Modi’s success makes BJP a one-man party
By Amulya Ganguli,
Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is taking its time to select its chief minister for Maharashtra, Narendra Modi is leaving his distinctive mark on political and other fields.
In politics, the prime minister has brushed aside the earlier by-poll setbacks by his successes in Maharashtra and Haryana. Although the BJP failed to get a majority in the western state, it made a few points which the party probably wanted to make for some time.
Mumbai court issues non-bailable warrant against Dawood’s sister
By IANS
Mumbai : A Mumbai court Friday issued a non-bailable warrant against Hasina Parkar, sister of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, as she continued to evade police for more than a fortnight.
Jamia launches skill-development programme for its neighbourhood
By TCN News,
New Delhi: The Outreach Programme of Jamia Millia Islamia in collaboration with Dr. Zakir Husain Memorial Welfare Society and Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) launched an all-women training programme aimed at developing skills of women aged between 18-35 years in Jamia Nagar.
CK Janu’s decision to ally with NDA in Kerala draws ire from other tribal...
By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net
Kozhikode: Kerala Adivasi leader CK Janu’s decision to side with the NDA and contest from the Wayanad seat has drawn criticism...
Crimes against minorities issue raised in Lok Sabha
New Delhi : Opposition parties, led by the Congress, on Tuesday raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of crimes against minorities, especially the attack on a church in Haryana and the alleged gang rape of an elderly nun in West Bengal.
"Persons holding constitutional posts are making remarks which are deliberately wounding people. In Hissar, a religious place has been attacked and the chief minister has said the religious place lacked valid papers," Congress member Gaurav Gogoi said.
CBI submits probe report on Rizwanur death to high court
By IANS
Kolkata : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday submitted its probe report on the mysterious death of graphic designer Rizwanur Rahman to the Calcutta High Court.
The CBI submitted the sealed report before the bench of Justice Dipankar Dutta amid speculation that the accused, including top Kolkata Police officers and Rizwanur's father-in-law industrialist Ashok Todi, were charged with abetment to suicide and not murder.
The contents will only be known after the hearing based on the CBI report starts Friday.
BJP to lead alliance in Tamil Nadu in 2016
Chennai : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will make a serious bid to take power in Tamil Nadu by leading an alliance in the...
No further probe into Batla House shootout: Court
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Wednesday refused to order any further inquiry into the Sep 19, 2008 Batla House shootout in which a police inspector and two suspected Islamist militants were killed.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan turned down the plea for any judicial inquiry or a probe by a special investigation team into the matter. The petition was filed by an NGO called Act Now For Democracy.
13 people injured in police-protester clashes in Kashmir
By IANS,
Srinagar: Thirteen people, among them seven policemen, were injured in daylong clashes between stone pelting young men and police across the Kashmir Valley Monday even as life remained affected by a shutdown called by the local bar association.
The shutdown was called against what the bar association termed "the collapse of judiciary, maltreatment meted out to political prisoners, and veiled attempts to change the demographic position and identity of the state".
Pakistani private TV channels go off air
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Transmission of all private television channels in Pakistan was blocked by the government soon after the imposition of emergency by President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday evening.
"Switch off all television channels before 6.00 p.m.," a cable operator in Islamabad quoted the government official as saying. Identifying himself as Nisar, he said that an official of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) gave the order on telephone at around 4 p.m.
Meat found inside mosque, tension in Uttar Pradesh
By IANS,
Lucknow : Tension gripped Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti district Friday morning when a group of Muslims, after finding pieces of meat lying inside a mosque, attacked public vehicles, according to police.
The group blockaded the busy Shravasti-Bahraich route for hours and even tried to torch some buses and trucks in various parts of the district, 230 km from Lucknow, police said. However, no one was injured.
Tripura shrinks scope of AFSPA
By IANS,
Agartala : The Tripura government Wednesday reduced the area under which a stringent law that gives sweeping powers to paramilitary troopers could be deployed, a top official said.
Curfew in Madhya Pradesh town after communal clashes
By IANS,
Bhopal : Curfew was clamped in Madhya Pradesh's Obaidullahganj town in Raisen district following communal clashes, officials said Monday.
"A person named Rupesh had a quarrel during a marriage ceremony in a Muslim family in his neighbourhood late Sunday. Later during firing from both sides two people were injured. But the situation was brought under control," a police official said.
Monday morning men belonging to one community burnt shops of the other community, police said.
Security alert in Bhutan after Maoists kill four rangers
By IANS,
Thimphu : Bhutan has sounded a massive security alert after the killing of four forest rangers in a powerful landmine explosion by Nepal-based Maoist guerrillas, officials here said Thursday.
A Royal Bhutan Police spokesman said the explosion took place near Singye village in the southern Bhutan district of Sarpang late Tuesday.
"Six Bhutanese forest rangers were returning to their camp at village Phibsoo from Sarpang town after shopping when the tractor they were travelling in hit a landmine planted on the road," a statement by the Royal Bhutan Police said.
Lok Sabha elections: Will Majlis lose Hyderabad?
By Adnan Alvi,
For the first time in decades the hegemony of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) seems to be under a serious threat in Hyderabad.
Zahid Ali Khan, the editor of the renowned Urdu daily Siasat, who has been involved with social work, is contesting the election as an independent candidate. He has managed to get the support of virtually every party on the political spectrum.
Pakistan assures full support to EU observers; stresses commitment free, transparent polls
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon Friday said the government would fully facilitate the European Union mission and Pakistan remains committed to democracy.
The mission, headed by Jan De Kok, ambassador head of delegation of EU Commission, met the minister. The team included Chief Observer Michael Gahler, a German Member of the European Parliament and Hanna Roberts, an election analyst.
Harsh Mander’s PIL seeks probe into Salian’s allegation about NIA asking her to ‘go...
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: In a development that may embarrass the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the central government, a Public Interest...
Sixth Goa policeman arrested for drugs mafia links
By IANS,
Panaji: A policeman was arrested late Wednesday for links to the narcotics mafia, officials said here.
Subinspector Punaji Gawas was arrested for selling seized drugs stored for safekeeping in the police stiorehouse back to the drugs mafia, an official said.
"Gawas was arrested Wednesday evening for his links to the drugs mafia," Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar told reporters.
Gawas was first suspended and then placed under arrest.
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.
Muslims of BTAD are exiled in their own land post 2012 riots
By Nilim Dutta,
N 26˚ 30’ 10.4”
E 90˚ 01’ 24.9”
If one types in the above location coordinates into the ‘search’ in Google Earth, it immediately takes one to the image of an empty field somewhere in Gossaigaon Revenue Circle of Kokrajhar District, one of the four Districts in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) of Assam, in the satellite topographic imagery dated 3 May 2010.
TDP leader Zahid Ali Khan not to contest polls
Hyderabad : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) politburo member Zahid Ali Khan Sunday made it clear that he will not contest coming elections.
Editor of Urdu...
Shopian activist found dead in Kashmir orchard
By IANS,
Srinagar : In a new twist to the rape and murder of two women in Shopian, police Tuesday recovered the body of a member of a group that has been spearheading an agitation for justice in the sensational case that rocked the Kashmir Valley this summer.
The body of Mohammed Hussain Zargar, 42, a property dealer, was discovered in an orchard three days after he had disappeared, triggering fresh protests in the south Kashmir town, police said.
‘Maudany involved in Bengaluru stadium blasts’ – Karnataka; Maudany’s lawyer refutes
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Bengaluru: PDP chairman Abdunnasir Maudany, now in the custody of the Karnataka police in connection with the Bengaluru blasts, had prior knowledge of the blasts in the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the city, accused Karnataka Home Minister VS Acharya. But Maudany’s lawyer Adv Akbar Ali refuted the claim as baseless.
WB Govt to build student hostels at madrasas, ITIs in Muslim areas
By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind trying to resolve crisis in Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), one of the leading Muslim organizations in the country, has made an effort to resolve the...
Curfew relaxed in riot-hit old Hyderabad
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The situation remained peaceful in the riot-hit areas of old city of Hyderabad Wednesday as police relaxed curfew for the first time in four days.
Muslim Student Federation organised 10-day camp to assist students with college admission
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
New Delhi: With the admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in major universities in India about to start, the Jamia...
Death of a Delta
By A Mirsab and Afroz Alam for TwoCircles.net,
She was named Delta after the river deltas. A river delta is formed when a fast...
Chandigarh Waqf Board forms committee for Jama Masjid maintenance
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Chandigarh: Jama Masjid in Sector 20 of the city will be maintained by a new committee constituted by the Chandigarh Waqf Board. The Board plans to raise money from general public to start the repair work. This information was provided by the board members last week.
The board sought help from the administration to acquire two of the waqf properties, which have been occupied by encroachers.
The board also proposes to start computer centers in Jama Masjid and other madrasas.
Five security men killed in Chhattisgarh gunfight
By IANS,
Raipur : Five security personnel were killed by Maoists Sunday as the rebels ambushed a patrolling team, leading to a gunfight in Chhattisgarh's restive Bastar region, police said.
"Maoists ambushed a police patrolling party drawn from the Border Security Force (BSF), District Force (DF) and Special Police Officers (SPOs) in a thickly-forested area," Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) T.J. Longkumer told IANS over phone from Jagdalpur, headquarters of Bastar region.
Government moves to hike ‘creamy layer’ income limit for OBC quota
New Delhi : The central government has inched a step closer to increasing the "creamy layer" income limit to Rs 8 lakh per...
No space for two Brahmin parties
By Faraz Ahmad
If on May 16, the results of India’s general elections turn out to be as portrayed in the Exit Polls, it will...
Pakistan retracts ‘lever killed Bhutto’ theory
By IANS
Islamabad : The Pakistan government has retracted its contention that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died after striking her head against the sunroof lever of her SUV and has "apologised" for floating the theory.
"The caretaker government of Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro Monday apologised for the highly provocative comment made by the interior ministry spokesman that Bhutto died because she hit the lever of her bullet-proof Land Cruiser on the fateful (Dec 27) evening," The News reported Tuesday.
Dutch university rejects Iranian students for nuclear concerns
By Xinhua
Brussels : A Dutch university will no longer enroll students from Iran because the Dutch government is concerned Iranians could gain nuclear expertise from the Netherlands, Dutch newspaper Trouw reported Thursday.
The Twente University of Technology, located in the eastern Dutch city of Enschede, has informed three potential Iranian students in writing that they cannot study at the university. One of them had already received confirmation of a grant.
Girl’s minor brother arrested for ‘honour killing’
By IANS,
New Delhi: Enraged over a youth from another caste falling in love with his sister, her minor brother killed the youth with the help of two of his friends - one of whom was also a minor, police said Saturday. The three have been arrested.
"We have arrested three people in connection with the case of honour killing of Bunty, who was in love with a girl from a different caste," Deputy Commissioner of Police (central Delhi) Jaspal Singh told reporters here.
Six die in Pakistan school bombing
By SPA
Quetta, Pakistan : A bomb exploded inside an Islamic school in southwestern Pakistan on Monday, killing six people and wounding four others, officials said.
The explosion ripped through the madrassa in Qilla Saifullah, a town about 90 miles north of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, police official Mohammed Farooq was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Suicide bombing kills 10 civilians in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : A suicide bombing killed 10 civilians and injured some 30 Sunday in Gardez in eastern Afghanistan, official sources said.
Al Qaeda trying to acquire nukes: Obama
By Manish Chand and Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Warning of catastrophic consequences of nuclear terrorism, US President Barack Obama Tuesday said Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups trying to acquire nuclear material must be stopped.
Networks such as Al Qaeda have tried to acquire the material for a nuclear weapon, he told world leaders from 47 nations, including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at the Nuclear Security Summit.
Sino-Pak talks on FTA in service sector early next week
By NNN-APP
Beijing : Pakistan is set to hold the second round of negotiations on Free Trade Agreement in services sectors with China early next week.
A high-level Pakistani delegation comprising senior officials is expected to arrive here on Monday to hold talks in this connection with their Chinese counterpart.
200 days since abrogation of Article 370 : Alienation, clampdowns, denials and detentions continue...
Auqib Javeed, Twocircles.net
Srinagar: On August 5, the Indian government withdrew Article 370 of India's constitution, which gave the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir...
Wrapped in gloom, Lucknow welcomes Muharram
By TwoCircles.net special correspondent,
Qasim sa gul badan Ali Akbar sa khush jamaal
Ek jaa Aqeel o Muslim o Jafar ke nau nihaal
Sab ke rukhon ka noor sipahre bareen pa tha
Plea seeking subsidy for non-Muslim pilgrims dismissed
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a plea for direction to the government to grant monetary aid, matching the Haj subsidy for Muslims, to pilgrims of other religions too.
A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice R.V. Raveendran refused to entertain the plea by advocate Ashok Pandey who sought government aid for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists undertaking pilgrimage within and outside the country.
With Assam in bag, time to move forward with reforms
By Amulya Ganguli
Assam has given Narendra Modi a breather. It is now up to him to make full use of the time he has...
Despite mid-day meal, attendance lags in Agartala’s government schools
By Sujit Chakraborty
Agartala : Despite the lure of a mid-day meal, low attendance in Tripura's government schools is a "cause of concern" while enrollment...
Pakistan ranked 12th among ‘failed states’
By IANS
Lahore : Pakistan has been ranked the 12th most unstable country in the world, according to the 2007 Failed State Index while Sudan has topped the infamous list for the second year in a row.
CLMC open letter to Maharashtra CM demand explnatation on intimidation to Adv Pracha, TCN
By TCN News,
Hyderabad: Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC) has written an open letter to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Dajisaheb Chavan, demanding an explanation regarding threatening to TCN news website and Advocate Mahmood Pracha.
Campaign launched in Delhi to address gender violence
By IANS,
New Delhi : Seeking to curb gender-based violence in the country, an NGO Thursday launched a project that aims to address the issue...
Signature campaign to boycott hate mongering newspaper
TCN News
A signature campaign was organised today after the Friday prayers in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand district in more than 35 mosques against Dainik Jagran Hindi...
Shooting near Bhattacharjee’s Kolkata house, four injured
By IANS
Kolkata : At least four people were injured when a criminal, being chased by the police, fired indiscriminately in the neighbourhood of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Sunday.
The incident took place on Broad Street in south Kolkata, just a few netres from Bhattacharjee's residence. The criminal, Mohammed Aslam, was later arrested.
US faces hard choices in Pakistan
By Arun Kumar
Washington(IANS) : As the US began a review of aid to Pakistan after imposition of emergency rule, its choices seemed limited by its need to keep President Pervez Musharraf on its side in the fight against terror.
Officials at the White House and the State Department indicated as much Tuesday as they were hard put to defend the Bush administration's double standards in reacting to the situation in Myanmar and Pakistan where "an ally in the war on terror has made a mistake".
Pollution kills 50,000 Pakistanis a year: report
By IANS
Islamabad : Environmental pollution kills over 50,000 Pakistanis, most of them poor, and costs the economy some Rs.356 billion or six percent of the country's GDP every year, a new World Bank report says.
Lynch Nation: A hard-hitting documentary that looks into how hate crimes are fuelled in...
By Priyanka Ishwari, TwoCircles.net
Pictures of his brother lying in a pool of blood flash on the massive screen before him. His mother Saira is...
India steps up pressure on Pakistan to deliver on assurances
By IANS,
Srinagar/New Delhi : In a sign of growing impatience with “assurances" from Islamabad, India Tuesday asked Pakistan to fulfill its anti-terror pledge by dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism and renewed calls for returning 40 people wanted by New Delhi for various crimes and terrorist activities.
New Delhi, however, ruled out military action against Pakistan but made it clear that bilateral relations would not be normal until Islamabad takes action against terrorists operating from its soil.
Kabul blast kills 35
By Xinhua
Kabul : A powerful blast here Sunday killed at least 35 people and injured over 30, deputy police chief Alishah Paktiawal said.
Pakistan must question Hafiz Saeed: Chidambaram
By IANS
Chennai: Pakistan must interrogate alleged 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed as all the evidence against him was "on Pakistani soil", Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here Monday after reports that the chief of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) had been placed under house arrest in Lahore.
"Even if it is a face saving technique, I have no objection. My demand is that now that he has been arrested he should be interrogated for his role in the 26/11 incidents," Chidambaram told reporters on the sidelines of a function to inaugurate the Chennai-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express.
Terrorists are worshippers of violence, against all religions: Kalbe Jawwad
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Court overturns death given to retired cop
By IANS
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Wednesday overturned the death sentence given to retired assistant commissioner of police (ACP) R.P. Tyagi and acquitted another Delhi Police personnel in a 1987 case of death in custody.
A bench of Justices Mukul Mudgal and P.K. Bhasin gave eight years imprisonment to Tyagi and imposed a fine of Rs.200,000 on him.
Tyagi had last year been sentenced to death by the sessions court in Karkardooma for the death of Mahinder Kumar, who died in the Vivek Vihar police station in 1987.
Now, Aditya Thackeray sorry about anti-Gujarati remarks
Mumbai : The Shiv Sena Monday made yet another attempt to mollify the Gujarati community which had been targeted in a sharp editorial in...
Lawyers rally against harassment of Pakistani judge’s kin
By DPA
Islamabad : Hundreds of lawyers Monday boycotted court proceedings and held rallies in Pakistan's southwest province of Balochistan to condemn the alleged harassment of close relatives of suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry by more than a dozen armed men during the weekend.
Three killed, 21 injured in Manipur blast
Imphal : Three people were killed and 21 others injured in a powerful blast at a market here in the Manipur capital on Wednesday,...
M. Sc. Biotechnology most popular course at Jamia Millia
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
New Delhi: The M. Sc. Biotechnology program is one of the most sought-after courses offered at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), one of the leading universities in India.
Geelani to meet Pakistan NSA on Aug 24; PDP says talks must go on
By Ruwa Shah
New Delhi : Talks between the national security advisors of India and Pakistan must be held as scheduled if terrorism...
Maudany’s hand suspected in blasts at Chinnaswamy stadium
By IANS,
Bangalore : Karnataka Home Minister V.S. Acharya Tuesday said People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Abdul Nasir Maudany had a hand in the twin blasts before an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Chinnaswamy Stadium here in April this year.
"He (Maudany) has a hand in them (Chinnaswamy blasts) also," the home minister told reporters but he declined to elaborate as Karnataka Police is continuing questioning Maudany on his role in the 2008 serial blasts in Bangalore that killed one woman and injured 15 people.
Owaisi Appeals Muslims to Oppose Waqf Amendment Bill: What Makes Proposed Law Contentious
Iqra Fatma, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: On September 11, a sense of urgency gripped Hyderabad as MP Asaduddin Owaisi who made a fervent appeal, urging people...
Government assures steps to promote Urdu
By IANS,
New Delhi : The central government will take appropriate steps to promote the Urdu language, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in the Lok Sabha Thursday.
Mukherjee's assurance came after the leaders of all political parties, central ministers and even Speaker Meira Kumar expressed the need to strengthen the Urdu language.
"There are no two opinions about the importance of the Urdu language. It is part of the heritage of India," Mukherjee said.
He said the central government will ask all the state governments to initiate steps to strengthen this language.
Media workshop for school students in HP
By TCN News,
Subathu: We Sprawl, a Delhi based creative group, and Pinegrove School conducted a photography, film making and development communication workshop in April 2014. "We saw the photographs and were amazed. They had the talent, all they needed was guidance,” says Aqsa Anjum, one of the founder members of We Sprawl, freelance film maker and a trainer in a media institute in Delhi.
Mysore clashes: Govt. says no to judicial probe
By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net
Kochi: Mysore has still not returned to normal life as tension continues in some areas in the wake of clashes that broke out following the alleged desecration of an educational institution. The BJP Government in power in the state rejected the opposition demand for a judicial probe into the matter. Home Minister VS Acharya visited the injured in hospitals.
The bandh call given by Hindu Jagran Vedika evoked mixed response. City transport services operated a few buses. Some private buses and autorikshaws too were on the road.
From nomads to migrants, J&K Gujjars continue Ramadan fasting
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar: Despite facing various health related ailments, Mohammad Iqbal, 60, a Gujjar, who migrates to Kashmir every year...
Want talks with Pakistan without shadow of terrorism: Modi
United Nations:Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday that he wants talks with Pakistan without the shadow of terrorism.
Hitting out at Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz...
Injured peacock rescued from Najma Heptulla’s residence
New Delhi : An injured peacock found on the lawn of Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla's official residence was on Saturday rescued by NGO...
US to cooperate with Pakistan in fighting ‘extremism’
By IANS
Washington : The United States has 'real interest' in working with Pakistan in fighting violent extremism there, state department spokesman Sean McCormack has said.
Form government or break with BJP, Omar tells PDP
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir's former state chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked the PDP to form an elected government in the state or...
Court discharges Batla House flat caretaker
New Delhi, (IANS): A court here on Tuesday dropped charges relating to cheating against the caretaker of the L-18 Batla House flat where two...
IMC-USA denounces bomb blasts in Delhi
By TwoCircles.net news desk
New Delhi: Indian Muslim Council-USA (IMC-USA), an advocacy group dedicated towards safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, denounces in strongest possible terms the bomb blasts across Delhi and expresses condolences to the victims and their loved ones.
SP legislator among three killed in UP accident
Lucknow: A Samajwadi Party legislator, Mohammad Irfan, was killed on Thursday along with his driver and a party leader when their car met with...
Manipur Assembly will have 3 Muslims – third time since 1972
By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Samarasam editor H. Abdur Raqeeb wins journalism award
By TwoCircles.net news desk
Trichirappalli (Tamil Nadu): H. Abdur Raqeeb, Editor of Samarasam Tamil Fortnightly was awarded 'The best Journalist Award' by the Islamiya Tamil Ilakkiya Kazhagam (Tamil Islamic Literary Organization).
The award was conferred upon H. Abdur Raqeeb in the First State Conference of Islamiya Tamil Ilakkiya Kazhagam held in Trichirappalli on 17 and 18th of May 2008.
Happy and safe in Hyderabad, but know we can’t stay here: Rohingyas react to...
By Nikhat Fatima, TwoCircles.net
The Rohingyas have been termed by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. Having fled their...
Triple talaq deadlock continues amid bedlam in RS
New Delhi, (IANS): The deadlock on the triple talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha continued on Thursday with the opposition insisting on its reference to...
आखिर क्यों लोगों के दिलों में बसते थे मौलाना वली रहमानी!
न्यूज़ डेस्क । Twocircles.net
ऑल इंडिया मुस्लिम पर्सनल लॉ बोर्ड के महासचिव हजरत मौलाना वली रहमानी साहब का शनिवार को देहांत हो गया। उन्होंने...
BJP has mastered art of misleading people, says Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow, (IANS): Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday lashed out at the BJP government in the state and accused them of misleading the...
Kashmir lawmaker Engineer Rashid attacked again
Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir legislator Engineer Rashid, who was assaulted by BJP legislators in the assembly after hosting a beef party, sustained minor...
Abdul Kalam, Ratan Tata are India’s most trusted: Survey
By IANS,
New Delhi : Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and industrialist Ratan Tata top the list of 100 most trusted Indians while artist M.F Husain is at 91 and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is at the very bottom, a survey conducted for Reader's Digest has revealed.
Bhopal: Glimmer of hope for reconstruction of demolished Masjid
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: There is a glimmer of hope for the reconstruction of an ancient Masjid in Kothri village on Bhopal-Indore road in Ashta tehsil of Sehore district, about 70 kms from the state capital Bhopal, which was razed to the ground in the night on January 29 last without proper notice to make adequate room for four-lane highway.
Sania becomes top ranked doubles player with Charleston title
Charleston (US): Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won their third successive doubles title together, securing the Family Circle Cup tennis title on Sunday, enabling...
Karzai, Musharraf hold talks
By SPA
Islamabad, Pakistan : The presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged during a meeting to share intelligence and tighten border controls to quash rising militant attacks.
People from both the countries are suffering under the hands of extremism and terrorism, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said at a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday evening.
Karzai was to conclude his two-day visit on Thursday after holding talks with local business leaders and investors on promoting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Uneasy calm continues in curfew-bound Kashmir Valley
By IANS,
Srinagar : An uneasy calm prevailed in the Kashmir Valley amid indefinite curfew for the third day Tuesday, a day after seven people were killed and at least 70 injured in police and paramilitary firing.
The day passed off peacefully though small groups of protesters defied the restrictions at a few places.
Curfew was imposed in the valley Sunday morning to foil a planned sit-in by separatists in Lal Chowk, the city centre of Srinagar.
Israel finalizes list of 250 to be released Palestinian prisoners – Israeli Radio
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : Israel has finalized a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners ready to be released, Israeli Radio said.
The Israeli Justice Ministry will hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss the list before passing it on next Sunday for the cabinet to approve it, the Radio said Tuesday.
According to media reports, the list is made up of people who have nearly completed their terms and were not directly involved in attacks on Israelis.
President honours Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian scholars
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday awarded certificates of honour to scholars of Sanskrit, Pali/Prakrit, Arabic and Persian and the 'Maharishi Badrayan Vyas...
JKLF leader vows to intensify separatist campaign
New Delhi: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking a "hardline" stand on Jammu and Kashmir, JKLF leader Yasin Malik has pledged to intensify...
BJP wants de-recognition of Champaner Word Heritage Site
Saffron brigade’s bid to de-recognise a unique world heritage site representing pluralistic traditions
By Rupa Abdi, TwoCircles.net
Salim lost both his wrists in an accident, but not his willpower to earn...
By Mohammed Hussain, TwoCircles.net
Salim Khan, 34, is a well-known figure in Uttan–a fishing village close to Mumbai–for his remarkable confidence and grit despite his...
Modi won’t be PM, asserts Lalu
By IANS,
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Sunday said he would do everything to stop Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi from becoming the country's prime minister.
UK denies Basra exit signals end of Britain’s role in Iraq
By IRNA
London : Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells has denied that the recent withdrawal from Basra city by British troops signals the end of the UK's role in Iraq.
"One of the most notable misconceptions about British foreign policy over recent months is that with a change in government, our long-standing commitment to support the Iraqi people has gone out of the window," Howells said.
Shiv Sena threatens to stall Hajj pilgrimage
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu: Shiv Sena (United), a frontier Hindu organisation, today threatened to stall Hajj pilgrimage in future in case the ongoing protests on land controversy was not withdrawn by the `separatists' forces in Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference, here today, president Shiv Sena (United) Rajesh Kesari criticised the opposition to the land transfer by Kashmiri organisation and political parties with having `communal intentions'.
Giving privileges to minorities govt’s constitutional duty
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Agra : It is the constitutional duty of the government to provide the minorities with their legitimate rights and privileges; if a court of law nullifies the minority status of Muslims, it would be un-constitutional and the government would stand duty bound to get such a pronouncement null and void, remarked Head Department of Law Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh Dr Shakeel Samdani. He was participating in a seminar on "If Muslims would not be Minority" organised here Monday under the aegis of Muslim Advocates Forum.
बहुत गहरे सवाल पैदा करता है बाबरी मस्जिद के आरोपियों का बरी होने का...
वसीम अकरम त्यागी
बाबरी मस्जिद विध्वंस मामले में सीबीआई की विशेष अदालत के 'निर्णय' से न्यायप्रिय दुखी हैं। कोर्ट के फैसले का 'सम्मान' के साथ...
8 killed in Rawalpindi blast
Islamabad, Feb 4, IRNA ,Eight people were killed in a blast occurred in front of the gate of National Logistic Cell building in Rawalpindi on Monday morning.
Several security officials sustained injuries in the blast. The blast also destroyed a vehicle.
IRNA reporter in Islamabad said that a suicide bomber struck his motorbike with a vehicle of security forces.
The area has been cordoned off after the blast by security forces.
Body of abducted German found in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul : An Afghan provincial police chief said Sunday that security forces have found the dead body of the one of the two German workers who had been kidnapped Wednesday in central Afghanistan. One of the five Afghans who had been kidnapped with them was found alive.
Two German engineers and their five Afghan colleagues were kidnapped on Wednesday in Jaghato district of central Maidan Wardak province.
AMU holds symposium on “Aligarh Movement and its Relevance in 21st Century”
By TwoCircles.net news desk,
Patna: A symposium on the topic of “Aligarh Movement and its Relevance in 21st Century” was organized at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) by the Club for Short Evening Courses, General Education Centre of AMU.
Prof. A.R. Kidwai, Director, UGC Academic Staff College of AMU, highlighted the important aspects of Sir Syed’s life which are very much relevant in present time to construct a society fee from all social ailment and hassles.
Rahmani Foundation to set up centre to produce Muslim scientists
By TwoCircles.net news desk,
Patna: After getting remarkable success at the Rahmani-30 coaching centre for Muslim aspirants for IIT-JEE, Rahmani Foundation of Munger has decided to set up a centre for producing scientists among the Muslim community in India.
According to a statement issued by Maulana Wali Rahmani, chairman of Rahmani Foundation, the step has been taken to provide guidance and opportunities to go ahead in the field of science for those Muslim students who did M.Sc. in Physics and got good marks.
Fake currency racket busted in Madhya Pradesh
By IANS
Bhopal : An inter-state gang involved in printing of fake currency has been busted here, the police said Wednesday.
The police on a tip-off Tuesday evening raided a house in Parwalia village on the outskirts of the state capital and arrested four people.
Thirty fake currency notes of Rs.500 denomination and material for printing counterfeit currency were seized, the police claimed.
Pieces of paper cut to the size of Rs.500 currency notes and photocopies of the original notes were also seized.
To take Forbesganj police firing at national level, victims meet press in Delhi
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Tax official, chartered accountant nabbed for taking bribe
By IANS
New Delhi : A senior income tax official posted at Indore and a chartered accountant were Tuesday caught by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for taking a bribe from a businessman.
The businessman had complained to the CBI that the assistant commissioner of income tax posted at Indore was demanding a bribe of Rs.900,000 from him for the settlement of income tax after a survey conducted by the official and the chartered accountant, a CBI press release said.
Triangular fight for vice president Friday
By IANS
New Delhi : Two weeks after choosing their first woman president, India's parliamentarians will Friday vote for the country's 12th vice president in a three-cornered contest that brings to the fore new polarisations in national politics.
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left combine's candidate is former diplomat and academic Hamid Ansari, who is expected to defeat the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) Najma Heptulla and the eight party grouping United National Progressive Alliance's (UNPA) Rasheed Masood.
Human rights team begins probe into Bihar police torture
By IANS
Patna : A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team Monday began a probe into the brutal torture by police of an alleged chain-snatcher in Bhagalpur district last week.
The two-member NHRC team from New Delhi arrived in Nathnagar in Bhagalpur Sunday.
RSS chief raps MNS for fuelling language row
By IANS,
Bangalore: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Sunday criticised the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for fuelling a language row by insisting on speaking only in Marathi even in the legislature.
"At a time when the country is facing so many problems, it is unfortunate that political parties like the MNS and Shiv Sena are raking up the language issue and insisting on jobs for locals only in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai," Bhagwat said while addressing about 15,000 swayamsevaks (RSS volunteers) at the sprawling Bangalore Palace grounds here.
People’s tribunal on counterterrorism policy, its victims in Rajasthan
By TwoCircles.net news desk,
New Delhi: The Rajasthan chapter of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), in collaboration with some other organizations including Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (Rajasthan), will hold People’s Tribunal on “State action in the name of countering terrorism & conversions – experiences of Rajasthan” on November 7-8 in Jaipur.
2 Bangladeshis, Nepali held for human trafficking
By IANS,
New Delhi : A gang running a human trafficking racket was busted and five people, including two Bangladeshi and one Nepali nationals, were arrested here, police said Friday.
Rehman Rahi, a true poet of Kashmiriyat
By Sarwar Kashani,IANS,
Srinagar : He is truly a poet of "Kashmiriyat" who has boldly voiced the pain and agony incurred by the land of peace and love during two decades of violence. That's how fans and friends describe Rehman Rahi, the recipient of this year's Jnanpith award - India's highest literary honour.
Rahi was Thursday conferred the award by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function in the national capital.
For 83-year-old Rahi, the first Kashmiri to be given the honour, it was a joyous moment blended with sorrow.
J&K: Two youths killed as CRPF open fire on protesters; Hurriyat calls for strike...
By Sheikh Imran Bashir, AIP
Srinagar: Two persons were today killed allegedly by CRPF when the paramilitary personnel were attacked by a rampaging mob following an encounter with militants in Sopore town of north Kashmir this evening.
Two youth were killed in Sopore town in North Kashmir Friday evening as security
personnel, returning from a gunfight, and opened fire when a violent mob attacked their vehicle and set it ablaze, police said.
Silver Jubilee Alumni Meet of Zakir Husain College of Engineering at AMU
By TCN News
L to R - Prof. Tabassum Naqvi, Prof. Ekram Husain, AMU PVC Brig. S. Ahmad Ali, Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. Shah and...
Indian empire and its ideologues: A response to Ashis Nandy
By Amit Kumar for Twocircles.net
Sanjay Subrahmanyam once wrote about Ashis Nandy as being ‘dazzling clever as he is tiresomely repetitive and profoundly ill-informed… Armed...
PLO factions urge for unity, solidarity among Palestinians
GAZA, Dec 31 (KUNA) -- The Organization of Palestinian National Aaction, the umbrella of all factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), urged all Palestinians Monday to set aside all their differences and show more solidarity and unity.
"The values of unity, solidarity and social interdependence resulted from dear sacrifices offered by the Palestinian people over the last four decades," the organization said in a press conference here.
Shahabuddin convicted for abducting trader
By IANS
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Mohammad Shahabuddin was Saturday convicted by a special court in Bihar for the 1999 abduction of Chote Lal, a trader in Siwan district.
18 Iranians among 89 killed in Thai air crash
By NNN-Bernama
Phuket, Thailand : A trip to enjoy the beautiful beaches and island-dotted seas in Phuket in southern Thailand turned tragic for a group of Iranian holidaymakers when 18 of them died in Sunday's air crash at Phuket International Airport.
An Iranian Embassy official said here Tuesday that the group was travelling from Bangkok to the island for a short holiday when the tragedy occurred. "Twenty-four of them came to Thailand but unfortunately 18 died in the crash, including several children," he said.
Pakistan readies soldiers’ welfare plan
By IANS
Islamabad : The Pakistani Army has chalked out a comprehensive plan for the welfare of soldiers, says its new chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Kayani "confirmed the plan without formally unfolding its details", The News reported Thursday, adding that the army chief has already declared 2008 as 'the year of the soldier'.
"The implementation of the plan will commence from next week and it would continue to be operative throughout the year. No fanfare is expected to be displayed at the time of the initiation of the plan," the newspaper said.
Bassi’s comments on hanging ‘disturbing’: Rights group
New Delhi : Days after Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said police would "shoot or hang" perpetrators of crimes against women on the spot...
Bhutto flies home, Sharif predicts chaos
By IANS
Dubai : While former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutt headed back to Pakistan from Dubai, another former premier Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan could descend into chaos due to the imposition of emergency.
As soon as a state of emergency was announced, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari told Indian television channels that she was flying back later Saturday night. According to early reports, she has reached Karachi.
Earlier in the day, she was boarding a plane when she learnt about the emergency order and decided to wait.
Kishtwar tense after Imam beaten by miscreants
By News Agency of Kashmir
Kishtwar : Tension gripped mountainous Kishtwar town in Jammu and Kashmir after Imam of a local Masjid was beaten mercilessly by some unidentified miscreants, who were stopped by the former from teasing a girl.
Identified as Ghulam Muhammad Dev, Imam of Masjid Bazar Kishtwar, the 75 years old man got a severe thrashing after he reportedly tried to stop some miscreants from teasing a girl, here this evening.
Bihar ex-MP Shahabuddin gets bail
Patna : The Patna High Court on Wednesday granted bail to former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin in connection with a double murder and kidnapping that...
Pakistani imams dominate British mosques, says study
By IANS
London/Lahore : Half of the clerics heading mosques in the United Kingdom are from Pakistan, says a British study that says that the Muslim clergy is "overwhelmingly" qualified in the traditional Islamic curriculum that has "changed little since medieval times."