1. Kashmir Needs Hugs, Neither Abuse nor Bullets: PM Modi in I-Day Speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a more conciliatory approach towards troubled Kashmir on Tuesday, saying problems can be solved by “embracing” the people rather than resorting to abuse or bullets.
Modi’s comment as part of his Independence Day speech signals a possible shift in his policy towards Kashmir, where the government has been pursuing a tough line against a surge in street violence that has killed about 100 people over the past year.
I am clear in my belief on how to win the war against separatism, which is spread by a handful of people. The problem will be solved neither by abuse nor bullets – it will be solved by embracing all Kashmiris… And we are moving forward with this resolvePrime Minister Modi
Source: Hindustan Times
2. Indian Troops Foil China’s Incursion Attempt in Ladakh
Their ties already strained over the two-month Doklam standoff in the east, boat patrols of Indian and Chinese armies clashed on the Pangong lake in Ladakh Tuesday. And for the first time since 2005, the People’s Liberation Army declined the Indian invitation to participate in ceremonial border meetings on the occasion of Independence Day.
The incident at Pangong Tso occurred at 7.30 am near the Finger-6 part of the 135-km long lake, one-third of which is in Indian control and the rest under Chinese control. The standoff led to jostling and exchange of blows between soldiers of the two armies although no shots were fired.
Source: The Indian Express
3. With China in Mind, Trump and Modi Announce Elevated Consultation
With the threat of an economically and militarily assertive China looming before the US and India, US President Donald Trump chose India's Independence Day to signal that Washington has New Delhi's back by announcing the two countries ''will elevate their strategic consultations.''
The US President called Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid domestic political turmoil in both countries (Trump buffeted over his softballing of white extremism in Charlottsville and Modi rocked by the Gorakhpur tragedy) ostensibly to congratulate Indians on the country's Independence Day celebration.
But a White House readout on the call went far beyond the pleasantries, disclosing that ‘’the leaders resolved to enhance peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region by establishing a new two-by-two ministerial dialogue that will elevate their strategic consultations.’’
Source: The Times of India
4. UP Madrassas Defy Yogi Govt’s Order, Refuse to Sing Anthem
Many madrasas across Uttar Pradesh defied on Tuesday defied a controversial state government diktat that asked staff and students at the Islamic educational institutions to sing the national anthem and videograph Independence Day celebrations.
In Kanpur, Meerut and Bareilly, three of the biggest madrasa centres in the state, students sang Saare Jahan Se Achha, a 20th century patriotic song penned by the poet Mohammad Iqbal and didn’t record proceedings, saying they didn’t want to give proof of their patriotism. (Live updates)
Students hoisted the flag and celebrated the occasion with traditional fervour. The government order is an attempt to test our patriotism which is wrong.Haji Mohd Saleeh, convener of the Sunni Ulema Council
Source: Hindustan Times
5. Prosecution of Tax Offenders Doubles in First Three Years of Modi Govt
Prosecution of tax cheats more than doubled in the three years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over, and more and more suspected evaders are paying up instead of resorting to long-drawn court battles, official figures show.
The numbers reflect the government’s focus on fighting corruption, a pledge Modi renewed in his Independence Day speech on Tuesday, saying the days of looting the country were over and that “black money” hoarders had nowhere to hide now.
In a country where prosecution of tax crimes is low and conviction rare, the number of cases filed against tax cheats stood at 2,473 between 2014-15 and 2016-17, up from 1,133 cases filed during the three years before that.
Source: Hindustan Times
6. Rohith Vemula Didn’t Kill Self Over University Action, Says Inquiry Commission
University of Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula committed suicide of his own volition and the varsity's act of expelling him and four other students from the hostel did not become a trigger for him to end his life, an inquiry commission has said.
The report, that was made public on Tuesday, said Vemula was a troubled individual and was unhappy for several reasons. “His suicide note is on the record which shows that Rohith Vemula had his own problems and was not happy with worldly affairs,” the report said.
“He was frustrated for the reasons best known to him...He also wrote that he was all alone from childhood and was an unappreciated man. This also indicates his frustration. He did not blame anybody for his suicide,” said the report of the one-man judicial commission under former Allahabad high court judge Justice A K Roopanwal, set up by the HRD ministry.
Source: The Times of India
7. Mehbooba Mufti Hails PM Remark, Ally BJP Says Call on Article 35A Not Now
Hours after she hailed the united stand of J&K mainstream parties on Article 35A saying “when it comes to safeguarding our status, we are one… like a fist’’, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks Tuesday that separatism can only be defeated by embracing Kashmiris and not through violence.
In a statement, Mehbooba Mufti said she has all along believed that only dialogue and peaceful means can help in resolving issues because the futility of violence has been established. “The slogan, Bandook se na goli se/Baat banegi boli se (neither guns nor bullets, only dialogue can resolve the issue), coined by the PDP some 15 years ago, is as relevant today as it was then,” she said.
Source: The Indian Express
8. Defying Kerala Govt Order, Mohan Bhagwat Hoists Flag at School
Defying a directive issued by the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday hoisted the national flag at a government-aided school in Palakkad district.
In a written order issued late on Monday night, Palakkad District Collector P Marykutty informed V Sreekumar, headmaster of the Karnaki Amman Higher Secondary School, that “there is a direction from the government that only office heads or elected people’s representatives should hoist the flag” on the occasion of Independence Day.
Source: The Indian Express
9. Doordarshan, AIR Blacked Out My I-Day Speech: Tripura CM Manik Sarkar
A row erupted in Tripura on Tuesday when Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who heads a Left Front government in the state, alleged that Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) refused to broadcast his Independence Day address unless he “reshaped” it.
A PTI report from Agartala quoted a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office: “The Chief Minister clearly stated that he would not change a single word and described it as unprecedented, undemocratic, autocratic and intolerant step.”
There was no immediate reaction from Prasar Bharati which runs Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Source: The Indian Express
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