04 Feb. 2020: 09 Jamadi-2, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 123
*anti-citizenship act stir*
No decision yet on nationwide NRC: Home Ministry clarifies in Parliament
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-decision-yet-on-nationwide-nrc-home-ministry-clarifies-in-parliament-6250150/
Home Ministry in Parliament today clarified that the government has not yet decided on implementing NRC across the country. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, said, “Till now, the government has not taken any decision to prepare (NRIC) at national level.” The clarification comes amid protests against CAA– the new law, which the government had said, will be followed by NRC.The remark is a departure from comments made by senior ministers and party leaders, including Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP working president J P Nadda. BJP’s manifesto for 2019 Lok Sabha elections also promised NRC in “other parts of the country in a phased manner”. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Jharkhand, had said his government had not discussed pan-India NRC exercise. Prime Minister had also denied that there are any detention centres in the country, saying these were lies being spread by the “Congress, its allies, some educated Naxals and urban Naxals”. Prime Minister’s statement was reiterated later by Home Minister Amit Shah in interviews given to ANI and ABP news channel, who said that NPR data would not be used for NRC. indianexpress
Centre assures no document will be collected during NPR exercise
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/npr-citizenship-act-centre-states-no-document-6250552/
New Delhi:At a time when Opposition-ruled states are firmly against the proposed NRC and cooperating with NPR exercise, Centre today reiterated that no document will be collected during the updation of NPR, adding that providing Aadhaar number during the exercise is only voluntary.“No document is to be collected during the updation of NPR,” PTI quoted Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai as saying.An instruction manual for updation of NPR 2020 for enumerators and supervisors has been prepared and the people will have to provide information for NPR to the best of their knowledge and belief, he said.“NPR updation will be undertaken through house to house enumeration for collection of specified particulars relating to each family and individual. The respondent has to provide the information true to the best of his knowledge and belief. Aadhar Number is collected voluntarily,” the minister said. He also clarified that during NPR updation exercise, no verification will be done to find individuals whose citizenship is doubtful. Elaborating on what NPR is, Rai said, it is a register containing details of persons usually residing in a village or rural area or town or ward or demarcated area within a ward in a town or urban area.Responding to a question over CAA, Raid said persons covered by the Act can submit applications for grant of citizenship after appropriate rules are notified by central govt.“No specific instruction has been issued by the central government regarding the release of migrants from detention centers after enacting CAA,” he said.indiane express
Is Shaheen Bagh a success? How Modi govt has climbed down on CAA-NRC
https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/shaheen-bagh-nrc-caa-amit-shah-narendra-modi-1643162-2020-02-04
Parliament LIVE : No detention camps constructed in Assam, Home Ministry tells Lok Sabha
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/parliament-news-live-updates-lok-rajya-sabha-shaheen-bagh-jamia-nrc-caa-congress-bjp-president-1643026-2020-02-04
Opposition is set to take on the government today in the Parliament on issues related to the contentious CAA and NPR. Opposition, on Monday, cornered the Centre over multiple issues including firing incidents in Delhi. Lok Sabha had on Monday started amid sloganeering as controversial remarks by BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma and the ongoing anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh figured prominently. Opposition staged a walked out of Lok Sabha to protest the controversial remarks by Parvesh Verma when he rose to initiate a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. Rajya Sabha proceedings, meanwhile, were washed out as opposition members raised slogans against government, demanding a debate. Indiatoday
Opposition trying to create a Shaheen Bagh inside Parliament too, says BJP leader
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/opposition-trying-to-create-a-shaheen-bagh-inside-parliament-too-says-bjp-leader20200203232943/
New Delhi: Amid protests by the Opposition over the amended Citizenship Act in both Houses of Parliament on Monday, BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Shiv Pratap Shukla said that some leaders are trying to create "a Shaheen Bagh even inside Parliament". "Till now they (Opposition) had not got the opportunity. They are behind the Shaheen Bagh (protests) as well, and now they are trying to repeat the Shaheen Bagh even inside Parliament as well," Shukla, a former Union minister, told ANI here.ANI
Seattle City Council becomes first US legislative body to pass anti-CAA, NRC resolution; says law 'meant to disenfranchise Muslims'
https://www.firstpost.com/world/seattle-city-council-becomes-first-us-legislative-body-to-pass-anti-caa-nrc-resolution-says-law-meant-to-disenfranchise-muslims-7998541.html
Seattle: A coalition of Seattle-area South Asians celebrated the passage of Seattle City Council Resolution 31926 opposing India’s NRC and CAA, after hundreds of people rallied and attended a midday City Council vote to express their support. The resolution, introduced by Council member Kshama Sawant, affirmed Seattle as a welcoming city, and expressed City Council’s solidarity with Seattle’s South Asian community regardless of religion and caste.Hundreds of South Asians stood in support of anti-CAA, NRc resolution passed by Seattle City Council.“We welcome Seattle City Council’s resolution denouncing the divisive and draconian CAA and NRC. These acts are unconstitutional and designed to disenfranchise several million Muslim, Dalits and other minorities in order to create a fascist state.” said Javed Sikander, spokesperson for the Seattle chapter of Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC).Seattle City Council became the first legislative body in US to take a stance on India’s CAA and NRC. firstpost
Anti-CAA protest held at UN headquarters in Geneva
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/anti-caa-protest-held-at-un-headquarters-in-geneva/article30729652.ece
Indian community across Europe came together and held a peaceful protest outside the UN headquarters in Geneva on Feb.1. Despite inclement weather, they held banners, sang songs and recited poetry to register their opposition against CAA and (NRC, according to a press release.Former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan spoke to the people gathered there via a live call-in facility and Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekar Azad’s audio message was then later played at the protest.In his statement, Chandrashekhar Azad said, “In India, black laws like the CAA are being passed as an attempt to turn Dalits, Adivasis, Backward Classes, Muslims, and other minorities into second-class citizens. It is an attempt to deprive them of their constitutional rights, to make them slaves in their own country. This law is discriminatory and violates our fundamental right — the right to equality. To everyone at UN, to Indians all over the world, to all citizens who ask for and believe in social justice, I appeal to you, keeping Baba saheb’s liberty, equality and fraternity in mind, raise your voice against this black law.”thehindu
Mumbai: Over 50 People Charged With Sedition for Slogans Supporting Sharjeel Imam
https://thewire.in/law/mumbai-sedition-sharjeel-imam
Mumbai Police have charged at least 51 persons – mostly students – with sedition for raising slogans in support of JNU student Sharjeel Imam at the Mumbai Pride Solidarity Gathering 2020 held on February 1 at the Azad Maidan.Queer Azadi Mumbai (QAM) and Humsafar Trust held solidarity gathering this year after Mumbai Police denied them permission to hold the annual Mumbai Pride march at the August Kranti Maidan – reportedly on the grounds that the rally would also address issues surrounding govt, CAA and NRC. The pride march has been an annual event in the city since 2008.The organisers later decided to hold a gathering at Azad Maidan, as suggested by the police under certain conditions. On its website, QAM said, “It is not a celebration this time.” Reports said slogans were raised not only against the CAA at the gathering but also in support of Imam and what he had suggested (a chakka jam to block Assam and the Northeast from rest of India) in his speeches by a group of participants.A day later, on February 2, ex BJP MP Kirit Somaiya shared a video of slogan-shouting in support of Imam, at the event, on social media.BJP state vice president soon not only spoke of his opposition to it in another video – shared from his Twitter handle – but also lodged a complaint at the Azad Maidan police station against the “anti-national slogans”.The function, demonstrations were misused to support Shaheen Bagh/anti CAA feelings”, the complaint alleged. BJP leader said he would sit on a dharna if no action was taken against the pro-Imam group within three days.The video, which soon went viral on social media, was also shared by former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Twitter, asking why “the Maharashtra government is tolerating this”.With the issue heating up, state home minister Anil Deshmukh told reporters that action would be taken against those who raised the slogan, “Sharjeel tere sapne ko hum manzil tak pahuchayenge (Sharjeel, we will fulfil your dream.)”Later in the day, police registered an FIR against 51 persons, including Urvashi Chudawala, a student at TISS, Mumbai. Chudawala was reportedly heard leading the group that raised the pro-Imam slogans at the event. Media reports quoting the police said she was called twice to the police station for “preliminary enquires but she didn’t come”. Meanwhile, QAM, when approached by the police, denied any role in the raising of slogans.Media reports quoting the police said the organisers have not been charged with any offence. So far, the police have not taken anyone into custody.thewire
100 Pakistan Hindu families cross Attari-Wagah border to settle in India
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/200-pakistani-hindus-cross-attari-wagah-border-some-say-will-seek-asylum-1643015-2020-02-04
Amid the controversy over CAA, minority Pakistani Hindu families continue to flee the Islamic country saying that they are being persecuted on the basis of their religion.Nearly 100 Pakistani Hindu families crossed Attari-Wagah border and reached Amritsar on Monday. Meanwhile, around 200 families have reportedly crossed the border this year till now. 100 Hindu families, who crossed the border on Monday, said: "Humanity has died in Pakistan and they have told the Islamabad-based Indian Embassy that they want to settle in India."Several women, children and girls were among those who reached Amritsar with their belongings on Monday. They said they want to perform Hindu religious rites in Haridwar.These Hindu families have been given a small duration visa, but the way they have brought their entire belongings hint that they don't want to return to Pakistan.indiatoday
'Owaisi Next to Recite Hanuman Chalisa': UP CM Adityanath's New Offensive Against Oppn on Shaheen Bagh
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/owaisi-next-to-recite-hanuman-chalisa-undeterred-by-criticism-up-cm-adityanath-new-offensive-against-oppn-2486281.html
New Delhi: Undeterred by criticism over controversial remarks, Uttar Pradesh chief minister and firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi would be next to recite 'Hanuman chalisa' after AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal."As of now, only Kejriwal has recited Hanuman chalisa. Just wait and watch what happens next. One day Owaisi will also read the holy scripture," CM Yogi said at a rally in Delhi's Kirari. he added that on one hand, these leaders serve biryani to anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh, and on the other hand, they recite the chalisa.news18
For fifth time in 5 days, Karnataka cops question Shaheen School students over anti-CAA play
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/for-the-fifth-time-in-five-days-karnataka-cops-question-shaheen-school-students-over-anti-caa-play-1643270-2020-02-04
The police questioned some children and staff of a school here yet again on Tuesday in connection with the sedition case registered against the management and staff following staging of a drama allegedly portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poor light over the CAA and NRC."This was the fifth time police have come here. As usual they came and questioned the children and staff," said a source atthe Shaheen School.School head mistress, Fareeda Begum and Nazbunnisa, the mother of a nine-year-old girl, who took part in the play, have already been arrested in connection with the case.While both have been remanded to judicial custody, the child, according to sources, is traumatised."The landlord of the house where Nazbunnisa stayed as atenant is taking care of the child. She is traumatised," a school official said.indiatoday
Mob outside Jamia raises ‘goli maro’ slogans again, 40 detained
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mob-outside-jamia-millia-university-raises-goli-maro-slogans-again-1643192-2020-02-04
New Delhi:Atense situation prevailed outside Jamia Millia University on Tuesday as another group of people were spotted proceeding towards the university and chanting slogans of desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maro s****n ko (shoot traitors of the country).Police present in the area tried to pacify the mob but had to detain at least 40 people who were raising slogans against anti-CAA and NRC protesters in the region.Most of the people detained at the spot came to protest against anti-CAA agitators from Sonipat in Haryana, according to police. Police have sent all the detained individuals to Kalkaji.indiatoday
In reply to RTI, Jamia says no info on property damaged during police action, CAA protest
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jamia-says-no-info-on-property-damaged-during-police-action-1643175-2020-02-04
Hyderabad:Jamia Millia Islamia has said in reply to an RTI filed by a Hyderabad-based activist that the university has not suffered any damages or loss of property in violence or CAA protests.Replying to an RTI query, the Jamia of Delhi has said that it has no record of damage and loss of property during the CAA agitation.The university hit the headlines in December when personnel of Delhi Police entered the campus and detained several of students protesting against the Citizenship Act. The police had also allegedly vandalised the library and other university properties.An internal report of the Jamia administration on the December 15 incident sought judicial probe into the unauthorised entry of Delhi Police inside the campus, use of force and infliction of brutal and grievous physical injuries on the students who were peacefully studying inside the reading room of the library.The university's probe report had also found damage to properties in the library and university and also damage to two-wheelers parked in the vicinity of the library.indiatoday
AMU proctor resigns, students say they will not relent till vice chancellor and other officials quit
https://scroll.in/latest/952171/amu-proctor-resigns-students-say-they-will-not-relent-till-vice-chancellor-other-officials-quit
The proctor of AMU in UP stepped down on Tuesday, days after the institution’s Students Coordination Committee demanded the resignation of top university officials for failing to stop police violence on campus on Dec.15, Indian Express reported. Professor Afifullah Khan, however, did not say why he had resigned. Protestors want V-C Tariq Mansoor, Registrar Abdul Hamid, and the dean of students’ welfare to step down. Faizul Hassan, a member of the student coordination committee and a former students’ union president, welcomed Khan’s decision to step down but said the students would continue their agitation till their other demands were met.“After 51 days of protests, only one demand has been met,” Hassan said. “The resignation of the proctor is a positive response. We won’t end our agitation until the other top 3 officials resign. The registrar and VC did not do anything when police entered the campus and thrashed the students.” scroll
Anti-CAA protesters in Aligarh vow not end their protest till agitation in Shaheen Bagh continues
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anti-caa-protesters-aligarh-vow-not-to-end-protest-1643277-2020-02-04
Aligarh:As protests against CAA-NRC spread across other parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, women sitting in Shah Jamal (Aligarh) explicitly say that their protest draws inspiration from the one in Shaheen Bagh, Delhi, and will conclude only when protesters in Delhi call off their protest against CAA-NRC.Talking to India Today, a senior administrative official said that there was no doubt that those protesting here is the product of the same anti-government lobby that is leading and funding the Shaheen Bagh protest in Delhi. He also said that the police are keeping a close watch on these protesters to ascertain their links with anti-national elements.Several women India Today spoke to told that district police and administrative officials have come to them several times to get the venue vacated. However, they refused and asserted that their protest will only end after CAA is withdrawn by the Union govt.indiatoday
Man Held for Threatening to Shoot Anti-CAA Protesters in Lucknow
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/man-held-for-threatening-to-shoot-anti-caa-protesters
A civil engineer has been arrested by the Lucknow police on Monday, for threatening to shoot protesters at the Clock Tower where an anti-CAA agitation is on.The accused, Shravan Sharma, 24, a resident of Thakurganj, who works with a private firm in Chinhat area, was arrested from Thakurganj area of Lucknow.In a Facebook post on 30 January, Shravan had threatened to shoot the protesters at the Clock Tower and even claimed that he had bought a pistol for the purpose.IANS
AAP Distances Itself From Kapil Gujjar, Alleges BJP Of Playing Dirty Politics Before Delhi Polls
https://www.newsnation.in/cities/delhi-and-ncr/aap-distances-itself-from-kapil-gujjar-252960.html
New Delhi:Amit Shah is the Home Minister, said AAP leader Sanjay Singh minutes after Crime Branch made a big statement that the Shaheen Bagh shooter Kapil Gujjar and his father are AAP members. Blaming BJP for playing dirty politics, Sanjay Singh said, "Amit Shah is the Home Minister of the country at this time, now just before elections, photos and conspiracies will be found. 3-4 days are left for the elections, BJP will do as much dirty politics as they can."Kapil Gujjar, who fired bullets in the air near Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area, the epicentre of the anti-CAA protest, and his father are members of AAP who has joined it last year, said Delhi Crime Branch on Tuesday. "In our initial investigation, we have found some photos from Kapil's phone that establish… and he has already disclosed that he and his father had joined AAP a year ago. We have taken his two-day remand," said Rajesh Deo,DCP of Delhi Crime Branch.newsnation
Man Who Opened Fire At Delhi's Shaheen Bagh Is An AAP Member: Police
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/man-who-opened-fire-at-delhis-shaheen-bagh-is-an-aap-member-police-2174861?pfrom=home-topscroll
Why is Modi 'Afraid' of Muslim Women When He Calls Himself Their Brother, Asks Owaisi
https://www.news18.com/news/india/why-is-modi-afraid-of-muslim-women-when-he-calls-himself-their-brother-asks-owaisi-2487027.html
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls himself a "brother" to Muslim women, then why is he "afraid" of them now, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, a day after Modi criticised anti-CAA protests at Shaheen Bagh and other areas.Attacking the government on the issue of CAA and NPR, Owaisi said he challenges PM Modi to clarify in the House that the NPR and the NRC are not linked and there will be no NRC in the country.He was participating in a discussion on Motion of Thanks on President's Address. Without mentioning Shaheen Bagh, where Muslim women have been protesting against CAA, NPR and NRC since December 15, Owaisi said, "I would like to ask Prime Minister Modi that he describes himself as a brother to Muslim women then why is he afraid of them now."PTI
Tripura bodies demand relief for 93 families displaced during anti-CAA stir, threaten strike
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/tripura/tripura-bodies-demand-relief-for-93-families-displaced-during-anti-caa-stir-threaten-strike-6250926/
Agartala : 55 days after anti-CAA protests in Tripura saw violent clashes, two civil society bodies have served an ‘ultimatum’ to the local administration to compensate 93 families allegedly displaced during the stir, within 10 days.Nagorik Suraksha Mancha and Unnayan Mancha, organisations from Kanchanpur in the state’s North district, have threatened to launch a strike if their demands are not met.Speaking to indianexpress.com, Nagorik Suraksha Mancha president Ranjit Kumar Nath said his organisation would launch a largescale movement, which may include an indefinite strike, unless the government provides proper compensation to 317 people from 93 families who fled their homes due to alleged ransacking by anti-CAA protesters.indianexpress
BJP leader seeks urgent SC hearing for removal of Shaheen Bagh protestors, says stir causing difficulty to nearby residents
https://www.firstpost.com/india/bjp-leader-nand-kishore-garg-seeks-urgent-sc-hearing-for-removal-of-shaheen-bagh-protestors-says-stir-causing-difficulty-to-nearby-residents-7999811.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court asked a Delhi BJP leader on Tuesday to approach its mentioning officer to get an early date for the hearing of his plea seeking the removal of hundreds of anti-citizenship law protestors occupying a road-stretch in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area.BJP leader Nand Kishore Garg has urged the top court for an urgent hearing, considering the difficulty faced by residents due to the nearly-two-month-long protest on a road connecting Delhi and Noida. Also, various other arterial roads of Delhi have been facing traffic congestion due to the protest."You go to the mentioning officer," the SC bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde told Garg.PTI
Punjab farmers to extend support at Shaheen Bagh protest
https://newsd.in/punjab-farmers-to-extend-support-at-shaheen-bagh-protest/
"Amit Shah Wants To Fight Delhi Polls On Shaheen Bagh": Kejriwal
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-to-ndtv-amit-shah-wants-to-fight-delhi-election-on-shaheen-bagh-bjp-doesnt-want-issu-2174453
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah wants to fight the entire Delhi election on the Shaheen Bagh protests, Arvind Kejriwal said today, questioning, "He is so powerful. Can he not open a road?" In an interview to NDTV ahead of the vote in the capital, Delhi Chief Minister said no other party lies more than BJP and a "great man like Amit Shah" also peddled lies. Shaheen Bagh protest against the citizenship law, in which hundreds of women and children have spent nights sitting on the road, had been targeted by critics because of the traffic blocks and inconvenience to people travelling through south Delhi towards Noida, Kejriwal remarked.ndtv
Delhi polls between Shaheen Bagh and Modi’s nationalist gang: Amit Shah
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/delhi-polls-between-shaheen-bagh-supporters-modis-nationalist-gang-amit-shah/videoshow/73910618.cms
Mansa farmers join Shaheen Bagh stir, more from Sangrur to go today
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/mansa-farmers-join-shaheen-bagh-stir-more-from-sangrur-to-go-today/articleshow/73922471.cms
Bathinda: Activists of Punjab Kisan Union left for Delhi from Mansa on Monday to support the ongoing protest against CAA at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh.Another group of farm activisits is expected to leave for the national capital on Tuesday and stay there till February 8. Also, in continuation of protests against CAA, NRC and NPR, farm organisations are continuing to mobilise support for a protest planned in Malerkotla town of Sangrur on Feb.16. An indefinite protest is also expected to start in Mansa from Feb.12. "We left for Shaheen Bagh to support the protest against CAA, NRC and NPR today," Punjab Kisan Union president Ruldu Singh Mansa said.On Tuesday, hundreds of farmers are expected to eave for Shaheen Bagh in buses from Sangrur. "We will take along ration to organise langar for protesters till February 8. We feel it is our ethical duty to stand by our Muslim brothers and sisters," farmer organisation BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri.TOI
Punjab Kisan Union reaches Shaheen Bagh to extend support
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/punjab-kisan-union-reaches-shaheen-bagh-to-extend-support-6249398/
Not bothered who wins Delhi elections, say Shaheen Bagh protesters
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/not-bothered-by-delhi-results-say-shaheen-bagh-protesters/articleshow/73921690.cms
New Delhi: A day after the area witnessed its third shooting in a week, women of Shaheen Bagh intensified their protests, amid heavy policing and security checks, even as volunteers checked the background of speakers and asked them to avoid ‘separatists’ or ‘unconstitutional’ language in speeches.Since Saturday, the organisers have made people sign a disclaimer which states that views expressed are personal, before they are allowed to speak. They have been also directed to touch only on CAA-NRC, primarily, and steps needed for women safety, rising cost of commodities, increasing unemployment and poverty and asked not to raise inflammatory or provocative slogans that could hurt religious sentiments of any community, not to refer to separating any part of the country or denigrate any leader associated with any religion and not to support any political party.economictimes
'Had Govt Not Brought CAA, NRC...': Infant Of Shaheen Bagh Protester Dies After Catching Cold
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-had-govt-not-brought-caa-nrc-infant-of-shaheen-bagh-protester-dies-after-catching-cold/346710
Panic at Jharkhand’s Shaheen Bagh
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/jharkhand/panic-at-jharkhands-shaheen-bagh/cid/1742003
Panic prevailed at Kadru, where women have been on a continuous sit-in protest in front of the Haj House since January 20 against the new citizenship matrix, on Monday morning when word got around that a procession by saffron groups was headed to the area. Around 11am the women, who are protesting against the CAA, NRC and NPR, began calling up their near and dear ones frantically, scared that pro-CAA procession headed their way would endanger their security.Within an hour, men outnumbered the women who have been on a continuous protest like Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. Police came to know and rushed to the area.telegraphindia
The voice of Ahmedabad’s Shaheen Bagh
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/the-voice-of-ahmedabads-shaheen-bagh/articleshow/73916148.cms
Ahmedabad: At the anti-CAA protest venue at Ajit Mills the microphone goes to Safia Pathan, 10, who keeps raising slogans for nearly half an hour without any fumble. The younger of two siblings, Safia, a Class-4 student and daughter of an autorickshaw driver, is seen resting her back on a big replica of the Constitution placed at the protest venue when she shouts slogans and also raises her left hand like a seasoned activist while shouting Azadi slogans. When asked how she learnt shouting slogans, Safia said she observed some activists and for last 10 days she has been raising slogans against CAA, NRC and NPR.TOI
Centre tells Delhi HC that investigation into Jamia violence at 'crucial stage'; bench grants govt till 29 April to file report
https://www.firstpost.com/india/centre-tells-delhi-hc-that-investigation-into-jamia-violence-at-crucial-stage-bench-grants-govt-till-29-april-to-file-report-7999741.html
New Delhi: The investigation into the incident of violence at Jamia Millia Islamia during an anti-CAA protest was at a crucial stage, the Centre told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.The submission before a bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar was made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta while seeking more time to file a report regarding the probe.Taking note of the submission, the bench granted Centre time till 29 April to file a reply.During the hearing, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for some students of Jamia, said 93 students and teachers filed complaints about alleged attacks on them by police but no FIR has been filed against the agency till date.The other lawyers for the petitioners alleged that the government has not complied with the court order to file a response within four weeks of the last date of hearing on December 19.The bench, however, declined to pass any interim order and granted time till 29 April to the government to file a reply.PTI
European envoys could visit J&K before vote on Kashmir, CAA resolution and India summit
https://theprint.in/diplomacy/european-envoys-could-visit-jk-before-vote-on-kashmir-caa-resolution-and-india-summit/359287/
New Delhi: Modi govt is likely to take ambassadors from European Union (EU) nations on a tour of Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of European Parliament’s joint draft resolution on J&K and CAA, multiple sources told ThePrint. The government had taken 15 foreign diplomats, including US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, for a visit to the erstwhile state last month. The EU leaders had declined the government’s invite at the time. Speaking to ThePrint, a diplomatic source said the EU envoys’ visit is expected to take place before the EU-India Summit scheduled to be held in Brussels on 13 March.While Modi government hasn’t yet invited the diplomats officially, EU envoys say they are ready for the visit now.ThePrint
Bidar : School ‘sedition’ arrests: 9-yr-old waits for mother to be freed, police seize slippers, question children
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/school-sedition-arrests-9-yr-old-waits-for-mother-to-be-freed-police-seize-slippers-question-children-6249745/
Bidar : 9-year-old breaks down when asked where her mother is. It’s been three days since Najumunissa, a single parent, was put in jail on sedition charges after the Class 5 student spoke against CAA in a school play, and said she would hit anyone who asked for documents with shoes.Apart from Najumunissa, police have held the school headmistress, Fareeda Begum, on sedition charges. It has also seized the slippers held up by a student as Najumunissa’s daughter said “joote marenge” as “evidence”.Since police have been dropping in daily to question students at Shaheen Urdu Primary School since the arrests, parents have been coming to ensure they are around when that happens.On Monday, D N Nagesh took over as Bidar SP after T Sreedhara was suddenly transferred on January 31, a day after the two women were arrested.In between sobs, Najumunissa’s daughter manages to say “bhabhi”, referring to their landlord’s wife who has been taking care of her with Najumunissa in prison.Lodged at the Bidar District jail, Najumunissa, 35, who has no WhatsApp on phone, says she knows little about CAA or NRC except what they had heard on TV and “once on someone’s mobile”. Her daughter was selected by the school along with 6 others to prepare a play on the Act, and Najumunissa says 9-year-old decided to repeat what she had heard on TV. “We rehearsed the lines several times at home,” she says. The government-aided Shaheen Urdu Primary School has 254 students. Shaheen Group of Institutions and Allama Iqbal Educational Society have over 50 branches in 13 states. CEO Thouseef Madikeri says 45 per cent of their over 2,000 students, including in Shaheen English Primary and Secondary School and Junior College branches in Bidar, are Hindus. Questioning the police interrogation of students, a school official said, “They are taking aside all students who participated in the play and those who saw it and questioning them. They don’t let any teacher or management official to be present. The students are scared.”indianexpress
‘I want her to come back’: Bidar student on her mother's arrest over an anti-CAA play
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/i-want-her-come-back-bidar-student-her-mothers-arrest-over-anti-caa-play-117443
Kutch traders who supported bandh against CAA allege boycott, threats
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kutch-traders-who-supported-bandh-against-caa-allege-boycott-threats-6249767/
Rajkot :Some traders and residents of Kutch district, who supported a bandh call in protest of CAA on January 29, have alleged that they have been facing boycott from those supporting the new citizenship law.While no complaints have been filed with the police, purported videos and messages calling for a boycott are doing the rounds of social media.In Ratnal, a village in Anjar taluka of eastern Kutch, a group which identified itself as Akhil Bharat Desh Rakshak Samiti allegedly put up a hoarding that read “Jai Shri Ram: Anti-national elements shall not stop or park their vehicles and rickshaws in Ratnal village.” While the hoarding has been taken down, police said there is no organisation by that name. Parikshita Rathod, SP, Kutch (East), said: “The banner was against ‘anti-nationals’. It does not require any action from our side.”“Ratnal is only 3 km from our village, but people have stopped going there as they have put up banners which prohibit halt there,” said Juma Para, sarpanch of Chubdak village.indianexpress
Women, girls take centrestage in anti-CAA protests in AMU
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/04/women-girls-take-centrestage-in-anti-caa-protests-in-aligarh-muslim-university-2098807.html
Aligarh: Women and girl protesters have taken centrestage in the ongoing protests against CAA over the past few days at AMU as well as in the old city.A large number of girls blocked all traffic within AMU campus on Monday, forming a human chain at the main crossing near the university guesthouse, while at Shahjamal under the Delhi Gate police station, hundreds of women from the neighbouring localities continued with their round-the-clock sit-in that is going on for three days.On January 30, when a large number of women held their first protest at the Eidgah grounds, police had slapped cases against about 250 people, most of them unidentified, for violating prohibitory orders.Despite this, they have continued with their indefinite "dharna" and are spending the nights under the open sky.Despite attempts, no senior police official is willing to comment on the ongoing dharna.At AMU, girls in large numbers resumed their protest on the main road leading to the campus from the Baab-e-Syed gate on Monday.PTI
In Aligarh, police issue notices to 153 people: Face action if violence erupts
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-aligarh-police-issue-notices-to-153-people-face-action-if-violence-erupts-6249775/
Aligarh police on Monday issued notices to 153 people, including women, to sign a bond with a warning that they may face legal action if any untoward incident occurs outside Shahjamal Eidgah in the city, where women have been on a sit-in protest for the last 6 days against CAA and NRC.The police said notices have been issued to men who are said to be providing logistic support to the protesting women.Taking note of two incidents of firing at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of anti-CAA protest now, Aligarh police have put up two door metal detectors on the road leading to the protest site, officials said.Officials said the police began the exercise after they failed to convince people to withdraw the protest. SSP Kulhary said no one has been arrested since the amount of sentence in charges they have been booked under are less than 7 years. A chargesheet would be filed in the case soon, he added.indian express
Lawyers submit memo against NRC, CAA and NPR in Surat
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lawyers-submit-memo-against-nrc-caa-and-npr-in-surat-6249765/
Surat :Criticising NRC, CAA and NPR for being against the spirit of the Constitution, over a hundred lawyers on Monday submitted a memorandum to Surat District Collector urging the Central Government to not implement them.“Indian Constitution calls for equality, it doesn’t discriminate on the basis of caste, creed or religion, but the aim of NRC, CAA and NPR is to divide the society on these lines and this will fuel communal hatred. Seven states have already opposed CAA. This has already caused a lot of violence in Assam and many people have lost their lives,” the memorandum reads.It further added that those SC/ST, OBC and Muslims who don’t have documents to prove their citizenship will be left nowhere if Central government goes ahead with its plan of implementing it across the nation.indianexpress
Pakistan will ‘compensate’ Malaysia by buying more palm oil after India withdraws: Imran Khan
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-will-compensate-malaysia-by-buying-more-palm-oil-after-india-withdraws-imran-khan/article30732878.ece?homepage=true
Pakistan will do its best to buy more palm oil from Malaysia after top buyer India put curbs on such imports last month amid a diplomatic row with the Southeast Asian nation, PM Imran Khan said on Tuesday. India has put general restrictions on refined palm oil imports and informally asked traders specifically to stop buying from Malaysia, the world's second-biggest producer and exporter of the edible oil, in retaliation for Malaysia's accusation that recent Indian policies discriminate against Muslims.India is a Hindu-majority country while Malaysia and Pakistan are mainly Muslim. Neighbours India and Pakistan have been mostly hostile to each other since the partition of British India in 1947, and have fought two of their 3 wars over competing territorial claims in Kashmir.Reuters
India Palm Oil Import Curbs "Temporary": Malaysia Amid CAA Criticism Row
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-palm-oil-import-curbs-temporary-malaysia-amid-citizenship-law-criticism-row-2174353?pfrom=home-topscroll
Malaysia said on Tuesday that India's move to cut back on palm oil purchases is "temporary" and will be resolved amicably between the two nations.Last month, India restricted imports of refined palm oil and asked importers to avoid purchases from Malaysia after its criticism of actions in Kashmir and a new citizenship law."Having long-standing bilateral ties, the two nations will overcome the current challenges, and prevail towards mutual and beneficial outcomes," Malaysian Palm Oil Council said in a statement, citing Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.Reuters
"It's Not Rajiv Feroze Khan's Govt": BJP MP Banned From Campaign
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/citizenship-amendment-act-bjps-parvesh-verma-rules-out-caa-rollback-not-rajiv-feroze-khans-governmen-2174249?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: Undeterred by a 96-hour ban imposed by the Election Commission for making communally divisive remarks, BJP MP Parvesh Verma on Monday termed the ongoing protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act at New Delhi's Shaheen Bagh as "anti-national" and said that the law won't be rolled back because India is "not ruled by Rajiv Feroze Khan"."Shaheen Bagh protest against CAA is anti-national because they are demanding the separation of Assam and J&K from India. They want Jinnah's azadi... This is not Rajiv Feroze Khan's government. This is Modi's government... CAA will not be rolled back," he said amid an outcry by opposition leaders in parliament on Monday. West Delhi MP made the reference to "Rajiv Feroze Khan" in an attempt to portray former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's father as a Muslim called Feroze Khan.ndtv
SDPI bid to foment communal hatred: CM Vijayan to Kerala House
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sdpi-bid-to-foment-communal-hatred-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-to-kerala-house-6249684/
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Monday told the Assembly that SDPI, the political wing of PFI, tried to foment communal hatred by intruding in peaceful protests against the amended citizenship law.Replying to a question by a Congress legislator on arrests related to anti-CAA demonstrations, the Chief Minister said the SDPI has been trying to infiltrate into protests against CAA conducted by various mahallu committees. “Extremist outfits are trying to divert the issue on account of protest (against CAA). Several mahallu committees had staged protests in a peaceful manner. However, SDPI is thinking on extremist lines. Those belonging to SDPI have intruded into the protests and created troubles. What is going on is an attempt to foment communal hatred on behalf of the protest which cannot be tolerated. There are attempts to divert the protest over CAA and divide society. Govt would take stringent actions against such attempts,” he said.indianexpress
Actress Sonam Kapoor trolled for her tweet about Shaheen Bagh gives befitting reply to journalist
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/entertainment/actress-sonam-kapoor-trolled-for-her-tweet-about-shaheen-bagh-gives-befitting-reply-to-journalist
Actress Sonam Kapoor Ahuja is again in the middle of a Twitter controversy after a journalist questioned her father's links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, the ever outspoken daughter slammed the reporter for insinuating and uselessly accusations.The issue arose after Sonam shared a post from an English daily about the shooting that took place near Jamia."This is something that I never imagined would happen in India. Stop this divisive dangerous politics. It fuels HATE. If you believe yourself to be a Hindu then understand that the religion is about Karma and dharma and this is not either of those."IANS
Citing CAA Protests, AASU Opposes Assam's Decision to Host Filmfare Awards
https://thewire.in/politics/caa-aasu-filmfare-awards-assam
Guwahati:Filmfare Awards, Bollywood’s iconic black lady statuette, for the first time in its 65th year of its existence, will make its journey to Assam. Far from Maximum City Mumbai, she will be in Guwahati on Feb.15 with her usual entourage of matinee idols and the razzle-dazzle that defines her show.But she hasn’t generated much fanfare, especially with AASU. One of its leaders has demanded a white paper on why the event is being organised in Assam with the state’s exchequer involved and the state being severely flood-prone.thewire
CAA protests: women allege assault by police in Govandi
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/caa-protests-women-allege-assault-by-police-in-govandi/article30730339.ece
Mumbai:A group of women who had gathered at Govandi to protest CAA and NRC alleged that they were assaulted and illegally detained on Sunday night.According to local residents, around 70 women gathered at a corner of the service road near the Shivaji Nagar signal around 8.30 p.m. to protest. Shortly thereafter, personnel from Shivaji Nagar and Deonar police stations reached the spot and allegedly surrounded them with their vehicles.Dr. Pooja Chinchole, a protester, said they started shining their torches and speaking rudely to the women before female police personnel reached the scene. When the protesters started raising slogans, the police allegedly started roughing them up.thehindu
‘Detained, Not Deterred,’ Say Anti-CAA Protesters in Mumbai’s Deonar
https://www.newsclick.in/detained-not-deterred-anti-CAA-protesters-mumbai-deonar?fbclid=IwAR05Ne3d4U0WvPsQlXhnE6w8tAPTpQ5v_TQCHeiIEi1iW0GXUXbxlfpBkPk
Anti-CAA stir: 2 BJP workers among 3 held for attacking Union minister Rameswar Teli's house in Assam
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anti-caa-stir-2-bjp-workers-among-3-held-for-attacking-union-minister-rameswar-teli-s-house-in-assam-1643008-2020-02-04
Dirbrugarh: 3 persons, including 2 BJP activists, have been arrested for allegedly attacking the residence of Union minister Rameswar Teli during anti-CAA protests in Assam, police said on Monday.The house of Teli, Union Minister of State for Food Processing, in Upper Assam's Duliajan town was attacked on December 11 during the statewide stir against the contentious CAA. "Based on CCTV footages, Debajit Hazarika, Vicky Sonar and Arup Kahar were arrested. We had picked them up on Sunday," Dibrugarh SP, Sreejith T said.PTI
CAA, NRC, NPR New Tools of BJP to Disenfranchise and Annihilate Citizens: Mahua Moitra
https://caravandaily.com/caa-nrc-npr-new-tools-of-bjp-to-disenfranchise-and-annihilate-citizens-mahua-moitra/
New Delhi:Fiery parliamentarian of Trinamool Congress, Mahua Moitra, has slammed the Hindu nationalist BJP on its stands vis-à-vis the CAA etc, while addressing Parliament during the Motion of Thanks to the President. Besides a sharp protest against the CAA-NRC, she also launched a scathing attack on the ruling party on issues like resort to hate speech, chocking of dissent, and the failing economy.She accused BJP of “lacking humility” and betrayal of people’s trust by questioning citizenship of the people who voted them to power. She said the BJP should not go “beyond the tenets of democracy” or “arrogate on itself any extra-constitutional authority.”
UP Police Resorted to Revenge for Filing Petition in Allahabad HC: PFI
https://caravandaily.com/pfi-says-up-police-resorted-to-revenge-for-filing-petition-in-allahabad-hc/
New Delhi: PFI has said that the fresh round of arrests of its supporters by the Uttar Pradesh Police was nothing but taking out of its ‘revenge’ – a term used in dealing with anti-CAA protests by state CM Yogi Adityanath –against the organisation.Claiming that PFI has only an ad-hoc committee in UP, the activist organisation alleged this was an attempt to create a “wrong record” against PFI. PFI had sought a high-level judicial inquiry into the violence, through a recent PIL filed in the Allahabad high court. PFI said the police arrested and beat up family members of the petitioner, Mufti Shahzad.Two days ago, the Popular Front’s UP state ad-hoc committee convener Waseem Ahmed was released from jail, but the UP police on Monday arrested 108 persons, dubbing them as members of the PFI. The PFI said it only has an adhoc committee in UP with nine members.
Won't inform Kiran Bedi in advance about anti-CAA resolution: Puducherry CM
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/won-t-inform-kiran-bedi-in-advance-about-proposed-anti-caa-resolution-narayanasamy-120020301691_1.html
New Delhi :Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Monday said his government will not inform Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi in advance about the proposed anti-CAA resolution to be adopted in the upcoming session of the legislative assembly.Talking to PTI over phone, he said the resolution would be adopted in the assembly session that is scheduled to begin on February 12.Congress-ruled Puducherry would be fifth dispensation to adopt the course after West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab and Rajasthan assemblies passed resolutions against CAA.PTI
*OTHERS*
Godhra riots: SC hearing of Zakia Jafri's plea challenging SIT decision to give clean chit to Modi set for 14 April
https://www.firstpost.com/india/2002-godhra-riots-sc-hearing-of-zakia-jafris-plea-challenging-sit-decision-to-give-clean-chit-to-narendra-modi-set-for-14-april-8000051.html
New Delhi: Saying the matter had been adjourned many times and will have to be heard someday, the Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed 14 April for hearing a plea by Zakia Jafri, wife of slain MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the SIT's clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots.A bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari posted the matter for hearing in April after Zakia's counsel sought an adjournment and urged the court to post it after the Holi vacation.When advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for Zakia Jafri, told the court the issue in the matter is contentious, bench said, "It has been adjourned so many times, whatever it is, we will have to hear it someday. Take one date and make sure you all are available."PTI
"Love Jihad" Not Defined, Not Reported By Central Agencies: Government
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/love-jihad-not-defined-not-reported-by-central-agencies-government-2174808?pfrom=home-topstories
New Delhi: The term ''Love Jihad'' is not defined under existing laws and no case has been reported by any central agency, the government said in parliament today.This is the first time the government has officially distanced itself from "Love Jihad", the term used by rightwing groups to target relationships between Muslim men and Hindi women, which, they say, is an elaborate ruse to forcibly convert the women.Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy quoted Article 25 of the constitution and said it provided for the freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion subject to public order, morality and health."The term 'Love Jihad' is not defined under the extant laws. No such case of 'Love Jihad' has been reported by any of the central agencies," he said in a reply to a written question.Various courts, including the Kerala High Court, have confirmed this view.The minister said, however, that 2 cases from Kerala involving "inter-faith marriage" had been investigated by NIA.The home ministry was responding to a question by a Congress leader from Kerala, Benny Behanan, on whether any central agency had reported any case of love jihad in the coastal state in the last two years. Interestingly, several suspected cases of elopement were investigated by various investigating agencies in Kerala and tagged as "Love Jihad". ndtv
"Ravan Ke Aulad...": Congress MP Slams Anantkumar Hegde For Gandhi Remarks
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ravan-ke-aulad-congress-mp-adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-slams-anantkumar-hegde-for-mahatma-gandhi-remarks-2174660
New Delhi: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury today ripped into BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde in parliament over his comments calling Mahatma Gandhi-led freedom struggle "big drama" staged with the "consent and support of the British"."Aaj ye Mahatma Gandhi ko gaali dete hain. Ye Ravan ke aulad hain. Ram ke pujari ka ye apmaan kar rahe hain (Today, they abuse Mahatma Gandhi. They are children of Ravan. They are insulting Lord Ram's devotee)," said Mr Chowdhury, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha.Many opposition leaders protested against Mr Hegde's comments, which have also been denounced by his own party. Sources have said BJP has told Mr Hegde to furnish an unconditional apology for the comment that he made at a public meeting last week.ndtv
Elgar Parishad Case: NIA FIR Drops Sedition, Charges 11 Under UAPA, IPC
https://thewire.in/law/elgar-parishad-case-nia-fir-drops-sedition-charges-11-under-uapa-ipc
Pune: NIA has registered an FIR in Elgar Parishad case and charged 11 people, including nine currently in jail, under provisions of the anti-terror law UAPA and the IPC, days after it was handed over the matter in Maharashtra by Centre. While the Pune police had applied IPC section 124A (sedition) in the case during the investigation, NIA FIR does not have this charge, said advocate Siddharth Patil, representing some of the accused.The 11 include the nine arrested by the Pune police, while the two other names in NIA FIR are activists Gautam Navalkha and Anand Teltumbde.PTI
Dec 16 gangrape case: Delhi HC to rule tomorrow on Centre’s plea against stay on convicts’ execution
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-december-16-gangrape-convicts-execution-stay-high-court-order-tomorrow-6250887/
Delhi High Court on Wednesday will pronounce the order on the Centre’s plea challenging the stay on the execution of four convicts in the December 16, 2012 gangrape-murder case. The court had reserved the order on Sunday.Last week Friday, a trial court had postponed the execution of death warrants issued against the four convicts, saying the country cannot afford to discriminate against a death row convict in pursuit of legal remedies.indianexpress
J&K: Detained since August 5, PDP MLA, trade leader released from detention
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-kashmir-article-370-august-5-pdp-mla-release-6251003/
Srinagar:J&K government on Tuesday released a former PDP MLA and a trade leader, who were under detention since August 5 when the Union government revoked the special status of the Valley and downgraded the state into two union territories.A senior security official in Srinagar said that PDP leader Aijaz Ahmad Mir, who is a former legislator from South Kashmir’s Shopian district, was released from the MLA hostel today along with a renowned trade leader Shakeel Qalender, ex-president, Federation of Chamber of Industries. A senior administration official said that Qalander was released from the central jail in Srinagar. Indianexpress
Journalism in Kashmir’s troubled times: Communications clampdown, queues and eight computers
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/journalism-in-kashmirs-troubled-times-communications-clampdown-queues-and-eight-computers
One room, 8 computers, six months and many dozens queuing up to send the Kashmir word out to the world. That's been the arithmetic of journalism in troubled times for media personnel in the Valley since August last year.Braving rain, storm and bone-chilling cold, journalists in Kashmir have spent hours on end each day outside the cramped makeshift media room set up by the administration.On August 5, the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 and bifurcated it into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The night before, mobiles and the internet were suspended.PTI
Zaira Wasim: Kashmir continues to suffer and see-saw between hope and frustration
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/zaira-wasim-kashmir-continues-to-suffer-and-see-saw-between-hope-and-frustration-6249854/
New Delhi :The Sky Is Pink actor Zaira Wasim took to social media on Tuesday to share the plight of residents of Kashmir. In her long post, she mentioned how “Kashmiris continue to exist and suffer”.She wrote, “Kashmir continues to suffer and see-saw between hope and frustration। There’s a false and uneasy semblance of calmness in place of escalating despair and sorrow। Kashmiris continue to exist and suffer in a world where it is so easy to place restrictions on our liberty. Why do we have to live in world where our lives and wills are controlled, dictated and bent? Why is it so easy to have our voices silenced? Why is it so easy to curtail our freedom of expression? Why aren’t we ever allowed to voice our opinions, let alone our disprovals to decisions that are made contrary to our wishes? Why is it that instead of trying to see the cause of our view, our view is just condemned ruthfully? What is so easy to curb our voices so severely? Why can we not live simple lives without always having to wrestle and remind the world of our existence. Why is that life of a Kashmiri is just about experiencing a lifetime of crisis, blockade and disturbance so abundantly that it has taken away the recognition of normalcy and harmony from the hearts and minds?”indian express
Karnataka High Court pulls up cops for eviction after Bangladeshi tag
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-high-court-pulls-up-cops-for-eviction-after-bangladeshi-tag-6249678/
Bengaluru :A division bench of Karnataka High Court Monday came down heavily on Bengaluru Police for facilitating the eviction of people living on a private property on the city outskirts last month after labelling them as illegal Bangladeshis without investigation. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Sreenivas Oka and Justice Hemant Chandangoudar directed the state government to provide a plan to rehabilitate those who were evicted.Several people living in tenements on a private property in Bellandur area were evicted through a demolition drive carried out on January 12, 18 and 19 by the authorities on the basis of a police notice on January 11 about the presence of illegal immigrants. Around 200 sheds on the property, which housed around 5,000 people, were demolished. A petition was filed in court by PUCL on behalf of the affected migrant workers — several of whom were from different parts of Karnataka.indianexpress
Muslim woman seeks right to offer namaz in mosques 5 times a day
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-woman-seeks-right-to-offer-namaz-in-mosques-5-times-a-day/articleshow/73923920.cms
New Delhi:Discounting AIMPLB's ambivalent stand which appeared to support entry of women into mosques, a Pune-based Muslim couple asked the Supreme Court on Monday to direct mosque managements to allow women to offer namaz 5 times a day in masjids after making provision for separate enclosures. AIMPLB had told the SC last week, "A Muslim woman is free to enter masjid for prayers. It is her option to exercise her right to avail such facilities as available for prayers in masjid. AIMPLB does not want to comment on any contrary religious opinion on this issue."Refusing to join issue with others in the community who believe Muslim women should not enter mosques, AIMPLB had said, "Islam has not made it obligatory on Muslim women to join congregational prayers nor is it obligatory for women to offer Friday namaz in congregation though it is so for Muslim men." But the petitioners — Yasmeen Zuber Ahmad Peerzade and her husband Zuber Ahmad Nazeer Ahmad Peerzade from Pune — said in an affidavit that they had written to the president and trustees of Mohammadiya Jama Masjid, Jamatul Muslimeen, Bopodi, Pune, seeking permission to enter the mosque and offer namaz five times daily as well as other namaz like 'Juma namaz', 'taravih namaz' and 'Eid namaz'.They also said the mosque management should provide "facilities for offering of namaz while being allowed to maintain their purdah, that is in a segregated place screened from men".TOI
Declare CM Face: Kejriwal Challenges BJP as AAP Releases Manifesto
https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/aap-manifesto-released-arvind-kejriwal-challenges-bjp-to-declare-cm-candidate
As Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister CM Manish Sisodia on Tuesday, 4 February, released AAP’s manifesto for the Assembly polls, CM Arvind Kejriwal challenged BJP to declare a chief ministerial candidate by 1 pm on Wednesday. Released by Sisodia as a “28-point guarantee card", the manifesto promises doorstep delivery of ration, free pilgrimage to 10 lakh senior citizens, Rs 1 crore compensation to the kin of safai karamcharis if they die while on duty, schemes for education, skill development for women and youth. Terming its manifesto “historic”, Kejriwal challenged BJP to declare a CM face and hold a debate on their respective manifestos.THE QUINT
AAP to win 54-60 out of 70 seats, BJP may bag 10-14: Times Now poll
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/aap-to-win-54-60-out-of-70-seats-bjp-may-bag-10-14-times-now-poll/articleshow/73917485.cms
New Delhi: AAP is poised to sweep the Delhi assembly elections winning between 54 and 60 seats in the 70-member house, a poll released by Times Now on Monday said. BJP is projected to get 10 to 14 seats and Congress at best two.Interestingly, the same poll shows that if a Lok Sabha poll were to be held now, BJP would win all seven seats in the Capital, just as it did last year. The poll, conducted by Ipsos, gave AAP a 52% vote share against BJP’s 34%, an 18-point lead in an essentially bipolar contest that would prove crushing. These vote shares represent a minor shift from the 2015 assembly polls, with AAP losing 2.5 percentage points and BJP gaining 1.7 percentage points.For the hypothetical Lok Sabha polls, 46% picked BJP and 38% AAP, but even this relatively smaller gap was enough for a clean sweep by the saffron party. Narendra Modi remains the clear favourite for the PM’s post, with 75% of those surveyed picking him. Rahul Gandhi came a distant second with 8%.TOI
JD(U) leader dies in communal clash in Bihar, 4 held: Police
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jdu-leader-dies-in-communal-clash-in-bihar-four-held-police-6249748/
Patna : 4 people were arrested on Monday for allegedly indulging in stone-pelting on Saturday during a clash between two communities, leading to the death of a local JD(U) leader, police said.According to the police, clash broke out between a procession headed for Saraswati idol immersion and some local Muslim youngsters. JD(U)’s Sheikhpura block president Amit Kumar Biswas was hurt in the stone-pelting and later succumbed to his injuries, police said. On Sunday, protests broke out in the area where several shops belonging to Muslims were torched and a shrine was vandalised, they said.On Monday, police lodged a case against eight people for Saturday’s violence and later arrested four of them under IPC sections for murder, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and causing injury. The accused were identified as Ismail Khan, Saiful Khan, Istiyaq Khan, Shehanshah Khan, Ashraf Khan, Asif Khan, Akbar Khan and Irfan Alam. Aslam, Shehenshah, Asif and Akbar.indian express
Ram Temple Trust to be announced this week amid rumblings among stakeholders
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/03/ram-temple-trust-to-be-announced-this-week-amid-rumblings-among-stakeholders-2098395.html
Lucknow: With the three-month deadline set by the Supreme Court for the Centre to constitute the Ram Temple Trust to facilitate the construction of a temple in Ayodhya just 6 days away, a notification in this connection by Union Home Ministry is expected this week. Meanwhile, rumblings over model of the temple are on among various stakeholders. As per the sources, the temple construction may commence between March 25 and April 2, the auspicious days of Chaitra Navratri which culminates in Ram Navami, the birth date of Lord Ram.The proposed trust has to be set up before Feb.9 in compliance with the Supreme Court’s verdict.If sources are to be believed, a separate ‘Ayodhya desk’ at Union Home Ministry is already working out the modalities of the trust and the broader blueprint on the acquisition of land and the model of the temple is in the final stages.newindianexpress
WB: Day after attack on mass marriage event, VHP alleges police inaction
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/day-after-attack-on-mass-marriage-event-vhp-alleges-police-inaction/
VHP on Monday accused police of inaction during an alleged attack on its mass marriage event in Malda district and demanded strong action against miscreants. As part of its regular programmes in SC/ST and tribal belts, the VHP had on Sunday organised a mass wedding ceremony for poor couples at a Malda village. However the right-wing outfit alleged that miscreants of Jharkhand Desam Party disrupted the event in police presence. “We had taken permission from the authorities for the programme, and policeman were present at the venue. Despite this, the ceremony was attacked by henchmen of the Jharkhand Desam Party.indianexpress
India To Get Military Commands In 3 Years, Biggest Restructuring Ever
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-to-get-military-commands-in-3-years-biggest-restructuring-ever-2174788?pfrom=home-livetv
New Delhi: In 3 years from now, India will begin operationalising Military Commands which integrate the operations of the Army, Air Force and Navy, in the biggest restructuring in India's military history.In a select briefing, his first since he took over as India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat said it was his goal to "develop the services as an armed force," integrating capabilities, logistics and manpower within the new Military Commands. The goal is to bring down expenses, rationalise manpower and ensure that the armed forces fight as a cohesive unit.While the number of commands has not been finalised, the Chief of Defence Staff is looking at the creation of proposals which would result in the creation of a Western Theatre Command, and at least one Northern Theatre Command. An Eastern Theatre Command would likely cover the border areas along the China frontier. The exact number of these Theatre Commands has still not been decided.
Govt doing exact opposite of what’s needed to revive economy: Jayati Ghosh
https://www.thehindu.com/society/government-doing-exact-opposite-of-whats-needed-to-revive-economy-jayati-ghosh/article30469779.ece?fbclid=IwAR2Hi3LdhRtTbRp2Mj2pvWA9RtoW4Fyn8_o84v-NkDSaQCDaNgnlxLopWOw
Jayati Ghosh, professor of economics at JNU in New Delhi, is one of the world’s leading development economists. A fierce critic of the near-universal obsession with ‘fiscal discipline’, Ghosh believes that India cannot revive its economy without increasing public spending. In an exclusive chat with the Magazine, she spoke about, among other things, the looming global recession, the situation at JNU, and what’s in store for the next generation of Indians. Ghosh said, "The government has to step in and create demand — this is basic economics! Increase your MGNREGA, spend more on infrastructure, put more income in the hands of farmers. They will buy more. They will spend the money. That will have a positive multiplier effect — it will generate more income, more production, more employment, more investment, and all that. But for some reason, the government is doing the opposite. Not only is it not spending more – it is spending less."thehindu
10% Indians to develop cancer, 1 in 15 will die of disease: WHO
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/10-indians-to-develop-cancer-1-in-15-will-die-of-disease-who-6249711/
Pune :One in 10 Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in 15 Indians will die of cancer, according to a latest WHO report.February 4 is World Cancer Day and WHO has released two global reports on the occasion. There are an estimated 1.16 million new cancer cases, 7,84,800 cancer deaths, and 2.26 million 5-year prevalent cases in India’s population of 1.35 billion, said WHO report on cancer burdens and patterns in India in 2018, released on Monday. The report aims to set the global agenda on cancer, mobilise stakeholders and help countries set priorities for investing in cancer control and universal health coverage.According to the report, 6 most common cancer types in India are breast cancer (1,62,500 cases), oral cancer (1,20,000 cases), cervical cancer (97,000 cases), lung cancer (68,000 cases), stomach cancer (57,000 cases), and colorectal cancer (57,000). Together, these account for 49 per cent of all new cancer cases, the report notes.indianexpress
3 patients, 2,155 persons under quarantine: Why Kerala could have a lesson on how to contain coronavirus
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-cases-kerala-fighting-infection-6250839/
Kochi :A telling comment by Kerala’s health minister K K Shailaja during a presser on Sunday, perhaps otherwise ignored, was when she said that the health department and the state government is insistent that it know about every patient who may test positive for coronavirus infection in the state.“Even if there’s one case, the health department is adamant that we know about it,” she said. This remark alone is a marker of the bureaucratic confidence on the dogged and resolute disease surveillance system of Kerala that has proved to be highly effective in past years when dealing with viral infections like dengue, H1N1 and the 2018 outbreak of Nipah. And this year too, with the novel coronavirus being found positive in three medical students in the state, the surveillance system has been successful in isolating all of them and putting their likely immediate contacts within home quarantine before it could spill into the community.indianexpress
From China to Chhawla: Indian Student Documents Flight from Coronavirus
https://thewire.in/health/2019-novel-coronavirus-indian-students-yichang-wuhan-hubei-air-india-evacuated-quarantine-photos
New Delhi: With 2019 novel coronavirus spreading and killing more people in China as well as around the world, India has thus far evacuated 640 of its citizens from China’s Hubei province in two waves. The province appears to be the epicentre of the potential pandemic: the first case of the virus’s infection was reported from its capital city, Wuhan, Dec.2019. All of the evacuated Indians have since been admitted to specialised hospitals in India with a strict quarantine period of two weeks.The Wire got exclusive access to photographs taken by an Indian medical student, Sahil Shandilya, evacuated in the second flight from Wuhan. He has been taken to a special quarantine camp set up by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Chhawla, a village in the southwest part of the district of Delhi.Yichang 1 – 3 – Indian students boarding the buses at Yichang that would transport them to Wuhan, where the Indian government had sent a second Air India flight to evacuate nationals from China’s Hubei province. The first Air India flight brought back Indians living in Wuhan; the second one has been earmarked for other cities in Hubei.Yichang, a large city around 300 kilometres west of Wuhan, had scores of Indian students enrolled in the city’s medical university. Following a nerve-wracking period of waiting for their evacuation fight, the students were told they would be informed about the bus pick-up timings only after the Indian government’s plan was cleared by its Chinese counterpart.thewire
*WORLD*
Coronavirus death in Hong Kong, as China admits 'shortcomings'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/china-admits-shortcomings-coronavirus-death-toll-hits-425-200203234036932.html
Hong Kong reported its first death from the coronavirus on Tuesday - only the second outside mainland China - as the death toll from the outbreak rose to at least 425 and China admitted "shortcomings and difficulties" in its response to the flu-like infection.The Hong Kong victim was a 39-year-old man who had recently travelled to Wuhan, where the virus first originated, who had underlying health problems, the authorities said. The first death recorded outside mainland China was in the Philippines on Sunday.Meanwhile, China's National Health Commission reported 64 new fatalities as of midnight on Monday - the biggest daily increase since the virus was first detected late last year. Wuhan, and the surrounding province of Hubei, have been effectively sealed off from the rest of the country for more than a week.There are now 20,438 people confirmed to have the infection in mainland China.aljazeera
Top EU diplomat warns against Trump's Middle East peace plan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/top-eu-diplomat-warns-trump-middle-east-peace-plan-200204115952540.html
European Union has rejected parts of the proposed US plan for the Middle East, saying it broke with "internationally agreed parameters", and any Israeli annexation of Palestinian land would be subject to challenge.President Donald Trump's plan, announced last week, was welcomed by Israel and rejected outright by the Palestinians.It would give Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all Palestinian land on which it has built settlements.
Libya rivals show 'genuine will' to start ceasefire talks: UN
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/libya-rivals-show-genuine-start-ceasefire-talks-200204103250564.html
Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations envoy to Libya has said representatives of the country's rival factions attending talks in Geneva agree in principle to turning a fragile truce into a lasting ceasefire, as he decried ongoing violations of an arms embargo by both sides and their backers.Addressing reporters in the Swiss city, Ghassan Salame said on Tuesday his office had collected evidence of the ongoing violations and referred the issue to the UN Security Council.
Ireland's biggest parties vow to ban goods made in illegal Israeli settlements
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/irelands-biggest-parties-vow-ban-goods-made-illegal-israeli-settlements?fbclid=IwAR3qqv9ZYvGySD7EeAbJWuq2d9nPvKzuuAsqC5oK5-dB9EtFxn_Funzf89g
Two of Ireland's biggest political parties have said that if they win Saturday's general election they will implement a ban on purchase of goods and services from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail have both indicated in their manifestos that they wish to see the Occupied Territories Bill enacted.The legislation, first tabled in 2018, would prohibit imports from territories where there is a clear international legal consensus on the status of the occupation.As it stands, only the occupied Palestinian territories have been confirmed as occupied by International Court of Justice.According to its manifesto, Sinn Fein has said it will "ban goods from Israel's illegal colonial settlements in Palestine from entering the Irish market by implementing the Occupied Territories Bill".Meanwhile, Fianna Fail has said it would "progress the Occupied Territories Bill" in government.If passed, the law would make Ireland the first European Union country to criminalise commercial activity in the settlements.middleeasteye
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
Modi-Shah discrediting Shaheen Bagh not just for Delhi polls but also because of Trump visit:Jyoti Malhotra
https://theprint.in/opinion/modi-monitor/modi-shah-discrediting-shaheen-bagh-not-just-for-delhi-polls-but-also-trump-visit/359337/
Anti-CAA protests by Muslim women are about where, how and why you belong:Ritu Menon
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/shaheen-bagh-anti-caa-protest-mother-india-6249503/
Book Review: 'I Could Not Be Hindu' Is a Unique Testimony to Sangh's' Casteism:Christophe Jaffrelot
https://thewire.in/books/book-review-bhanwar-meghwanshi-i-could-not-be-a-hindu
Disconnect between Budget and Economic Survey is much greater this year:M Govinda Rao
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/union-budget-2020-no-rescue-in-sight6249488/
Highlights: Kejriwal Speaks To NDTV On Delhi Election 2020
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/highlights-chief-minister-arvind-kejriwal-speaks-to-ndtv-on-delhi-election-2020-2174373
Why Shaheen Bagh won’t help BJP in Delhi: Sajjan Kumar and Rajan Pandey
https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/feb/03/why-shaheen-bagh-wont-help-bjp-in-delhi-2098129.html
For the Modi Govt, Trouble Is Still Brewing in the US Congress:Seema Sirohi
https://thewire.in/rights/anti-caa-activists-us-indian-americans
Stars and Artists Line Up for Spontaneous Festival at Shaheen Bagh:The Wire
https://thewire.in/rights/stars-artists-caa-protest-shaheen-bagh-festival
Can Sharjeel Imam Be Defended?Ajay Gudavarthy, newsclick
https://www.newsclick.in/can-sharjeel-imam-defended
The truth about Amit Malviya’s Shaheen Bagh exposé: An Alt News and Newslaundry investigation
https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/02/04/the-truth-about-amit-malviyas-shaheen-bagh-expos-an-alt-news-and-newslaundry-investigation
If MHA Now Says 'No Plan for All-India NRC', Did Amit Shah Mislead Parliament Earlier?
https://thewire.in/government/no-decision-yet-on-nationwide-nrc-home-ministry-tells-parliament
'Penalised' for Slow Population Growth, Anger Brews in South India. Political Class Must Take Note and Now:Ravi Shanker Kapoor
https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/penalised-for-slow-population-growth-anger-brewing-in-south-india-political-class-must-fix-this-now-2485611.html
Shaheen Bagh, Bullet, Biryani: There’s a Pattern to Yogi’s Speech
https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/video-shaheen-bagh-bullet-biryani-theres-a-pattern-in-yogi-speech
India's identity crisis: Nine reasons to fear NPR and Aadhaar
https://www.businesstoday.in/union-budget-2020/columns/national-population-register-npr-and-aadhaar-identity-india-data-collection-caa/story/395425.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:25 AM).
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