*CORONAVIRUS - LOCKDOWN : INDIA*

Coronavirus: Indian Envoy's Tweet Amid Backlash in Arab countries Over "Islamophobic" Posts In India

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-india-uae-ambassadors-tweet-amid-backlash-over-islamophobia-posts-in-india-2215107?pfrom=home-bigstory

New Delhi: India and UAE share the values of non-discrimination on any grounds, Indian ambassador to the country tweeted on Monday amid growing resentment in Arab world over reports of Muslims being targeted in India over the coronavirus pandemic."India and UAE share the value of non-discrimination on any grounds. Discrimination is against our moral fabric and the Rule of law. Indian nationals in the UAE should always remember this," Ambassador Pavan Kapoor.He quoted a tweet by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he had said, "COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood. We are in this together."The tweets come after a backlash in Arab countries, including UAE and Kuwait, over instances of Muslims being targeted in India amid COVID-19 crisis.Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of OIC, federation of 57 Muslim nations, on Sunday had tweeted:#OIC-IPHRC condemns unrelenting vicious #Islamophobic campaign in #India  maligning Muslims for spread of #COVID-19 as well as their negative profiling in media subjecting them to discrimination & violence with impunity."Several Twitter users in Arab nations, including a member of UAE's royal family have expressed their dismay at the vilification of Muslims in India since a congregation hosted last month by Islamic missionary group Tablighi Jamaat emerged as the biggest cluster of coronavirus cases in the country.ndtv

Indian envoy to UAE urges Indians living in Gulf region to be careful amidst raging controversy over Islamophobia linked to COVID-19

 

BJP MP Tejasvi deletes old tweet insulting Arab women as demand for action grows across GCC

http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/bjp-mp-tejasvi-surya-deletes-old-tweet-insulting-arab-women-as-demand-for-action-grows-across-gcc/288271/?fbclid=IwAR1U93D4mGfEb47V6V_aIgPBRrbOvpFoMnxFJE3UMhN0tPgmQ50PqmJaQm0

 BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has deleted his old tweet insulting Arab women as demand for action against him grew across Gulf countries. Several Arab intellectuals and human rights activists urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act against the young MP from Bengaluru.In his old tweet, Tejaswi had written, “95% Arab women have never had an orgasm in the last few hundred years! Every mother has produced kids as act of sex and not love:@TarekFatah.”The controversial tweet began to be fervently shared by prominent Arab nationals in the last few days. UAE businesswoman Noora Al Ghurair wrote, “Pity Ur upbringing  @Tejasvi_Surya that respect for women couldn’t be instilled in U despite India having some great female leaders .Please note if someday the govt bestows a foreign ministry to you, avoid travelling to Arab lands. You are not welcome here. This will be remembered.”Abdur Rahman Nassar, an intellectual from Kuwait, tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to drop Surya from the party.jantakareporter

 

Scapegoating of Indian Muslims for Coronavirus Spread Evoke Reactions In UAE, Indonesia

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/scapegoating-of-indian-muslims-for-coronavirus-spread-evoke-reactions-in-uae-indonesia

NEW DELHI:Scapegoating of Muslims for spread of coronavirus officially by government agencies and a big section of Indian media-TV and print- demonising Muslims day and night and holding them responsible for the coronavirus infection has resulted in sharp reaction in the UAE, Indonesia and from Indian diaspora organisations like Indian American Muslim Council(IAMC) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) based in US. 2 Indian expats working in UAE have been sacked in the last one week over posting alleged Islamophobic messages on social media. They have been identified as Bala Krishna Nakka and Rakesh B. Kitturmath.Indonesian MP, Sukuma who is head of Foreign Relations Development of Justice and Prosperous Party (JPP), in an article in Berita Fraksi paper on April 19 said that “accusing Indian Muslims as main spreader of COVID 19 is false. There are some people who are trying to frame this pandemic a religious problem. The corona virus is a pandemic attacking every one without discriminating any caste creed, region, religion and ethnicity”.Expressing his support to Muslims in India, Sukuma said, “Indeed, Tablighi Jamaat’s grand event was held before India officially announced lockdown policy. But I appeal to all religious people throughout the world that we must be disciplined in staying home, decrease our mobility, and cease any religious activity to help the govt fight COVI-19. This is in our mutual interest”.   india tomorrow

 

Indian Muslims being targeted to divert backlash: Pak PM Imran

https://dailytimes.com.pk/598699/indian-muslims-being-targeted-to-divert-backlash-pm-imran/

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has alleged that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was violently targeting Indian Muslims deliberately to divert the backlash of its policy on COVID-19 pandemic.In a tweet, the prime minister said the Modi government’s policy on coronavirus had left thousands stranded and hungry.“The deliberate & violent targeting of Muslims in India by Modi Govt to divert the backlash over its COVID19 policy, which has left thousands stranded & hungry, is akin to what Nazis did to Jews in Germany,” he remarked. He said it was yet another proof of the racist Hindutva supremacist ideology of the Modi government. daily times

 

 Coronavirus | India rejects Imran Khan’s allegations of discrimination against Muslims

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-india-rejects-imran-khans-allegations-of-discrimination-against-muslims/article31384286.ece

India has trashed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments alleging targeting of Muslims in the country in the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the “bizarre comments” by the Pakistani leadership was an attempt to shift focus from the “abysmal handling” of that country’s internal affairs.PTI

 

Don't give communal angle to Palghar mob lynching of Sadhus, warns Maharashtra govt

https://zeenews.india.com/india/dont-give-communal-angle-to-palghar-mob-lynching-case-warns-maharashtra-government-2277733.html

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has said that a high-level probe had been ordered into the Palghar mob lynching incident in which three people, including two sadhus, were killed by a rampaging mob armed with axe and stick on Thursday night.Deshmukh added that 101 people allegedly involved in this incident have been arrested by the police and the government will ensure that the guilty face maximum punishment."Police have detained 101 people involved in killing of 3 Surat-bound people in Palghar. I have also ordered a high level inquiry into these killings,” Deshmukh tweeted. Maharashtra Home Minister, however, warned the people against giving any communal colour to the incident and said that the police should keep an eye over those who will try to use this incident to create division in the society.Reacting to Palghar incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, “police have arrested all those accused who attacked the two sadhus, one driver and the police personnel on the day of the crime itself. Nobody guilty of this heinous crime and shameful act will be spared and they will be brought to justice in the strongest way possible.”zeenews

3Men Lynched in Maharashtra, Two from Nomadic Tribe, BJP Leaders Push Communal Angle

https://thewire.in/rights/three-men-lynched-in-maharashtra-two-from-nomadic-tribe-bjp-leaders-push-communal-angle

 

On Mob-Killing Of Sadhus, Uddhav Thackeray's Assurance To Amit Shah; CMO says no communal angle involved

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/palghar-sadhu-mob-lynching-uddhav-thackeray-says-main-accused-in-jail-assured-amit-shah-he-would-loo-2214899

Mumbai: The men accused of lynching three men in Palghar have been arrested and are in jail, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said. Chief Minister also said he has spoken to Union home minister Amit Shah and assured him that he would look into the case. More than 100 people were taken into custody after the horrific attack on Thursday night at a spot barely 125 km from the country's financial capital Mumbai.Chief Minister said the villagers heard rumours about presence of thieves in the area and thought they were culprits."Don't make it communal. There is no communal angle involved," he said.A tweet from CMO read: "Those trying to inflame passions, must desist from doing so. There is no Hindu-Muslim angle or communalism in this attack. 2 policemen were suspended immediately".Another tweet read, "Do not try to create misunderstandings. I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji. Amitji knows there is no communal angle here. I told him we must search for all those fanning passions on social media."

 

 

Kashmiri Photojournalist Masrat Charged Under UAPA for Unspecified Social Media Posts

https://thewire.in/media/kashmiri-photojournalist-charged-under-uapa-for-unspecified-social-media-posts

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police have booked a Kashmiri photojournalist under the stringent UAPA for posting what they have called “anti-national” content on social media. A statement issued by the police on Monday said it has registered a case against the photojournalist, Masrat Zahra, under Section 13 of UAPA and Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code, in the cyber police station, Srinagar.“Cyber police received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely Masrat Zahra is uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the youth and to promote offences against public tranquillity,” reads the statement, adding the journalist was also “believed to be uploading photographs which can provoke the public to disturb law and order.”“The user is also uploading posts that tantamount to glorify the anti-national activities and dent the image of law enforcing agencies besides causing disaffection against the country,” reads the statement.The police statement, however, did not mention specific posts by the journalist. Senior police officials also refused to speak to The Wire about the case. Zahra has been working as a freelance journalist since 2016 end. Her work has been published in various national and international news publications including Washington Post, TRT World, Al Jazeera, The New Humanitarian and The Caravan.thewire

 

Arundhati Roy danger to society, should be arrested under NSA: Subramanian Swamy

https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/arundhati-roy-arundhati-roy-latest-news-arundhati-roy-twitter-arundhati-roy-speech-subramanian-swamy-subramanian-swamy-twitter/1804158/?fbclid=IwAR1ZTD1FRjEDdOhETonodrM3Lgz928tprq90z03kOYlAZPgrFlYR_54tCh8

Firebrand BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has demanded author Arundhati Roy to be arrested under NSA. Swamy said that Roy’s comments on National Population Register amount to sedition and called her a danger for the society.“This amounts to sedition. In effect, you are saying it is an illegitimate government. Leave aside the sanctity of the law, even for the national survey if officials ask how many kgs of rice you eat, you have to tell the truth,” he said.financialexpress

 

"I'm In Custody": 'Nisha Jindal' With 10,000 FB Followers Found To Be Man

Nisha Jindal - the name on the bogus profile - has more than 10,000 followers on the social media website.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chattisgarh-im-in-custody-nisha-jindal-with-10-000-fb-followers-turns-out-a-man-2214596?pfrom=home-topstories

Raipur: A man allegedly running a fake Facebook account using a photograph of a woman has been arrested in Chhattisgarh's Raipur. Nisha Jindal - the name on the fake profile - has more than 10,000 followers on the social media website.The police were investigating the Facebook account over divisive posts when they found that a man named Ravi had been operating the profile. The description on the Facebook profile says: "I am Nothing Without My Lovely Princess Daughter".He reportedly ran fake accounts on other social media websites as well. Ravi is an engineering student."When the police went to arrest 'Nisha Jindal' for allegedly promoting social enmity, it was revealed that Ravi, who has not been able to pass his engineering exam for 11 years, is in fact 'Nisha'. The police made him post the reality so that his 10,000 followers get to know the truth," Indian Administrative Service officer Priyanka Shukla tweeted.

 

China Slams India's New FDI Rules, Calls It "Discriminatory"

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-slams-indias-new-fdi-rules-says-they-are-against-liberalisation-2214864

India's new rules for FDI violate WTO principles of non-discrimination and are against free and fair trade, China said on Monday, calling for a "revision of discriminatory practices". On Saturday, the government stepped up scrutiny of investments from companies based in neighbouring countries, in what was widely seen as a move to stave off takeovers by Chinese firms during coronavirus outbreak. The changes were meant to curb "opportunistic takeovers/ acquisitions," said the government. "The additional barriers set by Indian side for investors from specific countries violate WTO's principle of non-discrimination, and go against the general trend of liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment. We hope India would revise relevant discriminatory practices, treat investments from different countries equally, and foster an open, fair and equitable business environment,"Chinese Embassy said.ndtv

 

None of Our Doctors Have Confirmed COVID-19 Case Yet, Hospital Not Sealed: Al Shifa Authorities Debunk Rumors

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/none-of-our-doctors-have-confirmed-covid-19-case-yet-hospital-not-sealed-al-shifa-authorities-debunk-rumors?fbclid=IwAR1e9NoIcwXAO28z0pXRo9ZVtDOfFCkBrdKDCnNuBXgxkuUKHKodS_JvtXc

NEW DELHI:Debunking rumors afloat on social media, the authorities of Al Shifa Multispecialty Hospital have said that there is no confirmed case of Coronavirus at the hospital yet. They said that there was one suspected case related to a doctor and the government authorities have taken him to a quarantine centre.They also trashed the social media posts that Al Shifa has been sealed. They said that emergency services are open at the hospital but normal OPD services have been reduced due to unavailability of some doctors and staff. Talking about suspected case of a doctor, M. Abdul Nazar, Director, Al Shifa Multispecialty Hospital, said: “It is not a confirmed case yet. It is a suspected case. The authorities have not issued the test results to us or to doctor. The nodal officer has taken him for quarantine.” Trashing social media posts about sealing of the hospital, Nazar said: “We are looking the patients. All services are on. It is just rumor that Al Shifa has been closed. Emergency services are on. Some doctors and staffers are not able to reach hospital, so we have controlled OPD.”Rafeek Ahmed, Joint Secretary cum Liaison Officer of hospital, also said: “That is a suspected case. The hospital has not been sealed or closed. This is just rumor. We have not got any directives from the authorities either.”Last week, Al Shifa authorities themselves sent a doctor and his team to home quarantine when they came to know that they were exposed to a patient who was later found to be Coronavirus +ve.  “We ourselves sent one doctor and his team to home quarantine as we came to know that they were exposed to a patient who was later found to be coronavirus positive,” said Ahmed.  Meanwhile, Al Shifa hospital has posted a banner notice on its website that physical OPDs have been closed in view of Coronavirus and in its place telephonic OPD consultation has been started.India Tomorrow

 

Resident Doctors at AIIMS Delhi report ‘caste and gender based discrimination’

http://twocircles.net/2020apr20/436113.html?fbclid=IwAR2qwGhFLs_XNDgQUWF-E2AlC_nOfe2eerIkwP0NkzT4Yh2wFJ-FdZAqaig

Resident Doctor’s Association of AIIMS Delhi has written a letter to Minister of Health, Dr Harsh Vardhan expressing their disappointment against the inaction of authorities over caste and gender based harassment of a resident doctor by faculty at Delhi.The letter states that a serious event of caste and gender based discrimination of a Senior Resident of CDER at New Delhi AIIMS has been continuously ignored by the institute despite repeated appeals to the Department, Director and Administration of the center. The resident had also written to Women’s Grievance Cell and SC-ST Welfare Cell at New Delhi AIIMS but no appropriate action has been taken. Desperate for help, she also wrote to the National SC-ST Commission but to no avail.In the light of the above, the letter appeals the administration to extend their support and make sure something similar does not happen again. The President of Resident Doctor’s Association, Dr Adarsh P Singh, along with Vice Presidents and governing body have expressed that the matter coming from the country’s top medical institute during a global pandemic has become a “serious blot and the inaction of authorities has furthered the resident’s extreme decision inflicting self harm.”

 

Covid-19: Over 50 journalists in Mumbai test positive, says municipal corporation

https://scroll.in/latest/959732/covid-19-over-50-journalists-in-mumbai-test-positive-says-municipal-corporationA?fbclid=IwAR1ejuzACGfZGisfJ6sEknhFXhB8sbZLajdQ2bvorjEO6PWp--PE-JABKiI

At least 53 journalists in Mumbai have tested positive for Covid-19, Huffpost reported on Monday citing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials. The number is expected to increase.BMC Health Committee member Amey Ghole told HuffPost India that samples of 167 journalists had been sent for testing. “Out of 167 samples, 53 have come positive for Covid-19,” he said. “The number could go up.” These 53 journalists include reporters, cameramen of news channels and photojournalists.Journalist Ashok Bagriya tweeted that an entire team of reporters of a television channel in Mumbai had tested positive.Maharashtra has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country. As of Monday, 4,203 people had been infected in the state, including 223 deaths, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In Mumbai alone, over 2,700 persons have tested positive.

 

 

India restarts factories, farming in rural areas even as coronavirus cases rise

https://in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-southasia/india-restarts-factories-farming-in-rural-areas-even-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-idINKBN22215J

NEW DELHI: Some shops and businesses opened in rural India on Monday as part of a staggered exit from a weeks-long lockdown that has left millions out of work and short of food, while coronavirus infections rose by more than 1,500 over the previous day.India’s 1.3 billion population has been under one of the world’s toughest lockdowns with people forbidden from stepping out of their homes except for food and medicines until May 3.But Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government said some activities, including factories and farming, would be allowed from Monday in the hinterland which has been less-hard hit by COVID-19.Small businesses reopened in the rural parts of most populous Uttar Pradesh after the lockdown in late March but police were deployed to ensure people maintained social distancing.Reuters

 

Uttarakhand starts screening 4000 migrant labourers after 1 tests positive for coronavirus

https://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-starts-screening-4000-migrant-labourers-after-1-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/story-Jx38luAduVHIwNIBHB96jJ.html

Dehradun:A day after a 24-year-old migrant labourer in a relief camp in Roorkee tested positive for the coronavirus disease , Uttarakhand government has stepped up screening of about 4000 other such workers across the state.The migrant labourer, who tested positive for the coronavirus, had come to Rishikesh from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh to work but was caught on March 30 near Roorkee and sent to a relief camp. He along with 3others were going back to Hathras by taking a lift from a truck driver.After he tested positive for the deadly virus on Saturday, 24 other migrant labourers who were staying in the same relief camp, were isolated by the health department. Their samples were also sent for testing to detect possible infection.

 

 

84% Delhi COVID-19 victims had other diseases as well: Jain

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/84-delhi-covid-19-victims-had-other-diseases-as-well-jain

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, on Monday, 84 per cent (38) of the 45 people who died from coronavirus were suffering from other serious diseases.With 110 new cases reported in the past 24 hours the COVID-19 tally in the national capital had reached 2,003, he said. 2,054 tests were conducted on Sunday of which 110 were positive, he added."Of the total cases, 1,283 were aged below 50 years, 320 were 50-59 years and 386 above 60 years," Jain said and added, detailed information on 14 patients was awaited.At present, six patients are on ventilators and 26 in the ICU.IANS

 

 

COVID-19 Cases Doubling Rate Slows To 7.5 Days Compared To 3.4: Centre

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-cases-doubling-rate-7-5-days-now-compared-to-3-4-days-before-lockdown-says-government-2214994?pfrom=home-topstories

New Delhi: The doubling rate of Coronavirus cases has slowed down, the government said today – going from 3.4 days before lockdown to 7.5 days. "Based on the last seven days, India's doubling rate has improved to 7.5%," senior health ministry official Lav Agarwal told the media today.The doubling rate of cases is considered a marker of how fast the infection is spreading. On that basis, government earlier said 3-week lockdown proved effective and extended it till May 3.The country so far had 17,265 cases of coronavirus and saw the largest single-day spike over the last 24 hours, when 1,540 cases were detected. The data from Union Health Ministry also shows that 543 people have died. Thirty-six deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.Till April 19, health ministry said today, 18 states did better than the national average. Many states and Union Territories have a doubling rate of less than 20 days."Delhi has doubling rate of 8.5 days, Karnataka -- 9.2 days, Telangana -- 9.4 days, Andhra Pradesh -- 10.6 days, Jammu and Kashmir -- 11.5 days, Punjab -- 13.1 days, Chhattisgarh -- 13.3 days, Tamil Nadu -- 14 days and Bihar -- 16.4 days," he said.Many states and Union Territories have a doubling rate of 20 to 30 days, he said. The list includes Andaman and Nicobar, which takes 20.1 days, Haryana (21 days), Himachal Pradesh (24.5 days), Chandigarh  (25.4 days), Assam (25.8 days), Uttarakhand (26.6 days) and Ladakh (26.6 days).ndtv

 

No New COVID-19 Case In Goa For 2 Weeks

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-new-covid-19-case-in-goa-for-2-weeks-a-moment-of-relief-says-pramod-sawant-2215142?pfrom=home-topstories

The complete nationwide lockdown announced by the centre last month seems to have worked in Goa as the prominent tourist destination hasn't reported a coronavirus in case in two weeks. The seven people who had tested positive for the virus in January have recovered, the centre said on Monday."There is good news from Goa - all patients have been discharged," Joint Secretary (Health) Lav Aggarwal said at a press briefing.ndtv

 

 

Amid Outrage Over Hunger, Surplus Rice For Hand Sanitizers:Centre

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surplus-rice-with-food-corporation-to-be-converted-into-ethanol-for-hand-sanitizers-and-to-mix-with-2215110?pfrom=home-topscroll

New Delhi: The excess rice in central godowns will be used to manufacture ethanol to keep up the supply of hand sanitisers in the country and added to petrol to reduce emissions, the petroleum ministry decided today  -- a move expected to generate controversy with millions at the brink of starvation as countrywide lockdown started in March.Quoting the National Policy on Biofuels, which allows conversion of surplus foodgrain to ethanol, the government said the decision was taken at a meeting of NBCC chaired by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.ndtv

 

Underweight flour packets distributed in MP: Congress alleges ₹60 crore ‘atta scam’, demands probe

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/underweight-flour-packets-distributed-in-mpcongress-alleges-indian-rupee-60-crore-atta-scam-demands-probe

A day after a Congress MLA came across underweight flour packets being distributed in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh Congress on Sunday alleged a 60 crore scam in the distribution of ration to the poor during the Covid-19 lockdown period and demanded a probe into it.Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh dashed off a letter to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and alleged that atta (whole wheat flour) packets being distributed to the poor are far short of the weight mentioned on the packets.“When the entire society is helping the poor during these crucial times, government ration shops are stealing atta from the packets,” Digvijaya alleged.Demanding an FIR against the culprits, he wrote, “Food is being stolen from the poor even during these emergency times. This kind of corruption is inhuman, unethical and an example of sheer bad governance. I request you to find the culprits of this scam and register FIRs against them.”

 

 

Boy Steals To Feed Mother, Brother Amid Lockdown, Bihar Court Pardons Him

https://www.ndtv.com/cities/boy-steals-to-feed-mother-brother-amid-lockdown-bihar-court-pardons-him-2215146?pfrom=home-topstories

Bihar Sharif: A court in Bihar's Nalanda district has pardoned a 16-year-old boy, detained for snatching a woman's purse, after it found that the accused had stolen to feed his brother and mentally-challenged mother, who were hungry for several days due to the nationwide lockdown.Juvenile Justice Board Principal Magistrate Manavendra Mishra also directed the officials concerned to ensure that the minor's family gets housing and ration under government schemes.He also directed police to submit juvenile's progress report after four months.ndtv

 

Yogi Adityanath Says Can't Be At Funeral Of Father Who Died At AIIMS Today

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-india-yogi-adityanath-mourns-father-says-cant-attend-funeral-due-to-fight-against-covid1-2214857?pfrom=home-topstories

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today expressed grief over the death of his father, Anand Singh Bisht, this morning at AIIMS in Delhi.In a statement, Yogi Adityanath said he would not be able to attend the last rites tomorrow because of the lockdown and his responsibilities in the fight against coronavirus. Bisht, 71, was admitted in hospital last month due to kidney problems.NDTV

 

Cop suspended for forcibly entering Puri Jagannath temple  

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/cop-suspended-for-forcibly-entering-puri-jagannath-temple

A police inspector, who had forcibly entered into the Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri with his family members on Sunday evening, was placed under suspension, said a top official on Monday.Taking to Twitter, DGP Abhay said that Deepak Kumar Jena, inspector-in-charge at the Badachana police station in Jajpur district, has been put under suspension for misconduct.A case has been registered against him at Singhadwar police station while a probe has also been initiated, said the DGP.Jena had allegedly forcibly entered into the Jagannath Temple with his family members on Sunday, despite the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.IANS

 

 

Lockdown: Ajmer Dargah Management Seeks Centre, State Govt's Help to Transport Stranded Devotees to Their Homes

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/lockdown-ajmer-dargah-management-seeks-centre-state-govts-help-to-transport-stranded-devotees-to-their-homes

Ajmer Sharif Dargah Management Committee has appealed the central as well as state governments of Rajasthan to make arrangements for transport of thousands of stranded devotees to their native places.In separate letters sent to the Central and state government, the management said that the devotees could not leave Ajmer after abrupt announcement of lockdown on May 23 evening. The devotees did not get enough time to leave and moreover, all transport services like bus and train also stopped operating after lockdown announcement.They are staying in guest houses managed by the Dargah Management, at the residences of the management committee members, ‘khadims’ and private hotels. Their cost of food and lodging are being borne by the management committee itself.India Tomorrow

 

Kerala Brings Back Certain Curbs After Centre Objects To Relaxed Lockdown Rules In 7 Districts

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kerala-lockdown-relaxation-home-ministrys-objection_in_5e9d2a68c5b635d25d6f2a3f?utm_hp_ref=in-homepage

Kerala government has brought back a few curbs after the Union home ministry objected to the manner in which the state government allowed the partial relaxation of certain lockdown rules in seven districts of the state, starting Monday.At a press conference, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the decision to allow barber shops to open was on hold till further notice. Dine-in will not be permitted at restaurants as had been said earlier, but takeaway would be still available.“The initial relaxation had led to busy streets in several parts and the state has decided to act on this strictly,” Pinarayi said.The CM also said there was no dispute with the Centre regarding the lockdown rules.“I have already said we will follow the Centre’s guidelines. We decide on some things based on our experience and the situation here. There may be some differences, but there is no dispute, there is no argument. The Centre understands,” he said.

 

*CORONAVIRUS – WORLD*

 

 

Iran opens up as economic woes trump virus infection

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/iran-opens-up-as-economic-woes-trump-virus-infection

Iran on Monday began opening intercity highways and major shopping centers to stimulate its sanctions-choked economy, gambling that it has brought under control its coronavirus outbreak one of the worst in the world even as some fear it could lead to a second wave of infections.Stores from high-end malls to the meandering alleyways of Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar opened their doors, though the government limited their working hours until 6 pm.Restaurants, gyms and other locations remain closed, however.PTI

 

 

 

 

'Israel Is Militarising and Monetising the COVID-19 Pandemic'

https://thewire.in/world/israel-is-militarising-and-monetising-the-covid-19-pandemic

Israel held its most recent election in early March, just as the coronavirus outbreak first reached the country in late February. The results of the election at first appeared to give Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition a major victory.But within days, the media realised that the fulcrum of power had shifted from Netanyahu’s far-right bloc to the centre-right bloc led by Benny Gantz of Blue and White. As Israel’s president tasked the latter with forming a new government, based on the 61 MKs (Knesset members) who recommended he be offered the opportunity, it appeared there would be a minority government in which Blue and White would be supported from outside by the Palestinian Joint List.Layered on top of this political crisis was a growing pandemic sweeping the world. As the number of Israeli victims and the first death from coronavirus was announced, Netanyahu saw an opportunity to revive his political relevance. Actually, Netanyahu acted even before the first death, which was on March 20.Only a few days earlier, on March 16, he asked the Knesset intelligence committee to approve the use of a hitherto secret national database compiled by the Shin Bet and comprising private personal data on every Israeli citizen, both Jewish and Palestinian. In the aftermath of 9/11, Israel’s Knesset secretly assigned its domestic intelligence agency task of creating the database, which was ostensibly meant as a counterterrorism measure.Richard Silverstein, The Wire

 

 

 

*OTHERS*

 

Gunman kills 16 in Nova Scotia in Canada's worst mass shooting

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/gunman-kills-16-nova-scotia-canada-worst-mass-shooting-200420005904903.html

A man disguised as a police officer went on a shooting rampage in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday, killing 16 people, in the worst such attack in the country for 30 years.A police officer was among those killed. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 100km north of Halifax - what police called the first scene."This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history," said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed 16 people had been killed in addition to the suspect.The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the force. Another officer was also wounded.

 

 

Vijay Mallya loses UK High Court appeal, clock set for extradition to India

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/vijay-mallya-loses-uk-high-court-appeal-clock-set-for-extradition-to-india

Vijay Mallya on Monday lost a UK High Court appeal against his extradition, a major turning point that brings India closer to getting back the embattled liquor tycoon wanted in the alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores.The dismissal of the High Court appeal effectively clears the decks for Mallya's extradition to India to face the charges in the Indian courts, with 14 days for him to apply for permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court.PTI

 

 

*views, Articles, FEATURES*

PM Modi’s tweet comes too late, India faces backlash in UAE, Gulf for Islamophobia:Uttam Sengupta

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/pm-modis-tweet-comes-too-late-india-faces-backlash-in-uae-and-the-gulf-for-islamophobia?fbclid=IwAR3qCld79Ua2C1HMhsirD6w4VH4-w3MREcCUBx_YySV1or5flA9SYG5W8wM

In Kashmir, an empty bed signifies a life lost:Masrat Zahra, aljazeera

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/kashmir-empty-bed-signifies-life-lost-200114091520056.html?fbclid=IwAR2gfnJMHMETKUrVfyvA7y0JwYa_Mw_Ou1javZAi7jbjJjURZCiM3_DNNIw

'IMF's 1.9% Growth Prediction for India Ludicrous, Actual Figure Could Be Negative':Karan Thapar

https://thewire.in/political-economy/imfs-1-9-growth-prediction-for-india-ludicrous-actual-figure-could-be-negative

My Name is Khan and I am Not a Coronavirus Carrier:Farah Naqvi

https://thewire.in/communalism/my-name-is-khan-and-i-am-not-a-coronavirus-carrier

ICMR’s Latest Clarification on Its Hydroxychloroquine Policy Is Just Baffling:The Wire Science

https://science.thewire.in/health/covid-19-hydroxychloroquine-policy-raman-gangakhedkar-icmr-observational-study/

What HT Wouldn't Publish: Folly and Vanity of Project to Redesign Delhi:Ramachandra Guha

https://thewire.in/government/central-vista-project-delhi-covid-19

Why Relief Packages for India's Poorest Need Targeted Intervention;Anamitra Roychowdhury and Nivedita Sarkar

https://thewire.in/economy/why-relief-packages-for-indias-poorest-need-targeted-intervention

 

Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:15 PM).