01 OCT. NEWS DIGEST

 

INDIA: BABRI MASJID CASE

 Babri verdict: AIMPLB urges CBI to file appeal, Jamiat says criminal act brushed aside; Jamaat Islami Hind expresses  disappointment

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/babri-verdict-jamiat-says-criminal-act-brushed-aside-aimplb-urges-cbi-to-file-appeal/1946304

New Delhi: Prominent Muslim organisations have raised questions over the Babri mosque verdict saying it was "far from justice" and not only witnesses were ignored but the criminal act was brushed aside too, with the AIMPLB urging the CBI to file an appeal against the judgement.  All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) general secretary Wali Rahmani said, "This judgment is far from justice. It is neither based on evidence, nor is it in accordance with the law.""Whatever may be the reasons for the acquittal, but this is also a fact that many of us have seen videos and photos of the demolition. Who all was part of this conspiracy is an open secret," he said."To uphold the rule of law, we urge the CBI to file an appeal," he added. AIMPLB general secretary said Muslims kept faith in the institutions of the country, but many "events have shaken faith in the temple of democracy and institutions therein".Senior lawyer and AIMPLB member Zafaryab Jilani said the verdict would be challenged in the high court. Prominent Muslim body Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind raised questions over the special CBI court decision and asserted that it was contrary to the SC's 2019 observation that the demolition of the structure was an "egregious violation of the rule of law".Reacting to the development, Jamiat president Maulana Arshad Madani said the mosque was demolished in broad daylight and the world witnessed "under whose patronage the mosque was razed" and who was in power in UP at that time.Jamiat general secretary Maualna Mahmood Madani claimed that such a verdict has no parallel in the justice system anywhere. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Hussaini, in a statement, said the organisation expresses disappointment at the verdict. "The designated court has acquitted all the accused citing lack of evidence, notwithstanding the fact that just 10 months back the Supreme Court of India had called the demolition a criminal act and a violation of the law," he said. How the court arrived at the conclusion that there was no conspiracy to demolish the mosque and that the act was spontaneous and not pre-planned is difficult to understand, he said.PTI

Far from justice: Muslim law board asks CBI to appeal Babri demolition case order

 

World witnessed the demolition. Now Babri Masjid demolition verdict is shocking Babri Masjid demolition case: Deoband

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/deoband-shocked-jilani-to-move-hc-if-cbi-fails-to-appeal/articleshow/78416500.cms

Lucknow: The judgment in the Babri Masjid demolition case sparked off sharp reactions from Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband, which flagged its deep disappointment.  “The court’s observation that there was no sufficient evidence against accused is wrong. There was enough proof to convict all of them who were addressing and inciting the mob on that day,” said Jilani. Vice-chancellor of Deoband seminary Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani said, “The world witnessed the demolition. They also saw the faces who did it. Now, the verdict is shocking.” timesofindia

 

Mumbai riot victims on Babri demolition verdict: ‘Justice not done… verdict unfortunate’

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-riot-victims-on-babri-demolition-verdict-justice-not-done-verdict-unfortunate-6655253/

Mumbai :The pain of being hounded out of his house in Kurla during the post Babri demolition riots is so vivid for Imtiyaz Ahmed that nearly 3 decades later, he still excuses himself from describing what transpired that day.On Wednesday, Ahmed, who stayed glued to his TV set to hear the verdict, had only one thing to say after it was read out. “Justice has not been served for the crime that was committed in Ayodhya, which not only led to the mosque being brought down but also led to hundreds of lives being destroyed in the riots in Mumbai.”A number of Muslims who were victims of the Mumbai riots, which claimed 900 lives and injured 2,036 others, felt the same after Wednesday’s verdict. “This verdict is very unfortunate and a blot on our country’s image. I feel that political considerations rather than the willingness to ensure that justice is done played a role in the drafting of this verdict,” Dr Azimuddin, president of the group Movement for Social Reform and a petitioner in the Supreme Court seeking the implementation of the Srikrishna Commission Report, said. Gulzar Azmi, general secretary, legal cell, Jamiat Ulama e Maharashtra, which represented victims, said that the verdict was another injustice to the community, calling it a second ‘Black Day’. Activists in the city also said in a statement that documentary evidence and powerful witness testimonies “have been willfully ignored”. indianexpress

 

Akhada Parishad welcomes says all 32 acquitted people will be ‘honoured during Haridwar Maha Kumbh next year’

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/akhada-parishad-welcomes-acquittal-of-all-32-accused-in-babri-mosque-demolition-case-says-they-will-be-honoured-during-haridwar-maha-kumbh-2021/articleshow/78411637.cms

Haridwar: CBI special court’s judgement acquitting all 32 accused in the Babri mosque demolition case has been welcomed by members of the seer community in Haridwar. Narendra Giri, president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP), the apex body representing the 13 akhadas (sects of seers) in the country, termed the acquittal “historic”, and announced that all 32 people will be honoured at the Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar next year.Giri, who saw the verdict as “a vindication of the Hindus’ stand on the disputed structure,” said that “justice has been done to RSS-VHP leaders and ascetics who spearheaded the Ram Janmabhoomi temple movement.” “It was Lord Ram’s work they were doing and hence, they have got justice,” Giri added.Another seer, Swami Harichetananand said the verdict has been hailed by the entire seer community. Manasa Devi temple trust president Swami Ravindra Puri described the “verdict as the victory of Ram bhakts,” while Awadhoot Mandal Ashram head Mahant Bhupendra Prakash said “it has enthused and elated the seers.”Mahamandaleshwar Santoshi Ma, who had been an active participant in the temple movement, said that the “demolition was not an act of conspiracy.”TOI

 

Pakistan condemns Babri Masjid verdict as media gives prominent coverage to Indian court verdict: zeenews

https://zeenews.india.com/world/pakistan-condemns-babri-masjid-verdict-as-media-gives-prominent-coverage-to-indian-court-verdict-2313705.html

New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the acquittal of all the 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case verdict by an Indian court. The case was given prominent coverage in the Pakistani media. Reacting to the verdict, the Pakistan Foreign Office reportedly condemned what it called "shameful acquittal" of those responsible for demolishing the historic mosque.The foreign office is quoted by PTI as saying "Pakistan urges the Indian Govt to ensure safety, security and protection of minorities, particularly Muslims and their places of worship..." zeenews

 

India's Top Muslim Body Fears 2 More Historic Mosques Will Be Demolished 'Soon':Sputnik

https://sputniknews.com/india/202009301080620006-indias-top-muslim-body-fears-two-more-historic-mosques-will-be-demolished-soon/

Top members from India's largest organisation of Muslim clerics Jamaat Ulema-e-Hind (JuH) have expressed "fear" that 2 mosques in the cities of Mathura and Varanasi could face the same fate as the Babri Mosque. "They have the power. They can demolish any mosque they want with legal immunity", one of the Islamic scholars from JuH told Sputnik. He was referring to renewed demands by Hindu nationalist groups to tear down mosques in the towns of Mathura and Varanasi, both cities considered sacred by India's majority Hindu community and similarly claimed that Mughal emperors had erected mosque structure over temples. Another JuH office-bearer remarked that the court’s judgement is bound to affect the trust of Indian Muslims in the judiciary. "We have nowhere to go now. The court said that nobody demolished the structure. The judge has ruled that there was no such conspiracy behind the demolition", said the JuH member."I can say that the displeasure is shared by the country's 200 million Muslims", he added.  Both the JuH office-bearers spoke to Sputnik on condition of anonymity, saying that a decision on how to react to the verdict, if at all, would be taken by the managing committee.

 

Babri demolition case: TN Thowheed Jamaat to protest against verdict

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=756654

Chennai:Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaat (TNTJ) will protest across the state against the Lucknow CBI Special Court's judgment acquitting 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case for want of evidence, said an official."We will hold protest on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday the protest will be in Chennai where large number of people from our community will participate. On Friday the protests will be held in other parts of the state," B. Abdul Rahman, Vice President said. He said that in Chennai the protest will be near the Collector's office in Mannady.IANS

 

Mayawati, Akhilesh vocal on Hathras gang rape but quiet on Babri demolition verdict

https://theprint.in/politics/mayawati-akhilesh-vocal-on-hathras-gang-rape-but-quiet-on-babri-demolition-verdict/514483/

New Delhi: The two leading opposition parties in UP, Samajwadi Party (SP) and BSP, are yet to comment on the Babri Masjid demolition verdict in which all the 32 accused, were acquitted.SP chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has not reacted to the verdict on social media or otherwise. He only tweeted about the Hathras gang rape and murder case. His party also issued a press statement Wednesday evening, expressing outrage over the rape, but nothing on the Babri verdict.ThePrint contacted SP spokesperson Anurag Bhadauria, but he refused to comment on Babri verdict, saying he will get back after confirming the party’s stand on it. He didn’t revert until the time of publishing this report.Mayawatiand BSP supremo, has also chosen to stay mum on the verdict. She too has only tweeted about the Hathras case since Wednesday.

 

Plea seeking removal of mosque adjacent to Krishna’s birthplace dismissed by Mathura court

https://scroll.in/latest/974549/plea-seeking-removal-of-mosque-adjacent-to-krishnas-birthplace-dismissed

A court in Mathura in UP on Wednesday dismissed a petition asking for the removal of a mosque near an area claimed to be the birthplace of the deity Krishna, NDTV reported. The petition had been filed on behalf of Hindu deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman, seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah adjacent to the Shri Krishna temple complex in Mathura. UP Sunni Central Waqf Board and Committee of Management of Trust of Shahi Idgah had been arraigned as defendants.The court refused to admit the suit citing a 1991 law that bars litigation that alters status quo of any religious place of worship as it stood in 1947.

 

*UP RAPE OUTRAGE*

Hathras rape case: Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi’s march stopped, cops cite Epidemic Act; Rahul says ‘don’t be afraid so much, CM’

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-gangrape-protests-live-updates-rahul-gandhi-priyanka-section-144-6662957/

ongress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose march with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Hathras was stopped, alleged that the police lathicharged and pushed him to the ground. Gandhis had begun a march to Hathras after their cars were stopped by authorities. Later, both Rahul and Priyanka tweeted slamming the UP Govt for trying to stop them.Ahead of Gandhis visit, Section 144 has been imposed in the district and the borders have been sealed.  UP Police has stopped Rahul Gandhi under Section 188 for violation of Epidemics Act. Gandhis want to meet the family of 19-year-old Dalit woman who died after allegedly being gang-raped and tortured by 4 upper-caste men in UP district. The victim’s family also alleged that UP Police had cremated her forcibly without their permission. "In times of sorrow, loved ones are not left alone. It is Jungleraj's wish in UP that meeting a family in mourning also scares the govt. Don't be afraid so much, Chief Minister!" Rahul Gandhi tweeted as he was stopped by the UP Police on his way to Hathras. Meanwhile, UP also lathi-charged few Samajwadi Party workers on NH- 93. They were trying to reach the victim’s house. In other development, NHRC has issued notices to the UP Govt and the state’s police chief in connection with the Hathras rape.

 

After Hathras Horror, Yet Another Dalit Woman Gang-Raped In UP

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-after-hathras-horror-yet-another-dalit-woman-gang-raped-in-up/361249

Amid the widespread outrage over the alleged gang-rape and murder of a Dalit teen from Hathras in UP, another Dalit woman died in Balrampur district of UP, while being rushed to a hospital after being raped by two men. Balrampur Superintendent of Police Dev Ranjan Verma said the incident happened in Gaisari area of the district, where a 22-year-old Dalit woman, working in a private firm, failed to return home on Tuesday evening, prompting her parents to start looking for her. The woman's parents said she did not respond to calls on her mobile phone, triggering panic among family members.The woman, however, returned home shortly later in an autorickshaw with an intravascular cannula, medically known as Vigo inserted in her hand, that’s normally used for administering injection, glucose or other fluids in the body, the police said. Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has called for immediate action. "After Hathras, now a daughter was harassed and gang-raped in Balrampur. The victim died in serious condition. Condolences! BJP Govt should commit no laxity in this case as was done in Hathras and arrest the accused immediately #Balrampur... #NoMoreBJP," Yadav said in a tweet. PTI

 

Hathras gangrape: SIT set up, but BJP’s Dalit MPs say: Image dented, politically damaging

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-up-gangrape-bjp-mp-sit-6656424/

As UP Govt set up a SIT to probe the alleged gangrape of a 19-year-old Dalit woman by four upper caste men in Hathras, and her death, several of the state’s Dalit MPs from ruling BJP said that the incident has “dented” the administration’s image and is “politically damaging”. MPs, however, blamed the incident on “deep-rooted casteism and corruption in police” while expressing their confidence in the state Govt. At least 4 Dalit MPs of the BJP described the police action, including the hurried cremation without involving the victim’s family, as “condemnable” and said that “there should be a proper investigation”. Kaushambi MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, who headed BJP’s SC Morcha till recently, said: “Certainly, the incident has dented the image of the state and the Govt. It’s politically damaging to us. It’s a loss of face for us. But the state Govt is trying its best to get justice for the family.”  Kaushal Kishore, the Mohanlalganj MP, accused UP Police of “harassing the poor and Dalits”.

 

Hathras gangrape: ‘We are Dalits, that’s our sin… We want our children to leave’

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-womans-death-we-are-dalits-thats-our-sin-we-want-our-children-to-leave-6656207/

New Delhi :Every time he goes to the local store, 50-year-old says, shopkeeper tells him to stand at a distance and chucks what he has purchased. Upper castes abusing them is so common that they no longer feel the sting, he adds. The silence of Dalits has another reason. In the village in Hathras district, where a 19-year-old Dalit woman was battered and allegedly gangraped by four upper caste men, leading to her death, Valmiki families number just about 15. Out of the 600-odd families, nearly half are Thakur, and Brahmins another 100-odd. The cremation grounds for them are separate, they are not allowed into the local temple, and the officials starting from the local school are upper castes, the Dalits say. And, while the teenager’s brutal assault has become national news, the families, all of whom Indian Express spoke to, don’t expect things to change. Instead, they fear a backlash once the media attention has moved away. Only a few own land, and most of them work as labourers in the farms of upper castes.Indian Express

 

 Baghpat Teenage Rape Victim Tries To End Life

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-after-hathras-and-balrampur-baghpat-teenage-rape-victim-tries-to-end-life/361264

A teenage girl tried to commit suicide after she was allegedly raped and blackmailed by a neighbour, who has been arrested by police. An FIR against the accused, who was registered by the police on a complaint from 17-year-old girl's father on Tuesday night.The rape survivor consumed poison on Sept. 27 and fell unconscious. Once she regained her consciousness, she narrated her ordeal to her father about  a neighbour, as the culprit, following which the police complaint was lodged.PTI

 

Man Rapes 14-Year-Old In UP's Bulandshahr: Police

https://www.ndtv.com/cities/man-rapes-14-year-old-in-uttar-pradeshs-bulandshahr-police-2303536?pfrom=home-topstories

Bulandshahr: A minor girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour in UP's Bulandshahr, police said on Wednesday.SSP Santosh Kumar Singh said on Wednesday night, the girl's father submitted a complaint in this regard, alleging that his 14-year-old daughter was raped by their 20-year-old neighbour on Tuesday night.  A report has been lodged against the accused and efforts are on to catch him. ndtv

 

National Commission of Scheduled Castes without a chairperson for months, so is UP’s panel

https://theprint.in/india/national-commission-of-scheduled-castes-without-a-chairperson-for-months-so-is-ups-panel/514398/

New Delhi: Key bodies meant to safeguard the rights and look into complaints of Dalits and tribals have been without crucial office-bearers at both the Centre and in UP, where the gang rape of a Dalit girl in Hathras has sparked massive outrage. While National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has been without a chairman and other members for four months, the UP SC/ST Commission, which is meant to safeguard the rights of Dalits and tribals in the state, has been headless for 10 months now.The job of the national commission is not only meant to safeguard the rights of the SC communities but also inquire into specific complaints concerning the deprivation of their rights.The recent tenure of the national commission office-bearers ended in May. BJP leader and former MP Ram Shankar Katheria served as the chairperson and L. Murugan, the party’s Tamil Nadu unit chief, was the vice-chairperson.

 

Yogi’s UP turns into rape state: After Hathras & Balrampur, 8-yr-old raped in Azamgarh, a teen in Bulandshahr

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/yogis-up-turns-into-rape-state-after-hathras-and-balrampur-8-yr-old-raped-in-azamgarh-a-teen-in-bulandshahr

The incidents of rape are becoming rampant in UP. The entire country had not yet recovered from the shock of brutal rape and death of a girl in Hathras when shocking news reports of rapes from Azamgarh and Bulandshahr came in.Released in 2019, NCRB data shows UP reported 87 rape cases daily in 2019. The state recorded a 7% rise in crime against women.As per NCRB, the country recorded 3,78,236 cases of crimes against women in 2018. A total of 32,033 cases of rape were lodged in 2019 which was 7.3% of all crimes against women during the year.The data shows majority of these cases under Indian Penal Code were registered under ‘cruelty by husband or his relatives’ (30.9 per cent) followed by ‘Assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty’ (21.8 per cent), ‘kidnapping and abduction of women’ (17.9 per cent).Based on the analysis of the data provided by NCRB, India Today released graphics claiming 10 Dalit women are raped in India everyday. 3,500 Dalit women were raped in India last year of them one third of the cases were reported from Rajasthan and UP.

India Reports 87 Rapes Per Day: NCRB Data Amid Hathras Outrage

 

Hathras gang-rape: 47 woman advocates write to CJI, seek ‘strictest & swiftest possible punishment to accused’

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/hathras-gang-rape-47-woman-advocates-write-to-cji-seek-strictest-and-swiftest-possible-punishment-to-accused

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India and his companion Judges of the Collegium, 47 woman advocates have sought constitution of a High Court-monitored investigation and trial to ensure strictest and swiftest possible punishment to the accused in the Hathras gang-rape case, legal news website BarandBench.com has reported.The letter further prays for immediate inquiry and suspension or any punitive action against all erring police, administrative, and even medical officers, who may have tried to manipulate the facts and evidence in the case.

 

Stay in your house, notice to Bhim army chief over UP rape protest. Cops deny

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/stay-in-your-house-notice-to-bhim-army-chief-over-up-rape-protest-cops-deny/story-7Qd0Us3jXsEHRxUAaYfZJM.html

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, who was accompanying the family of the 19-year-old Dalit woman who died after being gang raped from Delhi to Hathras, said Wednesday that he was detained by UP police midway and has now been put under house arrest in Saharanpur. “The whole world saw how our sister was cremated at night in the absence of the family and without their consent, in connivance of the Govt and the police. The morality of these people is dead. I was detained by their police the night before and now I have been put under house arrest in Saharanpur. But we will fight,” Azad tweeted in Hindi.

 

Centre should impose President’s rule in UP, says Mayawati over Hathras, Balrampur incidents

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-should-impose-president-s-rule-in-up-says-mayawati-over-hathras-balrampur-incidents/story-7ITZK9LbD7q6HxwpdSWZVP.html

Criminals, mafias and rapists are having a free run under BJP led UP Govt said BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday after a gang-rape case was reported from Balrampur, following closely on the heels of Hathras incident. She demanded that the Centre impose President’s Rule in the state as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Govt had failed to protect the women in the state.

 

People are seeing true colours of BJP’s rule: Akhilesh Yadav on Hathras incident

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/people-are-seeing-true-colours-of-bjp-s-rule-akhilesh-yadav-on-hathras-incident/story-Rrn92vTbb4XuLKDwe0LsgP.html

Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav slammed the govt over the death of Hathras gangrape victim.“Hathras victim’s family severally beaten on the order of the govt. Now the people will ensure the Govt is brought to justice. People are seeing the way BJP’s misrule is revealing its true colours. The wicked will be unveiled soon,” Yadav’s tweet read.ANI

 

Hathras gangrape: Congress, Left groups hold protests in Delhi, 130 detained

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-gangrape-congress-left-groups-hold-protests-in-delhi-130-detained-6656337/

New Delhi :Around 130 people were detained from outside UP Bhavan on Wednesday during two separate protests against the death of the 19-year-old from Hathras. 2 separate FIRs were registered against the protesters at Chanakyapuri police station.While one protest was organised by Left women and student organisations, Indian Youth Congress and Delhi Mahila Congress held the other protest.

 

OTHERS

 

15 international organisations condemn Centre’s move to freeze Amnesty India’s account

https://scroll.in/latest/974605/fcra-law-15-international-organisations-condemn-centres-move-to-freeze-amnesty-indias-account

A group of 15 international organisations has condemned the Centre’s move to freeze the funds of human rights body Amnesty International India, forcing it to halt its work. The organisations that have raised concern about the actions against Amnesty International India are Association for Progressive Communications, Global Indian Progressive Alliance, International Commission of Jurists, International Federation for Human Rights, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Front Line Defenders, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Foundation the London Story, Hindus for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, International Service for Human Rights, Minority Rights Group, Odhikar, South Asians for Human Rights, and World Organisation Against Torture.  The statement said that the BJP Govt accused Amnesty India of violating laws on foreign funding, which was a charge the group believed to be “politically motivated.” It constitutes evidence “that the overbroad legal framework is maliciously activated when human rights defenders and groups challenge the govt’s grave inactions and excesses,” the statement said.

 

Amnesty shuts India operations: UK, USCIRF raise issue with govt

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amnesty-shuts-india-operations-uk-uscirf-raise-issue-with-govt-6658376/

After European Union, UK and US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) raised the issue of Amnesty India’s operations being shut down with the Indian govt.While the British Govt, like the EU, raised the issue through diplomatic channels, USCIRF —a consultative body to US Congress — expressed concern at the reports.When contacted, a British High Commission spokesperson said, “UK’s Minister for South Asia and our Acting High Commiss-ioner in New Delhi met Indian Govt representatives after Amnesty International India’s accounts were frozen, to emphasise the importance of organisations like this being able to continue their work. UK is seeking further information on recent decisions affecting Amnesty and believes the freedom of civil society organisations to operate underpins any functioning democracy.”The USCIRF said it is “concerned by reports of the halting of operations of Amnesty India, particularly since it appears related to Amnesty’s investigations into and reporting on religious freedom violations in India”. indianexpress

 

Amnesty International’s closure received attention at ‘highest levels’ of US govt, says official

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/amnesty-internationals-closure-received-attention-at-highest-levels-of-us-govt-says-official/article32737052.ece?homepage=true

US administration and US Congress have been “very, very closely” following the closure of Amnesty International in India following the freezing of its bank accounts by the govt. The issue has received attention at the “highest levels” of the US govt as per a senior US State Dept.official. “On the situation involving Amnesty International in India… we’ve been very, very closely following this issue, not just in the administration, but I know that our members of Congress have as well. It has received attention at the highest levels of our Govt,” the official said while briefing reporters on India-US relationship. “US is committed to the health and vibrancy of civil society in all countries, but also especially India. We believe that the strength of civil society and the openness of society is a strength of India and it's something that is part of what powers our cooperation, our bilateral cooperation,” the official said.

 

Punjab: From today, ‘rail roko’ at 24 new spots, dharnas outside houses of 7 BJP leaders

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-from-today-rail-roko-at-24-new-spots-dharnas-outside-houses-of-7-bjp-leaders-6657273/

Ludhiana :The combined struggle by 31 farmer outfits in Punjab against Centre’s agri Acts will enter phase 2 from Thursday, October 1, with rolling out of their detailed plan to intensify the stir. As part of the agitation, ‘rail roko’ will be organised at 24 new places in the state from Thursday, apart from two places where it is already underway. In addition to this, daily protests will be organised outside the houses of 7 BJP leaders, including former BJP president Shwait Malik in Amritsar, Union Minister of State Som Parkash in Phagwara, party MLA Arun Narang’s Abohar residence, BJP Kisan Morcha’s Punjab unit head Bikramjeet Singh Cheema residence in Ludhiana’s Payal village, BJP leader Satwant Singh Punia’s house in Sangrur and former BJP MLA Sukhpal Singh Nannu’s residence in Ferozepur. Protests are also planned outside the house of Sunita Garg, state general secretary of party’s Mahila wing who is based in Kotkapura.Farmer outfits have also planned gherao of Reliance stores, malls and other corporate buildings at 29 places, with this number is likely to increase in the coming days.

 

Army Report Finds Poor Ordnance Factory Equipment Led to Rs 960-Crore Losses: Reports

https://thewire.in/security/indian-army-ordnance-factory-ammunition-soldiers

New Delhi: A recommendation report of the Indian Army has highlighted the poor quality of defence equipment produced by ordnance factories since 2014. This, the report says, had led to an estimated loss of Rs 960 crore, an amount that could have been utilised to buy 100 155-mm medium artillery guns like the Howitzer.The report has been covered by several news organisations but The Wire has not been able to independently verify its contents.Shortly after this report was published, The Wire accessed a release by OFB in which it said it is not in possession of this report. However, it noted that “these articles tend to spread misinformation, are alarmist and defamatory. Unfortunately, no verification was sought from OFB prior to publication of these articles.”The assertion that “no verification was sought from OFB” appears to be a generalisation as The Telegraph‘s report on the matter did carry the line that OFB public relations officer had said that he was “not aware of any such report by the army.”

 

At India-China diplomatic meet, stress on maintaining stability on the ground

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/at-india-china-diplomatic-meet-stress-on-maintaining-stability-on-the-ground-6656465/

New Delhi:A day after Beijing hardened its position and said that it does not recognise Union Territory of Ladakh and is opposed to the construction of Indian infrastructure there, Indian and Chinese diplomats met through virtual mode and New Delhi said that 2 sides should “avoid misunderstandings and maintain stability on the ground”. As Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) met for the fifth time since the border standoff began in May, they said that the next round of the meeting of Senior Commanders “should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards early and complete disengagement of the troops along LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreement and protocols, and fully restore peace and tranquility”.After the WMCC meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the two sides “reviewed the current situation along LAC in the India-China border areas and had frank and detailed discussions on the developments since the last meeting of the WMCC on 20 Aug, 2020”.

 

Australia’s participation in Malabar Exercise still under discussion, says US official

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/australias-participation-in-malabar-exercise-still-under-discussion-says-us-official/article32737903.ece?homepage=true

The inclusion of Australia in Malabar Exercise - trilateral naval exercises between India, US and Japan – was still being discussed, a senior US State Department official told reporters on a briefing call on Wednesday . The official’s remarks also included India-US interactions at multilateral forums, Amnesty International India halting its activities and India-China border standoff. Regarding the Oct.ministerial-level meeting of the “Quad”- India, Australia, US and Japan – the countries will discuss a comprehensive set of issues, but the actual agenda is going to be kept “close-hold” [a security classification] among the countries, the official said, so there can be a more “frank and open” discussion of those issues.The official, who called the Quad partnership “increasingly strong,” said that the agenda would cover defence, economic areas and, especially, COVID-19.

 

 

3 Soldiers Killed In Pak Shelling Along LoC, Army says Giving "Fitting Reply"

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/three-soldiers-killed-in-separate-incidents-of-ceasefire-violation-by-pakistan-along-loc-army-says-troops-giving-fitting-reply-2303771?pfrom=home-topscroll

Srinagar: 3 soldiers of the Indian army were killed and 5 others injured in separate incidents during heavy shelling by Pakistan along LOC in J&K. The army said a fitting reply is being given to Pakistan, which is using mortars to target Indian positions. There is no clarity on whether the Pakistan army has suffered any casualty.Over the last five days, Pakistan has been targeting villages in Poonch in which some livestock were injured on Tuesday.NDTV

 

J&K: Ban on 4G internet services to continue except in Ganderbal and Udhampur

https://scroll.in/latest/974567/j-k-ban-on-4g-internet-services-to-continue-except-in-ganderbal-and-udhampur

 J&K  administration on Wednesday extended the 4G mobile internet ban till October 21 in all districts, except in Ganderbal and Udhampur. The Govt cited terror threats and said the decision was “absolutely necessary” for the sovereignty and integrity of India. In Wednesday’s order, Principal Secretary Home Department Shaleen Kabra said inputs from the law enforcement agencies suggest that concerted efforts continue to be made by Pakistan, with the help of “separatists/anti-national elements” in J&K, to facilitate “infiltration of terrorists”. The order said that these activities rely heavily on high speed internet, as the militants misuse social media to circulate provocative audio/video content, fake news, and also for coordinating their activities, which rely upon high speed mobile connectivity. The internet shutdown in the erstwhile state has attracted considerable criticism against the Narendra Modi Govt from various rights organisations as well as at the international forum.

 

NC Leader Says Article 370 Must Be Fought For, Politically Rather Than Legally

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-nc-leader-says-article-370-must-be-fought-for-politically-rather-than-legally/361266

After CBI’s special court judgment on Tuesday on Babri Masjid demolition case, a senior National Conference (NC) leader Syed Basharat Bukhari has said that the petitions filed before the Supreme Court to challenge the Govt’s decision to revoke Article 370 should be withdrawn. In a tweet, Bukhari said, “high time for J&K political parties/individuals to withdraw cases viz article370/35A after today’s verdict. It is better to fight politically rather having chapter closed by the court.”PTI

 

SC gives bail to terror accused Aadil Ansari, who spent over 6 years in jail charged under UAPA

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-gives-bail-to-terror-accused-charged-under-uapa/article32741012.ece?homepage=true

NEW DELHI:The Supreme Court has granted bail to a person accused under UAPA who has spent over 6 years in jail.A Bench led by Justice Rohinton Nariman, in an order on Wednesday, disagreed with the Rajasthan High Court’s refusal to grant bail to the accused.In a short order, the Bench said the High Court’s view that a prima facie case had been made out against the accused solely based on the statement given by the public prosecutor was not “strictly correct”. Accused Aadil Ansari is booked under Section 43D(5) of UAPA for allegedly indulging in terror activities. It is practically impossible to get bail under this provision. It allows a court to reject bail even if police documents or the prosecutor suggests the allegations are “prima facie true”.But the court found that Ansari's name is not mentioned in FIR. It said it had also gone through the charge sheet filed in Sept.2014. It also noted that Ansari was denied bail in Oct. 2014. “We are satisfied that the High Court judgment stating that a prima facie case has been made out against the petitioner based on the public prosecutor’s statement cannot be said to be strictly correct”, the Supreme Court concluded. It ordered Ansari’s release on bail without making any remarks about the case. The court said it did not want to prejudice the trial.thehindu

 

Muslim Riots Victim Says He Lost His Arm in a Blast, Delhi Police File 'Accident' FIR

https://www.news18.com/news/india/muslim-riots-victim-says-he-lost-his-arm-in-a-blast-delhi-police-file-accident-fir-2924105.html

A 22-year-old garment worker from Old Mustafabad lost his right arm and a finger in the left hand in a blast during the northeast Delhi riots, but FIR registered by the police says he received the injuries in an "accident".Akram Khan, whose arm was amputated on Feb.25 at GTB Hospital, said FIR misrepresents facts of the case, and its copy has still not been made available to him by the police.Khan said he had left his home around 2pm on Feb.24 for Ijtema at Qasabpura, but he couldn’t reach there because violence had already broken out. “When I reached near the Bhajanpura Mazaar, I was attacked by a Hindu mob. While I was running for my life, a bomb was hurled from atop Mohan Nursing Home and it dropped near me. I fell unconscious and later I found myself at Meher Hospital,” he said. He was taken to GTB Hospital, where his right arm was amputated a day later.The medical report, seen by News18, mentions that the patient suffered his "injuries during riots on 24.02.2020" and "needs multiple surgeries in the future". However, there is no mention of riots in FIR. Khan also denied the police claim that any cop had visited him at GTB hospital while he was admitted there. In his police complaint, Khan had named several accused who he claimed were present among the mob that attacked him. Khan’s lawyer, Mehmood Pracha, accused the Delhi police of attempting to dilute the case as FIR was registered by the cops without the statement of the victim, who was alive.

 

Prashant Bhushan files fresh plea in SC seeking review of punishment in contempt case

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prashant-bhushan-files-fresh-plea-in-sc-seeking-review-of-punishment-in-contempt-case/article32740650.ece?homepage=true

NEW DELHI:Advocate Prashant Bhushan has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against its decision to fine him a nominal Re. 1 as punishment for committing criminal contempt by ‘scandalising the court’ with his tweet on a picture of the Chief Justice of India on a heavy bike and another about the role of the court in the past six years. Bhushan urged the court to recall the punishment. He said the tweets were criticism. He argued that dissent and criticism of an institution did not amount to criminal contempt.The senior lawyer asked the court to look into whether its power to initiate suo motu contempt was subject to the fundamental rights of a person. Dissent and free, fearless exchange of ideas were the central pillars of democracy.The petition said it was a manifest error on the part of the judgment on August 30 to conclude that criticism of individual judges amounted to a malicious attack on the court itself.Separately responding to a notice from the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) on why he should not be disbarred, Mr. Bhushan urged the lawyers’ body to stand up for truth and freedom of speech, to stand in solidarity.

 

 Delhi Police flouts NHRC order to file report on attack on The Caravan’s journalists

https://caravanmagazine.in/crime/delhi-police-flouts-nhrc-order-to-file-report-on-attack-on-caravan-journalists

Over a month after NHRC granted the Delhi Police four weeks to file an action-taken report about an attack on 3 journalists working with The Caravan’s, the police is yet to comply. On 14 August, three days after The Caravan’s staffers were assaulted, a network of people called Human Rights Defenders Alert – India had filed a complaint before NHRC seeking a criminal investigation into the attack and compensation for the journalists. 6 days later, NHRC issued notice to Delhi Police in the complaint, calling upon them to file a report on the attack. But on 29 Sept., Henri Tiphagne, a national working secretary with HRDA-India, wrote to NHRC to inform them the police had not yet complied with the order. At the time this report was published, NHRC’s website reflected that Delhi Police had still not filed the action-taken report. The three journalists—Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and a woman whose identity is being protected—were surrounded by a mob, beaten, subjected to communal slurs, threatened with murder, and sexually harassed. They were in Subhash Mohalla, in northeast Delhi, to conduct follow-up reporting on allegations raised by two Muslim women and a teenager that police officials had sexually assaulted them inside the Bhajanpura station premises. The Caravan

 

FCRA ‘violations’: Kerala govt moves HC, seeks quashing of CBI probe into housing project

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fcra-violations-kerala-govt-moves-hc-seeks-quashing-of-cbi-probe-into-housing-project-6658175/

Kerala Govt on Wednesday moved the high court, seeking that the CBI probe into the alleged FCRA violations in a state housing project funded by Emirates Red Crescent, be quashed.The development comes at a time the central agency has initiated steps to question senior IAS officers who have been party to the MoU between the Life Mission and UAE Consulate for construction of the Rs 20-crore apartment complex at Wadakkanchery in Thrissur.

 

AMU  postpones entrance exams over Bihar Assembly polls; tests to begin from 2 Nov.

https://www.firstpost.com/india/aligarh-muslim-university-postpones-entrance-exams-over-bihar-assembly-polls-tests-to-begin-from-2-november-8866561.html

The dates of AMU admission test for the academic year 2020-21 for the undergraduate degree and diploma programmes have been postponed. As per the revised schedule, the University will now conduct the entrance exam from 22 November. The entrance examination will continue till 2 Dec.2020. As per the notification released by the Controller of Examinations, AMU, the dates for the entrance tests have been rescheduled due to the Bihar State Assembly Election 2020 and subsequent important festivals.

 

Rs 100 cr, multiple clearances required to save INS Viraat

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rs-100-cr-multiple-clearances-required-to-save-ins-viraat-6657376/

The ship-breaking firm from Alang — Shree Ram Group — which bought INS Viraat from an auction and took it for dismantling last week has demanded Rs 100 crore from a Mumbai-based company that is making a last-ditch attempt to save the historic aircraft carrier and convert it into a museum.“The company from Mumbai wants to buy the ship from us. I told them that I am a patriot, too, and I do not have a problem if they want to salvage the historic ship. But because I bought this in scrap, you will have to produce an NOC  from the Govt of India. I do not want anyone to allege in future that I was involved in a scam,” Mukesh Patel, chairman of Shree Ram Group, said.  Indian Express.

 

New motor vehicle rules to come into effect from today, here’s all you need to know

https://scroll.in/latest/974595/new-motor-vehicle-rules-to-come-into-effect-from-today-heres-all-you-need-to-know

The maintenance of vehicular documents, including driving licence, will be done through an online portal from Thursday, PTI reported. This is part of the changes notified by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.The Govt said the changes will help in better enforcement of traffic rules in India and will stop harassment of drivers.  The records maintained on the portal will have date and time-stamp of inspection, identity of the police officer in uniform to avoid unwarranted harassment of drivers and to avoid re-checking or inspection of vehicles.The behaviour of the driver will also be monitored.

 

*CORONAVIRUS-LOCKDOWN*

 

SC dismisses plea by 6 retired bureaucrats for enquiry into Centre’s alleged mismanagement of pandemic

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/sc-dismisses-plea-by-six-retired-bureaucrats-for-enquiry-into-centres-alleged-mismanagement-of-pandemic

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by six retired bureaucrats seeking an independent inquiry by a Commission appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, into Central Govt's alleged "gross mismanagement" of COVID-19 pandemic in India, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.A Bench headed by Justice L. Nageswara Rao noted that the "situation had not been anticipated 6 months back" and that "latitude had to be given to the Govt", and accordingly, proceeded to dismiss the plea. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, highlighted the difficulties faced by migrant workers which was instituted during the lockdown to contain COVID-19 pandemic.It was further submitted by Bhushan that Commissions had earlier been constituted and the same should be done in the instant case. Bhushan commenced his submissions by alluding to 4 reasons for seeking a Commission of Inquiry. He stated that despite a warning and advisory being issued by Home Ministry and the experts, 1 lakh people had gathered on 24th Feb.in a stadium.He further submitted that there had been a decline in GDP as well as loss of jobs during the course of the lockdown as the same had not been imposed without consulting experts. Filed by retired bureaucrats KP Fabian, MG Devasahayam, Meena Gupta, Somasundar Burra, Amit Bhaduri and Madhu Bhaduri, the plea conveyed that the Petitioners had "come together to file the present petition owing to the anxiety and concern over Respondent's mismanagement and misgovernance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the deleterious impact it has had on the fundamental rights of Indian citizens".

 

Unlock 5 guidelines: Cinemas to reopen, bigger gatherings allowed, states to decide on schools

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/unlock-5-guidelines-in-10-points-cinemas-schools-to-reopen-temp-1727148-2020-10-01

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued another set of guidelines for the next phase of relaxation of Covid-19 lockdown and allowed more activities, including reopening of cinemas and theatres. Schools and colleges may also reopen in Unlock 5, but it has been left on state govts to decide. Starting Oct.15, cinemas, theatres and multiplexes outside containment zones can reopen with up to 50% seating capacity, for which the guidelines will be issued. The cinemas were completely shut since March and their owners have been demanding reopening as the losses have compounded for over 7 months. MHA guidelines have said the state and UT govts can decide to do reopen schools after October 15, but in a graded manner. The decision on reopening schools will be taken in consultation with schools and management of the institutions, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to certain conditions. However, even though schools can reopen, online or distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged. Where schools are conducting online classes, if some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so. Students may attend schools and institutions only with the written consent of their parents. The Unlock 5 guidelines have also said attendance will not be enforced and must depend entirely on parental consent.  In case of higher education institutions dedicated to research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students in the science and technology stream who require laboratory and experimental works will be permitted to open from Oct.15. All other higher education institutions, including state universities, private universities, etc., may open only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and postgraduate students in the science and technology stream who require laboratory and experimental works. But the decision will be taken by the respective State and UT govts. Business to Business Exhibitions will be permitted and the guidelines for this will be issued. Swimming pools that are used for training of sportspersons will be allowed to reopen. Entertainment parks and similar places will also be permitted to reopen from Oct.15.  The Govt has also allowed states the flexibility to relax the limit of 100 persons at public gatherings and functions that are outside containment zones. States can allow an increased number of people to attend a public gathering from Oct.15.  Restrictions on international travel, except those permitted by the Centre, will continue.

 

Schools, Colleges in Maharashtra to remain closed till October 31 under extended lockdown guidelines

https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/schools-colleges-in-maharashtra-to-remain-closed-till-october-31-under-extended-lockdown-guidelines/660642

Maharashtra Schools are to remain closed till October 31 as a part of extended lockdown. As there is no relief in the number of pandemic patient in the state of Maharashtra the Govt has decided not to reopen any educational institution such as schools, colleges and coachings in the state. As per the notification issued by the state Govt online and distance learning would be permitted and encouraged.

 

Airline ticket refund: Supreme Court okays DGCA plan for full refund on cancelled flights due to lockdown

https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/airline-ticket-refund-supreme-court-okays-dgca-plan-for-full-refund-on-cancelled-flights-due-to-lockdown/story-SupIYdoX1d2La7wjTlTKUP.html

New Delhi:Airlines will have to refund tickets booked prior to the Covid-19 lockdown for travel upto May 24, the Supreme Court ordered on Thursday, approving the formulation drafted by civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation to deal with refunds for cancelled tickets due to restrictions imposed due to the lockdown that started on March 25 this year.The airlines will also have the option to create a credit shell in the name of the passenger which can be availed for travel on any route before March 31, 2021.

 

Gujarat govt’s notification extending work hours without overtime pay under Factories Act quashed by SC

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/gujarat-govts-notification-extending-work-hours-without-overtime-pay-under-factories-act-quashed-by-sc

The Supreme Court has quashed the notification issued by the Gujarat Labour and Employment Department granting exemptions to all factories in Gujarat from provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 relating to daily working hours, weekly working hours, intervals for rest and spread overs of adult workers as well as from payment of overtime wages at double rates.A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, KM Joseph & Indu Malhotra has held that the pandemic situation cannot be a reason to do away with statutory provisions that provide dignity and rights for workers by the Gujarat Govt, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.

 

India’s Covid-19 tally crosses 6.3 million mark with 86,821 fresh cases, 1,181 fatalities

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-covid-19-tally-crosses-6-3-million-mark-with-86-821-fresh-cases-1-181-fatalities/story-BZUId08zcZTtG4LKGcQVzJ.html

India on Thursday reported 86,821 fresh cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), taking the case tally to 6,312,584 , according to Union health ministry. The country also reported 1,181 new fatalities due to the virus in last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 98,678.India has 9,40,705 active cases in the country, whereas a total of 52,73,201 people have been cured of the disease so far. While the country’s infection rate is at 15.11%, India’s recovery rate currently stands at 83.33%.A total of 7,56,19,781 samples have been tested for Covid-19 till September 30. Of these, 14,23,052 samples were tested on Wednesday, according to ICMR.

 

Will Mr Modi hold another ‘Namaste Trump!’: Chidamabaram after US Prez’s remarks on Covid deaths in India

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/donald-trump-india-hiding-coronavirus-deaths-pm-modi-p-chidambaram-6663049/

New Delhi :Taking a swipe at Narendra Modi’s relations with Donald Trump, former Union minister P Chidambaram on Thursday wondered if Prime Minister would hold another “Namaste Trump” event in the future after US President accused India of not providing the exact figures on Covid deaths.Taking to Twitter, the senior Congress leader said: “Mr Donald Trump clubs India with China and Russia and accused the three countries of hiding the number of Covid deaths. He also accused the three countries for causing the most air pollution. Will Mr Modi hold another ‘Namaste Trump!’ rally to honour his dear friend?”On Wednesday, during his first presidential debate against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden, the US President said India, China and Russia “did not exactly give a straight count” on deaths due to the novel coronavirus.“When you talk about numbers, you don’t know how many people died in China. You don’t know the deaths in Russia or in India… they don’t exactly give you a straight count, just so you understand,” Trump said to Biden after the latter highlighted US  has more than seven million cases and over 200,000 deaths.

 

Half a million sharks may be killed to make Covid-19 vaccine, say experts

https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/half-a-million-sharks-may-be-killed-to-make-covid-19-vaccine-say-experts-1726763-2020-09-29

Half a million sharks may have to be killed to immunise the entire world with the Covid-19 vaccine, a shark support group has said.Sharks are harvested for a natural oil that is being used in the Covdi-19 vaccine candidates. This natural oil is called squalene, which is currently used as an adjuvant in medicine - an ingredient that increases the effectiveness of a vaccine by creating a stronger immune response.Around 3,000 sharks are needed to extract one tonne of squalene.

 

*WORLD*

 

 

Azerbaijani army neutralizes 2,300 Armenian soldiers, destroys their tanks, missile systems; besieges Armenian forces in Aghdara-Tartar area

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-neutralizes-2-300-armenian-soldiers/1990259

BAKU:Azerbaijani troops have neutralized at least 2,300 Armenian soldiers since Sunday, when border clashes broke out with Armenian forces targeting Azerbaijani civilian settlements and military positions. In a statement, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Armenian soldiers were either killed or wounded in counterattacks launched to liberate occupied Azerbaijani territories. It also said some 200 tanks and armored vehicles, at least 230 artillery and missile systems, around 30 air defense systems, 6 command and observation areas, 5 ammunition depots, around 50 anti-tank guns, 110 cars and a Russian S-300 missile system were destroyed between Sept. 27-30. An Armenian battalion serving under 1st Army Command which was deployed in Tonashen village in Tartar district abandoned its position and fled with heavy losses, the ministry said. The ministry also said Armenian army used Tochka-U, a Soviet high-precision tactical ballistic missile, against Azerbaijani forces."Due to the unsuitability and poor quality of the enemy’s military equipment, 3 of the missiles fired did not explode," said the statement. Also, Azerbaijan's forces hit another Armenian battalion serving under 1st Army Command deployed in Aghdara region.Earlier, the ministry said Armenia targeted Azerbaijan's Tartar city with artillery Wednesday morning. The ministry said in a separate statement that Azerbaijani army captured the battle flag of an assault battalion of the Armenian army. Azerbaijani army also besieged Armenian forces in Aghdara-Tartar area, the ministry said.

 

Putin, Macron call for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire as deaths mount

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/1/putin-macron-call-for-nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-as-deaths-mount

Russian President Vladimir Putin and France’s Emmanuel Macron have called for an immediate ceasefire between ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, as the two sides said they would continue fighting.“Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron called on the warring sides to halt fire completely and as soon as possible, de-escalate tensions and show maximum restraint,” Kremlin said in a statement early on Thursday. In a telephone conversation that came at Macron’s initiative, the two leaders discussed “concrete parameters of further cooperation, first and foremost within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

 

Arab deals frantic bids by Israel to break isolation: experts

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/arab-deals-frantic-bids-by-israel-to-break-isolation-/1991463

Arab autocratic regimes do not represent their people, experts said Wednesday at an international webinar on the recent normalization of relations between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel. “These Arab dictators are worried about their power. They want Israel and the US to come and save them [when they are insecure],” said Rabab Abdulhadi, a senior scholar for Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies program at San Francisco State University.“The petrodollars [of Arab regimes] have actually corrupted the Palestinian movement and led to collaboration between parts of Palestinian movement and parts of Arab Govts,” she argued.The conference “Normalization and Resistance: Vision, Strategies and Tactics” to discuss the pacts was hosted by Istanbul-based CIGA and South Africa-based Afro-Middle East Centre. CIGA Director Prof. Sami A. Al-Arian told the conference there are nearly seven million Palestinians who are longing to go back to their homes in their native Palestinian lands.“Israel has ensured that they should not be able to go home; Palestinians are denied the right to self-determination, denied the right of return, denied to become citizens of the world,” he said.Al-Arian, himself a Palestinian, asserted that the two-state solution “is a misnomer.”“Israel has rejected the idea from day one,” said Al-Arian, who lived in the US for four decades until 2015 before moving to Turkey.“This so-called normalization by Arab states with Israel is at the expense of Palestinian rights, and that is what they call ‘the Final Solution,’” he said.Al-Arian termed the Oslo Accords as a “historic mistake by Palestinian Authority.”Francis Kornegay, senior research fellow at  University of South Africa, said the primary motivation of US President Donald Trump’s administration was its “electoral base, which has basically a Christian evangelical agenda.”Arguing that Middle East politics was “dominating US-South Africa relations,” Kornegay said: “The normalization policy is being used to coerce African countries into the Israeli camp but also into a broader anti-Democratic alliance with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE.”

 

Israel lockdown may last for another year: Netanyahu

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/israel-lockdown-may-last-for-another-year-netanyahu/1991437

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that exiting the lockdown imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus will be slow and gradual and could continue for an entire year.Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Netanyahu speaking in a meeting of the Coronavirus Cabinet, which leads the Govt's response to the pandemic."Exiting the lockdown will be slow and gradual this time, and could last even half a year to a year," the Israeli premier said."We will not repeat the rapid exit that we did in the first wave [of COVID-19]," he said. Netanyahu called for preparing a plan to deal with 5,000 coronavirus patients in critical condition by winter.

 

Hamas: Friedman’s remarks about annexation exposes lies of Arab normalisers

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200930-hamas-friedmans-remarks-about-annexation-exposes-lies-of-arab-normalisers/

Hamas today said US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman’s remarks that Tel Aviv’s plans to annex large swathes of the occupied West Bank have been “suspended not cancelled” exposes the lies of Arab states who have normalised ties with the occupation state.In a statement Hamas spokesman, Abdel Latif Al-Qanoa, said: “Some Arab regimes manipulated Arab public opinion to normalise ties with Israeli occupation.”“US Ambassador to Israel David Freidman’s confirmation that Israeli annexation plans had been postponed exposes the lies told by some Arab regimes who sought to normalisation ties with the Israeli occupation.”

 

Boko Haram kills 10 soldiers in northeast Nigeria

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/boko-haram-kills-10-soldiers-in-northeast-nigeria-/1991509

Boko Haram group killed 10 soldiers in an ambush in northeastern Nigeria, local media reported Wednesday.  8 soldiers were also wounded in the attack, which took place near the town of Marte in Borno state. Their military vehicle was set on fire and food and supplies were seized by the insurgents.

 

Somalia: Up to 2.1M people face acute food crisis

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/somalia-up-to-21m-people-face-acute-food-crisis/1991202

Up to 2.1 million people in Somalia are expected to face an acute food insecurity Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or even worse outcomes through December 2020, a new report said on Wednesday.The crisis expected to occur “through December 2020 in the absence of humanitarian assistance,” is due to “the combined effects of widespread and severe flooding,Desert Locust infestation, socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 and the cumulative impacts of previous shocks,” Food Security and Nutrition Unit (FSNAU), a project managed by Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, said in the report.“In addition, 849,900 children under the age of 5 are likely to be acutely malnourished through Aug.2021,” the report read.

 

Biden’s ‘inshallah’ to Trump: The word that distracted many during presidential debate

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/joe-biden-inshallah-trump-debate-muslims-6651562/

The first debate pitting incumbent Republican President Donald Trump against Democratic challenger Joe Biden saw personal attacks and insults exchanged between the two leaders. While shooting verbal volleys at each other, Biden said something which sent the Mideast into a frenzy.Citing the New York Times report that claimed Trump had paid merely $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 after being elected president, Biden cast doubts if Trump would ever release his tax returns. To this, Trump replied, “Millions of dollars and you’ll get to see it.” When debate moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump to commit a deadline, Biden interjected, “When? Inshallah?” Inshallah in Arabic means ‘God willing’. It also can be used in a way to suggest something won’t ever happen.Many on Twitter were immediately debating whether Biden had indeed used the Arabic expression or not.

 

Egypt court sentences 6 members of Muslim Brotherhood  to death over killing policemen

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201001-egypt-court-sentences-6-men-to-death-over-killing-policemen/

An Egyptian court on Wednesday sentenced six Muslim Brotherhood members to death over crimes including allegedly killing policemen in 2016, Anadolu Agency reported. Reporting Egyptian media, the Agency stated: “Al-Zaqaziq Criminal Court sentenced six members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death over charges of killing a number of policemen.”The court sentenced six other members to ten years each, and five years for a sixth member on the same charges.According to Egyptian law, the court issues an initial appealable death sentence, which can be petitioned at the Court of Cassation.This particular case refers to 2016, when the Egyptian security services arrested 13 people claiming that they carried out several crimes, including the killing of a number of policemen and the formation of a terrorist cell intending to spread chaos and assassinate policemen. The prisoners denied all claims.International rights groups have criticised Egypt over its human rights violations and executions, while Cairo has always insisted that it abides by the law regarding its dealings with criminals.

 

Protests against Hamdok's Govt in Sudan

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200930-protests-against-hamdoks-Govt-in-sudan/

Demonstrators in Sudan told Anadolu Agency that police on Wednesday opened fire against protesters who were headed to Prime Ministry’s office in Khartoum to demand the departure of the Govt of Abdullah Hamdok, Anadolu Agency reports.Demonstrations have focused on deteriorating economic conditions in Sudan, according to the Sudani newspaper.Videos on social media showed protesters calling for the departure of the Govt because of its inability to improve the economic situation of Sudanese people.

 

*OP-ED*

 

Acquittals in Babri demolition case are a blot on CBI, it must be liberated from political influence:Faizan Mustafa, , Aymen Mohammed  indian express

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/babri-masjid-demolition-ayodhya-court-6654380/

 

The demolition: indian express, Editorial

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/babri-masjid-demolition-ayodhya-6653880/

 

Babri Masjid Demolition Had Just One Conspiracy – False Secularism: Sudhanshu Mittal, thequint

https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/babri-masjid-demolition-conspiracy-case-verdict-cbi-advani

 

Babri Acquittal: Do Our Courts Really ‘Care’ About Indian Muslims?: Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, thequint    

https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/babri-demolition-judgment-ayodhya-ram-janmabhoomi-acquittal-of-accused-vhp-advani

 

Aghast at the Babri Masjid verdict, I apologise to the thousands whose lives were ruined, and bemoan the debasement of an ancient religion, writes Jyoti Punwani

https://www.firstpost.com/india/aghast-at-the-babri-masjid-verdict-i-apologise-to-the-thousands-whose-lives-were-ruined-and-bemoan-the-debasement-of-an-ancient-religion-writes-jyoti-punwani-8866901.html

 

Identity and Status of the Indian Muslim: Abusaleh Shariff, Economic and Political Weekly, 3 Oct. 2020

https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/40/book-reviews/identity-and-status-indian-muslim.html

 

Babri Verdict: Has Nightmare Begun for Muslims and India?Ajaz Ashraf, newsclick

https://www.newsclick.in/Babri-verdict-has-nightmare-begun-for-muslims-in-India

 

What Newspaper Editorials Said On Babri Verdict:Christine Watkins

https://sportsgrindentertainment.com/what-newspaper-editorials-said-on-babri-verdict/

 

 

Babri verdict: For Sangh, shadow lifts in criminal case; for Opposition, a bind as in temple ruling:Ravish Tiwari , Liz Mathew , indianexpress

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/babri-masjid-case-sangh-opposition-6657062/

 

Forget Gujarat, the Future Belongs to the UP Model:Sidharth Bhatia, thewire

https://thewire.in/politics/uttar-pradesh-model-sangh-parivar-yogi-adityanath

 

Hathras Case: The Intersecting Factors Behind Structural Violence Against Dalit Women:Priyanka Samy, thewire

https://thewire.in/caste/hathras-case-structural-violence-dalit-women-intersecting-factors

 

Hathras Rape: A Caste Continuum:Dipsita Dhar,outlookindia

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-heres-why-caste-matters-when-a-dalit-woman-is-raped/361253

 

China’s resurrection of 1959 LAC claim may be first step. India preps for fallout:Shishir Gupta, Hindustan Times

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-china-ladakh-1959/story-kd4kPfwW5CFwKfh1KcHdmI.html

 

Pakistan to make Gilgit-Baltistan a province: A move to please China?Taha Siddiqui , indiatoday

https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/pakistan-to-make-gilgit-baltistan-a-province-a-move-to-please-china-1727202-2020-10-01

 

Meticulously planned, Uma took onus: Justice Liberhan on Babri Masjid demolition

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/justice-liberhanbabri-masjid-demolition-6657370/

 

When SC pointed to conspiracy: calculated act, egregious violation:Ananthakrishnan G , indian express

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/babri-masjid-demolition-supreme-court-ayodhya-6657286/

 

CBI’s failure to prosecute Babri accused in an open and shut case is shocking:Uttam Sengupta, nationalheraldindia

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/cbis-failure-to-prosecute-the-babri-accused-in-an-open-and-shut-case-is-shocking

 

Only the Wilfully Blind Will Believe There Was No Conspiracy Behind Babri Masjid Demolition:Sharat Pradhan, thewire

https://thewire.in/communalism/babri-masjid-demolition-conspiracy-eyewitness

 

Political Deprivation of Muslims in Bihar:Former IPS officer Abdur Rahman

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/10/01/political-deprivation-of-muslims-in-bihar/

 

Babri: With 351 Witnesses, CBI Couldn’t Prove A Crime The World Witnessed:Betwa Sharma

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/babri-demolition-verdict-analysis-faizan-mustafa_in_5f75442ec5b6374c5588de6c

 

Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq