The All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board and various other outfits today opposed the Law Commission’s questionnaire on Uniform Civil Code and announced their boycott of the move, accusing the government of waging a “war” against the community.

Addressing a press conference here, they contended that Uniform Civil Code (UCC), if implemented, will paint all people in “one colour” which will threaten the country’s pluralism and diversity.

Trashing government’s stand on the issue of triple talaq, the outfits instead claimed the community has reported lesser number of divorce cases vis- -vis other communities, especially the Hindu community which, they said, has reported higher divorce ratio according to Census 2011.

AIMPLB general secretary Wali Rehmani, Jamiat-Ulema -e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani and representatives of other bodies said all the Muslim sects and its women were “one” on these issues.

They said the outfits will launch a campaign to create awareness amongst Muslims from today, beginning with a gathering in Lucknow.

The Board said that there are “flaws” in the personal laws governing Muslims and they are being addressed from time-to-time.

They said the country is facing problems on various fronts including the LoC and issues like killings elsewhere.

“This is all destructive. The government should try to fix this and ensure peace than seeking views on issues like UCC,” Madani said.

Contrary to the Commission’s claim that the step is an “endeavour” to address discrimination against vulnerable groups and harmonise the various cultural practices, Rehmani said when implemented the UCC will bring to an end country’s pluralism and paint all in “one colour” and end diversity and pluralism.

“People of different cultures stay in this country. If the UCC is implemented, attempts will be made to paint all in one colour, which is not in the interest of the country.

“Also, we don’t want the practice of triple talaq to be abolished. There are more divorces in other communities.

Rather the highest rate, which is double that of Muslims, is among Hindus,” he claimed. .

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday reclaimed the number one spot in Test rankings for bowlers following a career-best match haul of 13 for 140 in the third Test against New Zealand in Indore.

Ashwin, who was named man of the series after he finished with 27 wickets in a 3-0 sweep by India, now has 220 wickets, the most by any bowler after 39 Tests.

Ranked third before the final Test in Indore, Ashwin, who also holds the top position in rankings for all-rounders, has leapfrogged pace bowlers James Anderson and Dale Steyn to attain a career-best rating of 900 points.

Ashwin, who finished the 2015 year-end rankings as the number-one bowler and was also at the top briefly in July this year, has joined a select band to have touched a rating of 900 points since 2000, the others being Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock.

In the rankings for Test batsmen, India’s middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane has attained a career-best sixth rank with scores of 188 and 23 not out.

Rahane, whose previous best was eighth in August this year, has gained five slots after starting the match at 11th position.

Prolific scorer in the New Zealand series, Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli also moved up the rankings.

Pujara’s knocks of 41 and 101 not out have helped him move up one place to 14th while Kohli’s scores of 211 and 17 at Indore helped him move up four places to 16th position.

For New Zealand, opener Martin Guptill has moved up 10 places to 58th with knocks of 72 and 29 while Jimmy Neesham has moved up 12 slots to 70th position.

In the all-rounders’ list, India’s Ravindra Jadeja has reached a career-best joint-third rank.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team does not have a chance to reclaim the number-one ranking from India even with a 3-0 win against the West Indies.PTI.

Amid bitter politics of oneupmanship over the surgical strikes, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said all Indians including those who have raised doubts can share credit for the operation as it was done by the armed forces and not by any political party.

At the same time, he said that a large share of credit does go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government for decision-making and planning.

“I don’t mind sharing the credit, including on surgical strike, with every countryman because it is done by our armed forces and not by any political party. So all Indians, including, those doubting it also, can share the credit,” he said at a function here.

He said sharing of credit will settle the nerves of many.

The Minister said he understands the sentiments of the people and they are satisfied now.

Several political leaders and parties have questioned the surgical strike and have sought proof. The Congress, while officially supporting the government over the strike, has also said that similar operations were undertaken during its tenure also.PTI

Amid frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan and terror attacks in Kashmir, IAF chief Arup Raha today asserted that the armed forces are prepared to give a befitting reply to sub-conventional threats and any other challenge facing the country.

The Air Chief Marshal said that the armed forces “are there to deliver and they are doing the job” as he refused to comment on the political slugfest over the cross-LoC surgical strikes on terror camps.

His remarks came on a day when the Indian Air Force celebrated its 84th Foundation Day with a spectacular air display at Air Force Station Hindon in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district, 30 kms from here.

For the first time, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft performed stunts at the air show, amid loud cheers from the audience.

In his customary address at the celebrations, Raha said, “World is in a flux today. Terrorists attacks in Uri and Pathankot show the troubled times we live today.”

In his message on official Facebook page of the IAF Indian Air Force, Power to Punish launched today, the Air Force chief said the force is operating some of the most modern weapons and equipments and the air warriors exercise ceaseless vigil of skies.

“We continue to train to take up any threat and are fully prepared to undertake any challenge in most befitting manner,” Raha said.

Asked later about increasing threat from Pakistan, he said the armed forces are well prepared to take on any sub- conventional threats.

Sub-conventional threats refers to proxy war that Pakistan indulges in against India through the use of terrorists.

Raha said that terrorists can always get better but the armed forces can neutralise them.

“With each incident, the forces are getting smarter and learning new lessons.” he said.

Replying to a query on the political war of words over the surgical strike, Raha said “the armed forces are there to deliver and they are doing the job

Amid rising tension in Indo-Pak ties, Union Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the security situation with Home Ministers and senior officials of four states that border Pakistan.

Singh chaired the meeting attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Brij Raj Sharma, an official said.

Senior BSF officials were present at the meeting here which reviewed security arrangements on the border in the wake of tension between India and Pakistan after surgical strike by army on terror camps across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Union Home Minister will also tour border areas of Rajasthan and visit outposts to assess the situation along the Indo-Pak border.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made, Barmer Collector Matadeen Sharma said.PTI

The Army has handed over to the government video clips of the cross-LoC surgical strikes as per laid down procedure, Union Minister Hansraj Ahir said today, amid a growing chorus that evidence of the operation on terror launch pads in PoK be made public.

Ahir, the Minister of State for Home, said there is a process for putting such issues in perspective which was duly followed by the Army as well as the government.

Separately, Kiren Rijiju, also a MoS for Home, said everyone should have faith in the government and allow the Army to take its own call.

“The laid down procedure has been followed. The DGMO briefed (about the surgical strikes). It was not the Defence Minister nor the Prime Minister and not the Home Minister. It was the DGMO who briefed (the media). That was the right thing to do and they (Army) did it.

“There was a time when written documents were submitted.

Now the times have changed. Now clips are given and the clips have been given,” Ahir told reporters.

The statements by Ahir and Rijiju came amid demands that government release the footage of Army’s recent surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“Have faith in the government and leave it to the Army,” Rijiju told reporters here when asked about the demand for release of proof of the surgical strikes by the Army.

A political slugfest erupted yesterday over the surgical strikes with Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam calling it “fake”, provoking stinging criticism from BJP even as his own party said it “totally dissociates” from his remarks.

As the government mulled options on the issue of release of the video footage of the surgical strikes, a debate raged with BJP leader Subramanian Swamy favouring putting out an edited version of the video on the operation while most experts spoke against it.

Rejecting the demand, the BJP attacked some Congress leaders and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for raising questions over the strikes and accused them of giving a handle to Pakistan to advance its false propaganda.

The Congress, on its part, insisted that it never questioned the authenticity of the strikes but steered clear of the demand, including from within its own ranks, for the release of evidence, saying it would give appropriate advise in the best interest of national security if consulted by the government.

Swamy, a Rajya Sabha member, said anybody questioning the operation should prove prima facie evidence to support his allegation but added that an video should be released following a newspaper report today that gave details of the operation.

“I think they should edit the video of the logistics value of it and show the other part, showing explosions, the dead body… they have got in the video. So all these parts can be released,” he said.

Former army chief Gen V P Malik slammed those questioning the credibility of the strikes saying, “The video should not be released just because some stupid people have sought so.”

He told PTI it was “utter nonsense” that people are asking the army to prove the operation and wondered what is wrong with the political class.PTI

FORECAST FOR OCTOBER:“Nothing too much, the golden mean, the middle path” is a typical Zorastrian commandment. It applies very specially to you Librans as balance and poise go with you. From September 8, Jupiter will be in your sign, western astrology.You will be the conductor of arts, music, science, beauty and films. But it is your ability to negotiate and settle any dispute which will be of special significance right through this year and the next. So powerful is the combination of Jupiter in Libra and Saturn in Sagittarius that it could lead to a new peaceful order. God has taken your hand. Respond with all you have.

ARIES:Astrophysicists tell us that the movement of Earth in space is responsible for our climate. In the same way,your movements — forceful, determined and positive,will help you in trips, ties,communication,and journeys.A chance to divorce or marry is possible. At satsangs and meetings, believe it or not, God will preside invisibly.

TAURUS: Every metal has a frequency and also a certain beauty.You Taureans have the impossible combination of utility and beauty. In October, you will have the strength of Hercules and the generosity of Mother Teresa.Face opposition boldly but graciously. Be sure that Mother Nature loves you immensely and will never allow anybody to hurt you

GEMINI: The rings of the planet Saturn have bewitched even the astrophysicists because they are huge, powerful and yet so very delicate and thin like our hair.You have the ability to live at many levels, right from technological to the spiritual. Children, hobbies, entertainment, marriage, wild passionate creativity lead you to the altar.

CANCER: All of us know that Cancerians are home birds.For one year, the domestic scene will change for the better in every which way. Opportunities for job switch, investments, partnerships are possible. I am exaggerating it when I say that you may meet God face to face between this October and the next. Piety helps. LEO: “Prathamahim nama leta tava joi / jaga kaham sakala si dha hoi.” It means remember Ganeshji and then embark on any task or word. It will soon be your time for glory and greatness, travel and pleasure and status and prestige. At the same time, if you delve deep in your heart you will find the rose of spirituality and great delight.

VIRGO: You will discover the sheer complexity and beauty of life itself because now your heart will rule over your head which is so very rational and objective. Friends and family will help you all the way. The other happy news is that domestic matters related to parents, inlaws, and your spouse will improve. Prayers and bhajans are certainly advisable and absolutely necessary.

LIBRA: As they say on TV for every project, “your time is now”. New projects, old ventures activated, journeys, health problems, loans and funds and a certain discipline and confidence will mark all that you do.Live wisely and beautifully and nobly is what my heart is telling me. Be decisive and confident of victory.
SCORPIO:“Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war.” It simply means that the greatness of peace is as great as the greatness of war.You will fight nobly and powerfully for the unfortunate, the weak, the helpless, the artist, the women who are downtrodden and you will come up victorious.

SAGITTARIUS: We are at our very best only when we face the greatest challenge and danger. October will certainly show you the way to be courageous and confident. You will certainly succeed and prevail over all odds because Jupiter your main planet is in the eleventh angle of friends, fame, and happiness. Best to take help from spiritual masters, gurus, holy books and your own conscience.

CAPRICORN: Blow your own trumpet just as the elephant does.I know you are cool, critical, slightly cold and definitely well-organised. It may surprise you to know that astrophysicists tell us that the rings of Saturn are felt very powerfully on the snow and ice of the entire world.Your ruling planet is Saturn. Time to be a boss in all affairs.

AQUARIUS: Science tells us that there is a type of shrimp which lives in the water but makes a very loud sound all around. It is a hint for you to be extravagant, move in social circles, invite friends over, take a chance if you jolly well feel like it. Research, technological innovations and new values and thoughts in spirituality will help you greatly to be not only big but great.

PISCES: Loans and funds,renovation and decoration, travel and ties could make a changeover in your thinking and behaviour patterns. The tinkle of money will be sweet music to your ears. But if you want to add real happiness and longevity to your years, give freely of yourself to others.Charity and compassion are the life blood of the universe.

As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa remained in hospital for nearly two weeks, the Madras High Court today asked the state government to inform it about the health condition of the AIADMK supremo by tomorrow.

The court also observed that an official release with regard to the health condition of 68-year-old Jayalalithaa, who has been undergoing treatment at a hospital here since September 22, will reduce the anxiety of the people.

The remarks were made by a division bench while hearing a PIL by social activist ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy, who sought a detailed report from the government on the health condition of Jayalalithaa.

The court asked Tamil Nadu’s Additional Advocate General C Manishankar to get back to it by tomorrow after consulting the government on the health condition of the chief minister.

Manishankar told the court that the corporate hospital had been issuing medical bulletins daily on her health condition and describing the treatments given to her.

But the court said though the hospital was releasing bulletins, being the chief minister of the state, some official release with regard to her health will reduce the anxiety of the people.

The petition has also sought release of photographs of the meeting she is said to have had with her cabinet colleagues and officials at the hospital.

The bench said that it is not passing any order on the PIL but directed the additional advocate general to consult the government on the matter.