NEWS
DIGEST, MID-DAY
15 Sept. 2018: 04 Muhram 1440:
Vol: 11, No:03
INDIA
Maharashtra ATS names Murali as mastermind
behind terror plots since 2008
Mumbai:Maharashtra ATS interrogation report in
the arms case involving sympathisers of the right-wing spiritual group Sanatan
Sanstha once again mentions a certain MD Murali as the mastermind behind all
killings and terror plots involving the group’s members or sympathisers.HT
reported on Sept.5 that officers of ATS were investigating role of Murali. Interrogation report (IR) names him as the
brain behind several bomb blasts and the murders of rationalist Dr Narendra
Dabholkar in Pune, social activist and writer Govind Pansare in
Kolhapur,Kannada writer and academic Dr MM Kalburgi in Dharwad and
Bengaluru-based activist and journalist Gauri Lankesh. It also adds that he is
the chief recruiter for a shadowy organisation spanning Maharashtra, Karnataka
and Goa that spread terror. The IR was filed in arms cases involving Vaibhav
Raut, Sharad Kalaskar, Sudhanva Gondhalekar, Shrikant Pangarkar and Avinash
Pawar.All 5 were arrested from different parts of Maharashtra last month for
allegedly plotting terror activities in various parts of the country, and are
currently in judicial custody. Bombs, detonators, and guns were recovered
during the operation. According to the report, Murali headed the unit
responsible for the blasts and the killings. Amol Kale, a 37-year-old engineer
from Pune who was arrested for murdering Lankesh was his deputy. Virendrasinh
Tawde, accused of murdering of Dr Dabholkar, reported to KaleThe report
mentions a 2014 meeting of right-wing organisations in Goa hosted by the
Sanatan Sanstha which is headquartered in the state as one of the important
milestones in the terror organisation built by Murali. It claims, that he met
Raut and eight others, some of whom have been arrested for their alleged
involvement in the murder of Lankesh.According to the report, Raut speaks of
Murali as an inspirational figure who incited his recruits by highlighting
alleged atrocities perpetrated by Muslims on Hindus.The report describes the
entire indoctrination and training process: a training session with air guns
soon after the 2014 meeting; indoctrination meetings at Belagavi, Aurangabad,
Mumbai and Jalna, during which the recruits were shown inflammatory videos;
another training session with air guns at Belagavi (and a subsequent session on
making Molotov cocktails); a training session with pistols at the Aravalli
Hills near Udaipur; and a final training session with pistols at a farm near
Ahmedabad .The report claims that all the accused got to know each other really
well during these sessions. The recruits chose Ganesh festivities to test their
skills with the explosives at Pangarkar’s farmhouse in Jalna, as they could
couch it as crackers being burst. IR adds that Murali, who was aware of the
growing number of police-monitored CCTV cameras in major cities, asked each of
the recruits to wear caps and sunglasses to protect their identity.Under
Murali’s instructions, Raut and Pawar conducted reconnaissance in Mumbai
earlier this year to target a person (HT withheld individual’s identity due to
security concerns).HT
Nalasopara Explosive Case: Maharashtra ATS
Takes Custody Of Two Accused In Gauri Lankesh Murder
Gauri Lankesh murder case: Maharashtra ATS,
Karnataka SIT may share custody of mechanic
Spy case:Ex-ISRO scientist Narayanan awarded
Rs 50 lakh compensation, committee to look into ‘erring’ police men
New
Delhi:24 years after he was arrested by Kerala police on an espionage charge
that was thrown out by a court later, ex-ISRO scientist S Nambi Narayanan was
awarded compensation of Rs 50 lakh by the Supreme Court Friday for the
“ignominy” and “immense humiliation” he suffered. The bench of CJI Dipak Misra
and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud set up a committee headed by
one of its former judges to “find out ways and means to take appropriate steps
against the erring” police personnel who allegedly framed Nambi Narayanan in
what came to be known as the ISRO spy scandal — he used to head the cryogenic
project at ISRO.Narayanan said he was “partly satisfied” with the order. Happy
that the award of compensation had come after 24 years, he said: “I had been
pressing for CBI to investigate the actions of the police officers who
fabricated the so-called ISRO spy case. The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, has
set up a committee for the purpose but not stipulated any deadline for it. I do
not want it to be another open-ended inquiry which will take years to fix
responsibility.”He said he would have been more happy if the ruling had
specified who all would be probed. “Besides the Kerala police, the role of
officials of IB must also be inquired into. May be the role the media played
should also be included. Everyone should be covered, not just three Kerala
police officers. And the committee has to find out not only who all fabricated
the case, but why they did it.”In Oct.-Nov.1994, Kerala police arrested 2
Maldivian women, Mariam Rasheeda and Fousiya Hasan, and claimed to have
uncovered a spy ring in ISRO and leak of sensitive documents. The case was
initially investigated by S Vijayan, Inspector, Special Branch, Thiruvananthapuram.
Subsequently, the case was taken over by a SIT headed by the then DIG (Crime)
Siby Mathews. On Friday, Nambi Narayanan pointed it out: “In that report, there
are names of 13 officials of IB, each of whom played a role in fabricating the
case, and which eventually led to my arrest and incarceration for 50 days. Now
that a committee has been appointed by the Supreme Court, all this should be
inquired into.”The proposed committee will be headed by former Supreme Court
judge, Justice (retired) D K Jain.indianexpress
‘Give us any Muslim name’: How authorities
tried to build a false spy case against Nambi Narayanan
SC stays bail granted to Kashmir businessman
in terror funding case
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today stayed a
Delhi High Court order that granted bail to Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Ahmad
Shah Watali in a case where he was accused of funding terror
organisations.Delhi High Court on Thursday granted the businessman bail and
observed that nothing has been shown to suggest that his trade was “geared
toward funding of terrorist activities”. Watali was arrested by the NIA in a
terror-funding case involving LeT chief Hafiz Saeed among others.A bench
comprising CJI Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud
considered the submissions of NIA that the release of Watali would cause grave
harm to the ongoing probe in the terror-funding case.The bench has now fixed
the plea of NIA filed against the Delhi High Court verdict for hearing on
Sept.26 and asked the accused businessman to file his response in the meantime.
Court while granting bail to Watali had made some critical observations against
the investigating agency.“The documents (seized in the case) do not enable this
court to prima facie conclude, as the trial court has in its order stated, that
appellant (Watali) received money from A-1 (Hafiz Saeed) or PHC (Pakistan High
Commission in New Delhi) or others and was passing on the said funds to the
Hurriyat leaders for funding terrorist activities and stone pelting,” the High
Court said.indianexpress
Suspend pacts with India until activists are
released: European Parliament Members Tell European Commission
9
members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have sent a hard hitting letter to
the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy, Federica Mogherini, criticising the Indian government for the raids on
and arbitrary arrests of nine human and democratic activists across India.The
MEPs -- Lídia Senra, Ángela Vallina, Paloma López, Merja Killonen, Ana Gomes,
Clara Aguilera, Ciprian Tănăsescu, Claude Moraes and Julie Ward -- sought the
cancellation of all agreements with the Indian government until the activists
are released. As of now,5 of the activists are under home arrest following
Supreme Court intervention. thecitizen
US warns countries including India engaging in
economic activities with Iran after Nov.4
United States on Saturday send strong warning
to countries continuing to engage in economic activities with Iran after its
sanction against Tehran becomes fully operational on Nov.4.“Make no mistake
about it, come November 4 (and) there will be a fundamentally different set of
rules with respect to anyone who deems it necessary to engage in economic
activities with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
told reporters at a news conference in Washington on Friday.The new warning
might affect Indias as it is one of the biggest importers of the Iranaian oil
and is currently developing the strategic Chabahar port.Officials of the two
countries are having an ongoing discussion on both the issues. This includes
the meeting between the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with NSA Ajit Doval at
the Foggy Bottom headquarters of State Department. The meeting took place
immediately after Pompeo’s press conference."There are still a number of
decisions pending before the November 4 deadline that we’ve got to make about
waivers or potential waivers, and we’re working our way through each of them,”
Pompeo said.India is one of the countries which is likely to get some waiver,
given the strategic nature of Indo-US ties, the strategic importance of the
Chabahar port and its burgeoning energy needs.India, on its part has already
started reducing its oil intake from Iran, but is unlikely to bring it down to
zero.India TV
India raises concern over China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor projects at UN
GENEVA: India on Friday raised concern over
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the 39th session of the Human Rights
Council here and underlined that the 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' (CPEC)
project ignores New Delhi’s core concerns on sovereignty and territorial
integrity. India’s deputy permanent representative, ambassador Virander Paul in
his statement on the report of the working group on the right to development,
stressed that India understands that right to development, remains extremely
important for an overwhelming majority of the global population, it is
regrettable that, even after three decades of the adoption of the UN
Declaration on the Right to Development, and after 19 sessions of the working
group on this subject, this right still remains a distant reality.Paul further
said that progress in the working group is possible only if participating
member states demonstrate the necessary political will for seeking common ground
with a result oriented approach."We agree that the process of development
needs to be nationally owned and driven by national needs and priorities.
However, what it needs to be complemented by is equitable economic relations
and a favourable environment at the international level. It is high time that
we recognise the right to development is central to the realisation of all
other human rights," he said. He further apprised the council about a
reference in the report of the working group of an intervention by a member
state which goes against the principles enshrined in UNGA Resolution 41/128.ANI
PM visits Bohra mosque, invokes Imam Hussain
to emphasise on peace
Indore:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday
invoked Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, to emphasise the need
for peace and justice, as he visited a mosque here to attend an event organised
by the Bohra Muslims.Modi shared the dais with the Bohra community’s spiritual
head Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin at the ‘Ashara Mubarak’ event, which
commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Husain, at Saifee Mosque here in
MP.According to a spokesman of the Bohra community, it is the first time that a
prime minister has attended the ‘Ashara Mubarak’ programme of the community
held annually during the first ten days of the Shia calendar, coinciding with
the Moharram.Addressing a gathering of Dawoodi Bohra community members, Modi
said, “Imam Hussain had sacrificed his life for the sake of peace and justice.
He had raised his voice against injustice and arrogance.”He added that these
teachings of Imam Hussain were more important today than those times.The prime
minister, who was felicitated by Saifuddin on his arrival at the mosque,
showered praise on the Bohra Muslim community for globally spreading the
message of co-existence.“The concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is a great
strength of India, making it distinct from others.Bohra community is making the
world aware of this concept through its work,” Modi said. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,he
explained, is an ancient Indian concept which envisages the the world as one
family.“We are proud of our past, we believe in our present and are confident
of our bright future,”Modi said at the event which was also attended by Madhya
Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.In his address, prime minister
spoke about his government’s initiatives like ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’
(cleanliness campaign), ‘Make-in-India’ programme and rollout of GST.He said
the members of the Bohra community took maximum advantage of these initiatives
as they are known to carry out their trade and business world over with
honesty.“They (Bohras) have set an example for other people (with their honest
trade dealings),” he said.At the same time, he added, “all five fingers of a
hand are not equal. Some people consider fraud as business.”He said his
government, over the last four years, has sent out a message that the business
should be done within the purview of the rules and law.“Honest businessmen are
being encouraged through steps like GST and Bankruptcy law,” Modi said. MP CM
Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Sydena Saifuddin also addressed the gathering.PTI
At Indore mosque, PM Modi praises Bohra
community for its patriotism
Manipur: Muslim Man Lynched on Suspicion of Vehicle
Theft, 5 Held
A Muslim man was beaten to death by a mob on
Friday on suspicion of vehicle theft, in Manipur’s Tharoijam area.The incident
took place after a resident noticed that three men were allegedly trying to
steal a two wheeler vehicle parked outside their house.Once the resident
alerted the villagers,the trio tried to flee from the spot using a car. As the
car rammed into a nearby post, 2 men managed to flee from the village, while
one man was caught and beaten to death by villagers, the Times of India
reported.The deceased, identified as Md Farooque, was an MBA graduate from
Manipur who had returned to the state after completing an MBA from Bangalore
with start-up grants from Manipur government.Following the incident, Manipur
police arrested 5 people, including a personnel of India Reserve Battalion
(IRB), the Indian Express reported.SP said that the investigation is in its
nascent stage and it is yet to be ascertained whether Farooque was involved in
the lifting of the vehicle.Taking the mob lynching into account, a public
meeting was held at the locality of the victim in Lilong. In the meeting it was
resolved that Farooque was murdered under false charges and Joint Action
Committee was formed to fight for his justice.The JAC noted that the victim, Md Farooque, was of good moral
character and integrity and has no previous records of petty crimes as
alledged.THE QUINT
Maharashtra govt slaps notice against Maulana
Vastanvi, Asif Qureshi for Waqf land encroachment case
Maharashtra govt has launched action against
ex-Darul Uloom Deoband V-C Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi and Bar Council of
Maharashtra and Goa ex-chairman Asif Qureshi for alleged irregularities in the
management of Waqf lands.Vastanvi, who runs Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in Nandurbar,
and Qureshi are members of Maharashtra State Board of Waqf. Minority
development department officials said notices were issued seeking explanations
on why they should not be removed.While Vastanvi is accused of illegally
possessing Waqf land at Ahmednagar, Qureshi is charged with being party to the
board's decision to regularise illegal distribution/ sale of 288 plots on Waqf
land in Nagpur.The duo denied wrong-doing.Maharashtra has over 93,000 acres of
Waqf land, most of which is encroached.Vastanvi is charged with illegally
possessing Waqf land in Ahmednagar's Bhingar for his institution.Vastanvi
signed an agreement with Badshahi Mullah Masjid trustees for 32 acres & 23
gunthas on Dec.18, 2003, for 99 years.This was not approved previously by the board,
violating the Waqf Act, 1995. On July 27, 2006, the board allowed 6 acres 22
gunthas of this to be leased for three years. As it was not renewed, the
possession was "illegal."Then managing committee of the Satranjipura
Badi Masjid (Bugdadiya Nagar) allowed distribution of 288 plots at Zingabai
Takali, Nagpur, in 1999. Since the period was not mentioned, it seemed this was
not on lease but ownership. The board, which included Qureshi, on Oct.3,2013,
allowed regularisation of encroachment/sale and ratified it on
Oct.27.Complainant Shabbir Ansari, president, Tehreeq-e-Awqaf, sought action
against those guilty.dnaindia
Minority Welfare Officer deletes 500 madaris
from Madrasa Board web portal
Lucknow: Nearly 500 madaris have been deleted
from Madrasa Board web portal in Seetapur district closed to state capital
Lucknow leaving Management and teachers of the madrasa in a fix. A large number
of teachers reached Lucknow on Thursday and protested against the move. They
demanded that chief minister take note of the issue and act immediately.Alleging
that the district minority welfare officer demanded bribe they accused him of
showing prejudice.The teachers also met state minority commission chairman
Tanveer Hyder and narrated their woes and also submitted a memorandum to BJP
state vice president Rakesh Kumar Trivedi.President teachers union Aijaz Ahmed
told that the said officer had demanded 50 thousand on the pretext of locking
the data. When his demand was not met, he took retaliatory action and deleted
the names from the web portal.siasat
Naqvi launches National Scholarship Mobile App
for minority students
New Delhi:Union Minister for Minority Affairs
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday launched the country’s first “National
Scholarship Portal Mobile App”. He claimed that the App will ensure a smooth,
accessible and hassle-free scholarship system for students from poor and weaker
sections. He informed that there is no scope for duplication and leakage as all
the scholarships are being given directly into bank accounts of the needy
students under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.Pointing out the benefits
of the App Naqvi said, the App will provide all the information regarding
various scholarships. Students will be able to apply for scholarships sitting
in their home; they can upload necessary documents on this mobile app and can
also check the status of their application, scholarship disbursement etc. It
will eliminate the role of middlemen thus benefiting the beneficiaries
directly, he claimed. Saying that the Ministry of Minority Affairs has worked
with commitment to “3E- Education, Employment & Empowerment”, Naqvi
disclosed that in the last about one year, thousands of educational
institutions of all Minority communities including Madarsas, have been included
in the mainstream education system by connecting them with “3T-Teacher, Tiffin,
Toilet”.siasat
Gurugram mosque remains shut amid news of
de-sealing, Friday prayers peaceful across city
Amid rumours on Friday that the mosque in
Sheetla Mata Colony, which was sealed by the MCG on Wednesday, might be
unsealed, the district administration clarified that no such order has been
issued.The representatives of Muslim Ekta Manch and Gurgaon Nagrik Ekta Manch
said they had met the divisional commissioner on Friday afternoon to seek his
intervention in the matter.“We told the divisional commissioner that mosque was
constructed in 2016 and is not under construction at present, as claimed by
some civic officials. Documents were submitted as proof and he agreed to
intervene,” said Haji Shehzad Khan, chairman of the Muslim Ekta Manch.“There is
a provision in the law that if any authority seals a structure, and a
satisfactory appeal is made against it, the authority can unseal it. This
(sealing) has all been done as per the law,” said Suresh, the divisional commissioner,
said on Friday afternoon, after meeting the representatives of the Muslim Ekta
Manch and Gurgaon Nagrik Ekta Manch.A release by the district administration
later in the evening said that “an appeal can be made in the court of
divisional commissioner against the MCG’s or the deputy commissioner’s
direction (to seal the mosque). Till now no appeal has been filed by any party
before the divisional commissioner hence, the divisional commissioner has not
issued orders to unseal any of the properties.”Suresh and deputy commissioner
Vinay Pratap Singh did not respond to calls or text messages seeking comment on
the issue in the evening.An MCG official said, seeking anonymity,“Structures
were sealed as per directions of the high court as such and cannot be unsealed
on the directions of any official. It would amount to contempt of court.”On
Friday evening, the MCG issued a release on the ‘illegal structures in the
300-metre restricted area’ but did not make any direct comments on unsealing
the mosque. Following the sealing, local Muslims had been sitting outside the
mosque on a dharna. On Friday morning, around 11pm, Gurugram police officers
dispersed the group to ensure law and order is maintained.“We warned the people
sitting on dharna that they were obstructing the right of way and that they can
only assemble at designated spots. We also told them if they didn’t comply, it
would lead to arrests. They obliged without any resistance,” said Sandeep
Malik, assistant commissioner of police, Udyog Vihar.In anticipation of Friday
prayers, which were to be held in the afternoon, the district administration
also deployed 36 duty magistrates at different spots in Gurugram to ensure
namaz was offered peacefully.In addition, Gurugram police detained 12 people
belonging to right-wing outfits, including Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, the
national convener of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Parishad.In the evening, local
Muslims flocked to the mosque in Sheetla Mata Colony in anticipation of the
unsealing. However, the mosque remained closed. HT
Authorities go back and forth on Gurugram
mosque sealing issue
Seal or de-seal? Day of confusion around
mosque in Gurgaon
Communal clash erupts in Assam over facebook
post, 15 injured
DIBRUGARH :Violent clash erupted between two
communities after a derogatory Facebook post about a deity went viral in social
media at Borhapjan area of Doomdooma in Tinsukia district on Friday. At least
15 persons were injured in the incident.Police had to fire tear gas shells into
air and charged batons to control the situation. Following the incident,
Tinsukia deputy commissioner Oinam Saran Kumar Singh imposed prohibitory orders
under section 144 in Doomdooma, Longswal and Borhapjan areas of the district.On
Thursday evening, a minor skirmish broke out between the two communities at the
Dr Rajendra Prasad Road in Doomdooma town. The matter was however sorted out
after the intervention of elders.On Friday at around 9 am, angry protesters of
the community whose deity was abused in social media took out a procession from
Doomdooma to Borhapjan demanding the arrest of the culprit. As the rally was
passing through the Borhapjan old market area, a group of members from the
other community attacked them. Soon the area turned into a battlefield with two
groups pelting stones at one another.NORTHEAST NOW
Chandrashekhar released after NSA revoked,
when will poor Muslims, asks community
NEW DELHI:While welcoming the revocation of
the stringent National Security Act and subsequent release of Dalit youth
leader Chandrashekhar Azad by the Uttar Pradesh government of Yogi Adityanath
on Friday, the Muslim community has demanded similar relief for the dozens of
poor Muslims languishing in the state jail under NSA.Citing humanitarian
ground, the BJP government of UP released Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad
alias Ravan in the wee hours (2:37 am) of Friday from jail, after over ten
months of his arrest under NSA for his alleged involvement in Saharanpur
violence in May 2017. Azad was freed two months prior to his scheduled release
on Nov.1, 2018. Yogi government had imposed NSA on him even after he got bail
by the Allahabad High Court.The human rights activists and community leaders
have demanded Yogi to consider similar humanitarian ground for the poor Muslims
and Dalits who are in jail under NSA in connection with small communal clashes.
Most of them were slapped with the NSA after they got bail from the local or
high court.“The poor Muslims and Dalits who are languishing in jail under NSA
are also entitled to release in the light of the Supreme Court order. Uttar
Pradesh government has released Chandrashekhar to save itself from
embarrassment. It should release all others also,” demanded Navaid Hamid,
National president, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat.Human rights activist
Wasiq Nadeem Khan from United Against Hate (UAH) said the number has reached
197 and in the current BJP government in UP, NSA has been imposed majorly
against Muslims.Demanding release of Muslims languishing under NSA in various
jails of UP Khan asked, “Is there no humanitarian ground for the release of
those Muslims who also got bails from court but NSA was imposed by the state
government?”Caravan Daily
Religious groups seek legal opinion to move
against Section 377 verdict: The Week
Though Religious groups have largely opposed
Supreme Court verdict decriminalising homosexuality, none have hit the streets
in protest. Yet. It seems they are seeking legal opinion before they challenge
the verdict.They are, however, united in their argument that the order could
tear apart the institution of family. “What is the function of the human race?
It is procreation. Running a family. Homosexuality is against that principle.
Islam is against it,” Maulana Jalaluddin Umari, vice president of All India
Muslim Personal Law Board told THE WEEK.Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha echoed the
same views. “People dream of marriage, they dream of having children,
grandchildren,” president Chandra Prakash Kaushik told THE WEEK. He said, “What
will happen to that? I may have dreams of my son’s marriage. But, what if he
brings home a boy? What about my emotions? Indian families can still accept
inter-caste divisions, but this is unacceptable. We, along with other Hindu
bodies, are consulting legal luminaries to see if this order can be
challenged.” Regarding Section 377, however, the government is not too tense.
There have not been many vocal protests.Curiously, some noted critics of
homosexuality, such as yoga guru Baba Ramdev, have been silent so far. “We are
yet to formulate our statement,” his spokesperson S.K. Tijarawala told THE
WEEK. Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “Letting go of obsolete laws,
keeping up with a scientific temper and honouring people’s choices have
strengthened our democracy.”RSS, too, has tempered its position. Homosexuality
is not illegal, but immoral, it has said. “Same-sex marriages are not
compatible with the norms of nature, so we do not support such relations,” read
the organisation’s official statement. “Bharatiya society does not have the
tradition to recognise such relations. Human beings generally learn from experiences,
which is why this issue needs to be taken care of at the social and
psychological level.” The Vishva Hindu Parishad, too, has remained silent. “Freedom is a fundamental need and a right.
But, it comes with restrictions,” said Maulana Umari. “Freedom comes with moral
responsibility. Everyone can walk on a road, but there are other people there,
going about their work. No society can accept crimes or vices in the name of
freedom and personal liberty. These acts are against humanity.”Maulana Khalid
Saifullah Rahmani, secretary, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, added, “Ours
is a deeply religious country. Our religions do not give permission for this
unnatural act. How can these acts be permissible among humans when they do not
even exist among animals? This is against Indian sanskriti (culture).”He said
everyone was trying to be modern and looking to the west, and that Indian
families were deeply disturbed. “They are coming to us with their
apprehensions,” he said. “The government should do something. Or, we will file
a review petition.”The concerns of religious groups also stem from the anxiety
over dealing with the issue. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said in a statement,
“[There is a need to] save this country from falling into sexual anarchy, to
protect our children from vile sexual predators, to safeguard the rights of our
daughters and sisters and to prevent the infringement of the fundamental rights
of its citizens. The abrogation of Section 377 will have a cascading effect on
the personal laws of many religions. We sincerely hope and pray that the
country will be rescued from the dark precipice it is rushing headlong
[towards].”Father Stephen Fernandes, secretary, Office for Justice, Peace and
Development,Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said:“Catholic Church holds
that homosexual behaviour is morally unacceptable because it violates the
purpose of human sexuality, which is procreation and union of love, fulfilled
in the loving union of man and woman in marriage.”The Week
Indian Army is worried now that men can
legally have sex with other men
New Delhi: The Supreme Court judgment
decriminalising homosexuality is said to have got the military brass worried
over what it exactly means for Indian soldiers.Laws governing the 3 arms of the
Indian military bar homosexuality — although through euphemisms and not
explicitly — and rule it a punishable offence.Just last weekend, Army chief
General Bipin Rawat had summoned all Colonels and their spouses to Manekshaw
Centre in Delhi and said “moral turpitude” was unpardonable.The SC order brings
the very definition of “moral turpitude” into question.Section 45 the Army Act,
1950, talks about the “unbecoming conduct” of officers without detailing it.
Section 46(a) says any person guilty of any disgraceful conduct of a “cruel,
indecent or unnatural kind” will, on conviction by court-martial, face up to 7
years in jail.Sections 45 and 46(a) of the Air Force Act, 1950, state the same.
Navy Act, 1957, says personnel guilty of any “indecent act” can be jailed for
up to two years.One provision spells out a jail term of upto two years for
officers guilty of any “scandalous or fraudulent conduct or of any conduct
unbecoming the character of an officer”.An Army officer pointed out that
extramarital relationships were considered an offence within the forces, saying
it needed to be seen how the Supreme Court judgment tied in with this
provision. The main concerns among the brass, if this happens, pertain to the
possible impact on operational issues. Gay sex in the defence forces will
continue to remain an offence under Section 46 (b) of the Army Act.Section
pertains to any person who “malingers, or feigns, or produces disease or
infirmity in himself, or intentionally delays his cure or aggravates his disease
or infirmity”.“The accused may also be tried under Section 63 (‘violation of
good order and discipline’), but not under Section 69 of Act,” lawyer added. Homosexuality
in the military is frowned upon in much of the world. theprint
J-K: Civilian killed, 10 injured as clashes
break out after Kulgam encounter
Srinagar :A civilian was killed and 10 others
were injured Saturday in clashes between protesters and security forces
following an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, in which five
militants were killed, police said.Clashes broke out between groups of youths
and security forces, who were engaged in the counter-militancy operation, at
the Chowgam area of Qazigund in Kulgam, a police official said.He said security
forces used tear smoke shells, pellets and opened fire to quell the
protests.Over 10 persons were injured in the forces’ action and they were taken
to the district hospital in Anantnag for treatment, the official said. He added
that out of those injured, six, including four with pellet injuries in the
eyes, were referred to a hospital here, but one Rouf Ahmad, a resident of Chee
in Anantnag, succumbed to injuries on the way near Sangam.5 LeT and Hizbul
Mujahideen (HM) militants, including the one involved in the last year’s deadly
attack on a cash van in which five cops and two bank guards lost their lives,
were killed in the encounter which began in the morning. The official said
clashes were going on when last reports came in.PTI
Jammu and Kashmir municipal elections to be
held from Oct 8-16, results on Oct 20
Srinagar:Municipal elections in Jammu and
Kashmir will be held over four phases starting 8 October, the state’s chief
electoral officer Shaleen Kabra said on Saturday.Elections will be held in four
phases starting from 8 October, 10 October, 13 October and 16 October, Kabra
said. The counting will take place on October 20.The announcement comes days
after the state’s two prominent parties, the National Conference and the
Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP said they will not participate in municipal and
panchayat polls in the state.HT
Assault case: Delhi court takes cognizance of
charge sheet against BJP MLA O P Sharma
New Delhi :A Delhi court Saturday took
cognizance of a chargesheet against BJP MLA O P Sharma in a case of assault of
CPI leader Ameeque Jamai on court premises in February 2016.The incident was
part of clashes that had taken place at Patiala House Courts here when then
JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, accused in a sedition case, was scheduled to be
produced before court.According to court sources, the chargesheet filed before
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal says that Sharma and
unidentified supporters beat up Jamai and threatened to kill him.The court has
now fixed September 26 for scrutiny of documents.PTI
ABVP leader Saurabh Sharma led violence during
counting, alleges JNUSU EC
Saurabh Sharma of the RSS-affiliated student’s
union BVP, was leading the violent mob that went on a rampage during counting
of votes for students’ union elections in the wee hours of Saturday, September
15, a member of the JNU Election Committee has told National Herald over the
phone.The JNU Election Committee comprises 50 members, all from the student
body. The EC conducts the students’ union elections at the renowned university
in the national capital, Delhi.Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the EC
member said that the counting-process was going smoothly till 3.15 am on
Saturday morning, but between 3.30 to 3.40 am over a dozen ABVP activists forcibly
entered the counting room and tried to capture the ballot box.“They manhandled
EC members and misbehaved with girls also,” said the EC member. “We, the
members of the JNUSU EC and representatives from the various students’
organisations, were present on the second floor of the SIS building when ABVP
activists led by Saurabh Sharma barged into the counting room. They were
shouting slogans like “hum counting nahi karne denge, humare bina counting
karke dikhao [we won’t allow counting to take place, let’s see you to try to
count without us],” she added.nationalheraldindia
Defamation of missing JNU student Najeeb: case
file goes missing from court
In a shocking incident, the file of the
criminal defamation case filed by Fatima Nafees, the mother of the missing JNU
student Najeeb Ahmed, has gone missing from Metropolitan Magistrate Ambika
Singh’s registry in Patiala House Court in Delhi.Fatima had, through Human
Rights Law Network, filed a criminal defamation suit against Times of India,
Times Now, Dilli Aaj Tak, as well as India Today Group reporters for allegedly
maligning her son, seeking damages of ₹2.2 crores along with a prayer for
permanent injunction, in the Patiala House court.The defamation case was also
against individuals such as ABVP activist Saurabh Sharma for defaming her son
by alleging that he had joined an international terrorist organisation despite
no evidence and denial issued by the Delhi Police. In the second part of her
statement, which was to be recorded on September 14, 2018, Fatima was to bring
on record the role of India Today, Dilli Aaj Tak and Saurabh Sharma. “It is no
coincidence that the file has gone "missing”, said her lawyer VK Ohri.The
Times of India in March 2017 had claimed that Najeeb was “watching inflammatory
material on his laptop” and linked him with an international terrorist
organisation. This ToI report was picked up by other news agencies and widely
circulated on social media.The matter was listed for September 14 after more
than three months.nationalheraldindia
Criminal defamation case file against Times
Group, India Today ‘goes missing’ from Patiala House Court, alleges Najeeb’s
mother
Maharashtra: Owaisi's AIMIM, Prakash Ambedkar's
BBM to Tie up for 2019 Polls
https://thewire.in/politics/maharashtra-owaisis-aimim-prakash-ambedkars-bbm-to-tie-up-for-2019-polls
Mumbai: AIMIM and Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh
(BBM) will forge an alliance for the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls
in 2019, party leaders announced on Saturday.AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi told
PTI that preliminary talks held between both parties have yielded positive
results.“BBM chief Prakash Ambedkar ji will be holding a public rally in
Aurangabad on Oct.2 in which I too will be present. The formal structure of the
alliance will be announced later,” Owaisi said.Imtiyaz Jaleel, AIMIM MLA from
Aurangabad, said the idea behind the alliance was that Dalits, Muslims and OBCs
have been ignored for 70 years, have no proper representation in politics and
were being treated as vote-banks.PTI
PM’s ‘blue-eyed boy’ in CBI weakened lookout
notice, allowing Mallya to escape: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI :Congress president Rahul Gandhi on
Saturday alleged that it was the “blue-eyed boy” of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in the CBI who weakened the lookout circular against fugitive liquor baron
Vijay Mallya and allowed him to flee the country.Taking to Twitter, Mr. Gandhi
alleged that it was AK Sharma, Gujarat cadre officer in the CBI, who played a
crucial role in weakening the lookout notice against Mallya. He also alleged
that the same officer played a key role in the escape plans of fugitive diamond
traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.PTI
English language is a disease left behind by
the British; vice president Venkaiah Naidu
New Delhi: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday
termed the English language a ‘disease’ left behind by the British, stressing
that Hindi was the symbol of “socio-political and linguistic unity” in
India.“Yeh bimari jo angrezi wala chhod kar gaya, is bimari se hamein mukt
karna chahiye: (this disease that English left behind, we should rid ourselves
of this disease),” he said at an event organised on the occasion of ‘Hindi
Divas’ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.Naidu said the Constituent Assembly (which
framed Constitution) had accepted Hindi as one of the official languages of the
country on Sept.14, 1949.“Have we been able to fulfil the wishes of the
Constituent Assembly?” he asked.HT
PM Modi’s ‘Exam Warriors’ released in Urdu
New Delhi :Already published in 14 languages,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book “Exam Warriors” was released on Saturday in
Urdu in New Delhi. Organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre, the launch
event was held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in the presence of HRD
Minister Prakash Javadekar, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi,
actors Rishi Kapoor and Annu Kapoor and producer-director-writer Muzaffar
Ali.indianexpress
Millions out of poverty but glaring
inequalities in India, reveals Human Development Index report
New Delhi :India ranks a low 130 out of 189
countries in the latest human development Index (HDI) released by the United
Nations Development Programme Friday, with the findings indicating a glaring
inequality in the country though “millions have been lifted out of poverty”.
The UNDP report stated that with an HDI value of 0.64 compared to last year’s
0.636, India is as a medium human development and that its rank rose one spot
compared to the 2017 HDI. According to the 2018 findings, between 1990 and
2017, India’s HDI value increased from 0.427 to 0.640, an almost 50 per cent
increase, which is “an indicator that millions have been lifted out of
poverty”. At the same time, in what signals the glaring inequality in the
country, the HDI value declines by more than a fourth when adjusted for
inequality. The value of India’s Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) falls to 0.468,
a 26.8 per cent decrease, far worse than the global average decrease in the
global HDI value due to inequality at 20 per cent.HDI is the composite measure
of every country’s attainment in three basic dimensions: standard of living
measured by the gross national income (GNI) per capita, health measured by the
life expectancy at birth, and education levels calculated by mean years of
education among the adult population and the expected years of schooling for
children.indianexpress
Haryana’s Rewari gangrape: Army man is prime
accused, says DGP
The primary accused in the Rewari gangrape is
a serving army man who is posted in Rajasthan’s Kota town, Haryana DGP S Sandhu
said in a statement on Saturday. The person has been identified as Pankaj and
an arrest warrant has been issued against him. According to the police, the two
other suspects have been identified as Manish and Nishu.Army headquarters
announced later on Saturday that it would fully cooperate in the probe and that
the law will take its own course. Meanwhile, the Rewari Police have released
photos of the three accused, Manish, Nishu and Pankaj.newsx
Gang-rape of Haryana’s CBSE topper: Father
says woman ‘SP’ threatened him, threw his complain copy away
The father of the CBSE topper in Haryana,
gang-raped by at least 10 people, has spoken about his ordeal in getting the
complaint filed against the tormentors of his daughter. He said that the
attitude of the police officers including the ‘woman SP’ was very threatening
when he approached them to lodge a complaint.“They did not pay attention to my
complaint. They kept intimidating me for at least 30-45 minutes. (They
said)’No, you leave this place’,” the father told Mirror Now channel.He said
that he didn’t have a clue as to why he was being threatened by police
officials adding that his poverty could have been a reason. Jantakareporter
WORLD
Iran OPEC chief: 'Saudi and Russia are taking
oil market hostage'
Iran's OPEC governor, Hossein Kazempour
Ardebili, has accused fellow OPEC country Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC country
Russia of taking the global oil market hostage.Their actions are a direct
result of attempts by the US to cut Iran's access to the global market off, he
said."Russia and Saudi claim they seek to balance the global oil market,
but they are trying to take over a part of Iran's share," Ardebili told
Iran's oil news agency SHANA. "Trump's efforts to cut Iran's access to the
global crude market has prompted Russia and Saudi Arabia to take the market
hostage," he added."American bullish behaviour will certainly not end
with Iran becoming another Venezuela, as it was not the case with Iraq and
Kuwait."Ardebili went on and accused Saudi Arabia and the UAE of welcoming
US sanctions on Iran for their own gain and claimed the organisation is losing
its power."Saudi Arabia and UAE are turning the OPEC into a US tool,"
he said."It is a fact that OPEC is losing its organisational character and
is becoming a forum," he added."Simply said, nobody is afraid of a
toothless lion that growls from time to time, and it does not harm
anyone." Aljazeera
Thousands rally against looming offensive on
northwest Syria
Istanbul:Thousands of people have taken to the
streets across Syria's last remaining stronghold to protest against a potential
full-fledged offensive by government forces and their allies.Activists told Al
Jazeera that Friday's demonstrations took place in more than two dozen towns
and villages in Idlib, a northwest province that is home to more than three
million people.In recent weeks, the Syrian government, supported by Russia and
pro-Iranian militias, has been amassing forces close to areas controlled by
rebels in Idlib and northern Hama provinces, threatening a large-scale ground
offensive that may result in a "bloodbath", according to the UN.In
early September, the forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched
an intense campaign of shelling, air raids and barrel-bombing of
opposition-held territories. The Russian-backed bombardment has receded over
the past few days.aljazeera
Ethiopia, Eritrea to sign new peace agreement
in Saudi: UN
The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea will
attend a summit in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to sign a peace agreement
"cementing" the relations between the two former Horn of Africa
bitter rivals, according to a United Nations spokesperson.Farhan Haq said on
Friday that the signing ceremony will be hosted by Saudi King Salman in the Red
Sea coastal city of Jeddah.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and African
Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat are also expected to attend.Haq
did not provide further details about the agreement.Ethiopia's Prime Minister
Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki signed a declaration of peace
in July that formally ended a two-decade standoff and restored diplomatic
relations.aljazeera
IS kills 20 US-backed fighters in Syria:
monitor
Beirut:At least 20 fighters from a US-backed
force fighting the Islamic State group were killed Friday in an IS ambush in
eastern Syria, a war monitor said."The fighters were advancing during a
sandstorm, they were surrounded, IS members used explosives and opened
fire," said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.The
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces is waging an offensive around the town of
Hajin in the province of Deir Ezzor, IS's last stronghold in the country's
east.AFP
Syrian protests call for ousting of Assad
regime
Large numbers of Syrians have taken to the
streets in the south of the country dominated by opposition groups, calling for
the ousting of the Assad regime, Arabi21.com reported on Friday.The protesters
said that Assad must step down and Syrians must unite to rebuild their country.
They asked the international community to support the demonstrations.Opposition
websites said that the protests were concentrated in the main squares in Idlib
and the southern, western and northern suburbs of the city, as well as the
areas around Hama and Aleppo. Protesters raised the flags of the Syrian
revolution and chanted slogans against President Bashar Al-Assad and his
allies, the Russians and the Iranians.The UN envoy to Syria was denounced by
the protesters as a “partner” with the Assad forces. This was a reference to
his latest remarks about Idlib.middleeastmonitor
Israeli Troops Kill Boy, Two Men in Gaza
Protests: Medics
Gaza: Israeli soldiers killed three
Palestinians, one of them an 11-year-old boy, and wounded at least 248 others
taking part on Friday in weekly protests at the fortified Gaza Strip border,
Palestinian medical officials said.Israeli military said it used force
necessary to repel 13,000 Palestinians who massed at several points at the fence.Some
hurled rocks, fire-bombs and grenades at troops under cover of smoke from
burning tyres, injuring a soldier, and nine Palestinians briefly crossed into
Israel, the military said.Friday’s dead brought to 177 the number of
Palestinians killed since the sometimes violent demonstrations were launched on
March 30 to press demands against Israel. The 11-year-old, Shadi Abdel-Al, is
the youngest fatality from Israeli gunfire.“He used to go every Friday to the
marches like thousands of other people. This Friday was his destiny to die as a
martyr,” the boy‘s father, Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Al, told Reuters.Another
Palestinian, 28-year-old Hashem Hassan, said he saw Abdel-Al being shot 70
metres (yards) from the fence: “He threw a few stones, which flew just a few yards.
He posed no threat.”Reuters
‘Israel must abide by international
humanitarian law,’ insists Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross has
insisted that, as the occupying power in the West Bank, Israel is bound by
international humanitarian law.“It has a duty to ensure the protection,
security and welfare of the people living under occupation and to guarantee
that they can live as normal a life as possible, in accordance with their own
laws, culture and traditions,” explained David Quesne, the head of the ICRC
mission in Jerusalem.The ICRC official also expressed concern that Israel is to
demolish the Palestinian West Bank village of Khan Al-Ahmar and called for the
state to respect the law. “The International Committee of the Red Cross is
deeply concerned by Israel’s decision to demolish private houses and other
structures in Khan Al-Ahmar village in Area C of the West Bank,” he said. “The
planned demolitions will dramatically affect the lives and dignity of this
community.”middleeastmonitor
Qatari ambassador meets Haniyeh after meeting
with Abbas
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180915-qatari-ambassador-meets-haniyeh-after-meeting-with-abbas/
Qatar’s Ambassador to the occupied Palestinian
territories, Mohammad Al-Imadi, met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Friday
night at the latter’s office in Gaza, Shehab has reported. The meeting took
place after Al-Imadi had first gone to the occupied West Bank for a meeting
with the Palestinian Authority, Fatah and PLO President Mahmoud Abbas.The
official Wafa news agency reported that Al-Imadi passed a verbal message from
Qatar’s Emir Tamim Bin Hamad to Abbas, in which he expressed his support for the
efforts being exerted to reach an agreement on national reconciliation.Whilst
in the Gaza Strip, Ambassador Al-Imadi is expected to take part in the
inauguration ceremonies of several Qatar-funded projects in the coastal
enclave.middleeastmonitor
Qatar to sue Saudi Arabia and UAE for ‘piracy’
Qatar’s Attorney General has confirmed that
independent investigations have proven that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were
involved in hacking into the official Qatar News Agency last year. Ali bin
Fetais Al-Marri pledged to sue the two countries for “piracy” before the
International Court of Justice in The Hague.Al-Marri made the announcement at a
press conference held in New York City on Friday, in the presence of a group of
American jurists, Al Jazeera reported. He explained that international law
officers have collected evidence which proves the Saudi and Emirati
involvement. This view was backed up by former US Attorney General Michael
Mukasey, a member of US legal team present, who confirmed that there was
evidence that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were involved in the “piracy” at the QNA in
May last year. The team, he added, will discuss later how this is going to be dealt
with.MEMO
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
Significant dip in India’s record on civil
liberties, personal & media integrity:S Y Quraishi
BJP’s attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family and
Congress’s dynastic politics is hypocritical:Louise Khurshid
RBI data has confirmed that demonetisation
failed in its stated goals;K V Thomas
As Long as Politicians Don't Name Names, the
NPA Furore Is Much Ado About Nothing;Ravish Kumar
NE Dispatch: Disagreements Over NRC Continue;
Trouble for Congress in Mizoram, Meghalaya:Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
Destruction in the desert looms for
Palestinian schools in the West Bank:Tessa Fox
Compiled and edited by
Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:59 PM)
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