*30 NOV. 2019: 02 Rabius Sani 1441:
Vol: 12, No: 70*
**INDIA: ECONOMY*
GDP growth falls to 4.5%, BJP allies say state of economy alarming
New Delhi :Even as India’s GDP growth rate for the second quarter of
2019-20 hit a 26-quarter low, allies of the ruling BJP did not mince words on
the prevailing economic situation. One ally pointed to a “talent deficit” in
the government, while another asked the government to hold an urgent meeting of
political leaders and economists to find a way out of the crisis. BJP leaders,
meanwhile, avoided making public remarks on the economy.“The state of the
economy is alarming, we all are concerned,” SAD leader Naresh Gujral said. “It
is causing alarm because of the joblessness and lack of growth which is leading
to unemployment.”Articulating disquiet among NDA partners, Gujral said BJP had
not convened any meeting of allies to discuss serious issues. “The allies are
quite unhappy. The oldest ally, Shiv Sena, has already walked out and others
are waiting at the departure lounge,” Gujral said. “Allies are not vying for
positions, but there has to be consultation.”JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said his
party was concerned about the falling growth rate, transfer of PSU assets to
private parties and gloom in the agriculture sector which triggers exodus from
villages. “The government should not ignore or ridicule warnings of economists
or former RBI governors. It should open modes of communication, there should be
a meeting of political leaders and economists. People like (ex PM) Manmohan Singh
should be called to discuss the issue. Because this is not a matter of
confrontation, it is a matter of consultation,” Tyagi said.“Being a socialist
party, JD(U) has serious concerns about the pace in which assets of PSU are
being sold to private firms. Selling PSU assets for revenue collection has
proved to be a wrong method of dealing with economic crisis. During Atal Bihari
Vajpayee’s time, there was a ministry for it, but it did not yield results.
Even in Manmohan Singh’s term it happened but with no results,” he said.
According to Tyagi, the government should not “ignore or ridicule” warnings
from economists.“Ex-RBI governors have been giving warnings,” he said.One
leader took exception to the remarks of various ministers to downplay crisis.
“When NSSO reports on unemployment and rural consumption reports came to light,
our people cited alternative statistics on automobile sale, Ola/Uber services,
full airports, cinema earnings to counter. That finance minister has come to a
situation to admit slowdown, if not recession, is a way of acknowledging the
situation ultimately,” the party functionary said.“There is no buoyancy in
industry/business these days. Even GST collections are down. It is a matter of
concern. We will talk over it. But not on phone please,” said a senior BJP
MP.indianexpress
Real growth is around 1.5%, Modi wants only Yes Men, not me: BJP leader
Subramanian Swamy before GDP figures were released
Subramanian Swamy is not known to mince his words and he had predicted,
in 2015, that the economy was headed for a tailspin. Ex-Harvard economics
professor, who has been long ignored for FM post, had said that a ‘major crash
was inevitable’.2 days before GDP figures had been revealed, he had slammed
Nirmala Sitharaman saying she ‘doesn’t know any economics’ and that the real
growth was around 1.5%.He had told Huffington Post 2 days before GDP figures
were revealed: “Do you know what the real growth rate today is? They are saying
that it is coming down to 4.8%. I’m saying it is 1.5%.”He had also told
HuffPost that he had been overlooked because Modi didn’t want him, that the ‘PM
didn’t want any minister to talk back to him, let alone in public, but in
private cabinet meetings too’.Swamy’s observations matched ex Chief Economic
Advisor Amitabh Kant’s who had argued in a piece for Indian Express in June
that GDP growth was being over-estimated by 2.5% points per year between ‘2011-12
and 2016-17’.He had argued: “My results indicate that methodological changes
led to GDP growth being overstated by about 2.5 percentage points per year
between 2011-12 and 2016-17, a period that spans both UPA and NDA governments.
Official estimates place average annual growth for this period at about 7 per
cent. Actual growth may have been about 4.5 per cent, with a 95 per cent
confidence interval of 3.5 to 5.5 per cent.”freepressjournal
GDP figures unacceptable, state of economy ‘worrying’: Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh Friday said that India’s economic
condition is “deeply worrying” and that the latest GDP figures released by the
government are clearly “unacceptable”.“GDP figures released today are as low as
4.5 per cent. This is clearly unacceptable. Aspiration of our country is to grow
at 8-9 per cent. The sharp decline of GDP from 5 per cent in Q1 to 4.5 per cent
in Q2 is worrisome. Mere changes in economic policies will not help revive the
economy,” the veteran Congress leader was quoted as saying by ANI.Singh also
said that the state of the economy is worrying but the state of our society is
“even more worrisome”, adding that there exists a “palpable climate of fear” in
our society.“Many industrialists tell me they live in fear of harassment by
government authorities. Bankers are reluctant to make new loans, for fear of
retribution. Entrepreneurs are hesitant to put up fresh projects, for fear of
failure attributed to ulterior motives,” Singh said.“Policymakers in government
and other institutions are scared to speak the truth or engage in
intellectually honest policy discussions. There is a profound fear and distrust
among our various economic participants,” he added.indianexpress
BJP has ruined economy: Priyanka on falling GDP
New Delhi :Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday
hit out at BJP for the lower GDP growth rate and accused it of making false
promises and ruining the country’s economy.“Promise after promise…2 crore jobs
every year, double the price of crops, good days, Make in India, making the
economy USD 5 trillion… Will any promise be accounted for? Today GDP growth is
4.5% which shows that all promises are false,” she said in a tweet in Hindi.PTI
Amid outrage, plea in apex court to stay electoral bonds
New Delhi:A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking stay on the
implementation of Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018, saying it has opened the
floodgates of unlimited corporate donations to political parties and anonymous
financing by Indian as well as foreign companies that can have serious repercussions
on democracy in the country. It said that certain amendments made in Finance
Act, 2017 and earlier Finance Act, 2016, both passed as money bills, have
opened doors to unlimited political donations, even from foreign companies and
thereby legitimising electoral corruption at a huge scale, while at the same
time ensuring complete non-transparency in political funding.“Finance Act of
2017 had introduced the use of electoral bonds which is exempt from disclosure
under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, opening doors to unchecked,
unknown funding to political parties. “The said amendments have also removed
the existing cap of 7.5 per cent of net profit in the last three years on
campaign donations by companies and have legalised anonymous donations,” said
the plea, filed by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).HT
*POLITICS*
Maharashtra: With 169 votes, Uddhav-led govt sails through Assembly
floor test, BJP stages walkout
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government, also known as
Maha Vikas Aghadi front, won crucial floor test in Maharashtra Assembly with 169
votes in their favour on Saturday. Meanwhile, BJP, which has 105 MLAs in the
assembly, staged a walkout before the headcount of MLAs began. The boycott, BJP
said, was against the “unlawful manner” in which the ministers were sworn in
and the House session convened. Pro tem Speaker Dilip Walse Patil informed
House that 4 MLAs abstained during the vote. They include 2 from AIMIM, one
from CPI(M) and a member of MNS, led by Uddhav’s estranged cousin Raj
Thackeray. Thackeray, clad with a saffron turban, thanked House members of
people of the state after it was declared that his government had won the floor
test.“I thank all the members for trusting me. I also thank the people of the
state. It is not possible to work without their blessings,” he said. The session
was telecast live for the first time in history of the state’s legislature.The
House witnessed chaos as soon as it assembled with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis
claiming that Assembly session was not being conducted as per the
rules.However, Dilip Walse Patil, who was appointed pro-tem Speaker of the
House Friday after replacing BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar, said that the session
was being held as per Governor’s nod. Fadnavis also objected to Patil’s
appointment saying, “Never was a pro tem speaker replaced in India, why was
Kolambkar replaced from the post.”Responding to the allegations, pro-tem
Speaker said, “I am following the Supreme Court order. The apex court has asked
to immediately conduct the floor test and the procedure is also laid down by
the top court. That is why we are today openly conducting the floor
test.”Responding to Fadnavis’ claim of oath-taking not being done as per
constitution rules, Thackeray said that he will continue to take oath in name
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his parents. ” Yes, I took oath in name of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and also in name of my parents. If this is an
offence then I will do it again,” he said. indian express
‘We are going to Goa...’: Shiv Sena sounds alarm bells for BJP
Mumbai:After successfully blocking the formation of a BJP government in
Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, now wants to oust the former ally from power in
neighbouring Goa by forging an alliance with Vijay Sardesai’s Goa Forward
Party.“After Maharashtra it is Goa, and then we will go to other states. We
want to make a non-BJP political front in this country,” Shiv Sena spokesperson
Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai on Friday morning.Raut’s statement
indicates party’s ongoing transformation from anti-Congressism to anti-BJPism
after parting ways with its ideological twin, ending nearly thirty years of
partnership.“Goa ex-minister and ex deputy CM Vijay Sardesai is here along with
three MLAs, and is forming an alliance with the Shiv Sena. A new political
front is taking shape in Goa, just like it happened in Maharashtra,” Raut said.
Saamana editor claimed there will soon be “magic” in Goa as some MLAs
supporting BJP government there were now in touch with the Shiv Sena.“We are
going to Goa…,” Raut said and claimed that people in the state did not like the
way the BJP had formed the government.HT
Jharkhand elections: 62.8% turnout till end of voting
RANCHI:An estimated 62.87% votes were cast when voting ended at 3 p.m.
on Saturday in the first of 5-phase Jharkhand assembly elections in 13
constituencies, amid sporadic incidents of violence, officials said. The
percentage is likely to increase as voters who entered the polling stations by
3 p.m. will be allowed to exercise their franchise, they said.A total of
37,83,055 electorate, including 18,01,356 women and 5 third-gender voters were
eligible to exercise their franchise in first phase of polling across 6
districts, which began at 7 am, Election Commission officials said.ADGP Murari
Lal Meena said Naxalites exploded a bomb near a culvert in the forests of Gumla
district, but there was no casualty or damage.The fate of 189 candidates,
including 15 women nominees, will be decided in the first phase of the polling
in Chatra, Gumla, Bishunpur, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj,
Bishrampur, Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur. The rest of 4
phases for 81-member assembly will be held on Dec.7, 12, 16 and 20. Counting is
scheduled on Dec.23.PTI
Jharkhand polls Phase 1: 2 BJP candidates have highest number of
criminal cases; 31% are crorepatis
The first phase of Jharkhand elections has 13 constituencies which went
to polls with 189 candidates in the fray. Only 15 of them are women.According
to a report by Association of Democratic Reforms, while 44 candidates out of
the 189 have declared criminal cases against themselves, at least 26 face
serious criminal charges. 2 candidates with the highest number of cases filed
against them are both from BJP. Both face murder charges.BJP’s Panki candidate
Kushwaha Shashi Bhushan Mehta has 11 cases filed against him, including murder,
attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, evidence tampering, and undue
influence and personation at an election.According to ADR report, at least 59
candidates of the total 189, or 31%, are crorepatis.thehindu
Pragya apology: Perception concerns led BJP to accede to demand
Concerns over perception about BJP, especially after recent political
developments, seems to have forced the ruling party to be defensive about the
Pragya Singh Thakur row and direct the Bhopal MP to offer her apology twice on
the floor of the Lok Sabha for her remark praising Nathuram Godse.Asked why the
BJP — which initially tried to deny that Thakur was referring to Godse —
changed its stand, a senior leader said: “For the perception.” He added that
BJP did not want to give “a fresh weapon” to the Opposition.Sources said the
decision to make Thakur apologise in the House was taken at the top level on
Thursday evening.Party leaders admitted that BJP — which has always tried to
lead in the battle of perception over its political rivals — faced a major
setback as its political moves in Maharashtra could not succeed. “When the
party is facing severe criticism over the economic slump and Maharashtra
developments, it would not have been wise to let this controversy carry on,”
said a party leader.An unrelenting Opposition forced Thakur to apologise for
her remark in Lok Sabha for a second time on Friday after rejecting her first
apology as “conditional” — in which she targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
for calling her a “terrorist”.With the BJP all set to fight the upcoming
elections in Jharkhand, Delhi and Bihar on Modi’s image, the party has to avoid
such situations that have the potential to dent it, said a BJP MP.Party leaders
had admitted that the developments in Maharashtra “left a deep dent in its
credibility, damaged the image of PM Modi and gave an impression that the BJP
is a greedy power-grabbing party”.
Malegaon Blast: SC Agrees to Hear Plea of Victim against Bail Granted to
Pragya Singh Thakur
NEW DELHI:The Supreme Court of India has said it would hear after two
weeks a plea of 2008 Malegaon blast victim challenging the Bombay High Court’s
April 2017 order granting bail to Pragya Singh Thakur, one of the accused in
the blast case.Though she is facing trial for her alleged role in the twin
blasts of September 29, 2008 that killed seven people and wounded around 80
others, BJP fielded her as its Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal in May this year.
She won the poll defeating Congress heavyweight Digvijaya Singh.On Friday, a
top court bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar agreed to hear after two weeks
the plea filed by the father of one of the blast victims.Petitioner Nisar Ahmed
Haji Sayed Bilal, father of one of the blast victims, has alleged in his plea
that Thakur was a “powerful person” and could influence the witnesses in the
case. “The high court failed to appreciate that Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is
an influential person and is likely to wield her power and influence in an
illegal and unlawful manner to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses,”
PTI has quoted him as saying in his plea.India Tomorrow
* Hyderabad rape-murder case
BJP MLA, supporters give Hyderabad rape case false communal spin
The rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinary doctor shocked the
nation this week. That didn’t stop some people including a BJP MLA and the
party’s supporters from giving this incident a false communal spin and in turn
trivialising the incident, even while the family was grieving. Hyderabad Police
has now promised action against such people.A day after the charred body of a
26-year-old veterinary doctor was found on the outskirts of Hyderabad, police
arrested four people identified as Mohammed Areef (26), Jollu Shiva (20), Jollu
Naveen (20) and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu, all residents of Narayanpet
district in Telangana.A senior cop debunked any narrative which suggested a
communal angle to the incident. Reddy
also assured that the police will take action against those spreading rumours
and disinformation.At around 1:41 pm, Goshamahal (Telangana) BJP MLA Raja Singh
tweeted a video in which he is talking about the incident. He went on to say
that they had expected that someone like a ‘Mohammed’ would be named in the
incident.However, the truth is that the police has identified the other three
accused as Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu and not
just a ‘Mohammed’.However, Raja is just one of many people who tried to give a
communal spin to the case while the investigation is still underway.Suresh
Chavhanke of Sudarshan News went a step ahead questioning the police action and
asking the central government to investigate if the other three have been
arrested under pressure.But disregarding the facts, a false narrative,
mentioning the name of only the Muslim accused, was shared by many prominent
people on Twitter.Postcard news Founder Mahesh Hedge posted a message on
Twitter clearly stating that the culprit of the case was a ‘Peaceful’, a word
used sarcastically for Muslims, referring to the oft-made statement that Islam
is a ‘religion of peace’. Prashant Patel, who is known for spreading
misinformation online, too trained his guns at just one accused – Mohammad
Pasha.Even the national In-charge of BJP’s IT Cell, Amit Malviya, didn’t shy
away from naming only one accused. But disinformation doesn’t stop here.One of
the top trends on Twitter today was not demanding justice for the victim, but
was targeting one religion. thequint
Hyderabad rape-murder case: All 4 accused sent in judicial remand for 14
days
New Delhi: 4 persons arrested in connection with the rape and murder of
a Hyderabad-based veterinary doctor have been sent in judicial remand for 14
days, ANI reported. They have also been shifted to city’s Chanchalguda Central
Jail from Shadnagar police station.Using CCTV footage and technical evidence,
the Cyberabad Police arrested a truck driver, his assistant and two other
persons. They have been identified as Mohammed Areef (26), Jollu Shiva (20),
Jollu Naveen (20) and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu (20), all belonging to the
Narayanpet district. The accused had planned the abduction after noticing that
the victim had parked her 2-wheeler at the Tondupally toll plaza. Assuming that
she would come to pick it up later in the evening, they deflated the tyre.“The
accused had consumed alcohol and noticed the veterinary doctor parking her bike
at the toll plaza around 6 pm. They hatched a plan and Naveen deflated her
scooter’s tyre. When the victim returned, Areef got down from his truck and
told her about the flat tyre. After offering to help, Shiva took the bike on
the pretext of getting it repaired. Then, Areef, Naveen and Chennakeshavulu
forcibly took the victim into an abandoned room nearby, where she was raped,”
Cyberabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar said earlier.Earlier, officers said
that police were able to track the accused based on inputs from people, clues
from the crime scene and CCTV footage. “Police had formed 10 teams to nab the
accused,’’ an officer, on condition of anonymity, had said.The charred body of
the 27-year-old veterinary doctor, who worked in a state-run hospital, was
found on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday night. indianexpress
Telangana doctor murder: They raped, smothered, burnt her after hatching
crime over drinks
*NRC - CAB*
12 MPs from Northeast write to PM opposing Citizenship Amendment Bill
New Delhi: 13 non-BJP MPs on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi
to exclude the northeastern states from the purview of the proposed Citizenship
Amendment Bill, saying if it comes into effect the tribal population of the
region will be vulnerable to displacement.MPs, most of them belonging to the
Congress and from the Northeast, said civil society organisations of the region
are also opposing the Bill.“We collectively believe if such a Bill is
implemented uniformly across the nation, it will particularly render indigenous
and tribal population of Northeast vulnerable to displacement,”the letter
signed by 12 members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha said. Shillong MP Vincent H
Pala, who took the initiative to write the letter, told PTI they felt that it
was their moral duty to convey the sentiment of the people of the region to
prime minister.MP from Barpeta (Assam) Abdul Khaleque, another signatory of the
letter, said people in the Northeast have strong reservations about the
Citizenship Amendment Bill and hence have been protesting strongly.“We the
undersigned as members of Parliament representing the indigenous tribes of
Northeastern region would like to express our strong objection to the passing
and implementation of CAB in our region,” letter said.Among those who signed
the letter include former Arunachal chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Mukut
Mithi and Assam’s Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi. Pala said those who signed the
letter are MPs from Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and
Sikkim. BJP MPs from Northeast --around 15 -- did not sign letter.BJP MP from
Manipur Rajkumar Ranjan Singh had, however, requested Home Ministry to exempt
the northeastern state from purview of the Citizenship Amendment Bill.PTI
Amit Shah begins meeting on CAB with groups from Northeast
New Delhi :As Home Minister Amit Shah began a series of meetings with
stakeholders from Northeastern states on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB)
on Friday, sources said the government may exempt the Northeast states that
have Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime from the CAB. Exemption of such regions in
Northeast states which come under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is
also under consideration.This would virtually mean that Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland and Mizoram may be kept out of the purview of CAB, as well as certain
autonomously administered regions in Assam and other states such as Bodo
Territorial District Area.Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha on
Thursday, BJP MP Dr RK Ranjan Singh said, “I would like to draw the attention
of the Government of India to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that is going to
be placed in this winter session. It is also reliably learnt that some
safeguards are likely to be given to Northeastern states. However, a few days
ago, it was brought out in media that an exemption from this citizenship law
will be given only to those states where the Inner Line Permit system is
enforced. That means the law will not be applied in the states of Nagaland,
Arunachal and Mizoram.”Singh said this was causing a lot of discomfort in his
state. Meanwhile, Home Minister began meetings with politicians and civil
society members from Northeast states. The first two meetings were held Friday
evening with representatives from Tripura and Mizoram.Shah’s discussions on
Friday, Saturday and Dec.3 will be with North East Students’ Organisation, All
Bodo Students’ Union and students bodies from Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal
Pradesh. Meetings with CM are on Saturday, an official said. Leaders of
political parties and heads of socio-cultural organisations have also been
invited for discussion. Shah is holding the meetings in the wake of protests
against CAB in the Northeast.indianexpress
After losing West Bengal bypolls, BJP leaders point to NRC as reason for
defeat
Kolkata : BJP’s losses in 3 bypolls in West Bengal appeared to expose
infighting within the state unit, with some leaders on Friday pointing to the
“scare” over the issue of NRC as a reason for their failure.On Friday, BJP
state vice-president Chandra Kumar Bose said it was time for the party to
devise a state-specific plan, as a pan-Indian strategy would not apply to the
“land of Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose”.Bose, who is Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, said that the NRC should not have featured as the
poll plank during campaigning for bypolls.“Since 1985, NRC was primarily
concerned with the people of Assam. NRC was never considered for West Bengal.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly said that first Citizenship Amendment
Bill (CAB) will be tabled in Lok Sabha and after implementing CAB, there will
be discussions on NRC. So there was no need for our party to campaign on NRC
during bypolls,” Bose said.Two of the BJP candidates in the bypolls blamed the
NRC “scare” for their losses, and said the party had failed to explain the
issue to the people. Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo too said the
party was unable to explain to the people what the NRC and CAB
are.indianexpress
BJP MP seeks inclusion of Gorkhas left out of NRC
New Delhi : A BJP MP told Lok Sabha on Friday that many members of the
Gorkha community have been excluded from NRC in Assam and asked the government
to give them recognition as the state’s inhabitants.Raising the issue during
Zero Hour, Raju Bista (BJP) said that the exclusion of names of many Gorkhasy
from NRC is a question mark on the sacrifices made by those freedom fighters
who were from this community.He said the Gorkha community has made numerous
contribution in nation-building. Congress leader in the House Adhir Ranjan
Chowdhury demanded that the Kurmi tribe be given the status of Scheduled
Tribes.Jagdambika Pal of BJP was of the view that the corridor of Sharada Peeth
should be opened. PTI
*J&K
& SOUTH ASIA*
Kashmiri truck driver says beaten by cops, inquiry initiated
Faridabad Police have initiated an inquiry after a truck driver was
allegedly beaten up by a police officer in Ballabgarh on Friday.Mohammed
Maqbool, the driver, hails from Kashmir’s Yusmarg. He was on his way to
Srinagar when the policeman allegedly thrashed him and his friends for stopping
the truck on the expressway. Maqbool said, “We were carrying pipes from Kolkata
to Srinagar for a government project. In Faridabad, near the Maujpur toll
plaza, I stopped the truck since I wanted to take some rest and let someone
else drive. As I stepped out of the truck, the policeman came in his van and
shouted at me.”He alleged that the policeman, a sub-inspector posted with the
Ballabhgarh police station, was accompanied by three constables. “They pinned
me to the ground and kicked me. I told them to let me go but they didn’t
listen. They also thrashed my friends and later took Rs 30,000 from our
wallets,” Maqbool alleged.indianexpress
Demilitarise Jamia Masjid area, allow prayers without hassles: Kashmir
Anjuman Auquaf
Srinagar:For the first time in more than three decades, historic Jamia
Masjid here has been locked for successive 17 weeks with neither `namaz' being
offered nor `azaan’ being called by
devotees since August 5 when Centre revoked special status of Jammu and Kashmir
under Article 370 and divided the state into two union territories.During 2016
unrest, no Friday prayers could be held for 16 weeks in the historic Jamia
Masjid at Nowhatta area in the Old Srinagar city.Anjuman Auquaf Jamia Masjid
has asked government to demilitarize Jamia Masjid area and remove all the
forces from its surroundings so that people could come to offer prayers without
any fear.“There is an atmosphere of fear. Security forces are deployed outside
the gates of the Masjid. How can people come and offer prayers when hundreds of
forces personnel are standing outside the mosque?” asked Shams-ur-Rehman, close
aide of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chief cleric of Kashmir.India Tomorrow
Terrorism in Kashmir very low after abrogation of Article 370: Union
minister Javadekar
New Delhi:Terrorism in Kashmir has been at a minimum level after the
repeal of Article 370, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said today, describing
the first 6 months of the Modi government’s second term as dedicated to
development and security of the country.Javadekar said India has had a little
impact of the global economic slowdown and efforts to recover from it too have
been hastened by govt.The information and broadcasting minister said Modi
government completes 6 months of its second term today, with the country moving
fast on the path of progress.PTI
Pakistan waging proxy war as it can’t win conventional one: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said Pakistan was indulging in a
“proxy” war as it had realised that it cannot win a “conventional” one. The
path of “proxy” war chosen by Pakistan would only lead to its defeat, he added.
Singh was speaking at the passing out parade of 137th course at National
Defence Academy in Pune.PTI
Won’t allow third country affect our ties: Gotabaya on India’s China
worry
New Delhi :In one-on-one talks for an hour Friday with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, visiting Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is said to have
conveyed that he will not allow “any third country or third force” to come in
the way of the strong bilateral ties between Delhi and Colombo.Modi announced a
$50-million Line of Credit for security and counter-terrorism, and another $400
million for development and infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka.This is
Gotabaya’s first overseas visit after he took charge of the country as
President less than two weeks ago. He invited Modi to visit Sri Lanka as the
first head of government after he assumed office.Brother of Sri Lanka’s Prime
Minister and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya is learnt to have
conveyed to Modi that relations with India will be his “top priority”.In a
public statement after the bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House, he tried to
assuage Indian concerns on Chinese projects in the island country. “While with
India, our cooperation is multi-faceted, with priority given to
security-related matters; With other countries, initiatives for cooperation are
by and large economic and commercial (in nature),” he said.indianexpress
BABRI MASJID CASE*
Plea in Madras HC against protests in Tamil Nadu on Babri Masjid
demolition day
An advocate has petitioned Madras High Court to restrain all Muslim
organisations from holding any form of protest on Dec.6 or any other day to
mark the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition. When the plea by K Gopinath
came up for hearing, a Division Bench of Justices R Subbiah and P Velmurugan
adjourned the hearing to Dec.2. The petitioner, who is also the president of
Hindu Munnetra Kazhagam, said he apprehended threat to peace and tranquility in
society if outfits were allowed to protest to mark the anniversary even after
the recent Supreme Court verdict in Ayodhya case. “TMMK and SDPI have called
for demonstrations throughout the state on Dec.6 condemning the verdict; any
such protest would attract contempt of court proceedings,” he said in his plea.PTI
With SC verdict in favour of Ram
temple, VHP to not observe 'Shaurya Diwas' on Dec. 6
Lucknow: With Ram temple path now clear in Ayodhya after Supreme Court’s
verdict on the decades-long dispute, VHP has decided to relinquish its
25-year-old traditional practice of observing ‘Shaurya Diwas’ (bravery
day) on Dec. 6 -- the anniversary of
Babri Masjid demolition, this year. Instead, the outfit has decided to light
diyas at all the prominent muths and temples to mark the day in the temple
town. “Since the top court has given the verdict in favour of Ram Mandir, we
have decided to mark the day by lightening of diyas across the temples of
Ayodhya,” said VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma.VHP, along with its affiliate
organisations has been observing Shaurya Diwas on Dec. 6 every year since the
Babri Masjid was demolition on this day in 1992.newindianexpress
Ayodhya's Muslims to mark Dec 6 as 'Day of Sorrow'
Ayodhya: Muslim community in Ayodhya will again be observing the coming
December 6 as 'Yaum-e-Gham' (Day of Sorrow) to mark 27th anniversary of the
demolition of Babri Masjid, a local leader of the community said. For the last
27 years, from Dec.6, 1993 onwards, Muslim community in Ayodhya led by Haji
Mahboob, who was one of the main litigant from Muslim side in Babri Masjid
case, and president of local organization 'Anjuman Muhafiz - Masajid wa
Maqabir' (organisation and protectee of mosques and mausoleums), has been
observing the day in this manner. Haji
Mahboob said that he will arrrange a mourning session on the morning of Dec.6
and will be inviting top Muslim leaders to this ocassion, including Asaduddin
Owaisi and Zafaryab Jilani.Many other Muslim organisations like Muslim League
and Muslim Majlis will also hold different programmes to mark the 'Shahadat'
(demolition) of Babri Masjid.IANS
Muslims must voluntarily hand over Gyanvapi Mosque, Mathura complex to
Hindus:K K Muhammed
Mangaluru: Karingamannu Kuzhiyil Muhammed aka K K Muhammed, part of the
first ASI team that excavated the historical site at Ayodhya, averred that
Muslim community should now voluntarily come forward to hand over Gyanvapi
mosque in Varanasi and Krishna Janmastham Complex in Mathura to Hindus.They
missed an opportunity to do so at Ayodhya thanks to the influence that the
Marxist historians had on them, Muhammed said.In an interaction with Harsha
Bhat at a session on ‘Excavating Truth’ at Mangaluru Lit Fest on Friday, he said
various excavations carried out at Ayodhya by ASI pointed to just one truth
that a temple existed there. “When I stated this to the media first,
uncharacteristic for government servant to do so, I did bear in mind that an
archaeologist is speaking about the issue, and me being a Muslim, I had double
the responsibility to speak only the truth,” he said. “We must strive for
united India rather than fight about it,” Muhammed, who retired as regional
Director with ASI in 2012, said.“Hinduism is a very tolerant religion and
because India is a Hindu majority country, India remains secular in the truest
sense of the term,” he said.“We need to adopt Indian heroes such as Lord Ram,
which Muslim countries have done,” he said, adding it was such references that
excavations threw up which tipped the Supreme Court in coming out with a ‘fair
judgement’ on the case.TOI
*OTHERS*
UP Law Commission recommends Anti-Conversion Law; Politically-motivated
move, say civic leaders
NEW DELHI:Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission has recommended a law to
check alleged forced conversions with a provision of one to seven years jail
term. In its 290-page report to the state government, that carries a draft bill
also, the commission has also recommended that if a conversion is done for the
sole purpose of marriage, such marriage should be declared null and void.
Eminent members of the civil society have termed the report as “a
politically-motivated move” and an attempt to “push the agenda of Sangh
Parivar”.Justice (Retd.) Aditya Nath Mittal, Chairman of the UP Law Commission,
submitted the “Eighth Report of VII State Law Commission on Freedom of
Religion” to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Nov. 21. The report
also carries a draft bill “Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019.”After
presenting the report to CM, Justice Mittal told media: “Indian Constitution
has given freedom to exercise religion, but some agencies are misusing this
freedom. They lure people into converting religion in the pretext of marriage,
better jobs & lifestyle. We don't have any existing provisions to stop such
conversions. That's why we have recommended new legislation to stop religious
conversions.”Interestingly, the commission has presented the report couple of
weeks after VHP announced to launch
campaign against conversions. Just after the Supreme Court verdict in favour of
Ram Temple on the site of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on Nov.19, VHP had made the
announcement.Commenting on the UP Law Commission’s report for an
anti-conversion law, members of civil society, including a Christian leader, a
civil rights activist and a senior lawyer have said that the move appears to be
politically-motivated. While Christian leader said he will challenge the law in
court if it comes, the lawyer said some provisions of the proposed law would
not withstand scrutiny of law in the court.
AC Michael, National Convenor, United Christian Forum, asked if there is
any forced mass conversion in UP that the law commission had to recommend such
a law.The Christian leader said the UP law panel move is purely politically-motivated
and he would challenge any such law in the court.Rajiv Yadav, general secretary
of Lucknow-based civil rights group Rihai Manch, said the law panel has come up
with the report just days after VHP made an announcement to launch campaign
against conversion.Senior Advocate of Allahabad High Court Syed Farman Ahmad
Naqvi told India Tomorrow: “The question is how they will come to the
conclusion that it is a forced conversion. Will it be done on the basis of a
third person saying that it is a forced conversion, and not the person who got
converted to some other religion? Who will decide which is forced conversion
and which not?”India Tomorrow
Will Ayurveda rescue Muslim Sanskrit professor of BHU? Firoze Khan
appears for a fresh interview
Varanasi: Muslim professor from Banaras Hindu University, who was at the
centre of a major protest over his appointment as Assistant Professor in the
Sanskrit department of the varsity, reportedly appeared for an interview in the
Ayurveda department of the university on Friday.The interview was apparently
conducted at a secret guest house in view of the violent protests that erupted
at the university. Firoze was among eight candidates that turned up for the interview.Interestingly,
head of Ayurveda department, Professor Yamini Bhushan, claimed that Firoze was
the best among all candidates, IANS reported.Firoze might be shifted to the
Ayurveda department in wake of the protests over this appointment in the Sanskrit
department.timesnownews
Thousands Of JNU Students Protest Outside HRD Ministry, Demand Complete
Withdrawal Of Fee Hike
NEW DELHI:Continuing their series of big protests against hostel fee
hike, thousands of students of JNU marched from the campus to the Union Human
Resource Development Ministry (MHRD) office near the Parliament House on
Friday.Holding placards and banners in their hands with messages against fee
hike and commercialization and privatization of education, the JNU students and
many others who had come from other universities in their support, were
demanding complete rollback of the proposed hostel fee hike and hostel manual.
Today’s was their fifth massive protest demonstration on this issue in the last
30 days.Besides the roll-back of hike fee regime and hostel manual, the
students were also demanding removal of Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar
alleging that he has not held a single meeting with students to resolve the
issue.India Tomorrow
Maulana Maududi teachings more pertinent now than ever: scholars
Hyderabad: "To decimate communal hatred and spread the message of
peace and harmony, Muslims must preach Islam in the language understood by the
people of the said geographical area, believed Maulana Abul Ala Maudidi, the
founder of Jamaat-e-Islami," observed Muslim intellectuals and scholars. Speaking
during the release of the book written in Urdu on 'The life and achievements of
Maulana Abul Ala Maududi' on Thursday evening, by the renowned scholar Ahmed
Abu Sayeed, Muslim scholars said Maulana Maududi's teachings were more
essential in the present times at a time when the country was going through a
socio-political change. Maulana Maudidi was not only an exegesist of Holy Quran
but also a philosopher, jurist and journalist, the said. Professor Mohsin Usman
Nadvi presided over the function. Maulana Hamid Mohammed Khan, president of
Jamaat-e-Islami (Telangana), MESCO secretary Dr Fakhruddin Mohammed, Dr
Rafiuddin Farooqui, Dr Mujtaba Farooque, Dr Faheemuddin, Maulana Rahmatullah
Shareef and Dr Islamuddin Mujahid spoke on the different aspects of the life
and services of Maulana Maududi. Asif Al Amoodi was also present on this
occasion. The author who compiled many books on the works of Maulana Maududi
covered the chronology of the events in the life of revolutionary Ameer
(leader) of the Jamaat-e-Islami in his voluminous book. Gawah Urdu Weekly
editor Dr Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez presented a vote of thanks.Hans News
UP man warned for trying to reconvert to Hinduism
Shamli;A truck driver in Shamli district has filed a complaint against
his neighbour Naushad, alleging that the latter threatened to kill him for
wanting to reconvert to Hinduism.The complaint was filed by 30-year-old Salim
on Tuesday.According to reports, in 2003, Salim, then named Sushil, was
converted to Islam. He later married a Muslim girl.Recently, he had a change of
heart and decided to reconvert to Hinduism.Salim told reporters here:
"After converting in 2003, I left my native village Kairan and settled in
the city. I got married to a Muslim woman and have four minor kids with her.
After I expressed my desire to reconvert, some locals threatened to kill
me." He said he would not pressurise his family to convert to Hinduism and
they would continue living with him.Shamli DSP Jitender Kumar said: "an
investigation is on. Action will be taken accordingly."-IANS
America-based scholar likely to become 53rd Dai-Ul-Mutlaq, head of Bohra
community:Free Press Journal
Mumbai:To resolve the dispute over who should be the 53rd Dai-Ul-Mutlaq,
religious head of Dawoodi Bohra community, the Bombay High Court is presently
examining an America-based Islamic scholar and a professor, who is an expert of
Islam.The dispute arose after the death of the community’s spiritual head and
52nd Dai-al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. His elder son Syedna Mufaddal
Saifuddin, had taken over as the spiritual head or Dai-al-Mutlaq of the
community, against the claim made by his uncle Syedna Qutbuddin, who claimed
himself to be the spiritual head by virtue of being the brother and ‘mazoon’
(deputy) of the deceased Syedna Burhanuddin, for around 50 years. He also
claimed that his slain brother had conferred a “nass” upon him, i.e. declaring
him the his successor, in a secret ceremony.However, now Syedna Qutbuddin too
has died and his son Syedna Taher Fakhruddin has become the religious head of
the sect.To substantiate his claims, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin had contacted the
expert - Devin Stewart, who is a Professor of Arabic and Islamic studies in
Emory University. He had submitted his opinion over the issue, in July this
year. Now, Prof. Stewart is being examined by the legal team led by senior
counsel Iqbal Chagla, who represents Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The expert would
be examined for three more days by advocate Chagla, who has till now asked over
100 questions to him.Free Press Journal
Compile data on terrorists, unlawful organisations, MHA writes to state
govts
New Delhi:Months after Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill
2019, was passed by the Parliament, the Centre has started compiling a list of
terrorists operating from Indian soil.As per sources, the Ministry of Home
Affairs has sought information from all state governments on designated
terrorist organisations and unlawful associations in the country.This is the
first time details have been sought after the anti-terror bill was passed in
the last session of the Parliament which empowered Centre to designate
individuals as terrorists. In its communication the state governments, MHA has
mentioned all organisations listed under the First Schedule of UAPA and sought
inputs on counts like their present strength and threat posed by them.Other
than terror outfits, the MHA has also sought information on organisations
declared as unlawful.Sources said post review, the Centre will take a call on
the first listing of individuals on Indian territory as designated
terrorists.indiatoday
ISIS case: NIA officials check homes in Tiruchi, Thanjavur districts
Ttiruchi:Officials of NIA carried out checks at a few places in Tiruchi
and Thanjavur districts on Saturday morning. While a team led by a DSP began a
search at the house of Sarbudeen (28) at Srinivasa Nagar Extension on outskirts
of Tiruchi, another team is searching a house in Enamkulathur.The search at
Sarbudeen’s house is to check whether he has any links with Islamic State
terrorists. NIA has swung into operation a day before Sarbudeen is reportedly
scheduled to fly to a Central Asian country.NIA sleuths are also conducting an
inquiry and search at a house in Aattumandhai Street, Thanjavur.thehindu
Gujarat: Ishrat Jahan encounter accused police officer PP Pandey gets
President’s Medal
Ahmedabad :Former in charge police chief of Gujarat DGP PP Pandey was
among 168 police officers from the state who were conferred with medals for
distinguished and meritorious service by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in
Ahmedabad Thursday.Pandey was an accused in Ishrat Jahan encounter case of 2004
and was later discharged. Another retired IPS officer Mohan Jha who was in the
Supreme Court-appointed SIT that investigated the Ishrat Jahan encounter case
was also among those awarded at the event.Ishrat Jahan, Pranesh Pillai and 2
others – Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar, were killed near Kotarpur waterworks
on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004 allegedly by Ahmedabad City
Detection of Crime Branch, then led by DCP DG Vanzara. Pandey was the Joint
Commissioner (crime) at the time. indianexpress
Indian Express reporter Kaunain Sheriff
receives national award for reports on medical malpractices
New Delhi :Kaunain Sheriff M, principal correspondent with The Indian
Express, received the national award named after Dr Mangalam Swaminathan from
BJP working president JP Nadda on Friday for Excellence in Medical Malpractices
Investigation.At the event, Nadda praised those who work quietly
behind-the-scenes on big tasks. “People who win, perform big tasks very
silently. I say silently because from politics, I understand the glitz well.
But there are a lot of people who stay away from the glitz and contribute
positively in a massive way,” he said.Sheriff received the award for his series
of stories on Johnson & Johnson. In Aug.2018, Indian Express first reported
on how the US pharma giant buried key facts on faulty hip implant surgeries and
kept the country’s regulator in the dark.National Award for Excellence in
Journalism was conferred to Ranjana Narayan, a senior editor with Indo-Asian
News Service for her life time achievement. National Award for Excellence in
Science Reporting was given to V D Selvaraj, senior editor, Kalakaumudi, a
Malayalam weekly.indianexpress
*WORLD*
Iraq PM resignation would only be 'first step': protesters
Baghdad's Tahrir Square broke out
in celebration minutes after Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced he
will submit his resignation to parliament after weeks of deadly anti-government
protests.But while the move was welcomed with singing and dancing in the
capital, some protesters remained sceptical and reiterated their demands for
the complete overhaul of the country's political system.Friday's announcement
came a day after more than 50 protesters were killed by security forces in Baghdad
and Iraq's mainly-Shia southern cities of Nasiriya and Najaf.Thursday was
described as the "bloodiest day" since anti-government demonstrations
began in early October, bringing the reported death toll to at least 400
people.The statement by Abdul Mahdi, who took office a little over a year ago,
came shortly after Iraq's top Shia leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, condemned
the use of lethal force against protesters and called for a new
government.Quoting al-Sistani's speech, which was delivered to worshippers at
Friday prayers in the holy city of Karbala by his representative, Abdel Mahdi
said he would present his resignation to parliament so legislators could select
a new government - an announcement that was welcomed by protesters.aljazeera
Shadow of strife looms over Iraq's political crisis
Taliban confirm informal talks with the US
Taliban has confirmed a claim by US President Donald Trump that
Washington has resumed informal talks with the Afghan armed group nearly two
months after peace negotiations were abruptly suspended.The group told Al
Jazeera that some preliminary meetings have taken place in the Qatari capital,
Doha, where the Taliban have an office, and could pave the way for the
resumption of formal peace talks.During an unannounced Thanksgiving visit on
Thursday to US troops in Afghanistan - his first to the South Asian country
since becoming president - Trump said the US was "meeting with" the
Taliban."Taliban wants to make a deal and we are meeting with them and we
are saying it has to be a ceasefire and they didn't want to do a ceasefire and
now they do want to do a ceasefire, I believe. It will probably work out that
way," he told reporters.In an apparent contradiction, the group's official
spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told AFP news agency earlier on Friday that it
was "way too early to talk about the resumption of talks for now".He
added that an official statement would be issued later.Michael Semple, a
visiting research professor at the Institute for Global Peace, Security and
Justice at Queen's University in Belfast, told Al Jazeera that, for talks to
resume, the Taliban will need to "accept some sort of violence
reduction". "Whether it's partial or global, the optimum one being a
full ceasefire, but it's possible they could agree to more limited measures to
reduce violence. They have to agree to start turning off the violence and they
have to agree to a pathway to direct talks with the Afghan government," he
said.Trump's visit came a week after a prisoner swap between the Afghan
government and the Taliban, which had raised hopes for the revival of peace
talks that were conducted in the Qatari capital since last year.During
Thursday's visit, Trump met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Ghani said on
Twitter that the two leaders had "discussed the important progress we have
jointly made in our military efforts in the battlefield," and the
necessity of a ceasefire with the Taliban.aljazeera
China criminalises 'fake news' created with AI, bots
China has issued new rules banning online video and audio providers from
using artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality technologies to produce
"fake news".The regulation published on Friday by China's cyberspace
authority said both providers and users of online video news and audio services
were "not allowed" to use new technologies such as deep learning and
virtual reality to create, distribute and broadcast "fake
news"."Fake news" has been generalised to mean anything from a
mistake to a parody or a deliberate misinterpretation of facts.Failure to
follow them could be considered a criminal offence, the Cyberspace
Administration of China (CAC) said, without offering details on punishments.AFP
Are you ‘brain-dead’: Erdogan raps Macron before NATO summit
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said that Emmanuel Macron’s warning
that NATO was dying reflects a “sick and shallow” understanding, telling the
French president “you should check whether you are brain dead”.The comments
drew a swift rebuke from the French foreign ministry, which summoned Turkey’s
ambassador to Paris to protest over what a French presidential adviser called
“insults”.Erdogan was speaking days ahead of a summit of the military alliance,
which Macron has said is experiencing “brain death” because of US
unpredictability under President Donald Trump and strained ties with
Turkey.Turkish and French presidents, who have traded criticism over Ankara’s
cross-border offensive in northeast Syria, will be among NATO leaders meeting
at a summit of the transatlantic alliance in Britain on Dec. 4. “I’m addressing
Mr Macron from Turkey and I will say it at NATO: You should check whether you
are brain dead first,” Erdogan said.Macron said in an interview 3 weeks ago
there was a lack of strategic coordination between European allies on the one
hand and US and Turkey, on the other. He has also decried NATO’s inability to
react to what he called Turkey’s “crazy” offensive into northern Syria. Reuters
Man wearing 'hoax explosive' shot dead in London Bridge attack
British police have shot dead a man who had strapped a fake bomb to his
body and stabbed several people on Friday, including two fatally, in what they
said was a "terrorism incident" near the London Bridge area of the
capital.The attacker went on the rampage just before 2pm (14:00 GMT), targeting
people at Fishmongers' Hall in the heart of the city's financial district.
Authorities identigied the suspect as 28-year old Usman Khan, who had been
convicted of "terrorism" offences and was released from prison last
year.Two people - a man and a woman - were killed in the attack. In addition, a
man and two women were injured and remain in hospital, Basu said.aljazeera
In Pakistan village with no Sikhs, Hindus renovate and reopen gurdwara,
Muslims prepare langar
Ludhiana :The followers of Guru Nanak (Nanak Naam Lewa) have renovated
and reopened a gurdwara at a village in Pakistan’s Sindh that had been lying
closed since the Partition. Apart from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, a Bhagwad
Gita has also been installed at Gurdwara Baba Nanak.Dewa Sikandar, member,
Pakistan Hindu Council, said the gurdwara, lying abandoned at the village
Janoji in Salehpat of Sindh province’s Sukkur district, was reopened Friday as
part of celebrations marking 550th birth anniversary of Guru
Nanak.Interestingly, there is no Sikh population in Janoji and entire
arrangements were made by members of Hindu and Muslim communities. “Local
Muslim villagers arranged langar for the devotees. They prepared lunch and
karha prasad and also decorated the gurdwara for opening day. Nanak Naam Lewa
Sangat chanted Waheguru prayers as well as aarti,” Sikandar said, adding that
Hindus in Sindh are ardent followers of Nanak and call themselves
“Nanakpanthis”.indianexpress
Suriname President sentenced to 20 yrs for killings
Suriname's President Desi Bouterse has been been sentenced to 20 years
in prison for the execution of 15 political opponents.The decision by a panel
of three judges on Friday marked the end of an historic trial that began in
November 2007, although it was not immediately clear what happens next.The
judges did not issue an arrest order, and Bouterse's attorney, Irvin Kanhai,
immediately appealed against the decision, calling it a "political
verdict".aljazeera
* Compiled
and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:34 PM).*
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