CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(16 August-15 September, 1996)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Government: P.M. Deve Gowda meets Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray in Mumbai (20 Aug). Meeting raises, storm, criticized even by V.P. Singh, Lafoo Prasad and UF partners. Deve Gowda's explanation, emphasizing ideological gap between himself and Thackeray, silences criticism (28 Aug. Mulayam Singh expresses satisfaction with explanation. "CPI meagre rules out inclusion of Shiv Sena in United Front. Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh praises performance of Deve Gowda Government (16 Aug). Visits Sheela Kini, who has alleged involvement of Thackeray family in her husband's murder and promises institution of CBI inquiry.
Janata Dal: President Laloo Yadav denies differences with Prime Minister (16 Aug). Prime Minister asks party leaders to work in the field (17 Aug) Pressure builds up against President give up post following reports of involvement in scams Laloo inducts 11 loyalists in National Executive to reinforce position against any move for removal. National Executive meeting registers uneasy truce and fixes December 28 for selection of new President (31 Aug). Janata Dal leader Era Chezhian resigns (28 Aug) 5 JD MLC's defect to join R.K Hegde (28 Aug) Hegde calls upon secular forces to rally round Congress (23 Aug).
Elections UP Assembly: Election Commission (EC) ounces 3-phase elections in UP (29 Aug). Parties told not to Rise private Senas (1 Sept) EC announces schedule of UP well as of bye-elections for 3 Lok Sabha and 66 Assembly eats. EC takes up review of recognition of national parties.
Congress(I): President P.V. Narasimha Rao sternly warns Government not to deviate from Congress policies and programme (28 Aug). Promises reconsideration of support to UF if BJP defeated in UP (3 Sept). "Congress leaders Sitaram Kesri hails Laloo Yadav as national leader. Rao assures Muslim leaders and Ulema of protection to minorities and solution of their real problems (11 Sept). Quami Tanzeem Working Committee demands release of TADA detenues and due share to Muslims in process of development. Jaffer Sharief Jemands justice for minorities (21 Aug).
United Front: Decides to contest elections unitedly in UP but separately in J&K Gowda asks Janata Dal to be realistic and flexible on seat sharing in UP. SP demands and gets lions are of seats in UP (31 Aug). Declares SP Leader Mulayam Singh Yadav as putative Chief Minister. Ajit Singh quits Congress, forms Bharatiya Kisan Kamgar Party along with san leader M.S. Tikait (7 Sept), joins United Front (8 Sept). Deve Gowda and Tikait address joint farmers rally in Meerut and Lucknow (9 Sept).
Bahujan Samal Party: "Kanshi Ram disavows post-poll tie up with BJP (15 Aug). Mayawati accuses United Front with helping communal forces to come to power, proposes unity etween Dalits and Muslims. "Congress-BSP alliance fails to take impact on Muslim votes (9 Sept). "Naib Imam, Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari criticizes Deve Gowda Government ad holds UF Government responsible for disunity in secular inks (23 Aug). Abdullah Bukhari announces unconditional pport to BSP (but not to Congress) in joint Press Conference the Kanshi Ram (6 Sept). Ram assures Bukhari of not forming Government with BJP.
Bukhari's 'fatwa' makes only marginal pact on Muslim voters in UP. Move criticised by Janata Dal, Congress, Samajwadi Party leaders and by Shahabuddin.
Singh Parivar BJP faces serious crisis in Gujarat. Splits (18 g). Dissident leader Vaghela launches Rashtriya Janata Party Aug). BJP stalls Parliament proceedings in protest against ognition of Vaghela Group by Gujarat Dy. Speaker (4 Sept) Governor asks BJP CM to seek confidence vote.
"Signs of fissures in Sena-BJP alliance noticed in Maharashtra (1 Sept) BJP tries and gives up tactical bid to win over Muslim votes. VHP leader Ashok Singhal proposes alliance of Hinduism with Christianity against Islam in future conflict of civilization, reiterates stand on Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi, ban on cow slaughter, promotion of cultural nationalism and ban on conversion.
SJP: Samajwadi Janata Party separates from Samata Party (18 Aug). President Chandra Shekhar considers secularism meaningless without due protection of rights of minorities (24 Aug). Criticizes Deve Gowda Government for weakness and poor performance (1 Sept).
Secularism; "Samajwadi Party holds Convention for Defense of Secularism in New Delhi, with Asad Madani's son Mahmood Madani as Chief Guest Home Minister Indrajit Gupta calls upon people to promote secularism and communal harmony (23 Aug).
Corruption: JD President and Bihar CM sinks deeper in Animal Husbandry Scams. Following charges of corruption Congress suspends former Union Minister Sukh Ram. Supreme Court declines to quash summons to Narasimha Rao in Lakhu Bhai Pathak case (21 Aug) but transfers case to another court. CBI questions Narasimha Rao in JMM bribery case. "Rajesh Pilot writes to prominent party leaders in bid to force Rao to step down. Some MPs demand meeting of Parliamentary Party (30 Aug), 6 prominent leaders ask Rao to call emergency session of AICC within 15 days (6 Sept). Special Court orders framing of charges against BJP President L.K. Advani in Hawala Case (6 Sept).
Muslim Leadership: "Muslim delegation led by JD MP Fatmi submits Memorandam of Demands to Prime Minister, including reservation (9 Sept). Ex MP M. Afzal resigns from Janata Dal and criticizes Janata Dal leadership for ignoring Muslim leaders and forcing them out. Information Minister CM. Ibrahim emerges as top Muslim spokesman of Government. Wants Muslims to give priority to questions of livelihood and not waste time on Urdu, Babari Masjid, Personal Law and AMU (27 Aug). AI Milli Council tries to bring SP and BSP together (30 Aug) and does not extend unqualified support to United Front in UP (2 Sept), Muslim League, Muslim Majlis and Muslim Council all announce plans to contest UP elections, objectively benefitting BJP.
Reorganizations of States: "Prime Minister's announcement on formation of Uttarakhand on Independence Day criticized as electoral gimmick, while Kanshi Ramm and Ajit Singh favour splitting UP.
KASHMIR SITUATION
Home Minister Indrajit Gupta hints at possibility of trifurcation after Assembly elections. Later denies it. CPI rules out division of State on religious lines. BJP leader Vajpayee and former PM Chandra Shekhar oppose the suggestion. Vajpayee suggests freezing of Kashmir issue for 10 years.
Assembly Elections: Maximum autonomy becomes key issue in coming election, supported by all parties with the exception of BJP. National Conference (NC) Manifesto promises 'dignified, undiluted and meaningful autonomy". Farooq Abdullah promises restoration of pre-1953 position. NC gathers strength with Karan Singh's son, entire State leadership of Janata Dal and sections of Congress climbing on its band wagon. While condemning recent elections in POK, Hurriyat demands elections under UN auspices or neutral observers. "Talks for alliance between Janata Dal and NC fail.
NCC has sent adjustment with CPI(M), BSP and Congress(T). JD Congress) to contest on their own. "Farooq Abdullah's proposal for internalization of Line of Control, criticized by Congress Turn out in first varies between 25 and 77% with average of 33%, despite boycott call and campaign by Mart and militant groups. Coercion by security forces d from various constituencies. Hurriyat leaders detained st-election campaign. Ban on JKLF confirmed by Thal KLF leader Shabbir Shah warns people against collective suicide, elections or no elections.
Amarnath Yatra: "Harkatul Ansar lifts ban on Amarnath pilgrims but hundreds lose lives in bad weather. Indo-Pakistan Relations: "PM Deve Gowda warns Pakistan against interfering with elections. *PM Bhutto ready to hold substantive talks after Assembly elections.
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
Home Minister Indrajit Gupta reiterates determination to refer' Ayodhya issue to Supreme Court under Article 138 (7 Sept). Allahabad H.C. Special Bench orders inspection of archaeological remains found in debris of Babari Masjid (23 Aug). Historians question authenticity. Remains inspected (15 Sept). Wahiduddin Khan's suggestion for perpetuation of make-shift temple on Babari Masjid site severely criticised by Babari Masjid Movement and Ulema. *VHP demands declaration of disputed site as Ramjanma Bhoomu by legislation and convenes Dharma Sansad on November 16-17, reiterates demands in respect of Mathura and Varanasi. *Shankaracharya Swaroopanand criticises Prime Minister for under-playing the importance of Ramjanma Bhoomi.
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Mathura Idgah: *Architectual artifacts found in excavation in Idgah courtyard handed over by administration to Krishna Janambhoomi (17 Aug).
Reservation: JD President Laloo Yadav demands end to 50% ceiling on reservation (17 Aug). Muslim Samaj, Lucknow demands 30% reservation of Muslims in UP (19 Aug). Former Cabinet Secretary Zafar Saifullah supports reservation for minorities (20 Aug). Association for Promoting Education and Employment for Muslims holds Regional Convention in Hyderabad which reiterates demand for reservation at various levels in proportion to population and index of backwardness. Welfare Minister Ramoowalia inaugurates Convention and highlights steps taken to promote welfare and development of minorities (18 Aug). *Railway Minister Paswan reveals Government's intention to extend reservation to private sector (23 Aug). National Convention of Dalit Sena demands 10% reservation for minorities (24 Aug). PM Deve Gowda reiterates 10% reservation for economically backward higher castes. *National Convention of Muslim OBCs sponsored by Cong (1) demands recognition of all backward Muslims as OBC/SC/ST (29 Aug). JD NE decides to appoint a Committee to determine quantura of reservation for religious minorities 'without disturbing reservation already given to backward sections among them'; also favours separate quota for non-Hindu Dalits (2 Sept). HM Indrajit Gupta opposes reservation on the basis of religion (10 Sept). BJP Arya Pratiniti Sabha and VHP oppose recognition of Dalit Christians as SC (2 Sept). Government Constitutional Amendment Bill to reserve 33% for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures supported by all parties but referred to Select Committee (13 Sept).
Communal Violence - Anti-Sikh Riots, 1994: 88 persons sentenced to 5 year's imprisonment for involvement in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots in Delhi (27 Aug). One person sentenced to death (11 Sept).
Meerut Disturbances, 1987: Mulayam Singh demands publication of confidential reports on Maliana and Hashimpura Massacres.
Personal Law: Government informs Supreme Court that legislation to introduce Uniform Civil Code will be against Government's policy of non-interference with Personal Laws of minority community (3 Sept).
Electoral Roll: AASU agitates for fresh revision of voters list in Assam before ensuing bye-elections (15 Sept).
Wakfs: West Bengal names Justice G.R. Majumdar, sitting Judge of Calcutta High Court, to head judicial inquiry into alleged Wakf Scams (28 Aug). A.I. Muslim National Convention opposes trifurcation of Punjab Wakf Board (14 Sept). Wakf Minister Ramoowalia admits to poor progress in implementation of Wakf Act, 1995 (28 Aug). Rajya Sabha discusses Wakf Administration and appoints a committee to look into misuse (10 Sept).
Education: AMU Staff Association observes one day token strike to press demands for introduction of merit promotion scheme and regularisation of ad hoc teachers, etc. AMU appoints Commission of Enquiry under Justice Mathew (25 Aug). Prof. Mushirul Hasan's appointment as Acting Vice Chancellor following sudden demise of Prof. Basheeruddin Ahmed revives campus agitation against him (12 Sept). *Welfare Minister Ramoowalia announces enhancement of Maulana Azad Educational Foundation budget to Rs. 200 crores.
Hindu Chauvinism: Bajrang Dal revives agitation for renaming Aligarh as Harigarh (20 Aug).
Freedom Movement: 75th anniversary of Moplah Revolt observed in various parts of Kerala (23 Aug) but ignored nationally.
Haj: Government announces plan for separate Haj Air Terminal at New Delhi (26 Aug).
Jama Masjid: Delhi High Court postpones clearance of Bukhari's Wuzu Khana projects until clearance by ASI and the DUAC (5 Sept).
Urdu: A.I. Urdu Rabita Committee demands implementation of Gujral Recommendations (23 Aug). Supreme Court orders proper maintenance of Mazars of Urdu Poets Ghalib and Zauq in Delhi, particularly, removal of public toilet over or near latter's grave (23 Aug).
Mass Media: Buddhists demand ban on telecasting film on Buddha's life (25 Aug). Hindu organizations demand ban on school textbook for offensive reference to Hanumanji.
Jharkhand Movement: Muslim leaders demand due representation in JAC and appointment of a Muslim as V.C.
Muslim World: Cease-fire in Chechnya followed by agreement welcomed (16 Aug). Philippine President signs agreement with Moro Liberation Front for autonomy and development of Muslim majority districts in South Philippine (3 Sept). "United Kingdom rules out extradition of MQM leader Altaf Husain Quraishi to Pakistan (29 Aug). Protest against massacre of Shia Muslims in Pakistan organized in Delhi (30 Aug). Continuance of Shia-Sunni riots in Pakistan universally deplored (11 Sept). Home Minister Indrajit Gupta advises Muslims to denounce forthrightly Pakistan's interference in Kashmir (10 Sept). BJP leader Vajpayee deplores US attack on Iraq (5 Sept).
Obituary: Sheen Muzaffarpuri, Urdu novelist, passes away in Sitamarhi. Shia leader Ghalib Imam dies in Patna (20 Aug). F.M. Mohsin, 76, former Union Dy. Minister, passes away in Bangalore (3 Sept). Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan Gangohi, passes away (4 Sept). Basheeruddin Ahmed, 64, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, passes away (7 Sept). *Mansoor Habibullah, former Speaker, West Bengal Assembly, dies in Calcutta (14 Sept).
Commemoration: Annual Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia observed in Delhi. President S.D. Sharma in his message extols his message of love, fraternity and service.
