10 March 2020: 14 Rajjab 1441: Vol: 12, No: 153
*MP POLITICAL CRISIS*
MP Live: Kamal Nath Govt stares at fall; 22 MLAs, 6 ministers resign, Scindia to join BJP
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-mp-political-crisis-live-jyotiraditya-scindia-likely-to-quit-congress-join-bjp-shivraj-singh-chouhan-to-become-cm/348534
Disgruntled Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia is all set to join BJP today, sources told Outlook. The decision was finalised late last night and could also see 4-5 more Congress MLAs joining BJP apart from the 17 who flew to Bengaluru on Monday, sources said. BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan is likely to be made Chief Minister again. BJP legislative party will meet in Bhopal later this evening where it will elect Chouhan as it's leader, sources said.Days after the Kamal Nath government survived a scare of being toppled, a fresh crisis erupted in Madhya Pradesh politics on Monday with sulking party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raising a banner of revolt. Scindia's rebellion virtually forced Nath to call a late night cabinet meeting where 20 of his ministers resigned to reportedly accommodate disgruntled rebel leaders and Scindia loyalists. Sources close to Scindia said that ex Gwalior royal is seriously weighing his options on severing ties with the Grand Old Party. Scindia, his close aide said, could launch a regional party or even defect to BJP. In either scenario, survival of the Nath government, which presently has a slender majority in 230-member MP Vidhan Sabha, will become untenable. Congress MLA from Hatpiplya in Madhya Pradesh, Manoj Choudhary, resigns, taking number of those who have quit to 22.With Jyotiraditya Scindia all set to join BJP, Kamal Nath government now looks almost certain to fall. BSP and SP MLAs are currently meeting former MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. They are expected to announce support for BJP later today. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has written a letter to state Governor Lalji Tandon seeking immediate removal of six ministers who belonged to the camp of expelled leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.MP Governor Lalji Tandon is presently in Lucknow. But he is likely to cut his 5-day visit short and return to Bhopal by this evening.outlookindia
List of 22 MLAs Who Resigned
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/madhya-pradesh-crisis-live-updates-kamal-nath-jyotiraditya-scindia-sachin-pilot-digvijaya-singh-2531843.html
Following is the list of 22 Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs including ministers belonging to the Jyotiraditya Scindia camp who have resigned so far. Ministers: 1. Tulsi Silawat 2. Govind Singh Rajput 3. Dr Prabhuram Choudhry 4. Imarti Devi 5. Pradyumna Singh Tomar 6. Mahendra Singh Sisodia. Other MLAs:7. Hardeep Singh Dang 8. Rajyavardhan Singh 9. Brajendra Singh Yadav 10.Jaspal Jajji, Suresh Dhakad 11.Jaswant Jatav 12.Santram Sironia 13.Munnalal Goyal,14.Ranveer Singh Jatav 15.OPS Bhadoria 16.Kamlesh Jatav 17.Giriraj Dandotiya 18.Raghuraj Kansana 19.Aidalsingh Kansana 20.Biasahulal Singh. 21.Pankaj Chaturvedi (State spokesperson) and 22.Manoj Choudhary.news18
Jyotiraditya Scindia Meets PM Modi, Amit Shah In Delhi; Resigns
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-jyotiraditya-scindia-meets-pm-modi-amit-shah-in-delhi-resigns/348539
Amid political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, rebel Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also accompanied Scindia to the prime minister's residence.Sources say Scindia is likely to join BJP after some of his MLAs flew to BJP-ruled Karnataka triggering a crisis in one and a half year old Kamal Nath government.According to sources, all the formalities for Scindia joining the BJP have been completed.Sources said, Scindia will formally join BJP in presence of party president J.P. Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah at the party headqaurters on Tuesday evening.After the formal joining, a meeting of BJP election committee will be held in which Scindia will be declared BJP candidate for Rajya Sabha polls from Madhya Pradesh, sources said.Scindia may also be made union minister in the Modi government while his loyalist MLAs will be made cabinet ministers in Madhya Pradesh, sources added.IANS
Sonia Gandhi Expels Scindia For Anti-Party Activities
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-mp-govt-crisis-scindia-quits-congress-sonia-expels-him-for-anti-party-activities/348541
Moments after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Tuesday, disgruntled Congress leader and former Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia tendered his resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi saying it was now time for him to move on.Gandhi immediately expelled him from the Congress for anti-party activities, as the crisis looming over the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh deepened."Congress president has approved the expulsion of Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Indian National Congress with immediate effect for anti-party activities," according to a statement from AICC general secretary K C Venugopal.PTI
BJP Had Arranged Chartered Planes To Move Congress MLAs To Bengaluru: Digvijaya Singh
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-bjp-had-arranged-chartered-planes-to-move-congress-mlas-to-bengaluru-digvijay-singh/348545
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Tuesday parried questions on the exact number of MLAs supporting the party in Madhya Pradesh amid a political crisis triggered by the resignation of Jyotiraditya Scindia and 14 MLAs loyal to him. Repeating his allegation that BJP was trying to destabilise Congress-led government, Singh told reporters that BJP had arranged three chartered planes for Bengaluruon Monday to fly out some MLAs loyal to Scindia."We want to know why Bengaluru is used everytime to destabilise governments?" he questionned.When asked about the number of MLAs supporting Congress in the current political scenario, Singh only said,"Just wait".He said an atmosphere of uneasiness has been prevailing in BJP since Kamal Nath government started cracking a whip on various mafias."We (the state government) are exposing Vyapam scam, e-tendering scam, Madhyam scam.. In the honey-trap case, BJP men were found to be involved. This will be exposed," he said.PTI
“But for his surname even Jyotiraditya Scindia has little to show as mass leader”: Prashant Kishor
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/but-for-his-surname-even-jyotiraditya-scindia-has-little-to-show-as-mass-leader-prashant-kishor/284328/
Poll strategist and former JDU leader, Prashant Kishor has hit out at Jyotiraditya Scindia for his decision to quit the Congress party to join BJP. Kishor said that Scindia’s credential as a so-called mass leader meant nothing without his surname.He tweeted, “Amazing that those who usually find fault with #Gandhis leading Congress because of their surname are finding a #scindia leaving #INC as big jolt for the party! Fact is but for his surname even @JM_Scindia has little to show as mass leader, political organiser or administrator.”jantakareporter
19 MP Cong MLAs, MPs seek police protection in Bengaluru
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/19-mp-cong-mlas-mps-seek-police-protection-in-bengaluru/1757198
Bengaluru: As many as 19 Madhya Pradesh Congress rebel MLAs and MPs sought police protection during their stay in the city, a party source said on Tuesday."We are the MLAs/MPs of Madhya Pradesh state. We have come to Karnataka state voluntarily on some important work, regarding which we require protection and escort from local police for our safe movement and safe stay in and around Bangalore," said lawmakers in a signed letter to the Karnataka DG and IGP.A police official confirmed receiving the letter dated Monday.The rebels came to Bengaluru on Monday in two batches by chartered aircraft and are reportedly staying in a resort on the city''s outskirts.IANS
BJP leader says 30 Congress MLAs likely to resign
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/madhya-pradesh-political-crisis-live-updates-kamal-nath-government-mla-cm-congress-bjp-mp-latest-news-today-jyotiraditya-scindia-8136181.html#live-blog-20200310172832
UP BJP leader Bhupendra Singh arrived in Bhopal as the political developments on Tuesday threatened the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh.He said, "I have come to Bhopal with the resignations of 19 MLAs who are currently in Bengaluru. The number can increase till 30 by evening as many people are willing to join BJP."firstpost
Kamal Nath writes to Madhya Pradesh Governor to remove six ministers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-goverment-kamal-nath-jyotiraditya-scindia-live-updates-6307811/?#liveblogstart
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has written to Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon and recommended the immediate removal of six ministers. The six ministers are Imarti Devi, Tulsi Silavat, Govind Singh Rajput, Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Pradyuman Singh Tomar, and Prabhu Ram Chaudhary.
*DELHI VIOLENCE*
Usman Saifi guarding Ram temple in riot-hit Northeast Delhi, arrested; Several families say male members picked up
https://theprint.in/india/muslim-man-guarding-ram-temple-in-riot-hit-northeast-delhi-arrested/378282/
New Delhi: Usman Saifi had been religiously guarding a Ram temple in Gali Number 18 of Mustafabad’s Nehru Vihar for over a week now. Ever since riots broke out in Muslim-dominated area of Northeast Delhi, Saifi and his neighbours were conscious of not letting tensions simmer for too long.“He knew that if anything happens to the temple, it will be the Muslims of the area who will be blamed.” his wife Salma said.Saifi, 45, was picked up by Delhi Police from outside the temple late Sunday and detained. His neighbours say the police accused him of rioting and took him to Dyalpur station at 12:45 am.“So many people guard the temple, not just him. I don’t know why they only targeted him” Salma said.At the temple, the shock of Saifi’s arrest still confounds the temple guard, and those who witnessed his arrest.Muslim men in the neighbourhood say they have been sitting outside the Ram temple in Mustafabad ever since the riots began.“We can’t afford any slander, or any sort of allegations thrown our way. So, we would sit outside the temple every night and guard it,” said a Mustafabad resident, who was guarding the temple Sunday night with Saifi.“The police suddenly came in their car, put a pistol on Saifi’s head and took him away. He didn’t even get a chance to defend himself,” the eyewitness added.A temple guard also says he had seen Saifi every night since the riots.“I don’t know anyone by their name. But I have seen him here sitting outside the temple. These men were not just guarding the temple, but also themselves — by ensuring they are not accused of anything,” guard said on condition of anonymity.At Mustafabad relief camp, several families have approached the police and the legal help desk stationed there.“Since last night, we have been getting several complaints of arbitrary arrests. We are trying to help these people locate the stations where their arrested or detained kin is kept,” said a Supreme Court advocate at the legal help desk.At the help desk, a woman named Fatima tried seeking help, alleging that her husband and 17-year-old son were picked up by the police Monday afternoon, when the three of them were crossing the Shiv Vihar bridge.Several other families claimed male members of their family were picked up late Sunday.ThePrint
3 men picked up by police in midnight swoop, families clueless
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/three-men-picked-up-by-police-in-midnight-swoop-families-clueless/article31027546.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI:Around 1 pm on Monday, families and relatives of 3 residents of Nehru Vihar were waiting outside the Dayalpur police station to meet them and know why they had been held. “Ye to goonda raj hai (This is rule of lawlessness),” said a relative, exasperated after an over 12-hour ordeal.Around 12.30 am, Habib, Usman and Mohammed Yameen, all in their late thirties and early forties, were picked up by Delhi Police from Nehru Vihar’s E2 Block. Their relatives claim they were guarding the area, especially a temple in the vicinity. In almost every locality since riots broke out in the city, locals guard the area themselves to ensure no untoward incident takes place.“Like every other night, they were guarding the area. There are only five Hindu families in our block. We don’t want any outsider to come and target the temple and blame our community for it, so a few of us keep vigil,” said Alanoor, Usman’s brother, who also lives in the area.Recounting Sunday night’s events, Habib’s nephew Azeem said that while they (Habib and others) were sitting, a police van came and suddenly picked him up. “Habib called Usman for help and when the latter intervened, they picked him up as well. Locals gathered and tried to argue but a policeman pulled out a pistol. They all then fled,” said Azeem. Families of the three then reached the police station but were asked to come at 8 am on Monday, they said. “We reached here at 6 a.m. but the police didn’t let us speak to them. We aren’t even being told why they have been held,” said Shoaib, Usman’s nephew.Another person identified as Nafees, a resident of Sanjay Chowk, was also held by police on Saturday evening. His family claims the police are actually looking for Nafees’s brother Gulfam. Noor Mohammed (86), another relative of Habib, said what the police are doing is one-sided and it’s wrong. “It’s never one-sided in a riot,” he said.thehindu
Being framed, I took loan of Rs 20 lakh, which they are showing as funding says PFI member Danish; court sends him to 4-day police custody
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/pfi-member-held-police-claim-conspired-to-incite-riots-in-delhi-6307460/
A 32-year-old alleged member of PFI was arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell Monday for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to incite communal riots in several parts of Delhi. He was produced before a Delhi court, which sent him to 4-day police custody.The accused has been identified as Trilokpuri resident Mohd Danish.Danish, while being taken away by police, said: “I’m being wrongly framed. I took a loan of Rs 20 lakh, which they are showing as funding. The truth will come out. I used to visit Shaheen Bagh and take part in protests… I’m innocent.”In Trilokpuri’s Block 27 Monday, a group of people huddled around Danish’s brother, discussing the arrest. The family has alleged Danish was picked up on fabricated charges of inciting violence during anti-CAA protests.“The only reason he was arrested is because he is associated with PFI. The group is actively involved in social work, and Danish worked tirelessly for humanitarian causes. If the government thinks working for PFI is a crime, why isn’t the organisation banned? It is baseless that he would incite violence,” said Mohd Aslam, Danish’s brother.Danish is pursuing law from a Ghaziabad university and runs a mobile repair shop in the area with his brother. Two weeks ago, his family claimed, police had taken Danish for “routine questioning” before letting him go.An active social media user, Danish has been critical of the new citizenship law, proposed NRC, and other government policies. “It is clear the government wants to suppress critical voices. He was an easy target. Our fight will continue in the courts,” said Aslam.The family also claimed Danish was at home when violence broke out in Northeast Delhi. “We have CCTV footage to prove he never left the area,” claimed Aslam.indianexpress
Police picking up boys after asking their name:Mustafabad residents
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/police-picking-up-boys-after-asking-their-name/article31027398.ece
NEW DELHI:An eerie calm pervaded narrow bylanes of Mustafabad on the eve of Holi as those affected by the riots ambled down their paths to rehabilitation with gloom in their eyes and files containing details of their dead, missing or detained kin tucked beneath their arms.Mirza Muzaffar Ali, who owns and operates locally popular Baba Juice Corner in the area, claimed he hadn’t seen such an atmosphere, laden with apprehensions about “what it could bring” prior to the festival, in 6 decades.“In my 66 years, I have never seen an atmosphere like this. There is a lot of police deployment in the area, generally because of what happened and also because of Holi...People, especially young boys, are being picked up... residents like us are used to things like that around festivals but now it is happening on a much larger scale...in all my life I haven’t seen or felt such fear and apprehension prior to Holi – not even when, and after, Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992,” Ali said.Meanwhile, women, children and senior citizens queued up on the main Mustafabad Road leading towards Karawal Nagar for hours to get their hands on relief material ranging from rations and clothes to stationery and footwear.As small pyres for traditional Holika Dahan materialised at Bhagirathi Vihar across the road, residents alleged that 4 to 5 boys from each bylane on both sides of the street – but “mostly from just one community” – had been picked up by the police for their alleged involvement in the riots which claimed 53 lives across communities.“Bas naam poochte hain aur utha lete hain...Har gali se 4 se 5 ladke utha rakhe hain [They just ask your name and pick you up. Four to five boys have been picked up from each bylane],” alleged Sultan Mirza, a resident of Mustafabad.“The time of day doesn’t matter; police just come and whisk the boys away whenever they want. A significant number of those detained for the riots are from here,” claimed Ali Mehdi, another resident.While the families of those placed under detention since Feb.24, according to residents, made rounds of police stations and the Karkardooma Courts complex here on Monday, some of them, such as Shahdab Alam’s father Dilshad Ali, are waiting for the next court hearing to catch a glimpse of their kin.27-year-old was detained from the Samrat Medical Store, the biggest and most popular among around two dozen such establishments in the area where he has been employed for 8 years, on February 24 and is now under arrest after a fortnight in detention “despite proof of non-involvement provided by his Hindu employer,” Ali alleged.“He and his colleague, Arshad, had gone to take part in a religious congregation near Karol Bagh on Monday morning and returned in the afternoon. When the violence was unfolding, my son and Arshad were in the shop. Their employer even showed the police CCTV footage to establish their innocence – but both of them were picked up,” Ali claimed, adding that the police had “shown his arrest” from a different location.thehindu
Delhi violence: Life between hospitals, police stations for many whose relatives are still untraced
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-northeast-violence-clashes-riots-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-chand-bagh-shiv-vihar-6307428/
A welder, a generator set trader, a scrap dealer, and a mother of two — all of them ventured out between February 22 and 26, when riots gripped Northeast Delhi, but none of them have returned so far.Their hearts pounding, family members of those missing have lifted shrouds off the faces of several unidentified bodies over the last two weeks, inside mortuaries and beside nallahs, while some are awaiting reports of DNA tests.According to police records, between February 22 and 26 at least 15 missing person reports were filed in stations across the district. However, not all missing cases are connected with the riots that have claimed at least 53 lives, police said.Over the last two days, some families have seen their worst fears come true. Feroz (25), who had gone missing on February 24 from Pusta Road at Karawal Nagar, was found dead on Sunday, a family member said. His family had even pasted ‘missing’ posters across the area.Mohammad Haroon, father of an 18-year-old, had checked at least 25 bodies in mortuaries before his son was finally found — alive — on Sunday. “He is physically unhurt but mentally a little disturbed. We are still not sure how he went missing,” said Haroon.Family members of 23-year-old Mohsin, who went missing on February 26, said the Noida resident ran a business of renting out generator sets.indianexpress
Accused in Delhi violence, Tahir Hussain's step-brother Shah Alam lands in police custody
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/accused-in-delhi-violence-tahir-hussain-s-step-brother-shah-alam-lands-in-police-custody-1654064-2020-03-09
Delhi Police Crime Branch on Monday arrested Shah Alam, step-brother of suspended AAP councillor, Tahir Hussain. Shah Alam is an accused in the violence that tore through Delhi’s North East district on February 23, 24 and 25. A team of Delhi Police personnel has also arrested 3 people who were sheltering Shah Alam.While Shah Alam's name came up in the violence reported from northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area, no FIR has been registered in this regard as of yet. Reports assert that Delhi Police Crime Branch gained information about Shah Alam's involvement in the violence during the initial investigation.One Aarif and Aabid have also been arrested for the death of Rahul Solanki during the riots. indiatoday
Delhi Violence: Police sent minor to jail, incorrectly quoting his age as ’18 years’
http://twocircles.net/2020mar09/435294.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
In the aftermath of 3 days of unprecedented violence, everyday a new heart wrenching story emerges from northeast Delhi. One such story is from Chandbagh near Mustafabad where Delhi Police sent a 14-year-old minor to jail, incorrectly attributing him to be above 18 years. Police even registered 11 serious charges against the minor. What adds insult to the injury is that Court Magistrate did not bother to confirm the minor’s age on seeing the chargesheet.On Feb.25, 14-years-old Amaan Ali went missing during Delhi riots at Chandbagh. After days of searching, his family found out that Amaan was locked up in a jail in northeast Delhi, on charges of inciting violence. A total of 11 charges under Indian Penal Code had been registered against him, including allegations of damaging property, possessing unlicensed weapons, burning property and participating in the violence.His mother, Rabia Khatun, informed that she had sent Amaan to look for her 10-year-old son on Feb.25. Her younger son had gone out to play when massive violence broke out in Chandbagh. Extremely worried, she sent her older son, Amaan, in search of her younger son. Her younger son returned after a few hours but Amaan went missing. For 5 days family searched for him everywhere when ultimately they were informed that he was lodged in a jail in criminal charges.twocircles
Delhi: Rashes to urinary tract infections, illnesses take a toll at relief camps
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-riots-relief-camps-6307447/
New Delhi :Skin allergies, urinary tract infections (UTI), breathing problems, and lack of sleep due to stress — these are some of the ailments that have afflicted Northeast Delhi residents currently seeking refuge at the Mustafabad Eidgah following riots in the district. At Eidgah relief camp, set up by Delhi Waqf Board and where over 1,000 families are staying, two medical camps have been opened by Holy Family Hospital and other doctors to provide aid and medicines for residents. At a Delhi government relief camp in Shastri Park, riot victims said ambulances provide them medical aid.Skin allergies in the form of rashes from wearing the same clothes for too long was a common problem reported at the Eidgah camp among young children. Shama Parveen (30), mother of a one-and-a-half year old boy named Taimur, said, “He has only one pair of clothes and has developed slight rashes on his body.”Anshu Anthony, an organiser of the Holy Family Hospital camp, said: “Because of lack of cleanliness and from staying in a common place for long, toddlers are developing skin rashes. We are giving them new clothes and Dettol.” With many women also complaining of UTIs, doctors collected their blood and urine samples and sent them for testing.Diabetic issues and difficulty in breathing were ailments seen in the older women. Others were also provided medication for high blood pressure. Ruksaana (55), who is at the Shastri Park camp, said, “Because the diet is mostly rice, my sugar levels have risen. They gave me pills.”Noor Jahan (48) developed breathing difficulties and chest pain, and was given glucose. indianexpress
School burnt in Delhi riots sealed, owner Faisal Farooq arrested
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/school-burnt-in-delhi-riots-sealed-owner-arrested/story-t7avOXzwU5iWSwaTmGELuI.html
Delhi police have sealed a private school that was torched in the communal violence in north-east Delhi and arrested its owner in connection with the riots that raged through the area in Feb, killing 53 people and injuring over 400 others.On Feb.24, rioters had barged into the building of Rajdhani Public Senior Secondary School, Shiv Vihar, and burnt some classrooms and vandalised property. School principal Sadaf Faisal said a team of Delhi police’s crime branch sealed the school on Friday evening. “2 officials from the crime branch visited our school without any prior notice on Friday evening and sealed 16 rooms and the main gate. We have not even been told on what basis they sealed the school,” she said. Faisal said that Delhi police crime branch also arrested her husband and the owner of school, Faisal Farooq, on Saturday evening. “We have no idea why we are being punished? My husband and I have worked in the field of education throughout our lives. We do not know why police are trying to defame us by linking my husband’s name to the violence,” she said. The school on Monday moved a Delhi court, challenging the sealing and detentionof its owner. Shams Khwaja, the lawyer representing the school, said, “The court has sought explanation from the Delhi police on why they have sealed the school. We have also challenged the illegal arrest of the school owner.”A senior police officer privy to the case said, “We have arrested owner of Rajdhani Public School, Shiv Vihar, and are probing his role in the riots.”The sealing of school has triggered panic among students and their parents with many of them visiting the school on Monday.HT
Muslims bore brunt of Delhi riots: Delhi Minorities Commission head
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/india-muslims-bore-brunt-of-delhi-riots-/1760359
Head of a quasi-judicial body in India has claimed that the communal violence that jolted parts of union capital Delhi recently was “well-planned” and “one-sided”. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, who toured the riot-affected areas along with other members of his body, said that they found maximum damage had been inflicted on houses and shops of Muslims. Khan said, "It was one-sided violence. Most of the damage has been done to Muslim properties, houses, shops, and even mosques have been burnt. Muslims bore the major brunt. We assessed that the violence in the northeast district of Delhi was well-planned, and people had been brought from outside, to inflict maximum damage, with local support. For instance, at Bhajanpura, we found that Muslim-owned shops, like a travel agency and motorcycle showroom, were looted and torched while Hindu-owned shops nearby were left untouched. It is a telling commentary and shows that homework had gone into engineering riots.In Shivpuri, Muslims are a small minority. It is worst affected area. We found Muslim homes selectively burnt and damaged. The nearby Aulia Mosque was gutted. 2 gas cylinders were lying on the floor of the mosque, which had not exploded. Our team members found that most of the houses were blasted using gas cylinders taken from other houses. It was a highly planned riot." Speaking on status of minorities in India, Khan said, "On papers, minorities have the same rights as the majority community. But if you look closely, Muslims represent just 2-4% in government jobs, although they make 15% of the population. Even in Parliament, Muslims as per their population should be represented by at least 85-90 MPs. But there are only 22 Muslim MPs at present. There is a huge under-representation of minorities in the system." Anadolu Agency
Iran: 146 NGOs, students write to UN on anti-Muslim violence in India
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/445947/NGOs-students-write-to-UN-on-anti-Muslim-violence-in-India
Tehran: In a letter to UNHRC chief Michelle Bachelet, a large of number of citizens, students, and NGOs have denounced the anti-Muslim cruelty in India, urging the international body to take urgent action to stop the brutalities.In their letter, Iranian signatories said,“We hope and request that through effective and serious actions by the UNHRC, the main purpose of this letter, which is to help achieve a peaceful life for the people of India with different religions and ethnicities, will be fulfilled and it also becomes a positive role model for others.” The letter was signed by 1,140 Iranian citizens, 146 NGOs, and student organizations. tehrantimes
Delhi violence: Chaos, confusion as victims apply for compensation
http://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/chaos-confusion-as-victims-apply-for-compensation-404776
New Delhi: Families of the injured people in Delhi riots are facing another challenge – to receive FIR from the police authorities. The Delhi government's announcement of compensation requires certain documents that the family has to procure, among them is the FIR filed by the police.As most of the injured families were tending to their loved ones in the hospital, while others had a curfew imposed in their area, they were not able to go and file a complaint, which is why the police authorities visited the injured in the hospital and took their complaint.However, many people have complained they are having difficulty getting access to it, which in return is making the compensation process tedious. Nafeeza, a resident of Jafrabad, whose husband was shot in the leg, was unable to get out of the house due to curfew."We stayed at home for two days, after which we took him to the hospital. There was a curfew in our area, how could we have gone to the police station at this time," she said. Nafeeza has alleged that the police has refused to giver her the FIR.On the other hand, police officials have said that a lot of FIRs have been filed, which is creating a chaos in the process. "We have at least 100 FIR in just one police station," he said.millenniumpost
*anti-CAA,NRC-NPR stir*
Yogi govt not to take down hoardings, to challenge Allahabad High Court order
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/yogi-govt-not-to-take-down-hoardings-to-challenge-allahabad-high-court-order
Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has not removed the controversial hoardings, naming and shaming those accused of violence during protests against CAA, despite the high court order.Sources said that Chief Minister has asked the law officials to prepare a petition challenging the high court order.The petition would be filed later this week.Asking the government to remove the posters "forthwith", Allahabad High Court, on Monday, had asked it to submit a compliance report to the registrar general by March 16.Another media adviser, Mritunjay Kumar, in a tweet, said, "The high court order on removing the posters of the rioters should be understood in the right perspective. Only their poster can be removed, not the cases filed against them."Admitting that the court is 'above all', he spoke of 'many options'.IANS
CAA protests: 57 named in posters hail Allahabad HC order as ‘victory of democracy’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-protests-57-named-in-posters-hail-allahabad-hc-order-as-victory-of-democracy-6307516/
People whose names, photographs and addresses were put up on posters in Lucknow have welcomed the order of Allahabad High Court which issued directions to Lucknow DM and Police Commissioner to remove the banners. They said the rule of law will now prevail in UP instead of the “lawlessness” of Yogi Adityanath government. Claiming that enough damage has already been done, they said they are happy the govt will not be able to do the same to others.Social activist and Congress leader Sadaf Jafar, whose photo was also in the poster, said, “The HC order reinforces my faith in the Constitution and judiciary of the country. It is a clear message to the state government that the state would be run by the rule of law.”Advocate Mohammad Shoaib, who is the chairman of the Rihai Manch that was formed to seek justice for innocent Muslims framed in terror cases, said, “Govt wanted to threaten and defame us by putting up banners…Passing the order…the court has upheld its responsibility.”indianexpress
CAA protest: Firozabad families cough up Rs 4 lakh in damages
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/caa-protest-firozabad-families-cough-up-rs-4-lakh-in-damages-6307523/
Firozabad administration has recovered Rs 4 lakh from people allegedly involved in violence during anti-CAA protests on Dec.20.The recovery was made from families in Nalband area, which, according to officials, saw the maximum destruction to property in the city. The recovery process is now being carried out in other areas.“The damage to public property following arson comes to Rs 45 lakh. More than 40 lakh is still due and the administration is making efforts to recover it,” said Aditya Prakash Shrivastava, ADM. According to officials, at least 26 families have been served notices for damages. Most of the accused say they were not present in the area during the violence, while some claim had been held arbitrarily as the clashes broke out.indianexpress
Aligarh Police Goes Door-to-Door to Probe Who are Linked to Anti-CAA Protests
https://clarionindia.net/aligarh-police-goes-door-to-door-to-probe-who-are-linked-to-anti-caa-protests/
Aligarh:A video clip has emerged on social media, which showed Aligarh police going door-to-door to ask people whether their family members were participating in the anti-CAA protests. The police probe raised protests, as this is seen as an attempt to silence and intimidate the peaceful protesters.The video carried the logo of pro-govt Republic TV. A team of cops was seen knocking on doors and asking such questions to the families. US-based human rights activist Arjun Sethi has shared the video.Stated he, “Another disturbing video out of India, this time from Aligarh. Police are showing up at the homes of peaceful protesters seeking to intimidate & silence them. Sending strength to everyone speaking truth to power in India.”However, Republic TV termed the police action as “door-to-door campaign” by Aligarh police. Bollywood actor Ali Fazal also took note of the video and slammed the police action. “What the hell is this,” Ali commented about the video.Aligarh had witnessed a massive police crackdown on anti-CAA protesters.Clarion India
CAA, NRC,NPR: Women Organisers of Deoband’s Shaheen Bagh Stand Firm on Their Resolve
https://clarionindia.net/caa-nrc-npr-women-organisers-of-deobands-shaheen-bagh-stand-firm-on-their-resolve/
The women-only demonstrations against CAA and NPR, or Shaheen Baghs, have been going on since January, not only in big cities like Delhi and Lucknow but even a small but renowned town of Deoband. Deoband's demonstration is also witnessing one of the rarest phenomena where women have been holding an impressive sit-in protest since 27 January in the vicinity of and very close to world-famous Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband. This protest has been led by 3 women — two sisters and one sister-in-law— from the same family. One of the Deoband women sit-in organisers, Amna Arooshi said, "what prompted us to organise this sit-in is the seriousness of the issue, zeal to stand up against injustice and protect our identity as a religious community." All 3 organisers Amna Rooshi, Iram Usmani and Salma Ehsan said in one voice said, ‘We are with the Shaheen Bagh Delhi protestors. Whenever they call their protest off, we will end ours as well. We are with them whatever decision they make.’clarionindia.net
Shaheen Bagh creates a new perception about women power: Jamaat Women Wing
https://theindianawaaz.com/shaheen-bagh-creates-new-perception-about-women-power-jamaat-women-wing/
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s women wing secretary, Atiya Siddiqua has said Shaheen Bagh has heralded change and created a new perception about women power. The women’s department of the JIH Delhi organized a symposium on the topic – ‘Women’s struggle against CAA-NRC-NPR’ here at Press Club of India.JIH Co-Secretary, Rahmathunnisa also addressed the symposium and said: “we believe in justice, equality and fraternity and hence our struggle against the CAA is against injustice. India’s economy is sinking and the government must focus on the challenges confronting the nation and not on taking away the citizenship of its own citizens.”Central theme of the symposium was to appreciate the manner in which women have recently come out in large numbers to defend civil liberties, democracy and freedom in the country. The entire world is appreciating the courage and resilience of the women-protestors who have become an inspiration and a rallying point for the fight against discrimination and injustice. They have stood up to the excesses perpetrated on innocent citizens and articulated their point of view most eloquently.The others who spoke on the occasion include Ms Sucharita(Lok Raj Sangathan), Ms. Pushpanjali,(DU) and Shaista Rafat of JIH Delhi. Fatima Tanveer of JIH-Delhi conducted the proceedings.theindianawaaz
Shaheen Bagh residents light ''Holika pyre'' but don''t play Holi
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/shaheen-bagh-residents-light-holika-pyre-but-dont-play-holi/1757271
New Delhi: Shaheen Bagh, where the women''s sit-in protest against the CAA has been going on since December, on Monday night lit the pyre of ''Holika'' as per tradition but did not play Holi on Tuesday in view of the deaths during the riots in northeast Delhi. Ritu Kaushik, who is associated with the Shaheen Bagh agitation, said: "We have lit the pyre of CAA, NPR and NRC along with hatred as per the tradition and hope peace prevails in the country."Taseer said: "We lit the ''holika'' but did not celebrate Holi in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in the riots and Shaheen Bagh is a symbol of resistance... its not about religion so we celebrate every religion here."IANS
Mangaluru anti-CAA protests: HC grants bail, different sites, same accused
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mangaluru-anti-caa-protests-karnataka-hc-grants-bail-different-sites-same-accused-6307504/
Karnataka High Court has granted bail to 16 youths accused by police of attacking Mangalore North police station in the violence related to anti-CAA protests on Dec.19 on the grounds that the same people have been named in other similar cases in different locations at the same time.Mohammed Suhal and 15 others, who are accused of attacking police station, were also allegedly part of a group of 21 persons granted bail by the High Court on Feb.17 after finding no prima facie evidence to link them to the mob violence last December. Following an appeal by Karnataka government, the Supreme Court had on March 6 stayed grant of bail to the 21.High Court Justice John Michael Cunha had granted bail to 21 — Mohammed Ashik and others — citing the partisan behaviour of police and failure to register cases lodged against police by 2 victims of alleged police firing.In a second bunch of bail pleas relating to the Mangalore incidents of Dec, which is among 31 cases registered by police over violence linked to the anti CAA-protests, the High Court ordered the release of 16 youths on the grounds that the cases filed against the accused were overlapping. The court observed in a Feb.27 order, granting bail to the 16, that of 31 police cases registered over the violence, four cases were “registered against the very same petitioners alleging that they were members of unlawful assembly at different places between 4.00pm to 4.45pm on the same day”.indianexpress
"Was Investigating Officer in civil clothes?", Karnataka HC in matter concerning questioning of minor students in Bidar Sedition case
https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/was-the-investigating-officer-in-civil-clothes-karnataka-hc-on-illegal-examining-of-minor-students-in-bidar-sedition-matter
While dealing with a PIL concerning the illegal questioning of minor students of Shaheen Education Society in Bidar, the Karnataka High Court today asked whether Investigating Officer who did questioning was in civil clothes or police uniform.Division Bench of Chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Ashok S Kinagi asked, "Was the Investigating Officer in civil clothes?Photographs submitted by petitioners show otherwise..."The HC went on to direct,"Give respondents coloured copies of the photos in which officers are seen in uniform while questioning children."The petitioners also submitted additional documents, including letters by parents of students who were questioned/interrogated. These letters state that the children of Shaheen School were interrogated without obtaining their consent.On this point, AG Navadgi said that the parents of the students were pressurized to write such letters.In its order, HC further directed Investigating Officer to file an affidavit regarding the photographs produced by the petitioner. These photos show that the policemen were in uniform while counselling was conducted at the school on Jan. 28, and March 3 and 4.This affidavit is to be filed within one week. The matter is listed for March 26, for orders. The HC had recently issued notice in PIL, but had refused to pass interim orders, stating that the interrogation of students cannot be stopped altogether.barandbench
Anti-CAA stir: 102-year-old readies CV as BJP puts him to freedom fighter test as a “Pakistani agent”
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/h-s-doreswamy-freedom-fighter-vinoba-bhave-bhoodan-movement-6305961/?fbclid=IwAR2_l1aNQGPLLcBiQ7V5_6NQb73bH0b9cfUh9zVbaPFnLGgbDo9oKDnaRrA
Bengaluru :“I have been writing my CV,” says HS Doreswamy, peering closely at a bunch of papers he has been scribbling on. In the dim light of his ground-floor residence in south Bengaluru, 102-year-old reads out a summary of his life, from his birth in the city in 1918 to a family of landed gentry to his participation in the Quit India movement and Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan movement, and, most recently, a campaign to revive lakes in Bengaluru. “You can read it and tell me if there is anything anti-national in it,” he says.A familiar figure in civil society movements in Karnataka for decades, Doreswamy finds himself at centre of a political storm. It began when BJP MLA from Bijapur, Basangouda Patil Yatnal, called him a “fake freedom fighter” and a “Pakistani agent” last month, seeking proof of his involvement in the Independence movement. Several senior BJP leaders, including Union minister Pralhad Joshi, backed Yatnal.Last Tuesday, in response, Congress produced a document, dated 1971, signed by SSP of Bengaluru Central Jail, attesting that, as a 25-year-old unmarried man, Doreswamy had been imprisoned there from “Dec.18, 1942 (and) released on Dec.8, 1943”.Of the many allegations made against Doreswamy by BJP leaders is his “connection” with Amulya Leona Noronha, 19-year-old held on Feb.20 for “sedition” over slogans she had raised at an anti-CAA rally, on the basis of a photograph which shows him at her residence in Koppa. Doreswamy says he is as surprised.“I have been in public life for 60 years. We have differences in ideology but I have friends in BJP and RSS too. I never expected that BJP as a whole would attack me like this.”Admitting he has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the centenarian adds, “I have criticised every government. That is a citizen’s privilege. During Emergency, I wrote a letter to then PM Indira Gandhi, saying, ‘You are ruling in the name of democracy, but behaving like a dictator… If this continues, I will go house to house telling people you are a dictator’.” Remembering how RSS used to be a “weak force”, with “no freedom fighters among them”,Doreswamy believes the failure of successive govts facilitated BJP’s rise. Accusing RSS of targeting the young, 102-year-old, who moved close to his daughter’s house three months ago after his wife’s death, says, “They invite them to shakhas to play, and then poison their minds with anti-Muslim hate.”“He is the conscience of our state,” says historian Ramachandra Guha, calling the campaign against Doreswamy “shocking and scandalous”.indianexpress
62-year-old man held for abusive language against PM Modi at anti-CAA protest
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/62-year-old-man-held-for-abusive-language-against-pm-modi-at-anti-caa-protest-1654131-2020-03-10
Mumbai:A 62-year-old man from Parbhani in Maharashtra was arrested on Monday for allegedly using abusive words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an anti-CAA protest, police said.A video of the accused, identified as Sheikh Gani Sheikh Rehman, purportedly using derogatory language against the PM during the sit-in protest near Parbhani Collector's office has gone viral, a police official said.After an FIR was lodged by local leaders of BJP, police arrested Sheikh, he said.PTI
Shaheen Bagh, Jafrabad shooters in limelight for wrong reasons
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/shaheen-bagh-jafrabad-shooters-in-limelight-for-wrong-reasons/1756531
Days after violence in Delhi, 2 gun-wielding men who created ruckus in Shaheen Bagh and Jafrabad, are basking in dubious glory on the social media for their misdeeds. Mohammed Shahrukh Khan was nabbed last week for brandishing a gun at a police personnel during communal riots that rocked northeast Delhi in the last week of February. Similarly, Kapil Gujjar was taken into custody and later released on bail for firing shots in the air at the Shaheen Bagh protest area on February 1.Since then, videos of both the gunmen have gone viral on social media.A video went viral on social media platform TikTok soon after Gujjar was released on bail where he is seen in a t-shirt with "fearless Bhagat" printed on it, and being welcomed by his well-wisher with gusto, amid loud cheering and music. The video has garnered over 35,000 likes and has been shared widely across the platform.In other videos, the youth can be seen smiling at the camera while waiting outside the courtroom. Most of these clips have patriotic songs playing in the background.Similar kind of videos are being posted, in favour of ill-famed Shahrukh Khan on the same social media website. In the clips, he is being referred to as "miya bhai" and widely extolled by application users.IANS
Raichur Shaheen Bagh dharna set to enter 50th day
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/raichur-shaheen-bagh-dharna-set-to-enter-50th-day/articleshow/74558293.cms
RAICHUR: The resolve of women taking part in the anti-CAA protest at Raichur’ Shaheen Bagh, which will enter 50th day on March 15, shot up with thousands of supporters cutting across communities turning up at Mahatma Gandhi stadium to mark the International Women’s Day.Anti-CAA, NPR and NRC sit-in dharna led by women was launched on the eve of Republic Day. With determination reinforced, there is no turning back for these women. The dharna will continue until government withdraws CAA that is discriminatory towards people of certain faiths, they say.Striking a balance between household chores and social cause, nearly 600-700 women have been participating in the sit-in since the day of its launch at Tipu Sultan Garden near deputy commissioner’s office.Salma Khanum, a convener of the indefinite sit-in, said: “Women are hitting the streets to protest anti-people policies of the government. This is a new wave of women uprising that will save the country from the clutches of the fascist regime. It was only a few in the beginning and now we are nearly 700.”TOI
Madras HC allows conduct of anti-CAA meeting in Thoothukudi
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/hc-allows-conduct-of-anti-caa-meeting-in-thoothukudi/article31031118.ece
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court today granted permission for the conduct of an anti-CAA meeting in Thoothukudi on March 13.The court was hearing the petition filed by A. Kidar Bisme of Thoothukudi who sought permission to hold the meeting after the police denied permission for the same.Granting permission for the event, Justice G. R. Swaminathan imposed a set of conditions for the organiser to follow during the conduct of the meeting.The court allowed the petitioner to conduct the meeting at VVD Signal with a maximum of 750 people from 6 pm to 10 pm and ensure that the traffic was not affected. Further, the court allowed a stage to be erected to hold the meeting and directed the volume level of the amplifiers be kept within the permissible limit.thehindu
Frightening Parallels: NRC-Excluded in Assam and Rohingya Refugees
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/frightening-parallels-assams-nrc-excluded-and-rohingya-refugees
Mohammed Sanaullah, a retired army officer from home in Kalahikash village, 60 km from Guwahati was declared a ‘foreigner’ after his name did not figure in NRC list. On May 27, 2019, when he went to a Foreigners’ Tribunal set up to deal with cases like his, 53-year-old war veteran was placed under arrest and sent to a detention camp in Goalpara in Assam.“Where was I sent if that was not a detention centre? He is denying buildings that physically exist. I will never forget the 11 excruciating days I spent in the detention camp,” Sanaullah said after meeting him in his village in late Jan. He has appealed against the order in the Guwahati High Court, and is currently out on bail.Assam’s NRC list published in 2019 has left 1.9 million people out of those ‘deemed’ Indians. They now have to approach foreigners’ tribunals to ‘prove’ they are Indian citizens. A large proportion of those excluded are women. An appeal to a tribunal would cost a minimum of INR 50,000 per case. If even a million of those excluded appeal – and it is likely that most will – this will be a minimum cost of INR 50 billion borne by the poorest of the poor.Meanwhile, authorities have already set up six detention centres in old jail facilities and are building new ones.No one has thought of the effect all this will have on the ecosystem in river- and forest-rich Assam. At least one detention centre – the one in Goalpara – is coming up in a floodplain. And putting residents of river islands – especially women – in detention centres has long-term adverse effects on the islands themselves.NRC exercise carried out in Assam has effectively created a stateless population twice the size of Rohingya refugees.thequint
*J&K, SOUTH ASIA & india *
Day after arrest, Kashmiri couple’s kin claim they were framed due to identity
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/day-after-arrest-kashmiri-couples-kin-claim-they-were-framed-due-to-identity-delhi-riots-islamic-state-6307531/
A day after Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested a couple from Kashmir, alleging that they had links to the Islamic State and that they were instigating protests against the CAA, the couple’s family on Monday accused the police of framing the couple because they are “Kashmiri Muslims”.Jahanzaib Sami (36) and wife Hina Bashir Beg(39), who belong to Srinagar’s Shivpora, were arrested from Delhi’s Jamia Nagar on Sunday morning and booked under IPC sections for sedition and criminal conspiracy and UAPA.“We were not informed by Delhi Police about the arrest. The landlord called my brother’s friend and he told us. We informed a cousin in Delhi and he was allowed to meet my brother after several hours and told that they had been brought in for questioning and would be released in the evening,” Jahanzaib’s sister Sehrish Sami said at her residence in Kashmir. “By 3 pm, it was circulated in the media and we were shocked to see a different story, allegations after allegation levelled by Delhi Police,” she added. According to the family members, the couple married in October last year and soon moved to Delhi after the Srinagar-based IT firm Jahanzaib worked with temporarily shifted operations to Delhi due to Internet shutdown in the Valley. A relative said, “He (Jahanzaib) was never interested in any such topic. He wouldn’t even talk about Kashmir issue. He never took part in any protest here. If he was not interested in the Kashmir issue, then how come he suddenly got interested in CAA issue? Police’s allegations are totally false and concocted.”Sehrish questioned if it is “wrong to follow your religion and keep religious literature at home”, she said. “Just because they are from Kashmir, a big hype has been created. They have been framed because of their identity i.e Kashmiri Muslims,” she added. The family members said local police visited their house on Sunday. “We told everything they asked,” said Sehrish.
Kashmiri couple arrested for alleged IS links was forced to move to Delhi by the lockdown in Valley
https://scroll.in/article/955671/kashmiri-couple-arrested-for-alleged-is-links-was-forced-to-move-to-delhi-by-the-lockdown-in-valley
Home Ministry Shelves Rs 200-Crore Relief Package for J&K’s West Pakistan Refugees
https://thewire.in/government/home-ministry-shelves-rs-200-crore-relief-package-for-jks-west-pakistan-refugees
Jammu: Saying it did not receive authentic claims, Union home ministry has shelved a Rs 200-crore package for the relief and rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees living in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947.As per the CAA, Hindus and other minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will have special citizenship rights in India. But West Pakistan refugees – almost entirely Hindus and Sikhs – living in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 without property rights and voting rights in the assembly elections up until August 5, 2019 have now lost their relief package, on account of unavailable documents.This admission was made by the Union home ministry before the Rajya Sabha’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs. The committee, in its 224th report on Union home ministry’s demand for grants for the year 2020-2021, had asked the MHA why there was a decrease in the allocation of funds for the relief and rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees.The MHA responded by saying that the decrease in allocation in revised estimates 2019-20 over budget estimates 2019-20 was due to a decrease in provision for assistance to these families, as “authentic claims” had not been received. thewire
*OTHERS*
'Leave Before Holi Or Else...': Mob Threatens Muslim Community In Haryana Village:Ground Report
https://thelogicalindian.com/exclusive/holi-haryana-jhajjar-muslims-threatened-20079
At a time when heartwrenching stories of Delhi violence survivors are still making headlines, an incident of Muslim community being threatened to leave their houses has been reported from a village in Jhajjar district in Haryana.On February 29 around 50-60 men barged into Muslim colony in Nikhil Vihar Colony of Isharhedi village in and threatened them to leave the place before Holi or face serious consequences.Jhajjar district is located near West Delhi's Najafgarh area. Around 20-odd Muslim families have been residing peacefully in Nikhil Vihar, a Hindu dominated area, for over a decade. All of them are migrants from West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and work as a mason, carpenter, and labourers.Gulfam Khan, the complainant, in this case, told The Logical Indian that the men selectively targeted Muslim houses and broke nameplates on doors. "They threatened to see us if we all did not leave the place till Holi festival by selling our houses at any price or even without selling from here," said Khan."Some of the people who were from outside this colony used slurs and abusive language to instil fear in the minds of women and children," he added.Noor Begum, one of the women from the colony, said that such was the fear of the incident that many families left the colony. "Even other families who live here have shifted young girls and children to other places for their safety in case the threat turns real," said 45-year-old Begum.Stressing on the brotherhood and camaraderie being enjoyed by Hindus and Muslim families in their locality, she said that they always participate in each other good and bad times. Expressing her concern, Baby Khan, another woman who was present when the incident occurred said that now another worry for them is whether to send their wards to school for the exam or not. "If we send children, there is a fear for their security and if we make them miss then one academic year would be jeopardised," she said.Urging the state government to take immediate action for prevention of any untoward happening by communal elements, the members of left organisations met Rohtak Divisional Commissioner and demanded action on it.Inderjit Singh of one of the organisations said that they personally visited the area and found that the fear is real." Haryana govt and police should identify the accused or anti-social elements behind triggered panic in the area and put them behind bars," he demanded.Meanwhile, DSP(Jhajjar) Ashok Kumar said that a case had been registered against unidentified persons and a probe has been launched in the case. thelogicalindian
Karnataka: BJP govt scraps welfare scheme for Muslim brides, Congress calls it anti-minority
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/karnataka-bjp-govt-scraps-welfare-scheme-for-muslim-brides-congress-calls-it-anti-minority/562864
Bengaluru: BJP govt in Karnataka on Monday scrapped the Shaadi Bhagya Scheme that was launched by Congress government in the state in 2013.Under the scheme, Rs 50,000 was given to Muslim brides for marriage expenses after they submitted their Aadhar and BPL cards.While the previous coalition government had allocated Rs 60 crore budget for the scheme, BJP govt decided to discontinue the scheme. Congress called the move by the state government as "anti-minority"."They have launched a scheme for the majority community. I welcome that. But why are you discontinuing one scheme? It is a small scheme where marginalized people get a little help from the govt,"Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad told reporters."He (CM) has wilfully reduced the money allotted to all the schemes," he added.MLAs from the minority community in the state have demanded a meeting with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.ANI
Karnataka: Scheme for rehabilitation of riot-hit Muslims languishes
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/scheme-for-rehabilitation-of-riot-hit-muslims-languishes/articleshow/74542341.cms
It was floated with the idea of giving Muslim youth arrested for taking part in communal riots, but released without conviction or on good behavior, a second chance, but three years on Mane Malige scheme is limited to the paper it was typed on.The scheme, government records show, provides financial assistance to Muslim youth to compensate for "social stigma" and loss of education during their time in jail. Launched in 2017-18 under Siddaramaiah government, the scheme never took off. Thanks to political uncertainties in the subsequent two fiscals, it was buried.Congress’ UT Khader, a former minister from Mangaluru, a hotbed of communal clashes, said he was unware of the scheme, while former BJP minority welfare minister Prabhu Chauhan indicated his department was broke.Chauhan said he was unable to concentrate on the department due to lack of funds on account of the floods in North Karnataka.The minister said there is special emphasis on the coastal districts and Mangaluru, which witnessed rioting during the anti-CAA stir. "We will disburse Mane Malige scheme funds to those families who lost bread winners in the riots," Patil said.TOI
Filmmakers Detained, Questioned for Nearly 24 Hours for Photographing RSS HQ
https://thewire.in/rights/rss-headquarters-nagpur-filmmakers-detained
Mumbai: A naive curiosity of wanting to see RSS headquarters and take selfies in front of the structure in Nagpur landed two Bengaluru-based filmmakers in illegal police detention and a flurry of interrogation for nearly 24 hours.The two filmmakers – Niki Nirvikalpa and Falah Faizal, who were invited as jury members at the recently concluded Raipur international short film festival, had been to Nagpur for a few hours last week before heading to their hometown, Bengaluru.“Here, over 30 policemen, some from the local police, some from the state ATS and even the intelligence bureau questioned us,” Niki told The Wire soon after his release.Although Nirvikalpa and Faizal were both illegally detained, they claim their mobiles were accessed by the police, and every contact number scanned through. “They also sought access to our email accounts and social media accounts,” Niki said.thewire
MP: Church functionary assaulted for allegedly converting people to Christianity
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-man-assaulted-over-forced-conversion-6307493/
Bhopal :A functionary of a Pentecostal church in Sehore was assaulted by a group of men after he was accused of converting people to Christianity.Isaac Paulose (47) has said he was attacked on March 4, while he was returning home after dropping his son at school when he was waylaid on an isolated stretch of road by bike-borne assailants.“A bike stopped in front of my car and two riders asked me to come out. I had barely come out when the duo was joined by riders on 2 other bikes. They beat me up mercilessly with chains, rods and sticks,’’ he said.He was then rushed to the same hospital and referred to a Bhopal hospital because his injuries were serious. The assault has left Paulose with multiple fractures and head injuries.Church pastor Uttar Kumar Deep alleged that Paulose was attacked after being accused of converting people to Christianity. The pastor alleged that the attackers ran their bikes over him and also made him chant “yeshu’’ (Christ).Paulose has also alleged that he was attacked after being accused of converting people to Christianity.Indian Express
Govt to launch mahua-based alcoholic drink at Rs 700 for a 750 ml bottle
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-to-launch-mahua-based-alcoholic-drink-6307451/
New Delhi :The government is set to launch a mahua-based alcoholic beverage in the market for the first time. Called Mahua Nutribeverage, it will be available as early as next month for Rs 700 for a 750 ml bottle, and will come in six fruit-based flavours.The beverage has a high nutritional value and relatively low alcohol content, at 5 per cent. It has been developed by IIT-Delhi after 2 years of research in collaboration with TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India). Pravir Krishna, MD, TRIFED, said, “We are currently awaiting licenses from the excise department after which it will be sold at all the five Tribes India outlets in Delhi.” He added that even as they plan to sell the beverage across the country, each state will have to acquire the relevant clearances on its own.The marketing is being undertaken under the Tribal Affairs Ministry’s value-addition scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur in 2018. indianexpress
Minority welfare: Bihar govt-run coaching centres help minority students clear exams, get jobs
https://indianexpress.com/article/governance/minority-welfare-bihar-govt-run-coaching-centres-help-minority-students-clear-exams-get-jobs-6305977/
Patna :Even though Muslims account for 17 per cent of Bihar’s population, according to a senior official, they make up only 2.5 per cent of the state’s police and less than 4 per cent of the other services. A decade ago, these numbers were even lower. And it was to remedy this lack of representation that Bihar’s Minority Welfare Department started a pilot programme to train Muslim students and help them clear different types of public services examinations.Amir Subhani, Additional Chief Secretary of Minority Welfare Department, said “As Haj Bhawan had been lying largely unused after pilgrimage season, we came up with the idea of utilising the vast space with a devoted coaching centre for minority boys and girls who needed some kind of motivation to do well in life. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar promptly approved the idea. It is very good to see girls not just coming out of their homes but also showing their increasing preferences for uniformed services. It is a success story under construction. We are trying to replicate it in maximum possible places”.Since 2010, Haj Bhawan Coaching and Guidance Cell has been providing almost free coaching to Muslim boys and girls in preparing for prelims, mains and interview stages of competitive examinations in Bihar.indianexpress
12 injured as accident sets off communal violence in Meerut
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/12-injured-as-accident-sets-off-communal-violence-in-meerut-6306053/
Meerut :About 12 people were injured in a clash between members of two communities at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday evening.The altercation started after two motorcyles collided in the Lisadi Gate area. The incident took a communal turn after members of the motorcyclists’ communities arrived, and started throwing bricks at each other.The police intervened quickly to stop the situation from escalating. Both sides have lodged complaints at Lisadi Gate station, but the police are yet to arrest anyone. Injured have been admitted to a government hospital.“With the festival of colours round the corner, the police at sensitive pockets in Meerut are on high alert and that is why a major clash at Lisadi Gate could be averted,” police officer Prashant Kapil, who is in charge of Lisadi Gate station, said over the phone. “Both factions have lodged complaints and FIRs have been filed. We will take action against both groups. The police will not let the atmosphere get vitiated before Holi.” indian express
Meats pieces thrown by Muslims outside temple in UP’s Hathras? Police debunks false claim
https://www.altnews.in/up-police-dismisses-claims-of-muslim-population-throwing-pieces-of-meat-in-front-of-a-hindu-temple-in-hathras-district/
One Navneet Gautam tweeted a video with the claim that Muslims are throwing pieces of meat outside a Hindu temple in ‘Nai ka Nagla’ neighbourhood of UP’s Hathras on Feb.13. In the video, a lane is visible where dogs can be seen loitering around the “pieces of meat”. The tweet also had a rhetorical question – “how long will Hindus be treated like this?” Gautam’s tweet was retweeted over 2,700 times and watched over 38,000 times.Many other users on Twitter and Facebook shared video with the same claim. A website named ‘Haryana Ab Tak’ also reported the incident claiming that people are furious over meat thrown near a temple in Hathras. Hathras Police tweeted a graphic in response to Gautam’s tweet and informed that a local municipality official visited the place where the said incident took place. It was found that things lying on the ground outside the temple were not pieces of meat but feathers of a chicken and other waste material that was thrown by a shopkeeper in a dustbin near the temple. The police said that street dogs in the locality pulled out the waste and spilt it all across the lane outside temple. “Hathras police didn’t get any information about Muslims throwing pieces of meat near the Hindu religious place -translated,” states the clarification.Despite police statement, Gautam has not taken down his tweet.altnews.in
Delhi 1985 transistor blasts: 30 acquitted, but long case took heavy toll
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-1985-transistor-blasts-30-acquitted-but-long-case-took-heavy-toll-6307425/
DIn 1985, a young Dalvinder Singh was expecting the result of his Class XII examinations to come out soon, hopeful that a promising future lay ahead of him. The result was brought to him while he was in police custody.Singh was one of the 59 men and women accused in the transistor bomb blasts of May 10, 1985, that happened in Delhi and adjoining areas of Haryana and UP. The explosions killed 49 and injured 127 people in the capital alone.A Delhi court on March 5 acquitted 30 of the 59 accused, including Singh, saying that the “investigation conducted in these cases was defective, lopsided, unfair and suffered from various lacunae”.Nearly 35 years after his life was turned upside down, Singh is now hopeful of making a fresh start: “Saari zindagi khatam ho gayi iss mein (all my life has ended in this case)… I was 17 years and 8 months old at the time. The officer who brought my result had said, ‘Pass ho gaya, Dalvinder. Mithai lao’.”After he was released on bail in 1986, Singh took admission in Deshbandhu College, but had to drop out after the second year as his family began fearing for his safety. He ran a few businesses with his brothers — an electric car parts factory and a pen factory — but they too had to be closed, either due to family issues or because he couldn’t pay attention.“After the charges were framed in 2006, I was required to be in court every day from morning to evening… I got married late, hoping to clear the case first and establish myself a little. My mother died in 1993 and my father in 2011. Both of them would have been happy today,” he said.Many others who were acquitted by the court said the support from their families and community kept them going. When Manmohan Singh was arrested, his wife was pregnant with their first child. He went on to spend six months in jail, during which time his first son Amanpreet was born.Tej Partap, the son of accused Tarjeet Singh, said, “Many Sikh youngsters were falsely implicated in the case. My uncle, Sarvjeet Singh, and father were among them. They were in their early 20s then. They spent almost a year in jail.”indianexpress
Delhi high court refuses bail to terror accused Imam
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hc-refuses-bail-to-terror-accused-with-let-links/articleshow/74558951.cms
NEW DELHI: Delhi high court has dismissed the bail plea of an alleged operative of LeT saying there was enough material to show he was conspiring to carry out terror attacks in the capital and its neighbouring regions.Justice Brijesh Sethi found no ground to grant bail to Mohd Rashid, an imam at a mosque in Nuh, Haryana, who was arrested in 2013.The court noted that the records revealed that Rashid with accused Shahid conspired to carry out terror attacks and also raised funds in the name of jihad. Appearing for the prosecution, additional public prosecutor Neelam Sharma told the court that the allegations against Rashid were serious, which was why he had been booked under UAPA.In his petition, Rashid sought parity, arguing that Shahid was granted bail already. But the court pointed out there was no evidence to show Shahid was in touch with LeT commander to whom Rashid has been linked.TOI
UP: A man, Sanjay cooks parts of human hand in dinner, stunned wife rushes to cops for help
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/man-cooks-parts-of-human-hand-in-dinner-stunned-wife-rushes-to-cops-for-help/articleshow/74557874.cms
BIJNOR: On her return from a weekly market, exhausted wife of a 32-year-old Bijnor man was amused to see him home early, cooking something for the dinner. But, an otherwise careful look shook her to the core, and she felt nauseatic. There was a human hand and fingers on the platter.The man, a drunkard, had discreetly brought the human flesh in a polybag from a nearby crematorium, and was frying it on a pan when his wife entered. And she ran for her life, alerting the neighbours and police. The man, Sanjay, was locked in his home in Bijnor’s Tikkopur village till police came.In the initial probe, police found that the man, who is a drunkard, had even attacked his father a few days ago. “He has apparently picked up the hand from a crematorium. A probe has been set up in the matter,” a police officer said.TOI
‘Arabic becoming popular second language option’
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/arabic-becoming-popular-second-language-option/articleshow/74543105.cms
Madurai: A few days ago, more than 150 students of Class XI and Class XII in the district kicked off their state board exams by sitting language paper in Arabic. If the misconstrued concept that Arabic is only Muslim’s language is broken, it could become a much more popular second language option for students, said a teacher at Al-Ameen Higher Secondary School, K Pudur, from where majority of the students appeared for the Arabic exam.“Arabic is easy to learn such as Hindi, French or Sanskrit. However, many people stigmatize it with Muslims. I’ve seen many Hindu students show interest in Arabic as well. If not for the stigma, it can garner more interest,” said Hamza Mubarak, Arabic master at Al-Ameen School. He said that on average, it takes only three months to learn reading and writing Arabic and just one or 2 years to become fluent.The headmaster of Al-Ameen School, S Sheikh Nabi, said that the school’s students want to learn the language mainly of their own interest and that demand has increased in recent years.The teachers said that these days the language is highly useful for job opportunities in Gulf countries.TOI
FIR lodged against Nithyananda case investigators for showing porn to children in ashram
https://scroll.in/latest/955701/fir-lodged-against-nithyananda-case-investigators-for-showing-porn-to-children-in-ashram
A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences court in Ahmedabad filed complaints against several police officers investigating a case of abduction against religious leader Nithyananda, for allegedly showing pornographic content to children at his ashram, PTI reported. FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint petition filed by a follower of the religious leader on Friday.A case was registered against 14 police officials, including members of the Child Welfare Committee at Vivekanandanagar police station in Ahmedabad. Earlier in Nov, police here had charged the controversial godman and two of his women disciples for wrongful confinement and abduction of two girls and a boy who were living in his ashram.The police investigation at the ashram took place after Janardana Sharma and his wife, in a habeas corpus petition, alleged that children were kept under “illegal confinement” in the ashram.scroll
*Coronavirus*
Coronavirus: 3 test positive in Karnataka and 6 in Kerala; India has 56 cases, global toll crosses 4000
https://scroll.in/latest/955694/coronavirus-global-toll-crosses-4000-india-has-45-positive-cases-so-far
As many as 9 new cases of the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, were reported in India on Tuesday. This included three new cases from Karnataka, taking the total number in the state to four, and six from Kerala. The overall number of cases is now 56. However, there have been no deaths so far.The global toll from the infection passed 4,000 on Tuesday and countries around the world ramped up their restrictions to limit the spread of infections. However, no new cases were reported in China outside Hubei province.Italy announced severe nationwide restrictions on travel. The country’s 60-million people will only be able to travel for work, medical reasons or emergencies until April 3. All schools and universities, which were closed nationwide last week until March 15, will now not reopen before next month.Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has urged the international community to help lift the “inhuman” sanctions the United States has imposed against his country given the coronavirus epidemic, Tehran Times reports. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had on Saturday called US sanctions on his country “medical terrorism”.scroll
IAF Brings Back 58 Indians From Coronavirus-Hit Iran
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-iaf-brings-back-58-indians-from-coronavirus-hit-iran/348547
The aircraft, a C-17 Globemaster, was sent to Tehran from Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad on Monday evening.IAF spokesperson Group Captain Anupam Banerjee said the aircraft evacuated 25 men, 31 women and two children. It brought swab samples of 529 Indians to carry out laboratory tests and check whether they carry coronavirus infection.About 2,000 Indians are living in Iran, a country that has witnessed increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in the last few days. Official said Indian citizens who have returned from Iran have been quarantined at a medical facility in Hindon."IAF has activated necessary medical protocols and has put required facilities in place to provide fellow citizens with adequate care and support," Banerjee said.PTI
India's celebration of festival of colours muted amid coronavirus fears
https://in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india-holi/indias-celebration-of-festival-of-colours-muted-amid-coronavirus-fears-idINKBN20X0UA
India’s Hindu festival of Holi was subdued on Tuesday with fears of the coronavirus putting a damper on the usually boisterous celebration marked by the throwing of coloured powder and dousing with dyed water.2-day spring festival is a rowdy explosion of colour, with people smearing each other’s faces with green, yellow and red powder.But the coronavirus, which has infected nearly 40 people in India, looks set to spoil the fun this year.“Avoid participating in large gatherings,” the Ministry of Health said in notice warning of the danger of the virus, while wishing everyone a “Happy and Safe Holi”.Reuters
Experts warn against ‘false hope’, say summer may not help tackle coronavirus
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/summer-may-not-help-tackle-coronavirus-say-experts/story-sl8GxZC3Of1ot2vxCQ6SIP.html
New Delhi:The summer heat may not necessarily kill or significantly weaken Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), say some experts, who have warned against “false hope” following an analysis from China that said the number of cases decreased after average temperatures crossed 8.72 degrees Celsius.Epidemiologists say that while rising temperature and humidity may lead to modest declines in the potency of Sars-CoV-2, countries should not depend on warm weather to slow transmission, as the new virus may not react to seasonal changes in the way that other seasonal viruses causing flu and common cold do.The China study found that in cold regions, every 1°C rise in average temperatures led to an a cumulative increase in cases by 0.83, while in the higher-temperature group, every 1°C increase in the minimum temperature led to a fall in the cumulative number of cases by 0.86.HT
Moulvis, monks step in to educate people about protection from coronavirus
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/moulvis-monks-step-educate-people-protection-coronavirus-1502864388.html
Jammu :Moulvis and monks have stepped in to make people in Jammu and Kashmir and Buddhist dominated Ladakh aware of the steps to protect themselves from coronavirus.2 patients each in Jammu and Ladakh have so far been suspected suffering from coronavirus. One of these patients in Jammu was on Monday reported positive.The authorities in Kashmir have sought the help of mosques and shrines as there are apprehensions about some people not disclosing their actual travel history which makes the job cumbersome and poses a serious threat.thestatesman
Mukesh Ambani loses Asia’s richest crown to Jack Ma in $5.8 billion rout
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/mukesh-ambani-loses-asias-richest-crown-to-jack-ma-in-5-8-billion-rout-6307877/
Mukesh Ambani is no longer Asia’s richest man, relinquishing the title to Jack Ma after oil prices collapsed along with global stocks.The rout, exacerbated by mounting fears that the spread of the novel coronavirus will thrust the world into a recession, erased $5.8 billion from Ambani’s net worth on Monday and pushed him to No. 2 on the list of Asia’s richest people, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Ma, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. founder who relinquished the No. 1 ranking in mid-2018, is back on top with a $44.5 billion fortune, about $2.6 billion more than Ambani.Oil plunged the most in 29 years on Monday as Saudi Arabia and Russia vowed to pump more in a struggle for market share. The slump comes just as the coronavirus is spurring the first decline in demand in more than a decade. That raises questions about whether Ambani’s flagship Reliance Industries Ltd. will be able to cut net debt to zero by early 2021, as he has pledged. The plan hinges on a proposal to sell a stake in the group’s oil and petrochemicals division to Saudi Oil Co, world’s biggest crude producer.Bloomberg
Surat diamond industry hit by coronavirus, suffers loss of Rs 600 crore in Jan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/surat-diamond-industry-hit-by-coronavirus-suffers-loss-of-rs-600-crore-in-jan-6307300/
Surat :Surat diamond industry has faced a loss of around Rs 600 crore in January this year as the major export destinations such as US, Hong Kong and China are grappling with coronavirus outbreak.Surat has the highest number of diamond polishers – around 5 lakh work in around 4,500, small, medium and big diamond factories.Chairman of Gujarat unit of Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Dinesh Navadia said, “rough diamonds are cut and polished at the small, medium and big factories in Surat. They are then sold in the local markets here. Traders buy these diamonds and sell them in Mumbai, from where these are exported to different foreign countries.”indianexpress
*WORLD*
US begins troop withdrawal from Afghanistan: US official
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/begins-troop-withdrawal-afghanistan-official-200309162847760.html
US troops have started to leave Afghanistan for the initial troop withdrawal required in US-Taliban agreement, a spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan announced on Monday, amid political chaos in Kabul that threatens the deal.US will cut the number of forces in the country to 8,600, according to a statement by US Forces Afghanistan spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett."In accordance with US-Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Joint Declaration and the US-Taliban Agreement, US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) has begun its conditions-based reduction of forces to 8,600 over 135 days," Leggett said in the statement quoted by US media."USFOR-A maintains all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives -including conducting counterterrorism operations against al-Qaeda and ISIS-K and providing support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," he added. "USFOR-A is on track to meet directed force levels while retaining the necessary capabilities." aljazeera
US calls for a UN vote on Taliban deal: diplomats
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/calls-vote-taliban-deal-diplomats-200310011544862.html
US has called for a Tuesday vote at UN Security Council to endorse Washington's deal with Taliban that is supposed to pave the way to peace in Afghanistan, diplomats said.US military has begun withdrawing troops as part of the pullout agreed in Feb.29 agreement with Taliban.The request for a UN vote came after negotiations on a draft resolution, diplomats said on Monday.Intra-Afghan negotiations are also set to begin by Tuesday to work out a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.The agreement also proposes an intra-Afghan dialogue with the government in Kabul and the release of 5,000 Taliban members from prison - although that part of the deal remains in contention.Taliban has so far refused to speak to Western-backed Afghan government, saying it is a "puppet regime".Intra-Afghan talks are to begin on March 10 but no specific details have been given.Those talks are also now in peril, after Afghanistan's rival politicians Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah held competing presidential inaugurations on Monday.aljazeera
Dozens of Palestinians face 'terrorism court' in Saudi
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/dozens-palestinians-face-terrorism-court-saudi-arabia-200309162620286.html
Saudi Arabia has put dozens of Palestinian activists on trial, accusing them of supporting the Gaza-based rulers Hamas.According to Arabic press reports, 68 Palestinian and Jordanian citizens faced the "special terrorism court" in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, beginning on Sunday.Families of the accused said their relatives were being prosecuted without legal representation. The detainees were arrested by Saudi secret police in April of last year.Among those arrested was Mohammed al-Khudari, 81, a long time Palestinian resident of Saudi Arabia and a retired physician suffering from colon cancer, according to his family who spoke by phone from Gaza.Al-Khadari's son, Hani - an IT professor at a Saudi university with no apparent political activities - was also detained.Abdul Majed, Mohammed al-Khudari's brother, told Al Jazeera both relatives were placed in solitary confinement for seven months. He said the next court date would be May 5.aljazeera
Erdogan demands 'concrete support' from EU, NATO over Syria
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/erdogan-demands-concrete-support-eu-nato-syria-200309183710499.html
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has demanded more support from his NATO and European Union allies over the war in Syria as fighting rages in Idlib, and a refugee crisis unfolds at Turkish-Greek border. Erdogan flew to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO leaders after tensions rose over the fate of tens of thousands of refugees trying to enter EU-member Greece since Ankara said last month it would no longer try to keep them on its soil.After talks on Monday with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Erdogan said he wants Turkey's Western partners to do more to support his country to cope with millions of refugees from Syria."The crisis stemming from Syria, with its security and humanitarian aspects, is threatening our region and even all of Europe,"Erdogan said."No European country has luxury to remain indifferent."aljazeera
Egypt judiciary sentences 112 detainees to life in prison
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200310-egyptian-judiciary-sentences-112-detainees-to-life-in-prison/
On Monday, the Military Court in Egypt sentenced 112 detainees to life in prison, alleging that they have been affiliated to Hasm Movement that the Egyptian authorities classify as terrorist, and involved in case No. 64 of 2017, Northern Military Prosecution Cairo, known as Assistant Attorney General or Case of Hasm Movement (HM).The court also sentenced three defendants to aggravated imprisonment for 15 years, in addition to issuing a 15-year sentence against seven detainees, aggravated detention for ten years against 17 detainees, aggravated imprisonment for five years against 22 detainees, a five-year conviction against five oppositionists, aggravated imprisonment for 3 years against 44 defendants, and a three-year sentence against six detainees, while acquitting 80 others.middleeastmonitor
Egypt : Death of detainee Mousaad Al-Baali due to medical neglect
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200310-death-of-detainee-mousaad-al-baali-due-to-medical-neglect/
Detainee Mousaad Al-Baali died after being transferred to Al-Sadat Hospital in Menoufia Governorate, due to the deterioration of his health condition as a result of deliberate medical neglect.Activists said that the hospital administration was intransigent in handing over Al-Baali’s corpse to his family, claiming that no orders had been received to do so. middleeastmonitor
Egypt Parliament approves inclusion of companies and unions in terrorism lists
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200310-egyptian-parliament-approves-inclusion-of-companies-and-unions-in-terrorism-lists/
Egyptian parliament approved by a majority of the draft law of terrorist entities lists, which provides for expanding the definition of “terrorist entity” to include new categories, such as companies and unions, under the pretext of combating “money laundering and financing terrorism.”The amendments approved by Parliament included “redefining the crime of financing terrorism, and adding new regulations to be imposed on entities added to lists of terrorist groups and terrorists.”Jurists and activists considered these amendments as an expression of the authority’s desire to expand the jurisdiction of the security services and Public Prosecution in confiscating the funds and property of oppositionist and prisoners of conscious.middleeastmonitor
Britain's Labour Party Suspends Anti-racism Campaigner Accused of Islamophobia
https://www.news18.com/news/world/britains-labour-party-suspends-anti-racism-campaigner-accused-of-islamophobia-2531509.html
London: Britain's opposition Labour party has suspended an anti-racism campaigner over accusations of Islamophobia, the activist revealed on Monday.Trevor Phillips, who has headed several high-profile public bodies including the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said he had been suspended after he suggested Muslims were "different".The former broadcaster told BBC radio: "They say I've accused Muslims of being different. Well, actually, that's true. The point is Muslims are different and in many ways, I think that's admirable."We cannot continue to simply say differences don't matter, it's a form of disrespect."Times paper reported that Phillips, 66, was being investigated by Labour over comments about Pakistani Muslim men sexually abusing children in northern English towns, which has become a tinderbox issue in British politics.news18
Muslim Coalition Asks Joe Biden to Explain His Racist Rant Against Arabs
https://clarionindia.net/muslim-coalition-asks-joe-biden-to-explain-his-racist-rant-against-arabs/
New York:A video has surfaced of a political speech, in which a much younger Joe Biden, in a very passionate and very dramatic fashion, states that Arabs are a violent people who were fighting among themselves and would continue to do so even if Israel was to be physically moved to another place by God himself.Muslim Peace Coalition, USA, has sharply criticised Joe Biden’s statement terming it cunningly racist. Reacting to the statement, Dr. Shaik Ubaid, co-chair of the Coalition, said, “Arabs fought much less among themselves than the Europeans did and even the Jewish kingdoms and tribes fought among themselves; and to make such a statement was cunningly racist.”clarionindia.net
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
Anti-CAA protests gave us poetry to resist, but hard plumbing of alternative politics yet to be worked out:Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-amendment-act-caa-protests-delhi-up-6307305/
Courts must intervene to address violations of child rights in UP, J&K:Madan B Lokur, indianexpress
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jammu-and-kashmir-bifurcation-article-370-abrogated-children-detained-6307293/
The root cause of present economic situation is death of demand:Yashwant Sinha, indianexpress
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/yashwant-sinha-on-manmohan-singh-indian-economy-downfall-gdp-growth-rate-6307276/
Jurists like Justice S Muralidhar affirm values of constitutionalism:Prashanto Chandra Sen, indianexpress
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/justice-s-muralidhar-farewell-speech-delhi-high-court-6307297/
After Delhi riots, government has to revisit its approach on CAA: By Pranab Dhal Samanta, ET
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/view-after-delhi-riots-government-has-to-revisit-its-approach-on-caa/articleshow/74557516.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
No, Kejriwal didn’t admit of having family ties with RSS; clipped video viral:Jignesh Patel
https://www.altnews.in/no-arvind-kejriwal-didnt-admit-of-having-family-ties-with-rss-clipped-video-viral/
Video of couple having sex in public is not from Shaheen Bagh:theprint
https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/video-of-couple-having-sex-in-public-is-not-from-shaheen-bagh/378249/
Faizan Died (After) Singing National Anthem His Mother Had Sung Voluntarily on Republic Day:Accounts of 3 Families:THE CITIZEN
https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/18439/Faizan-Died-After-Singing-the-National-Anthem-His-Mother-Had-Sung-Voluntarily-on-Republic-Day
Is Maha Govt’s Scheme for Foreign Education of Minorities Helpful?Rosamma Thomas
https://www.newsclick.in/Maha-Govt-Scheme-for-Foreign-Education-of-Minorities-Helpful
Delhi: Is Justice Being Done for Victims of Communal Carnage?Subodh Varma
https://www.newsclick.in/Delhi-Justice-Being-Done-Victims-Communal-Carnage
BJP has incited hatred it can no longer stop:Pragya Tiwari , aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/bjp-incited-hatred-longer-stop-200309071037099.html
Explained: Why the Police Fails at Handling Riots:N.C. Asthana
https://thewire.in/law/delhi-police-riots
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:40 PM).
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment