13 Feb. 2020: 18 Jamadi-2, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 131
*anti-CAA,NRC-NPR stir*
Attacks on field enumerators over NPR fears put Census in deep trouble: Statistics panel chief
https://scroll.in/latest/952995/attacks-on-field-enumerators-over-npr-fears-put-census-in-deep-trouble-former-chief-statistician
Recent attacks on field enumerators in some parts of the country have put upcoming Census procedure in “deep trouble” and may risk contaminating data collected in household surveys, ex Chief Statistician of India Pronab Sen has said.In recent days, some health researchers and government survey officials have been attacked by those who mistook them for people collecting data for the controversial National Population Register. As first reported by Scroll.in, NPR is the first step to creating an all-Indian NRC, which would identify undocumented migrants residing in India. government has denied any link between NPR and NRC, but since sCensus website itself made a connection, population register exercise has also been a target of anti-NRC protestors. Field investigators of National Sample Survey were attacked in the past, but by now citizens had got comfortable with them as they got familiar with the process, Sen told Indian Express in an interview. What is new this time is that the house-listing operations, a key step in the Census, will be conducted along with population register exercise, said Sen, who heads the standing committee on economic statistics.The population register will be a list of “usual residents” – those who have stayed at a place for six months or intend to stay there for the next six months. The exercise to update the register will be carried out across the country along with the house-listing phase of the decennial Census of 2021 from April 1 to Sept.30, 2020. “The house-listing operation is a key step in our critical analysis because that’s the basis on which the entire country is divided into enumeration blocks and then, Census enumerators are given specific enumerator blocks,” he said. “So, the enumeration blocks are at the heart of Census operation. If you have problems in getting that done and if you get resistance to that, the Census is in deep trouble.”He added: “So, you may well have a situation where you are unable to do the Census properly and if the Census is not done properly, then for the next 10 years, no household survey would be reliable because all household surveys rely on Census as the frame. If this runs into problems, and there’s a danger that it might, then for the next 11 years, you are in trouble.”The phenomenon of such attacks may have an effect not just on the Census but other surveys too, Sen said. “There’s a second problem,” he said. “Whatever you do, you are going to have people who will be suspicious. They may answer the expenditure part of it accurately, but the front part, which is household characteristics, they may resist that. All household details begins with asking household members, names, ages, educational details, so all that is in the first sheet. And what may end up happening is that the data might get contaminated pretty badly…it’s a huge problem. We may still be able to get enterprise surveys done but we are in deep trouble for household surveys.”scroll/ Indian Express
Red flags by data panel chief Sen: Mistrust, attacks may contaminate economic data for next 10 yrs
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/attack-on-nss-survey-officials-npr-caa-nrc-pronab-sen-6265335/
‘Tampering’ complaint against former Assam NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tampering-complaint-against-former-assam-nrc-coordinator-prateek-hajela/article30807851.ece?homepage=true
A complaint has been lodged against Prateek Hajela, former Coordinator of NRC in Assam, for allegedly tampering with the records associated with updating the citizenship exercise whose complete list was published in Aug.2019.Almost simultaneously on Wednesday, office of NRC Coordinator lodged an FIR against Ajupi Baruah, a former associate of Hajela, for resigning without surrendering the password to NRC data records system.In its complaint to CID office in Guwahati, Assam Public Works (APW) asked DIG of Police to register a case against Hajela for “tempering (sic) the valuable public records, i.e., NRC final list of Assam”. It also sought an inquiry into ex coordinator’s involvement in “cybercrime in the whole process of NRC”. APW is the NGO whose petition in the Supreme Court in 2009 led to the NRC updating exercise.thehindu
Assam NRC data went offline due to non-payment of dues: Wipro
https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/wipro-says-assam-nrc-data-went-offline-due-to-non-payment-of-dues-5279751.htm
Want to discuss CAA? Come meet me: Amit Shah
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/home-minister-amit-shah-caa-anti-caa-protests-1646218-2020-02-13
New Delhi:Union Home Minister Amit Shah today invited anyone who wanted to discuss the CAA to come and meet him personally. Amit Shah said that he will allot a special time for this within 3 days."Anyone who wants to discuss issues related to CAA with me can seek time from my office, will allot time within three days," Home Minister said at an event in Delhi.The home minister said his assessment on Delhi elections went wrong but asserted that the result of the polls was not a mandate on CAA and NRC.India Today
Watch: Shaheen Bagh is not democratic protest: Home Minister Amit Shah
https://www.timesnownews.com/videos/times-now/india/shaheen-bagh-is-not-democratic-protest-home-minister-amit-shah/53385
Anti-CAA protests in Bengaluru curtailed illegally on Dec 18: Karnataka High Court
https://scroll.in/latest/953058/anti-caa-protests-in-bengaluru-curtailed-illegally-on-december-18-says-karnataka-high-court
Karnataka High Court on Thursday said the imposition of prohibitory orders in Bengaluru on December 18 ahead of protests against CAA was illegal and “cannot stand the scrutiny of law”, Bar and Bench reported.BJP-led government had banned gatherings in the city and other parts of the state till December 21 midnight. At the time, state Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the orders imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were “a precautionary measure” since the government did not want any violence. The orders prohibit the assembly of five or more people.A bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay S Oka asked state government counsel Prabhuling Navadgi how the permission to cancel protests was issued overnight. “Can a sweeping order under Section 144 cancel an already granted permission?” the judge asked. “Can state go under the assumption that every protest will disturb the peace?” The court said while it was not concerned about protests, the government’s decision-making process curtailed the fundamental rights, Live Law reported. “It is indeed a preventive measure,” the court added. “The preventive measure has effect of curtailing fundamental rights of citizens.”scroll
Imposition of Section 144 in Bengaluru on December 18 Was Illegal: Karnataka HC
https://thewire.in/law/bengaluru-section-144-illegal-caa-protests
Bidar school ‘sedition’ arrests: Yediyurappa in Modi-Shah trap, says Siddaramaiah
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bidar-school-sedition-arrests-yediyurappa-siddaramaiah-6266741/
Bangalore:Nearly a fortnight after a school headmistress and a single parent of a Class 5 student were arrested on sedition charges in Bidar, Congress leader Siddarmaiah Thursday said Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa “seems to have lost his common sense” and called for a review of “antiquated laws”.In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah, also a qualified advocate, said, “Police have taken the action on the behest of @CMofKarnataka @BSYBJP. Yediyurappa has fallen for the trap of @AmitShah & @narendramodi. He seems to have lost his common sense. Archaic IPC & other antiquated laws which was framed a century ago have also to be reviewed.”Further criticising CM Yediyurappa for the police action, he added, “Mothers of this state will not pardon B S Yediyurappa for separating the mother and her daughter.”indianexpress
Police probe against anti-CAA protesters in Bihar's Aurangabad riddled with loopholes; no independent witnesses; FIR, police diary make contrasting claims
https://www.firstpost.com/india/police-probe-against-anti-caa-protesters-in-bihars-aurangabad-riddled-with-loopholes-no-independent-witnesses-fir-police-diary-make-contrasting-claims-8038981.html
On 21 December 2019, the town of Aurangabad in Bihar observed a protest at Ramesh Chowk against the amended citizenship law. RJD and its allies had called for a bandh to rally against tCAA and NRC. But towards the end, the peaceful protest turned violent. Following the unrest, the Bihar police began raiding localities, which were predominantly Muslim, around the protest site to identify these "miscreants". They have arrested 46 people so far.However, the police investigation is laden with loopholes. For starters, the main accused behind the unrest has been arrested twice from two different places according to FIR filed by the Aurangabad police. The first page of FIR claims when the bandh ended at around 12.15 pm, a mob of 200, led by local councilor Sikandar Hayat, emerged at the scene. "The mob started beating up shopkeepers near a book store, asking them to shut shop," FIR notes. "When police tried to intervene, the mob chanted slogans against them and started throwing bricks and stones. A brick landed on a policeman's head, and he got seriously injured. Hayat was egging the protesters on."firstpost
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind hopes AAP govt will pass resolution against CAA
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/sc-says-a-child-cannot-be-kept-in-jail/1732725?scroll
New Delhi: Hailing the Delhi Assembly election results, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Wednesday said it is hopeful that the newly elected AAP government will pass a resolution against the contentious CAA.JIH president Syed Sadatullah Hussaini said: "The election results indicate that the people of India have rejected the CAA and NRC. The government must withdraw it immediately and unconditionally. We hope Delhi CM will ensure the passing of a resolution against the CAA and stop the process of NPR."Hussaini said: "Politics of hate and polarisation has been defeated in a big way. The whole of India is thankful to the voters of Delhi for teaching a big lesson to the politicians who peddled hate and bigotry. The voters of Delhi have proved that "India can change"."JIH also hit out at the Election Commission for being unable to check violations and effectively implement the Model Code of Conduct. The JIH said that all possible methods to polarise the electorate on communal lines were used by the politicians."This has been possibly the worst election in the history of independent India in terms of the practice of hate speeches, inflammatory slogans and open practice of communalism and polarisation," said Hussaini. "We hope that the people of India will learn a lesson from the Delhi elections and defeat those whose politics revolve around division, who promote hatred against the minorities and raise violent slogans," he said.IANS
JIH hopes AAP govt will pass resolution against CAA
https://newsd.in/jih-hopes-aap-govt-will-pass-resolution-against-caa/
‘Politics of hate and polarization defeated in Delhi:Jamaat-e-Islami
https://theindianawaaz.com/politics-of-hate-and-polarization-defeated-in-delhijamaat-e-islami/
There must be huge mass movement if Muslims being sent to detention camps: Chidambaram
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/there-must-be-huge-mass-movement-if-muslims-being-sent-to-detention-camps-chidambaram
Congress leader P Chidambaram today said there should be a "huge mass movement" if any Muslim is sent to detention camps in case the Supreme Court upholds the validity of CAA.Speaking at JNU campus here, Chidambaram said that CAA was an outcome of "NRC fiasco" in Assam which left 19 lakh people out of NRC.CAA was brought to accommodate 12 lakh Hindus out of 19 lakh people who could not be included in final NRC in Assam, he claimed. Replying to a question by a student asking for best course of action if CAA is upheld by the apex court, Chidambaram said, "When they touch the excluded...they will only be Muslims, try to identify and throw them out, declare them Stateless. There must be a huge mass movement resisting any Muslim being thrown out or kept in detention camps."PTI
Nagaland: 22 BJP leaders join Naga People’s Front in protest against Citizenship Act
https://scroll.in/latest/953024/nagaland-22-bjp-leaders-join-opposition-naga-peoples-front-to-protest-against-citizenship-act
Naga People’s Front President Shurhozelie Liezietsu welcomed BJP leaders at a function held in Dimapur, according to a press statement by the party. More leaders from the saffron party are expected to join the party in coming days, it added.Liezietsu said the leaders made the right decision at the right time, adding that his party represents the unique identity of the Naga people. “Many regional political parties came into being and when they are defeated, party vanished,” he said. Law and legal affairs convenor Toshi Longkumer, and former state president of BJP’s minority cell Mukibur Rahman, were among those who switched sides. Rahman said the introduction of the amended citizenship law will sooner or later affect the people of Northeastern states particularly. He said the Naga People’s Front is working hard to protect the identity of the people.scroll
UP police detained 41 children during CAA protests, some were tortured, says citizens’ report
https://scroll.in/article/952964/up-police-detained-41-children-during-caa-protests-some-were-tortured-says-citizens-report
The death of a 4-month-old baby on January 30 after his parents took him to protests against CAA in New Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area triggered outrage, and even attracted attention of the Supreme Court. However, the plight of 41 children who were detained by Uttar Pradesh Police early in December has largely been ignored, even as some allege they were tortured in custody.As protests erupted in 24 districts in Uttar Pradesh shortly after India’s citizenship law was amended on Dec.12, police responded with brutality. The police did not even show any restraint when acting against children, according to a study by 3 civil society organisations. This was particularly acute in the districts of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor, both districts with a population that is more than 40% Muslim and with a high concentration of minority institutions where children from across the country were studying. Organisations – Citizens Against Hate, Quill Foundation and Haq: Centre for Child Rights – conducted fact-finding investigations in the districts of Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar and Firozabad between Jan.10 and Jan 24. Their report included material from media accounts that were then verified by the researchers. The authors of this article are associated with Quill.On Dec 20, researchers found, Muzaffarnagar police entered the compound of Saadat madrasa and hostel and dragged out close to 50 students, the principal, a cook and two staff members. The police accused the students of participating in a protest against CAA. Of these 50 students, 14 were minors. Of 14, FIRs were filed against four students. scroll
Anti-CAA stir: Muzaffarnagar court tells 53 to pay Rs 23 lakh in damages
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/anti-caa-stir-recover-rs-23-lakh-from-53-rioters-for-damaging-property-adm-court-tells-muzaffarnagar-admin/articleshow/74107152.cms
Holding them responsible for what it said was "widespread damage to public property" during anti-CAA stir in Muzaffarnagar on December 20, an ADM court on Wednesday sought recovery of Rs 23.41 lakh from 53 protesters. According to administration, all the culprits were identified from CCTV camera footage.“In all, 57 people have been served with the notice after they were spotted damaging properties on CCTV. They have been asked to submit their replies,” a senior government official said, adding that 4 of them turned out to be innocent later. The replies of 53 people were not found to be satisfactory, he added.ADM (First) Amit Singh said, “We will paste recovery notices on their homes now. The recovery will start soon.”The “rioters” have been asked to appear in person before the ADM court to record their statements within 7 days.When contacted, Mannawar Hussain, a lawyer representing the accused, said, “My clients are innocent and most of them are very poor. We will go to high court against this order.” One of the accused, Raju, who is a manual labourer and lives in a rented house with family, said, “I was seen in the CCTV footage returning from a mosque after Friday prayers. I have nothing to do with the violence. But I got a notice from the administration. I also appeared before the ADM court and explained my plight. But to no avail. I am a poor person and cannot afford to pay the cost. I request authorities concerned to reinvestigate the matter.”TOI
Man, who made bomb hoax call near city’s ‘Shaheen Bagh’, held
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/man-who-made-bomb-hoax-call-near-citys-shaheen-bagh-held/articleshow/74108345.cms
Ludhiana police arrested a man who allegedly made a hoax call about a bomb at Saleem Tabri area, where Shaheen Bagh-like protest was organised on Wednesday. The accused was identified as Amit Mahatov of Begusarai in Bihar and now lived near Mohalla Maskeen Nagar at Jalandhar bypass.Police officials said at 5 pm, a police party present on Jalandhar bypass got a message from the control room informing it about someone planting a bomb at Aalo Mandi in the grain market. They added that after going to the spot, police didn’t find any such activity. A bomb disposal squad and anti-sabotage teams too searched area for around three hours, but found nothing.TOI
"Delhi Law And Order Under Centre": AAP's Raghav Chadha On Shaheen Bagh
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aaps-raghav-chadha-on-shaheen-bagh-protests-delhi-law-and-order-under-centre-2179638?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: AAP today stuck to its winning formula of steering clear of any discussion on the anti-CAA protests at Shaheen Bagh. Party spokesperson Raghav Chadha dissociated the Delhi government from the issue on two counts -- that "law and order is under the Centre" and that the contentious citizenship law is also something that concerns the Centre."We are a small political party in Delhi concerned with issues of basic amenities, healthcare, education, pollution... we have nothing to do with it (CAA and Shaheen Bagh)," he told NDTV. Chadha today said BJP has "tried every trick in the book for the last one month to communalise the elections". But his party's stand on CAA has been clear -- "this legislation is the Centre's work, we have nothing to do with this at all", he said.The control over the Delhi Police has been one of the major points of friction between AAP and the Centre. NDTV
Delhi court allows police to take Sharjeel Imam''s voice sample
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-court-allows-police-to-take-sharjeel-imams-voice-sample/1732841
A Delhi court has allowed police to take voice sample of activist Sharjeel Imam, arrested on sedition charges, for comparing it with that in a video clip in which he is purportedly making a hate speech and targeting the government.Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Purushotam Pathak passed the order on an application by Delhi Police and directed that the accused, currently in judicial custody, be produced at CFSL on Feb.13.The judge said "in view of the facts and circumstances of the case" and the judgment of the Supreme Court cited by investigating officer for taking voice sample, he was allowing the plea for taking voice sample of the accused.PTI
Maharashtra : Aurangabad’s ‘Shaheen Bagh’ stages jail bharo, 50 detained
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/aurangabads-shaheen-bagh-stages-jail-bharo-50-detained/articleshow/74107317.cms
Aurangabad: Around 50 protesters were taken into preventive detention by police when they staged a ‘jail bharo’ demonstration against CAA, NRC and NPR at Aurangabad’s ‘Shaheen Bagh’ on Wednesday. Citizens from different communities, including women and children, have been on a sit-in agitation in front of the divisional commissionerate for the past 36 days.The protesters intensified their agitation on Wednesday and tried to march towards the divisional commissionerate while deliberately avoiding to take police permission, leading to their detention. Begumpura police personnel soon rounded up 50 protesters, bundled them into two vans and took them to the police station from the spot.
NRC rumours: RAF in Howrah after parents attack madrassa
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/nrc-rumours-raf-in-howrah-after-parents-attack-madrassa/articleshow/74097474.cms
Howrah: A RAF contingent was deployed at a madrassa on Howrah's Andul Road on Tuesday after trouble broke out when hundreds of guardians started pelting bricks and stones during a protest against distribution of forms among their kids. The students, parents alleged, were asked to fill the forms specifying all family details. The guardians' agitation followed rumours that an exercise was on to collect details for NRC.Guardians also lodged an FIR against madrasa's teacher-in-charge Buddhadeb Das while authorities of Panchpara High Madrassa filed an FIR against an NGO, whose members have been distributing the forms for the last five days. Sankrail police station's inspector-in-charge Madhusudan Mukherjee said both FIRs are being probed. Tension remained till Tuesday evening with guardians accusing Das of leading the exercise. They wanted cops to either arrest him or hand him over to them.Howrah City Police later deployed RAF.TOI
Rename CAA to Neighbour Persecuted Religious Minority Refugee Act, suggests Indian-American Khanderao Kand
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/rename-caa-to-neighbour-persecuted-religious-minority-refugee-act-suggests-indian-american-khanderao-kand/1865358/
A prominent Indian-American has suggested renaming the CAA as the Neighbour Persecuted Religious Minority Refugee Act, saying it would establish a right perception difficult to challenge. The remarks of Khanderao Kand, director of non-profit organisation Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), came in the wake of widespread protests held across India against CAA. CAA should have been named as Neighbour Persecuted Religious Minority Refugee Act, Kand said during a panel discussion on the amended citizenship law and abrogation of article 370 in a Virginia suburb of Washington DC.PTI
At Mansa’s anti-CAA protest, AAP future in Punjab dominates discourse
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/at-mansas-anti-caa-protest-aap-future-in-punjab-dominates-discourse-6266080/
Ludhiana :A day after AAP won a landslide victory in Delhi polls, an indefinite anti-CAA dharna that began in Mansa saw participants bringing up the ‘Kejriwal model’ as the ‘third alternative’ in Punjab. The morcha is being supported by CPI and other like minded organisations. Principal Budh Ram, AAP MLA from Mansa’s Budhalada constituency, spoke at length about how AAP won polls in Delhi and how the movement can be replicated in Punjab as well. MLA Bud Ram later told The Indian Express, “I even told the gathering that AAP won polls in Delhi on the basis of work done by the party on health and education front. They were provided subsidised power. When such facilities are available in foreign countries, why our residents should lag behind. I am sure political parties have understood now that the one who will work for the masses, will win for sure.”In his speech, MLA said, “We have been against the CAA right from the beginning. Our state leaders will also join this dharna to give impetus to it and every day our workers will join the dharna in large numbers. This is our fight against the Act which is creating a divide and rule policy in the country…..Kejriwal Model is the centre of discussion all over the country now. The same model can be run here as well. “indianexpress
*J&K AND S. ASIA*
Geelani’s death rumours disrupt normal life in Kashmir
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/geelani-s-death-rumours-disrupt-normal-life-in-kashmir-804173.html
The rumors about hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s death since Wednesday evening disrupted normal life in Kashmir on Thursday with authorities suspending 2G mobile internet services for few hours.On Wednesday evening Geelani led Hurriyat Conference released an “'urgent” statement from Muzaffarabad (PoK) saying that all Imams (religious preachers) and people should gather at Martyrs Graveyard Eidgah, Srinagar, for the funeral in case Geelani breaths his last.In a 3-page statement circulated on social media, Hurriyat announced that Geelani has recently expressed his wish to be buried at Martyrs Graveyard Eidgah. The Hurriyat, which has its offices in Muzaffarabad and Islamabad, also appealed to the people of the Valley to be respectful to the leader and join the funeral (in case he is no more).It gave credence to reports about failing health of 90-old-year Hurriyat hawk. On Thursday morning 2G mobile internet services were suspended in Kashmir to prevent the spread of rumours about Geelani’s death.Adequate security forces were deployed at vulnerable places in Kashmir to maintain law and order and prevent miscreants from fomenting any trouble. In several areas of Srinagar city, shops remained closed on Thursday while the movement of traffic on roads was also lesser compared to the previous days.However, Geelani’s son Naseem said that his father was stable. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmed Khan termed the reports about death of Geelani as baseless and directed concerned officers to verify who spread rumors about his death.The ailing separatist leader's health condition has deteriorated since past six months and he has been admitted at super-specialty SKIMS hospital in Srinagar. DC
Only Allah knows what’s happening in Kashmir, says former RAW chief A.S. Dulat
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/interview/only-allah-knows-whats-happening-in-kashmir-says-former-raw-chief-as-dulat
There are few Indians who understand Kashmir as well as Amarjit Singh Dulat, former chief of RAW, India’s external intelligence wing. But even he throws up his hands and exclaims, “Nobody knows what is happening in Kashmir and neither does anyone know what New Delhi is thinking.”There is not one clear narrative coming out of Kashmir, he says. While the Government claims normalcy, others maintain that Kashmiris are resigned to their lot. Some also believe that Kashmiris are being smart by not going out on the streets and getting killed, especially when there is one soldier for every 30 civilians.But many Kashmiris do feel they have been let down by the people of India, he adds.nationalheraldindia
Ahead of Trump’s India visit, US senators seek review of human rights in J-K
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ahead-of-trump-s-india-visit-4-us-senators-seek-review-of-human-rights-in-j-k/story-WSgFe4k4f2TJZQCIbUuRTK.html
Ahead of President Donald Trump’s maiden visit to India, 4 influential US Senators, who described themselves as “longtime friends of India”, have sought an assessment of the human rights situation in Kashmir and religious freedom in the country, saying hundreds of Kashmiris remain in “preventive detention”.The bipartisan group of Senators, in their letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dated Feb.12, said that India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shutdown by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business and education for seven million people.US lawmakers, describing themselves as “longtime friends of India”, wrote in the letter that “more than six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of J&K, government continues to block most internet in the region”.“Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in ‘preventive detention’, including key political figures,” they said.Signatories to the letter are Chris Van Hollen, Todd Young, Richard J Durbin and Lindsey O Graham.“In addition, the Indian government has taken other troubling steps that threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state. This includes the passage of the controversial CAA which is being challenged in India’s Supreme Court,”Senators wrote.In the letter, Senators requested Pompeo for a State Department assessment of a number of issues in India including the number of individuals detained by the government for political purposes and their treatment; current restrictions on communications in J&K; current accessibility of Jammu and Kashmir; and restrictions on religious freedoms in Jammu and Kashmir.PTI
"Severe Consequences": US Senators On Kashmir Before Trump's India Visit
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ahead-of-donald-trumps-india-visit-on-kashmir-top-us-senators-say-severe-consequences-2179394?pfrom=home-bigstory
Foreign envoys briefed by Army about security situation in J&K
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/foreign-envoys-briefed-by-army-about-security-situation-in-jk/article30808130.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar:Army officials today briefed the delegation of foreign envoys visiting J&K about the security situation here. 25-member delegation arrived here on Wednesday on a two-day visit as part of a union government-facilitated trip to help the envoys have a first-hand assessment of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a region which faced months of harsh restrictions after its special status was stripped of in August.PTI
J&K: 8-phase panchayat bypolls to begin on March 5
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-panchayat-polls-march-6266133/
Jammu :Panchyat bypolls for vacant seats will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in eight phases starting March 5, Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar announced on Thursday. This will be the first major poll exercise in J&K since the scraping of the special status in August last year.Kumar announced that panchayat bypolls in 274 blocks of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held for elections of 1,011 Sarpanches and 11,639 panches.Announcing that Model Code of Conduct comes into force with immediate effect, he said the elections will be held in eight phases. The first phase of polling will take place on March 5, followed by the second phase on March 7, third on March 9, fourth on March 12, fifth on March 14, sixth on March 16, seventh on March 18 and eighth on March 20.indianexpress
World Punjabi Conference dedicated to Guru Nanak: Pak prunes number of Indian delegates
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/guru-nanak-conference-lahore-6265608/
Ludhiana :A group of 39 Punjabi writers, academicians, educationists etc. from India will be leaving for Lahore via the Wagah border on Thursday to participate in 30th International Conference on Punjabi Literature & Culture, being organised by the World Punjabi Congress.This year, the conference is dedicated to 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. Scholars and litterateurs from India, Pakistan and other countries will be presenting their research papers and other literary works on Guru Nanak during the conference.However, at the last minute, the Pakistan High Commission pruned the list of Indian delegates and visas have been granted to 39 participants only even though Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior had granted approval for visas of 100 Indian participants.indianexpress
*OTHERS*
SC push to clean politics: Parties must disclose criminal cases of candidates on sites, inform EC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-political-parties-election-candidates-criminal-cases-details-6265792/
New Delhi :In an attempt to decriminalise politics, the Supreme Court today directed political parties to upload on their websites details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting elections.A bench headed by Justice F Nariman from the parties over the selection of such candidates and said the information must be uploaded on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and in one local vernacular and one national newspaper.The SC said the parties must submit a report of compliance to the Election Commission within 74 hours of selecting such candidates, failing which the poll panel must inform the SC.The court’s direction came after it noted an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics in the last four general elections.indianexpress
SC lists 6 important steps for political parties who give tickets to candidates with criminal cases
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-lists-6-important-steps-for-political-parties-who-give-tickets-to-candidates-with-criminal-cases/story-1QTGXuX53SUpxBpzaOBIAL.html
‘6 hours of community service’: Gujarat riot convicts clean temples in Indore following bail from SC
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/six-hours-of-community-service-gujarat-riot-convicts-clean-temples-in-indore-following-bail-from-sc/552817
Indore: 6 out of 15 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in a riot case in Gujarat following 2002 carnage are busy sweeping the floors of an Indore temple these days.The reason? The Supreme Court of India granted them bail on one condition – stay outside Gujarat and do 6 hours of community service every week in Indore and Jabalpur in MP. “As per the terms and conditions of the Supreme Court order, the convicts have begun their community service. At present, they are sweeping kitchens of a local temple and other parts of its premises,”said Indore District Legal Assistance Officer Subhash Chaudhary. Convicts are also joining the 'aarti' sessions at the temple every morning. They have to also visit the nearest police station on the first of every month and submit their attendance.15 convicts were sentenced to life for a massacre in Gujarat’s Ode town, which falls in Anand district. As many as 23 people were burnt alive in riots.timesnownews
Jaishankar cites VP Menon's biography to claim Nehru didn't want Patel in Cabinet; Jairam, Tharoor rebut charge
https://www.firstpost.com/india/s-jaishankar-cites-vp-menons-biography-to-claim-nehru-didnt-want-patel-in-cabinet-jairam-ramesh-shashi-tharoor-rebut-charge-8038591.html
New Delhi: Was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Jawaharlal Nehru's initial cabinet list in 1947?That was the hotly debated question today with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar citing a new book to claim that Nehru did not want Patel in his cabinet and historian Ramachandra Guha joining Congress leaders to discount the argument and hit out at the minister. Twitter duel, with both sides deploying sarcasm and historical references, began on Wednesday night when Jaishankar put out a post on releasing an "absorbing biography" of VP Menon — a senior civil servant who worked closely with Patel — by Narayani Basu. He noted that the book had done "much awaited justice to a truly historical figure"."Learnt from the book that Nehru did not want Patel in the Cabinet in 1947 and omitted him from the initial Cabinet list. Clearly, a subject for much debate. Noted that the author stood her ground on this revelation," he said.Jaishankar's tweet evoked a sharp response from Guha, who said "this a myth that has been comprehensively demolished by Professor Srinath Raghavan". "Besides, promoting fake news about, and false rivalries between, the builders of modern India is not the job of the Foreign Minister. He should leave this to BJP's IT Cell," Guha said in his strongly-worded tweet. Jaishankar hit back saying some foreign ministers do read books and it may be a good habit for some professors too.PTI
Blast on Lucknow court premises: Police say no one heard explosion, rivalry behind incident; bar association's joint secretary claims he was target
https://www.firstpost.com/india/blast-on-lucknow-court-premises-police-say-no-one-heard-explosion-rivalry-behind-incident-bar-associations-joint-secretary-claims-he-was-target-8037801.html
At least 3 lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded outside the chamber of one of them in a Lucknow court compound today. JCP, Lucknow, said that prima facie, it appeared to be a matter of rivalry between two parties and that the investigation is on.The commissioner added that people nearby did not hear a blast or bomb exploding and that the plaintiff Sanjiv Kumar Lodhi has not been hurt in any way.Lodhi, the Lucknow Bar Association joint secretary, claimed he was the target of the attack because he had been complaining about a few judicial officers. He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber in which he and two other lawyers were injured. "One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded," he said, questioning the security on the premises.Bomb disposal and dog squads have reached the site of the blast.Last month, lawyers struck work in protest against the recent attacks on them in the state. Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had asked bar associations to abstain from work to put pressure on the government to pass legislation to protect lawyers.firstpost
₹81.67 crore worth electoral bonds sold before Delhi polls, response to RTI query shows
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/8167-cr-worth-electoral-bonds-sold-before-delhi-polls-rti-query-shows/article30804578.ece?homepage=true
In the run-up to Delhi Assembly Elections, 139 electoral bonds worth ₹81.67 crore were sold by various branches of SBI, according to the response to an RTI query filed by Commodore Lokesh Batra (Retd.)In the 13th phase of bond sales, between January 13 to 22, the largest number (43) were sold by the Kolkata branch, though the majority (89) were encashed at the New Delhi branch, said RTI response from the SBI.Of the bonds issued, 78 were the denomination of ₹1 crore while 34 bonds worth ₹10 lakh each were issued. The remaining 27 bonds were worth ₹1 lakh each. No bonds were issued in the lower denominations of ₹1,000 and ₹10,000. All bonds sold were redeemed.The electoral bonds scheme has been criticised by the Opposition parties as well as the civil society groups for a lack of transparency in political funding, as the donor remains anonymous. So far, ₹6,210 crore have been donated through this method since the scheme began.thehindu
BJP may have suffered in Delhi polls due to hate statements by party leaders, says Amit Shah
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-may-have-suffered-in-delhi-polls-due-to-hate-statements-by-party-leaders-says-amit-shah/story-fTIXUAPgjfQjlVYMN3oEHO.html
In his first comment on provocative statements by leaders of BJP, Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said it was possible that such statements could have contributed to the party’s defeat in national capital Delhi. “They should not have given such statements,” Shah said at the Times Now Summit to questions on hate statements such as the “goli maro” slogan and comparing the Delhi election to a India vs Pak match.Shah said the BJP had distanced itself from these remarks and should not be construed as the party’s position. “There are all kinds of people in the fray,” he said. Union minister of state Anurag Thakur, BJP’s West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma and BJP’s Model Town candidate Kapil Mishra were banned from campaigning by the election commission for these inflammatory slogans and statements.While referring to protesters at Shaheen Bagh, Thakur had led party supporters to chant the “goli maro” slogan and Verma had said that the protesters will “rape and kill your daughters and sisters”. Mishra, who called the election as a contest between “India and Pakistan” had also called the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh a “mini-Pakistan”.HT
Statements Like "Goli Maaro" Shouldn't Have Been Made: Amit Shah On Delhi Loss
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-bjps-delhi-defeat-amit-shah-says-statements-like-goli-maaro-should-not-have-been-made-press-tr-2179778?pfrom=home-topscroll
Disquiet in BJP after party’s crushing defeat in Delhi poll, but all back nationalism plank:HT
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/disquiet-in-bjp-after-party-s-crushing-defeat-in-delhi-poll-but-all-back-nationalism-plank/story-13YQ6M7eS6L5IjcQBMrFxI.html
UP: Cops thrash AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s relatives for celebrating his victory in Delhi elections
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/aap-mla-amanatullah-khans-relatives-thrashed-by-police-over-celebration
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s relatives were allegedly severely beaten up by cops in his native village Agwanpur of Parikshitgarh police station in district Meerut when they were celebrating Khan’s victory in the recently concluded Delhi assembly election, reported The Statesman.Amanatullah , who is sitting MLA of AAP, defeated Braham Singh of Bharatiya Janata Party by a huge margin of 71, 827 votes from Okhla constituency.Soon after the results were announced, Khan’s relatives in his paternal village Agwanpur started celebrating. The police reached the location and lathi-charged relatives and villagers to disperse them, according to the report in The Statesman. The police argued that section 144 was imposed in the area. So, they were not allowed to gather and celebrate.The police allegedly misbehaved with young girls. They allegedly pulled a young girl’s hair and forced her to walk on the streets. They asked her to help them identify the MLA’s relatives who had fled after a scuffle with police over the celebration.nationalheraldindia
‘Professionals’ evading IT, says PM & claims only 2,200 declared income above ₹1 Crore
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/professionals-evading-it-says-pm-and-claims-only-2200-declared-income-above-indian-rupee1-crore
In the Supreme Court of India alone, joked PM Narendra Modi at a Times Now event on Wednesday, there would be more than 2,200 people earning more than one Crore Rupees per annum. But, he claimed, that is the number of ‘professionals’ in the country who have declared an income above one Crore.People were quick to question the figure, pointing out that in Assessment Year 2018-19, as many as 97,689 people had declared annual income of one Crore Rupees and above. BJP IT Cell chief jumped into the fray and pointed out that Pm Modi was only talking about self-employed ‘professionals’ like doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants and actors others.He, however, conceded that misunderstanding may have been caused by BJP’s official twitter handle, which had failed to mention ‘professionals’ and gave the impression that the PM mentioned the figure as general tax payers.The explanation, however, has done little to clear the air. Not only is it not clear how and from where PM arrived at this figure of 2,200 ‘professionals’ but he also mentioned two other equally problematic figures.· PM in his address said that only 1.5 Crore Indians ( 15 million) paid Income Tax and that· Only three lakh of them declared an annual income of ₹50 lakh or above.In fact official records suggest that 5.52 Crore Indians filed IT Returns for Assessment Year 2018-19; but while 2.9 Crore of them paid Income Tax, the rest ( 2.62 Crore) didn’t. There are also others who pay tax deducted at source but do not file IT Returns.nationalheraldindia
Javed Akhtar: Of course Modi is a fascist. Fascists don't have horns on their heads
https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/javed-akhtar-narendra-modi-fascist-1646220-2020-02-13
New Delhi:Lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'fascist' in an interview to Al Jazeera today. Akhtar was speaking to the news channel along with his film industry colleague, director Mahesh Bhatt. Akhtar went on to add that fascist is a 'thinking'.To the question if Akhtar thought Modi was fascist, he replied, "Of course, he is. I mean, fascists don't have horns on their heads. Fascist is a thinking. And thinking that 'we are better than others and whatever problems we have, it is because of these people'... the moment you hate people in wholesale, you're a fascist."Director Mahesh Bhatt was asked the next question, if India was Islamophobic, given that Muslims all over the world were calling India that. "Well, I think Islamophobia, the winds of Islamophobia blew through the world after 9/11 and I think the phobia here is manufactured, because I don't think the average Indian is so frightened of a Muslim."India Today
'No Objection Over NIA Probing Bhima Koregaon Case,' Maha Govt Now Says
https://thewire.in/government/maharashtra-govt-nia-bhima-koregaon
Maharashtra government has said it has no objection to NIA taking over probe into Bhima Koregaon case.The Centre last month transferred the probe in the case from Pune Police to the NIA, a decision which was then criticised by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra.However, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Kumar said today that “the state Home department has no objection to the case being entrusted to the NIA”.Last week, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray criticised the Centre’s decision, saying the Union government has all rights to step into the probe, but it should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the investigation to NIA.PTI
2012 Delhi gangrape: Hearing on execution dates adjourned till February 17 by sessions court
https://scroll.in/latest/953053/2012-delhi-gangrape-case-hearing-on-execution-dates-adjourned-till-february-17-by-sessions-court
An additional sessions court in Delhi today adjourned till Feb.17 the hearing of a plea for new death warrants for the four convicts in the 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder case, Live Law reported. The death warrants were first issued for Jan.22, and then postponed to Feb.1 because of the mercy pleas filed by two of them. The execution has now been put on hold indefinitely.The court said convict Pawan Gupta should be provided adequate time to seek legal remedies after he was left without a counsel on Wednesday. Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana noted that execution of death warrants was an extremely sensitive matter and it cannot be “resolved on probabilities”. Rana observed that disposing of plea would lead to more legal complications. Earlier today, the SC reserved its verdict on convict Vinay Sharma’s petition against the rejection of his mercy plea by President Ram Nath Kovind. The judgement will be pronounced on Friday.scroll
No ‘Padayatra’ without permission in Uttar Pradesh, draconian conditions for bail
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/no-padayatra-without-permission-in-uttar-pradesh-draconian-conditions-for-bail
12 ‘Padayatris’ had undertaken a walk to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi, starting from Gorakhpur. They wanted to spread the message of goodwill and communal harmony and talk to people on the way.They covered some 200 kms between Feb.4 and February 11, when they were arrested by Ghazipur Police for the crime of walking without permission.And when their bail application was moved the next day, the SDM court-ordered stringent conditions and demanded that each of them submit bonds amounting to ₹2.5 lakh each besides producing two sureties of equal amount from two gazetted officers.nationalheraldindia
Sangrur: Dalits accuse village landlords of forcibly stopping water supply, SC commission steps in
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sangrur-dalits-accuse-village-landlords-of-forcibly-stopping-water-supply-sc-commission-steps-in/
Ludhiana :Punjab SC Commission has sought a report from Sangrur police and district authorities over complaints of water supply to Dalit residents of Tolewala village being stopped for four months allegedly by local landlords. Sangrur DC and SSP have been given 24 hours to file a reply.Tolewala has about 40 houses belonging to the Dalit community. They have alleged that tubewell room of water works department was locked due to which water supply to their houses was cut off. Beant Singh, village sarpanch and a Dalit, said: “Landlords in the village have submersible pumps in their houses but Dalits depend upon water works supply only. However, for the past four months, tubewell room was locked due to which water works supply was not being provided to the entire village. As we are completely dependent on water works supply, our community suffered the most….It was done at the behest of landlords of the village with whom our community is having difference of opinion over auction of panchayati land reserved for Dalits.” Tubewell room was unlocked on Tuesday night after the SC commission intervened.indianexpress
In Assam, decision to close Madrassas and Sanskrit tols flayed by Cong, Jamiat
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/decision-to-close-madrassas-and-sanskrit-tols-flayed-by-cong/1733611
Guwahati:BJP-led Assam govt''s decision to shut down the state-run Madrassas and Sanskrit tols (centres of learning) has invited critical remarks from the opposition Congress and various organisations, Islamic as well as those linked with the Sanskrit, while the saffron party backed the move. Assam State Jamiat Ulema, has threatened to take legal action in order to stop the administration from implementing its plan. State''s Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said on Wednesday that the state-run Madrassas and Sanskrit tols would be closed down within the next three to four months. He had said they would be converted to high and higher secondary schools teaching regular courses "because it is not the job of government to provide funds to institutions to impart religious teachings, Arabic or other such languages". "As the state government is a secular entity, it cannot fund organisations involved in religious teaching. Private Madrassas and Sanskrit tols can continue to run, but we will soon bring a new legislation to ensure they function in accordance with a regulatory framework," Sarma said. Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi termed the decision as "unwise". He emphasised that the administration should have instead taken steps to modernise these institutions. Gogoi, who had studied at a Madrassa in Jorhat along with many boys from Hindu families, said, "government should not ignore the Madrassas and link them them with religion.Instead of killing the institution, government should instead strengthen them, modernise them, introduce general subjects and promote technology there". Meanwhile, both Anfar and Badruddin Ajmal groups of Assam State Jamiat Ulema opposed the move. Maulana Fazlul Karim, state secretary of the Jamiat led by AIUDF chief and MP Badruddin Ajmal, said "its not true that the Madrassas only impart religious education as they teach Islamic studies and the subject Arabic as a foreign language which helps many of its students become doctors and engineers and get employment in MiddleEast countries".Stating Madrassas give importance to general education syllabus teaching other regular subjects such as maths, science, Assamese, English, social studies, etc., Maulana Karim said children from the Hindu community also studies in many of these institutions across the state, while a large number of others similarly were enrolled in the neighbouring West Bengal."If the state government closes down its Madrassas, then Jamiat may take recourse to legal provisions to halt the move", Maulana Karim warned.Echoing similar views, Anfar Jamiat group''s state secretary, Maulana Kalimuddin said higher Madrassa schools were functioning with govt funds from before the Independence and continue to do so.PTI
'No Such Proposal Yet': Officials On Assam Govt's Move To Shut Madrassas, Sanskrit Schools
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-no-such-proposal-yet-officials-on-assam-govts-move-to-close-madrassas-sanskrit-schools/347251
"Teaching Arabic & religious texts is not Govt's job” – Assam to shut down aided Madrassas, Sanskrit tols
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/assam-madrasas-sanskrit-schools-himanta-biswa-sarma-6266197/
https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/teaching-arabic-religious-texts-is-not-the-govt-s-job-assam-to-shut-down-aided-madrassas-sanskrit-tols/552856
TN lawyer challenges deletion of sentence about RSS’ anti-Muslim stance in textbook
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tn-lawyer-challenges-deletion-sentence-about-rss-anti-muslim-stance-textbook-118072
An advocate, S Doraisamy, has moved the Madras High Court, challenging the deletion of the sentence "Hindu Mahasabha and RSS took a pronounced anti-Muslim stance" in the 10th standard social science textbook."The statements/versions appearing in the said text books is part of history and it cannot be re-written based upon some sentiments," S Doraisamy said. He submitted that the school education department had issued a circular for 'hiding' the sentence in both the Tamil and English versions of textbook and requested the Court to quash the circular. Admitting plea moved as a PIL, a division bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha directed department to file a counter affidavit by March 19 on how the syllabus is prescribed and appraised and the procedure to be adopted for deletion of certain portions in textbooks.thenewsminute
Accused in mining and forest cases, Ballari baron Anand Singh made Karnataka Forest Minister
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anand-singh-karnataka-forest-environment-minister-6265304/
Bengaluru: Accused OF illegal mining and forest crimes in 15 cases pending against him since 2012, Anand Singh, a 4-time MLA from the iron ore-rich Ballari district of Karnataka with business interests in mining and transportation, has been appointed the new minister for forest, environment and ecology in 6-month-old BJP government in the state led by BS Yediyurappa.Singh (53) was made minister of food and civil supplies on Monday, but was given the forest, ecology and environment ministry a day later, after he demanded a change in portfolio, despite the charges of illegal mining and violation of forest laws pending against him from BJP’s previous tenure (2008-13).indianexpress
Bengaluru Police evict protesting blind students
https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/bengaluru-police-evict-protesting-blind-students-803846.html
Bengaluru:Blind students holding a peaceful protest for laptops promised under a government scheme were evicted by the police on Tuesday. The students, part of the state youth wing of National Federation of the Blind (NFB), had launched an indefinite protest at the office of the director of the Department for Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens at VV Tower in central Bengaluru. Police, however, moved them to the Ashoknagar hockey ground in no time. The scheme for the distribution of free laptops to all class 10 and college-going visually challenged students was launched in 2014-15. deccanherald
Wasn’t driving the Bentley, claims Mohammed Nalapad: Cops arrest bodyguard
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/wasn-t-driving-bentley-claims-mohammed-nalapad-cops-arrest-bodyguard-118039
Congress MLA NA Haris’ son Mohammed Nalapad on Wednesday appeared before the Sadashivnagar Traffic Police in Bengaluru for questioning in connection with accident involving a Bentley Continental GT. The Bengaluru Police on Tuesday said that Nalapad was driving the black Bentley along the Mekhri Circle underpass on Sunday afternoon and rammed into a bike and autorickshaw, injuring two people.“I was not the one driving the Bentley. I was in a Lamborghini ahead of the Bentley. Balu (Balakrishna, Nalapad’s bodyguard) was the one who drove the car. Some channels are saying that he does not know how to drive a Bentley and that is not true. He has been my driver for so long. I helped the people who were injured and took them to the hospital and paid the hospital bills. This is a conspiracy against me,” a teary-eyed Nalapad told the media after police questioning.Nalapad questioned the media as to why he was being portrayed as a “goonda”. This isn’t the first time that he has been accused of breaking the law. The MLA’s son was in the spotlight in 2018 after a case of attempted murder was registered against him at the Cubbon Park Police Station..thenewsminute
14 Killed, 31 Injured as Bus Rams into Stationary Truck on Agra-Lucknow Expressway
https://www.news18.com/news/india/14-killed-32-injured-as-passenger-bus-collides-with-stationary-truck-in-up-agra-lucknow-expressway-2499137.html
14 passengers were killed and around 31 people grievously injured as a private bus rammed into a stationary truck in Firozabad on Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Wednesday night. The driver of the truck was declared spot dead.The injured have been taken to Saifai PGI for treatment and kept under observation in ICU.news18
*WORLD*
Palestinians hail UN list of firms linked to Israeli settlements
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/palestinians-hail-list-firms-linked-israeli-settlements-200213095640118.html
Palestinian leaders have hailed UN Human Rights Office report, which lists firms linked to illegal Israeli settlements, saying it is a critical step towards boycotting Israeli businesses operating in the occupied West Bank. UN body said it identified 112 business entities - 94 based in Israel and 18 in six other countries - which it has reasonable grounds to conclude have ties with Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.It identified companies listed in US, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Among these was the US-based home-sharing company, Airbnb.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the findings had been subject to an "extensive and meticulous review process" and the report "reflects serious consideration that has been given to this unprecedented and highly complex mandate".Her office said the report "does not provide a legal characterisation of the activities in question, or of business enterprises' involvement in them".Palestinian leader Mustafa Barghouti said the report provides critical information that shows these companies are willfully operating their businesses in violation of international laws.Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in 1949 to protect civilian populations in war-torn countries, says occupying powers shall not transfer their population to occupied territories.Barghouti told Al Jazeera that the report will reinvigorate the international movement Boycott, Divestment and Sanction or BDS and its allies who seek to boycott companies and businesses who are deemed violating international law by operating in occupied Palestinian territories.Palestinian leader called on international institutions to stop investing in companies working in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.Earlier, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki called the publication of the list "a victory for international law".Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he ordered an "exceptional and harsh measures" against the UN body in the wake of the much-delayed report.Palestinian leader and head of Civil Affairs Authority Hussein al-Shaikh said in a tweet that US and Israel are "challenging the international consensus" and are using intimidation tools" against UN human rights agency.aljazeera
UN lists firms linked to illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/issues-report-firms-active-illegal-west-bank-settlements-200212162025947.html
Guterres reiterates UN commitment to 2-state solution
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200213-guterres-reiterates-un-commitment-to-two-state-solution/
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on international resolutions and two-state solution, QNA reported.During a UNSC about Middle East held following the announcement of US’ “peace plan”, he reiterated respect for bilateral agreements between Israel and Palestinians.He also stressed on the importance of having two states living side-by-side in safety and peacefully with clearly defined borders based on the 1967 lines.middleeastmonitor
Israel names judges for Netanyahu’s corruption trials
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200213-israel-names-judges-for-netanyahus-corruption-trials/
Israel’s Ministry of Justice yesterday named three judges who will form the court panel of the Jerusalem District Court which will hear the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, local media reported. According to Times of Israel, Jerusalem District Court said that Rivka Friedman-Feldman will head of the panel and Moshe Bar-am and Oded Shaham will be members. Friedman-Feldman was a member of the panel which sent former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to prison over bribery charges. Olmert was sentenced to a total of 27 months in jail over three corruption charges, but served only 16 months.middleeastmonitor
Netanyahu: ‘Strongest Likud branch is in Saudi Arabia’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200213-netanyahu-strongest-likud-branch-is-in-saudi-arabia/
Outgoing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the strongest branch of the Likud party is in Saudi Arabia, referring to pro-normalization Mohammad Saud, who has been previously referred to as the representative of the party’s leader in Saudi kingdom.This came during an interview with Netanyahu, Tuesday, on Hebrew Channel 20.Saud praised Netanyahu’s statement and posted it on his Twitter, celebrating what he called “your wonderful (in reference to Netanyahu) efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.”“You know, Your Excellency, how much I love and appreciate you and my dear country (Israel), and I hope that peace will be achieved soon between our countries. My deepest gratitude and appreciation,” he added, speaking to Netanyahu.middleeastmonitor
Syrian killed in rare clash between US troops, government forces
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/syrian-killed-rare-clash-troops-government-forces-200212151039111.html
A Syrian civilian was killed and another wounded in a rare clash between US troops and a group of government supporters who tried to block a US convoy driving through a village in northeastern Syria, state media reported. Syrian state-run media on Wednesday said the killed man was among residents of a village east of the town of Qamishli who had gathered at an army checkpoint, pelting the US convoy with stones and taking down a US flag from one of the vehicles.At that point, US troops fired with live ammunition and smoke bombs at the residents, the report said.A US military spokesman said coalition forces conducting a patrol near Qamishli encountered the checkpoint occupied by pro-Syrian government forces.aljazeera
HRW: Human rights advocates in Egypt are not safe
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200213-hrw-human-rights-advocates-in-egypt-are-not-safe/
Human rights advocates are not safe in Egypt, HRW said earlier this week, noting that they are regularly detained and tortured.In a statement, HRW said that there has been a “serious escalation” against human rights activists and groups. On 7 February, Egyptian authorities detained Patrick George Zaki, a researcher with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), HRW said, pointing out he was held incommunicado for roughly 24 hours and subjected to torture, including with electric shocks.The rights group also reported its source saying Zaki was held in two unofficial National Security Agency detention sites, in Cairo and Al-Mansoura, where interrogators questioned him extensively about his activism and the EIPR. middleeastmonitor
Sajid Javid resigns as chancellor amid reports of clash with PM
https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/sajid-javid-resigns-chancellor-reports-clash-pm-200213121115372.html
UK Treasury chief Sajid Javid has resigned in a shock development on the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson is shaking up his right-wing Conservative government. Chancellor Javid had been widely expected to keep his job in the cabinet shake-up. His resignation on Thursday follows reports he had clashed with Johnson's powerful adviser, Dominic Cummings.Javid had been due to deliver his annual budget next month.His resignation comes against the backdrop of Brexit, as the government faces challenges of negotiating a new relationship with the 27-nation European Union by the end of this year.Johnson will replace Javid with Rishi Sunak, the government confirmed.First elected to parliament in 2015, Sunak previously served as chief secretary to the treasury, the second in command to the chancellor, overseeing public spending.aljazeera
Haftar forces ban UN flights to embattled capital Tripoli
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/haftar-forces-ban-flights-embattled-capital-tripoli-200213064839848.html
Eastern Libyan forces have said they would not allow the UN to use the only functioning airport in the capital Tripoli, hours after the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding the warring parties commit to a "lasting ceasefire".The self-styled Libya National Army (LNA) led by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar has been trying to capture the capital city from the internationally recognised government since April.UN earlier warned flight restrictions were hampering humanitarian and mediation efforts in the oil-producing country embroiled in a conflict between loose alliances from western and eastern Libya since 2014.aljazeera
China officials fired as coronavirus deaths surge past 1,300
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/china-coronavirus-toll-exceeds-1300-hubei-reports-242-deaths-200213003453493.html
Health officials in China's hard-hit central province of Hubei reported on Thursday that 242 more people died from the coronavirus COVID-19 as of Wednesday - the highest in a single day and more than twice the previous record high - pushing the death toll across the country to 1,355.The province's health commission also reported a huge jump in new cases, saying a further 14,840 people had been confirmed with the infection over the 24-hour period to midnight on Wednesday.As this developed, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday that the head of Communist party in the province of Hubei has been relieved of his post - the latest in a line of local officials fired.Hubei is at the centre of the outbreak, which is thought to have originated in a now-closed seafood market in the capital of Wuhan late last year.
Exiled Uighurs fear spread of coronavirus in China camps
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/exiled-uighurs-fear-spread-coronavirus-china-camps-200213081556968.html
Members of China's Uighur minority living in exile are sounding the alarm over the risk of the coronavirus spreading in camps inside the country, where NGOs say hundreds of thousands of people have been rounded up by Beijing.So far, official figures released by Chinese state media give no major cause for concern over the COVID-19 outbreak in the northeast region of Xinjiang, which is home to the Uighurs, a Muslim minority who speak a Turkic language.It is far from the epicentre of the outbreak and just 55 cases have been reported in the region so far. The first patients to fully recover in the region have already left hospital, according to official media.aljazeera
Indian Businesses Feel Ripple Effect Of Trade Slowdown Due To Coronavirus
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lockdown-in-china-over-coronavirus-outbreak-worries-indian-businessmen-2179384?pfrom=home-topstories
The outbreak of coronavirus in China - where more than 1,000 people have been killed by the lethal disease and over 40,000 have got infected - has hit trade in the region, becoming a cause of concern for Indian businessmen.Dozens of cities in China - one of India's biggest trading partners - are under a lockdown amid the outbreak of coronavirus, declared a global health emergency by WHO. Indian businessmen, who have manufacturing units in the east Asian country, are worried as uncertainty prevails over the return of normalcy.Dipanker Dutta, owner of manufacturing unit of cinema seats and recliners in Foshan city of Guandong province of China, is one such businessmen; his factory has been temporarily shut till the situation improves.The manufacturing unit was to expected to open on Wednesday after the Chinese New Year holiday, however, now it is not expected to open before the first week of March.ndtv
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
Protests at Shaheen Bagh points to a politically vigilant, committed citizenry:Seema Chishti
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/shaheen-bagh-delhi-election-results-caa-protests-okhla-6265046/
Misreading history: Partition did not validate the two-nation theory:Rajmohan Gandhi
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/1947-partition-mahatma-gandhi-muslim-league-6265052/
End the protest at Shaheen Bagh | HT Editorial
https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/end-the-protest-at-shaheen-bagh-ht-editorial/story-VXeJJPVrsIyUME5sdKbhmM.html
Mr Kejriwal, Delhi is done and dusted, shouldn’t you visit Shaheen Bagh now?Saba Rahman
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/arvind-kejriwal-shaheen-bagh-protests-delhi-elections-6265690/
Why did Egypt issue a fatwa forbidding Arabs to watch Turkish TV series?Taha Kılınç
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/columns/tahakilinc/why-did-egypt-issue-a-fatwa-forbidding-arabs-to-watch-turkish-tv-series-2047342
Justice Katju: Detention of Omar Abdullah Is a Gross Violation of Rights
https://thewire.in/rights/omar-abdullah-kashmiri-leaders-detention-violation
Uncertainty in Valley as rumours swirl around health status of ailing Hurriyat hawk:Gulzar Bhat
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/uncertainty-in-valley-as-rumours-swirl-around-health-status-of-ailing-hurriyat-hawk
Why Andhra's Jaya Prakash Narayana Failed Where Delhi's Kejriwal Succeeded:Gali Nagaraja
https://thewire.in/politics/why-andhras-jaya-prakash-narayana-failed-where-delhis-arvind-kejriwal-succeeded
Why Kejriwal Shouldn't Be Criticised for Not Running an Ideological Campaign:Monobina Gupta
https://thewire.in/politics/aap-arvind-kejriwal-delhi-elections-criticism-ideology
Make No Mistake, a Population Control Policy Will Target the Marginalised:Alaka M. Basu
https://thewire.in/rights/india-population-control-policy
Delhi Poll Debacle is Almost Personal for Amit Shah And it Shows:ARATI R JERATH
https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/why-has-bjp-leader-amit-shah-suddenly-gone-silent-after-delhi-polls
In Jamia students' anti-CAA protests are echoes of the university's challenge to British occupation of India:Ismat Ara
https://www.firstpost.com/india/in-jamia-students-anti-caa-protests-are-echoes-of-the-universitys-challenge-to-british-occupation-of-india-8034031.html
Dear Liberals, Don’t Score on Shaheen Bagh by Dissing Kejriwal:PRAGYA TIWARI
https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/arvind-kejriwal-aap-secularism-shaheen-bagh-liberals
With Separatist Leader Geelani Ailing, Hurriyat – and Government – Prepare for the End
https://thewire.in/politics/with-separatist-leader-geelani-ailing-hurriyat-and-government-prepare-for-the-end
Saudi ranks 3rd in spread of 5G networks
http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/588844?fbclid=IwAR1h-pTtMYZvpBOKfCNsXlDLkWeOA7VQXWlf5nsUsbXGxNgLkYGQh43kVUc
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:22 PM).
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