Indian Muslims, In the 73rd Year of Independence: Part I
This is a three-part article in which veteran journalist Rehan Ansari reviews the conditions of  Indian Muslims in 73rd year of India's Independence. The Part-I appears today.   By Rehan Ansari (Special to India Tomorrow)  MUMBAI: Mohandas Gandhi, the father of the nation, said, in 1931, "A Nation's Greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members and shows compassion to those who can't protect and fend for themselves." At a time when India is to celebrate 73rd years of its independence, it will be important to understand where the Indian Muslims stand.   This report is based on the lecture of Christophe Jaffrelot, a French Political Scientist specializing in South Asia especially, India and Pakistan, author of many books, who talked extensively on the conditions of Indian Muslims and the way forward in a webinar.   He had dealt with two questions in his lecture organized by the BASE, West Bengal. With government and his research ...

Karnataka Govt In Dock Over Irregularities In COVID Procurement
By Our Special Correspondent   BENGALURU, JULY 20—The Karnataka State Government is in the dock over alleged corruption charges related to buying of medical equipment and ration at a much higher prices than available in the market for tackling COVID 19 crisis.   The allegations have been levelled by former Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, the current Leader of Opposition in the assembly.   The serious graft-related allegations of a scam to the tune of Rs 2000 crore have come at a time when the general population of the state is struggling to eke out a livelihood in the wake of Coronavirus crisis and spike in the number of cases recently.   The former Congress chief minister has sent written complaint to the Public Accounts Committee and State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) demanding that the government come clean on the allegations made referring to  the scam.   Siddharamaiah, in his complaint, has specified details about buying medical e...

"Real Ayodhya Is In Nepal": Nepal PM Oli Cocks A Snook At Hindutva Forces, BJP Rejects Claim
India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, JULY 14—In a sweeping statement that is bound to shake the very edifice of Hindutva politics assiduously built around the symbol of Lord Ram by RSS/BJP in India, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Monday claimed that the “real” Ayodhya, the place where the Hindu deity was born, is in Nepal.   The Nepali PM’s claim has far-reaching implications for India’s ruling dispensation as it contradicts their oft-repeated claim that Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya located in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.  By claiming that Thori in southern Nepal is the place where the Hindu icon was born, he sought to deprive the BJP the very base on which it built its political fortunes since 1990s. It is another matter that Oli himself is currently fighting for his political survival at home with growing dissidence in his party.   As expected, the BJP was quick to condemn Oli for his remarks. Party’s spokesperson Bi...

An Entire Indian Army's Company Was Trapped By Chinese PLA
Sumit Kumar Singh   NEW DELHI, JUNE 17—Around 120 Indian soldiers, almost an entire company, was trapped and encircled by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and followed by savage and deceptive attacks, many to a point of mutilation, on Monday night, sources said.   Pointing firearms on their faces, the Chinese PLA brutally tortured some Indian soldiers to death, sources further revealed, adding that the Indian soldiers were helpless with the government directions of not to use firearms. It was not a hand-to-hand fight between the forces, as IANS has learnt and the PLA troopers used all kinds of weapons against the Indian soldiers, who bravely fought and tried to control the situation.   Sources said the Indian Army troopers were outnumbered by 1:5 ratio when they came under attack from the Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers at the patrolling point number 14 in Ladakh on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.   China's PLA t...

Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan Hands Over His Laptop to Delhi Police to Facilitate Investigation
 Syed Khalique Ahmed | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, MAY 10—Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) chairman Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan on Sunday submitted his laptop with Delhi Police (Special Cell).    The laptop was submitted following a notice served on him on Saturday, asking him to deposit the laptop for investigation in a case registered against him on the basis of a tweet he made on April 28.    Speaking to India Tomorrow, Dr. Khan said, “I handed over the laptop to the police though the laptop is not required at all for investigation because I have not deleted the tweet. The tweet is very much there on my registered twitter handle. So, any one can have access to it”.    “Moreover, a tweet made or something loaded from a laptop or computer on the Facebook page is not saved in the computer or laptop. It can only be accessed on the Twitter handle of the person or his Facebook page. Yet, I gave my laptop to the police bec...

Scapegoating of Indian Muslims for Coronavirus Spread Evoke Reactions In UAE, Indonesia
Syed Ali Ahmed | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, APRIL 20—Scapegoating of Muslims for spread of coronavirus officially by the government agencies and a big section of Indian media-TV and print- demonising Muslims day and night and holding them responsible for the coronavirus infection has resulted in sharp reaction in the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and from Indian diaspora organisations like Indian American Muslim Council(IAMC) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) based in the United States of America.   Two Indian expats working in UAE have been sacked in the last one week over posting alleged Islamophobic messages on social media. They have been identified as Bala Krishna Nakka and Rakesh B. Kitturmath.   According to the Gulf News, Nakka was working as chief accountant at Dubai’s Moro Hub Data Solutions Company while Kitturmath was working as a senior executive at Emrill Services in Dubai.   Prior to it, one Mitesh Udeshi residing in Abu Dhabi ...

Gujarat Police Lodges FIR Against SC Advocate Prashant Bhushan, Two Others
Syed Khalique Ahmed | India Tomorrow  NEW DELHI, APRIL 13—The Gujarat police have registered a criminal case against Supreme Court’s senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and two others on the basis of a tweet on March 28 in which he had said that “our heartless ministers celebrate consuming and feeding the opium of Ramayan and Mahabharata to the people”.   The charges levelled against him are under IPC’s Section 295A pertaining to hurting religious feelings, Section 505/1/B pertaining to inducement to disturb public tranquility, Section 34 pertaining to committing an act with common intention and Section 120B pertaining to entering into a criminal conspiracy punishable with death, life sentence or rigorous imprisonment for two years or more.   The other two persons mentioned in the FIR are former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan and one Ashlin Matthew.   An official at the Bhaktinagar police station in Rajkot city where the FIR was lodg...

Coronavirus Pandemic: British PM, Prince Charles among 67 Top World Leaders Infected by Killer Virus
Over 150 Saudi Royal Family members, including Riyadh governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud infected by coronavirus and undergoing treatment. King Salman and his all- powerful son Mohammed bin Salman go in self-isolation.   Syed Ali Ahmed | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, APRIL 10—The noble coronavirus disease or COVID-19 has taken in its grip a large number of political leaders, heads of governments, ministers, as also royals, along with the commoners, all over the globe.   If huge number of common people have been quarantined owing to fear of contracting or spreading the virus, royals and several heads of governments all over the world are equally scared and hiding themselves from the attack of invisible virus.   A senior member of the Saudi Royal Family as also over 100 members of the Kingdom’s royal family are reported to have contracted COVID-19 disease in the last few weeks.   Reports appearing in international media s...

Coronavirus, The Nizamuddin Tablighi Jamaat Fiasco: A Collective Failure
 Ejaz Maqbool & Mohammad Isa Hakim   The Nizamuddin Markaz fiasco is the biggest unfolding tragedy in India’s fight against the global pandemic of the Coronavirus. It is clear that the Tablighi Jamaat Markaz held in New Delhi was the most potent local COVID-19 hotspot in the country.   The Markaz story catapulted into national attention on March 30, when the Telangana government announced the death of 6 persons in the state who had attended the annual Tablighi Jamaat religious congregation (Ijtema) between March 13-15.   Founded in 1926, the Tablighi Jamaat is a Sunni Muslim religious organisation that focuses on travelling in groups (Jamaats) to mosques around the world enjoining Muslims to be steadfast in their practice of Islam. The Nizamuddin Markaz being its global headquarters, huge cohorts of travellers lodging at the Markaz throughout the year is business as usual and happens with full knowledge of the government and other law enforcement age...

Sunday 9 PM Candlelight at Nadwa, Residence of Maulana Firangi Mahli Sparks Row
What I did has nothing to do with faith, I did it in national solidarity: Maulana Firangi Mahli   There is no doubt that whatever happened at Nadwa was regrettable but to target a reputed institution like Nadwa on the basis of that act is not proper: Maulana Wali Rahmani   Mumtaz Alam | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, APRIL 7— At the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, millions of people across the country switched off lights in their homes and lit candles, diyas (earthen lamps) or switched on mobile flashlight on Sunday night (April 5) in a show of solidarity with the nation’s fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. India’s esteemed Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama and Lucknow’s renowned cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli also switched off their lights and lit candles. Their act, however, has sparked row among a section of Muslim social media users.   It is said that Maulana Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadwi, Chancellor o...

Gujarat Police Arrests Rumour-Mongers About Tablighi Jamaat, UP Police Denies Report of Misbehaviour of Tabligh Activists
Syed Ali Ahmed & Masihuzzama Ansari | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, APRIL 5—While Gujarat police have arrested as many as seven persons in connection with a hate campaign, calling people for social and economic boycott of the Muslims after Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, the Uttar Pradesh police have rejected the media reports of misbehaviour of Tablighi Jamaat activists with staff members and others in hospitals and quarantine centres. A large number of people- all Muslims-connected with the Tablighi congregation in Delhi-are reported to have tested COVID-19 positive.   Gujarat Director General of Police Shivanand Jha told mediapersons that action was being taken against those spreading false information on WhatsApp and other social media platforms to harm social harmony.   Those who have been arrested include Ripen Singhav(27), Paras Vala( 39, a driver, Jayanti Giri (51), a businessman, Nirav Marwadi (30), Hareshsinh (42), Umakant Rathod ( 50) and ...

700 People Stranded in Assam-Bengal Border Amidst Lockdown
Abdurrahman Aman | India Tomorrow GUWAHATI, MARCH 27—Amid the nationwide lockdown due to corona pandemic, more than 700 hundred people from Assam have been reportedly stranding on the inter-state border of Assam-Bengal for last two days.  These are mostly people who returned for Assam from various parts of the country. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sharma told media on Monday that special measures are being taken to bring the stranded people.  They will be kept in makeshift quarantines in Guwahati, the health minister said. Moreover, several thousands of people from Assam, who had been working in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kerala, Telangana, Punjab and other parts of the country for their livelihood, returned to the state last week without disclosing their detail information and proper testing. This has become a matter of worry for the administration.  Only a few among them have been kept in home quarantine and remaining others have already reach...

Ahmedabad: Anti-CAA Protesters Stop Police From Dismantling Their 'Mandap' During 'Janata Curfew', Secure Release of Two Youths
Syed Khalique Ahmed | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, MARCH 22—When people were observing ‘Janata Curfew’ all over the country on Sunday in response to an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight the scourge of coronavirus that has claimed over 11,000 lives all over the globe, hundreds of women turned up at the anti-CAA protest venue at Morarji Chowk in  Rakhial area of Ahmedabad city to resist the police who were trying to dismantle their ‘mandap’(tents). They called the protest venue as 'Shaheen Bagh-Rakhial'.   Speaking to India Tomorrow over phone, one of the women protesters said that through a statement released on March 20, the protesters had announced to suspend their protest until the coronavirus threat is over and had also informed the police about it. Requesting anonymity as she feared police reprisal against her male family members for going to the press, she said that the protesters had promised the police they would resu...

Coronavirus : Has Jamia VC Gone Into Self-Isolation After Return From US?
 Masihuzzama Ansari | India Tomorrow   NEW DELHI, MARCH 22—Ever since Jamia Millia Islamia vice-chancellor Dr. Najma Akhtar returned from the United States four days ago, she has been avoiding meeting people, including university staffers as also mediapersons.   Speculations are that she is following the government directives of self-quarantine for 14 days for all those returning from foreign visits to prevent spread of coronavirus which has become pandemic.   India Tomorrow made a bid to meet her after her return from the US but all in vain. Though no one in her office confirmed, it is being speculated that she was taking precaution by self-isolating herself at her home.   Dr. Najma, who took a very tough stand against police entry into the Jamia campus and alleged assault on students in the university library, had also submitted a written complaint seeking registration of FIR against police personnel involved in destruction of the library and ...

Former J&K Governor Drops Bombshell, Says He Was Told That 1000 People Might Be Killed If Article 370 Is Revoked
Ishfaq-ul-Hassan | India Tomorrow  SRINAGAR, MARCH 1—Former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik has dropped a bombshell claiming that he was told that more than 1000 people might get killed if Article 370 is abrogated.   "I was told 1,000 people will get killed (for the abrogation of Article 370). When I asked why? I was told that in Kashmir 10 people are killed during Farooq Abdullah's election, 120 people get killed after Burhan Wani's death. People will attack Raj Bhavan," Malik said.   The former governor was addressing International Jat Parliament at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on March 1.  Malik, who is currently the Governor of Goa, said a day before Article 370 abrogation, he had called the Chief Secretary to inform him about the decision.   "I told him not to worry. I have been doing it for five months now. I have understood the people's feelings and made them understand that mere 250 boys have no chance against the wor...

Rebellion Against Scindia Brewing, As Party Awaits Kamal Nath Masterstroke
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, MARCH 11— At least 8 to 9 rebel Congress MLAs who tendered their resignations to Madhya Pradesh Speaker are said to be upset with Jyotiraditya Scindia who is likely to join the BJP on Wednesday, as they do not want to resign and contest elections again, sources claimed.   The Congress MLAs lodged in Bengaluru have made contacts with their party through a messenger, claimed sources as the party has pitched in trusted troubleshooter D.K. Shivakumar to win back the MLAs.   The Congress claimed that the MLAs were asked to put up together in Bengaluru till Scindia got first seat for the Rajya Sabha elections.   Shivakumar, while talking to media, asserted that MLAs will return soon and the deadlock will not continue for long.   P.C. Sharma, a minister in Madhya Pradesh government, said that they will "wait for Kamal Nath masterstroke". The Congress is packing its MLAs to Jaipur to protect them from being poached. Even as the C...

Sikh Community Comes To The Aid of Muslim Victims of Delhi's Communal Violence
Syed Khalique Ahmed | India Tomorrow  NEW DELHI, MARCH 6—When five Muslim members of a family, three women and two men, fled their home in Sonia Vihar during anti-Muslim riots in northeast Delhi between February 23 and 25, they had no where to go. Tired of walking under threat of being killed, they reached near Nanaksar Gurudwara on February 23 evening when a Sikh man wearing turban and a flowing beard asked them what had happened to them. They narrated their tale how their house was burnt by a marauding mob and they ran away with two daughters and a son just to save their life and did not know where to go.   Taranjit Singh, a ‘langari’(cook) offered them shelter at the Gurudwara and told them they can stay there as long as they want. He immediately arranged food for them and also allotted a room for their stay in the Gurudwara’s guest house.   Speaking to India Tomorrow, Taranjit Singh said that the Muslim family, meanwhile, called up one of...

Section 144 CrPC Enforced in Shaheen Bagh, Drones Survey Rooftops, Huge Police Force Deployed, Crowd at Protest Site Swells
Syed Khalique Ahmed | India Tomorrow  NEW DELHI, MARCH 1—A large number of people, particularly youth and women, rushed to Shaheen Bagh protest site after the government imposed prohibitory measures under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code around the Shaheen Bagh area where protests against CAA, NRC and NPR entered 78th day today. Shaheen Bagh has become the epicenter of anti-CAA protest in the country.   Prohibitory orders ban assembly of four or more persons at a place.   Police also closed all the exit and entry point to NOIDA and Jaitpur/Madanpur Khadar from the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh road junction since morning today owing to the threat from the Hindu Sena that had announced to march to Shaheen Bagh and remove anti-CAA protesters by force.   Police are not allowing even pedestrians to walk from Kalindi Kunj to NOIDA or Madanpur Khadar and from Madanpur Khadar/Jaitpur to Kalindi Kunj which is adjacent to Shaheen Bagh protest site. These road ...

Delhi Violence: Police Forcibly Removes Khureji Protesters, Security Beefed Up at Shaheen Bagh
India Tomorrow  NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 26—Police on Wednesday forcibly removed anti-CAA protesters in Khureji on the pretext that the protest might lead to violence as it happened in Jafrabad, Maujpur and other areas of Northeast Delhi.   Meanwhile, police has been beefed up near the protest site at Shaheen Bagh.   Local social activists at Khureji said that two persons-former corporator Ishrat jahan and a social worker Khalid Saifi-were among several persons detained at the Jagatpuri police station.   Activists said that police resorted to lathicharge and allegedly “slapped” advocates when they reached to provide legal assistance to those detained. The mobile phones of lawyers are also reported to have been snatched.   Women police are alleged to have beaten up a woman protester when she offered resistance.   Local said that police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters. There were around 60 to 70 women protesters when p...

Why Violence at Peaceful Anti-CAA Protests in Delhi Day Before Supreme Court Hearing?
India Tomorrow  NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 24— The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear petitions against road blockade near the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protest today (Monday) but Sunday evening witnessed violence at some anti-CAA protest sites in other parts of the national capital, raising some suspicion.   Besides the Shaheen Bagh, there are similar round-the-clock anti-CAA protest at dozen-odd other places in Delhi. One of them is at Hauz Rani area in South Delhi. Media reports say police allegedly opened lathi-charge on the protesters Sunday evening, leading to injuries to several women. In more than one videos viral on social media, young and middle-aged women are seen on stretchers at the local Madan Malviya Hospital, showing their injuries in the leg and foot. Women-led protest has been going on completely peacefully in the Gandhi Park in Hauz Rani area for past several weeks. Police claimed protesters took out march Sunday evening for which they had not taken ...