NATIONAL POLITICS
Government: - *BJP leaders review political situation in light of pressures and threats by AIADMK and other partners (25 June).
Ideology: *H.M. Advani calls Hindutva 'basis of secularism' in India (29 June).
*PM and colleagues report to RSS chief on government performance (30 June)
Election of Dy. Speaker: *Government fails to secure consensus on BJP candidate. Congress put up P.M. Sayeed as candidate; Left Front, SP, RJD and JD extend support; TC and SM, coalition partners show inclination.
Congress: *Rules out support to any front or party to form Government (28 June). *Sonia Gandhi tries to cut Sharad Pawar to size; strengthens hold over organisation (23 June)
*CPI(M) leader Basu reiterates public support (29 June).
Basu stresses secular-democratic unity against BJP (6 July). CPI National Council supports joint movement with Congress against BJP (19 June). Sees ally in Congress; wants reconstitution of United Front and cooperation between UF and Congress (8 July).
However, Congress ignores Left's public and private signals of support. Affirms possibility of assuming responsibility for governance, if BJP Government falls.
BJP: *Dissidents press for Kalyan Singh's removal. Thakre decides in his favour (9 July).
JD: *More Bihar MLA's join RJD (27 June).
SJP: * President Chandra Shekhar wants Vajpayee Government ousted, sees possibility of secular government if parties agree (22 June).
Reservation for Women in Legislatures: *BJP reiterates support to original bill (3 July).
*Government holds all party meeting to evolve consensus (10 July).
*SP and RJD demand reduction of quota to 15% and sub-quotas for OBC and Muslim women.
*Committee for Empowerment of Muslim Women holds Seminars in Hyderabad (18 June) and Calcutta (6 July) to mobilise support for demand for proportionate quota.
Canvasses idea with Muslim MP's and secular political parties. *JD supports Bill (9 July). Deve Gowda pleads for OBC and minorities (12 July).
*Congress President asks BJP to ensure passage of bill (11 July).
*Congress Parliamentary Party supports demand of sub-quota for OBC and minorities women (15 July).
Congress Spokesman supports Muslim demand.
*RJD MP's thwart introduction of Bill (13 July). Government decides to postpone Bill (14 July).
*BJP President Thakre opposes religion-based quota (14 July)
*Informal concensus to put Bill in cold storage (15 July).
Centre-State Relations: *Government resists AIADMK pressure to dismiss Tamil Nadu Government.
*Government of W. Bengal snubs 3-man central team to study law and order situation (18 June). C.M. Basu calls H.M. Advani a 'misfortune for the country'.
*Advani receives Governor Bhandari's report on Bihar; Samata Party softens demand for immediate dismissal of State Government (8 July).
*BJP chief Thakre cautions against misuse of Article 356 (5 July)
Reservation: *Union Minister Jethmalani calls for review of reservation policy (8 July). P.M. rules out change
Humnan Rights: *Government rejects NHRC's recommendation to place army or para-military forces under its jurisdiction (8 July).
*Government indecisive on Law Commission's recommendation for prosecution of police officers for custodial torture.
*Amnesty International Annual Report accuses 117 States; including India, of partial violation of UNDHR.
Electoral Reforms: *CEC Gill flays use of money and muscle power in Rajya Sabha polls (19 July). EC stresses legislation to ban history-sheeters from contest (4 July).
Obituary: *Eminent journalist Nikhil Chakravartty, 84, passes away in Delhi, mourned by President, PM and whole nation (27 June).
Corruption: Kesri Case: *Delhi H.C. asks CBI to probe all charges against Sitaram Kesri (15 July).
A.H. Scam: *CBI Court asks Laloo Prasad to surrender by 27 July (2 July). Laloo moves High Court (9 July)
Hidden Agenda: *RSS-controlled Sanskar Bharti plans nationwide agitation against M.F. Husain (25 June).
Delhi Government asks police to file case against Husain (7 July). Sahmat asks secular forces to register protest (8 July).
*Shiv Sainiks disrupt play in Mumbai (23 June).
*Delhi Govt. decides to exclude Churches from list of places of worship for service of wine in mass (2 July).
Catholics and political parties protest; PM chides Delhi Government (3 July).
*Animal Welfare Board Chairman Lodha calls for ban on export of meat (5 July)
*VHP threatens to liberate temple in Kerala; C.M. Nayanar calls it conspiracy (9 July).
Nuclear Test Fallout: - International: *EU asks India and Pakistan to talk and wants China's involvement (17 June). *UN Council asks India and Pakistan to implement Security Council Resolution of 6 June (9 July). *UN SG calls for early Indo-Pak talks *UN visits South Asia. India refuses to receive it (25 June).
*Pakistan expresses readiness to sign regional CTBT with India (4 July). Links no war pact with Kashmir (9 July).
*India explains position through special emissary to USA, Russia, UK, France and South Africa. Refuses to sign CTBT in its present form (10 July), but shows inclination to sign as "nuclear state".
*Ex-PM Gujral defends test in USA.
*PM asks Pakistan to join in efforts for nuclear disarmament (10 July).
*US calls India and Pakistan to sign NPT and CTBT (21 June).
*Jaswant Singh holds talks with Talbott (10 July).
Internal: *Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy considers test a blow to regional peace, condemns nuclear tests. Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Shahabuddin participate in Symposium (4 July).
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
Ram Janambhoomi Movement: *Shankaracharya of Dwarka Swaroopanand accuses political parties of keeping 'issue' alive and wants government to declare disputed site as Ram Janmabhoomi, before construction of temple begins (11 July)
*VHP calls for speedy settlement (25 June); calls upon Advani to act like Patel and build Ram Mandir in Ayodhya (29 June). Demands transfer of government acquired land to Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (6 July).
Denies judicial jurisdiction and vows to violate unfavourable judgement (7 July). Singhal threatens "punishment" to judiciary by religious leaders.
Political Reaction: *Uproar in UP Assembly over carving of pillars. CM denies construction on disputed site (19 June)
*Congress flays BJP-VHP for suggesting legislation to undo court decision (16 June). TDP objects to stand (18 June)
*Congress, UF, JD and BMMCC flay Singhal, call for prosecution for contempt of court.
*CPM demands immediate halt to prefabrication of pillars in UP and Rajasthan (17 June).
*AIADMK leader Ramamurthy appeals to VHP to defer construction till Supreme Court's verdict (17 June).
*CPI calls on PM to clarify stand on VHP's anti-judicial stand.
Government: *UP CM Kalyan Singh promises to go by court verdict (20 June).
*Ram Jethmalani, Urban Affairs Minister reiterates 'commitment of government' to abide by Supreme Court verdict (8 July).
*MOS Uma Bharti sees solution unlikely through judicial means (22 June).
Legal Cases: *Special Bench completes cross- examination of 12th witness Ram Shankar Upadhyay. Summons historians (15 July).
*Librahan Commission: Former Home Secretary Godbole holds Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti responsible for demolition (20 June).
Babari Masjid Movement: *BMMCC Convener Shahabuddin demands demolition of concrete platform and removal of make-shift temple (22 June).
*BMMCC demands prosecution of VHP leaders for continuing contempt of court.
*UP BMAC's proposed visit to Ayodhya banned (26 June). Leaders detained (27 June).
*A.I. Milli Council demands expeditious proceedings in title suit and inquiry.
KASHMIR QUESTION
Insurgency:
Champnari Massacre: *25 Hindus gunned down and 6 others seriously injured by militants in Champnari village in Doda Dt. (19 June). President, PM, NC leader S. Soz, AIMMM and Shahabuddin express shock and grief; H.M. Advani and C.M. Abdullah visit site (23 June).
State seeks more forces for Doda.
*Blast kills 5 counter-insurgents in Baramulla (21 June).
*Blast derails Jammu-Delhi train; 35 injured (23 June).
*700 year old shrine in Srinagar saved from destruction by bomb blast (11 July). *J&K Minister Sharif Tariq escapes attempt on life (2 July). *Army claims killing 20 militants on border (5 July).
*Harkat-ul Ansar bans Amarnath pilgrims (8 July).
Government: H.M. Advani reveals promises to fence Jammu-Pakistan border (20 June), to crush trans-border terrorism (23 June). Announces 4-pronged anti-insurgency plan (24 June).
*J&K Chief Secretary sees militant's intent to incite communal violence (20 June).
*Government announces financial package to bail out State government (5 July).
*Army claims restraint and minimum use of force (12 July).
Political Development: *Congress criticises government's handling of Kashmir situation. High level delegation calls on Advani (29 June). Congress leader M.M. Sayeed proposes all-party team to study working of state government.
*Awami N.C. leader G.M. Shah plans to revive Plebiscite Front (17 June).
Hurriyat: *Hurriyat chief Geelani and other leaders arrested at Pulwama (26 June). JKLF chairman and Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik demands participation of Hurriyat as representative body in India-Pakistan negotiations (2 July).
*Hurriyat leaders including Malik arrested for trying to enter Hazrat Bal on Prophet's birthday (11 July)
National Conference: *C.M. Abdullah expresses desire to quit politics (29 June).
Indo-Pakistan Relations: *Vajpayee offers dialogue on all bilateral issues including Kashmir (22 June). First official spokesman (29 June), then PM rules out LOC as international border (7 July).
*Pakistan asks UN S.G. to appoint Special Representative for J&K (15 July).
International Reaction: UK: UK MOS Fatchett considers Kashmir core issue (25 June).
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Prophet's Day: Observed all over country. President, VP and PM send greetings (8 July).
Sectarianism: *A.I. Khilafat Committee's procession on Prophet's Birthday in Mumbai led by M. Rahman, V.C., AMU attacked by extremists
*Chehlum procession peacefully taken out in Lucknow (17 June). Madh-e-Sahaba procession in Lucknow also taken out peacefully; but 12 injured in sporadic violence (8 July).
Haj: *Annual Haj Conference held by Haj Committee Government promises early enactment of Haj Act.
*Conference calls for maintenance of quota and air charter subsidy (9 July).
*Government initiates action for reconstitution of Haj Committee under old Act.
Personal Law: *Seminar on Muslim Personal Law and Women organised in Bombay by A.A. Engineer's Institute of Islamic Studies chaired by Zakaria and inaugurated by Mohini Giri, Chairperson of National Commission for Women. Decides to formulate proposals for registration of marriage, adoption of standard nikahanama and regulation of polygamy and divorce to be submit by NCW to AIMPLB for consideration (4&5 July).
*Women's Reservation and Action Group, Mumbai issues report of study on Muslim Women suggests voluntary reform and codification.
Hindu Chauvinism: *Delhi CM suggests renaming Delhi as Hastinapur (22 June).
Azaan Issue: *Calcutta High Court orders DGP, W. Bengal to comply with Azan Order (16 June) *High Court extends to 15 July deadline for appearance of 28 Calcutta Imams for non-compliance with use of PA System for Azaan (9 July). Extends it further (15 July).
*TMC and SP support Imams; BJP accuses Muslims of politicising issue.
Urdu: *State Urdu Akademis hold second annual Conference in Srinagar. CM Farooq Abdullah calls for promotion of Urdu (22 June).
Conversion: *VHP decides to intensify campaign to converts Merats of Rajasthan to Hinduism and to obstruct Tabligh and Da'wa (29 June). Also targets Christians in NE. *VHP proposes agreement to ban conversions (14 July). *Ex-Speaker Sangma warns BJP against mass conversion campaign in NE (14 July).
Protection of Masjids and Mazars: *JUH expresses concern at destruction/shift of Masjids and Mazars in Delhi and Gujarat (7 July).
Education: *Maharashtra Government suspends recent law to regulate admission to pre-primary courses in face of opposition by Christian community
*A.I. Persian Teachers Association holds 15-day Workshop in Delhi (21 June).
*Discussion in Rajya Sabha emphasises secular character and content of education and educational rights of minorities (14 July).
*Students dismantle unauthorised temple in Presidency College, Calcutta (18 July).
Prohibition: Religious leaders call for total prohibition (5 July)
TADA: *Supreme Court releases TADA convict on ground of false implication by police; grants compensation (1 July).
Terrorism: *A. Nazeer Madani, Chairman, PDPK accused in Coimbatore bomb case detained under NSA (7 July).
Communal Violence: *Communal clash in NE Delhi, 1 killed; RAT deployed, situation controlled.
Muslim Organisations: *JUH holds Tahaffuz-e-Nubuwat Conference in Delhi against Qadianis (20 June)
*Jama'at's representing various Muslim Baradaris hold All India Conference in Delhi to form Federation (12 July)
Reservation: *H.M. Advani rules out reservation in paramilitary forces on religion or caste basis.
Other Minorities: *Delhi Government excludes Churches from list of religious places; Christians protest; PM intervenes to restore status quo.
*Jains seek reservation in public employment and education in Maharashtra, as in Karnataka.
*Digambar Jains file contempt petition against Bihar Government for non-formation of management committee for Parasnath Shrine (4 July).
Muslim World: *Taliban regime in Afghanistan rules out political parties (4 July) bans TV (9 July).
*UN threatens to withdraw development and welfare personnel from Taliban held areas (15 July)
*Turkey Court declares unconstitutional offence of adultery by women
Commemoration: *50th anniversary of martyrdom of Brig. Usman observed in JMI (7 July).
*80th Urs of Ahmad Raza Khan observed in Bareilly (22 June).
Obituary: *Abdul Haque Mian, President, Markazi JUH, passes away in New Delhi (4 July).
*Athar Ali, eminent historian, 72, passes away in New Delhi (7 July).
*B.V. Abdullah Koya, IUML and MP(RS), 84, passes away (15 July).