CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(16 June - 15 July, 1997)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Presidency: *Congress and UF sponsor V.P. K.R. Narayanan as joint nominee for Presidentship (11 June). *President Sharma calls upon press to unmask communal forces and terrorism (28 June)
Bihar A.H. Scam - Legal Developments: *Bihar Governor Kidwai allows CM Laloo Pd. Yadav's prosecution (17 June).
Corruption: *State Government suspends 3 IAS Officers under detention (17 June). CBI raids CM's ancestral house and house of his in-laws (21 June). CBI chargesheets Laloo Pd. Yadav and 55 others; arrest stayed by CBI court till disposal of anticipatory bail application (23 June). Laloo refuses to quit (23 June). Bail plea rejected (25 June). IB anticipates law and order problem in CM's arrest (25 June). Patna H.C. grants anticipatory bail to ex-CM J.N. Mishra (27 June). H.C. charges central government with stalling arrest of top politicians and state administration with permitting unlawful demonstration (30 June). CBI volunteers not to arrest.CM and other politicians until 21 July (30 June). *Anticipatory bail application of CM rejected in another A.H. Scam Case. Central Government permits prosecution of 2 out of 5 indicted senior officials (12 July). *CBI Director Joginder Singh removed (30 June).
Political Developments: *Laloo Yadav launches tirade against PM Guiral (19 June). Guiral asks indicted MOS C.P. Verma to resign from central government (20 June). Gujral asks Laloo to quit (23 June). BJP calls for PM's resignation (1 July). Gujral reiterates call (9 July). PM decides to keep 3 RJD Minister (9 July). PM declines to apply Article 356 to Bihar, predicates Laloo's dismissal to arrest (12 July). RJD recognised by Speaker. Laloo wins vote of confidence (15 July).
Hawala Case: *CBI files SLP in Supreme Court in Hawala Case against HC's Order on admissibility of Jain diaries as evidence (18 June). SC issues notice to the accused who were earlier discharged without staying HC order (11 July).
Bofors Case: Government delays approval of CBI chargesheet till receipt of further documents (22 June).
Bahujan Foundation Charitable Trust Case: IT Deptt. reopens exemption case (22 June).
Kesri Cases: *Delhi HC issue notice on application seeking expedition of CBI probe on disproportionate assets charge (11 July). *H.C. asks Govt. of Delhi to file detailed affidavit in Tomar murder case (9 July). Public Ledger Account Case: *W. Bengal Assembly faces uproar on diversion of central development funds by State Government (29 June - 1 July). No Confidence Motion rejected (3 July).
Political Parties - Congress: *President Kesri appoints Jitendra Prasada of UP as Vice-President. *Congress National Minorities Cell meets; proposes reservation for Muslims (16 June). *Kesri reiterates continuance of support to UF Government (3 July).
BJP: *BJP urges key role of RSS in organisation (28 June). Advani Rath Yatra gets positive response in W. Bengal (28 June). Exposes Hindutva face and invokes Ram in Ayodhya (3 July). Ends with rapturous welcome in Delhi (15 July). *BJP Minorities Front sees Muslims as coming closer (12 July). *Samata seeks Laloo's arrest (17 June). Criticises Gujral for softness towards Laloo (19 June). Fernandes accuses him to surrender to anti-social elements (3 July). Samata proposes joint action by all political parties against Laloo (13 July)
Left Alliance: *Left Front seeks Laloo's resignation (17 June). CPI(M) asks JD leadership to ensure it (23 June). Left parties ask all those charge-sheeted to step down and call upon PM to intervene, criticise Kesri for anti-Left posture (4 July).
Janata Dal: *All formulae for patch up between Laloo Yadav and Sharad Yadav fail; Supreme Court asks Dandavate to conduct elections (19 June). Laloo group decides to boycott election and split party (28 June). Election held (3 Julv). Laloo forms Rashtriva Janata Dal with himself as President (5 July). Sharad Yadav elected President.
UF: *Convener Naidu denies backing Laloo (16 June), urges him to quit (18 June).
SP: *SP charge BSP-BJP Government in UP of harassing and killing its workers (20 June). *SP expels Rashid Masood (24 June). *Mulayam Singh indicates possibility of tie-up with Congress (9 July).
*DMK threatens to quit UF Government (14 July).
*UF divided on entry of RJD (9 July).
*Shahabuddin pleads for continuance of Gujral Government, if possible, with participation of Congress and CPI(M) (8 July).
Muslim Leadership: *Delhi H.C. discharges Ahmed Bukhari of sedition charges (15 July).
Small States: *BJP leader Advani suggest Second State Reorganisation Commission to create small States (18 June). *A.I. Muslim Federation proposes reorganisation of UP and creation of Urdu Pradesh in Western UP.
KASHMIR SITUATION
Insurgency: *Killings and militancy and counter-insurgency continue.
*Army Jawan kills Col (16 June).
*BSF raises battalion of ex-militants (28 June).
*Explosion in MLA's hotel kills 4 (29 June).
*Al-Burq chief A.R. Lone arrested (3 July).
Government: *HM Indrajit Gupta reacts sharply to Governor Krishna Rao's charge of interference (19 June).
*Central Minister Soz demands payment of full compensation to people of Charar-e-Sharif (20 June)
*Journalists assaulted by police in Srinagar, decide to boycott government functions (27 June).
Political: *JKLF President Yasin Malik favours return of Hindu emigrants to Valley (16 June). *Hurriyat leaders charge government with repression; arrested and released; arrest condemned (25 June). *Lone and Malik arrested for submission of Memorandum to the UNMOG. Life crippled in Valley by general strike called by APHC (27 June). *J&K Democratic Forum President Bazaz urges Government to enter into dialogue with militants (21 June). *BJP urges PM to convene all-party meet on Kashmir (28 June).
*APHC leader Shabbir Shah calls Amarnath Yatra a symbol of composite Kashmir culture (4 July). *NC observes Martyrs Day (13 July). APHC calls it Black Day and gives hartal call. *Lone refutes charge of benami receipt of foreign donation (14 July)
Foreign Reaction: *US Ambassador Wisner sees no mediatory role for US (17 June).
* Pakistan seeks Russian help in talks with India (8 July).
RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
Babari Masjid: *Rajesh Pilot considers demolition a question mark for secularism (16 June).
*In his deposition before Sri Krishna Commission, then Defence Minister Pawar alleges that armed forces were not allowed to take any action in Ayodhya on 6 December 1992 and in fact kept out of Ayodhya by order of DM.
Shahi Masjid Idgah, Mathura & Gyanvapi Masjid,
Varanasi: *AIMMM Delegation visits Mathura & Varanasi. *Shahabuddin writes to H.M. Gupta on situation in Mathura (17 June). *Shiv Sena and VHP announce programme. Shahabuddin reminds H.M. of their Jal Abishek in July.
Places of Worship: *Delhi H.C. restrains builders from demolishing Shiv Temple in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Shia-Sunni Conflict: *UP CM Mayawati appoints high power committee to find amicable settlement of dispute over Azadari procession (23 June). Abdullah Bukhari arrested en route to Lucknow (25 June). Shias protesters against ban clash with police in Lucknow, curfew clamped. (26 June). Sunni counter-procession for "Madh-e-Sahaba" fails (26 June). Shia leader Kalbe Jawad's arrest sparks violence (29 June). AIMMM and A.I. Milli Council denounce arrest and appeal to Shias and Sunnis to reconcile (1 July). BJP leader and Lucknow MP A.B. Vajpayee intervene (2 July). police blocks Azadari procession (4 July). Shias agree to suspend agitation (8 July). Shia leaders released (9 July). Abdullah Bukhari and Kalbe Sadiq reiterate support for Azadari and Mohammadi processions (11 July). Seminar in Delhi demands revocation of ban (15 July)
Haj: *Term of defunct Haj Committee indefinitely extended till enactment of new legislation (16 June). Committee authorised to negotiate lease of accommodation for Haj 1998 and convene All India Haj Conference to finalise policy and programme of action.
Wakf: *UP Wakf Commissioner launches campaign to survey Wakf properties and have illegal occupation vacated (16 June).
Cow Protection: *Government of Maharashtra proposes to impose total ban on slaughter of cow and progeny and on marketing of beef (2 July).
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Education: *Govt. of Delhi decides to introduce Yoga as compulsory subject in all government and government-aided schools (10 July).
*Madarsas find it difficult to agree on common syllabus (17 June).
JMI: *Joint Action Committee holds "protest day" (20 June). JIH expresses concern at government apathy (23 June). AIMMM demands restoration of minority character (2 July).
*General M.A. Zaki (Retd.) takes over as V.C. (30 June). CPI opposes appointment. 81 eminent leftist personalities criticise appointment. Zaki restores order on campus, announces admission and examination schedule.
Reservation: *Parliamentary OBC Forum convenes All India Conference to demand 27% quota for OBC women within reservation for women (20 June). *Kisan Kamgar Party President Ajit Singh supports reservation for Muslims in public employment (26 June). *Indian Muslim Backwards Seminar in Mau demands reservation for Muslims (1 July). *Shahabuddin demands inclusion of Muslims, as a community, in Central and State OBC's Lists in public employment and reservation in legislature. *Syed Hamid supports reservation in public employment and legislature.
Bombay Disturbances - 1992-93: *Former CM Sharad Pawar admits before Srikrishna Commission no action by army against violent mobs in January 1993 for want of written sanction from State authorities. Denies role of foreign hand (1 July). Mahanagar journalist Mohite files affidavit accusing Thackeray of personally ordering killing of Muslims (2 July).
TADA: *Qaumi Mushawarat Committee expresses concern over TADA detainees; demands withdrawal of all cases and release of all prisoners; criticises all parties and Muslim leadership (17 June).
Hashimpura Massacre: *HM Indrajit Gupta urges UP CM to implement Shahabuddin's suggestions on prosecution of Hashimpura killers. CM takes partial action (17 June).
Communal Violence: *Communal clash in Mehsana district - 4 killed, 7 injured.
Anti-Dalit Repression: *Police fires at demonstration against desecration of Ambedkar's statue in Bombay, 11 killed (11 July). Shiv Sena activists ransack Congress leaders residence (13 July). Disturbance spread to other towns (13 July).
Human Rights: *Madras H.C. urges Union to amend laws to ensure effective help to victims of violation of human rights (1 July).Indo-Pakistan Relations: *PMs Sharif and Gujral inaugurate hotline (19 June).
*India and Pakistan hold Foreign Secretaries level talks at Islamabad; agree to discuss all issues and set up 8 working groups including one on Kashmir (19-21 June). Salman Haider denies agreement to discuss constitutional and legal status of J&K (24 June) Pakistan feels dismayed (26 June). Pakistan FM Gauhar Ayub denies secret deal on Kashmir and reiterates Pakistan's stand (28 June). *CM Farooq Abdullah demands return of POK (21 June). PM Sharif predicts bilateral trade to progress on Kashmir dispute (4 July).
*CIA identifies India and Pakistan among 8 threshold nuclear-weapon states (3 July).
*Pakistan reported to have tested medium range missiles (2 July). Accuses India of deploying Prithvi missiles on its border. Missile race hots up.
*PM Gujral warns Pakistan against move to destibilise India. Pakistan's hand alleged in revival of militancy in Punjab during CM Badal (13 July).
*PM reiterates that India's nuclear weapon options are open (13 July).
*Muslim World: Pakistan: MQM calls for deployment of army in Karachi; accuses intelligence agencies of instigating killings (19 June).
*Government withdraws appeal against Shariat Court's order on interest-free economy but files application for guidance to enable government to fulfill financial obligations(2 July).
Palestine: *Hate posters appear in Israeli-occupied territory; J.I.H. protests strongly to Israeli Embassy in New Delhi (28 June).
Turkey: *Turkish P.M. Erbakan resigns under army pressure (18 June). M. Yilmaz, head of anti-Islamic coalition sworn in (1 July).
Commemoration: *Renaming of Fort William as Fort Sirajuddin Daula demanded (28 June).
*Urs of Ahmed Raza Khan celebrated in Bareilly (1 July).
