CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(16 September-15 October, 1996)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Congress: "P.V. Narasimha Rao steps down under pressure, Sitaram Kesri appointed provisional President (23 Sept). Keari launches strategic plan to bring alienated Muslims and SCs back into Congress (29 Sept) inducts Manmohan Singh into Working Committee (6 Oct). Kesi warns UF Government not to take Congress support for granted (1 Oct). Question of withdrawal of support to UF raised in CWC meeting (13 Oct). CWC renews call to old Congressmen to rejoin party. Pressure built up for Congress to join UF Government but Left threatens to opt out.
UP Elections: "UP elections result in hung Assembly with BJP as single largest party with 174 seats, UF including SP with 133 and Congress-BSP with 99 (10 Oct). Congress pressures for UF support to BSP's Mayawati to form government but UF rejects plea (15 Oct). State heads towards constitutional crisis. BJP negotiates with BSP for formation of Government but Kalyan Singh faction not prepared to concede chief minister ship to BSP/Mayawati (10 Oct). Opinion also divided on whether BJP should extend support from outside or participate in the government (15 Oct). UF also rejects BSP's offer and Congress pressure to form coalition government with Mayawati as Chief Minister. Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav adamant on Mayawati as Chief Minister (14 Oct), UF offers coalition with C.M. from Congress.
Secularism: "Left interprets UP result as verdict against BJP. RSS considers national political scene as bleak with prevailing corruption and instability. VHP ascribes BJP loss to erosion of saffron agenda.
UF Leader and PM Deve Gowda in intensive election campaign asks people to choose between better life and temple construction (29 Sept) Home Minister Indrajit Gupta apprehends resurgence of communal forces in UF collapses, SBP leader Chandra Shekhar notes BJP's policies creating fear in minorities (30 Sept).
Several Muslim organizations appeal to Muslims to adopt tactical voting and vote for winning secular candidate irrespective of Party. Milli Council rejects BSP's overtures and supports UF. Abdullah Bukhari's appeal for BSP fails to make impact. Forum for Democracy and Communal Harmony appeal to UP electorate to vote for secular candidates (28 Sept). Seminar on Social concerns of Minorities held in Delhi considers politicization of religion and culture as root causes of communalism (22 Sept)
Corruption: Former Communication Minister Sukh Ram return to Delhi taken into custody by CBI for interrogation in telecom Scam (16 Sept) Trial of former PM Narasimha Rao in St. Kitts Forgery and Lakhubhai Pathak Cases deferred to selection of alternative site on security grounds. "Government's instructions to CBI not to oppose bail petition of Narasimha Rao in Lakhu Bhai Pathak case widely criticised. Plea for statutory status to CBI revived. CBI counsel in Pathak case resigns (2 Oct). BJP demands inclusion of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's name in chargesheet in St. Kitts Case. Former PM Narasimha Rao arrested and immediately released on bail (9 Oct). Delhi High Court stays trial against BJP President Advani in hawala case. CBI files supplementary chargesheet against BJP leader Yashwant Sinha
*PM Deve Gowda elected to Rajya Sabha from Karantaka in order to continue as Prime Minister (25 Sept).
Bihar Bye-Election: ID loses 4 scats, 3 of them, earlier held
by Central Ministers, to Samata Party.
Assam Situation: AASU demands revision of electoral rolls repeal of Tribunals Act and withdrawal of black laws and security forces from Assam. Election Commission announces yet another intensive revision of electoral rolls (4 Oct) with January 1, 1997 as date of reference. Shahabuddia writes to minimize hardship and harassment to collectors already Election Commission to issue appropriate guidelines to registered.
States Reorganization: Home Minister Indrajit Gupta supports formation of second State Reorganization Commission. Prime Minister prepares to consider formation of Vidharba if Congress so proposes.
Election Commission: Election Commission extends deadline for recognized political parties to complete organizational elections by March 1997.
KASHMIR SITUATION
Assembly Election: "The second, third and the fourth phases boycott and called for general strike which had visible impact were peacefully completed (13 Sept). "Hurriyat maintained its long periods to prevent anti-election campaign. Panther Party in the Valley. Its leaders as well as Shabbir Shah detained for alleges electoral manipulation. Hurriyat alleges coercion by security forces. "National Conference wina landslide victory winning 5 more seats, Congress, BJP and the Janata Dal win with 57 seats out of 87 with its allies BSP, Congress) 7,7 and 5 seats respectively (1 Oct). "National Conference Minister. All national parties except BJP participate in electa Farooq Abdullah as its leader, who is sworn in as Chief installation ceremony Oct) Chief Minister terms restoration of peace and return of migrants to Valley as first priority, apart from negotiations with Union on Autonomy and economic reconstruction. "National Conference offers to join United Front and have representation in Central Government.
Reorganization of State: Farooq Abdullah appoints Dr. Karan Singh as Head of a Commission to negotiate terms of Autonomy and work out details of federal structure for State with Regional Councils for each autonomous region.
Human Rights: State Government announces setting up of Human Rights Commission as well as review of all detention cases (11 Oct).
Hurriyat: Hurriyat leader Syed Ahmed Shah Geelani escapes visits USA and submits memorandum to the UN. Participates bid on life. Hurriyat delegation led by Mir Waiz Umar Farooq in Conference of Kashmiri leaders and signs Washington Declaration (10 Oct). JKLF Chief Amanullah Khan criticizes Hurriyat for surrendering option of Independence in Declaration (12 Oct).
Insurgency "Militant activity shows spurt during and after elections with sporadic attacks on newly elected MLAs as well National Conference workers.
International Developments:
Pakistan PM Bhutto calls for third party mediation (1 Oct) denounces the election as 'shame' in address to UN General Assembly (4 Oct). Proposes multi-lateral dialogue under US suspices. Pakistan President Leghari rejects 'farcical elections as substitute for plebiscite (7 Oct). USA asks Pakistan to stop material support for Kashmiri insurgency, rejects' Bhutto's proposal for international conference (5 Oct). Suggests settlement through bilateral terms (10 Oct)
UK Foreign Secretary offers help in solving Kashmir issue but calls for meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan. UK sees elections as restoration of political process (10 Oct). OIC calls for self-determination in Kashmir (3 Oct). BJP take exception to "blatant interference by OIC (5 Oct). India rejects Bhutto's proposal for internationalization (5 Oct). Foreign Minister Gujral reiterates offer for bilateral talks (14 Oct).
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Babari Masjid Question: "Eminent historians question on ground of genuineness of order of Special Bench of Allahabad High Court on inspection and exhibition of artifacts claimed to have been found in Babari Masjid debris. Justice K.M. Pande, who as Faizabad District Judge ordered unlocking of Masjid in January 1986 publishes memoirs "Voice of Conscience" which supports Hindutva Case and justifies his own role.
Education: Stalemate in Jamia Millia Islamia continues. Acting Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hasan demands full security for entering Campus. A section of teachers and students appeal for restoration of normalcy. University closed following filling of one student on Campus (15 Oct). Following police firing resulting in death of a student, AMU closed sine die following large scale violence (2 Oct). All India Students Union observes nation-wide protest against police firing in AMU (3 Oct). Muslim University delegation submits memorandum to Home Minister (3 Oct). Students hold demonstration in Delhi with support from JNU students (5 Oct). Home Minister agrees to order inquiry in police firing (5 Oct) University decides to cancel winter holidays. Inquiry set up by Govt. of UP. Association of Minorities Educational Institutions, UP, holds annual meeting, demands automatic recognition of minority institutions (22 Sept).
Personal Law: "All India Catholic Union pleads for updating and codification of Christian Personal Law (10 Oct). Supreme Court rejects the authority of Church courts or tribunals to decide matrimonial matters. "Indian Council for Child Welfare Chairman Hamida Habibullah, ex-MP, demands Uniform Adoption Law to stop discrimination among orphans on basis of caste or religion. Ranchi Bench of Patna High Court awards maintenance of Rs. 50,000 to Muslim divorcee, apart from mehr and maintenance for Iddat under Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 (11 Oct).
Reservation: All India Christian Peoples Forum rejects proposal for separate quota for Dalit Christians (25 Sept). Prime Minister reiterates promise of 10% quota for higher castes (23 Sept). Supreme Court reserves order on writ petitions challenging Kerala Assembly's declaration on non- existence of creamy layer. SGPC President Tohra considers reservation for women in SGPC's an interference in Sikh religion.
Communal Violence: "Madras High Court rules that taking out religious procession not an absolute right and therefore subject to law and order (1 Oct). 9 persons roasted alive and 65 burnt in clashes in village near Bangladesh border in Dinajpur (3 Oct). Communal violence in Lucknow, situation brought under control (24 Sept), another outbreak also controlled (29 Sept). "Hindu Munnani protests against police order to divert Ganesh immersion procession (20 Sept). Communal clash in Adilabad, AP, during Ganesh procession, 1 killed 8 injured (24 Sept). Sri Krishna Commission of Inquiry resumes hearings on Bombay Riots. Shiv Sena MP Sarpotdar justifies retaliatory violence (4 Oct). Communal violence during Ganesh procession in village Pen in Raigarh Distt. (Maharashtra), 3 killed, curfew-imposed Chief Minister Joshi visits Pen. announces ex-gratia payment of 1 lakh to each bereaved family (5 Oct). "Muslims claim discrimination and injustice. Communal violence during Ganesh procession in Belgaum, Karnataka.
Hindu Chauvinism: Shiv Sena holds Maha Aartis in Bombay in defiance of Bombay High Court's order to transfer Kini Case to CBI (20 Sept) "Muslim Painter M.F. Hussain offers public apology for hurting religious sensibilities of Hindus in recent paintings of Hindu goddesses (11 Oct). Case filed against Hussain in Bombay. Bajrang Dal activists destroy collection of Hussain's paintings in Ahmedabad (10 Oct). Noted artists and critic condemn vandalism (12 Oct). Puri Shankaracharya Narayanand criticizes Hussain. ABVP barns effigy of Hussain (13 Oct).
Supreme Court orders prosecution of BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha for defaming Marwari community (24 Sept). Ramakrishna Mission objects to distortion in film on Ramakrishna Paramahans (7 Oct).
Culture: Annual Phool Walon Ki Sair held in Delhi (27) Sept). Delhi High Court admits petition for preservation of Ghalib's Haveli as national monument (1 Oct). *Supreme Court orders maintenance of Ghalib's tomb. Supreme Court appoints Committee to locate Zauq's tomb said to have been buried under a public toilet. "Sound and Light show in Purana Quila, Delhi inaugurated by Vice President (2 Oct). TADA: Various organizations demand release of TADA detenues. Shahabuddin requests P.M. to grant general amnesty to TADA detenus except those already under prosecution on serious criminal charges.
Wafs: Punjab Imams Organization opposes trifurcation of Punjab Wakf Board.
Muslim Organizations: "A.I. Milli Council supports SP (UF) in UP Elections. "Imarat-e-Sharia Bihar and Orissa expresses concern on educational and economic backwardness of Muslims (22 Sept). SIM of India holds Symposium in Bombay to launch Khilafat Campaign (6 Oct). Urdu: 17th Nizam Urdu Lecture by Persian scholar Prof. Nazeer Ahmed organised by Delhi University. Human Rights: Former Chief Justice MN. Venkatachellish appointed as Chairman of NHRC vice Justice R. N. Mishra (1) Oct).
Obituary and Commemoration: Tamil writer and orator Abdullah Adiyar, 60, passes away in Madras (20 Sept). Birth Centenary of Rafi Ahmed Kidwai observed in Delhi, President pays tributes (23 Sept). Governor P.K. Dave offers chadar at the dargah of Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki in Mehrauli .
MUSLIM WORLD
Palestine: "Govt. of India expresses concern over recent violence in West Bank and reversal of peace process (30 Sept). Bangladesh: "Bangladesh arrests those involved in assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Kurdish Question: "Iran opposes formation of Kurdish State- (8 Oct). "Russia rules out independence to Chechenya (8 Oct). Pakistan: "Reports of continuing Shin-Sunni clashes in Pakistan create mass concern (23 Sept).
Afghanistan: Public handing of former President Najibullah by Taliban on taking Kabul shocks public opinion (29 Sept). BJP considers developments in Afghanistan as thrust to regional peace and security. India deplores Pakistan intervention in Afghanistan and supports independence, national unity, stability, peace and territorial integrity (4 Oct). Farooq Abdullah does not see Taliban as threat to Kashmir (6 Oct). Gujral reiterates plea for peaceful negotiations (12 Oct) Taliban leader seeks friendly relations with India (13 Oct)
