HEADLINES 

·        Opposition Parties, various unions to Join Farmer's Bharat Bandh Tomorrow

·        Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Condemns ED Raids On PFI Offices, Says Raids Were Staged To Divert Attention From Farmers’ Agitation

·        Families of accused claim misuse of UP's anti-love jihad law

·        Indian begins internal review of Pfizer and Serum Covid vaccines, focus on safety & quality

·        Satellite-Controlled Gun Used To Kill Iranian Nuclear Scientist: Report

·        Israel, US dealing with 'aliens': Prominent Israeli scientist

·        Muslim Brotherhood does not rule out change in Egypt, region with Biden administration

 

INDIA

 

Opposition Parties, various unions to Join Farmer's Bharat Bandh Tomorrow

Bharat Bandh called by the famers unions on Tuesday to protest the Centre’s new farm laws will be joined by Opposition parties like Congress, NCP, AAP, TRS, DMK, Samajwadi Party, Left Front among others.Delhi CMArvind Kejriwal said that all AAP workers across the country will support the nationwide strike and appealed to all citizens to support the farmers. Many transport unions in Delhi have announced to partake in the strike, but a few unions have said that though they support the farmers’ cause, they will not take part in the Bandh on Tuesday. Ahead of Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh, protesting farmers at Delhi’s Singhu border have appealed for peace, and clarified that no shops and establishments will be forcibly closed on account of the Bandh. “There will be complete ‘Bharat bandh’ till 3 pm Tuesday, but emergency services will be allowed,” farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told reporters. Rajewal reiterated the farmers’ stand, saying they will not accept anything less than the withdrawal of the three new farm laws by the Centre. "Tomorrow's Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest. We will begin at 11 am so everyone can reach office on time... Services such as ambulance, even weddings, can go on. People can show their card and leave," Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said.

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-auto-taxi-unions-in-delhi-to-join-bharat-bandh-on-tuesday/366457

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bharat-bandh-live-updates-farmers-protest-bjp-opposition-narendra-singh-tomar-7094654/

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bharat-bandh-live-updates-farmers-protest-bjp-opposition-narendra-singh-tomar-7094654/

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bharat-bandh-tomorrow-bharat-bandh-from-11-am-3-pm-peaceful-protest-say-farmers-10-points-2335251?pfrom=home-ndtv_bigstory

 

Ahead of ‘Bharat Bandh’, Centre issues advisory to States:  tighten security, ensure peace

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories that no untoward incident should occur during the all-India strike called by farmers’ union on Tuesday. MHA has asked States to maintain peace and tranquility and ensure that all COVID-19 guidelines are strictly followed.An MHA official said additional security personnel have been deployed across the national capital.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ahead-of-bharat-bandh-centre-asks-states-to-tighten-security-ensure-peace/article33271090.ece?homepage=true

 

 

Farmers protest: Athletes march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan to return awards, halted midway

Led by two-time Asian Games gold-winning former wrestler Kartar Singh, a few sportspersons from Punjab on Monday marched towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan to return "35 national sports awards" in a show of solidarity with farmers agitating against new agriculture laws but were stopped midway by the police.Kartar, who was presented the Arjuna award in 1982 and Padma Shri in 1987, was accompanied by Olympic gold-winning former hockey player Gurmail Singh and former women's hockey captain Rajbir Kaur among others. While Gurmail is a 2014 Dhyanchand awardee, Rajbir was bestowed the Arjuna in 1984.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/farmers-protest-athletes-march-towards-rashtrapati-bhavan-to-return-awards-halted-midway

 

 

Akhilesh Yadav detained in Lucknow after he sits on dharna to protest farm laws

Former UP CM and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday was detained and bundled into a police van after he sat on a dharna against the three new farm bills. Yadav, who was to take part in a ‘Kissan Yatra’ today, staged a sit-in protest outside his residence in Lucknow after Uttar Pradesh Police sealed a road near the Samajwadi Party office ahead of his Kannauj rally, PTI reported.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/akhilesh-yadav-farmer-protest-kisan-yatra-7095089/

 

Dilli Chalo | Delhi CM Kejriwal reaches Singhu border to review arrangements for farmers’ protest

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday morning reached the Singhu border nestled between the Capital and Haryana with members of his Cabinet. He claimed that the Delhi government had to “fend off pressure” from several quarters to ensure that a “plan” to “end the agitation” by lodging agitating farmers at Delhi stadiums did not materialise.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/dilli-chalo-kejriwal-reaches-singhu-border-to-review-arrangements-for-farmers-protest/article33268011.ece?homepage=true

 

 

Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana backs farmers’ call for Bharat Bandh on Dec 8, urges all to abstain from work

Chandigarh :Backing the farmer’s call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on December 8, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana requested all the advocates of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, including the advocates at Punjab and Haryana High Court, to abstain from work on Tuesday.Chairman of Bar Council, Karanjit Singh said that a request letter has also been sent to the Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman and the chaimans of all the state bar councils across India to support the farmers’ call of Bharat Bandh on December 8 by abstaining from work.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/state-bar-council-backs-farmers-call-for-bharat-bandh-on-dec-8-urges-all-to-abstain-from-work-7094918/

 

Need Reforms For Development, Old Laws A Burden: PM Amid Farmer Protests

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that reforms are needed for development, and said some laws of the past century have become a "burden" in the current times.The government believes in all-round holistic reforms, he stressed after inaugurating the construction of the Agra Metro project via video conferencing."Reforms are needed for development. Some laws which used to be good in the past century, have become a burden in the present century," he said.His remarks came in the backdrop of ongoing protests by farmers against three new farm laws.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/reforms-needed-for-development-says-prime-minister-narendra-modi-2335253?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

 

Bharat Bandh-like protest could see repeat of 2017 Mandsaur when 6 farmers died — RSS affiliate

New Delhi: Blaming agriculture ministry for failing to communicate with farmers, RSS affiliate Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has warned that the agitation could turn into a Mandsaur-like situation, which had resulted in six farmers being killed in 2017. The organisation has decided not to be part of the Bharat Bandh (strike) called by farmers unions but has supported the concerns raised by the protesting farmers, especially that of MSP being guaranteed in the open market too.RSS-affiliated farmer body has demanded a fourth law that will ensure MSP is made a legal entity and is also applicable to the open market.BKS general secretary Badri Narayan Choudhary said the agriculture ministry is to be blamed for its lack of dialogue with the farmers, due to which the situation has spiralled.

https://theprint.in/india/bharat-bandh-like-protest-could-see-repeat-of-2017-mandsaur-when-6-farmers-died-rss-affiliate/562211/

Farmers came out on the roads because Modi government tried to suppress their voice: Rajasthan CM Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who never misses an opportunity to take on NDA government at the Centre, has taken a strong stand in favour of the farmers protesting against the three farm laws. He has supported the call for Bharat Bandh on December 8 and the views of Rahul Gandhi on the farmers’ issue.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/farmers-came-out-on-the-roads-because-modi-government-tried-to-suppress-their-voice-rajasthan-cm-ashok-gehlot

 

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Condemns ED Raids On PFI Offices, Says Raids Were Staged To Divert Attention From Farmers’ Agitation

New Delhi:Strongly condemning the Enforcement Directorate’s raids on the offices of PFI and the residence of their leaders last Wednesday, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has said that “the timings of the raids raise a suspicion that it has been orchestrated to divert attention of the public from ongoing farmers’ agitation”.Stating that the “raids on PFI offices amount to violation of the standard operating procedure of the department”, JIH Vice-President Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer alleged that “the government is misusing the agencies in an undemocratic manner to silence the dissenting voices”.“It is disappointing to see agencies like ED being misused to create an atmosphere of fear and to silence the voices of dissent”, he alleged. The JIH leader said, “this undemocratic action is being carried out against individuals, groups and NGOs who disagree and criticize the policies of the government”. Pointing out that “the recent raids of ED on the offices of PFI throughout the country are highly condemnable”, he advised the government “to desist from such vindictive actions which would add to the trust-deficit between the govt and the community”. Expressing concern over the raids, he said, “The govt is being increasingly seen as anti-citizen. The govt’s attitude towards various organisations and individuals is very much detrimental to the spirit of the Constitution”.

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/12/07/jamaat-e-islami-hind-condemns-ed-raids-on-pfi-offices-says-raids-were-staged-to-divert-attention-from-farmers-agitation/

 

 

ED acting as RSS tool, says Popular Front, Jamaat Islami Hind condemns raids on Front

New Delhi: Popular Front of India, National Executive Council on  Sunday deplored the recent searches and raids in different parts of the country, in its  offices and leaders residences  by  ED. It said the raids showed that ED is acting as a ‘tool of RSS and not as an impartial official agency”. It stated that the people of India know that the witch-hunt against PFI is only because of its uncompromising stand against the anti-people ideology of RSS. PFI said, “PFI is a people’s organization focusing on empowerment of the marginalized Indian Muslim community. As an organization depending on public donations, it has been obliging to the Government rules and regulations as regards financial transactions. It is evident from the selective misuse of ED that it has turned to be an agency meant for silencing and suppressing the voices against the divisive and communal agenda of RSS and its political wing BJP.”Meanwhile,  Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, one of the largest Muslim group, condemned the ED’s raids on the offices of PFI.MuslimMirror 

http://muslimmirror.com/eng/ed-acting-as-rss-tool-says-popular-front-jamaat-islami-condemns-raids-on-front/

 

‘Derogatory’ remark against Sufi saint: SC refuses to quash FIRs against journalist Amish Devgan

New Delhi :The Supreme Court on Monday refused to quash multiple FIR’s filed against journalist Amish Devgan in different states for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his remarks on Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti on his show on June 15. A bench of justices AM Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna transferred all FIRs lodged in different states including Maharashtra, UPand Telangana against Devgan to Ajmer in Rajasthan. The SC, however, said Devgan will get protection from any coercive action if he continues to cooperate with the probe.A total of 7 FIR’s have been filed against Devgan over his alleged derogatory remarks. These FIRs were filed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra & Telangana.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-declines-to-quash-firs-against-amish-devgan-7095019/

 

SC refuses to entertain Republic TV’s plea seeking protection for employees in cases lodged in Maharashtra

The Supreme Court Monday refused to entertain a plea filed by ARG Outlier Media Private Limited, which owns Republic Media network, seeking protection for the group and its employees in the cases lodged against them in Maharashtra. The matter came up for hearing before a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud which said that prayers in the petition were “all ambitious”. “This petition is ambitious in nature. You want Maharashtra police not to arrest any employee and transfer the cases to CBI. You better withdraw this,” Justice Chandrachud told senior advocate Milind Sathe, who appeared for ARG Outlier Media.PTI

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-refuses-to-entertain-republic-tvs-plea-seeking-protection-for-employees-in-cases-lodged-in-maharashtra-7095147/

 

PUCL condemns police for arresting activists demanding justice to Babri masjid demolition accused 

 New Delhi:  Describing 6th December as  one of the ‘blackest’ day in the post independence  history  of India,  rights group PUCL,Delhi, on Sunday condemned Delhi Police for arresting activists who were demanding punishment to  culprits   of Babri Masjid demolition. PUCL said on this day the anti-social and unruly mobs supported by the Sangh Pariwar had demolished 500 years old Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in UP in violation of Supreme Court order.MuslimMirror

http://muslimmirror.com/eng/pucl-delhi-condemns-police-for-arresting-activists-demanding-justice-to-babri-masjid-demolition-accused/

 

Blueprint for Ayodhya's Dhannipur mosque ready; 2,000 people will be able to offer namaz at once

The basic blueprint of the mosque in Ayodhya's Dhannipur is ready and around 2,000 people will be able to offer namaz once when it is completed.According to a report by India Today, the Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust has designed the blueprint for the new mosque which will be built on the land given to the Sunni Waqf Board in lieu of the demolished shrine.The Trust had given the responsibility of designing the mosque, a hospital, an Indo-Islamic research centre, and a community kitchen on this land to Jamia Millia Islamia's Professor S.M. Akhtar who is the chairman of the department of architecture.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/blueprint-for-ayodhyas-dhannipur-mosque-ready-2000-people-will-be-able-to-offer-namaz-at-once

 

No bail for riot accused, Delhi court says role clear

NEW DELHI: Stating he was part of an unlawful assembly, a Delhi court denied bail to a riot accused even though he had cited that he was quite young and had familial responsibilities.Additional sessions judge Amitabh Rawat dismissed the bail plea of one Mehfooz Raza, observing that he had not only actively participated in the rioting, but also the actions of other accused clearly illustrated his role in the unlawful assembly.Raza’s counsel argued that his client was framed in the case after the main culprit fled from the spot after the riots despite the fact that he was neither a member of the unlawful assembly nor did he participate in any illegal act.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/no-bail-for-riot-accused-court-says-role-clear/articleshow/79598129.cms

 

Naqvi's claim of setting up Waqf boards in J&K, Ladakh a miscarriage of facts: NC

National Conference Sunday said the statement of BJP leader and Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi that Waqaf boards would be established in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since independence was a miscarriage of facts and history and reflective of his sheer ignorance on the subject matter.“Here is a person who holds no influence over Muslims of the country. He is supposed to represent Muslims in Modi government. Ironically, instead of representing the minorities in Modi government he is representing BJP before minorities,” NC’s additional spokeswoman Sarah Hayat Shah said.

https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/naqvis-claim-of-setting-up-waqf-boards-in-jk-ladakh-a-miscarriage-of-facts-nc/?utm_source=nyoooz&utm_medium=post

 

UP: Despite Consensual Marriage, Muslim Man, his bro Arrested Under New 'Love Jihad' Law

UP police arrested a man and his brother in Moradabad on Saturday under the new anti-conversion law after he tried to get his marriage to a Hindu woman registered.According to an NDTV report, at the marriage registration office in Moradabad’s Kanth area, members of Bajrang Dal prevented the three from proceeding with formalities outside the marriage registration office and took them to the local police station.In a video of the incident, which has been circulated on social media, men from the right-wing outfit can be seen surrounding 22-year-old woman inside the premises of the Kanth police station.“Show us the permission you have from the DM to convert your religion,” one of the men can be seen telling the woman.“Have you read the new law or not?” another man said and added, “Ye tum jaise logon ke liye banana pada hai (the law had to be made for people like you)”.The woman told reporters that her marriage to the man was consensual. “I am an adult, I am 22 years old. I got married of my own free will on 24th of July. This is the fifth month that we have been married,” the woman, who is from Bijnore, said and added that she had been friends with the man for two years.Regarding the woman’s claims that her marriage was consensual, the Kanth station house officer Ajay Gautam said, “all things will come out during probe” and added, “She will get an opportunity to say what she wants in court.”“We have arrested both men and will investigate the case thoroughly,” Vidya Sagar, a senior police official said.

https://thewire.in/rights/uttar-pradesh-love-jihad-arrest-muslim-man-consensual-marriage-bajrang-dal

 

Uttar Pradesh Police Arrest 10 Men Under New 'Love Jihad' Law

Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 10 men for allegedly compelling women to change their religion after getting married, using a new anti-conversion law popularly called the "Love Jihad" law, officials said on Monday.Four senior police officials said 10 men were arrested last week from different parts of Uttar Pradesh based on separate criminal complaints lodged by parents who alleged their daughters were abducted by Muslim men.

https://www.news18.com/news/india/uttar-pradesh-police-arrest-10-men-under-new-love-jihad-law-3154226.html

 

Families of accused claim misuse of UP's anti-love jihad law

Initial cases registered under the anti-'love jihad' law have come under scrutiny as families of those booked under the law have raised questions.On one side the victim's family is alleging that the girl was forced to convert while the accused, booked and in jail, have raised questions on the police action.Now, families of those booked under the law are claiming misuse.Tikaram, a resident of Sharif Nagar, Bareilly, lodged a complaint against a 21-year-old neighbor Uwais Ahmed for allegedly forcefully converting his daughter's religion. Based on Tikaram's complaint, Ahmed was arrested 4 days later. Ahmed is the first accused arrested under the new law. Ahmed's family is claiming wrongdoing in this case and said the he was being trapped. The father of the accused, Rafiq and mother Munni said in 2019, the girl had run away on her own will, and the police had already filed a closure report after she was found. The girl had given in writing that she had no relation with Ahmed in the earlier case, but now the wrong case has been filed under the new law. At the same time, the girl's family is silent on this matter.

https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/lucknow/story/up-anti-love-jihad-law-misuse-1747269-2020-12-07

 

 

Law against “love jihad” during next session: Karnataka Minister

The anti-cow slaughter bill will be introduced during the ongoing winter session of the Karnataka legislature, while a law against “love jihad” will be taken up in the next session, State Revenue Minister R Ashoka said on Monday.“It has been decided at the government level to enact anti-cow slaughter legislation during this session. Cow is worshiped as god by farmers.. there is a special place for cows in Indian culture. To stop the killing of cows we are beginning this law in Karnataka,” Ashoka said. Leader of Opposition in Karnataka assembly Siddaramaiah has said that the Congress will oppose if the government tries to bring in legislation against “love jihad” and cow slaughter.PTI

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/law-against-love-jihad-during-next-session-karnataka-minister-7095420/

 

MP ‘love jihad’ law could have provisions of alimony and attaching accused’s property

Bhopal: In a bid to outdo other BJP-ruled states in introducing a stricter ‘love jihad’ law, the Madhya Pradesh government has said it will add provisions of attaching property of the accused and payment of maintenance to the victim in case of talaq (divorce).“Soon the ‘love jihad’ bill will come before the cabinet. We have added many provisions, which are not there in laws being enacted by other states. We will add attachment of property (of the accused), and, in case of talaq, maintenance has to be given. We are also contemplating whether a deserted person (alleged victim of ‘love jihad’) can get maintenance,” Home Minister Narottam Mishra told reporters.Besides the affected person, parents or blood relatives will be able to file a complaint. The offence will be cognizable, non-bailable and only sessions court will take up the case. Marriage with the intention of conversion will be held null and valid.The bill will provide jail term of between two to 10 years if the victim is minor, female or belongs to SC/ST community, and a fine of at least Rs 50,000. Attempts to hide one’s religion will be punished with a jail term of three to 10 years and a fine of at least Rs 50,000.Mass conversions (of 2 or more persons) will invite jail terms of five to 10 years, and a fine of at least Rs one lakh.The home minister, meanwhile, Sunday said organisations involved in conducting such marriages, those giving donations for such marriages and those receiving donations for it will have their registrations cancelled.He said priests, gurus and maulvis who conduct such marriages will also be punished. Advance intimation for all such marriages to the district magistrate is must under the proposed law.Mishra further said that some other measures are also under consideration because MP wants to make the most stringent law.

https://theprint.in/india/mp-love-jihad-law-could-have-provisions-of-alimony-and-attaching-accuseds-property/562138/

 

 

Assam Police examining Bajrang Dal leader’s threat over Christmas celebrations

The Assam police is studying the reported provocative speech allegedly made by a local Bajrang Dal leader threatening to beat up Hindus who will visit churches during the Christmas celebrations."No complaint was lodged about the alleged threat of Bajrang Dal appearing on different platforms. However, we are examining the matter carefully and with all seriousness," Cachar district SP Bhanwar Lal Meena told IANS on Sunday.A section of the media quoting Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli said that the district administration has asked the police to investigate the inflammatory speech reportedly made by a local Bajrang Dal leader intimidating to beat up Hindus visiting churches during Christmas festivities. Despite many attempts, Jalli did not receive the calls.Meanwhile, according to various social media, Cachar district (in southern Assam) in-charge of Bajrang Dal Mithun Nath, while addressing a meeting on December 3 was seen asking "no Hindus will be allowed to visit churches during Christmas".IANS

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/assam-police-examining-bajrang-dal-leaders-threat-over-christmas-celebrations

 

Fact-Finding Report: Bihar Police Favouring Alleged Killers of Gulnaz Khatoon

NEW DELHI: A fact-finding team of 5-member delegation of AIMMM, Bihar Chapter, visited the house of Gulnaz Khatoon in Vaishali’s Rasulpur Habib, Bihar on 18 Nov.and met her mother, Saimoona Khatoon and other family members. Gulnaz was burned after the accused poured kerosene over her in a heinous crime.

https://clarionindia.net/fact-finding-report-bihar-police-favouring-alleged-killers-of-gulnaz-khatoon/

 

Duping minorities: CBI probe into scholarship scam to start with Gaya FIR

Ranchi :CBI has initiated a preliminary inquiry into a pre-matric scholarship scam exposed by The Indian Express in a series of reports. Sources said the agency will start its investigation from Gaya, Bihar, where first FIR into the scam was registered after newspaper reported about a school there with fake beneficiaries. A team of CBI personnel is expected to visit Gaya on Dec. 8. “The agency will start its investigation from Manu Indian Public School where fake students got the scholarship money in the school’s name, as Indian Express reported… We will follow leads from there,” the source said. A preliminary enquiry (PE) is the first step by investigating agencies such as the CBI to assess ‘criminality’ in allegations made in a complaint — in this case, the Ministry of Minority Affairs. If the findings are found to be serious, the agency registers an FIR or else the PE is closed.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/scholarship-scam-duping-minorities-cbi-probe-to-start-with-gaya-fir-7094785/

 

Assam’s indigenous Muslims may soon get a development board

Assam’s minorities welfare minister Ranjit Dutta has said the proposal to create a development board for Goria, Moria, Deshi and Jolah Muslim communities could soon be sent to Cabinet for approval. People belonging to these communities are often referred to as indigenous Muslims of Assam. “After the creation of the board, a survey will be done to ascertain the number of people from these communities across the state,” Dutta told ET, adding that the proposal is being examined by the finance department. Assam’s finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that socio-economic census of indigenous Muslims will solve the problem of “identity” which the Assamese Muslim community has faced for long.ET

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/assams-indigenous-muslims-may-soon-get-a-development-board/articleshow/79596591.cms

 

 

MP: Man spends 5 months in prison for forwarding a WhatsApp post in support of Shaheen Bagh protest

A 25-year-old motorbike mechanic, sole breadwinner for a family of seven, spent five months behind bars for sharing a WhatsApp post in support of Shaheen Bagh in Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur district.Anwar was granted bail on November 26 and was finally released on Dec.1. “Tumne Dilli me ek goli mari, hamne MP me ek aur Shajapur Shaheen Bagh bana diya,” is a message Anwar had received as a ‘forwarded message’ in a WhatsApp group after anti-CAA, NRC protest broke out in the district which is 160-km away from the State capital, Bhopal. Later, he shared this forwarded template in his WhatsApp status. 2 days after he had put up this WhatsApp status, the police booked Anwar upon a complaint made by alleged Karni Sena leader Deelip Singh. Singh, a resident of Bayra of Shajapur district, complained against Anwar for evoking religious sentiments at the city’s Kotwali police station.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/mp-man-spends-5-months-in-prison-for-forwarding-a-whatsapp-post-in-support-of-shaheen-bagh-protest

 

Delhi Police arrests allegedly a ‘SIMI terrorist’, who has authored and translated over 30 books

New Delhi: Apparently in a desperate bid to divert people’s attention from the ongoing  farmers’ protest Delhi Police has claimed to have arrested allegedly a ‘terrorist’ of the banned and defunct SIMI. ’50 year-old accused Abdullah Danish had been on the run for the last 19 years, said a statement of Delhi Police.Abdullah was “one of the most elusive members” of the “terrorist” group SIMI and was wanted for sedition in the national capital, said  a senior police officer of the special cell, Pramod Singh Kushwah  in the statement.“Abdullah Danish was one of the senior-most members of SIMI who indoctrinated many young Muslims in the last 25 years,” the police said in the statement. “He was chief editor of Hindi version of SIMI magazine ‘Islamic Movement’ for 4 years,”the statement added.Abdullah Danish is a resident of Mau in UP and also has a house in UP’s Aligarh, the police said. "SIMI terrorist worked to “radicalise Muslim youths to mobilize against NRC and CAA and propagating radical ideology to create disharmony among religious groups”, the police said. Danish did MA in Arabic from AMU in 1985. He has authored and translated over 30 books in different languages. He translated zoology and chemistry books for NOIS  and NTM. Abdullah was arrested with his wife mysteriously by Delhi Police officials in Aligarh Saturday morning while they were going to the railway station to catch Shatabdi Express to attend a function in Kanpur.‘When my parents didn’t receive calls we lodged a complaint in Civil Lines Police Station. With the help of police we spotted those being detained in a Delhi police van in CC TV cameras installed at Kela Nagar, his son Ammar Abdullah told Muslim Mirror.‘On UP Police intervention, Delhi Police Special Cell officials admitted detention of my parents and assured my mother’s safe return to Aligarh. At 11 PM a Delhi Police van came to drop my mother and searched my home till 2 AM. They asked me to sign a paper saying my mother returned safe and sound at home, added Ammar.Muslim Mirror

http://muslimmirror.com/eng/delhi-police-arrests-allegedly-a-simi-terrorist-who-has-authored-and-translated-over-30-books/

 

Mukesh Ambani, His Family and Friends Owned INX Media, Peter Mukerjea Told ED in 2018

New Delhi: In a startling statement to ED, former TV executive and prime accused in INX Media case Peter Mukerjea has claimed that Mukesh Ambani and his ‘family and friends’ owned INX Media, the firm at the centre of a bribery scandal.Mukerjea is an accused in the case which saw Congress leader and former finance minister P. Chidambaram and his son Karti jailed because of statements given by him and his wife Indrani Mukerjea.Peter Mukerjea also told the ED that Ambani was in direct touch with Chidambaram and his son and their day-to-day dealings with Reliance was through their executives. His statement assumes significance because it implies that the bribe  ED alleges was paid to Karti was done for an Ambani firm – if indeed Ambani was the owner of the firm Mukerjea and his wife represented, as Mukerjea told investigators. ED is part of the Department of Revenue under the Union finance ministry. Last month, in an unprecedented move, the Modi government gave the agency’s head a one-year extension of tenure.

https://thewire.in/political-economy/mukesh-ambani-his-family-and-friends-owned-inx-media-peter-mukerjea-told-ed-in-2018

 

Over 100 public sector firms gave Rs 155 crore from staff salaries to PM CARES Fund: Report

A total of 101 public sector undertakings have contributed Rs 155 crore from employees’ salaries to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations, or PM CARES, Fund, Indian Express reported, citing records accessed under the Right to Information Act. This is in addition to the Rs 2,400 crore that the firms have contributed from the funds earmarked for Corporate Social Responsibility.Among the firms who responded to the newspaper’s RTI queries, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation made the highest contribution – Rs 29.06 crore – from its staff salaries.

https://scroll.in/latest/980509/over-100-public-sector-firms-gave-rs-155-crore-from-staff-salaries-to-pm-cares-fund-report

 

 

'Foreign Funds Are the New East India Company for Indian Startups': Naukri.com Founder

New Delhi: In perhaps the first red flag by a significant start-up curator against ‘flipping’, a Naukri.com and Zomato investor has said foreign funds are the new East India Company that are colonising successful start-ups in India by transferring ownership overseas to skip Indian regulations and taxes.Internet entrepreneur Sanjeev Bikhchandani says an estimated Rs 17 trillion of market cap has been transferred abroad after young Indian start-ups were forced to shift their company domicile overseas by foreign investors promising the funds they need for growth. “Shades of the East India Company type of situation here – Indian market, Indian customers, Indian developers, Indian workforce.However 100% foreign ownership, foreign investors. IP and data transferred overseas. Transfer pricing issues foggy,” he tweeted.PTI

https://thewire.in/business/naukri-zomato-foreign-funds-startup-sanjeev-bikhchandani

 

 

On Polling Day, Govt Snaps Even 2G Internet Services In South Kashmir

The government today shut down 2G internet services in South Kashmir during the fourth phase of polling of the District Development Council elections.Anantnag deputy commissioner K.K. Sidha told Outlook that the government had valid reasons to shut down the Net. However, he refused to divulge the “valid reasons.”Senior officials in Shopian district said the Internet was snapped as precautionary measures due to the polling in some areas in the district. A senior official said the government took this step after due consultation process. The Internet was shut down in Pulwama district also early on Monday.Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered continuance of 2G mobile data services citing apprehension about misuse of high-speed Internet. The government has cited the district development council polls as an example saying that there are apprehensions of misuse of high speed Internet to disrupt the district development council and panchayat polls.However, in the south Kashmir districts even this service was snapped early Monday morning creating problems for students and people. “I got a lot of calls in the morning from different people as the sudden snapping of 2G services created panic leading to lot speculations,” said a local journalist.

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-on-polling-day-govt-snaps-even-2g-internet-services-in-south-kashmir/366519

 

PDP youth leader in jail, his family hits campaign trail in Pulwama

Pulwama :Ghulam Ahmad Para is campaigning in an election for the first time. Over the last week, he has been trudging through villages in Pulwama, knocking on doors and seeking votes — not for himself, but for his son. 62-year-old is the father of Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who is the youth wing president of the PDP, candidate from Pulwama-1 for J&K District Development Council (DDC) polls, and currently in custody of the NIA.“The vote this time isn’t just for a DDC seat, it is also to secure his release,” says Para’s younger brother Nadeem. The constituency votes Monday in the fourth of the eight-phase polls, and Nadeem is part of a core group of friends and family that has hit the campaign trail.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pdp-youth-leader-in-jail-his-family-hits-campaign-trail-in-pulwama-7094489/

 

Top BJP Leaders Among 'Illegal Occupants' of Govt Housing in J&K

Srinagar: More than 10 former ministers and ex-legislators of BJP are among the politicians who are “unauthorisedly” residing in ministerial bungalows and quarters in Jammu and Kashmir. This revelation assumes more significance as it comes closes on the heels of BJP’s concerted campaign targeting the leaders of regional parties in Kashmir for “benefitting” from the Roshini land law.The details of “illegal occupants” of government accommodation have come to the fore after Jammu and Kashmir’s estates’ department filed an affidavit in the high court.According to the affidavit submitted by the estates’ department on Oct.2, a number of politicians, including former ministers, are residing in government properties as of September 2, beyond the period of the allotment.The department further submitted that it has taken up the matter with the home department to ascertain whether they need accommodation for security reasons.“Once the comments of the home department are received, appropriate action in the matter will be taken,” reads the affidavit submitted by Muhammad Alyas Khan, deputy director estates.

https://thewire.in/government/jammu-and-kashmir-government-housing-bjp-leaders

 

4 Of India's Most-Wanted Insurgent Leaders In China In Oct: Report

Indian officials say China is assisting rebel groups that have stepped up attacks on its border with Myanmar in recent months, opening another front in the conflict between two nations already engaged in a deadly standoff in the Himalayas. Armed groups in Myanmar -- including United Wa State Army and the Arakan Army, which was designated a terrorist organization this year -- are acting as Beijing's proxies by supplying weapons and providing hideouts to insurgent groups in India's northeastern states, according to Indian officials with knowledge of the situation, who asked not to be identified due to rules for speaking with the media.Bloomberg

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-says-china-helping-rebel-groups-on-myanmar-border-report-2335175?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

 

5 men suspected to have terror links arrested in Delhi after shootout:police

Delhi Police on Monday arrested 5 people, some of whom are suspected to have links with terrorist organisations, following a shootout in East Delhi, PTI reported. 2 of those arrested are from Punjab, while the others belong to Kashmir. “We have apprehended 5 persons after an exchange of fire,” DCP (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah said. “Weapons and other incriminating material have also been recovered from their possession.”Kushwah added that some of them were suspected to have links with terror groups, but further investigation into the matter was underway.The suspected militants from Punjab are associates of gangster Sukhmeet Singh, alias Sukh Bhikhariwal, the police said.

https://scroll.in/latest/980519/five-men-suspected-to-have-terror-links-arrested-in-delhi-after-shootout-say-police

 

 

Transgender people to be under separate category in report on prisoners, Centre tells Delhi HC

Centre on Monday told Delhi High Court that members of the transgender community will now be included in a separate category in the Prison Statistics Report, prepared by National Crime Records Bureau, Live Law reported. The government, represented by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, told the High Court that NCRB has informed its officials that it intends to classify prisoners as male, female and transgender people in its report, “Prison Statistics India - 2020”, and onwards.

https://scroll.in/latest/980534/transgender-people-to-be-under-separate-category-in-report-on-prisoners-centre-tells-delhi-hc

 

Central Vista: SC raps govt for ‘aggressive approach’, but allows laying of foundation stone by Modi on Dec 10

The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that the Central government cannot carry out any construction or demolition activities as part of Central Vista redevelopment project till the court pronounces its judgment in the petitions challenging the project, even as it gave a go-ahead to the govt for the foundation stone laying ceremony.An order to this effect was passed by a 3-judge Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna, after Central govt through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta undertook that no construction, demolition or felling of trees will be carried out till the court decides the case one way or the other, Bar & Bench reported.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/central-vista-sc-raps-govt-for-aggressive-approach-but-allows-laying-of-foundation-stone-by-modi-on-dec-10

 

Sushil Kumar Modi elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Bihar

Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was on Monday declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in a by-poll that was necessitated by the death of Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party founder Ram Vilas Paswan.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/sushil-kumar-modi-elected-unopposed-to-rajya-sabha-from-bihar/story-zRRgRPkdlL3LwwPBJ51ziI.html

 

CORONA

 

Govt begins internal review of Pfizer and Serum Covid vaccines, focus on safety & quality

India’s apex drug regulatory agency, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has started conducting an internal review of the applications submitted by Serum Institute of India (SII) and Pfizer, seeking emergency authorisation of their vaccine candidates in India, ThePrint has learnt. The recommendations on granting of authorisation, which will help in making Covid-19 vaccines available in India, will be made on the basis of three parameters — safety, quality and efficacy. The recommendations will be given by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC), which advises Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), who heads CDSCO, on applications seeking approvals for new drugs, vaccines and clinical trials. DCGI will take the final decision on the approval.“The decision to give emergency authorisation will solely be based on three parameters of safety, quality and efficacy. We will go by merit,” said a source, who is part of the developments at the CDSCO.

https://theprint.in/health/govt-begins-internal-review-of-pfizer-and-serum-covid-vaccines-focus-on-safety-quality/562203/

 

Bihar's Covid vaccine plan: Govt preparing to store 2.25 crore doses across state

Patna:With the Centre expressing hope that a Covid-19 vaccine will be available in the country soon, a massive exercise has begun across various states for distribution and storage of the vaccines. Bihar government has also swung into action to ramp up infrastructure and logistics for storage and distribution of the much-awaited Covid vaccine. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in a recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the Covid situation, had assured of state's preparedness to distribute and store Covid-19 vaccines.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihar-s-covid-vaccine-plan-govt-preparing-to-store-2-25-crore-doses-across-state-1747458-2020-12-07

 

Active Covid cases fall below 4 lakh for first time since July, positivity rate at 4.1%

New Delhi: For the first time since July, active Covid-19 cases in the country fell below the four lakh mark Monday.Active cases have been steadily declining in India and test positivity rate has also been below 5 per cent over the last 5 weeks.As many as 32,981 people were infected with Covid-19 in the last 24 hours.For the first time since July, active Covid-19 cases in India fell below four lakh Monday. The total active cases stood at 3,96,729.In the last 24 hours, 391 people died from coronavirus across the country, with the highest number of deaths occurring in Delhi (69). This brings the total reported deaths in the country since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,40,573.

https://theprint.in/health/active-covid-cases-fall-below-4-lakh-for-first-time-since-july-positivity-rate-at-4-1/562099/

 

 

WORLD

 

Satellite-Controlled Gun Used To Kill Iranian Nuclear Scientist: Report

A satellite-controlled machine gun was used in last week's assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was killed in a gun and car bomb attack on the outskirts of Tehran on November 27, was driving on a highway east of the capital when the weapon "zoomed in" on him "using artificial intelligence," Mehr said on Sunday, quoting Commodore Ali Fadavi, deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.Various accounts of his death have emerged since the incident. While early news reports said he was caught in a gunfight between his bodyguards, others said that he was fired at by a remote-controlled machine gun mounted on a pick-up truck operated by someone who later fled the country.Bloomberg

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/remote-controlled-gun-used-to-kill-iranian-nuclear-scientist-report-2335169?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

 

Iran's planned centrifuges 'deeply worrying': France, UK, Germany

France, Germany and Britain today said they were alarmed by an Iranian announcement that it intended to install additional, advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges and by legislation that could expand its nuclear programme. “If Iran is serious about preserving a space for diplomacy, it must not implement these steps,” the three powers, who along with China and Russia are party to a 2015 nuclear containment deal with Tehran, known as JCPoA, said in a joint statement. Reuters

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/irans-planned-centrifuges-deeply-worrying-france-uk-and-germany/article33269751.ece

 

Israel, US dealing with 'aliens': Prominent Israeli scientist, Retired General

Prominent Israeli Professor and Retired General Haim Eshed has claimed that Israel and the US are dealing with aliens who do not want to be identified because "humanity is not ready yet," Yedioth Ahronoth reported.Eshed served from 1981 to 2010 as the head of Israel's security space programme, explained the Jewish Press. It noted that he received Israel Security Award 3 times, twice for confidential technological inventions."[Donald] Trump was on the verge of revealing the situation, but the aliens in the Galactic Federation are saying wait, let people calm down first. They don't want to start mass hysteria. They want to first make us sane and understanding," explained Eshed. "They have been waiting for humanity to evolve and reach a stage where we will generally understand what space and spaceships are. There's an agreement between US govt and the aliens. They signed a contract with us to do experiments here."The father of Israeli security space programme said that the aliens are also carrying out research and trying to understand the whole fabric of the universe. "They want us as helpers. There's an underground base in the depths of Mars, where their representatives are, and also US astronauts."He acknowledged that his claims are strange. "If I had come up with what I'm saying today five years ago, I would have been hospitalised. Wherever I've gone with this in academia, they've said: the man has lost his mind. Today they're already talking differently. I have nothing to lose. I've received my degrees and awards, I am respected in universities abroad, where the trend is also changing."

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201207-israel-and-us-dealing-with-aliens-says-scientist/

 

Israel calls on Palestinians to start negotiation 'without preconditions'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi called on Sunday for the Palestinians to seize the opportunity of normalisation between Israel and some Arab states and "enter direct negotiations without preconditions," Ynet News has reported. Ashkenazi described the Israeli normalisation deals between Israel and the Gulf States as an "opportunity" for the Palestinians, claiming they did not come at their expense. He made his comments at an online regional security conference hosted by Bahrain.The minister said that the Abraham Accords could help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and resume peace talks which have been stalled since 2014. "The accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201207-israel-calls-on-palestinians-to-start-negotiation-without-preconditions/

 

Police officer: Israel criminals heading to UAE

Impersonating themselves as businessmen, heads of Israeli criminal groups have recently started shifting their activities to UAE, Anadolu reported.According to the news service, Israel's Channel 12 TV quoting a senior Israeli police officer saying that the heads of criminal groups operate via agents or travelled themselves to complete deals worth tens of millions of dollars.These criminals "impersonate themselves as Israeli businessmen and hide the fact they are dangerous criminals," the officer told the Israeli TV.He noted that those criminals invested in real estate in Dubai, and in food and hotel projects to use as a cover while being involved in the drugs trade as well as money laundering.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201207-police-officer-israel-criminals-heading-to-the-uae/

 

Erdogan's reception of Jerusalem sheikh bears 'important messages'

International Jerusalem Foundation based in Lebanon said on Saturday that Turkish President Recep Erdogan's reception of Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Ekrima Sabri bears "important messages".In a statement, the foundation said that the reception bears "support and solidarity with the Sheikh who has been subject to brutal Israeli harassment."According to the statement, the foundation considered this reception as an "official declaration that Turkey adopts the ideology represented by Sheikh Sabri," stating that "it is the ideology of those who stick to Jerusalem and face off the occupation's policies."Meanwhile, the foundation considered the timing of the reception as "very important" as it is coincided with the announcement of many deals that aim to "liquidate" the Palestinian cause and the "shameful race towards the normalisation of ties with the Israel enemy."

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201207-erdogans-reception-of-jerusalem-sheikh-bears-important-messages/

 

Muslim Brotherhood does not rule out change in Egypt, region with Biden administration

Deputy Supreme Guide of Muslim Brotherhood, Ibrahim Munir, said on Saturday he does not rule out change in Egypt and the region when US President-elect Joe Biden moves into the White House, Anadolu reported.Speaking to Al Jazeera Mubasher, Munir said that economic woes and COVID-19 "could push for a change", but this needs "calm and rearrangement", adding that the human rights issue in Egypt could be a third factor for the potential change.He does not expect Biden to put "immediate" pressure on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to release prisoners because the president-elect "needs time to get ready" for such a move, Munir explained, pointing to meetings held with American officials.Munir expects Biden's Egypt policy to have changed from the time he served as vice-president for Barack Obama. "Years passed and the Department of State and the US administration reviewed what is happening in Egypt," Munir said.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201207-muslim-brotherhood-does-not-rule-out-change-in-egypt-region-with-biden-administration/

 

Rights advocates urge Macron to address human rights during Sisi visit

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi will be received in France today with a military welcome ceremony in what was intended to be a visit to cement close ties between the two countries, but which has been the focus of criticism by human rights advocates.As Al-Sisi has consolidated control across Egypt, Paris and Cairo have grown closer, economically and militarily, despite the well documented and severe human rights abuses carried out by the Egyptian regime.In June, HRW criticised French arms sales to Egypt as "shocking" and "appalling" in the context of Egypt's human rights violations.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201207-rights-advocates-urge-macron-to-address-human-rights-during-sisi-visit/

 

Ethiopia’s Abiy denies ‘insurgency’ emerging in Tigray

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has denied a rebellious northern force his troops have been battling for over a month would have the capacity to mount an armed offensive from the mountains of Tigray.Federal troops have captured the regional capital Mekelle from the former local ruling party, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and declared an end to their offensive.But TPLF leaders say they are fighting back on various fronts around Mekelle. Ethiopian experts fear a drawn-out armed campaign with a destabilising effect around east Africa.“The criminal clique pushed a patently false narrative that its fighters and supporters are battle-hardened and well-armed, posing the risk of protracted insurgency in the rugged mountains of Tigray,” Abiy said .

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/7/ethiopias-abiy-denies-insurgency-emerging-in-tigray

 

Erdogan seeks energy talks as EU mulls sanctions over East Med

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes “a win-win formula” can be found in a row with Greece over undersea resources, as the European Union mulls sanctions ahead of a key summit.NATO members Turkey and Greece have been at loggerheads over maritime territory in the Eastern Mediterranean, believed to be rich in energy resources including natural gas.Turkey has enraged Greece by sending a survey ship and navy vessels to the disputed waters, prompting Athens to push its EU allies for tougher sanctions at Thursday’s summit of EU leaders.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/7/erdogan-seeks-win-win-formula-in-east-mediterranean-row

 
 

OPINIONS-EDITORIALS-VIEWS

 

Nobody understands farmers’ problems. Everybody is giving us advice, nobody is ready to listen to us: Hannan Mollah

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hannan-mollah-idea-exchange-farmer-protests-farm-laws-7094428/

 

Babri isn’t a one-off incident; several other mosques in India have been demolished too: Rayhan Mirza

https://www.siasat.com/babri-isnt-a-one-off-incident-several-other-mosques-in-india-have-been-demolished-too-2038947/

 END