India boycotts China's B&R meet, mounts diplomatic pressure against CPEC

Beijing, May 14 (PTI) India today boycotted China's high-profile Belt and Road Forum, taking its protest over a controversial economic corridor traversing through Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) to a new level despite Beijing's overtures to ensure New Delhi's participation.

Following India's boycott, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, taking a veiled swipe at New Delhi's move, said the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was an economic project open to all the nations in the region and it "must not be politicised".

No Indian official of any level was present at the elaborate opening ceremony attended by 29 heads of state and government along with top officials of the world bodies like the UN, the World Bank and the IMF.

India skipped the meeting due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC, which passes through PoK.

Sharif, Sri Lankan Premier Ranil Wickramasinge, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the world leaders who attended the meeting inaugurated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The US sent a delegation led by Matt Pottinger, special assistant to the President and senior director for Asia at the National Security Council.

China apparently saw India's boycott coming as no seat was allotted to it at the high-tech Convention Centre during the opening ceremony telecast live.

The event, however, was attended by a few Indian scholars representing think tanks, which took part in the group discussions.

Skirting any references to India's absence at the meeting, Xi, in his address after inaugurating the Summit, said all countries should respect sovereignty.

"All countries should respect each other's sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, each other's development paths and social systems, and each other's core interests and major concerns," the 63-year-old leader said.

Xi said the Belt and Road initiative is "a project of the century" that will benefit people across the world.

Dismissing assertions that the initiative was aimed at forming a "small group" of nations taking part in the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) venture, Xi said China plans to build it as a road to peace and link his country to much of Asia, Europe and Africa.

"Pursuing the Belt and Road initiative, China has no intention to form a small group detrimental to stability," as the pursuit of the initiative requires a peaceful and stable environment, Xi said.

Xi, in his address, pledged to pump in a whopping USD 124 billion for projects that are part of the ambitious venture.

In the run-up to the forum, China had sought to allay India's concerns over the CPEC, saying that the project has no bearing on its stand on the Kashmir issue which should be resolved between India and Pakistan through dialogue.

In another bid to allay India's concerns, Chinese ambassador to New Delhi Luo Zhaohui, during an address at a think tank in New Delhi, had offered to rename the CPEC, insisting that it was an economic cooperation and connectivity enhancement project devoid of "sovereignty issues".

However, China had later removed the remarks of its envoy from the transcript of his speech posted on the Chinese Embassy website.

While the absence of India was a talking point among the 4,000 Chinese and foreign media registered to cover the event, there was no official comment from China on New Delhi giving the forum a miss.

Sharif, at the Summit, also avoided direct references to India's boycott and its objections to the CPEC but said the initiative should not be politicised.

He asserted that the project is open for the regional countries to join.

"Let me make it very clear that CPEC is an economic undertaking open to all countries in the region. It has no geographical boundaries. It must not be politicised," Sharif said in his speech at the inaugural session.

"It is time we transcend our differences, resolve conflicts through diplomacy and leave legacy of peace for future generations," Sharif said, without directly referring to India.

Stating that the CPEC has emerged as the core and flagship project of China's OBOR, he said, "OBOR signifies that geo-economics must take precedence over geo-politics and that the centre of gravity should shift from conflict to cooperation. We see it as a path for overcoming terrorism and extremism." 

The conference will end tomorrow with a joint declaration.

The Belt and Road initiative includes a maze of roads and port projects. While CPEC is highlighted as "flagship project", the B&R includes the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

Bajrang gives India first gold; women's team finishes second

New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) Bajrang Punia gave India its first gold medal as he registered a come-from-behind victory over Seungchul Lee of Korea in men's 65kg freestyle on the penultimate day of the Asian Wrestling Championship here on Saturday.

Sarita, meanwhile, bagged a silver medal in women's 58kg category.

After registering a fabulous 6-2 win, Bajrang celebrated by taking a victory lap with the tri-colour on his shoulders.

In his gold medal bout, the 23-year-old Indian conceded two points in the opening half to lag behind 0-2 at the break.

However, Bajrang made a strong comeback in the second half, not allowing his rival from Korea to earn any more points.

He first pushed his opponent out of the mat to take a point and then took the Korean down for two more to lead 3-2.

From there on, Bajrang displayed an attacking game and never let his rival come back into the contest. He subsequently added three more points to his credit to wrap up the bout in style.

"My strength is my stamina and I played accordingly. I was told by my coaches and mentor to attack more and I followed the strategies well to come out as a winner," said Bajrang after the medal ceremony.

"A gold is a gold and it cannot be compared to either silver or bronze. This is my first gold medal in a major international tournament and very happy to have achieved it," he added.

London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt was present on the sidelines to witness his prodigy win the gold medal.

"I asked him (Bajrang) to attack all the time and not to be defensive and that paid dividends. Winning a gold medal in the Asian Championship is a really big thing," Dutt said.

Bajrang earlier made the final of his weight division with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kukgwang Kim in the semifinal round.

Putting up a brilliant show on his way to the gold medal round, Bajrang got the better of last edition's Asian Championship gold-medallist Meisam Nassiri of Iran 7-5 in the quarterfinal after beating Uzbek wrestler Sirojiddin Hasanov 4-3 in the qualification round.

In fact, Bajrang had lost to Iran's Nassiri in the World Cup and on Saturday he managed to avenge his defeat.

However, gold medal eluded Indian women wrestlers even as this was their best ever performance at the Asian Championship with six medals, including four silver and two bronze. In the 2003 edition, India had won a total of five medals that included two silver and three bronze.

The Indian women's team finished second in the championship after Japan, who clinched the top position.

Sarita lost 0-6 to Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan in the final of women's 58kg to settle for a silver.

Having climbed down two kilograms to 58kg from 60kg after Sakshi Malik and she interchanged their respective weight categories, Sarita came up with a fine performance before going down tamely in her gold medal bout.

"Coming down two kilograms is not a big deal. It is natural for us to jump up and down 2-3 kilograms and right now my original weight is 58kg, so I was comfortable fighting in this category. I want to continue the good show and prepare to qualify for the World Championship in August," said Sarita.

She failed to put up a fight and was completely outplayed by the Kyrgyzstan wrestler. Sarita was lagging behind from the very beginning as her rival clinched two points twice in the first half by taking her down to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second half also, the wrestler from Kyrgyzstan continued to dominate and earned two more points to seal the match in her favour.

Sarita's journey to the final was a cake walk as she thrashed Uzbekistan's Asem Seydametova 10-0 in the quarters before defeating Thi Huong Dao of Vietnam 12-0 to make the gold medal bout.

In men's 97kg category, Satywart Kadian, Sakshi Malik's husband, went down in his repechage bout to lose out on a place in the bronze medal play-off. He lost to Batzul Ulziisaikhan of Mongolia 5-8 in a closely-fought contest.

In the qualification round, Satywart lost to Magomed Ibragimov 2-2, but since the Uzbek grappler made the gold medal round, the Indian got a chance to fight in repechage.

Meanwhile, Olympian Sandeep Tomar suffered a knee injury to bow out of the tournament early in men's 57kg. Tomar was in a winning position when he sustained the injury and that resulted in him losing 5-6 to Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov of Kyrgyzstan.

In the men's 74kg, Jitender crashed out of the tournament after losing to Tsubasa Asai of Japan in the quarterfinal round 7-8.

Triple talaq is 'worst form' of marriage dissolution: SC

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) Triple talaq is the "worst" and "not a desirable" form of dissolution of marriage among the Muslims, even though there were schools of thought which called it "legal", the Supreme Court observed today.

The second day of the day-long hearing on the matter also saw two veterans, jurist Ram Jethmalani and former Union Minister and Islamic scholar Arif Mohammad Khan, coming out all guns blazing against the practice of triple talaq.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said there are "school of thoughts (which) say that triple talaq is legal, but it is the worst and not a desirable form for dissolution of marriages among Muslims." 

The remark was made by the bench when senior lawyer Salman Khurshid referred to the various schools of thought and the stand of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that triple talaq was "abhorrent", yet valid.

While Jethmalani attacked the practice on various constitutional grounds including the right to equality and termed it "abhorrent", Khan said it was akin to the pre- Islamic era practice of burying a female child alive in the Arabian region.

Khan, who had quit Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet over differences in handling the Shah Bano case, was at his best while representing All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board.

He said the whole Shariat law has been distorted as "Shariat is the Holy Quran and not the opinion of these people (clerics). The Holy Quran considers the importance of family and it provides four steps before pronouncement of divorce." 

"Triple talaq is far from being fundamental and very far from being sacramental to Islam. It violates every good thing which Islam prescribes. What we are seeing in the form of triple talaq is similar to the pre-Islamic era practice where female infants were buried alive," Khan told the bench which also comprised Justices Kurian Joseph, R F Nariman, U U Lalit and Abdul Nazeer.

Marriage is the only aspect which is extensively dealt in holy Quran that lays down the procedure for divorce, and various schools of thought have distorted the tenets of the holy book "to their liking", he said.

"Everything you need is in the Quran. If you need more, then look at the life of the Prophet and if you still need more, then use your own good sense," he said.

"We can change the law, but not the habits of the society. Untouchability was banished by the Constitution, but it stays with us," Khan said.

Jethmalani said "the right of triple talaq is available only to the husband and not to the wife and it breaches the Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution." 

"There is no saving grace for this method of granting divorce. One-sided termination of marriage is abhorrent and avoidable," he said, adding that Article 15 of the Constitution prohibited discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

It is a settled proposition that a law can be made to improve the situation of women and not to deprive them of their rights, he said.

The bench intervened and said it was not dealing with the state laws, but rather discussing personal law.

Jethmalani said triple talaq was a discrimination on the ground of sex and this practice was abhorrent to the tenets of holy Quran and no amount of advocacy can save this "sinful" practice which is contrary to constitutional tenets.

How can a woman be allowed to become ex-wife only because her husband wants and this is "the highest kind of unconstitutional behaviour", the noted jurist said.

He said that all laws have to be in conformity of the constitutional provisions and the pre-Independece era Act on Muslim marriage has to be made applicable to all Muslims, irrespective of sects.

The bench then said that the law cannot be made applicable to all sects of Muslims and observed: "Can Hanafi law be made applicable to Shias. The answer is 'no'".

Jethmalani then referred to the constitutional provisions, saying the state shall endeavour to make the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the present issue should be considered in that light.

He said there were political differences in achieving UCC but while dealing with the issue of husband and wife, the court should keep the constitutional scheme in mind.

Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) Light combat aircraft Tejas today "successfully" test fired an air-to-air missile, paving the way for powering the indigenously-built aircraft with missiles having beyond visual range capabilities (BVR).

The test-firing was conducted on a manoeuvrable aerial target at the interim test range in Chandipur in Odisha.

The defence ministry said the objective of the test was to assess integration of the Derby BVR missile with avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and missile weapon delivery system of Tejas.

"The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it.

"The test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on light combat aircraft for FOC (final operational clearance)," it said in a statement.

The sensors at the interim test range tracked the target and the missile.

"The missile launch was performed in lock on after launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target was destroyed," the statement by the ministry said.

Justice Karnan moves SC seeking recall of conviction order

New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan today moved the Supreme Court seeking a recall of an order holding him guilty of contempt of court.

The apex court had ordered his arrest and sentenced him to a six-month jail term.

A petition about the recall was mentioned before a five- judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, which agreed to look into it.

Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, who mentioned the plea on behalf of Justice Karnan, was asked to show papers that authorised him to represent the judge.

The advocate showed the notorised papers of authorisation for filing the plea on behalf of the judge to the bench.

When the Chief Justice of India asked about the whereabouts of Justice Karnan, the advocate said he was "very much in Chennai".

Nedumpara also said 12 advocates on record had refused to represent Justice Karnan.

The plea on behalf of the judge was mentioned before the bench which had just concluded the day's hearing on the issue of triple talaq.

The seven-judge bench of apex court had on May 9 passed the order sentencing Karnan to jail by holding him guilty of contempt of court and ordering the West Bengal police to take him into custody.

However, before the pronouncement of the apex court order, Justice Karnan had left Kolkata and was reported to be staying in Chennai.

The West Bengal police is yet to arrest the judge.

Sensex, Nifty hit new highs; auto, metal stocks soar

Mumbai, May 11 (PTI) Extending their record setting run for the second day, benchmarks Sensex and Nifty closed at fresh lifetime highs today as sentiment remained upbeat on forecast of normal monsoon this year.

The 30-share BSE Sensex opened higher and soared to hit yet another record high of 30,366.43, but dipped towards the fag-end on profit-booking to end at 30,250.98, up 2.81 points or 0.01 percent.

It surpassed its previous all-time closing high of 30,248.17 reached yesterday.

The broader NSE Nifty also rose 15.10 points or 0.16 per cent to 9,422.40, its new closing high, after scaling a new intra-day peak of 9,450.65.

India : Ministry of Culture Commemorates Buddha Jayanti Celebrations

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar, the Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju at the “Buddha Jayanti Celebration 2017”, organised by the Ministry of Culture, in New Delhi on May 10, 2017. The Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri N.K. Sinha and other dignitaries are also seen.

New Delhi : Ministry of Culture commemorated the “Thrice blessed day of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana”, falling on the auspicious Full moon day of Vaisakha in the presence of Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Human Resources Development, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism and Shri Kiran Rijuju, Minister of State for Home Affairs at a function here today.

On this auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti Celebration 2017, Ministry of Culture felicitated Prof. S.R. Bhatt, an eminent scholar of Buddhism who has made immense contribution to the preservation and promotion of Buddhism. Mangalacharan in Theravada tradition and chanting of Monks of Mahayana tradition was performed. Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten delivered Buddha Updesh and Renowned dancer Shovana Narayan performed on the theme ‘Shunyata’.

Addressing on the occasion, Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha are very popular worldwide and the Ministry of Human Resources Development is working on inculcating the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha in the text books as his teachings are still very relevant. He opined that the aim of imparting education should not only be confined to gaining knowledge and getting skilled for employment but should focus on preparing an ideal person also. He emphasized on improving the curriculum framework of NCERT textbooks.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, in his address said that Buddhism has left a great impact on social and cultural life of our country and Bhagwan Buddha’s entire events of life took place in India. His three baskets, known as Tripitaka, contain the ethical discipline, the methods of training of mind and the ground and modes of the cultivation of wisdom. Seven out of Eight religious places associated with Bhagwan Buddha are situated in India. He emphasized that the Government of India is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of monuments, holy shrines and places of Buddhism in India to provide better facilities to pilgrims and tourists.

Shri Kiran Rijuju, in his address said that the entire World looks at India as to what India is doing for Buddhism. He opined that India can again become Super Power if it continues to follow the path shown by Bhagwan Buddha. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken an important step in easing the norms of e-visa for foreign tourists.

The Buddha Jayanti falls on the Vaisakha Purnima, that is, on the full moon day of the month of Vaisakha according to the Indian lunar calendar. This is the most important occasion for Buddhists celebrating the Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana on the same day. In the first meeting of “World Fellowship of Buddhist” held at Colombo, Sri Lanka in May 1950, it was decided to commemorate Vaisakha Purnima as the Buddha’s thrice blessed day.

India is the origin of many world religions including the Buddhism. Buddha’s entire events of like took place in India. The advent of the Buddha Sakyamuni in 6^th century BCE brought a radical reformation in the culture of philosophy and spirituality in the India. His teaching of Karuna, compassion, and Maitri, loving kindness, give an equal perspective towards all sentient beings including human beings within which no classes are allowed. With the philosophy of dependent origination and practice of non-violence rooted in love and compassion, Buddhism made immense contribution to the culture of peace.

Buddhism being an important heritage of India’s ancient glorious legacy, Indian government took various initiatives for the promotion of Buddhism. In 1956, Government of India organized the 2500^th anniversary of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana as international mega event.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara was established in 1951 in Nalanda, Bihar  to  revive the ancient seat of learning in Nalanda. In 1959, Central Institute of Buddisht Studies was established in Leh, Laddhak. In 1968, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies was established for the promotion of Buddhist and Tibetan studies. Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, Arunachal Pradesh was established in 2003. Again in 2010 Nalanda University was established at Rajgir to recreate the Ancient centre of Wisdom. These institutions have been productive in bringing publications of Tripitaka and restorations and translations of the lost works of the great masters of Ancient Nalanda and other high learning centres.

On regular basis the Government of India organises major events like international conference Baudha Mahotsava and Vaisakhapurnima, the day of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and mahaparinirvana. The recent international conference in March organised at Rajgir was landmark event which was attended by scholars from 35 countries deliberating on various issues under the umbrella “Buddhist Response to the Crises of 21^st Century”. This was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and concluded by the President of India. This is one of the series of major events organised by Ministry of Culture under the leadership of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Ministr for Culture and Tourism to promote Buddhism.

With profound spiritual and academic foundation, Buddhism has left a great impact on social and cultural life of India in the past. As India has enshrined the drama wheel of Buddhism on the national flag, the nation is dedicated to disseminate the Buddha’s message of compassion and loving kindness to develop a peaceful society and to enlighten the humanity.

Nifty breaches 9,400-mark, Sensex at new high

Mumbai, May 10 (PTI) Market benchmark Nifty crossed the 9,400-level for the first time, while the Sensex surged to its lifetime high of 30,246.28 in late afternoon trade on Wednesday on widespread buying spurred by forecast of a normal monsoon this year.

The 50-issue Nifty gained 89.90 points, or 0.96 per cent, to trade at 9,406.75, surpassing its previous intra-day high of 9,377.10 touched on May 5.

BSE Sensex soared 316.37 points, or 1.05 per cent, to trade at 30,246.28, breaking its previous peak of 30,184.22 reached on April 27.

Brokers said sentiment was upbeat after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said monsoon could be 'normal' this year and bring 100 per cent rainfall instead of 96 per cent as predicted earlier, which is expected to give a booster dose to the rural economy.

PM asks Muslims not to allow triple talaq to be politicised

New Delhi, May 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the Muslims not to allow the triple talaq issue to be politicised and urged a leading organisation of the community to take the lead in initiating reform in this regard.

He made the comments while interacting with leaders of the leading Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind who called on him here.

Welcoming the members of the delegation, the Prime Minister said that democracy s greatest strength is harmony and amity, the PMO said in a statement.

Emphasizing that the government does not have any right to discriminate among citizens, Modi said India's speciality has been its unity in diversity, it added.

On Triple Talaq, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Muslim community should not allow this issue to be politicised, the statement said.

He urged the delegation members to take the responsibility for initiating reform in this regard, the PMO said.

The delegation members appreciated the Prime Minister s stand on the issue of Triple Talaq, the statement said.

Modi's remarks came against the backdrop of CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury saying that the Prime Minister's "campaign against triple talaq is a communal campaign".

Modi also said that the new generation in India must not be allowed to fall victim to the rising global tide of extremism.

Praising Modi s vision, members of the delegation expressed hope that the "nationwide trust" that he has among the people will ensure prosperity and well-being of all segments of society, the statement said.

They said that the Muslim community is keen to be an equal partner in the making of the 'New India', it said, referring to the ambition of the Prime Minister.

Noting that terrorism is a major challenge, they expressed a common resolve to combat it with all their might, the PMO said.

According to the statement, they added that it is the Muslim community s responsibility that under no circumstances should anyone compromise the nation s security or well-being.

They said the Muslim community would never allow any conspiracy against India to succeed.

Expressing concern at the situation in Kashmir valley, members of the delegation said that only Modi can resolve the issue.

The delegation also appreciated the implementation of minority welfare schemes under the Union Government.

Welcoming the delegation, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the whole world is looking at India and it is the responsibility of all segments of the Indian society to take the nation forward.

Leaders from the delegation agreed with him and said the objective should be to take the country forward, together, following the Prime Minister s slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (cooperation of all, development for all), the PMO statement said.

The delegation included Maulana Qari Syed Mohammad Usman Mansurpuri, president of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Maulana Mahmood A Madani, general secretary of the Jamiat Ulema-i- Hind; Zahir I Kazi, president of Anjuman-i-Islam, Mumbai; Akhtarul Wasey; and Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal.

Truth will triumph: Kejriwal on graft charges by Mishra

New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) "Truth will triumph," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said, ahead of the special session of the Delhi Assembly tomorrow in the wake of corruption charges levelled against him by sacked AAP minister Kapil Mishra.

"Truth will triumph. Its beginning will be made during the special session of the Delhi Assembly tomorrow," Kejriwal tweeted late this evening on the graft charges against him by Mishra that has led to turmoil in the Aam Aadmi Party.

The one-day special session is expected to be a stormy affair as the opposition BJP plans to come down hard on the AAP government over Mishra's graft charges.

The ruling AAP will also seek to corner the BJP and its government at the Centre over alleged EVM manipulation.

AAP sources hinted that the revelations which are being planned by the party tomorrow will be targeted at the BJP.

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the AAP today suspended Mishra from the party's primary membership after he made graft charges against Kejriwal.

Mishra dared the AAP to oust him from the party even as he fired a fresh salvo at Kejriwal, saying a Rs 50 crore deal was arranged for the AAP chief's brother-in-law.

Asserting that a bogus bill amounting to Rs 10 crore was made to favour Kejriwal's brother-in-law, Mishra also alleged that during the Punjab polls, there was massive corruption by AAP in ticket distribution, and supplying of liquor by party members.