CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(16 December 1995-15 January 1996)
NATIONAL POLITICS
*Parliament approves President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh (15 Dec). "PM hints at general elections in April (6 Jan). Former PM Chandrasekhar sees hung Parliament. *Supreme Court elaborates definition of Hinduism and meaning of Hindutva. Rules mere mention of these terms in election speeches do not constitute appeal to religion or corrupt practice. BJP leader Advani hails Judgement as confirmation of cultural nationalism. Legal Pundits consider Judgement as opening door for massive religious propaganda by BJP in election campaign. Congress (1) G.S. B.P. Maurya criticizes Judgement (26 Dec). Eminent Jurist Tarkunde sees threat to secular and democratic principles since it legitimizes campaign for Hindu Rashtra (28 Dec). Samajwadi Party Leader Mulayam Singh demands amendment of Constitution to annul Supreme Court ruling (2 Jan). A.I. Momins Conference calls for review (2 Jan). Election Commissioner Gill considers Judgement no bar to Commission doing its duty under existing law (4 Jan). Arjun Singh endorses Supreme Court's views and accuses BJP of misinterpretation of Hindutva (9 Jan).
Congress Party: "Party launches multi-front campaign for regaining lost Muslim votes. Sitaram Kesri considers suspicion of Muslims shameful. Government function in Kanpur ostensibly to release commemorative star.p on the founder of Bareilvi sect, Ahmed Razaak Khan, disrupted by violent protests and demand for apology for demolition and for reconstruction. U.P. Congress (1) President sees ISI hand in Kanpur disturbances. "Union Home Minister, Ramlal Rahi forced to stop his speech in Hyderabad (5 Jan). PM's Adviser and Personal Astrologer N.K. Sharma participates in graduation ceremony of Darul Uloom (Wakf), Deoband. Shaikhul Hadith Anzar Shah Kashmiri appeals to Muslim not to let demolition of Babari Masjid affect country's future (7 Jan). A.L Momin Conference President H.R. Nomani admits weakness of Congress in Hindi-speaking region (14 Jan). Pranab Mukherjee admits alienation of Muslims from Congress (15 Jan). Civil Aviation Minister G.N. Azad accuses Government of Maharashtra for anti-Muslim stance (28 Dec). Indira Congress President N.D. Tiwari rules out re-union with Congress under P.M. Narasimha Rao.
Sangh Parivar: *Advani announces BJP decision to field 475 candidates and claims to be front-runner. Defines main issues as Corruption, Criminalization, Vote Bank Politics and National Security (17 Dec). BJP reverts to Hindutva plank (23 Dec). BJP decides against alliance with any national Party but to negotiate with 4 regional Parties in Haryana, Bihar, Punjab and Maharashtra.
*BJP Leader Vajpayee begins Parivartan Yatra (1 Jan). BJP Vice-President Sikander Bakht endorses Hindutva as bedrock of Indian nationalism (8 Jan). Advani projects Vajpayee as next Prime Minister (14 Jan). *BJP Minorities Morcha moets to formulate minority package for election manifesto (26 Dec). "VHP announces Hindu Agenda and offers to extend support to parties on its basis (2 Jan). VHP decides to revive agitation in Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi as well as for total ban on cow slaughter (4 Jan). Bajrang Dal announces agitation for total ban on cow slaughter and observance of 'Save Cow Year' from March 20, 1996. Threatens to shed to human blood to save cow (4 Jan). *Samata Party (Fernandes) National Executive decides to have electoral alliance with BJP (23 Dec). George Femandes moots 4th Front to oust Congress. Shahabuddin denounces the move as indirect support to BJP (5 Jan). Shiv Sena Leader Bal Tackeray opposes public holiday on Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi and threatens to make life difficult for all visiting Pakistani teams (14 Jan).
Janata Parivar: Former P.M. V.P. Singh pleads for unity of Dalits, Backwards and Minorities (23 Dec). Reiterates resolves neither to contest election nor hold Government position (5 Jan). Janata Dal(JD) Leader Hegde calls upon Rao to take initiative to unite NF-LF and Congress. JD Minorities Committee expresses dissatisfaction with Party Leadership and demands better representation in organization and electoral lists. "Mulayam Singh Yadav rules out patch up with Bahujan Samaj Party (9 Jan). JD leader Sharad Yadav expresses reservation on alliance with Samajwadi Party at cost of Bahujan Samaj Party (9 Jan). JD Political Affairs Committee reiterates commitment to alliance of Mulayam Singh but desires to include B.S.P. with Mulayam Singh's consent (11 Jan). *Samajwadi Janta Party woos Muslims in Haryana. U.P. State Executive rules out alliance with BJP (4 Jan). *AIADMK denies move to join NF- LF (18 Dec). "Nine Dalit organizations and parties join to revive Republican Party of India to fight Hindutva forces and to regain lost ground in Maharashtra (29 Dec). *National League Leader Sulaiman Sait considers third front imperative (22 Dec). CPI(M) considers JD-SP alliance vital to defeat BJP in UP. (17 Dec). Cautions JD on stand on TDP (13 Jan): TDP: *Telegu Desam Party leader and founder N.T. Rama Rao passes away, Laxmi Parvathi, new President denies possibility of electoral alliance with BJP or with Samata Party (Fernandes).
KASHMIR SITUATION
"Parliament extends President's Rule in J&K by 6 months up to July 17, 1996 (19 Dec). PM reiterates determination to hold Parliamentary and Assembly elections at any cost in 1996(24 Dec). Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs urges Government to expose effectively Pakistan's role and mobilize world public opinion on human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (20 Dec).
*State Congress organizes 2-day Workers Camp in Jammu addressed by ministers J.N. Mishra, G.N. Azad, Manmohan Singh, R.L.Bhatia, and General Secretary Madhav Sinh Solanki (19-20 Dec). P.M. in his message assures adequate flow of development resources.
*BJP Leader A.B. Vajpayee reiterates deletion of Article 370 and opposes restoration of pre-1953 status (12 Jan). Shiv Sena calls for imposition of Army rule (29 Dec)
"National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah opposes third Party mediation but supports meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan and demands for autonomy to curb secessionism (18 Dec). Reiterates demand for autonomy (19 Dec). Offers to participate in elections after announcement of political package (21 Dec). Denies sabotage of elections but considers PM's offer unsatisfactory (4 Jan). National Conference holds first Workers' Convention in 6 years (10 Jan). Convention demands inquiry into the alleged violation of human rights by security forces. Jamaat-e-Islami - Kashmir leader Geelani's ancestral house bombed allegedly by militants (19 Dec). Chief of J&K Islamic Front killed in encounter with security forces (8 Jan). Militants gun down 15 non-Muslims in Doda (6 Jan). Massacre condemned by Mufti Muhammad Saeed, Farooq Abdullah and Shahabuddin. Chief of Al-Jihad Force killed in encounter (19 Dec). D.C., Rajouri's office blasted just before arrival of Union Minister Sibte Razi (25 Dec). Four foreign hostages remain in Al Faran's hand. All Party Hurriyat Conference reported divided on question of independence or accession to Pakistan (17 Dec). Geelani charges Government with conspiracy to kill Kashmiri leaders (3 Jan). Lone endorses charge (4 Jan). Local dailies decide to suspend publication as protest against pressure by militants despite assurance by Hurriyat (7 Jan). Normal life disrupted by Hurriyat's call for general strike (12 Jan). *Ikhwanul Muslimoon leader Shirazi holds press conference in Delhi and denounces militants acting for foreign agencies to divide State (4 Jan). Kashmiri Pandits organisation 'Banun Kashmir' demands creation of Union Tent. in Valley for their rehabilitation (23 Dec).
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
Government: Liberhan Commission of Inquiry reportedly at standstill because of petition filed by some witnesses against summons. AIMPLB Committee on Babri Masjid, BMMCC and AIBMAC jointly observes the anniversary of illegal occupation of Babari Masjid on 22-23 Dec., 1949 and demand vacation of unlawful structure constructed on Babari Masjid site, reconstruction of Babari Masjid on its original site, expeditious hearing of pending title suit and other proceedings and prosecution of VHP Leaders for offensive speeches (22 Dec). World Muslim League, Makkah, expresses solidarity with demand for reconstruction of Babari Masjid. "Union Welfare Minister Sitaram Kesri accepts responsibility of Government for demolition of Babari Masjid (10 Jan). Shankaracharya Swaroopanand reiterates construction of Ram temple on Babari Masjid site and sees no reason for Muslims for taking offence (11 Jan). Ex-P.M. V.P. Singh reveals that the Government had given no instructions to R.A.F. to protect Babari Masjid
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Reservation: "A.I. Backward Muslim Morcha stages dharma in Delhi to demand recognition of 'Dalit' Muslims as Scheduled Caste(SC) on basis of professional parity (20 Dec). Bharatiya Sadhu Samaj opposes inclusion of Dalit Christians as SC List (19 Dec). Muslim Leaders of JD demand higher representation of Muslims in Party organization and in Party tickets (21 Dec). Addressing closing function of AI Taleemi Caravan, Welfare Minister Sitaram Kesri upholds Muslim demand for reservation on ground of backwardness (25 Dee). BJP criticizes Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, JD and Congress for supporting reservation for Muslims and Christians (4 Jan). Union Minister for Welfare Aslam Sher Khan opposes reservation for Muslims based on religion (13 Jan).
Personal Law: Supreme Court defers hearing of review petition questioning earlier order calling upon Union Government to report on progress towards introduction of uniform civil code (21 Dec). A.I. Muslim Personal Law Board organizes Shariat Protection Week in various places (23 Dec). In Jaipur the Week concludes with massive public meeting.
Walds: "Central Government decides to formulate scheme for payment of emoluments to 1,15,000 Imams and Muezzins at an annual cost of Rs.243 crores (17 Dec). Leading Imams in Bombay reject Government's offer (19 Dec). Government of Rajasthan opposes official payment of enfoldments (19 Dec). BJP considers Government's scheme as political opportunism. for securing votes. AIMPLB President Maulana Abul Hasant Ali Nadvi considers government decision anti-Shariat and a political conspiracy against Muslims (23 Dec). Government submits a scheme for gradation and fixation of scales of pay for Imams and Muezzins and payment of emoluments by Wakf Boards out of their own income (2 Jan). Welfare Minister Sitaram Kesri denies any plan to provide government funds for emoluments to Imams and any intention to interfere in religious affairs (2 Jan). Imams Organization considers scheme partial victory but accuses Government of not doing justice to Imams (3 Jan). Shahabuddin demands effective measures for increasing income of Wakf estates so that each Wakf should be in a position to give better emoluments to Imams of Masjids, if any. Considers Wakf Boards legally and theologically incompetent and financial bankrupt to pay Masjid functionaries (4 Jan). Delhi Wakf Board headed by BJP Leader Siraj Paracha demands vacation and restoration of over 680 wakf properties in Delhi under unlawful occupation of Central Government and its offices (4 Jan). Samajwadi Party National Executive opposes interference with Muslim Personal Law(6Jan).
Bukharis begin construction in Jama Masjid campus without clearance from Wakf Board or Delhi Development Authority or Delhi Municipal Corporation. Receives notice from DDA (15 Jan). Mamta Banerjee, M.P., Congress (1) demands CBI inquiry into sale and settlement of Wakf properties in West.
