By TCN News,

Aligarh: Forum for Muslim Studies & Analysis (FMSA), Aligarh has strongly criticized and rejected the Prof. Pathan Committee appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource & Development, Government of India to prepare a single “Bill” for administration of all the Central Universities.

FMSA has submitted a memorandum through the District Magistrate, Aligarh to the Prime Minister of India pointing out that the Aligarh Muslim University has a historic and minority character and it has some special features and responsibilities which no other university has, so either it should be exempted from Pathan Committee references or the Pathan Committee itself is dissolved.

FMSA has said that such a proposed centralised administration will undermine the character and autonomy of the AMU. Memorandum points out that AMU has responsibility to enhance status of the Muslims of India under section 5(2)(c) of the AMU Act, 1980. It says such a responsibility has not been entrusted to any other university. Further the old boys, wakf boards and Muslim socio-educational organizations have representation in AMU court which will certainly go off on the pretext of “Uniform Administration”

The UPA is repeating the mistake made by NDA when it also tried a similar legislation during its rule. This was opposed by all central universities at that time.

The FMSA has demanded that either the AMU should be kept out of references of the Pathan Committee or the Committee itself is dissolved as there is no such need. FMSA has warned that if the government fails in obliging and dissolving the Pathan Committee then FMSA will resort to democratic channels of opposition and protest.

Submitting the memorandum, FMSA Secretary General Jasim Mohammad told that in 1950 also the government had made a silent slaught on AMU by changing the composition of AMU Court and Executive Council. He said that this in not 1950 and parliamentary elections are due in 2014, so the UPA government should deliver justice and immediately announce AMU a minority educational institution instead of planning for stabbing in back.

Signatories on the memorandum include FMSA President Prof. Razaullah Khan, Secretary Jasim Mohammad and Vice-President N. Jamal Ansari, FMSA EC Members Dr. Fatima Zehra and Nikhat Parveen, Distinguished Scientist Prof. Humayun Murad, Member of AMU Executive Council Dr. Mohammad Shahid, Former AMUSU President Dr. Naseem Ashraf and Eminent Musician Johny Foster.

By IANS,

New Delhi : The expenditure on minorities' welfare has seen a ten-fold increase during the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) tenure, says a handbook highlighting the achievements of the government.

The government spending on centrally sponsored schemes for minorities went up from Rs.143.53 crore in 2006-07 to Rs.1,593.23 crore in 2012-13, it said, adding that 15 percent of all priority sector lending from banks now reaches minorities to help them start and expand small businesses.

The UPA's report card further said that during 2012-13, more than 620 primary and upper primary schools were constructed or opened, 25,465 additional classrooms were built and 6,207 teachers sanctioned in blocks and districts with substantial minority population.

Plus, there are various scholarship schemes under the prime minister's new 15-point programme and under the multi-sectoral development programme (MSDP), among other measures to help minority students, it said.

The MSDP was implemented in 90 identified minority concentration areas in 20 states and UTs during 2012-13, it said.

Under the plan, construction of 3.15 lakh Indira Awas Yojana houses, 2,838 health centres, 29,480 anganwadi centres, 50,696 drinking water supply projects, 15,609 additional classrooms and 698 school buildings were sanctioned besides 113 industrial training institutes and 44 polytechnics and 485 hostels for boys and girls were sanctioned, said the report.

During the past one year, Rs.10 crore was released to train 36,950 minority women through 64 organisations in 12 states, the report added.

By IANS,

New Delhi : As many as 56,700 Indians face deportation from Saudi Arabia in the next one-and-half months and ten officials have been despatched to the kingdom to help the Indian mission prepare emergency certificates for their exit, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said Thursday.

"As of now, 56,700 Indians have registered with the Indian mission for getting exit permits as they have no valid passports or other travel documents," Khurshid told a group of Urdu editors here.

He said he is leaving on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia to meet his counterpart Faisal Al Saud and other dignitaries and discuss various bilateral matters including problems of Indian workers due to the "Nitaqat" policy under which all companies are required to provide 10 percent of jobs to Saudi youth.

Khurshid said the 10 officials sent to the kingdom will help the mission to prepare no objection certificates for the Indian workers, adding it is a "cumbersome procedure as we are required to get details of the worker from the district authorities".

He said this time, more than 4,000 Indian volunteers are helping the mission to complete formalities, while the mission is working round the clock and has also set up offices in various Saudi cities to facilitate workers to fill up form for the emergency certificates.

The Saudi government has fixed July 6 as the deadline for all foreign illegal workers to leave the country.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed and his advisor T.K.A. Nair to the kingdom to sort out problems of Indians who are there either without work permits or valid passports.

The Saudi authorities have assured the Indian government that they will not harass Indian workers because of their good behaviour, and no one will be penalised or sent to jail for violations of these norms if they leave country before the deadline.

Khurshid said he is also going to take up issue of increase of Haj quota for Indian pilgrims with the Saudi authorities. At present, India sends more than 175,000 pilgrims every year.

By IANS,

Dubai : A company in Saudi Arabia's eastern province has said it will hire 5,000 Indian workers affected by that country's new labour policy.

The Nasser S. Al-Hajri Corp (NSH) is holding a two-day recruiting drive in Riyadh Thursday and Friday, the Arab News reported Thursday.

"We plan to recruit 27 categories of workers, ranging from technicians to project managers,” a company spokesman was quoted as saying.

He said it was a good opportunity for Indian workers to legalise their residency status and change their sponsors after the Saudi government implemented the Nitaqat or Saudisation policy, which makes it mandatory for all Saudi companies to reserve 10 percent of jobs for Saudis.

Headquartered in the city of Al-Khobar, the NSH has projects in Yanbu, Jazan, Jubail and Ras and contracts with that Gulf nation's oil company, Saudi Aramco.

By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: At a time when atrocities and crimes are increasing against women day by day and when in many areas of the country still it is believed having a girl child is bad omen, Assam has set up an encouraging example with a healthy growth of sex ratio. According to the primary census abstract which was released on Thursday by the director of census operations, Assam revealed that the state has an increase of 28 female children whereas India’s total rate shows a decrease of 8 girl children.

With 962 female children against 1000 male Assam has been placed itself in the third position in the entire country just after Chhattisgarh (969) and Kerala (964). Altogether, Assam has 958 females per 1000 male in according to the 2011 census against 935 in 2001.

“It’s a very encouraging sign as far the state is concerned. At a time when the national figure shows decrease in the number of girl children. Assam has shown an opposite figure,” said R K Das, the director of the census operations after releasing the report on Thursday in Guwahati.

Three Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) namely Baksa with 974, Udalguri with 973 followed by Chirang with 969 dominated the scene in the state.

The lowest sex ratio was observed in Dima Hasao district with 932 females. As far as child sex ratio is concerned, India has shown a decrease of 8 female children to be at 919 against 927 in 2001 whereas Assam’s rate is 962 in per 1000 male children.

However, the matter of concern for the state is the decline of workers in agriculture sector. Altogether, the sector has 49.3 per cent of total workers witnessed a decline of 3 per cent in 2011. The cultivators alone were decreased by 5.2 per cent with 33.9 in 2011 against 39.1 in 2001.

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

Bhopal: Annual Plan of Rs.35,500 crore has been sanctioned for Madhya Pradesh for year 2013-14. This is 23 percent more than last year.

The annual plan size for Madhya Pradesh was finalised following discussions between Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Planning Commission of India Vice-Chairman Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi on Wednesday. Planning & Finance Minister Raghavji and State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Babulal Jain were also present on the occasion.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his aides holding discussions with the Planning Commission of India Vice-Chairman Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and other officers about the state’s Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 in New Delhi on Wednesday.

At the meeting, Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Dr. Ahluwalia reportedly said that Madhya Pradesh has done well in development and expenditure has been quite satisfactory. He specially lauded public-private participation in development of physical and social infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh. He lauded the fact that over 50 projects have been taken up under PPP mode in Madhya Pradesh, an official spokesman said.

Dr. Ahluwalia said that Madhya Pradesh’s average gross domestic product has been 9.4 percent during 11th Plan, which is very encouraging and positive trend. During the Five-Year Plan, Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture growth rate increased by 6.9 percent, industrial sector 9.6 percent and 10.6 percent increase has been registered in service sector, which is more than target and all-India average. He advised Madhya Pradesh to pay more attention to culture and tourism sectors. Referring to some socio-economic indices, he said that per capita income of Madhya Pradesh must increase further. He laid emphasis that literacy rate should be increased further and gap in the number of boy and girl students’ reduced during 12th Plan. He also stressed the need for creating employment opportunities through non-agriculture activities and reducing malnutrition in children and anaemia in women.

At the meeting, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sought cooperation from the commission for adequate allocation of coal blocks and coal linkages apart from forest-related clearances for power projects. He sought the commission’s cooperation in continuing existing funding pattern under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and increasing Central share in viability gap funding. He said that a target has been set to make Madhya Pradesh power-surplus by year 2014. In the state, power will be supplied for 24 hours to domestic and 10 hours for agriculture consumers.

Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh is paying attention to solar, wind, hydel and bio-mass energies for meeting power demand. Country’s biggest solar power plant will be inaugurated in the state in August. Five solar energy parks in the state are being developed under PPP mode. The Chief Minister said that state’s growth rate is 10.02 percent. Similarly, state’s agriculture growth rate is also highest in the country. It is expected to be 16 percent this year.

The Chief Secretary said that Industrial Promotion Policy 2012 has been implemented to increase investment under which a number of incentives have been given to investors. Rules and procedures have been simplified. Four new industrial corridors are being developed in the state.

The Chief Minister informed that work of constructing 9,000 km long roads and 35 rail over-bridges has been taken up under PPP mode. Besides, work of upgrading 13 industrial areas and development of 27 green field industrial areas has been started. Their cost is Rs.3,350 crore. Besides, works costing Rs.2,367 crore have also been taken up during 12th Plan for drinking water, infrastructure, sanitation, reservoirs and preservation of heritage buildings.

Salient features of Plan

In the annual plan for year 2013-14, 40 percent funds have been allocated for social sector, 11 percent for tourism and road construction, 10 percent for power, 10 percent agriculture-related activities and 18 percent for remaining sectors.

Similarly, increase of 55 percent has been made in the outlay of Cooperatives Department, 47.4 percent of Tribal Welfare Department, 44.6 percent for Scheduled Castes Welfare Department and 41.2 percent for Backward Classes Welfare Department. Similarly, increase of 44.4 has been made in the budget of Forest Department, 33.9 of Industries Department, 30.9 percent for water and sanitation. (pervezbari@eth.net)

By Abdul Kalam Azad, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: Char Chapori Sahitya Parishad, Asom’s Guwahati City Committee convened a condolence meeting on the sad demise of renowned Islamic reformist and secular activist Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer on May 22, 2013 at office premise of monthly magazine ‘Balichanda’ at Hatigaon, Guwahati.

The meeting was presided over by Char-Chapori Saihtya Parisad, Asom’s president Hafiz Ahmed and was graced by a good number of distinguished personalities and admires of Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer.

Assam Chapter of All India Secular Forum’s chief conveyor Dr. Dilip Bora while speaking on the meeting said “Secularism is no longer a constitutional provision; it has become a struggle and Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer was leading that struggle”.

Another speaker Dr. Monirul Hussain of Gauhati University while mourning the demise of Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer remembered their friendship. Dr. Hussain said that Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer had an excellent communication skill; his writings are so simple and understand by common people, while his arguments are strong. Dr. Hussian also appealed to uphold his approach to “Celebrate the diversity”.

“Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer will always remain a symbol of anti-communal struggle to build a humane society for us’’ said Kamal Kumar Medhi, General Secretary of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti. He also urged to start a campaign to promote Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer’s life and work among the masses of the state.

Hafiz Ahmed, President of Char-Chapori Sahitya Parishad, Asom also expressed his grief. He informed that Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer was the advisor to Char Chapori Sahitya Parishad, Asom and always encouraged to fight and communalism. He emphasized, “Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer had written at least nine books on woman empowerment and interpreted woman’s position in Islam to minimize the misunderstanding”.

The meeting adopted a numbers of decisions to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer. Representative of at least six organizations, including KMSS (Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti) have agreed to work together to uphold Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer’s principles. Whereas Char-Chapori Sahitya Parishad, Asom decided to institute Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer memorial award to be conferred to the distinguished activists for their endeavors to uphold secularism, role of law and democratic value. Char-Chapori Sahitya Parishad, Asom will also publish a book on his life and works as well as will organize memorial lecture.

Mohammed Alauddin, retired IAS officer, Fazlul Karim Kasimi of Jamiyat Ulem-e-Hind, Hazi Firoz Bhuyan of Sramik Sangstha, Asom, Asraful Islam, advisor to Gauhati University Minority Student Welfare Forum also spoke on the condolence meeting.

Death of Khalid Mujahid has once again brought into focus atrocities on Indian Muslim youth in the name of terrorism. This special TCN series highlights some of the example cases of people beyond the headlines and their struggle for justice. This series is sponsored by Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC).

By M. Reyaz, TwoCircles.net

The mysterious death of Khalid Mujahid on Saturday on his way to jail from the court in police security has once again brought to light the vulnerability of hundreds of Muslim youths arrested across country on dubious charges of terrorism and declaring war against the nation.

Although there is no known data on those behind bars specifically on terror charges, hundreds of youths are believed to be as under-trails in connection with alleged terror attacks or terror plots. Muslims anyways have disproportionately high representation in jails, according to a recently released report of 'Prisons Statistics - 2011' by the National Crime Bureau. 56.7% of convicts belong to Muslim community were lodged in four states alone namely Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In Gujarat, for example, Muslims comprise of 10% of population, but 22% of jail inmates are Muslims. In West Bengal Muslim population is 25%, but Muslim prisoners under trials and convicts in jail are 46%, while in Uttar Pradesh it 21%.

Protest in Lucknow by Rihai Manch to demand justice for Khalid Mujahid.

Dubious role of security and intelligence agencies:

Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association (JTSA), a group of teachers, from Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU and DU, who came together in the wake of the Batla House encounter to fight for human rights and ‘illegal’ detention last year released a report “Framed, Damned, Acquitted : Dossiers of a 'Very' Special Cell,” in which it had documented 16 cases where ‘innocent’ Muslim youths were “arrested, in main by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, were accused of being operatives and agents of various terrorist organizations (Al Badr, HUJI , Lashkar), and charged with the most heinous of crimes: sedition; war against the state; criminal conspiracy, planning and causing bomb blasts; training of terrorists; collection of arms, ammunition and explosives and the transfer of funds for terrorist activities.” At the end, however, they were acquitted by court. Sometimes the duration of detention, as in the case of Md Amir, has been as long as 14 years.

Khalid Mujahid’s custodial death has once again reminded the grim reality of what a leading national daily wrote in its editorial, “Khalid Mujahid's death raises vital questions about justice delivery in terror cases.”

L-R: Hakeem Tarique Qasmi and Khalid Mujahid (TCN Archive).

Those accused of terror cases are prone to abuses, torture, attacks from jail inmates as well as security agencies. Several accused are out on bail, or those acquitted have complained how during interrogations they were asked questions about their faith, why do you read Quran, why do you have sympathy for Pakistan, or their patriotism is questioned. Often confessional statements are extracted by using forms of third degree torture that includes canning, hanging upside down, pouring petrol on genitals, extracting nails, etc making them psychologically and/or physically crippled for life.

They are not safe even after they are sent to judicial custody, as in the case of Khalid. There were 1,332 deaths in prison in 2011 alone, of which 88 were “unnatural” deaths, according to the latest data available from the National Crime Bureau. In July, last year 27 year old Qateel Siddiqi, arrested in November 2011 by the Special Cell for his alleged links with Indian Mujahedeen, was killed in Yerwada Central jail in Pune by fellow inmates.

Khalid Mujahid's photograph before postmortem.

Investigative journalist Ashish Khetan has now revealed on his newly found website gulail.com, “Secret files prove what Muslims have suspected all along: the State is knowingly prosecuting the innocent on terror charges.” It has unearthed “internal documents from more than half a dozen anti-terror agencies that show that the State has been knowingly prosecuting innocent Muslims for terror cases and keeping the evidence of their innocence from the courts.”

Khetan adds, “In the Pune German Bakery Case the accused Himayat Baig has even been sentenced to death. And another accused, Qatil Siddiqui, whose testimony could have proved his innocence was murdered in a high security prison. In the 2006 Malegaon Blasts case, even after the arrestof a set of Hindutava radicals, the NIA has still not exonerated the original set of innocent Muslims nor has it taken any action against those police officers who had planted explosives in the premises of the innocent accused. The Maharashtra Government has persisted with prosecuting thirteen innocent Muslims for the 2006 train blasts even after evidence surfaced of their innocence.”

Md Aamir Khan after his acquittal.

The biggest faux pas for security agencies were arrests in connection with terror attacks on Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, Malegaon blast and Samjhauta Express blast, where several Muslim youths were arrested in connection, but later it was found that those blasts were handiwork of extremist Hindutva outfits.

Senior police officials, however, claim that if someone is acquitted by court it is not that the concerned person was innocent, but that there were not enough evidences to prove him guilty in court. In case of Khalid, they have gone a step further. Vikram Singh, former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, under whose direction Khalid was arrested and he is one of the 42 police officials whose name finds in an FIR filed by his uncle Zahir Alam Falahi, is adamant. He told media that he is proud of the fact that under his direction Khalid was arrested, against whom there are evidences of involvement in acts of terror.

Security agency is questioning government’s motive and arguing that it would be difficult for them to work in this kind of environment. In fact, after the 2010 Batla House encounter, when civil rights groups demanded probe into the matter, the government turned it down saying the moral of the police would be affected.

To be fair, it’s not just Muslims who appear to be at the receiving end of the biased system, 65% of total jail inmates are Dalits, tirbals or other backward community members according to the National Crime Bureau.

Md. Amir Khan with Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit and Brinda Karat.

Inefficient system:

“Clearly there were blasts, and if doubts are being raised on those arrested, that implies that real culprits are still at large. The government should not only punish the erring police personnel, but should also initiate a fresh investigation in the whole case,” said Advocate Shoaib, whose Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) has been fighting for the release of innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of terrorism.

What needs to be looked upon is the ‘inefficiency’ of the security forces and an over haul in the whole system, that should include proper training in counter terrorism handling, point out experts. India is the second lowest among 50 countries ranked in number of police per capita, with only 129 cops per 100,000 people. Delhi based rights activist Mahtab Alam agrees that our police force is overstretched and meagerly paid, and that often in quest of giving quick result, under pressure from media, they resort to easy way out and Muslim youths are ‘readymade’ prey. But he says that this is just part of the problem. “Apart from police and investigating agencies our political class as well as judiciary is also responsible. The bias is multi layered. Our criminal justice is almost rotten,” he quips.

The stigma of terror on a population suspected to be unpatriotic:

As a consequence of partition on the basis of politics of religion, as also the communal politics of the saffron brigade Muslims in India have generally been seen with suspicion, perpetuating certain negative stereotype about them. There has been several success stories in the ‘story of India’ attributed to Muslims in all walks of life. In fact current vice President, Chief Justice, Attorney General, Foreign Minister, and host of other eminent positions are held by Muslims. However, the central government- appointed Sachar Committee has rightly documented the deplorable condition of the biggest minorities in India, for whom the inequality of the boom has reinforced their exclusion.

In such a scenario the stigma of being branded a ‘terrorist’ is not easy. When those acquitted are asked for possible reasons for their arrest, often the answer is the stark reality: witch hunting based on faith.

Kanpur based 41 year old Syed Wasif Haider was in jail for over eight years in several cases from August 4, 2001 to August 12, 2009 when he was finally acquitted from all cases. However, the ‘media-trial’ against him continues. Speaking to TCN earlier he had said, “My media-trial continues even after I have been acquitted from the court… it seems media in India has become bigger than judiciary.” Every time there is some terror related news in local media; his name is dragged in it he alleges. He finally had to knock the door of the judiciary and his petition against some media houses are pending in local courts.

Haider, the only son of his parents, is married with four daughters. At the time of his arrest, he was working as sales manager in a multi-national company. Even after his acquittals from all cases Haider is not able to lead a ‘normal life’ or find a job since people are afraid to meet or even talk to him, he said.

Similar is the story of Dr. Anwar Ali Javed Ali Khan, a former lecturer at National Defence Academy in Pune, who is out from jail after spending 8 years – with acquittal in one case and on bail in another since February 2011 - and is now forced to sell books that he authored while in jail for “learning Urdu in 30 days.” However, the ghost of terror does not seem to leave him and the income is not sufficient to support his family of three school going children, wife and ailing mother.

Still being made to suffer: Syed Wasif Haider.

Demand for fast track court, compensation:

The government on its part has maintained that there might have been mistakes in some cases, but that by and large law does not make any distinction based on religion. As the demand for speedy justice delivery system, particularly in terror related cases, gaining strength, Home Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde has sent an advisory last week to all states, seeking to expedite the process of finding the total number of Muslim youths who are in jails, their duration, etc for setting up fast track courts. Home Ministry had earlier informed the Parliament that 39 special courts are already functional under the NIA Act for terror related cases.

The bigger question that is haunting is rehabilitation and compensation packages for those acquitted. Take the case of Md Aamir Khan, who was arrested when he was merely 18 years old and spent 14 precious years in jail before he was finally acquitted. He is finding great difficulty in starting his life afresh. For compensation, he even met the Delhi Chief Minister, but so far he has little success. He told TCN that the Delhi CM was sympathetic towards him and expressed her concerns the way Muslim youths are arbitrarily detained. Aamir spoke about the compensation package he had urged a year ago in his meeting with the Principal Secretary of Delhi. According to Aamir, Dikshit has assured him of all possible support.

The National Commission for Minorities too has intervened in cases after the acquittals of Muslim youths for compensation. After NCM recommendations, for example, 70 acquitted youths in Hyderabad were awarded a total of Rs 70 lakhs from the Andhra government. NCM had also intervened for compensation of youths acquitted in Jaipur. Engineer Rashid Husain, who was sacked from his job from Infosys in 2008, after his arrest went to court where the IT major agreed to pay him compensation of Rs 20 lakh.

However, there are no set guidelines yet and hence the travails of these youths continue even after their acquittals.

By TCN News,

Lucknow: On its second day of indefinite protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) has accused the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party government of speaking the language of the ‘communal’ Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).

From yesterday Rihai Manch is on indefinite dharna outside the state Assembly, demanding termination and arrest of police officers involved in Khalid Mujahid's murder. Khalid’s uncle, Zahir Alam Falahi has filed a case against 42 police officers including former DGP Vikram Singh, ADG Brijlal and others who were on duty during the time of Khalid's arrest for murder and conspiracy.

Rihai Manch alleged that the government is trying to protect the police officers in involved in ‘illegal’ arrest of Khalid Mujahid and those involved in conspiracy for his custodial death.

Rihai Manch has announced that in coming days they will gherao the Muslim legislatures and ministers to press for their demand. Protesters warned that those clergies believed to be closer to the ruling SP government, should be careful to face the consequences if they try to hinder the protest.

Tomorrow, on third day of protest, Manch plans to hold ‘black day’ across state by putting black band. yesterday evening they held a candle vigil as well.

Khalid had fainted on his way at Barabanki on Saturday, according to police and was taken to District Hospital, Barabanki where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. Autopsy report has been inconclusive in finding out the reason for death. However, photographs taken before his body was taken for the autopsy, accessed by TCN, clearly show torture marks on the face and blood clots.

Speaking to TCN, his uncle Zaheer Alam Falahi, who saw the dead body in the hospital, confirmed that although his nephew was quite fair, his face appeared to have turned black and that his neck was swollen as if someone twisted it. There were blood marks as well on face, and ankle, elbow, etc had turned black.

Khalid along with Tariq Qasmi was arrested by Special Task Force (STF) on 20 December 2007 from Barabanki. Huge explosives were also shown as recovered from his possession. STF claimed that he was involved in the serial blasts which occurred in Gorakhpur, Faizabad and Lucknow. Later, Nimesh Commission was constituted headed by Justice R D Nimesh who in its report raised fingers over STF's claim about the place of arrest.

Government has earlier claimed that Khalid had fainted on his way back and that he might have died due to heart attack or heat stroke. However, photographs taken before his body was taken for the autopsy, clearly show torture marks on the face and blood clots. Speaking to TCN, his uncle Zaheer Alam Falahi, who saw the dead body in the hospital, confirmed that although his nephew was quite fair, his face appeared to have turned black and that his neck was swollen.

There were blood marks as well on his face, and ankle, elbow, etc had turned black, he added. His family members and rights groups believe that he was murdered by police to protect those involved in his ‘wrongful’ arrest.

In sudden move, Akhilesh Yadav led UP government on Tuesday suspended nine policemen who accompanied Khalid Mujahid while escorting him from Faizabad to Lucknow Jail on Saturday. These suspended 9 police officers are different from these 42 policemen. Earlier UP government has ordered for a CBI enquiry into the causes of death as even the autopsy report was inconclusive in finding out the exact cause of death.

Speakers also warned that the SP government cannot make a community fool any longer by giving false promises.

By Shaik Zakeer Hussain, TwoCircles.net,

Bengaluru: The distress faced by city’s Amanath Bank to pay back their depositors is far from receding, as the fresh Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directive has ordered the co-operative bank to cease all its financial activities.

Owing to the bank’s high level of non-performing assets (NPAs), early last month the RBI, under sub-section (1) of Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) had issued a notice curtailing transaction to not more than Rs. 1,000 per account a day, later restricting withdrawals to Rs. 1,000 within a period of six months.

Under the issued directions, the bank cannot grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowing funds and acceptance of fresh deposits.

The bank’s dwindling financial situation and the uncertainty surrounding their lifelong savings has incensed the depositors, most of who belong to the poor and lower middle class sections of the Muslim community.

“I have all my savings deposited in the bank, which I no longer have access to”, says Imam Ali, a retail cloth store owner and an account holder, who has debts to clear and a sick wife to tend to.

“Many of us had put our money in this bank, as it was run by people belonging to our community, but our trust has now been betrayed”, said another depositor.

Mohammed Akmal H., Officer on Special duty at the Amanath Bank, told TCN that the bank has now decided to auction two of its immovable properties in the city to repay its depositors. “We expect that the sale of these properties should profit us with around Rs. 40 crore. The money will in turn be infused in the bank, revitalizing our operations”. The bank should be back to its normal state within two months, he assured.

Amanath co-operative bank was established in 1977 with a capital base of Rs. 3 lakh by Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, founder of Al-Ameen Educational Society and K. Rahman Khan, now a union Minister of Minority Affairs, soon attaining the status of Karnataka’s first scheduled urban co-operative bank. It was started with 3,000 members and now has 41,000 members and has 15 branches across Karnataka

Though it had a smooth sailing for years, the bank came under intense scrutiny as allegations of misappropriations of funds came into public light. Sources told TCN that the bank founder and former chairman K. Rehman Khan had in his capacity, sanctioned benami loans to his relatives accounting to more than Rs. 100 crore, which were not recovered.

Though Khan has admitted that loans were sanctioned to his relatives, however he has said that he is not responsible for the defaults.

Whether responsible or not, the fate of more than two lakh account holders and its 419 employees now hangs in balance, eagerly waiting for RBI’s next orders albeit with little hope.

By Dr. Shakeel Samdani,

Today is the 5th day of Khalid Mujahid’s death. On 19th of this month, he died in mysterious circumstances, and how he died, under what conditions he died, who are the people responsible for his death, all these things that have been highlighted by Urdu media and websites related to Muslim issues (like TwoCircles.net) and I don’t think that there is any need to repeat them again.

Since five days, I am observing newspapers and other media sources especially Urdu news papers and media, so as to know what is being done in different cities of Uttar Pradesh (UP) to protest against this heinous crime and I also wanted know that how many Muslim political leaders have come forward to speak and protest against this atrocity. During these days, I observed the happenings in prominent Muslim dominated cities of UP especially Lucknow, Aligarh, Rampur, Deoband, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh and Jaunpur.

After thoroughly examining the newspapers since last Monday, one thing is proved that Muslims political leadership in UP have frozen their mouths and legitimately they can be declared ‘dead’ except few ‘Muslim’ political parties.

The self proclaimed Muslim leadership of the state has proved that they are cowards and are betraying the community by not expressing solidarity with the family members of the deceased and not coming forward and speaking against the cold blooded murder of an innocent Muslim Youth, also the so called secular parties of state including congress, BSP and SP have kept their mouth shut and are desisting to speak on this heinous crime.

Moreover, the 70 elected Muslim MLAs of State and more than a dozen MPs (barring a few) are shamelessly hiding their faces. Their consciousness is totally dead, which is evident from the fact that none of the law makers have given any statement on this issue, what to talk about expressing solidarity with the deceased and his family and coming forward to speak for this just cause. The Muslim leaders of Congress kept a deep silence on this issue and majority of the Muslim leaders of BSP preferred not to speak anything on the issue and the leaders of Samajwadi party instead of doing and saying anything preferred to abstain from the Namaz-e-Janaza of late Khalid mujahid.

Smaller parties of UP like Peace Party, Ulema Council, Indian National League, etc protested and tried their best to organise protest against this brutal killing in some districts. All the Muslim minsters of UP remained silent and didn’t bother to see the deceased family members. According to victim’s uncle Zaheer Ahmad Falahi not a single minister, MP, MLA, MLC or any important leader of ruling Samajwadi party even made a call to condole the death and console the bereaved family. (Daily Inquilab 23.5.13)

The ruling SP Government, which last year rode on the hopes and aspirations of Muslim youths and came to power with an overwhelming majority has failed to protect the interests of the Muslims, there are innumerable examples of it and the recent one is the death of Khalid Mujahid.

Till date, I can’t find any statement by any of the Muslim Minister of UP regarding the death of Khalid Mujahid. How mean and coward they are, that they are not even able to stand by the family of deceased and console them. I am surprised to see that a Muslim minister of U.P. who is considered to be the most powerful of all Muslim leaders in the ruling party is missing these days, when he is required most, which is a matter of great shame.

Several prominent religious leaders have spoken on this issue and have protested against this, but the intensity of their protest is not that, as it should be. Muslim organisations like Jamiat Ulema, the Milli Council, Jamat-e-Islami, Ulema Council, and Indian National League have given their statement and have demanded strict punishment against the culprit.

If we talk about State Capital Lucknow , there are so many well versed religious scholars of international fame, even they didn’t took the trouble to speak against this ghastly incident, they all went on a silent mode on this , anyhow several lesser known scholars and non political organizations protested against this incident in which ordinary people were involved rather than the so called Muslim leaders, about whom I am surprised to see that they didn’t even uttered a single word on this tragic incident.

After Lucknow, if we look at Aligarh, there also in these five days no Muslim leader, intellectual, student leader, social worker came forward to protest against the brutal killing of Khalid Mujahid. However, Aligarh Muslim University Teacher’s Association (AMUTA) came forward and denounced this brutal killing of Khalid Mujahid and categorically termed this act as black chapter in the history of UP. It also rejected the fabricated story of the police & said this is not an incident of death in police custody but it is a case of cold blooded murder. It also condemned the ruling Samajwadi government for its lukewarm approach on this incident and said that it has failed to fulfil the promises for Muslims, which it made in its manifesto and at the same time demanded suitable compensation for the family of deceased and a time bound CBI inquiry in to the matter. I congratulate the executive committee of AMUTA in general its president Prof Hamid Ali and its dynamic secretary Dr Aftab Alam in particular for this timely resolution. Babri Masjid Action Committee also Aligarh also protested against the death of Khalid Mujahid.

The prominent political leaders of Rampur, Saharanpur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bareilly, Sitapur, Kanpur, Allahabad etc didn’t utter a single word about this incident and tried their best to toe the official line of their respective parties i.e. not speak on this issue. Congratulations to the Milli organisations, social organisations, concerned Muslims and Ulema, for demonstrating and protesting against this incident and this pattern is continued till date. In the above mentioned districts very strong political families are pre dominating the political scenes and dozens of Muslim MLAs, MPs and ministers are residing but they are shamelessly silent on this issue. Don’t you think that the time has come to replace them?

Organisations like Rihai Manch and its activists like Advocate Mohammad Shoaib, Sandeep Pandey, SR Darapuri, Advocate Randhir Suman, Mohd Khalid (ISHU), etc deserve congratulations for raising this issue and sitting on indefinite dharna in front of Vidhan Sabha.

The Main motive behind this article is to highlight the apathy, insensitiveness, selfishness and undesirable behaviour of flag bearers of Muslim political leader ship in UP, who instead of coming on the roads & protesting and doing something for the aggrieved family, went underground at this critical juncture when they were required most. It’s shameful on their part. And if the attitude of Muslim leaders in UP will remain the same, and then one can easily predict the conditions of Muslims in days to come. From the above it can be safely concluded that the Muslim leadership in so called secular parties have failed miserably to lead the community. I can conclude for the Muslim leadership that they are dead and we can recite, “inna lillahe waina ilahe rajeun.”

(Dr. Shakeel Samdani is a faculty at the Law Faculty of the Aligarh Muslim University and can be reached atdrshakeelsamdani@gmail.com)

By TCN News,

Ajman: Emirates India Fraternity Forum (EIFF) has conducted FOSTA 2013 (Family Orientation and Students Talent Acquisition), on May 17, 2013 at International Indian School, Ajman, an educational and creative workshop enriched by enlightening sessions by expert social psychologists and eminent educationalists.

Intended for families and children from the age of 7 to 18, FOSTA was replete with training sessions on various topics viz, modern age parenting, vibgyor of life, stress management and it held competitions of Painting / Clay Modeling, Collage, Elocution, Quiz and Short Film contest for students.

World renowned psychologist and psychotherapist, thinker and Professor Dr. Abdullah (Periyar Dasan) was the Chief Guest. He did a very informative session regarding Stress Management followed by an effective interaction with the audience. Mr. Abdul Rasheed, Director, La Pass Academy and Vice Principal of Model School Abu Dhabi conducted a lecture in Grade A+ and Vibgyor of Life for students and Eminent Abu Dhabi based Psychologist Mr. Ibrahim A.M. led the training session on “Effective Parenting” for parents.

The response was overwhelming for the competitions. The winners are:

Elocution - First Prize: Farah Jamal Al Kurdi (Palestine), Second Prize: Ajith Roy

Painting - First Prize: Aditya A., Second Prize: Gayathri Sonal Nair

Quiz - First Prize: Surya Ramesh, Second Prize: Santo Tojy

Collage - First Prize: Sanya Sanjeev, Second Prize: Kaleel Ajmal

3-Minute Short Film - First Prize: Rameez, Second Prize: Mohamed Shafi

The first prize is 8 gm gold and the second prize is 4 gm gold. The gold prizes were sponsored by Al Haseena Jewellers. Besides that many consolation prizes of Gift Vouchers were also distributed. These gift vouchers were sponsored by Antics Land, Dyna Trade and Pizzaro.

Mr. Periyar Dasan distributed the prizes for the winners. Mr. M.S. Abdul Hameed welcomed the gathering, Mr. Dhameem gave an introductory speech about EIFF and Mr. Munavvar delivered vote of thanks.

By TCN News,

Mumbai: Representative of Muslim organizations based in Mumbai met Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday to press him on various demands.

To the Muslim delegation Yadav promised that Muslim youth falsely accused of terrorism will be released. He said investigation in the death of Khalid Mujahid is ongoing and those guilty will be published.

Abdur Rahman Anjaria of Muslim Personal Law Board (Jadeed), Amir Edresy of All India Muslim Youth Movement, Abdus Salam Khan Qasmi of Jamial Ulama, Siraj Ansari of Ansari Foundation, Ishtiyaq Ahmad of Al Ansar Foundation and Maulana Irfan Aleemi of Aleemi Movement of India were some of the members of the delegation.

By Saeed Naqvi, IANS,

Good luck to the UPA as it attempts to put a positive spin on its nine years in power. But let me insert here a word of caution about the manner in which its war on terror is causing the world's second largest Muslim population to be dangerously alienated from the state.

I was in Lucknow when the custodial death of Khalid Mujahid caused deathly silence in my family which, sadly, has also begun to lose faith.

Those in New Delhi blinded by the approaching state and national elections must look a little beyond and rein in a situation which, if not controlled, will unleash unspeakable instability.

The war on terror has already trapped Pakistan in a situation from which it cannot easily exit. If it sustains the war on terror, it falls prey to the law of unintended consequences.

Every attack causes the ranks of the militants to swell. Every peace overture causes them to regroup and consolidate. There is no reliable gauge to measure the inclination of the Pakistan Army and the Americans in given circumstances.

In the Indian context, the war on terror does worse: it tends to divide the world's largest minority from the rest.

If it were to be a tidy separation of the Muslims from the rest and the rest were a solid bloc of sorts, you have the outlines of a Hindu state. This outcome may be to the liking of people with a certain ideological bent. But any fool can tell you that is not the way the cookie is crumbling, given the country's linguistic ethnic and caste divisions. But something even more dangerous is happening.

Witness the behaviour of lawyers in places like Faizabad or Lucknow: they are openly with the police as it wantonly picks up "terrorists", who will never ever be convicted. Indeed, who will never be tried even.

Some lawyers, who in this case happen to be Muslims, are physically threatened if they attempt to take up a "terrorist" case for trial. A terrorist, once picked up, is not entitled to a trial?

The District Bar Association of Faizabad condemned a protest march against Mujahid's death in custody. Bar association membership of Shakeelur Rehman, Nadeem Ahmad and Saleem Ahmad, lawyers sympathetic to Mujahid, were cancelled. And the great constitutional democracy watches these shadows of fascism lengthen over the Republic without as much as a murmur?

How did we arrive at a situation where the "war on terror" is being waged by an unbridled machinery? Convictions are in inverse proportion to the sound and fury of the war being waged.

Enough has been written on communal conflict in India since independence. Electoral politics has continuously stirred up this already simmering bowl. The war on terror has been catastrophic. It has been like a huge boulder tossed into a giant cauldron bubbling over.

A quick look at how it all happened.

Soon after 9/11, the US enlisted Pakistan as the frontline state in its war on terror. This hit New Delhi where it hurts.

India had been a victim of cross border terrorism at least since 1989, when the spare jehadi energy, after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, boomeranged on Kashmir.

By October 2001, the Taliban had been ousted from Kabul. To qualify for membership of the major league in the global war on terror, New Delhi had to wait for its parliament to be attacked Dec 13, 2001.

This was no longer mere cross border terrorism. Here was global jehad (it was alleged) striking at the very heart of India. A moot question was not asked: who would profit from the outrage?

Look at the complexity. Two nuclear armed, instinctively adversarial neighbours, participating in the US led war on global terror are simultaneously, training their guns on each other for a fight to the finish.

Does the scenario make logical sense? How could two neighbours, led by a superpower, break out into mutual hostilities abandoning the so-called just war? So, the post parliament attack eye-ball to eye-ball posture was just that - a posture.

Joining the global war on terror had two other consequences. Major intelligence agencies headquartered in Washington, Jerusalem, London or Riyadh rushed in to share and control information in India, for instance. Doesn't the situation automatically curtail autonomy of action?

Also, by its very nature, the war on terror is an interminable war. Participating nations cannot blow the whistle and announce victory. In other words, the machinery put in place to fight this war has to be kept in drill by being required to fight phantom enemies too.

Can a country already riven into castes, languages, religions afford to be trapped in a war which will keep its people doubly divided in perpetuity? As it is, caste and communal sub divisions have become a nasty and inevitable accompaniment to electoral democracy.

How do we pull ourselves back from the precipice? For a poison running so deep, let us take a long historical view.

Communal conflict, aggravated after 1857, received a huge boost during the partition of 1947. Electoral democracy, in quest of vote banks, has subsequently proceeded hollow out the much profaned word, secularism. The war on terror, the way it has been fought, has globally multiplied the terror cells. In India, this war excavates along communal fault lines. It has created a potential for communal conflict without end.

(Saeed Naqvi is a senior political commentator. He can be reached on saeed.naqvi@hotmail.com)

By TCN News,

USA: Indian American Muslim Council (http://www.iamc.com) an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos has denounced and strongly condemned the custodial death of Khalid Mujahid, at the hands of the Uttar Pradesh state police. IAMC also condemned the brutal attack on Mr. Mujahid's counsel, Advocate Mohammed Salim, and the ransacking of the chambers of other advocates related to the case.

Mujahid had been arrested on dubious grounds in a terror case in 2007. The case against him was falling apart and he was expected to testify against the police personnel that had conspired to frame him as well as Mr. Tariq Qasmi on trumped up charges. His killing is widely seen as an attempt by the police to silence a witness whose exposé of police subterfuge was imminent.

Mr. Mujahid's custodial killing comes on the heels of the killing of Qateel Siddiqui in police custody as well as several other fake encounters and hundreds of cases of Muslim youth subject to illegal detentions.

In a letter to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, IAMC President Ahsan Khan called Khalid Mujahid's death a "case of custodial murder that has pushed atrocities by law enforcement against minorities beyond a dangerous threshold."

The letter urged the Home Minister to fulfill the UP government's request for a CBI enquiry while expanding its scope to cover the entire case including Khalid's original arrest on terror charges. This would establish the motive behind his custodial killing.

In a separate letter to UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, IAMC urged the state government to take the following steps:

1) In addition to the nine policemen already suspended, order the immediate suspension of all the police personnel, implicated in Khalid's arrest, detention and subsequent death until the CBI investigation is completed.

2) Table the full report of the Nimesh Commission that was instituted to investigate the arrest of Tariq Qasmi and Khalid Mujahid by a Special Task Force of the UP Police [4]. According to media reports, leaked portions of the Nimesh Commission Report had clearly recommended legal action against the officers that had conspired to arrest the duo on dubious charges.

3) Provide adequate compensation for the family and next of kin of the victim.

4) Suspend the lawyers that engaged in brutal violence against Advocate Mohammed Salim and others, merely for providing legal services to Khalid Mujahid, which is the constitutional right of every citizen.

The letter also pointed out to the Chief Minister that the security of Mr. Tariq Qasmi, the surviving member of the duo that was arrested in this case is paramount. The state government needs to protect Mr. Qasmi from vested interests in the police force.

The case of Khalid Mujahid has galvanized human rights activists, organizations and people of conscience across India as well as the Indian diaspora, to speak out against the repressive tactics of law enforcement authorities against minorities.

Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 13 chapters across the nation.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Lucknow: Today was the third day of protest by Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism), outside the UP Assembly on the demand for the persecution of police officers involved in the custodial death of Khalid Mujahid, tabling of the Nimesh Commission Report and release of Muslim youths languishing in jails in fabricated terror cases.

Throughout the state, protesters wore black band in solidarity and the day was declared as black Friday. After spate of 27 communal riots, now custodial death of Khalid is the last nail in the coffin of SP government said a spokesperson of the Rihai Manch.

Secretary of National Democratic Party, Chawdhry Chandrpal Singh, who was present at the protest, accused the Samajwadi Party of cozying up to the Sangh Parivar.
Protesters also shouted slogans against those Muslim clergies who generally side with SP and are still silent on the issue.

On the fourth day of protest former MP and Communist Party leader Subhasini Ali, NDP president Asad Khan, Secretary of Indian National League Mohamamd Suleman amongst others are expected to be present.

Expressing their shock on the demeaning silence of Muslim leadership, on the third day of protest, Rihai Manch also posed 16 questions to Muslim legislatures and ministers. Protesters have warned the Muslim legislatures to gherao them if their questions are not heeded to. Most of the questions are related to the witch-hunting of Muslim youths in the name of terror, and the response of these Muslim elected representatives.

1. Even after filing of FIRs into conspiracy and murder of Khalid Mujahid against 42 cops, police has not taken any action yet. Muslim MLAs and ministers have particularly been copious by their silence. Rihai Manch would want to know their opinion on the issue and would request them to speak. Should not they resign if they have failed to voice the concerns of the community, on whose vote they reached the Assembly?

2. Have you ever raised the issue of detention of Muslim youths inside Assembly? If yes, what was the outcome? If no, why have you been silent?

3. Have you raised the issue in the Assembly or in any committee? If you did, what did you say? If you did not, can we know the reason?

4. Did you ever raise the issue of arrest of Muslim youths even as the SP government came to power?

5. Did you demand the tabling of RD Nimesh Commission report in the Assembly?

6. If the state government does not still release the innocent Muslim youths languishing in jails for years, are you prepared to resign from your constituencies?

7. Are you satisfied with your party’s response in the Parliament on the Batla House encounter?

8. Do you think that ATS and intelligence agencies have been biased towards Muslims in their working?

9. Do you consider it right for state police and intelligence personnel to get training in Israel?

10. SP leader and Minister Shivpal Yadav visited Israel sometimes back. Do you think it was right on his part to visit Israel?

11. Several rights activists have demanded from the central government to bring out white paper on Indian Mujahedeen and Muslim youths arrested. What is your take on it?

12. Attack on CRPF camp in Rampur on 31 December 2007 and 2008 is believed to part of an ‘internal brawl’ by many and there is demand to have a fresh enquiry. Have you ever raised the issue in the Assembly?

13. In Kanpur two Bajrang Dal leaders died while allegedly making bombs in 2008 and huge amount of explosives were recovered from them. There is long held demand of CBI enquiry into it. Have you ever pressed for same in the Assembly or in any committee at party or government level?

14. On the alleged biased role of then SP of Kanpur in 1992, IS Mathur Committee submitted its report in 1998. Have you ever raised the issue for tabling that report?

15. In the spate of communal riots under current SP government questions have been raised on the dubious role of SP leaders and ministers. Have you ever raised the issue at party or government level? If so what was the response?

16. News of ill-treatment and torture of Muslim youths languishing in jails in the name of terror often surface. Have you ever taken up the issue at the government level or raised it on the floor of the house?

By TCN News,

Jaipur: Rajasthan Muslim Forum (RMF), an umbrella organization of Muslim organization of the state has asked Akhilesh Yadav to take responsibility of killing of Khalid Mujahid and resign immediately for the post of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

A funeral prayer in absentia (ghaybana namaz-e-janaza) was offered today for Khalid Mujahid at Moti Dungri Road preceded by a protest
demonstration.

Since Khalid Mujahid faced a death under oppression therefore according to Islamic guidelines his death is martyrdom, opined leaders present on the occasion. People raised their hands to support this proposal to call Khalid Mujahid a shahid or martyr.

The resolution passed at the gathering asked for immediate suspension and prosecution of police officers involved in falsely accusing of Khalid Mujahid of terrorism and his custodial death.

Resolution of RMF also mentioned number of youths who are behind bars in various states falsely accused of terrorism. RMF demand immediate release of them and proper compensation.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s national secretary Dr. Mohammad Saleem Engineer said Khalid Mujahid was about to be released and therefore he was killed so he couldn’t be a witness in cases involving senior police officers of UP.

Convenor of the Forum, Qari Moinuddin said Muslims are equal citizens of India but do not have security because they are being discriminated against. He called people to struggle for justice and equal rights. Professor Muhammad Hasan of Irada Society also addressed the gathering.

By TwoCircles.net special correspondent

Barabanki: Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mansur Elahi in Faizabad confirmed before the Special Court in Faizabad which is hearing the cases of terror accused Tariq Qasmi, Sajjadur Rehman, Akhtar and Khalid Mujahid (now deceased) that he had signed the Vakalatnama submitted for opposing them.

Mansur Elahi, who is district unit president of Legal Wing of SP in Faizabad—Samajwadi Adhivakta Sabha. Mansur is a senior leader of SP in Faizabad and had even contested elections twice for the post of
Chairman, Nagar Palika.

He is one of the lawyers in the panel of 7 lawyers constituted by Faizabad Bar Association to oppose the terror accused. His role becomes significant after state government's decision to withdraw the case.

“I had confirmed before the court that I had signed the Vakalatnama. Actually the defence lawyer had raised objection over my signature,” confirmed Mansur Elahi to TwoCircles.net. He however clarified his role in the whole case.“Technically I had signed the Vakalatnama but I am not part of the panel anymore. Since I am the complainant in the case, I continue to remain in the case. But I will not oppose government's decision to
withdraw the case against them,” Elahi clarified.

Few days ago, four lawyers including Jamal who is contesting the case of terror accused were thrashed. Their officers in the district court was broken and one of them Saleem, advocate had to be admitted. A police case has been registered in this case.

The special court of Additional District Judge Mohammad Hussain is hearing the case of accused in Faizabad. The special court will listen to the arguments of both parties on the bail application of Sajjadur Rahman of 4thJune.

By IANS,

Mumbai: In a surprise move, Mumbai police has refused to allow a 300-km long Muslim reservation march from entering Azad Maidan Monday, the organisers said here Saturday.

"The Muslim Reservation Federation (MRF) had applied for permission April 30 for the march to culminate at Azad Maidan. It had started from Malegaon eight days ago," said MRF spokesperson Halim Siddiqui.

"In a last minute move, Mumbai police suddenly cancelled the permission citing violence which had erupted there during a rally in August 2012," Siddiqui told IANS.

An alternate venue offered is the K.J. Somaiya grounds in the eastern suburb of Vidyavihar, but the organisers feel it would be out of the way for many people from Maharashtra who are expected to participate in the rally.

MRF office-bearers are upset with Mumbai police authorities for intimating them the decision on a Friday afternoon, which did not give them time to challenge it before the courts.

The 2,000-strong march has reached Bhiwandi in Thane district and is expected to reach Mumbai Monday morning, said Siddiqui.

The rally, in which around 50-60 Muslim representatives from all cities in the state have been called, could see around 6,000-8,000 participants.

The MRF, an umbrella organisation of over a dozen Muslim groups in the state, is demanding 20 percent reservation in government jobs and admission to government colleges and institutions.

Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam of Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) comments on the nine years of UPA in office.

Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam,

Now that the Congress-led UPA has completed nine years of uninterrupted rule at the Centre, it is the moment of introspection and stock-taking by both the government and the people of this country. The UPA has a patchy record of both achievements and failures as far as common Indians are concerned, but for Muslims these years have been pretty difficult.

The UPA rule began on a note of hope as the Sachar Committee was constituted to look into the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in order to start correction measures on the basis of its findings and suggestions. In the wake of the Sachar Report some progress has been made, for which the UPA should get its due credit.

Landmark policy achievements like Right to Information, Right to Education, National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, National Rural Health Mission and Bharat Nirman are duly recognised as significant.

However, what has tarnished the image of the government is uncontrolled inflation, lawlessness on the streets and crime against women. The weaker sections, particularly Muslims, feel more vulnerable than in some of the worst periods after independence.

Even though law and order is a state subject, the Centre has the authority to intervene in cases of serious law and order problems. But the Centre has barely raised a finger in the worst anti-Muslim atrocities. As many as 400,000 people, mostly Muslims, were forced out of their homes and into refugee camps in Assam, where a Congress-led coalition rules, without any substantial resistance from the state. The culprits roam free as the refugees are prevented from coming to their villages, even though their homes and property documents have been turned to ashes.

Since the beginning of Akhilesh Yadav government in UP, as many as 27 anti-Muslim riots have been organised and staged without the Centre raising a finger. Congress-run states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have created new records of police brutality against Muslims.

The communal prejudice among the police has deepened so much that when a Muslim young man, whom the Nimesh Commission had found not to be guilty of involvement in a blast case, died in police custody on May 18, a former director general of police said he considered the man guilty even if the Commission and a court of justice found him innocent. Such blatant contempt of the institution of Commission and court of justice has failed to stir anyone.

Sadly, the tenure of UPA government has been marked by consistent harassment, humiliation, imprisonment, torture and murder of innocent Muslim youth across India. Those who survive the ordeal are scarred and defamed for life. The number of such youth is growing by the day.

Muslim organizations, the All India Milli Council in particular so, have made representations and got assurances of fair play from the high and mighty for the umpteenth time, but nothing has changed on the ground.

The death of the Muslim youth in UP police custody has virtually sealed the fate of Samajwadi Party. Because of the uninterrupted witch hunt against Muslim youth, Congress does not fare any better. This disappointment with so-called secular parties does not augur well.