12 OCT. NEWS DIGEST

 

INDIA

 Hathras Case:Authorities cremated our daughter without permission, victim's family tells HC; Next Hearing on Nov. 2

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-case-gang-rape-dalit-yogi-adityanath-cbi-live-updates-1730639-2020-10-12

Hathras victim’s family has told the Lucknow bench of Allahabad HC that the authorities cremated their daughter’s body without their permission and did not include them in the last rites.In his defence, the Hathras DM claimed that the cremation was done to control law and order situation amid a heavy crowd. To this, the victim’s family interjected and said there was a heavy police presence thus there was no question of the law and order situation getting out of control.  The family members of a 19-year-old Dalit woman, who died after allegedly being gangraped by 4 men in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras  has reached Lucknow to appear before Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.  CBI, which has taken over the Hathras case, has registered an FIR against one accused. The victim's family has demanded that reports of CBI be kept confidential. We had also prayed that the case be transferred out of UP. The third demand is that the family be provided security until the case completely concludes: Seema Kushwaha, lawyer of Hathras victim's family. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has deferred the next hearing in the Hathras case till November 2.  The Supreme Court will hear on October 15 in the Hathras case. The UP govt is yet to reply to the court’s queries in the matter. indiatoday

 

Malayalam journalist arrest: SC asks KUWJ to move ‘correct court’ for relief

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/malayalam-journalist-arrest-sc-asks-kuwj-to-move-correct-court-for-relief/article32833894.ece?homepage=true

The Supreme Court on Monday advised the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) to approach the “correct court” for relief when informed that its secretary and journalist, Sidhique Kappan, has been arrested and charged with sedition. A Bench led by CJI S.A. Bobde adjourned a habeas corpus petition filed by the KUWJ to know the whereabouts of Mr. Kappan, who was detained by the Uttar Pradesh police while en route to Hathras, where a 19-year-old Dalit girl died days after she was assaulted and allegedly raped. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, for the KUWJ, submitted that “no court in UP” will grant bail to Mr. Kappan. “A journalist will be in jail for 6 months”, Sibal said. CJI protested at this strain of thought from the petitioner side, saying the case could be brought before the Allahabad High Court. Sibal asked the court for permission to file a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution alleging violation of fundamental rights of a citizen at the hands of the State. Sibal said Kappan’s arrest and the registration of an FIR for sedition and under the provisions of the draconian UAPA came shortly after the habeas corpus petition was filed in the SC. The court adjourned the case by 4 weeks. thehindu

 

Hathras case: ED to question 4 alleged PFI members in UP jail

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=760262

Days after Uttar Pradesh Police arrested four alleged members of PFI from Mathura while they were going to Hathras, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will now question them in jail, sources said on Monday. Uttar Pradesh Police arrested four men from Mathura last Monday night while they were on their way to Hathras from Delhi. An ED official requesting anonymity said that the financial probe agency has been investigating the role of PFI for the last few years, including its involvement in anti-CAA stir last year and the northeast Delhi riots in February this year.The official said that the agency will soon record their statements after visiting Mathura jail, where they have been lodged after their arrest.The official said that as they have been booked by UP Police under the PMLA, they will enquire if there was any money laundering.IANS

 

UP govt protecting accused: Rahul Gandhi

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-case-gang-rape-dalit-yogi-adityanath-cbi-live-updates-1730639-2020-10-12

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has said that the UP government of protecting the accused in the Hathras case instead of helping the family of the victim. Posting a video appeal on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi urged women across India to raise their voices against ‘injustice’. indiatoday

 

'Pak, China Appear On Mission...': Rajnath Singh As 44 Key Bridges Open

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-inaugurates-44-bridges-in-border-areas-2308845?pfrom=home-topscroll

New Delhi: Accusing Pakistan and China of working on a "mission" to create disputes along the border, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated 44 bridges to ease the movement of the armed forces in strategically important areas. The bridges are built in the border areas of Ladakh, J&K, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.Inaugurating the bridges at an online event, the Defence Minister referred to the situation along India's borders with Pakistan and China. "You are well aware of the situation created along our northern and eastern borders. First Pakistan, and now also by China, as if a border dispute is being created under a mission. We have a border of about 7,000 km with these countries, where the tension remains," he said. Most of the 44 bridges, including seven in Ladakh, will help the armed forces in ensuring quick movement of troops and weapons, officials said. Defence Minister also symbolically launched the Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal.ndtv

 

LAC talks today, both sides to have foreign ministry officials

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-china-lac-talks-6721388/

New Delhi:The seventh round of corps commanders talks to discuss disengagement and eventual de-escalation of the over five-month-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh between India and China will take place on Monday morning.This will be the last meeting in which XIV Corps Commander Lt General Harinder Singh will lead the Indian delegation before he hands over the command of the corps to Lt General P G K Menon, who will take over later in the week.Singh, who will complete his one-year tenure as the corps commander on October 14, will move to head the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.

 

I welcome J&K HC’s decision declaring Roshni Act as unconstitutional; ordering CBI probe: Saifuddin Soz

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/i-welcome-jandk-hcs-decision-declaring-roshni-act-as-unconstitutional-ordering-cbi-probe-saifuddin-soz

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Prof. Saifuddin Soz has welcomed a judgment delivered by J&K High Court ruling that the ‘Roshni Act’, under which the then government transferred 20 lakh kanals of govt land valued at Rs. 25000 crore to underserved vested interests almost free of charge, as unconstitutional and Illegal.“I want to remind people that I had raised a strong voice against this deal which has now been declared illegal and unconstitutional,” he said in a media statement issued on Monday.

 

Appeal filed challenging Mathura Court's dismissal of suit to remove Shahi Idgah Masjid on claim that it was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-riots-witness-identities-compromised-court-tells-accused-to-return-chargesheet-6720143/

Hindu deities Shrikrishna Virajman and Asthan Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi, through next of friends, today moved an appeal before Mathura District Court challenging the dismissal of the suit moved to remove Shahi Idgah Masjid at Mathura on grounds that it was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi land. The plea has been moved for the deities by next friends Ranjana Agnihotri, Pravesh Kumar, Rajesh Mani Tripathi, Karunesh Kumar Shukla, Shivaji Singh and Tripurari Tiwari. The appellants assert that as devotees of Lord Krishna, they have a right to move the suit in view of their fundamental religious rights under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.  A claim is being staked on behalf of the deity, Shree Krishna Vijraman, by the appellants on 13.37 acres of land, referred to as Katra Keshav Dev land. Last month, a Mathura Court dimissed a plea to remove the mosque constructed by the Idgah Masjid Trust.barandbench

 

Madhya Pradesh HC Quashes NSA Charges Against Four Muslims, Directs State Govt to Pay 10k per Case

https://thewire.in/law/madhya-pradesh-high-court-nsa-charges-muslim-youths

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh high court quashed stringent NSA charges against four Muslim youths who were booked for carrying swords during a Muharram procession last year in the state’s Rajgarh district. Indore division bench of the high court on October 6 not only revoked the stringent NSA, but also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the state government for submitting an ‘incorrect statement’ about the detention order in the court.“Pay Rs 10,000 as legal cost per case,” the court directed. Hearing 4 joint habeas corpus writ petitions filed by the elder brother of 19-year-old accused Hakim, 2-member bench comprising of Justices S.C. Sharma and Shailendra Shukla observed that the collector had invoked NSA charges against 19-year-old Hakim and 3 other accused on Sept.4, 2020, for carrying a sword during a Muharram procession last year. With the exception of one, the accused persons did not have any criminal record. On Sept.4, Rajgarh district collector invoked NSA against Hakim, Salman, Abdul Karim and Zahir Khan for allegedly smuggling sharp-edged weapons and potentially disturbing the communal harmony of the district on Muharram and Ganesh Chaturthi. thewire

 

3 Months After Kerala Gold Smuggling Incident, NIA Struggles to Establish ‘Terror’ Link

https://thewire.in/government/kerala-gold-smuggling-nia-terror-link

Kozhikode: When NIA began its probe into the infamous gold smuggling incident in Kerala in July, both NIA and a section of the media argued that the incident was linked to ‘terrorism’. However, 3 months after NIA began its probe, the way the case is being viewed has changed dramatically. It has become a ‘politically sensitive’ case from a ‘terror linked’ one. While beginning the probe, NIA had said that the case “amounts to a terrorist act as stated in section 15 of UAPA”. NIA statement further added that, “… as the initial enquiries have revealed that the proceeds of smuggled gold could be used for financing of terrorism in India, NIA has taken up the investigation of the case”. However, NIA investigators recently had a tough time at the trial court, which has sought clarification from the agency on the terror charges it invoked in the case. NIA investigators have so far not succeeded in proving their claim that the case is related to terrorism. Now, according to reports, NIA seems to be changing its arguments on the ‘terror link’ in the case. However, NIA’s latest argument is also being challenged by some of the accused, who question the lack of the same ‘terror’ allegation in other similar smuggling cases.

 

Delhi riots: Witness identities compromised, court tells accused to return chargesheet

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-riots-witness-identities-compromised-court-tells-accused-to-return-chargesheet-6720143/

A Delhi court has directed the accused in a Northeast Delhi riots case to return copies of the chargesheet supplied to them after police “inadvertently” put a document that contains details of protected witnesses. A total of 15 people have been booked under UAPA, with police filing the chargesheet before Karkardooma court on Sept.16. Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat said there was a mistake on the part of the investigating officer, and since the purpose of protecting the identity of the protected witnesses was for fair trial, an order for their protection must be passed immediately. The court’s directions came after Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, appearing for Delhi Police, moved an urgent application saying the identities of some protected witnesses in the case were inadvertently disclosed after untruncated judicial and investigation papers were attached to the chargesheet. indianexpress

 

Data | In 2019, 56% cases involving Dalit victims chargesheeted, 32% recorded conviction

https://www.thehindu.com/data/data-in-2019-56-pc-cases-involving-dalit-victims-chargesheeted-32-pc-recorded-conviction/article32831534.ece?homepage=true

The callous handling by the State police of the brutal gang rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh is not uncommon, NCRB data show. In a majority of States,

 

Hyderabad University Union Condemns FIR against Students

https://clarionindia.net/hyderabad-university-union-condemns-fir-against-students/

HYDERABAD – The Student’s Union of the University of Hyderabad on Sunday condemned the registration of FIRs against 14 students for taking part in protests against the CAA and the NCR in February this year.Terming the FIR “witch-hunting” of student activists by Telangana Police, the union on Sunday staged a protest on the campus.Telangana Police slapped an FIR on student activists of the university on arbitrary charges for being part of a peaceful protest march organised by HCU Coordination Committee (HCC) in February against the anti-constitutional CAA and NRC, the union said.

 

Rajasthan to Have Only One Third Language in Schools, Minorities Fear Sanskrit Imposition

https://thewire.in/education/rajasthan-schools-third-language

Jaipur: Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan has overhauled its policy on minority languages taught as third language in schools. (Apart from Hindi and English, a third language is also taught at the primary level – usually the mother tongue.)In an administrative order issued by the state’s director of primary education Sourabh Swami on Sept.2, it has been declared that only one third language will be taught from classes six to eight.Although the order has not specified what this sole third language will be and what criteria will be followed to select it, the changes made through the recent order are contrary to the 2004 state policy that has been governing primary education in minority languages (Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi and Gujarati) as a medium of instruction and as a third language.Based on recommendations of I.K. Gujral committee for safeguarding Urdu-speaking minorities, 2004 policy had coined a formula under which primary schools with at least 10 minority students in a class and a total of 40 minority students in the school were eligible to facilitate education in minority languages, either as the medium of instruction or as a third language, depending on students’ preferences.

 

RSS Chief’s Claim On Muslims’ ‘Happiness’ Aimed at Getting Good PR: Mushawarat

https://clarionindia.net/rss-chiefs-claim-on-muslims-happiness-aimed-at-getting-good-pr-mushawarat/

NEW DELHI: All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat President Navaid Hamid has rejected RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s claim that Muslims are the happiest in India despite following a religion that is ‘not from here’.In an interview with pro-RSS Hindi weekly Vivek, Bhagwat said, “Which country’s Muslims are happiest? India’s Muslims. Is there any other country where a religion not originating there has remained in power and is still there? There is no other country than India.”Hamid told Clarion India that this claim was nothing but a public relations exercise directed at the international community. “RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, wants to tell the world that everything is all right in India and Muslims enjoy equal rights,” said Hamid who heads a federation of various Muslim organisations in India. RSS chief’s claim came in the same week when the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights cautioned India against targeting religious minorities in the country, particularly Muslims. It urged the Narendra Modi government to fulfil its pledge to promote and protect human rights.Clarion India

 

Sikhs live in peace in Bengal; one party giving communal colour to turban episode: Mamata government hits out at BJP

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/oct/11/sikhs-live-in-peace-in-bengal-one-party-giving-communal-colour-to-turban-episode-mamata-government-2208882.html

West Bengal govt has said that a political outfit was deliberately giving "communal colour" to last week's incident involving a Sikh man, whose turban came off during a scuffle with the police, to serve its "narrow partisan interest". The state home department, in a tweet, said the person was arrested in accordance with the law for carrying illegal firearms during BJP's march to the secretariat."Our Sikh brothers and sisters live in West Bengal in perfect peace and harmony, in happiness and tranquility, with respect from all of us for their faith and practices."PTI

 

Ashok Gehlot directs for CID-CB probe into priest's killing in Karauli; second arrest made in case

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/oct/12/ashok-gehlotdirects-for-cid-cb-probe-into-priests-killing-in-karaulisecond-arrest-made-in-case-2208986.html

JAIPUR: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Sunday directed officials to get the killing of a temple priest in Karauli district probed by CID-CB.He also condemned BJP's "attempt to give a communal colour" to a land dispute between two families, which led to the death of the priest."It is condemnable that BJP gave a communal colour to the tragic incident between Meena and Vaishnav communities of a land dispute case between two families in Bukna villlage of Sapotara. PTI

 

Surgical strike on minorities of Karnataka, govt cuts welfare fund by 44%

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/10/12/surgical-strike-on-minorities-of-karnataka-govt-cuts-welfare-funds-by-44/

Bengaluru:BJP government in Karnataka headed by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has cut the funding to minority welfare schemes by a whopping 44%, which translates into Rs 468 crore for the ensuing financial year. The allocation for minorities welfare that was Rs 1,418.98 crore in 2019-20, has been now cut down to a meager Rs 950 crore for the current year.The welfare of minorities in the State is look after by the Minorities Welfare Department by undertaking and sponsoring time bound sustained development programs for the minorities such as scholarships for education, construction of marriage halls/community centers, family welfare schemes, funds for girl’s marriage and so on. The identified minorities include Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Budhist, and Parsi communities in the State.India Tomrrow

 

Govt Employees, States Get Rs 73,000 Crore Nudge as Centre Searches for Growth

https://thewire.in/economy/nirmala-sitharaman-demand-nudge-centre-covid-19-economy-two-new-plans

New Delhi: The Modi government on Monday afternoon unveiled two new plans aimed at boosting demand in the flagging Indian economy, one that nudges Central government employees to spend more this fiscal year and the other for state governments to allocate more money towards capital expenditure.The consumer spending proposals include a new leave travel concession (LTC) cash voucher scheme and the revival of an old special festival advance programme that was abolished by the 7th pay commission.Both programmes, along with new interest-free loans to state governments and increased capex spending by the Centre, are expected to give a Rs 73,000 crore boost to demand in the economy if implemented fully.“There is no gain saying that the pandemic has affected the economy adversely…Supply constraints have somewhat eased but consumer demand still needs to be given a bit of a boost,” finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press conferenceOn the issue of nudging Indian babus to spend more, Sitharaman said: “Government and many organised sector employees have their jobs and salaries protected and some initial indications suggest savings have increased as many couldn’t spend their usual expenditure during the lockdown.”

Govt to give cash vouchers to staff in lieu of LTC this year, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-unveils-new-proposals-to-stimulate-economic-demand/article32832782.ece?homepage=true

 

Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Reply On Pleas Challenging Farm Laws

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-supreme-court-seeks-centres-reply-on-pleas-challenging-farmers-law/362019

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Central Government on three writ petitions challenging the farm laws passed by the Parliament recently.A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde issued notice to the central government and sought its reply within four weeks.

 

Protests against farm laws take anti-Ambani, anti-Adani turn in Punjab

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/protests-against-farm-laws-take-anti-ambani-anti-adani-turn-in-punjab

In what is being seen as the first peasantry movement against corporate firms in the post liberalisation era, protests against the newly enacted farm laws have taken an anti-Ambani and anti-Adani turn in Punjab.Led by a committee comprising 31 farm organisations, farmers have captured Reliance petrol pumps at many places, started a boycott movement against Jio and forced Adani’s silos to shut down operations in Moga.Protesting farmers have literally taken control of Reliance’s petrol pumps in places like Mullanpur, Barnala and Ludhiana. A super store run by Reliance was taken over by the farmers in Ludhiana last week. In Sangrur, farmers have captured a toll plaza and have been staging a sit in at the plaza in protest for several days.

 

Why is your CM mortgaging your future for Modi: Rahul Gandhi to people on GST compensation

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/why-is-your-cm-mortgaging-your-future-for-modi-rahul-gandhi-to-people-on-gst-compensation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a jibe at the state governments that have agreed to the Centre's borrowing proposal on the GST compensation issue and asked people as to why their chief ministers were "mortgaging" their future for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, "1. Centre promises GST revenue for States. 2. Economy shattered by PM & Covid. 3. PM gives (Rs) 1.4 lakh Crs tax cuts to Corporates, buys 2 planes for himself for (Rs) 8400 Crs. 4. Centre has no money to pay States 5. FM tells States- Borrow."PTI

 

Govt ignores 15th anniversary of RTI Act as vacancies cripple the ‘Commissions’

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/government-ignores-15th-anniversary-of-the-rti-act-as-vacancies-cripple-the-commissions

“Absolutly shocked to see not a single tweet from any ministry/leader for RTI 15 years!!!” exclaimed a RTI activist on Monday. The Prime Minister and BJP leaders were busy tweeting and marking the centenary of #RajmataScindia and did not spare a word for the RTI Act till well past Noon.One of the first leaders to remind people of the occasion was Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who tweeted, “Today is the 15th anniversary of the truly transformative RTI Act. Many claim credit for it, but had it not been for the National Advisory Council, RTI would not have become a reality. Since 2014, however, there has been a systematic assault. Its future is bleak and uncertain.”

 

Tripura CM Biplab Deb faces revolt as MLAs reach Delhi to get him removed

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/tripura-cm-biplab-deb-faces-revolt-as-12-mlas-reach-delhi-to-get-him-removed

BJP MLAs from Tripura have reached Delhi to meet party’s top leaders and brief them on what they claim "poor leadership" and "misrule" of the chief minister Biplab Kumar DebAccording to a report in NDTV, a group of BJLP MLAs led by BJP MLA Sudip Roy Barman, the former state health minister has sought appointments with party chief JP Nadda, and general secretary BL Santosh. "We are about 12 MLAs who have decided we would appraise the party leadership about total dictatorship, poor governance of the chief minister, which in turn is leaving the party very unpopular," Barman said.

 

KC Tyagi interview: ‘BJP has said Nitish will be CM if NDA wins. Which party wins more (seats) is not subject of discussion’

https://indianexpress.com/elections/k-c-tyagi-indian-express-interview-bihar-elections-nitish-kumar-nda-jdu-6721968/

Patna :JD(U) national spokesperson K C Tyagi talks about alleged fractures within NDA, CM Nitish Kumar’s USP, migration and anti-incumbency in the state. He said, "The number of seats being contested by individual parties is not important. It is our combined winning number that will matter. BJP has clearly said that Nitish Kumar will be CM if NDA is voted to power. Which party wins more (seats) is not a subject of discussion. Right from PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to BJP national president J P Nadda, all have said that Nitish would be NDA leader. The matter should be allowed to rest."

 

Rampur’s 47-year-old property dispute gets a twist, five new claimants demand share in property

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/rampurs-47-year-old-property-dispute-gets-a-twist-five-new-claimants-demand-share-in-property

A new twist came last week after a pause of almost a year in the 47-year-long legal battle of inheritance in the property of the Rampur Nawab, when five individuals from the Nawab’s distant family moved Rampur civil court demanding their share in the property.Following the petition that was filed by Mehrunnisa Begum, her daughter Shehrut Ali, her son Salaman Ali Khan, Sanam Ali khan, Saira Ali Khan, and Shawar Ali Khan, the civil court has issued summons to 19 people including former Congress MP Noor Bano.The petitioners have argued that as per the Sharia Laws, they are also entitled for equal share in the property worth more than a thousand crore. Even as a government-monitored audit of the palaces, guns, vehicles and jewellery is going on, the five new claimants said that they are the descendants of the Nawab’s youngest sister, Nawabzadi Kulsoom Begum or Nanhi Begum. Therefore, they say, they must also be given their share as per the Muslim laws.

 

Bollywood hits back with a suit in Delhi High Court seeking to restrain Republic, Times Now from making derogatory remarks

https://www.barandbench.com/news/bollywood-producers-suit-delhi-hc-restrain-republic-times-now-from-making-derogatory-remarks

As a counter to the 'Bollywood drugs mafia' reportage being carried on Republic TV and Times Now, 38 producers have filed a suit in the Delhi High Court seeking to curb the irresponsible, derogatory and defamatory remarks being made against the film industry. The suit singles out Republic's Arnab Goswami and Pradeep Bhandari and Times Now's Rahul Shivshankar and Navika Kumar for conducting media trials of Bollywood personalities and interfering with the right to privacy of persons associated with Bollywood. The producers have taken exception to the phrases being used by these reporters to describe a so-called drug cartel operating in the film industry in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput's death. These phrases include, “dirt”, “filth”, “scum”, “druggies” and expressions such as “it is Bollywood where the dirt needs to be cleaned”, “all the perfumes of Arabia cannot take away the stench and the stink of this filth and scum of the underbelly of Bollywood”, “This is the dirtiest industry in the country”, and “cocaine and LSD drenched Bollywood”.

 

#BoycottTanishq trends after ad on Hindu-Muslim marriage accused of promoting ‘love jihad’

https://theprint.in/india/boycotttanishq-trends-after-ad-on-hindu-muslim-marriage-accused-of-promoting-love-jihad/521805/

New Delhi: An advertisement by Titan Group’s Tanishq Jewellery featuring an interfaith married couple has received severe backlash on Twitter, with ‘#BoycottTanishq’ among the top trends Monday.More than 17,000 people tweeted with the hashtag calling for a ban on the advertisement and a boycott of the jewellery brand.The advertisement, which was released on 9 October, shows a Muslim family preparing a traditional Hindu baby shower for their pregnant Hindu daughter-in-law.

 

Mumbai reels under sudden massive power outage, CM orders enquiry

https://theprint.in/india/mumbai-reels-under-sudden-massive-power-outage-cm-thackeray-orders-enquiry/521988/

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has ordered an inquiry into the sudden power outage that impacted almost all parts of Mumbai and Thane Monday, and has also asked the state energy minister to figure out who was responsible for it.Thackeray called a meeting of State Energy Minister Nitin Raut, minister of state for the department Prajakt Tanpure and Energy Secretary Aseem Gupta at the CM’s official residence, Varsha, at 4 pm, a state government source said.

 

*CORONAVIRUS-LOCKDOWN*

 

 

COVID school closure may cost over USD 400 billion to India, cause learning losses: World Bank

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/covid-19-school-closure-may-cost-over-usd-400-billion-to-india-cause-learning-losses-world-bank

The prolonged closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India may cause a loss of over USD 400 billion in the country's future earnings, besides substantial learning losses, according to a World Bank report.South Asia region stands to lose USD 622 billion from the school closures in the present scenario or up to USD 880 billion in a more pessimistic scenario, it said, adding while the regional loss is largely driven by India, all countries will lose substantial shares of their GDP. The report titled "Beaten or Broken? Informality and COVID-19 in South Asia" claims that South Asia is set to plunge into its worst-ever recession in 2020 as the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on the region's economies linger.PTI

 

Novel Coronavirus may survive on smartphones, banknotes for 28 days: new Study

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/health/novel-coronavirus-may-survive-on-smartphones-banknotes-for-28-days-study

The novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 may survive for up to 28 days on common surfaces including banknotes, glass -- such as that found on smart phone screens -- and stainless steel, according to a laboratory study by Australia's national science agency.The finding, published in the Virology Journal, shows that SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious on surfaces for long periods of time, reinforcing the need for good practices such as regular hand washing and cleaning surfaces.PTI

 

India's Coronavirus Tally Crosses 71 Lakh, 66,732 Cases In 24 Hours

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-66-732-fresh-covid-19-cases-in-india-71-2-lakh-total-cases-so-far-816-deaths-in-24-hours-1-09-150-total-deaths-2308710?pfrom=home-coronavirus-topscroll_live

 The downward trend in India's coronavirus cases continued on Sunday, when the country recorded less than 70,000 new COVID-19 cases for the first time since Sept.1. With 66,732 patients testing positive for Sars-CoV-2 in the last 24 hours, the country's Covid tally has now crossed the 71.2-lakh mark, showed data shared by the Health Ministry this morning. Though India has added 10 lakh cases in the last two weeks, the country's 24-hour figures have come down to an average of 72,000 to 74,000 from the earlier 90,000-plus figure. With 71,559 recoveries, active Covid cases have also come down to 8.61 lakh. This is the fourth day in a row that active coronavirus cases have remained below 9 lakh.

 

DDMA withdraws restriction on large gatherings for upcoming festivals until 31 Oct in Delhi

https://theprint.in/india/ddma-withdraws-restriction-on-large-gatherings-for-upcoming-festivals-until-31-october/521701/

New Delhi: DDMA on Sunday issued fresh set of guidelines for holding congregations and gatherings, with strict adherence to laid down COVID-19 safety protocols, ahead of the Durga Puja and Ramleela celebrations in the city. In an order, Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman of DDMA’s state executive committee Vijay Dev said all event organisers will have to obtain requisite permission from concerned district magistrates for organising the events besides obtaining permission from all other authorities as per applicable laws and rules.The concerned DM and deputy commissioners of police will appoint an officer of suitable seniority as nodal officer for each site and venue of Ramleela, Puja Pandal etc, said the order.

 

SC allows NTA to hold NEET on 14 October for those who missed it on 13 Sept due to Covid

https://theprint.in/judiciary/sc-allows-nta-to-hold-neet-on-14-october-for-those-who-missed-it-on-13-sept-due-to-covid/522050/

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday allowed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) — a single-window exam for all medical undergraduate courses — on 14 October for aspirants who missed the exam held on 13 September due to Covid-19 or being stuck in containment zones.CJI led the bench that issued the order after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested the court to allow NTA to hold NEET-2. The SG informed the bench that the results would be declared on 16 Oct.

 

*WORLD*

 

Nagorno-Karabakh truce crumbling as warring sides allege attacks: Fresh push for peace

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/nagorno-karabakh-live-news

Azerbaijan and Armenia accused each other of serious violations and crimes against civilians, and Azerbaijan also said it had launched air raids as a humanitarian ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that came into effect on Saturday appeared increasingly frayed. Both sides accused the others of breaking the ceasefire almost immediately, and Azerbaijan gave the impression, in public comments from top officials, that it had only viewed it as a brief breathing space. Some 500 people, including more than 60 civilians, were reportedly killed in less than one month of fighting. Fresh talks were planned for Monday in Moscow.

 

Russia, which brokered recent ceasefire agreement, calls for peace

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/nagorno-karabakh-live-news

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that it was extremely important for ethnic Armenian and Azeri forces to respect a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that was brokered by Russia at the weekend.Since coming into force on Saturday, the truce has frayed, with both sides accusing each other of grave violations and attacks against civilians.Peskov said the Kremlin was monitoring events on the ground closely.

 

Azerbaijan president says Turkey should be involved in talks

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/nagorno-karabakh-live-news

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said he did not know when talks with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute would start, but believes Turkey should be involved in the solution process, as pressure mounted on a fragile ceasefire between the warring sides.Azeri and Armenian forces accused each other of launching new attacks in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, days after a humanitarian ceasefire intended to stop the heaviest fighting over the enclave for more than 25 years.Aliyev said the Minsk group, formed to mediate the conflict and led by France, Russia and the US, was biased, and that Turkey, which he described as a global power due to its involvment Syria, Libya and other international conflicts, must be involved in the solution process.

 

Netanyahu to move 2,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201012-netanyahu-to-move-2000-ethiopian-jews-to-israel/

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared he is planning to move 2,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, local media reported.“I updated [Ethiopian] Prime Minister Abiy [Ahmed] that I intend to immediately bring some 2,000 people from Addis Ababa and Gondar, as part of our commitment to continuing the Aliyah of Jews to Israel,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter.In response, the Ethiopian PM told Netanyahu that the move “symbolises the special relationship between the peoples [of the two countries].”

 

Jordan faces backlash over deportation of Palestinian ex-prisoner

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201012-jordan-faces-backlash-over-deportation-of-palestinian-ex-prisoner/

Jordanian government has faced a backlash over its decision to deport Palestinian ex-prisoner Nizar Tamimi, 46, after a plea for his return made on a local radio station by his wife was cut off, sparking censorship concerns.Tamimi was recently ordered to leave Jordan after the government refused to renew his residency and gave him a mere 48 hours to exit the country.

 

IAEA chief: Iran does not have enough uranium to build a nuclear bomb

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201012-iaea-chief-iran-does-not-have-enough-uranium-to-build-a-nuclear-bomb/

Iran does not, at this stage, have enough enriched uranium to build a nuclear bomb, the Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has said.“The Iranians continue to enrich uranium, and to a much higher degree than they have committed themselves to. And this amount is growing by the month,” Grossi added in an interview published on Saturday in the Austrian Die Presse newspaper.

 

Egypt’s Sisi rules out reconciliation with Muslim Brotherhood

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201012-egypts-sisi-rules-out-reconciliation-with-muslim-brotherhood/

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi renewed his warning that there are “hostile” entities attempting to destroy Egypt, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood, New Khaleej news site reported .During a meeting with the Egyptian army, Al-Sisi stressed that he rejects “any reconciliation” with them. “Egypt rejects any reconciliation sought by the forces which carry out bloody attacks against the people of Egypt and seek to destroy the state,” he said.

 

Tajikistan re-elects leader Rahmon with overwhelming majority

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/tajikistan-leader-rakhmon-wins-election-with-over-90-percent

Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon has been re-elected with 90 per cent of the votes in a nationwide poll seen as largely ceremonial.The result, securing Rahmon another seven years in power, was announced by the electoral commission in the capital Dushanbe on Monday.Around 85 per cent of the country’s five million eligible voters handed in their ballots, according to authorities.Four other contenders officially competed in the election, though there was little doubt Rahmon would cling to power.

 

Lebanon: Hariri may run for PM, if parliamentary blocs cooperate

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201012-lebanon-hariri-may-run-for-pm-if-parliamentary-blocs-cooperate/

The final decision of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, to run for the post once again depends on the parliamentary blocs’ willingness to cooperate with him, a senior source in the Future Bloc said.“Hariri’s final decision to run for the post depends on the willingness of the parliamentary blocs he would consult with to provide political and economic guarantees without which the French initiative to stem Lebanon’s economic collapse would falter,” the source told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

 

Bangladesh approves death penalty for rape cases after protests

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/bangladesh-approves-death-penalty-for-rape-cases

Bangladesh’s government has approved an amendment that would allow for the death penalty in rape cases, as anger grows in the South Asian country over incidents of sexual assault.The amendment was approved at a weekly meeting of the council of ministers headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, cabinet secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told reporters in a news conference on Monday.

 

Turkey moves ship to contested East Med waters, angering Greece

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/greece-calls-turkeys-survey-in-east-med-major-escalation

Turkey has dispatched a ship to disputed Eastern Mediterranean waters for a new research mission, prompting anger from Greece. Turkey’s move on Monday to carry out a seismic survey south of the Greek island Kastellorizo is a major escalation of tensions, threatening peace and security in the area, Greece’s foreign ministry said.Late on Sunday, Turkey’s navy issued an advisory, saying the Oruc Reis ship would conduct a seismic survey over the next 10 days.

 

UN urged to take action against Myanmar over civilian abuses

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/amnesty-report-myanmar

Amnesty International has called on United Nations Security Council to take urgent action against Myanmar before International Criminal Court, amid mounting evidence of military abuses, including indiscriminate firing at civilians in the continuing conflict with armed Arakan rebels.In a report released on Monday, Amnesty said that first-hand testimony, photographs and video evidence obtained by the group show the Myanmar military’s “utter disregard for civilian suffering” in areas at the epicentre of the fighting.

 

Pakistan: Police clueless about Maulana Adil Khan’s assassins

https://www.dawn.com/news/1584576/police-clueless-about-maulana-adil-khans-assassins

KARACHI: Police on Sunday launched an investigation into the assassination of Maulana Dr Adil Khan, the head of Jamia Farooqia, who was gunned down along with his driver in a targeted attack apparently on sectarian grounds a day before. Maulana Adil’s funeral prayer was held at Jamia Farooqia Phase-II on Hub River Road. It was attended by a large number of people including leaders of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Jamaat-i-Islami and many prominent religious scholars. His elder brother, Maulana Ubaidullah Khan, led the funeral prayer. He was laid to rest near the grave of his father, Maulana Saleemullah Khan, who was the founder of Jamia Farooqia.Meanwhile, investigators have launched a probe to ascertain the identity and exact motive for the killing.“The assassination of Maulana Adil may be a conspiracy to trigger sectarian violence,” opined CTD official Raja Umer Khattab while talking to the media. Dawn

 

Economics Nobel goes to Paul R. Milgrom, Robert B. Wilson for their work on auctions

https://www.thehindu.com/business/nobel-prize-in-economics-goes-to-paul-r-milgrom-robert-b-wilson-for-improvements-to-auction-theory/article32834033.ece?homepage=true

2020 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel has been awarded to Paul R. Milgrom and Robert B. Wilson “for improvements to auction theory and inventions of new auction formats.”“Auctions are everywhere and affect our everyday lives. This year’s Economic Sciences Laureates, Paul Milgrom and Robert Wilson, have improved auction theory and invented new auction formats, benefitting sellers, buyers and taxpayers around the world,” the academy said.Robert Wilson developed the theory for auctions of objects with a common value – a value which is uncertain beforehand but, in the end, is the same for everyone. Mr. Wilson showed why rational bidders tend to place bids below their own best estimate of the common value: they are worried about the winner’s curse – that is, about paying too much and losing out. The Hindu

 

                                                                                  *OP-ED*

 

Congratulations daughter Sana Khan on your repentance:Dr Muhammad Raziul Islam Nadvi, millattimes.com

https://millattimes.com/2020/10/congratulations-daughter-sana-khan-on-your-repentance/

 

The crippling effect of sedition and UAPA on dissent in India: Leah Verghese

https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/the-crippling-effect-of-sedition-and-uapa-on-dissent-in-india/story-QBCPtSpVcYgbdnavysc8UL.html

 

Police needs to be made accountable, and freed from grip of politics:M R Shamshad

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/hathras-case-dalit-up-police-gangrape-case-6721197/

 

NRIs free to invite Hindu priests and build temples but Christians not welcome in India !  George Abraham

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/nris-free-to-invite-hindu-priests-and-build-temples-but-christians-not-welcome-in-india

 

: Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq