I n d i a n M u s l i m s L e a d i n g E n g l i s h N e w s p a p e r , p u b l i s h e d s i n c e J a n u a r y 2 0 0 0

MG THE
Fortnightly
283 Vol. 12 No. 21

MILLI GAZETTE
1-15 November 2011 32 pages
JUSTICE KATJU... 5, 14 Terrorism/state terror 1,7,9 Corruption 4,10,14 Urdu 7 Riots 1,5,18,19 AMU 7,8,17 Waqf 9 Communal harmony 12 BJP 4,6,14 Welfare Party 17 Modi 4,6 Gujarat 1,4,6,10 J&K 12,13,14

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PROF. SHAIKH ALI...3

Analysis 12,14 Special Reports 3 Issues 2,12-13 Books 27 National 3-22 International 23-26 Speaking Out 14 Newsmakers 16 19-22 Community News Our Publications 28 Islamic Perspectives 9,29 Classifieds 30 Letters 31

Anti-Muslim & anti-Dalit Modi is now anti-Brahmin

AMARESH MISRA
[email protected] izarre developments keep taking place in Gujarat. IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt has been arrested. Previously, on 5 February 2011, the Gujarat government issued a show cause notice to senior IPS officer Rahul Sharma. Why did Sharma suddenly become persona non grata? Sharma, a 1992 batch IPS officer, now posted as DIG Rajkot, was DCP (control room), Ahmedabad, in April 2002. He investigated the violence at Naroda Patiya and Gulberg Society. He made CDs, from AT&T and Cel-Force mobile service provider data. These CDs contained phone records of

senior ministers, police officers, and members of RSS and VHP during the 2002 riots. They disappeared mysteriously; But Sharma preserved a copy. Interestingly, these phone records played a significant part in the arrest and the cancelling of anticipatory bails of Gujarat VHP president Jaideep Patel and minister Maya Kodnani for their role in killing Muslims during 2002 riots. They are important also in the investigation into the brutal killing of Congress ex-MP Ehsan Jafri and 30 others at Gulberg Society. The CDs provide important pieces of evidence in the Naroda Patiya violence in which 105 Muslims were killed. Here is a sample of what the CD contains:
12:20 hrs: Police Inspector KG Erda of Meghani Nagar sends a message to Ahmedabad police control room that a mob of around 10,000

Helpless Home Minister beseeches CMs

ith riots raging all over the country at the rate of two incidents per day, our home minister finally mustered courage on 11 October to write a letter to the states chief ministers. He told them politely that certain elements may incite communal violence in the coming days and that such elements should be identified and dealt with suitably. The poor man did even have the courage to even use a more proper word like harshly or mercilessly. All this while he himself confesses in the said letter that from 1 August to 11 October this year, 119 communal violence incidents have taken place in which 32 person were killed and that this year until 11 October, 413 communal violence incidents have taken place in which 75 persons were killed and 1161 were injured. He further disclosed that in 2010, 651 communal violence incidents took place in which 114 persons were killed and 2115 were injured, and that in 2009 a total of 773 (about three incidents per day) took place in which 123 persons lost their lives and

has surrounded Gulberg Society and was pelting stones and also trying to set it on fire. Erda requests for additional forces. 12:38 hrs: A police mobile van stationed near Meghani Nagar sends a message to Ahmedabad police control room that Gulberg Society had been surrounded by a mob of 4,000 to 5,000 people. 14:05 hrs: Joint Commissioner Sector 2, MK Tandon sends a message to police control room that Ehsan Jafri has been surrounded by a mob and additional forces should be dispatched. 14:14 hrs: KG Erda sends another message to Ahmedabad police control room that a mob of 10,000 people was about to set Gulberg Society on fire and ACP, DCP and additional forces be sent immediately. 14:45 hrs: KG Erda sends yet another message that the society had been surrounded from all sides and the mob was about to set it on fire. 15:45 hrs: Tandon sends a message to control room enquiring if there was any incidence of violence at Gulberg Society (by this time the carnage was in full swing).

2417 were injured. The fact of the matter is that not only Sanghis, now even police, directly controlled by the home minister, are taking an active part in killing Muslims at the drop of a hat - Forbesganj, Gopalgarh and Rudrapur are very recent instances. In Rudrapur, 20,000 Muslims fled their homes due to Police brutality after the initial firing. The Congress party which spearheaded the communal violence prevention draft bill is now silent in the face of BJP and allied parties criticism who would rather have a Right to Riot bill to murder innocents with full immunity. It is clear today that riots, rather state-sponsored violence against minorities, are part of our life and it is time we seriously thought about some long-term strategy to frustrate forces which want to kill and cripple us. Apart from local measures like permanent relief funds, peace committees, legal action, we should now approach international human rights forums including UN, EU and OIC.

ZAFARUL-ISLAM KHAN

MG/Yusuf

ll this is mentioned in the SIT report submitted to the Supreme Court. The SIT states explicitly that the Gujarat Government destroyed crucial records and that Modi is immoral and communal. The SIT report states that Sanjiv Bhatt, the deputy commissioner intelligence during 2002, admitted off the record that Modi asked government officials to let Hindus vent their anger in the 27th February 2002 meeting. Modi should have been arrested and paraded in Ahmedabad as a criminal for these unconstitutional remarks. On the contrary, after arrest, Bhatt is being treated like a criminal. Mrs Shweta Bhatt, his wife, fears for his life-all this, because he would have gone on record had criminal proceedings been initiated against the Gujarat CM. Can things get more, weird than this? Hemant Karkare, the officer who first unmasked the real RSS face of terrorism in India, was killed in mysterious circumstances, possibly by Sangh Parivar terrorists, during 26/11 in Mumbai. He was a Brahmin. Rahul Sharma and Sanjiv Bhatt are also Brahmins. Other persecuted Gujarat officers, like Satish Verma also belong to the upper caste. Ideologically, fascism as a phenomenon

seeks to re-invent tradition. Both Hitler and Mussolini were upstarts who usurped, respectively, the authority of the traditional German and Italian elite. Anti-Semitism was a smokescreen for the larger agenda by these two figures to subdue both the ruling and the working classes of their countries. In a similar manner, anti-Muslim rhetoric is a smokescreen for upstart-fascist Modi to target Dalits, Adivasis and poor on one hand and Brahmins on the other. Remember, RSS and Bania-Marwari-Sindhi leaders of the BJP were never comfortable with Atal Behari Vajpeyi, the man who chided Modi for not following `Raj dharma in 2002. Modi draws most of his support from refugee Punjabis, Parsis, Banias, Marwarisforces which have money but secretly resent Sanatan Dharma Brahmins and their socio-political clout, and which, at the same time, are afraid of Dalits-OBCs-Adivasis one day asking for real socio-economic justice. Since coming to power, Modi has targeted Sanatani Brahmins systematically. First RBC Kumar, a now retired IPS Brahmin officer, was persecuted. Then Pradeep Sharma, IPS, and Kuldeep Sharma, IAS, were harassed. Hiren Pandya, another Brahmin, was killed in broad daylight by assassins sent by Narendra Modi. In an unprecedented move, Jagdish Dave, Nanu Vaidya, Pravin Raval, Deepak Bhatt, Rashmikant Trivedi and Hemang Raval-all leading luminaries of the Brahmin Ekta Samaj, an umbrella organization of 84 Gujarati Brahmin communities-have called Modi a tyrant and condemned the arrest of Sanjiv Bhatt. While calling out an all-out war against Modi, these figures have welcomed efforts by secular/civil society forces/students to take up cudgels against fascism in Gujarat. Indian fascists resent Congress because it is the only party that brings together Brahmins, Dalits and Muslims and tries, despite several mistakes, to further the difficult task of nationbuilding in a humungous, diverse society. Recently, on the occasion of Modi completing ten years of his reign as Gujarats CM, the media put out the message that he is invincible. The Brahmin alienation may well start the beginning of the end of the Modi factor by 2012, when elections become due in Gujarat.

Let me see. Perhaps I may find the PM chair

Ram Mandir is election issue

Deoband student killed by police

ere is a heart-rending story which has failed to attract the attention of the media or government agencies. It shows how the police over the years have become a Muslim-hating force with subtle support of elements in the government. It happened two months ago when four students of Darul Uloom Deoband were returning home for Ramadan holidays. They were Hafiz Obaidullah, Saleemullah, Maftooh Alam and Shaheed Ahmad. On 20 July, they boarded the Delhi-Guwahati Sampark Karanti train at Delhi on their way to their native town of Krimganj in Assam. Hafiz Obaidullah (19 years) had an argument with a lady passenger over his reserved seat. The woman called the police which quickly

arrived and, without ascertaining the facts, started mercilessly beating Obaidullah until he breathe his last on the spot. The remaining three students were dragged to the Mughal Sarai police station where they were detained amid continuous torture, filthy abuses and extraction of their blood despite their protests. These students were freed three days later at the intervention of Jamiat Ulama leaders and Darul Uloom Deoband rector Mufti Abul Qasim Banarsi. The police took the body of the murdered student to Patna where it was abandoned as the body of an unknown and unidentified person This is how the life of a Muslim can be extinguished in free India with complete impunity.

MG NEWS DESK

2 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

ISSUES / OPINION

What has bias against minorities cost India?

MUSHTAQUE MADNI
Editor, Usool, Pune It was during one of the parliamentary sessions that former defence minister, George Fernandes, when criticized by a Congress leader, blatantly said that he had concrete proofs that there was an unwritten command to the ministries by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi not to appoint Muslims in sensitive positions. Ministries did oblige more than needed and Muslims were denied opportunities in government jobs. Even Army, which is said to be most secular and independent of government interference, has had strict reservations regarding the appointment of Muslim officers at top levels. A few instances of high-ranking Muslim officers dont negate Indian Armys communal and sectarian leanings. However, on their part, Muslims never needed someone to inform them of any of such command, for they had been practically witnessing the all round bias and discrimination against the entire community since Independence. It may sound disturbing to some gullible patriots that basically, despite its tall claims, India happens to be a country of bias, paradoxes and sheer double standards. Those who pride themselves as worshippers of women, had been for centuries burning innocent widows in the name of sacred Sati. Statistics suggest that even today every single year more than twenty five thousand young brides are burnt alive because the poor ladies failed to satisfy their in laws lust for dowry. Discrimination against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes had been institutionalised from time immemorial and no one seemed to raise an eyebrow against this psychological holocaust. As for Muslims, they surely learnt to live with the institutionalised bias that was aptly testified by the government-appointed committee under Justice Sachar. Be it in government jobs, mainstream educational institutions or even purchasing of a flat in a cosmopolitan colony, Muslims had been systematically reduced to the level of untouchables and Dalits. What Sachar Committee or even intellectuals from the majority community failed to fathom is the irrecoverable loss the nation had to suffer because of this bias. In India, Muslims today constitute around 180 millions, thrice the population of an European country. This massive population was literally sidelined and prevented from contributing creatively towards the building and development of the nation. Not to mention the prejudiced attitude of the so-called mainstream media which in the beginning enthusiastically reported the arrest of Muslim youth in blast cases but when the tables were turned by Hemant Karkare, it showed little or no interest in exposing Hindu terror groups that were being trained at Akanksha Resort at Sinhgadh, Pune and Bhonsla Military Schools at Nasik and Nagpur. The same media left no stones unturned to campaign and bring to limelight the book written by Vinita Kamte, wife of slain IPS officer Ashok Kamte. But when former IG Maharashtra Police, SM Mushrifs book Who Killed Karkare? hit the stands, media conveniently went into a state of coma. In this bandwagon, Bollywood, known for its secular culture, did not shy away from making films like Qurban, My name is Khan, Kabul Express, etc. based on supposedly Muslim terrorists. But never did it make an attempt to make films on Hindu terrorists, a hard reality that was staring into the eyes of the naysayers. What could have been Indias possible economic, political and democratic strength and position in the world scenario, had 180 million Muslims been made an integral part of the government machinery and given opportunities to explore their talent and intellect. Probably, it may have been at par with China which enjoys veto power that equates it with USA while India is still struggling for a permanent membership of sorts of the Security Council. What point is there comparing giant India with tiny Pakistan and cheering? It is not yet too late if India, in true and real terms, wants to stand tall and confident with big powers. It must absorb Muslims and other systematically suppressed minorities and make them an integral part of the Indian government and society. Do I sound too utopian? Nuzhat Manikpuris apposite couplet articulates the present state of India: Daaman-e-ummeed pe tika hai wajood mera / Vagarna is mulk ka toh Khuda hi aasra (My existence hinges on a glimmer of hope/ Otherwise, only god can save this country).

Indian Muslims Can Define Foreign Relations

undertook anti-terror initiatives and held a number of rallies and conferences in several cities where terrorism was condemned [email protected] and fatwas were issued. This fact has been taken note of by the As President Obama along with Gorge Bush stood at ground USA which views Islam practiced in India as liberal and which zero on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the devastating can become a stabilising factor in South Asia. It wants to invest terror attack, the USA looked chastened and there was much by providing for a programme that sponsored students visits to sober reflection. Osama is dead but the evil he presided over USA enabling them to participate in seminars and dialogues. Indian Islam is unique in the sense that its geographical still lives on. A battle may have been won, but a prolonged engagement still looms large. Today, Americas military and eco- spread runs over the entire Indian Subcontinent. It is imbued nomic might suddenly looks faded. Those who have reflected, with Sufi liberal ethos and is less West Asian and more Indian in outlook and spirit. It has assimilated have opined that the USA overreacted Indian Bhakti tradition which led to the to 9/11 and branded Islam and its folformation of a composite culture. lowers as terrorists. The American Indonesian Islam is a liberal amalmedia spin doctors went into a huddle gam of Arab, Indian and local tradi- Kabir, Bhulleshah, Shah Latif, Lalan and unleashed global Islamophobia. tions which is in part shared by the Fakir, Hazrat Nizamuddin and the Khwaja Saheb of Ajmer are venerated The results for most Muslims were Malaysian Islam. Indian Muslims both by the Hindus and Muslims. The unnerving and they were made to feel have shared common bonds both reason why Pakistan finds itself culturthat they were lesser citizens on the wth West Asian and East Asian ally and politically adrift is that it has countries. Geopolitically too this planet earth. lost its moorings embedded in In India, several terror attacks region is important as it forms the Subcontinental Islam. It is engaged in took place, and the entire Muslim gateway to the Far-East. Malacca a futile quest for West Asian identity community came under the scanner. Straight is a vital waterway which and in the bargain it has got Jehadi Not all incidents of terror had Muslim leads to the South China Sea. origin. Yet Muslim youth were indis- China has hegemonic ambitions in terrorism to deal with. Now as India assumes the role of criminately arrested and kept confined this region. Therefore, strong a major power in the region, its first in jails for years. However, the arrests stretegic relations with countries priority will be to build economic made post-Samjhauta Express blasts like Indonesia and Malaysia can bridges with Gulf countries, where 4 and other such incidents negated the lead to Indias enhanced stature. million Indians live and send 30 per cries of the rightist elements that all Therefore, Muslims of India can cent of Indias total foreign exchange Muslims are not terrorists, but all ter- become a strategic asset If they earnings by way of remittances. To rorists are Muslims. To add to their are encouraged to play a role in the east we have extended our ecowoes, Gujarat 2002 had happened dealing with the Islamic world. nomic cooperation to the ASEAN which had greatly undermined their countries. Indonesia and Malaysia are sense of security. That was the reason why only a small number of Muslims took part in the anti-graft two vital members of ASEAN. Indonesian Islam is a liberal protest of Anna Hazare. Their primary concern is security and amalgam of Arab, Indian and local traditions which is in part corruption comes next. Narendra Modi fights shy of owning up shared by the Malaysian Islam. Indian Muslims have shared 2002 by way of moral responsibility. He, instead, sings paens to common bonds both with West Asian and East Asian countries. Sufism. But had he had even the basic understanding of what Geopolitically too this region is important as it forms the gateway to the Far-East. Malacca Straight is a vital waterway which Sufism is all about, 2002 would never have happened. As Indias middle class shines and the nation assumes leads to the South China Sea. China has hegemonic ambitions global role, 180 million Muslims yearn to join the mainstream. in this region. Therefore, strong strategic relations with counEconomically they are nowhere near being middle class and tries like Indonesia and Malaysia can lead to Indias enhanced educationally they are trailing behind. Their world view is not stature. Therefore, Muslims of India can become a strategic coloured by an extremist ideology. Indian Islam is tolerant Islam asset If they are encouraged to play a role in dealing with the and is very much rooted in the soil. Muslims across the country Islamic world.

YM CHITALWALA

How much credible is the Indian Media?

The news isnt being broadcast for the audience anymore; today it is manufactured to bring in the audience, says Prof. Yasin Ashraf Intervention of media has brought in revolutions in the past in many countries, although, news remains a medium of information but today the purpose of information has changed. The news isnt being broadcast for the audience anymore; today it is manufactured to bring in the audience, said Prof. Yasin Ashraf speaking on Indian Media and its Crisis of Credibility on Sept 25 here. Discussing the power of information and concerns about the changing media today he said, News channels and newspapers are manipulating the news to make it spicy by changing the meaning of media that is based on mass-orientation to market-orientation. He brought to the attention of journalists how the victimisation of the masses is increasing day by day due to the medias invasion into their privacy, sensationalisation and dumping down of the news. Questioning the credibility of news and information broadcast by Indian news channels, Prof Yasin said, All this is happening because journalists are losing their ethics and professionalism. For any news a journalist should be sure about his facts. When you are not sure about the facts you cannot report the news. In many cases people give up this norm and start spreading all kinds of rumours and hence playing a very dangerous game. Mr. Yasin stressed the need for the media to mend its ways before further damage, otherwise the masses may completely lose the confidence in the media. He said, Broadcasters and reporters should start efforts to regain the lost confidence of the masses and this can happen when media houses start including minority representatives and experts. As a minority community we have to make ourselves competitive enough to qualify to be amongst the best journalists. He said that it is also necessary for the public to involve itself and intervene and report back to the media if they come across any misleading news. The talk was followed by a question and answer session wherein journalists put forth their concerns and shared their experiences. Mr K. M. Ashraf and Mr N. A Harris, MLA spoke about minority rights and how a minority community that consists of 13% of the population can come forward, take a stand and contribute to the development of our country. ZEHERA SULTANA, Bangalore

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 3

NATIONAL

Jamiat delegation meets Prime Minister

Khurshid offers sops to Muslims ahead of UP polls
Lucknow: Union Law & Minorities Minister Salman Khurshid offered several sops to Muslims while speaking at a function organised to commemorate the 150th death anniversary of Allama Fazle Haq Khairabadi here in Lucknow on 15 October. Khurshid announced that Centres contribution in minority students scholarships will be made 100 percent. Nearly 90 percent of the demands as recommended by Sachar Committee have been fulfilled. The development work in minority-dominated areas will be doubled, he said. Khurshid said that the minority character of AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia will not be altered. He also assured that Islamia College in Lucknow will be upgraded. He intimated that banks have been directed to provide loans to minorities and submit a report in this regard every month. In his address, Khurshid also stated that Muslims will be soon given reservation and government is seriously considering it. He hinted that reservation will be as per their population proportion. Earlier, the function was addressed by organiser Dr Hifzur Rehman who demanded that a commemorative stamp be released in honour of Allama Fazle Haque and the Andman Airport be renamed after him. Allama Fazle Haque was the first clergy to issue a fatwa for waging Jihad against British during 1857 uprising. He was imprisoned and sent to Kala Pani in Andman Nicobar Islands Cellular Jail where he died. (Faisal Fareed, twocircles.net)

New Delhi: A high level delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (Mahmood Madni), called upon Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence on 15 October. The delegation led by Maulana Qari Mohammad Usman, President of Jamiat, submitted a memorandum of demands on two issues of national important: Reservation to Muslims and Communal Riots Bill. The delegation urged upon the Prime Minister to declare his firm commitment on these two issues as the UPA Government had been expressing time and again its commitment to deliver justice and fair and equal opportunity to most backward Jamiat delegation meeting the PM and later talking to press and weakest sections of society. Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretaray of Jamiat, while recalling the serial communal riots in various violence must be enacted. However, he denied giving any parts of the country, demanded immediate enactment of the deadline to implement these assurances due to technical communal violence bill. Maulana Madani protested against reasons, said Maulana Madani. He further said that we will failure to take action against the culprits of Bharatpur riots decide our future course of action in the Jamiat national especially the Rajasthan state home minister Shanti executive meet. He expressed his determination to fight Dhariwal and injustice meted out to victims of Rudrapur until these demands are met. He added, We may resume riots. He urged the prime minister to come forward for main- our age-old national satyagrah (mulk-o millat bacahao movement) which we suspended after the assurances of taining communal harmony in the country. According to Maulana Madani, the prime minister UPA government last year. During the meeting with the acknowledged that there was no doubt that some sections prime minister, Maulana Siddiqullah Chaudhry, secretary of Indian society especially Muslims had been left behind W. Bengal Jamiat, and Maulana Hayatulla Qasmi, president and urgent steps were called for to provide to them fair and U.P. Jamiat, raised the minorities problems of their respecequal opportunity. He also agreed that the bill on communal tive states, on which the prime minister gave patient hearing.

Communal riots in Pratapgarh

Pratapgarh (U.P.): After Gopalgarh, in district Bharatpur (Rajasthan) and Rudrapur (Uttarakhand), Pratapgarh city of U.P. was in the news because of communal riots a few days ago. In this case a minor clash between two persons of different communities about the purchase of a mobile phone led to communal riots that erupted on 6 October in the citys Durga Ganj market in which because of stone-pelting and firing four persons were injured. The rioters also set fire to five motorcycles and five other vehicles. It is reported that mischievous elements caught Muslims at various places and thrashed them mercilessly. The rumour was spread that a man belonging to the majority community has been killed. This rumour infuriated the concerned community who attacked in Muslim groups. Hearing reports of firings Muslims fled from their shops without downing shutters. A crowd looted their shops and thereafter set fire to them in the presence of the police. When higher police authorities and Districts Magistrate reached the place, the rioters fled. It was reported that in a one-sided action police arrested many Muslims indiscriminately. It is reported that properties of Muslims i.e. vehicles, motorcycles, shops etc. worth about Rs. 25 lakh were destroyed. It was reported that one Low Singh of Bajrang Dal alongwith his supporters caught many Muslims and thrashed them for nothing. When District Magistrate Ranjan Kumar and S.P. Rakesh Pradhan reached there alongwith higher police officers and P.A.C. personnel the situation was brought under control. The injured persons were got admitted to hospitals. Those seriously injured were sent to Allahabad for better treatment. Next day i.e. on 7 October Pratapgarh S.P., Rakesh Pradhan said that the situation is under control now and three COs, three SDMs, incharge of 10 thanas and one company of PAC have been posted in the affected areas. Police patrolling is going on. Till 7 October, 28 persons in all were arrested. However, no death was reported. (NA Ansari)

Cow protection by donating pastures to industrialists

A party that rode to power to ensure protection of cows has gifted vast grazing lands to MNCs and industrialists. As a result, it is left today with only 19.200 hectares of grazing land against 3,32,200 hectares it had in the past. It is for this reason that there has been a spurt in slaughter of cows as cattle owners find it difficult to feed them in the absence of pastures. Ahmedabad alone witnessed seizure of 26790 kgms of beef during the last seven months. Cattle owners are compelled to sell their stocks. The government has stopped providing financial support to houses (panjra pol) where stray animals were lodged. Even their land has been acquired by the government. These charges were made by Shaktisinh Gohil, leader of opposition in the state assembly, while commenting on Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill. The land that should have been allotted to the farmers and cattle owners was gifted to industrialists for a song. Arjun Bhat Modhwadia reminded that the Congress government had passed the bill in 1994 but for lack of political will, the bill has not been implemented by the BJP government. He reminded that the NDA government had sanctioned subsidy on export of mutton. (AG Khan)

Lifetime Achievement Award for Prof. Sheikh Ali

Bangalore: Prof. B. Sheikh Ali, a famous historian from Karnataka, was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute of Objective Studies in an international seminar on Power of Media in the Globalizing World held on 14th October at Town Hall here. Prof. B. Sheikh Ali was a student of Mysore University and retired from there after serving as a Professor of History. He was the Vice Chancellor of the Mangalore and Goa universities. He was responsible for the emergence of a number of scholars in History from the University of Mysore. A major share of his research work relates to the period of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. He has successfully debunked the myth that Tipu Sultan was a king with religious zeal and proved that he was a secular patriot. Some of Sheik Alis works include History: Its Theory and Method, History of the Western Ganges (Comprehensive History of Karnataka, Volume 1, 1976), University of Mysore, Mysore. Goa Wins Freedom: Reflections and Reminiscences-1986, Goa University, Tipu Sultan, A great martyr, and many more. Sheikh Ali is also the chief editor for Salar, an Urdu daily. The Papers that Sheikh Ali had presented at a seminar organized by the Bangalore University in collaboration with the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, 1992 include Tipu Sultan British relations with Hyder Ali, (1760-1782), 1963, A great teacher, 1997, Islam, a cultural orientation, 1981, Essays on Indian history and culture. There is a felicitation volume in honour of Professor B. Sheikh Ali, edited by H. V. Sreenivasa Murthy, 1990.

Quote, Unquote
Modis use of violence to push ideology and vengefulness against his own officers has obliterated any morality he might have possessed. His ambition is fearsome. JULIO RIBEIRO, ex-DGP, Gujarat & Punjab Outlook I believe a politically amicable solution to the Kashmir issue can be found through plebiscite. The situation in the troubled state need to be settled politically. PRASHANT BHUSHAN, Senior advocate, Supreme Court of India

Prof. B. Sheikh Ali

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4 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

BJP-ruled states are neck-deep in corruption

he Congress, which is in the direct line of fire of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, has a number of posers for the social activist to answer, framed by Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, who has attacked Mr Hazare, upping the ante after the RSS announced it had participated in the anti-corruption crusader's fast. Do I still need to go to the asylum asks Mr Singh in a particularly pithy riposte to Mr Hazare in an interview with Mukesh Ranjan. How do you see Mr Anna Hazares frontal attack on the Congress vis-a-vis corruption? I have always maintained that the campaigns of Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare are politically designed and orchestrated by communal forces including the RSS and the BJP. What have you to say about the Dussehra speech of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in which he claimed that RSS pracharaks actively participated during Anna Hazares agitation at the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi? The Dussehra speech of Mohan Bhagwat vindicates what I had been saying all along. The campaigns of Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare have been planned, engineered and organised by the RSS. I still hold to it. Now Mr Anna Hazare should accept the RSS involvement in his agitation. But Mr Hazare has always maintained that his movement is apolitical and on your earlier accusations, he suggested you get some psychiatric treatment. What do you have to say to that

statement? Let him say whatever he wants, but the fact is that he has been acting apolitical as a front for RSS. Interestingly, whenever I say that Annas campaign was run by the RSS, he tells me that I should go to the mental asylum. Now after Mohan Bhagwats assertions, I want to ask Anna do I still need to go to an asylum? Do you think that Anna Hazare is deliberately avoiding any statement on corruption-related cases in states that are ruled by the BJP? How can he, when his campaign is run by the RSS? Most of the BJP-ruled states including Gujarat are neck- deep in corruption. Audit and Lokayukta reports are speaking for themselves. But if they do not attract his attention, then there will be a legitimate question mark on his being apolitical. (deccanchronicle.com) Cash-for-coverage takes the fizz out of Advanis yatra Bhopal: A cash-for-coverage scandal took the fizz out of BJP leader L. K. Advanis ambitious Jan Chetna Yatra against corruption and black money with BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh attempting to bribe journalists for favourable coverage of the yatra. Envelopes containing currency notes worth Rs. 500-1000 were handed out to journalists during a press conference called by local BJP MP Ganesh Singh at the district party office in Satna on 12 October, a day ahead of Mr. Advanis press conference there. State PWD minister Nagendra Singh also presided over the press conference.

The incident came to light after one of the journalists, Arvind Mishra of the Hindi Daily Nai Dunia, returned the envelope handed out to him and reported the matter as a news story in his paper. There were some 30-35 journalists both from print and TV at the press conference and everybody accepted the envelopes. I was enraged and along with my photographer, decided to return the envelope. Its unfortunate that this is what journalism and politics have come to in this country, Mr. Mishra told The Hindu. Mr. Mishra said that he has a recording of a phone conversation with the BJPs district media in-charge, where the latter has admitted to bribing journalists. Earlier it was decided to hand out gifts but gifts generally dont work because some journalists dont like the gifts given to them. So it was decided to hand out cash, Mr. Mishra quotes the media in-charge as saying. he issue cast a serious shadow over Mr. Advanis yatra, which is supposed to be a protest movement against the ruling Congress-led UPA governments inability to address the issues of rampant corruption and black money. The Congress slammed the BJP over the incident and accused it of maintaining double standards on corruption. All arrangements for Mr. Advanis yatra in Madhya Pradesh are being made from black money earned through corruption and 12 Octobers incident only proves this further, said Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Kantilal Bhuria. (deccanchronicle.com)

Battle Royale: Modis dandia vs Sanghs trifala

The battle royal between Modi and Advani has its humorous side too! This has been commented on by the most trusted ally of the BJP Bala Saheb Thackrey in an editiorial in the Samna. Writing in a lighter vein he has described the scenario in which Modis dandia (a Gujarati dance during navratra) has been contrasted with Sanghs trifala (an Ayurvedic medicine for relieving constipation!). According to him RSS, Gadkari and Advani combination is causing Delhi Belly for Modi. He reminds us, that when Modi undertook his sadbhavna fast, an euphoria was built projecting Modi as the shining (and rising) sun on the national horizon while other BJP stalwarts were mere stars. There was a competition to assess how competent Modi was as the P.M. in waiting. It is yet to gauge how much sadbhavna it generated in Gujarat and they were oblivious of the fact that it would spoil the goodwill within the party. The trifala powder was compounded in Nagpur dispensary which has upset Modi. The editorial carries a cartoon showing Modi as a dandia dancer with the caption that Modis dandia is forcing BJP to do the garba! If Thackrey can react, can Lalu be far behind? Lalu in his typical style has declared the intention of halting the rath once again in Bihar itself. It may be recalled that Advani had to abandon his ratha yatra in 1990 when Lalu as the state chief minister ordered Advanis arrest in Samastipur. Opposing the proposed yatra RJD feels that his yatra would harm (as in the past) communal amity. An interesting aspect of RJDs project is the fact that while in 1990 Nitish Kumar too was on Lalus side whereas this time Nitish is to flag off the yatra from Sitab Diyara, JPs home. Modi demonstrated his annoyance by refusing to receive telephone calls from Advani Gadkari and Jaitley for deciding the rath yatra schedule in Gujarat. He left the matter to vice-president
Outlook

Purushottam Rupala. Modis annoyance is over the appointment of Sanjay Joshi as BJP incharge of U.P. and for rushing to embrace Nitish Kumar for flagging off the yatra. His socalled navratri pretext for being absent from executive meet holds no weight as in the past he did attend such programmes during navratri out side Gujarat. Modis defiance has diluted the anti corruption campaign of the yatra. However, damage control mechanism is leaving no stone unturned for a patch up. With Modis rising stature BJP has decided to win BJP C.Ms. against him. In this context Shivraj Sinh Chauhans sushasan (good governance) has specially been appreciated by team Advani. The matter would have come to an end had Modi sent a formal complimentary good wishes for Advanis yatra.

AG KHAN

BJP Lauhpurush bowed before RSS clout

MOHAMMAD NAUSHAD KHAN
Old habits never die so too political instinct. Will he, wont he, was the question before L K Advani met RSS chief in Nagpur. But after they met it became obvious that he will not be the next prime ministerial candidate for the BJP. L K Advani for the moment might have quenched his thirst at not getting the green signal for the big post but in the days ahead a titanic clash between BJPs generation next for the prime ministerial candidate cannot be ruled out completely. L K Advani has proved one point beyond doubt that lust for political power and supremacy never ends. The message from the RSS headquarter in Nagpur is clear that that the BJPs prime ministerial candidate will emerge from generation next. The probable names doing the rounds are Arun Jaitely, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and Narendra Modi. BJPs prime ministerial candidate if declared before the general elections will fairly depend on political arithmetic at that point of time. If the atmosphere by any means is polarised then the BJP may take the risk of projecting Narendra Modi. In these circumstances the party may have to lose a few alliances. On the broader perspective Nitish Kumars name can also be tossed up as prime ministerial candidate for the NDA. No doubt Modis 3 days fast for Sadvawana was not for attaining harmony in real perspective but rather an attempt to magnify his political stature or an image makeover exercise for a calculated limited period. There are also indications that some generation next leaders may try to provoke JD-U against Modi so that he remains confined to Gujarat. But towards the end the RSS will have the last laugh in nominating BJPs prime ministerial candidate who will take forward the ideology of the Sangh forward willingly or unwillingly. From Annas anti corruption crusade, political parties have now realised that corruption is going to be one of the political planks and L K Advanis impromptu announcement of another Rath Yatra without any consultation was aimed at high jacking not only the benefit from Annas corruption campaign but also to grab the post prime ministerial candidate from the BJP and Sangh. L K Advani after the Vajpayee era has made numerous attempts to make BJP leaders realize that it is because of him and his yatra that the BJP scaled new heights and that is why he deserves to be made prime minister if the party comes to power. But for generation next leaders Advani may be a larger than life figure but politically redundant. BJP chief Nitin Gadkari and RSS are not in Today there is none in the BJP who can replace Vajpayee. No one in generation next has the guts to give the BJP a distinct roadmap with its own identity. They are the main opposition in the largest democracy and freeing themselves from the clutches of a dominant and suppressive force like the RSS will give them space to accommodate themselves as an alternate for all, Hindus and Muslims alike. RSS has given a go-ahead to Modi in his effort to woo Muslims but the VHP is against such a move and were against the presence of Muslims in the Sadbhawana mission fast. Some believe that the venue of Modis Sadbhawana fast was filled with the aroma of development and Hindutva. On the one hand he wanted to make an image make over with the presence of some Muslims at the venue but at the same time also displayed his Hindutva credentials by not accepting the scull cap from a local cleric. Can harmony and Hindutva go together? It is also believed that Modis harmony posture is only for a limited period and he would ultimately remain loyal to the ideology of the Sangh if he is successful. In other words the change of heart if it takes place is meant for elections only and not for governance. In a dramatic shift from his usual persona Narendra Modi on 22 September has said that the procedure followed in getting visas should be relaxed to all those Pakistanis willing to visit Ajmer Sharif shrine. Mere lip service cannot placate the fear and anxiety in the hearts and minds of minorities unless and until concrete action is taken on the ground by giving them real justice. In todays fast changing political scenario peoples expectations from political parties are changing with each passing day. Now it may not be enough, to just be secular but also he or she must be fair and honest. Money and muscle power may work against an aspiring candidate to win election if the people of India make a firm resolve to make India free from corruption at all levels. For the BJP it may be almost impossible to retain power at the centre as long as it believes in polarising the masses on communal lines because those in favour of eradicating corruption may also come out against communalism of any kind in the near future if they really want their country to become developed nation one day. If the people of India want India to prosper then they must work on these lines so that India prospers. (This country will not become a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in). The pains and sufferings of our fellow countrymen must be felt by one and all.

favour to name any prime ministerial candidate. Is there any different connotation of Advanis yatra from Bihar apart from taking forward the memory of Jaya Prakash Narayans movement? Anna has earlier praised both Modi and Nitish Kumar and this yatra was to begin from either Gujarat or Bihar. Yatra from Bihar has got too much political significance for the BJP and its allies. The consolidated victory of the BJP and its alliance partner JD-U in the last assembly elections. BJP may want to keep Nitish Kumar in high spirit with an eye on general elections. BJP may not gain much from the Rath yatra against corruption led by Advani because people are now fed up of politicians on the issue of corruption no matter to which party they belong. Advani can only think of seizing away Annas campaign but he can neither think of becoming Anna nor can he become Anna. At present the stars are not on the side of the UPA coalition as it has been struggling to come out clean scam after scam. And the worst is that even the tallest leaders like P Chidambaram, Pranab Mukherjee and at times even prime minister himself have felt the heat of scams directly and indirectly. BJP is counting on these fault lines of the UPA but so far has failed to prove itself as an alternative. The BJP could have used the Sadbhawana of Narendra Modi for an image make over in the true sense. Only pomp and show for communal harmony cannot by any means provide them the grounds to be considered a serious alternative. A sincere apology from Narendra Modi along with an honest assurance of following Raj Dharma as suggested by Atal Bihari Vajpayee would have been a sure shot for power at the centre.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

Serial riots rock the country

NA ANSARI
A series of communal riots in quick succession within two or three days at different places in the country, leaving aside those in Gopalgarh (Rajasthan) and Rudrapur (Uttarakhand), Bahraich (U.P.), Nevada (Bihar), Varanasi, Sadipet (A.P.), Mumbais Bandra and Amravti (Maharashtra), Khandwa (M.P.) and Malda (W. Bengal) can rightly be termed as serial communal riots. Riots in almost all these places took place on the occasion of Durga visarjan (immersion) procession either because of stone pelting on the procession or molestation of girls by mischievous elements, the latter too leading to stone pelting. The attitude of the police and rioters also was similar on all occasions i.e. the former either as passive spectators when Muslims were at the receiving end, thereby allowing the rioters to attack Muslims and their properties and when they (police) became active, they resorted to indiscriminate arrest of Muslims. The rioters on their parts indulged in selectively attacking Muslims, looting and burning their shops, houses and other properties like vehicles. In Bahraichs Mahipurva Bazar, as the Durga procession was being taken out on Friday 7 October night some miscreants who were allegedly under the influence of liquor molested a girl Chandni daughter of one Uma Shankar who picked up a stone and tried to hit the miscreants who floated the rumour that Muslims had thrown the stone at the procession. This was enough to enrage the processionists who selectively indulged in attacking Muslims, looting and burning their shops, houses and vehicles etc. Police stopped the procession but they neither tried to prevent the attackers nor resorted to lathi charge etc., thereby allowing the rioters to have a free run. Many shops of Muslims selling costly items were looted and thereafter burnt. It was only after four or five hours, when District Magistrate Pinky Joel and Police Captain Ravi Shankar Chhavi alongwith a big police force and P.A.C. arrived, that the situation was brought under control but by that time the rioters had finished their job. Jama Masjid Imam Maulana Muhammad Ishaq said that according to information with him 15 to 20 shops of Muslims were looted and burnt and their total loss was worth about Rs. two crores. At D.M. Joels initiative the Durga procession which was held up at night was allowed to proceed on Saturday 8th early morning. All shops were closed on 8th because a sense of fear prevailed among Muslims. Local Chief of Jamiatul Ulama, Maulana Hayatullah Qasmi demanded that looted goods that were lying hidden in the local peoples houses should be recovered and given to their owners, guilty police personnel should be dismissed and action should be taken against responsible officers of the local Durga Samiti. According to available information 22 persons were accused, cases registered against about half a dozen persons under different sections of IPC and also cases were registered against about 150 unknown persons. In Bihars Namda Ganj village (Nevada district) as the Durga visarjan procession was proceeding on 8 October some mischievous youngmen indulged in teasing and misbehaving with women and girls which led to clashes, fighting and firing which resulted in about 12 persons being injured and about a dozen and half shops being looted and set on fire. It is said that mischievous elements in the procession were demanding donation/money from the shop owners. The injured persons were admitted to the districts Sadar Hospital. In Varanasi, on 7th October trouble started with a pedlar selling sweets which led to fighting, clashes and tension all through the night. In the evening police and P.A.C. was posted. On a complaint lodged by the pedlar Jaiswal police arrested two persons Shahid and Muqeem and accused people belonging to the minority community of vitiating the atmosphere by indulging in subversive and destructive activities. The trouble was not in connection with Ram Lila because it had taken place after the Ram Lila function was over. In Mumbais Bhaarat Nagar (Bandra area) communal riots erupted on 7 October between the two communities. According to local people a family of six persons: husband, wife and their four children belonging to Valmiki community embraced Islam because of which some people of their community attacked all of them and gave this incident a communal colour. Police, however, denied this and according to their version, there was nothing like this, but instead Valmiki girl was of course in love with a Muslim boy. Their affair had been going on for a long time but when it became apparent that she may marry her boy friend, it was only then that, according to local Muslims, some persons of the Valmiki community entered their house and beat up all of them. When some Muslim youth came to help them, it led to a communal clash in which six police personnel also were injured. Police arrested 14 Muslims, including the converted ones and 13 persons of Valmiki community and presented all of them at Bandras Holiday Court where the magistrate ordered all of them to be put in Arthar Road Jail till 15 October. Police also started combing operation in Muslim localities and the process of their further arrests is going on. Police enforced section 144 in and around the troubled areas. In addition to police R.A.F. has also been deployed. There is a forced peace, tension still prevails and fear is haunting Muslims. As regards Anil Ram Chandar, a Valmiki community person who alongwith his family had embraced Islam had stated before his arrest that he was completing the necessary paper work formalities because so far he had no legal proof of embracing Islam. Some authorities of Jamiatul Ulama of Maharashtra toured the affected areas of Bhaarat Nagar and met the affected persons. According to them, among the arrested persons one boy is a minor who has been sent to a Childrens Home. In a village about 80 kms from Amravati (Maharashtra) communal riots also erupted on 7-8 October midnight on the occasion of Durga visarjan which took a serious turn. After clashes and attacks on properties police enforced a curfew and in a one-sided action police started indiscriminate arrest of Muslims. According to local Muslims, riots were started by anti social elements of the majority community when they attacked Muslim localities and looted their shops but inspite of this, police instead of taking action against the rioters, falsely accused Muslims and started their indiscriminate arrests. Till 8 October, more than 20 persons were arrested. In Andhra Pradeshs Sadipet desecration of the Quran took place, torn pages and pieces of Quran were found scattered over a large area as the Durga procession was under way. This was detected on 8 October morning when Muslims were returning after morning namaz. They collected all the scattered pieces and began to protest at the old bus stand Chowraha. Police however ignored the desecration of the Quran. Muslims described this as an attempt to incite them so as to get an excuse to start communal riots. According to them, about four days ago local BJP leaders had organised a meeting for the success of Advanis Rath Yatra which was to start on 19 October when speeches were made. Muslims tried to make others close their shops in protest against the desecration of Quran but people of the majority community did not like this and took out a counter protest rally at Victory Chowraha and forced their entry into hotels, shops etc. of Muslims and attacked them. Police as usual remained silent spectators. When press photographers took photos of the orgy of their violence, some of them tried to grab the camera. Police and R.A.F. men chased Muslim protestors and rained lathi blows on them which caused serious injuries to many of them. About 15 Muslims were injured, many of them seriously. Seeing the situation deteriorating, police declared curfew. When police S.P. and other officers reached there, situation was brought under control. They also collected the torn and scattered pieces of the Quran and set up their camps to control the situation. In West Bengal which enjoys a reputation of being probably the most secular and communal riot-free state, communal forces appear to be making their entry. After putting restriction on azaan in Kolkatas Behala, communal riots broke out in Maldahs English Bazar and Lorendarpur. It is said that on 2 October when a poor Muslim girl had gone to a mango grove to collect dry wood and leaves, four youth grabbed her and one of them, Krish Saha raped her. When he was arrested, the local Hindu population taking his arrest as a matter of dishonour for the community put great pressure and fear installed in the Muslim population. Like the proverb one tongue among 30 teeth, the entire population around Lorendarpur is majority community population. On Friday 7 October two bombs were thrown in the local Jama Masjid and its gates were broken, leading to outbreak of communal riots. After the bomb throwing incident when police reached there, it arrested four Muslims, accusing them of storing spears, swords etc. in their houses. When police entered their houses, many rioters also entered with the police on the pretext of searches and destroyed and set fire to many houses and other properties. On 8 October again rioters raided the houses of Muslims of Lorenderpur and in the presence of police looted their houses and set them on fire. In this way dozens of houses and goods inside them were set afire. Local Jamiatul Ulama leaders wanted to tour the affected area but were not given permission by local authorities. However, defying police and administrations restriction they visited the affected areas where Muslims narrated their tales of woe with tears in their eyes, excesses and inhuman behaviour of rioters and the indifferent attitude of police. They expressed their fear that a massacre in their locality may take place any time. In protest Jamiat people alongwith local Muslims imposed a traffic jam. Finally when local MLA Nasir Khan and Ms. Shabina Yaasmeen who is minister of state in the Department of Labour reached there alongwith D.M. and S.P. and assured Muslims that action will be taken against all guilty persons and rioters, they cleared the traffic jam. However, bombs were again thrown in Lorenderpur at around midnight. According to news, four dead bodies were found near Maldas border with Bangladesh about which it is believed that they might have been killed at some other place but their bodies were thrown at this place. The killed persons could not be identified. In Madhya Pradeshs Khandwa also communal riots erupted on 7 October at the time of Durga visarjan procession near Town Hall after stone pelting incidents in which at least four shops were also set on fire. District Collector Kyawat imposed section 144 from Saturday 8 October night till 13 October. He issued orders to police to strictly deal with rioters and mischievous elements. Police Superintendent Hari Narain Mishra claimed that the situation is fully under control and after identifying the guilty persons they will soon be arrested. He said that some persons have been arrested but refused to divulge their numbers and names because of security reasons. On 9 October also some incidents of arson took place. About 500 police personnel staged a flag march in the city but tension still prevailed. Muslim leaders have expressed great concern over the series of communal riots in the country one after the other. Muslim Intelligentsia Forum described, while expressing their great concern, these riots as a conspiracy to destroy the atmosphere of countrys communal harmony and peace and made an appeal, particularly to minorities, to take all precautions and avoid being provoked and aggressive. Forums Chairman, Dr. Anwar Pasha said that it is not a mere coincidence that communal riots in quick succession in Gopalgarh, Rudrapur, Bahraich, Mumbai etc. have taken place within a month but are the results of a conspiracy. He said that partial attitudes of police and administration are a great danger to the secular structure of the country and hence strong disciplinary action must be taken against biased police and administration officials. He made a strong demand to the central government to get the Communal Violence Bill passed in the next parliamentary session so that strict laws could be enforced to prevent communal riots.

Justice Katjus appeal to media not to present Muslims as terrorists

New Delhi: Supreme Courts retired judge Justice Markandey Katju who has now been appointed as Chairman of Press Council of India said in an informal chat with mediapersons, including editors and representatives of different newspapers and T.V. news channels at his residence on 11 October that the general trend in media now is to present Muslims as terrorists and those who throw and explode bombs whereas the fact is that 99% Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and those following other faiths are gentle and peace loving people. He asked them to introspect, avoid spreading sensational news and work with a sense of responsibility and professionalism. He said that whenever and wherever a bomb blast takes place, soon the responsibility for this is put on some Muslim organisation without any solid proof or investigation which is not proper in any way. He said that any unsocial or mischievous person can send an email. He further said that the way news of bomb blasts are presented on T.V. channels and in newspapers give the impression to their readers/viewers that all Muslims are terrorists and bad people which is certainly not the fact. He said that many people, including well informed and responsible people also have started thinking that media has now become irresponsible and needs to be kept under control. He said that under Art 19 (1) (A) of the Constitution media has been given freedom of the press for presenting its news but no freedom can be absolute, hence suitable restrictions should be imposed. He said that it is the duty and responsibility of media to present true and objective news to the people so that people may form their views on this basis. He also pointed out some negative points of media, saying that often it presents news in a distorted manner. In this connection he gave an example of his Supreme Court colleague, Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra about whom a responsible English daily had published the misleading news that his daughters are a burden on him. He further said that very often the media ignores real and essential problems like poverty, unemployment, lack of medical facilities, housing problems, growing lawlessness and the like and highlights non issues or news which are not of much concern to the common people. He gave an example of Lakmes fashion week which was covered by more than 500 accredited journalists. On this occasion Justice Mishra also expressed his views. He said that no doubt media sometimes raises issues like suicide of many farmers and by other people also (because of poverty), rising prices of essential items of daily use, widespread corruption etc. but in very many cases it focuses its attention on glamorous life of film stars, pop music, fashion parades, cricket, astrology, palmistry etc. Justice Katju said that in a democracy steps should first be taken in a democratic way to remove defects in our system and society. Hence he has decided to maintain frequent contacts with media so that the concerned people could introspect and try to solve the problems through mutual discussions and understanding.

NA ANSARI

6 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

Chargesheet Modi, Gujarat cops for role during riots: Amicus Curiae
New Delhi: Its not just a recommendation for a chargesheet against Narendra Modi. In another first for communal violence cases, amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran has proposed criminal action against senior police officers for causing death by negligence during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Responding to reports emanating from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Ahmedabad, informed sources in Delhi clarified that the chargesheet recommended by Ramachandran against the chief minister was not for any speeches in the public but on the basis of suspended police officer Sanjiv Bhatts allegation that he had given antiMuslim directions to the top brass of Gujarat police on the eve of the post-Godhra mass killings. According to these sources, the amicus appointed by the Supreme Court said in his July report that Bhatts allegation could not be brushed aside at this stage merely because the other officers present in that fateful meeting of February 27, 2002 had either pleaded amnesia or denied his very presence in that meeting at Modis residence. Ramachandran also disagreed with SITs view that Bhatt could not be believed because of his own allegedly controversial record and for the nine-year delay in coming up with his disclosure. The amicus apparently said that Bhatts testimony deserved to be taken into account by the SIT because the officer could well have been present at the meeting as the sole representative of the intelligence wing and he had explained that the delay citing his inability to make any disclosure until he was legally required to reveal what he had gathered in the course of his intelligence work. Though the amicus did not expressly say that Modi should be chargesheeted on Bhatts testimony, it was the necessary implication of his recommendation that Bhatt and all the officers contradicting him be cross-examined in order to find out the truth about Modis instructions to the police. The question of testing the veracity of these witnesses in the course of the trial would not arise, sources pointed out, unless Modi is charge sheeted for his alleged conduct at the meeting. The report to the Supreme Court containing Ramachandrans assessment of the material on record said that on Bhatts testimony, Modi was prima facie liable to be tried under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 153B (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 166 (public servant disobeying law with intent to cause injury to others) and 505 (statement provoking public mischief). In his July report, the amicus curiae also disagreed with the SITs opinion that senior police officers such as M K Tandon and P B Gondia deserved no more than departmental action for their lapses in preventing or controlling the Gulberg Society massacre. Ramachandran said that there was enough evidence to charge them under Section 304A IPC, which penalizes death caused by negligence. Sources said that the amicus however agreed with the SITs conclusion that no criminal action could be taken against Modi for his infamous kriya pratikriya statement to a TV channel, invoking Newtons third law as a justification for the governments failure to curb the killings allegedly provoked by the Godhra train massacre. As for reports that SIT had asked him to appear as a witness in the Ahmedabad trial court, Ramachandran told TOI that he had not so far received any such communication. If that happens, he may move the apex court to clarify that he could not be cited as a witness as he had done no independent investigation. (Manoj Mitta - timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Ahmedadbad/New Delhi: In a setback for the Gujarat government, a special court on 17 October granted bail to suspended police officer Sanjiv Bhatt who has accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of complicity in the 2002 communal riots. Coming out of jail, the officer said rule of law has prevailed. Bhatt termed Modi a criminal and who can get him killed. For me, Modi is a common criminal and who happens to be the chief minister and that doesnt make any difference. As a police officer I see him as a criminal, he told news channel Times Now. This government can try to eliminate me as they have done to (former minister) Haren Pandya. They can resort to anything and I am prepared for anything. I am a threat to Narendra Modi, his stooges and and his cohorts and they will try to neutralise the threat. If they have to eliminate me, they wont mind doing that, he said. Earlier, Bhatt walked out of the Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad amid showering of rose petals and cheering of supporters. I am happy that the rule of law has prevailed and this would be a victory for hope, a composed Bhatt told reporters outside the jail. Bhatt was arrested Sept 30 for allegedly forcing a police constable, KD Panth, to sign a false affidavit about his attending a meeting called by Modi soon after the Godhra train burning that sparked the riots. In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in April, Bhatt alleged that after the Godhra train carnage, Modi had asked the police at a meeting to allow the majority community to vent their anger against Muslims. Trivendrum and Varanasi. Though the centre has asked the state government to provide security to him and his family in response to a letter from Shweta Bhatt to the union home minister; Gujarat government strongly argued against his bail plea. Opposing the govt. contention I.H. Syed said since the complainant K.D. Pant has changed his statement many times he is unreliable. Bhatt outrightly refused to compromise on a proposal from a sessions judge that if he went on a remand for three hours the court would later in the day hear the bail application. The 47-year-old officer joined I.P.S. in 1988 after his P.G. from IIT Mumbai. At the time of his arrest he was Principal at the State Reserve Police Training Centre, Junagarh. Prior to that he had served the department in various capacities. Here is a chronicle of events of the fateful night: 3.30 a.m. ACP N.C. Patel with his team arrives at his residence. 3.45 Brought to Ghattodia police station 3.50 Family rushes to police station 3.55 Electronic/print media rush 4.00 People from neighbourhood rush 4.02 Interrogation began 5.00 Family seeks permission to see him 6.00 Police shows arrest warrant to pleaders 7.00 Interrogation continues

Modi is a criminal: Bhatt

Sanjiv Bhatt: man of the year

t is not Anna Hazare whom we may call the man of the year but Sanjiv Bhatt who has taken the bull by the horns by showing him the red rag. A man who risked his 22 year long career and has now landed in jail of which he was himself the Superintendent in 2003. Goaded by his conscience for suppressing the facts almost for a decade because of his commitment to professional integrity he decided to make a clean breast of what was wrong in the system. And this time not only the people but even IPS association has expressed its solidarity for the cause. Senior cops like R.B. Sreekumar, Kuldip sharma, Rahul Sharma, Rajneesh Rai, as Ajay Umat of TNN points out, were not so fortunate. This is an organised expression of discontent by the IPS fraternity The association expressed anguish over the fact that he was treated like a petty criminal and was kept in the worst cell of the crime branch office Is this how you treat a senior policeman? It is this very question that his wife Shweta is asking again and again was it for this that Sanjeev was a government employee? In an exclusive inter-

view to Gujarat Today she recalled the way 3035 policemen behaved with the family hurling abuses. She points out that his 83 years old mother living alone in Navarangpura had also to suffer the agony of a search operation. And what were they looking for? Haren Pandya case is the governments Achilles heel which is shrouded in secrecy. Bhat earned the ire of the regime for three crimes. i) April 2011 affidavit in the Supreme Court divulging facts of the meeting held on 27 Feb. 2002 ii) His statement about the Gulburg Society incident of 28 February 2002 holding Narendra Modi responsible for the events iii) Connivance between Modi and Shah in the Haren Pandya case. Bhatt was not allowed the services of an advocate who went to see him for the bail application. An advocates license was cancelled for siding with Bhatt. His advocate, I.H. Syed, holds that his offence is bailable; yet the entire action was undertaken one day before the Supreme Court vacation for 10 days so as to deprive him of the intervention of the apex court. He points out that it is an act of

administrative vengeance. Suresh Mehta, former C.M. of Gujarat, who had a 10-minute meeting with him in the presence of police officers at Ghatlodia police station felt that the action was motivated by the Haren Pandya affidavit. 18 hours prior to his detention Bhatt posted a note on his Facebook account explaining why he had remained silent so long. He pointed out that as an officer entrusted with intelligence, he could not divulge facts. But when the SIT in 2009 summoned him he could not suppress the truth at that crucial stage. Comparing his situation with that of a hunter he pointed out that a hunter has to show exemplary patience (and restraint) - more than the victim he intends to shoot. The case evoked empathy through out the country. Dozens of organizations have rushed to express their solidarity. AISF, Aman Biradari, Aman Group, ANHAD, AVHRS, Bahujan Samajik Sangathan, Banas Kantho Zilla Dalit Sangathan, Janvikas, Jan Sangharsh Manch, Lokk Kala Manch, Niserva, Parvaz, Pahechan, Prashant, Sahyog, Samarpan, Samarth Trust. Protest demonstrations have been reported from Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Amroha, Balrampur, Bangalore, Barabanki, Vadodara, Bhopal, Bhubneswar, Calicut, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Faizabad, Gonda, Guwahati, Hisar, Hyderabad, Indore, Jammu, Jhansi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Pune Rohtak, Srinagar,

AG KHAN

How Nitish is helping BJP

SOROOR AHMED

atna: After Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena, the Janata Dal (United)--earlier name Samata Party--, is the oldest constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. So if the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar decided to flag off Lal Krishna Advanis Yatra Against Corruption there is no scope for surprise. After all, the then Samata Party joined hands with the BJP when it was considered as a political outcaste after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Samata Party also played a crucial role in providing secular legitimacy to the BJP and thus paved the way for other regional satraps to join hands with it during 1998 and 1999 parliamentary elections. But unlike others, who deserted the National Democratic Alliance after the 2004 defeat, the Janata Dal (United) still stands firmly behind the BJP. Incidentally, today the three oldest allies of the BJP--Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Janata Dal (United)--find themselves in two different factions (if this is the right expression) of the BJP. While Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal attended the fast of Narendra Modi last month the leader of the breakaway group of Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, was sometimes back in Gujarat making it clear who is its choice. Nitish, on his part, chose to openly side with Advani for obvious political reasons. He knows that all the regional parties, which threw their lot behind the BJP in 1998, abandoned it after 2004 debacle citing the example of Gujarat riots for their poor performance in their respective states. With this in mind Nitish

kept Modi away from the election campaign in Bihar both in 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 Bihar Assembly election. He tried to project himself as the most powerful chief minister in the country. Modi was the person who appeared to be challenging his claim. The BJPs dilemma is that if it wants to once again rope in secular regional parties, it will have to rely on Janata Dal (United). And if it wants to attract the vote of hardline Hindus Modi is the best bet. But since Modi card backfired outside Gujarat both in 2004 and 2009 elections, a sizeable section of the party strongly believes that it is better to go with Nitish rather than him in rest of the country. It needs to be recalled that Samata Party contested elections for the first time in alliance with the BJP way back in 1996, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was projected as its candidate for the post of Prime Minister. A few months before this decision, none else but Nitish Kumar, attended the national executive of the BJP in Mumbai. Several top Samata leaders were stunned by this move of George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar, the two most powerful leaders of the party as only in February-March 1995 it fought Bihar Assembly election with the CPI ML (Liberation). It is another matter that Samata ended up winning only seven out of 324 Assembly seats. In the 1996 Lok Sabha elections the BJP won 162 seats and emerged as the single largest party. Yet no party other than Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Samata Party supported it in the Lok Sabha and it lost the confidence motion within 13 days. Between 1996 and 1998 H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral became prime ministers with Congress supporting from outside. By 1998 elections, the BJP emerged stronger simply because it managed to attract several major regional parties. National Conference and Indian National Lok Dal in the north, AIADMK, DMK and TDP in the

south, Trinamool Congress and LJP in the east and many others in rest of the country chose to jump on the NDA bandwagon at different points of time in later years. So from just the support of three parties in 1996, the BJP started enjoying the backing of about two dozen political parties in 1999. The BJP leadership knows that all this was not possible without the support of George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar at all India level. Both in 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha elections on its own the BJP tally increased by just 20 seats--from 162 to 182-yet it managed to get enough support of the alliance partners to cross the 273 mark. In the initial years, Samata Party had to pay the price. Former diplomat-turn-politician Syed Shahabuddin, former Bihar chief minister Abdul Ghafoor and several other Muslim leaders, who were original members of the party when it was formed on October 19, 1994, dissociated themselves from the party. For Shahabuddin, in particular, it was politically suicidal to be in a party which joined forces with the BJP as he always projected himself as the leader of the Babri Masjid movement. But that was in 1996. On November 26, 2010 his daughter, Parween Amanullah, became a minister in the Nitish Kumar government, which enjoys support of the same BJP. Now she has no problem in sharing dais with any BJP bigwigs, even Advani. The BJP has never forgotten the contributions of Samata Party or its later version, Janata Dal (United). Apart from being made defence minister, George held the post of the convenor of the NDA. After his illness, Sharad Yadav, the national president of the Janata Dal (United), took over. JD(U) got more than its due share in the Vajpayee cabinet. Samata leaders held important portfolios in the Vajpayee cabinet with Nitish manning the Railway Ministry. He was projected as the chief minister of Bihar in 2000 when, unlike now, Samata Party was a junior partner to the BJP.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

Law demanded to deal with attacks on freedom of expression

ew Delhi: Former Law Minister Shanti Bhusan demanded enactment of a specific law making assaults and intimidation, perpetrated with an intent to violate freedom of expression, a non bailable and cognisable offence entailing a minimum punishment of two years which might extend to seven years. He was speaking at a public discussion on Violence and Intimidation in Public Life: The Wider Dimensions organised by South Asian Minorities Lawyers Association (SAMLA) on 22 October here at the Indian Law Institute. Shanti Bhushan added that brazen assault on Prashant Bhushan would not deter him from expressing what he believed in and that the attack was not on an individual but on the values and rights enshrined in the Constitution. However, the assault on Prashant Bhushan has once again highlighted urgent need to address use of threat, intimidation and violence to advance divisive agenda, he said. He lamented that successive governments have ignored this issue enabling the divisive forces to operate with impunity. An acclaimed painter, M. F. Hussain, had to leave India and died in a foreign country due to this apathy, he said. He said that perpetrators of such acts were basically goondas irrespective of their high-sounding names

like Bhagat Singh Sena or Ram Sene. He pointed out that these elements, while committing such ghastly acts, ensure that the victim did not suffer any grievous injury that might land them in jail for long time. Therefore, it is necessary to have a law that makes such acts cognizable and non-bailable offence and ensures a minimum sentence of two years, he said. Speaking at the discussion, eminent lawyer PP Rao said that diversity of opinion could never be a justification for physical violence and the perpetrators of the assault deserved severe punishment. He emphasised the need to improve governance and respect for human rights in the country. He said that corruption control and electoral reforms were necessary for ensuring good governance in the country. He lamented that the country had neither speedy trial nor certainty of punishment for offenders. Former minister Arif Mohammad Khan said that laws and political system alone could not secure freedom of expression. He said that efforts should be made to increase level of tolerance in the society. Feroz Khan Ghazi, Secretary General, SAMLA, condemned the attack on Prashant Bhushan in his Supreme Court chamber on October 12. He said that this attack was on the Constitution and pluralistic character of the country.

Twenty-two principals of 24 Urdu medium schools in Delhi ignorant of Urdu

ew Delhi: In Delhi there are 24 Urdu medium schools under the Delhi government and the same number of principals but sadly enough, as many as 22 of them do not know any Urdu at all. In addition to this, the number of teachers employed in these schools is almost half as compared to other schools and most of them too are ignorant of Urdu but they have been appointed in Urdu medium schools. In view of these bitter facts how it can be expected that Urdu will be promoted in Delhi and how much truth and sincerity is there in Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshits claims, which she always makes at any function of Urdu or of Muslims that her government is serious about the promotion of Urdu in Delhi inspite of the fact that Urdu alongwith Punjabi was made the second official language of Delhi about a decade ago? The other aspect of this sad condition is that Delhi Urdu Academy, which also is a government-funded institution, in addition to its own specific job of promoting Urdu, holding seminars and conferences, giving financial assistance to needy Urdu authors etc. and assisting in publication of their books, giving awards to famous Urdu litterateurs etc. is also made responsible for monitoring the progress of Urdu. If its members visit Urdu medium schools and see the conditions prevailing there, they can very well take up these matters (appointment of non Urduknowing principals, teachers, employees etc. in Urdu schools)

with concerned government authorities like Director of Education, Zonal directors, education officers, education minister, chief minister etc. and ask them in clear words why such teachers and principals are appointed in Urdu medium schools and also put pressure on them for appointing Urdu knowing people conditions can be improved. They should convince and make them realise that if improvement of educational conditions is not made and standards of these schools are not raised, the doubt and suspicion in the minds of sincere Urdu lovers that appointments of non-Urdu knowing principals and teachers in these schools are the preparing grounds for eliminating Urdu from Urdu medium schools will turn out to be true. Responsible officers of milli and social organisations like Ayaz Mahmood, convener of Anjuman Urdu Dost Conference, Alimuddin Asadi, general secretary of Anjuman Tamir-e Urdu, Hafiz Muhammad Shahzad, a social worker of Mata Sundary Road, Maulana Abdul Subhan, President of Altamash Khuddamul Hujjaj Committee etc. also expressed their views and said that Delhi Urdu Academy is a responsible institution but education officers and others in the ministry are taking undue advantage of discouraging Urdu because of the insensitivity and lack interest of Academy authorities. A delegation of the Academy should visit Urdu institutions, review the appointment of teachers and pressurize them that no non-Urdu knowing person (principal, teacher

etc.) should be appointed in Urdu medium schools and that after the retirement of Urdu knowing teacher etc. only Urdu knowing persons should be appointed in their places. They also stated that when the job of Urdu Academy is to promote Urdu, its officers should regularly visit and review the conditions prevailing in Urdu medium schools, listen and understand the problems and difficulties of children and teachers of these schools and put pressure on the concerned officers in government to fulfill their needs like publication of Urdu books and appointment of Urdu teachers etc. In view of the fact that these officers are not taking any steps in publication of Urdu books or appointing Urdu teachers deliberately, they should approach higher authorities and insist that these jobs or responsibilities may be given to either the Academy or NCPUL who should get Urdu books published and appoint qualified Urdu teachers themselves, within government rules of course. Maulana Abdus Subhan said that many Urdu medium schools whose past used to be Urdu medium but because of the staff being unfamiliar with Urdu, they have lost their utility and identity. Zeenat Mahal School at Asif Ali Road is an example of this. This is only because of appointment of teachers not knowing Urdu. Those who claim to be representatives of Muslims or work for Urdu should seriously think about this and take practical steps to correct this system. (NA Ansari)

Aligarh: Jo Abr Yahan Se Utthega, Woh Saare Jahan Par Barsega

SALMAN KHURSHID
[email protected] Minorities and Law Minister Salman Khurshid wrote this piece for NRIndian Yahoo e-Group Birthplace generally remains an important emotional bookmark in a persons life story. Sometimes the page does not change whilst a lot gets written on it. For others the script moves to other pages with an occasional return to the bookmark. How much does the place of birth matter and why does a person wish to return there in advancing years or for eternal rest remain interesting questions. For me Aligarh, particularly the VCs lodge retains a special emotional bond and a sense of nostalgia. The sentiments that come to mind are beautifully expressed in late Jagjit Singhs voice: Yeh daulat bhi le lo, yeh shohrat bhi le lo, bhale chheen lo mujh se meri jawaani, magar mujhko lauta do bachpan ka saawan! Of course, in adult life I have discovered what Aligarh means to India and all Muslims of our country. This discoveryof a special India has come both from reading historical literature beginning with Stanley Wolport's "Aligarh's First Generation, and hundreds of books about Sir Syed and his colleagues; the personal experience of having spent hours with agonised AMU students after police firings and riots in the city; arranging meeting of generations of students with Vijay Dhar and late Rajiv Gandhi. Not many people will know that the idea of RAF with their blue uniforms as well as the symbol of the dove was given by Aligarh students to Rajivji who asked Shri P Chidambaram to implement it as the then MOS Internal Security. For me the beacon for Aligarh has been my grandfather, Dr Zakir Husains words, In years to come how India treats its Muslim citizens will be judged by how it treats Aligarh. I wonder if I would be considered impertinent if I were to add, In contemporary India how Muslims treat Aligarh will decide how they wish to treat themselves. Of course in that statement Aligarh is more than a town and gown for me. It is a valuable heritage of freedom and beyond; nationalism and democracy; our trials and tribulation; our dreams and nightmares. I should know what I am talking about because I have had the privilege to be received at the Union with a minute-long shower of marigold petals; I have had to face a restless crowd for over an hour at the Kennedy Hall a few days after the demolition of Babri Masjid; I have been struck by the beauty of the Halls dining together at Sir Syed Day dinner; I have been told that Aligarh is out of bounds for Congress leaders; but I have been made to feel as one of the family. Generations have come and gone; VCs have come and gone; hostels have been closed and reopened; after Indiraji it took two decades for Soniaji to bridge the years and feelings with Aligarh. For us Aligarhs importance will never diminish. For me Aligarh will remain an object of affection. My prayer will always be that in Aligarh and beyond (including across the continents and oceans where Aligarhs unique language is spoken by Aligarians) we will honestly cherish and respect. We have few minority institutions in the country that can match the history as well current standing of AMU. We, therefore, must not take it for granted or allow its historical significance to be wasted or depleted. Sadly, debates about AMU are largely about what is has rather than what it should have. We seem caught in the vortex of what AMU can offer to us as individuals rather than be asking ourselves what we can offer AMU? Words may offer comfort or cause discomfort, but perhaps it is time to go from words to action. Since I am in government and that too as Minister for Law and Justice as well as Minority Affairs, there will be questions about our position on the minority character of AMU. It seems to me that de facto the Minority character is quite obvious since the days of the last Amendment and Aligarians can scarcely point out any interference. The Allahabad High Court decision seeking to follow the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench judgement of Azeez Basha case is a routine step to get the matter re-examined in the Supreme Court. The UPA government is committed to have the minority character upheld by the Court. In recent weeks we have successfully steered Jamia Millia Islamias minority character, the matter being easier than AMU in some respects but more difficult on statutory considerations. The TMA Pai eleven judges matter regarding autonomy of educational institutions virtually wiped out the distinction between most institutions and minority institutions except for the right (duty?) of the latter to reserve 50 per cent share for minority students. As a corollary, they are obviously entitled to recruit staff of their choice in terms of community preference. Reservations of course are critical for educational empowerment and inclusion. They have to be sustained and, therefore, the minority status has to be confirmed. But there is an important caveat: it is wrong to seek minority character from government; AMU must claim minority character as an attribute of its birth, with the government and courts merely accepting that claim. In addition, one must not forget that minority character has its responsibilities too; there cannot be any place for blowing hot and cold. AMU cannot claim minority character and its concomitant right of non-interference on one hand and yet seek government interference at other times when internal differences divide the Aligarh family. There are many serious people including distinguished Muslim scholars who have periodically argued that granting of minority character to AMU and Jamia will wreck their standard. It has also been argued that national secular character and minority character are opposites. I believe both those arguments suffer from the myopia of inadequate understanding of democracy, secularism, nationalism and liberalism. Yet the fact that such people raise these concerns imposes a serious responsibility on all of us to not merely refute them but also ensure that AMU proves them wrong. One day I hope AMU will shine glorious not just on the Indian landscape but across the globe. The bulbuls of Aligarh will sing and the world will listen. Jo abr yahan se utthega, woh saare jahan par barsega... I dream of the time when people will say, What do they know of India who do not Aligarh know?

8 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

Sir Syed a great visionary

PROF. S. M. WASEEM
[email protected]

ir Syed was brave and dauntless, one who, in the interest of truth, could daringly tell the British that they must not wrongfully accuse Indians and hold them responsible for the mutiny in 1857. He not only refuted the charges levelled by the British against the natives of Hindustan, but vehemently defended both the Hindus and Muslims. His arguments were offered in his book, Asbaab-e baghawat-e Hind (The Causes of the Indian Mutiny). Sir Syed referred to their wrong policies in matters of governance, and also to their undue interference in religious matters. The Government took to frame laws and regulations to confiscate properties and thus deprive the people to inherit and hold their rightful property. Muslims were particularly deprived of their properties which their families were holding as Khalsa grant by the Mughal empire. Overpowered by the agony and torture due to ruination of the Qaum in the aftermath of the Mutiny, Sir Syed even thought of leaving Hindustan and settling elsewhere, but then it dawned upon him: it is a matter of extreme unmanliness and immorality. If I leave my Qaum amidst this state of ruination and find refuge in a corner of safety. No! I must (stay) and must share their distress; and I must share (with them) whatever calamity befalls. It is essential to hold courage as a national duty to remove whichever calamity befalls...Now, the question arises that what to do (now). In my opinion, its reply is: Stability, stability, stability. Courage, courage, courage. Effort, effort, effort. We should not care a bit for the Government policy; and, if there still remains even the slightest self-respect, we must show that no doubt the Government holds its right over the lives of the people, but not on their views (at all). It was in 1863 that Sir Syed was transferred to Ghazipur. Concerned with the overall development of the people of Hindustan, he presented his suggestion in a representative meeting of Hindus, Muslims and the English, captioning it Petition unto inhabitants of Hindustan concerning their progress. In fact, it was a prelude to the formation of his Scientific Society which started to function after Sir Syed was transferred to Aligarh. Here, the foundation stone of a building was laid on 3 November, 1864; and, after its completion on 30 March 1866, the Scientific Society was formally inaugurated with the following objectives: 1. Books on Science and Technology...be translated into such languages which are in common use by the Indians. 2. Whenever deemed fit, the Society may publish and distribute a newspaper or a gazette... aiming at intellectual development and understanding of the Indians. 3. To search for, publish and make available rare and useful books, authored by the old Asian writers. Accordingly, the Society published its first Institute Gazette, which was edited by Sir Syed himself. Unique it was with this Gazette that ... as compared to its contemporaries, it never took to hurt the feelings of any Qaum, community or any particular person It never published anything contrary to the friendship and well-being of any Indian community; did not pour out venom against any Hindu or Muslim

Riasat (dominion), or against their functionaries. It remained aloof from religious feuds of Hindus and Muslims, and if and when it spoke anything, it offered admonition to both to take to peace and reconciliation. 1 This contribution proved instrumental in the formation of many such organizations throughout the country. Thus, it may be claimed that Sir Syed was the idea-giver as regards formation of organizations for positive contribution to social and economic change in India.

rom the first day of the uprising Refrences: (described by the British as 1. All India Muslim Conference, 4th Mutiny) to April 1, 1869, when Sir Session, Volume of Lectures and Syed travelled to England, he Speeches, p. 140. remained fully absorbed in his quest 2. Tahzib ul Akhlaq, II/4, Third Cycle, to help change and reconstruct the 1st Muharram ul Haraam, 1313 A.H. Indian thought. This, however, The author is a former Dean of required such an all-inclusive and allthe Faculty, and Chairman effective constructive programme, Department of Commerce, Aligarh worthy of implementing which could Muslim University, Aligarh be instrumental in introducing basic changes in the mode of thinking and action on the part of Indians, particularly the backward Muslims, so as to induce them to faithfully act further for all-round development. In this backdrop, a purposful educational Aligarh Muslim University development scheme Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis offered promise: Aligarh (1817-1898) Message Vice Chancellor Tahreek. It was a difficult time, for the 19th century urges of On the auspicious occasion of the 194th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Hindustan were the out(1817-1898) the founder of this great and historic seat of learning the Aligarh Muslim come of the mingling of the 17th and 18th cenUniversity (AMU) we reaffirm our unflinching commitment to the ideals of quality turies events, some of education and peaceful co-existence in our pluralistic society. Sir Syed championed the which were promising and the others were cause of secularism, universal brotherhood, large-heartedness, critical enquiry and frustrating. All these scientific temperament throughout his illustrious career and the Aligarh Muslim were calling the people University stands as a living example of Sir Syeds mission. in slumber to rise and take to think positively In line with the vision and mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan the Aligarh Muslim and act objectively. However, reliance on University has been continuously engaged in exploring new vistas of knowledge and ones own intelligence learning. It is expanding its wings to bring into its fold the hitherto most excluded and efforts was required to take to the path that people, especially the underprivileged and marginalized sections of our society living in would lead them to their isolated and development deficit districts of Murshidabad, Malappuram, Kishanganj, destination. In view of Sir Syed, only education Aurangabad and the like. and higher education could facilitate this jourThe Aligarh Muslim University has been on a resurgent track over the last four years. ney.

like the huge fruit-bearing trees, how did they dry out and died Had Indians been informed of these matters, an obvious conclusion could be drawn as to what could happen in 1857 Then, referring to the need and methods for development of the Indian economy, he added: Now, I look to India> How could there be increment in their wealth? The external trade surely is such that it brings foreign money inside (the country)... (Therefore), it would be satisfying if within any time they would nicely accomplish the internal trade... Then, ponder over as to what is it that can add to the wealth of Hindustan? I can say that it is the land. All Indian and all Collector Sirs, who have worked for the Settlement, know it that the output of the country is being reduced day after day, and the major (cause) is that the Indian are totally ignorant of the knowledge that helps add to higher productivity of the land.

As regards Trade, Sir Syed said: ...you see whether or not there is some other outcome of education? Think that India, where thousands types of commodities exist for benefiting from (their) trading and are produced, is our country. And, the commodities are our possession (Yet) we hold no share in the Sea; we do not have any relation with foreign countries. We should establish agencies in foreign countries...; get benefit out of the output of the country, produce of the country and natural wealth which is lying buried beneath the land. No progress can be achieved by benefiting from the money got from our own brother (in trade).2 As regards development of a viable agriculture, Sir Syed submitted a memorandum on Development of Agricultural Land and Help to Cultivators and Establishment of Agricultural Banks. It was published in the Institute Gazette on 2 June, 1883. It contained recommendations

for (1) Development of (Agricultural) Land, (2) Conditions of the Cultivators as regards their dealings with the Mahajans, (3) Establishment of Agricultural Bank, (4) Some viewpoints concerning Qahat, and Amendments in the prevalent Laws and the need to introduce new Laws. Had the then British Government accepted Sir Syeds suggestions concerning agriculture, free India would have not inherited a weak and languishing agriculture, which to this day stands askance for appropriate policies and commensurate actions plans.

o fix targets and prepare objectively to reach their destinations, Indians needed identification of the causes of rise and downfall of peoples and nations. A lamenting Sir Syed told his audience in the first meeting of his Scientific Society: When I look to the status of our dear countrymen, I find them so uninformed of the past events that they fail to gather any light to help tread their path in future. They dont know what was there yesterday and what exists today. And, due to this, they cannot draw conclusions as to what will happen tomorrow! They dont know that how could the small communities that existed in the world, achieve progress, and how did they grow like a magnificent shady tree; they dont know that the large communities that were growing

The Campus has witnessed a new phase of development including the construction of a number of new buildings and commissioning of several projects planned for the X and XI Plans. Many ambitious projects have been initiated during October as a tribute to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Starting of two Centres of the Aligarh Muslim University, one in Murshidabad and the other in Malappuram, is a milestone achievement likely to benefit generations of youngsters for centuries. The University is committed to start the AMU Centre at Kishanganj in Bihar and Aurangabad in Maharashtra. A Residential Civil Service Coaching Academy has already started functioning. The ICT has witnessed a phenomenal growth from 0.5 mbps in 2007 to 1054 mbps with fully laid fiber cable network connecting all the Departments in the main campus and now the WiMax is in place waiting for its formal inauguration. The Digital Resource Centre is fully functional and the teachers, student and other staff of the University are able to access the internet from anywhere in the campus. The University campus is transformed into a peaceful and tranquil place and the University is prepared to meet the challenges with a renewed sense of responsibility and dedication. AMU has remained a citadel of secularism and modern education ever since its inception. It is a distinct hallmark that needs to be further nurtured along with the benevolent quest for excellence by all the stakeholders and I am sure everyone will come forward and further promote these virtues and contribute significantly to the development of the country.

17th October 2011

Professor P. K. Abdul Azis

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

Kalbe Jawad To Liberate Karbala From Jewish Freemason Temple

HAIDER ABBAS
Lucknow is said to be a city of Nawabs. No doubt a nice catched phrase, but in reality, it hardly serves even as an euphemism, as the fact of the matter is that Lucknow is a place all ruined, battered, vandalised, pillaged, looted and raped, primarily since the war of independence in 1857. The last king of Avadh Wajid Ali Shah Akhtar was deposed by the British in 1856 and despatched to Kolkata where he was imprisoned in Fort Williams for 16 months, while the mutiny raged throughout Avadh, and which ruined Avadh for ever ever. Ironically, the Oudh Commission was still in London, represented by the mother of Wajid Ali Shah, Malika Kishwar (the mother queen), when the war had broken in Lucknow, in which some important British officers were killed and which changed the British opinion towards the Oudh Commission and its hearing before the House of Lords ended in naught. Mother queen died in France where she was buried. Begum Hazrat Mahal who unilaterally started and led the war, had to flee to Kathmandu, Nepal (where she is buried), while Lucknow lay besieged open to the British savages. For the next 90 years, Lucknow was subjected to direct British rule. Most of the elite who were attached to the erstwhile King, also left for Kolkata. It is said that as many as 40,000 people migrated then from Lucknow. Thereafter, Lucknow was subjected to all kinds of vagaries during the unbridled rule of English, where loyalty was the sole criterion for favours. Loyals were rewarded. It was also time when American Christian missionaries started to have a field day in Lucknow. New British constructions started to come up, Husainabad Clock Tower was built in the middle of the Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara, two pristine Muslim constructions, to remind that time belonged to the British. Graves of mutiny-fighters were desecrated and leveled, and Lucknow Christian College was built on the spot. Hotel Burlington too came up on mutineers graveyard - thus the British held their sway on everything under the sun. Jews, an inseparable ally of the British, had also to find a place, and therefore, a sprawling Karbala, known as Karbala Motamadud-Daula, built by Agha Meer, one of the nobles of Lucknow and the one who was once considered as the richest man of India, was gifted to Freemasons. Agha Meer had his private railway station known after his name and which is now called as a City Station. Not only this, the Sibtainabad Imambara, which is a mausoleum of Amjad Ali Shah, the second last king of Avadh, had to serve as a church and a sanctuary for the long haired Sikhs who were the foot soldiers of the British. The pillage and ruin of Lucknow was acomplished by the Sikhs while their white masters rejoiced at the Residency. Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara and Tile Wali Masjid etc all served as British garrisons. For years, the British tied their horses inside Tile Wali Masjid, an all encompassing structure built by Aurangzeb Alamgir. Eighth of Muharram, a day of mourning in Lucknow, was a day of feast inside Chota Imambara, where British couples, in their English dresses with hats, were regaled with soft music. Inside their six-horse chariots the couples would arrive, hand-in-hand while no Indian was to be allowed to entereven into the vicinity of the Imambara. Cinema halls were built. Mayfair was constructed and it had a ballroom with a marble plaque announcing Indian and Dogs Not Allowed. To ruin people more, new laws were enacted. The British introduced Nuzul law to confiscate properties of all those who sponsored and fought the war of independence. Almost every member of the Lucknow elite had to face the brunt. Many families were directly threatened by the British which forced them to move to Karbala, Iraq. Thereafter, came a new dawn for Lucknow. It saw a larege-scale migration of Bengalis and Brahmins to serve the British secretariat, and by 1947, almost everything had changed. Even when the British left, the policy of usurpation did not change as Imambara Basheerud-Daula paved way for Tulsi Cinema Hall, Ghulam Husain Ka Imambara gave way to Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) office. UP Press club

Jawad leading demo; below: Masonic Temple on waqf land

stands on the extended part of Imambara Basheer-ud-Daula, Baradari, a marriage hall under British India Association stands on Imambara Qasrul Buka etc. Demography also changed. Politics became a numbers game, and soon Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act 1950 were implemented, which handicapped Muslim elite families and robbed them of their livelihood to no end. Very soon communal riots followed. The overall socio-politico-economic scenario led to the final ruin of the Lukcnow elite. By now Pakistan had also emerged (1947). The Muslim elite migrated in hordes to find a better living there. The irony is that independent India should have abolished the British laws, and helped those who sponsored and fought the war of independence, but to the contrary, there was no such change. Hence, after almost 50 years of independence, Kalbe Jawad started the Tahaffuz-e-Auqaf movement to at least streamline the waqf (trust) properties and also to seek the ouster of illegal occupants from such properties. One achievement of this movement has been the liberation of Sibtainabad Immabara in Hazratganj, the prime part of Lucknow, in 2005, as the building was under the illegal occupancy of a furniture house. The illegal tenants of the Imambara are still in possession of the site even today. The fight for the same is on the anvil. And, who can forget the demolition of Husainabad Twin Towers which stood at the crossroad in Chowk, which were an anathema to BJP minister Lalji Tandon, and who was exhilarated to bring them down in a single night by the connivance of Husainabad Trustees in 1991, and the act was construed to be a dress-rehearsal for the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. Thus, Kalbe Jawad, the Imam-e-Juma of Asifi Masjid, whose family has been at the helm since the time of Asifud-Daula (d. 1797), struggled for the restoration of waqf properties which facing ruin under the gay abandon of political and official apathy, corrupt trustees, lands mafias, builders, government offices, illegal occupants, fake land owners etc, primarily since 1998. Today

he is again engaged in yet another agitation over the property of Karbala Motamadud-Daula, which is occupied by the Freemason Temple since 1879, as it was leased by the British to the Masonic Temple, Lodge Independence, for 50 years. The movement started on 13 Septemer this year when Kalbe Jawab launcehd a huge protest to stake claim of the site. Probably most of the building has already been gulped by land sharks. But the fact is that this Karbala stood on 11.2 bighas of land, and today it houses UP Forest Department headquarters, but it is registered as I-1971 as a Waqf property, and many maps of British Lucknow clearly show that it was a functioning Karbala. We are armed with a Supreme Court ruling which has ordered that any property which has been a waqf property in the last 200 years is still a legal waqf property today. This Karbala was built by King Naseerud-Din Haider in 1815, under the supervision of Agha Meer Motamadud-Daula at a cost of Rs 1 crore, the complex was divided into four parts and had a staircase which led to the dome. It had two replicas of the buildings of Imam Moosa Kazim and Imam Muhammed Taqi in Iraq. The place was used for a profound religious activity for three decades until the rule of Avadh came to an end. The British gave it to Freemasons to perpetuate their hatred and conspiracy against Islam, said Kalbe Jawad. The Shia Central Waqf Board had formed a 21-member committee under Kalbe Jawad to fight the issue. Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Lucknow, Anil Kumar Sagar, is learnt to have said that he is still to get to the original papers of the concerned building. Lodge Independence Secretary Mahesh Chandra has also contested the Waqf claim, saying that there is nothing which could make them vacate the building as it is on a lease. This leads to a big question. When was the lease renewed and if yes, for how many years. We are to question this through RTI, said Shamil Shamsie, a close lieutenant of Jawad and the president of Husaini Tigers. Let us see where this new showdown leads to. Christians filed a police complaint against them went to houses of Balli and other Christians and started verbally abusing them. Gupsingh Paurane threatened the Christians that he will kill all of them and cut them off from the society if they continue to believe in Christ. Balli ran to the police station for his life and other Christians family members also ran to hide themselves in the field. In the meantime, the extremists destroyed the houses of the Christians, destroying the doors and the windows. The EFI submitted a letter of complaint to the the National Commission for Minorities, (NCM) requesting them to look into the matter. The Vice President of the NCM, Dr. H.T Sangliana requested the Special Inspector General of Police, Maharastra State Police HQs to conduct an enquiry on the complaint immediately. Subsequently, On Oct 19, Shirpur Police in charge P.R Gulate and his team went to the spot and investigated the matter. A case has been registered against Dev Das, Gupsingh Paurane and Sai Singh under Sections 323, 504,506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The First Information Report (FIR) no. is 389/11.

Christians attacked in Maharashtra

Maharashtra police registered a case against three people after they have repeatedly launched an attack against Christians in Virla, Sirja, Dhule district, Maharashtra. According to information reaching EFI, alleged Hindu extremists Gupsingh Raya Paurane, Dev Das and Sai Singh have launched a series of attacks against the Christians. The first incident took place in July when the extremists verbally abused the Christians, accusing them of having more money than them after they have decided to follow Christ. Again on Sept 2, the same extremist group barged into the Christian prayer meeting, verbally abused the Christians for their faith in Christ and hit one Christian, Raju Narayan, causing severe injury to his head. A compromise was reached between the two parties after the intervention of the village head with the Christians, subsequently, not filing any complaint against the assailants. However, on Sept 7, the village head summoned the Christians for a meeting where the Christians were forced to kneel down before the idols and worship them. They were also told in clear terms that they cannot continue to follow Christ. The extremists continued to attack us whenever they found opportunities, reported area Christian, Ram Balli. Again on Oct 8, at about 9:30, while the Christians were getting ready to sleep, the extremists stormed them and started throwing stones at their houses, when one Christian woman, Meena Raju received severe injury on her head. She was admitted in a local hospital the next day. Later that night, all the Christians due to fear left the area and walked all the way to Shirpur police station which is 35 kms away from the village and filed a police complaint against the attackers. On Oct 10, the enraged extremists, after learning that the

10 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NATIONAL

Modhawadia dares Modi to arrest him

In an open challenge Arjun Modhawadia asked Modi to arrest him in order to learn what the law really means. The Gujarat Pradesh Congress chief said that he was likely to be interrogated in the Sanjiv Bhatt affidavit case. He predicted that implicating Bhatt would be suicidal for Modi. Recalling of past conspiracies to kill him and his family Modhawadia warned that if Modi dared to implicate him in false cases he would teach Modi what the law really means. He ridiculed Modis desire to imprison him. Recalling several past incidents such as Haren Pandyas murder, making BJP stalwarts like Keshu Bhai Patel and Suresh Mehta redundant, he expressed his ire for stalking efficient and honest officers like R.B. Sreekumar, Kuldip Sharma, Rajnish Rai, Satish Verma, Rahul Sharma, Vivek Shrivastav, Himanshu Bhatt and Sanjiv Bhatt. To publicise his war against terror he pampered false heroes. Thanks to his enterprise that 29 police officers including four I.P.S. are behind bars while he complacently declares the law will take its own course. He alleged that the Godhara incident was a planned conspiracy. By ensuring the death of 59 passengers he succeeded in killing 1200 innocent persons. He was instrumental in the arrest of 74000 persons. His entire political career is a record of conspiracies. Should he try to implicate me in a false case and arrest me; I would let him know what the law really means. have confessed their crime in a written statement. ASI Laxman Bhai Shankar Bhai Solanik (badge no. 6637) and head constable Hari Bhai Rama Bhai Solanki in a joint (signed) statement confessed to their involvement in spying on the night of 21 September around 10-10.30 p.m. Both belong to the special cell of the city police. They admitted to keeping an eye on her movements ascertaining where she goes and what she does. They had been assigned this specific task. While the CM was observing sadbhavna fast during 17-19 September; his policemen were busy observing Jagriti Bens movements to demonstrate the govts durbhavna (ill will). She obtained their confessional statements alongwith the photographs of their motorcycle/s. Alongwith with these documents her attorney Bhadrish Raju sent a legal notice. She apprised that a watch was being maintained to ascertain who used to visit her at home and who leaves from there in addition to observing her own movements. They went inside her house during her absence and tried to photograph the premises when she herself caught them red handed. Govardhan Bhai Zadaphia, chief of Maha Gujarat Janta Party, reacted very sharply to this sensational news. He asked what was the mystery behind Haren Pandyas murder that the government is so frightened to keep a watch on his widows movement. He made this demand to expose the sadbhavna farce. He argued why was the government opposing her appeal to High Court to probe the case again if the government was not a party to his murder. He further expressed surprise over BJP stalwarts advising Advani against beginning his rathyatra from Gujarat. He asked the government to tell the Gujarat people: who were the killers, what were their intentions and who had hatched the conspiracy. ed by sessions judge V.K. Vyas on the condition of cooperation and remaining present whenever needed. He was in jail since 30 September following a complaint by a constable alleging that Bhatt had harassed him into signing a false affidavit. Describing his seventeen day long detention as a sabbatical, Sanjiv expressed happiness that the rule of law had prevailed. He declared his release as the victory over state-sponsored riots. I am resolute for my cause. The cause is much bigger than me. He got an emotional welcome from his wife Shweta and other well wishers. Refusing to comment on the alleged misbehaviour while being taken into custody he said that he would speak about it, (till) the right time came before the appropriate forum. He emphatically declared his determination to continue the battle, I have become stronger the fight will now go to the next level Meanwhile Bhatts advocate V.H. Kanara approached acting chief justice A.L. Dave seeking protection against cop harassment. The matter was directed to Justice R.H. Shukla, who directed the police not to arrest him till the petition would be heard. Kanara accused police of pressurising him to name Congress leader Arjun Modwadia in the case of the alleged fake affidavit filed by police constable K.D. Pant. He pointed out, The police are insisting that I name Modhwadia for orchestrating Pants initial affidavit. The police had recorded my statement three months ago when the first FIR was lodged against Bhatt. They had even taken away my computers CPU and laptop.

Frightened Modi spies on Harens widow

In an explosive development Jagriti Ben Pandya, widow of slain BJP leader Haren Pandya, has served legal notice on state home minister, DGP and the police commissioner when she caught two policemen red handed spying on her movements. The two

Sanjiv braves the storm

Ahmedabad: Seventeen days after his detention in jail, Sanjiv Bhatt, the cop who was suspended, was released on bail, grant-

AG KHAN

Anti-corruption rath on paid news horses

The party which is raising a storm in Parliament on Note for Vote issue was itself found indulging in the same game (currency) notes for (press) note in newspapers. The incident occurred a day prior to Advanis scheduled arrival in Madhya Pradesh. Press reporters were invited for a briefing on how to cover the yatra. The press conference on Wednesday (12 Oct.) at 11.30 a.m. was to be briefed by Ganesh Sinh (M.P.) and Nagendia Sinh, a minister in the state cabinet. At the end of the conference held in the BJP office, when reporters began to leave, they were asked to wait. Barring two or three reporters and photographers, who were more than 30 in number, everyone accepted the envelope carrying Rs. 1000 each. Prath spokesperson Shyamlal Gupta admitted to the distribution of envelopes. Later on the minister expressed his ignorance (and innocence) by saying, I do not know that the reporters were offered money. I do not know what the system is. We give advertisements. I came to know about this from you people. The incident becomes more ironical in the light of Justice Markandey Katjus statement on Paid News practice on that very day. Damage control unit of the party, on the one-hand said that it was an advance payment for advertisement, while on the other hand, it says: Our media incharge may have done something on his own after we left the venue. Interestingly, the minister, who pleads innocence, holds the PWD portfolio a department notorious for the envelope system. Upset by the boomerang the party president Prabhat Jha sacked Shyamlal Gupta from the post. Two more office bearers are also likely to be relieved of their responsibilities. This follows Advanis instructions to partymen after consulting C.M. and Prabhat Jha. The response is poor not only in Varanasi (U.P.) but also in MP where school kids, teachers, and health workers are ordered to greet the cash for coverage caravan. (AG Khan)

MGs appeal for support

Is this the tragic end of the tail-twister?

Responding to our front page candid statement about the state of The Milli Gazettes financial health and its implications, a number of our valued readers have taken the initiative to do something, exhort others to subscribe, raise the issue...but the response remains lacklustre and heart-breaking to say the least. One non-reader even chided us: why blame the community; did you seek the communitys permission when you started MG? - koee batlaaye ke ham batlaayen kya. Here is one such response from Dr AG Khan of Ujjain (Editor): Koi inko ehsas-e-zillat dila de Koi inki soi hui dum hila de - Faiz We, Indian Muslims, are absolutely incorrigible! No one can change our lethargy or indifference. We are too busy to bother about anyone else - even our next door neighbour. And the one who so passionately cares for his people is wasting his time and energy. Yes, MGs decision to wind up soon is not only heartbreaking but also extremely tragic. There is something wrong with our community which adopts an ostrich-like attitude. A community of 18 crores cannot sustain a periodical not costing more than Rs. 20 a month, is a matter of shame and disgrace. Poverty of the masses is no excuse. A community dominated by movie moghuls who spend 100 crores on one film; a community of prestigious builders who build towers not only in India but also in the Middle East and East Asia; people who are willing to pay 50 thousand for a goat on Eid; who spend lakhs on marriages; who file PIL suits

MG THE

Indian Muslim s Leading English Newspaper, published since January 2000

www.milligazette.com www.milligazette.com

poor in J&K the response was deafening silence. Why bother for starving Kashmiris when we can have our Fortnightly Rs 10 282 Vol. 12 No. 20 16-31 October 2011 32 pages biryanis! MG isnt merely a watchdog against an establishInside Analysis 12,14 3 Terrorism 3,5,11 Special Reports ment which targets Muslims - police, bureaucracy and 2,12-13 Hindutva terror 3,11,27 Issues 27 Urdu 3,7,18,20 Books many others; it is a tail-twister - a role Faiz wanted 3-22 Babri 3 National 23-26 Syria 19 International someone to play for a community of sleeping dogs! In 14 Modi 8-9 Speaking Out 16 Riots 4,5,6,12,13,21 Newsmakers its spirited campaign to highlight the miseries of mil19-22 BJP 6,12 Community News 28 US/Islam 2 Our Publications lions of Muslims, MG has been left with a tail only (and 9,29 India/Israel 3 Islamic Perspectives 30 Gujarat 8-9,10 Classifieds of course, huge financial deficit). How frustrating has 31 J&K 14 Letters IQBAL ANSARI... 9 JALALUDDIN...7 been the experience of over a decade-long war ____________________________________________________________________ against communalism and persecution! What is dis............................... gusting is the response of Muslim academicians all over the length and breadth of our country. A former V.C., a personal friend of mine who on every visit to the capital buys books worth Rs. 3-4 thousand for his grandchildren (comics and all the volumes of Harry Potters) inspite of my repeated supply of MG subscription forms to him, he never responded! We subIt seems all we scribe to foreign journals for our academic growth but have done over care not much for a periodical which covers communi12 years is simply ty news. Academicians, bureaucrats and businessnot enough! ________________________________ men are afraid of being labelled communalists merefor the right of those who are deprived of their right to drink; yet ly by subscribing to MG! they cannot find even 10,000 amongst them to spend Rs. 240 a Zafarul-Islam Saheb is under another illusion. The poor year! This amount is spent by many on their breakfasts every sin- response to Gatades excellent book on Hindutva terror by the gle day! print media, like the earlier one to Mushrifs book on Karkare earBefore I joined the MG team for a brief stint last year, I was lier, does not deter him from sending dozens of copies to English under the impression that it must be enjoying a vast readership of and Hindi editors for review. How colossal has been his loss; yet 30-40 thousand as it has international recognition. Within a month he refuses to give up. I should not be surprised if, inspite of the I realised that MG was running on loss - heavy loss, month after mounting losses, he decides to give MG another lease of life. month. The enormous cost of printing; maintaining staff, electric- Yes, as a Muslim he is not only enthusiastic but highly optimistic. ity bills, postage, computers and subscription to more than twen- May Allah grant him the courage and stamina to struggle on. ty daily newspapers; magazines, etc! All appeals fell on deaf Amen AG KHAN, Ujjain ears. When MG proposed to have a few goats sacrificed for the
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MILLI GAZETTE

ISSN 0972-3366

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 11

HUMAN RIGHTS/TERRORISM

The (in)visible in Indian terrorism

DR IRFAN AHMAD, political anthropologist and a teacher at Australias Monash University, says that Indian Muslims are often accused of terrorist links, but in many cases it is Muslims themselves who are terrorised. According to the Indian government and media, many Muslim groups have recently been involved in terrorism. Of these, three stand out: Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), formed in 1976 and banned soon after 9/11 for fomenting communal disharmony and sedition; Deccan Mujahideen (DM), an outfit which shot to prominence by claiming responsibility for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack; and Indian Mujahideen (IM), a group believed to have been formed after 2001. These groups have been charged with killing hundreds of people. The latest attack came on July 13, when 20 people were killed in a series of bombings in Mumbai. Shortly after the attack, the police said that IM and SIMI were behind the blasts. A nationwide hunt followed. According to Rakesh Maria, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Chief, expert teams fanned out to seven states. Officers from the National Intelligence Agency, formed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks to fight terrorism, raided the houses of two IM suspects in Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand state. In Indian political discourse, outfits like SIMI, DM and IM appear as a threat to Indias stability and its global rise. While some depict them as domestic groups, others portray them as working in alliance with outfits from Pakistan. It is thus believed that IM was floated by Lashkare-Taiba (LeT), a militant group formed in 1990 in Afghanistan and active in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Most accounts of these outfits are, however, inconsistent and even contradictory. By analysing the Mumbai attack and the alleged involvement of IM and SIMI, I make three arguments. First, since the Indian media and the security agencies have a close and uncritical relationship, we should have a healthy doubt about the accuracy of their information, and refrain from immediately pointing fingers at one Muslim group or another. Despite the fact that barely anyone adequately knows what IM is and how it came about, after the July attack several Muslims were arrested as terrorists. Second, because Muslims are blamed, arrested, tortured, and killed (by the police) after each terror attack, with little or no evidence, such measures might end up creating the danger the Indian state claims to fight. Third, I contend that the Indian medias role in reporting terrorism is prejudiced. What is Indian Mujahideen?: After the blast, the police arrested many people from Mumbais sensitive (read Muslim) neighbourhoods, a practice the residents of such neighbourhoods have grown accustomed to in the last decade. One suspect, Faiz Usmani, soon died in police custody. The police claimed that his death was caused by hypertension; his family believes that he was tortured. Usmani was the brother of Afzal Usmani, in jail for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Ahmadabad blast. Both brothers are reported to be IM members. Riaz Bhatkal, described as Indias most wanted terrorist, is regarded as IMs founder. He became close with SIMI in the early 1990s when it began to radicalise. Born in 1976, Bhatkal went to an English-medium school and later studied engineering at a Mumbai college. But beyond that, much of IMs history remains unclear. Its not even known whether Bhatkal is alive or dead. After the July 13 blast, the ATS attempted to nab him. This is surprising, because early this year the media reported that Bhatkal was killed in Karachi by Chhota Rajan, Mumbais underworld don. The media provides differing accounts of IMs formation and, in fact, is sometimes inconsistent even within a single version. For example, Animesh Roul, the director of the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict in Delhi, claimed that IM was conceived at a terrorist conclave attended by top leaders of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkatul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) in Pakistani-administered Kashmir in May 2008. He did not find it contradictory when in the next paragraph he wrote, IM came into the open for the first time in November 2007. In Asian Policy, Christine Fair indicated two dates of its formation: 2001 and an ambiguous date of much later. According to The Times of India, IM was formed in 2005. To Namrata Goswami of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis in Delhi, key SIMI members started supporting the idea of the formation of the IM as early as December 2007. IM first hit the headlines after a series of explosions in November 2007. In an email to the media and police, IM claimed responsibility for the blasts. As the email explained, the aim of those attacks was to protest against the pathetic conditions of Muslims in India that idol worshippers can kill our brothers, sisters, children and outrage dignity of our sisters at any place and at any time and we cant resist them. Then, in 2008, minutes before the blasts in Ahmadabad, IM sent an email (entitled The Rise of Jihad, Revenge of Gujarat) to the media saying: We hereby declare an ultimatum to all the state governments of India to stop harassing the Muslims and keep a check on their killing, expulsion, and encounters. The messages are a sign that IMs aim is to protest against and avenge the killings and humiliation of Muslims at the hands of Hindu nationalists and the state administration. The destruction of the Babri mosque by Hindu nationalists in 1992 is important to IMs ideological repertoire - hence its description by the media and the terrorism experts as a home-grown, domestic terror outfit. Since the media regard the Babri mosque as a domestic issue (unlike Kashmir, which is international) and the IM invokes the Babri mosque to rationalise its attacks, the IM is thus considered a domestic outfit. However, many Indian security experts hold that IM is a tool of Pakistans Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) used to destabilise India. In these accounts, IM is a means to advance ISIs agenda of destabilising India and at the same time to exonerate Pakistan of any allegations made by India and the West of promoting terrorism. The logic of the security experts is that the word Indian in IM points to Indias domestic groups, rather than Pakistani groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, through which the ISI has been operating in Kashmir. On the other hand, experts like B Raman allege that IM and SIMIs reach extends beyond South Asia, characterising the groups as a part of a global network of Islamic radicals, without furnishing adequate evidence. Indias Guantanamo Bays: The media invariably base their stories on the sources of the state. An apt example is Praveen Swami, a terrorism expert cited by everyone writing about the IM. Swami is to print media what Arnab Goswami (of Times Now TV channel) is to Indian TV: Their views are rabidly nationalist, some might even say Islamophobic. Swami reproduces the police version (e.g., see his writings in CTC Sentinel, May 2010; The Hindu, Edit-Page, March 22, 2010; and Frontline, June 2-15, 2007) without giving the other side of the story, namely: the viewpoints of the alleged terrorists, their family members, or the Muslim community. It is well-known that the Indian police are biased against Muslims and have been complicit in killing them, as was evident in the state-sponsored 2002 Gujarat violence, in which over 1,000 Muslims were killed. Given that the Indian media is uninterested in reporting facts and multiple views, can an anthropologist like me make sense of the mediatised world of terrorism? Thomas Eriksen holds that a concept like globalisation has no meaning to an anthropologist unless it can be studied through actual persons, their relationship to each other and to a larger surrounding world. I thus agree with Peter Van der Veer that behind the growing visibility [of media] is a growing invisibility. What is rarely visible in the Indian media, however, are the brutal, illegal methods used against suspected terrorists: torture cells, illegal detention, unlawful killings in police encounters, elimination of evidence against the illegal actions of the law-enforcing agencies, and rampant harassment of Muslims. In July 2009, The Week reported on the existence of at least 15 secret torture chambers meant to extract information from the detainees. The methods to extract information include attaching electrodes to a detainees genitals as well as the use of pethidine injections. To quote The Week, these chambers are our own little Guantanamo Bays or Gitmos, which a top policeman called precious assets. In May 2008, a Muslim boy aged 14 was abducted by the Gujarat police. He was dragged to the police car at gunpoint and taken to a detention centre where he was tortured. He returned home ten days later when the court ordered his release following his mothers petition. The police subsequently threatened the boys family with dire consequences if they pursued the case in court. The police harassment becomes even more acute in light of the fact that most lawyers often hesitate to take up the cases of terrorists. As a disempowered community - as the government-appointed Sachar Committee report (of 2006) minutely demonstrates - Muslims themselves dont have adequate and qualified lawyers to pursue such cases. Muslims marginalisation thus renders their voice invisible in the media too. It is believed that after SIMI was banned, soon after 9/11, its radical members formed IM. During my fieldwork (2001-2004) on Jamaate-Islami and SIMI, I did not hear anything about IM. SIMI activists and other Muslims I met felt terrorised themselves. It is worth noting that since 2001 far more people have been arrested as SIMI terrorists than the actual number of SIMI members, which in 1996 was 413 (when founded in 1976, SIMIs members numbered 132). Until today, the Indian government has still not legally proved its rationale for banning SIMI. The story untold: In the fight against terrorism, evidence and the rule of law are subservient to prejudice. As of this writing, the Indian government has not yet tracked the perpetrators of the July 13 attack. However, only two days after the attack, Subramanian Swamy, a prominent politician and former minister (with a doctorate from Harvard University) wrote an article called How to Wipe Out Islamic Terror. Without any evidence, he blamed Muslims for the attack, in the same way that The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Sun suspected Muslim involvement in the Norway shooting nine days later. What Swamy did is standard practice in Indian media. In September 2006, a blast killed 35 people at a Muslim graveyard in Malegaon (in the state of Maharashtra). The media blamed Muslims. Likewise, in 2007, after a blast killed 10 Muslims praying in Hyderabads Mecca mosque, Praveen Swami freely wrote about the Muslim terrorists he believed caused it and about what he perceived to be the Islamist threat to Indias cities. However, investigations later showed that Hindu nationalists carried out the Malegaon and Mecca mosque terror attacks. Returning to Subramanian Swamy, Swamy wrote: We need a collective mindset as Hindus to stand against the Islamic terrorist. The Muslims of India can join us if they genuinely feel for the Hindus. That they do I will not believe unless they acknowledge with pride that though they may be Muslims, their ancestors were Hindus. Those refusing to acknowledge this, Swamy advocated, should not have voting rights. He proposed declaring India a Hindu Rashtra [state]. Stories of Muslim terrorists abound in both the Indian and Western media. Since the July 13, 2011 Mumbai bombings, vitriolic pieces like Subramanian Swamys have appeared frequently in the media. These pieces subtly influence the analyses of many liberal intellectuals. By contrast, stories portraying Muslims as the terrorised remain fairly sparse. One wonders if, and how, such stories will be told. (Aljazira.net)

Govt plans to define word terrorist

The government is contemplating defining the word terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The act so far only defines terrorist acts, terrorist organizations, unlawful activities and unlawful associations. But, given the cases across the globe, such as the nearly two-year-old case of an underwear bomber on a mission to take down an American plane single-handedly, the home ministry has felt the need to include a single terrorist under the act by defining the word terrorist. Senior government sources said amendments to the UAPA are being worked out to make it more explanatory and broadbased taking into consideration fresh possibilities arising out of terror acts committed by a single person We are looking at all possibilities, including where a person does not have any affiliations with a terrorist or banned organization but is self-motivated and equipped to commit an act of terror, an official said. The official said amendments to the UAPA would explore other aspects, such as attachment of properties and assets. This needs to be incorporated to define forfeiture of proceeds of terrorism in case of death of such suspects. Two laws enacted after 26/11 attack up for review Two laws hurriedly enacted in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to shore up Indias capacity to deal with future terror strikes are up for a review. The government is considering changes in the two legislations - the National Investigation Agency Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Act - passed by Parliament within weeks of the attack. The first law created the federal agency, the NIA, the second introduced stringent provisions in UAPA including those providing for detention of terrorists for 180 days and denial of bail to a foreigner accused of terror acts in India. Urging MPs to pass the two laws to strengthen the legal framework to deal with terrorists without delay in December 2008, home minister P Chidambaram had promised to come back to Parliament for changes to the laws if needed. Officials suggest this stage appeared to have arrived. Yes, we are reviewing changes that need to be made to UAPA Act, a senior home ministry official confirmed, adding that this would be more in the nature of tweaking the laws rather than overhauling them. This law was enacted in a hurry and can do with smoothening the rough edges, the official said, refusing to elaborate on the specific details. The National Investigation Agency has also started knocking at the home ministrys doors with a list of changes that need to be made to the law that created the agency. The home ministry hasnt yet taken a decision on the NIAs wish-list. An official said the home ministry was still in discussions with the NIA over the proposed amendments and evaluate the necessary changes. For one, the NIA wants Parliament to allow the agency to let an inspectorrank officer be designated as the investigating officer rather than a deputy superintendent of police. US wanted Kasab freed: WikiLeaks 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab has approached the Supreme Court in appeal against his death sentence on a plea which was dismissed by his attorney SG Abbas Kazmi two years ago. Kasab has pleaded in the apex court that he was brainwashed like a robot into committing the dastardly act in the name of god and, given my young age, had a chance to reform. Now a secret American diplomatic cable exposed by WikiLeaks shows that Kazmi had discounted exploring this avenue when the US had mentioned these very arguments to him in the trial court: if he would contact Kasabs parents in Pakistan to build up the case for mitigating circumstances which may help the convict escape the noose. An official of the US embassyin India had met Kazmi on September 3, 2009, asking him if India would contact Kasabs parents in Pakistan to know the circumstances under which he was indoctrinated by the Lashkar e-Tayyeba (LeT) and whether he had been brainwashed. But Kazmi had dismissed the possibility of such a move. The death penalty is authorised in India only in rarest of the rare cases, Kazmi said, where there has been extreme brutality or inhuman treatment. The Indian law allows consideration of mitigating factors, such as whether Kasab had been brainwashed, but Kazmi is not planning on calling witnesses to testify on behalf of Kasab to explain the circumstances that led him to be indoctrinated by the LeT, the cable stated. The US cable stated that even Kasabs defence lawyer was certain that the trial court would award him the death sentence. Kazmi complained to the US official that his attempts to provide Kasab with a robust defence and fair trial had been hampered from the beginning, the cable stated. Kazmi is not permitted to confer with his client in private to prepare the defence. MG NEWS DESK

12 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

ISSUES

Communal Harmony Yatra concludes in Delhi

New Delhi: The fourth Harmony Yatra from Ayodhya to Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin concluded here on 17 October with a conference on communal harmony and brotherhood at Gandhi Peace Foundation. It was addressed by important speakers including well-known intellectual Asghar Ali Engineer and leader of the Yatra Yugal Kishor Shastri of Ayodhya. Zafarul-Islam Khan, editor of The Milli Gazette and one of the organizers of the yatra said that this yatra to knit the people together comes at a time when another yatra is on to sow seeds of schism and communal disharmony for political gains. Yugal Kishor Shastri said that he brings from Ayodhya the message of Sanjhi Virasat, the shared culture, of this country. He said Ayodhya belongs to Muslims, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs just as it belongs to the Hindus. This is why it never experienced communal violence. Whatever violence has been seen there was the handiwork of people who came from outside for political gains and overwhelmed its peace-loving population. Muhammad Ahmad, National Secretary of Jamaat-e Islami Hind, said that some forces are bent to divide this country and its people. They use the politics of riots to convey a message: peace and its very name means peace and even one of the names of Allah is Salam i.e., peace. He said the temple politics of Ayodhya is not to add another Ram Temple in a town where 17 temples claiming to be Ram Temples already exist. The yatra had arrived in Delhi on 15 October. Members of the yatra and people who joined it locally paid tributes to the soul of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and prayed for the peace and harmony in the country. Thereafter, a conference on communal harmony and brotherhood was held at the BN Pandey Hall at Gandhi Samriti & Darshan Samiti at Rajghat in which leaders of the yatra, led by Yugal Kishor Shastri, put across their views on ways and means to promote communal harmony. Speakers included Asghar Ali Engineer and Lalit Kumar, Secretary, National Foundation for Communal Harmony, Haneef Shastri, Zafarul-Islam Khan, Mazhar Hussain, Saroj Khan Choudhry, Deepak Singh and Muhammad Afzal. They stressed on the dire need for communal harmony and knitting together people of India in an atmosphere of love and harmony which will be conducive for development and progress of the country. Therefater, a press meet was held at the Tagore hall of Gandhi Samriti & Darshan Samiti.

Yatra at Bapus samadhi at Rajghat

Yugal Kishor Shastri speaking at Gandhi Peace Foundation

Zafarul-Islam Khan speaking at Gandhi Peace Foundation

vote for us if you want to live in peace. Saroj Khan Chowdhury, president of Jaipurbased Centre for Human Rights and Social Welfare said that the blasts of Ajmer and Jaipur and the firing at Gopalgarh show that a lot of work is needed to spread peace and harmony in the country. The keynote speech was delivered by wellknown intellectual Asghar Ali Engineer who said that open dialogue is needed so that all issues are known and discussed. He said some people say that religion is the root of all problems but this is not borne out by the lessons of history. He mentioned the two world wars fought in the twentieth century which resulted in killings of dozens of millions of people in each of these two wars and both were fought for nationalist reasons and over sharing the colonial loot. He said wars are fought to exploit us and for the benefit of some small groups of people, not for the whole country. He said Islam is based on

It was covered by a number of journalists from print and electronic media. Participants in the yatra spoke on its theme and answered mediamens questions. In the evening a sufi qawwali programme was held in honour of the yatra participants at Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in Nizamuddin. The aim of the yatra is to disseminate the Sanjhi Virasat (shared culture) which is the hallmark of Ayodhya where five religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and Sikhism) have their roots and which is called Khurd Mecca (Small Makkah) for the graves of prophets and sufi saints it embraces. The purpose of the yatra is to popularize and propagate this message all over the country. The purpose of the yatra is to abolish fascism, communalism and untouchability and to promote peace, unity and brotherhood among the people and in society. The yatra is led by Ayodhyas famous mahant and tireless worker for communal har-

Asghar Ali Engineer speaking at Gandhi Peace Foundation

mony Yugal Kishor Shastri who last year took out a similar yatra among various communities from Ayodhya to Sewagram in Wardha. The yatra started at Ayodhya on 11th October with a number of programmes and went to Faizabad where too it held a number of programmess of mass contact. It reached Lucknow on 12th October, Sitapur on 13th October, Shahjahanpur on 15th October, spent the night at Moradabad and arrived at Delhi in the morning of 16th October. The yatra covered a distance of 490 kms by land. About 20 persons from various parts of the country are accompanying Yugal Kishor Shastri in this mass contact movement which involves conferences, street and press meets and con-

tacting people, especially youth, along the route. Organizations taking part in this yatra are Communalism Combat (Teesta Sitalvad), Viswa Yuva Sadbhavana Parishad (Seshnath Dubey), Asha Parivar (Sandeep Pandey), Ayodhya ki Awaz (Yugal Kishor Saran Shastri), Milli Gazette (Zafarul-Islam Khan), Sarvdharam Sadbhav Kendra Trust (Zafar Saifullah), Confederation of Voluntary Association-COVA (Mazher Hussain), Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (Mohammad Ahmad), Rastriya Yuva Sangathan (Kumar Prashant), Centre for Study of Society and Secularism - CSSS (Asghar Ali Engineer) and Centre for Human Rights and Social Welfare (Saroj Khan) etc.

AFSPA soon to be withdrawn partially

011 has been the most peaceful for Jammu and Kashmir in the past two decades. And peaceful summer in the state has further paved the way for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some peaceful areas in a phased manner. In view of the prevailing situation in the state, Home Minister P Chidambaram has asked chief minister Omar Abdullah to withdraw AFSPA from violence free districts in parts. Earlier Omar Abdullah had thought of removing AFSPA by the end of 2011 if the summer passed off peacefully. Omar after his recent meet with P Chidambaram said that during their meeting the possibility of removal of AFSPA and the Disturbed Areas Act from certain parts of the state was discussed and after talks with cabinet colleagues a final decision would be taken in this regard. Omar however has clarified that AFSPA can only go in parts and not by any overnight decision of revocation of the AFSPA or the Disturbed Areas Act from the entire state. He further said, We have to see the areas where the footprints of the Army was minimal and then go for revocation of the Disturbed Areas Act and subsequently AFSPA. Under the law, if a state denotifies Disturbed Areas Act from certain districts, the AFSPA will

automatically be withdrawn from those districts. On the issue of the report submitted by the interlocutors Omar said that it was a timely thought, and a step in the right direction and urged the Centre to hold an all party meet to discuss the report and find ways and means to take positive things from the report and ensure that it is implemented. There has been a relentless campaign to either repeal or withdraw the draconian law as believed by those seeking to withdraw the law from Kashmir and Manipur. The law gives enough powers to security forces to search, seize and arrest without any warrant at places declared to be disturbed areas. It took too long for Irom Sharmilas fast against the law to strike a chord. Slowly and steadily people are joining hands to demand the repeal of AFSPA. New Delhi based National Alliance for Peoples Movement (NAPM) has already launched a signature campaign across India from 2 October in order to spread the message far and wide on Irom Sharmilas struggle and to build public support for the Save Sharmila campaign. On October 16, The Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) led by social activist Medha Patkar began a Jan Caravan march from Srinagar to Imphal. Magsaysay award winner

Sandeep Pandey has also come forward to support Sharmilas struggle because he is of the opinion that AFSPA is responsible for the pain and suffering of people in the North East and Kashmir. Many other organizations like NAPM, Asha Parivar, Mission Bhartiyam, Mahila Chetna Kendra, Yuva Koshish, Khudai Khidmatgar, Manushi, and Sadbhavna Mission, We the Common People, SAMAR, La Mashale, SIO, Asian Centre of Social Studies are part of this campaign. Save Sharmila Jan Caravan will cover 4,500 km across 10 states. When Jan Caravan reached Delhi on 19 October a group shouting slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Matram attacked and manhandled people participating in the solidarity campaign for Sharmila. Faisal Khan, coordinator of the Save Sharmila Jan Caravan said that while we were on our way some people shouting slogans approached us and asked to stop. When we refused to do so they misbehaved and splashed ink on our clothes. Assistant co-ordinator of the Manipur based organisation Apunba Lups, assistant coordinator Elangbam Johnson while reacting to suspected right wing activists attack on the caravan said that it was an act against humanity and warned the attackers not to repeat such acts in the future. The Apunba Lup was formed following the brutal rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama Devi in Manipur by Assam Rifles soldiers in July 2004. (Mohammad Naushad Khan)

The Hindu

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 13

ISSUES

Kashmir, Ultra Nationalists and Path to Peaceful Solution

RAM PUNIYANI
[email protected] The condemnable attack on Supreme Court lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan on 12 October 2011, threw up many a question. To begin with, the attackers were congratulated by ultra-nationalists like Bal Thackeray of Shiv Sena, showing the gross intolerance around certain issues in our society, more particularly those related to Kashmir and other issues being raised by those who have been practicing the sectarian politics. It does reflect the growing intolerance in the society, without doubt. This attack took place in the aftermath of the statement of Prashant Bhushan expressing his opinion that the option of referendum as suggested by UN way back can be the way to solve the Kashmir problem. In the aftermath of this dastardly attack on him, cracks also surfaced in Team Anna and most of the members of the team disowned his opinion to the extent that even a move to expel Bhushan from team Anna came up. Anna Hazare, displaying his mastery on nationalism and history asserted that Kashmir is an inseparable pat of India from times immemorial. Some of those asserting Kashmir as the inseparable part of India also resorted to saying that Bhushan should be treated as an anti-national as his opinion violated the position of the Indian Constitution. Historically and constitutionally, things are not as straightforward about Kashmir. One knows that Maharaja of Kashmir acceded to India after Pakistans army dressed as tribals invaded Kashmir. Kashimiri people did not want to merge with Pakistan. This attitude of Kashmiri people was reflected in the opinion of National Conference led by Sheikh Abdullah. It was at this juncture that Maharaja Harisingh, the King of Kashmir, signed the instrument of accession with India. This instrument was subject to ratification by the people of Kashmir for which, as suggested later by the UN, a referendum was to be held. So, the first point should be straight and clear that Kashmir has been part of India form all times, is not true. It acceded with India in 1948. The instrument of accession gave a total autonomy to Kashmir, barring issues related to defence, communication, external affairs and currency. The problem began with the demand by communal forces in India, as articulated prominently by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of Hindu Mahasabha, to forcibly merge Kashmir into India and make it like any other state. The impact of communal forces at the time was also witnessed in the form of the murder of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This continuous pressure

The problem began with the demand by communal forces in India, as articulated prominently by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of Hindu Mahasabha, to forcibly merge Kashmir into India and make it like any other state. The impact of communal forces at the time was also witnessed in the form of the murder of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This continuous pressure from communal forces affected the attitude of the Indian Government. The Government gradually went on withdrawing the autonomy clauses, and kept on tampering with the process of elections in the state. This resulted in the process of alienation of people of Kashmir.
from communal forces affected the attitude of the Indian Government. The Government gradually went on withdrawing the autonomy clauses, and kept on tampering with the process of elections in the state. This resulted in the process of alienation of people of Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah, who was uncomfortable with the moves of Government of India, tried to rethink his decision about accession to India, but he was soon imprisoned and languished in jail for 17 long years. The alienated youth of Kashmir were assisted by the Pakistani establishment, which had its own vested interests. Pakistan was totally backed up by the United States, which pursued the policies to encourage the turmoil in the area, leading to the violence. US has so far been using Pakistan as its proxy in the region to dominate the oil rich Gulf region. This process worsened with the entry of Al Qaeda and its clones in Kashmir in late 1980s and 1990s. The entry of Al Qaeda communalized the situation and undermined the spirit of Kashmiriyat, the major culture of Kashmir. Kashmiriyat is a synthesis of teachings of Buddha, Vedanta and the Sufi tradition of Islam. When militancy in Kashmir reached its peak, one of its tragic outcomes was mass exodus of Kashmiri Pundits. A large number of Muslim families also had to leave the valley. Mostly the ruling party or coalitions at the Centre tried to influence and rig the elections in Kashmir, undermining the democratic process for long. Indian Government faced the situation by sending more and more armed forces into the valley and today there is huge presence of military in the area. The presence of military has affected the civilian life to a great extent, due to which

Kashmiris have been living in an intensely intimidating atmosphere. Military has committed large number of excesses in the area. Today people of Kashmir are the victims of the local militancy, Al Qaeda-Pakistan promoted terrorism and the high-handed actions of the Indian army and state police. The perception of Kashmiris has been shaped by this phenomenon. A discomforting mix indeed. It is due to all this that the dissatisfaction of the people gets manifested by stone pelting and similar actions of protest. In this context, various solutions have been presented to ease out the situation. While the separatists want Azadi, Peoples Democratic Party of Mahbooba Mufti wants self-rule and the National Conference of Farooq Abdulla wants the autonomy to be restored in the valley. The solution of referendum has been one of the major demands all through. Today, six decades down the line, it is doubtful if this can be a realistic solution at all as Pakistan has also been playing its own games in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, euphemistically called Azad Kashmir, where there is hardly any Azadi in the true sense of the word. The demand for referendum was surely a need in the 1950s, as it was committed while signing the accession treaty. The commitment was that the accession will have to be ratified by the Kashmiri people. Today, decades later, the social and political situations have so much changed that we will have to reconcile only to the strengthening of the democratic process in Kashmir with its existing LoC to begin with. Referendum is neither realistic nor possible today. It is in this context that the effort of Government of India to appoint three interlocutors in the area has to be seen. In the report of the interlocutors emphasis is on the socio-economic problems of the region, skirting the political issues involved. It correctly focuses on the need for employment generation schemes, education and other measures which are the need of the people of the state. While Bhushans stand about plebiscite may be a bit of an overkill, still it has been the aspiration of many a Kashmiri group. The situation is to be viewed today in the context of the changing global equation between US-Pakistan, the evolution of democratic process in Kashmir and the perpetuation of the causes of militancy in Kashmir. The major cause of militancy-alienation has been the attempt to forcibly merge the state with India, by demanding the abolition of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. This incidentally has been a major demand of the communal forces in the country. The likes of Hazares and Thackerays have forgotten the recent history of the nation, if at all they knew it, and are blinded by their version of nationalism. The need is to ensure that the issue is seen in the proper historical and Constitutional context with the aim to ease the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. (Issues
in Secular Politics)

India wants strategic ties with Afghanistan

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In order to scale down Pakistans uninterrupted say in Afghanistan, India has decided to provide arms to Afghanistan. Supply of infantry weapons to Afghanistans armed forces, police and paramilitary units with rifles, rocket launchers aimed at strengthening ties and at the same time curtailing Pakistans grip. The Strategic partnership was signed between President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during Karzais recent visit to India. As per the agreement India will train Afghanistans armed forces and police. India has categorically denied any direct involvement of its armed forces in operations in Afghanistan but at the same time India wants to remain vigilant to thwart any attempt by Pakistan to forge closer ties with Kabul by providing arms. Presently, US-led forces have been training Afghan troops. President Karzai leaning towards India for strategic partnership is mainly because the American force is scheduled to pull back by 2014 and at the same time to caution Pakistan for its support to guerrillas in Afghanistan. This could be one of the reasons why Pakistan has turned towards India after keeping India at arms length on issues pertaining to security in Afghanistan. Now in order to maintain harmonious relation between Afghanistan and Pakistan Karzai sought to pacify Pakistan by saying Kabul considers Pakistan as a brother whereas India is a friend. Karzai also sought to clarify that his visit in no way targeted Pakistan and the relationship with Pakistan was intact, as it used to be in the past. (Mohammad Naushad Khan)

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14 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

ANALYSIS
Speaking Out
N I L O FA R S U H R AWA R D Y

Advanis Yatra: Totally Off-Track!

otwithstanding the hype raised against corruption by Bharatiya Janata Party and its associates, particularly those belonging to the Saffron brigade, what are these politicians really gaining in the process? A little bit of media coverage, some publicity and more negative criticism than they probably expected. In fact, the different measures used by various politicians belonging virtually to the same camp have apparently created a rift within this political group. Now, can this be regarded as an effective and constructive anti-corruption political campaign? Hardly, as even before the campaign has had any substantial impact, it appears to have lost its own credibility. Understandably, when Anna Hazare appeared to have moved the entire nation by his anti-corruption fast, for sometime many, including academicians and intellectuals, were almost convinced by his so-called movement. Even before a year has passed, the same people have started raising questions regarding sincerity, legitimacy and actual focus of Hazare. The movement has got derailed even before it could take off effectively. Was Hazare genuinely on fast as part of an anti-corruption drive or was he being made use of by groups associated with the Saffron brigade primarily to politically influence the people against the Congress and its allies? In this context, Hazares fast was more of a political move, deliberately initiated with an eye on assembly elec-

tions in five states in the coming year. These are: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. Besides, parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in 2014. The same can be said about BJP-stalwart L.K. Advanis present yatra, which is his sixth one. Paradoxically, Advani seems convinced that he will succeed in this yatra. The first yatra, labelled as Ram Rath Yatra was undertaken in 1990 to educate the people about Ayodhya, in other words, to popularise the Saffron brigades stand on the issue. The next four were conducted simultaneously, from four corners of the country, in September 1993. Advani led the one that began from Mysore. The focus of these yatras was on religion bill. The fifth yatra in April-May 2006 was named Bharat Suraksha Yatra. To a degree, Advani succeeded in his first yatra in making people more familiar about the Ayodhya issue. Greater credit to Ramayana-fever having gripped the majority of India must, however, be given to the Ramayana serial, telecast weekly on Doordarshan from January 25, 1987 to July 31, 1988 on Sundays at 9.30 AM during the prime ministership of Rajiv Gandhi. As the serial gained popularity, it brought virtually life in India to a standstill with most glued to the then black and white television screens. The devout Hindus watched it for religious purposes, with some hoping that the religious serial will help them get rid of their problems and ailments. Doordarshan was then the one and only channel available for television viewers in India. Had the religious-fervour not been revived by the TV serial, perhaps Advanis Ram-yatra may not have received much attention then. That was the period when the actor playing the role of Rama was revered as actual Rama when ordinary people came in contact with him. In a bid to politically cash on this Ram-fervour, Advani

probably decided then to undertake the Ram-yatra. He did succeed in attracting crowds for two reasons. It was his first attempt, which was accorded considerable media attention then. It was also his first major attempt to reach out to the people and make himself familiar to them. From these two angles, it was natural for media and people to give him a chance by paying his yatra substantial attention. Against these two points, prospects of his present yatra gaining little attention by media and people should not seem astonishing. This is not Advanis first yatra nor is he the first politician to have started raising voice against corruption.

esides, the Indian public and television industry have come a long way away from where they were in the last century, when they tended to pay more attention to what they learned through television programmes and what the leaders said then. In todays period, numerous channels telecast a range of different programmes, including news, views, religion, debates, movies, songs, wildlife, cartoons and a lot more. The era when one serial had almost the whole country glued to the screen is now history. So is attraction that Advanis first yatra had for the people. Why should they step out on the streets when they can catch a glimpse of it on the television? Besides, the television has made even the most illiterate people fairly sharp about political developments in the country. Even an illiterate person, thanks to televisions impact, cannot be viewed as ignorant of Advanis political ploy in the name of anti-corruption yatra. People are well aware that they were taken for a ride by Advani in the name of religion in early 1990s. Now, rather than let history repeat itself, people are paying little attention to Advanis yatra. With little attention received by Advanis yatra being largely negative, the yatra can only be labelled as off-track!
For this purpose, I propose to have such get togethers, like the one as we are having today, every two or three months, in which we will discuss issues relating to the media and try to think how we can improve the performance of the media so that it may win the respect and confidence of the people of the country. Such meetings will not be formal meetings of the Press Council of India but only informal get togethers. No doubt, the electronic media is not under the Press Council of India Act, but surely there is nothing wrong in discussing matters relating to media with them also. After all, the ultimate purpose of the print media and the electronic media is the same, and journalistic ethics apply to both. No doubt, if the media proves incorrigible, harsh measures may be required, but in my opinion that should be resorted to only as a last resort and in extreme situations. Ordinarily, we should first try to resolve the issues by discussion, consultation and self-regulation. That is the approach which should be ordinarily first tried in a democracy. I, therefore, respectfully request the Union Government to kindly defer implementation of its recent decision regarding the news channel license, so that we can ourselves discuss the issue thoroughly and ourselves take corrective measures in this connection. Till now the function of the Press Council was only adjudication. I intend to make the Press Council an instrument of mediation in addition, which is in my opinion the democratic approach. For this purpose, I need the help and co-operation and advice of all of you. If you have read the history of Europe from the 16th to the 19th centuries, which was the transitional period there, you will find that this period was accompanied by tremendous turbulence, turmoil, wars, revolutions, social churning, chaos, intellectual ferment etc. It was only after going through this fire that modern society emerged in Europe. Presently, India is going through this fire. We are going through a very painful period in our history, which I think will last for another 20 years or so before modern industrial society emerges in India. The media too must help society in going through this transitional period as quickly as possible, and by reducing the pain. This, it can do by attacking feudal ideas e.g., casteism and communalism and promoting modern scientific ideas. Before I conclude, I once again repeat my appeal to the Indian Government through the Prime Minister to release Dr. Khalil Chishty who is in Ajmer Jail. He is 80 years old and has not very long to live. He was an eminent virologist in Karachi Medical College and was a PhD from Edinburgh University. He is a heart patient and has many other ailments also. He is unable to walk. In the name of humanity I appeal to the Indian Government to release him and allow him to get back to home in Karachi to his wife and daughter who live there. The Pakistan Government honoured my appeal and released Gopal Das from a Pakistani Jail. I am sad that the Indian Government has not yet honoured my appeal made several months ago to the Honble Prime Minister, the Honble Home Minister, and His Excellency the Governor of Rajasthan. In my opinion, the prestige of our country will be increased if Dr. Chishty is released, whereas if he dies in jail, we will be disgraced.

Justice Katju interacts with mediapersons

This is a slightly abridged text of the speech delivered by Justice M. KATJU, Chairman, Press Council of India, to the mediapersons on their responsibility at a get together at his home in New Delhi on 10 October, 2011:

have only recently become the Chairman of the Press Council of India. It is a new job for me as I was earlier in the legal world for 40 years, 20 years as a lawyer and 20 years as a Judge. Now, that I have come into your world I need your guidance, advice and suggestions so that I may be able to perform my duties properly. I have arranged this get-together of media people because I think that the time has now come in this country when some introspection is required by the media. Many people, not only those in authority but even ordinary people, have started saying that the media has become irresponsible, wayward and needs to be reined in. Only a couple of days back I read in the newspapers that the Union Government has issued some regulations regarding licences for news channels, about which there was a lot of reaction. Under the Constitution of India freedom of the media is part of the freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution. However, no freedom can be absolute, and reasonable restrictions can be placed on them. One of the basic tasks of the media is to provide truthful and objective information to the people which will enable them to form rational opinions, which is a sine qua non in a democracy. But is the Indian media performing this role properly? I may only mention certain defects in the functioning of the Indian media today: (i) The media often twists facts. In this connection, I would like to give an example. I sat for several months with Honble Mrs. Justice Gyan Sudha Misra in a Bench of the Supreme Court. One day, a leading English newspaper of the country published on its front page a photograph of Honble Justice Misra with the caption Supreme Court Judge says that her daughters are liabilities. This was a totally distorted and fallacious news and that too published in the front page of a leading English newspaper. The correct facts were that Supreme Court Judges have to disclose their assets and liabilities. Against the liabilities column Justice Misra wrote two daughters to be married. Strictly speaking it was not necessary to mention this because liabilities means legal liabilities e.g. housing loan, car loan, etc. However, the intention of Justice Misra was obviously to say that she had to spend a lot of money on her daughters future marriage. She has three daughters (no son) only one of whom has been married and two are yet to be married. Justice Misra never said nor intended to say that her daughters were liabilities, and the news published was totally false and defamatory with the obvious intention of creating a sensation. This publication was of tremendous embarrassment and grief not only to Justice Misra but also to members of her family. Did the publisher of this news item ever think how much pain and embarrassment it would cause to Justice Misra and her family?

Obviously not. All that the publisher of that news sought was to create a sensation by twisting the correct facts. Even if Justice Misra had made a mistake in writing two daughters to be married against the column of liabilities, should the media have cashed in on this mistake and totally distorted it without realizing how much pain it was causing to some people? I ask the media people assembled here today to themselves introspect and seek the answer. (ii) The issue of paid news has become prominent of late. In the 2009 elections, it was a scandal. How to stop this vicious practice needs to be discussed among us. Incidentally, in compliance with the order of the Chief Information Commissioner dated 19.9.2011, we have placed the 71-page report of the Committee consisting of Shri Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Mr. Sreenivas Reddy on our website (www.presscouncil.nic) alongwith a disclaimer that the Press Council had rejected this report in its meeting held on 26.4.2010.

most 5 to 10 per cent of the total. The bulk of the coverage goes to showing the life of film stars, pop music, fashion parades, cricket and astrology. (iv) Bomb blasts have taken place near the Delhi High Court, in Bombay, Bangalore etc. Within a few hours of such bomb blasts many T V channels started showing news item that Indian Mujahidin or Jaish-e-Mohammed or HarkatulJihad-e-Islam have sent e-mails or sms claiming responsibility. The names of such alleged organizations will always be Muslim names. Now an e-mail can be sent by any mischievous person, but by showing this on TV channels and next day in the newspapers the tendency is to brand all Muslims in the country as terrorists and bomb throwers. The truth is that 99% people of all communities, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Sikh and of whatever caste or region are good. But the manner in which such news is shown on TV screens and published in the newspapers tends to create

Bomb blasts have taken place near the Delhi High Court, in Bombay, Bangalore etc. Within a few hours of such bomb blasts many T V channels started showing news item that Indian Mujahidin or Jaish-e-Mohammed or Harkatul-Jihad-eIslam have sent e-mails or sms claiming responsibility. The names of such alleged organizations will always be Muslim names. Now an e-mail can be sent by any mischievous person, but by showing this on TV channels and next day in the newspapers the tendency is to brand all Muslims in the country as terrorists and bomb throwers. The truth is that 99% people of all communities, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Sikh and of whatever caste or region are good. But the manner in which such news is shown on TV screens and published in the newspapers tends to create the impression that all Muslims are terrorists, and evil, which is totally false.
(iii) The media often portrays non-issues as real issues while the real issues are sidelined. The real issues in the country are economic, that is the terrible economic conditions in which 80% of our people are living, the poverty, unemployment, lack of housing and medical care etc. Instead of addressing these real issues, the media often tries to divert the attention of the people to non-issues, such as that the wife of a film actor has become pregnant, whether that lady will give birth to a single child or to twins etc. Are these the real issues facing the nation? In the Lakme India Fashion Week event, there were 512 accredited journalists covering the event in which models were displaying cotton garments, while the men and women who grew that cotton were killing themselves at a distance of an hours flight from Nagpur in the Vidharbha region. Nobody told that story except one or two journalists, locally. Is this a responsible way for the Indian media to function? Should the media turn a Nelsons eye to the harsh economic realities facing over 75 per cent of our people, and concentrate on some Potemkin villages where all is glamour and show biz? Are not the Indian media behaving much like Queen Marie Antoinette, who said that if the people had no bread, they should eat cake. No doubt, sometimes the media mentions farmers suicides, the rise in the price of essential commodities, and so on, but such coverage is at the impression that all Muslims are terrorists, and evil, which is totally false. The person who sends such e-mails or sms obviously wants to create hatred between Hindus and Muslims, which is the old British divide-andrule policy continuing even today. Should the media, wittingly or unwittingly, become part of this policy of divide and rule? I have only referred to some of the defects in the Indian media. No doubt there are defects not only in the media but in other institutions also, e.g., the judiciary, bureaucracy etc. but all of us must try to remove these defects. here are two ways of removing these defects in the media. One is the democratic way, that is by discussions, consultations and persuasion, which is the method I prefer. The other way is by using harsh measures against the media, e.g., by imposing heavy fines on the defaulters, stopping Government advertisements for them, suspending their licences etc. In my opinion, in a democracy, we should first try the first method for rectifying the defects, namely the democratic method. It is for this purpose that I have decided to have regular get togethers with the media, including the electronic media, so that we can all introspect and ourselves find out ways and means of rectifying the defects in the media, rather than this being done by some government authority or external agency.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 15

JAMMU & KASHMIR

DATELINE SRINAGAR: AFSANA RASHID

Interlocutors present their report amid cynicism

fter a year of their appointment, a panel of interlocutors appointed by the Centre on Kashmir submitted its final report to the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, October 12. The interlocutors were appointed as part of an eight-point Kashmir formula announced by the Government of India after an all party meeting in September last year. The team comprising of eminent journalist Dilip Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar and former Information Commissioner M M Ansari visited the state 12 times during this period. Admitting that engagement with separatists would have made their report more vibrant Dilip Padgaonkar, chief interlocutor, while briefing media in New Delhi, October 12 said that they tried hard to engage the separatists but in vain. However, PDP and Hurriyat (M), October 12 termed the report as wastage of time. PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti said it seems the whole exercise has been wasted. Recommendations made by Prime Ministers Working Groups, a few years ago, were better. There is no mention of a political solution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in it. Mustafa Kamal, chief spokesperson of National Conference said if restoration of autonomy that has been passed by the state legislature in 2000 has been ignored, then it is unfortunate. CPI (M) state secretary and MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami said that the report should be shared with political parties both at the national and local level. Widest possible debate will be useful to reach broader agreements. Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said decision of Hurriyat to stay away from interlocutors proved right. CBMs are no solution to Kashmir. While addressing the Friday congregation, October 14, he said Government of India knows very well the problem and there is no need for any committee. Kashmiris have made it clear that they dont want anything short of right to self-determination, neither autonomy nor self-rule. No country in the world today sees Kashmir issue as Indias internal matter. Senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah said that Kashmiris havent given sacrifices for CBMs. Senior Congress leader and Supreme Court lawyer Ashok Bhan, October 16 in New Delhi said this wasteful exercise proved yet another form of political skullduggery and lack of political sensibility. He urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to personally take-up Kashmir affairs.

Abdullah took charge as chief spokesperson and party co-general secretary, October 7. National Conference president and Union minister for new and renewable energy, Farooq Abdullah, October 7, while rejecting PDPs tirade against the ruling party as a political stunt said let the judicial inquiry find the truth. National Panthers Party, October 10 filed a writ petition in the Apex Court seeking direction to Union of India and state government to hand over case of Yousufs death to CBI. DGP Kuldeep Khoda, October 8 said interim report into Yousufs death clearly shows that he died due to cardiac arrest and there were no injury marks on his body. Forensic examination report, October 11 says there is no evidence to suggest that he was poisoned in police custody. Rejecting a statement by Talib, Yousufs son, Inspector general, Crime branch, Raja Aejaz, October 7 said Talib attributed to me that nothing has happened at the crime branch headquarters and everything happened at the chief ministers residence is totally false, malicious and misleading. Terming it as a drama scripted by New Delhi, Hurriyat Conference (G), October 8 alleged that Government of India by keeping debate over his death alive through its paid agents in Kashmir is actively involved in diverting the attention from the issue of mass graves before the world community. Yousuf had been summoned to the chief ministers residence, September 29 along with two other NC workers, who alleged that Yousuf had taken Rs 1.18 crore from them for getting a ministers berth and a legislators seat. Yousuf died soon after the chief minister handed him over to the crime branch. Rishi raked up a huge controversy by his disclosures that Yousuf was taken to a room at the chief ministers residence for nearly half an hour, after which he came out but was visibly unwell. Rishi told media that Yousuf had told Omar that the amount he had taken from Bhat (Rs 85 lakh) had been given to Farooq Abdullah. The chief minister has admitted that Rishi had informed him two months back that he had paid money to Yousuf. Other key witness, Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, while talking to a local news agency here October 7 cleared the chief minister and his father of allegations of a political payoff. I paid money to Yousuf but I cant say that it was for the chief minister or his father. It is a fact that I paid money to Yousuf to get an MLC berth.

ley termed it as disgusting and brutal. Even the social networking site, Facebook was abuzz over the assault on him. Condemning the attack, Kashmir High Court Bar Association, October 13 said assault shows that there was no freedom of speech in India. To show solidarity with Bhushan, scores of activists organized a protest demonstration here, October 13 and demanded stringent action against attackers. Hurriyat (G), October 14 said that the incident has exposed Indias tall claims about being the worlds largest democracy. It shows that Hindu fanatics are having a field day in India and theyve no respect for the countrys constitution. However, terming Anna Hazares statement on Kashmir as joke and far from reality the conglomerate, October 16 said he has exposed himself by terming Kashmir as an integral part of India. Bhushan has exhibited pragmatism by advocating right to self- determination for Kashmiris. Terming Hazares remarks on Kashmir as worst example of intellectual impropriety and moral bankruptcy JKLF chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik, October 15 accused him of being aligned with the RSS. He is still wearing RSS nicker (shorts) under Khadi of Gandhi. Independent legislator, Engineer Abdul Rashid, October 14 said Annas statement has hurt Kashmiris but theyll not succumb to pressure tactics of Indian politicians and a section of Indian civil society.

Kishtwar boy denies terror charge

Claiming that her brother, Wasim Ahmad, a medical student, who has been arrested in connection with the Delhi blast is innocent, a family member here, October 8 said that Ahmad volunteered to present himself before investigating agencies. Ahmads family says that he was taken from Delhi airport in the presence of his parents. We received a call from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who took the phone number of my brother, said Shaziya Malik, his sister. She added that they told him we would come over to take you. But my brother, who is pursuing Unani medicines in Bangladesh, told them that since he has done nothing wrong, so he would himself come to them. Later, NIA people received him at Delhi airport where he was accompanied by his parents, who are still in Delhi. She alleged Azhar Ali Padari, a member of Pakistan based militant outfit who is in jail for kidnapping her younger brother, Junaid Malik has implicated her elder brother to take revenge. We got him arrested because our younger brother was kidnapped due to them. Durng his interrogation by NIA, Ali had allegedly named Ahmed being involved in the blasts that killed 14 people and wounded dozens at an entrance of Delhi High Court, September 7.

Campaign against AFPSA

Noted social activist and team Anna member, Medha Patkar flagged off Save Irom Sharmila campaign from here Srinagar to Imphal, October 16. The 10-day long march would pass through 10 states to generate awareness among people about AFSPA and the need for its revocation. AFSPA is an inhuman law that has no place in civilized society. There have been unlawful killings and disappearances at places where this law is operational. We denounce all kinds of violence including the kind committed by the army in Kashmir and other parts of the country, said Patkar, adding that Kashmir is a complex problem and needs a resolution by means of dialogue. Human rights activist and Magsaysay award winner, Sandeep Pandey advocated that people of the state should be given right to decide their political fate. Irom Sharmilas brother, Irom Singhjit said their family had taken a pledge to fight for revocation of the Act. Kashmir and northeast are the worst sufferers of this Act and it has to be scrapped. The Manipuri activist, Irom Sharmila, 53, is on an indefinite fast for almost 11 years demanding revocation of AFSPA that provides impunity to armed forces operating in disturbed areas of India. She launched her crusade against the Act when Assam Rifles personnel killed 10 civilians in Imphal on November 2, 2000. In solidarity with Manipur rights activist, a sit-in demonstration and hunger strike was organized here under a banner of Kashmir Reform Group at Press enclave, October 15.

Contention over NC workers death

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took the battle over the death of ruling National Conference worker, Syed Mohammad Yousuf from the state legislative assembly to the streets. Led by its president, Mehbooba Mufti, PDP protesters, October 5 demanded action against killers of NC worker who died allegedly in the custody of Crime branch of the police, September 29. This has exposed the rot and corruption at the highest level. MLC seat is given for money; ministerial berth is sold for money, said Mufti, while threatening to take the battle to all corners of the state. Fair probe into the killing isnt possible as long as chief minister continues to hold the chair. Women activists of PDP took out a rally here, October 13 against corruption in the state. Led by Asiya Naqash, the rally dispersed after burning an effigy of the state government with a garland of fake notes that the party said symbolizes rampant corruption and misgovernance, here. Former deputy chief minister and senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beig, October 9 alleged that National Conference ordered a judicial probe into Yousufs death to buy time. Residence of chief minister, his office and his security are directly or indirectly involved in the issue. Yousufs relatives allege he knew many secrets about Omar and his father, Farooq Abdullah. That is why he was eliminated. According to another witness, Salam Rishi, he had threatened the chief minister that he would expose them. If it is true, then the needle of suspicion points to Omar. Accusing PDP of playing obstructive politics, Omar said that no one touched Yousuf at his residence. Terming the PDP charge that he had manhandled Yousuf and that he or his father were in the wrong as beneath contempt, Omar said he would sue those who were publicly accusing him of homicide and bribery. The chief minister has ordered an inquiry by a sitting judge of the High Court and asserted that the appointed judge wont be answerable to his government. Crime branch, September 29 registered an FIR under section 420 of RPC. Amidst growing tension, Mustafa Kamal brother of Farooq

Haj pilgrims from J&K

About 8,000 pilgrims from the state of Jammu and Kashmir are expected to offer Hajj pilgrimage, this year. Scheduled to leave from October 17 to 31 four flights daily carried pilgrims from October 17 to 24, whereas only one flight was operational from October 25 to 30. Warning government of dire consequences if it fails to takeover ownership, control and management of power projects of Salal, Uri and Dul Hasti by year end, Kashmir Centre for Social and Developmental Studies, October 16 said that all natural resources including water belonged to state subjects. Minister for PHE, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, while addressing a daylong seminar organized by civil society group, October 10 said that the state government intends to buy back Uri-I project valued at Rs. 2100 crore from the National Hydro Power Corporation within two years that is expected to give the state an annual revenue of Rs. 1000 to 1500 crore. Muzzafar Ahmad, 18, from Pampore, who was injured during the summer unrest last year and had suffered a serious injury in his spinal cord and was suffering partial paralysis, succumbed to injuries, October 12. Sajad Ahmad, a police cop (No. 896/IRP 19th Bn), who was shot at and critically injured by militants at Hazratbal, October 14, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital the next day. DGP, Kuldeep Khoda, October 15 said that 1500 policemen and SPOs were killed during the past two decades of militancy in state. General-officer-in-Command 15 Corps, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, October 11 claimed that there was desperation among militant ranks after the killing of 19 top commanders in the state this year.

Bhushan favours referendum in J&K

Eminent Supreme Court lawyer and a close aide of anti-graft campaigner Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan was roughed up by some people, who claimed to have links with the right-wing group Sri Ram Sene, in his chamber, October 12 over his comments favouring referendum to settle the Kashmir issue and removal of AFSPA. Bhushan had in Varanasi said that a referendum was possible in the state. Condemning the assault, people across the val-

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16 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

NEWSMAKERS

MEN & WOMEN IN NEWS

New Delhi: Riyaz Malik, producer-director incharge of ETVs north Indian operations, was given the Fakhr-e Hind award by Husnara Trust at a function held at the India Habitat Centre here. Malik is with ETV since a decade. (Ms.) FATEMA IQBAL of Mallapuram (Kerala) has secured top position in Kerala state-sponsored competition for Arabic dictionary. She had been securing top position in Arabic from classes 1 to 10 in her school days. SHABANA AZMI, film actress and social worker, has been appointed Chairperson of Action Aid India, an NGO which works for helping poor and needy people. Dr. MUSHTAQ AHMAD, Director of Union ministry of health and family welfares Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)s Hyderabad unit, has been unanimously elected President of All India Unani Tibbi Congress. He is also the Director of CRI, Hyderabad. Prof. NAEEM AHMAD KHAN, Head of the Department of Medicine of AMUs Ajmal Khan Tibbia College has been appointed a Member of Ayurved, Siddha & Unani Drug Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB) of Union ministry of health and family welfares Ayush Department. In addition to this, Prof. Naeem Khan has also been appointed Coordinator of National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL)s compound science of Union HRD ministrys Higher Education Department. Prof. IMAM BANO of AMUs J.N. Medical College has been appointed new Head of this Colleges Department of Womens Diseases in place of Prof. Noor Afshaan Sabzposh. Her appointment is for a period of three years. (Ms.) BILQEES MIR of Kashmir who had become the first Kashmiri girl to be the national kayaking and canoeing coach of India has also become the first Indian to be appointed as an international technical official at the 10th All Africa Games 2011 that were held at Maputo, Mozambique (South Africa) from 3 to 18 September this year. She was selected by the International Canoe Federation as a technical official of canoeing (boating) events held at the games. She is in the sports field since the age of 11 years and has won J&K governments Award for outstanding sports person. She was a Coach in Asian games also. FARHAT AHMAD JAMALI, president of All India Majlis Ittehade Millat and Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Hafiz Shah Jamalullah has been appointed general secretary of Peace Party of India by the Partys President Dr. Muhammad Aiyyub at a function held at Lucknow. Dr. M. ATHAR ANSARI, head of the Department of Community Medicine of AMUs J.N. Medical College has been appointed Coordinator for supervision and control of safety clinics being run by U.P. AIDS Control Society which itself is working under Union health and family welfare minitrys National AIDS Control Organisation. These safety clinics have been set up in district hospitals to prevent and control the spread of HIV/AIDS among people. Prof. RAZAULLAH KHAN, a prominent educationist and proprietor of Aligarh Movement Magazine has been unanimously elected Chairman of Jamia Urdu, Aligarhs Advisory Council. Prof. Razaullah Khan had earlier held many important posts like Principal of AMUs Zakir Husain College for Engineering & Technology, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, and member of AMU Court, AMUs Executive Council, Academic Council etc. Ten-year old AZMAT HUSAIN of Jaipur has won the title Little Champs in Zee T.V. Reality Shows Grand Finale programme held at New Delhi on 1 October by defeating Mewat (Haryana)s Salman Ali and Himachal Pradeshs Nitin Kumar. In this show children between 7 and 14 years of age from all over the country had taken part. The judges of this Show were Alka Yagnik, Adnan Sami, Kailash Kher and Javed Ali. Dr. WASEEM PHUFLONKAR who received his early education in an Urdu medium school of his small village of Maharashtra spent his educational journeys and professional careers for MBBS from Mumbais D.Y. Patil Medical College, M.D. from Tata Medical College and Hospital, Fellowships in Canada and King Fahad Medical Institute at Riadh and finally at Hiranandani Hospital at Mumbai as an oncologist. It may be stated in this connection that he has the distinction of being the first and only Muslim oncologist in the whole of Mumbai and suburban districts. 1000 plus certificates each) have already been given to 100 such students in Delhi, Muradabad (Western U.P.) and Assam on different dates and 100 students each in the remaining states will also be given the awards soon, to make the total of 1500 students in 15 states. Total amount of awards thus given will be Rs. 15 lakh. In another function held at AMUs Mohsinul Mulk Hall on 12 October four students who topped in different Faculties viz. ABDUL BARI of B.B.Ed, MUHAMMAD SADDAM HUSAIN ANSARI of B.Tech, ABDUR RAHIM of M.A. and SHAUKATULLAH KHAN of B.Sc were given awards of Rs. 3000 including a trophy and a certificate each donated by Dr. Hasan Tahir, an alumni of AMU now living in USA. AZIZ BURNEY, group editor of Rashtriya Sahara (Urdu) publications has been honoured with Shaan-e Sahafat Award at a function held at AMU. Three students of AMUs Dr. Zakir Husain College of Engg. & Technologys (ZHCET) B.Tech (Mechanical) students ZEESHAN AKHTAR, MUHAMMAD MAUJ (B.Tech 3rd year) and MUHAMMAD OWAIS (B.Tech, 2nd year) have been honoured with Satendra Kumar Kashyap Merit Scholarship of Aligarh Education Endowment Fund (AEEF), USA. It may be stated that AEEF is an organisation set up by former students of AMU in USA and Satendra Kumar Kashyap Scholarship is a part of this. S.K. Kashyap was a student of AMUs Dr. Z.H.C.E.T. who was very much proud of being a student of AMUs ZHCET who retired as Superintending Engineer of UPs Vigilance Department in 2004 and died in 2010 in Lucknow. His daughter, Deepali Kashyap, seeing her fathers great pride in his alma mater, started this scholarship in her fathers name for AMUs ZHCETs students. AKHLAQ MUHAMMAD KHAN Shaharyar, Urdu poet who was recently honoured with Indias highest literary Award Jnanapeeth Renowned environmental scientist SUBHAN KHAN PATHAN died in Srinagar of a massive heart attack while reading out a research paper on 13 September. Pathan was reading out research paper in the Gandhi Bhawan auditorium of the University of Kashmir in Hazratbal area when he suddenly collapsed. He was immediately shifted to the Sher-eKashmir Institute of Medical Sciences where doctors could not revive him. His body will be flown to his hometown in Gujarat after completion of the legal formalities, a senior police officer said. Pathan was the director of the National Resources Database project of the union ministry of science and technology. The Indian Society of Geomatics conferred the National Geomatics Award for innovative applications on Pathan in 2009 for his contribution in promoting urban planning and infrastructure.

OBITUARIES
Maulana Mufti IZZATULLAH, former City Imam and City Qazi and a great religious scholar of Amroha died in early morning of 18 October at the age of 92 years. He was associated with Amrohas Jama Masjid for about 60 years in different capacities like Jama Masjids administrator, rector, Mufti, manager of library etc. Dr. RAJ BAHADUR GAUR, a prominent Urdu litterateur and critic, former President of Anjuman Taraqqi-e Urdu Hind and a selfless lover and promoter of Urdu died in Hyderabad on 7 October, where he was born in 1918. He was a life member of Anjuman Taraqqi-e Urdu Hind for 44 years. An MBBS from Osmania Medical College of Hyderabad, he was an author both of Urdu and English and wrote many books in these languages. He was also an important member of Communist Party of India and worked for the poor and backward people of society. Many condolence meetings were held at different places when rich tributes were paid to him. AZIM SIDDIQI, husband of well-known fiction writer Mrs. (Dr.) Nigar Azim, who himself was a noted science fiction writer and painter died of heart attack in Delhi on 17 October at the age of 77 years. Born in Bijnaur (U.P.), he did much work on science fiction and had a great role in making his wife Dr. Nigar Azeem a popular fiction and short story writer. He is survived by his wife (Dr. Nigar Azeem), five sons and two daughters. Prof. SYED JAFAR RAZA ZAIDI, noted poet, fiction writer and critic, who was also a teacher at AMU died in Delhis Escorts Hospital on 5 October. He was a heart patient. He became a professor in 1989 and retired from Universitys Hindi Department in 2006. Author of about two dozen books he had good command over English, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit and Bengali in addition to Hindi. In addition to being the President of Hindi Department he also held many other posts like Dean of Arts Faculty, Public Relations Officer, Member Incharge of University Press. He was 68 and leaves behind one son and one daughter. SHAUKAT AZEEM, West Bengals representative Urdu litterateur and journalist died of heart attack at his ancestral home at Chapdani on 13 October at the rather young age of 52 years. He was a patient of diabetes. He was one of the few translators who rendered modern Bengali literature into idiomatic Urdu. His two books Insaniyat Zindah hai and Kursi Namah were selected by Bihar government for awards. He is survived by wife, one son and four daughters. Award of Sahitya Academy has now been honoured with Noore Watan Lifetime Achievement Award by AMU Alumni Association (U.K.) at London. Shaharyar also wrote songs for many films including Umrao Jaan and Faaslay. IQBAL NIAZI, prominent dramatist, director, journalist and teacher has been honoured with Maharashtra Sahitya Gaurav Patra Award 2011 in recognition of his contribution in strengthening countrys unity and harmony through literary creations, drama and theatre by Writers and Journalists Association and West Multi Media Ltd. He was also honoured recently with Aagha Hashr Kashmiri State Award at Pune Festival. MTNL Perfect Health Mela 2011 was organised at Delhis Siri Fort Auditorium from 14 to 18 October in which Chennais famous Hekeem M. Akbar Kausars team which participated in this Mela (Fair) was adjudged best for its valuable contribution and services in the promotion of Unani medicines and system of treatment and honoured with National Excellence Award. On behalf of the team the Award was given to Hakeem Kausars son Dr. YASSAR ARAFAT, daughter Dr. AAISHA NAAZ and son-inlaw Dr. TAMIMUZZAMAN. (Ms.) SHAHIDA SHABNAM, Kashmiri poetess who picturised the anguish and pains of Kashmiri women through her poetry in Kashmiri language, journalist RANA AYYUB, MURAD ALI, a musician are among the five persons who have been selected for being honoured with Sanskriti Awards 2011. The other two are ABHISHEK HAZRA of Bangalore and VINAYAK LOHANI, an Indian Institute of Management (IMM) graduate who chose to work for the welfare of under-privileged and deprived children rather than accept a top executives lucrative post. The Awards will be presented to them by former President APJ Abdul Kalam at a function to be held in Delhi on 18 November. and severe anaemia for some time. She suffered a heart attack accompanied with breathlessness on 2 October. She was a popular teacher at the Womens College, which was her alma mater too, and taught for more than three decades, and was widely loved by her students. She was a dedicated scholar and a skilled translator. She will be remembered for her valuable contribution to the cause of the Aligarh Movement. She translated from Urdu into English the biographies of Wahid Jahan Begum popularly known as Ala Bi, and Rashid Jahan, medical practitioner and a Progressive writer, the distinguished wife and daughter of Shaikh Abdullah, the founder of the Womens College and pioneer of female education among the Muslims of South Asia. Above all, she was a person of exceptionally fine disposition who always had kind words and a benevolent smile for everyone she met. She will be remembered for her charming personality with lively conversations and polite manners. Her departure leaves a void in all our hearts. She was laid to rest same day after Maghrib at the University graveyards. She is survived by her husband and two sons and a daughter in law. (based on a circular email by Gulfishan Khan, Associate Professor in History AMU Aligarh)

AWARDS
World Urdu Day Awards
New Delhi: Urdu Development Organisation which is spearheading campaign for the promotion of Urdu has announced its World Urdu Day Awards according to which MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM ALVI, editor of Urdu daily Aag has been selected for being honoured with Maulana Usman Farqleet Award for journalism, Syed AAMIR MIAN of Rampur, correspondent of Zee News selected for Mahfoozur Rahman Award for journalism (electronic media), SHAH NAWAZ QURESHI, former editor of Naya Daur, Lucknow with Munshi Prem Chand Award for Urdu Hindi media, ASRAR JAMAEE of Delhi, poet, with Hafeez Meeruti Award for Urdu literature and ABDUL QAIYYUM AKHTAR of Jaipur with Qazi Adeel Abbasi Award for educational and milli services. MARKAZI MAKTABA ISLAMI, New Delhi has been selected for being honoured with Munshi Nawal Kishor Award for Best Publishing House. Names of awardees were decided at a meeting chaired by Prof. Abdul Haq, an authority of Allama Iqbal. Awards will be given to the selected persons at a function to be held at Delhi University on 9 November which is celebrated as Allama Iqbals birthday. Human Welfare Foundation, New Delhi in Cooperation with P.M. Foundation, Kerala and Fatema Health Care Group plans to give financial awards to 1500 Muslim boy and girl students in 15 states of Indian Union who secured more than 60% aggregate marks in High School Board or equivalent organisations examinations held in 2011. One hundred students in each state will be selected on merit basis and the amount of awards is Rs. 1000 to each student alongwith the certificate. These awards (of Rs.

Subhan Khan Pathan

DR. ATIYA ABID

DR. ATIYA ABID, Associate Professor in English at the Womens College of Aligarh Muslim University breathes her last on 2 October. She was being treated for diabetes

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 17

SPECIAL REPORTS

WPI launched in West Bengal and Kerala

Audience at the launching function of the Kerala Welfare Party chapter

Welfare Party West Bengal chapter launching at Kolkata; inset: party president Mujtaba Farooq speaking

WPI launched in West Bengal, 14000 members already enrolled

Kolkata: Welfare Party of India West Bengal convention was held Calicut: Affirming its commitment to rejuvenate values here on 17 October. The convention asked the Mamata Banerjee disappearing from the Indian democratic arena due to Zafarul-Islam Khan speaking Government to implement the poll promises that were made to corruption, criminalization of politics and increasing social at the Kerala function the electorate in general and Muslims in particular. Speakers at Dr. Kootil Mohammedali disparities, the Welfare Party of India launched its Kerala the convention reminded Mamata that it was the Muslims who, chapter at an impressive and largely attended gathering held at Kerala chapter in view of the states history, will be most healthy while gracefully admitting that there were no communal violence Tagore Centenary Hall here on 19 October. It was chaired by and vibrant. during the long left front rule, but were not emancipated at all in The Welfare Party of India is committed to provide a new party national vice president Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan. socio-economic fields, educational and employment sectors, said Releasing the names of the newly elected office-bearers of the political culture to Kerala. The Welfare Party is not against any an electoral good bye to the Left and let the TMC- Congress state chapter, Dr. SQR other party or front, rather it wants to correct them and march combination in. The Ilyas, national general sec- ahead co-operating with them to evolve a better India for all. But convention lamented retary, declared that the there will be no compromise in values and principles of the that the new Chief Welfare Party of India will Party, said Dr. Kootil Mohammedali, the newly elected state Minister, who keeps take the lead in reinforcing president. the minority portfolio Fr. Abraham Joseph, national vice president handed over the the great ideals of the with her, has not nation by upholding and Party flag to the newly elected state president. Lalitha Naik, former taken any initiative to highlighting the issues of Karnataka minister for social welfare and Kannada language and solve the long pendthe people. Criminals and national vice president of the Party, earlier hoisted the party flag. ing demands of the Speakers lashed at the central government for its wrong ecocommunal elements and community and the those who are tainted with nomic policies. They expressed strong support to the Occupy promises made by corruption will have no Wall Street agitation against the US fiscal policy and the corpothe new CM herself. place in the Welfare Party. rate greed. The convention National general secretary PC Hamza, Treasurer Dr. He made it clear that the held at Party will not indulge in Abdussalam, national secretary Subramani, national womens Mahajatisadan Hall in Kerala Welfare Party chief receiving party flag vote-bank politics exploiting convenor Sheema Mohsin, president of Tamil Nadu chapter S N Kolkata, in a resolureligion and caste etc. The Party aims at establishing a welfare Sikandar and others also spoke at the function. The delegates at tion strongly criticised the state government for its decision to state which will ensure food, shelter and education to all. The the convention donated Rs 3 99,600 responding to a call made give more licenses to liquor outlets to raise revenue to fill the assets of the Party leaders and members can be checked at any by Dr. Kootil Mohammedali. alleged cash-starved state left by the Left Front government. time, Dr. Ilyas announced. The convention expressed its deep regret over escalating Delivering his address, Dr. Zafarulpolitical violence in the post-Mamata regime. It urged all parties Islam Khan, said that the Welfare Party of to uphold democratic values and demanded the government to India aims at the formation of a new deal law breakers with an iron hand. exploitation-free India that guarantees The convention criticised the partisan standards followed by equal opportunities and liberty to all. various political parties in identifying the BPL and Job Card benThough the government comes out with eficiaries and asked for full transparency so as to avoid comsome different figures, about 90% of the plaints of bias and prejudice. Indian population is poor. The objective of The 150-member State General Council of the Welfare Party the party of building a welfare state can be representing already enrolled 14000 members elected achieved within two or three decades, not Dr. Raeesudeen as State President and 25-member State in two or three years. The Party has not Working Committee. The State Working Committee elected Mihir been formed in view of any imminent elecBanerjee, Abul Rab Bin Ismail as vice-presidents, Abdul Aziz as tion, said Dr. Khan emphasizing that the General Secretary, Mohammed Jamaluddeen, Shahjahan, party will work for an India dreamt by the Mansa Sen, Shoma Dey as Secretaries and Nasir Ahmed as freedom fighters who gave their lives to Treasurer. free the country but later leaders trampled The convention was addressed by Mujtaba Farooq upon their dreams and built a corrupt poli(President), Lalitha Naik (Vice president) Dr. SQR Ilyas, PC ty where policies are formulated for the Topper of Muhsinul Mulk hall getting his award from Afzal Usmani Hamza (General Secretaries) Dr. Raeesudheen, Shanawaz Ali benefit of the rich. He hoped that the Raihan, Mihir Banerjee and Abdul Rab bin Ismail.
MG/Yusuf

Welfare Party Kerala chapter launched

Polls in 6 states

Aligarh: Aligarh Muslim Universitys Mohsinul Mulk Hall organized a grand function on 12 October to felicitate toppers of different faculties residing in the Hall. On this occasion Er. Afzal Usmani, Coordinator of the US-based Aligarh Education Endowment Fund, made an earnest appeal to the young students to make optimum use of time and resources available at the University. He cited the example of Sir Ross Masood, grandson of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who later became the Vice- Chancellor of the University at the young age of thirty nine on the strength of his merit and talent. Dr. Suhail Sabir, Provost of the Hall exhorted the students to keep up the same decency, decorum and discipline they have exhibited during the last two years which has made M.M. Hall an example for the other halls of residence to emulate. Prof. Abdul Aleem fondly recalled the days when he was a resident member of M.M. Hall and even then the hall was a hub of literary cultural and sports activities. In his presidential remark, Prof. Razaullah Khan, Department of Civil Engineering, stressed upon the need of single-minded devotion towards ones duty to have an edge over others in a cutthroat competition in all walks of life. Professor Khan also emphasized on the need of adopting a positive thinking. He asked the students not to let negativity spoil their mind and heart. He appealed to all stakeholders to rise above personal interests and think about the betterment of AMU community as a whole. Mr. Abdul Bari, B.P.E.D., Mr. Md. Saddam Husain Ansari, B.Tech. VI Sem., Mr. Abdu Raheem P., M.A. I year, Mr. Shaukat Ullah Khan, B.Sc. (F), were felicitated with a certificate of appreciation, a trophy and cash of prize of Rs. 3000 for achieving the first position in their respective faculties. Dr. Hasan Tahir, a US based illustrious alumnus, sponsored the prizes.

Toppers of AMU hall honoured

18 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS
AMU prof is member of ASUD-TAB
Aligarh: Prof. Naeem Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Department of Ilmul Adwia at AMUs Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, has been nominated as the member of the Ayurveda Siddha Unani Drug Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB) by the Department of Ayush, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ASUDTAB is the apex body constituted to look into the technicalities of drug manufacturing by the traditional systems of medicine in order to ensure quality products from various manufacturers. The recommendations of the pharmacopoeia committees of different traditional systems are taken up by this board to give them final shape in order to ensure the highest degree of authenticity, purity, safety and efficacy in ASU (Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani) drugs. The guidelines related to the manufacturing of various dosage forms are also framed by this body comprising of experts from different disciplines of science and medicine. UP elections compel BJP to woo Muslims New Delhi: In an unprecedented (and unimaginable) U-turn BJP has sought the support of Rashtriya Ulama Council for ensuring Muslim votes in U.P. next year. It has retracted from its earlier stand on Batla House encounter. Muslims constitute 18% voters in U.P. and they can decide the fate of candidates in many constituencies. Hence insteadof sticking to its earlier stand on the Batla House encounter it has now conceded to the fact that it was a fake encounter. The party floated by the Muslim clergy at Azamgarh, Rashtriya Ulama Council, was in a state of utter surprise when Dr. J.K. Jain, in a rally, addressed a huge gathering promising them his (read BJP) support in demanding a high level probe in the fake encounter. He, in return, demanded the support of the council to throw away the Congress from the arena which is eliminating Muslim youth under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Stunned by this suprising gesture the council could not give an instant reply. Kutubuddin Ansari makes appeal: spare me the agony Ahmedabad: During the 2002 carnage of Gujarat there was a face that launched a thousand clicks throughout the world for the agony and terror it experienced. With folded hands Kutubuddin Ansari begged the arsonists to spare his life and the honour of his family. Little did he know that very moment was captured by cameras, all cameras all over the globe for expressing fear, agony and much more. However Kutubuddin Ansari curses the click because his own face haunts him reflected all around him. He made a fervent appeal to the Ahmedabad police commissioner to erase the photo from all the websites. While several conscientious media men and NGOs used the horror struck photo for urging people to return to sanity or for raising funds for riot victims; Ansari finds that his photo has been grossly misused by people with vested interests to further their own gains. Recalling the unfortunate event of 28 February 2002 he shudders while narrating it at 3 p.m. at Naroda Patia close to his house. Several lensmen captured his photo begging for mercy. National and international NGOs posted the photo on websites for raising funds. He became a victim of the riot without receiving any compensation, inspite of his global recognition. His application in 2009 was rejected on the ground that he should have sought the compensation in 2002. He went to Malegaon for sometime. An NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace sent him to Kolkata where he stayed for one year. Then he realised that his photograph was being misused by that NGO, and other organisations to serve their own cause. Now his own face causes him untold misery. Having become extremely well known, a face people are familiar with they refuse to employ him. He fears a similar fate for his children too. He, therefore, urged the police commissioner to impose a ban on the use of his photo and get it erased from various websites. Bhushan voiced separatists claim on Kashmir: RSS RSS during its 14-16 October meet at Gorakhpur came down heavily on the statement made by Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan on supporting a plebiscite in Kashmir in a programme at Varansi in September. Suresh Joshi, RSS general secretary while talking to reporters at the RSS Karyakari Mandal meet said that the language used by Prashant Bhushan is that of separatists and insisted that Kashmir cannot be separated from India under any circumstances. On RSS support to Team Anna Joshi said, the question should be raised as to why Anna has called the support from the RSS a conspiracy when none of the senior functionary met Anna before his fast at Ramlila ground instead RSS had given its support through a letter. Although, the Gorakhpur meet of the RSS was routine, it became important because Uttar Pradesh goes to the poll next year. A similar kind of meet was also organised by the BJP in Delhi recently where the party analysed poll prospects in Uttar Pradesh and also the issue of prime ministerial candidate for the coming general elections. The RSS meet was also aimed at reviving organisations in order to increase the number of Shakhas in the state which has gone down sharply. The performance of its affiliates including BJP was assessed. Saurabh Upadhaya, convenor of India Against Corruption has pointed out that the recent move of the RSS is an attempt to use the Anna agitation to garner support for its political face, the BJP. To Saurabh it appears that on the backdrop of RSS meets or yatras in Uttar Pradesh and also across India there is a political design to it. It looks quite strange that RSS chief is only talking of corruption in Uttar Preadesh whereas Rajnath Singh and Kalraj Mishra are on a much hyped Jan Swabhiman Yatra

Alarm at spurt in communal violence

New Delhi: A public discussion was held here on 23 October at the Ghalib Academy in Hazrat Nizamuddin on the spurt of communal violence in the country during the last two months. The discussion was arranged by Jamaat-e Islami Hind (JIH) in which a number of community and society leaders participated alongwith a large number of concerned citizens. The discussion was chaired by JIH president Maulana Jalaluddin Umari. JIH national political secretary Muhammad Ahmad said, introducing the subject, that riots are continuously taking place for the last two months. He said, these riots are not between two communities, but they are Muslims-versus-State, which is clear from the behaviour of police at various places. Police does not suffice with killing people point blank, but those who are arrested later are brutally tortured in police stations where their bones are broken so that the communitys morale may be smashed. He said that after the Gujarat pogrom, brutality is now part of these crimes where victims are routinely burnt alive or soon after their murder. Culprits are not arrested and victims' families do not get compensation from the state in time. Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, editor of The Milli Gazette, said that riots are now a routine affair of our life. He said that he vividly remembers the discussions about riots in 1960-61 when riots had erupted in a number of places in north India and now after five decades we are still facing the same problem. He referred to the letter sent by the Union Home Minister P Chidambram on 14 October this year to chief ministers of all states in which he has warned them about the possibility of riots in the near future. He said in his letter that 32 persons have been killed in these incidents during the last two months and that 119 riots have taken place from 1 August to 11 October this year. Chidambram further said that this year upto 11 October, 75 persons have lost their lives and 1161 injured in these incidents which totalled 413. In 2010, 651 riots took place in which 114 persons were killed and 2115 injured, while in 2009, 773 riots took place in which 123 persons were killed and 2417 were injured. Dr Khan said that despite all this, our home minister told the chief ministers about the miscreants that "such elements should be identified and dealt with suitably." He did not muster courage to demand that such criminals be dealt with harshly or mercilessly as the situation demands. Dr Khan further said that Police is now directly attacking Muslims as is evident from the incidents of Forbesganj, Gopalgang and Rudrapur. He said that in Rudrapur about 20,000 Muslims were forced to flee their homes to safer places because of the Police brutality in the wake of the firing. Dr Khan proposed a number of suggestions to tackle this problem on a long term basis, including training of our youth in martial arts like judo and karate so that there is a kind of deterrence and we are not attacked and we do not simply get beaten when attacked. He also suggested that we should take the initiative to form peace committees in every locality in order to have good contacts with the other community and issues are solved before they go out of hand. He also suggested that permanent relief funds should be established so that we are ready to help our brethen as soon as need arises. His last advice was that we should now internationalise this issue and contact human rights and world organisations like the UN, EU and OIC and the US watchdog for religious freedoms so that pressure is built up on the Indian government from Mathura and Varansi. The much debated Communal Violence Bill was also discussed at the RSS conclave. On Communal Violence Bill, Joshi said that the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill in its present form will hurt the unity of the country as it has been aimed at dividing the country into minority and majority. RSS chief while addressing annual Dusshera rally at Reshmibagh ground in Nagpur said that the communal violence Bill is a deceitful action of the destructive minds and is injurious to the democratic values. After receiving threat, Gujarat Imam seeks police protection Nadiad: The sadbhavna fast which tried to seek the blessing of religious heads for ensuring Modi the PMs post has created a crisis in the life of Syed Mehndi Hussain who tried to offer him a cap. His refusal made not only the Imam angry and he passed a few angry remarks which have begun boomeranging on him. After receiving threatening telephone calls he made a written petition to Kheda police superintendent. He drew attention to the fact that several politicians have personally met him for his offensive remarks against Modi in addition to phone calls. He pointed out that he lives at an isolated place hence his family needs police protection. Since he frequently visits far off places he needs police escort at government cost. It may be recalled that after Modis refusal to don the Muslim cap; Syed Hussain had called the fast a drama. He accused Modi of following in Ravans footsteps instead of Rams. He is reported to have launched to do something meaningful in order to stop this menace and control the forces of hate in the country. Tej Singh, president of Ambedkar Samaj Party, said that Muslims are a new victim of this disease from which we Dalits have been suffering for the last five thousand years. He said Hindutva forces want Muslims to retreat into their shells and for this they use Dalit youth. He said that if Muslims extend their hands to Dalits, the scene may be changed. He lamented that Muslims failed to play the role of the big brother of the Dalits. General Secretary of Jamiat Ahl-e Hadees, Maulana Asghar Imam Mahdi, said that riots are a result of planning and pre-planning. He said the hangman has changed his ways and now the official machinery itself is executing the plan. He said this is a new phase in which the State police attacks Muslims who are first provoked and then attacked. He said rioters and police were working in tandem in Gopalgarh so much so that it was difficult to differentiate between the two. He said we have to force the government to discharge its constitutional duties. Noted Shia scholar Allama Aqeel Al-Gharwi said that only our unity will let us succeed in this test. He said if one Christian is killed, Vatican and the US protest but when a hundred Muslims are killed no Muslim country speaks. He said that the Hindu community does not want riots; what is happening is State-sponsored violence. President of Zakat Foundation Dr Zafar Mahmood, said the root problem is that Muslims are absent from the Police and bureaucracy which is the real government. Law and order are the realm of the IPS officers where Muslims are only 2.3 percent. He exhorted Muslims to enter these services as their sheer presence will ensure that such incidents do not take place again. Justice Rajinder Sachar, who headed the Prime Minister's high level committee to probe the condition of the Muslim community, said that communalism is a dangerous disease. He reminded that it is Hindus who are standing against Modi. He said that Islam brought the concept of equality to this country. They are liars who say that Islam spread by sword, he said. It is treason to say that this country belongs to Hindus only. He added that this fight is not yours; it is the fight of the whole country to ensure equal rights and justice to all. In his keynote address, Maulana Jalaluddin Umari said that no serious effort is being made to stop the scourge of the riots. Schools are not teaching that all should live together in peace. Instead, textbooks insult respectable religious personalities. He said that the Sachar Report is an indictment that the government did nothing for Muslims. He said riots are a Hindu-Muslim issue but no dialogue has taken place between the two communities to solve this issue. We have failed to prove to others that we are not your enemies, but well-wishers, he said adding that in Islam a slander against any religious personality is the same as slander against an Islamic personality. He supported the idea that the issue of riots should be brought to the notice of the international community. He said, unless we raise this issue openly, the government will not pay attention. He narrated that a delegation of JIH went to offer condolences to the widow of Father Staines. She started crying and said that you suffered this for the last sixty years and we did not utter a word and now that we are suffering, MG CORRESPONDENT you have come to console us. Rashtriya Sadbhavna Samiti in the Sabarmati Ashram on Sunday (2 Oct.). He said that his secular party will fight against communal forces and will work towards awakening the masses to think beyond the political spats between the BJP and Congress. Kuldip Sharma gets stay from the CAT Ahmedabad: In response to a chargesheet filed against him by the state government, Kuldip Sharma, the IPS officer presently at the centre on deputation, has obtained a stay from the CAT. The state government approached the Delhi High Court for vacating the stay. The government had appointed Kuldip Sharma MD of the Sheep Goats and Wool Development Corporation. The chargesheet by the government acuses him of officiating as the Chairman of the Corporation though he was only an MD. As soon as he received the chargesheet, Sharma challenged it in the CAT and obtained stay. The state government made an appeal in the Delhi High Court to vacate the stay. The state government in its argument stated that the CAT should have heard the government prior to granting stay when the employee is facing a departmental enquiry. Chief justice of Delhi High Court, Deepak Mishra, heard the petition. Refusing to vacate the stay the High Court directed the government to approach CAT first which had granted the stay. The next hearing is scheduled for 17 November.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 19

COMMUNITY NEWS
Rudrapur: RSS had

charted a diabolic conspiracy says Azam Khan

HAIDER ABBAS
he flames of Bharatpur (Rajasthan) Muslim massacre were still simmering when yet another Muslim pogrom happened in Rudrapur, an industrial town in the state of Uttarakhand (UT)which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000. Rudrapur serves as the headquarters of the newly formed district Udhamsingh Nagar. Rudrapur has a population of about 4 lakh. Big mansions, palatial houses, farm houses, AC cars and a lavish life-style are the hallmark of this towns day-to-day life. The traditionally rich, nouveau riche, entrepreneurs, owners of business houses and corporates are predominantly Sikh and Hindu. Little wonder that when any train, going to or coming from Delhi, reaches Rudrapur, the AC compartment gets filled and emptied on its station. Its unique location of being close to Delhi and its fresh environment due to its proximity with hills, has perhaps, made BJP CM BC Khanduri develop it as the industrial hub of UT. Muslims, however, have been found napping in this newfound economic centre as despite making around 10 percent of the towns population, their over-whelming majority consists of those who migrated to Udhamsingh Nagar as labourers. Muslims engage into petty businesses. They run motor-mechanic shops, tyre-puncture points, barbers, carpenters, painters, small general merchant stores, etc. Muslim sustenance comes mainly from the working class engaged in various factories which dot the landscape. The Muslim concentration muhallas are Paharganj, Bhadaipura, Gotiya, Gandhi Colony and Transit Camp. So what happened in Rudrapur which pushed it to national headlines, that too for all the wrong reasons. It was early morning on 1 Oct. when a temple pujari found a book wrapped in blood and strewn with meat, inside his temple. He called a passer-by doodhiya (milk-vendor) who happened to be Muslim. It soon became clear that the book was in Arabic script and was thus Quran and the meat was assumed to be pork. The doodhiya informed some Muslims and there was no instant reaction as Muslims gahered and lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at Rudrapur Kotwali. There was total equanimity amongst Muslims as everyone knew that the act was a deliberate attempt by a miscreant. But, it was then that the police which had to show performance and nab the culprit. Two days passed in-between with polices traditional laxity and lethargy, said Abdul Lateef Raza, the shahar Qazi on phone. Thus, on 3 Oct., Muslims started to collect again around Rudrapur Kotwali, as there was no one arrested by then. Slogans were raised and a mob of a few hundred people surrounded the kotwali. The mob blocked the road to protest against the slackness of the police. The protestors included a good number of Hindus as well as Sikhs, most of them being bystanders, when suddenly brickbats started and injured SDM Kaushal. This was enough for the police to start an unprovoked firing on innocent Muslims. Police shots aimed at chests, heads and upper parts of the bodies, leaving four dead. Three Muslims and one Hindu, informed Dr. Jeelani, a social activist who practices medicine in Rudrapur. The exact number of those killed is still not known or sure. Abdul Lateef Raza contends the fatalities reached 10 but there are no dead bodies to support his claim. The dead are Abdur Rehman and Sher Singh Yadav, both residents of Rudrapur, Zaki of Rampur and Afzal of Pilibhit. After the evening prayers I called the concerned police officer to seek his help, to let Muslims reach their homes, as curfew had been clamped. The officer assured his total help and then very cleverly arrested all the Muslims instead, said Abdul Lateef Raza. Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed

Bukhari went to Rudrapur Rudrapur police attacking Muslims on 4 Oct., but was denied access and had to return from the border. On 5 Oct., however, a seven-member delegation led by Syed Muhammed Ahmed, Jamaat-e-Islamie-Hinds scretary for national affairs along with Javed Rasheed and Dr Ayub Mansoori, both of Welfare Party, Inamullah Islahi and Dr Adil, reached Rudrapur in two cars, at 12:30 pm when curfew had just been lifted for two hours. The delegation had informed the police control room about their arrival. At Indira Chowk we were encircled by the police. A lady Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Renu Lohni asked us to return as police would not be able to provide any security. She even threatened to arrest us if we were to violate the curfew norms. She discouraged our stay at the riot prone area, said SM Ahmed who added that as the delegation stood near the mosque of Shahar Qazi, Lohni called Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Bhatt who zoomed on the del- Two-kilometer-long line of Muslims fleeing Rudrapur in the wake of the riot and police attacks egation with two police vans. We started to talk to Abdul Lateef Raza Ahmed referred to last years stir of Gujjars on the issue of about the scenario and during which many Muslims came out and joined the chorus as to how brutally police had beaten them. reservation in Rajasthan, and also the protests of Dalits on the Within half-an-hour SP joined us and we were all taken inside a desecration of the statue of Dr. Ambedkar. Someone vandalised circle made by police. The atmosphere was dangerous and we Ambedkars statue in Kanpur in 2006 and Dalits protested were forced to leave, informed Ahmed. The delegation on its against it by stalling trains until Mumbai and not a shot was fired. way back called the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) who Gujjars uprooted railway tracks, blocked national highway for a said that police had disallowed anyone from entering Rudrapur month together and not a bullet was fired, but Muslims get killed and that he would facilitate a meeting, if desired by the delega- on the slightest pretext. This common sentiment binds BJP and tion, the next day. The delegation did not accept the invitation and Congress without exception. Kill Muslims and nothing would left the boundaries of Rudrapur before the curfew was clamped happen is the only writ of the government, he said. The dead body of Zaki was brought to Rampur. He was the again. The delegation first halted at Bilaspur which has a sizeable poorest of the poor. I demand Rs 10 lakhs for his death from UT Muslim population. Muslims in Bilaspur were busy in their daily as well as from UP CM. He has five children, said Muhammed chores and there was no seeming tension in the air. The worst Azam Khan, the Samajwadi Party general secretary, who had scene, almost reminiscent of Partition days, was the site of innu- played a dynamic role in containing the communal conflagration merable Muslims making an exodus from Rudrapur, with move- from not spreading to Bilaspur, Rampur and other adjoining able belongings on their heads. A continuous line of about three areas. The whole region might have been engulfed into this diakms at a stretch was seen of such people. Some 20,000 Muslims bolic conspiracy charted by RSS, he said while talking to Milli have been displaced and have taken refuge in Bilaspur, Baheri, Gazette from Rampur. Rudrapur has never had a history of any communal discord Pilibhit and Rampur, added Ahmed. The culprit is no one but the police of the state. Firstly, it but how a small issue can trigger such a mass hysteria is all for showed its trademark practice of dereliction of duty for not arrest- us to realize that we are just sitting on a power keg, said ing the miscreant and secondly it proved its penchant for being Jehangir Raju, a correspondent of a national Hindi daily. JIH has now decided that soon it would send its next team for the traditional trigger-happy force, when it comes to Muslims, as instead of firing in the air, or firing rubber bullets, or a lathi charge, a survey and then would do everything to rehabilitate the victims. it fired directly at the chest height. The overwhelming majority of Meanwhile, it has been learnt that 102 persons have been taken those who have been arrested are Muslims. The rules for Hindu into custody. Those named in FIR are 39 and 26 of them have and Sikh rioters are of course different. They are those who were been arrested as yet, 15 of them being Hindus and the rest are engaged into looting and burning Muslims shops for the whole Muslims. Finally, it may be mentioned that UT police is still to day on 4 Oct. Sikhs brandished their swords and Hindu lumpens apprehend the real miscreant who was behind the act of Oct 1. However, the aftermath of the Rudrapur carnage has started holdig lathis, joined the free-for-all attack, partonised by the to cast its shadow on adjoining UP, where elections are due next police, said Ahmed on his return to Lucknow. One Kashif Hasan Khan lost almost 70 lakh worth property. As many as around 100 year, as riot and cases of firing, loot and burning have been reported from Pratapgarh and Bahraich districts. None has been reportMuslim shops were gutted. By the evening of 4 Oct., DIG Amit Sharma, DM BBR ed as dead but a huge economic loss has been incurred by Purshottam and SSP AK Mortolia were transferred by UT CM BC Muslims, as a fall-out of loot and burning of shops and their inhabKhanduri. He also announced a compensation of rupees one itations. The occasion was the immersion of Durga idol on Oct 8. Bahraich had already witnessed a full-blown riot on August 25. lakh to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. ishing and if this happens, our artistes, calligraphers and all kinds of arts which are precious assets of the contry will also come to an end alongwith the language, protection, preservation and promotion of which is our topmost duty and responsibility. Addressing Aziz Burney Dr. Bhat said that he salutes his (Burneys) ideological and reformative initiatives and feels happy and satisfied that he is with the NCPUL. He said that in the meeting of Councils Executive Board on 3 October, extension plans of the Council will be taken up for consideration. He emphasised the point that in the 12th 5 Year Plan Urdu also wants its share in the emerging India and accordingly we must get facilities and opportunities for associating Urdu with national professional education. On this occasion chairman of Literature Panel Gopi Chand Narang while lauding Mr. Bhats achievements said that whatever job the Council has done and is doing is not being done by any other Urdu institution not only in India but in the entire sub-continent. He said that private Urdu institutions and organisations are also doing great work at their own level but the Council is doing liaison or coordination work between different organisations regarding Urdus aspirations and decisions. While praising the steps being taken by the Council he said that the initiative taken by the Council in creating transparency in its work and associating the future of Urdu language with IT is a memorable job. He further said that the Council has associated educational and academic activities with employment. Congratulating Prof. Tahir Mahmood for his book he said that the combination of the concept of forest and the objective of azaan is praiseworthy. Regarding the publication of Kulliyat-e Aal Ahmad Suroor he said that on the occasion of his (Suroor Saheb)s 100th birthday, publication of this book is the best tribute to him. On this occasion Aal Ahmad Suroors daughter Mrs. Mahjabeen and grand daughter Rakhshanda Jaleel, media coordinator of Jamia Millia Islamia were also present. Prof. Abul Kalam Qasmi said on this occasion that in the current year of NCPUL, 37 books of Literature Panel have been published some of which are: Zauq-e Justojoo by Prof. Khwaja Ahmad Farooqi, Tareekh-e Adab Urdu by Prof. Gyan Chand Jain and Prof. Sayyada Jafar, Wajid Ali Shah ki Adabi Khidmaat by Prof. Kaukab Qadar Sajjad Ali Mirza etc. (NA Ansari)

Meeting of NCPULs Literature Panel

New Delhi: A meeting of NCPULs Literature Panel was held on 28 September with a view to reviewing publication activities of the Literature Panel. On this occasion two books i.e. Kulliat-e Aal Ahmad Suroor compiled by Mahi Bakhsh Qadiri and 5th collection of Prof. Tahir Mahmoods articles Hum dasht mein dete hain Azaan were released by Prof. Gopi Chand Narang, who is also the chairman of Literature Panel in the presence of, among others, Aziz Burney, group editor of Rashtriya Sahara newspaper and adviser to HRD minister Kapil Sibal. According to NCPULs Director Dr. Hamidullah Bhat, the Council has taken many revolutionary steps this year regarding Urdu language and literature which are acknowledged and appreciated not only by the speakers and lovers of Urdu but also by those who do not know Urdu. Among these steps are publication of books, financial support to Urdu newspapers, starting of new programme Urdu Duniya on ETV Urdu, setting up of computer centres for associating Urdu with I.T., Diploma in Urdu and Arabic under Councils distance education programmes and recent declaration by Councils Director that the Council will soon bring out for all lovers of Urdu about 10 lakh pages of all its publications in the form of E-book, including mechanical or automatic translations. In order to bring about transparency in the establishment of computer centres the Council, with the help and cooperation of DOEACC, Chandigarh has made this process online because of which the access of common people to its computer centres will become easy and they themselves will be able to find solutions to their questions. Director Bhat while thanking the new members said that the educational system of the country is our own system and hence in order to acknowledge our and our languages presence and existence the government should also accept our programmes and for this we want that the Councils certificates should be officially recognised by the government because until and unless our presence from the educational level to that of employment is recognised, the very objective of Urdu Council (NCPUL) will not be fulfilled or achieved. According to him the culture and civilization associated with Urdu are gradually van-

20 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS
Driver returned bagful of diamonds
Ahmedabad: Muhammad Shakir Ansari, who is an ordinary autorickshaw driver of Ahmedabads Gomtipur locality one day found that a trolley bag was lying in his auto-rickshaw but the owner of the bag was gone, he had probably forgotten to take it back alongwith him. He opened the bag and found that it contained many diamonds and jewellery items. What actually happened was that on 13 September a diamond merchant, Rupesh Jain hailed his autorickshaw, asking him to stop. The man came to him and put his bag in the auto. Ansari didnt look at the back and thinking that the man might have taken his seat in the auto, set off. When he had covered a distance of about 3 kms, he found that the passenger was no longer in his auto but his bag was lying there. Probably Shakir came to know about his (owner of the bag) identity and address from some documents inside the bag or his card on the bag. He went back and returned the bag to him. It was later known that the diamonds/jewellery items were worth about Rs. 20 lakh. OIC will continue supporting Kashmiris Srinagar/New York: General secretary of Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), Prof. Ekmeluddin Ihsan Oglu said while addressing Rabta Group on the Kashmir meeting convened by OIC at U.N. headquarters at New York that like always, today also we resolve to fully support the struggle of Kashmiri people for their just legal rights. It was stated in a statement by Hurriyat Conference (U) that Prof. Akmaluddin said that these meetings indicate how much importance OIC gives to the Kashmir problem and the struggle of Kashmiri people for their rights and solidarity. He said that with mutual discussions and parleys by the parties to the Kashmir dispute finding a solution which reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir is necessary. He said that as we have repeatedly said, we will not miss any opportunity to highlight the Kashmir dispute and it has always been our effort to obtain support of the international fraternity for the just and rightful cause of the people of Kashmir. He said that towards this objective, we are maintaining our contacts with European Parliament on Kashmir. He also impressed upon the need on OIC member countries and educational institutions being run under their supervision to take practical steps for providing educational scholarships and other facilities for higher education of Kashmiri students and at the same time expressed his firm belief that members of Rabta Group will render their full cooperation and support in this connection.

Subramanian Swamy is an agent of Israel

New Delhi: It may be recalled that a few months ago Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who is a product of the famous Harvard University of America appeared to be a perverted intellectual, wrote an anti-Muslim article in an English newspaper of Mumbai wherein, among other tirades, he had suggested that Indian Muslims should be disenfranchised i.e. they should be deprived of their voting rights because ultimately their aim is to reduce Hindus to a minority in their own country and to make India a part of their dream of setting up a Pan-Islamic empire. He is also the President of Janta Party about whose political agenda and programmes we hardly ever read anything in newspapers. Anyway, though his article had raised a political storm, Muslims in general and also some secular minded non-Muslims and even by Harvard University students there were demands for his arrest, the Indian government maintained complete silence. Now of course an FIR has been registered against him by a lawyer Asghar Khan and people are demanding his immediate arrest and legal action against him. Lawyer Asghar Khan also filed a petition in a Delhi court saying that Swamys statement is extremely seditious and made with the intention of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race and place of birth. Maulana Ahmad Bukhari, Delhi Jama Masjids Imam said that a dangerous man like Swamy has no right to roam freely. He said that as regards depriving Muslims of their voting rights, no government can dare to do so, but action should be taken against persons who talk in such an irresponsible manner. Mill Gazettes editor Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan said that when his article was written, I had written letters to home minister P. Chidambaram, National Human Rights Commission, National Minorities Commission etc. requesting for action against him. But leave aside action, even his letters were not acknowledged. He wondered what men like Wajaht Habibullah, Chairman of NCM are doing. He said that Swamys article was published in Mumbai hence it was the duty of Mumbai police to arrest him because his entire article was full of poisonous statements like Muslims should be deprived of their voting rights, that Pakistan and Bangladesh should be attacked and other strange things. He said that this man has got no other business except making mischiefs. Noted lawyer Majid Memon said over the phone from Mumbai that the name of person who filed F.I.R. against him is Asghar and we are in contact with him. He said that action must be taken against Swamy and Insha Allah will be taken. Former M.P. and ambassador M. Afzal said that if his (Swamys) past records are seen when he was an M.P., it will be found that at that time also his attitude was the same as now. He further said that he is an agent of Israel and part of its lobby and by making false statements he blackmails government and people and is a dangerous political blackmailer against whom action must be taken. M. Afzal said that he is a well educated, cunning, subversive and very intelligent person and no action or statement of his is without any expediency. He did not even spare Sonia Gandhi. He said that Mr. Chidambaram should get a case registered against him, adding at the same that it appears as if both the government and bureaucracy are afraid of arresting him otherwise by now action should have been taken against him. (NA Ansari)

background of the presence of China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, situation in Jammu & Kashmir, problems of north-east, terrorism, economic policy, movement against corruption and the proposed Communal Violence Bill. Speaking about Pakistan and China he said that their close relationship is very dangerous for India and hence there is a great need of further strengthening borders. He said that we have cultural and economic ties with China but it is trying to dominate India and is promoting its trade and commercial policy all over the world. He said that we need strong will power to prevent the danger of terrorism. He said that off and on we come across political statements like Hindu terrorism but terrorism has no religion or colour. Construction of Masjid Ghausia starts, obstacles removed New Delhi: The obstacles placed by Delhi police in the construc- Speaking about economic problems he said that even tion of Masjid Ghausia in Begampur village in Rohini locality have today we are following western pattern and ignoring vil- Vice President Hamid Ansari visiting the been removed and on 29 September morning a second ceiling of lages. He said that the poor are becoming poorer because tomb of Hazrat Aub Ansari in Istanbul this mosque was laid. This construction was facilitated due to the salaries and allowances of MLAs, MPs and government efforts of Delhi states minister for urban development Raj Kumar employees are regularly being increased but no body is worried Hamid Ansaris official trip also a pilgrimage Hamid Chauhan and chairman of Muslim Yuva Aatankwad Virodhi and mindful of the common man about whom we simply talk and Ansaris official trip also a pilgrimage to Turkey Samiti, Muhammad Shakil Saifi who procured the permission of discuss but do nothing else. Hamid Ansaris trip to Turkey during 10-15 October was not just S.D.M. Kanjhaula for construction work of this mosque. This to strengthen ties with Turkey but also to discuss Afghanistan and SC against scholarships on religious ground mosque was in fact built in a rudimentary form in 1993 for the convenience of local namazis and for the basic and religious edu- Centres schemes to provide scholarships to students from weak- trade links between the two countries. To him the visit was signifcation of children. When some additional work was being carried er sections of the religious minority community is likely to be icant in many ways for he was on a personal pilgrimage and was out this year some one had complained to the police that the road unsuccessful because the Supreme Court has asked the govern- visiting places where his great grand uncle Mukhtar Ansari led a in the area was not wide enough and since building materials are ment to clarify as to why state funded schemes should be con- medical team in Turkey in 1913. Vice President Hamid Ansari scattered on this road, and there is great difficulty in the move- fined to the underpriviledged religious minority communities and who was also accompanied by his wife Salma Ansari offered rich ment of traffic etc. After this complaint the on-going work was not given to poor students irrespective of their religion and faith. tribute to the historical Eyup Sultan Mosque and shrine of Abu stopped by SHO, C.L. Meena on 24 May 2011 on the ground that The scheme Merit-cum-Means Scholarships for minority students Ayub Ali Ansari, an ancestor of Hamid Ansari situated at Ankara since this is a new colony, no new building work can be done was launched in 2008. Under this scheme it was announced pre- in Turkey. Abu Ayub Ali Ansari is known to have assisted Prophet without the permission of the M.C.D. and High Court. At the same Matric and post-Matric scholarships for those families earning Muhammed during his famous flight from Mecca to Medina. time police also said that if legal hurdles are removed, they will Rs 1 lakh per annum and Rs 2.5 lakh per annum respectively. During the meet, India and Turkey discussed the need for interhave no objection to the construction work. When permission Under pre-metric schemes Rs 950 per annum for day scholar national cooperation in dealing with the issue of terrorism that from the competent authority was obtained with the efforts of Raj and Rs 1450 per annum for hosteller was earmarked. Under post has affected both the countries in one way or the other. Regional Kumar Chauhan and Shakil Saifi, the building work that was held matric schemes Rs 30000 per annum for hosteller and Rs 25000 and international development along with upcoming Istanbul confor the day scholar was provided. The government has cited ference on Afghanistan was also discussed during the bilateral up in May was resumed and will be completed soon. Prime Ministers 15-point programme and Justice Rajinder talks. Ansari began his visit from Ankara where he held delegaSachar Committee report on the status of the Muslims of India tion level talks with members of the Turkish Grand National Country facing problems because of wrong policies: RSS Nagpur: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, while speaking at a function and has defended its position on the issue of providing scholar- Assembly led by Speaker Camil Cicek. Ansari also met Turkish held here on 6 October to observe foundation day of RSS bitter- ships to underpriviledged students from religious minority com- President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. ly criticised the UPA government at the centre and said that munity. The court has asked the Centre to respond in a month. Ansari was also conferred an honorary doctorate in international because of its wrong policies only incidents of terrorism are The scheme has been challenged for being violative of the relations by Mevlana university. The Vice-president while increasing and the country is facing problems like communal Constitutional provision of non discrimination on religious addressing the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialist of Turkey said that we need more investments in roads and highriots, tension and economic crisis. He said that we are capable of grounds. ways, new electricity generation and distribution networks, making the country strong and stable and taking effective steps expanded and modernised railway networks, new and upgraded Worlds only Sanskrit newspaper struggles to survive against terrorism but because of the wrong policies of our government and its lack of will power we are facing problems on dif- Worlds only Sanskrit newspaper Sudharma published from airport and port facilities. The Turks showed keen interest in elrcferent fronts. He spoke in detail about the world scenario in the Mysore is struggling to survive. The purpose of coming out with tronic voting machines being used in India. such a publication was to keep alive this traditional ancient lanAVBP distances itself from BJP and RSS guage considered to be the basis of our cultural The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) on 12 October history. KV Sampath claimed that they are in no way affiliated to BJP and RSS. This Kumar, Editor of was clarified by the general secretary of ABVP Umesh Dutt in his Sudharma in an interview letter to the producer of Kaun Banega Crorepati where he has said that because of asked the producer of the programme to apologise because they financial problem the had said that the ABVP was the student wing of the BJP. A quesdaily is on the verge of tion was posed on the KBC programme to a guest that is ABVP closing down sooner or the student wing of which political party. The answer to this queslater. The newspaper tion was it is the student wing of the BJP. Dutt in his letter clariwas started in 1970 with fied that ABVP is not the student wing of the BJP but an indeT HE M ILLI G AZETTE the purpose of spreading pendent organisation with registration number S-385/1949-50. D-84, Abul Fazl Enclave-I, Jamia Nagar, Sanskrit far and wide. ABVP has also warned of legal action if they do not apologise for New Delhi-110025 India Tel.: (+91-11) 2694 The newspaper has a this. Vani Tripathi of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha clarified in his 7483 Email: [email protected] global circulation of over own way by saying that confusion persists because many in the 3000 and monthly expen- BJP were a part of ABVP during their college days and because diture is about Rs 60000. of this people consider ABVP to be part of the BJP.

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 21

COMMUNITY NEWS
Dont be defensive on RTI: Habibullah
In view of growing concern over RTI as an obstructive force the former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has said that instead of finding ways and means to curtail RTI for being an obstructive force the government should be proud of its own creation and its implementation. Habibullah in an interview has said that RTI has got many positive things in it and the government should use it for its benefit instead of considering it to be a burden on the functioning of the department and governmental institutions. Habibullah further said that RTI has to be looked into objectively not only by the people but also by the government. RTI has something, that can be beneficial for the government. Recently chairperson of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) while speaking at an event organised by a Gujarati daily in Ahmedabad asked the Muslim community to use RTI to hold the government accountable to them and demand their rights. He also said that the Sachar Committee in its report submitted in 2006 had made 40 recommendations aimed at improving the status of the minorities. So far only one out of 40 recommendations has been partially implemented and that is why Muslims with help from the RTI must ask the government about the rest of the recommendations and what is being done about it. NCM planning expansion of its activities New Delhi: National Commission on Minorities (NCM), in addition to its existing activities, now also wants to monitor the implementation of programmes and schemes for the welfare of minorities under the Prime Ministers 15-point programme. For this it would require more staff and consequently more space also but its existing office in Loknayak Bhavan (near Khan Market) from where it has been working since long is not big enough to accommodate the proposed additional staff. Hence it is on the look-out for a bigger office and has even short listed some buildings near INA market. The execution of PMs 15-point programme is being looked after by the union ministry of minorities affairs and it is reported that this ministry has no objection in surrendering this part of its activities to NCM which also is working under it. Separate heads for minorities under consideration New Delhi: Central government, keeping in mind future assembly elections particularly UP elections, is considering a separate proposal i.e. allocation of separate funds for minorities in the general budget which includes provision of amounts directly at block levels for plans and schemes for minorities who now form 18 percent of the population,. This proposal has been made in a note to different ministries which is now in the process of being considered by these ministries. It is reported that during the monsoon session of Parliament some Muslim MPs had complained to the prime minister that plans and schemes meant for the welfare of minorities are not being implemented properly. It is understood that the prime minister on his part had asked these MPs to meet Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission. It was decided that after consideration of this problem by the ministries, it should be sent to the cabinets Political Affairs Committee. It may be stated in this connection that recently PMO had directed minorities affairs ministry to assess how much benefits have accrued to minorities (Muslims) in 90 districts of the country (where they are in fairly good numbers) after the implementation of Sachar Committees recommendations and submit a report within two months and if their overall condition has not improved, i.e. not much benefits have accrued to them, the reasons for this should be found so that in the next Plan i.e. 12th Five Year Plan those defects could be rectified or removed. Urdu Development Organisation to challenge UP govt Allahabad: Urdu Development Organisation (UDO), while

Minority schemes not reaching target groups

New Delhi: The word minorities is actually confusing because though generally it is meant to include all religious minorities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsees etc., very often it is meant to indirectly indicate Muslims without specifically mentioning them. Anyway, in view of the complaint that the benefits of government schemes and programmes for minorities, i.e., Muslims are not reaching them, Prime Ministers office (PMO) has issued instructions to review and assess the effects/benefits of these schemes to the concerned people (Muslims) and also to identify the shortcomings or reasons why the benefits of these schemes are not reaching them so that these defects or reasons could be removed during the 12th 5-Year Plan which will start from next year i.e. 2012. PMO has asked the ministry for minorities affairs to find out within two months how much benefits have accrued to the people belonging to minority community (Muslims) under the programmes which were started on the basis of recommendations of Sachar Committee in the 90 districts identified in the country where there is a sizeable Muslims population and how much their overall condition has improved. These programmes under the Sachar Committees recommendation were started in 2008 and the objective of review is to find out how much the condition of Muslims has improved and what more can be done to improve their overall condition further. The Government wants that, in the third year describing UP governments TET examination as illegal has decided to challenge this examination instituted by the state government in the Allahabad High Court. UDOs president Muhammad Akhtar Choodiwala said in a statement that the central governments Right to Education Act is not being implemented justly in U.P. He said that though this state government has recognised Urdu as the second official language, mother tongue and regional language of the state, officials of UPs Department of Basic/Primary Education are not making arrangements for or are unwilling for children/students of Urdu knowing people to be able to provide education in their mother tongue, Urdu whereas under section 350 (A) of Indian Constitution and also according to Kothari Commission, basic or primary education to children should be imparted through the medium of their mother tongue. Campus Fronts rally in Patna for AMU Kishanganj Centre of implementation of Sachar Committees recommendations, the defects, wherever they lie could be identified so that these could be removed during the 12th 5-Year Plan. For the implementation of these schemes and programmes started in 2008 government had allocated Rs. 3000 crores of which considerable amounts (about Rs. 2100 crores) have already been spent. According to reliable sources, with these funds only 50 percent benefits have been derived by the concerned communitys people. The concerned officers have been instructed to undertake tours to find out the reasons for under utilization of funds. These sources dismissed the argument of the implementing officers that this conclusion (that only 50% benefits have accrued to the concerned people) is wrong. It was stated that under the all-round development programmes government had started scholarship schemes for the minorities under four categories i.e. pre-matric, post matric, for professional courses and 40 higher educational fellowships. It was stated that every year about 40 lakh scholarships are given by the government, of which there are about five lakh (scholarships) at post matric level, 80000 to 90000 for professional courses and about 900 scholarships for medical education. The Government is thinking about introducing reforms in the implementation system so that decisions could be taken at a lower level (for distribution of scholarships). (NA Ansari) and one at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are recognised to run the BUMS course. Meanwhile several private medical colleges which are also running BUMS but have been denied recognition are planning to approach courts for legal battle. (Faisal Fareed, twocircles.net) CBI probes allegations against AMU VC Aligarh: The CBI probe into the allegations against the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) will soon culminate into a decisive phase. The AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis, was in CBI Delhi office on 20 October to provide clarifications raised in a questionnaire prepared by the CBI on the basis of the matters raised in the files transmitted to it by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and the University. The Vice Chancellor has presented the University position with respect to all the points raised and defended the actions taken explaining in detail the rules and practices prevalent in the University. The interaction provided an opportunity to draw attention to the legitimate provisions, conventions, traditions and the legal framework under which the actions and decisions were taken with regard to some of the contentious issues relating to the payment of TA and DA, HTA, Income Tax of Prof. Azis totalling a sum of Rs. 1.8 Lakh. On the issue of alleged financial irregularities, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis emphasized the point that the University managed its funds perfectly within the standard financial management practices in vogue as per government rules. He also clarified that the University has received no major audit paras during the last three years in its audit reports and the charges of financial irregularities are baseless. He further said that the University has given its replies to the audit paras raised in the special audit report conducted in 2010 and is ready to comply with any directives issued in this regard by C&AG. Accusation of violating Statutes & Ordinances baseless Aligarh: In response to the accusation of committing misconduct under the AMU Act 1920, violating the statutes and ordinances appearing in a section of the press, AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis reiterated on 22 October that he has strictly followed the rule book as per the Aligarh Muslim University (Amendment) Act 1981 and that not a single decision was taken by him that was not in consonance with existing provisions in the amended AMU Act or in vogue as a time honoured practice in AMU. Prof. Azis categorically pointed out that the President of India, who is the Visitor of the University is empowered in the AMU Act to annul any decision taken by the University if it is violating the AMU Act, Statutes and Ordinances. Since no decision taken in the University during his four and half years regime has ever been annulled by the Visitor, it bears a testimony to the fact that no violation of the AMU Act has taken place. Any accusation in this regard is baseless and deserves condemnation, he added. Parsi population up by six percent in Surat For the community on the verge of extinction in India news of increase in growth of Parsi population by 6 percent in the last six years in Surat might come as respite for the community. The Parsi community in Surat has added 200 more members in the last six years which is said be a 6 percent rise in their population. The rise in the Parsi population in Surat has encouraged Parsis across the country. The Bombay Parsi Panchayat is looking towards Surat to find the reason of the growth of Parsis there. As per Surat Parsi Panchayat report the population of Parsi has gone up from 3,500 in 2004-05 to 3,700 in 2010-11. The report has found that the percentage of growth is because of the schemes that were aimed at attracting young Parsi men and women to marry early with the offer of a two room flat at Rs 200 rent per month. From 2005 onwards 36 couples have been given flats and they are now proud parents of 65 children. The Bombay Parsi Panchayat has also decided to follow the flat scheme.

Akhtarul Iman, MLA, speaking at the rally

Patna: Students under the banner of Campus Front rallied on 22 Oct from Patna Science College to Gandhi Maidan and sat on dharna to put pressure on the state govt to immediately release the required land for the AMUs Kishanganj Centre. The rally was inaugurated by Anisuzzaman, National President of Campus Front of India. After reaching the Maidan, they sat on dharna. Kishanganj MLA Akhtrul Iman was the chief guest on this occasion. Delegates from KIshanganj also addressed the students. In his address, Akhtrul Iman exposed the hypocrisy of the NDA govt in the land allocation matter. Anisuzzaman ellaborated the hiden agenda of the NDA govt. He said keeping the aam aadmi illiterate is the agenda of the Sangh Parivar. But now their plan will not be successfull as the youth and students of this country have become aware of this nefarious plan of the Sangh, he added. Govt. unani medical college of Lucknow derecognised Lucknow: In a significant development, the Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM) on 22 October derecognised the stateowned Takmil-Uttib Unani Medical College of Lucknow for acute shortage of teaching staff. The college, which runs undergraduate BUMS course, has only 25 teachers against the required number of 90. The CCIM is the apex governing body granting recognition to Unani medical colleges for running Unani medical courses. The decision was taken after an inspection report by CCIM at the Takmil-Uttib Unani Medical College. The college has 40 seats for undergraduate BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery) course, admission for which is through the Combined Pre Medical Test (CPMT) organised by the state government. The future of 40 students admitted this year is likely to be affected due to the decision, said a teacher at the college. However, Director, Unani Medicine, Shoib Kazmi, looked hopeful and stated that a representation will be made before the Ayush Department which governs CCIM. We are hopeful of restoration of the recognition as we have acquired new building, new hospital facilities and are in the process of appointment, he said. As per CCIM, only the college at Deoband in private sector

22 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

COMMUNITY NEWS
Allow UN to hold inquiry into JK graves
Srinagar: Human rights activists and civil society member Parvaiz Khurram has shot letters to Legislative Assembly members including Chief Minster Omar Abdullah, Leader of the opposition Mehbooba Mufti and CPIM leader M. Y Tarigami urging them to take up the issue of unidentified graves during the current session of the assembly. Khurram has appealed to assembly members to press for independent and impartial inquiry into mass graves besides urging government to allow United Nations Special Reporteur to visit Jammu and Kashmir. Khurram wrote in his letter, We ask that the following United Nations Special Reporteurs be permitted and invited to visit Jammu and Kashmir: (1) Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, (2) Arbitrary Detentions, (3) Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, (4) Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences, and (5) Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions. Meanwhile Khuram Parvaiz has also asked government to hold an independent inquiry into the mass grave expose. Permission sought for Saudi airlines to lift J&K pilgrims As the Haj season begins, the Civil Aviation Ministry has approached the Home Ministry to allow a Saudi-Arabian airline to fly pilgrims from Kashmir. Foreign airlines are not allowed to operate out of the Indian Air Force-run Srinagar International Airport, from where Haj flights will start departing from October 17. If granted permission, the Nas airline would fly 8,000 pilgrims from the Valley to Delhi and then to Jeddah. Its crew, however, would not be allowed to disembark at the Srinagar airport. For the second year in a row, foreign carriers Saudi Airlines and Nas Air the two won a limited global tender by bidding the lowest $1,200 per passenger; Air India had quoted almost $ 2,000 a passenger have been tasked to fly the pilgrims. Meanwhile, the individual pilgrim contribution for this years Haj expenses is likely to be increased. The ministry has sought the Cabinets approval to hike it to Rs 20,000 from Rs 16,000 last year, in line with its policy of narrowing the subsidy gap. Nearly 1.75 lakh pilgrims are scheduled to perform the Haj this year, 1.25 lakh of these will be availing the subsidy through the Haj Committee of India. Special trial court summons two ex-British envoys Ahmedabad: The special trial court for the 2002 Prantij British nationals killings case during the 2002 Gujarat pogroms will cross-examine two former British envoys as witnesses through video conferencing on November 23. The envoys - Howard Parkinson and Ian Reakes - were posted in India at the relevant time and were privy to some evidence related to the case. They were summoned after the complainant in the case, Imran Dawood - a British national - moved an application in the special trial court at Himmatnagar of Sabarkantha district in this regard earlier this year. In 2002, Imran had visited India for the first time along with his UK-based uncles, Saeed Dawood, Shakeel Dawood and Mohammed Aswat. On February 28, 2002, the four were returning to their village Lajpur near Navsari after visiting Agra and Jaipur. On their way back near Prantij in Sabarkantha, a mob of around 20 people stopped their vehicle and set it ablaze. Saeed and Aswat were killed by the mob along with the local driver, Yusuf Piraghar, whereas Shakeel went missing and is now presumed dead. Mohammed Bilal Dawood, a relative of Imran and those who were killed in the massacre, had brought a team of British Commission to Gujarat for the identification of a skeleton that was found in Sabarkantha after digging a particular area. Scientific tests had established identity of one of the two persons who had gone missing. According to Imrans lawyer, Malek, the British High Commissioners office had got some calls and letter(s) related to the case at the relevant time. And, Reakes, an officer of the British High Commissioners office, had also visited Gujarat with reference to the recovery of some bones and ashes related to the case. Malek added that due to these facts, they had sought to examine the UK High Commissioner and the officer who had visited the state as prosecution witnesses. Islamic Exhibition at Dussehra Fair in Kota Kota (Rajasthan): The National Dussehra Fair in Kota city of Rajasthan started with traditional zeal after burning the statue of Ravana. At the ongoing fair (5-24 Oct 2011), there is a big exhibition of Islamic books and multimedia. There are thousands of books in this exhibition covering different topics related to Islam. It comprises different sections like English, Urdu, Hindi and Arabic. Besides, the holy Quran is available here at least in 10 languages. The most important part of the exhibition is that organizers display the translations of Quranic verses and Ahadees on the board in different languages, then they invite the present people --Muslims, non-Muslims -- to ask any question about Islam and if any question comes, they answer it in the light of these verses. Besides, non-Muslims buyers of the books are given 10% discount and also Hindi and English translations of the Quran are given to them. The exhibition was inaugurated on 5th Oct by Er. Khursheed Hussain, president, Jamaat-e Islami Hind Rajasthan. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Mr. Hussain highlighted the importance of Dawah work. It is our primary duty to convey the message of Islam to mankind. We should adopt all resources like literature, multimedia and dialogues for this pious purpose, he said. (twocircles.net) Defeat in a cricket match led to attack Faridabad: A cricket match between the boys of two localities in Faridabad and defeat of one team led to a fight and attack by the defeated team members on the other in which many boys and elders were injured. According to available reports, before the match there was verbal understanding between the rival teams that the winning team will be given award/prize, cost of which will be paid by the defeated team. The team consisted of local Muslim boys and Gujjar (non-Muslims) boys. In this match Gujjar boys were defeated but they went back on the understanding of paying for the award/prize. When the boys of the winning team insisted on the prize as per the understanding, there was a war of words and in which later Gujjar boys beat up and injured some boys of the other team. The boys, after being thrashed, did not retaliate and came back to their homes, probably seeing the strength of the Gujjars. The matter would have ended there but the same night Gujjar boys with a big crowd of 50/60 persons attacked the local mosque and not only beat up the Imam of the mosque, Hafiz Firoz and many others in the mosque and one of the sons of the Imam was also a team member, gujjars attacked the Imams residence also and beat up and injured the Imams family members: his sons and even ladies also. All the injured persons were got admitted in Badshah Khan Hospital for treatment. According to the vice president of Jamiatul Ulama Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Maulana Yahya Karimi hospital authorities on the basis of serious injuries and statements of victims suggested filing a case under sections 307 and 325 against the attacking persons but police showed no interest in registering cases. Maulana Yahya then contacted Jamiat leaders Maulana Mahmood Madni and others in Delhi and apprised them of the situation. With Maulana Madnis intervention and pressure the police registered cases against about 12 known persons and against 40/50 unknown persons. The report/complaint was registered at the local police station but no arrests were made till the writing of this report. It is reported that the attackers belonged to the neighbouring villages. Police said it was not a communal riot but a fight between boys, though it took a somewhat serious turn. M.P. police raids find huge cache of explosives Bhopal: A huge haul of explosives, including gelatine sticks, detonators and detonation cords, was recovered from a house and car in Rewa district. One person has been arrested. The police raided the house of Rajesh Patel and found a huge quantity of gelatine sticks detonators and detonating cords, where it was also learnt about explosives being transported in a car. DIG police K.P. Khare told mediamen that the car was chased and seized. We are interrogating Rajesh Patels landlord Aditya Pratap Singh. Police recovered 14 packets of detonating cord, two and half packets of detonators and 10 packets of gelatine sticks from the house whereas the stock recovered from the car was of 5000 gelatine sticks in 50 cartons and 29 packets of detonating cord. Car driver Manoj Kaul has been arrested. The state government and the union home secretary R.K. Singh ruled out a terror link possibility by asserting that it was for illegal mining activities in the area. Apex Court to appoint about 5000 Urdu teachers in Bihar Patna: The Supreme Court, in response to an appeal by Madrasa Old Boys Association, has approved the appointment of 5297 Urdu teachers in Bihar and ordered the state government that their appointment should be made by 31 January 2012. This information was given by Abdul Quddoos, president of Madrasa Old Boys Association. It may be stated that the list of appointments made public by the state government contained 2859 posts in the general quota, 4972 post in physical education and 1509 posts for Urdu (teachers). This figure was challenged by the secretary of the Association, Muhammad Alam on 30 September in the Supreme Court vide case No. 636/2011: Mohammad Aftab Alam versus Bihar government. The Court, after hearing the arguments (of both parties), said in its verdict that no cut of any kind will be made in the list of 5297 teachers and directed the Bihar government to appoint 5297 Urdu teachers by 31 January 2012. It may also be stated in this connection that the principal secretary of Department of Education had tried to create many hurdles of different kinds in the appointment of Urdu teachers but this court foiled all such attempts. NHRC since 1993 has disposed 10 lakh cases According to Human Rights Watch Body the National Human Rights Commission since its inception has taken up and registered more than ten lakh cases pertaining to human rights violation. Since 1993, the National Human Rights Commission has registered 1,094,113 human rights violation cases out of which 1,077,662 cases were disposed of. As per commission records in past 18 years a total of Rs.510, 942,500 relief had been recommended in 2,604 cases for the victims of human rights violation. The highest number of complaints registered by the NHRC was from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. Uttar Pradesh has recorded the maximum number of complaints regarding death in police and judicial custody. Uttar Pradesh has registered 3822 cases, Bihar 2435, Maharashtra, 2014, Andhra Pradesh 1621, Punjab 1080 and West Bengal 997. NHRC constitutes advisory group on Media & HR New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission in order to seek advice on the effective role media can play in creating awareness on issues pertaining to human rights has formed an Advisory Group on Media and Human Rights comprising of 12 senior journalists. This Advisory group will regularly interact with the media and will seek their co-operation in promotion and protection of human Rights. The Advisory Group will be chaired by Mr. Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC. Other members of the Advisory Group are: 1. Alok Mehta, Chief Editor, Nayi Duniya; 2. G. Mohanty, IIS, Director General (News), Prasar Bharati, AIR; 3. I. Ramamohan Rao, Chief Editor, Asian News International; 4. K.S. Sachidanand Murthy, Resident Editor, The Week; 5. Leeladhar Mandloi, Director General, Prasar Bharati, AIR. 6. M.K. Razdan, editor-in-chief and CEO, PTI . 7. N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu; 8. Q.W. Naqvi, News Director, Aaj Tak. 9. Sanjay Gupta, Editor and CEO, Dainik Jagran; 10. Sanjoy Narayan, Editor-inChief, Hindustan Times; 11. Shashi Shekhar, Chief Editor, Hindustan; 12. Tarun Basu, Chief Editor and Director, IANS (ANI). Sharif of Ayodhya sets an example of tolerance Sharifs altruistic and selfless effort to provide funeral to unclaimed bodies both from the Hindu and Muslim Community just a few kilometres away from the disputed Ayodhya site, symbolic of Hindu Muslim dispute over the years is laudable and praiseworthy. Can there be any better example of tolerance and harmony if only we can acknowledge the essence of his relentless effort at the age of 70. Sharif Chacha as popularly known, is used to taking the unclaimed dead body of a Hindu to a nearby ghat to perform the rituals as per Hindu funeral rites. For the unclaimed dead body of Muslims he performs burial as per the rituals of the Muslims. So far he has performed the last rites of more than 700 Hindus and 800 Muslims. Sharif who earlier had a small cycle shop chose this mission after the tragic incident in which he lost his eldest son Rais under mysterious circumstances in Sultanpur district. A month later police approached Sharif and handed over Rais clothes to him without telling how he had died and anything about his last ries. From that day onwards Sharif vowed to provide proper funeral to all unclaimed dead bodies in the city. It is not only the unclaimed dead bodies he looks for but these days he has also helped sick people and also people who met with an accident. He has also been awarded Shan-e-Awadh award for such pioneering work and for his humanism by the district authorities. Janjagran Samiti opposes tribute to Husain Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has organised the 13th Mumbai Film Festival to pay tribute to MF Hussain. Janjagran Samiti a right wing group on 13 October protested against the screening of a documentary on late M F Hussain at a film festival in Mumbai. The film festival was organised to pay tribute to M F Hussain by screening his award winning documentary Through the Eyes of A Painter. SG Vatkar has opposed it, by saying that MF Hussain has hurt the Religious and National sentiments of crores of Hindus and Indians through his blasphemous paintings of Hindu deities and Bharat Mata (Mother India). This resulted in promoting enmity between different religious groups and disturbing National integrity and harmony. He was accused of committing offences under section 2 of the prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. The court cases are still pending. According to him tribute to Anti-Hindu and Anti-National painter M F Husain will amount not only to glorifying an accused person but also further hurting religious sentiments of Hindus and National sentiments of Indians. Shyam Benegal, chairman of the festival said that protestors are talking about being representative of the Hindu Community but I know that, any kind of animosity perishes after a person is dead. H.C. grills CBI for shoddy probe Indore: Indore bench of MP High Court grilled CBI for its slipshod status report on the missing bomb blast accused Dilip Patidar. Bench comprising Justices S.S. Kemkar and Prakash Shrivastav asked officials what action they had taken against ATS officials. The court was also unhappy at why the CBI despite knowing that development was on paper the FIR was lodged against unknown persons. The court observed that there was nothing new in the three status reports filed during the past one year and half. The court observed that it was clear on ATS records as to which police team had taken Patidar, who quizzed him and under whose supervision he was released. The Maharashtra ATS had taken Patidar to Mumbai in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blast and since then he was missing. PUCL asks government to take action against police Azamgarh: Human rights organisation, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) while opposing the illegal arrest of innocent Mahfooz of Azamgarh and keeping him in police custody for 44 hours has asked government to take action against the ATS and concerned police officers. PUCLs joint secretary Merajuddin Sanjari and Rajiv Yadav said that the way this illegal arrest (of Mahfooz) has been made because of his being a Muslim and belonging to Azamgarh is a serious problem of insult and violation of human rights. PUCL leaders met him (Mahfooz Ahmad) on 25 September when he had gone to his grand mothers place. They said in a joint statement that Mahfooz is a victim of the common mind set of suspecting and bringing a bad name to the Muslim community and Azamgarh otherwise there was no reason for his arrest who is totally innocent. They accused the administration of unnecessarily harassing a particular community. Under such circumstances U.P. government should explain if anyone belonging to the Muslim community and Azamgarh can be arrested in such an illegal and irresponsible manner, they asked. PUCL said that the arrest of Mahfooz is a part of the general mentality of police and administration to accuse and defame Muslims of Azamgarh on the pretext of investigation after the recent bomb blast.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 23

INTERNATIONAL

The son of Africa claims a continents Crown Jewels

JOHN PILGER
On 14 October, President Barack Obama announced he was sending United States special forces troops to Uganda to join the civil war there. In the next few months, US combat troops will be sent to South Sudan, Congo and Central African Republic. They will only engage for self-defence, says Obama, satirically. With Libya secured, an American invasion of the African continent is under way. Obamas decision is described in the press as highly unusual and surprising, even weird. It is none of these things. It is the logic of American foreign policy since 1945. Take Vietnam. The priority was to halt the influence of China, an imperial rival, and protect Indonesia, which President Nixon called the regions richest hoard of natural resources the greatest prize. Vietnam merely got in the way; and the slaughter of more than three million Vietnamese and the devastation and poisoning of their land was the price of America achieving its goal. Like all Americas subsequent invasions, a trail of blood from Latin America to Afghanistan and Iraq, the rationale was usually self defence or humanitarian, words long emptied of their dictionary meaning. In Africa, says Obama, the humanitarian mission is to assist the government of Uganda defeat the Lords resistance Army (LRA), which has murdered, raped and kidnapped tens of thousands of men, women and children in central Africa. This is an accurate description of the LRA, evoking multiple atrocities administered by the United States, such as the bloodbath in the 1960s following the CIA-arranged murder of Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese independence leader and first legally elected prime minister, and the CIA coup that installed Mobutu Sese Seko, regarded as Africas most venal tyrant. Obamas other justification also invites satire. This is the national security of the United States. The LRA has been doing its nasty work for 24 years, of minimal interest to the United States. Today, it has few than 400 fighters and has never been weaker. However, US national security usually means buying a corrupt and thuggish regime that has something Washington wants. Ugandas president-for-life Yoweri Museveni already receives the larger part of $45 million in US military aid - including Obamas favourite drones. This is his bribe to fight a proxy war against Americas latest phantom Islamic enemy, the rag-tag al Shabaab group based in Somalia. The RTA will play a public relations role, distracting western journalists with its perennial horror stories. However, the main reason the US is invading Africa is no different from that which ignited the Vietnam war. It is China. In the world of self-serving, institutionalised paranoia that justifies what General David Petraeus, the former US commander and now CIA director, implies is a state of perpetual war, China is replacing al-Qaeda as the official American threat. When I interviewed Bryan Whitman, an assistant secretary of defence at the Like the victory in Iraq, journalists have played a critical role in dividing Libyans into worthy and unworthy victims. A recent Guardian front page carried a photograph of a terrified proGaddafi fighter and his wild-eyed captors who, says the caption, celebrate. According to General Petraeus, there is now a war of perception conducted continuously through the news media. For more than a decade the US has tried to establish a command on the continent of Africa, AFRICOM, but has been rebuffed by governments, fearful of the regional tensions this would cause. Libya, and now Uganda, South Sudan and Congo, provide the main chance. As WikiLeaks cables and the US National Strategy for Counter-terrorism reveal, American plans for Africa are part of a global design in which 60,000 special forces, including death squads, already operate in 75 countries, soon to be 120. As Dick Cheney pointed out in his 1990s defence strategy plan, America simply wishes to rule the world. That this is now the gift of Barack Obama, the Son of Africa, is supremely ironic. Or is it? As Frantz Fanon explained in Black Skin, White Masks, what matters is not so much the colour of your skin as the power you serve and the millions you betray. www.johnpilger.com

Pentagon last year, I asked him to describe the current danger to America. Struggling visibly, he repeated, Asymmetric threats asymmetric threats. These justify the money-laundering statesponsored arms conglomerates and the biggest military and war budget in history. With Osama bin Laden airbrushed, China takes the mantle. Africa is Chinas success story. Where the Americans bring drones and destabilisation, the Chinese bring roads, bridges and dams. What they want is resources, especially fossil fuels. With Africas greatest oil reserves, Libya under Muammar Gaddafi was one of Chinas most important sources of fuel. When the civil war broke out and Nato backed the rebels with a fabricated story about Gaddafi planning genocide in Benghazi, China evacuated its 30,000 workers in Libya. The subsequent UN security council resolution that allowed the wests humanitarian intervention was explained succinctly in a proposal to the French government by the rebel National Transitional Council, disclosed last month in the newspaper Liberation, in which France was offered 35 per cent of Libyas gross national oil production in exchange (the term used) for total and permanent French support for the NTC. Running up the Stars and Stripes in liberated Tripoli last month, US ambassador Gene Cretz blurted out: We know that oil is the jewel in the crown of Libyan natural resources! The de facto conquest of Libya by the US and its imperial partners heralds a modern version of the scramble for Africa at the end of the 19th century.

The Savage Lynching of Muammar Qaddafi demeans Humanity and Insults all notions of the laws of war
US-based Jamaat al-Muslimeen condemns the extra-judicial murder of the Libyan leader Qaddafi. Humanity has been violated and savagery has been perpetrated in this slaughter of the leader of a nation.

Yusuf/MG

Economic recession

1. Islam does not permit Muslims to treat a captured enemy leader in this shameless manner. Even an animal cannot be slaughtered under Islamic law the way this was done. 2. International law too does not permit such treatment of an enemy leader. Even the photographing and publicity of a prisoner of war is not allowed. Qaddafi was first captured and then humiliated and killed. There is no scope for this kind of behavior in the most savage war. Hitler did not do it. He treated the leader of the Warsaw uprising much better than this. 3. As Cynthia McCkinney has shown, NATO bombed civilians and killed numerous Libyan women and children. This final atrocity was a natural consequence of the atrocities by NATO. 4. The re-colonization of Africa has begun. If a prominent leader can be lynched and his lynching is celebrated by America and its Libyan allies, then surely the floodgates have been opened to all kinds of brutalities against African leaders iin particular and the African people in general. 5. The looting of Libya can only be averted if the Anglo-American powers are unable to establish themselves in Libya and an Islamic government emerges. 6. As in the case of Mustafa Kemal in Turkey, the Muslims did all the fighting and dying in Libya, but the fruits have been stolen by westernized forces supported by NATO. 7. We condemn also the relish with which CNN and other Zionist media have presented this atrocity to the public, the slaughter of a half naked president drenched in blood, being humiliated by savages. Why does CNN consider featherheads like Fuad Ajami of Johns Hopkins University [Baltimore] as experts on Islam and Arabs? He lacks the basic tools of analysis, Why are former CIA agents brought on screen as experts? This is the final dumbing down of the Zionist media.

24 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

INTERNATIONAL

NATO has bombed Libya back to Stone Age

Former MI5 agent Annie Machon says that the US wants to reinforce the myths that public has been told about NATOs humanitarian intervention, while Libya is being bombed beyond the point of no return. During her visit to Libya, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has used unusually blunt terms to describe what the United States wants to see happen in Libya, namely former dictator Muammar Gaddafi being killed or captured. Machon says even though Gaddafi was an odious dictator and a thorn in the side of Western countries for three decades, for the majority of Libyans their quality of life was perfectly fine. Theyve had free education, free health, they could study abroad. When they got married they got a certain amount of money. So they were rather the envy of many other citizens of African countries. Now, of course, since NATOs humanitarian intervention the infrastructure of their country has been bombed back to the Stone Age. They will not have the same quality of life. Women probably will not have the same degree of emancipation under any new transitional government. The national wealth is probably going to be siphoned off by Western corporations. Perhaps the standard of living in Libya might have been slightly higher than it perhaps is now in America and the UK with the recession, she said. Machon agrees the US have been quite unashamed in their statements about wanting regime change in Libya, which she believes is highly illegal. It is also interesting to see that they are saying this openly when, of course, in the 1990s they were trying to assassinate him covertly through proxy organizations in Libya, she said. NATO countries have sent advisors to Libya and Machon believes that it was done to insure that humanitarian aid and human rights are upheld. However that might prove to be difficult. She says that nobody seems to be really trying to protect civilians in Benghazi or Sirte. Advisors or not, Libya is descending into one awful mess. Lets not forget that the UN sanctions change of heart was put in place now on very dubious moral grounds - unsubstantiated rumors of genocide in Benghazi,she argued. [Advisors] are probably going there to try and help, but whats been going on in places like Sirte has been breathtaking hypocrisy. NATO goes in to bomb Gaddafis regime out of existence because they are threatening civilians in Benghazi. And now we are looking at a whole range of human rights abuses. Meanwhile, for Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire website, the desired result of US intervention - to see Gaddafi killed or captured, as stated by Hillary Clinton - was also not surprising. The policy of targeted assassination is very much a part of US foreign policy, Azikiwe told RT. Gaddafi was also targeted for the last eight months for assassinationThey put it out broadly with the international community that they want to, in fact, assassinate Gaddafi. And Clintons latest visit to Libya was designed to bolster the NTC government there, Azikiwe believes. An eyewitness of NATO atrocities in Libya, Ali Alkasih, has recently returned from the besieged town of Sirte. He says the humanitarian situation is dire there and ordinary Libyans are tired of it, but if they were given a choice they would still prefer Gaddafi to the American presence. There is no water there, no medication, they dont have even oxygen in the hospitals, he told RT. I have seen the situation in Sirte, I can assure you it is a disaster. It is a catastrophe. The international law or the international community came with the Resolution 1973, as they said, to protect civilians, but this is not happening at the moment. Most of the Libyans would rather live peacefully than having NATO or Gaddafi. We dont want neither Gaddafi, nor NATO [sic]. If the solution was NATO, than Gaddafi is better, our life was better [[under Gaddafi]], concluded Alkasih. (rt.com/news) the war, in order, he insisted, to protect the civilians of Misrata, Sirte, and Benghazi. He personally organised the first meeting between Sarkozy and members of the TNC. Now, in article titled Justice for the Liberators of Sirte! and published on the Huffington Post website, Lvy issues a grotesque diatribe against any criticism of what the TNC forces are doing in Sirte. The celebrity philosopher dismisses evidence of the citys systematic destruction as mere rumours of violent acts against civilians and inevitable blunders. Blaming the civilian population for their own plight, he insists that the NTC held off for several weeks before giving the order to attack-enough time for those who wanted to and could to be evacuated. Lvy ignores the fact that thousands of civilians, including the most vulnerable, had no way of escaping the fighting. The entire piece is littered with blatant lies. At one point the writer denies the fact that TNC fighters deliberately shelled Sirtes main hospital in order to prevent a Red Cross team delivering medical supplies. He declares that when one of their shells hits the roof of a hospital, its horrifying, a monstrosity, a tragedy-but its also an error, an unpremeditated act. Lvy concludes: I continue to salute the dignity of these fighters of happenstance who, as they have from the first day, wage war but do not like it. Lvys stance on Sirte underscores the political function of the entire layer of upper-middle class liberal proponents of humanitarian war-mouthpieces for imperialist aggression. (World Socialist Web Site)

The Destruction Of Sirte

PATRICK OCONNOR
October 19, 2011 WSWS - - The Libyan city of Sirte is being systematically destroyed by National Transitional Council rebel fighters and NATO fighter planes. The operation stands as a monumental war crime, for which primary responsibility rests with the leading forces behind the military intervention in LibyaUS President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Sirte has been under siege for weeks. TNC forces have prevented all supplies from entering the city, including food, medicines, and other basic necessities. NATO bombs have rained down, together with a heavy and indiscriminate bombardment by TNC mortars, tank shells, and rockets. Basic infrastructureincluding water, electricity, and sewerage systems-has been destroyed as part of the calculated effort to trigger a humanitarian crisis in the city and terrorise its inhabitants into submission. Every building in Sirte, including apartment blocks, homes, hospitals, schools, and other civilian structures, has either been levelled or severely damaged by the rebel forces trying to finally take the city. Militiamen are looting homes, cars, and shops, with truckloads of residents stolen possessions now leaving Sirte every day. A Reuters correspondent reported seeing a group of fighters firing machine guns at a safe in an electronics store for 15 minutes before they managed to open it and see what could be taken. Many homes, after they are looted, are being burned to the ground. Journalists covering the brutal operation have been shocked by what they have witnessed. The BBCs Wyre Davies reported: This is almost a scorched earth policy. The pro-Gaddafi fighters defending this city wont surrender, so Sirte is being systematically destroyed, block by block. Fighting is intense, incredibly destructive, and almost mind-numbing. Reporters for the British Telegraph described Sirte as a squalid ruin that is reminiscent of the grimmest scenes from Grozny, towards the end of Russias bloody Chechen war. The destruction of Sirte raises other historical parallelsGuernica, the Warsaw Ghetto, and the obliteration by the fascist powers of other urban centres in the 1930s and 40s. All those responsible for the Libyan war ought to be charged with war crimes-beginning with Obama, Cameron and Sarkozy. These figures launched an unprovoked war of aggression, which was the principal charge laid against Germanys Nazi leaders at the war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg. NATO claimed authorisation for the war in Libya on the pseudo-legal basis of UN Resolution 1973-but the no fly zone terms of this document were immediately flouted as soon as it was adopted. The atrocities now being committed in Sirte arise directly out of the nature of the neo-colonial intervention itself. US imperialism and its European allies hijacked the anti-Gaddafi demonstrations that erupted last February, launching a regime change drive that was centrally aimed at capturing Libyas enormous oil reserves and reasserting their domination of North Africa in the wake of the revolutionary movements in Tunisia and Egypt that threatened Washingtons geostrategic standing across the region. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday visited Tripoli, declaring that Libya was blessed with wealth and resources. In discussions with TNC leaders, Bloomberg reported, she promised assistance to diversify the oil-dominated economy. Clinton said nothing about the bombardment of Sirte, other than to note continued bloody fighting in the country. There are definite political calculations involved in the destruction of Sirte. For the NATO powers, the violence is intended to serve as a deterrent to any resistance emerging within Libya to the new order now being established in Tripoli through the TNC client administration. The Sirte operation is also directed towards the governments of Syria and Iran, warning them about the kind of retaliatory measures they face if they defy US-European diktats. At the beginning of the NATO intervention in Libya, Sarkozy openly threatened that every ruler, and especially every Arab ruler could confront a similar attack. The Obama administration also intends the destruction of Sirte to send a message to the Chinese government. China has rapidly increased its influence throughout Africa, including in Libya, becoming the continents largest trading partner and a major destination for its oil and mineral exports. Beijing has also cultivated diplomatic and military ties across the region, undermining the dominance of the US and the former colonial European powers. Libya has provided an opportunity for Washington to teach its powerful rival a lesson-that military force can be utilised to destroy any government with which China develops close economic and strategic relations at US expense. If at any point during Libyas civil war Gaddafis forces had done what the TNC fighters are doing now, there would have been blanket media coverage and howls of outrage from Washington, London, and Paris, including demands of charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet the crisis in Sirte is unfolding without a word of protest being raised in official political and media circles in the US and Europe. The various left and liberal forces that have enthusiastically promoted the war on Libya as a worthy humanitarian mission, such as US Professor Juan Cole and the Nation magazine, have maintained a strict silence about the events in Sirte. None of them have sought to account for the fact that NATOs humanitarian war-supposedly waged in order to prevent the possibility of civilians being killed in one city, Benghazi-has now led to the destruction of another city, with thousands of civilians likely killed and wounded. Among these pro-war layers, French writer Bernard-Henri Lvy has spoken out about Sirte to defend the crimes being committed by NATO and the TNC. Lvy played a key role in France earlier this year in agitating for

Amnesty Calls on Canada to Arrest Bush

Amnesty International on 13 October called on Canadian authorities to arrest and prosecute war criminal George W. Bush, saying the former US president authorized "torture" when he directed the US-led war on terror. In a memorandum submitted last month to Canada's attorney general but only now released to the media, the Londonbased group charged that Bush has legal responsibility for a series of human rights violations. "Canada is required by its international obligations to arrest and prosecute former president Bush given his responsibility for crimes under international law including torture," Amnesty's Susan Lee said in a statement. "As the US authorities have, so far, failed to bring former president Bush to justice, the international community must step in. A failure by Canada to take action during his visit would violate the UN Convention Against Torture and demonstrate contempt for fundamental human rights," Lee said. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney blasted Amnesty for "cherry picking cases to publicize, based on ideology...This kind of stunt helps explain why so many respected human rights advocates have abandoned Amnesty International," he said. Bush canceled a visit to Switzerland in February, after facing similar public calls for his arrest. Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International's Canadian branch, told a press conference the rights group will pursue its case against the former US president with the governments of other countries he might visit. "Torturers must face justice and their crimes are so egregious that the responsibility for ensuring justice is shared by all nations," Neve said. "Friend or foe, extraordinary or very ordinary times, most or least powerful nation, faced with concerns about terrorism or any other threat, torture must be stopped. "Bringing to justice the people responsible for torture is central to that goal. It is the law... And no one, including the man who served as president of the world's most powerful nation for eight years can be allowed to stand above that law." Amnesty, backed by the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, claims Bush authorized the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" and "waterboarding" on detainees held in secret by the Central Intelligence Agency between 2002 and 2009.

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 25

INTERNATIONAL

Libya: NATO war crimes charges

Is NATO using forbidden weaponry in Libya? Below is video footage of what is purported to be attacks using white phosphorous (as it did in Kosovo, as it did in Iraq). The graphic images of the effects upon human beings this horrific substance has are too horrendous for us to place here, but a search will reveal the demonic mindset involved in deploying this substance. But then again with NATO, is anyone really surprised? The Algerian site Algeria-isp.com has announced that 1,200 civilians have been murdered by NATO in Bani Walid, where prohibited weaponry has been used. One of these weapons is the socalled poor mans atom bomb, namely the FAE bomb, or Fuel Air Explosive, which is a horrific demonic weapon designed to burn all the oxygen in a determined area, suffocating all living beings within its radius of operation. The source says this weapon has been used in Bani Walid, Tarhouna, Khomse, Misrata and Sirte, among other theatres. This proves quite how desperate NATO is getting as the Libyan Armed Forces, tribal militia and peoples committees fight back heroically against the foreign invader and the terrorist scourge it supports - one has only to research the atrocities of these demonic thugs to understand why the Libyan people are fighting so fiercely. There is also footage of a white phosphorous attack by NATO on the civilians of Bani Walid, while journalists accompanying Arabic and western news sources have remained quiet about this massacre. Any weapon or munition which is primarily designed to set fire to objects or to cause burn injury to persons through the action of flame, heat, or combination thereof, produced by a chemical reaction of a substance delivered on the target is forbidden under Article 2 of Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional weapons. Article 2 on Protection of civilians and civilian objects states: It is prohibited in all circumstances to make the civilian population

as such, individual civilians or civilian objects the object of attack by incendiary weapons. It is prohibited in all circumstances to make any military objective located within a concentration of civilians the object of attack by air-delivered incendiary weapons. It is further prohibited to make any military objective located within a concentration of civilians the object of attack by means of incendiary weapons other than air-delivered incendiary weapons, except when such military objective is clearly separated from the concentration of civilians and all feasible precautions are taken with a view to limiting the incendiary effects to the military objective and to avoiding, and in any event to minimizing, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects. Once again, we see the demonic nature of NATO, which perpetrates war crimes almost daily as it supports terrorists, murderers, rapists, arsonists, looters and torturers in Libya to oust the progressive government so that the FUKUS countries (France, UK and US) can get their hands on Libyas resources and set up a base in Africa to recolonise the Continent after Colonel Gaddafi helped to free it. (Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey-Pravda.Ru)

Engineering Consent For Future Military Actions

Libyas Muammar Qaddafi now joins the ranks of powerful foreign figures who have battled the United States only to come to a bad end. But even with the demise of the Libyan dictator, plus Osama bin Laden, Iraq's Saddam Hussein and Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic, there are still autocrats around the world hostile to the U.S., notably in Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and Iran. America's most determined foes have been bucking more than just the world's sole surviving superpower, which spends as much on its military as all other countries combined. All faced social and technological trends that made their work more difficult by opening more borders to trade and travel, promoting ethnic and religious tolerance and wiring the world for high-speed Internet. But as long as the U.S. maintains its leadership role in world affairs, it will find itself a tempting target. Among the despots and autocratic regimes hostile to the U.S. are:
Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who survived CIA assassination plots, the Bay of Pigs invasion and the U.S. economic embargo to excoriate and antagonize the United States for more than half a century. Castro, 85, formally resigned as president in February 2008 due to illness but handed the reins to his brother, Raul, and the revolutionary regime survives. Cuban-U.S. trade is minimal and there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries. The U.S. accuses the Cuban government of trampling on human rights and silencing dissent, while Havana portrays itself as a victim of U.S. bullying. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a left-wing activist and former military officer who came to power in 1999 and instituted radical changes in economic and social policy, including nationalization of the oil industry. Chavez has accused Washington of plotting to invade Venezuela, called for containment of the U.S., aligned himself with Cuba and signed major arms deals with Russia to build Venezuela into a regional power. The U.S. likes to portray Venezuela as more of an irritant than an adversary, but that could change if Chavez adopts more aggressive policies. Kim Jong Il of North Korea, a Stanlinist-style nation with a 1 million-man army that has been a thorn in the side of the U.S. since the Korean War. In recent years the U.S. has sought to persuade Kim to give up his small nuclear weapons program, offering economic aid and diplomatic favors as a bargaining chip. But the U.S. accuses Kim of repeatedly reneging on promises to disarm while selling weapons expertise abroad. The U.S. and other nations accused Pyongyang last year of torpedoing a South Korean navy ship and shelling a South Korean island. With the North Korean leader believed to be gravely ill, the key to Washington's future relations with Pyongyang may be Kim's son and heir apparent, Kim Jong Un. Iran clerical leadership. The theocratic regime in Tehran has demonstrated little tolerance for dissent and a deep and abiding hostility to Washington since the overthrow of the U.S.-backed regime of the shah of Iran in 1979. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's broadsides against the U.S. and Israel are a regular feature of U.N. General Assembly meetings, but his is just one voice among many in the Iranian government, which Western analysts say consists of a jigsaw puzzle of anti-Western factions.

A Zionist obsession: to delete the historical existence of Palestine

This is a story about a Ben-Hur blurb which appeared in the L.A. Times. A Zionist organization asked its supporters to complain to the Times about its use of the term "Palestinian nobleman" to describe Ben-Hur, since the Romans didn't rename Judea 'Palestina' until a hundred years after the death of Jesus. As a result, the L.A. Times apologized and printed a correction: "The character Ben-Hur was a Jew from Judea who lived long before the place now known as Palestine was given that name." The allegation is not only false; it is a deliberate lie. The paper should have checked some primary sources rather than to rely on the flurry of emails and phone calls from misinformed and biased Zionists. The name Palestine in History: References to "Palestine" date back nearly five hundred years before "the time of Jesus." In the 5th Century BC, Herodotus, the first historian in Western civilization, referenced "Palestine" numerous times in his chronicle of the ancient world, The Histories. He wrote: "...they live in the coastal parts of Syria; and that region of Syria and all that lies between it and Egypt is called Palestine." Godley (1920) and Waterfield (1998) give similar translations from the Herodotus text. In the mid-4th Century BC, Aristotle made reference to Palestine and the Dead Sea in his?Meteorology. "Again if, as is fabled, there is a lake in Palestine, such that if you bind a man or beast and throw it in it floats and does not sink, this would bear out what we have said," ... "They say that this lake is so bitter and salt that no fish live in it." Polemon, a geographer of the 2nd century BC spoke of a place "not far from Arabia in the part of Syria called Palestine". The Roman poet Ovid mentioned Palestine in his works the Metamorphoses and The Art of Love .Another Latin poet Tibullus wrote of "the crowded cities of Palestine". Palestine has existed for millennia and continues to exist today. Try as they might, Zionists cannot obliterate either Palestine's past or its future. (Adapted from a text written by Nima Shirazi)

The present conflict with Washington grows out of concerns about Iran's support for terror groups in the Middle East and attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but mainly focuses on Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The U.S. says Iran is laying the groundwork for a nuclear weapons program that could threaten the Middle East, U.S. and Europe. Iran says it is interested only in peaceful nuclear technology. Not all dictators are regarded as enemies of the U.S.; during the Cold War and beyond, many have been treated as stalwart allies. Today, a number of autocrats endure criticism from the U.S. but are thought to represent little threat to Washington's strategic interests, including President Aleksander Lukashenko of Belarus, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan. From the U.S. perspective, the survival of openly hostile despotic regimes may be less important than the rise of rival economic and political powerhouses like China, India, Brazil and Russia, a trend that some experts say could one day create a world where the United States becomes one major power among many competing for influence and markets. The decline and fall of Qaddafi, Saddam and others doesn't mean the age of hostile dictatorships is ending. Just as enemies can become allies, allies can become adversaries. The U.S. considered Saddam a check on the power of the clerical regime in Iran until his invasion of Kuwait led to a deadly U.S. war in 1991. After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Saddam became the ace of spades in the U.S. military's deck of cards representing its most-wanted list. He ultimately was cornered by U.S. forces in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit and executed by the new Iraqi government in 2006. Today the U.S. faces the challenge of helping prevent newly liberated countries from slipping back into authoritarianism. While Taliban leader Mullah Omar was driven from power in Afghanistan in 2001, his movement made an impressive comeback and could once again become a major force in Afghanistan politics as the U.S. withdraws. Qaddafi's death on 20 October is just the beginning of a critical new phase in Libya's history, said Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The leaders of the Libyan rebellion inherit a divided population, a ruined economy and a barely functioning state - all crippled by decades of Qaddafi's erratic rule. "He left Libya with a unique set of problems," Cordesman said. "You'd have to go back to Nero or Caligula to find someone who was able to impose their own personal eccentricities on a state to the degree that Qaddafi did." (Fox News)

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26 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

INTERNATIONAL
KARAMATULLAH K. GHORI
Muammar Qaddafi ruled over Libya for 42 years as an absolute autocrat. He was indifferent and inimical to his peoples yearning for fundamental freedoms. He trampled over them with an arrogance that comes with absolute power. In the end, his people got the better of him and administered to him a punishment thats not uncommon to tyrants. Like Saddam Husain of Iraq, he had chosen to live by the sword and, befittingly, died by the sword. The Libyan people are entitled to their sense of jubilation at having got rid of a violent and despotic ruler who had shown no mercy to them and had denigrated them as rats and cockroaches. However, once their euphoria is over-and given the diversity and typically tribal nature of the Libyan society it wouldnt take long to reach that stage-the Libyan people must ask themselves a few basic questions. The first question they should confront is whether they wouldve succeeded in overthrowing a ruthless dictator so firmly entrenched as Qaddafi apparently was without generous western support and assistance? Even with NATO deploying more than five thousand sorties of their bombers and other aircraft to target and silence Qaddafis guns on ground, it took nearly 9 months for the peoples liberation to be accomplished. The second question, related to the first but of a deeper significance, is why the west was so desperately keen to help the Libyan peoples struggle for emancipation, and would its enthusiasm have been the same if Libya didnt have all that oil that it has? The answer to the first question is obvious. NATOs bombing of Qaddafis military assets and sensitive, ancillary, installations was pivotal in enabling the uprising to take on Qaddafi on a more or less level playing field. Its a case reminiscent of how the Afghan Mujahideen (the word has since become taboo in the American lexicon but was a household word in U.S. when the Afghans were waging their war of liberation against the Russian invaders with a lot of help from the Americans) managed to turn the tide in their favour once they were equipped with Stinger missiles by their then American allies. It would be safe to say that without such massive NATO help Qaddafi could have prolonged the Libyan peoples agony much longer even if he couldnt have avoided the finale that ultimately wrung the curtain down on his repressive rule. That said, it by no means belittles the resolve, the determination and the courage of the Libyan people for having stood up to a despot who had become more and more alienated from his people over time and less and less concerned about their rights and aspirations. Why the west was in such an egalitarian mood to stand by the Libyan people from the moment they decided to challenge their unyielding dictator, is equally easy to answer. It isnt rocket science involved in this equation but a very simple logic: Qaddafi had always been a pariah to the west, which regarded him as an irritant if not really a threat to its agenda to loot and plunder the resources of the developing countries even though colonialism, for the sake of form, may have come to an end. The Libyan peoples uprising to overthrown Qaddafis tyrannical rule came in as a blessing in disguise. It was just the opportunity western corporate interest-backed up to the hilt by regimes still enamoured of imperialist lust for supremacy and tutelage over whatever lands they could lay their hands on-had been waiting for a long time. The incontinent urge to intervene in Libya, ostensibly on a moral high-ground in support of its people, by the so-called democracies of the west is a classical example of successors to colonial mentality of the 18th and 19th centuries reprising the cloak-and-dagger policies of their forebears and behaving exactly like them, with only a touch of 21st century sophistication and finesse. As usual in its role as leader of the west and robustly pre-eminent as a neo-colonialist and neo-imperialist power, US threw its full weight behind the European effort spearheaded by seasoned imperialists in France and Britain. This was despite Obamas deceptive lack of enthusiasm to lead NATO upfront in the planned

The End of Qaddafi

Good News for Arab Spring or Western Oil Lust?

Gaddafis body in Misrata after his brutal murder and mutilation by NATO-backed rebels

operation against Qaddafi. In order to deceive the American people hankering for an early end to US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, Obama feigned that he didnt fancy any notion to commit US boots to the soil of Libya. However, in order to enact an imperialist agenda to settle scores with Qaddafi that Ronald Reagan, for instance, couldnt to his hearts content, Obama enlisted the help of UN to facilitate his game plan. Its interesting to trace back the US involvement in Libya on Obamas watch. Interesting because it arguably unmasks the militaristic instincts of a man who had hawked himself as a peace dove when he was in the thick of his campaign to win the White House against a known hawk and militarist like George W. Bush. US Congress werent interested, at all, in getting sucked into the Libyan quagmire. According to US Constitution, President Obama was obliged to seek congressional approval for getting US involved militarily in Libya. He simply couldnt declare war against Qaddafi without congressional consent. So he circumvented Congress by going above its head to UN where a supine Secretary-General could always be counted upon to fall in line behind Obamas ambition. The UN Security Council also obliged by quickly passing two resolutions-1970 and 1973-to provide a legal underpinning for US playing a military role against Qaddafi in Libya. The ground was set for US to, in the words of Obama, lead from the back in aerial combat aimed at crippling Qaddafis capacity to roll back the peoples uprising against his cruel rule. Critics of Obama may now rue and remonstrate that US involvement in Libya was, in fact, a violation of the American constitution and laws. But Obama has got what he set out to achieve at the end of a combat mission that cost the beleaguered US economy more than a billion dollars. To Obama and his apologists, how-

ever, this expense may be worth every penny because it not only eliminated Qaddafi but may have paved the way for further fulfillment of the American-led western agenda against the Arab and Islamic worlds. For a historical perspective to this agenda one should revisit the first Arab oil blockade of 1973, spearheaded by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, to punish the west for its unabashed partisanship of Israel in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of state under Richard Nixon and doyen of western neoimperialism, had angrily denounced that blockade as an attempt to choke off western economies. He then came up with his doctrine to pick up the resisting Arab states, one by one like dominoes, in order to break down and pulverize any opposition to western interests. Egypt under Anwar Sadat was the first to fall in the net cast by Kissinger. What followed is history. Targeting Qaddafi, wests favourite bte noir, got inspiration from Kissingers legacy. George W. Bushs adventurous incursion into Iraq had not only gone horribly wrong and miscued but also netted zero dividends for western oil cartels that had so avidly welcomed Bushs cynical aggression. Libya offered prospects of handsome recompense to the ever-avaricious oil lobby in the west. It happened to be so close, physically, to Europe and its oil of premium grade. All that was needed was to shove off Qaddafi, the mercurial and unpredictable curmudgeon. Supporting the Libyan peoples uprising fitted so neatly into this western agenda. The expense involved was worth every penny; the dividends so promising and rewarding Imagine what a hefty boost Libyan oil, from just across the Mediterranean, could give to Europes struggling economies. And the undertaking came wrapped in all the fancy packaging of promoting

democracy among a people denied this manna by a despotic autocrat. All this, blended with the Kissingerian edict of picking them up, one by one, was irresistible for Islamophobes like Nicolas Sarkozy of France and David Cameron of Britain. They also knew that Obama in the White House would be only too happy to chip in, as he eventually did. The fall of Qaddafi should be good news to western corporate interest, especially its oil cartels. Western oil companies had been making a bee-line, even before Qaddafis elimination, to the National Transitional Council of Libya to remind its leaders about the pay-back time for western support to their cause. It doesnt take a genius to reason that Tripoli would soon be swarming with western oil barons armed with their blue-prints to tap into Libyas huge oil reserves. Western oil markets are already warming up to this prospect. What impact Libyas cataclysmic development may have on the ongoing Arab Spring is an altogether different ball game. Libya is the third success story in the unfolding Arab saga of oppressed people standing up to tyrannical and autocratic rulers. However, all three stories have developed and progressed differently, although the common thread in all three is the peoples resolve and determination to carry their struggle to a logical conclusion. Tunisia was an spontaneous success because of its element of surprise, and Ben Ali so unnerved by the popular backlash that he saw wisdom in giving up after a token resistance. The Egyptian revolt of the people overwhelmed Mubaraks 30-year rule by the sheer strength of its numbers. The peoples occupation of Cairos maidan al-Tahrir spawned a ferment that the Egyptian army-at the back of Mubarak all through the years of his despotismthought best contained by getting rid of the symbol of peoples rage, Mubarak. But the Egyptian peoples historic uprising against tyranny still remains uncrowned with undisputed success because the Egyptian army, used to wielding unbridled control for so long, is still mounting a stiff rear-guard action in defence of its privileged status in governance. The Libyan uprising, as explained above, wouldnt have been crowned with the success it has chalked up without massive NATO support and covert US underpinning of it. Syria is the best , or worst, example of the revolting people still held at bay by an autocratic regime enjoying massive backing from the army and unafraid, so far, of any western intervention, a la Libya. The Assad regimes best insurance against western intervention, of the Libyan model, is its credentials of being not bothersome or unbearably troubling to Israel. Israeli sensitivities set the tone for its western friends rhetoric as well as actions. The token effort by US, Britain and France, at the Security Council, of last week was a ruse perpetrated in categorical knowledge of the fact that China and Russia wouldnt go with any sanctions against Syria. It was a game of calculated bluffing that was called, quickly, by both China and Russia by the use of their veto power at the Security Council. By the same token, Algeria and Moroccoboth of which should feel psychologically affected by the rumblings and upheavals in neighbouring Libya and Tunisia-would, in all likelihood, remain unaffected, in the immediate future, by any domino effect of the Arab spring reaching their shores. Since the 1990-91 abortive Islamic Salvation effort in Algeria, western neo-imperialism that had subverted the peaceful revolution has put in a lot of calculated political engineering on the side of autocratic regimes in both countries to guard against the likes of the Libyan uprising. The west is not going to let its heavy investment in these countries go down the drain under the Arab spring. That Bahrain and Yemen may, likewise, see the peoples vociferous demand to be rid of their tyrants and autocrats go unanswered and unfulfilled for some time is not an unreasonable contention. Western imperialist lust, augmented by regional ambitions of surrogates like Saudi Arabia, currently has no appetite for the Arab spring blossoming to a full maturity and carving out an arc of popular democracies from the shores of Morocco, on the Atlantic, to the coasts of the Gulf. But Libya is still an awe-inspiring paradigm for the oppressed masses of the Arab world.

The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 27

BOOKS

Godses Children: Hindutva terror in India

Book: Godses Children - Hindutva terror in India Author: Subhash Gatade Publisher: Pharos Media, New Delhi Year: 2011 Pages: 400 ISBN: 978-81-7221-052-0 Price: Rs 360

D Voters: Crying Wolf

Book: Assams Doubtful Citizens - Fact or Fiction Author: Kamaluddin Ahmad Publisher: Pharos Media & Publishing Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi Year: 2011 Pages: 62 ISBN: 10:81-7221-051-5 Price: Rs 60 Thanks to Cry Wolf propaganda a non-issue has assumed catastrophic dimension in which D (Doubtful/Disputed) voters have been marginalised to become the Damned ones. Three decade long tirade with blessings from top bureaucrats like S.K. Shakdar (former Election Commissioner) and S.K. Sinha (former governor) have created a category of citizens who suffer daunting predicaments much more than foreign citizens who, at least, enjoy more benefits than them. The tall claims of millions of Bangladeshi infiltrators have time and again been proved baseless by various agencies of the state. Shakdars so-called startling revelation proved to be ridiculous. What started as a native/non native dispute against Bengali Hindus by sheer manipulation at the hands of AASU and then BJP has turned into a hate campaign against Bengali Muslims. It is surprising that a state that gave the country a President (Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad) and a Prime Minster for two terms (Manmohan Singh) is reeling under a menace which its own machinery fails to contain. Kamaluddin Ahmad with the help of census reports busts the myth of exponential growth of the Muslim population. While the national rate of growth from 1941-1961 was 14.23, 13,31 and 21.64 percent Assam shows the growth rate of 20.07, 19.94 and 34.97 is not a phenomenal rise, because it is to some extent due to mass immigration British policy, partition of the country, arrival of Hindi speaking Rajasthanis in search of greener pastures. During this period it was not the Muslim population that swelled but the Hindu Bangladeshis who preferred to migrate from East Pakistan. What began as a movement to protest against the cultural imperialism of Hindu Bengalis deteriorated in the hands of AASU under one pretext or the other. Under the plea that 85 to 90 lakh foreigners have been living in Assam and exercising franchise the movement gained momentum with the passing of Illegal Migrants Determination Tribunal (IMDT) act; it was later repealed under the Assam Accord followed by several other developments. The present day crisis reached its climax when the Guwahati High Court in its order dated 21 April 2011 asked the state government to put all D Voters behind bars in detention camps. However, the Division bench on 15 August 2011 granted them relief from the agony of detention camps. The author, shows with statistics, how out of 83, 471 disposed cases (out of 2, 21,936) only 5577 proved to be foreigners. Cases of 1, 57, 465 D Voters are yet to be decided. Menwhile they suffer deprivation of several benefits. Kamaluddin Ahmad must be complimented for exposing a highly publicised lie, a lie for which AASU, BJP and S.K. Sinha played a very significant role. Pharos Media is highlighting Muslims tryst with destiny in its various publications covering Kashmir, Manipur and now Assam.

AG KHAN
Having gained experience of fighting terror since 1948 when the first terrorist attack claimed the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the government has been fighting terror quite reluctantly. Its ostrich posture emboldened the perpetrators of heinous crimes to unleash their terror on the most tortured community incessantly. This explosive book has a lot of dynamite against the machinery which prefers to look the other way. Prompt in victimising the victimised; it fails to discharge its constitutional responsibility. The book dissects facts of the callous attitude of the government; the indifferent attitude of masses; the feverish (and sheepish) submission of the mass media and the undelible impression: yeh andar kee baat hai: police hamaray sath hai. Yes, it is a disturbing book, rather, stunning which benumbs the reader with researched facts that tell us the untold story: Godse, Bajarangi or Sanjay Joshi were dedicated to their cause whereas the machinery remained totally committed to crying wolf. Time and again Congress let the opportunity to slip from its hands. It could act if it really wanted to do so; however, it preferred to procrastinate. Out of the three options it had/has it chose the politics of convenience (p.326) so that it appears to fight terror and keeps it alive too As The Hindu (24 December 2010) summarises: the party has oscillated between a form of defensive secularism at times bordering on Hindutva, and an instant secularism crafted more as a reaction to the BJPs taunts than as a result of its own convictions. (p. 325). With the sole exception of Digvijay Singh, the David; the party wants to humble the Goliath of Hindutva terror. I Subash Gatade (born 1957), an engineer by training and a champion of human rights for the past few decades traces the history of the Hindutva ideology from pre-independence period to the present period to establish the fact that inspite of loud denials the sangha has been meticulously planning and master-minding violence in the last seven decades. It gives an idea about the expanse of the majoirtarian terror modules which can strike at will at any place; secondly, it also brings forth the commonality of tactics used by these modules. Thirdly, it underlines the Himalayan task which awaits the investigating agencies. Not only has the author succeeded in diagnosing the malady but has also suggested the remedy too which, unfortunately, none dares to administer. II The book begins with a Foreward by Shamsul Islam, who penned a number of books on the RSS in the past, including Golwalkars We or Our Nationhood Defined: a critique and RSS Primere based on RSS documents. Beginning with Mohan Bhagwats statement made at Surat, Shamsul traces why Hinduism and violence cannot be called oxymorons. He reminds of the role Bhosala Military School played in poisoning the minds of army recruits. Hence if the recent discovery of Purohits and Upadhyays are acknowledged it remained or many a well established fact. After all the Military School was a British gift to the nation to keep it divided. III Divided into 25 chapters, thoroughly resesarched with ten appendices including Bajrangis Tehelka tape (how he felt like Maharana Pratap the day he killed so many Muslims) and Pramod Muthaliks mission of preparing youth for terror strikes, the book is the most comprehensive record of a well known but little acknowledged fact the menace of Hindutva terror. What Gatade emphatically points out is the fact that through these seven decades Muslims had been at the receiving end soft targets for terrorists as well as for state machinery police, bureaucracy and judiciary (to some extent) The Book covers almost every important blast Nanded I & II, Malegaon I & II; Kanpur I & II, Mecca Masjid, Ajmer blast; the leads available (but tacitly ignored), the links between them as well as the modus operandi. It also records sting operation of Ram Vilas Vedanti who claims to be a wizard on the art of money laundering and other spiritual gurus. It draws our attention to vicious and sinister rise of Sanatan Sanstha which accuses BJP/RSS of deviating from hindutva for political gains. How it was banned in Serbia and how RSS has been relying on Israel (in the past on Nepal) for accomplishing its mission of a Hindu Rashtra has also been high lighted. It has the poignant tale of Nurul Hoda who has been subjected to narco tests several times (Appendix). IV A must for every rational reader it is likely to run into several editions not only in English but also in many Indian languages spe-

Muslims had been at the receiving end soft targets for terrorists as well as for state machinery police, bureaucracy and judiciary (to some extent) The Book covers almost every important blast Nanded I & II, Malegaon I & II; Kanpur I & II, Mecca Masjid, Ajmer blast; the leads available (but tacitly ignored), the links between them as well as the modus operandi. It also records sting operation of Ram Vilas Vedanti who claims to be a wizard on the art of money laundering and other spiritual gurus. It draws our attention to vicious and sinister rise of Sanatan Sanstha which accuses BJP/RSS of deviating from hindutva for political gains. How it was banned in Serbia and how RSS has been relying on Israel (in the past on Nepal) for accomplishing its mission....
cially Hindi, Marathi and Urdu. Pharos Media deserve praise for the courage to place the appraisal of independent India close on the heels of S.M. Mushrifs Who Killed Karkare? Gatade quite convincingly establishes the point that none can vie with sangha in telling the subtle lie of owning and disowning its own pracharaks, of dumping their pawns like Sanjay Joshi or Sunil Joshi and rushing to rescue Indresh.

AG KHAN

Just published by the publishers of MG

First Book on Hindutva terror

GODSES CHILDREN - Hindutva Terror in India by the veteran writer SUBHASH GATADE is Pharos Medias latest book in English on one of the hottest subjects in modern Indian history Hindutva terror perpetrated by over a dozen terrorist outfits allied to the Sangh Parivar. The book, spread over 400 pages and priced at Rs 360, is the first exhaustive study of this most dangerous phenomenon which was first exposed by the Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare after it remained active for years in a most ingenious way in which both the victims and the terrorists were Muslims. The author traces Hindutva terrorism started from the assassination of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi to most recent cases like Malegaon 2008 and Samjhauta Express blasts. The book also contains a foreword on RSS tryst with terrorism: past & present by Professor Shamsul Islam of Delhi University who is an expert on RSS. Following are the chapters of the book: 1. Introduction: Terror sevaks!, 2. First Terrorist of Independent India, 3. Spectre of Terrorism, 4. Legitimate Violence and Terrorism, 5. Are You Joking Mr. Bhagwat? - Conflating Hinduism and Hindutva, 6. Thus Spake the Masters!, 7. Gurukul for Explosives, 8. Diary of a Pracharak-Terrorist: Why RSS wants to forget Sunil Joshis Murder?, 9. Ajmer Sharief Bomb Blasts: Journey of a Case, 10. Friendship in Flames? Unravelling the Samjhauta Express Bomb Blast, 11. Was Purohit an Exception?, 12. Villain in Life: Hero in Death, 13. Where is Hemant Karkares BulletProof Jacket?, 14. Modasa Blast: The H Factor, 15. In the Name of Criminals: How Hindutva Terrorists operate in Karnataka, 16. Asnas Prayer: Parivar Bomb Makers in Gods Own Country, 17. Terrorisms Tenkasi Moment, 18. Kanpur: Bomb Blasts That Were Not?, 19. Destruction of Evildoers as Spiritual Practice, 20. Who is watching the Spies?: Revisiting Malegaon bomb blast I, 21. The Nanded Way: What Maharashtra Thinks Today, 22. Global Dimensions of Hindutva Terror, 23.Welcome Mossad!, 24. When Lawyers Masquerade as Judges!, 25. Manufacturing Encounters, Fabricating Terrorists, 26. Shastrapujas: What is Religious about Worshipping Weapons?, 27. The New Age Gurus: Subscribers of Militant Hindutva, 28. Criminals for Hindutva: The Hidden Arm, 29. RSS: 1948 of 2011, 30. Hindutva Terror and Secular Formations, 31. How Can Terrorism Become History? - Eliminating the Menace of Hindutva Terror. The book also has ten appendices of relevant and documentary material related to the Hindutva terrorism in India. The book may be ordered from Pharos Media, publishers of MG.

28 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 29

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

The Quran: An Everlasting Miracle of Allah for Mankind

umerous Prophets and messengers were sent by Allah for the guidance of humankind in various regions and times. The first one was Adam (pbuh). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last in this long chain of prophets who brought to mankind the message of Allah. After him no prophet will come. He is the seal or the last of the Prophets. Each Prophet and messenger had come for the salvation and guidance of his people with the exception of the Last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He was sent for the whole mankind and for all times to come. The Holy Quran says: "We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures" (21:107). Allah bestowed upon some Prophets Divine, or Revealed, Books. Almighty God says: "We verily sent our messengers with clean proofs and revealed to them the scriptures" (57:25). Four such books are quite prominent, viz., (1) Zabur revealed to Prophet Daud (David); (2) Taurat (Bible) revealed to Hazrat Musa (Moses), (3) Injeel (New Testament) to Hazrat Isa Masih (Jesus Christ), and (4) The Quran revealed to the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Unfortunately none of these books now exist in their original form except the Holy Quran. This is because Almighty God Himself is its Protector and Saviour. He says in the Qur'an: "Verily We It is who has revealed the Admonition and We are its guardians" (15:9). The recent incident of burning of Holy Qur'an by Pastor Wayne Sapp in a Florida church is not new thing. Earlier too such desecration of the Qur'an was done by US Army men in Guantanamo Bay. Such incidents occurred in the past also. They cannot destroy this revealed book even if they burnt the very last printed copy because millions of Muslims in every age and time memorized it by heart. Almighty Allah has kept its values and norms intact since the very day it was revealed. No doubt, despite all sorts of desecrations and sacrileges of the Holy Quran, it holds its own status in the world of books. It is a clear evidence that the Qur'an is no ordinary book but it is the book of the Almighty Allah. In addition, it is not for one person or one age but it offers guidance to all mankind in varied conditions of life and time. The scope of its moral teaching is as wide as humanity and time itself. It goes without saying that at the time when the Prophet was

born, the literary talent and eloquence of the Arabs was at its zenith. Therefore, Allah bestowed upon His Prophet the biggest miracle in the form of the Quran. It is said that diamond cuts diamond. The Quran met all challenges of the Arabs and issued a universal challenge saying: "Were all mankind to come together and wish to produce the like of this Quran, they would never succeed, however much they aided each other" (17:88). In fact, Arabs failed to present like of the Quran despite numerous attempts in history. The Holy Quran repeated this challenge in another form saying: "Do people imagine that is not from us, and that you, O' Prophet, are falsely attributing it to Us? Tell them that if they are speaking truly, they should produce ten surahs (chapters) resembling the Quran, and that they are free to call on the help of anyone but God is so doing" (11:13) Arabs were not able to produce like the Quran all these fifteen centuries. The holy Quran further reduced this challenge in another place asking the rejectors to produce even a single surah resembling the Quran. It says: "O People if you doubt the heavenly origin of this book which We have sent down to Our slave, the Prophet, produce one surah like this" (2:23). Again, Arabs could not meet the challenge of the Quran. In the end Arabs accepted that it is nothing but the words of Allah, revealed to the last Prophet through Gibrael the Trustworthy. This is how right from the beginning till now innumerable persons embraced Islam merely by getting impressed by the Quranic contents. It is true that no other book in the world is so widely read and taught as the Quran. We may also observe that there is a good number of institutions in the world wherein nothing is taught but the Holy Quran. An Egyptian Mufti, Shaikh Abduh, and an Egyptian commentator Shaikh Tantawi Jauhari illustrated so many points that indicate the beauty of the Quran. A few of them as follows: (a) Literary beauty; (b) Magnificence of nature as showing forth God's handiwork; (c) the relation of the study of physical science to true spiritual insight; (d) Unity of God's design in the widest diversity of nature; (e) The goodness of God in making nature subserve to Man's needs; (f) His wisdom in making the various parts of nature subservient to each other's needs.

In this context it is apt to make a reference to Shah Waliullah. He writes in his book, Al-Fauzul Kabir, that the Holy Quran is covered by a set of five sciences:
1. The science of injunctions (Ahkam): This includes the incumbent, the recommended, the approved, the disapproved, and the forbidden, covering worships, social dealings, household economy, and state politics. The interpretation of these sections is the responsibility of jurists. 2. The science of disputation (Mukhasimah). This deals with the four misguided sects, the Jews, the Christians, the polytheists and the hypocrites, and its discussion and analysis falls within the jurisdiction of dialecticians. 3. The science of Divine Favours covers explanations of the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, of the perfect attributes of God and the guidance which the people received about necessities of life. 4. The fourth is the science covering the important events which God caused to take place, favouring the obedient and punishing the disobedient. 5. The fifth is the science which reminds human beings of Death and that which will follow it, the Resurrection, the gathering, the Reckoning, the balance, the Paradise, and the Hell.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali says: "The Beauties of the Holy Qur'an, that the Holy Qur'an is not only the Supreme Book in the Arabic language but its place is high in world literature. It is deservedly classed among the world's hundred best books. It is one of the greatest books in all literature because it fearlessly tackles the biggest questions of life. It is so simple, so plain that any man can understand the ordinary meaning and yet so profound, so full of wisdom, that though thousands of books have been written about it, no one has yet fully explored its depths". In a nutshell, the Holy Qur'an is an everlasting miracle of God to all mankind in every place and time. Smith writes in his book, Muhammad and Islam, "Thanks to the teachings of the Quran and its emphasis on the cultivation of knowledge, countless scholars made their appearance and wrote innumerable books. Different scientific disciplines were derived from the Quran and spread across the world by Muslim thinkers. The world was illuminated with the light of the Quran and culture of Islam."

OBAIDUR RAHMAN NADWI

Teacher, Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow
as saying: "When anyone of you finds earning a living to be hard, why does not he say as he leaves home: 'In God's name, I seek protection for myself, my property and my faith. My Lord, make me one who is happy with whatever You determine, and bless whatever You grant me, so that I do not wish to hasten what You have delayed or to delay what You bring forth.'" When we carefully consider these teachings, we realize that the Prophet's insight into human nature was unparalleled. His treasures of certitude were always overflowing and he generously granted of them to all around him. He wanted his followers' ties with God to remain stable, steady and strong. Consider the following report by Al-Bara' ibn 'Aazib: "A man complained to the Prophet of feeling isolated. The Prophet told him to say very often: 'Limitless in His glory is God, the Holy, the Lord of the angels and the spirit. You, my Lord, have encompassed the heavens and the earth with Your might and superior power.' The man said it and his feeling of isolation waned." The man must have been a sensitive one who is wary of other people. Life is never easy for such people. They are always apprehensive, yet they need to interact with people. When he complained to the Prophet, the Prophet taught him that supplication which is bound to make him happier with his bond with God Almighty.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): going out to work

ADIL SALAHI
People go out to work every day at their offices, factories, shops, farms or other places. They begin the day preoccupied with their livelihoods. They want as much as they can get and even more. The one who is in straitened circumstances wish for ease and plenty, and the one who has plenty would love to have more. What they want out of life is without limits, and the efforts exerted for it exhaust all their energies. Can we imagine the volume of effort that is poured into this area of human life? It appears to me that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), God's last messenger, was fully aware of these human feelings when he addressed God as he went out of his home, saying: "In the name of God. I place my trust in God. My Lord, I seek refuge with You. Guard me so that I should not slip into error or be made to slip into error, or go astray or be led astray, or do injustice or suffer injustice, or wrong anyone or be wronged by anyone." This supplication shows the Prophet as having no desire to overpower anyone. He simply wants to be free from error, whether committed by him or against him. He seeks guidance for himself and all others. He seeks refuge against injustice in whatever shape or form it happens to be. To achieve this, the Prophet appeals for God's help. As the teacher of Mankind, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has required every Muslim to try to strengthen his ties with God when he leaves his home for whatever business he needs to attend to. Anas ibn Malik quotes him as saying in reference to going out: "Whoever says: 'In the name of God; I place my trust in God; every power functions only by God's will'; will be answered: 'You will have guidance, spared evil and will be protected.'" Interaction with people may pose numerous problems, and friction can lead to serious dangers. No matter how alert and sharp one is, man is always in need of God's shelter and protection. All glory belongs to Him; He will always extend His protection to those who place their trust in Him alone. In fact, a Muslim should suspect his own resources and abilities, looking always to God for His help and grace. He should say, as we have been taught by Prophet Muhammad: "My Lord, nothing is easy unless You make it easy. You certainly make the difficult easy." When things are difficult and worries mount, we should hold more tightly to our bond with God. Ibn 'Umar quotes the Prophet

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The Milli Gazette, 1-15 November 2011 31

REJOINDERS/OPINION/LETTERS
Hope you are alright.Quite displeased to learn about the apathy on part of Muslims towards MG. MG really depicts the Muslim issues boldly. It has voiced about our issues both at national and international level. Muslims through MG niched their place in the media; otherwise our concerns remain gagged by the media. The well wishers of MG should come forward to help the cause of MG at this very crucial juncture. I suggest that some motivated persons from each state should come forward to help the cause of MG. Nasir Hussain Peerzadah, Srinagar [email protected] II You guys are doing excellent job for maintaining this paper. Allah bless its team. We Muslims are not asking you for any favor but you are doing good for us. Tell me one thing: is it possible our localities be clean? Delhi Jama Masjid is getting huge funds for maintanance yet its surrounding is very dirty. Areas around Jamia Millia Islamia are full of filth and garbage. I visited India after 20 years and found Muslim localities same way -- dirty and filthy. Are we Indian Muslims ignorant or foolish people? Is there any solution for this in your mind, if not, please close down your shops selling Muslims. Qazi Mohammad Arif, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago [email protected] III I appreciate the topics covered in MG. If possible more emphasis on waqf properties and Zakat, the major resource with ummah. Dr. Suhail Ahmed Farooqui 15 Shadab Colony, Mahanagar Extension, Lucknow, UP IV Please refer the matter "Did Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi have any value for Indian Muslims ? published in MG 16-31 October 2011. Congrates to Mr. Kaleem Kawaja for correctly analysing the mindset or mentality of Indian Muslim ( and Indian Hindus too ) intellectuals, academicians, elites and well to do people. In India, only those Muslims are highlighted or glorified by media whose contributions to their community (i.e.to Muslims ) is almost NIL or ZERO. In other words, only those Muslims who have done damage to Muslims are offered governorship,ministership and other lucrative assighments. Muslims whose dead bodies are burnt will be acceptable to Hindus (Read Brahmins ) and will be awarded Padmashri, Padmavibhushan posthumously for betraying Muslims . Late M C Chhagla ,late M. Hidayatullah, late Hamid Dalwai, late Yusuf Maherali -type namesake Muslims are acceptable in India irrespective of political party at the helm of affairs, be it Congress, BJP ,Communist or BSP. Respected Kawaja Saheb, may your tribe increase . Farooq Abdul Gaffar Bawani , Rajkot Gujarat [email protected] Pre-1953, Kashmir:Can the Clock Move Back Though it will be premature to argue too much about the restoration of pre-1953 status to Jammu and Kashmir at the moment. The much waited report, though still not made public, but rumors are in the air that it has been suggested by the Interlocutors for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, who had been assigned for collecting grass roots aspirations of the masses in the state. The already begun post report submission era has started and now the ball is in the court of government. Therefore, the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the centre in collaboration need to work for the holistic betterment of all the three regions of the state, where unequal distribution of socio-economic development, Human rights violations, regionalism and politics of bias and hatred is still prevailing. It has created a greater curiosity among various circles and a considerable section of the masses do not believe that autonomy will be ever restored, as they feel the gone times cannot be traversed back. The question remains will the clock move backwards? I believe there is a need of a determined, sincere and functional decision, taken out of a consensual interaction, keeping in view the long agony of not politicians or separatists or vested interests but common people of the state. Hence, the government and all parties meet at the centre is imperative to reach to some positive conclusion rather than playing delaying tactics. The restoration of genuine internal autonomy to the state can definitely mark the beginning of a new era of peace and harmony and simultaneously the decades old demand can be meted out. Restoring the status prior to 1953 by the centre means the state will have just three things with the centre. ie. defense, communication and foreign affairs, however, the apprehensions remain for future whether the autonomy will serve the purpose of restoring human rights, security measures, economic and social development and above all justice to common masses besides internal security of the whole landscape. Adfar Rashid Shah, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. [email protected] The hypocrisy of the Western countries on free speech was exposed when they have ordered all global financial institutions and banks to stop dealing with WikiLeaks. That these nations which claim to be the champions of democracy have chosen to silence WikiLeaks by blocking its resources is disgraceful. More shocking was the manner some politicians in the U.S, including Sarah Palin, had suggested Mr.Julian Assange to be hunted down. The modus operandi followed by the WikiLeaks might be illegal as accused by the West, but a whistleblower can unearth the surreptitious details only by a technique like hacking. Syed Sultan Mohiddin, Kadapa (A.P) [email protected] Prof Iqbal Ansari Memorial lecture Delivering the first of the Prof Iqbal Ansari Memorial lectures the noted activist and member of the National Advisory Council Shri Harsh Mander lamented the fact that the Union government treated the Communal Violence [etc] bill like an orphan and did nothing to defend it when the bill came under attack from the BJP and other parties during the National Integration Council meet of September 11. Let me quote Asghar Ali Engineer who has studied and written on communal riots for years. He has said repeatedly, I strongly believe no communal riot can last beyond 24 hours if the state government sincerely tackles it. This in a nutshell tells us the importance of sincere enforcement of laws that exist and prompt restoration of order that the violation of the laws results into. We have effective laws in our statute books. If the state machinery sincerely works towards enforcing these laws and is quick to take remedial measures in case of the littlest eruption of violence, there is no need for legislating new and controversial laws. The present Communal violence [etc] bill was conceived in the aftermath of violence against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. While the events in Gujarat then were a gruesome example of not only dereliction of the constitutional duty of the state government

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but also its complicity, Congress was the mute spectator of the carnage. Dr Mookhi Amir Ali, Santacruz West, Mumbai 400054 [email protected] Congrtulation Mr. Ritesh It is an answer letter to Mr. Ritesh Kumar who sent a letter to Dr Zafarul Islam Khan against his view about Praveen Swamy. The answer letter is in his own words but the subject and object has changed. Well done! Well done Mr. Ritesh Kumar one of the best citiciser again congratulation. What do you think you are supporting? Cruels mean Brave America? I mean at least try to shield a bit of your unconditional Islamophobia. It is so and we are living on moon, right? Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Heroshima, Nagasaki and more others. There is no need to mentioning date because you are a well reader of newspapers, is I mean please sir leave this innocent attitude. The T.T.P. and Al Qaiers in Pakistan I think you are not familiar with the conditions going on in Pakistan and who is behind those situations. You are acting like a Frog in a well. What you said these are done by Al Qaida. Again remove your google of communalism. Dont see with the eyes of others. Ritesh Kumar Sahab for one moment give up the ego from your mind and look at the world objectively, just for once you know if you are a human being you will definitely know. Musaddiq Mubeen, Kerala 679325 [email protected] IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt released The release of the IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt comes as a whiff of fresh air. But the fact that he had to spend 18 days in jail for purportedly forcing his driver to sign a false affidavit is alarming. His undue incarceration has sent a wrapped warning to the whistleblowers and witnesses standing trial in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom that they should be prepared to pay the price. Now that Sanjeev Bhatt has expressed apprehension that he could be eliminated by the powers that be, it is imperative for the central government to provide him adequate security. Syed Sultan Mohiddin, Kadapa (A.P) [email protected] II What is this happening in Modi's Gujarat? The whistleblower, cop sent to the jail for the false allegation that he forced his driver constable to give an ffidavit. However, the Modi the Genocide. Gang Rape, Crime against humanity culprit is still far away from the legal clutches. Inquiry should be carry out against Constable K. D. Pant who alleged that Mr Bhatt forced him to back his allegations on record against Narendra Modi, & further alleged that Mr Bhatt had threatened him and made him sign a false affidavit with regard to the meeting. In fact, it is on Pant's complaint that the IPS officer was arrested. A detail inquiry should be carry out of the background of constable Panth, whether he is Mr. clean? or any time suspect of graft charges. It is possible that Government Machinery of Modi might be lured to constable Panth and instigated him to file a false complaint against Shri Sanjeev Bhatt. That is the Modi's Hitlershahee of modern world. Whosoever speaks against Modi will get the punishment of highest level or would be silence forever. That is the misuse of powers and Government Machinery by Modi. Center Government is merely puppet spectator cannot take any action against Modi. Zuber Ahmed Khan, Navi Mumbai 410210 Maharashtra [email protected] Media, Muslims and Mirchi Media is not at all biased against Muslims but media certainly wants to make non issues popular and positive issues are blacked out by media. Since three days and nights T.V. news channels were giving news and reports about the arrest of Iqbal Mirchi, right hand of Dawood and Alleged involvement in 1993 Mumbai blasts. His life chronicle Presented by media. But media just skipped the news of importance what happened to be the very positive upsurge of positive struggle for education. In Kishanganj 12 Oct. 2011, a very vast agitation and rally organised by Muslims/M.P./MLAs to start AMU campus. It was very huge gathering organised for positive cause but media blacked such important event out of coverage and airing and Iqbal Mirchi?news constantly given importance. At last Muslims blocked the road and rail traffic then media (T.V. news channels) in night (12 October 2011) news aired that for AMU campus people of Kishanganj blocked rail and road traffic and at least 20 trains stranded. It is a historical day for Ummah. I salute the organiser, Muslims and the leadership for organising such a vast agitation in a peaceful manner for a positive cause deserve congratulation. S. Haque, Patna Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru The step taken by the two judges of Supreme Court in the light of process of law to hear the case of Ajmal Kasab is laudable. In view of the magnitude of the terror attack he does not deserve for more time to keep him alive. The government of Maharashtra has for incurred ten crores of rupees and further expenditure on Kasab is harmful. If the judges are directed to increase the life span of the culprit to blame Pakistan is also have no water. So far Kasab has served the idol of enmity towards Pakistan. In the same way the childish and innocent appearance of the face of Kasab belies the charges of terrorism. The Supreme Court judges should be more worried about the process of law in case of Afzal Guru. His case was not heard either by the high court or the Supreme Court. The cardinal punishment must not be given with out hearing the case, the trail court cannot play the role of Supreme Court Afzal Gurus case has been much politicized. He was not physically present at the time of terror attack on the parliament but the order of death sentence seems unjustified. The UPA government should give the order of devolve enquiry into the parliament attack case. Now after the Afghan treaty we should think of minimizing the deferences with Pakistan. The supreme council of India which works covertly .should think of the changed scenario in the sub continent. Dr Maqdoomi, Hyderabad [email protected] Difference between Mahatma and projected Gandhi Media has not only been showering praises on Anna Hazare for his campaign against corruption but has gone to the extent of projecting him as the second Gandhi. Conveniently forgetting that his methods are quite at variance with Gandhian methods. Mahatma Gandhi stood for Hindu Muslim unity and communal amity and harmony. The unfortunate partition of the country was responsible for horrible anti Muslim feelings throughout the country and soon after partition Muslims in east Punjab and Delhi were the victims of communal frenzy just as Hindu and Sikhs were victim of the same in Pakistan. The Mahatma sacrificed his life for the safety of Muslims but Anna Hazare

has not uttered a word against the genocide of Muslims in Gujarat, Similarly he had not spoken a word of grief for the cold blooded murder of his devotee Shehla Masood. There is not a single Muslim in his team. He has the full backing of RSS while the murderer of Gandhi belonged to RSS. What else than a gigantic difference between the Mahatma and the media projected Gandhi. Dr. M. Hashim Kidwai, Ex-MP, Mayur Vihar, Delhi-91 II Anna first asked for a joint draft committee which would consult his team and give due consideration to his own Jan Lokpal bill. The UPA agreed. In the meetings of the joint draft committee which followed most of Anna essential demands were met. Anna declared victory. During his fast at Ramlila, Anna had conceded more than once that it is ultimately the parliament prerogative to pass any bill. The norms of democracy demand that the government pays heed to anyone who has an opinion on any legislation. The Lokpal bill which was prepared by the joint committee was not the only bill which had come to government table for consideration. The UPA couldnt have brusquely discarded the other two drafts on its table. Now when the government, keeping all views in mind, is in the process of fine tuning an effective Lokpal bill to be introduced in the parliament Anna Hazare has reverted to his old way or highway attitude. His sudden exhortation to the people of Hisar not to vote for Congress unless it backs only his own Jan Lokpal bill is tantamount to going back on the accord reached with the government. Dr Mookhi Amir Ali, Santacruz West, Mumbai 400054 [email protected] When Annas apolitical campaign became political The recent tone and tenor of Anna Hazare and indulgence in to electioneering to defeat Congress party candidate in Hissar has only exposed his lacunas and ulterior motives. The way pro Gandhian Anna Hazare is dealing and negotiating with the Congress party in order to get the lokpal bill passed, doesnt auger well for the country as his assurance to support to the congress aftermath of passage of the bill amply made it clear that he will soon plunge into political party. I am neither the supporter of congress nor the BJP. What I am concerned for is Anna seems to have emerged as Gandhi, but his utterance vis a vis support to particular party smacks some design. Wakeel Ahmad, Gaya [email protected] Monopoly on Indian History It has become a tradition to change the names of any historic place, old city, Monuments and change its identity. Every cities name is changing Bombay has become Mumbai, Madras has become Chennai, Trivandrum has become Thiruvananthpuram, Bangalore has become Bangaluru, Calcutta has become Calicatta, VT has become CST though there was nil contribution of Shivaji in the railways he used to travel on horses, basically railways was brought by the British people in India, due to their efforts Indians can travel in the trains nowadays. There are zero contribution of Shivaji in the field of Railways he used to ride on horses still the name of Railway monument given after the name of Shivaji. Shivaji died in the March 4, 1680, and the construction of Victoria Terminus started in the year exactly after 200 years in 1878, which took 10 years to complete the monument. In the year 1887 monument completed and the Terminus opened in time to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. It took ten years to get completed. Named after Queen and the Empress Victoria, it commemorates the Victoria Jubilee Day in 1887. This was the day when first steam engine in India completed a 45 km journey from Bombay to Thane. It is very ironical in India the political leaders are dancing on the tune of the fascist tendencies. Zuber Ahmed Khan, Navi Mumbai 410210 Maharashtra [email protected] What for H.M. is waiting to ban Ram Sena? Recently H.M. P. Chidambaram announced that Naxalism is very dangerous for country when he visited Kolkata. But in Feb. 2003 when he had visited Kollam, there he said that Sri Ram Sena was dangerous for country (9 February 2009) and centre was closely watching these organisations. He was giving his views about the Mangalore Pub attack. Since two year passed dangerous organisation like Ram Sena Abhinav Bharat etc. are free. That is why senior lawyer of S.C. Mr. Prashant Bhushan beaten by Sri Ram Sena activist in his S.C. chamber on 12 Sept. BJP on other hand banned SIMI without any cases upon SIMI workers prior to ban. Despite H.C. declaring ban on SIMI unconstitutional Congress moved to SC. It this not a secular conspiracy? S. Haque, Patna America's double standards On 14th October 2011, a magistrate judge in New York recommended al-Qaida be assessed $9.3 billion for the damage done to properties and businesses in the Sept. 11 attacks. Let us forget about 9/11 for a while. And also delay the calculation of financial damages caused to Iraq by Washington's inhuman and brutal attack on civilians and the devastation and destruction of a nation. Let us take a case involving an American business operating in India? I am talking about Union Carbide Company of the USA . Union Carbide, an American corporatio-n, has murdered ten times more innocent people than the number of innocent people to have been killed by Osama bin laden by the WTC attack. The number of people killed exceeded 35,000. One Indian estimate figures that the total amount of compensati-on to be paid by the Union Carbide (the perpetrator) amounted to US$4 Billion, but the poor Indian victims have been waiting for 27 years and they have not received even one percent of that figure. Imagine that if the victims of a similar tragedy were Americans and the Corporatio-n was an Iranian one operating in Dallas (USA). My God. The US would have initiated a major war annihilating Iran. This is the social justice that we see in the west, but the same West gives a huge lip service to human rights, that too after killing about 1.2 million innocent Iraqis and several thousand Afghans under the pretext of punishing, catching, killing Bin Laden. Pa. Mohamedameen (via email) Ramayana Why are we wasting time on a vacuous debate on the "Ramayanas" essay removed from Delhi University's history syllabus? It is clear that all versions of the "Ramayana" are stories or fables, whether or not in book form, crafted or told or re-told by humans. *None* was descended from the heavens, not even that of Shri Ramanand Sagar on which many re-writers worked. Mukul Dube, Mayur Vihar, Delhi 110091 [email protected]

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