HINDUTVA – 2010 (January to December 2010)

Compiled By Human Rights Documentation∗

Indian Social Institute, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 003, (India) 'Vishva Mangal Go-Yatra will create religious disha rmony' (26) Bhopal: State Congress spokesperson JP Dhanopia has alleged that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has provided monthly pension to the activists of the BJP and RSS, who were engaged in the destructive activists, now the Government is calling them for the Republic Day ceremony, which is not appropriate and ethical. He further said that it is the insult of the freedom fighters that are also invited on the occasion of the Republic Day ceremony. These are incomparable and cannot be placed on the same pulpit. Dhanopia further said that those who were booked under MISA for destructive activities during the emergency are facilitated by the State fund. The truth is that State Government has no valid records of these people because no records were maintained at that time. Meanwhile, Dhanopia has also alleged that BJP and its allies are creating religious disharmony by taking out the 'Vishva Mangal Go-Yatra' in rural areas of the State. Dhanopia further alleged that the Yatra is affecting the process of the upcoming panchayat elections in the State, which has been facilitated and funded by the State. He further stated that the communalism is breeding in the State due to the Yatra, which is affecting the peace of the State. The districts affected are Khandwa, Bina, Burhanpur, he added. He said that the upcoming panchayat elections would be effected, if the Yatra is not stopped. Dhanopia demanded Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for taking concern of the issue because it would affect the peace and tranquility of the State. (Pioneer 4/1/2010)

'Uncompromising Hindutva' on agenda, Kalyan launche s party (26) With BJP showing little interest in his return to the party fold, its former leader Kalyan Singh on Tuesday floated a new political outfit — Jan Kranti Party— on the occasion of his 77th birthday. His son Rajveer Singh is its national president. Kalyan, who has designated himself as the chief patron, said the party's core ideology would be Hindutva. "This is new year, and I have a new party, new agenda, new jhanda (flag) and anushashan ka naya danda (new stick of discipline)," Kalyan told the mediapersons. This is the second time that Kalyan — once projected as the hero of Ram Temple movement and counted among top rung leaders of the BJP — has launched a party. His earlier venture, Rashtriya Kranti Party, was launched in 1999 after he first broke away from the BJP, alleging that he was being sidelined by the high command. He later returned to the BJP, only to leave it again in January last year and join hands with Samjawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh. "I have formed this party with workers who wanted to work on the ideology which I subscribe to — the ideology of uncompromising Hindutva. And to give representation to the youth I have made Rajveer the national president," said Kalyan, who will be visiting Ayodhya on Wednesday with his son and daughter-in-law. Incidentally, Kalyan's daughter-in-law Premlata is a BJP MLA. Asked if his wife, too, would join the new party, Rajveer said, "I am trying to convince her, but it will be on her own will." (Indian Express 6/1/2010)

At Saki Naka school, discipline clashes with religi on (26) Mumbai, January 06,: Keeping up with his Saki Naka school's discipline cost a student a lock of hair he had grown for religious reasons. According to the Saki Naka police, Parvesh Dubey (14), a class 8 student at St Jude's High School, had grown a lock of hair for religious reasons. The school authorities had asked him to get it cut, saying it was against the school's rules. "On Tuesday morning, Parvesh's class teacher saw he had not got his hair cut despite repeated warnings and sent him to the principal's office. In the office, the principal, Frank Fernandez, picked up a pair of scissors on his desk and snipped it off after slapping Pravesh for indiscipline," said Narsinh Sherkhane, assistant commissioner of police from the Saki Naka police station. Parvesh went home and told his brother Vivek about it. Word spread in the locality and soon, Parvesh's father Shivkumar Dubey, accompanied by a mob of local Bajrang Dal activists, reached the school and demanded to see Fernandez. When they were not allowed in, they went to the Saki Naka police and demanded Fernandez be arrested. "My son has weak vision and we had prayed to our local deity, promising we would not get his braid cut till his vision was restored. The school

∗ This is a collection of previously published news and views from the print as well as the electronic media, whose reference marked at the end of each news items. Department of Documentation and Library (DDL) of the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi neither claims to the veracity of the facts in the news nor subscribes to the views expressed.

authorities have hurt our sentiments by doing this," said Shivkumar. At the police station, Fernandez said any form of ornamentation, including pigtails, earrings and bindis was forbidden in the school, and that he was merely enforcing discipline. "An offence has been registered against Fernandez for insulting religious sentiments and assault, but no arrests have been made yet. The matter is under inquiry,” Sherkhane said. (Hindustan Times 7/1/10)

“Deep-rooted social democratic culture needed” (26) MADURAI: “Our democracy had largely been a political one rather than a social democracy and we need to create a deep-rooted social democratic culture with stronger emphasis on the concept of equality and dignity for all,” said Asghar Ali Engineer, Chairman, of Mumbai-based Centre for Study of Society and Secularism. He was delivering the seventh Graham Staines Endowment Lecture on ‘Living with diversity and differences-an Indian experience,’ organised jointly by Centre for Religion and Interfaith Relations, Lady Doak College, and Society for Community Organisation (SOCO) Trust on Wednesday. Dr. Engineer said that non-violence and peace were the greatest qualities needed for democracy. “True democratic spirit lies in accepting the ‘other’ as the ‘self’ and it is this culture that needs to be inculcated among the people. Despite the fact that we have a great Constitution which guarantees equal fundamental rights of the individual, still we see Dalits, minorities and women being discriminated.” Calling India a ‘bewildering diversity,’ he opined that the presently available democratic political structure with its electoral politics provided space to manipulate with religious and linguistic identity. Principal Mercy Pushpalatha delivered the presidential address, M. Valliammal, coordinator, Centre for Religion and Interfaith Relations, welcomed the gathering and S. Selva Gomathi, secretary, Human Rights Cell, SOCO Trust, spoke about the creation of the endowment. (The Hindu 7/1/10)

Kalyan gets lukewarm response from saints (26) Ayodhya: Even as Kalyan Singh got a lukewarm response from sadhus in this temple town where he visited a day after he launched his new political outfit, the former Chief Minister said that his party would work for construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site. My party is committed to construction of a Ram mandir at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The Jan Kranti Party will also work for revival of Hindutva as it is the culture of India and every Indian’s way of life,” Singh told his party workers in a meeting held at Ayodhya here on Wednesday. He said youths were the fulcrum of Indian politics and they would be the torch-bearers of Hindutva. Singh’s much-hyped visit to Ayodhya for Ram Lala’s darshan proved to be a damp squib as he was accompanied by only three dozen party workers and supporters from neighbouring districts. Singh, who was accompanied by his son and party’s national president Rajveer Singh, reached Ayodhya in the afternoon. Interestingly, saints of different mutts and ashrams stayed away from Singh, giving a blow of sorts to the former Chief Minister’s Hindutva crusade. Even BJP leaders did not meet Kalyan Singh. Local legislator Laloo Singh and senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar also did not meet Kalyan despite the fact that both of them were in Ayodhya at that time. (Pioneer 9/1/10)

With RSS push, is Varun poised for a BJP 'post'? (2 6) LUCKNOW: Does the RSS see Varun Gandhi as a “saffron Rahul''? The young MP from Pilibhit, who whipped up frenzy with his Hindutva war cry during the last parliamentary poll, is being propped up by the Sangh Parivar if talk in saffron circles is to be believed. Sources claim that an important organisational post could be coming Varun's way even though the old guard in the state BJP is not too comfortable with the move to ``paradrop'' the young man who is no stranger to controversy. Chief minister Mayawati had invoked the National Security Act against Varun for inciting communal passions through his hate speech against Muslims. Earlier, attempt to murder and other charges under the Indian Penal Code were slapped against him. He was charged with allegedly threatening to ``cut off the hands of Muslims if they raised a finger against Hindus'', at an election rally in Pilibhit. Video cameras caught him saying Muslims had scary names. He is yet to emerge from the legal loop. Yet, there may be reasons why the RSS sees him as a savior. A public rally addressed by him last month in Sultanpur proved a bigger draw than any of the recent events hosted by BJP. Varun now has eight similar meetings lined up over the next two-three months in Bulandshahr, Jaunpur, Ambedkarnagar, Unnao, Sitapur, Saharanpur, Kushinagar and Balrampur. The young man is expected to go to the Gandhi stronghold of Rae Bareli as well. And, according to sources, event managers entrusted with ensuring smooth running of the rallies are a Sangh pracharaks. What the ``post'' will be is not clear, but Varun's progress may not be smooth as most BJP central leaders are not too enamoured with him. They seem to feel that his talents are somewhat exaggerated. He reportedly told a senior leader during the 2009 campaign that he was sure to be the reason why BJP would win 50 seats in UP. In Sultanpur, the local RSS units worked overtime to coax crowds to attend Varun's rally in big numbers. In fact, interest shown by the Parivar resulted in pulling 20-

odd MLAs to the venue, despite the fact that a powerful lobby in the state unit tried its best to play spoiler, it is learnt. The second coming of Varun is probably due to a rethink in the Parivar, which sees the MP as the perfect foil to Rahul gandhi. While the RSS network in UP could be trusted with the job of strengthening the organisational network, the young Gandhi could be the key player to take the momentum forward, sources said. And in this venture he would have full support from the Sangh, courtesy Mohan Bhagwat, who is said to be partial towards the young man.Bhagwat feels roping in young blood could be BJP's best bet. The mindset was in evidence during his Lucknow sojourn as he laid great emphasis on youth participation. Grooming Varun to interface with the public as a youth icon and prepare him for a bigger role in the party, probably as head of the BJP Yuva Morcha, could be a part of the same strategy. (Times of India 10/1/10)

‘Dialogue on shunning terrorism by all religions pr ogressing’ (26) HYDERABAD: Swami Paramatmananda Saraswati, secretary-general of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha Trust, on Sunday asserted that the dialogue process launched by the Dharma Raksh Manch with organisations of other religions with the objective of shunning terrorism, was slowly but surely going forward. On the sidelines of the fourth Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha here, he said the dialogue process had already gained acceptance of the Jewish and Buddhist communities. It was more important to get Muslims and Christians to accept such a proposal. The Jewish offer to ink such a ban, along with other religions, was officialised in February 2007 at New Delhi in the form of an agreement signed by Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yona Metzger and Swami Dayananda Saraswati, convener of the sabha. The Buddhist acceptance came recently when a delegation visited Delhi. Asked about the sabha’s stand on conversions, the Swamiji stated categorically that they should be stopped. The government should promote brotherhood. “Instead of concentrating on just protection of the minorities, you can help them grow. The government should come up with pro-active schemes. No religious master divides people. We are soon going to have advocacy programmes aimed at creating a sense of belonging among them,” he said. Earlier, at a press conference Swami Tattvavidananda Saraswati, an associate of Swamy Dayananda Saraswati, said resolutions adopted by the sabha would be submitted on Monday to all State governments and the Centre. They included one on the setting up of legal panels both at the Central and State level for securing justice in court to Hindus. The process would be monitored by Subramanian Swamy, MP. (The Hindu 11/1/10)

Ashta Maths asked to guide Government (26) Udupi: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said on Monday that the leaders of the Ashta (eight) Maths should guide the Government. He was delivering the felicitation address at the Paryaya Darbar function at Rajangana here. Mr. Yeddyurappa said that whenever the Government committed a mistake, they should point it out without hesitation. Lakshmivara Tirtha had a reputation of being close to the people and had many achievements to his credit during his first and second Paryayas. His third Paryaya would be no different, he said. The State Government was committed to developing Udupi as a major pilgrimage centre. He would allocate Rs. 50 crore for the development of Udupi in his forthcoming budget, Mr. Yeddyurappa said. Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Jitin Prasada said the tremendous public response to the Paryaya procession bore testimony to the faith the people reposed in the Ashta Maths. The Ashta Maths were also known for promoting communal harmony, he said. One of the Ashta Maths had gifted land for a church. The founder of Corporation Bank, the late Haji Abdullah, had close ties with the Ashta Maths. “I feel privileged to witness the Paryaya festival,” Mr. Prasada said. Visvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math said the transfer of authority from one math to another during the Paryaya should be a lesson for politicians, who always fought for power. The leaders of all maths should preserve the cultural and spiritual values of the country, which were under threat. Heads of maths had a social responsibility to discharge. They should maintain a pure character and follow the “sanyasa dharma” strictly. The Ashta Maths should be a model to society. “I am sure Lakshmivara Tirtha will uphold these high ideals,” Sri Visvesha Tirtha said. Sri Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Shiroor Math said he wanted to ensure hassle-free “darshan” of Lord Krishna and adequate food for devotees who visited the Krishna Math. The seers of the Ashta Maths should feel that it was their Paryaya, he said. A notable absentee at the Paryaya Darbar function was Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puttige Math. Vidyasagar Tirtha Swamiji of Krishnapur Math, Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji of Palimar Math, Visvaprasanna Tirtha, the junior seer of Pejawar Math, Vidyavallabha Tirtha of Kaniyur Math and Visvavallabha Tirtha of Sode Math were present. (The Hindu 19/1/10)

VHP to agitate against moves on further reservation to minorities (26) KOZHIKODE: VHP today said it would launch an agitation against any moves to ensure job and educational reservation to Muslims and other minority groups. Such a move would go against interests of the SC, OBC and other sections from the Hindu community, VHP leader Praveen Togadia told reporters here VHP would mobilise students and youths against any moves by Centre to enhance job and educational quota out of the existing 50 per cent reservation as per the Rangnath Mishra commission report, he said. (DNA 25/1/10)

Togadia: State soft on fundamentalists (26) Kozhikode: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international secretary-general Praveen Togadia has accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front government of being soft on tackling fundamentalist organisations in the State. Addressing a news conference here on Monday, Mr. Togadia said the government had not shown sincerity in curbing the activities of such organisations operating in the State. This was obvious from the terror attacks carried out by operatives from the State in other south Indian States. He said that political parties had not taken action against those indulging in jihadi teachings in the State. That was why terrorism spread in the country. Referring to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s move to implement the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Committee report, he said the VHP would mobilise students and youths to fight this ‘democratically and legally.’ The report recommended 10 per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs besides reservations for Dalit Christians. Implementing the recommendations would snatch away the job opportunities of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The proposal was in violation of a verdict of the Supreme Court and against the basic tenets of the Constitution, he said. He said the VHP would also spearhead an agitation against the Centre’s proposal to grant Below Poverty Line (BPL) status to all Muslims. (The Hindu 26/1/10)

Hindu Yuva Samavesha seeks ban on slaughter of catt le (26) MANGALORE: The Hindu Yuva Samavesha at the Nehru Maidan here on Sunday took a resolution to urge the Union and State governments to ban the slaughter of all animals in the cattle family through legislation. The Sangh Parivar had organised the samavesha to mark the silver jubilee celebrations of the Bajrang Dal. The samavesha passed three more resolutions seeking Government intervention. They sought protection to Hindu places of worship, formation of a task force to protect the Karnataka coast and legislation to protect the coast and initiation of action against those indulging in “love jehad”. A copy of the resolution distributed among presspersons claimed that “it has been proved” that the 300-km-long coast in the State was the “corridor of terrorists” and a “corridor for smuggling drugs and other goods”. The resolution condemned the daily slaughter of all animals of the cattle family in the country. It said that cow was being worshiped by Hindus and it was the “lifeline” of farmers, the “backbone” of the country’s economy. Condemning the shifting of Hindu places of worship “in the name of development”, it alleged that instances of attacks on Hindu places of worship, temple fairs and “daivasthanas” (shrines of spirit worship) were on the rise. The samavesha called upon parents and Hindu women to be alert on “love jehad”. It alleged that youths of a particular religion were luring Hindu women and then converting them to their faith. According to police sources, between 40,000 and 50,000 people attended the samavesha. Sharan Pumpwell, chief of the district unit of the Bajrang Dal, claimed that approximately one lakh people attended the samavesha. Prakash Sharma, national convener of the Bajrang Dal, wanted to know who was preventing Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa from enacting a legislation banning slaughtering of cattle. He said the Bajrang Dal would expand its units in all colonies across the country. Mr. Sharma said that the Bajrang Dal would not keep quiet until the people from the other two main religions accepted to treat cow with respect. “We will not provoke others. But, we will not tolerate others provoking us,” he said. State convenor of the Bajrang Dal Sooryanarayana alleged that places of worship of a particular community were providing shelter to anti-social elements. Chakravarthi Solibele, columnist and office-bearer of Samskara Bharati, Rajashekarananda Swamiji of Vajradehi Math and Kolya Ramananda Swamiji spoke. The Kolya seer said that the flag of Bajrang Dal should be hoisted even on the Red Fort in Delhi. Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada J. Krishna Palemar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, and MLA P.N. Yogish Bhat, participated in the event. However, Mayor M. Shankar Bhat did not attend the meet. Earlier, a procession was taken out from the Ambedkar Circle here. (The Hindu 25/1/10)

Church attacks are sponsored, says Subbiah (26) BANGALORE: The former MLC A.K. Subbaiah termed the recent attacks on churches in the State as a “sponsored offence”. Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Subbaiah charged Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa of practising double standards on the church attack issue. “Publicly he says that strict action will be taken against those behind the attacks, although the guilty are yet to be arrested. “Similarly, the cases against leaders of the Bajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene linked to some of the communal incidents have been withdrawn,” he said. The Chief Minister must take stringent steps to prevent recurrence of such attacks, Mr. Subbiah added. Mr. Subbaiah, who is also the patron of the Bangalore Citizens’ Forum, appealed to political parties to desist from fielding corrupt and communal candidates and those with a criminal background in the forthcoming elections to the council of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. He also appealed to the people not to support such candidates in the BBMP polls. The forum would identify candidates with a clean image in various political parties, barring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and campaign for them. He said all political parties, including the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) had no moral right to talk about corruption. (The Hindu 27/1/10)

RSS hopes to woo youth with 1 lakh teaching jobs(26 ) Lucknow: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is pushing its weight behind the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attract the youth to its fold. The RSS has discovered a new way to deal with the problem of the youth's lack of interest in its activities - woo them with employment opportunities. The RSS will open more than one lakh schools, called the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams, in the hinterlands of the country where only young people will be employed as teachers. The Sangh has failed in all its recent endeavours to widen its mass base and couldn't provide any support to the BJP, ostensibly a political wing of the parivar. So now, youth who have a leaning towards right wing ideology will be employed in these schools. The Sangh will also help them look for other career prospects. Ram Madhav, a senior RSS functionary who was in Ayodhya to attend a programme of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad - the youth wing of the BJP - confirmed they had been focusing on the youth. "The RSS is running 70,000 single-teacher schools in the tribal areas of the country. Now there is a plan to open one lakh more schools for which we need energetic young teachers. These youth will also be given an opportunity to shape their careers elsewhere," he said. Madhav said the youngsters had to decide whether they wanted to work for money or also contribute in nation-building. For all these grand plans, the members of the Bharatiya Adhyapak Parishad (BAP), a bank of teachers affiliated to the RSS, are mostly overage. The Sangh employs them in its Saraswati Shishu Mandir schools. But they have mostly remained ineffective in giving any political boost to the BJP. It is believed that the Sangh Parivar expects to 'catch' maximum politically vibrant youngsters in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa where the tribal population is fairly high. (India Today 27/1/10)

European Union team should not be allowed to visit Kandhamal : VHP (26) Kandhamal: Demanding immediate withdrawal of permission to a diplomtic delegation from European Union to visit Orissa's Kandhamal, VHP today said the tour could trigger fresh tension in the district. "The proposed visit of the EU delegation should be cancelled forthwith and Orissa government must withdraw the permission granted for the purpose," VHP state secretary Gouri Kumar Rath told reporters here. Maintaining that peace had returned to the tribal dominated district after prolonged violence following the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Swaraswati, he said the visit would only spark off fresh tension in the region. "Outside elements have no business to study the situation in any part of the country as it is the responsibility of our government to deal with the problem," Rath said. The VHP leader's demand came as a EU diplomatic delegation is slated to visit Kandhamal between February 2 and 5. "They are likely to come here to know for themselves the situation in Kandhamal", Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said. Besides visiting the riot-hit district, the deplomats would meet chief secretary TK Mishra and home secretary AP Padhy, he said. At least 38 people were killed and hundreds of houses damaged in the riot which took place in the aftermath of VHP leader Laxmananada Saraswati's killing on August 23, 2008 in Kandhamal. The state government has attached a condition to the the visit by stating that the displomats may interact with the riot-affected people, but not undertake any fact finding mission.(DNA 1/2/10)

BJP calls Sena divisive, Sena mocks RSS bravado (26 ) Mumbai/New Delhi, February 02, 2010: The conflict within the saffron parties over North Indians’ right to live and work in Maharashtra intensified on Monday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sprang to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s defence, while the Shiv Sena continued its fusillade at the RSS. The Shiv Sena had on Sunday criticised Bhagwat for saying in Guwahati that “Mumbai is for all Indians. Any Indian can go anywhere in India to earn a livelihood”. Joining the battle on Monday, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said, “Persons who express concern for North Indians should also contemplate why Hindi-speaking people were being killed or driven out of Assam”.

Thackeray also said it was not the RSS but the Shiv Sena, which protected Hindi-speaking people during the communal riots in 1992. He took a swipe at RSS spoke-sman Ram Madhav too for saying the Sangh had asked its volunteers to prevent anti-North Indian and anti-Hindi feelings from spreading in Maharashtra. “Will Madhav stand guard holding his baton for the North Indians in Mumbai?” the Sena leader asked. In New Delhi, BJP president Nitin Gadkari made it clear that his party would not back the Shiv Sena on the migrants’ issue just because the two parties are old allies. “All citizens of India may be attached to a particular language, region or religion. These identities have never diluted their Indianness. The BJP will never accept the philosophy that there is a conflict between them,” he told mediapersons. Gadkari read out Article 19(1) of the Constitution that says all Indians have the right to reside and settle in any part of the country. He said the BJP would not accept anything that threatened national unity and integration. Senior BJP leader M.M. Joshi came down harder on the Sena. “It is unacceptable that a party should create a divide for the sake of political gain. This is the worst example of vote bank politics,” he said. (Hindustan Times 2./2/10)

‘Ban Bajrang Dal, VHP’ (26) DAVANGERE: In the wake of the interim report by the Justice Somashekara Commission, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that the Government ban the Bajrang Dal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Sri Rama Sene. It has also sought action against those attacking minority institutions. Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, Maruti Manpade, member of the State committee of the CPI(M), said the Commission had, in the report, stated that the three organisations were involved in church attacks. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Home Minister V.S. Acharya, instead of honouring the report and initiating action against those responsible, were speaking against the Commission. The president of the State BJP, K.S. Eshwarappa, had gone to the extent of questioning the proofs the Commission had obtained, he said and added that that the former Minister had become too arrogant. He wondered what was wrong with the press being given a copy of the report, and added that the BJP leaders’ criticism of the Commission was not based on reason. Attacks on churches in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bangalore, Mysore, Davangere and Uttara Kannada districts were planned, he said and alleged that they were carried out with the connivance of the Police. (The Hindu 6/2/10)

Sangh swipe at Kandhamal visit (26) Bhubaneswar, Feb. 6: Leaders of the BJP and affiliates of the Sangh Parivar today alleged that the just-concluded visit of a delegation of European Union diplomats to Kandhamal had a “communal agenda”. “The European colonial powers in the past had divided India on communal lines. Now they want to perpetuate by patronising the Christian community as a separate section among Indian citizens,” alleged BJP state unit president Jual Oram. Claiming that the visit was made on the invitation of churches, Oram alleged that the delegation had secretly met the clerics in Kandhamal and assured them financial assistance to promote proselytisation or “harvest of souls”. The BJP leader castigated the Naveen Patnaik government for allowing the foreign delegation to visit Kandhamal to “divide people on communal lines”. He claimed that the delegation had not met any Hindu leader during their visit to Kandhamal which “exposed their communal agenda”. The European diplomat delegation also tried to meet the judges of fast-track courts in Kandhamal in violation of protocol, he said. The former Union minister alleged that the conduct of the delegates “amounted to interference into internal affairs of a sovereign independent member state under the UN”. Local BJP MLA from Baliguda, Karendra Majhi rued that the delegation had not met any public representative during their visit to Kandhamal. Majhi, a tribal leader, alleged that their visit had caused “panic and tension among innocent tribals”. Laxmikant Dash, the general secretary of RSS-affiliated Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, feared that the visit would sow seeds of communal tension. “I don’t foresee any backlash after this visit. A number of delegations from various countries has earlier visited Kandhamal during the recent months. But there has been no violence,” said Cheenath. John Dayal, the general secretary of All India Christian Council, said the delegation was not a Christian delegation, nor the visit was sponsored by any church. (Telegraph 7/2/10)

VHP calls for boycott of Shah Rukh Khan’s film (26) Indore: Toeing the line of Shiv Sena, Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Saturday said that people should boycott Shah Rukh Khan’s new film given his statement that Pakistani players could be allowed to participate in the IPL. International General Secretary of VHP Pravin Togadia said without taking the name of Shah Rukh’s new film (My Name Is Khan) that Pakistan could not hide its role in the terror attack on Mumbai. Shah Rukh’s film should be boycotted given that he has openly taken a favourable stand against those who are against India, he observed adding that the boycott or protests against Shah Rukh should be peaceful. He said if film personalities start making political statements, they should be prepared for the consequences as well. He said terrorists continue to come to India from Pakistan and allowing any Pakistani player to come to India to play will amount to encouraging the terrorist elements. He demanded that Pakistani artists should also not be allowed to work in Indian film industry. Referring to controversy

over Mumbai, Togadia said Mumbai and Maharashtra belong to India. People from Maharashtra also are of the same opinion. One should not make an unnecessary issue out of it, he observed. (Financial Express 7/2/10)

Bureaucrat of Gujarat equates Modi with Lord Ram an d Gandhi (26) AHMEDABAD: A senior Gujarat government officer has equated Chief Minister Narendra Modi with Lord Ram and Mahatma Gandhi. Speaking at a Garib Kalyan mela yesterday, Dangs district collector Girish Shah said the day was "historical" as Modi was visiting the district and compared it with the visit of Lord Rama. "Today is the second historical day for the Dangs. The first was when Lord Ram paid a visit to Sabari here. Today, Narendra Modi has paid us a visit. He is a manifestation of Lord Ram for the tribals of Dangs," Shah said from the dais. "He (Modi) is Ram for the Hindus, Rahim for the Muslims and Jesus for the Christians. He is Lord for the orphans and servant of Gujarat. We should be proud of his visit," he added. Shah said "Mahatma Gandhi, along with Sardar Patel and other leaders, gave us freedom. Similarly, the chief Minister has brought prosperity for us. Gandhi had come with his stick to free the nation and Modi is today moving from house to house providing relief to the needy," the officer added. This is not the first instance of a bureaucrat in Gujarat eulogising the chief minister by their action or words. In August, 2008 the District Collector of Amreli D G Jhalavadia had touched Modi's feet at a public function after accepting a cheque for Rs one crore given for development works in Amreli district. (Times of India 7/2/10)

Mumbai is for all Indians: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (2 6) GUWAHATI: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) today opposed Shiv Sena's 'anti-North Indian' campaign but supported the Bal Thackeray's party for slamming actor Shah Rukh Khan for his comment that Pakistani cricketers should have been taken in the IPL. "Mumbai is for all Indians and we do not support Shiv Sena's anti-North Indian stand," senior VHP leader Pravin Togadia told reporters in Guwahati. However, he expressed support to Shiv Sena's opposition to Shah Rukh Khan's latest film My Name Is Khan over the actor's remark on Pakistani players, though the Sena had already made it clear that the screening of the film would not be thwarted. Referring to Assam, Togadia demanded immediate upgradation of the National Register of Citizen (NRC) saying the cut-off year should be 1951 instead of 1971 as desired by the Assam's Congress government. "Five Muslim organisations of Assam have also demanded 1971 as the base year which cannot be accepted. The NRC has to be updated in the same way other states had taken 1951 as the cutoff year," he said. "At the time of preparing the NRC, the government must ensure that not a single foreigner entered his or her names in the register", he said. Togadia said VHP has planned a country-wide economic blockade against infiltrated foreigners. However, he did not elaborate how the blockade would be carried out. (DNA 8/2/10)

We will not allow screening of My Name Is Khan till SRK apologises: Bajrang Dal (26) Bhubaneswar, February 09, 2010: The Orissa unit of the Bajrang Dal on Tuesday threatened to disrupt the screening of Shah Rukh Khan's movie My Name Is Khan across the state if the actor does not apologise for his alleged "pro-Pakistan" statement. "We will not allow the screening of the film in the state," Subash Chouhan, national co-convenor of the Bajrang Dal, told IANS. The much-awaited film, which is slated for a global release on Feb 12, is already facing threat from the Shiv Sena in Mumbai. Sena activists on Tuesday attacked some theatres in the city where the film is to be screened. "Shah Rukh has behaved like an agent of Pakistan by advocating the cause of Pakistani cricketers participating in the Indian Premier League," Chouhan said. A senior state police official, however, said anybody attempting to disrupt the film's screening would be dealt with as per the law. (Hindustan Times 10/2/10)

Documents against Bajrang Dal submitted at inquiry (26) BANGALORE: The Honorary President of Karnataka Christa Sanghatanegala Okkoota, Anil Colaco, a resident of Koppa in Chikmagalur district, on Tuesday submitted several documents in support of his affidavit against the Bajrang Dal and its then State convener Mahendra Kumar, before the Justice B.K. Somasekhara Commission of Inquiry probing the church attacks. Appearing before the commission here, Mr. Colaco produced several news clippings, letters written to government authorities and copies of police complaints regarding alleged atrocities against Christians in Chikmagalur district and an order withdrawing a case against Mr. Mahendra Kumar, among other documents.The deponent said that Christians have constantly been attacked in Chikmagalur district for the past several years and when the Christian schools closed down protesting the attacks on their community in Orissa, Mr. Mahendra Kumar had threatened to show “his might” soon in August 2008. Within 15 days of his threat, many churches in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur were attacked, Mr. Colaco said. He alleged that the Bajrang Dal activists had been acting as moral police with the tacit support of the local police, as a result of which the minority communities — Christians and Muslims — have constantly been living under fear. A situation

has been created where no Hindu could marry a Christian or a Muslim in the region, he said. Mr. Colaco said Mr. Mahendra Kumar, who is a resident of Koppa, has been a “nuisance” by making frequent inflammatory speeches and indulging in vandalism against the minority communities. The activists often stop vehicles that carry cows to slaughter houses, he added in his affidavit. The commission listed the documents submitted by Mr. Colaco and left them open to be challenged by the defence before admission. Meanwhile, a few police officials who were working in Davangere too deposed before the commission. N. Rudramuni, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Davangere, said that sincere efforts were made to contain the unrest, and peace committee meetings were regularly held. Brijesh Mathew, who was the then Police Sub-Inspector at KTJ Nagar Police Station in Davangere town, produced copies of complaints/ charge sheets with regard to four cases registered in the station during his stint. (The Hindu 10/2/10)

RSS starts having its say in BJP's affairs again (2 6) New Delhi: On Samarpan Diwas, death anniversary of former Bharatiya Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya, the RSS once again demonstrated its now overt say in the affairs of the BJP. Typically, the day was marked by hoisting the BJP flag, donating some part of the workers’ income to party coffers and speeches by leaders. However, on Thursday, BJP’s newly-elected president Nitin Gadkari made sure that the day was observed differently. As is common with the RSS, BJP MPs and party members were called for a workshop on Antyodaya [an agenda to fight for the last man in queue]. Main architects of the workshops were Gadkari and his political advisor Vinay Sahasrabuddhe. The workshop was also the occasion to unveil the party’s plans to start an RSS-like three-year training programme. Successive years of training programme would have separate names: pravesh [entry], pragat [emergence] and praveen [senior]. The programme appeared to be a novelty for LK Advani too. He told Sahasrabuddhe that he “looked forward to going through the syllabus being prepared” for BJP workers. Each leader of the party has also been asked to adopt a social cause and to connect with the people. Last year, the RSS seemed to have lost patience by working in the background for the BJP. It appears to be rapidly gaining the foreground in party’s affairs once again. For example, the RSS was behind the rejection of Bt Brinjal by BJP-ruled states, as its offshoot, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, felt that the genetically modified crop would kill indigenous strains. “The RSS also took the lead against the targeting of north Indians by Shiv Sena and MNS, although BJP leaders were loath to take on the Thackerays considering their 25-year association with them,” said a part-time RSS worker. Other RSS interventions include, banning of cow slaughter in Karnataka, backing the state government’s anti-conversion drive and making sure that tribals get enough attention by the BJP. “Only last week, a high-powered BJP committee was asked to take care of tribals. Due to their vulnerability to conversions, the RSS has always directed a lot of its energy to tribal affairs through its Vanvasi Kalyan Kendras (forest-dwellers’ welfare associations),” said the source. (DNA 12/2/10) Sri Rama Sene-sponsored bandh passed off peacefully in Karnataka (26) Bangalore: The day-long Karnataka bandh today called by right wing Sri Rama Sene to protest against the face blackening act on its founder Pramod Mutalik, evoked mixed response and passed off peacefully barring stray stone throwing incidents. While the bandh evoked near total response in Sene's stronghold of Belgaum, Mangalore and Udupi it had no impact in other parts. "The bandh passed peacefully by and large. Except for minor incidents of stone-pelting at Mangalore and Udupi, no untoward incident has been reported," DGP Ajai Kumar Singh said, adding over 500 people were arrested. Business establishments remained closed and schools and colleges declared holiday in Mangalore and Udupi. Vehicular movement was hit in Mangalore, Udupi and Belgaum. Personnel of Karnataka State Armed Reserve Police and City Armed and District Armed Reserve forces were deployed, besides over 600 mobile patrol vans to maintain vigil. Singh said the security cover would continue for tomorrow due to Sene's threat to disrupt Valentine's day celebrations. Some suspected Youth Congress workers had blackened Mutalik's face and tried to assault him prior to a debate on Valentine's Day held by a regional TV channel at an open air theatre on Thursday. Congress has denied role of its members. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa charged there was a conspiracy to destabilise his government. The conspiracy was like the one hatched to topple the late Veerendra Patil led Congress government in 1990, he said but did not name anyone. A Bellary report said, members of Sene and Hindu Jagaran Vedike burnt the effigy of the youth congress wing and shouted slogans against the Congress party.The protesters demanded action against those who blackened Mutalik's face. The bandh call evoked poor response in the city. (DNA 13/2/10)

‘Anti-cow slaughter law will be misused’ (26) Chitradurga: Opposing the proposed Bill to enforce a ban on cow slaughter in the State, S.K. Basavarajan, MLA, has cautioned that the move would lead to communal disharmony. “It (the Bill) is certain to create communal tension in the State as troublemakers will misuse the law”, he said. Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader said that the Bharatiya Janata Party

(BJP) Government must not try to curtail the food habits of people. The matter should not be viewed only in a religious context, but in a pragmatic manner. After all, beef was a staple among a large section of society, particularly among tribal and backward communities. Mr. Basavarajan said that several farmers sold aged and sick cattle to abattoirs to earn some money. “If the Bill is passed, buyers may not be able to buy cattle sold willingly.” The JD(S) leader also questioned the rationale in banning only cow slaughter. If there was going to be a ban, it should apply to the slaughter of all animals, he said. (The Hindu 14/2/10)

Bajrang Dal gears up for 'moral policing' (26) NAGPUR: Lovers, beware. 'Misbehaving' in public places may prove costly for young couples on Valentine's Day. As Bajrang Dal activists plan to take out rallies on the streets, they warn couples -- if caught in public places like gardens and restaurants, they would be married off. Armed with two priests and carrying 'mangalsutra,' the traditional necklace worn by married Hindu women, along with other materials like vermilion, the Bajrang Dal activists would force lovers to tie the knot. Valientine's Day is against Indian culture, said area coordinator of Bajrang Dal Amol Thackeray. He, however, clarified that the saffron wing is not against love. "If you love somebody, marry him or her. Can there be a better way of expressing your love than marrying your beloved," explained Thackeray. As a part of protest on Saturday, the about 100 activists took out a vehicle rally from Gorakshan, Nehru Marg carrying party flags and shouting 'Save Culture' slogans. The rally, which passed through Deekshabhoomi Chowk, Bajaj Nagar square, Shankar Nagar square, Law College square, Telgankhedi Lake, Maharajbagh road, Variety Square and concluded at Munje Chowk. Carrying party flags, the Bajrang Dal members placed V-Day cards in the middle of the road and set them alight. "Through our rally, we also tried to pass on the message to shops selling gift articles like greeting cards and flower shops selling roses. In fact, they are the main culprits who are misleading the young generation by provoking them to celebrate the day so that they can earn money, said Shrikant Aglave, another senior activist of the wing. On Sunday, the activists will travel across the city keeping an eye on youths around parks and public places, they will also inform their parents, warned Thackeray. However, Vidarbha Youth Council has extended their support to the celebration of Valentine's Day in the city. Meanwhile, the city police have formed a special anti-eve teasing squad of 200 cops, which would keep patrolling in front of gift shops, girls' hostels, picnic spots and busy squares to ensure strict action against anti-social elements. Charlie and Chetak squads will also be on their toes. The traffic police, on their part, will have fix points and will take stern measures against speeding vehicles as well as triple riding on two-wheelers. (Times of India 14/2/10) J&K's VHP to launch country-wide agitation over sur render policy (26) Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir VHP today said that it will launch a country-wide agitation against the proposed surrender policy mooted by the state government, saying the move will destabilise internal security of the country. "We will launch a country-wide agitation to expose the Congress-led UPA government over red carpet welcome to the armed terrorists operating in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK)," state VHP chief Rama Kant Dubay told reporters here today. "While displaced Kashmir Pandits cannot be rehabilitated in Kashmir valley in their own country, as also 1947 refugees from PoK in Jammu, the Centre has drawn a plan to rehabilitate terrorists of PoK in this country in Kashmir," he said. This is a dangerous step which will not only boost the terrorism and separatism in Kashmir but will also threaten the porous internal security of the country, he said. (DNA 16/2/10)

Proposed anti-cow slaughter Bill opposed (26) Shimoga: Members of the Komu Souharda Vedike (Forum for Communal Harmony) staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday. They were opposing the proposed move of the Government to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter by making it a cognizable offence by way of introducing stringent penal provisions, including imprisonment against slaughter of cow and its progeny. The protesters submitted a memorandum, which was addressed to Governor H.R. Bharadwaj, to the district administration. They said that the move to make the law against cow slaughter more stringent was politically motivated and that the Governor should stop the Government from going ahead with its plan.Members of the vedike registered their protest by eating beef. (The Hindu 23/2/10)

Sena can put up Afzal Khan poster only AT Kalyan ch owk (26) Mumbai, March 03, 2010: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed the Kalyan unit of Shiv Sena to display posters depicting Chhatrapati Shivaji killing Moghal attacker Afzal Khan during Shivjayanti celebrations on Wednesday. The order has, however, come with a rider — the party can display the poster only at Rambaug Chowk in Kalyan. A division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Mridula Bhatkar restrained the Sena from displaying the poster at any other place and in closed pandals after considering the fact that it had caused communal riots at Miraj in Sangli district last year. The party had

sought permission from Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Thane to display the poster at the procession on Wednesday. The Sena unit had cited the completion of 350 years of the historical incident as a reason behind seeking permission for displaying the poster. The DCP had declined permission apprehending communal tension. Vijay Salvi, the Kalyan unit chief of Shiv Sena, had challenged the DCP’s order before the HC saying it violated their fundamental right to freedom of expression. His lawyer, Rajesh Datar, argued that the police denied permission for factual depiction of history only because parts of history were not acceptable to a certain portion of the society. The judges said no permission could be granted to any body at the cost of law and order and harmony. “You express your feelings in a specified area,” said Justice Desai adding, “Nobody can be allowed to take out a procession passing throughout a town.” (Hindustan Times 3/3/10)

Karnataka government withdraws bill banning cow sla ughter (26) Bangalore: BJP government in Karnataka today suo motu withdrew the controversial Karnataka Cow Slaughter Prevention and Livestock Protection (amendment) Bill 2009 in the wake of criticism against ban on cow slaughter. Minister for animal husbandry Revunaik Bilamagi, who moved a motion in the assembly seeking to withdraw the bill, however, did not specify what prompted them to take the action even after opposition Congress members, including its leader Siddaramaiah and deputy leader TB Jayachandra sought to know the reason. Minister for law and parliamentary affairs S Suresh Kumar and speaker KG Bopaiah said rule 107 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct in Business provides powers to the government to withdraw any bill. Siddaramaiah and others said the government should not re-introduce the bill at a later period. (DNA 3/3/2010)

VHP submits memorandum (26) Karwar: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindutva organisations submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada on Tuesday demanding that cow slaughter be banned in Karnataka. Members of the organisations under the leadership of Swami Bhaveshanand of Ramakrishna Ashram met the Deputy Commissioner before submitting the memorandum addressed to the Government. The leaders alleged that some political parties are engaged in “competitive appeasement” of the minorities and were opposing the proposed anti-cow slaughter Bill. The organisations warned that they would launch an agitation in the State if the Opposition political parties tried to stall the passage of the proposed anti-cow slaughter Bill in the Legislative Assembly. (The Hindu 3/3/10)

Concern over holding Hindu Samajotsava in Shimoga ( 26) BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said that normality had returned to Shimoga and Hassan cities, which witnessed widespread violence on Monday following protests by Muslims over the publication of an article in the Sunday edition of a Kannada daily. Making a suo motu statement in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister on Tuesday said those who take the law into their hands would be strictly dealt with and no untoward incident has been reported in the two cities since last night. Mr. Yeddyurappa said cases have been booked against the Kannada daily and 103 people were taken into custody in the two cities. Thirty-three persons and 25 policemen were injured in the violence in which 74 shops and 50 vehicles were damaged. Two persons were killed, including one in police firing in Shimoga. Compensation The Government would take all steps to provide compensation to the affected, based on a fact-finding report on the assessment of loss of property. A CRPF platoon has been deployed in Shimoga and another was on its way to Hassan, he said. A few “vested elements” were responsible for the violence in the two cities, he added. The Chief Minister termed the incident as “unexpected” and said it was the responsibility of the Government to give full protection to the people of minority communities in the State. He said he had telephoned Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday and Tuesday morning and informed him that such incidents would not recur. Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah sought detailed information on the incidents and demanded the Government to give compensation to those who were injured and had lost property during the violence. Janata Dal (Secular) floor leader H.D. Revanna alleged that the Government was dividing the people on communal lines and some vested organisations were behind the violence in Hassan city. Roshan Baig and Qamaurl Islam of the Congress also raised the issue and sought compensation to all those injured in the violence. Home Minister V.S. Acharya remained non-committal on the demand by the Opposition to put off the Hindu Samajotsava programme scheduled to be held in trouble-hit Shimoga on March 7, and the proposed visit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia to the programme. Raising the issue during a discussion on the violence in Shimoga that claimed two lives, leader of the Opposition Motamma, JD(S) floor leader M.C. Nanaiah and others expressed concern that holding such a huge convention within a week of violence may affect the efforts to restore peace in Shimoga. Ms. Motamma demanded that steps should be taken to put off such a meeting as well as the visit of Mr. Togadia in the present circumstances. Responding to this, Dr. Acharya pointed out that the Hindu Samajotsava programme was related to nationalist ideology and said: “Do not equate nationality with communalism.” Referring to the violence, the Home Minister

warned that whoever tries to take law into their hands would not be spared. Expressing dissatisfaction over Mr. Acharya’s reply, the Congress and the JD(S) staged separate walkouts from the Council. (The Hindu 3/3/10)

Witnesses defend statements against police, Bajrang Dal (26) MANGALORE: Witnesses who deposed before the B.K. Somasekhara Commission of Inquiry on Monday defended their statements against the police and the Bajrang Dal. The commission is inquiring into the series of attacks on prayer halls and churches in 2008 in the State. The witnesses were responding to the cross-examination by advocates for the police and the Bajrang Dal. The witnesses defended their statements that the police had beaten up Christians near the Kulasekhara church on September 15, 2008. Retired teacher Sister Selma said that the then Superintendent of Police, N. Satishkumar had scolded her. Another witness, Leo Mascarenhas, defended his earlier statement that a group of policemen, led by the Superintendent Police, had assaulted women and children on the day. The two also defended their statements that Bajrang Dal members had indulged in violence on the day near Holy Cross Church in Kulasekhara. They said the youths, who came on motorcycles, were wearing shawls indicating that they were from the Hindutva outfit. They said the youths had raised slogans in favour of the organisation. They denied the suggestion from Bajrang Dal advocate Jagadish Shenava that Christians had thrown stones and bottles on the national highway passing by the church. They denied that Christians had gathered specifically to stage a protest against the attack on the Milagres church in the heart of the city the previous day. Sister Shanthi D'Souza, a teacher, said Christians had staged a protest near the church on the day of the attack on the Milagres church. She denied the suggestion that the people were forced out of buses and made to walk. Francis Leo D'Silva of Kulasekhara denied that he was beaten by the police and that he had given false records to show that he had been treated at Father Muller Hospital. He defended his statement that he had received threats from Bajrang Dal members. Petty shop-owner J. Alben Pinto said he had heard Bajrang Dal members shouting slogans inciting people to attack Christians near the church. (The Hindu 9/3/10)

VHP, Bajrang Dal activists protest ban on Togadia's visit to Kandhamal (26) New Delhi, Mar 20: Activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal staged a demonstration here on Saturday against the ban on their leader Praveen Togadia's visit to Orissa's Kandhamal district. Orissa Government has imposed a ban on VHP leader Togadia from entering the communally sensitive Kandhamal district. Holding placards and banners, the protestors gathered at Jantar Mantar and shouted slogans against the Orissa Government. The protestors also accused the Orissa Government of being biased. "The state government didn't stop foreign missionaries from going to tribal areas of Kandhamal and other parts of Orissa. They were being provided with full support and freedom. But when a leader who is an International Secretary General of VHP tries to go to Kandhamal, the government stopped him. We are staging a nation-wide protest against this,' said Swadesh Pal Gupta, a VHP leader. Kandhamal was rocked by communal violence in 2008, sparked off by the murder of a senior religious leader in the region, which resulted in large-scale killings. Around 50 Christian families in Gadguda village of Kandhamal were forced to move, when their houses got destroyed in fires set off by rioters. Many of them migrated to other places, while the elderly and children went to relief camps. Earlier on Friday, Togadia was arrested for attempting to enter riot-hit Kandhamal, and was released early today. Togadia was stopped at Charichhak in Boudh district as he tried to enter Kandhamal. He was booked under Section 151 of the CrPc to prevent breach of peace in the area. Terming the ban as illegal, he said, it was not fair on the part of the State Government to put a restriction on his visit. Meanwhile, the VHP had called for 12-hour Kandhamal shutdown today in protest against the administration's move. (New Kerala 20/3/201)

RSS slams Govt’s secret pact with separatists (26) New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Thursday slammed the Government for indulging in ‘secret diplomacy’ with the separatists in Kashmir. Accusing it of compromising India’s sovereignty, RSS joint general secretary Madan Das Devi said the autonomy report ran contrary to the 1994 Parliament resolution which stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. “The move to go back to pre-1953 status (for Jammu and Kashmir) and demand for autonomy is an effort to take the country backward despite Parliament passing a resolution in 1994 that the State is an integral part of India. All political parties, despite differences, should voice their protest against any such move,” he said. Devi was speaking during Syama Prasad Mookerjee memorial lecture in the Capital on Thursday. The lecture was organised by the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation on the topic ‘Are we losing Kashmir in the view of autonomy report?’ Devi said successive regimes have failed to work on the principles of Mookerjee, who believed in ‘one Government, one flag and one law’ for the country. Taking a dig at former Supreme Court judge S Saghir Ahmed, who was head of a working group constituted to review

Centre-State relations, he wondered why and for what such retired judges of the Supreme Court are tabling such reports. Participating in the discussion, former diplomat G Parthasarthy suggested that India should put on hold composite dialogue with Pakistan but keep its channels open to discuss the vital issue of terrorism. “The fundamental problem is that when you start talking in a composite dialogue, you divert attention from the most serious problem, which is the issue of terrorism. The more you concede, the more they demand,” he said. Parthasarthy further emphasised over the need to strengthen the Indian armed forces. Also speaking on the occasion, AK Doval, former director of Intelligence Bureau, said that the problem of Jammu and Kashmir was related to territories and had nothing to do with religion as widely believed. The US, he claimed, wants India to “sacrifice” Jammu and Kashmir to silence the radial elements in Pakistan so that terrorism could be stopped from spreading in the world. Doval lamented that there was no serious discussion on the issue in the country and no one was concerned about a solution to the vexed issue. He further said that the Government should not buckle under external pressure regarding deployment of troops on the bordering area. “Non-militarised border is a threat to national security. India is free to deploy adequate number of soldiers anywhere within its territory,” he maintained.Several BJP leaders including Bal Apte and Dr Harshvardhan were also present on the occasion. (Pioneer 2/4/10)

Ranganath Mishra report: Hindu outfit warns of stir (26) Kollam: The Hindu Aikyua Vedi has declared that it would stand by the Dalits “giving life and blood” in the struggle against the implementation of the Ranganath Mishra Commission recommendations. Vedi general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan and president KP Sasikala asked the Hindus in Kerala to join the struggle against all kinds of exploitations and “to break all fetters for attaining freedom”. Speaking at the public meeting held as part of the Vedi’s State conference at Kollam the other day, Sasikala warned that the MPs from the State would face a situation where they would not be able to get out of their homes if the Government took a stand favouring the Ranganath Mishra report. “If there is a pro-report stand from the part of the Government the Hindus would lash out against it like a tsunami,” she said. The conference re-elected Sasikala and Kummanam as president and general secretary respectively.“They (the CPI(M)) don’t excommunicate State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan for saying that cure for diseases could be had by praying at Muringoor (where the Catholic Church was running the Divine Retreat Centre). But why do they excommunicate Padmalochanan for lighting a lamp (at an RSS function?” Sasikala asked. The CPI(M) had removed N Padmalochanan as Mayor of Kollam and expelled him from the party for taking part in an RSS function organized as part of its Pranth Sanghik in February. Speaking at the meeting, Kummanam said the right to administer temples should be given to the devotees if the Government could implement People’s Plan campaign and decentralization of power. Those who had come to power in the name of progress were still discriminating Dalits and the downtrodden, he pointed out. “Why don’t cultural leaders and rights activists coming forward against such things? The answer is nothing but discrimination,” he said. “The Hindu community is on a path of agitation,” Kummanam said, alleging that even welfare funds were being distributed on the basis of religion and caste. “No development is taking place in areas where Hindus live in large numbers. Compensation is allotted to victims of accidents at pilgrim centres on the basis of religion. When some pilgrims to some non-Hindu places of worships meet with an accident, there would be probes and compensation. When this happens to Hindus, there would be nothing,” Kummanam alleged. (Pioneer 6/4/10)

Concern over role of communal forces (26) KOLLAM: The State conference of the Hindu Aikya Vedi, which concluded here on Sunday, adopted a policy that stated that the pernicious influence of communal elements had increased in all spheres of society. The policy draft, moved by the organisation's general secretary, Kummanam Rajashekaran, expressed deep concern over the situation. It said the rich had usurped all the benefits of the economic and administrative systems, while the poor continued to be sidelined. The government exposed its feudalist-fascist outlook by suppressing the agitation for land by the landless and controlling the administration of Hindu temples. The policy stated that including Christians and Muslims on the Scheduled communities list as recommended by the Ranganatha Mishra Commission report would be unjustified and against the law of the land. Extending or denying benefits and approaching problems on the basis of religion did not augur well for a modern society. Poverty and backwardness had no religion. Religious terrorism had established its roots in Kerala. Religious appeasement by the authorities was one of the main causes for the growth of religious terrorism in the State. People who spread hatred on the basis of religion and tried to spread their own religion should be seen as terrorists. The struggle to liberate temples should continue till the time the devotees got their right to worship and administrative control over temples. The economic conditions of the Hindus were worsening by the day. The deterioration of the traditional sectors was ruining the lives of the workers. Many were selling off their properties and settling in smaller properties elsewhere. (The Hindu 6/4/10)

Accused spoke against Bhagwat on tape (26) Mumbai: On a day when an NCP MLA made the startling allegation that a few Malegaon blast accused had conspired to kill RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, State Home Minister RR Patil disclosed in the Assembly that the ATS was in possession of an audio tape in which the accused had made derogatory remarks against Bhagwat. Though he did not agree entirely with NCP legislator Jitendra Avhad’s specific allegation that three of the Malegaon blast accused had hatched a plot to eliminate the RSS chief, Patil said there was “some truth” in the statement. Replying to a debate, Patil said the telephonic conversation — which the ATS had intercepted during the course of its investigations into the Malegaon blasts case — had revealed that the two of the accused had made some “uncharitable” remarks about Bhagwat, who, the latter claimed, was “unfit” to head the Hindu outfit. According to Patil, the blast accused had also spoken about their plans to procure a chemical powder which, when applied on footwear, would result in the death of the person using it within two to three days. “The cause of the death (of the targeted person) cannot be established even during a post-mortem,” the Home Minister quoted the two persons as saying. Known to be close to all NCP leaders, including Patil, Avhad had earlier stunned the Assembly by alleging that three Malegaon blast accused — Dayanand Pandey, Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur — had hatched a conspiracy to kill Bhagwat. Alluding to the telephone conversation, Avhad alleged that the trio not only spoke against Bhagwat in very harsh manner — by calling him a “unfit” to head the Hindutva organisation — but an accused also suggested that time had for one of the three to head the RSS. Avhad, who elaborated on his allegation outside the Assembly, alleged that the trio had given supari (a paid contract) to the ISI for assassinating Bhagwat. He added that late ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who had then headed the Malegaon blast probe, had briefed Bhagwat about the conspiracy. In his reply to the debate in the House, the State Home Minister said the Maharashtra Government was ready to hand over investigations into last year’s Sangli-Miraj communal riots case to the CBI. Before Patil began replying to the debate on law and order, the BJP-led Opposition walked out to protest against the denial of opportunity to some of its members to participate in the debate, owing to the “paucity of time”. (Pioneer 9/4/10)

Changes in shrines Act in next session (26) Bangalore: The Karnataka Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act will be amended in the next legislature session to incorporate certain suggestions made by the Karnataka High Court on issues pertaining to secular activities undertaken by some Hindu charitable institutions, Minister for Home and Muzrai V.S. Acharya said on Monday. Dr. Acharya said that the courts had raised objections that the Government had incorporated only religious activities when the present legislation was enacted a few years ago to address the problems faced by the muzrai and charitable institutions in Mumbai-Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka regions and the then Madras presidency and Coorg C State. But the Karnataka High Court had stayed the operation of the Act raising certain objections, including the powers of the Government to appoint managing committees in the temples. With this observation, Dr. Acharya said that a situation had arisen for enacting a law for carrying on these charitable activities, which were not religious in nature. He said that he might introduce a Karnataka Public Trusts Bill in the next session. He said the Government had raised the tasdiq amount to 28,000 muzrai temples from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 12,000 for each of those, which did not have income of their own, accounting for Rs. 58 crore. It had spent Rs. 32 crore for repair and other works on the temples. (The Hindu 14/4/10)

Togadia summoned by Gujarat riot probe panel (26) Gandhinagar: The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2002 post-Godhra riots has summoned Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia, sources close to him said here on Sunday. According to the sources, the SIT summons were faxed to Togadia's Delhi office. He has been asked to appear before the probe panel here within a week from April 19. Togadia, however, is reported to be in Jammu and is not expected to return to Gujarat at least in the next three days. "The earliest he may appear before the SIT - if he so decides - is close to the end of the deadline," a source close to him said. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was questioned last month by the SIT. Sources said after Modi's grilling, Gujarat assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt and Minister of State for Home Amit Shah have also reportedly appeared before the SIT. (cnn.ibn 18/4/10)

Reservation on communal lines faulty: Bhagwat (26) Ranchi: RSS chief Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat while criticising the reservation policy of the Centre said it should be also be given on economic basis. “Our reservation policy is faulty. The Constitution of India bars reservation on communal basis. It should not be given only on the basis of caste as the deprived are in every section of the society. Thus economic backwardness should also be the criteria for reservation,” Bhagwat stated while addressing RSS volunteers here at Morhabadi Maidan on Sunday. Around 4,000

Sangh volunteers from every nook and corner of the State had participated in the RSS convention organised at the Morhabadi Maidan. Sanika Pahan, a framer and social worker from Khunti district, was chief guest on this occasion. Addressing the Sangh workers Bhagwat said that there were countless problems, including the boundary dispute with Pakistan and China. He criticised the Centre for not being effective in tackling infiltration from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Talking about illegal Bangladeshi migrants Bhagwat said that they have become one of the major threats for security of the country. The Government should take appropriate measurers to identify them and send them to their own country, he said. Bhagwat said the Centre has failed to tackle problem of terrorism effectively. “It is a serious problem and the Government must prepare a concrete plan to tackle the issue effectively,” he said. The RSS chief also criticised developed nations for environmental degradation. He said excessive exploitation of non renewable energy by the developed countries is the main reason behind this problem and advocated to boost use of renewable energy resources. Speaking about Hindutva, Bhagwat said it was a post modern thinking which favoured unity in diversity. Pointing about the RSS' ideologue he said: “Sangh is not associated with any political agenda. It works only to develop national instinct among the masses”. He appealed the gathering to join the RSS. (Pioneer 19/4/10)

Reservation on communal lines faulty: Bhagwat (7) Ranchi: RSS chief Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat while criticising the reservation policy of the Centre said it should be also be given on economic basis. “Our reservation policy is faulty. The Constitution of India bars reservation on communal basis. It should not be given only on the basis of caste as the deprived are in every section of the society. Thus economic backwardness should also be the criteria for reservation,” Bhagwat stated while addressing RSS volunteers here at Morhabadi Maidan on Sunday. Around 4,000 Sangh volunteers from every nook and corner of the State had participated in the RSS convention organised at the Morhabadi Maidan. Sanika Pahan, a framer and social worker from Khunti district, was chief guest on this occasion. Addressing the Sangh workers Bhagwat said that there were countless problems, including the boundary dispute with Pakistan and China. He criticised the Centre for not being effective in tackling infiltration from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Talking about illegal Bangladeshi migrants Bhagwat said that they have become one of the major threats for security of the country. The Government should take appropriate measurers to identify them and send them to their own country, he said. Bhagwat said the Centre has failed to tackle problem of terrorism effectively. “It is a serious problem and the Government must prepare a concrete plan to tackle the issue effectively,” he said. The RSS chief also criticised developed nations for environmental degradation. He said excessive exploitation of non renewable energy by the developed countries is the main reason behind this problem and advocated to boost use of renewable energy resources. Speaking about Hindutva, Bhagwat said it was a post modern thinking which favoured unity in diversity. Pointing about the RSS' ideologue he said: “Sangh is not associated with any political agenda. It works only to develop national instinct among the masses”. He appealed the gathering to join the RSS. (Pioneer 19/4/10)

BJP not against Muslims: Gadkari (26) New Delhi: Seeking to reach out to Muslims, BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said his party is not against the community but was unfortunately caught in an image warp. At the same time, he said there was nothing to be apologetic about Hindutva or the core issues of the BJP, including uniform civil code and Ram temple at Ayodhya. "We are not against Muslims. We are not a communal or caste-based party. We are only against terrorists and not against any religion," Gadkari told PTI. Lamenting that BJP's problem was "image versus reality", he said it was "unfortunate". He targeted the Congress, accusing it of not executing Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru because he was a Muslim. Replying to a range of questions -- from the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate to its strategy on cut-motions in Lok Sabha this week -- Gadkari sought to keep the cards close to his chest, including on queries whether it was ready for immediate mid-term elections. When asked if the BJP would woo Muslims in its bid to increase its vote-base, Gadkari said, "100 per cent, we will reach out to Muslims". Gadkari said BJP wants members of the Muslim community to join the party and this process may be slow but should be with conviction. "We want to remove their hunger, poverty, lack of education," he said. On the issue of the Babri Masjid demolition he said, though the incident was "unfortunate", what was demolished was a disputed structure and not a mosque. "A mosque is one when prayers are offered regularly... Moreover, a Ram idol was kept there," he pointed out. At the same time, the BJP President said for his party, Ayodhya was not a political issue and was a matter of faith and all parties should look at it rising above political considerations. Seeking to turn the tables on the Congress over the issue, Gadkari asked whether Vallabhbhai Patel could be called communal for taking initiative for the construction of the Somnath Temple. Gadkari maintained that the

Ram temple should be built at the birth place of Lord Rama in Ayodhya. On the contentious issue of Uniform Civil Code, Gadkari said it should be there in the country. "There should be one law for everybody in this country. In which country of the world is there separate law for Muslims?" he asked, also wondering whether raising such a progressive issue amounts to communalism. Asked about lessons to be learnt from the second successive win of the UPA, he said, "We have to increase our basic vote bank. We are lagging behind Congress, which has a rich vote-bank since 1947." Besides, Gadkari said the BJP was weak in several stateslike West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and has to raise its basic strength by working among SCs/STs, minorities and unorganised workers. He also said the BJP was trying to increase its influence among the professionals and intellectuals. On the mina opposition's plans for Uttar Pradesh, Gadkari said the party would go it alone in the state and try to gain a foothold as there was a renewed hope that working with mutual trust and transparency will bear results. Asked about the party's strategy to reach out to the youth vis-a-vis Congress, which is positioning Rahul Gandhi to woo them, Gadkari said BJP has sent a maximum number of 31 young MPs to the Lok Sabha. "Let him work," was his cryptic response when asked what he thought of the young leader. Attacking Congress for playing "dynastic" politics, he said a man like him who once stuck party posters can become president of BJP but in Congress even top party leaders cannot aspire to fill the slot which is "booked" for members of the Gandhi family. Gadkari also sought to differentiate between his visits to Dalit households and that of Rahul Gandhi, saying he does not believe in taking the media with him to seek publicity. "Visiting Dalit households is not a part of our political strategy. It is a natural part of BJP's functioning," he remarked. (Pioneer 26/4/10)

Astrology a ‘science’ (26) Mumbai, April 28 (PTI): Astrology is an ancient “science” and cannot be banned, the Centre has told Bombay High Court and described the demand to outlaw astrology and vastu-shastra as “totally misconceived”. The stand has been mentioned in an affidavit, filed in reply to a PIL, by R. Ramkrishna, deputy drugs controller, Government of India. The affidavit says the requested “ban on astrology and related sciences, which is a time-tested science more than 4,000 years old, is totally misconceived and unjustifiable”. The affidavit relies on a Supreme Court judgment that says the introduction of a course in astrology does not militate against the concept of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. (Telegraph 29/4/10)

Thousands gather to listen to Varun Gandhi’s speech (1) Sujanganj: Nearly a year after making his successful debut as a Lok Sabha member from Pilibhit the national secretary of the BJP Varun Gandhi has learnt the art of touching the core issues and evoking response which was manifested in sorching heat as he candidly touched the Hindutv and lashed out at Chief Minister Mayawati in most humorous yet appealing way. Though Varun Gandhi spoke only for half an hour at Sujanganj Junior High School Ground some two hundred km away from state capital yet his speech contained concern for evey one be it farmers, woman, poor and last but not the least youths which he eyed most and got tremendus response in return. Mentioning the Dantevada teagedy he said that 43 CRPF jawans from UP were martyred in the incident and when he met themother of one she said that her concern was not money but honour for her martyr son. She requested the adminsitration to allow her to install martyr's statue but it was denied by the government in writing. "When Mayawati is installing her own statues costing state excheqer hundred of crores how a mother can be denied to install the statue of her martyr son" Varun asked the crowd and getting their nod he termed the denial most shameful. Amidst a responsive crowds of thousands the newly appointed national secretary of BJP tried to arouse the youths and said that Poorvanchal will become the centre of the new revolution with youths having the lead role. Praising the youths of the area for their bravery and self respect He assured them that even if they do commit some mistake he will stand by them in dire need. He said that need of the hour was to make youths self relient and for this if voted to power either in centre or state the BJP government will provide an intrest free loan of Rs 10 lakh to evey youth. The aggression on Hindutva on Varun's part sufaced in his speech but with a change though more of a startegic type. He called upon the followers of Lord Rama to get united to prvent cow slaughtering and put efforts into saving the Gangs from turning into waste drain. He also emphasised to construct a temple in every village or renovate those temples which are not in good shape. Expressing his aggression Varun said that he can not tolerate insult of our people (followers of cow, Ganga and Lord Rama) and no one could dare to hit them back. " If we

want to revive the BJP we must be ready to go to jail even for the innsult of one of our party worker" he said and got huge applause expectedly. Terming the Chief Minister Mayawati as anti poor he said that during the meeting of the chief ministers held two months back, most of the chief ministers requested to raise the number of BPL cards (red cards) but Uttar Pradesh Government in writing said that poors in the state were fully satisfied and state does not want a single BPL card to be added up. " By adding up the BPL card holders, would she havelost her weight" Varun asked the people. " Mayawati has put up ten kg weight in last two year but mine has got reduced" he said trying to put some humorous touch to his point. Varun Gandhi on his arrival and during his address was greeted with slogans like- Varun nahin yeh andhi hain, kal ka Sanjai Gandhi hai and Varun Gandhi tere nam, bhari jawani hai kurban. The Sujanganj meeting which falls in Garwara assembly segment in Jaunpur district was organised by the local BJP MLA Seema Dwivedi and was attended by party leaders of more than a dozen districts of easern UP. The former state BJP chief Keshari Nath Tripathi, state vice president Hriday Narayan Dixit, state general secretary Dr Mahendra Singh, party president of Kashi Prant Dr Mahendra Pandey and others also spoke at the occasion. (Pioneer 3/5/10)

VHP warns UPA Govt not to provide reservation to Mu slims (26) Bangalore, May 4 : International General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Dr Praveen Togadia today warned the UPA government against its proposal to provide 10 per cent reservation to Muslims in jobs and admissions in educational institutions. Addressing a press conference here, he said his organisation would mobilise non-Muslims in the country on the issue of reservation to Muslims. He said after Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments promised to provide reservations to Muslims and Christians the UPA government was hinting to amend the Constitution on the quoto issue. Stating that both Andhra Pradesh and Allahabad High Courts had struck down the proposal to provide religion-based reservation, Dr Togadia criticised the West Bengal Government for making promise to provide quota to Muslims. He said all members of Constituent Assembly while finalising the Constitution had unanimously taken a stand against making any provision for religious-based reservation. Opining that any attempt to provide separate reservation to both Muslims and Christians would deprive the Hindu community, of its due rights Dr Togadia said VHP would mobilise all castes coming under Hindu religion and thwart any attempt to amend the Constitution on the religion-based reservation issue. (New Kerala 4/5/10)

Goa chief minister waits for proposal to ban Sanata n Sanstha (26) Panaji: Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat today said he was yet to receive any proposal from state home ministry on ban on Sanatan Sanstha, a right wing Hindu organisation, under scanner for its alleged role in Margao blast. "I cannot comment off hand… Home ministry has not yet moved any proposal (seeking ban on Sanatan Sanstha)," Kamat responded to a question today in Panaji. The chief minister said that government can think of banning any institution only when home ministry puts up the proposal. Sanstha's role was suspected after its activists were allegedly involved in the Margao bomb blast and subsequent defusing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at Sancoale. National Investigating Agency (NIA) has almost finished investigation into this matter and is expected to file charge sheet before judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) at Vasco and Margao by May 17, 2010. The investigation had zeroed in on four accused, Vinay Talekar, Vinayak Patil, Dhananjay Ashtekar and Dilip Mangaonkar. While Talekar and Patil were arrested on November 17, 2009, Ashtekar and Mangaonkar were arrested on November 10 and November 14, 2009 respectively. The accused were alleged to have been involved in the conspiracy to trigger serial bomb blasts on Diwali eve. NIA had claimed that the attempt was made to disturb communal disharmony in the state. JMFC, Vasco has already granted bail to Vinayak Patil and Vinay Talekar last week as NIA has failed to file chargesheet despite having these accused for 180 days in the custody. Alleged members of Sanatan Sanstha Yogesh Naik and Malgonda Patil were killed while Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being carried by them went off accidentally at Margao whereas police had defused two IEDs at Sancoale. The demand for banning Sanstha was being raised from various quarters. The organisation was also alleged to have published literature intending to incite communal feelings. The state government had initially hinted at banning the institution but later relented. Role of ministers within the ruling coalition was also being discussed as transport minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar was found to have close links with the Sanstha. Dhavalikar's wife is an office bearer on Sanstha's trust. (DNA 9/5/10)

VHP opposes caste-based census (26) Madurai The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday opposed caste-based census saying it would strengthen casteist forces and lead to discrimination. "There should not be caste-based discrimination. There was no caste based census after 1931, why should the government revive it now?" VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia asked. Talking to reporters here, he also opposed any move to provide reservation for Muslims and Christians saying it is unconstitutional. "Constitution did not provide for religion-based quota and VHP would mobilise students, unemployed youths and caste associations for launching a countrywide movement against any attempt to provide reservation to minorities," he said. Pointing out that 50 per cent reservation had been made for SCs, STs and OBCs, the VHP leader wondered from where the government would provide further reservation. VHP would not allow the existing reservation to be "snatched" for providing quota to minorities. "We have charted out an action plan to counter the government move," he said. On demands for reservation for Christian dalits, he said, "Let Christians admit openly to the international community that caste system and discrimination do exist in their religion." (Express India 14/5/2010)

Muthalik files complaint against reporters (26) Belgaum: Sri Rama Sene president Pramod Muthalik on Friday morning lodged a complaint with the Camp Police station here seeking investigation and action against the reporters (acting undercover) of Aaj Tak and magazine Tehelka for allegedly committing offences punishable under section 120B, 296, 298, 384, 504, 506 R/W Sec.149 of IPC, even as he demanded a public apology from Aaj Tak and Headlines Today TV channels for carrying allegedly concocted and false stories since Thursday. Disclosing this at a press conference soon after lodging the complaint, Mr. Muthalik named the reporters as Pushp Sharma of Aaj Tak and editor of Tehelka Ajit Sahi. The names of the two journalists, however, are not mentioned in the complaint. Meanwhile, the Bangalore police have asked Headlines Today and Tehelka for the compact disc of the video showing the alleged demand of Rs. 60 lakh by Mr. Muthalik and his associate for organising communal trouble in Bangalore. Director General and Inspector General of Police Ajai Kumar Singh said a letter has been written asking for the compact disc. “We will go through the video and then take a decision,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday told reporters that his government was ready to take action, if required, against Mr. Muthalik, depending upon the outcome of the investigations into the episode. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R.V. Deshpande sought dismissal of the Yeddyurappa government for its alleged support to Mr. Muthalik. He said such people had brought disrepute to Hinduism by harming women and minorities in the name of Lord Rama.(The Hindu 15/5/10)

Digvijay blasts Hindutva hardliners (26) NEW DELHI: Using Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik's boast of causing riots for cash as a backdrop, Congress on Friday sharpened its attack on hardline Hindutva outfits blaming them for blasts around the country over the past few years. Party general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters that since 2002, a number of explosions had been caused by such rabid saffron forces at sensitive places. In this context, he recalled the blasts at Ajmer, Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid and the Samjhauta Express. Accusing Karnataka chief minister B S Yedyurappa of being in tune with the Ram Sene, Singh said, "He does not have the courage to arrest Muthalik." He alleged that the BJP would not hesitate to create a communal divide to come to power in a state. Blaming the RSS and its allied organisations for creating communal tension, Singh said some of the blasts had their origins in Madhya Pradesh. He accused the BJP government in MP of not cooperating with investigations in some of the cases and recalled that the Haryana police did not get any help from its MP counterpart in the Samjhauta blast case. Pointing fingers at the Shivraj Singh Chauhan government, he claimed that some persons suspected of having been involved in the blasts belonged to Madhya Pradesh. He deplored the MP government's 'reluctance' to follow the leads and pursue these cases. (Times of India 15/5/10)

Togadia lodges FIR against Zakia Jafri, son (26) AHMEDABAD: International general secretary of the VHP Pravin Togadia on Saturday lodged an FIR against Zakia Jafri and Tanvir Jafri, wife and son of slain Congress MP Ahsan Jafri, for defaming him by lodging a false complaint against him of criminal intimidation. On Friday, Tanvir Jafri had filed a complaint before director-general of police (DGP) SS Khandwawala based on the statement made by Togadia outside the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office in Gandhinagar on May 10 soon after his questioning

on a complaint filed by Zakia Jafri against chief minister Narendra Modi and 61 others. Togadia had said he would give a fitting reply to activist Teesta Setalvad and Zakia Jafri for compelling him to depose before the SIT. Jafris wanted Togadia booked for criminal intimidation. Togadia reacted immediately on Saturday, with VHP sending out feelers that he would be filing a complaint at Ellisbridge police station.Togadia reached the police station along with a large number of supporters. At the police station, he presented a complaint charging the Jafris of defaming him and demanding their immediate arrest. Togadia said "On May 10, outside the SIT, I had said that I would take legal action against Teesta Setalvad and Mrs Zakia Jafri." He said that he had never personally met Zakia Jafri nor had spoken to her on phone and thus the complaint filed by her son was baseless. Which is why he blamed them of defamation. He asked why Jafri did not file a complaint with the local police and decided to file it with the DGP. Inspector Kaushik Pandya of Ellisbridge police station said that after primary probe it appeared like a case of defamation and no other offence could be made out immediately, "but if something comes out in the investigation, we'll add those sections." (Times of India 16/5/10)

Hindus can never wage war against India: Sena, BJP (26) Mumbai: The right wing outfits have objected to the charge of waging war against nation slapped on the 11 accused related to Sanatan Sanstha in the Madgaon bomb blast case. The Shiv Sena and the BJP argued that no Hindu can wage a war against India and the charge sheet was a result of Congress’ “pseudo-secularism and appeasement of minorities”. “The Congress government’s policy is always anti-Hindu,” Sena leader Subhash Desai said. “No Hindu can wage a war against India. The charge sheet is a classic example of the Congress’ pseudo secularism. It is not right to hold an organisation responsible for any misdeed by some of its members. The Sanatan Sanstha has done some good work for the society. Why it is being neglected?” he said. State Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Vyankatesh Abdeo alleged that the charge sheet was a conspiracy to defame the Hindus. “The Hindus are tolerant. They do not have a mentality to wage war against India. It is wrong to compare the heinous crimes of Afzal Guru, Ajmal Kasab and the accused of bomb blasts in local trains to a small incident in Goa,” he said. The BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari alleged that the Congress was involved in the appeasement of minorities. “The Congress has leveled the charge of waging war against the nation against the Hindus just to appease the Muslims in the backdrop of death penalties to Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab. The charges against the Hindu outfits have always been discarded by the court. The move to put Hindus in the dock in not in the interest of the nation,” he said. Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Abhay Vartak refused to comment on the charge sheet before going through the charges properly. “I have not seen the charge sheet till now. I will be able to comment only after I go through it. But as per my knowledge, the charge of waging war against the nation has been applied against the individuals, not the organisation,” he said. (DNA 18/5/10)

Surya Pratap Shahi visits Ayodhya (26) Ayodhya: Within forty eight hours after assuming the charge of the presidentship of the the state BJP, Surya Pratap Shahi visited Ayodhya on Friday which seemed more ritual as almost every state BHP chief in last decade or so did the same. While claiming to have full patronage of the RSS Shahi made it clear that though entire Sangh Parivar wants grand temple of Lord Rama to be built but the issue is not incorpoarted as the political agenda of the BJP and it will not launch any mass movemnent to construct the desired temple. Accompanied by state general secretaries of the party Swatantra Deo Singh and Dr Mahendra Singh and scores of party workers the new state BJP chief arrived in the holy city in forenoon and strightway drove to the makeshift temple of Ram Lala which is considered as disputes site before the court and is cardoned off by heavy security. After offering puja Shahi held a brief chat with the media perons on the stairs of Lav Kush Mandir where he said that his visit was to seek the blessing of the Lord Rama to achieve the goal of the construction of grand temple of Lord Rama and building of a strong India in league with the BJP at the helm of the affairs both at centre and the state with majority. Surya Pratap Shahi was encountered with a volley of questions which were mainly focussed on the vexed Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute. Replying a question he said that Congress, SP, BSP and Left parties were against the construction of Ram Mandir and in greed of Muslim votes call the place as Babri Masjid though Lord Rama has been worshipped here for centuries. Replying another question he denied that his visit to Ayodhya was just ritual. However responding to a querry Shahi said that it was Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Ram Janm Bhoomi Nyas which launched the mass movement for the construction of Ram mandir and BJP was only a part of it. He denied that BJP will urge VHP to launch any such movement again.”

The VHP is competent enough to take itsown decison” he said. When he was asked that VHP supremo Ashok Singhal once held BJP leader L.K.Adwani and his Rath Yatra responsible for the non construction of Ram Mandir, the newly appointed state BJP chief said that he was of the clear opinion that if the BJP would have got clear majority at centre the dream of grand Ram Mandir would have been turned into reality. Shai also offered prayers at Hanumangarhi and met the head priest of shrine Mahant Gyan Das and soughthis blessing. Later he went to Karsewakpuram and met the VHP activists. Here he again interacted with media persons and alleged that Muslim terrorism and naxalism could not have been tackled effectively due to the vote bank politics pursued by the Congress. Shahi said that as per the statistics of the Planning commission during the last six years rule of the Congress led UPA Government 10 crore people have been added up in BPL of which two crore belongs to Uttar Pradesh only. It is an alarming shows the gravity of the situation. Indicating about his near term activities he said that in last three days he had visited 13 districts and in next seven days he will cover one third of the state. (Pioneer 22/10/05

RSS against caste-based census (26) Nagpur: Toeing a line different from BJP, RSS on Sunday opposed caste being used as a criterion in the ongoing census and made a strong pitch for inclusion of only nationality in the nationwide exercise. "The RSS is following the principles of late Dalit leader B R Ambedkar. Right from the beginning, RSS is in favour of a casteless society and any attempt to dilute it will hurt the sentiments of people," RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi told reporters here. Joshi's views are in sharp contrast to BJP's stand favouring a caste-based census on the ground that correct data on castes, the basis for reservation in jobs and education, will be available to planners. Joshi, however, voiced his apprehensions in undertaking such a census. "There is no provision for identifying and separating illegal migrants in the country while preparing the National Population Register (NPR). This will prove to be a threat to the national security and integrity," he said. According to him, preparation of a multi-utility identity card on the basis of NPR will be incorrect. "Therefore, RSS demands that identity cards be issued only after verification of nationality and the nationality provision should be the basis for NPR," Joshi said. He said government should fix some criteria for giving reservation to other backward communities (OBCs). "There should not be any hurry and government should initiate a national debate on it. There needs to be a dialogue with various social groups in this regard," he said. When his attention was drawn towards BJP's demand for inclusion of a provision of OBC category in the national census records to identify OBC population, Joshi evaded a direct reply saying it was for the BJP to decide. (Indian Express 23/5/10)

Bajrang Dal comes up with dress code for girls (26) BHOPAL: The culture cops have come up with a new code for the temple-going girls of Bhopal. According to the latest diktat issued by the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, girls wearing jeans and other western wear will not be allowed into the city temples. The activists stood guarding temples on Wednesday, preventing girls wearing jeans and other western wear from entering. The move has evoked strong negative response from the women who questioned the Dal's right to issue moral diktats like this one. “Right now we are watching over the temples of Bhopal and we will use force in the coming days if the need be,” said an activist. According to other reports, Christian organisations in Mandla district have objected to threats from Hindu cultural organisations in regard to the proposed reconversion of Christians to Hindus scheduled for February next. (The Hindu 27/5/10

VHP, Bajrang Dal activists held, freed (26) CHIKMAGALUR: As many as 40 activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal were arrested by the police near Kaimara, about 7 km from here, on Friday. They were heading for Dattatreya Peetha at Bababudangiri to protest against the delay in carrying out repairs to the shrine which collapsed following rain in 2008. The district administration entrusted the repair work to a private company. The work was held up after members of the Janata Dal (Secular) approached the High Court. The matter was referred to the Archaeological Department, which sent a team to inspect the site recently. The repairs are likely to resume after the team submits a report to the State Government. Those detained include Sudev and Shivashankar, president and general secretary respectively of the district unit of the VHP, and district convener of Bajrang Dal Khandya Praveen. All the arrested persons were later released. (The Hindu 5/6/10)

Culture policy hints at media censorship (26) Mumbai, June 08, 2010: The Maharashtra government’s new culture policy has sounded a dangerous note for the media in the state: the threat of backdoor entry of censorship. Buried in the policy document is one long paragraph wherein the government proposes to set up committees comprising elected representatives, judges and media personalities to monitor the publication or telecast of news that might create communal tensions or otherwise threaten to rend the fabric of society. But before that the government favours self-regulation. The policy document suggests that media outfits set up their own ombudsman to regulate the publication of both news and advertisements. “In case they are unable to do so, the government will step in to set up such committees along with readers’ and government’s representatives,” it says. These committees will bring to the notice of the editors and publishers the wrongful reportage of news and will even financially aid the institutions in their efforts to maintain the cultural fabric of the state. When editors present at the unveiling of the culture policy here on Monday raised objections to this attempt at censorship, Congress MLC Ulhas Pawar, a member of the committee that wrote the policy document, said, “This is not censorship in any form. We are sure there will be no need for the government to regulate the newspapers. And the committee will be only advisory in nature.'” “Self-regulation is the best regulation and this is only in case of extreme situations,'” Chief Minister Ashok Chavan hastened to add. So is the government looking at newspapers like the Shiv Sena mouth piece Saamna, which have in the past shown little restraint while reporting on communal conflagrations, or television channels, which have often been accused of overstating the case? The move is unprecedented, the only other measure of the kind came in the mid-1980s, which had to be hastily withdrawn after protests. For the rest, the policy document has set about systematically appropriating to itself every agenda of the Shiv Sena and its offshoot, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. After deciding to erect a Shivaji statue in the middle of the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai, it has now decided to set up a separate department for the promotion of Marathi in the state and a Marathi academy in Mumbai to join others like the already existing Urdu, Hindi and Sindhi academies. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Chavan said, “No, of course not. We are not influenced by those parties. We have been debating this issue for the past six months. And there are other language academies, too. There is nothing exceptional about the policy.” (Hindustan Times 8/6/10)

Lalu dares Nitish to snap ties with BJP (26) PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad has dared CM Nitish Kumar to snap ties with the BJP.Reacting to remarks made by Nitish with regard to an advertisement appearing in local vernacular dailies showing him holding the hand of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, Lalu on Saturday remarked, "The question is not how the advertisement was published or who did it. Nitish Kumar gave his right hand to Narendra Modi as a show of solidarity and unity and so did JD(U) president Sharad Yadav." Lalu alleged that Nitish was trying to fool the people by declaring that he would take legal action against the advertiser. "If Nitish Kumar is honest and secular, he should snap ties with the BJP. He should either break relations with the BJP or merge his party with it," Lalu remarked. Reacting to Nitish's statement threatening to return the money given by the Gujarat government for the relief of victims of Kosi deluge, Lalu recalled that several states have donated funds for the victims of the Kosi deluge. "I was railway minister and donated Rs 43 crore raised from the donation of railway employees. When there was an earthquake in Surat, it was my government in Bihar, which gave Rs 10 crore as relief to the Gujarat government. If the Gujarat government has donated money for the victims of Kosi deluge, it did not do Bihar any favour," Lalu said. Lalu described Nitish as the 'host' of the BJP meet. "There is nothing he (Nitish) can do because his government depends on communal forces," he remarked. "Nitish Kumar used to say that he would not share dais with Narendra Modi. Why did he not run away from the dais?" Lalu said. "Why did they put up the poster of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is sick," Lalu said and added he respects Vajpayee. State Congress president Mehboob Ali Qaiser on Saturday said that the true face of Nitish has been exposed by the advertisement. He said that it seems that Nitish through the advertisement is teasing the members of minority community. Regarding decisions taken at the BJP national executive meeting, Qaiser said the BJP leaders should ask the state government why it has not taken any action against the black marketeers in Bihar. Meanwhile, the activists of Muslim United Front on Saturday staged a Black March in the city to protest Modi's visit here to participate in the BJP meeting. The front activists raised slogans against Modi and demanded Nitish's resignation for shaking hands with him. (Times of India 13/6/10)

Vishwa Hindu Parishad to relaunch Ram Mandir stir ( 26)

Mumbai: With an aim to make the young generation aware of the Ram temple issue, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is all set to recreate the atmosphere of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the 1990s. The sadhus from all over the country unanimously passed a resolution to relaunch the movement at the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Haridwar. The VHP has taken up the responsibility to carry out the movement from August 16 all over the India. “We will hold sessions in every town to chant Hanuman Chalisa as part of the movement. The aim is to attract the youngsters and make them aware of what happened in the past,” said Prashant Hartalkar, a VHP official. A source in the VHP said that relaunching of the movement will be restricted to the an awareness campaign and publishing booklets only. “We are not going to ask for donations or bricks like last time. We will publish booklets having information on the earlier movement and describing what had happened then. This time, the activities will be limited around temples in the towns and the youths,” he said. Political analysts, however, are doubtful about the VHP’s move. “I do not know how succeesful they would be in moving the people this time because they have lost their credibility,” an analyst said. The VHP had launched the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the mid 1980s. (DNA 16/6/10)

‘Anti-cow slaughter Bill will lead to milk shortage ' (26) BANGALORE: Jnanpith awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy on Wednesday warned the Bharatiya Janata Party Government that the controversial anti-cow slaughter Bill, if implemented, would discourage farmers from rearing cattle and lead to a shortage of milk. Addressing presspersons after a meeting of litterateurs in the city to chalk out a course of action to oppose the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2010, Mr. Ananthamurthy said the piece of legislation, which had been passed in the Assembly, was “communal in intent and anti-farmer in consequence”. He said a public meeting would be organised in Bangalore on June 28 to oppose the implementation of the Bill. Playwright Girish Karnad said he opposed the Bill as it deprived citizens the freedom to choose their food. “As long as their choice of food is not affecting others, why should its (the food) consumption been prohibited?” Mr Karnad sought to know. The former MLC A.K. Subbaiah accused Mr. Yeddyurappa of trying to polarise the majority and minority communities through the Bill in an attempt to “permanently” cling to power. Mr. Subbaiah said the goshalas, where the aged cattle are meant to be provided care, would become exporting units for beef and cited how Gujarat, where such a law already exists, was a leading beef exporter in the country. The former Minister B.T. Lalitha Naik and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader J.M. Veerasangaiah spoke. (The Hindu 17/6/10)

JD(U) all set to sever ties with 'communal' BJP in Bihar (26) NEW DELHI: With the NDA alliance under strain in Bihar, JD(U) sources have told Times Now that the party will officially announce its break-up with BJP in the run up to the Assembly polls. The move is aimed at giving chief minister Nitish Kumar a national role in 2014. The ‘new grand alliance’ may take at least 3 months to shape up. Meanwhile, the BJP appeared keen on not breaking its alliance with JD(U) in Bihar. "The potter does not want his pot to break," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said hinting that despite differences with the JD(U), the BJP would like the alliance to continue. He, however, made it clear that though his party wanted to work with the JD(U) for the development of Bihar, it would not compromise on self-respect. Stepping in to apparently cool down tempers, senior leader L K Advani, who is in favour of the 15-year old alliance continuing in the run-up to the assembly polls in the state likely in October this year, discussed the developments with Bihar's BJP unit chief C P Thakur. After the meeting, Thakur said he would apprise BJP president Nitin Gadkari who would decide on the future course of action. In Patna, the Chief Minister sought to play down the flood aid row with coalition partner BJP, saying there was no cause for tension. " Tension mat lijiye, relax kijiye (Don't take tension, relax)," he replied cryptically to a volley of questions from reporters before beaving for his Biswas Yatra in Nalanda district. LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan, however, asked Nitish Kumar to quit if he felt that BJP was "really a communal party". "Don't enact a drama. If you (Kumar) really think that BJP is a communal party, rush to Raj Bhavan immediately (and resign)," Paswan told a press conference here. Charging Kumar with taking BJP's support for clinging to power, LJP chief questioned why the chief minister was averse to his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar. He dubbed BJP as spineless and JD(U) as a party playing fraud with people and trying to cheat minorities. Paswan said if BJP has self-respect and prestige, it should snap ties with JD(U) and withdraw support to the Nitish Kumar government. He said people of Bihar understood the "gimmicks" of Kumar and will give NDA a befitting reply during the Assembly elections a few months away. Referring to Kumar returning Rs 5 crore flood relief to Gujarat, Paswan

demanded appointment of a commission headed by a sitting High Court judge to find out how the Kosi relief fund was spent. "Keeping Gujarat's contribution in 2008 unspent for such a long period smacks of foul play... we believe that the state government has failed to reach the relief to the affected people," he said. Paswan said return of the flood relief money to Gujarat has "tremendously tarnished" Bihar's image. (Times of India 21/6/10)

Temple issue: VHP tenders apology (26) MANGALORE: An unwarranted intervention by Bajrang Dal cadre in a land issue pertaining to Mariamma Temple at Urwa managed by Mogaveera community has left Vishwa Hindu Parishad, its parent body, red faced. Admitting that the Bajrang Dal cadre had erred by getting involved in the issue without ascertaining full facts of the matter, VHP leadership here on Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology to the Mogaveera community. M B Puranik, divisional president of VHP told reporters that the Bajrang Dal and VHP are always on hand to deal with any issue that pertains to the belief, practices and institutions of Hindu community. "Some of our boys allowed their emotions get the better of them and acted independently keeping the senior VHP leadership outside the loop," he said, adding things would not have aggravated had they shown a little bit of discretion. The Yelupatna Samyuktha Mogaveera Sabha earlier in the day had accepted a gauntlet thrown at them by a section of Bajrang Dal cadre following certain misunderstandings that arose between the cadre and the mogaveera community on Monday. B Devadas Puthran, managing trustee of the temple told reporters that the Mogaveera community is not the one to be cowed down by any threats and is ready to face any eventuality. Dinesh, a member of Bajrang Dal had filed a complaint against Devadas, Purushottam Kotian, manager of the temple and Amith Puthran, clerk with Urwa police following the June 21 incident and the mogaveera community too filed a counter complaint against the Bajrang Dal cadre. Jagadish Shenava, advocate and vice-president of local unit of VHP said his organisation would take back the complaint filed against Devadas and others. Puranik said the VHP leadership would meet leaders of the Mogaveera community on Thursday, a day ahead of the proposed show of strength meeting convened by the mogaveera community leaders at Mariamma Temple. Asserting that the Mogaveera community are a dominant and an integral part of the Hindu community, Puranik said both VHP and Bajrang Dal work for uniting the Hindus and not dividing them. (Times of India 23/6/10)

RSS leaders from UP questioned in Mecca Masjid case (26) Mumbai: Investigating agencies are questioning two senior RSS members from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the Mecca Masjid bomb blast in Hyderabad in 2007, suspecting that they may have known about the plot which led to the killing of about a dozen worshippers, and gave shelter to the perpetrators after the attack. News about the questioning comes days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information regarding two suspected Hindu extremists, Ramchandra Kalsangra alias Ramji and Sandeep Dange alias Parmanand, who have been on the run and are also wanted in connection with the 2007 Ajmer blast and the 2008 Malegaon blast. Investigators now suspect that the same group of Hindu extremists may have been responsible for all three bomb attacks. The RSS members from Uttar Pradesh were called to Hyderabad and questioned there, security sources told The Indian Express. One of them, Ashok Beri, is the Kshetra Pracharak of the RSS in Uttar Pradesh. The other, Ashok Varshney, is the outfit’s Praanth Pracharak and is based in Kanpur. The two men are being questioned following the interrogation of Devendra Gupta and Lokesh Sharma, who have been arrested in connection with the Ajmer blast and are also RSS pracharaks. “Based on the information, they are believed to have had knowledge of the blast before it happened and are believed to have given shelter to the accused during the period that followed,” one security source said referring to Beri and Varshney. While Beri could not be reached for his comments, Varshney confirmed that he had been questioned by investigators in connection with the Mecca Masjid blast but refused to discuss any details. (Indian Express 1/7/10)

Nanavati panel may summon Modi aides (26) Ahmedabad: While the contentious issue of summoning Chief Minister Narendra Modi for questioning for his alleged role in the 2002 riots is pending in the Gujarat High Court, the Nanavati-Mehta Commission is likely to summon his three key aides for cross-examination. Rejecting the Jan Sangharsh Manch’s demand to summon Modi in September last year, the Commission had asked his three closest aides, OP

Singh, Tanmay Mehta and Sanjay Bhavsar to file affidavits about the phone calls they had handled on behalf of the Chief Minister during the days of riots following the killing of 58 passengers in the Godhra train inferno, on February 27, 2002. According to sources, the Commission has indicated its willingness to summon the Chief Minister’s three aides for cross-examination on the basis of the affidavits they had filed late last year. The two-judge commission comprising Justice (retired) GT Nanavati and Justice (retired) Akshay Mehta had sought to know from the Chief Minister’s close aides about the nature of the conversations they had with various people, including then Minister of State for Home Gordhan Zadaphia, then Health Minister Ashok Bhatt and VHP leader Jaydeep Patel. Sources revealed that the summons to the three CMO officials for cross-examination may be issued as early as next week irrespective of the outcome of the Jan Sangharsh Manch’s petition in the high court, challenging the Commission’s decision not to call the Chief Minister for questioning. The Commission had last week submitted a status report to the high court in a sealed cover, hearing on which is likely to come up on Wednesday. The demand for summoning Modi to testify about his role in the riots was made by the Jan Sangharsh Manch, which represents the 2002 victims and survivors, following analyses of cellphone call data records, which revealed that the prominent rioters were constantly in touch with Ministers, BJP and VHP leaders, bureaucrats and police officers. (Pioneer 1/7/10)

Gadkari’s visit to UP set to keep him busy (26) When BJP president Nitin Gadkari arrives in Lucknow on July 4 on his first trip to Uttar Pradesh, he will have an onerous task before him. Party cadres in UP are waiting with their bundles of demands, suggestions and complaints to greet the party president whose two earlier visits to UP have been cancelled at the last minute. The BJP president is mainly coming to Lucknow to attend the wedding reception of state UP BJP president Surya Pratap Shahi’s son. However, he will also be addressing party workers at a function and will interact with senior leaders during the day. Mr Gadkari is also scheduled to hold deliberations with Sangh leaders and finalise the name of the leader who is to be appointed party leader in charge of UP. “Mr Gadkari will discuss the issue with Sangh leaders because the state unit does not have an in charge as yet. A number of issues cannot be sorted out unless we have an in charge who can act as a bridge between the state and central leadership. The in charge must be able to rise above factionalism and build a rapport with all the leaders,” said a senior party functionary. The BJP president, in his interactions with state leaders, is expected to discuss the issue that tops the party’s priority list — that of the BJP’s revival in UP. “He will seek suggestions from all leaders regarding the party’s revival in UP. He will discuss the prevailing political situations, the state of the party organisation and also the reason for the party’s downslide,” the functionary added. Meanwhile, party cadres are also ready with their complaints and suggestions when they meet the party president for the first time. “We will definitely talk to him and inform him of the problems plaguing the state unit of the BJP, mainly the outsized egos of the state leaders. We will also request him to let the party adopt an aggressive posture on Hindutva since that has been the mainstay of the party’s ideology. Most importantly, we will ask him to ensure that our leaders do not cut through each other’s statements since this lowers the party’s image,” said a BJP district president. Meanwhile, the state BJP unit is preparing to roll out the red carpet for Mr Gadkari. Welcome arches from the airport to the party office are being put up and the party office is also being spruced up for the occasion. (Asian Age 3/7/10)

Nitish is sitting on RSS' lap, says Lalu (26) Patna: Main opposition RJD on Tuesday accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of implementing a 'secret agenda' of the RSS by 'cheating and befooling' Muslims of the state. "Nitish Kumar and RSS have tacit a understanding.... Being an ally of BJP, the chief minister is sitting on RSS' lap and is implementing the secret agenda of RSS," RJD Deputy leader in state assembly Shakeel Ahmed Khan and newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP Ramkripal Yadav told a press conference. An inordinate delay in acquisition of land for Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj, tardy implementation of schemes under Multi Sectoral Development Programme, denial of appointment of Urdu teachers and apathy towards implementation of welfare schemes for Muslims have exposed the RSS agenda of Kumar, the two leaders claimed. Under the Multi Sectoral Development Plan, the Nitish government sought sanctioning of projects worth Rs 525 crore, of which the Centre has cleared projects worth Rs 244 crore and released Rs 125 crore as first instalment, Khan said. The state government had failed to utilise the Rs 125 crore as it spent only Rs 13 crore for the welfare projects which was just 11 per cent of the amount sanctioned. Similarly, the state government failed to utilise the funds for construction of 7256 houses under Indira Awas Yojana, and

hundreds of classrooms, toilets and on other heads under the Multi Sectoral Development Programme, launched in Bihar for achieving an all-round development of the minorities, Khan alleged. To substantiate his charge against Nitish Kumar, he said the erstwhile Rabri Devi government had in 2003 decided to appoint 35000 teachers and, out of them, 12762 teachers were proposed to be appointed for Urdu. (Indian Express 6/7/10)

RSS top brass under CBI scanner for 'shielding' Ajm er blasts' accused (26) NEW DELHI: Two RSS leaders have come under the CBI scanner for allegedly shielding the 2007 Ajmer blasts accused, Times Now reported on Saturday. Times Now report quoted CBI sources as saying that senior RSS functionaries from Uttar Pradesh – Ashok Varshney and Ashok Berry – not only gave shelter to accused Devender Gupta but also organised his stay in Lucknow and Sitapur in the state. Sources also said that Devender made these startling confessions in the presence of Varshney and Berry before the CBI sleuths. Umar Daan, lawyer of the accused, however alleged his clients were being "politically targeted". "'CBI has a political agenda. They are framing the people with certain mindset and notions. These leaders are not involved in any anti-social activities," said Umar Daan. Meanwhile, the CBI director has refused to divulge any details about the case. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, he said that that the CBI would be submitting its findings before the court soon. (Times of India 10/7/10)

Ban on Shivaji book lifted, Maharashtra govt unhapp y (26) Mumbai: The Supreme Court has lifted the ban on James Laine's controversial book on Shivaji, but the Maharashtra government is looking for an emergency exit. At stake is the issue of who can monopolize the Shivaji legacy and the Maratha vote, which accounts for 30% of the electorate. The opposition Shiv Sena and the BJP made fiery references to the book on Monday in the Assembly, forcing the house to adjourn briefly. The Speaker of the house finally agreed to the Sena's demand for a discussion on the issue. ''We will fight against any assault on Marathi pride,'' declared Subhash Desai, a spokesperson for the Shiv Sena Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has appointed a special committee to decide whether it can prevent the publication and sale of the book despite the court order. ''The state government has the option to file a revision to the Supreme Court decision,'' said Digvijay Singh, senior Congress leader.(Read: Ban on Shivaji book: Panel to explore legal options) 'Shivaji-The Hindu King in Muslim India' was written by Laine, a professor of religious studies, and was published in 2003 by the Oxford University Press in New York and New Delhi. In 2004, soon after saffron fringe groups vandalised Pune's Bhandarkar Institute over alleged derogatory references to Shivaji's in the book, the Shiv Sena joined the protests. The Congress-led government responded by banning the book on the grounds that it could lead to communal tension. The Bombay High Court, in 2007, lifted the ban, after which the state government appealed to the Supreme Court, where it has lost its case.(With PTI Inputs) (NDTV 12/7/10)

Fast track probe into terror cases against Hindu gr oups: CPM (26) New Delhi: The CPI(M) politburo on Sunday asked the UPA Government to “ fast-track” CBI investigation into the role of RSS leaders in a spate of bomb blasts. Pulling up the Congress-led UPA Government for “tardy” pace of investigation in the link between RSS leaders and “Hindutva terror groups”, the CPI (M) said that all the incidents expose “hatred-filled irrational propaganda” of the RSS. “The interrogation of some RSS functionaries in Uttar Pradesh on their links with the Hindutva terror groups is a serious development. Hindutva terror groups are suspected to be behind the bomb blasts targetting the minority community, in at least three incidents where innocent people were killed. These are the blasts in Malegaon, Ajmer Sharif and Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad,” alleged the CPI(M) politburo in a statement.“That RSS pracharaks — suspected to be linked to such elements — cannot be put down to individual aberrations but it is precisely the hatred-filled irrational propaganda and inculcation of rabid anti-minoritism by the RSS, which is responsible,” said the CPI(M). Blaming the RSS for engineering attacks against minorities, the CPI(M) alleged that the Nanded bomb blasts and the blast at the RSS office in Coimbatore were the handiwork of the RSS itself. “In 2006, in the context of the Nanded bomb blasts and the blast at the RSS office in Coimbatore, which it was later found that RSS workers themselves had engineered, demands had been raised in Parliament by the CPI(M) for a comprehensive inquiry to probe whether there was a wider network in operation,” alleged the CPI(M). (Pioneer 12/7/10)

Kalyan slams Mulayam overtures (26)

Lucknow: Hitting back at Mulayam Singh Yadav for his apology to Muslims for alligning with those responsible for Babri mosque demolition, former Hindutva icon Kalyan Singh on Thursday called him a traitor and said Samajwadi Party could never return to power as Muslims and the backward class had drifted away from it. "Muslims and backwards have drifted away from the SP and it will never regain power. Mulayam is a traitor and he is in the habit of betraying people after using them", Kalyan told PTI over phone from Aligarh. "During the Loksabha polls, Yadav wanted to take my support. Though my friends cautioned me against Yadav but I accepted his friendship keeping in mind interest of backward class," Singh said. Advising Yadav to apologise to the backward class, Singh said the Muslims had not left Mulayam because of his proximity to him but due to his own "misdeeds". Alleging that Yadav was of communal mentality, Singh said he always played with sentiments of crores of Hindus and adopted Muslim appeasement policy to use the community as a votebank only. "I never went to the door of Mulayam. He came to me seven times at my Lucknow residence and four times at my Delhi residence," he said. (Pioneer 15/7/10)

RSS mob 'vandalizes' TV channel office (26) NEW DELHI: Over 2000 angry protesters -- led by local RSS leaders -- barged into the office of an English news channel on Friday and allegedly vandalized the ground floor of the Videocon Towers at Jhandewalan. The mob was protesting a sting operation aired by Headlines Today, which allegedly links RSS leader Indresh Kumar with Devender Gupta -- a key accused in the Ajmer blasts. Police sources said they were taken by "surprise" by the sudden congregation and their efforts to "indulge in violence". "We had inputs that over 100 RSS men might try and converge at the office premises and hand over a memorandum. Accordingly, one platoon -- consisting of around 30 men -- was placed outside the office. However, around 5.30pm, the protesters' numbers swelled to 2000, out of which at least 500 men forced their way into the office building." "In the melee, glass doors of the building shattered and a number of flower pots broke. We had to rush in three companies from the CP reserve to control the situation," said a senior central district officer. Till reports last came in, at least eight protesters have been arrested by the central district police. "We have registered a case under various sections like rioting, disobeying public officers and damaging public property at the Paharganj police station. We have asked for clipping from the three private channels and are identifying the culprits through the videos. More arrests are likely throughout the night," said Karnal Singh, joint commissioner of police (Northern Range). The protesters later raised slogans against the media. However, the demonstration lasted for only half-an-hour. Sources said local security guards reacted swiftly, shutting off the lifts and barring access to the staircase, restricting the activists to the ground floor. Kamlesh Kumar Rana, a security guard on duty said, "We immediately switched off the lifts. First a few activists came in and broke the main glass door. Then they started coming in groups of hundreds and broke everything they could find. After shutting all the routes to the main office, I ran for my life." Headlines Today's executive producer Rahul Kanwal told TOI, "People with saffron leanings came into our office and ransacked the place, causing serious damage to property. I condemn this act of RSS. If they had a problem with our show, they should have filed a case against us or gone to the Writers' Guild. This method only shows their weakness as an organization. We will not be intimidated by such cowardly acts." When contacted, Ramesh P Sharma, president of RSS's Delhi unit claimed that the attack was a story "concocted" by the channel and the police. "We are shocked by the allegations. Our men had organized a peaceful protest. A few of our men reached the office a few minutes before the main group could assemble. This group had gone in. When they were exiting the building there was a minor skirmish with security personnel, which is being blown out of proportion," Sharma claimed. (Times of India 17/7/10)

Paswan seeks ban on RSS, VHP (26) SAHARSA/MADHEPURA: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan has alleged that the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP were involved in 90 per cent riots and bomb explosions in the country and demanded that these organizations should be banned in the country. While addressing a public meeting at Sattar Kataiya, about 12 km from here on Friday, Paswan accused CM Nitish Kumar of playing in the hands of the same organizations. Launching his election campaign jointly with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, Paswan cautioned the minority community against the CM’s "separatist" designs and urged them to defeat such communal forces. Lalu also alleged the CM was involved in 11,000 crore scam in the state. "Nitish and Sushil Modi had went to the court to level corruption charges against me and Rabri Devi, but we have not gone to the court against them. The high court itself has ordered CBI inquiry to probe the

multi-million scam. The entire amount of MNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojna and other central schemes have been completely devoured. The Bihar government had purchased computers worth 17 million and had sent them to all the schools promising to impart education to the children with the help of computers, but nowhere the computer education had been started. The entire amount had been devoured," Lalu alleged. The LJP chief came down heavily on the CM for trying to woo some upper caste leaders and said that "the CM was shamelessly touching their feet to squeeze political benefit in the coming election". According to Paswan, Nitish had abused and tortured Anand Mohan calling him a criminal and the same Nitish was going to his door to seek his blessings. He also alleged that Nitish had tortured the late Digvijay Singh also. Both Lalu and Paswan criticized the Congress Party and claimed that the state of Bihar had been deprived much of the central assistance as there was no minister from Bihar in the Union cabinet. With the defeat of RJD-LJP combine, Bihar has lost its voice in New Delhi, they added. In Madhepura district also, Lalu and Paswan addressed a public meeting at Singheshwar Sthan, the holy land of lord Shiva, on Friday. "We selected this holy land to kick-start our poll campaign," they said. Though they did not physically reach at the shrine of Lord Shiva, they offered prayer from the stage in the meeting site. "Ham Bhole Nath ko naman karne yaye hain, aur aap logon se kuchch kahne aaye hain," Lalu said. Lalu looked "different" this time. Earlier, he used to urge people to apply oil on lathi. This time, he exhorted them "Budham Sharnam Gachchami, Sangham Sharnam Gachchami". Repeating the Narendra Modi episode, Lalu alleged that CM Nitish Kumar returned Rs 5 crore meant for Kosi flood victims. "That money was not of Modi, that was sent by the Gujarat people. Rabri Devi led Bihar government had donated Rs 10 crore to quake victims in Gujarat," Lalu said. (Times of India 17/7/10)

Proximity between VHP, Kalyan ahead of Ayodhya verd ict The much awaited verdict on the Ayodhya dispute has come as a boon to the former chief minister Kalyan Singh who is all set to capitaise the opportunity by bringing himself back to the centre stage. In his pursuit the one time hero of Ram Mandir issue is inching closer to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the proposed visit of Singh to Ayodhya on September 16 is a brain child of the VHP itself. The fast growing proximity between the former chief minister and the VHP may have its implications beyond the awaited verdict regarding the title suit of the disputed site. " It may prove the beginning of the end of Kalyan Singh's venom against the BJP though not in intstant terms but gradually" commented a VHP functionary. The proposed visit of Singh to Ayodhya is supposedly the brain child of the VHP and its workers will play vital role to make the visit a robust success. It may be recalled that Singh immediately after holding a closed door meeting with a top functionary of the VHP on Monday announced that he will visit Ayodhya on September 16 to worship Lord Rama. Intrestingly the VHP is not happy with the BJP as its supremo Ashok Singhal recently observed that BJP mainly Ram Mandir Rath Yatra taken out by BJP stalwart Lal Krishn Advani in heady days of early nineties caused harm to the cause of Ram Mandir and BJP must repent for its misdeeds. Following the footsteps of Singhal, the former chief minister also alleged that the BJP betrayed the Hindus on Mandir issue and it must apologise to them. Kalyan Singh as he stands at the moment seemingly somewhat apolitical in role of the patron of the newly born and little known Jan Kranti Party led by his son Rajbeer Singh is suitable for the VHP to be put up as a champion of the Mandir cause. Though the VHP leaders admit that Kalyan Singh due to his inconsistent political stands has lost the appeal he used to have among Hindus mainly Mandir advocates few years back but still no one can deny the fact that it was his government which refused to use force to stop the destruction of the disputed structure. "His government was dismissed and he also served one day token imprisonment for the contempt of the Supreme Court and all this is enough to put up Singh as the face of Mandir champions." commented a VHP functionary. (Pioneer, 15/9/2010)

Response to Ayodhya suit verdict will be within law : Bhagwat The RSS on Tuesday said its response to the Ayodhya title suit verdict will be within 'law and Constitution' and indicated that further legal options can be availed of if the ruling is not upto its expectation. "Of course, the aspirations of the Hindu society is that there should be a temple at Ram Janmabhoomi. Our response to the verdict will be according to that wishes. We will try to ensure that Ram temple is constructed there," RSS chief Mohan Bahgwat said at an interaction with women scribes here. "We can react to the verdict only after it comes... further legal options will also be available," the RSS Sarsanghachalak said, hinting that any party involved in the case can move the Supreme Court if the Allahabad High Court verdict does not come in its favour. To repeated queries on apprehensions of law

and order problems after the ruling comes on September 24, he, however, maintained that the RSS' response to the verdict will be "within the limits of law, Constitution and democratic way." "Hamare taraf se koi jhanjhat nahi hoga (there will be no trouble from our side)," Bhagwat told reporters after the interaction at the Indian Women's Press Corps. "We don't want any type of divide in society, we don't see it as a Hindu-Muslim dispute but an issue of respect of our national values...in fact, if the temple is built there, it will help in integration of the society." Asked if they are ready to enter into a dialogue with Babri Masjid Action Committee on the issue, he said the RSS is holding dialogue with religious leaders to lessen divide in society but any talks on temple issue will be in the domain of the committee of the 'sants' undertaking the temple movement. On whether the RSS is disappointed with the BJP's attitude to temple issue, he said, "The Ram mandir movement has helped the BJP...however, we do not look for help from anyone to run our movement". On the situation in Kashmir and the question of autonomy, he said, "We do not like words like azadi or autonomy. We do not understand the need for talking to separatists. We feel Kashmir should be totally integrated to India." He felt government's stand and policies should have been based on this viewpoint rather than treating the region in a different way. At the same time, he said there is need to create trust among the people in Kashmir. Asked about the issue of "saffron terrorism", the RSS chief termed the word as "improper". "There were some individual sporadic and small incidents. They should be investigated and those guilty should be punished." Bhagwat said even if somebody linked to RSS is found guilty, he can be prosecuted, but asserted that RSS or Hinduism does not sanction violence. He said if such incidents are projected in a big way or such words are used, it smacks of politics. "Phir yeh soch aati hai ki koi politics toh nahi khela ja raha hai, koi chal to nahi chali ja rahi hai (It evokes questions like whether it is part of a political strategy). (IE, 15/9/2010)

Fear of backlash forces govt ignored illegal places of worship As the country awaits a verdict on whether a mosque was built atop a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the UP government has submitted to the Supreme Court that there are 45,162 illegal places of worship in the state. Ironically, the government has also admitted that it has failed to act 'fearing a religious backlash'. A detailed report was collected by the UP government after a petition was submitted in t he Apex Court over construction of illegal places of worship. As per the UP government report, Fatehpur has 443 illegal places of worship, Chitrakoot 159, Banda 202, Hamirpur 236, Mahoba 457, Sultanpur 174, Jalaun 135, Etawah 295, Kanpur (Dehat) 271, Kannauj 226, Auraiya 162, Hardoi 311, Rae Bareli 521 and Unnao 825. The list is headed by Kanpur with 1,490 illegal places of worship, The Department of Religious Endowment said that the issue of illegal places of worship comes under the purview of the district magistrate and the local police. The issue pertains to local law and order problem and therefore the department has nothing to do with these illegal places of worship. Deputy Secretary (Department of Religious Endowment) Rajesh Kumar Raghuvanshi categorically said that they have no control over these illegal places of worships. "The department is concerned about only one temple - the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. We are answerable to that temple only and have no control over other legal or illegal places of worship," Raghuvanshi told 'The Pioneer' on Tuesday. The incidents of construction of places of worship has increased in the last decade when makeshift temples or mosques sprung up all of a sudden on controversial pieces of land. "Once people start paying obeisance at that place it becomes very difficult for the local administration to remove it," an official in the Home Department said and added that more often than not this 'tried and tested' tactics is used to 'grab' the land. "Many big known religious trusts and associations, which are flushed with funds, too adopt this method to grab land," the official said. Incidentally, the state government does not have a rule to prevent construction of places of worships. Anybody can construct place of worship, according to his faith, on any land as long as it is not controversial. The law even does not say that the district magistrates' permission is required before construction of places of worship. (Pioneer, 15/9/2010)

VHP plans ‘dharma sansad' on judgment day With the clock ticking away for judgment day on the Ayodhya issue, top guns of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its affiliates, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad have been confabulating in the last two days, assessing the situation and the public mood. The verdict in the case will be delivered by the Allahabad High Court in Lucknow on September 24. On September 24 and 25, the VHP plans to organise a ‘baithak' (meeting) of ‘sants' associated with its `dharma sansad' (religious parliament). The RSS brass will be at hand for consultations. The decision by the Sangh Parivar is to allow the ‘sants' to lead from the front and give a call for building a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya,

irrespective of the verdict, and with the help of legislation, if necessary. The BJP is expected to take a back seat, having “admitted” to the RSS and the VHP leaders that it was a “mistake” for it to have politicised the Ram temple issue for political gain through L.K. Advani's ‘rath-yatra' and the earlier Palampur resolution. It seems the RSS wants the ‘sants' to take the lead in giving the first reaction to the verdict to give the issue a non-political colour. This was clearly indicated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently when he also said that the reaction would be within the bounds of the country's legal, democratic and constitutional framework. On Wednesday, the Jhandewalan meeting was briefly attended by BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who left early to attend the all-party meeting on Kashmir. Three other BJP leaders invited for the discussions are: the former presidents Rajnath Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi and general secretary Ramlal. Ashok Singhal and Pravin Togadia of the VHP were present at the discussions on Wednesday and Thursday. Mr. Bhagwat was present guiding the discussions in which a number of other senior RSS office-bearers, including some zonal heads, participated. RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav later said that a judicial verdict could only be about a “small piece of disputed land” when, in fact, much more land would be needed for a Ram temple. This was possible only through Parliament legislation. “Ideally,” the problem should be resolved through negotiation or legislation, implying that a court verdict would not lead to the desired result. The VHP has started a programme of singing Hanuman ‘chalisas' (hymns) in temples to mobilise public opinion on the Ram temple issue, but so far there are not many signs that they have been successful. As one VHP office-bearer said, the programme was to refresh people's collective memory of the Ram temple movement as it was in the late eighties and up to the demolition of the Babri masjid in December 1992. The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has given one last chance to the parties to the dispute to state in court on Friday whether they are able to arrive at an amicable out-of-court settlement. Much will depend on the outcome of the verdict. Mr. Bhagwat is on record that the RSS does not want to create trouble. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is not leaving anything to chance and full-scale security measures are taken to ensure law and order. (The Hindu, 17/9/2010)

Mulayam, Maya absence puzzles Ayodhya Muslims Muslims are wondering over the silence of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and the reluctance of UP chief minister Mayawati to visit Ayodhya before the judgment of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title suit to be pronounced on September 24. “It is surprising that Mulayam Singhji is maintaining silence,” says M. Ahmed, a small trader at Ayodhya. Muslims here appear to be disillusioned about Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav whose government in Uttar Pradesh had protected the Babri Masjid from karsevaks in the past and had even fired at them. Muslims in Ayodhya feel the Samajwadi Party chief is playing vote bank politics and thereby diluting ideological conviction. Ms Mayawati is keeping a close vigil in Ayodhya, deploying police forces there ensuring that the law and order situation here should be maintained irrespective of the high court’s judgment. Muslims, by and large, have no complaint against her but they are unsure how will she handle the post September 24 situation. “No, she does not believe in making a formal appeal of peace or calling meetings of Hindu-Muslim. This is not her style of functioning,” viewed a local resident. But can she be tough with the upper castes, who had voted for her in the last Assembly election or would she consolidate her support base among Muslims and dalits, speculate people. This is because Ms Mayawati did not arrest one-time poster boy of Hindutva Kalyan Singh when he visited Ayodhya along with supporters last week. Mr Singh is determined to go ahead with this issue after realising that the caste card has its own limitations in the state. The BJP is downplaying the issue saying that this is a legal battle and should be fought in the courts. It fears that re-identifying with the issue could isolate the party further in the era of coalition politics. The BJP is trying to check the UPA under the NDA banner. This issue would not only embarrass the JD(U) in the middle of the electoral battle in Bihar but could create problems for the prospective allies in other states. But the Sangh Privar is free to raise this issue asking whether courts can decide the matters of faith. Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti, a former BJP MP and the official of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and Mandir Nirman Ucchadhhikar Samiti, is confident that no court in India can give a judgment against the Ram Mandir. He fears that anti-social elements, especially outside forces, could be “active” after September 24 in Ayodhya and across the country. People in Ayodhya have realised that they have no say in this matter as it has become a national and international issue. The second phase of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid controversy could begin after September 24 after the December 6, 1992 demolition. (AA, 22/9/2010)

MP Cong flays ‘Hindu Yodhas', seeks action against organisers The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday strongly condemned a campaign, run through banners, posters and hoardings to recruit 'Hindu Yodhas' in the State ahead of the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid verdict to be pronounced by the Allahabad Court on Friday. The Congress said it expect stringent action against those responsible for running the campaign. The party also decided to set up a round-the-clock control room at its State headquarters for two days on September 24-25 to monitor the happenings in the State in wake of the verdict. Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Suresh Pachouri described the recruitment of 'Hindu Yodhas' through inflammatory posters and hoardings as an act to vitiate the atmosphere in the State. In a statement released here on Wednesday, Pachouri said, “The heinous act of calling Hindu Youth for recruitment as the Hindu Yodhas by the saffron brigade is certainly aimed at vitiating the peaceful atmosphere of the State ahead of the verdict." The Congress leader said that he expect the action taken by the administration to be stringent and one that would desist others from involving in such activities. He said that at a time when the verdict is looming and the two main parties are talking of accepting the judgement with respect, no disruptive person, institution or organisation should be allowed to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the State. The State Congress chief has instructed party workers to establish a round-the-clock control room at party State headquarters and instructed all district and city party presidents to help maintain peace and amity in their respective areas and keep the control room informed of the developments. (Pioneer, 23/9/2010)

Ayodhya litigants welcome end of suspense The cloud of uncertainty that hung over the Ayodhya verdict, to be delivered by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, has lifted. On the face of it, almost all parties to the dispute, the wary litigants battling it out in courts over six decades, are looking forward to the early delivery of the verdict, even if they are unsure of the outcome. Zafaryab Jilani, counsel for the Sunni Wakf Board, and S. Shahbuddin, member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's Committee on Babri Masjid, would not hazard a guess which way the verdict would swing. But they were one in categorically stating here on Tuesday that they would honour the verdict, whichever way it went, while reserving their constitutional right to appeal to the Supreme Court in the event of an adverse order. They welcomed the end of uncertainty and the end of any further delay of a verdict that has been in the making for the last 61 years. Mr. Shahbuddin lamented: “All these years successive governments have failed to assert that irrespective of the outcome of the judicial process — after the final verdict comes from the Supreme Court — they would ensure its implementation. That has created all manner of doubts, although we have stated many times we will not flinch from facing the consequences of an adverse judgment.” Mr. Jilani said he was awaiting the verdict with “neither hope nor despair but with a view to accepting what is delivered.” They will not celebrate the verdict if it is in their favour, nor would they greet it with sadness, if it is adverse, and above all, they express the hope that peace will prevail. In stark contrast, there was an air of pessimism in the offices of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, where top leaders of the organisation were on Tuesday openly expressing fears about an adverse judicial verdict from the High Court. Giriraj Kishore and Pravin Togadia have made it clear that they cannot accept a verdict other than one that would favour and facilitate the building of a “grand Ram temple” on the disputed site. Mr. Togadia did add that the VHP — through the other ‘Hindu' litigants — would “indirectly participate in the constitutional and legal process” of appealing to the Supreme Court in the event of an adverse verdict, but “will not wait” to start a “movement on the ground in favour of building a Ram temple even if the High Court verdict was adverse.” “From today you will not see us in Delhi. We will be going to different areas,” Mr. Togadia said, indicating that “without waiting for the final verdict from the Supreme Court,” the VHP led by the committee of ‘sants' (mentored by it), would start to mobilise people in favour of constructing a Ram temple. “We cannot countenance any other finality on this issue,” he said. Six-decade legal battle The verdict to be delivered on Thursday will mark the second important landmark in the legal battle that has spread over six decades — the first round went to the litigants claiming to represent the Hindu community when, by a judicial verdict, the locks of the Babri Masjid were opened in 1986 to allow regular ‘pooja' of the Ram Lalla deity installed there in the dead of night of December 22/23, 1949. Muslims were simultaneously forbidden to come anywhere near the disputed structure, some of the parties to the dispute pointed out. Then in 1992, despite a status quo order of the Supreme Court, the Masjid was demolished by thousands of ‘kar sevaks' led by the VHP, the BJP and their affiliates. The Hindu Mahasabha, a party to the dispute, has announced a ‘havan' and a ‘yagnya' at 11 a.m. on September 30 — prayers for a verdict favouring the building of a temple. (The Hindu, 29/9/2010)

RSS on the offensive, to launch stir to combat terr or charge The RSS has decided to hit the streets on the issue of saffron terror. The outfit, which has been on the backfoot after the names of some of its functionaries were linked with cases of bomb blasts, has drawn up protest plans as its top brass decided to aggressively counter the terror allegations being hurled at it. The Sangh’s top leadership had been in a huddle for the past three days in Maharastra’s Jalgaon and sources said the overwhelming view was that the outfit should strongly come out against attempts to link it with saffron terror rather than leaving it to the BJP. The trigger, of course, was the Indresh Kumar episode and the assessment was that his name was unnecessarily dragged into the Ajmer blast case. The Sangh leadership has directed its cadre to hold street protests on November 10 to protest what it felt attempts to defame the RSS. Concluding the three-day executive meet at Jalgaon on Sunday, the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meet of the RSS also passed a very strongly-worded resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, coming down heavily on the three-member interlocutor team. “It is openly working in the interest of Pakistan and separatists and causing damage to India’s interest and must be immediately disbanded,” it said. The highlight of the day, however, was that the RSS, upon insisted by mediapersons, asked Indresh Kumar to come forward to answer their queries. The senior RSS leader said he was being falsely implicated in the case. When specifically asked how his name and phone number found a mention in the diaries of the accused persons, Indresh Kumar said, “Does that establish that I am involved? Anybody’s name and number can be found in anybody’s diary. Does that mean there is necessarily some connection with the activities of the persons to whom the diary belongs?” He said he will fight it out in the court. The RSS had earlier alleged that the Congress strategically targeted the RSS to woo back alienating Muslims. “There was a lot of discussion in the meeting on the alleged Hindu terror allegations being levelled against senior RSS leaders. It was felt that it all was getting very, very vindictive and political. We have studied the charge-sheet and have realised that Indreshji’s name has been included without any substantive evidence. The general mood was that it must be opposed on all possible fora, including judiciary. So, senior RSS leaders, including Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, will hold dharna programmes at different places on November 10. We will also use media conferences to put forth our side,” senior RSS leader Ram Madhav told The Indian Express. In the light of the verdict of the Allahabad High Court, sources said the RSS has decided to launch a campaign to highlight its demand for construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya. (IE, 01/11/2010)

'CDs of Bajrangi’s hate speech used to incite Lashk ar cadre' NEW DELHI: Use of videos of alleged atrocities on Indian Muslims during the Gujarat riots by terror groups to motivate jihadis had never been a secret, but how one particular CD -- Babu Bajrangi's video --clicked with trainers to send an instant message among trainees, including a New Zealander convert, is something which Indian sleuths had never heard of. This was revealed to them by none other than American Lashkar terrorist David Coleman Headley who had not only been trained watching the CD in terror camps in Pakistan but had also seen how even the New Zealander got enraged watching the video and vowed to visit India for jihad. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) -- which questioned Headley in Chicago in June -- has also mentioned in its 106-page interrogation report about these training programmes and the presence of the convert from New Zealand in one of the terror camps in Pakistan. Headley had told NIA: "Sajid, Muzzammil and Abu Qahafa (all Lashkar commanders) showed me a number of CDs of atrocities on Indian Muslims. Babu Bajrangi's videos of Gujarat riots were also shown (during one of the training programmes)." In the video referred to by Headley, the right-wing Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi was shown spitting venom against Muslims in Gujarat during the 2002 riots. He purportedly said on camera during the riots that he would not spare a single Muslim, no matter what he had to do for this. Headley told the NIA that he and fellow jihadis not only got arms training and various techniques used by spies but also learned how to be a leader in any mission. According to his disclosure, the Lashkar organises specific training programmes on leadership by conducting various seminars. "This course is called Dhaura-e-Tadribul Musaleen. During this Dhaura, speeches were given by Hafiz Saeed, Andur Rehman Makki and others," he said. He also mentioned that during one of the seminars, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar had come and given a long speech on waging jihad against India. (TOI, 03/11/2010)

Links between RSS and terrorists need to be probed: Congress The idea of India — that is democracy — faces its most serious challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party and it was intent not just on shredding the secular fabric of the nation, but also on destroying the democratic institutions, the Congress alleged here on Sunday. Stung by the onslaught against it through the recently concluded winter session of Parliament, the Congress unleashed its fury on the BJP. Both in a political resolution as well as in speeches by senior leaders and delegates alike, the message that went out from Burari on Sunday, the second day of the organisation's 83rd plenary — coinciding with its 125th anniversary — was that the Congress meant business and that it was going to be a bare knuckles battle from now on. Indeed, the political resolution, passed after discussion, asked the government to tackle the communal menace in the strongest possible manner and investigate links between terrorists and the RSS and its sister organisations that were uncovered in some recent cases. “The role of religious fundamentalist organisations in challenging the security of the nation can no longer be ignored,” it said. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who moved the political resolution, focussed on the “illogical” fashion the BJP stalled Parliament for 22 consecutive working days, demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum scam while avoiding a debate on the floor. Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, however, was clearly the star of the day. He said the BJP's and the RSS' Hitlerian ideology of hatred, violence and divisiveness contrasted sharply with that of the Congress, which took its inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's gospel of love and communal harmony. Arjun Singh-like, he concentrated on the communal politics of the BJP and the sangh parivar, drawing applause and laughter from the delegates. He said those of a communal bent of mind, while agreeing that all Muslims were not terrorists, liked to ask: “Why are all terrorists Muslims?” To those people, he said, he would like to pose a counter-question: “All Hindus are not terrorists, but why are all Hindu terrorists connected to the RSS?” The political resolution pointed out that the BJP had “a history of double standards and doublespeak on issues of serious corruption. While trying to target the Congress, which had sacked some of its Ministers accused of corruption, the BJP was busy defending its corrupt government in Karnataka, the resolution said. (The Hindu, 20/12/2010)

No New Year’s eve please, we are Hindus: VHP to sch ool A Rajpipla-based English medium school’s decision to host a New Year eve function has run into rough weather with the local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) unit sending it a letter saying that New Year celebration is against Hindu culture. G S L English Medium School is now reconsidering its plans. VHP secretary Nimish Tailor told The Indian Express that they had faxed a copy of the letter to the state Education Minister too. “The school is organising a party for the children on New Year’s eve, which is against our culture. We are Hindus and we follow the Hindu calendar. Why couldn’t they organise something during Diwali?” said Tailor. School administrator J D Patel said: “We celebrate all festivals with equal fervour. But if there is a demand from the local VHP unit, we will reconsider our plans.” School principal N K Mishra said they have invited renowned singer Lata Kanitkar from Vadodara on December 31. Besides, the students will put up a folk dance performance at the event. “I feel I follow the Hindu religion more than those who are demanding the cancellation of this programme,” said Mishra. The school follows the Gujarat education board curriculum and imparts schooling from Class I to X. Narmada district education officials refused to comment, saying it was a private school. (IE, 23/12/2010)

RSS leader grilled for Hindu terror NEW DELHI: The CBI on Thursday questioned senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar for nearly four hours at the agency's headquarters about the blast in Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid. The agency asked Kumar to submit his passport, identity cards and details of bank accounts. Indresh, whose name figures in the chargesheet — though he has not been charged — in the case concerning the Ajmer blast, is the first senior RSS leader to have been questioned for terror-related probes. "Indresh Kumar was summoned in connection with the Mecca Masjid blast where he was questioned about the facts and circumstances relevant to the criminal conspiracy in the said case. He was also grilled in connection with his association with the accused and suspects of this case, his meetings with them was also examined," said a CBI spokesperson. The explosion in Mecca Masjid had claimed nine lives. Five more people died in police firing that followed the blast. The agency said they might call the RSS leader for questioning again. Indresh's interrogation came close on the heels of the Congress leadership, at the party's plenary

session, calling upon the government to "investigate links between terrorists and the RSS and its sister organisations". The directive came against the backdrop of the disclosure by Wikileaks, the whistle-blower website, of a diplomatic cable sent by US ambassador Timothy Roemer based on his conversation with Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. Roemer quoted Rahul as telling him that he considered Hindu terror groups which had emerged in response to terrorism from Pakistan and other Islamist groups as a bigger threat than LeT. Indresh was based in Rajasthan from 2001 and was also involved with the work of Rashtriya Muslim Manch, an outfit floated by RSS as part of its outreach to Muslims. He came on the CBI's radar because of his alleged links with RSS workers and other Hindutva hardliners who have emerged as suspects in bomb attacks on Muslim places of worship in Malegaon, Ajmer and Hyderabad as well as on Pakistani citizens returning by Samjhauta Express. The blasts as well as the attack on Samjhauta Express are seen as linked because of the similarity of devices used. Some of the accused and suspects are said to be still involved with the RSS, while some left the organisation, frustrated by its inability to counter Islamic terror, to join those who grouped under the militant Hindutva outfit Abhinav Bharat. They include former Army officer Lt Col Shrikant Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya, retired Army officer Major Ramesh Upadhyay and the fake Shankaracharya of Jammu, Sudhakar Dwivedi. (TOI, 24/12/2010)

Pune violence: Two Shiv Sena leaders booked Two days after the city witnessed violence during the bandh called by the Shiv Sena to protest against removal of the statue of Dadoji Konddeo’s from Lal Mahal, the city police have arrested two persons including the personal assistant of Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and a senior party leader for criminal conspiracy and provoking riots. The bandh called on Monday, witnessed violence in which eight buses and property worth several crores were destroyed. An FIR against Milind Narvekar, personal assistant of Uddhav Thackeray, and Sena Legislative Council Member (MLC) Neelam Gorhe was filed after a complaint was lodged by Inspector Manohar Joshi of the special branch of Pune police. Both Narvekar and Gorhe have been booked under Sections 153 (provocation with intent of causing riot), 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The two were booked on the basis of their mobile phone conversation intercepted by the police on December 27. According to the FIR filed at the Bund Garden police station, during the conversation, Narvekar told Gorhe over the phone, “On Tuesday, at 6 am, 200-300 people should take to the streets in Pune. Early in the morning, at least five ST buses at Pune station, Swargate and Shivajinagar ST stand should be set ablaze. It must be done all of a sudden. Manage the TV crew and get the shots, so that it can reach the people. At 6 am, torch two trucks on the Mumbai-Pune highway, so that the traffic coming towards Pune is automatically stopped. Also, torch two ST buses there.” The police said the phones of some political leaders had been tapped after a tip-off that they were planning to create problems during the bandh. During the bandh, agitators pelted stones at buses and left eight of them damaged. Some Sena workers were also detained by the police as a preventive measure. The agitators also tried to disrupt rail traffic at Lonavala on Mumbai-Pune section of the Central railway. The Sinhgad Express, which runs from Pune to Mumbai, was stopped for a while at Lonavala. (Pioneer, 31/12/2010)

‘Gather a mob, burn trucks and buses, inform TV cha nnels’ Police in Pune have evidence that suggests Tuesday’s violent bandh in the city was planned at the highest levels in the Shiv Sena, and television reporters were invited to cover the rioting and arson. On Monday night, on the eve of the bandh called by the Shiv Sena-BJP to protest the removal of Dadoji Konddeo’s statue from Lal Mahal, police recorded a mobile phone conversation in which Milind Narvekar, personal assistant of Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, allegedly instructed Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe to stone and torch buses after informing TV crews. The special branch has filed a complaint against Gorhe and Narvekar at the Bund Garden police station under IPC Sections 153 (promoting enmity between groups) and 120B (criminal conspiracy). Police have submitted a copy of the FIR to Judicial Magistrate (first class) R L Wankhede, along with a CD containing the tapped conversation and four pages of transcripts. According to the complaint, Narvekar told Gorhe, “Gather a mob of about 200 to 300 persons at 6 am in the morning... create a big issue in the morning itself... stone five to six buses at Pune station, Swargate, Shivajinagar ST bus stand... manage to burn a bus and inform the television news channels... “At 6 am burn two trucks on Lonavla highway... it will close the highway... flow of traffic will be disrupted... people would stop coming on this road and entrance and exit points to the city

will be closed... Everything should happen in the morning... and should happen all of a sudden... burn two STS buses...” A senior police officer said the call came to Gorhe’s number 9822022155 from Narvekar’s number 9821226146 at 11.56 pm on December 27. When reached on the same number, Gorhe said, “I have no idea about the case. Police have not spoken to me about it. I cannot say anything.” Narvekar too received a call in Mumbai on the number mentioned in the complaint. But like Gorhe, he too refused to comment. Sena MLA Mahadev Babar told reporters, “If the police had information that rioting was being planned, why did they not arrest Neelam Gorhe immediately after listening to her alleged conversation?” Commissioner of Police Meeran Borwankar had blamed “politicians from all parties” for the rioting. “The agitation was done keeping in mind the coming PMC elections... The citizens of Pune should not support any violence,” she had said on Tuesday. Sources said police may seek the voice samples of Gorhe and Narvekar to match them with the voices on tape. “The politicians may deny it is them... We will have to prove our case,” said an officer. (IE, 30/12/2010)