Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has strongly condemned the behaviour of the police with the Christian protestors who were demonstrating on 5 February against the series of attacks on churches in the last few months in Delhi. Mr. Nusrat Ali, Secretary General of the organisation, expressed surprise at the fact that religious places of minorities are not safe even in the national capital and Delhi administration is unable to rein the attackers while on the other hand those protesting against the attacks are being subjected to aggressive attitude of the police.
He demanded the government to change the situation, restore peace and communal harmony and bring the culprits to book so that the national capital could get a deserving pleasant atmosphere. The Jamaat leader also expressed solidarity with Christian brethren and assured them of standing with them in their fight for justice.
MAHARASHTRA ATS, MP POLICE SEIZE HUGE AMOUNT OF AMMUNITION IN MP
The state ATS along with the Madhya Pradesh police carried out raid at a house and seized huge ammunition and explosive materials. The police registered a case against two persons. The place where the raid was conducted was owned by Khusal Madankar (60), a resident of Khari ward, old Pandhurna, Chhindwada in MP. Those booked were Mukesh Sankhla (30) and Rajmal Sankhla (40), both belong to Bhilwada district in Rajasthan.
Police have seized 1,768 electric detonators, 612 sticks of Kelvex power 90 Class-2 explosive, 840 feet detonating cord, one exploder and other related equipment. The accused have been booked under the Indian Explosive Substance Act-1908. Investigation of the crime is being done by Chhindwada Police, MP. ATS Nagpur unit is interrogating the accused for any suspected link with anti-national elements, terror outfits or Naxal elements.
ORDINANCE PUTS COW SLAUGHTER NOW UNDER GOONDA ACT
Governor Ram Naik on 6 February cleared UP Control of Goonda (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 bringing offences like cow slaughter, human trafficking, animal trafficking, money laundering, molestation, bonded labour, child labour and even manufacturing and trading of illegal arms under the provisions of the Goonda Act.
The ordinance, which was recently cleared by the state Cabinet, was sent to Naik for clearance. Four new sub-clauses were proposed in the amendment, following which these new offences would also be punishable under the Goonda Act now. Earlier, these crimes were treated as cognisable offence.
JASHODABEN DENIED INFO UNDER RTI AGAIN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wife Jashodaben, who has challenged the denial of information she had sought under RTI in November last on her security and privileges as PM’s spouse, was again denied the same. In November 2014, Jashodaben had filed an application under the RTI Act with the Mehsana police seeking details of the security provided to her after Modi became Prime Minister.
On 27 December, 2014, she was denied the information by the Mehsana police on the ground that her queries were related to Local Intelligence Bureau (LIB) which is exempted under the Act. However, on January 2, she filed another appeal. Mehsana District Police Superintendent, J R Mothalia, in the reply dated 6 February, 2015, states: “The information which you have sought for it comes under LIB department and as per the home department of Gujarat Government’s circular SB/1/102001/8203/GOI dated 25/10/2005, the LIB is exempted from providing this information.”
SIO OPPOSES AADHAAR LINKAGE TO MINORITY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Udupi district unit of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has urged the Union government not to make Aadhaar card number mandatory for minority scholarships. In a memorandum addressed to the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla, and submitted at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Yaseen Kodibengre, president of district unit of SIO, said that the Ministry recently issued circular suggesting the distribution of money for pre-metric scholarship scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode to the students’ bank accounts, a report said on 14 February.
Though this suggestion was welcome, the SIO had strong reservation to her suggestion linking Aadhaar number for the DBT. The DBT for post-metric scholarships had been achieved without Aadhaar linkage and there was no point in insisting on Aadhaar number, the organisation said.
MOSQUE, COMMUNITY HALL AT BAJPE STONED
A community hall attached to a mosque and another mosque at Bajpe, on the outskirts of the city, were stoned by some unidentified persons in the early hours on 15 February. V. Mohammed, president, executive committee, Muhiyddeen Juma Masjid, Bajpe and Rahamaniya Juma Masjid, Porkodi Cross, near Bajpe, was reported as saying that the two places were targeted.
Glass panes of two windows of the community hall attached to Muhiyddeen Juma Masjid were damaged after miscreants hurled stones. A portion of the window crashed at the Rahamaniya Juma Masjid, he said. Abul Razak Madani, khatib, Muhiyddeen Juma Masjid said that when he heard some noise at about 2.20 a.m. he came out of his room and saw damaged window panes and stone pieces inside the hall which was on occasions being used for prayers. He filed a complaint at the Bajpe police on 15 February.
PROTEST AGAINST SELECTION OF MADARSA BOARD CHAIRMAN IN BIHAR
In a decision taken in haste, selection of Sayyed Mohibul Hasan as chairman of Madarsa Board triggered controversy in Bihar. His capability of being chairman is being questioned. Kamaluddin, new-elected member of board, has resigned from his post and said unable to do work with the chairman. The minorities’ leader of JDU and RJD are against this decision taken in haste by Barshan Patel, Education Minister of Bihar. They also accused of taking bribe in selection.
JIH HOLDS A FREE-MEDICAL CAMP IN DELHI
Shaheen Baagh unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Delhi organised a free-medical camp recently for the needy and poor under the forum Outreach Neighbourhood at Jasola Pocket 11. The forum has been formed to establish dialogue and help the needy people irrespective of caste and creed. Talking on aims of this camp, Mohammed Mohsin Anees, Ameer, Shaheen Baagh Unit of the organisation, said that this is a minor step to provide health and cleaning facilities for the needy and poor.
JNANPITH WINNER HITS OUT AT NAIPAUL, RUSHDIE
On a day he was declared winner of the 2014 Jnanpith award, India’s highest literary honour, Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade sharply criticised two Indian-origin writers, V S Naipaul and Salman Rushdie, for “pandering to the West” and dismissed their works as being of little value, a report said on 6 February.
Nemade also described English as a “killer language” and called for its banning from the field of education in India. “Primary as well as secondary education should be in the mother tongue. What is so great about English?” Nemade (77), himself has been a teacher of English and comparative literature at various universities including the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He was speaking at a function in Dadar organized by the Matrubhasha Samvardhan Sabha.
MA IRFAN GETS TELANGANA YOUTH ICON AWARD 2015
Greater Hyderabad Youth Association chairman M A Irfan has been presented the Telangana Youth Icon Award 2015 by Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Committee. The 6th annual awards instituted in the memory of former President of India Dr Zakir Hussain were given at an event held at Urdu Maskan Hall in Khilwath on 12 February. Irfan was selected for the award for his act of bravery and maintaining peace, communal harmony and tranquillity in all the crisis situations in Hyderabad city.
He was lauded for the role that he played during Telangana agitation by restraining the youth from indulging in violence. He also helped several youth, especially those studying in the Osmania University and other educational institutions in the city, during statehood movement. As a mark of recognition for his outstanding and exemplary service towards the society, Irfan has been selected as the Telangana Youth Icon.