NATIONAL POLITICS
U.F. Government: *Congress Parliamentary Party makes an issue of some observations in the JAIN COMMISSION'S INTERIM REPORT on ASSASSINATION OF RAJIV GANDHI against DMK's indulgence towards LTTE and tolerance of its activities in India, and threatens to withdraw support, if DMK was not dropped from Government (17 Nov). UF refuses to drop DMK (19 Nov). Report and ATR are tabled in Parliament. CWC endorses CPP demand and Kesri writes to PM Gujral (20 Nov). P.M. asks Congress to reconsider (24 Nov). Congress proposes DMK be dropped and kept out till cleared (26 Nov). UF dares to Congress to withdraw support (26 Nov). PM writes to Kesri (27 Nov). Kesri writes to President Naraynan withdrawing support. Gujral resigns; continues as Caretaker PM (28 Nov).
Alternative Government: *Congress tries to rope in SP, TMC and CPM to form alternative Government with Congress at its head (21 Nov). Later offers Prime Ministership to TMC (Moopanar) or SP (Mulayam Singh Yadav). Congress asks President not to dissolve Lok Sabha and explore all possibility of alternative government. Congress formally stakes claim to form government (28 Nov). President asks Congress to produce evidence of majority support (2 Dec). UF and LF refuse to support Congress.
*BJP also stakes claim (19 Nov), formally registers claim as largest party/alliance (30 Nov). President gives same reply as to Congress. BJP encourages split in Congress, encourages revolt of first term members. Vajpayee openly calls upon Congress MP's to defect (2 Dec). * Cabinet recommends dissolution (3 Dec).
Congress: *After dissolution, Kesri under plays DMK issue and highlights communalism and weaker sections. Kesri writes to UF parties to join hands with Congress (4 Dec). UF rules out alliance with Congress (5 Dec). Kesri explores adjustment alliance with SP in UP and RJD in Bihar (6 Dec). Kesri asks Sonia Gandhi to lead campaign (7 Dec). West Bengal M.P. Mamta Banerjee proposes alliance with BJP in anti-communal front (8 Dec). Bihar leaders J.N. Mishra and Krishna Sahi. resign (11 Dec). Kesri gives free hand to PCC's to choose candidates and make local adjustments (12 Dec). Congress tries to rope in Ajit Singh in UP and R.K. Hegde in Karnataka (14 Dec)
BJP: *Launches election campaign at National Muslim Youth Convention, first ever, in Delhi (4 Dec). Vajpayee predicts split in UF (7 Dec). Calls for support on ground of 'stability' and 'ability' (10 Dec). Names Atal Bihari Vajpayee as candidate for Prime Ministership. BJP approaches several regional parties for alliance and encourages split in JD in Karnataka and Orissa. *RSS warns BJP against downplaying Masjids issue and ignoring RSS workers.
UF: *P.M. Gujral highlights national unity, anti-communalism and cooperative federalism as major issues (6 Dec). Deve Gowda speaks against alliance with Congress or BJP (6 Dec). UF decides against any national understanding with Congress (8 Dec). *TMC favours understanding with Congress (8 Dec). DMK-TMC alliance in Tamilnadu survives (12 Dec).
JD: *Bihar JD leader criticises Gujral for softness towards Laloo resulting in his release on unconditional bail (9 Dec). PAC takes stand against BJP and Congress(I) (9 Dec). Calls ex-JD leaders like Chandra Shekhar and Hegde to return; both refuse (10 Nec). Laloo Pd. Yadav refuses overtures to rejoin (10 Dec). Orissa JD splits (15 Dec). Fissures surface in Karnataka.
SP: *Mulayam Singh seeks understanding with Congress to fight against BJP in UP (5 Dec). Reportedly plans with BSP and Loktantaric Congress to topple BJP Government in UP (5 Dec). Advocates against maintaining equidistance with BJP and Congress (6 Dec). Blames Gowda, V.P. Singh and Gujral for dissolution (7 Dec). But party formally decides against any electoral understanding with Congress, perhaps under UF-LF's pressure (11 Dec).
RJD: *Laloo Yadav extends support to formation of Congress-led Government at Centre (19 Nov). On release, Laloo announces Secular Democratic Front with Congress, JMM and BSP (12 Dec). Calls upon JD members to join RJD but targets Gowda, Paswan and Sharad Yadav. Meets Kesri (14 Dec). Meets Chandra Shekhar, announces adjustment with Congress, BSP, JMM(S) and BKKP (15 Dec).
BSP: *E.C. recognises BSP as national party, derecognises JP and AIIC(T) (25 Nov). Mayawati wants to go it alone in UP (15 Dec).
Parliament: *Conducts no Session between 19 November and 2 December. Twice adjourned sine die, finally dissolved (4 Dec). *Speaker Sangma projected as head of national government fails to gather momentum.
General Election: *E.C. expresses readiness to hold election by 1st week of March, 1998 (4 Dec). Issues orders against transfer of election officials or policy announcements or use of aircrafts by ministers (12 Dec), asks Shiv Sena to hold organisational election or face derecognition (14 Dec).
Massacre in Bihar: *Massacre of 61 men, women and children by Bhumihar's Ranvir Sena in Central Bihar universally condemned (2 Dec). JD and BJP demand President's Rule (30 Nov). Vajpayee visits villages and demands declaration of 8 affected districts as Disturbed Area (12 Dec). BJP formally asks President to intervene (15 Dec).
Bihar - A.H. Scam: *Laloo Yadav's detention without governor's sanction declared illegal by H.C. (28 Nov). Granted bail in one case (29 Nov). Granted bail in second case and released (11 Dec). BJP sees conspiracy behind release (14 Dec)
Terrorism: *Bomb blasts in 3 trains in South India, 9 killed, over 60 injured. Muslim terrorist suspected (6 Dec). State asks for CBJ inquiry (7 Dec). Human Rights: *NHRC declares handcuffing and tying to' pillars of the arrested as barbaric (21 Nov). * NHRC censures UP police for custodial death (2 Dec). *S.C. upholds Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 but issues guidelines (27 Nov). *PUDR reports 91 custodial death in Delhi since 1980, *Maharashtra judge sentences 2 policemen for custodial death (14 Nov).
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
5th Anniversary of Demolition: *BMMCC calls for low key observance, avoiding procession and mass rallies but holding dharnas and hall meetings and organising signature campaigns. Move criticised by some groups in Hyderabad and Chennai but accepted elsewhere. * AIBMAC organises Seminar in Lucknow (6 Dec).
*Citizens Committee for Secular Action representing 37 human rights and social institutions hold Dharna in New Delhi. *Janata Dal, Left Parties and Qaumi Tanzeem also hold meetings and observe Communal Harmony Day.
*AIMIM and dissident MBT call for bandh in Hyderabad after rallies are banned; 1 youth stabbed (6 Dec). Firing on funeral procession kills 1'woman (7 Dec). *Bomb blasts in Kerala and Tamil Nadu trains linked to Babari Masjid anniversary (6 Dec).*IMF (UK) organises Convention in London (6 Dec).
BMM: *Shahabuddin condemns UP C.M. Kalyan Singh for ban on construction of a Masjid within Panchkoshi Parikarma in Ayodhya.
Judicial Action: *AIMPLB W.C. expresses concern on delay in judicial proceedings (23 Nov). *S.C. rejects private petition to restrain reconstruction of Babari Masjid by VHP or any other organisation (5 Dec). * SC adjourns Contempt cases (20 Nov). *Demolition Criminal Case deferred to 10 Dec. and subsequently to January for non-appearance of accused (21 Nov-10 Dec). *West Bengal Assembly expresses concern on VHP's campaign (25 Nov).
Government: *R.V. Paswan warns VHP (16 Nov). Gujral denounces Demolition as assault on national integration (6 Dec)
Sangh Parivar: *RSS Chief Rajender Singh defends demolition and calls for take over of Mathura Idgah and Varanasi Masjid (23 Nov). *VHP observes Victory Day on 6 Dec., organises Chaurasi Kosi Parikarma from 5-12 Dec. and rally in Ayodhya for public recognition of Karsevaks (14 Dec). Under pressure from BMM and GOI, Kalyan Singh asks VHP to keep low profile. *VHP calls for installation of "Ram Bhakts" government in Centre (5 Dec).
*BJP President Advani 'offers to persuade VHP' to drop claim on Mathura and Varanasi, if Muslims surrender Babari Masjid (4 Dec). BMMCC and AIBMAC reject Advani's bonafides (5 Dec).
Foreign Reaction: *Imam of Haram Sharif, Macca, on visit to India, advises Muslims to withdraw claim on Babari Masjid, if it is found to have been indeed built on pre-existing Mandir 's site. Advice causes controversy. BMMCC endorses it, subject to judicial finding and withdrawal of VHP agitation for other Masjids (21 Nov).
KASHMIR SITUATION
Political Development: *State Committee on Autonomy defers report to 31 December, examines Indian laws approved to State (4 Dec) BJP inducts ex-militants who attend BJP's Muslim Convention (4 Dec). *Hurriyat seeks US mediation (18 Nov). Submits memorandum to UN on violation of human rights (10 Dec). J&K Government accuses Hurriyat leaders of amassing money in name of Jihad (14 Dec).
*Jamaat-e-Islami and Hizbul Mujahiddin distance themselves from each other (29 Nov)
*Governor Krishna Rao opposes internationalisation of existing LOC (12 Dec).
Insurgency: *Abortive bid to blast police station in Srinagar (22 Nov). BSF claims return to normalcy in Srinagar (30 Nov). NC leader among 18 killed (30 Nov). BSF claims destruction of Harkat-ul-Ansar's communication centre (2 Dec). NC leader G.R. Mir shot (4 Dec). Army major among 11 killed (13 Dec).
Foreign Reaction: *Hurriyat invited to OIC, GOI refuses permission. *USA rejects Pakistan's demand for third party mediation (19 Nov). *Yasser Arafat repeats offer to play mediatory role (21 Nov).
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST
Urdu: *National Urdu Promotion Council holds 3-day Seminar on Urdu under Colonialism in Delhi. Qurratulain Hyder, Ali Sardar Jafri, Kuldip Nayar etc. participate. Reach consensus against change of script and on Second Language Status in Hindi States (18-20 Nov). *Masud Husain khan recognised as V.C. of Jamia Urdu, Aligarh (15 Nov). *P.M. Gujral meets Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu delegation and reiterates commitment to recommendations of Gujral Committee (21 Nov).
Muslim Organisations: *Tablighi Jamaat holds Ijtema in Bombay (30 Nov) and in Bhopal (7 Dec). *Campaign for National Unity organises Muslim Convention, Shahabuddin, Azmi and S.K. Sahay speak. Muslim Agenda adopted (12 Dec).
Communal Violence: *Major communal violence in Coimbatore, with police on strike in open collusion with Hindu rioters; 17 Muslims killed; property worth hundreds of crores torched; Army inducted; CM Karunanidhi orders judicial probe and threatens to ban communal organisations (30 Nov-3 Dec) *NCM forms Committee under Justice V.M. Tarkunde to prepare legislative and administrative anti-riot measures.
State Violence: *Following clashes on encroachment on a graveyard in Jaipur. 6 killed and hundreds injured in police firing. Section 144 imposed. Government announces inquiry and compensation (15-17 Dec).
TADA: "S.P. and Muslim organisations in Bombay demand bail for all detainees and withdrawal of cases under TADA or persecution under IPC (19 Nov).
Education: *Madras HC orders admission in MEI's of students of establishing community only against 50% management quota (4 Dec). JUH condemns compulsory introduction of Sanskrit and Hindu rites in UP primary schools (7 Dec)
Wakfs - AP: *Shahabuddin objects to bureaucratic control of Wakfs proposed in draft A.P. Wakf Bill (29 Nov).
Delhi: *Wakf Rules, 1997 notified by Delhi Government (28 Nov). Urgent constitution of Delhi Wakf Board under Act of 1995 demanded. *Delhi Wakf Board alleges unlawful constructions by Imam Abdullah Bukhari in Jama Masjid complex (26 Nov). *Delhi HC admits petition against misutilisation of Masjid Kaziwali in New Delhi for guest house (7 Dec). *
West Bengal: Assembly passes Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 1997 to facilitate utilisation of Wakf land for housing, educational and commercial complexes (25 Nov).
Protected Mosques: *JUH welcomes opening of protected masjids for Namaz and Taravih during Ramazan (21 Nov). Qaumi Tanzeem demands removal of PAC from Masjid in: Taj Mahal Complex and permission to offer Fatiba and hold Urs (2 Dec).
Haj: *Government permits all 66,000 applicants to perform Haj in 1998 (22 Nov). *Shahabuddin demands reconstitution of Haj Committee and formation of Central Haj Advisory Committee, pending proposed legislation (29 Nov).
Reservation: *Kerala political parties and caste organisations oppose identification of "creamy layer" (28 Nov). *President of Association of Indian Universities calls for national debate on reservation in University admission and recruitment (13 Dec).
*Balmikis demand separate sub-quota out of SC quota (13 Dec).
Electoral Rolls: *Intensively revised Assam rolls published with 3 lakhs electors marked as "Doubtful and Disputed" (9 Dec). UMF (Assam) challenges legality (15 Dec). AASU organises statewide bandh (9 Dec). Shahabuddin demands clarification from EC (18 Dec).
Other Indian Minorities: *NCM veto proposed legislation on Christian Family Law (7 Dec). *SGPC issues dictat against all plays by a leftist writer (2 Dec). Sikhs observe 32nd anniversary of Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (4 Dec). *A.1. Maithila Sangh demand recognition of Maithili in Schedule 8 (28 Nov).
Other Muslim Minorities: *NY Post apologises for anti-Islamic cartoon.
Indo-Pakistan Relations: *Pakistan blames India for failure of 3rd Foreign Sccretary level talks (23 Nov). *PM Nawaz Sharif donates ancestral house in Amritsar for conversion into Gurudwara (11 Dec).
OIC: *OIC holds Meeting of Foreign Ministers followed by Summit Meeting in Teheran (7-10 Dec). Despite India's protest includes Kashmir and Muslim minorities in Agenda. *GOI questions locus standi and rejects Resolution (12 Dec). *Farooq Abdullah blames OIC for ignoring interests of Muslim Indians (10 Dec). J&K LF criticises OIC for lack of clarity (13 Dec). *OIC condemns terrorism in the name of Islam (12 Dec).
Muslim World: *Pakistan Foreign Minister Sharif wins battle against Supreme Court and Presidency, with army support, with suspension of C.J. Shah, appointment of new CJ and resignation of President Leghari (2 Dec). *Turkey seeks 33 'fundamentalists' to death for 1993 riot and arson (29 Nov). *Israeli P.M. rules out independent Palestine (30 Nov). Israeli Chief Rabbi demands reopening of Masjids in Israel, abandoned in Arab-Israel war (4 Dec).
Commemoration: *Ghalib Academy, Delhi, observes 120th birth anniversary of Iqbal (27 Nov). *119th birth anniversary of Mohammad Ali observed in Delhi (14 Dec).
Obituary: *Underworld don Abdul Latif killed in encounter in Ahmedabad (29 Nov). *Eminent historian and ex-Ambassador Khaliq Ahmad Nizami, 72, passes away in Aligarh (5 Dec). *Inamullah Khan, ex-S.G., World Muslim Conference, Karachi, passes away in Karachi Eminent Islamic ideologue Amir Ahsan Islahi passes away in Lahore (14 Dec).
