AMITY INDIA

VELLORE DISTRICT MUSLIM WOMEN AID SOCIETY

2013-05-08T10:07:00.001+05:30

VELLORE DISTRICT MUSLIM WOMEN AID SOCIETY

(Registered Under The Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act,27 of 1975)

Sl.No:388/207

AN APPEAL

Dear Patrons

Assalamu Alaikum warahmathullahi wa barakathuhu

We the office bearers (The District Collector being its President) of Vellore District Muslim Women Aid Society are in the role of noble cause in campaigning fund raising drive from philanthropist of your calibre.

As we all aware that Tamil Nadu Government under its

Minorities Welfare Scheme has been funding matching grants in the ratio of 1:2 bases, which was earlier 1:1.

To simplify the fact, if all philanthropists from Muslim Women Aid Society contribute Rs.Ten Lakhs, the Government of Tamil Nadu sanctions Rs.Twenty Lakhs as matching grant per district per year. This is an opportunity that the augmented funds, a sum of Rs.Thirty lakhs could be well utilised for the community development.

This scheme is for total of 32 districts of Tamil Nadu, but the successful story is very bleak in almost majority of districts, except four districts which are in full compliment, rest of the districts are either defunct or in oblivious in awareness.

Vellore District although has many distinct features in history education and industry, it is far behind not fully involved to utilise the funds in full compliment.

Now the re-aligned office bearers are, keen and profound to be as live wire to implement the structure and pattern in the Vellore District.

Most important factor is you are driving force and energizers behind us, and Insha Allah Vellore District will be the lead master, as in all the factors, and also in the task of helping the

deserving Muslim women in need.

Schemes

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”

To eliminate school drop outs, paying fees for the deserving.

To curb drop outs from college level.

To help stand in their own legs by various beneficial schemes.

Setting up tailoring training centres in Vellore, Ambur and Vaniyambadi,and training the aspirants for six months, with a monthly basic stipend.

After the successful training they will either have a placement in any of the nearest shoe factories will be provided in collaboration of shoe factories or tanneries. Or if the trainee has infrastructure, a sewing machine will be presented freely with a training certificate for an independent enterprise. This will apply for embroidering, dress making, Burqua tailoring etc.

Disabled and destitute:

Disabled and destitute women will be given monthly pension. Cost of Medical facilities for senior women and children will be taken care.

Scholarships to women students who have opted job oriented courses will be considered, payable direct to the institute.

Graduate women below 25 years will be given stipend if they undergo IAS, IFS (Indian Foreign Service), and to those wish to government job oriented courses will be given first preference.

Whither Annihilation of Caste?

2013-04-20T21:10:00.000+05:30

Ram Puniyani

When on this (14^th April 2013) anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar, we pay tribute to his yeomen services towards the cause of social justice and bringing to fore the values of democracy; we also need to think as to how his dream and vision of annihilation of caste can be taken further. Where do we stand in this direction six decades after the Independence and after the formal implementation of Constitution of India, which gives us the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity?

Caste has been the major marker of Indian, particularly Hindu, society. While world over the serfs were under the bondage of feudal lords, we had religiously ordained system of Varna-Jati (Caste). Many theories of caste prevail, the racial theory, superior Aryans versus the natives, now stands debunked. The hypothesis of Morton Klass argues that it was a way of adjusting of tribal to the system of production, which generated surplus. This understanding indicates towards the understanding that caste evolved with the particular system of production in India. Kosambi looks at origin of caste as being due to the continuous process of fusing of tribal into general society. The major contribution to the understanding of genesis of caste comes from Ambedkar as per whom caste-varna came into being due to ideological-religious factors. According to him caste system came into being as the result of ideologies of Dharmshatras, which was part of Brahmanism.

In Indian society the interesting point is that caste is prevalent not only amongst Hindus, it also prevails in other religious communities. The difference being that amongst Hindus, the caste is prescribed in the holy books, while in other religious communities; it is a social phenomenon, like Ashraf, Ajlaf and Arzal amongst Muslims and different denominations amongst Christians and Sikhs. The first challenge to caste system came from Lord Gautam Buddha, who talked of Samta, equality. This concept of Samta, equality became very popular and was accepted by large number of people till Buddhism was attacked and wiped out from India in eighth century by those who wanted to restore the varna-caste. During medieval period the Bhakti saints in particular talked against and questioned the system of graded inequality, but their voice though a powerful articulation of the plight of the low caste, remained just an expression of pain and sorrow of the poor, and was strongly opposed by Brahmin clergy.

The rule of Muslim Kings and British did not change the social structure of the subcontinent, though during British rule due to the industrialization and introduction of modern education, the caste system started being questioned, opposed and socially challenged. The edifice of caste started loosening up. During the rule of Muslim kings the social structure remained intact. With the British rule the half way process of industrialization and modern education came in. At the same time the caste-varna also continued on the side, though its legitimacy started being questioned in a more serious way. In the changed situation starting form Jotirao Phule the movements for caste abolition found grounding in society, though they were not able to uproot the phenomenon of caste in the full measures as the feudal production system ran side by side with the process of modernization. The process of secularization, abolition of the hold of landlord and clergy, remained incomplete and so the process of caste transformation remained half way through.

All the struggles started by Ambedkar aimed for social justice, social equality and democratic values. He led the movements like Chavdar Talab, for right to have access to public drinking water, Kalaram Mandir, right to enter temples and also the burning of Manusmriti, as symbolic of the rejection of religiously ordained caste hierarchy. The resistance to these led to his conclusion that he had to leave the Hindu fold, which is dominated by Brahmanical values of Varna. The social political base to his movements was provided by the national movement, which was aspiring for throwing away the British colonial power and also struggling for democratic values. Here Ambedkar rook off from this movement, but the national movement was not adequate to give him total social justice as this movement also had upper castes in good measure. So here we see the dilemma of Mahatma Gandhi versus Ambedkar. Gandhi was not able to go beyond the limits posed by the participation of all castes in freedom movement. He kept talking of varna system in a more refined form while taking up cudgels against untouchability.

Gandhi also opposed the separate electorate, provided by communal award of MacDonald in 1932. The Poona pact between Gandhi and Ambedkar led to the reserved Constituency and the provisions of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Ambedkar’s vision was that reservations and inter-caste marriages will be steps towards annihilation of caste. Today both these face serious obstacles on social ground. The rigidity of caste is increasing and inter-caste marriage is facing serious obstacles from conservative forces. While freedom movement led by Gandhi was half way conceding to the needs of dalits, the other ideology, the one of religious nationalism was waiting in the wings with the concept of Hindu Rashtra, Hindu nation. Ambedkar did realize that acceptance of religious nationalism, formation of Pakistan on that ground will be a disaster for dalits as it will pave the way for Hindu Rashtra, the slavery of dalits. Today while most of the commentators are attacking Gandhi, they need to focus more attention to the impact of the politics and ideology of Hindu religious nationalism, which is a major obstacle to caste abolition today.

The reservations for dalits led to newer caste equations. On one hand the section of rising middle class stood to oppose these reservations, tooth and nail. The anti reservation violence has been witnessed in the Gujarat in particular in 1980s. Also since the overall development process is not accommodative of all, the inner competition for reservation has led to a strange situation where different communities are vying for status as a particular reserved category. The overall future for the youth is dismal and it gets reflected in the form of movements for particular castes getting recognized in this or that category. The other major obstacle to caste transformation is the politics of Hindutva. On one hand it talks of Samajik Samrasta (social Harmony), that all castes should have harmony amongst them. The Hindutva’s concept of ‘Integral Humanism’ emphasizes on different castes continuing their professions for smooth social functioning. The social engineering by religious political forces is co-opting the low caste through various mechanisms, to the extent of using them as foot soldiers of their anti minority violence. A section of dalits also is influenced by the process of Sanskritization, aping at upper caste and imitating them for their future trajectory. As a logical corollary; the cultural mechanisms, the TV serials, the preaching’s of hoards of God men are promoting the values of Manusmiriti in a more sophisticated form.

At the same time a serious layer of progressive and dalit intellectuals are trying to restore the core values and principles of struggles against caste-varna. The situation today is very complex and caste as a social phenomenon is far from extinct. Today’s political scenario is a conflict between the values of democracy on one hand, and the values of religious nationalism; the politics representing the defense of caste and gender hierarchy; on the other. The process of social equality; caste annihilation and values of democracy need to be brought in through a fresh series of multilayered struggles for a truly democratic society. That alone will be a tribute to the life and work of the legend of this great visionary, Bhimrao Babsaheb Ambedkar.

Issues in Secular Politics

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I# llegal Construction on Wakf property by #MIM Leader#

2013-04-16T03:16:00.002+05:30

Monday, 15 April 2013
Hyderabad, April 15:

Deccan Wakf Properties Protection Society (DWPPS), has demanded state government to intervene in the illegal construction taken up by the MIM leader and brother of Malakpet MLA Abdullah Balala in old city.

Osman Bin Mohammed Alhajiri, president, DWPPS, stated here in a press conference on Monday, that there is a notified Wakf property situated at Motigalli, Khilwat in old city, bearing Municipal No. 20-4-231 described as Maqbera Nawab Kawanjah Bahadur, on which an illegal construction had been validated by one MIM leader. He said that the accused was Shah Faisal Bin Abdullah Balala who is doing realtor business, being MIM corporator and a brother of Malakpet MLA.

He alleged that Balala had excavated the area, which was up to an extent of about 500 sq yards and bulldozed the tomb and grave of Nawab Kawanja Bahadur, who was the son of third Mir Akbar Ali Khan Foulad Jung Sikandra Jah Bahdur the Asif Jah III.

He criticised that government has so far not taken steps to protect the particular wakf property and unable to restrain the illegal construction undergoing upon the grave and tomb. He expressed anguish that in spite of several representations forwarded to Wakf Board and GHMC, no action had been taken against the accused realtor.

He informed that the society was forced to approach Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Tribunal also for seeking necessary action and justice.
The meet was attended by DWPPS secretary, Mohd. Abdul Basith, legal advisor Syed Kareemuddin Shakeel. (NSS)

http://www.siasat.com/english/news/illegal-construction-wakf-property-mim-leader

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#Turned away by hospital staff, woman gives birth near drain#

2013-04-16T03:12:00.002+05:30

SALEM, April 15, 2013
Staff Reporter

Laxmi with the newborn. Photo: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

Couple allege an employee demanded money to attend to her

In a shocking incident, a 27-year-old woman was delivered of a baby near a drain after she was forced to leave the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital here on Sunday, as she could not pay Rs. 1,000 allegedly demanded by an employee in the maternity ward.

Laxmi, her husband, Samuel (30), and two children, Venkatesh (5) and Naveen Gopal (2), who hail from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, had been in the city for the past two years.

The couple, working as labourers, used to take shelter on the veranda of Corporation’s Commercial Complex on the Old Bus Stand premises at night.

When Laxmi developed labor pain at around 4 a.m., Samuel with the help of a 55-year-old woman Bannari reached the hospital by foot.

Laxmi was allotted a bed in the maternity ward at around 5.30 a.m. An employee allegedly demanded money for the delivery. As the couple did not have money, they were forced to leave the hospital. With the help of Bannari, Laxmi was delivered of a male child at around 11 a.m. near the drain on the Commercial Complex premises.

Members of the media fraternity who rushed to the spot called the 108 ambulance and the mother was admitted to the maternity ward, while the child was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Dean Dr. R. Vallinayagam told The Hindu that an inquiry would be conducted on Monday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/turned-away-by-hospital-staff-woman-gives-birth-near-drain/article4617552.ece

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#Perarivalan’s plea to be heard through video-conferencing on Monday#

2013-04-16T03:08:00.002+05:30

CHENNAI, April 15, 2013

He sent telegram to CIC following execution of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab

S. Vijay Kumar

The Central Information Commission (CIC), New Delhi, will hear the petition of A.G. Perarivalan alias Arivu, one of the three convicts facing death penalty in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, through video-conferencing on Monday. The hearing pertains to a Right to Information (RTI) petition filed by him seeking to know the grounds for the rejection of his mercy petition by the President, sources in the Prison Department said. Perarivalan and the other two convicts, Murugan alias Sriharan and Santhan, are lodged in the Vellore Central Prison in Tamil Nadu.

Perarivalan had petitioned to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2012 asking for the reasons why the President rejected his mercy petition. Since there was no response, he sent a telegram to the Chief Information Commissioner stating that his plea should be treated as urgent and heard on priority.

“The telegram was in the backdrop of the secret executions of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab. The hearing through video-conferencing will take place on Monday and Perarivalan will explain how he was denied access to certain crucial information relating to his case,” Rajiv Rufus, one of the advocates for Perarivalan, told The Hindu on Sunday.

Recalling the petition of advocate K. Mayilsamy in 2011 to the President’s Secretariat and the MHA seeking, among things, the copy of the mercy petition rejected by the President and copies of the complete correspondence, file notings etc., relating to the mercy petitions filed by Perarivalan, Murugan and Santhan, Mr. Rufus said the CIC had given specific directions to the respondents that they should provide the copies of the mercy petitions that were rejected and disclose copies of the file notings not forming part of the ministerial advice to the President after removing the names and other references regarding the identities of the public servants.

Despite the specific directions, the MHA had not disclosed certain vital documents. For instance, on Page 25 in the bunch of documents given by the MHA, it had been mentioned that no investigation was conducted about the bomb supposed to have been used in the case and that the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Authority (MDMA) was directed to enquire into it, he said. The MHA said it might seek the MDMA’s comments on the making of the bomb before processing the mercy petition. “But we have not been given any copy of the correspondence conducted by the MHA with the MDMA of documents showing the results of such an investigation conducted by the MDMA...,” he said.

Also, the MHA had failed to supply any document pertaining to the correspondence with the Tamil Nadu Prison Department relating to the conduct of the convicts in prison. This correspondence to ascertain the behaviour of convicts on death row was part of a normal procedure while processing their mercy petitions, Mr. Rufus added.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/perarivalans-plea-to-be-heard-through-videoconferencing-on-monday/article4617500.ece

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#SC seeks explanation on govt ads glorifying political #leaders#

2013-04-16T03:04:00.000+05:30

New Delhi, April 15, 2013

PTI

The Supreme Court has issued notice to Centre and State governments on a plea seeking its direction to restrain them for spending public money on glorifying political leaders through advertisements on their birth and death anniversaries.

A bench of justices C.K. Prasad and V.G. Gowda granted four weeks time to governments to file their response.

The court passed the order on a plea of an NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation, seeking its intervention on the issue as crores of tax payer’s money are spend by the governments and public sector units to glorify personalities of ruling political parties by way of advertisements.

“It is submitted that the Governments and State instrumentalities are continuously and in routine manner misusing the public funds to glorify personalities of ruling political parties by way of advertisements,” advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, said.

He said “such a blatant and misuse of public fund by Governments in routine manner is not only breach of public trust and violation of the rule of law but it is also damaging the democratic set up of the country.”

“The political parties in power are blatantly squandering taxpayers’ money to highlight their achievements and to glorify their leaders of present or past. Such a practice is either aimed to avail unfair advantage in elections by political parties or to assert loyalties towards the political leadership of the party in power. This wasteful and wholly unnecessary exercise cannot be justified in any manner,” the petition said.

The bench, after hearing his plea, issued notice and asked the governments to file response within four weeks.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-seeks-explanation-on-govt-ads-glorifying-political-leaders/article4620308.ece

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#US aid to India set to drop # by 16% #

2013-04-16T02:59:00.003+05:30

PTI Washington, April 15, 2013

First Published: 15:37 IST(15/4/2013) | Last Updated: 15:40 IST(15/4/2013)

US Secretary of State John Kerry has proposed a 16% cut in the American aid to India, reflecting the transition from a traditional "donor-recipient" relationship to a "strategic partnership" between the two countries.

"With respect to India, for the fiscal year 2014, the State Department request is $91 million. This represents a 16% decrease from the fiscal levels 2012 (the previous actual spending)," a senior State Department official said.

This is in continuation of the trend that has emerged over the past few years.

In 2010, the United States aid to India was $126.7 million, which drooped to $121.6 million in 2011 and $108 million in 2012 and was proposed to $98.3 million in the current fiscal of 2013, which ends on September 30.

"That (drop in US aid to India this year) reflects the ongoing transition we had under way from the more traditional donor-recipient kind of relationship to much more of a strategic partnership," the official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the press.

"It is a partnership that is addressing India and increasingly global developmental challenges. I think the signature initiative there is the Agency for International Development Millennium Alliance," the official said.

Of the US aid to India, the largest portion - two/third - of that is slated for the health sector.

"The biggest programme is in global health. About $61 million is going to the health programme. India still has quite a number of health challenges," the official said.

In 2012, the US aid to India in the health sector was some $76 million.

Overall the State Department budget request for FY-2014 was $47.8 billion, which is a six% cut from the previous FY-2012 of actual spending.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/US-aid-to-India-set-to-drop-by-16/Article1-1044686.aspx?hts0021

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#TN adopts resolution to name new terminal after# MGR#

2013-04-16T02:55:00.000+05:30

#TN adopts resolution to name new terminal after# MGR#

File Photo of the modernised domestic terminal II at Chennai airport.

The resolution moved by Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa demanding the Centre to name the Chennai domestic terminal II after former CM MGR was supported by Opposition DMK and Congress, which ensured its passage unanimously.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution demanding that the Centre name the modernised domestic terminal II at Chennai airport after AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was supported by Opposition DMK and Congress, which ensured its passage unanimously.

Ms. Jayalalithaa explained the need for passing of the resolution by the House, saying Civil Aviation Minsiter Ajit Singh recently suggested to her that the State government besides making a request for naming the second terminal after the late Chief Minister, its State Assembly should adopt a resolution and send it to the Centre for consideration.

Ms. Jayalalithaa recalled that she boycotted the inauguration of the new terminal by Vice President Hamid Ansari on January 31, 2013 to protest against the Centre for not conceding the State government’s demand for naming it after M. G. Ramachandran.

MGR was a popular leader among the masses in the State even after his demise and the “Assembly insists that Indian government should take steps to name the second terminal of the modernised domestic terminal II at the airport,” after the late leader, Ms. Jayalalithaa stressed while speaking on the resolution.

She recalled that the international and domestic terminals had earlier been named after former Chief Ministers, the late C. N. Annadurai and K. Kamaraj, respectively.

Keywords: Chennai domestic ariport, new terminal, Tamil Nadu resolution, M. G. Ramachandran

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#Zakia moves court, challenges clean chit to Modi in #Gulbarg massacre#

2013-04-16T02:50:00.002+05:30

Mahesh Langa, Hindustan Times Ahmedabad, April 15, 2013

Zakia Jafri, wife of slain former parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri - who was killed along with 68 people during the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat - on Monday filed a protest petition in a local court in Ahmedabad challenging the clean chit given to the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi by the Supreme Court-appointed SIT which probed the case.

“She has filed two volumes of petition and 10 CDs containing documents and other evidence. The court has directed the SIT to first argue on the matter from April 24,” a lawyer connected with the case said.

She has also demanded that the SIT report should be scrapped and another probe be undertaken by some independent agency.

Ever since the SIT headed by former CBI director Dr RK Raghavan gave a clean chit to Modi, Zakia has maintained that the SIT has “overlooked evidence she and others had presented during the court of investigation”.

She had also accused the SIT of adopting a biased and partisan approach against the victims who are fighting an unyielding legal battle against the accused.

She wants Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and over 60 others to be arraigned as accused in the massacre case in which a former parliamentarian was put to death in broad daylight.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Gujarat/Zakia-moves-court-challenges-clean-chit-to-Modi-in-Gulbarg-massacre/Article1-1044695.aspx

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#Karunanidhi reiterates # demand for abolishing death penalty#

2013-04-14T00:11:00.004+05:30

Chennai, April 13, 2013

DMK president M. Karunanidhi

Renewing his demand for abolishing death penalty, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Saturday made a fresh pitch for a state cabinet meeting to adopt a resolution recommending commutation of the death sentence awarded to three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

“Our stand is that capital punishment should be abolished and should be taken off the law book,” Mr. Karunanidhi said, recalling his remarks that the death sentence of Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan should be commuted on humanitarian grounds.

“If the state government has to approach the problem truly, it should not just stop after adopting resolutions in the Assembly, but pass a resolution in a cabinet meeting and send it to the Governor,” the DMK patriarch said.

His statement comes a day after the Supreme Court dismissed death row convict and Khalistani terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar’s plea for commutation of his death sentence in a judgement that can have a bearing on the fate of over 20 convicts facing execution, including those held guilty in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination.

On the apex court’s observation that commutation of death sentence to accused cannot be done in the case of terrorists or those involved in mass killings on the ground of delay in deciding their mercy plea, Mr. Karunanidhi said in a statement “it has come as a very big shock to many expecting the verdict as well as our thinking.”

Mr. Karunanidhi cited the example of Thyagu, whose death sentence, he said, was commuted during his government’s tenure. “When we see that Thyagu has now become a writer and essayist, is publishing books and has become a respectable man in society, we should give a life to Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan and should use them for society,” he said.

The DMK chief has been repeatedly pressing for abolition of capital punishment.

His earlier comments in this regard came against the backdrop of the hanging of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack convict Ajmal Kasab and Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru which triggered a fresh debate on the death penalty issue.

He had also virtually backed the demand for a CBI probe into the 1993 Palar landmine blast case in which four aides of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan are facing the gallows.

The four got a temporary relief in February this year with the apex court staying their execution on their plea seeking commutation of the sentence citing delay of eight years in disposal of their mercy petition by the President.

Keywords: Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, 1993 Palar landmine blast case, M. Karunanidhi, death sentence, life sentence, death penalty abolishment,

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/karunanidhi-reiterates-demand-for-abolishing-death-penalty/article4613956.ece

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#Kunda DSP murder: CBI arrests key accused#

2013-04-14T00:07:00.004+05:30

Pratapgarh (UP), April 13, 2013

A CBI team visits the Balipur village to probe the killing of DSP Zia-ul-Haq at Kunda in Pratapgarh district. File photo

CBI on Saturday arrested a key accused in DSP Zia-ul-Haque murder and claimed to have cracked the case.

Babloo Yadav, son of slain village head Nanhe Yadav who allegedly shot Haque dead using a country-made gun, was apprehended here, CBI sources said.

The sources said CBI has detained two brothers of Nanhe Yadav and members of his domestic staff in connection with the DSP’s murder and is likely to arrest them soon.

The sources claimed Babloo, who is over 19 years of age, has, during intense grilling by CBI officials, confessed to have shot the police official. The officials were able to reproduce the complete chain of events which took place on March 2, 2013.

Asked about role of UP minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya, in the murders, they claimed the probe in the larger conspiracy is still on.

CBI sources claimed Haque, who was posted as Deputy Superintendent of Police at Kunda, had reached the house of Nanhe Yadav after getting the news of his murder.

By the time he approached the site, the news of Yadav’s murder had spread and a large crowd gathered outside his house which was angry at the alleged apathy of the police and protested the police’s alleged failure to stop the murder.

At the house of Nanhe Yadav, Haque met a mob which entered into a scuffle with him while his fellow policemen allegedly deserted him, the sources said.

In the crowd was Yadav’s brother Suresh who was armed with a rifle. As the scuffle was on, Suresh was killed after his gun accidentally went off, they said.

CBI sources claimed that enraged by the killing of his father and uncle Suresh Yadav, Babloo Yadav, who had a country-made gun, came out of his house and shot Zia-Ul-Haque dead who was being beaten up by a mob.

The sources claimed role of other suspects -- brothers of Nanhe Yadav and his domestic help -- is also under probe and they are being questioned by the agency.

The sources said agency has recovered the weapon, allegedly used in the killing Haq, from Babloo.

The agency has already arrested alleged killers of Yadav -- Ajay Pal and Vijay Pal -- both sons of Kamta Pal who is also a suspect in his murder and is absconding, they said.

The Pal family was having land dispute with Nanhe Yadav’s family which resulted in village head’s murder, they claimed.

The case was handed over to CBI on a request of slain DSP’s wife Parveen Azad who accused Raghuraj Pratap Singh of having a role in the murder of her husband. She had also filed an FIR in this regard naming Raja Bhaiya and his close aides in the murder.

After getting the case, the agency constituted a team of 10 officers led by DIG Anurag Garg and SP Rakesh Rathi to investigate the case.

The team had recently made some important recoveries which included a blood-stained ammunition belt from a box concealed in a house of Suresh Yadav, one of the deceased, a bloodstained wooden rod from another area in the village and service revolver of Haque.

Kunda circle in Pratapgarh district comprises four police stations -- Hathigavan, Manikpur, Kunda and Nawabganj.

CBI has registered four cases pertaining to the three murders in village Balipur, police station Hathigawan in Kunda tehsil which included FIR registered by Haque’s wife Azad who had named five persons as accused in the murder of her husband.

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UPA #vulnerable after DMK pullout, elections around the corner: Pawar#

2013-04-14T00:04:00.003+05:30

UPA #vulnerable after DMK pullout, elections around the corner: Pawar#

PTI Thane, April 13, 2013

Key UPA ally NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the Centre's ruling coalition had become "vulnerable" after DMK's pullout and that elections were around the corner.

Pawar, Union agriculture minister, also said since Congress was the majority party in the UPA, his party would respect its view on the alliance's prime ministerial candidate.

"UPA's position has become vulnerable after DMK's pullout. We have to prepare and plan for elections. I have suggested to the UPA chairperson to convene a meeting to discuss this and she is also of the same view," Pawar told reporters.

Amid conflicting voices on who should be the UPA's candidate for prime minister's post, Pawar said the coalition's spearhead Congress would have to take a call.

"Compared to the last time, UPA has shrunk. It is only the Congress, NCP and National Conference. Majority party has to take the call. We will respect the majority party's view," he said.

Pawar's statement follows similar hints by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had last month asked his partymen to gear up for a mid-term poll, citing a "confidential" report.

"I have come to know about a confidential report which says that elections will be held in November. You people start preparing for them," he had said addressing party workers in Lucknow.

The Samajwadi Party with 22 MPs and BSP with 21 are providing crucial outside support to the government and bailing it out in times of crises.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/UPA-vulnerable-after-DMK-s-pullout-Sharad-Pawar/Article1-1043804.aspx

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#1993 blasts convict Yakub Memon awarded Master's degree in # English Literature#

2013-04-14T00:01:00.002+05:30

Press Trust of India | Updated: April 13,

Yakub Memon, the only convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case whose death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court, has been awarded a master's degree in English literature by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Memon is lodged in the Central Prison in Nagpur. Alongwith him, seven other convicts, who are serving life-terms, were awarded IGNOU degrees yesterday.

The main convocation was held in New Delhi while a simultaneous function was held at the university's Regional Centre in Nagpur.
Memon, however, could not attend the convocation as police authorities refused him permission.

Dr Shivswaroop, Regional Director, IGNOU, told PTI that if the jail authorities permitted, he would like to hand degree certificate to Memon personally.

Memon, a qualified chartered accountant, cleared the MA examination with second division last year.

News sourced by

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#CBI's 'coalgate' probe report vetted by govt, BJP demands SIT# probe

2013-04-13T23:57:00.003+05:30

By PTI | 13 Apr, 2013

Photo caption:Arun Jaitley also charged the govt with "interference in the administration of justice" by not allowing CBI to acquaint the apex court with the full truth.

NEW DELHI: The coal scam resurfaced today following reports of alleged government interference in CBI investigations with the BJP demanding an SIT probe into it but the Congress firmly rejected the charge and also ruled out the resignation of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley targeted the UPA by accusing it of being a "rogue government" that will not allow CBI to function independently and demanded constitution of a Special Investigation Team.

He also charged the government with "interference in the administration of justice" by not allowing CBI to acquaint the apex court with the full truth in the case.

"CBI cannot find out the truth and even if some honest officer in the CBI tries to find out the truth, the UPA is a rogue government which will not allow it to operate independently," Jaitley said.

His Lok Sabha counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, criticised the government for "vetting" of the CBI report and said it is part of "an attempt to save Prime Minister Manmohan Singh".

JD(U) spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari also termed the reports as "very serious", saying this is contempt of court. "Supreme Court is asking CBI to submit its report and government is toning it down. This is for the first time to my knowledge that such a thing is happening."

The Opposition's attack on the issue came in the wake of reports that Law Minister Ashwani Kumar summoned CBI Chief and the report was changed and toned down after the meeting.

Unfazed by the attack, Congress rejected the charge of interference in the preparation of CBI report in the coal scam for the Supreme Court and ruled out resignation of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar in this regard.

"There is no question of resignation of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. Supreme Court has already asked CBI to file an affidaviat in this regard. CBI will file its affidavit and truth will come out," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi said.

The CAG, in its report last year, had estimated a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore in allocation of coal blocks since 2004.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cbis-coalgate-probe-report-vetted-by-govt-bjp-demands-sit-probe/articleshow/19526578.cms

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#Civil Services main exam to be held in #Nov-Dec 2013

2013-04-13T23:53:00.002+05:30

New Delhi:

The Civil Services (Main) examination will be held in November or December this year and applications for it will be called in August or September, according to a notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The UPSC, which conducts the prestigious examinations to select IAS, IPS and IFS officers among others, has in a recently issued public notice dropped the mandatory English language paper from the main test.

It has also restored the earlier practice of two qualifying papers, the marks obtained of which will not be counted for ranking.

"The papers on Indian languages and English will be of matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking," it said.

The UPSC had on March 05 issued a circular giving more weightage to English language. The move had led to an uproar inside and outside Parliament forcing the government to keep it in abeyance on March 15.

"It may also be noted that there is no change in the pattern of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, which will be held on May 26, 2013," it said.

The last date for filling online application for Civil Services preliminary examination is April 04.

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-civil-services-main-exam-to-be-held-in-nov-dec-2013-4220807-NOR.html?OF1=

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# Why not honour Mirza Ghalib with Bharat Ratna after death? asks# Markandey Katju

2013-04-13T23:49:00.002+05:30

PTI | Apr 13, 2013

New Delhi: Classical Urdu and Persian poet Mirza Ghalib should be honoured with the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, PCI Chairman Markandey Katju has said.

"There has been injustice with Urdu in the country. People associate a particular religion with this language. This is a 'divide and rule' policy. A few people know that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh writes his speech in Urdu.

"I believe Mirza Ghalib should be given Bharat Ratna posthumously. If Sardar Vallabhai Patel and B R Ambedkar can be given awards after their deaths, why can’t Ghalib be given?" Katju said at the 15th edition of 'Jashn-e-Bahar', an Urdu poetry symposium attended by poets from India, Pakistan, the US and other countries, here last night.

Union Minister Kapil Sibal, known for his penchant for poetry, read out two of his poems at the event.

"Urdu, if propagated, will spread love and peace. India will be incomplete if it doesn't take Urdu in its stride. Urdu is not a language of the intellectuals; it is of the common man. I believe English, Hindi and Urdu should be taught in every school.

There should be Google (version) in Urdu, also mobile handsets should have Urdu letters," Sibal said.

The open-air seating against a candle-lit stage with modern calligraphy by late painter M F Husain, was in sync with the mood of the evening. Among the foreign participants who drew wide applause were Max Bruce (the US) and Hiroji Kataoka (Japan).

Veteran Urdu poets believe such mushairas (poetic symposiums) help in flourishing the language. "In fact, non-Muslim families are helping a great deal in the process. It is time that Muslim families make their own children learn Urdu," poet and Vice-Chairman of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Waseem Barelvi said.

JBT founder Kamna Prasad echoed similar views.

"It is time to come together and petition the government that Urdu teaching be made compulsory at least till Class V. We can only suggest. But it's our responsibility to make sure that our coming generations are familiar with our composite culture," she said.

The event witnessed a youth, affiliated to Hindu Yuva Vahini, shouting slogans against the participation of Pakistani poets. He was taken out of the venue by police.

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-why-not-honour-mirza-ghalib-with-bharat-ratna-after-death-asks-markandey-katju-4234473-NOR.html

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Pak# witness identifies one accused in Mumbai attacks Case#

2013-04-13T23:44:00.000+05:30

Islamabad, April 13, 2013

Photo caption:The Hindu Fire at Taj Hotel in Mumbai in this November 27, 2008 picture. Photo: Vivek Bendre

A witness on Saturday identified one of seven Pakistani men charged with involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks as the person who had bought inflatable boats used by the terrorists involved in the assault on India’s financial hub.

Prosecutors said the witness, whom they did not name for security reasons, had identified accused Shahid Jamil Riaz during proceedings conducted behind closed doors at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi by anti-terrorism court Judge Chaudhry Habib-ur-Rehman.

The witness told the judge that Riaz and 10 other people had bought 11 inflatable boats, saying they were to be used for fishing. The witness further told the judge he had never seen these persons returning from sea with any fish.

A total of four private witnesses testified during the hearing.

Another witness told the judge that he had sold the accused a Yamaha boat engine for Rs 1.6 lakh and yet another witness said he had sold the accused six pumps, prosecutors told PTI.

The witnesses also identified 10 men, including Amjad Khan and Atiqur Rehman, who were allegedly involved in planning and executing the Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008 that left 166 people dead.

These 10 men were earlier declared “proclaimed offenders” or fugitives by the anti-terrorism court.

“The 10 proclaimed offenders were either trainers or facilitators of the accused who launched the attacks in Mumbai,” chief prosecutor Chaudhry Zulifqar Ali told PTI.

One witness told the court that Amjad Khan had obtained from him a “port clearance certificate” for Al-Hussaini, a fishing boat used by the terrorists.

Amjad Khan was also involved in purchasing the inflatable boats, another witness said.

Though Chief prosecutor Ali identified the four private witnesses as Hamza Bin Tariq, Muhammad Ali, Mohammad Saifullah Khan and Umer Draz Khan, he refused to go into details of their individual testimony for security reasons. All the witnesses belong to the port city of Karachi.

Additional Director Altaf Hussain of the Federal Investigation Agency, who played a key role in probing the Mumbai attacks, was present during the hearing but the judge did not allow him to testify as a defence lawyer argued that Hussain should record his statement after the private witnesses.

Prosecutors said the cross—examination of the four private witnesses could not be conducted as the main defence lawyers did not attend the hearing.

In the past too, the defence lawyers have held up proceedings by exploiting legal loopholes and posing hurdles for the proceedings, officials said.

The judge adjourned the case till April 27, when the four witnesses are expected to be cross—examined.

“The witnesses protested against being summoned for the next hearing as it will result in a lot of expenses for them.

They demanded an allowance for travelling back to Rawalpindi from Karachi,” chief prosecutor Ali said.

Amjad Khan, the fugitive identified by the witnesses, is a shadowy LeT organiser and financier from Karachi who figured in a majority of dossiers provided to Pakistan by India.

Khan, who hails from Multan, played a key role in arranging and providing funds to the ten terrorists who attacked Mumbai.

Khan is one of 20 suspects in the Mumbai attacks who are yet to be traced by Pakistani investigators.

These 20 suspects were named in a chargesheet filed in the anti-terrorism court in 2009. They were all accused of playing a key role in facilitating the Mumbai attacks.

Pakistani authorities have so far arrested seven suspects, including LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. They have been charged with planning, financing and executing the attacks.

Their trial has progressed at a snail’s pace due to repeated adjournments and various technical delays.

Nine of the terrorists involved in the attack were killed by Indian security forces.

The only surviving attacker, Ajmal Kasab, was hanged in Pune jail on November 21 last year.

Keywords: Mumbai terror attacks, 26/11 attacks, Mumbai attacks case, Pakistani court, Pakistan witness, inflatable boats, 2008 Mumbai attacks

Courtesy:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/pak-witness-identifies-one-accused-in-mumbai-attacks-case/article4614137.ece

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U.S. will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea: Kerry

2013-04-13T04:11:00.000+05:30

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye (L) and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shake hands before their talks at the presidential Blue House in Seoul April 12, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Kim Jae-Hwan/Pool

By Arshad Mohammed and Jack Kim

SEOUL | Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:07am EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dismissed as "unacceptable by any standard" weeks of bellicose warnings of impending nuclear war by North Korea and said Washington would never accept the reclusive state becoming a nuclear power.

Kerry, addressing reporters after talks with South Korean President Park Geun-hye and leaders of the 28,000-strong U.S. military contingent in the country, also said the United States would defend its allies in the region if necessary.

"The rhetoric we are hearing from North Korea is simply unacceptable by any standard," Kerry said. "We are all united in the fact that North Korea will not be accepted as a nuclear power."

North Korea has issued weeks of shrill warnings to the United States and South Korea, including of waging thermonuclear war, after the imposition of new U.N. sanctions in response to its third nuclear arms test in February.

Kerry's visit coincides with preparations for the anniversary on Monday of North Korean state founder Kim Il-sung's birth date, a possible pretext for a military show of strength.

Speculation has mounted that Pyongyang may launch a medium-range missile after reports in South Korea and the United States that missiles had been moved into suitable locations.

Kerry said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would be making a "huge mistake" if he proceeded with a launch.

He also said that China, the North's sole diplomatic and financial ally, has the ability to make a difference on influencing North Korea's policies.

Hours before his arrival, a U.S. government agency said North Korea had a nuclear weapon it can mount on a missile, adding an ominous dimension to discussions in Seoul.

However, the assessment by the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was swiftly dismissed by several U.S. officials and South Korea.

Asked if war was imminent, a U.S. official in South Korea said: "Not at all".

YOUTH, INEXPERIENCE

Washington's greatest concern, the official said, was the possibility of unexpected developments linked to 30-year-old Kim Jong-un.

"Kim Jong-un's youth and inexperience make him very vulnerable to miscalculation. Our greatest concern is a miscalculation and where that may lead," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We have seen no indications of massive troop movements, or troops massing on the border, or massive exercises or anything like that that would back up any of the rhetoric that is going on."

Park, meeting officials from her ruling Saenuri Party before her talks with Kerry, struck a conciliatory note by suggesting Seoul should at least listen to what North Korea had to say.

"We have a lot of issues, including the Kaesong industrial zone," local media quoted her as saying. So should we not meet with them and ask: "Just what are you trying to do?'"

The president was referring to North Korea's closure this week of the jointly run Kaesong industrial park, with the loss of 53,000 jobs.

In Washington, Republican Representative Doug Lamborn quoted the DIA as saying it had concluded with "moderate confidence" that North Korea had developed a nuclear bomb that could be fitted on a ballistic missile, but added such a weapon would probably be unreliable.

North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests, but it was not believed to be near weapons capability.

In Pyongyang, Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party, said North Korea would never abandon its nuclear weapons program, made necessary by the "invariable ambition of the U.S. to militarily invade" North Korea.

South Korea's Defence Ministry maintained it did not believe North Korea could mount a nuclear warhead on a missile.

Despite the DIA report, the Pentagon's spokesman and the U.S. national intelligence director both said it was "inaccurate" to infer Pyongyang had the proven ability to launch a nuclear missile.

The DIA was criticized after the start of the Iraq war in 2003 for being too bullish in predicting Baghdad might have weapons of mass destruction.

Its conclusion about North Korea follows more than a month of rising tension on the Korean peninsula.

Asked about the U.S. reports that Pyongyang may have developed a nuclear weapon, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "China upholds the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and pushing for its denuclearization via talks and consultations. No matter what changes there are in the situation, we will uphold this direction."

U.N. sanctions sparked a furious response from Pyongyang. The North has also called annual military drills between U.S. and South Korean forces a "hostile" act.

North Korea has stationed as many as five medium-range missiles on its east coast, according to defense assessments by Washington and Seoul. South Korean and U.S. officials believe it is preparing to launch a Musudan missile, whose range of 3,500 km (2,100 miles) or more would put Japan within striking distance and may threaten Guam, home to U.S. military bases.

(Additional reporting by Jack Kim and Daum Kim in SEOUL, Sui-Lee Wee in BEIJING, John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI, and Patricia Zengerle, Mark Hosenball and Jeff Mason in Washington; Writing by Ronald Popeski; Editing by Nick Macfie)

COURTESY

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/12/us-korea-north-idUSBRE93408020130412

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Nationalism, Kingdoms and Kings

2013-04-12T16:44:00.000+05:30

Looking at Shivaji and Rana Pratap

Ram Puniyani

The legend of some of the kings continues in different forms and is used by different political formations. These political formations draw their identity from the past and project it on the present. These sectarian streams have been using the names of different kings and glorifying them in various ways. There is a hidden message of a politics behind such efforts, as they eulogize the pre-colonial period for their political agenda. While the incidents and events are the same, the way they are looked at by different streams and different schools of historiography are very diverse.

Recently in Mumbai one play is making rounds, ‘Shivaji Underground in the Bhimnagar Mohalla’. (September 2012). Similarly in Rajasthan at various places the big hoardings of Maharana Pratap have appeared. These hoardings proclaim him as the first freedom fighter. This play on Shivaji seems to be a major contribution to the theater on Shivaji after the much hyped and publicized play on Shivaji, ‘Jaanta Raja’ (Enlightened King) by Babasaheb Purandare. Purandare’s Shivaji is an anti Muslim King, with a mission to establish Hindu kingdom, he the protector of Brahmins and Cows (gobrahmin pratipalak). This is a theme song of Hindu nationalism propounded by RSS-Shiv Sena, where Kings like Shivaji fighting against Muslim Kings were the brave warriors committed to the cause of Hindu nation. Here the anti Muslim stance and pro Brahmin stance merges and upholds Cow, the identity used by Hindu nationalist’s time and over again.

The play ‘Shivaji underground…’ takes a totally different stance. Here Shivaji is neither pro Cow Brahmin, nor an anti Muslim hero. It upholds the identity of dalits and targets the Brahmins. The struggle between Dalits on one side and Hindutva, upper caste, politics on the other has been manifesting in Maharashtra from quite some time. Many an events like attack on Bhandarkar Museum, banning of James Lanes book on Shivaji, which doubts the paternity of Shivaji, are few instances of this. The Braminic, Purandare version, of Shivaji gives all the credit to Dadaji Kond Dev, a Brahmin, who is supposed to have mentored Shivaji. The dalit version of Shivaji opposes this and it is due to this that the statue of Dadaji Kond Dev was desecrated recently in Maharashtra.

As such the interpretation of Shivaji goes far back in our history. Phule, the dalit icon of tall stature, called Shivaji as Raja of ryots (poor peasants). Tagore praises him as ‘king of kings’. It was Tilak who saw him as symbol of Nationalism and organized a festival in his name. Purandare’s play has been made immensely popular and its popularity runs parallel to the rise of Hindu nationalist politics. The ‘Shivaji underground…’ play points out that Shivaji was not for Hindu rule in any way. He was not anti Muslim at all. The highlight of the play is its focusing that Brahmins were clerks in the courts of Muslim as well as of Hindu Kings. The play does give it a total anti Brahminic slant. This play is the first major attempt to challenge the current narration about Shivjai which is constructed around his being a great Hindu patriot. Nathuram Godse, from Hindutva; RSS-Hindu Mahasabha stable, in his book, ‘May it please your honor’, which is his statement of his defense of murdering Mahatma Gandhi in the court, states that Gandhi was a pigmy as for his nationalism was concerned. The real nationalists have been Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Guru Govind Singh. This is the line of thinking of RSS-Hindu nationalism.

In this ideological understanding of RSS, all the kings who fought against Muslim rulers are Hindu nationalists. It’s a total distortion of understanding of history as kings did not fight for religion; their fights were for power and wealth. And kings of same religion also had running battles with each other.

Rana Pratap, being projected as the First Freedom fighter by communal forces is against the truth. The kings before the British rule were fighting to expand or protect their empires. The era of Kingdoms is not comparable with freedom movement. Just fighting against Muslim King is not being a freedom fighter. Freedom struggle was against British rule, when India was coming to become ‘a nation in the making’ due to industrial, educational and social changes. The era of Kingdoms and logic of Kings can in no way be compared with the Indians coming together to fight the British Empire. Even these kings be it Shivaji or Rana Pratap were neither ruling for religion not for Hindus. Their administration was having both Hindus and Muslims. Their armies were also mixed ones with Hindu and Muslim Generals both, with Hindu and Muslim soldiers both. Rana Pratap had Hakim Khan Sur on his side and Shivaji was having Siddi Sambal and Rustam-e-Jamaan amongst others. Shivaji’s confidential secretary was Maulana Haider Ali. Shivaji had reverence and respect for the holy people like Hazrat Baba and Ambrose Pinto.

Rana Paratp’s battle against Akbar was not for religion. It was on the issue of Mansabdari (status in the administration). Rana Pratap was asking for a Das hazari, (ten Thousand) Mansab) while Akbar was offering only Panch Hazari. (Five thousand). Interestingly Akbar never came to Haldi ghati where the battle took place. It was Akbar’s commander in Chief Raja Mansingh, assisted by Shahjada Salim, who fought against Rana Pratap. By no stretch of imagination it is anywhere close to a Hindu Muslim battle or a struggle for nationalism. As a matter of fact Tilak and the later genre of Hindu nationalists associating Shivaji with nationalism are totally off the mark as the term nationalism is a recent one coming up with the rise of nation states. The confusion between Kingdoms and nation states opens the window for communalism to infiltrate in a big way.

In Shivaji’s case now a new frontier of presentation has been opened up. This is that of Dalit-OBC on one side and Brahmins on the other. This is an interesting aspect reflecting the current struggle between these two social groups. The play, ‘Shivaji underground…’ is veering more around this theme while equally powerfully quashing the communal interpretation of Shivaji. One observes that dalit bahujan version and Brahminic versions are polar opposites. Dalit The role of Brahmins against Shivaji is particularly worth its mention. One does recall that the local Brahmins had refused to coronate Shivaji on the grounds that Shivaji is a Shudra. It was the priest from Kashi, Gaga Bhatt, who coroneted him with the little toe of his left foot, the organ in the body which is lowest in the hierarchy, as per Braminic norms. This play highlights the role of Krishnaji Bhaskar Kulkarni, an official with Afzal Khan. But again it is not a question of this or that religion; Brahmins were working for most of the kings, irrespective of their religion. So while Shivaji and Rana Pratap have to be seen in the proper light, as kings with valor, the other interpretations of nationalism, freedom fighters, anti Muslim Kings are all constructs emerging from the communal historiography and need to be dumped. Also what needs to be brought in the arena of the history is the pain and pleasure of average women and the men. What needs to be projected is the interaction of cultures which were the foundation of human progress, cutting across religions.

It is India’s arrested transition to a democratic society due to which the Kings are being brought to glory and identified with. Whatever the virtue of king of any religion, in current times we need icons who were part of India’s freedom movement, a struggle running parallel to the struggle for caste and gender equality. While projecting the kings as heroes, we do need to remember that it was the system of peasants’ exploitation, which was the base of kingdoms. Surely kingdoms are no systems to emulate today and so need to rethink this iconization of Kings!

Issues in Secular Politics

II April 2013

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response only to ram.puniyani@gmail.com

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Pakistan: Sectarian Divides

2013-03-26T14:45:00.002+05:30

Ram Puniyani

South Asia has been in the grip of sectarian violence since fairly long. During last three decades and more particularly during the last decade this violence has been intensifying in degree and spread. It was sad news to hear that the Christian Community of Joseph Colony,

Badami Bhagh Peace Rally

Badami Bagh Lahore was the victim of one such violence recently (March 2013). In this violence 178 houses of the low-income community, as well as shops and three churches were looted and burnt to ashes. The local Pastor was attacked and the father of Savan Masih, the youth falsely accused of blasphemy, was beaten up and subsequently arrested.

In Pakistan both non Muslims and some Muslim sects have been harassed on religious grounds. As such the major victims of such violence are the sects of Islam, Shias and Ahmadis. The Ahmadis has been declared as non Muslims through an act of Parliament. As such Shias, Barelvis, Sufis, Ahmadis, Christians, Sikhs and Hindus are the religious minorities who have facing the wrath of dominant communal forces in Pakistan. At the time of Partition, creation of Pakistan, the percentage of religious minorities was close to 23% and gradually it declined. The foundation of communal violence was very much there in the social thinking which regarded Pakistan as a Muslim state. Non Muslim minorities and some sets of Islam has been the victim of this violence. This violence picked up for the worse, during Zia ul Haq regime, when the Khakis and beard-cap came into a firm embrace, an alliance, which mutually boosted the power of both these groups.

In the decade of 1980s the other factor which contributed to the rise in divisive thinking was the setting up of Madrassas, richly funded by United States for its goal of control over oil resources, for countering the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. With these Madrassas, the US-Saudi support strengthened the Salafi, Wahabi version of Islam and this not only targeted the non Muslims but also the Shias and Ahmadis, the former being a substantial in number.

This targeting of intra Islam minorities also had some external support in the region, the Sunni factions being promoted and funded by Saudis and Shias by Iran. The Christian and Hindus were easy enough targets for these forces. In later decades this violence at social level came to be supplemented by the terrorist violence from sections of Al Qaeda...

The large number of Christians there belongs to scavenger castes. Not only they are looked down upon, and most of the times the aim of violence is to dispose them of their lands. This is a very vulnerable social group. The blasphemy law has come in handy for attacking these communities. One recalls the case of Asea Bibi, who is in jail for her alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad. She has been sentenced to death. Her appeal is pending in the Punjab High Court. When Salmaan Taseer, the former Governor of Punjab, spoke about reformation of the blasphemy laws of Pakistan, he was killed by a member of his own security guard.

Every sectarian force develops its own tools and pretexts for attacking the minorities. Asea had fetched some water from a well, and a Muslim crowd chided her for “polluting” the water since she was a “dirty (low caste) Christian”. The twist of arguments led to her death sentence. Similarly in Aug. 2012, Rimsah Masih, the young, mentally challenged 14 year old girl was arrested for burning the pages from the Koran.

And now this mob of Muslims, which was coming out from the Masjid, broke into and destroyed the belongings of several Christian homes, because, as alleged by the one Muslim man who had a argument with one Christian man, the Christian had blasphemed against Islam. Quick mob justice, punish the community for the alleged work of one!

The pretexts notwithstanding the pattern are similar. The Muslim communal groups have been on the rise since the Zia regime. The degree of intensity of their boldness can be gauzed from the fact that they openly take the credit for such violent acts. This to some extent shows their clout and acceptability in the system.

The trajectory of communal forces in three major countries of South Asia has been parallel but very distinctive. In India the Hindu communalism, vitiated the peace and the regular targets were the non Hindus, Christian and Muslims. In between Sikhs were also subjected to massive violence. The increase in anti Dalit violence during this period cannot be visibly linked up with the anti Muslim and Anti Christian violence. Still the study of history of this violence tells us that the intensification of anti minority violence in early 1980s began with violence against dalits in 1981 and 1986. In Bangla Desh and Pakistan the non Muslims are targeted and differing sects of Muslims are also subject to this violence. In Pakistan, it seems the minority sects of Muslim and Christian and Hindus seem to be sailing in the same boat.

It will be infesting to note that unlike the perceptions prevailing here that all Muslims are anti Hindus and supporting violence what came to be noticed in recent anti minority violence was that the condemnation of these attacks against religious minorities by the secular groups in Pakistan. The case in point is the recent anti Christian violence in Lahore, the people to condemn this have been the activists from Forum for Secular Pakistan, articulating the wish for a secular state in Pakistan and upholding the secular values in that country. To condemn this attack in Lahore the Jamia community in Delhi organized a candle vigil and Khudai Khidmatgars issued strong statements condemning the violence against Christians n Pakistan, Many other groups have also added to the voices against such an insane act of violence.

While condemning one type of violence, the criticism dished forward is ‘why you criticize only this communalism’? As such the comments and criticism of democratic elements are directed against the acts which take place irrespective of the religion of offenders and victims. The secular groups and commentators who raise their voices against violence are dubbed as being against being this or that religion, being one sided and what not? The real issue is to be against all sort of targeting of religious minorities and intra religion groups. We seem to be in a downward phase of history where the communal elements are getting more powerful through the dastardly violence against the vulnerable groups, more often poor of the community, but not necessarily so.

Issues in Secular Politics

IV March 2013

www.pluralindia.com

Response only to ram.puniyani@gmail.com

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Mr. Modi, you are not welcome: Wharton Debate

2013-03-15T15:17:00.002+05:30

Ram Puniyani

Ram Puniyani

The withdrawal of invitation for Narendra Modi to speak at Wharton Business School of Pennsylvania (March 2013) has been looked at in different ways by different commentators. Those who are opposing the invitation withdrawal, point out that it is a violation of the norms of freedom of speech. They say that Modi is an elected person in Indian system and his views on development of Gujarat under his leadership need to be heard by the people from business circles. Those opposing his invitation argue that inviting him is like giving legitimacy to his total record. His role in Gujarat violence, his failure to prevent the carnage and give justice to the violence victims cannot be delinked from his so called development. They point out that as far as debating and engaging with Modi is concerned it cannot be achieved by inviting him as a key note speaker; this invitation already gives a high pedestal and recognition to him. He should be interrogated, engaged and debated with on different forums which give equal ground to those wanting to debate with him.

They also point that Gujarat’s development is a lopsided one, it is projected more than what the reality is. In Gujarat the levels of malnutrition, child and maternal mortality is higher, Gujarat is comparatively low on human growth index. The anti SC/ST atrocity cases are one index of human rights record of the state. In taking these cases of atrocities against SC/ST Gujarat is lowest on the rung, with only 25% convictions. According to analysts the growth of Gujarat is more of propaganda as many other states have done much better during this period. The lowest in the scale of development in Gujarat are minorities and SC/STs.

Modi was invited by the students of Wharton to speak on Gujarat’ development. After this a few Professors circulated a petition asking for withdrawal of the invitation. Within just few hours the petition got a massive response and was signed not only by the professors, many others: alumni, the students, doctor’s lawyers and other stake holders also supported the petition. The large number of signatures and the logic which the petition put forward clinched the issue and students, who are the ones to decide, withdrew the invitation.

The United States has denied VISA to Narendra Modi since 2005, despite his being an elected Chief Minister of the state. The Commonwealth countries so far have been keeping him at arm’s length, but after his third victory, these countries want to mend the relationship with him, as his projection as the Prime Ministerial candidate are floating around in a strong manner. US had denied him VISA for his role in the carnage of 2002, and the denial continues. Similarly due to popular pressure after sustained campaigns; the activists groups succeeded in stopping the huge dollar funding from US to the RSS affiliate ‘India Development Relief Fund’ was collecting huge amounts and supporting the political work of RSS combine in the garb of cultural work. This RSS combine’s work is essentially to build up Hatred against minorities, through its various organizations.

While one is aware about the role of America in the promotion of politics of terror, in the formation of Al Qaeda in particular, while it is also known that US is out to attack other countries to promote its political-economic interests, at the same time there are various norms which different wings of American state follow. There are various civic norms which are stringent and are aimed to sustain and promote democratic values. The Civil society has also been campaigning to use this space, democratic-liberal one provided by these provisions of US system and try to stop the violation of human rights and retrograde activities in different places. This is a contradictory situation. The state by and large in its foreign affairs is like a Big Brother, violating all the laws of international behavior and laws and intimidating the smaller powers. There is no doubt about its role in international affairs, as a super power; it is undermining the global democracy; it has mauled the emerging global democracy amongst nations, which was getting expressed through rising clout of United Nations, has been sabotaged by US in particular. As a state it has promoted dictators and has been thick as thief with different dictators and autocrats.

At another level, the civic society has come up steeped in civility with respect for the norms of modern democracies, to some extent. So we see the dichotomous processes going on here. It is due to this pressure of prevailing norms and civil society campaigns that US is denying Visa to Modi. Is this denial of Visa to Modi an insult to our country? No way. It just shows us the mirror of the state of affairs in our country. Many a US bodies do keep monitoring phenomenon like, Religious freedom in other countries. Many of them keep making a list of terrorist organizations. All this monitoring is showing the diversities of our societies. In the same set up we are seeing two contradictory phenomenons.

Coming back to Modi, Wharton student’s body has gone more by the norms of civil society; has recognized that Modi may be claiming and many others may be buying his story of development, but the truth lies somewhere else. The petitioners opposing the Modi invite correctly point out that Human rights issues and development cannot be separated. As far as Modi being a democratically elected person is concerned, the analysts can point out that his victory has been based on his politics of polarization, not on the inclusive politics. He has successfully scared the majority community about the threat of minority community. This goes on and on to make the foundations of his victory and there by his followers claiming that he has been elected, so all is well. Only thing they ignore at this point is that even Hitler had come to power through democratic means.

As far as his development is concerned it is de facto the development of industrial houses. One such industrialist, Adani, was the sponsor of Wharton meet. He withdrew his sponsorship the moment invitation to Modi was withdrawn. Modi’s mode of ‘development’ means giving all freebees to Tata, Adanai, Ambani and company while the poor one’s are getting more marginalized. This invitation being taken back just reflects that Modi’s propaganda has been punctured and a reminder that the violation of human rights violation of the weak cannot be exonerated at any cost.

The contents of the article rest on the author.

Bangladesh: Resurgence of Communalism

2013-03-07T13:48:00.000+05:30

Ram Puniyani

Khaleda Zia

The acts of violence led by the Islamists, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) are tormenting our neighboring Bangla Desh, more than 50 dead, injuries and destruction of Hindu, Budhha temples amongst other losses. Its spill over is also being felt in Kolkata to some extent (Feb-March 2013). In Kolkata a strong crowd owing allegiance to Muslim communalism, different organizations like Minority Youth Federation, and others went on rampage. All this in response to the death sentence given to Delawar Hossian Sayedee, the Vice President of JI by a war crimes tribunal after he was found guilty for mass killing, rape and atrocities during the nine month war against Pakistan.

He is the third office bearers of JI to have been convicted of the crimes during Muktijuddha (liberation war) of 1971 of the then East Pakistan people’s resistance against the atrocities of Pakistan army. Sheikh Hasina Government has set up the tribunal from last three years and now the verdicts of the tribunal are being handed down. Currently in Bangla Desh a large number of youth, believing in democracy are demanding stricter action through protest at Shahbagh against those who were hands in glove with Pakistan army while Jamaat wings are out on streets opposing the sentence to the guilty of 71 liberation war. In India also the Jamaat-Islami has opposed the Shahbag movement and is opposed to punishing the JI elements that are guilty of 1971 war crimes. JI was opposed to the 1971 liberation war led by Mukti Bahini under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and supported by most of the people from Bangla Desh. The attack by Pakistan army led to the killing of nearly three million people, rape of nearly 200000 women, by rough estimates. During this period the East Pakistan’s intellectuals and many political workers were done to death.

The tragedy of partition has a long and painful tale, which is refusing to die down even now more than six decades after the painful event. India was partitioned on the strange ground, Pakistan in the name of Islam and India as a secular democracy, apparently to solve the communal problem. British have left a long and painful legacy of politics in the name of religion, violence in the name of religion, which is continuing to dog the sub-continent. The twin pillars of success of British policy of ‘divide and rule’ were the persistence of feudal classes, in the face of rising industrialization and the deliberate British ploy to recognize Muslim League as the representatives of Indian Muslims right since its formation in 1906. Muslim League was initially formed by the declining sections of Muslim Nawabas, Landlords and later was joined by the section of Muslim educated classes and elite. In no way it represented Indian Muslims. Similarly the Hindu Mahasabha, the body parallel to Muslim League, came up from amongst the Hindu Rajas, Jamindars and later joined in by the section of educated classes and elite castes. Their agenda was totally opposed to the one of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, which was the foundation of freedom movement of the country.

There are lot of parallels between both these communal streams (Muslim and Hindu), they could join hands in forming coalition ministries in Sindh and Bengal just before the partition, they kept aloof from freedom movement and opposed the social transformation of caste and gender relations of the society. Their lip service to some social reforms notwithstanding, they stuck to the status quo in matters pertaining to social norms and political relations.

After partition the Pakistan (East and West) came to be dominated by the West Pakistan economic and political elite who occupied important positions in the army, bureaucracy, economy and polity. In the elections held in 1970 the Awami League (East Pakistan) led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman swept the polls, and emerged as the majority party in Pakistan. Still, army backed by Zulfiqar Bhutto did not permit the formation of Awami League Government. Here one can see the difference between religion and politics. While Islam calls for ‘all men are bothers’ the politics in the name of Islam coming from Pakistani regime, discriminated not only against people of other religions, Hindus in particular, but also against the others Muslims. Muslims of East Pakistan were being dominated and suppressed by the dominant ‘Muslims’ of West Pakistan.

With Awami League being denied the formation of Government and in the absence of democratic channels of protest, alienation grew in East Pakistan and Mujibur Rahman launched civil disobedience movement. Massive protest erupted all over in East Pakistan and Pakistani army, cracked down on its own citizens. In East Pakistan, army unleashed a reign of terror; murders and rapes. Hindus and Muslims both were targeted. The citizens from East Pakistan were regarded as enemies and rampage went on till the Mukti Bahini, with the help of Indian Army succeeded in defeating Pakistani army to declare the formation of People’s Republic of Bangla desh.

The formation of Bangla Desh decisively and irrefutable proved the futility of the theory that Nations are synonymous with religions, that religion can be the basis of nationalism. The ‘Two Nation theory’ that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations met its graveyard in the formation of Bangla Desh. Still the communal elements were not wiped out from the country and they do keep coming up now and then. We had also noticed the response of Muslim Communalists from Bangla Desh when they wanted to march to India, in response to the demolition of Babri mosque. The plight of minorities in Bangla Desh is pathetic. Many of the Hindus and Muslims became refugees and came to different parts of the country. Part of this contributed to the Hindu communalist’s propaganda and creation of scare about Bangla Deshi immigrants. The issue of sub continental politics has been presented on communal lines.

Sixty years down the line the seeds of communal politics which came up from the declining sections of landlords, were given ideological veneer by section of elite-upper castes, and were cleverly nurtured by the British. As such actually it was these communal elements that fed in to the British policy of ‘divide and rule’ and led to partition of the country. In the three countries which emerged in the subcontinent, the degree of communal poison today; is of course very different in intensity. Pakistan suffered maximum at the hands of colonial-imperialist powers, the minorities there, Hindus and Christians are having intimidating time. In Pakistan the army has become the ally of communal forces and keeps opposing the democratic aspirations of large sections of society. In Bangla Desh, the democratically rooted parties have to face opposition from the communal elements.

India, not to be left behind is being gradually weekend by the Hindu communalists, who have been harping on the identity issue like Ram Temple. They have given communal hue to the ‘left over’ problems of colonial rule. Bangla Desh is seen as the source of infiltrators, despite the fact that the poor Hindus and Muslims who fled the country in 1971 had to leave to escape the brutality of Pakistan army. Kashmir, which again partly is a leftover colonial parting kick supplemented by the ultra nationalism of Pakistan-India on one side and communalism on the other. Tragically this issue is also seen through the prism of Hindu and Muslim alone.

Thus all the three countries in the subcontinent have to grapple with this communal demon. To obfuscate the difference between religion and politics has been the biggest ‘success’ of communalists, cutting across the religious divides. Criticizing these communalists can easily give you a label of being against that religion. Does it need a rethink on the part of the democratic people of these countries to collaborate with each other to bury the demon of communalism, politics in the name of religion? Will communalists, who are dominating the scene in India, or Pakistan or Bangla Desh let it happen? Communalists are adept at creating the tempest of hysteria in the name of their religions, and can do the intense breast beating that the secular democratic efforts are a threat to their ‘religion. The task to save or promote democracy in the subcontinent is a mammoth one. Can those elements yearning for a freedom and democracy in the sub continent come together on this agenda?

Issues in Secular Politics

II March 2013

www.pluralindia.com

Response only to ram.puniyani@gmail.com

#Upset by ‘blame shifting’ on 2G, Raja wants JPC to hear him#

2013-02-24T08:41:00.000+05:30

SHALINI SINGH

Points finger at ‘false and incomplete evidence’ by AG

Anxious to give his account of the “role of various individuals and institutions” in the 2G case, the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, who is facing trial for the spectrum scam, has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar asking that he be allowed to tender evidence as a witness before the Joint Parliamentary Committee investigating the matter.

As the prime accused, Mr. Raja is the man who knows every little detail about the scam; yet the JPC, which is now well on its way to delivering its final report, is yet to call him as a witness.

In his three-page letter of February 22, 2013, Mr. Raja makes it plain that he is “willing and indeed anxious” to tell the JPC and through it, the nation, “the truth of the matter” which, he believes, is being “suppressed on [the] basis of pre-conceived notions, deliberate bias, faulty investigation and erroneous conclusions aided by a media intent on sensationalism.”

Not stopping at the media, he blames the Supreme Court for including “prejudicial observations” against him without giving him an opportunity to be heard, and the Comptroller and Auditor General for a report that he believes was “replete with errors and adopted a position contrary to the policy of the Cabinet, Parliament and [the] Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.”

Mr. Raja describes the recent testimony of DoT officials and Attorney General (the then Solicitor General) Ghoolam Vahanvati to the JPC as “contrary to the facts of the case and intended to be an exercise in blame shifting.” He argues, “It is vital that the JPC not be misguided by false and incomplete evidence.” Refusing to draw any distinction between himself and the government, he states, “It is obvious that I would be best placed to explain the policy and rationale of the ‘government’ behind the issuance of UAS Licences and grant of spectrum as well as the sequence of events and the role of various individuals and institutions.”

Contrary to the CBI charge sheet, Mr. Raja refuses to accept that he alone — along with just two DoT officials — were responsible for perpetrating the 2G scam.

The Supreme Court, through its two judgments dated March 12, 2010, and February 2, 2012, had declared all of Mr. Raja’s key decisions “arbitrary and capricious” and struck them down as illegal — thus cancelling the 122 licences/spectrum that he had granted. Mr. Raja was accused of favouring companies by placing a cap on the number of licences, contrary to TRAI recommendations by advancing the cut-off date; allocating licences through a first-come-first-served (FCFS) process over transparent auctions and further manipulating the FCFS process to help handpicked companies jump the spectrum queue.

Keywords: 2G spectrum scam, A. Raja, Joint Parliamentary Committee, Meira Kumar, G.E. Vahanvati, JPC

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/upset-by-blame-shifting-on-2g-raja-wants-jpc-to-hear-him/article4446205.ece

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#'Protect minorities from harassment post-Hyderabad bombings'#

2013-02-24T08:32:00.000+05:30

New Delhi, Feb 23, 2013 (IANS):

Amnesty International Saturday said Indian authorities must conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the Hyderabad twin bombings but "protect minority communities from the discrimination, violence and harassment they often suffer in the aftermath of an attack".

In a statement, Amnesty said the "deliberate targeting of civilians" in the bombings that killed at least 16 and injured over 100 Thursday, "shows an utter disregard for human life".

G. Ananthapadmanabhan, Chief Executive of Amnesty International India, said: "The victims of these attacks have a right to justice and reparations. Authorities must conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks.

"In doing so, they must protect minority communities from the discrimination, violence and harassment they often suffer in the aftermath of an attack."

The bomb attacks took place near Konark Theatre in Dilsukhnagar and near Venkatadri theatre, a few metres away. No individual or group has claimed responsibility yet.

In January 2012, the Andhra Pradesh government awarded compensation to 61 Muslim men who were wrongly implicated in a bomb attack on the Mecca mosque in Hyderabad in 2007.

Many of them had been detained without charge and subjected to torture. No action was taken against those responsible for the torture.

"Shoddy investigations and unlawful police practices can violate the fair trial rights of suspects, and also the victims' right to justice," said Ananthapadmanabhan.

"The authorities must bring those responsible for the attacks to justice in fair trial proceedings in line with international human rights standards, without recourse to the death penalty."

Photo: Former Telecom Minister A. Raja. File photo: K. Murali Kumar

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/314386/protect-minorities-harassment-post-hyderabad.html

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#Nasheed leaves Indian mission in Male after 10 days#

2013-02-24T08:25:00.000+05:30

BySachin Parashar, TNN | Feb 24, 2013, 02.04 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The standoff in the Maldives has ended for now — exactly 10 days after former President Mohammed Nasheed had sneaked into the Indian High Commission in Male to evade arrest — as he walked out of the Indian mission in the archipelago "on his own''. Nasheed's decision to leave the High Commission at around 4.15 pm followed a mix of pressure and persuasion on the Waheed government and Nasheed himself during a series of meetings between an Indian delegation, led by MEA joint secretary Harsh Shringla, and the Male dispensation in the past few days.

That India is keen to see Nasheed contest elections, slated for in September, was evident when Indian government expressed hope that the ex-president would be allowed to resume his political life. Sources here confirmed to TOI that an Indian election commission team will soon visit Maldives to provide technical assistance to that country in the run up to polls.

``It will be recalled that the former President had entered the Indian Mission in Male on 13 February 2013 on his own volition and had similarly decided to leave on his own. It is hoped that with this development the former President will again resume his social and political life,'' said ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin as he thanked all Maldivian stakeholders who had participated in the dialogue with Indian officials.

It is learnt that as part of the negotiations to facilitate Nasheed's freedom, the two sides also decided to strengthen the ``multi-faceted relations'' and, as a part of the enhanced engagement, Maldives' chief justice is also likely to visit India soon. Foreign minister Salman Khurshid conveyed to his Maldivian counterpart Abdul Samad Abdulla that India has age-old ties of friendship and cooperation with Male. ``India would be happy to support all efforts to create favourable conditions for free, fair, credible and inclusive Presidential elections in September, 2013, that can contribute to durable peace, stability and prosperity in Maldives and the region,'' added Akbaruddin.

Emerging from his refuge at the Indian mission, Nasheed said, "I am hopeful I will be able to continue political activities and social life"

"I believe that even on issues that we disagree on, we can reach a compromise with the Maldivian government," he told a press conference. He said, following the understanding, he was hopeful that all candidates would be free to contest the presidential elections. Thanking the Indian government, Nasheed said, "I also thank the staff of the Indian High Commission in Male', including His Excellency D M Mulay, for the kindness and hospitality afforded to me during my stay''.

Nasheed was facing arrest for not appearing before a court looking into his alleged role in the detention of Maldives' chief criminal judge when he was president. The trial against him was postponed on Thursday raising hopes of a settlement that would allow him to walk out of the high commission without fearing arrest. While there have been some issues arising out of India's alleged intention to interfere in internal affairs of Maldives, Indian government maintains that it is only working closely with the dispensation in Male and other relevant stakeholders in the Maldives to strengthen the democratic framework of the country.

"India has maintained broad based contacts with all political parties and democratic institutions in Maldives without interfering in its internal affairs. The Government of India urges all parties to maintain peace and calm and hopes to continue its positive engagement in the spirit of the close and friendly relations between the two countries,'' said the MEA in a statement.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Nasheed-leaves-Indian-mission-in-Male-after-10-days/articleshow/18651127.cms

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AMITY INDIA

VELLORE DISTRICT MUSLIM WOMEN AID SOCIETY

Whither Annihilation of Caste?

I# llegal Construction on Wakf property by #MIM Leader#

#Turned away by hospital staff, woman gives birth near drain#

Couple allege an employee demanded money to attend to her

#Perarivalan’s plea to be heard through video-conferencing on Monday#

#SC seeks explanation on govt ads glorifying political #leaders#

#US aid to India set to drop # by 16% #

#TN adopts resolution to name new terminal after# MGR#

#TN adopts resolution to name new terminal after# MGR#

The resolution moved by Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa demanding the Centre to name the Chennai domestic terminal II after former CM MGR was supported by Opposition DMK and Congress, which ensured its passage unanimously.

#Zakia moves court, challenges clean chit to Modi in #Gulbarg massacre#

#Karunanidhi reiterates # demand for abolishing death penalty#

#Kunda DSP murder: CBI arrests key accused#

UPA #vulnerable after DMK pullout, elections around the corner: Pawar#

UPA #vulnerable after DMK pullout, elections around the corner: Pawar#

#1993 blasts convict Yakub Memon awarded Master's degree in # English Literature#

#CBI's 'coalgate' probe report vetted by govt, BJP demands SIT# probe

#Civil Services main exam to be held in #Nov-Dec 2013

# Why not honour Mirza Ghalib with Bharat Ratna after death? asks# Markandey Katju

Pak# witness identifies one accused in Mumbai attacks Case#

Islamabad, April 13, 2013

U.S. will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea: Kerry

Gotabaya remarks on India’s role unacceptable: Narayanasamy

Deadly twin bombings outside Iraq mosque

U.S. will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea: Kerry

I apologise for vandalism in Presidency University: Governor MK Narayanan

Akhilesh Yadav snubs the Gandhis, withdraws VIP status from Amethi, Rae Bareli

WikiLeaks: Bizman's offer to sell India's uranium set alarm bells in the US

SC rejects Bhullar's plea for commuting death penalty to life term on grounds of delay

Social media to impact Maharashtra most in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, says study

Sreesanth slapped, not elbowed by Harbhajan: Nanavati

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran to get Dadasaheb Phalke award

Software engineer from Andhra Pradesh who went missing in US found dead

Two Indian-origin persons jailed in US

Gotabaya remarks on India’s role unacceptable: Narayanasamy

Deadly twin bombings outside Iraq mosque

U.S. will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea: Kerry

I apologise for vandalism in Presidency University: Governor MK Narayanan

Akhilesh Yadav snubs the Gandhis, withdraws VIP status from Amethi, Rae Bareli

WikiLeaks: Bizman's offer to sell India's uranium set alarm bells in the US

SC rejects Bhullar's plea for commuting death penalty to life term on grounds of delay

Social media to impact Maharashtra most in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, says study

Sreesanth slapped, not elbowed by Harbhajan: Nanavati

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran to get Dadasaheb Phalke award

Software engineer from Andhra Pradesh who went missing in US found dead

Two Indian-origin persons jailed in US

Nationalism, Kingdoms and Kings

Pakistan: Sectarian Divides

Mr. Modi, you are not welcome: Wharton Debate

Bangladesh: Resurgence of Communalism

#Upset by ‘blame shifting’ on 2G, Raja wants JPC to hear him#

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