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Play of Qadir Ali Baig “Quli: Dilon ka Shahzada” at MANUU

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By TCN News,

Hyderabad: Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Haroon Khan Sherwani Centre for Deccan Studies is organizing a play titled “Quli: Dilon ka Shahzada” on 13th February 2014 at 7 pm at the Open Air Auditorium, MANUU campus.

According to Dr. Salma Ahmed Farooqui, Hony. Director Centre the play will be performed by renowned theatre personality Mohammad Ali Baig and his theatre group. The play in Urdu is based on the love-legend of the founder of Hyderabad poet prince Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah and his beloved Bhagmati.

The play showcases the heritage of Hyderabad and its ganga-jamuni tehzeeb. It has live Qawwali on stage. The acclaimed play was invited to several prestigious international festivals like the Footsbarns Festival, Herisson in Europe, the NCPA's (National Centre for Performing Arts) Theatre Festival in Mumbai, the Nehru Centre Theatre Festival and will be staged at Mumbai’s famous Kala Ghoda Festival.


Will NaMo tea change fate of Assam tea?

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By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Guwahati: The globally famous ‘Assam Tea’ now faces serious challenge from a new contender in its own territory. Rich for its exquisite liquor and aroma the tea of the land now would have a new taste in the form of ‘Modi Tea’. Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s brush with tea would be an advantage for the state BJP to paint the tea gardens of Assam ‘saffron’ as it believes to be so.

The crimson orange liquor that rejuvenates millions across the globe, and gown in the lush green tea gardens of Assam, the Assam Tea has now found a new variant. The tea repositioned by the BJP as the ‘Modi Tea’ as a befitting reply to Congress’s remark on the Gujarat chief minister as ‘Chaiwala’ has surprisingly found a good response in Assam.



BJP supporters and workers distribute 'Modi Chai' in the streets of Guwahati.

Most on the streets of Guwahati took time out from their busy schedule to take a sip of the ‘Modi Tea’ which was being distributed by the state unit of the party on the eve of the high profile leader’s visit to Guwahati on February 8.

According to the state BJP president Sarbananda Sonwal, Narendra Modi’s familiarity with tea would help him connect to the huge tea garden community of Assam and understand their woes. Here, it may be mentioned the buyers from Gujrat purchase the highest amount of Assam tea in the national market.

“I think Narendra Modi will be able to understand the pain and worries of the people of the tea tribe who have always been neglected by the Congress for decades. The Congress has always used these people for the sake of their votes but when it comes to development, Congress has cheated them. I hope Narendra Modi is the right person to do the welfare for them,” Sonowal said.

Over nine lakh voters in Assam originate from the 900 odd tea gardens of the state and have been a deciding factor in assembly and general election for decades. Since independence the tea gardens of Assam has been the strong hold of the congress and the national party in the current assembly has a formidable representation from the tea community.

But, unfortunately poor wage structure, lack of healthcare facilities lack of implementation of the Labour Act and the failure of the ruling congress to revive the sick tea gardens are some serious concerns that has helped the BJP to make inroads in the Congress bastion.
With Narendra Modi’s connection with tea, the BJP this time believes that it would not only be able to empathize with the tea community but make strong strides in the Congress strong hold.

“It’s time we need a change and people of the tea community have well realized it,” said Kamakhya Prasad Tassa, BJP Leader and former Tea Tribe Students leader.

Arabic professor from AMU honoured by President

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By TCN News,

Aligarh: Prof Syed Kafeel Ahmad Qasmi, Chairman, Department of Arabic, Aligarh Muslim University has been conferred the President’s certificate of Honour by the President of India. The award carries a medal, shawl and fifty thousand rupees per year for lifetime. Dr Mohd Ehtashamuddin, Assistant Professor, Institute of Persian Research has also received Maharshi Badarayan Vyas Samman from the President of India. The award carries one lakh rupees. Both the awards were conferred at a ceremony held recently in New Delhi.

Prof Syed Kafeel Ahmad Qasmi has been in teaching profession at Aligarh Muslim University for the last 37 years. He has authored and edited twelve books and participated in 45 national and international seminars and published 50 research articles. Sixteen researchers and eight students have got their PhD and M. Phil. degrees respectively, under his supervision. In his coordination, six projects of UGC have been completed and two are in progress. He has been a member of academic bodies of many reputed institutes and universities.



Prof Syed Kafeel Ahmad Qasmi receiving the president award.

Dr Mohd Ehtashamuddin has published three books, fifteen research papers and other articles. He has participated in about twenty five seminars and workshops and contributed a lot in the development of Persian language for many years while holding the position in the field of research.

Tea, biscuits and NaMo agenda at Delhi's courts

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By Amiya Kumar Kushwaha, IANS,

New Delhi : With cups of steaming hot tea passed around and some crunchy rusk and biscuits to munch on, the BJP's 'NaMo Tea Party' held by the party's legal cell in Delhi courts is gathering new members, cashing in on the the "tea vendor" jibe from the Congress.

The party has announced the launch of its "Chai pe Charcha (discussion over tea) campaign across the country through which they expect to reach out to undecided voters.

The Delhi BJP Legal Cell, following in the steps, has also launched Tea Party campaigns outside the court complexes of Delhi High Court, Patiala House Court and Saket and Tis Hazari District Court.

During the NaMo Tea Party held outside Delhi High Court, Saket Court, Patiala House Court and Tis Hazari Court in the past few days, lawyers belonging to the party invited prominent party leaders to address the gathering. Delhi BJP unit chief Vijay Goel, youth icon and MP Anurag Thakur, senior counsel Pinki Anand and prominent lawyer Meenakshi Lekhi were among those who addressed the gatherings.

The tea party is held under a tent outside the court, where party leaders and lawyers give speeches while cups of tea and biscuits are passed around.

The party launched the tea campaign following a jibe by a Congress leader on Narendra Modi being a tea vendor on trains in his youth.

The NaMo Tea Party has helped attract new members to the party from the legal community. At the Patiala House Court chai campaign held Feb 5 the BJP got 150 new members from the legal fraternity, BJP legal cell convener and advocate Anil Soni told IANS.

"We are aiming to promote Narendra Modi as a strong PM candidate through these tea campaigns," Soni said.

"The tea party is having a good effect and lawyers are beginning to understand the BJP agenda for good governance," Soni added.

Over cups of tea, lawyers get engrossed in animated conversation, on issues related to legal problems, khap panchayat (vigilante courts), the current political scenario, economic policies and other national and international issues.

Several lawyers took part in the discussions..

At a NaMo Tea Party held at the Patiala House courthouse, Goel urged the legal fraternity to support Modi and make a success of his prime ministerial campaign.

"Modi is the need of the hour, and he can provide honest and strong governance," Goel said.

The party is planning to hold similar tea parties in other district courts of Delhi.

(Amiya Kumar Kushwaha can be contacted at amiya.k@ians.in)

BJP is a 'bimar' party: Nitish Kumar

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By IANS,

Patna : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday said that BJP is a 'bimar' (ill) party with a communal mindset, the harshest criticism by the chief minister so far of his former ally.

"BJP is an ill (bimar) party and its thought is rotten (soch sadi hain)," said Nitish Kumar, targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party for creating a hue and cry after the Bihar Police gave a clean chit to state Minorities Welfare Minister Shahid Ali Khan over his alleged connection with two agents of the Indian Mujahideen or Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.

Nitish Kumar said the BJP changes its colours when it comes across a Muslim face, whether it is a minister or a common Muslim.

"BJP's communal mindset was reflected when it was reported that police gave a clean chit to Khan," he told mediapersons here.

Nitish Kumar argued that BJP leaders, a few them in his cabinet till last year, must have known Khan well.

However, by demanding Khan's resignation and a probe by an agency from outside the state, the BJP leaders made it clear that for them a Muslim name made things different, Kumar said.

"This issue again exposed BJP's anti-minorities face," he said.

Police Friday night gave a clean chit to Khan.

"Police enquiry found it was not true. The minister has no connection with the two suspected IM or ISI agents," Additional Director General of Police Ravinder Kumar said after media reports started speculating on Khan's connection with terror suspects.

Jailed Indian worker freed in Saudi Arabia

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By IANS,

Dubai : An Indian worker, who was jailed for causing the death of a co-worker four years ago in Saudi Arabia, was released on the direction of a provincial governor.

Governor of Saudi Arabia's Asir province, Prince Faisal bin Khaled, ordered the release of Mohammed Zaheer, hailing from the Indian state of Bihar, on humanitarian grounds after taking into consideration other aspects of the case, the Arab News reported Saturday.

Zaheer was operating a road-roller near the Yemeni border in the province four years ago when a Bangladeshi co-worker came under the roller and was killed.

He has been in prison since then.

The report, however, did not mention how long Zaheer's jail sentence was.

Zaheer argued in court that he did not see anyone coming in front of the road-roller while he was operating it.

The court also ordered him to pay 300,000 Saudi riyals (about $80,000) as blood money to the victim's family.

Several Saudis living in the area were moved by Zaheer's ordeal, and came forward to help him out with the blood money.

Saudi citizens in the surrounding villages collected 150,000 Saudi riyals but the legal representative of the deceased worker refused to accept any amount less than the court stipulated amount, the report said.

A forensic report later, however, indicated the presence of poisonous substance in the victim's body.

Based on the forensic report, it was concluded that the substance could have led to the death or made him fall unconscious on the path of the road-roller.

Ashraf Kutichal, an Indian social worker in Abha, the capital of the province, said that based on the forensic report, jail official Mohammed Hasan Amri drew the attention of the governor and requested him to consider the case.

"I want to return home at the earliest," Zaheer was quoted as saying.

He refused to reveal any further details about the case.

Rs.7.5 crore to tackle hepatitis-C in Kashmir villages

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By IANS,

Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir government Saturday sanctioned an extraordinary financial support of Rs.7.5 crore to tackle the spread of the life-threatening hepatitis-C disease in some villages in the Anantnag district.

Haj and Auqaf Minister Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed, who is also the legislator from Kokernag assembly constituency where some cases have been reported, said the state cabinet, which met here with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the chair, sanctioned the funds in the first phase to tackle the disease's prevalence in Takiya-Magam and Sonanbrari areas.

As many as 30 percent of the people in these areas were suffering from the infectious disease that affects the liver, he said.

Caused by the hepatitis-C virus, chronic infection of hepatitis-C can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis which generally becomes apparent after many years.

In untreated cases, cirrhosis leads to liver failure which is often fatal.

Dr.Shakir Mukhi, AFMI's trustee and former president, is no more

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By TCN News

Farmington, Michigan: Trustee and former president of American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) Dr.Shakir Mukhi, passed away in New York on Friday.

"Dr. Shakir Mukhi was an important member of our organization who was always concerned with the plight of underprivileged masses in India. His contributions are many and he will sorely be missed by one and all. May Allah (swt) grant him maghfirah and give perseverance to his family,"said Dr. A.R.Nakadar (AFMI's founding trustee).

Current president of AFMI Dr. Husain Nagamia described Dr. Mukhi “a great selfless and a generous benefactor of the community.”

“He has been an ardent supporter of AFMI and had contributed to all its functions generously.. His congenial and pleasant personality always brought cheer to any gathering. He will be very much missed. May Allah SWT grant him a place in Jannat-ul-Firdaws and grant his family Sabre-Jameel to bear this irreparable loss, “ added Dr. Nagamia.

A philanthropist to the core Dr. Mukhi was an active participant in AFMI's educational mission in addition to various other charitable and community activities. He served as the executive VP of Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation, VP of Indian National Overseas Congress, and board member of AAPI for Asian communities. He was a Human Rights Commissioner for Nassau County Long Island since 2001.

A graduate of M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, he has been serving the Long Island and Queens communities for the past several years as a Family Physician. He completed his residency training from Catholic Medical Center Hospital in Family Medicine, Queens NY. He was popular among his patients for his compassion and kindness.
According to AFMI sources his funeral services will take place in Florida.

Link:
http://www.afmi.org/


SDPI demands CBI inquiry into Hindutva terror

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Deplores threat to the Caravan magazine.

By TCN News,

New Delhi: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), while expressing deep dismay, distress and anguish over the alleged “patronage” extended by the bigwigs of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in the various bomb blasts in the country as revealed by Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Samjhauta Express and other blast cases, in an interview has demanded a thorough enquiry by India’s premier investigating agency CBI to unmask the real faces of Hindutva terror involved in the heinous crimes.

SDPI national president A. Sayeed in a statement said that the claims made by Aseemanand in the interview published in the latest issue of Caravan magazine should be unfolded to the minute details so that the role of the Hindu fundamentalists under the tutelage of RSS bosses into innumerable terror attacks across the country including Samjhauta Express, Ajmer shrine, Makkah Masjid and Malegaon blasts in 2006 and 2008 could be established beyond doubt. The report in the Caravan magazine has made copiously clear that the blasts were not the handiwork of some small group. It was the whole RSS organisation and their cohorts including its current supremo Mohan Bhagwat and its top leader Indresh Kumar who blessed, planned, financed and protected the saffron terrorists who indulged in executing the heinous crimes against Muslims in particular and society at large in general.

Sayeed lamented that Mohan Bhagwat and Indresh Kumar have not been interrogated till date after Aseemanand’s first confessional statement wherein he had spilled the beans of Hindutva terror. Malegaon 2008 and Ajmer blast charge-sheets are clear about these stalwarts and other RSS leaders’ role in planning and financing those blasts. He said with new evidences coming to light the whole gamut of bomb blast cases should be put under the scanner anew and probed afresh so that the nation could know the real faces of Hindutva terror which has been clandestinely christened as “Indian Mujahideen” to make it as Islamic terror.

RSS has been propping up BJP ever since and most recently was instrumental in getting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi declared Prime Ministerial candidate for the party in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections 2014.

Sayeed said Aseemanand whose real name is Jatin Chatterjee, the face of Hindutva terror, was in Dang District of Gujarat for many years where he had reportedly held a secret meeting at Valsad in the state to decide about bomb blasts in the country just to take revenge against Muslims. During this meeting it is learnt that it planned to use some Muslim youths for series of blast so that riot–like situation could be created in populated cities with a mixed Hindu-Muslim population.

He deplored the reported threatening phone calls to Caravan magazine at Delhi and Mumbai offices following the publishing of Aseemanand interview. It is the duty of the government to provide adequate security to Caravan

Jammu and Kashmir to amend panchayati raj act

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By IANS,

Jammu : The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday decided to incorporate important provisions of the 73rd constitutional amendment in the state's Panchayati Raj Act to empower elected village representatives.

The state will now have a separate finance and election commission besides ensuring reservations for women and weaker sections of the society in panchayats across the state.

The amendment also makes holding of the panchayat elections mandatory every five years.

After the amendment is incorporated by the state legislature, chairmen of block development councils and district development and planning boards would have to be elected by the panches and sarpanches.

The 73rd constitutional amendment could not automatically become applicable to Jammu and Kashmir because it has its own constitution which is applicable here concomitantly with the country's constitution.

State Congress president Saif-ud-Din Soz has welcomed the decision as the Congress party had been pressing for extending the 73rd constitutional amendment to the state.

During a visit to the state last year, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had also promised elected members of the village panchayats that his party would ensure that the 73rd constitutional amendment, which is essentially for empowering the elected village representatives, was extended to the state.

Modi promises new dawn for NE; says will carry forward the work started by Rajeev Gandhi

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TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Guwahati: Slamming the UPA government and especially the Congress for neglecting the cause of the northeast, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Saturday promised to carry forward the promises made by former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Addressing a huge public rally in Guwahati, Modi also asked the public to give BJP an opportunity to witness the much needed change in the country.

“I am shocked that during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, there was an accord on Assam. But everybody has forgotten that. The Congress government is not giving any importance to it. I promise you, brothers and sisters, to carry forward to work for the welfare of the north-eastern states which have huge potentialities,” Modi said addressing a gathering of around 2 lakh of people at Khanapara Veterinary Ground.



Narendra Modi during the time of his rally in Guwahati with other BJP leaders.

He also slammed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not doing any significant work for the region though he represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha. “The period of 23 years is a pretty long time but the Prime Minister has done nothing for the region during his tenure as a member of the upper house and as PM to the region. What the country can expect from him?” the Gujrat CM said with his trade mark style.

Modi who highlighted the various developmental issues in his home state criticized the ruling Congress for corruption and unemployment. “Sirf Naam Tarun hone sey chinta Tarun nahi ho jata hai,” he said making the mockery of Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi name as the word Tarun means young and energetic.

He continued, “The Congress keeps boasting about NREGA when it is asked about anything. Have you benefited from it? Out of 12 lakh people, only 10,000 have earned jobs out of that programme. Where will the youth in Assam go for employment? Almost 700 out 1000 youth in Assam are unemployed.”

He said that Gujarat doesn't have rivers and had no drinking water. Eight years ago, tankers used to deliver water. But now, we have built water pipes so broad that a family can sit inside a Maruti car and drive inside it. The water problem is history in Gujarat now, he said comparing Assam for having poor drinking water facility in spite of having a river Brahmaputra.

Accusing the Congress for poverty in the country Modi said that BJP will bring back every penny of black money that has gone out of India for the welfare of the poor. “You gave Congress 60 years but what good did that do to you? 60 years were ruined now please give us 60 months. I promise to bring the North East on par with other regions of India,” he said.

Earlier, he also addressed another rally in Imphal where he raised the issues of development of the NE states.

Congress has broken all records of corruption: Narendra Modi

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By Syed Miraz Ahmed,

Guwahati: At a time when BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is extensively spreading his wings across the nation ahead of the general elections, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is also leaving no stone unturned to give tough competition to the Gujarat strongman. Crossing swords with Modi, the Gandhi scion too began his Lok Sabha elections campaign from Gujarat at a time when Modi addressed a mega gathering in Guwahati.

Narendra Modi, Saturday addressed a large Maha Jagaran Rally in Guwahati in Assam by far the largest political convention of sorts in the history of Assam. This was Modi’s first visit to Assam after he was declared the NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate. In an elaborate speech he shared his vision for the overall development of the Northeast and called for uprooting the Congress Party from the Centre. He also questioned the Prime Minister of India on what he did for the state of Assam considering he has represented the state for 23 years. “Has the PM done anything for the NE?” he asked. Taking a dig at the PM he remarked, “The Congress has broken all records of corruption.”



Narendra Modi during the time of his rally in Guwahati with other BJP leaders.

"Out of the eight northeast Indian states, Assam's condition is the worst, it is worse than Nagaland,” he said. "UPA is responsible for problems in Assam. If the PM wanted, he could have changed the face of Assam. Even an MP would have done more for Assam than the PM," he said.

While addressing the rally he said that he knows Assam as a land of tea and timber. And that he was concerned to see that a land as rich as Assam was witnessing poverty. "Why is Assam poor when it has natural resources in plenty? Who is responsible for it?" he asked.

Urging the people of the Northeast to vote for the BJP, Modi said that the 8 states of the Northeast are like the Ashtalakshmi and the relation between goddess Lakshmi and the Lotus is very well known.

Narendra Modi expressed his pain at the lack of development in Assam. He pointed that Assam has great potential, as it is a land of tea and timber. He asked why is it that the same Assam, whose tea energizes the entire nation every morning is without energy and is facing power crisis. He further questioned why such a peace loving land was been full of violence and bloodshed? He said that the Congress leaders are always keen to talk about NREGA wherever they do but asked the people if they got any jobs in Assam. He said that according to information available with him only 10,018 people received employment under NREGA against the 12 lac who applied. Stating the plight of unemployment he said that out every 1000 educated youth in Assam, 750 remain unemployed.

He also commented on the poor law and order situation in the state which is evident due to the kidnappings, killings, extortion and bombs. “Assam has the Brahmaputra but Guwahati does not have water to drink,” avowed Modi. Referring to the Assam Chief Minister, he stated, “Naam Tarun hone se soch Tarun nahi ho jati hein.”

On the Prime Minister’s lack of concern for the state that has elected him for 23 years Modi said, “The Prime Minister of the nation is elected from Assam and that too for 23 years. You made such a big investment but what did you get? Even if our small Karyakarta was in the Rajya Sabha for 23 years he or she would have made efforts for Assam’s development.”

Modi accused the Congress leaders of considering the nation as their private property and this was seen in the manner in which the Congress decided to go ahead on the land swap deal without consulting the people of Assam.

He further assured the people that the BJP government at the Centre would bring back every penny of black money and spend the money for the purpose of development. He also spoke out against the illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and called for proper verification processes to ascertain who came from Bangladesh.

At the start of his speech Modi paid tributes to all those who lost their lives in the creation of Assam. He paid tributes to Gopinath Bordoloi and said that so immersed was the Congress in the service of one family that they forgot the contribution of others in the freedom struggle. He also took on the Congress leaders who are attacking the Gujarat government’s efforts to make a Statue of Unity, saying that Sardar Patel is not a leader of a party but the leader of an entire nation.

While Modi busied campaigning in the Northeast, Rahul delivered his speech from Modi’s fort and led a rally in Bardoli, associated with Sardar Patel which marked the beginning of Congress campaigns for the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress vice-president took to task the ruling party of Gujarat when he alleged that the party was ignoring the corruption taking place in Gujarat.

He said that BJP leaders were targeting other states of India and talking about corruption but ignoring the corrupt practices taking place in Gujarat. Gandhi said that for the last 9 years, the introduction of Lokayukta was being stalled in Gujarat.

“They talk of corruption, BJP people move around India and talk of corruption everywhere. But they do not see corruption in Gujarat,” he said.

He said that though BJP claims to be against corrupt practices, but the party was not cooperating with the government in passing the six anti-corruption bills which were pending in the Parliament.

“They talk of corruption and there are 6 pending Bills in Parliament. We brought Lokpal and RTI, but they have halted those 6 bills there. These Bills do not get support there. I have asked them 3-4 times that if you are truly against corruption then come and help us in passing the 6 Bills of Lokpal. Congress wants to pass it but why are you running away. But it’s all quiet then when we ask them to pass such bills,” he said during his speech.

Commenting on Narendra Modi's visit to Assam, CM Tarun Gogoi said, “Nothing will happen. Just like yesterday's election, it will be the same. There will be a huge hue and cry. People will agitate here, agitate there. But our votes are increasing. Narendra Modi will come, there will be Maha Jagaran, then there will be Jagaran in the papers, in the news, in the television channels but the people will ultimately vote only for us.”

It is to be noted that the Congress-BPF duo won all the three seats to the Rajya Sabha yesterday. Congress won two seats while the BPF won, one.

AMU fraternity welcomes inauguration of Kishanganj centre

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By TCN News,

Aligarh: People associated with the Aligarh Muslim University have welcomed the inauguration of the Kishanganj centre of the University.

Welcoming the inauguration of AMU Kishagang Center, Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi, Dean, Faculty of Theology said that by opening the third center, AMU has stepped forward for the education of Indians, especially the Muslims. “This is the fulfilment of the dreams of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who wanted the Aligarians to open educational institutions in every nook and corner,” he added.



Prof. Saud Alam Qasmi

He also extended this gratitude to the Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen (Rtd) Zameeruddin Shah, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Kishanganj MP Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi for their efforts and support.

General Secretary of United Muslim Organisation and President Sir Syed Awareness Forum, Dr. Shakeel Samdani said that the Vice Chancellor's decision is historic and his name will be written in the history in golden words. “Kishanganj Center will educate the people of this backward area and this area will also benefit economically and politically,” he added.

While congratulating Vice Chancellor Zameeruddin Shah, Dr. Samdani said that he has carried forward the mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan by establishing the third centre of the University, after Mamallapuram and Murshidabad.

He also congratulated Sonia Gandhi, Nitish Kumar, Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi, Human Chain, teachers, students and old boys of this university, who have been working to establish the center.

Former Dean, Faculty of Law and Prof. of International Islamic University Malaysia, Zakaria Siddiqui said that it is better to have more centers of AMU at different places on the patterns of the universities in USA.



Dr. Shakeel Samdani

Social activist, Mansoor Ilahi said that the opening of special center of AMU in Bihar will enormously contribute in the educational development of the state, and the courses which are launched in this centre show the great wisdom of the present vice-chancellor and also at the same time former VC Prof P.K. Abdul Aziz, deserves a special applaud for initiating this mission of spreading education.

Director Finance, ACN Group of Institutions, Dr. Javed Akhtar said that it will be beneficial for the country as well as community to have more and more branches of AMU.

AMU Women's College celebrates its Founder's Day

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By TCN News,

Aligarh: The Women’s College of the Aligarh Muslim University today celebrated its Founder’s Day.

Mr. Syed Shahid Mehdi, former Vice Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamia was the chief guest and AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah presided over the function. Brig. (Retd.) S. Ahmad Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor also graced the occasion.



Mr. Shahid Mehdi, former VC, Jamia Millia islamia addressing at the Founder's Day celebration at AMU Women's College.

On this occasion, Ms. Ayesha Zainab Beg and Ms. Sabiha Khatoon were conferred upon Papa Mian Padma Bhushan Best Girl and M. J. Haider Academic Award, respectively.

College newsletter, “Campus Connect”, edited by Lubna Irfan was released by the chief guest. Further, six books authored by the faculty members of the Women’s College were also released.

Presenting the annual report, Prof. Naheed M. Khan, Principal, Women’s College said that Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and his wife Mrs. Wahen Jahan established a small school for girls in 1906.

She said that this college offered 34 courses of study under the canopy of six faculties. The present strength of the college is over 2563.



Mr. Shahid Mehdi giving away Padmabhushan Papa Mian Award for Best Girl to Ms. Ayesha Zainab at the Founder's Day celebration at AMU Women's College.

Prof. Khan observed that the present Vice Chancellor, Gen. Shah has very graciously sanctioned Rs. ten lakh for purchase of books. The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Brig. S. Ahmad Ali has also sanctioned Rs. Seven lakh for the first ever book bank facility initiated in the current session.

She said that several companies of international repute visited the Women’s College for campus placement drives and our students have made us proud with their excellent performance.

On this occasion, AMU Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor and female Education Association’s Secretary, Prof. Zakia Athar Siddiqui gave away medals, awards and certificates of excellence to the meritorious students.

The farce over prevention of communal violence

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By M Reyaz,

As the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government decided to not table the Anti-Communal Violence Bill amidst much din in the Upper House of the Parliament on February 5, 2013, it becomes clear that none of the parties are really serious on the question of security of the minority communities, particularly when it comes to the issues of accountability, justice, rehabilitation.

The politics of riots and politics over riots are not new to this country and none of the political parties can absolve of their collusion into it, some are guilty of inciting riots, while others of allowing it to happen by shirking of their responsibilities, mainly for larger political calculations. Still others – most Muslim leaders and groups included – are equally the culprits for looking on the other side, only to later beat the drum of victimhood, at best; or worse, to reap political benefits, at times.



Riot as ‘policy’: One reason why ethnic and communal riots have virtually become a sort of ‘policy’ for many groups and parties, is that experiences show that the culpability of these often well-orchestrated and planned heinous crimes go escort free. Take the example of recent Muzaffarnagar riots, most of the perpetrators of crimes as grave as murder and rapes are living in their own villages and homes (if media reports are to be believed) even five months after the riots, while the same UP police recover the seven buffaloes of a powerful minister in two days.

In a well-argued Op-Ed ‘Reading the clean chit’ in Indian Express Vinay Sitapati, a lawyer and Research Scholar at Princeton, argued, “In their sloppily argued, partisan bid to pin a larger tragedy on one man, the Congress party and some NGOs have unwittingly made the Gujarat riots seem less horrific than they actually were.” I am in agreement with the writer that in trying to prove the Gujarat’s Chief Minister’s culpability, the civil society seem to have ignored the culpability of hundreds of murders and rioters who needed to be prosecuted.

Of course criminals and murderers must be punished but the buck must also stop somewhere, the culpability of those on top for abatement too must be fixed. When puppies die and the owner of the car, who presents an image of someone who believes in driving his own car and keeping the keys with himself, must explain to the dogs and bitches and to all animal loving human, why on that fateful night, he continued sitting at the back – and worse escaped the spot and maintained silence all along? Then prime minister must explain, why he kept himself busy in praying or sleeping the whole day as the Babri Mosque was being demolished? If he knew that when a big tree falls, the earth shakes, instead of justifying the reactions, why did administration not act in time?

Former Additional Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh Vibhuti Narain Rai, who was SSP of Meerut during the infamous Hashimpura riot said, “If any riot is not quelled within 24 hours, then either the government is inapt or complicit” for some political agenda.

Fate of Riot Cases: In response to an RTI query by news-portal BeyondHeadlines, the Home Ministry replied that 26817 communal riots took place between 1984 and 2012, in which 12902 lost their lives. According to the government figure, there were a total of 668 communal incidents in 2012, in which 94 people were killed and 2117 injured. In 2013 for data till October, number of incidents has jumped to 725 and number of people killed showed an increase of 50% with 143 killed and 1978 injured. Of course these are very conservative figures and actual number may be much more, but what needs to be pointed out that very few perpetrators of riots have been brought to justice.



L-R- Saumya uma, Justice H.Suresh, Irfan Engineer, (late)Asghar Ali Engineer (File Photo)

Meanwhile, the riot/pogrom victims long wait for justice never seems to end. 1948 rape and massacre of Muslims in Hyderabad that ensued after Operation Polo is not even a point of discussion. The little spoken Sunderlal report estimates that an estimate 200,000 Muslims were massacred. Similar has been the fate of most riots whether 1983 Nellie massacre, 1984 anti-Sikh riots, 1987 Hashimpura riot, 1989 Bhagalpur, 1992 Mumbai, 2002 Gujarat, 2008 anti-Christian riots in Odisha, and so on and so forth.

The report of an investigative commission formed under Justice B.N. Srikrishna to enquire into the communal frenzy of December 1992 and January 1993, in which around 900 people died, is biting the dust of the Maharashtra Secretariat, with shamelessly no action. No one even talks about the Ghulam Hussain report on Maliana riots and Gian Prakash Committee Report on Hashimpura massacres in Meerut.

Need for compressive law: The need for comprehensive laws to deal with cases of communal riot was long felt as the local state administration is often seen colluding and abating in riots – never more visible than the 2002 Gujarat riots. Sensing the mood, Congress party had promised to legislate laws to this effect in its 2004 manifesto of the general elections, in which it defeated the BJP lead National Democratic Alliance (NDA). “The Congress will adopt all possible measures to promote and maintain communal peace and harmony, especially in sensitive areas. It will enact a comprehensive law on social violence in all its forms and manifestations, providing for investigations by a central agency, prosecution by Special Courts and payment of uniform compensation for loss of life, honour and property,” read the 2004 Manifesto.



As the UPA came to power, with the outside support of the Left Parties, the proposal was included in the Common Minimum Programme as well, under the head of ‘Social Harmony, Welfare of Minorities’: “The UPA government will enact a model comprehensive law to deal with communal violence and encourage each state to adopt that law to generate faith and confidence in minority communities.”

Based on the suggestions of several civil society groups consisting of non-governmental organizations, judges, police officers, writers and social activists, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council (NAC) drafted an Anti-Communal Violence Bill by 2004 end itself. By the middle of 2005, largely based on the NAC’s suggestions, Home Ministry drafted and circulated a Communal Violence (Suppression) Bill 2005.

Since 2005, the UPA government is practically playing hide and seek when it comes to the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill. Congress party talk in lofty voice on the subject, but has allowed to scuttle with the issue.

The latest draft of the bill, many feel has already been diluted to quite a bit, keeping in mind the opposition’s apprehension. Notwithstanding, the bill has been termed anti-Hindu and ‘travesty of democracy’ by many Hindu rightist groups.



The opposition of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to the bill is natural, but what was surprising is the opposition of some so called secular parties and several civil-society groups as well in the name of federalism or on other technical grounds. First and foremost argument is against the need of a ‘special’ law, which many see as appeasement. If the above facts are not enough to justify the demand for a separate comprehensive law, let me add that a similar provision - The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 - exists for Dalits and tribals, and no one seem to have any problem with that.

This clearly does not absolve the UPA Government from its responsibilities, which has failed to take on board the opposition. In an election year, particularly in the wake of the Muzaffarnagar riots, the Congress party will really find it difficult to raise the issue of 2002 riots, as it has failed to walk the talk on its decade old promise of a comprehensive bill. The genuine concerns of federal structure, however, needed to be taken care of, but surely anti-communal violence bill only appears to be a carrot for the Congress and UPA to get Muslim votes. They should remember that they have already sought vote on it twice and they may find it difficult to raise the same issue the third time.



L-R: Maulana Niyaz Farooqui, Navaid Hamid, Maulana Mahmood Madani, Vrinda Grover, Kamal Farooqi, Shabnam Hashmi

Failure of the Community Leaders: The worse culprits in my eyes are not just the government of the day and the ruling alliance, but the so called community leaders, including the elected Muslim representatives. At a time when one expected all secular rights groups and Muslim organisations to come together and sit on an organized dharna to demand the bill, Jamiat e Ulema Hind, Maharashtra was campaigning to delete some portions of upcoming Bollywood film for objectionable content that according to them, presents Islam and Muslims in negative light.

Rights activist Shabnam Hashmi, Advocate Vrinda Grover, former SP leader Kamal Farooqui, JUH Secretary Mahmood Madani and others had held a joint press conference in October and demanded that the bill be passed soon. "We are demanding a law to protect people from communal and targeted crimes by making those in positions of public authority accountable, punishing those responsible for perpetrating, abetting or conspiring to cause violence and fair and equitable reparation to all affected persons," she had said. They had then threatened to gherao the Parliament or sit on dharna to demand the bill. But today everyone seems to be silent.

Surprisingly most Muslim groups seem content with mere release of statements demanding the bill.


Officials reshuffled in Kashmir

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By IANS,

Jammu : In an administrative shake-up Saturday, the Jammu and Kashmir government transferred IAS and state administrative cadre officers including district magistrates and departmental secretaries.

The cabinet, which met here with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the chair, transferred six Indian Administrative Service officers including district magistrates of Kishtwar, Bandipora, Anantnag and Baramulla districts.

Those shifted are Basheer Ahmad Khan (Kishtwar), Farooq Ahmad Lone (Anantnag), Muhammad Yousuf Zargar (Bandipora) and Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja (Baramulla).

Besides district magistrates, the cabinet also ordered changes in administrative departments of power development, CAPD, rural sanitation, medical supplies corporation, social welfare, agriculture production, home, tourism, transport and communications and capacity development units of the public health engineering department.

As the state legislature session begins in Jammu Monday and the model code of conduct is reported to come into force from March 1, Saturday's reshuffle could be the last major administrative overhaul in Jammu and Kashmir before the Lok Sabha polls.

Restrictions in Srinagar to prevent separatist protests

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By IANS,

Srinagar : Restrictions were imposed here Sunday to prevent separatist protests on the first anniversary of Afzal Guru's hanging, police said.

Senior police officers said police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed in sensitive areas of Srinagar city, including the old city areas - Maisuma, Lal Chowk and Batmaloo - to prevent separatists from carrying out marches and protests.

Vehicular traffic and civilian movement is not being allowed in these areas and both private and public transport remained off the road following a separatist shutdown call to protest Guru's hanging in Tihar Jail this day in 2013.

Reports from north Kashmir Sopore, Baramulla and Bandipora towns also said security forces were not allowing traffic and pedestrian movements there.

All senior separatist leaders have been taken into preventive custody except Syed Ali Geelani who was placed under house arrest immediately after he arrived here from Delhi Saturday.

Muhammad Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has gone underground to evade arrest.

He announced he would be leading a separatist protest march in the city Sunday.

Police arrest Yasin Malik in Srinagar; prevent march

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By IANS,

Srinagar : Separatist leader Muhammad Yasin Malik was arrested here Sunday as he was taking out a protest march on the first anniversary of December 2001 Indian Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's hanging.

Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), along with dozens of his supporters tried to take out a protest march from his office in Maisuma towards city centre Lal Chowk.

The JKLF march was part of the group's demand for the return of the mortal remains of Afzal Guru to his family.

Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel intercepted the march at Maisuma and took Malik and some of his supporters into preventive custody.

Malik has been evading arrest for the last few days since the announcement of his decision to lead the march Sunday.

All other senior separatist leaders have been taken into preventive custody by the police except for Syed Ali Geelani, who was placed under house arrest immediately after he arrived here from Delhi Saturday.

Security forces have imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city and some other major towns of the Kashmir Valley to maintain law and order.

Strong reactions from different sections after Rajya Sabha election in Assam

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By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Guwahati: After the results of Rajya Sabha for three seats were declared for Assam, the entire state has expressed anger and dissatisfaction at the action of certain MLAs for allegedly ‘betraying’ their party.

The nominees of the ruling Congress party and its alliance partner Bodoland People's Front (BPF) won the three Rajya Sabha seats. The winners are Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhubneswar Kalita, Lok Sabha member from Sultanpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh Sanjay Singh and BPF leader Biswajit Daimary.



AASU activists burn effigies of Assam ministers for candidature of Sanjay Singh.

Senior journalist Haidar Hussain also contested as an independent candidate for one seat with support of the opposition parties, including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the BJP and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

Several students’ and social organizations including All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) besides others who have been opposing the candidature of Sanjay Singh, supported Haidar Hussain.

AIUDF’s senior MLA Ataur Rahman Majharbhuiyan was slammed for his disappearance during the time of election. He went to Saudi Arabia to perform religious rituals leaving the opposition parties in tensed and worried. Besides, six other votes of the opposition were cancelled due to adopting the wrong way to cast the votes.

Bhubneswar Kalita and Sanjay Singh got 32 votes each, Biswajit Daimary polled 29 votes. The opposition- backed candidate Haidar Hussain could garner only 26 votes.

Assam Legislative Assembly has 126 Members of which 79 belong to Congress, 12 belong to BPF, 18 belong to AIUDF, five from BJP, nine from AGP, one from Trinamool Congress and there are two Independent candidates.

On the other hand AGP, BJP and All India AIUDF cried foul play by Congress. Within hours of declaration of the results, AGP suspended its legislator Padma Hazarika for 6 years after his vote was rejected on technical grounds, while AIUDF suspended Ataur Rahman Majharbhuiyan for an indefinite period for abstaining from voting.

“Majharbhuiyan has turned out to be the biggest betrayer for the people of the state. Even Allah will not forgive him for telling lie from the holy place Mecca,” AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal said.

AGP general secretary Durga Das Boro said the party’s steering committee has suspended Padma Hazarika for defying the party whip and helping Congress to win.
AASU, KMSS activists also burnt the effigies of Majharbhuiyan and Hazarika betraying their
unity.



Assam CM Tarun Gogoi with the wining MPs in Guwahati.

“It’s very unfortunate that the opposition MLAs have failed to bring victory for Haidar Hussain instead of Sanjay Singh who does not know anything of the state. I condemn the act of the MLAs to cast their votes in wrong manner and abstaining from the process,” said AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharyya.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi extended his heartiest congratulations to Bhubaneswar Kalita, Sanjay Singh and Biswajit Diamary for being elected to the Rajya Sabha.

In a statement here, Chief Minister Gogoi hoped that the newly elected members would take up various issues concerning the people of Assam in proper perspectives on the floor of Parliament.

BJP organises NaMo car rally in Delhi

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By IANS,

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday organised a NaMo car rally here to reach out to the city's voters ahead of the general elections.

Flagged off by Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel, the rally started at 9 a.m. from National Victor School in Patparganj of east Delhi and ended at the same spot at 3 p.m.

It went through parts of east, south and central Delhi, including areas like Indraprastha Park, Ashram, India Gate, and Connaught Place.

According to the BJP, around 250 cars participated in the rally that was organised by the party's chartered accountants cell.

"There has been overwhelming support from all sections of society for (BJP's prime ministerial candidate) Narendra Modi as witnessed in this rally," Goel said.

The BJP has also been organising NaMo tea parties to increase Modi's popularity in the city and to cash in on the "tea vendor" jibe from the Congress.

The party has announced it would launch its "Chai pe charcha" (discussion over cup of tea) campaign across the country in a bid to influence the undecided voters.

Meanwhile, Youth for Modi Club organised a NaMo Tea Party Sunday evening in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar in support of Modi.

"More than 2,000 people, mostly youth from IT, management, medical, accounts, legal and other professionals participated in the event," said a spokesperson of the youth club.

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