CHRONOLOGY

Chronology of the Month (16 May - 15 June, 1997)

NATIONAL POLITICS:

Congress: *Sitaram Kesri pledges loyalty to Sonia Gandhi (21May). Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot stand against Kesri for presidency (27 May). Kesri and Pawar offer to retire for Sonia Gandhi (30 May). Pawar and Pilot issue’ Secular' manifestoes (2June). Kesri wins smashing victory. Pawar and Pilot offer cooperation (12 June).

*Congress faces prosecution under FCRA for omission of notice to Ministry of Home Affairs on foreign contribution of 3.75 crores (16 May). Government seeks legal opinion (15June)

Muslim League: *E.S. Sait's N.M.L. supports Congress-led UDF in municipal poll in Kerala

BJP: *BJP President L.K. Advani begins 15000 km Rath Yatrafrom Mumbai to mobilise patriotic forces (18 May). During Yatra, Advani proposes revision of Constitution; calls upon Muslims to shed fears and join BJP; emphasises cultural nationalism and uniform civil code, reiterates "legislative” solution to Babari Masjid dispute; denounces reservation in public employment or legislature for Muslims, even a sub-quota for Muslim women. Yatra evolves mixed response. BJP attributes lack of enthusiasm to systematic blacking out by government TV and radio.*BJP holds Muslim Youth Conventions in various places, including Delhi under its youth wing headed by Uma Bharati.*BJP leads political and legal war against Bihar CM Laloo Prasad Yadav. Seeks President's rule (23 May) RIP CPI (ML)and Samata accuse Governor of delay. Samata calls forimpeachment of Kidwai (5 June). BJP accuses Gujral of protecting laloo.

JD: *President Laloo Pd. Yadav accuses his rival, Working President Sharad Yadav of stuffing the electoral colleges; asserts authority to change voters list, proposes holding election& convention in Patna, nominates new embers to National Council, accuses Returning Officer conspiracy . Delhi High Court restrains Laloo from obstructing poll; Sharad Yadav refuses to withdraw. Laloo calls emergency meeting ofNational Executive. Delhi H.C. asks Dandavate and Jaipal Reddy to find amicable solution. Laloo sacks 5 pro-Sharad Ministers. H.C. postpones polls from 10 June to 18 June and appoints Justice Kochar to supervise election. H.C. allows N.E. meeting but bars it from postponing elections. Laloo appeals to Supreme Court. PM initiates moves to defuse crisis and avoid split. Laloo agrees to consensus candidate. HC agrees to extension of deadline if HC desires. HC restrains Kochar and stays electoral process (15 June).

*15 political parties jointly demonstrate against Laloo (28May).Organise 48 hour bandh .. (12-13 June)

CORRUPTION:

Bihar Fodder Scam: *Bihar CM Laloo Pd. Yadav adopts defiant posture and endorses decision of co-accused Union MOS C.P. Verma not to resign. Charges CBI with unreliability and concocting false cases. CBI clears charge-sheets in another case (RC 64) with Laloo as main conspirator. H.C. asks CBI to work out time-frame without waiting for Governor's sanction in criminal cases. H.C. asks CBI not to discriminate among co-accused in raids and detention (22 May). Sets deadline of 24June for sanction by Governor (23 May). CBI names Laloo as conspirator in all 48 cases .*. CBI raids houses of 5 senior officers and 1 PA of CM in simultaneous raids (10 June). I.T. Commissioner Choudhuri held (11 June). 4 Bihar IAS officers remanded to CBI custody (11 June). Former CM Jagannath Mishra files anticipatory bail petition (11 June).* Minister Nandhari's resignation jolts Laloo (23 May). Several JD leaders call upon Laloo to step down if charge-sheeted.

Hawala Case: *Arjun Singh, N.D. Tewari, M. Scindia andR.K. Dhawan dischargedby HC. (28 May) Cases against Arif Mohd. Khan, N.D. Tewari and Jakhar and Shiv Shankar also dropped (31 May).

* CPI(M) asks Government to sanction appeal (15 June).

St. Kitts Inquiry Case: *Former P.M. Rao altribIUML demands separate quota for Muslim women.

utes his role to direction of former PM Rajiv Gandhi (21May). Elicits adverse criticism. Special Court discharges Rao (4 June).

HDW Case: Delhi H.C. issues notice on PIL petition (21May)

Jaffer Sharief Case: *CBI submits third progress report. (26May).

Ayurveda Case: *UP Government Sanctions prosecution ofex-Minister, a close aid of Mulayam Singh Yadav (28 May).

Jayalalitha Case: *Special Court summons Jayalalitha to face trial (5 June)

*Sharad Yadav decries politicisation of CBI, suggests separate investigation procedure for "public figures" (18 May).

*PM asks States to set up Special Courts to try corruption cases (1 June) ..

UF Government: *Congress President does not guarantee continuance of support but denies intention of immediate withdrawal (13 June).

*CPI rejects idea of coalition with Congress at Centre (16May)

*Gujral inducts 4 women in Council of Ministers. (3 June)Bye-elections: *Bye-elections for 3 Parliamentary and 9Assembly seats in 8 States/UTs pass peacefully with low turnout.

*Kanshi Ram supports BJP in East Delhi. SP supports Congress.

Human Rights: *Human Rights groups demand repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and J&K Distrbed Areas(Special Powers Act and J&K Public Safety Act (4 June).

*International Bar Association pays tributes to India for upholding human rights (14 June).

Secularism: * COAS Gen Shankar Ray Choudhury gives away first Veer Savarkar Awards of private trust to defence analyst K. Subramaniam.

* Hindu Munnani approaches Governor of Tamilnadu for permission to prosecute CM Karunanidhi for offending religious feelings of Hindu community (6 June).

* National Committee for Celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Shri Autobindo,a Hindu mystic, formed by Government of India, meets in Delhi (4 June).

* Delhi Government decides to provide financial assistance toHindu pilgrims for Kailash-Man Sarowar (12 June).

Secular Front: *SP leader Mulayam Singh supports formation of Secular Front (25 May) asks cadre to abandon anti-Congress stance (28 May).

*Shahabuddin pleads for national secular front to include Congress and Left parties (26 May).

*Congress leader Sunil Dutt favours strong secular front. Freedom of Information: *Press Council decides to probe favours to journalists by various authorities since 1989 (13June).

Reservation: *Women Reservation Bill moved in Lok Sabha(16 May). JD leader Sharad Yadav opposes introduction and warns Government. Chandra Shekhar criticises haste Women organisations demand immediate passage (26May).Consideration deferred. (13 June)

*OBC Forum demand inclusion of Jats, Marathas and Reddys among OBC

*Shahabuddin demands reservation for all social groups and then uniform sub-reservation for women in each. PM

* BJP leader V.K. Malhotra condemns demand for reservation of Muslims in legislatures (16 May). BJP President Advani expresses determination to "spiker communal reservation"(17 May), calls reservation for Muslims as step towards another Partition (3 June). Challenges other parties to make issue of reservation for Muslim women (8 June).

* Cabinet approves continuance of reservation in promotion for SC ST beyond Nov. 15, 1997 and to take necessary legislative measures (6 June).

* AIMC G.S. Mujahidul Islam supports reservation for Muslims in employment and legislature (9 June).

Criminalisation: * Mayawati's campaign against criminals hits SP in UP, calls Mulayam a biggest gangster in the country (20 May)

J&K SITUATION:

Political Developments: *MOS Maqbool Dar pays 5-day visit to Valley to review antr-insurgency operation (27 May). Sees improvement but warns J&K Government against excesses by security forces and surrendered militants (8 June) proposes free access of human rights groups like Amnesty (10 June).

*Surrendered militants demand accommodation or else (15June). *J&K Government defends human rights record (22May).

*Governor Krishna Rao protests against assurances by H.M.Indrajit Gupta to APHC leader Yasim Malik (24 May)Insurgency: *N.C. leader G.R. Wani kidnapped and killed (1June). Army accuses APHC and militants of exploiting human rights for exerting pressure (11 June). Army General's remarks considered derogatory to J&K Assembly

*Security forces claim killing Al Burq Deputy Chief Dar (1June).

*Harkat-ul-Ansar chief Salim arrested (9 June).

*Authorities express concern at increasing infiltration of foreign mercenaries, largely from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan (12 June).

*State Government ban on Ashoora procession; ban defied, procession lathi-charged and Abbas Ansari injured (16 May)

*Lone describes Farooq Abdullah as puppet of Army (26 May)

*Government employees ignores APHC's call for general strike on human rights issue (27 May).

* Farooq criticises Hurriyat leaders as puppets in Pakistan’s hands (3 June).

* Pannu Kashmir Movement does not see grant of autonomy as ending insurgency (20 May).

Foreign Reaction

Pakistan: * F.M. Gauhar Ayub sees Kashmir as core issue in bilateral relations. US promises of Ayub to take more interest in Kashmir (20 May).

*In his address to nation PM Nawaz Sharif sees results in Indo-Pakistan talks only if India recognises Kashmir people's right to self-determination (11 June).

European Union: * Ambassador on visit to Valley confer with APHC leaders as well as Governor and CM.

UK: * Visiting British MOS wants end to strife in Valley (12June) offers to mediate (13 June)

OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN:

Babari Masjid Question: * UP Minister Dharampal Singh(BJP) reiterates the objective of BJP and BSP-BJP Government to build Ram Janambhoomi Mandir in Ayodhyaand to have Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi and Shahi Masjid Idgah in Mathura "vacated" (16 May).

* BMMCC Convener Shahabuddin finds Bal Thackeray’s proposal to declare the Babari Masjid site as a "national monument" unacceptable because if silence as make-shift temple unlawfully constructed on B.M., site who’s in the Wakf (26 May).

* BJP leader Advani rejects judicial approach and affirms BJP's will to construct Mandir if or when it comes to power (19May).

VHP is reported to have accelerated stone-cutting work inAyodhya for proposed Mandir (5 June)

* VHP announces plans for Padyatras in connection with Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi demands.

Minorities Commission: * NCM establishes Committee to undertake comprehensive survey of minorities problems underits member James Masseg (11 June) .* NMC intervences in Meerut case of marriage of Muslim girls to Hindu

Azaan Issue: * Muslim organisations of Calcutta decide to approach Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court order banning use of PA System for Azaan (2 June). Imam, Nakhoda Masjid and 7 others houled up before HC (9 June). Sidhartha Shankar Ray files writ petition questioning jurisdiction of State authorities under the central Environment Pollution Act.

Shia-Sunni Conflict: * AIMMM asks G.S. Shafi Moonis andS. Ahmed Hashmi to contact leaders of two communities for agreement on "Azadari" without Tabarra' (17 May).

* Moharram observed all over country peacefully (18 May).Minor communal clashes reported from Meerut and Haridwar in UP.

* Abdullah Bukhari on visit to Lucknow on invitation of A.I.

Muslim Forum detained and sent back to Delhi. Shia youth demonstrate in protest. Bukhari demands lifting of ban on Azadari and threatens serious consequences otherwise (3 June).

Haj: * Haj Committee criticises management of Haj in Saudi Arabia by Consulate General of India; formulates Plan for Haj1998 and demands facilities for assuming operational responsibilities in Saudi Arabia.

* Urdu press criticises Haj Committee for corrupt dealing with Haj Tour operators, wastage of Haj funds for TA/DA of members and staff visiting Saudi Arabia and absolute inactivity during Haj Season.

Personal Law: * Barelvi Ulema denounce Maharashtra CM's move to introduce uniform civil code in State.

* BJP leader Advani cites Goa Family Code as model for country (25 May).

Status of Ahmediyas: * JUH President Asad Madni demands declaration by GOI of Ahmediyas as non-Muslims as inPakistan . (13 June) presides over Tahaffuz-e-Nabuwat Conference in Delhi, inaugurated by Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi, Conference adopts Resolution (14 June)

* Qadiani leader Ahmed Javed publicly demands protection of their life and property (14 June).

Cattle Trade :.* Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal activities forcibly stop cattle movement from Punjab to Bengal, to save them from slaughter (6 June)

Education: * Cabinet decides to make elementary education compulsory for children in age-group 6-14 (16 May).

JMI: * Shahabuddin proposes to HRD Minister Bommai 6amendments in JMI Act 1988 to restore status of JMI.

* Joint Action Committee demonstrates near Parliament and submits memorandum to PM/Speaker on amendments. (16May). Students organise demonstration and submits memorandum to UF (25 May). Students clash with police near Campus (28 May). JAC submits memorandum to HRD Minister (3 June).

* JAC calls on Congress President Kesri and gets assurance ofsupport to proposed amendments (5 June).

* AIMMM supports amendments to restore its historic minority character (17 May).

NCM Chairman Tahir Mahmood appeals to all concerned to suspend agitation and give Authorities time to consider their demands ( 13 June).

* JMI appeals against H.C. order of 28 May (13 June)

AMU: * V.C. submits Annual Report for 1996-97 without approval by EC and Court and omits data relating to intake and output of academic courses and proportion of Muslims therein.

Urdu: * NC Chairman Tahir Mahmood condemns refusal of permission to 2 MLAs of UP to take oath in Urdu (20 May).*A.I. Urdu Rabita Committee organises protest Dharna in Lucknow against ban on taking oath in Urdu (25 May)

* NCM asks NCERT to clarify availability position of school textbooks in URDU (10 June)

* Eminent poet Anand Narain Mulla, former President of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind pass away (12 June)

* ICCR in cooperation with Urdu Department, Delhi University, holds international Seminar on Iqbal's Poetry and Thoughts. Karan Singh and Surendra Mohan address inaugural session (10 June).

ATUH forms Committee to formulate proposal for implementing Gujral Committee's recommendations (11 June)President Sharma inaugurates birth centenary celebrations of Seth Govind Das, known for his opposition to Urdu (17 May).

State Violence: * Shahabuddin demands prosecution of allcivil and police personnel indicted by CID; establishment of Special Court in Meerut and up gradual of ex-gratia relief on par with Anti-Sikh Riots in 1984 in letters to CM Mayawati (4June) HM Indrajit Gupta endorses demands. (14 June)

Muslim Leadership: * Delhi HC reserves order on government plea to withdraw sedition case against Ahmed Bukhari (26May).

*Mujahidul Islam pleads for common platform of all Muslim organisations. (9 June)

Indo-Pakistan Relations: * India expresses interest in purchasing 3000 MW power from Pakistan (18 May). Pakistan denies availability (20 May).* President Leghari cautions against "false euphoria" about Indo-Pakistan relations (26May). Information Adviser to PM Mushahid Husain foresees better relations (2 June) .* Bangladesh F.M. sounds possibility of hosting Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh Summit (27 May).

* US paper discloses' deployment' of Indian missiles near Pakistan border. Pakistan sees possibility of arms race. India denies report. Pakistan draws attention of Security Council (13June).* Pakistan P.M. Nawaz Sharif pleads for reduction in defence budget (6 June).

P.M. Gujral determined to keep nuclear option open (31May).

* US State Dept. praises Gujral Doctrine (7 June).

Muslim Minorities: * UK Government agrees to fund one Muslim school on par with schools run by Church (14 June).

Muslim World:

Pakistan * World Sindhi Congress supports MQM demand for recall of Pakistan army and para military forces from Karachi.(2 June) .* Judicial Tribunal cals Murtaza Bhutto's assassination extrajudicial killing ordered by high authority' (8 June).

Amnesty International finds human rights situation in Pakistan grim (10 June).

Saudi Arabia: * Taliban regime in Afghanistan recognised (27May).

Turkey: * Erbakam Government collapses under Army pressure (2 June).

* High Power official Delegation holds talks with Government of India to promote trade and investment.

Other Minorities: * A.I. Yuva Agarwal Sammelan holds national convention in Delhi (17 May).

* Punjab CM P.S. Badal forms panel to write history of the Khalsa to mark 300th anniversary of its formation by GuruGovind Singh (2 June).

Commemoration: * Birth centenary of Rafi Ahmed Kidwai officially observed in Rashtrapati Bhawan (19 May).

* 600th birth anniversary of Kabir observed in Rashtrapati Bhawan (23 May).

Obituary: * Eminent Alim Md. Umar Palanpur, % 80, passes away in Delhi (20 May) .* Film-maker Khan Ishtiaq Khan, 70,passes away in Delhi (31 May).

* Thumri maestro Ustad Afzal Husain, 90, passes away in Jaipur.