By TCN News,

Mumbai: Keeping in mind core objective of supporting the community in Economic Empowerment, (Association for Muslim Professionals) AMP had conducted a Job Fair at Nagpada on 25th Sept 2013.

The Job Fair was organized in association with LabourNet and Educational & Welfare Foundation. At the end of the day around 272 candidates were given on-the-spot offers by the recruiters while another 368 were shortlisted for further evaluation.

For the candidates who did not got selected AMP have arranged free employability training in association with Labournet and Educational and welfare foundation at Nagpada Garden. A professional trainer is giving training to these candidates for the next Job Fair which will be held shortly.

AMP has conducted 2 such training camps of 50 students in each batch and planning to continue with this training in future also. Currently we are focusing on those students who had registered with us in previous Job Fair. Once we complete with all those previously registered students, we will start with fresh registration.

By TCN News,

Aligarh: Prof. H. S. A. Yahya, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University delivered the keynote address Beneficial and harmful role of birds in relation to Agriculture at an International Seminar held at Coimbatore.

Prof. Yahya urged the Government of India to bestow India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna on Dr. Salim Ali, the doyen of ornithology and one of the founding fathers of Bombay Natural History Society. He said that Dr. Ali’s contributions for conservation of biodiversity, birds and natural resources of the country were unparallel.

By TCN News,

Aligarh: The Disability Unit of the Aligarh Muslim University organized an Interaction Programme for differently abled (physically and visually challenged) students and volunteers in the Department of Education.

The main objective of the session was to ascertain problems and issues and provide their solution within a short period of time.

Dr. Abdul Hameed Fazli addressing the Interaction Programme at Disability Unit, AMU

Dr. Abdul Hamid Fazili, Coordinator, Disability Unit announced that visually challenged students were provided with the Jaws reading device that would help them read the files on computers.

By Ram Puniyani,

Communal violence has tormented our country, more so from last three decades in particular. From the decade of 1980s its form has taken very menacing proportions and the country bleeds from time to time with the death of innocents, and at the same time takes place political ascendance of those behind engineering the violence. As such this violence does not begin with the weapons or the strong arms. It begins in the mind, with the idea of ‘hate’ for other community. This Hate is constructed around the falsification of history and the present, both, as per the contingency of the communal force. Communal forces translate this Hate through local idiom, to spread the violence in particular areas. The nature of violence is not static; it keeps changing its form, from place to place and with the time. Beginning as an urban phenomenon, now it is being reached to small towns and villages. Those instigating the violence are the ones’ who benefit from it politically and electorally. The key to involve the foot soldiers into the acts of violence is to put in their minds the fright minority community. This fright of the minorities has been successfully propagated and made the part of the understanding of large sections of society. The result is that those spreading Hate also claim to be saving ‘their community’ ‘their religion’ and that’s how they emerge politically taller after the bloodshed and violence.

In a political rally which was later addressed by the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Nov 21, 2013, two BJP MLAs, who are alleged to be instrumental in spreading Hatred against minorities by giving the Hate speeches revolving around the theme of ‘the honor of our daughter-sisters is in danger’ from the religious minorities. One of them uploaded a video clip on face book, which showed the brutal killing of two youth by a Muslim looking crowd. As such the clip was from Pakistan, it was projected as being the one which happened in Muzaffarnagar. These two BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana, accused of inciting communal violence in Muzaffarnagar, were felicitated on Thursday (Nov 21) at the rally in Agra.

As a part of clever strategy the felicitation of these ‘Hate mongers’ was done before Modi took the stge. Both these MLAs are currently out on bail. How do we understand this public celebration of the accused? On one hand their role in the violence and on the other their felicitation?

In recent times we have seen the three major carnages, Delhi anti-Sikh, Mumbai and Gujarat Anti Muslim and Kandhmal Anti-Christian. The two leaders who were behind the violence in Mumbai and Gujarat, emerged as the Hindu Hriday Samrat (emperor of Hindu hearts), after their role in the violence. The first one is late Balasaheb Thackeray. His role in the Mumbai violence was chronicled by Srikrishna Commission report. This report indicted him of leading the violence like a General. The report points out " From the conversation which could be heard [by Yuvraj Mohite, Mahanagar Reporter, at Thackray house during the riots], it is clear that Thackeray was directing Shiv Sainiks, Shakha Pramukhs and other activists of Shiv Sena to attack the Muslims, to ensure that they give tit for tat and ensure that 'not a single landya (a derogatory word used for Muslims) would survive to give the evidence’ [vol.ii, Page 173-174] While the report aptly describes his role which deserved severe punishment, in popular psyche he was successful in projecting that it is due to him and his boys (Shiv Sainiks), that Hindus were safe. And so he started being called Hindu Hriday Samrat. The violence paid rich dividends to his party Shiv Sena, it came to power in Maharashtra Assembly along with their ally BJP, after the violence.

As per Gujarat carnage, no official report has come out yet, but the major Citizens Tribunal report, coordinated by Citizens for Justice and Peace, outlined the role of Modi led state in the violence. Similarly the international women’s tribunal summarized the situations as follows, “…the various arms of state were complicit both in the initial attacks on Muslim community as well as the later continuing violence. The state and central Government both played a major role in Gujarat violence causing sexual violence to women, destroying property and killing members of Muslim community. The acts of continuing violence and denial of all rights to Muslim community could not have happened without the complicity of the state and its institutions. The role and functioning of Gujarat Government has directly been influenced by the penetration of Sangh Parivar. This fact underlies the conduct of the state before, during and after the peak period of the pogrom.” (www.onlinevolunteers.org/gujarat/reports/iijg/2003/fullreport.pdf)

It is after this massive carnage that Modi became more firmly entrenched in the seat of power in Gujarat and the tottering BJP Government in Gujarat gave way to the authoritarian Modi led BJP Government, firmly in saddle in Gujarat. What a contradiction? The same understanding applies here. While a critical observer can see the role of Modi and company in the violence, the popular perception which was constructed that it is due to Modi that Hindus, Hinduism has been saved and the minorities have been shown their place. It is after this that Modi also started being addressed as Hindu Hriday Samrat.

In anti Chriistian violence in Kandhamal, two BJP leaders Manoj Pradhan and Ashok Sahu amongst others played the role of instigating the violence and lo and behold they also went up on the political ladder, won the elections. One recalls, Maya Kodnani, who is currently undergoing the jail term for her role in Gujarat carnage, also rose to be the Minister in Modi’s Cabinet after her role in the carnage. Punish the crime and be rewarded.

There is another aspect of this felicitation meeting which one can register. The Muzaffarnagar accused were felicitated before Modi came to the stage. It was a well timed maneuver. There was a twin strategy involved in this move. On one hand it was to give the message to Hindu community, about the communal intentions of RSS-BJP and on the other to keep projecting Modi on the plank of development agenda. With the Parliamentary elections on the political sky RSS-BJP-Modi are adopting a multi pronged strategy. The major one is the ‘development’ image of Modi. They presume his role as the one presiding over Gujarat carnage has to be put under the carpet. His so called ‘Gujarat model, the myth of development of Gujarat has to be aggressively sold in the electoral market. At the same time a polarizing communal violence has to be kept alive. Not only in Muzaffarnagar, in Bihar after BJP left the coalition with Neetish Kumar, there has been a series of communal violence in Bihar. At yet at another level, the polarizing impact of terrorist violence has also been utilized in other places and lately in Bihar. At yet another level, the issues of Ram Temple, the so called Hindutva agenda has to be kept in the backdrop to ensure the support from BJP’s constituency.

We are in for times where the communal forces are making an all out effort to come to power. Their strategies are obvious. What we need is not the identity based polarization and the promotion of ‘Hate other’ through moves like honoring the riot accused, what we need is to overcome the polarizing impact of communal hate speech and communal violence. What we need is to affirm the roots and values of amity between different communities.

By TCN News,

New Delhi: A unique cycle rally reached Jamia Millia Islamia on November 25, 2013 at 3.30 PM after covering a distance of approximately 1121 kms from Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), through Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh, to Delhi spreading the message of providing a safe and secure environment for women.

The University organized a function to felicitate the spirit of these young ambassadors from Jamia Millia Islamia who were received by Shri Najeeb Jung, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of NCT of Delhi along with Prof. S.M. Sajid, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shahid Ashraf, Registrar; Deans, Heads of Departments, Directors of Centres, teachers and students on November 25, 2013 at 3.30 PM at the lawns of Dr. M.A Ansari Auditorium, Jamia Millia Islamia.

Shri Najeeb Jung was the Chief Guest of the Felicitation Function and addressed the participants of the cycle rally and audience on this occasion and exhorted the students to keep up their spirits and dream higher and continue in their endeavour to excel in all fields of life.

Prof. S.M. Sajid, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia presided over the function and thanked Shri Jung for being an inspiration for the cycle rally and said that Jamia’s foundation makes it a unique university and that Jamia has always performed the task of social outreach with great enthusiasm.

The rally, whose participants were 24 students of Jamia (11 Girls and 13 Boys) along with 15 staff members led by Major (Prof.) N.U. Khan, NCC Officer were welcomed by garlands by the university community.

During the course of this rally, there were local interaction with the villagers and students of the states that the rally travelled through generating awareness about women’s safety and security. In the inaugural function a film was screened which covered the journey of these young ambassadors.

On this occasion, a poster competition on the theme of “Building India Safe for Women” was organized which saw a participation by 200 students.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: Arushi Talwar and the domestic help of Talwar family Hemraj were allegedly murdered on 14th May 2008. The matter was initially investigated by UP police but was subsequently transferred to CBI.

The media was covering every move in the case. Later on parents of Aarushi viz. Rajesh and Nupur Talwar were arrested by CBI. The media started to cover the trail daily. On 25th November, 2013 Rajesh and Nupur Talwar were found guilty by the court.

Talwar family has blamed media for the verdict. Is media to be really blamed for the verdict? Is media dubious in covering Aarushi murder daily whereas completely overlooking other high profile matters involving the threat to nation and the fundamental right to life and liberty of the number of Muslim youths arrested allegedly for committing those offences?

Still searching for the reasons as to why media never turned its attention towards: On 13th May 2008 (a day prior to the murder of Aarushi and Hemraj) there occurred serial blasts in Jaipur and scores of people died. Media was simultaneously covering both the events on 13th and 14th May.

After some days media completely forgot the event happened on 13th May 2008 but concentrated wholly on the event that occurred on 14th May 2008. Many Muslim youths were arrested under the allegations of being part of the group allegedly behind the event occurred on 13th May 2008 in Jaipur.

The media never bothered to check for the status of trial in Jaipur court. The media never tried to bring into the notice the rights of speedy trial of the arrested Muslim accused. Is this because there is no one to raise voices for the victims of the event happened on 13th May 2008 and no one from the family of arrested Muslim youths to raise voice against the infringement of their right to speedy.

It seems media has neglected this issue. If media would have daily covered the trial in Jaipur court for the event occurred on 13th May 2008, the truth might have come to the light of public as like the verdict delivered by CBI court in Aarushi case on 25th November and the innocent accused might have been released .

By TCN News,

Kishanganj: “Human Chain’s effort for the establishment of AMU Kishanganj is praiseworthy and there is nothing wrong in mentioning the name of this non-government organization for its excellent work,” said P K Shahi, Minister of Human Resource and Development, government of Bihar during a Seminar organized at Kishanganj.

Mr. Shahi lauded the efforts of Human Chain NGO during a conference organized at Town Hall of Kishanganj this Sunday. He said, when the AMU Kishanganj centre issue was hanging in balance, the Delhi based NGO Human Chain worked as a coordination group between the government of Bihar and AMU administration to end the deadlock. It was only due to continuous approach of Human Chain to me and my ministry, the government of Bihar had pulled the shocks to resolved the issue and providing the required land for the setting up of the campus at Kishanganj, added Mr. Shahi.

Mohammad Aslam Alig, President Human Chain

Human Chain had organized a two days mega educational event named as “Seemanchal Taleemi Mela” in the district headquarters of Kishanganj. Highlights of the two days event were a Seminar on the topic “a Conference on Social, Educational & Economic status of Seemanchal and role of civil society” and various programmes like educational discourses, expo, career counselling, debate, quiz, comedy, painting, etc. Along with the Chief Guest, P.K. Shahi, Hon’ble Education Minister of Bihar, the programme was attended by Mr. Anand Kumar, Director Super 30, Mr. S.M Qutbur Rahman, President AMU Alumni Forum UAE, Mr. Tanweer Alam, President AMUAAM and local MP Maulana Asrarul Haque.

Mohammad Aslam Alig, President Human Chain spoke on the topic of the conference and stressed upon the role of the civil society in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. The president of Human Chain shared the efforts of his organisation for the establishment of AMU centre at Kishanganj. He said the hard work of the organisation brought a positive and fruitful result, and AMU Kishanganj Centre is a reality now as the B.Ed session started from this year. We will work for AMU further as well till the Centre properly develops into a full-fledged campus. Mr. Aslam also shared the achievements and work done by Human Chain since its inception especially the activities in past one year. Further, he added that Human Chain has many plans / projects in the pipeline, one of the biggest plan is setting up Free Coaching for Navodaya Vidayala aspirants and high school children. A proficient speaker, Mr. Aslam totally captivated the attention of the audience and all eyes were fixed on him.

Minnat Rahmani - Secretary and Khalid Mubashshir - General Secretary of the organisation did the anchoring of the programme. Along with giving a shape to the two days programme, they had played a crucial role in keeping the audience attentive all through the event. They were supported very well by Mujahid Akhtar Naaz and Tarique Sufyan with anchoring in between.

Anand Kumar, Director Super-30, Patna was highly impressed with Human Chain management for organizing such conference in the district of Kishanganj. In fact, Anand was less known about the financial and economic condition of the Purnia division situated on the north-east part of Bihar. He said, the time has come for the people of Seemanchal to rise from their slumber, ignite your will power and bring in the desired social change. Further he added that his Super-30, with the help of Human Chain, would conduct special tests in this region during March-April 2014 to select poor and meritorious students for IIT coaching.

SM Qutubur Rahman, President AMU Alumni Forum UAE announced that he would arrange funds for establishing coaching centres in the region. He has also mentioned about facilitating establishment of a referral hospital for the people of Seemanchal shortly at Kishanganj. Prof Suhail Sabir from Dept of Chemistry of AMU expressed the hope that Seemanchal would soon emerge as a role model in the educational development of all backward regions of the country. He announced that Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, VC, AMU could not attend the programme as he had to leave for an important engagement overseas. Prof Sabir read out a message from the VC in which the latter said a new wind of change would be blowing over Seemanchal with the functioning of the AMU Centre here.

Human Chain team comprised of Treasurer Mujahid Akhtar Naaz who was also Chief Organiser of the Seemanchal Taleemi Mela (STM), Secretary Minnat Rahmani, who was also the convenor of the programme, Tarique Sufyan, Khalid Mubashshir, Salman Akhtar, Mumtaz Naiyer, Salam Anwar, Nasim Haider, Manazir Ahsan, Tauqueer Alam (Jamia), Mizanur Rahman, Tauqir Alam (JNU), Zeeshan Shaheni and many others from the organisation had expressed gratitude to audience and guests for making Seemanchal Taleemi Mela a historic and memorable event.

By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,

Nagaur/Jaipur: “Yahan Hindu-Muslim ka koi aisa problem nahi hai, shaanti hai yahan, (There is no Hindu-Muslim problem as such in the region, it is peaceful here),” says our auto-driver Gani Khan, as we are driving towards to a hamlet of Mudwana near Nagaur to attend the official launch of BJP’s poll office.

Former Congress Minister Habibur Rahman, who contested on BJP ticket last time over differences with party on seat allocation, has again been given the ticket from Nagaur.

At a ‘Jan-Sampark’ meeting in a local elections’ office of BJP in Muslim dominated Mudwana village in Nagaur.

The BJP is seen as a party that does not really have good track record with Muslims and their whole politics seem to be anti-minorities. For many in Rajasthan, however, Assembly elections is ‘local,’ fought for development of the state. Several Muslim supporters of the BJP do not really appear worried of its image.

60 year old Asghar Ali, who has come to greet their leader, says that he has voted for Habibur Rehman in the past when he was with the Congress and last year too when he joined BJP. “He works for us and has been around whenever we needed him,” he says, adding, “I am not really worried which party he belongs to.”

BJP sitting MLA and party candidate from Nagaur Habibur Rahman.

But aren’t they concerned that in the process they are strengthening BJP, which may they come to power at the center? Further voting for BJP would mean making Narendra Modi the Prime Minister.

Ali quips, “I can assure you BJP will never call Modi in Nagaur.” He believes that inviting Modi would “polarize the voters” in the district that may dent BJP minority votes. It is not though that Modi has not visited any Muslim concentrated constituencies. In fact only last week, Modi addressed a rally in Sawai Madhopur that has fair Muslim population.

At a Narendra Modi rally in Sawai Madhopur.

Several youngsters, however, do not really care and want the “Gujarat model of development.” 22 year old Raju Khan says, “People are not fools to be swayed in fear. What we want is development, good infrastructure and employment.” Congress has failed to live up to our expectations, he adds.

For 30 year old Abdul Malik the choice is very clear. “We want to see Vasundhra as our CM, and Rahul as our PM,” he tells this correspondent.

The BJP rallies are seeing considerable Muslim turnout.

Nagaur has 46% Muslim population and thus the largest ‘voting bloc.’ The Congress has also fielded a Muslim candidate Shaukat Ali from Nagaur. After an emotional speech by a local RSS worker Rama Kant narrating the “betrayal” of the Congress party, Habibur Rahman warns his voters not to be fooled by them and divide the Muslim votes.

Former Congress minister Harendra Mirdha has rebelled against the party and filed nomination papers as independent. Mirdha family have been Congress loyalists, but he filed his nominations as he was refused tickets on the ground that on last two occasions he was defeated. However, if the Muslim votes are divided, with the backing of his Jat community who seem to be angry on being denied ticket, Harendra Mirdha may clinch victory.

Riding on ‘liberal inclusive’ image of BJP’s chief ministerial candidate and former CM of Rajasthan Vasundhra Raje, the party is hopeful of gaining considerable gain in the minorities votes in the state.

The anti-incumbency factor, particularly the Gopalgarh riots, the killing of SHO Phool Mohammad in Soorwal and several other communal riots during last five years of the Congress rule have further dented the ruling party’s credentials.

A cross-road has been named after the name ‘martyr’ SHO at the Soorwal Highway.

While the Congress has fielded 18 Muslim candidates in the state, BJP has given tickets to only four Muslim candidates. The Minority Morcha of the BJP, led by Amin Pathan, was earlier lobbying for at least eight seats. But now they are busy mobilizing maximum Muslim votes for the party. Pathan is particularly focusing on the Muslim dominated regions. He was instrumental in visible Muslim turn out in the Modi rally in Jaipur.

Besides Habibur Rehman, former sports minister Yunus Khan, who lost the 2008 elections, has been given another chance from Deedwana constituency in the Nagaur district. Abdul Sangeer Khan is contesting from Dholpur, while the new face Salim Tanwar is contesting elections from Mandawa.

Former Minister and BJP candidate from Deedwana Yunus Khan.

Sitting with his party loyalists, a confident Yunus Khan tells TCN, “Despite good work and progress, we lost last time due to new caste equations. I see disenchantment against sitting Congress MLA and enthusiasm amongst our party workers.”

When asked about the “fear of Muslims against BJP,” a poised Yunus Khan, says, “The Congress wants to win elections by threatening one community against another and dividing them. BJP has always - earlier Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and now Vasundhrajee - worked for the 36 communities, and that include Muslims as well.”

BJP was in a fix over Muslim dominated Pushkar constituency, which late Ramzan Khan won the seat for the BJP, otherwise considered a Congress bastion. Sitting Congress MLA and Minister of State for Education, Naseem Akhtar Insaaf is fighting against rookie BJP candidate Suresh Rawat. Pushkar has 32 % Muslims, while Rawats are the second biggest community.

Speaking to TCN, Suresh Rawat says that as a son of farmer he has faced many hardships and he can better understand the anguish of all deprived communities. He alleged that his rival Naseem Akhtar was busy in Jaipur and did not give any time to her constituency.

Although there was nothing extraordinary for the minorities in the otherwise populist BJP manifesto, but it does include some offers for Muslims as well. If they come to power, they have promised to modernize madrassas and connect them to vocational training, to give scholarships to meritorious students, proper management of Wakf properties in lines with court directives, fencing of burial grounds, etc.

When asked to speak on his preference for the CM post in the state, Deewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, successor and Sajjadanashin (Custodian) the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, refrained from favouring anyone candidate and was rather diplomatic in his stand. “Gehlot government also worked well and earlier Vasundhra government had also performed well. So it would not really affect much whoever wins,” he told TCN.

The party is also hopeful of getting considerable votes in Bermer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and some other regions.

Meanwhile, as we were coming back from Mudwana, I asked Gani Khan – our auto driver – if he too supports Habibur Rahman and whom will he vote for? The lanky man had a big smile on his face, as he said, “It’s too early to say. Will decide!”

(Mohd. Ismail Khan helped interviewing candidates.)

By IANS,

New Delhi : A number of Muslims who fled their homes following the communal violence in September in western Uttar Pradesh are still in refugee camps, a Muslim group said Tuesday.

Most of them had been left to fend for themselves by the authorities and were "living in plastic tents which are unable to withstand the harsh cold weather and rains", the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat said.

"The camps woefully lack toilets and hygienic conditions. Only scanty and irregular government aid has reached these people. Ration too reaches them intermittently and in insufficient quantities," it said.

Leaders of the Majlis, an umbrella body Indian Muslim organisations, visited the camps in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts Nov 20 -- for the fourth time since the violence left some 60 people dead.

The delegation distributed 300 woollen duvets and mattresses each so some of the families.

The delegation found that these camps also housed people from far-away districts like Saharanpur and Meerut from where too Muslims fled following communal tensions.

The refugees should be settled on private land purchased for the purpose, the statement said.

The Majlis said that most people were not accepting the Uttar Pradesh government’s offer of Rs.5 lakh compensation to victims from select villages which saw worst violence, murders, rapes and violence.

"To get even this compensation, the victims are required to sign an affidavit under which they agree to relinquish their movable and immovable properties in their villages and agree not to return to their erstwhile homes and also leave the present camps at the same time, it said.

"This compensation is limited to the families of nine villages while the camps house refugees from some 200 villages."

The delegation found that the refugees were in urgent need of water-proof tents, blankets and mattresses.

"But their paramount need is land of their own where they can pitch their tents and start building their small dwellings to live fearlessly because the owners of the private land and the forest department will soon start pressurising them to leave their present places."

By TCN News,

New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia shall be holding its Annual Convocation on November 28, 2013 at 3.15 PM in the Lawns of Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium, Jamia Millia Islamia.

On this occasion, the University will also confer the Degree of ‘Doctors of Letters’ (Honoris Causa) on Mr. Najeeb Jung, Hon.’ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. A citation will also be presented to him on this occasion. He will also deliver his convocation address. He will be the Chief Guest of the day.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M A Zaki, Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia will preside over the Annual Convocation.

Prof S M Sajid, Vice Chancellor, will deliver the Vice Chancellor’s report highlighting the achievements of the past year as also plans for the future.

In the Annual Convocation - 2013, a total of 4569 Degrees/Diplomas shall be awarded to students who have successfully completed Post-graduation, Graduation and Diploma courses from different Faculties/Departments/Centres of the University in the Academic Session 2011-12.

The University will also hand out 154 Gold Medals to the Toppers of different courses as also award 224 Ph.D. degrees to Research Scholars.

Members of the Press are cordially invited to the Annual Convocation. Press Invites have already been sent to all media personnel. They are requested to bring their Press Invites along for security reasons.

BJP’s CM candidate Dr Harsh Vardhan also has criminal cases against him.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: 15 (21%) of 70 candidates fielded by Congress party, 31 (46%) out of 68 candidates from BJP, 14 (21%) out of 67 candidates from BSP and 5 (7%) out of 70 candidates from AAP have declared criminal cases in their affidavits.

Delhi Election Watch (DEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 796 candidates out of 810 candidates who are contesting in the Delhi State Assembly Elections.

Out of the 796 candidates analysed, 129 candidates (or 16%) have declared criminal cases against them. In 2008 Delhi Assembly elections there were 111 (14%) candidates with declared criminal cases out of 790 candidates analysed. Of these, 93 (12%) have declared serious criminal cases that include attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity and crime against women.

8 (11%) of 70 candidates fielded by INC have declared serious criminal cases against them while 22 (32%) out of 68 candidates from BJP, 12 (18%) out of 67 candidates from BSP and 5 (7%) out of 70 candidates from AAP have declared serious criminal cases in their affidavits.

Asif Mohammad Khan, sitting MLA and Congress candidate from Okhla, has charges that included obstructing public servants in discharging duty, ), 2 charges related to attempt to murder, 4 charges related to rioting, etc.

Shoaib Danish, his rival JUD candidate and rebel Congress Counsellor has also eight cases in connection with rioting, obstructing public servants, trespassing, etc.
Shoaib Iqbal, the Matia Mahal MLA, has charges related to obstructing public services, criminal intimidation, rioting, etc.

Interestingly, BJP’s CM candidate Dr Harsh Vardhan also has criminal cases against him that included three serious criminal cases. Cases against him include obstructing public servants in discharging duties, rioting, and a serious charge related to word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

INC had 30% candidates with criminal cases in the 2008 Assembly Elections which has gone down to 21% in the 2013 Assembly Elections. BJP had 35% candidates with criminal cases in the 2008 Assembly Elections which has risen to 46% in 2013 Assembly Elections. BSP had 23% candidates with criminal cases in the 2008 Assembly Elections which has gone down to 21% in 2013.

Red Alert Constituencies: 14 constituencies have at least 3 candidates from these political parties with declared criminal cases. Red Alert Constituencies are those which have 3 or more candidates with criminal cases standing up for elections. This analysis excludes independent candidates with criminal cases. These include Okhla, Ballimaran, Matia Mahal, Sadar Bazar, Kirari, Rithala, Timarpur, etc.

1 candidate has declared charges relating to causing death by negligence (IPC 304A) and 3 candidates have declared charges related to attempt to commit culpable homicide (IPC 308)against themselves while 10 candidates declared attempt to murder charges. 3 candidates have declared robbery or dacoity related charges against them.

Crimes against Women: 13 candidates have declared crimes against women. 9 of these 13 candidates have declared charges related to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (IPC Section-354).

1 candidate has declared case related to husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty (IPC Section – 498A) and one candidate declared a case of causing miscarriage without woman's consent (IPC Section-313).

By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,

Imphal: The All India Imams Council (AIIC), Manipur State, organized a One-Day Leadership Training Programme for Imams on November 26, 2013 at Popular Front of India (PFI) building, at Lilong, in Manipur.

The training programme was inaugurated by the National President of AIIC, Moulana Usman Baig. The programme was attended by President of AIIC, Manipur State, Maulana Aslam Jan, President of PFI, Manipur State, Moulana Khalid Rashadi, Assistant Professor of Lilong Haoreibi College Dr. Syed Ahmed (author of this report), President of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Moulana Wahidur Rahman, Advocate Ramijuddin Ajaz, and Imams from various parts of the State.

Addressing the gathering, Moulana Usman Baig highlighted the visions and activities of AIIC. He said, “The Imam Council is organizing the leadership training for Imams in different parts of the country with an aim to empower and instill confidence by equipping them with knowledge and information on legal, human rights and political issues. Such training program will expand and enhance the knowledge of Imams and would further help in guiding the fellow Muslims. It would also help in the greater participation of the religious leaders of the community in the development process. We hope that by empowering the Imams we would be able to empower the Muslim community.”

Moulana Khalid Rashadi spoke on the role of Imams in bringing social change.” He said that the Muslim community is at present confronting numerous issues on the social, economic and political fronts. The Imams should be able to understand and analyze these issues and guide the community. They should play pro-active role in bringing social change in the Muslim society, Rashadi added.

Dr. Syed Ahmed spoke on the development of global human rights movement, the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted by the United Nations in 1948, the fundamental rights outlined in the Indian Constitution and institutions that protect and uphold the human rights in India, the laws that abuses human rights (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 2008, Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, etc.) and instances of human rights violations. The delegates were informed on the procedures for filing complaints of violations of human rights to the human rights institutions.

Mufti Arshad Hussain spoke on leadership skills, Moulana Wahidur Rahman on political issues and Ramijuddin Ajaz on legal matters.

The Manipur chapter of AIIC was opened in 2009.

By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,

New Delhi: A week ago, Samjwadi Party Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav tried to fan the debate over ‘national’ language, by saying that the people’s representatives should speak only in Hindi in the Parliament, that English – a foreign language – should be banned. However, the SP patriarch does not seem to apply what he preaches, himself.

The website of the Samajwadi Party is in English only, except photographs of the party boss, where captions are printed in Hindi. In fact the theme of site, “MAN SE HAI MULAYAM” too is written in Roman fonts. Only the theme song and clippings of posters, ads on the website are in Hindi.

"There should be a ban on English address in Parliament. Countries which use their mother tongue are more developed. It's the need of the hour to promote Hindi," Mr Yadav said in a function in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh on November 16.

Although Hindi is generally believed to be the ‘national’ language, there is no law that guarantees it that status.

Interestingly on the SP website, briefs on Ideology to History to party ideologues, everything is in English.

Websites of most political parties, including BJP, CPIM, BSP, JDU are all in English. The official website of the All India Congress (AICC) is in English, Hindi and Urdu, with language conversions just a click away. Although the website of the BJP is in English, it has several sister sites that are in Hindi or other languages.

This is not the first time that Mulayam, like several other leaders, has expressed his discomfort over the use of English for official purposes. This, however, did not deter him, from sending his son – present UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav – to study MBA in Australia.

In fact, according to a media report, when Akhilesh was first brought in as an MP, his “proud father,” introduced him to Jaipal Reddy, saying: "Aapke jaisa hi English bolta hai, angrezi school mein padha likha hai. Ashirvad dijiye (He speaks English like you, has studied in the English medium school. Give him blessings!).”

Akhilesh's ‘modern’ outlook and savvy image, in many ways, helped in overcoming the SP's earlier image as an anti-English, anti-computer party. Current SP government is in fact distributing laptops and tabs to students.

By TCN News,

Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (AMUAAB) Bahrain celebrated Sir Syed Day on November. 26. Lt. Gen (retd). Zameeruddin Shah, vice chancellor, AMU was the chief guest.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Chaudhry Ajit Singh was the guest of honour.

AMU VC addressing the Sir Syed Day function at Bahrain.

A Majority of Alumni attended the commemorative function marking 196th birthday of Aligarh Muslim University founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

Function was held at Elite Resorts & SPA., Indian Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Mohan Kumar and AJM Kooheji Group owner and director Mohammed Abdul Jabbar Al Kooheji featured speeches by members and followed by the dinner.

AMU VC Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah and Ajit Singh, Union Minister of Civil Aviation with the member of AMU Alumnai Association at Sir Syed Day Function, Bahrain.

AMUAAB Secretary Waseem Alam, Joint Secretary Mohammad Saleem convener of this year event Mr. Farrukh Shamshi along with other team members, Tausiq Ahmed Khan, Baboo Khan, Rashid Zuberi , Ibadur Rehman Hamid led from the front and went out of the way to make the event successful.

The Alumni association is a representative body of more than 250 former students of the university.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Sacramento: Ras H. Siddiqui has got this year’s Council on American Islamic Relations or CAIR (Sacramento-Valley) “Fairness and Integrity in the Media Award” at their annual event in Sacramento on Saturday November 23.

Introduced by Phil Pasquini of the Washington Report on Middle Eastern Affairs, Ras was recognized for his many years of contribution to Muslim-American journalism in Northern California and especially the Sacramento area.

L-R: Mehdi Hasan, Ras Siddiqui and Wajahat Ali.

In his acceptance speech before almost 1000 people in attendance Ras thanked CAIR (Sacramento) for the pleasant surprise and honor which he shared with his wife because his journalistic endeavors would not have been possible without her support.

He said that he started writing about the American-Muslim experience about 20 years ago and that it was much easier then because he still had his youth (and his hair) at the time, and it was pre-9/11 America. But everything changed and the level of difficulty increased since that horrible day when the twin towers were destroyed.

Ras added, “Let there be no question that Muslim-Americans are net contributors to this great country. The violent people you read about in the headlines are the exception and not the norm. We are the norm. Thank you and have a great Thanksgiving everyone.”

Due to time constraints he could not publicly thank three educational institutions which have made his journey as a writer possible. First Aligarh Muslim University in India from where his father graduated (which deeply influenced his home life), second, Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he actually caught this writing bug. And last but not least Karachi Grammar School in Pakistan.

Present at the CAIR event were many members of the state, county and city government including California Assembly member Mariko Yamada. And from amongst the Muslim media, Mehdi Hasan from the United Kingdom (whose speech at the Oxford Union recently went viral) and Wajahat Ali both from Al Jazeera headlined the event.

By TCN News,

Chennai: Anti-nuclear activists have clarified that they have nothing to do with the Tuesday blast in a village in the Kudankulam district of Tamil Nadu.

There occurred a blast at a house in the Tsunami Colony, which is 1.5 kms away from Idinthakarai village. There has been a vehement rivalry between two groups belonging to the Koothenkuzhy village over the sea sand mining issue there. When the sand mafia drove many of the people out of Koothenkuzhy, they had taken refuge in the neighbouring villages. When the group in Idinthakarai had tried to make country bombs, the Idinthakarai Village Committee did ask them to leave the village. However, some people had stayed back with their families in the Tsunami Colony doing fishing. Several families chose to stay because of their children’s education and for protection of pregnant women. Some of these men’s misadventure must have resulted in the blast on November 26, 2013.

In a press statement, the People's Movement against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) said, “We went on record immediately after the blast that the people of Idinthakarai and the PMANE Struggle Committee had absolutely nothing to do with the bomb blast.”

The Superintendent of Police of Tirunelveli district, Mr. Vijayendra Bidari, had also said that “the blast had no connection with the ongoing protest against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP).”

However, the same police officers said later that the police were going to charge the Struggle Committee members with serious cases and the same was reported widely in all news channels. In the end, three men, Yahappan, Vijay and Jesu Maria Soosai of Koothenkuzhi have been charged under the sections 304, 324, 326, 286, 436; 3, 4, 5 of Explosive Act; Section 4 of TNPPD Act.

PMANE clarified that it does not believe in violence or bomb-making, and the people of Idinthakarai and the PMANE have absolutely nothing to do with the blast.

They condemned those who are behind this mindless action and express our sincere condolences to the bereaved families. We would also thank the various political parties for expressing their support and solidarity with the struggling people.

By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: Representatives from different walks of life who gathered during the ‘Insaf Sab Ke Liye’, all India convention for immediate tabling of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill 2011 expressed serious concern at the ongoing crisis in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD).

Assam Resolution aiming to bring peace and normalcy in the area was also passed during the two day national seminar which took place in Allahabad. They also demanded rehabilitation of the riot affected people.

“The BTAD in Assam are witnessing day to day killings, kidnapping and extortion by militant groups like National Democratic Front of Bodoland/NDFB (surrendered)/NDFB (Songbijit group)/ NDFB (Ceasefire)/ Ex-Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) members which are in power in the Bodoland Autonomous Council and are part of the Congress-led government in Assam,” said Jamsher Ali, president of BTAD Citizen Rights Forum who represented the state in seminar.

The resolution said that the state and central governments in the name of furthering the peace process are giving general amnesty to the militants from time to time. This has encouraged them to involve themselves in terrorist activities. At the same time, the Sangh Parivar is encouraging Bodo militants and political groups to create a volatile situation for their own political gains.

“Six major incidents of ethnic violence have occurred in the area in which Muslims and Santhal Adivasis have been worst affected. The Bodo tribal people are also affected by this continuing violence. The main targets of the Bodo militants and political groups now are the scheduled caste Bengali Hindu and OBC Koch-Rajbanshi communities,” Ali added.

They also rued at the role of the government as district administration and the state government have not been able to arrange adequate security although we learn that two companies of the paramilitary forces have just been despatched.

The Insaf Sab Ke Liye, all India convention for immediate tabling of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill 2011 demands that the state government take immediate steps to ensure the security of life and property of all sections of the people of the area.

“The government of Assam has placed conditions evicting the landless peoples residing on government land in the name of giving them rehabilitation grants of 50,000. This decision will create immense problems for the affected people of the area. We demand that they be immediately rehabilitated in their place of residence and are ensured right to livelihood,” he added.

They also demanded that the rehabilitation package order of Union Home Ministry government of India relating to Delhi Sikh riots, 1984 and Gujarat Violence, 2002 should be immediately implemented for the displaced persons of affected areas of Assam.

By IANS,

Mumbai : Thousands of backward class Muslims staged a dharna in the Maharashtra capital Wednesday, seeking reservations as available to other backward classes in the country for jobs, housing and in education.

Organised by various Muslim groups, the protest drew support from various political parties including the Awami Vikas Party (AVP), the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party.

Several speakers pointed out that Muslims comprise 14 percent of India's population but their representation in various elected and statutory bodies was insignificant.

AVP chief Shamsher Khan Pathan said in 2009 only 28 Muslims were elected to parliament; barely five percent of parliament's strength comprised Muslims, he added.

"We are not asking reservations for all Muslims but the government must at least give reservation in all spheres, education, jobs and housing, for the backward class Muslims on the lines given to other backward classes in the country," Pathan said.

The sit-in demonstration was held after the recent report of a seven-member commission headed by retired IAS officer Mehmood ur-Rehman recommended reservations for the community.

Former MP Aijaz Ali demanded a quota system to rectify the low representation of Muslims in various elected bodies in the country like state legislatures and parliament.

Ali said that barring a provision for Anglo-Indian representation, there is no constitutional provision for quotas for minorities or backward castes in the legislatures or parliament.

Demanding suitable legislative amendments, the speakers said that if the Muslim backward classes were not given reservation by Aug 10 next year they would intensify their agitation.

State teachers' leader and legislator Kapil Patil, Nationalist Congress Party state working president Jitendra Awhad and other leaders also addressed the gathering which had a significant presence of Muslim women.

By IndScribe,

In my childhood, election season was special. The campaigns were boisterous and colourful. Loud speakers blared throughout the day and scores of vehicles were engaged by every candidate.

The jeeps engaged in campaign would throw pamphlets. The children would run after these vehicles and often got parties' badges and symbols. But the high-decibel campaigns are now history. In the post-TN Seshan era, the Election Commission (EC) managed to rein in the parties.

The huge expenses were brought under control. It was indeed a positive step. But yes, sometimes, one looks back and recalls how colourful elections were in those days. In fact, in the recently concluded election, there was such lacklustre campaign that sometime even residents were not sure about the candidates.

While most of the people were aware of the Congress and BJP candidates due to newspapers or their hoardings, not much was known about who else was in the fray [independents, smaller parties]. There were few banners and posters. Contestants were also worried about EC and were over-cautious. They were worried that if they were found guilty of higher expenses, then the EC would crack the whip. Nobody wanted trouble when the model code of conduct is in effect. Officials kept record of all expenses. Recently, a journalist asked an EC official at a press conference about the 'dull and silent campaign'.

The officer said, "Do you like that you wake up in the morning and find your wall painted with a political party's symbol?' The man who posed the question, had nothing to say now.

True, there was huge money involved earlier. Even booths were captured in those days. Now there is enough force deployed that criminal elements and all other trouble-makers are restrained. Even though the campaign wasn't too loud, there were banners and posters on prominent places and on road sides.

Surprisingly, the BJP even campaigned in English. This is the first occasion when in North India, [at least in this region], we saw any mainstream party using English in its 'chunav prachar' [election campaign in English, intekhabi tash'heer, in Urdu].

Shivraj Singh Chouhan was seen as a man with vision, BJP as party with the difference. Congress listed its own achievements and made promises, as you can see in this billboard in Hindi. It says what it has done for Dalits [Scheduled Castes (SCs)] and the Tribals [Scheduled Tribes (STs)].

Other parties were not visible much. A Communist Party of India's (CPI) candidate Shailendra Shaili's poll campaign begins with a famous Urdu poet's couplet. The Communist party candidate who is more active on the ground, has campaigned extensively in Urdu as well. Starting with 35 kg ration for every family at a rate of 1 Rupee per kg, it goes a long way in terms of promises.

The CPI contestant wants Urdu given status of a second official language of the state and taking stern action against communal elements. There is also a lot about the steps to be taken to improve financial condition of labourers, implementation of Sachar panel report et al.

Now the elections are over. The candidates are resting and the fate is now sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). All eyes are now on counting, which will take place a few days later. Then, after a few months, we will all see the campaign for the general elections [Parliamentary polls].

Let's see, how goes the campaigns of political parties then.

--

IndScribe blogs at http://www.anindianmuslim.com

By Rehan Umar Khan,

The global use of internet for electronic communication and e-commerce over the past few years has become a common phenomenon of modern life. No doubt it facilitated our life a lot, but on the other hand it has created a grave concern for governments in India and other countries, as it is posing a threat to personal privacy in an online environment.

These concerns have created an alarming situation to Indian government, media, private entities and policy-makers. Waking up to this challenge now we can see that some efforts are being made by our government to develop some policies and strategies to protect the privacy of electronic transactions and personal information in cyberspace.

The use of new and advanced technologies has increased the fear of privacy intrusion as the new types of PII (Personal Identifiable Information) are now available while it was quite difficult to get them earlier. Biometrics such as, DNA, finger prints, iris-scanning are becoming popular as a method to secure identification. These biometric devices are being used to prevent fraud and forgery in various organizations. But they have also raised some concerns about the storage and access of these digital data. The Internet has affected a lot upon the privacy rights of a person both in their identities and personal data. The use of smart phones or internet enabled phones is the biggest challenge now days as it intrudes upon the privacy rights of a person. Each computer, mobile phone or other device attached to the internet has a unique IP address, which provides a unique identifier for every device and which in turn the can be traced.

The amendments in the ITA Act 2008 and recently produced bill namely “The Privacy Protection Bill 2013” in the Parliament are the signs that the Indian government is waking up towards this problem and trying to combat it. Earlier there were a very few provisions in Indian law to intercept, block and monitor internet communications or to regulate the flow of personal information.

The Privacy Protection Bill 2013 deals with all the major concerns like the protection of personal data, interception of communication, surveillance etc. about which we mostly confront within daily life. Certainly this Bill will help to meliorate the trust of people in e-commerce. Because this implies the rule that no person shall collect any personal data of another person without obtaining the prior consent of the person to whom it pertains and such consent may be obtained in any manner, and through any medium, but shall not be obtained as a result of a threat, duress or coercion.

But apart from all the steps taken by the government to maintain privacy in cyberspace it is also our responsibility to decide up to what extent do we need to share our personal information over the internet. In India people share their personal information over the social networking sites, matrimonial sites and on several other places regardless of the fact that this information can be misused easily.

It is important to understand the criticalness of the fact that even if we share anything on an Indian website it can be accessed globally thus making our information available across the globe. This is due to the nature of the internet so we too have to limit ourselves in sharing personal information despite of making so many polices and passing bills for regulating personal information in cyberspace.

(Rehan Umar Khan is a student of MSCLIS, NLIU, Bhopal.)