NEWS
DIGEST, MID-DAY
26 June 2018:11 Shawwal 1439: Vol:10, No:52
INDIA
India most dangerous country for women due to
high risk of sexual violence: Global Poll
London:India is the world’s most dangerous
country for women due to the high risk of sexual violence and being forced into
slave labour, according to a poll of global experts released on Tuesday.Experts
said India moving to the top of poll showed not enough was being done to tackle
the danger women faced, more than 5 years after the rape and murder of a
student on a bus in Delhi made violence against women a national priority.“India
has shown utter disregard and disrespect for women...rape, marital rapes,
sexual assault and harassment, female infanticide has gone unabated,”said
Manjunath Gangadhara, an official at Karnataka state Govt .“The (world’s)
fastest growing economy and leader in space and technology is shamed for
violence committed against women.”Govt data shows reported cases of crime
against women rose by 83% between 2007 and 2016, when there were four cases of
rape reported every hour.The poll was a repeat of a survey in 2011 that found
experts saw Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo,Pakistan, India, and
Somalia as the most dangerous countries for women.The survey asked respondents
which 5 of 193 UN member states they thought were most dangerous for women and
which country was worst in terms of healthcare, economic resources, cultural or
traditional practices, sexual violence and harassment, non-sexual violence and
human trafficking. Respondents also ranked India the most dangerous country for
women in terms of human trafficking, including sex slavery and domestic
servitude, and for customary practices such as forced marriage, stoning and
female infanticide.Reuters
Rahul slams Modi in tweet: PM tiptoes around
garden making yoga videos, while India leads Syria in rapes
New Delhi: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today
ridiculed PM Narendra Modi for his
exercise clips video and hinted that like Nero fiddling when Rome burned, the
PM "tiptoes around his garden making yoga videos" even as the
situation for women in India goes from bad to worse. "While our PM tiptoes
around his garden making Yoga videos, India leads Afghanistan, Syria &
Saudi Arabia in rape & violence against women. What a shame for our
country!," tweeted Rahul.TOI
Assam: As draft NRC faces delay, questions
grow over 'exclusions'
The biggest enumeration exercise that any
Indian state has seen after independence is fast nearing completion with the
complete draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam set to be
published soon. The Supreme Court had fixed June 30 as the date for publication
of the complete draft NRC, but in view of the devastating floods in Assam, work
in 3 Barak Valley districts suffered for around 10 days. It is, therefore, all
but certain now that the complete draft NRC will not be published on June 30
and will be delayed by a few days.NRC-updating exercise has understandably
generated a lot of heat both within and outside the country and several
questions have resulted. NRC authorities had made it clear that claims and
objections could be filed by people whose names do not figure in the final
draft. But, what will be the time limit for disposal of claims and objections?
Again, after the disposal of claims and objections, when can one expect the
final updated NRC? And, the most important question, can those people whose
names do not figure in the final NRC be automatically regarded as illegal
migrants or foreigners and what will be their fate?So far, there are no
concrete answers to these valid questions. The only common thread running
through all Govt and non-Govt organisations is one word: apprehension.theweek
BJP uneasy about 30 June NRC list, fears
unrest in Assam: E-x CM Tarun Gogoi
New Delhi: Ex-Assam CM and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi has
expressed apprehensions over the process of updating the National Register of
Citizens (NRC) ahead of the 30 June deadline of releasing the complete
draft.Gogoi has claimed that BJP-led state Govt too seems to be uneasy about the whole process
as the deadline nears.The crucial exercise, aimed at weeding out illegal
immigrants from the voter list, is being monitored by the Supreme Court.“We are
apprehensive about the NRC exercise. Even BJP Govt in Assam itself seems
apprehensive,” Gogoi told ThePrint.theprint
Harsh Mander resigns as special monitor, cites
NHRC silence on encounter killings
New Delhi: Citing NHRC “continued silence” on
the issue of “encounter killings targeting minorities in UP and Haryana” as
well as on the report he had authored on the critical question of those
declared as foreigners in Assam by Office of the State Coordinator of National
Registration(NRC), civil rights activist Harsh Mander has resigned from the
post of NHRC special monitor.In a letter to NHRC chairperson Justice (Retd.) HL
Dattu, the former IAS officer who took to activism to work with the homeless,
street children and survivors of mass violence and hunger, recalled how he had
been invited “to act as a special monitor of NHRC on the issues of
minorities.”“Given the very difficult situation faced by minorities, and my
faith in the mandate of the NHRC in a democracy, I was happy to accept your
kind invitation.I believe that human rights defenders should try their best to
strengthen the NHRC when the NHRC seeks such support,” he wrote explaining why
he took up the offer.Providing an insight into his past work on the issue of
minorities and communal violence, Mander further wrote that “in the past, in
the context of 2002 Gujarat massacre, and for a number of human rights issues
related to mental hospitals, bonded labour, right to food and others,” he had
“supported NHRC in many capacities, and therefore was happy to accept the invitation
as special monitor.”thewire.in
Shujaat Bukhari murder threat to free speech,
says NHRC
New Delhi:Observing that murder of senior
journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari was “serious threat” to
free speech and freedom of press in J&K, NHRC Monday issued notices to the
state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police seeking a detailed report
on the investigation into the killing.Bukhari and his 2 personal security
officers (PSOs) were gunned down by unidentified gunmen at Press colony in
Srinagaron June14. NHRC, headed by Justice H L Dattu asked J&K Govt to provide details of the attacks on media
persons in the past 2 years and measures taken by the state Govt to prevent such incidents.indianexpress
J&K: Shutdown in Valley, youth injured in CRPF
firing
Srinagar:Amid a shutdown in the Valley called
by separatists to protest against “civilian killings”, a student was injured on
Monday when CRPF personnel fired on protesting students in Baramulla.In south
Kashmir, a large number of people participated in the funeral of LeT commander
Shakoor Ahmad Dar, who was killed in an encounter Sunday.The joint separatist
leadership comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin
Malik had called the shutdown to protest against the killings in the Valley. In
Srinagar, all business establishments remained closed while few public
transport vehicles plied. Attendance in schools and Govt offices also remained thin. In south and north
Kashmir too, all business establishments remained closed and public transport remained
off the roads.In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a student was injured when
CRPF personnel opened fire on protesting students at Nadihal village. Villagers
said the students took to streets at Nadihal to protest against “civilian
killings”.They said the students blocked a road and threw stones at a CRPF
vehicle passing by. CRPF personnel fired at the protesters, leaving Class XI
student Ubaid Manzoor injured. Ubaid, who was hit in the thigh, was rushed to
District Hospital, Baramulla, from where he was shifted to Srinagar.In south
Kashmir, a large crowd attended the funeral of Lashkar commander Dar at Sopat,
Tangpora, in Kulgam district. A divisional commander of Lashkar, Dar was killed
in an encounter at Qaimoh village of Kulgam.indianexpress
Empty rhetoric by Pakistan will not change
that J&K is an integral part of India: New Delhi tells UN
India has objected to Pakistan’s reference to
alleged “egregious crimes” in J&K at the UN General Assembly. No amount of
“empty rhetoric” by Pakistan will change the reality that the state is an
“inalienable” part of India, the Indian representative said.The reference to
alleged killings in J&K was made by
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi during a debate on “Responsibility
to Protect and the Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes, Ethnic Cleansing and
Crimes against Humanity”.Exercising his right of reply, First Secretary in
India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu said: “While we are
having this serious debate for the first time in a decade on an issue that is
of importance to all of us, we have witnessed that one delegation has, yet
again, misused this platform to make an unwarranted reference to the situation
in the Indian state of J&K .”scroll.in
Govt likely to go after Kashmiri separatists
for 'terror funding', 'money laundering': Officials
New Delhi: With the imposition of governor's
rule in J&K, Govt is expected to
tighten the noose around Kashmiri separatist leaders who were allegedly
involved in terror funding and money laundering, officials said on Monday.This
would be done through coordinated action by NIA and ED, they said.The issue was
discussed threadbare at a high-level meeting chaired by Union home secretary
Rajiv Gauba and attended by director general of NIA Yogesh Chander Modi,
director of the ED Karnal Singh besides others.A coordinated action is likely
to be taken against Kashmiri separatists who were allegedly involved in terror
funding and money laundering, an official privy to the meeting said.TOI
India set to seal $500mn deal with Israel to
buy 4,500 Spike missiles
New Delhi:India is on the verge of finalising
a $500 million deal with Israel for Govt-to-Govt purchase of around 4,500 Spike anti-tank
guided missiles for the army ahead of Israel defence secretary Udi Adam’s visit
to New Delhi for the annual joint working group discussion on bilateral defence
cooperation. South Block officials and Israeli diplomats confirmed to Hindustan
Times that both sides were awaiting the final seal of approval from the Modi Govt
for the deal, which was initially conceptualised as one with a significant “Make
in India” component. That component has now been reduced on grounds of
commercial consideration.Major General (Retd) Udi Adams arrives in India on
July 2 and leaves a day later after holding meetings with his counterpart
Sanjay Mitra; he is also expected to pay a courtesy call to defence minister
Nirmala Sitharaman. Army’s effort to purchase Spike missiles, which have a
range from 800 metres to 8 km, has seen several twists and turns.Israeli
defence contractor Rafael won the contract to sell more than 8000 Spike ATGMs
to India in a deal which included manufacture of 3000 of the missile systems in
India through the “Make in India” route. This contract was cancelled in
November last year amid furore from the Israeli side. The procurement was changed
to Govt-to-Govt route after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited India this Jan. Contract
has now been revised to direct purchase of 4500 weapon systems with a small
quantity being manufactured in Hyderabad.HT
Scheme for quality madarsa education
voluntary, clarifies HRD Ministry
(HRD ministry has clarified that scheme for
providing quality education in madarsas (SPQEM) is voluntary and applicable only
to those who want to provide modern education.Under the scheme, madrasas can be
affiliated to any recognised board, including state board, CBSE, madrasa board,
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).“Affiliation to any board will help
the students passing out of these madarsas to progress to higher levels of
education when they complete their schooling. Provision of Rs5 lakh has been
kept for strengthening and activities of madrasa boards also,” said Maneesh
Garg, joint secretary at HRD ministry.There is also a provision of UDISE and
GIS coordinates of madarsas to ensure accountability in respect of funds
released by Govt, which is applicable to other institutions too,Garg said.“Scheme
will focus on improvement of quality of education in the madarsas”. HT
No Funds without board affiliation: Govt to
madrasas
‘Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya,’
Adityanath promises religious leaders
UP CM Adityanath has said “there should be no
doubt” that a temple will be built in Ayodhya. “Lord Ram is the master of this
universe. It is obvious that when Ayodhya has his blessings, the Ram temple
would be built in Ayodhya,” Adityanath told a group of religious leaders in
Ayodhya, Indian Express reported. “There should be no doubt about this.”The
Supreme Court is currently hearing decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid
land dispute case.Adityanath’s comments came after a religious leader, Ram
Vilas Vedanti, declared that they will build a temple at the disputed site
irrespective of the court’s order. Vedanti is part of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, an outfit
of religious leaders that have been at the forefront of a campaign to build a
temple at the site. It is one of the main litigants in the case, and has links
to VHP. “Ram temple is an issue for every Hindu in our country,” NDTV quoted
Vedanti as saying. “A temple will be built where Ram resides and we won’t wait
for any court. If the court allows it, then fine but even if it doesn’t, a
temple shall still be built. It is certain that the temple will be built before
2019.”In response, Adityanath asked them to be patient for some more time. CM
also claimed that there will be several hurdles while building a temple at the
site, especially in view of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.scroll.in
Want to build Ram Mandir lawfully; no mosque:
VHP
Yogi urges seers to be patient, says Ram
temple will definitely be built in Ayodhya
Modi has time to visit mosques abroad, not for
Ayodhya darshan: Togadia
Ex-VHP leader Pravin Togadia has attacked PM Narendra Modi for doing “nothing so far” for
the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying he had not even found time
for a darshan of Ram lala there.“PM doesn’t have time to come to Ayodhya and
have a darshan of Ram lala but has time to visit mosques in foreign countries,”
the Hindutva leader who has now floated his own Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad
(AHP) said. “Modi Govt has done nothing so far for the construction of a Ram
temple in Ayodhya,” he told reporters here.“They have betrayed crores of Hindus
by failing to enact a law for the construction of temples in Ayodhya, Mathura
and Kashi,” he added.Togadia said since the Govt is busy with other issues he has himself
prepared a draft bill for this, and Govt can get it passed in Parliament.“I will present
this draft before Ram lala,”he said.Togadia was heading for Ayodhya later in
the day, his first visit there after floating the new outfit. He said his
organisation planned a march from Lucknow to Ayodhya in Oct.on Ram temple issue.PTI
AMU Teachers Association dubs Adityanath statement on quota for Dalits
an election stunt
A day
after UP CM Yogi Adityanath said minority-run institutions like AMU and Jamia
Millia Islamia in Delhi should reserve seats for Dalits, AMU Teachers
Association (AMUTA) secretary Najmul Islam dubbed the statement as an “election
stunt”.Reacting to the CM’s statement, Islam wondered why the CM had not raised
this issue 18 months ago when BJP came to power in UP. “What was the need for
this at this time,” he said, adding that it had been done with an eye on 2019 polls.AMUTA
secretery said all politicians should stay away from educational institutions
and not play politics with it. “They should stay focussed on development and
other issues rather than politicking over education,” Islam said.If Govt wants
to make good its intentions, then it should open an academic institution solely
for Dalits, Islam suggested. There, Dalits could begiven admission as well as
better employment opportunities, AMU teacher pointed out. However, the truth is
that the Govt does not want to resolve
the problem but instead make an issue of it, he added.Another
former head of AMU students union, Mashkoor Usmani, termed CM’s statement as
“irresponsible”. According to officials, there is an “internal” quota of 50%
for those who pass out of Class XII from AMU schools. “No reservations is there
on basis of religion and caste,” said an AMU official.TOI
Yogi remark on quota in AMU, Jamia a bid to
break Dalit-Muslim solidarity: Dalit leader
New Delhi: A prominent Dalit leader has
questioned the intentions of UP CM Yogi
Adityanath in calling for Dalit reservation in minority institutions such as AMU
and Jamia Millia Islamia.“BJP is just trying to break the newly-emerging
Dalit-Muslim solidarity in the country with an eye on elections. Neither Dalits
nor Muslims will get swayed by the BJP’s crocodile tears for Dalits,” said
Ashok Bharti, the chairman of National Confederation of Dalit Organisations
(NACDOR), and chairman of the International Commission for Dalit Rights.“If he
(Yogi) is so sincere about reservation, why doesn’t he ensure adequate
representation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in other universities and his
own Govt ,” asked Bharti, who was among the Dalit leaders who had called for
the Bharat Bandh on April 2 this year, when Dalits protested the alleged
dilution of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.Tahir Mahmood, former chairman
of the law commission, argues that it is not “logical” for minority
institutions to have reservation for Dalits, unless, “to balance it out”, there
is reservation for minorities in general universities.According to Article
30(1) of the Constitution, all religious and linguistic minorities have right
to run educational institutions, including schools, colleges and
universities.theprint
Congress spreading 'illusionary fear' among
Dalits, minorities, says PM Modi; while rebel BJP leaders accused ruling regime
for imposing “undeclared Emergency”
New Delhi:On the 43rd anniversary of the
imposition of Emergency, PM Narendra
Modi on Tuesday slammed Congress for spreading “illusionary fear” about the
Constitution, Dalits and minorities facing danger in the country under BJP-led
NDA Govt .“People who trampled upon the constitution, jailed the country's
democracy, are today spreading illusionary fear that Modi will interfere in the
constitution,” said Modi while addressing a meeting organised by BJP to observe
the Emergency anniversary.Modi said that the Emergency imposed in 1975 by then PM
Indira Gandhi was a black spot on India’s history and the black day should be
observed to protect the Constitution.“Emergency is a black spot on the golden
history of the nation. Observing black day today is not just to criticise the
Congress for its sin of imposing Emergency but also to create an awareness for
the protection of Constitution and democracy,” Modi said.Modi went full
throttle and accused the Congress party of turning the country into a jail by
imposing Emergency for personal interests.While Modi took on the Congress for
Emergency declared 43 years ago, rebel BJP leader and former finance minister
Yashwant Sinha accused the ruling regime of imposing an “undeclared Emergency”
in the country.“There is an "undeclared Emergency" in the country
which is more dangerous than the one declared by the Indira Gandhi Govt in 1975,” Sinha said while addressing an AAP
rally in Varanasi over the phone. Another top Rajasthan BJP leader Ghanshyam
Tiwari went a step ahead and quit the party on Monday citing "undeclared
Emergency" in the country under Modi regime.News Nation
Restrictions on judiciary, legislature and
media under BJP: Rajasthan MLA who quit
Jaipur: Senior BJP MLA from Rajasthan and a
staunch critic of Vasundhara Raje Govt, Ghanshyam Tiwari, submitted his
resignation yesterday to party chief Amit Shah after being associated with Sangh
for 66 years.In 2013 assembly polls, Tiwari had won with the highest margin in
the state, defeating his Congress rival by over 65,350 votes.In his letter to
Shah, 5-time legislator said that he had brought large-scale corruption in the
state by Raje dispensation to BJP chief’s attention time and again.“Constantly
brought to your attention the conversion of Rajasthan BJP into a private shop
of one person but you never did anything. On the contrary, when you came to
power, you disrespected and tried to defame the loyal people.”He also
insinuated that the present conditions in the nation and the state is that of
an ‘undeclared Emergency’, and said that an “undeclared Emergency at present is
more dangerous than the declared Emergency”.thewire
A year after dramatic breakup, Nitish wants to
get back together with Lalu
New Delhi: Almost a year after he walked out
of Bihar mahagatbandhan (grand alliance) on the issue of “serious corruption
charges” against his main ally RJD and joined hands with BJP, Nitish Kumar
seems ready for ghar-wapsi.Sources who have been part of the back-channel talks
told ThePrint that the Bihar CM ’s emissaries have reached out to RJD chief
Lalu Prasad as well as other key opposition figures and broached the subject of
the JD(U)’s re-entry into the UPA fold.At least one meeting has taken place
between Lalu Prasad and one of Nitish’s key aides, the sources said. The issue
of a possible patch-up was also discussed at an iftar party held last month in
Mumbai.The possibility of Nitish unilaterally announcing a break from his
alliance with the BJP was also discussed. Further, the emissaries have
indicated to RJD leaders that they have opened lines of communication with the
Congress.Sharad Yadav, ex JD(U) president who was suspended from the Rajya
Sabha after a bitter break-up with Nitish and has now formed his own party, has
also been sounded out by Nitish’s emissaries. The strong possibility of another
NDA ally, who has grown close to Nitish in recent months, jumping ship along
with JD(U) was also discussed at one of the meetings.theprint
Lynching of a Muslim in name of cow a
"thunderclap" in Kashmir:Arun
Shourie
New Delhi: Taking a dig at Modi Govt, ex Union
Minister Arun Shourie on Monday said that it was a "one-trick horse"
with no policy either on Kashmir or Pakistan. "There is no Govt and no policy regarding Kashmir or Pakistan or
even the banks ... What we have is a one-trick horse that only knows how to
divide the Hindus and Muslims of this country," he said at the launch of
the book "Kashmir: Glimpses of History..." penned by senior Congress
leader Saifuddin Soz.Terming the Modi Govt as "event-oriented and election-oriented",
Shourie said that the focus was on organising events and winning elections with
little heed to policy or governance.He also took a dig at the much publicised
surgical strike against Pakistan and termed it as "farzical" (fake)
strike.Commenting on the Kashmir unrest, the former Union Minister said the
situation has been hurting the whole country and not just the Kashmiris and
people should realise that fact.On the Centre's newly-declared "all out
action" stance on Kashmir, Shourie said that what he understood of it was
there would be "more aggressive target killings of individuals" but
stressed that it would not be wise to use "foolish force" against the
people.IANS
Jashodaben Batting for Indo-Pak Peace Rally
Defies Modi Govt's Hypernationalism
New Delhi: A march in north Gujarat is getting
all the attention these days. Flagged off by Socialist Party (India), which
socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia had founded after Independence, yatra
meant to promote peace between India and Pakistan created a stir when
Jashodaben, the estranged wife of PM Narendra Modi, decided to join the march
in support for the cause. At a time, when the Modi Govt has taken strong
positions against Pakistan, Jashodaben’s support to the yatra may be seen as a
possible defiance. The yatra, which began in Ahmedabad on June 19, will end on
June 29 near the border in Banaskantha district. It was when the march was
passing through Patan district when Jashodaben rallied with the team of 8 which
has been walking along the region to promote greater interaction between the
two nations.“Our coordinator Kausar Ali Sayyad approached Jashodaben for
support. Upon hearing our mission, she readily agreed. She and her brother
Ashok Modi joined us for half an hour at a village called Sihi in Patan
district. She categorically said that the borders of India need peace and the
war rhetoric should stop. Yuddha Nahin, Shaanti Chahiye (Not war, we want
peace) was her slogan. She said that the violence at the border should stop and
we must not sacrifice our soldiers unnecessarily,” social activist and
Magsaysay award winner, Sandeep Pandey, who is leading the yatra, told The
Wire.thewire
Islamic Development Bank seeks tie-ups for
infrastructure investments
Mumbai: Islamic Development Bank Group, one of
the largest lenders to Muslim countries, is interested in exploring joint opportunities
with other multilateral development banks to invest in India’s infrastructure
sector, said Islamic Development Bank president Bandar M.H. Hajjar.The
development is significant given India’s infrastructure requirements and the
need to access capital at competitive rates. Infrastructure development has
been one of the focus areas of the Modi Govt. Starting with an allocation of
around ₹1.81 trillion in 2014-15, expenditure towards infrastructure reached ₹4.94
trillion in 2017-18. India plans to invest as much as ₹5.97 trillion in
creating and upgrading infrastructure in the current financial year.Hajjar said
the Jeddah-based bank is exploring joint opportunities through a line of
guarantees and pooled and blended financing.With 57 member countries, IDB has
financed $130.8 billion since inception. According to information available on
its website, the top 5 beneficiaries are Bangladesh (14.9%), Pakistan (8.9%),Egypt
(8.8%),Turkey (8.3%)and Morocco (5%).India has been seeking Saudi investment in
its infrastructure sector. Mint reported on 14 June that Public Investment Fund
of Saudi, which has invested in SoftBank’s Vision Fund and ride-hailing firm
Uber, is looking to invest in India. Also, the world’s biggest oil producer, Saudi
Aramco, has partnered with a consortium of Indian state-run companies to set up
the largest global refinery and petrochemical complex by capacity at Ratnagiri
in Maharashtra at an investment of $44 billion. Saudi Arabia is a crucial
source of energy for India and hosts a number of expatriate Indians.livemint
Pregnant Woman Killed In UP For Accidentally
Touching An Upper Caste Woman's Bucket
In the Khetalpur Bhansoli village of UP, with
a population of as much as 3,500, about 30% of them are Dalits.There have
admitted to frequent fights with upper castes in the village. In one such
incident, a pregnant woman was killed in this village for 'defiling' a bucket
of a woman from the upper caste, reported the Indian Express. On Oct.15
morning, an over-8-months pregnant Savitri Devi, like most days, was collecting
garbage from homes in Khetalpur Bhansoli village in Bulandshahr district of UP.
While she was at one of the homes, a rickshaw caused her to lose balance and
‘touch’ a bucket belonging to Anju, an upper caste Thakur.According to Kusuma
Devi, Savitri's neighbour, Anju stormed towards her, punched her repeatedly in
the stomach and banged her head on a wall.She kept accusing Savitri of defiling
her bucket by touching it. Later, Anju’s son Rohit also joined in and beat her
with sticks.6 days later, both Savitri, a Dalit, and her unborn son were dead. indiatimes
Gujarat barber beaten up for ‘cutting hair of
Dalits’, 4 booked
Ahmedabad : 4 persons belonging to upper caste
were booked on Monday for allegedly attacking a barber for “cutting hair of
Dalits” at Umrecha village of Satlasna taluka of Mehsana district.In a
complaint lodged with Satlasna police station, Jasiben Bhagwandas alleged that
her son Jigar, who runs a hair cutting salon in the village, was attacked by 4
persons on Sunday. She identified the attackers as Govind Chaudhary, Nanji
Chaudhary, Rajesh Chaudhary and Vasant Chaudhary, all residents of same
village.Jasiben has alleged that about 10 days ago, Jigar was warned by the
accused persons that he should not cut hair of Dalit men. But Jigar didn’t pay
heed to it. The allegation is that Jigar was attacked by the accused just for
entertaining Dalits at his shop,” said Sub-Inspector Ratilal Makwana,who is
investigating the case.Makwana said that when he went to the village and
recorded statements of several Dalits, all said that they never faced any issue
with Jigar.“They told me that no one ever threatened them for going to the
barber’s shop,” Makwana added.indianexpress
Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Nagpur increased
our membership:RSS leader
The number of applicants seeking to join RSS
has increased several times since ex President Pranab Mukherjee attended an
event at the organisation’s headquarters earlier this month, the outfit’s
senior leader Biplab Roy said.“From June 1 to June 6, on an average, we used to
receive 378 requests everyday on our website ‘Join RSS’ at the national level,”
Roy said at a press conference in Kolkata, PTI reported. “On June 7, the day
Mukherjee addressed our Shiksha Varg, we received 1,779 requests. After June 7,we
have been receiving 1,200-1,300 requests everyday.”About 40% of these requests
are from Mukherjee’s home state, West Bengal, Roy said.scroll.in
Vice President cautions against intolerance in
the name of cow, Love Jihad
New Delhi: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on
Monday cautioned against practising intolerance in the name of cow protection,
Love Jihad and eating habits, saying such actions spoil the name of the country
and people can't take law into their hands. "... We need to guard against
intolerance on the part of certain misguided citizens. We have been
occasionally witnessing such words and deeds of intolerance by some citizens in
the name of so-called cow protection, Love Jihad, eating habits, watching
films. "Such incidents lead us to
the point that individual freedoms can be in full play only when every citizen
respects such freedoms of fellow citizens. Post-Emergency, the State apparatus
would think twice before riding roughshod over the liberties and freedoms of
citizens. But it is enlightened citizens who would enable fuller manifestation
of such liberties and freedoms," Naidu said.IANS
Rohingya are internal, external security
threat: VHP resolution
VHP on Monday passed a resolution at the
meeting of its governing council, terming the increasing number of Rohingya
Muslims in the country as an “internal and external security threat”. VHP working president Alok Kumar said that in
order to neutralise the “infiltration” problem, Govt should make a law, seal the Indo-Bangladesh
border, deploy additional security agencies with BSF, constitute a
Parliamentary Committee and deport the “infiltrators” without delay. VHP
appealed to people of the country to boycott the “infiltrators” economically
and socially and hand them over to police.indianexpress
Hapur lynching: Qasim attacked with screw
drivers and sickles, died of blood loss
Hapur: Cattle trader Mohammad Qasim, 45,
lynched last week in Hapur, was assaulted by suspected cow vigilantes for over
an hour — his body pierced with screw drivers and skin scraped with sickles —
until he lost too much blood for his heart to keep going.Qasim’s autopsy
report, accessed by ThePrint, paints a horrific picture of how he was allegedly
mauled by a mob that suspected him of cow slaughter. According to the report,
Qasim, who was brought dead to the hospital, sustained 18 grievous external
injuries, with the medical examiner noting contusions on his legs, arms, and
knees. There were multiple bruises all over his back, his ribs were fractured,
and there were deep cuts on his shoulders, knees, near the abdomen, and on his
head. The cause of death was haemmorhagic shock.“It appears that he was beaten
up with blunt but heavy objects and attacked with sharp metallic objects till
he collapsed and became semi-conscious. The death was due to immense shock,” a
doctor at Saraswati hospital, where Qasim’s autopsy was conducted, told
ThePrint.“It also appears that he sustained several internal injuries…on his
private parts. There were several abrasions suggesting that he was kicked
around,” doctor added.theprint
Change FIR or case can collapse in trial, says
man who lodged FIR in Hapur lynching
Govt. responsible for killings in the name of
cow slaughter: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
New Delhi: Art of Living supremo Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar and President Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Maha Sabha Swami Chakrapani spoke
to each other and decided to convene a meeting to discuss killings in the name of
cow slaughter. Strongly condemning the Hapur incident in which Muslim was
lynched by a mob, Swami Chakrapani said if such elements continue to do
whatever they want in the name of religion the integrity of the county will be
at stake.Swami Chakrapani talked to Sri Sri on phone and discussed issues like
Gau Raksha, Ayodhya issue and preservation of Ganga. They agreed to call a
meeting of all religious leaders. They expressed concern over communalisation
in the country and said Muslims are killed in the name of cow somewhere their
beard is pulled. Someone asks all Muslims to become Hindu someone asks all to
become Muslims; how long will it continue? He asked. siasat
Mangaluru: Students protest ban on hijab in
classrooms
Mangaluru:Alleging that the management of St
Agnes College had been denying students permission to wear hijab, Muslim girl
students on Monday staged a protest in front of the college at Bendorewell in
Mangaluru.“Hijab is our dignity. It is our protector. Who are you to remove
it,” said the students, during a protest organised by the Campus Front of
India.“We are not allowed to wear hijab in the college this year onwards. When
our Constitution and Govt allows us to wear hijab, how can the college remove
our right,” questioned Fathima, a student.“All Muslim girls studying at St
Agnes Institutions will boycott classes until institution gives us back our
right to wear hijab,” she said.Riyaz, a member of the state committee of Campus
Front of India, said a delegation representing female Muslim students arrived
at the campus two days ago to “politely” speak to the principal and get the
issue resolved.However, neither the principal nor any lecturer was willing to
talk. Meanwhile, the institution in a communique stated that it was committed
to respect every student.“St Agnes College is a minority institution catering
to women’s education in particular. We respect every student who chooses to
study here. The management has framed rules and regulations to maintain order
and discipline. Accordingly, the college rule states that the students are not
permitted to wear headscarf inside the classrooms only. However, we have no
objection if they wear it outside. The students and their parents are aware of
this rule before seeking admission in our college. Yet, a few students have
gone on a protest without even submitting memorandum. If there are any issues
with any student, the management will settle the matter with the students and
their parents,” Sr Jeswina, principal, St Agnes College said.TOI
Intellectuals, Artists, Academicians, come
together to condemn arrest of 5 accused in Bhima-Koregaon Case
New Delhi:Over 200 intellectuals, artists,
academicians, lawyers, journalists, and students have issued a statement
condemning the arrests of 5 human rights activists, professors and lawyers in
connection with the Bhima-Koregaon clashes. The signatories to the statement
have described the arrests as “a clear manifestation of state terror to crush
the voices of dissent in this country”. Criticising the misuse of the IPC and
UAPA to keep the accused in jail, the statement has pointed out that the
accused worked “for the assertion of oppressed and marginalised communities
against majoritarian forces, spoke out against Brahmanical patriarchy.” And
that while they are being shut in jail over outrageous charges, “the
perpetrators of violence during the Bhima-Koregaon clashes enjoy the protection
of the state”.thewire
Sohrabuddin Fake Encounter Case: After 72
Witnesses Turn Hostile, Another Claims Threat to Life
New Delhi: Just days after the number of
witnesses in the alleged fake encounters of the Sohrabuddin Sheikh and
Tulasiram Prajapathi turning hostile climbed to 72, another key witness has now
claimed that he is facing pressure and even threat to his life.According to the
Indian Express, 40-year-old prosecution witness, who along with Sohrabuddin and
Prajapati was accused in the Hamid Lala murder case, has sent a letter to the
court claiming that he’s been pressurised to not depose before the court.The
witness in question was apparently close to Sohrabuddin. He was also an inmate
of Prajapati in Udaipur central jail till his death in an alleged fake
encounter in 2006. While he has previously been summoned by the Central Bureau
of Investigation for being an accused in several cases in Rajasthan, he has so
far remained untraceable.The daily further reported that on June 25, the wife
of the witness in question appeared before the court to depose as a prosecution
witness, following which she handed over a one-page letter apparently written
by her husband.thewire
Sohrabuddin fake encounter: Witness says under
pressure not to depose before court, threat to life
Disturbed Areas Act in Gujarat: A Tool to
Discriminate Against Muslims
Ahmedabad: VHP leader Pravin Togadia in a
speech in 2014 at Bhavnagar, Gujarat, had suggested spitting on a Muslim man
and throwing tomatoes at him. This, while attending to a complaint reportedly
about a Muslim man who had bought a property in a ‘Hindu area’. Evoking the
Disturbed Area Act in his speech, Bhagwat had stated,“This is a long-time
conspiracy that Muslims have been executing in cities and villages of India.
How can we stop this? There are two ways – one, to impose Disturbed Areas Act
everywhere, 2 – consult a lawyer, barge into a house, occupy it forcefully and
hang the board of Bajrang Dal. We can handle a case later.” His audience had
cheered and clapped.Disturbed Areas Act was enacted in the year 1986 and
replaced with a new Act in 1991. It empowers Govt to declare riot-prone areas
as ‘disturbed’. Property sale or transfer in areas where Act has been imposed
requires additional permission from the collector’s office affirming free
consent. The motive of the Act was to prevent distress sales. It was also to
prevent house owners of one community from selling to another in case of social
distress. However, for three decades, the implementation of the act has
translated into a very different ground scenario. Evoking the Act to drive
Muslims residents away from areas that have a mixed population is not uncommon
in Gujarat.Munir Sheikh was an employee of LIC when he bought a flat in Paldi,
Ahmedabad in 1995 – a house where Sheikh and his family could never live in and
eventually had to sell.“Over the years, more and more Muslims have either been
forced out or for the sake of safety moved to Muslim dominated areas like
Juhapura or Jamalpur. If Muslims try to buy property in areas of mixed
population, a problem crops up in most cases. There are elements in society who
will create ruckus and reach every Govt office to evoke Disturbed Areas Act. The
officials then inevitably find some loophole under the Act to harass the
buyer,” shares Sharif Khan, a builder residing in Ahmedabad.In May 2018,
Disturbed Areas Act was challenged in HC by Danish Qureshi, an activist working
for minority rights.“State Govt has been bringing more areas under the Act not
because it is necessary but because it serves the political agenda,” stated
Qureshi.thewire
New guidelines for Modi’s security: even
Ministers, officers won’t be allowed to come too close to him
Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new
security guidelines to States in the wake of an “all-time high” threat to PM Narendra Mod.As per the communication, not
even Ministers and officers will be allowed to come too close to the PM unless cleared by the Special Protection Group
(SPG).The communication cited an “unknown threat” to Modi. He is the “most
valuable target” in the run-up to the 2019 general election, officials privy to
the development said.SPG is believed to have advised Modi, who is the main
campaigner for the ruling BJP, to cut down on road shows, which invite a bigger
threat, in the run-up to the 2019 poll, and instead address public rallies,
which are easier to manage, an official said.thehindu
Rajnath to visit Bangladesh next month, hold
talks on terrorism, radicalization of youths
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to
visit Bangladesh next month and hold discussions on anti-terror cooperation and
ways to check radicalization of youths, an official said. During the 3-day
visit beginning July 14, the home minister is also expected to meet Bangladesh PM
Sheikh Hasina and discuss various
bilateral issues.In his meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan,
Singh will discuss how to strengthen the anti-terror mechanism between the two
countries and check radicalisation of youths by terrorist groups, a home
ministry official said.indian express
WORLD
Egypt, Saudi, UAE, Jordan 'support US plan' for peace in the Middle
East
4 Arab states have backed the US plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace
process, regardless of the position of Palestinian Authority (PA) President
Mahmoud Abbas, an Israeli paper reports.Israel Hayom daily interviewed
officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan who confirmed to Jared
Kushner, US President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, and Jason
Greenblatt, US envoy to the region, their support for the yet to be announced
"deal of the century". Kushner and Greenblatt conducted a week-long
tour of the Middle East, where they visited Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar
and Israel.The paper, which is owned by American billionaire couple Sheldon and
Miriam Adelson (who are also supporters of Israeli PM), said that the officials
interviewed by the daily also expressed their displeasure with Abbas's
insistence on refusing to meet Kushner and Greenblatt.The PA officials have
rejected meeting US officials since the Trump administration controversially
recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, accusing Washington of
pro-Israeli bias and as unfit to mediate in peace talks between Israelis and
Palestinians.According to Daniel Siryoti, Arab affairs commentator for the
paper, the leaders of Arab countries Kushner visited were the ones who advised
him give an interview to the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds on Sunday, where he
sharply criticised Abbas' ability to make a deal and said that US plan will be
presented with or without his consent.Siryoti quoted an unnamed senior Egyptian
official as saying that the leaders of the Arab countries visited by Kushner
and Greenblatt stressed that the official Arab positions conveyed to US
officials reflect the "unanimous" positions of Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
Jordan and UAE.According to the official, the leaders would also not oppose any
attempt by Washington to override Abbas' interests.Israel Hayom also quoted a
senior Jordanian official, who warned of the Palestinian leadership being
rendered "irrelevant with respect to the peace process." Osama
Hamdan, member of the Hamas movement's politburo in Lebanon, said the Arab
states are being used by the US to exert pressure on the Palestinian
Authority."There is an American insistence on not dealing with the
Palestinian side in order to create an overwhelming pressure on them internally
and through the regional Arab states," he said.aljazeera
UN calls on member states to support UNRWA amid funding shortages
UN has asked member states to fill a critical funding gap caused by
the US govt's decision to cut more than half of its funding to UN agency that
assists Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.On Monday, a conference
held by UN to raise money for basic services including food aid, medical care
and sanitation, commenced in an attempt to help over 5 million refugees in the
occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and war-torn Syria.It is
unclear how much was pledged by which countries against this year's shortfall
of $250m facing UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
aljazeera
Hamas calls on UN to approve UNRWA budget
Hamas has called on UN to approve the budget of the UNRWA as part of
the global body’s main budget.“UN should take a responsible decision by
approving the agency’s budget as part of its primary budget,” Palestinian group
said.It went on to stress the need to find “radical solutions”to the refugee
agency’s chronic financial woes.MEMO
Hamas hails removal of gates placed at refugee camps in Lebanon
Hamas has praised the Lebanese army’s decision to remove the
electronic gates which were placed at the entrance of refugee camps in
Lebanon.In a statement posted on Hamas’ official website it stressed that it
was confident the Lebanese army “will respond to its request, as Lebanon has
always been a supporter of the Palestinian people and their cause”.The statement
also added: “Hamas expresses its appreciation to the response of the Lebanese
military to the demands of the Palestinian people through its decision to
remove the electronic gates.”Hamas thanked all Palestinian and Lebanese
officials who made the effort to meet the demands of Palestinian people.MEMO
Syrian regime tightens noose around Daraa; 29
killed
At least 29 people were killed over the past
24 hours in attacks carried out by the Assad regime in Syria’s southern Daraa
province.On Monday evening, the regime and its allies launched a ground
offensive -- supported by Russian air power -- following four earlier attempts
to storm Daraa’s northeastern town of Busra al-Harir.Recent days have seen
Syrian regime forces and their Iran-backed allies advance to the town’s
outskirts, where they have continued to clash with armed opposition
groups.According to local civil-defense sources, at least 29 people have been
killed by repeated regime attacks, especially in the towns of Busra al-Harir,
Al-Hirak, Al-Sourah and Nahtah.Busra al-Harir is of particular strategic value,
as it represents the only means of accessing Daraa’s eastern
countryside.worldbulletin
Syrian army offensive in southwest displaces
45,000: UN
The Syrian army has seized a chunk of
territory from rebels in the southwest, Syrian state media and the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday, the first major government
advance in an offensive near the Jordanian border.The capture of the area
including the towns of Busra al-Harir and Mlehat al-Atash cuts across an
opposition-held finger of territory in northeastern Daraa province, where
President Bashar al-Assad has pressed his assault despite US warnings.A
military source cited by Syrian state television said the army had seized both
Basr al-Harir and Mlehat al-Atash - a move confirmed by the Observatory.A total
of 29 rebels and 24 pro-government fighters have been killed so far. At least
32 civilians have also lost their lives, the UK-based monitor, which relies on
sources in Syria, estimated. middleeasteye
UN alarmed by escalating hostilities in SW
Syria
Syria assault in Deraa intensifies as thousands continue to flee
Yemen: 70 Houthi prisoners freed by Saudi, UAE
A major prisoner swap deal has occurred between the Saudi-led coalition
and the Houthi armed group in Yemen, Al-Jazeera reported today.Saudi-led
coalition released 70 Houthi prisoners in exchange for some 40 prisoners held
by the Houthis. The deal insinuates that both warring parties are on
negotiating terms, ideal for a United Nations backed political process.The news
comes as the Yemen National Army announced the capture of seven experts
belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah in the Houthi stronghold Saada governorate,
northern Yemen yesterday. Although it is the first time Lebanon’s Hezbollah has
been mentioned in the Yemen civil war, Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson
for the Saudi-led coalition, claims it was “not the first time” that such
forces were killed in Yemen, according to Arab News. Early on in the conflict,
allegations surfaced that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were
training the Houthis in northern Yemen.middleeastmonitor
Egypt: Beltagy calls on Mubarak to provide testimony
A leading member of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has asked that ousted
president Hosni Mubarak offer his testimony as a witness in the court case in
which he and former President Mohamed Morsi are accused of breaking into
prisons during the 2011 uprising and spying for Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran’s
Revolutionary Guard.Mohamed Beltagy was standing before Cairo Criminal Court
yesterday along with former president Morsi, who was ousted in a military coup
in 2013, and others. The court adjourned the trial until 19 July when former
interior minister Mahmoud Wagdy is set to offer his testimony in court.Beltagy
asked for Mubarak and a number of former ministers and PM s to testify in
court.MEMO
Egypt’s Grand Mufti slams
researcher for citing Sayed Kotb in his PhD research:EGYPT TODAY
CAIRO; Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Shawki Allam, criticized an Al-Azhar
researcher for using the writings of Sayed Kotb, a former leading Muslim
brotherhood figure, as a reference in his PhD research. While formally examining a PhD research,
Allam criticized that some Al-Azhar scholars depend on the writings of some
extremists and cite them in their researches, considering that such action distorts
the image of Islam and paves the way for intellectual extremism. MP Mohamed Abu
Hamed of the Social Solidarity Committee said that state and Islamic
institutions have to warn against Kotb’s thoughts, claiming that some elements
inside the Islamic institutions tend to adopt Muslim Brotherhood’s thoughts.
Omar Hamroush, Secretary of the Parliament’s Religious Affairs and Endowments
Committee affirmed that his committee made sure that Al-Azhar books were devoid
of extremist ideas after a committee from Al-Azhar worked on removing extremist
thoughts from books in 2014. egypttoday
China Steps up Surveillance With Flock of Robotic Doves in
Muslim-majority Xinjiang
Beijing: China has deployed a flock of high-tech drones disguised to
look like birds to step up surveillance levels in the troubled Muslim-majority
Xinjiang region, according to a media report.More than 30 military and Govt agencies have deployed the birdlike drones and
other devices in at least five provinces in recent years, Hong Kong-based South
China Morning Post reported.Each drone is designed to move like a bird with
flapping wings and carries on board a small camera that will beam images back
to its controllers.One part of the country that has seen the new technology
used extensively is the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in China's far west,
which borders Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, the report said.Resource-rich Xinjiang,
bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan, is on the boil for years
following unrest among Uyghur Muslims over the increasing settlements of
majority Han Chinese from other provinces.PTI
Taliban calls Islamic Scholars conferences a US process
Kabul: Afghan Taliban has denounced the so-called Islamic Scholars
conferences in Asia and the Middle East as an "American process" and
urged clerics to reject the gatherings.The Taliban says in a statement Tuesday
the US first gathered religious scholars for a conference in Indonesia in May,
and have since organized similar conferences in Kabul, Islamabad, Pakistan and
Saudi Arabia.No date has been set for a conference in Saudi.Taliban consider
the conferences to be anti-Islamic and led by the U.S., the group said in the
statement. It says the U.S. is using them to seek justification for its
"military occupation" of Afghanistan."Islamic Emirate urges
religious scholars to reject these conferences which are a scheme of the
invaders," it said.AP
General involved in Rohingya crackdown fired after EU sanctions
Myanmar's military has fired a top general who was named in a fresh
European Union sanctions against security officials accused of serious rights
violations against the Rohingya minority, including killings and sexual
violence.The military, also referred to as Tatmadaw, announced late on Monday
in a Facebook post that Major General Maung Maung Soe, the former head of the
western command in Rakhine, had been "purged" for poor
performance.The announcement came after the EU said Soe was among seven
security officials hit with travel bans and asset freezes, but Myanmar did not
link his sacking to the new sanctions.aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
In run-up to 2019, polarised J&K will add
fuel to BJP fire:Kapil Sibal
Five Myths and Misconceptions About the UN
Report on Kashmir:Aman
Hapur horror: Muslims had prevented cow
slaughter in Pilakhua in 1857:Amaresh Misra
Compiled and edited by
Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:01 PM)
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