NATIONAL POLITICS
Coalition Government: *President's address to Parliament totally silent on Muslim problems (22 Feb).
*President's Rule okayed by Lok Sabha after Vajpayee threatens partners with resignation (26 Feb). Govt. revokes President's Rule in Bihar due to lack of support in Rajya Sabha (8 Mar)
Trinamul Congress (Mamata) rejects offer to join government (17 Feb)
*Lok Dal (Chautala) formally withdraws support (28 Feb).
*BJP rules out change of leadership in Centre (21 Feb).
*AIADMK indicates support to PM Vajpayee and not to BJP led Government (20 Feb); criticises Advani for revoking detention of Kerala leader A.N. Madani under NSA (13 Mar).
*Shiv Sena holds first ever Convention in New Delhi; plans expansion in North (9 Mar).
Sangh Parivar: *RSS Pratnidhi Sabha meets in Lucknow, seeks ban on conversion (11 Mar)
*Launches more campaign against conversion (21 Feb), alleges link between Sonia Gandhi and Church; calls upon Hindus to fight conspiracy to malign and (12 Mar).
*RSS Labour Chief Thengadi calls Vajpayce a petty politician, surrounded by self-serving advisors (16 Feb).
*RSS top leadership broken peace, decides not to rock Vajpayee's boat; changes tune (22 Mar).
*Puri Shankaracharya condemns Parivar for seeking political gain and dividing society (4 Mar).
*VHP offers to support Congress if latter promises to safeguard Hindu interests (11 Mar).
Congress: *Offers tactical tie-up with BSP in UP, attacks SP, seeks Muslim support, bypassing Ayodhya issue (7 Mar).
Sonia Gandhi addresses impressive rally in Lucknow (21 Feb). Clarifies 16 January Resolution does not subscribe to Hindutva (12 Mar)
*Wins 8 seats out of 11 in Assembly by-elections in 5 States (24 Feb).
*Denies move to destabilize Vajpayee Government during Budget Session (9 Mar). However, opposes President's Rule in Bihar. Sonia steps up direct attack (11 Mar). Congress highlights Bhagwat issue, allegation of scam against Finance Minister, takes up atrocities against minorities and holds up important legislation.
*Party leaders issue joint statement to loud Sonia Gandhi on firstanniversary of leadership (14 Mar).
Left: *Left parties hold National Convention against communalism but keep Congress out. Convention calls for ouster of BJP (20 Feb). Pursues Third Front idea (15 Mar)
*CPM leader Jyoti Basu calls upon Congress(I) to oust Vajpayee Government.
JD: *R.V. Paswan resigns as Parliamentary Leader and Chairman Parliamentary Board to express disagreement with JD's opposition to President's Rule in Bihar (23 Feb). Hints at forming new party or alliance to oppose Laloo (13 Mar).
BSP rejects idea (14 Mar).
Bihar Situation: *Congress opposes President's Rule in Bihar despite State leadership's serious reservation to save Bihar from 'RSS rule', sends contradictory signals to Muslims and Dalits. Laloo Yadav emerges stronger, Congress faces setback. Samata Party breaks-up. Bihar polarised between BJP and RJD; Rabri Devi reinstated as CM with CPM support and Congress abstention (9 Mar).
*Governor Bhandari shifted (13 Mar).
*Massacres continue in Jahanabad under President's Rule and thereafter.
Human Rights: *UNHC for H.R. visits India, meets Advani, appoints Regional Human Rights Advisor (11 Feb).
*New TADA-like law comes into force in Maharashtra (24 Feb)
*Bombay H.C. dismisses earlier judicial probe report on police killing of Javed Favda (25 Feb). *NCHR chief considers 60% police arrests as unjustifiable calls for revamping criminal justice and police systems.
Minorities: *VHP demands dissolution of NCM (15 Feb).
Congress condemns demand (16 Feb). Chairman calls on Sonia Gandhi (18 Feb).
*NCM takes up police circulars against Christians and Muslims with Gujarat (26 Feb).
*NCM Committee proposes law on compensation to riot victims (8 Mar).
*Advani admits regular impact of attacks on minorities on India's image (23 Feb). *PM promises to protect minorities (15 Mar)
State Terrorism: *Gujarat H.C. bars police survey on Christians in Gujarat (17 Feb). Muslims refuse to cooperate;
NCM objects (26 Feb); all secular parties criticises. Gujarat drops survey (3 Mar)
Secularism: *Eminent lawyer seeks full effect to S.C. ban on religious parties (23 Feb)
Criminalisation of Politics: *RSS demands withdrawal of FIRs against BJP MP Adityanath; SP seeks his arrest for unlawful firing near Gorakhpur (24 Feb).
Reservation: *Jats demand OBC status in Rajasthan (6 Mar)
Infiltration: *Congress-UMF oppose repeal of IMDT Act, 1983 (23 Feb). AASUU presses for repeal (6 Mar). Muslim organisations condemn repea! move. *India and Bangladesh discuss issue (15 Mar).
Saffronisation of Education: *M/HRD Joshi attempts to saffronise Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (20 Feb).
*Joshi emphasizes 'spiritual' content in education (9 Mar).
*Decides to celebrate 1999 as Year of Sanskrit (13 Mar). Smali States: *Congress sets up panel to study demands for small states (17 Feb).
KASHMIR SITUATION
Insurgency: *23 Hindus killed in Jammu on eve of Vajpayee's visit to Pakistan (20 Feb).
*Militants attack residence of Dy. Chairman, Legislative Council (3 Mar), J&K MOS for Home's brother beaten up by police (4 Mar).
*Amnesty report focusses on 'disappearances' militants targetting Hindus and Pakistan's support to militants (1 Mar).
Political Developments: *Hurriyat criticises bilateral talks on Kashmir Bandh evokes partial response (21 Feb)
*Government permits Umar Farooq and mother to leave India for Haj (27 Feb). Hurriyat leader Geelani alleges bid on life (14 Mar).
*Jamaat-i-Islami-Hind denounces terrorism in State (6 Mar). Dissociates itself from JIJ&K.
*Congress leader M.M. Sayeed proposes unconditional talks with militants (11 Feb).
*Balraj Puri questions NC's commitment to regional autonomy (17 Feb).
*Farooq Abdullah stresses autonomy for State (1 Mar). Demands financial relief (15 Mar).
Indo-Pakistan Talks: *In Lahore Declaration, India agrees to talk on Kashmir issue (21 Feb). Pakistan FM denies deal on Kashmir (8 Mar). *Benazir Bhutto does not see Kashmir solution as prerequisite for trade ties with India (15 Mar).
Pakistan: *President reiterates moral and political support for Kashmir (20 Feb), reassures support for right of self- determination (11 Mar). Sharief ensures support (15 Mar).
*JUI, Pakistan, advises Kashmiris to seek autonomy with India.
India: Government firmly rejects plebiscite (9 Mar). PM Vajpayce calls on Pakistan to stop proxy war and support to trans-border terrorism (10 Mar).Rejects third party mediation (11 Mar)
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Personal Law: *Kerala H.C. upholds compulsory uniform for girls (12 Feb).
*SC puts Hindu mother at par with father for guardianship (18 Feb).
*Central Government rejects Maharashtra bill on uniform personal law.
*Rajasthan moots compulsory registration of all marriage (9 Mar)
Babari Masjid: *BJP sees no basic difference with VHP (10 Feb)
*HC orders Special Court not to censure the accused for non-attendance (18 Feb). Special Court again adjourns case for non-attendance of the accused, including Advani (19 Feb).
Azan Issue: *Bal Thackeray demands removal of loudspeakers from Masjids (23 Feb). Backs unilateral action by Bajrang Dal (28 Feb). State Govt. suggests restraint.
Rushdie Affair: AP C.M. Naidu asks government to revoke visa (15 Feb). *Congress asks for review (20 Feb). *Karan Singh suggests postponement of visit *Shahabuddin cautions against VIP treatment.
*Iran expresses displeasure (24 Feb)
Haj: *Charter fare fixed at higher than normal fare.
*Government announces subsidy of Rs.17,640 per pilgrim (17 Feb).
Wakf: *Central Wakf Council demands expeditious restoration of 123 wakf properties in Delhi to Board (20 Feb).
Indo-Pakistan Relations: *Vajpayee takes historic bus ride to Lahore. PM's sign Lahore Declaration; agree to have talks in depth on all issues (21 Feb). Vajpayee visits Minar-e-Pakistan.
*BJP blames ISI for attacks on minorities to discredit government and destabilise country (16 Feb)
*India and Pakistan agree to release civilian prisoners (6 Mar).
*Advani suggests confederation (7 Mar). Pakistan reacts negatively (8 Mar).
*Pakistan Peace Coalition organises anti-bomb meet in Karachi (11 Mar).
*Paksitan rejects India's offer to reopen Khokhrapur land route (14 Mar).
Muslim Organisations - *IUML holds Golden Jubilee Conference in Chennai (10 Mar). Hails Vajpayee's bus ride to Pakistan.
*JIH holds regional Conference in Bangalore (19 Feb) and Murshidabad (28 Feb).
*JUH holds National Convention on Reservation in New Delhi (8 Mar), presents petition signed by over 30 lakhs to President.
*A.I. Qaumi Tanzcem National Council meets and focusses on minority educational institutes (14 Mar)
Communal Violence: According to Government report to Parliament 207 people killed, 2065 injured in 626 communal incidents during 1998 (10 Mar).
Muslim World - Pakistan: Family Laws introduced by Ayub Khan challenged in Federal Shariat Court (16 Feb).
*A mosque demolished near Rawalpindi for widening highway (7 Mar).
*Pakistan urges Bangladesh to make joint appeal for international aid for repatriation of Biharis (5 Mar).
Palestine: *Arafat rules out unilateral declaration of statehood on 4 May (21 Feb).
US toughens stand on Israeli settlements in. Occupied Arab Territories (13 Mar).
Afghanistan: *Osama bin Laden reportedly leaves Afghanistan (25 Feb).
*Taliban and opposing forces hold talks in Ashqabad under UN-OIC auspices. Agree to hold further talks for sharing power (10 Mar).
Turkey: *Turkey places Ocalan on trial for treason (23 Feb).
*Indian Muslim leaders ask Turkey to negotiate.
Iraq: *Conference in New Delhi demands stop to US intervention and lifting of embargo (12 Mar)
Social Environment: *Satya Sai Baba visits Delhi. PM and HM, former President, former C.J. and many other VIP's seek darshan (12 Mar) (6 Mar)
Other Minorities: *Jains demands ban on cow slaughter and meat export (28 Feb) as weil as on all Zabiha on Bakrid.
*Government forms national committee to observe Mahavir's 26th birth centenary.
*Sikh tricentenary of Khalsa to be celebrated officially. Tohra resigns as SGPC head under Badal's pressure.
*Christian: Sporadic incidents of violence continue in Orissa, UP and Gujarat; Church attributes it to fanatic fringe but expresses dissatisfaction with central government's role (14 Mar).
Obituary: Eminent Urdu writer and journalist, ex-MP, Hayatullah Ansari, 92, passes away in Lucknow (18 Feb).
*Eminent Urdu poet Khumar Barabankvi, 80, passes away (20 Feb)
*Eminent psychologist and scholar S.M. Mohsin, passes away in New Delhi (2 Mar).
*CPI ML leader Taqui Rahim, 79, passes away in Patna (5 Mar)
*M. Rahmatullah, ex-MP (AP) passes away.
