CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(16 June-15 July, 1996)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Government: Union Council of Ministers expanded twice, only Muslim included is the only JD MP elected from J&K, Maqbool Dar. Taslimuddin, Minister of State for Home Affairs, dropped following nation-wide controversy about antecedents.
Narasimha Rao cautions Deve Gowda not to take granted and indicates Congress support reconsideration of support if it commits 'any grave mistakes' (19 June). Congress decides to field a candidate against Deve Gowda against the wishes of Karnataka unit (25 June). BSP leader Kanshi Ram indicates eagerness of Congress (and the BSP) for an early mid-term poll (9 July). Congress leaders take exception to Home Minister Indrajit Gupta's remarks about impact of Lakhubhai Pathak case on Narasimha Rao's political future and warn Government (14 July), Gupta apologises for remarks (15 July).
Congress(I): "Dissidents intensify move to dislodge P.V. Narasimha Rao from Presidentship with gathering legal clouds but fail to agree on successor, Congress (1) and BSP enter into formal alliance for contesting UP Assembly elections with BSP contesting about 300 seats out of 425. BSP leader Kanshi Ram advises Congress (1) to field 100 Brahmin candidates out of its quota (9 July). Congress (1) and BSP invite JD to join them.
Sangh Parivar: RSS leadership holds conclave at Bhopal to formulate political strategy and issues fresh guidelines for BJP. Emphasises 'Hindu agenda', Construction of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and liberation of Mathura Idgah and Varanasi Masjid, military solution in Kashmir and abolition of Article 370. Also suggests special measures to integrate SC/ST into Hindu Society.
VHP reiterates determination to establish Hindu Rajya.
BJP: BJP National Executive meets at Bhopal; President Advani describes Congress (1) support to UF as 'protection racket' (21 June). Decides to expand national base with focus on South and N.E. as target. Also decides to launch national campaign on cultural nationalism versus pseudo-secularism (23 June).
Shiv Sena: Thackeray severely criticizes BJP (15 July).
Akali Dal: Decides to have seat adjustment with BJP in Punjab (9 July) despite PM Deve Gowda's gestures; visit to Golden Temple and describing Operation Bluestar as the most unfortunate event' (18 June).
Janata Parivar: JD and SP differences crop up on question of UP Chief Minister ship. Deve Gowda visits Lucknow, addresses JD cadres, calls on Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi and offers reservations for Muslims to attract Muslim support and rebuild JD base. "Sharad Yadav appointed Working President (16 June). Expelled, R.K. Hegde establishes contact with Chandra Shekhar, George Fernandes and Vajpayee; explores possibility of floating national party (26 June). Janata Dal dissidents in UP form Pragatisheel JD.
Samajwadi Janata Party: Breaks alliance with Samata Party and seeks alliance with Samajwadi Party (23 June). President Chandra Shekhar describes Congress as only national party and calls for revival; expresses readiness to Join if there is a concrete proposal.
UP Assembly Elections: All efforts to establish united secular front against BJP flounders on rocks of irreconcilable stand of BSP and SP. BJP leaders’ express confidence about victory, plan to hot up Ayodhya Mathura and Varanasi issues, directly or indirectly, as well as launch campaign for total ban on cow slaughter. on eve of election.
Assam Situation: Bodoland leadership revives demand for statehood and disclaims responsibility for Santhal massacre (30 June).
BABARI MASJID QUESTION
VHP: Singhal owns responsibility and takes credit for demolition of Babari Masjid; warns government against delay in construction of proposed Mandir; rejects jurisdiction of Supreme Court and opposes transfer of cases thereto under Article 138(2); instead demands transfer of site by legislation.
Babari Masjid Movement: Both BMMCC and AIBMAC oppose transfer of title suit to Supreme Court. BMMCC reiterates move for reuniting Babari Masjid Movement (25 June). Mulayam Singh Yadav indicates possible reconsideration by Government in view of adverse Muslim stand (19 June). But Home Minister Indrajit Gupta wants transfer and judgement before UP election; Proposal considered impracticable by all concerned, unless election postponed. PM Deve Gowda does not rule out out-of-court settlement of dispute (3 July).
AIMPLB agrees to discuss details of proposal with Government but demands continuance of hearing by Special Bench (7 July). IUML emerges as only Muslim organization to support government proposal (7 July). AIMPLB delegation calls on PM and urges detailed consultations before transfer and continuance of hearing (25 July).
Special Bench appoints Survey Commissioner for re- measurement of disputed land (9 July). Supreme Court stays fresh measurement.
Peoples Movement for Secularism urges Government to expedite Session’s trial, proceedings of Commission of Enquiry and hearing of other pending related cases.
Taslimuddin, MOS, proposes removal of idols from Babari Masjid site and construction of national. monument. CPI(ML) supports proposal (27 June). RSS and VHP and Shankaracharya Swaroopanand react strongly against proposal. Muslim organizations also oppose construction of national monument.
SP leader Mulayam Singh demands clarification of BJP's stand on Kashi and Mathura issues (5 July). RSS calls for demolition of Mathura Idgah and Varanasi Masjid as 'vestiges of national shame' (6 July).
KASHMIR SITUATION
Insurgency: "Newspapers reappear in the Valley (18 June). Unidentified persons attempt to set on fire historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, matter under investigation. Hurriyat condemns and suspects government hand (13) June).
Pro-India militants free 21 journalists after holding them hostage for 7 hours (8 July). Shahabuddin expresses concern at attack on Hurriyat leaders and their homes;
demands State protection. Former NC MLA Syed Ahmed Syed shot dead (12 July).
Only Farooq Abdullah but no Hurriyat leader permitted to visit graveyards of martyrs: Section 144 imposed. Shabbir Shah arrested (13 July).
Government: Some ex-militant leaders from J&K meet PM; subsequently call on Home Minister Indrajit Gupta, *PM Deve Gowda visits Srinagar, announces early elections and negotiations on quantum of autonomy with elected government (6 July). Discusses situation with leaders. Farooq Abdullah, G.R. Kar and A. Qayyum present among others. First visit by Indian P.M. since 1986 (6 June). All parties meeting called by PM unanimously decides to hold polls by end September (8 June). Statutory resolution approved by Lok Sabha (12 July). Newly appointed Minister of State Maqbool Dar calls Farooq Abdullah 'an absconder' and wants JD to have no truck with NC (13 July). Visits Valley and announces former militants as "hard-core criminals, killers and looters'; accuses Special Operations Group of J&K Police for supporting them. Assembly Electie: Differences surface between Hurriyat and JKLF on question of participation in Assembly Election. NC leader Farooq Abdullah organizes meeting of all parties; all demands restoration of Article 370; Farooq Abdullah charges Centre with ignoring autonomy question (22 June); defers final decision to participate but asks partymen to prepare for polls (9 July); expresses bitterness on delay and confusing signals from Central Government. Farooq Abdullah demands CBI enquiry in foreign donations received by Hurriyat leaders for reconstruction of Chrar- e-Sharif and relief and rehabilitation of affected people (24 June). Central Government proceeds with enquiry on receipt of foreign contribution through hawala by Hurriyat leaders (7 July).
BJP demands to all parties meeting before any commitment on autonomy (27 June). Vajpayee suggests abrogation of Article 370 (30 June). RSS calls for destruction of militant training camps in POK (8 July) and free hand to Army to restore order and suppress terrorism (7 July).
Pakistan's Reaction: "MQM leader Altaf Husain favors solution through negotiations (18 June) while Foreign Minister blames stalemate over Kashmir for non- initiative of bilateral talks, PM Benazir Bhutto expresses optimism for early solution through dialogue (19 June). President Farooq Leghari wants India and Pakistan to avoid war (3 July).
POK PM Qayyum Khan rejects poll results and demands fresh election in POK (5 July). Pakistan army takes over Gilgit, following widespread disturbances (7 July).
Other Countries: *
USA: President Clinton condemns holding of hostage by Al-Faran as despicable (9 July). Clinton welcomes prospects of Indo-Pakistan talks (14 July).
UK: Government sees free and fair elections in J&K as step towards dialogue and political settlement (13 July). Labor Party offers mediation. Amnesty Annual Report indicts India along with other countries for massive violation of human rights.
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Muslim Organisations: A.I. Muslim Majlis-e- Mushawarat meets in Delhi (29-30 June); announces its Working Committee and adopts several resolutions. Hyderabad and adopts several resolutions (3-6 July). Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind Central Majlis-e-Shura mee All India Milli Council calls on PM and subr memorandum (10 June).
*Sir Syed Foundation, New Delhi, holds Seminar on Muslims in Changing Political Scenario with JD lead Sharad Yadav as Chief Guest.
Communal Violence: *PM announces waiver of lot of up to 50,000 taken by victims of anti-Sikh riots in 1984 July). *Delhi High Court orders Rs.2 lakh compensation to next-of-kin of those killed in those riots. Communal violence reported from Pilibhit; one kill (26 June).
Reservation: PM Deve Gowda promises reservation Muslims and Christians in public employment Lucknow (3 July). S. Hamid pleads for reservation fi Muslims. AIMMM, Milli Council, JIH, JUH and A. Mashaikh Conference support reservation.
Insaf Morcha Convener Shahabuddin demands inclusion of Dalit Muslims as SCs on par with Dalit June). Former Bihar Speaker Ghulam Sarwar support Christians (1 inclusion of Dalit Muslims in list of SCs. Delhi University Teachers Association seeks reconsideration of Haj: "All India Haj Conference held in New Delhi (10- reservation for SC/ST for faculty appointment. aircrafts for charter flights, demands early passage of new 11 July) decides to utilize Air India for procuring Haj Act, proposes 3 tier accommodation in Makkah and lowers advance payable by Haj pilgrims with application Wakfs: Following agitation by legislators, Government of West Bengal tables Sengupta Report on Management to Rs. 5,280/-, in allegation of unauthorized alienation by wakf of Wakf Properties (1 July). Also orders judicial enquiry Personal Law: AIMPLB appoints committee to properties (9 July). examine new Wakf Act and suggest amendments thereto (7 July).
Education: Al-Ameen Educational Society distributes Scholarships in Delhi. Sharad Yadav chief guest exclusively for minorities in every district. announces establishment of one residential school. AMU: Reported fall in proportion of Muslim admission to medical, engineering and other technical courses revives demand for reservation in AMU (18 June). Indo-Pakistan Relations: "Foreign Minister Gujral announces liberal issues of visa for Pakistani nationals (1) Pakistani journalists, intellectuals and social workers (3 June). June); also promises special facilities for visits of
Commission, 57, passes away in Calcutta (22 June). Qazi Obituary and Commemoration: Zafar Oganvi, eminent Urdu literateur and Chairman of Bengal Minorities Athar Mubarakpuri, eminent historian, 80, passes away in VC, JMI, 68, passes away in Delhi (4 July). Nawabzada Syed Zainuddin Hussain Mirza, Scion of Murshidabad Mubarakpur, Azamgarh (14 July). Ali Ashraf, former Nawabs passes away at Kishanganj (3 July). Akbar Ladakhi, veteran communal leader in Ladakh, 68, passes away (29 June). Maulana Mohd. Ali commemorative Brig. Mohd. Usmah recalled (1 July). Portrait presented symposium held in New Delhi (22 June). Services of two Chief of Army Staff.
