CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month (16 May 15 June, 1996)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Government: "Vajpayee Govt. fails to secure confidence vote in Lok Sabha. UF forms Govt. under JD leader H.D. Deve Gowda. Deve Gowda Government wins vote of confidence in Lok Sabha (12 June). Appointment of Taslimuddin, MP as Minister of State for Home Affairs leads to press exposure and BJP agitation for his ouster (2 June). BJP Leader Vajpayee visits major metropolitan cities to receive hero's welcome indicating rise in personal and Party stocks.
PM Vajpayee denies any understanding with Congress or its leadership. In 2-day, debate on Confidence Motion, except Akali Dal and Samata Party, all other parties oppose Motion (28 May). Visits Golden Temple at Amritsar, calls Operation Bluestar 'Unfortunate', asks Maharashtra Government to revive Srikrishna Commission (26 May).
Congress MP A.P. Sangma unanimously elected Speaker.
H.D. Deve Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka, elected Leader of UF 22 May). V.P. Singh advises UF to cement ties with Congress. CPI decides to join UF Government (2 June) while CPI(M) and FB keep out. Congress rules out joining government (14 June) but Narasimha Rao offers unconditional but principled support.
Corruption: Delhi High Court orders CBI to file fresh FIR in JMM bribing case, naming Narasimha Rao among c-conspirators. CBI appeals to Supreme Court against order. Appeal rejected (11 June). CBI's fresh FIR charges Narasimha Rao with criminal conspiracy (15 June).
Congress: Congress dissidents including CWC members ask Narasimha Rao to step down (15 June). CWC calls on ex-Congressmen who had left part since 1969 to return to fold (15 June).
Janata Parivar: JD expels former Karnataka C.M. R.K. Hegde (13 June). Hegde decides not to disturb JD Government in Karnataka but fight back politically (15 June).
Secularism: Lok Sabha debates on confidence motions marked by constant and universal reiteration of commitment to Secularism. Congress spokesman suggests national debate on subject. BJP leader Vajpayee welcomes suggestion. Former PM Ro makes hard hitting speech against BJP.
Common Programme: UF Government issues Common Minimum Programme (5 June). BJP indicates several flaws and omissions (6 June).
*IUML submits suggestions to UF Government for inclusion in Common Minimum Programme (2 June).
All India Milli Council delegation submits. memorandum to P.M.
"C.M. Ibrahim emerges as key advisor to P.M. Deve Gowda on Muslim Affairs.
UP Elections: Wide-ranging dialogue among secular parties initiated for forming anti-BJP front for coming elections in UP (5 June). Samajwadi Party softens stand on alliance with Congress but Congress chooses to join hands with BSP.
BJP reiterates stand on Ayodhya dispute and likely to revive issue in coming elections.
KASHMIR SITUATION
Lok Sabha Election: Elections to the Lok Sabha held in 3 phases, with average turn-out of 40%, despite boycott by National Conference and APHC, and sporadic violence. Out of 6 seats, 4 won by Congress, 1 by BJP and I by JD. Candidates fielded by counter-insurgent groups lost deposit. Low level of invalid votes reflects willing participation by a section of people. The Election Commission expresses satisfaction.
Promise of Autonomy: United Front Government offers 'maximum degree of autonomy' in Common Minimum Programme, PM reiterates commitment to holding State elections at the earliest (5 June).
Political Development: Ex-PM V.P. Singh visits Srinagar and holds detailed discussions with Hurriyat leader Shabbir Shah (22 May). On return suggests institution of official dialogue with Kashmir leadership and offer of social, political and economic package before Assembly elections (25 May).
Hurriyat expresses willingness to enter into dialogue with Government provided Kashmiris accepted as a party to dispute (6 June).
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah meets PM Deve Gowda and indicates possibility of unconditional participation in Assembly poll (11 June).
Violence: Hurriyat leaders A.G. Lone and S.A.S. Geelani survive 7th attempt on their life during one year through car bomb explosion near their homes by identified elements. Hurriyat blames Indian authorities. Shahabuddin demands protection of Hurriyat leaders (8 June).
Entire family in Doda killed by militants. Protest bandh by BJP (10 June). Lok Sabha Speaker instructs. Government to ensure non-recurrence(11 June).
International Development: Pakistan PM Bhutto urges. PM Vajpayee to resolve core issue of J&K (18 May).
Ambassadors of USA, UK, Germany and Norway visit Valley, followed by Ambassadors of Italy, France.
Netherlands, Spain 1 Ireland. Discuss situation with State Government and Hurriyat leaders (12 June). "Human Rights Watch Asia condemns murder, rape and other atrocities by militants (18 May).
USA: President Clinton identifies Kashmir as one of the most dangerous flash points (21 May). State Department holds Pakistan responsible for insurgency in Kashmir (8 June). President Clinton condemns bomb blast by Kashmiri militants in New Delhi (22 May).
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
Government: PM Vajpayee denies pre-planned conspiracy for demolishing Babari Masjid, rationalises it on ground of judiciary delay and executive; threatens more Ayodhyas (19 May). President's Address to Joint Session of Parliament omits to refer to Babari Masjid question (24 May).
UP Proposal: Common Minimum Programme proposes transfer of title suit to Supreme Court under Article 138(2). Proposal opposed by BMMCC, AIBMAC, AI Milli Council, Jamiatul-Ulema-i-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami- Hind and AIMPLB (6 June).
Sangh Parivar: *VHP demands protection for temporary temple on Babari Masjid site on installation of UF Government (2 June). Vajpayee demands settlement of dispute by negotiations or legislation (10 June). VHP promises not to insist on restoration of other temples if Muslims surrender Masjids at Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura (10 June).
Criminal Case Special Court resumes hearing of criminal cases relating to demolition (10 May). Fixes date for exhibition of CBI's video film.
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN TO MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Police Action: "On suggestion from PM Vajpayee, Maharashtra revives Srikrishna Commission of Enquiry (28 May). Police firing at Muharram procession and subsequent police action in Muslim locality in Calcutta leaves & dead and scores injured (30 May) curfew imposed. State Government justifies action.
Communal Situation: Minor incidents reported from Bihar Sharif, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur in Bihar, Saharanpur and Dehradun in UP, Gwalior in MP, during the month.
Assam Situation: Large scale ethnic violence erupts in Bodoland, Assam. Hundreds of Santhals reported killed (24 May). Shahabuddin suggests re-delimitation of Bodoland to exclude non-Bodo majority areas and inclusion of international border strip along Bhutan.
Wakfs: Allahabad High Court stays implementation of Wakf Act 1995 (13 June). Delhi High Court stops construction of alternative Wuzukhana and orders status quo in Jama Masjid, Delhi (22 May).
AMU: Decision to suspend summer holidays leads to protest by some teaching and non-teaching staff.
Civil Service: *22 Muslims complete in Civil Services etc. Examination, 1995.
Reservation: Shahabuddin reiterates demand for reservation for Muslims in public employment on Karnataka and Kerala model (8 June). UF Government assures All India Christian People's Forum on statutory Muslims. inclusion of Dalit Christians in reservation for Schedule Castes. Shahabuddin demands extension of Dalit Muslims.
Other Minorities: Akali Dal leader Barnala demands apology to the Sikhs for Operation Bluestar and 1984 riots (14 June). Buddhist monks decide to revive moment for liberation of Bodhgaya Mahavihara (4 June).
Human Rights: "National Human Rights Commission recommends immediate surrender of persons detained by security forces in disturbed areas under special laws to local police 26 May).
Bhopal Gas Disaster: *Supreme Court orders re-opening of compensation cases (10 May).
Infiltration: Samajwadi Party leadership clarifies Mulayam Singh Yadav's statement on infiltration from Bangladesh. Reiterates hope for Confederation in South Asia (10 June).
Indo-Pak Relations: "PM Bhutto offers unconditional resumption of bilateral talks in message to PM Deve Gowda. In his reply Deve Gowda proposes wide-ranging talks beginning at Secretary level (9 June). Pakistan agrees in principle to open bilateral trade.
Obituary: *Special publication released to mark death anniversary of Maulana Waheeduzzaman Kirani.
Gandhiji on Ban on Cow Slaughter
Any imposition from without means compulsion
Such compulsion is repugnant to religion. It is obviously wrong legally to enforce one's religious practice on those who do not share that religion."
'Rajendra Babu has told me he has received about 50,000 letters and thousands of telegrams asking for prohibition of cow slaughter in the Union of India."
"Many Hindus are guilty of cow slaughter by slow torture. It is the Hindus who export cows outside India, well knowing that they are to be slaughtered for beef extract that comes to India and which children of orthodox Hindus eat without compunction, under medical advice. Are they not co-partners in cow slaughter. I yield to none in my devoted worship of the cow but this devotion cannot be imposed by law."
