*07 Jan 2020: 10 Jamadi-1, 1441: Vol: 12, No: 101*
JNU VIOLENCE
As JNU student leader was bleeding, 2 cases against her within 4 minutes: "No proof, story made up" says JNUSU head Ghosh on cases against her
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-police-cases-for-jnu-none-lists-those-responsible-for-mob-violence-2159937?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: JNU students' union president Aishe Ghosh was named in two police cases filed in a span of 4 minutes on Sunday evening, shortly after she was taken to hospital bleeding from a brutal attack by a masked mob. That is when the university filed complaints against the student chief and others, the police said on Monday as details of 3 FIR emerged. There are no names in the third FIR, filed on the mob that barged into the campus and attacked students and teachers with sledgehammers and iron rods. 2 cases against Aishe Ghosh and other JNU students were filed at 8.39 pm and at 8.43 pm on Sunday, when the mob was still on campus, beating students and teachers and vandalizing hostels."There was an attempt to murder me but the V-C didn't even bother to find out how we were. It is so sad...I used to consider JNU my second home," Aishe Ghosh told NDTV.Aishe and 26 other students have been charged with vandalising the server room of the university twice, on JAN. 1 and 4, and attacking security guards during the registration of students for the winter semester.JNU students' union has been protesting against a hostel fee hike and had allegedly stormed into the server room to block the registration process on Sunday afternoon. There were clashes between JNU students and ABVP at the time.FIR against Aishe Ghosh says: "...since the entire registration process was halted due to the lockdown on CIS (communication and information) office, an effort was made by CIS staff with the help of JNU security guards to open the office at 6am in the morning of 4th Jan. At this time (Aishe Ghosh, Saket Moon) indulged in physical violence, pushed the lady guards, verbally abused them and threatened them with dire consequences if they would open the lock of CIS office."Aishe said FIRs were an attempt by the university administration to "shield" the attackers. "I am confident there's no proof, the story has been made up by the university administration," she said.The masked attackers, however, are yet to be identified or named by the police, who are accused of letting them slip out of the JNU campus after a 3-hour rampage. Though JNU students have accused ABVP of involvement in the attack in their complaints to the police, and some faces can be identified from security camera footage, FIR names no individual or organization.ndtv
JNU violence: Delhi Police draws flak for FIR against JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-violence-delhi-police-faces-flak-as-no-arrest-but-fir-against-aishe-ghosh-other-students-6204504/
‘Were our workers’: Hindu Raksha Dal claims responsibility for JNU violence
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/were-our-workers-hindu-raksha-dal-claims-responsibility-for-jnu-violence/story-vRW1UxTG9dDMECvSy5ZwpJ.html
New Delhi: A fringe group Hindu Raksha Dal has taken responsibility for the attack on students and teachers of JNU. The group’s leader Pinky Chaudhary took the onus of the attack today in a video posted on Twitter. “JNU is a hotbed of anti-national activities, we can’t tolerate this. We take full responsibility of the attack in JNU and would like to say that they were our workers,” Chaudhary said in video, according to ANI.Govt sources said the claims made by Chaudhary are being investigated. “Delhi Police has taken cognizance. To identity masked men in JNU, Police is taking help of video footage as well as face recognition systems,” ANI said quoting sources. More than 30 people were injured in the attack on Sunday evening which took place during a meeting called by JNU teachers’ association. Masked persons with iron rods and sticks were seen roaming around the university premises and hostels, thrashing students. HT
Hindu Raksha Dal chief takes 'full responsibility' for JNU violence
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hindu-raksha-dal-chief-takes-full-responsibility-for-jnu-violence/articleshow/73135079.cms
Girl in JNU violence video was Delhi University’s Komal Sharma, claims an audio
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/girl-in-jnu-violence-video-was-delhi-universitys-komal-sharma-claims-an-audio
Delhi Police has not been able to arrest any of 100 Goons of Vidyarthi Parishad who attacked JNU, while the photos and videos of their covered faces have been widely circulating on social media. Meanwhile an audio has emerged which is considered the audio of the girl, named Komal Sharma who can be seen in the video of three students whose faces are covered and they are armed with sticks and rods. In the audio, the girl who is allegedly a Delhi University student called Komal Sharma can be heard saying “Dev, please don't tell anyone that you saw me, because my photo has gone viral". Kawalpreet Kaur, Delhi President, AISA, has tweeted the screenshot of the entire chat with this audio. After the girl admits that her photo has become viral the other person says “ Oh, as far as I remember I saw you today. You were wearing the shirt with red and white checks naa?” Komal answers in affirmative. Then the male voice says, “ I waved at you too. You were on the side of Munirka naa?” Girl again answers in affirmative and then gives the above-mentioned information, to which male voice says, do not worry.nationalheraldindia
JNU Live: Share with us all videos, pictures of violence, Delhi Police tell eyewitnesses after watching violence, no arrest, no attacker identified
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-violence-live-updates-mumbai-delhi-6203710/
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jnu-attack-violence-abvp-delhi-police-jnusu-left-6203519/
New Delhi :2 days after the mob attack on JNU campus, Delhi Police requested the eyewitnesses to share with them the photos, footage, and other information of the JAN. 5 violence. “All those who are witnesses to JNU violence or have any info about it or have captured any activity on mobiles or camera, are hereby requested to come forward and give their statements, footage or pictures to SIT at administrative block, JNU campus,” Joy Tirkey, DCP-Crime, Delhi Police, said. Earlier in the day, a team of Crime Branch officers and forensic specialists visited the varsity to probe the violence. No arrests have been made so far in the case. Delhi Police which has come under criticism for a slow and ineffective response to the situation said they handled the matter “professionally.” The registered FIR states that police personnel warned the mob to disperse peacefully, but were ignored. indianexpress
JNU violence: Delhi Police admit they saw mob attacking students – but failed to act
https://scroll.in/article/949047/fir-on-jnu-violence-shows-delhi-police-was-present-on-campus-when-masked-mob-attacked-students
Delhi cops say can't get CCTV footage due to server damage
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jnu-violence-live-updates-JAN.-7-2020-1634547-2020-01-07
Delhi Police sources say Crime Branch's investigation was hampered because server damage done has prevented police from getting CCTV footage.indiatoday
When there is law and order situation in varsity, we don’t rush to police immediately: JNU V-C
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-vc-jagadesh-kumar-violence-protests-6204409/
New Delhi :Calling attack on students of JNU by a masked mob “unfortunate”, V-C M Jagadesh Kumar Tuesday said that violence is not a solution and the administration will find every opportunity to make sure that normalcy returns to university, ANI reported. Speaking in public for the first time since the incident, Kumar said, “The incident is unfortunate. Our campus is known for debates and discussions to resolve any issues. Violence is not a solution. We will find every opportunity to make sure that normalcy returns to the University.” Kumar also said the registration process for the winter semester has started which was stalled following fee hike protests.JNU V-C faced widespread criticism and there were calls for him immediate sacking for suggesting the JAN. 5 violence in the campus was linked to hostel fee hike protests backed by Left-led JNU Students’ Union. Most of those injured, including students and teachers, had said ABVP was behind the violence — a charge the outfit denies.indianexpress
Govt, BJP blame Opp, but allies back students, JDU says sack V-C
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-bjp-blame-opp-but-allies-back-students-jdu-says-sack-v-c-6203408/
New Delhi:On a day when the Govt blamed Opposition parties for “creating an atmosphere of violence…especially in universities”, the ruling BJP’s NDA partners expressed “solidarity” with the students who were attacked in JNU. The party’s ruling ally in Bihar, JD(U), demanded the immediate sacking of V-C M Jagadesh Kumar, and an inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into Sunday’s violence on the campus. JD(U), a key BJP ally, condemned JNU V-C for his alleged inaction. “We strongly condemn the attitude of university V-C and other authorities who became silent spectators of the dirty game of these goons,” said JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi in a statement.Akali Dal, said it “strongly condemns” the role of Delhi Police. “It reminds me of the anti-Sikh violence of 1984 when police personnel remained mute spectators,”party’s MP Naresh Gujral said. Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Delhi, where elections are scheduled on Feb.8, Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not mention Sunday’s violence but referred to the alleged anti-India slogans raised on the JNU campus in 2016. He criticised Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for not granting sanction to prosecute those who allegedly raised the slogans.Speaking at another event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also referred indirectly to those slogans. “I can certainly tell you that when I studied in JNU, we did not see any ‘tukde tukde’ gang there,” he said.indianexpress
Unmasked on WhatsApp: JNU chief proctor to 8 ABVP office-bearers
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/unmasked-on-whatsapp-jnu-chief-proctor-to-eight-abvp-office-bearers-6203513/
New Delhi :At least 8 office-bearers of ABVP, the chief proctor of JNU, a teacher of a Delhi University-affiliated college and 2 PhD scholars were members — some as active participants — of at least 3 WhatsApp groups where messages threatening violence against students of the university did the rounds on Sunday.The day after, more details emerged on the members of the groups. JNU chief proctor Dhananjay Singh was a member of the group ‘Friends of RSS’, one of the groups active before and during the violence. When contacted, Singh, who was ABVP’s presidential candidate in 2004, said he was not aware of the conversations on the group.Among the administrators of the group ‘Unity Against Left’, at least eight were ABVP’s current and former office-bearers. Vijay Kumar, Vibhag Sanyojak of JNU ABVP unit, was one of the administrators. When contacted, he said: “I was added by an unknown number and was made admin of that group. When I checked my WhatsApp, I left that group immediately. I am getting threatening calls from international numbers now.” A student of School of International Studies of JNU, Kumar is in final year of his PhD course.The other administrators of the group include Manish Jangid, the ABVP presidential candidate for 2019 JNUSU polls, Valentina Brahma, ABVP’s Delhi girls coordinator, the student body’s joint secretary candidate during the polls and its Delhi state joint secretary.Meanwhile, another group ‘Left Terror Down Down’ also saw similar activities around the same time. The name of the group was changed at least thrice from ‘Left Terror Down Down’ to ‘Sanghi Goons Murdabad’ to ‘AVBP chee chee’ before being reinstated to its original name.indianexpress
How ABVP Planned Attack on JNU Students, Teachers on WhatsApp:thewire
https://thewire.in/rights/abvp-jnu-attack-whatsapp
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind for Judicial Probe in JNU Violence, WPI Demands Amit Shah's Resignation
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/jamaat-for-judicial-probe-in-jnu-violence-wpi-demands-amit-shahs-resignation
New Delhi:Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) president Syed Sadatullah Husaini has demanded a judicial probe into the assault on JNU students by masked men on Sunday evening.In a tweet on Monday, he demanded immediate arrest of the goons involved in the violence at the prestigious university. “Reign of terror at #JNU is a big alarm for the country. Only fascists can feel threatened by the voice of students”, he further said in his tweet. Calling the assault on the JNU as the “last nail in the coffin” of BJP, Welfare Party of India (WPI) president SQR Ilyas demanded resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for his failure to check violence at the university. Ilyas also demanded “confiscation of properties of the perpetrators, erring police officers and ministers responsible to recover the loss of JUN property”. Ilyas said if the properties of those involved in violence in UP can be seized, why not the same yardstick be applied for goons who indulged into violence in JNU.WPI demanded that the VC be sacked immediately.While demanding resignation of JNU VC’s resignation, Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India demanded that the “VC must be held accountable for his culpability in the whole episode in a court of law as well the court of public opinion”.indiatomorrow
Jamaat Islami's delegation visits violence-hit JNU
New Delhi: A high-level delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind visited the areas of JNU which were allegedly attacked by ABVP goons. The team led by JIH Vice President S. Ameenul Hasan met with students and faculty members at the JNU campus.In the Sabarmati hostel, they were shocked to see shattered glass, broken doors and fire extinguishing powder thrown inside the room, by breaking the ventilator glass above the door, to suffocate those locked inside. There were broken flowers pots used for banging doors and breaking the windows.They also spoke to many students who are under deep shock and trauma. The hostel atmosphere is that of gloom and acrimony and the entrance of the hostel had been quite devastated.Some rooms on the ground floor and some in the first floor were selectively ransacked and inmates were brutally attacked. The attackers had room numbers and the name of the persons..newsdigestdaily.in
'Govt planning to misuse statistical system': JNU Prof. Chandrasekhar who quit panel to review economic data
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-govt-planning-to-misuse-statistical-system-jnu-professor-on-quitting-panel-to-review-economic-data/345300
JNU Professor, CP Chandrasekhar has announced his decision to withdraw from Govt-appointed panel that reviews economic data, because of the 'current situation' in the country.Chandrasekhar was part of the 28-member Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES) that was constituted in DEC. to improve the quality of data amid criticism of the Govt over political interferences and is scheduled to meet today. The decision by JNU professor, who is also an eminent economist, comes days after a masked mob attacked students and teachers inside the campus, leaving many injured.He said his decision to withdraw from the panel is due to the way the “dispensation” has been functioning."This dispensation is not interested in having a credible statistical system. In fact, they are also planning to misuse the system," Chandrasekhar told Outlook."You have one bunch of students being hurt because a mob comes with faces covered. And then you say they hit themselves to hurt maybe," he said, referring to the mob attack inside the JNU campus."It is not just what happened in the JNU, but what happened in Aligarh (AMU), Jamia and the CAA," Chandrashekhar added.He also hit out at the current form of NPR, questioning the Govt's intent to decide on the basis of NPR statistics whether a person is 'doubtful' or 'not doubtful'."Now NPR is being extended in terms of the number of questions. And if or when NRC is implemented, a person can be identified, based on NPR statistics, whether he is 'doubtful' or 'not doubtful'," the Professor said.He alleged that the Govt is not only manipulating the statistics to some extent, "but they are not releasing the statistics"."They have an agenda that is much larger in which they convert everything into its opposite."Chandrasekhar was referring to Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry's decision in November last year when it said it had decided not to release Consumer Expenditure Survey results of 2017-18 due to data quality issues.outlookindia
Lawyers read out Preamble at Supreme Court lawns; Bar Association condemns JNU violence
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-lawyers-read-preamble-jnu-attack-delhi-scba-6204635/
New Delhi: On the backdrop of massive nationwide protests against the amended Citizenship law, a group of lawyers today read out the Preamble to the Constitution of India in unison at the Supreme Court lawns.Copies of the Preamble were distributed to the lawyers and the impromptu gathering dispersed immediately after reading it. Among those present were senior advocates Sanjay Parekh, Prashant Bhushan and Kamini Jaiswal. Meanwhile, SC Bar Association issued a statement condemning the violence at JNU.indianexpress
JNU rector calls Jan 5 violence a surgical strike
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jnu-rector-calls-sunday-violence-surgical-strike-1634675-2020-01-07
:JNU rector (Pro-V-C) Chintamani Mahapatra has called the violence unleashed by masked goons in the campus on Sunday a "surgical strike" -- a reference to India's 2016 cross-border operation against in Pok.Mahapatra said the attackers were mostly outsiders.Dozens were injured after masked, armed attackers went on the rampage inside the campus on Sunday night, targeting teachers and students.indiatoday
Jamia VC handled violence on campus better than JNU VC: HRD ministry
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jamia-vc-handled-violence-on-campus-better-than-jnu-vc-says-hrd-ministry-1634666-2020-01-07
New Delhi:Ameeting convened by HRD ministry on JNU violence has concluded that the administration needs to be more sensitive towards the students. HRD ministry has conveyed its displeasure at the handling of the JNU incident to the university administration during the meeting held on Monday.JNU Pro-V-C, Registrar Pramod Kumar, Rector Rana Pratap Singh, Proctor Dhananjay Singh attended the meeting headed by HRD ministry secretary Amit Khare. Condemning the mob violence inside the JNU campus that left 34 people injured, the ministry observed that police investigation should go on in the mob violence incident, however, the students should not feel threatened.indiatoday
Planned attack on JNU, Govt must explain:Opposition
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/planned-attack-on-jnu-govt-must-explain-opposition-6203315/
New Delhi :Calling attack on JNU students a planned incident, Opposition leaders on Monday accused BJP-led Govt of abetting the violence and slammed the Delhi Police for the manner in which it handled — or in Opposition’s view mishandled — the situation.While Congress president Sonia Gandhi and BSP chief Mayawati called for a judicial probe — echoing similar demand from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday — the Left parties said accountability must be fixed for the “assault on JNU”, and the culprits punished.In Mumbai, Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray compared JNU violence with the 26/11 Mumbai attack and said students are feeling unsafe in the country.Sonia said, “The horrifying and unprecedented violence unleashed on India’s young by goons with active abetment of the ruling Modi Govt is deplorable and unacceptable…..”Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “The attack on JNU students and teachers exposes the decisive agenda and anti-democratic approach of the Govt.”In Kolkata, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, “It was a planned attack, a fascist surgical strike on the student community.”Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Those who attempted Nazi-style onslaught on students and teachers of JNU were trying to create unrest and violence in country….”CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury called it an organised, planned attack.AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that the perpetrators had support from the ruling party. “We appeal to BJP. You are certainly in power. But how long you will save these people? All these Frankensteins are yours. Police in Delhi report to you. You have not learnt any lesson from Jamia Millia,” Owaisi said. indianexpress
Emergency-like situation, fascist surgical strike: Mamata hits out at BJP over JNU violence
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/emergency-like-situation-fascist-surgical-strike-west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-hits-out-bjp-jnu-violence-1634397-2020-01-06
'ABVP goons attacked us with lathis and knives': NSUI shares bloodied pictures of Ahmedabad violence
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/abvp-goons-attacked-with-lathis-and-knives-during-ahmedabad-protest-alleges-nsui-shares-pictures
Ahmedabad: Today NSUI shared a series of photos and a video that they said showed "ABVP Goons brutally attack students and NSUI activists for protesting against JNU violence".According to IANS, at least 10 people were reported injured in the clashes.NSUI also said that NSUI Gujarat General Secretary Nikhil Savani was injured seriously in the attack and shared pictures."NSUI Gujarat Unit was peacefully protesting while they were attacked by ABVP goons with lathis and knives," the organisation said.Saimon Farooqui, the National Secretary of NSUI took to Twitter to comment on the same. "The protesters include Dr Rutvij Patel, the Gujarat head of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and President of ABVP Ahmedabad, Naresh Desai," he wrote.In a statement released on their Twitter handle, the NSUI National President, Neeraj Kundan condemned the incident."NSUI organised a peaceful protest in Ahmedabad today, which was again disturbed by the ABVP goons under the shelter of BJP and police. NSUI volunteers were brutally attacked by them and are severely injured. NSUI National President Neeraj Kundan ji strongly condemn the incident further adds that the autocratic behaviour of the BJP has resulted in an another similar event where the NSUI workers were brutally beaten (sic)," the statement said.
Gujarat: Clash between ABVP, NSUI workers in Ahmedabad, 10 injured
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-clash-between-abvp-nsui-workers-in-ahmedabad-10-injured-1634680-2020-01-07
JNU attack: Pune students, social organisations take to the streets to condemn violence
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/students-gather-at-ftii-plan-massive-protest-at-6pm-to-condemn-mob-attack-at-jnu/story-sKdxHCHRGWXiHE1ND78cQK.html
Pune:Condemning the violence against students and teachers at JNU campus in Delhi late on Sunday, hundreds of people from the city staged various protests on Monday. While students converged to express their solidarity against the violence, political student outfits were not far behind to colour the incident for their political gains as the protests held different themes across the city.With students and social organisations seething with anger, protests were held at Good Luck chowk on FC road, collector’s office and Savitribai Phule Pune University. Many carried the Tricolour, candles, handwritten banners and posters expressing solidarity with the JNU students and raised slogans demanding action against those involved in the attack. Students of FTII called the attack on the students and teachers an appalling display of intolerance.Organisations including Lokayat, Students Islamic Organisation of India, Samatesathi Vakil and JD(S) held a protest at Good Luck chowk, FC road on Monday.Firdaus Shaikh, a member of Students Islamic Organisation of India, said, “The incident which took place at JNU on Sunday is shameful. This shows that the Govt is scared of the students and is trying to suppress their voice.”“The revolution started by students will spread across the country and now this attack will help us increase our numbers,” said Shaikh.Shraddha RR from Lokayat, said, “The Govt is targeting students and making them a scapegoat. We voted for BJP Govt, now they are questioning our citizenship.”HT
Union minister Javadekar Slams British Daily over Reportage of JNU Attack
https://thewire.in/Govt/javadekar-slams-british-daily-over-reportage-of-jnu-attack
New Delhi: Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar lashed out on a British daily on Monday for referring to the masked mob that attacked JNU students and teachers as “nationalists” and asked it to stop predicting India’s disintegration at every opportunity.In a series of tweets slamming Financial Times, Javadekar said, “I know it’s a bit too much for you to understand India, but here’s an effort: Stop predicting the breaking apart of India at every possible chance you get. India is a diverse democracy and it has always assimilated all differences to emerge stronger.”A report in the British daily on the JAN. 5 night attack on JNU students and teachers here appeared with the title: “Nationalist mob goes on rampage at secular university in Delhi”.thewire
JNU violence: Javadekar also slams New York Times for report claiming attackers raised ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/jnu-violence-prakash-javadekar-slams-nyt-for-report-claiming-attackers-raised-jai-shri-ram-slogans/article30503087.ece
I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar today hit out at New York Times (NYT) for a report in which the leading U.S. daily claimed that the attackers at JNU had raised “Jai Shri Ram” slogans.In a dig at the newspaper, he said it seemed that The New York Times consists of the most “ardent bhakts” of Lord Ram as they seem to find him everywhere.PTI
Kolkata to Kochi, campuses stand with JNU
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jawaharlal-nehru-university-violence-delhi-police-jnu-mob-attack-protests-6203316/
Pprotests were organised in different cities across India in solidarity with JNU students and condemning the violence at the campus.In Mumbai, within hours of violence in JNU, a protest was organised at Gateway of India at midnight Sunday. What began as a trickle at midnight grew every hour and, by Monday evening, led to at least a 1,000 people gathering in solidarity with JNU. The demonstrations at Gateway of India, Hutatma Chowk and, later, at Carter Road in suburban Bandra on Monday had students, professionals, teachers, film and theatre personalities and others. Protesters at Gateway said they were in for a “Shaheen Bagh-type” agitation that will continue indefinitely, referring to the continuous protest in Delhi locality against CAA, NRC and NPR.The protesters, who did not allow politicians to make speeches at venue, have dubbed it “Occupy Gateway of India”.The protesters sat under the sun the entire day. In Aurangabad, central Maharashtra, students linked arms and formed a human chain in Ambedkar Marathwada University to protest against JNU violence. Protesters shouted slogans against BJP, ABVP and other Sangh Parivar outfits. In West Bengal, SFI members, students, members of civil society and political parties took out multiple rallies across Kolkata on Monday. SFI members took out 14 rallies from as many places in the city and demanded strong action against those responsible for the attack. Rallies were also taken out from Jadavpur University, Presidency University and Calcutta University by students, who shouted slogans against ABVP members who they alleged were behind the attack in JNU. Students from across the political spectrum in Panjab University held demonstrations at the student centre on Monday afternoon.In Ludhiana, a protest was organised at the Bus Stand. In UP, students of AMU held a Tiranga Yatra to protest against JNU attack. During the march, organised by students and supported by AMU coordination committee, a memorandum for the President of India was submitted to SSP.In BHU, a protest was organised by students and OBC/ST/ST Teachers and Employee Association to show solidarity with JNU. A protest march was organised by students of Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, NSUI, AISA and others at Allahabad University. In Kerala, protests began in the state within hours of Sunday’s attack and continued into Monday, condemning the attack and inaction of Delhi Police. SFI took out demonstrations in all districts except Kozhikode. In Kozhikode, demonstrations were led by activists belonging to DYFI, CPI(M)’s youth wing. In Kochi, a 2-km protest march comprising students and general people was taken out. in Rajasthan, members of NSUI and ABVP clashed outside Rajasthan University in Jaipur. NSUI members took out a protest march and burned an effigy of PM Narendra Modi outside Rajasthan University. Students of University of Hyderabad and Osmania University held protests late Sunday night on Monday. In Assam, hundreds of people, mostly students of different institutions of Guwahati and some JNU alumni, participated in a protest at the city’s Nehru Park. Indianexpress
Was talking about Internet shutdown, apologise for Free Kashmir poster: Mumbai based storyteller Mehak
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/free-kashmir-poster-mumbai-protest-mehak-prabhu-facebook-message-video-1634625-2020-01-07
Mumbai woman, whose Free Kashmir poster at a protest at Gateway of India kicked up a storm, has released a video message in which she said the placard was only to protest against the lockdown in Kashmir and added that there was no other motive behind her actions.Following outrage over her holding a 'Free Kashmir' poster at a protest against JNU violence, Mehak Mirza Prabhu, a Mumbai-based storyteller and performer, said her holding the placard has been misinterpreted. In a video message posted on Facebook, Mehak called the reactions crazy and said she was only speaking for the rights of Kashmiris. "I am Mehak, a writer from Mumbai. What happened yesterday is extremely crazy and more crazy is the reaction that it is receiving from the people. The narrative being spread about the situation is absolutely misinterpreted."Mehak Prabhu said, "I saw placards being painted there for all sorts of issues, including CAA, NRC, and of course for JNU students. I came across one placard on Free Kashmir."Mehak also clarified that she is not a Kashmiri. "Contrary to the false facts being spread, I am not a Kashmiri. I am from Mumbai...a Maharashtrian. When I saw that placard, what came to my mind was about the basic constitutional rights of Kashmiris," she said.india today
"Need To See Intent": Aaditya Thackeray On "Free Kashmir" Poster Row
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/investigating-free-kashmir-poster-seen-at-gateway-protest-mumbai-police-2159947?pfrom=home-topstories
Shameful, horrific: After Sunday’s violence in JNU, Bollywood speaks up in support of students
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/jnu-attack-caa-protst-violence-bollywood-anurag-kashyap-kriti-sanon-bhuvan-bam-taapsee-pannu-6203212/
While most Bollywood A-listers gave CAA dinner with Union Minister Piyush Goyal a miss on the weekend, several young actors haved condemned the use of violence against the students of JNU. Post the horrific violence that was unleashed on Sunday, Twitter saw posts by actors such as Kriti Sanon, Sonam Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu, who condemned the attacks and tweeted their support for JNU.indianexpress
Anurag Kashyap changes Twitter DP to depict Modi-Shah as masked goons after JNU violence
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-changes-twitter-dp-to-depict-modi-shah-as-masked-goons-after-jnu-violence
After several masked individuals thrashed students and teachers inside JNU in Delhi filmmaker Anurag Kashyap changed his profile photograph on Twitter.Kashyap on Monday morning changed his display picture (DP) to PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in masks.IANS
Bhushan Kumar denies CAA meet with Piyush Goyal in viral video. Tweet, photos expose producer
https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/bhushan-kumar-denies-caa-meet-with-piyush-goyal-in-viral-video-tweet-photos-expose-producer-1634629-2020-01-07
CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi, along with producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Bhushan Kumar, director Abhishek Kapoor, actor Ranvir Shorey, singers Shaan and Kailash Kher, met Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Baijayant 'Jay' Panda to discuss the Citizenship Amendment Act on JAN. 5.The meeting, followed by a dinner, was organised at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Mumbai on Sunday. On JAN. 6, Bhushan was at the trailer launch of upcoming film Malang, which he is producing. At the trailer launch, when Bhushan was asked about his meeting with Goyal on CAA, the producer dodged the question saying, "I was at Grand Hyatt but that doesn't mean I was in a meeting or something."indiatoday
*anti-citizenship act stir*
Bharat Bandh : 25 crore people to participate in nationwide strike tomorrow against govt’s 'anti-people' policies, CAA-NRC
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/25-crore-people-likely-to-participate-in-nationwide-strike-on-jan-8/article30493437.ece
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/01/07/bharat-bandh-to-see-participation-of-25crore-people-have-political-flavour.html
Bharat Bandh called by 10 trade unions belonging to the opposition camp tomorrow is expected to have an added impetus, with the addition of CAA-NRC to the agenda of agitation, and students' and farmers' organisations lending their support to the strike, even as the Centre has warned its employees of action against them if they participate in the strike.All India General Strike, according to the participating trade unions, is likely to see the participation of at least 25 crore people, and coming as it does in the backdrop of nationwide protests against CAA-NRC and the alleged assault on students in universities, it will not be purely based on economic issues, as had originally been planned, but will have a distinct political flavour.The countrywide bandh has been called by ten trade unions that belong to the Opposition camp, with the RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh staying out of it. The unions — INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC — have added to their list of issues CAA, NRC and NPR, demanding immediate revocation of CAA and withdrawal of NPR and NRC.“Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include disciplinary action,” said an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel. The order, issued to all central government departments, said existing instructions prohibit a government servant from participating in any form of strike. “All officers are also requested not to sanction casual leave or any other kind of leave to the officers and employees if applied for, during the period of the proposed strike, and ensure that willing officers are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises,” said the order.Amongst the demands in the originally drawn list of the unions are a national minimum wage of Rs 21,000 per month, pension to all, restoration of an old pension scheme, generation of new jobs, controlling the price rise of essential commodities, a universal public distribution system, strengthening of welfare boards for unorganised sector workers and increased budgetary provision for MNREGA and agriculture.The ambit of the strike has widened, with workers from the unorganised sectors, and student and farmer organisations pledging support. Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan, a national platform of workers, peasants, agricultural workers, youth, students, women, Dalits, tribals, social movements and progressive individuals, having a membership of 20 crore, has called upon the general public to join the strike.The platform of peasant organisations, All India Kisan Coordination Committee and the joint platform of student organisations will be a part of the strike by observing rural bandh and educational strike, respectively. Students' groups and elected office-bearers of some universities have extended their support based on their agenda concerning raised fee structures and opposition to the commercialisation of education.Banking services are expected to be hit. Educational institutions could see an impact, with several students' and teachers' associations pledging support. Also, transportation could be hit in some states.Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar had invited the trade union leaders for a discussion on January one. However, after the meeting, the unions conveyed their resolve to organise a bandh.In the meeting, the minister had stated that the government has been taking all steps for the welfare of workers and legislations on labour codes are a part of that.The unions, however, strongly contradicted the statement of the minister and stated that the labour codes are a design of imposing slavery on the workers and it is not acceptable to the trade union movement of the country.Left parties — CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML)L, Forward Bloc and RSP — had given a call for a week-long agitation against the “assault on the Constitution” and the “mounting miseries on the people due to economic recession,” the protest culminating in the general strike. The Congress too has come out in support of the strike. However, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, has said that while her party will keep protesting against CAA-NRC, it will not support the bandh. Th eweek / The Hindu
Allahabad HC ORDERS NHRC to probe police violence at AMU
https://thewire.in/law/allahabad-hc-nhrc-probe-police-violence-amu
Allahabad high court has ordered National Human Rights Commission to launch a probe into the police violence at AMU on DEC. 15, where over 60 students were injured at an anti-CAA protest. According to a report in LiveLaw, the order was passed by a bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Vivek Varma in response to a PIL filed by ex-AMU student Mohammad Aman Khan. Khan had moved the court to seek a judicial inquiry by a ‘court monitored committee’. “The facts of the instant case indicate alleged violation of human rights and also alleged negligence in the prevention of such violation. We have not looked into the video footage, which are said to be available with the petitioner and compact disks, which are placed on record by the respondents along with counter,” bench said.“However, the photographs annexed with the petition reflect certain serious happenings which are termed by the petitioner as brutal, violation of human rights that also amounts to commission of cognizable crime. The narration of facts certainly demands a probe,” it said.thewire
UP Man's Family Asks Who Killed Him During CAA Protest, Police Silent
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/up-caa-protest-police-uttar-pradesh_in_5e146891e4b0843d3618a474
Muslims in Fear as Police Crack Down in India’s Heartland
https://caravandaily.com/muslims-in-fear-as-police-crack-down-in-indias-heartland/
Mangaluru Police Attack Mosque, Fire Teargas in Hospital during CAA Protest: Report
https://caravandaily.com/mangaluru-police-attack-mosque-fire-teargas-in-hospital-during-caa-protest-report/
An fact-finding report on Mangaluru police crackdown on the anti-CAA protesters found that police forces attacked the mosque while the worshipers were praying inside it. They also fired teargas inside the hospital after storming it.“At around 4 pm, a team of police attacked Ibrahim Khaleel mosque where about 80 persons were praying peacefully. The police apparently sought to chase certain youth into the said mosque and then initiated an indiscriminate attack upon the mosque. The police launched an attack of stones and teargas through and above the slats of the mosque gate, causing havoc and confusion,” notes the report.The report was compiled by a group of human rights and civil liberty activists from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and New Delhi belonging to AIPF, PUCL and National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO).caravandaily
Dilution of Art. 370, CAA needed to clear out accumulated problems: External Affairs Minister Jaishankar
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dilution-of-art-370-caa-needed-to-clear-out-accumulated-problems-jaishankar/article30497671.ece
India should take a lesson from China in “problem-solving”, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said. He defended the actions taken by the Govt, including dilution of Article 370 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as necessary to deal with India’s “accumulated” problems.“The big learning out of China is that unless a society has the mindset to decisively address its current issues, it is not going to go up in the world. The more the Indian and Chinese systems deal with each other, a lot of Indians will pick that up,” he said, referring to how the Indian Govts in the past had allowed issues like the Citizenship Act, Article 370, Ayodhya, GST and “social and economic” issues to become an “accumulated legacy of problems”.He was answering questions at the launch of a book on China, Pax Sinica: Implications for the Indian Dawn, authored by Samir Saran and Akhil Deo. Jaishankar was asked whether the Govt’s categorisation of “dissenters, students and critics” as anti-national, and in particular the reference to students at JNU as “tukde-tukde gang”, was consistent with India’s democratic principles, especially when compared with China. “I can certainly tell you that when I was a student, we did not see any tukde-tukde gang,” Jaishankar, himself an alumnus of JNU during the 1970s and Emergency, said, using the pejorative popularised by the ruling BJP to portray the protesting students and Opposition members as “anti-national”.Jaishankar condemned the violence on the JNU campus, and said it was “against tradition and culture” of university.thehindu
Citizenship, Article 370, Ram temple problems of legacy: Jaishankar
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/citizenship-article-370-ram-temple-problems-of-legacy-jaishankar-6203359/
Seelampur to Jamia, Defence Colony to Govindpuri: Anti-CAA protests rumble on across Delhi
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/seelampur-to-jamia-defence-colony-to-govindpuri-anti-caa-protests-rumble-on-across-delhi/story-YQYnggdPOY7lXdnJPGGUsM.html
New Delhi:The protests against the controversial CAA spilled out to many Delhi neighbourhoods with university students and residents coming out to gather in parks and streets against the amended law on Sunday.At southeast Delhi’s Govindpuri, over 200 people gathered late afternoon to stand in solidarity with ongoing protests. The crowd largely included workers from All India Traders Union,and circulated pamphlets explaining what the CAA means for citizens.Protesters sang the national anthem and read out the Preamble to the Constitution of India. “There are people from all strata of society including teachers, students and workers. A small group has been going across localities, urging people to come out and support the movement,” said Shakti, 30, who works with a trade union.A banded perform songs of national unity and recited Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem ‘Hum Dekhenge’.“We plan to come back here. Workers have called a general strike against the economic slowdown, unemployment and demanding the rollback of CAA,” he added.Defence Colony in south Delhi saw the first such demonstration in which students and residents from nearby colonies gathered at the Durga Puja park in the morning and sat with placards for over 2 hours. However, protesters said, they were sitting peacefully, but local resident’s welfare association (RWA) was against the protest and called the police. Meanwhile, in northeast Delhi’s Seelampur, inspired by the women at the forefront of the indefinite sit-in at Shaheen Bagh, a group of women sat on a dharna in solidarity.“We stand in solidarity with protestors at Shaheen Bagh. We salute their courage and bravery, and the women of Seelampur have not only come out in the support of the protesters, but also demand a rollback of the CAA. We also reject the proposal for a nationwide NRC,” 27-year-old Alfiya Javed, one of the organisers of the sit-in, said.The women, many accompanied by their young children, raised slogans against CAA and NRC and of “Azaadi” (freedom).At the same time, Jamia Coordination Committee, which comprises both students and teachers, continued their protest against the CAA, NRC and NPR for the 24th day in the university.HT
Don’t send children excluded from Assam NRC to detention camps: Supreme Court
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dont-send-children-excluded-from-assam-nrc-to-detention-camps-supreme-court/article30495458.ece
The Supreme Court has ordered that children excluded from NRC for Assam but whose parents/ guardians/ caregivers are part of the final list, should not be sent to detention camps or separated from their loved ones at any cost.Appearing before a Bench led by CJI Sharad A. Bobde, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal was required to record an undertaking before the court in a petition filed by NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace. Over 19 lakh people in the State have been excluded from the final NRC list that was published on August 31 last. Its preparation was monitored by the SC. Lawyer Aparna Bhat, for NGO, submitted that they represented the case of 60 children they knew whose names have been excluded from NRC. “All their documents were shown. Despite this, their names were not found in the final NRC list. Their parents’ names are there in the list. Will these children be sent to detention camps" Ms. Bhat asked the court. CJI said the issue was very serious.Venugopal intervened, saying “children excluded from NRC whose parents have been given citizenship will not be sent to detention centres in Assam”.The application said “the unreasonable manner in which children have been excluded from NRC Final List even when their parents are included is in direct contravention of the State’s obligation towards children as envisaged under Article 15 (3), Article 39 (e) & (f), Article 45 and Article 47 of the Constitution of India, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015”. NGO submitted that NRC had identified “specific categories of already marginalised persons” who had been excluded. thehindu
Explain ‘communal statements’ by NRC coordinator, SC asks Assam Govt
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/explain-%E2%80%98communal-statements%E2%80%99-by-nrc-coordinator-sc-asks-assam-22330
Amid allegations that the new Assam NRC Coordinator Hitesh Dev Sarma made anti-immigrants comments, the Supreme Court has asked Assam Govt to explain his alleged communal statements. “He should not be saying all this. You (Assam Govt) have to explain this,” a Bench headed by CJI SA Bobde said after senior advocate Kapil Sibal brought Sarma’s alleged statements to the court’s notice on behalf of an NGO which sought removal of the Assam NRC coordinator for his alleged comments against Bengali Muslims and Rohingyas. On behalf of Assam Govt, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said NRC exercise was over and there was no role left for the state NRC coordinator. The Bench issued notices to the Centre and the Assam Govt on various petitions on the issue asking them to respond in 4 weeks. tribuneindia
Ahead of Jan 22 Hearing, Fresh Plea Filed by APCR in SC Challenging Constitutional Validity of CAA
https://www.news18.com/news/india/ahead-of-JAN.-22-hearing-fresh-plea-filed-in-sc-challenging-constitutional-validity-of-caa-2445051.html
New Delhi: A fresh plea has been filed by an NGO in the Supreme Court challenging the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, claiming that it is violative of fundamental rights granted under the Constitution and needs to be set aside.The plea filed by NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and others also sought a direction to the Centre to refrain from preparing NRC. NGO also sought an interim stay on CAA saying it would lead to irreversible consequences as the citizenship once granted cannot be reversed and such a person cannot be rendered stateless retrospectively, even if the disputed Act and notifications are declared unconstitutional subsequently. The petition filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool have also challenged Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, terming it as "arbitrary" and unconstitutional.The apex court agreed to examine the constitutional validity of CAA, but refused to stay its operation. A bench headed by CJI had fixed a batch of 59 petitions for hearing on JAN. 22.PTI
NPR a disguised bid to do Assam-like NRC: Chidambaram
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/npr-a-disguised-bid-to-do-assam-like-nrc-chidambaram-6203468/
Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram on Monday said the exercise to update NPR “must be stoutly opposed” as NPR this time, unlike in 2010, is a “disguised attempt” to do an Assam NRC-like exercise throughout the country. NRC-CAA-NPR exercise, he said, is part of RSS-BJP plan to push its divisive agenda of a Hindu Rashtra.Chidambaram, however, was not forthcoming on whether Congress govts in Rajasathan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab would stop NPR exercise in their states. TMC-ruled West Bengal and Left-ruled Kerala have already issued orders stopping NPR exercise in their respective states.Chidambaram said NRC was a “sinister and mischievous plan” to divide the country.indianexpress
NRC next, says BJP’s Bengali booklet on CAA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nrc-next-says-bjps-bengali-booklet-on-caa/
Kolkata :While PM Narendra Modi has said that the his Govt has not even discussed NRC, the Bengali version of BJP’s booklet on the CAA that was launched in Kolkata on Sunday as part of the party’s nationwide campaign to “dispel misinformation” about the new law mentions that the citizen’s register NRC will be implemented after this. Hindi version of the booklet, however, does not mention anything on NRC.On the last page of the 23-page booklet, a question reads: “Will it be NRC after this? How much it is needed? And if there is NRC, will Hindus have to go to detention centres like in Assam?” The answer reads: “Yes, after this NRC will be implemented. At least the central Govt’s intention looks like that. Before that, we would like to clearly mention that no Hindus will have to go to detention centre due to NRC. Those 11 lakh Hindus who are in detention centres in Assam are staying there because of the Foreigners Act.”indianexpress
Anti-CAA protest: Punjab and Haryana HC says Mewat Section 144 order in public interest
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-and-haryana-hc-says-mewat-section-144-order-in-public-interest/
Chandigarh :Declining to interfere with Mewat administration’s decision to impose Section 144 for 2 months in the wake of protests against the new citizenship law, Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday said the order appears to have been passed in public interest after an assessment of the situation by authorities, adding the court is “nobody to assess the situation”.The observations were made by the division bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli before dismissing a plea by a lawyer. PIL by advocate Mohammad Arshad contended that the Additional District Magistrate passed the order without identifying any imminent threat to public order and that it violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19.The court observed, “Today we quash this and something untoward happens, are you going to reimburse…”.Arshad had submitted that the order was passed only on the basis of an apprehension and it virtually prohibits any kind of protest.indianexpress
"Not Blind, Can See What's Happening": IIT Kanpur Students On Faiz Ahmad Faiz Poem Probe
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/not-blind-can-see-whats-happening-iit-kanpur-students-on-faiz-ahmad-faiz-poem-probe-2160048?pfrom=home-topstories
Lucknow: Students at IIT in Kanpur say they are worried over lack of communication from the administration on the probe into a protest last DEC. on the campus, where poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz's iconic work "Hum Dekhenge" - sung as a protest anthem over decades - was read out. The students say they don't know the terms of the investigation being carried out by IIT Kanpur admin. After first making the alleged "anti-Hindu" nature of the poem a focus of its probe, the institute said the investigation is much wider in scope and relates to several allegations, and that the poem and its contents are just one aspect of it.The inquiry committee was set up by IIT Kanpur after getting a complaint over the students reciting the poem before a solidarity march on DEC. 17, for their counterparts at Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia, where violence broke out during a protest against the CAA."The dean of academic classes, the dean of students' welfare and the deputy director himself, who later ordered the inquiry, were present (at the march) at the time. If they had an issue they would have raised objection right there. But they didn't. It was turned into an issue later," a final-year student at IIT Kanpur told NDTV, asking not to be named.NDTV
Anti-CAA protests: Activist Sadaf Jafar, retired IPS officer Darapuri walk out of jail
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anti-caa-protests-actor-activist-sadaf-jafar-retired-ips-officer-darapuri-walk-out-of-jail-6204200/
Activist and Congress spokesperson Sadaf Jafar and ex IPS officer S R Darapuri were released from jail Tuesday, 3 days after a sessions court in Lucknow granted them bail along with 13 others. They were arrested in connection with violence during anti-CAA protests in Lucknow in Dec. Congress city president Mukesh Singh Chauhan said that both walked out of jail at about 10 am.On Saturday, the activists were asked to furnish two bail bonds of Rs 50,000 each and personal bonds of an equal amount.indianexpress
Ant-CAA protest: Tripura's tribal protesters detained, warn of strike if no outreach from Centre
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/tripura/tripura-200-detained-for-anti-caa-protest-warn-of-strike-if-centre-doesnt-talk-6204656/
Agartala : Around 200 tribal protesters were detained in Agartala on Tuesday as they staged a demonstration against the CAA.Under the banner of Joint Movement Against CAA (JMACAA), the protesters gathered in from of Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan and raised slogans like ‘We want Justice’, ‘NRC Hai Hai’, ‘Narendra Modi Hai Hai’, ‘Amit Shah Hai Hai’. The protest was part of a previously announced series of agitations against CAA.JMACAA, a joint forum of three tribal political parties and some social organisations, had held a three-day Tripura Bandh from DEC. 9 last year against the amended citizenship legislation. The forum later met Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, who assured them tribals would be “protected” in Tripura.Nearly a month after the meeting, JMACAA leaders say they feel “cheated” and “undermined”, since the Home Minister didn’t invite them for a second round of talks about how he plans to keep Tripura safe amidst CAA. JMACAA convener and rights activist Anthony Debbarma said they are against the CAA since Tripura has already accommodated a lot of refugees and immigrants since its merger with Indian Union in 1949.indian express
Allies Give BJP's Pro-CAA Rally in Chennai a Miss, AIADMK Vows to Protest against NRC if Needed
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/allies-give-bjps-pro-caa-rally-in-chennai-a-miss-aiadmk-vows-to-protest-against-nrc-if-needed-2449447.html
Chennai: The state unit of BJP held a rally in support of the CAA at exactly the same venue where DMK had staged a massive protest march along with its allies in DEC. last year against the same law. However, for BJP, the rally didn’t turn out to be the way it would have wanted with two of its key allies, namely the ruling AIADMK and PMK, staying away from the event.Though party functionaries said the event was a solely BJP-organised one, a hoarding put up on the dias stated the event is being held by the BJP and its alliance partners.Meanwhile, the ruling AIADMK is facing the heat from several corners for its support to the controversial Act that seeks to give citizenship on the basis of religion.news18
‘CAA not acceptable in Northeast’, say student bodies; to hold protest against JNU violence
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/caa-not-acceptable-in-northeast-say-student-bodies-to-hold-protest-against-jnu-violence/story-xQlTDJbqphaX8u6WTAEuiI.html
New Delhi:The Citizenship (Amendment) Act will not be accepted in the Northeast and PM Narendra Modi will face agitation and protests when he visits the region next, North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has said.NESO is an umbrella organisation comprising of student bodies from eight northeastern states. The powerful and influential AASU, Naga Students Union, Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union, Mizo Zirlai Pawal, Khasi Students Union of Meghalaya and Twipra Student Federation of Tripura are a part of it.HT
Modi following 'two-nation theory', has emerged as 'Hindu Jinnah': Tarun Gogoi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/modi-following-two-nation-theory-has-emerged-as-hindujinnah-tarun-gogoi/articleshow/73126747.cms
Guwahati: Calling PM Narendra Modi India's "Hindu Jinnah", former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi on Monday accused him of following the "two-nation theory" of the Pakistan founder to divide the nation on the basis of religion.The Congress veteran leader also decried Sunday night attack on JNU students, saying it was reflective of BJP's "policy of repression that would bring further misfortune" for the country. he massive protests against the CAA the proposed pan-India NRC have made it clear that Indians do not want the kind of Hindutva the BJP and the RSS seek to bring into the country, he said.PTI
Hyderabad: Owasi-led UMAC to hold Tiranga rally against CAA-NRC on JAN. 10
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-owasi-led-umac-to-hold-tiranga-rally-against-caa-nrc-on-JAN.-10-6204919/
Hyderabad :Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi-led United Muslim Action Committee (UMAC) will take out a “Tiranga rally” in Hyderabad on JAN. 10.The announcement comes close on the heels of a ‘million march’ organised by TS & AP Joint Action Committee in Hyderabad. Speaking to the media, state president of Jamat-e-Islami, Hamed Khan, said a mega rally against NRC/CAA/NPR will be taken out on JAN. 10 at 2 pm from Mir Alam Idgah. The rally will conclude by 5 pm, with a public meeting at Shastripuram. He added that the national flag will be hoisted at Charminar on the midnight of JAN. 25.“In front of the historic Charminar, a protest meeting and a mushaira will be held. At 12 am, the national flag will be hoisted,” Khan said.Further, the UMAC announced it would organise a human chain and silent protest on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. “On the day Bapu Gandhi was assassinated, there will be a silent protest with placards between Mohammadi line flour mill and Bapu Ghat,” he said. Owaisi, present at the press meet, reiterated his demand that CM K Chandrasekhar Rao follows the Kerala Govt in putting NPR on hold.Hamed Khan appealed to all Indians, irrespective of caste and religion, to join the protests. He said a new alliance against the CAA and NRC, led by its Convenor Justice (retd) Chandrakumar, has extended support to the rally.indianexpress
Delhi CAA protests: 5 people, including 2 alleged Bangladeshis, sent to judicial custody for two weeks
https://scroll.in/latest/948960/delhi-caa-protests-five-people-including-two-bangladeshis-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-two-weeks
A Delhi court on Monday remanded 5 persons, including 2 Bangladeshis, to judicial custody for two weeks for their alleged involvement in the violence that broke out in New Delhi’s Seemapuri area during an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest last month, PTI reported. The police’s Crime Branch claimed to have arrested the five earlier in the day. Of the 3 Indians, two are from UP and one is from Seemapuri, according to the police. They were identified as Ghaziabad resident 19-year-old Mohammad Shoaib, Pilibhit resident Mohammad Amir, 24, and 40-year-old Seemapuri resident Yusuf. The two Bangladeshis were identified as Mohammad Azad and Mohammad Subhan.scroll.in
'50,000' women in Malegaon take out rally against CAA, NRC
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/city-others/women-in-malegaon-take-out-massive-rally-against-caa-nrc-6203290/
Malegaon: Malegaon witnessed its second massive protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the NRC on Monday, with only women — 50,000 as per the organisers — taking to the streets. The police, however, pegged the figure at 10,000.At the end of the protest, its convener, Janata Dal (Secular) corporator Shan-e-Hind, the daughter of former seven-time Malegaon Central MLA Nihal Ahmed, called for a “non-cooperation movement” on Republic Day.On DEC. 19, a massive protest rally was taken out against CAA and NRC in Malegaon. The rally was attended by around 60,000 people — both men and women — the police had said. Shops and schools in the area had remained shut as part of the protest.indianexpress
*OTHERS*
7 yrs after Nirbhaya died, 4 convicts to hang on JAN. 22 at 7 am
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nirbhaya-case-four-convicts-to-hang-on-JAN.-22-at-7-am-says-delhi-court-issues-death-warrant-2160154
New Delhi: 4 convicts sentenced to death in the Nirbhaya case will hang at 7 am on JAN. 22, a Delhi court said today, issuing a death warrant. Akshay Thakur Singh, Mukesh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma were found guilty in 2012 gang-rape, torture and killing of a young medical student in Delhi."This judgement will reinforce people's faith in the judiciary. My daughter will get justice," said Nirbhaya's mother, who had petitioned the court for a death warrant, saying she had waited 7 years for justice.Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed the last review petition in the case, filed by Akshay Singh. Nirbhaya's parents then asked a lower court to issue a death warrant but the judge had deferred a decision until today."I have been running from pillar to post for one year," Nirbhaya's mother had wept at the time before the judge, who consoled her saying he was bound by the law. Besides the 4 convicts, two more were accused in the rape and murder. Ram Singh, the fifth accused, committed suicide and a juvenile was released after 3 years in a reform home.The convicts are in Delhi's Tihar jail, where officials had started preparing for the hangings weeks ago.ndtv
Sabarimala: Supreme Court names 9-judge bench to examine matters related to women’s entry
https://scroll.in/latest/949091/sabarimala-supreme-court-names-nine-judge-bench-to-examine-matters-related-to-womens-entry
The Supreme Court on Tuesday named a nine-member bench to examine matters related to entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, PTI reported. The bench will comprise CJI SA Bobde and Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan, LN Rao, MM Shantanagoudar, SA Nazeer, RS Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant. The court had announced on Monday that a nine-judge bench would hear from JAN. 13 matters related to the pleas against its 2018 Sabarimala judgement.On September 28, 2018, a 5-judge Constitution bench, which included former CJI Dipak Misra, had allowed women of all ages to enter Ayyappa temple, leading to massive protests. Only a handful of women managed to enter the shrine.scroll
Minority Educational Institutions Do Not Have Absolute Right of Appointments: SC
https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-minority-institutions
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said that Govt-aided minority educational institutions do not have absolute right in deciding the appointment of teachers and that the state can introduce a regulatory regime and a mechanism to select teachers in the “national interest” to ensure “excellence in educational institutions,” according to a report in The Hindu.The judgment came in connection with a case that concerned the validity of the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act 2008, which had constituted a commission to appoint teachers in madrasas.Upholding the validity of the 2008 Act, the apex court held that the commission was made up of persons with knowledge of Islamic culture and theology and that the provisions of the Act were “specially designed” for madrasas. The court held that the Act was “not violative of the rights of the minority educational institutions on any count”.The court held that minority institutions cannot ignore such a legal regime on the grounds that it is their fundamental right under Article 30 of the constitution to establish and administer their educational institutions.thewire
Red flag anti-US march in Delhi demands revenge for Qassem Soleimani killing
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anti-us-protest-march-in-delhi-after-qassem-soleimani-killing-1634705-2020-01-07
Amassive anti-US march was carried out Tuesday in New Delhi in protest of the killing of top Iranian commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq.The plan was for the protest march to end outside US Embassy, but it was stopped halfway by the authorities for security reasons.The protests were led by prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad Naqvi, and Mehmood Pracha.One of the protesters explained the significance of the red flag."In ancient times, when tribes would go to war and the leader of one of the tribes was killed then that tribe would raise a red flag declaring war against the killers of their chief. This red flag signifies our demand for revenge against America," he said.Earlier, American Embassy issued a demonstration alert’ for its citizens to stay away from the embassy area for their own safety.india today
Nankana sahib : Pakistan arrests man who led mob
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nankana-sahib-vandalism-case-pakistan-arrests-man-who-led-stone-pelting-mob-6203531/
Imran Ali Chishti, the man who issued threats to Sikhs and led a mob on Friday that pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, was arrested Sunday and charged with a non-bailable section of Pakistan’s anti-terrorism act.“The main culprit in #NankanaSahib incident Imran has been arrested,” Pakistani Punjab CM’s Focal Person Azhar Mashwani said in a tweet.The tweet also carried photo of Imran behind bars. In another tweet, Azhar wrote, “For those who don’t know especially Sikh brothers: 7 ATA is a non bailable section under Anti-Terrorism Act.”Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh said, “We are thankful to the Govt of Pakistan. Now we want that strict punishment be given to Imran as per the sections in the FIR so that no individual dares to disturb the communal harmony between Sikhs and Muslims.” Chishti, a Govt employee working in Fisheries Department, is the elder brother of Mohammad Hassan who married a Sikh girl in Sept.On Friday, Chishti claimed police harassment and arrest of their family members over the issue. He claimed that his brother Hassan was beaten up by police for “lawfully and consensually” marrying the Sikh girl.indianexpress
'It Is A Ban On Newspapers': Kashmiri Journalists On Internet Shutdown In Valley
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-it-is-a-ban-on-newspapers-kashmiri-journalists-on-internet-shutdown-in-valley/345315
As the Internet shutdown in Kashmir continues, entering its 157th day, valley-based journalists said the ban is, in fact, on the newspapers.Kashmiri journalists on Monday organised a seminar titled 'Cyber Curfew' where they spoke about the hardships being faced by the media in absence of the Internet.“I can tell you what is happening in New York, but I don’t know what is happening in Sopore,” Bashir Manzar, editor of an English daily, Kashmir Images, said. Sopore is a town located in Baramulla district, nearly 50km from Srinagar.Manzar said his reporters, who are based in different districts of the valley, are unable to file stories due to the Internet shutdown.Haroon Rashid Shah, the editor of Urdu daily Nida-i-Mashriq, said the Internet ban has directly affected journalism and newspapers in Kashmir. “Internet ban is the ban on newspapers,” Shah said. Another senior journalist, Peerzada Ashiq said the Internet was a major communication tool for journalists to gain access to information, for research and to file their stories.Ashiq drew the parallels between the curbs faced by Kashmir media with that of Stalin’s Russia and General Zia’s Pakistan.Journalist Majid Hyderi said that Kashmir Press Club should approach J&K High Court for the restoration of the Internet for the Kashmir media fraternity.outlookindia
Spiritual organisation not above law: Karnataka HC to Isha Foundation on Cauvery Calling case
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/spiritual-organisation-not-above-law-hc-isha-foundation-cauvery-calling-case-115532
Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation to disclose how much funds it has collected for its Cauvery Calling initiative. The bench, led by Chief Justice Abhay Oka was hearing a petition filed against Isha Foundation collecting money from farmers to fund the initiative.“Creating awareness about river rejuvenation is a good cause, but it should not be done at the cost of forcing people to pay money. Under what authority are you collecting money from farmers? Where is the affidavit stating that you have not forced people to pay money?” the court asked. PTI
Was not allowed to enter temple: Dalit minister informs HP Assembly
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/was-not-allowed-to-enter-temple-dalit-minister-informs-hp-assembly-6204897/
Shimla :Himachal Pradesh Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Rajiv Saizal on Tuesday told the state assembly that he was not allowed to enter a temple as he is a Dalit, reported PTI. Saizal said that he and Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar were not allowed to enter a temple. The minister, however, did not mention the name and location of the temple.He was speaking while participating in a discussion on a bill that extends reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies by another 10 years. The state Assembly in its special one-day session ratified by a unanimous voice vote The Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill.Earlier, Congress MLA from Kinnaur Jagat Singh Negi said that Dalits were not allowed to enter temples in some places in the state. The minister said he agreed with the Congress MLAs who had stated that Dalits are not allowed inside some temples.indianexpress
Delhi Assembly poll dates are out: Voting Feb 8, counting Feb 11
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-assembly-poll-dates-are-out-voting-feb-8-counting-feb-11-6203495/
Delhi assembly elections will be held on February 8 and the results will be announced February 11, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said Monday.The announcement of the poll schedule comes at a time when the Capital has been witnessing protests, some of them violent, against the CAA.Asked about the law and order situation in the Capital, against the backdrop of the poll announcement, Arora said the Election Commission held interactions “at all levels”, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Chief Secretary and the Union Home Ministry, and was “quite hopeful” that the Govt machinery would “control the situation” and ensure conducive conditions for elections.“In any case, if there is an extraordinary situation during poll process, then there are provisions to defer polls,” he said. The notification for the polls will be issued on JAN. 14 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be JAN. 24. Asked about the Union Budget, that will be announced while Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force in Delhi, Arora said the EC’s decision of 2017 is clear, and the state and union Govt cannot make any announcement that is state-specific. He refused to comment on the criticism of the EC’s role in enforcing the model code. In the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP won 67 of 70 seats. BJP got the remaining three seats, while the Congress drew a blank. While AAP secured 54.3% of the votes, BJP got 32%. There are a total of 1.46 crore registered voters in Delhi — 80,55,686 men, 66,35,635 women and 815 belonging to the third gender.indianexpress
GDP Growth For This Year At 5%, Says Govt, Slowest In 11 Years
https://www.ndtv.com/business/Govt-forecasts-2019-20-gdp-growth-rate-at-5-2160211?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: Govt on Tuesday forecast 5 % growth for the current financial year, the slowest pace in 11 years, which will likely prompt the finance minister to opt for extra fiscal stimulus when she presents the annual budget next month.The Govt is expected to announce tax concessions for individuals and increase spending on infrastructure after cutting corporate tax rates last year, officials and economists said.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week unveiled a plan to invest Rs 102 lakh crore in infrastructure over the next five years in a bid to make India a $5 trillion economy by 2025.Annual economic growth slowed to 4.5 % in the July-September quarter, weakest pace since 2013, blamed on weakening demand and private investment, putting pressure on PM Narendra Modi to speed up reforms as five rate cuts have failed to help. ndtv
80% Indian firms risk going out of business without Artificial Intelligence
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/80-indian-firms-risk-going-out-of-business-without-artificial-intelligence
Nearly 80 % of top-notch executives in India believe if they don't aggressively deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) across their organisations, they risk going out of business by 2025, an Accenture study revealed on Monday.The research found that while 79 % of C-level executives in India believe they won't achieve their business strategy without scaling AI, only a few have made the shift from mere experimentation to creating an organization powered by robust AI capabilities. As a result, this small group of top performers is achieving nearly three times the return from AI investments as their lower-performing counterparts, Accenture said in a statement.IANS
Air India sale: EoI approved by Group of Ministers; to be issued this month for bidders
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/air-india-sale-eoi-approved-by-group-of-ministers-to-be-issued-this-month-for-bidders-6204577/
New Delhi :In a step closer towards the privatisation of state-owned Air India, a Group of Ministers headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah today approved Expression of Interest (EoI) as well as the share purchase agreement for the debt-ridden carrier. EoI and the share purchase agreement will be issued in JAN. itself for the bidders, PTI reported. This was the second meeting of the GoM after September last year.The strategic divestment of the debt-ridden airlines has been a cause of concern for the Govt after the Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) approved re-initiation of the process for govt’s 100 % stake sale in Air India along with Air India Express and the carrier’s stake in joint venture AISATS. indianexpress
2019 seventh warmest year, weather toll 1,562:IMD
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2019-seventh-warmest-year-weather-toll-1562-says-imd-6203417/
The year 2019 was one of extremes — heat, cold, rain and cyclones — for India, killing a total of 1,562 people. The previous year, total deaths caused due to similar weather vagaries was 1,428.This was stated in a weather summary titled the ‘Statement on Climate of India during 2019’ released by IMD.Interestingly, the rainfall amounts during both the Southwest Monsoon (June to Sept) and Northeast Monsoon (Oct to Dec) remained 109 % of Long Period Average (LPA). That is, the country recorded excess rainfall during the entire year, making it an extremely wet year in recent times.indianexpress
*WORLD*
Stampede at Soleimani's funeral kills 40, wounds scores; Burial delayed
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/dozens-killed-stampede-soleimani-funeral-iran-state-tv-200107093406578.html
Dozens of people have been killed in a stampede that erupted in the Iranian city of Kerman at the funeral procession for a top commander killed in an air strike by US, according to officials."So far 40 people were killed and 213 others were wounded in the incident," semi-official Fars reported on Tuesday, citing an emergency services official.Earlier, the head of the country's emergency services, Pirhossein Koolivand, told state television that "32 of our citizens lost their lives in the procession...and 190 were injured" due to "overcrowding".Initial videos posted online showed people lying lifeless on a road, others shouting and trying to help them.Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in the small city of Kerman for the burial of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, who was assassinated on Friday near the international airport of Baghdad.The burial was postponed, the semi-official ISNA reported, without providing more details. Tuesday's funeral comes after days of processions that attracted huge crowds in the streets of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran, followed by Mashhad in northwest, the capital Tehran and the holy city of Qom.Al Jazeera's Assed Beig, reporting from Tehran, said many who were unable to attend the previous gatherings had made their way to the final procession in Kerman. aljazeera
Pentagon rejects US President Trump’s threat to hit Iranian cultural sites
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pentagon-rejects-us-president-trump-s-threat-to-hit-iranian-cultural-sites/story-pqsHFmIpNPEyxqRinDyIlO.html
The Pentagon on Monday distanced itself from President Donald Trump’s assertions that he would bomb Iranian cultural sites despite international prohibitions on such attacks.Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the U.S. will “follow the laws of armed conflict.” When asked if that ruled out targeting cultural sites, Esper said pointedly, “That’s the laws of armed conflict.”The split between the president and his Pentagon chief came amid heightened tensions with Tehran following a U.S. drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force. Trump had twice warned that he would hit Iranian cultural sites if Tehran retaliates against the U.S.AP
Iran General's daughter warns US of "Dark Day" at his funeral; Hamas leader Haniyeh says resistance against Zionist project, US dominance will not be weakened
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/qasem-soleimanis-daughter-says-crazy-trump-dont-think-everything-is-over-2159572?pfrom=home-topstories
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians thronged Tehran's streets on Monday for the funeral of military commander Qassem Soleimani, killed by a US drone strike last week, and his daughter said his death would bring a "dark day" for US. "Crazy Trump, don't think that everything is over with my father's martyrdom," Zeinab Soleimani said in an address broadcast on state TV.The size of the crowds in Tehran, shown on television and which state media said numbered in the millions, mirrored the masses that gathered in 1989 for the funeral of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.Soleimani was a national hero to many Iranians, even those who did not consider themselves devoted supporters of Iran's clerical rulers.The coffins of Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was also killed in the strike, were passed across the heads of mourners chanting "Death to America".Prayers at Soleimani's funeral in Tehran, which will later move to his southern home city of Kerman, were led by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wept as he spoke. Soleimani was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind Khamenei.Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Palestinian Hamas, made his first trip to Iran since taking up his role in 2017 in order to attend."Resistance against the Zionist project on the land of Palestine will not stop, and resistance against the American dominance will not be broken and will not be weakened," Haniyeh said, referring to Israel.Reuters
US Denies Visa To Iranian Foreign Minister To Attend UN Meet: Official
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-denies-visa-to-iranian-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-to-attend-un-meet-official-2159940
US has denied a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that would have allowed him to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday, US official said.Monday's comments by the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, came as tensions escalate between the two countries after the United States killed Iran's most prominent military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric declined to comment on the U.S. denial of a visa for Zarif.Reuters
China Asks US To Provide Visa To Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif To Attend UNSC Meeting
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/world-news-china-asks-us-to-provide-visa-to-iranian-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-to-attend-unsc-meetings/345313
China has urged the US to provide visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to attend UN Security Council meetings in New York this week, saying that as a country hosting UN, Washington is obliged to provide visa for officials of member countries.PTI
Iran's parliament designates all US forces as 'terrorists'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iran-parliament-designates-forces-terrorists-200107081230324.html
Iran's parliament has unanimously passed a bill designating US' forces as "terrorists" over the assassination of top military commander Qassem Soleimani in an air attack in Iraq last week.Under the newly adopted bill on Tuesday, the entire US forces and employees of the Pentagon and affiliated organisations, agents and commanders and those who ordered the "martyrdom" of Soleimani were designated as "terrorists"."Any aid to these forces, including military, intelligence, financial, technical, service or logistical, will be considered as cooperation in a terrorist act," the bill said.aljazeera
'Political will' in way of expelling US troops from Iraq
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/expelling-troops-iraq-200107074347225.html
Despite apparently simple procedural measures required to end the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, some experts argue that a withdrawal of US soldiers is unlikely to happen soon as neither side appears fully supportive of such a move.In an extraordinary session on Sunday, two days after a US air strike killed Iranian and Iraqi commanders in Baghdad, Iraqi parliament called on the Govt to end all foreign troop presence in Iraq and to cancel its request for assistance from US-led coalition in the fight against ISIL group.A day later, US secretary of defence, Mark Esper, was forced to clarify that US has no plans to pull out militarily from Iraq, following reports citing a letter by US military that it was preparing for "movement out of Iraq".Sarkawt Shams, a member of the Kurdish Future bloc in the Iraqi parliament, said the implementation of parliament's non-binding resolution "relates to whether or not both sides ... actually want" to end US presence in Iraq."If there's a political will to expel US troops, then the process won't be complicated," he said, adding, however, that an imminent withdrawal appeared unlikely.The steps required for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq are straightforward, according to experts, who said the presence of the about 5,000 US troops - most of whom are in Iraq in an advisory capacity - is tied to an arrangement dating back to 2014.aljazeera
US military has no plans to leave Iraq: US defence chief
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/military-tells-iraq-preparing-move-200106195552545.html
US has no plans to pull out militarily from Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon reporters on Monday, following reports of a US military letter about preparations for a withdrawal."There's been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq," Esper said, when asked about the letter, adding there had also been no plans issued to prepare to leave."There's been no decision made to leave Iraq. Period," he told reporters. aljazeera
Israel approves over 1,900 new settler homes: NGO
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/israel-approves-1900-settler-homes-ngo-200106185230948.html
Israel has approved the construction of nearly 2,000 new settler homes on occupied Palestinian territories, an anti-settlement watchdog group said on Monday.Peace Now said that nearly 800 housing units received the final approvals needed for construction to begin. It said initial approvals were given for an additional 1,150 homes. Settlement projects require several rounds of approvals.The green light was given on Sunday and Monday, the watchdog group said, adding that 89 %of the new homes will be erected in "settlements that Israel may have to evacuate under a future peace agreement with the Palestinians".aljazeera
Algerian president calls Libya's Tripoli a 'red line'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/algerian-president-calls-libya-tripoli-red-line-200107072132077.html
Head of Libya's internationally recognised Govt has met the Algerian president during an official visit to discuss the heightened tensions in his country.Libya was plunged into chaos after the toppling and killing of former leader Gaddafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising. Since 2014, it has been split into rival eastern and western administrations. Tensions escalated in April last year when renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, who backs eastern Govt, launched an offensive to capture the capital, Tripoli, the seat of the Govt of National Accord (GNA).During Monday's meeting with GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called Tripoli "a red line no one should cross".He also urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to fulfil their responsibilities for achieving peace and stability in Libya, according to Algeria's APS news agency.aljazeera
Pak Parliament passes bills to extend army chief Gen Bajwa's tenure
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/world-news-pakistans-national-assembly-passes-bills-to-extend-army-chief-gen-bajwas-tenure/345320
Pakistan's lower house of Parliament on Tuesday passed three crucial bills to give extension to Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa for another 3 years, signaling the dominance of the powerful army, which has ruled the country for more than half of its 72 years of existence. Gen Bajwa, a close confidant of Imran Khan, was to retire on November 29 last year at the end of his three-year original term but the PM gave the 59-year-old Army chief another extension of the same length, citing the regional security situation through a notification on August 19.PTI
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
'We've Lost the Ability to Be a Model Country': Former NSA Shivshankar Menon, thewire
https://thewire.in/diplomacy/shivshankar-menon-caa-nrc-india
JNU violence reflects an apocalyptic politics driven by a constant need to find new enemies:Pratap Bhanu Mehta, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jnu-delhi-violence-abvp-bjp-jnusu-6203243/
State miscalculated CAA’s fallout, failed to recognise anger among Muslims:Prakash Singh, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-amendment-act-caa-nrc-bjp-protest-6203269/
With the violence at JNU, citizens face a stark, binary moral choice:Aakash Joshi, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jnu-violence-abvp-bjp-left-jnusu-6203245/
Citizenship law threatens the very idea of India. We must raise our voices:Debsmita Chowdhury, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-amendment-act-india-nrc-bjp-6201242/
A direct military contest between US and Iran is loaded in America’s favour:C. Raja Mohan, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/trump-qassem-soleimani-iran-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-6203264/
Trump is mistaken to think an all-out war will help his re-election chances:Syed Ata Hasnain, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/qassem-soleimani-quds-iran-us-donald-trump-india-6203258/
Forgotten Army trailer: Kabir Khan’s series on Indian National Army is high on action:indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-forgotten-army-trailer-sunny-kaushal-kabir-khan-video-6204423/
‘He is still haunting unjust rulers from beyond the grave: Faiz’s grandson interview, indian express
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/faiz-ahmed-faiz-poetry-hum-dekhenge-controversy-kanpur-iit-6203226/
Iran withdrawing from the nuclear deal could be the most dangerous consequence of the current crisis: The Independent, UK
https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/iran-nuclear-deal-trump-withdraw-qassem-soleimani-a9272531.html
Rakhine: the new front in Myanmar's violent ethnic conflicts:aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/rakhine-front-myanmar-violent-ethnic-conflicts-200106065650305.html
World is Already Recognising Refugees from the 'Hindu Rashtra':Suraj Girijashanker, thewire
https://thewire.in/rights/the-world-is-already-recognising-refugees-from-the-hindu-rashtra
Decades of Violence Have Pushed Kashmir to the Brink of a Mental Health Crisis:Raashid Hassan, Ishtiaq Wani, thewire
https://thewire.in/health/kashmir-mental-health-ptsd-grief
‘Leftist’ Assaulter in Video Shared by JNU VC, Prasar Bharati Now ID’d as ABVP Student:thewire
https://thewire.in/media/leftist-jnu-vc-abvp
Amit Shah Says BJP Got 52 Lakh 'Pro-CAA' Calls. How Many Were by Lonely Hearts?thewire
https://thewire.in/politics/caa-missed-call-bjp
JNU Violence: When Knowledge Becomes a Signifier of Dissidence:Monobina Gupta, thewire
https://thewire.in/rights/jnu-violence-rough-edges
Muslim leaders, HR activists demand impartial inquiry into ‘police atrocities’ in UP
https://theindianawaaz.com/muslim-leaders-hr-activists-demand-impartial-inquiry-into-police-atrocities-in-up/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:22 PM).
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