Congress is the only option for minorities: Bihar Congress Minority leader
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Patna: Youth Congress leader Minnat Rahmani has been appointed as the Chairman of Minority Department of Bihar State Congress Committee. A...
16 policemen acquitted in 1987 Meerut massacre
New Delhi : Sixteen policemen were acquitted by a court here on Saturday of the charges of murder and other crimes in the 1987...
Tihar inmates paint stark images against drug abuse
By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS,
New Delhi : Drugs as the mythological demon Ravan, alcohol as
poisonous snakes, a funeral pyre made of cigarette butts...Such stark illustrations have come out of the minds of prisoners at Delhi's Tihar Jail, especially drug addicts.
Many of the prisoners revisited their hellish past to paint their thoughts on tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse - in a way succeeding where Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss failed to do on cigarette packs.
I am like the living dead
By Taslima Nasreen
Where am I? I am certain no one will believe me if I say I have no answer to this apparently straightforward question. They may believe what they wish, but the truth is I just do not know.
FIR lodged against Imam Bukhari after his aide slapped journalist over Babri
By TCN staff reporter,
Qatari minister asserts importance of jointArab action to deter challenges
By NNN-KUNA
Doha : Qatari Minister of State for Internal Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on Tuesday reiterated the ministry's keenness to adopt avenues aimed at enhancing joint action to confront all challenges and enhance the march of the joint Arab action in the security field to achieve the desired objectives.
This came in a statement on the occasion of his country's participation in the Arab Police Day celebration which is being held in appreciation of the efforts of Arab security in combating crimes in light of the rapid development.
A Mayawati in the making
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
Mewat, Haryana: We came across a caravan of BSP supporters headed towards Gurgaon for a rally to be addressed by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati. It seems ironic that a region that is known as most discriminatory against women is reposing faith in a woman leader in solving their daily issues. There was not even one woman in this caravan of 14 cars.
Manipur’s first Chief Minister Md Alimuddin remembered
By Dr Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Md Alimuddin, the first Chief Minister of Manipur after it attained statehood, was remembered on the 42nd foundation day of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Centre, which later developed into Manipur University (MU).
US has failed on ‘every promise’ in Iraq, say American soldiers
By IANS
New Delhi : Four years after it toppled Saddam Hussein, the US "has failed on every promise" in Iraq, say seven American soldiers in that country, adding that the American military presence has only robbed Iraqis of their self-respect.
In a candid admission of American failures, the soldiers say that Washington would never be able to bring about any reconciliation in Iraq and it would be best to let Iraqis decide their own future.
The language of politics
By Zohra Javed for TwoCircles.net
I have a feeling: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Samajwadi Party are feeding each other. They are the true friends in need of each other in Maharashtra. After splitting from Uncle Bal Thackeray, Raj is still struggling to find a foothold all across the state.
Of green colour and salt politics in Kashmir
By Sarwar Kashani, IANS
Waving a green handkerchief, showing a piece of rock salt - both symbolic references to Pakistan - and questioning Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India, sometimes even openly. These have become potent tools for leaders, who otherwise claim to be secular, to exploit the religious leanings of gullible Kashmiris.
The politicians misuse these means in a Muslim-dominated society in exactly the same way that Hindu fanatics exploit the Ram temple issue to sway voters in the rest of India.
Rajya Sabha revokes suspension of four SP members
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha Monday revoked the suspension of four Samajwadi Party (SP) members, amongst the seven MPs against whom action was taken for their unruly behaviour before the debate on the women's reservation bill last week.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal moved a motion recommending termination of action taken against Veerpal Singh Yadav, Nand Kishore Yadav, Amir Alam Khan and Kamal Akhtar after question hour in the Rajya Sabha.
Youths clash with police after Eid prayers
Srinagar : A section of Kashmiri youths Tuesday clashed with police at a few places in the Kashmir Valley after Eid prayers Tuesday, authorities...
Muslim organizations doing intensive relief work in cyclone-hit Bihar
By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Once again, true to their history of work post-calamities, Muslim socio-religious organizations have launched relief and rehabilitation work at war footing in the cyclone-hit eastern Bihar districts of Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Kishanganj. Without discrimination of caste and creed, they are distributing relief materials among the families affected by the devastating cyclone last week.
BHU: Ten days after protests and violence, a few hopes and a lot of...
By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net
Over the past few weeks, the Banaras Hindu University has been at the centre of student protests and has attracted attention...
Now, a schoolboy shot dead by Army in Kashmir; Owaisi to raise issue in...
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: Days after four unarmed civilians were shot dead by security forces in Handwara Town of Kupwara Distirct, another youth...
मध्यप्रदेश : चूड़ी बेच रहे थे तस्लीम ,नफरत के आधार पर की गई लिंचिंग...
विशेष संवाददाता।Twocircles.net
उत्तर प्रदेश के हरदोई जिला के रहने वाले युवक तस्लीम के साथ मध्यप्रदेश के इंदौर में लिंचिंग के प्रयास की घटना हुई...
Muslims and Dalits discriminated in corporate India
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
For some time now and especially after publication of Sachar Committee Report Muslims put much emphasis on acquiring modern education. In rapidly globalized economy of India, education was promised to be the key to a brighter future for Muslim kids.
For some time now and especially after publication of Sachar Committee Report Muslims put much emphasis on acquiring modern education. In rapidly globalized economy of India, education was promised to be the key to a brighter future for Muslim kids.
Dowry case: Chiranjeevi’s son-in-law’s bail plea rejected
By IANS,
Hyderabad: A city court Thursday refused to grant anticipatory bail to Sirish Bharadwaj, son-in-law of Telugu superstar-turned-politician K. Chiranjeevi, in a dowry harassment case.
Police tried to implicate me in Delhi blasts: Uttar Pradesh man
By IANS,
Lucknow : A retired government employee has alleged that the police picked him up, tortured him and forced him to admit his involvement in the Delhi serial blasts when he had gone to the state capital to get visa for Haj pilgrimage, officials said Friday.
Noorul Hassan, a native of Kasimabad village of Ghazipur district, 325 km from here, alleged that he was picked up by two men wearing plainclothes from the Alambagh locality of Lucknow Oct 25 when he came here to get a visa to undertake the Haj pilgrimage.
Why All Accused in the Malegaon Blast Case Were Acquitted: Court Tears Into Probe,...
The blast killed six, injured over 90. The bomb was real, the pain remains, but the evidence, the court says, was never enough.
Sumit Singh,...
SC disallows burqa, full sleeve shirt for AIPMT examination on Saturday
The SIO that had filed the PIL, withdrew the case “as a mark of protest” seeing what it called the decline of interest of...
80 killed in Pakistan fighting, 50 soldiers missing
By IANS
Islamabad : The death toll in two days of heavy fighting in Pakistan's tribal belt bordering Afghanistan has risen to 80 amid reports of civilian killings. Officials said some 50 soldiers went missing during the fighting.
Some 50 soldiers went missing in northwest Pakistan's tribal area, the military spokesman Major Gen. Waheed Arshad said.
The army has lost contact with the missing soldiers and was still trying to find their whereabouts in north Waziristan, Arshad said, according to Xinhua.
Terrorism in India and victimization of Muslims
By Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani,
Power and freedom are a two-edge sword. If it lands in the hand of people of low moral ground, consequences cannot be but worse. This is exactly what is happening in our country India.
Here freedom means freedom unlimited, unrestricted: freedom for burying truth and freedom for telling a lie repeatedly until it is accepted as truth; freedom to keep one from noble deed and freedom for evils. Using that kind of freedom, Muslims are now being labeled as terrorist.
Kashmiri youth protesting against militants’ killing hoist Pakistan flag over CM’s ancestral house
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: In an incident that is likely to leave Kashmir’s ruling party People’s Democratic Party and...
Zakir donation to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation was bribe: BJP
New Delhi : The BJP on Saturday alleged that the Rs 50 lakh given to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation was a "bribe" given...
After security, beleaguered Gazans want more
By Xinhua
Gaza : The long expected safety and security returned to Gaza's streets eventually after Hamas took control of the enclave, however people living there began to come to their senses that it is not the only thing they want.
"We were looking for an end of chaos, we wanted the security and we got it," said Ahmad al-Ifranji, a middle aged beans dealer whose face showed paradoxically anxiety rather than delight.
"Now, the people look for food and dignity life as the first class aim," he turned his topic sharply, making his bewildering paradox clear.
Muslims must use their rights to cast votes: Maulana Kalim Siddiqui
By RINA,
New Delhi: Low percentage of Muslim votes in last three rounds has alarmed Muslim leadership. Whereas Muslim organizations have launched special campaigns to motivate Muslim voters, a number of Ulema are stressing on significance of mandate in light of Qur’an and Hadith.
Iran calls for reforms in UN Security Council
By DPA
Tehran : Iran called Monday for reforms in the UN Security Council as a necessary step toward securing justice and global peace.
"There should be a joint and harmonious effort within Asian countries to change the status quo of the UN Security Council," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on the opening session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Tehran.
"It is just not possible that a few countries have the right to veto world issues on their own behalf and for their own interests," he added.
Orissa charges two companies of illegal mining
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar: The Orissa vigilance department Thursday filed criminal cases against the state's two leading companies for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, a senior official said.
"The cases have been filed against Indrani Patnaik Mines and Triveni Earth Movers at vigilance police station at Balasore," Vigilance Department Director Anup Kumar Patnaik told IANS.
He said that 10 cases of illegal mining have been filed till now. Balasore is some 200 km from here.
Fatah strongman denies “seeking Hamas love”
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Mohammed Dahlan, a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party on Sunday denied reports that he signaled willingness to talk with rival Hamas movement.
The Fatah strongman told media that he is committed to the decisions by Abbas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which vowed not to open any dialogue with Hamas until it ends its control of the Gaza Strip.
Narendra Modi’s ‘Kabir’ stunt in Maghar irks and divides Kabirpanthis
By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath might have celebrated the birth anniversary of Kabirdas, a...
Modi moves ahead with reforms, RSS cries sound hollow
By Faraz Ahmad,
The relationship between Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi is symbiotic. Modi fulfills the basic agenda of the Sangh in successfully converting India into a majoritarian Hindu Rashtra. Essentially breaking the quarter century old Dalit-Muslim / Muslim-OBC alliance in the Hindi heartland, particularly UP, Bihar and Jharkhand, through Hindu-Muslim communal polarization to re-impose Aryavrat rule, lost to the subalterns by the B team of the Brahmanical order, the Congress party in 1991.
British delegation to discover ‘concerns’ of Indian Muslims
By IANS,
London : A delegation of prominent British Muslims is to visit India next week to help understand "key concerns" of Muslims in India and to build up links between followers of the faith in the two countries.
The delegation, led by BBC journalist Asad Ahmad, will meet representatives from the social, educational and political fields during its visit to Bangalore, Mumbai, Bhopal and New Delhi Nov 8-13.
British officials said in a statement the visitors will try to "understand key concerns of Muslims in India".
Two die in protests against Taslima Nasreen’s article
By IANS,
Bangalore: Two people were killed, including one in police firing, as protests in Karnataka over the publication of a translated version of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen's article in a Kannada daily turned violent Monday, police said.
Curfew has been clamped in Shimoga city, about 280 km from here, and prohibitory orders imposed in Hassan district, around 200 km from here, police said.
No visa for Modi, activists urge US
By IANS,
Ahmedabad : While Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's supporters in the US have invited him for a world Gujarati conference in August, activists have urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice not to grant him a visa given the allegations of rights violations against him.
In a petition, 25 organisations of non-resident Indians under an umbrella group, Coalition Against Genocide, have told Rice: "It has come to our attention that Narendra Modi is once again planning to apply for a visa to enter the US."
Pakistani, Indian writers pay rich tributes to Qurratulain Haider
Islamabad, Aug 22 (IANS) Pakistani and Indian poets and writers have paid rich tributes to Qurratulain Haider - "Aini Aapa" to them - saying her death was "a huge blow to Urdu literature".
"She was a unique writer of the present era and inspired many generations through her writings," Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) chairman Iftikhar Arif said in a condolence message.
A renowned Urdu novelist, poet and short story writer, Haider, 80, died in New Delhi Tuesday. She had lived in Pakistan for some years, but had returned to India in the 1960s.
The dilemma of Muslim voters in UP
By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,
Sambhal/Aligarh: “After the Muzaffarnagar riots the last thread of trust with SP too has been broken, but how can we trust Mayawati? She had formed the government thrice in past in alliance with the BJP, and I fathom she can again side with them. I will vote for Barq Saheb though as he is one of the few leaders who thinks for the community,” Inamur Rahman of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh told me just two day days before the election.
Sharif’s UN speech a monumental error of judgement
By Hardeep S. Puri
Absent good advice, democratically-elected leaders are capable of making serious mistakes which have far-reaching repercussions on the future of their...
Cows to have Unique Identification Number, Supreme Court told
New Delhi, (IANS): The Supreme Court was informed on Monday that every cow and its progeny will be given a Unique Identification Number (UIN)...
I will be alone on New Year’s Eve: Taslima Nasreen
By Sujoy Dhar, IANS
Kolkata : Confined to a 'safe house' somewhere in New Delhi and shut out from the world except for phone calls and emails, Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen will ring in 2008 in a no man's land of fading hope, despair and crushing loneliness.
"I am only breathing. I don't think I am alive like you are. Can anybody live like this? It was beyond my imagination that in a secular democracy this can happen to a writer," Nasreen told IANS from her room in an undisclosed New Delhi destination on New Year's Eve.
Jail agrees there is no rule for solitary confinement but still put Zabiuddin in...
One RTI says there is no rule for solitary confinement and no prisoner under it and another RTI confirms that Zabiuddin Ansari is under...
Promote professional education among Muslims: Lt-Governor
ByTwoCircles.net staff reporter
CBI begins probe into mosque blast
By IANS
Hyderabad : Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials Tuesday began investigations into the May 18 bomb blast at the historic Mecca masjid here, in which nine people were killed.
Four vehicle thieves arrested
By IANS,
New Delhi : Four thieves of vehicles were arrested in separate incidents in the national capital, police said Friday.
Explosives seized in Gulbarga, Nandalal Shankarlal arrested
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
Gulbarga: In chain of seizure of explosives from different places in the last few weeks, the Karnataka police on Friday night seized huge quantity of explosive materials, including gelatin sticks and ammonium nitrate that were illegally stored in a godown on Taj Sultanpur-Kalhangarga Road on the outskirts of the city.
The police have reportedly seized 46 gelatin sticks and 145 bags of ammonium nitrate worth over Rs.6.5 lakh, and three pick-up vans.
Pahalgam Aftermath: Collective Punishment? Military Demolitions Leave Families of Militants Homeless
Arsheed Ahmad, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, the Army launched a series of...
Asaduddin Owaisi receives ISIS threats on Twitter; tags ISIS as ‘Takfiri’
By TwoCircles.net, Staff Reporter
Hyderabad: Asaduddin Owaisi, the President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and the MP from Hyderabad constituency received threats on...
Azam Khan expelled from Samajwadi Party for 6 years
By IANS,
Lucknow : The Samajwadi Party Sunday expelled Azam Khan, one of the party founders and its Muslim face, from its primary membership for "indiscipline and anti-party activities", party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said.
The move comes more than a week after Khan himself resigned as general secretary and parliamentary board member.
"Yes, we have expelled Azam Khan from the primary membership for six years for indiscipline and anti-party activities," Mulayam Singh told IANS.
The SP will hold a formal party level meeting on the issue Monday, he said.
Hindu Yuva Vahini assaults Muslim boy in Meerut, accuses him of Love-Jihad
TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Meerut:It seems that radical organisation Hindu Yuva Vahini, founded by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, is hell-bent on running a...
Najib Shah appointed CBEC chairman
New Delhi: Najib Shah, a 1979-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, is the new chairman of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), an...
पंक्चर जोड़ने वाले हॉकी खिलाड़ी नौशाद की यह तकलीफ़देह कहानी आपके सीने में अदृश्य...
ग़ाज़ियाबाद में शेरशाह सूरी के बनवाएं हुए ग्रेंड ट्रंक रोड (जीटी रोड) पर स्थित शम्भुदयाल कॉलेज के लिए खेलते हुए नौशाद 12 साल की उम्र में...
Fading Glory: Khrew’s Transformation from Saffron Capital to Sparse Cultivation
Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth and Hamaad Habibullah, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: Khrew in Kashmir’s Pampore town, which is known for its lush saffron fields, once thrived with abundant...
Journalist says threatened by Sanatan Sanstha, refuses police cover
Mumbai: Journalist Nikhil Wagle, known for his aggressive stance on various public issues, says he has received threats from Hindu group Sanatan Sanstha. Maharashtra...
Gujarat gets Muslim police chief
By IANS,
Gandhinagar : Shabbir Hussain Shekhadam Khandwawala was Saturday named Gujarat's new police chief, seven years after the state was enveloped by communal violence.
Khandwawala, a 1973 Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a Muslim by faith, succeeds P.C. Pande, who was the Ahmedabad police commissioner when the 2002 violence took place.
The Gujarat government announced a major reshuffle in the police force ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
According to an official statement, Khandwawala was director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), a post that now goes to Pande.
Bangladesh joins Trans-Asian Railway network
Dhaka, Nov 11 (IANS) Bangladesh has joined the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) corridor project that would have three entry points from West Bengal in India and connect the country's rail system to an 81,000-km network stretching from Europe to East and Southeast Asia.
The rail network, first mooted by the UN in 1960, is also dubbed the "Iron Silk Road" after the ancient trade route. It would link capitals, ports and industrial hubs across the 28 Asian countries all the way to Europe.
Congress demands Patnaik’s resignation over Orissa violence
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : The Congress party Tuesday demanded that Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik resign over the communal violence in Kandhamal district as the Supreme Court had held the central and state governments responsible for the security of minorities.
A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Markandey Katju and Justice P. Sathasivam had Monday said that the central and state governments should "ensure the minority's safety".
Hamas boosts police forces in Gaza with new training programs
By Saud Abu Ramadan, Xinhua,
Gaza : A group of Hamas-controlled policemen appeared to be very interested while listening to a weapon expert who spent most of the time responding to their curious questions on explosives.
During the whole one-hour lesson, the officers, who were of various ages and many of whom bearded, kept on asking questions and the trainer, captain Fares al-Ashi who once received training in South Carolina of the United States, took the time answering.
Jamia Nagar encounter: Sajid shot in the head
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: A fact-finding team consisting of University teachers, activists, and journalists have issued a preliminary statement after visiting the Jamia Nagar. The team met the residents and eyewitnesses to the encounter on September 19th that resulted in the death of two youth and a police officer.
Kerala Govt. wants Rs 100 Cr for minority district of Wayanad
By Abdul Basith MA, TwoCircles.net,
Bush meets generals ahead of key Iraq reports
By Mike McCarthy, DPA
Washington : US President George W. Bush met his top generals at the Pentagon ahead of crucial reports in the coming weeks assessing the progress made in Iraq under his revised strategy, which included a surge in US forces.
Vice President Dick Cheney accompanied Bush for the meeting Friday that also included Defence Secretary Robert Gates as the Sep 15 deadline for the Bush administration to send a report to Congress approaches.
Delayed Pakistan polls could see loyalties shift
By IANS
Islamabad : The seven-week delay in holding Pakistan's general elections due to violence following former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination could see politicians shifting their loyalties.
"A major task for us in the intervening period will be to effectively stem large scale defections," The News Thursday quoted a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader as saying.
Iran, IAEA agree on working plan to clarify Tehran’s nuclear issue
TEHRAN, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday agreed on a working plan to clarify outstanding ambiguities over Tehran's nuclear program, a top IAEA official said.
"We have in front of us an agreed working plan ...(and) agreed on modalities on how to implement it," IAEA Deputy Director General Olli Heinonen told a press conference.
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday agreed on a working plan to clarify outstanding ambiguities over Tehran's nuclear program, atop IAEA official said.
A year on, 13/7 blasts’ trial may take years to begin
By IANS,
Mumbai : A year after three coordinated bomb blasts rocked India's commercial capital Mumbai, a legal official says that it may take at least another three years for the trial to begin.
Taliban gives new deadline for S Korean hostages until Friday noon
 By Xinhua
Kabul : The Taliban has given a new deadline for 22 South Korean hostages until 12 p.m. (0730 GMT) on Friday, a purported Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said Thursday.
The Taliban would decide what to do next if its demands are not met, he added.
Jung warns bikers against irresponsible riding on Shab-E-Barat
New Delhi : Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Thursday warned young two-wheeler riders of the city against indulging in irresponsible riding on the occasion...
Nitish opens purse for madrasa, minority teachers
By TCN Staff Reporter,
Patna: The Bihar Government yesterday decided to recognize 2460 madrasas after proper enquiry from Bihar State Madrasa Education Board. After recognition, madrasa teachers will get salary equal to primary and high school teachers in the state.
In the last meeting of his government, the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also took another big decision by allowing pension scheme for teaching and non-teaching staff of minority colleges in the state.
Kashmir Lal Zakir : Fakhr-e-Haryana and Fakhr-e-Urdu
By Balraj Puri,
When I read that Haryana government honoured Kashmiri Lal Zakir, as Fakhr-e-Harayan and Ghalib Institute, New Delhi, facilitated him on his 90th birthday and Syed Nooruzzaman, a columnist in Tribune, called him Fakhr-e-Urdu, I, too, shared a sense of pride. For I have known since before 1942 when he agreed to be a regular contributor to the literary section of the Urdu Weekly Kashmir Sansar (later its name was changed to Pukar to oversome some technical problem) that I started in June 1942.
Mobile phones in markets with Islamic softwares
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Kochi: Mobile phones can’t sit aside when the Ramadan markets are buzzing. So they have brought Islamic softwares to rule the markets in the holy month.
The Islamic softwares introduced by the Nokia include complete mus’haf, Hadith books, the namaz timings in different countries, greeting cards, zakath calculator, Hajj guide, important prayers of daily life etc.
Taj Mahal perhaps the world’s most photographed monument
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra : The Taj Mahal in Agra is perhaps the world's most photographed monument. Each minute hundreds of cameras click to...
Modi, Nitish make Holi material fly off shelves in Bihar
By Imran Khan
It is a colourful time in Bihar, but politics is not too far from the celebration of colours. Prime Minister Narendra...
Three Maoists arrested in Orissa
By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Three suspected Maoists were arrested from Rasol village in Keonjhar district of Orissa, police said Thursday.
The arrested people have been identified as Rengal Munda, Daitari Munda and Jhula Munda.
"We have arrested three Maoists. They were involved in several Maoist incidents," said Superintendent of Police Ashish Kumar Singh.
Iraq welcomes arrival of Saudi diplomatic mission to Baghdad
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi presidency council has welcomed the arrival of the Saudi diplomatic mission that would prepare for the opening of a Saudi embassy here.
A presidency statement Tuesday said that President Jalal Al-Talabani welcomed, on behalf of all Iraqis, the decision adopted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to dispatch a diplomatic mission ahead of the opening of an embassy in Baghdad.
Consolidated Master Circular for financial assistance for minorities
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Senegal PM: Iran is a big country with remarkable abilities
By NNN-IRNA
Algiers : Senegalese Prime Minister Hajibou Soumare has described Iran as a big country with remarkable abilities and Dakar wants to expand ties with Tehran.
In a meeting with Iran's Ambassador to Dakar Jahanbakhsh Hassanzadeh Saturday, Soumare praised Iran's scientific and technological progress.
"I have called on cabinet ministers to work for developing relations with Iran."
Iran not heading towards war with US, says Ahmadinejad
By NNN-PTI
New York : Iran does not need nuclear weapons and is not heading towards a war with the United States, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on a controversial visit here amid tight security and strong protests, said.
The Iranian President, who flew into New York Sunday, would address the UN General Assembly and take part in a question-answer session in the premier Columbia University.
Urdu poetry making inroads in Poland
By INEPNEXT
Warsaw : Urdu poetry is constantly making inroads in Polish literary circles. After legendary poets Mir and Ghalib were translated into Polish, now celebrated Urdu poet Raghupati Sahay Firaq Gorakhpuri's ghazals have been translated in to Polish by a Polish Indologist Janusz Krzyzowski and Surender 'Zahid', an Indian poet based in Warsaw.
Releasing the book on Thursday evening in the presence of Warsaw literary elite, Indian ambassador Anil Wadhwa congratulated the two translators .
कंफ्यूजन :इस कोरोना काल में कुर्बानी होगी या नही !
आसमोहम्मद कैफ़ ।Twocircles.net
लखनऊ-
भारत सरकार ने आज ही अमरनाथ यात्रा स्थगित की है। हरिद्वार में जुटने वाले लाखों कवड़ियाँ इस बार नही पहुंचे है। महाशिवरात्रि पर...
Indonesia police arrest house-owner for blast
By NNN-ANTARA
Pasuruan : Police have arrested the owner of a house in Indonesia's West Java province after explosives, believed to be used for catching fish, went off killing three people, the provincial police chief said on Sunday.
Herman Sumawiredja told a news conference that the blast which ripped through several houses in the coastal town of Pasuruan on Saturday did not appear to be a terrorist act.
Indonesia has suffered a wave of bombings blamed on Islamic militants linked to the Jemaah Islamiah militant group in recent years.
Harvard to honour sacked Pakistani chief justice
By IANS
Islamabad : The prestigious Harvard Law School will accord sacked Pakistani chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry its highest honour -- the Medal of Freedom.
"As lawyers who value freedom and the rule of law, we at Harvard Law School want chief justice Chaudhry and all of the courageous lawyers in Pakistan to know that we stand with them in solidarity," Dawn quoted Dean Elena Kagan as saying in a report from Washington Thursday.
IUML MP calls for stringent steps to bring minorities into mainstream
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Expressing apprehension over the delay in implementing the minority welfare schemes, MP E Ahmad from the Indian Union Muslim League...
Congress activist killed in West Bengal
By IANS,
Kolkata : A local Congress leader was killed Wednesday after being stabbed from behind as he took his morning walk in a village in West Bengal's Malda district, a party legislator said.
Wahid Ali of Sujapur village, 365 km from here, was attacked by criminals, Sujapur's Congress legislator Mausam Benazir Nur said. She blamed the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) for the murder.
"At least four criminals attacked Ali and his brother. Although the brother escaped, Ali was stabbed," said Nur. Ali was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Ramadan 1436: Rain
Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby...
An encounter with girl students in naqab at Patna Museum
By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,
CBI gets more time for reply over morphed Azad, Najma photo probe
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Tuesday granted two days time to the CBI to file a status report on a plea seeking...
Life threats to Musharraf from Al-Qaeda — minister
By KUNA
Islamabad : Life threats have been addressed to President Prevez Musharraf from Al-Qaeda terror network and several loyalists and opponents from from Taliban-linked militants, an official said on Monday.
Federal caretaker Interior Minister, Hamid Nawaz, talking to media said that there were life threats to Musharraf from Al-Qaeda and security around him was beefed up.
Muslims petition MP High Court for peaceful Friday in Dhar as Feb 12 coincides...
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Fearing communal flare-up, Muslim residents from Dhar town have petition Madhya Pradesh High Court to ensure they...
Life term for two HUJI militants
By IANS,
New Delhi: A Bangladeshi national and his Kashmiri associate, both belonging to the banned Harkat-Ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) militant organisation, were Wednesday handed life terms by a city court for possessing explosives and waging war against India.
Additional Sessions Judge Nivedita Anil Sharma sentenced Mohammed Amin Wani, a Jammu and Kashmir resident, and Lutfur Rahman, a Bangladeshi national, to life imprisonment and said they did not deserve capital punishment as the case did not fall under the rarest of the rare category.
Pakistan factor looms large in New York terror probe
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington/New York : US investigators probing the aborted Times Square bombing attempt have shifted their focus to prime suspect Faisal Shahzad's links in Pakistan with officials suggesting the Pakistan Taliban had very likely played a key role and even trained him.
"A big part of that ongoing investigation is to evaluate where he was and what he was doing during his time in Pakistan," White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday.
Junaid killing: Haryana announces Rs 2 lakh reward on main accused
Chandigarh, (IANS): Having failed to make any headway in arresting the main accused in the killing of Junaid last month, the Haryana Police on Monday...
Who forced Minority Commission to dissolve its enquiry panel on Batla?
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
One and half months after the Batla House encounter, the Delhi Minority Commission set up an enquiry committee to probe the shootout of September 19, 2008. The committee was to submit report within a month. The report is still elusive, and will remain so forever because the committee was dissolved soon after it was formed, and silently. Who forced the commission to do it? No one knows.
Swamy to join BJP
By IANS/TCN,
New Delhi: Proving the perception about his closeness with Sangh Parivar true,
TB Centre inaugurated at JNMC
By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Drug Resistant TB Centre – established with the financial assistance from the state TB division and RNTCP – and Paediatrics/Surgical ICU were inaugurated at the JN Medical College here today.
AP to promulgate ordinance for Muslim reservation
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy said an ordinance would be promulgated within a month to provide five per cent reservation for Muslims in education and employment.
Participating in the distribution of computers to madrasas, organised by the state Urdu Academy here Saturday, Dr Reddy said the government would overcome all legal hurdles in a month for providing reservation for the Muslims as the issue was pending in the Supreme Court.
LeT guerrilla killed in gunbattle in Kashmir
By IANS,
Srinagar: A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) guerrilla was Tuesday killed in an ongoing gunbattle in north Kashmir, according to a senior police officer.
The police officer said that security forces early Tuesday morning surrounded Sheikhpora Rafiabad village in Baramulla district in north Kashmir on specific information about presence of a group of militants in the area.
Bihar recommends CBI probe into death of Shahnaz Hussain’s son
By IANS
Patna : Bihar has recommended a CBI probe into the mysterious death of beautician Shahnaz Hussain's son Sameer Hussain here, police sources said Friday.
Sameer, 32, who was president of his mother's company, died on Jan 6 after falling from the balcony of a third-floor flat owned by his father-in-law Mahfooz Ahmed at Maqbool Apartments on Exhibition Road. Some say he succumbed to injuries after an accidental fall from the apartment while his in-laws claim he had committed suicide.
Delhi HC refuses to stay anointment of Shahi Imam’s son
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Friday refused to stay the anointment ceremony of Jama Masjid Shahi Imam's son as the Naib Imam...
Case registered against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan
New Delhi : A 35-year-old woman has filed a case against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan for allegedly threatening her with dire consequences, police said...
AMU Tennis team wins North Zone tournament
By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) tennis team won the North Zone Intervarsity Tennis (Men’s) Tournament for the third time beating Punjab University, Patiala in the finals at DCR University, Murthal, Haryana.
Mumbai terror suspect Rana denied bail
By IANS,
Chicago : Saying that "very serious crimes" with which Pakistan born terror suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana is charged give him a motive to flee, a US court has again turned down his bail plea.
"Defendant Rana's motion to revoke Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan's detention order is denied," Judge Harry Leinenweber of US District Court, Northern District of Illinois ruled Wednesday.
An open letter to the director of Zulfiqar: Thank you for reiterating the stereotype...
By Professor Syed Tanveer Nasreen for TwoCircles.net
I still remember the full toss bowled by Chetan Sharma which Javed Miandad had hit for a six...
Rape victim seeks president’s permission for mercy killing
Patna: A rape victim in Bihar has asked President Pranab Mukherjee for permission for mercy killing, saying she has been denied justice for nearly...
Turkish jets bomb targets in northern Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad: Two Turkish warplanes bombed several areas in Iraq's northern Kurdish mountainous region, a media report said.
The fighter jets bombarded the Sidakan district in Arbil province, Xinhua reported citing a statement in Kurdish website PUK media web.
"At 5.20 p.m. (local time) on Sunday, two warplanes believed to be Turkish ones heavily bombarded the mountains of Lolan in Sidakan district," a source told the website.
Cabinet expansion: Muslim leaders demand more representation
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: With likely expansion of the Union Cabinet in a week or so, the Muslim community leaders demand more representation of the community in the Prime Minister’s team. They also raise the bigger issues of quality representation and quota for the community in legislature.
Sharif, Modi meeting hints at peace, trouble: Pakistani daily
Islamabad : The meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and India's Premier Narendra Modi hints "at the prospects for peace and the likelihood of...
पटना की मस्जिद में फेंके गए पटाखे, लिखी गयी गालियां
सिद्धांत मोहन, TwoCircles.net
पटना: आज रविवार की सुबह पटना की न्यू मिल्लात कॉलोनी के फुलवारी शरीफ में अराजक तत्वों ने दस्तक दी, और पिछले सवा-डेढ़...
Doms in Varanasi seek justice through honorable rehabilitation
By Vidya Bhushan Rawat,
Hundreds of pilgrims seek to see the sunrise on the banks of Ganges in Varanasi and the boatmen go on live commentary of these ghats narrating the mythological details.The most poignant moment come when you see the Manikarnikaghat, Dashashwamegha Ghat and Harishchandraghat reminding you the stories of Raja Harishchandra’s loyalty to his ‘profession’. In an indirect reference, these are the same ‘preachings’ which ask you to do thy duty while ‘result’ is not thy concern.
Successful Health Fair at Baltimore’s Masjid Gulzar-e-Madina held
By TCN News,
Baltimore (US): Healthcare is a big issue for new immigrants, especially elderly people. While Medicare is available to virtually all citizens, starting at age 65, immigrants legally present in the US for less than five years are not eligible and private insurance companies generally do not offer health insurance plans for those over 65.
Kamala Surayya’s son MD Nalapat talks to TCN about Islam, his mother
By Najiya O, TwoCircles.net,
Apex court puts interior ministry in dock over Islamabad riots
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : The Supreme Court of Pakistan Sunday took suo moto notice of Saturday's violent clashes in the Pakistani capital, and summoned the interior ministry secretary to appear before the court Monday with a draft of security arrangements planned to prevent the riots.
Violent clashes erupted outside the Election Commission office here Saturday, which left 30 lawyers and 29 journalists injured.
Delhi Youth Welfare Association to hold Annual Awards function for meritorious students
TCN News:
The Delhi Youth Welfare Association in collaboration with AFMI (American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin) will hold the 28th edition of its...
Kafeel had sent email wanting martyrdom
By IANS
London : Indian national Kafeel Ahmed, who died this month due to 90 percent burns suffered in the Glasgow airport blaze, is reported to have sent an email before the incident in which he said he wanted martyrdom.
The email is seen as a 'claim of responsibility' for the attack in Glasgow on June 30. CCTV footage of the previously attempted London car bombing on June 29 shows a man running away from the scene that relatives say was Kafeel.
Three arrested in Uttar Pradesh for smuggling explosives
By IANS,
Lucknow : Three people were arrested in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh Monday for smuggling in explosives from Madhya Pradesh. A huge cache of explosives was recovered from them, police said.
"The arrests were made in Shankargarh locality. We recovered 7.5 quintals of ammonium nitrate and over a hundred detonators. Initial interrogation has revealed that the explosives were brought from neighbouring Madhya Paradesh," Superintendent of Police (Trans Yamuna) V.K. Mishra told IANS on phone.
Abducted official in Bangladesh traced
By Xinhua
Dhaka : The abducted Bangladeshi project officer of a Danish donor agency has been located and his rescue is now a matter of time, Bangladesh law enforcing agencies have said.
Medha Patkar dismisses Swamy’s remark calling her ‘Maoist’
Mumbai: Social activist and Mumbai Lok Sabha candidate Medha Patkar Wednesday dismissed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's recent remark, terming her a Maoist.
"It is shocking...
JIH expresses concern on Nandigram imbroglio
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Secretary-General Nusrat Ali has expressed his grave concern on the disquieting situation prevailing in Nandigram for quite some time.
In a statement released here Monday, the JIH leader strongly urged the Government of West Bengal to stop with immediate effect the oppressions and injustices meted out to the people, and take such sincere steps as can fulfil the genuine demands of the people and ensure peace in the area.
Rights of minorities’ in South Asia
Report of Session on Peoples’ SAARC Regional Convergence on 24th November, 2014 at Kathmandu
By Neha Dabhade,
Centre for Society and Secularism (CSSS), Mumbai had organized a session during the PSAARC regional convergence on 24th November, 2014. The session was called Rights of Minorities in South Asia. The primarily objectives of this session were to understand the nature of violation of rights of minorities in South Asia and create a strong network of organizations across South Asia to consolidate existing or establish new mechanisms to address such violations. The process to draft a charter on rights of minorities in South Asia was to be initiated during this session.
National Integration Council to be reconstituted
By TCN News,
New Delhi: A national body to combat communalism and focus on nation building, National Integration Council (NIC) will be reconstituted by the UPA government.
Information received by the TwoCircles.net suggests that proposed members of the NIC are being contacted for their acceptance and an announcement will be made soon.
Hyderabad varsity bends, but student protests go on
By Mohammed Shafeeq
Hyderabad/New Delhi : The Hyderabad university on Thursday revoked the suspension of four Dalit research scholars, but students continued to protest for...
Srinagar terror attack wipes out entire family
By IANS,
Srinagar : All the five people killed in the deadly grenade blast here Thursday belonged to the same family -- that of a poor migrant labourer who was in the Kashmir Valley to win bread for the family.
Suspected separatist guerrillas threw a grenade at a busy bus yard in the summer capital Srinagar leaving five people, including four children, dead and 22 injured, the police said.
Headley extradition on cases other than Mumbai possible: US
By IANS,
New Delhi: Indian investigators can interrogate David Headley, said a US official Saturday adding that the Pakistani-born Lashkar-e-Taiba operative's extradition to India was still possible, but not on charges of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
"With respect to the Headley case, the plea bargain agreement was announced and part of that agreement was that the US would not extradite Headley either to India or Pakistan or Denmark for the charges for which he has now admitted guilt," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O. Blake told reporters here.
Lebanon’s presidential elections may be postponed for 4th time
By Xinhua
Beirut : A parliamentary session set for Wednesday to elect Lebanon's new president may probably be postponed till Friday, or Nov. 23, for the 4th time, local daily An Nahar reported on Tuesday.
The Wednesday parliamentary session will "almost certainly" be postponed till Friday, the day current President Emile Lahoud's term runs out, said the daily.
Islam and Jihad in context of international treaties and citizenship of a Non-Muslim majority...
By Maulvi Yahya Nomani,
(Translated from Urdu by Yoginder Sikand)
Islam insists that Muslims should abide by the pacts and treaties that they have entered into with others. The Quran repeatedly insists on this. In one place, it says, ‘[A] nd keep the covenant. Lo! of the covenant it will be asked’(17:34). A hadith report claims that the Prophet once remarked, ‘A person lacks faith if he is not trustworthy and he who breaks his agreements has no religion.’
Modi must keep in mind minorities: Syed Bukhari
New Delhi : The country may face a spell of ''communalism'' with the BJP set to form the next government at the centre, the...
Rajya Sabha urges Mayawati to take back her resignation
New Delhi, (IANS): Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, whose stopping BSP supremo Mayawati from speaking beyond the stipulated three minutes on Tuesday triggered her...
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