06 OCT. NEWS FLASH

 

INDIA- RAPE CASE

 

‘Extraordinary and shocking’: SC seeks UP response on witness protection in Hathras case

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-hathras-case-witness-protection-cbi-probe-6705201/

Calling the alleged rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Hathras “extraordinary and shocking”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit on how witnesses were being protected in the case. The matter has been adjourned for next week. Hearing a petition seeking probe by CBI or a SIT headed by a sitting or retired SC or High Court judge, CJI SA Bobde said, “The incident is very extraordinary and shocking. We want it on affidavit on how Hathras case witnesses are protected. We want you (SG) to ascertain whether the victim’s family has chosen a lawyer.’ Appearing for UP government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said different narratives were being given to the incident and the apex court must supervise the investigation. Senior Counsel Indira Jaising sought protection for witnesses and transfer of the trial from UP. “We want that no lawyer should solicit in this case,” she said. The petition by Satyama Dubey, a social activist, and advocates Vishal Thakre and Rudra Pratap Yadav wanted the trial to be shifted to Delhi and alleged that the UP government and the state authorities had “failed to take…actions against accused persons…”. indianexpress

 

UP govt asks SC to order CBI probe into alleged ‘conspiracy’ to spread caste conflict, Hathras gang-rape case

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/up-govt-asks-sc-to-order-cbi-probe-into-alleged-conspiracy-to-spread-caste-conflict-hathras-gang-rape-case

 UP Government has asked the Supreme Court to order CBI inquiry into the Hathras gang-rape case so as to ensure that a fair and impartial investigation takes place by a Central Agency "which is not within the administrative control of the state administration", LiveLaw.in reported.Notably, UP govt has requested the SC to direct CBI investigation not only into the case related to the alleged rape and murder of 19-year-old Dalit woman of Hathras, but also into the case registered by UP Police alleging criminal conspiracy to spread caste conflict by sections of media and political interests using the Hathras incident.

 

UP govt affidavit in SC a poor effort to distract from relevant questions in Hathras case: Congress

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/up-govt-affidavit-in-sc-a-poor-effort-to-distract-from-relevant-questions-in-hathras-case-congress

Congress on Tuesday said that the affidavit filed by Uttar Pradesh government in the apex court on the Hathras case was clearly a poor effort by the state administration to distract from the many glaring questions in the matter.It also demanded a judicial inquiry into the case while accusing the state government of "trying to hush up the case".Congress leaders Rajni Patil, Supriya Shrinate, and Sushmita Dev asserted that the opposition party would continue to protest till justice was meted out to 19-year-old gang rape-murder victim and her family.IANS

 

Malayalam journalist among 4 men held near Hathras; UP police linked them to PFI, says 'they were carrying suspicious literature'

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/4-men-with-links-to-pfi-held-near-hathras/article32779414.ece?homepage=true

Lucknow:A Delhi-based journalist working for Malayalam news portals was among 4 people arrested by Uttar Pradesh police when they were on their way to Hathras. The arrests came hours after the State police, under fire for their handling of the Hathras rape and murder case, had claimed there was a conspiracy to defame the State government and trigger caste riots over the Hathras incident. 4 were taken into custody at a toll plaza in Mathura when they were travelling in a car from Delhi to Hathras, said police late on Monday. The car was stopped after police found their activities suspicious, following which they were taken into custody, added the Mathura police. 4 were identified as Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Siddiqui Kappan, Masood Ahmed and Alam. Mr. Kappan is a journalist working for several Malayalam media houses and had reportedly gone to Hathras to cover the case on Monday. KN Ashok, editor of news portal Azhimukham, said Kappan was a regular contributor and was covering many beats, including politics.“Yesterday, early in the morning, he sent a message that he is going to cover Hathras. That is the only information we got from him,” Ashok said.Kappan is an elected secretary of Kerala Union of Working Journalists. Mathura police said “suspicious literature, one that could have an adverse impact on peace,” was recovered from the 4. However, police are yet to reveal the content or state the laws the literature violated.In their statement, police did not acknowledge that Kappan is a journalist and claimed that 4 in custody were linked to PFI and its related group Campus Front of India. Even after it came to light that Kappan is a journalist, UP police are yet to issue a clarification. PFI condemned the arrest, terming it deplorable and illegal. PFI accused UP government of targeting it to hide the failing law and order situation in the State and divert attention from Hathras issue by creating a “conspiracy theory.” "Illegal arrest shows that in UP, under the Yogi Adityanath government, even intending to meet families of victims is now considered a crime," said Anis Ahmed, general secretary, PFI. Meanwhile, police said that one of the arrested persons Masood Ahmed of Bahraich was a student of Jamia Millia and that, if required, economic intelligence agencies would be roped into probe the "foreign funding" angle.  thehindu

 

Hathras case: Kerala journalists'' body moves SC over arrest of scribe

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/hathras-case-kerala-journalists-body-moves-sc-over-arrest-of-scribe/1949944

New Delhi:A journalists'' organisation has moved the Supreme Court against the arrest of a scribe by UP Police in Mathura while he was on way to Hathras, home to a Dalit woman who died after being allegedly gang-raped by four upper-caste men. Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has filed a habeas corpus petition in the top court against the arrest of the journalist, Sidhique Kappan. Terming the arrest as illegal and unconstitutional, the journalists'' body has filed the petition seeking his immediate production and release from "illegal detention".  The plea states that the arrest was made in violation of the mandatory guidelines laid down by apex court and with the sole intention of obstructing the discharge of duty by a journalist.The petition alleged that family members or the colleagues have not been informed of the arrest of his arrest.PTI

 

Press Club of India condemns arrest of Kerala journalist by UP Police

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hathras-rape-case-live-news-updates-supreme-court-plea-cbi-probe-up-govt-up-police-hathras-victim-family-protests-1728713-2020-10-06

Press Club of India has slammed Uttar Pradesh Police for arresting a Kerala-based journalist who was en route Hathras to cover the incident. indiatoday

Journalists' Unions Condemn UP Police's Arrest of Malayalam Reporter Siddique Kappan

https://thewire.in/media/up-police-arrest-kerala-journalist-hathras

 

After UN Expresses Concern on Hathras, India Says Remarks 'Unwarranted', 'Unnecessary'

https://thewire.in/women/united-nations-india-hathras-violence-against-women

New Delhi: A day after United Nation’s top official posted in New Delhi expressed concern at rising cases of sexual violence again women, Ministry of External affairs strongly pushed back, stating that the comments were “unwarranted” and “unnecessary”. UN resident coordinator in India, Renata Lok-Dessallien had stated on Sunday that she was “profoundly saddened and concerned at the continuing cases of sexual violence against women and girls in India”.She then referred to the “alleged rape and murder in Hathras and Balarampur are another reminder that despite the impressive progress made on a number of social indicators, women and girls from disadvantaged social groups face additional vulnerabilities and are at greater risk of gender-based violence”. In a strongly worded reply, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastav noted, “Some unwarranted comments have been made by UN Resident Coordinator regarding some recent cases of violence against women”.He added that the UN resident coordinator should be “aware that these cases have been taken extremely serious by the government”.

 

Protests at UN HQ over police apathy in Hathras

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/protests-at-un-hq-over-police-apathy-in-hathras/articleshow/78510346.cms

Placards of Dalit Lives Matter and Justice For Hathras were held high at a protest in New York’s Times Square and UN headquarters by NRI Ambedkarites under the banner of Ambedkar International Mission.Demanding “removal of barricades around the home of the victim’s family to restore their freedom”, a statement issued sought that Centre and UP governments “investigate and punish” the “administration brass trying to protect the accused” and “strict action against all police officers”.Appealing for support from the UNHRC, the protesters raised slogans against government apathy and "police’s abrogation of duty following the physical assault, alleged gangrape, death and burning of the remains of a 19-year-old in UP’s Hathras".

 

ED May Probe Amnesty Int'l Amid Charges of 'Funding from Islamic Nations for Caste-based' Hathras Stir: news18

https://www.news18.com/news/india/ed-may-file-money-laundering-case-to-probe-use-of-illegal-funds-to-trigger-caste-based-protests-in-hathras-2936637.html

Enforcement Directorate has now swung into action in Hathras rape case as allegations point at 'funding from Islamic countries to incite caste-based violence' in the wake of widespread protests.According to sources in the agency, ED is probing the charges mentioned in FIR filed by Uttar Pradesh police and may soon take over the investigation and file a money laundering case. The directorate will also probe alleged links to Amnesty International as investigation by UP police hint at "international conspiracy" to defame the Yogi Adityanath govt in state and Narendra Modi-led government in Centre. Sources in the govt last week said that ED is investigating against a private company linked to NGO Amnesty International India Foundation for allegedly receiving dubious export proceeds worth over Rs 51 crore. Hathras Police have also lodged an FIR against "unknown" persons for alleged attempt to trigger caste-based conflict and invoked serious charges, including sedition.

 

"Unruly Elements Offered 50 Lakhs To Hathras Family To Speak Untruths: UP Cops

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hathras-case-in-hathras-sedition-fir-up-cops-say-unruly-elements-offered-rs-50-lakh-to-family-2305788?pfrom=home-topscroll

Hathras: One of the 19 FIRs filed by Uttar Pradesh police in the aftermath of the Hathras case alleges sedition and conspiracy by "unknown" people. It also alleges that the family of the young woman who died after her assault and alleged gang rape by four men was offered ₹ 50 lakh to lie about the state government. FIR, one of 6 filed in Hathras, is based on a complaint by a sub-inspector and says: "Unruly elements offered ₹ 50 lakh to the family of the woman to speak untruths against the government." It does not specify who those elements are.FIR, accessed by NDTV, also blames unruly elements for an attempt to stir caste tension in UP. An unknown "journalist tried to coax victim's brother to record the bite of parents saying they were not satisfied with the UP government," it says.

 

Website in 'Foreign Plot to Cause UP Riots' Says 'Avoid NYPD, White Supremacists'

https://thewire.in/government/website-in-foreign-plot-to-cause-up-riots-says-avoid-nypd-white-supremacists

New Delhi: Facing widespread criticism for its handling of the gang rape and brutal murder of a young woman in Hathras, the Uttar Pradesh police has now alleged that there is an ‘international plot’ to cause caste and communal riots in the state and defame chief minister Yogi Adityanath.There’s only one problem. The website set up by unknown persons and touted as being at the centre of this conspiracy has crudely plagiarised a Black Lives Matter protest site without bothering to cover up their tracks by at least deleting the obvious US references and making it relevant to Uttar Pradesh.An FIR has been lodged against unidentified persons at the Chandpa police station on Hathras under several sections of the IPC including sedition. At the same time, more than a dozen similar FIRs have been lodged in different districts.Though FIR at Chandpa PS does not mention it, senior police officials say that an English language website, justiceforhathrasvictim.carrd.co, is linked to the conspiracy. The website has since been taken down but a cached version is available for reference. Carrd.co is a publishing platform that allows anyone with an email address to open a blog site with it. The UP police have not disclosed if they know the identity of the site’s creator. The Wire has written to Carrd.co seeking that information but has yet to receive a reply.What the police has not explained is how a website in English would end up instigating riots in a state that is largely Hindi speaking.

 

Will deal with those maligning govt image the way we tackled CAA violence, Tablighi Jamaat shielders: Yogi Adityanath

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/yogi-adityanath-uttar-pradesh-caa-protest-6705575/

Lucknow :Claiming his government would “work for all but appease none”, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday warned “those trying to create anarchy” by reminding them of how the state had dealt with people trying to provoke violence during the anti-CAA protests or those “shielding Tablighi Jamaat members to spread coronavirus”.“Opposition has no issues to raise other than indulging in negative talks. They are constantly trying to indulge in rhetoric that creates differences in society. While on one side, BJP workers, along with the government at the Centre and the state, are doing good work, there are some who do not like development and try to create hindrances,” said Adityaanth. The chief minister alleged there was a conspiracy at work to malign the image of his government and develop caste and communal animosity in the society.Adding that it is necessary to “see these faces”, Adityanath cited the example of how his government dealt with CAA protests.

 

BJP's opponents trying to lay foundation for caste, communal riots with international funding: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/bjps-opponents-trying-to-lay-foundation-for-caste-communal-riots-with-international-funding-up-cm-yogi-adityanath/articleshow/78496603.cms

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the BJP's political opponents of attempting to conspire against it by "trying to lay a foundation for caste and communal riots through international funding". While interacting with party workers via video conferencing here, Yogi said, "Our opponents are conspiring against us by trying to lay a foundation for caste and communal riots through international funding. For last one week, opposition parties were keen to see riots. We need to move forward amidst all these conspiracies." His remarks came apparently in the backdrop of the protests over the Hathras incident by opposition parties.On Oct.4, Yogi had said those who do not like development want to incite ethnic and communal riots.ANI

 

SP leader slams Adityanath, says 'conspiracy' of communal violence should be thwarted

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sp-leader-slams-adityanath-says-conspiracy-of-communal-violence-should-be-thwarted/articleshow/78491808.cms

LUCKNOW: A fresh war of words erupted between the UP government and opposition leaders over Hathras incident, with senior SP leader Ram Govind Chowdhury charging that CM Yogi Adityanath was inciting his party men and said the "conspiracy of caste and communal violence" should be thwarted. Chowdhury's remarks came a day after Adityanath slammed Opposition over their relentless attack on his government over the Hathras incident, saying they are 'indulging in newer conspiracies' to trigger riots and hamper development. "The chief minister, in a bid to hide his failures, is inciting his partymen. The conspiracy of caste and communal violence should be thwarted," he said.  Referring to the chief minister's remarks that those who don't like development were trying to incite caste and communal riots, Chowdhury said, "BJP workers should expose this conspiracy." "The people of the state should remember past record of Adityanath...Instead of establishing rule of law, he is breaking dignity of law. Everyone should remain alert from this," he said.

 

OTHERS

 

Bihar Assembly Elections: NDA Backs Nitish Kumar, Snubs Chirag Paswan; JD(U) Gets 122 Seats, BJP 121

https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-live-updates-nitish-kumar-chirag-paswan-pm-modi-nda-ljp-jdu-jitan-ram-manjhi-ec-2936731.html

The ruling NDA in Bihar announced on Tuesday its seat-sharing formula for the Assembly elections under which JDU  will contest on 122 seats and the BJP on 121 out of a total of 243 seats. BJP has backed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership to the hilt and rebuffed LJP chief Chirag Paswan who earlier raised a banner of revolt.At a joint press conference of the top leadership of the JD(U) and the BJP, where Kumar was also present, it was declared that the two partners have clinched a deal where both will have an almost equal share of the pie. “JD(U) has got 122 seats out of which we have set aside seven for the Hindustani Awam Morcha (headed by former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi). BJP has got the remaining 121 in which new entrant Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) of Mukesh Sahni will be accommodated,” said Kumar. Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal said, “The LJP is our ally at the Centre and we pray for the early recovery of its founder and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. But there should be no confusion with regard to the fact that in Bihar, the NDA’s leader is Nitish Kumar. Our alliance with his party is ‘atoot’ (unbreakable)."

 

No Ifs And Buts, Nitish Kumar Will Remain CM Even If We Win More Seats: BJP

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-no-ifs-and-buts-nitish-will-remain-cm-even-if-we-win-more-seats-says-bjp/361646

In a bid to scotch speculations over NDA’s chief ministerial candidate in Bihar arising out of the ‘rebellion’ of Chirag Paswan-led LJP, BJP on Tuesday asserted that Nitish Kumar would remain the head of the government even if BJP wins more seats in its alliance with JD(U) in Bihar assembly elections. “There are no ifs and buts. There should be no confusion about it. The BJP has already announced that Nitish ji will remain the chief minister regardless of the number of seats won by different allies of NDA,” said senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi in Patna.PTI

 

States should stand firm, reject Centre’s options on GST compensation cess: Chidambaram

 https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/states-should-stand-firm-reject-centre-s-options-on-gst-compensation-cess-chidambaram/story-tzXGZ3MJCBAdMB1bA6beUJ.html

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday complimented the states that rejected 2 options given by the Centre to bridge the gap in the GST compensation cess and asked them to stand firm at the next meeting of the GST council on October 12.The former finance minister said the states should not borrow as the liability to provide GST compensation as well as the onus to find resources fall on the Centre.“I compliment 9-10 states that stood firm and rejected the two options given by the central government to bridge the gap in GST compensation cess.

 

SC asks Centre to submit details regarding criminal cases pending against legislators across the country

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/sc-asks-centre-to-submit-details-regarding-criminal-cases-pending-against-legislators-across-the-country

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to submit details regarding criminal cases pending against legislators across the country, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.A bench headed by Justice NV Ramana noted that various High Courts had been asking for Video Conferencing facilities for effectuating disposal of pending criminal cases and asked the Centre to take instructions in this regard, particularly in terms of financing.

 

Assam NRC | Lost Job as I Declared Fewer Foreigners: Ex-Officer

https://www.thequint.com/news/india/nrc-former-judicial-officer-of-assams-foreigners-tribunals-interview

A former Judicial Officer of Assam’s Foreigners’ Tribunals (FT), Kartik Ray was sacked by the Assam Government in 2017 along with 18 others. Working in Dhubri district, he says he was removed because he did not declare enough people as foreigners.     “There was no pressure from the government openly, but internally they had assessed. That’s why it was not in our knowledge that to save our jobs we have to declare foreigners, whether it is rightly or wrongly,”said Kartik Ray, Former Judicial Officer, Foreigners’ Tribunals, Assam.  Judicial Officers for Assam's Foreigners' Tribunals are engaged by a committee which comprises of seven members including a High Court Judge. All FT member submit monthly reports about their work to Registrar of Gauhati High Court and to Government of Assam’s Home & Political Department.thequint

 

Resume Naga peace talks at prime ministerial level in a ‘third country’, NSCN (I-M) chief told Modi

https://scroll.in/latest/975033/resume-naga-peace-talks-at-prime-ministerial-level-in-a-third-country-nscn-i-m-chief-told-modi

National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah faction), the largest Naga armed group in talks with the government, on Monday released a letter written by its chief Thuingaleng Muivah to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, The Indian Express reported. In the eight-page letter, Muivah had asked for the Naga peace talks to be shifted to “a third country”. NSCN (I-M) in a statement said that the letter was made public to show Naga people how unresponsive the prime minister’s office was to them. “If our stay in India is no more welcome, all necessary arrangements must be made for us to leave India and the political talks be resumed in a third country,” Muivah said.

 

Was prepared for strike after Galwan, China can’t get the better of us: IAF chief

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/was-prepared-for-strike-after-galwan-china-cant-get-the-better-of-us-iaf-chief-6704532/

Sending a tough message to China amid Ladakh crisis, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said Monday that IAF is “determined to handle any contingency” and its “deployment of combat-ready units in response to the standoff along LAC in the North is indicative of our operational state today”.Stating “we are very well positioned and there is no question that in any conflict scenario there that China can get the better of us”, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria, responding to a query on whether the IAF had come close to carrying out strikes against China after the Galwan Valley clashes, said: “Did we come close to striking? No. But were we prepared for it? Yes.”Addressing the press ahead of IAF Day, he said the situation along LAC over the next 3 months will largely depend on how talks between the two countries progress.

 

'Polarising, Abhorrent': Indians in Europe Call for BJP MP Tejasvi Surya's Removal From Consulate Event

https://thewire.in/communalism/tejasvi-surya-hamburg-startup-communal-tweets

New Delhi: Several organisations of overseas Indians have called for the removal of BJP MP Tejasvi Surya from the panel of speakers at a start-up conference organised by Indian consulate at Germany’s Hamburg. Surya, the legislator from Bangalore South, is known for an anti-minority rhetoric that is so unbridled that even BJP govt had once asked Twitter to take down one of his tweets from 2015, following much diplomatic grief. Reports by HuffPost and TwoCircles.net have noted that those objecting to Surya’s inclusion have written a letter to the consulate, highlighting the communal nature of this public communications. Among signatories to the letter are India Solidarity Germany, Solidarity Belgium, Indians Against CAA, NRC & NPR- Finland, Indian Alliance Paris, Global Sikh Council, International Dalit Solidarity Network, The Humanism Project, Foundation The London Story, Bharath Democracy Watch, and Chennai Solidarity Group. Surya is among 10 speakers lined up for the startup conference, which aims to bolster economic relations between India and Hamburg. “Startups and SMEs from Europe and India shall benefit from this conference,” reads the official release.

 

Reminded of Mumbai riots: Ex-judge B N Srikrishna on Delhi violence

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/reminded-of-mumbai-riots-ex-judge-on-feb-violence-6704480/

Mumbai :In a 227-page report titled Delhi Riots of 2020: Causes, Fallout and Aftermath, released by Citizen and Lawyers Initiative — a group of concerned citizens, lawyers and students — Justice (retd) B N Srikrishna, who wrote the prologue to the report, has stated that it reminded him of the Mumbai riots of Dec.1992-Jan 1993. Justice Srikrishna had presided over a commission of inquiry appointed in January 1993 to look into causes of the communal riots that engulfed Mumbai, which claimed about 900 lives, and to find if any group of individuals or organisation was responsible. In the prologue to the report, Justice Srikrishna wrote, “With the heart rending experience gathered during the Commission of Inquiry that went into the riots and violent incidents in Mumbai during Dec 1992-Jan1993, and the sense of apathy towards the victims of such riots that was clearly discernible there, I could not but get a feeling of deja vu while reading this report. It is time that the State machinery and Constitutional functionaries display greater seriousness in investigation of the causes of such riots and take appropriate steps to prevent their recurrence.”“When the State’s version of incidents becomes suspect and unacceptable due to trust deficit, it is imperative that an alternative version of the facts observed by the populace is also presented and publicized. This report is the culmination of such a collective effort. As to whether the material presented in this report represents facts, or mere perspective vision of the events, is for the reader to judge.”

 

J&K journalist Fahad Shah detained, police say questioning ‘cannot be called harassment’

https://scroll.in/latest/975048/j-k-journalist-fahad-shah-detained-police-say-questioning-cannot-be-called-harassment

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday denied allegations of harassment made by The Kashmir Walla editor Fahad Shah, two days after the journalist said he was detained at gunpoint from the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway along with a colleague. The police said Shah’s allegations that he was intimidated and “treated like a criminal” were “false and baseless”, as routine questioning cannot be called harassment.“On the said date, more than 30 vehicles of same make model and colour were checked, and their occupants questioned and released following the receipt of a general input,” the police said in a statement. “Questioning by police in course of its duty may be inconvenient but it cannot be termed harassment and it is misplaced to expect privileges based on one’s profession.”

 

Koregaon Bhima Commission gets ‘seventh and final’ extension

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/koregaon-bhima-commission-gets-seventh-and-final-extension-6705198/

Government of Maharashtra has granted extension to Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry till Dec. 31, 2020. In an order signed by a deputy secretary of the home department, it was stated this was the “seventh and final extension” being granted to the commission, which is probing into the causes of the Koregaon Bhima violence of January 1, 2018, in which one person had died and several others were left injured.The commission has been asked to submit its report to the government within this extension period. Meanwhile, the commission is looking for a bigger venue for conducting hearings, in the view of COVID 19 outbreak.V V Palnitkar, secretary of Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry said, “Hearings of the commission were postponed due to COVID 19 outbreak… The pandemic is still there. Places where the commission has been conducting its hearings in Mumbai and Pune are small and congested. "

 

Telangana: Announce reconstruction dates of mosques and temple in the secretariat premises, Congress tells CM KCR

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-announce-reconstruction-dates-of-mosques-and-temple-in-the-secretariat-premises-congress-tells-cm-kcr/articleshow/78495805.cms

HYDERABAD: Congress on Monday demanded that chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announce the dates for laying the foundation stone for reconstruction of demolished mosques and a temple in the secretariat premises.

Congress minorities cell chairman Sameer Waliullah said CM KCR had said that he would lay the foundation stone for reconstruction of two mosques and a temple after monsoon session of the assembly.The session came to an end on September 15. Later, it was hinted that the foundation stone will be laid in the first week of Octr. If the CM fails to announce the dates, Muslim leaders of the Congress and other parties would resume prayers at the same sites in the secretariat premises from coming Friday onwards, he said.

 

All Tablighi Jamaat cases of UP to be heard by CJMs in Lucknow, Meerut, Bareilly: Allahabad High Court

https://www.indialegallive.com/constitutional-law-news/courts-news/all-tablighi-jamaat-cases-of-up-to-be-heard-by-cjms-in-lucknow-meerut-bareilly-allahabad-high-court/

Allahabad High Court has given the hearing of the cases filed against the people of Tablighi Jamaat to CJM (Court of Judicial Magistrate) of Lucknow, Meerut and Bareilly. Also, they have been instructed to be dispose of the cases in 8 weeks. The order was passed by a division bench of Justice Shashikant Gupta and Justice Shamim Ahmed on the petition of Maulana Ala Hadrami and others.The court has directed the Chief Secretary to send criminal cases registered on Tablighi Jamaat in different districts to CJM Court of 3 zones (Lucknow, Meerut and Bareilly) in 2 weeks. In addition, case can be heard through video conferencing. After monitoring the trial, the report will be presented before the Chief Justice in 3 months. To comply with the order, the Court will have to send a copy of the order to Chief Secretary, District Judge and DM. This Petition was filed on the orders of the Supreme Court.ILNS

 

Second deadline for India to appoint counsel for Kulbhushan Jadhav expires

 https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/second-deadline-for-india-to-appoint-counsel-for-kulbhushan-jadhav-expires/story-SYWZJiXyh3HFaVDvNEKcPJ.html

The second deadline for India to appoint a legal representative for Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav expired on Tuesday, with sources in legal circles saying the Islamabad High Court (IHC) itself may now appoint a counsel after two senior Pakistani lawyers excused themselves.Lawyers Abid Hassan Manto and Makhdoom Ali Khan excused from appearing for Jadhav, citing medical and professional grounds, respectively.

 

Dalit AIADMK MLA marries Brahmin woman, her father attempts suicide

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/dalit-aiadmk-mla-marries-brahmin-woman-father-attempts-suicide-6705072/

Chennai :Accusing AIADMK’s Kallakurichi MLA of abducting his 19-year-old daughter and “violating his trust”, a temple priest in Tamil Nadu doused himself in petrol and threatened to set himself on fire before the police stepped in and took him in custody. A Prabhu, a 36-year-old Dalit MLA, married Soundarya on Monday morning at his residence. The bride’s father, who did not agree to the wedding, tried to barge into their residence and attempt suicide.A senior police officer said: “It is a fact that both the MLA and the girl had a relationship. Girl’s parents complained that the MLA was in love with her for the past four years (even when she was a minor) while MLA claims that their affair was hardly four months old.”

 

Former union minister Dilip Ray, others convicted in Jharkhand coal block scam case

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-union-minister-dilip-ray-others-convicted-in-jharkhand-coal-block-scam-case/article32779911.ece?homepage=true

BHUBANESWAR:Former Union Minister Dilip Ray was convicted by a special CBI court in New Delhi in connection with the two-decade-old coal block allocation scam on Tuesday. Ray, then Union Minister of State for Coal, along with Pradip Kumar Banerjee, the then Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, and Nityanand Gautam, the then adviser (projects) Ministry of Coal, were convicted by the court in the case pertaining to allocation of 105.153 hectares of abandoned coal mining area in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The coal block was allotted to CTL in 1999.

 

Bashiruddin and Indrajit Teach at Madrasa, Hold Sit-in with Other Teachers for ‘Unpaid’ Central Grant

https://www.inclusiveindia.net/economic-inclusion/bashiruddin-and-indrajit-teach-at-madrasa-hold-sit-in-with-other-teachers-for-unpaid-central-grant/

New Delhi:Bashiruddin and Indrajit Kumar Madhesia teach modern subjects at different madrasas in Uttar Pradesh. On Monday, they held a daylong sit-in along with scores of teachers in Delhi. They claimed that they have not got the central government share of their salary for the past 50 months. They said they have been getting state government grant on time.For couple of years, these teachers who teach modern subjects like Maths, Science, English etc. at madrasas have been holding sit-in at Jantar Mantar in the National Capital to press for release of their central due but have not yet got success. Scores of such madrasa teachers from UP observed a daylong sit-in under banner of their union Madrasa Aadhunikikaran Shikshak Ekta Samiti (Regd) in Delhi on Monday.Inclusive India In a press hand-out, the organizers claimed: “Madrasa modern subject teachers, working under HRD Ministry-run madrasa modernization project (SPEMM/SPQEM since 1993), have not got their payment from the central government for the past 50 months. Consequently, these teachers are suffering through serious financial crisis.”

 

 Mumbai Masjid Bunder fire yet to be doused even after 40 hours

https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/mumbai-masjid-bunder-fire-yet-to-be-doused-even-after-40-hours-7114501.htm

Over 40 hours after a fire broke out at a commercial building in a cutlery market in south Mumbai, efforts were still on to douse the flames, officials said on Tuesday. Two fire brigade personnel were injured on Monday during the operation. They were rushed to hospital and later discharged after treatment.The fire broke out around 4.30 pm on Sunday in the ground-plus-three-storey structure, located near Juma mosque in Masjid Bunder area, the officials said. It was initially tagged as a ’level-3’ (major) fire, but later escalated to ’level-4’ (massive), they said. The cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained, he said. PTI

 

*CORONAVIRUS-LOCKDOWN*

 

 

Festive events to be permitted only outside containment zones; Health Ministry issues SOPs

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/festive-events-to-be-permitted-only-outside-containment-zones-health-ministry-issues-sops-6705468/

With the festive season posing a major challenge during COVID-19 pandemic, Union Health Ministry has issued guidelines for large gatherings, including ensuring adequate area for events with a detailed site map and proper markings to maintain social distancing and not allowing touching of idols and holy books, to prevent the spread of infection.Festive events shall be permitted only outside the containment zones, while people residing in the restricted areas may be encouraged to observe all festivals inside their homes and not move out, according to the ministry.Releasing ‘SOPs, the ministry said that the period from October to December witnesses large gatherings for religious worship, fairs, cultural functions, processions, etc, and it is important that necessary preventive measures are followed for such events which may last a day, a week or more.As far as feasible recorded devotional music/songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed, the SOPs stated.In the case of rallies and immersion processions, the number of people should not exceed the prescribed limit and proper physical distancing and wearing of masks must be ensured.Events such as rallies, and processions spread over long distances may require the support of ambulance services, it underscored.PTI

 

From chyawanprash to ashwagandha: Centre releases standard ayurvedic protocol for Covid-19 management

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/from-chyawanprash-to-ashwagandha-centre-release-standard-ayurvedic-protocol-for-covid-19-management-1728938-2020-10-06

Centre on Tuesday released a standard protocol for the management of Covid-19 symptoms through ayurveda and yoga. National Clinical Management Protocol, released by the Union health ministry and the Ayush Ministry, is aimed at bringing uniformity in Covid-19 management through traditional methods, the government said in a statement."Experience from Covid-19 response activities as reported from different parts of the country have shown that ayurveda and yoga can play a pivotal role to augment the standard preventive measures for Covid-19," the official statement said.The protocol, devised on the basis of recommendations of an interdisciplinary ayush research and development task force, suggests remedies to manage Covid-19 symptoms like sore throat, fatigue, breathlessness, hypoxia, fever, headache, etc. Some of the herbs and mixtures recommended in the protocol are ashwagandha, chyawanprash, nagaradi kashaya, sitopaladi churna, vyoshadi vati, etc. All the recommended medicines and herbs are to be taken as prescribed by the ayurvedic practictoner.The protocol also includes a yoga routine that ayush practitioners can prescribe to their patients to help build their immunity and improve respiratory functions.

 

MP: Nod for 100 people at a time in religious places

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/mp-nod-for-100-people-at-a-time-in-religious-places/articleshow/78490282.cms

BHOPAL: Now, 100 persons are allowed to assemble at a place of worship at one time. Earlier, when shrines opened for worship after the prolonged lockdown, all religious places allowed only five persons at a time. The number can further go up to 200 from October 15.“The rule is not rational. It is same for Tajul Masjid where one lakh people can offer namaz at a time and same for small mosques as well. The smaller mosques are getting overcrowded. On the other hand, bigger mosques like Moti Masjid or Tajul Masjid remain largely empty,” said Mujeeb, who is offering namaz at home nowadays. Secretary of the Masjid Committee, Yasir Arafat, said that the committee has written to all imams and muajjins to allow only 100 people for namaz at a time.

 

Allahabad HC Allows Religious Congregation At Imambada Masjid Meer In Varanasi

https://www.news18.com/news/india/hc-allows-religious-congregation-at-imambada-masjid-meer-in-varanasi-2935991.html

Allahabad High Court on Monday allowed a petition seeking permission for a religious gathering at an Imambada in Varanasi, saying local police will not create any hindrance and the organisers will ensure compliance of COVID-19 guidelines. A bench comprising justices SK Gupta and Pankaj Bhatia passed the order on a petition filed by Waqf Imambada Masjid Meer Imam Ali Mehdi Begum. The petitioner had claimed that the district authorities had permitted Majlis, to be held from Sept.30 to Oct.9, at the Imambada but the police were not allowing it. PTI

 

India’s service sector contracted for seventh straight month in September, says survey

https://scroll.in/latest/975082/indias-service-sector-contracted-for-seventh-straight-month-in-september-says-survey

Indian service sector output contracted in September for the seventh successive month amid the coronavirus pandemic, PTI reported. This led to more job losses, though the contraction was lesser than in previous months, according to the IHS Markit India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index.The seasonally adjusted India Services Business Activity Index rose for the fifth straight month in September to 49.8 from 41.8 in August. However, the service sector contracted because a number above 50 means expansion and a score below that denotes contraction.

 

 

1,571 tonnes of food grains wasted between April and September due to COVID-19 lockdown

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/1571-tonnes-of-food-grains-wasted-between-april-and-september-due-to-covid-19-lockdown

At least 1,571 tonnes of food grains got damaged between April and September, at a time when the country was reeling from hunger, starvation and the job losses, as a result of the strict lockdown imposed by the Central government from March 24. According to data released by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, no food grains were damaged in the months of March and April. In May, 26 tonnes of food grains (rice, wheat, coarse grains) got ruined, but in June, 1,453 tonnes of grains were damaged. In July and August there was wastage of 41 and 51 tonnes respectively. Between April and July, there were around 250 documented deaths due to starvation, distress and exhaustion.

 

Single-day spike of 61,267 COVID:19 infections, 884 fatalities: Health Ministry

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/health/single-day-spike-of-61267-covid19-infections-884-fatalities-health-ministry

The daily spike in coronavirus infections dropped below 65,000 on Tuesday and the total recoveries surpassed 56 lakh pushing the recovery rate to 84.70 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry.However, the COVID-19 caseload rose to 66,85,082 with 61,267 new infections, the data updated at 8 am showed. The death toll climbed to 1,03,569 with 884 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data showed.The total recoveries have surged to 56,62,490 while there are 9,19,023 active cases of the coronavirus in the country which comprises 13.75 per cent of the total caseload.The fatality rate due to the coronavirus infection was recorded at 1.55 per cent.PTI

 

Covid: New coronavirus can last 9 hours on skin; breathing with mask does not alter oxygen level

https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/covid-19-new-coronavirus-hours-skin-updates-1728764-2020-10-06

New Delhi:The new coronavirus can survive many hours on human skin if left undisturbed, a new study has found.Though studies have shown that Covid-19 transmission largely occurs via aerosols and droplets, the authors of the new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases said, "Proper hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections."To avoid possibly infecting healthy volunteers, researchers conducted lab experiments using cadaver skin that would otherwise have been used for skin grafts. While influenza A virus survived less than two hours on human skin, the novel coronavirus survived for more than nine hours. Both were completely inactivated within 15 seconds by hand sanitizer containing 80 per cent alcohol.

 

UK misplaces data on nearly 16,000 coronavirus cases as 'excel didn't have enough columns'

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/uk-misplaces-nearly-16000-coronavirus-cases-data-as-excel-didn-t-have-enough-columns-1728763-2020-10-06

Public Health England lost data on close to 16,000 coronavirus cases as the Excel spreadsheet did not have enough columns as it reached its maximum file size. While the technical issue has been resolved, it has led to the UK misplacing data on 15,841 coronavirus cases in the government system.Some 15,841 coronavirus cases that were reported between September 25 and October 2 have not been tabulated on the government's national track record and trace system.

 

*WORLD*

 

 

‘Stop stigmatising us’, French Muslims tell President Macron

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/6/french-muslims

Paris; In a divisive speech last Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined proposals on how to challenge what he called “Islamist separatism”.“Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today, we are not just seeing this in our country,” Macron said during a nearly two hour speech in the northwest Paris suburb of Les Mureaux.Muslims across the world responded with anger, with many viewing the speech, which was centred around protecting the ideal of French secularism, as an attempt to pander to the far right.The proposal, which will be formally presented as a bill in December, expands on a 1905 law that officially separated religion from the state.It would, among other things, let the state monitor international funding coming into French mosques, limit homeschooling in order to prevent Muslim schools run by what Macron called “religious extremists”, and create a special certificate programme for French imams.

 

Turkey calls on France to backtrack on anti-Muslim bill

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-turkey-calls-on-france-to-backtrack-on-anti-muslim-bill/

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticised a draft bill submitted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the pretext of creating what he called an “Islam of the Enlightenment”. The controversial bill, said the ministry, will only fuel growing xenophobia, racism, discrimination and Islamophobia.“It is nobody’s business to subject our exalted religion, whose name means peace, to false and distorted ideas in the guise of trying to enlighten it,” said the ministry. “We think that the mentality that forms the basis of this bill will lead to dire consequences rather than bringing solutions to France’s problems” It added that states do not have the right to determine religious services and the interpretation embraced by the faithful through the law.

 

Macrons anti-Islam remark against principals of French Revolution, says Brotherhood leader

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-macrons-anti-islam-remark-against-principals-of-french-revolution-says-brotherhood-leader/

Emmanuel Macron has been sharply criticised by the Deputy General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Ibrahim Munir, after the French president announced a law against religious “separatism” aimed at freeing Islam in France from “foreign influences”. 42-year-old, who faces a tough bid for re-election against stiff opposition from the far-right, sparked controversy with remarks that appeared to condemn Islam and Muslims in general.“Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today, we are not just seeing this in our country,” the French president said over the weekend in a speech introducing a new bill to strengthen France’s state ideology of militant secularism, known as Laicite.With the French Republic struggling to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Macron’s comments were widely condemned over their timing and divisive message. In his condemnation of Macron, Munir, who expressed dismay that “such utterances would come from the lips of a President of France,” accused Macron of mischaracterising the Muslim Brotherhood and turning his back on the values and principals of the French Revolution.

 

Nearly half of young Arabs have considered emigration, survey finds

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-nearly-half-of-young-arabs-have-considered-emigration-survey-finds/

More than 40 per cent of the region’s 200 million Arab youths are either actively considering or have considered emigrating to another country, this year’s Arab Youth Survey has found.The survey, which is commissioned by Dubai communications agency Asda’a Burson Cohn & Wolfe, found that 47 per cent of young people in North Africa had considered emigration, with that figure rising to 63 per cent among youths living in the Levant, of which half said they wanted to leave permanently.The highest recorded desire to emigrate was in Lebanon, where 77 per cent of respondents said they had considered leaving the crisis-stricken state, followed by Libya, Yemen and Iraq, each of which recorded between 65 and 69 per cent of youths wanting to leave.

 

Canada suspends arms exports to Turkey over Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-canada-suspends-arms-exports-to-turkey-over-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict/

Canada has suspended arms export permits to Turkey over concerns that it is using its technology in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.“In line with Canada’s robust export control regime and due to the ongoing hostilities,” announced Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, “I have suspended the relevant export permits to Turkey, so as to allow time to further assess the situation.”

 

Azerbaijan denies Syria fighters deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-azerbaijan-denies-syria-fighters-deployed-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/

A senior Azeri official denied reports that Syrian fighters had been fighting alongside Azerbaijan’s forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.In an interview with RT, assistant of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev described the allegations as “fake”, explaining that the deployment of Syrian fighters in the region would have been an “illogical” step because the Azeri forces have more knowledge of the terrain and are more prepared for mountain warfare.

 

Arab states try to undermine Fatah-Hamas reconciliation

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-arab-states-try-to-undermine-fatah-hamas-reconciliation/ 

Four Arab states reject Palestinian reconciliation and have put pressure on Fatah to backtrack on its pledges, New Khalij news website revealed on Monday.Citing informed sources, the site said that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are supporting Egyptian and Jordanian efforts to undermine the understandings between the rival Fatah and Hamas movements agreed in Istanbul. According to the sources, who spoke to Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper, the Palestinian Authority’s slowdown in implementing the agreed measures was a result of this pressure.

 

Former Saudi intelligence chief slams PA criticism of UAE-Israel deal

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-former-saudi-intelligence-chief-slams-pa-criticism-of-uae-israel-deal/

The former head of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence agency, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, has condemned Palestinian Authority for its criticism of normalisation deals with Israel, saying that Palestinian leaders have always been “failures”. The prince made his comments in an interview with Saudi news channel Al-Arabiya which was aired yesterday.He called the PA’s condemnation of the UAE’s recent signing of a peace deal with Israel a “transgression” and a “reprehensible discourse”. The prince added: “The Palestinian cause is a just cause but its advocates are failures, and the Israeli cause is unjust but its advocates have proven to be successful. That sums up the events of the last 70 or 75 years.”

 

Hamas ready for reform of Palestinian institutions under PLO

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-hamas-ready-for-reform-of-palestinian-institutions-under-plo/

Islamic Resistance Movement — Hamas — has revealed that it has agreed with Fatah and other Palestinian factions to hold elections across the occupied Palestinian territories in order to rearrange the institutions under the PLO umbrella as the sole representative of the people.“There are duties that we must carry out in order to unite the Palestinian institutions and give a real hope for the Palestinians,” Hamas Political Bureau member Hussam Badran told Palestine Voice. He stressed that the Palestinians alone will choose their leadership and political programme.According to Badran, the meetings between Hamas and Fatah are not a substitute for meetings with other Palestinian factions. He pointed out that Hamas has contacted the other factions at home and abroad regarding all Palestinian issues.

 

US envoy to Israel: Biden win bad for the Middle East

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-us-envoy-to-israel-biden-win-bad-for-the-middle-east/

If Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, wins November’s US presidential election, he could undermine Washington’s efforts to confront Iran, US envoy to Israel David Friedman warned.“As you know, Joe Biden was part of the Obama administration that negotiated and implemented the Iran deal, something that President Trump – and I share his view – thinks was the worst international deal the US has ever entered into,” Friedman told the UAE’s Al- Ain news site.

 

Israel army recruits ex-intelligence officers to spy on Arab Israelis

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-israel-army-recruits-ex-intelligence-officers-to-spy-on-arab-israelis/

Israeli army is recruiting former intelligence officers from the Shin Bet to spy on Palestinians living in Israel under the pretext of combating the coronavirus, Israel’s Walla news site revealed.The site quoted senior sources in the Home Front Command as saying that the army has contacted former officers in the Shabak, who are known for their knowledge of Arabs living in Israel, and asked them to join a new “security body” tasked with tracking coronavirus infections.A former army officer, who had been contacted by the army, told the news site that while the official aim of the new “security body” is to help obtain information about coronavirus infections within the Palestinian community in Israel, he fears the new body has greater plans for the future.

 

Amnesty calls on Saudi King to release Hamas official from prison

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-amnesty-calls-on-saudi-king-to-release-hamas-official-from-prison/

Amnesty International has once again called Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to secure the release of former Hamas official Dr Muhammad Al-Khodari from prison. In a series of tweets in Arabic, Amnesty called for the Saudi King to “immediately” release 81-year-old Al-Khodari and his son Hani “without a restriction or a condition”, noting they “have been detained for more than a year in Saudi Arabia.” The rights group added: “During their detention, Dr Muhammad al-Khodari and his son Hani al-Khodari were subjected to grave violations of their human rights, including forced disappearance, arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention.”

 

Israel founders were ‘thieves’, Israeli historian says

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-israel-founders-were-thieves-israeli-historian-says/

Early Jewish settlers in Palestine “looted Arab property”, a new book by an Israeli historian has said, adding “authorities turned a blind eye”.In what has been described as the “first-ever comprehensive study” by Israeli historian Adam Raz described “the extent to which Jews looted Arab property” during the Jewish gangs’ attack in 1948 on Palestinians and their homes, and explains why Ben-Gurion said “most of the Jews are thieves.”Writing in Haaretz, Ofer Aderet’s review of Raz’s book was entitled: “Jewish soldiers and civilians looted Arab neighbors’ property en masse in ’48. The authorities turned a blind eye.”

 

Despite protests, thousands of Egyptians still face house demolitions

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201006-despite-protests-thousands-of-egyptians-still-face-house-demolitions/

Despite the ongoing protests in Egypt in part against the government’s widespread house demolitions, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians are still at risk of being made homeless.The government has stipulated residents must pay a down payment for reconciliation if their houses are constructed “illegally”, to prevent them from being demolished under the Reconciliation Law on Building Violations.They say it is part of a crackdown on illegal buildings that violate safety standards, whilst critics accuse them of raising funds and being part of a plan to gentrify the country.

 

 

Kyrgyzstan protesters seize gov’t house, free ex-leader Atambayev

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/6/protesters-release-ex-kyrgyz-president-atambayev-from-jail

Protesters seized Kyrgyzstan’s seat of government and freed a jailed former president on Tuesday after demonstrations against an election marred by vote-buying accusations spiralled into violent clashes with police.Opposition supporters hit the streets of the capital Bishkek the previous evening to demand the resignation of pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and a rerun of Sunday’s poll.Police used water cannon, stun grenades and tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to force their way through the gates of the building that houses the former Soviet republic’s parliament and presidential offices.Photos published by Radio Free Europe later showed protesters strolling around the building unhindered.A crowd of about 2,000 people then forced their way into the nearby National Security Committee building, where former President Almazbek Atambayev was jailed.

 

Hundreds take to Algiers streets despite ban on protests

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/5/hundreds-protest-in-algiers-despite-ban-on-gatherings

Hundreds of demonstrators have marched in the Algerian capital, Algiers, to mark the 32nd anniversary of a pro-democracy movement and renew calls for political change.The rally on Monday came just two days before beginning of campaigning for a November 1 referendum on a new constitution that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has insisted will usher in a new for the North African country.Protests first erupted in cities across the country in February 2019 to reject former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to seek a fifth term in office. The demonstrations intensified even after the wheelchair-bound octogenarian leader resigned in April last year under pressure by the powerful military, demanding the departure of the entire state apparatus, widely seen as inept and corrupt.

 

 

2020 Nobel Prize in Physics Jointly Awarded to British-German-US Trio for Black Hole Research

https://www.news18.com/news/world/2020-nobel-prize-in-physics-jointly-awarded-to-roger-penrose-reinhard-genzel-and-andrea-ghez-2937715.html

Roger Penrose of Britain, Reinhard Genzel of Germany and Andrea Ghez of the US won Nobel Physics Prize on Tuesday for their research into black holes, Nobel jury said. The physicists were selected "for their discoveries about one of the most exotic phenomena in the universe, the black hole," Nobel Committee said.Penrose, 89, was honoured for showing "that the general theory of relativity leads to the formation of black holes", while Genzel, 68, and Ghez, 55, were jointly awarded for discovering "that an invisible and extremely heavy object governs the orbits of stars at the centre of our galaxy," the jury said.Andrea Ghez is just the fourth woman to receive the physics prize since 1901 when the first Nobel prizes were handed out.AFP

 

Beirut explosion among most powerful non-nuclear blasts in history: Study

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/beirut-explosion-among-most-powerful-non-nuclear-blasts-in-history-study-654585

The explosion that happened in August in the Port of Beirut was one of the most powerful non-nuclear blasts in history - releasing enough energy in a matter of milliseconds to power over 100 homes for a year - according to a new assessment of the disaster in the Lebanese capital by researchers.The researchers from the University of Sheffield in UK hope that the new assessment can be used to provide policymakers and the public with more accurate information on the blast, as well as help first responders prepare for future disasters and save lives.PTI

 

Pakistan ex-president charged for corruption, ex-pm with sedition

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/6/pakistan-officially-charges-ex-president-zardari-for-graft

A Pakistani court has formally charged former President Asif Ali Zardari in two corruption cases, while a provincial government has admitted a case of sedition against three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and 40 others, including the premier of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.The cases against these high-profile names come as Zardari’s PPP and Sharif’s PML-N party prepare for a large anti-government rally targeting Prime Minister Imran Khan.

 

Pak Jamaat Islami Vice-President Abdul Ghaffar Aziz passes away

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/725316-ji-leader-buried

LAHORE:Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan's Vice President and director foreign affairs Abdul Ghaffar Aziz died was buried in Iqbal Town graveyard here on Monday.  He was 59. He left behind a widow, 2 sons and 2 daughters. His elder brother Professor Habib-ur-Rahman led the funeral at Mansoora which was participated by Pak Jamaat ameer Senator Sirajul Haq, other leaders and thousands of people from different walks of life. Late Aziz served as Director JI foreign affairs department for over 2 decades and earned great respect among the Islamic movements of the world. He was well versed in different languages including Arabic, Persian, etc. and hailed from a highly educated and respected family. He had been battling cancer for the past year. Leaders of different Islamic movements also shared condolence messages on demise of Aziz, terming his death a huge loss to Muslim world.

 

*OP-ED*

 

Babri Masjid conspiracy case: How the demolition trial progressed over the years: Manish Sahu, indianexpress

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/babri-mosque-demolition-1992-ayodhya-conspiracy-verdict-advani-6637402/

 

Taking BJP on Hathras easy for Rahul, Mayawati, Akhilesh. But on Babri case, they won’t talk:Ruhi Tewari, theprint

https://theprint.in/opinion/politricks/taking-bjp-on-hathras-easy-for-rahul-mayawati-akhilesh-but-silence-on-babri/517414/

 

Against JD(U), yet with BJP: making sense of LJP strategy ahead of Bihar elections:Liz Mathew , Dipankar Ghose

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-bihar-elections-making-sense-of-ljp-strategy-6704414/

 

The closure in Babri Masjid case should be an occasion for Muslims and Hindus to imbibe and rejuvenate secular values:Khalid Alvi

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/babri-masjid-demolotion-ayodhya-6704249/

 

Muharram 2020: What My Karbala Pilgrimage Taught Me About ‘Sabr’:Rana Safvi

https://www.thequint.com/voices/blogs/muharram-2020-history-of-karbala-arbaeen-pilgrimage-shia-muslims-grief-loss-forbearance

 

TV News is Turning Toxic By the Day, What Are Brands Doing?Kabir Upmanyu

https://www.thequint.com/news/india/television-news-channels-turning-toxic-what-should-brands-advertisers-do

 

PM Modi has worked for Muslim community, while breaking sway of vote bank politics:Amin Pathan, head Dargah Khwaja Committee, Ajmer, indian express

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pm-narendra-modi-muslim-community-india-vote-bank-politics-bjp-govt-6704400/

 

Strange Logic the CBI Court in Babri Case Used While Demolishing Edifice of Indian Democracy:Apoorvanand

https://thewire.in/communalism/cbi-court-sk-yadav-babri-masjid-demolition-verdict

 

'Zabardasti': Transcript of Videos Shows Hathras Woman Spoke of Rape From Day One:The Wire Analysis

https://thewire.in/women/zabardasti-transcript-of-videos-show-hathras-woman-spoke-of-rape-from-day-one

 

Like Una and Rohith Vemula, BJP govt will come after Hathras protesters: Jignesh Mevani

https://theprint.in/opinion/like-una-and-rohith-vemula-bjp-govt-will-come-after-hathras-protesters-jignesh-mevani/517557/

 

Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq