*INDIAN POLITICS*

Sachin Pilot Rebels: Amid Gehlot's Show Of Strength In Rajasthan, Congress Keeps 'Doors Open'

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/sachin-pilot-congress-latest-news_in_5f0bc504c5b67a80bc09570d

Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot has reportedly claimed the support of 25 MLAS who are with him in Delhi, even as Congress on Monday said the party’s doors were open for him and the MLAs should come and discuss issues on party forums.A Congress legislative party meeting is underway at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s resident where party leaders and at least 100 MLAs are gathered, the Indian Express reported.Pilot had on Sunday declared open rebellion, claiming that Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government was in minority as over 30 Congress MLAs had pledged support to him.In the present 200-member assembly, the Congress has 107 members and the BJP 72.Pilot had been incommunicado for about two days before his announcement, Press Trust of India reported.At 2.30 am on Monday, Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande said, “A total of 109 MLAs have signed a letter expressing their trust and support to government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and leadership of Sonia Gandhi-ji and Rahul Gandhi-ji.”While politicians speculated Pilot would join the BJP as former colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia had in March, senior Congress leader indicated that his potential exit from the party would be a big loss.However, Hindustan Times reported Pilot’s aide as denying his move to saffron party.Pilot had in a statement on Sunday said he would not to attend Congress Legislature Party on Monday.Rajasthan ministers and Congress MLAs had gathered at Gehlot’s official residence in Jaipur on Sunday for a meeting to express support to the chief minister, amid the power tussle between the two leaders.Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party remained intact and the government would complete its 5-year term.

Congress Calls Meet With Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot Amid Crisis

 

Pilot will Not Join BJP, Reveal Sources; But Speaks with Friend Scindia While Incommunicado

https://clarionindia.net/pilot-will-not-join-bjp-reveal-sources-but-speaks-with-friend-scindia-while-incommunicado/

NEW DELHI:Amid the raging political crisis in Rajasthan and a catalogue of speculation, sources aware about the developments revealed that the Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President Sachin Pilot will not join the BJP.Upset and angry over the sedition charges being levelled against him by the state special operations group (SOG), as one of his supporters said it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, Pilot decided that enough was enough and made his move.While in Delhi, Pilot reportedly had a telephonic conversation with former colleague turned BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Sunday, said sources close to Scindia.Pilot is reportedly furious that he and his supporters have been humiliated time and again by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, moreover many of his supporting MLAs have been followed by CID and daily reports are filed by them with CM’s office on who they have met and spoken with. The SOG summons for questioning over allegations of destabilising the government has got Pilot’s goat.

 

Amid Rajasthan Crisis, ED, IT Raids on People Close to Gehlot; Cong Questions Timing of Move

https://clarionindia.net/amid-rajasthan-crisis-ed-it-raids-on-people-close-to-gehlot-cong-questions-timing-of-the-move/

Rajasthan political crisis took a new turn on Monday when the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate teams raided multiple premises connected to people from Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s camp.According to IT department officials, searches were underway in offices of veteran state Congress leaders, including Rajeev Arora and Dharmendra Rathod, considered close to the Chief Minister.Unaccounted cash, jewellery, property papers and lockers were seized. The team also reached Bhilwara and Jhalawad to carry out searches, officials said. In wake of this, the Congress has postponed its legislature party meeting by a few hours, while the party’s state whip Mahesh Joshi and national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala hit out at the BJP for “misusing investigative agencies for its self-fulfilling goals”.

 

Rahul slams ‘narrative of lies’ by part of media, will share views on video on crucial issues from tomorrow

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/rahul-slams-narrative-of-lies-by-part-of-media-will-share-views-on-video-on-crucial-issues-from-tomorrow

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a swipe at Modi government, saying a large part of the Indian media had now been "captured by fascist interests" and asserted that the narrative of lies is tearing India apart.He said that he would be sharing his own thoughts with people through videos.In a series of tweets, Rahul Gandhi said: "Today, a large part of the Indian news media has been captured by fascist interests. A hate-filled narrative is being spread by television channels, WhatsApp forwards and false news." "This narrative of lies is tearing India apart. I want to make our current affairs, history, and crises clear and accessible for those interested in the truth. From tomorrow, I'll be sharing my thoughts with you on video," Congress Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad said in another tweet.IANS

 

Sharad Pawar: Maharashtra Govt Will Complete 5 Years But Uddhav Needs To Talk More To Allies

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/sharad-pawar-maharashtra-govt-will-complete-5-years-but-uddhav-needs-to-talk-more-to-allies_in_5f0c50bcc5b63a72c3449705

NAGPUR: NCP chief Sharad Pawar has dispelled all speculations about a rift within the three-party Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra, saying that the government will complete its full five-year term in office.However, the veteran leader asked Thackeray to have more dialogue with his allies.Pawar said this in an interview with Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena spokesperson and editor of the party’s mouthpiece Saamana.This was the first time Saamana has interviewed someone outside the Thackeray family, an attempt to send a signal to those questioning the working of the coalition government led by Thackeray. There have been many news reports in recent days pointing at a lack of coordination between the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, the members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

 

*INDIA- ISLAMOPHOBIA, HUMAN RIGHTS & OTHERS*

Anti CAA protests: HC asks police to file replies on all pleas related to Jamia violence

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/anti-caa-protests-hc-asks-police-to-file-replies-on-all-pleas-related-to-jamia-violence/article32066932.ece

Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police to file a response on various pleas related to the violence during Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) university protests against CAA last December.The court’s order came after it was informed by the counsel for some of the petitioners that Delhi Police has filed its response only in a few petitions and not all.“Respondents (Delhi Police) have filed consolidated replies in a few matters. We direct the respondents to file replies in all the matters within 2 days. Rejoinder, if any, be filed in four days thereafter,” said a Bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan.Advocate Rajat Nair, appearing for Delhi Police, said they have filed a consolidated reply in all the petitions.To this, the Bench said the agency has to file replies in all the matters and added “don’t take an easy recourse”.The court added that the copies of counter affidavit and rejoinder be supplied to all the parties before the next date of hearing on June 21, so that it can hear arguments on that day.Meanwhile, the petitioners filed the list of issues to be adjudicated in the matter.PTI

Petitions seeking independent probe into Jamia violence: Delhi HC asks Centre to file reply within 2 days

 

 

Over 400 N-E Delhi riots victims look to move court for compensation amount

http://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/over-400-n-e-delhi-riots-victims-look-to-move-court-for-compensation-amount-412591?infinitescroll=1

 More than 400 victims of the north-east Delhi riots have now decided to approach the Delhi High Court with petitions to expedite their compensation requests, citing that they have either not received the compensation funds as mandated by the Delhi government or have received only a small part of the funds. Several of these victims who have not received any compensation have already filed their petitions in Delhi High Court. In one such case, a petition stating the case of a victim who had been shot during the riots had said, "Petitioner filed compensation from under the scheme in the first week of March 2020. Till date, no compensation (interim/final) has been paid to the petitioner."Justice Pratibha M Singh, in this case, said that the petitioner's application should be processed expeditiously.

 

Tahir Hussain used rioters as 'human weapons' during Delhi riots: court

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/07/13/tahir-hussain-used-rioters-as-human-weapons-during-delhi-riots-says-court.html

Suspended AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain allegedly used rioters as human weapons, who on his instigation could have killed anybody, a Delhi court said on Monday while dismissing his bail plea in the murder case of IB official Ankit Sharma during the communal violence in north east Delhi. Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav said that a "powerful person" like Hussain can threaten witnesses in the case if enlarged on bail."At this stage, I find that there is enough material on record to presume that the applicant was very well present at the spot of crime and was exhorting the rioters of a particular community and as such, he did not use his hands and fists, but rioters as 'human weapons', who on his instigation could have killed anybody."In this case, it is apparent that witnesses, whose statements have been recorded are residents of the same locality and they can easily be threatened by a powerful person like the applicant (Hussain)," the judge said in his order. The judge, however, clarified that anything stated in the order was based upon "prima analysis of material available on record at this stage which is yet to be tested on the touchstone of trial".The court said that even if there was no video footage or CCTV footage showing Hussain's presence at the spot, there was enough ocular evidence available on record which prima facie established he was present at the place of the incident.During the hearing held through video conferencing, senior advocate KK Manan and advocate Uditi Bali, appearing for Hussain, said there was no cogent evidence which is admissible in the eyes of law, to connect him in the killing of Sharma. "There was delay in recording statements of the witnesses. There is no evidence by way of video footage or CCTV footage to prove that Hussain was present at the scene of crime at the time of incident," the counsel said. They further alleged that on Feb.25, he was not present at or around the scene of crime and his alleged presence stated by the witnesses was false.PTI

Bail denied to AAP leader Tahir Hussain by Delhi court in Ankit Sharma murder case

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/bail-denied-to-aap-leader-tahir-hussain-by-delhi-court-in-ankit-sharma-murder-case

 

 

Akhil Gogoi: 100 Writers Demand Proper Treatment For COVID-19 Positive Leader in Jail

https://thewire.in/rights/akhil-gogoi-covid-positive-jail-writers-letter

Guwahati: The writers’ community of Assam on Sunday wrote an open letter to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal demanding proper medical treatment for jailed peasant leader Akhil Gogoi and other activists who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are admitted to hospitals.More than 100 writers signed the letter and demanded the release of all political prisoners who were arrested during the anti-CAA protests in December last year.“Considering the fact that COVID test was done for Gogoi and his companions only after agitation of people and subsequent intervention of court, citizens are worried if fundamental constitutional and human rights of the political prisoners have been compromised”, the letter stated.

 

Bhima Koregaon: Activist Varavara Rao moves Bombay HC seeking immediate medical check-up

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/bhima-koregaon-activist-varavara-rao-moves-bombay-hc-seeking-immediate-medical-check-up

Writer-poet and activist Varavara Rao has moved the Bombay High Court seeking directions to prison authorities to allow him an immediate medical check-up in light of his deteriorating health condition, legal news website BarandBench.com has reported.Rao, who has been incarcerated since 2018 in relation to Bhima Koregaon case, has been ill while inside the jail and has not been provided appropriate medical assistance, it is averred in his plea.The octogenarian’s ill-health has come to light after his family held a press conference calling for his release on medical grounds.

 

‘Nothing allows state to endanger life’: 2,000 citizens call for immediate release of Varavara Rao

https://scroll.in/latest/967397/nothing-allows-state-to-endanger-life-2000-citizens-call-for-immediate-release-of-varavara-rao

At least 2,000 citizens have appealed to the Maharashtra government to ensure that Telugu poet Varavara Rao, who is lodged in Mumbai’s Taloja jail in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, gets immediate medical care due to his deteriorating health condition. “Nothing under law allows the state to endanger the life of an 81-year-old person in the face of this dreaded pandemic,” they said in a statement. Rao has been lodged at the jail since his arrest on August 31, 2018, and held as an undertrial since Feb. The signatories pointed out that Rao’s family members have raised grave concerns about his failing health. “According to his family, he is hallucinating, unable to walk, go to the toilet and even brush his teeth on his own,” the statement read. “Repeated applications for bail and for external medical assistance have been denied to him by the courts over the two years based on objections of the public prosecutor and assurances of provision of adequate care at the jail.”

 

 

Shocked at Varavara Rao’s condition in jail: Rights group calls for immediate release, medical care

https://scroll.in/latest/967336/shocked-at-varavara-raos-condition-in-jail-rights-group-calls-for-immediate-release-medical-care

People’s Union for Democratic Rights on Monday expressed shock at the deteriorating health condition of poet Varavara Rao, and called for him to immediately be released. Rao, an accused in Elgar Parishad case, is lodged in Taloja jail in Mumbai and his family has accused the authorities of neglecting his condition.“PUDR is shocked to learn of the deteriorating condition of P Varavara Rao in Taloja Jail,” the statement read. “His family has held a press conference on July 12, 2020 drawing attention to his almost delirious and incoherent speech evident in his recent phone calls. His co-accused attendant has informed that Varavara Rao is unable to walk or look after himself.”

 

NIA arrests two people from Pune in case related to Islamic State: Report

https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/nia-arrests-two-people-from-pune-in-case-related-to-islamic-state-report/story-NlJTKdt7FUjqKhwu7cHiEP.html

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two persons from Pune in connection with a case related to activities of the Islamic State-Khoradan Province (ISKP), sources said on Sunday.The accused were identified as Nabeel Siddique Khatri a resident of Pune’s Kondhwa and Sadiya Anwar Sheikh resident of Yerwada from Pune.They were arrested by the NIA team in an earlier case registered with them with the help of local ATS and Pune city Police.Sheikh (20) was earlier arrested by the ATS team in connection with ISIS links in 2015 and was later released after counselling.

 

Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple case: SC upholds rights of Travancore’s erstwhile royal family

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/sree-padmanabha-swamy-temple-case-sc-upholds-rights-of-travancores-erstwhile-royal-family

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the rights of erstwhile royal family of Travancore in administration of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.Allowing appeal filed by members of the Travancore family, the top court reversed the finding of the High Court of Kerala that the rights of family ceased to exist with the death of the last ruler of Travancore in 1991. Death will not affect the rights of shebaitship of the family over the deity and they will survive as per custom, ruled the Court.

 

 

Delhi: ‘Dadi of Shaheen Bagh’ not for protest till Covid abates

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/dadi-of-shaheen-bagh-not-for-protest-till-covid-abates/articleshow/76929896.cms

NEW DELHI: She is one of 3 feisty elderly protesters who came to be popularly known as “dadis of Shaheen Bagh” emerging as one of the faces of the long-drawn sit-in against CAA in southeast Delhi.However, now that there are fresh murmurs of the protests resuming after almost three and a half months, when it was ended owing to the outbreak of the pandemic, 75-year-old Sarwari Begum doesn’t support its revival until the threat of the virus is gone.The septuagenarian, a native of Deoband in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, told TOI, “This pandemic is Allah ka kahar. It is in His hands to set it right. Such pandemics break once in 100 years and take time to go. Right now, the priority is to ensure safety of all by maintaining social distancing and staying indoors. This is not the time for protests. A protest like the Shaheen Bagh sit-in, once resumed, will attract people from all over and lead to unnecessary crowding. This will make social distancing impossible and expose everybody to the risk of the novel coronavirus infection. The concern now is to protect our own life and our loved ones and keep livelihoods intact.”The other 2 dadis (grandmoms) of Shaheen Bagh, are 90-year-old Asma Khatun, a native of Sitamarhi in Bihar, and 82-year-old Bilkis, who is from Bulandshahr in UP.

 

Babri Masjid demolition case trial: I am innocent, allegations baseless, says Kalyan Singh after hearing

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jul/13/babri-masjid-demolition-case-trial-i-am-innocent-allegations-baseless-says-kalyan-singh-after-hea-2169217.html

LUCKNOW: Senior BJP leader and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh on Monday blamed the then Congress government at the Centre for levelling "false and baseless allegations" against him in the Babri mosque demolition case and said he was "innocent"."The then Congress government at the Centre levelled false and baseless allegations against me and filed a case out of political animosity," he told reporters after appearing before a CBI special court here in connection with 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case. 88-year-old leader said, "As a UP chief minister, I and my government ensured adequate 3-tier security of the disputed structure in Ayodhya."Singh, during whose tenure the demolition took place, was assisted by two persons as he walked out of court after over three-hour-long questioning."I was falsely implicated, I am innocent," he asserted as he left the court premises. CBI court is currently recording statements of 32 accused under the CrPC Section 313, a stage in the trial that follows the examination of accused.Other alleged accused, including former deputy prime minister L K Advani and senior BJP leaders MM Joshi, are yet to be examined at this stage.Their lawyers have indicated to the CBI court that they prefer to appear through video conferencing.Another accused, Ram Chandra Khatri, is presently lodged in a Sonipat jail in Haryana in connection with another case.

 

Kerala court cancels bail to Bishop Franco Mulakkal in rape case

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/07/13/kerala-court-cancels-bail-to-bishop-franco-mulakkal-in-rape-case.html

A local court in Kerala on Monday cancelled the bail of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused in a rape case, after he failed to appear before the court despite several warnings. Kottayam Additional District Court also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the deposed Bishop of Jalandhar diocese.During the hearing on Monday, Mulakkal's lawyer informed the court that he had to go into quarantine as one of his advocates had tested positive for COVID-19. On July 1, too, Bishop had skipped the hearing with his lawyer informing the court that he was in a containment zone.

 

‘KISS of death’ for Adivasi culture: Academics protest venue of global meet

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/kiss-of-death-for-adivasi-culture-academics-protest-venue-of-global-meet

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneshwar, which goes by the colourful acronym KISS, is set to host 19th Congress of International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES) in 2023. Academics and activists, however, are aghast that a “factory school” that makes tribal children ashamed of their families should play host to a prestigious international gathering of academics.On its website, KISS advertises that it is a free, residential facility that provides education to the “poorest of the poor indigenous children” from kindergarten to post-graduate level. There are about 27,000 students on the rolls, and a magazine produced by Vedanta Aluminium states that the institute is now the largest such facility in Asia, from its modest beginnings in 1993.

 

Triple Talaq law provisions Are Not Applicable Against In-Laws: MP HC

https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/muslim-women-protection-of-rights-on-marriage-act-not-applicable-to-in-laws-159765

Madhya Pradesh High Court has observed that the provisions of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 are applicable only against the husband and not against in-laws. In this case, the accused had approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest.Two of the accused were in-laws of the complainant. The allegations against them were about demand for dowry. It was alleged that when the complainant got pregnant her mother-in-law started alleging that the complainant got pregnant much earlier and the child does not belong to her son and started asking for money saying that the complainant has not given enough dowry to them. She had also alleged that her husband pronounced Talaq thrice on telephone.While granting them the protection of pre-arrest bail with conditions, Justice Shailendra Shukla observed:"The provisions of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 are applicable only against the husband and not against in-laws. It is clear that there is no physical cruelty and it also appears that early pregnancy became the cause of dispute and as per complainant there was a telephonic call in which husband of the complainant has sought to terminate the marriage."

 

Govt tells PTI to pay Rs 84.48 cr for ‘breaches’ in its office premise

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/govt-tells-pti-to-pay-rs-8448-cr-for-breaches-in-its-office-premise

Land & Development Office, which comes under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has sent a notice to PTI, demanding it to cough up more than Rs 84 crore as penalty. The notice dated July 7 says that the penalty has been imposed due to "breaches" at its office in Delhi.The notice that sought Rs 84,48,23,281 argues that "the less will be pleased to regularise the breaches in the premises temporarily up to 14.07.2020 and withdraw the right of re-entry of the premises subject to the following conditions being fulfilled by you within 30 days from the date of issue of this letter."The notice also stipulates that the news agency needs to give an undertaking on non-judicial stamp paper stating that it will pay the difference of "misuse/damage charges" if the land rates are revised with effect from 01.04.2016 by the government and will also remove the "breaches" by 14.07.2020 or get them regularised by paying charges.IANS

 

AMU’s journal on women of marginalized communities released online

http://twocircles.net/2020jul11/438002.html?fbclid=IwAR2zLsUnkNBA92YAwf-uyjAV8dO0blSNZ1LJ0u36_YJUW8giu3tFAJiQRTo

Aligarh: AMU has revived its reputed women’s journal ‘Women and Society’ by an online relaunching on Thursday.The online release was inaugurated by AMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Tariq Mansoor at 11 am via a virtual conference. Reputed scholar and member of the editorial board, Professor Shireen Moosvi, and founder Director of Centre for Women’s Studies, Prof Zakia Siddiqui spoke at the will also spoke at the session followed by an interactive talk from the contributors and readers. This special relaunch issue is titled ‘Issues of women of marginalized communities: Concerns about exclusion’, informed Professor Azra Musavi, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies.

 

Google to invest Rs 75,000 crore to boost digitisation in India

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/science-and-tech/google-to-invest-rs-75000-crore-to-boost-digitisation-in-india

Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday announced a Google for India digitisation fund through which, the company will invest Rs 75,000 crore or approximately $10 billion over the next 5 to seven years to help India go digital."We will do this through a mix of equity investment, partnerships and an operational infrastructure ecosystem in India. This is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy," Pichai said during the Google for India virtual conference.IANS

 

UP: Congress leader, 38 party workers booked for violating prohibitory orders

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/up-congress-leader-38-party-workers-booked-for-violating-prohibitory-orders

A Congress leader and 38 party workers were booked for violating prohibitory orders after they staged a protest against high electricity tariff in the state, police said on Monday.National Secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vivek Bansal, however, said that as the agitation was organised inside a private property, they had not defied any restriction that have been enforced across the state due to the coronavirus pandemic.PTI

 

 

Yogi's SIT Probing Vikas Dubey Killing Has Officer Chargesheeted by CBI for Fake Encounter: thewire

https://thewire.in/government/vikas-dibey-sit-fake-encounter-ravindra-goud

Lucknow: One of the members of the SIT set up by Uttar Pradesh government to probe last week’s controversial killing of notorious gangster Vikas Dubey has himself been chargesheeted for the crime of killing an innocent man in a fake encounter 13 years ago.The officer in question is DIG J. Ravinder Goud, who, along with additional chief secretary Sanjay Bhoosreddy additional DG of police Hariram Sharma is part of the three-member SIT. Allahabad high court ordered a CBI probe into 2007 encounter in which a young medicine dealer in Bareilly was killed. Though CBI chargesheeted Goud, Samajwadi government of Akhilesh Yadav withheld permission to prosecute. Nor has Yogi Adityanath’ BJP government given sanction, which is why he continues to go scot free even today. Had it not been for the issue being highlighted in a local afternoon daily, 4 PM, Goud’s questionable inclusion in the SIT would have gone unnoticed. “No sooner than I learnt about the SIT, I was reminded about Goud’s charge-sheet in the fake encounter of Mukul Gupta, which I had followed in those days, so I decided to raise the issue in my columns”, 4 PM editor Sanjay Sharma told The Wire in Lucknow.

 

 

‘Indira Gandhi to be PM’: French glacier melts to reveal Indian newspapers from 1966

https://scroll.in/latest/967373/indira-gandhi-to-be-pm-french-glacier-melts-to-reveal-indian-newspapers-from-1966

“Indira Gandhi to be Prime Minister.” “India’s first woman prime minister.” These are headlines from the front pages of old newspapers found by a cafe owner in the French Alps as a glacier melted with the rise in summer temperatures, according to photos released by AFP.The trove of Indian newspapers dating back to 1966 are thought to have been aboard the Air India Boeing 707 named “Kanchenjunga” that crashed on nearby Mont Blanc on January 24, 1966, claiming 177 lives. Another Indian plane, the Malabar Princess, crashed in the same area in 1950.

 

 

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

 

 

Real Ayodhya in Nepal, Lord Ram not Indian: Nepal PM Oli

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/real-ayodhya-in-nepal-lord-ram-not-indian-kp-sharma-oli-remark-633961

In a controversial remark, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said real Ayodhya was in Nepal and not India. He also went on to say that Lord Ram was a Nepali and not Indian. "Real Ayodhya lies in Nepal, not in India. Lord Ram is Nepali, not Indian," news agency ANI cited Nepali media as quoting Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.Recently, Nepal redrew the country's political map through a constitutional amendment, incorporating three strategically important Indian areas. Nepal Parliament also approved the new political map of the country featuring Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas which India maintains belong to it. India has already termed as "untenable" the artificial enlargement" of the territorial claims by Nepal.

 

Nepal political turmoil: As PM Oli's future decision deferred, NCP chairman says won't let party split

https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/jul/13/nepal-political-turmoil-as-pm-olis-future-decision-deferred-ncp-chairman-says-wont-let-party-spl-2169068.html

KATHMANDU: Amid political turmoil in Nepal, the ruling communist party executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said on Sunday that he will not allow the party to split and any attempt from anywhere to weaken its unity would hurt the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters.Addressing the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) members in his hometown Chitwan, Prachanda said that he was determined to keep the party unity intact."It is natural to have differences of opinion, dispute and debate in a big party, but I will not allow the party to split," he said."If there is a dispute in the party, there are proper procedures to resolve it."His remarks came amid speculation that the NCP could split after top party leaders, including 'Prachanda', demanded Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were "neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate."

 

Next round of Lt Gen-level talks between India and China on Tuesday: Source

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/07/13/next-round-of-lt-gen-level-talks-between-india-and-china-on-tuesday-source.html

Indian and Chinese military are scheduled to hold their fourth round of Lt General-level talks on Tuesday with an aim to finalise modalities for the next phase of de-escalation and disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh, government sources said on Monday.The meeting is set to be held in Chushul on the Indian side of LAC in eastern Ladakh, they said. The two sides are also expected to finalise a roadmap for restoration of peace and tranquility in high-altitude region that witnessed an eight-week bitter standoff between the troops of the 2 countries.PTI

 

Army officer challenges social media ban in HC, calls it ‘arbitrary, unconstitutional’

https://theprint.in/judiciary/army-officer-challenges-social-media-ban-in-hc-calls-it-arbitrary-unconstitutional/460031/

New Delhi: Army’s updated list of banned social media applications, 89 of them, including TikTok, WeChat, Facebook and Instagram, has been challenged by a serving Army officer on the grounds that it is “unconstitutional” and has come by way of an executive order.ThePrint was the first to report that the Army last month came up with the updated list of 89 apps, many of which were developed in China, to be banned for use by service personnel.

 

J&K didn’t observe Martyrs’ Day as state holiday today — first time since 1948

https://theprint.in/india/jammu-kashmir-didnt-observe-martyrs-day-as-state-holiday-today-first-time-since-1948/460064/

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh didn’t observe ‘Martyrs’ Day’ as an official state holiday Monday, for the first time since 1948, even as political groups in the Valley paid tributes to “13 July martyrs”.The erstwhile state of J&K observed ‘Martyrs’ Day’ on 13 July as a state holiday to mark a 1931 protest against the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh in the then princely state. On that day, 22 Kashmiri men and women were shot dead as they gathered outside the Srinagar central jail to protest against the arrest and subsequent trial of Abdul Qadeer Gazi, who was seen as a crusader against Singh’s Dogra regime.The people of Kashmir started observing Martyrs’ Day from 1932 onward. After J&K acceded to India in 1947, the day was incorporated in the official list of holidays.Usually, 13 July would see important government functionaries, including the governor, chief ministers, cabinet ministers, heads of various political parties and even separatist groups, visit the martyrs’ graveyard or Mazaar-e-Shuhada to pay homage.

 

J&K: Two suspected militants killed in gunfight with security forces in Anantnag

https://scroll.in/latest/967324/j-k-one-suspected-militant-killed-in-gunfight-with-security-forces-in-anantnag

Indian security forces killed 2 suspected militants in Srigufwara area of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir early on Monday, the Kashmir Zone Police said. The deceased have not yet been identified.“One more unidentified terrorist killed (Total two),” the police tweeted. “Search [is] going on.” The police added that two AK-47 recovered were recovered from the site of the gunfight.

 

 

*CORONAVIRUS- LOCKDOWN*

 

 

Tablighi Jamaat: Foreigners from 14 Countries Released After Paying Fines

https://thewire.in/law/court-allows-foreigners-from-14-countries-to-walk-free

A Delhi court on Monday allowed foreign nationals from 14 countries to be released after payment of fines after they accepted mild charges under the plea bargain process related to various violations including visa norms while attending Tablighi Jamaat congregation.Foreigners from 5 countries, however, claimed trial before the court, said lawyer.Foreign nationals from Algeria, Belgium, UK, Egypt and Philippines were released after a fine of Rs, 10,000 each, while five Sudanese nationals and foreigners from China, Morocco, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Fiji, Australia, Brazil, Afghanistan were released after paying a fine of 5,000 each. They were allowed to walk free after SDM of Lajpat Nagar, who was the complainant in the case, additional commissioner of police of Lajpat Nagar and the inspector of Nizamuddin said they have no objection to their plea. owever, two Sudanese nationals, foreigners from Jordan, US, Russia, Kazakhstan and one Overseas Citizen of India from UK did not plead guilty to milder charges and claimed trial, said advocates Ashima Mandla, Mandakini Singh, Fahim Khan and Ahhmed Khan, representing them.A Delhi court on Monday also granted bail to 85 Kyrgyzstan nationals who were also chargesheeted for attending Tablighi Jamaat congregation for committing the same offences.Chief metropolitan magistrate Gurmohina Kaur granted the relief on furnishing personal bond of Rs 10,000 each. Till date, 532 foreigners from 34 countries, who were chargesheeted in the case, have been granted bail by the court.The police had in June filed 59 chargesheets, including supplementary ones, against 956 foreigners from 36 different countries in the case.

Delhi court allows Tablighi members from 14 countries to walk free after charging fine

https://theprint.in/india/delhi-court-allows-tablighi-members-from-14-countries-to-walk-free-after-charging-fine/460007/

 

 

Closure of Slaughter House For 5 Months Causing Financial Hardship To Butchers, Others Connected With Livestock Trade

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/closure-of-slaughter-house-for-five-months-causing-financial-hardship-to-butchers-others-connected-with-livestock-trade

Delhi’s only slaughter house at Ghazipur has been closed for the last five months on the pretext of COVID 19 that has so far claimed 3,213 lives with total Covid 19 positive cases of 1,04,864. People involved directly and indirectly in butchering profession–butchers, goat farmers, people in handicraft industry, leather factory and thread made of animal intestine–are facing immense financial hardship and their financial condition will further worsen if the slaughter house is not opened soon.According to Delhi Meat Merchant Association, Muslims and non-Muslims both are involved in this profession.Animals are brought to Delhi’s livestock market from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. In these states, goat farming is done by Hindus and Sikhs. So, major beneficiaries of the cattle trade are Hindus and Sikhs. Butchers, who are mostly Muslims, form a very small group of those involved in the profession linked with cattle rearing and trading.Besides, Delhi is the second largest meat exporter city in India and majority of the meat exporters are non-Muslims.India Tomorrow

 

Coronavirus India Updates: 19 states have COVID-19 recovery rate higher than national average of 63.02%, says Centre

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-india-live-updates-lockdown-latest-news-covid-19-vaccine-covid-19-tracker-corona-cases-in-india-today-news-update-6502632/

ith 28,701 new infections, the number of total coronavirus cases in the country is over 8.7 lakh. After 500 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the toll now stands at 23,174. While 3,01,609 cases in the country are active, 5,53,471 patients have already recovered.Several states reported their highest single-day spike on Sunday. Among them was Gujarat, where the tally rose by 879 to reach 41,897. West Bengal’s COVID-19 cases crossed the 30,000-mark with record 1,560 new cases reported from different parts of the state, according to a bulletin issued by the state health department. A new daily record of 1,933 cases pushed the coronavirus tally in Andhra Pradesh to 29,168 on Sunday. Several state authorities are now getting ready to reimpose lockdown for varying periods in more cities, including in Bengaluru and Pune, while there appeared to be an improvement in the situation in the national capital.Globally, the cases are inching towards the 13 million mark. While New York City reported its first day with zero confirmed or probable virus deaths since March, Florida has shattered the national record for the largest single-day increase in positive coronavirus cases in any state since the beginning of the pandemic, adding more than 15,000 cases as its daily average death toll continued to also rise.

 

Corona-hit Indian IT services sector heads for deep downturn, expected to witness negative growth: ICRA

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/business/corona-hit-indian-it-services-sector-heads-for-deep-downturn-expected-to-witness-negative-growth-icra

The simultaneous supply and demand shocks owing to the coronavirus pandemic has hit the Indian IT services sector hard which is expected to witness a negative growth up to -3 per cent in the financial year 2021, as compared to an earlier forecast of 6-8 per cent growth, rating agency ICRA said on Monday.With the slowdown in growth during the first half of the financial year 2021, the margins will also be negatively impacted before a likely recovery in the financial year 2022.IT services companies have managed to overcome supply-led challenges through uninterrupted delivery of IT services through work from home model.However, the challenges on the demand front continue to persist and the sector is expected to grow at -3 per cent to zero in FY2021.IANS

 

Hamdard hospital fires 84 nurses who demanded better working conditions in COVID wards

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/hamdard-hospital-fires-84-nurses-who-demanded-better-working-conditions-in-covid-19-wards

Even as the novel Coronavirus pandemic rages on all over the world, COVID-19 designated HAHC Hospital under Hamdard University in the national capital has decided to dismiss 84 nurses, after they demanded access to basic facilities. The nurses had been demanding PPEs, N-95 masks, humane working hours, free COVID-19 tests, drinking water, adequate quarantine facilities and health policies for nurses working on COVID-19 duty.However, instead of addressing their concerns, administration decided to terminate contracts of the nurses, especially of those who were about to be made permanent staff. One of the nurses who has been terminated was under quarantine since July 3 after having tested positive for COVID-19. The hospital has also put out an advertisement for recruiting nurses.

 

Punjab restricts gathering in marriages to 30, makes FIR mandatory against those violating guidelines

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/punjab-restricts-gathering-in-marriages-to-30-makes-fir-mandatory-against-those-violating-guidelines

Punjab government on Monday put a complete bar on all public gatherings, restricting social gatherings to 5  and marriages and their social functions to 30 instead of the current 50.Issuing revised guidelines after Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh made certain announcements on Saturday, the state government also made registration of FIRs mandatory against those found violating the curb on public gatherings, which now stand strictly disallowed.

 

SC refuses to entertain plea seeking restrictions on Amarnath Yatra amid COVID

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/sc-refuses-to-entertain-plea-seeking-restrictions-on-amarnath-yatra-amid-covid-19

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea which sought directions for restriction on this year's Shri Amarnath Yatra due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said that the decision on permitting pilgrims and imposing conditions for their safeguard falls within the domain of executive and the administration would take a call on it.PTI

 

CBSE declares Class 12 results, HRD minister wishes students good luck

https://scroll.in/latest/966976/cbse-declares-class-12-results-hrd-minister-wishes-students-good-luck

Central Board of Secondary Education on Monday declared the results of the Class 12 board examinations. The results can be accessed at cbseresults.nic.in.The overall pass percentage is 88.78%, according to ANI. CBSE’s revised assessment scheme looks at marks that students have scored in other subjects and score average marks in the cancelled papers, according to NDTV.

 

COVID-19 could force about 10 million kids out of school: Report

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/covid-19-force-10-million-kids-school-report-200713152127565.html

At least 9.7 million children may never go back to school after COVID-19 shutdowns, according to Save the Children.The charity is calling it a hidden education emergency and says girls will be the hardest hit.

 

Coronavirus Crisis May Get "Worse And Worse And Worse", Warns WHO

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/coronavirus-crisis-may-get-worse-and-worse-and-worse-warns-who-chief-tedros-adhanom-ghebreyesus-2262121

Geneva: The new coronavirus pandemic raging around the globe will worsen if countries fail to adhere to strict healthcare precautions, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Monday."Let me be blunt, too many countries are headed in the wrong direction, the virus remains public enemy number one," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual briefing from the U.N. agency's headquarters in Geneva."If basics are not followed, the only way this pandemic is going to go - it is going to get worse and worse and worse."

 

 

*WORLD*

 

 

Tunisian parties seek to oust parliament speaker, Islamists want new government

Tarek Amara:Reuters

https://in.reuters.com/article/tunisia-politics/five-tunisian-parties-seek-to-oust-ghanouchi-as-parliament-speaker-idINKCN24D0NC

TUNIS: At least 5 Tunisian parties plan to launch a vote of no confidence in parliamentary speaker Rached Ghannouchi who has been accused of partisan interests, while members of his moderate Islamist Ennahda party have called for a new government, escalating the country’s political crisis.The no-confidence motion poses the biggest challenge yet to Ennahda, which first took power following the Arab Spring uprising, but was forced to step down in 2013 after a series of protests.Pressure on the government has mounted in recent weeks after opponents called for the resignation of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh over an alleged conflict of interest.On Sunday, Ennahda, the main party in the ruling coalition, said it supported calls to change the government.Ennahda said that it wants “to hold talks to form a strong new government because this government lost credibility after suspicion of conflict of interest involving the prime minister,” Imed Khmiri a senior official in Ennahda told Reuters.Reuters

 

Sudan ends alcohol ban for non-Muslims and punishment for apostasy

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200713-sudan-ends-alcohol-ban-for-non-muslims-and-punishment-for-apostasy/

Sudan’s Transitional Government has announced plans to abolish punishment for apostasy and the ban on non-Muslims drinking alcohol in the country, Sudan Tribune has reported. The changes to the law will also make Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) a crime, explained Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari.Although non-Muslims will be allowed to drink alcohol in private, the minister admitted that this could be problematic if a Muslim and non-Muslim are found drinking together, as the latter could be charged with “complicity” in a crime.The changes have been made in the Miscellaneous Amendments Act which was approved in April. According to the Abdulbari, the delay in clarifying the changes has been due to comments made by the Soveriegn Council in Khartoum.

 

 

Israel, US developing shared strategy to counter Iran nuclear program, US officials reveal

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200713-israel-us-developing-shared-strategy-to-counter-iran-nuclear-program-us-officials-reveal/

Israel and the United States are developing a shared strategy aimed at taking out senior Iranian military figures and slowing down Iran’s nuclear program, US officials have revealed to the New York Times.Following the explosion at the Iranian city of Natanz on 2 July, in which a nuclear facility was severely damaged, as well as a series of other explosions within that same week, it was revealed by the NYT that Israel was behind the attacks.Iran then denied, however, that Israel’s cyberattack was the cause of the explosion, despite the former Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman having accused the chief of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad of leaking the details of its attack.

 

Taliban car bomb attack on Afghan intelligence compound kills 11

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/dozens-injured-car-bomb-blast-afghan-spy-agency-office-200713074223424.html

Taliban fighters clashed with security forces following a car bomb blast at a government compound in northern Afghanistan, killing 11 people and wounding dozens more, officials have said.The attack claimed by the Taliban group on Monday took place at a government facility in Samangan province's capital Aybak, close to an office of National Directorate of Security (NDS), the main intelligence agency."It's a complex attack that started with a car bomb," Mohammad Sediq Azizi, a spokesman for the provincial government, said.The attack ended after four gunmen died following clashes with Afghan security forces, he added.Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said the armed group - who are active in the province and have recently stepped up attacks there - were behind the bombing.

*views, Articles, FEATURES*

Curious Case of Sharjeel Usmani and Psychological Cognitive Distortion Disorder of Islamophobic crowd: Tarafdar Zaman

http://twocircles.net/2020jul13/438020.html?fbclid=IwAR0vmV39gAEUWsJhdCWm11T22ZvmoMBQwxiyCvyh-fV44m8ZU3b5jufs-zo

Hypocrisy Exposed : There was a deafening silence when Israel converted historical Al-Ahmar Mosque into a bar

http://muslimmirror.com/eng/hypocrisy-exposed-there-was-a-deafening-silence-when-israel-converted-al-ahmar-mosque-into-a-bar-in-2019/

Explained: Srebrenica massacre, the ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-srebrenica-massacre-the-ethnic-cleansing-of-bosnian-muslims-6502200/

Muslim Untouchables: Pervasiveness of Caste Discrimination in a Marginalised Milieu:Professor Fahimuddin

https://www.news18.com/news/india/untouchables-pervasiveness-of-caste-discrimination-in-marginalised-muslim-milieu-of-uttar-pradesh-2712483.html

Committee which proposes to reform criminal law from non-patriarchal perspective excludes women, minorities:Nandita Rao

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/national-law-university-delhi-committee-for-reforms-in-criminal-law-6502591/

Verdicts seem more sympathetic to causes of Muslim women, than of Hindu women:Faizan Mustafa

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/justice-with-a-twist-6502601/

Covid-19: As cases surge in India, most states abandon contact tracing:Arunabh Saikia

https://scroll.in/article/967223/covid-19-as-cases-surge-in-india-most-states-abandon-contact-tracing?fbclid=IwAR0Vqv__Z3h-6yAulxblZmFy8Jqa0FDwaijLxi3KGYEbasVh7l8MRZ6IFsQ

Analysis | Sachin Pilot revolt brings into focus Congress’s leadership battles across States:Sandeep Phukan

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/analysis-sachin-pilot-revolt-brings-into-focus-congresss-leadership-battles-across-states/article32066121.ece?homepage=true

OPINION | Khilafat Movement: Petition and Persuasion: Shreerang Godbole

https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/opinion-khilafat-movement-petition-and-persuasion-2712773.html

 

*Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:59 PM)