By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

Bhopal: Three-day “Haat of India” aiming at inviting Chinese industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh was inaugurated at ‘Lotus Hall Courtyard by Marriott’ here.

Chinese ambassador to India Wei Wei was the chief guest. President of India-China Economic and Cultural Council P.S. Devdhar, over 150 representatives of various Chinese industries, Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa, Additional Chief Secretary Commerce and Industries P.K. Dash, and Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Mrs. Aruna Sharma were also present on the occasion.

Three-day “Haat of India” aiming at inviting Chinese industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh being inaugurated in Bhopal.

Chinese ambassador Wei Wei hailed the efforts for providing a forum to Chinese industries to invest in Madhya Pradesh. He said the both Prime Ministers of India and China have exchanged visits due to which diplomatic ties between the two countries have cemented. He said that constant efforts are being made to resolve border disputes and promote economic cooperation and friendship between the two countries. He said that positive atmosphere is vital to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. Since both the countries are neighbours, they should continue to promote mutual economic cooperation, he added.

Wei Wei stressed the need to expand economic activities for removing trade imbalance between China and India. He said that Indian industrialists are being motivated to do business in China and Chinese industrialists are also being motivated to invest in India in large number. He said the Chinese investment in Madhya Pradesh can be boosted if a Chinese Industrial Park is set up in India. If a Chinese Industrial Park on the lines of Chinese model is set up, Chinese industrialists will be motivated to invest in the country. Giving example of China-Singapore Industrial Park, Wei Wei said that if Chinese Industrial Park is set up in Madhya Pradesh also then jobs will become available to large number of youths apart from strengthening of rural economy.

Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa said that Madhya Pradesh is the heartland of India due to which smooth means of transport to and from all parts of India are available here. With its central location, Madhya Pradesh has immense scope for emerging as logistics hub of the country. He said that Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture growth rate is the highest in India. Madhya Pradesh has become pioneer state in production of wheat and rice. Area under irrigation in the state is 25 lakh hectare, which is targeted to be increased to 40 lakh hectare in next 5 years. Adequate water is stored in dams of Madhya Pradesh due to existence of all-weather rivers like Narmada. Madhya Pradesh is also power-surplus. Workers and trained human resources are adequately available here. The Chief Secretary said that there are immense possibilities for establishment of Chinese Industrial Park in Madhya Pradesh. Chinese industrialists will definitely like better industrial policy of Madhya Pradesh as compared to other states. This will help in improving people’s living conditions apart from jobs to youths on a large scale.

At the outset, Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Mrs. Aruna Sharma said that attention is paid in Madhya Pradesh to both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors’ growth. For increasing productivity, latest techniques are being adopted in the agriculture sector. Besides, constant efforts are being made to provide permanent sources of income to farmers in non-agriculture sector. She said that China has scored large scale success in non-agriculture sector. Drawing inspiration form Chinese concept of Village Enterprise and Township Model, such an initiative will also be taken in Madhya Pradesh through Haat of India. This discussion will help in promoting production quality in state’s rural areas apart from possibilities of a large market. These efforts will also strengthen economic condition of women members of self-help groups making them self-reliant.

Additional Chief Secretary Commerce and Industries P.K. Dash also spoke on the occasion. Welcoming Chinese ambassador Wei Wei’s proposal for Chinese Industrial Park, he said that the state government will provide all facilities to Chinese investors in a time-bound manner. He said that TRIFAC has arranged single-window system for permissions of land, water and power for industries. He said that vast land is available for setting up industries near Indore under Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. There are ample possibilities for setting up of Chinese Industrial Park near Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior etc. He said that state’s industrial policy contains more special financial facilities as compared to other states. Availing its benefit, textile, automobile and automobile instruments industries can be set up.

On the occasion, former Director of Guangzhou Economic Development Zone Han Ke Nan gave a presentation on the “China’s experience of economic zone development”. Ms Liu Yang Yan, Secretary China Council for Promotion of International Trade, (CCPIT), expressed her views on cooperation and opportunities between Madhya Pradesh and Shenzhen. Lin Yang Nan, Director, Modern Agricultural Equipments Institute of China gave a video presentation on “Agriculture Miracle and the role of Agro-Technology potential for partnership”.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: A delegation of Aadiwasi Kisan Punarvaas Ekta Manch (Tribal Framers’ Rehabilitation Unity Forum) met with the kin of Akhilesh, a youth who died in police custody after he was arrested from Amjhar on December 5, 2013, says the press release by the organization.

The kin of the slain, 27 year old youth shared their grief with the delegates of AKPEM and said that his death points out to the nexus between the police and government to cover up the investigation Akhilesh was doing to unearth the illegal business of scrap of diesel.

“He was definitely picked up from a relative’s home and this fact can be verified from the call which was made from the phone of police superintendent at 7:47 pm on December 6 from his phone number 09826861168. If the call details of SP could be fetched, we will be able to prove our claims,” Akhilesh’s father Bharat Lal Shah says.

He has also reiterated the demand of a CBI enquiry into the matter since “the enquiry being done by the retired High Court judge R P Tripathi is a farce.”

The kin of the slain youth have filed an FIR in the police station stating that the police actually went to Anjhar in search of Vijay Shah, Akhilesh’s cousin but instead picked up the latter. The kins also said that the police superintendent had assured Akhilesh’s family that he will be released soon.

When Akhilesh did not return by December 8, then his family registered a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, District Magistrate, Inspector General and Principal Secretary to the U.P. government about the same. Instead of helping, the SP Jaydevan arrested and thrashed Vijay’s younger brother Sanjay Shah.

AKPEM has urged the human right organizations nationwide to take up the issue of custodial killing of Akhilesh. PUCL has showed solidarity with this case and its chief Chitranjan Singh has demanded the police officers responsible for the killing of youth should be suspended from their services. Ex-MLA, Dr. Sunilam of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti said also extended his support on the issue and said the government should take the responsibility of the brutal killing.

By IANS,

New Delhi : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founder leader Arvind Kejriwal Monday said they are ready to form the government in Delhi.

Kejriwal, who led his party's stunning electoral debut, said that the AAP "is ready to form the government".

He said he will meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

The AAP had bagged 28 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party had emerged as the single largest party by winning 31 seats while the Congress had stood a poor third with eight seats.

The BJP decided not to form the government, following which AAP leaders met Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and sought 10 days time. The AAP then held a referendum to know from the people whether or not they should form a minority government.

By IANS,

Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) : A citizen' group distributed over 3,000 blankets at camps here housing those displaced during the Muzaffarnagar riots Monday, a day after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visited the riot victims.

The riots claimed about 50 lives.

As winter set in, reports by early December said about 40 children had died in the camps.

The “Blanket of Hope” campaign to collect blankets for distribution in the relief camps began mid-December.

Once nearly 3,000 blankets were collected, a decision was taken to distribute them at three camps in Suneti, Beepur and Malakpur, where about 500 families are sheltered under tarpaulin sheets.

Shehzad Poonawala, a Delhi youth, campaigned hard over the social media and reached out to friends.

On the first day, 150 blankets were promised and there were people from around the world with offers of support. Cash donations were turned down.

People could order blankets for the campaign through online shopping sites, and there were many people who made use of sites like Flipkart to make the donation.

CAG publishes Part II of its HAF report with more damning evidence of HAF ties to supremacist movement known as Sangh Parivar.

By TCN News,

Washington DC: The Coalition Against Genocide (CAG) published "Part II" of its report on Hindu American Foundation (HAF) titled "Affiliations of Faith - Joined at the Hip" - with further evidence of HAF leadership's ties and dedication to the global Hindu Nationalist Movement that functions under a conglomerate of organizations known as the Sangh Parivar.

The new report documents HAF leadership's participation in Sangh Parivar training camps in India, HAF's support for demagogues of violence and sectarian hatred, such as Sadhvi Rithambara, and the isolation of HAF from the mainstream of national and international human rights organizations.

CAG coalition partner Rajinder Singh Mago of the Sikh American Community said, "CAG coalition partners have fought for justice for a long time, including against the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in Delhi and other places, and we are solidly with the coalition all the way to the very end, in fighting against injustice to any community in India."

"HAF's attack on respected human rights leader, Fr. Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit priest who has tirelessly fought for the rights of non-Christian minorities for decades, shows the kind of bigoted mind-set that would attack anyone who disagrees with their distorted ideas of India's history and destiny," said Mr. Alex Koshy, a coalition partner. "It is also obvious that they are trying to downplay the Indian Christian community's participation in the Coalition Against Genocide," added Mr. Koshy.

The first report published on December 17, 2013 documented HAF leadership's established ties to the Sangh and how the idea of HAF itself was seeded from within the ranks of the Hindu supremacist movement. The first CAG report also documented the specific ideological common ground between the HAF and the Sangh on caste as expressed by the HAF in the California Textbook controversy. In response, the HAF released a document on December 18, that failed to take on any of the above evidence.

"All HAF had to do to prove that it is not a Hindu supremacist organization was to show that Mihir Meghani never served on the VHPA Governing Council and that it had indeed championed the Dalit cause as outlined by several Dalit organizations during the textbook controversy. HAF failed to do even this much," said Dr. Raja Swamy, a CAG spokesperson.

Instead HAF has resorted to McCarthyite tactics of red baiting and Islam baiting. Such tactics alongside HAF's inability to challenge the core facts presented in the first report leaves little doubt that the HAF is indeed a Sangh outfit. The new report adds more weight to the argument by showing that all four of the HAF's current Board of Directors for instance, have clear Hindutva ties; either institutional or ideological or both. "How can an organization whose entire Board of Directors is of one institutional/ideological persuasion deny their affiliation to the Sangh?" asked Mr. Alex Koshy. "We promise there is more evidence if the public wants more," added Mr. Koshy.

The controversy around HAF's links to Hindu supremacist organizations and Hindutva ideology (which is different from Hinduism), escalated when HAF attempted to misrepresent HR 417. The core of the resolution empathizes with religious minorities in India and seeks to include human rights as an issue within the ambit of the Indo-US Strategic Dialogue.

"Our new report is invaluable because it points to the fact that HAF has never cared about the situation of Indian minorities, has worked against social justice in India, and still calls itself a human rights organization advocating for minorities in the US and elsewhere. If this is not a blatant double standard, then what is?" asked Dr. Ubaid.

CAG is a broad coalition, representing a diverse cross section of the religious and political spectrum of the Indian diaspora, including several Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Muslim and Leftist organizations. CAG is committed to democracy and pluralism and to projecting an accurate image of India internationally.

By Hassan Zia Rizvi, TwoCircles.net,

Lucknow: A two day Wajid Ali Shah Festival was organized by Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali’s Rumi Foundation at Chattar Manzil to pay tribute to the Nawab of Oudh.

Chattar Manzil was the great architectural heritage build by Nawab Ghaziuddin Haider, which is now the home of CDRI (Central Drug Research Institute).

Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali who always works for culture and heritage of the city from his organization, Rumi foundation, once again enchanted the audience.

Wajid Ali Shah was a veteran poet and patron of art and a great composer of music particularly thumri and he also revived dances like kathak in the Oudh capital.

The two days festival witnessed by multitude of audience mainly the aficionados of poetry, literature and artists.

Uttar Pradesh CM inaugurated the festival on December 21, and witnessed the ‘The Gomti, a dance of ballet choreographed by Muzaffar Ali.

To promote heritage tourism another event also took place at Vivanta by Taj sponsored by Government of UP, India Glycol and Hindustan power which was attended by 40 all India tour operators and delegates from the tourism industry, with Minister of State OP Singh which was followed by the presentations on restoration of historic heritage of Lucknow.

On 22 December, in the morning walk of heritage conservation with a display of classic and vintage cars by Oudh Heritage Car club, took place. Besides, Zardozi and Chikan work in association with ASI and UP tourism department, were also on display.

The closing ceremony of the festival in the evening witnessed celebrities, politicians and bureaucrats of Lucknow like Jayant Krishna, Governor BL Joshi, Dr.Karan singh, Tariq Khan among others.

Subha Mugdal enthralled the audience towards the end of the programme.

By TCN News,

Coimbatore: A free cottage industry training camp was conducted by Jama'at-e-Islami Hind, Coimbatore along with the guidance of Government Polytechnic for Women.

The program was conducted from December 16, 2013 to December 20 at Masjidul Ihshaan, Karumbukkadai, Coimbatore. Mr. Thangaraj from Government Polytechnic conducted the camp.

This program aimed at guiding women for achieving economic self-sufficiency.

This training camp concluded on Friday, December 20, 2013 which was presided by Moulana Mohammed Ismail Imdhadi, Correspondent, Hidhaaya Islamic College for Women and felicitated Mr. Thangaraj for his service.

The camp was organized by women wing of Jama'at-e-Islami Hind and more than 120 participants were trained through this camp.

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

Bhopal: Over 40 Chinese industrial groups evinced interest in investing in Madhya Pradesh during the three-day exposition and investment summit “Haat of India” organised by Panchayats and Rural Development Department.

The Chinese industries evinced keen interest in investment in tourism, agriculture and food processing sectors. For this, the Chinese companies have expressed wish to form joint ventures with state’s entrepreneurs and make partnership with self-help groups. Four Chinese companies are also interested to contribute in development of International Buddha Park in Sanchi and Vidisha areas.

On the second day of “Haat of India” at Hotel Courtyard By Marriot here today, a Sectoral seminar was held in which various departments gave presentations on possibilities of investment before Chinese entrepreneurs. Secretary Panchayats and Rural Development Dr. Ravindra Pastor, CEO of State Livelihoods Forum L.M. Belwal and other senior officers and representatives of various industrial units of the state were present on the occasion. The seminar on textiles and silk cloth was presided over by Commissioner Industries Arun Kumar Bhatt and seminar on agriculture products’ possibilities and investment in food processing units was presided over by Principal Secretary Farmers’ Welfare and Agriculture Development Rajesh Rajora.

In the seminar on electronics industries and toy trade in Madhya Pradesh, a presentation was given. This event was held under chairmanship of MP TRIFAC’s Managing Director Arun Kumar Bhatt. Managing Director of MP Tourism Development Corporation Raghavendra Singh gave a presentation on tourism development in Madhya Pradesh, specially development of Sanchi as a global level tourism destination.

In the second session at Bhopal Haat, Chief Engineer of Hong Kong based Pan China Company Limited Yuan Shan gave a presentation to develop Bhopal as a focal place for production, storage and transport of various goods. He informed that Bhopal is an ideal place due to its reach to all parts of the country. Presiding over the seminar, Principal Secretary Urban Administration and Development S.N. Mishra held detailed discussions with representatives on Bhopal’s planned development and specialities.

On the occasion, Punjab National Bank’s Regional Head S.K. Zutshi gave a presentation on investment and banking business in Madhya Pradesh. The presentation was given on behalf of various banking institutions. The seminar was presided over by Reserve Bank of India’s Regional Director Ravi Mohan. Zutshi highlighted important aspects of Indo-China imports and exports. He informed that Indian industries have invested 470 million US dollars in China since year 2006. Similarly, Chinese companies have invested 657 US Dollars in the country.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: After a daylong interaction with Muslim leaders drawn from across India, Rahul Gandhi today assured Muslims that the matter of de-reservation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies with substantial Muslim population, as strongly recommended by Sachar Committee, shall be referred to the Delimitation Commission.

This matter will also be highlighted in the Congress Manifesto for 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The matter was raised during the meeting with Rahul Gandhi by Dr Syed. Zafar Mahmood, President, Zakat Foundation of India who presented 20 Works to be done for Muslims. These also include establishment of fast track courts to deal with terror allegations, compensation of Rs 50 lakh to each person who is judicially acquitted of terror allegations, deletion of para 3 from the 1950 definition of scheduled caste, withdrawal of limited competitive examination scheme for recruitment of additional 1400 IPS officers, restoration of minority character of AMU.

Earlier, before the Minorities Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Mr Oscar Fernandez, Dr Zafar Mahmood made another strong plea for adoption of Alternate Admission Criterion proposed by Justice Sachar Committee for admission in Universities and Colleges.

This is supposed to be a combination of merit (60%) and backwardness (40%) while the latter would include family income, backwardness of the district where the applicant belongs and backwardness if the class to which he belongs. The ministers noted down this suggestion for serious consideration.

Muslim leaders from different states - that included lawyers, jurists, professionals, executives, ulema, muftis etc - felt that in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections the central government must take decisions and establish equal opportunities commission and institute schemes of incentives based on religious diversity. Both were suggested by Sachar Committee.

Dr Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary of Islamic Finance stressed the opening of banking windows for interest less banking like it has been done in 75 countries.

Dr Zafar Mahmood reminded the Congress Vice President that the Muslims are not very happy at the moment, for the UPA government has failed on its several poll promises. He alleged that in Muzaffarnagar “inaction,” party's political interests “prevailed over human interests,” and that the UPA government paid lip services to almost all issues concerning Muslims.

He reminded that the Interests of Muslims have mostly remain confined to Waqf, Minorities Commission, Muslim University, Jamia Millia and the like, etc.

He said that the Muslims have generally preferred the Congress party over Sangh Parivar inspired BJP, but there is now resentment amongst the community. “Given the current mood, Muslims don't have an inner urge and enthusiasm to vote for Congress even if their vote goes waste,” he said.
He urged the Congress VP to deliver in the coming 70 days, as the community already gave them 10 years. He reminded that during the tenure of UPA I, the government had delivered Sachar Committee, Mishra Commission, MoMA, National Commission for Minorities Educational Institutions and National Scholarship Scheme for Minorities. But, during UPA II, the consequent actions - which were meant for Muslims - got watered down and diluted among all Minorities, he alleged.

UPA's last window of opportunity: 20 actions expected by Muslims.

1. Create time-bound fast-track courts to try terror allegations. (Ministry of Law)

3. Provide compensation of Rs 50 lakh to each person who is judicially acquitted of terror allegations. Such amount elsewhere in the civilized world is much higher. (Home Ministry)
4. (a)Make 'Scheduled Caste' definition religion-neutral. Amend 1950 Order through a simple parliamentary resolution. (Ministry of Law)

4.(b) De-reserve constituencies with substantial Muslim population. Immediately appoint the next Delimitation Commission with clear time-bound mandate to remove these anomalies. (Sachar Committee: Ministry of Law)

5. Evolve procedure to nominate Muslims in public positions of power. Mind you, post-Sachar, Muslim representation in government has come further down. (Sachar Committee Report: Cabinet Secretariat & Ministry of Minority Affairs)

6. Earmark 67% for Muslims out of the Reservation to be made for all minorities, as Muslims constitute 73% of all minorities.
(Mishra Commission: Ministry of Law)

7. Create Special Component Plan in the Budget for Muslims for skill development programs and other economic opportunities. ('Promises to Keep' by Harsh Mandar & others: Planning Commission & Ministry of Finance)

8. For the PM's 15 Point Program for Minorities, enhance the outlay to 19% of total plan allocation.
('Promises to Keep' by Harsh Mandar & others: Planning Commission & Ministry of Finance)

9. Make the village (in rural area) and ward (in urban area) [and not the district or block] as units of planning for infrastructure schemes (including MSDP - Multi-sectoral Development Plan) and their implementation. ('Promises to Keep' by Harsh Mandar & others: Planning Commission & Ministry of Finance)

10. For special recruitment of 1400 additional IPS officers, scrap the Limited Competitive Examination (LCE) as it pre-empts Muslim intake. (Ministries of Personnel & Home)

11. Establish Indian Waqf Service on the pattern of several states where senior officers are directly recruited, by state law, to manage Hindu temples & endowments. (Sachar Committee Report: Ministries of Personnel & Minority Affairs)

12. (a) In the Waqf Bill 2013, incorporate all the recommendations of Sachar Committee + Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqfs. (Sachar Committee Report & JPC on Waqfs: Ministry of Minority Affairs)

12.(b) Act on the then PM Indira Gandhi's letter no. 71-PMO/76 dated March 26,1976 addressed to the chief ministers - reproduced in Sachar Committee Report on page 223. Vacate Waqf properties occupied by UPA Governments in the centre and states and restore these to the state waqf boards.
(Sachar Committee Report & JPC on Waqfs: PMO, Ministry of Minority Affairs, UPA chief ministers)

13. Publicize Madarsa Scheme (SPQEM) in Urdu & other languages. Rs 50 lakh granted every year for such publicity has not been utilized. (HRD Ministry)

14. Establish equivalence between Madarsa and other education. (Sachar Committee Report: Ministry of HRD, National Institute of Open Schooling and University Grants Commission]

15. Give option for interest-free finance in the banking sector. Implement the recommendations of the Planning Commission's Raghuram Rajan Committee on financial sector reforms. (Planning Commission)

16. Central Urdu Teachers Scheme: Follow up and get resolved its non-implementation in most of the states. (Ministry of HRD)

17. Establish Equal Opportunity Commission. Modalities were finalized by the Expert Committee four years ago. (Sachar Committee Report: Ministry of Minority Affairs)

18. Institute the Schemes for Incentives based on Diversity Index. Modalities were finalized by Expert Committee four years ago. (Sachar Committee Report: Ministry of Minority Affairs)

19. Involve Muslim beneficiary groups in the planning & oversight of the schemes & projects aimed at their welfare. (Cabinet Secretariat & Ministry of Minority Affairs)

20. Concentrate on benefiting the whole Muslim community, not only a few individuals.

Detailed documentation on these issues, often obtained under Right to Information Act, is available with the Zakat Foundation of India.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Hyderabad: Mirza Mohammed Hashim veteran politician and a pioneer of separate Telangana movement took his last breath in Baltimore, Washington on Sunday morning.

He was 92 years old and survived by his wife two sons and four daughters.

MM Hashim was elected from Secunderabad lok sabha seat in Hyderabad district during 1977 election as Telangana Praja Samithi candidate riding on popular statehood movement. After merger of TPS with the Congress in 1978 he was again elected from Secunderabad .

He was close confidant of former chief minister Chenna Reddy, during his first reign as CM in 1978 Chenna Reddy appointed Hashim home minister as his second in command in the state.

He started his political career as municipal corporator of Mallepaly division. In 1960, he got defeated in corporation elections by then MIM’s rising star Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi. After a crunching defeat he then shifted his focus to Asifnagar assembly seat which he won and represented in two terms at 1962 and 67.

When Chenna Reddy again took over power in AP in 1989, MM Hashim was made Rajya Sabha member.

After quitting politics in 1990’s he settled in USA along with his family, and was reportedly seriously ill for past three years.

Many personalities including TDP leader and Siasat editor Zahid Ali Khan and MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi have paid their tributes to Mr. Hashim describing him as ambassador of Hyderabadi culture and a community leader whose services will always be remembered.

By IANS,

Mumbai : A Mumbai special court Monday granted bail to an accused in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case, eight years after he was first arrested, a lawyer said here Monday.

This was only the second bail application approved so far.

Riyaz Ahmed M. Ramzan, charged with helping a co-accused park a vehicle laden with arms and ammunition, secured bail of Rs.50,000, his lawyer Sharif Shaikh said.

The bail order, on the application filed last July, was given by Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) special court judge G.T. Qadri, he added.

Moving the bail application through NGO Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra (AM), Riyaz pleaded that the trial has been pending since 2006 and all the 22 accused were languishing in jail without trial.

The JUeM team of lawyers included Shaikh, Ansar Tamboli, Shahid Nadeem Ansari and Mateen Shaikh, who are providing free legal aid to the accused.

Riyaz said the charges were framed against all accused in 2012 and till date only four witnesses out of 247 have been examined by the court.

Pleading for bail, Shaikh said there was no prima facie evidence against the accused Riyaz, he had not given any confessional statement and none of the other co-accused had named him in their confessional statements.

Advocate Ansari said the only allegation against Riyaz was that he had helped move the computer boxes, allegedly filled with arms and ammunition, from one place to another and helped park an empty car at a warehouse in Malegaon town of Nashik district.

"He had no knowledge of the contents of the computer boxes in the car, so there is no evidence that he was part of any conspiracy," Ansari said.

Opposing the bail plea, Special Public Prosecutor Raja Thakre said Riyaz was deeply involved in the conspiracy and granting him bail could influence the witnesses and also send a wrong signal to the masses.

Two months ago, Oct 21, the Special MCOCA court had granted the first bail in the case to an accused - Javed Ahmed Abdul Majeed Ansari - who had helped park a vehicle containing the arms and ammunition.

The Aurangabad arms haul case was cracked by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) when a team of sleuths intercepted a car coming from Manmad and bound for Aurangabad May 9, 2006.

After a hot chase, police finally managed to intercept the car and nab one man, Mohammed Amir Shakil Ahmed, while two others escaped.

A search of the vehicle revealed an arms cache of 10 AK-47 rifles, 40 magazine pouches and 30 kg black explosives.

Three days later, the ATS intercepted another car without a registration number near Nashik and later the investigator recovered two boxes of arms from a gutter on the outskirts of Manmad.

A couple of days later, May 14, 2006, the ATS recovered five computer cabinet boxes from an electrical shop containing five AK-47 rifles, five packs of 100 cartridges, five packs of 20 magazines, and 13 kg of explosive powder.

By TCN News,

New Delhi: Almost 10,000 people living in relief camps across Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh will receive emergency shelter materials such as tents, tarpaulins, ground sheets, foam mattresses and warm blankets, financed by funds from the European Commission, to protect themselves from the bitter cold weather, which has reportedly claimed several lives in the camps.

The funds will also be used in the construction of latrines and bathing spaces, with separate cubicles for women and adolescent girls, to address significant water and sanitation needs in the camps. In addition, hand pumps will be installed, where existing ones are not functioning, to ensure displaced families have access to safe water supply. Hygiene kits will also be distributed.

"The efforts by our Humanitarian Aid office towards people living in these relief camps is to ensure that their urgent needs in terms of shelter, blankets, and water and sanitation facilities are met quickly”, said Joao Cravinho, the European Union’s Head of Delegation in India. “I hope that our gesture will help them keep warm during the coldest months of the year, while the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities will minimise health risks during this long displacement”.

The project is being funded by the Small Scale Response mechanism of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO). It will be implemented by ECHO’s partner Oxfam, which has already carried out several relief and disaster preparedness activities in India. Last year, ECHO had partnered with Oxfam to address the immediate needs of people displaced following inter-communal clashes in the north-eastern state of Assam.

By M Reyaz,

Naseeruddin Shah Starrer 1980 classic film, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai (What Makes Albert Pinto Angry?) captured the angst of a worker in Mumbai, exemplified by a young Christian car mechanic. He earlier blames the workers, who frequently go on strikes, for their mideanmous, but later realizes that it’s actually the capitalists who are the enemies of the poor. As the film ends, Pinto still remains an angry man; but now his anger is directed against the capitalists, not the striking workers.

Every time, I see our fellow Muslim brothers expressing rage against everything they see as “hurting the sentiments of Muslims,” I am reminded of this critically acclaimed film.

With a slogan of `Go back Taslima' Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Maulana Nurur Rahman Barkati and Idris Ali holding a press conference in Kolkata.

Not that their grievances are fake, certainly we have several issues at hands. Our community as a whole – not only in India, but across the world - today lag on most socio-economic parameters. However, as I see it, often their rage is misplaced, if not totally uncalled for.

Every time, there is outrage against ‘hurting sentiments’ of Muslims, I am left wondering why so much rage? Is the rage simply because of what it appears to be, for example against the work of an author, against purported negative portrayal of Islam/Muslims in certain films, against purported hate speech, etc.? Or is there larger socio-political backwardness, the sense of being neglected, a sense of ‘siege’?

To be fair, the fear that the West will expound on ‘our’ culture, our history, our religion; is not totally unfounded. Certainly there can be arguments in favour. However, at this point, I am not going much into details into that aspect, for people have endlessly written about that. What I intend to do here though is to try and place a mirror, stand a bit away, and attempt to reflect upon the state of affairs.

Take for example, the recent rage over a new Bengali series ‘Dusahobas’ that was supposed to be telecast on a Bengali TV serial based on Bangladesh author Taslima Nasreen's script (after protest and threat to go on street, the serial has now been indefinitely postponed).

Now, we all know the anger the controversial feminist author has generated amongst Muslims in general, and clerics in particular through her writings. But how far are we justified to oppose her even stay in the city and country, and even to let her work on a script?

The serial was not yet broadcast and despite assurances from the producers that there is nothing in the serial against any community in particular, although the author stressed that the serial will portray women in strong roles, fighting against oppression and demanding their rights.

“In her writings, she routinely seeks to ridicule Islam and vilify our revered Prophet Mohammed. In this serial, she might come up with something to show Islam in bad light again,” Syed Mohammad Noorur Rahman Barkati, the Imam of the Tipu Sultan mosque told media.

Last year, as I joined TCN, in one of my first assignments, I supervised over a series on “the logic of protest,” where we spoke to Muslim academician, community leaders, senior journalists, etc. and tried to understand the reason for the rage of the community.

Zahid Ali Khan, Editor in Chief of the Hyderabad based Siasat Urdu daily and Polit Bureau member of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), was forthcoming in accepting that the growing sense of betrayal and victimization leads to illogical protest. He, however, blamed the mainstream media of instigating Muslims. Nonetheless, he had acknowledged that “the real culprits are the hate mongers and instigators within our community, who by their hate speeches instigate youth, then hide in their homes and make the gullible youths a fine target of victimization.”

Hilal Ahmed, an associate fellow at the Delhi based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) who specializes on political Islam, Muslim’s political representation and the evolution of Muslim modernities in South Asia, gave a more nuanced explanation, adding, “Muslims participate in all kinds of politics without giving up their Muslim identity.”

He had argued that we need to better understand the ways in which certain popular and mediatized debates become ‘Muslim issues.’ “These processes are complex, very complicated, and without unpacking them it would be inappropriate to mark a few ‘protests’ as Muslim protests! I think we need to make a distinction between the everyday lives of Muslims and the media type images of Muslims,” he had noted.

But why don’t we see similar rage and protests against problems that are ‘internal’? Maulana Abdul Raheem Qureshi, the assistant general secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and President of All India Majlis-e-Tameer-e-Millat, had argued, “Protests is not the solution to address the conflicts within the community, reasonably they have to be taken care by reconciliation and dialogue. Protest becomes necessary when the oppressor is an outsider.”

Protest against Anti-Islamic film `Innocence of Muslims'in Kolkata in 2012.

He also chided the media for the negative portrayal of the community. “Positive aspects of the (Muslim) community are totally neglected in the media, even if there is some positive story it will be presented in a weak manner, but negative story of the community often are exaggerated and blown out of proportion. Media is playing a negative role, as far as presenting Muslims in the society is concerned,” he had complained.

Last week, much to the displeasure of ‘devout’ Muslims, I noted with a sense of ridicule, how community leaders are fighting cases against ‘homosexuality,’ when more serious issues concerning us as the single biggest minority, like empowerment, communal strife, educational and economic backwardness, security concerns, fighting suspicions, etc. loom large. Protests and rallies for getting relief to victims of Muzaffarnagar riots, for justice, for reservations, for educational and economic equity are few and scattered.

Protest is the fundamental right of every citizen in a democracy, but are we stretching it too far? From Mumbai to Chennai, from Kolkata to Jaipur, in many ways we virtually hold the organizers, the local administration and the government to ransom, forcing them to take decisions subverting all democratic and secular principles – that too, invariably on frivolous issues, and certainly never for more serious concerns of the community.

Perhaps, it serves both our so called community leaders and the ruling establishment; while the community leaderships, particularly the clergy and their coteries appear to be vigilant for the rights and issues of the community by presenting “Islam khatre me hai (Islam is in danger)”; and for the ruling establishment, it is much more easier to “appease” the most important “voting bloc,” by fulfilling such frivolous demands, for delivering on more important issues of empowerment, justice, security, dealing with communal riots, reservations, etc. would require more political will and resources. Is it mere coincidence, that the Imam who spearheaded the protest against Taslima Nasreen’s serial, is literally ‘rakhi’ brother of the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, and has now been nominated to lead Didi’s ambition in UP for the coming general elections?

On the question of angst against purported negative portrayal of Islam/Muslims, agreed that freedom does not mean ridiculing other’s faith or individuals. Agreed that no freedom in absolute and we all must maintain some degree of restrain. But should not we Muslims too learn to restrain ourselves? Why do we forget that even several of our beliefs and practices, for example eating beef or for that matter any non-vegetarian food, would be offending to a large number of people in this country?

Why have our sentiments become so extra-sensitive to be hurt by every incident? Where is the humor gone? Why are we so much in siege? Seeing the present state, I wonder is this same country, where Mughal courts had Zataalli (he one who uses curse words), or jester. I wonder what would have happened to Jaffar Zatalli, Chirkeen, and Mullah Nasruddin had they lived in our times!

PS: As I was writing this column, news of an FIR registered against Salman Khan and producers of Big Boss, for “hurting the sentiments of Muslims” by depicting Jannat and Jahannum (Heaven and Hell).

Related:

Alienated and angry Muslim youth

Insulting Traditions

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Note:“They call me MusLib” would be my (not so regular) column, where I would try to justify my position as ‘MusLib.’ I would intend to try and place a mirror, stand a bit away, and attempt to reflect upon the state of affairs.

While coining the term “Muslib,”Editor of TCN, Kashif-ul Huda had alleged that the liberal Muslims “are neither fully Muslim nor fully liberal.” He had argued, “Liberal Muslims can play an important role of reformers in the community and also act as a bridge in the communication gap that exists between Muslims and the larger Indian population. But unfortunately they remain cut off from the general Muslim population and they appear in media only to serve a specific purpose.”

I shall not only look critically at the community events, but would play the Devil’s Advocate in an attempt to induce our readers to introspection. I hope the readers read this space, as it is intended to be, and is not simply offended. My job here is not just to portray the rosy picture, but to prick the conscience and offend the readers in proportion, for them to look within and to bridge the communication gap that exists between Muslims and the larger Indian population.

I, however, assure that I will not bore the readers every week or very frequently, but only as and when my conscience too is pricked.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Hyderabad: Member of Parliament from Hyderabad and President of All India Majlis-e-Itehadul Muslimeen Asaduddin Owaisi is going to be honored with Sansad Ratna award 2014 for overall best performance in 15th Lok Sabha.

His speeches in Lok Sabha taking on national political parties and union ministers alike with questions and empirical data have always made looked other Muslim parliamentarians as non-existent.

Mr. Owaisi’s name is being finalized along with seven other Lok Sabha members who has total tally of above 1000 (Debates +private bills + Questions) during the 5 years period. The finalists for awards have been made as per the data released by PRS India on 10th December 2013 on the overall performance of 15th Lok Sabha.

Asaduddin Owaisi scored glowing 1080 questions in parliament far ahead with national average of 292. Although his 70% attendance was 6% less than average but again he overturned it by participating in 40 debates 4 points ahead of national average.

44 year old Asaduddin, who is representing Hyderabad for second consecutive term, has emerged as leader among Muslim Lok Sabha members and also over scored his colleagues from home state Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Owaisi who is quite vocal on Muslim issues from Kashmir to Assam has gain wide respect nationally among Indian Muslims for his quite bold speeches in Lok Sabha. His community consciousness is recognized in the parliament where major Muslim MP’s are seen bound with the party lines.

Recently Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh was caught in surprise by Owaisi’s ‘googly’ when he raised the issue of wakf properties during the tabling of the land acquisition bill in parliament, forcing Mr. Jairam to admit his ministry’s mistake and to recognize wakf as a serious matter yet to be deal in the bill.

Other seven Lok Sabha members are, Anandrao Adsul (Shiv Sena Maharashtra), Hansraj G Ahir (BJP MP Maharashtra), S S Ramasubbu (Congress Tamil Nadu), Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP Rajasthan), Gajanan Dharmshi Babar (Shiv Sena Maharashtra), Pradeep Majhi (Congress Orissa), Shivaji Adhalrao Patil (Shiv Sena Maharashtra). Especial Sansad Mahila Ratna award for women Lok Sabha members and Sansad Yuva Ratna award for young members is also going to be conferred.

In the earlier years, annual Sansad awards were presented to the toppers under three categories (a) debates (b) private members bills and (c) questions. This year at the end of 15th Lok Sabha a grand finale is planned to award best performing MP in over all categories in last five years. Award ceremony will be held at IIT Madras on 15th February 2014.

Link: http://www.prsindia.org/mptrack/asaduddinowaisi

By TCN News,

Mumbai: ‘This is the first national initiative to identify and promote Muslim talents right from their schooling’, observed Prof. Fouzia Khan, Hon’ble Minister of State for School Education, Minorities Development, Women & Child Development in the Maharashtra government, speaking at the prize distribution ceremony for rank holders in the National Muslim Talent Search Examination NMTSE’2013 organised by the Human Welfare Foundation New Delhi at Maulana Azad Research Centre Aurangabad on Sunday.

She declared her full support for these awardees to complete their education. Maulana Ashfaque Ahmed, Education Secretary, JIH, New Delhi regretted that today the students were being unnecessarily pressurised by their parents and failed to achieve what they could if given a free choice.

He advised parents not to judge their children by the results of a few exams but try to understand their interests, attitude and aptitude and accordingly provide the required support. Mr. M. A. Jaleel, President, AIITA, Maharashtra, called upon the student fraternity to work hard in this age of competition and give their best to their parents, community and nation. Mr. Chandrashekhar Borade (selected for Asst Commissioner Sales Tax) provided guidance on NTSE exam pattern and shared important tips to achieve success.

Dr Razaullah Khan President, KAWISH in his address highlighted the importance of competitive exams especially for muslims. Br. Md. Salman, CS, SIO, South MS suggested students to study smart with critical thinking. Mr. Zahoor Ahmed, Secretary Education, JIH MS highlighted the HWF initiative and Dr M A Baseer presented the aims and objectives of NMTSE, to search the talented Muslim students, to equip them for NTSE, other Competitive Exams and providing them career mentor ship.

He requested the support to conduct such programmes in the future as well and advised the students to take up the challenge for entrance exams to obtain seats in reputed institutions. Over thirty five meritorious students from across the State were awarded Cash Prizes, Certificates and books on Personality Development for securing top National Ranks in the NMTSE conducted in 2013.

First Prize Rs 15000/- awarded to Miss Neha Tarannum, Faran Urdu High School, Parbhani, Second Prize Rs.10000/- awarded to Syeda Madiha of Al Huda Urdu High School, Beed,Third Prize awarded to Md Zaid St Joseph High School, Solapur and remaining Consolation Prizes of Rs 5000/ each. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Prof. Imran Khan.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Hyderabad: Moral policing is once again creating ripples in Hyderabad but this time more amusingly at institutional level.

Police Inspector Syed Nayeemuddin Jawed in a self-promotional video was caught chasing down ‘Muslim couples’ and punishing them at Seven Tombs Park.

Golconda station head Inspector claimed that those youngsters were indulging in indecent acts at Public Park. In the video which has got widely circulated over social media Inspector Jawed and plainclothes police men with Lathis in hand were seen manhandling adult males and forcing girls clad in Burkhas to do sit ups on running camera and on even occasions allowed other passers-by to film in their mobile phones.

Mr. Jawed in barely 30 min self-promotion video programmed by a newly launched local YouTube channel was also heard making remarks against Muslim girls using mobile phones and wearing jeans inside their burqas. According to his assessment in the video, generally those kinds of girls are ‘prostitutes’ using burqas to hide their identity.

According to Police Inspector Jawed young couples bunking colleges roaming around the parks should be punished as it has giving rise to runaway marriages, some cases which he personally monitored and seem parents were left broken.

He justified his action in the video stating, “This is India not London, Paris where you can do immoral acts. It is a religious country; there are a religious law here which doesn’t allow this kind of obscenity.”

Inspector Jawed’s statements and actions have irked women organizations who believe police has crossed its law and order duties into despicable actions. Dr. Rafat Seema of Nisa Research and Resource Center of Women, termed police action as sheer populism exercise.

“Giving punishments to adult girls in full public view by male police officers cannot be justified in any manner. Matter could have been solved by parental counseling. It seems more like a cheap publicity stunt to get into lime light,” she told TCN.

On the other hand Mr. Javed is receiving huge praises from large section of Muslim community who see his work as “protecting Islamic values” of strayed youngsters.

Mr. Javed, who had earned the ‘disrepute’ of the community for his stint in Task Force, where he was accused of booking innocent Muslim youths into terror cases, has overnight become an upright officer of Muslim community with his moral policing.

Critics of Inspector Javed’s religious moral policing believe it’s a dangerous precedent, “When Muslim youngsters witness the drama they will start taking law into their hands expecting sanction of police to such actions,” Ms. Seema said.

In fact in past there have been incidents of such kind in city, even during Mr. Javed’s tenure as Inspector of Chaderghat in August 2012 some Muslim youths had beaten up college couple riding on bike.

Just two months back in October similar incident happened in the same area this time a different police inspector rounded up three Muslim youths and prosecuted them under serious charges like assaulting women and outraging her modesty.

Golconda police station is responsible for protecting law and order of around 2 lakh citizens mostly Muslims. A resident, on condition of anonymity, told TCN that huge gambling parlours and illegal liquor shops function in the station limits but no officer has acted against them. “Also act against them they are also un-Islamic and even illegal. But police won’t remember society and religion when collecting Haftas and mamools,” a resident said.

Even though he doesn’t have any appreciation for Inspector Javed but like many residents of the locality he was also of the opinion that heritage sites and public gardens in the vicinity were turning into “lover spots” which majority of residents do not appreciate.

Shaik Azeemuddin, who runs the YouTube channel Factnews that telecasted the promotional video of Inspector Javed has no regrets either. Speaking with TCN he justified his action of filming the punishment to girls, “Media should highlight this kind of incidents on camera to shame these couples, so next time others will deter from hanging around in un-Islamic ways. “

He said women were in Burqas and only their backsides were shown but then again he reiterates, “This was necessary to keep away youths from foreign culture. In the name of freedom you cannot indulge in obscenity at public places.”

But Mr. Azeemuddin refutes allegations that his video will provoke other Muslim youths from taking law into their hands. “They should inform police.” he immediately adds.

Man in fire now, police inspector Mr. Nayeemuddin Javed claims it is part of their duty under IPC to check indecency in public places. Inspector claimed couples he punished were indulging in obscenity.

When TCN inquired with him the proper police procedure for such youths Mr. Javed said, “If we catch them we will take them for counselling and inform their parents.” When TCN persisted him on questioning whether punishing girls on camera is part of ‘proper police procedure’ he disconnected the phone.

His superior claims they are unaware of any such action by their department. DCP of West Zone P. Satyanaryana told TCN that he has no knowledge about any such incident and refused to comment on police procedure for reprimanding couples caught in public places crossing decency parameter of police. DCP represented obvious haziness in police in dealing with such an issue.

A police inspector who has earlier served in Golconda station on the condition of anonymity told TCN that police is in catch 22 to deal in such situation. “If we don’t act against intimate couples hanging around in public parks right wing elements of society will start targeting. And if we have to act under sec 294 of IPC then liberals will cry moral policing,” he said, adding, “During my tenure I used to just shoo off couples to be on the safe side. Javed by punishing them in front of cameras have certainly got himself in tight waters.”

Meanwhile police department has ordered an internal inquiry by ACP to investigate whether the action of Inspector Syed Nayeemuddin Javed was as per the law or did he bring in religious morals in his policing.

By IANS,

New Delhi : NGO Naz Foundation Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its ruling over Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, according to which homosexuality or same gender sex between two adults is a criminal offence.

In a jolt to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, the apex court held Dec 11 that consensual sex between adults of the same gender was illegal and an offence according to the existing law.

The central government has already filed a review plea on the apex court ruling.

The apex court set aside the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict that decriminalised homosexuality. The high court ruling had come on a public interest litigation (PIL) by Naz Foundation.

An apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya held that there was no constitutional infirmity in Section 377 of the IPC, which makes gay sex an offence punishable with up to life imprisonment.

However, the court said appropriate changes in Section 377 can be made through legislation and parliament must take a decision on the issue and that the judiciary has no role in it.

The New Delhi-based foundation sought an interim suspension of the operation of the judgment.

It said in its petition that the judgment has caused immense prejudice to all adult people who engage in consensual sex, particularly those from the LGBT community, who suddenly have been put at risk of prosecution under criminal law.

"In the last four years, many people from the LGBT community have become open about their sexual identity and disclosed their intimate relationships on the basis of the high court judgment decriminalising the same," the plea said.

"There are a number of grave and manifest errors of law and wrong application of law in the impugned judgment that need to be corrected under review by this court," the review petition said.

"The judgment is contrary to the grain of Supreme Court's own jurisprudence on advancement of fundamental rights and freedoms of all people, especially those who face marginalisation in society," it said.

The Supreme Court in its order said that those who indulge in carnal intercourse against the order of nature constitute different classes and could not claim that "Section 377 suffers from the vice of arbitrariness and irrational classification".

It said the high court while reading down Section 377 "overlooked that a miniscule fraction of the country's population constitute lesbians, gays, bisexuals or transgenders".

"... in last more than 150 years, less than 200 people have been prosecuted (as per the reported orders) for committing offence under Section 377 IPC and this cannot be made sound basis for declaring that section ultra vires the provisions of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution," the apex court bench said.

Section 377 says: "Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine."

By IANS,

New Delhi : Allegations that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was anti-Muslim were not true, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said Tuesday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader quoted Rafiq Zakaria, an Islamic scholar and Congress leader who has done research on the "Iron Man", to underline his statement.

In his blog, Advani expressed surprise at a "perverse" article in a national magazine which quoted records to brand Sardar Patel as a man "rabidly communal in outlook" and Jawaharlal Nehru as a symbol "of secular nationalism".

The article said this was the reason why the Sangh Parivar "worships one and hates the other".

Advani presented Zakaria's views to counter the charge. Zakaria is considered an authority on subjects related to Indian Muslims.

Quoting Zakaria's book based on his lectures on "Sardar Patel and Indian Muslims", Advani said the Congress leader too was under the impression that Sardar Patel did not like Muslims.

"I thought he (Patel) was unabashedly anti-Muslim. Should I, therefore, I wondered, venture on a theme in lectures organised in his memory, which may be critical of him," Zakaria wrote.

"The more I researched, the more I was convinced that the 'Iron Man' had been misunderstood in many respects and there were cobwebs about his attitude toward Indian Muslims, which needed to be removed. I am glad I was able to do so to my satisfaction," Advani quoted from the book in his blog.

Attempts by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to capitalise upon Patel's legacy recently fuelled a spat between the party and the Congress.

By IANS,

Kolkata : India will be a house divided if BJP's Narendra Modi becomes prime minister, former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said Tuesday, expressing concern over big industrialists rooting for Modi.

"Not only Muslims are scared. Do you think Hindus are also not in their senses that they will bring Narendra Modi to power? The country will not remain united. It will be in flames," the Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member said at a rally in Burdwan town, around 100 km from Kolkata.

"This will lead to danger," Bhattacharjee said, launching a stringent attack on Modi, who is being projected as the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate.

He said neither farmers nor the poor people of Gujarat were cheering for Modi.

On the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 during Modi's tenure, Bhattacharjee said: "Dangerous times lie ahead. On one side, there are the memories of the riots and on the other, we see him getting the support of big industrialists."

Bhattacharjee also criticised West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress, and on its reported tie-up with the BJP.

"Are we saying something new? Didn't the Trinamool forge an alliance with the BJP in the past?" he asked.

"Don't allow the BJP-Trinamool combine to gain ground. We, the Left parties, will strongly oppose the combination."

By IANS,

New Delhi : As Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday held consultations on government formation and the party named its ministers, a section of the Congress was divided over extending support to the party, indicating tough times ahead for the political arrangement.

The AAP sent the names of six ministers - Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Somnath Bharti, Rakhi Birla, Satyendra Jain and Girish Soni to Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung.

The swearing-in may be held Dec 26, said party sources. However, the name of Laxmi Nagar MLA Vinod Kumar Binny, a strong probable for cabinet minister, was missing from the list, indicating there could be rift in the party. But AAP members denied it.

Chief Secretary D.M. Spolia apprised Kejriwal, set to be the next chief minister (CM) of Delhi, of the the nitty-gritty of the government formation, at the latter's Kaushambi residence.

AAP sources said the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place at the historic Ramlila Maidan, where an anti-corruption movement, led by Anna Hazare, was launched in 2011.

Meanwhile, angry Congress workers protested and burnt the effigy of Kejriwal as many are unhappy with the party's outside support to the AAP. Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi confirmed the divide in the party over support to the new political party.

"There were divergent views within the Congress on extending support to the AAP. There is an opinion in the Congress that the decision to support was not correct," he told reporters.

A source in the party told IANS: "It's a catch-22 situation because if the party withdraws support to the AAP, then it would be shooting itself in the foot as the party shouldn't have given it in the first place. We are stuck."

But, for now, senior Congress leaders are evading the question of their likely withdrawal of support to the AAP.

Divergence in Congress views became more pronounced after release of a two-minute video posted on social networking sites, where the debutant party justified its decision to take outside support from the grand old party to form a government, but also threatened action against corrupt ministers.

"We'll take action against any previous corrupt minister of the Congress and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)," it said.

Terming Congress as B-team of AAP, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said both parties have entered into political adjustment on government formation in Delhi with "a self-serving motive" and each wants to outfox each other.

Kejriwal has refused Z category security and official CM's bungalow he is entitled to.

Party sources said Kejriwal wanted to discuss financial health of Delhi government with Spolia.

Government sources said Spolia informed Kejriwal that President Pranab Mukherjee has given clearance for government formation.

A reshuffle in the bureaucracy is expected with the AAP coming to power.

AAP has made a slew of promises, including those related to power and water supply, that its critics say will be difficult to implement.

The AAP staked claim to form the government in Delhi after the BJP decided against it. AAP won 28 seats, the BJP 31 and the Congress eight in the December assembly polls.

AAP was born out of the anti-corruption movement in 2012.