*INDIA- CORONAVIRUS- LOCKDOWN*

Railways to Restart Limited Passenger Train Services From Tuesday, Online Bookings Start Tomorrow

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/railways-to-resume-partial-service-from-may-12-bookings-open-may-11-full-list-of-trains-1676508-2020-05-10

Indian Railways has announced that it will gradually restart passenger train operations from May 12, initially with 15 pairs of trains.Bookings for reservation in these trains will start from 4 pm on May 11 and will be available only on IRCTC website. The fares for seats in these trains will be normal, not hiked. All passenger train services were suspended due to the nationwide lockdown announced on March 25 to contain spread of Covid-19.Here's the complete list of train which will be running from May 12: 1. New Delhi to Dibrugarh 2. New Delhi to Agartala 3. New Delhi to Howrah 4. New Delhi to Patna 5. New Delhi to Bilaspur 6. New Delhi to Ranchi 7. New Delhi to Bhubaneswar 8. New Delhi to Secunderabad 9. New Delhi to Bengaluru 10. New Delhi to Chennai 11. New Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram 12. New Delhi to Madgaon 13. New Delhi to Mumbai Central 14. New Delhi to Ahmedabad 15. New Delhi to Jammu Tawi. After the resumption of these 15 services, railways will start more special services on new routes, based on the available coaches after reserving 20,000 coaches for Covid-19 care centres and adequate number of coaches being reserved to enable operation of up to 300 trains everyday as "Shramik Special" for stranded migrants. Only AC coaches of these trains will be plying for now and they will have limited stops.The bookings of these trains can only be made online. Ticket booking counters at railway stations will remain closed and no counter tickets (including platform tickets) will be issued, Railways said.Only passengers with valid confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter railway stations. It will be mandatory for passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the trains.indiatoday

 

PM to meet CMs tomorrow to discuss lockdown exit strategy

https://www.news18.com/news/india/pm-modi-to-hold-virtual-meet-with-cms-tomorrow-on-lockdown-exit-strategy-after-may-17-2614057.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with chief ministers on Monday to discuss the next stage in the exit from nationwide lockdown enforced to contain coronavirus outbreak and various issues comprising the economy, officials said on Sunday.PMO took to Twitter to share the information that he would hold the meeting via video-conference at 3 pm. This will be his fifth meeting with CMs to discuss post-lockdown strategy.Although Covid-19 cases are doubling at a faster pace at present, the general sentiment in the government seems to be towards a further relaxation so the country can move towards a gradual un-lockdown.Sources said the focus of the meeting will be on further increasing the economic activities and on tackling the pandemic in containment zones as the current lockdown is to end on May 17. According to sources familiar with the matter, there will definitely be more concessions in terms of what's allowed after May 17, but that there will likely be no changes for Covid-19 hotspots and containment zones. According to health ministry data, positive cases have increased from 39,980 on May 3 to 62,939 on Sunday and the number of deaths have increased week from 1,301 to 2,109.news18

Lockdown: What’s next? PM to meet CMs on Monday in 2 phases

 

Covid-19: Consider first week after lockdown as trial run, Centre tells industries in new guidelines

https://scroll.in/latest/961516/covid-19-consider-first-week-after-lockdown-as-trial-run-centre-tells-industries-in-new-guidelines

Centre on Sunday issued guidelines for restarting manufacturing industries after the nationwide lockdown, saying the first week should be considered as “test or trial run”, ANI reported. The lockdown, imposed first on March 25 in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, was to end on May 3. However, it will now end on May 17 after another extension. National Disaster Management Authority listed a set of precautions to be observed while starting the manufacturing units. “Due to several weeks of lockdown and the closure of industrial units during the lockdown period, it is possible that some of the operators might not have followed the established standard operating procedure,” the home ministry said in a letter to states. “As a result, some of the manufacturing facilities, pipelines, valves, etc. may have residual chemicals, which may pose risk. The same is true for storage facilities with hazardous chemicals and flammable materials.”

 

Flight to Bring Back Indians From Doha Cancelled After Air India Plane Not Allowed to Land

https://www.news18.com/news/india/flight-to-bring-back-indians-from-doha-cancelled-after-air-india-plane-not-allowed-to-land-2614169.html

Air India Express flight that was scheduled to fly out with 181 Indian citizens stranded in Doha has been called off for now, an airport official said on Sunday. Sources told News18 that the flight was denied permission to land because of some technical reasons. It was to travel to Doha from Kozhikode around 1 pm and land in Thiruvananthapuram around 10.45 pm."There have been some technical issues as Doha has not given the permission for this flight to land. What we are given to understand is that this flight has been called off. Now it will have to operate under a new schedule. We were fully ready to receive the flight later in the night," said official who did not wish to be identified. Thiruvananthapuram collector told media that the flight has now been rescheduled for Tuesday. According to reports, about 50 passengers booked to travel from Doha had already reached the airport there.Kerala will thus see only one flight on Sunday, and that is the one bringing stranded Indians from Malaysia to Kochi in the night.Sunday is the fourth day of a mammoth operation by the government to bring back Indians stuck abroad because of the closure of airspaces due to Covid-19.

 

World's largest evacuation operation si going on smoothly: AIR report

http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Evacuation-operation-Vande-Bharat-Mission-in-full-swing-on-fourth-day&id=388188

World's largest evacuation operation to bring back stranded Indian nationals form different countries under Vande Bharat Mission is going on smoothly.The first phase of operation under Vande Bharat Mission began on 7th of this month and under it, a detailed plan was chalked out to bring back around 15 thousand  stranded Indian nationals due to COVID-19 outbreak from 12 countries.A total of 64 flights will fly in the first phase. AIR correspondent reports that on the fourth day of evacuation exercise , as many as ten flights have been  operated to bring back the Indian nationals  from places including  Riyadh, Dhaka, Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila, London and Newark.The special flights are being operated by Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express. Tomorrow on fifth day of evacuation exercise, 8 flights will be operated for the returnees from places including Chicago, Manila,London , Dubai and Abu Dhabi.The second phase of evacuation exercise under Vande Bharat Mission, is expected to begin  from 16th of this month. Under it nearly 25 thousand  people will be repatriated from European countries and Central Asia.AIR 

 Lockdown going to end soon: Kejriwal urges migrants not to leave city

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lockdown-going-to-end-soon-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-1676485-2020-05-10

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appealed to migrant workers not to leave the city, saying the situation will revive once lockdown is lifted and they will find work.He also urged the workers trying to leave the national capital to stay wherever they were, assuring them that his government was arranging trains for their return."This lockdown is going to end soon, and everything will be back on track. You will get employed again because everything will start running again. Please do not leave Delhi," Kejriwal said. He added that the Delhi govt was in talks with Centre to arrange trains for migrants who wanted to go back to their home states.PTI

 No Food, Water, Toilets: Life After Testing Positive for Delhi Health Care Workers

https://thewire.in/health/no-food-water-toilets-life-after-testing-positive-for-delhi-health-care-workers

Of over 6,000 COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi, about 5% are health workers – including doctors and nurses – who contracted the novel coronavirus while treating patients.But despite the spread of the virus being so high among health care professionals, the protocols in place are still not perfect and there have been complaints about a lack of proper facilities and equipment – not only at hospitals but also at quarantine centres.One such incident came to light on Saturday evening, when three healthcare workers of BR Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini tested positive for COVID-19 and were put in a quarantine centre without proper food, water or toilet facilities.

 5 migrant labourers killed, 13 injured as truck enroute to UP overturns in MP's Narsinghpur

https://www.firstpost.com/india/five-migrant-labourers-killed-13-injured-as-truck-enroute-to-uttar-pradesh-overturns-in-madhya-pradeshs-narsinghpur-8352391.html

Narsinghpur: At least five migrant labourers were killed and 13 others injured when a truck in which they were travelling overturned in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur district, a police official said on Sunday.The accident took place near Patha village on Saturday night when nearly 20 migrant labourers were going in the truck to Jhansi and Etah in Uttar Pradesh from Hyderabad, Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Tiwari said.Five labourers were killed and 13 others were injured after the mangoes-laden vehicle overturned, he said. The injured persons were admitted to the district hospital for treatment, he added.PTI

 

3 migrant workers die near Maharashtra-MP border while on their way to UP village; fatigue, dehydration likely causes, say doctors

  https://www.firstpost.com/india/three-migrant-workers-die-near-maharashtra-mp-border-while-on-their-way-to-up-village-fatigue-dehydration-likely-causes-say-doctors-8352151.html

Barwani: 3 migrant workers who were on their way to Uttar Pradesh from Maharashtra, mostly walking, died in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, officials said.The trio were among thousands of migrant workers who have set out on foot for their home states from Maharashtra in the last few weeks amid lockdown on account for coronavirus. While autopsy reports were yet to be available, doctors said the possible cause of deaths was fatigue and dehydration in peak summer heat.The deceased, who were traveling separately, were identified as Lalluram (55), resident of village Chhudiya in Prayagraj district, Prem Bahadur (50), resident of Siddharth Nagar and Anees Ahmed (42) of Hardas Girja village of Fatehpur.PTI

 

Covid-19: Railways ready to run 300 special trains daily to evacuate migrants, says Piyush Goyal

https://scroll.in/latest/961511/covid-19-icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-in-75-districts-india-cases-inch-closer-to-60000

India’s coronavirus tally rose to 62,939 on Sunday. The toll rose to 2,109. Central govt has released guidelines on restarting manufacturing industries after the lockdown ends on May 17 and Indian Council of Medical Research, the country’s nodal body for coronavirus testing, has said that it will initiate a study in the worst-affected 75 hotspot districts to check for community transmission of the infection.scroll

 

Lockdown | Weary migrant workers lug crashed hopes en route their homes

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/coronavirus-lockdown-weary-migrant-workers-lug-crashed-hopes-en-route-their-homes/article31547506.ece?homepage=true

As the sun soared over the highway in Indore district, Madan Kumar Saroj had to make a tough choice. Riding a moped in the searing summer daytime without some kind of protection against the heat could prove fatal. But having run out of cash and the stock of rice fast draining, the family could take only measured halts.  Spotting a patch of shade under a neem tree beside the Mumbai-Indore highway, the family’s 28 members who were all riding on a clutch of rickety mopeds to Kaushambi district in Uttar Pradesh, decided to make one of the rare halts to catch some respite from the afternoon sun.“Woh bole number aayega, number aayega. Arey kab aayega (They said your number will come, it will come. But when will it come)?” said a miffed Devaki Saroj, 42, his wife. The family, after registering to return home with a panchayat in Maharashtra’s Pune district, had waited in vain for 10 days. Both patience and food eventually ran out. And they resolved to undertake the more than 1,300 km journey back home on mopeds.With the third extension of the lockdown dashing all hope that work would resume soon, about 50,000 migrant workers have been crossing over from Maharashtra into Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani district daily since May 3 — huddled inside trucks, precariously perched atop goods lorries, on bicycles, or simply on foot, in a desperate attempt to return home.

 

Gujarat: Migrants clash with cops in Hazira,100 detained

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-migrants-clash-with-cops-in-hazira-100-detained-6402558/

Surat :Hundreds of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha working in Hazira industrial belt came onto the streets and clashed with the police at Mora village on the outskirts of Surat on Saturday, demanding that they be sent back to their home states. The police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas to disperse the mob. Hundred workers were detained in this connection, police said.This, on a day when the city sent back 30,000 migrants to their home states and districts within Gujarat by 14 trains and buses of the GSRTC, the highest numbers to leave in a single day.The coastal belt of Hazira has several multinational companies where these migrant workers are employed. They live in rented rooms in Mora village. Seeing several migrants going back to their home states by trains and buses, these workers also demanded to Hazira go home, police said. When the police asked them to go back, they pelted stones at the police.

Ahmedabad Violence: Police fires 71 Teargas Shells, Pregnant Woman Beaten Up, One-and-A Half Year Old Kid Thrown Away by Cops, 27 People Arrested

 

Modi govt proposing to do away with Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, alleges Congress

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/modi-govt-proposing-to-do-away-with-interstate-migrant-workmen-act-alleges-congress

Modi govt is proposing to do away with the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, even though it is the Centre's responsibility to ensure workers' rights are taken care of under the legislation especially during the lockdown, the Congress said.The party said Parliament should assert itself and not allow this to happen, as it called upon Centre and the states to jointly formulate an action plan to ensure safe return of migrants to their homes." Modi government has proposed to do away with the Inter-State Migrant Act, 1979. Parliament should assert itself forcefully to ensure this does not happen. If anything, the Act needs to be updated and strengthened. The inexcusable loss of lives and livelihoods needs to stop now,"Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.PTI

 

Lockdown 3: Waiting for special trains to take them home, migrant workers in Hyderabad battle hunger,helplessness

https://www.firstpost.com/india/covid-19-lockdown-3-0-waiting-for-special-trains-to-take-them-home-migrant-workers-in-hyderabad-battle-hunger-and-helplessness-8350741.html                             

 Trapped in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, over a thousand migrant workers staying in Hyderabad's Tolichowki took to the streets on Sunday demanding to be taken home.Even after umpteen visits to the nearby Langar House Police station to seek information about the special trains scheduled from Hyderabad to their home states, as per the directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, their patience ran thin, and they, in desperation and anguish, resorted to staging a sit-in at Tolichowki junction.Similar cases of a huge number of migrant workers thronging Secunderabad railway station and other places in the city have come to light. Inept handling of the situation by the administration, poor communication, and rumour-mongering on social media are to be blamed for this chaos.

 

Lockdown 3.0: 572 passengers returning from London, Singapore land at Mumbai airport; another flight to reach city later tonight

 https://www.firstpost.com/india/covid-19-lockdown-3-0-572-passengers-returning-from-london-singapore-land-at-mumbai-airport-another-flight-to-reach-city-later-tonight-8353451.html

Mumbai: Nearly 572 Indians who were stranded abroad due to the coronavirus-enforced lockdown landed at the Mumbai international airport early Sunday morning, a Maharashtra government official said.Of these, passengers belonging to Mumbai were kept under mandatory institutional quarantine in hotels near airport, while those hailing from other cities were taken to their respective places where they will be kept in isolation in hotels taken over there for the purpose, the official said.2 flights, one from London and another from Singapore, landed here in the morning, he said.PTI

Alarmed by Jamia Evacuation Notice, Stranded Girl Hostellers Write to VC for Help

https://clarionindia.net/alarmed-by-jamia-evacuation-notice-stranded-girl-hostellers-write-to-vc-for-help/

New Delhi:Several inmates of girls’ hostels of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), on 9, wrote to vice-chancellor  Najma Akhtar, and proctor questioning the timing of the evacuation notice served on them by the administration. The girls are stuck in their hostels due to lockdown.In 2 emails, the university students requested the authorities to allow those who are unwilling to go back to their native places to stay on in the hostels.Through the letter, students apprised the university authorities the challenges and issues they are facing in the wake of coronavirus lockdown. They tried to convince them how difficult it is for them to vacate the hostels and take along all their belongings at a time when they have no alternative. One of the hostellers said on condition of anonymity, “When it is impossible for people to even move from one place to another, how can we carry all our belongings with us.”The students believe the move to evacuate the students at this juncture is nothing but harassment. “Hostel administration is constantly asking us to vacate the hostels on phone,” said Parveen, one of hostellers, requesting not to mention her full name. Amid lockdown, guardians of the long-distance girl students are alarmed by the notification of the university administration. They are concerned about the safety of their daughters.A female hosteller of Bi Amma Hostel of JMI said, “Parents are worried about the usual women safety issues and don’t trust the state sponsored train for the stranded students.”Clarion India

 

Chennai bakery owner arrested for ad emphasising that shop does not employ Muslims

https://scroll.in/latest/961556/chennai-bakery-owner-arrested-for-advertisement-that-said-the-shop-did-not-employ-muslims

The Chennai Police have arrested Prasanth, the owner of a bakery, for issuing an advertisement that boasted that shop did not employ any Muslim staff, News18 reported on Sunday. The owner of Jain Bakeries & Confectioneries was booked under Section 295 of IPC, which relates to hurting religious sentiments, and Section 504, which relates to intent to breach peace. The advertisement put out by the bakery, located in Chennai’s T Nagar area, read: “Made by Jains on orders, No Muslim staffs.” After it went viral on social media, the police swung into action.However, the staff at the outlet claimed that the advertisement was not intended to create a communal rift. They claimed that a message doing the rounds on WhatsApp had asked people not to buy bakery products made by Muslims, and thus they put up the advert to “clear the air”.“He [the bakery owner] operates a home bakery and the advertisement was circulated on WhatsApp group for people from Jain community in Chennai,” Mambalam Police Station Inspector S Balamurali told The News Minute.scroll

'Made by Jains, No Muslim Staff': Chennai Bakery Owner Arrested over Controversial Advertisement

 

As COVID-19 spreads to Mumbai's Arthur Rd jail, Jamiat says it will approach SC seeking bail to eligible inmates across India

https://www.firstpost.com/india/as-covid-19-spreads-to-mumbais-arthur-road-jail-jamiat-ulema-e-hind-says-it-will-approach-sc-seeking-bail-to-eligible-inmates-8351711.html

New Delhi: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani has said that the Islamic organisation will approach the Supreme Court seeking grant of conditional bail to eligible jail inmates across the country amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.Madani said that the plea, seeking grant of interim bail to inmates with less that 7 years prison sentence and other eligible prisoners, will be filed in the top court by advocate Ejaj Makbool on Monday."The Supreme Court had on 16 March taken suo moto cognisance of the issue and directed state governments to set up committees to consider granting bails to jail inmates on humanitarian grounds. However, several states have not taken any initiative on the issue," Madani said in a statement.He also said that health departments have directed that social distancing is the only effective way to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but it is impossible to do so in prisons as they have more prisoners than their prescribed capacity."In view of this fact, the Supreme Court had taken cognisance of this issue and suggested the state govts to form High Power Committees on the matter. However, it is sad that many states have not taken any action on this," Madani said."In Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, families of the inmates and officials are worried after many of them tested positive for coronavirus. According to information, around 103 inmates and officials who tested positive for COVID-19 are being treated at different hospitals in the city," he added.ANI

 

Gujarat: Non-COVID Muslim Patients Face Discrimination in Hospitals

https://www.newsclick.in/COVID-19-Gujarat-Negative-Muslim-Patients-Face-Discrimination-Hospitals

Mohammad Ayub (name changed), a 46-year-old resident of Raopura in Vadodara, Gujarat, has been undergoing dialysis three times a week for the past two years. Once a mechanic, he used to earn his living by repairing air conditioners and refrigerators. Ayub has now been confined to his home after kidney failure close to two years ago.A month ago, Tricolour Hospital, where Ayub had been undergoing treatment for the past two years, refused to treat him further.“The hospital authorities told me that I should get tested (for COVID-19) as the area I reside in was declared a red zone. Eventually, I got tested and the result of the test was negative but the hospital still refused to continue with my dialysis,” Ayub told NewsClick.“After being refused treatment by Tricolour Hospital, I approached multiple private hospitals. All of them refused as well and told me to go to a government hospital. Eventually I approached SSG Hospital where I was told that there was a waiting list of patients for dialysis. I enrolled and waited for my turn. I ended up undergoing only one dialysis session instead of 3 that week,” added Ayub.“There is another patient who travels with me to Al-Mahmood General Hospital. He too undergoes dialysis twice a week like me. We share the cost of the ambulance. A doctor in Vadodara helped us with this arrangement,” Ayub added.Ayub is not the only one who has been refused treatment by private hospitals in Vadodara.In another case from Ahmedabad, a patient who had been undergoing dialysis at Zydus Hospital has been made to sign a declaration stating: “I do not have even a remote association with Tablighi Jamaat."newsclick

Shocker from Aligarh: Miscreants attack Muslim boy calling him ‘Corona’, FIR registered

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/shocker-from-aligarh-miscreants-attack-muslim-boy-calling-him-corona-fir-registered/589821

New Delhi: A 25-year-old man was beaten by miscreants and left unconscious with serious injuries on suspicious of being a coronavirus carrier' in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh.The incident took place on Friday evening outside a chemist shop in the Shivpuri locality of Aligarh and 6 people have been booked in this regard.The victim identified as Abdul Samad fell unconscious after he was attacked for being a coronavirus carrier, police said on Saturday.He was rushed to Malkhan Singh District Hospital by members of his family who arrived at the spot after people raised an alarm.As per the victim’s father Laiqur Rehman, Samad was feeling dizzy after his Ramzan fast on Friday night and went to a neighbourhood chemist shop to purchase some medicine where he was stopped by some people, who attacked him without any provocation.Samad’s father claimed that if the family had not rushed him to the hospital, the injuries could have been fatal. While Samad is out of danger now he has been referred to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital for some tests.

 

44% of Coronavirus deaths in Maharashtra are from Muslim community: state plans messages in Urdu

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-covid-deaths-urdu-awareness-messages-6397588/

Mumbai :Of the 548 deaths recorded in Maharashtra as of May 3, 239 (44 per cent) are from the minority Muslim community — almost thrice their share (just under 12 per cent) in the state’s population.This has prompted the state epidemiology department to plan issuing Covid awareness messages in Urdu in select hotspots and roping in local religious leaders for outreach.An analysis of official records by Indian Express shows that between March 17, when the first death was reported in the state, and April 15, 89 of the 187 deaths were from the Muslim community. Between April 15 to May 3, of the 361 additional deaths, 150 were from the community.Incidentally, only 69 Covid positive cases in Maharashtra were traced to thTablighi Jamaat event in New Delhi. The lone death in the state linked to the Tablighi event was that of a Filipino national on March 22. “The cases are spreading in slums not because of a particular religious group, but because of poor living conditions. And in the slums, Muslims are in large numbers,” Awate said.The state public health department has roped in mosques and local Maulanas to relay Covid awareness messages to community. indianexpress

 

Central govt mulls community-based coronavirus mapping

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/100520/central-government-mulls-community-based-corona-mapping.html

Hyderabad: As the novel coronavirus continues to spread rapidly, central govt is mulling a mapping initiative to identify hotspots across the country and understand the pattern of its spread community-wise.Community mapping or  “communal mapping”, as some refer to it, appears to be aimed at getting a clearer picture of the approximate number of people belonging to different communities who have contracted the virus; have more chances of getting infected due to their living in clusters; and the likelihood of them spreading virus to adjoining localities.deccanchronicle

 

Delhi govt asks DMs to release 2,446 Tablighi Jamaat members

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-govt-asks-dms-to-release-2446-tablighi-jamaat-members/1829540

 Delhi government has asked district magistrates to release over 2,000 Tablighi Jamaat members from quarantine centres and ensure that they do not stay in any other places except their homes.It will also facilitate ferrying of Markaz attendees from other states to their native places.As for the 567 foreign attendees of congregation held in Delhi''s Nizamuddin area in March, they will be handed over to police, DDMA Special CEO KS Meena said in a letter to deputy commissioners (admin)."They (foreign Jamaat attendees) will be handed over to police in connection with several violations like visa violation," a government official said.The district magistrates will explore possibility of sending those Tablighi members, who belong to other states, in buses to their designated places in accordance with social-distancing norms and other protocols, Meena said.Delhi government asked district magistrates to release 2,446 Tablighi Jamaat members from quarantine centres.The move comes days after Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain ordered the release of Tablighi members who have completed their required quarantine period in centres and tested negative for COVID-19.PTI

 

 

Embassy coordinating with officials over Tablighi Jamaat members from Indonesia

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/embassy-coordinating-with-officials-over-tablighi-jamaat-members-from-indonesia/article31550397.ece

Indonesian embassy is coordinating with officials for the release of their nationals who are currently under judicial custody in Moradabad, UP.Embassy first secretary Annie Yuliyanti said the government had verified that those detained were Indonesian nationals of good standing who had never violated the laws of Indonesia and had not come to India to violate it’s laws and regulations.In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and India’s laws and regulations, the embassy is ensuring consular access for Indonesian nationals, including legal representation, Ms. Yuliyanti said.However, she added, the appointment of legal counsel was solely the discretion and decision of the Indonesian nationals concerned.The embassy is facilitating and communicating with relevant authorities to ensure due process and respect for fundamental rights of the Indonesian nationals, Yuliyanti said.PTI

 

9 Jamaat members from Delhi urge Kejriwal to facilitate their return from UP

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/9-jamaat-members-from-delhi-urge-arvind-kejriwal-to-facilitate-their-return-from-up-1676486-2020-05-10

Under quarantine in Uttar Pradesh's Deoband for more than 40 days, a group of 9 Tablighi Jamaat members from Delhi have urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to facilitate their return home following the Saharanpur administration's nod to release them upon completion of requisite quarantine period.The group members have claimed that they did not participate in the religious congregation at Nizammuddin Markaz in the national capital in March and their coronavirus tests conducted by Uttar Pradesh government last month have come out negative.Residents of Darya Ganj, Karol Bagh, and Okhla in the national capital, the 9 had arrived in Deoband in the last week of Feb.and were sent to different quarantine centres after a number of Tablighi members tested positive for COVID-19 at Delhi Markaz in March.PTI

 

Bengal Imam's association asks CM Mamata Banerjee not to lift lockdown until Ramadan Eid is over

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bengal-imams-association-asks-cm-mamata-banerjee-not-to-lift-lockdown-until-ramadan-eid-is-over

Bengal's Imam Association has drafted a letter to CM Mamata Banerjee asking her not to lift the lockdown until the Ramadan Eid is over.The lockdown due to COVID-19 has forced the entire nation to stay indoors for nearly two months now, and Muslims in India are spending the holy month of Ramadan at home.In letter shared by Free Press Journal's Prema Rajaram, Bengal's Imam association asks to further extend lockdown till May 30 at least due to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

 

Confirmed coronavirus cases in India's paramilitary forces rise to 750, NSG reports first case

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/confirmed-coronavirus-cases-in-india-s-paramilitary-forces-rise-to-750-1676500-2020-05-10

With new developments that have come to light over the past 24 hours, the total number of novel coronavirus cases among India's paramilitary forces is now 750. This tally includes cases that have been reported from among BSF, ITBP, CISF, CRPF and SSB.National Security Guard (NSG) also reported its first case on Sunday, a 33-year-old jawan who tested positive in Manesar. Officials said that the patient has been admitted to CAPF Hospital in Greater Noida and is asymptomatic with only mild fever.Between Saturday and Sunday, BSF reported 18 new cases of Covid-19. This takes the force's tally of confirmed cases to 276.New Delhi

 Centre's financial stimulus "not sufficient": Ex-RBI Governor Subbarao

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/centre-s-financial-stimulus-not-sufficient-former-rbi-governor-duvvuri-subbarao-1676482-2020-05-10

Maintaining that the combined fiscal deficit of the Centre and states may go up to 13-14 per cent this fiscal, former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao on Sunday said the financial stimulus announced by Centre on March 26 on account of lockdown to contain spread of Covid-19, is "not sufficient". Speaking at a webinar titled "Challenge of the Corona Crisis - Economic Dimensions", organised by the city-based Manthan Foundation, Subbarao said the Centre needs to cap its borrowings as the open-ended borrowings will have negative consequences such as pushing interest rates high.

 

JNU V-C says ‘essential’ that all students, staff download Aarogya Setu

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-v-c-says-essential-aarogya-setu-6403362/

New Delhi :JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar Sunday said it was “essential” that all students, teachers and non-teaching staff of the university download the Aarogya Setu App.In an “appeal”, Kumar said, “I hope that you are keeping yourself and others around you safe by following all the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government and the university. I am glad to see that our university community has set an example in making sure that we are all socially responsible in making sure that COVID-19 infection does not spread in our campus in spite of the lockdown and the consequential inconveniences it might have caused. But nothing is more important than protecting the lives of each one of us.”

 

Minority communities contributing equally in fight against COVID-19:Minority Affairs Abbas Naqvi

http://newsonair.com/News?title=Minority-communities-contributing-equally-in-fight-against-COVID-19%2c-says-Minority-Affairs-Minister-Mukhtar-Abbas-Naqvi&id=388152

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said, that Minority communities are equally contributing in the fight against COVID-19 along with others. Naqvi said that all people of the country are working united and strongly to defeat the challenge of Corona pandemic on the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, over 1500 Health Care Assistants, trained under skill development programme are  assisting in treatment and well-being of Corona patients. These include 50 per cent girls. He said, 16 Haj Houses across the country have been given to state governments for quarantine and isolation facilities for Corona affected people. Naqvi said, AMU Medical College has also arranged 100 beds for treatment of Corona patients and arranged Corona tests. The Minister said, more than 9000 tests have been done till now at the AMU Medical College. Naqvi said that different waqf boards across the country have contributed Rs 51 crore in PM and CM relief funds for Corona pandemic with the support of various religious, social and educational organisations. The waqf boards are also distributing food and other essential commodities among the needy.The Minister said that quarantine and isolation facilities have been arranged at Ajmer Sharif Dargah for Corona affected people. More than 4500 pilgrims belonging to all religions from across the country were provided food, accommodation and health facilities during lockdown by the Dargah.

 

Coronavirus | One dead in Meerut because of alleged negligence, DM orders action

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-one-dead-in-meerut-because-of-alleged-negligence-dm-orders-action/article31551459.ece?homepage=true

A possible COVID-19 infected person died, allegedly because of the negligence of doctors at Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial College and Hospital in Meerut, on Saturday night. The video of a middle-aged person with difficulty in breathing went viral on Saturday evening. The person could be seen sitting on the floor of a ward and asking for help. After some time, another video of the person covered with a white sheet came to light where a voice in the background could be heard saying that the person died as he kept waiting for medical attention.Rahul, a relative of the person who brought him to the hospital, told reporters that the deceased was a resident of the Jagriti Vihar area of Meerut. He said, “We brought him to the hospital after his health deteriorated. We were told that his COVID-19 sample has been taken and he was admitted to the ward.”

 *CORONAVIRUS – WORLD*

France mandates masks to control the coronavirus. Burqas remain banned: Washington post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/france-face-masks-coronavirus/2020/05/09/6fbd50fc-8ae6-11ea-80df-d24b35a568ae_story.html?fbclid=IwAR09nojP3PfL-SBlTZKdQEgBqxZY6NH2qJc5IBNl8do-_BIwFZbkR9nBDx4&utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

PARIS:  The originator of the burqa ban, has done more than any other Western nation over the past decade to resist face coverings in public. But as the country begins to emerge from its coronavirus lockdown on Monday, face masks are mandatory.People are required to wear masks in high schools and on public transportation — or risk being fined. Shopkeepers also have the right to ask customers to wear masks or to please leave. Artificial-intelligence-integrated video cameras will be monitoring overall compliance on the Paris Metro.To emphasize the national imperative, President Emmanuel Macron appeared at a school last week wearing a navy mask embellished with the blue, white and red stripes of the French flag. Face coverings, the design seemed to suggest, are fused to the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.All this has been accepted with little commentary or controversy. A recent BFMTV poll found that 94 percent of people in France supported wearing masks. That France has reported more than 26,000 coronavirus deaths no doubt contributes to that acceptance.But many Muslims, religious freedom advocates and scholars see a great deal of irony in a society that has made such a virtue of uncovered faces suddenly requiring faces to be covered.“If you are Muslim and you hide your face for religious reasons, you are liable to a fine and a citizenship course where you will be taught what it is to be ‘a good citizen,’ ” said Fatima Khemilat, a fellow at the Political Science Institute of Aix-en-Provence. “But if you are a non-Muslim citizen in the pandemic, you are encouraged and forced as a ‘good citizen’ to adopt ‘barrier gestures’ to protect the national community.”

Xi Jinping dialed Tedros to ‘delay global warning’ on Covid-19 outbreak; WHO denies

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/coronavirus-who-china-xi-jinping-tedros-adhanom-phone-call-6402951/

WHO has denied a media report that claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally asked WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom to ‘delay a global warning’ regarding the coronavirus outbreak during a phone call in January.The German news outlet, Der Spiegel, published a report citing intelligence from the country’s Federal Intelligence Service, known as ‘Bundesnachrichtendienst’ (BND), that China “urged” WHO to “delay a global warning” about the coronavirus outbreak. As per the report, intelligence found that Xi and Tedros spoke by phone on Jan.21 during which the Chinese President “urged” the WHO chief to “hold back information about a human-to-human transmission and to delay a pandemic warning.” “The BND estimates that China’s information policy lost four to six weeks to fight the virus worldwide,” the report further added.

 

Obama slams US admin for COVID-19 response

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/former-us-president-barack-obama-slams-us-admin-for-covid-19-response

Former US President Barack Obama has slammed incumbent administration of President Donald Trump for its response to COVID-19 pandemic as an "absolute chaotic disaster".A tape recording of Obama's remarks, rendered during a chat with members of Obama Alumni Association on Friday, revealed that the former President said that Trump has made selfishness, tribalism, division and animosity "a stronger impulse in American life", which has impeded containment of the coronavirus pandemic globally, report Xinhua."What we're fighting against is these long-term trends in which being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy - that has become a stronger impulse in American life," Obama said. "And by the way, we're seeing that internationally as well. It's part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty."IANS

 

Lebanon lockdown takes heavy toll on hospitality industry

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/lebanon-lockdown-takes-heavy-toll-hospitality-industry-200510105510186.html

A major outbreak of the coronavirus appears to have been averted, but the pandemic devastated an already collapsing economy. Many businesses did not survive.Lebanon is slowly emerging from its lockdown.Weeks of closures have caused further damage to an economy that was already in freefall after months of political and financial turmoil.And the hospitality sector is paying a heavy price, as at least 18,000 hotel employees have lost their jobs in recent months.

 *SOUTH ASIA*

Indian, Chinese troops face off in Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim; Several Soldiers Injured

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/article31548893.ece?homepage=true

2 incidents of face-off occurred between Indian and Chinese troops last week, resulting in injuries to several soldiers of both sides, Army sources confirmed. The first incident occurred in Eastern Ladakh on May 5 and second occurred at Naku La, Sikkim, on May 9. The issues were resolved locally.“An incident of face-off took place between the troops and, as a result of aggressive behaviour, minor injuries were caused to both sides. Troops disengaged after dialogue and interaction at the local level,” Army sources said on Sunday, speaking about the incident in the Naku La sector, ahead of Muguthang, at an altitude of over 16,000 feet. A large number of troops were present, and at least four Indian and seven Chinese troops were reportedly injured. Sources said the face-off in Eastern Ladakh occurred on the intervening night of May 5 and 6 near Pangong Tso lake, a major part of which China holds. Several soldiers were injured in a scuffle. “The issue was resolved locally by the morning of May 6,” the sources said. Pangong Tso has witnessed such incidents in the past, including in 2017 and 2019.Temporary and brief face-offs occur because the boundary is undemarcated, the sources said, and troops resolve such issues as per the established protocols. “Such an incident occurred after a long time,” the sources said of the Naku La incident.A defence source said that at Muguthang, the road on the Chinese side is motorable, and on the Indian side, it is a remote area. Due to this, they can bring in a large number of troops if need be, the source added.Both countries have differing perceptions owing to the undemarcated boundary, which lead to transgressions and face-offs as each side patrols up to the areas they claim along the 3,448-km Line of Actual Control (LAC). Any such issue is resolved through the mechanisms put in place to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border.the hindu

Fierce Face-off Between Indian, Chinese Troops Near Naku La in Sikkim Sector, Several Soldiers Injured

 

India rejects Nepal’s protest against link road to Kailash Mansarovar, says it is ‘within territory’

https://scroll.in/latest/961513/india-rejects-nepals-protest-against-link-road-to-kailash-mansarovar-says-it-is-within-territory

India has said 80-km road in Uttarakhand, which connects close to the Line of Actual Control and opens a new route for Kailash Mansarovar yatra via Lipulekh pass, is “completely within the territory” of the country. This came after Nepal strongly objected to the new link road that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated on Friday.Nepal’s foreign ministry said India’s decision to build the road through the territory at the Lipulekh pass, which Kathmandu claims to be part of its territory, is a breach of an agreement between the two countries, PTI reported.The link road is expected to help pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet by significantly reducing the travel time. Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani, a disputed border area between Nepal and India. Both the countries claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory – India as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and Nepal as part of Darchula district. “Government of Nepal has learnt with regret about ‘inauguration’ yesterday by India of ‘Link Road’ connecting to Lipulekh, which passes through Nepali territory,” a statement issued on Saturday said. “This unilateral act runs against the understanding reached between the two countries, including at the level of prime ministers, that a solution to boundary issues would be sought through negotiation.” scroll

Netizens in India, Nepal troll Beijing after ‘fake’ claims on Mount Everest

                                                https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/netizens-in-india-nepal-troll-beijing-after-fake-claims-on-mount-everest/story-cvaywLkLQFDOKl5qOusKoM.html

Beijing’s state-run CGTN’s tweet featuring Mount Everest ‘located in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region’ sparked a row among the netizens of India and Nepal who trolled the Communist country for spreading fake news regarding its claims in the region with a ‘#BackOffChina’ trend on Twitter.“#backoffchina Stop Spreading false new Mt.Everst is located in nepal not in china,” said a Twitter user from Nepal. “This is our Mount Everest (8848 ht) we don’t want this to used and marked as yours. nepal government should act upon this. This is unprecedented words that has beem used here. this is unacceptable. #backoffchina,” tweeted another.ANI

 

Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan calls Salve’s claim on back-channel talks ‘baseless and inaccurate’

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-pakistan-harish-salve-icj-6403316/

Pakistan said on Sunday it had “fully complied” with the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case while rejecting the “baseless and inaccurate” allegations by India’s lead counsel Harish Salve. During an online interaction, Salve, India’s legal counsel in the case at the ICJ, had said India resorted to “back-channel” efforts to “persuade” Islamabad to release Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who is on death row in Pakistan on charges of spying and terrorist activities.Indian Express has learnt that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had, in one of his interactions with then Pakistan NSA, Nasser Khan Janjua, “gently nudged” Pakistan to release Jadhav. Salve also said that till date, Pakistan had refused to share the FIR, the chargesheet or the military court judgment.Farooqui further said Pakistan had granted India consular access to Jadhav and was processing measures for effective review and reconsideration as per the guidelines provided by ICJ in its judgment, Dawn reported.indianexpress

 

Pak State-run media starts providing weather update of J&K

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-pakistans-state-run-media-starts-providing-weather-update-of-srinagar-pulwama/352486

Pakistan's state-run media on Sunday started providing detailed weather update of Jammu and Kashmir, days after India started the coverage of weather of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.State-run Radio Pakistan on Sunday reported that in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir "partly cloudy weather is expected with chances of rain.It reported the maximum and minimum temperatures of Srinagar, Pulwama, Jammu and Ladakh.Radio Pakistan has special Kashmir coverage and a part of its webpage is dedicated to news from Jammu and Kashmir. The state-run Pakistan Television also gives coverage to news from Kashmir and runs special bulletin on the Valley.The coverage is expected to increase after Indian media started showing weather of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Pakistan on Friday rejected India's move to begin broadcasting weather reports on Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit in PoK terming it as a "legally void" action to change status of the region.PTI

 

 

*INDIA- ISLAMOPHOBIA, HUMAN RIGHTS & OTHERS*

Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan Hands Over His Laptop to Delhi Police to Facilitate Investigation

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/dr-zafarul-islam-khan-hands-over-his-laptop-to-delhi-police-to-facilitate-investigation

Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) chairman Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan on Sunday submitted his laptop with Delhi Police (Special Cell). The laptop was submitted following a notice served on him on Saturday, asking him to deposit the laptop for investigation in a case registered against him on the basis of a tweet he made on April 28.Speaking to India Tomorrow, Dr. Khan said, “I handed over the laptop to the police though the laptop is not required at all for investigation because I have not deleted the tweet. The tweet is very much there on my registered twitter handle. So, any one can have access to it”.  “Moreover, a tweet made or something loaded from a laptop or computer on the Facebook page is not saved in the computer or laptop. It can only be accessed on the Twitter handle of the person or his Facebook page. Yet, I gave my laptop to the police because denying it would have provided the investigators an alibi that I am not cooperating with the probe”, he said. Dr. Khan has never denied of making the tweets, nor did he apologise for it. However, he reiterated again today saying, “it was ill-timed and insensitive”.  Dr. Khan, through his advocates, has already moved the Delhi High Court, seeking anticipatory bail in the case which is scheduled for hearing on May 12. Besides, there are two other cases against Dr. Khan in the Delhi High Court, one seeking registration of an FIR against him and another one seeking his removal from his position as DMC chairman. Dr. Khan alleged that these were motivated by BJP supporters who wanted to get him removed from DMC for the good work he had been doing for the minorities which was resented by BJP leaders.  The hearing in both cases is scheduled to be held on May11.India Tomorrow

Police notice to minorities panel chief, asks him to submit laptop, mobile used to share Facebook post, by May 12

 

Form Lawyers' Panel in Districts to Fight against Cases of Injustice: IPS Abdur Rahman

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/form-lawyers-panel-in-districts-to-fight-against-cases-of-injustice-ips-abdur-rahman?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29

Maharashtra cadre IPS officer Abdur Rahman, who resigned from the job in protest against passage of CAB day after it was passed by Parliament in December last year, has expressed deep concern over incidents of hate crimes both by private persons and cops in different parts of the country. He has advised “secular & justice loving lawyers” to form a ‘District Advocate Panel’ in every district to fight against “instances of injustice done against all deprived.”In a series of tweets on Friday, he mentioned some recent incidents and made the suggestion.“Incidents of Deoband, Sagarpura (Delhi) Mumbra, Thane indicate police have become communal, beat the largest minority with impunity. Nothing will happen if you post online. Request lawyers to form Advocate Panels in every district, pursue cases till end. Prepare for long term solutions,” said the IPS officer. A video of Deoband, viral on social media shows cops barging into homes of a Muslim neighbourhood and beating people. A bearded, young Muslim was seen being assaulted by a cop and some civilians on the road in Sagarpura area of Delhi. The cop has been suspended.India Tomorrow

 

Experts Express Concerns over Treatment of Muslims in India at International Justice Conference

https://clarionindia.net/experts-express-concerns-over-treatment-of-muslims-in-india-at-international-justice-conference/

Washington, D.C. :Justice For All is hosting its first annual International Justice Conference with experts, scholars and activists in the field of human rights, genocide and international law. The conference was broadcast on the newly launched Muslim Network TV as well as Youtube and social media.Speakers from Amnesty, Save The Children, Refugees Internationals and other international organizations took part in the three day conference.The main session was held on Friday was moderated by the Chair of Justice for All, Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid and included nadeine Meanza, Congressman Joe Wilson, and Professor Gregory Stanton.Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair of the Unites States Commission on International Religious Freedoms, showed concern that the persecution because of religious discrimination has been increasing in ways that need popular outcry. She said, “Don’t let atrocities go unspoken. Don’t let them be brushed aside.”.About the recent release of the USCIRF report, asking for India to be deemed a Country of Particular Concern, she also appealed to Americans, quoting her, “Encourage the US to get involved, it might push India in the right direction.” Congressman Joe Wilson, who is on the Congressional Foreign Relations committee was also very concerned about India and its slide towards religious persecution of minorities. Recognizing the democratic tradition of India, he expressed a hope for a correction of the hate that has fueled attacks.Professor Grergory Stanton, founder and Chair of the organization, Genocide Watch, explained that world needs to recognize steps that Genocidal pogroms take. Commenting on genocides that have taken place in Rwanda and Myanmar, he said, “You must identify all Stages of Genocide as they are happening in order to stop it. Once it reaches Stage 9, Extermination, it’s too late.”. He recognized India as being in the “Preparation” state, which is just before “Extermination”. Stage 10, which comes after the genocide has already taken place is one of denial by the perpetrator.Clarion India

 

UAE Princess Hend Al Qassimi now wants a joint council for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, like Europe or Arab Gulf

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/princess-hend-al-qassimi-now-wants-a-joint-council-for-india-pakistan-bangladesh-like-europe-or-arab-gulf

Princess Hend Al Qassimi, a member of the royal family of UAE, has said India, Pakistan, Bangladesh should have a common council like Europe or Arab Gulf. Taking to Twitter, Princess Hend Al Qassimi wrote: "India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were one country once upon a time, can they one day have a common council like Europe or Arab Gulf?"Earlier, Princess Hend Al Qassimi made headlines after she had called out an Islamophobic man named Saurabh Upadhyay for sharing misinformation and targeting Muslims over the Tablighi Jamaat incident.freepressjournal

Youth Congress Files Complaint Against Sambit Patra, Demands Registration of An FIR for

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/youth-congress-files-complaint-against-sambit-patra-demands-registration-of-an-fir-for-defaming-the-party

new delhi:Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Srinivas BV has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against BJP leader Sambit Patra for "defaming the party and 2 former Prime Ministers".In a complaint to Delhi Police Commissioner S.N. Shrivatsava, Youth Congress leader accused Patra of spreading false and fake information about two former Prime Ministers -- Late Jawaharlal Nehru and Late Rajiv Gandhi.The IYC leader said in his complaint said that Patra in his tweet specifically uses pictures with the defamatory statement in Hindi which is as follows: "Agar Corona Virus Congress ke waqt aaya hota: Rs 5,000 crore Mask Ghotala; Rs 7,000 crore Corona Test Kit Ghotala; Rs 20,000 crore Jawahar Sanitizer Ghotala and Rs 26,000 crore Rajiv Gandhi Virus Research Ghotala."

 

Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami lied in court, he’s not an ‘editor’ or ‘journalist’: Petition in SC

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/perjury-plea-in-sc-against-republic-tv-anchor-arnab-goswami-says-hes-not-an-editor-or-journalist

An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to initiate perjury proceedings against Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV, reports legal news website LiveLaw.in.The application filed by one Reepak Kansal states that Goswami made misleading statements in writ petition filed by him in the SC seeking to quash FIRs registered against him across the country.The applicant takes objection to the claims made by Goswami in the plea that he is "a journalist and Editor".It is stated that broadcasting employees and TV anchors do not come within the definition of "Editor" as per 'The Press and Registration Of Books Act 1867' and also under the ambit of 'working journalists' as defined under The Working Journalists And Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions Of service) And Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955.There is no law enacted till today to bring broadcasting employees / anchors in the definition of journalist and electronic broadcasting channels in the definition of 'PRESS’, states the petition. Electronic media do not come under the ambit of Press Council of India as well, the applicant points out.On these grounds, the applicant argues that Goswami knowingly made a false claim on affidavit before the SC, attracting the offence of perjury under Sections 191,199 and 200 of the Indian Penal Code.nationalheraldindia

Trouble mounts for Arnab as Supreme Court asked to act against him for perjury; Kavita Kaushik and Saif Ali Khan’s co-star Kubbra Sait slam Republic TV founder

 

No Link with Sudhir Chaudhary: Khaleej Times Comes Clean on Invite to Controversial Anchor

https://clarionindia.net/no-link-with-sudhir-chaudhary-khaleej-times-comes-clean-on-invite-to-controversial-anchor/

New Delhi: After a series of queries from social media users, the Khaleej Times, on Saturday, cleared the air around speculations over the link of the newspaper with Sudhir Chaudhry. The paper denied any link with the controversial editor of Zee group.Mustafa Al Zarooni, editor of the prestigious Gulf newspaper, took to twitter to explain the position of the newspaper with regard to the event held in March in which Chaudhary represented Wion News Channel – the main stakeholder of what was called Wion Global Summit 2020.Activists against hate had raised a hue and cry over the invitation of Chaudhary to the United Arab Emirates at a time when Muslims were out on the streets in India protesting against the controversial CAA.The editor cum TV anchor of Zee News is often accused of propagating hate and fake news on his channels which fuels violence against ordinary Muslims in India.In response to a query, Zarooni posted a series of tweets to explain KT’s position. He claimed that his newspaper was the media partner of the event and was not involved in invitation of Chaudhary. “Khaleej Times was the media partner at an event in February in Dubai where HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance, UAE, was the chief guest. That was the extent of our association with this event, “Unleashing Power of South Asia”. KT neither invited nor felicitated any speakers at the event,” he explained.Clarion India

 

One FIR and Sudhir Chaudhary is preaching Islam, after another he’ll open shows with Bismilla: Twitter explodes with memes on Zee anchor

http://www.jantakareporter.com/entertainment/one-fir-and-sudhir-chaudhary-is-preaching-islam-one-more-and-hell-be-opening-shows-with-a-bismilla-rahman-rahim-twitter-explodes-with-memes-on-zee-anchor/290136/

Twitter has exploded with memes on controversial Zee News anchor Sudhir Chaudhary after he was seen to educating his viewers about five pillars of Islam on his prime time show DNA. This was after Chaudhary appeared on his TV channel to school his viewers about the beauty of Islamic teaching.Addressing his viewers, Chaudhary said on Friday, “No religions in the world promote violence. Islam also doesn’t. Therefore, it’s important to know about the principles of a religion forming an opinion about that faith.”Chaudhary then went on to highlight 5 principles of Islam. He explained, “The first pillar of Islam is shahadah whose literal meaning to declare or bear witness. It’s the duty of every Muslim to declare that there’s no God except Allah. In other others, a Muslim must only believe in Allah.”Chaudhary later explained how five-time mandatory prayers or namaaz, Ramadan’s fasting, zakaat or charity and the annual pilgrimage of hajj formed the remaining four pillars of Islam.The video of Chaudhary preaching about Islam to his viewers went viral on social media with users detecting a glaring irony. ‘One FIR’ soon became a top trend on Twitter as the microblogging site exploded with memes and jokes. The dominating theme of the social media conversation was how it took just one FIR for Chaudhary to change his tone on Islam.

 

Some people even prayed for my death: Gujarat Police arrest 4 Muslims for spreading ‘rumours’ on Amit Shah’s health after his clarification

http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/some-people-even-prayed-for-my-death-gujarat-police-arrest-four-muslims-for-spreading-rumours-on-amit-shahs-health-after-home-minister-issues-extraordinary-statement/290101/

 Gujarat Police on Saturday arrested 4 Muslims for allegedly spreading false information about health of Home Minister Amit Shah. 4 arrested have been identified as 40-year-old Sarfaraz Memon, 48-year-old Firozkhan Pathan, 56-year-old Sajjadali Nayani and Siraj Hussain Virani whoseMemon and Pathan are the residents of Ahmedabad, the remaining two hails from Bhavnagar. The development came soon after Shah issued an extraordinary statement about his health.In a long statement shared on Twitter, Shah said that he was ‘completely healthy’ and was not suffering from any illness as claimed by many social media users. He said, “Some of my friends have spread imaginary tales related to my poor health in the last few days. Some people have even prayed for my death.” Shah said that he had been busy discharging his duties as the country’s home ministry during the coronavirus crisis gripping the nation, adding that he did not have time to pay attention to the rumours floating on social media. “However, when this was brought to my notice, I decided to let everyone enjoy their imaginary thoughts. Hence, no explanation from my side.”Addressing his ‘well-wishers,’ Shah said, “I am completely healthy and I am not suffering from any disease.”Shah concluded his statement by saying that he thanked those ‘who have spread the rumours and want to say that I have no ill-feeling for them.’jantakareporter

 

Azaan controversy: AIMIM leader says Javed Akhtar not a Muslim; alleges he has RSS connections

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/azaan-controversy-aimim-leader-says-javed-akhtar-not-a-muslim-alleges-he-has-rss-connections/589816

New Delhi: AIMIM's Asim Waqar has said that Javed Akhtar is not a Muslim. Calling him an imposter, he further alleged that he has RSS connections and that he is speaking against Muslims because he wants a Rajya Sabha seat in the current regime.This comes after Akhtar said that the Islamic call to prayer on loudspeakers should be stopped as it causes “discomfort” to others.In a tweet on Saturday, Akhtar wondered why the practice was ‘halaal’ (allowed) when it was, for nearly half a century in the country, considered ‘haraam’ or forbidden.Times Now

Ajit Jogi slips into coma after suffering cardiac arrest; ex-Chhattisgarh CM's condition is critical, say hospital authorities

https://www.firstpost.com/india/ajit-jogi-slips-into-coma-after-suffering-cardiac-arrest-ex-chhattisgarh-cms-condition-is-critical-say-hospital-authorities-8353381.html

Raipur: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, who has been admitted to Shree Narayana Hospital in Raipur, has slipped into a coma and his condition is stated to be critical. According to a medical bulletin issued by Shree Narayana Hospital on Sunday, the condition of the former Chief Minister, who is in a coma, is critical.He is being treated by a team of 8 doctors. He is currently suffering from hypoxia. It will be ascertained in the next 48 hours how his body is responding to medicines, the hospital bulletin added.ANI

 

Maha CM Thackeray Set to Enter Legislative Council Unopposed after Cong Withdraws 1 Nominee

https://www.news18.com/news/india/maha-cm-uddhav-thackeray-set-to-enter-legislative-council-unopposed-after-cong-withdraws-1-nominee-2614187.html

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is set to enter the Legislative Council unopposed as the Congress on Sunday announced that it would withdraw one of its two nominees for the May 21 elections to nine seats.State Congress president Balasaheb Thorat said, "We have decided to field only one out of two nominees for the MLC elections, which means the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) will have 5 nominees for as many seats (out of the total nine)".

 

Delhi Police arrests AAP MLA Jarwal, his aide in connection with a doctor’s suicide

https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-police-arrests-aap-mla-prakash-jarwal-his-aide-in-connection-with-a-doctors-suicide-bail-plea-to-be-heard-on-11-may-8352511.html

   Delhi Police on Saturday arrested AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal and Kapil Nagar, the two accused in a doctor's suicide case.The two accused were earlier in the day questioned by a police team. "After questioning, AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal and Kapil Nagar were arrested in a doctor's alleged suicide case registered at Police Station Neb Sarai," said DCP, South, Atul Thakur.ANI

 

Tremors felt in Delhi, third time in a month as mild earthquake hits Ghaziabad; no loss of life or property

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/earthquake-tremors-delhi-6403012/

An earthquake of magnitude 3.5 hit Delhi on Sunday, the third in less than a month, according to National Center for Seismology. Parts of New Delhi and its adjoining areas also felt tremors at around 1.45 pm. There were no reports of damage to property, PTI reported.The epicentre of the quake was near Wazirpur in northeast Delhi, JL Gautam, Head (Operations) at NCS, said. The same location and nearby areas were the epicentre of the earthquakes on April 12 and 13 of magnitude 3.5 and 2.7, respectively, PTI reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 5 kms.

 

*WORLD*

Senior Saudi royal Prince Faisal bin Abdullah detained and held incommunicado: HRW

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/senior-saudi-royal-held-incommunicado-detention-hrw-200509093113475.html

Prince Faisal bin Abdullah al-Saud, a son of Saudi Arabia's late monarch King Abdullah, has been in incommunicado detention since the end of March, according to a prominent rights group.Human Rights Watch (HRW), citing a source with ties to the royal family, said on Saturday the prince was arrested by security forces on March 27 while self-isolating because of the coronavirus pandemic at a family compound northeast of the capital, Riyadh. In 2017, the prominent member of the royal family had been rounded up and detained at a luxury hotel in Riyadh, in what was billed as an attempt to combat corruption among the higher echelons of the kingdom's bureaucracy. Prince Faisal, a former head of the Saudi Red Crescent Society, was released later that year.There was no immediate comment by Saudi authorities to the HRW's report.Earlier in March, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had launched a sweeping crackdown against senior royals and security officers, according to several reports, in what observers saw as the latest effort by the heir to the throne and de facto ruler to consolidate power in the kingdom.Two of the royal family's most influential members, Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz, youngest brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the former crown prince and interior minister, were targeted in crackdown."Despite waves of criticism, the lawless behaviour of Saudi authorities during the de facto rule of Mohammed bin Salman continues unabated," said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at HRW. aljazeera

 

Saudi Crown Prince's Latest Crackdown Should Worry His Wealthy Foreign Friends: huffingtonpost

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/saudi-crown-prince-crackdown_in_5eb772a8c5b64711c0c915c9?ncid=other_trending_qeesnbnu0l8&utm_campaign=trending

Saudi security forces killed an activist named Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti on April 13.  When authorities came to raid his house and arrest him, he opened fire, Saudi officials claimed. It’s the first death connected to Neom, a proposed $500 billion city in a remote northwestern corner of Saudi that is a signature project for the country’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The de facto Saudi ruler says the metropolis will be stunningly futuristic, with residents’ every need met by robots and the so-called internet of things, and unique in the ultraconservative kingdom for relaxed social norms and laws.But 20,000 people were there, mostly members of the ancient Huwaitat tribe ― including al-Huwaiti, who spent months speaking up for them in online videos before his govt shot him to death in his own home.   As MBS’s international reputation has swung between wunderkind and tyrant, his rich foreign friends, including powerful Americans, have consistently pushed one narrative. They argue that his economic reforms for Saudi, biggest economy in Arab world, are worth supporting regardless of his human rights abuses.It’s now becoming clear that his repression is inseparable from his plans for Saudi markets.After al-Huwaiti’s death, prominent Saudi rights advocates began sharing a hashtag on Twitter ― one of the most popular social networks in the kingdom ― calling him a martyr. Another activist from the tribe, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, told HuffPost, other media outlets and her followers that she received threats of govt retribution for her posts.

 

Trump, King Salman reaffirm strong 'defence partnership'

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/trump-saudi-king-salman-reaffirm-strong-defence-partnership-200509061822421.html

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman have spoken on phone and reaffirmed their countries' "strong" defence partnership, White House said.The conversation on Friday between the two leaders came amid tensions over kingdom's oil output and after reports emerged that US planned to withdraw 2 Patriot anti-missile batteries from Saudi as it winds down a military build-up that began when tensions with Iran flared up last year.

 

EU to debate punishing Israel over annexation plans

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/5/10/EU-to-debate-punishing-Israel-over-annexation-plans

O.Jerusalem,(PIC)European Union's Foreign Affairs Commission is expected to debate taking punitive measures against Israel should it push forward with its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley.Israel Hayom newspaper said that EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is the one pushing for sanctions, claiming that Borrell, a Spanish diplomat, is known for his animosity toward Israel.‘EU's charter states that all major foreign policy decisions can be made only by a consensus among the bloc's 27 member-states. It is therefore believed that Israel's allies in EU – Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic – will block any major punitive action Borrell may try to promote,” paper pointed out.Currently, Sweden, Ireland and Luxembourg are pushing for the harshest response, namely suspending EU-Israel Association Agreement, which regulates relations between the two countries.

 

Archbishop of Palestinian Hanna calls for national action to foil Israel’s annexation plan

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/5/9/Hanna-calls-for-national-action-to-foil-Israel-s-annexation-plan

Ramallah, (PIC)Father Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of the Palestinian Orthodox Church in Occupied Jerusalem, on Saturday called for joint national action to thwart Israel’s annexation project in occupied West Bank and all conspiracies aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause. Hanna said that statements and speeches “are not enough” to confront the “deal of the century” and Israel’s threats to annex Jordan Valley and a large part of West Bank.“We need to put our political disagreements aside and end the internal division to be able to defend our just cause,” he stressed.

 

Jerusalemite figures warn of Israeli intents targeting Aqsa Mosque

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/5/10/Jerusalemite-figures-warn-of-Israeli-intents-targeting-Aqsa-Mosque

O. Jerusalem, (PIC)Jerusalem affairs researcher Jamal Amr has warned of a grave danger and malicious Israeli intents threatening the Aqsa Mosque.During an evening symposium held online by the West Bank universities’ Islamic Bloc, Amr called for holding emergency meetings on Palestine by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and giving free rein to the Arab and Muslim nations to defend Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque before it is too late.For her part, Aqsa activist Hanadi al-Halawani warned of Israeli efforts exploiting the coronavirus crisis to take control of Aqsa Mosque and the Old City of Jerusalem. Halawani pointed out that Jewish settlers recently started to organize rallies at the Aqsa Mosque’s walls and gates to demand the occupation authority to allow them to defile the holy site, especially on the 29th of Ramadan to mark what they call Jerusalem’s reunification day.

 

Barghouthi: Annexation plan means an end to peace illusions

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/5/10/Barghouthi-Annexation-plan-means-an-end-to-peace-illusions

Ramallah, (PIC)Mustafa al-Barghouthi, secretary-general of National Initiative Movement, has affirmed that Israel’s intended annexation plan in occupied West Bank means an end to any efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state and reach a two-state solution. “The annexation plan also means the end of 2 illusions — the first is the wagering on the US as a mediator of the so-called peace and the second is the possibility of reaching a compromise with the Zionist movement, which is sending an obvious message that it wants all Palestine and Jordan.” Barghouthi said.

 

Egypt's el-Sisi expands powers, citing coronavirus pandemic

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/egypt-el-sisi-expands-powers-citing-coronavirus-pandemic-200509070706295.html

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has approved amendments to the country's state of emergency that grant him and security agencies additional powers, which the government says are needed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.The changes on Saturday were condemned by a prominent rights group, which said Cairo has used the public health crisis to "expand, not reform, Egypt's abusive Emergency Law".The new amendments allow the president to take measures to contain the virus, such as suspending classes at schools and universities and quarantining those returning from abroad.

 

Hundreds gather in Baghdad in new round of anti-gov't protests

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/hundreds-gather-baghdad-anti-gov-protests-200510095037978.html

Hundreds of Iraqis have gathered in central Baghdad for fresh anti-govt protests demanding better living conditions and an overhaul of the country's political system, just days after the formation of a new govt.The gathering in Tahrir Square on Sunday came after Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the country's new PM, promised to release demonstrators arrested during mass protests that erupted in October last year.Following his first cabinet meeting, al-Kadhimi on Saturday also pledged justice and compensation to relatives of more than 550 people killed since the start of the popular demonstrations.Sunday's protests stretched to other areas, including Iraq's southern city of al-Nasriya.aljazeera

 

Hundreds gather in Hong Kong malls as anti-gov't rallies reemerge

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/hundreds-gather-hong-kong-malls-anti-gov-rallies-reemerge-200510120334490.html

Small protests have erupted in Hong Kong as hundreds of people gathered in several shopping centres to call for independence and the resignation of the city's Beijing-backed leader.The semi-autonomous Chinese city last year was rocked by months of often-violent demonstrations triggered by the introduction of a now-scrapped extradition bill. The demonstrations later morphed into a broader pro-democracy movement, but mass arrests and the coronavirus pandemic ushered in a period of calm in recent months.

 

Iran ready to exchange prisoners with US 'without preconditions'

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/iran-ready-exchange-prisoners-preconditions-200510082506593.html

Tehran is ready for a full prisoner exchange with US, according to a spokesman for the Iranian government."We are prepared to discuss this issue without any preconditions but the Americans have not responded yet," Ali Rabiei was quoted as saying by Khabar Online news websit."We hope that as the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease threatens the lives of Iranian citizens in the US prisons, the US government eventually will prefer lives to politics."

 

50 die in Yemen from mosquito-borne disease

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200510-50-die-in-yemen-from-mosquito-borne-disease/

50 people lost their lives in Yemen’s temporary capital of Aden due to chikungunya fever, according to an anonymous government official late Saturday.More than 3,000 people were infected, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Anadolu Agency.Governor of Sheikh Othman district of Aden in southern Yemen is also among the dead, said the source.It is believed that disease came about because of swamps caused by a flood disaster April 21.

*views, Articles, FEATURES*

Hindutva’s extremist Twitterati now target Modi for Muslim appeasement: Varghese K George

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/comment-hindutvas-extremist-twitterati-now-target-modi-for-muslim-appeasement/article31545353.ece?fbclid=IwAR1rnhVG-q4j0oKZw6nGGsI_7utkdigGEJTYPJMR8V54jigitG5nmpvMKhc

How the Poor Survive?Arup Kumar Sen, mainstreamweekly

http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article9371.html

Is Tablighi Jamaat A Variant Of Islam?Ambreen Agha,Ass.Prof,  O.P. Jindal Global University,  outlookindia

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/opinion-is-tablighi-jamaat-a-variant-of-islam/352385

The puritanical movement called Tabligh:Saeed Naqvi, nationalheraldindia

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/the-puritanical-movement-called-tabligh

Why we have to cut off the head of fascism again and again:Patrick McGrath, the guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/08/fascism-must-be-resisted-wherever-it-raises-its-head?fbclid=IwAR3SxbEuoP4ME2G-fieHAA0DePw181G8jXXSbGbp7agdnvRR3A3zU900ixk

Muslim bodies back Delhi Minorities Chairman in tweet controversy:Ziya Us Salam

https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/article31542893.ece

Is Govt’s Kashmir Strategy a Success? Answer Lies in Peaceful Integration of Kashmiris, Not Just Counter-Terrorism: Lt Gen (Retd) DS Hooda

https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/is-govts-kashmir-strategy-a-success-answer-lies-in-peaceful-integration-of-kashmiris-not-just-counter-terrorism-ops-2613865.html

If the lockdown is not lifted, there may be defiance on a larger scale than at present:P Chidambaram

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-lockdown-coronavirus-may-17-p-chidambaram-6402257/

Print media: Chronicle of a death foretold:Mrinal Pande, nationalheraldindia

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/print-media-chronicle-of-a-death-foretold

Suspending labour laws unlikely to prompt non-Chinese companies to rush into India:Uttam Sengupta

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/suspending-labour-laws-unlikely-to-prompt-non-chinese-companies-to-rush-into-india

Govt in a flickering tubelight mode: Even Station Masters have no clue about trains:Nalini Ranjan Mohanty

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/govt-in-a-flickering-tubelight-mode-even-station-masters-have-no-clue-about-trains

Surveillance for profit and politics : Uttam Sengupta

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/surveillance-for-profit-and-politics

COVID-19 Data in South Asia Shows India is Doing Worse than Its Neighbours:Deepankar Basu and Priyanka Srivastava

https://thewire.in/health/covid-19-data-in-south-asia-shows-india-is-doing-worse-than-its-neighbours

3 Pulitzer-Winning J&K Photographers Speak About the Challenges They Faced: Quratulain Rehbar

https://thewire.in/media/kashmir-photojournalists-ap-pulitzer

Not Just Aurangabad Accident, 383 People Have Died Due to the Punitive Lockdown:Kabir Agarwal

https://thewire.in/rights/migrant-workers-non-coronavirus-lockdown-deaths

 

Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 10:42 PM)*