Ajmer/Pushkar: The names of two ancient towns of Ajmer and Pushkar draw certain pictures in our minds. Ajmer is world famous for the shrine or Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, popularly known as Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz. One of the oldest existing town of Pushkar in Ajmer district, on the other hand, is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus, and is popular for annual camel fair held each year towards November end.
The demography of these two towns, however, are such that Pushkar often sends Muslim representatives while Ajmer sends Sindhi-Hindu representatives to the state Assembly. While Ajmer has only over 11% Muslim population, they comprise of 32% of the Pushkar constituency.
Congress candidate from Pushkar, Naseem Akhtar Insaf with party workers outside her home.
In Pushkar, Rawats comprise of the second biggest community with roughly 22% voters, while Rajputs and Gijjars form 15 and 17 % of voters. Thus generally a combination of Muslim plus Rawats or Gujjars have gernally been the winning formula here.
Pushkar has generally been a Congress bastion, but a minority face has helped BJP clinch victory on some occasions. BJP won the Pushkar constituency for the first time in 1995, when Ramzan Khan contested from here. Since 2003, however, Congress has been winning the seat.
Sitting Congress MLA and Minister of State for Education, Naseem Akhtar Insaf is fighting against rookie BJP candidate Suresh Rawat.
Speaking to TCN, Suresh Rawat says that as a son of farmer he has faced many hardships and he can better understand the anguish of all deprived communities. He alleges that his rival Naseem Akhtar was busy in Jaipur and did not give any time to her constituency.
Poster of BJP candidate Suresh Singh Rawat from Pushkar.
In an exclusive interview to TCN, Naseem Akhtar, however, elaborated on her achievements, adding that she enjoys the support of all communities. She said, “I am proud that my constituency is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage site. I have always enjoyed the blessings of not only Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, but also the Hindu saints.”
Elaborating on the work she does for her constituency by opening schools, health centers, etc, she said that throughout her tenure, she has been at the forefront of seeing that the annual fair at Pushkar is organized properly.
Two times MLA and BJP candidate from Ajmer North, Prof. Vasudev Devnani during a ‘Jan-Sampark.’
The Ajmer North constituency, that house the Dargah, has Sindhis as the single biggest and the most influential community. Since 1957, only a Sindhi candidate has won from this constituency, and if any party fields candidates from other community, the Sindhis unite to defeat that party. Other communities, hence, often feel neglected here.
The Congress gambled last time by giving ticket to a non-Sindhi Shrigopal Baheti, but lost to former minister in the Vasundhra government, Professor Vasudev Devnani. The BJP candidate told TCN, “I work for all communities. With the vision to make Vasundhrajee as CM and Narendra Modi as our PM, we are contesting this elections and will win with people’s support.”
Main entrance of Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.
The Congress is repeating the bet this time again, by giving ticket to Dr Gopal Baheti. This has fuelled anger among Sindhis. On Thursday last Poojiya Sindhi Panchayat has announced it boycott of the Congress party on the pretext that it has not nominated any candidate from the Sindhi community.
A Sindhi samaj leader confirmed that there was fair amount of anti-incumbency against Devnani even amongst Sindhis, but now they are left with little options.
A man selling sacred thread outside Dargah.
Meanwhile, even though symbolically, each candidate and elected representatives, do not miss opportunities in paying homage to the shrines of both Hindus and Muslims.
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia held its annual convocation today in the afternoon in the Lawns of Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium, Jamia Millia Islamia.
A total of 4569 Degrees/Diplomas were awarded to students who have successfully completed Post-graduation, Graduation and Diploma courses from different Faculties/Departments/Centres of the University in the Academic Session 2011-12.
The University also handed out 154 Gold Medals to the Toppers of different courses as also awarded 224 Ph.D. degrees to Research Scholars.
On this occasion, the University also conferred the Degree of ‘Doctors of Letters’ (Honoris Causa) on Mr. Najeeb Jung, former Vice Chancellor of the University, who in July took over as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. A citation was presented to him on this occasion.
The citation read, “In honouring Shri Najeeb Jung … Jamia Millia Islamia acknowledges his distinctive contribution as an academic leader and administrator, who - in his person and work - demonstrates the values of excellence, integrity and commitment.”
On this occasion, Shri Jung also delivered his convocation address. In his address, he paid rich tributes to the founders of Jamia. He said that they were great visionaries, much as were the visionaries of India. He also told the students to reflect on the principles laid down in the Preamble of the Constitution and said that even as the students go their different paths, they must abide by these lofty principles. He also exhorted them to aim high.
Prof S M Sajid, Vice Chancellor, delivered the report highlighting the achievements of the past year as also plans for the future. Prof Sajid said, “If I were to ask myself what is the source of Jamia’s vibrancy, there is only one answer that comes to my mind, it is our students. They are our best hope for the future.”
He addressed the students and said, “As you leave the portals of this magnificent university and prepare for a life and career ahead, know this that you are the inheritors of a great legacy and this university invests a lot of hope and promises in you. I am sure you will make us all proud. I wish all of you a great life and career ahead.”
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M A Zaki, Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia presided over the Annual Convocation. Earlier the programme began with the citation from Quran and its translation, followed with the Jamia Tarana. The programme draw to an end with the national anthem.
The university also streamed a video of the proceedings of the Convocation live on the Jamia’s website www.jmi.ac.in for those who could not be physically present.
Trivandrum: Demanding fundamental changes in the present education system of the state, the Kerala Education Congress concluded here on Sunday. An initiative for the intervention of students in educational policies, the congress, organised by Students Islamic Organization, became unique experience for the state.
Research methods intertwining science, technology and social science have to be evolved, said Dr. VN Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chairman of Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment, during the keynote address in the session “Research Education in Kerala: Tendencies and Differences”.
95 percentage of research studies are going on in colleges of the state. However, it is strange that 95% of funds towards higher education of the state are availed by the universities where only 5% of the studies are conducted. Graduate, post graduate and research programmes should be facilitated under one institution itself. He pointed out that allocation of fund towards research education in Kerala amounts less than one percentage of annual budgets. Dr. M. Shahin presided over the function.
The congress inaugurated by Honourable MP ET Mohammed Basheer was honoured by participation of JK THareen (former VC of Pondichery Central University), PK Abdul Azeez (former VC, Aligarh Muslim University) , Veeramanikandan (VC, Kerala UNivesity), T Arifali (Jamat’e Islami Ameer,Kerala) and other dignified guests. Academic sessions were held on various themes including ‘Curriculum: changes and developments’, ‘Inclusive Education’, ‘University governance’, ‘School Education’, ‘Religious Education in Kerala’, ‘Technological Education’, ‘Economic Dividend in Higher Education’ during the two-day conference.
Kolkata/Malda: “Waqf property is not only associated with Muslim, Waqf property is a national property and should be used to end the plight of the poor,” said Minister for Minority Affairs K Rehman Khan during a recent visit to Kolkata on November 21.
K Rahman Khan had come to Kolkata to attend a Chartered Account Convention at Science City Auditorium in city. But before the convention, he attended a meeting with the state Waqf Board Chairman Justice (Retr) Abdul Ghani and members of the Board at the office State Waqf Board.
Chairman of Board of West Bengal Waqf Board Justice (Retr) Abdul Ghani and State Waqf Board Member and Miinister of State of Central Government Abu Hashem Khan Chowdhury handed over a memorandum to the Union Minority Affairs Minister.
He said that the amendments of the national Wakf Act are very significant and now is the time to make maximum advantages of these amendments.
He spoke on how with the intervention of the Apex Court, several prime location properties could be either taken back or rent/lease amount could be rationalized.
He gave the examples of how two five stars hotels in Bangalore and Delhi were only paying 12 thousand rupees, but now the rent is substantially being increased.
He said that vast Waqf land or money incurred through rents could be utilized in the educational and other developments of the community. Central Waqf Board has set up a legal cell to recover the illegal occupied Waqf properties, he added.
He also said that the Government of India will make central development fund with an amount of 150 Crore.
There are sveral prime location proteties in Kolkata, illegally occupied, like the office of liquor company Shaw Wallace near Writers Building, Gulf Club at Tollygunge, Martin Burn at Ballygunj, etc.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan in a meeting with State Waqf Board Chairman and members at the West Bengal State head office of Waqf Board, Kolkata, on 21st November, 2013.
State Waqf board members also discussed the issue of increasing the capacities of girls’ hostel in the state.
Besides Union Minority Minister K Rahman Khan, and WB state Waqf Board Chairman Justice (Retd) Abdul Ghani, Members of the Board Union Minister Abu Hashem Khan Chowdhury, MP Haji Nurul Islam, MLA Dr. Md Nuruzzman, Ahmed Hassan Imran, MLA Abu Taher Khan and Afakuzzaman were also present in the meeting.
After the meeting a Memorandum, comprising of several proposals, was handed over to Union Minority Affair Minister on behalf of West Bengal Waqf Board.
Chennai: The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) has extended its “strong support and solidarity” to the Aam Admi Party that according to them is trying to clean up the political system in the country.
PMANE is an anti-nuclear power group in Tamil Nadu, founded by S.P. Udayakumar. Since September 2011 the aim of the group has been to close the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant site and to preserve the largely untouched coastal landscape, as well as educate locals about nuclear power.
A PMANE read, “The country has been thrust into a deep crisis by the Congress Party and the BJP, both of whom are equally corrupt and communal. Both their policies and programs have been not only similar but also anti-people. For instance, take the energy policy of the country. Nuclear energy is being bandied about as THE panacea for all of the country’s ills and evils by both parties. Nuclear energy is projected as the single solution for the nation’s lack of energy security, military security and the overall national security. All this in a country where hundreds of millions of people do not have food security, nutrition security, water security, sanitation security, other basic needs of life or human dignity.”
“For that new beginning in India’s national life, we need new dreams, new visions, new ideas, new approaches and new leadership. And let that ‘new thing’ begin in New Delhi! The whole of India has turned to the Capital citizens for their path-breaking verdict with high hopes and expectations. We appeal to the voters of the state of Delhi to shun the corrupt and communal Congress Party and the BJP and hug the Aam Admi Party and its dynamic leaders Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and his comrades,” the PMANE further added.
New Delhi: A national minority women's convention was held in the Constitution Club's Annexe hall in the national capital which was presided over by various organizations working for democracy and secularism. It was participated by minority women from all over the country who shared their stories of getting targeted in different communal tensions at different times.
"We have gathered here to let the communal forces know that the minority women of India will not let a fascist and a misogynist Narendra Modi become the Prime Minister of India. We have to stop the advancement of communalism at all cost," said Shabnam Hashmi, the convener of Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD).
The convention which kicked off at 9:30 am was split between three interactive sessions. The first session saw the victims and eye-witnesses of Gujarat, Muzaffarnagar riots and Dhule shootings telling their tales of horror to the jam-packed hall of attendees and media persons.
Khurshida Khatoon, a riot victim from Muzaffarnagar and a member of Aganbari from her native village of Fugana told TCN, "it feels great being a part of the convention which feels like more of a movement and after seeing so much of solidarity here it seems that my family is not alone."
Bilkis Bano, Sultana Sheikh from Gujarat, Musarrat Jahan (Ishrat Jahan's sister) from Mumbai, Madina from Dhule. Mufia from Gopalgarh, Sobhamani Karkaria from Kandhamal and Tahirun Khatoon from Forbesganj were also present at the convention.
Ishrat Jahan's mother expressed her views on the convention. She said, "I am here because I have faith in such meetings and I want the scourge of oppression be erased from the country and the culprits of violence be brought to book." She also said that such gatherings are "necessary for a secular India to thrive."
The second session was held at 2:30 pm which was titled 'Breaking the stereotypes,’ in which noted speakers and women activists, journalists and film makers like Albeena Shakeel, Arfa Khanum, Meera Rizvi, Saba Azad, filmmaker Samina Mishra and Seema Siddiqui participated.
"At the time when I joined journalism, women were very few and despite my advanced qualifications I was still expected to work in Urdu journalism only because of the stereotypical tag of Muslim woman I was carrying and I tried equally hard not to be thrown into Urdu services," said Rajya Sabha TV anchor Arfa Khanam with a smile while addressing the gathering.
Farha Naqvi, writer and activist, while taking dig at BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said, "He made the entire security apparatus of Gujarat chase one single woman. This is the status of woman in Modi's state where pregnant women were raped and killed on sword points. It is not just minority women who are targeted by the fascist forces but Christians, adivasis and dalits also bear the brunt of their communal ambitions."
Mohammad Aamir who works in ANHAD shared his excitement over the convention and said, "This convention is for women, their pain, their aspirations and their longing for truth and justice which they are searching for a long time. Only secularism can keep this country as one and only through a democratic struggle we can achieve this goal of an egalitarian society."
Aamir was acquitted two years of all terror charges after 14 years in jail. His commendable journey from being a terror accused to a peace activist is powered by the "hopes generated by such conventions."
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to the CBI on a bail plea of senior Gujarat police officer Narendra Amin who is in jail for his alleged involvement in Ishrat Jahan staged shootout case.
A bench of Justice B.S.Chauhan and Justice S.A.Bobde issued the notice as senior counsel Ram Jethmalani addressed the court on the issue.
On the direction of the Gujarat High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation had filed the charge sheet on Dec 16, 2011, naming 20 people, including Amin as accused in the case.
Amin was arrested in April 4, 2013. The charge sheet in the matter was filed July 3, 2013. His plea for bail was rejected by the additional chief judicial magistrate July 9, 2013, and an appeal against the order was dismissed by the Gujarat High Court Aug 16, 2013.
Mumbai college girl Ishrat Jahan and her three associates - Pranesh Gopinath Pilai, Amjad Ali and Jishan Johar - were killed by Gujarat Police in an allegedly staged shootout June 15, 2004.
Police had described them as Pakistani Fidayeens who came from Jammu and Kashmir to assassinate Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Amin contended that the charge sheet was filed on July 3, 2013, which was beyond 90 days' limit as prescribed under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Thus, he was entiled to "default bail".
Holding the high court order as erroneous, Amin in his petition told the Supreme Court that the application for bail under Section 167(2) of the CrPC was for compulsory bail and not for regular bail and the denial of bail by the high court was based on an erroneous construction of the provision.
He contended that mere filing of charge sheet on the 90th day was not sufficient for the compliance of Section 167 (2) as such. It should be an outcome of complete investigation coupled with all the relevant documents that prosecution wants to rely upon to establish its case.
Earlier the high court, while observing that the filing of charge sheet on July 3, 2013, "took care of the statutory time limit (of 90 days) contemplated for investigation", said the "right of the applicant accused (Amin) to seek default bail under the said provision no more remained alive. The challan was filed within 90 days which was a due compliance (of 90 days' limit provided under section 167(2) of the CrPC)".
It had held that after 90 days, the section ceases to govern the rights of the accused and the matter went out of the province of said section.
"The right (of Amin) stood extinguished as soon as the charge sheet was filed, which was valid charge-sheet within the statutory period," it said, dismissing Amin's bail plea.
In the meanwhile, the apex court has directed that another petition of Amin seeking the quashing of the charge sheet in Ishrat Jahan case would be taken up for hearing after court re-opens after the winter break.
Appearing for Amin, senior counsel Mahesh Jethmalani told the court that his client was a victim of political machinations.
"Everything is politics. Delay is due to politics," he told the court, pointing to the release of CD pertaining to snooping of a lady allegedly at the instance of Modi.
"Let them (respondents including CBI) file the reply. We can always put the clock back," observed Justice Bobde.
As the court asked Gujarat's Additional Advocate General Tushar Mehta if he was supporting petitioner Amin, he said: "I am not supporting but I am perturbed with the way investigation was going on."
Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmedi, who appeared for one of the respondents, told the court how Amin's petition for the quashing of the charge sheet was maintainable under Article 32 of the Constitution which can be invoked only for the enforcement of fundamental rights.
Bharatpur/ Gopalgarh village: ‘Abba Jaan Aap ko Insaaf Milega (Dear Father you will get justice), Rahul Gandhi had said to a broken old man Ishaaq whose 26 year old son was killed during police-gujjar firing at Masjid-e-Ayesha in Gopalgarh village on the fateful day of 14 September 2011.
More than two years on Ishaaq is still waiting for the promised justice.
Two years back, dispute over mosque land had led to rising communal tension as rumour spreads about attack from both sides. The police used force, mainly against the minority community, killing at least 10 Meo Muslims inside the mosque.
As the politics continue, Meo Muslims still live in anger, fear and desperation. Gopalgarh police station is now called ‘Khooni Thana (Bloody Station)’ by locals. The mere sight of the station reminds them of the blood bath at the mosque.
The campaign is in full swing for the December 1, Assembly elections, and the police firing has become an important elections issue in the Mewat region of Rajasthan that could affect outcome in at least two districts of Bharatpur and Alwar.
Two sitting Congress ministers Zahida Khan and Aimauddin Ahmed Khan face difficult elections.
Photograph of Masjid e Ayesha, taken at night, where the police firing took place.
Zahida Khan the sitting MLA of Kaman where Gopalgarh village falls, is facing huge anti-incumbency in the Meo Muslim dominated seat. Representing third generation of her family on this seat, Ms. Zahida Khan is fighting for a second term. She is an accused in the Gopalgarh riot case by CBI and is currently out on bail. But the case is not helping her in any way to become a champion for Meo Muslim cause.
Just months after the firing, she was allotted cabinet ministry in the Ashok Ghelot Government, resulting in suspicion in the Meo community that she sold off Gopalgarh issue for a ‘Laal Batti’ (red beacon), symbolic of ministerial berth.
Even though all her Muslim opponents in the election contest are making Gopalgarh firing the biggest issue, for Ms. Zahida Khan it is no issue at all. “That incident is not an issue against me, it’s in my favour. We were successful in confining it to Gopalgarh not let it spread to other villages, that was the good part. After two-three months everything was brought to normal,” claims MLA Zahida Khan.
File photo of Zahida Khan with Ashok Gehlot.
‘Meo ki Beti’ (daughter of Meo), as her supporters prefer to call her, says there was no reason of giving wrong signal to the community by accepting ministry, “I consulted my community before taking that ministry. Only after their consent I took up the charge.”
The victims’ families, however, believe political parties have taken them for a ride. As CBI has acted only on FIRs registered by the local police, but not on the 11 FIRs registered by the victim families, whom has made police and administration the main accused.
Stiff Opposition: Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan, National Vice President of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) contesting from Kaman is taking on Zahida Khan on hosts of issues but Gopalgarh firing is the major one. “There is whole drama being played in the name of inquiry. CBI is acting just on police FIRs not on 11 FIRs registered by the victims. On the other hand political representatives has settled with the government and not raising this issue at all.”
Mr. Manzoor Ali khan says that Zahida Khan never even raised this issue on the floor of the house and “she colluded in the travesty of justice.”
SDPI VP Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan (in middle) with his supporters.
On that charge for not raising the issue in the assembly, however, Ms. Zahida was candid on her compulsion. “During the Assembly session after the incident, I was made a minister and I was part of the government. One cannot rise issues against the government, when you are part of it.”
Moahammed Jahur, former MLA from Kaman who spent nearly 30 years with BJP, is now contesting on Kirodi Lal Meeena’s National People's Party ticket. He is campaigning openly targeting sitting MLA and Congress of doing politics over dead bodies of Gopalgarh.
Former BJP leader does acknowledge that VHP activists played active role in spreading false rumours to assemble the crowd and fan the riots.
Moahammed Jahur, NPP candidate from Kaman (on left).
NPP candidate wants to ride over the sympathy wave Kirodi Lal Meena has generated by aligning up with Meo Muslims after Gopalgarh riots. Kirodi Lal Meena sat on hunger strike with 7 dead bodies of Meo Muslims, incited fallen Meena-Meo caste “blood relations” to counter Congress.
Kirodi Lal further gave 50,000 in aid to 7 victims’ families who sat on protest with the dead bodies for nearly a month. After severe insistence when those decomposed dead bodies were send for post-mortem, doctors showed their inability to carry an autopsy on mutilated dead bodies, thus resulting in loss of crucial medical evidence of killings.
But Mohammed Jahur is not ready to accept that his leader has done politics over dead bodies as he accused the sitting MLA of. ‘Krodi lal has done a lot of favour to Meo Muslims, by taking up the issue’ was his repeated answer.
Vanchit Samaj Insaaf Party candidate and Nogawan Sarpanch Aash Mohammed who is basing up his campaign on reservation is also igniting Gopalgarh issue in addition with targeting Kirodi Lal for betrayal, “Due to Kirodi Lal intervention post-mortem was delayed, leading to loss of medical evidence.” He even questioned Kirodi Lal’s intentions, “He sat with dead bodies on hunger strike in Kaman, but never raised the issue in the parliament.”
Vanchit Samaj Insaaf Party candidate and Nogawan Sarpanch Aash Mohammed with his supporters.
Mahir Azad, veteran Congress leader and Minority Commission Chairman, who is also contesting election from Jaipur-Adarsh Nagar, however, defends the Gehlot government. Azad headed the state government appointed committee that enquired into the Gopalgarh killing. He said that he condemns the incident, but unfortunately such events happen some times. “Even during the BJP rule, several Gujjars were killed during the reservation agitation,” he added. Coming out openly in support of his government, he says that as the people had demanded a CBI enquiry, I had recommended it and that was immediately ordered.
BJP has meanwhile fielded Jagat Singh, son of former Minsiter and Congress leader Natwar Singh. This has made this seat prestige issue as the battle is wide open. Gujjars have traditionally supported the BJP, although Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla has announced his support for Congress this time. However, with Jagat Singh into fray, himself a Jat, there are chances of Jats-Gujjar consolidation around him.
Gopalgarh firing: There was a dispute over plot of land and well adjacent to the Mosque at Gopalgarh village of Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. Local Muslims claimed it to be the part of the Masjid property while one Gujjar Mohan Prakash allegedly encroached the land. Masjid committee fought the case at local court and got the judgment in their favour. Even after court judgment when Gujjars refused to vacate the land, Muslims again went to court and got eviction order.
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Local Police (which comprise mostly of Gujjars) whose job was to implement the court order, called the Mahapanchyat of Muslims and Gujjars. During the Panchayat, clashes erupted between both the communities. Rumours of mass killings in the dense villages spread thick and fast. Both Muslims and Gujjars from different surrounding villages started gathering at the spot.
According to Police version both groups were exchanging fire at each other, so force was called to control the armed mob. But the events unfolded in few hours demonstrated stark bias and prejudice of local police force.
Force was used only against Muslim community in some instances with collaboration with Gujjars, which left 10 Meo Muslims killed inside the mosque. Later their bodies were chopped off into pieces, burned and then thrown into well to destroy any evidence. All of this was done not by raunchy maniacs but by officers who has taken oath to uphold the law.
For the ill-fated Congress party this incident occurred just before the UP elections which prompted its top leadership to pacify agitated Muslims. CBI inquiry was ordered which resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals 4 from Muslim community and 10 from Gujjar. Collector and SP were dismissed but was later reinstated at some other postings. After tremendous agitations the portfolio of then Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal was changed, although there was pressure to remove him from the cabinet.
Government was also quick to disburse compensation to quell any agitation, State allotted 5 lakhs and Rahul Gandhi 2 lakhs to each victim.
Victims’ families speak:‘Police killed my son’, shouts Ishaq in Mewati khadi boli, sitting on his Charpai at Peeproli village, as this Correspondent asked him about that fateful evening.
Ishaq’s son Ruqunuddin used to work at the market adjacent to the Mosuqe at Gopalgarh village. On 14 September, 2011 he went into the mosque to offer his evening prayer where he faced raining police bullets. He was shot at his arm.
Ishaq with the photograph of his son Ruqunuddin, soaked in blood, taken by a local journalist.
When family got the news, his younger brother along with some villagers rushed to where he was lying in pool of blood. “We were trying to lift him up, suddenly police started chasing and firing at us.” said Raheem younger brother.
They pleaded with police to let them take him to the hospital, “Police officer shouted at us, ‘leave or else you will also be in the same condition. We are here to give him good care’,” says Raheem. The next day Ruqunuddin’s dead body was found in the nearby Jowar (millet) fields not very far from where he was lying injured. His head was cracked open, “That was the care police was talking about,” says Raheem with an anger clearly visible through his eyes.
Ruqunuddin was 26 year old with three children; the youngest one was 7 months old. Ishaaq flanked by his orphaned grand children could hardly hold his tears.
But trying to be strong in front of kids he again starts cursing the police and the sitting legislator Zahida Khan, “On our children’s dead body she got a ‘Laal Batti’ (red beacon)”, he says.
Chander Khan, with copies of FIR and photograph of his deceased son Iqbal Khan.
Electrician by profession Iqbal Khan was killed while offering Asar prayer at Masjid-e-Ayesha. Though illiterate and poor Chander Khan went from pillar to post to ensure some justice for his son. His only son 38 year old Iqbal Khan was killed with seven bullet shots at the mosque. Due to his father’s brave efforts Iqbal was the lone victim on whom proper post-mortem was done which showed bullet marks fired from assault guns on chest, liver, forehead and left leg. Chander Khan says he still can’t sleep in nights.
Widow and children of Iqbal.
On the basis of the post-mortem report Chander Khan filed a murder complaint against top police officers and district administration, but CBI didn’t even bother to act upon the complaint and continued to investigate on police version of events. Chander Khan has now approached the Supreme Court to make sure his complaint is investigated by CBI.
25 days after the incident Rahul Gandhi had reached Gopalgarh to meet the victims without informing Ashok Ghelot making a face safer for Congress before a crucial elecion. As the political war has charged up in Rajasthan Gopalgarh firing has again stroke the night-mares of the Meo community.
Name plate of the mosque, with bullet marks.
Meanwhile, in Gopalgarh, Masjid-e-Ayesha which was the battle ground of Gujjar Police Vs Muslims resemble the tensions with still hundreds of bullet marks spread across the walls, Muslims refusing to plaster them as reminders of crude treachery.
TMC MP Kunal Gosh’s arrest perhaps has refreshed your memory of the horrific Saradha scam. If not, let me remind you. Saradha group of companies looted thousands of crores of rupees from the poor people of the states of West Bengal and Assam. It is alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was fully aware of the detailed functioning of the company and her party was getting maximum benefits from the satellite television channels and newspaper owned by the company. Kunal Gosh claimed that those media houses were working under the direct instructions of TMC. In fact Mr. Gosh claimed that he was compelled to sack one of his editors to satisfy Didi! Same things happened in Assam. Saradha CMD Sudipta Sen himself alleged that a powerful minister of Gogoi cabinet, top cop of the police administration, journalists and even so called artists were benefitted out of his fraudulent company.
Saradha was not the only company to loot the hard earn money of the poor investors of the state. There were many other ponzi companies like ABYSS, Ramel etc etc. We also noticed the operation of the fraudulent pyramid companies like Unipay2You, Royal Forex, Sambav etc in Assam. Those companies also looted thousands of crores. Some of the perpetrators were booked and many got spared.
Another such possible threat of pyramid scheme is going to be exposed through this article. It may be shocking for you to know that this time government welfare scheme National Pension System (NPS) is going to be used as a tool to fool the poor people of the state by some pyramid fraudsters.
National Pension Scheme is a social security scheme by government of India. It is meant to provide a secure retirement life to the citizen of the country keeping in mind the inflation, rising cost of living as well as increased life expectancy. Swavalamban Yojana is designed for the workers of unorganized sector under NPS. It is expected that the scheme will benefit the poor workers to great extend. Under this scheme if the subscriber pays a minimum yearly contribution of Rs. 1000 and maximum Rs. 12000; government will contribution another one thousand to their pension account i.e. Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN). This scheme will continue to till FY 2016-17 and may be extended also. No doubt it’s a very good scheme for the poor unorganized workers.
Now let’s see how the pyramid fraudsters are planning to the fool those poor unorganised workers. In the first week of this month (Nov’2013), an NGO is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. The organization has designed such a plan that you even can’t raise question to their noble (?) initiative! They will organize awareness camps to promote Swavalamban Pension Scheme (PRAN CARD). To get involved with the campaign you need to donate only Rs. 500/-. Yes! This is not a big deal. In fact they will be helping the poor to get their legitimate entitlements! But they have different plan to benefit you as well. What is the actual plan?
The subscriber needs to pay Rs. 500/- and the organization will liaison with the Point of Presence (PoP) to open his/her NPS account. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have identified 58 PoPs all over the country. PoPs are basically banks (both PSU and private), private financial institutions and Department of Posts. The next move is very interesting. The subscriber will be qualified for an income as soon as he adds three subscribers (A, B and C) in his immediate downline and A and C again add three subscribers each as their immediate downline. The first subscriber (Top of the pyramid ToP) will get a bonus of Rs. 200/-.
Now calculate the total amount received by the organization. The organization had added 13 NPS subscribers so far and had collected Rs. 6500/- from the bottom of the pyramid (BoP). The organization will be incurring the expenses Rs. 1300/- for their PRAN card and Rs. 200/- as bonus to the ToP. Thus their net profit is going to be approx Rs. 5000/- from the one single ToP!
Remember if the ToP somehow fails to add a single subscriber he/she will not be eligible to get the bonus amount of Rs. 200/-.
The organization has also a very lucrative award and reward plan. If there is a 100 pairs of countable (A and C only constitutes countable pair, B is not countable!) subscribers, the ToP subscriber will get a tab and if there is 25000 such pairs under the ToP, he will get a Skoda car!
Let us make it easy to guess the total benefit of the pyramid organization from such single ToP subscriber 25000x3x400=30000000. Yes, you are not mistaken; the fraudster can earn a hefty amount of approx Rs. 3 crores! So, giving a skoda car as incentive is not a big deal! We shouldn’t forget that the huge income of the fraudster is nothing other than the great loss to the poor people of the state.
Now let’s examine why such scheme is viable to operate in Assam only. The reason behind the rise of ponzi schemes like Saradha, Jeevan Suraksha, Ramel etc is same with the case of this pyramid schemes. Lack of financial literacy, financial inclusion and the anti-poor attitude of the formal financial system are the major reason behind this menace. Financial literacy is a must to protect the financial vulnerability of the poor of the state. Moreover, the status of financial inclusion is worse in Assam. Business Correspondent model ‘Swabhiman’ has become a liability for the banks. At the same time the 58 PoPs identified by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) are not poor friendly. The fraudsters can read the weakness of the financial system in Assam and they are making cash on it.
This fraud scheme is reaching the interior parts of the state like wildfire. Districts like Barpeta, Nagaon, Dhubri etc are more prone. In fact a huge network has already been built within a couple of days. Some of the subscribers are even thinking that this is the only way to get the PRAN card!
The fear is not only to lose the Rs. 500 alone, but to lose the entire life savings of the poor unorganized workers. Our fear is based on some crucial documents. We have accessed some documents which clearly indicate that even some of the government machinery is also involved in this fraud campaign. We are not disclosing those documents here to help the administration to nab the fraudsters.
We hope, government will wake up and take action against those pious frauds.
(Abdul Kalam Azad is a Post Graduate student at Tata Institute of Social Sciences.)
Jaipur: Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur is witnessing an interesting electoral combat with its 17% Muslim population asserting to get back its representation in the assembly. For almost a decade there has been no Muslim representative elected from Jaipur but this time around two Congress candidates wants to break this long stall.
Congress party which has 10 sitting Muslim MLAs in Rajasthan has allotted 16 tickets to Muslim candidates, out of which 2 are from Jaipur city. One is a debutant and other is veteran politician.
On one end of Jaipur at Adarsh Nagar three times MLA Mahir Azad knows how to dance to tune in different circumstances. At a meeting called in Govindpura, a purely Hindu dominated area Mahir Azad invokes Sanskrit slokas to tell the crowd comprising of different castes that every single vote is important to him.
At Govindpura bastion of sitting BJP MLA of Adarsh Nagar Ashok Parnami, Mahir Azad targets BJP as the party of dividing people on the basis of religion. The original venue of the meeting was Hanuman Mandir but at the last minute it was changed as local BJP workers protested, even slangs were made in the locality that if Mahir Azad wins Adarsh Nagar he will transform Govindpur into Eidgah Colony (a Muslim dominated locality in Adarsh Nagar).
Once Mahir Azad reaches Eidgah colony, his tone and style started resembling that of a Muslim neta ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the community. At Adarsh Nagar Muslim turnout percentage is the deciding factor in which way victory winds will flow and Mahir Azad as a skilled politician misses no chance to acknowledge it.
Mahir Azad, who is the current state minorities’ commission chairman has a long stint in politics with different parties. He first became MLA in 1990 from Jhunjhunu on Janta Dal ticket. After the demise of Janta Dal he shifted to BSP and won Nagar seat in 1998. Later he joined Congress and won Nagar in 2003.
In 2008, delimitation process Nagar got reserved for Gujjar community and Mahir Azad was shifted to Adarsh Nagar, a newly formed seat in Jaipur with 40% Muslim votes. He contested against Ashok Parnami of BJP but lost with just 1,700 votes.
Sudden change in the constituency, Mahir Azad claim was the one reason for his defeat and another he says, was the Mumbai bomb blasts. “Just two days before the state election in 2008, blasts ripped Mumbai. It was propagated through media that Muslims are behind. It resulted in sudden communal polarization in Urban Rajasthan. That’s the reason why BJP won in whole Urban Rajasthan including Adarsh Nagar,” Azad alleges.
As State Minorities Commission Chairman Mahir Azad said he travelled across whole Rajasthan and is now well verse on Muslim issues. Praising his own style of politics among his Muslim supporters he said that no Muslim MLA in Rajasthan could give him lead in raising community issues in the Assembly.
“I don’t know about other Muslim MLA’s but Mahir Azad has always raised Muslim issues in the assembly,” he says to the claps of his supporters. Then he continues, “Ek Sacha Musalman (A true Muslim) will fear only Allah not his party,” which resulted in more applause.
Amin Kagzi, son of senior Congress leader and state Haj committee chairman Salim Kagzi, on the other end, is fielded by the party to contest from Kishanpole constituency which has 25% Muslim votes. Kagzi is contesting against Mohan Lal Gupta, senior BJP leader who is representing Kishanpole for past 10 years.
“BJP is not that strong, I am not scared of any candidate”, says young Amin Kagzi claiming anti-incumbency factor is in his favour in Kishanpole. According to Mr. Kagzi, Mohan Lal Gupta has done no development work in the constituency and through his progressive vision he wants to attract local votes.
Cautious that only Muslim votes cannot give him a lead, Amin Kagzi often evokes that he will work for the development of all the communities. But he is ever ready to woo the traditional vote bank of Congress by reminding them that, “Only because of Congress Muslims are safe in this country”, and apart from security Mr. Kagzi claims that state Congress Govt. of Ashok Gehlot did lot of favor to Muslims through Madrasa Aadhunik Karan Yojna, fees reimbursement and 200 crore minorities welfare budget.
Both the Congress Muslim contestants from Jaipur are making consolidation of Muslim vote bank as their corner stone for victory. Their strategy is to propagate that Congress provided security to Muslims. When critics point to 40 riots in Congress regime both were quick to point out prosecution of the guilty. The Ashok Gehlot Government schemes for Muslims are also widely promoted in the campaign; even selection of two Muslims youths from state to IAS is also been given credit to Congress government.
But the biggest challenge both the contestant faces are the bogus Muslim contestants fielded against them. Mahir Azad last time faced dozens of Muslim candidates dividing his community votes heavily; this time around in total 16 Muslim contestants are against him. In Kishanpole Amin Kagzi is also facing same number of Muslim contestants.
Both candidates allege that it is a conspiracy of their rivals in BJP to divide Muslim votes. In the same way both believe that this time around it will not work, “Muslims have got clever now. They will not get into this tarp of BJP anymore” says Kagzi.
Mahir Azad tells with enthusiastic hope “Inshallah I will get all the Muslim votes and will give the community its due.”
Ajmer: Openly criticizing the communal politics, Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, successor and Sajjadanashin (Custodian) of the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, said that divisive politics is not good for the social fabric of country as it will lead to division.
Speaking exclusively to TCN at his Haveli, on the opposite site of the world famous Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, the Sajjadanashin of the shrine said, “The main issues for elections should be poverty, unemployment and illiteracy,” adding that the “communally vitiated atmosphere will only divide the nation.”
Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan.
Asked if he thinks that the “wave” of Gujarat chief minister in the national politics and his promotion as BJP prime ministerial candidate would polarize the atmosphere, the successor of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, refrained from giving any direct response, instead in his own mystic way asked my colleague, what lies between the earth and the sky. Taken by surprise first, when my colleague answered, “air,” he briefly smiled.
He, however, expressed happiness that the youth today are not fools to be swayed easily, adding that they are aware enough and know what is right and wrong.
When asked particularly about the welfare of Muslims, he said he is speaking for all community, but added that Muslims lag behind in education, job and security is a concern for them. He advocated for a comprehensive anti-Communal violence bill and demanded that there should be reservations for Muslims.
Dewan of Dargah also suggested that the government should widen the ambit of the employment guarantee scheme and pass a comprehensive “right to job” act to ensure employment based on educational qualifications.
Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan also emphasized on greater accountability in administration and governance.
Asked whose government he would prefer in Rajasthan, the successor of Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz, refrained from making any direct comment, and rather diplomatically said, “Gehlot government (of Congress) has worked well and earlier Vasundhra government (of BJP) had also performed well. So it would not really affect much whoever wins.”
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia inaugurates the centenary celebrations of Janipith Award Winner Ali Sardar Jafri with a concert by acclaimed singer and composer Seema Anil Sehgal, popularly known as the Peace Singer of India, on 29th November, the 100th birthday of the famed poet.
The concert titled “Yaadon Ki Sunehri Baarish” will be held at 6.30 PM in the Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium on 29 November.
Seema Anil Sehgal will sing a selection from the nazms of the renowned poet that she has especially composed for the commemorative concert.
In 1999 Prime Minister Vajpayee had presented Seema Anil Sehgal’s music album Sarhad, as a national gift, to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharief, during the historic Lahore Bus Yatra.
Ali Sardar Jafri is only the third Urdu poet to receive the Jnanpith Award (1997) after Firaq Gorakhpuri and Qurratulain Hyder. He has also been conferred with several other honours and awards including Padma Shri in 1967. The Aligarh Muslim University had conferred a D.Litt. on him in 1986.
Ali Sardar Jafri was an Urdu writer, poet, critic and film lyricist. His ideals were based on Marxist teachings but not limited to it. They encompassed the humanistic traditions and compassion of the Sufi and Bhakti movements, the love of nature found in the works of Kalidas, and an assimilative vision of India’s composite culture.
Sawai Madhopur: In Rajasthan elections Sawai Madhopur constituency has caught the imagination of all the political enthusiasts and pundits. Where a young political heir, a queen and a caste demi-god are in the fray to claim votes of equally fragmented and opposite social groups in the constituency.
Congress candidate Danish Abrar, a 29 year old MBA graduate from London, is the son of former Union Minister Abrar Ahmed. He is taking on another debutant in politics, 41 year old Rajmata of Jaipur, Diya Kumari who also happens to be the great granddaughter of the erstwhile Maharaja of Sawai Madhopur is contesting on BJP ticket.
Both the new comers are pitted against Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, MP from Dausa who is heading P.A. Sangma’s National People's Party (NPP) unit of Rajasthan. Kirodi Lal enjoys absolute influence over Meena community, a schedule tribe and influential caste in Rajasthan. His party is contesting on 130 seats in Rajasthan many political observers believe that K L Meena could be the king maker after the results.
But young Danish Abrar is putting up a brave face. “No one is heavyweight or lightweight. They are just mere candidates for me,” says Danish in conceit tone so not to mistake him for an immature politician.
Danish’s father Abrar Ahmed who died in a car accident in 2004 still enjoys iconic image in Sawai Madhopur which is revered by all the communities. At the time of his death, he was PCC chief of the state. During his tenure as Union minister of state Finance in Narshima Rao’s Government Abrar Ahmed laid down drinking water pipeline in Sawai Madhopur which generated huge respect and acceptance for him. From villages to town, from Meena, Gujjar to Muslim every section of society still remembers him as an “honest and inclusive” leader.
Banner of Congress candidate Danish Abrar in Sawai Madhopur.
Danish’s mother Yasmin Abrar has also been MLA from Sawai Madhopur in 1998; she was later defeated by Kirodi Lal Meena. She is presently member of National Commission for Women.
Danish Abrar is not hesitant in acknowledging that his father’s legacy is generating a lot of support for him. “People still remember my father, and when I go to villages the joy on their faces shows as if Abrar Ahmed is returning back,” he says, adding, “But on my part, I have maintained good relations and contacts with the people.”
Although quite young and a rookie, he considers himself experienced politician and not a novice. “I might be contesting elections for the first time. But I am smelling politics since the day I was born,” he says.
Elections in Sawai Madhopur for long have been contested on caste and religious lines. The gruesome killing of SHO Phool Mohammed in Soorwal village of Sawai Madhopur has given rise to new polarizations. Menna community was allegedly behind the killing, it has given rise to enmity between Meena and Muslims.
Enraged Muslims believe that Kirodi Lal Meena had conspired the murder, thus they are aghast with him. Accusations against him are more due to his conspicuous silence. It should be mentioned here that when the Gopalgarh firing took place in September, 2011, it was Kirodi Lal Meena, who sat on week long hunger strike with the dead bodies, demanding actions.
A cross-road has been named after the name ‘martyr’ SHO at the Soorwal Highway.
The anger and tensions due to the murder of the SHO was so soaring that Congress had to deny ticket to sitting legislator Allauddin Azad, who had become MLA by defeating Kirdoi Lal Meena in 2008.
But Danish refrains from directly commenting on the Phool Mohammed issue. He says it was an issue between Meena and Muslims and interfering in it, according to him would give rise to ‘communal politics’.
On record, Danish Abrar might be singing secular over tunes, but through back channel communications, he is not living a stone unturned to ensure that 25% Muslim vote falls in his pocket. The only damaging contestant before his Muslim vote bank was Welfare Party candidate Fasahat Ali. Jamat-e-Islami has considerable presence in Sawai Madhopur villages and WPI candidate contesting doomed loss of crucial chunk of Muslim vote for the Congress.
Sources in WPI top leadership in Rajasthan confirmed to TCN, that Danish Abrar had back channel communications and quite a bit of cajoling to urge WPI candidate to withdraw in his favour. In fact, WPI organized a public meeting in Sawai Madhopur and made Danish sign an open declaration of demands in return of support, that include among many things raising Muslim issues in the Assembly and justice for Phool Mohammed.
Jaipur Rajmata Diya Kumari is contesting on BJP ticket frfom Sawai madhopur.
Sawai Madhopur is an electorally complicated constituency, with 33,000 Muslim votes, an equal number of Meena votes, and an equal number of Schedule Castes votes, 16,000 Mali votes, 14,000 Gujjar votes and 3,000 Jat votes, 5000 votes of upper castes.
Hamayun Kabir, uncle of Danish Abrar who is also managing his campaign in the old town, says number game runs in Danish’s favor. “Muslim will obviously vote for their candidate. Anti-Meena factor has further polarized Muslim community in Congress favor. Gujjars have always been anti-Meena front. Since Meenas opposed their reservation, majority of them will incline towards Congress, although some might go to BJP. Ashok Gehlot is a Mali and so many of them will vote for their CM’s party. As far as SCs are concerned we are hopeful to get half of their votes,” Mr. Kabir explains.
Jaipur Queen, Diya Kumari is also ensuring that she gives a royal contest in the election. Apart from widespread advertisements which landed her in the circle of paid news, she is also hard selling her image as daughter of soil. Jaipur royal families are descendants of Raja Man Singh, brother of Jodhabai, wife of Mughal emperor. The refrain in the Muslim neighbourhoods is often “Dekho, dekho kaun ayee, mamujan ki beti ayee, (Look who has come? Daugther of Uncle).”
The Sangh Parivar has already put their weight behind the queen to create a large Hindu alliance; their formula is H Vs MM (Hindu vs. Muslim-Meena) to polarize Hindu votes in their favor.
Outside Narendra Modi’s rally in Sawai Madhopur.
BJP prime minsiterial candidate Narendra Modi has personally campaigned for her in Sawai Madhopur at Dassera ground on 19th November pulling huge crowds in the sleepy town. He also tried to reach out to Muslims in his speech.
But Congress has already taken Modi’s rally in their favor, according to them Modi’s mere presence in Sawai Madhopur has terrified Muslims and ensured more polarization in the favor of Congress candidate Danish Abrar.
On the other hand Danish is not just selling nightmares to gain votes but also promoting dreams of better future for all. He speaks about his vision of building IT SEZ on the suburb of town to create employment opportunities for youth.
From Ashok Gehlot to Narendra Modi and the contestant ‘Kingmaker’ K L Meena himself has thrown their cards in Sawai Madhopur turning it to be a high level contest. Danish Abrar says, he is not under any pressure from any influence. “What my party has to do, it will do and what I have to do I will do. Inshallah you will see the result we will win Sawai Madhopur,” he says with a diplomatic smile.
Aligarh: Minority Affairs Minister K. Rahman Khan Saturday urged the Muslim community to draw up its own roadmap for the future and define its own priorities, adding that a Rs.50,000 crore educational fund should also be created.
Khan was inaugurating a national seminar on "Professionalisation of Education: Problems and Opportunities for Indian Muslims," organised by the Centre for Promotion of Educational and Cultural Advancement of Muslims of India at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
He said India had achieved a lot of progress through the planning process and such type of "planning is needed for the Muslim community by its own intelligentsia".
Paying rich tributes to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founder of the AMU for his vision and mission, he suggested Muslims should make an effort to mobilise their own resources and establish educational institutions on their own.
Khan lamented that Muslims were equally responsible for their backwardness.
He said in south India, Muslims have established 16 medical colleges and more than 100 engineering colleges to provide professional education to the community. He said lack of awareness is a major cause of backwardness of Muslims.
Delivering the keynote address, Syed Zafar Mahmood, IRS (retd) said Muslims are the most backward community in education and their share in job market is the lowest.
He pointed that the National Minority Scholarship Scheme was not implemented in Gujarat while it was implemented by other BJP-ruled states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.
He suggested ITI courses should be extended to the Muslim-dominated areas and these professional courses should be extended to Madrassa-educated children.
Khan said Muslims should adopt a positive attitude. He said that since Muslims form the second largest majority, the country cannot progress without their active participation.
Brigadier (Retd.) S. Ahmad Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor, AMU, in his presidential address, said we live in an age of competition and in job market the demand of professionally and educationally competent and skilled persons is more as compared to merely skilled workers.
Professional education seems a better option especially for Muslims who are blessed with multi-faceted skills yet lag behind in getting coveted jobs due to lack of formal education, he added.
Brig. Ali urged the Muslim community to provide quality education. He suggested the government should fix accountability from Delhi, establish community targeted centres, provide girls hostels in Muslim-centric areas and demanded secularisation of education at the school level.
Earlier, Shamim A. Ansari, Director of the Centre, said this centre is one of the most important centres of the university working for the promotion of Muslims. He said knowledge without use is worthless with regard to professionalisation of education. He said educational institutions must have their fingers on the nerve of market where most demanded jobs are available.
Ansari observed that Muslim institutions fail to visualise the changing scenario of the world with regard to conditions and nature of job opportunities attracting people. As a result, Muslims students are generally compelled to pursue traditional education.
New Delhi: The government should lay emphasis on reversing the internal displacement caused due to communal violence, activists here Saturday.
"There is not a single agency who looks after the issues of displacement caused due to communal violence. In Muzaffarnagar, the problem of internal displacement is immense," said social activist Farhan Najmi.
The activists urged that once the problem of displacement is looked into, then only can the problem of health and education be addressed.
"When we visited the camps meant for the victims of Muzaffarnagar violence, there were 12 to 15 percent of students who had to give classes 10 and 12 boards. As these children do not have access to books or schools, the government has to pay attention," said Poornima Gupta, a social worker.
"Health is another issue in the violence-hit camps and there are no means to address the issues of pregnant women. So the government and the civil society need to work together," said Pushpa, another social activist.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday accused the central government of "unnecessary interfering in the activities of the state governments" after a bill on preventing communal violence was revived.
"Just a few months before the Model Code of Conduct for general elections comes into being, the central government has again brought a bill called 'Prevention of Communal Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2013', which impinges upon the domain of maintenance of law and order by the state government. It looks like a political vendetta," said Banerjee on her official Facebook page.
"Continuous and unnecessary interference in the activities of the state governments is totally anti-federal and unconstitutional. In the name of prevention of communal violence, the central government should not usurp the constitutional powers of the state governments.
"I strongly oppose this idea," added Banerjee.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party has dubbed the Bill that aims to protect minorities from targeted attacks, as "anti-majority", some regional parties feel it violates federal principles.
Jaipur: We met Engineer Rashid Hussain, Rajasthan state President of Welfare Party of India, at the state headquarter, located in the basement of a building.
At first look, the deserted dilapidated state of office, looks anything but headquarter of a political party that is contesting elections in the state. Even Hussain comes out to you, not as a regular politician, but an educated technocrat frustrated with the system who has taken the plunge to change it from within.
Briefly detained by police, Engineer Hussain fought legal battle with his erstwhile multinational-company for compensation, before joining politics.
Welfare Party had originally decided to field at least five candidates, but for some technical reasons, only four candidates could file the nominations: Advocate Paker Farooque from Hawa Mahal (Jaipur), Retired Additional Commission Mushtaq Ali from Jhunjhunu, Fasahat Ali from Sawai Madhopur and Saifullah from Kota South.
On the last day of withdrawing nominations, under intense pressure and some back channel agreements, WPI, however, withdrew its candidate from Sawai madhopur in favour of Congress rookie Danish Abrar.
Speaking to TCN, Engineer Hussain says, “Our main issues in this state are those not addressed by the ruling parties, especially those of the minorities and the weaker sections.”
Rajasthan state President of WPI Engineer Rashid Hussain.
Mentioning about the Gopalgarh firing, and murder of SHO Phool Muhammad in Soorwal, he says more than 40 communal riots took place, and still very few officers were punished. In the same breath he adds, “Similar things happen to Dalits as well. Dalits issues are also not addressed here properly and the ruling class of the state does not give Dalits and lower castes their proper space.”
WPI is raking up the issue of over 100 deaths in over 20 communal riots. He uses the oft used cliché to make his point, “justice delayed is justice denied,” and adds that the communal riot is an important issue for the minorities in this elections.
He says that after every riots, government goes and gives some compensations, but the perpetrators are never brought to justice, thus in a way encouraging the majority community to perpetuate riots.
When asked to elaborate on the agendas, with which WPI will reach out to voters, Engineer Hussain gradually begins to speak more like a politician, although his voice is still quite in control and is calm.
Advocate Paker Farooque, WPI candidate from Hawa Mahal (Jaipur).
He accuses the Congress Government of being dormant for four and half years and to have woken up in last six months to disburse freebies in the name of welfare schemes, “as if citizens are beggars.”
“They have not fulfilled any of their commitments for four and half years,” he adds.
But does he see no difference between Congress and BJP? Engineer Hussains says, “Clearly there are many differences. While BJP is ideologically communal, we cannot say the same for the Congress and their cadres. But there are some elements in the Congress who are communal and their number unfortunately is increasing.”
Without naming anyone in particular, WPI state President, says that although the Muslim leaders, of Congress or any party, win with the help of the community votes, they do not really represent the community or voice their concerns. He says, it’s high time that the minorities too have leaders, who truly represent their community and speak on their behalf, like there are leaders of Jats, Yadavs, Gujjars, Dalits, etc.
WPI state President again reiterated though that they “will never indulge in communal politics,” and will take on board representatives and concerns of all communities, particularly the marginalized. Engineer Hussain adds, “Communal politics cannot survive in secular democracy.”
But elections in Rajasthan are often closely fought, and candidates win or lose often with very small margins, in such a scenario, will WPI end being a spoiler?
Engineer Hussain retorts, “But why not same question is asked when so many regional parties contest elections in other states? The moment any minority individual stands up, or take initiatives to register their grievances, we are questioned. ”
Engineer Hussain in a meeting at Party State Headquarter.
Defending WPI , he says that so far Muslims “resist” only through NGOs and hence it is not as effective, adding that it is important that “we become part of the mainstream politics to provide resistance from within” for the better communal environment in this country.
Welfare Party of India (WPI) is inspired by the ideologies of Jamaat e Islami Hind, and Hussain himself is also a member of JIH. WPI, however, plans to forge a distinct identity and has tried to take members of other communities on board.
Engineer Hussain reiterated that WPI and JIH are distinct and gave the example of Karnataka where they had different elections’ agenda during last year Assembly elections. He said that they do seek support from JIH, but they are free to decide whom they want to support in particular constituency.
On their part, JIH has extended their “full support” to the WPI candidates wherever they are contesting elections.
But what then is their ideological stand? Engineer Hussain says, “We are completely against corporate politics and we champion the socialist politics,” adding, “We have committed cadres and we are not dependent on paid workers.”
Against all odds, WPI state President is hopeful of “surprising result,” in at least one or two seats.
Kashipur, Uttrakhand: “Without education nobody can progress because the path of development is so ticklish and difficult that an illiterate man cannot walk more on the path of progress. The difference between illiterate and educated is like the difference between dead and alive,” said Senior Faculty of Aligarh Muslim University Dr. Shakeel Samdani, who was addressing an Educational Conference at Iqra Junior High School, Dheemakheda, Kashipur.
He said that a conspiracy was hatched to keep the Muslims away from education that’s why very few schools and colleges were opened in their areas. The Muslims who secured degrees were also denied jobs that’s why a sense of frustration developed in their minds. Now the situation has changed and the Muslim boys and girls are trying their best to get higher education. They are getting jobs in private sector also.
Sipasnama being presented to Dr. Shakeel Samdani by K.C. Singh Baba (M.P.).
Dr. Samdani advised the parents to sacrifice their comfort for better future of their children. He also advised the teachers present in the gathering to impart good training (Tarbiyat) to the students. He congratulated the manager of Iqra junior High School, Qari Ghulam Nabi for establishing an educational Institution in remote area of Kashipur.
Prof Saud Alam Qasmi, Dean Faculty of Theology, AMU said that those communities who do not get education become the slaves of others. Education is the best way to achieve freedom. He said that the Quran advices the human beings to apply their minds to the nature and find the solutions of their problems. He advised the Muslims to do research and conquer the world.
Chief Gust of the conference, K.C. Singh Baba, Member of Parliament from Nainital said that with the help of authentic religious books and intellectuals we can progress in this world. If the intellectuals join social and political field to lead the nation then the nation will progress more. He said that although the India has progressed too much but in the field of discipline the public record is very poor, that’s why our education system must also focus on discipline. He said that the research on birds has achieved its zenith still it is not complete. He assured the audience of his full help to convert Iqra Junior High School into an Inter mediate college.
Dr. Shakeel Samdani, Qari Ghulam Nabi, Prof Qasmi and KC Singh Baba.
Manager, Iqra Junior High School, Qari Ghulam Nabi while welcoming the guests said that it was a challenge for him to start this school in this remote area, but with the help of the public it could be possible. He said that in the entire district there is no girls inter college for Muslim girls. It should be opened as soon as possible.
In his presidential address, Maulana Aslam Javed Qasmi, Rampur said that such type of conferences should be organised in every District of Uttrakhand. He assured his full help for the school building.
Mukesh Malhotra, Former Chairman, Kashipur, Sanjay Chaturvedi, Mohd. Hanif, Advocate, Sheikh Haji Abdul Aziz, Maulana Mubeen Ahmad, Aligarh, Musharaf Ahmad, Er. Mohd Alam also expressed their views.
Secretary of the society, Nafess Ahmad proposed vote of thanks. On this occasion Sipasnama was presented to the guests. Besides the speeches, the students presented Hamd, Naat, Ahadith, Sunnatein and Kalima which was appreciated by the audience. The most important feature of the program was the presence of women in large numbers.
The important personalities who were present in the conference were Musharaf Hussain, Iqbal adeeb, Haseen Khan, Mohd Masood Alam, Furkan Khan, Ahmar Kashipuri, Ziauddin Ansari, Madam Madhubala, Haji Master Abdul Rehman etc.
Kolkata: “Madrasa education can be as scientific, but 200 years of British rule has handicapped the system,” said S. Z. H Jafri, Secretary of Indian History Congress and Professor of History at the University of Delhi in a National Seminar in Kolkata.
Under the State wise University Network or Sun project two days seminar was organised by Aliah University of Kolkata and Vidyasagar University of West Medinipur on the theme of `state, society and economy in pre-colonial and colonial India’. The inauguration of the seminar was held at Maulana Azad Bhawan, Salt Lake, Kolkata on 26th November.
Minister of Minority Affairs and Madarsa Education Department of WB Giasuddin Molla speaking at the Aliah University in a seminar.
Beside the Socio-economic situation of our country in the pre-colonial and colonial period, the seminar discussed the reasons of deteriorating communal harmony between two major communities - Hindu and Muslims.
Prof. S. Z. H Jafri said, “In medieval period more importance was given to Madrasa education. In that period so many scholars – both Hindus and Muslims - studied in Madrasa like Amir Khasru, Abul Fazal, Haji Mohammad Mohsin.”
Researching the past history we have seen that Madrasa education system was very popular and system was scientific then. But during the British ruling it was relegated to back as Western education system came and madras graduates no mre could qualify for government services, he added.
According to Professor Jafri there appeared a kind of planned conspiracy to undermine the Madrasa system.
Eminent historian Prof K L Tuja of Kurukshetra University said that Urdu is now increasingly being force to be regarded as a ‘foreign’ language, but history is proof that Urdu was the lingua franca and even Khatriyas of Panjab and Kayasthas talked in Urdu language.
State Minister of Minority Affairs and Madrasa education department Giasuddin Molla announced in this seminar that Rs 500 cr will be donated to Aliah Universty for construction of new campus etc.
Welcome address was given by Vice Chancellor of Aliah University Dr Abu Taleb Khan and inauguration speech was given by Vice Chancellor of Vidyasagar University Prof Ranjan Chakraborty.
First session was started under the chairmanship of Prof Ujjain Bhattacharya of Vidyasagar University. Second session was presided by Prof Ali Athar of Aligrah Muslim University.
Ex Vice Chancellor of Aliah University Dr Shamsul Islam, Dr. Deepkanti Lahiri of Presidency University, Dr. Rajarshi Chakraborty of Sidhu-Kanhu University, Dr. Mohammad Islamil, Dr. Shamim Firdaus, Dr. Gangadharan, Register of Aliah University Anwar Hossain were also present in the seminar.
Bhopal: The 3rd of December this year, which is the 29th Anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy, world’s worst industrial disaster, is round the corner and the victims and survivors of this catastrophe along with the NGOs working for their welfare have put forth their long pending list of demands so that they could get permanent relief from pain and agony which has been haunting them incessantly since the incident occurred.
Addressing a Press Conference on Saturday leaders of five organizations of the survivors expressed the hope that the soon to be elected government in Madhya Pradesh, where results of the legislative assembly elections which were held on November 25 last are to be announced on December 8th, as well as the governments of USA and India would take action to end their woes and sufferings before it enters the fourth decade.
Ms Rashida Bi, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh said that the US government must acknowledge and express regret for financing, through its EXIM Bank, the construction of the hazardously designed plant that caused the world’s worst industrial disaster. She said that the US government must contribute to a closure of the disaster by ensuring that Union Carbide Corporation and its officials cease to abscond from Indian courts, provide additional compensation and clean up toxic contamination in Bhopal.
Balkrishna Namdeo, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogi Sangharsh Morcha, demanded that Dow Chemical must set aside sufficient funds for clean-up of contaminated soil and ground water in and around the abandoned Union Carbide’s pesticide factory and for health monitoring of the affected population.
“Union Carbide must cease to abscond from justice and answer charges of manslaughter and grievous assault in the criminal case pending before the Bhopal District Court”, he added.
Nawab Khan of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha demanded that the government of India make corrections in the figures of deaths and injuries caused by the disaster in the curative petition before the Supreme Court of India for additional compensation from Dow Chemical and Union Carbide. He also called upon the central government to set up an Empowered Commission on Bhopal with adequate funds, authority and participation of survivors’ representatives for medical, social, economic and environmental rehabilitation in Bhopal.
“A new government will be formed in the state two weeks from now. Our deepest wish is that this government makes a new beginning to end the ongoing disasters in Bhopal. We are calling for a closure before the disasters enter the fourth decade”, said Ms Safreen Khan from Children Against Dow Carbide.
The order on summoning Dow Chemicals to the Bhopal District Court, official acknowledgement of contamination of ground water in 22 communities, Supreme Court’s decision on regularization of employment of 50 women survivors after their 23 yearlong battle, near completion of piped water supply to contaminated communities, production of a commonly agreed Action Plan for remediation of the contaminated areas, issuing of notices by the Supreme Court regarding unethical clinical trials on survivors and punishment of corrupt medical research workers are some of the good things that have happened in 2013 according to Satinath Sarangi, a member of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action.
It may be recalled here that on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984 Union Carbide pesticide manufacturing factory had spewed poisonous Methyl Iso-cyanate gas whereby 3000 people had perished virtually instantly and over the years more than 25000 have kissed death and the sad saga is still continuing uninterruptedly. About half a million are suffering from the side effects of the poisonous gas and several thousand people have been maimed for life.
