CHRONOLOGY
NATIONAL POLITICS
Government: *President S.D. Sharma presents Kabir Puraskar to 3 citizens for displaying exemplary courage in protecting communal harmony and calls people to check communalism and protect secularism (19 Nov). President dedicates rebuilt Somnath Mandir to nation (1 Dec). "President releases special stamp on communal harmony 1995 (19 Nov). Union Cabinet approves Government of Maharashtra's proposal to rename Bombay as Mumbai (21 Nov). Prime Minister Narasimha Rao presents chadar' to Dargah of Khwaja Sahib through Jamil Ilyasi, President of A.L. Imams Organisation (28 Nov). In his message P.M. calls upon people to pray for protection of country against communal forces and for consolidation of national unity (28 Nov). P. M. meets cross section of Ulema of Deoband School from five States to remove misunderstanding about his Government and Party (29 Nov). "Prime Minister inaugurates A.I. Urdu Journalists Congress organized by the AI Minorities Front. Discussing with Urdu Journalists P.M. attributes Muslim alienation to events organized by forces which are trying to weaken country (8 Dec). "Home Minister Chavan addresses State Conference of A.1. Imams Organization at Darbhanga and promises not to permit anyone to raise any structure at disputed site without Court orders, sees Pakistan's hand in agitation to offer namaz at disputed site on 6 December 1995 (7 Dec). *Gulam Nabi Azad addresses State Conferences of Congress Minority Cell in Bombay and Hyderabad and appeals to Muslims to come closer to Congress (25-26 Nov). C.K. Jaffer Sharief, earlier divested of Railway portfolio, resigns from Cabinet (22 Nov) and wants Minorities problems to be looked into. Salman Khurshid admits Congress inability to win over Muslims (23 Nov). Minister of Rural Development Jagannath Mishra announces welfare package for Momin community (26 Nov).
Congress (T): Congress (T) leader Arjun Singh rules out rapprochement with P.M. and rejects demands for apology (26 Nov). Congress (T) renames itself as Indira Congress (3 Dec).
National Front: Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav rules out joining National Front but seeks seat adjustment (19 Nov). JD and Samajwadi Party agree in principle to seat adjustment (27 Nov). Laloo Prasad rules out Samajwadi Party's merger with JD (29 Nov), N.F. leadership sees common ideological basis for Third Force in policy paper circulated by Initiative for National Renewal and Empowerment of People (24 Nov). Telugu Desam led by A.P. CM Chandrababu Naidu desires to join National Front if JD overcomes N.T. Rama Rao's resistance (27 Nov). Bihar C.M. Laloo Prasad calls upon secular and democratic forces to unite to emerge as national alternative (27 Nov), JD leaders desire seat adjustment with Bahujan Samaj Party also (30 Nov). JD leader V.P. Singh rules out inclusion of Bahujan Samaj Party in NF (4 Dec). Ram Vilas Paswan organizes Dalit Sena rally in Lucknow attended by Sikh leader Tohra and Karnataka leader Bangarappa, denounces Kanshi Ram as RSS's stooge (6 Dec).
Samata Party: Vice-President Shahabuddin expels George Fernandes from Samata Party and takes over as President (19 Nov). In retaliation Fernandes expels Shahabuddin and Chandrajit Yadav from Samata Party. National Executive (S) meets in Delhi on 9 December and confirms expulsion of Fernandes and elects Shahabuddin as President. Also endorses approach to NF and its constituent Parties for admission to NF (9 Dec).
Bahujan Samaj Party: "BSP leader Mayawati rules out electoral alliance in UP and wants BSP to contest elections on its own (10 Dec).
CPI(ML): CPI(ML) holds National Convention, calls for unity of the Left. Shahabuddin also addresses Convention (25 Nov).
Sangh Parivar: "Bajrang Dal announces agitation for total ban on cow slaughter, opposes reservation for Christian Dalits, demands repeal of law for protection of places of worship and strong measures to stop terrorism, infiltration and cultural invasion (14 Dec), all to be taken up at National Convention in Allahabad in January. Bihar BJP decides to launch agitation against smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh for slaughter, promises separate State of Vananchal to replace Jharkhand Autonomous Area (22 Nov). BJP sweeps Municipal polls in Uttar Pradesh and confirms dominance in urban areas (27 Nov). BJP leadership elated by Supreme Court judgement in election cases against C.M. Joshi and Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray equating Hindutva with nationalism and rejecting appeal to Hindutva as electoral mal-practice (11 Dec). Judgement widely criticized by jurists and secular parties as license for religious propaganda during elections. CPI(M) and other Parties call for review of judgement. Shiv Sena decides to go national on Hindutva platform (8 Nov). Thackeray retaliates to Dawood Ibrahim's reported threat by threatening clearance of entire 'jungle'(23 Nov).
AASU: AASU demands yet another intensive revision of electoral roll in Assam while AGP negotiates with CPI, CPM and UMF for electoral alliance (27 Nov), Negotiations between Bodo leadership and Central Government on redemarcation of Bodoland fails (28 Nov). Fresh violence reported from Bodoland.
Muslim Leadership: Kerala PDP leader Madani attempts negotiations with IUML and Congress, rules out understanding with National Muslim League (22 Nov). MIM leader Owaisi calls upon Muslims to shun Congress and BJP (3 Nov).
KASHMIR SITUATION
Son-in-law of General Secretary, National Conference Kitchloo abducted by militants but released (16 Nov). Bomb blast in officers' mess in Srinagar airport (18 Nov) Clashes between JKLF and Ikhwanul Muslimeen around Hazratbal reported (19-20 Nov). Bomb explosion in Connaught Place in New Delhi attributed to Kashmir militants (21 Nov). Abdul Razak Mir, ex-MLA, killed by militants (22 Nov). Students demonstrators lathi charged in Srinagar (22 Nov). Hurriyat refuses to intercede in negotiations between Al Fáran and Government for release of hostages (2 Dec). Foreign hostages remain in hands of Al Faran behind negotiations for release continue. BBC correspondent Zafar Jamil escapes attempt on life, seriously injured (8 Dec). Total bandh in Srinagar organized by Hizbullah (12 Dec), BJP's censure motion on Kashmir refused by Lok Sabha Speaker (28 Nov). Parliament approves extension of President's Rule in J&K for 6 months (15 Dec). "Hurriyat President Mirwaiz Umar Farooq returns to India and wants Hurriyat to play more active to activate international concern (25 Nov). NC leader Farooq Abdullah considers autonomy essential for solution (21 Nov). Farooq denies backtracking on commitment to PM on participation in election (26 Nov); challenges Home Minister Chavan to produce evidence of U.S. support to extremists (7 Dec); reiterates plea for autonomy (9 Dec), demands strengthening of Article 370 and restoration of 1952 status (13 Dec).
CPI(M) leader Surjit supports autonomy as pre-requisite for elections (18 Nov). BJP President Advani rejects restoration of 1952 position and PM's package (28 Nov). RSS G.S. Seshadri criticizes PM's package (3 Dec). Janata Dal criticizes Government's failure to initiate political process and favors talks with Kashmiri leaders for evolving political package (4 Dec), Ex-PM Chandra Shekhar considers elections impossible until terrorism brought under control (11 Dec) PM accuses USA of desiring to continue militancy (29 Nov). Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee admits differences with USA on Pakistan role (29 Nov). H.M. Chavan accuses USA of harboring evil designs and wanting foothold in J&K (4 Dec). USA denies accusations (6 Dec). US official Raphel wants parties to move forward from past prescriptions to solutions based on current ground reality. Supports tripartite talks (7 Dec). Both India and Pakistan rule out war over Kashmir issue (27 Nov). Russia criticizes Pakistan for aid to militants (21 Nov). Syria backs India's stand (25 Nov). British group unsuccessfully tries pro-Pakistan resolution in European Parliament (2 Dec). UK calls for end to foreign support to militants (8 Dec).
BABARI MASJID
*Supreme Court holds hearing on contempt cases and fixes & February for hearing on contempt petition against P.M. and Home Secretary BJP leaders seek quashing contempt proceedings (6 Dec). BJP leader Joshi reiterates claim on Mathura Idgah and Varanasi Masjid and demands their liberation by negotiation or legislation (19 Nov). Demolition anniversary observed all over the country through mass meetings, seminars, symposia, bandhs organised by BMMCC, AIBMAC and AIMPLB-BMC as well as other local committees. Joint mass meeting at Hyderabad addressed by Sait, Shahabuddin and Owaisi. Muslims debarred from entering Ayodhya, disputed area and placed under Section 144 to bar attempt by VHP to commence construction on disputed site (6 Dec). Central and State Governments take strong security measures to maintain status quo in Ayodhya and to seal it against Ayodhya march announced by PDP of Kerala and Babari Masjid Reconstruction Committee of Delhi. Anniversary passes off peacefully. Maharashtra CM Joshi opposes discussion on demolition in Maharashtra Legislature (7 Dec). VHP leadership observes "Victory Day' all over the country (6 Dec). BJP disclaims responsibility for demolition but does not consider demolition matter of national disgrace or shameful (22 Nov). M.P. CM Digvijay Singh admits mistake by P.M. on Babari Masjid (3 Dec). Bombay Regional Cong(1) Minority Cell demands reconstruction of Babari Masjid (25 Nov).
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Reservation: Lok Sabha discusses Shahabuddin's Bill on Universal Reservation with separate quotas based on population and level of backwardness (3 Dec). IUML and Qaumi Tanzeem, WB, demand reservation for Muslims in West Bengal (28 Nov). Ghulam Nabi Azad supports reservation as only way to uplift Muslims (26 Nov) JD leader Paswan supports reservation for Muslims and Christian Dalits. A.1. Minorities Front President S.M. Asif opposes reservation for Muslims. A.1. Momin Conference demands reservation for Backward Muslims (3 Dec). Sitaram Kesri denies move for separate quotas on basis of religion (7 Dec). UP Congress Minority Cell demands reservation of 12% quota for minorities (12 Dec). "Christians launch agitation for inclusion of Dalit Christians in Scheduled Castes List, Mother Teresa extends moral support. Sitaram Kesri extends support P.M. asks Home Minister to discuss demand with all parties (3 Dec). BJP opposes demand (5 Dec). P.M. promises ST status to Koch and Rajbangshis of Assam (24 Nov). Supreme Court asks Karnataka Government to follow 50% rule (10 Nov).
Personal Law: H.M. Chavan opposes introduction of uniform civil code unless minorities favor it (20 Nov). Shariat Protection Week observed in various places all over the country sponsored by Personal Law Board in end November.
Wakf: Wakf Bill, 1995, receives November. President's assent (25 Nov). Central Wakf Council forms Committee under Aslam Sher Khan to evolve scheme for payment of emoluments to Imams (12 Dec). *Govt. of Delhi delays delimitation of Wazirabad qabristan which has been partially included in site plan for a new ghat on Jamuna.
Communal Violence: Tension in Allahabad, nearly 40 injured in stoning and police firing (1 Dec). Communal violence in Sadar Bazar, Delhi, brought under control by police firing (3 Dec). Tension in Madurai on invasion by Hindu Munnani of Dargah of Sultan Sikander Aulia (4 Dec). Clash in Murshidabad between BJP & RSP takes communal color; I killed in police firing: 24 inured (8 Dec).
Education: "UP Rabita Committee launches A.I. Literacy Caravan led by S. Hamid with cooperation of various supporting organizations (8 Dec). AMU is closed sine die following disturbances on Campus (16 Nov); VC plans 'Operation Clean Up' before reopening and purge student mafia from hostels and campus, University rusticates 6 student leaders (26 Nov) and 5 more (28 Nov).
Urdu: Parliamentary Committee approves Government Bill for establishment of Maulana Azad Urdu University (11 Dec). Urdu held as lingua franka of Sub-continent and bridge between India and Pakistan by speakers on release of book by Pakistani author (16 Nov). BJP demands resignation of H.M. Chavan for describing Urdu as link language (26 Nov).
Muslim Organizations: AIMMM reconstitutes Markazi Majlis which meets at Lucknow and elects Salim Qasmi as President and Shafi Moonis as General Secretary (18 Nov). "Minorities Council of India. pleads for Hindu-Muslim Compact for settling conflict and reducing misunderstanding. Amir-e-Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Sirajul Hasan cautions Muslims against division of votes and promises to give proper orientation to politics without direct participation (29 Nov). A.I. Intelligentsia Forum demands due representation of Muslims in power structure at all levels (29 Nov).
Human Rights: Government acknowledges 6 cases of alleged violation of human rights by Rashtriya Rifles in J&K (8 Dec).
Cow Slaughter: "BJP leader Uma Bharati appeals for total ban on cow slaughter (7 Dec). Ex-Maharashtra CM Sharad Pawar threatens to launch campaign against total ban (10 Dec).
Recognition: Wahiduddin Khan honored as 'Social Scientist' by Delhi Government on completion of 2 years of BJP in power (2 Dec).
Muslim World: Treaty signed to end war in Bosnia (14 Dec). MQM movement seeks UN intervention to stop genocide in Pakistan (11 Dec).
Obituary: Maulana Sadruddin Ansari, Working President of Markazi Jamiat- ul-Ulema-e-Hind passes away in Bhopal (2 Nov). Shamim A. Siddiqui, ex-MP(RS) passes away in New Delhi (3 Nov). "Ghulam Mohd. Mir Rasjan, ex-Minister J&K, 72 dies in Jammu (12 Dec).
