CHRONOLOGY

Chronology of the Month

(16 March - 15 April, 1996)

NATIONAL POLITICS

Supreme Court clarifies that its interpretation of Hindutva in Joshi case does not permit any political party or candidate to seek votes on ground of religion. Agrees to reconsider its ruling (16 Mar); Suggests new legislation on use of religion in politics, Refers case to constitutional Bench (22 Mar), H.C. quashes E.C. Order on non-registration of Hindu Mahasabha as a political party on ground of use of prefix Hindu".

Congress (1):

Congress President Narasimha Rao attacks BJP on question of Hindutva; holds firm on question of J&K poll and personal law at Sankalp Rally in Delhi (24 Mar). Rao meets Muslim clergy and seeks support by offering virtual apology" for past mistakes (30 Mar). Ulema demand reassurance on reconstruction of Babari Masjid; Muslim leaders also demand reservation in public Employment and non-interference in Personal Law. Ulema Council, Bombay, decides to support Congress in Maharashtra (12 April).

Rao  presents Chadar at Dargah Sharif in Ajmer (25 Mar).

Prime Minister commits Congress to protection of BJP or Congress (27 Mar). rights of minorities.

Jama Masjid Advisory Council defers decision on electoral support (10 April). Shahi Imam calls upon Muslims to vote unitedly for secular candidates in their respective Constituencies who can defeat communal and fist elements (22 April). *Conference of Ulema and Mashaikh organized by Islamic Council of India supports congress. The All-India Minority Front supports congress and presents chapter of demands (30 Mar). Various minor Muslim organizations jointly call upon Muslims to strengthen hands of Prime Minister Rao (12 April)

Arif Beg resigns from BJP to join Congress (1) (2 April).

Bharatiya Janata Party:

Advani's Rath Yatra turns a damp squib; gets poor response in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh; Advani abandons Yatra (18 Mar).

' BJP releases election manifesto (7 April); Hindutva remains the cutting edge (7 April). BJP uses Ram Mandir issue as major poll plank: Advani calls it BJP's top priority (9 April).

Samata Party (Fernandes) and Chandra Shekhar (SJP) merge and align with BJP (17 Mar) but alliance fails in Haryana EC recognizes Samata Party (Cieorge Fernandes group)as the real Samata Party (29 Mar). BJP to contest

475 seats (24Mar).

Janata Parivar:

JD organizes Gharib Rally in Patna which calls for defeating Congress and BJP (18 Mar).

V.P. Singh makes last effort for conciliation between SP and BSP and fails (22 Mar). JD-SP alliance finalized for UP with JD as a junior partner with 16 seats only (27 Mar).

*UP and Delhi JD units rebel against central leadership: several sitting MPs also rebel in Bihar (30 Mar). JD dissolves UP and Delhi units.

Left Front:

CPI(M) releases manifesto and calls for defeat to BJP and Congress (22 Mar). Jyoti Basu pleads for JD-SP alliance (24 Mar).

BSP:

BSP leader Kanshi Ram rules out tie-up with any party (18 Mar). Woos Muslims and Dalits (18 Mar). * Muslim leaders try to unite BSP and JD but fails, Kanshi Ram rules out alliance with JD: Expresses readiness to alliance with BJP or Congress (25 Mar). BSP General Secretary Mayawati rules out alliance with BJP or Congress (27 Mar)

Muslim Politics:

• Talks between IMUL and INL fails for electoral adjustment in Kerala.

BABARI MASJID QUESTION

*H.M. Chavan promises reconstruction of Babari Masjid on original site if Supreme Court decides title suit in favor of Muslims (10 Mar).

Allahabad H.C. orders relaxation to 'facilitate' darshan and pooja by devotees at Ram Lalla makeshift temple on Babari Masjid site. Muslims appeal to Supreme Court against Order.

Criminal Cases Special Magistrate defers hearing on Babari Masjid cases to 8 April (16 Mar).

Muslims plead for protection to Gyan Vapi Masjid under the Act of 1991 (3 April).

KASHMIR QUESTION

 International:

PM rules out mediation for Indo-Pak dialogue on Kashmir (7 April).

Pakistan offers 'genuine dialogue' with India (27 Mar). Pakistan fails to secure support of Muslim countries for resolution on Kashmir in UN HRC (28 Mar).

Talks between Government and Militants:

National Conference describes talks between Government and militants as a good gesture but Hurriyat calls it a futile exercise (13 Mar).

*Militant groups confused on first phase of talks between some militants and government; JKLF leader Shabir Ahmed criticizes All Party Hurriyat Conference for failure to represent the aspirations of Kashmir people and calls it a 'divided house' (18 Mar). JKLF leader Amanullah Khan calls talks 'a waste of time, energy and money' (19 Mar).

*Leaders of Al-Barq and Hizbul Mujahideen decide to stay away from second round calling it an election stunt (22 Mar).

Talks held at official level in Srinagar (23 Mar).

 Ground Situation:

*Violent encounter at Hazratbal; 11 killed (24 Mar); Militants vacate shrine (26 Mar). J&K Police takes control; normal service begins at Hazratbal (27 Mar).

Another encounter with militants at Hazratbal, at least 22 militants killed (30 Mar). Demonstration in Islamabad (21 Mar).

*Body of human rights activist and noted lawyer Jalil Indrabi, found in Srinagar (27 Mar): Killing rocks Valley, JKLF declares 4 days strike (28 Mar). USA condemns killing and demands serious investigation (30 Mar). Government denies activists killing (31 Mar).

NHRC recommends admission of Amnesty International into Kashmir Valley (26 Mar).

 Kashmir Politics:

* National Conference decides not to align with Congress in coming election (16 Mar), decides not to participate in Lok Sabha election (29 Mar).'

MATTERS OF MUSLIM CONCERN

Personal Law:

Bihar Muslim Intellectual Forum releases draft bill proposing changes in divorce and polygamy laws and establishment of Muslim Family Councils (22 Mar).

*Muslim Women's Convention condemns demand for Uniform Civil Code but calls for making triple talaq illegal (24 Mar).

Mosques:

• All India Imams Organization rejects the government scheme for payment of salary to Imams submitted to Supreme Court (16 Mar). * Delhi H.C. orders DDA to demolish illegally constructed Wazukhana in Jama Masjid within 2 weeks (8 April).

Haj:

*Muslim organizations demand change in date of general election on ground of Id-ul-Adah; Supreme Court rejects demand (28 Mar).

* Delay in finalization of air charter and accommodation in Makkah disturbs Haj arrangements; However, 50,000 pilgrims from India perform Haj as scheduled (27 Mar).

Communal Violence:

National Foundation for Communal Harmony Governing Body meets to review progress; number of riot-orphans receiving financial support rises to 1028 29.2.1996.

Cow Slaughter:

Bajrang Dal launches nationwide, one-month long movement against cow slaughter (20 Mar); Agitation fails to make impact.

AMU:

• University administration expels five students m suspends 13 teachers (27 Mar) University Court mee to elect Hakim Abdul Hamid as the Chancellor and ne members to fill vacancies of representatives of Musli organizations and associations (7 April).

Reservation:

*Indian Muslim Backward Classes Conference demand proportional representation in legislature (23 Mar).

JD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav promises reservation poor upper castes as well as for minorities (22 Mar)

 * Supreme Court agrees to provide 25% intern reservation quota at post-graduate level in AIIMS (2 Mar).

*All India Christian Forum demands reservation for Christian Dalits (22 Mar); Bharat Sadhu Samaj oppose it.

 National Minorities Commission Chairman Sard Ali Khan demands continuation of reservation for Dalit converts to Islam.

Urdu:

Allahabad H.C. objects to use of Urdu in competitive test for recruitment to PAC.

 Infiltration:

Maharashtra Government again demands proof o citizenship from more than 100,000 Muslims in Bombay JD leader Ram Vilas Paswan protest.

Bodoland Question:

* Central Government agrees to reconsider the Bod demand for redemarcation of Bodoland area (19 Mar)

Other Minorities:

P.M. Rao assures Buddhist leadership of restoration of Mahabodhi Vihara in Bodhgaya (16 Mar).

National Minorities Commission recommends inclusive of Jains in list of national minorities (20 Mar).

Karnataka Christian body appeals to all parties for adequate representation to Christians parliamentary candidates (26 Mar).

Objectionable publications:

Qureshi community of Aligarh demands ban on BJP leader Naraman's defamatory book (18 Mar).

* Government lifts bar on Rushdie's "The Moor's last Sigh" (9 April).

Obituary:

Eminent Urdu poet Nazir Banarsi, 87, passes away in Varanasi (23 Mar).

* Eminent geologist and former Professor of AMU Fakhruddin Ahmed passes away in Aligarh (26 Mar).