21 SEPT. NEWS DIGEST

INDIA

 If we issue an injunction, should it be a blanket injunction: SC during hearing in Sudarshan TV case

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/if-we-issue-an-injunction-should-it-be-a-blanket-injunction-sc-during-hearing-in-sudarshan-tv-case

After a discussion on the role of the court in passing injunctive orders in the realm of free speech, the Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing in the Sudarshan TV matter to Sept.23, BarandBench.com reported.The Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and KM Joseph mooted as to what the limits of such injunctive orders should be.Today, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi made submissions for the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF). Claiming to be the largest body of news channels in the India, Rohatgi said that NBF would inform the Court how a self-regulation method should be drawn up.He added, "I have nothing to say on Sudarshan TV. I am on a larger issue of self-regulation and on a different note than News Broadcasters Association (NBA)."Advocate J Sai Deepak, appearing for OpIndia and Indic Collective, said that the primary purpose of intervening was to venture into the larger area of principles concerning hate speech. Contending that the SC does not have jurisdiction in the matter, Deepak sought to place on record a study by OpIndia on contemporary standards in religious reporting by mass media that captures approximately 100 instances of patently false reportage by mainstream media.Justice Chandrachud then hauled up Sudarshan TV for filing an affidavit calling into question NDTV's reportage on ‘Hindu Terror’. He said, "Did we ask you to comment on NDTV show? This is contrary to judicial practice. Just because we ask a question does not mean you will file affidavits. It enables to chisel our understanding. This will alter the consequence of the plea. No point in complaining what happened in 2008."The judge went on to note, "We had given your client a chance to explain as to what he proceeds to do what the rest of the show. You say you will adhere to Programme Code. Did you adhere to it with the first four episodes? Do you intend to continue in the same vein with the rest of the episodes?"Advocate Shadan Farasat then began submissions on behalf of intervening students of Jamia Millia Islamia. He said that there was abdication of government responsibility in allowing the broadcast of the show. The Union Ministry of I&B did not apply its mind while allowing the telecast of the show, subject to the Programme Code.He argued, "Sudarshan TV says they will continue in the same way. What are these 4 episodes and the promo? It is evident that participation and success of Muslims is a terror conspiracy and that's the theme."After Farasat took the Court through various instances of the show in which Muslims were depicted in poor light, Justice Chandrachud asked, "To what extent is this show an attack on Muslims? Our interference is also warranted if it has bearing on the community. If it’s just ZFI, then we cannot interfere. We need to focus on those ingredients which are hate speech against a community." Justice Chandrachud then thought out loud, "There is indeed some public interest for editor of Sudarshan TV to say that certain foreign funding is happening for ZFI and it may be an extreme issue, but he has right to his opinion. If we issue an injunction then should it be a blanket injunction which covers protected speech or should the court issue an injunction which allows broadcast [without allowing the channel to] stereotype a community or indulge in conspiracy theory or paint one entire community with the same brush." nationalheraldindia

Sudarshan TV not initiating any discussion but openly engaging in hate speech, misinformation campaign to vilify Muslims: Petitioner files rejoinder affidavit

 

 Sudarshan News case: Control venomous content on digital media first, Centre tells Supreme Court

https://scroll.in/latest/973665/sudarshan-news-case-control-venomous-content-on-digital-media-first-centre-tells-supreme-court

The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that digital media was “spreading venomous hatred” and was involved in the deliberate instigation of violence and terrorism, Live Law reported. However, the govt added that this was not necessary in the case of electronic and print media, and suggested the court should leave that to Parliament to decide on their rules. The government highlighted that the “self-regulatory mechanism” for redressal of complaints against electronic broadcast channels are, by and large, “effective and ensures impartiality”. Thus, it is not desirable to “widen the scope of present petition by laying down any wider guidelines of general application” it said.The submissions were made in a counter affidavit the government filed in the ongoing case against Sudarshan TV for telecasting its controversial Bindas Bol show that claims to have unearthed “a conspiracy to infiltrate the civil service by Muslims”. The Centre said that if the court considers it necessary to lay down guidelines for the mainstream electronic and print media – which, it said was not required– then it should first introduce measures to regulate web-based digital media.“It is, therefore, in the interest of justice and appropriate that either this Hon’ble Court may leave wider issues to be considered and decidedly the Central Government and the competent legislature or starts with the exercise with an examination of the very same issues in the context of digital media,” the affidavit stated.

'Leave it to Govt or Make Rules for Digital Media First': Centre to SC in Sudarshan TV Controversy

 

 Won’t change programme on Muslims: Channel to SC

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/wont-change-programme-on-muslims-channel-to-sc/articleshow/78225307.cms

New Delhi: Sudarshan TV hardened its stand on Sunday by refusing to carry out any change in its controversial programme ‘Bindas Bol’ which alleged that Muslims were “infiltrating UPSC” and gave a bald assurance to the Supreme Court that it would strictly adhere to the programme code mandated by law. Times of India

 

‘UPSC Jihad’: Zakat Foundation files plea in SC, says Sudarshan TV has deep seated malaise against Muslims

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/upsc-jihad-zakat-foundation-files-plea-in-sc-says-sudarshan-tv-has-deep-seated-malaise-against-muslims

Zakat Foundation of India (ZFI), which is at the centre of controversy in the Supreme Court case against Sudarshan News program on 'UPSC Jihad', has sought to intervene in the petition stating that channel has been "cherry-picking facts from publicly accessible documents on the internet and drawing unsustainable inference therefrom."The intervention application (IA) clarifies the concept of Jihad, rebuts "unfounded allegations" by Sudarshan TV and highlights the "hateful antecedents of Sudarshan TV", legal news website BarandBench.com has reported.ZFI has stated that Sudarshan News has to provide strict proof for all claims made against NGO.Stating that the channel has put the cart before the horse and presumed that the donors to ZFI are somehow linked to terrorist activities, the organisation has claimed that it has revealed nothing but a deep seated malaise against Muslims. “Total sum of the donations ever received by ZFI from the four sources which are alleged by Sudarshan News as of doubtful integrity constitutes 4.93 percent of the total charity amount ever received by the Applicant Organization from all sources,” IA states.Further countering the source of funds, the intervenor states that Madina Trust is a minuscule donor charity registered in Britain. nationalheraldindia

Out of 29 cr, 1 cr received from foreign links, Sudarshan TV cherry-picking facts: Zakat Foundation files intervention application

 

PM CARES Fund: Review petition filed in SC against dismissal of PIL seeking transfer of funds to NDRF

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/pm-cares-fund-review-petition-filed-in-sc-against-dismissal-of-pil-seeking-transfer-of-funds-to-ndrf

The Supreme Court has been moved in a Review Petition against its August 18 judgment disposing of a PIL filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) seeking to transfer funds from PM CARES Fund to National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) created under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported. Dismissing the plea, the court had held that there was no need for a fresh national disaster relief plan for COVID-19, and that the minimum standards of relief as issued under the Disaster Management Act prior to COVID-19 were enough. The bench also clarified that the Centre will be free to transfer the funds to NDRF as it deems appropriate and that individuals are at liberty to donate to NDRF.The review plea has been filed by petitioner-in-person Mukesh Kumar, an intervenor in the original proceedings.

 

Bill to amend FCRA is an attempt by govt to target critics: Opposition

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bill-to-amend-fcra-is-an-attempt-by-government-to-target-critics-oppn-6603966/

Opposition has opposed the Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) (FCRA) Bill to incorporate more stringent measures for receiving foreign funds, alleging that it is part of the govt’s “attempts to target its critics”. The government, which introduced the Bill in Lok Sabha on Sunday, maintained that the proposed changes in the legislation were not to take anyone’s rights. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and his party colleague Manish Tewari said Bill would give more powers to the government to “muzzle the voices of dissent”. Alleging that the treasury benches were trying to malign first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Chowdhury said, “If you can prove that Nehru had done any financial irregularities with PM Relief Fund, I am ready to give up my post.”Opposing the clause in Bill that makes Aadhaar mandatory, he cited a Supreme Court judgment that prevents the govt from doing so.TMC’s Sougata Ray termed the Bill as the “Big Brother watching” and said the government is trying to block foreign contributions to a number of social organisations, including those who work in tribal and rural areas.

 

FCRA amendments will be a ‘death blow’ for NGOs, says Voluntary Action Network India

https://scroll.in/latest/973703/fcra-amendments-will-be-a-death-blow-for-ngos-says-voluntary-action-network-india

Voluntary Action Network India, an association of NGOs in the country, on Monday said that the amendments to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), would be a “death blow” for non-profit units. The Centre on Sunday tabled amendments to FCRA, in the Lok Sabha, making Aadhaar mandatory for all office bearers of NGOs that seek foreign contributions. The proposed stringent amendments also seek to bar public servants from receiving foreign funding. The Lok Sabha passed the bill on Monday.The bill reasons there is a need to strengthen the Act because of several organisations’ “outright misappropriation or mis-utilisation” of the funds, which has led to the government cancelling 19,000 such registrations in the past few years.“The new FCRA Bill throttles the spirit of cooperation that had been ushered in earlier this year by the positive role played by development organizations in mitigating the lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic by virtually making it impossible for NGOs to function,” the association said in a statement. VANI noted that in the current Covid-19 scenario, the draft legislation stifled the functioning of the important sector.The statement added that the amendments assumed that all NGOs accepting foreign funds are “guilty, unless proved otherwise”. It added that the draft law makes organisations susceptible to harassment through queries on any of its activities. “This would impede collaborations and any other constructive activity they do,” the association said.VANI’s statement pointed out that the amendments to FCRA will kill the “overall spirit of collaboration” as the bill does not allow sub-granting or transferring of funds received from one NGO to another. Scroll

 

Supreme Court reserves plea on Shaheen Bagh protests, says Right to protest must not hamper right to mobility of others 

 https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/sc-on-shaheen-bagh-right-to-protest-must-not-hamper-right-to-mobility-of-others

The Supreme Court on Monday said Right to Protest of one section has to be in balance with others' Right to Mobility on a public road, as everyone has the right to move from one place to another and this right cannot be prejudiced by blocking a public road to hold protests.A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Krishna Murari and Aniruddha Bose after nearly a gap of seven months took up the pleas against anti-CAA protesters blocking the public road at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi.At the beginning of the hearing the bench queried the petitioners if they were willing to withdraw the plea. One of petitioners replied that they were not. Advocate Mehmood Pracha, appearing for intervenors, argued before the bench that right to peacefully protest is absolute, and it is the right of the people to protest against CAA and NRC as a concept. Pracha submitted that "some people went to the protest place and then riots happened, and I don't want to name them". He added that the number of protesters cannot be shown in bad light by misusing the state machinery. "It is not that state machinery is absolutely right. Why a person connected with a political party went their and riots happened," argued Pracha, citing need for a universal policy on right to protest peacefully.Justice Bose replied that the right to protest needs to be balanced out with the mobility on public road. The bench, reserving the order in the matter in the petitions seeking removal of protestors from Shaheen Bagh, said that the matter has become infructuous due to supervening circumstance of Covid with protestors vacating the road, but added that it will pass a short order to deal with such situations. IANS

 

Indian citizenship granted to 2,120 Pakistanis, 188 Afghans, 99 Bangladeshis in last 4 years

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-citizenship-pakistanis-afghans-bangladeshis-6604700/

A total of 2,120 Pakistanis, 188 Afghans and 99 Bangladeshis were granted Indian citizenship in the last four years, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said a total of 2,729 people of 44 nationalities were granted Indian citizenship from 2017 till Sept.17, 2020.Apart from 2,120 Pakistani, 188 Afghanistan and 99 Bangladeshi nationals, as many as 60 American, 58 Sri Lankan, 31 Nepali, 20 British, 19 Malaysian, 14 Canadian and 13 Singapore nationals were also granted Indian citizenship during the same period, he said in a written reply.PTI

 

Shashi Tharoor: BJP using media as weapon of mass distraction, shifting eyeballs from Covid, China, economy

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shashi-tharoor-bjp-using-media-as-weapon-of-mass-distraction-shifting-eyeballs-from-covid-china-economy-6604088/

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor says abolition of Question Hour is a “serious irritation”, calls “politicisation” of workings of House panels “unfortunate”, says social media requires self-regulation but via “consultative process”, and asserts Cong is the only viable alternative to BJP. Tharoor said, "We know that the BJP has been thriving on using the media as a weapon of mass distraction. It’s having eyeballs shifting away from unemployment, from economic failure, from the China crisis, mismanagement of Covid-19, towards things like Sushant Singh Rajput and Kangana Ranaut’s office demolition… I didn’t feel as a committed Congress worker and MP that I should contribute to distracting the media further away from the BJP’s astonishing failings of this time by spending all my energy talking about my party. When the time comes, and I judge it appropriate, I will speak. But right now, to speak openly on this issue would be playing into BJP’s distraction agenda and the BJP will not find me obliging them."indianexpress

 

Farm bills: Shiromani Akali Dal to decide future of alliance with BJP in a week, says party MP

https://scroll.in/latest/973645/farm-bills-shiromani-akali-dal-to-decide-future-of-alliance-with-bjp-in-a-week-says-party-mp

Shiromani Akali Dal Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral on Sunday said that the party will make a decision on the future of its alliance with BJP within a week, The Economic Times reported. BJP’s Punjab ally has opposed the 3 farm bills, 2 of which were passed by Rajya Sabha on Sunday.“We have sought feedback from our cadre over the next 4-5 days and will call a meeting of the party’s core committee soon after to take a call on SAD-BJP alliance,”Gujral said.

 

'I will quit my post if...': Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala's assurance to farmers over farm bills

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/i-will-quit-my-post-if-haryana-deputy-cm-dushyant-chautalas-assurance-to-farmers-over-farm-bills/655403

Chandigarh: In a bid to allay fears over the recently passed farm Bills in Parliament, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Singh Chautala on Sunday said that he would resign from his post if any danger to MSP system is posed. He also clarified that there is no mention of ending the MSP in the Bills.Reacting on the controversial farmer-related bills, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader said, "There is no mention of ending MSP system in the Agriculture Bills passed by Parliament. I will quit my post the day any danger to the MSP system is posed."

 

2 JJP MLAs join Haryana farmer protests, one says, ‘ready to resign if people ask me to’

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-jjp-mlas-join-haryana-farmer-protests-one-says-ready-to-resign-if-people-ask-me-to-6603792/

Chandigarh :At least 2 Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) MLAs joined protests of farmers, who are opposing the Centre’s three farm Bills in Haryana, on Sunday.JJP is part of the ruling alliance in the state with BJP, with its senior leader Dushyant Chautala being the deputy chief minister.

 

‘Death warrants against farmers’: Rahul Gandhi slams Modi govt over passage of two key farm bills

https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/death-warrants-against-farmers-rahul-gandhi-slams-modi-govt-over-passage-of-two-key-farm-bills/2088109/

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has slammed the Modi govt over the passage of two farm bills in the Rajya Sabha. Rahul said that democracy has been shamed by the manner in which the government issued ‘death warrants’ against farmers by passing two bills related to the agriculture sector.

 

Fresh ruckus in Rajya Sabha after 8 MPs suspended over unruly behaviour, House adjourned

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajya-sabha-ruckus-opposition-mps-suspended-derek-o-brien-6604378/

Proceedings in Rajya Sabha on Monday were disrupted several times, before it was finally adjourned for the day, amid strong protests over the suspension of eight opposition MPs for their “unruly behaviour” during the passage of the farm bills yesterday.With the eight members — Derek O Brien, Sanjay Singh, Rajiv Satav, KK Ragesh, Ripun Bora, Dola Sen, Syed Nazir Hussain and Elamaran Kareem — refusing to leave, the government said that the House cannot function unless the suspended Parliamentarians were removed.Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu also rejected the no-confidence motion against his deputy, Harivansh, on the grounds that proper procedure was not followed and that a 14-day notice was required to do the same. While Satav, Hussain and Bora belonged to the Congress, O’Brien and Sen are from the Trinamool Congress. Singh is from Aam Aadmi Party, and Kareem and Ragesh belonged to the CPM.

 

No constitutional sanction for voice vote, voting should’ve been ordered:  Ex-LS secretary general PDT Achary

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/no-constitutional-sanction-for-voice-vote-voting-shouldve-been-ordered-ex-ls-secretary-general-pdt-achary

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh allowed for a voice vote to decide the fate of two contentious farm bills on Sunday, despite members asking for a division of votes. The House rules state that once the members ask for a division of votes, the chairperson cannot proceed to decide by a voice vote. Even if only one member asks for it, he has to go in for voting, explained PDT Achary, former secretary general of the Lok Sabha.Article 100 of the Constitution says that every question shall be decided by a majority of the members sitting and voting. “There are two things to be addressed - the majority has to be determined, but how do you determine majority in the House? It can only be decided by voting. Voice votes cannot decide the majority. There is no constitutional sanction for voice vote. This must be clear,” underscored Achary.

 

Don't Sign Farm Bills, 18 Parties Urge President After Parliament Drama

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dont-sign-farm-bills-18-opposition-parties-urge-president-after-parliament-drama-2298903?pfrom=home-bigstory

New Delhi: 18 opposition parties wrote to the President today on what they called "absolute and total murder of democracy" in parliament in the way the government's farm bills were passed on Sunday and urged him not to sign them. "We, belonging to diverse political parties cutting across India's political and geographical spectrum, bring this representation to you to respectfully draw your urgent attention to the absolute and total murder of democracy, ironically in the most hallowed temple of democracy, parliament," said the letter to President Ram Nath Kovind. ndtv

 

Hundreds protest in Bengaluru against ‘anti-farmer, anti-labour’ legislations

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/hundreds-protest-in-bengaluru-against-anti-farmer-anti-labour-legislations-6605059/

Bangalore :Hundreds of farmers, labourers and members of Dalit organisations Monday took part in a demonstration at Bengaluru’s Anand Rao Circle against the new farm Bills passed by Centre and land legislations proposed by the Karnataka government.The protesters then moved to Freedom Park, where a conference was held on these issues.“Everyone in the agrarian community is against these legislations, including those proposed in the Karnataka Assembly. The Karnataka land reforms amendment Act is not a land reform but a deform,” Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav said. He added that such protests would grow across the country in the days to come.Meanwhile, the All India Central Council of Trade Unions wrote to CM BS Yediyurappa, seeking withdrawal of the Industrial Disputes and the Karnataka land reforms Amendment Ordinance, terming them “anti-labour policies”.

 

Modi govt’s reform of public banks a still-born effort, say Raghuram Rajan & Viral Acharya

https://theprint.in/economy/modi-govts-reform-of-public-banks-a-still-born-effort-say-raghuram-rajan-viral-acharya/507350/

New Delhi: The Modi govt’s reform of public sector banks in the last six years is a “still-born effort”, said a new research paper jointly authored by former RBI deputy governor Viral Acharya and former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan. The duo suggested a slew of reforms, including greater operational independence for state-run banks, gradual reduction in government’s stake below 50 per cent and reprivatisation of some select banks to begin with, in the paper released 21 September and available on the website of University of Chicago Booth School of Business.The paper warned that the pandemic will sharply increase the loan losses in the system and it may be greater than what the government can afford to pay.“With government deficits and debt levels reaching enormous levels, there simply are not enough budgetary resources to recapitalize banks. An encumbered, under-capitalized public sector banking system will not lend well, which will be a huge tax on growth, as it has been for the last six years,” the paper said.“More worrisome, without reform the banks will accumulate further losses. Status quo is simply not an option,” it added.

 

LAC standoff: Corps Commanders meet today, MEA official in India team

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/lac-standoff-corps-commanders-meet-today-mea-official-in-india-team-6604019/

More than a week after Indian and Chinese foreign ministers reached an agreement in Moscow on a five-point approach to resolve the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, the sixth round of the Corps Commander-level talks will be held on Monday morning. Sources in the defence establishment confirmed that the delegation will, for the first time since May, include a joint secretary-level officer from the Ministry of External Affairs, as reported by Indian Express on Sept.17. A senior government official had told Indian Express last week that the decision to include an official from the MEA was being considered by the top brass.Indian Express

 

Beijing is probably aiming for its LAC claim of 1959, China expert Yun Sun says

https://theprint.in/theprint-interview/beijing-is-probably-aiming-for-its-lac-claim-of-1959-china-expert-yun-sun-says/507207/

New Delhi: The Chinese are probably aiming to define LAC according to their claim line of 1959, says China expert Yun Sun, adding that both India and China are looking at a “war of attrition” as opposed to a hot war.Speaking to ThePrint in a video interview, Yun, senior fellow and co-director of the East Asia Program and director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, said China has viewed the territorial dispute from the perspective of India’s ‘forward policy’, which led to the 1962 India-China War.

 

Rajeev Sharma's Arrest: China's 'Global Times' Says Inappropriate To Link It With Case

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/rajeev-sharma-arrest-china-global-times_in_5f683755c5b6480e89717ac0

After the arrest of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma in connection with a case under Official Secrets Act, China’s state-run Global Times said it’s “inappropriate” for India to publicly link the publication to this case and “create a sensation to attract attention”.  In an opinion piece, the editor of Global Times Hu Xijin said, “I do not know whether the Indian side is making up an unjust case because of the tensions between China and India.” The media outlet, he said, has a large number of freelance writers all over the world and Indian intellectuals are generally able to write in English.Since the launch of the English edition of Global Times, Hu Xijin added, it has been common for Indians to either work for the outlet in Beijing as copy editors, or write from India on a freelance basis.

 

Mumbai: LLB student tries to videograph police station, booked for spying under OSA

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-llb-student-tries-to-videograph-police-station-booked-for-spying-under-osa-6603945/

Mumbai :A second-year LLB student, caught at a police nakabandi in Wadala for not wearing a mask, was booked for “spying” under Official Secrets Act after he tried to videograph the police station on his mobile phone, police said.Constable Shantaram Khade, a complainant in the case, in his statement to police, said a blockade had been put up at Wadala bridge to check traffic violators and those driving without a mask on Sept.17. Around 4 pm, one Mukesh Singh (31), who was riding a motorcycle with Manoj Shukla (30) as pillion, was stopped at the nakabandi for not wearing a face mask. Singh was also found driving without a licence on him, police said.

 

Fincen Files — On US radar: Dawood Ibrahim’s financier, his laundering, funding of Lashkar, Jaish: indian express

https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/fincen-files-on-us-radar-dawood-ibrahims-financier-money-laundering-lashkar-e-taiba-jaish-funding-6603904/

New Delhi :Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), US regulatory agency for enforcing money laundering laws, has uncovered a web of transactions of a flourishing money laundering network run by Pakistani national Altaf Khanani who is also said to have been a key financier for Dawood Ibrahim, reveal Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) filed by the Standard Chartered Bank, New York, and investigated by The Indian Express. These SARs detail transactions of Khanani’s Money Laundering Organisation (MLO) and the Al Zarooni Exchange. For decades, Khanani and his MLO moved an estimated $14 billion-$16 billion annually for drug cartels and terror organisations like al-Qaeda, Hezbollah and the Taliban.On Sept.11, 2015, Khanani was arrested at the Panama airport following a trans-continental undercover operation, and put behind bars in a Miami prison. His detention ended in July 2020 and he was to be handed over to US immigration authorities for deportation. It is unclear whether he has been deported to Pakistan or the UAE.

 

‘Pakistan targeting Indian professionals working in Afghanistan,’ Centre tells Lok Sabha

https://scroll.in/latest/973700/pakistan-targeting-indian-professionals-working-in-afghanistan-centre-tells-lok-sabha

Pakistan has been targeting Indian professionals working in Afghanistan in a variety of ways and several of them have been attacked and kidnapped over the past 12 years, the Centre told Lok Sabha on Monday during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.The neighboring country has also tried to designate four Indians, who had previously worked in Afghanistan, as terrorists under UNSC Resolution 1267, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in a written reply to questions raised by BJP MP GS Basavaraj. “However, the 1267 Sanctions Committee, based on its internal procedures, has not approved the request,” he said.

 

MoU for collaboration on start-up, innovation, between India, Israel

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mou-for-collaboration-on-start-up-innovation-between-india-israel-6603868/

Ahmedabad:Aiming at creating a platform for collaboration between innovation and start-up ecosystems between India and Israel, a MoU a was signed between 2 not-for-profit organisations — Ahmedabad-based International Centre for Technology and Entrepreneurship (iCreate) and Israel’s Start-Up Nation Central (SNC). MoU was signed at the iCreate campus on Sunday in the presence of Dr Ron Malka, Ambassador of Israel to India, Manoj Kumar Das, additional chief secretary (industry & mines department) who is also chairman iCreate, and Consul General Yaakov Finkelstein. It was also attended via video-conferencing by Sanjeev Singla, India’s Ambassador to Israel; Professor K Vijay Raghavanthe, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India; and Dr Ami Appelbaum, Chief Scientist of Israel. Prof Eugene Kandel, CEO, SNC; and Anupam Jalote, CEO iCreate. MoU includes identifying a set of real world challenges faced by industry or society and map them to the most relevant solutions and technology providers that could address them.

 

2G no bar to e-learning in J&K: Govt to Lok Sabha

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2g-no-bar-to-e-learning-in-jk-govt-to-lok-sabha-6603975/

New Delhi :Centre has told Lok Sabha that the absence of 4G network in Kashmir was not an impediment to e-learning as all such apps of the government were accessible on 2G network.Minister of State (Home) G Kishan Reddy said in a written reply: “2G mobile internet speed is not an impediment in covid control measures including dissemination of information to the general public as well as health workers. Also, e-learning apps and education/e-learning websites of the Government of India/ Government of J&K are accessible over 2G internet for downloading e-books and other study material.”

 

Muslim farmer killed in Jammu village, family demand punishment against culprits

http://twocircles.net/2020sep20/439096.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29

Jammu: In Phalian Mandal village of Satwari in Jammu, a local Gujjar Muslim farmer’s killing at the hands of a gang of goons has caused anger among the community.The farmer Shabir Chaudhary, was killed by a gang of goons near his house on 10 Sept. On the evening of 10 September while Shabir was having dinner with his family, a man named Liaqat Ali, also a resident of the same village, visited Shabir’s home asking him to accompany him to the market. According to the family, Liaquat Ali, also from Gujjar community has been like a brother to Shabir for years, and they wonder why did he betray him?Zehtoon, Shabir’s sister narrates that both (Liaquat and Shabir) left on a bike and a few metres away Shabir was hit while on a bike and he told Liaquat to speed up. However, Liaquat stopped the bike, pushing Shabir to the ground and stood watching. Zehtoon and other members confirmed that the attack took place in an area dominated by Non-Muslims of Basha Community, in front of the Village Panch’s house.TwoCircles

 

Senior PDP Leaders Meet for First Time After Revocation of J&K's Special Status

https://thewire.in/politics/senior-pdp-leaders-meet-article-370

Srinagar: PDP on Monday held a meeting of its senior leaders here for the first time since Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked by Centre in August last year, the party said.The meeting was chaired by party’s Vice President Abdul Rehman Veeri in the absence of party president Mehbooba Mufti, who is under detention, at the PDP headquarters here.The party held its first meeting post the release of party leaders who were detained in August last year when the Centre scrapped Article 370, a PDP spokesman said. PTI

 

“My brother’s wounds are screaming of monstrosity of attack,” family of lynching survivor Akhlaq Salmani losing hope for justice

http://twocircles.net/2020sep20/439106.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29

UP: On Aug. 23, a 28-year old man, Akhlaq Salmani of Nanauta, a town in Saharanpur, had come to Panipat district in search of work. It was here that he was beaten up and his arm severed. The family says the perpetrators were furious after they spotted ‘786’ tattooed on Akhlaq’s arm.The family of Ahklaq has now alleged that Haryana police are protecting the accused. A case of molesting a minor has been filed against Akhlaq. As the 2 parties file claims and counterclaims, the prospect of justice for Akhlaq appears to be diluted. The distress of the family is evident from the conversation. "The police story has now turned political. Isn’t it true that my brother’s hand has been cut off? There are hundreds of bruises on his body. His head has been hit with a brick. His leg has been pierced with iron nails. His wounds are screaming and the monstrosity of the attack is evident.  He is still fighting for his life, his body is infected and the threat to his life continues to increase. There is no space in Govt hospitals. We have no money. And now the police have filed a report against us. My family doubts that my brother will get any justice. But I have decided to fight until my last breath,” elder brother Iqram Salmani (40) said. TwoCircles

 

Kafeel Khan takes battle with Yogi to UN body

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/kafeel-khan-takes-battle-with-yogi-to-un-body

Gorakhpur's Dr Kafeel Khan, has taken his battle against the Yogi Adityanath government to an international level. Khan, who was recently absolved of charges under the stringent NSA and is now living in Jaipur, has written a letter to UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) informing them about "widespread violations of international human right standards in India and misuse of draconian laws like NSA and UAPA to suppress voices of dissent". In his letter, Khan thanked UN rights body for urging the Indian govt to protect human rights of activists arrested for "peacefully protesting against CAA" and said that the govt "has not listened to their appeal"."Authorities continue to invoke counter-terrorism and national security legislations using procedural police powers against these human right defenders for raising issues which would affect India's poorest and most marginalised community, violating international human right standards," Khan wrote.He also mentioned about the Gorakhpur tragedy on Aug.10, 2017 at Baba Raghav Das Medical College, in which many children lost their lives due to unavailability of liquid oxygen.IANS

 

Dr Kafeel Khan calls on Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/dr-kafeel-khan-calls-on-congress-general-secretary-priyanka-gandhi

Dr Kafeel Khan, who spent seven months in jail after being indicted by the Yogi government in UP for allegedly inciting communal violence during an anti CAA-NRC rally, called on Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi in Delhi on Monday. Accompanied by UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu and head of the UP Congress minority cell Shahnawaz Alam, Dr Kafeel Khan expressed his gratitude towards the Congress for standing with him in his time of crisis during the meeting. Priyanka Gandhi assured Dr Khan that the party will extend any help and protection needed by him, said a party source.

 

 

Mosque in Ayodhya may be square-shaped like Kaaba: Trust official

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/20/mosque-in-ayodhya-may-be-square-shaped-like-kaaba-trust-official-2199552.html

LUCKNOW: The mosque to come up in Ayodhya pursuant to the Supreme Court verdict in Ram Janmabhoomi case may be square-shaped like Kaaba Sharif in Mecca and will not be named after any emperor or king.Secretary and spokesperson of Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) Athar Hussain told PTI, "A mosque measuring 15,000 square feet will be built in Dhannipur village. It will be of the same size as that of the Babri mosque. The shape of the mosque may be completely different from that of other mosques. It may be square-shaped like the Kaaba Sharif in Mecca, as hinted by architect SM Akhtar."To a question on whether the mosque will have no domes or minarets like the Kaaba Sharif, Hussain said it could be a possibility."The mosque will not be named Babri Masjid. It will not be named after any king or emperor. My personal opinion is that it should be called Dhannipur Masjid," Hussain said. PTI

 

BJP worker asks for vote in name of Ram temple, video goes viral

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-worker-asks-for-vote-in-name-of-ram-temple-video-goes-viral/story-tRcQ9eMcBIvMfdHMREMLPP.html

Bhopal:A viral video has stirred controversy as it shows a BJP worker from Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district asking a woman to vote for BJP in the name of Ram temple in ensuing bypoll to Surkhi assembly seat in the district.In the video, that went viral on Sunday, a local BJP worker Narendra Athiya, a resident of Jaisingh Nagar of Sagar district, is seen showing a calendar having picture of Lord Ram to the woman and saying that “Modiji is constructing temple of Lord Ram. You will cast a vote on the symbol of lotus here and one brick will be fitted in the temple. With the vote, you will earn ‘punya’ also.”

 

Delhi Assembly panel asks Facebook India’s vice president to appear before it on Wednesday

https://scroll.in/latest/973664/delhi-assembly-panel-asks-facebook-indias-vice-president-to-appear-before-it-on-wednesday

A Delhi Assembly panel has issued a fresh notice to Ajit Mohan, Facebook India’s vice president and managing director, to appear before it on September 23 in connection with allegations that the social media giant ignored hate speech by BJP leaders on its platform, AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha said, HT reported. The decision came days after Facebook executives, including Mohan, snubbed a call to attend Peace and Harmony Committee’s notice to appear before it.

 

190-second intercept helped police join dots in Lankesh, Kalburgi killings

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/how-190-sec-intercept-helped-police-join-dots-in-lankesh-kalburgi-killings-6604010/

Bangalore : AN INTERCEPTED phone conversation between 2 relatives of a key accused in 2017 murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru provided a SIT of Karnataka Police with vital evidence of his involvement in another high-profile case — 2015 killing of Kannada scholar M M Kalburgi. According to court records, soon after the July 2018 arrest of Ganesh Miskin, 28, the rider of the motorcycle that took Lankesh’s alleged killer Parshuram Waghmore to her home, 2 close relatives of Miskin discussed the arrest on phone.One of the relatives, Ravi Miskin, allegedly told an “uncle” that his elder brother Ganesh was involved in the 2 murders, records show. The transcript of the conversation has been placed as evidence along with chargesheet in Kalburgi case to indicate Miskin’s involvement in both cases.How 190-sec intercept helped police join dots in Lankesh, Kalburgi killings took place at 11:51 am on July 22, 2018, the brother allegedly said that Miskin and his associates were involved “in one murder over there and another murder”, according to the transcript.“So they are involved in 2 murders, is it?” asked the “uncle” in response to which the brother allegedly replied, “yes”, the transcript shows.

 

More persons involved in al-Qaeda conspiracy: NIA

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/more-persons-involved-in-al-al-qaeda-conspiracy-nia-6604041/

NIA, which arrested 9 suspected al Qaeda operatives from West Bengal and Kerala, told a court that others too are also involved in the alleged conspiracy to carry out terror strikes across the country. 3 persons arrested from Kerala’s Ernakulam were produced before a magistrate court in the twon, which remanded them in the custody of NIA. NIA has to produce them before the special NIA court in New Delhi on Sept.22. All 3 arrested from Kerala——Murshid Hassan, Iyakub Biswas and Mosaraf Hossen—are migrant workers from Murshidabad.

 

NIA questions 6 held, gets transit remand

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/al-qaeda-module-busted-nia-questions-6-held-gets-transit-remand-6604071/

Kolkata : NIA on Sunday interrogated the six suspected al-Qaeda men arrested the day before in Murshidabad district, questioning them about their network in West Bengal.Sources said that on Monday NIA was likely to fly out the six to Delhi. On Sunday, they were produced in a special NIA court here, which granted the agency transit remand till Sept.24. The accused will have to be produced in Patiala House Court by then.

 

UP: Cop arrested for social media post on PM, CM

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-cop-arrested-for-social-media-post-on-pm-cm-6604098/

Lucknow :A POLICE sub-inspector (S-I) was arrested on Saturday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister, UP Chief Minister and also a particular religion on social media. The cases against Sub-Inspector Vijay Pratap Singh, who is under suspension, was filed at the Civil Lines police station last month. Vijay Pratap Singh was produced before a local court in Etawah that sent him to judicial custody, said station house officer, Civil Lines police station, Jitendra Singh. Vijay Pratap is a 2017-batch officer.

 

Bhiwandi Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 10, Several Feared Trapped

https://www.news18.com/news/india/bhiwandi-building-collapse-live-updates-8-killed-over-20-feared-trapped-as-3-storey-building-collapses-in-maharashtra-2894343.html

At least 10 people were killed and several feared trapped after a 3-storey 43-year-old Jhilani building collapsed in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi today. The incident happened at around 3:40 am. NDRF, fire brigade and police teams are carrying out rescue efforts. According to initial information, NDRF officials said 20 people have been rescued by locals and at least 20-25 people are feared to be trapped. A team of NDRF rescued a child from under the debris at the site of building collapse. The dead children include a two-year-old, a civic official said. Personnel of TDRF were seen pulling out the boy, Ubed Quraishi, from the debris and feeding him water.news18/PTI

 

Spoken Telugu online course concludes

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/spoken-telugu-online-course-concludes-646817

Hyderabad:With the emphasis that Telugu language is being spoken by close to 8.4 crore people across the globe and to have improved social connectivity, the 45-days online Telugu spoken skills course which was started one and half month back benefitted 120 candidates, whose mother tongue is Urdu. It was an initiative by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) which concluded on Saturday. The speakers highlighted the need for learning the language particularly amongst Muslims to develop bonding with the social strata of the two Telugu States. The programme was presided over by Prof Mohd Khalid Mubashir uz Zafar, Head of the department of translation, MANUU. Hans News

 

Emmys 2020: Meet Kashmiri journalist Ahmer Khan, nominated for a CAA documentary

https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/emmy-2020-meet-kashmiri-journalist-ahmer-khan-nominated-for-a-caa-documentary-11600604947598.html

For this 28 year-old award-winning reporter, growing up amidst conflict has made him more empathetic and fearless. An Emmy nomination is just the start, he is unafraid to dream big and take risks. On 28 July the Vice News film India Burning, part of the series titled VICE, was nominated for the Emmy Awards 2020—a section of which were announced last week—under the Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special category. The film, as indicated by its descriptor on Showtime (the platform on which it is streaming), "investigates the growing fear that the nation's 200 million Muslims are being systematically targeted".

 

 

 

*CORONAVIRUS-LOCKDOWN*

 

 

Coronavirus: Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi caused many infections, Centre tells Rajya Sabha

https://scroll.in/latest/973663/coronavirus-tablighi-jamaat-gathering-in-delhi-caused-many-infections-centre-tells-rajya-sabha

Union Ministry of Home Affairs told the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi’s Nizamuddin locality in March led to the coronavirus spreading to many individuals, PTI reported. Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said that the Delhi Police arrested 233 Tablighi Jamaat members. He said 2,361 people have been evacuated from the Nizamuddin Markaz since March. “However, regarding Jamaat Chief Maulana Mohammad Saad, the investigation is under way,” he added.

 

 

Unlock 4.0: Schools, Colleges reopening today in parts of India

https://zeenews.india.com/india/unlock-4-0-schools-colleges-reopening-today-in-parts-of-india-2311118.html

New Delhi: Schools, colleges in several states of India are set to partially reopen from today (Sept.21) after it was shut for 6 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Following the Centre's order many states have permitted the educational institutes to reopen from today. The states were the schools and colleges will be reopening are - Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland.

 

Punjab govt allows opening of institutions for PhD students, PG Technical courses

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-coronavirus-live-updates-deaths-cases-unlock-vaccine-maharashtra-6604169/

Punjab government has allowed the opening of higher education institutions from September 21 for PhD scholars and postgraduate students pursuing technical and professional courses requiring experimental work. However, schools, colleges, and coaching centres will remain closed in the states. The guidelines were issued in compliance with the directives of the current phase of the coronavirus lockdown issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. According to detailed guidelines issued by Special Chief Secretary (Home) Satish Chandra, open-air theatres will be allowed to function with strict adherence to social distancing norms.

 

Taj Mahal Reopens: 5,000 Visitors A Day, Online Tickets Only, Masks Must

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/taj-mahal-reopens-with-strict-covid-rules-5-000-allowed-each-day-2298513

 Taj Mahal in Agra reopened this morning with strict coronavirus safety guidelines after being shut for tourists for over six months. The Agra Fort too reopened today.

Both world heritage sites were closed since March 17 due to the pandemic.All safety guidelines issued by the centre will have to be followed while visiting the mausoleum and the fort, which include social distancing and sanitising of hands, Vasant Kumar Swarnkar, superintending archaeologist of Archaeological Survey of India (Agra circle), had said in a statement to the media.Only 5,000 tourists will be allowed each day at Taj Mahal - 2,500 before 2 PM and the rest after. At Agra Fort, 2,500 tourists will be allowed every day, he said.

 

10 Chhattisgarh Districts Under Lockdown, Capital Raipur Containment Zone

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lockdown-in-10-chhattisgarh-districts-capital-raipur-containment-zone-2298559?pfrom=home-topscroll

Raipur: 10 districts in Chhattisgarh, including state capital Raipur, have been put under lockdown from today amid spike in COVID-19 cases in these districts. The state capital -- which has been reporting 900-1,000 daily cases -- has been declared a containment zone. Apart from Raipur, 9 other districts including Jashpur, Baloda Bazaar, Janjgir-Champa, Durg, Bhilai, Dhamtari, Bilaspur,  Bilaspur, will remain under lockdown till Sept.28, according to the government order. The state now has 37,853 active cases, a state official said.

 

14% of Females in Gurugram Have Been Exposed to Novel Coronavirus: Sero Study

https://www.news18.com/news/india/14-percent-of-females-in-gurugram-have-been-exposed-to-novel-coronavirus-reveals-sero-study-2894953.html

In Haryana's Faridabad, Gurugram, Nuh and Sonipat, more number of women than men have developed antibodies for Covid-19, revealed a report which was conducted based on the sero survey that was done in the state in August. Out of the four districts, Faridabad has recorded the maximum seropositivity in both female and male population. According to a report in TOI, Nuh saw the second-highest sero positivity, with males at 21.4% and females at 18.8%. Sonipat figured third on the list as 14.4% of its women and 12.1% of men had developed antibodies for the novel coronavirus. Meanwhile, in Gurugram, 13.8% of the female population and 7.3% of the male residents had antibodies.

 

Pandemic puts on hold Kashmiri wedding tradition of eating together from one plate

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pandemic-puts-on-hold-kashmiri-wedding-tradition-of-eating-together-from-one-plate/article32655494.ece?homepage=true

SRINAGAR:The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which is wreaking havoc the world over, has hit the Kashmir Valley’s centuries-old culinary tradition of ‘trami’ — eating together from one plate during weddings. But Kashmiris have learnt to adapt to the situation, understanding what social distancing means.In ‘trami’, four guests join in simultaneously to have their portion of food from around a circular 2X2 ft decorated copper plate. Zahoor Zargar, a resident of Srinagar’s Lal Bazaar area, was in a fix about his daughter’s wedding in August as COVID-19 cases peaked in the Valley.

 

Covid-19 vaccine: 1.2 billion doses of Russian vaccine booked

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/september-21-coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-covid-19-latest-news-russia-vaccine-oxford-astrazeneca-6604198/

List of countries includes India where Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has partnered with the vaccine developers for carrying out late stage trials. Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and Saudi Arabia are the other countries.At least 10 countries in Asia, South America and Middle East have entered into agreements to access the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, a report in the Wall Street Journal said.The list of countries includes India where Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has partnered with the vaccine developers for carrying out late stage trials and then distribute 100 million doses of the vaccine. The Russian developers are also looking for an Indian partner to manufacture the vaccine in India. Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and Saudi were among other countries that have struck deals to bring the Russian vaccine for their people, the report said. Besides, Russia has claimed that about ten more countries were negotiating to buy the vaccine from it. It has said that it had received requests, or expressions of interest, for about 1.2 billion doses of the vaccine so far, according to the report.

 

Coronavirus India : 86,961 new cases, 1130 deaths reported in past 24 hours

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-coronavirus-live-updates-deaths-cases-unlock-vaccine-maharashtra-6604169/

With 86,961 new cases, the infection tally in India gas risen to 54.87 lakh. As many as 1130 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours pushing the toll in the country to 86,961. Of the 54,87,581 infections in the country, 10,03,299 are active cases, while 43,96,399 patients have already been cured.Globally, over 30.8 million have been infected, of which, nearly 21 million have recovered so far. At least 958,400 people have succumbed to the virus so far.

 

WORLD

Sudan leaders in UAE for talks with Emirati, US officials

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/sudan-leaders-uae-talks-emirati-officials-200921065131443.html

A high-level delegation led by the head of Sudan's ruling council has travelled to UAE for separate talks with Emirati and US officials, including discussions on its removal from the US's list of countries that "sponsor terrorism", according to state media.The Sudanese state news agency SUNA said on Sunday General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, head of the sovereign council that has been in charge following overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir last year, will hold talks with UAE's leadership on "all regional issues that are related to Sudan".It added that Sudanese Justice Minister Naser-Eddin Abdelbari will meet US officials present in Abu Dhabi to discuss the "removal of [the] name of Sudan from the list of states sponsoring terrorism, support of the transitional period and writing off American debts on Sudan".

 

Report: Sudan seeks economic support in return for ties with Israel

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-report-sudan-seeks-economic-support-in-return-for-ties-with-israel/

Sudanese officials are holding a decisive meeting with counterparts from US and UAE over signing a normalisation deal with Israel and have asked for economic support in return, Israel’s Walla news site reported.According to report, Khartoum is asking for billions in economic assistance in return for siginng an agreement with Tel Aviv;if demands are met, an announcement could come within days.Reportedly, Sudan is asking for oil and wheat shipments worth $1.2 billion to cope with recent devastating floods, a $2 billion grant to deal with Sudan’s economic crisis and a commitment of economic support from the US and UAE over the next 3 years.

 

Sudan leadership divided over whether to normalise ties with Israel

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-sudan-leadership-divided-over-whether-to-normalise-ties-with-israel/

The military leaders in Sudan’s Sovereign Council, which comprises both civilians and military officers, are interested in normalising the country’s relations with Israel in return for the lifting of US sanctions on the country and removing it from the list states that sponsor terrorists, Arabi21 reported. Observers told the London-based website that there are major disagreements within the country’s transitional Sovereign Council over the question of whether to normalise relations with Israel. Last February, transitional council’s chair, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the latter announced the two sides are cooperating toward reaching an agreement on the normalisation of bilateral ties. But in August Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Sovereign Council had “no mandate” to take such a step.Hamdok also called on the US not to link “the subject of lifting Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list and the subject of normalisation with Israel.”According to a number of media reports, Saudi and Emirati politicians are pressuring Khartoum to normalise its relations with Israel.

 

Bin Zayed talks with Washington to transfer US base in Turkey to UAE

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-bin-zayed-talks-with-washington-to-transfer-us-base-in-turkey-to-uae/

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed is talking with Pentagon to transfer the US Incirlik Air Base from Turkey to UAE, New Khaleej reported.Informed sources revealed to the news site on Saturday that the plan aims to consolidate the UAE’s ties with the “deep state” in US.The New Khaleej reported Tactical Report, a news website specialised in intelligence news, saying that Bin Zayed believes that Abu Dhabi is seeking to place its strategic interests above all other issues, including the personal relations between Bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump.According to the Arabic news site, the UAE is also working on economic and military projects in cooperation with the Pentagon and major US economic and financial institutions on the south coast of Yemen and a number of islands, including Socotra.

 

Dubai's Habtoor Group to open representative office in Israel

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200920-dubais-habtoor-group-to-open-representative-office-in-israel/

Dubai conglomerate Al Habtoor Group is to open a representative office in Israel, it said on Sunday, Reuters reports. The family-owned conglomerate portfolio covers the hospitality, construction, education and automotive sectors.Habtoor Group, headed by prominent Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad al-Habtoor, is in talks with Israeli airline Israir to launch direct commercial flights to the UAE.

 

Honduras to move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem by end of year

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/honduras-move-israel-embassy-jerusalem-year-200921093235094.html

Honduras hopes to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem before the end of the year, putting an end to its policy of neutrality - a move likely to further anger the Palestinians."I have just talked to Prime Minister Netanyahu to strengthen our strategic alliance, we spoke to arrange the opening of the embassies in Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem, respectively," Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez posted on Twitter on Sunday.

 

Kuwait: MP questions foreign minister over Trump’s normalisation remarks

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-kuwait-mp-questions-foreign-minister-over-trumps-normalisation-remarks/

Kuwaiti MP Mohammed Al-Dallal has questioned Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed over Donald Trump’s remarks about potential normalisation with Israel, Kuwaiti media reported on Sunday.Al-Dallal asked the minister about the US president’s comment that Kuwait might normalise relations with Israel. He asked for details about Trump’s meeting with the Kuwaiti delegation which accepted a prestigious US award on behalf of the Emir.The MP asked Al-Mohammed whether his ministry has communicated with Washington to ask for clarification, and whether the members of the Kuwaiti delegation discussed the issue of normalisation of ties with Israel during their visit to the US capital.

 

Turkey to continue supporting Libya's GNA even if al-Sarraj quits

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/turkey-continue-supporting-libya-gna-al-sarraj-quits-200921110657208.html

Turkey will continue to support Libya's internationally recognised government despite Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj announcing last week that he planned to step down by the end of next month, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman.Ibrahim Kalin said on Monday that Turkish support for the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and their bilateral agreements, which include a security pact and a maritime demarcation deal signed last year, would continue."These accords will not be impacted by this political period because these are decisions made by the government, not by any individual," Kalin told Demiroren News Agency.Kalin said Turkish officials would travel to Tripoli "in the coming days" to discuss developments in the wake of al-Sarraj's announcement.

 

Protests against Sisi’s rule break out across Egypt

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-protests-against-sisis-rule-break-out-across-egypt/

Protests have broken out across Egypt against the rule of General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.In Suez, Kafr El Dawwar, a city on the Nile Delta, Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan, demonstrators demanded Al-Sisi stand down.Following security forces’ attack on demonstrators, the presidential residence in Aswan, Upper Egypt, was set on fire. One video at another protest shows a police car retreating after anti-Sisi protesters threw stones at it.In Al-Qanater, Qalyubia Governorate, protesters marched through narrow streets to stop them being attacked by security forces or beltagayya.In Kadiya village in Giza Governorate, Egyptian protesters overturned a police truck, angry at the government’s demolition of buildings there.The protests are in response to calls made by Egyptian whistleblower Mohamed Ali for people to take to the streets on 20 Sept. There is also widespread anger at the government’s handling of Libya and the Renaissance Dam negotiations.

 

Muslim Brotherhood faces internal reorganisation: middleeastmonitor

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-muslim-brotherhood-faces-internal-reorganisation/

The new Acting Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood has said that the reorganisation of the movement is intended to improve efficiency and relations. Speaking to Al-Hiwar TV, Dr Ibrahim Mounir said that the changes may have “appeared hasty” because they were announced immediately after the detention of his predecessor Dr Mahmoud Ezzat in Egypt. However, Mounir explained that the changes were decided prior to Dr Ezzat’s detention.“The decision to announce them immediately after he was detained was to let members in Egypt know that the Brotherhood still exists,” said Mounir, “and to let the [Egyptian] regime know that the movement has not died.”At the same time, he refuted claims regarding the work and organisation of the Brotherhood that emerged due to the lack of contact between several of its institutions that followed the harsh campaign against it. He insisted that there was no “plurality” in the decision-making process, and that the last word over any differences was for Dr Ezzat.

 

Pakistan opposition parties form alliance to oust govt

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/pakistan-opposition-parties-form-alliance-to-oust-govt

Pakistan's major opposition parties announced that they have formed an alliance to demand the ousting of the incumbent Imran Khan-led govt, it was reported on Monday. After naming their alliance as Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the leaders on Sunday also announced launching of a three-phased anti-government movement under an "action plan" starting from next month with countrywide public meetings, protest demonstrations and rallies in Dec.and a "decisive long march" towards Islamabad in Jan.2021, reports Dawn news.Briefing reporters at the conclusion of more than eight-hour-long PPP-hosted multi-party conference (MPC) which was also addressed by deposed PM Nawaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari through video link, opposition leaders announced that they would use all political and democratic options, including no-confidence motions and en mass resignations from Parliament, to seek "the selected Prime Minister's resignation and an end to the role of the establishment in politics".  IANS

 

 

*OP-ED*

 

UPA made Indira’s draconian FCRA tougher, Modi govt’s amendments will now make it worse:THEPRINT TEAM

https://theprint.in/opinion/upa-made-indiras-draconian-fcra-tougher-modi-govts-amendments-will-now-make-it-worse/507101/

 

The perils of being Umar Khalid:Ajaz Ashra, mid-day

https://www.mid-day.com/articles/the-perils-of-being-umar-khalid/23002219

 

Search for durable peace in Afghanistan will not succeed unless all parties relinquish entrenched thinking:Vivek Katju, indianexpress

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-opening-in-doha-6603890/

 

Freedoms exercised by all mediums disseminating news are the cornerstone of our republic:Kapil Sibal,indianexpress

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/supreme-court-sudarshan-tv-upsc-jihad-freedom-of-press-6603892/m

 

Voice clears farm bills, democracy speechless: What front pages said about Rajya Sabha chaos:scroll.in

https://scroll.in/latest/973631/voice-clears-farm-bills-democracy-speechless-what-front-pages-said-about-rajya-sabha-chaos

 

On agricultural reforms, it’s important to tread with caution:Shashi Shekhar, HT

https://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/on-agricultural-reforms-it-s-important-to-tread-with-caution/story-ACAwAE6RdCOnwI4KCOHyVM.html

 

What Narendra Modi’s Enigmatic Silence Means to China:Prem Shankar Jha, thewire

https://thewire.in/diplomacy/narendra-modis-silence-mean-to-china-india-lac

 

Modi Government is Cornering Public Funds via PM CARES While Robbing States of GST Share:Mahua Moitra

https://thewire.in/politics/modi-government-pm-cares-gst

 

 A Govt at war with farmers has forfeited the right to govern: Former Law Minister:Ashwani Kumar, nationalheraldindia

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/a-government-at-war-with-farmers-has-forfeited-the-right-to-govern-former-law-minister

 

 Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq