CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(16 September - 15 October, 1997)
NATIONAL POLITICS
UF Government: *Congress Working Committee criticises and warns UF government functioning as unsatisfactory but decides to continue support in order to keep BJP out of power (27 Sept); Congress President Kesri says criticism is not ultimatum (29 Sept), describes performance as good (5 Oct).
Congress: *Sharad Pawar predicts mid-term poll (20 Sept); Scindia wants Congress to go it alone (1 Oct) Kesri dittos (10 Oct). *Kesri appoints 5-man Central Coordination Committee with Pranab Mukherjee as Chairman (4 Oct) BJP: *Chandra Shekhar criticises BJP for trying to grab power in name of religion (5 Oct).
*SP leader Mulayam Singh accuses BJP of whipping up communal frenzy. *Advani promises not to impose Hindu Law (5 Oct). *UP CM Kalyan Singh's order to review cases filed under Dalit Act during Mayawati regime perturbs coalition partner BSP; BSP warns BJP; BJP hits-back; Kalyan asks BSP and BSP ministers not to criticise government; temporary truce declared (12 Oct) .* Signs of fission in relations with Shiv Sena appear (6 Oct).
RSS: *Highjacks Gandhiji; organises Bharat Mata Pujan Samaroh in New Delhi to mark birthday (2 Oct); calls demolition "Shock treatment"
RJD: *Recognised as national party by Election Commission (9 Oct).
JD: *Organises revival rallies in Bihar with success.
SP: *President Mulayam Singh not averse to electoral alliance with Congress (15 Oct).
Left Front: *Forward Bloc leader Chitta Basu passes away (5 Oct).
Reservation: *AP H.C. questions G.O. on Sub-categorisation of SC quota (18 Sept). *NCSCST directs UGC not to de-reverse quota posts (21 Sept). *SP supports quota for high castes (26 Sept).
Electoral Reforms: *Literacy or knowledge of Constitution not required for MP's under existing law, says Government (18 Sept). *EC warns convicts against hiding facts (3 Oct).
Judiciary: *Committee on Judicial Accountability submits memorandum to President against sitting judge, M.M.Poonchhi. *S.C. Bar Association suspends complainants (29 Sept)
Smali States: *Ajit Singh demands bifurcation of UP *Movement to bifurcation Karnataka intensifies (26 Sept).
Assam Situation: *Congress indicts CM Mahanta for deterioration in Assam; asks for Central rule (19 Sept)
Caste Violence: *Dalits and Ambedkar statue targets in Hapur (21 Sept). *Toll in continuing Theva-Dalit clashes in Tamil Nadu reaches 66 (6 Oct)
SCAMS:
*JMM Case: Criminal charges framed against ex-PM Narasimha Rao (25 Sept).
*Petrol Pump Case: 14 cases filed against ex-Petroleum Minister Satish Sharma (18 Sept)
*Hawala Case: *CBI Jt. Director Lall alleges discriminatory favours to VIP's and influential people to scuttle probe (13 Oct).
*Oilfield Case: High Court asks Government to produce file relating to award of oilfield to consortium (17 Sept).
*Bihar - Fodder Case: *Governor Kidwai sits on CBI requests for sanction to prosecute Laloo Yadav since 31 August (15 Oct). *Ex-CM J.N. Mishra surrenders, placed in judicial custody (16 Sept). *CBI fails to file chargesheet in time; some accused released on bail (4 Oct). *CPI(M) and SP leaders accuse PM Gujral of shielding Laloo.
*Tata Tea Case: Allegation of payment by Tata Tea to ULFA with knowledge and consent of Assam Government and subsequent cover up exposed.
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
Appointment of Kalyan Singh as UP C.M.: *BMMCC and some Congress leaders object to Kalyan Singh, convicted by Supreme Court for Contempt as CM vice Mayawati (16 Sept). BJP and BSP leaders see no wrong (19 Sept). Kalyan Singh sworn in (20 Sept). Allahabad H.C. rejects petition (18 Sept). Similar Petitions later rejected by S.C.
Congress(I): *Former MOS Salman Khursheed suggests national referendum; BJP G.S. Pramod Mahajan supports it (23 Sept). CPI leader S. Faizee opposes it (27 Sept). Arjun Singh also opposes it (1 Oct). BMMCC rejects the proposal (2 Oct). Khursheed subsequently demands assurance from government as well as political parties to honour judicial verdict (2 Oct) *G.S. Scindia wants Congress to offer apologies to Muslims (29 Sept). M.P. CM Digvijay Singh dittos (7 Oct).
Sangh Parivar: *RSS advises UP C.M. Kalyan Singh and VHP to play Ayodhya issue in low key and maintain status quo (19 Sept). "Kalyan Singh reiterates vow to build Ram Mandir on Babari Masjid site (21 Sept); visits Ayodhya and enters make-shift temple violating S.C. Orders (23 Sept). BMMCC and AIBMAC protest. Leaders of BSP, SP and Congress condemn statement and visit. *VHP President A. Singhal asks political parties to keep off (28 Sept). *BJP leader M.M. Joshi rejects judicial process and reiterates party's commitment (30 Sept). *RSS Chief Rajendra Singh blames former P.M. Narasimha Rao for demolition and also gives him credit for construction of make-shift temple. *BJP President L.K. Advani identifies construction of Mandir with patriotism (13 Oct).
BSP: *UP MOS B.A. Ansari vows to offer Namaz on Babari Masjid site (24 Sept). BSP President Kanshi Ram supports him (26 Sept). State Government blocks Namaz (28 Sept). VHP and BJP warn Ansari (29 Sept). BMMCC treats Ansari's declaration political gimmick. Ansari eventually shelves plan (3 Oct).
CBT Case: *Shiv Sena Chief Thackeray, an accused, expresses pride in Kar Sevaks (1 Oct). *BJP decides to file revision petition in H.C. against Special Court's order to frame charges (7 Oct). *Many accused fail to appear, case adjourned (8 Oct).
KASHMIR QUESTION
Political Developments: *Home Minister Indrajit Gupta finds visible improvement in situation but militancy not yet defeated (22 Sept). J&K Assembly extends J&K Disturbed Area (Special Provision) Act, 1995 by one year (7 Oct). *CM Farooq Abdullah emphasises its needs (12 Oct). Abdullah offers assistance for return of Pandits to Valley (3 Oct). *Army withdraws from Anantnag and hands over security to J&K Police (9 Oct). Selective withdrawal to continue in phases to follow.
*APHC leaders deny readiness for unconditional talks with Centre (16 Sept). Expel Shabbir Shah (18 Sept). Reiterate plea for trilateral talks (20 Sept). Chairman Umar Farooq cancels visit to UN under pressure from colleagues (24 Sept) Insurgency: *8 Hindus massacred near Rajouri; police fires at protest demonstration, 35 injured (25 Sept). *2 vehicles of security forces, blown up in Udhampur (3 Oct). *Militant outfits form "Special Group" to target VIP's (5 Oct). *Bomb explosion in Haryana, Delhi, UP attributed to J&K militants (11 Oct). *Al Umar chief arrested.
State Violence: *Mortar launched by security forces (BSF or RP) hits village in Baramulla; kills 11 (19 Sept). State Govt. blames security forces; announces magisterial inquiry and compensation for loss of life (20 Sept). MHA denies BSF role (25 Sept). Shahabuddin asks NCHR to investigate.
Indo-Pakistan Relations: * Prime Ministers agree to check firing across LOC (23 Sept). Pak Firing continues in Jammu sector (27 Sept). Defence Minister Mulayam Singh warns Pakistan (27 Sept). Pakistan shells Kargil town, killing 18, destroying Masjid (30 Sept). Pakistan shells Kupwara (1 Oct); India retaliates strongly (2 Oct). Gujral and Sharif speak on hot line (1 Oct) *PM warns Pakistan (2 Oct). India and Pakistan field commanders meet and agree to maintain peace (14 Oct)
*Third round of Indo-Pakistan talks at Foreign Secretaries level in New Delhi ends without progress, with no agreement on mechanism for discussion on Kashmir (18 Sept). Pakistan closes door on talks and asks India to agree to substantive discussion. *Pakistan PM Sharif charges India with repression and calls on UN members to help in just settlement; offers negotiation on no war pact (23 Sept). Indian spokesman brushesaside no war pact offer. P.M. Gujral omits Kashmir in his address to UNGA. *Pakistan President Leghari raises Kashmir issue with British Queen (7 Oct). *Abdullah advocates tougher stance against Pakistan, if terrorism continues (16 Sept); considers bilateral talks useless (25 Sept); urges USA to declare Pakistan a "Terrorist State" (13 Oct).
Foreign Reaction: UN: *S.G. K. Annan considers solution matter of urgency (19 Sept)
OIC: *Foreign Ministers blame India for violation of human rights but support bilateral talks (4 Oct). *Excludes Kashmir from Teheran Summit Agenda. Pakistan resents exclusion (13 Oct)
USA: *Clinton expresses hope of peace (22 Sept). India refuses o accept talks under US auspices or mediation. Gujral informs President Clinton of Indian stand (23 Sept). Clinton commends Gujral doctrine. US offers fruitful assistance (3 Oct). Gujral write to CM's on talks with Clinton (11 Oct). US brands Pakistan-base Harkat-ul-Ansar as terrorist organisation (9 Oct).
*US-based Kashmir Standing Group demands bilateral talks, offer no solution (9 Oct)
UK: *Queen urges India and Pakistan to resolve historic disputes; Foreign Minister Robin Cook meets POK leaders.
Russia: *Russia endorses bilateral discussion (10 Oct).
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST
Tabligh: *Tablighi Jamaat organises 3-day World Ijtema in Rampur, UP; nearly 7 lakhs congregate (29 Sept)
Communal Violence: *Jamiat Ulema, Hind Working Committee demands legislation for retrospective compensation to victims of communal riots in light of Delhi H.C. decision in 1984 anti-Sikh massacre case (5 Oct) and prosecution of culprits in Babari Masjid demolition.
Muslim Organisations: *Carvan-e-Azadi organised by A.I Milli Council starts in Srirangapatnam (21 Sept). Another Caravan starts from Silchar (12 Oct). *Alami Rabita Adab Islami, Lucknow, holds 3-day Seminar on Role of Literature in Islamic Renaissance, in Patna (5 Oct). *A.I. Deeni Talimi Council demands withdrawal of UP Govt's order to introduce Sanskrit as a compulsory subject from Class III, resulting in total exclusion of Urdu for Urdu-speaking students (6 Oct) *Gujarat police conducts inquiry into Madarsas from security angle; Muslim organisations protest (8 Oct); order withdrawn.
Urdu: *AP Govt. introduces official use of Urdu for specified purposes in 8 districts (14 Oct). *Ghalib Academy, Delhi organises Seminar on Modern Thought and Ghalib (29 Sept).
TADA: *Cabinet Committee on TADA expresses satisfaction over progress in review (3 Oct).
Haj: *MEA's Advisory Committee on Draft Haj Bill submits revised bill to Govt .; Govt. promises legislation by 31 December, 1997. Several Muslim organisations demand urgent legislation or reconstitution of Committee as well as inquiry into allegations of corruption (8 Oct) Objectionable.
Writings: *Writ petition filed for ban on Bengali history book (21 Sept).
Protected Mosque: *Delhi HC admits writ petition against ban on Namaz (5 Oct).
Rights of Women: *Bombay H.C. rules in favour of maintenance after Iddat if ex-husband does not make reasonable and fair provision (9 Oct) *Controversy over participation of women in congregational prayer in Masjids gathers momentum. Barelvi and Deobandi Ulema oppose but Ahl-e-Hadith favour women.
Shia-Sunni Conflict: * Shias reiterate rejection of Madah e Sahaba (24 Sept). *State Govt. suggest separate procession without title during next few years (29 Sept). Stalemate continues.
Use of Public Place: *Bombay H.C. draws up guidelines for use of public places for religious or commercial purposes (26 Sept).
Cow Protection: *VHP organises Virat Hindu Sammelan (20 Sept) and announces stir against slaughter (22 Sept).
Muslim Parliamentarians Meet: *11 Muslim MPs and ex-MP's Co-sponsors first ever Meeting of Muslim MP's and ex-MP's on 29-30 November, 1997 in Delhi (5 Oct).
Emigration: *Export of Bengali children to Arab countries for camel race exposed (19 Sept). *Saudi Arabia deports overstaying Indians and Pakistanis (26 Sept). *Saudi Arabia relaxes curb on recruitment of non-Muslims (14 Oct).
Minorities Commission: * Annual Report for 1996-97 submitted (25 Sept). Reports for 1990-91 onwards yet to be tabled in Parliament. Shahabuddin writes to Minister of Welfare asking for discussion on Reports. *Chairman seeks clarification on "Special Consideration" to Muslims in recruitment to police force (10 Oct). *Inquiries into mob attack on Catholic priest in Dumka, Bihar, in presence of officials on 2 Sept; indicts police and magistracy (6 Oct).
Wakfs: *Kerala Govt. takes over administration of Hindu Trust (11 Oct).
Other Minorities: *P&H High Court quashes reservation in Christian Medical College, Ludhiana (17 Sept). *Jain Mahasabha condemns attacks on Jain Temples in Jalan, Rajasthan (22 Sept). *Indian Christian Association demands removal of toilets from Kalyan Cemetery (11 Oct). *NHRC condemns killing of Anand Margis and directs police to give protection .* Anglo Indian Associates calls upon community to widen employment aspiration (13 Oct). *VHP accuses European Christians of financing missionary activity in India.
Muslim World: Pakistan: *Pakistan President Leghari appeals for liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem (23 Sept).
*Former P.M. Benazir denies charge of maintaining Swiss account though, identified and frozen (16 Sept)
*Jamaat-e-Islami vows to oust Nawaz Sharif Govt (30 Sept)
Indo-Pakistan Relations: *Intelligence agencies accuses India of training MQM terrorists for operation in Pakistan (6 Oct).
*Pakistan and India expel diplomats on charge of espionage Egypt: *Supports India's claim to Security Council seat.
UAE: *Legislation to reduce expenditure on marriage, dower and divorce settlement (1 Oct).
Chechnya: *Renamed as Ichkeria (11 Oct)
Palestine: *Israel Army stops use of PA Address in mosques during Jewish Sabbath. *Israel closes mosques near Hebron on charge of sheltering militants (22 Sept).
Minorities in Other States: *UK: Wales votes for elected legislature (19 Sept).
Russia: Legislation, enacted to regulate religious activity, discriminates against religions other then Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism (25 Sept).
Commemoration: *Ministry of Welfare institutes Maulana Abul Kalam Azad International Award.
Obituary: *Syed Yusuf, 59, Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and AIMMM and Member, BMMCC passes away in Hyderabad; many leaders and organisations pay tribute (30 Sept). *Wasi Khan, Convener, BMAC Faizabad, 48, passes away in Faizabad (30 Sept). *Gul Mohammad, 40, reportedly shortest man in the world, passes away in Delhi (1 Oct).
*Akbar Ali Khan Arshizada, 58, ex-Director Rampur Raza Library, passes away in Rampur (6 Oct).
