*Haryana CM Bansi Lal demands scrapping population quota and recruitment to defence forces only on merit. *Prime Minister assures continuance of reservation for SC/ST beyond 2000.
Historic Monuments: *Delhi High Court stays construction in and around Zafar Mahal in Mehrauli (20 Mar). *Maharashtra detains 200 Shiv Sainiks trying to storm disputed mosque and mazaar in Kalyan (9 Apr).
Commemoration: *Commemorative stamp issued to mark death Centenary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (27 Apr). *Urdu Academy Delhi organises a two-day Seminar on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (28-29 Mar)
*National Amir Khusro Society organises Khusro Memorial Lecture by Usbek Orientalist.
Obituary: *Noted Urdu writer and journalist Qayyum Khiz, 75, passes away in Patna (12 Mar). Poet and dramatist Agha Jani Kashmiri, 89, passes away in Toronto (27 Mar). *Eminent poet and critic Ata Kakvi passes way in Patna (18 Mar). *Shah Aun Ahmed Qadri, 79, Sajjada Nashin, Khanqah, Majidia, Phulwari Sharif, passes away in Patna.
Muslim Organisations: *The Institute of Objective Studies, Delhi's two-day Seminar on Muslims in India after Independence inaugurated by ex-Chief Justice A.M. Ahamadi, releases a number of publications on the occasion (24-25 Mar).
Urdu: Seminar in Hyderabad demands academic commencement of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Urdu University from July 1998. *All India Urdu Education Committee organises Seminar in Hyderabad.
*Central and Delhi Governments proscribe book 'Sarkari Qatl-e-Aam' by Sikh leader Brar about 1984 Anti-Sikh riots.
Other Minorities: *World Sikh Council proposes People's Commission to look into violation of human rights in Punjab during past 15 years (8 Apr)
Indo-Pakistan Relations: *Pakistan Foreign Minister G. Ayyub sees India in grip of communal forces (16 Mar).
*Prime Ministers Vajpayee and Sharif exchange cordial messages reiterating commitment to improve ties (20 Mar).
*Pakistan President Tarar accuses India of avoiding meaningful dialogue (25 Mar). PM Nawaz Sharif blames India for current deadlock (5 Apr). *Pakistan test fires 1500 Km Ghauri missile (6 Apr).
Muslim World: *UK bans entry of 'Islamic militants' (31 Mar). *Israel restricts free access to Jerusalem by Christians and Muslims (30 Mar).
*UN-OIC make fresh joint bid to revive peace talks on Afghanistan (21 Mar). *OIC appeals to all Member States to break diplomatic relations with Israel. *Large scale sectarian violence in Pakistan town leads to curfew and army intervention (22 Mar). Negotiations between PML and MQM in Pakistan show signs of strain (9 Apr). *Al- Azher Sheikh calls upon Muslims in France to respect French laws.
