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With the government taking ordinance route to make ‘instant triple talaq’ a penal offence, opposition parties and women activists Wednesday asked why no similar provisions are made for Hindu men deserting their wives and alleged a “human issue” has been made into a “political football”.

Some said the ordinance ignores problems it could pose to Muslim women and there is a need for a comprehensive law, while the Congress said what needed to be done after the Supreme Court quashed this practice was to provide justice to an abandoned Muslim woman and jailing the husband might not serve the purpose.

Ishrat Jahan, a petitioner in the triple talaq case, welcomed the decision as a big step towards “empowering Muslim women” and said Muslim men and religious leaders should now mend “their ways or be ready to face the music”. She was one of the five petitioners in the case against instant triple talaq.

This practice was struck down by the Supreme Court on August 22, 2017. Jahan, who has a 13-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son, had moved court after she was divorced by her husband over the phone from Dubai by uttering ‘talaq’ thrice consecutively in 2014. As the cases continued to be reported even after the court decision, the government decided to enact a law but could not get it passed in Parliament, after which the ordinance route has been adopted.

The union cabinet has cleared the ordinance to make instant triple talaq a penal offence, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, citing a compelling necessity for the move as the practice continues unabated. Under the ordinance, giving instant triple talaq will be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

The issue, however, soon triggered a political slugfest with the BJP president Amit Shah targetting opposition parties on the issue. “This ordinance is also a matter of guilt and introspection for them as they forced Muslims women to suffer from this bad practice for decades due to their vote bank politics,” he said.

The law minister also attacked the Congress at the cabinet press conference itself, saying the main opposition party was not supporting the bill pending in Rajya Sabha under “vote bank pressures”. “It is my serious charge that Sonia Gandhi Ji has maintained silence on the issue,” he said, while urging the Congress leader as also the BSP supremo Mayawati and TMC chief Mayawati to support the bill in the next session of Parliament for the sake of “gender justice, gender equality and gender dignity”.

Hailing the government decision, the BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra took a dig at Congress leader Kapil Sibal, saying he defended this practice in the Supreme Court. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the government has not acceded to the party’s request for making a provision for attaching property of those not providing compensation to the affected women and children after divorce.

“For us, triple talaq has always been a human issue related to women rights and extending justice to them,” he said, adding Congress leaders and lawyers such as Salman Khurshid and Manish Tiwari had represented the affected women before the Supreme Court. “However, the Modi government is treating the issue more as a political football than a matter of justice to Muslim women,” he alleged.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the ordinance was “anti-Muslim women” and would do them more injustice. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should bring a law to protect Hindu women deserted by their husbands. Owaisi also said marriage was a civil contract in Islam and bringing penal provisions was “wrong and unnecessary”, and hoped the Muslim Personal Law Board will challenge it in court.

“Prime Minister Modi, this nation requires a law for those poor married women who are 24 lakhs according to 2011 census. They are married and their husbands in the election affidavit say they are married but their wives are not living with them,” he said.

Owaisi claimed the ordinance was to divert attention from issues like rising fuel prices and dwindling rupee. Several women activists also criticised the decision, saying this “politicised move” was taken without considering the complications it could pose to Muslim women. Kavita Krishnan, activist and Secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA), asked, “Why only Muslim men are getting punished for abandoning their wives, why not Hindu men?”

“Triple talaq is not an official divorce, it is a form of abandonment. Does a Hindu man gets imprisoned for abandoning his wife?” Krishnan said.

Annie Raja, National Federation of Indian Women’s general secretary, said she doubts the “intention and sincerity” of the government. “There needs to be a comprehensive law… But the government has taken this step for political gains in upcoming elections. There are issues related to maintenance of women and children after her husband goes to jail, no one is talking about them,” she said.

Woman rights activist Shabnam Hashmi alleged criminalising triple talaq intends to polarise people ahead of general elections. All India Democratic Women’s Association General secretary Mariam Dhawale said the move would create problems for Muslim women without clarity on issues like property rights. The proposed law gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking “subsistence allowance” for herself and minor children.

The Congress said what needed to be done after the Supreme Court quashed this practice was to provide justice to an abandoned Muslim woman and jailing the husband might not serve the purpose.

With the government taking ordinance route to make ‘instant triple talaq’ a penal offence, opposition parties and women activists Wednesday asked why no similar provisions are made for Hindu men deserting their wives and alleged a “human issue” has been made into a “political football”. Some said the ordinance ignores problems it could pose to Muslim women and there is a need for a comprehensive law, while the Congress said what needed to be done after the Supreme Court quashed this practice was to provide justice to an abandoned Muslim woman and jailing the husband might not serve the purpose. Ishrat Jahan, a petitioner in the triple talaq case, welcomed the decision as a big step towards “empowering Muslim women” and said Muslim men and religious leaders should now mend “their ways or be ready to face the music”. She was one of the five petitioners in the case against instant triple talaq. This practice was struck down by the Supreme Court on August 22, 2017. Jahan, who has a 13-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son, had moved court after she was divorced by her husband over the phone from Dubai by uttering ‘talaq’ thrice consecutively in 2014. As the cases continued to be reported even after the court decision, the government decided to enact a law but could not get it passed in Parliament, after which the ordinance route has been adopted. The union cabinet has cleared the ordinance to make instant triple talaq a penal offence, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, citing a compelling necessity for the move as the practice continues unabated. Under the ordinance, giving instant triple talaq will be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband. The issue, however, soon triggered a political slugfest with the BJP president Amit Shah targetting opposition parties on the issue. “This ordinance is also a matter of guilt and introspection for them as they forced Muslims women to suffer from this bad practice for decades due to their vote bank politics,” he said. The law minister also attacked the Congress at the cabinet press conference itself, saying the main opposition party was not supporting the bill pending in Rajya Sabha under “vote bank pressures”. “It is my serious charge that Sonia Gandhi Ji has maintained silence on the issue,” he said, while urging the Congress leader as also the BSP supremo Mayawati and TMC chief Mayawati to support the bill in the next session of Parliament for the sake of “gender justice, gender equality and gender dignity”. Hailing the government decision, the BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra took a dig at Congress leader Kapil Sibal, saying he defended this practice in the Supreme Court. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the government has not acceded to the party’s request for making a provision for attaching property of those not providing compensation to the affected women and children after divorce. “For us, triple talaq has always been a human issue related to women rights and extending justice to them,” he said, adding Congress leaders and lawyers such as Salman Khurshid and Manish Tiwari had represented the affected women before the Supreme Court. “However, the Modi government is treating the issue more as a political football than a matter of justice to Muslim women,” he alleged. All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the ordinance was “anti-Muslim women” and would do them more injustice. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should bring a law to protect Hindu women deserted by their husbands. Owaisi also said marriage was a civil contract in Islam and bringing penal provisions was “wrong and unnecessary”, and hoped the Muslim Personal Law Board will challenge it in court. “Prime Minister Modi, this nation requires a law for those poor married women who are 24 lakhs according to 2011 census. They are married and their husbands in the election affidavit say they are married but their wives are not living with them,” he said. Owaisi claimed the ordinance was to divert attention from issues like rising fuel prices and dwindling rupee. Several women activists also criticised the decision, saying this “politicised move” was taken without considering the complications it could pose to Muslim women. Kavita Krishnan, activist and Secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA), asked, “Why only Muslim men are getting punished for abandoning their wives, why not Hindu men?” “Triple talaq is not an official divorce, it is a form of abandonment. Does a Hindu man gets imprisoned for abandoning his wife?” Krishnan said. Annie Raja, National Federation of Indian Women’s general secretary, said she doubts the “intention and sincerity” of the government. “There needs to be a comprehensive law… But the government has taken this step for political gains in upcoming elections. There are issues related to maintenance of women and children after her husband goes to jail, no one is talking about them,” she said. Woman rights activist Shabnam Hashmi alleged criminalising triple talaq intends to polarise people ahead of general elections. All India Democratic Women’s Association General secretary Mariam Dhawale said the move would create problems for Muslim women without clarity on issues like property rights. The proposed law gives power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking “subsistence allowance” for herself and minor children.

Triple Talaq: Why no similar penal provisions for Hindu men deserting women, asks opposition

India on Tuesday lashed out at Pakistan for cross-border terrorism. Speaking at the 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Indian diplomat Mini Devi Kumam exercised India's 'Right of Reply' and stated that the real problem in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is "cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan."

Kumam noted that the nature and the extent of cross-border terrorism is evident "from the number of Pakistani terrorists who have been apprehended by our security forces".&nbsp;

"Huge amount of arms and ammunition that's been recovered from terrorists and the continued existence of the infrastructure of support for internationally proscribed terrorist groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba&Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pak controlled territories." the diplomat stated.&nbsp;

"It is ironical that a state whose foundation was laid on religious fundamentalism speaks about communal disharmony and religious intolerance. In its obsession with puritanism, it has unleashed systematic persecution against its own Muslim minorities including Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras, who have been reduced to second-class citizens," she added.

The diplomat went on to add that Pakistan has the "dubious distinction of having more cases of persecution under Blasphemy laws than the rest of the world put together."

"Abductions, forced conversions and marriages of minority - Hindu, Sikh and Christian - women including girls are routinely carried out in Pakistan. The extent to which fundamentalism has been mainstreamed in Pakistan is evident from the fact that a member of the Economic Advisory Council was asked to step down by the new government only because of his Ahmadi faith," Kumam said.

"The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from Pakistan which has not enjoyed any true democracy since its existence. Indian democracy guarantees constitutional rights to all its citizens and is mature enough to effectively address all challenges including that in Jammu and Kashmir through sufficiently strong and adequate mechanisms," she added.

The diplomat later urged Pakistan to "stop misusing the Council and focus on its own dismal human rights record."

"We reject Pakistan's continued reference to the fallacious and motivated report which India has out-rightly rejected. We deplore Pakistan's repeated and malicious propaganda to distract the world from its gross violation of human rights especially in the territories under its control," Kumam said.

"The Council may note that concerns have been raised by the international community on the absence of constitutional and civil rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and their sufferings due to deliberate economic policies causing extreme poverty, gross underdevelopment and economic hardships. Large-scale repression, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings continue with impunity in Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," Kumam added.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, India’s permanent representative to UN, Syed Akbaruddin, stated that Taliban, along with their aided supporters, "continue to pursue military operations perpetrating violence over several parts of Afghanistan," news agency ANI reported.

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Huge amount of arms&ammunition that's been recovered from terrorists&continued existence of infrastructure of support for internationally proscribed terrorist groups like Hizbul Mujahideen,Lashkar-e-Taiba&Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pak controlled territories:India’s Right of Reply at UN <a href="https://t.co/Tt79o3IgDu">pic.twitter.com/Tt79o3IgDu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1042114252490895361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"These offences are planned and launched by those harboured in safe havens in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan," Akbaruddin noted.&nbsp;

He stated that these "sanctuaries" have provided safety to terror networks.&nbsp;

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The agendas of these orgs draw financial sustenance not only from extortion & forced levies & taxes but also benefit significantly from criminal networks operating drug cartels & stealing Afghanistan's natural resources: Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN <a href="https://t.co/THs1q4TLxm">pic.twitter.com/THs1q4TLxm</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1041900694771392514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"These sanctuaries have, for years, provided safety for dark agendas of ideologically and operationally fused terror networks like the Taliban, the Haqqani network, Daesh, the Al Qaeda and its prescribed affiliates Lashkar-e-Taiba & Jaish-e-Mohammed," he added.&nbsp;

The Indian diplomat noted that the nature and the extent of cross-border terrorism is evident 'from the number of Pakistani terrorists who have been apprehended by our security forces'.

India on Tuesday lashed out at Pakistan for cross-border terrorism. Speaking at the 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Indian diplomat Mini Devi Kumam exercised India's 'Right of Reply' and stated that the real problem in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is "cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan." Kumam noted that the nature and the extent of cross-border terrorism is evident "from the number of Pakistani terrorists who have been apprehended by our security forces". "Huge amount of arms and ammunition that's been recovered from terrorists and the continued existence of the infrastructure of support for internationally proscribed terrorist groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba&Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pak controlled territories." the diplomat stated. "It is ironical that a state whose foundation was laid on religious fundamentalism speaks about communal disharmony and religious intolerance. In its obsession with puritanism, it has unleashed systematic persecution against its own Muslim minorities including Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras, who have been reduced to second-class citizens," she added. The diplomat went on to add that Pakistan has the "dubious distinction of having more cases of persecution under Blasphemy laws than the rest of the world put together." "Abductions, forced conversions and marriages of minority - Hindu, Sikh and Christian - women including girls are routinely carried out in Pakistan. The extent to which fundamentalism has been mainstreamed in Pakistan is evident from the fact that a member of the Economic Advisory Council was asked to step down by the new government only because of his Ahmadi faith," Kumam said. "The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from Pakistan which has not enjoyed any true democracy since its existence. Indian democracy guarantees constitutional rights to all its citizens and is mature enough to effectively address all challenges including that in Jammu and Kashmir through sufficiently strong and adequate mechanisms," she added. The diplomat later urged Pakistan to "stop misusing the Council and focus on its own dismal human rights record." "We reject Pakistan's continued reference to the fallacious and motivated report which India has out-rightly rejected. We deplore Pakistan's repeated and malicious propaganda to distract the world from its gross violation of human rights especially in the territories under its control," Kumam said. "The Council may note that concerns have been raised by the international community on the absence of constitutional and civil rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and their sufferings due to deliberate economic policies causing extreme poverty, gross underdevelopment and economic hardships. Large-scale repression, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings continue with impunity in Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," Kumam added. Earlier in the day on Tuesday, India’s permanent representative to UN, Syed Akbaruddin, stated that Taliban, along with their aided supporters, "continue to pursue military operations perpetrating violence over several parts of Afghanistan," news agency ANI reported. Huge amount of arms&ammunition that's been recovered from terrorists&continued existence of infrastructure of support for internationally proscribed terrorist groups like Hizbul Mujahideen,Lashkar-e-Taiba&Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pak controlled territories:India’s Right of Reply at UN pic.twitter.com/Tt79o3IgDu — ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018 × "These offences are planned and launched by those harboured in safe havens in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan," Akbaruddin noted. He stated that these "sanctuaries" have provided safety to terror networks. The agendas of these orgs draw financial sustenance not only from extortion & forced levies & taxes but also benefit significantly from criminal networks operating drug cartels & stealing Afghanistan's natural resources: Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN pic.twitter.com/THs1q4TLxm — ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018 × "These sanctuaries have, for years, provided safety for dark agendas of ideologically and operationally fused terror networks like the Taliban, the Haqqani network, Daesh, the Al Qaeda and its prescribed affiliates Lashkar-e-Taiba & Jaish-e-Mohammed," he added.

Pak has unleashed systematic persecution against own Muslim minorities: India at UN

<a href="wionews.com/world/open-to-talking-with-china-on-trade-says-trump-166538">Open to talking with China on trade, says Trump</a>

A day after imposing $200 billion tariffs on Chinese goods, US President Trump said he was open to talking with the Xi government on trade issues.

<a href="wionews.com/sports/asia-cup-fakhar-zaman-is-the-secret-behind-success-of-our-team-says-pak-captain-sarfraz-166544">Asia Cup: Fakhar Zaman is the secret behind </a><a href="wionews.com/sports/asia-cup-fakhar-zaman-is-the-secret-behind-success-of-our-team-says-pak-captain-sarfraz-166544">success</a><a href="wionews.com/sports/asia-cup-fakhar-zaman-is-the-secret-behind-success-of-our-team-says-pak-captain-sarfraz-166544"> of our team, says Pak captain Sarfraz</a>

As India and Pakistan setup their rivalry in the Asia Cup today, captain Sarfraz Ahmed said although there would be pressure but he is determined to "keep aside the pressure to peform well."

<a href="wionews.com/world/south-koreas-moon-seeks-nuclear-agreement-with-kim-at-summit-166543">President Moon seeks nuclear agreement with Kim at </a><a href="wionews.com/world/south-koreas-moon-seeks-nuclear-agreement-with-kim-at-summit-166543">inter-Korean</a><a href="wionews.com/world/south-koreas-moon-seeks-nuclear-agreement-with-kim-at-summit-166543"> summit</a>

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North's leader Kim Jong Un opened a new round of talks at a summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday with the North Korean nuclear arsenal high on the agenda, but Seoul warned they may not reach an agreement.

<a href="wionews.com/world/peter-jackson-might-testify-against-harvey-weinstein-in-judds-lawsuit-lawyer-166561">Peter Jackson might testify against Harvey Weinstein in Judd's lawsuit: Lawyer</a>

"The Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson has spoken with actor Ashley Judd's legal team and could furnish "powerful" testimony supporting her defamation and sexual harassment suit against film producer Harvey Weinstein, her attorney said on Tuesday.

<a href="wionews.com/entertainment/crazy-rich-asians--will-release-in-india-on-this-date-166545">'Crazy Rich Asians' will release in India on this date</a>

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&nbsp

Open to talking with China on trade, says Trump A day after imposing $200 billion tariffs on Chinese goods, US President Trump said he was open to talking with the Xi government on trade issues. Asia Cup: Fakhar Zaman is the secret behind success of our team, says Pak captain Sarfraz As India and Pakistan setup their rivalry in the Asia Cup today, captain Sarfraz Ahmed said although there would be pressure but he is determined to "keep aside the pressure to peform well." President Moon seeks nuclear agreement with Kim at inter-Korean summit South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North's leader Kim Jong Un opened a new round of talks at a summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday with the North Korean nuclear arsenal high on the agenda, but Seoul warned they may not reach an agreement. Peter Jackson might testify against Harvey Weinstein in Judd's lawsuit: Lawyer "The Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson has spoken with actor Ashley Judd's legal team and could furnish "powerful" testimony supporting her defamation and sexual harassment suit against film producer Harvey Weinstein, her attorney said on Tuesday. 'Crazy Rich Asians' will release in India on this date For those who have been eagerly waiting for the release of 'Crazy Rich Asians' in India, there is some good news. The film will be releasing in India on 21st September.

News brief: Big stories of the day

In a first, Afghanistan has deported an alleged ISIS sympathiser from Kerala, Nashidul Hamzafar, who along with 14 other youths had gone to join the terror organisation, officials said.&nbsp

They said he was taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on arrival from Kabul.&nbsp

"Nashidul was detained by Afghan security agencies last year for illegally entering the country to join his associates in proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS/Daish," the agency's spokesperson said in a statement.&nbsp

It is the first extradition of alleged ISIS sympathiser from Afghanistan, the officials said.

It is alleged that Hamzafar, a resident of Kasaragod in Kerala, along with his associates, had left the country on October 3, 2017 and travelled to Muscat, Oman before travelling to Iran and further reaching Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was detained.

"Pursuant to the conspiracy, 14 accused persons from Kasaragod district had left India or their workplaces in the Middle East between mid-May and early-July, 2016 before travelling to Afghanistan, where they joined ISIS/Daish," he said.

The agency has alleged Hamzafar participated in the conspiracy through encrypted social media platforms, with the other absconding accused persons known through college mates.

He was produced before a special court for NIA cases in New Delhi Wednesday.&nbsp

He will now be taken to Kochi on transit remand for producing him before the special NIA court there that had issued warrant against him, the spokesperson said.

'Nashidul was detained by Afghan security agencies last year for illegally entering the country to join his associates in proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS/Daish,' National Investigation Agency spokesperson said.

In a first, Afghanistan has deported an alleged ISIS sympathiser from Kerala, Nashidul Hamzafar, who along with 14 other youths had gone to join the terror organisation, officials said. They said he was taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on arrival from Kabul. "Nashidul was detained by Afghan security agencies last year for illegally entering the country to join his associates in proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS/Daish," the agency's spokesperson said in a statement. It is the first extradition of alleged ISIS sympathiser from Afghanistan, the officials said. It is alleged that Hamzafar, a resident of Kasaragod in Kerala, along with his associates, had left the country on October 3, 2017 and travelled to Muscat, Oman before travelling to Iran and further reaching Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was detained. "Pursuant to the conspiracy, 14 accused persons from Kasaragod district had left India or their workplaces in the Middle East between mid-May and early-July, 2016 before travelling to Afghanistan, where they joined ISIS/Daish," he said. The agency has alleged Hamzafar participated in the conspiracy through encrypted social media platforms, with the other absconding accused persons known through college mates. He was produced before a special court for NIA cases in New Delhi Wednesday. He will now be taken to Kochi on transit remand for producing him before the special NIA court there that had issued warrant against him, the spokesperson said.

Afghanistan deports ISIS sympathiser from Kerala: National Investigation Agency

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress said Wednesday it would contest the upcoming urban local bodies and panchayat polls in the state but added it might review the decision if concerns related to security were not addressed by the state administration.

“We cannot allow a field day to the BJP and RSS. We will contest the local bodies and panchayat elections with full might to stop communal forces from occupying the institutions of grassroots level democracy,” state Congress chief G A Mir told reporters here.

Mir, however, added that the Congress had time and again apprised Jammu and Kashmir governor’s office of the security concerns, especially in the valley.

“We sent three delegations to the governor right from the time N N Vohra took over the reins of the state (on 19 June 2018) to convey our concerns about the security of candidates. So far, we have not received any response from the concerned quarters on the issue,” he said.

Mir said his party will observe and assess the steps taken by the state administration on the ground to ensure peaceful, safe, free and fair elections.

“If this issue is not addressed, Congress party will deliberate and discuss it. We will be within our rights to review the decision (on participation in the polls),” he added.

Mir also said the Congress stood for safeguarding Article 35-A of the Constitution and will continue to do that.

“There are certain sections of people in our state who have some concerns. We have discussed those concerns minutely and found that those can be addressed by the state legislature without tinkering with Article 35-A,” he said.

On National Conference (NC) and PDP boycotting the upcoming polls, the state Congress president said they have their own issues “but secular parties have a role to play in stopping the communal forces”.

Mir lashed out at PDP saying the party was ruling in alliance with BJP till just a few months ago but today is making tall claims on various issues. “When you lose power, you start dreaming,” he said referring to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s recent statements on Article 35-A.

Article 35A of the Indian Constitution provides powers to the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define ‘permanent residents’ of the state and bestow special rights and privileges on them.

Mir claimed there was a possibility of a “tacit” understanding between the BJP and those parties staying away from local bodies polls with an eye on future elections in the state.

“It can be an understanding whereby the field is left open for BJP and RSS in this election and they (parties boycotting elections) getting a return favour later,” he said.

"We cannot allow a field day to the BJP and RSS. We will contest the local bodies and panchayat elections with full might to stop communal forces from occupying the institutions of grassroots level democracy," state Congress chief G A Mir said.

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress said Wednesday it would contest the upcoming urban local bodies and panchayat polls in the state but added it might review the decision if concerns related to security were not addressed by the state administration. “We cannot allow a field day to the BJP and RSS. We will contest the local bodies and panchayat elections with full might to stop communal forces from occupying the institutions of grassroots level democracy,” state Congress chief G A Mir told reporters here. Mir, however, added that the Congress had time and again apprised Jammu and Kashmir governor’s office of the security concerns, especially in the valley. “We sent three delegations to the governor right from the time N N Vohra took over the reins of the state (on 19 June 2018) to convey our concerns about the security of candidates. So far, we have not received any response from the concerned quarters on the issue,” he said. Mir said his party will observe and assess the steps taken by the state administration on the ground to ensure peaceful, safe, free and fair elections. “If this issue is not addressed, Congress party will deliberate and discuss it. We will be within our rights to review the decision (on participation in the polls),” he added. Mir also said the Congress stood for safeguarding Article 35-A of the Constitution and will continue to do that. “There are certain sections of people in our state who have some concerns. We have discussed those concerns minutely and found that those can be addressed by the state legislature without tinkering with Article 35-A,” he said. On National Conference (NC) and PDP boycotting the upcoming polls, the state Congress president said they have their own issues “but secular parties have a role to play in stopping the communal forces”. Mir lashed out at PDP saying the party was ruling in alliance with BJP till just a few months ago but today is making tall claims on various issues. “When you lose power, you start dreaming,” he said referring to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s recent statements on Article 35-A. Article 35A of the Indian Constitution provides powers to the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define ‘permanent residents’ of the state and bestow special rights and privileges on them. Mir claimed there was a possibility of a “tacit” understanding between the BJP and those parties staying away from local bodies polls with an eye on future elections in the state. “It can be an understanding whereby the field is left open for BJP and RSS in this election and they (parties boycotting elections) getting a return favour later,” he said.

To prevent BJP-RSS from having ‘field day’, Congress to contest J&K panchayat polls: Mir

An inter-ministerial team, headed by a special secretary of the Home Ministry, will visit Kerala for five days beginning Thursday to assess the damage caused by the recent devastating floods, officials said.&nbsp

The move came after the Kerala government sent a detailed memorandum seeking Rs 4,700 crore as compensation for the damage occurred due to rains and floods, considered to be worst in a century.

The inter-ministerial team, headed by Special Secretary B R Sharma, will visit &nbspKerala from September 20 to 24, a Home Ministry official said.

At least 488 people have died in Kerala due to the rains and floods this monsoon, which hit 14 districts of the state.

The Kerala government memorandum comprises details about the loss of human life, properties, infrastructure and crops.

In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature.

Accordingly, the Kerala government sent the memorandum, the official said.

According to the existing guidelines, the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) will visit the state for an on-the-spot assessment of damage and the additional requirement of funds.

The IMCT report will be considered by the sub-committee of the national executive committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union home secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a high-level committee, chaired by the home minister for approving the quantum of additional assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), another official said.

The financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by guidelines on the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and the NDRF, the official said.

The State Disaster Relief Fund has been constituted in each state in which the Centre contributes 75 per cent for general category states and 90 per cent for special category states of hilly regions every year according to the award of the successive Finance Commissions.

According to the guidelines, the Centre provides its allocation to the SDRF of each state in advance in two instalments.

In case of any natural calamity, the state meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the State Disaster Relief Fund already available at its disposal.

On August 21, the central government had released Rs 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs 100 crore) during their visits to the state. This was in addition to Rs 562.45 crore already made available in the State Disaster Relief Fund of Kerala.

The financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by guidelines on the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and the NDRF, the official said.

An inter-ministerial team, headed by a special secretary of the Home Ministry, will visit Kerala for five days beginning Thursday to assess the damage caused by the recent devastating floods, officials said. The move came after the Kerala government sent a detailed memorandum seeking Rs 4,700 crore as compensation for the damage occurred due to rains and floods, considered to be worst in a century. The inter-ministerial team, headed by Special Secretary B R Sharma, will visit &nbspKerala from September 20 to 24, a Home Ministry official said. At least 488 people have died in Kerala due to the rains and floods this monsoon, which hit 14 districts of the state. The Kerala government memorandum comprises details about the loss of human life, properties, infrastructure and crops. In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature. Accordingly, the Kerala government sent the memorandum, the official said. According to the existing guidelines, the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) will visit the state for an on-the-spot assessment of damage and the additional requirement of funds. The IMCT report will be considered by the sub-committee of the national executive committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union home secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a high-level committee, chaired by the home minister for approving the quantum of additional assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), another official said. The financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by guidelines on the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and the NDRF, the official said. The State Disaster Relief Fund has been constituted in each state in which the Centre contributes 75 per cent for general category states and 90 per cent for special category states of hilly regions every year according to the award of the successive Finance Commissions. According to the guidelines, the Centre provides its allocation to the SDRF of each state in advance in two instalments. In case of any natural calamity, the state meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the State Disaster Relief Fund already available at its disposal. On August 21, the central government had released Rs 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs 100 crore) during their visits to the state. This was in addition to Rs 562.45 crore already made available in the State Disaster Relief Fund of Kerala.

Kerala floods: Central team to visit state to assess flood damage

A woman campaigning for a separate Purvanchal state set a bus on fire here on Wednesday after she was allegedly stopped from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the city, police said.

Vandana Raghuvanshi, secretary of the Poorvanchal Jan Andolan Samiti, went to the Varanasi bus stand at around 11 am and boarded a state-run Volvo bus that ran between the city and Lucknow, said Dinesh Kumar Singh, superintendent of police (city).

She asked two-three passengers present inside the luxury bus to deboard, following which she sprinkled petrol inside and torched it, Singh said.

Fire tenders were called in to douse the flames, but the bus was partially burnt. Raghuvanshi, who has been arrested, also distributed pamphlets at the bus stand that mentioned the demand for a Purvanchal state, Singh said.

Speaking to reporters at the police station, Raghuvanshi said she had been demanding a Purvanchal state to be carved out of Uttar Pradesh. She wanted to meet Modi during his visit on Monday and Tuesday, but was stopped by the police.

The woman said she had tried several times to meet Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during their visit, but all in vain.

Raghuvanshi added that she had sat on an indefinite hunger strike from August 15 to press for her demand. But the strike ended when she was forced-fed after he health condition worsened.

The woman alleged that the media did not cover her agitation when she protested in a peaceful manner, adding that now her message would reach to Modi and Adityanath.

Fire tenders were called in to douse the flames, but the bus was partially burnt. Raghuvanshi, who has been arrested, also distributed pamphlets at the bus stand that mentioned the demand for a Purvanchal state, police said.

A woman campaigning for a separate Purvanchal state set a bus on fire here on Wednesday after she was allegedly stopped from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the city, police said. Vandana Raghuvanshi, secretary of the Poorvanchal Jan Andolan Samiti, went to the Varanasi bus stand at around 11 am and boarded a state-run Volvo bus that ran between the city and Lucknow, said Dinesh Kumar Singh, superintendent of police (city). She asked two-three passengers present inside the luxury bus to deboard, following which she sprinkled petrol inside and torched it, Singh said. Fire tenders were called in to douse the flames, but the bus was partially burnt. Raghuvanshi, who has been arrested, also distributed pamphlets at the bus stand that mentioned the demand for a Purvanchal state, Singh said. Speaking to reporters at the police station, Raghuvanshi said she had been demanding a Purvanchal state to be carved out of Uttar Pradesh. She wanted to meet Modi during his visit on Monday and Tuesday, but was stopped by the police. The woman said she had tried several times to meet Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during their visit, but all in vain. Raghuvanshi added that she had sat on an indefinite hunger strike from August 15 to press for her demand. But the strike ended when she was forced-fed after he health condition worsened. The woman alleged that the media did not cover her agitation when she protested in a peaceful manner, adding that now her message would reach to Modi and Adityanath.

Varanasi: ‘Stopped’ from meeting PM Modi, woman sets bus on fire

A group of terrorists on Wednesday hurled a grenade on a CRPF camp near railway station Kakapora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.

Heavy firing followed as security personnel retaliated and forced terrorists to flee from the spot, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

No loss of life or injury reported till now, an investigation is underway.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>: Terrorists hurled a grenade followed by heavy firing on a CRPF police combine camp located near railway station Kakapora in Pulwama. Security personnel retaliated, forced terrorists to flee from spot. No loss of life or injury reported till now.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1042105345164886018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The incident comes a day after terrorists hurled a grenade at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp of 183 battalion in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.

According to reports, the grenade didn't explode, the CRPF retaliated. One CRPF personnel was injured in the exchange of fire and was moved to the nearest hospital.&nbsp;

No loss of life was reported so far.&nbsp;

No loss of life or injury reported till now, an investigation is underway.

A group of terrorists on Wednesday hurled a grenade on a CRPF camp near railway station Kakapora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. Heavy firing followed as security personnel retaliated and forced terrorists to flee from the spot, news agency ANI reported. No loss of life or injury reported till now, an investigation is underway. #JammuAndKashmir: Terrorists hurled a grenade followed by heavy firing on a CRPF police combine camp located near railway station Kakapora in Pulwama. Security personnel retaliated, forced terrorists to flee from spot. No loss of life or injury reported till now. — ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018 × The incident comes a day after terrorists hurled a grenade at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp of 183 battalion in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. According to reports, the grenade didn't explode, the CRPF retaliated. One CRPF personnel was injured in the exchange of fire and was moved to the nearest hospital. No loss of life was reported so far.

J&K: Terrorists hurl grenade at CRPF camp near Kakapora railway station in Pulwama

An encounter broke out between miscreants and police in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp

According to Dinesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, two people have been arrested out of which one has been injured. One policeman also got injured.

According to reports, two motorcycles and around Rs 10 Lakh have also been seized.

Kumar also reported that two people managed to escape from the spot, an investigation is underway.

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Shamli: Encounter broke out between miscreants& police.SP says,'2 people have been arrested out of which 1has been injured.1 policeman has also got injured.2 motorcycles&around Rs.10 Lakh cash has been seized.2 people escaped from the spot.Further investigation underway'(18.9.18) <a href="https://t.co/ap9BIunyPX">pic.twitter.com/ap9BIunyPX</a>
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Meanwhile, a group of terrorists hurled a grenade on a CRPF camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Wednesday.

Heavy firing followed as security personnel retaliated and forced terrorists to flee from the spot, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp

No loss of life or injury reported till now.

Two people managed to escape from the spot, an investigation is underway.

An encounter broke out between miscreants and police in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported. According to Dinesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, two people have been arrested out of which one has been injured. One policeman also got injured. According to reports, two motorcycles and around Rs 10 Lakh have also been seized. Kumar also reported that two people managed to escape from the spot, an investigation is underway. Shamli: Encounter broke out between miscreants& police.SP says,'2 people have been arrested out of which 1has been injured.1 policeman has also got injured.2 motorcycles&around Rs.10 Lakh cash has been seized.2 people escaped from the spot.Further investigation underway'(18.9.18) pic.twitter.com/ap9BIunyPX — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 18, 2018 × Meanwhile, a group of terrorists hurled a grenade on a CRPF camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Wednesday. Heavy firing followed as security personnel retaliated and forced terrorists to flee from the spot, news agency ANI reported. No loss of life or injury reported till now.

Uttar Pradesh: Encounter breaks out in Shamli, 2 arrested

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has alleged that there are forces within the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) which are "waging a war" against India.

Continuing her claim, the Defence Minister, an alumnus of JNU, said that such forces have often been seen with elected representatives of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU).

"There are forces which are waging a war against India. Their brochures say that. Such people leading the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) or JNUSU members openly participating with such forces, you do not need to hesitate to say anti-India, therefore," Sitharaman said during an interaction with women journalists at the Indian Women's Press Corps.

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They are waging a war against India. Their brochures say that. Such people leading the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) or JNUSU members openly participating with such forces, you do not need to hesitate to say anti-India, therefor: Nirmala Sitharaman (18.918) <a href="https://t.co/gPjjC1rJ72">pic.twitter.com/gPjjC1rJ72</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1042168638604828673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Her comment comes days after candidates backed by Left groups won all four key posts in the University Students Union elections. This comes after Sitharaman was asked about developments in the JNU during an interaction.

The JNU irked controversy on February 9, 2016, after it was alleged that anti-India slogans were raised during an event organised in the campus against Afzal Guru's hanging.

A panel had, in 2016, recommended rustication of Umar Khalid and two other students while a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on Kanhaiya Kumar, the then students' union president, in connection with the event.&nbsp;

Her comment comes days after candidates backed by Left groups won all four key posts in the University Students Union elections.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has alleged that there are forces within the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) which are "waging a war" against India. Continuing her claim, the Defence Minister, an alumnus of JNU, said that such forces have often been seen with elected representatives of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU). "There are forces which are waging a war against India. Their brochures say that. Such people leading the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) or JNUSU members openly participating with such forces, you do not need to hesitate to say anti-India, therefore," Sitharaman said during an interaction with women journalists at the Indian Women's Press Corps. They are waging a war against India. Their brochures say that. Such people leading the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) or JNUSU members openly participating with such forces, you do not need to hesitate to say anti-India, therefor: Nirmala Sitharaman (18.918) pic.twitter.com/gPjjC1rJ72 — ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018 × Her comment comes days after candidates backed by Left groups won all four key posts in the University Students Union elections. This comes after Sitharaman was asked about developments in the JNU during an interaction. The JNU irked controversy on February 9, 2016, after it was alleged that anti-India slogans were raised during an event organised in the campus against Afzal Guru's hanging. A panel had, in 2016, recommended rustication of Umar Khalid and two other students while a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on Kanhaiya Kumar, the then students' union president, in connection with the event.

Forces within JNU 'waging war against India', says Sitharaman

The Goa Congress legislators have met state governor Mridula Sinha and demanded floor test by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the Assembly to prove its majority.

All 16 legislators, led by Leader of Opposition in Goa assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar, met the Governor and asked her for an opportunity to form government and dismissal of the BJP-led coalition government in the state, claiming that it is non-functional at the moment.

Goa is being ruled by the BJP-led alliance, headed by state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Reacting on the matter, the Governor assured the Opposition that she would take four days to reply on the proposal.

After meeting the Governor, Kavlekar told media, "Let the state government prove on the floor that they have majority or else we can show that we have more legislators than them."

On September 17, the Congress, along with 14 legislators in the 40-member state assembly, submitted a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha, urging her to invite them to form the government.

Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, reached the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for further treatment on Saturday.

Earlier this year, he had flown to the United States for treatment and returned to India in June, after two-and-half months.

Reacting on the matter, the Governor assured the Opposition that she would take four days to reply on the proposal.

The Goa Congress legislators have met state governor Mridula Sinha and demanded floor test by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the Assembly to prove its majority. All 16 legislators, led by Leader of Opposition in Goa assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar, met the Governor and asked her for an opportunity to form government and dismissal of the BJP-led coalition government in the state, claiming that it is non-functional at the moment. Goa is being ruled by the BJP-led alliance, headed by state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Reacting on the matter, the Governor assured the Opposition that she would take four days to reply on the proposal. After meeting the Governor, Kavlekar told media, "Let the state government prove on the floor that they have majority or else we can show that we have more legislators than them." On September 17, the Congress, along with 14 legislators in the 40-member state assembly, submitted a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha, urging her to invite them to form the government. Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, reached the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for further treatment on Saturday. Earlier this year, he had flown to the United States for treatment and returned to India in June, after two-and-half months.

Congress meets Goa Governor, demands floor test by BJP-led govt

India and China will jointly train Afghan diplomats, ANI quoted sources as saying on Wednesday.&nbsp

ANI said the diplomats will be trained in New Delhi and Beijing and that the course will be coordinated by India and China. ANI added that the course will begin in October.&nbsp

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is currently in New Delhi.&nbsp

On Wednesday, he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed and assessed the progress made by the India-Afghanistan strategic partnership. They also expressed their determination to strengthen connectivity between the two countries, including through Chabahar port and the air-freight corridor.

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Afghan President Ghani spoke to PM Modi on initiatives by his government towards peace & reconciliation and also in confronting the challenges of terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan
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PM Modi reiterated India's support to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned&Afghan-controlled peace&reconciliation process that would enable Afghanistan to continue as a united,peaceful, inclusive&democratic nation. PM Modi unequivocally condemned terrorist attacks&violence in Afghanistan. <a href="https://t.co/QDORYoNvS2">pic.twitter.com/QDORYoNvS2</a>
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"I'd like to thank Indian diplomatic institutions. What India-Afghanistan share is deep and binding trust in democratic institutions. I'm here as I'm the elected leader of Afghanistan speaking in world's largest democracy and forming relations between two democratic institutions," Ghani said in Delhi today.&nbsp

"We need to understand what's at stake today in Afghanistan. What is at stake is the stability of the region," he added.&nbsp

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile raised his concerns about the seven Indian engineers missing in Afghanistan Ghani, ANI quoted sources as saying.&nbsp

Ghani assured Modi that he was personally looking into the matter.&nbsp

The Indian engineers were kidnapped in May this year, it is thought by the Taliban.&nbsp

The diplomats will be trained in New Delhi and Beijing and the course will be coordinated by India and China. The course will begin in October.

India and China will jointly train Afghan diplomats, ANI quoted sources as saying on Wednesday. ANI said the diplomats will be trained in New Delhi and Beijing and that the course will be coordinated by India and China. ANI added that the course will begin in October. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is currently in New Delhi. On Wednesday, he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed and assessed the progress made by the India-Afghanistan strategic partnership. They also expressed their determination to strengthen connectivity between the two countries, including through Chabahar port and the air-freight corridor. Afghan President Ghani spoke to PM Modi on initiatives by his government towards peace & reconciliation and also in confronting the challenges of terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018 × PM Modi reiterated India's support to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned&Afghan-controlled peace&reconciliation process that would enable Afghanistan to continue as a united,peaceful, inclusive&democratic nation. PM Modi unequivocally condemned terrorist attacks&violence in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/QDORYoNvS2 — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018 × "I'd like to thank Indian diplomatic institutions. What India-Afghanistan share is deep and binding trust in democratic institutions. I'm here as I'm the elected leader of Afghanistan speaking in world's largest democracy and forming relations between two democratic institutions," Ghani said in Delhi today. "We need to understand what's at stake today in Afghanistan. What is at stake is the stability of the region," he added. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile raised his concerns about the seven Indian engineers missing in Afghanistan Ghani, ANI quoted sources as saying. Ghani assured Modi that he was personally looking into the matter. The Indian engineers were kidnapped in May this year, it is thought by the Taliban.

India, China to jointly train Afghan diplomats: Sources

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (chief) <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/we-are-committed-towards-constitution-did-nothing-against-it-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-166477">Mohan Bhagwat</a> on the last day of three-day outreach conclave said that everyone who lives in India is Hindu by identity, nationality.

"All those who live in India are Hindu. All people are our own. Our tradition is unity," said Bhagwat.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also pitched for protection of cows but disapproved of going against the law in the name of such vigilantism.

The Sangh head also said, "We have to reject the double-speak as there is no talk of violence by cow smugglers." He was replying to questions on cow vigilantism and mob lynching.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-idea-is-similar-to-the-idea-of-muslim-brotherhood-in-arab-world-rahul-gandhi--161261">Rahul Gandhi equates RSS to Muslim Brotherhood</a>

It is a crime to take law in one's own hands, Bhagwat said on cow vigilantism and asserted there should be stringent punishment in such cases.

The question came in the backdrop of instances of alleged lynching by cow vigilantes in several states.

RSS chief who has shared his views on wide-ranging subjects in course of a three-day outreach conclave, said: "We need a new education policy which is a mix of modern education and our traditions."

Bhagwat said caste system has become an aberration now and is an outdated concept. Most inter-caste marriages in India are done by RSS cadre, he said, adding “we are trying to unite all Hindus”.

“First inter-caste marriage in Maharashtra took place in 1942, congratulatory messages poured for them, including ones from Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Sri Guruji. Guruji had said 'you aren't getting married only due to physical attraction. You want to convey that everyone is equal',” the RSS chief said.

“If you do a survey of inter-caste marriages in India, maybe you will find the maximum percentage of those being Swayamsevaks from the Sangh,” Bhagwat added.

(With inputs from agencies)

The question came in the backdrop of instances of alleged lynching by cow vigilantes in several states.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (chief) Mohan Bhagwat on the last day of three-day outreach conclave said that everyone who lives in India is Hindu by identity, nationality. "All those who live in India are Hindu. All people are our own. Our tradition is unity," said Bhagwat. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also pitched for protection of cows but disapproved of going against the law in the name of such vigilantism. The Sangh head also said, "We have to reject the double-speak as there is no talk of violence by cow smugglers." He was replying to questions on cow vigilantism and mob lynching. Also read: Rahul Gandhi equates RSS to Muslim Brotherhood It is a crime to take law in one's own hands, Bhagwat said on cow vigilantism and asserted there should be stringent punishment in such cases. The question came in the backdrop of instances of alleged lynching by cow vigilantes in several states. RSS chief who has shared his views on wide-ranging subjects in course of a three-day outreach conclave, said: "We need a new education policy which is a mix of modern education and our traditions." Bhagwat said caste system has become an aberration now and is an outdated concept. Most inter-caste marriages in India are done by RSS cadre, he said, adding “we are trying to unite all Hindus”. “First inter-caste marriage in Maharashtra took place in 1942, congratulatory messages poured for them, including ones from Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Sri Guruji. Guruji had said 'you aren't getting married only due to physical attraction. You want to convey that everyone is equal',” the RSS chief said. “If you do a survey of inter-caste marriages in India, maybe you will find the maximum percentage of those being Swayamsevaks from the Sangh,” Bhagwat added. (With inputs from agencies)

All Indians are Hindu by identity: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday addressed a rally in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool wherein he announced that the state will get a special status if Congress is voted to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Gandhi stated that the Congress "has a very old relationship with Andhra Pradesh".

"When the state was divided, the then PM, Manmohan Singh, made certain commitments to the people of Andhra Pradesh. The commitment of PM was that the state would be given special status for a period of 5 years," Gandhi noted.&nbsp;

"When this commitment was made, the current Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and his party (Bharatiya Janata Party) said that is not good enough, Andhra Pradesh should get special status for 10 years. It has been four years since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, and he has not taken one step forward to the commitment that the government of India made to the people of Andhra Pradesh... All the promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh have been broken by Narendra Modi," Gandhi added.

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Congress has a very old relationship with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a>. When the state was divided,the then PM (Manmohan Singh) made certain commitments to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Commitment of PM was that the state would be given special status for a period of 5 yrs: R.Gandhi at Kurnool <a href="https://t.co/hW19ubGLtD">pic.twitter.com/hW19ubGLtD</a>
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The Congress president also claimed that Prime Minister Modi "does not understand that the promise to Andhra Pradesh was made by (former) Prime Minister of India (Manmohan Singh)."

Gandhi stated that the Congress 'has a very old relationship with Andhra Pradesh'.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday addressed a rally in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool wherein he announced that the state will get a special status if Congress is voted to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi stated that the Congress "has a very old relationship with Andhra Pradesh". "When the state was divided, the then PM, Manmohan Singh, made certain commitments to the people of Andhra Pradesh. The commitment of PM was that the state would be given special status for a period of 5 years," Gandhi noted. "When this commitment was made, the current Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and his party (Bharatiya Janata Party) said that is not good enough, Andhra Pradesh should get special status for 10 years. It has been four years since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, and he has not taken one step forward to the commitment that the government of India made to the people of Andhra Pradesh... All the promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh have been broken by Narendra Modi," Gandhi added. Congress has a very old relationship with #AndhraPradesh. When the state was divided,the then PM (Manmohan Singh) made certain commitments to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Commitment of PM was that the state would be given special status for a period of 5 yrs: R.Gandhi at Kurnool pic.twitter.com/hW19ubGLtD — ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018 × The Congress president also claimed that Prime Minister Modi "does not understand that the promise to Andhra Pradesh was made by (former) Prime Minister of India (Manmohan Singh)."

Andhra Pradesh will get special status if Congress is voted to power in 2019

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/jk-pakistani-troops-slit-bsf-jawans-throat-high-alert-sounded-along-border-166655">J&K: Pakistani troops slit BSF jawan's throat, high alert sounded along </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/jk-pakistani-troops-slit-bsf-jawans-throat-high-alert-sounded-along-border-166655">border</a>

Pakistani troops have slit the throat of a BSF jawan&nbsp;along the International Border&nbsp;(IB) near Jammu. The jawan was identified as Head Constable Narender Kumar.&nbsp;The incident took place on Tuesday in the Ramgarh sector.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-daughter-maryams-jail-terms-suspended-by-islamabad-high-court-166647">Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam's jail terms suspended by Islamabad High Court</a>

The Islamabad High Court has suspended the jail terms of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz. &nbsp;Sharif and Maryam were serving 10 and seven-year jail terms after having been convicted in the Avenfield case.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/assams-nrc-supreme-court-says-filing-of-objections-to-start-on-sept-25-stay-open-for-60-days-166643">Assam's NRC: Supreme Court says filing of objections to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/assams-nrc-supreme-court-says-filing-of-objections-to-start-on-sept-25-stay-open-for-60-days-166643">start</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/assams-nrc-supreme-court-says-filing-of-objections-to-start-on-sept-25-stay-open-for-60-days-166643"> on September 25</a>

The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the filing of&nbsp;objections against Assam's second draft National Register of Citizens&nbsp;will begin on September 25 and stay open for a period of 60 days till November 25.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-pitches-for-cow-protection-but-disapproves-violence-166678">All Indians are Hindu by identity: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat</a>

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Wednesday pitched for protection of cows but disapproved of going against the law in the name of such vigilantism.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-agrees-to-inspections-in-bid-to-salvage-nuclear-talks-166650">North Korea's Kim Jong-Un agrees to inspections in bid</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-agrees-to-inspections-in-bid-to-salvage-nuclear-talks-166650"> to salvage nuclear talks</a>

North Korea said on Wednesday it would permanently abolish its key missile facilities in the presence of foreign experts, the latest gesture by leader Kim Jong-Un to revive faltering talks with Washington over his country's nuclear programme.

&nbsp;

J&K: Pakistani troops slit BSF jawan's throat, high alert sounded along border Pakistani troops have slit the throat of a BSF jawan along the International Border (IB) near Jammu. The jawan was identified as Head Constable Narender Kumar. The incident took place on Tuesday in the Ramgarh sector. Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam's jail terms suspended by Islamabad High Court The Islamabad High Court has suspended the jail terms of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Sharif and Maryam were serving 10 and seven-year jail terms after having been convicted in the Avenfield case. Assam's NRC: Supreme Court says filing of objections to start on September 25 The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the filing of objections against Assam's second draft National Register of Citizens will begin on September 25 and stay open for a period of 60 days till November 25. All Indians are Hindu by identity: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Wednesday pitched for protection of cows but disapproved of going against the law in the name of such vigilantism. North Korea's Kim Jong-Un agrees to inspections in bid to salvage nuclear talks North Korea said on Wednesday it would permanently abolish its key missile facilities in the presence of foreign experts, the latest gesture by leader Kim Jong-Un to revive faltering talks with Washington over his country's nuclear programme.

A video of a former sarpanch being threatened by terrorists has gone viral in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the one-minute-long video&nbsp;(which wionews.com has decided not to put out) the former sarpanch can be seen asking his son to resign from his post of Special Police Officer with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.&nbsp;

The recording was made somewhere in South Kashmir, and the sarpanch identifies his son as Waseem Raja.&nbsp;

"I was a sarpanch but now I’m not. My son is SPO. I will make him announce his resignation at a local mosque. I have myself left working as Sarpanch many years back," the sarpanch says.

After the sarpanch makes his statement, a terrorist can be heard saying in the video that they have imposed a ban on job of SPO.&nbsp;

"Your son should resign and we should see his resignation letter. He should make the announcement in the local mosque and have a proper resignation letter with him," the terrorist says.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, Riyaz Naikoo, operational commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, had warned SPOs in a video to either quit their jobs or face the consequences.&nbsp;

Several SPOs have been targeted by terrorists this year, particularly in South Kashmir.&nbsp;

This is the first video of a sarpanch being threatened since panchayat and local bodies elections were announced in the state.&nbsp;

Terrorists have threatened anyone who contests elections in the state.&nbsp;

In view of the threats, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to provide insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh to every candidate contesting the polls.&nbsp;

The National Conference and People's Democratic party however have already announced their decision to stay away from the polls.

In the video, the former sarpanch identifies his son as Waseem Raja. The video has gone viral on social media.

A video of a former sarpanch being threatened by terrorists has gone viral in Jammu and Kashmir. In the one-minute-long video (which wionews.com has decided not to put out) the former sarpanch can be seen asking his son to resign from his post of Special Police Officer with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The recording was made somewhere in South Kashmir, and the sarpanch identifies his son as Waseem Raja. "I was a sarpanch but now I’m not. My son is SPO. I will make him announce his resignation at a local mosque. I have myself left working as Sarpanch many years back," the sarpanch says. After the sarpanch makes his statement, a terrorist can be heard saying in the video that they have imposed a ban on job of SPO. "Your son should resign and we should see his resignation letter. He should make the announcement in the local mosque and have a proper resignation letter with him," the terrorist says. Earlier on Wednesday, Riyaz Naikoo, operational commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, had warned SPOs in a video to either quit their jobs or face the consequences. Several SPOs have been targeted by terrorists this year, particularly in South Kashmir. This is the first video of a sarpanch being threatened since panchayat and local bodies elections were announced in the state. Terrorists have threatened anyone who contests elections in the state. In view of the threats, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to provide insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh to every candidate contesting the polls. The National Conference and People's Democratic party however have already announced their decision to stay away from the polls.

J&K: In video, terrorists order ex-sarpanch to tell son to quit police job

The Congress delegation will meet Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday to seek a probe into the alleged irregularities in the high-profile Rafale fighter aircraft deal.

A Congress delegation would meet at 11.15 am&nbspand party leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Vivek Tankha are likely to be part of the delegation. Congress President Rahul Gandhi may also join for the meet.

The Congress has been continuously holding a series of press conferences on the Rafale issue, raising several questions on the deal done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government with France to purchase the Rafale fighter jets.

However, the Centre has denied all the allegations imposed by the opposition.

The Rafale jets were chosen during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenure in 2012. Initially, India had planned to buy 18 off-the-shelf jets from France, with 108 others to be assembled in the country by the state-run aerospace and defence company HAL.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government scrapped the UPA's plan in 2015 and announced that it would buy 36 "ready-to-fly" Rafale jets instead of seeking a technology transfer from France's Dassault Aviation and making the aircraft in India.&nbsp

The Congress has been continuously holding a series of press conferences on the Rafale issue.

The Congress delegation will meet Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday to seek a probe into the alleged irregularities in the high-profile Rafale fighter aircraft deal. A Congress delegation would meet at 11.15 am&nbspand party leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Vivek Tankha are likely to be part of the delegation. Congress President Rahul Gandhi may also join for the meet. The Congress has been continuously holding a series of press conferences on the Rafale issue, raising several questions on the deal done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government with France to purchase the Rafale fighter jets. However, the Centre has denied all the allegations imposed by the opposition. The Rafale jets were chosen during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenure in 2012. Initially, India had planned to buy 18 off-the-shelf jets from France, with 108 others to be assembled in the country by the state-run aerospace and defence company HAL. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government scrapped the UPA's plan in 2015 and announced that it would buy 36 "ready-to-fly" Rafale jets instead of seeking a technology transfer from France's Dassault Aviation and making the aircraft in India.

Congress delegation to meet CAG over Rafale deal

Disregarding the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-ordinance-on-triple-talaq-bill-166609">Triple Talaq ordinance</a> passed by the Parliament on Wednesday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the bill will prove injustice for the Muslim&nbsp;women.

Owaisi said that bringing a penal provision in marriage was&nbsp;wrong as marriage is&nbsp;considered as a civil contract in Islam.

He said, "This ordinance is against the Muslim women. This ordinance will not provide justice to Muslim women. In Islam, marriage is a civil contract and bringing penal provisions in it is wrong".

Citing the ordinance as unconstitutional, he further said that it was against the Constitution's right to equality as it was being made only for Muslims.

He also asked the&nbsp;All India Muslim Personal Law Board and women organisations to challenge the ordinance in the apex court.

"This Ordinance is unconstitutional. The ordinance is against the Constitution's right to equality as it is being made only for Muslims. All India Muslim Personal Law Board and women organisations should challenge this ordinance in the Supreme Court".

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This ordinance is against the Muslim women. This ordinance will not provide justice to the Muslim women. In Islam, marriage is a civil contract and bringing penal provisions in it is wrong: Asaduddin Owaisi on Cabinet approving an ordinance on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaq?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaq</a> <a href="https://t.co/tq00plwfcr">pic.twitter.com/tq00plwfcr</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1042329254325829632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Union Cabinet&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/congress-never-opposed-triple-talaq-bill-says-anand-sharma-164527">today approved an ordinance</a>&nbsp;making&nbsp;Triple Talaq a punishable offence.

The Bill proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through Triple Talaq, in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp

The Opposition had been demanding a debate on the issue in Parliament. The&nbsp;'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill' which was passed in the lower House of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on December 29, 2017, is yet to be passed in the Upper House the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition had asked the government to refer the bill to the Select Committee for further scrutiny. The bill&nbsp;could not be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament due to non-consensus. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu noted that no consensus could be built around it.

&nbsp;

Owaisi also asked the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and women organisations to challenge the ordinance in the apex court.

Disregarding the Triple Talaq ordinance passed by the Parliament on Wednesday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the bill will prove injustice for the Muslim women. Owaisi said that bringing a penal provision in marriage was wrong as marriage is considered as a civil contract in Islam. He said, "This ordinance is against the Muslim women. This ordinance will not provide justice to Muslim women. In Islam, marriage is a civil contract and bringing penal provisions in it is wrong". Citing the ordinance as unconstitutional, he further said that it was against the Constitution's right to equality as it was being made only for Muslims. He also asked the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and women organisations to challenge the ordinance in the apex court. "This Ordinance is unconstitutional. The ordinance is against the Constitution's right to equality as it is being made only for Muslims. All India Muslim Personal Law Board and women organisations should challenge this ordinance in the Supreme Court". This ordinance is against the Muslim women. This ordinance will not provide justice to the Muslim women. In Islam, marriage is a civil contract and bringing penal provisions in it is wrong: Asaduddin Owaisi on Cabinet approving an ordinance on #TripleTalaq pic.twitter.com/tq00plwfcr — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018 × The Union Cabinet today approved an ordinance making Triple Talaq a punishable offence. The Bill proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through Triple Talaq, in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp The Opposition had been demanding a debate on the issue in Parliament. The 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill' which was passed in the lower House of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on December 29, 2017, is yet to be passed in the Upper House the Rajya Sabha. The Opposition had asked the government to refer the bill to the Select Committee for further scrutiny. The bill could not be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament due to non-consensus. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu noted that no consensus could be built around it.

Triple Talaq bill will prove an injustice for Muslim women: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the filing of <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/final-draft-of-assams-nrc-report-published-40-lakh-people-excluded-in-list-155639">objections against Assam's second draft National Register of Citizens</a> will begin on September 25 and stay open for a period of 60 days till November 25.&nbsp;

The order was passed by a division bench of the court headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi.&nbsp;

The NRC was mandated by the Supreme Court to investigate who is a citizen of Assam, and therefore of India. Assam has over the years seen large-scale immigration from Bangladesh.&nbsp;

The second draft of Assam's NRC was published in July — with 40 lakh of the state's residents left off the list.&nbsp;

It will be those 40 lakh people who will be filing their objections to their exclusion from the list.&nbsp;

There had been panic after the publication of the second draft of the register, largely among the state's Muslim population, but Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has since said that nobody is going to be deported. And that everybody left off the list will have full recourse to the law.&nbsp;

But BJP President Amit Shah has said at least twice that his party will not go easy on the NRC issue and that every single Bangladeshi infiltrator will be identified and deported. The BJP is currently in power in Assam.&nbsp;

Some sections of the BJP have also said that an NRC-like exercise should be carried out in every Indian state.&nbsp;

It is unclear what will happen to the people who finally find themselves excluded&nbsp;from the NRC especially since Bangladesh refuses to accept migration has taken place from it to India.&nbsp;

Some commentators have gone so far as to say the NRC will end up creating a "stateless"&nbsp;people like the Rohingya.&nbsp;

In Assam, however, there is widespread public support for the register.&nbsp;

The NRC was mandated by the Supreme Court to investigate who is a citizen of Assam, and therefore of India. Assam has over the years seen large-scale immigration from Bangladesh.

The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the filing of objections against Assam's second draft National Register of Citizens will begin on September 25 and stay open for a period of 60 days till November 25. The order was passed by a division bench of the court headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The NRC was mandated by the Supreme Court to investigate who is a citizen of Assam, and therefore of India. Assam has over the years seen large-scale immigration from Bangladesh. The second draft of Assam's NRC was published in July — with 40 lakh of the state's residents left off the list. It will be those 40 lakh people who will be filing their objections to their exclusion from the list. There had been panic after the publication of the second draft of the register, largely among the state's Muslim population, but Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has since said that nobody is going to be deported. And that everybody left off the list will have full recourse to the law. But BJP President Amit Shah has said at least twice that his party will not go easy on the NRC issue and that every single Bangladeshi infiltrator will be identified and deported. The BJP is currently in power in Assam. Some sections of the BJP have also said that an NRC-like exercise should be carried out in every Indian state. It is unclear what will happen to the people who finally find themselves excluded from the NRC especially since Bangladesh refuses to accept migration has taken place from it to India. Some commentators have gone so far as to say the NRC will end up creating a "stateless" people like the Rohingya. In Assam, however, there is widespread public support for the register.

Assam's NRC: Supreme Court says filing of objections to start on September 25

Pakistani troops have slit the throat of a BSF jawan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/analysis-ceasefire-agreement-between-india-and-pakistan-is-as-good-as-dead-139471?amp">along the International Border</a> (IB) near Jammu.

The jawan was identified as Head Constable Narender Kumar.&nbsp;The incident took place on Tuesday in the Ramgarh sector.&nbsp;

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DG <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BSF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BSF</a> and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of Head Constable Narender Kumar & offer condolence to the family of the braveheart. 
HC Narender attained martyrdom on 18 Sep,2018 in an unprovoked Pak firing across <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jammu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jammu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IB</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#अमरप्रहरी</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatKeVeer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatKeVeer</a> <a href="https://t.co/zQx7N3f4HU">pic.twitter.com/zQx7N3f4HU</a>
— BSF (@BSF_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/BSF_India/status/1042302014145814528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kumar's body could only be recovered six hours after he was killed since the Pakistan Rangers on the other side of the border did not respond to calls from the BSF to not shoot at the search parties looking for him.&nbsp;

The Border Security Force finally had to wait for dark and then carry out a "risky"&nbsp;operation to retrieve&nbsp;Kumar's body.&nbsp;

When they found Kumar, the BSF discovered that he had also been shot three times.&nbsp;

Security forces have issued a "high alert" along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC).&nbsp;

The Border Security Force has lodged a strong complaint with its counterparts — the Pakistan Rangers.

Officials in the security establishment said the brutality of the incident, probably a first along the IB, was taken "very seriously" by the government and the Ministry of External Affairs and the Director General of Military

Operations (DGMO) were also expected to take up the issue with their Pakistani counterparts.

They added that since the BSF patrol party that went ahead of the fence to cut the tall "sarkanda" (elephant) grass was first fired upon at 10.40 am on Tuesday, hectic phone calls and communication exchanges went on from the Indian side to across the border in order to locate the jawan, who was first declared missing.

While the BSF did not comment on the developments, sources said the force had alerted all its formations along the IB and informed the Army to be vigilant at the LoC.

"The body of the jawan bears three bullet injuries and his throat has been slit. This is an unprecedented action that has happened with the Indian forces along the IB and the Pakistani troopers are behind this. The BSF and other forces will undertake a counter-action at a suitable time," an official said.

The jawan was killed on the spot after he was hit by a fatal sniper shot from across the border, he added.

The BSF's Jammu frontier had yesterday issued a statement on the incident but did not mention anything about the hacking.

"A BSF party that was on domination patrolling ahead of the fence was fired upon. The BSF troops immediately took position and retaliated but the enemy bullets hit a jawan. The area on the Pakistani side has a protective bundh close to the IB," the force had said in the statement.

It had added that the area on the Indian side was undulated, marshy and had a thick "sarkanda" growth that made tracing the location of the felled jawan difficult.

The incident came a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/our-borders-will-be-more-secure-with-less-dependence-on-physical-patrolling-rajnath-singh-on-indias-first-smart-fence-166117?src=tw">inaugurated the maiden "smart fence" project of the BSF in Jammu</a> on Monday that aims to deploy smart technology and gadgets to secure the vulnerable patches on the Indo-Pak border.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Head Constable Narender Kumar's body could only be retrieved after dark since the Pakistani side 'did not respond' to the calls to maintain the sanctity of the frontier and ensure that the BSF search parties were not fired upon.

Pakistani troops have slit the throat of a BSF jawan along the International Border (IB) near Jammu. The jawan was identified as Head Constable Narender Kumar. The incident took place on Tuesday in the Ramgarh sector. DG #BSF and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of Head Constable Narender Kumar & offer condolence to the family of the braveheart. HC Narender attained martyrdom on 18 Sep,2018 in an unprovoked Pak firing across #Jammu #IB#अमरप्रहरी#BharatKeVeer pic.twitter.com/zQx7N3f4HU — BSF (@BSF_India) September 19, 2018 × Kumar's body could only be recovered six hours after he was killed since the Pakistan Rangers on the other side of the border did not respond to calls from the BSF to not shoot at the search parties looking for him. The Border Security Force finally had to wait for dark and then carry out a "risky" operation to retrieve Kumar's body. When they found Kumar, the BSF discovered that he had also been shot three times. Security forces have issued a "high alert" along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC). The Border Security Force has lodged a strong complaint with its counterparts — the Pakistan Rangers. Officials in the security establishment said the brutality of the incident, probably a first along the IB, was taken "very seriously" by the government and the Ministry of External Affairs and the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) were also expected to take up the issue with their Pakistani counterparts. They added that since the BSF patrol party that went ahead of the fence to cut the tall "sarkanda" (elephant) grass was first fired upon at 10.40 am on Tuesday, hectic phone calls and communication exchanges went on from the Indian side to across the border in order to locate the jawan, who was first declared missing. While the BSF did not comment on the developments, sources said the force had alerted all its formations along the IB and informed the Army to be vigilant at the LoC. "The body of the jawan bears three bullet injuries and his throat has been slit. This is an unprecedented action that has happened with the Indian forces along the IB and the Pakistani troopers are behind this. The BSF and other forces will undertake a counter-action at a suitable time," an official said. The jawan was killed on the spot after he was hit by a fatal sniper shot from across the border, he added. The BSF's Jammu frontier had yesterday issued a statement on the incident but did not mention anything about the hacking. "A BSF party that was on domination patrolling ahead of the fence was fired upon. The BSF troops immediately took position and retaliated but the enemy bullets hit a jawan. The area on the Pakistani side has a protective bundh close to the IB," the force had said in the statement. It had added that the area on the Indian side was undulated, marshy and had a thick "sarkanda" growth that made tracing the location of the felled jawan difficult. The incident came a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the maiden "smart fence" project of the BSF in Jammu on Monday that aims to deploy smart technology and gadgets to secure the vulnerable patches on the Indo-Pak border. (With inputs from PTI)

J&K: Pakistani troops slit BSF jawan's throat, high alert sounded along border

The Union Cabinet <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/congress-never-opposed-triple-talaq-bill-says-anand-sharma-164527">today approved an ordinance</a> making&nbsp;Triple Talaq a punishable offence.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-woman-gets-triple-talaq-for-giving-birth-to-girl-151984">Also Read:&nbsp;Woman gets Triple Talaq for giving birth to girl</a>

The Opposition has been demanding a debate on the issue in Parliament over the issue. The&nbsp;The 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill'&nbsp;was passed in the lower House of Parliament the Lok Sabha on December 29, 2017, it is yet to be passed in the Upper House the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition had asked the government to refer the bill to the Select Committee for further scrutiny. The bill&nbsp;could not be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament due to non-consensus. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu noted that no consensus could be built around it

The Bill proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through Triple Talaq, in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government is not making this an issue for justice for Muslim women, but "making it into a political issue."

Speaking on the issue at a press conference, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad defended the government's move, saying: "The barbaric inhuman Triple Talaq was not allowed to be ended by a Parliamentary law for pure vote bank politics," adding,"the core component of this Ordinance is that an offence will be cognizable only when the FIR is filed by the victim wife or her close relations by blood or marriage."&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Modi during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address last month had said: "The Triple Talaq bill was passed in Lok Sabha, but could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha. But, I would like to assure Muslim women that the entire nation is there with them and we will ensure that they get justice."

The Cabinet had earlier approved an amendment in Triple Talaq Bill introduceing the provision wherein a magistrate can grant bail to the guilty.

The offence continues to remain illegal and void with a jail term of three years for the offender.

"Cabinet has approved amendments in the law relating to Triple Talaq. We've proposed 3 changes. If any husband gives Triple Talaq instantaneously and breaks the marriage then an FIR shall only become cognizable when it is filed by victim or blood relation or relation by marriage," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had informed last month.

The Bill proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through Triple Talaq

The Union Cabinet today approved an ordinance making Triple Talaq a punishable offence. Also Read: Woman gets Triple Talaq for giving birth to girl The Opposition has been demanding a debate on the issue in Parliament over the issue. The The 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill' was passed in the lower House of Parliament the Lok Sabha on December 29, 2017, it is yet to be passed in the Upper House the Rajya Sabha. The Opposition had asked the government to refer the bill to the Select Committee for further scrutiny. The bill could not be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament due to non-consensus. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu noted that no consensus could be built around it The Bill proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through Triple Talaq, in any form of spoken, written or by electronic means such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government is not making this an issue for justice for Muslim women, but "making it into a political issue." Speaking on the issue at a press conference, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad defended the government's move, saying: "The barbaric inhuman Triple Talaq was not allowed to be ended by a Parliamentary law for pure vote bank politics," adding,"the core component of this Ordinance is that an offence will be cognizable only when the FIR is filed by the victim wife or her close relations by blood or marriage." PM Modi during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address last month had said: "The Triple Talaq bill was passed in Lok Sabha, but could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha. But, I would like to assure Muslim women that the entire nation is there with them and we will ensure that they get justice." The Cabinet had earlier approved an amendment in Triple Talaq Bill introduceing the provision wherein a magistrate can grant bail to the guilty. The offence continues to remain illegal and void with a jail term of three years for the offender. "Cabinet has approved amendments in the law relating to Triple Talaq. We've proposed 3 changes. If any husband gives Triple Talaq instantaneously and breaks the marriage then an FIR shall only become cognizable when it is filed by victim or blood relation or relation by marriage," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had informed last month.

Union Cabinet approves ordinance banning Triple Talaq

Pakistan Government on Wednesday clearly stated that there has been no official communication with India on the Kartarpur corridor opening.&nbsp;

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Mohammad Faisal, was addressing a weekly press briefing in Islamabad where he made the statement, contradicting Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The statement came a day after Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu of misleading people about Pakistan’s alleged assurance on allowing Sikh pilgrims direct access to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, along with the India-Pakistan border, next year.&nbsp;

In August, ex-cricketer and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu who had visited Pakistan to attend Prime Minister Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony had said Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa had told him the Pakistan government will open the Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur) corridor on Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary.

Sidhu courted controversy by hugging Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit.

The Kartarpur gurdwara is currently built on the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, died on September 22, 1539.

It was just a hug and not a Rafale deal

Sidhu on Wednesday said his hug with the Pakistan Army chief has been blown out of proportion. A day after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised him for hugging Bajwa, Sidhu said it was just a hug and “not a Rafale deal”.

Sitharaman on Tuesday said that he could have avoided it as the gesture had “an impact” on Indian soldiers. “Sidhu has a lot of admirers...somebody of that stature going there and then hugging the chief of the Army – an Army about which in India we have very clear feelings – it certainly has an impact on soldiers,” Sitharaman said. “It demoralises the people. I wish Sidhu would have avoided it.”

(With inputs from PTI)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Mohammad Faisal, was addressing a weekly press briefing in Islamabad where he made the statement, contradicting Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Pakistan Government on Wednesday clearly stated that there has been no official communication with India on the Kartarpur corridor opening. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Mohammad Faisal, was addressing a weekly press briefing in Islamabad where he made the statement, contradicting Navjot Singh Sidhu. The statement came a day after Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu of misleading people about Pakistan’s alleged assurance on allowing Sikh pilgrims direct access to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, along with the India-Pakistan border, next year. In August, ex-cricketer and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu who had visited Pakistan to attend Prime Minister Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony had said Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa had told him the Pakistan government will open the Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur) corridor on Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. Sidhu courted controversy by hugging Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit. The Kartarpur gurdwara is currently built on the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, died on September 22, 1539. It was just a hug and not a Rafale deal Sidhu on Wednesday said his hug with the Pakistan Army chief has been blown out of proportion. A day after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised him for hugging Bajwa, Sidhu said it was just a hug and “not a Rafale deal”. Sitharaman on Tuesday said that he could have avoided it as the gesture had “an impact” on Indian soldiers. “Sidhu has a lot of admirers...somebody of that stature going there and then hugging the chief of the Army – an Army about which in India we have very clear feelings – it certainly has an impact on soldiers,” Sitharaman said. “It demoralises the people. I wish Sidhu would have avoided it.” (With inputs from PTI)

Kartarpur corridor: Pak says there has been no formal communication with India

Understanding the larger challenges of the existing legal frameworks and policy actions to deal with trafficking in India, a shift from its predominant human rights approach to a labour approach, which targets the structure of labour market prone to severely exploitative labour practices, can be an alternative.&nbsp;

The human rights approach is an individualistic, victim-centred approach. The objective of the human rights approach is to save the individual from harmful work experience and environment and ensure ex-post aid. In such cases, victims are passively involved in the process of their rescue, rehabilitation, and repatriation. Whereas the labour approach in tackling trafficking not just helps the victims, rather, it ensures that they have been removed from the exploitative environment. It also seeks to transform the structure of the labour market that are particularly susceptible to trafficking.

As far as the current human trafficking law/law enforcement is concerned - the criminal law-related provisions, the ex-post aid for trafficking victims, receive much greater attention this is the common criticism against existing anti-trafficking initiatives. However, we need policies and actions, which ensures the rights of labours in the market itself and stop forced labour.

According to the supreme court of India – Asiad Workers’ Case (1982) and the Bandhua Mukti Morcha Case (1984):

“Any factor which deprives a person of a choice of alternatives and compels him to adopt a particular course of action may properly be regarded as ‘force’ and if labour and service is compelled as a result of such ‘force’ it would be ‘forced labour’. The word ‘force’ must be construed to include not only physical or legal force but also force arising from the compulsion of economic circumstances which leaves no choice of economic circumstance to a person in want and compels him to provide labour or service even though the remuneration received for it is less than the minimum wage. Therefore, when a person provides labour or service to another for remuneration, which is less than the minimum wage, the labour or service provided by him clearly falls within the scope and ambit of the words ‘forced labour’.”

Therefore, the policy actions must judge all these aspects of forced labour in order to make sure a right-based labour market mechanism, which can, consequently, challenge the labour traffickers. The labour approach understands the labour as the agent and enforces the possibility of an ongoing relationship and bottom-up change that can happen by changing the structural causes of power disparities. What makes it crucial is the ex-ante transformations - it makes in the economic conditions and legal rules and regulations that enable severe forms of labour exploitations.&nbsp;

The labour approach also contributes into the transformation of changing the power relations through laws: background rules of private law, immigration regime, relevant policies, criminal law, and certain welfare policies to the extent that these elements of the legal order which affect the bargaining power of the labour parties.&nbsp;

The other point of difference between the two approaches is the conceptualisation of the exploitation in the context of trafficking. The human rights approach sees the trafficking as an exceptional crime. Whereas, the labour approach sees it as the instance of severe exploitation that shares characteristics with other forms of worker commodification, which is, typical of all employment contracts. 
 
(A <a href="https://aif.org/human-trafficking-in-india-the-labour-approach/">previous version of this article </a>was originally published on August 28, 2018, by the American India Foundation). 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The labour approach sees trafficking as the instance of severe exploitation that shares characteristics with other forms of worker commodification, which is, typical of all employment contracts.

Understanding the larger challenges of the existing legal frameworks and policy actions to deal with trafficking in India, a shift from its predominant human rights approach to a labour approach, which targets the structure of labour market prone to severely exploitative labour practices, can be an alternative. The human rights approach is an individualistic, victim-centred approach. The objective of the human rights approach is to save the individual from harmful work experience and environment and ensure ex-post aid. In such cases, victims are passively involved in the process of their rescue, rehabilitation, and repatriation. Whereas the labour approach in tackling trafficking not just helps the victims, rather, it ensures that they have been removed from the exploitative environment. It also seeks to transform the structure of the labour market that are particularly susceptible to trafficking. As far as the current human trafficking law/law enforcement is concerned - the criminal law-related provisions, the ex-post aid for trafficking victims, receive much greater attention this is the common criticism against existing anti-trafficking initiatives. However, we need policies and actions, which ensures the rights of labours in the market itself and stop forced labour. According to the supreme court of India – Asiad Workers’ Case (1982) and the Bandhua Mukti Morcha Case (1984): “Any factor which deprives a person of a choice of alternatives and compels him to adopt a particular course of action may properly be regarded as ‘force’ and if labour and service is compelled as a result of such ‘force’ it would be ‘forced labour’. The word ‘force’ must be construed to include not only physical or legal force but also force arising from the compulsion of economic circumstances which leaves no choice of economic circumstance to a person in want and compels him to provide labour or service even though the remuneration received for it is less than the minimum wage. Therefore, when a person provides labour or service to another for remuneration, which is less than the minimum wage, the labour or service provided by him clearly falls within the scope and ambit of the words ‘forced labour’.” Therefore, the policy actions must judge all these aspects of forced labour in order to make sure a right-based labour market mechanism, which can, consequently, challenge the labour traffickers. The labour approach understands the labour as the agent and enforces the possibility of an ongoing relationship and bottom-up change that can happen by changing the structural causes of power disparities. What makes it crucial is the ex-ante transformations - it makes in the economic conditions and legal rules and regulations that enable severe forms of labour exploitations. The labour approach also contributes into the transformation of changing the power relations through laws: background rules of private law, immigration regime, relevant policies, criminal law, and certain welfare policies to the extent that these elements of the legal order which affect the bargaining power of the labour parties. The other point of difference between the two approaches is the conceptualisation of the exploitation in the context of trafficking. The human rights approach sees the trafficking as an exceptional crime. Whereas, the labour approach sees it as the instance of severe exploitation that shares characteristics with other forms of worker commodification, which is, typical of all employment contracts. (A previous version of this article was originally published on August 28, 2018, by the American India Foundation). (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Labour approach offers more effective strategies for combating trafficking

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday.

President Ghani arrived in Delhi on Wednesday morning, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

The Afghan President and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold talks on a number of issues of mutual interest. The two leaders are likely to hold dialogue over regional security and 'peace talks' with the Taliban.&nbsp;

They are also expected to review the progress made on the infrastructure work being done in Afghanistan by India.

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Security cooperation, boosting Afghan-India ties are areas likely to emerge high on today's agenda.&nbsp;

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President Ghani will attend a 'civic reception' organised by the India Foundation later in the day.&nbsp;

President Ghani will attend a 'civic reception' organised by the India Foundation later in the day.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday. President Ghani arrived in Delhi on Wednesday morning, news agency ANI reported. The Afghan President and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold talks on a number of issues of mutual interest. The two leaders are likely to hold dialogue over regional security and 'peace talks' with the Taliban. They are also expected to review the progress made on the infrastructure work being done in Afghanistan by India. Delhi: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House pic.twitter.com/kGhhr9V4za — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018 × Security cooperation, boosting Afghan-India ties are areas likely to emerge high on today's agenda. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani arrives in Delhi; he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a number of issues of mutual interest pic.twitter.com/XdtyX7RK2i — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018 × President Ghani will attend a 'civic reception' organised by the India Foundation later in the day.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani meets PM Modi; boosting bilateral ties high on agenda 

An estimated 2.5 million people die of pollution in India every year, claims a Reuters report published almost a year ago. The report cites scientists who estimated around 2.5 million deaths in India in the year 2015 caused by pollution and related ailments. &nbsp;

A deadly combination of fog and escalating air pollution envelops Delhi and most parts of the country every year with the onset of the winter season.&nbsp;

From introducing gigantic water-spraying guns, smog-fighting machines, to initiating the 'odd-even' formula to keep vehicles off the Delhi roads, the Kejriwal government in the past has grappled to devise measures to curb the rise in air pollution in the national capital.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the solution to Delhi's pollution woes seems to be in a novel concept introduced by a Dubai-based architecture firm called Znera.

Imagine interconnected gigantic towers sprawled across the national capital, capable of cleaning Delhi's polluted air.&nbsp;

According to the firm, concept mammoth air-purifying towers, as high as a whopping 300 feet, could be installed across the city to continuously fight the rise in pollutants in the air.&nbsp;

Znera's imaginative concept called 'The Smog Project' has been shortlisted for the Experimental Future Project of the Year award 2018 at the World Architecture Festival.

It proposes air-purifying models, installed across the city, capable of catching the pollutants from the base of its structure and pumping fresh, clean air from the top of it with the help of giant air pumps.&nbsp;

According to experts, one concept tower could produce 3.2 cubic meters of clean air every day and can provide pollutant-free air around the 3-kilometre radius surrounding the tower. &nbsp;

The pictures of the concept paint Delhi in a completely different light, the one where the national capital looks like a scene lifted straight out of a sci-fi movie. It also sketches the possibility of a dystopian future wherein such drastic steps would become inevitable to curb the rise in air pollution.&nbsp;

The experts and architects behind the concept don't see the 'The Smog Project' as the ultimate reality according to them, the inception and culmination of the idea behind the project was to make people realise that this, or something similar, could be the reality in the coming future if nothing substantial is done to curb air pollution.&nbsp;

India fared worst, with 2.5 million people dying early because of pollution, followed by China with 1.8 million deaths in the year 2015, according to The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, a two-year initiative seeking to highlight the issue.

“People in poorer countries - like construction workers in New Delhi - are more exposed to air pollution and less able to protect themselves from exposure, as they walk, bike or ride the bus to workplaces that may also be polluted,” news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Exposure to high levels of air pollution, especially over many years, can affect human respiratory and inflammatory systems and can lead to heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.

 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Interestingly, the solution to Delhi's pollution woes seems to be in a novel concept introduced by a Dubai-based architecture firm called Znera.

An estimated 2.5 million people die of pollution in India every year, claims a Reuters report published almost a year ago. The report cites scientists who estimated around 2.5 million deaths in India in the year 2015 caused by pollution and related ailments. A deadly combination of fog and escalating air pollution envelops Delhi and most parts of the country every year with the onset of the winter season. From introducing gigantic water-spraying guns, smog-fighting machines, to initiating the 'odd-even' formula to keep vehicles off the Delhi roads, the Kejriwal government in the past has grappled to devise measures to curb the rise in air pollution in the national capital. Interestingly, the solution to Delhi's pollution woes seems to be in a novel concept introduced by a Dubai-based architecture firm called Znera. Imagine interconnected gigantic towers sprawled across the national capital, capable of cleaning Delhi's polluted air. According to the firm, concept mammoth air-purifying towers, as high as a whopping 300 feet, could be installed across the city to continuously fight the rise in pollutants in the air. Znera's imaginative concept called 'The Smog Project' has been shortlisted for the Experimental Future Project of the Year award 2018 at the World Architecture Festival. It proposes air-purifying models, installed across the city, capable of catching the pollutants from the base of its structure and pumping fresh, clean air from the top of it with the help of giant air pumps. According to experts, one concept tower could produce 3.2 cubic meters of clean air every day and can provide pollutant-free air around the 3-kilometre radius surrounding the tower. The pictures of the concept paint Delhi in a completely different light, the one where the national capital looks like a scene lifted straight out of a sci-fi movie. It also sketches the possibility of a dystopian future wherein such drastic steps would become inevitable to curb the rise in air pollution. The experts and architects behind the concept don't see the 'The Smog Project' as the ultimate reality according to them, the inception and culmination of the idea behind the project was to make people realise that this, or something similar, could be the reality in the coming future if nothing substantial is done to curb air pollution. India fared worst, with 2.5 million people dying early because of pollution, followed by China with 1.8 million deaths in the year 2015, according to The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, a two-year initiative seeking to highlight the issue. “People in poorer countries - like construction workers in New Delhi - are more exposed to air pollution and less able to protect themselves from exposure, as they walk, bike or ride the bus to workplaces that may also be polluted,” news agency Reuters reported. Exposure to high levels of air pollution, especially over many years, can affect human respiratory and inflammatory systems and can lead to heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.

Giant filters may curb Delhi's menacing polluted air 

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday deferred the hearing of the petition filed by former editor-in-chief of Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal against his trial in connection to the sexual assault case, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

According to reports, the apex court will hear the matter next on October 30.&nbsp;

In April, the top court had declined to stay proceedings pending against former Tehelka magazine editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal.&nbsp;

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Tejpal faces charges under section 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 341 and 342 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 376 (punishment for rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Tejpal is allegedly accused of sexually assaulting a female employee inside an elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in the year 2013.

He was charged with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman in September 2017 by a Goa court. Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 and was released on bail after six months of imprisonment.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

According to reports, the apex court will hear the matter next on October 30.

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday deferred the hearing of the petition filed by former editor-in-chief of Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal against his trial in connection to the sexual assault case, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the apex court will hear the matter next on October 30. In April, the top court had declined to stay proceedings pending against former Tehelka magazine editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal. Supreme Court defers the hearing to October 30 on the petition filed by former editor-in-chief of Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal, against his trial in connection with the sexual assault case against him. — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018 × Tejpal faces charges under section 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 341 and 342 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 376 (punishment for rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Tejpal is allegedly accused of sexually assaulting a female employee inside an elevator of a five-star hotel in Goa in the year 2013. He was charged with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman in September 2017 by a Goa court. Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 and was released on bail after six months of imprisonment. (With inputs from ANI)

SC defers Tarun Tejpal petition against his trial, next hearing on October 30 

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Giant filters may curb Delhi's menacing polluted air

SC defers Tarun Tejpal petition against his trial, next hearing on October 30