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Not just the Hadiya case, NIA examining ‘love jihad’ angle in 90 other inter-faith marriages

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Love Jihad

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NIA investigators hopeful of finding link between inter-faith marriages in the Kerala and radical Islamic outfit PFI

Even as the Supreme Court presides over a case to re-examine its earlier order of a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the marriage between Hadiya alias Akhila Ashokan and Shafin Jahan, it has now come to light that the premier anti-terror agency is also examining at least 90 other inter-faith marriages that took place in Kerala for a possible ‘love jihad’ angle.

The Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a petition filed by Jahan challenging a Kerala High Court order which annulled his marriage with Hadiya while calling it a case of ‘love jihad’, had ordered the NIA to probe if there was a “pattern” to these inter-faith marriages in the southern state which could be linked with terror.

The NIA probe had been ordered when the matter was being heard by a Bench presided over by former Chief Justice of India, JS Khehar. However, Justice Khehar’s successor – Chief Justice Dipak Misra – who is now presiding over the case has been urged by Jahan’s counsel, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, to re-examine the order for an NIA probe.

The latest reports about a much broader NIA probe into other inter-faith marriages that took place in Kerala over the last two years could trigger a debate over whether a counter-terror agency should be used to probe a marriage between two possibly consenting adults.

According to a report by NDTV, the NIA is examining if the 90 inter-faith marriages in Kerala – besides the marriage between Hadiya and Shafin Jahan – were organised by groups preying on vulnerable Hindu women to recruit them as terrorists. The NIA had told the SC earlier that these inter-faith marriages were part of a design by global terror organisation Islamic State (IS) to recruit vulnerable Hindu women within its ranks and then radicalise them to spread terror.

NDTV quoted a senior NIA official as saying that in 23 of these 90 cases which were being examined, the investigators hoped to be able to link the individuals concerned “to the Popular Front of India, a radical Islamic outfit that has been under the scanner of security agencies after its members chopped off the hand of a professor in Kerala in 2010.” The attack was described as retaliation for a “blasphemous” question he had put to his students in a college.

The officer said over 60 PFI activists have already been questioned in this connection.

However, the NIA has maintained that it will need to go beyond establishing a link between PFI operatives and the inter-faith marriages. The agency will also need to find evidence that the conversion was taking place to train the Hindu woman (or man) for terror activities.

The counter-terror agency says it has recorded statement of three women who say they were lured to convert to Islam. The three include Athira alias Ayesha from Kasargod and Athira from Palakad. “We spoke to both Athiras and both have said they were lured,” a senior NIA officer said. However, there is no evidence yet of either of these women being radicalised and pushed into executing anti-national or terror activities nor is there any evidence yet to substantiate how exactly they were lured into converting to Islam.

NIA officers say they are probing the role played by Sainaba, president of PFI’s women’s wing, the National Women’s Front, in the suspected love jihad cases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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