Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Five arrested for assaulting boy who refused to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'
Police today arrested five youths who allegedly beat up and fractured the arm of an 18-year-old boy after forcing him to chant "Jai Mata Ki" at a park in outer Delhi's Begumpur area.
The accused have been identified as Aditya, Sagar, Karamjit, Sachit and Anshu, all aged between 20 and 25 years.
They have been booked under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation), DCP (Outer) Vikramjit Singh said.
The police maintained that there were inconsistencies in the statements of the complainant and they had to wait for a medical opinion on his X-ray reports before registering a case.
Nowhere in the police complaint has the boy mentioned about being forced to say "Bharat Mata ki Jai".
In his complaint, the victim, Mohammad Dilkash, told police that the incident took place on March 26 when he was sitting in a park with two of his friends Ajmal and Naeem near their madrasa in Bhajanpura. Another group of five persons was also sitting nearby and consuming alcohol.
Suddenly, a boy, who was known to Dilkash, from the other group, came closer and allegedly slapped him. Soon, remaining four members of the group also approached Dilkash and his friends. They threatened them saying "if they want to live, they must say Jai Mata Ki," the complaint read.
Dilkash claimed that he and his friends obeyed the orders and repeated the religious chant, but the group still beat them up with bamboo sticks.
According to police, some locals called up the police control room, following which Dilkash and his friends were taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rohini for medico-legal counselling.
The doctors there found "no fresh external injuries" on Ajmal and Naeem, but Dilkash was sent for X-ray after he complained of severe pain on his left forearm.
The fracture in his arm was confirmed by X-ray report which the police again sent for a medical opinion.
Meanwhile, an official privy to the investigation said that during interrogation the accused have claimed that a scuffle broke out between them and the three boys but rejected the allegation that they forced them to chant any religious slogan.
The police also claimed that the boy did not mention about the part of the incident wherein they were forced to chant "Jai Mata Ki". After he later added it in the statement, the case was registered yesterday.
Wakf boards should perform or they will be dissolved: Najma
Taking a serious view of grabbing of Wakf land at various places, the government today sent out a strong warning to Wakf boards, saying they should perform or they would be dissolved.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla also suggested "blackening" the face of a Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA for allegedly encroaching Waqf properties in Bhopal.
Addressing inaugural session of 'National Conference of Chairpersons and CEOs of State Waqf Boards' here, she asked representatives of Madhya Pradesh Waqf board to organise protest against legislator Arif Aqueel for allegedly grabbing Waqf properties worth Rs 500 crore.
The Minister noted "some board members" have encroached upon properties of boards in different states and made a strong pitch for action against them.
She expressed anguish over representatives of Waqf boards from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and poll-bound Assam not turning up for the conference and accused them of lacking "interest and seriousness" towards issues concerning the communities.
"If any Waqf board is not performing then I will recommend its dissolution. I will ask Chief Ministers of state governments to form new Waqf boards as the existing ones are not performing," she said.
Responding to complaints made by a representative of Meghalaya, the minister said, "If you (state boards representatives) have problems with state governments, let me know. There is nothing to be afraid of."
During the meeting, Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board chairman Shaukat Mohammed Khan accused Aqueel, also a member of the state board, of encroaching upon 34 acre Waqf property. Khan claimed the Bhopal property costs over Rs 500 crore and asked the Centre to press state government for action against the MLA.
Responding to the same, Heptulla asked Khan to give his complaint in writing and assured she will take up the matter with state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
"See, let me tell you. There are several ways (of dealing against those encroaching/grabbing on properties). One is legal option and the other is Gandhian way.
"How many of you have gone there and staged dharna? How many of you staged agitation? This belongs to our communities.
These (properties) are our heritage. Why don't you organise people, (against) this man's encroachment? His face should be blackened before public for he has grabbed property worth Rs 500 crore," she said.
The Minister asked representative of different boards to "agitate" against wrongdoings and "speak up" on issues troubling them so that solution can be worked out.
Need to recognise 'serious problem' of 'radical Islam': Trump
Republican presidential front- runner Donald Trump has said he wants to protect the rights of of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and other minority groups in the US but asserted that there was a need to recognise the "very serious problem" of "radical Islam" at the same time.
"I want to do that also, and I do want to do that, but I at the same time we have to recognise we have a serious problem (with regard to Islamic fundamentalism)," Trump said during a CNN town hall when asked about protecting the rights of minority groups like Muslims, Sikhs, Jews and others inside the United States.
The question in this regard was asked by Lt (rtd) Brian Murphy, who was the first the officer to report to Gurdwara massacre in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in 2012. At the risk of his life, he had saved a number of Sikhs. He was shot at 15 times.
"In Milwaukee, you heard about the Sikh temple shooting.
Six people were killed. 99 per cent of the men in the United States who wear turbans are actually Sikh and not Muslim. How would you suggest we help educate the public and not alienate these groups and, at the same time, how do we protect the constitutional rights of minority groups like the Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, and Jews, while still addressing radical Islamization?" Murphy asked Trump during the town hall.
Trump responded to the question from Lt Murphy, saying, "We have a tremendous problem with radical Islam whether we like it or we don't. We have a president who won't talk about it,"
"When I called for the temporary banning (Muslims), we have to look at it. We have a serious problem, I think you'll admit that, Brian. We have a very, very serious problem with radical Islam, and if we don't want to discuss it, and if we don't want to look at it, we're never going to solve the problem," the 69-year-old real estate tycoon said.
"We have to be extremely strong with ISIS. We have to wipe ISIS off the face of the Earth so fast and so violently we have no choice. We have no choice," Trump said in response to the question.
The United States, he said, needs to be very vigilant.
"Very smart, and frankly, Brian, we have to be very tough because it's only going to get worse," he said.
Trump argued that thousands of people were being allowed into the country over short periods of time coming "supposedly from Syria".
"We have no idea who they are, we have no idea where is their paperwork. They have no paperwork; they have no identification. They're coming into this country and it's going to be a big, big problem," he argued.
"We have to be extremely vigilant in those areas, we have to look very seriously at the Mosques. Lots of things happening in the Mosques, that's been proven. You look at what's going on in Paris where Mosques are being closed, OK? And, we have to look very, very seriously," Trump said.
Nationalism is in the DNA of country's Muslims: Naqvi
Amid media reports claiming three Madrassa students were beaten for allegedly not chanting 'Bharat Mata ki jai', Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said giving the slogan is "not a fashion, but passion" and stressed nationalism is in the DNA of country's Muslims.
"I was watching (news) on television, someone said 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and he was beaten. See, understand one thing. 'Bharat Mata ki jai' is not a fashion, but a passion.
"This is not a compulsion, but passion. Because of this (the controversies) real issues go on back burner, while such issues dominate," the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Naqvi rued.
He maintained that there is no doubt that Muslims in the country are patriotic and said nationalism is in the DNA of the community.
"Nationalism is in the DNA of Muslims of this country. No matter how many DNA tests you conduct, you will find only nationalism in them," Naqvi added.
While addressing valedictory session of National Conference of Chairpersons and CEOs of state waqf boards here, Naqvi urged the boards to work towards "wiping out" perception that some of them were being "controlled" by mafias and also assured the state authorities that Centre will fund their activities of empowering the communities.
In a statement issued later, Naqvi said patriotism is the "first duty" of every religion and that there no need for distributing certificates of nationalism and secularism.
"Nationalism is in the DNA of every true Indian. But it is a matter of concern if there is any baseless debate on patriotism and nationalism and if some people are raising questions even on the issue of nationalism," he said.
The Minister said members of Waqf boards to clear confusion among people that some of the boards are controlled by mafias and for this, he suggested, the members to work by getting out of their offices.
He stated that there are 31 state waqf boards and 4,27,000 registered waqf properties across the country besides other non-registered properties.
"There is a misconception about waqf boards that these are under controls of mafias. There are some waqf boards on which mafias have direct or indirect control. There is only way to wipe out this conception, we can't wipe it out sitting in office," he said.
He also advised state board members to seek help of Central Waqf Council members in this regard. .
Telangana govt promises drought relief measures
Telangana government today promised to take concrete measures to provide relief to people from drought conditions prevailing in the state.
Funds would be no constraint in taking drought-relief measures, including providing drinking water to all habitations, IT and Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao said during a debate in the Assembly.
The government is also ready to provide funds from the Special Development Fund (Rs 4,675 crores earmarked in the Budget), he said.
He urged the MLAs to allocate funds from their constituency development fund which has now been raised to Rs three crore.
Agriculture Minister P Srinivasa Reddy said the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan committee on agriculture, including raising the minimum support price (MSP), should be implemented.
Congress members T Jeevan Reddy, K Venkata Reddy, TDP floor leader A Revanth Reddy and others demanded the government initiate measures for waiving taxes in the drought-hit areas, appointment of ministers and IAS officers as in-charges to oversee drought-relief measures.
The debate also saw a war of words between the treasury benches and the Opposition.
Srinivasa Reddy alleged that N Chandrababu Naidu, who was earlier Chief Minister in undivided Andhra Pradesh, did not relent on privatisation of state-run Nizam Sugars, despite his pleas as a member of the latter's Cabinet.
Reddy claimed that during a meeting on the issue, Naidu hit him on the thigh and that his skin turned red.
However, he also said that Naidu, apologised to him on the matter and tried to cool him down.
Congress MLA Jeevan Reddy and Revanth Reddy asked why did Srinivasa Reddy continue as a minister when he did not agree with Naidu.
Srinivasa hit back saying why did Congress MLAs continue in their posts when the then Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy allegedly said he would not even give a rupee to Telangana.
As the heated atmosphere continued, Speaker S Madhusudanachary adjourned the House briefly. When it resumed, the debate continued.
Rohith Vemula issue: JNU students request Prez to take action
The slogans of azaadi again filled the air in Delhi as hundreds of students and teachers marched towards Rashtrapati Bhawan here today to request the President to take action against the Vice Chancellor of Hyderabad university.
The protest march organised by Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Social Justice-Delhi Chapter, which began from Mandi House was halted by police near Jantar Mantar where the students held a meeting to express solidarity with the HCU students.
Addressing the gathering, JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, who is out on bail in a sedition case, appealed to students to continue their fight for "social justice".
"The condition in HCU is worse that what we saw in JNU. I personally saw that. I therefore appeal you to continue your struggle and express solidarity with HCU students only then will we be able to achieve the social justice we are aiming for," said Kumar.
The demonstrators appealed to President Pranab Mukherjee requesting him to take action against police clampdown in HCU.
"The President is the visiting officer of the Central universities in India and so he should to take a stand in this case (HCU). He will have to answer if he is willing to take action against those responsible for what-all is happening there. He should answer if he is willing to stand for with Rohith's mother," said JNUSU's General Secretary Rama Naga.
"Many efforts are being made to break our solidarity.
Students are being deprived of basic amenities in HCU. You can cut off food supplies but you cannot cut off our solidarity," he added.
A group of students, who were opposing Appa Rao Podile's return as the VC after a two-month leave following the row over Vemula's suicide, had allegedly vandalised the VC's official residence and pelted stones on police.
Later, the police lathi charged them and arrested the 25 students, besides the two faculty members, who were later released on bail.
Extending their support to the HCU students, the demonstrators in Delhi raised slogans for "azaadi" from "Brahmanwad, Manuwad and Sanghwad", and demanded that HCU's VC be removed from his post.
JNU students have been agitating in the national capital in connection with the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula who was found hanging at the Hyderabad Central University's hostel room on January 17. .
HCA students write to Prez, seek VC's sacking
Students' Union of University of Hyderabad (UoHSU) today sought President Pranab Mukherjee's immediate intervention to resolve issues related to the varsity, that is in limelight post-suicide by a Dalit scholar, and ensure sacking of Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile.
UoHSU President Zuhail K P shot off a letter to Mukherjee drawing his attention to prevailing "tension" in the campus and alleged lapses of the Rao-led administration in handling the suicide case of Dalit research scholar Rohit Vemula in January.
"We would like to inform about the prevailing tension in the campus. Prof Appa Rao Podile is an accused in the case of Rohit Vemula's suicide. The two-member fact finding committee appointed by the MHRD to investigate the disciplinary action on five Dalit research scholars (including Rohit), which led to the suicide of Rohit, pointed out that the university administration under VC Appa Rao has mishandled the case," Zuhail said in the letter.
The report pointed out several gaps in the procedures followed by the VC in deciding the punishment (against students). Moreover, Appa Rao has been booked under the SC/ST (Prevent of Atrocities) Act and for abetment to suicide, Zuhail said.
The High Court did not grant him bail or any other interim relief till date. The Judicial Commission formed to ascertain the facts of this case is still probing the matter.
Rao, instead of waiting for the Commission's report, "showed utter contempt" to the judicial process by cancelling his leave and resuming office on March 22, Zuhail said.
On March 22, the students, upon learning that Rao was back from leave, marched to his residence and protested against his resumption of office, arguing as VC he may tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.
"Hence, the students demanded that he must stay away for a free and fair inquiry in the case. But he misused the powers of office of Vice Chancellor and unleashed brutal violence on the protesting students," Zuhail alleged.
"Until now his involvement in the case of Rohit Vemula was the reason for us to demand his resignation. Now his treatment of the students after resuming office and creating panic, chaos and destructive environment in campus put a question mark on his capability to administer the university."
"We request your immediate intervention as the Visitor of University of Hyderabad to sack Appa Rao from the post of Vice-Chancellor and restore peace in the university and prevent further damage to its image," Zuhail said in the letter.
Cong to stay away from audio-visual presentation in Tel House
Congress in Telangana today said it will not attend the audio-visual presentation on irrigation projects to be made in the Legislative Assembly tomorrow by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao as it would be "against standard Parliamentary practices".
"We would not be able to attend if the audio-visual presentation is held in the Assembly because it is against the standard and traditional parliamentary practices followed in Parliament or any Assembly in India," Congress Legislature Party (CLP) members said in a letter to Speaker S Madhusudanachary.
They said there is no precedent in Parliament or any Assembly in the country wherein a debate is initiated on the basis of the audio-visual presentation.
"This is unhealthy precedent because if all the members wish to speak only through audio-visual presentation on any subject in the house, it would be against present Parliamentary practices.
"If the Chief Minister wishes to make a audio-visual presentation, we request him to do the same either in Committee Hall in the Assembly or in the Secretariat or elsewhere," they said.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Pakistan is a very, very vital problem: Trump
A nuclear-armed Pakistan is a "very very vital problem", Republican presidential front- runner Donald Trump has said and asserted that the country needs to "get a hold of" its situation.
"Pakistan is a very, very vital problem and really vital country for us because they have a thing called nuclear weapons. They have to get a hold of their situation," Trump told CNN during a town hall in Wisconsin, where the Republican presidential primary is scheduled for April 5.
"When I see that and when I see it put in a park because it was mostly Christians, although many others were killed other than Christians, I think it's just absolutely a horrible story," he said referring to the terrorist attack in Lahore on Easter Sunday that claimed 74 lives and injured over 300 others.
"I'm talking about radical Islamic terrorism. I will solve it far better than anybody else running," Trump said in response to a question.
A large number of people were present at the crowded Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park of Allama Iqbal Town in Lahore when a powerful blast took place on Sunday. A large number of Christian families were present in the park due to Easter Sunday.
The brutal attack by a suicide bomber -- believed to be in his 20s -- was claimed by the Jamaatul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
MIM leader arrested for 'obstructing' govt work in UP
The district president of Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM was today arrested for "obstructing" government work and alleged misbehaviour with a power department team.
A case was lodged against Shahzad Khan, district head of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, and others, for misbehaving with the power department team which had gone to check electricity connection in Tutipira village on March 14, additional superintendent of police Kamlesh Dixit said.
Telugu Desam Party turns 34
Telugu Desam Party national president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu extended greetings to its cadre as the outfit turned 34 today.
It was on this day in 1982 that Telugu screen idol Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao founded the party with the motto of upholding "Telugu pride and self-respect" before going on to create history by sweeping to power in a record nine months.
Chandrababu hoisted the party flag at NTR Bhavan and later visited NTR Ghat and paid homage to the TDP founder-president.
"TDP's birth was historic. The party has faced many challenges and ups and downs in its 34-year journey, but we bravely withstood everything and have remained a strong force," he told the party rank and file at NTR Bhavan.
The ordinary workers have always been the backbone of TDP and it is because of their "relentless efforts" that the party has stood strong, he noted.
The TDP chief recalled the important milestones in the party's journey and said the late NTR would forever remain in the hearts of the people, particularly the downtrodden. He declared that TDP would continue to strive for the welfare of all Telugu people.
AP Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa, state ministers, Telangana TDP president L Ramana and senior party leaders Motkupalli Narasimhulu and Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy were among those present on the occasion.
HCU faculty members go on mass casual leave
Protesting against the "unprecedented situation" prevailing on the Hyderabad Central University campus, nearly 50 SC/ST faculty forum members today went on a one-day mass casual leave even as varsity authorities said the classes were functioning normally.
About 50 faculty members of the HCU went on a mass casual leave in protest against the "unprecedented situation" prevailing on the campus arising out of a series of "human rights violations", following the protests by students on March 22 (the day Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile resumed his duty), said a release from convener, SC/ST Faculty Forum and Concerned Teachers.
However, HCU Registrar M Sudhakar told PTI, "Classes are going on...they are functioning normally."
On the one-day mass leave call given by some faculty members, the registrar said, "We have not officially received any letter from them."
"The police resorted to an unwarranted and disproportionate show of force on the protesting students and neutral bystanders. Many students and two faculty members have been arrested and there is the threat of more arrests. An unwarranted beating up of the protesters continued even after their arrests," the release said.
"Against all this and against continued denial of justice to Rohith Vemula and other suspended students, we, the SC/ST Faculty Forum and concerned faculty members of the University of Hyderabad, are going on a mass casual leave today," it said.
The Joint Action Committee for Social Justice of HCU appealed to the students to use blue ribbons as a means of protest, declaration and reminder of the fact that "our fight is still on" while going about classes, labs and other activities.
"We appeal to the students, faculty of University of Hyderabad, to resume their academic activities and classes alongside the protests," the JAC said.
It also demanded the HCU administration to drop all charges and withdraw all cases filed against the students and faculty members.
They further demanded immediate removal and arrest of Appa Rao under Prevention of Atrocities Act and demilitarisation of the campus and introduction of Rohith Act.
A local court had yesterday granted bail to 25 students and two faculty members of HCU arrested in connection with violence on the campus on March 22.
Tel: Legislators' salaries set to double as House passes bill
The salaries and allowances of MLAs and MLCs in Telangana are set for a more than two-fold hike as the Assembly today passed a bill in this regard.
The passage of Telangana Payment of Salaries and Pension and Removal of Disqualifications (Amendment) Bill-2016 came close on the heels of the Committee on Amenities of the Telangana Legislature unanimously deciding to recommend to enhance the salary and other allowances on March 21.
It is estimated that the hike would cause a recurring expenditure of Rs 42.67 crores per annum, according to the Financial Memorandum in the Bill.
The legislators' gross salary would now go up to Rs 2.30 lakh per month from the present Rs 95,000 per month (including allowances), chief whip Koppula Eswar earlier told PTI.
A pension of Rs 30,000 has also been proposed for ex-legislators.
Legislature Affairs Minister T Harish Rao, who moved the Bill, said the hike is being made as per requests made to the government in last one-and-half year by MLAs and MLCs.
Observing that the hike is necessary for people like him who came from humble back ground, Congress member Sampath Kumar said his party welcomed the bill.
BJP member Ch Ramachandra Reddy also sought a hike in the vehicle loan.
Noting that economic dynamics have undergone a sea change over the years, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the legislators have to bear costs for attending a number of meetings of the government, zilla parishad and others and on taking care of number of visitors everyday.
They also have to bear the costs involved in travelling within the constituency, to the district headquarters and also the state capital city, he said.
Referring to the debate in media on salary hike for MLAs and MLCs, Rao also made an appeal to the mediapersons to understand the prevailing situation.
The estimated expenditure of Rs 42 crores does not constitute even the perceptible percentage of the state budget (of more than Rs one lakh crore), he said.
AP Assembly congratulates makers of 'Baahubali', 'Kanche'
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly today congratulated the entire units of Telugu films "Baahubali" and "Kanche" that won the National Best Film and Best Regional Film awards.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved a resolution in the Assembly hailing the makers, actors and technicians of both the films.
"'Baahubali' enhanced the glory of Telugu films internationally. Directors S S Rajamouli ('Baahubali') and Krish ('Kanche') proved that Telugus are second to none in making high quality films with great technical values," Naidu said.
Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao wished many more such films would be made in future that would enhance the glory of the Telugus.
The House adopted the resolution congratulating the teams of "Baahubali" and "Kanche".
India has many match winners, won't focus on Virat only: Gayle
Swashbuckling West Indies opener Chris Gayle today conceded that India would start as favourites in the World T20 semifinal showdown here on Thursday as the home side have "many match-winners" but warned that the Caribbeans would also be plotting for an upset win.
Talking to reporters after the West Indies team's practice session at the Brabourne stadium here, Gayle said that his side will also not focus only on Virat Kohli, who has been in sublime form in the tournament, but on the Indian team as a whole.
"India have come back with three wins after being one down. There have the momentum, there is no doubt about that and a lot of confidence coming into the semifinal game as well. It is very difficult to pinpoint one particular player in the Indian team. It is a very good all-round team, good fielding team as well," Gayle said.
"That's why India are the favourites. It is always going to be difficult to beat them here. But like I said, West Indies are ready for an upset," he added.
Kohli has single-handedly won two crucial matches for India -- against Pakistan and Australia -- and Gayle heaped praise on the star Indian batsman but said that the Caribbeans would also be wary on other home team players.
"No surprise there. I have said it over the years he (Virat) is going to be the world beater he is today. He has been fantastic right through the year. He is in good form and it is a good wicket (at Wankhede) as well, so anything is possible. We have to play to the situation accordingly, play within our strength and actually take it from there.
"We are not going to focus on only Virat, there are so many match-winners there and anyone of them can actually fire on any particular day. It is a huge team India, their batting line-up is superb. They have so many match-winners, like our team as well, we have a lot of match-winners too, it is not always going to be about me," said Gayle.
Gayle, who scored a record-breaking hundred against England, said he would wish that Kohli does not fire in the semifinal match.
"Virat is the man that stands out at this point in time.
Hopefully he won't get runs against us. I am hoping, please don't fire, Virat. He can still get runs but for a losing cause. We'll be happy with that as well," Gayle said in a lighter vein.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Serious extremism, terrorism problem in Pakistan: US
There is a "serious extremism and terrorism problem" in Pakistan, the US has said, a day after a Taliban suicide bombing in Lahore killed over 70 people and wounded more than 300, including many women and children.
"There is a serious extremism and terrorism problem inside of Pakistan. The Pakistani government understands that," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday.
"The US has certainly been supportive and encouraging of the Pakistani government as they have considered the steps necessary to combat that extremist threat.
"This terrorist attack that we saw in this park over the weekend is grotesque and chilling. But unfortunately, it is not the only effort that we have seen on part of extremists in a large-scale way, to carry out an atrocity against a large group of innocent people, including children," he said.
Earnest said that it was just a year and a half or so ago when the Taliban terrorists attacked a Peshawar school, killing 151 people mostly school students.
"So that is an indication that there continues to be a serious problem and the US will continue to support the Pakistani government as they try to confront and combat that extremist element within their own country," Earnest said.
He said the US condemns in the strongest possible terms this terror attack at a children's park in Lahore on Sunday.
"The other thing is indicative of what we talk about up here quite a bit is that even though this terror attack was targeted at Christians, a religious minority in Pakistan - again, that is in and of itself grotesque, but the fact of the matter is that based on the names that we are seeing now, the majority of the victims were actually Muslims," Earnest said.
"It demonstrates how important it is for the world to come together to fight this kind of extremism. As a purely practical matter, that is also what is going to be required, and our success in fighting extremism around the globe is going to also depend on the ability of individual nations to fight extremism within their borders.
"Certainly, the government of Pakistan understands this today, just how critically important that is," Earnest said.
The US and Pakistan have an important counterterrorism relationship. The Obama administration certainly values the kind of cooperation that it has received from them, he said.
"In this instance, the response and the investigation will be conducted by the Pakistani government and if they request assistance from the US, it will be provided," Earnest added.
At least 72 people including 29 children were killed in the Taliban suicide bombing at a park during Easter celebration in Lahore on Sunday.
Missing Indian confirmed dead in Brussels
An Infosys employee from Bengaluru, missing since the deadly bombings in Brussels, was among those killed in the terror attack last week.
The Indian Embassy in Brussels and the Ministry of External Affairs here confirmed the death of Raghavendran Ganeshan in the March 22 assault on the Belgian capital.
"The Belgian authorities have identified Raghavendran as one of the victims of the barbaric terror attacks of March 22," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
He said Ganeshan was a victim of the blast that took place in the metro at Maelbeek station in Brussels.
The Indian Embassy in Brussels said the mortal remains of Raghavendran are being handed over to his family for being taken to India.
"Mortal remains are in process of being handed to family of Raghavendran, to be taken to India from Amsterdam airport," the Embassy tweeted.
Swarup said, "If they are able to make it, the body accompanied by family, would be on flight from Amsterdam to Chennai via the Gulf tonight or tomorrow morning with Jet (airline) to India."
Ganeshan was missing in Brussels since the deadly terror attacks.
"RIP Raghvendran ! We offer our deepest condolences 2 the family and friends," the Indian Embassy tweeted.
The Infosys condoled death of Ganeshan and said it will provide all possible support to the family.
"It is with deep regret that we confirm the passing of our colleague Raghavendran Ganeshan in the terrible attack in Brussels. Our thoughts and prayers are with Raghavendran's family and with those who were injured or lost a loved one in these attacks.
"We will continue to provide all possible support to his family in this hour of grief. We would request the privacy of Raghavendran's family during this difficult time," an Infosys spokesperson said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had last week said the Indian Embassy in Brussels was making all efforts to trace Ganeshan.
Infosys thanked the Belgian and Indian authorities for their support over the past few days.
At least 35 people were killed and over 300 were injured in the attacks at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station.
SC seeks report from Centre on Uniform Civil Code
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to file before it the report of a committee which was constituted earlier to look into the aspects of personal laws relating to marriage, divorce and custody prevalent in various religious minorities, including Muslims. This is seen as a step closer to evolving a uniform civil code for the country. A bench comprising Chief justice T S Thakur and Justice U U Lalit asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to submit the report within six weeks in the court.
The bench also asked the Ministry of Minority Affairs to file its response to the petition filed by one Shayara Bano challenging the constitutionality of Muslim practices of polygamy, triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat) and nikah halala. The petitioner has also challenged the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, saying that it fails to provide Indian Muslim women with protection from bigamy.
Meanwhile, the bench directed the apex court registry to make available within six weeks the copy of judicial records of a petition on the issue. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had sought response of the Centre on Bano's plea challenging constitutionality of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937.
Islam to continue as state religion in Bangladesh
A top Bangladeshi court today rejected a 28-year-old petition seeking removal of Islam as the state religion of the Muslim-majority nation, a provision added in the constitution by a former military dictator in 1988.
"The petitioners do not have the locus standi (the right to appear in a court with the petition)," ruled a special bench of Justice Naima Haider, Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque, and Justice Ashraful Kamal.
The bench rejected the petition filed by 15 distinguished Bangladeshis immediately after Islam was declared as the state religion in 1988 by then military-ruler General H M Ershad under the Eighth Amendment Bill.
Today's ruling comes nearly a month after Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha constituted the three-member bench as the legal initiative to drop Islam as Bangladesh's state religion was revived in a belated but routine course.
Ten of the 15 petitioners including a former chief justice and several secular academics and writers died since they filed the petition forming a grouping called "committee to oppose autocracy and religious communalism".
Court officials said the bench was expected to come up with the detailed verdict in writing later but in its brief judgement the bench rejected the writ saying the petitioners did not have the locus standi since they had filed it as an organisation and not as individuals to justify their personal grievances against the provision.
On March 1 the bench had asked the grouping to explain if they had the right to challenge the legality of Article 2A of the Constitution that declares Islam as the state religion.
Several legal experts said the writ was filed as a public interest litigation case, which requires individuals instead of organisations to seek court ruling to address their personal grievances.
Today's ruling came as the country's largest Islamist party - Jamaat-e-Islami - called a nationwide strike to protest the legal move. Over 90 per cent of the population is Muslim, with Hindus and Buddhists the main minorities.
Several thousand ultra right Muslims staged a protest on Friday here to denounce the writ. Qawmi madrasa-based group Hifazat-e-Islam has been threatening to bring Bangladesh to its knees if the court repealed Islam as the state religion.
After the ruling, one of the petitioners Subrata Chowdhury said they were "very disappointed" by the High Court order and would think about appealing against the verdict before the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party in 2011 amended the constitution with its overwhelming majority in parliament bringing back "secularism" as a pillar of the constitution, but retained Islam as the state religion.
After its independence, Bangladesh adopted "secularism" as one of the four state policies in the constitution. But the subsequent military ruler Ziaur Rahman scraped the provision replacing it with the principle of "absolute faith in one Allah" while his successor Ershad incorporated an additional provision declaring Islam as the state religion.
SP, BJP two sides of same coin: Asad Owaisi
AIMIM party chief Asaduddin Owaisi today attacked BJP and Samajwadi Party, terming them as "two sides of the same coin" and alleged while RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has been given liberty to hold meetings here, a ban had been imposed on him.
The Hyderabad MP said his party considered SP and BJP as its main rival in 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
"Our fight is against both SP and BJP. These parties are two sides of the same coin," he told party workers here.
On administration in the state capital "imposing" a ban on his rally, Owaisi said "RSS chief Bhagwat has got the freedom, but ban is being imposed on us because in reality, the SP government is afraid of us."
Owaisi had been scheduled to visit Lucknow along with Faizabad, Azamgarh and Ambedkarnagar earlier this month.
He was also scheduled to address a rally in Lucknow but was refused permission by the administration citing law and order issues.
After that, Owaisi's entire Uttar Pradesh tour had been cancelled.
The AIMIM chief, who now faces no ban on his Lucknow visit, alleged that SP and BJP were solely responsible for Muzaffarnagar riots but those responsible were given a "clean chit" in the inquiry report.
Owaisi, who faced criticism for his remarks on chanting of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'," said he does not need a "certificate of patriotism" from anyone.
He said Muslims have made big sacrifices for the country and their patriotism could not be "questioned" just for the sake of a slogan.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president alleged that SP dispensation in Uttar Pradesh has failed on all fronts and accused it of "deliberately" keeping Muslims backward.
"Muslims are pushed back in the field of education. It promised 18 per cent reservation to Muslims, which has not been fulfilled. The government has made no provision for the welfare of Muslims in its budget. Does Akhilesh want to keep Muslims behind in the field of education?" he said.
Earlier, the AIMIM chief offered prayers at dargaah of Haji Waris Ali Shah here and visited Islamic seminary at Nadwa and met clerics. He also met prominent Shia cleric Kalbe Jawwad.
25 students, 2 faculty members of HCU granted bail
A Hyderabaqd court today granted bail to 25 students and two faculty members of Hyderabad Central University (HCU) who were arrested in connection with the violence on the campus last week during which the Vice Chancellor's official residence was ransacked.
The students and the two faculty members were released on their submission of sureties of Rs 5,000 each.
The court also directed them to appear before Gachibowli Station House Officer once in a week.
The prosecution informed the XXV Metropolitan Magistrate court at Miyapur Court Complex here that the situation (law and order) is under control on HCU campus and they are not going to oppose the bail applications of all the 27 accused.
"In view of the career of the students we have not filed counter. We have left the court to decide the case on merit. The arrest were made by the police in order to control the situation (on March 22)...without having any personal grudges against anyone", the public prosecutor said.
The defence counsel urged the court to grant bail contending that the allegations which were levelled against the accused are absolutely 'vague' and there is no material to keep them in further detention, and hence, requested the court to grant them bail on personal bonds.
A group of students, who were opposing Prof Appa Rao Podile's return as the VC after a two-month leave following the row over research scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide in a university hostel room, had allegedly vandalised his residence and pelted police with stones on March 22.
Later, police resorted to lathicharge and arrested 25 of them, beside two faculty members. All of them were lodged in Cherlapally central prison here.
Cases were booked on charges of damage to public property, trespass, preventing government officials from performing their duties, and other relevant sections of IPC in connection with the violence.
Cong to meet Prez tomorrow on HCU issue
Senior Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde today said his party will meet President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow on the state of affairs at the Hyderabad Central University (HCU).
The former Home minister said his party will continue to fight for family of Rotith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar at HCU who committed suicide on January 17, till they get justice.
Speaking on violence of March 22 on varsity campus and subsequent arrest of 25 students and two faculty members, Shinde told reporters here, "After having seen such a big incident, we will meet the President tomorrow along with other party MPs."
Shinde, who earlier in the day met the jailed students, questioned the reason behind Appa Rao taking back charge as the VC even when the case is still pending against him.
"Who authorised the VC to come back and take charge? He should have resigned. Why was he not arrested as the case is still pending against him? It is government's responsibility to remove him from the university and entrust him with some other job," he said.
Shinde said some students complaint that they were forced by the police to sign on some papers.
Earlier, Vemula's mother Radhika met Shinde and sought his intervention to put pressure on the government to get the arrested students released from jail and also bring out Rohith Act.
She held Appa Rao responsible for the ongoing turmoil in the HCU and blamed police for not arresting the VC despite a case registered against him.
"If they want they can arrest me. It was I who accused the VC of murdering my son. The students are just supporting me. They are innocent. The VC should have behaved like father of the university. But he acted senselessly," she said.
Telangana PCC Chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, MP Rajeev Satav, NSUI national president Roji M John accompanied Shinde.
Cyberabad police last week arrested 25 students and two faculty members for allegedly vandalising the VC's lodge on HCU campus and pelting stones at police.
2 held with foreign currency at Hyderabad airport
Two male passengers who were to fly abroad were arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here for allegedly possessing foreign currencies equivalent to Rs 96.34 lakh in violation of FEMA, a senior DRI official said today.
Acting on a specific input, the two passengers were apprehended yesterday when they were about to board a flight bound for Dubai, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence official said.
"The DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit officers found that they (passengers) were carrying assorted foreign currency in their checked-in baggage concealed in burkhas and wrapped with tapes. The two passengers were carrying the assorted foreign currency (US dollars, UAE dirhams, Bahrain dinars and Saudi riyals) equivalent to Rs 96.34 lakh," DRI Additional Director General M K Singh said.
He said the foreign currency was obtained by the duo from unauthorised dealers/persons in violation of FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) and the currency was attempted to be exported "contrary to the prohibition imposed in violation of the provisions of the Customs Act".
The flyers, whose names are withheld, were produced before the Special Judge for Economic Offences, who remanded them in judicial custody for 14 days.
Further investigation is on, Singh added.
Academicians from around the world seek President's intervention on HCU
Around 200 academicians from around the world today sought the intervention of President Pranab Mukherjee over the "unlawful detention" of students and faculty of Hyderabad Central University and demanded that its Vice Chancellor be removed.
In a letter to President, these academicians demand unconditional and immediate release of all the students and faculty members and the withdrawal of all charges and removal of police force from the campus and the normalisation of college and hostel operations.
They also sought prosecution of the Vice Chancellor for allegedly abetting the suicide of Rohith Vemula as well as for orchestrating the violence against protesting students and faculty members and his removal.
"We as faculty members from around the world are shocked and condemn the brutality unleashed by the police force on students and faculty of Hyderabad Central University (HCU) on March 22nd and the unlawful detention of at least 25 students and 2 faculty members who were protesting peacefully," the letter said.
"The police action on peaceful protesters in HCU marks the continuing repression of Dalit students and all those who have raised their voice demanding social justice.
"We stand with the students and faculty opposing the reinstatement of the Vice Chancellor whose role in the death of PhD scholar Rohith Vemula is still under investigation, and extend our solidarity to the students' struggle against caste based oppression," wrote the faculty members, with a large number of them being from the US.
"It is a matter of grave concern to us that universities, which are supposed to be spaces for fostering critical and independent thinking have been turned into spaces for police brutality and state repression," the letter said.
This continuing escalation of state violence must cease immediately, the academicians said adding that the university administration and the political leadership should instead immediately start the process of democratic dialogue and address the concerns raised by the protesting students and faculty.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
YSRC disrupts AP Assembly
The opposition YSR Congress today disrupted the Andhra Pradesh Assembly proceedings, demanding that an adjournment motion it moved on Agri Gold firm's alleged payments default issue be taken up for immediate discussion.
The House was adjourned twice as the opposition members rushed into the well and raised slogans seeking "justice" for the Agri Gold payments default case victims.
The state government, which is conducting a probe by the Crime Investigation Department into Agri Gold's affairs, has already attached several prime properties of the firm after it allegedly defaulted on payments to its depositors.
The amount that Agri Gold owes its depositors is said to be a few thousand crores.
A case is also currently pending in the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad.
The YSRC moved an adjournment motion in the Assembly and sought an immediate discussion on the plight of Agri Gold victims, but Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao disallowed it.
"Any adjournment motion could be taken up only after the Question Hour and the Zero Hour, as agreed upon in the Business Advisory Committee meeting. You can't insist on a discussion by disrupting the Question Hour," the Speaker told the YSRC members and took up Question Hour.
Youth Affairs Minister K Atchannaidu, government Chief Whip Kalva Srinivasulu, BJP floor leader P Vishnu Kumar Raju and other members of TDP appealed to the agitating opposition members to let the House run.
But the YSRC MLAs remained adamant and stayed put in the well of the House creating a din.
The Speaker adjourned the proceedings for five minutes.
However, as the situation in the House did not change when it reassembled, he adjourned it the second time for ten minutes.
Tension prevails in Muzaffarnagar
Tension prevailed in Shukertal area in the district after a particular community allegedly attempted to construct boundary wall of a structure at a disputed land.
The incident occurred yesterday when a group of people started construction of the boundary wall, Sub Divisional Magistrate Umesh Mishra said.
Police rushed to the spot and stopped the construction work after other people objected to it, Mishra said.
Security has been tightened and extra police has been deployed in the area.
Classes resume in HCU amid boycott call by JAC
Classes today resumed in Hyderabad Central University after being suspended since March 23, amid a fresh boycott call given by Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (JAC) which is leading the protest on Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide issue.
"Classes have resumed from today.... The Vice-Chancellor has also appealed students to attend the classes," HCU registrar M Sudhakar told PTI.
The bail application of 25 students and two faculty members who were arrested after March 22 violence will come up for hearing today.
A group of students, who were opposing Appa Rao's return as the Vice Chancellor after a two-month leave following the row over Vemula's suicide, had allegedly vandalised the VC's official residence and pelted stones on police.
Later, the police lathi charged them and arrested the 25 students, besides the two faculty members.
On March 23, the HCU authorities announced suspension of classes for four days from March 23 to 26 in view of the situation prevailing on the campus.
The JAC had yesterday called for boycott of classes "on all the campuses" in the country including HCU, even as its Vice Chancellor had appealed students to attend the classes.
"At this point in time the students and the faculty members are concerned only about completing on time the remaining classes to be held in the current semester and the internal assessment tests (or minors).
"I solicit everyone's cooperation in resuming the academic activities in full swing from today to ensure that the end-semester examinations are completed as per the schedule," Appa Rao said.
The students should think only about their career, studies, classes, minor examinations and semester examinations, and should not be deterred by any advice or persuasion to the contrary, the VC said.
"You will get all possible support from me and your teachers in this regard," he added.
The protesting students had demanded that the VC be arrested immediately as he was one of the accused in the case of Vemula's alleged suicide on January 17.
Appa Rao had proceeded on leave on January 24 as the agitating students demanded his resignation and held vigorous protests seeking "justice" for the Dalit student.
The JAC has demanded dropping of all charges against students, faculty members at HCU and elsewhere in the country and immediate removal and arrest of Appa Rao.
Its other demands include "demilitarisation of the campus, action against police for the unnecessary and targeted violence, false detention, misinformation about the detained people and physical and sexual assault on women students and faculty, and introduction of Rohith Act," according to JAC's press release.
Asaduddin Owaisi to visit Lucknow on Monday
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi is slated to visit the capital city of Uttar Pradesh on Monday.
He was forced to postpone his trip after district authorities denied him permission to address a public rally on March 17.
During his around 10 hours stay, Owaisi is slated to visit Devashariff Shrine in the adjoining Barabanki district.
Uttar Pradesh president of AIMIM Shaukat Ali told UNI here today that the party president is expected
HCU, JNU events involve "jehadis"' claims Jaitley
Both the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and JNU events were "ultra-Left movements" also involving a small section of "jehadis", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley contended today.
In the case of JNU, the predominant section of those involved in the agitation was "ultra-Left" barring a small section of "jehadis", who had their faces masked during a demonstration on the campus on Feb 9 in which anti-national slogans were raised, he said.
The name of Dr B R Ambedkar was "unfairly used" in the case of HCU where protests erupted after the suicide by a research scholar Rohith Vemula, Jaitley said during an interaction with PTI journalists here.
He drew satisfaction from the fact that religious and minority groups and their leaders across the country had not participated in the debate set off by the events in the two universities.
"The moderate Left and the Congress had got trapped into what was otherwise a movement of the ultra-Left," the minister said, adding that the BJP had therefore taken it as an ideological challenge.
The BJP had won the first round of this "ideological debate" in the sense that everybody had to come at least "close to the position we were taking".
Asked if he expected more rounds in the debate, the BJP leader said that it was not a battle his party had started.
"We are not raising the debate to this extent (of further rounds) but if somebody against starts the whole idea, then the debate will certainly carry on."
When asked if the BJP was reaping political dividends by raising the nationalism debate, Jaitley said, "I am not looking for a dividend. This was an ideological positioning and we have made our point. On this battle I don't think we can lose."
UK must defend Christian values against terror: Cameron
Britain must stand together and defend its Christian values in the face of threats from terrorism as witnessed in Brussels, Prime Minister David Cameron today said in his Easter message.
Cameron said responsibility, hard work and compassion were important to people of every faith.
The ideology behind attacks such as Brussels could be defeated by "standing up proudly" for those values, Cameron, who is on holiday in Lanzarote in Canary Islands, said.
The prime minister has faced criticism in the past from secularists and some other public figures for describing Britain as a Christian country.
He has previously described himself as a "committed" but only "vaguely practising" Christian, who is "full of doubts" on big theological questions.
The prime minister said Britain should be proud of being a "Christian country with Christian values".
"But they are also values that speak to everyone in Britain - to people of every faith and none," he said, adding that "we must all stand together and defend them."
"When terrorists try to destroy our way of life as they have tried to do again so despicably in Brussels this week - we must stand together and show that we will never be cowed by terror," he was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"We must show that in this struggle of our generation we will defeat the pernicious ideology that is the root cause of this terrorism by standing up proudly for our values and our way of life."
Cameron also praised the work done by faith and voluntary organisations - helping the homeless, caring for the sick and bereaved and risking their lives to help people in war-torn regions across the world.
At least 28 people were killed in a series of terror attacks on Brussels airport and the metro system on March 22.
Afghanistan skipper hails players for historic win
Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai today hailed his team members for defending a modest total of 123 to script a historic win against the 2012 champions West Indies in the World T20 cricket tournament here today.
Minnows Afghanistan beat the Windies by six runs to post a consolation win in their final group league encounter to sign off the tournament on a memorable note.
"We were 15 runs short, we knew the conditions but the bowlers and fielders played very well," said Stanikzai at the post match presentation ceremony.
Stanikzai said it was an important victory for his team, considering that they had missed out narrowly on two previous occasions during the Super 10s.
"The win was very important as we missed out on two other chances to win," said the captain.
He said playing in World T20 enabled the Afghanistan team gain valuable experience.
"We know about our team's strong points, we have experienced so much at this World T20."
West Indies captain Darren Sammy said his team needed to find a way to chase down small totals.
"We just need to find a way to chase down those small totals. This was the only game we could afford to lose in terms of winning the cup," said Sammy.
With the West Indies having already qualified for the semi-finals, this defeat does not change anything in final equations and Sammy insisted that they would not let this loss dampen their spirits.
"Obviously very disappointed. But there's no doubt we're not going to let this dampen ours spirits. We have to regroup and come back strongly," he said.
Afghanistan Men upset West Indies; Indian Women's semi-final hopes dashed
Afghanistan notched a brilliant victory in their last match of the men's World T20 tournament in Nagpur today when they defeated West Indies by 6 runs. In reply to Afghanistan's score of 123 for 8 in the stipulated 20 overs, West Indies ended their innings on 117 for 8.
In the Women's World T20 match , West Indies dashed hopes of India of reaching the semi-final as they defeated the hosts by 3 runs in a thrilling finish in Mohali today. Put to bat, West Indies women scored 114 for 8 in 20 overs, but Indian women fell short of the target , ending their campaign at 111 for 9.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Belgium attack victim had warned against demonizing Muslims
A woman killed in Tuesday's bombing in Brussels had warned four months earlier that demonizing Muslims would help drive recruitment of extremists.
Sascha Pinczowski posted on Facebook after the November Paris attacks that "Ignorant spreading of anti-Muslim sentiment and propaganda does nothing but benefit ISIS."
The 26-year-old Pinczowski was a Dutch national living in New York. She and her brother, Alexander, were among those killed in Brussels.
Pinczowski's November 16 Facebook post was reposted by her mother, Marjan Pinczowski Fasbender.
The mother wrote that she wanted to share "this message of tolerance from our Dear Daughter Sascha."
The private Facebook post was provided to The Associated Press by James Cain, whose daughter, Cameron, was engaged to Alexander Pinczowski.
He is serving as a spokesman for the family.
Football cuts risk of heart disease, diabetes
A new study shows that long-term recreational football training improved the health of 63 to 75 year old untrained men, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Thomas Rostgaard Andersen, lead researcher, from Copenhagen University's department of nutrition, exercise and sports said the improvements contribute significantly to reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The study went on over a full year and examined both the immediate effects and the long-term benefits of the training. All participants completed the full 52 weeks of training and most of the participants are still playing football together twice a week, two years after the research period finished.
The findings showed that after 4 months' football training, the cardiovascular fitness scores improved by 15 percent, interval work capacity increased by 43 percent and functional capacity by 30 percent.
After a year, a three percent reduction in BMI, with an increased ability to control blood sugar and an improved capacity to handle harmful oxygen radicals, the study found.
"I dont know her.The NIA has wrongly recorded my statement".The latest claim of David Headley on Ishrat Jahan has once again exposed our faulty system.We at our office during one of our useful dinner table discussions were convinced beyond doubt that the PP had put a word in his mouth about Ishrat being a Let operative.Ensuring justice is far more important than appeasing the political bosses and getting Padma awards. Hope we will mature as a civilized nation someday.
JNU event was a crime: Kiran Bedi
Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi has termed as "crime" the February 9 event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru University against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and claimed the issue was blown out of proportion because it was "politicised".
"If you ask me on the JNU incident, it is nothing but a breach of law. JNU incident was a crime. That's it. The whole issue became overblown because it was politicised and then police was expected to go easy," Bedi said.
The former policewoman was speaking at an event organised by CII Young India here which was attended by Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen and transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.
Referring to both the JNU issue as well as the recent Jat agitation in Haryana, the 66-year-old BJP member said the Indian law had "weakened" over time and had become flexible and that it was imperative to "reverse the trend."
"There has been weakening of the rule of law over a period. We have brought it to a very 'lachkila' flexible level where it should not be. So we are to reverse the trend. As a nation, India must start respecting rule of law and accept no compromises, whoever it may be - high or low," she said.
She went on to say that while Article 19 of the Constitution details freedom of expression, one must not overlook the clause that free speech comes with responsibility.
"If you read Article 19 of Freedom of Speech, the media must also talk about the clause of responsible speech. But, it forgets about the the clause. I think if that is there, India will become even a better country to live in," Bedi said.
Transgender activist Tripathi said it was "wrong" to call students "anti-nationals" but said universities must be treated in a "dignified fashion."
Tripathi, who is the first transgender person to represent Asia Pacific in the UN, pointed out how research scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide faded out amidst the JNU controversy and asserted that universities must not be treated like "playgrounds for politicians."
"I believe the JNU incident would have been different had it not been politicised. It should have been handled in a way typical of a university. We are only shouting about JNU but the poor child who committed suicide has not been given justice yet."
"Today JNU has become a hot potato, tomorrow BHU and TISS will become one. Universities cannot be playground of politicians. A university has to be a university and it has to be treated and dignified in that fashion," she said.
Would take up HCU issue with PM: KCR
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today said he would take up the Hyderabad Central University issue, including the demand to recall its Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Chief Minister's comments came during a debate in the Legislative Assembly.
MIM MLAs and some other parties demanded that Appa Rao be recalled, as sought by the students agitating against Rohith Vemula's suicide. MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi said the Assembly should pass a resolution seeking the VC's recall.
The Chief Minister also assured that he would take action after an investigation if the police were found to have committed any excesses while dealing with the students who protested resumption of duty by the VC.
Several students have been arrested for vandalising the VC's residence.
Pointing out that HCU does not come under the state government's jurisdiction, the Chief Minister said a resolution (by Assembly) for recall of Appa Rao may not be appropriate.
Rao, who expressed anguish over the death of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula at HCU, said Vemula hailed from Andhra Pradesh and details of the matter will have to come from there.
During the debate, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy said it had been established that Vemula was not a Dalit, but belonged to the Vaddera community.
Referring to his comments, Congress MLA Sampath Kumar asked whether any action was taken against the officials who gave the Scheduled Caste certificate to Rohith Vemula if he was not a Dalit.
On an alleged attack on the Congress MLA at Osmania University here in the aftermath of a dead body being found, the Chief minister said Kumar had not made any complaint.
Friday, March 25, 2016
HCU row: Demand for immediate release of arrested students
Kin of deceased dalit research scholar Rohit Vemula today demanded immediate unconditional release of 25 students and two faculty members of Hyderabad Central University who were arrested in connection with incidents of vandalism at the VC's lodge and stone pelting on police personnel on March 22.
"We demand immediate and unconditional release of all those who were arrested and sent to jail, and withdrawal of cases against them. They (students) were asking for justice for Rohit (during the protest near VC's lodge)...but were beaten up brutally by police," Rohit's mother Radhika and brother Raja, along with certain teachers of HCU and parents of some of the arrested students, told reporters.
They also sought immediate arrest of HCU Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile, stating that there was a case registered against him for abetment of Rohit's suicide.
"A case is already registered against Appa Rao and how can he resume his duty? Over two months have passed since registration of the case, but no one has (either) been questioned or arrested," Radhika said, adding, cases were registered against students who were arrested and jailed.
"How many more days we have to wait for justice for Rohit?
"Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani calls Rohit a child in Parliament, but she and the BJP government (at Centre) is not listening to and considering our requests seeking action against those responsible for Rohit's death," they said.
"...If I question government, will I be called as anti-national...prove that I am ant-national," Raja asked.
P Anupama, a faculty member of HCU said, "We the concerned teachers of HCU are extremely distressed at the recent turn of events on the campus."
She said Podile's return to the campus on March 22 to resume duties has come as a shock to majority of the varsity community.
"We demand release of all arrested students and faculty and withdrawal of charges. The police must be immediately asked to leave the campus and we demand independent enquiry into the incidents that happened on March 22," Anupama and other teachers said.
A local court has posted the hearing on the bail pleas of the arrested students and the faculty members on March 28.
India rejects Pakistan's claims about RAW officers arrest in Balochistan
India has no interest in interfering in internal matters of any country and firmly believes a stable and peaceful Pakistan is in the interest of the region: MEA.
The person arrested has no link with Government since his premature retirement from Indian Navy: MEA on purported arrest
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Pope washes feet of Muslim migrants, says 'We are brothers'
Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of Muslim, Orthodox, Hindu and Catholic refugees today, declaring them children of the same God, in a gesture of welcome and brotherhood at a time when anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment has spiked following the Brussels attacks.
Francis denounced the carnage as a "gesture of war" carried out by blood-thirsty people beholden to the weapons industry during an Easter Week Mass with asylum-seekers at the shelter in Castelnuovo di Porto, outside Rome.
The Holy Thursday rite re-enacts the foot-washing ritual Jesus performed on his apostles before being crucified, and is meant as a gesture of service.
Francis contrasted that gesture with the "gesture of destruction" carried out by the Brussels attackers, saying they wanted to destroy the brotherhood of humanity represented by the migrants.
"We have different cultures and religions, but we are brothers and we want to live in peace," Francis said in his homily, delivered off-the-cuff in the windy courtyard of the centre.
Several of the migrants then wept as Francis knelt before them, poured holy water from a brass pitcher over their feet, wiped them clean and kissed them.
Francis was greeted with a banner reading "Welcome" in a variety of languages as he walked down a makeshift aisle to celebrate the outdoor Mass.
But only a fraction of the 892 asylum-seekers living at the shelter attended, and many of the seats were left empty.
Those who came out, though, received a personal greeting: At the end of the Mass, Francis greeted each refugee, one by one, posing for selfies and accepting notes as he moved down the rows.
Vatican rules had long called for only men to participate in the ritual, and past popes and many priests traditionally performed it on 12 Catholic men, recalling Jesus' 12 apostles and further cementing the doctrine of an all-male priesthood.
Francis shocked many Catholics within weeks of his 2013 election by performing the ritual on women and Muslims at a juvenile detention centre. After years of violating the rules outright, Francis in January changed the regulations to explicitly allow women and girls to participate.
The Vatican said today that four women and eight men took part. The women included an Italian Catholic who works at the centre and three Eritrean Coptic Christian migrants. The men included four Catholics from Nigeria, three Muslims from Mali, Syria and Pakistan and a Hindu man from India.
Some PCB members don't want my involvement: Wasim Akram
Former Test captain and great, Wasim Akram is ready to help get Pakistan cricket back on its feet but believes some members of the cricket board don't want to see him doing this.
There were reports that some members of the board of governors of the PCB didn't want the Chairman to consult him in cricket matters including in the fresh appointments to be made after the World T20.
Wasim said: "If some member (s) don't want the Chairman to consult me or seek my advice on appointment of a new coach why is this, I think it is because they don't want to see anything improve in our cricket," Wasim said on Geo News channel.
"I met with the Chairman for a short while at the Kolkata airport and that is all. But now I hear about this resistance to me being involved in Pakistan cricket," he said.
Wasim said he was what he was because of Pakistan cricket and not because of the cricket board.
"I am always willing to help out Pakistan cricket and do my best to improve things. But if someone doesn't want this it means they don't want to see improvement in our cricket," he said.
Shaharyar had told the media recently that he had spoken to Wasim about appointing a foreign or local coach.
Wasim also felt that drastic improvement was required in Pakistan's cricket system particularly domestic cricket.
"We need to upgrade and modernize our cricket system because at this time we are 10 years behind the other big nations," he said.
Wasim said it was useless finding someone to blame for the recent poor performances as the quality of cricket had fallen in Pakistan cricket.
Shakil Sheikh, a senior member of the BOG, who heads the cricket committee and is also in the fact-finding committee formed by the board after the Asia Cup, is reported to have resisted involving Wasim and former captain Ramiz Raja in cricket affairs.
Shakil apparently told Shaharyar at a meeting of the cricket committee on Wednesday that Wasim and Ramiz keep on criticizing the board and also interfere in team matters by trying to influence some players in the side.
He also raised questions about Wasim's past with reference to fixing scandals and questioned how could the PCB trust or seek advice from him.
Trump, Cruz feud over wives as Republican race turns ugly
The Republican presidential nominee race has hit a new low with front-runner Donald Trump and his nearest rival Ted Cruz dragging each other's wives in their political squabbling which is rarely seen in American politics.
"It's not easy to tick me off. I don't get angry often.
But you mess with my wife, you mess with my kids, that'll do it every time," Texas Senator Cruz told reporters in Wisconsin as the Republican race to the White House entered a nasty phase.
"Donald, you're a snivelling coward. Leave Heidi the hell alone," an angry Cruz said hours after the real estate tycoon launched a series of attacks against his wife.
Earlier, Trump shared an image on Twitter comparing his wife, Melania, a former model, to Cruz's wife, stating, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Cruz responded by saying, "Donald, real men don't attack women. Your wife is lovely, and Heidi is the love of my life."
It all started with a super political affairs committee which campaigns for Cruz ran an ad with a nude picture of Melania.
An angry Trump tweeted that he would spill the beans on Cruz's wife. Cruz, however, denied any role of his in the advertisement.
"Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought," Cruz said.
Trump is currently leading the Republican pack as he now requires less than 500 delegates to reach the figure if 1,237 necessary to win the party's presidential nomination.
Cruz is far behind Trump in terms of delegate count but hopes to overcome him during the rest of the primary season.
Kejriwal named among world's 50 greatest leaders by Fortune
Arvind Kejriwal has been named among the world's 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine with the Delhi Chief Minister being the sole Indian leader on the list topped by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Fortune's third annual 'World's 50 Greatest Leaders' list features men and women from across the globe from the fields of business, government, philanthropy and the arts who are "transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same."
47-year-old Aam Aadmi Party chief is ranked 42nd on the list and is the sole leader from India.
However, South Carolina's Indian-American Governor Nikki Haley is also on the list at 17th while another Indian- American Resham Saujani is at the 20th spot.
Fortune credits Kejriwal for his efforts to curb pollution in New Delhi through the scheme of allowing vehicles of odd and even numbers on alternate days on the city's roads.
"When Kejriwal unveiled a blueprint to tackle the smog in New Delhi -- called the world's most polluted city by the World Health Organization -- many were sceptical. A key component: an 'odd-even' pilot project in which vehicles were allowed on the roads only on alternate days.
"The uplifting result of the pilot this January: roads were less clogged, hourly particulate air pollution concentrations dropped by 13 per cent, and citizens could breathe deep," Fortune said.
It said leadership is not "demagoguery, pandering, even populism" but is defined by people across the world "you've never heard of who are rallying followers to make life better in ways you never imagined."
"...the New Delhi 'government official' risking his career to fight pollution; the Italian mayor welcoming Middle East migrants to his tiny town improving its economy and brightening their prospects," the US-based magazine said in a reference to Kejriwal and Domenico Lucano, the Mayor of the Italian town of Riace, who was ranked 40th on the list.
"The leaders you'll meet here, known and new, will lift your mood and upgrade your assessment of the world's future.
Some may inspire you to join their followers. And those unheard-ofs, so seemingly ordinary, may even prompt you to rethink your own potential as an inspiring leader," Fortune said.
Bezos, who topped the list this year, has been on the list all three times, along with Pope Francis who comes in at the 4th position followed by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The list includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2), Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at (3), US astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko (22), IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde (36), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Co-chair and CEO Melinda Gates and Susan Desmond-Hellmann (41), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (48) and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay (50). .
30 killed during Holi revelry in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, at least 30 people were killed and dozens others injured during Holi revelry in different parts of the state in the past two days, as cops failed to avert firing, group clashes and drunken driving. As many as 19 people were killed in Lucknow alone in group clashes, road accidents because of drunken driving. Two people also died in group clashes in Madiaon and Gosaiganj areas, while over 40 people were injured in accidents and clashes.
Democracy under attack in country: Kanhaiya
JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar today vowed that he would keep up his fight against casteism, and economic inequalities but ruled out him campaigning in the coming Assembly polls.
Kumar, who was denied entry into the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) yesterday when he came to express solidarity with the students fighting on the Rohith Vemula issue, had to face unpleasant moments today when a man threw a shoe at him in a seminar on "Constitutional rights".
A man sitting in the audience threw a shoe at Kumar but it missed the target and fell just ahead of the stage.
The seminar was organised at Sundrayya Vignana Kendram (SVK) at Baghlingampally here, a building run by Left parties.
Police took away the man even as commotion prevailed in there for sometime. The meeting continued after the incident.
The HCU, which witnessed violence after Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile took charge two days ago, remained peaceful today.
The HCU non-teaching staff, who had gone on a strike protesting vandalisation of VC's lodge on March 22 allegedly by a group of students, resumed their duties today.
Members of HCU Non-Teaching Staff Union had boycotted duties from Tuesday afternoon in protest against ransacking of Appa Rao's official residence (VC's lodge) allegedly by the group of students who were opposing the VC resuming his duty.
Kumar, who resumed his speech after the shoe-throwing incident, alleged that democracy is under attack in the country.
"Today, whoever it is, be it Marxists, Ambedkarites, Socialists, Lohiaites or Centrists, today all types of people are under attack. Because, democracy is coming under attack today," he said.
Tension at venue of Kanhaiya Kumar's meeting in Vijayawada
Tension prevailed at a function hall here this evening when workers of BJP and Left parties virtually clashed over the conduct of a meeting of JNU students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar.
The United Forum of Students Unions had organised the meeting for which Kanhaiya reached here from Hyderabad.
Workers of BJP and its affiliate organisations reached the function hall ahead of Kanhaiya's arrival and started raising slogans against him.
"Kanhaiya go back," they shouted even as AISF, CPI, CPM workers present in full strength sought to retaliate.
Heated arguments were witnessed between BJP and CPI workers even as the former tried to barge into the function hall to prevent the JNU student leader from addressing the meeting.
A heavy presence of police prevented a clash between the BJP and the Left activists.
Police took BJP state secretary Purnachandra Rao and BJYM leader C Rajinikanth and others into custody and whisked them away from the spot.
Kanhaiya flew down to Vijayawada airport at Gannavaram from Hyderabad and was driven to the city, 20-km away, amid tight police security.
Police sources said no permission had been given for Kanhaiya's meeting.
"Since it is being held in a private place, we did not issue any permission. But given the events in Hyderabad Central University and later at another meeting in Hyderabad, we have kept a close watch on the meeting here and posted adequate security," a senior police officer said.
In fact, the meeting was supposed to be organised in a private college but due to protests from different quarters the college management reportedly asked the organisers to shift the venue.
Hence, the private function palace was chosen, sources said.
Did not disconnect Internet, water facilities on campus: HCU
Hyderabad Central University (HCU) today claimed that water and Internet facilities on the campus were "never" disconnected by the authorities but "temporarily" halted as these were affected by the ongoing protests.
Refuting the allegations by a section of students that varsity authorities disconnected these facilities for the past two days, the officials today said water supply was temporarily stopped as some miscreants damaged the pump.
"The university never cut off water nor electricity on the campus. Some miscreants damaged the pump on the campus and (it) has been since restored. It may also be noted that there is a general water shortage to the campus for the last two months," the officials said in a statement.
With regard to Internet service being cut off, HCU faculty member Bipin Srivastava told PTI that "Internet facilities are managed by non-teaching staff. Since the non-teaching staff went on strike, Internet services were interrupted for that time."
The HCU administration officials said, "The varsity did not disconnect Internet facility on the campus. The Internet facilities have been restored on the campus."
After the violence by some students, the varsity administration is making all efforts to restore normalcy on the campus. The Vice-Chancellor has already declared that the classes will resume from Monday, the statement said.
There is no restriction of movement on "legitimate or authorised" members of the university community. The administration has decided to restrict the entry of only the outsiders on the campus, it added.
Hillary criticizes Trump, Cruz for their anti-Muslim statements
Criticising the Republican Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz for their anti-Muslim rhetoric, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton has said demonising Muslims could alienate partners and undermine moderates needed to fight against Islamic State group. Speaking at the prestigious Stanford University, Ms. Clinton said US need every American community invested in this fight, not fearful and sitting on the sidelines. She criticised
Trump's recent remarks to review US policy on NATO. The former Secretary of State said in the struggle against IS group, allies are needed as much as ever.
Obama slams Cruz for Muslim hoods' surveillance call
Criticising Ted Cruz for his call for surveillance of Muslim neighbourhoods, US President Barack Obama has said it would not help defeat ISIS and reminded the Republican presidential hopeful that his father had to leave Cuba for America as a result of similar policies.
"As far as the notion of having surveillance of neighbourhoods where Muslims are present, I just left a country (Cuba) that engages in that kind of neighbourhood surveillance which, by the way, the father of Senator Cruz escaped for America, the Land of the Free," Obama told reporters yesterday in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires where he is on a visit.
He was responding to a question on Cruz's statements in which the Texas Senator called for increased surveillance of Muslim neighbourhoods.
"The notion that we would start down that slippery slope makes absolutely no sense. It is contrary to who we are and it is not going to help us defeat ISIL (also known as ISIS or Islamic State)," Obama said.
Obama said one of the great strengths of the US and part of the reason why there has not been more attacks in the country is that America has an extraordinarily successful, patriotic, integrated Muslim-American community.
"They do not feel ghettoised, isolated. Their children are our children's friends, going to the same schools. They are our colleagues in our workplaces. They are our men and women in uniform fighting for our freedom.
"So any approach that would single them out or target them for discrimination is not only wrong and un-American, but it also would be counterproductive, because it would reduce the strength, the antibodies that we have to resist terrorism," he said.
Obama said that he is determined to defeat the ISIS.
"I have got a lot of things on my plate but my top priority is to defeat ISIL and to eliminate the scourge of this barbaric terrorism that has been taking place around the world. We see high-profile attacks in Europe, but they are also killing Muslims throughout the Middle East, people who are innocent, people who are guilty only of worshipping Islam in a different way than this organisation.
"They are poisoning the minds of young people everywhere.
Not just in Europe but in the US and undoubtedly in Argentina, people are looking on these websites," Obama said.
"There is no more important item on my agenda than going after them and defeating them. The issue is how do we do it in an intelligent way. And our approach has been continuously to adjust to see what works and what does not.
"What has been working is the airstrikes that we are taking on their leadership, on their infrastructure, on their financial systems. What has been working is special operators partnering with Iraqi security forces and going after leadership networks and couriers, and disrupting the connection between their bases in Raqqa and their bases in Mosul," the US President added.
Universities under attack: Kanhaiya Kumar
Describing universities as centres to promote "criticial thinking", JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar today alleged that the educational institutions are under attack.
"There is an allegation that we are doing politics. Are we doing politics or is the government is doing politics? (It) has a pre-planned script to destroy autonomy of universities.
The precise work of universities, intellectuals is to promote critical thinking," he told reporters at a press conference here.
Kumar is on a two-day visit to Hyderabad and Vijaywada, his first visit after coming out of jail on facing sedition charges.
The struggle in JNU is an extension of the campaign in Hyderabad Central University for justice to Rohit Vemula.
There is a similalrity between HCU and JNU in the context of attack on autonomy of universtities and fight of social justice, he said.
Citing examples of FTII, Aligarh Universtity and HCU and JNU he claimed that the campuses are becoming war zones.
The development agenda of NDA government has taken a back seat during the last two years of its rule, he alleged.
Replying to a query, he said he would not campaign in the election in five states.
Last evening, Kumar was not allowed to enter the HCU campus where he was scheduled to address students agitating over the suicide of the Dalit scholar in January this year.
Kumar, who came with Rohith's mother and brother to express solidarity with the students, was greeted with slogans for and against him at the gate after the University issued a notification banning entry of outsiders including political parties, media and other social/student groups besides police keeping a strict security at the main gate preventing non-students from entering.
After landing in the city yesterday, the student leader had blamed the government for blowing up the issue at JNU (of 'anti-national' slogans) only to divert attention from Rohith's suicide and its aftermath.
HCU:Striking non-teaching staff resume duties;campus peaceful
The non-teaching staff of Hyderabad Central University (HCU), who had gone on a strike protesting vandalisation of VC's lodge on March 22 allegedly by a group of students, resumed their duties today as the situation on the campus remained peaceful.
Members of HCU Non-Teaching Staff Union had boycotted duties from Tuesday afternoon protesting ransacking of Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile's official residence (VC's lodge) and after being assaulted allegedly by the group of students opposing Podile resuming his duty.
As part of the strike, cooks had shut down 'Students' Mess', expressing support to the Vice Chancellor (VC) after which students had set up an open kitchen yesterday.
"Messes, which had been shut down due to the strike by non-teaching staff opened today...they (non-teaching staff) have resumed their duties from today in the larger interest of the university," HCU Registrar M Sudhakar told PTI.
Meanwhile, twenty-five students and two faculty members of HCU, who were arrested yesterday in connection with incidents of vandalism at VC's lodge and stone pelting on police personnel, were sent to judicial remand last night and are lodged in Cherlapally Central Prison.
"The situation on the campus is peaceful today," Gachibowli police inspector J Ramesh said.
Mother of deceased Dalit research scholar Rohit Vemula, Radhika, who had staged a sit-in protest along with scores of HCU students in front of the university last night after being denied entry, withdrew her protest at around 11.15 pm, HCU Chief Security Officer T V Rao said.
Radhika and the protesting students, who demanded Podile's immediate removal from the post and the release of students and faculty members arrested in connection with vandalism of the VC's lodge and stone-pelting on police, also made a vain bid to "barge" inside the campus but were stopped at the entrance itself, Rao said.
"She wanted to hold a dharna inside the campus, but we prevented her from doing so. She along with around 200 students attempted to go inside the campus, but we stopped them and they finally withdrew their protest at around 11.15 pm," the security official said.
Rise of Trump is 'scary', says Sarkozy
Donald Trump is "scary" and his popularity in the United States is worrying, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said.
"This man does not deserve as much attention as he gets.
What is so scary is the impact he has," the leader of France's Republicans party said at an event in London.
"It makes me shudder. It makes me shudder about the state of a part of the American heartland," said Sarkozy, who led France between 2007 and 2012.
He criticised the "populism" and "vulgarity" of Trump's campaign, which has been marked by controversial statements about Muslims, as the real estate mogul closes in on his Republican Party's nomination for presidential candidate.
Sarkozy's time as president marked a warming of ties between Paris and Washington, after several years of chill under his predecessor.
After a short period out of the limelight, the 61-year-old has his eyes on another run for the presidency in 2017, but faces corruption charges relating to influence peddling.
UN chief invokes Sufi poet Bulleh Shah for peace
Citing Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has extolled Sufi values of peace and oneness as the General Assembly hall reverberated with Sufi songs performed by Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
"Music is a universal language and Sufi music transcends not only physical borders, but also borders of the mind.
Tonight, the halls of the General Assembly will resound with the Sufi message of oneness, a message of peace and compassion, of understanding and harmony," US Secretary- General Ban said in his video message to the 'Sufi Night of Peace Concert' organised by Pakistan's Permanent Mission here.
Ban quoted Punjabi Sufi poet Bulleh Shah and said "Let us walk the road of peace", adding that "Pakistani Sufi artists have long espoused these values which are so firmly rooted in Islam. Let us all take strength in the power of these bridge- building messages."
The Pakistan mission to the UN had organised Khan's concert in the General Assembly hall yesterday on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
Slipper thrown at Kanhaiya Kumar at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Hyderabad
Kanhaiya Kumar attended a meeting in Sundarayya Vignana Kendram and when stood to speak on the Constitutional Rights, some of the activists of Gau Rakshak Dal threw slippers on Kanhaiya Kumar. Hence the supporters of Kanhaiya Kumar caught hold of the activists and beat them up. Inspite of Kanhaiya Kumar requesting his supporters to leave them, his supporters man handled the activists. High tension prevailed in the meeting.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Demonising Muslims can alienate partners in ISIS fight:Clinton
Criticising the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz for their anti-Muslim rhetoric, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton has said demonising Muslims could alienate partners and undermine moderates needed to fight against ISIS.
"We need every American community invested in this fight, not fearful and sitting on the sidelines. So when Republican candidates like Ted Cruz call for treating American Muslims like criminals, and for racially profiling predominantly- Muslim neighbourhoods, it's wrong, it's counter-productive, it's dangerous," Clinton said in remarks at the prestigious Stanford University.
"As a spokesman for the New York Police Department pointed out last night, that kind of blanket bigotry would treat the city's nearly 1,000 Muslim police officers as threats," Clinton said.
"It's hard to imagine a more incendiary, foolish statement," the former Secretary of State quoted the spokesman as saying.
The 68-year-old Democratic party front-runner asserted that demonising Muslims also alienates partners and undermines moderates needed around the world in the fight against ISIS.
Noting that there has been a lot of talk from both Republicans and Democrats about the importance of building coalitions with Muslim nations, Clinton said, "Having actually done this, I can tell you, insulting allies and partners is not a good way to start."
"Another thing we know that does not work, based on lots of empirical evidence, is torture. Many intelligence, military and law enforcement experts have attested to this fact. It also puts our own troops and increasingly our own civilians at greater risk," she argued.
In her major policy speech on ISIS, Clinton criticised Trump's recent remarks to review US policy on NATO.
"Turning our back on our alliances, or turning our alliance into a protection racket, would reverse decades of bipartisan American leadership and send a dangerous signal to friend and foe alike. Putin already hopes to divide Europe. If Mr Trump gets his way, it'll be like Christmas in the Kremlin.
It will make America less safe and the world more dangerous," she said.
Clinton said in the struggle against ISIS, allies are needed as much as ever.
"We need them to be strong and engaged, for they are increasingly on the frontlines. London, Paris, Madrid, Brussels, Istanbul -- they've all been hit by terrorism," she said.
"So it's essential that the US has strong partners who can work with it to disrupt plots and dismantle networks in their own countries before they lead to attacks in the United States," she added. .
Brussels suicide bomber left desperate will
Belgian prosecutors said today that two brothers carried out suicide attacks at Brussels airport and on a metro train, with one of them leaving a desperate will in a trash can saying he did not know what do any more.
Ibrahim El Bakraoui blew himself up in the check-in hall of Zaventem airport while Khalid El Bakraoui attacked a metro train at Maalbeek station near the EU headquarters, Frederic van Leeuw told a news conference.
Prosecutors said the confirmed toll from the two attacks was 31 dead and 270 wounded.
Van Leeuw said Bakraoui's "will" said he was "in a rush", and "I don't know what to do ... hunted everywhere ... no longer safe", adding that "I don't want to end up in a cell next to him".
That appeared to be a reference to Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who is reportedly linked to Bakraoui, and who is in custody in Belgium after being captured last week.
The computer on which Ibrahim wrote the will was dumped in a trash can in the same street in the Brussels district of Schaarbeek where investigators found an unexploded bomb, an Islamic State group flag and bomb-making materials last night.
Prosecutors confirmed that they had found 15 kilos of TATP high explosive in the flat.
They also found chemicals including 150 litres of acetone, 30 litres of liquid oxygen, detonators, a suitcase full of nails and other bomb-making equipment including plastic trays, tools and ventilator.
A third man, who was filmed with Ibrahim and a second unidentified suicide bomber and who fled the scene without detonating his device, remains on the run, prosecutors said.
"The third man is on the run; he left his bag with the biggest bomb in it, which exploded later because it was so unstable. This third person remains unidentified and is still being looked for," he said.
Ex-Union minister Sai Pratap joins TDP
Former Union Minister A Sai Pratap today joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
He was formally admitted into the party by Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu.
As a Congress leader, Sai Pratap had served as a member of Parliament for six terms from Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency in Kadapa district.
He was a close friend of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who too belonged to Kadapa district.
Sai Pratap was the Union Minister of State for Steel in the UPA 2 government headed by Manmohan Singh.
He quit the Congress in 2014 protesting the bifurcation of AP.
He stayed away from politics after quitting Congress.
Modi asks Central Govt officials to dispose off public grievances within 60 days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the top officials of Central government's Departments to ensure that public grievances are disposed off within 60 days barring exceptions. Interacting through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, Mr Modi emphasied that grievance redressal is one of the biggest aspect of democracy. He reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of public grievances and asked the officers to further speed up the pace of work in this regard.
AIR correspondent reports, examining the progress of Digitization of Land Records, the Prime Minister called for integration of all land records with Aadhaar at the earliest. The Prime Minister asked about Mission Mode projects under Digital India. Reviewing the progress of provision of citizen-centric services electronically, the Prime Minister called for a comprehensive district-wise review of services actually being delivered online. Mr Modi also reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the road, railway, power, and oil sectors, spread over several states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Reviewing the progress towards ease of doing business, Mr Modi observed that there is now healthy progress among states for investment. He said, it is important to monitor the successful implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The Prime Minister also reviewed the status of the Widow Pension Programme, and the progress towards eradication of leprosy.
Govt announces 6% DA hike for govt employees, pensioners
Union Cabinet has cleared additional six percent Dearness Allowance for serving government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners from 1st January this year. Briefing media in New Delhi this evening, IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the decision will benefit lakhs of serving employees and pensioners.
Cabinet has also approved implementation of rural housing scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana under which one crore houses will be built in the next three years. It will cost Rs 81,975 crore and Rs 1.2 lakh financial assistance will be provided per unit in plain areas and Rs 1.3 lakh in hilly and difficult areas.
Government has also given its nod to Ashgabat Agreement, to build an international transport and transit corridor between Central Asia and Persian Gulf.
It has also approved procurement of launch services and realization of ground segment for GSAT-11. It will cost Rs 1117 crore, and enable early deployment of satellite to augment Ku-band capacity for various services like VSATS, and broadband.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has cleared doubling of Kiul-Gaya Railway line of 124 kilometres costing 1354.22 crore rupees. The project will be completed by 2019-2020.
CCEA has also approved doubling of the Ranchi (Hatia) Railway line of 158.5 kilometres to be completed within next six year. The project will cost Rs 1921.94 crore.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
24 Hindus die after consuming spurious liquor in Pakistan
At least 24 Hindus, including six women, have died after consuming spurious liquor during Holi celebrations in Pakistan's Sindh, two years after a similar tragedy struck the country's southern province.
Police said 35 people were rushed to a hospital in the Tando Mohammad Khan district late last night, where 24 of them died. Six were women.
"They were celebrating the festival of Holi this week and purchased the cheap liquor from a dealer in Tando Muhammad Khan," senior police official in Hyderabad, Haq Nawaz, said.
"The condition of the remaining persons was also not good," he said.
Following the tragedy, residents staged a protest against the police for failing to stop the illegal sale of hooch in their neighbourhood.
Authorities have suspended the area Station House Officer.
Two persons have been arrested for brewing the illegal drink.
The latest incident is a reminder of a similar tragedy in Hyderabad and Karachi in 2014 during Eid-ul Azha celebrations when 29 people had died after consuming hooch.
Alcohol consumption is banned in Pakistan for Muslims but non-Muslims are allowed to ration alcohol from special liquor shops run by provincial excise departments.
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