Consul General, Elected Officials and Dignitaries join Indian Americans to celebrate the ideals of India's Constitution.

By TCN News,

Washington DC: The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos, has congratulated Indians living across the world, on the occasion of India's 65th Republic Day. IAMC chapters in Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, New Jersey and San Diego have organized festivities this week and the next, with elected officials and prominent members of the diaspora in attendance.

Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed was the keynote speaker at the Chicago event on January 26, while Mayor Hameeduddin (Teaneck, NJ) and Mayor Frank Gambatese (South Brunswick, NJ) will be the keynote speakers at the New Jersey event. Prominent guests at IAMC celebrations this year included Mayor Barry Brickner of Farmington Hills, MI and Mayor William H. Droste of Rosemount, MN.

Consul General of India Dr Ausaf Sayeed speaking at the IAMC event in Chicago

Consul General of India Dr Ausaf Sayeed speaking at the IAMC event in Chicago.

US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) were represented by their respective community staffers, while Mr. Adeel Lari and Mr. Mukhtar Thakur, of the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM) attended the event in Minneapolis, MN.

Rev. Dr. Itty Matthews (Pastor, Church of South India, Michigan), Mr. Raman Singh (Gurdwara Sahib, Plymouth, MI), Mr. Harvinder Singh (Michigan Indian American Cultural Association), Dr. Kalyani Menon (Asst Professor, Religious Studies, DePaul University) and local elected officials were among the dignitaries in Farmington Hills, MI. The San Diego, CA event will feature Dr. Rafiq Dossani (Senior Economist, RAND Corporation).

US Senator Amy Klobuchar's community representative, Mr. Siad Ali, at the Republic Day event in Minnesota

US Senator Amy Klobuchar's community representative, Mr. Siad Ali, at the Republic Day event in Minnesota

"IAMC's Republic Day celebrations are an expression of profound appreciation for the ideals of justice, pluralism and democracy - the shared values of India and the United States," said Mr. Ahsan Khan, President of IAMC. "At a time when India's secular ethos is increasingly under threat from radical and sectarian forces, the celebrations give the diaspora community an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution, " added Mr. Khan.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum, in a congratulatory message read by her community representative Chao Lee, said: "...Minnesota is proud to be home to more than 38,000 Americans of South Asian descent. Our state and our community has been greatly enriched by the many contributions of Indian Americans. As your Member of Congress, I will continue to work for you to further advance human rights at home and abroad and to improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans."

"I love both," this young attendee appears to be saying.

"I love both," this young attendee appears to be saying

IAMC's Republic Day celebrations have become an integral part of the diaspora community life in the US, with Indian Americans of various religious and ideological persuasions coming together to celebrate the birth of the Indian Republic. In some cities the Republic Day celebrations have included Quiz Contests and Fancy Dress Competitions.

Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 15 chapters across the nation.

By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,

Imphal: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) announced former Minister Haji Abdul Salam as its nominee for the lone Rajya Sabha seat of the state on January 27, 2014.

Abdul Salam was nominated from among 20 candidates who had applied for the candidature. 4 Muslim candidates applied for the Congress ticket. The other 3 are Former Speaker Md. Maneruddin Sheikh, Dr. Syed Burhanuddin and Wahidur Rahman.

Haji Abdul Salam (in cap) along with MLA Fajur Rahim at Congress Bhawan filling nomination form.

Abdul Salam was unanimously accepted as the candidate for the State Congress by the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting held at the Chief Minister’s bunglow on January 27 morning. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had already approved the proposal for nominating Abdul Salam.

Abdul Salam is set to be the first Muslim MP from Manipur.

In the afternoon of January 27 Abdul Salam files his nomination paper at the State Legislative Assembly Secretariat. He was accompanied by Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and MPCC President Gaikhangam and other MPCC executives and members. There are 42 Congress MLAs in the 60-member State Assembly. The election is scheduled for February 7.
The incumbent, Rishang Keishing (96), the oldest MP in the Parliament, has withdrawn from the race due to age factor.

It is believed that the State Congress has nominated a Muslim candidate considering the minority votes in the State in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. Many of the Muslim organizations had threatened to boycott the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha election if the party fails to nominate a Muslim for the Rajya Sabha. There are 2 Lok Sabha seats in Manipur – Inner Parliamentary Constituency and Outer Parliamentary Constituency. The State has more than 2 lakh Muslim population.

Abdul Salam (65) was elected from Wabagai Assembly Constituency in Thoubal District for the first time in 1980. He represented the Assembly thrice. He served as Cabinet Minister twice. He was the Vice-President of MPCC and member of All India Congress Committee.

By Ahamed Ansar MS,

Coimbatore: Four districts in Tamil Nadu wore crowded look on Tuesday as thousands of Muslims came out to demand separate reservation in education and jobs both in Centre and state.

Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), state's largest Muslim outfit organised the 'Jail Bharo' or 'Fill the Prison' demonstration in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Tirunelveli demanding reservation in education and jobs for Muslims in Centre as well as state with 10% and 7% respectively.

Here in Coimbatore city, about 25,000 Muslims from eight districts under the Kongunadu region had registered their slogans in front of Central Prison led by Rahmathullah, state general secretary, TNTJ.

This is the second such biggest protest by TNTJ after the then M. Karunanidhi led DMK government had announced 3.5 percent reservation in 2010.

With this, Muslims here looking at least convincing announcement from any state political supremo who offer them 7%. As the TNTJ's rival Muslim political party the Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) already joined hand with the DMK ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha polls, now the organisation have no option but to keep its eye on AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa to get her words.

Meanwhile well-known Islamic cleric in Tamil Nadu and the senior most leader of TNTJ, Moulavi P. Jainulabudeen had set time frame till today to chiefs of political parties to announce their stand on this regard before the protest.

"We would be happily turn this protest as thanks giving meeting if leader who accept our demand. We will support and campaign for such party for next general elections" he told at a press meet a day ago.

By IANS,

Riyadh : Indians are among 1,350 expatriates arrested in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh for staying illegally in that country.

The crackdown on illegals Jan 22 was ordered by Prince Khalid bin Bandar, governor, and Prince Turki bin Abdullah, deputy governor of the Riyadh province, the Albawaba News reported Tuesday.

There were 27 wanted suspects among those arrested in the raid in Riyadh's city centre that lasted 24 hours, the report said.

Those arrested included nationals from India, Yemen, Pakistan and Bangladesh and they had been involved in criminal cases or had run away from their sponsors.

Raids against illegal expatriates are being conducted by Riyadh police in cooperation with the Criminal Investigations Department, Special Task Force (STF), Riyadh Traffic, Fraud Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, Passports Department and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority.

Police said they had arrested 6,500 illegal workers in earlier raids.

“Two stolen cars were also recovered during the operation,” a police officer was quoted as saying.

Prior to the raid, the police cordoned off the area to facilitate inspection and prevent suspects from running away.

Police also raided several shops and restaurants and apprehended Egyptian, Indian, Sudanese and Pakistani workers.

However, the exact number of Indians arrested is not known.

By IANS,

Panaji : In a tourist state well known for its roast beef and beef steaks, yoga guru Ramdev Tuesday promised he would leverage on Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to ban cattle slaughter.

Ramdev also said Parrikar promised him in a meeting earlier Tuesday, that he would arrest some bigwigs responsible for illegal mining in the state.

"I will try my utmost to ensure that cattle slaughter is banned in Goa. I will certainly convince Parrikar and make sure it happens," said Ramdev.

The yoga guru added he was preparing a plan where cattle could be used for agricultural chores and thereby the animals escape a butcher's cleaver.

Goa has a 30 per cent plus minority population for whom beef is staple meat. A small section of the non-minority population also consumes red meat.

Beef-oriented dishes like roasts, steaks, curries are invariably found on the menus of coastal restaurants frequented by the over three million annual tourists.

"Cattle slaughter has to be stopped across India. That is my agenda," Ramdev said.

The yoga guru, who has been carrying out an anti-corruption campaign for the past several years, also said Parrikar assured him that several magnates linked to illegal mining would be arrested within the next two or three months.

"I had raised the issue of illegal mining during my last visit to Goa. Now, Parrikar has personally assured me that several big fish in the illegal mining industry would be arrested within the next couple of months," Ramdev said.

When asked whether he found it surprising that the chief minister's assurance came with the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, Ramdev said: "We will see if he honours his assurance or else I will start a protest here."

By IANS,

Dubai : The Indian embassy in Oman issued a record 59,000 visas to Omani nationals in 2013, signifying a robust flow of tourists from that Gulf nation to India, India's Ambassador to Oman J.S. Mukul has said.

"Medical tourism remained an attraction as India offers state-of-the-art medical facilities and excellent healthcare at a fraction of the cost elsewhere,” the Times Of Oman quoted Mukul as saying while speaking at a function to mark India's 65th Republic Day at the embassy premises in Oman's capital Muscat Sunday.

He added that the last civil aviation agreement had increased direct flights between the two countries to over 400 per week.

"Bilateral trade is vibrant, having crossed the level of $5 billion, and still growing. In 2012, India topped the list of destinations for Omani non-oil exports. Investment flows remain buoyant," the ambassador said.

He said India takes bilateral economic ties with the country seriously.

By IANS,

New Delhi : The test identification parade (TIP) of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal would be conducted Jan 31 in a case related to the 2010 M. Chinnaswamy Stadium blasts in Bangalore, Karnataka Police told a Delhi court Tuesday.

Karnataka Police told District Judge I.S. Mehta at the Patiala House Court via a communication that investigation is still on in the stadium blast case and Bhatkal's TIP will take place Jan 31.

Court sources said police informed the court that it will present Bhatkal after concluding the TIP.

On Jan 17, the court handed over Bhatkal's custody to Karnataka Police till Jan 28.

Bhatkal has been booked as an accused in the April 2010 blasts where two low-intensity bombs went off at the stadium about an hour before the start of a cricket match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. At least 15 people were injured and the match delayed by an hour.

Arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in August 2013, Bhatkal is accused of being involved in many terror attacks across the country.

By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,

Ajmer: At the revered Jannati Darwaza (Gateway to Heaven) in the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty as the devotees throng to tie the sacred thread, a Khadim (Servant) is invoking the faithful to make wishes and offerings: “Aate jaao, maangte jaao, dete jaao.”

The pilgrimage to the holiest shrine of the most revered Sufi in South Asia, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty is often reduced to a chaotic trip for most visitors, where in ‘coercive’ tone of sugar-coated politeness the cartel of Khadims seek money at every step.

What was supposed to be a voluntarily nazrana (offering) at the shrine has been reduced into almost ‘coerced’ ritual of the zyarat (pilgrimage), not at one place but on several occasions, apparently for maintenance of the shrine, and for the mass feast (langar), as well as the service of respective Duwagos (Khadims of the Mazar) for the “satisfactory - spiritual services” (Dua) rendered, as well as for the fulfilment of wishes, for the services offered as guide, and for charity made in general.

Jannati Darwaza

At the Mazar of Bibi Sahiban (Wives of Sufi Saint), as I lowered my gaze to see the tombs from the marbled ventilator, a Khadim puts his hand on my head and invokes me to make offering after pretending to hum the prayer and seek forgiveness. When I start taking out a ten rupees note, he ‘politely’ asks for at least hundred.

As you proceed the water carrier, Bhishti, with their traditional leather bags, would ask you for money for doing the service of providing ‘holy’ water for washing away sins and illness and cleansing the soul. Not really a believer in these sham rituals, I attempt to proceed, but as many of them encircle me, I give in, and hand out another note to them.

Mazar of Bibi Sahiban (Wives of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty)

The shrine of Gharib Nawaz is crowded on most days, and hence like a tour guide, it helps if you are with a Khadim as that would save you time from standing in queue. Besides, like a true Khadim of Dargah many of them help you through the spiritual journey and in all fairness these Khadims survive on these nazranas. However, what is of concern is that there appears to be no accountability of the huge sum collected at different places.

(Syed Suhail Chishty)

The puritan form of Islam – the Salafis, as well as the Deobandis of South Asia - deride the Sufi cult following, and consider it as biddat (addition to religion), while for the followers Sufism, the ‘holy’ soul of the enlightened and beloved saints figuratively becomes a ladder to reach out to the Almighty. At the Dargah of the revered Khwaja Gharib Nawaz the ‘ladder’ appears to be chaotic at best, or an intricate network crony tour guides, masquerading to be Khuddam (plural of Khadim), at worst.

A Khadim explaining to the devotees the importance of sacrifices.

During the medieval period, the so called ‘Dark Age’ in Europe, Churches had virtually started selling off Indulgence, a certificate of remission of temporal punishment, one of the ‘malpractices’ against which the likes of Martin Luther protested, beginning the new branch of ‘Protestant’ Churches, as well as leading the ‘counter-reformation’ in Catholicism. Or those who have visited any of the bigger temples or dhams, would better associate with the experiences one has in the country’s biggest Dargah.

Even at the Beghami Dalan (Queen’s courtyard named so as it was commissioned by Mughal Queen Noor Jahan), or at the exit door of the Dome that houses the most revered tomb, Khadims stand for collecting ‘offerings.’

Who is a Khadim?

Khadims claim to be descendants of Hazrat Khawaja Syed Fakhruddin Gurdezi, a cousin and follower of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz. Syed Sultan Hassan Chishty, one such Khadim, tells TCN that their families have been serving the house of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz for nine hundred years now. There is an estimated 5000 Khadims at the moment from around 2000 families.

(Syed Sultanul Hassan Chishty)

Though never directly mentioned, it is made out that without the Nazrana, the wishes would never be granted. A simple Google search of Ajmer Dargah or Khwaja Gharib Nawaz throws out websites of different houses of Khuddam, who exhort the faithful to donate money “anytime from anywhere in form of offering.” What is interesting that most of these websites have personal bank account details and not in the name of any organisation.

One such website, run by Haji Shah Syed Shah Nawaz Chishty offers to make lodging and other arrangements in the guest house made especially for the devotees. Most of the guest houses in the locality are run by family members of Khadims, or other committees.

What was more surprising that the Nazrana was openly being collected and even receipt given out at the Anjuman office. As this this Correspondent visited the Anjuman office, soon a horde of pilgrims was escorted to deposit the offerings for the community work.

The receipt notes the purpose of the offerings made in bold letters, “Nazar-O-Niyaz of Huzoor Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.).” Overleaf, also mentions the purported charitable works, done by one such Anjuman (there are two Anjumans of Khadims). Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chishtia Khuddam Khwaja Sahib Syedsadgan, a registered body under the Societies Act, says that the offerings made are utilized for charitable works like providing stipend to widows, scholarships to students, medical help, and for celebrating several Islamic occasions. They even run schools and madrassas.

At the office of Anjuman, offerings are 'officially' made with receipts.

In April 2012, then Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari had visited the 13th century shrine and made an offering of one million dollars (over 5 crore rupees then) for the welfare of the Dargah. Similarly each time some leaders or celebrities come they donate big sum of money to the Anjuman.

The critics of Khadims, however, argue that most of these offerings go into their pockets. Although no one TCN spoke to wanted to be named, but some very respected people who closely watch the functioning of Dargah bodies alleged the benefactors of most of the schemes too are the family members of the Khadims.

The court yard of the shrine campus, particularly the eastern flank, appears to have been divided into smaller stalls or locations for each group of Khadmis, for them manage their clients – the devout Muslims, who visit the shrine to pay homage and to make wishes.

Like a tour guide they make arrangements for this spiritual journey, however, thy are not organised. Although Anjuman exists the services rendered by most individual Khadims appear to be unregulated.

Take the example of the Deg (big cauldron) donated by Mughal Emperor Jahangir; in the name of preparing Langar (community feast), each day devotees make offerings. Although no one was willing to talk on record, our sources say that the Deg is auctioned amongst the Khadims by the Anjuman for a fixed amount for a fixed tenure and the excess of money goes into their pockets.

Badi Degh

There have also been reported cases of misbehaviour, cheating, even allegations of rape on individual Khadims. But it would be unfair to brand all the Khadims. Surely there are many devout Khadims, who are serving the community and the Dargah. However, most fail on the question of accountability.

Role of Government and Dargah Committee: The government too is responsible for the mess in the Dargah. Ajmer Shrine is managed by a special Act of Parliament known as Dargah Khwaja Sahab, Act 1955, under which a 9-member Dargah Committee nominated by the Central Government, including a Nazim (CEO).

The 1955 Act clearly mentions that it is the responsibility of the Committee to collect endowments and to make its proper use, besides managing the Dargah and other properties. Khadims are supposed to be paid by the Committee, and they need to undergo certain basic training in Islamic teachings as per the law. There are several criteria, like they should not be less than 40 years of age, etc.

Some of the provisions have been challenged in different courts on many occasions by Khadims, but the court has so far upheld them. Some of cases are still pending in different courts, including the Apex Court.

There are 395 properties of Dargah Sharif including Shops (163), Houses (14), Godwons (07), Plots (98), Tehkhana (03), Rooms (49), Floors (04), Quarters (36) and Cabins (21). Out of this 72 are under litigations whereas 67 are lying vacant for future Developmental Activities. There are 21 pieces of agriculture land measuring 18.5 Hectares as well.

However, the Committee has failed to deliver so far for fear of attracting the wrath of the Khadims, who certainly outnumber them. The battle for the rights over Dargah properties, its endowments and associations are in fact three ways amongst the Dewan of Dargah, the direct descendants of Gharib Nawaz, Khadims and the government appointed Committee. The battle over rights between Sajjadanashin (The Custodian) and Khadims are quite old that have reached several courts.

Queue for langar

Meanwhile, both the Anjuman of Khadims and Committee pat their own backs for organising the Urs, Chadar, langar (community feast).

Willingly looking the other side?

What is more shocking that no one is willing to talk on the issue for the fear of “hurting the religious sentiments.” In 2012, when allegation of misuse of Dargah fund surfaced, then Minister of Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid had told a newspaper that he is concerned about "irregularities and mismanagement" of the shrine, but advised to trade cautiously. “You must understand that it's a religious place and that's why we are very cautious to take action on these complaints. In the past, some action taken by the ministry was construed as direct intervention into the affairs of the shrine which is revered by people," he then said.

When TCN contacted the current Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, successor and Sajjadanashin (Custodian) of the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, he refused to comment on the subject.

A reputed Delhi based author who has written several books on Sufism too refused to comment when contacted, saying, “Why do you want to present the Dargah in poor light by highlighting certain negative issues,” adding, “There are some black sheep everywhere.”

[Photos & video interview by Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net]

By IANS,

Patna : The Congress was responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and the 1989 riots in Bhagalpur, while the BJP is to be blamed for the 2002 Gujarat riots, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Tuesday.

"There is no dispute and it is a fact that the Congress was responsible for the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and communal riots in Bhagalpur in Bihar, and the Bharatiya Janata Party was responsible for the Gujarat riots," Nitish Kumar told media persons here.

Nitish Kumar also criticised the likely alliance of the Congress with Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party for the Lok Sabha polls.

"Congress lost face in Bihar after the Bhagalpur riots and its decline began then. After the RJD led by Lalu came to power after the riots, he also failed to do anything for the riot victims," the chief minister said.

The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader said his government set up a commission to conduct a fresh probe into the riots and reopened cases against the accused.

"Dozens of accused were sentenced by the court, thanks to the probe," Nitish Kumar said.

Stressing that the BJP government in Gujarat was solely responsible for the 2002 riots, he said: "It was the failure of the state government to check and control the riots in which hundreds of people were killed."

Nitish Kumar said his party JD-U was likely to ally with the Left parties to fight against the Congress and the BJP-led alliances.

By IANS,

New Delhi : A group of social activists Tuesday appealed to union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to immediately rehabilitate the Muzaffarnagar riot victims.

Under the banner of Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity, the activists have sent a written appeal to Shinde and Akhilesh Yadav, asking them to create conditions enabling those uprooted from their homes in the riot-affected villages to return home.

On the basis of the detailed report of its seven-member team which visited the affected villages and relief camps in the first and second week of January, the group has sent a seven-point appeal to both.

The demands include a suitable job to a family member of the deceased, a compensation of Rs.3 lakh to every family to resettle their home, deployment of appropriate number of personnel for locating displaced people, arrest of all culprits, among others.

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

Bhopal: The Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sanctioned an advance of Rs.19.50 lakh for liver transplant of Mohammad Pyare, Forest Ranger, Tourism Range, National Park Van Vihar, Bhopal.

The decision by the cabinet was taken at its meeting here on Tuesday. Mohammad Pyare will be treated at Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon.

Meanwhile, the cabinet decided to withhold pension of a number of officers/ employees for irregularities in government service proved against them. Since Ms Prabha Choudhary, retired Deputy Secretary, was found guilty in departmental enquiry, it was decided to permanently withdraw 10 per cent of her pension.

It was also decided to institute departmental enquiry against A.K. S. Gaur, retired S.D.O, Mungawali in Ashok Nagar district.

It was decided to withdraw 10 percent pension of U.K. Arya, the then District Commandant, Dewas Home Guard for 5 years and pension of Premanshu Vishwas, retired DSP, Special Armed Force for 2 years. Three percent pension of S.S. Tomar, retired Deputy Director, Local Fund Examination, will be withheld while 25 percent pension of R.R. Chaube, retired Assistant Director, Local Fund Examination, Vidisha will be withheld. Recovery of Rs.1,72,733 will be made from dues of the then executive engineer PWD Avdhesh Kumar Verma for financial loss to government caused by him. At the same time, his 10 percent pension will be withheld for 2 years. It was decided to institute departmental enquiry against P.D. Verma (retired), the then executive engineer PWD, Dindori for financial irregularities.

The cabinet decided to withhold 5 percent pension of R.L. Dheengra, retired executive engineer, Water Resources Department for one year. Departmental enquiry will be conducted against A.K. Shukla, retired executive engineer, Water Resources Department and A.K. Phuskele, retired Assistant Hydrologist. It was decided to permanently withhold 30 percent pension of V.K. Hazari, retired Joint Director, Veterinary Services, Rewa.

By IANS,

Lucknow : Three people were killed and three injured in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district when two groups clashed after a teenaged girl was harassed, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place late Tuesday in Sainda Faridpur village of Khurja, around 400 km from here, after the 14-year-old girl was harassed by a youth Monday.

When she complained to her family, they roughed up the youth and warned him to stay away.

Police pacified both sides.

But the youth harassed the teenager again Tuesday after which both sides confronted each other with weapons and fought a pitched battle that left three people dead.

The dead have been identified as Indrapal Jatav, 36, Balveer Thakur, 45, and Om Prakash, 48.

Residents have accused police of not paying heed to the seriousness of the complaint.

Police personnel who reached the violence spot were heckled and beaten up. A woman constable was also roughed up.

Heavy police force has been rushed to the scene and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has also been deployed.

A senior police official termed the incident as a caste conflict and said a police official had been suspended.

Sub-Inspector Sri Niwas and woman constable Suman have been admitted to a hospital.

A similar incident, which went unattended in Muzaffarnagar in September 2012, had led to the killing of two youth that ultimately led to communal riots in western Uttar Pradesh, leaving 63 dead and thousands homeless.

By IANS,

New Delhi : A conference attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi was disrupted here Wednesday by a man who said benefits of none of the government schemes for the minorities were reaching them.

As soon as the prime minister concluded his speech at the launch of the National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO) at Vigyan Bhavan here, promising more steps to empower minorities, a man, later identified as M. Faheem Baig, stood up and shouted that benefits of none of the schemes were reaching the people.

"There is no need for a new scheme when government cannot ensure the implementation of the existing welfare schemes," Baig shouted as Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and other dignitaries seated on the podium looked on.

"I have written 150 letters to you but my voice is not being heard," Baig said before being gagged and escorted out of the conference hall.

Security officials initially rushed to where Baig was seated and asked him to sit down. But when he refused to heed, he was pulled out of the room.

There was a brief chaos, amidst which Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering presented the vote of thanks.

The man, however, was not detained. Baig later said he was informed Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi have agreed to meet him.

Minority Commission chief Wajahat Habibullah was also seen pacifying the agitated man.

Talking to IANS later, Baig, who runs a non-governmental organisation, showed a file with a number of Right to Information (RTI) reports. These, he said, affirmed that none of the schemes has been implemented.

"I filed several RTI applications. They said money has been allocated for the schemes but not spent," said Baig.

"I have not done anything to disrespect the prime minister. I just expressed my perspective. This is what democracy is about, isn't it," he said.

"If I wanted to show disrespect, I would have hurled a shoe, or thrown ink, I did not do that."

Shortly before Baig's protest, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was highlighting the steps taken by the government for minorities.

The prime minister said the UPA government has been "unwavering" in its commitment to the "protection and promotion of the interest of minorities".

He said most of the recommendations of the Rajinder Sachar Committee have been adopted.

The Rajinder Sachar Committee, appointed in 2005 by Manmohan Singh, was commissioned to prepare a report on the social, economic and educational condition of Muslims in India.

"The 15-point programme and the multi-sectoral development programmes are large initiatives focused on removing the development deficit," Manmohan Singh said.

However, some people objected to the way the man was ousted from the conference room.

Jamiat-e Millat-e Islamiya-e Hind general secretary Mufti Afroz Alam Qasmi said: "His voice should have been heard. This is a genuine grievance."

All India Jamiat ul Quresh president Md. Atiq Sajid said: "The way he was gagged and pulled out, it is very sad. Someone can get hurt being handled this way."

NAWADCO is a new central public sector enterprise under the minority affairs ministry and will work towards the development of the 4.9 lakh Waqf properties in India, the largest in the world. The revenue generated from the assets would be used to benefit the Muslim community.

By IANS,

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said returns from Waqf assets across India could be used for the socio-economic development of the community.

Speaking at the launch of National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO) here, the prime minister said that the corporation will "facilitate and mobilize financial resources for starting schools, colleges, hospitals on Waqf properties in a transparent manner".

"Waqf assets have the potential of generating considerable returns which could be used for the socio-economic development of the community," he said.

NAWADCO is a new Central Public Sector Enterprise under Ministry of Minority Affairs and will work towards the development of the 4.9 lakh Waqf properties in India, the largest in the world.

"Today we take another step forward in our efforts to promote the interests of minorities in our country," said Singh.

By Hardeep S. Puri, IANS,

Ten years is a long time in the life of a nation. More so, when the nation itself is only a little older than six and a half decades. It is long enough for voters to make considered assessments on performance, in terms of both what was promised and what was delivered.

Equally, an hour and twenty minutes of prime time television provides a reasonable basis for lasting impressions. The interviewer, at his politest best, chose to allow his guest to do the talking. It was anything but a cross examination. A benign interview, the examinee was, however, consistent. No matter what the question, he insisted on being the perennial outsider wanting to reform the system and empower women. This needs to be applauded.

Not said was why 10 years of unfettered and total influence on the government was not sufficient to get the reform required. Also not stated, how the next five years, in the unlikely event of a Congress/UPA victory, will substantially improve the prospects of reform and the empowerment of women.

Cynics might argue that rampant corruption, scams and food inflation were not the only reasons why the Congress party was routed in the elections to the four state assemblies in December 2013. It may well be that in spite of seemingly impressive performances by the central and state governments where the Congress was in power, voter disillusionment may also have something to do with fatigue and anti-incumbency.

Given the Congress party's humiliation, surely an attempt should have been made at the level of the prime minister Jan 3 and the person likely to succeed him, in the unlikely event of electoral success, the Congress vice president, Jan 28 to set the record straight.

On corruption, the prime minister said that since most of the allegations and scams pertained to the period of UPA-1, these were not an issue because the Congress/UPA was re-elected in 2009. There appears to have been a lapse both of memory and judgement. Yes, most of the scams, telecom spectrum, Commonwealth Games, coal allocations etc. took place during UPA-1. Information on them surfaced, however, in the public domain only during UPA-2.

Rahul Gandhi Jan 28 said: "My position was that I report to the prime minister. Whatever I felt I had conversations with the prime minister. Whatever I felt about the issues I made it abundantly clear to the prime minister." This is untenable. If his views had been made known and presumably he was opposed to the ongoing and widespread corruption, why was nothing done? The vice president is, he stresses, against corruption per se.

If action was not taken to take matters to their logical conclusion against past chief ministers like Ashok Chavan (of Maharashtra) and serving ones like Virbhadra Singh (of Himachal Pradesh), perhaps it is because the Congress party does not listen to him. In so far as Lalu is concerned, the pre-poll alliance will be with the party and not Lalu. Also, decision will be taken by seniors in the party. Two questions, is there an RJD without Lalu and who all are senior to the vice president within the party?

On 1984, Gandhi admitted that Congressmen were indeed involved in the genocidal killings that took the lives of several thousand Sikhs. What he did not mention and the interviewer did not point to the late Rajiv Gandhi's statement then that "When a giant tree falls, the earth below shakes".

Also not mentioned was that the rampaging mobs that indulged in the orgy of looting and violence were led by prominent Congressmen subsequently identified. No effort was made by the police to disperse those who were on a killing spree. The person who served as home minister went on to become prime minister. Cases against those prominently identified have not moved and are unlikely to move during the remainder of UPA-2. Even 30 years after the heinous crime, justice continues to evade the victims.

The comparison with Gujarat 2002 is even more galling. During the last 11 years, thousands of prosecutions have been filed and hundreds of people sentenced. A cabinet minister stands indicted on charges of murder and is currently in prison. The chief minister has had to face the most rigorous scrutiny and has been cleared at every stage, including by the Supreme Court appointed SIT. In retrospect, it is clear that the charges itself were based on fabrication of evidence and a litany of lies.

The prime minister blamed the adverse external environment for the country's economic problems post 2005. He sought comfort in food inflation resulting in better returns for producers. Even here, somehow, the picture does not add up. Consumers reel under food inflation and the producer commits suicide.

Objective assessments, it could be argued, come only with a little distance in time. There is inbuilt tolerance for some corruption provided there is growth and generation of employment. Rampant corruption and falling growth are toxic and judgements instantaneous. It is unlikely that history, even if written by sympathetic Congress historians, will be any kinder.

(Hardeep S. Puri is a retired diplomat who last served as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. He recently joined the BJP. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at hardeepsinghpuri2014@gmail.com)

By Sheikh Qayoom, IANS,

Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir's National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance headed by Omar Abdullah Wednesday resolved the deadlock over the creation of new administrative units in the state after NC patron and union minister Farooq Abdullah invoked the intervention of 10 Janpath.

Authoritative sources told IANS Omar Abdullah and his father finally managed the intervention of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice president Rahul Gandhi to shoot down the dissent within the state Congress unit over the creation of the new administrative units.

On the instructions of the Congress high command, four Kashmir ministers who are members of a cabinet sub-committee on the new administrative units remained closeted in a meeting that ended around 9.30 p.m. Tuesday at the residence of Ambika Soni, the Congress general secretary in-charge party's Kashmir affairs.

The meeting was also attended by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kashmir Congress president Saif-ud-Din Soz.

The four ministers who attended the meeting included Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Sham Lal Sharma and Urban Development Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora of the Congress, and Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, who is a Congress nominee in the cabinet.

"The deadlock was finally resolved after the sub-committee members were advised to submit their report to the cabinet recommending over 2,000 new administrative units in the state," top Congress sources told IANS.

The state government had set up a commission which had recommended 900 new administrative units and the NC wanted to go ahead with this.

The state Congress leaders had been terming the move "politically motivated as it would benefit only the NC in the Valley and damage the political base of the Congress in the Jammu region".

Now that the Congress high command has stepped in, this is believed to have addressed the state party's concerns "of a holistic and equitable approach" to setting up the new administrative units, as a Congress minister put it without agreeing to be named.

Omar Abdullah, who went to summer capital Srinagar Tuesday and then decided to spend the night at north Kashmir's Gulmarg ski resort, has been asked to come to New Delhi Wednesday after the storm over the new administrative units finally settled down.

Highly placed sources said Farooq Abdullah, who played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the Congress and the NC with his proximity to 10 Janpath, spoke to Omar Abdullah late Tuesday evening informing him that the crisis had been resolved and that he must come to New Delhi on Wednesday.

After Tuesday's late evening meeting at Ambika Soni's residence in New Delhi, the Kashmir ministers returned to winter capital Jammu on Wednesday.

Omar Abdullah had walked out of the cabinet sub-committee meeting here on January 24 after its Congress members told him the report on their recommendations was still not ready.

The cabinet meeting was re-scheduled for February 1 without conducting any other business as Omar Abdullah said he would go ahead with the creation of new administrative units across the state at "any cost".

The chief minister also said the next meeting of the cabinet would conduct no other business except discussing the cabinet sub-committee's report, for which Omar Abdullah had reluctantly given a week's time to be submitted.

Even though the crisis seems to have been averted, the larger issue of whether or not the two should announce a pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections still hangs fire.

(Sheikh Qayoom can be contacted at sheikh.abdul@ians.in)

By IANS,

New Delhi : Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday said minorities should feel "safe" and hoped that the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill will be passed soon.

"The cabinet has approved the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill. I hope it is passed in parliament soon," she said at the launch of the National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO) here.

"Minorities should feel safe and have faith in law. We must be cautious of the forces that weaken secularism in the country," the Congress president said.

"The law and order machinery should ensure that if there is any issue which is disturbing communal harmony ... it should be controlled immediately and not allowed to spread," she said.

By IANS,

Mumbai : Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is supporting and co-producing "Ya Rab", a film based on religious fundamentalists in Islam, says the movie faced a lot of trouble with the Censor Board as the board's examining committee was not ready to clear it with a U/A certificate.

"The film ("Ya Rab") had a tough time at the Censor Board," Mahesh Bhatt, who is co-producing the film under his banner "Vishesh Films", said here Tuesday at the launch of the first look of the film.

"The examining committee (of Central Board of Film Certification) refused to see the film and give it the certificate that we wanted. We wanted U/A certificate for the film but the Censor Board was not willing to do so unless some cuts were done. The revising committee got cold feet," he added.

It was then that Bhatt and the makers of the film decided to go to the Tribunal to seek a U/A certificate for the film.

"Finally me and director Hasnain Hyderabadwala went to the Tribunal and thank god, India has people who have integrity, who have courage. There Lalit Bhasin, who was heading the Tribunal, looked at Hasnain with awe and said 'you have made a brilliant film. I think India needs to see this film'," Bhatt recalled.

"Ya Rab" shows the battle between two ideologies. One group represents the Islamic principle of compassion and respect for human life while the other incites youth to avenge alleged atrocities on Muslims.

Slated to release Feb 7, 'Ya Rab' features 'Bigg Boss 7' fame Ajaz Khan in the lead role.

By IANS,

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday inaugurated the National Waqf Development Corp (NAWADCO) in a move aimed at bringing transparency to the management of Waqf properties worth Rs.1.20 lakh crore across the country.

The corporation has been established with an authorised share capital of Rs.500 crore. It will facilitate and mobilise financial resources for setting up facilities like schools, colleges and hospitals.

The establishment of NAWADCO is a follow up of the Sachar Committee recommendations.

There are more than 4.9 lakh registered Auqaf (Waqf properties), and the current annual income from these properties is about Rs.163 crore.

"The UPA government has been unwavering in its commitment to the protection and promotion of the interests of minorities," said the prime minister.

"We have implemented most recommendations of the Sachar Committee," he said.

Waqf is a permanent dedication of movable or immovable properties for religious, pious or charitable purposes as recognised by Muslim Law.

According to estimates quoted by the minority affairs ministry, the properties under Waqf boards across India have the potential to generate an annual income of Rs.12,000 crore.

There are more than 4.9 lakh registered auqaf, and the current annual income from the properties is Rs. 163 crore, the ministry said.

Minority Affairs Minister K. Rahman Khan said the value of these properties was underrated.

"(Their) present market value ... would be much higher. Unfortunately, the annual income from these Waqf properties are vary meagre. If these properties are developed properly, it would fetch substantial income."

The total area under Waqf properties all over India is estimated at about 6 lakh acres, the market value of which is about Rs.1.20 lakh crore, an official statement said.

Khan said the government had tried to remove the shortcomings in the management of Waqf and brought stringent provisions to punish those found guilty of violating Waqf properties.

"The creation of the NAWADCO will assist Waqf Boards and Mutawallis to develop the Waqf properties and provide both financial and technical support to the community by developing Waqf properties for educational empowerment and strengthening the economic base of the community.

"The only way to empower Indian Muslims educationally and economically is to encourage them to save and invest in building infrastructure in education and economic sectors and to create institutional mechanism for the community to contribute their savings for their own development," Khan said.

Later, speaking at the conference of representatives of state Waqf boards, Khan said computerization of Waqf property records should be done soon.

"The progress of the computerization work has been reported to be very slow. Keeping in view the tardy progress of the data entry work and digitization of records, the ministry has decided to engage an outsourcing agency to complete the remaining ... work," he said.

By IANS,

New Delhi : National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah Wednesday said his son and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will take the final decision on ties with the Congress party.

Asked if the NC would continue it's alliance with the UPA in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Abdullah said: "We will do what Omar suggests. We have not decided anything as yet".

"I don't know if we will fight the election together. No decision has been taken yet," he told reporters.

He also did not make any direct comment on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"People will decide if Narendra Modi will win or lose. They will decide who will become the prime minister of India. If Modi is elected as PM, it will be the will of the people and the party will accept the verdict," he said.

The NC has earlier been a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance but withdrew in 2002.