22 Jan 2020: 26
Jamadi-1, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 114
*anti-citizenship act stir*
CAA: SC refuses to stay CAA, gives Centre 4 weeks to reply, bars HCs
from passing orders on pleas; Assam, Tripura petitions to be heard separately
SC hearing on CAA: The Supreme Court today refused to stay the
contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) until it heard the Centre’s
response and hinted that it would set up a 5-judge Constitution bench to hear
the matter. A 3-judge bench headed by CJI S A Bobde, which was hearing a batch
of 143 pleas, granted the Centre 4 weeks to reply. It also restrained all high courts
from hearing pleas related to CAA till it decided on petitions. During the
hearing, Attorney General KK Venugopal arguing for Centre said the government
had been given copies of only 60 of 143 pleas and hence required more time to
respond. AG seeks a period of 6 weeks to file counters on the grounds that
about 80 more petitions have been filed. CJI Bobde said the court may refer
matter to a Constitution Bench. Senior advocates AM Singhvi, Kapil Sibal
appearing for the petitioners requested the court to put on hold operation of
CAA and postpone the exercise of NPR for the time being. Senior advocate Kapil
Sibal arguing for the petitioners says that the NPR process will start in April
and many states have already begun the process of documentation. Stating that
citizenship once granted can’t be reversed, Sibal requests court to grant a
nearby date. "Kindly postpone (NPR)process for 3 months. In the meanwhile
your lordships can decide," he told in the court. The bench also said it
will hear petitions pertaining to Assam and Tripura separately as the problem
with CAA in these two states is different from rest of the country. "The
petitions concerning Assam and Tripura as well as matters related to Uttar
Pradesh, which is going ahead with the implementation of CAA without framing
any rules, can be dealt with separately," the court said.
The petitions contend that CAA stands against the basic structure of the
Constitution and is illegal. Petitioners include Congress MP Jairam Ramesh,
IUML, and its MPs, Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, TMC MP
Mahua Moitra, All Assam Students’ Union and Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore
Deb Barman.indianexpress
In CAA Hearing, Spotlight on NPR Fears as SC Told 40 Lakh Marked
‘Doubtful’ in UP
The Supreme Court today said it could consider taking up matters related
to the implementation of CAA in Uttar Pradesh separately after being told that
the state has started identifying refugees and migrants under the contentious
law without the rules being framed.Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told 3-judge
bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde that the CAA process has already started
in UP as he along with other petitioners pressed the court to stay or defer its
implementation along with that of the NPR till a judgment is passed.Uttar
Pradesh government has, according to sources, initiated the process of
collecting information about refugees and migrants in a prescribed format from
district authorities across the state.Shrikant Sharma, Uttar Pradesh minister
and government spokesperson, had also said that 32,000 non-Muslims who could
gain citizenship have already been identified, but did not specify what
criteria was followed for this.Singhvi told the apex court that two weeks ago,
people were also marked with tick and cross in UP. “Doubtful, maybe, to be
verified. This process has not happened in 70 years, why not wait two more
months. This is happening even without the Rules being made," he said.He
further added that without the rules, as many as 40 lakh people have been
marked “doubtful” in the state, Live Law reported. This, he claimed, has
happened in 19 districts of UP. “Their right to vote will be lost. Kindly stay
the process. That's our prayer. This will prevent a lot of chaos and
insecurity,” he said. Senior advocate KV Vishwanathan also submitted that if
any person is marked as a 'doubtful citizen' during NPR process, it will lead
to problems not just for Muslims, but also Hindus.news18
CAA a sinister precursor to NPR, NRC: Chandra Shekhar Azad, 4 others
move plea in SC
SC abdicated its duties towards constitution: Ravi Nair convenor of
Alliance against CAA & NRC
New Delhi;Commenting on the Supreme Court’s refusal today to stay
implementation of controversial CAA, eminent civil rights activist and Convenor
of the Alliance Against CAA & NRC Ravi Nair said the top court has
“abdicated” its duties towards the Constitution of India.“Not at all
surprising,” said Nair about the SC refusing to stay CAA.“The Supreme Court has
abdicated its duties towards the Constitution. It should have stayed the CAA
until full and final decision was taken,” said Nair.India Tomorrow
SC's refusal to stay CAA disappointing: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
New Delhi:Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, one of the largest socio-religious
Muslim organizations in India, has termed as “disappointing” the Supreme
Court’s refusal to stay the controversial CAA.“We had expected that the Supreme
Court would come forward for help of the people and stay the CAA because it is
the responsibility of the Supreme Court to fix the error committed by the
Parliament. Supreme Court’s refusal today to stay the implementation of CAA has
disappointed us,” said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Vice President of Jamaat.He
said the past one month was enough time for the centre to respond to all
petitions and the SC should have given its final verdict today.indiatomorrow
Shaheen Bagh Protesters: Court Decides After 4 or 40 Weeks, We Won't
Retreat Until CAA Is Withdrawn
New Delhi:The Supreme Court’s refusal to interim stay on CAA, has failed
to weaken the resolve of Shaheen Bagh protesters.The women protesters, who have
been squatting on the road under a makeshift tarpaulin tent for more than a
month now, asserted that they would continue their protest till their demand
was met and CAA goes lock, stock and barrel.“We will not go back from the road
till the (Narendra) Modi government withdraws CAA. This is our firm resolve.
Let everybody in the government and outside the government know,” women
protesters told India Tomorrow. They said were ready to continue their protest
not only for another four weeks but even for the next four months.India
Tomorrow
It’s a setback to ‘opposition elements’:BJP
New Delhi :BJP has described the Supreme Court’s rejection of a stay on
CAA till the petitions are heard by a Constitution bench as a setback to the
opposition.Party spokesperson and MP G.V. L. Narasimha Rao said in a statement
that the rejection of a stay on the CAA till the matter is heard “is a slap for
those who were unleashing violence on the streets and attempting to bulldoze
institutions to suit their political agenda.”“Central government will present
all the arguments in favour of CAA and are confident that the hon’ble Court
will find this humanitarian legislation within ambit of constitutional
framework and reflecting its spirit,” he said. thehindu
Citizenship Act: Women protest outside Supreme Court hours before judges
hear pleas related to law
A group of women protested against the CAA outside the Supreme Court
late on Tuesday night. They were from Delhi’s Rani Garden area, according to
activist group Pinjra Tod. Police forced the women to disperse, and detained
one of them, Pinjra Tod added. The protest came hours before the top court
hears more than 140 petitions related to the controversial law.scroll
CAA in SC: It's a serious matter, court hearing was positive, says PK
Kunhalikutty, IUML leader
PK Kunhalikutty, IUML general secretary felt that the court hearing was
positive."This is a very serious matter. Once citizenship is given, it
cannot be taken back. Kapil Sibal had strongly argued that since the matter
involves a lot of legalities, it must not be implemented now and must be
postponed. The government has asked time to respond and the SC has given four
weeks' time. Kapil Sibal also asked for the matter to be referred to a larger
constitution bench. People who listened to the hearing felt the court was
positive to the request. IUML had also pleaded that there are contradictory
statements being made (on CAA-NRC) inside and outside Parliament. So the court
has issued a notice in this regard."
‘No Stay’ on CAA Rules SC, ‘Disappointing But Struggle Will Continue’:
Activists
DELHI: The Supreme Court refused today to grant an interim stay on the
Citizenship Amendment Act, giving the Centre four weeks to respond to all
petitions filed. Meanwhile, in response to the SC verdict, Shaheen Bagh
protesters have stated that their protests will continue. Brinda Karat of the
CPI-M said, “The struggle will continue. It’s disappointing that the Supreme
Court has not understood the urgency and given four weeks to the Central
government. The SC should have been more sensitive to the urgency of the
issue.”Filmmaker Saba Dewan stated that while the delay in the hearing was
“disappointing”, “the struggle will not stop.” “Of course, all of us were
hoping that the hearings would be today. But in all its wisdom if the Supreme
Court has postponed it by a month then we just have to hope that the hearing
begins in a month’s time,” she told The Citizen.On state governments’ role in
taking forward people’s struggle against CAA, Karat said the states should
follow Kerala in blocking NPR.thecitizen
"Every Bagh Can Be Shaheen Bagh": Bhim Army Chief
Chandrashekhar Azad's Warning On CAA
New Delhi: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, in his first interview
after being released from jail last week, said the citizenship law CAA is also
against Dalits and tribals and not just Muslims. "In the time to come,
every Bagh (garden) can be Shaheen Bagh," he warned, speaking to NDTV
today."NRC, NPR and CAA are the most anti-Dalit. They are also anti-OBC
and anti-tribals, because these people will suffer the most...In the time to
come, every Bagh can be Shaheen Bagh. We say the government should do its work,
but people are scared. Home Minister is saying he won't take retreat on the
law. If he wanted to divide the country, when could he do so if not when the
government enjoys a majority. He is doing what has been his agenda."Azad
said he would urge his supporters to vote against the BJP in the February 8
Delhi election, but insisted his agenda was not political. "I am against
the BJP because BJP is against the constitution" , he said.But added,
" Congress has treated us (Dalits) like a vote-bank."ndtv
Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad to visit Shaheen Bagh today
New Delhi :A day after a Delhi
court allowed him to visit the national capital, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar
Azad will today join the protest at Shaheen Bagh. Making the announcement on
Twitter, Azad wrote, “Friends, Jai Bhim, this evening I am coming to the land
of our struggle, Shaheen Bagh.”Azad took to Twitter to welcome the order: “I
thank the court for giving me permission to enter Delhi. This will embolden people’s
faith in the judiciary. This is a win for the Constitution. I will come
tomorrow to Delhi. I will not allow the BJP which is breaking this country to
form their Government in Delhi.”indianexpress
Anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh a ''threat to security'': BJP MP Goel
New Delhi: BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel has termed protest
against CAA at Shaheen Bagh a
"threat to security" and said it was being held by "misled"
people.Goel also praised Delhi Police for containing the "threat to
security" due to protest at Shaheen Bagh.PTI
JDU's Prashant Kishor dares Amit Shah to implement CAA, NRC in
chronology he proposed
JDU leader and political strategist Prashant Kishor has hit out at Home
Minister Amit Shah and dared him to implement CAA and NRC in the same
"chronology" that he "audaciously announced".In a tweet on
Wednesday, Kishor threw a challenge to Amit Shah and said, "Being
dismissive of citizens' dissent couldn't be the sign of strength of any Govt.
Amit Shah JI, if you don't care for those protesting against CAA, NRC, why
don't you go ahead and try implementing CAA & NRC in the chronology that
you so audaciously announced to the nation!" Kishor also thanked Congress
leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for "formal and
unequivocal" rejection of NRC and reassured the people of Bihar, ruled by
his party, that CAA and NRC will not be implemented in the state.Kishor, who is
part of the ruling JDU in Bihar, is in alliance with BJP in the state
government headed by Nitish Kumar. With Prashant Kishor's open praisies of
Congress and now the dare to Amit Shah, BJP has been left red-faced.
At Lucknow’s Clock Tower, Over 5,000 Women Protest Against CAA despite
police action
In Lucknow, a protest against the CAA, NRC and NPR is gaining ground at
the city’s clock tower, with more and more women participating, despite the
police snatching away their blankets and food on Saturday night.Social Activist
Rafat Fatima and Pooja Shukla, the national vice president of Samajwadi Party’s
student wing told The Quint how it all began. Shukla said, “It started on
Friday when three-four women sat at Ghanta ghar (clock tower). They called me
around 3 pm and asked for support. They said they just want more people to join
them. We started inviting more people through Facebook to help the movement
grow. On the first day, there were 200-300 people.”She added that the next day,
people in large numbers poured in near the clock tower.She also added the
number of women have drastically increased. On Sunday, more than 5,000 women
participated in the protests. Men are not allowed as the nature of the protest
is women-centric; however, a lot of them are coming forward to help the
protesters.“Our protest is against CAA, NRC and NPR. It's also in solidarity
with the women of Shaheen Bagh, Khureji and everywhere else. The government
accuses the women of being sold out, of taking money for biryani, but this is
wrong. the fight is also against patriarchy,” said Shukla.Fatima also pointed
out that despite what the police did on Saturday night, several protesters
offered food to the police. She said that the police drink water, eat food from
the very people that they snatched away the food from.thequint
As Anti-CAA Protests at Clock Tower Gain Momentum, Lawyers Vow to
Protect Constitution
CAA protest: Thank You For FIR, UP Police, Says Activist In Lucknow
'And Amit Shah?' Poet Munawwar Rana Questions '2 Sets Of Laws' After
Daughters' Arrests
Lucknow:Urdu poet Munawwar Rana, whose 2 daughters have been named in
criminal cases by the police after they participated in an ongoing protest
against CAA at Lucknow's iconic clock tower, has now accused Union Home
Minister Amit Shah of violating prohibitory orders, banning large
gatherings."My daughters Sumaiya and Fauzia have been booked for violating
prohibitory orders but what about Amit Shah who addressed a rally of thousands
in the state capital on Tuesday? Surely there were more than four people in the
rally. How can there be two sets of the same law for different people?"
poet asked.Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu supported Munawwar
Rana, saying: "Why is Section 144 not for Union Home Minister? Common
people are being picked up for violating prohibitory orders but when it comes
to the ruling BJP, administration happily gives them permission to violate a
law."Munawwar Rana said that the case against his daughters and others
protesting against CAA and NRC would be a 'injustice' if Mr Shah's rally was
termed "legal".Meanwhile, UP State Commission for Protection of Child
Rights (UPSCPCR) has sent a letter to the state police chief OP Singh, saying
that the presence of children at the protest site was a violation of their
rights and action against the parents should be taken without delay.Zoya Hasan,
a housewife who is protesting with her two children, aged 6 and 8, reacted
strongly to UPSCPCR letter and said, "Let them come and ask my children if
they have been forced by us to stay here. I have been asking them to go home
but they refuse to do so. Do you think any parent will subject their children
to torture? Let them put all of us in jail but we will not budge an inch from
here."ndtv
Several including children detained for flying black kites with 'No-CAA,
NRC' fly in Lucknow
Several including children, have
been detained for flying black kites with ‘No CAA, NRC written on them in Lucknow
on Tuesday.It was around the same time when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was
addressing a pro-CAA rally in Bangla Bazaar area here. More than a dozen
persons were seen flying black kites in the posh Mall Avenue area.As soon as
the police received information, they rushed to the spot and brought down the
kites. Some of those flying kites ran away but some have been detained.IANS
19 Popular Front Members Get Bail As UP Police Fails to Give Evidence
Lucknow:Uttar Pradesh government’s proposal to ban Popular Front of
India (PFI), following its alleged involvement in recent violence during
anti-CAA protests, is likely to face trouble since Uttar Pradesh Police has
failed to produce ‘substantial evidence’ against its activists.PFI president
Wasim Ahmad, who was accused of masterminding violence, was granted bail and
released on Tuesday.“The government is merely trying to malign the organisation
but without any concrete proof. As many as 19 of 25 PFI members, arrested by
the police, have been granted bail because the police had no evidence against
us,” he told reporters.On December 23, the Lucknow police had arrested three
persons — PFI president Wasim Ahmad, treasurer Nadeem Ali and divisional
president Ashfaq, charging them with possession of inflammatory literature,
posters, CDs and banners.Hearing on bail pleas of Nadeem Ali and Ashfaq is
scheduled next week.Besides, 18 PFI members arrested by the Shamli police,
including a key figure, Mohammed Shadab, were also released on bail on
Tuesday.IANS
UP CM Yogi in Kanpur says chanting slogans of azadi will amount to
sedition
If anyone will raise slogans of Azadi in the name of protest, it will
amount to sedition & the govt will take strict action. It can't be
accepted. People can't be allowed to conspire against India from Indian soil,
says UP CM Yogi.nationalheraldindia
Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey booked for ‘inappropriate comments’
against Savarkar
Aligarh:Magsaysay Award winner and human rights activist Sandeep Pandey
has been booked for allegedly making inappropriate comments against Hindutva
ideologue Vir Savarkar.On Tuesday, national vice president of Hindu Mahasabha
Rajiv Kumar filed a complaint alleging that Pandey made the comments while
addressing anti-citizenship law protestors at AMU on Sunday, police said.In his
address, Pandey had also said that the same people who “divided Hindus and
Muslims” during the British Raj, are doing it now.PTI
On Camera, Women At CAA Protest In UP's Etawah Chased, Thrashed By Cops
Etawah: Women protesters are chased and caned by the Uttar Pradesh
police, who also barge into shops and force them to shut, in mobile phone
footage that has emerged from a protest in Etawah against the citizenship law
on Tuesday.Video clips show the police chasing the women in the narrow lanes of
Pachraha area and raining blows with their batons as they try to break up the
protest.In a 17-second clip, the women can be heard shouting and asking the
police why they are being assaulted. It is difficult to make out whether the
cops hitting the women protestors are men or women, but police sources insist
only women police personnel were tackling the women protestors.Other mobile
phone clips show the police lathi-charging men who had gathered in the area. In
one video, cops are seen entering a roadside eatery, hitting the employees
inside and shutting it down forcibly.A policeman is on camera hitting a
roadside vendor and asking him to shut shop. A senior policeman is seen in
another video abusing protesters. The police have defended their crackdown,
saying the protesters had thrown stones at them first.The protest took place in
Pachraha yesterday afternoon.ndtv
UP CAA protests: Firozabad FIRs same, accused fear will be blamed for
deaths
Firozabad police registered FIRs against eight people under the Arms Act
following December 20 protests against CAA, resulting in seven deaths. FIRs
against five mention they were rounded up in an “injured” condition, while six
FIRs claim the accused had “confessed” to have fired from illegal weapons.
Relatives of the eight accused fear the FIRs could be a way of holding them
responsible for casualties.Police are still investigating the cause of seven
deaths. Postmortems in case of six failed to recover bullets, as reported by
Indian Express earlier.Thirteen people are in judicial custody for the
Firozabad anti-CAA violence, including the 8 under Arms Act. All 13 are facing
charges under Section 307 of IPC, which is attempt to murder, along with crimes
like dacoity and damaging public and private property, rioting and criminal
intimidation.indianexpress
Counsel kids in Shaheen Bagh, may suffer mental trauma: NCPCR
New Delhi : National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
has issued an order to District Magistrate of South East Delhi to identify the
children involved in Shaheen Bagh protests and send them for counselling. In
its order, NCPCR said the children “may suffer from mental trauma” because of
“rumours and miscommunication” regarding the CAA.“We issued the order Tuesday.
This order is based on viral videos, which show children saying things like
‘Prime Minister will throw us out of the country’, and ‘(if we don’t show
documents to Home Minister, he will send us to detention camps’. This is the
effect of rumours regarding CAA. For the children to be affected by this and
say things like this is extremely worrying. We believe the children are in need
of intense counselling. If need be, their parents should also be sent for
counselling,” said chairperson NCPCR Priyank Kanoongo. indianexpress
'Modi is afraid', women take lead
in India's citizenship protests:The guardian
‘A Man from my Tribe Died in a Detention Camp’: DU Students Protest
‘You’re Hindu, How Is Your Name Robin?’: UP Police to An Activist
These were some of questions that UP police put forth when they had
arrested activist Robin Verma in Lucknow on 20 December.A day prior to his
arrest, Verma had gone to participate in a peaceful anti CAA protest at
Parivartan Chowk. He claims that the police subjected him to physical as well
as mental torture while in custody, which included religion-specific comments
and snide remarks about family members. “On 20 December, I was with my friend
Omar Rashid, who is a journalist with The Hindu. We were eating near BJP office
when a few people, who were not in police uniforms, came to us. They said that
they were from the police and asked us to come along with them. They didn’t
show us any arrest warrant at that point of time. They took our mobile phones
and didn’t produce any documents for that as well,” said Robin. The activist,
said, the quint
Rihai Manch Chief Says RSS, BJP Conspired to Turn Peaceful Protests
Violent in UP
New Delhi: Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday after his
release from Lucknow district prison, senior lawyer and president of Rihai
Manch, Mohammad Shoaib alleged that peaceful agitations against the CAA and NRC
on December 19, were disrupted by RSS and BJP members and turned violent.“We
have reason to believe that it was a well thought out conspiracy,” Shoaib
added. He said, “I was also arrested during the Emergency and back then I was
hailed as a freedom fighter but today I am portrayed as a rioter and
conspirator.”thewire
Questions on parents in NPR form may be dropped: Union Minister Paswan
New Delhi:The patriarch of key BJP ally LJP and Union Minister, Ram
Vilas Paswan has said the government may consider the widespread demand to
remove the questions on date and place of birth of a respondent’s parents from
NPR. “Even I don’t know the date of birth of my parents, forget about producing
documents proving the dates,” Paswan
said.He said the government would consider acceding to the demand and had
repeatedly clarified that the production of documents would not be mandatory.So
far, there is no official notification from Ministry of Home Affairs, which is
helming the exercise, on changes to NPR form. The government has not yet
notified NPR form.Various State governments have insisted that these 2
questions should be removed from NPR form because a vast majority of
respondents will not be able to produce any proof of date of birth and place of
birth of their parents.NPR exercise by far, Paswan said, is similar to the
Census, which happens at the turn of every decade.The Hindu
Yechury calls for civil disobedience against citizenship law
Kalaburagi City witnessed a massive turnout of people for the national
convention against CAA, NRC and NPR, organised by Karnataka People’s Forum, at
Peer Bengali Dargah grounds here on Tuesday.The national convention resolved
not to furnish any documents for NRC and NPR and not support the process.
Addressing the gathering, CPI (M) Leader Sitaram Yechury, termed CAA, NRC and
NPR unconstitutional and called for a civil disobedience movement against the
citizenship law. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, ex chief minister HD
Kumaraswamy, social activist Swami Agnivesh, KPCC working president Eshwar
Khandre, MLAs MY Patil, B Narayanrao, former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil and
others took part in the convention.deccanherald
In Wasseypur protest, women take lead: ‘Maa, mulk nahi badla jata’
Wasseypur :Surrounded by collieries, the Wasseypur region in Jharkhand’s
Dhanbad has long been affected by gang violence. However, for the last 20 days,
it is the women of the area that have been in the news. Traditionally limited
to their households, women, for the first time in Wasseypur, have taken to the
forefront of protests, holding demonstrations against CAA and NRC.On Tuesday,
around 500 women gathered at the protest site. Tabassu Khan, in her forties,
claimed she votes for the BJP. “We did not say anything when Babri (Masjid)
verdict came. We did not utter a word on the laws on instant triple talaq. But
CAA is completely anti-democratic and discriminatory,” she said. She said her
children’s exams are around the corner, but she has not been able give them
time.One of the oldest women protestors is Sehrin Nisha, in her 80s. She said,
“I don’t have any documents and don’t have any home. I live with my relatives
and I am an Indian.”indianexpress
Delhi 10,000 Balloons With Anti-CAA-NRC Banners Released at Khureji Khas
Almost 10,000 black balloons were released with the messages of “No CAA
NPR NRC” at a protest in Delhi’s Khureji Khas on Tuesday.According to local
media reports, more than a hundred women were present at the rally, echoing the
protests in Shaheen Bagh and Prayagraj's Mansoor Ali Park.Earlier on Tuesday, a
few Shaheen Bagh protesters met Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and discussed
opening of road blockade.thequint
CAA Protest: Varsities, Colleges In Entire Northeast Remained Shut today
Guwahati;All 40 universities and 800 colleges across the Northeastern
states where the students have taken an oath to fight unitedly against the
contentious CAA, remained shut on Wednesday to bring pressure on the Central
government to withdraw the new citizenship law.The shutdown also coincided with
the Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging the CAA. The student
associations in all these universities and colleges also staged protest by
organising demonstrations and holding lectures in their campuses. The call for
shutdown was given by organizations like All Assam Students’ Union (AASU),
North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra
Parishad (AJYCP), All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU), Nagaland
University Research Scholar Forum (NURSF), Nagaland Theological Colleges’
Association (NTCA), Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) and many other students
organisations.The varsities that remained shut include the Gauhati University,
Dibrugarh University, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tezpur University,
Assam Women’s University (AWU), Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Nagaland
University, Rajiv Gandhi University, and North Eastern Regional Institute of
Science and Technology (NERIST) university, Arunachal Pradesh.indiatomorrow
University, college students in northeast boycott classes in protest
against citizenship act
"Debate With A Bearded Man": Owaisi Takes Up Amit Shah Dare
Hyderabad politician Asaduddin
Owaisi has challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to a face-off on the CAA
after BJP leader dared opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi
and Akhilesh Yadav to a debate on the controversial law, accused of being
discriminatory towards Muslims."Why debate with them? Debate with
me," he said."You should debate with me. I am here. Why debate with
them? The debate should be with a bearded man. I can debate with them on CAA,
NPR and NRC," he said, according to
ANI, in reference to the facial hair that Muslim men are required to
maintain.ndtv
Mayawati first to accept Amit Shah’s challenge for public debate on CAA
New Delhi: A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah dared opposition
leaders for a public discussion on the contentious CAA, BSP supremo Mayawati
Wednesday said her party accepts his challenge for a debate “at any forum and
at any place.”“The government, disturbed by protests against the controversial
CAA/NRC/NPR, by the entire country, especially the youth and women, has
challenged the Opposition to debate on the matter. BSP accepts the challenge to
debate on it at any forum and at any place,” Mayawati tweeted.indianexpress
‘No one can touch you’: Rajnath assures Muslims at pro-CAA rally
Meerut:Defence minister Rajnath Singh today sought to allay the fears of
Muslims about the CAA and accused opposition parties of raising a bogey over
the law.He assured Muslims that nobody could touch them and suggested they
could approach the government if the need arose.At a rally in support of CAA in
Meerut’s Shatabdi Nagar area, Singh claimed that the discussion on NRC started
after the country became independent and Assam was the first state where it had
to be implemented. HT
New swipe at CAA? Microsoft CEO Nadella says nations without immigrants
risk losing out
New Delhi: Countries that fail to attract immigrants risk losing out as
the global technology industry continues to grow, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
has said in an interview to Bloomberg, days after he criticised the CAA. “Every
country is rethinking what is in their national interest”but governments should
“maintain that modicum of enlightenment and not think about it very narrowly”,
Nadella said in an interview to Bloomberg on the sidelines of WEF at
Davos.“People will only come when people know you’re an immigrant-friendly
country,” he added.However, Nadella went on to add that he continues to be an
“India optimist” owing to its “70-year history of nation-building”.theprint
Pakistan hand suspected behind propaganda about CAA in Iran: Economic Times
Pakistan hand suspected behind propaganda about CAA in
Iran:economictimes
New Delhi: Pakistan may have tried to play spoilsport to derail
Indo-Iran ties coinciding with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Tehran
last month through the circulation of a fake letter on CAA & protests,
Indian establishment suspects.A letter signed by members of Indian community in
Iran and addressed to Jaishankar was circulated ahead of his visit claiming
that the community was concerned over CAA and protests in India, ET has
reliably learnt. Members of the community even wanted to meet Jaishankar to
voice their concern over CAA according to the letter.“Upon learning of your
visit to Iran scheduled for 21st and 22nd of December from the press release
issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, we Indians living in Iran wish to
meet with you in Tehran. The proximate cause for this request is the wave of
popular public protests that have swept over our country in the past 10 days,
in which a number of our countrymen have been attacked or detained by the
police, while several of our fellow Indians have lost their lives too.However,
what has worried us even more than this loss of precious lives is the danger
posed by the present government’s policies to the peaceful co-existence long
enjoyed by Indians belonging to different communities, including Hindus and Muslims…Therefore,
we strongly urge you to make time for an open and free interaction with us
during your visit so that as citizens of India, we may have the opportunity to
seek answers to our questions and concerns,” said the letter termed fake by
Indian establishment and its counterpart in Tehran. Around 70-75 Indian
families, mostly Sikhs, reside in Tehran and Zahedan and no representation was
given to Jaishankar on CAA, sources told ET.The letter even got published in an
Iranian agency – Mehr.
Before CAA, string of govt orders made it impossible for Muslim migrants
to get citizenship
Even as protests over the CAA
rage across India, a review of government orders (GO) by TOI shows that the
government has been steadily placing hurdles in the way of Muslims seeking
Indian citizenship since December 2014.The most significant GO is October 22,
2018 amendment to the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950 and Foreigners
Act, 1946, discriminating against Muslims and atheists for the grant of
long-term visas (LTVs). Changed LTV regulations say, “Only members of minority
communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, namely, Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, are eligible to apply for long-term
visas.”Under the Citizenship Act of 1955, a residential permit, or LTV, is one
of the main requirements for getting Indian citizenship through naturalisation.
Denying LTVs to Muslim migrants, in effect, filters them out of the process
from the start, regardless of the passage of the CAA this year.Lawyers have now
moved the Supreme Court seeking the repeal of the CAA and some of these
government orders. Joint Forum Against NRC has been working on this since 2016,
when CAB was introduced, said activist Prasenjit Bose, who has challenged the
CAA and some of these government orders in the SC. “We realised that the
foundation for CAA was laid long before it was enacted,” Bose said.Lawyers say
the orders discriminate on grounds of religion and should be deemed
unconstitutional as per Article 14 of the Constitution. Lawyers say the
government’s moves are a human rights issue more than a legal one.TOI
Citizenship Act, npr are a 'conspiracy' to take away voting rights: MP
Kumar Ketkar
Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Ketkar has said CAA and the NPR were part of a
"conspiracy" to take away voting rights of citizens.He was speaking
at a protest organised here against the CAA, NPR and NRC.About 16 educational
and social organisations, under the aegis of 'Federation of Organisation for
Social Justice Secularism and Democracy', had organised the protest. The
protest also sought to create public awareness on various aspects of CAA, NPR
and NRC, its organisers said.PTI
CAA-NRC fallout in Karnataka: People decline to share details
Bengaluru: People in parts of Karnataka have declined to share personal
information with officials visiting households in connection with government
programmes, suspecting them to be gathering data for NRC following the
enactment of CAA, state officials said.This was the focal point of a discussion
at a video-conference the revenue department had with district-level officials
on Tuesday. Several officials said they have not been able to gather data they
require for welfare schemes, in the wake of protests against the CAA and
NRC.Although these instances are reported mostly from areas dominated with
minorities and in coastal Karnataka, districts like Vijayapura and Mysuru too
have witnessed such issues. Officials have had a foretaste of what could
probably lie ahead when they commence work on updating the census data as well
as NPR in mid-April.economictimes
Bengaluru Shivajinagar market shuts down as traders join protest against
NRC-CAA
Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar is typically bustling with activity on a
weekday morning, but there was a lull in business on Tuesday as many shops
surrounding the Russell Market closed on Monday for a protest rally against the
CAA, NRC and NPR organised by the Muslim Jamaats Joint Action Committee. Road
closures were put in place as police expected crowd to hamper traffic movement
on the road leading from Shivajinagar Bus Stand to Russell Market. Similar
closures were instituted on the HKP Road. The protesters were joined by
Congress MLA and ex-minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan
Arshad briefly as well.thenewsminute
Hyderabad: Women to stage 48-hour protest against CAA-NRC-NPR
Hyderabad: A 48-hour protest is scheduled to be held at Darulshifa
Ground against CAA, NRC and NPR. In the protest meeting, women will express
their views against the controversial laws.This protest meeting will start at
11 a.m. on Saturday, 25th January.siasat
Mamata holds anti-CAA rally in Darjeeling, alleges discrimination
against Gorkhas
Kolkata;West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee held a
roadshow in Darjeeling where she questioned the rationale behind implementing
the CAA in the hill region when it is not applicable in Northeastern
states.“Why this discrimination? Why did you (Centre) leave out one lakh
Gorkhas from the National Register of Citizens in Assam? Why did you leave out
13 lakh Hindus? Indians are now asking whether they have to fight for their
freedom 70 years after Independence,” said Banerjee.HT
2 crore Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators in India, none will be allowed to
stay: Dilip Ghosh
2 days after claiming that 50 lakh Muslim infiltrators will be
'identified' and 'chased out of the country', West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh
on Tuesday said that there are nearly one crore Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators
in the state while another one crore are spread across the country. "2
crore Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators have entered India. 1 crore are in West
Bengal and 1 crore have spread across the country. We will not allow any
Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrator to stay here. If their names are in voters' list
then it will be removed," Ghosh said while addressing a pro-CAA rally in
Cooch Behar.DNA
Kerala govt does not need governor’s permission to move SC: ex-CJI
Sathasivam Amid CAA Battle
New Delhi: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's predecessor and former
Chief Justice P Sathasivam on Tuesday said state government did not need
Governor’s permission to approach the Supreme Court on any issue. Sathasivam
was clear that CM was not duty-bound to have informed the Governor before
moving the SC, but said that “as a matter of courtesy” should apprise
(Governor) of all important issues. news18
Jamia violence: Delhi court seeks police report by March 16
A court in Delhi on Wednesday directed the police to file a report by
March 16 on the action taken to address the police violence at Jamia Millia
Islamia on December 15. Metropolitan Magistrate Rajat Goyal issued directions
after university officials sought the registration of a first information
report against the police.On January 13, hundreds of Jamia students had
surrounded VC Najma Akhtar’s office in protest against the lack of action
against the police, and sought an FIR against the police. The university
assured the students it would take all possible measures to address their
concerns.scroll
Understand implications of CAA: Punjab CM sends copy of Hitler’s ‘Mein
Kampf’ to SAD chief Badal
Chandigarh: The move to roll out CAA by BJP-led central government has
shown cracks in the NDA, as several of the saffron party’s allies have rejected
and opposed the law calling it ‘discriminatory’ and ‘unconstitutional’.Old NDA
allies from Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has also vehemently opposed BJP’s
stand on CAA and said that it discriminates on the basis of religion and is
against the ethos of the Constitution of India. SAD has also told its NDA kin
that it would extend support, given certain amendments are made.However, Punjab
Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh continued to
criticise the SAD after the latter voted in favour of the contentious law in
both Houses of Parliament in December.Singh challenged SAD chief Sukhbir Singh
Badal’s comment about the former’s take on CAA as “anti-Sikh”, and in response
sent a copy of Adolf Hitler’s autobiography ‘Mein Kampf’ to SAD supremo on
Wednesday, advising him to read and understand the dangerous undertones of the
legislation.“Given the current attempts by the Centre to replicate Hitler's
agenda in India, it was important for the SAD leaders to read the German Nazi
leader’s autobiography before coming out with “irrational reactions” on the
CAA,” the Punjab Chief Minister said, according to IANS.Singh added that
“recent statements of various Akali leaders, including Sukhbir, clearly exposed
their ignorance on this sensitive issue, with grave repercussions for the
nation”, and urged the SAD chief to decide “whether it’s ‘country first’ or
‘political expediency’” after reading the book.timesnownews
Goa Church Wing Organises Anti-CAA Meet In Margao On Jan 24
Mumbai:A wing of Goa Church and other organisations have planned a
public meeting against CAA-NRC-NPR regime on Friday in Margao town in South
Goa. The meeting will be organised on the Lohia Maidan by the Council for CSJP,
a wing of Goa Church, NCHRO and the Concerned Citizens for Goa, a CSJP
office-bearer told reporters in Margao on Wednesday."The meeting is
organised with the objective to condemn Union govt's act of endangering the Constitution.
We will register our total disapproval of the CAA, NRC and NPR," said CSJP
executive secretary Fr Savio Fernandes.PTI
Always opposed CAA-NRC but Delhi election will be fought on local
issues: Kejriwal
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that
he has cleared his stand on the CAA-NRC while asserting that the assembly
elections should not be fought on national issues."We have always opposed
CAA-NRC issue, and voted against it in the Parliament as well, but I believe
the Delhi elections will be fought on issues which affect the national
capital," he said.He also urged people of Delhi, 'especially the workers
of BJP and Congress to vote in favour of AAP in the upcoming Assembly
elections'.ANI
La Ilaha Illallah Not Communal, Shaheen Bagh a Reaction to 5 Years of
Fear: Najeeb Jung
Delhi’s former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is back in action. He has
addressed protesters outside Jamia Millia Islamia, backed the women of Shaheen
Bagh, declared that the anti-CAA movement will continue till the tarmeem
(amendment) is withdrawn and has advised the central government that it can’t
afford to be seen as anti-minority. Replying to the question that La Ilaha
Illallah at the CAA protests is exclusionary or necessary, Jung said,
"That’s just an emotional call. I don’t think it’s a communal one. The
main thing is that protestors read out the Preamble, today they chant Vande
Mataram. The greatest improvement, because of the CAA agitation, is that
Muslims understand there is nothing in wrong in singing Vande Mataram." news18
*J&K AND S. ASIA*
Trump meets Imran Khan in Davos, offers ‘help’ on Kashmir issue
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his offer to “help” on
the Kashmir issue, as he met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Davos,
Switzerland on the sidelines of World Economic Forum.Interestingly, Trump
volunteered US’s “help” even before Khan spoke — without any prompting or
provocation.Addressing the media with Khan at his side, Trump said, “We are
talking about Kashmir and in relation to what is going on with Pakistan and
India and if we can help — we certainly will be helping. We’ve been following
that and watching it very very closely. Khan said it was US which will be able
to help resolve the issue, and said that he had pinned his hopes on US
President.This is the fourth time that Trump has made such an offer – each
time, India has rejected his proposal.His latest offer comes in the backdrop of
talks between Delhi and Washington about Trump possibly visiting India this
year, anytime between February and Sept. indianexpress
Pakistan has ‘limited options’ to respond to India’s decision on Jammu
and Kashmir: Report
Washington :Pakistan’s leadership has “limited options” to respond to
India’s decision on Jammu and Kashmir as many analysts view that Islamabad has
“little credibility” on the issue given its long history of covertly supporting
militant groups there, according to a US Congressional report. Congressional
Research Service (CRS) in its second report on Kashmir in less than six months
also said that Pakistan’s ability to alter the status quo through military
action has been reduced in recent years, meaning that Islamabad likely must
rely primarily on diplomacy.CRS is the independent research wing of the US
Congress which prepares periodic reports on issues of interest for US lawmakers
so that they can take informed decisions inside Congress. Currently, two
resolutions are pending in the House of Representatives, one of which is being
sponsored by Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.In its report dated
January 13, CRS said that post August 5, Pakistan “appeared diplomatically
isolated”, with Turkey being the only country to offer solid and explicit
support for Islamabad’s position.PTI
Naqvi begins Centre’s Kashmir outreach
Srinagar:Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday became
the first Union Minister to visit the Kashmir valley as part of Centre’s
outreach programme following August 5 decision to end J&K’s autonomous
status, and chose the underdeveloped pocket of Dara in Srinagar’s Harwan to
kick-start the tour.Naqvi addressed a gathering of about 300 people, most of
them residents of the under-developed hilly pocket of Dara.thehindu
MHA gets bigger role in picking J&K Police days after DSP’s arrest
for ‘aiding militants’
Srinagar: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to get involved
in the nitty-gritty of J&K Police administration, including the transfer of
station house officers. J&K Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu issued an order
last week stating that union territory administration’s decisions in police
affairs will have to be taken in consultation with MHA’s special security
adviser on Kashmir, K. Vijay Kumar.The order came 3 days after arrest of DSP
Davinder Singh, who was allegedly caught ferrying militants from Kashmir to
Jammu. theprint
J&K kids nationalists, sometimes motivated in wrong direction:
Rajnath
New Delhi :Days after Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said
that girls and boys were being radicalised in Kashmir, Union Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh today said children of Jammu and Kashmir are nationalists, but
they are sometimes being motivated in the wrong direction. Singh was speaking
at NCC Republic Day Camp in Delhi.“Kids of Jammu Kashmir are nationalists. They
shouldn’t be seen in any other way. Youngsters are youngsters only. Sometimes,
the way they should be motivated, people do not motivate them. In fact, they
are motivated in the wrong direction,” PTI quoted Singh as saying.“That is why
the kids should not be blamed for this. The ones who are wrongly motivating
them should be blamed. The ones who are motivating them in the wrong direction
are the culprits,” he added.indianexpress
Pakistan and America are theocratic nations, India is secular: Rajnath
New Delhi:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said Indian values
consider all religions equal, and that is why the country is secular and never
became a theocratic state like Pakistan.Singh said: “We (India) said we would
not discriminate among religions. Why did we do that? Our neighbouring country
has declared that their state has a religion. They have declared themselves a
theocratic state. We didn’t declare so.” “Even America is a theocratic country.
India is not a theocratic country. Why? Because our saints and seers did not
just consider the people living within our borders as part of the family, but
called everyone living in the world as one family,” the minister said.Singh
underlined that India had never declared its religion would be Hindu, Sikh or
Buddhist and people of all religions could live here.PTI
As FRA Implementation Hangs Fire, J&K's Nomadic Tribes Live in
Uncertainty
Srinagar: For decades, the tribal communities of Gujjars and Bakerwals
have faced marginalisation in Jammu and Kashmir. In recent years, these nomadic
people have even been driven out of the forest areas of Jammu. When the Centre
extended the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2007 to J&K last October, the landless
tribals had assumed they would finally get the rights they have been fighting
for decades.But that seems far from reality. The implementation of the law,
also known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), has not taken place, even after the
passage of nearly 3 months.Senior PDP leader and former tribal affairs
minister, Zulfikar Choudhary said the nomadic groups were living in a “constant
state of pain.” “They are not welcomed in plains by people in Jammu and are
harassed by the forest department inside the forests. Where shall they go,” he
said.thewire
*OTHERS*
Democracy Index: India falls 10 spots to 51st rank, ‘erosion of civil
liberties’ behind downtrend
India plummeted 10 places to 51st position in the latest Democracy Index
released by the Economist Intelligence Unit. In the report, the “erosion of
civil liberties” in the country has been attributed as the primary cause for
the downtrend. Included in the “flawed democracy” category, India’s overall
score slipped from 7.23 in 2018 to 6.90 in the Index that provides a snapshot
of the current state of democracy worldwide for 165 independent states and two
territories. This report comes even as India witnesses nationwide protests
against the controversial CAA and NRC. The index is based on five
categories—electoral process and pluralism; the functioning of government;
political participation; political culture; and civil liberties.Based on their
total score, the countries are classified as one of four types of regime: “full
democracy” (scores greater than 8); flawed democracy — scores greater than 6
and less than or equal to 8; hybrid regime — scores greater than 4 and less
than or equal to 6; authoritarian regime — scores less than or equal to 4″. The
overall list was topped by Norway, followed by Iceland and Sweden. Other
countries in the top 10 include New Zealand at the fourth place, Finland (5th),
Ireland (6th), Denmark (7th), Canada (8th), Australia (9th) and Switzerland
(10th). Meanwhile, Pakistan was ranked 108th on the overall list with a score
of 4.25, while Sri Lanka was at 69th place with a score of 6.27, Bangladesh (at
80th with 5.88 score). China’s score, on the other hand, fell to 2.26 in 2019
index, and the country is now ranked 153rd, close to the bottom of global
rankings.North Korea was at the bottom of the global ranking at 167th
place.indianexpress
Amid CAA protests, India slips 10 places in Democracy Index
BJP's priority is not development, but to create Hindu Rashtra: Shashi
Tharoor
Kolkata;Congress MP Shashi Tharoor today asserted that in the absence of
any development agenda, what the BJP wants is to create a "Hindu
Rashtra". Tharoor also claimed the real "tukde tukde gang" is
the ruling party which is dividing the country into bits and pieces."With
no development on its agenda, the ruling party is making a complete exposition
of its agenda to create a Hindu Rashtra," Tharoor claimed.The present
central government does not have the mentality for development, Tharoor alleged."The
real tukde tukde gang is the ruling party which is dividing the country into
bits and pieces. The party wants to divide us further the way the British Raj
did through the divide and rule policy," Shashi Tharoor said.PTI
Centre asks SC to set 7-day time limit for death-row convicts to file
mercy plea
Amid the uncertainty over the
execution of the four men sentenced to death for 2012 Delhi gang rape case, the
Centre on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court to introduce a 7-day deadline
for death-row convicts to file mercy petitions. The government also wants the
top court to introduce a time limit for filing of review and curative petitions
in such cases.Centre requested the top court to amend its 2014 verdict in the
Shatrughan Chauhan case where it had taken a dim view of the executive keeping
mercy petitions on hold for years and ruled that this wait for a torture for
the convicts.HT
‘External Force Did It?’ Municipality, Cops Pulled up for Shirking
Responsibility of Razing 100 B'lore Shanties
Bengaluru: Chief Justice of Karnataka on Wednesday pulled up Bengaluru
Police and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) after both refused to take
responsibility for an eviction drive during which more than 100 makeshift homes
were demolished.“Was it an external force that carried out the demolitions?”
asked Chief Justice of Karnataka Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, while hearing a PIL that
was filed against the demolition of over 100 ‘kutcha’ houses that left hundreds
of people homeless in Kariyammana Agrahara area on January 18.Both police and
BBMP shied away from taking responsibility, forcing justice Shreeniwas Oka to
ask the state to take the blame as it all started with the letter that came
from the local Marathalli police. Police had carried out the demolition and
alleged that the tenants were “illegal Bangladeshi migrants”, and claimed the
landowner had been sent an eviction notice.PIL was filed by PUCL, who argued
that the action taken by BBMP and police was an act of collect criminality
which discriminated against one community, as it violates Article 14, 19 (d)
(e).Judge stated, "First, the government will have to withdraw the letter
that came from the police. What authority does the police have to undertake
such acts? Will they do it for all illegal structures across the city?"The
matter will be next heard on Jan 30.news18
Relief for migrants in Bengaluru: Karnataka HC orders interim stay on
demolition drive
Kerala RSS worker arrested for bomb attack at police post
A worker of RSS has been arrested for throwing a bomb at the police
picket post in Nayanar Road, Ponniam, Thalassery, Kannur. Prabesh K, of
Palaparambath House in Kodakkalam, was arrested from Coimbatore by Kathirur Sub
Inspector of Police M Nijeesh, with civil police officers Joshith and Bijesh of
Coimbatore.Nijeesh has confirmed the arrest on a call to TNM.The bomb exploded
on the wee hours of January 16 morning, at around 1 am. It was a steel bomb
that exploded at the Nayanar Road.The police have said that the accused has
admitted to throwing the bomb near the Kathirur Manoj Seva Kendram in Nayanar
Road. His real aim was to hit the Seva Kendram and not the police picket post,
Prabesh told the police. It was a deliberate attempt to create a conflict
there, the accused said in a statement to the police. Manoj Seva Kendram is the
RSS party office in Kathirur.thenewsminute
Suspect in Mangaluru airport bomb case, Adithya Rao surrenders before
police
Bengaluru: A 36-year-old man, who is suspected to have planted the
explosive at Mangaluru Intentional Airport, surrendered before the police here today,
officials said.The man turned up at DGP and IGP office here, where he has been
detained for inquiry and medical tests.The suspect has been identified as Adithya
Rao, a native of Manipal,they said, adding he resembled the one captured on
CCTV footage at Mangaluru airport.The suspect confessed to having planted the
bomb at the airport,sources said.Meanwhile, a team of police officials from
Mangaluru have arrived in the city to question suspect.Mangaluru city police
commissioner P S Harsha tweeted that investigation team will question the suspect
and will initiate further necessary legal action.Police sources said, Rao, who
was taken to Halsoor Gate police station in Bengaluru for questioning, is an
engineering graduate and an MBA holder. He had earlier been arrested for making
a hoax bomb call to Bengaluru airport in 2018 and was jailed for 6 months.PTI
Depression theory coined after terror suspect, who planted bag full of
explosives at Mangaluru airport, is identified as Aditya Rao?
Maharashtra: 2 ‘SIMI members’ granted bail
Mumbai : 2 alleged members of SIMI, arrested by Maharashtra ATS last
month in connection with a 2006 case, were Monday granted bail by a Mumbai
court which observed that being an absconder for a long time itself cannot be a
ground to reject bail.Ejaz Khan (40) and his brother Iliyas (48), were arrested
on December 12 last year by ATS, which said they were members of the banned
organisation. The prosecution said the two men were absconding since 2006 when
many were arrested on allegations of being SIMI members following serial train
blasts in the city.Lawyer OA Siddiqui, appearing for the two men, submitted before
the court that the accused had been falsely implicated. He said the two were
students in the city in 2006 and there was no evidence presented to show that
they were SIMI members. He said the brothers had not absconded, but left the
city for their native town Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, as they were unaware
that a case had been filed against them.Siddiqui also claimed that the alleged
literature seized by the ATS as evidence against SIMI members in similar cases,
pertained to good manners and respecting one’s parents, which cannot be
considered to be “objectionable”, “banned” or “anti-social” literature.The
court took into consideration that the 13 people arrested in the case had been
granted bail. The last two persons to be arrested in the case were released on
bail in 2008.indianexpress
Shiv Sena Invites Rahul Gandhi To Ayodhya; 'allies Should Also Come With
Us'
After announcing Uddhav Thackeray's visit to Ayodhya after completing
100 days of governance, Sena MP Sanjay raut, on Wednesday, invited allies
-Congress and NCP to visit the Ram Temple with them. Rubbishing that the allies
would have any issues with visiting the Ram Mandir, he invited Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi to Ayodhya - reminding him of his Somnath visit during the Lok
Sabha campaign. Moreover, Raut said that the Ayodhya visit was a matter of
faith, not a governmental stance that worked on CMM."Why will anyone get
upset? This is not a government work, its a matter of faith. We will want our
allies' ministers also with us. Rahul Gandhi visits Somnath mandir. Govt works
on CMM, not on Mandir, Masjid, Church which is a matter of faith," he
said. He added, "We had gone to
Ayodhya before the elections and after. Uddhav is CM because of the grace of
Lord Ram. We want to take blessings of Lord Ram after accomplishing 100 days in
government. We will present our work at the feet of Lord Ram and the CM will
perform aarati along with other programs."republicworld
Maharashtra CM to Visit Ayodhya on Completion of 100 Days in Power
Ramalya Trust proposes to build tallest temple in the world in Ayodhya
at 10,008 feet; Ram temple model includes indoor, outdoor auditoriums
Allahabad: Secretary of Ramalya Trust Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati
has presented a model of a Ram temple proposed to be built in Ayodhya.He said
the people of the country want a unique Ram temple built in Ayodhya not only
conforming to principles of the 'Vastu Shastra' but also to the 21st century
construction standards. The Ram temple must be built keeping in mind the
requirements of the large number of devotees who will visit it in future,
Saraswati added. Ramalya Trust is committed to building a grand Ram temple in
Ayodhya, the secretary said. "The first model submitted to us is by Aditya
Gupta which is now being presented before the public," he said.Sharing the
details of the model, he said it proposes 10,008 feet high structure which will
be the tallest temple in the world. PTI
Ram Mandir replica at VHP camp in Magh Mela draws lakhs of devotees
Uttar Pradesh: Refused Rs 500 bribe, bureaucrat add 100 years to kids'
age
Bareilly: An anti-corruption court in Bareilly has ordered the
Shahjahanpur police to lodge an FIR against a village development officer and a
village head officer posted at Khutar block of the district as they allegedly
issued birth certificates to two minor kids after increasing their age by 100
years.The family of 2 children alleges that officers were asking for Rs 500
bribe for each certificate and they issued wrong certificates when they refused
to pay.Police say that FIRs are yet to be lodged as the accused have taken stay
against their arrest from Allahabad high court. The HC will take up the case on
February 3.TOI
Before JNU Violence, Delhi Police 'Wrote 4 Letters' Urging Admin to Hold
Talks With Students
New Delhi: Before January 5 violence at JNU, the Delhi Police had
written to the university authorities at least four times, stressing the need
for them to “initiate dialogue with JNUSU”, a senior official said on Tuesday. The
letters were written between November and December last year, he said.In one of
the letters written to JNU)Registrar Pramod Kumar on November 26, SHO of Vasant
Kunj (North) police station had said “a major law and order issue was created”
as students were stopped twice by police during a protest march on November 18
against a hostel fee hike.PTI
No Dramatic in Kejriwal’s Assets After Becoming CM
New Delhi: While assets of several chief ministers have grown
exponentially after they completed a term in office, those of Delhi chief
minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is contesting from the New Delhi seat, have only
displayed a marginal rise, that too primarily owing to property
appreciation.According to the affidavit filed by Kejriwal before the returning
officer, his total assets rose to Rs 3.4 crore from around Rs 2.1 crore in
2015, primarily due to the increase in the market value of two properties: a
flat he purchased in 1998 and another that he inherited.As per the affidavit,
the cash and fixed deposits in the name of 51-year-old politician and his wife,
Sunita, increased from around Rs 15 lakh in 2015 to Rs 57 lakh in 2020. This
again was primarily due to Sunita receiving Rs 32 lakh in voluntary retirement
benefits. Interestingly, Kejriwal’s income has shown a marked drop from Rs 7.42
lakh in 2014-15 to Rs 2.46 lakh the following year.thewire
Interpol Issues Blue Corner Notice to Help Locate Fugitive Nithyananda
Wanted in Kidnapping Case
New Delhi: Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice seeking information
on Nithyananda who had fled India without a passport to save himself from a
rape case registered against him in Karnataka, Gujarat Police said today. He is
wanted in India in connection with multiple cases of rape and abduction.A Blue
Corner Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect
additional information from its member countries about a person's identity,
location or activities in relation to a crime. Police confirmed development in
a charge sheet filed in a local court in connection with an FIR lodged against
Nithyananda last November after 2 girls went missing from his ashram in
Ahmedabad.news18
Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 9% in Dec: FADA
Automobile dealers' body FADA on
Tuesday said retail sales of passenger vehicles in December 2019 declined 9 per
cent to 2,15,716 units year-on-year, as even the best offers failed to lift
weak consumer sentiments. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers
Associations (FADA), passenger vehicles (PV) sales stood at 2,36,586 units in
December 2018.2-wheeler sales declined 16 per cent to 12,64,169 units last
month as compared with 15,00,545 units in Dec 2018.PTI
Maharashtra to make Marathi mandatory in all schools
Maharashtra government will enact a law during the next Assembly
session, making it mandatory to teach Marathi language in all schools in the
state irrespective of mediums of instructions, said Industries Minister Subhash
Desai.Desai, a Shiv Sena leader who is also the Marathi Language Minister, said
the draftbill in this connection is being prepared.PTI
Maharashtra government makes it compulsory for school students to read
the Preamble to Constitution
International study centre better than tallest statue for Dalit icon:
VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar
Mumbai :VBA president Prakash Ambedkar has reiterated his reservations
to the proposed statue for Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar and suggested that an
international study centre dedicated to the architect of the Indian
Constitution would be a better tribute. Dalit leader’s comments come days after
he suggested the Bombay High Court asked the state government to utilise funds
sanctioned for the proposed statue of his grandfather at Indu Mill in Mumbai
for improvement of the cash-strapped Wadia hospitals for women and children
instead.“The greatness of BR Ambedkar cannot be measured with the height of a
statue. It is a futile exercise undertaken by successive governments to serve
their politics,” said Prakash. Indian Express.
Muslims insisted on Cong joining govt to keep BJP out: Ashok Chavan
Mumbai :A video of PWD Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan
purportedly saying that his party joined the Shiv Sena-led government on
“insistence” of the “Muslim community” to stop the BJP from returning to power
has gone viral on social media.Chavan Tuesday said he meant “pressure from all
communities, including Muslims” in his speech. The remarks were purportedly
made while he was addressing a rally against the CAA in Nanded recently.In the
purported video, Chavan is heard saying in Hindi:“We have a (coalition)
government in place in the state. The Congress decided to join the government
to avoid the (repeat of) losses the state had suffered in the last five years
(when BJP was in power). Our Muslim brothers also insisted that we join the
government to keep the biggest enemy, BJP, away from power.”indianexpress
Bhima Koregaon violence: Will decide on review after getting info on
evidence, says Anil Deshmukh
Mumbai:Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Tuesday that a decision to
review cases related to the Bhima Koregaon violence will be taken Wednesday
after the police informs him and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar what evidence
they have in connection to the registered cases.Speaking at an Idea Exchange at
Loksatta, Deshmukh further said that unlike the previous government that had
“labelled” anyone disagreeing with it as “urban naxals”, the current regime
will approach those opposing it in a better manner, as “in a democracy,
everyone has a right to express his/her opinion”.“A decision on reviewing the
Bhima Koregaon cases will be taken after we go through a presentation of the
evidence (by police) in these cases. On Wedn-esday, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and I
will see the presentation and decide on the further course of action. There
have been demands for creation of an SIT,” Deshmukh said. At present, a
two-member inquiry commission is looking into the January 2018
incident.indianexpress
Gogoi sexual harassment case: SC employee who complained against ex CJI
reinstated, says report
The Supreme Court has reinstated the woman employee who had levelled
sexual harassment allegations against former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Indian Express
reported. The woman joined duty and then went on leave, sources told the paper.
They added that all her arrears have been cleared. In April last year, the
woman, who had earlier worked as a junior court assistant at the Supreme Court,
alleged in an affidavit that Gogoi made sexual advances on her at his residence
office on October 10 and October 11, 2018..scroll
Jamia's Law Students Win Best Memorial Award At International Criminal
Law Moot Court Competition
3 law students of Jamia Millia Islamia has won the Best Memorial Award
at the prestigious K. K. Luthra International Criminal Law Moot Court
Competition.The contest was held at Delhi University earlier this week. Jamia’s
law students Vareesha Irfan, Raza Husain Zaidi and Nabira Farman have won the
Best Memorial Award. They also received Rs 20,000 as cash prize.India Tomorrow
*WORLD*
Trump impeachment: US Senate approves trial rules
After more than 12 hours of debate and several failed Democratic bids
for amendments calling for documents and witnesses, the US Senate approved a
resolution along party lines outlining the rules that will govern the
impeachment proceedings of President Donald Trump. With Republicans banding
together, the Senate early on Wednesday voted 53-47 to adopt the trial plan,
which allows opening arguments from House lawmakers prosecuting the case to
begin later in the day.The trial started in earnest on Tuesday with Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly abandoning plans to cram opening
arguments into two late-night sessions for each side.Instead, managers from House
of Representatives and Trump's defence lawyers will now each have three days
for 24 hours of opening arguments.McConnell's handwritten, last-minute changes
stunned fellow senators and delayed the start of the proceedings. He acted
after protests from senators, including fellow Republicans, who were concerned
about the optics of middle of the night sessions.aljazeera
Saudi crown prince implicated in hack of Jeff Bezos' phone, UN report to
say
2 UN officials will report on Wednesday that there is enough evidence
suggesting that Saudi Arabia hacked Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' phone and both
the kingdom and US should investigate, a
person familiar with the matter has said. United Nations' officials plan a
public statement asserting that they found credible a forensic report
commissioned by Bezos' security team which concluded that his phone probably
had been hacked with a tainted video sent from a WhatsApp account belonging to
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.The report by FTI Consulting concluded
that massive amounts of data began leaving Bezos' phone about a month after the
video was shared in mid-2018, the person told Reuters, declining to be
identified due to sensitivity of the subject.Outside experts consulted by UN
agreed that while the case was not airtight, the evidence was strong enough to
warrant a fuller investigation.The report is set to worsen relations between
the world's richest man and the kingdom which had soured following the murder
of Saudi Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, who was a columnist for Middle East Eye and
the Bezos-owned Washington Post. UK's Guardian newspaper first reported the
crown prince's alleged involvement on Tuesday. Middle East Eye
Not behind Jeff Bezos phone hack: Saudi calls report absurd
At least 10 killed in 2 days of violent protests across Iraq
At least 10 people have been killed in the last two days of violent
protests across Iraq, the country's High Commission for Human Rights
announced.According to the commission, demonstrators were killed in the capital
Baghdad, Diyala, Basra and Karbala, in addition to 138 who were
wounded."The Commission teams have also documented the presence of some
demonstrations who have blocked main roads connecting the governorates, burned
tires, continued closure of official departments and educational institutions,
and the disruption of many public facilities that provide services to
citizens," the commission said.Iraqi police fought running street battles
with anti-government demonstrators on Tuesday, firing tear gas and rubber
bullets to try to disperse stone-throwing youth pressing for an overhaul of a
political system they see as deeply corrupt.Tuesday's unrest followed violent
gatherings on Monday where six Iraqis, including two police officers, were
killed and scores wounded across the country.aljazeera
Masked gunmen assassinate Basij commander in south-west Iran
Today, masked gunmen assassinated a local commander of the Basij
paramilitary security forces in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province in front
of his house. Abdolhosein Mojaddami was shot dead by two unknown persons who
were riding a motorcycle according to the official IRNA.Mojaddami, who headed
the local Basij force in the town of Darkhoein, was said to be an associate of
the recently slain top general Qassem Soleimani. The Basij is a volunteer
organisation operating under IRGC and is used for internal security and other
tasks such as clamping down against dissent.MEMO
Israeli troops kill 3 Palestinians near Gaza fence
Israeli forces have shot and killed three Palestinians by Gaza's
perimeter fence, Israeli military has said.Israeli army said the group threw an
explosive device towards them after attempting to cross the fence from the
besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening.It said troops had cordoned off an area
near the southern end of the Palestinian coastal enclave after spotting "3
suspects" crossing the frontier."[They] searched the area towards the
suspects who hurled a grenade or explosive device at troops," who then
opened fire on the 3 Palestinians, the military said.Local media reported that
the three slain Palestinians were identified as Mohammad Abu Mandeel, Salem
Zuweid an-Na'ami, and Mahmoud Khaled Sa'id.A police source in Gaza said they
were civilians without affiliations with armed groups in Gaza. He questioned
the Israeli account that they threw explosives towards troops.aljazeera
UN calls for lifting Israel siege on Gaza
UN has called on Israel to lift its crippling siege of Gaza Strip adding
that support for Palestinians must continue until a solution is reached for crisis.In
a press conference held in UN headquarters, spokesman for UN Secretary-General,
Stéphane Dujarric, said that the call for lifting the siege was made by Ursula
Mueller, the UN assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.Mueller
made her call after completing a six-day visit to the Palestinian territories
and Israel.middleeastmonitor
Netanyahu vows to annex all settlements ‘without exception’
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Tuesday to annex all settlements in
the occupied West Bank as he officially launched his election campaign,
reported Times of Israel. Likud leader made the remarks on the same day that
his main rival Benny Gantz had promised to annex the Jordan Valley region of
the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu said his government would “immediately”
extend Israeli sovereignty over all West Bank settlements “without exception”.
Netanyahu also attacked the Blue and White leader, suggesting that the former
military chief’s commitment to annexing the Jordan Valley was an election
campaign bluff.MEMO
At least 12 killed in Russia-led air raids near Syria's Aleppo
Russia-led air raids have killed at least 12 people in Syria where a
large government offensive to clear out rebels has sent tens of thousands of
people fleeing towards the border with Turkey, according to residents and
rescuers.On Tuesday, a family of eight, including six children, was killed in
the rural village of Kfar Taal west of government-controlled Aleppo, while
another four civilians were killed in Maardabseh southeast of Idlib
province."God take revenge on all tyrants. There is no one else left in my
family," Abu Yasser, 71, a relative of the family wiped out in Kfar Taal,
said in a voice recording sent to Reuters News Agency.aljazeera
Report: 13 children among 50 dead in 10 days in Syria’s Idlib
Lebanon appoints first female defence minister in Arab World
Lebanon has appointed a female member of parliament as its defence
minister, as part of its shake up following mass protests in the country.Prime
Minister Hassan Diab, who has recently accepted his role following the
resignation of ex Saad Hariri, now leads a government consisting of 6 female
ministers, including the new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
Zeina Akar Adra.middleeastmonitor
coronavirus cases rise to 440, with 9 deaths: China
China's National Health Commission said on Wednesday that nine people
had died from a new coronavirus and 440 people across 13 Chinese provinces had
been confirmed to be infected and warned that the still-unidentified virus
could mutate.The number of cases of the infection, known by its technical name
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is greater than total of over 300 reported
earlier on Tuesday.aljazeera
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
The SC is largely responsible for the chaos around the CAA and
NRC:Faizan Mustafa, Aymen Mohammed, thehindu
Supreme Court’s hearing-as-usual approach on CAA shows Indians need to
go back to streets:YOGENDRA YADAV
CAA-led narrative on religious persecution ignores political specificity,
nuance in neighbourhood:Sanjib Baruah, indian express
Shaheen Bagh just knows how to fight every battle:Sahil M Beg ,
indianexpress
How India uses colonial-era sedition law against CAA protesters:Anumeha
Yadav , aljazeera
SC ruling on Kashmir internet shutdown limits arbitrariness of executive
power:Ashok Bhan
1987 : Twin Massacres of Muslims at Meerut and Maliana by Police:Saquib
Salim
Remembering Graham Staines, 21 Years After His Murder:AAKASH JOSHIUP
Analyzing Section 44A Of CPC In Light Of Recent Govt.Notification
Declaring UAE As A Reciprocating Country Aditya Jain & Pranav Sharma
Indian liberals who want Muslims to stop wearing their identity at
protests are being hypocritical:Nafis Haider, scroll
Shaheen Bagh Movement Isn’t About One Identity — It’s About
‘Haq’:PURUSHOTTAM AGRAWAL
Karzai and Sheikh Hasina Do Not See Merit in CAA:M.K.BHADRAKUMAR
At Kolkata's Park Circus Maidan, how a homemaker's call to resist
CAA-NRC blossomed into a protest: Arshia Dhar , firstpost
IMF’s 4.8% Growth Outlook For India Points To ‘Fluid Situation’ In
Financial Sector:Madan Sabnavis
Watch: When Shaheen Bagh Showed Solidarity With Kashmiri Pandits:Arfa
Khanum Sherwani, thewire
No, Gen. Rawat, 'Radicalisation' is Not a Drug Habit, You Can't Send
Boys to 'Camp' for it:N.C. Asthana, thewire
Kashmir's Women Entrepreneurs Watch Helplessly as the Social Media Ban
Kills Their Businesses:Yashraj Sharma, thewire
How India’s trade with Iran could get affected amid rising Iran-US
tensions
Fact Check: Truth about posts claiming man wore burka at anti-CAA
protest at Shaheen Bagh
Anti-CAA protests: Artists express feelings, thoughts on NRC, NPR, CAA
through artwork
Thank You, Messrs Modi-Shah, You Woke Us Up!Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan,
indiatomorrow
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released
at: 8:07 PM).
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