*CORONAVIRUS - INDIA*

 400 million Indians at risk of sinking into poverty: UN report

https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/400-million-informal-workers-at-risk-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-un-report-6352988/

As a fallout of the “worst global crisis since World War II”, approximately 400 million Indians employed in the informal sector are at risk of slipping deeper into poverty, according to International Labour Organisation (ILO). Globally coronavirus pandemic will likely impact 195 million full-time jobs or about 6.7 percent of working hours in the second quarter of 2020. A report published by UN labour body, detailing how COVID-19 will affect the world, revealed that the crisis is already impacting tens of millions of informal sector workers and will further put around 2 billion people at risk. This trend will be mostly seen in developing economies, it said.“In India, with a share of almost 90 per cent of people working in the informal economy, about 400 million workers are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the crisis. Current lockdown measures in India, which are at high end of Oxford’s COVID-19 Govt Response Stringency Index, have impacted these workers significantly, forcing many of them to return to rural areas,” the report said emphasising the substantial impact of lockdown and other containment measures on informal economies of developing nations. Globally 1.25 billion informal workers are at high risk of “drastic and devastating” increase in dismissals along with reduction in wages and working hours. Many such workers are in low-skilled and low-paying jobs in which sudden loss of incomes can have profound consequences.indianexpress

 

COVID-19: Amnesty International asks Assam govt to release inmates of detention centers

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/covid19-amnesty-international-asks-assam-govt-to-release-inmates-of-detention-centers/1793747

Amnesty International India has urged Assam govt to immediately release all those declared as ‘irregular foreigners’ and detained in the “overcrowded” detention centers of the state.Amnesty International India executive director Avinash Kumar,said regardless of COVID-19, Assam government must “release all those who have been detained for a prolonged period of time in the detention centers and end their legal limbo". "Migration status is and must be irrelevant to every human being’s dignity and their right to live,” he said. While Assam''s move to release over 700 prisoners to contain COVID-19 outbreak is welcome, CM Sarbananda Sonowal must ensure that those declared foreigners and detained across 6 detention centers in the state are also released immediately, it said.As the pandemic spreads, the state govt must recognise that around 800 "irregular foreigners" in detention centers face a heightened risk of infection and must do everything to protect them, starting with their immediate release, it said.Global organisations like UNHRC, UNHCR, WHO and International Organisation for Migration have called on governments to release migrant detainees without delay, “considering the lethal consequences” of the COVID19 outbreak.PTI

 

Fears of coronavirus outbreak in Assam's detention centres:Al Jazeera reprort

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/india-fears-coronavirus-outbreak-assam-detention-centres-200408075603980.html

Goalpara:last time Gulbahar Begum, 28, saw her father at home was in Nov. 2017. Since then, every other month, she travels nearly 145km to Tezpur detention centre in Sonitpur district of India's northeastern state of Assam to meet Gul Mohammad.Mohammad, 69, was declared an "illegal immigrant" by the Foreigners Tribunal, a quasi-judicial court in Assam, and thrown into jail for not being able to produce enough documents to prove his citizenship.Over the past three weeks, Gulbahar is waging a legal battle to free her father due to the global coronavirus pandemic. She says worries over the health of her father do not allow her to sleep. "My father has various health issues including a kidney ailment. His left leg often swells up," Gulbahar, who hails from Barkhal village in Assam's Marigaon district, told Al Jazeera. "He should have been home in this public health crisis and not in a detention centre."aljazeera

Woman in Assam Detention Centre Dies of Cancer; Toll Touches 30 Mark

https://clarionindia.net/woman-in-assam-detention-center-dies-of-cancer-toll-touches-30-mark/

 Roba Begum, a 60-year-old woman, became 30th casualty of Assam’s detention centres. Begum, who was battling with cancer, passed away in the centre located in Kokrajhar area of the state on Sunday evening, Indian Express reported.The report said that the deceased was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the district. According to the report, her grandson Islamuddin (30) said his mother (Begum’s daughter Mina) is in the same detention facility. “My mother and grandmother were picked up the same day. Now that my grandmother is gone, my mother is alone there. She was suffering for a long time from cancer.” Indian Express /clarionindia

 

25% Retailers May Be Out of Business After Lockdown: Retailers Association of India

https://thewire.in/economy/25-retailers-may-be-out-of-business-after-lockdown-retailers-association-of-india

New Delhi: Around 25% of retailers would require serious infusion of capital to help them deal with the impact of 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed to check the spread of coronavirus disease, else they would be out of business, Retailers Association of India (RAI) said based on its estimates. Says Kumar Rajagopalan, RAI chief executive officer: “It’s a tough situation until the government comes to the rescue. Non-food retailers have had no revenues during the lockdown, yet their fixed costs continue.”To add to the woes, retailers who are members of the association say that they have to get rid of 20% of their workforce to survive, with smaller retailers saying it would be as high as 30% after the lockdown is lifted.thewire

 

When Lockdown is Lifted, Manufacturers Face Challenge to Get Labour Back

https://thewire.in/labour/when-lockdown-is-lifted-manufacturers-face-challenge-to-get-labour-back

New Delhi: With migrant factory workers leaving India’s major cities after a government lockdown announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24, manufacturing companies are staring at the challenge of getting the labour force back once operations resume on April 15. Factory workers can only be brought back if there is an assurance of advance payment and compensation, besides safety at the workplace, say manufacturers.The auto ancillary industry — one of the worst-hit due to the labour exodus — will need at least three months to get its factories up and running. According to an ancillary supplier to the auto industry, even if the situation normalises in next 2-3 months, production will not be over 30%. Indian auto component industry contributes 2.3% to India’s gross domestic product and provides employment to 5 million people.thewire

 

Covid-19: Goldman Sachs cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 1.6% from 5.8% for 2020-’21

https://scroll.in/latest/958639/covid-19-goldman-sachs-cuts-indias-gdp-growth-forecast-to-1-6-from-5-8-for-2020-21

US-based multinational investment bank Goldman Sachs has predicted that the Indian economy will grow just 1.6% in 2020-’21 due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. This would be the lowest pace of growth in several decades, and is the worst forecast made by research agencies for India amid the pandemic.This is the second time that Goldman Sachs has slashed its forecast for India’s economic growth for 2020-’21, according to BloombergQuint. Its previous estimate for the same period was 5.8%.scroll/PTI

 

At All Party Meet, PM Modi Hints That COVID-19 Lockdown Could Be Extended

https://thewire.in/government/covid-19-lockdown-extension-modi-all-party-meet

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi, in a video interaction on Wednesday with floor leaders of opposition and other parties in Parliament, ruled out all possibilities of a complete withdrawal of the nationwide lockdown. He also suggested that it may be necessary to extend 21-day lockdown that ends on April 14 to contain the spread of coronavirus.The video interaction was carried out as the last week saw India report a massive spurt in COVID-19 cases. Authorities have called the next few days as “make-or-break week” as they have been struggling to stem the rising number of COVID-19 cases.  The number of COVID-19 cases surged to 5274 in India, including 149 deaths, Union Health Ministry said in its latest briefing. While there are 4714 active cases, as many as 410 persons have recovered. According to the Union Health Ministry, a total of 773 cases and 32 deaths were reported in last 24 hours. BJD’s Pinaki Mishra confirmed that PM Modi told politicians that the lockdown will not be lifted completely after April 14. Modi reportedly said that before taking any decision regarding the extension of lockdown, he would consult all CMs. He emphasised that completely lifting lockdown “is not possible”. PM’s final decision is likely to be announced this weekend. However, before announcement, Modi will hold a meeting with CMs on Saturday. However, it is unclear how Centre and state govts are planning to give relief to lakhs of migrant workers and informal sector workers who have been rendered jobless because of lockdown. The issue of rising unemployment and strain on various businesses are also a problem that govts face. Union health ministry stated that the government has identified multiple districts across the country to be sealed off. These areas have been identified as coronavirus hotspots or could potentially be hotspots. Even if the restrictions are eased, these factors will dictate how the government goes about lifting the lockdown. thewire

PM Says Situation Similar to 'Social Emergency', Suggests Lockdown Won't Be Lifted in One Go

 

UP seals Covid-19 hotspots in 15 districts, makes mask mandatory

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-lockdown-uttar-pradesh-to-completely-seal-15-districts-till-april-13-1664677-2020-04-08

UP has ordered a complete shutdown of Covid-19 hotposts in 15 districts to check the spread of novel coronavirus. The order will come into effect from 12 am tonight and continue till April 15. All essential services will be home delivered and no one will be allowed to move out, sources in government have said. Curfew passes will also be reviewed, UP Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari has said. 15 districts where hotspots will be shut down are Lucknow, Agra, Ghaziabad, Gautambudh Nagar (Noida), Kanpur, Varanasi, Shamli, Meerut, Bareilly, Bulandshahar, Firozabad, Maharajganj, Sitapur, Saharanpur and Basti. Earlier, UP Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tewari said that all 15 districts shall be sealed. Later in a statement, ACS Home Awaneesh Awasthi clarified that the sealing will be effective only in hotspot areas of these 15 districts.People in the sealed hotspots will not be allowed to step out of the house for anything. Essential commodities will be delivered at home. People can order groceries and medicines online. A senior health official in UP administration, Amit Mohan, on Wednesday, said that masks have been made mandatory. Anyone who steps out of the house will have to wear a mask or cover their face.Coronavirus cases have been reported from 37 districts of Uttar Pradesh with the number climbing to 326 on Wednesday. So far, UP authorities have identified 1,600 people associated with Jamaat. Of them, 1,200 have been quarantined.indiatoday

 UP: Crowds at banks as lockdown extension appears possible

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/uttar-pradesh-crowds-at-banks-as-lockdown-extension-appears-possible

With newspapers and television channels announcing the possibility of the national lockdown being extended, people, on Wednesday, started rushing to the banks that witnessed substantial crowds.The police in Uttar Pradesh had a tough time ensuring social distancing outside the banks.The bank staff also tried to persuade the customers to stand at circled spots to ensure social distancing. However, since most banks do not have shades or porches, the customers were obviously uncomfortable standing in the sun.PTI

 All COVID-19 tests to be free of cost, SC orders

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-orders-free-coronavirus-testing-at-private-labs-1664802-2020-04-08

The Supreme Court has ordered private medical labs across the country to not charge patients for testing for Covid 19. According to the Supreme Court, tests relating to Covid-19 whether in approved government laboratories or approved private laboratories shall be free of cost.The court added that coronavirus tests must be carried out in NABL-accredited labs or any agencies approved by the WHO or ICMR.The apex court also said that the issue of whether the labs will be reimbursed by the government will be decided later."Private hospitals including laboratories have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis," the Supreme Court observed.indiatoday

 Over 29 million hydroxychloroquine doses bought by US have come from India: Trump

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/more-than-29-million-hydroxychloroquine-doses-bought-by-us-have-come-from-india-says-president-trump/article31286633.ece

A sizeable chunk of 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine bought by US to combat coronavirus pandemic is from India, President Donald Trump has said as he acknowledged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “great” when he sought his help to allow the sale of the anti-malaria drug to treat the growing number of COVID-19 patients in America. Trump and Prime Minister Modi spoke over the phone last week. During the call,  Trump requested Modi to lift the hold on the American order of hydroxychloroquine, of which India is the major producer. Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by US Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for COVID-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York. Anticipating that it will work, given initial positive results, Trump has bought more than 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine for potential treatment of COVID-19 patients.PTI

 Maharashtra CM announces ‘Fever Clinics’ for those with cough, cold and fever

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/maharashtra-cm-announces-fever-clinics-for-those-with-cough-cold-andfever

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced the start of ‘Fever Clinics’ to treat people suffering from cold, cough and fever. Announcing the launch of these clinics in all divisions of the state, he appealed to the people with these symptoms to approach these clinics first and not rush to hospitals.At the Fever Clinics, patients will be classified with mild, moderate and severe symtoms along with high BP and kidney ailments.nationalheraldindia

 Wearing face masks mandatory in Delhi, 20 hotspots to be sealed

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-live-news-updates-india-covid19-cases-trump-us-china-world-spain-italy-france-1664521-2020-04-08

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that the government has identified 20 Covid-19 hotspots that will be sealed to arrest the spread of the deadly diseases. He, however, did not reveal the names of the areas or the timeline of the sealing. As per top government sources, the full list of areas to be sealed in Delhi will be issued on Thursday, to avoid panic. The govt will ensure door-to-door delivery of essential services in sealed areas. Delhi CM has also said that wearing masks while going out has been made compulsory in the national capital. People found without the mask will be persecuted.indiatoday

 Mumbai makes it mandatory to wear masks in public places, violators face arrest

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/coronavirus-mumbai-makes-it-mandatory-to-wear-masks-6353465/

After Chandigarh, wearing masks or covering the face with cloth while moving out has been made mandatory in Mumbai, which accounts for nearly 73 per cent of the total cases in Maharashtra. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also said that people violating the order would face arrest under Section 188 of IPC. Mumbai has alone reported 782 positive cases and 50 deaths. Maharashtra has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country at 1,078, including 80 patients who have recovered. On Tuesday, Chandigarh became the first to make wearing masks or covering face with cloth mandatory. indianexpress

 J&K, Ladakh make wearing face masks mandatory

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/j-k-ladakh-make-wearing-face-masks-mandatory-1664824-2020-04-08

Jammu/Leh:Wearing face masks has been made mandatory in the Civil Secretariat-the seat of J&K govt--and Leh district in Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said on Wednesday.An order issued by General Administration Department (GAD) said face masks have been made mandatory for all the officers, staff and visitors in Civil Secretariat as a preventive measure to stop the spread of coronavirus.indiatoday

  Heavy police deployment for Shab-e-Barat, Muslim leaders say arrest those who violate orders

https://theprint.in/india/heavy-police-deployment-for-shab-e-barat-muslim-leaders-say-arrest-those-who-violate-orders/397935/

New Delhi: Amid the nationwide lockdown due to te Covid-19 crisis, Shab-e-Barat celebrations Wednesday night have been prohibited across the country, and all state police have been asked to strictly enforce orders to not allow any congregation. Although all state police have made adequate arrangements to ensure that law and order is maintained, Muslim community leaders have also come on board and appealed to the people to observe Shab-e-Barat at home, and pray indoors. Some have also gone as far as to say that those who violate orders and come out of their homes must be arrested.Zafarul Islam Khan, chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission, said that Muslims across the country will follow government orders to stay indoors, as it is their “collective moral responsibility”.“A joint appeal by the entire Muslim leadership was made to the people saying that due to Covid-19 situation, no one should come out of their homes at night,” Khan said. Khan said anyone who violates the order to remain indoors be arrested and punished.theprint

Muslim leaders urge social distancing, to stay home on Shab-e-Bara’at

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-india-lockdown-muslim-leaders-urge-social-distancing-on-shab-e-baraat-6352287/

New Delhi : Many Muslim leaders, across sects, have issued a joint appeal asking members of the community to refrain from any kind of fraternising or physical congregation on Shab-e-Bara’at which falls on April 8- 9.“An effective way to protect ourselves from this virus is to observe social distancing and people should not assemble in any place. It is part of wisdom and expediency that the same is observed during Shab-e Bara’at,” says 3-paragraph message in several languages. Asking “all Muslims to spend Shab-e Bara’at at home offering prayers, reciting the Holy Quran and doing zikr and du’a”, it says they “should not visit graveyards but pray for their departed relatives while staying at home”.The signatories include Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, president, Muslim Ittehad Parishad, Barielly; Maulana Syed Mahmood Madni, general secretary, Jamiat Ulama-e Hind; Syed Saadatullah Husaini, Amir, Jamaat Islami Hind; Maulana Mufti Muhammad Mukarram, Shahi Imam, Masjid Fatehpuri Delhi; Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Salfi, Amir, Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e Hadees; Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, general secretary, Islami Fiqh Academy; Hazrat Muhammad Tanveer Hashmi, Sajjada Nasheen Khanqah Hashimiya, Bijapur, Karnataka; Maulana Sagheer Ahmad Khan, Amir-e Shariat, Karnataka; Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan Azhari, Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission; Hazrat Muhammad Mueen Miyan, Peer-e Tareeqat, Mumbai; Maulana Hafiz Syed Athar Ali, Nazim, Jamia Muhammadiya, Mumbai; Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Nadwi, Nazim, Jamiatus Salehat, Bengaluru; Maulana Amin Usmani, Secretary, Islami Fiqh Academy; Kamal Faruqi, ex-Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission and Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary General, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat.indianexpress

Ahead of Shab-e Bara'at, Muslim Leaders, Organisations Appeal for Social Distancing

 

Shab-e-Bara’at: Congregations banned in Srinagar, restrictions on movement of people

https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-india-latest-updates-08-april-6352862/

In Kashmir, tight curbs are in place on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. In view of the prevailing health situation, District Magistrate Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has issued an order prohibiting all sorts of religious congregations and public movement on occasion of Shab-e-Bara’at in Srinagar. Muslim leaders call for social distancing on Shab-e-Bara’at In Kashmir, tight curbs are in place on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. Many Muslim leaders, across sects, have issued a joint appeal asking members of the community to refrain from any kind of fraternising or physical congregation on Shab-e-Bara’at. Asking “all Muslims to spend Shab-e Bara’at at home offering prayers, reciting the Holy Quran and doing zikr and du’a”, the leaders emphasised on social distancing and asked people “not to visit graveyards but pray for their departed relatives while staying at home”. indianexpress

 

'Finding a Scapegoat': 109 Citizens Urge Govt, Media to Stop Communalising COVID-19

https://thewire.in/communalism/coronavirus-tablighi-jamaat-scapegoat-muslims

New Delhi: Academics, students, lawyers, activists and others from across various walks of life have released a statement condemning the communalisation of COVID-19 spread in India and the automatic criminalisation of Muslims in media and by govt. The statement recognises the sudden glare on Markaz at Nizamuddin, HQRS of Tablighi Jamaat. There, a gathering was held recently, which was attended by thousands of delegates who dispersed to various parts of the country afterwards. Several of them have tested positive for coronavirus. However, with the government’s recognition of Nizamuddin as a “hotspot” for the virus, a brand of raw communalism has been unleashed on Tablighi attendees in particular and Muslims in general.“There is no doubt that in the light of the crisis, this event, much like all other events, should have been immediately cancelled. However, criminalising the organisers and participants of Jamaat is nothing short of finding a scapegoat within the Muslim minority community in India,” the statement says.thewire

 

Maulana Saad, at a relative’s house in Delhi, under self-quarantine: personal assistant

https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/maulana-saad-chief-of-the-tabligh-millions-and-his-tryst-with-infamy-6352444/

New : For a week now, there has been no sign of Maulana Saad Kandhlawi, head of Delhi-based Tablighi Jamaat Markaz which ignored prohibitory orders to go ahead with its global congregation in Nizamuddin last month, and is now being blamed by health authorities for the spread of COVID-19 across the country.Saad has not been seen since March 31, the day Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Markaz gathering as “very irresponsible” and “wrong”. That very day, Delhi Police filed an FIR against Saad and other members of Tablighi Jamaat. Saad’s personal assistant M Aleem claims Tablighi Jamaat chief is “at a relative’s house in Delhi, under self-quarantine”. This flies in the face of police claims that they have been looking for Saad since the day FIR was registered.Aleem said, “His (Saad’s) great-grandfather purchased land inside the Markaz premises many decades ago and family has been living there since. But now that it has been emptied, Maulana Saab is at a relative’s house in Delhi, under self-quarantine.” He says Saad is a “simple man who barely uses a phone or any technology… and has never had to deal with media, FIRs and lawyers”. Advocate Shahid Ali, who represents the Markaz and members of Tablighi Jamaat, says, “Markaz does not have a YouTube channel. In fact, Markaz has no social media account on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. This is not the Maulana’s audio clip, we have no idea who this is or who uploaded it.”Police are not buying this, nor the explanation on Saad’s whereabouts. “We have not been able to trace the Maulana,his lawyers keep saying he is under self-quarantine. Maulana has not come forward yet and the lawyers say he is in Delhi. Efforts are on to trace him,” says a senior police officer. According to Saad’s aide Aleem, global headquarters or the Markaz was set up at Banglewali Masjid in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area after Saad’s forefathers purchased land there. It has been the family home for decades. Saad has 5 children — 3 sons and 2 daughters. His two elder sons are married and teach at the madrasa inside the Markaz. Markaz, according to one of its officials, is a 5-storey structure with a basement and a terrace. indianexpress

 

Maulana Saad To Join Probe After Isolation Period:Lawyer

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tablighi-jamaat-leader-maulana-saad-will-join-probe-after-isolation-period-is-over-says-lawyer-2208470

New Delhi: Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi will join investigation after his quarantine period is over, his lawyer Tauseef Khan said on Wednesday.On Tuesday, Delhi Police filed a case against 7 people, including the cleric for holding a religious event, allegedly in violation of the lockdown orders and not maintaining social distance to contain spread of coronavirus.Delhi Police's Crime Branch wrote to Maulana Saad and others on Wednesday, seeking the details under Section 91 of Code of Criminal Procedure."Saad is currently under self quarantine and will join investigation once the period of 14 days gets over," his advocate, Tauseef Khan, told PTI.

Maulana Saad traced in Delhi, police to question after quarantine period is over

 

Tablighi Jamaat had major role in spreading virus: Gujarat Deputy CM

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tablighi-jamaat-had-major-role-in-spreading-the-virus-says-nitin-patel-6352548/

Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel , alleged that some members of Islamic sect, Tablighi Jamaat, have played a major role in spreading COVID-19 in state and the country by “not cooperating with authorities” and “hiding their travel history” to Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi.Rupani also said a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in Gujarat was because of “mistakes” committed by Tablighi Jamaat members who attended a gathering in Delhi last month. CM Vijay Rupani also said a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in Gujarat was because of “mistakes” committed by Tablighi Jamaat members who attended a gathering in Delhi.indianexpress

 

Mamata skips details on Tablighi Jamaat attendees, says Covid-19 does not discriminate

https://scroll.in/latest/958629/mamata-banerjee-skips-details-on-tablighi-jamaat-attendees-says-covid-19-does-not-discriminate

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that Covid-19, disease caused by coronavirus, does not discriminate on the basis of caste or religion, reported PTI. CM made the comments while refusing to divulge information on those who attended Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi last month, which has triggered a spike in the number of cases in the country.“Don’t ask communal questions,” she said during a press briefing when asked if all those who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event had been identified in the state. scroll

 

Community Leaders Ask PM to Address Nation to Check Hate-mongering over Coronavirus

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/community-leaders-ask-pm-to-address-the-nation-to-check-hate-mongering-over-coronavirus

New Delhi:Community and civic leaders have urged PM Narendra Modi to appeal to the people to desist from communalising coronavirus pandemic that has claimed around 150 lives so far and infected several thousand others in the country.These community leaders have appealed to PM following several incidents of hate attacks on Muslims in several towns and villages and boycott of Muslim vendors and traders after the revelation that 4,000 Muslims were attending a congregation at Tablighi Jamaat Markaz at Nizamuddin in New Delhi in March and media, including print, TV channels and social media, propagating that the coronavirus cases in India have gone up due to the Delhi congregation.“The way a section of media presented the Nizamuddin incident and tried to communalize it in very irresponsible way, it is the responsibility of government to stop this trend of hatemongering,” said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Vice President of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Navaid Hamid, head of All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, also sought PM’s intervention to check large-scale hate campaign against the minority community.Delhi Minorities Commission Chairman Dr Zafarul Islam Khan said,“PM, Home Minister and NSA should come out. But, on the contrary, they are adding fuel to fire. Every govt spokesperson who speaks on Coronavirus news, unfailingly mentions Tablighi Jamaat and other officials also mention Tablighi Jamaat, said Dr Khan. Lambasting media, Dr Khan sought the intervention of the Supreme Court. Kamal Faruqui, ex Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission, is also not hopeful that PM would address the nation on this issue. Eminent human rights activist Ravi Nair strongly criticized PM.“This PM’s behaviour is not that of an Indian Prime Minister. He acts as if he is PM of only those who believe in Hindutva. It is foolish to have any expectations of him,” said Nair.indiatomorrow

 

Call it a mistake, not conspiracy against India, say Muslim scholars on Tablighi Jamaat event

https://theprint.in/india/call-it-a-mistake-not-conspiracy-against-india-say-muslim-scholars-on-tablighi-jamaat-event/397319/

New Delhi: The health ministry has said 1,445 of COVID-19 cases are linked to Tablighi Jamaat congregation that took place at its Nizamuddin headquarters in Delhi in mid-March.ThePrint spoke to some of the leading Muslim scholars of different Islamic bodies on what they make of the incident and the controversies that followed.Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH), said narrative around Tablighi Jamaat incident has “served to make every Muslim an enemy in the eyes of the majority”.“They want all Hindus to think that only Muslims can cause them danger, so maintain your distance and hatred against them,” Madani told ThePrint. “Each time there was a bomb blast in the country, home ministry would find some Muslim men to blame. These men would then rot in jail for eternity, even if they were innocent,” Madani said. Ejaz Aslam, ex secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said.“But to make it out to be some sort of a deliberate conspiracy against the country is downright deplorable,” he added.“The people of Tablighi Jamaat made a grave error, but so did Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa, and so did all leaders who continued to attend Parliament during the same period as the congregation.”The scholars also argued that the incident and its coverage has led to many cases of harassment of Muslims.theprint

 

Tablighi Jamaat: Jamiat Seeks SC Action Against Media For Spreading Communal Hatred

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-tablighi-jamaat-muslim-body-seeks-sc-action-against-media-spreading-communal-hatred/350225

Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind has filed a PIL in the Supreme Court, to prevent the communalisation of the Nizamuddin Markaz issue by certain sections of print and electronic media.Filed by advocate Ejaz Maqbool on behalf of Jamiat, the petition has alleged that baseless allegations and fake reports have triggered communal antagonism and has also perpetrated hatred. This has resulted in fissiparous tendencies gaining foothold, undermining and affecting communal harmony, the petition alleged.Muslim body has sought a direction from the top court to Centre and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to stop dissemination of fake news and take strict action against those sections of the media which spread bigotry and communal hatred.outlookindia

 

UP: Locals Beat 6 Over Reports That One of Them Went to Tablighi Event

https://www.thequint.com/news/india/ghaziabad-locals-beat-6-students-over-reports-that-one-of-them-went-to-tablighi-event

6 students, who were staying at a private hostel in Ghaziabad, were allegedly thrashed by locals following reports that one of them had attended Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, police said.The students, who are from different states, were staying in Radhey Shyam Vihar colony of Muradnagar, police said. After assaulting the students, locals handed them over to the police.PTI

 

Congress for action against Tablighi Jamaat for law violations

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=694269

New Delhi;Joining the chorus for action against Tablighi Jamaat for organising a congregation at Nizammudin despite prohibitory orders, Congress said, it had maintained the stand that action should be taken against the law violators." Congress has been saying from the day one that those who violated the prohibitory orders, be it Tablighi Jamaat, some other organisation or any individual, be taken to task."If anybody has violated the tourist visa rules, there should be action against him as per the law of the country. The whole nation stands together over that," said chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.Congress also raised the question that who sent National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Nizamuddin and how Maulana Saad , head of Tablighi Jamaat, was absconding.IANS

 

Maharashtra govt questions NSA advisor, Tablighi Jamaat chief's meet

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/maharashtra-govt-questions-nsa-advisor-tablighi-jamaat-chiefs-meet-822985.html

In what could snowball into a Centre vs State issue, Maharashtra government on Wednesday raised questions over midnight meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Tablighi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad. Maharashtra's home minister Anil Deshmukh of NCP raised a question as to how religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz was allowed when it was just a stone-throw distance away from Nizamuddin police station. deccanherald

 

RSS says Tablighi Jamaat conduct not reflection on all Muslims, they’re aiding govt in fight

https://theprint.in/india/rss-says-tablighi-jamaat-conduct-not-reflection-on-all-muslims-theyre-aiding-govt-in-fight/396166/

New Delhi:The leadership of Tablighi Jamaat should have shown “sensible responsibility like RSS… and cancelled its programme”, joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya said. Vaidya said Sangh had cancelled several programmes in deference to govt’s call for social distancing. But even as he criticised Tablighi Jamaat’s conduct, he hailed the role played by Muslim community at large. The community, he said, had been tipping off the administration about the hideouts of Tablighi members who were present at its Nizamuddin HQRS last month when it reportedly became a centre of Covid-19 infection.“Even in the Muslim community, many people have acted responsibly. But unfortunately, one section of the community is not responsible. They are being insensitive and perverse,” he added.  “So, within their community also, they are also getting exposed. So I think something good will emerge out of this.”theprint

 

Media misreport: Tablighi Jamaat members defecate in open after being refused non-veg food

https://www.altnews.in/media-misreport-tablighi-jamat-defecating-in-open-after-being-refused-non-veg-food/

On April 4, Hindi daily Amar Ujala published an article with the headline, “क्वारंटीन वार्ड में भर्ती जमातियों ने मांगा मांसाहारी भोजन, नहीं देने पर खाना फेंका, फिर खुले में किया शौच (‘Jamaatis’ admitted in the quarantine ward ask for non-veg food, throw food [they were served], defecate in the open). The report claimed that incident happened in quarantine centres in Saharanpur, UP.  “SDM SN Sharma informed that Jamaatis from different regions were kept in the quarantine ward set up at Jain inter college. [We were] informed that when the Jamaatis were given food, they threw it and demanded non-veg food. When their demands weren’t completed, they defecated in the open,” stated the report. Another prominent daily Patrika reported along similar lines: “Non-veg food isn’t served in quarantine centre but jamaatis had asked for non-veg food. When they didn’t get non-veg food, they threw the ‘pure protein-rich’ food. Not just that, there is an allegation against jamaatis for defecating in the open.” Interestingly, this article also quoted [Rampur Maniharan] station in-charge who said that according to their primary probe, members of Tablighi had thrown leftovers behind the building. However, reports of open defecation are yet to be confirmed, cop was further quoted. Saharanpur police probed claims about members of Tablighi defecating in the open when they weren’t served non-veg food as per their demands. The police found the report to be untrue.altnews

 

Old video of Pak mentally-challenged man falsely viral as Tablighi Jamaat member roaming naked in isolation ward

https://www.altnews.in/old-video-from-pakistan-shared-as-tablighi-jamaat-member-roaming-naked-in-isolation-ward/

A video of a bloodied man lying naked is widely circulating on social media with the claim that he is a member of Tablighi Jamaat in a coronavirus isolation ward.The video has been shared in the backdrop of several news reports claiming that Jamaat members were roaming around nude and misbehaving with staff in a Ghaziabad hospital. With a keyword search on YouTube, Alt News found an extended video of the same incident posted on August 26, 2019. From 21 seconds onward in the video below, one can see the same visuals viral on social media. The video is titled, “Naked man entered in Mosque, Gulshan e Hadeed Karachi.” According to clip’s description, the video is from Pakistan’s Karachi and the incident took place at a mosque in “Gulshan e Hadeed”.ccording to description, the man was identified as Shafiq Abro who was later arrested by the police. It also said that the man is the son of a police commando and he is mentally-challenged.Therefore, an old video shot at a mosque in Pakistan’s Karachi was shared as members of Tablighi Jamaat running around naked in isolation wards and causing destruction to public property. altnews

 

UP: Police Says Zee News Report on Medical Workers, Tablighi Jamaat Members Being Attacked Is False

https://thewire.in/media/firozabad-police-zee-news-tablighi-jamaat

Firozabad police have said a news report published by Zee News on April 6, 2020, which alleged that a medical team in UP that was escorting Tablighi Jamaat members who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus was pelted with stones, is falso.Warning Zee News to remove its tweet based on the report, Firozabad police tweeted, “You are spreading false and misleading news when neither a medical team nor any ambulance has been pelted with stones in Firozabad district. Delete your tweet immediately.”thewire  

Maharashtra Files FIR Against Journalists on "Hate" Allegations

 http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/tablighi-markaz-assam-police-registers-sedition-case-arrests-muslim-mla-on-communal-remarks-maharashtra-police-drags-its-feet-to-file-fir-against-tv-journalists-on-hate-allegations

Maharashtra police has filed an FIR against 7 journalists including ABP editor Ashok Kumar Sarkar on allegations of hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity on basis of religion. Parbhani-based lawyer Junaid Jilani Syed said that on April 5, he filed a complaint with the Parbhani Police Commissioner, seeking registration of a criminal case against them. “He said that in his complaint in Marathi language, which translated into English reads, “India TV, ABP, Zee News, News Nation and Aaj Tak were giving wrong news. Their coverage was hurting the sentiments of Muslim community as they used terms like corona jihad”. Junaid also mentioned the names of India TV promoter Rajat Sharma, Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary, Anjana Om Kashyap of Aaj Tak, ABP news anchors Rubika Liyaqat, Romana Khan and News Nation anchor Deepak Chaurasia as journalist promoting enmity among different communities. He also mentioned name of ABP editor Ashok Kumar Sarkar in the complaint.India Tomorrow

 

''Don''t take currency from Muslims'': Rumours after Tablighi COVID-19 link

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/dont-take-currency-from-muslims-rumours-after-tablighi-covid19-link-ians-exclusive/1795638

The exposure of Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the national capital and some social media videos have spread a myth in society and a message is being circulated that "don''t receive money from Muslims" to avoid transmission of the novel coronavirus.Such rumours, which call for immediate action from the administration, have introduced new issues in society as many wagers of the "Islamic community" have to hide their identity while selling some essential items like vegetables and fruits.These vegetable and fruit vendors have adopted this method after people from different sections stopped buying items from them after knowing about their community, resulting in bread and butter issues for some innocent people from the community.The message has not only affected the service class educated wing of the society but also middle class people and below residing in small towns and villages across Delhi, NCR and its nearby states like Haryana and some parts of Uttar Pradesh.IANS

 

UP Police Denounces Fake News By ANI

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/up-police-denounces-fake-news-by-news-agency-ani

New Delhi: News agency ANI connected the news related to Quarantine Centre of Noida to Tablighi Jamaat and the news was retweeted by many big journalists targeting the Islamic organisation. The tweet claimed that DCP Gautam Buddha Nagar, Sankalp Sharma, said those who came in contact with Tablighi Jamaat have been quarantined. The official twitter handle of DCP Noida, tagging the report of ANI tweeted: "People who had come in contact with Corona positive case were quarantined as per the laid procedure. There was no mention of Tablighi Jamaat.You are misquoting and spreading fake news".It is still unknown why a big news agency like ANI needed to make fake news related to Tablighi Jamaat, quoting DCP Noida. The fake news of ANI was retweeted by News18 Managing Editor Amish Devgan criticising the Tablighi Jamaat.India Tomorrow

 

'Corona Crossword': Dainik Bhaskar Attempts to Communalise COVID-19 Pandemic

https://thewire.in/media/dainik-bhaskar-covid-19-pandemic-tablighi-jamaat

New Delhi: If you thought solving puzzles could be fun during the lockdown, Dainik Bhaskar, one of the biggest Hindi dailies, has other plans for you. In an attempt to further communalise the coronavirus pandemic in India, the daily published a crossword on April 7 that amplified the role of Tablighi Jamaat’s cluster and also heaped praise on PM Narendra Modi. Newslaundry reported some of crossword questions as follows:“Which association’s negligence led to a surge in coronavirus cases in the country? (4,3)”. “Who is the head of the Islamic association in Delhi that gathers thousands of people? (3,2)”. “Which building in Delhi was sealed after a gathering of thousands of people?”. “Maulana who gripped thousands of Jamaatis with coronavirus can be given _________ punishment.” The clues, the national daily claimed, were to promote self-quarantine and increase awareness about COVID-19. “The chain of coronavirus will break if you stay at home. This corona crossword will increase your knowledge,”daily claimed.thewire

 

Jharkhand: One dead after clashes over rumours of Muslim men spitting to spread coronavirus

https://scroll.in/latest/958611/jharkhand-one-dead-after-clashes-over-rumours-of-muslim-men-spitting-to-spread-coronavirus

A youth was beaten to death and two others were injured on Tuesday after rumours about Muslim men intentionally spitting to spread coronavirus led to clashes in Jharkhand’s Gumla district.“Some people were beaten up in Gumla – a tribal boy died and two other people are injured,” ML Meena, Jharkhand’s additional director general of police (operations), told Scroll.in. The incident took place near Bhadauli village of the district, United News of India reported. Jharkhand police spokesperson Saket Kumar Singh said the situation was tense after the incident but was brought under control. A large number of police personnel have also been deployed in the area, according to News18.Scroll.in

 

Hindu Mahasabha leader arrested with husband in Aligarh for communal remarks

http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/hindu-mahasabha-leader-arrested-with-husband-in-aligarh-for-communal-remarks/287007/

Police in Aligarh say that they have arrested Hindu Mahasabha General Secretary Puja Shakun Pandey and her husband Ashok Pandey from their home on Tuesday for allegedly making an inflammatory statement against a particular community.Both have been arrested after a former Samajwadi Party MLA from Aligarh City, Haji Zameer Ullah Khan, filed a police complaint highlighting the objectionable comments made by Puja Pandey about Tablighi Jamaat during a press conference on 4 April. jantakareporter

 

UP shooter Vartika Singh announces reward of Rs 51,000 for arrest of Tablighi chief

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/up-shooter-announces-reward-for-arrest-of-tablighi-chief-66896

Lucknow:Acclaimed shooter Vartika Singh has announced a reward of Rs 51,000 for anyone who helps in the arrest of Tablighi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad Kandhalvi.In a video message posted on social media, Vartika has asked the government to book the cleric for sedition because he has endangered the lives of millions by hosting the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in the midst of the corona scare.tribuneindia

 

“Nobody should speak a word against Muslims. This is a warning”: Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa

http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/nobody-should-speak-a-word-against-muslims-this-is-a-warning-karnataka-cm-bs-yediyurappa/286977/

Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa has said that he will not tolerate attempts to blame the entire Muslim community for action a few members of Tablighi Jamaat in spreading coronavirus.Yediyurappa said that he anyone ‘blames entire Muslim community for the isolated incident,’ he will take action against them. “Nobody should speak a word against Muslims. This is a warning. If anyone blames the entire Muslim community for some isolated incident, I’ll take action against them also without a second thought. Will not give an opportunity for that,” Yediyurappa told TV9.jantakareporter

Karnataka BJP MLA: Tablighi Jamaat Members Can Be 'Shot Dead' for Not Seeking Treatment

https://thewire.in/communalism/bjp-mla-says-tablighi-jamaat-members-can-be-shot-dead-for-not-seeking-treatment

Karnataka BJP MLA M.P. Renukacharya, who is serving the political secretary to chief minister B.S. Yeddiyurappa, has said that people who returned from Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi identified as a coronavirus hotspot but not seeking treatment should be shot dead.Spreading COVID-19 is “like terrorism”, Renukacharya said, “all those who are spreading the virus are traitors”.thewire

 

Petition in Supreme Court demands demolition of Markaz, ban on Tablighi Jamaat activities

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/petition-in-supreme-court-demands-demolition-of-nizamuddin-markaz-ban-on-tablighi-jamaat-activities-605448

A letter petition filed in Supreme Court on Tuesday called upon the Union Home Ministry to impose a blanket ban on all activities of missionary movement Tablighi Jamaat, news agency ANI reported. ANI also cited the petition as it called upon the authorities to demolish the Nizamuddin office of Tablighi Jamaat, under relevant provisions of Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.indiatvnews

 

Coronavirus: Ashok Gehlot demands Supreme Court inquiry into Tabligh's New Delhi event

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/coronavirus-covid-19-supreme-court-inquiry-tabligh-event-ashok-gehlot-605419

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has demanded s Supreme Court inquiry into Tabligh-e-Jamaat event in New Delhi that caused a huge spike in Coronavirus cases. Gehlot said that a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge should head the inquiry into the event held in the month of March. He also called for punishment for the person who was responsible for the event held right when COVID-19 infection was spreading through the country.indiatvnews

 

Covid-19: Areas visited by Jamaat attendees to be identified from phone records, sealed

https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/areas-visited-by-jamaat-attendees-to-be-identified-from-phone-records-sealed/story-6mtfjwg6dA840ZfY1gPbfI.html

New Delhi: Mobile phones of around 2,000 participants in Tablighi Jamaat congregations will be tracked to ascertain areas they had visited while staying in Nizamuddin and mark them as containment zones, said chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, while outlining a 5-point action plan to prevent the spread of Covid-19.Kejriwal said, “Now, monitoring has to be stepped up at the hot spots. For instance, Markaz in Nizamuddin. We have provided around 2,000 phone numbers of individuals who participated in the Jamaat. We have to know areas they visited during their stay in the building and the people they came in contact with. All such areas will be sealed,” said Kejriwal said.Later, an official in the chief minister’s office said that by “seal”, Kejriwal had referred to geographical containment of the area to limit transmission of coronavirus. The capital, so far, has two identified cluster hot spots — Dilshad Garden and Nizamuddin — both of which are containment zones, ranging between two and four square kilometres. A slum in south Moti Bagh has also been cordoned off and subjected to the protocols of a containment zone, but it is officially yet to be notified as one.hindustantimes

 

In capital’s quarantine for Tablighis: 1000 in 2 buildings, flat number is ID

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-quarantine-tablighi-jamaat-coronavirus-6352454/

New Delhi :Announcements from loudspeakers never stop at the quarantine facility at Narela in outer Delhi.Around 2 pm, members of Tablighi Jamaat step out of their flats and form a line, as instructions boom from a loudspeaker. They are supposed to be screened for symptoms of the coronavirus — part of a daily routine at the facility.Just last month, 1,000-odd men quarantined at the facility had participated in a gathering at Markaz Nizamuddin.At Narela facility, the men are known less by their names and more by their flat numbers. During the daily screening, a nursing attendant announces flat numbers one by one. There are around 1,300 people under lockdown in 3 buildings. 2 buildings house around 1,000 Tablighi Jamaat members, while the third houses people who came from abroad last month and were sent to quarantine from the airport.indianexpress

 

Mobile cos help trace 1,061 from Mumbai who were at Tablighi Jamaat meet

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mobile-cos-help-trace-1061-from-city-who-were-at-tablighi-jamaat-meet/articleshow/75038502.cms

Mumbai: With help from cellphone firms, state home department was able to trace presence of 1,885 individuals from Mumbai in the vicinity of Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, which led to a spike in Covid-19 cases across India, reports Prafulla Marpakwar.Home minister Anil Deshmukh said, "We got their locations from cell towers. Of the 1,885, 1,826 persons have been traced while 59 are yet to be traced." But 824 of those from Mumbai who were in the area were not associated with the meet in any manner."He said those untraceable had switched off their cellphones and they would be booked unless they came forward.TOI

60 Tablighi Jamaat attendees in Maharashtra switch off mobile phones, go into hiding

 

6 Malaysians in Hyderabad booked for not disclosing visit to Tablighi Jamaat event

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/6-malaysians-hyderabad-booked-not-disclosing-visit-tablighi-jamaat-event-122097

A case has been registered against a group of 6 Malaysians in Hyderabad on charges of violating visa norms and not disclosing to authorities that they had attended the religious meeting of Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi last month. They were allegedly hiding at a mosque in Tolichowki area. Police also booked the incharge of the mosque for hiding information about presence of the Malaysians.thenewsminute

 

Coronavirus: 10 policemen in Bhopal got infection from Tablighi Jamaat members, says senior officer

https://scroll.in/latest/958570/coronavirus-10-policemen-in-bhopal-got-infection-from-tablighi-jamaat-members-says-senior-officer

A senior police officer from MP said on Tuesday that 10 policemen who contracted the coronavirus in Bhopal probably got it from Tablighi Jamaat members, who were hiding in different mosques in state capital. IGP(Bhopal) Upendra Jain said. Of 10 infected police personnel, 8 are constables, one is a city superintendent of police and another is a sub-inspector. 5 of their family members have also tested positive. Policemen who came in contact with the infected personnel are in self-quarantine.scroll

 

Himachal Police thanks Tablighi Jamaat members for reporting their travel history, denies tenants being asked to vacate due to communal divisions

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/shimla/not-right-that-some-tenants-being-asked-to-vacate-due-to-communal-divisions-himachal-police-6352011/

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh Police has said some tenants in the state had been asked to vacate their accommodations due to communal divisions.“This is not right. During times like this, all of us must rise above our differences and put up a united front against the virus,” said DGP S R Mardi in a video address to the public, without elaborating on these instances. DGP also thanked members of Tablighi Jamaat for coming forward and reporting their travel history to the health surveillance authorities.“A total of 421 people, including those who went to Delhi and others who came in close contact with them, have been identified and quarantined,” he said.indianexpress

 

Hyderabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind donates PPE to doctors

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/muslim-body-donates-ppe-to-doctors/articleshow/75037061.cms

Hyderabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Hyderabad, donated a hundred personal protective equipment (PPE) to doctors at Chest, Niloufer and Fever hospitals on Tuesday. Kits were handed over to principal of Osmania Medical College P Shashikala Reddy by Hamed Mohammed Khan, state president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH).JIH said city chapter of Doctors Association for Relief and Education (DARE) , which was working closely with resident doctors, identified and decided to fulfil PPE requirements of medical staff by approaching different organisations.TOI

Modi's 'PM CARES' coronavirus fund slammed as donations pour in: Aljazeera

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/modi-pm-cares-coronavirus-fund-slammed-donations-pour-200408103827177.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing criticism for creating a new coronavirus relief fund when about $500m was lying unspent in an older fund, even as top businesses and celebrities pledge millions of dollars in new donations.Modi launched "PM CARES" fund last month to provide relief to those affected by coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 5,000 people in India, and killed 149 so far. The main opposition Congress party has said the new fund lacks transparency, and it has questioned why it was created and why it could not be merged with the older fund, PM's National Relief Fund, which was set up in 1948 and has a balance of 38 billion rupees.Some aid groups are also concerned that new, high-profile fund might divert resources away from grassroots humanitarian efforts."Why did they need to create PM CARES fund?Societal consideration may be a priority for business houses but sometimes it becomes a race to be in good books," said Namita Gopal, a Mumbai-based consultant specialising in CSR. Less than 2 weeks after its launch, private firms have committed at least $295m, according to a Reuters' tally of announced contributions and details from lobby group, FICCI.

 

Amid lockdown, CAA protestors distribute food to migrants workers across India

https://www.livemint.com/

New Delhi: The first thing Shaikh Tabinda Adil did after watching Narendra Modi announce a 21-day nationwide lockdown starting in the next four hours, on 24 March, was call her mother. Adil was in Malmal, a remote village in Bihar’s Madhubani district; her mother, at home,in Mumbai. “Ammi, I’m scared. What if something happens to you?" University of Mumbai student cried. Adil, 22, had travelled to Malmal a month ago to participate in the protests against CAA, and is now stuck there as states shut borders to control the spread of coronavirus. She got in touch with Fahad Ahmad, senior research scholar at TISS and Mumbai’s face of anti-CAA protests, asking for financial help to distribute food kits in Malmal. Over 1,000 young Indians who were actively participating in protests against CAA across India have now turned their focus to providing food for the needy during the lockdown even as the Centre struggles to help migrant and daily-wage labourers during the pandemic. Utilizing the wide network, created during the protests, these young people are identifying clusters that need food, mobile recharge, and money, and raising funds through word of mouth.In the past two weeks, Adil has, with the help of 4 volunteers, provided over 150 kits in villages Dokhar, Malmal and Ishlampur. Ahmad, 27, is working with over 100 volunteers to distribute food kits in eight centres they’ve quickly created in Mumbai. “The poor are the lifelines of our country, the work keeps our economy going. When you look at the way they are treated, you realize what really matters," says Maskoor Usmani, 26, ex head of AMU Students Union. He is looking after food distribution in UP, Haryana and Delhi with the help of 250 volunteers. While Adil, Ahmed and Usmani faced problems with police who held up smooth distribution of kits, Jammu-based Guftar Ahmed, a lawyer, received consistent help from DM. “A few days ago, I got a call about 22 migrant labourers stuck in Rajori for five days without food. DM helped me reach them quickly."In Chennai, networks of volunteers, most created during CAA protests, are working with local authorities to ensure ration supplies reach as many stranded labourers as possible. livemint

Mumbai Against CAA starts helpline to connect relief efforts

 

MP: Amid lockdown, Muslims help perform last rites of Hindu neighbour

https://thewire.in/society/madhya-pradesh-amid-lockdown-muslims-help-perform-last-rites-of-hindu-neighbour

Bhopal: Members of Muslim community helped in performing the last rites of their Hindu neighbour in MP’s Indore city as relatives of deceased could not reach place due to nationwide lockdown. Congress leader and ex state CM Kamal Nath lauded the gesture of Muslim community members, saying they have set an example in society. Draupadi Bai, 65, a poor woman who was suffering from paralysis and living with her elder son, died at her residence in South Toda area of Indore.When some Muslim community members residing in neighbourhood came to know about it, they came forward to help grief-stricken family.PTI

 

Covid-19: Families refuse to perform last rites of relatives over fear of spread of infection

https://scroll.in/latest/958581/covid-19-families-refuse-to-perform-last-rites-of-relatives-over-fear-of-spread-of-infection

A family in Amritsar, Punjab, refused to perform the last rites of a man after he died of Covid-19, Tribune reported. 65-year-old man, identified as Jaswinder Singh, was a retired superintending engineer of Amritsar Municipal Corporation. Singh died two days after he tested positive for the coronavirus at Govt Medical College. The district authorities tried contacting Singh’s daughter who is a medical student. However, she did not respond to administration’s request to attend the cremation ceremony, SDM Vikas Heera said.scroll

 

11 in AP hospitalised after following TikTok poisonous ‘remedy’ for COVID-19

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/11-ap-hospitalised-after-following-tiktok-poisonous-remedy-covid-19-122136

11 people in Andhra’s Chittoor district were hospitalised on Tuesday after consuming a ‘home-made remedy’ for COVID-19 which they had come across on TikTok. They had seen a video which suggested that eating ‘ummetha kaya’ -- the fruit of poisonous Datura plant -- can prevent one from contracting COVID-19. The incident occurred in Aalapalli Kotthur village, in Baireddypalli mandal of Chittoor district. TikTok video suggested that the spiky fruit – which resembles the now pervasive image of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 – can be used to treat the disease, Baireddypalli SI Muni Swamy said.thenewsminute

 

Reverse migration of peoples due to lockdown may destroy India’s tribal communities: study

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/reverse-migration-of-peoples-due-to-lockdown-may-destroy-indias-tribal-communities/articleshow/75027171.cms

Reverse migration of indigenous peoples in post lockdown period could destroy India’s tribal communities largely concentrated in ten states and in North-Eastern region, says a joint study by Denmark-based International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Lawyers Association of India. As per the study, as COVID-19 destroys economies and absence of jobs, homes and food loom large; these indigenous migrant workers are all set to return to their traditional areas without access to testing facilities to detect the virus.“Reverse migration, possibly carrying the virus, can have devastating impact on indigenous communities,” it said adding that it can wipe out endangered indigenous peoples of India and further, permanently damage survival of many communities. Citing the report of the expert committee on tribal health, it said almost 55% of India 104 million tribal population live outside 809 tribal majority blocks.economictimes

 

To decongest prisons, 100 prisoners released from J&K

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/to-decongest-prisons-100-prisoners-released-from-jk-6353470/

Jammu :As part of its drive to decongest jails in view of the coronavirus outbreak, the administration of Jammu and Kashmir has released over 100 prisoners from different jails across Union Territory.indianexpress

Centre to immediately clear all pending income tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakh

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/coronavirus-india-lockdown-income-tax-refunds-6353567/

In a move that would benefit around 14 lakh taxpayers, the Centre Wednesday announced it would immediately release pending income-tax refunds upto Rs 5 lakh.The Ministry further decided to issue all pending GST and custom refunds, which would benefit close to 1 lakh business entities, including MSMEs. “Thus, total refund granted will be approximately Rs 18,000 crore,”statement read.indianexpress

 

*CORONAVIRUS – WORLD*

Good news as China's Wuhan ends coronavirus lockdown but concerns remain

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/china-wuhan-ends-coronavirus-lockdown-concerns-remain-200408021319019.html

Wuhan began allowing people to leave on Wednesday for the first time since the central Chinese city was sealed off 76 days ago to contain the coronavirus that first emerged there late last year.China took the drastic decision to cut off the city of 11 million people on January 23 after it became clear that the virus was highly contagious and potentially deadly.The decision to lift the ban - albeit with travellers required to meet certain conditions - came despite fears of a second wave of infection if restrictions were eased too soon.Within hours of the lifting of the ban, roughly 65,000 people had left the city by train and plane alone. About 80 percent of the official number of fatalities in China, or about 2,571, were recorded in Wuhan.China on Wednesday reported 62 new virus cases, 59 of them brought from outside the country and two additional deaths.aljazeera

 

Coronavirus global updates: Cases in Europe cross 750,000; Spain’s daily virus toll 757

https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-global-latest-updates-08-april-italy-china-us-france-india-6352663/

Across the world, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalised in New York is plateauing, even though the number of deaths in the state hit a single-day high. New York recorded 731 new coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, marking the biggest one-day jump in the outbreak. The state’s death toll since the beginning of the outbreak is now 5,489. It has overtaken Italy in terms of overall coronavirus cases and is second in the world only to Spain.Spain, meanwhile, recorded 757 deaths on Wednesday, making it the second successive rise in daily toll. According to a Reuters tally, US has the highest number of infections at 398,785 with 138,836 reported cases in New York, followed by Spain (141,942), Italy (135,586) and France (110,070). However, Italy has reported the most deaths at 17,127, followed by Spain (14,045), France (10,328) and UK (6,159). Globally, deaths toll rose to 82,119  today, while total numbers of infections have crossed 1.4 million at 1,430,141. The number of active cases stand at 1,429,437. Around world, 300,767 people have recovered from it. indianexpress

 

British PM Johnson enters 3rd day in intensive care as coronavirus kills over 6,000 in UK

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/british-pm-boris-johnson-enters-3rd-day-in-intensive-care-as-coronavirus-kills-over-6-000-in-uk-1664817-2020-04-08

London:Prime Minister Boris Johnson began the third day in intensive care on Wednesday battling the coronavirus, which has struck at the heart of the British government, infected more than 55,000 people across the country and killed nearly 6,200."I understand the prime minister is in a stable condition, he's comfortable and in good spirits," Edward Argar, a junior health minister, told Sky News."He has in the past had some oxygen but he's not on ventilation."AFP

 

Egypt to ban Ramadan gatherings to counter coronavirus

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200408-egypt-to-ban-ramadan-gatherings-to-counter-coronavirus/

Egypt will ban any public religious gatherings during the holy Muslim fasting month Ramadan starting in around 2 weeks to counter the spread of the new coronavirus, a govnt statement said today, Reuters reports. Despite the govt order, people should still fast as this ritual had no link to the coronavirus, said a committee of scholars at Cairo’s Al-Azhar university, Egypt’s highest religious authority.MEMO

600 people die in Iran from drinking neat alcohol to cure coronavirus

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200408-600-people-die-in-iran-from-drinking-neat-alcohol-to-cure-coronavirus/

More than 600 Iranians have died from the consumption of high-concentrated alcohol believing it protects against coronavirus. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted a spokesperson for Iranian judiciary, Ghulam Hussein Ismaili, as saying that the number of deaths due to drinking neat alcohol had reached a disturbing figure, adding that over 3,000 people had been poisoned after drinking toxic beverages in an effort to treat the disease. He pointed out that many alcoholic drinks that were produced illegally in Iran lack required standards, adding that a number of people have been arrested as a result of this.As of Tuesday, as many as 3,872 have died of the coronavirus in the Islamic Republic while number of infections reached 63,589.MEMO

 

Israel imposes complete shutdown during Passover

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-imposes-complete-shutdown-ahead-of-passover/1795861

Israeli Cabinet tightened restrictions to contain spread of the coronavirus during Jewish holiday of Passover which begins Wednesday.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a complete shutdown will be imposed from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Friday and police declared a ”Safe Spring” security plan to implement curfew.Authorities said police will start observing the measures, including a ban of gatherings and preserving safe social distances.Health authorities said the hotspot for the virus was among the ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.At least 9,006 Israelis have tested positive for the coronavirus and 60 have died so far.Anadolu Agency

*OTHERS*

 

Elgar Parishad case: SC grants one week time for activist Gautam Navlakha  to surrender

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/elgar-parishad-case-sc-reserves-verdict-on-activists-seeking-time-to-surrender-6353201/

The Supreme Court Wednesday granted a weeks time to civil rights activist Gautam Navlakha to surrender to prison authorities in the Elgar Parishad case, stating this as the last opportunity with no further extension.“It would have been appropriate for the accused to surrender as the courts are open and not totally closed. However, since the petitioners have enjoyed protection for long, by way of last opportunity, we extend the time granted to surrender for one week,” the order stated.Civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde had filed a plea seeking more time to surrender to prison authorities in Elgar Parishad case citing coronavirus pandemic. The duo’s lawyers argued that both the accused are above the age of 65 and going to prison at this time is not safe for them in wake of the spread of the pandemic. Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta called it a mechanism to buy time and that both the accused are facing serious charges. A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra reserved the order after listeing to arguments from both the sides.indianexpress

Anti-CAA post: Man denied bail, faces charge of spreading hatred

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/anti-caa-post-man-denied-bail-faces-charge-of-spreading-hatred/articleshow/75036925.cms

Ahmedabad: Posting on social media proved dear for Vatva’s Nasirsharif Shaikh because city civil court has denied bail to him 3 months after he was booked during anti-CAA protests.The court refused bail to Shaikh after police filed a chargesheet against him. Court said that he did not deserve bail because his gesture could spread sentiment of hatred among the Muslims towards PM and the defence minister, it could cause communal sentiments across the nation and riots may ensue and cause panic among society. Court said that he is accused of serious offence of sedition. However, Shaikh’s advocate Uvesh Malik said that he was booked for the post which did not have communal overtones at all.TOI

 

*WORLD*

Hamas slams settlers’ passover celebration at Aqsa Mosque’s walls

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/4/8/Hamas-slams-settlers-passover-celebration-at-Aqsa-Mosque-s-walls

Gaza:Hamas has denounced Israeli occupation authority (IOA) for allowing Jewish settlers to celebrate passover holiday at Aqsa Mosque’s walls, describing such acts as “provocative” and “racist.”Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem said that settlers’ celebration of their passover by displaying Talmudic and Zionist expressions and signs on Aqsa was part of desperate attempts to Judaize Jerusalem.PIC

 

Israel prepared to negotiate prisoner swap with Hamas

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-israel-hamas-prepared-negotiate-prisoner-swap

Israel is ready to negotiate a deal with Hamas to obtain the return of slain and captive Israelis in the besieged Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians prisoners, the prime minister's office said.The negotiations would be carried out through intermediaries, the office of Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “The coordinator for captives and missing people, Yaron Bloom, and his staff, together with the National Security Council and the defence establishment are prepared to act constructively with a goal to return the bodies and missing people and end this matter, and call for an immediate discussion through intermediaries,” Jerusalem Post quoted the statement as saying.middleeasteye

 

Jerusalem mayor accuses Israel of neglecting Palestinian hospitals

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200408-jerusalem-mayor-accuses-israel-of-neglecting-palestinian-hospitals/

Israel is failing to fulfill its responsibilities toward Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem as the highly contagious coronavirus continues to spread, warned Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon.Leon has accused Israel’s Ministry of Health of neglecting Palestinian hospitals in the occupied eastern section of the city, after it failed to deliver essential equipment it promised to provide, reported Haaretz.

 

Bernie Sanders Drops Out of US Presidential Race, Clears Joe Biden's Path to Democratic Nomination

https://www.news18.com/news/world/bernie-sanders-drops-out-of-presidential-race-clearing-joe-bidens-name-for-democratic-nomination-2570229.html

US Senator Bernie Sanders has suspended his presidential campaign, his team said, clearing the way for rival Joe Biden to become Democratic nominee to challenge Republican incumbent Donald Trump in Nov.Sanders, a 78-year-old leftist who challenged Hillary Clinton for the nomination in 2016, was holding a staff conference call today when he "announced that he is suspending his campaign for president", his aides said in a statement. Sanders, who mounted a formidable challenge to Biden in 2020 race, became the frontrunner early this year only to be eclipsed by a surging former vice president, who holds a substantial lead in all-important race for delegates who choose nominee.AFP

 

Report: 73,000 Syrians returned to Idlib after ceasefire

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200408-report-73000-syrians-returned-to-syrias-idlib-after-ceasefire/

Around 73,000 Syrians have returned to Syrian governorate of Idlib following the ceasefire deal reached between Turkey and Russia in early March. Director of Syrian Response Coordinators, Muhammad Hallaj, said that some of the displaced civilians returned to their homes immediately after Syrian regime and its allies stopped their military operations in the area.Hallaj explained that many of the displaced people preferred to stay in the camps near the Syrian-Turkish border due to the regime forces’ control over their villages and towns.Civilians started to return from densely populated camps to fix their houses and shops.MEMO

 

Syrian regime responsible for 2017 chemical weapon attacks: watchdog

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/watchdog-says-syrian-government-responsible-2017-chemical-weapon-attacks

world's chemical weapons watchdog has for the first time blamed the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for three attacks, two using sarin gas and one using chlorine in 2017.The Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said today it had "concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the perpetrators of the use of sarin as a chemical weapon in Latamenah in 2017... and the use of chlorine... were individuals belonging to the Syrian Arab Air Force".middleeasteye

 

Afghan official says will release 100 Taliban prisoners

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/afghan-government-release-100-taliban-prisoners-200408102844277.html

Afghan govt will release 100 Taliban prisoners today, a govt official said, a day after the armed group said it was walking out of talks with Kabul. Taliban has accused Afghan govt of delaying the prisoner swap that was part of an agreement signed with US  in Qatari capital, Doha.The two foes have been negotiating since last week to try to finalise prisoner swap that was originally supposed to have happened by March 10 and pave the way for "intra-Afghan" peace talks between Kabul and Taliban. But the swap has been beset with problems, with Kabul claiming Taliban wants 15 "top commanders" to be released, while the armed group has accused Afghan authorities of needlessly wasting time."One hundred Taliban prisoners will be released today," said Javid Faisal, spokesman for Office of National Security Council. Faisal said the 15 commanders were not among those being released, and additional prisoners would be freed "depending on what Taliban do".On Tuesday, Suhail Shaheen, a  spokesman for Taliban's political office in Qatar, said group recalled its negotiators from Kabul, hours after it suspended talks on the prisoner exchange with Afghan govt."The intentional delays in the release of our prisoners violates the peace agreement, therefore we call back our technical team back from Kabul," Shaheen said.aljazeera

 

*views, Articles, FEATURES*

Corona Jihad and Media’s Communal Polarisation:Mohammad Sajjad , newsclick

https://www.newsclick.in/corona-jihad-and-medias-communal-polarisation

How Tablighi Jamaat event became India's worst coronavirus vector & Islamophobia:Akash Bisht   & Sadiq Naqvi

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/tablighi-jamaat-event-india-worst-coronavirus-vector-200407052957511.html

Anti-CAA protests and State-Response in Assam: Identity Issues Challenge Hindutva-based Politics:Chandan Kumar Sarma, Obja Borah Hazarika, EPW

https://www.epw.in/engage/article/anti-caa-protests-and-state-response-assam

Overcoming pandemic may look like fighting a war, but real need is far from that:Amartya Sen

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/coronavirus-india-lockdown-amartya-sen-economy-migrants-6352132/

 

 Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:32 PM).