*SOUTH ASIA- INDO-PAK, J&K*

Adityanath should be told it’s not appropriate to threaten Nepal, India’s claim on Kalapani region is based on unsound facts : PM Sharma Oli

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/adityanath-should-be-told-its-not-appropriate-to-threaten-nepal-oli/article31794724.ece

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath should be told not to threaten Nepal, and India’s claim on the Kalapani region is based on unsound facts, Prime Mnister K.P. Sharma Oli said on Wednesday in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Nepalese parliament. “CM of UP Adityanathji has said certain things about Nepal. His comments are inappropriate and not legitimate. Someone in a responsible position in the Central government [of India] should request him not to comment on issues that are not part of his domain and he should be told that comments that threaten Nepal will be condemned”, Oli said in response to a question on Adityanath‘s recent statements. Speaking on Nepal’s claim on the Kalapani region, Adityanath said last week, “Before determining political boundary, Nepal should think of the consequences and it should also remember what happened to Tibet”. Oli said the issues confronting India-Nepal ties were not for him to comment upon. “If India shows more willingness for dialogue, a solution can be found.”. He argued that his government was focused on resolving the Kalapani dispute but India should tell Adityanath, “It is not appropriate to threaten Nepal”.“Since 1961 and ‘62, India has stationed its military forces in Kalapani. But that land belongs to us. India is showing an artificial Kali river as the basis of its claim on the region. They have also built a temple of Goddess Kali in that area which belongs to us. But our claim is based on historical documents and facts”, Oli said in reply to queries from MPs on Second Constitution Amendment that will give legal status to new map of Nepal that claims Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura. thehindu

 

Eastern Ladakh Standoff: India, China Hold Major General-level Talks To Ease Tensions

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-eastern-ladakh-standoff-india-china-hold-major-general-level-talks-to-ease-tensions/354496

Indian and Chinese armies on Wednesday held Major General-level talks with an aim to end the military standoff in Pangong Tso and a number of other areas in eastern Ladakh, people familiar with the development said.In the over four-and-half-hour meeting, the Indian delegation pressed for restoration of status quo ante and immediate withdrawal of sizeable number of Chinese troops from all the standoff points, they said.Major General-level dialogue took place in a "positive atmosphere" with an aim to further ease tension between the two sides, they said.The talks came a day after the two armies began a limited disengagement in a few areas in Galwan Valley and Hot Spring in a demonstration of their intent to end the row peacefully. However, both sides remained engaged in aggressive posturing in areas such as Pangong Tso, Daulat Beg Oldie and Demchok.Military sources on Tuesday said 2 armies began "disengagement" around patrolling points 14 and 15 in Galwan Valley and another in the Hot Spring area, adding the Chinese side has even moved back up to 1.5 km in the two areas.Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged since May 5 following a violent clash in Pangong Tso.

Nepal House of Representatives unanimously endorses Constitution amendment bill endorsing new map

 

The Wire Exclusive: In Talks, China Takes Hard Line, Claims All of Galwan Valley, Chunk of Pangong Tso

https://thewire.in/security/in-talks-china-takes-hard-line-claims-all-of-galwan-valley-chunk-of-pangong-tso

New Delhi: Three days after Indian and Chinese military commanders met on Saturday at Chushul, in Ladakh, to discuss the crisis caused by the occupation by thousands of Chinese soldiers of territory traditionally patrolled by both armies, top army sources in India sought to portray a rapidly improving situation.Claiming that both sides – the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Indian Army – have “retreated a bit” after the Saturday meeting, the army sources revealed that another Sino-Indian meeting would be held on Wednesday at a more junior level. However, sources on the ground paint a far bleaker picture of Chinese intransigence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). They say that during the talks, the PLA interlocutors flatly rejected the Indian demand for Chinese troops to withdraw from areas they occupied in May and restore the status quo that prevailed in April.In fact, during the military-to-military dialogue on Saturday, China refused to even discuss its intrusions into the Galwan River valley, instead claiming ownership over the entire area.Underlining these sharp divergences between the Indian and Chinese positions, no joint statement was released after Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, the Leh corps commander, met PLA Major General Liu Lin, who heads the South Xinjiang Military Region in a bid to defuse the confrontation.Nor did New Delhi release any details about the military discussions. Only on Tuesday, after being sharply criticised by opposition members, including Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party, did “top army sources” present the media with the military’s version of events.

 

‘Yes, Chinese occupied Indian territory’: Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal’s biting response to Rahul Gandhi on border stand off

https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/ladakh-bjp-mp-jamyang-tsering-namgyal-replies-rahul-gandhi-india-china-border-standoff/1987233/

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s comments on Chinese aggression in Ladakh has drawn a sharp response from the local MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. In a tweet shared today, the BJP leader launched a scathing attack on Rahul for his question directed at Defence minister Rajnath Singh.“Have the Chinese occupied Indian territory in Ladakh?” Rahul had asked Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. Jamyang accused Rahul and his party of trying to mislead the nation and went on to share the details of incidents when Chinese made incursions into the Indian side.“I hope Rahul Gandhi and Congress will agree with my reply based on facts and hopefully they won’t try to mislead again,” he tweeted.“Yes, Chinese occupied Indian territory,” he said and listed areas that were occupied on Congress watch.

 

J&K: Five suspected militants killed in Shopian gunfight, third operation this week

https://scroll.in/latest/964269/j-k-three-suspected-militants-killed-in-shopian-gunfight-third-operation-this-week

5 suspected militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, the police said. This is the third operation in Shopian since Sunday and 14 militants have been killed so far.The security forces launched a cordon and search operation on Wednesday morning after receiving inputs about the presence of militants in Sugoo area of Shopian, a police official told PTI. The militants then opened fire on the search party, leading to a gunfight which ended in their deaths.Nine suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a commander, were killed in two gun battles with the security forces on Sunday and Monday.

 

 

New media policy for UT: J&K officials to rule on ‘fake news’, take legal action

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/new-media-policy-for-ut-jk-officials-to-rule-on-fake-news-take-legal-action-6451379/

The new media policy announced by the J&K administration on June 2 gives it powers to decide what is “fake”, “unethical” or “anti-national” news, and to take legal action against the journalist or media organisation concerned, including stopping government advertisements and sharing information with security agencies.“J&K has significant law and order and security considerations, it has been fighting a proxy war supported and abetted from across the border,” reads the 50-page policy document that mostly deals with government advertisements to news organisations, adding, “In such a situation, it is extremely important that the efforts of anti-social and anti-national elements to disturb peace are thwarted.”Under the new policy, a background check of newspaper publishers, editors and key staff has been made mandatory before empanelling them for government advertisements, apart from security clearance before a journalist is given accreditation.

 

J&K: Police register ‘open FIR’ for social media criticism of High Court verdict

https://scroll.in/latest/964301/j-k-police-register-open-fir-for-social-media-criticism-of-high-court-verdict

Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a first information report against social media criticism of a recent verdict by the High Court. On May 28, a division bench had upheld the detention of Kashmir Bar President Mian Qayoom under the Public Safety Act.The police have begun their investigation. “It prima-facie reveals that the comments so uploaded on social media had been made with the intention not only to disrepute the Hon’ble High Court but also causing disharmony in the general public and thereby making an attempt at dissuading the general public from reposing faith in the institution of judiciary,” the police said. FIR was filed at Srinagar’s Shaheed Ganj police station. The sub-divisional police officer reportedly said it was an “open FIR” and the case has been registered under sections 153A (promoting disharmony, enmity or feelings of hatred between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language) and 505 (intent to incite any class or community to commit any offence against any other class or community) of the Indian Penal Code. He, however, refused to share the details of FIR. Reports said that the FIR has not been lodged on the complaint of any judge or court official.

 

*INDIA- ISLAMOPHOBIA, HUMAN RIGHTS & OTHERS*

UP Cabinet clears ordinance making cow slaughter punishable with 10 years’ imprisonment

https://scroll.in/latest/964309/up-cabinet-clears-ordinance-making-cow-slaughter-punishable-with-10-years-imprisonment

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft ordinance increasing the penalty for cow slaughter to up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, PTI reported. The state cabinet cleared the draft of the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Cow Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Adityanath in Lucknow.The ordinance says that for the first offence, the person can be given a rigorous punishment of one to seven years with a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. For the second offence, the period of imprisonment can be extended to 10 years, and the fine increased to Rs 5 lakh. At present, the maximum fine is Rs 10,000, The Times of India reported.The ordinance says that in cases of illegal transportation of cows and other bovines, charges shall be filed against the driver, operator and the owner of the vehicle. However, the charges will not be filed, or will be dropped, if it is proven that the animals were transported without the owner’s knowledge.The expenditure incurred on the maintenance of the captured cows will be recovered from the owner of the vehicle for a period of one year, or until the animal is released, whichever is earlier.According to another provision, if someone does not provide food and water with the intention of endangering the life of the cow, the person can be awarded one-year rigorous imprisonment, which may extend to seven years. The person can be fined between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh.scroll

 

 

HC grants time to police to file additional status report on Sharjeel Imam''s plea

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/hc-grants-time-to-police-to-file-additional-status-report-on-sharjeel-imams-plea/1861986

  Delhi High Court Wednesday granted Delhi Police time to file an additional status report on a plea by former JNU student Sharjeel Imam, arrested in a case related to alleged inflammatory speeches during the protests against CAA and NRC, challenging a trial court order granting more time to police to conclude the investigation.Justice V Kameswar Rao, who conducted the hearing through video conferencing, listed the matter for further hearing on June 25.At the outset, Additional Solicitor General Aman Lekhi, representing Delhi Police, submitted that he needs 10 days time to file additional status report in the matter.The police had filed an affidavit in the high court on June 5 opposing Imam''s plea challenging a trial court order granting more time to police to conclude the investigation.The statutory period of 90 days from the arrest was concluded on April 27.He has also sought default bail in the matter on the ground that the investigation was not concluded within the statutory period of 90 days and when the police had filed an application for more time to complete the investigation, he was not given a notice as required under the law. The trial court had dismissed the bail plea.Imam has claimed in the plea that no notice was given to his lawyer informing them about the application of the special cell seeking the extension of the time to file the charge sheet in view of invoking UAPA charges against him.PTI

 

Petition to release Jamia Millia Islamia scholar Safoora Zargar

https://www.siasat.com/petition-release-jamia-millia-islamia-scholar-safoora-zargar-1900493/

New Delhi: After a Delhi court on Thursday denied bail to Jamia Millia Islamia scholar Safoora Zargar, saying it found “no merits” in her application, a netizen, Murtuza Ali Mir started an online petition on change.org.

 

Delhi: Fresh charges against former councillor Tahir Hussain

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-fresh-charges-against-former-councillor-tahir-hussain/articleshow/76275794.cms

NEW DELHI: In fresh trouble for sacked AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, investigation in another case of rioting has revealed that he had allegedly funded the violence. In a new chargesheet, police have claimed that Hussain had asked his associate, Gulfam, to be prepared for a 'big riot' and given him Rs 15,000 to buy ammunition.On January 31, he bought 100 rounds and added them to the cache of the 100 rounds he already had. He fired all but seven bullets during the riots.Gulfam, Tanveer and six others were arrested for trying to kill one Ajay Goswami (23) while he was trying to flee from the rioters. During interrogation, the duo admitted that they were firing indiscriminately from the terrace of Hussain's house. Hussain and his younger brother Shah Alam were also present at the terrace during this, cops claimed.

 

Delhi Riots: Provocation by Anti-CAA Protesters Triggered ‘Retaliation’, Allege Chargesheets

https://www.newsclick.in/Delhi-Riots-Provocation-Anti-CAA-Protesters-Triggered-Retaliation-Chargesheets

New Delhi: Despite repeated denial of allegations of “biased” investigation into the communal violence in northeast Delhi in February, the Delhi police continues to move ahead with filing charge-sheets — which hint that the alleged provocation by the anti-CAA protesters triggered a retaliation by Hindu groups. These chargesheets further hint that the ‘action-reaction’ theory resulted in the riots, where in over 50 people killed and hundreds suffered injuries.The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police on June 8 filed four charge-sheets in connection with the riots, alleging that the violence was “conspired with intent to create communal strife to malign the image of the country under the gaeb of democratically opposing the CAA”.

 

Northeast Delhi Riots: "Police Prepared Chargesheets Under Pressure Of Their Political Bosses", Alleges Senior Advocate Mehmood Pracha

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/northeast-delhi-riots-police-prepared-chargesheets-under-pressure-of-their-political-bosses-alleges-senior-advocate-mehmood-pracha

NEW DELHI:Senior advocate Mehmood Pracha has said that the chargesheets in the Northeast Delhi violence seem to have been prepared under pressure from the political bosses in the government.In a video interview to India Tomorrow, Pracha alleged, “The chargesheets have no factual evidences against the accused. They appear to be one sided”. The police have so far submitted 78 charge-sheets in the court.Well-known advocate, Pracha alleged, “The stories mentioned in the chargesheets are concocted with fake evidences managed by the police itself. There are no factual evidences. These seem to have been drafted under the direction of their political bosses”.    He suggested that people, who have been framed in fake cases, should take legal action against the police officials involved in preparation of chargesheets.India Tomorrow

 

 

Indian Journalists’ Union condemns FIRs against journalists Vinod Dua, Vivek Mishra, Ajay Bhadauria

https://scroll.in/latest/964315/indian-journalists-union-condemns-firs-against-journalists-vinod-dua-vivek-mishra-ajay-bhadauria

Indian Journalists’ Union on Tuesday condemned the first information reports filed against journalists Vinod Dua, Vivek Mishra and Ajay Bhadauria, calling them “an attack on free speech and expression and an obvious intimidation of media”, The Wire reported on Wednesday.On Friday, the Delhi Police had filed an FIR against Dua for allegedly misreporting the communal violence that took place in the Capital in February and spreading fake news through his show on YouTube. Naveen Kumar, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader who filed the complaint against Dua also alleged that he had blamed the Centre of doing nothing to stop the violence in Northeast Delhi.

 

 

Fall of Kamal Nath government was decided by BJP, Shivraj Singh Chouhan allegedly says in audio clip

https://scroll.in/latest/964293/fall-of-kamal-nath-government-was-decided-by-bjp-shivraj-singh-chouhan-allegedly-says-in-audio-clip

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has purportedly said that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central leadership had decided the fall of the Congress government in the state, NDTV reported on Wednesday. An audio clip of the chief minister’s address to party workers during his visit to Indore on Monday when he made the remark has now gone viral. Scroll.in has not been able to verify the authenticity of the audio clip.“It was the central leadership which had decided that the government will be dislodged, else it would ruin everything,” Chouhan is purportedly heard saying in Hindi. “Tell me, was it possible to dislodge the government without Jyotiraditya Scindia and Tulsi Silawat?”Chouhan also purportedly added that Silawat had left his minister’s post for the formation of the BJP government. “In the coming bye-poll if Tulsi Silawat doesn’t become MLA again, will I be able to remain CM, will the BJP government survive?” he asked.

 

Plea In Madhya Pradesh HC For Constitution Of Committee To Prevent Communalism Within Police Force

https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/plea-in-madhya-pradesh-hc-for-constitution-of-committee-to-prevent-communalism-within-police-force-read-petition-158030

A petition has been filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking constitution of specialized Committee to address the concern of rising "communalism" within the Police force in the state.The petition, filed by one Deepak Bundela, a practicing Advocate of the High Court, also seeks constitution of a "Police Complaints Authority" in the state.Bundela has moved the High Court through Advocate Ehtesham Hashmi, alleging that he was brutally assaulted by a mob of policemen, including one Kapil Saurashtra, who apparently mistook Bundela to be a Muslim.He has submitted that while he was going to the Hospital to fetch his medicines for acute diabetes and blood pressure, Saurashtra stopped him at the strength of a Section 144 order that was in force and thereafter abused him as well as the Indian Constitution. The incident was followed by a brutal assault on the Petitioner's person.

 

Assam: Fire at oil well could take at least four more weeks to extinguish, says Oil India

https://scroll.in/latest/964265/assam-fire-at-oil-well-could-take-at-least-four-more-weeks-to-extinguish-says-oil-india

The natural gas well of Oil India Limited in Assam’s Tinsukia district that had a blowout on May 27 and caught fire on Tuesday could take at least four more weeks to control, the HT reported. The fire erupted 13 days after an uncontrolled gas emission from the well and a day after three experts from Singapore reached the area to fix the blowout.The cause of the fire, which broke out at 1.40 pm, was yet to be ascertained. In a statement, OIL said emergency meetings with the expert team was underway. “They have expressed it is now a safe environment for working and are confident that the situation can be controlled and the well capped safely,” it added. “The situation demands arrangement of large quantities of water, installation of high discharge pumps and removal of debris. All the operations as per the experts will take about four weeks. Efforts will be made to reduce this time frame as much as possible.”

 

Ram Temple construction begins, model proposed by VHP in 1992 to be implemented – Design, photos inside: timesnownews

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ram-temple-construction-begins-model-proposed-by-vhp-in-1992-to-be-implemented-design-photos-inside/604130

New Delhi: The Ram temple construction in Ayodhya started in Ayodhya after an elaborate 'Rudra Abhishek' ceremony held at the Kuber Tila temple.In view of the corona crisis, plans to hold a grand "bhumi pujan" ceremony has been put off for now.“We will be following the tradition of Lord Rama by offering prayers first to Lord Shiva,” he had said. Special prayers were performed by Mahant Kamal Nayan Das along with other priests on behalf of Ram Mandir Trust president and the ceremony lasted about two hours.The Supreme Court on November 9, 2019, paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple.In February this year, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had requested the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust to keep the design finalized by the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas with VHP working president Alok Kumar saying that they wanted the original design as it had been widely endorsed by the Ram Mandir movement.

 

 

Prayers held at Ayodhya for early start to Ram temple construction

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prayers-held-at-ayodhya-for-early-start-to-ram-temple-construction/article31796505.ece?homepage=true

Priests conducted special prayers at a Shiva shrine at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya but stopped short of symbolically launching the construction of a Ram temple, contrary to an announcement made earlier this week.Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, who participated in the ‘rudrabhishek’ ritual at the Kuber Tila shrine said he prayed for an early beginning of construction of the Ram temple.Mahant Kamal Nayan Das is described as the spokesperson to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who heads the Ram Mandir trust which has been charged with the construction of the temple after the historic Supreme Court verdict last year.On June 8, Mahant Kamal Nayan Das had announced that the rudrabhishek will be followed by beginning work on the foundation of the planned Ram temple.PTI

 

 

Amid disease and death, Shah crows CAA, CAA…

https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/coronavirus-pandemic-amid-disease-and-death-amit-shah-crows-caa-caa/cid/1779727

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday dusted off the CAA plank with renewed zeal, attacking chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her opposition to the controversial law and predicting that she would be reduced to a political refugee after the Assembly elections next year.Addressing from New Delhi a virtual rally meant for Bengal, Shah asked Mamata to clarify the reasons behind her opposition to citizenship for refugees. The amended law seeks to fast-track citizenship for refugees from most religions, except Islam.The Union home minister’s speech, delivered in the middle of the pandemic and an economic crisis, apparently reached at least 50 to 60 lakh people, according to BJP sources, through social media by the evening. Shah’s thrust left little doubt that the citizenship matrix would be a key element of the BJP’s campaign narrative for the 2021 Assembly polls.“I want to tell Mamata Didi, your opposition to CAA will prove costly. When the ballot boxes open, then you will see that Bengal’s people have turned you into a political refugee (sharanarthi). Your opposition to CAA will prove very costly for you,” Shah said.

 

Bihar Assembly Polls: AIMIM Releases First List of 32 Seats, Likely to Fight Alone

https://clarionindia.net/bihar-assembly-polls-aimim-releases-first-list-of-32-seats-likely-to-fight-alone/

PATNA — Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Wednesday released a list of 32 Assembly seats where it will field candidates in the upcoming Bihar elections. AIMIM Bihar president Akhtarul Iman has hinted the party will fight the polls alone.“The ruling alliance and opposition are fighting against each other’s 15-15 year regime but we are fighting against 15-15 year regimes and 40 year regime. While NDA and RJD have to give account for their regimes of 15 years, Congress will have to answer for 40 years,” said Akhtarul Iman at a press conference in Kishanganj district, around 400 km from the state capital, giving a hint that AIMIM will fight against the triangle of BJP-led alliance, RJD and Congress. AIMIM’s Bihar Youth president Adv Aadil Hasan was also present at the press conference.In Bihar assembly by-poll in October 2019, Owaisi’s party had opened its account in the state assembly as its candidate Qamarul Hoda won the Kishanganj seat by defeating BJP candidate Sweety Singh with a margin of over 11,000 votes. The ruling JDU of Nitish Kumar had backed the BJP candidate.

 

 

Masjid in dilapidated building has no relevance to question of public safety, says Bombay HC

https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/masjid-in-dilapidated-building-has-no-relevance-to-question-of-public-safety-says-bombay-hc

Mumbai: A masjid in a dilapidated building has no relevance at all to the question of public safety, opined the Bombay High Court on Tuesday. The HC even slammed the BMC and the MHADA for not initiating any action against a dilapidated building in Bhendi Bazaar.A bench of Justice Gautam Patel has ordered the BMC and the MHADA to file their affidavits explaining why they could not demolish the building - Haji Ismail Musafirkhana, despite it being categorised as C-1 - a dangerous structure.Notably, the building stands next to the last known address of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, on the Pakmodia street.To protect the building from demolition, a few tenants informed Justice Patel that the structure could not be razed as firstly it has a masjid inside and secondly it is a Wakf property.

 

 

Abhisar Sharma and Former BBC Journalist Qurban Ali Among 14 Journalists To Win Delhi Minorities Commission Award

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/abhisar-sharma-and-former-bbc-journalist-qurban-ali-among-14-journalists-to-win-delhi-minorities-commission-award

NEW DELHI:Former TV anchor Abhisar Sharma, who had to quit ABP in September 2018, for taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name in connection with a small incident of crime in UP, is among the 14 journalists from Print and TV media who have won Delhi Minority Commision-2019 Awards.Other prominent journalist-awardees in the list include the executive editor of the Wire Urdu website Mahtab Alam, former BBC correspondent Qurban Ali, veteran journalist and columnist Humra Quraishi, celebrated Urdu journalist and author Masoom Muradabad, Suhail Anjum, budding journalist Shaheen Abdulla, prominent Sikh journalist S. Amrik Singh Kooner and veteran AIR broadcaster Lucy Gabriel Chattopadhyay and Aditya Menon of The Quint. As many as 178 persons have been selected for this year’s awards in 14 different categories.  Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s national secretary Mohammed Iqbal Mulla, Baba Hardip Singh Ji of Gurudwara Gobind sadan Gadaipur, Mehrauli, Fr. Dr. M D Thomas  and Fr. Cedric Prakash are among those awarded for their lifelong commitment to promote communal harmony and interfaith dialogue, leading advocate Mehmood Pracha for defending human and minority rights, renowned activist Teesta Setalvad for her lifelong commitment to human rights and rule of law, and the NGO The Quill Foundation for its pioneering work in human rights of marginalized communities. India Tomorrow

 

Jamia, AMU among Top 50 universities in India: QS World Rankings

https://ummid.com/news/2020/june/10.06.2020/jamia-millia-islamia-amu-among-top-50-universities-in-india.html

Mumbai: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) - two eminent central universities in India, have retained their place in the list of top 50 universities in the country with improved rank, according to the 2021 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings released Wednesday.Jamia Millia Islamia has ranked among 751-800 best varsities in the world whereas Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has ranked among 801-1000 best varsities in the world. This is the same rank the two universities had achieved in QS World 2020 Rankings. However, what is significant is that they have improved their rankings among India's top universities.Jamia Millia Islamia had ranked 28 in 2020. This year QS World University Rankings has placed Jamia Millia Islamia at 21st place in India. Jamia's BRICS ranking is 125 and its rank among Asian universities is 192. The QS World University Rankings 2021 also says Research Output of Jamia Millia Islamia is "Very High".

 

* CORONAVIRUS- LOCKDOWN*

Hajj in COVID-19 era: Will Saudi cut numbers or cancel pilgrimage?

https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2020/06/09/hajj-in-covid-19-era-will-saudi-arabia-cut-numbers-or-cancel-pilgrimage.html

Uncertainty persists on how Saudi Arabia intends to organise the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites at Mecca and Medina. For all able-bodied Muslims, hajj is regarded as being mandatory at least once in life.However, the continuing COVID-19 outbreak across the globe has cast a shadow over this year's hajj. This year, the week-long hajj is scheduled to begin on July 28.Reuters has reported that Saudi Arabia could consider drastically cutting the number of pilgrims arriving for hajj. In normal circumstances, about 2.5 million Muslims performed the hajj every year.In addition to its importance in Islam, the hajj is also a major source of foreign revenue for Riyadh. "Official data show hajj and the lesser, year-round umrah pilgrimage earn the kingdom about $12 billion a year," Reuters reported.In March, as cases of COVID-19 started to increase, Saudi Arabia asked countries to put on hold their hajj plans and suspended the umrah pilgrimage.Reuters noted that some Saudi officials are pushing to cancel this year's hajj. Reuters quoted two officials as saying Saudi Arabia could grant permission for only "symbolic numbers" of pilgrims this year for hajj, with restrictions such as a ban on the elderly and additional health checks.Reuters reported, "With strict procedures, authorities think it may be possible to allow in up to 20 per cent of each country's regular quota of pilgrims."Late last week, the Hajj Committee of India announced, "There is little chance of hajj 2020 taking place. Even those who do not apply for cancellation will get full refund." On average, around 2 lakh people from India travel on hajj to Saudi Arabia every year. An official of the committee said there has been "no communication from authorities in Saudi Arabia about the hajj".

 

UP: After temples, Dargah Aala Hazrat in Bareilly calls for boycott of alcohol-based sanitizer

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/after-temples-prominent-muslim-shrine-calls-for-boycott-of-alcohol-based-sanitizer/articleshow/76290187.cms

BAREILLY: A prominent cleric at Dargah Aala Hazrat in Bareilly -- the most revered shrine of Muslims' Barelvi sect -- has asked the followers and mosque heads to avoid using alcohol-based sanitizers.“Alcohol is prohibited in Islam. So, Muslims should not use alcohol-based sanitizers. A mosque will become impure if alcohol-based sanitizer is used for cleaning the premises. We cannot make God’s home impure. Namaz cannot be offered at an impure place. If the mosque is made impure knowingly, it will be a sin. I have appealed to Imams of mosques and mosques’ committees to refrain from using alcohol-based sanitizer,” said Mufti Nashtar Farooqi of Sunni Markaz Darul Ifta, Dargah Aala Hazrat.Farooqi also gave an alternative to save the followers from the “sin”.“Instead of using alcohol-based sanitizer, Muslims should properly wash their hands and mosque campus with soap, detergent powder and shampoo,” the cleric said.It comes just a day after priests of some prominent temples in Mathura refused to use the sanitizer with alcohol content.Some prominent temples, including Iskcon, Banke Bihari, Mukut Mukharvind and Shri Rang Nath Ji in Mathura and Vrindavan, had decided not to open their doors for public from Monday. One of the reasons behind their decision was the government’s directions for mandatory use of alcohol-based sanitizers on premises. Most sanitizers have over 70% alcohol content in them.

 

Shahi Imam's secretary Amanullah dies due to corona:  Imam Ahmed Bukhari says Delhi's Jama Masjid May Close Again Due To COVID-19 Situation

https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhis-jama-masjid-may-close-again-due-to-covid-19-situation-says-shahi-imam-2243803

New Delhi: Delhi's Jama Masjid may have to be closed again in view of the "deteriorating" situation in the city due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mosque's Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari said today.The development comes after the Shahi Imam's secretary Amanullah died due to coronavirus at the Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday night.Delhi recorded 1,366 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the tally to 31,309, while the number of deaths went up to 905, authorities said today."He (Amanullah) had tested positive and was admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital on June 3, where he breathed his last yesterday," Mr Bukhari said.The Shahi Imam said the opinion of the people has been sought on closing the mosque again in view of the surge in the number of novel coronavirus cases in the national capital."People are giving their views through social media and other channels on closing the Jama Masjid. We may again shut it down for people and limit 'namaz' for a few people, in a day or two," he said.The mosque had opened on June 8 after a gap of over two months with the government allowing further relaxations as part of "Unlock-1", the first phase of a calibrated exit from the novel coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown."I have also asked other smaller mosques to appeal to people to stay at home and offer 'namaz' instead of going to mosques for it. What is the point of visiting mosques at such a time when the spread of the coronavirus is peaking in Delhi, when we did not do so even during Ramzan and Eid due to the lockdown," Mr Bukhari said.PTI

 

After initial concern, mosques open doors in West Bengal amid coronavirus lockdown

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jun/09/after-initial-concern-mosques-open-doors-in-west-bengal-amid-coronavirus-lockdown-2154452.html

KOLKATA: Several mosques in West Bengal have opened their premises to the faithful over the past few days, after initially having expressed apprehensions over their safety, amid the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, a member of the imams' association said.The government has granted permission to all places of worship to unbolt their doors to the devotees from June 1, while stressing that safety protocols have to be strictly followed at all shrines.Prominent temples, gurdwaras, and churches, in keeping with the government guidelines, have thrown open the gates since the beginning of the month, while some religious places have sought time to ensure that all safety protocols were in place, before allowing the devotees inside.

 

NHRC issues notice to Delhi govt, Health Ministry over Covid 'mismanagement'

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-india-news-live-updates-india-covid-19-cases-tracker-corona-virus-cases-in-india-state-wise-lockdown-today-latest-news-update-6451101/

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issues notice to Delhi Government and Union Health Ministry over serious allegations about Covid mismanagement including non-availability of beds, inadequate number of tests, increasing deaths, delay in last rites of the deceased.

 

Covid-19: Residents of Nizamuddin serve legal notice to Delhi authorities for ‘targeting Muslims’

https://scroll.in/latest/964211/covid-19-residents-of-nizamuddin-serve-legal-notice-to-delhi-authorities-for-targeting-muslims

The district magistrate of South East Delhi on Tuesday was served a notice for pursuing a “conspiracy to defame the Muslim community” by arbitrarily keeping the Nizamuddin area in Delhi sealed for more than 65 days, even after no new cases of the coronavirus were reported, Bar and Bench reported. The area was declared a containment zone on March 30.In March, Tablighi Jamaat, a multinational Muslim missionary movement, held a huge gathering of preachers in the Nizamuddin area. Thousands of Indians and hundreds of foreigners had attended the conference. The event later emerged as an infection hotspot. Soon after, police officers sealed the headquarters on all sides and the entire neighbourhood of the Nizamuddin Basti where the Markaz Masjid is located was declared a containment zone.

 

CAA protests: Court rejects bail plea of Kashmiri woman who tested positive in NIA custody

https://scroll.in/latest/964234/caa-protests-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-kashmiri-woman-who-tested-positive-in-nia-custody

A court in Delhi on Tuesday denied bail to a Kashmiri woman who tested positive for the coronavirus while in the custody of the National Investigation Agency in a terror case, PTI reported.Hina Bashir Beg and her husband Jahanzaib Sami Wani were arrested by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell from the Capital’s Jamia Nagar in March for allegedly instigating protests against CAA. The couple were also suspected to have links to the Islamic State. Beg is currently admitted to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital. Her lawyer told the court that treatment facilities at the hospital were inadequate. “Delhi is struggling to cope up with the rising number of coronavirus cases, that have gone up to 27,000 as of now and due to the lack of proper treatment facilities in government hospitals, which has also been highlighted in the media, the Delhi government has been compelled to issue a list of 56 private hospitals for treatment,” Beg’s bail application read.The court told Beg’s lawyer that the charges against her were serious and that she could not be granted bail. scroll

 

HC bail to six foreign nationals held from Markaz mosque

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/hc-bail-to-6-foreign-nationals-held-from-markaz-mosque/articleshow/76296818.cms 

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has granted bail to six foreign nationals booked during lockdown after being arrested in the Old City.The court, however, set strict conditions including that they would not leave the country without permission of the court concerned and would remain present before the trial court to face further proceedings.Passing the order, Justice Jaspreet Singh also directed the accused to deposit Rs 11,000 each in the CM Covid-19 Relief Fund. “The accused be released from jail on their furnishing personal bond of Rs 50,000 each and a solvent surety each to the satisfaction of the concerned court below”, said the court.

 

Coronavirus: DMK MLA J Anbazhagan dies in Chennai hospital

https://scroll.in/latest/964274/coronavirus-dmk-legislator-j-anbazhagan-dies-in-chennai-hospital

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislator J Anbazhagan died of Covid-19 at a Chennai hospital on Wednesday, reported TOI. “His condition deteriorated rapidly on Tuesday night,” a senior doctor told the newspaper. “We could not bring him back.” The leader died on his 62nd birthday.Anbazhagan was admitted to Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre on June 2 after he complained of severe acute respiratory distress. He tested positive for the coronavirus and was put on ventilator support on June 3. The MLA is said to have contracted the virus while distributing Covid-19 relief material, reported The News Minute.

 

Aligarh Muslim University to conduct online open book exams for final semester

https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/aligarh-muslim-university-to-conduct-online-open-book-exams-for-final-semester/story-Gw8HxcLxufVKXzE0LEZlhK.html

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has decided to conduct online open book exams for all final semester papers of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, according to a spokesman of the university.  However, a section of the teaching staff has voiced concern over the idea of online exams, contending that the method is “discriminatory and flawed”. AMU’s decision follows the Delhi University’s move to hold open book exams.An AMU spokesman said, “Final semester examinations for UG and PG classes will be held after July 10 and the schedule will be announced shortly. It has also been decided that those papers of the first semester which had not been held earlier will also be conducted through the same manner between July 5 and 10”.

 

'No Time For Disagreement': Kejriwal Says 'Will Implement LG's Order On Hospitals'

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-no-time-for-disagreement-arvind-kejriwal-says-will-implement-lgs-order-on-hospitals/354480

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said his government will implement the "Centre's decision" and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's order overturning the decision on reservation of state-run and private hospitals in the national capital for Delhiites as "this is not the time for disagreement and arguments".Addressing an online media briefing, he said his government has "unprecedented challenges" ahead as data shows that COVID-19 cases will rapidly increase in Delhi in the coming days.

 

Doctors Protest After Assault By Kin Of Deceased Covid-19 Patient At Hyderabad's Gandhi Hospital

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-doctors-protest-after-assault-by-kin-of-deceased-covid-19-patient-at-hyderabads-gandhi-hospital/354476

Hyderabad’s Gandhi General Hospital has become a site of protest by junior doctors who have been sitting outside the hospital building since Tuesday evening after attendants of a Covid-19 patient who died allegedly assaulted some of them.The 55-year-old patient died around 6:30 pm on Tuesday at Gandhi General Hospital, the nodal hospital for treating Covid-19 patients in Telangana. Doctors told the Indian Express that following the patient's death, two of his attendants went inside the hospital breaching security, reached the doctor’s station and beat them with "a plastic stool and an iron rod."According to doctors, the patient was hospitalised for two days, was severely hypertensive and suffered from uncontrolled diabetes. He was put on a non-invasive ventilator and advised not to leave the bed. However, the patient was found collapsed near the toilet and he could not be revived through CPR. The junior doctors added that they had explained the bad prognosis and very little chance of recovery of the patient to the attendants.

 

Govt to respond to plea to declare PM CARES Fund as a public authority, SG informs Delhi HC

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/govt-to-respond-to-plea-to-declare-pm-cares-fund-as-a-public-authority-sg-informs-delhi-hc

Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will file a response before the Delhi High Court in connection with a petition seeking a declaration that PM CARES Fund qualified as a public authority under RTI Act.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that a response would be filed as to why the petition deserved to be dismissed, reports legal news website BarandBench.com.A single Judge Bench of Justice Navin Chawla accordingly granted six weeks' time to the PMO to file its response to the petition preferred by Samyak Gangwal.

 

 

As RBI Remains Worried over Food Inflation, How Prices of Daal and Milk Rose During Covid-19 Lockdown

https://www.news18.com/news/india/as-rbi-remains-worried-over-food-inflation-how-prices-of-daal-milk-rose-during-lockdown-2662815.html

As India went into a sudden and complete lockdown from March 25 to stall the spread of COVID-19, an unintended fallout was increase in prices of many daily essentials.April was the first full month when nearly all economic activity came at a standstill. Crores of Indian were forced to stay at home and since eating out was impossible, there were more home meals cooked than ever before.As demand for daal, atta, rice, cooking oil and vegetables soared, retail prices of some of these essential items also rose in tandem due to supply side glitches.According to data made available by the Consumer Affairs Department, the price at which one could buy tur (arhar) daal at a grocery shop in Delhi on April 15 had risen by Rs 6 (at Rs 101 per kg) within a fortnight. By April 30, another Rs 5 had been added to this retail price. With this, tur daal, a favourite among north Indians, became dearer by Rs 11 (at Rs 106 per kg).In fact, the retail price of most pulses – moong, masur, chana and urad - had risen across kirana stores during April.

 

 

Coronavirus: India’s recovery rate is now 48.88%, says health ministry

https://scroll.in/latest/964266/coronavirus-delhi-reports-more-than-31000-cases-mumbais-count-crosses-that-of-wuhan-in-china

Union health ministry on Wednesday said that India’s coronavirus recovery rate had reached 48.88%. The number of recovered patients has surpassed the number of active cases in the country for the first time. In India, 1,35,205 people have recovered while the active cases stand at 1,33,632.India’s coronavirus tally rose to 2,76,583 after 9,985 cases were reported in 24 hours, the health ministry said. The toll increased to 7,745 after 274 deaths were reported in a day. India is now the fifth most-affected country in the world.Globally, the coronavirus has infected more than 72.37 lakh people and claimed over 4.11 lakh lives so far, according to the Johns Hopkins University. As many as 33.70 lakh people have recovered.

 

Coronavirus: WHO epidemiologist backtracks after claiming asymptomatic transmission ‘very rare’

https://scroll.in/latest/964280/coronavirus-who-epidemiologist-backtracks-after-claiming-asymptomatic-transmission-very-rare

A World Health Organization expert on Tuesday clarified that “modelling studies have put the extent of asymptomatic transmission to about 40%”, reported The Guardian. This came a day after Maria Van Kerkhove claimed that asymptomatic transmission was “very rare”. However, Van Kerkhove still maintained that real world data suggested it could be a rare event.During a live question-answer session on social media, Van Kerkhove said she was not referencing the modelling studies when she made the claim on Monday. Van Kerkhove, who is the technical head of WHO’s Covid-19 team, said her comments during Monday’s press briefing were based on two-three studies following up the contacts of asymptomatic people and unpublished data.scroll

 

Over 50% of Pregnant Women in UK Hospitals with Covid-19 are from Minority Groups

https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/over-50-of-pregnant-women-in-uk-hospitals-with-covid-19-are-from-minority-groups-2660579.html

London More than half of pregnant women admitted to UK hospitals with Covid-19 were from black or other ethnic minority groups, according to a national study published Monday in the BMJ medical journal.Researchers led by the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Population Health warned that although transmission of the virus to infants was uncommon and most women had "good outcomes," the high proportion of infected women from black or minority backgrounds "needs urgent investigation and explanation."A separate government review by Public Health England found last week that members from the UK's ethnic minority communities are up to 50% more likely to die with coronavirus than their white British peers.The latest study is based on data from the UK's Obstetric Surveillance System, a national system established to study a range of rare disorders of pregnancy.The researchers said that of 427 pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid-19 between March 1 and April 14, more than half were from minority groups, including 25% who were Asian and 22% who were black.CNN

 

*WORLD*

'I'm tired of pain' George Floyd's brother testifies

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/george-floyd-brother-testify-congress-live-updates-200610122439074.html

The police killing of George Floyd has triggered anti-racism protests around the world. A number of monuments with links to colonialism and slavery have either been defaced or pulled down in Europe and the United States as protests continue for racial justice.Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, testified before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, along with family lawyer Ben Crump and 10 others at the first congressional hearing to examine the social and political undercurrents that have fuelled weeks of protests nationwide and overseas.The death of Floyd, who died after a policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, has sparked nationwide calls for policing reforms.George Floyd's brother testified Wednesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on issues of racial profiling, police brutality and lost trust between police departments and the communities they serve."I'm tired. I'm tired of the pain I'm feeling now and I'm tired of the pain I feel every time another black person is killed for no reason," Philonise Floyd said during his testimony.

 

 White House defends Trump's conspiracy theory tweet on Buffalo protester

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/george-floyd-brother-testify-congress-live-updates-200610122439074.html

The White House on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump's promotion of an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory about a 75-year-old protester injured by police in Buffalo, saying it was Trump's "prerogative" to raise questions about the incident.The protester, Martin Gugino, was shoved by police and critically injured when he approached them during a march against racism and police brutality in an incident that was captured on video and led to criminal charges against the officers involved.Trump, offering no evidence, tweeted on Tuesday that Gugino's fall could be a "set up" with ties to the anti-fascist movement antifa.

Egypt Islamic body causes uproar by declaring Ottomans' Istanbul seizure 'occupation'

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-egypt-islamic-body-ottoman-seizure-istanbul-occupation

Egypt's top Islamic body has caused uproar by describing the Ottoman seizure of Istanbul as an "occupation" instead of a conquest, in a politically charged statement attacking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.“The Hagia Sophia was built as a church during the Byzantine period in AD537, and it remained for 916 years until the Ottomans occupied Istanbul in 1453, turning the building into a mosque,” Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, the central authority for issuing religious rulings led by the Grand Mufti Shawki Allam, said on Sunday.On Monday night, however, the Islamic body released another statement in which it seemed to backtrack on labelling the historical event as occupation, and instead glorified it as "a great Islamic conquest". Sunday's statement accused Erdogan of politicising the religion with slogans and using Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a mosque as an electoral weapon for his “soldiers” that would bring the topic to public attention whenever needed.Dar al-Ifta also blamed the Turkish government for using fatwas to strengthen what they call “the Erdogan dictatorship"."The Turkish president hires mosques to get support from new electoral blocs when his popularity declines,” the statement said.“Taking advantage of religious rhetoric … Erdogan aims to achieve internal stability and victory over his political opponents after the outbreak of the corona pandemic, unemployment and poverty, and his army's exhaustion in external conflicts.”

*views, Articles, FEATURES*

The infodemic: Why most statistical analyses of Covid-19 are unreliable:Ronak Borana

https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/06/10/the-infodemic-why-most-statistical-analyses-of-covid-19-are-unreliable

In New India, a Muslim Rose Smells Different From a Hindu Rose:Rakhshanda Jalil

https://thewire.in/rights/new-india-muslim-bigotry-cosmopolitan-privilege

Delhi violence: In one charge sheet, police claim Muslim protestors provoked riots:Sruthisagar Yamunan

https://scroll.in/article/964042/delhi-violence-in-one-charge-sheet-police-claim-muslim-protestors-provoked-riots

Fact Check: Khalid Saifi Arrested in February, Not Today as Reported by a Section of Media:Zafar Aafaq | Clarion India

https://clarionindia.net/fact-check-khalid-saifi-arrested-in-february-not-today-as-reported-by-a-section-of-media/

 

 Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:30 PM)*