BANGLADESH MINISTER URGES INDIA TO PROTECT MINORITIES
Urging India to “protect and guarantee fundamental rights of every citizen”, Bangladesh Education Minister Dipu Moni on May 21 said that “unbiased application of the provisions of the Constitution on freedom of religion and freedom to manage religious affairs” will bring peace and sustainability. Addressing a conclave in Bengaluru, Moni also called for protection of minorities in India. Moni was addressing a session titled ‘India@2047’ at the India Ideas Conclave, organised by India Foundation, a think-tank working closely with BJP and RSS. Moni said, “(The) social stratification unique to India will not only deprive the weaker sections but (will) also allow divisive policies and approaches. Stating that protection of interest of minorities of all nature – including minorities with a distinct language and culture – can “help deter tension and avoid sectarian violence”, Moni said “this is applicable for all countries”.
PLEA TO REMOVE SHAHI IDGAH MASJID ADMISSIBLE: COURT
The Mathura district court on May 19 said a plea seeking to remove the Shahi Idgah Masjid from the complex it shares with the Katra Keshav Dev Temple is admissible. The lower court which had earlier dismissed the plea is now bound to hear it. The plea was originally filed in the court of civil judge senior division on September 25, 2020 by Lucknow-resident Ranjana Agnihotri and six others as the “next friend of Bhagwan Sri Krishna Virajman”. They claimed that Shahi Idgah Masjid is constructed on a part of 13.37 acre land belonging to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust. They had demanded that the mosque be removed and the land returned to the Trust.
JIH VICE PRESIDENT PROF. SALIM VISITS MUNDKA BUILDING FIRE SITE
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President Prof Muhammad Salim Engineer on May 14 visited the fire incident site in Mundka, New Delhi. A major fire broke out on May 13 evening in a four-storey commercial building, leaving at least 27 people dead and several injured. The JIH Vice President interacted with the locals and residents who said that still many people were missing. Prof Salim expressed profound condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the fast recovery of the injured. He demanded appropriate compensation for the families of the deceased and injured, a fair investigation, and strict action against those responsible for negligence and dereliction of duty.
HONEY TRAPPED ARMY MAN LEAKS INFO TO ISI, ARRESTED
The Rajasthan Police on May 21 arrested an Indian Army personnel, Pradeep Kumar, for spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, Free Press Journal reported. According to the police, Kumar, who was recruited three years ago and was posted in the highly-sensitive Jodhpur regiment, was honey-trapped by a female agent from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The police believe that confidential information of military and strategic importance was sent to Pakistan. They came into contact through social media six months ago. The woman introduced herself as Chhadam, a resident of Madhya Pradesh. She sought confidential documents related to the Indian Army on the pretext of marriage. The woman made Pradeep Kumar believe that she worked for a company in Bengaluru. DG Intelligence, Umesh Mishra, said that Kumar has been taken into custody on suspicion of espionage. He is being interrogated, Mishra said.
FOOD FOR NEEDY BY COMMUNITY KITCHEN OF NEKI BASKET
The much-awaited Project Neki Basket was inaugurated by Chairman IRCT Zameer Quadri in the presence of other Trustees, Volunteers and Beneficiaries at Khadaan Chawl, Jogeshwari West on May 16. Community kitchen is part of the project, which was in Demo Run for one month providing 100 food Packets twice a week. Mr. Quadri said, “We’re feeding the needy not for any materialistic gain. We don’t even want a thank you.” He explained that they were actually bringing the infamous “Acche din” in its true sense to the underprivileged who are victims of the Government’s wrong policies and are unable to sustain in current inflation scenario which is at its peak. Neki basket now will be running in full functional mode soon feeding 100 families (200 packets) thrice a week covering also Jogeshwari East.
ASSAM MLA TAKES PIGGYBACK RIDE TO REVIEW FLOOD
A BJP MLA from Assam is being slammed by social media users after a video of him taking a piggyback ride to a boat on the back of a flood rescue worker surfaced online. Sibu Misra, MLA from Lumding assembly, is being criticised for being “insensitive” as the floods have caused devastation in the north-eastern state, killing at least nine and affecting more than 6.6 lakh people spread over 27 districts of Assam. Mr Misra was in the Hojai district to review the flood situation in the area on May 18. A video tweeted by news agency ANI shows the MLA being carried by a rescue worker to a boat, which is barely a few steps away, in ankle-deep water.
DR. FATHIMA RAEESA AWARDED BEST OUTGOING STUDENT
Dr. Fathima Raeesa was awarded ‘Prapulla S Hegde Memorial Endowment’ Gold medal for the Best outgoing Post Graduate student in M.D. Radiodiagnosis for the year 2021 at the ‘College Day and Awards ceremony’ held in TMA Pai International convention centre on May 13. This award has been instituted by Dr. H.S. Ballal, Former Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Dr. Fathima Raeesa currently is working as a Senior Resident in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, KMC Mangalore. Dr Raeesa completed her schooling from Doha, Qatar. Dr Santosh Rai, HOD Radiodiagnosis, KMC Mangalore, received the award from Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, Vice chancellor of MAHE, on behalf of Dr Raeesa, as she was out of station.
KASHMIR UNIVERSITY GETS ITS FIRST WOMAN VICE-CHANCELLOR
The University of Kashmir got its first woman vice-chancellor on May 19 when Professor Nilofer Khan was appointed to the post. Prof. Khan is presently working in the Home Science Department of the university. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha appointed her as the new vice-chancellor of the university, exercising the powers vested in him under Section 12 of the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969 for a period of three years with effect from the date she takes over the charge.
Prof. Khan will replace earth-scientist Prof. Talat Ahmad whose three-year term expired in August 2021 but the search for the new V-C got delayed due to unforeseen reasons.