Evening NEWS
DIGEST
14 Dec.2017: 24 Rabial Awwal 1439:Vol:9, No:72
INDIA
25 pending and 14 new bills including Bill on
triple talaq to be placed in Parliament winter session
New Delhi: As many as 25 pending bills and 14
new ones, including a bill providing Muslim women the right to seek maintenance
in case of triple talaq, are expected to be placed in the winter session of
parliament.The winter session, beginning from 15 Dec, will have 14 sittings.
The session will come to an end on 5 Jan. According to a list compiled by
think-tank PRS Legislative Research, some of the bills listed for consideration
and passage at the session include Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016,
Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and Transgender Persons
(Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016.The surrogacy bill prohibits commercial
surrogacy and allows its altruistic form.It also specifies criteria for the
intending couple and a surrogate mother, the think-tank said.The new bills
listed for introduction and passage include Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
(Amendment) Bill, 2017, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill,
2017 and Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States Amendment Bill),
2017.PTI
Cannot escape petition on inheritance by Muslim
women just because law commission is examining UCC: Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court, last week, refused to
exempt the Centre from filing a counter-affidavit on a Petition challenging the
laws of succession so far as entitlement to inheritance of Muslim women is
concerned.The Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C.
Hari Shankar noted that the Centre had sought an adjournment submitting that
the issue of framing of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been referred to the
Law Commission of India (LCI). Court, however, opined that “this certainly
cannot be a ground for not filing a counter affidavit to the petition”. It then
directed that the counter-affidavit be filed within six weeks, listing the
matter on 9 April, 2018. The LCI took up the examination of the viability of a
UCC on the Centre’s request to look into the issue “in detail and submit a
report”.Thereafter, in October, the LCI had sought public opinion on the
exercise of revision and reform of family laws, in view of Article 44 of the
Constitution of India which envisions a UCC for all Indian citizens. It had
then prepared a questionnaire to solicit public opinion on ways in which family
law reforms could be introduced in a manner that “does not compromise the
diversity and plurality that constitutes the core of India’s social fabric.” livelaw
Muslim Law Board to discuss talaq at Hyderabad
meet
Hyderabad: The proposed legislation on triple
talaq and Babri Masjid will be among the key issues to be discussed at the
general body meeting of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) scheduled
to be held here in Feb.3-day meeting will be crucial in the wake of the recent
developments on Babri Masjid issue and the proposed move by the Central Govt to make triple talaq a cognizable offence.The
apex body of Indian Muslims is expected to take key decisions, especially on
triple talaq.Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 is
expected to be tabled during Parliament's winter session starting Friday.If the
bill is passed in the winter session and enacted by February, the board will
chalk out an action plan to oppose the legislation, sources said. Board members
have opposed the proposed legislation, saying this will lead to an increase in
cases of husbands abandoning their wives.At a meeting held here on Tuesday to
discuss arrangements for AIMBPLB conclave, AIMPLB Secretary Maulana Khalid
Saifullah Rahmani voiced concern over what he called attempts to interfere in
'Shariat'.Referring to the proposed law on triple talaq, the religious scholar
said it would lead to more complications. He wondered how a man jailed for
three years can provide maintenance to his wife and children. He said Muslim
Personal Law had been under implementation since the British rule in the
country. It was in 1937 that Shariat Application Act was made and the
Constitution of India gave the right to all citizens to profess, practice and
propagate their religion.Rahmani said some forces which had no respect for
fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution were trying to enforce the
directive principles, which were not obligatory.The meeting will also review
the status of Babri Masjid case, which is set to come up for hearing in the
Supreme Court on Feb.8. The board will also discuss the issue in the light of
the statements by some VHP and RSS leaders that construction of Ram temple will
begin in Oct. 2018.Rahmani pointed out that some communal groups had prepared a
list to target 3,000 mosques. IANS
Move to allow women to go for Haj sans male
companion giving positive results: Union Minister Naqvi
Govt's decision to lift a ban on Muslim women
undertaking Haj pilgrimage without 'Mehram' (a male companion) has generated
"positive" results, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said today.
According to a statement, Naqvi made the comments while referring to a
"large number" of applications the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has
received under the category. Under the category, Muslim women aged above 45 will
be allowed to go for the pilgrimage without 'Mehram' in a group of at least
four. "Modi Govt 's decision to lift the ban concerned has generated very
positive results as Muslim women, from across the country, are applying in a
large number under this category," the statement quoted Naqvi as saying.
The minority affairs minister made the remarks while launching a portal for
private tour operators (PTOs) here. The application process for Haj 2018
started on Nov. 15 and more than 1,000 women have applied under the category.
More than 2.63 lakh people have applied for undertaking the annual Haj
pilgrimage till Dec.13. Out of this,1.38 lakh applications have been received
online. "It has given a boost to the ministry's decision to make entire
Haj process digital. Besides, people are also applying through mobile
app," he said. economictimes
Naqvi launches portal for private Haj tour
operators
Progressive Muslims should support draft bill
on triple talaq:Bihar Dy CM Modi
Patna: Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi has called upon political
parties and progressive Muslims to come out in support of the draft bill
banning triple talaq and containing provisions for providing assistance to
women affected by the practice."Govts, whether at the Centre or in the
states, ought not to interfere in religious matters as far as beliefs and
rituals are concerned. But intervention becomes necessary when it comes to
social evils like untouchability, dowry, child marriage and triple talaq",
Modi said at a meeting of the BJP's minorities front here."There are some
people who oppose any type of social reform. Even the ban on the brutal
practice of sati was met with opposition. Triple talaq has nothing to do with
religion. It is a gross injustice meted out to women", he said.He also
highlighted measures taken by Bihar Govt for welfare of Muslims like raising financial
assistance for divorced women from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, scholarships to
meritorious madarsa students, equipping madarsas with computers, toilets,
libraries etc.And removing encroachments from Wakf land.outlookindia
Will support BJP, RSS if they shun politics of
hatred: Jamiat head Arshad Madani
Lucknow:Leading Muslim organisation Jamiat
Ulema-e-Hind has said that its opposition to the BJP and RSS was only because
of their “communal and divisive politics” and it can support them if they shun
politics of hatred.Addressing a conference on national integration here last
night, the national president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Syyed Arshad
Madani said they have no lust for power, and that they oppose BJP only because
of its sectarianism. "Neither the Jamiat nor the Muslims have any personal
opposition to the BJP...If the BJP shuns its politics of hatred, catch hold of
those spreading it, ensure punishment to them and encourage peace and
brotherhood, people will support them," he said.Stressing that only a
handful of people want to spread hatred and harm the country, Madni said peace loving
people of the country will teach BJP a lesson in the 2019 elections, if it is
seen giving them a free hand.Also, alleging that a large number of Muslim
youths have been jailed without conviction for as long as 20 years, he said the
aim behind this is to prove that "Islam does not espouse peace, and
instead is a religion of separatism".On this occasion, Madani also talked
about the Jamiat's decision to fight the case of a Muslim labourer in the apex
court, who was allegedly hacked and burnt to death in Rajasthan on Dec.6, as he
expressed his apprehension about the victim's family getting justice in a local
court. PTI
Exit polls of various TV channels show BJP’s
win in Gujarat, Himachal
New Delhi:The exit polls of various TV
channels for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections are predicting
BJP’s massive win in both the states. According to News 24, which got most of
its predictions right in the past, BJP is expected to win 135 seats in Gujarat
and Congress is likely to bag 47 seats. As per their survey, the BJP is also
winning Himachal, bagging 55 seats while 13 seats will go in Congress
pocket.Well-known psephologist Surjit Bhalla has predicted 125 seats for BJP in
Gujarat and 57 for Congress. As per India Today-Axis My India, BJP will win
47-55 seats in Himachal while Congress could bag just 13 seats. Similarly,
Times Now has predicted 109 seats for the BJP in Gujarat and 70 seats for
Congress, others could get 3 seats. ABP CSDS figures, show Congress winning 64
seats while BJP once again ruling Gujarat winning 117 seats.According to
IndiaTv-VMR Exit poll, BJP will win the Central Gujarat region with 23 seats,
while Congress may be limited to 16 seats. They also predict 24-30 seats for
BJP in South Gujarat while Congress is expected to bag 6-8 seats. In north
Gujarat, India TV predicts 30 seats for the ruling BJP, while Congress may
sweep 23 seats. Congress is currently ruling Himachal, while BJP has been in
power in Gujarat for last 22 years.The elections were seen as a litmus test for
both PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi was recently elevated as the president
of Congress. Both the leaders did extensive campaign in Gujarat and Himachal.
India Today-Axis My India: Congress (68-82), BJP (99-113) Others (1-4); Times
Now: Congress (66), BJP (113) Others (3); India TV: Congress (65-75), BJP
(104-114) Others (0-4); ABP: Congress (64), BJP (117) Others (1); News18 C
voters: Congress (74) BJP(108) Others (-); News 24: Congress (47) BJP (135)
Others (-). indian express
Gujarat polls: Exit polls predict BJP will
cruise to comfortable win, Congress to make modest gains
Gujarat exit polls: BJP likely to win, but
Congress may improve tally: economictimes
Nearly 69 % turnout, marginally less than 2012:
Ahmedabad: 68.7% people voted in the second and final phase of
the Gujarat assembly polls today, Election Commission has said. This is almost
neck and neck with 68% voter turnout in the first phase on Saturday last.Voter turnout
in the 2012 assembly election was 71.3%.NDTV
Gujarat: Voting for 2nd phase ends
amid EVM malfunctioning, Congress protests
Congress brands EC Modi’s ‘puppet’, files
complaint against PM’s ‘roadshow’ after voting
New Delhi: Congress on Thursday launched a
scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), saying the “sinking ship of PM
Narendra Modi’s campaign is being saved
by poll panel”.In Ahmedabad, the party also filed a complaint with the EC
against Modi for allegedly violating model code of conduct by holding a
“roadshow” even as voting in the second phase of Gujarat elections was
underway.Later in the day, Congress workers marched to the Election Commission
to protest against Modi’s roadshow. They were stopped by the police outside Sardar
Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk in Delhi and many were detained.“Election
Commission of India has set different standards for the BJP and the Congress.
What is the reason for the poll panel to behave like a frontal organisation of
BJP,” asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala at a press conference in
New Delhi.“It is a great shame that PM Narendra Modi has turned all
constitutional institutions into his puppets, the Election Commission of India
being one of them,” added Surjewala.Achal Kumar Joti, the target of Congress’
diatribe, took over as chief election commissioner in July. A 1975-batch IAS
officer, Joti was the chief secretary of Gujarat when Modi was CM. He was also
a secretary in the industry, revenue and water supply departments in the
state.Congress’ attack comes a day after the Election Commission sought an
explanation from party president-elect Rahul Gandhi for appearing in TV
interviews ahead of the second phase of voting in Gujarat, which it said was a
violation of the model code of conduct.EC, on Wednesday, also filed FIRs
against TV channels that aired the interviews, saying rules prohibit display of
any “election matter” within 48 hours of the start of polling.Congress,
however, accused the poll panel of favouritism and questioned why it has not
taken similar action against Modi who allegedly made political statements at business
meeting on Wednesday when he targeted the previous UPA Govt. hindustantimes
Gujarat elections: Congress writes to EC,
demands FIR against PM Modi for ‘roadshow’ on polling day
Over 700 people deposited Rs 3 as Shambu Lal
Regar tried to raise money with video of killing of Muslim: police
New Delhi: A Hindu man in Rajasthan tried to
raise money for a campaign against minority Muslims by issuing an appeal for
donations with a video he took and posted online showing him killing a Muslim,
police said on Thursday.The killing last week is the latest to roil India’s
minority Muslims who have faced attacks from mobs who accuse them of killing
cows, which Hindus consider sacred. Hindu fringe groups also campaign against
Muslim men marrying Hindus.Shambu Lal Regar has been arrested on suspicion of
hacking and burning a Muslim labourer in Rajasthan, police said.Regar had
posted a video of the attack along with his bank details for donations to
finance his anti-Muslim campaign, police officer Anand Shrivastava said. More
than 700 people from across India deposited 300,000 rupees ($4,665) into the
account.“The accused wanted to become a Hindu hero after killing a Muslim man,
his main aim was to collect money after committing the hate crime,” said
Shrivastava.Regar’s video went viral on social media before authorities took it
down. Police investigators had frozen the bank account and were tracking down
donors, Shrivastava said.Shrivastava said the video had showed Regar claiming
to be a proud Hindu trying to stop “love jihad” - a term used by Hindu
hardliners who accuse Muslim men of entrapping Hindu women and girls on the
pretext of love in order to convert them to Islam.Reuters
Rajasthan:Net suspended, curfew imposed in Rajasmand
to thwart rally supporting killer of Muslim labourer
Udaipur:To thwart a rally by Hindu groups in
support of Shambhu Raigar, who hacked and burnt a Muslim labourer to death in
Rajasmand, the Rajasthan police imposed Section 144 of IPC (unlawful assembly)
and suspended internet services for 24 hours to prevent disturbances or
incidents of communal disharmony.Udaipur Police on Wednesday issued a notice
saying that Section 144 has been imposed in Rajsamand and Udaipur district for
24 hours from 8 pm on Wednesday night.The decision was taken after some Hindu
groups planned to hold a rally in support of Raigar that could compromise the
safety of people, reported India Today. Mohammed Bhatta Sheikh, resident of West
Bengal, was killed by Raigar raising the bogey of “Love Jihad”-- a term publicised by the Hindutva groups to
refer to Muslim men marrying Hindu women and converting them to Islam.
Preliminary investigation however, ruled out 'love jihad' as motive of the
murder. "The accused, Shabhu Lal Raigar, said that he committed the crime
over 'love jihad', but it has not been established so far that any such motive
was behind the killing of the labourer," IGP, Udaipur, Anand Srivastava
said.outlook
UP: BSP corporator booked after he insisted on
oath in Urdu
Aligarh: Lone BSP corporator of Aligarh
Municipal Corporation, Musharraf Hussain, has been booked for trying to outrage
religious feelings, after he insisted on taking the oath in Urdu. The case
under Section 295A of IPC was registered against Hussain at the Bannadevi
police station on Wednesday night, based on a complaint filed by BJP corporator
Pushpendra Singh, police station in-charge Jitendra Dikshit said.Singh, in his
complaint, alleged that the BSP corporator tried to disturb communal harmony on
Monday, day of oath-taking. However, police were yet to register a case based
on a complaint filed by Hussain, who alleged that he was beaten up on the day.
Dikshit said they were looking into Hussain’s complaint.IPC Section 295A
pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious
feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
Unpleasant scenes marred the swearing-in of newly-elected members of Aligarh
Municipal Corporation on Monday after BJP corporators allegedly created a
ruckus when Hussain insisted on taking the oath in Urdu. Hussain was allegedly
beaten up.PTI
BJP, BSP cross swords as fresh Vande Mataram
row strikes a jarring note in UP
Lucknow/Meerut: A fresh political controversy
erupted in UP with former CM Mayawati accusing BJP of hounding her party’s
Dalit mayor during the Tuesday’s oath taking ceremony in which BJP and BSP
stood divided on singing Vande Mataram, national song.Sunita Verma, Meerut
mayor belonging to the BSP, had refused to sing Vande Mataram during the oath
taking ceremony. Her refusal angered the BJP corporators who started singing
the national song in chorus. This was followed by chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’. BSP
corporators, who were outnumbered by those of BJP, retaliated with ‘Jai Bhim’,
their party’s slogan.Some tension between BSP and BJP was also reported from
Aligarh Municipal Corporation where also BSP defeated BJP for the mayor’s post.
In Aligarh, BJP has demanded action against a BSP Muslim corporator for taking
oath in Urdu.With numbers on their side, BJP corporators were angry at Verma’s
announcement that she would reverse her predecessor Harikant Ahluwalia’s
decision to make singing of the national song compulsory in the corporation.“We
respect the constitution but the manner in which the BJP tried to create chaos
during the oath taking ceremony was most reprehensible,” Mayawati said.The
issue is expected to kick up political dust in the most populous state with BSP
likely to take up the issue during the winter session of the UP assembly
beginning Thursday.Yogesh Verma, a former BSP lawmaker and husband of the
Meerut mayor, defended his wife’s decision not to sing Vande Mataram. He said
in future too the proceedings of the Corporation would be carried on as per the
constitution. hindustantimes
Union minister Athawale asks Dalits to
renounce Hinduism, embrace Buddhism
Mumbai: Invoking Babasaheb Ambedkar, Union
minister Ramdas Athawale said he embraced Buddhism only after he was convinced
that Dalits would not get justice in the Hindu religion and asked all members
of the community to do so.“Only when Babasaheb Ambedkar was convinced that
Dalits would not get justice in Hindu religion did he convert to Buddhism.
Lakhs of Dalits converted as well,” Athawale, the minister of state for social
justice and empowerment, said in a statement issued here.According to the
statement, Ambedkar had given opportunity to staunch “Hindutvavadis” to make
amends but that did not happen, and hence he converted.“All Dalits should give
up Hinduism and embrace Buddhism to stop atrocities against them,” Athawale
said.PTI
Centre tells SC: Willing to extend deadline to
link mobile to Aadhaar till March 31
New Delhi:A day after the deadline to link
Aadhaar to a host of financial-related Govt services was extended to March 31
till next year, Centre on Thursday requested the Supreme Court to order an
extension for linking mobile to Aadhaar to the same deadline. SC will pronounce
its judgment, on pleas seeking a stay on Centre’s move of mandatory linking
Aadhaar to mobile with various schemes, on Friday.The earlier deadline for
linking mobile numbers to Aadhaar was Feb.6, 2018. indianexpress
ATMs not to be replenished with cash after
9pm: Govt
New Delhi:Concerned over incidents of attack
on cash carrying vans, the Govt has
proposed that ATMs should not be replenished with cash after 9pm in cities and
private cash transportation agencies must collect money from the banks in the
first half of the day, officials said.The deadline for putting money in ATMs in
rural areas would be 6pm, and 4pm in Maoist-affected districts. Also, specially
designed cash vans, fitted with CCTVs and GPS, must not carry more than Rs 5
crore per trip.PTI
SC to Centre: Set up 12 special courts for
cases against tainted MPs, MLAs by March 1
New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Thursday
approved Govt ’s proposal for setting up 12 special courts for trying pending
criminal cases against 1,581 MPs and MLAs. The apex court granted the Centre
two months to collate data of pending cases against tainted lawmakers and
directed that the special court should become operational by March 1, 2018. The
SC’s response was on an affidavit filed by the Centre on Tuesday following a
PIL filed by Delhi BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking a
lifelong ban on convicted politicians from contesting elections. Govt had said it did not have data on how many of
these cases have been decided and whether any new case had been filed against
an MP or MLA between 2014 and 2017 and sought time to collect data.
Israel eases visa procedure for Indians
Mumbai:To encourage more Indians to visit
Israel, Tel Aviv has simplified its visa application procedures for visitors
from the Sub-continent.The relaxed visa rule involves less documentation for
Indians who have availed of visas of Schengen countries, the US, Canada,
Australia or Israel and have completed their travel to these countries, a
statement from the Israeli consulate said on Thursday.“This is an initiative we
have been working very closely with interior ministry and foreign ministry to
introduce in India and I am happy to see this change for the Indian travellers
who wish to travel to Israel,” Israeli tourism ministry India director Hassan Madah
said.He said, easing the visa requirements will not only make the application
process faster, it will also increase the number of tourists to Israel as
well.“We are also working on an express service with VFS, which will be
introduced soon. In addition to this, we are working towards e-visa processing
as well as easing the group visa process,” he added.PTI
Pakistan directs high commissioner in Delhi to
issue visas to Kulbhushan Jadhav’s family
Islamabad:Pakistan directed its high
commission in New Delhi to issue visas to the wife and mother of Indian death
row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, official sources said. The directive was issued
by the foreign ministry following its decision last week to allow Jadhav’s
family to meet him on Dec. 25 in Islamabad, they said.The foreign office
sources said that adequate security measures will be taken for complete safety
of Jadhav’s family.An Indian high commission official will be allowed to
accompany Jadhav’s family during their meeting.Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to
death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in
April, following which India moved the ICJ in May.ICJ halted his execution on
India’s appeal pending the final verdict by it.HT
ED summons Geelani in FEMA case
New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has
summoned hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to appear
before it on Dec.18 for adjudication proceedings related to a foreign exchange
violation case involving $10,000 “illegally” possessed by him in 2002.The
central probe agency, early this year, issued a notice under various sections
of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to the 87-year-old separatist
leader based in Srinagar in J&K .The adjudication notice has asked him to
“explain or produce documents or evidences, as may be useful for or relevant to
the subject matter of enquiry”.PTI
China, Pakistan in contact over controversial
dam in Gilgit-Baltistan: HT report
Beijing:China has denied it demanded “full
ownership” and the right to operate the Diamer-Bhasha dam in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan
region, the country’s top planning body has said, adding Beijing and Islamabad
continue to be in contact over the project.National Development and Reform
Commission (NDRC) dismissed reports that China had not only claimed ownership
of the dam but also wanted collateral security for the project in the form of
another operational dam.India has raised objections to the construction of the
dam as its site is in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is claimed by New Delhi as part
of the undivided J&K state.In
November, Pakistan withdrew its bid to include the dam in the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a senior official saying Chinese conditions for
financing the dam were unacceptable.At the time, Chinese foreign ministry had
denied any information on the development.CPEC is the flagship project under
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-billion dollar connectivity
project that spans Asia.NDRC deputy director Wang Xiaotao told Pakistani
counterparts that the question of China demanding ownership of the dam does not
arise.“Currently, the two sides are maintaining contact on the cooperation
project of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. However, the project has not yet been
included in the list of energy projects under the Economic Corridor, and the
trade authorities of China and Pakistan also didn’t conduct any exchanges on
the development plan of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam,” Wang was quoted as saying
during the a meeting of the CPEC joint committee last month.
Delhi: Cracks found in Jama Masjid dome, shahi
imam seeks PM’s help for urgent repair
New Delhi: The iconic Jama Masjid is in urgent
need of repair, with parts of its external facade and internal structure
crumbling, according to the custodians of the grand 361-year-old mosque in old
Delhi.The centrepiece of the heritage city of Shahjahanabad, the Masjid is
being threatened by rampant water seepage, which has eroded the structural
integrity of the main dome and peeled off layers of sandstone and plaster from
its walls and intricate parapet carvings.The Shahi Imam of the Masjid, Syed
Ahmed Bukhari, says he had written a letter last year to PM Narendra Modi, seeking help for the urgent
repair of structure, and made several appeals to the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) telling them that the situation is fast becoming dire.“I
specifically told both the PM’s office and the ASI that lack of maintenance was
resulting in permanent damage.In particular, the main prayer chamber and 3
domes require instant restoration,” Bukhari said.ASI spokesperson DM Dimri said
the relaying of the mosque floor and a few other maintenance works were in the
pipeline. However, he said ASI was not aware of serious damage to domes and
parapets.“An estimate has been prepared for restoration of its flooring. The
tendering process is going on, ASI will soon start work at Jama Masjid. As the
mosque is not an ASI-protected monument, the responsibility of its regular
monitoring and maintenance is not with us,” Dimri said.The responsibility of
the management and protection of the mosque lies with Delhi Wakf Board. “We
don’t have enough funds to restore the mosque and always need external
assistance for this project,” said an official of the board who asked not to be
named.HT
Who will repair Jama Masjid: Population, new
structures mar ‘unprotected’ mosque
Jama Masjid damage: ASI, disaster body teams
inspect structure after HT report
Dadri : Drunk man creates ruckus in mosque,
held
Greater Noida: A 24-year-old man was arrested
for creating a ruckus and threatening locals while in an inebriated state in a
mosque in Dadri on Tuesday.Residents gathered at the mosque and caught Amit
Kumar, who was handed over to the police.Amit, who lives in the neighbourhood,
came to the mosque with an accomplice who managed to escape, said locals. Haji
Yamin, a resident, said two persons barged into the mosque at Amka Road in
Dadri around 9 pm. "They appeared drunk and were creating a ruckus. They
tried to vandalise the mosque property," he said.On receiving information,
police and a team of LIU reached the mosque.Nishank Sharma, CO, Dadri, said
Amit was confirmed to be under the influence of alcohol at that time. An FIR
was registered against the duo.TOI
One held for ‘vandalising’ mosque in Dadri
UP's Bijnor: Loudspeakers from mosque, temple
removed after HC order
Bijnor: Tension prevailed in Bijnor's Madanpur
village on Wednesday after the Allahabad high court ordered the administration
to remove loudspeakers, installed without the requisite permission, from a
mosque and Ravidass temple with immediate effect. The loudspeakers could be
removed on Wednesday afternoon only after heavy deployment of police force. It
should be noted that the villagers had gone to the high court in this regard as
they had clashed with each other over loudspeakers installed at each other's
religious sites. When the police started removing the speakers, there was hue
and cry in the village initially and people started gathering on the streets
but when they were made aware of the HC order, they did not oppose the police
action, sources said.According to officials, there has been a long dispute
between the two communities over the installation of loudspeakers on the mosque
and the temple in the village. A few months ago, a villager, Shaukat Ali, filed
a PIL in Allahabad high court against the installation of loudspeaker at the
village temple without permission. During the hearing of the matter on
Wednesday, HC ordered the administration to find out if the temple and the
mosque had permission to install loudspeakers in their premises, and if not,
these be removed. The administration was also directed to inform the HC about
the action taken before 2 pm on the day. ASP Dinesh Kumar said,"Police had
earlier in the day received an order from the high court for the removal of
loudspeakers from the mosque as well as the temple if these were installed
without permission. We followed the court order and met people of both the
communities. When we told them about the order of the high court, they agreed
to remove the loudspeakers from the religious places, saying they will get the
required permission first."TOI
MCOCA in UP: After long wait, UPCOCA ready for
action
Lucknow: UP Control of Organised Crime Act
(UPCOCA), which was waiting to happen for a decade now, is likely to see the
light of the day after the state cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to the
bill.Incorporating the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime
Act (MCOCA) legislated in 1999, the bill will be tabled in the winter session
of the state legislature commencing from Thursday.BSP Govt had in 2007 decided to bring UPCOCA to check
organized crime. A team of senior officers was then sent to Maharashtra to
study the implementation of MCOCA. In March 2008, the then CM Mayawati tabled the Bill in the legislative
assembly. BSP Govt sent UPCOCA to the
centre for presidential assent but the then Congress led UPA Govt opposed the Act fearing that it might be
misused against the minority community. Denial of the President approval and
scathing attack launched by arch rival Samajwadi Party terming the BSP
anti-Muslim put Mayawati on the back foot. It was dumped silently before the
2009 Lok Sabha elections.A senior state Govt officer said the deliberation for
the law actually started during BJP Govt under Kalyan Singh (Sept.1997- Nov.1999). hindustantimes
Hisar Minor Rape-Killing: Women's, students'
groups demand punishment to culprits
New Delhi: Anguished over the brutal rape and
murder of a 5 year old in Haryana’s Hisar, several women rights groups and
students on Tuesday held a protest outside Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi. Raising
slogans against state’s BJP Govt led by CM Manoharlal Khattar they demanded
immediate arrest of culprits to face the law and bring them to justice.They
alleged that a culture of 'khap
panchayat' prevails across the country
and particularly in Haryana that perpetuates such violence against women and
Dalits.Shalu Yadav, a student from Allahabad University said, “Cases of assault
on women, mostly Dalits have increased in the country and central Govt is not
doing anything.Haryana Govt supports patriarchy since beginning. Central and
state Govt s both are unsuccessful to protect women and give then
equality.”Jagmati Sangwan, central committee member, AIDWA said, “After every
such incident, the ministers give absurd statements and accuse the victim
instead. It has been five days since incident but no arrest has been made.”
Citing the latest report of NCRB, Aman Saini, Delhi secretary, Democratic Youth
Federation of India (DYFI) said that atrocities against women, Dalits and
religious minorities have increased in BJP ruled states.“In all the BJP ruled
states crime has increased. Among them as per NCRB there are five such states
where Dalits, Women and Muslims are being pointedly attacked,” Saini said.The
protest was jointly organised by several women and students’ groups including
AIDSO, AIDWA, AIPWA , AIDMAM, AIMSS, AISA, DYFI, NFIW,Pinjra Tod, Pragatisheel
Mahila Sangathan, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, RDMA, Saheli, Swastik Mahila
Samiti and WSS and Jagmati Sangwan.IndiaTomorrow
Migrant
labourer sentenced to death in Jisha case; Ameerul says didn't get justice
Kochi: Responding to the Ernakulam Principal
Sessions Court's pronouncement of death penalty to him for the murder of a law
student in Perumbavoor, Ameer Ul Islam said that he did not get justice in the
case. Ameer Ul Islam also accused the Kerala Govt of cheating him. Ameer Ul made the remarks while
he was taken to the jail after the court delivered the verdict. “I do not have
anything to say. I do not know why I was trapped in the case. The Kerala Govt cheated me,” Ameer Ul said.While delivering
the death sentence, the court observed it is the rarest of rare case and termed
it a brutal murder. The court also fined him with Rs 5 lakh Islam has been
awarded life imprisonment for committing the rape of the woman after he was
also found guilty under IPC Section 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman
to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape). mathrubhumi
Framed or Nirbhaya-like convict? How defense
& prosecution sparred over Ameer in Jisha case
Jisha murder: Glaring loopholes in case,
activists say higher courts may spare Ameerul Islam the noose
Women's activists are not overly jubilant over
the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court verdict awarding the death penalty to
the lone accused in the sensational Jisha murder case – that they compared with
New Delhi's Nirbhaya case.This is because of several grey areas they find in
the case. Prominent women activist and advocate TB Mini pointed out many
loopholes in the prosecution's case. She feels that these could come handy to
the convict to escape harsh punishment when the case goes to the high court for
confirmation of the death penalty or if he files an appeal.Sessions court judge
N Anil Kumar awarded capital punishment to 24-year-old Ameer ul-Islam, a
migrant worker from Assam, after finding him guilty of raping and murdering
Jisha. Mini told Firstpost that the biggest lacuna in the case was the absence
of witnesses. The court has convicted Ameer relying on scientific and
circumstantial evidence. Mini said she had strong doubts whether the death
penalty will stand before the court of law merely on the basis of the available
evidence.Retired SP Subhash Babu also aired similar apprehensions. He said that
he did not expect a capital punishment in the case considering the evidence
available to the police. He said that it will be hard for the prosecution to
defend the death penalty in a higher court.Firstpost
Woman stabbed to death by husband in Bihar for
not leaving job:HT report
Purnia:A Muslim woman teacher had to pay with
her life for disobeying her husband’s diktat to leave her job in northeast
Bihar’s Purnia district.Tabassum Ara, 26, a teacher at Govt -run Talimi Markaz
school at Janta village in Baisi police station area of Purnia, 370 km
northeast of state capital Patna, was stabbed to death allegedly by her husband
on Tuesday.The incident took place when Ara, returning home Purnia on a
motorcycle with her brother after taking her BA part-2 examination at Katihar,
28 km south of Purnia.Raza told the police that Ara was married to Mohammad
Aslam of Panisadra village in 2010 but she was treated well by her husband. “On
Tuesday, Aslam forced me to stop my motorcycle at Baisi Circle and attacked us
repeatedly with a knife. We were taken to Purnia district hospital, where Ara
died during treatment,” added Raza, whose condition was said to be stable.
Saleem Peerzada: leader of Parcham Party
passes away
Saleem Peerzada, a popular leader among the
AMU fraternity, passed away on Tuesday following a hemorrhagic brain stroke on
Monday.Peerzada, popularly known by the name of Lovey Bhai or Lovey Peerzada,
was admitted to AMU’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College soon after the paralytic
attack. After he showed no improvement in the condition, he was transferred to
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi and then was sent to Apollo hospital.Saleem
Peerzada was born in Hardoi in 1954 to Late Peerzada Mashuq Husain Khan and Afsar
Begum. His nephew, Omar Saleem Peerzada is the Public Relations Officer of
AMU.Peerzada was the president of Parcham Party of India (PPI) which has been a
famous organization among the AMU community for fighting against communalism.TCN
MCD polls: Court acquits woman Muslim
candidate of defacing public property
New Delhi: A city court has acquitted an RJD
candidate for the Delhi civic polls earlier this year of the charge of defacing
public property by pasting her posters on an electric pole, as complainant
himself was the investigating officer in the case. CMM Manish Khurana absolved
the woman, who had contested from the Zakir Nagar ward in South Delhi on a RJD
ticket, of offence under Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property (DPDP)
Act.According to the prosecution, a campaign poster carrying candidate Kausar
Imam Siddiqui's name and photograph appealing for votes were found pasted on an
electric pole, a Govt property, in Jamia Nagar area.Acquitting woman of the
charge, court said, "It is well-settled law that the complainant should
not be the investigating officer in a case so as to rule out any ill will or
bias against the accused." PTI
WORLD
Nearly
7,000 Rohingya Muslims Killed in 1st Month of Army Crackdown
Doctors Without Borders says at least 6,700
Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a brutal army crackdown on
Rohingya rebels.Geneva-based international aid group, commonly known by its
French acronym MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières), says Thursday it came up with
its estimate after conducting a survey of several Rohingya refugee camps in
Bangladesh. The group says its estimated death toll includes at least 730
children younger than 5.Myanmar’s military has been accused of launching a
scorched earth campaign against Rohingya villages in northwestern Rakhine state
in August, in response to attacks on Myanmar police outposts. The campaign led
to a mass exodus of 600,000 Rohingyas into neighboring Bangladesh, who told
human rights groups of serious atrocities committed by Govt security forces, including random shootings,
rapes and burning down homes and entire villages.MSF medical director Sidney
Wong said the group’s findings were “staggering, both in terms of the numbers
of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the
horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.”VOA News
Israeli intelligence ministers wants Saudi
crown prince to visit
Jerusalem:Israeli intelligence minister
Yisrael Katz wants Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit, his
spokesperson said on Wednesday, in what would be a historic trip involving two
nations with no official diplomatic ties.Israeli leaders have repeatedly spoken
of improving ties with the Arab world and hinted at behind-the-scenes
cooperation, particularly involving their efforts to limit their common enemy
Iran.Katz issued the call during an interview with Elaph, a news website run by
a Saudi businessman, his spokesperson Arye Shalicar said.The call was not
included in the final version of the interview published online. Shalicar could
not comment on why, but said Katz had indeed made the comments. “He said that
he asks the king to invite (PM) Netanyahu officially to Riyadh, and he asks
MBS, Mohammed bin Salman, the son, to come and visit Israel,” Shalicar said of
Katz, who is also transportation minister.Katz made the call because “he wants
regional peace - that’s part of his three-layered programme,” his spokesperson
said, referring to security and economic cooperation leading to eventual
peace.He referred to Saudi Arabia as a leader in the Arab world. Netanyahu has
spoken repeatedly and with pride about growing rapprochement with “moderate
Arab states” without naming them, although he is assumed to be referring to
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies.HT
China supports Palestine with E. Jerusalem its
capital
BEIJING:China supports an independent Palestine on the
basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, its foreign
ministry spokesperson has said.Speaking after an extraordinary summit of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Istanbul on Wednesday, Lu
Kang said Beijing understoods the concerns of Muslim countries over the status
of Jerusalem.OIC countries issued a declaration on Wednesday recognizing East
Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.Kang called on the two sides to resume
dialogue in order to find a “comprehensive and fair” solution to the
long-standing crisis between Palestine and Israel.Anadolu Agency
Netanyahu rejects OIC's East Jerusalem
declaration
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a declaration
by Muslim leaders that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.In reaction
to the declaration by OIC on Wednesday, Netanyahu said that "all these
statements fail to impress us"."Truth will win in the end and many
countries will certainly recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and also
move their embassies," he added in response to the comments made by Muslim
leaders during the OIC's emergency summit.aljazeera
Indonesia urges OIC members to reconsider
Israel ties
Indonesia on Thursday asked member states of
the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to rethink their relationship
with Israel.The suggestion came after President Joko Widodo’s speech at the OIC
summit in Istanbul the previous day."We ask that countries belonging to
the Islamic cooperation who have close ties to Israel take necessary diplomatic
steps, including reconsidering that relationship," the president said upon
his return to Jakarta.World Bulletin
Trump receives ‘Friends of Zion Award’ in
White House ceremony
US President Donald Trump received a “Friends
of Zion Award” on Tuesday, in a White House ceremony attended by Vice President
Mike Pence and Jared Kushner, reported the Jerusalem Post.Trump was presented
with award by founder of Jerusalem-based Friends of Zion Museum, Mike Evans,
who hailed the president’s support for Israel as unprecedented.“No president in
history has ever built such an alliance for the State of Israel and the Jewish
people, and no president has courageously stood up for the State of Israel on
the global stage as you had Mr. President,” Evans said. middleeastmonitor
US Vice-President postpones visit to Israel
amid Jerusalem tensions
US Vice President Mike Pence is postponing his
trip to Israel amid on-going tensions, following the US recognition of
Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last week, Walla News reported today.A
Knesset spokesman confirmed that Pence’s arrival, originally scheduled for this
Sunday, was postponed until at least Wednesday. Whilst Israeli media has
reported that the delay is due to tax reform issues in US Congress, sources
close to US officials told Haaretz that the Trump administration is “stuck” on
how to handle the fallout from their announcement on Jerusalem. middleeastmonitor
In major BDS win, South Africa university
officially cuts ties with Israel
South Africa’s Tshwane University of
Technology (TUT) has officially endorsed the Palestinian call for an academic
boycott of Israel, and imposed a ban on ties with Israel and Israeli
institutions.With a 60,000-strong student body, Tshwane is the largest
residential higher education institution in South Africa.In a statement
released last week, officials revealed that a 24 November meeting of the
university council had formally approved a recommendation to cut ties.“As a
progressive University in a democratic South Africa, we want to affirm that TUT
will not sign any agreements or enter into scientific partnerships with any
Israeli organisation or institution until such time that Israel ends its
illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.” the statement said. Middleeastmonitor
Israeli authorities shut down crossing points
with besieged Gaza
GAZA, (PIC) The Israeli occupation authorities
said on Wednesday evening that the crossing points of Karem Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) and Erez to Gaza would be closed for "security concerns" as
of Thursday.Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement that the
crossings would not be open as of Thursday in light of the latest
escalations.Adraee also claimed that Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted two
missiles fired from Gaza into Sderot.The Israeli army attacked at daybreak
Thursday four Palestinian resistance sites in the blockaded Gaza Strip with 15
missiles, inflicting heavy material damage on the sites and on nearby civilian
homes.
Hamas marks 30-year anniversary with Gaza
rally
As the struggle for a Palestinian state
continues, Hamas, one of the main Palestinian factions, is marking its 30th
anniversary with celebrations in the Gaza Strip.Thousands of Palestinian men,
women and children, brandishing Hamas' green flags or sporting green scarves,
gathered on Thursday at the al-Katiba Square in Gaza City.Born out of the first
Palestinian uprising, or Intifada, in 1987, Hamas was created in response to
Israel's illegal occupation of West Bank and the Gaza strip.Its founder and
spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, was a hero to many Palestinians who were
frustrated with the lack of results from the peace process.Almost blind and
quadriplegic, Yassin was blamed by Israel for a series of suicide bombings and
rocket attacks on Israeli targets. Aljazeera
Palestinian minors suffer 'detention, abuse'
by Israel
JERUSALEM:Amjad, a 15-year-old Palestinian
boy, cannot forget the moment he was detained by Israeli soldiers in the
occupied West Bank two months ago."I remember the incident as if it were
yesterday," Amjad, whose family preferred not to give his second name,
told Anadolu Agency.The Palestinian boy was detained while participating in a
rally in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh."I was held in a military
vehicle and blindfolded for more than two hours, during which soldiers kept
insulting me," he recalled.Anadolu Agency
UAE delegate 'storms out' of UN human rights
meeting
Activists have accused Emirati officials of
refusing to address criticism of the UAE's human rights record and storming out
of a UN organised meeting with civil society groups.Rights groups presented
Emirati officials with evidence of alleged abuses happening in the country at
the UN Universal Periodical Review (UPR) pre-session in the Swiss city of
Geneva on Wednesday.Each year, 48 UN member states undergo the UPR to assess
the human rights situation in each and to allow officials from those countries
to set out what, if anything, they will do to address allegations of human
rights violations. Aljazeera
US airstrike against IS kills 23 civilians,
including 8 children, in Syria: Monitor
Beirut: Air strikes by a US-led coalition
killed 23 civilians Wednesday in a village held by the Islamic State group in
Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said."At least 23
civilians, among them eight children and six women, were killed Wednesday
before dawn by air strikes carried out by the US-led coalition, targeting a
village controlled by Islamic State on the eastern banks of the Euphrates
river," the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.The
observatory, which gathers eye-witness reports from the ground, said the
civilians were hiding inside a house and were all members of the same extended
family.AFP
Proportional representation votes stop Left
from 2/3 majority in Nepal:HT
Votes under Nepal’s proportional
representation system stopped the left alliance from securing a two-thirds majority
in the federal Parliament despite an impressive showing in elections under the
first-past-the-post system.This has ended fears of the Constitution being
rewritten and the introduction of social and economic reforms that would suit
the alliance forged by the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre.The voting under the
proportional representation system also stopped any political party from
gaining an absolute majority, but the two communist parties will have a
majority in the lower house.A total of 165 members of the 275-strong federal
Parliament are being elected under the first-past-the-post system, while the
remaining 110 seats will be filled under the proportional representation
system. hindustantimes
Indonesian Constitutional Court rejects a move
to Outlaw, Adultery , homosexuality: nytimes
JAKARTA— Indonesia’s Constitutional Court on
Thursday narrowly rejected a petition asking it to criminalize all sex outside
marriage, in a blow to religious conservatives who have been gaining influence
in the secular, Muslim-majority country.The court’s nine justices voted 5-4 to
reject a suit filed in March 2016 by the Family Love Alliance, a group of
conservative scholars. The group had asked the court to dramatically expand an
existing law that bars married people from having sex with anyone but their
spouse, arguing that it should apply to all sex between unmarried people.Such a
ban would also have effectively criminalized homosexuality, since Indonesia
does not recognize same-sex marriage. nytimes
May loses Brexit vote in parliament before EU
summit
British politicians have voted to give parliament
the final say on any withdrawal deal with the European Union, dealing a blow to
Prime Minister Theresa May on the eve of a crucial summit in Brussels.MPs on
Wednesday voted for an amendment to demand parliament pass a separate bill to
approve any final agreement signed with the bloc.May lost by a narrow margin of
309 to 305 votes. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29, 2019.The
prime minister had promised legislators a "meaningful vote" on the
UK's deal for its departure from the EU, or Brexit.Rivals, however, said that
the pledge did not go far enough. Aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
The missing Muslim representation in Gujarat
assembly election 2017:TOI
Dalit and Muslim are Coming Together in
Gujarat:Aaquib Khan, newsclick
Trump’s Muslim ban is working. Muslim immigration
slumps:DAVID BIER, newsweek
Trump's Jerusalem move: Obstacles for US
embassy plans;Alan Fisher, aljazeera
'Not In My Name': Activists fighting hate in
India:by Zeenat Saberin, aljazeera
China Overtakes India as Sri Lanka’s Largest
Trading Partner:P.K.BALACHANDRAN, thecitizen
A Dangerous Bill on Banks:Where Depositors Are
Made to Pay For Corporate Defaulters:PRABHAT PATNAIK
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