28 Jan 2020: 02 Jamadi-2, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 117
*INDIA*
Law Ministry Said Modi Govt’s Route To Pass Electoral Bonds Was Illegal But Signed Off Anyway
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/electoral-bonds-rti-arun-jaitley-law-ministry_in_5e2eccb1c5b6d6767fd8733f?guccounter=1
New Delhi:Ministry of Law and Justice signed off on the Narendra Modi govt’s decision to hastily pass the controversial electoral bond scheme by bypassing the Rajya Sabha, despite putting on record that Govt’s strategy was illegal and unconstitutional, documents obtained by HuffPost India establish.In a 2-page note, the law ministry said this illegal step was a one-off exception and urged the Modi Govt to “avoid considering this practice as a precedent”, the documents reviewed by HuffPost India show.Worse, crucial official deliberations on allowing even shell companies to secretly donate unlimited funds to political parties were simply not recorded in official meeting minutes. The deliberations were characterised as “informal discussions” between unnamed officials. This is illegal as it violates a 2013 Supreme Court judgement on how official minutes must be recorded, and breaches the Manual of Office Procedure of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Ministry of Personnel reports directly to PM Modi. Further, minutes of official meetings allowing even shell companies to secretly donate to political parties under the scheme were not recorded. This is illegal as per a Supreme Court order from 2013 on how official minutes must be recorded, and breaches Manual of Office Procedure of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Ministry reports directly to PM Narendra Modi.huffingtonpost
‘Modi govt changed law, Jaitley bypassed Rajya Sabha to pass illegal electoral bonds scheme’
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/modi-govt-changed-law-jaitley-bypassed-rajya-sabha-to-pass-illegal-electoral-bonds-scheme-report
17 Gujarat riots convicts get bail, Supreme Court orders social service
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-riots-supreme-court-grants-bail-to-14-convicted-in-a-case-orders-them-to-do-social-and-spiri-2170755
New Delhi: 17 people convicted in a 2002 Gujarat riots case have been granted bail on the condition that they will shift to neighbouring MP and do community service. The convicts, who were serving life terms for burning alive 33 Muslims, have to do "social and spiritual services", said the court today.A Supreme Court bench led by CJI SA Bobde asked MP administration to find them work and divided the convicts into 2 groups. One group will stay in Indore and the other in Jabalpur, said 3 judges. District legal authorities in Indore and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh have been asked to ensure that the convicts do six hours of community service daily. The state legal services authority has also been asked to file a compliance report and also regularly report on their conduct. The case involves the massacre of 33 Muslims at Sardarpura village in the riots that swept through Gujarat in 2002. Muslims, hiding in a house, were burnt alive by a mob. At least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the three-day violence.ndtv
Sabarimala review: SC fixes 10-day period for hearing issues of discrimination against women at religious places
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-review-sc-fixes-10-day-period-for-hearing-issues-of-discrimination-against-women-at-religious-places-6239151/
The Supreme Court Tuesday fixed a 10-day time period for wrapping up proceedings in the matter relating to discrimination against women at religious places, including Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. A bench headed by CJI S A Bobde said questions to be dealt with would be purely legal in nature, and, therefore, it would not take over 10 days to conclude the hearing.“It cannot take over 10 days. Even if someone wants more time, it cannot be given,” stated 9-judge bench. The court’s observation came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned before the apex court that all the counsels of various parties could not frame the common legal questions to be considered by the nine-judge bench.The bench then asked Mehta to furnish issues dealt by lawyers in the meeting.A total of 60 petitions were filed in SC for hearing by a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by CJI Bobde.indianexpress
Scribe moves Supreme Court seeking entry of Muslim women for prayers in mosque
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jan/27/scribe-moves-supreme-court-seeking-entry-of-muslim-women-for-prayers-in-mosque-2095249.html
New Delhi: A senior journalist moved the Supreme Court on Monday seeking impleadment in a batch of petitions seeking a direction to permit the Muslim Women to enter and offer prayers inside mosque. 9-judge bench is likely to take up for hearing these petitions in the first week of Feb. Petitioner Ziya Us Salam, currently associated with a leading magazine, had sought impleadment in the petition filed by Yasmeen Zuber Ahmad Peerzade and said that neither the Quran nor the Hadith bars or prohibits the entry of Muslim women in mosques."That, neither the Quran nor the Hadith bars or prohibits the entry of Muslim women in mosques. In fact, in Quran at nearly 60 places, Allah asks both men and women to "establish" prayer, as opposed to merely offering prayer. Praying in isolation does not amount to establishing prayer," he said in his petition filed through advocate Farrukh Rasheed.PTI
Nirbhaya convict claims sex assault, solitary in jail days before hanging
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nirbhaya-case-nirbhaya-convict-mukesh-singh-challenges-plea-rejection-in-supreme-court-2170926?pfrom=home-livetv
One of the four Nirbhaya case convicts to be hanged on February 1 has challenged the rejection of his mercy request citing "non-application of mind" by the President of India. The Supreme Court will announce its decision on the convict's petition tomorrow. Convict Mukesh Singh's lawyer argued before the Supreme Court today that all records were not sent to President Ram Nath Kovind, so his decision to reject mercy was "arbitrary and malafide". The Supreme Court rejected his request to show documents to the President that he claimed would prove he was "beaten and sexually assaulted" in jail.Mukesh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Kumar Sharma and Akshay Kumar are to hang on Saturday at 6 am.NDTV
*anti-citizenship act stir*
JNU student Sharjeel Imam arrested after 'surrendering' in Bihar on Sedition Charges
https://thewire.in/rights/jnu-student-sharjeel-imam-arrested-in-bihar-on-sedition-charges
New Delhi: JNU student Sharjeel Imam, who has had cases filed against him for sedition in five different states, has been arrested by Delhi Police on Tuesday. According to Imam’s lawyers, he surrendered to the police in Jehanabad, Bihar. “He will be brought to Delhi for production before the magistrate. He has full faith in the legal system and is fully cooperating with the investigation,” the lawyers said in a statement.PhD student at the university’s Centre for Historical Studies has been booked for speeches made during protests against the CAA.“We have arrested Sharjeel Imam from Jehanabad,” Rajesh Deo, deputy commissioner of police, Crime Branch, told PTI. The force had deployed five teams to locate Imam, a resident of Bihar. Raids were conducted in Mumbai, Patna and Delhi. Earlier in the day, Imam’s younger brother was taken in by police for questioning.In the speech in question, Imam told the crowd that no political formation had ever stood with Muslims and believing that the constitution would emancipate Muslims was “a suicidal thought”, and that they must “use the anger productively”.“If we have five lakh people with us, we can cut off the Northeast from India. If not permanently, for one or two months. Put rubble on tracks and roads….Assam aur India katke alag ho jaaye, tabhi ye humari baat sunenge (Once Assam is cut off, then only they will listen to us)… We can do that because Chicken’s Neck corridor (connecting Northeast to rest of India) is dominated by Muslims.”Imam has since clarified that he was only calling for the blockade of roads. “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,” he said. Police in Assam, UP, Arunachal, Manipur and Delhi have filed sedition cases against Imam. In Assam, FIR also includes sections of UAPA.Imam’s mother has since released a statement to the media alleging that the police were threatening and harassing her family. “He was calling for a ‘chakkajam‘ (road blockade). He is just a kid and not capable of instigating people for secession,” she added.thewire
Sharjeel Imam Surrenders in Bihar: Is He A Terrorist or Scapegoat?
https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/jnu-student-sharjeel-imam-shaheen-bagh-speech-sedition-caa-protest
Bidar School Authorities Booked for Sedition After Students Perform Play Against CAA-NRC
https://www.news18.com/news/india/bidar-school-authorities-booked-for-sedition-after-students-perform-play-against-caa-nrc-2476337.html
Bengaluru: The management of a school in Bidar has been slapped with sedition charges after its students performed a drama against CAA and NRC on Sunday. Shaheen Education Institute was on Monday booked, while FIR named head of school and its management as accused.Besides them, one Mohammed Yousuf Rahim has been booked for allegedly sharing video of the skit on social media.The complaint stated that minor children of the institute were were made to stage the drama, which PM Narendra Modi in a "bad light". The drama also sent a message that people of one community would have to leave the country if CAA and NRC were brought into force.A local report stated that ABVP staged a protest against the institute and submitted a memorandum to the home minister.news18
No exam at AMU engineering college for 2nd day as protesters block entry
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/no-exam-at-amu-engineering-college-for-2nd-day-as-protesters-block-entry/1719763
Aligarh: Protesters blocked entry to AMU engineering college today, preventing the holding of an examination for the second consecutive day.On Monday, a group of students had blocked the entrance to Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, prompting the authorities to cancel the examination.Over 600 students were scheduled to appear for exam.The authorities were hoping to conduct the examination amid a boycott call by students demanding the withdrawal of "false FIRs" lodged against them during anti-CAA protests.AMU Students'' Coordination Committee also moved the court seeking the lodging of a case against policemen who "indulged" in excesses against them at Morrison Court hostel and AMU guest house on Dec 15. Lawyer Asad Hayat, who represented the students'' body, said he filed a petition in this regard in court of chief judicial magistrate on Monday.AMU spokesman Omar Peerzada said efforts to persuade the students to end boycott of examinations were continuing. In a memorandum submitted to AMU engineering college, protesters said they would continue to boycott the examinations until false FIRs lodged against them were not withdrawn.A large number of students at AMU Senior Secondary School(Girls) to boycotted their classes and formed a protest chain at AMU Women''s College. Over 1,200 students, including those not identified, have been booked in about a dozen cases connected.PTI
Video: Man carrying gun overpowered by Shaheen Bagh protesters
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shaheen-bagh-protest-man-carrying-gun-overpowered-video-6239827/
New Delhi :A man carrying a gun was overpowered by protesters at Shaheen Bagh on Tuesday after he allegedly brandished the weapon. A video of the incident has now gone viral on social media.The man, according to ANI, visited Shaheen Bagh to talk to the protesters and was carrying a licensed gun.The coordinators of the Shaheen Bagh protest said “armed anti-social elements” have infiltrated the protest site. “We fear that more right-wing groups could enter and launch an attack. We appeal to all to join the protest, strengthen our numbers and prevent any violence,” they tweeted.indianexpress
BJP MP Parvesh Verma Calls women led-peaceful Shaheen Bagh Protesters 'Rapists, Murderers'
https://thewire.in/communalism/parvesh-verma-shaheen-bagh-rapists-murderer
New Delhi: Leaders of BJP appear intent on using the peaceful sit-in protest against the CAA at Shaheen Bagh to communalise the electorate before the Delhi assembly elections.The latest leader to make blatantly communal and dangerous accusations about the protest, with no backing, is MP Parvesh Verma. He called protesters “rapists and murderers”, and said that the people of Delhi should act now (and vote for BJP) and PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah “would not save them later”.“The people of Delhi know that the fire that was set in Kashmir a few years ago, and the mothers and sisters of Kashmiri Pandits were raped, that fire then was set in UP, in Hyderabad, in Kerala. Today that fire has been set in a corner of Delhi [Shaheen Bagh]. Lakhs of people are collecting there. That fire could reach the houses of Delhi at any time; it could reach our houses. The people of Delhi need to think through their decision. These people will enter your houses, they will pick up your sisters and daughters, rape them and kill them. Today, there is time. Tomorrow Modiji will not come to save you; tomorrow Amit Shah will not come to save you. Today there is time. If the people of Delhi wake up now, it will be good. Then they will stay safe,” Verma has said.thewire
'Will remove Shaheen Bagh protesters, mosques on state land': Delhi BJP MP Verma's poll promise
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/will-remove-shaheen-bagh-protesters-mosques-on-state-land-west-delhi-bjp-mp-parvesh-vermas-poll-promise-7965961.html
Delhi CEO Office sends reports to EC on provocative Statements by Thakur, Verma
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-ceo-office-sends-reports-to-ec-on-provocative-statements-by-thakur-verma/1719943
Delhi CEO Office on Tuesday submitted reports to the Election Commission on "provocative" language used by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma while canvassing for party candidates in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly polls, officials said.During an election rally here, BJP leader and Union minister Anurag Thakur egged on the crowd to raise an incendiary slogan -- "traitors should be shot at" -- after he lashed out at anti-CAA protestors, officials said.PTI
Anti-nationals should get bullet not biryani: Karnataka minister backs Anurag Thakur
https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/delhi-assembly-polls-2020/story/anti-nationals-should-get-bullet-not-biryani-karnataka-minister-backs-anurag-thakur-1640937-2020-01-28
New Delhi:BJP leader Anurag Thakur's controversial chant 'desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maro sa**n ko' against anti-CAA protesters has found a supporter within the party.While the slogans chanted by Anurag Thakur at a rally in Delhi on Monday created an uproar in media and public, Karnataka minister CT Ravi backed him and said that 'anti-nationals should get bullet not biryani'.He further categorised people who were raising objections to Thakur's statement into those who "Opposed death to Terrorists Ajmal Kasab & Yakub Memon; Supported Tukde Tukde Gang; and Spread lies against CAA".
Delhi Assembly election: From CAA to Shaheen Bagh, BJP hopes to gain with harder faultlines
https://indianexpress.com/elections/from-caa-to-shaheen-bagh-bjp-hopes-to-gain-with-harder-faultlines-6238417/
From Home Minister Amit Shah’s call to choose BJP to “prevent thousands of incidents like Shaheen Bagh” to chants of “goli maaro saalon ko” when MoS Finance Anurag Thakur was at the mic — the party’s aggression reflects its increasing confidence that it will be able to consolidate Hindu votes in its favour in the run-up to February 8 Delhi polls. “It’s natural. When others try to consolidate Muslim votes, Hindus will support us. It’s not BJP that set this narrative. They (our opponents) have made it Hindu-Muslim vote,” BJP general secretary and member of the election committee for Delhi polls, Anil Jain, said.“When (Deputy CM) Manish Sisodia declared his support (for Shaheen Bagh), he was trying to consolidate Muslim votes. When Arvind Kejriwal said we (BJP) are backing Pakistan by granting Hindus citizenship, he was terming half of Delhi as Pakistanis,” Jain said.Jain’s remark comes against the backdrop of the Delhi polls becoming increasingly polarising and centred around the CAA. In the last two days, addresses by top leaders at BJP rallies have urged people to vote for a party that unites the country, and reject those who “break the country into pieces”. To reinforce this narrative, the central leadership has asked BJP workers from UP and Bihar to campaign in Delhi.indianexpress
SBI Customers Alert! SBI says update KYC or bank may freeze your accounts
https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/news-sbi-account-holders-sbi-bank-kyc-updation-notice-kyc-documts-letter-of-npr-state-bank-of-india-rbi-583708
SBI Bank issued a public notice, published in an English daily on Sunday, asking its customers to complete their KYC for hassle-free banking experience. India's largest lender also said that those non-KYC bank accounts may be freeze by the bank. As per RBI guidelines, Bank has to update KYC of all customers periodically. Accordingly, notices have been sent to customers where KYC Updation is due. Customers who have received such notices are requested to visit the nearest branch of State Bank of India and provide following documents/ information urgently, SBI in its public notice said.SBI in its public notice also said: Bank may be constrained to freeze accounts which are KYC Non-Compliant/ overdue for KYC updations if required documents are not provided before 28.02.20.Meanwhile, as mentioned in the notice, bank has also sent the message alert to its customer to complete KYC before the last date.The bank has also mentioned that letters issued by NPR would be valid documents for KYC requirements.Earlier, RBI had revised its KYC guidelines and made NPR letters a valid document. Before SBI, Central Bank of India had issued a similar notice. India TV
Nitish Wants Govt to Stick to Old NPR Format Amid Fears Over NRC Link
https://www.news18.com/news/india/nitish-kumar-wants-govt-to-stick-to-old-npr-format-amid-fears-over-nrc-link-2476599.html
Jahanabad: Reacting to the arrest of anti-CAA activist activist Sharjeel Imam, who was slapped sedition charges for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said action will be taken against him as per law.“Whenever someone does something wrong, there is an action accordingly. No one should go against law. Whatever he said, what action will be taken is for police and court to decide,” Kumar said. Offering advice to those protesting against the contentious citizenship law, Bihar CM said, “The matter of CAA is in the Supreme Court and it will be debated there. If someone has an issue, they can put it there.” “NPR has been there since 2011, now happening…it’s not a new thing. New points added in it are likely to create confusion. Not everyone knows their parents’ birthday... We believe the old format should continue,” he said.news18
Sushil Modi: ‘Did not anticipate such protests… maybe we were not able to convince people’'
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sushil-kumar-modi-did-not-anticipate-such-protests-maybe-we-were-not-able-to-convince-people-6238423/
Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi speaks on the future of NDA alliance in the state and BJP’s strategy ahead of Assembly polls. Sushil Modi said, "When our supreme leader has said NRC won’t be implemented, the matter rests there. We have said several times that NPR was introduced during UPA rule and its data are used only for Census. It is not mandatory to answer questions asked in NPR."When asked did they anticipate such protests against CAA, Deputy CM said, "No. We did not. Maybe we were not able to convince people. Also, Opposition parties started working overtime to spread lies. But we have seen bigger protests against triple talaq and it finally came through. People are slowly realising the truth about CAA…"indianexpress
Ambedkar's great grandson calls RSS a 'terrorist organisation', calls for ban
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/br-ambedkars-great-grandson-rajratna-ambedkar-rss-terrorist-organisation-ban-4864341.html?fbclid=IwAR3AMriOyg5kTaVuwLU7-0zNBCLP2vZoODDNmxRJb1zrZaM0gy3_0oLY3_Y
The great-grandson of BR Ambedkar and President of the Buddhist Society of India Rajratna Ambedkar called RSS a terrorist organisation.Addressing a gathering in Karnataka, he also attacked Bhopal BJP MP Pragya Thakur, also an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts."A sadhvi sits next to PM Narendra Modi and says that when the Indian Army ran out of arms and ammunition, RSS provided more to them. But where did RSS get so much ammunition from?" he remarked."If ammunition is recovered from a house, won't the residents of that house be called terrorists? Similarly, an organisation that has so much [of] arms and ammunition, isn't it a terrorist organisation?" he said.moneycontrol
Court grants bail to Mysuru woman who held ‘Free Kashmir’ poster at CAA protest
https://scroll.in/latest/951344/court-grants-bail-to-mysuru-woman-who-held-free-kashmir-poster-at-caa-protest
A court in Mysuru on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Nalini Balakumar and another student who were arrested for protesting against CAA, reported Bar and Bench. Balakumar was charged with sedition for holding a placard that read “Free Kashmir” during an anti-CAA protest at Mysore University. Additional District and Sessions Judge Jerald Rudolph Mendonca said alleged offence was not exclusively punishable with death or imprisonment for life. The court added that Balakumar has no criminal background or any connection with any banned outfit. The petitioner had immediately accepted that she had displayed the placard and had explained her stand in the matter, said the court, adding that she was co-operating with the investigation also.On the charges of sedition levied against Balakumar, the court said: “This court is of the firm view that at this stage any person including this court cannot form an opinion or declare whether the Petitioner has committed the offence of sedition or not.”scroll
Rajnath: What’s the problem if NRC brought in?
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajnath-singh-whats-the-problem-if-nrc-brought-in-6238397/
Weeks after PM Narendra Modi assured the country that there has been no discussion on NRC since his Govt was elected in 2014, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asked why there should be objections to NRC, as every country has the right to know how many citizens and foreigners are living within its boundaries. Addressing a rally in Mangaluru, Singh said: “On NRC, I want to ask you: should every country not know how many citizens live and foreigners live on its soil? I want to ask, doesn’t a country have the right to know how many people are its citizens?”As crowd shouted yes, Singh asked: “Phir NRC ban raha hai isme kya aapatti hai (then what’s objection to NRC?)”indianexpress
Brought CAA to correct 'historical injustice': Modi
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/brought-caa-to-correct-historical-injustice-modi/cid/1740225?ref=latest_home-template
New Delhi:PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Govt has brought CAA to correct "historical injustice" and to fulfill the BJP's "old promise" to religious minorities living in neighbouring countries.Speaking at Annual PM's NCC Rally, Modi said the problem in J&K persisted since independence and some families and political parties kept issues in the region "alive", as a result of which terrorism thrived.He said the present Govt has been trying to solve decades-old problems plaguing the country. Slamming Pakistan, PM said the neighbouring country has lost 3 wars but continues to wage proxy wars against India.He also said that currently, not only J-K, but other parts of the country are also peaceful and the Govt has managed to address the aspirations of the northeast region which were neglected for decades.PTI
EU distances itself from its lawmakers’ anti-CAA move: Not our official position
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/eu-resolutions-anti-caa-move-not-official-position-6238592/
With 5 key political groupings in European Parliament — these range from centre-right to far-left — moving resolutions slamming India’s CAA, European Union Monday said the opinions expressed by the European Parliament and its members “do not represent the official position of EU”.French diplomatic sources underlined that France, a founding member of EU, considers the new citizenship law an “internal political matter of India” and that European Parliament is an institution “independent of member states” and the European Commission.This distancing of the EU and France from European Parliament, sources said, comes at a time when New Delhi has diplomatically “engaged” Brussels and European parliamentarians.indian express
'Do Everything to Not Increase Stateless People': Luxembourg FM to Jaishankar
https://www.news18.com/news/india/do-everything-to-not-increase-stateless-people-luxembourg-fm-to-jaishankar-2476801.html
Amidst concerns over India's new citizenship act and NRC, Luxembourg, a European Union member, on Tuesday said it doesn't want to "interfere in the domestic policy" of this country but has asked New Delhi to "do everything" to not increase stateless people.This was conveyed by visiting Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn during talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar."What I said to the minister (Jaishankar) this morning is 'do everything you can do to not increase stateless people'. That is something that we have to fight against. Rest concerns India," Asselborn said during an interactive session at the India International Centre after his meeting with Jaishankar.PTI
'They're Unaware of Facts': UP Police Urges Families of Women Protesters to Withdraw Stir
https://www.news18.com/news/india/police-reaching-out-to-families-of-anti-caa-woman-protesters-urge-to-withdraw-from-protest-2475977.html
Lucknow: The all woman protest going on at Ghantaghar entered its 12th day on Tuesday. Lucknow Police till now have registered 6 different FIRs in connection with Anti CAA protests in various parts of the city. After the woman protesters were not deterred by the FIR against them, Lucknow Police is now trying to reach out to the families of the protesters and urging them to withdraw from protest as they are misinformed about CAA. Sources in the police department revealed that the families of females who were booked in FIRs for violation of Section 144 are being approached first to urge the women to withdraw from protest as they were not completely aware of the CAA. Sources also suggest these women were joining protests because of misinformation and were not aware of the facts about CAA. Meanwhile a total of 6 FIRs have been lodged against anti-CAA protesters in the state capital, out of which 4 are registered against protesters at Ghantaghar while 2 are registered against the protesters at Ujariaon in Gomti Nagar area of the state capital. Three members of Samajwadi Party who were burning effigy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah outside UP Assembly were also arrested for violation of Section 144 of CrPC. The arrested student leader of SP youth wing, Pooja Shukla who was detained from Ghantghar on Saturday was granted bail by court on Monday.On Monday, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali reached Ghantaghar along with Bishop Gerald Mathias and extended support to the females protesting against CAA. Earlier Maulana Kalbe Jawwad had also reached the Ghantaghar and extended his support to the women protesters. Noted lawyer Zafaryab Jilani had also extended his support to protest by reaching Ghantaghar. Members of Sikh community had performed Ardas at the protest site and had urged the Govt to include Muslims as well in the Amended Citizenship Law. A Hawan was also performed at Ghantaghar in order to urge Govt for roll back of the controversial citizenship law.News18
CAA, NRC are BJP’s Hindutva project for 2024: Maharashtra’s former CM Chavan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-nrc-are-bjps-hindutva-project-for-2024-says-prithviraj-chavan-6238637/
Mumbai :Just as debate rages over the implementation of CAA, Maharashtra’s former CM and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Monday labelled CAA, NRC and NPR as components of BJP’s Hindutva project aimed at 2024 Lok Sabha polls.Deviating from the popular narrative of Opposition leaders that these moves were a diversionary tactic of the ruling party to distract from the deep crisis faced by the Indian economy, the former CM, who was speaking at Indian Express Idea Exchange, said that “while this may be a convenient argument from the Opposition’s point of view, it wasn’t an honest one.” Elaborating, he said, “It is incorrect to state that BJP had enacted these measures in haste. The project has been in the works since 2015 when the passport rules were amended to mention 3 countries and 6 religions. But nobody looked at it then. Even the media missed it.”indianexpress
I was pushed, hit with chairs, says protestor who shouted anti-CAA slogans at Amit Shah rally
https://scroll.in/latest/951359/i-was-pushed-hit-with-chairs-says-protestor-who-shouted-anti-caa-slogans-at-amit-shah-rally
A 20-year-old protestor who shouted slogans against the CAA at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Delhi has alleged that he was pushed to the ground and hit with chairs by people in the audience. The incident took place in Babarpur Assembly constituency in Delhi on Sunday evening.Harjit Singh shouted “take back Citizenship Act” during Shah’s speech.“I was immediately pulled from the back and pushed to the ground by people in the audience,” Singh said. “Some of them also grabbed chairs to hit me”. Protestor alleged that Delhi Police coerced him to write a letter saying he was mentally unstable, adding that he was locked up in police station despite not having committed any crime.scroll
MP BJP MLA opposes CAA: ‘Either you follow the constitution or tear it off’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-bjp-mla-opposes-caa-either-you-follow-the-constitution-or-tear-it-off-6239724/
Bhopal :Opposing CAA and the proposed NRC, BJP MLA Narayan Tripathi on Tuesday said the country cannot be divided along religious lines.“Either you follow the constitution or tear it off because it lays emphasis on secularism and the country can’t be divided along religious lines. Yet the country is being divided along religious lines,” Maihar MLA said adding that Muslims in villages are suspicious and avoid interacting with others. “When getting an Aadhar card made is difficult for people in rural areas and the poor in urban areas where will the people get all the documents to prove their citizenship,” he said.Tripathi, who was previously with the Congress and Samajwadi Party, said an atmosphere of gruh kalah (domestic strife) was prevailing in the country. No village, mohalla, or country can enjoy peace if such an atmosphere prevails, he said.indianexpress
Even some 'RSS people' opposed to CAA: Gopinathan
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/national/850260-gopinathan-claims-even-some-rss-people-opposed-to-caa
Panaji:Bureaucrat-turned-activist Kannan Gopinathan today said even some "RSS people" are convinced CAA is a bad law but are keeping quiet as the NDA Govt at the Centre is their own baby. Speaking in Panaji, he further said Modi Govt was behaving like a "drunken teenager" which needs to be questioned or else it will end up destroying homes."I was detained twice in UP, kept the whole day, because they (Govt) do not want questioning (of CAA). I have met so many RSS people, they also understand this...if you have this conversation, they also understand the Govt has done something (wrong) and they have been asked to support it," he claimed. He said the line of thought among these RSS people (he met) was "just support it (CAA)" as they don't want an altercation because "Govt is their baby".PTI
CAA Protests : Yechury says parliament also cleared emergency
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sitaram-yechury-justifies-caa-protests-says-parliament-also-cleared-emergency-2170963
CPI(M) said that the citizenship law will continue to face opposition on streets despite Parliament's approval, just like Emergency was opposed notwithstanding its passage in both Houses.In a series of tweets, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said those arguing that CAA cannot be questioned because it has been passed by Parliament must also remember that Emergency was also cleared by Parliament.PTI
Pooja Bhatt says dissent is greatest form of patriotism: ‘I don’t support CAA-NRC as it divides my house’
https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/pooja-bhatt-says-dissent-is-greatest-form-of-patriotism-i-don-t-support-caa-nrc-as-it-divides-my-house/story-B0NTPBNhEWaSprp8jUHhgN.html
Actor Pooja Bhatt on Monday said dissent is the greatest form of patriotism and asserted that students protesting against the CAA-NRC acts are giving the message that ‘the ruling party has actually united us’.Bhatt was among a host of noted personalties who spoke at a conference organised in the backdrop of ongoing protests against the CAA and the proposed NRC. The event in Colaba, south Mumbai, was organised by Parcham Foundation and We People of Maharashtra.Speakers later submitted a memorandum to Govt representatives, seeking to know the stand of state authorities on CAA-NRC-NPR within 30 days.HT
‘Ready for talks with PM Modi but Centre must scrap CAA first’: Mamata
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ready-for-talks-with-pm-modi-but-centre-must-scrap-caa-first-mamata-banerjee/story-8Lu7dNQ6cWejbrlYOGjnxN.html
A day after West Bengal became the fourth state to pass an assembly resolution against CAA, CM Banerjee said Tuesday that was she was ready for talks with PM Narendra Modi on controversial law but the legislation has to be rolled back first.“I am ready for talks with PM on CAA, but the Centre has to withdraw the Act first,” PTI quoted her as saying at a protest meet in Kolkata.HT
Raj Thackeray says he doesn’t back CAA but party's stand against illegal migrants unchanged
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jan/28/raj-thackeray-says-he-doesnt-back-caa-but-partys-stand-against-illegal-migrants-unchanged-2095689.html
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has made it clear that he has not endorsed the CAA or NRC.Last week, during a party rally after releasing a new saffron flag, Thackeray had announced a new pro-Hindutva line for the party, specifying that illegal migrants need to be sent back and his party would take out a march to push the demand. However, at a meeting on Tuesday, he made it clear that his statement at the rally was misconstrued and that he had only demanded strong and immediate action against illegal immigrants.“I have never supported CAA. I only said that all illegal Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims should be sent back immediately. It was misinterpreted as support to CAA,” Thackeray said at a meeting of party leaders at his residence.newindianexpress
Illegal refugees returning to Bangladesh after CAA: BSF Official
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/illegal-refugees-returning-to-bangladesh-after-caa-official/1719858
New Delhi:In the wake of the CAA, illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have begun to flee India back to their native country, a senior Border Security Force official said.There is also a drop in the number of Bangladeshi nationals crossing over to India in the last one month after CAA came into being.BSF official, posted at BSF Delhi headquarters, claimed that the majority of the efflux of illegal migrants was happening in the 24 Parganas district in southern West Bengal.IANS
Karnataka HC grants bail to bangladeshi 'illegal migrant' woman taking note of CAA provisions
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/karnataka-hc-grants-bail-to-bangladeshi-christian-citing-caa-provisions-152088
Karnataka High Court, on Monday granted bail to a Bangladeshi Christian 'illegal migrant' taking note of the provisions of Citizenship Amendment Act.Archona Purnima Pramanik is a Bangladeshi National and a Christian. Allegation against her is that she illegally migrated to India and later she obtained Indian documents like PAN Card, Aadhaar Card in her name and on the strength of these documents, she fraudulently obtained an Indian Passport. She was arrested and is in custody since Nov.2019.livelaw.in
Polio vaccination team mistaken for NPR officials, ‘assaulted’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/polio-vaccination-team-mistaken-for-npr-officials-assaulted-6238531/
New Delhi :A Polio vaccination team was assaulted in Meerut’s Lisari Gate on Sunday evening after it was allegedly mistaken for officials working on NPR. The incident occurred when the team was taking down details for vaccinations required in the area. During the questioning, one of locals called in other people, gheraoed team and attacked them.“A Polio immunisation programme is being conducted in various parts of the district. The team of three people reached Lisari Gate’s Lakhipura area and began to take details of children in households as per due procedure. Some people in the locality surrounded them suspecting they were there for NPR. The argument between them escalated and the team was attacked by several locals. We have written a complaint to the police and a case has been filed,”said Dr Raj Kumar, CMO Meerut.indianexpress
When anti-CAA Muslim protesters helped a temple procession pass in Kerala’s Thrissur
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/when-muslim-organisers-of-caa-protest-helped-a-temple-procession-pass-through-keralas-thrissur-6238175/
Kochi :On Saturday, Thrissur Police in Kerala was faced with a pressing dilemma when they realised that they had to ensure the smooth conduct of a temple festival procession through the town at the same time when an anti-CAA protest by Muslim outfits takes shape.Nearly one lakh people were to assemble in the popular Swaraj round in Thrissur town as part of an anti-CAA protest. However, at the same time, the festival procession of the local Bhaktapriyam temple complete with elephants and percussionists had to pass through the same area. So when top police officials spoke to organisers on both sides, they got a response that once again accentuated the state’s unique religious harmony and amity.Muslim organisers of the anti-CAA protest promised to the police to lend help to ensure the temple festival procession was carried out smoothly through the town. indianexpress
Women shouldn’t hit streets against CAA, raise slogans or clench fists: Cleric Musliyar in Kerala
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/women-shouldnt-hit-streets-against-caa-raise-slogans-or-clench-fists-sunni-muslim-cleric-in-kerala-6239509/
Kochi :Influential Sunni Muslim cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar has sparked controversy by advocating that women must not raise slogans, clench their fists and hit the streets in the ongoing anti-CAA protests across the country. He made the remarks in an interview to Asianet News, in Kozhikode.When asked about his opinion on the involvement of women in public protests against the citizenship law in the state, the cleric responded, “Our view is that women must not hit the streets, unlike men. They must not clench their fists or raise slogans. However, when a situation arises where the support of women has to be declared, then their backing has to be proved, that’s all. Otherwise, they don’t need to hit the streets for protests.”Aboobacker Musliyar is India’s Grand Mufti, general secretary of All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and chancellor of the Jamia Markaz group of institutions. indianexpress
*J&K AND S. ASIA*
Hope EU resolutions are followed by sanctions: Mehbooba Mufti
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hope-eu-resolutions-are-followed-by-sanctions-mehbooba-mufti/articleshow/73669728.cms
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has expressed hope that resolutions tabled in European Parliament against CAA and curbs in Kashmir will be followed up with sanctions."Relieved to see EU parliament pass resolutions against communal CAB & brutal lockdown in Kashmir. Hope it's followed up with sanctions. GOIs actions are frittering away all of India's assiduously earned soft power,"a tweet on Mehbooba's Twitter handle reads."Discriminatory CAB & repressive measures in Kashmir are India's internal matter only when EU Parliamentarians/international community condemn such actions. Had they spoken about it in glowing terms, the same establishment would lap it up," she added.PTI
After bearded photo goes viral, this is BJP’s ‘sincere contribution’ to Omar Abdullah
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/omar-abdullah-bearded-photo-bjp-tweet-6239170/
New Delhi :Days after a picture of former CM of J&K Omar Abdullah created buzz on social media, the BJP unit of Tamil Nadu said it was “disheartened” to see his bearded photo and sent National Conference leader a pack of razors. The tweet was deleted minutes later.In a tweet, the party said, “Dear @OmarAbdullah, It’s very disheartening to see you like this while most of your corrupt friends are enjoying life outside. Kindly accept our sincere contribution, in case of any assistance feel free to contact ur counterpart @INCIndia for further help in this regard.” The tweet also included a screenshot of the order, addressed to Srinagar. On Jan. 25, a picture of Omar Abdullah sporting a greyish-white long beard emerged on social media. It showed him smiling in a snow-covered jacket and sporting an unkempt greyish beard.The tweet comes after the Congress dispatched a copy of the Indian Constitution to PM Narendra Modi as a “gift” on Republic Day. “Dear PM, the Constitution is reaching you soon. When you get time off from dividing the country, please do read it. Regards, Congress,” the tweet read.Earlier on Monday, BJP leader Giriraj Singh took a jibe at the picture and questioned if article 370 was removed from the valley or was it the razor?West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also shared picture calling it ‘unfortunate.indianexpress
*ECONOMY & POLITICS*
Almost 75% Farmers Did Not Get All 3 PM Kisan Instalments, a Year After Implementation
https://thewire.in/economy/pm-kisan-farmers-instalments-modi-Govt
New Delhi: Less than 3 in 10 farmers received the Rs 6,000 that was due to them in the first full year of the implementation of Centre’s flagship PM Kisan scheme, according to Govt data obtained by The Wire through RTI. In the first full year of implementation of the PM Kisan scheme – between Dec.1, 2018 and Nov.30, 2019 – the Modi Govt has only been able to spend 41% of the amount that it ought to have spent, as only slightly more than 25% of farmers have received all three instalments under the scheme. These conclusions come from data obtained by The Wire via RTI Act as well as an analysis of data provided to parliament by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. thewire
Modi promised 2 cr jobs but 1 cr lost theirs': Ahead of budget, Rahul attacks govt on economy
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/pm-modi-promised-2-cr-jobs-but-1-cr-lost-theirs-ahead-of-budget-rahul-gandhi-attacks-govt-over-economy-2476435.html
New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on PM, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused PM Narendra Modi of tarnished India's image as country of peace, putting off investors. He added that PM Modi couldn't understand GST. Addressing a rally in Jaipur, Gandhi said, "It is shameful that the economic growth has dropped since UPA was in power. Youth are India's biggest asset, country today is wasting this asset. PM Modi had promised to create two crore jobs but one crore people lost theirs last year."The public rally comes ahead of the Union budget scheduled to be presented on Feb.1. Earlier also Congress leader had alleged that BJP-led Govt has failed on economic issues and is now distracting the nation through other means.news18
Debt increased by 71% in 5 years, address it in budget: Congress tells Modi government
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/debt-increased-by-71-in-5-years-address-it-in-budget-congress-tells-modi-government
Congress today claimed that country's debt increased by over 71 per cent in the last 5.5 years whereas the per capita GDP rose by only 30 per cent and asked the Modi government to address concern in this budget.Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said increase in the rate of per capita debt (10.3 pc) is twice as compared to the rate of per capita GDP (5.3 per cent) in CAGR terms.PTI
Nothing in data that say we couldn’t be in recession: Abhijit Banerjee
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/nothing-in-data-that-say-we-couldnt-be-in-recession-abhijit-banerjee
Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee on Monday said that while there is nothing in the macroeconomic data that says India couldn't be in a recession, the final answer was unknown to him in the absence of new, reliable data on the informal sector where the anecdote suggests "the big slowdown is in"."If you ask me, could we be in a recession? There is nothing in data that says we could not be in a recession," Banerjee said during a session at Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet.IANS
*OTHERS*
Coronavirus toll in China rises to 106, with over 4,000 cases: Preparations to evacuate Indians from Wuhan underway, say MEA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-live-updates-china-death-toll-india-us-infection-stock-market-6238693/?#liveblogstart
New Delhi :Ministry of External Affairs Tuesday said Centre has started preparations to evacuate the Indians stranded in China’s Wuhan, which is the epicenter of the outbreak of the deadly new coronavirus. This comes as the death toll in China due to coronavirus rose to 106 as the country continued to impose restrictions on travel to curb its spread. China’s national health commission said the number of confirmed cases now stood at 4,515, up from 2,835 a day before. 3 Indian men, who came from China Monday, have been admitted to RML hospital Delhi. “They walked into the hospital on their own with symptoms of cold and cough which is similar to the coronavirus outbreak,” Dr Minakshi Bharadwaj, medical superintendent of the hospital, said.Also, a Tardeo resident in Mumbai and a Pune resident are among 5 in Maharashtra who are in a quarantine ward on suspicion of novel coronavirus (nCoV). In Kerala, over 430 people, most of whom returned from Wuhan province, are under observation. Meanwhile, about 45 Indian medical students at Jianghan University School of Medicine in Wuhan, who are stranded in their hostels, have sought immediate help from Indian authorities. Top sources in Air India said the airline has kept one of its 423-seater jumbo plane ready in Mumbai for the evacuation. Countries across the world are scrambling to detect and control the virus, as authorities try to evacuate their nationals from China. Health officials in US Tuesday said at least 110 people were being evaluated for possible infection in the country, NYT reported. indianexpress
A talk to demonise Muslims: Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/a-talk-to-demonise-muslims-abhijit-banerjee/cid/1740140?ref=top-stories_home-template
Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee, Nobel laureate and Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has said the talk from “the fringes of the ruling party” about the Muslim demography “is really just a way to demonise a population”.“I don’t think there is any real fear that there is going to be a Muslim takeover of India,” he said at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet in association with Victoria Memorial Hall and The Telegraph. Banerjee’s conversation with author Udayan Mukherjee mostly centred on the ideas thrown up by the book, Good Economics for Hard Times, which the economist co-authored with fellow Nobel laureate and his wife Esther Duflo. He said, "The minorities are actually minorities. They are not anywhere close to being dominant.So the idea that we need to be mindful of the minorities — the talk that you hear at least from the fringes of the ruling party about the demographic of the Muslim population — this is really just a way to demonise a population. Like the African Americans and Mexicans in US, minorities are relatively economically and educationally deprived, with much better-off economically powerful majority.Whenever these fears are stoked, you could imagine a context when these are two equal groups, and you worry about the other group becoming too powerful. This is just not realistic here… (it) is constructing a narrative that has no basis in reality. I don’t think there is any real fear that there is going to be a Muslim takeover of India." Telegraph
20 times Pak-Canadian Tarek Fatah has tweeted fake news – often with a communal bite
https://scroll.in/article/951291/20-times-pakistani-canadian-writer-tarek-fatah-has-tweeted-fake-news-often-with-a-communal-bite
A prominent name on social media, Tarek Fatah is an active Twitter user with over 600,000 followers. But on many occasions, the Pakistani-Canadian writer has been found circulating misinformation along communal lines, particularly targeting Indian Muslims. A matter of even more concern is Fatah’s failure to take down misleading tweets despite being made aware of the misinformation. In fact, in the latest spree, he took an extra effort to ensure that his followers remain misled.On Jan. 25, Fatah tweeted a video of burqa-clad people dancing to a Bollywood number. “Could someone confirm if this video is from #CAA_NRCProtests at #ShaheenBagh or nor?” he asked. There are enough hints in the video which suggest that it does not represent protests at Shaheen Bagh against CAA and NRC.The group is dancing around a woman dressed as a bride. Ironically, Fatah had tweeted the same video three years ago, twice. When he was criticised for his latest message, Fatah quietly took down his tweet from August 2017. However, he failed to do so for the same for the video he tweeted in May 2017.scroll
Tarek Fatah – A case study of unrelenting divisive misinformation
https://www.altnews.in/tarek-fatah-a-case-study-of-unrelenting-divisive-misinformation/
282 deaths in last 4 years: How Swachh Bharat Mission failed India’s manual scavengers
https://theprint.in/india/282-deaths-in-last-4-years-how-swachh-bharat-mission-failed-indias-manual-scavengers/354116/?fbclid=IwAR2qQ990BF5cZg3w5v5fErOYCofKdWK7H4hnAm3ISiA-v-a2JATvYEuKG9k
Days after Bombay High Court expressed its concern over growing deaths of manual scavengers in Maharashtra while hearing a PIL on the issue, India’s commercial capital was once again a mute witness to the death of 3 sanitation workers in a housing society’s septic tank. Sadly, this was not a one-off tragedy. Nearly 7 years after legislation of - ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act (Manual Scavengers Act) 2013,’ deaths of sanitation workers due to asphyxiation inside sewers and septic tanks continue to be reported with an unfailing regularity from across India.Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), in a reply to a question by NCP’s Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan, revealed that 282 sanitation workers have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the country between 2016 and November 2019. The highest number of deaths, 40 was recorded in Tamil Nadu followed by Haryana, which recorded 31 deaths in manholes. Delhi and Gujarat recorded 30 deaths each followed by Maharashtra and UP, each recording 27 deaths. While the year 2016 accounted for 50 deaths, 83 sanitation workers died due to suffocation in septic tanks and sewers in 2017 and 66 deaths were recorded in 2018. Till Nov.2019, the death count reported from across the country stood at 83. theprint
US alert for India: 25,000 child porn cases uploaded in 5 months
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/child-pornography-india-ncmec-us-report-6238603/
Mumbai:Over 25,000 cases of suspected child pornography material were uploaded across social media platforms in India in the last 5 months, according to reports shared by National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in US with NCRB.A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said that the reports show Delhi topping the list when it comes to uploading Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP and West Bengal are the other top states, official said.indianexpress
Centre ready to hold peace talks with ULFA (I): Himanta Biswa Sarma
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-ready-to-hold-peace-talks-with-ulfa-i-himanta-biswa-sarma-6239100/
A day after the Bodo pact was signed, senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that Centre is willing to hold peace talks with ULFA (Independent) faction and appealed to its leader Paresh Barua to come to the negotiating table.Sarma, who is also North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor, told reporters that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly said on Monday that if the anti-talk ULFA (I) faction is ready for negotiations, then “the Centre is more than willing to hold dialogue with them for the sake of permanent peace in Assam and Northeast.”indianexpress
1984 Bhopal gas tragedy: Justice Bhat recuses from hearing Centre’s plea for additional funds
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/1984-bhopal-gas-tragedy-justice-s-ravindra-bhat-recuses-from-hearing-centres-plea-for-additional-fund/
New Delhi :The Supreme Court Tuesday said CJI S A Bobde will take a call on the composition of the bench for hearing the matter relating to the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy after Justice S Ravindra Bhat recused himself from hearing the plea, saying he had appeared for the Centre as a lawyer earlier in the matter. Centre’s plea seeks Rs 7,844 crore additionals fund from successor firms of US-based Union Carbide Corporation for providing compensation to victims.A five-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra adjourned the hearing till Wednesday. “We will not take it up today. We are waiting for CJI’s order,” said the bench also comprising Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran, M R Shah and Bhat.“I had appeared for the Union of India in the matter when union had sought review,” said Justice Bhatt as he expressed his unwillingness to be part of the bench to hear the matter.indianexpress
Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh announces plan to build ‘grand’ Sita temple in Sri Lanka
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-govt-in-madhya-pradesh-announces-plan-to-build-grand-sita-temple-in-sri-lanka-6238638/
Bhopal : Congress Govt in Madhya Pradesh on Monday announced that a grand temple of Sita will be built in Sri Lanka at a place where she is believed to have withstood agnipariksha – trial by fire – near what is present-day Nuwara Eliya, in central highlands of the island-nation.The idea was conceived by the previous BJP Govt under Shivraj Singh Chouhan nearly a decade ago but the project did not take off. Chouhan had claimed to have laid the foundation stone for the proposed temple during his visit to Lanka. The then BJP Govt had claimed that it had received all mandatory clearances.indianexpress
One more held for Jharkhand massacre, 16 arrested so far
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/one-more-held-for-jharkhand-massacre-16-arrested-so-far-6239315/
Ranchi:One more person has been arrested in connection with the killing of seven people allegedly by ‘Pathalgarhi’ movement supporters at Burugulikera village in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district last week, taking the total number of arrests to 16, police said today.27-year-old Martin Logma was arrested on Monday and produced before a local court in Chakradharpur, which sent him to 14-days judicial custody, an official release said.The other 15 accused, aged between 19 and 60 years, were arrested on Sunday and charged with murder and rioting, among others, it said.PTI
FIR against over 50 people after Greater Noida villagers attack cops, break windows of four govt vehicles during Jewar airport land acquisition drive
https://www.firstpost.com/india/fir-against-over-50-people-after-greater-noida-villagers-attack-cops-break-windows-of-four-govt-vehicles-during-jewar-airport-land-acquisition-drive-7965191.html
Noida: Over 50 people were booked on Monday for rioting and assaulting policemen and a sub-divisional magistrate during a land acquisition drive in Greater Noida for upcoming Jewar airport, police said.A team of the district administration had gone to Dayanatpur village to acquire land for the project when a clash broke out between them and the villagers, the police said. "SDM Jewar, Gunja Singh, and three policemen suffered minor injuries in the clash, while windows of four Govt vehicles were damaged during stone pelting," a police official said.An FIR has been registered at the Jewar police station following a complaint by the sub-divisional magistrate, the official said. "Thirty-four people have been named in the FIR, while another 20-25 unidentified people have been booked," he added.PTI
*WORLD*
US air crash in Afghanistan may have killed top CIA official: Iranian media
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-air-crash-in-afghanistan-may-have-killed-top-cia-official-iranian-media/article30675591.ece?homepage=true
American surveillance plane that crashed in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province on Monday may have killed Michael D’Andreas, CIA’s head for Iran, Iranian media has reported.Iran Front Page news website (IFPNews) has reported, quoting Russian intelligence sources, that the plane served as Mr. Andreas’ mobile command post.It said the Afghan Taliban was in possession of ‘documents’ apparently recovered from the wreckage of the plane. On Monday, Taliban claimed that US aircraft had been “brought down” in the Ghazni province, but did not appear to take direct responsibility for the alleged attack.“The plane, which was on an intelligence mission, was brought down in Sado Khel area of Deh Yak district of Ghazni province,” said Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.Taliban social media accounts have also posted unverified footage of the wreckage with distinct US Air Force markings. Video shows a burnt out Bombardier E-11A plane, extensively used for electronic surveillance by U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan.Analysts point out that in case it could be established that the plane was shot down by the Taliban, it could ruin prospects of a revived dialogue between the US and the militant group, essential for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan — a key campaign issue for Donald Trump’s seeking his second term in office. Unsurprisingly, US military spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett said in a statement, “While the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire.”Andreas “who was responsible for assassination of Iran’s top commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani, was apparently among officers on board the plane,” it said quoting the Veterans Today website of Russia.thehindu
US military confirms Afghan crash but disputes plane shot down
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/military-confirms-afghan-crash-disputes-plane-downed-200128035858442.html
Afghan police officers killed in Taliban 'insider' attack
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/afghan-police-officers-killed-taliban-insider-attack-200128074059640.html
At least 11 Afghan police officers have been killed after Taliban fighters stormed a police base in Pul-e Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province, local Govt officials told AP today.The fighters first overran a checkpoint near the base late on Monday and were apparently able to breach the compound with ease because a sympathetic policeman opened a door for them.Details were provided by Mahbobullah Ghafari, a Baghlan provincial councilman. A local police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief reporters about the attack, also gave same account.A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, however, put the death toll at 17, adding that one officer was taken hostage. The group has, at times, exaggerated its claims.aljazeera
Trump plan will 'finish off Palestinian cause', PM warns
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/donald-trump-plan-finish-palestinian-pm-warns-200127144859936.html
Palestinian leaders have decried US President Donald Trump's plan for the Middle East as an effort to "finish of the Palestinian cause".Trump on Monday held separate meetings with right-wing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his election rival, Benny Gantz, in Washington, DC over his long-delayed proposal that has been kept secret."We reject it and we demand the international community not be a partner to it because it contradicts basics of international law and inalienable Palestinian rights,"Palestinian PM Mohammad Shtayyeh said."It is nothing but a plan to finish off the Palestinian cause."Palestinian leaders say they were not invited to Washington and no plan can work without them. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority called on ambassadors of Arab and Muslim countries to boycott the event where plan is expected to be unveiled.aljazeera
Trump meeting lends PR boost to political rival of Israel’s Netanyahu
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200128-trump-meeting-lends-pr-boost-to-political-rival-of-israels-netanyahu/
A Washington visit by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a long-awaited Middle East peace plan lent a surprise boost on Monday to his main political rival, who secured a separate meeting with US President Donald Trump, Reuters reports.Ex-general Benny Gantz deadlocked with Netanyahu in 2 elections last year, triggering another ballot for March. Both men were invited to the unveiling, scheduled for Tuesday, of Trump’s blueprint for Israeli-Palestinian peace.A US official said Netanyahu had wanted Gantz to escort him to White House, telegraphing to many Israelis the challenger’s subordination to the four-term conservative Likud party incumbent.Netanyahu “would have preferred to have Gantz down in the audience” as the PM stands alongside Trump during the peace plan’s announcement today, official said.middleeastmonitor
Netanyahu drops request for immunity on corruption charges
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/netanyahu-drops-request-immunity-corruption-charges-200128081206725.html
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is withdrawing his bid for parliamentary immunity from prosecution on corruption charges, paving the way for a trial to begin.Israel's longest-serving PM issued a statement on Facebook on Tuesday saying the immunity proceedings in parliament would have been a "circus" and he did not want to take part in a "dirty game"."I informed the Knesset speaker that I am withdrawing my immunity request," Netanyahu said. Israel's parliament, the Knesset, had been set to convene to discuss the formation of a committee to debate the PM's request for immunity from prosecution on Tuesday.The Knesset was widely expected to reject the request, which would have dealt Netanyahu a blow ahead of a parliamentary election scheduled for March 2 - the third national vote in less than a year. Netanyahu's Likud party was planning to boycott the session.aljazeera
Israel ‘has uncovered Hamas spy cell’ in Tel Aviv
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200128-israel-has-uncovered-hamas-spy-cell-in-tel-aviv/
Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, claimed on Monday to have uncovered and arrested members of a Hamas spy cell operating in Tel Aviv. The group is accused of recording military and Iron Dome missile defence locations, Israeli media reported. According to Ynet News, the cell was asked to record the sites where Palestinian rockets landed during Israel’s military offensive against the Gaza Strip in November. Shin Bet said that three people were involved, and that two of them hold Israeli identity documents while the third, who was not arrested, does not. The two were named as Rajab Daka, aged 24, and Rami Al-Amudi, 30.Daka is married and one of five siblings. He is accused of making notes about security sites, including military bases, police facilities, Iron Dome locations, information about Israeli security and the places where Palestinian rockets landed. He was indicted on charges of contacting a foreign agent, aiding the enemy during war, membership of a terrorist organisation and aiding a terrorist organisation.middleeastmonitor
Israeli passport holders cannot visit: Saudi minister
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200127-saudi-minister-says-israeli-passport-holders-cannot-visit/
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said Israelis were not welcome to visit the kingdom after Israel decreed that Israeli citizens could visit Saudi under certain circumstances, CNN reported.“Our policy is fixed. We do not have relations with the state of Israel and Israeli passport holders cannot visit the kingdom at the current time,” US broadcaster quoted Prince Faisal bin Farhan as saying.A statement from Israel’s interior minister on Sunday said Israelis – if invited and permitted by Saudi authorities – would be allowed to travel there for religious reasons on pilgrimage or for up to 9 days for business reasons such as investment or meetings.MEMO
Iran Parliament introduces motion to leave nuclear proliferation treaty
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-parliament-introduces-motion-to-leave-nuclear-proliferation-treaty/article30674146.ece?homepage=true
A motion for Iran to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was introduced in Iran's parliament on Tuesday, the parliament's news site ICANA reported.The report did not say when parliament might vote on the motion. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, makes the final decisions regarding the country's nuclear policy.REUTER
Libya conflict: At least 11 gov't soldiers killed near Misrata
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/libya-conflict-11-govt-soldiers-killed-misrata-200128064854953.html
Fighting has erupted again in the area near the strategic western city of Misrata, as renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's forces advance towards it.At least 11 Govt soldiers were killed and 100 others injured.This shatters a fragile ceasefire agreed to earlier this month, undoing the work of world leaders who tried to broker talks between Libya's rival Govts.
Egypt MPs call for end to free trade deal with Turkey
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200127-egypt-mps-call-for-end-to-free-trade-deal-with-turkey/
Egyptian MPs have again asked the Govt to cancel a 2015 free trade agreement with Turkey which allows Turkish products into Egypt without custom duties or tax fees.“Turks use the agreement to flood the market with a lot of cheap and substandard products,” Farag Amer, head of industry committee, said.“[They] cause a lot of harm to counterpart local industries, particularly in the areas of reinforced steel, wood, paper and textile products.”Amer also complained that Turkey has been hostile towards Egypt.Senior Egyptian officials called for severing economic ties with Turkey.middleeastmonitor
Algeria’s newspapers: Erdogan’s visit boosts relations and peace in Libya
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200128-algerias-newspapers-turkeys-erdogans-visit-boosts-relations-and-peace-in-libya/
The visit of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Algeria hit the headlines, as most Govt and private newspapers published reports addressing the news on Monday. Algerian media unanimously considered Erdogan’s visit as an essential step towards strengthening economic cooperation and bilateral coordination between the two countries regarding Libyan file. El Moudjahid, an Algerian French-language newspaper, titled a report addressing Erdogan’s visit, on its front page, “An Agreement for Deep Relations.”The paper’s editorial also stated that the visit gave a new impetus to bilateral cooperation, indicating that the volume of trade exchange and the goals set by the leadership of the two countries will allow relations to develop in light of common interests.middleeastmonitor
Tunisia: Ennahda Movement expand consultations on formation of next Govt
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200128-tunisia-ennahda-movement-expand-consultations-on-formation-of-next-Govt/
Ennahda Movement called for expanding consultations on the formation of the next Tunisian Govt to include the various parliamentary blocs, in order to ensure the formation of a national unity Govt with social and democratic content.A statement issued by Ennahda Movement (enjoying the majority of seats in People’s Assembly, 52 seats) said after a meeting held on Monday by the movement’s Shura Council that “the Council recommends that the Executive Office prepare for all possibilities, including the early elections, provided the ongoing holding of the Shura Council.” This meeting was devoted to discussing the movement’s options after Dr Elyes Fakhfakh has been assigned to form the new Tunisian Govt. The meeting also called for the prompt completion of constitutional institutions, on top of which the Constitutional Court.middleeastmonitor
Why is Pakistan's Pashtun movement under attack? aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/pakistan-pashtun-movement-attack-200128085744910.html
Having risen to prominence as one of the most strident critics of Pakistan's powerful military, Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) has subsequently faced a sustained campaign of intimidation, censorship and arrests.The movement, which advocated for the rights of ethnic Pashtuns affected by Pakistan's war against the Taliban in its northwest, was formed in 2016 by a group of eight university students in the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan. All 8 hailed from the neighbouring district of South Waziristan.Led by veterinary sciences student Manzoor Pashteen, they formed the Mehsud Tahaffuz Movement (MTM), a pressure group seeking to highlight the struggles of the more half a million people who fled their native South Waziristan due to the fighting.
Pak Court Rules Musharraf's Trial in Absentia Is Against Principles of Natural Justice
https://thewire.in/south-asia/pak-court-rules-musharrafs-trial-in-absentia-is-against-principles-of-natural-justice
Lahore: A Pakistani court has ruled that the concept of trial in absentia is against the golden principles of natural justice as it issued a detailed judgement on self-exiled former dictator Pervez Musharraf’s petition challenging his death sentence on charges of high treason.A special court in Islamabad on December 17 last year handed down the death penalty to 74-year-old retired general, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him.PTI
Qatari emir accepts PM's resignation, names successor
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/qatari-emir-accepts-prime-minister-resignation-names-successor-200128080612649.html
Qatar's emir has appointed via decree a new PM, according to state media.Qatar News Agency reported on Tuesday that Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had accepted the resignation of PM Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. The emir named Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani as the Gulf state's new PM and interior minister.Sheikh Khalid took the oath of office before the emir, in a ceremony also attended by Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani. aljazeera
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
Shaheen Bagh not just a local protest, it’s India’s Tahrir, Taksim Square: Umar Khalid, theprint
https://theprint.in/opinion/shaheen-bagh-not-local-protest-india-tahrir-taksim-square-umar-khalid/355346/?fbclid=IwAR3drA0Dd9clYlfS_F_Qy2ai4IBOZ51TTRmrjFKV-UuNOym_ZzDCF4dtIf4
Krishna Menon is so much more than 1962 defeat to China, says biographer Jairam Ramesh:SAMIRA SOOD , theprint
https://theprint.in/features/krishna-menon-is-so-much-more-than-1962-defeat-to-china-says-biographer-jairam-ramesh/354672/
NPR may unleash regional chauvinism:Narendar Pani
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/npr-may-unleash-regional-chauvinism/article30659231.ece?utm_source=taboola#
Customers in frying pan as India, Malaysia fight over palm oil:Paran Balakrishnan
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/customers-in-frying-pan-as-india-malaysia-fight-over-palm-oil/cid/1739426
Young and Restless: Anti-CAA Protests Show Muslim Youth Breaking Traditional Barriers to Carve Out Socio-Political Space:Naushad Khan, news18
https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/young-restless-muslim-youth-breaking-traditional-barriers-to-carve-out-socio-political-space-2475091.html
On Modi’s watch, steep rise in crime against Christians between 2016 and 2019:Ashlin Mathew
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/on-narendra-modi-watch-steep-rise-in-crime-against-christians-between-2016-and-2019
India’s Growth Slump has Uniquely Domestic Causes. Modi’s Budget Must Address That:M.K. Venu
https://thewire.in/economy/india-growth-slump-domestic-causes-budget-2020
Anurag Thakur’s Incendiary Speech Is Part of the Sangh Parivar’s Smoke and Mirrors Show:Sidharth Bhatia
https://thewire.in/politics/anurag-thakur-incendiary-speech-sangh-parivar-show
Kashmir's White-List of 301 Govt-Approved Websites Raises Net Neutrality Concerns:Pallavi Sareen
https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-internet-white-list-net-neutrality
With Centre's Helping Hand, 'Third Front' in Kashmir Slowly Takes Shape:Shakir Mir
https://thewire.in/politics/altaf-bukhari-kashmir-third-front
Thank You Shaheen Bagh Women:Dr SAMINA SALIM | Caravan Daily
https://caravandaily.com/thank-you-shaheen-bagh-women/
Centre faces classic dilemma civil disobedience unfailingly poses: Whether or not it cracks down, protests will grow:Ashutosh Varshney
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/caa-nrc-protests-constitution-of-india-bjp-6238270/
Religio-cultural public spheres, ignored by most, are tapped well by Hindutva groups:Badri Narayan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ayodhya-verdict-ram-janmabhoomi-vhp-prayagraj-hindutva-6238271/
In European Parliament earlier: Detained seamen, Afzal Guru’s hanging, Delhi bus gangrape
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/in-european-parliament-earlier-detained-seamen-afzal-gurus-hanging-delhi-bus-gangrape-6239716/
Delhi polls: Shaheen Bagh’s demonization, gun and Godse Ki Baat:Ashutosh Sharma
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/delhi-polls-shaheen-baghs-demonization-gun-and-godse-ki-baat
No, Modi & Shah Haven’t Fulfilled ‘Gandhi’s Vision’ Through CAA:Sudheendra Kulkarni
https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/sudheendra-kulkarni-on-mahatma-gandhi-india-pakistan-hindu-muslim-unity-caa-modi-shah
Jokha Alharthi, Man Booker International Prize winner, on Arabic literature
https://www.firstpost.com/living/jokha-alharthi-man-booker-international-prize-2019-winner-on-arabic-literature-diverse-beautiful-deserves-to-be-read-7962971.html
BJP Leaders Distort Speech by Arfa Khanum Sherwani to Attack CAA Protests
https://thewire.in/communalism/arfa-khanum-sherwani-amu-speech-bjp-distort
In PM Modi, Saudi Prince, Jeff Bezos Friended Wrong Heads: Foreign Media
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-pm-narendra-modi-saudi-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-jeff-bezos-friended-wrong-heads-foreign-media-2170750?pfrom=home-topscroll
Media Misreport: Lawyers Kapil Sibal, Indira Jaising, Dushyant Dave Wrongly Linked With Alleged PFI Support for CAA Stir
https://www.newsclick.in/index.php/media-misreport-lawyers-kapil-sibal-indira%20Jaising-dushyant-dave-wrongly-linked%20with-alleged-PFI-support-CAA-stir
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 3:56 PM).
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