*INDIA- ISLAMOPHOBIA, HUMAN
RIGHTS & OTHERS*
SC turns down plea to direct transfer of
money from PM CARES Fund to National Disaster Response Fund
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/sc-turns-down-plea-to-direct-transfer-of-money-from-pm-cares-fund-to-national-disaster-response-fund
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to direct the
transfer of money collected under PM CARES Fund set up for COVID-19 relief to
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R
Subshash Reddy, and MR Shah also held that contributions to PM CARES Fund are
voluntary, and that there was no statutory prohibition on contributions made to
NDRF, legal news website BarandBench.com has reported. Further, the Bench
clarified that funds collected under the PM CARES Fund are entirely different
from NDRF, and were funds of a charitable trust. On the petitioner's prayer to
set up a National Plan for COVID-19, the court held that plan prepared by the
Centre is sufficient to cater to the pandemic. The petitioner claimed that the
new Fund created circumvents the National Disaster Management Act. MHA had
argued before the Court that PM CARES fund was a public charitable trust and
whoever wants can voluntarily donate in it. CPIL, in the plea claimed that in
the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, NDRF is not being utilized by the
authorities, and establishing PM CARES Fund is outside the scope of Disaster
Management Act. This submission was contested by Senior Counsel Dushyant Dave,
representing the petitioner, who highlighted that while nobody's bona fides
were under the scanner, the only question was pertaining to the circumventing
of the law for setting up of PM CARES Fund. The audit mechanism of PM CARES was
also questioned, with Dave pointing out that NDRF has to be audited by
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) while “PM CARES is audited by some
private auditor". A strong argument was made for the PM CARES Fund to at
least be audited by CAG. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing in a
connected matter related to drawing up a National Disaster Management Plan,
said that since contributions to PM CARES are eligible for Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) benefits, corporates and others would not have incentive
to donate to NDRF. The petition filed by CPIL also raised the issue of drawing
up a National Plan under Disaster Management Act in the face of COVID-19.
Collusion between Facebook and BJP: Congress
takes battle to US, asks Zukerberg to take action
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/alleged-collusion-between-facebook-and-bjp-congress-takes-battle-to-us-asks-zukerberg-to-take-action
Upping the ante against the alleged collusion
between Facebook and BJP, Congress party on Tuesday shot off a letter to
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zukerberg and asked him to initiate a time-bound
inquiry against the company’s India leadership. On behalf of party, AICC
general secretary KC Venugopal addressed Zukerberg and put forth a 3-point
suggestions-cum-demands: (1)Congress repeatedly raised issue of bias with many
Facebook executives. Would suggest setting up a high-level inquiry into
Facebook India leadership team and submitting report to Facebook Inc. within a
reasonable period of time. (2)Publish and make transparent all instances of
hate speech posts since 2014 that were allowed on the platform. WSJ article
mentions hate speech of 3 other politicians that were wilfully permitted by
Facebook. On a closer perusal, you will find thousands of such insidious posts.
(3)Until the completion of the internal probe and submission of the report;
please consider letting the Facebook India operations to be led by a new team
so as not to influence the investigation.Referring to the report published in
the Wall Street Journal, Venugopal said in his letter, “We are sure you would
have read the front page story in the WSJ on Aug.14, 2020 about Facebook
India’s blatant biases and dubious practices in content regulation...This is a
damning and serious allegation of Facebook India’s interference in India’s
electoral democracy”.
FIR against Facebook policy head Ankhi Das
for 'hurting religious sentiments, inciting communal animosity’
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/facebook-policy-head-ankhi-das-fir-inciting-hurting-community-1712478-2020-08-18
Acase has been registered against a senior Facebook
India executive and two others by the Chhattisgarh Police.The Chhattisgarh
Police filed an FIR against Ankhi Das, Facebook's Director, Public Policy, India,
South and Central Asia, and two users of the social media platform for
allegedly hurting religious sentiments, police said on Tuesday.Police said the
case was lodged late Monday night following a complaint by Raipur-based
journalist Awesh Tiwari.Along with Facebook’s Ankhi Das, other two who have
been booked were identified as Ram Sahu from Mungeli of Chhattisgarh and Vivek
Sinha of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, PTI reported.Tiwari reportedly lodged the case
after he was named in a complaint by Ankhi Das to Delhi Police, alleging that
she had been receiving threats to her life through online posts.The
Raipur-based journalist, in his complaint, said on August 16, he put up a post
on his Facebook account related to an article published in the Wall Street
Journal.
Delhi Assembly panel says it will summon
Facebook over hate post allegations
https://scroll.in/latest/970647/delhi-assembly-panel-says-it-will-summon-facebook-over-hate-post-allegations
A panel of the Delhi Assembly has said it will
summon Facebook officials, especially the company’s Public Policy Director for
India, South and Central, Asia Ankhi Das, after allegations that the social
media giant ignored hate posts by BJP leaders in the run-up to Lok Sabha polls,
PTI reported.
Digvijaya asks Facebook CEO Zuckerberg why
BJP's anti-Muslim posts were not stopped
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/digvijaya-asks-facebook-ceo-zuckerberg-why-bjps-anti-muslim-posts-were-not-stopped/articleshow/77594342.cms
Bhopal: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has
asked Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to clarify why hate speech
against Muslims by BJP leaders is not being stopped by the social media giant. 2
days ago, Singh posted a news article in the Wall Street Journal that said
Facebook had not taken down instigating posts against Rohingya Muslims by BJP
legislator from Telegana T Raja and two others of the saffron party.
WSJ report: BJP spread religious hatred on
social media, benefitted electorally, says Shiv Sena
https://scroll.in/latest/970725/wsj-report-bjp-spread-religious-hatred-on-social-media-benefitted-electorally-says-shiv-sena
Shiv Sena on Tuesday alleged that BJP benefitted
the most electorally from Facebook by spreading religious hatred since it came
to power in 2014. The statement came amid a controversy over an August 14
article in The Wall Street Journal which reported that Facebook ignored
incendiary posts by BJP leaders in the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha elections.In an
editorial published in Saamana, Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece, the party said that
Facebook can be used to express opinions but action should be taken against those
who spread hatred. “Facebook cannot turn a blind eye to the person spreading
hatred because he is from the ruling party,” it said, urging foreign companies
to function according to Indian laws.
US Rights Bodies Seek Congressional Probe
into Facebook Scandal
https://clarionindia.net/us-rights-bodies-seek-congressional-probe-into-facebook-scandal/
New Delhi:“Coalition to Stop Genocide in India”, a
broad coalition of Indian American and US-based civil rights organisations and
activists on Monday urged US House of Representatives to launch a Congressional
probe into the functioning of Facebook and the organisation’s role in
amplifying hate and bigotry around the world, especially in South Asia.There
exists ample evidence in the public domain that hateful rhetoric online
especially by influential groups and individuals, has led to actual violence
that has destroyed countless lives in India, Myanmar and other countries.The
coalition has also called on Facebook to fire Ankhi Das, company’s policy chief
in India, as an immediate remedial step. By blocking punitive action against
some Facebook accounts belonging to high ranking politicians from ruling BJP,
Das allowed the accounts to continue their hateful and violent rhetoric, acting as an enabler for them to incite hate
and mass violence against social and religious minorities.
Thousands of Protesters Take to Streets as
Anti-CAA, Anti-EIA Agitations Erupt in Assam
https://thewire.in/rights/thousands-of-protesters-take-to-streets-as-anti-caa-anti-eia-agitations-erupt-in-assam
Guwahati: Thousands of protesters hit the roads
across Assam on Monday, demanding the repeal of CAA and draft Environment
Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020.Assembled under the aegis of the Asom
Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP), the protestors warned of more
intense protests in the future. The AJYCP supporters also demanded the release
of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader Akhil Gogoi, who is in jail and is being
probed by the National Investigation Agency for his alleged role in the violent
anti-CAA protests that rocked the state last year.“We will not stop till the
CAA and EIA are repealed. It is also unfortunate how this government has
vindictively kept Akhil Gogoi inside jail just to derail the anti-CAA movement,”
said AJYCP’s Guwahati unit president Pradip Kalita, while taking part in a
human chain in Narengi area.In Dibrugarh, hundreds of protestors were detained
by police as they assembled to form a human chain, an official said.PTI
Anti-CAA protest: UP CM gives nod to set up
property damage claim tribunals
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/anti-caa-protest-up-cm-gives-nod-to-set-up-property-damage-claim-tribunals-11597727364807.html
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has
approved setting up property damage claim tribunals in Meerut and Lucknow, an
official spokesperson said.While the Lucknow tribunal will accept claim
applications from Jhansi, Kanpur, Chitrakoot Dham, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Devi Patan
Prayagraj, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Basti and Vindhyachal Dham divisions;
the Meerut tribunal will have the jurisdiction over Saharanpur, Meerut,
Aligarh, Moradabad, Bareilly and Agra divisions, the spokesperson said on
Monday.PTI
Jamiat Hands Over 52 New/Repaired Houses to
Delhi Riot Victims
https://clarionindia.net/jamiat-ulama-e-hind-hands-over-52-new-repaired-houses-to-delhi-riot-victims/
New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) on Monday said
that it had handed over 52 new and repaired houses to Delhi riot victims. The
frenzied mobs had targeted and burnt down Muslim houses as well as several
mosques.JUH said it had been engaged in relief and rehabilitation work in the
affected areas since Day One. In this regard, the houses which were burnt down
and the mosques which were deliberately damaged were duly surveyed by JUH which
had then announced to rebuild and repair them.At that time, Maulana Arshad
Madani, JHU President, had said that JUH had been carrying out its social duty
of helping and rehabilitating people in the affected areas, irrespective of
religion and caste, and had promised to rebuild damaged properties.Clarion
India
Delhi violence: Police get extension till
Sept.17 for probe into conspiracy angle
https://scroll.in/latest/970677/delhi-violence-police-get-extension-till-september-17-for-investigation-into-conspiracy-angle
Delhi Police special cell, probing the alleged
conspiracy angle behind Feb.violence, has got an extension for investigation as
well as the judicial custody of the 10 accused. On August 13, Karkardooma court
judge Amitabh Rawat had granted the special cell time till Sept.17 to file
chargesheet in connection with a first information report in which the
anti-terror UAPA has been invoked among other charges. Among the 10 accused are
former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Pinjra Tod members Devangana Kalita and
Natasha Narwal, and former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan. While the judicial
custody of most of the accused have been extended till almost Dec., that of
accused Khalid Saifi and Ishrat Jahan ends on Sept.17. This is the second time
the Delhi Police have got an extension to file the chargesheet.
Delhi Riots: Gulfisha, Booked For Terrorism,
Is Quiet, Studious And Has A Strong Sense Of Justice, Says Family
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-gulfisha-fatima-anti-caa-protests_in_5f3ac140c5b670ab17ae5a91
New Delhi: Atiq Hussain was asleep when his phone
rang at eight in the morning. A policeman was on the line, telling him that his
sister Gulfisha Fatima had been arrested. The policeman handed her the phone.They
spoke for 10 seconds. Hussain said, “Her voice was calm. Baaji has never been
one to get emotional about things. All she said was to tell abba and ammi.”25
days passed before Hussain mustered up the courage to break the news to their
father, a kirana store owner in northeast Delhi, and mother, a homemaker. Both
of them suffer from depression, he said. Hussain laid the groundwork by telling
them about the arrests of other students and activists who had protested
against CAA and were getting arrested in connection with the Delhi riots in Feb.
Hussain tried explaining away why she wasn’t visiting or phoning home, but
eventually ran out of excuses and told them the truth. “It was a terrible shock
but what can one do? What do you do
after you stop crying? You try and cope with it. This is the only thing on
their minds but they have stopped talking about it.” he said in a recent
conversation with HuffPost India. “My father is silent. My mother too but she
still bursts into tears all the time,”
Problem With CAA Won't Go Away Because One
Activist Joins BJP: Shaheen Bagh Women
https://thewire.in/politics/shaheen-bagh-anti-caa-bjp-shahzad-ali
New Delhi: On Sunday, Neelkant Bakshi, head of
media relations of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit, released a
statement that said, “Shaheen Bagh social activist Shahzad Ali has joined BJP
Delhi in presence of state BJP president Adesh Gupta and vice president
national BJP and in-charge Delhi BJP, Shyam Jaju.”“The enthusiasm with which
Muslim brothers and sisters are joining BJP clearly shows that people of all
religions have faith in the Modi govt,” Gupta said on the occasion at the Delhi
BJP office.“Social worker Shahzad Ali, gynaecologist Dr Mehreen, former AAP
worker Tabassum Hussain along with a large number of Muslim brothers and
sisters joined BJP,” said Delhi BJP statement. “If somebody who was part of
anti-CAA protests has joined the same party that he was protesting against, he
is just confused and doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong,” said
a protester, requesting anonymity. In the release, Ali introduces himself as a
“social activist.” To The Wire, he said, “I have been in the profession of
mobile industry, in sales.” He added that he gave up his job and started full
time activism some years ago.Ali claims that more than 200 people from the
neighbourhood have so far joined BJP. Asked for his opinion on the fact that he
has joined the very party that brought the controversial CAA gainst which the
protests all over the country had erupted and in which he had participated as
well,he said, “Congress and AAP have both done less to explain things to people
and more to lead them astray. Everybody just wanted to enhance their own
politics. The conversation [on CAA] is only possible through dialogue.”Ali
insisted that his plan was to sit with [senior] leaders of BJP and “clear the
confusions” that Muslims have on CAA.Shoaib Jamai, who has been actively
involved in the Shaheen Bagh protests since their beginning said, “There were
many people who used to come to the Shaheen Bagh for tea. Even Gunjan Kapoor
came to the protest, wearing a burkha. Does that mean she was a protester?
Maybe he was part of the public, but he was not involved in any of the main
meetings that some of us used to hold.”Gulbano, an elderly woman visible in the
Shaheen Bagh protests and often referred to as one of the “dadis” (or
grandmothers) of Shaheen Bagh, said that there were supposed to be no
politicians in the protest. “There weren’t any politicians in the protests, you
know. People would come, speak, perform poetry and leave, ” she said.
Bombay HC allows Varavara Rao to talk to
family via video call, seeks Sudha Bhardwaj’s fresh medical report
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/bombay-hc-allows-varavara-rao-to-talk-to-family-via-video-call-seeks-sudha-bhardwajs-fresh-medical-report
Bombay High Court on Monday directed Nanavati
hospital authorities to again allow Varavara Rao's family to interact with him
via video call after the family expressed anxiety for not receiving any updates
on his health by hospital authorities, BarandBench.com reported. Division bench
of Justice AA Sayed and Justice Abhay Ahuja heard the petition and appeal filed
on behalf of 81-year-old Rao who is one of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon
case. The same bench also heard an appeal filed by another accused in the case
Sudha Bharadwaj. Varavara Rao's lawyer Advocate Sudeep Pasbola submitted that
family spoke to him last on July 31. He submitted, "We still do not have
any information or update about his health after that. So we are seeking that a
copy of the medical report be given and matter may be adjourned to later in the
week to be argued on merits."
Delhi HC rejects emergency parole plea of GN
Saibaba
https://scroll.in/latest/970717/delhi-high-court-rejects-emergency-parole-plea-of-gn-saibaba
Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the emergency
parole plea of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba, PTI reported.
Saibaba had filed the plea saying that he wanted to attend his mother’s
post-funeral rituals.However, the court ordered the Nagpur jail authorities to
make necessary arrangements for Saibaba to talk to his family via video
conferencing on the day of the rituals.
UP Police arrests journalist Prashant
Kanojia in Delhi over ‘objectionable’ tweet on Hindu Army
https://theprint.in/india/up-police-arrests-journalist-prashant-kanojia-in-delhi-over-objectionable-tweet-on-hindu-army/484274/
New Delhi: Journalist Prashant Kanojia was arrested
by the Uttar Pradesh Police Tuesday from his residence in Delhi in connection
with a tweet, his wife Jagisha Arora confirmed to ThePrint.A journalist with Transcontinental
Times and formerly with The Wire, Kanojia was arrested around 1.30 pm, Arora
said, adding, “There were five-six people. Only one of them was in uniform. The
rest were in civil clothes. At first, they gave us no reason as to why he was
being arrested, except to say that orders had come from above.” She also said,
“I reached Vasant Vihar police station around 3 pm to ask for Kanojia but the
police said he was not there. Last thing I was told is that the men along with
Kanojia have crossed Noida and were en route Lucknow.” It was filed in Lucknow
Monday by one Dinesh Kumar Shukla who accused Kanojia of disrupting communal
harmony via social media.
SC ruling against Prashant Bhushan ‘speaks
poorly of judiciary,’ say former judges, bureaucrats
https://scroll.in/latest/970649/sc-ruling-against-prashant-bhushan-speaks-poorly-of-judiciary-say-former-judges-bureaucrats
Over 3,000 members of civil society including
former judges, retired bureaucrats, journalists and lawyers, on Monday
criticised the Supreme Court’s order to hold advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty
of contempt for his tweets on the judiciary. The signatories said that
expressing concern about the functioning of the judiciary was the fundamental
right of every citizen.The signatories include former Supreme Court judges Ruma
Pal, B Sudershan Reddy, Madan B Lokur, human rights activist Harsh Mander and
historian Romila Thapar.They said in their statement that the Supreme Court
should have taken Bhushan’s criticism in spirit. “The intention of that
expression was to urge the apex court to restart physical hearings,
particularly of matters of national importance,” the signatories said. “The
intention was also to engage with the concerns articulated by many regarding
the reluctance of the judiciary to play its constitutionally mandated role as a
check on governmental excesses and violations of fundamental rights by the
state.”The signatories added that the top court’s judgement against Bhushan was
“disproportionate” and could damage its reputation. “If a tweet by an
individual is perceived by the judiciary as destroying public confidence in the
institution, it speaks poorly of the judiciary’s confidence in itself,” the signatories
said in their statement.
Contempt action sought against Swara Bhasker
for Ayodhya judgment remarks
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/contempt-action-sought-against-swara-bhasker-for-ayodhya-judgment-remarks/story-945W1vgEczzoPGRQoIxjoK.html
A petition was filed before the Supreme Court on
Monday seeking initiation of criminal contempt of court proceedings against
Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker for her statements criticising the top court and
its judgment in the Ayodhya dispute. The plea, filed by Usha Shetty from
Karnataka, was placed before the Attorney General of India, KK Venugopal, for
his consent to list the matter before the court. As per Section 15 of Contempt
of Courts Act and Rule 3 of Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of
Supreme Court, the consent of Attorney General is required before the apex
court can hear a criminal contempt petition filed by a private individual.
Congress itself doesn't know if Rajiv Gandhi
opened the locks of Babri Masjid or not: Jyotiraditya Scindia
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/congress-itself-doesnt-know-if-rajiv-gandhi-opened-the-locks-of-babri-masjid-or-not-jyotiraditya-scindia/638432
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader
Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday launched a scathing attack the grand-old party
saying that Congress itself doesn't know whether former Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi opened the locks of Babri Masjid or not. "On one hand, he (former MP
CM Kamal Nath) is saying he (Former PM Rajiv Gandhi) got the locks of Babri
Masjid opened while on the other hand, Shashi Tharoor said that he didn't open
the locks. Congress itself doesn't know what their leader did and didn't,"
Scindia said."Scindia also held the former Kamal Nath government
responsible for the current coronavirus situation, which is now under control.
"Shivraj Singh has managed to control the situation by working 18 to 20
hours after taking the oath," he added.
Bengaluru riots: Karnataka to approach HC to
recover damages from rioters
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengaluru-riots-karnataka-to-approach-hc-to-recover-damages-from-rioters/story-NK83Ucmv6A7c8B1Pex8ExK.html
Karnataka government has decided to approach the
state high court for appointing a commissioner for the purpose of assessment of
damages caused to private and public property as well as to recover the same
from the culprits. At a meeting conducted by CM BS Yediyurappa in which home
minister Basvaraj Bommai, DGP Praveen Sood, ADGP (Law and Order) Amar Kumar
Pandey and Chief Secretary TM Vijaya Bhasker, as well as other senior
officials, were present it was decided to take stringent action against the
culprits of DJ Halli and KG Halli violence by invoking UAPA.The police have
detained till date nearly 370 people for the Bengaluru riots. Till now, DJ
Halli police have registered 49 FIRs against the numerous accused while KG
Halli police have registered 19 FIRs. The police on Monday also arrested K
Wajid Pasha, president of Tipu Sultan Alfath trust. Sources in Bengaluru police
who did not want to be named said Wajid, who claims to be a JDS worker was also
one of the masterminds of the riots.
NIA Arrests Bengaluru Doctor for Allegedly
Conspiring with Syria-based IS Operatives
https://www.news18.com/news/india/nia-arrests-bengaluru-doctor-for-allegedly-conspiring-with-syria-based-islamic-state-operatives-2798355.html
NIA on Tuesday arrested an ophthalmologist for his
alleged links with Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).Abdur Rahman, a
28-year-old doctor with an M.S. from Ramaiah Medical College in Bengaluru, has
been accused of using his knowledge of medicine to help ISIS."He was in
the process of developing a medical application for helping the injured ISIS
cadres in the conflict zones and a weaponry-related application for the benefit
of ISIS fighters," said an NIA statement. NIA officials raided three
premises in Bengaluru after Rahman's arrest and seized digital devices, a
mobile phone and a laptop containing what the probe agency said was incriminating
material. Rahman will be produced in a Delhi court and NIA will seek further
custody to interrogate him.Confirming that Rahman had just completed his MS
Ophthalmology course in July, the college fought shy of being aware of his
activities.Rahman appears to have been a merit student. Incidentally, 2014 was
also when he had apparently visited Syria, according to NIA authorities.Rahman
came under the scanner after the NIA arrested two Pune residents earlier in the
case. Pune student Sadiya Anwar Sheikh and gym owner Nabeel Siddick Khatri were
allegedly in touch with ISKP accused Jahanzaib Sami Wani and his wife Hina
Bashir Beigh from Okhla Vihar in Delhi's Jamia Nagar area.
Amanatullah set to be re-elected as
member-MLA of Delhi Waqf Board
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/aug/18/amanatullah-khan-set-to-be-re-elected-as-member-mla-of-delhi-waqf-board-2184916.html
NEW DELHI: Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan is set to get
elected unopposed as a member-MLA of Delhi Waqf Board as no other legislator
has filed nomination for the election scheduled on Aug.25.Monday was the last
date of filing nomination papers. Shinde Deepak Arjun, returning officer for
the election and who is also DM (north), confirmed that only Khan had filed
nominations so far.“Today was the last day for submitting papers. We have
received only one nomination that is of Khan. After the scrutiny of his papers,
a decision will be taken whether the election is required to be conducted or
not,” he said.Another official of the board, said that if Khan’s nomination is
found valid after scrutiny, he would be declared elected unopposed.
Muslim leaders give 2 weeks’ ultimatum to
Telangana govt
https://www.siasat.com/muslim-leaders-give-two-weeks-ultimatum-to-telangana-government-1950266/
Hyderabad: Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani,
secretary All India Muslim Personal Law Board in a press statement said a
meeting of Board members, Muslim scholars and representatives of Muslim
organisations was held under the chairmanship of Justice Shah Mohammed Quadri
on Sunday, at Darul Uloom. Issue of demolition of secretariat mosques and their
restoration was discussed during the meeting. The leaders expressed ire over
the demolition of the mosques. The leaders unanimously declared that any piece
of land endowed for mosque remains mosque forever. Waqf administration cannot
change its status. The scholars clarified that even if offering of prayer is
stopped in a mosque then also it will remain a mosque and will remain so till
the day of judgement. Neither the donor, nor the Waqf Board or the government
have right to change its status.
“India ranks among lowest in terms of
Internet quality”
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-ranks-among-lowest-in-terms-of-internet-quality/article32385913.ece?homepage=true
India ranks among the lowest in the world in terms
of Internet quality, according to a global research released by online privacy
solutions provider SurfShark.As per the “Digital Quality of Life Index 2020”,
which researches on the quality of a digital wellbeing in 85 countries (81% of
the global population), in terms of e-infrastructure, India occupies 79th
place, ranking below countries including Guatemala and Sri Lanka.
Rakesh Asthana, at centre of row while in
CBI, made BSF chief
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rakesh-asthana-appointed-bsf-dg-v-s-k-kaumudi-special-secretary-internal-security-6558739/
Govt has appointed 1984-batch Gujarat cadre IPS
officer Rakesh Asthana as the new chief of BSF.Asthana, until now, was the
chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, along with holding additional
charge of Narcotics Control Bureau, which he continues to hold.Asthana, who as
special director in CBI clashed with the agency’s then director Alok Verma, has
been cleared in a case of corruption, registered by his former boss — in Feb,
CBI cleared Asthana of all charges.
Toxic Debate Killed Rajiv Tyagi:
Journalists, Activists, Demand TV News Reforms
https://clarionindia.net/toxic-debate-killed-rajiv-tyagi-journalists-activists-demand-tv-news-reforms/
NEW DELHI; Rajiv Tyagi, national spokesperson of
the Congress, died of cardiac arrest recently. He suffered an attack soon after
an abrasive and venomous debate on a Hindi news channel. His sudden death has
triggered a heated debate over the conduct of TV panelists and news
anchors.Along with leaders of Congress, senior journalists and activists took
to social media for airing their opinions and comments.On the official Twitter
account of Congress leader Manish Tewari, urging the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting to “decisively intervene” and “cancel the licence” of such
television channels which organise wrestling-like debates, he said, “Rajiv
Tyagi’s death should become the trigger for TV channels to revisit this debate
format. These debates are no longer structured discussions. They only serve to
generate TRPs for TV channels which translate into revenue streams.”Senior
Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai recalled his conversation with Tyagi and said his
death meant the professional demise of journalism. He tweeted, “About a decade
ago, Rajiv Tyagi came to me and said, ‘bhaiya, kabhi hamein bhee TV debate pe
laya karo!’ (Bro, invite people like us also to tv debate!).. When he did
eventually come, it was to join the cockfight format of noise shows with no
substance: today, his passing away is a reminder of our own professional
demise! RIP”.
*SOUTH ASIA, INDO-PAK & J&K*
India-China working mechanism meet likely on
Aug 20 as PLA refuses to disengage in Finger areas, Depsang
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-china-working-mechanism-meet-likely-on-aug-20-as-pla-refuses-to-disengage-in-finger-areas-depsang/638632
New Delhi: As Chinese troops refusing to vacate
from Finger areas, Depsang, and Gogra, the meeting of the Working Mechanism for
Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) is expected
to take place on August 20. Besides officials from the ministry of external
affairs, defence ministry, home ministry, military and ITBP officers will also
take part in the crucial meeting that would be held via video conference owing
to COVID-19 pandemic.Giving details of the expected meeting, Times Now’s
Srinjoy Chowdhury, said that New Delhi has categorically stated to Beijing that
if the border issues are to be solved then Chinese troops have to vacate the
territories (Despang, Pangong) where they are camping. He further reported that
before May, the Chinese were at Finger 8 and they moved to Finger 4 and later
moved to Finger 5. India has made it clear that the Chinese would have to go
back to Finger 8. This is is the position that the Indian delegation will press
upon during the meeting. PLA troops have moved back from Galwan Valley and Hot
Springs area.Meanwhile, China on Monday said that it will continue to work with
India to properly manage differences. China will continue to work with India to
enhance political mutual trust, properly manage differences, strengthen
practical cooperation and jointly uphold the big picture of bilateral
relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.
Delhi, Kathmandu must have sustained talks
on all issues, not just border: Nepal envoy
https://theprint.in/diplomacy/delhi-kathmandu-must-have-sustained-talks-on-all-issues-not-just-border-says-nepal-envoy/484230/
Kathmandu and New Delhi should have a “sustained
dialogue” on all issues and not just on the border, even as both sides should
focus on expediting bilateral projects, Nilamber Acharya, the Nepal Ambassador
to India, has said. In an exclusive
interview to ThePrint, Acharya said it is a “positive indication” that Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli had a phone
conversation on 15 August when bilateral issues were discussed. That ws the
first time the two leaders spoke after Nepal released a controversial political
map in May showing the disputed regions of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh
as part of its own territory. The map has been rejected by India. “This is a
positive sign that both PMs have spoken after 2-3 months of problems. India and
Nepal should begin a dialogue soon. India and Nepal will resolve all issues
peacefully if a sustained dialogue is built,” Acharya told ThePrint.“There are
many other important matters that need to be settled, the border issue is not
the only issue in our bilateral ties,” he added.
China wants to know why Nepal's young men
are joining Indian Army
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/china-wants-to-know-why-nepal-young-men-joining-indian-army-1712287-2020-08-17
New Delhi: The diplomatic row between India and
Nepal seems to have prompted China to commission a study in Nepal on why the
youth from the Himalayan nation is lured to join the Indian Army.Intelligence
reports suggest China has funded Rs 12.7 lakh (Nepali currency) study to
understand the age-old tradition of young boys joining the Indian Army. Those
observing developments in India say this is a first-of-its-kind study by China
to exert its influence.
Navy commanders to discuss ops in Indian
Ocean Region amid Ladakh stand-off with China
https://theprint.in/defence/navy-commanders-to-discuss-ops-in-indian-ocean-region-amid-ladakh-stand-off-with-china/484302/
New Delhi: 3-day Naval Commanders’ Conference
begins Wednesday, with key issues like entry and operations of “extra-regional”
forces in Indian Ocean Region, operational procurements and tri-services
coordination with the maritime theatre command likely to dominate discussions.
The biannual event is attended by the top leadership of the Indian Navy, who
brainstorm on new security, logistical and administrative issues to plan a
roadmap.Officers told ThePrint that Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh and the
senior commanders will be carrying out major logistical, administrative,
training, materials and operational reviews. They are also expected to discuss
prioritising projects such as long-pending P75I for 6 submarines, for which
tenders are likely to be invited by October. Naval Utility Helicopters and
other equipment the Navy plans to buy are also set to be discussed.ThePrint
China’s central bank invests in ICICI Bank
amid ‘Boycott China’ movement
https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/china-s-central-bank-invests-in-icici-bank-amid-boycott-china-movement-1712416-2020-08-18
After Chinese central bank's investment in mortgage
lender HDFC Ltd created a flutter in Indian market earlier this year, People's
Bank of China has now made an investment in ICICI Bank. Chinese bank has
emerged as one of the investors in ICICI Bank's Rs 15,000 crore capital raising
exercise which ended last week. It signed a cheque of Rs 15 crore in the private
bank under qualified institutional placement. People's Bank of China was
amongst the 357 institutional investors which included domestic mutual funds,
insurance companies and global institutions that subscribed to the issue.
India ‘overwhelmingly’ reaches out to
Democrats as Biden and Harris woo Indian Americans
https://theprint.in/diplomacy/india-overwhelmingly-reaches-out-to-democrats-as-biden-and-harris-woo-indian-americans/483428/
New Delhi:With a little over 2 months left for US
Presidential elections, New Delhi seems to be “overwhelmingly” reaching out to
the Democrats whose Presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala
Harris are going out of their way to woo the Indian Americans in an
unprecedented manner.On 15 August, the Democrats celebrated India’s
Independence Day — an unprecedented move, as never before has a major political
party celebrated the independence of a foreign country as part of its US
Presidential election campaign. A top Indian official told ThePrint: “New Delhi
has always done serious business with whoever has come to power in the US. This
has always been our stance. Like always, India is reaching out to the Democrats
also overwhelmingly.”The official added India has always “enjoyed bipartisan
support” in the US and that has been one of the unique aspects of the growing
bilateral ties between New Delhi and Washington.
Eye on China, DoT to direct full network
audit by telcos
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/eye-on-china-dot-to-direct-full-network-audit-by-telcos-6559030/
New Delhi : Dept. of Telecom (DoT) is set to direct
all telecom operators to undertake an ‘information security audit’ of their
networks and submit the report by October end.The objective of the audit,
according to sources in the know of the development, is to specifically check
for any ‘backdoor’ or ‘trap door’ vulnerabilities in the telecom networks,
which can be exploited to extract information and pass on illegally to agencies
around the world. A ‘backdoor’ or a ‘trap door’ is a bug installed in the
telecom hardware which allows companies to listen in or collect data being
shared on the network.“There have been reports that Chinese vendors have
installed back doors and trap doors in telecom networks of other countries
where they have worked on 4G and other older technologies. We just want to be
doubly sure there are no such gaps in our networks,” an official said.
India Today Mood of the Nation Poll: 59% say
India should go to war with China over border dispute
https://www.indiatoday.in/mood-of-the-nation/story/motn-india-china-lac-dispute-war-military-1708906-2020-08-07?utm_source=rhs&utm_medium=It&utm_campaign=readthis&t_source=rhs&t_medium=It&t_campaign=readthis
While nearly 60 per cent of the people think India
should wage a war against China to resolve the ongoing border tensions, 34 per
cent are against the idea. This MOTN survey comes at a time when India and
China are engaged in Corps Commander-level talks to review the de-escalation strategy
at disputed regions including the Pangong Tso Lake area in Ladakh.
Jammu region tense after derogatory remarks
on Prophet are aired, 3 men arrested
https://theprint.in/india/jammu-region-tense-after-derogatory-remarks-on-prophet-muhammad-are-aired-3-men-arrested/483679/
Srinagar: Communal tensions continue to prevail in
Jammu division’s Doda, Kishtwar, Gool Gulabgarh, Ramban and Reasi areas,
despite J&K Police arresting 3 individuals who had allegedly made
derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad in an interview to a local cable
news channel over the weekend. Muslim groups in these areas had called for a complete
shutdown Monday in protest, and barring some minor incidents of violence
despite a curfew in Kishtwar that were quickly brought under control, the
situation remained peaceful in the presence of heavy security. Demonstrations
took place in these areas, while in Kashmir region too, small protests were
organised.Jammu IGP Mukesh Singh, in a video message, issued a plea asking
people to maintain peace and not to share the video in question. He said the
circulation of the video causes communal disharmony and peace, adding that
strict action will be taken against people sharing the video. In an evening
press conference, J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said all three accused had been
arrested, and that the individual who recorded the video would also be brought
in. According to police officials, 2 men who were seen in the video, named
Satpal Sharma and Deepak, were arrested. The third man, Rohit, was on the run
for a while longer before being arrested Monday. Officials say all 3 men belong
to a group called Rashtriya Suraksha Dal.Local residents across the Jammu
region organised scores of rallies in protest, and various Muslim religious and
community groups in the region. Majlis-e-Shura and some other groups demanded
capital punishment for the accused.
J&K: 2 soldiers, 3 suspected militants
killed in Baramulla operation
https://scroll.in/latest/970733/j-k-two-soldiers-three-suspected-militants-killed-in-baramulla-operation
Security forces killed three suspected militants in
Kreeri area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, a statement
from the Indian Army said. Two soldiers were critically injured in the
operation and later died.The Army said one AK-47 and three pistols were
recovered from the militants. The search operation for more militants is still
going on.
Army Starts Probe Into J&K Encounter
After Families Allege 3 Men Missing
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-army-initiates-court-of-inquiry-in-julys-shopian-encounter-2281374?pfrom=home-topstories
New Delhi: The army today said it has initiated a
high-level Court of Inquiry to probe into an encounter by its troops in which
three unidentified terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian
district last month. This comes after three families in Rajouri area filed a
complaint with the police that their missing sons were killed in a staged
encounter and passed off as terrorists."As intimated on 11 Aug, a
high-level Court of Inquiry into Op Amshipora, Shopian on 18 Jul 2020 is under
progress. Statements of key witnesses are being recorded and progress is being
monitored closely," the army said in a statement today. It said the Court
of Inquiry will record the statements of civilian witnesses, and DNA samples of
the missing men have been collected and sent for matching with those of the
terrorists killed in the encounter.
India Planning Bilateral "Air Bubble"
Flights With 13 Nations; Minister
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/civil-aviation-minister-hardeep-singh-puri-india-negotiating-with-13-countries-to-establish-bilateral-air-bubble-arrangements-2281421?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: India is negotiating with 13 countries,
including Australia, Japan and Singapore, to establish separate bilateral air
bubble arrangements for international flight operations, Civil Aviation
Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday.Under a bilateral air bubble pact,
airlines of both the countries can operate international flights with certain
restrictions.Mr Puri said on Twitter air bubbles have also been proposed with
our neighbours Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan.
*INDIAN POLITICS*
Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa resigns,
set to join ADB
https://theprint.in/india/governance/election-commissioner-ashok-lavasa-resigns-set-to-join-adb/484219/
New Delhi: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who
was next in line to become Chief Election Commissioner, resigned Tuesday to
join Asian Development Bank. According to sources, Lavasa submitted his
resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind, and will be relieved from his duties
on 31 August if his resignation is accepted. ThePrint reached Lavasa for a
comment, but he refused. An Election Commission of India spokesperson did not
confirm the development either. If accepted, Lavasa’s resignation will clear
the way for Sushil Chandra to become the CEC once incumbent Sunil Arora retires
from the post in April 2021. Last month, ADB appointed Lavasa as vice-president
for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships. He will succeed
Diwakar Gupta, whose term will end on 31 August. Sources said the government
had recommended a few nominees to the ADB, including Lavasa.
Election Commission to come up with broad
guidelines for holding polls within 3 days
https://scroll.in/latest/970724/election-commission-to-come-up-with-broad-guidelines-for-holding-polls-within-three-days
Election Commission on Tuesday said that it will
come up with “broad guidelines” for holding polls within the next three days,
amid the coronavirus pandemic, PTI reported. The poll panel said the matter of
issuing guidelines for Assembly elections and bye-elections during the
“Covid-19 period” was discussed at a meeting earlier in the day.The commission
said it considered the views and suggestions of political parties, and chief
electoral officers of states and Union Territories. “After considering all
these, commission directed to frame broad guidelines within three days,” it
said.
Amit Shah, Adityanath were ‘Shakuni’ of
northeast Delhi riots: AAP
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/amit-shah-adityanath-were-shakuni-of-northeast-delhi-riots-says-aap/article32382993.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI: AAP on Tuesday alleged that Union Home
Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders were behind the riots that happened in
northeast Delhi earlier this year. “Each person who understands Delhi will say
that the Manthara and Shakuni of Delhi riots were those BJP leaders who made
poisonous statements — Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Sahib Singh, Giriraj Singh, Yogi
Adityanath, Amit Shah, Kapil Mishra. All these people made communal remarks in
Delhi and created hatred for one community in another community,” AAP chief
spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said while addressing a press conference.
BJP doing politics in name of Lord Ram,
doesn’t care about law and order in UP:
Akhilesh Yadav
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/bjp-doing-politics-in-name-of-lord-ram-doesnt-care-about-law-and-order-in-up-akhilesh-yadav
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has said
that Lord Ram belongs to all and not just to the Bharatiya Janata Party alone.
Talking to reporters in his native village Sefai on Tuesday, he said that
"Lord Ram belongs to all, Lord Krishna belongs to all. Lord Ram and Lord
Krishna were incarnations of Lord Vishnu, who belongs to all." He further
said, "We all seek blessings of Goddesses during Navratri festival. Now
tell me, do these Goddesses also belong to BJP?" he asked. Samajwadi Party
president attacked Yogi Adityanath government on the Lakhimpur Kheri incident,
where a minor girl was raped and brutally murdered.IANS
indiatoday Mood of the Nation: PM Modi still
king of Indian politics with 78 per cent approval rating
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/india/story/20200817-mood-of-the-nation-pm-modi-still-king-of-indian-politics-with-78-per-cent-approval-rating-1708943-2020-08-07?utm_source=rhs&utm_medium=It&utm_campaign=readthis&t_source=rhs&t_medium=It&t_campaign=readthis
A resounding 78 per cent of the people surveyed
found the performance of PM Modi to be outstanding/good. Only 5 per cent of respondents
found the government's performance to be poor.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
remains most popular in western India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh) with a mean score of 3.14 on a 4 point scale. The strong presence
of BJP in all states in the region except Chhattisgarh is a booster for the
Modi government.North and East India (3.01 and 3.02) fare similarly when it
comes to rating the Modi government. PM Modi is only marginally less popular in
South India (2.99). PM Modi continues to be most popular among the Hindu
community. On a 4 point scale, the mean score of Hindu respondents stood at
3.13. On the other hand, the mean score is low amongst non-Hindus (Muslim and
other minorities). Muslim respondents rated PM Modi's performance with a mean
score of 2.33. However, when if one analyses the data according to caste
groups, PM Modi is most popular among the OBC/MBC community (3.08) followed by
the SC/ST community (3.01) and the upper castes (2.99) respectively.
Rahul Gandhi best person to revive Congress:
India Today Mood of the Nation
https://www.indiatoday.in/mood-of-the-nation/story/rahul-gandhi-best-person-to-revive-congress-mood-of-the-nation-1708989-2020-08-07?utm_source=rhs&utm_medium=It&utm_campaign=readthis&t_source=rhs&t_medium=It&t_campaign=readthis
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remains the most
suitable person to lead the party, the India Today-Karvy Insights Ltd Mood of
the Nation (MOTN) poll has found.23 per cent of the 12,021 respondents have
voted for Rahul Gandhi to lead the Congress party to a new resurgence.He had
quit from his post of the president of the Congress Working Committee in August
2019 after the party performed abysmally in the Lok Sabha elections. However,
clamour is growing within the party for Rahul Gandhi to be brought back at the
helm of affairs and India agrees. An interesting finding of the MOTN poll is
that while Rahul Gandhi remains the most suitable to lead the Congress, former
PM Manmohan Singh scores better than both Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi as
the next best choice.18 per cent people now believe economist Singh should now
lead the Congress party as opposed to 13 per cent in the MOTN poll conducted in
January 2020. Both Sonia Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi have gotten 14 per
cent of the votes each.
Govt jobs for locals only, says M.P. CM
Chouhan
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/govt-jobs-for-locals-only-says-mp-cm-chouhan/article32384016.ece?homepage=true
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
on Tuesday announced that government jobs in the State would now be reserved
for its youth only.Describing it as an “important decision”, Mr. Chouhan said
in a video message,”We are making the required legal provisions for it.
Resources of Madhya Pradesh for the children of Madhya Pradesh.”He further
said, “From today, the youth of Madhya Pradesh will have the first right over
its resources. All government jobs will be reserved for its youth only. Our aim
is to include the State’s talent in its development.”
*CORONAVIRUS- LOCKDOWN*
Anti-mask group gives ‘wake-up call’ to
boycott masks, says it’s a sign of slavery
https://theprint.in/india/anti-mask-group-gives-wake-up-call-to-boycott-masks-says-its-a-sign-of-slavery/484224/
New Delhi: A self-proclaimed ‘doctor’, Biswaroop
Roy Chowdhury, has shared a video of an ‘anti-mask’ group on social media in
which a group of youths is asking people to boycott masks as they “don’t prevent”
the novel coronavirus from entering the human body. Chowdhury shared the video
on Twitter on 17 August, but the micro-blogging site took it down as it
“violated Twitter rules”. Before it was taken down, the video had garnered as
many as 6,17,000 views. The video is, however, still there on his YouTube
channel, which was uploaded on 16 Aug. The video features 4 men and one woman.
The group says that mask is a sign of “compliance and slavery”. They also
challenge the effectiveness of masks, saying there is “mind manipulation”
behind it. The group also claimed that
masks have an adverse effect on health and that any doctor would say that they
offer no kind of protection. They even made a “wake up” call for ‘freedom from
masks’ — mask se azadi. theprint
Restaurants, gyms to reopen in Agra, Taj
Mahal stays shut
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/restaurants-gyms-to-reopen-in-agra-taj-mahal-stays-shut
The district administration from Tuesday allowed
gyms and restaurants to reopen, but with a set of conditions.DM PN Singh said
the facilities will be allowed to remain open till 10 pm. However, guidelines
have been issued which will need to be followed strictly, he said. Masks,
sanitisation and social distancing norms will have to be adhered to in all
these places. While the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort will have to wait, other
smaller historical monuments could be reopened for visitors, the administration
indicated.IANS
Amit Shah complains of ‘fatigue and body
aches’, admitted to AIIMS
https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/amit-shah-complains-of-fatigue-and-body-aches-admitted-to-aiims-6559406/
Days after he tested negative for Covid-19, Union
Home Minister Amit Shah was on Tuesday admitted to AIIMS, Delhi after
complaining of “fatigue and body aches”. According to a statement issued by the
premier hospital, Shah has been hospitalised for post-Covid-19 care. “He has
been admitted to AIIMS for post-COVID care. He is comfortable and is continuing
his work from hospital,” the statement added. Shah had earlier been admitted to
Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon for the treatment. He was the first member of Union
Cabinet to test positive for the disease.
UP minister Atul Garg tests positive for
COVID-19
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/live-coronavirus-in-india-updates-covid-19-vaccine-india-world-latest-news-corona-cases-deaths-recovered-news-6558870/
Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Health and
Family Welfare, Atul Garg, Tuesday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and
requested all those who came in contact with him recently to get tested for the
disease. “On August 15, RTPCR test was done and I had tested negative.
Yesterday, in the rapid test conducted at around 9 pm, I tested positive.
People who came in contact with me from August 16 to August 18 should get
themselves tested,” he tweeted. Earlier, 2 UP ministers, Kamal Rani Varun and
Chetan Chauhan, succumbed to the pandemic.
Differences buried: Muslim body helps in
cremation of dead Hindus
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/differences-buried-muslim-body-helps-in-cremation-of-dead-hindus/articleshow/77600638.cms
Nagpur: In a fortnight, ambulance run by Jamiat
Ulema-e-Hind, a leading organization of Islamic scholars, has made six rounds
bringing bodies to Hindu crematorium in Kamptee. The town which has emerged as
a hotspot of Covid infection has seen 39 deaths so far.In a clockwork
precision, Jamiat’s volunteers dressed in personal protection gear get the body
out, place it on the pyre, which is later lit by the deceased’s kin. On one of
the days, two bodies were brought to the crematorium in quick succession.The
Jamiat, which is a century-old body of Muslim clerics, is backed by two other
organizations in the work.Earlier, last rites of Covid patients from Kamptee
were conducted in Nagpur by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials. This
left the kin pained as they did not get even a chance to pay last respects,
leading to Jamiat’s intervention.
Mumbai: Oxford Covid vaccine trials to start
at King Edward hospital | All you need to know
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/oxford-university-covid-vaccine-human-trials-king-edward-hospital-covishield-astra-zenec-1712560-2020-08-18
King Edward memorial Hospital in Parel, Mumbai will
soon start phase 2 and 3 human trials on COVISHIELD, the Covid vaccine that is
being developed by Oxford University and AstraZenec. India is among the handful
of countries where human trials for this vaccine will be carried out, outside
of UK. Dr Hemant Deshmukh, Dean, KEM Hospital said the phase 2 and 3 human
trials of COVISHIELD will start by the end of August. COVISHIELD hogged global
headlines in July after it showed "promising "and
"encouraging" results in Phase 1 human trials conducted in UK. The
data for these trials were published in The Lancet.In the latest, ICMR has
granted approval to Mumbai's King Edward Memorial Hospital in Parel to conduct
phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Oxford University's coronavirus vaccine.
UK urges Indians, ethnic minorities to sign
up for COVID vaccine trials
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/uk-urges-indians-ethnic-minorities-to-sign-up-for-covid-19-vaccine-trials
UK govt on Monday issued an appeal for more people
from an ethnic minority background, including those of Indian-origin, to sign
up for ongoing clinical trials for a potential vaccine to combat COVID-19. A
targeted recruitment programme broadcast in Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali and Urdu
is among the measures being deployed to reach out to different communities.Over
1,00,000 people have volunteered to take part in vaccine trials across Britain as
part of efforts to speed up the discovery of a safe and effective vaccine that
protects against the coronavirus.PTI
Indian Embassy in Moscow in touch with
developer of Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/embassy-in-moscow-in-touch-with-developer-of-sputnik-v-6559032/
Indian embassy in Moscow is in touch with Russian
medical research institute that has developed the world’s first Covid-19
vaccine to be cleared for use by the public, top govt sources said.Russian
regulators last week greenlighted the Sputnik V vaccine developed by
Moscow-based GamaleyaResearch Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and
President Vladimir Putin announced that one of his daughters had already been
inoculated with it.“Indian Mission is engaging separately with the Russian side
through our embassy in Moscow. We are now awaiting the safety and efficacy data
of this vaccine for Covid-19,” a source said.indianexpress
Pune serosurvey shows 50% have antibodies
against Covid
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/pune-serosurvey-results-50-pc-antibodies-covid-19-india-coronavirus-numbers-explained-6559471/
The results of a serological survey in Pune has
indicated that over 50 per cent of the population could already have been
infected by novel Coronavirus. This is significantly higher than the results of
similar serological surveys carried out in some other cities, like Delhi and
Mumbai, but not surprising. The sero-survey in Delhi had found 23 per cent of
the sampled people to be carrying novel Coronavirus-specific anti-bodies,
showing that they would have been infected at some point or the other. In
Mumbai, about 40 per cent of the sampled group was found to be infected. The
sero-surveys in Delhi and Mumbai were carried out a few weeks earlier, and
therefore, the disease spread in the population could actually have been a little
lower at that time.
Australia to manufacture coronavirus
vaccine, will give free doses to citizens: PM
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/australia-to-manufacture-coronavirus-vaccine-will-give-free-doses-to-citizens-says-pm-scott-morrison/story-9EtshGgB1tvD2lQM8bRovN.html
Australia has secured access to a “promising”
coronavirus vaccine, the prime minister announced Tuesday, saying the country
would manufacture it and offer free doses to the entire population.Prime
Minister Scott Morrison said Australia had reached a deal with Swedish-British
pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to receive the Covid-19 vaccine it is
developing with Oxford University.“If this vaccine proves successful we will
manufacture and supply vaccines straight away under our own steam and make it
free for 25 million Australians,” he said.
Argentina: Protesters call on gov't to ease
lockdown
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/argentina-covid-19-protesters-call-govt-ease-lockdown-200818092442610.html
Parts of Argentina's capital have been brought to a
standstill by protesters calling for an end to months of coronavirus
restrictions.The Latin American nation has been under lockdown for more than
150 days, but still has one of the highest rates of infection in the world.
*WORLD*
Israel: No policy change on US arms sales to
UAE
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/israel-policy-change-arms-sales-united-arab-emirates-200818065531453.html
Israel has not softened its opposition to any
American arms sales to UAE that could diminish its military superiority as part
of a US-brokered normalisation of their ties,PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office
said.The statement followed a report in Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper
that Trump administration planned a "giant" sale of advanced F-35
jets to UAE as part of the Gulf country's move last week to normalise ties with
Israel.Under understandings dating back decades, Washington has refrained from
Middle East arms sales that could blunt Israel's "qualitative military
edge". This has applied to F-35, denied to Arab states, while Israel has
bought and deployed it."In the talks [on UAE normalisation deal], Israel
did not change its consistent positions against the sale to any country in the
Middle East of weapons and defence technologies that could tip [military]
balance," Netanyahu's office said.
US’ Kushner: Saudi will benefit from
relations with Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-us-kushner-saudi-will-benefit-from-relations-with-israel/
US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jared
Kushner claims it would be in Saudi Arabia’s economic interest to normalise
ties with Israel as UAE has agreed to do.“It would be very good for Saudi
business, it would very good for Saudi’s defense, and, quite frankly, I think
it would also help the Palestinian people,” said Kushner.The UAE and Israel
announced a US-brokered peace deal last week which would see the two establish
diplomatic, trade and commercial ties.According to the agreement, Israel would
halt its plans to annex portions of the West Bank from Palestinians, although
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the plans remained “on the table”.
Israel expert: Muhammad Dahlan is main
beneficiary of UAE-Israel deal
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-israel-expert-muhammad-dahlan-is-main-beneficiary-of-uae-israel-deal/
Yoni Ben-Menachem, ex Israeli officer in the
Military Intelligence Service – Aman, expects dismissed Fatah member, Muhammad
Dahlan, to benefit the most as a result of UAE’s normalisation deal with Israel.“The
normalisation agreement between UAE and Israel opens the door for Dahlan’s
return to Palestinian arena, and renews his attempts to assume the position of
the Palestinian Authority president, which may pave the way for talking about
the end of the political alliance between Dahlan and Hamas, and the
establishment of strongholds for him in West Bank, waiting for the appropriate
time to return to Ramallah,”Ben-Menachem wrote in an article published on News
One news site.
Israel court releases BDS activist Mahmoud
Nawajaa
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-israel-court-releases-bds-activist-mahmoud-nawajaa/
An Israeli court yesterday released that Mahmoud
Nawajaa, the general coordinator of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Movement (BDS) in Palestine should be released. Addameer Prisoner Support and
Human Rights Association said in a press statement that the Salem Military
Court, in the northern occupied West Bank, released Nawajaa without
condition.Nawajaa was arrested from his home in Ramallah on 30 July and charged
with belonging to an illegal party and providing services to it, according to
Addameer.
Palestine PM: Netanyahu’s remarks about
‘peace for peace’ an illusion
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-palestine-pm-netanyahus-remarks-about-peace-for-peace-an-illusion/
Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Mohammed Shtayyeh
slammed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about “peace for peace” in
reference to UAE-Israel normalisation deal.Speaking to his cabinet, Shtayyeh
said: “The centre of the conflict is the land. Which peace is Netanyahu
seeking? Any peace must be built on the basis of the withdrawal from the
Palestinian lands occupied in 1967.”He added: “Netanyahu’s remarks about peace
for peace are a kind of illusion. The principle that peace is achieved through
power does not make peace. Peace must be achieved based on logic, justice and
international legitimacy.”
Gaza's lone power plant shuts down amid
tensions with Israel
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/gaza-lone-power-plant-shuts-tensions-israel-200818100514633.html
Gaza's lone power plant has shut down, less than a
week after Israel suspended fuel shipments to the Palestinian enclave over the
launching of incendiary balloons that caused brush fires in southern
Israel.Gaza, run by Hamas, relies on Israel for most of its energy needs. Its
population of two million currently receives about six hours of electricity
followed by a 10-hour power cut."The power feed may now decline to only
four hours [per day]," said Mohammad Thabet, an official at Gaza's main
power distribution company, after fuel ran out at the plant.Gaza homes and
businesses rely on generators to make up for the lengthy power cuts, increasing
the financial pressure on its largely impoverished people.
Controversial UAE cleric apologises to
Israelis for past remarks
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-controversial-uae-cleric-apologises-to-israelis-for-past-remarks/
An Emirati preacher of Jordanian origin, Wasim
Yousef, has apologised to Israelis for hateful remarks issued by him in the
past.“When I saw some Palestinians burn my country’s flag because of the peace
treaty with Israel, I decided to apologise to every Israeli man if I had
offended him in the past,” Yousef wrote on Twitter.“The Emirati people were so
happy with the agreement [for normalisation with Israel], they forgot about the
coronavirus pandemic,” Yousef claimed, adding that “the Palestinian Authority,
Hamas, Fatah and [Islamic] Jihad have been trading in the Palestinian cause for
70 years, and now time has come for peace and an end to the death dealers and
thieves of money and donations.”Yousef’s tweets sparked widespread controversy,
especially after he claimed that the conflict between Arabs and Israel is
purely religious.
UN-backed court: Hezbollah leadership not
involved in Hariri murder
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-un-backed-court-hezbollah-leadership-not-involved-in-hariri-murder/
There is no evidence that the leadership of the
Iran-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah, or the Syrian government, were
involved in the 2005 bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic
Hariri, Reuters reported a judge saying today. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon
is reading the verdict in the trial of four Hezbollah members charged with
conspiracy to kill Hariri and 21 others.“The trial chamber is of the view that
Syria and Hezbollah may have had motives to eliminate Mr Hariri and his
political allies, however there is no evidence that the Hezbollah leadership
had any involvement in Mr. Hariri’s murder and there is no direct evidence of
Syrian involvement,” said Judge David Re, reading a summary of court’s 2,600
page decision. However, according to the Jerusalem Post, the tribunal will
likely convict three senior Hezbollah members – one of whom is deceased, and
acquit two other Hezbollah officials. The paper named the men as Salim Ayyash,
Hussein Hassab Oneissi and Mustafa Amine Badreddine.
Turkey and Qatar sign military cooperation
deal with Libya government
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200818-turkey-and-qatar-sign-military-cooperation-deal-with-libya-government/
Turkey and Qatar have signed a tripartite deal with
the Libyan government for military cooperation, in a new development set to
enhance the government’s defence against the forces of Khalifa Haftar.The
agreement, which was announced by Libya’s Deputy Defence Minister Salam
Al-Namroush yesterday, will establish military facilities and training
programmes within the country. This cooperation will include Qatar’s funding of
military training centres and the establishment of a trilateral coordination
centre and Turkish naval base in the city of Misrata. Consultation will also be
provided to Libyan govt forces as part of the agreement.
More state-controlled firms join strike
against Belarus president
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/state-controlled-firms-join-strike-belarus-president-200818113145275.html
More state-controlled companies and factories have
joined the strike in Belarus, turning up the pressure on President Alexander
Lukashenko to step down after winning an election they say was rigged.Tuesday's
walkouts strengthened the strike that began on Monday, encompassing several
large tractor factories in Minsk, a huge potash factory in Soligorsk that
accounts for one-fifth of the world's potash fertilizer output and is the
nation's top cash earner, state television and the country's most prominent
theatre. The development marked 10th day of unprecedented mass protests against
election results that handed Lukashenko his sixth term with 80 percent of the
votes, while his top challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya apparently only received
10 percent.
UK's lead role in 1953 Iran coup d'etat
exposed
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/uk-lead-role-1953-iran-coup-exposed-200818072007050.html
A recently discovered transcript of an interview
with a British intelligence officer who played a leading role in the 1953 coup
that restored powers to the shah of Iran claims that Britain was the driving
force behind the overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh.On the
anniversary of UK-US-led coup d'etat that removed Iran's democratically elected
leader, an interview with Norman Darbyshire - head of the MI6 spy agency's
"Persia" station in Cyprus at the time - was published. In his
account, Darbyshire said Britain had convinced the US to take part in the coup.
Darbyshire's comments came from an interview with the creators of an episode of
1985 British series End of Empire. His interview was not used directly in the
programme, as he did not want to appear on camera.The transcript, long
forgotten, was recently unearthed during the making of a new documentary called
Coup 53, scheduled for release on Wednesday, the 67th anniversary of the
coup.Darbyshire died in 1993. The transcript of his interview was published on
Monday by the National Security Archive at George Washington University in the US.
*views, Articles,
FEATURES*
India’s geopolitical interests are in close
alignment with moderate Arab centre:C. Raja Mohan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-arab-gulf-countries-middle-east-relations-c-raja-mohan-6558876/
indian express Explained Ideas: Why New
Delhi must stand up for Arab sovereignty
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-gulf-arab-ties-c-raja-mohan-6559161/
India’s double standard for apps: Ban all
apps that take data out of nation, irrespective of country of origin:Prabir
Purakayastha/IPA
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/indias-double-standard-for-apps-ban-all-apps-that-take-data-out-of-nation-irrespective-of-country-of-origin
Compiled
and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:14 PM)
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