting survey in Darbhanga village
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nrc-npr-apprehensions-researchers-prevented-from-conducting-survey-in-darbhanga-village-6237060/
Patna :Amid apprehensions surrounding NRC and NPR, residents of a remote village in Bihar’s Darbhanga district on Sunday prevented a group of 13 researchers from carrying out a survey on behalf of Yale University. According to Biraul Sub-divisional police officer Dilip Kumar Jha, Lucknow-based research team had come to conduct the survey to aid research on political and social issues.Jha said: “13 Lucknow-based scholars, including four women, visited Jhagarua village in Jamalpur police station area on Thursday. They were from a team run by Lucknow’s Dr Shekhar Singh.They asking people about government scheme benefits and they were carrying a questionnaire on rating various political parties. Some villagers became suspicious.”A senior police officer said nobody had misbehaved with researchers.indianexpress
UP proposes pro-CAA lectures in colleges from next month
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/uttar-pradesh-proposes-pro-caa-lectures-in-colleges-from-next-month
Uttar Pradesh Government plans to introduce a class on CAA in colleges as early as next month. The emphasis will be on the ‘positive’ and beneficial aspects of the law and to counter the ‘misleading narrative’ being propagated by anti-CAA protestors.nationalheraldindia
Folk singer named for Padma Shri at protest against CAA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/folk-singer-named-for-padma-shri-at-protest-against-caa-6237039/
Ranchi :Madhu Mansuri, a folk singer from Jharkhand who will be conferred with Padma Shri this year, on Sunday put his weight behind the protests against the new citizenship law.At a large gathering to protest against the new law and the proposed NRC in Ranchi, 71-year-old Mansuri sung his popular song, “Gaon chhodab nahi, jungle chhodab nahi, mai-maati chhodab nahi, ladai chhodab nahi (We will not leave our village, nor our forests, Not even our mother earth. We will not give up our fight.”He later told the gathering that he was with them in their struggle.indianexpress
NCP targets Centre over Padma Shri for Adnan Sami, calls it an insult to 130 crore Indians
https://theprint.in/india/ncp-targets-centre-over-padma-shri-for-adnan-sami-calls-it-an-insult-to-130-crore-indians/354988/
Mumbai: Amid a row over Pakistani-origin singer Adnan Sami, who became an Indian citizen in 2016, being chosen for Padma Shri award, the NCP on Monday termed it as an “insult” to 130 crore Indians and a “damage control” act by NDA govt “facing questions” over CAA, NRC and NPR.In a dig, Maharashtra Minorities Development Minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik also said that any Pakistani citizen can now avail Indian citizenship by chanting ‘Jai Modi’.Sami, born in London to a Pakistani Air force veteran, applied for Indian citizenship in 2015 and became a citizen of the country in January 2016.He was one of the 118 people whose names were announced on Saturday for the Padma Shri awards, with the Ministry of Home Affairs list showing his home state as Maharashtra.PTI
*J&K AND S. ASIA*
Republic Day gifts to Kashmir: security clampdown, Internet shutdown, suspension of phone services
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/republic-day-gifts-to-kashmir-security-clampdown-internet-shutdown-suspension-of-phone-services
Internet shutdown, suspension of mobile connectivity, phones and curfew-like lockdown marked Republic Day in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. While most people remained indoors, mobile connectivity was partially restored to a few places by evening.Most observers from Kashmir felt disappointed and said that Government had lost a major opportunity to salvage the situation. There were expectations in some quarter that on Republic Day, the Government would release political leaders under detention since August last year and restore access to the Internet. Instead, security was further tightened and the Internet access withdrawn. Government also suspended mobile services.What difference would it have made if mobile services had not been suspended, wondered Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, Anuradha Bhasin.Srinagar always witnessed partial strikes and bandhs on Independence Day and Republic Day, recalls Dr Ghulam Md Malik, a prominent doctor in the city. “ But today it was far more complete and severe with security clampdown, suspension of phone, not just mobile services, and there was a curfew-like silence on the roads. We were cut off from the world,” said the doctor over the phone after services were restored in the evening.nationalheraldindia
Stalin ‘deeply troubled’ over Omar Abdullah’s viral photo
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dmk-chief-stalin-troubled-to-see-omar-abdullahs-bearded-photo-6237528/
New Delhi : 2 days after an unverified picture of former chief minister of J&K Omar Abdullah went viral on social media, DMK chief MK Stalin Monday said he was “troubled” to see the photograph. Calling upon the government to release all political prisoners in J&K, Stalin said that he was “equally concerned about Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and other Kashmiri leaders who are incarcerated without trial or due process.”On January 25, a picture of Omar Abdullah sporting a greyish-white long beard emerged on social media. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also shared the picture calling it ‘unfortunate.’“I could not recognize Omar in this picture. I am feeling sad. Unfortunate that this is happening in our democratic country. When will this end?” Banerjee had written.indianexpress
*ECONOMY & POLITICS*
Govt to sell 100% stake in Air India, issues bid document
https://thewire.in/government/air-india-stake-sale-government
The government on Monday announced sale of 100% stake in debt-laden Air India as it issued the preliminary bid document for the strategic disinvestment with the deadline for submitting expression of interest set as March 17.As part of the strategic disinvestment, Air India would also sell 100% stake in low-cost airline Air India Express and 50% shareholding in joint venture AISATS, as per bid document issued on Monday.Management control of the airline would also be transferred to the successful bidder.This is the second time in less than two years that government has come out with proposal for selling stake in Air India, which has been in the red for long.The government has set March 17 as the deadline for submitting the expression of interest (EoI). AISATS is an equal joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines.It offers ground handling services.PTI
Air India sale: Swamy threatens to move court, Congress says BJP selling valuable assets
https://scroll.in/latest/951273/air-india-sale-subramanian-swamy-threatens-to-move-court-congress-says-bjp-selling-valuable-assets
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday castigated the Modi government to sell its entire stake in Air India. Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Sandeep Dixit also slammed the move, saying it shows that India was on the “brink of bankruptcy”, ANI reported.“This deal is wholly anti-national and I will be forced to go to court,” Swamy tweeted. “We cannot sell our family silver.”Kapil Sibal said this shows that the government does not have money. “The government of India has no money, growth is less than 5% and millions of rupees are outstanding under MNREGA [Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act],” he told ANI. “This is what they will do, sell all valuable assets we have.”scroll
MGNREGA Is Running Out of Funds. Will Budget 2020 Fix That?
https://thewire.in/labour/mgnrega-funds-budget-2020
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme is facing an acute fund crunch. According to a report in The Hindu, more than 96% of the allocated money has already been spent or is needed to pay pending dues. Less than Rs 2,500 crore is left to sustain the scheme for the next two months, the report says.MGNREGA’s financial statement as of January 26 has shown as many as 15 states in the red. The Hindu report says Rajasthan has the highest negative net balance of Rs 620 crore and Uttar Pradesh has a negative of Rs 323 crore. This year’s budget allocation for the scheme was only Rs 60,000 crore, lower than amount spent in the previous year. According to The Hindu, in Rajasthan, workers’ wages have not been paid since the end of October. Early this month, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot had written to PM Narendra Modi, demanding that the Centre immediately releases pending dues of Rs 1,950 crore.thewire
HRD Ministry flags graft in key scheme: Handwritten cab bills for Rs 1.2 crore
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hrd-flags-graft-in-key-scheme-handwritten-cab-bills-for-rs-1-2-crore-6237068/
New Delhi : HRD Ministry has approached PMO to flag alleged corruption by an ex-joint secretary and a professor of TISS in the implementation of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a central higher education scheme for states.An audit by TISS last year uncovered that Rs 23 lakh was allegedly spent out of RUSA funds on the personal trips of Ishita Roy and her children within India and abroad. Roy, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, was RUSA’s national mission director during her stint as joint secretary at HRD Ministry. She left the Ministry seven months ago and is currently posted as Principal Secretary, Fisheries, in Kerala. The audit also discovered that RUSA’s national coordinator B Venkatesh Kumar allegedly misappropriated Rs 2.02 crore of the funds. He had submitted handwritten taxi bills of Rs 1.26 crore to justify some of the expenditure.indianexpress
1,000 frauds worth over ₹220 cr reported by urban cooperative banks nearly in past five fiscals: RBI
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/1000-frauds-worth-over-indian-rupee220-cr-reported-by-urban-cooperative-banks-nearly-in-past-five-fiscals-rbi
Urban cooperative banks (UCBs) have reported nearly 1,000 cases of fraud worth more than ₹220 crore in the last five fiscals, according to RBI.Responding to an RTI query, the central bank said a total of 181 fraud cases involving ₹127.7 crore were noticed during 2018-19.A total of 99 and 27 such cases involving ₹46.9 crore and ₹9.3 crore were reported during 2017-18 and 2016-16 respectively, it said.PTI
Reality of govt’s promises is that 3.64 crore people became unemployed, says Priyanka Gandhi
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/reality-of-govts-promises-is-that-364-crore-people-became-unemployed-says-priyanka-gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Monday slammed the government over 3.64 crore people reportedly becoming unemployed in the last five years, saying this is the reason why the Modi dispensation shies away from talking about jobs.Her attack on the government came over a media report which claimed that in the last five years, 3.64 crore people became unemployed in the top seven sectors."This is the reality of all the big promises about giving jobs. Around three and a half crore people have become unemployed in seven major sectors of the country," Priyanka said in a tweet.PTI
BJP, ally-ruled state govts ranked among least-performing
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/bharatiya-janata-party-ally-ruled-state-govts-ranked-among-least-performing
BJP, which has been riding high on last year's Lok Sabha election victory, may have something to worry about in the states. According to IANS-CVoter's 'State of Nation' Republic Day survey, four of the five most under-performing state governments are ruled by the BJP and its allies.Goa government, led by BJP, has been the worst-performing among all. As many as 62.8 per cent respondents from the state said that they were not at all satisfied with the performance of their government and only four per cent thought the government performance was "very much satisfactory".Following in terms of under-performing were states of the northeast where none of the respondents were fully satisfied with their respective governments' work and only 41.2 per cent of respondents claimed government work was "satisfactory to some extent". As many as 58.8 per cent of respondents said they were not satisfied at all with the government's work.Among other most under-performing states, Haryana and Tamil Nadu, led by BJP and ally AIADMK, respectively.IANS
*OTHERS*
Delhi rape convict Mukesh Singh’s petition against rejection of mercy plea in SC tomorrow
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-tomorrow-hear-gang-rape-convict-mukesh-singh-s-petition-against-rejection-of-his-mercy-plea/story-r7ybI9EVhJ6eo8XdrLOHWL.html
3 judges of the Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear death row convict Mukesh Singh’s petition challenging the presidential order rejecting his mercy plea filed this month. The hearing will begin at 12.30 pm.Mukesh Singh’s lawyer had mentioned his petition filed last week before a bench led by CJI SA Bobde earlier in the day. Chief Justice Bobde promptly told the lawyer to mention it before the top court official mandated for this purpose, underscoring that the court would take it up on top priority.“If somebody is going to be hanged, then nothing can be more urgent than this,” CJI Bobde said.In the list of cases put out by the top court later in the day, Mukesh Singh’s petition was listed to be taken up by a bench comprising justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and AS Bopanna at 12.30 pm.Mukesh Singh is one of the four men ordered to be executed on February 1 for the rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedic on a cold December night in 2012.HT
'Goes to Both Sides': CJI’s Retort on Opposition After Kapil Sibal's Poser on Political PILs
https://www.news18.com/news/india/goes-to-both-sides-cjis-retort-on-opposition-after-kapil-sibals-poser-on-political-pils-2475081.html
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on Monday remarked that he is conscious that opposition parties are also using the forum of the apex court.Asked to consider whether those from political parties should be allowed to file PILs, the CJI remarked: "We are quite conscious that opposition parties are also using the forum of this court. It goes to both sides."The comment was directed at senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for the West Bengal government in a petition moved against 'political killings' in the state.The petition was filed by BJP leader and senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who was subsequently appearing for the family members of BJP worker Dulal Kumar.news18
Delhi Election: BJP's New Plan To Turn Shaheen Bagh Protest Into Delhi Poll Weapon
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-assembly-election-2020-bjps-new-plan-to-turn-shaheen-bagh-protest-into-delhi-poll-weapon-2170494
New Delhi: BJP, facing unrelenting anger against the citizenship law, has decided to make the most of the difficult situation and hinge its Delhi election campaign on the Shaheen Bagh protest, sources said today. Shaheen Bagh, where hundreds of women and children have spent freezing nights in a show of protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, may just turn out to be what BJP was looking for.Union Home Minister Amit Shah is in charge of the BJP's campaign to oust AAP in Delhi.Sources say top BJP leaders feel the party can succeed in isolating AAP and also cutting down Congress with a new "Shaheen Bagh" blitz."With the Shaheen Bagh Mein Kaun Kidhar (who stands where on Shaheen Bagh) campaign, we will corner AAP and Congress and urge them to spell out their stand," said a BJP leader.ndtv
Using Shaheen Bagh Protest for Politics, They'll Clear the Road Day After Polls: Kejriwal Slams BJP
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/using-shaheen-bagh-protest-for-politics-theyll-clear-the-road-day-after-polls-says-arvind-kejriwal-2475281.html
New Delhi: Accusing the BJP of playing "dirty politics" over the issue of road blockades, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said saffron party does not want to open Shaheen Bagh at Kalindi Kunj where protests against CAA are taking place.Kejriwal said that law and order in the national capital entirely lies with the Centre and "if they are saying that they need permission from me, I am giving them permission, open the road in one hour"."I can give you this in writing, the BJP does not want to open the route in Shaheen Bagh. Shaheen Bagh route will remain closed till February 8 (election day) and it will open on February 9," he said.Kejriwal alleged that the BJP just knows how to do "dirty politics over everything". "BJP leaders should immediately visit Shaheen Bagh, talk and get the road re-opened," he said.Meanwhile, campaigning for BJP candidate in Babarpur constituency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said voting for the saffron party in Delhi polls will prevent "thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh."Shah attacked the opposition leaders including AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on various issues and asserted that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can ensure safety and security of the country."Your vote to BJP candidate will make Delhi and the country safe and prevent thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh."news18
Delhi Elections: ‘Please don’t backtrack later’, says Kejriwal on Amit Shah’s development promise
https://indianexpress.com/elections/delhi-assembly-elections-2020-live-arvind-kejriwal-jp-nadda-amit-shah-pm-modi-aap-bjp-congress-6237449/
On Feb 8, EVM buttons will be pressed 'with love' in Delhi, Prashant Kishor tells Amit Shah
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/jan/27/on-feb-8-evm-buttons-will-be-pressed-with-love-in-delhi-prashant-kishor-tells-shah-2095142.html
In a light-hearted jibe at political leaders in Delhi, JDU leader Prashant Kishor on Monday urged the public to vote 'with love' in the upcoming Delhi elections."On February 8, the buttons of the EVM will be pressed with love. Big shocks should be given in small doses, so that brotherhood and solidarity are not endangered. Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity," Kishor's tweet, roughly translated in English from Hindi, reads.Kishor's tweet can be seen as a response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's comment, on Sunday, in which he called upon the people to vote in favour of BJP during the Delhi elections with such force that protesters at Shaheen Bagh "feel the current".Earlier yesterday, Kishor hit out at BJP without mentioning its name by saying, "Some people are thinking the CAA and NRC will create a mood in their favour in the country. It will become clear after the results of the Delhi assembly polls."ANI
First RSS ‘Army’ school to begin from April in UP
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/first-rss-army-school-to-begin-from-april-in-uttar-pradesh
The first 'Army' school run by RSS will begin classes in April this year in Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh.'Army' school, known as Rajju Bhaiya Sainik Vidya Mandir (RBSVM), is a first of its kind school to be run by RSS. Rajju Bhaiyya was a former RSS chief.According to a senior RSS functionary, school building is almost ready and school has started inviting applications for the first batch of 160 students for Class 6."We will prepare students for NDA,Naval Academy and technical examination of Indian Army. Registration will continue till Feb. 23. Entrance test will be held on March 1. We will examine students' abilities in reasoning, general knowledge, Mathematics and English. After the written examination, there will be interview and then a medical test. We will start the session from April 6," said RBSVM director Colonel Shiv Pratap Singh.Eight seats will be reserved for the children of personnel killed in battle. The wards of the martyrs will also get some age relaxation. There would be no other reservation in the school and it would follow CBSE pattern.IANS
Muslim personal law board moves SC against PIL seeking ban on polygamy, halala
https://scroll.in/latest/951256/muslim-personal-law-board-moves-sc-against-pil-seeking-ban-on-nikah-halala-and-polygamy
All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Monday filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing a public interest litigation plea challenging the validity of the practices of nikah halala and polygamy in the Muslim community, reported Live Law. The board urged the court to include it as a party in the matter. PIL plea was filed by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.The board said the Supreme Court had dismissed similar petitions in 1997. It added that petitions challenging a religious practice cannot be filed by a person who is not a part of that particular religion. “That personal laws do not derive their validity on the ground that they have been passed or made by a legislature or by other competent authority,” read the board’s petition. “The fundamental source of personal laws are their respective scriptural texts.”The board argued that validity of Muslim laws cannot be tested as “the Mohammedan law is founded essentially on the holy Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet Mohammed and thus it cannot fall within purview of expression ‘laws in force’ as mentioned in Article 13 of the Constitution”.scroll
Centre Signs Tripartite Peace Accord with Bodo Militants; Anxiety among Non-Bodos
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/centre-signs-tripartite-peace-accord-with-bodo-militants;-anxiety-among-non-bodos
Guwahati:Amid 12-hour shutdown call in BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Area District) area by five non-Bodo organizations demanding their rights in Bodoland area, the central government signed Bodo Peace accord with Bodo representatives on Monday to end the arms struggles in BTAD.A tripartite agreement has been signed between central government, state government and Bodo representatives. Besides Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BTAD Chief Hagrama Mahilary, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Pramod Boro and on behalf of NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) Gobinda Basumatary signed the accord.After signing the accord, Home Minister Amit Shah said, this accord will solve the long standing Bodo problems.It is to be noted here that a specially constituted division bench of the Gauhati High Court on Friday granted interim bail to NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary to facilitate in signing the Bodo peace accord. A special CBI court on 30 January 2019 had awarded life imprisonment to him and nine other NDFB militants for their involvement in the serial blasts in Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar in Assam on 30 October 2008 that claimed the lives of 88 people and left 540 people injured.NDFB (S) chairman B. Saoraigra, general secretary B.R. Ferenga and senior members B. Batha and G. Bidai had been camping in Delhi to finalize the peace talk on proposed memorandum of settlement (MoS) which was inked today. To pave the way for forwarding peace process with governments, a few hundred of NDFB militants surrendered in Guwahati on Thursday along with 644 militants of several other militant outfits of the state.indiatomorrow
Govt signs peace accord with Bodo militant group, Amit Shah says golden future awaits Assam
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-signs-peace-accord-with-bodo-militant-group-assam-bodoland-amit-shah-6237833/
Non-Bodo organisations hold 12-hour bandh in Assam to protest signing of peace accord
4 blasts rock Assam on Republic Day
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/four-blasts-rock-assam-on-republic-day
Four blasts rocked Assam on Sunday as the nation was celebrating its 71st Republic Day, officials said, adding there were no injuries.3 of the explosions took place in Dibrugarh district and one in Charaideo.Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as a "cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day".IANS
Sharad Pawar backs tribals for UN recognition as indigenous Indian people
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pawar-backs-tribals-for-un-recognition-as-indigenous-indian-people-6236856/
Indore :NCP chief Sharad Pawar has supported the tribal community’s demand for a UN declaration recognising them as indigenous people of India. Addressing first conference on the Constitutional rights of indigenous people of Central India in Indore, the former Union minister said tribals are “original residents as well as masters” of the country.“Tribals are original natives of India. There is a need for the official recognition from UN in this regard. We support the demand of the tribal community on this issue. We are duty-bound to make a bid for it (such declaration from UN),” Pawar said.Calling tribals as the “real masters”, Pawar said they have the strength to lead the country to right path.Stating that problems of tribals from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are common, he called for a joint programme for their education, employment and farming welfare.indianexpress
Coimbatore mosque authorities mull community hall to promote religious harmony
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/jan/27/coimbatore-mosque-authorities-mull-community-hall-to-promote-religious-harmony-2094936.html
Taking a cue from a recent heart whelming incident on communal harmony in Kerala, where a Hindu wedding was held in a masjid, authorities of a mosque in Coimbatore have planned to build a community hall on its premises to allow people from other religions to conduct events there.Hall shall soon be built at the newly inaugurated mosque named Masjidhul Muhaajireen at Vellalore in Coimbatore. The motive behind such an initiative was to bring people together, irrespective of their religion, said those in know.While the construction of the community hall is in the pipeline, the authorities of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH)-Coimbatore chapter have begun to offer various community services to people living at the housing unit in Vellalore.Free tailoring classes for women and tuition classes for school students are among those services. By roping in a doctor, residents shall be provided health checkups at affordable costs, they said."The housing unit in Vellalore has over 2,800 families, of which around 800 are those of Muslims. Unlike other mosques where women are not permitted inside, we have allocated a place for women to perform prayers in our mosque which is situated near the housing unit. Also, people from any religion are free to enter Masjidhul Muhaajireen," said District Secretary of JIH, MS Sabeer Ali.newindianexpress
3 Congress-ruled states make Preamble to the Constitution part of school curriculum
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/flick-past/three-congress-ruled-states-make-preamble-to-the-constitution-part-of-school-curriculum
Congress ruled states have taken a step ahead to instill the values of the constitution in young minds by making it a part of compulsory education.After Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have also decided to make preamble a part of school curriculum.nationalheraldindia
No end to 3 capitals row, Andhra assembly passes resolution to abolish legislative council
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/no-end-to-3-capitals-row-andhra-assembly-passes-resolution-abolishing-legislative-council-1640665-2020-01-27
Hyderabad:Andhra Pradesh assembly has passed a resolution to dissolve the state Legislative Council. The resolution was passed in the state assembly on Monday. The main opposition party in Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu's TDP stayed away from the Monday session of the Andhra assembly.The resolution will now be sent to the Centre for necessary follow-up action.The assembly resolution came after the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet passed a resolution on Monday setting in motion the process for abolishing the state Legislative Council.indiatoday
*WORLD*
Plane crashes in Afghanistan's Ghazni province: Officials
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/ariana-airlines-plane-crashes-eastern-afghanistan-200127101145634.html
Senior Afghan officials say a plane has crashed in eastern Ghazni province, but details remained unclear as authorities sought to locate the aircraft's wreckage in mountainous province. 3 government officials said the plane was operated by Afghanistan's state-owned airline Ariana Afghan Airlines, but its acting CEO Mirwais Mirzakwal denied those reports on Monday. "There has been an airline crash but it does not belong to Ariana because the two flights managed by Ariana today from Herat to Kabul and Herat to Delhi are safe," the airline's acting CEO Mirwais Mirzakwal told Reuters news agency.A senior official in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's office in Kabul said that a plane had crashed near Ghazni province and authorities were still seeking details.Official sources in the province said the plane was en route to Ghazni from Herat when it crashed.The plane crashed in a territory under Taliban control, Tolo news reported. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they were investigating the crash claims but were unable to comment further.Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi, reporting from the capital, Kabul, said: "The spokesman for the governor of Ghazni province has said that according to his people on the ground, this is was not an Afghan aircraft, so that would suggest that this is not an Ariana Airlines aircraft as previously was suspected by many people." "We know that Afghan security forces are at the scene and reports we are hearing from those eyewitnesses is that all passengers on board are deceased," he added. "There are no survivors and only the pilots' bodies are recognisable at this stage and those Afghan soldiers are saying as far as they are concerned from the wreckage and the bodies of the pilots that they do not appear to be Afghan."Social media was rife with suggestions that plane was from state-owned Ariana Afghan Airlines - however the company said the rumours were "not true".Civil Aviation Authority of Afghanistan also denied reports that the plane was a commercial flight.aljazeera
3 rockets hit US embassy in Baghdad, America holds Iran-backed militias responsible
https://scroll.in/latest/951244/three-rockets-hit-us-embassy-in-baghdad-america-holds-iran-backed-militias-responsible
US embassy in Iraq’s capital Baghdad was hit by at least three rockets late on Sunday night, BBC reported. According to Reuters, at least three people were injured in attack in the fortified Green Zone. One rocket hit the embassy cafeteria while two others landed near it. Though no group claimed responsibility for the attack, the US blamed Iran-backed militias. “We call on the Government of Iraq to fulfil its obligations to protect our diplomatic facilities,” CNN quoted US State Department as saying. “The security situation remains tense and Iranian-backed armed groups remain a threat. So, we remain vigilant.”Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said such attacks could “drag Iraq into becoming a battlefield”.scroll
China virus death toll now at 81, oevr 2,700 cases confirmed
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/china-virus-toll-spikes-80-2700-cases-confirmed-200127004443733.html
China said on Monday that the death toll from a deadly coronavirus outbreak jumped to 81 as the hard-hit province of Hubei announced 24 new fatalities and expanded measures to keep people at home during what is usually the country's biggest holiday season.The total number of confirmed cases nationwide rose sharply to 2,744, officials said as state media reported the first death in Hainan province; an 80-year-old woman.A national tally of verified infections rose by 769, about half of them in Hubei, the National Health Commission said. It said 461 of those infected were in a serious condition. China has sealed off Hubei in the country's centre, an unprecedented operation affecting tens of millions of people which is intended to slow the transmission of the respiratory virus.aljazeera
Air India keeps Boeing 747 on standby, awaits govt’s decision on evacuating Indians from Wuhan
https://www.firstpost.com/india/coronavirus-outbreak-air-india-keeps-boeing-747-on-standby-awaits-govts-decision-on-evacuating-indians-from-wuhan-7962501.html
New Delhi: An Air India Boeing 747 has been kept on standby for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Wuhan city of China, the epicentre of novel coronavirus outbreak, according to the official of the national carrier.The aircraft is waiting for the Centre's decision regarding the evacuation. "Air India Boeing 747 is on standby for the evacuation of Indians from Wuhan (China) due to scare of Coronavirus. Carrier is waiting for the government the decision," an Air Indian official told ANI on Monday.ANI
Coronavirus: Kerala CM urges Modi to arrange special flight to airlift stranded Indians from Wuhan
https://scroll.in/latest/951290/coronavirus-kerala-cm-urges-modi-to-arrange-special-flight-to-airlift-stranded-indians-from-wuhan
Street children arbitrarily detained, abused in Rwanda: HRW
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/street-children-arbitrarily-detained-abused-rwanda-hrw-200127091809104.html
Street children in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, are being arbitrarily detained and abused at a holding centre, according to HRW.New York-based rights group said in a report today that vulnerable minors held in the facility, known as the Gikondo Transit Centre, were regularly beaten and exposed to overcrowded and unhygienic conditions. Johnston Busingye, Rwanda's minister of justice, denied the accusations made in HRW report, describing Gikondo as a "rehabilitation" centre set up to provide children with skills and "protection".aljazeera
Syria regime captures 10 Idlib towns in 48 hours, Erdogan opens temp shelters
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200127-syria-regime-captures-10-idlib-towns-in-48-hours-erdogan-opens-temp-shelters/
Syrian regime has reportedly captured 10 towns and villages in less than two days in the embattled province of Idlib in the north-west of the country, marking its most rapid advance in its campaign to recapture the last major opposition stronghold.The troop and militias belonging to the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad made the progress after gaining control of M5 highway connecting the key cities of Damascus and Aleppo over the weekend. They then blocked the highway, cutting off the supply routes of the opposition forces in primary town of Khan Al-Sabil and city of Maarat Al-Nu’man.MEMO
Yemen’s Houthis make ‘biggest gains’ against Hadi forces
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200127-yemens-houthis-make-biggest-gains-against-hadi-forces/
Forces of National Salvation Govt, which consists of the majority of Yemen’s armed forces allied with the Houthi movement, have made significant gains against loyalist forces of Saudi-backed, exiled President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Progress has been made within the triangle consisting of Sanaa, Marib and Jawf governorates. Following heavy fighting on Friday, Houthi forces seized the Nehm district, which lies east of the capital Sanaa after fighters supported by Saudi coalition made a “tactical withdrawal” according to Hadi’s Defence Minister General M. Ali Al-Maqdishi. International Crisis Group described the developments as Houthis “making the biggest gains on the battlefield”. middleeastmonitor
Israel police ban Al-Aqsa Mosque imam for 4 months
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200127-israel-police-ban-al-aqsa-mosque-imam-for-4-months/
Israeli occupation police interrogated Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, for at least four hours, Anadolu reported .Prior to the interrogation, Sheikh Sabri said: “I have been praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque for 70 years and have been giving sermons for 47 years. It is not acceptable that I am prevented from entering it.”Sheikh Sabri is the head of Islamic Supreme Commission in Jerusalem.middleeastmonitor
Hamas ready to take joint steps with Fatah against deal of the century
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200127-hamas-ready-to-take-joint-steps-with-fatah-against-deal-of-the-century/
Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh reiterated his movement’s stance against the US peace initiative dubbed the “deal of the century”.In a statement, Haniyeh said: “Palestine is our land and our country and it is the precious jewel of the Ummah [Islamic nation],” stressing: “It is not subject for bargaining or sale and purchase.”“Today, we announce clearly our rejection of the conspiracy known as the deal of the century and we consider it a battle where we will never be defeated.”middleeastmonitor
Slovenian PM Sarec resigns and seeks early election
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/slovenian-pm-marjan-sarec-resigns-seeks-early-election-200127115525725.html
Slovenian PM Marjan Sarec said he was sending his resignation to parliament on Monday and called for an early election, saying his minority government could not push through important legislation.aljazeera
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
CAA does not carry out the Mahatma’s wishes, it brazenly defies them:Rajmohan Gandhi
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/caa-secular-nrc-minorities-pakistan-narendra-modi-amit-shah-rajmohan-gandhi-6236881/
Sharjeel Imam’s Speech Was Wild and Irresponsible, But Was It ‘Sedition’?Apoorvanand
https://thewire.in/rights/sharjeel-imam-sedition
Speeches land Muslim students in trouble, politicians get away:Tariq Hasan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/speeches-land-muslim-students-in-trouble-politicians-get-away
How would Mahatma Gandhi have reacted to Shaheen Bagh?Harshvardhan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/how-would-mahatma-gandhi-have-reacted-to-shaheen-bagh
Why India Is Source Of Most Elite Group Of Immigrants In US:Noah Smith, Bloomberg
https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/why-india-is-source-of-most-elite-group-of-immigrants-in-us-2170232?pfrom=home-topstories
Video of Traffic Scuffle Misrepresented to Claim It's CAA Protesters Squabbling Over Money
https://thewire.in/rights/factcheck-caa-protesters-bhopal
SC Employee Reinstated, But Will Gogoi's Confidant Be Held Responsible for Her Sacking?Prabhjit Singh
https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-ranjan-gogoi-sexual-harassment-surya-pratap-singh
BJP Has Done Immense Damage to India, But Also Led to Some Unexpected Miracles:Avay Shukla
https://thewire.in/rights/bjp-anti-caa-protests-women
Why Sageer Ahmad’s death should make us rethink our fractured world order:Shalini Langer
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/caa-protest-death-youngest-sageer-ahmad-two-bicycles-a-broken-dream-6236865/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:58 PM).
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