CHRONOLOGY
Chronology of the Month
(15 February - 15 March, 1995)
NATIONAL POLITICS
Constitutional Reform:
Former P.M. V.P. Singh suggests introduction of the Presidential System (15 Mar). Supreme Court begins review of its judgement in the Hindutva case (15 Mar).
Corruption:
Hawala Case monopolizes headlines. Special Court dismisses L.K. Advani's application seeking rejection of CHI's chargesheet (17 Feb). Textile Minister Kamal Nath resigns (19 Feb). CBI chargesheets three Ministers R.K. Dhawan, Kamal Nath and Buta Singh (19 Feb). Dhawan resigns (21 Feb). C.K. Jaffer Sharief, Buta Singh, K. Natwar Singh and Kamal Nath granted bail (14 Mar). Delhi H.C. takes up Mandal pay-off case (23 Feb). On Bihar Animal Husbandry Case, Bihar Congress demands resignation of C.M. Laloo Prasad (2 Mar). Bihar Congress demands imposition of President's Rule in Bihar. Advani demands resignation of Bihar's C.M. following Patna H.C.'s directive to CBI to undertake probe (13 Mar).
BJP demands declaration of assets by PM Narasimha Rao (14 Mar).
Rajya Sabha Elections:
Home Minister Chavan, Power Minister Salve and JD Leader Hegde among those elected in biennial elections, out of 57 seats, Congress wins 20 and BJP and JD 8 cach (19 Feb).
Congress (1):
Cong (1)'s electoral strategy directed at regaining Muslim support through meetings of Congress, leaders with Ulema as well as public apologies' by senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Maurya & Antulay (16 Feb PM launches campaign in his Constituency Nandyal with slogan "You give me stability, I will give you prosperity"
Janata Parivar:
V.P. Singh announces three-year withdrawal from electoral politics (12 Mar), continues to guide Janata Dal and works for formation of Third Force.
R.V. Paswan predicts unity of secular forces immediately on announcement of elections (14 Mar). SP Leader Mulayam Singh and JD President Laloo Prasad Yadav hold secret talks in Lucknow (19 Feb). JD rules out alliance with BSP and pleads for Left-JD- SP Front (2 Mar).
BSP leaders reiterates no alliance with JD or SP (11 Mar). Kanshi Ram declares intention to go on his own and contest 200 seats (11 Mar).
CPI expresses doubts about the emergence of a third front (17 Feb).
Left Front:
CPI and CPI(M) finalise seats and Constituencies. CPI(ML) calls for Left unity (21 Mar).
Sangh Parivar:
LK. Advani launches Rath Yatra from Kochi (9 Mar). Advani highlights infiltration, Kashmir insurgency and corruption as main theme in the Yatra (11 Mar).
RSS meets in Lucknow, stresses Hindutva ideology: calls upon front organizations to back Hindutva parties, desists from attacking PM Rao and thus keeps option open for post-electoral understanding (3-10 Mar). BJP persists in attacking PM in Parliament and outside, on corruption, law and order, new economic policies, inflation, Kashmir and infiltration 23 Feb).
*Public Rally in Bombay to observe one year of Shiv Sena-BJP Government flops (15 Mar).
Sangh Parivar decides to launch cow protection campaign from 20 March with Bajrang Dal as cutting edge (1 Mar).
BJP negotiates with both SJP and HVP for electoral alliance in Haryana (22 Feb).
*Samata Party (Fernandes) decides to merge with SJP (15 Mar). Akali Dal (Badal) proposes 'federal package' (23 Feb). negotiates with BJP but denies communal character (23 Feb). Muslim Politics:
Muslim scholar Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi sees Governor Vora and ex-PM V.P. Singh (11 Mar); had earlier meet P.M. Rao. Seminar in New Delhi on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad- Contemporary Relevance" features Congress and non-Congress Muslim leaders. Maurya wants Muslims to use votes wisely to protect secular and democratic values.
Shahabuddin boycotts Bhondsi Conclave convened. among others by RSS Leader Govindacharya who sees merit in Shahabuddin's compulsion definition of minorities and measures for their protection at various levels. Shahabuddin's article on "Muslim Fanaticism and the New World Order" generates surprise among secular intelligentsia and attacks by some fanatics.
KASHMIR SITUATION
Government extends ban on JKLF (17 Feb). Seminar on Sub-Nationalism in India convened by Left groups supports Kashmir case (18 Feb). *RSS demands military action in Kashmir (10 Mar). Hurriyat holds rallies in Valley against bilateral talks between insurgents and Government (16 Feb). Government invites 4 militant leaders for unconditional talks; NC Leader Farooq Abdullah welcomes initiative (13 Mar). BJP opposes talks (14 Mar). First dialogue held.
"H.M. Chavan reiterates invitation to unconditional to Hurriyat; Militants agree to cooperate in ending gun- culture and hints at participation in elections. Valley observes total bandh (15 Mar).
National Conference demands settlement before poll (23 Feb). Militant outfit, Muslim Mujahideen supports election (11 Mar).
Notices serves on Hurriyat leaders under FCRA and Income Tax Act (25 Feb). 43 political and religious leaders asked to furnish details of foreign contribution in context of Hawala scandal (3 Mar).
Insurgency:
Government confirms 1312 militants killed during past six months, 1537 apprehended and 550 surrendered (7 Mar). Harkat-ul-Ansar chief Javid Ahmed killed (18) Feb). Situation deteriorates in Doda; troops rushed (26 Feb). "Hizbul Mujahideen agents apprehended in Delhi.
CHRONOLOGY
(13 Mar). Al-Buraq chief Md. Akram arrested (14 Mar). "Eminent Lawyer and Human Rights Activist Jalil Andrabi reported missing since 9 March after alleged arrest by security forces; causes sharp international reaction. Govt. announces 24-hour unilateral cease-fire for Id-ul-Fitr (20 Feb). Internal wrangling among militant groups lead to repeated exchanges and even attacks on leaders like Yaseen Malik and Shabbir Shah. Attacks on Lone attributed to security forces. Shabbir Shah launches sits in protest dharna, arrested twice (8-11 Mar). State Govt. denies allegation of violation of human rights.
US State Deptt. in its Annual Report alleges continuing violation of human rights including political killings by security forces and insurgents (7 Mar).
Pakistan's Stand:
President Leghari takes public stand against independence (13 Mar), rejects proposal for putting Kashmir under U.N. Trust or U.S. umbrella
International Reaction:
Sri Lanka supports bilateral talks on the basis of Simla Agreement (27 Feb).
OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN
Reservation:
*Association for Promoting Education and Employment of Muslims holds Second National Convention and adopts resolution demanding reservation quota in employment and higher education based on population and level of backwardness (2 Mar). A.1. Muslim Backward Classes Federation demands separate quota for Backward Class Muslims (2 Mar). "Government agrees to include Moplahas in OBC list for Kerala. *Catholic Bishops Conference demands benefit of reservation for Dalit Christians. Feels cheated at non-passage of promised bill and expresses loss of confidence in Government's assurance (13 Mar). Delhi H.C. scraps reservation quota for PG Courses at AIIMS. Minority Commission holds meeting with banks and financial institutions to facilitate credit flow to minorities.
Communal Violence:
PUCL and other organizations hold dharna in Delhi for revival of Sri Krishna Commission of Inquiry in Bombay Riots, matter raised in Parliament, Home Minster Chavan considers scrapping a mistake and offers to facilitate establishment of branch of National Minorities Commission in Bombay.
Later Chavan threatens to set a new Commission, if Sri Krishna Commission not revived (10 Mar). Supreme Court directs Bombay H.C. to hear petition against scrapping Commission (12 Mar).
Petition against withdrawal of cases against Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray dismissed by Bombay H.C. on technical grounds.
Former Minister H.K.L. Bhagat remains in judicial custody on charge of involvement in anti-Sikh riots in 1984 (16 Feb). Delhi H.C. confirms life term against 3 persons for these riots.
Minor communal incidents reported from Saharanpur (UP), Baghpat (UP), Kolar (Karnataka), Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat).
Human Rights:
*SC asks CBI to prosecute 27 Punjab Policemen for fake encounter.
National Human Rights Commission urges Home Ministry to separate investigative wing of police force and include course on human rights in training programme (3 Mar).
Education:
Meeting of Muslim educational organization in Delhi Education: decides to form an A.L. Advisory Council (2 Mar).
*AMU Court finally scheduled to meet on 31 March to elect Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor and members of
Executive Council; AMU appoints Justice G.A. Kuchay to undertake inquiry into university affairs from 191-95 V.C. orders mass transfer of administrative staff. Staff Association expresses concern at lack of progress on matters of concern to teaching community.
Jamia Millia Islamia:
*JMI teachers launch agitation to press their demands against administration (26 Feb-26 Mar).
Urdu:
*Tamil Nadu C.M. announces setting up Urdu Academy in Madras (20 Feb). 127th birth anniversary of Ghalib observed in Delhi (25 Feb). Traditional Indo-Pak Mushaira held in New Delhi (16 Mar).
Monuments:
*Supreme Court halts unauthorized work in Jama Masjid Complex (14 Feb). Bukhari's agree to demolish illegal structure on or before April 8 (8 Mar).
Haj:
Government proposes to introduce comprehensive Bill to replace the existing Act (6 Mar).
Haj House inaugurated in Calcutta and Madras.
Imams' Salary:
A.I. Imams Organization rejects Wakf Council scheme and decides to approach Supreme Court again. Communal Propaganda:
Delhi HC stays Distt. Court's Order for arrest of Naib Imam Bukhari for seditious speech in January, 1993 (6 Mar).
*VHP activist Sadhvi Rithambra discharged on technical grounds by Delhi Court though charged with communal Commemoration: and inflammatory speeches (20 Feb).
Commemoration:
Annual Urs of Amir Khusro completes in Delhi (11 Mar).
"Maulana Azad's statue unveiled in Parliament premises (15 Mar).
MISCELLANEOUS
Obituary:
Eminent Scholar Maulana Abu Saud passes away in Bangalore (20 Feb). *Noted Urdu Poet Akhtar-ul-
Iman dies in Bombay (9 Mar). Noted TV. personality Shafi Inamdar, 47, dies in Bombay (13 Mar) *Bihar MLA Muzaffar Hussain, 46, dies in Purnea (13 Mar).
Other Minorities in India and Abroad:
Minorities Commission recommends amendment of Gurdwara Act for lowering voting age from 21 to 18 and giving representation to women
Canadian Supreme Court upheld the right of Sikhs to wear turban (27 Feb).
U.S. State Deptt. issues 1995 Report on Human Rights and criticizes Pakistan for reign of terror against minorities under blasphemy law (8 Mar). *Pakistan Government approves double voting right to non-Muslim minorities for general as well as reserved seats (27 Feb).
