WASHINGTON,23 August 2020, TON: Presidential candidate and his Vice President, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have greeted Hindu community on “Ganesh Chaturthi” and expressed hope for a new beginning. Biden tweeted, "To everyone celebrating the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in the US, India, and around the world, may you overcome all obstacles, be blessed with wisdom, and find a path toward new beginnings." But Indian in US and back home are not happy and much concerned. Many people fail to understand the question on the lips of every second Indian, “Harris is Indian while Sonia Gandhi an Italian?” Sonia Gandhi is President of Indian National Congress and rumors have spread that she is considering resigning. Is this India’s internal affair or have something to do with forthcoming elections in United States relating to Joe Biden and Kamala Haris? Joe Biden has moved two steps forward by declaring “Will back India against threats on border”. Is this a “Trojan Horse” and repetition of  1813 Charter Act provisions which removed the ban on missionary activity and establishment of a Churches in India. 

President Donald Trump is a strong candidate for White House in the 3 November 2020 presidential elections in the United States. In the last week of June 2020, White House Deputy Press Secretary Ms Sarah Matthews in a statement to media said, "President Trump is incredibly grateful for the widespread support he has received from the people of India and from millions of Indian-Americans across the United States." It is now an open secret that traditionally Indian -America vote is for the Democratic Party but quickly the Indians and Pakistan origin are switching towards Republicans and President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have understanding the the investments in each other countries and in addition, India has become an important US’ multilateral partner around the world.

To counter, President Trump growing popularity in Pakistan and India, US forthcoming election rival, Joe Biden has played his Indian card to choose Ms Kamala Harris, a Senator having Indian origin background from mother side and married to a Jewish Los Angeles lawyer as his vice President to divide Indian votes. Ms Kamala Harris a fine lady made a good dent in President Trump popularity but not in the minds of those who were already in President Trump’s camp, forming 55% of total Indian-American votes. Other reports say Trump has 50% and not 55%. Interestingly, Joe Biden’s move has been supported by Indian National Congress Party back in India where former President of the Indian National Congress Rahul Gandhi tweeted on 29 April 2020, “I'm dismayed by the "unfollowing" of our President & PM by the White House. I urge the Ministry of External Affairs to take note.” 

Fair and transparent elections are much desired but as thing are being unfolded there are some quite suspicious thing coming up, which no one will like to share at present. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is much upset over nomination of Ms Kamala Harris as she claims to be of Indian origin of Christian-Jewish faith. Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, “the government would not make any statement on the development, as it could be seen as interference in the US’ internal politics.” If we recall, PM Modi quoted US President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan “Abki baar Trump Sarkar” in his speech. New Delhi is worried because Kamala Harris has remained a tough critic of India’s internal policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. She was quoted to have repeatedly said, “We’ve to remind the Kashmiris that they’re not alone in the world”. 

Bharatiya Janta Party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other like minded groups, in recently different formal and public meetings were much perturbed as President Trump never interfered in their religion and regarded Hinduism as religion of peace but Joe Biden and Ms Kamala Harris were reportedly targeting mass conversions of faith. This might be apprehensions of the Hindu religious groups and common Hindu, who struggled to get rid of European occupation which costed tens of thousand conversions from Hindus to Christianity.  Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had also tweeted on the announcement, calling it a “moment of pride for Indians, especially for the people of Tamil Nadu”, as Ms. Harris’s mother belonged to Chennai. 

It is on record that after meeting the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in January 2015, US President Barack Obama urged India not to stray from its constitutional commitment to allow people to freely "profess, practice and propagate" religion. Eric Metaxas in his show recently said that Kamala Harris has “no core values” and is only driven by ambition and power and also said she is an “evil protean figure”. President Trump tweeted last December, “have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President. No President has done more for the Evangelical community, and it’s not even close. You’ll not get anything from those Dems on stage. I won’t be reading ET again!” One wonders American withdrawal from Afghanistan has already been announced by President Trump but what Joe Biden announcement means about American presence in India, “Will back India against threats on border”.

TRIPOLI, 21 August 2020, TON: Libya’s U.N. recognized government of Fayez Sarraj, head of the Government of National Accord (GNA), on Friday announced a cease-fire across the country and called for demilitarizing the strategic city of Sirte in an initiative supported by the rival parliament in the east. This seems to be a major breakthrough in the recent months.

In a separate statement, Aguila Saleh, speaker of the rival eastern-based House of Representatives, supported Sarraj’s proposal of demilitarization of Sirte, an idea floated earlier this month by the United States as a compromise to prevent an escalation

Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said in a tweet that the cease-fire announcement was an “important step toward restarting a political process that favors stability in the country and well-being among its people.”

Libya was plunged into foreign imposed war, when a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 in which foreign forces landed in Libyan soil, armed rebels forces and toppled legitimate ruler  Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed.  Despite, peace talks and UN recognized Fayez Sarraj, head of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, opponent foreign powers helped Libya’s former military commander Khalifa Hiftar, an American national, who now controls major oil export terminals since January.

Despite all previous efforts to secure lasting peace or at least a cease-fire failed to produce results. But this time there is a possibility of progress on neutralizing heavy foreign interference in the conflict, especially by France, US, Russia, Italy, UAE, Qatar and Turkey. In case the conflict is not resolved there are chances of direct military confrontation between US, Russia, UAE and Egypt on one side and Turkey on the other.  Nevertheless, the US is playing a double role and its strategy at time confuses the international stakeholders.

JEDDAH, 21 August 2020, TON: The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied an impression of tension in relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stating that the two countries have always enjoyed unique relations deep rooted in historic, religious, cultural and social ties.
Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zahid Hafeez Choudhry said in a statement that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have not only closely cooperated with each other at international fora but have always stood by each other at times of need.
Pakistan values Saudi Arabia’s important role in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has an abiding commitment to defending the sanctity of Harmain Sharifain. And Pakistan remains firmly committed to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. The statement added that the people of Pakistan have special reverence and affection for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Frequent high-level visits and close leadership level contacts have been the longstanding tradition of the brotherly relations between the two countries.

 It is highlighted that Riyadh is irked by criticism from Islamabad that Saudi Arabia has been lukewarm on the Kashmir territorial dispute. The fact remains that Saudi Arabia has contributed a lot for the cause of Muslim countries, especially Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Royal leadership is always committed to raise the voice of Muslim brethren countries in all the regional and international forums.

The recent visit of COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa in which he was accompanied by Inter Services Intelligence Director General Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed,  was termed as fruitful, according to Pakistani military officials. General Qamar Javed Bajwa held meeting with His Excellency Prince Khalid Bin Salman, Deputy Defense Minister, His Excellency General (Staff) Fayiadh bin Ha’med Al-Rowaily, Chief of General Staff and His Royal Highness Lieutenant General (Staff) Fahad bin Turki Al Saud Commander Joint Forces, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In the latest development, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks on the subject in his recent media engagement and COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s just concluded visit to Saudi Arabia testify to the unchanged fraternal relations and close contact between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister His Excellency Prince Faisal bin Farhan ruled out any relation with Israel until the Palestinian issue is resolved, “Peace must be achieved with the Palestinians on the basis of international agreements as a precondition for any normalization of relations. The announcement has shut the mouth of many critics and adversaries of Saudi Arabia who doesn’t leave any stone un-turned to defame Arab leadership.

Pakistan is and Islamic Republic and its constitution provides in Article 40, “Strengthening bonds with Muslim World and Promoting International peace. The State shall endeavour to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

NEW DELHI, 21 August 2020, TON: New Delhi has once again offered Nagas for talks, however, the Nagas have insisted for their independence as a precondition.

 On the independence day of India on 15 August 2020, BJP President Temjen Imna Along and NDPP president Chingwang Konyak in  a statement welcomed  the decision of Prime Minister  that the government of India has floated an initiative for talks Nagas to resume the Indo-Naga political dialogue with utmost seriousness to find a political solution that will pave the way for peace, progress and development.
The Indian authorities in the past had adopted a strategy to bring the Nagas with the fold o9f Indian Union by offering jobs in the government sector. Today, the government jobs are the main source of employment and the economy is largely based on salaries of Government servants. The agriculture sector, which livelihood of most of the people is in distress.  

Meanwhile, talks with former NSCN-IM cadre who had already surrendered have been invited to hold peace talks with the government of India to give an impression of a deluge with separatists.

Meanwhile NSCN-IM has rejected the inclusion of interlocutor, R N Ravi and desired his replacement. NSCN-IM cadre has made it clear that they would not accept rule of Indian Union wants a separate flag and their own constitution. However, New Delhi ruled out a separate flag and constitution since long and have scheduled talks to satisfy international community. In another development, Nagaland opposition party, Naga Peoples Front (NPF) has announced their decision to withdraw membership from the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF).

JEDDAH, 21 August 2020, Saudi Gazette report: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has issued a royal order dismissing officials from their posts based on the information received from the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, Red Sea Company, and Al-Soudah Development Company about encroachments on the Red Sea project land plots.

Encroachments on the Red Sea project land plots have exceeded 5,000, in addition to other violations in Al-Ula. These violations are considered to be an infringement on law and constitute environmental damage, in addition to their great impact on the completion of projects and their plans, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Friday.

Since it was found that these infringements have been illegally authorized by some officials which is an infringement on the commission and/or the aforementioned companies' jurisdiction, the royal order stipulated the following:

— Termination of the services of Lt. Gen. Awwad Al-Balawi, the director-general of Saudi Border Guards, by referring him to retirement.

— Ending the services of the governors of Umluj and Al-Wajh, and the head of the Souda Center.

— Ending the services of the commanders of the border guard sectors in Umluj and Al Wajh.

— Ending the services of the official responsible for infringements and his deputy at the ministry of the interior, and those responsible for infringements in the governorates of (Madinah, Tabuk, and Asir).

— Ending the services of the Secretary of Tabuk Region, and heads of municipalities of Umluj, Al-Wajh, and Al-Souda.

— Ending the services of the person responsible for infringements in the municipalities of Madinah and Tabuk regions.

— The Ministries of Interior and Municipal and Rural Affairs, Madinah, Tabuk, Asir are given one month from this date to remove all infringements, and very strict measures shall be taken in the event of any further infringement after that.

— The Control and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) shall immediately investigate all the officials referred to above about their responsibility for the above-mentioned infringements, and take legal action against them, and submit the results.

SAUDI ARABIA, 21 August 2020, TON: Islamic New Year begins today on 20 August 2020. The holy Quran guides that there are four months of “Hurmat” or prohibited in which Allah has ordered to abstain from fighting, killing and every kind of aggression. 

As per the Islamic tradition there were number of testimonies received from various cities and individuals about the sighting of Muharram moon, hence, Thursday was marked as the first day of the first month of the Islamic calendar.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced that Thursday, 20 August is the first day of Muharram, the first month of the new Hijri year of 1442. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the crescent of the month of Muharram 1442 for Umm Al-Qura calendar was sighted on Wednesday evening, Dhul Hijjah 29, corresponding to 19 August 2020.

Meanwhile, in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan Friday August 21, 2020 is the first day of the Islamic New Year 1442 Hijri. 

SRINAGAR, 20 August 2020:  Top Pakistani Kashmir leader, Syed Ali Geelani, along with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Grand Mufti of Kashmir Nasirul Islam has given call for complete shutdown in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir territory and peaceful protests after Friday prayers in throughout Indian occupied territories.  Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema has strongly condemned the blasphemous remarks and warned that such kind of derogatory acts would not be tolerated at any cost.

Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq asked the Kashmiri Muslims and Muslims throughout the world raise their voices against the blasphemous acts by BJP for killing of three lobourers from Rajouri in fake encounter and torture of two Muslim farmers in Reasi in the name of cow vigilante.

Meanwhile, All Parties Hurriyat Conference’s General Secretary, Molvi Bashir Ahmad in a statement issued Srinagar said that tens of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims were ready to sacrifice their lives to protect honour and dignity of the Prophet (Alhe Salam Sal Allah Ho Alhe Wasalam). He appealed for peaceful protests tomorrow after Friday prayers, against the blasphemous act by a BJP leader and hooliganism of cow vigilantes in Jammu region.

Other Kashmiri leadership in separate statements strongly condemned the blasphemous act and beating of two people by cow vigilantes and termed such acts as reflection of fascist and communal mindset of Indian leadership. They said that these forces were doing this under a well-planned strategy to hurt religious sentiments of Muslims in the occupied territory and provoke them to retaliate and then punish them, physically, financially and politically. The said that Indian secularism has been exposed.

WASHINGTON, 16 August 2020, TON: Ms Kamala Harris has been nominated as Joe Biden’s vice-presidential running mate in the upcoming US presidential elections, becoming the first African-Tamil woman to be nominated for national office. New Delhi seems much upset over the nomination of Kamala Harris as Vice President who claims to be of Indian origion of Christain-Jewish faith. In her memoir, Ms Kamala Harris writes how she would visit Tamil Nadu almost every year. Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, “the government would not make any statement on the development, as it could be seen as interference in the US’s internal politics.” If we recall, PM Modi quoted US President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan “Abki baar Trump sarkar” in his speech. New Dehli is worried because Kamala Harris has remained a tough critic of India’s internal policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. She was quoted to have repeatedly said, “We’ve to remind the Kashmiris that they’re not alone in the world”.

Interestingly, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had also tweeted on the announcement, calling it a “moment of pride for Indians, especially for the people of Tamil Nadu”, as Ms. Harris’s mother belonged to Chennai. Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Smith had wished Ms. Harris on her “historic selection” in a tweet.

Over a century and a quarter ago Swami Vivekananda delivered a speech at the first World’s Parliament of Religions where he said, “ I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shat­tered to pieces by Roman tyranny”.

Kamala Devi Harris was born on 20 October 1964, and raised in San Francisco’s East Bay where she attended public schools, attended African churches and lived in predominantly African American communities. She is also married to Jewish Los Angeles lawyer Douglas Emhoff.

NEW DELHI, 12 August 2020, TON: On 11 August 2020, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra of Supreme Court ruled that daughters have equal rights as that of sons on parental property. They shall remain coparcener throughout their life. This includes in cases where the father died before the enactment of Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. The Judgement also said that the according to Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, the status of coparcener on the daughter born before or after amendment in the same manner as that of the son.

It is important to highlight that in 2015, the Supreme Court had pronounced that the rights under the amendment of Hindu Succession Act, 1956 is applicable only to living daughters. However, in the recent judgement, the apex court nullifies the previous pronouncement. The Supreme Court’s Decision will also affect the State Subjects of disputed Jammu and Kashmir State. Previously, women hailing from Jammu and Kashmir who choose to marry men from outside the state do not lose their residency and inheritance rights under Article 35A of the Constitution. This issue was settled by a full bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court in the case titled State and others versus Dr Susheela Sawhney and others in October 2002 by striking down the proviso of the state subject (permanent residency) law according to which women marrying outsiders would lose their permanent resident status."

If we recall, in December 2019, Khatija Taj, born in Pakistan had migrated to Jammu and Kashmir after her marriage with Muhammad Taj. The deputy Commissioner of Poonch, Rahul Yadav said that Khatija has been issued a certificate of registration, granting Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(c) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The same was granted on the basis of her marriage to an Indian citizen.

It is important to highlight here that the India government intentionally kept the Kashmiris of Jammu and Kashmir state underdeveloped and backward. Now, the Indians including the citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who marries the women of Indian, held Jammu and Kashmir State would be entitled to inheritance of full share in the property equal to the male claimants. It is also important to mention here that India Armed Forces and Security Forces have killed thousands of male members of Kashmir Muslims in fake encounters, those Indian who marry these Kashmiri widows and their daughters would be entitled full share in the property.

NEW DELHI, 11 August 2020, TON: High-powered special panel headed by Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and comprising other officers, including Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir submitted before the Supreme Court of India bench today that the Committee has decided that 4G internet services can be allowed on a trial basis in one district each of Jammu and Kashmir divisions
If we recall, in May 2020, the Supreme Court of India bench comprising of Justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai declined to pass any order on the restoration of Internet services in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the bench directed Indian Government for immediate setting up of a high-powered special panel headed by Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and comprising other officers, including Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, to decide the issue of restoring 4G internet services over there.
On 11 August 2020, Attorney General K K Venugopal submitted before a bench that the central committee would review the outcome of trial after a two-month period. The impact would also be examined by the state level committees periodically, at least once in seven working days. He, however, clarified that any opening on the trial basis should not be in any area adjoining the International Border or Line of Control. He clarified, "The area should have low intensity of terrorist activities and minimum spillover effect on neighbouring areas."
The special committee, which held its meeting on 10 August, revealed that in the given the current security scenario, both in Jammu and Kashmir and in neighbouring areas, "the overall situation is still not conducive to lifting the limited restrictions on high speed internet through mobile devices while allowing broadband and 2G across the board". However, the Special Committee was of the view that the present situation would permit a "carefully calibrated easing of some restrictions in limited and specified geographical areas which are which are comparatively less sensitive from national, internal, and border security and public order standpoint, subject to strict monitoring and periodical review". The government also maintained that internet speed-related restrictions were not posing any hindrance to COVID control measures, access to education programmes and business activities.