NEWS
DIGEST, MID-DAY
26 Aug 2018:13 Zilhajj 1439: Vol: 10, No:92
INDIA
Maharashtra terror plot: ATS Arrests Another
Man from Mumbai; 5 Held So Far
Mumbai: Maharashtra ATS, which is
investigating the recent seizure of explosives and arms in the state, has
arrested one more person from Ghatkopar on Saturday. Avinash Pawar (30) was
arrested on Friday night and will be produced before a court on Saturday, the
official added. According to the ATS, Pawar was involved in the conspiracy to
carry out blasts in the state with Vaibhav Raut, Sharad Kalaskar, Sudhanwa
Gondhalekar and Shrikant Pangarkar, who were earlier arrested in this case. Pawar's
name cropped up during the interrogation of the arrested accused, the official
added."We have arrested Pawar under sections 4, 5 of the Explosive
Substances Act, read with section 9(B) of the Explosives Act, section 120B
(criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and sections 16 (punishment for terrorist
act), 18 (conspiracy for terrorist act) and 20 (being a member of terrorist
gang) of the UAPA," he said.ATS had on August 10 arrested Raut (40), who
ran the "Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti",a little-known pro-cow
protection outfit, at Nallasopara in Palghar district.After Raut's arrest, ATS
had nabbed Kalaskar (25) and Gondhalekar (39), following raids in Palghar and
Pune districts. Pangarkar, former Shiv Sena corporator from Jalna, was arrested
on August 19. ATS had claimed to have recovered 20 crude bombs, 2 gelatin
sticks, four electronic and 22 non-electronic detonators, 150 gms of explosive
powder and some other materials, which according to the police, were to be used
to trigger blasts at various places in the state. PTI
Hindu Terror Suspect's Code Name Was Bhaijaan
Here's How Right-Wing Terror Suspects Were
Recruited
Hindu Maha Sabha sets up ‘Hindu courts’, plea
filed in Allahabad HC seeking their dismantling
Lucknow:Allahabad High Court has been
approached with a plea to order dismantling of ‘Hindu Courts’ because their
establishment “is a defect way of dividing the country and creating secession.”
The petitioner has urged the court to restrain the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Maha
Sabha from constituting such courts in the future.According to the Public
Interest Litigation, the Hindu Maha Sabha has set up a ‘Hindu Court’ on 15th
August and appointed its National Secretary Ms. Pooja Shakun Pandey as the
first judge of the Hindu Court. The Hindu-right outfit has planned to establish
5 more ‘Hindu Courts’ on 15th November this year.As per a report in LiveLaw.in,
PIL has been filed by Allahabad-based lawyer Ankit Singh through Advocate Rohan
Gupta.“…the establishment of such ‘Hindu courts’ is a defect way of dividing
the country and creating secession. It endorses an unhealthy precedent of
mainstream religion-based justice system in secular India. Therefore, the
establishment of such courts is clearly against the spirit of secularism, which
is deeply embodied in our Constitution and forms a part of its basic
structure…the ‘Hindu Courts’ are wholly illegal, an outrage to the Constitution
and an affront to the Judiciary and must be stamped out ruthlessly,” contends
the PIL.It further asserts that establishment of a “religion based Hindu
Judicial System” would be “an affront to the judicial system and the
Constitution of the Country, while tarnishing the secular character of the
nation”. The petitioner has alleged that Hindu Maha Sabha is setting up such
courts “seemingly to capitalize on the communal atmosphere prevalent in the
state”.caravandaily
Indian Govt Revokes Al Jazeera's Security
Clearance
New Delhi: The Qatar Govt’s state-funded
broadcaster Al Jazeera has had its security clearance revoked by the home
ministry, according to a report in Economic Times today. Sources told the
Economic Times that the decision has been made over a documentary the channel
did on militancy in Kashmir, which the Govt viewed as “biased”.In May this
year, the foreign ministry reminded foreign journalists that they would need
prior permission to travel to areas such as J&K, as well as Arunachal
Pradesh, Sikkim and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. These are
considered “protected and restricted areas”.Foreign channels need a security
clearance from the home ministry and a broadcasting clearance from the
information and broadcasting ministry. Al Jazeera’s security clearance was
valid from 2010 and expired in 2018.Al Jazeera has reportedly filed a petition
for reviewing this decision.The channel has run into controversy with the
Indian Govt before: In 2015, they had published an incorrect map of J&K.
The channel was then suspended for 5 days in which time they carried a blank
screen with a message running on it saying, “As instructed by the ministry of
information and broadcasting, this channel will not be available from 00.01
hours on April 22 till 00.01 hours on April 27, 2015″.Some other channels who
have been rejected security clearances recently include ABC News, Voice of
Nation, Focus NE TV, Jhankar News, Maa TV, Bhakti Sagar, M Tunes and Lemon
News, according to the Economic Times.Channels have their permissions withdrawn
for other reasons too such as owners seeking cancellations,
non-operationalisation of channel, non-submission of documents.thewire
Govt Cancels Al Jazeera’s License After Docu
on J&K
Jamaat-E-Islami Hind urges Muslims to come
forward to improve current situation in the country
New Delhi:The situation of the country is the
same today which prevailed at the time of Eid ul Fitr in June. In fact it has
deteriorated further. Lawlessness has become rampant. Whoever has power thinks
that he is above the law, said Jamaate Islami chief on Wednesday. Delivering
his sermon on the occasion of Eid-al-Azha at the Masjid Ishat-e-Islam, Jamaate
Islami headquarters in New Delhi Maulana Jalaluddin Umari said:“Incidents of
mob lynching are taking place continuously. Organized groups come out and lynch
anyone they find. Women are not safe even in their homes and families. Women
are not safe anywhere in the world and especially so in our country. Efforts
are being made to legalize homosexuality. The economy of the nation is in the
hand of a few capitalists. Freedom of expression is being curtailed.“The
question is – should we remain silent in these circumstances and become mere
mute spectators? Should we allow things to unfold and events to occur as they
are? Undoubtedly our problems are graver. But we must make efforts to solve
them. It is our responsibility not to remain aloof from them. As sincere
well-wishers of our nation it is our duty to struggle for the improvement in
the current situation prevalent in the country’’. Jamaat Chief, however, urged
the audience not to lose heart at the prevalent situation in the country and to
remain on the right path and focussed towards Allah. Maulana mentioned that the
conditions in Arabia were much worse when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was given
Prophethood.Maulana Umari also urged people to donate generously for the Kerala
Flood Relief. The people of Kerala have always led from the front whenever any
natural calamity has occurred anywhere in the country. Now it is our duty to
extend a helping hand to them in their hour of crisis. Caravan daily
Bohra women's group defends 'khafz', says it
does not amount to female genital mutilation, which should be banned
Mumbai: An organisation representing women of
Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community today defended the practice of female
circumcision prevalent in the community saying it does not amount to female
genital mutilation (FGM), which needs to be banned.The organisation issued a
statement today in the wake of Court of Criminal Appeal in New South Wales in
Australia overturning the conviction of three people accused of FGM.The court
ruled that the traditional Dawoodi Bohra practice of 'khafz' (female
circumcision) does not amount to FGM. Dawoodi Bohra community is a Shia
sub-sect of traders hailing predominantly from Gujarat and spread across the
world. Dawoodi Bohra Women's Association For Religious Freedom (DBWRF), said
that khafz was a harmless religious ritual that was being followed for
centuries, FGM was unwarranted and it should be abolished.In a statement issued
today, secretary and spokesperson of DBWRF, Samina Kanchwala, said, "Khafz
is a completely harmless religious ritual followed for centuries and this
historic judgement will be welcomed by Dawoodi Bohras around the world, who are
struggling to inform public opinion that is intent on denying women their right
to practise their religious observance." According to her, khafz was a
part of their religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution and that the
procedure does not amount to FGM.Khafz is a very small procedure and not female
genital mutilation, Kanchwala said adding, "But we consider FGM as totally
unwarranted and want the end of it. The SC bench headed by CJI, which was
hearing a plea seeking a ban on the practice,also referred to fundamental
rights including Article 15 under the Constitution and said a person has the
right to "have control over her body".PTI
Govt panel findings: ‘Its hip implant recalled
in Australia, in same month Johnson & Johnson got registration certificate
in India’
New Delhi: On Dec.23, 2009, Indian arm of
Johnson & Johnson obtained a fresh registration certificate for its ASR hip
replacement implants from the national regulator for medical devices. On
Jan.11, 2010, the firm applied for an import licence on the basis of that
certificate. However, the company did not inform authorities at the time that
the product had been recalled in Australia in Dec.2009, a committee set up by
the Union Health Ministry has found.In its report that details the timeline,
the committee also states that in documents submitted during its probe on the
“faulty” implants, the global pharma major “themselves have admitted about the
product failure”. The product was globally recalled on Aug.24, 2010. On Friday,
the Indian Express reported on the key findings of the committee leading to its
conclusion that the company “suppressed” key facts on the harmful aftermath of
hip replacement surgeries conducted on hundreds of patients using the implants
it imported and sold. Its report states that over 3,600 patients with the
implants remain untraceable, and that at least 4 deaths have been reported from
those who underwent surgeries using these devices. J&J imported and sold
ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System in the country
until they were globally recalled in 2010.When contacted, a company
spokesperson said: “We would like to clarify that DePuy Australia made the
decision to discontinue sale of the ASR Hip System in Australia because of
declining demand. There was no recall in Australia in 2009. In fact, ASR Hip
System was voluntarily recalled by DePuy across the globe in Aug.2010.”Govt
committee stated in its report it was informed of the recall by Australian
authorities. It said that the company may have violated Indian laws by applying
for a fresh licence later to sell the devices in the country.“The firm had
applied for import licence on the basis of the registration certificate on 11
Jan, 2010. However, the fact ASR was already recalled in Australia in Dec.2009,
was not informed to CDSCO even at the time of application for import licence.
That the committee observes that there appears to be suppression of material
facts by the firm to CDSCO. This is construed as serious breach of a condition
of approval,” the committee’s report states.Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation (CDSCO) is the regulator for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
According to CDSCO rules, when a registration certificate is granted to a
medical device, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to inform the regulator
about any adverse reports on the product globally.indianexpress
Top official sought CBI probe into hip
implants sold by Indian arm of Johnson & Johnson: ‘Failure of govt’
New Delhi: Over 5 years ago, Maharashtra Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner asked the state Govt to seek a CBI
probe into complaints by patients against ASR hip implants sold by the Indian
arm of Johnson & Johnson. 3 years later, Vijay Anant Vojhala, a patient who
underwent a hip replacement surgery using this device, asked the central govt
for a CBI probe into the “faulty” implants.But the Centre decided in July 2015
against such a probe on the grounds that “referring the case to CBI may not
help the compensation claim” of patients.Mahesh Zagade, Maharashtra FDA
Commissioner in 2013, said there was a “whole thought process” behind his
recommendation and it is the “failure of the Govt machinery that leads to this
type of thing”.Zagade alleged that his “officials were hand in glove and they
did not pay any heed to the complaint (of patients)… and this was a case of
failure of FDA machinery.”Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan did not respond
to the queries sent by the paper. Johnson & Johnson did not respond to
requests for comment on the Maharashtra FDA’s recommendation. Indianexpress
Kerala floods: No confusion over UAE aid, hope
it is accepted, says CM Vijayan
A day after UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albanna said
his country had not announced “any specific amount as financial aid” for
flood-hit Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan maintained on Friday that
there was “no confusion over the aid”.Speaking to mediapersons, the Chief
Minister said: “There is no confusion over the aid from UAE. The issue was
discussed between two persons. UAE ruler has spoken to our Prime Minister. Both
parties have communicated that matter to the world. Whether to accept it or not
is an issue of our country. I still hope that the assistance will be
accepted.”indianexpress
Kerala floods: State considers interest-free
loans for traders
Kerala govt has announced more relief measures
for the flood-hit people of the state even as it tried to restore its ravaged
civic infrastructure.CM Pinarayi Vijayan told the media that the Govt was
considering interest-free loan up to Rs 10 lakh for traders, dairy farmers and
small-scale entrepreneurs who had suffered massive losses in the flood. “The
traditional industrial and trade sectors have faced a severe setback. The govt
has asked banks to give moratorium for one-and-a-half years on loans,’’ he
said.indianexpress
Kerala Floods: Muslim NGOs donate Rs 10 lakh
as Eid gift to flood-hit people
Mumbai: Following an extensive donation drive
for the Kerala calamity, students from Students Islamic Organisation of India
(SIO) Maharashtra along with members of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and other local
NGOs are back on the occasion of Eid collecting more than Rs 10 lakh from
Eidgahs and Mosques after the Eid prayers.Earlier the student-led National
organisation, SIO carried out a nation-wide fundraising campaign, wherein they
collected nearly 3.5 lakhs from Maharashtra alone. The local wings of the
organisation are working day in and out at the affected sites alongside some other
NGOs.At present there is a huge need of food supplies, medical aid and shelter
for the displaced. Based on the list of requirements, the organisation is
carrying out this second round of nation-wide fundraising campaign. Earlier Khizer Shabibi, a student of
Mechanical Engineering and Programme Coordinator of flood relief drive in
Maharashtra has raised an appeal for all countrymen to come forward and help
their fellow citizens with financial aid in their time of need. Raafid Shahab
the State general secretary of SIO added, “On Wednesday, Muslims in Maharashtra
celebrated their Eid by sharing the pain of our brothers by sending massive
donations to Kerala, funds were collected at more than 100 mosques and Eid-Gahs
after Eid prayers.”freepressjournal
Mumbai’s religious institutions extend helping
hand to victims of Kerala floods
Mosque Gives Shelter to Hindu Families
Displaced by Kerala Floods
Kerala floods might have killed hundreds and
displaced lakhs of people but they have also washed away caste barriers and
discrimination. A mosque in the flood ravaged state opened its doors to provide
shelter to Hindus, who were stuck in floods. Juma Masjid in northern
Malappuram, which is one of the worst affected districts is celebrating Eid
this year in the most diverse way possible. The mosque has provided shelter to
17 displaced Hindu families including women, children and the elderly.Chaliyar
village panchayat chief PT Usman, told PTI, "There were 26 families who
had sought refuge in the mosque, a majority of them Hindus. Though we opened
the relief camp at the mosque on August 8, the activities started in full swing
only after August 14, following a series of landslides that rocked the district.”Victims
were given space to sleep, proper food from the canteen consisting of rice,
pulses and other essential materials. Many families later returned home because
water had receded from their homes. They took part in Bakrid today, after which
they left for their respective homes.indiatimes
Kerala: Temple hall hosts Eid prayers for
members of flooded mosque
Thrissur: In a refreshing development, the
hall attached to temple at Eravathur near Mala became the venue for the Eid
prayers on Wednesday for the devotees from the nearby mosque which is still
remaining flooded.The office-bearers of the Purappullikkavu Rathneswari Temple
run by SNDP Yogam happily volunteered when they realized that priests at the
nearby Kochukadavu Juma Masjid were looking for a place to organize the
community prayer session on the Eid day."We were hoping that the water
will recede by Wednesday and we will be able to offer the Eid prayers at the
Masjid itself . However, two days back itself we realised that this may not be
possible. When we discussed the issue with the temple office-bearers, they
immediately offered their hall for the prayers,’’ said PA Khalid, president of
the Masjid Mahallu committee."We thought offering the temple hall for Eid
prayers will be an expression of the secular lineage of this land. We had also
arranged all other facilities like water for cleaning for the devotees who had
come for offering prayers," said P K Sabu, who is the president of SNDP
Union Mala.About 200 Muslims had assembled to offer prayers at the temple
hall.TOI
Muslims in Kerala Clean Flood-Hit Temples;
Provide Shelter to Shelterless Hindus Inside Mosques
Kerala floods: No jobs, relief camps closing,
scores of migrant workers leave for home
Kochi :Scores of migrant workers from the
north and northeastern India have left Kerala since the devastating floods. 2
special trains have ferried migrants to the northeastern regions in the last 10
days, but many others are still waiting to leave.The labour department
accommodated stranded migrants in relief camps in many parts of Kerala along
with local residents. As local residents are shifting back to their houses and
camps are being shut, some migrant workers are leaving for their home
states.“One camp at Aluva in Ernakulam had 150 migrants from West Bengal. After
the camp was shut, most of them left for their home state on Friday. There were
migrant workers in camps in Perumbavur and Kothamangalam regions. Those who are
leaving Kerala had been staying in affected areas. Once trade and construction
is normal, they will come back,” said a revenue department
official.indianexpress
Muslim students cleaned Temple in Kerala after
floods
Kerala is recovering from one of century's
worst natural disasters. Floods have drowned the state, and people are in
desperate need of help and it will take some time for normalcy to return to the
citizens of Kerala. However, in order to rehabilitate and lend a helping hand
to one another, people are putting away differences to speed up the clean-up
process in the state. One such case is that of a group who helped clean up a
temple. The noble gesture was undertaken by workers of Wiqaya, a dedicated 17 member
team of Muslim students in the state.They volunteered to clean an Ayyappa
temple at Kolpadam near Mannarkkad in Palakkad district.According to a report
by News 18, the volunteers are from one of the largest Muslim student
organisation in Kerala - the Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF).
The cleaned the Ayyappa temple and made it ready for devotees to enter.Habeeb
Faizy Kottopadam, who headed the relief work in Palakkad district said about a
dedicated team called Wiqaya who volunteer for helping the needy. "They
have been indulging in rescue and relief work across the state during the
floods,” he said.indiatimes
Kodagu floods: Joint operation by RSS, NGO run
by Muslims gives hope to flood-hit people
Madikeri (karnataka):They walked for miles on
slippery trails, crossing cascading streams and braving landslides. Many were
aged men and women, whose lives had gone awry in the wake of the torrential
rains that lashed Kodagu district in Karnataka, bordering Kerala, claiming at
least 17 lives and leaving a trail of destruction since Aug 12.Several people
were carried on shoulders to the relief camps, where they sat waiting for their
names to be called to receive food and other relief materials. The residents of
Kodagu not only lost their homes due to the incessant rains and floods, but
were also cut off from the rest of the world due to frequent landslides.Since
August 16, the villagers living in and around Madikeri were rescued and taken
to the relief camps. The much-needed support was a result of a joint
relief-and-rescue operation undertaken by the RSS-affiliated Seva Bharati and
the Usmaniya Charitable Trust (Bhadravati),NGO run by Muslims.Mussavvir Basha,
general secretary, Usmaniya Charitable Trust said they spent Rs 5 lakh for
providing rice packets, water bottles, biscuits, free ambulance service,
first-aid kits etc. to the marooned people.“There was a barrage of fake news
and hatred being spread on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms.
Some mediapersons too, I am sorry to say, are dividing the country into north
and south. “In this backdrop, the joint operation should serve as an
inspiration to people to bring unity in this hour of crisis,” he said. Basha
and 5 others of the trust visited the RSS camp at Madikeri and proposed the
joint operation.Both the organisations took part in the rescue-and-relief work
from August 21 to 24, before the members of the Usmaniya Charitable Trust
returned to Bhadravati in Shivamogga district. indianexpress
Delhi HC convicts 20 for Mirchpur Dalit
killings: ‘Grim reminder of absence of equality, fraternity in society’
New Delhi:Observing that atrocities against
Dalits by upper castes have shown no signs of abating even after 71 years of
independence, the Delhi High Court Friday held 20 people guilty of burning
alive a 60-year-old Dalit man and his differently-abled daughter at Mirchpur
village in Haryana in 2010.A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and IS Mehta said
that the incident in Hissar district is a grim reminder of the complete absence
of “equality” and “fraternity” in Indian society. “How long shall we continue
to live this life of contradictions,” the High Court observed and asked till
when will we deny the principle of one man, one value. “Millions of Dalits
including the Balmikis of Mirchpur ask even now.”In a 209-page verdict, the High
Court overturned the trial court acquittal of 20 people and upheld the
conviction of 13 others in the case saying there is no doubt that it was indeed
members of Jat community which made a “coordinated and premeditated” attack on
the Balmiki basti. The trial court ruling on Sept.24, 2011, had held 15 of 97
accused guilty and acquitted 82.While 13 people had approached the HC
challenging their conviction, families of the victims and the police had also
moved the HC seeking enhancement of the sentence awarded to the convicts and
appealing against the acquittal of the others.On the morning of April 21, 2010,
homes of 18 Dalits were torched and 18-year old Suman and her father Tara Chand
were burnt alive. The violence had led to the displacement of 254 Dalit
families from Mirchpur village. The trigger was an incident 2 days earlier when
a dog which belonged to a Balmiki resident barked at a group of Jat
youth.indianexpress
Maharashtra govt prepares draft bill, outlines
role of proposed cow commission
Mumbai:The Govt has prepared a draft bill to
set up a Maharashtra Cow Service Commission with a view to prevent illegal cow
slaughter, increase the breeding of local cows through gaushalas and monitor
the functioning of gaushalas in the state. Besides, the draft bill says, the
commission should suggest schemes to the Govt for the setting up of industries
to “generate power and bio-gas from cow milk, urine and dung”.Officials from
the state animal husbandry department said the proposed commission, to be
headed by the animal husbandry minister, would be a 23-member body, including Govt
officials and representatives from NGOs.“The commission would be responsible
for protecting cows seized by the police on suspicion of being taken for
slaughter and for initiating legal action against those involved in such acts,”
said an official.The official added that the commission would be tasked with
ensuring effective implementation of Maharashtra Animal Preservation
(Amendment) Act, 1995 and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“Commission will have powers to impose a fine of Rs 50,000 for the first
offence and Rs 1 lakh for the second offence for violations of the provisions
of the bill under which it would be constituted,” said official.indianexpress
Rumours sent mob to a Delhi mosque on Bakrid,
probe on: Police
New Delhi : It took a message, sent by a
volunteer from the VHP, for 500 people to reach Noorani Masjid at outer Delhi’s
Nangloi on Bakrid, alleging that a cow had been slaughtered on the premises.
Despite assurances by police that no such thing had happened, the rumour spread
quickly and soon a crowd gathered outside the waste disposal site where animal
carcasses are dumped. A man transporting carcasses was stopped as people made
videos, some calling him a cow slaughterer.Police stationed at the masjid,
meanwhile, sought to placate the crowd, so the festival would not be
disrupted.“In Delhi, slaughter of cows is prohibited. Our men were stationed at
the mosque and if anything illegal would have taken place, we would have
acted,” said DCP (Outer) Seju P Kuruvilla. Despite police assurances, the group
shouted slogans and pelted stones towards the 30-year-old mosque.VHP leader
Onkar Prasad Bhardwaj, said, “A mosque is a place of worship and not a
slaughterhouse. We were just making sure no illegal activities were taking
place. A volunteer stationed at the mosque site for security maintenance on
Bakrid tipped us off and we mobilised. But the crowd which came later got out
of control. We are cooperating with police and want peace in the area.” As a
contingent of Delhi Police intervened,mob dispersed, only to return in larger
numbers, until reinforcements – 200 personnel, some in anti-riot gear — from
around 10 police stations arrived. The short advances and retreats by the crowd
lasted around 5 hours, before the police managed to pacify them.Police seized
over 2 kg of carcasses and sent them for forensic examination. A
counter-complaint was sent by the mosque’s committee members, requesting action
against the crowd and better security.Amid the tension, the hundred-odd
families in Nihal Vihar spent Bakrid locked up inside their homes, with the
10-odd shops shut.indianexpress
RSS is like Muslim Brotherhood in Arab world:Rahul
in UK
London:Congress President Rahul Gandhi once
again hit out at PM Narendra Modi during his Europe trip. Speaking in London,
during an event at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS),
Rahul Gandhi questioned Modi's foreign policy towards China and Pakistan.Rahul
also hit out at the RSS saying that the organisation is "trying to change
nature of India"."Other parties haven't tried to capture India's
institutions. RSS's idea is similar to the idea of Muslim brotherhood in the
Arab world," Rahul Gandhi said while speaking at the IISS in London
today.Rahul Gandhi accused PM Narendra Modi of usurping the powers of the
External Affairs Minister. Speaking about how the functions of the External
Affairs Minister were overtaken by the prime minister, Rahul Gandhi said that
EAM Sushma Swaraj, "has got nothing to do except issue
visas".IndiaToday
Minority Definition Needs Revisiting, Says RSS
Worker's Report Critiquing Sachar Committee
New Delhi: An RSS worker, Durga Nand Jha, who
was also a former member of the BJP’s National Minorities Coordination
Committee during 2014, has prepared a report on Indian minorities titled: ‘An
Enquiry Into India’s Minority Policy’ and ‘Analysis of Socio-Economic Status of
Muslim Community in India. The report suggests sweeping changes in the way
minorities are defined and benefits are distributed among them. Ready with his
report, Jha is now waiting to have it released by a prominent BJP leader. The
plan is to get BJP chief Amit Shah to do the honours.“With the Sachar Committee
report a very wrong narrative was shaped in India about Muslims being backward.
I am not denying that. Yes, Muslims are backward but only in some states, say,
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh. And if you see the data available you will find that
Muslims are backward in poor states, where even Hindus are backward. The report
communalised economic development,” Jha tells News18. He adds, “But if you see
Muslims in Kerala, you will find that they are well off. With this report we
want our findings and suggestions to come in public domain, where right now the
Sachar Report is. It will bring to light the internal factors responsible for
backwardness of Muslims. The Govt is already trying to make changes through the
Triple Talaq Bill etc.”“This is a negative propaganda. One has to
dispassionately read the Report that has over 375 charts and graphs culled from
Govt sources. It is the most authentic report on Muslims in India after the
Independence. But some people are constrained to look at the issue objectively
since 1925,” says Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, former member of Sachar Committee and
President of Zakat Foundation. news18
Namazis at Taj Mahal drop from 15,000 to 5,000
AGRA: With the Agra district administration
being strict in implementing its directive of allowing only local Muslims to
offer prayers at the mosque inside the Taj Mahal complex, Bakr-Eid celebrations
witnessed a huge fall in the number of namazis on Wednesday. According to local
Muslim clerics and leaders of the community, the number of namazis has fallen
by almost 66% this Eid. President of Tajmahal Intezamiya Committee, Syed
Ibrahim Hussain Zaidi said, “Usually approximately 15,000 people used to come
for prayers on Bakr-Eid , but this year the number was not more than
5,000.”Attributing this decrease in number to the “confusion” over the
administration’s order of allowing only local residents, president of Rashtriya
Smarak Samiti, Syed Munnawar Ali said, “Since the Supreme Court had also issued
directions in this regard, people stayed away. Sometimes right-wing activists
also target the community.”CISF commandant for Taj Mahal, Brij Bhushan said,
“There were no restrictions on entry into the complex for anyone today. It was
free for all visitors for 3 hours from 7am to 10am and all Muslims who came
were allowed to perform namaz during this period.”A namazi, Aarif Taimuri, who
came to offer prayers at the monument said, “Taj Mahal has become controversial
and every day something new happens here. Since people do not want to face
harassment on grounds of security, many preferred to perform namaz at nearby
mosques rather than at Taj.” TOI
Rajasthan: Day after attack on kanwariyas,
fresh violence erupts at Malpura in Tonk; curfew imposed
Jaipur: A day after locals pelted stones at
kanwariyas, fresh violence was reported on Friday in Malpura area of Tonk
district in Rajasthan. Following the violence, curfew was imposed in the area.
ASP Goverdhan Sekaria said an “unruly mob” tried to set fire to a shop in the
town.Sekaria added that the Rajasthan Police dispersed the crowd assembled in
Malpura and imposed a curfew. On Thursday, people belonging to the minority
community had hurled stones and attacked the kanwariyas while they were
crossing a Muslim-dominated area in Malpura.The incident had led to tension in
the area. In the wake of the incident, a furious crowd torched a vehicle.
Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits the gathering of crowds, was imposed
thereafter and mobile Internet services were blocked in the area.Fifteen
pilgrims on Kanwar Yatra were injured in the clash.Times Now
Calm restored in Ranchi area after rumours
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/calm-restored-in-ranchi-area-after-rumours/articleshow/65525547.cms
Delhi : Police restored calm in Ranchi's
Badgai locality after rumours about the presence of beef at a household led to
a minor clash on Thursday. Officials rushed to the spot with large contingent
of policemen, including Rapid Action Force, to maintain peace. Police said they
have seized some pieces of meat from the house and they will be sent to a lab
to ascertain if it is beef. There were reports of several people being taken
into custody, but police refused to confirm or deny the reports. DSP (sadar) Vikas Pandey said normalcy has
been restored in the area. SP (city) Aman Kumar said that efforts were on to
stop spread rumors regarding the incident.TOI
Gujarat: Cops broker peace in Kathada, mosque
gets loud speakers
Ahmedabad: On Friday, azan, the prayer call
for Muslims, played from loud speakers of the mosque at Kathada village of
Kutch probably for the first time. The devices were installed as a sign of
compromise between the Gadhvi and the Muslim communities, following a clash
earlier this week. As per the police complaint, both groups had entered into an
altercation on the night of August 20 after a member of the Gadhvi community
reportedly objected to the azan.A few people were injured in the ensuing
violence. Ibrahim Halepotra, chief of Akhil Kutch Sunni Muslim Hitrakshak
Samiti, said, “Muslims in the village were not permitted to give a prayer call
on loudspeaker for last 2 decades. So we used to do it on a small speaker
installed inside the mosque. On August 20, members of our community were
attacked and 5, including a 70-year-old, were injured. We decided to protest in
a silent manner, so we invited Muslims across Kutch to Kathda.”On getting
information about arrival of so many Muslims, the district administration as
well as the police reached the village and negotiated a compromise. Umar
Chauhan, a community leader, said, “We have been living in harmony for ages in
the village. So we decided to protest in our own way. Mandvi police inspector M
R Gameti intervened and a consensus was arrived at to allow Muslims to give the
prayer call on loud speaker.”Loudspeakers were installed at mosque in the
presence of Gadhvi community leaders and police. Ahmedabad Mirror
Had opposed Vajpayee tribute: Jailed AIMIM
corporator posed threat to public order, say police; family calls him a victim of political conspiracy
Aurangabad: 2 days after he was sent to jail
for one year, the Aurangabad police have defended the invoking of the stringent
Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers and
Drug Offenders Act (MPDA) against AIMIM corporator Sayyed Mateen, saying he had
9 cases against him and that he was a “danger to public order”. MPDA was
invoked against Mateen days after he opposed a resolution to pay tribute to
former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at an Aurangabad Municipal
Corporation meeting on August 17. Then, he was also assaulted allegedly by BJP
corporators and was rushed out of the meeting by police.After the incident, 2
separate offences were registered against Mateen, including one under Section
153A of the IPC (promoting enmity between different groups). A separate case of
vandalism was registered later. Mateen was arrested on August 18 and was kept
in custody till August 21, while 5 BJP corporators were arrested and later
released on bail. Minutes after Mateen was granted bail on August 21, he was
held again, this time under the MPDA. His family has said that he is a victim
of a “political conspiracy” and that they would approach the courts. AIMIM MLA
from Aurangabad, Imtiaz Jaleel, said, “We have already clarified that what he
said in the corporation meeting on August 17 is not the party’s stand. It was
his own action. Having said this, we condemn the brutality against him and also
invoking the stringent act.This is police excess. We will not only challenge
the bail granted to BJP corporators but also be looking at legal remedies
against the preventive detention.”A purported video of the incident on August
17 shows Mateen was beaten up with footwear and even kicked by some corporators
present on the floor. The video also shows police rushing Rashid out of the
hall.Irshad Fatema, Mateen’s mother, said:“They showed that video repeatedly on
TV. Someone even counted how many times he was beaten. And now he being sent to
jail for one year. What will happen to his wife and children? This is a
conspiracy against my son by some people who did not want him to succeed in
politics. He was not even released for Eid.”According to his father Sayyed
Rashid, they plan to approach the courts. “We have been told that we can apply
for bail. We are in touch with AIMIM leaders and we will approach court after
taking legal opinion,” he said.indianexpress
Maharashtra: AIMIM corporator, who opposed
resolution on Vajpayee, sent to jail under MPDA for one year
Muslim man offers namaz inside gurdwara, video
goes viral
New Delhi:In a video that has been going viral
on social media, a Muslim man was seen offering namaz while a gurbani was being
recited in a gurdwara in Malaysia. And the Sikhs inside the gurdwara didn't
seem to mind at all.In fact, the popular Facebook page Sikh Inside, which posts
activities from gurdwaras around the world and shared that video, was actually
pretty supportive of the Muslim 'brother', saying that 'god is one'.This has
been winning thousands of hearts online. Although, many people were triggered
by the praying man's actions, the video mostly received love and support,
showing the world that religious harmony exists.In the video that was recorded
by a local at the Gurdwara Sahib Bercham in Ipoh, the Muslim man was seen
completing his prayers for two minutes and then leaving."Yesterday
(Aug.20), a Muslim brother spotted doing Namaz. Probably he couldn't find a
mosque and drop by Gurdwara to complete his Namaz (sic)," Sikh Inside
wrote on their Facebook.IndiaToday
Ahmedabad records lowest Measles-Rubella
vaccination cover in Muslim-dominated areas
Ahmedabad:The low coverage of the
Measles-Rubella vaccine in Ahmedabad city, which has reported the second lowest
coverage in Gujarat at 37 per cent against the state average of 64 per cent,
has been attributed to the low coverage in Muslim dominated areas of the city.
According to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) figures, certain areas with
high Muslim population reported as low as seven per cent vaccine coverage,
since the drive began on July 16. For the campaign, set to conclude by August
end, out of a target population of 1.6 crore in the state, Ahmedabad has a
target of 14.8 lakh. An estimated number of 2,414 schools have been identified
for the vaccination drive. Among the reasons cited for the low percentage, are
the rumours about the side-effects of the vaccine, which the authorities tried
to dispel to have the community accept the vaccine as safe, officials said. One
such rumour was that the vaccine led to “impotency”. AMC medical officer Dr
Bhavin Solanki said, “This (low coverage among Muslims) is among one of the
reasons for a low percentage of MR vaccination in AMC area as there are cases
where there is not an encouraging response in affluent areas either.”indian
express
Sohrabuddin ‘fake’ encounter: FSL officer
identifies signatures on ATS vehicle logbook belonging to 2 cops
Mumbai :In the Sohrabuddin Shaikh alleged fake
encounter case, a forensic expert deposed on Friday about the handwriting of
the accused policemen in a vehicle logbook in November 2005. The expert,
prosecution witness number 171, identified the signatures made in the logbook,
identifying them to having the same authors as the specimen signatures of
accused policemen Balkrishna Chaubey and Naresh Chauhan. CBI has claimed that
the logbook maintained at the Gujarat ATS office proves that 2 vehicles were
allotted to Chaubey and Chauhan in the days after the alleged fake encounter of
Sohrabuddin in Gujarat on Nov.26, 2005. It had alleged that the two vehicles
were used by the accused policemen to travel to Illol, where Sohrabuddin’s wife
Kausarbi was allegedly killed and her body disposed of. While the logbook does
not mention the details of where the vehicles were taken, it has signatures of
the 2 policemen identified by the witness.The witness, an expert in document
examination, on Friday identified the specimen signatures to be the same as on
the logbook for the dates Nov.26, 20 and Dec.1, 2005.indianexpress
UP: APCR ensures freedom for seven marginalised
prisoners on Independence day
7 prisoners got back their freedom on the
occasion of Independence Day this year through Association for protection of
Civil Rights (APCR). Of the 7 prisoners, 6 were from Lucknow District Jail and
one was from Fatehpur Jail. They are: Rajkumar from Raibareli; Mohd Akram from
Fatehpur; Ashok Kumar from Saraswati; Sonu from Santkabir Nagar; Gobind from
Sitapur; and Mohit and Mangal from Lucknow. APCR provides legal aid to
undertrials from economically poor backgrounds who cannot afford a lawyer, and
prisoners who even after serving the sentence are not released because they are
unable to afford the penal amount. People from different religious backgrounds
are provided legal assistance without any discrimination by the
association.Their economic background and their criminal background is checked
thoroughly and if they are genuinely poor and are not habitual criminals their cases
are taken up by APCR.Most of the prisoners released are Dalits, Adivasis and
Muslims engaged in low-income jobs such as rickshaw pulling and daily wage
labourers and hence unable to hire a lawyer.In the last six months alone, 56
prisoners have been released with help from APCR in UP which has its chapters
in 17 states viz., Jharkhand, Karnataka, Goa,Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Bihar, Telangana, MP, Kerala and
Haryana.TCN
Bengal Panchayat: SC refuses to cancel polls
in seats that TMC won unopposed
New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Friday refused
to set aside the elections to the 20,159 seats won unopposed by Trinamool
Congress candidates in the local body polls in West Bengal. The opposition had
accused the ruling party of resorting to violence to prevent its candidates
from filing nominations. The court said that each case will have to be examined
separately by way of an election petition and it cannot make a “general
assumption”.“For this court to set aside elections to over 20,000 seats would
be to prejudge the basic issue as to whether in each of those constituencies,
the election stands vitiated by obstruction having been caused to candidates
from filing their nominations. A general assumption of this nature cannot be
made. Ultimately, whether this is correct would depend upon the evidence
adduced in the facts of individual cases where such a grievance has been made
in an election petition,” a bench of CJI Dipak Misra and Justices A M
Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud ruled.indianexpress
Govt Flouted Defence Procurement Procedure in
Rafale Deal: Chidambaram
Kolkata: Upping the ante against the Govt over
Rafale fighter jet issue, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram today accused
the Centre of ignoring the defence procurement procedure and “bypassing”
several committees to secure the deal.The former finance minister also alleged
the Cabinet Committee on Security was not taken into confidence by the Govt
before signing the deal.“Why was the defence procurement procedure ignored in
the Rafale deal… and why were the Contract Negotiation Committee and the Price
Negotiation Committee kept in the dark about it? The Cabinet Committee on
Security was also not taken into confidence,” he told reporters at the Congress
office here.PTI
Editors Guild Slams Patna HC Gag Order on
Muzaffarpur Shelter Abuse Case
New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India today
condemned a Patna high court order restraining the media from reporting on the
probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter abuse case and appealed to its and Supreme
Court’s chief justices to review the decision.In a statement, the media body
said such restrictions on reporting on matters of public importance are
counterproductive as it decried the recent growing trend of courts issuing such
restraint orders on the media that undermine one of the pillars of
democracy.The guild is distressed to note that the court, instead of protecting
media freedom, has issued an order that has effectively curbed it, it said.“It
condemns such orders as it believes that such restrictions on reporting on
investigations into a matter of public importance are counterproductive,” the
statement said.PTI
After Pranab, industrialist Ratan Tata shares
stage with RSS chief
New Delhi: After Pranab Mukherjee,
industrialist Ratan Tata shared the stage with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Tata
was seen attending the event marking completion of 50 years by an RSS-
affiliated NGO- Nana Palkar Smruti Samiti in Mumbai. According to the invite
shared by Nana Palkar Smruti Samiti on their Facebook page, the year marked the
birth centenary of Nana Palkar, an RSS functionary. The event was telecast live
on the NGO's Facebook page.Tata's presence at an RSS event came on a day
Congress president Rahul Gandhi targetted the RSS saying, "RSS is trying
to change the nature of India. Other parties haven't tried to capture India's
institutions. RSS's idea is similar to the idea of the Muslim Brotherhood in
the Arab world." Times Now
‘If I was born before Godse, I would have
killed Gandhi’, says Hindu Mahasabha’s Pooja Shakun Pandey
Aligarh:Kicking up a fresh row, Akhil
Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) national secretary and lady judge of the
country's first 'Hindu Court' in UP's Meerut Dr. Pooja Shakun Pandey has said
that if she was born ahead of Nathuram Godse, she would have killed Mahatma
Gandhi with her own hands. She also issued a warning to followers of Father of
the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and said that she would shoot anyone if they try to
be another Mahatma in this Independent India. Dr. Pandey also blamed Gandhi for
the partition of the country and killings of several lakhs of Hindus during the
Partition."If I was born before Godse, I would have killed Gandhi with my
own hands. He was responsible for the division of India and killings of several
lakh of Hindus during Partition. I will murder anyone who talked about further
division of the country," announced Dr. Pandey. She, who is a professor of
Mathematics, believes that Mahatma Gandhi should not be called Father of the
Nation.Calling Godse a devout patriot, the firebrand Mahasabha woman leader
said that the new generation was misled as they are being taught wrong history
which glorified Gandhi and demonised Godse.. timesnownews
Narada Laws & Godse 'Sacrifice': How
Mahasabha Wants to Bring 'Ram Rajya' With 1st 'Hindu Court'
Lab-grown meat may end violence over cow
slaughter, says Union minister Maneka Gandhi
Union Minister for Women and Child Development
Maneka Gandhi on Friday said meat grown in a laboratory from animal cells, or
“clean meat”, may help solve the problem of lynching, assault and intimidation
by cow protection groups, which is creating “a pervasive air of violence”.“It
is the most important thing to create alternative sources of meat,” Gandhi
said, according to The New Indian Express. “We must have clean meat...People
are being lynched for taking cows for slaughter. Why this terror?” The minister
was speaking at a seminar on ‘Future of Protein Summit’ at the Centre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. The summit discussed the expansion
and feasibility of “clean meat” in the country.scroll.in
No one should try to scrap Article 35A: Shankar
Aiyar
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-one-should-try-to-scrap-article-35a-mani-shankar-aiyar/articleshow/65543266.cms
Srinagar: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said
no one should attempt to scrap Article 35A of the Constitution and expressed
hope that the Supreme Court would decide the matter in the "national
interest"."I think no one should touch this issue. Article 35A is
part of our Constitution and no one should make attempts to remove it,"
Aiyar said on the sidelines of a seminar here titled "Discussion on J&K
and Indo-Pak relations” organised by Centre for Peace and Progress."This
issue is being raked up unnecessarily which is not in anyone's interest,” added
the Congress leader, whose suspension from the basic membership of the party
was recently revoked.PTI
WORLD
Saudi 'detains' Mecca imam Sheikh Saleh
al-Talib who 'challenged mixed
gatherings'
Saudi Arabia has detained a prominent imam and
preacher at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, activists said, after he reportedly
delivered a sermon criticising mixed public gatherings. The social media
advocacy group Prisoners of Conscience, which monitors and documents arrests of
Saudi preachers and religious scholars, said on Sunday that Sheikh Saleh
al-Talib was arrested after he delivered a sermon on the duty in Islam to speak
out against evil in public.Khaleej Online reported that in his sermon, Talib,
who also serves as a judge in Mecca, derided the mixing of unrelated men and
women at concerts and other mixed entertainment events.While there was no
direct criticism of the Saudi royal family in his speech, the kingdom has in
recent months relaxed laws on female attendance at public events.Saudi has yet
to issue an official statement on the issue.Hours after his reported arrest,
both of al-Talib's Engish and Arabic Twitter accounts were deactivated. Speaking
to Al Jazeera, Yahya Assiri, a UK-based Saudi human rights activist, said the
kingdom's "authorities are looking at everyone that's influential and has
a presence on the scene".He added: "Even those that have kept quiet
or pledged allegiance to the state, even those that have been drumming up the
authorities and their initiatives, even these are not safe. "Since
Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, became the Saudi crown prince in June
2017, dozens of imams, women's rights activists and members of the ruling royal
family have been detained.Among those arrested are prominent Islamic preachers
Salman al-Awdah, Awad al-Qarni, Farhan al-Malki, Mostafa Hassan and Safar
al-Hawali.Al-Awdah and al-Qarni, who have millions of followers on social
media, were arrested last September and accused of having links to the Muslim
Brotherhood, a group Saudi blacklisted as a "terror
organisation".Meanwhile, al-Hawali, 68, was detained after he published a
3,000-page book attacking bin Salman and ruling family over their ties to
Israel, calling it a "betrayal". Al Jazeera
US cancels over $200 million in aid to
Palestinians
Washington:US on Friday cut more than $200
million in aid to Palestine following a review initiated by President Donald
Trump.A senior State Department official confirmed the move, saying that the
funds originally intended for the West Bank and Gaza will instead by used for
"high-priority projects elsewhere.""At the direction of
President Trump, we have undertaken a review of US assistance to the
Palestinian Authority and in the West Bank and Gaza to ensure these funds are
spent in accordance with US national interests and provide value to the US
taxpayer," official said."As a result of that review, at the
direction of the President, we will redirect more than $200 million in FY2017
Economic Support Funds originally planned for programs in the West Bank and
Gaza," the official added, referring to the 2017 fiscal year.Anadolu
Egypt rounds up regime critics amid calls to
protest
Cairo: Egyptian state prosecutors on Friday
remanded Masoum Marzouk, a prominent opposition figure and former diplomat,
along with 6 others, in custody for 15 days, pending investigation into charges
against them.Those charges include “inciting unrest” and “membership in a
terrorist organization”, Tarek al-Awadi, a lawyer for the defendants, told
local media outlets. On Thursday, security forces detained Marzouk, economist
Raed Salama, academic Yehia al-Qazzaz, and four other critics of the regime of
President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Earlier this month, Marzouk called for a
popular referendum on whether al-Sisi should step down and for public
demonstrations on Aug. 31 should the authorities refuse the demand. Anadolu
Dozens of civilians killed in Saudi-UAE
bombing in Yemen
Houthi rebels say at least 30 people were
killed in an air raid near Hodeidah, at least 20 of them children.The latest
civilian casualties come 2 weeks after an aerial bombardment that destroyed a
school bus, killing 40 children.Saudi Arabia declared earlier attack an
appropriate military strike, but has promised to investigate. Charity Save Children
has estimated that an average of 140 children have been killed every day since
Saudi and UAE began their bombing campaign against Iran-backed Houthi fighters
in Yemen. aljazeera
Rohingya mourn first anniversary of Rakhine
massacre
Rohingya refugees in makeshift camps in
southeastern Bangladesh are recalling their plight on the first anniversary of
Myanmar’s brutal crackdown on the Muslim minority group in Rakhine state. More
than 750,000 refugees, mostly children and women, fled Myanmar and crossed into
Bangladesh after military forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim
community on Aug. 25, 2017. Anadolu
Pakistan: New Govt abolishes PM’s
discretionary fund and first-class travel by ministers
The Pakistan Govt has banned first-class
travel by leaders and discretionary funds of the prime minister, federal
ministers, and members of the National Assembly as part of its austerity drive,
Dawn reported on Saturday. The decision was taken on Friday at a Cabinet
meeting presided by Prime Minister Imran Khan.The decision was announced five
days after Khan banned all non-essential foreign tours by his ministers and
senior bureaucrats.The president, prime minister, chief justice, Senate
chairman, speaker of the National Assembly and chief ministers will now have to
travel business class in international flights, said Information Minister Fawad
Chaudhry. These top constitutional officials used to travel in first class
before.Imran Khan will also travel business class and will not use a special
plane for foreign tours. “For domestic travelling, the protocol [use of special
plane by PM] will not be changed,” The Express Tribune quoted Chaudhry as
saying.scroll.in
‘It takes two to tango’: Pakistan’s foreign
minister again expresses willingness to improve ties
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
has said the Govt of PM Imran Khan is willing to improve ties with India.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Qureshi said the Govt
wanted to address all outstanding matters, including Kashmir, through
dialogue.Qureshi said India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj had
congratulated him on his appointment. “It takes two to tango,” Qureshi said.
“You cannot clap with just one hand. We have a positive stance and will remain
hopeful.”scroll.in
China aims to build houses, roads in Sri Lanka
north to extend sway
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/china-aims-to-build-houses-roads-in-sri-lanka-north-to-extend-sway/articleshow/65531801.cms
Colombo: China wants to build houses and roads
in Sri Lanka's north, much of which is in a state of disrepair nearly a decade
after the end of civil war, Chinese and Sri Lankan officials said, in a bid to
expand its influence beyond the island's south.China's latest push in the
Indian Ocean island nation comes despite criticism that a big Chinese port
project and related infrastructure in the south are dragging the country of 21
million people deep into debt.Luo Chong, chief of the political section at China's
embassy in Colombo, said China wanted to help with reconstruction in Sri
Lanka's north and east, the centre of a 26-year war between the Govt and ethnic
minority Tamil separatists that ended in 2009.
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
Another Eid Lost to Burnt Mosques & Empty
Lanes in Muzaffarnagar:thequint
Muzaffarnagar Riots Cases: Hostile Witnesses
and Zero Convictions:thequint
Data flows away from ordinary citizens, to
those who collect and may misuse it:Shashi Tharoor, indian express
Anti-NRC campaigns refuse to acknowledge that
Assam’s people are losing land, economic space:Harekrishna Deka, indian express
A decade after anti-Christian violence took a
toll, there are no signs of remorse:Apoorvanand, indian express
‘They treated our men like goats’: Guards in
Afghan blast sue employers and Canada:New York Times
For This National Award-Winning Artist, Auto
Driving Was More Feasible Than His Craft:Farooq Shah, The Wire
NRC: Tested frequently since Partition, the
Indian theory of citizenship has faltered once again:Tanweer Fazal
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