Morning Brief: Modi’s Call To Unite In National Interest; Demonetisation Goals Lauded; Zakir Naik’s NGO Banned

Good Morning, Swarajya Readers! Here's What You Need To Know Today.

Parties Urged To Unite In National Interest: As the winter session of the Parliament begins today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to political parties to unite in national interest, on the issue of demonetisation drive. The opposition, however, strongly demanded an honest debate on demonetisation, as the suffering of the common people on the ground was getting worse by the day.

Supreme Court Hails Demonetisation Goals: The Supreme Court has hailed the objective behind the demonetisation drive, but called on the Centre to take urgent measures to help the common people get money from banks and ATMs smoothly. An apex court bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and D Y Chandrachud, has however, refused to stay the move.

Central Bank May Cut Interest Rates: The Reserve Bank of India may cut interest rates in its next review meeting slated for 30 November. Since the retail and wholesale inflation slowed in October due to lower food prices, analysts are predicting a further declining trend due to a demonetisation move.

Boost For Modi’s International Solar Alliance: An international initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande at the Paris climate summit last year is gaining a lot of support. More than 20 countries, including Brazil and France, have become signatories to the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance.

Demonetisation Blow To Terror Funding: Government’s demonetisation of higher denomination currency notes seems to have dealt a big blow to funding of terror in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Left-wing extremist violence across several states, said sources.

Another Tata Group Firm Sacks Cyrus Mistry: Tata Global Beverages informed stock exchanges on Tuesday that the company's board has replaced Cyrus Mistry as chairman by a majority vote. Meanwhile, Mistry lashed out at the decision, dubbing it an "inaccurate and illegal" decision.

Zakir Naik’s NGO Banned: The Indian government banned Mumbai-based NGO Islamic Research Foundation promoted by controversial Salafist preacher Zakir Naik for five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Obama Warns Against Crude Nationalism: President Barack Obama issued a warning on Tuesday against "crude nationalism" in the wake of Donald Trump's victory, saying he had tapped into a "troubling" strain of rhetoric playing on Americans' fears of globalisation. He also called on his successor not to repeal decisions like the Iranian nuclear deal and the Paris climate change agreement.

Kashmir Students Defy Separatists Again: Defying Pakistan-backed terrorists, nearly 99 per cent students appeared for their Class X board exams in Kashmir on Tuesday, encouraged, perhaps, by the 95 per cent turnout of students for their Class XII exams on Monday.

Sartaj Aziz On Peace Mission: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz said on Tuesday that he plans to attend the Heart of Asia Conference in India and suggested the visit could be used to “defuse the tension” between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

MUST READ OP-EDS

Risk And Some Disorder: There had been a clamour for radical reforms. This is what real reforms feel like: They involve risk, and some disorder.

Don’t Nuke The Debate: Signalling should be based on an elaborate plan designed to showcase the preparedness of India’s nuclear forces and the firmness of its political will.

Speaking Up For Dry-Land Farmers In Maharashtra: Maharashtra badly needs a political voice that will speak for the majority of farmers neglected for so long.

It’s Time For Coveillance: There is a deep distrust of government agencies that invoke surveillance privileges — an emotion strangely at odds with our not so distant past when we depended on mutual surveillance for survival.

SWARAJYA SPECIAL

Demonetisation Shock Gives Reasonable Chance Of Changing Economic Behaviour In Right Direction: If handled properly and followed up, demonetisation could be a lasting legacy of the government. In this ‘shock’ therapy, there is a reasonable chance of changing people’s behaviour from cash reliance to banking channels.

Here’s Why We Should Give Demonetisation Push A Fair Chance: Demonetisation is likely to have some good effects. Let us give this a chance.

Ratan Tata Vs Cyrus Mistry Round Two: Why This Battle Is Going To Be Tougher: In the ultimate analysis, whether Tata wins or not, the solutions he needs for his debt-laden group may not be substantially different from what Cyrus Mistry may have had to offer.

We hope you enjoyed reading our morning brief. Have a great day ahead!

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