Corruption/Lokpal 1,2,5,14

Terrorism 3,8-9,11,20
RSS 12
Waqf 17,21
Urdu 2
Minority schemes 6
Riot/Police atrocity 4,9,22
Subramanian Swamy 13
History 2
AMU 7
Gujarat 5,10
J&K 14,20
Analysis 12,14
Special Reports 3
Issues 2,12-13
Books 27
National 3-22
International 23-26
Speaking Out 14
Newsmakers 16
Community News 19-22
Islamic Perspectives 28
Letters 30-31
Classifieds 29
Inside
Indian Muslims Leading English Newspaper, published since January 2000
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THE MILLI GAZETTE

www.milligazette.com ISSN 0972-3366
MG
Fort ni ght l y
Rs 10 279 Vol. 12 No. 17 1-15 September 2011 32 pages
AMARESH MISRA
misra.amaresh@gmail.com
T
ill a chubby, fragile, ageing Gandhian reminded India
the power of mass movements, several myths about
political action had built up, especially since the begin-
ning of the liberalisation era in the early 1990s. The
media today would like to see itself as the har-
binger of the revival of the Indian street. But
this same media, over the past two decades,
was painting an entirely different picture
before Indians.
Time and time again commentators and
columnists used to remind us that since eco-
nomic liberalisation pumped in capital in the
Indian market and society, the era of mass
protests and people-oriented politics is over.
We were told with repeated emphasis that what
politics needs is deft management and gloss,
not the dust and heat of streets, alleys and vil-
lages. The organizing skills of an advertiser, the
smooth English of party spokespersons, the economists
approach towards political issues, the administrative approach
towards peoples issues, the technocratic juggling of numbers,
the bureaucratic interpretation of constitutional issues was con-
sidered more important than a direct feedback from people and
their socio-economic life.
It is only the bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-managerial
mindset that could have stopped enquiry into a simple issue like the
Batala House encounter, as it would lower the morale of the
police; it is again the same mindset that would think of sending the
army to combat Maoism in Chattisgarh and Central India; politi-
cians of yore would have laughed at clichs mounted by contem-
porary political honchos as the ABC of politics tells you that in a
Parliamentary democracy what the electorate wants is more impor-
tant than administrative issues, like police morale, and you do not
send armies to resolve contradictions with your own people.
It is again the technocratic-bureaucratic-economist-manage-
rial mindset that seeks to deal with a political tactic like fast unto
death with arguments like the Parliament is sovereign, it is peo-
ple vs. Parliament, Anna Hazare should talk to the standing
committee, and the like. The Indian constitution begins with the
line we the people; it does not say we the Parliament. It should
have been obvious to all that according to the Indian constitution,
sovereignty rests with the people, and the Parliament represents
them. Moreover, simple political logic would tell you that in a dem-
ocratic country, like India, it is undemocratic to curb mass initia-
tives with conditions. When a political party applies for permission
for a mass rally or meeting in any Indian district, does the district
magistrate or the police ask for the number of people the party
purports to bring to the ground, the exact issues it is going to
raise, how, why and the like? Has any political person of any party
heard of such absurdity?
The truth is that the bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-
managerial mindset got its social sciences wrong. In effect, it tried
to erase the study and discourse of liberal
arts and political economy in the public arena.
When statistics like 70% Indians earning only
Rs. 20 a day came out, it remained just that -
a figure. There was little debate-discussion
within government or the new post-liberalisa-
tion intellectual circles about the political
implication of the statistic - that behind these
numbers lies the suffering, agony and sim-
mering rage of people who breathe and think
and who are likely to see through the eco-
nomic disparities created by the new eco-
nomic policies introduced in the early 1990s.
The same bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-managerial
approach was visible in the debate over the Sacchar Committee
report. Again statistics ruled the roost. The fact that for the domi-
nant minority, these statistics hid a long history of neglect, pain
and suffering - and that this minority would react politically- did
not become a matter of avid debate: a sort of warped statistical-
ization of hard reality became the norm on other pressing issues
of farmers, MNREGA corruption, and similar problems.
Worse, political leaders with a bureaucratic-technocratic-
economist-managerial mindset were encouraged by all parties -
especially Congress and BJP. This led to BJPs defeat in 2004
and the now Congress stands at a crucial crossroad. The great-
est tragedy of the Congress has been that party managers did not
allow a hard-boiled, rugged, real-world Indian politics, commen-
surate with the pro-poor policies of Congress President Sonia
Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to prosper. Congress managers
smothered their own baby. They torpedoed the agenda and polit-
ical vision of their own leaders. If backed by popular-hardboiled
politicians, linked to ground
realities, Sonia Gandhis pro-
poor policies would have led
to a Congress tsunami in the
Hindi-heartland, a revival seen
only in the Indira Gandhi days.
But the managerial approach
forced disconnect with the
people. It encouraged all sorts of shady-broker-dalal elements to
flourish and take over the reins of the party at the state and dis-
trict levels, eclipsing mass leaders representing the poor and the
middle classes.
This unholy alliance between managers and dalals actually
epitomizes Indian political culture, beyond any single party. This
alliance fails to understand mass dynamics. It, for instance, failed
to see that the past twenty years of economic reforms have cre-
ated a new desire for political reforms.
In the pre-liberalisation era, the Indian society, following the
mixed economy logic, was plagued more by nepotism, the sifar-
ish, rather than the rishwat culture. Films of the 1970s, which
railed against sifarish, are enough to prove the point. Barring the
top layer of establishment, money as such did not play such a big
part; in the post-liberalisation era, the amount of money pumped
into the economy increased ten-fold; privatisation created a
scope for crony capitalism, and corruption became related direct-
ly to capital generation.
Corruption which was mainly restricted to certain sections of
the government sector, extended to the corporate sector, the
bureaucracy, judiciary, lower levels of the Police establishment,
the stock market, education, health, each and every government
office, the banking sector, aviation, and the political class.
Hoarding, illegal trading and the black market, which constituted
the underground of the 1970s, entered the mainstream. The life
of the common man became unbearable. A new class of employ-
ees earning between Rs. 8,000 and Rs. 25,000 did emerge to
create a new, huge market. But by 2006-2007, this class began
to feel the pinch of crony capitalism, as rents, prices of medicines,
health and basic middle class facilities like transport, petrol,
diesel, gas prices skyrocketed.
The line between politics and business, politicians and crimi-
nals, became blurred. Politics was seen increasingly as consist-
ing of money-media-muscle power. The concept of masses and
mass power in the political equation disappeared. This was real-
ly incredible - because India, unlike many third world countries,
has a flourishing Parliamentary Democracy.
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Anna agitation is an Indian Uprising
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Continued on page 13
Political classs abject failure is
behind Anna phenomenon
ISSUES / OPINION
2 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
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KALEEM KAWAJA
kaleemkawaja@gmail.com
When we review the record of the six hundred year-long Muslim
era in India, and especially that of the three hundred and fifty
year-long Moghul empire, we see that they implemented enlight-
ened and nuanced (not dogmatic) Sharia laws in the Indian
Subcontinent. We find that most Muslim rulers asked the state
officials to be non-sectarian and to ensure justice and harmony
for their non-Muslim as well as Muslim subjects.
The Moghul kings took special pride in the fact that the fol-
lowers of various religions lived peacefully and thrived in their
empire. Shaikh Abd al-Rahman, a Islamic scholar in the period
of emperor Jahangir, commenting on this trend wrote in his mem-
oirs, The Moghuls ensured the supremacy of Din by their exag-
gerated concern for social harmony. In Moghul India in that peri-
od, the followers of all religions generally lived in peace and per-
formed their religious rites and social practices freely. And yet the
Moghuls acted in accordance with their faith.
Emperor Jahangir, in keeping with the traditions of his father
emperor Akbar, commissioned a translation into Persian of cele-
brated Arab scholar Ibn Miskawaihs treatise Al-Hikmah al-
Khalidah, and he asked all senior officials of his state to use it as
a guide in carrying out their various functions. This book contains
the maxims of Greeks, Persians, Arabs and Indians. The four
core ethical norms for the rulers for the management of state
which this treatise lists are: 1. Hard work and independent and
intelligent application of mind by the ruler to evaluate the incum-
bents for different type of functions in the state. 2. Insistence on
prioritizing issues and policies and quick follow-up for their exe-
cution. 3. Constant vigilance so that no official dare neglect his
duties or be oppressive and unkind to the populace. 4. Adequate
reward for efficiency and excellence, and punishment for the evil-
doers.
Akhlaq-e-Jahangir, another treatise on managing the affairs
of the state by Nur Alauddin Qazi, which Jhangir commissioned
and used for managing the Moghul empire emphasizes the inde-
pendent goodness of justice instead of religious dogma. In the
chapter on justice, this book reiterates that justice occupies prin-
cipal place in matters of governance, and that a non-Muslim but
just ruler serves society better than an unjust and brutal Muslim.
Justice, he adds, on account of its inherent strength and good-
ness, sustained power in ancient Persia for five thousand years
in the dynasty of Nausherwan-e-Adil, even though all the rulers of
the dynasty were infidels who worshipped fire.
This book quotes Prophet Mohammad saying that Allah
revealed to Prophet David that he should instruct his people to
not abuse and speak evil of the kings of other nations, for they
filled the world with justice so that my slaves may live in safety.
The Moghul rulers and officials generally believed in and
practiced religious tolerance. Abdul Qadir Badayuni, the unoffi-
cial historian of Akbars time, wrote the following in one of his
commentaries: "Hindustan is a wide place where there is an open
field for all manner of lifestyles, and no one interferes in anothers
business so that everyone can do as he pleases.
Other relevant observations are those of the French traveler
Francois Bernier who visited India in 1690 during the period of
emperor Aurangzeb. After commenting disapprovingly on Hindu
beliefs and rituals regarding solar and lunar eclipses, he wrote in
his travelogue, The Great Moghul though a devout
Mohammedan permits these ancient and superstitious practices;
not wishing or not daring to disturb the gentiles in their free exer-
cise of their religion. It is part of their policy to leave alone the
idolatrous population which is so much more numerous than their
own, in the free exercise of their religion.
Nur Alauddin Qazi has also recorded anecdotes about the
earlier period of Sultan Alauddin Khilji. In that period, a Muslim
governor of Panipat by the name Dalur had imprisoned a Hindu
on some pretext and released him only upon payment of a large
sum of money, and then made more demands for more payment.
The victim sought refuge and relief from Shaikh Sharaf Alauddin,
a local Sufi saint. The sufi saint conveyed the complaint to the
Sultan who immediately replaced the said Muslim governor with
his own son and pledged to the saint that if his son does not
behave with fairness towards the local Hindu populace he will
replace him too. This does not mean that Mughals were not con-
cerned with Islam. Moghul historian Najim-e-San says in his
Munazirah-e-Jahangir that consolidation of the bases of their glo-
rious community and reinforcement of the injunction of the illustri-
ous Shariah have been equally among the more significant
achievements of Jahangirs reign.
It is clear that enlightened and flexible interpretation of
Shariah guided the Muslim and Moghul pattern of governance in
India, in a world where it became possible to use the term
Shariah not merely in its legalistic sense. The Muslims of these
domains found a way out after the supposed closure of the door
of Ijtihad. In the regime of this enlightened Shariah, non-Muslims,
like Muslims, could build their own places of worship, could prac-
tice all of their religious traditions and customs and had plenty of
freedom. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhandi, the famous Naqshbandi the-
ologian of the early 17th century, wrote that On the day of
Ekadashi when the Hindus abstain from eating and drinking, they
see to it that no Muslim bakes or sells bread or other food in the
bazaar. On the other hand, in the month of Ramadan they cook
and sell food.
Yet in the same era, Moghuls prided in calling themselves the
Light of the Faith, e.g., Jalaluddin Akbar, Nuruddin Jahangir. The
Qazi and Sadar of Mughal times, as in all other Islamic states,
occupied high positions and Muslim divines, among others, had
land or cash grants to maintain lofty symbols of Islam through the
length and breadth of the empire. The periodic dispatch of rich
donations to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, with the official
delegates of pilgrims were a common practice throughout the
long Moghul period.
Mir Muhammad Nauman, an important scholar in the early
17th century, saw the reigning ruler Jahangir not only as a man of
piety and justice but also as someone who ensured compliance
with the ordinances of the Shariah. To Moguls, Shariah came to
be synonymous with divine law (namus-e-ilahi) which meant
absolutely no humiliation of or injustice to the non-Muslims. The
most important task was to ensure a balance in conflicting inter-
ests, of harmony between diverse groups and communities, and
non-interference in their beliefs and practices.
The writer is a community activist in Washington DC.
DR SUMIT S PAUL
I read in Hindi and Urdu newspapers that a few days back,
one rabid Hindu politician, whos a part-time poet as well,
stated in Sagar (MP) that Urdu should be written in
Devnagari script as theres no difference between Hindi and
Urdu. Well, while hes right that theres not much difference
between Hindi and Urdu (syntax and structure wise), writing
Urdu in Devnagari is not at all justified. Why should Urdu
resort to Devnagari? Is the present Persian script inadequate
to express its phonetic sounds and inflexions?
Im equally at home with Devnagari and Persian scripts
but seldom do I read Urdu poetry in the former script. I find it
insulting to Urdu-Persian tradition and also an assault on the
dignity of Urdu language. A script is the essence of a lan-
guage. It lends an independent status and stature to it. If a
language can express itself so convincingly through its exist-
ing script, why should there be a need to opt for a script (read
Devnagari) which often fails to capture the certain conso-
nants of Urdu, Persian and Arabic? Just because Urdu
(Persian, because Urdus scripts based on Persian) is writ-
ten from right to left doesnt make it a pariah language. Only
in India, you come across certificate course/s in Urdu through
Hindi script. Kashmir University had this course and perhaps
Delhi University also offered this rank stupid certificate
course. How can one learn or even understand Urdu without
knowing its cursive Persian script?
When I look for books for my friends, who aint familiar
with Urdu script, I find it very difficult to lay my hands on Urdu
books written in Hindi script. Though Sahir Ludhianavis
friend Prakash Pandit, Nooh Narvi and Sajan Peshawari tried
to popularise Urdu poetry among non-Muslims (nowadays,
even Muslims dont know how to read and write Urdu script!!!
Theyre so anglicised) by bringing out collections of Urdu
poets in Devnagari. Im afraid, therere so many errors in
these collections that Id prefer readers to refrain from them.
Raghupati Sahay Firaq Gorakhpuris entire oeuvre is
not available in Hindi script. Even his Gul-e-naghma, pub-
lished by Sahitya Academy is rife with mistakes. Hasrat
Mohanis complete works can never be found in Hindi. One
more problem that often crops up is that of the inadequate
knowledge of experts who transliterate (called lipyantaran in
Hindi) from Urdu to Hindi and vice versa.
Many a time, such people who transliterate from Urdu
script to Hindi or Devnagari can read Urdu script but find it
difficult to write flawless Urdu. Their knowledge of both the
languages is often wanting. Urdu is a language with dots
(nuqta) and fricative sounds, which cannot be transferred
with the same precision and accuracy to Hindi.
Apart from all these technical difficulties, theres a politics
of language. The fallacy of Urdu being a specific communi-
tys language has always made its distinct script as some-
thing of an anomaly, an aberration in India, where almost all
languages are written from left to right.
Language doesnt belong to a particular community or
religion. Most of the scholars of Urdu, Persian, Arabic and
Turkish at European varsities are Christians. Even in India,
Premchand, Ratan Nath Sarshar, Sampooran Singh
Gulzar, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Krishn Chander, Firaq, Dr
Gopichand Narang, to name but a few, have been Hindus
and Sikhs.
So why this morbid insistence on changing Urdus exist-
ing script to an incomplete script like Devnagari, that originat-
ed from Sanskrit, which stubborn and neo-Hindus erroneous-
ly think to be the worlds oldest language and above any lin-
guistic reproach.
Why Devnagari for Urdu?
Muslim kings implemented enlightened Sharia
There is a sharp division of opinion amongst Muslims regarding the anti-
corruption campaign of Anna Hazare. The sceptics are echoing the
Congress slogan that Anna is the face of Hindutva forces, and the whole
saga is meant to subvert the constitutional process and democratic institu-
tions so as to ultimately help the fascist forces of the country capture
power. I regret to say that the community has suffered a lot because of the
negative approach of these intellectuals who use their super human wis-
dom to search out conspiracy angle in everything, however simple and
straight.
As a response to RSS backing Annas movement, suffice would be to
say that even if it be so, it does not affect the sanctity of the anti-corruption
crusade, just as no Muslim would abandon Islam if RSS or BJP ask
Muslims to follow Islam in letter and spirit. All Muslim intellectuals must
realize that the community can never articulate its proper course of action
in India till it starts making difference between these fictitious secular par-
ties and fascist forces. It is simply a faade and ploy which is continuing
since independence in order to keep the community under perpetual
enslavement. Astonishingly, Mayawatis secular credentials remain unpol-
luted even though she canvassed for Narendra Modi immediately after
Gujarat carnage, but Hazare becomes a face of Hindutva forces if he
praised Modi for developmental work.
If the Muslim community aspires to survive in India as a vibrant force,
it will have to shun the isolationist tendency and super intellectualism to
invent conspiracy theories everywhere. Anna's movement is a national
movement, cutting across party lines. We must try to see which way the
wind is blowing. Anew India is emerging. The future is going to see gigan-
tic changes on all fronts. It is like the French Revolution which is bound to
alter the course of events. It is the time for the community to discard the
people with negative tendencies. We, as Muslims, must be with the rest of
the country when national issues are involved, but side by side we must
assert ourselves as Muslims when the question of our religious identity or
our rights as Muslims are in question.
MUSTAFA KAMAL SHERWANI, LUCKNOW
sherwanimk@yahoo.com
Welcome Anna Hazare
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New Delhi: A seven-day rally
including persons from all sections
of society is planned from Ayodhya
to Delhi for the purpose of promot-
ing communal peace and harmony
in the country. According to the
convener of Ayodhya ki Awaaz
and organiser of this rally, Yugal
Kishore Shastri, this rally will start
from Ayodhya on the auspicious
day of 2 October (2011) Gandhijis
birthday and terminate at Hazrat
Nizamuddins Dargah in Delhi on 9
October in which in addition to
common people belonging to all
sections of society, religious leaders and divines, Sufis, Walis etc
will participate to spread the message of communal peace and
inter-religion unity. Yugal Kishore Shastri says that in the present
times, promotion of communal peace and harmony and inter-reli-
gion unity is very essential. He said that the rally will be named
Sad Bhavna Yatra which itself indicates the objective of this rally.
In reply to a question he said that it is not a political rally but
will be taken out with the participation of leaders and people of all
religions to strengthen the unity and integrity of the country. He
said that because of assembly elections in UP and some other
states next year some politicians may try to vitiate the communal
atmosphere so in order to foil their attempts, a message will be
spread among the people not to be misled by their fissiparous
attempts and maintain communal peace, unity and secularism.
He said that for the moment, organisations like Milli Gazette
group, Ayodhya ki Awaaz, Asha Parivar, NATM etc. have agreed
to participate in this rally and efforts are being made to contact
many other groups, organisations etc. to take part and support
this rally.
NCM comes forward to improve
the image of Azamgarh
New Delhi: National Commission for Minorities (NCM) in its
weekly meeting held here on 26 July discussed the problem of
the hostile campaign launched against Azamgarh district of U.P.
by the national media, police department, some communal per-
sons and parties as well as some state governments during the
past three years or so and describing it as the centre of Islamic
terrorism particularly after the Batla House incident and
expressed its displeasure at this trend. It also decided to improve
its image and present a cor-
rect picture of the district.
NCM Chairman Wajahat
Habibullah said after the
meeting that members of
the Commission, particular-
ly discussed the possibili-
ties of development of
Azamgarh district. He said
that he had recently come
across an article in an
English newspaper about
the ground realities of
Azamgarh after going
through which he had
decided to discuss this in
the Commissions meeting.
He said that in this
meeting we decided to write
letters to U.P.s Chief
Minister Mayawati and
Director General of Police
and request the chief minis-
ter to explore the possibili-
ties of development, set up industries and create avenues of
employment in the district so that the youth, particularly the edu-
cated ones may be able to earn their livelihood in a decent man-
ner. He said that this will be helpful in preventing their migration
to other places and also will deter them from adopting the path
of crime and illegal activities. He said that the C.M. has also
been requested to expand the scope of education in the district.
In the letter to DG of Police, he has requested him to instruct the
police to behave properly with the people, particularly the youth.
The chairman said that both these letters are ready and will be
sent to them within a couple of days.
Quote, Unquote
Our present power elite is, undoubtedly, the least sophisticated of Delhis power elites in all
its long and chequered history. It struggles alongwith an archaic English in which it does not
possess mastery of phrase and idiom. The rule of the Ibney Macaulays has made
Indians a language-less or dumb people. When we had Hindustaanee and called it Hindavee,
Dukhkhunee, Reykhtaa, the usage was largely oral. Those who had to write it down could
use either Naagaree or the Arabic script, the version that is now called Urdu. A special effort
has to be made in the area of language if we are to emerge from the present barrenness.
AKHILESH MITHAL, Sunday Guardian
...rioting cannot continue beyond two hours without the administrations and polices con-
nivance. Even at the peak of the 2002 Gujarat riots, violence was immediately controlled in
Surat by then city police commissioner V K Gupta. Thats why Surat reported only three
deaths as against hundreds getting killed in Ahmedabad. In Bhavnagar, where Rahul
Sharma was heading the police force, the rioting was controlled. He saved hundreds of
innocent lives. Similarly, in districts of Saurashtra where upright police officers were post-
ed, rioting was contained.
R B SREEKUMAR IPS *retd)
Addl. DGP (intelligence), Gujarat (April-Sept 2002)
L
ucknow: A seminar was organized here on 21 August at
the U.P. Press Club on Malegaon bomb blasts, judicial
communalism and the truth of Indian Mujahiddin. The
increasing communal tendency of judiciary on terrorist
issues came up as a serious concern in the seminar. While rais-
ing the questions on the existence of Indian Mojahiddin, speak-
ers raised the demand to the central govt. to issue a white paper
on Indian Mujahiddin. Raising the question on the bail of two
accused in Malegaon blasts, Kalsangra and Sahu, senior jour-
nalist, Subhash Gatade said that when judiciary accepts that
both these people were aware of the conspiracy behind
Malegaon blasts, then how and why they were released, while in
the same case, even after the acceptance of Aseemanand, nine
innocent Muslim youths are still in jail. This is nothing but judicial
communalism. He further said the Subhramanian Swami advo-
cates taking away the voting rights from Muslims, yet neither
there was any action against him nor the Government, which
claims to be very secular, made any reaction.
Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey said that it is a seri-
ous concern that though all the enquiries and the civil society
considered Batla House encounter a fake one, the government
sees it as one of its achievements. It clearly indicates that this
government views terrorism with a communal approach. He fur-
ther added that two people of Bajrang Dal died while making
bombs in Kanpur, still no serious enquiry was done in this case.
On the other hand, just on the basis of doubt and without any evi-
dence, hundreds of Muslim youth are pushed behind the bars of
prisons.
Addressing the audience, national president of Welfare
Party, Mujtaba Farooq, said that the politics behind the terrorist
blasts is connected to the politics of distrust towards Muslims
that has been built up very strategically. He raised the question
that even after ATS allegations made against Col. Purohit for
training one thousand people for making blasts, why this angle
was not enquired by the intelligence.
Senior journalist, Ajit Sahi, speaking on the occasion said
that now the involvement of state in terrorism can be easily
observed. It came out very prominently in Gujarat and many
other places. In such a situation, civil society needs to start a
political campaign to destroy the conspiracy against building a
propaganda of terrorism by associating Indian Mujahiddins
name though this neither has any base nor any evidence.
Sharing his views on the subject, social activist and journal-
ist, Anil Chamaria expressed his serious concern on the rising
tendency of denying the versions and evidences in judicial sys-
tem. He said that the state constructs the structure of terrorism
and judicial system puts its stamp of approval on it. This tenden-
cy is very dangerous, he added.
The event was introduced by Rajeev Yadav. Masihuddin
Sanjari further shared his experiences of the judicial process and
procedures of arrested Muslim youth. Ravi Shekhar proposed
the demands that emerged from the overall discussion of the
day, which are as follows:
1. Govt. must issue White Paper on Indian Mojahiddin explain-
ing what it is and whose organization it is.
2. a white paper must be issued on the enquiry of the terrorist
cases where Sangh family and Hindutva organizations were
involved.
3. A separate commission should be established on all the ter-
rorist cases that took place during the last 10 years.
4. Organizations like Abhinav, Sanatan, Hindu Yuva Vahini,
Hindu Janjagran Samiti and Bajrang Dal must be banned.
5. Leader of the Sangh family, Indresh Kumar, must be arrest-
ed.
6. It must be enquired as to why the R. D. Nimesh Commission
that was appointed for six months [on 14 March, 2008] and
was supposed to submit the report on Tariq-Khalid case has
not submitted its report yet.
7. Even after getting the evidences under RTI, why Khalid was
arrested in an unfair manner and his application for bail is
pending since one and a half year in Justice Ashwini
Kumars court.
Randheer Singh Suman, Arundhati Dhuru, Prof Roop Rekha
Verma, Nishant, Hareram, Ekta, Ajay Singh, Tahira Hasan, Javed
Mohammad, Jaheed Ahmad Falahi, K. K. Vats, Mahendra Singh,
Tariq Shafiq, Gunjan Singh also participated.
Malegaon discussed at Lucknow seminar
Plan to take out rally from Ayodhya for national unity and harmony
Subhash Gatade speaking at the seminar
NATIONAL
4 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
New Delhi: 6 July, 2011 was a black day for
residents of Asalat Nagar Wagah,
Dingarpur, Nankar and Asadpur villages of
Moradabad district which are situated at a
distance of 15-18 kilometers in the south
west of the district headquarters.
News of alleged desecration of the
Holy Quran by police personnel during a
raid of a house in Asalat Nagar Wagah
spread, hurting the minds and souls of the
Muslim minority in the area. As a result, a
chain of violence started between the pub-
lic and police resulting in loss of public and
private property, hurting communal harmo-
ny of the area, weakening police-public
relations and causing huge economic loss-
es. Large numbers of policemen were also
injured in the violence including the D.I.G of
the area. Serious injuries to children
caused by police bullets, arrests of 38 per-
sons including juveniles, destruction of
property and Police atrocities against
women, senior citizens and children seri-
ously disturbed the peace of the area and
inflicted psychological trauma on the vil-
lagers. Local media continuously reported
the police version of the entire episode.
Association for Protection of Civil
Rights (APCR) sent a fact-finding mission
to find out the circumstances which caused
huge losses to the minority community as
well as to the nation. The findings of the
team are based on interviews with victims,
their relatives, Administration and Police
personnel.
Findings
1. Desecration of the Quran has some
truth. Noorjahans statement was wit-
nessed by neighbours also. It was not
a mere rumour.
2. When this news spread, villagers
blocked the national highway demand-
ing suspension of the culprit police offi-
cials.
3. The fact is that first the mob jammed
the main road and then attacked the
police station as the administration
failed to respond and console the hurt religious sentiments of
the people and failed to meet their demands. The DIG
received information about the incident. He was heading for
Mainather Police station but a mob stopped him on at
Dingarpur village. The DM of Moradabad, who was also trav-
elling with him, finding the situation going out of control,
returned to the district headquarters but the DIG was caught
in a scuffle with the mob. The DIG opened fire on the stone-
pelting villagers reportedly injuring four youths.
Consequently, the mob became more violent and attacked
police officials resulting in serious injuries to the D.I.G and
others.
4. Police in reaction behaved like hired goons. They destroyed
and looted shops, beat up women, juveniles and did not
spare even senior citizens. These acts of violence by the
police are beyond the law of the land. The Police have regis-
tered fake FIRs against villagers and have arrested mostly
innocent people.
5. The violence has caused severe damage to the local society
and economy.
6. Villagers have been since living in fear and children have
been the worst affected.
7. Police atrocities have not been brought into limelight. Local
media reported as mouthpiece of the police officials.
8. No FIR has been lodged yet against the police. No action
taken against the culprit police officials who initiated the
entire episode resulting in loss of property, business, police-
community relations, communal harmony and the peace in
the district.
9. The DM is new to the area and perhaps had not done enough
study to understand the incident and its after effects on the
local people. Nevertheless, in our discussion, we expected
him to give us a brief account of the role of the administration
in the given situation. The team did not find him as an efficient
administrator in this case.
10. The entire community in the nearby villages like Asalat Nagar
Wagha, Dingarpur, Asadpur, Nankar etc. is living in constant
fear of the police and this fear has seriously affected their
daily and family life. Children have been without food, without
education and without security for more than four weeks.
Daily wage labourers and farmers are most affected.
Suggestions and Recommendations
1. U.P. government should take proper action against the culprit
police officials as their illegal and irresponsible action initiat-
ed the entire episode, resulting in loss of property, business,
damage to police-community relations, communal harmony
and peace in the district. The Police and the local administra-
tion must be asked to submit their report within a time-bound
frame.
2. Withdrawal of all FIRs and immediate release of innocent vil-
lagers.
3. State Government should provide proper compensation to
the affected villagers.
4. This case must be investigated by the National Human
Rights Commission, National Commission for Protection of
Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Commission for Women
(NCW) and proper actions should be taken against all human
rights violations.
5. Proper training must be provided to the police to deal with sit-
uations that can erupt due to hurt of religious sentiments and
Police-community level meetings should be scheduled with
the help of community leaders to strengthen police-public
relations as soon as possible.
Members of the Fact-Finding Team
1. Syed Akhlak Ahmad, Secretary, Delhi Chapter, Association
for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)
2. Afroz Alam Sahil, RTI activist and Editor, Beyond Headlines
(www.beyondheadlines.in)
3. Dilnawaz Pasha, Sub-Editor, Bhaskar.com (Dainik Bhaskar
Group)
4. Javed, Advocate, Moradabad District Court
5. Kamala Kanta Dash, Research Scholar, Monash University,
Australia and President of Initiative for Nationalism, Secularism
and Affirmative Action Network (INSAAN), Delhi
New Delhi: Leftist historian Irfan Habib
on 12 Aug. asked the CPM to incorpo-
rate caste into Marxist class theory, the
idea coming as a prescription for a
party groping for a revival strategy after
the defeats in Bengal and Kerala.
Habibs suggestion came at a sympo-
sium here on Marxism Today, held to
mark his 80th birthday and attended by
pro-CPM academics and commenta-
tors Prabhat Patnaik, Utsa Patnaik,
Aijaz Ahmed and C.P. Chandrasekhar.
All the speakers stressed the need
for fresh thinking. Marxism... is not a
closed body of ideas but open-ended,
said Prabhat Patnaik, who chaired the
symposium.
Habib said the Marxists traditional
approach of playing down caste
and stressing only class was a
mistake in the Indian context. He
said the Left should confront the
caste realities and explain them
scientifically as a system of the
ruling class.
He suggested the Left fight
the anti-Brahmin campaign of
Dalit politics by debunking the
notion of Brahmins as the caste
systems architects. Citing
Buddhist literature, he argued that
the ruling Kshatriyas were largely
responsible for furthering caste
hierarchy. He urged Marxists to
learn from the Mahatmas move-
ment for the Dalits.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, however, did not
attend the symposium. Politburo member Sitaram Yechury was
among the few party leaders who did and even he left after a
while.
The CPMs party programme acknowledges the reality of
caste and talks about fighting it with a social reform movement,
but the party has never pursued such a movement seriously. The
programme slams caste-based parties but the CPM has done
business with the likes of Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh Yadav
and Mayawati.
Habib also suggested that the notions of dictatorship of the
proletariat and peoples democracy had turned redundant and
asked the CPM to embrace multi-party democracy and become
a serious parliamentary party.
Aijaz Ahmed said Marxist parties had failed to exploit the
grandeur of Marxist theory, and cited how peoples movements
were moving away from the Left banner. This is because
Marxists have failed Marx, Utsa Patnaik said. Marxists have
been lazy.
Chandrasekhar referred to the economic downturn to argue
that the opportunity to transcend capitalism had never been
greater. (J.P. Yadav)
Moradabad violence: report of the fact-finding committee
CPM nudged to take caste blinkers off
Fact-finding team in Asalat Nagar
A victim of police firing
Prof. Irfan Habib
A victim of police firing
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 5
NATIONAL
MUSTAFA KHAN
A
t present there is a noisy and overexcited critical
response, display of interest and trail of publicity over
the sidelined cops post Godhra revelations. So much
so that even national mainstream papers are taken in
and forget to look closely into the matter and unearth the truth
and publish it rather than being carried away by sops dished out
to them. The government of Narendra Modi in Gujarat has pro-
moted MD Manoj Antani as Home Secretary. He was the DSP of
Bharuch in 2002. Showing total contempt for civil society, Modi
has dared to take them on.
But his shrewd move though bewitching some for the time
being has also given away the truth.
It has been mistakenly reported that Antani was a sidelined
cop who did not carry out the instructions of Modi to let the
Hindus wreak havoc on the Muslims in revenge for the fire on the
Sabarmati Express on February 27, 2002. The truth is far from
this. He on his own opted for central government deputation from
the Gujarat lot because he feared his record was quite incriminat-
ing, to say the least.
If the police officer KK Mysorewallas remark that there were
orders from above not to save the Muslims from the marauding
hordes made the title of a report by a Human Rights book on
Gujarat 2002, the remark of Antani will one day become a much
more publicized title of another book. Antani had led his police
men break the doors of Muslims in Bharuch city. He took away 16
Muslim youths and tortured them in detention. The torture started
when he ordered his men in uniform: These Muslims are filthy
people, burn them to ashes! (Yeh sab kshan Muslims hain, unko
jala do aur khak kar do!) The blood curdling beating started and
continued.
The highly inhuman and criminal behaviour of Antani comes
in a context which is even more horrifying. In an area of Bharuch
called Bahar ki Undai a blood thirsty mob was led by the Home
Guards and also some policemen on March 19, 2002. The Home
Guards opened fired on Muslims and killed some. Home Guard
Bharat Sunderlal Bhatia killed Sayyid Sirajuddin Jibbo. Another
Home Guard Deepak Samardas Rana killed a woman called
Najma. Another Muslim who was injured in the firing was
Shabbier Khan.
This crowd had come from Dandia Bazaar where Deepak
Samardas Rana lived. He led the mob to Undai. He had desert-
ed his post which was 200 meters away in another area. As he
led the mob, those behind him started a hail of stones at the
Muslims after he had opened fire on the Muslims.
The subsequent breaking of doors and arrest on the orders
of Antani was a sequel to this. Most notable feature is that this
recrudescence of pogrom happened full 17 days after Modis stip-
ulated three days sanction for anti-Muslim violence.
The same white powder that burnt to ashes Gulberg society,
was used in Bharuch too with the same disastrous effect. How
could hundreds of packets and bottles of the powder find their
way to these farfetched places? What more proof would the
courts need to judge the genocidal fury unleashed on the
Muslims by Modi and lieutenants, like Antani? Burn them to
ashes (unko jala dalo aur khak kar do!) thundered the man who
is now Home Secretary of Gujarat.
There is a base side to human nature of some. In the pres-
ent case it is like master like servant. It is not confined by ones
being born in any particular faith. It is such a depravity that its
greed makes man feel no shame, let alone any remorse. An
episode that local Narmada channel had telecast live was the col-
lector of Bharuch Anju Sharma and DSP Manoj Antani gorging on
cashew nuts and almonds. These two had let the mobs of Hindus
break open the shops of Muslims in Barelikho in Bharuch on
February 28. The marauders passed on the booty stolen from the
dry fruits shops of Muslims. They ingratiated the sahebs for their
largesse in allowing them to loot and then burn.
These officials of Modi administration were carrying out the
instructions that Modi had given them in the late night meeting at
his residence only twelve hours ago.
Question: How does one prove all these accusations?
Answer: The strike called by Vishwa Hindu Parishad on February
28 started with the three days stipulated time Modi had given the
mobs to take revenge upon the Muslims when his police would
let them vent their anger. His satrap Viral Desai was the boss of
VHP unit of Bharuch.
Antani was the DSP of the town, and Aju Sharma its collec-
tor. Given the kind of situation that was created there the order
passed by the administration to the religious wing of the party
which ruled the state. After all, the chief minister and the Prime
Minister Vajpayee and his Home Minister LK Advani always felt
proud to be members of Rashtra Swayamsevak Sangh. VHP and
BJP are different configurations of the same.
On the same channel Desai had unsheathed his sword and
gave a call for the strike while shouting in his fervor It is official
secret that the police are with us in this (Yeh under ki baat hai,
police hamare saath hai.) By no means was it an empty boast.
The sword struck its victims while the hordes encored the slogan
Yeh under ki baat hai, police hamare saath hai. The police and
the hordes shared the open secret and so there was no need to
deny it. The police and the government never bothered to issue
any denial. It was a foregone conclusion.
Antani was not sidelined. Punitive action was taken against
him because the High Court was hearing a case. In that case
Antani had made a blunder. There was some trouble in another
part of Bharuch called Haji Khana Bazaar right on March 18 when
Hindus had gathered in the house of Bhupender Manilal Gandhi.
It followed attack on Taiba mosque. The attackers included
Desai. He was in the crowd which demanded the imam to hand
Muslim youths accused of unlawful gathering, under section 144.
When the magistrate Mr Trivedi came there and Muslims
demanded release of the seven youths the police had caught,
Desai prevailed upon the magistrate and the section was
changed to 307. The youths could not be released. As if this was
not enough, Antani botched up and joined the 16 youths he had
forced his men to break doors and drag out and detain and put
their names in the same FIR. How could the sixteen in one place
Undai be shown to be in far away Haji Khana Bazaar case?
Therefore, it would be appropriate to say that Antani was
shunted to avoid the blot from becoming too prominent and when
the transfer to the central government deputation came handy he
was allowed to escape.
And now he is reinstated with promotion and dignity!
How could he be described, as in the words of a mainstream
paper, sticking to the rule book during the riot? At long last his
master should now heed the rule of law, the rule book ceases to
matter before the rule of law.
Modi mocks all by appointing Antani as Home Secretary
M
ufti Abul Qasim Nomani, Mohtamim (rector) of
Darul Uloom Deoband, has distanced himself and
the seminary from Annas anti-corruption cam-
paign. Earlier, he had been quoted by some Hindi
newspapers to have extended his support to Annas agitation.
Nomani has denied those reports by saying that he was mis-
quoted.
While clarifying his stand on the issue the rector said I
had only said we do not have anything to do with Annas agi-
tation. Nomani in an interview made his point clear by say-
ing that we are neither in favour or against the movement led
by Anna Hazare. He further said that corruption is a serious
issue and is a matter of concern for each and every individual.
Darul Uloom Deoband is a religious institution and must not get
involved in political matters, he said.
Maulana Mohammad Islam Qasmi of All India Muslim
Personal Law Board has said that it is the duty of every Indian to
support Annas movement because corruption is eating our coun-
try like termites. Government must consider it seriously. Maulana
Ibrahim Qasmi said that any agitation carried out with good inten-
tion must be supported. (Mohammad Naushad Khan)
Symbolism to attract Muslims
Team Anna has understood the importance of symbolism in
attracting the Muslim community towards his movement as com-
pared to his last fast which had attracted criticism for its invitation
of Hindutva activists like Sadhvi Rithambhara. There has been a
perception that Muslims have been left out from Annas crusade
or the struggle for the Jan Lokpal, doesnt have the vital support
of the Muslim community - an accusation which the Congress
has repeatedly been highlighting in the media to discredit the
popular anti-corruption movement. In order to counter the allega-
tions of Muslim hostility, team Anna has taken a series of steps.
On 22 August, in an important symbolic gesture, a mass Iftaar
(breaking of fast at sunset) was organized at Ramlila Ground,
which also highlighted the fact that Muslims are joining the cam-
paign. The Iftaar was an attempt to draw a parallel between the
fast for moral purification as practiced by Muslims during the
ongoing month of Ramzan and the indefinite fast by Anna which
is being portrayed as an attempt to purge the corruption out of
the country.
Disturbed at RSS links Faisal Khan, a prominent member of
the National Alliance for Peoples Movement (NAPM) says that,
it would be extremely dangerous for the future of the country if
through Anna Hazare and his team-mates, the fascist forces like
RSS, get to hold the country to ransom. Soon similar tactics
would be used to campaign for Hindutva causes, Khan writes, in
a letter to PM Manmohan Singh, expressing his fear about the
RSS backed Anna movement. A section of the community,
which sees Saffron volunteers at Ramleela ground attending
Annas protest rally in huge numbers, is uncomfortable with Anna
because of his reported RSS links and his past praise for
Narendra Modi for his developmental works in Gujarat. In
expressing their sense of unease with Anna, they also betray
their existential hostility, for apparently expected reasons,
towards RSS and the BJP. (twocircles.net)
N
ew Delhi: A broad-based consultation
among Muslim organisations was held
on 23 August at the All India Muslim
Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM) Central
Office to discuss and formulate the Muslim com-
munitys stand on the Lokpal issue. The meet-
ing, chaired by AIMMM President Syed
Shahabuddin, was attended by representatives
of Jamaat-e Islami Hind, Markazi Jamiat Ahle
Hadees, All India Milli Council, Welfare Party of
India, Muslim Political Council, Students Islamic
Organisation and Lok Janshakti Party. A repre-
sentative of the CPIM also took part as a special
invitee.
The Meeting decided that the Muslim com-
munity as a weaker section must fully support
any movement to reduce and eliminate corrup-
tion in the country. It supports the idea that the
proposed Lokpal should cover the political
executive, including the Prime Minister and the
higher Bureaucracy and the Legislators should
also be brought under the purview of a strong
and effective Lokpal. However, the community
has reservations about the methodology adopt-
ed by Anna agitation which seeks to impose its
draft of Jan Lokpal Bill on the country. The same
method may be used tomorrow to pressurize
the Government and the Parliament to concede
unreasonable, even unconstitutional demands.
Democracy demands Parliamentary supremacy
in the field of legislation which should be based
on national consensus emerging out of discus-
sion and dialogue. No Committee or group or
party can claim to have absolute wisdom or
script the last word.
The Meeting was of the view that the cre-
ation of a single entity to fight all kinds of corrup-
tion at all levels is not a correct approach
because such a mega authority, amounting to a
super-government or a parallel government, will
be impracticable and crumble under its own
weight and breed new sources of corruption.
The Meeting agreed that corruption in judi-
ciary should also be tackled but separately and
for that reason it should not come under the
purview of the common Lokpal. Its independ-
ence cannot be allowed to be undermined.
The Meeting also came to conclusion that
lower bureaucracy should have a separate
complaint-redressal system, which should be
effective and be subject to monitoring by the
Lokpal.
The Meeting demanded that the corporate
sector, the NGOs, the professional classes and
the mass media must also be made account-
able through separate legal mechanisms to
Lokapal-like controls.The Meeting was of the
view that the existing mechanism of Lokayukt,
the CVC and the CBI should be strengthened
and freed from government control. The
Meeting was also of the view that basic political
and electoral reforms were essential, to create a
corruption-free super-structure of governance.
Finally, the meeting stressed the need for
creating social awareness and a transparent
environment so that struggle against corruption
becomes a common task of all enlightened citi-
zenry.
Deoband remains neutral in Anna stir
Muslim communitys stand on the Lokpal issue
JIHs Nusrat Ali making a point during the consultation
NATIONAL
6 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
With best compliments from
Kaleem Kawaja Washington DC
WB govt. recruits 255 clerks,
only five are Muslims
Kolkata: Government of West Bengal has recently recommended
names of 255 candidates for the posts of Lower Division Assistant
(Clerk) in different departments. But the shocking story is that out of
these 255 only five are Muslims. The appointment of five out of 255
comes to less than even meager 2 %, whereas Muslims constitute
27% of the total population of the state. Sachar Report highlighted
the extremely poor representation of Muslims in Government jobs in
West Bengal.More shocking is the fact that even in the departments
like Madrasah Education, Minorities Development & Welfare, all the
seven clerks recommended for appointment are non-Muslims!
JIH chief calls to adopt interest-free
economic system
New Delhi: The debt crisis engulfing USA and European countries
is a major cause of concern for the world economy and it gives us
an opportunity to rethink about the prevalent financial and monetary
system and corrective steps wherever required, including structural
changes, otherwise the situation may further worsen, said Maulana
Syed Jalaluddin Umari, President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on 11
August.
Maulana Umari further said that the prevalent financial and mon-
etary system is fraught with structural weaknesses wherein deficit
financing is covered with printing of bank notes and interest-based
debts. The effects are cascading and the economy becomes further
weak. The case of USA is more dangerous because sovereign
bonds, documents purchased by foreign governments, considering
its economy to be stable, are more than 50% of its total bonds. Any
failure of the US financial system will badly affect a number of other
countries including our own country, India. The lavish living stan-
dards in USA far beyond its means, its huge financial commitments
to Israel, the various wars including those in Iraq and Afghanistan it
has involved itself, and similar factors have eroded its capital base
leading to the present situation.
This is a natural consequence of interest-based capitalist sys-
tem and it calls for consideration of an alternative economic system.
Islam offers the ethical interest-free economic system which is an
option for the world, Maulana Umari concluded.
50% quota for Muslim students in Jamia Millia
Islamia
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia has framed an Ordinance providing
for 50 per cent reservation to Muslim students from the 2011-12 aca-
demic session, Parliament was informed on 3 August.
The information was given in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State
for Human Resource Development D Purandeswari in a written reply
to Asaduddin Owaisi of All India Majlis-e Ittehadul Muslimeen from
Andhra Pradesh.
She was asked whether the National Commission for Minority
Educational Institutions had passed a judgement to give minority
status to Jamia Millia Islamia and whether the government accepted
its Report.
Yes, Sir, said the MoS, adding that the judicial pronounce-
ment by the... NCMEI has been challenged in the High Court of Delhi
but no stay has been granted. As a follow-up of the order of the
NCMEI, Jamia Millia Islamia has framed an Ordinance providing for
50 per cent reservation to Muslim students from the Academic ses-
sion 2011-12.
Sachar panel members doubt govt role in implementing recommendations
New Delhi: Sachar panel members fears that the recommen-
dation suggested by the Sachar Committee to uplift Muslims
on social, educational and economic fronts may not get imple-
mented because of lack of will on the part of the government
and the procedure followed to implement it.
Almost five years have passed by after the Sachar
Committee submitted its overview on the plight of Muslims but
nothing seems to have been done substantially on the ground
towards implementing Sachars recommendations. Justice
Rajinder Sachar, who was instrumental in drafting the report, is
hurt to find that the government once praised for setting up the
Committee in the year 2005 has so far failed to implement its
main recommendations as suggested by the Committee. The
main recommendations according to him were to set up Equal
Opportunities Commission and the Diversity Index. This was
done so as to extract more funds from the UGC to benefit var-
ied institutions not exclusively only for Muslims but also for
other set of social groups in India.
Abusaleh Shariff, another panel member is dejected by the
fact that the government instead of trying to encourage
Muslims into the mainstream it is specifying Muslims which is
in contrast to the recommendation of the report. For example
the government is only eager to modernise madrasas where
roughly 4 percent of Muslims get education and hardly talks of
benefit of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to be extended to Muslims
on the lines of the recommendation for mainstreaming
Muslims.
Syeda Hameed, Planning Commission member has been
given the responsibility to monitor the implementation of the
report a couple of months ago. Surprisingly, the monitoring
committee has met only once.
Dr Rakesh Basant who is an economist believes that the
decision of the government to make minority affairs ministry a
nodal agency in implementing recommendation was a mistake
as most of the programmes are meant for all under privileged
groups including Muslims and for that matter a general ministry
like home or finance could serve the purpose in a more effec-
tive manner. Shariff is of the view that Ministry of Finance has
to make sure that Muslims businesses can avail loans easily
without any hassle. He further questioned as to how Muslims
in need of loans can look forward towards the National
Minorities Development Fund.
Another report finds that Public sector banks have failed to
comply with the governments order aimed to improve the eco-
nomic condition of the Muslims by increasing the share of lend-
ing to minority communities to 15 percent of priority sector
loans by March 2011. It reveals the problem faced by an indi-
vidual to get loans from the concerned departments because
of lack of will to facilitate a smooth transaction. (Mohammad
Naushad Khan)
N
ew Delhi: According to the recently published report
prepared by the Centre for Equity Studies (CES)
under the leadership of Harsh Mander, member of
National Advisory Council (NAC), U.P.A. government
and its ministry for minorities affairs are showing signs of fear
and cowardice in directly providing benefits to Muslims for fear
of being accused of appeasement of Muslims. In view of the
seriousness of this report and for fear of a barrage of criticisms
because of the facts mentioned in this report, Chairperson of
NAC Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has directed the ministry for minorities
affairs to prepare a detailed response on this report which has
almost been completed. In reply to Harsh Manders 91-page
report the said the ministry has prepared an almost hundred
page report. According to reliable sources, ministry for minori-
ties affairs is very busy giving final shape to its report in
response to CES report which points out the governments
insensitivity towards Muslims and lays bare the facts about the
overall condition and backwardness of Muslims.
It may be pointed out that Harsh Mander in his report has
clearly stated that the ministry for minorities affairs was created
after Sachar Committee had presented the extremely grim con-
dition of social, economic and educational backwardness of
Muslims but Muslims never gained anything and never benefit-
ed in any way from this ministry. According to Harsh Mandar, as
compared to other ministries and departments this ministry has
neither any political determination for fulfilment of its objectives
nor does it enjoy any political power for implementing its plans
for the welfare of Muslims. This ministry has put the lable of
minorities plans on specific government plans for Muslims
structural developments that are going on in 90 districts have in
no way improved the conditions of Muslims because according
to Harsh Manders report, in most cases government officials
are directed not to include Muslim majority areas i.e. cities,
towns and villages, in the project. Same is the condition of the
Prime Ministers 15-point programme and central governments
schemes and projects for minorities (i.e. Muslims) welfare. Truly
speaking, U.P.A. government and Congress believe more in
giving lollipops to Muslims. It (Congress) doesnt have the
courage and guts or, in more appropriate words, they dont
actually want to give some thing to Muslims and still be called
the well-wisher or sympathetic party of Muslims.
A
ccording to reliable sources, minister for minorities affairs
Salman Khurshid does not agree to these views. His
argument is that NGOs prepare such reports for their very
survival. He further says that there is a lot of difference between
social organisations/NGOs and minorities affairs ministry. It is
very easy to run NGOs whereas it is very difficult to run a min-
istry. Moreover, ministry of minorities affairs is not for Muslims
only, but for all minorities of the country.
According to reliable sources again, Salman Khurshid has
finalised the reaction/response of minorities affairs ministry on
Harsh Manders report and very soon he will submit it to NAC
Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Subsequently, it will be considered
and discussed in the Council and further steps will be taken
thereafter. (NAAnsari)
Govt reaction to
Harsh Manders report ready
Census 2011 has exposed some shocking truths about girl child
ratio in our country. The government, on July 7, declared that
every 14th girl child born in India dies before her fifth birthday.
The figures, released by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and
census commissioner Dr. C. Chandramouli, should certainly be
food for thought for chief ministers Mayawati, Shivraj Singh
Chouhan and Tarun Gogoi, whose states have fared the worst.
Referring to the census findings, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has already termed the
falling child sex ratio in India as a national
shame.
In Mayawati-ruled Uttar Pradesh, of every
1,000 girls born, 93 die before turning five. The
corresponding figure in Chouhans Madhya
Pradesh is 92 while in Gogois Assam it is 91.
While 69 girls below five years age die out
of every 1,000 births in India, the corresponding
figure for boys is 60, despite the skewed child
sex ratio. While releasing the Census 2011 find-
ings earlier in March, 2011, the government had
expressed concern that the child sex ratio
(number of girls per 1,000 boys below five
years of age) had dipped to its lowest level in
the countrys history-914-from 927 in 2001.
The high girl child mortality rates are a worrisome trend. This
now explains why the child sex ratio is falling. This is certainly the
grimmest news coming out of Census 2011, Chandramouli said.
According to UN targets, India should reduce mortality rate of
children below five to 42 deaths per 1,000 births by 2015-which
seems a farfetched idea for many states. Kerela provides the sil-
ver lining, reporting only 16 girl child deaths per
1,000 births while Delhis death count is 38.
Government sources say that the practice of
poor caring of the girl child after birth and cases
of infanticide are the main causes behind the
high mortality rate. This is because the maternal
mortality rate (MMR) is steadily improving from
254 deaths of mothers per one lakh births in
2004-06 to 212 in 2007-09, showing an apparent
improvement in medical care. Also, states which
report high mortality rates of girls below five
years of age do not fare any better when it
comes to mortality of girls before turning even
one.
The decline has been most significant in
Empowered Action Group States and Assam
from 375 to 308. Among the southern states, the decline has
been from 149 to 127 and in the other states from 174 to 149,
said RGI. Empowered Action Group (EAG) states comprise Bihar,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orrisa, Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The figures for other states are- Tamil Nadu (33),
Maharashtra (36), Delhi (37) and West Bengal (40), which have
already achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) tar-
get laid down by the United Nations.
At present, a rural woman at the national level would have
about one child more than an urban woman, it said. Total fertility
rate measures average number of children born to a woman dur-
ing her entire reproductive period.
It is not only the PM who has expressed his deepest concern
over the dark scenario of child sex ratio; President Pratibha Patil
has also described the low sex ratio in the country as pathetic
and called for urgent corrective steps in this regard.
The 2011 provisional Census figures have just been
released. The picture shows that the female ratio of our popula-
tion remains low. It is 940 females per thousand males. I think it
is becoming a pathetic situation, the president had said at a func-
tion earlier in April calling it the result of social prejudice.
SAIYED DANISH
Census 2011 exposes horrifying girl child ratio
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 7
NATIONAL
N.A.K. DURRANI
medaddurrani@gmail.com
T
he reputation of the Aligarh Muslim University and its func-
tionaries emerged intact. All kinds of insidious and irrele-
vant illusions relating to the hyped up AMU Fact-Finding
Enquirys outcomes were put to rest. A copy of the interim
report obtained under RTI Act and now available in the University
has opened the eyes and in a way shed enormous light on the
dynamics of the black enquiry.
The Chairman of the enquiry committee, Justice B. A. Khan in
his categorical and crystal clear findings has proved beyond doubt
on all the crucial first four major complaints the innocence of the
AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis and given a clean chit
to the University on these contentious issues.
However, with reference to availing of the HTC prematurely,
Justice Khan had certain reservations and at the same time he
also noted that the VC was very much so entitled and the only
wrong done by him was that he had prematurely and hurriedly
availed it off before waiting to become eligible for it under the rules
and that no loss had consequently occurred to the University
exchequer and that the amount received by him was adjustable
and liable to be set off.
An analysis of the Interim report including its winding up as
well as the way the Fact-Finding Enquiry has functioned shows
the blatant interference, bias and also violation of rules under
whose provisions the enquiry was set up. It was set up by the
President of India in her capacity as the Visitor of Aligarh Muslim
University under the provision of Section 13(2) of the AMU Act XL
of 1920. Even a cursory examination suggests that there were
certain grave inconsistencies with regard to selective dropping of
the issues related to counter complainants and the process of
finally concluding the enquiry.
The Sub-section (3) of the Section 13 of the AMU Act categor-
ically states that the Visitor may address the Vice Chancellor with
reference to the result of such inspection and inquiry, and the Vice
Chancellor shall communicate to the Executive Council the views
of the Visitor with such advice as the Visitor may be pleased to
offer upon the action to be taken.
The discrete AMU community with a sense of deep anguish
noted that instead of following this vital provision, the MHRD
abruptly issued the orders of winding up of the enquiry, undermin-
ing sub-section 3 of the Section 13 of AMU Act. What is more dis-
turbing is that the MHRD has put to winds the dignity and the
autonomy of this historic university and its executive authority
including its academic and executive head by taking a suo motu
action of appointing multiple agencies including CBI to further
probe when it is absolutely clear that the total amount involved is
frivolous and that the University has its fully secure built-in sys-
tems to rectify any of its financial dealings including the Finance
Committee and Annual Audit of its accounts by C & AG.
The first AMU Fact-Finding Enquiry Committee floundered
despite full records and documents having been provided to it by
the University. The MHRD, without looking into the reasons for the
first committees failure, recommended a second two-member
fact-finding enquiry committee headed by Justice B. A. Khan and
Justice A. N. Divecha as its members.
Unfortunately, the second AMU Fact-Finding Enquiry also
remained inconclusive because as the interim report suggests
Justice Divecha has flawed in arriving at judgment by taking the
line of complainants and stepping out of the mandated reference
period.
The Chairman of the AMU Fact-Finding Enquiry Committee
Justice BA Khan was so dismayed by the conclusion arrived at by
its member that he declined to append his signature to the report,
and, instead, wrote a long report of findings by observing in the
very commencing sentence that I find myself at odds to go by this
line of reasoning and to go along with the honble members con-
clusion. This is so for the reason that I find no worthwhile basis for
this conclusion. He has clearly established a case of not guilty on
all the four major points of contention raised by Honble Justice
Divecha.
The Chairmans findings bear testimony to the fact that AMU
Vice Chancellor cannot be held responsible for infringement of
rule 30 of the AMU Traveling and Halting Allowance Rules as the
University waived for incoming vice chancellors and could not be
selectively applied to the present Vice Chancellor and this practice
was found uniformly followed and that the Vice Chancellors act
would in no case constitute any offence of embezzlement or mis-
appropriation.
While elaborating the issue in question, Justice Khan
observed that I also fail to appreciate how this payment of TA/DA
to the VC would constitute any offence of embezzlement or mis-
appropriation or for that matter, any misconduct. The offences of
embezzlement and misappropriation have their own ingredients
including the dishonest intention to convert someone elses move-
able property to ones own personal or private use. Dishonest
misappropriation is punishable under Section 403 of the Indian
Penal Code, 1860, and the illustrations cited therein need not be
invoked to show that the act of the VC and that of the University
would fall in any of these.
It is not anybodys case and it cannot be that the VC received
or withdrew the amount with a dishonest intention to convert it to
his personal use. On the contrary, he was found entitled to this
through a bonafide pursuit of practice followed by the University.
It is also not a case of any abuse of power or position by the VC.
He was offered the post at the University for which he had not
applied and he was paid TA/DA on joining in line with past prac-
tice followed by the University in case of all his predecessors and
that is it. Should it be taken to constitute any financial wrong doing
by any standard, the responsibility and blame should lie more with
the Universitys administrative set up than him.
Justice Khan, with an element of caution, pointed out that if a
contrary view was taken and the payment treated as any financial
irregularity then the same yardstick would have to be applied to all
past VCs on the principle of equal treatment which would yield
none-too-happy results and will open Pandoras box and stigma-
tize even those who are presently holding high constitutional posi-
tions. That would neither serve any public interest nor the interests
of the University, he added.
Minutely scrutinizing various documents, the chairman of the
FFIC noted that We have also seen UPAuditor Generals Report,
which is on record, and which holds TA/DA inadmissible to the VC
on his first joining based on the premise that he was holding a
tenure post at CUSAT and was to hold one at the AMU also in
which case no transfer TA/DA was admissible. This report does
not take in regard the Universitys past practice of such TA/DA
having been paid to past incoming VCs in similar circumstances.
It is also not known what audit action had been taken in the case
of former incoming VCs which should be taken against the pres-
ent VC also. We are told that the UP Auditor General had treated
this issue as a minor query, whatever that may mean in audit jar-
gon, and the issue was pending consideration before the
Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Let that take its own
course on the financial regime track.
I beg to disagree with the Honble Members finding that the
VC had committed embezzlement and misappropriation of the
AMU funds by receiving the TA/DA on joining. To me the payment
was on an off-spring of the Universitys past practice and so long
as this practice was uniformly followed and went unquestioned,
the VC would be entitled to equal treatment as given to his illustri-
ous predecessors and would have to go scot free along with the
University, the chairman added.
Justice Khan concluded, Rule 30 stood waived by the
University qua incoming VCs and could not be selectively applied
to the present VC only. The Universitys practice of paying TA/DA
to incoming VCs on joining was found uniformly followed and
would apply to the present VC also on the principle of equal treat-
ment to which he is entitled. The VCs act would in no case con-
stitute any offence of embezzlement or misappropriation and or
misconduct.
Regarding HTC, the chairman was also categorical in finding
that both the Vice Chancellor and the University have violated rel-
evant rules on just one count of availing the LTC prematurely and
considered the aberration as a curable irregularity as the Vice
Chancellor had not drawn any HTC thereafter, though entitled,
and that in no case would it constitute embezzlement or misappro-
priation of University funds.
Justice Khan, while examining the way LTC was granted to
the Vice Chancellor, noted that it would in no way amount to any
embezzlement or misappropriation of University funds for his per-
sonal use because no dishonest intention to appropriate the
University funds for his personal use could be attributed to him in
availing of the HTC prematurely. It is not that the VC was not enti-
tled and what was done by him was that he had prematurely and
hurriedly availed it off before waiting to become eligible for it under
the Rules. That he had not drawn any HTC from 2007 onwards till
date and that no loss had consequently accrued to the University
exchequer and that the amount received by him was adjustable
and liable to be set off are mitigating circumstances which cannot
be lost sight of.
While making a clear distinction between serious and light
financial irregularities, he pointed out that the action in question
did not and could not constitute offences of embezzlement, mis-
appropriation or for that matter, misconduct. The VCs only fault or
mistake was that he enjoyed the facility prematurely before it
could become available under the Rules. What action it attracts
under the financial code regime is for the competent authority to
decide.
In support of his finding relating to VC visits to his home,
Justice Khan asserted that their grievance in short is that the VC
had been making frequent private trips to his home state under
the garb of official visits. The Honorable Member has accepted
the complainants plea and has declared the VCs visit as private.
He has done so on drawing inference from the absence of the
printline in the invitation card received by the VC and the
Universitys inability to produce its original and also the absence
of details (like whom he was to meet, etc.) in his travel pro-
gramme.
Similarly on the Vice Chancellors visit to Kochi prior to his
visit to Jamia Millia Islamia, Justice B. A. Khans findings revealed
that the Vice Chancellors visit to Kochi was scheduled prior to the
function at Jamia Millia Islamia and it could not be said or held that
he had used the Jamia function as a ploy to visit Kochi and that
no University funds could be said to have been unduly consumed
by Vice Chancellor in this regard.
He concluded that It needs to be pointed out at the outset
that there is a presumption of correctness attached to official
record and official acts. Once the University record shows that the
VCs visit to Kochi was prescheduled from December 19-25, 2007
prior to the Jamia function and he was to explore the allotment of
land for setting up of a centre there, there should be no reason to
doubt its veracity in the absence of any strong proof in rebuttal
which would point to the VC being on a holiday or a leisure trip at
the cost of the University exchequer. It would be loathsome to
enter into these thickets requiring a high dignitary like the VC to
account for activities on a visit ball by ball. To me, the institutional
head and its functionaries are the best judges of what is official
and what is private. No outside agency or element can or should
be credited with any status or authority to otherwise undertake
any such determination. It would be detrimental to interests of
administration to allow all and sundry to meddle in the official
affairs and adjudge the nature of official acts of public functionar-
ies. This way, no institutional head or functionary would be willing
or able to put in his best and function effectively.
Justice BA Khan further concluded that every institution has
its own inbuilt mechanism to ascertain the nature of the goings on
within it and activities and actions of its official functionaries, high
or low. The AMU should be no exception. I, therefore, respectfully
disagree with the conclusion drawn by the Honble Member in this
regard and reject the premise that the VC had managed a visit to
his hometown Kochi on the pretext of attending a Conference at
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi which he did on his return from
Kochi on 26.12.2007.
The Committee Chairman Justice B. A. Khans findings were
very clear in this respect when he pronounced that the VCs visit
to Kochi was scheduled prior to the function at Jamia Millia Islamia
and it could not be said or held that he had used the Jamia func-
tion as a ploy to visit Kochi. No University funds could be said to
have been unduly consumed by the VC in this regard. No outside
agency or element can take upon itself any determination of the
nature of the activities of high official functionaries like the VC and
it is better left to the officialdom to do so, he wrote in his report.
Likewise, Justice Khans findings exposed the flaw found in
the other members view as he (Justice Khan) observed that the
conclusion that the Vice Chancellor was engaged in a private
activity in and around Thiruvananthapuram has no basis in the
face of the official record and that the payment of Rs. 15000 to the
taxi agency by the University would not amount to any wrongful
gain made by the Vice Chancellor.
He further observed that the University has again denied this
and has explained that the VC was engaged in official activities at
Thiruvananthapuram, Alapuzzha, Kakkanad and Kochi and to
facilitate his movement a taxi was hired from 26.08.2007 to
03.09.2007 and taxi charges of Rs. 15,000 were directly paid by
the University to the taxi agency. It has referred to and relied upon
the Office Memo dated 25.08.2007 stating that the VC will be vis-
iting Thiruvananthapuram between 26.08.2007 to 03.09.2007,
Note on the visit to Thiruvananthapuram, Detailed travel schedule,
Copies of programmes attended by the VC and Copy of receipts
for payments made towards taxi charges.
With this, there should have been no issue on the payment
of taxi charges. However, the Honble Member has disregarded
and discarded the Universitys explanation and has declared the
activities of the VC as private for which I find no basis. In my view,
the nature and character of the functions attended by him, includ-
ing that of the AMU Old Boys Association, etc. and his meetings
with public figures at various places in and around
Thiruvananthapuram had to be best left to Universitys officialdom
to determine and once its administrative set up had treated these
as official, the matter should rest at that, Justice Khan concluded.
Finally, the Chairman of the Fact Finding Enquiry Committee
stated that the Honble Member has concluded his Interim Report
by referring to what he calls two important communications from
one whistle blower and two applications under the Right to
Information Act (RTI) found in the file received in sealed cover
from the Ministry of Human Resource Development relating to the
appointment of the present VC. The two communications are of
22.01.2007 and 22.03.2007, i.e., before Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis took
charge as VC of AMU - a fact that has been noted by the Honble
Member himself. As stated earlier, the HRD Ministry has on
27.07.2010 clarified that the Inquiry against the VC was restricted
to the period starting from the date when he took charge at AMU.
These communications, therefore, do not fall within the terms of
reference of this Committee. Likewise, the RTI Applications
referred to were not an issue before this Committee. Neither was
any pleading filed nor any argument raised in this regard by any
of the parties. Therefore, there was no occasion or scope for
incorporation of these in the Interim Report. The issues raised are
extraneous to the Committees Terms of Reference. These issues
were neither raised nor debated during the Inquiry proceedings
and therefore, do not merit any consideration.
In the light of the findings of the Chairman of the AMU Fact
Finding Enquiry Committee, based on records and documents
provided by the University, any attempt to cast aspersions on the
functioning of AMU and its Vice Chancellor will amount to defama-
tion and will be seen as a malicious attempt to deliberately tarnish
the image of AMU and its academic and executive head. Similarly,
any further attempt by MHRD will be tantamount to a deliberate
bias against AMU to damage its special status in the heart of
Muslims of India and across the world.
Already much damage has been done to both AMU and its
image. The concomitant result is that almost rupees one crore
went into the drain on an enquiry forced upon AMU based on wild
and mischievous allegations of futile consequences and by certain
old boys and other vested interest group.
The author teaches in the Department of Mass
Communications, AMU
AMU fact-finding inquiry sets illusions at rest
NATIONAL
8 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
HAIDER ABBAS
H
ard times for Gulzar Ahmed Vani alias Gulzar Kashmiri,
a resident of Kashmir, over the charges of terrorism
started much before the Twin Towers at Manhattan were
brought down on 11 Sept., 2001 and much before, the
BJP-led NDA government had slapped a ban on Student Islamic
Movement of India (SIMI) on 21 Sept., 2001 as a part of Indias
fight against terror in step with US of A. BJP government was
succeeded in 2004 by UPA led by Congress which faithfully toed
the BJP line on terror.
The story of Gulzar Ahmed Vani, now around 39 years, a res-
ident of Peeparkari (Toparkari), Srinagar, started when he was
arrested at the fag end of July 2001 by the Special Branch of
Delhi Police along with a huge cache of explosive ammunition.
He was subsequently accused of various bomb blasts in Delhi, as
well as in Kanpur, Agra, Barabanki and Lucknow. He was firstly
sent to Tihar jail, and later brought to Kanpur by the UP Police.
He is right now inside a high security barrack in Lucknow District
Jail, counting his days in prison.
The case
Gulzars story as a big fish is based on a First Information
Report (FIR), lodged at Qaiserbagh police station, Lucknow, on
15 August, 2000, by Rajesh, a sub-inspector. He informed that at
around 9:40 am on the same day, while he was at Pioneer Press,
he heard a loud noise from Sahkarita Bhawan (which is at a walk-
ing distance from the place), situated opposite Bapu Bhawan on
Vidhan Sabha Road, Lucknow, along with thick black clouds of
smoke. He ran towards the site and found that an inflammable
object kept in a container had blown up and that the act was done
to spread terror. He inquired from people present at the site and
no one gave any information. There was no human loss. Only a
breach had occured in a wall and some window panes were bro-
ken. The FIR was lodged U/S 3 of Explosive Substances Act.
This was registered as Crime No. 213 of 2000.
The investigation
This was followed by investigation by GK Srivastava, the
Investigation Officer (IO), who went to Agra on 11 Sept., 2000, to
investigate the case, where he met another IO of Crime No 988
of 2000, which had been lodged U/S 4 and 5 of Explosive
Substances Act at Agra, and came to know that two persons were
already under arrest in the case of Crime No. 988/2000, and out
of which, one was in jail and other, Abdul Mubeen, had been sent
to Lucknow. IO GK Srivastava returned to Lucknow and met
Abdul Mubeen. The interrogation of Abdul Mubeen on 13 Sept.,
2000, revealed that Gulzar Vani was involved in the blast of
Lucknow. On 12 Nov., 2001, GK Srivastava came to know, for the
first time, that Gulzar had already been arrested in Delhi.
Therefore, as a follow-up, on 20 Dec., 2001 the concerned IO
went to Tihar Jail and interrogated Gulzar in which Gulzar
allegedly confessed to his role in the blast at Lucknow.
The confession
The confessional statement of Gulzar, under section 161 of
CrPC, says, that he was born on 2 March, 1973 and that his
father was an employee as a time-keeper in the Electricity
Department in Kashmir. He had studied upto 8th standard in his
village in Kashmir. His father wanted him to have religious edu-
cation and, therefore, he studied at Dar-ul-Uloom madrasa in
Baramullah, Kashmir during 1986-88. Later, he studied at
Jamiatul-Falah, Azamgarh, UP. This was followed by a BA from
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and then MA from the same
institution in 1998. In 1992, he met Faiyyaz alias Saifullah who is
a citizen of Pakistan and a member of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).
After a gap of around six years, he again got in touch with
Faiyyaz to wage Jehad in the name of Kashmir in India. He was
offered a scooter and money. He then took admission in PhD in
the Arabic Department at AMU and started to live with Faiyyaz in
Aligarh. With the money he bought a Bajaj Chetak scooter (No.
UP-81-0416). Faiyyaz wanted him to enroll and exhort non-
Kashmiri boys to do the job. Then, he went to Kashmir along with
Faiyyaz where he met Ali Muhammed of Dhurrah, Aligarh, and
came to know that Ali Muhammed was an expert in making of IED
devices. On the direction of Faiyyaz, he brought Ali Muhammed
back to Aligarh where he organised Ali Muhammeds meeting
with SIMI cadres and encouraged them to start a Jehad in the
name of Muslim community. Later, he made Ali Muhammed meet
Abdul Mubeen, a former president of SIMI (the same who
allegedly told IO GK Srivastava about Gulzars role in Lucknow
blast) who made Gulzar meet M. Aqil of Faizabad, UP and
Kaleem Akhtar of Lucknow and also the elder brother of Aqil
called Zameer. Zameer made them all meet Maulana Mumtaz of
Kanpur. In 1999, Gulzar got a call from Faiyyaz that the explosive
material had reached Khan Guest House, Adarsh Nagar, New
Delhi, which was to be handed over to SIMI cadres for making a
big splash. About 8-10 grenades, a Chinese pistol, seven remote
control devices, detonators and 20 cartridges were in the stock.
Gulzar confessed further that he and his friends planted IED
at India Gate, Delhi, and fixed it for January 26, 1999 but they
were detected by the investigation agencies. In February 2000,
however, the team did the blast in Gomti Express train. This
bomb was put into a pressure cooker which was set to cause the
blast while the train was at Kanpur. In the same year, very short-
ly after the Kanpur blast, the team got involved in triggering a
blast during the visit of US President Bill Clinton to Agra. This
blast had taken place inside a bus on its way to Agra.
The confession further elaborated that on the orders of
Faiyyaz, Gulzar and his friends planned and executed two blasts,
one in Kanpur and another in the Sabarmati Express train at
Barabanki on August 14, 2000. Gulzar was further deputed for
another blast in Lucknow in which he gave the bomb to Kaleem
Akhtar and tried to inspire him. There was a successful blast on
August 15, 2000 near Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow.
Gulzar is later shown to have openly confessed that he had
been working for HM and that he had been on the payroll of ISI -
- the Pakistan intelligence agency. He also conveyed that he was
planning suicide attacks on military installations in India but by
the fag end of July 2001, he was finally nabbed by the Special
Branch of Delhi Police. At the time of his arrest, Gulzar was in
possession of explosive material and was sent to Tihar jail.
Gulzar, in the end, regrets every part of his involvement, and
expresses remorse and repentance that he was brainwashed by
the Jehadi sentiment. The confession was made to GK
Srivastava on Dec 26, 2001.
The confession U/S 161 of Cr PC is not admissable in a
court of law. It is actually a document which the prosecution pre-
pares, and then, under fear, coercion or inducement, forces the
accused to comply with it by putting his initials on it. The confes-
sion U/S 164 of CrPC is done before a magistrate and is admis-
sible in a court of law but even that has to be substantiated by
corroborative evidence, as has happened in the case of
Aseemanand, the accused in Mecca Masjid case, says
Muhammed Shoaib, the counsel of Gulzar. In the case of Gulzar,
the prosecution has used its own time-tested rehashed practice
to push a fake case in order to earn some brownie points. It is
nothing but a wild outline of an imaginative story, very wrongly
built and more soon a very unhealthy premise. We are going to
contest all these concoctions in the court of law in Lucknow, he
added.
The Kanpur case diary - the first case
Gulzar was, thus, brought from Delhi by UP police to be booked
in a case of a bomb blast in Gomti Express train, lodged at GRP
PS, Kanpur, in the Crime No. 83 of 2000. He was charged U/S
121, 121-A, 120-B, 307 of IPC along with his co-accused Mumtaz
Ahmed. According to the prosecution, Dr. Mukesh Kumar Mishra,
in a written application, submitted to GRP, on Feb 18, 2000, had
alleged that he along with Dr. Kripa Shanker Sachan, were trav-
eling in Gomti Express train from New Delhi to Lucknow, in
Compartment No. 19051-A, when an explosion was heard in the
same compartment in which many people were hurt. The explo-
sion had happened as soon as the train had started to move from
Etawah railway station and led to panic. The train was stopped
due to chain pulling at Jhanjhak railway station. The injured were
duly given medical aid. Some anti-social elements had caused
the explosion and thus an FIR was lodged on Feb 19, 2000. After
this, the investigation started, in which I0 collected pieces of
glasses and a memo did the job. He also took half burnt hair of
tow injured passengers, Rajesh and Mushtaq, and also took into
possession remains of the explosive material and other articles
from the site. Blood stained bag, sari, shoes were also taken into
possession.
Finally, on Jan 2, 2003, charges were framed against Gulzar
before VK Gupta, the then Additional Session Judge, Court No.
1, Kanpur Nagar. He also framed a chargesheet U/S 137 of
Railway Act against Gulzar. He denied the charges and claimed
them to be fake. The prosecution, hence, as a part of trial, could
produce only two witnesses. One Head Constable Ramender
Singh and the other Mukesh Kumar Mishra.
Finally, the prosecution evidence was closed and the
accused were tried U/S 313 Cr PC in which they denied the pros-
ecution story and said that they were being implicated for being
the members of SIMI, and therefore were falsely framed in the
case. The judge later found that Ramender Singh had only heard
about the said explosion by telephone. Mishra, however, was not
cross-examined. The other witnesses, whose written statements
were produced before the court, did not state anything against
the accused.
The judge found that the confession was extracted by the
prosecution U/S 161 of CrPC and not U/S 164 CrPC and hence
was rejected. From the evidence given by the prosecution it is
clear that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against the
accused, and, as such, both these accused are entitled to be
acquitted, ordered Additional Session Judge Court No1, Kanpur
Nagar, Ratnakar Dikhsit. This brought some relief to Gulzar but
the story was still to go on to witness more twists and the unen-
viable turns. (The order of the copy is in possession of Milli
Gazette)
The second case
The second case at Kanpur against Gulzar came sooner rather
than later, as on August 14, 2000, another FIR was lodged by SSI
Awadhesh Kumar Singh who claimed that on the same night, at
9:05 pm, through RT set, got information, that a bomb had
exploded at Arya Nagar crossing. He, along with SHO Diwakar,
SI VP Singh, three constables and a driver, went to the site. At
9:20 pm a second bomb blast had also taken place in which
some policemen were injured and were admitted to the LLR hos-
pital. The blast had been planned only to terrorise the public by
keeping the bomb in the sand, and it had resulted in damage to
the adjacent shops. Thus, Crime No. 124 of 2000 was registered
at PS Swaroop Nagar, Kanpur, U/S 307, 427120-B, 121, 121-A,
122, 123, 124-A of IPC and U/S 4 & 5 of the Explosive
Substances Act.
The IO, thereafter, finally submitted a chargesheet against
many accused. However, Syed Wasif Haider, M. Ghulam Jilani,
Mumtaz, M. Zubair and Abdul Mubeen, who were named as
accused in the case, were acquitted of all of the charges on the
order of the court on April 23, 2003. But, two more as accused
had also been named. Their names had cropped up during inter-
rogation of the four who were later acquitted. These two were
Amir and Gulzar alias Irshad alias Shahid alias Ashraf alias Abdul
Hameed alias Farooq Ahmed alias Nazir alias Rafeeq (!). Count
the number of aliases Gulzar had donned by then despite having
been in jail at the time.
So, finally, Gulzar and Amirs case was committed to MM
Court No. 4, Kanpur Nagar, after a long period of seven years, on
Feb 1, 2008 which signaled the beginning of the trial. The
charges were thereafter framed which were denied by the
accused as they prayed for their trial. The prosecution produced
ten witnesses for oral evidence before the evidence was complet-
ed. The accuseds statements were recorded U/S 313 of Cr PC.
This whole process took another two years before the arrival of
the judgment.
Finally, on October 28, 2010, Additional Session Judge,
Court No. 1, Kanpur Nagar, Niwas Prasad, observed, There is
no evidence against the accused persons for creating terror.
There is no evidence that the accused had stated anything
against the State. The prosecution witnesses have not mentioned
the persons who exploded the bomb at Arya Nagar and the wit-
nesses have not seen the person who exploded the bomb. There
is no evidence at all to prove that the accused are involved in the
explosion of the bomb. Prosecution witnesses have not proved
the case against the accused. As such accused Gulzar and Amir
are entitled for acquittal of all charges. (The order of the copy is
in possession of Milli Gazette). Gulzar was thus acquitted but the
story of Kanpur has not as yet ended!
The third case
The third case which was registered against Gulzar was at PS
Bajaria, Kanpur, viz., Crime No. 84 of 2001. This was lodged U/S
119, 120-B, 121, 121-A, 122, 123, 124-A of IPC on the basis of
an FIR made by Braj Veer Singh, Inspector Incharge, PS
Karnailganj, Kanpur City, on 3 August, 2001. He had accused
Ghulam Muhammed and Gulzar Ahmed Vani. It took seven long
Gulzar Kashmiri Ten years in prison and still counting
Continued on the next page
Ghulam Muhammed Vani, father of Gulzar Gulzar Vani
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 9
NATIONAL
NA ANSARI
Moradabad: Communal riots which had been raging in the sensi-
tive city of Moradabad for three or four days by fits and starts ulti-
mately came to an end which it had to, sooner or later. The origin
of riots had started on 7 August when kanwarias (devotees of
Lord Shiva) instead of taking the traditional route for their annual
march insisted on taking a new route which passes through areas
inhabited by Muslims. When police did not allow them this route
there was a clash but this clash was between kanwarias and
police but gradually it took a communal form. Riots had spread to
many localities but these were not very serious. However, it took
a serious turn on Tuesday 9 August when some kanwarias or in
their guise mischief makers of Shiv Sena and BJP fired a few
shots on a mosque, known as Karbala Masjid when taraavih
namaz was going on. This created great confusion among the
namazis. Many were injured and some took shelter in the nearby
Bijli Ghar for safety. It is reported that three persons in the
mosque were injured.
As happens in such cases, news is seldom reliable regarding
numbers of persons injured, arrested, losses etc. According to
police about a dozen persons were injured in these riots but
according to unconfirmed reports, about three dozen persons
were injured. Anyway, according to police the injured persons,
about a dozen, were admitted to hospitals. There were com-
plaints of police becoming as silent spectators in certain places.
However, top police officials warned that rioters and mischief
makers are being identified through videos and cameras. It is
reported that four companies of P.A.C. and R.A.F. were
deployed in riot-hit areas. On 9 August when rioters fired on
the namazis in the mosque, curfew was imposed in the
affected areas. Police surrounded some areas and started
search operations. During this operation some bottles of
petrol and acid were found in a house. After this, six persons
inside the house were arrested. At many places Hindu and
Muslim mobs indulged in stone pelting, resulting in injuries to
many. It is reported that on 9 August Sarvadaliya Hindu
Sangathan held a meeting of Hindu organisations in Shiv
Mandir at Shivpuri after which conditions began to deterio-
rate at many places.
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan strongly protested
against the Mayawati government in the state assembly
which created some confusion in the assembly. According to
police, among the injured there were some police officers
also. About 30 houses were set on fire. Some police vehicles
also were set on fire. Special Director General of Police (law
and order) Brij Lal said 50 persons were arrested in connection
with the riots. He said in Lucknow that the situation in Moradabad
is under control, security has been strengthened and top police
officers are camping in the city to keep a strong vigil.
See the fact-finding report on page 4
Communal riots in Moradabad
years for the case to be committed to trial under Additional
Session Judge (Fast Track Court 2) Kanpur City where
accordingly trial number 1194/2006 started. There was, how-
ever, one more session trial no. 724/2008 in progress, and
since the nature of the crime was same, both the cases were
bunched together. The trial no. 724/2006 too was registered
as Crime no. 84/2001. Charges against Gulzar finally were
framed on 5 July, 2008.
The prosecution during the investigation came to know that
one Maulana Mumtaz was caught by Delhi police and on his
interrogation two of his accomplices Wasif and Zubair were also
caught on 3 August, 2001 and that RDX, rocket launcher, ABC
timer, remote control, detonator switch, grenades, 30 mm pistol,
22 bore air gun and one revolver, 38 revolvers, one licensed
pistol, Potassium Chloride along with a lot of highly inflammable
material were recovered from their possession. On intense
interrogation of the accused, it was found that they were
involved in activities against the nation and were in association
with HM, Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM), and Lashkar-e-Toiba
(LeT), which are openly involved in a war against India, in the
state [of UP] as well as in the country. The police further claimed
that the accused were lured into contact with such groups in
order to avenge the so-called atrocities on Kashmiri Muslims
and also the Babri Masjid demolition by the BJP people. These
organisations have made a plan to engage in terrorist activities
on specific high density population points, important govern-
ment and non-government installations, and on trains, in order
to destroy the unity and integrity of India, the police said.
In order to perpetuate hatred against India, these organi-
sations have started a recruitment drive and have arranged
life-taking material available to such modules. For this pur-
pose, a training camp has also been underway on the
Pakistan border and that there was a plan to engage in a
major disruption on the upcoming occasion of Independence
day in which important personalities would be murdered and
great terror would be spread among the populace, so that
peoples trust in the government would be eroded, and an
Islamic order is established in the country and also that
Kashmir then would be liberated. All of the accused were
involved in a war against the state, the police claimed.
Those arrested later were: M. Amir, M. Salman, Dr. Abrar,
Sulaiman, M. Husain, Hasan Hafiz, Ishtiyaq, Adil and Irshad.
All of the accused were said to have been influenced by SIMI
and had been active participants of the weekly SIMI conclaves
and were also said to have played an instrumental role in
organising a three-day SIMI conference (29-31 Oct., 1999), at
Haleem College, Kanpur in which the Babri Masjid demolition
and the atrocities on Kashmiris were hotly discussed. It was
the same meeting at which revenge was vowed by the SIMI
members.
Hence, according to the prosecution, SIMI had got down
to chart the devious agenda, and as a part of its execution
plan, Amir arranged a meeting of Maulana Mumtaz and
Zameer of Faizabad. Zameer took the duo to meet Ali
Muhammed of Aligarh who was made the chief convenor of
the operation. He made explosive bombs with remote control,
rifle, pistol, rocket launcher etc. Mumtaz, Wasif, Zubair also
tested their skills by exploding a bomb near Unnao railway
track. This was immediately followed by a blast in Arya Nagar,
PS Swaroop Nagar, Kanpur, on the eve of August 15, 2000.
The material was deposited at one Jilanis house. On August
14, 2000, finally, a blast took place at Arya Nagar in which a
gypsy belonging to Wasif was used. Similar blasts were trig-
gered by their associates in Agra, Faizabad and other places.
On interrogation of the accused, it was found that LeT, JeM,
HM had been in their active contact and all had undergone
training on the Pakistan border. Gulzar, Ghulam Moinuddin,
Firoz, Rafeeq, Faiyyaz, Bilal, Zameer and Tanveer were later
arrested. All were claimed by the police to have been guided
by the sentiment to avenge the Babri Masjid demolition. Later,
explosive material was provided to Mumtaz to trigger blasts in
Aligarh and Delhi.
If the prosecution theory is to be believed, Gulzar was a big
figure in the whole plot aimed at subverting the country and that
his tentacles were spread all over the country. But, as law
would have had it, on October 8, 2009, Additional Session
Judge (Fast Track Court 2) Kanpur City, Pramod Kumar
Srivastava, acquitted Gulzar and Ghulam Moinuddin of all the
charges (a copy of the order is with the Milli Gazette). The
prosecution, simply failed to prove its case beyond doubt and,
moreover, no sanction to prosecute the accused Gulzar was
taken from the state, said Advocate Muhammad Shoaib who is
fighting the cases heaped on Gulzar in Lucknow and
Barabanki.
So, after three acquittals in the Kanpur cases, the ordeal
could have been over but hard times are still a long way away for
Gulzar. He is now to be tried in the case of the blast in Lucknow.
Charges against him were framed on May 18, 2011 and the case
(numbered as 1276 of 2010) is now committed to Additional
Session Judge TEC-P7. In this case, Gulzar is charged U/S 121,
121-A, 122, 123, 124-A of IPC and also U/S 3 of Explosive
Substances Act. The first witness was produced by the prosecu-
tion on August 1, 2011. He is Kashi Nath Gupta, a street chat
vendor. His cross-examination has been completed. The co-
accused in the Lucknow blast are Kaleem Akhtar and Abdul
Mubeen and their trial is now close to being completed.
Gulzar is also accused in a case of Sabarmati Express
train blast at Roza Gaon, Faizabad, on August 14, 2000 which
is registered at GRP, Station, Barabanki. The case is said to
have been committed to Additional Session Judge Court No. 1,
Barabanki. Some people had died and many were injured in
that blast. According to the statement recorded by Shaukat Ali,
Assistant Station Master, before the court, he found train no.
9166 Sabarmati Express, stationed at 21:45 pm when he heard
a loud explosion in the sleeper compartment.
How Gulzars name was included in the blast case is not
known. We are still to get the case diary. It is a compulsory
practice that a copy of the chargesheet and case-diary, which
includes all the allegations, and the day-to-day findings of the
investigation, is provided to the accused. Gulzar is shown to
have signed on the document as received but in reality he has
not been supplied with the same, says Advocate Shoaib.
Why does police extract a confession under 161 CrPC
when it is non-admissable? Well, it is a necessity for the sub-
mission of a chargesheet. Something of course has to be fur-
nished to the court of law to legitimise the action, however
wrongful it may be, replies Muhammad Shoaib, a senior
lawyer with experience in criminal law. He, however, laments
that there is still nothing to compensate for those wrongly
accused. The prosecution goes scot-free despite losing its face
in the courts, time and time again.
M
eanwhile, as fate would have it, Ghulam Muhammed Vani,
father of Gulzar, is ruined by the events of the last decade.
My son was caught on his way to Aligarh from Delhi. He is
unmarried. His three younger brothers are too terrified to ven-
ture out for any prospects in life. Two of my daughters are mar-
ried and one is still to be married. My whole family is under
extreme psychological pressure as every night we dread a mid-
night knock and who knows which ordeal could be next, he
said on phone from Kashmir.
Actually, the whole plot is to scare and disorient the
Muslim youth in the country, be they from Kashmir or elsewhere
in the country. The policy, to involve accused Muslims in so
many cases and put the accused behind jail bars for decades,
is to wreck their families and scare Muslim society. And this did
not begin as a wake-up call after Sept. 11 but started much
before that. Only the courts of law are the hope for Muslims
now, said Shoaib.
Would Gulzar ever be free from the draconian dungeons,
only time can tell, as the cases against Gulzar in Lucknow and
Barabanki would take their own time, and last but certainly not
the least, the cases at Agra and Delhi are still to be probed.
There is no available document on them yet!
The writer is an advocate at Lucknow High Court
Continued from the previous page
Acquittal orders
NATIONAL
10 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
ABDUL HAFIZ LAKHANI, Ahmedabad
T
he Gujarat government appears to be in fresh trouble with
more ghosts of fake encounters likely to haunt it. Senior
IPS officer Rahul Sharma, here, filed an application under
the Right To Information (RTI) Act seeking information
about the Sameer Khan encounter. After the Sanjiv Bhatt
episode, now that the charge sheet has finally been delivered to
Rahul Sharma, DIG, arms unit, Rajkot, the focus will shift to the
most important piece of evidence that can help nail the mobsters
in three of the worst massacres in Ahmedabad in early 2002.
These are Naroda Patia (95 dead), Naroda Gam (11 dead) and
Gulbarg Society (61 dead).
Why is the government so bent on punishing Sharma? In
October 2004, Sharma was called by the Nanavati Commission
as a government witness and during his cross-examination he
submitted two CDs before the panel appointed by the Gujarat
government to probe the Godhra riots.
The commission inexplicably sealed the CDs for three years
and kept them in its custody. In January 2006, it denied the per-
mission to Jan Sangharsh Manch to have the data checked by an
experts` team. By this time, the copies of the CDs had been
placed by Sharma before the UC Banerjee Committee appointed
by the railway ministry. The JSM obtained the data from the
Banerjee panel and had it analysed.
It was based on the analysis that a fresh application was
made before the Nanavati panel in January 2006 where the JSM
demanded the examination of seven people, including CM
Narendra Modi, his three PAs and others. It was then that the
government realised the real damage potential of the CDs.
The hate list of Modi especially from the whistle blower cops
is increasing by the day as cops are coming clean of fear and
exposing the role of Modi in the Gujarat carnage.
IPS officers of the Gujarat cadre have been on a collision
course with the Narendra Modi government. And it is this show-
down which has put the Gujarat cadre in the limelight which not
long back used to boast of being one of the best cadres in the
country. With more and more officers coming forward and taking
the government head on, faultlines have started emerging in the
cadre between those in the line of fire and those considered
close to the Modi administration.
The result is there for all to see. Its a fractured cadre today.
Either you belong to the Modi group or not. There is chaos and at
times inaction. Officers are unwilling to do that extra bit to do
effective policing, commented a senior officer. Interestingly, the
fissures were exposed even during the ongoing probe into the
killing of teenager Ishrat Jehan in an encounter on the outskirts
of Ahmedabad in 2004. The Gujarat High Court recently set up a
special investigation team (SIT).
Though the chairman of the three member team is a non-
Gujarat IPS officer, the other two Satish Verma and Mohan Jha
are from the Gujarat cadre. During the course of the probe,
Verma had informed the court that prima facie the encounter was
fake and accused police officers of orchestrating it. Significantly,
he had taken a pot shot at Mohan Jha accusing him of leaking
sensitive SIT?information, indirectly hinting at him being a gov-
ernment mole in the team. There is a lot of distrust now even
among those officers who used to be close earlier. Now, nobody
knows what to expect next. So all have gone into their respective
shells, an officer of the rank of DIG, said.
Not surprisingly, a good number of police officers have gone
on Central deputation, many of them getting extension after
extension, all in a bid to avoid returning to the state. According to
the state home department sources, about a dozen such officers
are already out, including Vivek Srivastava, who was also in the
firing line after he resisted attempts to go slow on rioters when he
headed the district police in Kutch.
There is a situation prevailing here in which everybody is
afraid anything could put them into trouble. So all of them are
avoiding coming back and trying to get their deputation extend-
ed, said an officer. Former Additional Director General of Police
R B Sreekumar who was one of the first serving officers to have
raised his voice against the Modi regime in the aftermath of the
2002 riots said: At present, most of the officers do not perform
their duties as per their oath to the Constitution.
He said that serving police officers do not want to enforce the
law on the wrong side and go ahead with their careers. These
officers prefer to be in the good books of the elected government
and not raise their voice in dissent even if they realise everything
is not alright, Sreekumar said. Ironically, even the IPS Officers
Association, an umbrella body of officers in the state, has so far
failed to initiate any steps which could at least repair the damage.
The problem with the association is that taking any step
either in favour of those who are being victimised by the govern-
ment or even some making generic statement could result in
motives being attributed. That is perhaps why even the associa-
tion is not able to come out with some concrete steps to stem the
rot, an IG rank officer said. For now it seems it will take a lot for
the Gujarat police to get back what many say is its lost glory.
Meanwhile, alleging that the Narendra Modi-led government
has caused a constitutional crisis in Gujarat, a delegation of emi-
nent citizens led by former Chief Minister Suresh Mehta has
approached the Governor, seeking her intervention.
The delegation handed over a memorandum to Governor
Kamla and apprised her of the alleged breakdown of the consti-
tutional machinery in Gujarat. Besides Mehta, a former BJP
leader, the delegation includes senior advocate Balwantbhai
Desai, former Additional Solicitor General of India Irfan Engineer
and social activist Rohit Prajapati.
The main cause of the constitutional crisis is that the Chief
Minister of Gujarat is abusing his position as administrative head of
the state in practically all spheres of administration, the delegation
said in its memorandum. Referring to IPS officers Rahul Sharma
and Sanjiv Bhatt, they alleged that Modi was intimidating civil ser-
vants to act on his dictates, and he and his ministers victimised offi-
cials by chargesheeting or suspending them, if they didnt comply.
The Gujarat government has suspended Bhatt and charge-
sheeted Sharma for speaking against it over the 2002 riots.
The delegation further alleged that Modi instead of prosecut-
ing those guilty of murders, mayhem and destruction, was taking
steps to ensure that they go scot-free.
Demanding immediate resignation of Additional Advocate
General Tushar Mehta, the delegation alleged that instead of per-
forming his duty he was colluding with Modi and leaking docu-
ments related to post-Godhra riots to the accused. They accused
Modi of deliberately promoting a divisive society and intimidating
minorities. They further alleged that Modi and his ministers were
misusing state funds for political and personal gains.
Some question to Modi
If your governance is corruption free why are you shying away
and scared of appointing a Lokayukta?
How can you appoint a person to probe allegations against
you and your Government? This decision smacks of your author-
itarianism. Your damage-control exercise of appointing a person
to probe against you is your futile attempt to fool the people of
Gujarat. Why should you appoint a person of your choice and shy
away from appointing Lokayukta?
Why have you not been appointing the Lokayukta for the last
seven and half years?
The Lokayukta Act does not give you any authority or power
to have a say regarding the Lokayukta appointment. Why are you
spreading canards about your role and how the leader of
Opposition is not extending cooperation to you?
On the one hand you extend support to Shri Anna ji for
Lokpal and on other side you are deliberately delaying Lokayukta
appointment. Why such typical hypocrisy and duality?
Why are you scared of appointing Lokayukta? Are you petri-
fied that your nexus with certain industrialist/s whom the
Karnataka Lokayukta has named and suggested blacklisting but
whom you have doled out extra ordinary favours will be exposed?
R. A. Mehtas name for Lokayukta has been suggested by
Hon Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, given consent by me
and forwarded to you by Hon Governor. Why are you sitting on
the file and not issuing a notification?
Justice R. A. Mehta is a close associate of Shri Anna and
Annaji spent his night at his residence. Why are you not appoint-
ing Shri R. A. Mehta as Lokayukta after his name has been
cleared by all required authorities?
Stop your shallow rhetoric and fake cover-up and appoint a
Lokayukta in Gujarat immediately.
The corruption in Gujarat is different. Gujarat has traditional-
ly been very progressive and rich. Right now corruption that
exists in Gujarat is not only different from that in other states but
dangerous too. It is a border state. Still the government is shel-
tering and doling out land to industrialists who have been sent to
jail for extortion or custom evasion.
Haren Pandya deposed before a peoples tribunal about
Narendra Modis complicity in the genocide, that he was respon-
sible for the death of hundreds of innocent people in 2002 riots.
What happened? Modi became number one and Harenbhai was
killed. This is Gujarat. It is sad that in Gandhis Gujarat we blind-
ly support Anna but are ignoring corrupt and criminal politicians.
These politicians in partnership with select industrialists are
plundering the state. The government allots land to industrial hous-
es at throwaway prices. Look at Adani and his growth story. Adani
Industries is the biggest beneficiary of our state governments gen-
erosity. What is happening in the name of land acquisition? The
Modi government is misusing the Land Acquisition Act.
Saffron Modi faces khakhi over 2002 riots
Modi- most corrupt CM of
Gujarat: Gohil
By the appointment of Commission to
inquire into charges of corruption against
himself, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra
Modi has proved that he feared Lokayukta
most, Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh
Gohil said in a statement here.
Gujarat has the institution of
Lokayukta, but Modi does not appoint
Lokayukta. Instead of this, he has appointed a Commission
which has no powers like Lokayukta, Gohil pointed out. This is
just because Chief Minister and his ministers are involved in
corruption on a mammoth scale. Gohil said that this is precise-
ly the reason for Modi not appointing Lokayukta for the last
seven and half years. As per the provisions of Lokayukta Act,
Chief Justice of Gujarat has suggested the name of Justice R
A Mehta for the post of Lokayukta. But Modi is illegally stalling
the appointment.
It is surprising that Modi who is all praise for Anna Hazare
does not appoint the judge who is a confidant of Anna Hazare.
In Ahmedabad Hazare had stayed at the place of Justice
Mehta. Judicial Commissions have no rights. Modi has
appointed the commission to cover up his shady deals.
Modi claims that he is honest and does not allow any kind
of corruption. Then why is he avoiding Lokayukta? If Modi is
genuinely interested in inquiry into corruption charges, he
should appoint the Lokayujta immediately, Gohil demanded.
Modi is not PM stuff: Nitin
BJP national president Nitin Gadkari announded that the BJP
will not project anyone in particular or announce its prime min-
isterial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. CM Modi
has consistently been ranked the best chief minister in the
country. So, its obvious that he is the only prime ministerial
choice that BJP can bank on to win 2014.
Probably, Gadkaris aim is to keep all BJP leaders, includ-
ing Modi baiters, working aggressively in the field. By keeping
Modis name under wraps, he may also hurt the Congress
which will not be able to woo minorities by using Modi the
Minority Hater card. It seems that Modi is the only choice BJP
has. If the BJP national chief protests against this, it will be he
who leaves, a state leader promised. He revealed that few will
vote for the BJP in 2014 if Modi is not its prime ministerial can-
didate. His logic: Arun Jaitley is too sophisticated and does not
have a finger on the public pulse; Varun Gandhi who copies
Modi is too junior and nave; and Sushma Swaraj has a bright
future as Chief Minister of Delhi but she evokes no emotion
among Indian electorate. It is only Modi, he reasoned. Lets
wait and watch.
says slain RTI activist Amit Jethavas father Bhikhubhai who has
filed a PIL seeking appointment of Lokayukta to check corruption
in state. Even as people back Anna Hazare demanding a corrup-
tion-free India, one man quietly but determinedly filed a public
interest litigation seeking appointment of a Lokayukta in Gujarat.
His anguish and agony is understandable. His young son was
murdered sometime back opposite Gujarat High Court because
he was using his right to seek information against the rich, pow-
erful and politically-connected mining mafia.
Bhikhubhai Jethava, father of slain RTI activist Amit Jethava,
says Gujarat is an unsafe place for all those who fight for their
rights. Just like Haren Pandya who was assassinated by some-
one who felt threatened by him and his father Vithalbhai died
fighting for justice for his sons untimely death, I too will die fight-
ing. Worse, I might be murdered because now I am all out to
expose that Gujarat is not vibrant, Bhikhubhai told Dilip Patel
and Tanushree Bhatia. Below are excerpts of an interview:
What made you file the PIL demanding a Lokayukta? My son
had filed a PIL in 2008. There already is a law in Gujarat but the
state government is deliberately not appointing a Lokayukta.
When my son filed the PIL, the state government assured
Gujarat High Court of appointing Lokayukta immediately. It did-
nt happen. Hence this PIL.
What would you achieve by filing this PIL? I feel pained.
Everybody is carried away by the hype that Gujarat is vibrant. My
son was fighting for justice. He was fighting against corruption
and politicians. There are two reasons for filing this PIL: to con-
tinue my sons fight against corruption and politicians, and to sup-
port the movement started by Anna Hazare. I have spoken to
Anna several times on the issue.
How will lokayukta benefit the state? What is the other way
left in Gujarat at the moment to seek justice? Those who raise
their voice against falsehood, injustice or corruption are eliminat-
ed. From Haren Pandya to Amit Jethava. What is the action taken
against corruption and injustice under the Narendra Modi govern-
ment? The institution of Lokayukta is the only recourse left for
common people like us to get justice and to fight against power-
ful politicians and corruption. Once Lokayukta is in place, believe
me, several ministers will be behind bars. Today, corruption has
crossed its limits in Gujarat. On 18 August, there was a govern-
ment function at Khambha in Amreli - Chalo Taluka Sarkar. It was
followed by lunch for the villagers. Only 500 people ate at the
function, but the government claimed that 120,000 people had
lunch. Now officials will also claim that money was spent on this
extravaganza! It is taxpayers money. People can know where
their leaders stand once Lokayukta is in place. Until now, all of us
thought Karnataka government was good. So much development
and international investment has come to Bangaluru. But look
what Yeddyurappa had done there. Worse things are happening
in Gujarat but no action is being taken against those responsible.
Lokayukta is Gujarats only hope to know the reality. (ahmed-
abadmirror.com)
In Gujarat you are killed if you fight for justice...
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 11
HUMAN RIGHTS/TERRORISM
Lack of co-ordination and conflict between investigating agencies
probing the Mumbai blast compels one to think along different lines
For instance, contradiction between NIA and ATS became known
when ATS rejected some measures suggested by NIA. ATS was
not in sync with the NIA during the process of investigation. As a
result NIAleft Mumbai, indicating it was pulling out of the investigat-
ing process following differences with ATS and Mumbai police.
Verbal spat between investigating agencies was also reported by
the media.
One may wonder on what basis the two agencies differed with
each other. Days after the Mumbai blast on 13 July different angles
about to the blast were talked upon by various media on the possi-
ble links and the perpetrators behind it. Some suggested that it
must be looked into along the lines of celebrating Kasabs birthday
which was on 13 July. The Police version was that it could have
been done by Indian Mujaheedin in connivance with Lashkar. What
was surprising this time was that no one perpetrator claimed to be
the any and neither was email sent after the blast? We are aware
of the way our investigative agencies work and conduct probes and
this becomes evident from the arrests made after blasts like Mecca
Masjid and Malegoan. Our investigating agencies arrested Muslim
youths born out of Islamic terror phobia which later tuned out to be
totally false as the role of right wing terror in these blasts was
unearthed much later. What is worrisome that inspite of such error
made by the investigative agencies they still think of terror on the
lines of communalist approach and tendencies.
The contradiction between NIA and ATS on Mumbai blast can
be said to be similar to that of Home Minister Shivraj Patil and
police after Mecca Masjid and Hyderabad blast in May 2007. At that
point of time too Shivraj Patil while emphasing on the CBI probe
had said that it was premature to link Malegoan, Mumbai and Juma
Masjid blast. He had also made a point that without any specific
details it would be wrong to point fingers at anyone. Shivraj also
had cautioned those involved in the blast probe, not to blame the
foreign hand in a hurry. On the contrary, police claimed that Huji
and terrorists involved in Samjhauta blast could have carried out
the blasts. These blasts were carried out to disturb the peaceful
atmosphere in the state. It was said that the terrorist had used
mobile phones to perpetrate the blast. This kind of practice was fol-
lowed by Lashkar, Jaish and Harkatul-ul Islami in the past. But sur-
prisingly, very soon it became known as to who were behind the
blast putting a question mark on the way our investigating agencies
probe blasts.
The question arises as to why inspite of IBs failure in investi-
gation in Malegoan, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer blast the government
and the media gives undue importance to the claims made by IB in
the run up to the blast. An atmosphere of fear psychosis is created
by inflating the role of Lashkar and Huji the way Americans did in
the case of Osama and Al Qaeda. Here it becomes important to
mention that the investigating agencies are trying to find links
between Varansi and Juma Masjid blast. The number 13 that is the
date on which the blast took place was also a point that has been
debated. However on both occasions that is after blasts in Varansi
and Juma masjid IM had claimed responsibility by sending email.
Now under such circumstances the investigative agencies trying to
link IM with the blast is a mere eyewash and could be seen as an
attempt to confuse the people.
Rakesh Maria, ATS chief Mumbais recent statement and
police version reveals that in the name of IM an effort is being made
to target places where Naxals are dominant, which means to kill
two birds with one stone. The manner in which the investigating
agencies targetted Azamgarh in 2007-08 they are now trying to do
the same in Jharkhand by establishing links between naxals, IM
and Lashkar. (Rajeev Yadav, Gulab Sonkar PUCL Allahabad)
Naxalism poses a bigger threat
than terrorism: Raman Singh
Naxalism in India is growing by the day. The threat perception has
been visualised by the rank and file at all levels. The counter mech-
anism is more or less defensive because of political and other rea-
sons. Raman Singh chief minister of Chattissgarh while speaking
at a seminar on Naxalism on 11 August in the national capital said
that Naxalism is bigger menace than terrorism and integrated
action plan for development is the need of the hour to curb the
problem.
The measure suggested by the chief minister to counter Naxalism
was sealing of inter state borders in the troubled areas and deploy-
ment of adequate forces equipped with sophisticated arms and
weapons. The other measure suggested by him was through prop-
er dialogue and development of the Naxal affected areas. Raman
Singh also sought a package of Rs 125 crore from Centre to tack-
le the problem. Apart from this he has also asked for IED detection
technology and upgradation of the existing technology in the state.
This is not the first time that Naxalism is being looked upon as a
bigger menace than terror.
In September 2009 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while
addressing the Directors General and Inspectors General of
Polices in New Delhi on the concluding day of the two-day confer-
ence organised by the Intelligence Bureau said, I have consistent-
ly held that Naxalism poses perhaps the gravest internal security
threat that we face. We have not achieved as much success as we
would have liked in containing it. It is a matter of concern that
despite efforts, the level of violence in the affected states continues
to rise. Further, in February 2010 Vikram Srivastav, Central
Reserve Police Force Director General during his interaction with
media had described Naxal violence in some parts of the country
as more challenging than dealing with terrorist groups.
Home minister P Chidambaram while addressing the chief minis-
ters on internal security in the national capital in February 2011 had
informed them that the left wing extremism continued to be a major
challenge to internal security. (Mohammad Naushad Khan)
Mumbai blast: investigating
agencies at loggerheads
J&K encounter: Antony orders
probe
New Delhi: Expressing concern over reports of the fake
encounter of a mentally-challenged (Hindu) man in Poonch
on 7 August, Defence Minister A K Antony on 10 August
directed the Army to conduct an inquiry into the incident and
asked it to submit a detailed report within a week. Shocked
over the killing which came to light after it was discovered
that the hardcore Lashkar divisional commander Abu
Usman who was shot dead after a 12-hour encounter was
actually a mentally-challenged civilian, the ministry has
asked the Army for an explanation. The Army had claimed
that a pistol, ammunition and other war-like stores were also
recovered from the body. Sources said the ministry was
also shocked at the explanation given by the Army on the
matter that it was misled by a Special Police Officer (SPO)
and a jawan of the Territorial Army who had conspired
together for personal benefit. The duo had allegedly killed
the civilian and passed him off as a militant to gain rewards
and promotion from security forces. The matter is very seri-
ous as the policy of rewarding and giving promotions for kills
has been discontinued for the past several years. It has to be
explained how the persons responsible were to gain from the
killing and who encouraged them, a senior official said. The
ministry is specially concerned as the incident can have far-
reaching repercussions in the state. Just one incident of
gross human rights violation like this erodes all the good
work that has gone in for the past months, the official said.
What has irked the ministry is the elaborate story that was
drawn up to explain the encounter before it was exposed as
false.
NIA probes links in right-wing terror cases
New Delhi: In the course of its probe into terror cases
allegedly carried out by right-wing outfits, the National
Investigation Agency (NIA) is trying to join the dots in six
blast cases by using forensic evidence. In a fresh move, it
has sought permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA) to carry out comparative analysis of bombs (explod-
ed and unexploded) at the six blast sites, including two in
Malegaon. The agency has already moved an application
before a Panchkula court to unseal the evidence seized in
the Samjhauta Express blasts case for examination.
The Home Ministry is learnt to have given the go-ahead to
carry out the analysis by three bomb experts from the
Forensic Science Laboratory at Hyderabad. They have been
asked to submit their findings within a month. Top officials at
NIA said that forensic experts would visit Mumbai on 16
August, and analyse the forensic evidence and make of the
bombs in 2006 and 2008 Malegaon blasts. The examination
will be then carried out at Modasa, Mecca Masjid, Samjhauta
and Ajmer blasts sites.
Agency officials said the purpose of carrying out compara-
tive analysis of the six cases was felt to connect the loose ends
and to prove a larger conspiracy by the groups involved.
Swami Aseemanand, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt
Col Srikant Prasad Purohit, Sandeep Dange, Lokesh Sharma
among others have been named by the agency as those
behind these incidents. Top RSS leader Indresh Kumar is
also under investigation for his involvement in these cases.
The forensic evidence will also be corroborated with the
use of similar devices in all six incidents where SIM cards
and mobile phones were used to trigger the blasts. The
unexploded bombs at Ajmer and Mecca Masjid gave the first
lead to the Rajasthan ATS.
The examination of forensic evidence in these cases
will be done before one of the senior officers from NIAin New
Delhi, said an MHA official.
The bomb experts who will be visiting the five places
have been asked to ascertain the nature of the explosives
used and whether there is any similarity between them. The
agency in its four chargesheets has said the detonators used
in Ajmer and Mecca Masjid were similar and even pointed to
the use of identical IEDs. Similarly, the batteries used in the
Samjhauta blasts are identical to the ones used in Ajmer and
Mecca Masjid.
Bomb experts from Hyderabad have also been asked to
analyse the metal contents in the cases. We have also
sought their opinion on metal contents of the bombs, makes
of the bomb, use of identical detonators, timers, and batteries
in the six blasts, said an NIA official. (indianexpress.com)
Saqib Nachan not allowed to sit in Etekaf
New Delhi: Saqib Nachan of banned SIMI, an accused in
Mulund bomb blast of 2003, was not allowed by the POTA
court here to sit in Etekaf which is a form of worship in which
devout Muslims seclude themselves in a mosque during the
last ten days of Ramadan and come out only after the cres-
cent of the Eid is sighted. Nachan, on bail now since 31
January this year alongwith 15 others accused in the said
blast, had requested the court to be allowed to sit in Etekaf
in a mosque in his native village of Padgha near Mumbai.
According to the terms of the bail, he is required to report to
a local police station once a week as well as to report at the
court whenever required. The judge accepted the prosecu-
tors argument that Nachan will be out of touch during this
time and the authorities will not know his activities.
MG NEWS DESK
T
he Supreme Court on 16 August has sought a status report
by a one man inquiry commission set up under solicitor
general Rohington Nariman to probe into National Technical
Research Organisation Rs 800crore scam. The court has
asked to submit the report within a month.
The Supreme Court has made it clear that the probe conduct-
ed by the government into alleged irregularities in procurement of
equipments and recruitment of candidates in National Technical
Research Organisation (NTRO) would be monitored by the court.
The probe is to be conducted by RAW chief, Sanjeev Tripathi, and
the government has now asked the RAW secretary to look into the
matter and recommend action. Earlier, a CAG report into the irreg-
ularities in NTRO was made public in reply to an RTI filled by a for-
mer employee VK Mittal. Prior to CAG report findings an internal
assessment inquiry was conducted by a one man committee head-
ed by PV Kumar who is at present chairman of NTRO into Mittals
allegation had concluded that national interest had been compro-
mised in procuring security gadgets including UAVs.
Mittal in his petition before the Supreme Court has mentioned
that NTRO had acquired sub-standard equipment and insecure
data link for UAV project. Further, he has also alleged that NTRO
purchased ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) payload costing Rs 20
crores from Israel without obtaining any approval by CCS (Cabinet
Committee on Security). VK Mittal was an employee of NTRO. He
later took voluntary retirement. He was awarded for his relentless
efforts towards national security by DRDO, IB, NTRO and others.
National security adviser Shiv Sankar Menon was the first to order
an inquiry into corruption in NTRO.
NTRO was formed in 2004 after the Kargil war as the top tech-
nical intelligence-gathering agency on the lines of the National
Security Agency in US under Prime Minister Office. Working under
the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the Prime Ministers Office
(PMO), the NTRO is a super-feeder agency for providing technical
intelligence to other agencies dealing with security and espionage.
The formation of NTRO was for the first time recommended by the
Kargil Review Committee.
NHRC seeks report over fake
encounter in Kashmir
T
he National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to
the Jammu and Kashmir government and Centre seeking a
report about the allegation of a fake encounter of a civilian in
Poonch. In a startling revelation the Lashkar militant killed on 7
August by the army turned out to be Ashok Kumar, a civilian resid-
ing in Poonch.
Army while defending its stand has said that on the basis of
input received two men, one from the Special Operation Group
and the other from the army launched the operation and killed him.
Ashok was killed by Special Police Officer and army personnel by
projecting him as the terrorist named Abu Usman. The killers of
Ashok have been arrested and during interrogation the two men
revealed that in order to earn favour of seniors they killed a men-
tally disturbed man roaming in a market in Rajouri in a fake
encounter. The Commission in a statement said, On consideration
of complaints, notices have been issued to the Director General of
Police, Jammu and Kashmir, District Magistrate and
Superintendent of Police, Poonch, and the secretary, ministry of
defence, and directed them to take appropriate action with regard
to the investigation of the case as per guidelines laid down by the
commission. NHRC has also sought a magisterial enquiry report,
autopsy report and investigation carried out so far within eight
weeks. The commission has also asked the Superintendent of
Police, Poonch, to inform as to why the death in the police action
was not reported to it within 48 hours as per the NHRC revised
guidelines.
Defence Minister AK Antony while expressing concern over the
fake encounter has ordered the Army to conduct an impartial probe
into the killings and report it to the ministry within a week. Omar
Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in his
Independence Day speech once again reiterated his commitment
of zero tolerance for human rights violation in the state.
Court to probe procurement scam in top Intel agency
ISSUES
12 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
JOHN DAYAL
john.dayal@gmail.com
A
s a Malayalee who was also a judge of the Supreme
Court of India, Justice Kallupurackal Thomas Thomas
occupies an enviable place in the Kerala Christian social
pantheon. No one in his right mind will dare say he is
turning senile. Far from it. That man of justice, and of peace,
remains as sharp as when he was on the highest Bench in the
land. It, therefore, remains a mystery why Justice Thomas, invit-
ed often by right wing forums in his twin identity as jurist and
Christian, always ends up praising the Hindutva lunatic fringe and
denouncing the conversions of new people turning to Christ.
In an address in Kochi on 1 August 2011, Justice Thomas
praised the RSS for its discipline and said the propaganda that
the organisation was anti-minority was baseless. The Press
Trust of India reported that speaking at a function there, attended
by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, he also said the smear cam-
paign against RSS that it was responsible for the assassination
of Mahatma Gandhi must end. There is a smear campaign that
RSS was responsible for Gandhis assassination just because the
assassin was once an RSS worker, he said, adding that the
organisation had been completely exonerated by the court. This
smear campaign must end against RSS, he said.
Gratuitously, Justice Thomas sought to expand his personal
views to make them seem he spoke for the entire Christian com-
munity. I am a Christian. I was born as a Christian and practise
that religion. I am a church-going Christian. But I have also learnt
many things about RSS, he said. He said he became an admir-
er of the RSS in 1979 when he was posted as district judge of
Kozhikode, adding that simple living and high thinking was its
hallmark. During the Emergency, RSS was the only non-political
organisation which fought against it. We owe very much to RSS
for sacrificing many lives for regaining our fundamental rights....
The propaganda that RSS was anti-minority was also baseless,
he said, adding that he is a great admirer of the organisation as
discipline is given importance.
This writer shares some qualifications with the venerable jus-
tice. Like him, I too am a Christian, a Catholic as a matter of fact.
I was born as Christian and practice that religion. I am a church-
going Christian. But I have also learnt many things about the
RSS.
One may, in fact, have learnt many more things about the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, for when Justice Thomas was
rapidly going up the ladder of jurisprudence, this writer was
reporting on the RSS forty years ago, visiting their shakhas,
recording what their leaders said, and documenting their written
statements and literature. One saw the training of youngsters and
college students, and the excesses of fat pot-bellied middle agen-
da traders in khaki shorts and white shirts, an hour before they
went back to their shops in Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazaar,
the wholesale market of Old Delhi.
It was perhaps too early in the day, because one did not see
what crowds in Jhansi saw decades later -- the frightening scene
of RSS cadres practicing with mock and real rifles and double
barrelled guns down the main thoroughfares of town, or of RSS
chief ministers themselves firing military hardware while posing
for photographs. But one did see how RSS cadres were trained
in meetings early morning in public parks as much as in closed
door vyayamshalas, their boudhiki intellectual brain washing,
and their war games. Exercises no less frightening? elaborate
handwork with thick lathis, or staves, the sort policemen carry at
night. One also saw childrens games in which boys formed a
string holding hands, and then swapped down on a rival group,
trying to abduct or capture persons, presumably women. The
boudhikis were given to reading the editorials and main articles
in those poison-pen official mouthpieces of the Sangh, the
Organiser in English, not read at the Shakhas, and the Hindi lan-
guage Panchjanya, the mainstay of the morning discourses. They
would then discuss what damage the Muslims had done to India.
It would all conclude with another salute not to India, but to a
mythical Mother India, more goddess than a symbol of the land
which they shared with practitioners of many other religions.
And, therefore, it is quite obvious that Justice Thomas, as is his
right, looked only at the pretty saffron flowers, and forgot to look at
the blood which sullies the earth on which the RSS flag is hoist.
First things first. Let us get the Gandhi murder out of the way,
so to say. And I am indebted to Professor Shamsul Islam, the glob-
al authority on the Sangh Parivar, for once again giving me this
documentary evidence. He remains a source, with Communalism
Combat, Anhad, Sahmat and the All India Christian Council, the
national libraries on this fascist organisation.
After the murder of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 30
January, 1948, the RSS was banned on 4 February, 1948. It was
banned for anti-national activities and the government commu-
niqu banning the RSS was self-explanatory: In their resolution
of February 2, 1948 the Government of India declared their deter-
mination to root out the forces of hate and violence that are at
work in our country and imperil the freedom of the Nation and
darken her fair name. In pursuance of this policy the Government
of India have decided to declare unlawful the RSS. (Cited in
Justice on Trial, RSS, Bangalore, 1962, p. 64.)
The communiqu went on to disclose that the ban on the
RSS was imposed because, undesirable and even dangerous
activities have been carried on by members of the Sangh. It has
been found that in several parts of the country individual mem-
bers of the RSS have indulged in acts of violence involving arson,
robbery, dacoity, and murder and have collected illicit arms and
ammunition. They have been found circulating leaflets exhorting
people to resort to terrorist methods, to collect firearms, to create
disaffection against the government and suborn the police and
the military. (Ibid, pp. 65-66.)
Prof. Islam points out that the then Home Minister, Sardar
Patel, reputedly had a soft-corner for the RSS. Patel continues to
be a favourite with the RSS. However, even Sardar Patel found it
difficult to defend the RSS in the aftermath of Gandhijis assassi-
nation. In a letter written to the head of the RSS, Golwalkar, dated
11 September, 1948, Sardar Patel stated: Organizing the Hindus
and helping them is one thing but going in for revenge for its suf-
ferings on innocent and helpless men, women and children is
quite another thingApart from this, their opposition to the
Congress, that too of such virulence, disregarding all considera-
tions of personality, decency or decorum, created a kind of unrest
among the people. All their speeches were full of communal poi-
son. It was not necessary to spread poison in order to enthuse
the Hindus and organize for their protection. As a final result of
the poison, the country had to suffer the sacrifice of the invaluable
life of Gandhiji. Even an iota of the sympathy of the Government,
or of the people, no more remained for the RSS. In fact, opposi-
tion grew. Opposition turned more severe when the RSS men
expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhijis death.
Under these conditions, it became inevitable for the
Government to take action against the RSS Since then, over
six months have elapsed. We had hoped that after this lapse of
time, with full and proper consideration the RSS persons would
come to the right path. But from the reports that come to me, it is
evident that attempts to put fresh life into their same old activities
are afoot. (Ibid., pp. 26-28.)
Hindu Mahasabha and RSS were jointly responsible for the
murder of Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This fact was fur-
ther corroborated by Sardar Patel in a letter to a prominent leader
of Hindu Mahasabha, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on 18 July,
1948. Sardar wrote: As regards the RSS and the Hindu
Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhijis murder is sub judice
and I should not like to say anything about the participation of the
two organizations, but our reports do confirm that, as a result of
the activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, an
atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly
tragedy became possible. There is no doubt in my mind that the
extreme section of the Hindu Mahasabha was involved in the
conspiracy.
The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the
existence of Government and the State. Our reports show that
those activities, despite the ban, have not died down. Indeed, as
time has marched on, the RSS circles are becoming more defiant
and are indulging in their subversive activities in an increasing
measure. (Letter 64 in Sardar Patel: Select Correspondence
1945-1950, vol. 2, Navjiwan Publishing House, Ahmedabad,
1977, pp. 276-277.)
Congress secretary general Digvijay Singh, who was for ten
years chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, and Union Home minis-
ter P Chidambaram are supported by historical data when they
called for a focus on right-wing terror groups, especially the prog-
eny of the RSS.
Chidambaram recently has favoured a proper research and
study of the phenomenon, asking the security forces to deal with
the right-wing terror groups sternly and fearlessly. He said that
these groups were also radicalising the youth in the same man-
ner as was done by banned SIMI or Indian Mujahideen. There
was no difference between Indian Mujahideen and Hindu terror
groups and both were enemies of the country So actually, we
do not have one enemy within today, we have two enemies with-
in and hope there will not be a third or a fourth or fifth,
Chidambaram said.
Digvijay Singh has repeatedly said, I do not rule out any-
thing. If they want evidence about Sanghs involvement in terror
activity, I have got evidence.
Just in case Justice Thomas, and his friends such as
Karnataka Minority commission member P N Benjamin, whose
organisation BIRD provides occasional platform for the former
judges fulminations and homilies, require judicial evidence, here
is a brief summary of extracts from a series of judicial commis-
sions that have investigated the role of the RSS in anti-Muslim
violence since the Ahmedabad riots of 1969. That is over forty
years of history:
* Here was not only a failure of intelligence and culpable fail-
ure to suppress the outbreak of violence but (also) deliberate
attempts to suppress the truth from the Commission, especially
the active participation in the riots of some RSS and Jana Sangh
leaders.
- Report of the Justice Jagmohan Reddy Commission on
the Ahmedabad riots of 1969
* The organisation responsible for bringing communal ten-
sion in Bhiwandi to a pitch is the Rashtriya Utsav Mandal. The
majority of the leaders and workers of the Rashtriya Utsav
Mandal belonged to the Jan Sangh (the predecessor of the BJP)
or were pro-Jan Sangh and the rest, apart from a few exceptions,
belonged to the Shiv Sena.
- Report of the Justice D. P. Madon Commission on the
Bhiwandi, Jalgaon and Mahad of 1970
* In Tellicherry, the Hindus and Muslims were living as broth-
ers for centuries. The Mopla riots did not affect the cordial rela-
tionship that existed between the two communities in Tellicherry.
It was only after the RSS and the Jana Sangh set up their units
and began activities in Tellicherry that there came a change in the
situation. Their anti-Muslim propaganda, its reaction on the
Muslims who rallied round their communal organisation, the
Muslim League which championed their cause, and the commu-
nal tension that followed prepared the background for their distur-
bances.... That is what the rioters who attacked the house of
Muhammad asked him to do. If you want to save your life you
should go round the house three times repeating the words,
Rama, Rama. Muhammad did that. But you cannot expect the
70 million Muslims of India to do that as a condition for maintain-
ing communal harmony in the country. This attitude of the RSS
can only help to compel the Muslims to take shelter under their
own communal organisation.
- Report of the Justice Joseph Vithyathil Commission on the
Tellicherry riots, 1971
* The RSS adopts a militant and aggressive attitude and sets
itself up as the champion of what it considers to be the rights of
Hindus against minorities. It has taken upon itself to teach the
minorities their place and, if they are not willing to learn their
place, to teach them a lesson. The RSS methodology for provok-
ing communal violence is: a) rousing communal feelings in the
majority community by the propaganda that Christians are not
loyal citizens of this country; b) deepening the fear in the majori-
ty community by a clever propaganda that the population of the
minorities is increasing and that of the Hindus is decreasing; c)
infiltrating into the administration and inducing the members of
the civil and police services by adopting and developing commu-
nal attitudes; d) training young people of the majority community
in the use of weapons like daggers, swords and spears; e)
spreading rumours to widen the communal cleavage and deepen
communal feelings by giving a communal colour to any trivial inci-
dent.
- Report of the Justice Venugopal Commission on the
Kanyakumari riots of 1982 between Hindus and Christians
* The dispute on the route of the procession became sharp
and agitated reactions from a group of persons calling them-
selves the Sanyukt Bajrang Bali Akhara Samiti who systematical-
ly distributed pamphlets to heighten communal feelings and had
organisational links with the RSS.
A call for the defiance of the authority and the administration
when it refused permission for one of the routes led to a violent
mob protesting and raising anti-Muslim slogans and, thereafter,
an incendiary leaflet doing the rounds of Jamshedpur that is noth-
ing short of an attempt to rouse the sentiments of Hindus to a high
pitch and to distort events and show some actions as attacks on
Hindus that appear to be part of a design. A survey had already
established that all policemen, havaldars, home guards etc. were
at heart ready to give support to them (Hindu communalist organ-
isations).
- Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Communal
Disturbances at Jamshedpur, April 1979
* Even after it became apparent that the leaders of the Shiv
Sena were active in stoking the fire of the communal riots, the
police dragged their feet on the facile and exaggerated assump-
tion that if such leaders were arrested the communal situation
would further flare up, or to put it in the words of then Chief
Minister, Sudhakarrao Naik, Bombay would burn; not that
Bombay did not even burn otherwise.
- Report of the Justice B. N. Srikrishna Commission on the
Mumbai riots of 1992-1993
Justice Thomas is invited to look up the full reports, if he wishes
too. It would help the Church leadership, too, if they were to read
those reports.
Open your eyes, your Lordship (retired)
Hindu Mahasabha and RSS
were jointly responsible for the
murder of Father of Nation,
Mahatma Gandhi. This fact was
further corroborated by Sardar
Patel in a letter to a prominent
leader of Hindu Mahasabha,
Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on
18 July, 1948. Sardar wrote: ...our reports do con-
firm that, as a result of the activities of these two
bodies, particularly the former [RSS], an atmos-
phere was created in the country in which such a
ghastly tragedy became possible. There is no
doubt in my mind that the extreme section of the
Hindu Mahasabha was involved in the conspiracy.
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 13
ISSUES
RAM PUNIYANI
ram.puniyani@gmail.com
It is not a very easy task to decide as to
where freedom of expression ends and
Hate speech begins. A lot of perception
about this depends on ones convictions
about the underlying ideologies which
are being talked about. At another level
how democratic space is subverted for
anti democratic agenda is a serious
issue. The challenge is to combat Hate
ideologies and Hate Speech within the
democratic system, to protect it from being subverted by sectar-
ian ideologies in the name of democratic freedom.
These questions came to peoples mind once again when
Subramanian Swamy, the President of little known Janata Party,
wrote an article, How to wipe out Islamic terrorism on 16th July,
in a national newspaper, in the aftermath of Mumbai blasts of
13th July 2011. In his article Swamy argued that the acts of ter-
ror are by Islamic terrorist, i.e., Muslims and are directed against
Hindus, to kill them in Halal fashion. This is the unfinished agen-
da of Islam to convert India into Darul Islam, a plot of global
Islamic agenda. Swamy suggests that conversions to other reli-
gions (except Hinduism) should be banned, article 370 be abol-
ished, temples be built at Ayodha and Varanasi and Muslims
should be disenfranchised if they refuse their Hindu ancestry.
This article of Swamy has generated a lot of reactions. While
many have said that we dont agree with you Dr. Swamy, the
National Commission for Minorities has asked for criminal pro-
ceedings against Swamy for promoting hate amongst religious
communities.
The students at Harvard University where Swamy teaches
at summer courses had begun a campaign to terminate the serv-
ices of Dr. Swamy for his offensive and dangerous views. This
campaign against Swamy gathered some support but Harvard
authorities decided to stick with Swamy on the grounds that a
robust expression of ideas is necessary in the academic world.
This came in as a surprise view from the authorities, as many a
times academics with very hateful ideologies have been shown
the door.
Dr. Swamys views are an amalgam of the views of RSS ide-
ology of Hindutva as expressed by several of its ideologues, like
Golwalkar, Sudarshan etc. As per the RSS ideology, India is a
Hindu Rashtra and as Golwalkar pointed out Muslims have to be
disenfranchised if they dont subordinate to Hindu race. Similarly
Sudarshan, another Sarsanghchalak of RSS had asked for
scrapping of the Indian Constitution and substituting it with the
Indian holy book, hinting that laws of Manusmirti need to be
brought back. This Hindu Rashtra ideology provided the base for
the demolition of Babri Masjid and the consequent anti Muslim
violence in the last two decades.
To make India a Hindu nation has been the political goal of
RSS and its fellow travelers like Swamy. The other component
of Swamys outpouring comes from the Clash of Civilizations
thesis of Samuel Huntington, which says that the backward
Islamic civilization is the major threat to Western democracies;
and to the World as whole. This thesis also provided the pretext
for the invasion by US of the Muslim countries of West Asia with
massive oil reserves.
The language and tenor of Swamy is full of frightening
prospects. It goes against two major documents. One is the
Constitution of India, which bases itself on the concept of
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and gives equal rights to all the
citizens irrespective of their religion. It goes against Indian cul-
ture and syncretic traditions as symbolized by Saint Kabir and
Nizamuddin Aulia, where average people mix with each and cel-
ebrate life irrespective of their religion. Swamys outpouring goes
against the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad and scores of other leaders and followers from all
religions who participated in the freedom movement, cutting
across all sects.
Swamys ideas also go against the United Nations charters
and particularly the document, Alliance of Civilizations, which
was produced by a high level committee with scholars from
many countries. This document points out that the world has pro-
gressed because of the interaction of different civilizations. All
civilizations have contributed immensely to the growth of the
human race and its culture.
What Swamy is articulating is the blunt form of propaganda
being indulged in by different wings of the Sangh Parivar, BJP,
VHP. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Bajrang Dal etc. Same ideol-
ogy is being propagated through the publications of the Sangh
Parivar, the schools run by them, the books being used by it, the
sections of the media. Similarly Clash of civilizations thesis is the
mainstay of the United States media in particular and other
World media in general. This was exemplified recently when the
terror attack in Norway was attributed to Al Qaeda, but as it
turned out, the attack was carried out by one Christian
Fundamentalist, a Norwegian. At one level what Swamy is say-
ing is just the forthright summation of both these, RSS ideology
plus US propaganda put together. Such anti-Human ideas do
promote and nurture hatred and are against the ethical and
moral values of United Nations and Indian Constitution, both. So
what does one do?
Just before Mumbai violence of 1992 Bal Thackeray in his mouth-
piece Saamana exhorted Hindus to take up arms. Many a vigilant civic
action groups took up the matter and wanted Thackeray to be pun-
ished for hate speech. Courts turned it down. The likes of Togadia are
spewing hate with every outburst of theirs. No action possible!
Freedom of expression! Hitler had gone a step further, using the dem-
ocratic space itself, he demonized Jews and other minorities to bring
in a fascist state and unleash the holocaust, anti minority pogroms.
Democratic system watched itself being subverted with helplessness.
The question is: can democracy based on pluralism permit the very
forces which are pitched against its core value of pluralism? Can
Togadias and Swamys carry on their divisive agenda in the name of
religion without any hindrance, without any checks from the system?
This thin line between freedom of expression and hate speech
needs to be delineated to ensure that we are able to enhance amity in
the human race, nurture pluralism and diversity to ensure a better
atmosphere, congenial for progress of human race and in particular
the rights of weaker sections of society and to curb the ideas which
promote divisiveness in the society. (Issues in Secular Politics)
Cut or phot ocopy
Milli Information Network
Time to network the community
The Muslim communitys many ills and problems stem from the fact that there is a marked lack of information-
sharing and dissemination. The leadership is limited to some big cities while the majority lives in thousands of
towns and lakhs of villages across the country. ... This makes it difficult to manage the two-way circulation of infor-
mation, from the leadership to the masses and from the masses to the leadership. To tackle this problem, a network
of information centres should be established all over the country. There should be one at least in each district head-
quarter, and more in larger towns and cities. These information centres will function from the offices of commu-
nity organisations or in libraries and reading rooms...
Acting upon the above editorial published in MG 16-31 Dec. 2007 we registered a website www.millinetwork.com.
We are in the process of developing a large network of milli NGOs. Kindly get yourself listed on the network. Each
listed organisation will have its own webpage on the network. Fill in the below form and send it to us by email or
post.
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The Milli Gazette, D-84 Abul Fazl Enclave - I, New Delhi 110025 Tel.: 011-2694 7483 mg@milligazette.com
Swamy, Friends & Limits of Freedom of Expression
Several times over the past 64 years, Parliamentary
Democracy has saved India from upheavals as it allowed mass
representatives to be elected. For the first time, especially by
2000s, people started feeling that dalals-corporate representa-
tives, English-speaking charlatans and criminals have seized and
taken over the only avenue left to people: the Indian Parliament.
This was the last straw. This is why people did not the buy the
logic that Parliament is a distinguished enough forum to frame
bills and laws. Through Anna, Indian people have given the mes-
sage that they no longer trust the Parliament. This is very much a
constitutional-democratic and not an anti-democratic, anti-consti-
tutional fascist urge. With 14 percent members accused of serious
crimes including rape and murder, the Indian Parliament is in a
serious state of crisis. What the people on the streets want is not
an abrogation of post-Independence Parliamentary Democracy,
but a revival of its most hallowed traditions through sweeping and
radical reforms. These may include everything from the Jan
Lokpal bill to the right to recall MPs to electoral reforms and the
like. Political reforms are bound to lead to corporate reforms and
reforms in the judiciary as well.
The hope and energy that the Anna movement has generat-
ed, the new democratic space for mass movement that it has cre-
ated, will outlive Anna and the present surge. Politics abhors vac-
uum. It had become commonplace for commentators to say after
2009 elections that politics will forever revolve around money-
media-muscle axis, that corporatisation of politics is here to stay
and that mass politics is now dated.
Now, the Anna movement shows that post-liberalisation right
wing commentators have themselves become dated. They are out
of touch with the aspirations of a new, working middle class that
wants a clean society and a clean government for now. If its aspi-
rations are not met, this class will soon gravitate towards a con-
cept of peoples power. Only an astonishing level of apolitical glib-
ness can say that no Muslim-Dalit-OBC face adorns Annas move-
ment. Well, Anna himself belongs to the OBC Mali caste of
Maharashtra. And the current movement is already finding a path
towards villages. Indian peasantry and the rural poor face their
own, harrowing levels of post-liberalisation corruption. They too
want reforms and a new land acquisition bill fulfils just one of their
many aspirations. The combination of urban and rural discontent
can create an explosive revolutionary situation in India. New play-
ers from amongst the people will emerge and take over the reins
of politics.
As of now, the BJP-RSS are hopelessly out of touch with real-
ity. Left parties too have yet to polish their old class concepts and
grasp the new reality unfolding before their eyes. Regional parties
have their limitations. The Congress can still lead this revolution -
but only by adopting its agenda, reshuffling the top party leader-
ship, revamping the dalal-managerial culture, and creating a new,
pro-people leadership.
The youth involved in the Anna movement have already
raised the cry for Rahul Gandhi to stand with the people. Any
hardening of stances, and giving the mike to apolitical English-
speaking spokespersons, would be fatal both for the Government
and the Congress party.
An acclaimed historian, is Convener, Anti Communal Front, Uttar
Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee
Continued from page 1
Dr. Swamys views are an amalgam of the views of RSS ideology of Hindutva as expressed by several
of its ideologues, like Golwalkar, Sudarshan etc. As per the RSS ideology, India is a Hindu Rashtra and
as Golwalkar pointed out Muslims have to be disenfranchised if they dont subordinate to Hindu race.
Similarly Sudarshan, another Sarsanghchalak of RSS had asked for scrapping of the Indian
Constitution and substituting it with the Indian holy book, hinting that laws of Manusmirti need to be
brought back. This Hindu Rashtra ideology provided the base for the demolition of Babri....
ANALYSIS
14 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
N
otwithstanding all the attention attracted by Anna
Hazare and his teams call against corruption, sever-
al hard-hitting legal, political and social realities
cannot be ignored. Undeniably, Hazare team has
succeeded in gathering thousands of people at Delhis
Ramlila Maidan. It is also true that peaceful demonstrations
have taken place in several parts of the country in support of
Hazare teams call against corruption. The seating capacity
at Ramlila Maidan is approximately 50,000. The number of
people displaying their support for Hazare has not crossed
one lakh in any part of the country, except once or twice in
Delhi and Mumbai. Statistically, the support from across the
country for Hazare-team can at most be presumed to be that
of few lakh people. With India home to 1.21 billion people,
this number does not represent a significant proportion of
the countrys population. And this raises the crucial ques-
tion: -- who do Hazare and his team actually represent?
There is no denying that Hazare team has succeeded in
securing substantial media attention. But so what as even
numerical statistics of supporters behind Hazare are not suf-
ficient to accord him stature of a national leader. Certainly,
Hazare and his team have the freedom and right to raise their
voices and also protest against issues they feel concerned
about. They also, like any other Indian citizen, have the polit-
ical right to suggest measures to correct problems they feel
disturbed about. In fact, it is the duty of Indian citizens to
draw people and governments attention to problems they
are aggrieved about. Corruption is one of the many such
problems, which the entire country is concerned about.
Constitutionally, politically and socially, with the right to
protest against corruption, among other issues, Hazare and
his team also have the right to suggest proposals for correct-
ing these problems. Democratically and legally, however,
they do not represent any institution or authority to dictate
their terms to an elected government. They are not legisla-
tors and are not from any angle representative of even a sig-
nificant percentage of the countrys population or any seg-
ment. Raising the corruption issue is one aspect. The course
being adopted to tackle the same is another. The latter,
including hunger strikes, marches, sit-in demonstrations
outside parliamentarians residences and other such activi-
ties, is not in keeping with the countrys constitutional fabric.
The situation would have been different if India was not an
independent country with a written constitution as per which
it is a democratic and socialist republic. If instead of a dem-
ocratically elected government, India was governed by a dic-
tatorial regime, Hazare teams fight against corruption may
have been viewed as that of perhaps rebels quest for
democracy. This is not the case.
With an elected government in power, the countrys leg-
islators have authority to enact new laws and also amend old
ones to rid the system of the corruption malaise. But when
any group, as seems to be the course adopted by Hazare
team, opts to dictate terms to them, it also amounts to
abusing the democratic spirit of the country. After all, parlia-
mentarians have been elected by the countrys voters.
Statistically and democratically, the electoral prowess of the
Indian voter holds far more value than that of several thou-
sands collected together by Hazare team to apparently pres-
surize the government to yield to what they desire. Yielding
to the latter would be equivalent to bowing to almost dictato-
rial commands of a handful of citizens, who do not have the
authority to wield such powers. It would be an abuse of the
countrys parliamentary system. It would also set an
unhealthy precedent encouraging extremist elements to per-
haps consider violence to pressurize an elected government
to yield to their agenda.
Considering that India is home to many religions,
castes, tribes, classes and regional communities, it may not
be a difficult task for extremist elements of any group to
excite their community members and follow the course that
Hazare team is taking. If the government can give in to
Hazare team, their logic would be, why cannot it yield to their
demands? In other words, if an elected government yields to
Hazare team, in addition to being an abuse of the countrys
constitutional system, it would be an unhealthy and danger-
ous precedence, which must be nipped before it develops
roots.
I
rrespective of whether Hazare indulged in plain rhetoric or
not, when he said: If you (Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh) cannot get the bill, I ask you to leave the chair, the
underlying meaning cannot be missed. Hazare is not above
the countrys Constitution and political system to assume
that he can ask the Prime Minister or any other person to quit
office, if his conditions are not adhered to. The Prime
Minister cannot be dismissed even by the countrys highest
office holder, that is the President till he and his party lose
support in the Parliament.
Against this backdrop, with their course of action being
devoid of democratic legitimacy, it is time some attention
was paid to what has prompted Hazare team to assume their
role as greater than that of Indias constitutional system?
Speaki ng Out
Hazare Team Lacks
Democratic Legitimacy
NI LOFAR SUHRAWARDY
The Indian Muslim situation suggests that it is,
writes MOHAMMAD ZEYAUL HAQUE
Novelist Philip Roth thinks that aggravation
is a Jewish word. He also admits that he has
a Masada complex, and a Hitler complex.
Aggravation, in simple English, is getting
bad to worse.
A man like that, haunted by a sense of
persecution, may not be accurate in his
judgment. However, there has been little in
the Jewish situation after 1945 that can be described as getting
bad to worse.
Yours Truly suspects that aggravation is a Muslim word. Is it
not true that our situation has been getting steadily bad to worse,
especially the quality of our leadership and the politics they
choose to do?
This suspicion is confirmed after reading an announcement by
the lawyer Zafaryab Jeelani in Lucknow that the All India Muslim
Personal Law Board would take up a countrywide march after
Ramadan to highlight the Union governments putative neglect of
Muslim issues, particularly the issue of Muslim endowments (awqaf).
The first reaction after reading this piece of information is a hor-
rified, Oh no. Not again, please. Imagine the cost to Muslims in
terms of time, money, energy and a huge emotional investment in
an ill-advised project. At the end, the futility of it and the inevitable
frustration that is bound to follow the exercise would surely bring
the Muslim collective mood crashing down to the ground.
And the sorry spectacle it would present: Muslims working
themselves into a frenzy, staging protest marches all over Bharat,
making our countrymen and women with whom we do not share
our faith wonder sympathetically: What has happened to our
Musalman bhai behen log? Why do they get so upset every now
and then that they have to undertake an akhil-Bharat virodh
pradarshan yatra?
Our compatriots who do not share our faith with us and are
not necessarily sympathetic to such jamborees would say: Look
at these people. They can never be appeased. All this is happen-
ing because of six decades of appeasement. Appease them and
they would ask for more, right away. Give them an inch and they
would demand a metre. Or, something to the effect.
The plan announced by Mr. Jeelani is bothersome for other rea-
sons as well. So far we knew that Mr. Jeelani had been on the com-
mittee of Personal Law Board for the Babri Masjid. In the long course
of the Babri Masjid legal proceedings Mr Jeelanis professional com-
petence as a lawyer was seen to have left a lot to be desired.
Now that the Lucknow-based leadership of All India Muslim
Personal Law Board announces another marathon protest march,
we take it with a lot of trepidation. Even today, more than two
decades after the first all-India rallies of the Personal Law Board
over Shah Bano judgment, we are not sure whether it was the
wisest of steps.
Although the Personal Law Board would be the last to admit
it, its first all-India march was, at least obliquely, responsible for the
opening of the Babri Masjid gate to public worship of the Shri
Ramlalla idol. The Board does not see the obvious connection, but
it is public knowledge that Rajiv Gandhi balanced the gift of Muslim
Womens (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, hurriedly legislat-
ed under the Boards pressure with a similar gift for Hindus which
was opening of the Babri Masjid gate for Hindu worshippers.
The Board took exception to academic Zoya Hasans asser-
tion to this effect. It said late Maulana Ali Mian, Chairman of the
then newly-formed Board, had not made the Muslim Womens
Act-for-Babri Masjid unlocking bargain. Well, that much could be
true, that no bargain was made. Still, the unlocking was directly
related to it. In politics, there are no free lunches and the price
paid for the Boards hyperactivism had got to be the unlocking.
The Personal Law Boards ill-considered moves have had
more unpleasant results than palatable ones. Scavenging for a
cause and grabbing whatever comes ones way as reason
enough to launch an ill-considered movement is a criminal waste
of Muslim energies and financial resources. This is specially so as
the community wallows in abysmal poverty and deprivation.
What the community needs is consistent, sustained effort at
reconstruction, not agitation and demagoguery. Reconstruction
and agitation are two mutually exclusive modes of operation -
they do not work together. And the choice today, more than ever,
is silent work to rebuild, not noisy protest.
This uncalled for posturing is echoed in other ongoing pro-
grammes initiated by at least two other individuals. One is led by
the former bureaucrat Zafar Mahmood, who has emerged over
the last few years as an educationist and a sensitive, disciplined
and focused social activist. His extraordinary effort to help out the
victims of Gujarat 2002 violence touched many hearts.
Going beyond temporary relief or helping with housing and
rehabilitation, he chose to save and build vital human resource. He
brought several children orphaned by the state-sponsored pogrom
to Delhi, put them in a home (not merely a house), gave the trau-
matised children hope and reason to believe in human goodness
and a reasonably good education to sustain them in future.
Several years later, most of them have grown up as humane,
forgiving youth, virtually shorn of bitterness, even though the
memories of the murderous mobs and the killing of their dear
ones still haunt them every now and then. Minus Zafar Mahmood
they would have been lost to society, living on the periphery of
law, enraged youth smarting under the wounds inflicted by a state
that had turned from protector to predator. Mahmoods role in the
education of many of Jamia Nagars middle class children and the
preparation of Sachar Committee report is well-appreciated.
The programme initiated recently by him (referred to above)
seems to be a little out of step with what he has done so far. This pro-
gramme is regarding amendment to the Wakf Act which, quite unchar-
acteristically, seems to be turning into a campaign, using the hype,
hoopla and hyperbole of our colourful MLA from Okhla constituency
(New Delhi), Asif Mohammad Khan, identified with his theatrics and
penchant for Iqbals rhetoric. That is a shocking development.
Zafar Mahmood has been a typical bureaucrat, trained in the fine
tradition of British Public Service, left behind by the Raj, a tradition that
demands consistency, hard work, low profile, discipline and focus.
The Asif Mohammad Khan school of social service is diametrically
opposed to what Mahmood has stood for. No sir, please lay it off. This
does not suit you. What is nectar for Mr Khan is poison for you.
Also, some of the best NGOs in the world are known for their
non-adversarial, non-judgmental stance vis--vis governments.
Mahmoods latest stance seems to be obsessed with what is
wrong with the Minorities Affairs Ministry.
A third initiative on Wakf (rather, waqf) has come from none
other than the hugely popular (especially in the national capitals
Muslim circles) K Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman of Rajya
Sabha. Within days of the last Union cabinet reshuffle, Khan
called a meeting of leaders of Muslim organisations to discuss
issues of concern that fell largely within the purview of Minority
Affairs Ministry, especially Wakf.
Interestingly, Khans supporters were sure that he would get
Minorities Affairs portfolio in the cabinet reshuffle. Several Muslim
leaders of Delhi had canvassed support for him, writing to Mrs
Sonia Gandhi to make him Minister of Minority Affairs. The gen-
eral impression among Muslims was that Mr Khans undue con-
cern was prompted by his dejection over the Minority Affairs
Ministry eluding him.
That may or may not be right, but the coincidence is there.
Even the Mahmood initiative smacks of a similar Minority Affairs
Ministry fixation.
Yours Truly thinks Khan is a more warm, people-friendly and
accessible person than the Oxford-educated Khursheed, a pedigreed
gent who sees only the Gandhis and Ambanis as his social equals.
After all, this Union Law Minister, who is the son of a former Governor
and grandson of a former President of India, cannot be expected to
stoop to the level of common Muslims (or, ordinary Indians, for that
matter). On the contrary, warm and friendly Khan, beaming from ear
to ear, is always ready to meet whoever seeks a meeting.
Muslim leaders are not far off the mark in backing Khan.
Quite clearly, they want an accessible person as their minister
rather than an Oxonion Englishman in brown skin. However, the
other view is that Khan is not half as popular in his native
Bangalore as in Delhi. Additionally, he is mired in a Rs. 100 crore
bank scam involving the deposits of common Muslims. Until his
name is cleared by a court of law, he would not make a clean,
convincing Minority Affairs Minister. We would better wait till
things clear up on that front.
Looking at all this brouhaha, much of which is politically moti-
vated, how do we see the Indian Muslim public affairs? I would
say, not very encouraging. Here is a lot of movement without
going forward. Is not aggravation a Muslim word, then?
Khan is a more
warm, people-
friendly and
accessible per-
son than the
Oxford-educated
Khursheed, a
pedigreed gent who sees only the Gandhis and
Ambanis as his social equals. After all, this
Union Law Minister, who is the son of a former
Governor and grandson of a former President of
India, cannot be expected to stoop to the level of
common Muslims (or, ordinary Indians, for that
matter). On the contrary, warm and friendly
Khan, beaming from ear to ear, is always ready
to meet whoever seeks a meeting.
SIGNPOST
Is Aggravation a Muslim word?
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 15
JAMMU & KASHMIR
Casting apprehensions on all encounters that have taken place in
the state during the last two decades, Peoples Democratic Party
president Mehbooba Mufti has said that the government has con-
verted Jammu and Kashmir into a police state.
Fake encounter at Surankote in Jammu doesnt come as a
surprise. It raises some vital questions like where from did arms
and ammunition that were reportedly seized from a militant come.
If the local community hadnt refused to bury him, would it have
been passed as a genuine encounter, said Mehbooba, while
addressing media here, August 9.
She further asked if it doesnt put all encounters under suspi-
cion. The opposition leader said in the case of Nazim Rashid, a
youth who was allegedly killed in police custody in Sopore, the
government took delayed action and that too after protests broke
out throughout valley. This is obviously a cosmetic exercise as
constables usually are not used to interrogate suspects.
Mehbooba said the government has virtually outsourced gover-
nance to the police. Judicial decisions are violated, youth arrest-
ed and public opinion muzzled.
Reacting sharply to Mehboobas tirade against the govern-
ment, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani said that
PDP and its leadership is unnerved by a peaceful summer and
in its frustration is trying to score brownie political points by rak-
ing up controversies on human tragedies.
Wani said, Government has spared no effort to identify cul-
prits, expose them and book them under relevant laws. 25 custo-
dial killings and 18 custodial disappearances have taken place
during three yearrs of PDP rule. It led to a situation wherein the
then SHRC chairman (retired) A M Mir resigned in protest against
growing human right violations and non-implementation of recom-
mendations of the Commission. He added by reminding
Mehbooba of the PDP tenure, he was not absolving the govern-
ment of its responsibility towards human rights violations.
R
ejecting US senator John McCains claim about normalcy in
Kashmir, chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq said that there was cosmetic peace in a virtual police
state. We welcome that part of his account wherein he said that
resolution of Kashmir dispute is imperative for reducing animosi-
ty between India and Pakistan. But we reject the part about nor-
malcy in the region, said Mirwaiz, while addressing a Friday con-
gregation here at Jamia Masjid on August 19. Mirwaiz added
cosmetic peace in the region is maintained through stick and
gun, and the state has been virtually turned into police-state. If
normalcy has returned, what is the need for lakhs of security
forces around and why not repeal the draconian laws?
Meanwhile, McCain, who was here on a two-day visit called
on chief minister, Omar Abdullah and Governor N N Vohra on
August 16. During a meeting with the chief minister, matters relat-
ing to socio-economic development and protection of environ-
ment were discussed. He had wide-ranging discussions with the
Governor and exchanged views on important issues of mutual
interest, says an official spokesperson. John McCain is vice
chairman of Senate Armed Forces Committee and was
Republican Presidential candidate against US President, Barack
Obama in the last US presidential elections.
Interlocutors write their report
Amidst controversies that surround the three-member team of
interlocutors appointed by the Centre on the state of Jammu and
Kashmir, the panel has started drafting the final report which is
likely to be submitted to Union Home Ministry in the first week of
October. The three interlocutors, Dilip Padgaonkar, Prof. Radha
Kumar and M M Ansari after discussing the progress of their mis-
sion with the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram on August 19
have been asked to finalize the report within a stipulated time.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of Ansaris severe crit-
icism of Padgaonkar and Kumar for attending conferences
abroad that were organized by Pakistans ISI-run groups and indi-
viduals. Actually the matter started when Ansari during an inter-
action at a roundtable conference in Jammu (July 12 and 13)
openly attacked his colleagues, saying he was not being allowed
to express his views. Pertinently, Ansari could be hardly seen
speaking at press conferences here whereas the other two inter-
locutors did most of the talking. Soon after, Ansari launched a
smear campaign against his colleagues for attending confer-
ences abroad that were supposedly funded by Pakistans ISI.
Prof. Kumar even offered her resignation after Ansari criti-
cized her for attending a seminar on Kashmir in Brussels organ-
ized in 2006 by Tramboo Centre, which is said to be under the
scanner for its association with the ISI.
The chief interlocutor was criticized for attending a Kashmir
seminar in US organized by Ghulam Nabi Fai, who was recently
arrested by the FBI for for illegally lobbying for Pakistan.
However, Ansari on August 12 while talking to a local news
agency KNS here (over phone) clarified that he never criticized
his colleagues, but only advised them to make details of their for-
eign trips public. Panun Kashmir, a Kashmiri Pandit body on
August 11 demanded immediate disbanding of the panel, alleging
that their functioning was shoddy, murky and suspicious. Shiv
Sena on July 29 threatened not to allow interlocutors to function
in Jammu till Padgaonkar quits.
A
sserting that his government would continue its efforts as a
facilitator to help consistent and continuous internal and
external dialogue processes to positively move forward, chief
minister, Omar Abdullah has said that endeavours made by the
government during the last two and half years have yielded
encouraging results.
Talks between India and Pakistan have resumed and internal
dialogue process is also moving ahead, he said on August 14,
while appealing to separatists to be part of the process of finding
a solution to the political issues of the state giving up the policy of
confrontation.
Omar, in his Independence Day address expressed confi-
dence that ties between India and Pakistan would improve and all
issues confronting the two states would be addressed in an ami-
cable atmosphere.
He reiterated that development issues cannot wait political
resolution of political problems. Weve to deal with the two
aspects separately and concurrently.
Meanwhile, Governor N. N. Vohra on August 14 hoped that
New Delhis ongoing initiatives to discuss the entire range of
issues with Islamabad would lead to a positive outcome in the
course of time. The time has come for all those who hold con-
trary convictions to step forward for talks and discussions to pave
the way for a peaceful resolution.
In a message on the eve of Independence Day, he said our
liberal democratic framework provides ample space for expres-
sion of contrary and divergent views without there being any need
for resorting to hartals and agitations that cause severe losses on
so many fronts. Vohra hoped that while carrying out their opera-
tions, security forces shall ensure against any violation of rights
and liberties of people.
Clashes on Martyrs Day
Clashes erupted in the old city between youth and security forces
after Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid,
on several occasions. As youth took to the streets and tried to
march through the main road on August 19, police and CRPF
tried to stop them. Youth resisted and pelted stones, triggering
clashes. A day earlier, Hurriyat (G) had declared to observe the
third Friday of the month of Ramadhan and fourth in case of five
Fridays as Kashmir Martyrs day (Youmi-Shuhadai Kashmir)
every year. Two photojournalists, Showkat Shafi, a freelancer
with Al Jazeera and Zuma photojournalist, Narciso were alleged-
ly detained and beaten to pulp by police and CRPF as they were
covering the protests.
Clashes also broke out in the old city on August 12, 6 and 5.
Senior separatists were placed under house-arrest. Geelani on
August 19 warned the government to face a stir if political pris-
oners and youth languishing in jails arent released before Eid-ul-
Fitr. We would be compelled to issue a protest programme.
Senior separatists were detained by police whereas many
were placed under house-arrest to scuttle proposed rallies to the
Eidgah and Pampore vis--vis the third death anniversary of sen-
ior separatist, Sheikh Abdul Aziz on August 11. Aziz was alleged-
ly killed by security forces during Muzaffarabad march in 2008.
Meanwhile, DGP Kuldeep Khoda on August 5 said that over
300 militants are waiting to sneak into the valley (Kashmir). He
added militants have directions to infiltrate in view of closure of
the passes after a month or so.
Two rifle grenades were fired at two hotels housing CRPF
ahead of I-Day on August 14. Both missed the targets and no one
was hurt.
The Army on August 20 claimed to have killed 12 militants in
a major infiltration bid in Gurez-Bandipora. An army officer,
Lieutenant Navdeep Singh too was killed in an operation.
Police, Army and CRPF on August 18 claimed to have
achieved major success by forcing the surrender of the longest
surviving and only active militant group of Hizbul Mujahideen
comprising of four militants including divisional commander at
Hakawas-Kulgam.
Three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants were killed in an
encounter with the police and Army at Wudder Payeen in
Handwara, August 7.
A shutdown was observed here on August 9 in view of a call
given by the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of
traders and trade bodies, to press for various demands including
revocation of additional taxes on property, power and water and
offering facilities to traders involved in across-Line of Control
trade.
Raped women depose
Kulgam woman, who had alleged rape and abduction by two men
in uniform last month, deposed before the Magistrate that she
wasnt raped by anybody and she had left her Dokh (hut) on her
own on July 20, say police.Mubassir Latiefi, SP Kulgam while
addressing media on August 16 said that the woman contradicts
her own statement wherein she had stated that she was abduct-
ed. Providing details, he said that a woman resident of Gujardar
Manzgam, at present Chhiranbal Behak, filed a report in police
station Damhal Hanjipora that on July 19 evening she had gone
to a nearby spring where she was abducted by two army person-
nel in uniform carrying wireless sets. She had alleged that uni-
formed men took her towards the forests and raped her.
The woman had further told police that they left her in the for-
est on the morning of July 2. An FIR number 66/2011 under sec-
tions 366, 376 RPC was registered and investigation taken up. A
Special Investigation Team was constituted.
The woman was medically examined and exhibits were sent
to FSL Srinagar for microscopic examination, said the SP, adding
during the course of investigation, statements of witnesses were
recorded. In her statement, she deposed that neither she was
abducted nor raped by any army personnel or civilian. Final med-
ical opinion formed on the basis of medical examination, labora-
tory tests and forensic expert opinion suggests no evidence of
rape. Police added that investigations are still going on to find out
the circumstances that led her to lodge a false FIR.
Hurriyat warn against hanging of Guru
Both factions of Hurriyat Conference have warned New Delhi of
grave consequences if the 2001 parliament attack convict
Mohammad Afzal Guru is hanged. Mainstream political parties
too have shared their concerns.
Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani
warned New Delhi of dangerous consequences in case
Government of India goes ahead with the hanging, in response to
reports of Home Ministry recommending rejection of clemency
petition file by Guru to the President.
Geelani, in a statement issued here on August 11, said if
New Delhi goes ahead with Afzals hanging, Kashmir will rise up
in a rebellion that no Indian military might will be able to quell.
Even Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq warned that if any decision is taken in haste, it would have
serious repercussions in Kashmir.
Rejecting Gurus mercy plea is a glaring contradiction to
claims made by the Government of India about resolving the
Kashmir issue through dialogue and confidence building meas-
ures. There are talks about hanging Guru, which makes one won-
der if hanging Guru is part of so-called CBMs, said Mirwaiz while
addressing Friday congregation here on August 12.
Meanwhile, sharing serious concern about the possible fall-
out, opposition Peoples Democratic Party appealed to the
President of India to use mercy option in his favour in view of the
political and humanitarian situation prevailing in the state.
According to a party-statement, the senior leadership that
met here on August 11 decided to appeal of the President to take
into consideration highly sensitive situation in the state that is try-
ing to come to terms with huge material and humanitarian loss
that it has suffered over the past two decades.
The party felt that Gurus is a fit case for displaying compas-
sion in broad national interest even as it strongly condemns ter-
rorism in any form.
Even chief minister Omar Abdullah in a press conference at
Jammu on August 18 said he has certain apprehensions if Guru
was hanged and he had shared those with the Government of
India.
7 out of 10 subscriptions are through WORD OF MOUTH
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THE MILLI GAZETTE
First English Newspaper of Indian Muslims, Telling the Muslim side of the story fortnight after fortnight since January 2000
DATELINE SRINAGAR: AFSANA RASHID
J&Kis a police state: PDP &Hurriyat
NEWSMAKERS
16 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
Prof. WASEEM BARELVI, a great Urdu poet
of international fame, has been appointed
Vice Chairman of National Council for the
Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL). Born
in Bareli, his seven anthologies of poems
have been published including one in Dev
Nagri script. He has been honoured with
many literary awards.
ZUBER bin SAGHIR has been appointed
new District Magistrate (DM) of Saharanpur in
place of Chaub Singh Verma who has been
promoted to a higher post. It may be stated
that Zuber bin Saghir's appointment is signifi-
cant in the sense that he is the first Muslim to
be appointed D.M. of Saharanpur after 64
years i.e. after Independence. He is famous
for his sincerity and devotion to duty.
Prof. E.M. ZUBERI of Women's College,
Hindi Section has been appointed President
of AMU's Department of Hindi for a period of
two years in place of former President Prof.
R.C. Sharma whose term is completed.
Another appointment is that of Prof. ANIL
KUMAR who has been appointed President of
Department of Pharmacology in AMU's J.N.
Medical College in place of Prof. Rahat Ali
Khan after completion of his term as head of
this Department. Prof. Anil Kumar's appoint-
ment is for three years.
FARZAND AHMAD, prominent journalist has
been appointed Information Commissioner of
Bihar. He will be sworn in as the new IC on 25
August by state governor Dev Anand. His
appointment for this post was hailed by jour-
nalist fraternity who said in a joint statement
that during the period of his service with UNI
and India Today, he not only demonstrated his
good performance but also maintained high
standard of journalistic ethics.
Ms. SABA ANJUM, centre forward and strik-
er, has been appointed captain of the India
Women's Hockey team which will take part in
Champion's Trophy. Four teams of Women's
Hockey were at the top among other teams in
this category which had participated in last
year's Asian games played at Gwangjhu. Four
teams which were at the top in this game
(Asian Games) were from India, China, South
Korea and Japan. Games for Champion's
Trophy will be played in September at the
same venue as last year.
BAZIGHA BADAR d/o Dr. Badruddin Bhat,
has been awarded Ph.D in Environmental
Science by Sher-e-Kashmir University of
Agricultural Sciences and Technology of
Kashmir (SKUAST-K)for her dissertation on
"Integrated Impact Analysis of Environmental
and Socio-economic Factors on Population
Status of Dal Lake using Geo-spatial Tools"
completed under the joint supervision of Prof.
M.A.Khan of SKUAST-K and Dr. Shakeel A.
Romshoo of the Dept. of Geology,
Geophysics and Geo-informatics, University
of Kashmir, Srinagar.
MEN & WOMEN IN NEWS
OBITUARIES
ADIL ASEER Dehlwi, famous poet and
author of children's books has been selected
alongwith authors of children's books in 23
other languages by Sahitya Academy for
being honoured with Academy's Baal Sahitya
Puraskar (Award) 2011 which consists of
Sahitya Academy's emblem and a cash prize
of Rs. 50,000. The Award is given to him for
his book Kulliyat-e Adil Aseer. His more than
hundred books for children have been pub-
lished. He has written these books in prose as
well in poetry. He has also been honoured
with Awards by many state Urdu Academies.
The Awards will be given to the selected
authors at Sahitya Academy's function to be
held in Delhi in November.
Names of 23 scholars of Arabic, Persian,
Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit languages were
announced by the President of India Mrs.
Pratibha Patil on 15 August who will be hon-
oured with Commendation Certificates for
their valuable contributions to these lan-
guages and Maharishi Badreyan Vyas
Awards. Maximum number i.e. 16 of such
scholars are of Sanskrit language. There are
three scholars of Arabic namely Dr. MUHAM-
MAD ATIQUR RAHMAN, Prof. ZAINUS
SAJIDEEN SIDDIQI and Dr. MUHAMMAD
SHAHIDULAH and two scholars of Persian
namely Prof. MUHAMMAD IQBAL and Prof.
HAFIZ MUHAMAD ZIAUDDIN alias SHAMSI
TEHRANI who will be honoured with
Commendation certificates. Maharishi
Badreyan Award is for Sanskrit scholars.
Prof. A.M.K. SHAHARYAR, distinguished
Urdu poet who was selected by AMU Alumni
Association of New York State for its annual
Sir Syed Lifetime Achievement Award was
honoured with this Award at a function held at
AMU premises on 19 August. Prof. Shaharyar
is also an awardee of India's highest literary
award i.e. Jnanapeeth Award.
Dr. SHAHAB AFZAL, Associate Professor at
AMU's Department of Geography has been
honoured with Netherland Science Academy's
prestigious Fellowship under India and
Netherland's mutual exchange programme. In
this capacity he will work as Visiting Professor
in a Netherland University's Department of
Geology and deliver lectures on different top-
ics. Author of 10 books and about 45 research
treatises, he has been honoured with many
other Fellowships also. Presently he is work-
ing at an international research project with
joint cooperation of Canada's Montreal and
McGill Universities.
MANSOOR USMANI, a famous poet of
Muradabad has been honoured by Bihar Urdu
Academy with Dr. Maghfoor Ahmad Aejaz
Award 2011 for his poetic collection titled
Kashmakash. He has already been honoured
with many Awards by Madhya Pradesh Urdu
Academy, U.P. Urdu Academy and Hindi
Sahitya Award Committee's Award. This
Award consists of a Trophy and a cash prize
of Rs. 5000.
AEJAZ ANSARI, popular poet and conductor
of mushairas has been honoured with Dr.
Maghfoor Ahmad Aejazi Award by Bihar Urdu
Academy for his anthology of poems titled
Tanha Nahin Hoon Main. Earlier, Delhi Urdu
Academy also had honoured him with its
Award for this collection of poems. The Award
consists of a Certificate and a cash prize.
JALEES NAJIBABADI, famous poet has
been honoured by Bihar Urdu Academy for his
anthology of poems titled Qahat aur
Baarishain (Famine and Rains) in recognition
of his services to Urdu literature for about 40
years. There are many other anthologies of
his poems. The Award consists of a cash prize
of Rs. 5000 together with a certificate also.
Syed NAFEES AHMAD Sambhali, famous
Urdu Hindi novelist and fiction writer has been
honoured with Suhail Azimabadi Award 2011
by Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna. Many of his
novels and collections of short stories have
been published which are very popular some
of which are Lamhon ki Grift, Khwabon ka
Safar, Kanyadaan, Sapnon ki Nagri. Novel
Kanyadan is a masterpiece of Urdu literature
for which he has been honoured with Suhail
Azimabadi Award. U.P. Urdu Academy also
honoured him with its Award.
Prof. ALI MUHAMMAD of the Department of
Applied Chemistry, AMU's Z.H. College of
Engg. and Technology has been honoured
with Science world's prestigious Dr. P.D. Sethi
Award 2010 on the basis of close and critical
study of his about 50 research articles. He is
the sixth scientist of India to be honoured with
this Award.
Dr. RAZAUR RAHMAN AAKIF Sambhali,
noted poet and author has been honoured by
Bihar Urdu Academy with Hasan Askari Award
for his book Roohelkhand ki Siyasi, Saqafati
aur Adabi Taareekh. This Award carries a cer-
tificate, a shawl and a cheque of Rs. 7500.
Author of 10 books on Urdu language and lit-
erature, he has been honoured with many
other awards like Hali Award by Anjuman
Farogh-e Urdu, Delhi and Gold Medal by a lit-
erary organisation of Karachi (Pakistan).
NAIK TALIB HUSAIN of Territorial Army
(Home & Hearth), Dogra, LANCE NAIK
MUHAMMAD LATIEF (J&K Light Infantry,
Rifleman GHULAM MURTAZA KALGAN,
J&K Light Infantry and SOWAR FAROOK
KHAN, Armoured corps (all posthumous)
were among the 114 Army personnel who
were posthumously honoured with Sena
Medal (Gallantry) Awards on Independence
Day 15 August 2011 by the President of India
In addition to the above army personnel,
following police personnel were honoured with
awards: A.S. KHAN, D.G., Home Guard was
honoured with Medal for distinguished servic-
es. Assistant Sub Inspector FAZIL ALI KHAN
was honoured with Police Medal for
Meritorious Services.
NAZIMA JABEEN, a school teacher of Jamia
Nagar Okhla and an authoress, has been
honoured by Bihar Urdu Academy with
Kalimuddin Ahmad Award for her book titled
Aziz Ahmad: Fun aur Nazariya on which
Haryana Urdu Academy also had given an
Award as the Best Book in 2008.
AWARDS
Lucknow: Maulana Shakir
Naqvi, an 84-year-old reli-
gious scholar, was hon-
oured with the Sayyidah
Zainab Award by Anjuman
Ghulaman-e Sayyidah
Zainab at a meeting held
here on 1 August. The
meeting was chaired by Maulana Kalbe Jawad.
Maulana Shakir Naqvi is associated with
Madrasa Nazimia and he has been writing on
different topics for the past 50 years. Many of
his books have been published in Arabic and
have been praised by scholars of Iran and Iraq.
He has also translated many Arabic and
Persian books into Urdu. Born in Amroha, he
leads a simple and secluded life and spends
most of his time writing and hence he is not so
famous as are the orators of the Shi'a commu-
nity. It was not easy for the Anjuman people to
persuade him to come out of his secluded life
and accept the honour at a public function. It
was for the first time that a function (of award
giving) was held to honour a religious scholar.
Dr. Kalbe Sadiq con-
gratulated those peo-
ple who had organised
this function to honour
a molvi. Maulana Kalbe
Jawad said that our
community is accused
of honouring and
mourning the dead but this function negates this
accusation because this function is held to hon-
our a living religious personality. He said that an
hour's discussion and consideration of religious
problems by a religious scholar is better than 70
years prayers by an ordinary person. He said
that namaz, fasting, Haj etc. are performed by
people for their own salvation but a religious
scholar does all this for the salvation of the
entire humanity and it is for this reason that
such a person is considered in Islam a superior
person. A delegation of this Anjuman goes
every year on the occasion of Chehlum to
mourn on behalf of the mourners of India at the
mausoleums of Sayyida Zainab and Sayyida
Sakina, may Allah be pleased with them.
Maulana Mirza
Muhammad Athar,
chairman of All India
Shi'a Personal Law
Board who is inter-
nationally famous
as an orator-recitor
of Karbala episode
and the tragedy of
Hazrat Imam
Husain has found a
place in the Limca
Book of Records.
He has been addressing Muharram's Majlis at
Mumbai's Mughal Masjid every year for the past
54 years without any break. He is the only
reciter of Shiite verses or elegy of Karbala event
in the world who has been speaking on the
same topic, at the same place and at the same
time for the past 54 years for which his name
has been included in the Limca Book of
Records. Considered as the top reciter of the
Karbala tradgey, he has already been honoured
with the title of Khateeb-Akbar by the nation. He
is the first choice of the people because of his
unique style of public speaking. Being consid-
ered as the matchless reciter of Karbala tragedy
in most countries of the world, when he starts
addressing the Muharram Majlis (which goes on
for 10 days) at Mumbai's Mughal Masjid at 9
p.m. the hall of this grand mosque and the open
space in it become insufficient for accommodat-
ing the listeners and Majlis organisers have to
put up many T.V. screens outside the mosque
on the road. When he had completed 50 years
of his recitation of the Karbala event, newspa-
pers had presented this occasion in a prominent
style. According to his son, Ya'soob Abbas who
himself is a reciter, during the period of 54 years
he was not feeling well many times but he never
absented himself from the Majlis. He says that
in one particular year he was seriously ill and
had to be admitted to a hospital but his courage
deserves praise that he used to come to
Mughal Masjid from the hospital bed, address
the Majlis and thereafter go back to his hospital
bed.
MANZAR MEHDI, Faizabad
GHULAM RABBANI
ANSARI, father of colum-
nist and political analyst N.
Jamal Ansari of Aligarh
passed away at the age of
86 on 14 August after three
months illness. G.R. Ansari
began his career in 1947
when he joined U.P
Irrigation Department as an
overseer (now designated as junior engineer). Being
an honest officer, he was promoted as assistant
engineer and then executive engineer in which
capacity he joined the newly formed Rural
Engineering Services. He was promoted as
Superintending Engineer and held his last positing
at Agra, from where he retired. He was famous for
his honesty and hard work and paid dearly for that.
He was also an Urdu poet and took interest in grant-
ing small allowances to children of his poor relatives
so that they may be educated. He left behind one
son and four daughters who are well settled.
Dr. ABDUL NAEEM AZIZI, noted poet, author and
translator died at Bareli on 16 August after a pro-
longed illness. He was confined to bed because of
renal disease and finally died at the age of 63 year.
Born in Balrampur (U.P.) and educated at his native
place, AMU and Bareli, he became a disciple of Ala
Hazrat Raza Khan Fazil Barelvi and translated his
hundred books from Persian, Arabic and Urdu into
Urdu, Hindi and English. He also started research
work on Ala Hazrat. Even in the state of illness he
had been compiling a voluminous book on Ala
Hazrat but death prevented him from completing it.
He was honoured with many awards and honours.
Author of five dozen books on different topics, he
was a linguist also and knew 9 languages. He
leaves behind his wife and one daughter.
Ms. SHEHLA MAS'OOD, an RTI activist was shot
dead by some unidentified person/s in her car just in
front of her residence in Bhopal on 16 August. She
used to run an event management company called
'Miracles'. Only a few hours later she was to lead a
demonstration in support of Anna Hazare's cam-
paign against corruption. Her death is mysterious
because no gun or pistol fire was heard by people in
nearby houses and doors of her car were closed.
Post-mortem report said that one bullet was recov-
ered from her body and the shot had been fired from
very close range. It also said that her injury could be
self inflicted, implying suicide but no pistol or such
thing was found in the car. Police however has reg-
istered a case of murder. On the demand of his fam-
ily members and many others, M.P. government has
ordered an inquiry by CBI into her death.
NASEEM SAGHAR, noted Urdu poet of Muradabad
died of heart attack at his residence on 6 August at
the age of 72 years. He leaves behind his wife, three
sons and two daughters.
Allama Syed MAHMOOD QAISAR Amrohvi, noted
author, poet and man of letters, died in AIIMS Delhi
on 4 August after a prolonged illness. He had retired
as Assistant Librarian at AMU. He was counted
among great men of letters of Urdu.
Maulana Mufti INTEKHAB QADIRI Muradabadi,
a great religious scholar, translator of Qur'an,
founder and head of Darul Uloom Jamia Qadiria of
Muradabad died on 20 August at the age of
65 years. He was an uthor of about 110 religious
books.
Mirza Athar in Limca Book of Records Award for Maulana Shakir Naqvi
SPECIAL REPORTS
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 17
Islamic Fraternity organises
conference on social evils
Srinagar: Islamic Fraternity, a social and religious youth organisa-
tion, held a one-day Islamic conference on social evils here at S P
Higher Secondary School Auditorium. The conference deliberated
on various social evils like late marriages, dowry, materialism, etc.
In his presidential address, President of Islamic Fraternity
Muhammad Aamir said there is a need to address the social evils
which have ruined our society over the years. He urged the audi-
ence to adopt the way of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). While
addressing the gathering, Nisar Ahmad Madni spoke on the the ill
effects of late marriage in Kashmiri society. He said that the delay
in marriage has led to the various evils in our society like immorali-
ty and immodesty. He discussed the causes of late marriage like
dowry, materialism, etc. "There is a need to create awareness
among youth, especially girls, about the effects of late marriage", he
said. He appealed to youth to opt for early marriages.
Maulana Showkat Shaheen spoke about various social evils
and their effects. He said that social evils like co-education, prosti-
tution, drug addiction, etc are being given patronage by the state
authorities in order to misguide the youth. He spoke about immod-
esty and immorality prevalent in the society. "Our society has been
shattered by various social evils. We should follow Quran and
Hadith and create awareness about these evils," he said adding
that "Our education system is just revolving around materialism. We
are intellectually bankrupt, we talk something and do something
else", he said. Maulana Muhammad Hanif Wani said that youth are
nuclear power of every society. He said that unless and until the
heart and mind of our youth is in tune with Quran and Hadith, our
society cannot prosper. "Youth need to strive hard to eradicate
social evils", he added. (Raies Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander)
AFROZ ALAM SAHIL AND SALIM
New Delhi: A large part of the land of Delhi's
famous Millennium Indraprastha Park is situ-
ated on waqf property, an RTI query has
revealed to the surprise of many.
In response to an application filed by
BeyondHeadlines under the Right to Information
(RTI) Act 2005, the Delhi Waqf Board has
informed that 10 acres of the land of the
Indraprastha Millennium Park belongs to the
Board.
The park is spread over an area of 34
acres and is situated on the Ring Road, near
Sarai Kale Khan ISBT. The park, which was
developed from 2000 onwards, was inaugu-
rated by the then union Home Minister LK
Advani in 2002.
"The Delhi Government has taken over
10 acres of land of Qabristan Ahley Islam
for its Millennium Park. The remaining four
acres of the land has been given by Delhi
Waqf Board to the managing committee of
Qabristan Ahley Islam," the reply added,.
Interestingly, the board in response to
an RTI filed earlier, had said that only a
"small" portion of the graveyard was used
in the famous park.
This information has again raised seri-
ous concerns over the utilisation of waqf
lands, that too in the national capital.
(beyondheadlines.in)
Delhis Millennium Park
Built on Graveyard
Srinagar: An Iftar party was held here by Islamic Relief and
Research Trust(IRRT) at is Head Office, Lal Mandi, Srianagr on
20 August, 2011. The party was attended by a special guest
from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dr Omer Hasan K Kasule who is an
scholar of international repute in medical ethics and epidemiol-
ogy who was visiting the valley alongwith his family.
A galaxy of scholars, activists, philanthropists and journal-
ists were present on the occasion. Patron IRRT, AR Hanjura,
spoke about the social problems baffling Kashmiri society which
include ever-increasing numbers of widows and orphans and
the challenges which they pose to the whole society which is ill-
equipped to counter the challenges.
Dr Omar Hasan K Kasule emphasized the need for under-
taking more such social programmes of the kind undertaken by
IRRT and advised that there must be expansion of such work
which is the dire need of the hour.
This Iftar party was in continuation of a previous Iftar party
held at Darul Ehsan, home for special children run by IRRT at
Kralapora on 11 August, 2011, where Iftar party was held as a
mark of sharing of love with the children as well as to sensitize
the locality about the dire need of taking care of the special chil-
dren. (Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander)
Mangalore: A married Muslim woman, who was allegedly forced
to convert to Hinduism recently, approached Inspector General
of Police (Western Range) on 19 July and sought protection
from Bajrang Dal and demanded action against the culprits. The
conversion of Bushra and her husband Jaffar along with their
four little children at Saralebettu Shivapadi Sri Umamaheshwari
Temple near Manipal of Udupi district on July 14, had hit the
headlines. However, Bushra accused the Bajrang Dal activists of
harassing her physically and mentally and threatening to kill her
and her children if she continued to remain a Muslim woman.
IGP Alok Mohan has
assured the woman of
taking stringent action
against the accused
after a thorough inves-
tigation into the case.
Bushra, daughter of
late Ibrahim AK alias
Ibba from Valachchil
near Adyar, had mar-
ried Jaffar eight years
ago, as per the
Muslim tradition.
Jaffar, a driver, who
was in love with
Bushra, had convert-
ed to Islam a few
weeks before the mar-
riage. The couple has
been leading a normal
life and had four chil-
dren. In the recent
years, Jaffar had
developed friendship
with Bajrang Dal activists and had
shifted his house from Adyar
Kannur to Sunkakatte in Udupi
nearly three months ago, against
the wish of his wife. Bushra, in her
complaint, said that she was
preparing food for her children on July 14 when a group of
Bajrang Dal activists stormed into their house and forcefully took
the entire family to a temple.
"When I protested, they threatened me to kill my children if I
failed to act according to their wish," she said in her complaint.
She also accused the priest of the temple of disregarding her
plea and forced her to accept Hinduism. The priest continued
Pravartan (conversion) rituals without paying attention to my
pleadings, she said. "Although I became silent in the temple,
fearing that Bajrang Dal activists may kill my children, I did not
accept Hinduism and I am still a Muslim," she said adding that
the rumours and false reports that she had been converted to
Hinduism had deeply hurt her. Bushra told the IGP that a
Bajrang Dal activist identified as Manohar, harassed her physi-
cally and mentally with the support of her husband, after shifting
to the new house. She said that her husband continued to allow
Manohar in the house during nights, despite knowing that he
was trying to seduce her and inviting her for sex. Bushra said
that she has left her husband's house for ever along with her
four children after undergoing the agony. "I cannot lead life with
my husband anymore. I want a divorce from him," she said.
(coastaldigest.com)
MG/Yusuf
Iftar Party at Islamic Relief and Research Trust
Muslim woman accuses Bajrang
Dal of forcing conversion
COMMUNITY NEWS
18 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
Minority scholarships for girls
Girl students belonging to Minority Communities (Muslims,
Christians, Sikhs, Budhhists and Parsis), who got 55% in 10th
and who belong to families whose annual income is below Rs
100,000 can fill Scholarships forms of MAULANA AZAD
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR GIRL STUDENTS. The girl
student should have got admission in 11th class. Further details
can be obtained from MAEF website:
http://maef.nic.in/Scholarship-2011-12.pdf.
Baseless fatwas are cause of Muslims backwardness
Aligarh: Vice President of Muslim Personal Law Board and noted
Shia scholar, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said while inaugurating the
auditorium of Madinatul Uloom College that Muftis are responsi-
ble for the backwardness of the Muslim community because
these people mislead people by issuing baseless and misleading
fatwas from time to time. He said that Muslim women cannot
progress as long as these Muftis continue pronouncing outmod-
ed and narrow minded fatwas. He said that today when women
are piloting aeroplanes our Muftis issue fatwas requiring women
to be confined to their homes and against women and girls driv-
ing cars. Speaking about Right to Education Act he said that there
are many shortcomings and flaws in it and this law can be harm-
ful for the government also. Regarding Darul Uloom (Deoband)
he said that removing Maulana Vastanvi from his post is not a
good decision for Darul Uloom, though it could be better for
Maulana Vastanvi. In a few years he can open better educational
institutions than Darul Uloom Deoband, he said.
Passed High School examination in 48th attempt
Fatehpur: Sixty-six years old Abdul Jabbar at long last passed
High School examination in his 48h attempt. Principal of
Dayanand Inter College, Om Prakash Vajpayee gave him the
Mark Sheet on 27 July. Aresident of Degh Village of Fatehpur dis-
trict (U.P.), 66-year old Jabbar appeared for the first time for High
School examination in 1963 from the citys Nehru Inter College as
a regular student with science. In that year he failed in all the four
subjects except Hindi. After that he gave up science, and
appeared with arts in the examination as a private student but
unfortunately after that he continued to fail every year. Last year
i.e. in 2010 he had passed in Hindi, home science and arts and
had failed in English, Science and Arithmetic. This year (2011) he
had appeared for English, Science and Arithmetic only.
News about Kashmir interlocutors contradicted
New Delhi: Government contradicted on 9 August the news that
Mrs. Radha Kumar, an educationist and one the three interlocu-
tors on Jammu and Kashmir, has offered to quit the 3-member
panel of interlocutors after heated arguments with another mem-
ber of the panel, M.M. Ansari. A spokesperson of the Union home
ministry has made it clear that she (Radha Kumar) has not with-
drawn her name from this panel. It was further stated by the
spokesperson that the interlocutors have completed their tour of
Jammu to Kashmir and they are busy giving final touches to their
report.
Study about Muslims blames government for lack of
political courage to benefit them for fear of criticism
New Delhi: A study on the overall socio-economic and education-
al condition of Muslims conducted by the Centre for Equity
Studies (CES), one of the organisations assessing the practical
effects of central government schemes for improving the condi-
tions of Indian Muslims following the submission of Sachar
Committee report blamed the central government of lack of polit-
ical will and courage in implementing many of the governments
schemes for directly benefiting and improving the condition of
Muslims for fear of being criticised or, in other words, of being
accused of Muslim appeasement particularly by BJP and its out-
fits. The study (or report) was presented to the Natinal Advisory
Council (NAC) headed by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. After receipt of this
study or report Mrs. Gandhi in a letter to Salman Khurshid, min-
ister for minorities affairs whose ministry is responsible for imple-
menting such schemes for the welfare and benefit of minorities,
particularly Muslims, sought his views on this study. In reply,
which is not yet made public but according to reliable sources.
Salman Khurshid is believed to have said that it is not constitu-
tionally possible to directly address Muslims. He is reported to
have said that the study has many flaws, though at the same time
he admits that it is useful also.
Persons who prepared this study or report include, among
others, Harsh Mander (the conscientious IAS officer who had
resigned in protest against the inert attitude and abdication of
duty by officials of Narendra Modi government of Gujarat and
NDA government at the centre headed by former prime minister
Atal Bihar Vajpayee in protecting Muslims during and after the
communal riots of Gujarat in the aftermath of Sabarmati Express
fire) who is a member of NAC, Mrs. Zoya Hasan, Professor of
Political Science at JNU, Rohini Nayyar, a senior advisor in the
Planning Commission. In response to Salman Khurshids com-
ments finding fault with CES study, Harsh Mander said that we
completely stand by our report. In this connection it would not be
out of place to mention that the chief economist at National
Council for Applied Economics Research (NCAER), Dr. Abu
Saleh Sharif who was a member of Sachar Committee, is prepar-
ing another report on the overall condition of Muslims for the
Institute of Objective Studies, which is expected to be completed
shortly.
The CES study further says, among many other things, that
for improving and changing the destinies of millions of our people
(meaning Muslims) who face discrimination because of their
socio-religious identities, would involve huge amounts and prac-
tical implementation of many schemes and projects so that their
effects on Muslims are visible.
Release of childrens story book
New Delhi: A grand mushaira was held at Delhis Dr. Zakir Husain
School in Jaffarabad locality on 24 July when the poet and author
Dr. Rahat Mazahiris fifth literary work Anmol Kahaniyan was
released. Speaking on this occasion the famous poet Shams
Ramzi, shedding light on this book said that according to the
author himself this book containing 51 stories has been complied
particularly keeping in mind the students of Islamic madrasas and
schools. He said that this book is a sort of literary bouquet in
which stories based on morals, reforms and counsels have been
included. Another literary figure Jamal Hashmi said that when the
compiler of this book i.e. Dr. Mazahiri was 51, on his 51st birth-
day he compiled this book which contains 51 stories with the
objective of giving the message of social reforms and importance
of good morals to the children. Another poet Shahbaz Nadeem
Ziayee hoped that this book will prove to be a precious gift for the
new generation of our nation.
Five Muslims out of 225 clerks appointed in West Bengal
Kolkata: Mamta Banerjees government of West Bengal has pro-
posed 255 new posts of Lower Division Clerks (LDCs) for differ-
ent government departments of whom only five posts are for
Muslims who form 27 percent of the states total population,
which gives a percentage of only two for Muslims in government
jobs. This also shows that as on date there is no difference
between the previous leftist government and the new government
as far as representation of Muslims in government jobs is con-
cerned. This also confirms Sachar Committees report in which it
was stated, among other things, that in West Bengal representa-
tion of Muslims in government jobs is the lowest.
Six SIMI activists jailed for three years
Bhopal: Judicial magistrate Varsha Sharma sentenced Munir
Deshmukh and five other SIMI activists to three years imprison-
ment alongwith a fine of Rs. 7200. According to prosecution on
receiving information by Shahjahanbad police station 2000 objec-
tionable posters inciting religious passions were pasted in the
Murghi Bazaar locality and this was attributed to SIMI activists.
The police had arrested Munir Deshmukh, Abdul Razzaq, Sohrab
Ahmad, Khalid Naim, Muhammad Alim Quraishi and Arshad alias
Ehtaram.
Plan to increase the scholarships of minority community
students in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Maharashtras minister for minorities welfare,
Muhammad Arif Naseem Khan announced in the state assembly
that educational scholarships being given to students belonging
to the minority community in Maharasthra will be increased. He
said that during the past three years, states minorities depart-
ments had distributed a total of Rs. 100 crores among 27,000 stu-
dents. He said that at present educational scholarships of
Rs. 25000 per year are given to minority community students for
higher education, medical and engineering education and it is
proposed to either double this amount or substantially increase
this amount, for which an action plan is being prepared.
He said that the fees of boy and girl students belonging to
backward classes are directly sent to their educational institutions
and after that, if those institutions demand fees from students,
legal action can be taken against them. He said that a proposal is
under consideration that on the same pattern the scholarships or
fees given or proposed to be given to boy and girl students
belonging to minority community should be given to their educa-
tional institutions in their names. Council members M.M. Sheikh
(Congress), Pasha Patel (BJP) and some other members also in
a call attention notice had accused the government of making full
payment of fees of students belonging to backward classes but
for minority students (Muslims) only an amount of Rs. 25000 is
given which is a peanut.
Discriminatory behaviour towards Urdu newspapers
New Delhi: Accreditation Committee has not given its approval to
any representatives of Urdu newspapers to record the proceed-
ings of the Rajya Sabha which indicates that at every level,
whether official or unofficial discrimination and bias against Urdu
newspapers is evident. Recently, in a meeting of the Accreditation
Committee it had allowed the representatives of newspapers
published in other languages of the country to report the proceed-
ings of the House if they so want. They were issued passes also
to enter the House. Urdu newspapers which had approached the
Committee for reporting the proceedings of Rajya Sabha were
Hamara Samaj, Akhbar-e Karavan and Daur-e Jadeed but the
same step-motherly treatment was meted out to them as is being
done for the past so many years. This clearly proves that the gov-
ernment wants to make verbal promises only and not do anything
in practice for the progress and development of Urdu.
It is also surprising that both the Chairman and Deputy
Chairman of Rajya Sabha are Urdu knowing people but they are
not paying any attention to the plight of Urdu. It is said that one of
the members of the Press Accreditation Committee is Mr. Shams
who has been representing Urdu in this Committee for a long time
but sadly he doesnt allow any Urdu newspaper to be included for
this purpose (for reporting R.S. proceedings).
Survey of Masjids and Madrasas by police
has stunned Surat Muslims
In the aftermath of the 13 July blast in Mumbai, the Surat police
have put all mosques and Madrasas under the scanner. The
Muslims of Surat are surprised for it is being carried out during
the holy month of Ramadan.
Teams constituted from Special Operation Group have start-
ed their survey of all Masjids and madrasas in the city to get infor-
mation on Maulvis, students, visitors, their affiliation and their
source of income. Muslims are not satisfied by the statement of
Rakesh Asthana, city police commissioner that the survey is
being done as a procedural exercise to update information and
also to have a rapport with the Muslims of the area. Surprisingly,
state DGP Chitaranjan Singh has said that he is not aware of
such a survey and no such exercise was planned state-wide. The
questions asked by the Special Operation Group in Madrasas
are: 1. Number of teachers. 2. Their present and permanent
address details. 3. Information of trustees. 4. Their email IDs,
source of income and expenditure. 5. Details of students. 6.
Details of Kashmiri students. While in Mosques, details of Masjid
administrator, Maulvi and their families were enquired into, by the
visiting police teams. Police also sought to know details of their
affiliations like that of Sunni, Tablighi, Barelvi, Ahle Hadees or
Deobandi. Information was also sought on the recent visit by any
Tablighi Jamaat.
The Welfare Party of India has strongly condemned the sur-
vey conducted on Muslims in Surat and has termed it as racial
profiling of the Muslims of the area. The party has asked the
Central Government, the National Human Rights Commission
and the Minority Commission to intervene on this issue in order to
ensure that it is not carried out in other parts of Gujarat.
New Delhi: Ameer of Jamat-e Islami Hind, Maulana Jalaluddin
Umri, on the occasion of an Iftar party for journalists of Delhi,
said that one month of Ramzan is a training course for creating
within ourselves a feeling of obeisance, obedience, and answer-
ability to and fear of God. He said that the problem of corruption
is a hot topic in the country and demands are being made that
very strict laws against it should be enacted but truly speaking,
howsoever draconian law against it may be there, man finds
some loopholes in it to violate it and escape punishment
because the law enforcing agencies themselves are guilty of its
violation. But yes, if there is anything which can deter man from
corruption and other evils, it is the fear of God and feeling of
accountability and answerability to Him. Describing the feeling of
answerability before God as the real antidote for the eradication
of corruption and malpractices, he said that it puts a stop to all
sources of vices. He also described the recently presented bill for
removal of corruption as defective and weak and said that not
only the provision of keeping the prime minister outside its
purview is objectionable but also there is no provision for pre-
venting higher level and lower level of corruption. He said that
the problem of the common man is the corruption at lower level
and loot of wealth of the nation (worth billions of rupees) is the
corruption of people at higher level.
About the appointment of Lok Pal he said that it is entirely in
the hands of the government. Therefore, it can very well be
understood that people who are appointed to the post of Lok Pal
by the government, how far they can prevent corruption at the
government level. He also described the Communal Violence Bill
as defective and suggested that in the definition of communal
violence in this Bill, the sentence or phrase hurting secular fab-
rics should be removed. In addition to this, the Bill needs to be
amended in many places. Regarding objection by fascist and
communal elements that this bill is anti-Hindu because it pre-
supposes that communal riots in most cases are started by
Hindu is sheer nonsense and irrelevant. Supporting this Bill he
said that it provides safety to religious and linguistic minorities,
Dalits and tribal people against targeted violence. He said that he
had raised these very points to Anna Hazares team who had
come to him recently to seek his partys support.
He said that Sachar Committee and Rangnath Mishra
Commission were appointed by government itself and since
Sachar Committee has clearly proved that Muslims are back-
ward in every field of life, its recommendations as well as Mishra
Commissions recommendation of 10% reservation to Muslims in
education and employment should be openly declared and
implemented and it (government) give up its half hearted and
dilly-dallying attitude. He said that since Sachar Committee and
Raganath Mishra Commission have both declared Presidential
Order of 1950 under section 341 illegal, it should be abolished
forthwith and facilities given to SC and ST should also be given
to backward classes of both Muslims and Christians.
Regarding minority character of Jamia Millia Islamia and
Aligarh Muslim University, he said that government, instead of
being evasive on these points, should lay down a clear policy
and restore the minority character of both these educational insti-
tutions. (NAAnsari)
Government should grant reservation to
Muslims in education and employment
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 19
COMMUNITY NEWS
Ex-militants given safe passage by govt
Misguided Kashmiri youths who crossed the mountains into Pak
Occupied Kashmir to get in militancy training are now fed up and
want to return because they are now homesick. The Indian gov-
ernment in order to bring them into the mainstream has agreed
to let them enter quietly. Family members of over 700 Kashmiri
youths who had crossed to PoK for training had applied under
Jammu and Kashmir governments surrender and rehabilitation
policy. So far 70 have got the approval from the security agen-
cies. Earlier, Home Minister P Chidambaram in an interview said
that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir received a certain
number of applications for taking advantage of surrender and
rehabilitation policy and they have been able to shortlist a certain
number of names to whom benefit of travel documents can be
given to return to the Indian side of the LoC. Under the new sur-
render and rehabilitation policy, families of short-listed people
have been informed about the Governments decision and
advised that their kin could go to the Indian Mission in Islamabad
in order to get their crossover facilitated either through Wagah or
any other such entry point between the two countries.
Two appeals filed in Apex Court against Ayodhya verdict
New Delhi: Two more appeals, one by Akhil Bhartiya Sri Ram
Janmabhoomi Punaruddhar Samiti (or briefly Sri Ram
Janmabhoomi Samiti) headed by Shankaracharya of
Jyotishpeeth and Dwarka, Swamy Swaroopan and Saraswati,
and the other by Farooq Ahmad were filed in the Supreme Court
against Allahabad High Courts Lucknow Benchs verdict of 30
September 2010 on Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. Both
these appeals were admitted for hearing by the apex Court on 8
August and attached with the main case. Sunni Waqf Board how-
ever objected to the new appeal by Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Samiti
and opposed it on the ground that it was not a party to this dis-
pute before the High Court. Supreme Court Bench of Justices
Aftab Alam and R.M. Lodha however admitted it but said that it
would consider Sunni Waqf Boards objection at the time of hear-
ing. It may be recalled that 3-judge Lucknow Bench of Allahabad
High Court in its long awaited verdict on 30 September 2010 had
divided the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjids 2.77 acres disputed
land in 3 parts, one each to the three contending parties i.e.
Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhada and Ram Lalla Birajmaan in
order to please all of them but none of them was satisfied with
High Courts compromised verdict and all of them had chal-
lenged this verdict in Supreme Court. This Court (S.C.) in its ad
interim verdict of 9 May 2011 had stayed the implementation of
Lucknow Benchs verdict (of 30 Sept. 2010). No date for hearing
of the appeals against High Courts verdict of 30 Sept. 2010 has
yet been fixed by the Supreme Court.
Percentage of graduates among Muslims is nominal
New Delhi: In our country only people belonging to scheduled
castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and backward class are con-
sidered educationally backward but the truth is that Muslims are
educationally more backward than these people i.e. people
belonging to SC, ST etc. categories. It is stated in Rangnath
Mishra Commissions report that Muslims are educationally the
most backward community. In Mishra Commissions report it is
stated, with reference to HRD ministrys statistics that 9.97 per-
cent Muslim children in 6-13 years age group in the country do
not go to school whereas the percentage of children belonging to
ST not going to school is 9.4, that of children belonging to SC
who did not go to school is 8.17 and in the category of other
backward classes, 6.90 percent children did not go to any school.
The condition of Muslim children in this age group in rural areas
is even worse where 12.03 percent Muslim children did not go to
any school. In urban areas where there are better facilities and
education-friendly atmosphere and Muslim educational institu-
tions also are imparting education, 7.17% Muslims children were
not going to school. According Mishra Commissions report,
65.31 percent Muslim children give up education after the pri-
mary level, 15.14 percent reach middle level, 10.96 percent
reach High School level and 4.53 percent reach intermediate
level. Only 0.41 percent Muslim students do diploma and 3.60
percent Muslims complete their education till graduation. Jain
community students, with 21.47 percent upto graduation level,
are ahead of all in matters of higher education. According to
Harsh Mandar, member of National Advisory Council headed by
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, the biggest difficulty for the government is to
make available the benefits of minorities welfare schemes to
Muslims who are economically and educationally backward.
ETV journalist killed in Delhi for money
New Delhi: Akram Lateef, a journalist-reporter of ETV Urdu who
lived and worked in Amroha and who had come to Delhi in con-
nection with office work was killed in Delhi on 5 August. He was
shot using a country made pistol and seriously injured after which
he was admitted to Guru Tech Bahadur Hospital but could not be
saved and died. According to D.C.P. (north-east) Sanjay Kumar
Jain, he had come to Delhis Welcome-Jafarabad locality by pri-
vate bus from Amroha. Some professional criminals of Amroha
were just by chance also coming by the same bus to Delhi. One
of them overheard him when he was talking to some one on his
mobile phone about a huge amount. The criminals thought that
he was carrying a very big amount in his bag. They contacted
their colleagues about it in Delhi and asked them to be present
at the Jafarabad-Welcome bus stop where this bus terminated.
When he (Akram) got down, they followed him and at a suitable
place tried to snatch his bag. When he resisted, one of them shot
him, took away his bag and all of them fled from there, leaving
him there in a serious condition. When they opened the bag,
instead of a huge amount they found only about six-hundred
rupees. So, according to the police, his murder was for looting
him and when he resisted he was shot. According to the police,
the criminals were six in number, four belonged to Amroha and
two to Delhi. According to their names given by police, all were
Muslims who were professional criminals. At first police arrested
two of them at Amroha one day after the murder as suspects and
after sustained interrogation, they divulged the names of their
other accomplices also.
According to Akrams wife, her husband was getting threat
calls from unknown persons for some time and was asked to
leave the city because of which he looked worried.
Centre of Advanced Studies status for AMU's Dept of Urdu
Aligarh: Aligarh Muslim Universitys Department of Urdu has
been granted the status of Centre of Advanced Studies by
University Grants Commission because of its academic and liter-
ary achievements. It has thus become the first Department of
Urdu in the country which has been given the status of Centre of
Advanced Studies. According to Prof. Muhammad Zahid, Head of
Urdu Department, this status is granted by the University Grants
Commission to those departments only which have successfully
completed three projects of 5 years each in the fields of spe-
cialised studies. He said that this proves that AMUs Department
of Urdu has been doing valuable work in the field of high quality
research and its teaching standards are also high. UGC has
appointed Prof. Qazi Afzaal Husain as Coordinator and Prof.
Muhammad Zahid as Deputy Coordinator of the Centre of
Advanced Studies.
Cop identifies Bajarangi in Naroda Patia riot case
KK Mysorewala, former investigating officer of the Naroda Patiya
case has identified former Bajarang Dal leader Babu Bajarangi
as one of the accused before a trial court. He has identified five
accused namely Umesh Bharwadi, Murli Narayan, Raju
Choumal, B J Rajput along with Bajarangi. Mysorewala also said
that police saved the lives of 27 persons, who had been set on
fire on 28 February, 2002. Mysorewala who was deposing before
sessions Judge Jyotsna Yagnik told the court, On our way to
Society, we saw some people in flames in a compound near the
water tank. We pulled out 27 persons who had been set afire by
the rioters and took them to civil hospital. On 28 February 95
persons were killed in the Naroda Patia area. Mysorewala narrat-
ing the event said that he received a message from the police
control that Muslims were being killed near Gangotri while he
along with other police men were on patrolling duty following a
bandh call by the VHP and Bajarang Dal days after the attack on
the train at Godhra station.
Minority schools can appoint teachers without govt approval
The Delhi High Court in its ruling has stated that minority schools
are free to recruit teachers without prior approval from the gov-
ernment. The court has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the city
government for its sacking order against an assistant teacher
Shehla Nawab of Qaumi Senior Secondary School (QSSS) on
the basis that the school had no prior approval from the govern-
ment while appointing her. Shehla was appointed by QSSS in
1996 but her appointment was rejected by the Directorate of
Education (DoE) on the basis that the school had not obtained
prior approval to appoint her which was against the norms of the
Delhi Education Act. Justice Muralidhar while quashing the gov-
ernments order has asked the school to reinstate Shehla and
also directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to pay her back
wages with six per cent interest from April 1999 till date. The
court in its ruling said, It is clear that a minority aided school with-
in the meaning of Delhi School Education Act (DSEA) and Delhi
School Education Rules (DSER) is free to appoint its teachers
without having to get prior approval of DoE, Earlier, in a separate
ruling the Supreme Court has held that minority educational insti-
tutions cannot be forced to recruit Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes teachers even if they are receiving aid from the
government. The right to establish and administer includes a
right to appoint teachers. Thus, except providing grant-in-aid as
per the Delhi State Education Rules and having no power to dis-
criminate in terms of Article 30(2) of the Constitution, the govern-
ment has very limited regulatory control over the minority institu-
tions and no control whatsoever on the managing committee,
internal management of the school and, of course, has no power
to take over such an institution. the apex court said.
Jamia Millia to provide computers to disabled examinees
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia has decided to provide comput-
ers and laptops to disabled students and their writers who want
to appear for examinations. In view of this facility, Jamias
Executive Council has given its approval to the recommendation
of Jamias Academic Council to provide these facilities to dis-
abled students. Hence, now computers (and laptops) will be
arranged for disabled or physically challenged students to enable
them take examinations with the help of writers. It may be stated
in this connection that in this institution there is a quota of 3% for
disabled students/persons admission. Till date such students
used to take examinations with the help of writers or clerks.
Jamia Millias Registrar S.M. Sajid said that for giving this facility
to disabled students. Jamias constitution/ordinance has been
amended and copies of this order have been sent to heads of all
faculties, departments, centres etc.
Jamia has taken the decision that computer/laptop facilities
will be given to those disabled students who find it difficult to write
with the pen or cannot write with their own hands. In order to ben-
efit from this facility, students or examinees will have to inform
heads of faculties, departments etc. or Jamia administration two
weeks before the beginning of examinations, only after which this
facility will be provided. Before providing computer/laptop facility,
it will be examined if he has not already fed or loaded some data
relating to the examination in it. Also, no internet facility will be
given in the computer or laptop. Disabled students will have to
submit a certificate from a doctor to the effect that he/she is
unable to write by hands.
Forty thousand killed in two decades of militancy in J&K
New Delhi: In Jammu & Kashmir about 40,000 people were killed
during the past two decades in militancy related incidents of
whom 13,226 were civilians and 21,323 were militants. In addi-
tion to these, 5369 security personnel were also killed during this
period. This information was given in writing by Jitender Singh,
minister of state for home affairs in reply to a question in the
Rajya Sabha. He further said that by 31 July this year there were
202 incidents of violence by militants in which 25 civilians, 56 mil-
itants and 19 security personnel were killed. In reply to another
question he said that according to secret information, militants of
Ilyas Kashmiri group of Al Qaeda and Harkatul Mujahideen are
planning more terrorist attacks.
Aligarh/Jaipur: The future of about thirty thousand Jamia Urdu
students in Rajasthan appears to be bleak because of derecog-
nition of Jamia Urdu, Aligarhs certificates by Rajasthans Board
of Secondary Education. Jamia Urdu of Aligarh has been offer-
ing certificate and degree courses through distance education
since its very inception in 1939 for Adeeb (equivalent to class X
or high school), Adeeb Mahir (equivalent to class XII or interme-
diate), Adeeb Kamil (graduation) and Moallim-e Urdu (Urdu
Teacher) for teaching Urdu to school students. There are a total
of about 1800 centres of Jamia Urdu all over the country of
which about 70 are in Rajasthan in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur,
Kota, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Pokhran etc. in which about 30,000 stu-
dents offer exams for Jamia Urdu certificates. The recognition of
Jamia Urdu Aligarh certificates by Rajasthan Board of
Secondary Education had started in 1958 and till now Jamia
Urdus certificates and degrees were recognised by Rajasthan
Board but suddenly in April 2011, the Board decided to derecog-
nise Jamias certificates. With this decision, Jamias Urdu certifi-
cate-holders in Rajasthan would be deprived of their right to get
admission in higher classes or apply for jobs which require min-
imum qualifications ranging from class X to graduation.
Chairman of Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education,
Subhash Garg, said that the decision of derecognition was
taken because of Rajasthan High Courts verdict of 2006 to
declare Moallim-e Urdu Degree invalid, but Rajasthan Board
also decided to derecognise other certificates of Jamia Urdu like
Adeeb, Adeeb Mahir etc. about which the High Court had not
given any verdict.
A question that arises in this connection is that if the High
Courts judgement of 2006 was the basis or reason for derecog-
nition of Jamia Urdus degree/certificates, why were these not
deregognised in 2006 or 2007 itself and why after four or five
years in 2011? An officer of Jamia Urdu Aligarh, Jasim
Muhammad, said that the ruling Congress Party in its manifesto
at the time of Rajasthan assembly election in 2008 had declared
that recognition of Jamia Urdus certificates will be continued
but even then the state government has derecognised them. He
said that this matter will be taken up with central leaders of the
Congress at New Delhi: He said that the timing of such a deci-
sion becomes suspect because it is now that the process of
recruitment/appointment of para-teachers in hundreds of gov-
ernment recognised madrasas will start. He said that all this will
be taken up with central leaders of the Congress. Another offi-
cer of Jamia Urdu said that Jamia will approach Rajasthan High
Court to challenge Rajasthan Boards arbitrary and unilateral
decision to derecognise other lower degrees/certificates. (NA
Ansari)
MG comment: The derecognition and loss of the value of
Jamia Urdu certificates is a direct result of the era of anar-
chy which started with the term of Anwar Saeed as registrar
of Jamia Urdu around mid-1990s. After his death, same
coterie continues to hold Jamia Urdu hostage indulging in
corruption, nepotism, sale of centres for monetary consid-
eration, rampant copying by students during exams, surro-
gate writing of exam papers and self-assessment by cen-
tres as a result of which illiterates now hold Jamia Urdu
certificates. No wonder that various states have derecog-
nised Jamia Urdu certificates.
Bleak future of about thirty thousand
students of Jamia Urdu
COMMUNITY NEWS
20 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
E-World Award to A.P. Minorities
Financial Corporation
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Financial
Corporation has been honoured with E-World Award 2011 in the
category of best Egovernance initiative in the field of education.
A.P.s Minister for minorities affairs Muhammad Ahmadullah while
announcing this at a press conference on 5 August said that
Corporations Vice Chairman and Administrative Director,
Muhammad Ilyas Rizvi was given this Award on behalf of this
Corporation at a function held in Delhi on 2 August which was
sponsored by the World Forum. The minister said that 20 coun-
tries had taken part in this International Award function. He said
that Corporations staff and officers are working hard and sincere-
ly for the welfare of people belonging to minority communities
and that minority community students are given financial help
under online scholarships management system. Hundreds of
projects for which students are given financial help were includ-
ed for competition and this system i.e. online scholarship man-
agement system was considered the best in the world. Because
of this system about 5 lakh students from class I to post-graduate
level, in which all professional courses are included, are receiv-
ing the facilities of scholarships being given by central as well as
state governments. These scholarships are not given to students
directly but are deposited in their bank accounts.
Omar spent Rs 11.5 crore public money on travel
In reply to an RTI application the Civil Aviation Department of
Jammu and Kashmir has revealed that Chief Minister of Jammu
and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has spent Rs 11.5 crore of public
money on his travel by helicopter since 2009 till date. It is
believed that out of 490 helicopter sorties, 40 have been made to
picnic spots in the state. RTI was filed by Bashir Ahmad Malik of
Dang village in central Kashmirs Budgam district. In his applica-
tion he had sought details of travel undertaken, amount spent,
pilots salary and fuel expenses. The Civil Aviation Department in
response to RTI mentioned that during 2009-2010, the expendi-
ture on the chopper service had been Rs 2,49,99,910. This
includes maintenance, inspection and examination charges of
Rs 2,09,14566, renewal of the license fee of Rs 44,265, landing
and parking charges of Rs 6,52,365 and insurance of aircraft/hel-
icopters charge of Rs 33,88,714. The sorties consumed fuel
worth Rs 93,75,327 while the salary of pilots amounted to
Rs 1,19,63,190. The total expenditure for the year had been over
Rs 4 crores.
Narco Test sought for SIMI activists
Jabalpur: ATS applied to the chief judicial magistrate seeking per-
mission to subject the SIMI activists to Narco test. CJM
Sharadchandra Saxena heard the pleas of the two parties - Naim
Khan, advocate for the SIMI activists sought time to study the
plea by ATS which was granted. The next hearing is scheduled
for 1 August. Dy. S.P. ATS J.K. Dixit submitted in his application
that the arrested accused have been sent to judicial custody fol-
lowing their arrest on 5 June. He stated that Sheikh Mujeeb,
Muhamad Aslam, Muhammad Habib and Muhammad Sajid have
concealed facts during interrogation hence Narco test is pro-
posed for analylsing the facts.
Sahu and Kalsangra get bail
Indore: Mumbai High Court granted bail to two accused in
Malegaon blast giving a jolt to Maharashtra ATS. The ATS had
accused them of providing SIM and other equipment.
Investigating agencies failed to provide evidence inspite of three
years of investigation.
The court granted bail to Shyam Bhanwarlal Sahu and
Shivnarayan Kalsangra on a security of Rs. one lakh each. They
shall have to report at Kala Chowki police station every Monday.
Deepak Rawal, the defense counsel, said that not a single place
of evidence could be produced during the past three years. The
ATS has accused the two persons of being collaborators of Ramji
Kalsangra, the absconder in the Malegaon blast case. The SIM
used in the blast was provided by them. Producing a timer in the
court Rawal argued that such timers are available every where in
the country and these had not been used in the blast. The
accused were defended by Dilip Rawal, Milind Desai and Sunil
Vichar. A petition by Col. Shri Kant Prasad Purohit and Ajay
Eknath Rahirkar is likely to be heard in the court.
It may be recalled that Maharashtra ATS had arrested Shiv
Narayan, Shyam Sahu, Dilip Nahar and Dharmendra Bairagi on
18 October 2008 at Indore. While Dharmendra and Dilip were
released later; the two had been sent to the court of CJM Nasik
on 24 Oct. 2008. Kalsangras father Gopalsingh Patidar told
press correspondent at Shajapur that because of his arrest the
family suffered financial and emotional pressure.
Muslim youth wrongly jailed for blasts to be compensated
New Delhi: Central government has now realised that many inno-
cent Muslim youths were wrongly implicated in many bomb blast
cases in the country, particularly in Malegaon bomb blasts in
2006 and Makka Masjid, Hyderabad blasts of May 2007 and
wrongly subjected to torture and indignities in jails, causing untold
miseries not only to them but to their families for no fault of theirs.
This was because of a particular mentality of investigating agen-
cies who were of the view that only Muslims, and not Hindus, can
be terrorists. This had in fact become known after Swamy
Aseemanands Confession before a magistrate and many Muslim
leaders had been demanding their release at the earliest but this
had no effect on the government and investigating agencies and
even courts. However, the tables were turned after National
Investigating Agency (NIA) probes found out the role of right-wing
terror elements, in other words Hindutva elements, in both these
blasts. Wisdom has now dawned on the home ministry, under
whom all police departments, investigating agencies like I.B.,
CBI, ATS etc. are working and its officials are now thinking of
damage control for the wrongs done to them in the form of not
only their release but also by paying monetary compensations to
them. Home Minister P. Chidambaram also realised this and
made a statement to this effect in Rajya Sabha on 4 August.
Admiting the mistakes of
his investigating agen-
cies he said that for years
we had been thinking
that all terror groups
belonged to one particu-
lar community or what he
said, one religion. This is
not true. This belief had
led our intelligence and
investigating agencies
down the wrong path.
Innocent people were
arrested and indicted and
young boys have spent
years in jail for no fault of
theirs, he admitted.
It may be stated that after Aseemanands confession about
the involvement of Hindu terror elements in both these bomb
blasts (Malegaon and Makka Masjid) those jailed for Malegaon
blasts (nine persons) had applied for their release on bail but their
applications were rejected by a special MCOCA Court in Mumbai
on 15 March 2011. A week later, the home ministry transferred
this case as well as Makka Masjid bomb blast case to NIA which
laid bare the truth.
According to reliable sources, a compensation package
would be announced for their wrongful confinement and long
punishment in jail. It is now to be seen how much compensation
is paid to them, if at all it is paid, and in what way their mental and
physical torture of four or five years is compensated.
NIA to take up Mumbai blast probe
NIA is likely to take up the 13 July Mumbai blast in which 26 peo-
ple were killed. Before taking a final call the home ministry is
believed to assess the status of the ongoing investigation. Till
date there has been no breakthrough other than sketches drawn
with the help of CCTV footage. Initially after the blast, a 13 mem-
ber team of NIA rushed to Mumbai. NIA was asked by the home
ministry only to assist the ATS and crime branch in the investiga-
tion of the Mumbai blast.
In yet another development, the National Investigating
Agency has moved court for custodial interrogation of Col Purohit
in anticipation that he can help the agency to nail RSS leader
Indresh Kumar for his alleged involvement in terror cases.
While doing so NIA wants to cross check claims made by
Purohit and Aseemanand on the involvement of Indresh in terror
cases. Purohit had once claimed the alleged role of Indresh in
Malegaon, Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Sharif and
Modasa blasts before some witnesses. NIA is also looking into
the claims made by Aseemanand before the magistrate that
Purohit once told him that Indresh is an ISI agent and he has got
document to support his claim. The NIA also believes that
Purohit can also provide some input in the conspiracy behind the
murder of Sunil Joshi, murdered in December 2007. Indresh was
questioned by the CBI last year in connection with his involve-
ment in 2007 Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad. As per NIA the
role of Indresh is being probed and for that, evidence is needed
to question him. Technical details of his movement have been
gathered already. The agency wants to establish his active role,
other than terror funding.
BACK
ISSUES
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Srinagar: For the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, an offi-
cial inquiry has said that it is beyond doubt that there are
scores of unidentified bodies in unmarked graves in the
Valley - as many as 2156 bodies buried at 38 sites since
militancy began in 1990.
All these bodies, according to an inquiry by the inves-
tigative wing of the J&K State Human Rights Commission
(SHRC), were handed over by the police to the local
population for burial with bullet injuries and were classi-
fied as unidentified militants. Strongly contesting this in
the absence of any profiling done by the police, the probe
has called for a thorough investigation across the state,
FIRs, exhumation and prompt DNA profiling of the bodies
and comparison of samples with those taken from resi-
dents who have been campaigning against the disappear-
ance of their relatives.
It quotes former British Prime Minister William Gladstone to
make a telling point: Show me the manner in which a nation
cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exact-
ness, the tender mercy of its people, their respect for the law of
the land and their loyalty to high ideals.
The report says that of the bodies, a few were defaced, 20
were charred, five only have skulls remaining and there are at
least 18 graves with more than one body each.
This startling conclusion comes after a three-year-long
inquiry by an 11-member team led by Bashir Ahmad Yatoo, the
Senior Superintendent of Police of the investigative wing of the
J&K SHRC.
The team scoured police records to count the number of
unidentified bodies sent for burial, cross-checked this against
testimonies from police officials, eyewitnesses, village commit-
tees, village heads, elders, mosque committees, gravediggers
and records prepared by caretakers of the graveyards. Many wit-
nesses spoke on the condition that they not be named - the tes-
timonies of 62 who didnt seek anonymity have been made part
of the report.
There were 21 unmarked graves in Baramulla, three each in
Bandipore and Handwara and 11 in Kupwara. The probe said it
established 851 unidentified bodies in Baramulla, 14 in
Bandipore, 14 in Handwara and 1277 in Kupwara.
The report of the investigation was handed over to the SHRC
last month.
It is beyond doubt that unmarked graves containing uniden-
tified dead bodies do exist at various places in north Kashmir.
The local police while handing over the unidentified dead bodies
to locals for burial, was claiming them to be the dead bodies of
unidentified militants but later on, out of 2730 unidentified dead
bodies, 574 were identified as the dead bodies of locals by their
next of kin at these 38 places visited by the investigating team,
says the report.
In fact, the SHRC investigation was the response to a cam-
paign by the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons
(APDP) which in March, 2008, released a report, Facts
Underground and alleged the presence of unmarked graves.
The next month, the SHRC issued notices to then Congress-PDP
government and set up the probe committee. In December 2009,
another human rights group, the International Peoples Tribunal
on Human Rights, released a report claiming that unmarked
graveyards entomb bodies of those murdered in encounters,
fake encounters and extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary execu-
tions.
The SHRC team included Inspectors Mohammad Yousuf,
Baghwant Singh, Ashiq Hussain and Veer Singh; Sub Inspector
Khalid Mehraj, Assistant Sub Inspector Farooq Ahmad, Head
Constables Ghulam Mohammad and Aijaz Ahmad besides
Special Grade Constables Ghulam Qadir and Nazir Ahmad.
The scope of DNA extraction from remains of these uniden-
tified bodies buried in unmarked graves of north Kashmir is still
very bright. As the time will go on to elapse, chances will be more
and more reduced, the report says. Thus the Commission
should pass an order with directions to do the needful as soon as
possible so that the identity of the disappeared persons and
those unidentified bodies buried in nameless graves may be
established or negated. The DNA sampling techniques can be
supplemented by other techniques like dental examination, dis-
tinctive medical characteristics, finger prints and physical
description etc.
The report also suggests that to stop the misuse of powers
under AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) and Disturbed
Areas Act, it is necessary that wherever anybody is killed -
whether he is a militant or an innocent civilian - his or her identi-
fication profile including DNA profile should be maintained prop-
erly. (Muzamil Jaleel, indianexpress.com - 21 Aug 2011)
2156 unidentified bodies in 38 graves in
Kashmir: J&K human rights panel
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 21
COMMUNITY NEWS
RTE conspiracy against madrasas
New Delhi: When Right to Education Bill was recently presented
in the Rajya Sabha after a minor amendment, there was a storm
of protest and opposition because of the absence of any provi-
sion for the security of madrasas and Muslim minority education-
al institutions. Because of the strong opposition by Muslim MPs
though it has been held up, even now there are some aspects of
concern in it. Talking over the telephone from Kolkata about this
bill, secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana
Wali Rahmani described this bill a deception. He said that Sibalji
has earlier also tried to hoodwink Muslims and now it is his sec-
ond attempt (to befool them). Clarifying this matter he said that
right from the beginning when the right to education bill was
being planned, because of its inherent danger it is being consid-
ered a dangerous legal attack on Muslim minority institutions,
particularly for religious madrasas. According to him it is almost
certain that this is a conspiracy to put an end to religious
madrasas. Giving details of the bill that was recently passed in
Parliament, he said that truly speaking, all minority (educational)
institutions which are given protection under Art 30, whether of
Muslims, Christians or of Sikhs will be in a very difficult position.
He said that, though Mr. Sibal is trying to give assurances that
religious madrasas were not covered under this bill, but when
this law is enforced first of all madrasas will be closed down.
Describing the attempt to introduce this bill as against minor-
ity institutions and also against educational independence, he
said that this bill is a legal ploy which people are not able to
understand. Speaking about the recently amended bill he said
that because of the minor amendment though there is some relief
or facility for the handicapped, the most dangerous amendment
is that now under the Right to Education Act age limit is from 3 to
18 years. By this age a student normally reaches 12th class and
by the same age a (madrasa) student is about to become an
aalim. At this stage if a student complains that madrasa is
becoming a handicap for his right to education, first of all
madrasa manager and molvi will be sent to jail. It is a different
thing that there will be discussions and a case will be filed but the
objective of this bill will be fulfilled and the molvi will be jailed.
It is worth mentioning that anticipating the negative effect of
RTE bill directly on religious madrasas and minority institutions,
Muslim organisations have been raising their voice of dissent for
the past several months which have been brought to the notice
of Parliament but inspite of repeated opposition by Muslims, gov-
ernment appears to be firm on introducing and passing its
favourite bill. That is why milli circles are worried that the way
RTE bill has been amended and the attitude of the government
is such that it does not give any indication that the wishes and
needs of Muslims will be respected in this bill.
Supreme Courts verdict in favour of minority institutions
Amroha: Supreme Court in its verdict of 19 August rejected UP
governments Special Leave Petition (SLP) on minority educa-
tional institutions which was welcomed by Amroha Muslim
Educational Institutions Welfare Association. Speaking about this
at a function held at Nayab Abbasi Girls Degree College,
Amroha, secretary of this Association. Dr. M. Aslam Farooqi said
that students of U.P. Minority Educational institutions had taken
admission in B.Ed course for 2009-10 at the High Courts order.
U.P. government, however, declaring HCs order as illegal had
filed SLP against this order in the Supreme Court. After hearing
arguments of lawyers from both sides i.e. U.P. government and
Association Supreme Court dismissed U.P. governments petition
and ordered that examinations for B.Ed should be held in all
these institutions.
Website concerning minorities inaugurated
New Delhi: A website www.minorities.in concerning minorities
was inaugurated in the office of Delhi Minorities Commission by
Rama Kant Goswamy, Delhis minister for industries, on 17
August. Among those present on this occasion were Safdar H.
Khan, Chairman of Delhi State Minorities Commission, Michel
Anthony, member of this Commission, Arnold James, former
member of this Commission, Sardar Pushpender Singh, Member
of the Commission, members of Sikh Advisory Committee and
others. Pushpender Singh, member of this Commission and chief
editor of the website said that in this website all information about
National and all states Minorities Commissions, their welfare
schemes about minorities, announcements and information
about minorities that are issued from time to time, minorities
scholarships and their forms etc. will be available and forms can
be downloaded. National and regional news about all minorities
will also be available at this site. Associate editors of this website
are F.A. Siddiqi and Piyush Jani while advisers are Arnold
James, Syed Ali Ahmad and Charanjeet Singh.
NCM receives 145 complaints of bias against minorities
New Delhi: Union minister of state for minorities affairs Vincent H.
Pala said in a written statement in the Lok Sabha in reply to a
question by Shafiqur Rahman Barq, M.P. that 145 complaints of
bias against Muslims in government offices, public sector organ-
isations regarding service and service related matters were
received in the office of National Commission for Minorities, New
Delhi. He said that on receipt of complaints, the Commission
calls for reports from concerned officers. In case the replies by
concerned officers are not found satisfactory, they are sum-
moned to be personally present in NCMs office to answer to
queries made by officers of the Commission.
AMU Malappuram centre
Aligarh: Prof. HSAYahya of the Department of Wildlife Sciences,
AMU, who was deputed by the AMU Vice Chancellor to investi-
gate and report on the recent incident of students clash in Boys
Hostel at AMU Malappuram Centre, submitted his report on 24
August. Drawing conclusion after hearing hostel staff, teachers,
students, locals and the Director of the Centre, he concluded that
there is no north-south angle in the unfortunate episode and a
section of the North Indian Urdu and Hindi media displayed
immaturity while reporting the inicdent. Prof. Yahya reported that
on 10 August a discussion on distribution of Iftar items among
students led to heated exchange of words and finally physical
injury to four students of MBA, namely Mohammed Rafi, Yunish
Kumar, Shabeeb and Adnan. Prof. Yahya observed that there is
no harsh feeling among local people towards the students of
north Indian origin. However, due to certain rumors and misun-
derstanding a sort of gap between north and south Indian stu-
dents prevailed which was unfortunate. The local people are very
friendly and hospitable, he concluded. Prof. Yahya said that the
situation is under control and the Director has taken needed
steps to resolve the problem. An internal inquiry committee com-
prising faculty of the centre was set up. After various rounds of
talks and perusal students came forward for a compromise and,
as a result, police cases filed by students were withdrawn and a
joint meeting of students and members of Iftar distribution com-
mittee was held and the students unanimously decided to com-
promise and withdraw all allegations and complaints lodged
either with the Director or with the police. They also agreed to
undertake an oath of solemn pledge assuring that in future they
will not indulge in any unruly activity in the hostel or in classroom.
Finally, members of both groups hugged each other and pledged
to remain friends. Those students who were debarred from the
hostel as punitive measure were pardoned and allowed to reside
in the hostel. All the students assured that in future there will be
no such quarrel. As a gesture of goodwill, the students of MBA
and BA LLB organized an Iftar party in Cherukara Boys hostel on
19 August. Healthy and harmonious environment was thus
restored in the Boys Hostel. Prof. Yahya added that in the entire
episode certain Urdu and Hindi news papers published from
north India played a very immature role. They should have veri-
fied the news from reliable sources before publishing entirely
wrong news that the students of north Indian origin were beaten
and hospitalized. On the contrary, the student who received max-
imum injury hails from Kerala. Publishing of incorrect news led to
misunderstanding among general public and panic to the
guardians of north Indian students, he observed.
Lecture at Kashmir Uni. on excellence in education
Srinagar: An extension lecture was organized here by Shah-i
Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, on
19 August on Muslim Excellence in Education. The lecture was
delivered by Prof. Omer Hassan Kasule, an expert in public
health and Muslim education, currently associated with
International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Herndon, USA.
He said accepting a problem is half of the solution and the prob-
lem is that we are bound in sectarian holes due to our poor edu-
cational system. He quoted the Quran, Prophet Muhammad
(SAAS), his companions, and early scholars who were fond of
knowledge. He reminded the audience about the early scholars
who were masters of various sciences during their times. Every
civilization has fallen in the past and paved way for the progress
of the new civilization. We as an Ummah will also rise again on
the face of the world if we concentrate on education. The other
main problem is the gap between the thorough thinkers that is
Ulama and the superficial scholars. A sound educational system
is the main part of the Islamic civilization, he said. For the excel-
lence in Islamic education we need a Mujaddid like Shah
Waliullah, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi and Shibli Numani. These
were the teachers not the politicians, bureaucrats, economists.
Muslims progressed in education in the past because they never
studied to earn, rather they earned to study. The Quran stress-
es on the pondering over the creation which is possible through
research and observation, which we Muslims do not do today. In
Islamic epistemology, we have three sources of knowledge:
Empirical, Rational, Revelational. We must go back to the Islamic
epistemology. Prof. Kasule gave the hope that the Ummah is ris-
ing but we have to excel in education.
New Delhi: Zakat Foundation of Indias Chairman Dr. Zafar
Mahmood is actively lobbying the Govt. to constitute an Indian
Waqf Service/Council. For this purpose he had called a press
conference on 11 July and strongly demanded, backed with solid
arguments, the constitution of Indian Waqf Service, as recom-
mended by Sachar Committee also. For the same purpose he
again held a meeting of Indian Muslim leaders, representatives
of Muslim organisations, Muslim intellectuals, journalists etc. on
8 August to consider the constitution of Indian Waqf
Council/Service and to put pressure on government for this.
Among those who attended this meeting included Jamat-e
Islamis Mujtaba Farooqi, Dr. Qasim Rasool Ilyas, former gener-
al secretary of Jamat Ahl-e Hadees Maulana Abdul Wahab Khilji,
former M.P. Ilyas Azmi, Mrs. Sadia Dehlwi, former CEO of Delhi
Waqf Board, Jameel Murtaza etc.
He said in this meeting that during the survey of the whole
country he found that in most of the states like UP, Bihar, Orissa,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and oth-
ers there are separate arrangements by government for the
safety and looking after of temples and religious places of
Hindus and separate service cadres also whose officers are
appointed through Public Service Commission. He said that
Hindu cadres, Budh cadres etc. have been constituted by gov-
ernment for religious affairs, religious monuments, symbols etc.
and their expenses are met by government. In view of all this, he
asked why government is reluctant to constitute Indian Waqf
Service for looking after and protecting the properties of Muslim
Waqfs worth billions of rupees? He said that Sachar Committee
had recommended formation of Indian Waqf Service because
the income of about 490 Waqf properties of about 6 lakh acres
spread all over the country is a mere Rs. 163 crores which is
only 0.13 percent of the estimated Rs. 1,20,000 crores accord-
ing to a survey made in the year 2006. He said that this is not
our demand only but Sachar Committee and Joint Parliamentary
Committee on the protection of Waqf properties headed by
Rajya Sabhas Deputy Chairman, K. Rahman Khan also have
recommended the constitution of Indian Waqf Service but unfor-
tunately an officer of the ministry for minorities affairs has ruled
without giving any logical reason that it is not possible to consti-
tute such a service or council. Added to this, he said, our hon-
ourable minister heading this ministry in his keenness to be an
over secularist does not appear to favour any thing which is in
the interest of Muslims.
Accusing Congress of adopting a policy of double standard
in matters of minorities (Muslims), Dr. Zafar Mahmood said that
on one hand in its election manifesto the Congress makes tall
promise of speeding up the implementation of Sachar
Committees recommendations and on the other hand its own
minister (Salman Khurshid) declares that Sachar Committees
recommendations can very well be rejected. Accusing govern-
ment of being insensitive vis--vis auqaf, he said that it doesnt
even know that for the important job of protection of waqf prop-
erties and vacation of its illegal occupation, Chief Executive
Officers (CEOs) appointed during the past ten years or so have
been veterinary doctors, deputy Tahsildars, survey inspectors
and retired employees. He also accused the government of
unnecessarily ignoring about 20 points of Sachar Committee
and Joint Parliamentary Committee in the new Waqf Bill.
All the participants, particularly the leaders and intellectuals
unanimously agreed that constitution of Indian Waqf Council is
the best course for the protection of Waqf properties for the con-
stitution of which government must be pressurised and for this
more Muslim organisations will come together. (NAAnsari)
Steps to bring all Muslim organisations on one
common platform for Indian Waqf Service
COMMUNITY NEWS
22 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
No Urdu in any Central School
New Delhi: Minister of state in HRD ministry, Mrs. D.P.
Purandeshwari said in the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question by
Ahmad Sayeed Malihabadi that Urdu education is not being
imparted in any central school because the number of students
desirous of reading Urdu is not much. She said that though there
are arrangements for teaching Urdu from 5th to 10th classes in
such schools provided there are 20 or more students but since
the required number of students is not met, it is not taught in any
school. She also said that no posts of Urdu teachers are sanc-
tioned in central schools but schools can appoint Urdu teachers
on contract basis for teaching this language. There are 1070
central schools in the country and four in foreign countries but in
no such school even 20 students are desirous of reading Urdu!
In reply to another question by Ahmad Sayeed she said in a writ-
ten statement that between the years 2006-07 and 2011-12 i.e.
in five years 22901 primary and 13690 secondary schools have
been sanctioned in districts where Muslims are in a substantial
majority but in such cases information or statistics (about num-
ber of students etc.) are not maintained at the central level. She
said that central government provides financial assistance to
state governments for appointment of Urdu teachers and those
of other languages and for this, Rs. 15 crores were allocated in
the 2010-11 budget.
AMU staff and students protest against HRD ministry
Aligarh: The Joint Action Committee of the Teaching and
Non-Teaching Staff, Technical Staff Association, Fourth Grade
Employees Union and Students of the Aligarh Muslim University
organized a dharna here on 23 August in front of the
Administrative Block to protest the decision of the Human
Resource Development Ministry putting a ban on the executive
powers of the Vice Chancellor of the University. The MHRD has
sent a letter to the Registrar asking the Vice Chancellor, Prof. P.
K. Abdul Azis to refrain from exercising his powers to conduct
any selection committee, make any promotions or take policy
decision of long time nature. The protesters expressed deep
sense of shock and agony on the letter and termed it a violation
of Section 13 Clauses (2 to 5) of the AMU Act. One of the oldest
alumni of the University and eminent historian Padma Bhushan
Professor Emeritus Irfan Habib said that the Universitys autono-
my was not attacked even during the British rule. He said that the
MHRDs unwarranted act would adversely affect the life of a
number of people attached to this grand old institution as the
appointment and promotion of several rightful employees has
gone in doldrums. Prof. Habib added that two fact-finding enquiry
committees have proved to be inconclusive and the responsibili-
ty of this failure lies with the HRD Ministry.
Former Chairman of the Minority Commission of Delhi, Kamal
Faruqui, said that a movement should be initiated against the attack
on the autonomy of the University. He said that a handful of vested
interests are tarnishing the image of the University. He alleged that
the Union HRD Minister is anti-Muslim and the employees of the
National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions have not
been paid their salaries for the last two months. Faruqui said that
the repressive policies of Sibal would create thousands of Anna
Hazares. He appealed to the Muslim community to stage dharna in
front of the houses of Sibal and Salman Khurshid till the restraining
order of the MHRD is withdrawn.
The Joint Action Committee presented a memorandum to the
President of India demanding the withdrawal of the decision of
MHRD forthwith. It said that it is an attack on the autonomy and
functioning of the University provided under Article 29 and 30 of
the Indian Constitution, especially Para (3). The MHRD dictat
violates the process of appointment of the new Vice Chancellor,
whereby the Vice Chancellor is supposed to call the meetings of
the University Court after the approval of five recommended
names by the Executive Council. The Committee observed that
the decision reflects the vindictive, autocratic and non-receptive
attitude of the MHRD to appease a handful of persons within and
outside the campus on their misrepresentation of the state of
affairs in the university. It said that it has jeopardized the func-
tioning of the University by divesting the academic, administra-
tive, financial and executive functioning of the University and fur-
ther deprived considerably a large number of teachers,
non-teaching, technical and fourth Grade employees of the
University, who have been denied of their due confirmation and
promotion. The Committee said that names of Visitors nominee
for various faculties are still awaited despite numerous
reminders. The unwanted decision shall result in the lapse of
over 250 teaching posts under XI Plan and appointment of over
three hundred guest faculties would be averted, which are gen-
erally made in the months of August and September every year
because of lack of teachers in various faculties. This will serious-
ly affect the teaching in the University and adversely affect the
interest of students of AMU.
Dr. M. Rizwan Khan, Convener, Joint Action Committee
announced that the Committee will observe one-day token strike
on 25 August and will sit on dharna in front of Registrars Office.
Photo competition: Ramazan and EId special
New Delhi: To celebrate the holy month of Ramazan and Eid-ul-
Fitr, the British high commission in India is launching a photo
competition to showcase related hues and
moods. All interested are invited to share their
favourite shots of festivities during the holy
month and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Photos will
be accepted only in digital format (jpeg format,
not less than 100 Kb) with appropriate descrip-
tion and credits. Photos should be sent via email
to web.newdelhi@fco.gov.uk with photo con-
test in subject line and your contact details and
address in the email. The deadline for submitting
photos is 11 September 2011 2359 hrs India
time. A panel of judges will shortlist the best 15
photos, which will then be open for public voting
15 25 September 2011. The winners will be
announced end-September 2011 on www.ukinin-
dia.fco.gov.uk and on our Facebook and Twitter
channels. The winner will receive a Flip Ultra HD
video recorder and the two runners-up will
receive digital photo-frames. For terms and
conditions, visit:
h t t p : / / u k i n i n d i a . f c o . g o v . u k / e n / n e w s / p r e s s -
c e n t r e / Me d i a L i b r a r y / I ma g e s / 0 5 0 I ma g e s - 2 0 11 /
PhotoCompetition/Terms-and-Conditions. For more information,
contact Marcus Winsley, Director, Press and Communications,
British High Commission - email: Deepti.Soni@fco.gov.uk or visit
http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk
NCM relief for Muslims accused of Masjid blast
Hyderabad: After suffering the stigma of terror charges, there is
finally a ray of hope for the Muslim youth of Hyderabad, who
were arrested and subjected to torture following the bomb blast
in Mecca Masjid in 2007. In a significant move, the National
Commission for Minorities (NCM) has asked the Andhra Pradesh
Government to render justice to the Muslim youth who were
wrongly accused of involvement in the blast in Mecca Masjid. In
a recent letter addressed to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy,
commission chairman Wajahat Habeebullah has made six rec-
ommendations, including the payment of compensation of Rs 3
lakh to each youth who was arrested and implicated in the false
cases. Even more significantly, the commission has said the
compensation amount should be recovered from the policemen
who were responsible for arresting these youth and booking
false cases against them. It may be recalled that at least 100
Muslim youth were picked up by the Hyderabad city police after
the blast in Mecca Masjid on May 18, 2007 and they were sub-
jected to torture. While different cases were booked against 26 of
them, others were let off. Despite protests from the Muslim com-
munity leaders in Hyderabad against the police version that the
blast was the handiwork of some Muslim fundamentalists, the
police continued its investigations directed at them.The State
Government had continued to stonewall the demand for compen-
sation and rehabilitation of the youth who were targeted by the
police earlier. It was in response to a detailed representation by
Major SGM Quadri that the National Commission for Minorities
took up the issue seriously and Chairman Wajahat Habeebullah
visited Hyderabad city earlier this year. During the visit he also
interacted with the victims. (dailypioneer.com - August 9, 2011)
America helps preserve Mughal monument
New Delhi: The Sunderwala Burj, a 16th century mausoleum of
the Mughal era here, has been given a makeover by the Aga
Khan Trust for Culture with financial support from the US ambas-
sadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. It was restored at a cost
of $50,000 and a matching grant by the Aga Khan Trust, conser-
vation architect Ratish Nanda, who heads the trusts projects in
India, said on 12 August. The mausoleum is located in the midst
of the lush Sundar nursery adjacent to Mughal emperor
Humayuns tomb. It is a part of the Humayuns tomb complex.
Nanda visited the restored tomb with United States Charge
dAffaires Peter Burleigh to assess the restoration work.
The trust is also spending more than $10 million to landscape the
Sunder nursery as part of its Nizamuddin Urban Renewal
Initiative, which aims to benefit communities living in and around
the complex, Nanda said. Though protected, the Sunderwala
Burj had lost its original architectural and historic character due
to inappropriate repairs using modern materials such as
cement, said Nanda adding, The actual conservation was pre-
ceded by an exhaustive documentation, including a 3D laser
scan that revealed the striking patterns on the ceiling, original
polychromy (colours) layers and the original extent of the build-
ing plinth.
The white and red contrast, one of the favourite colour palettes
of the Mughal builders, has been restored with white lime mor-
tar mixed with marble dust and egg white ground by hand for
months. The tomb is unique for its ornamental ceiling inscribed
with floral motifs and scripts seen in Kashmiri and Persian wood-
en ceilings, he said. A band of Qur'anic inscription circling the
inner wall surfaces of the mausoleum just over the doorway has
been carefully recorded and is being restored by calligraphers
from the adjoining Nizamuddin basti, the architect said. More
than 100 master craftsmen were engaged for nine months to
restore missing portions of the ornamentation and replace
cement plaster layers with lime mortar, he said.
Anger at the Forbesganj police firing, in which four Muslims were
killed brutally while protesting against the blockade of their
decades old passage, has subsided for now. The local media
more or less remained static in order to remain in the good book
of the government.
Those newspapers and magazines chose to bypass or
downplay the Forbesganj police firing despite public anger
because they did not want to disturb their equation of advertise-
ment benefit offered by the government. The approach followed
by newspapers in filing stories in terms of minority and majority
differs from one paper to another and also from one place to
another. Materialistic thought and communalistic approach also
at times comes in the way of fair reporting. As a matter of fact
Press Council of India has already issued a show cause notice
to several Hindi and Urdu newspapers published from Bihar. It
has done so on the basis of several complaints received from
the state on the biased role of several newspaper published from
Bihar. The silence of the mainstream media about the
Forbesganj killings even when photos and videos of police bru-
tality were in the public domain demonstrates the partisan nature
of section in the media fraternity.
Bihar Media Watch an NGO working as a watchdog in its
complaint to the Press Council of India has termed the role and
approach of all Hindi and English newspapers published from
the state to have developed anti people and pro government pol-
icy keeping on the backburner media ethics and human con-
science. The highlights of the complaint made by the Bihar
Media Watch to the Press Council of India are: 1. It was painful
to note that no newspapers published from Patna published the
chilling picture of the incident where a policeman was shown
jumping inhumanly on the body of seriously injured victim. 2. The
reporter who made available this horrific visual to the channels
is a reporter of a Hindi daily of Patna but his employer did not
find it worth publishing. 3. The local newspapers violated the
basic moral ethics and minimum code of conduct of journalism.
4. The chairman of NCM Wajahat Habibullah visited the site of
police firing in Forbeseganj block on 21June, 2011. But his visit
was not published in Hindi newspaper, Hindustan in Patna edi-
tion. 5. Prabhat Khabar ridiculed the gravity of the issue by pub-
lishing his visit in classified column in not more than two and half
lines. 6. Dainik Jagran did not consider it to be worth publishing.
The big question: What compelled the local media to toe the
government line? The answer to this can be found by a report
obtained by Purander Sawaran who is an RTI activist from the
Information and Public Relations Department of Bihar govern-
ment. As per report in the Statesman on 9 August the state gave
advertisements worth more than Rs 28.47 crore in the last finan-
cial year (from 1 April 2010 to 28 March 2011). Of this, a huge
share of over Rs 10.12 crore went to Hindustan while Rs 5 crore
worth of ads went to Dainik Jagaran. The irony here is that a fair-
ly good amount of advertisement money went to Urdu dailies
and other local papers, many of which exist on paper only. This
apparently was the reason why even the Urdu media maintained
a mysterious silence when the Forbesganj police firing took
place.
The judicial inquiry panel headed by retired Patna High
Court judge Justice Madhvendra Sharan, along with secretary,
District Judge (retired) S M Naseemuddin began their probe
from 30 July and the report is awaited. (Mohammad Naushad
Khan)
Local media in Bihar bypassed
Forbesganj firing to appease govt
Dr. M. Rizwan Khan, Convener, Joint Action Committee, Prof.
Irfan Habib and Mr. Kamal Farooqui and others present the
memorandum to to the Collector, Aligarh on 23 August
US Charg dAffaires Peter Burleigh and Ritish Nanda of
Agha Khan Foundation at the Sundarwala Bur
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 23
INTERNATIONAL
GORDON DUFF
Senior Editor, Veterans Today
Today the British papers not owned by Rupert Murdoch
"rumored" that he might be jailed. Americans, even Brits,
have little or no idea what is at risk here. There is simply no
one who can report it when the individual who, not only con-
trols the world's largest news organization turns out to be,
well, what?
Who is Rupert Murdoch?
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has played a significant
role in the elections of three U. S. presidents, as well as some
of the events that have happened during their administrations
including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, and the economic meltdown, Gordon Duff, sen-
ior editor and writer for Veterans Today told Press TV.
What he is not is an Australian "right wing" billionaire.
Murdoch, though born in Australia is an Israeli citizen and
Jewish. Why is this important?
Murdoch is now admitted to have controlled the political sys-
tems in Britain and America for two decades. He has had the
power to choose national leaders, make policy, pass laws at will.
Where did the power come from?
We now know it came from spying, blackmail, bribery and
propaganda.
What is his agenda? Ah, there's the rub.
Was it about selling newspapers using scandals or spying in
the name of Israel to push Britain and the United States into wars
for Israel? There is a simple answer.
Murdoch's primary motivation isn't even that he is "for Israel."
Murdoch is, perhaps, the most influential Israeli, more powerful
than Netanyahu. The problem with that is that his beliefs are what
we call "ultra- nationalist."
This makes him a threat. Ultra-nationalists are known to sup-
port wars, plan terrorist acts, manipulate populations into strife
and racism, foster fear and panic, even financial ruin.
What are we describing here?
If you aren't totally brain dead, you realize I am describing
Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Fox
News. Murdoch owns Fox News and so much else you may not
have a time to look at the list. If he doesn't own it he doesn't want
it. Fox is a network and Murdoch, owning so many newspapers
across America and being a foreigner shouldn't be able to control
such a thing. How did he do it?
Reagan "appointed" Murdoch an American citizen. Murdoch
promised to have Fox News support Republicans and say what-
ever was needed, no matter how false, how stupid or, as we have
seen now for decades, how genuinely evil.
What he really did, however, was use Fox as a base to allow
Israel to run spy operations.
These went two ways:
1. Israel got lots of military technology and secrets they could
sell to America's enemies for money. This is good "Murdoch" busi-
ness sense, as we all see now.
2. Murdoch helped Israel gain control of congress. They liter-
ally run the United States. The tools? As in Britain, bribery
and blackmail, police, military and congress.
No surprises for anyone.
Murdoch has, in fact, engineered the last 20 plus years of
American history, picking politicians, throwing elections, establish-
ing policies. Were the decisions his own?
I don't think so. I think Murdoch represents a group, mostly
financial, making up the Rothschild family, the Federal Reserve
Banks and organized crime.
There is an Israeli or Jewish aspect to some of this but not in
the sense of being "pro" or "anti" Semitic. The Murdoch empire,
married to the "lily white""no Jews allowed" Republican Party sim-
ply put their own very powerful spin on the good old "New World
Order," pushing it into drug running, arms and human trafficking,
manipulated international currencies and debt on a massive scale,
ran America and the European Union into economic collapse,
worked with oil companies to set up price fixing schemes
This is what Murdoch and his friends have done, all the while
pointing their fingers at Osama bin Laden and the evil "liberals."
They divided Britain, starting at first as 'conservatives' and
then changed to "liberals." What they did in Britain is undermine
legal government, destroy the nation and the public's trust in the
government, Blair, Cameron, it doesn't matter, Murdoch chose
both and ran and runs both like hand puppets as he did with Bush
and his friends.
The ideas are simple. Bilk the countries out of every last cent,
use a portion to bribe or blackmail politicians, buy police and get
even more money.
Then you lie to the people, give them enemies to hate,
arrange wars for them to fight and stand back and watch them
destroy themselves.
Are there people really this evil?
Yes there are, Murdoch, the gang at his companies, the gang
at Fox News, the folks in the US called "neo- cons," the Israeli
lobby in the US, the ADL, AIPAC and the Likudist faction in Israel
run by Netanyahu.
These folks hate the United States.
A similar group hate Britain. Australia has their own, he
runs that place entirely, right into the ground. He also runs
Germany, Canada, he runs much of what was once the "free
world."
Am I describing Satan?
Pretty much.
His strongest advocates, those who have stood with his
thieves and liars against all that is decent, all that is good, all
that is right is the Evangelical and "Zionist" communities in
the United States. They were and are the "fertile ground" for
his message of hate and deceit.
Who does Murdoch claim to hate?
Muslims for sure, they are all bad. Everything he touches
in his hundreds of publications and TV shows or the phony
news his gang of cutthroats create, hate of Muslims is always
on top. This pleases his Israeli friends. If things keep going as
they are, he may need to hide out there and Israel will always
protect him, maybe plow down a few Palestinian homes to give
him a grand estate. After all, Muslims are an easy target, living in
petty dictatorships run by thieves who we have now learned have
always run to Washington and Tel Aviv for orders.
Take out a second. Think the word "Palestinian." Do you also
think "terrorist?" Do you see a child being killed by an Israeli heli-
copter or innocent people killed by a TV villain, almost invariably
played by Jewish actors, perhaps a sick "inside joke" of
Murdoch's.
Even the "revolutionary types" did the same. The Islamic peo-
ple of the world have been played, exploited and crushed since
1919."History will show it carefully planned and financed by a cer-
tain European banking family, one that 6 years earlier had estab-
lished an illegal banking system in the US.
Learn about the real Balfour Declaration and how it was got-
ten through blackmail, learn who wrote it and to whom it was sent.
The story reads exactly like the things that are coming out in
Britain day after day.
Murdoch tells his followers to hate "smart people." There has
to be fear of the educated, the "elites." You can't have rampant
racism and blind ignorance until you destroy public trust in the nat-
ural leaders, until you destroy real culture and replace it with
mechanized music, scandal mongering, dirty sex and endless
conspiracies.
Murdoch is the real king of conspiracy theories.
Look at the endless list of wild accusations that came from
Fox alone. Then look at the others, the accusations, the wild and
insane things that were written into history but likely planned by
Murdoch.
9/11 probably had Murdoch's hand in it as did the London
bombings on 7/7.
There could be no great conspiracy without control of the
news.
Now we find the news itself controlled the governments and
may well have written the scripts to the wars, the rigged elections,
the acts of terror and the misdirection that sent America into a
decade of cruel and useless bloodletting after terror groups that
never existed in the first place.
Now, today, as our British cousins are reeling in the revela-
tions that their government for decades has not been their own, a
diseased hybrid of crazy old man, Israeli spies and the paid
stooges that the people thought were serving them.
And it goes on in America, full blast, Murdoch and his crea-
tures, planning the future of America.
One of his creatures is Boehner. Another is Palin. Then there is
Gingrich. There was the entire Bush administration. But, to get to the
dark heart of evil, first you look at Fox News. (veteranstoday.com)
Who is Rupert Murdoch?
A Word Or Two on What Isn't Being Said
Y
u
s
u
f
/
M
G
So easy! Go and print
some more dollars!
Jewish settlers are terrorising
Palestinians, says Israeli general
A senior Israeli army commander has warned that unchecked
"Jewish terror" against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank
threatens to plunge the territory into another conflict.
In unusually outspoken comments, Major General Avi Mizrahi
took aim at extremist Israeli settlers, and said the yeshiva, or
religious seminary, in Yitzhar, one of the most radical Jewish
strongholds in the West Bank, should be closed, calling it a
source of terror against Palestinians.
The general's comments are likely to put him at odds with
Israel's pro-settler government, which has resisted US-led
efforts to curb settlement expansion in a bid to revive stalled
peace talks. The foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, himself
lives in a West Bank settlement. All settlements are regarded as
illegal under international law.
The army has anxiously watched an upsurge in violence by
hardline settlers, who in recent months have set fire to a West
Bank mosque, burned Palestinian olive groves, and vandalised
Palestinian property. Settlers have killed three Palestinians this
year.
INTERNATIONAL
24 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
NATO, Sleeper Cells Drove Rebels'
Tripoli Push say HADEEL AL-
SHALCHI and RAMI AL-SHAHEIBI OF
AP
Bengahzi: They called it Operation
Mermaid Dawn, a stealth plan coordinat-
ed by sleeper cells, Libyan rebels, and
NATO to snatch the capital from the
Moammar Gadhafi's regime's hands.
It began three months ago when groups
of young men left their homes in Tripoli
and traveled to train in Benghazi with ex-
military soldiers.
After training in Benghazi, the men
would return to Tripoli either through the
sea disguised as fishermen or through
the western mountains.
"They went back to Tripoli and wait-
ed; they became sleeper cells," said mil-
itary spokesman Fadlallah Haroun, who
helped organize the operation.
He said that many of the trained
fighters also stayed in the cities west of
Tripoli, including Zintan and Zawiya, and
waited for the day to come to push into
the capital.
Operation Mermaid Dawn began on
the night of August 21 and took the world
by surprise as the rebels sped into the
capital and celebrated in Green Square
with almost no resistance from pro-
Gadhafi forces.
Haroun said about 150 men rose up
from inside Tripoli, blocking streets,
engaging in armed street fights with
Gadhafi brigades, and taking over their
streets with check points.But why did the
armed Gadhafi troops melt away when
the rebels drove through?
Fathi Baja, head of the rebel leader-
ship's political committee, said it was all
thanks to a deal cut with the head of the
batallion in charge of protecting Tripoli's
gates, the Mohammed Megrayef
Brigade.
His name was Mohammed Eshkal
and he was very close to Gadhafi and his
family. Baja said Gadhafi had ordered
the death of his cousin twenty years ago.
"Eshkal carried a grudge in his heart
against Gadhafi for 20 years, and he
made a deal with the NTC - when the
zero hour approached he would hand the
city over to the rebels," said Haroun.
"Eshkal didn't care much about the
revolution," said Haroun. "He wanted to
take a personal revenge from Gadhafi
and when he saw a chance that he will
fall, he just let it happen." But Haroun
said he still didn't trust Eshkal or the men
who defected so late in the game.
Haroun said that he didn't trust any
of the defectors who left Gadhafi's side
so close to August 20.
"They lived knew his days were num-
bered so they defected, but in their
hearts they will always fear Gadhafi and
give him a regard," he said.
Haroun said NATO was in contact
with the rebel leadership in Benghazi and
were aware of the date of Operation
Mermaid Dawn.
"Honestly, NATO played a very big
role in liberating Tripoli - they bombed all
the main locations that we couldn't han-
dle with our light weapons," said Harouin.
Analysts have noted that as time
went on, NATO airstrikes became more
and more precise and there was less and
less collateral damage, indicating the
presence of air controllers on the battle-
fields.
Targeted bombings launched
methodical strikes on Gadhafi's crucial
communications facilities and weapons
caches. An increasing number of
American hunter-killer drones provided
round-the-clock surveillance as the
rebels advanced.
Diplomats acknowledge that covert
teams from France, Britain and some
East European states provided critical
assistance.
The assistance included logisticians,
security advisers and forward air con-
trollers for the rebel army, as well as
intelligence operatives, damage assess-
ment analysts and other experts, accord-
ing to a diplomat based at NATO's head-
quarters in Brussels. The diplomat spoke
on condition of anonymity due to the sen-
sitivity of the issue.
Foreign military advisers on the
ground provided key real-time intelli-
gence to the rebels, enabling them to
maximize their limited firepower against
the enemy. One U. S. official, speaking
on condition of anonymity to discuss
intelligence matters, said the Qatari mili-
tary led the way, augmented later by
French, Italian and British military advis-
ers. This effort had a multiple purpose,
not only assisting the rebels but monitor-
ing their ranks and watching for any al-
Qaida elements trying to infiltrate or influ-
ence the rebellion.
Bolstering the intelligence on the
ground was an escalating surveillance
and targeting campaign in the skies
above. Armed U. S. Predator drones
helped to clear a path for the rebels to
advance.
Baja said as the time for Operation
Mermaid Dawn came close to execution,
NATO began to intensify their bombing
campaign at Bab al-Azizya and near jails
where weapons were stored and political
prisoners were held. And then the people
rose up.
US Outsourcing
Regime Change
NATO Partnership in Libya Serves as
Model, Panetta Says
Monterey, Calif.: Defense Secretary
Leon E. Panetta today called U. S. sup-
port for the NATO mission that's helping
opposition forces make progress against
Moammar Gadhafi's regime Libya an
example of the international cooperation
that will be critical in the future.
"It is a good indication of the kind of
partnership and alliances that we need to
have for the future if we are going to deal
with the threats that we confront in
today's world," Panetta told students dur-
ing addresses at both the Naval
Postgraduate School and Defense
Language Institute Foreign Language
Center.
Panetta said he is particularly proud
of the mission the United States per-
formed as a NATO partner in Libya,
including the establishment of a no-fly
zone to help protect the Libyan people.
"It is a credit to the great job of
nations working together on a common
mission - something that is absolutely
essential if we are to provide security in
the future," he said.
This support and assistance, he
said, has been "part of the key in being
able to help the opposition forces there
ultimately be able to succeed."
Panetta expressed hope that the
opposition will succeed and NATO will
have completed its mission. "It's clear
that the opposition has made significant
gains. It's clear that the regime forces are
collapsing and that Gadhafi's days are
numbered," he said.
The United States continues to mon-
itor events, but the situation remains
dangerous and "very fluid," he said.
"In many ways, the future of Libya is
in the hands of the Libyans," Panetta told
the assemblies, echoing President
Barack Obama. "We hope that they will
decide that it is important to establish
stability and important political reforms
for the future after 40 years of Gadhafi."
The Arab Spring, the name given to
recent revolutions for democracy
throughout the Middle East, is bringing
change and in many cases, turmoil to the
region, Panetta said. But it also offers "a
chance to make that part of the world a
better region, one that enjoys some of
the values and some of the reforms and
some of the political opportunities that
we have in this country," he said.
(American Forces Press Service)
US Outsourced Regime Change
Turning Libya Into A New
Afghanistan:
Libyan rebels are united by hatred towards the current leader.
Once Colonel Gaddafi is out of the game, they will turn on each
other and NATO, predicts Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of London-
based pan-Arabic newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi. As the civil war in
Libya rages, many say the country could go the way of Egypt and
end up with a disillusioned society impatient for reform, but others
believe it could be much worse.
Abdel Bari Atwan says there is a huge potential of Libya turn-
ing into a new Afghanistan. The NATO-led regime change in Libya
might well turn the country into a failed state, following the exam-
ple of Afghanistan.
Once Gaddafi leaves power, one way or another - because it
is simply impossible for him to fight the whole of the NATO - the
National Transitional Council (NTC) will have huge divisions with-
in its own rank and it is highly doubtful it will be able to keep Libya
as a united state.
Abdel Bari Atwan predicts that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi will
stay in Libya and nobody knows either where he is or what will
happen to him, though he and his sons still have political power in
the country.
The editor doubts the Gaddafi regime can survive, saying "the
most he can try to negotiate is a safe exit for him and his family."
"The problem of post-Gaddafi era could be actually more
problematic than the problem before the removal of Gaddafi
regime, because there is a huge split among the rebels them-
selves."
"The majority of people who are fighting Gaddafi are Muslim
extremists or people who believe they must create an Islamic
state in Libya," Abdel Bari Atwan acknowledged, saying that legit-
imizing this group would be a great problem for NATO.
Once NATO decides officially to start a ground operation in
Libya it will turn the rebels and Muslim extremists that are now
fighting Gaddafi against the troops that would invade Libya.
People in Libya have never seen democracy and imposing
will be a very long and complicated process. Democracy is a cul-
ture of practice. "You cannot parachute democracy to people in
Libya, in Iraq or Afghanistan," the editor said.
"Talks about democracy are very sweet and we know about
that. Under the banner of democracy the West intervened in
Afghanistan and Iraq - and look what happened," he said, recall-
ing that it is the 10-year anniversary of the American invasion in
Afghanistan this year.
"NATO is not a charitable organization" so there must be
some sort of oil deal between the Libyan rebels and the alliance
which helped the insurgents to gain everything by bombing out
military objects of Libya.
"Libyan cake is lucrative and already shared" shared Abdel
Bari Atwan and the NTC will pay the demanded price to aggres-
sors: exploration contract and military bases.
"[The] Libyan future government should pay and will pay a
very heavy price - this is not a free service" acknowledged the edi-
tor, saying the NTC definitely has a secret oil agreement with the
NATO countries.
As for the UK Prime Minister David Cameron's statement that
NATO is going to stay in Libya as long as needed, that is a pure
imperialism and the Libyan people will not tolerate this and will
fight the aggressors, insists Abdel Bari Atwan.
Hoyer: US economic crisis
won't affect promises to Israel
The current economic crisis in the US will have no impact at all on
US financial assistance to Israel, US Congressman Steny Hoyer
(D-MD) said Thursday. However, the Democratic Whip, is leading
the delegation of 26 US congressmen on a one week visit to Israel
and the Palestinian Authority.
At a press conference in Jerusalem, Hoyer said he wanted to
make it "very clear" that no financial challenges faced in the US
"will have any adverse effect on American determination to meet
its promise to Israel in the form of aid for its qualitative [military]
superiority, or for its economic security."
Hoyer said he did not believe that in any way the financial
challenges confronting America "would have any adverse effect
on the economic relationship, or assistance, we give to Israel."
Hoyer said this assessment is bipartisan and that a similar mes-
sage will be brought to Israel next week when House Majority
Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) will head up two republican delega-
tions, numbering 55 congressmen, that will visit the country.
(jpost.com)
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INTERNATIONAL
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PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
In a few days it will be the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001.
How well has the US government's official account of the event held up
over the decade? Not very well. The chairman, vice chairman, and sen-
ior legal counsel of the 9/11 Commission wrote books partially disasso-
ciating themselves from the commission's report. They said that the
Bush administration put obstacles in their path, that information was
withheld from them, that President Bush agreed to testify only if he was
chaperoned by Vice President Cheney and neither were put under
oath, that Pentagon and FAA officials lied to the commission and that
the commission considered referring the false testimony for investiga-
tion for obstruction of justice.
In their book, the chairman and vice chairman, Thomas Kean and
Lee Hamilton, wrote that the 9/11 Commission was "set up to fail."
Senior counsel John Farmer, Jr., wrote that the US government made
"a decision not to tell the truth about what happened," and that the
NORAD "tapes told a radically different story from what had been told
to us and the public." Kean said, "We to this day don't know why
NORAD told us what they told us, it was just so far from the truth."
Most of the questions from the 9/11 families were not answered.
Important witnesses were not called. The commission only heard from
those who supported the government's account. The commission was
a controlled political operation, not an investigation of events and evi-
dence. Its membership consisted of former politicians. No knowledge-
able experts were appointed to the commission.
One member of the 9/11 Commission, former Senator Max
Cleland, responded to the constraints placed on the commission by the
White House: "If this decision stands, I, as a member of the commis-
sion, cannot look any American in the eye, especially family members
of victims, and say the commission had full access. This investigation
is now compromised." Cleland resigned rather than have his integrity
compromised. To be clear, neither Cleland nor members of the com-
mission suggested that 9/11 was an inside job to advance a war agen-
da. Nevertheless, neither Congress nor the media wondered, at least
not out loud, why President Bush was unwilling to appear before the
commission under oath or without Cheney, why Pentagon and FAAoffi-
cials lied to the commission or, if the officials did not lie, why the com-
mission believed they lied, or why the White House resisted for so long
any kind of commission being formed, even one under its control.
One would think that if a handful of Arabs managed to outwit not
merely the CIA and FBI but all 16 US intelligence agencies, all intelli-
gence agencies of our allies including Mossad, the National Security
Council, the State Department, NORAD, airport security four times on
one morning, air traffic control, etc., the President, Congress, and the
media would be demanding to know how such an improbable event
could occur. Instead, the White House put up a wall of resistance to
finding out, and Congress and the media showed little interest. During
the decade that has passed, numerous 9/11 Truth organizations have
formed. There are Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth, Firefighters
for 9/11 Truth, Pilots for 9/11 Truth, Scholars for 9/11 Truth, Remember
Building 7. org, and a New York group which includes 9/11 families.
These groups call for a real investigation.
David Ray Griffen has written 10 carefully researched books doc-
umenting problems in the government's account. Scientists have point-
ed out that the government has no explanation for the molten steel.
NIST has been forced to admit that WTC 7 was in free fall for part of its
descent, and a scientific team led by a professor of nano-chemistry at
the University of Copenhagen has reported finding nano-thermite in the
dust from the buildings.
Larry Silverstein, who had the lease on the World Trade Center
buildings, said in a PBS broadcast that the decision was made "to pull"
Building 7 late in the afternoon of 9/11. Chief fire marshals have said
that no forensic investigation was made of the buildings' destruction
and that the absence of investigation was a violation of law.
Some efforts have been made to explain away some of the evi-
dence that is contrary to the official account, but most of the contrary
evidence is simply ignored. The fact remains that the skepticism of a
large number of knowledgeable experts has had no effect on the gov-
ernment's position other than a member of the Obama administration
suggesting that the government infiltrate the 9/11 truth organizations in
order to discredit them.
The practice has been to brand experts not convinced by the gov-
ernment's case "conspiracy theorists." But of course the government's
own theory is a conspiracy theory, an even less likely one once a per-
son realizes its full implication of intelligence and operational failures.
The implied failures are extraordinarily large; yet, no one was ever held
accountable. Moreover, what do 1,500 architects and engineers have
to gain from being ridiculed as conspiracy theorists? They certainly will
never receive another government contract, and many surely lost busi-
ness as a result of their "anti-American" stance. Their competitors must
have made hay out of their "unpatriotic doubts." Indeed, my reward for
reporting on how matters stand a decade after the event will be mail
telling me that as I hate America so much I should move to Cuba.
Scientists have even less incentive to express any doubts, which
probably explains why there are not 1,500 Physicists for 9/11 Truth.
Few physicists have careers independent of government grants or con-
tracts. It was a high school physics teacher who forced NIST to aban-
don its account of Building 7's demise. Physicist Stephen Jones, who
first reported finding evidence of explosives, had his tenure bought out
by BYU, which no doubt found itself under government pressure.
We can explain away contrary evidence as coincidences and mis-
takes and conclude that only the government got it all correct, the same
government that got everything else wrong. In fact, the government
has not explained anything. The NIST report is merely a simulation of
what might have caused the towers to fail if NIST's assumptions pro-
gramed into the computer model are correct. But NIST supplies no evi-
dence that its assumptions are correct.
Building 7 was not mentioned in the 9/11 Commission Report, and
many Americans are still unaware that three buildings came down on
9/11. Let me be clear about my point. I am not saying that some black
op group in the neoconservative Bush administration blew up the build-
ings in order to advance the neoconservative agenda of war in the
Middle East. If there is evidence of a coverup, it could be the govern-
ment covering up its incompetence and not its complicity in the event.
Even if there were definite proof of government complicity, it is uncer-
tain that Americans could accept it. Architects, engineers, and scientists
live in a fact-based community, but for most people facts are no match
for emotions.
My point is how uninquisitive the executive branch including the
security agencies, Congress, the media, and much of the population
are about the defining event of our time.
There is no doubt that 9/11 is the determinant event. It has led to
a decade of ever expanding wars, to the shredding of the Constitution,
and to a police state. On August 22 Justin Raimondo reported that he
and his website, Antiwar. com, are being monitored by the FBI's
Electronic Communication Analysis Unit to determine if Antiwar. com is
"a threat to National Security" working "on behalf of a foreign power."
Francis A. Boyle, an internationally known professor and attorney
of international law, has reported that when he refused a joint FBI-CIA
request to violate the attorney/client privilege and become an informant
on his Arab-American clients, he was placed on the US government's
terrorist watch list. Boyle has been critical of the US government's
approach to the Muslim world, but Raimondo has never raised, nor per-
mitted any contributor to raise, any suspicion about US government
complicity in 9/11. Raimondo merely opposes war, and that is enough
for the FBI to conclude that he needs watching as a possible threat to
national security.
The US government's account of 9/11 is the foundation of the
open-ended wars that are exhausting America's resources and
destroying its reputation, and it is the foundation of the domestic police
state that ultimately will shut down all opposition to the wars. Americans
are bound to the story of the 9/11 Muslim terrorist attack, because it is
what justifies the slaughter of civilian populations in several Muslim
countries, and it justifies a domestic police state as the only means of
securing safety from terrorists, who already have morphed into
"domestic extremists" such as environmentalists, animal rights groups,
and antiwar activists.
Today Americans are unsafe, not because of terrorists and domes-
tic extremists, but because they have lost their civil liberties and have
no protection from unaccountable government power. One would think
that how this came about would be worthy of public debate and con-
gressional hearings.
Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the U.S.
Treasury under President Reagan and was Associate Editor and
columnist with the Wall Street Journal.
9/11 After A Decade: Have We Learned anything?
Makkah: Justice Minister Mohammed Al-Eissa described the
SR80 billion expansion project of the Grand Mosque as a land-
mark in the history of the two holy mosques of Islam. "It is
because of the sacredness and glory of the location, which calls
for the highest care and attention of the servants of Islam and
Muslims. Those servants who spared no effort in fulfilling their
covenant to their Lord will no doubt receive His blessings ever
more," the minister said in a statement.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah laid the
foundation stone for the historic expansion, which covers
400,000 square meters northwest and northeast of the mosque,
and will increase its total capacity to more than 2.5 million.
The expansion projects are designed to make Haj and
Umrah pilgrimages more comfortable and safer in the face of a
phenomenal rise in the number of pilgrims over the past few
years, Al-Eissa added.
"This momentous Islamic initiative to provide room for the
increasing number of worshippers, particularly the expansion of
the masaa (the running course between Safa and Marwa), will
remove the hardships faced by pilgrims and enable them to per-
form their rites in a more relaxed and spiritual atmosphere," he
said.
The minister added that King Abdullah always gave his pri-
ority to undertake tasks that would provide a serene and relaxed
atmosphere for pilgrims in the holy cities.
GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani commended
King Abdullah for initiating the new Haram expansion that would
improve facilities for the guests of God. He said the new project
would meet the requirements of the increasing number of pil-
grims.
Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf announced the new
expansion project would cost SR80 billion, which would include
the money required to pay compensation to owners of real
estates appropriated for the project.
King Abdullah orders new expansion of the Haram
INTERNATIONAL
26 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
British Muslims' reaction to the riots should
dispel any continued demonisation in the
media, says ROBERT LAMBERT
British Muslims played an important role in help-
ing prevent the riots from being even worse than
they were
There is a lively debate taking place in the
UK media between left and right wing commen-
tators as to the causes of the English riots, in
which hundreds of shops and businesses have
been looted. However, both sides agree that the
looting has been inexcusable. I hope both sides
will also agree with me that Muslims have
played an important role in helping to tackle the
looting and preserve public safety. This would
be an especially important acknowledgment if it
came from those Islamophobic commentators
who consistently denigrate Muslims.
"When accused of terrorism we are
Muslims, when killed by looters, we become
Asian", a Muslim student explained to me. He
was commenting on the media reportingof the
death of three young Muslims in Birmingham on
Tuesday night. Like many other Muslims, they
were bravely defending shops and communities
as rioters went on a violent rampage of looting.
In recent days Muslim Londoners, Muslims
from Birmingham, and Muslims in towns and
cities around England have been at the forefront
of protecting small businesses and vulnerable
communities from looting. Having worked close-
ly with Muslim Londoners, first as a police officer
and more recently as a researcher, for the last
ten years this commendable bravery comes as
no surprise to me. But their example of outstand-
ing civic duty in support of neighbours is worth
highlighting - especially when sections of the UK
media are so quick to print negative headlines
about Muslims on the flimsiest of pretexts.
Pro-active response: On Monday evening
when London suffered its worst looting in living
memory I watched as a well-marshaled team of
volunteers wearing green fluorescent security
vests marked 'East London Mosque' took to the
streets of Tower Hamlets to help protect shops
and communities from gangs of looters. This
was the most visible manifestation of their pro-
active response to fast moving and well co-ordi-
nated teams of looters. Less visible was the
superb work of Muslim youth workers from
Islamic Forum Europewho used the same com-
munication tools as the looters to outwit and
pre-empt them on the streets.
While senior Westminster politicians started
to pack and rush back to London from foreign
holidays I watched Lutfur Rahman, the Muslim
mayor of Tower Hamlets, offering calm leader-
ship and support in the street as gangs of loot-
ers were intercepted and prevented from steal-
ing goods in his presence.
Most important to emphasise is the extent to
which everyone in Tower Hamlets was a benefi-
ciary of streetwise, smart Muslims acting swiftly
to protect shops, businesses and communities
against looters. It is often wrongly alleged that
Muslims lack any sense of civic duty towards
non-Muslims and especially towards the
LGBTcommunity. I wish peddlers of that nega-
tive anti-Muslim message had been present to
see how all citizens in Tower Hamlets were ben-
eficiaries of Muslim civic spirit and bravery on
Monday night.
I am not sure if the Telegraph's Andrew
Gilligan was robbed of his bike by looters in
Tower Hamlets or in another part of London as
he cycled home from Hackney to Greenwich on
Monday night, but even his incessant negative
reporting of Muslims associated with the East
London Mosque would not have excluded him
from their neighbourly support had they been in
the immediate vicinity to help him.
Gilligan reports that police were unable to
offer him any advice other than to go home
when he finally received an answer to his 999
call as a victim of a
violent street robbery.
London policing on
Monday night was
stretched as never
before and Gilligan
was one amongst
hundreds of victims
who had to fend for
themselves as looters
ran amok around the
capital city. In these
unique circumstances
the street skills of
Muslim youth work-
ers, who are routinely
helping police to tack-
le violent gang crime
and anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets,
Walthamstow, Brixton and in other deprived
neighbourhoods, were a key ingredient in filling
the vacuum created by insufficient police num-
bers.
I first saw East London Mosque and Islamic
Forum Europe street skills in action in 2005
when they robustly dispatched extremists from
Al Muhajiroun who were in Whitechapel
attempting to recruit youngsters into their hate
filled group. I saw the same skills in action in the
same year when volunteers from the Muslim
Association of Britain and Muslim Welfare
House ousted violent supporters of Abu Hamza
from the Finsbury Park Mosque. More recently,
Muslim bravery has been seen in Brixton when
extremists spouting the latest manifestation of Al
Muhajroun hatred were sent packing out of
town. In all these instances, and so many more,
the brave Muslims involved have received no
praise for their outstanding bravery and good
citizenship, and instead faced a never ending
barrage of denigration from journalists such as
Gilligan, Melanie Phillips, Martin Bright.... sorry I
won't go on, it's a long list!
Sadly, many of the brave Muslims helping to
keep their cities safe have not only grown used
to denigration from media pundits but also faced
cuts in government funding for their youth out-
reach work with violent gangs. This is not as a
result of widespread economic cuts caused by
the recession, but because the government
adopts the media view that they are 'extremist'.
Street in Brixton is a case in point. Yesterday Dr
Abdul Haqq Baker director of Street was forced
to close a Street youth centre in Brixton as his
reduced team of youth of workers struggled to
keep pace with the task of tackling gang vio-
lence and its role in rioting and looting.
Confronting extremism: Significantly, the
same potent mixture of Muslim street skills and
bravery was evident last summer when the
Islamophobic English Defence League (EDL)
began to prepare for a violent demonstration in
Whitechapel. On that occasion police com-
mended the skills of Muslim youth workers who
helped reduce tension and manage anger
towards the EDL.
Two weeks ago, under the banner United
East End neighbours of all faiths and none gath-
ered at the London Muslim Centre in
Whitechapel to express solidarity with their
Muslim neighbours who are the target of anoth-
er provocative English Defence League demon-
stration planned for 3 September. It is no co-
incidence that Anders Breivik found common
cause with the EDL.
The EDL regards the East London Mosque
as the hub of the Muslim extremism it purports
to oppose. Regrettably, EDL's hate-filled analy-
sis of Muslims is based on the work of main-
stream media commentators who should now
reflect on the unintended if not unforeseeable
consequences of their Islamophobic discourse.
It is also worthy of comment that Muslim
bravery during this outbreak of looting has taken
place during Ramadan when Muslims are fast-
ing - without food or water - from sunrise to sun-
set. This is a hard enough regime when relax-
ing, but when taking part in dangerous opera-
tions against looters, it is worthy of special
reward - no doubt something their religion
caters for.
Today, as Muslims in Tower Hamlets and
around the country continue to work with their
neighbours to repair damaged shops and to
restore public safety, it is important I conclude
this article by paying special tribute to Haroon
Jahan, Shahzad Ali and Abdul Musavir, the
three typically brave Birmingham Muslims who
were killed while defending their neighbourhood
on Tuesday night. I pray their legacy will be a
wider appreciation of good Muslim citizenship, a
reduction of media anti-Muslim denigration, and
the elimination of EDL anti-Muslim intimidation
and violence. (english.aljazeera.net)
Robert Lambert is the co-director of the European
Muslim Research Centre and is a member of the EC
Expert Panel on Radicalisation.
Muslims tackle looters and bigots
The Federal Bureau of Investigation
employs upwards of 15,000 under-
cover agents today, ten times what
they had on the roster back in 1975.
If you think that's a few spies too
many - spies earning as much as
$100,000 per assignment - one does-
n't have to go too deep into their track
record to see their accomplishments.
Those agents are responsible for an
overwhelming amount of terrorist
stings that have stopped major
domestic catastrophes in the vein of
9/11 from happening on American soil.
Another thing those agents are
responsible for, however, is plotting
those very schemes.
The FBI has in recent years used
trained informants not just to snitch
on suspected terrorists, but to set
them up from the get-go. A recent
report put together by Mother Jones
and the Investigative Reporting
Program at the University of
California-Berkley analyses some
striking statistics about the role of FBI
informants in terrorism cases that the
Bureau has targeted in the decade
since the September 11 attacks.
The report reveals that the FBI
regularly infiltrates communities
where they suspect terrorist-minded
individuals to be engaging with oth-
ers. Regardless of their intentions,
agents are sent in to converse within
the community, find suspects that
could potentially carry out "lone wolf"
attacks and then, more or less,
encourage them to do so. By provid-
ing weaponry, funds and a plan, FBI-
directed agents will encourage other-
wise-unwilling participants to plot out
terrorist attacks, only to bust them
before any events fully materialize.
Additionally, one former high-
level FBI officials speaking to Mother
Jones says that, for every informant
officially employed by the bureau, up
to three unofficial agents are working
undercover.
The FBI has used those inform-
ants to set-up and thus shut-down
several of the more high profile
would-be attacks in recent years. The
report reveals that the Washington
DC Metro bombing plot, the New York
City subway plot, the attempt to blow
up Chicago's Sears Tower and
dozens more were all orchestrated by
FBI agents. In fact, reads the report,
only three of the more well-known ter-
ror plots of the last decade weren't
orchestrated by FBI-involved agents.
The report reveals that in many of
the stings, important meetings
between informants and the unknow-
ing participants are left purposely
unrecorded, as to avoid any entrap-
ment charges that could cause the
case to be dismissed. Perhaps the
most high-profile of the FBI-proposed
plots was the case of the Newburgh
4. Around an hour outside of New
York City, an informant infiltrated a
Muslim community and engaged four
local men to carry out a series of
attacks. Those men may have never
actually carried out an attack, but
once the informant offered them a
plot and a pair of missiles, they
agreed. Defense attorneys cried
"entrapment," but the men still were
sentenced to 25 years apiece.
"The problem with the cases
we're talking about is
that defendants
would not have done
anything if not kicked
in the ass by govern-
ment agents," Martin
Stolar tells Mother
Jones. Stolar repre-
sented the suspect
involved in a New
York City bombing
plot that was set-up
by FBI agents.
"They're creating
crimes to solve
crimes so they can
claim a victory in the war on terror."
For their part, the FBI says this
method is a plan for "preemption,"
"prevention" and "disruption."
The report also reveals that, of the
500-plus prosecutions of terrorism-
related cases they analyzed, nearly
half of them involved the use of inform-
ants, many of whom worked for the
FBI in exchange for money or to work
off criminal charges. Of the 158 prose-
cutions carried out, 49 defendants par-
ticipated in plots that agent provoca-
teurs arranged on behalf of the FBI.
Experts note that the chance of
winning a terrorism-related trial,
entrapment or not, is near impossible.
"The plots people are accused of
being part of - attacking subway sys-
tems or trying to bomb a building - are
so frightening that they can over-
whelm a jury," David Cole, a
Georgetown University law professor,
tells Mother Jones. Since 9/11, almost
two-thirds of the cases linked to ter-
rorism have ended with guilty pleas.
"They don't say, 'I've been entrapped,'
or, 'I was immature,'" a retired FBI offi-
cial remarks.
All of this and those guilty pleas
often stem for just being in the right
place at the wrong time. Farhana
Khera of the group Muslim Advocate
notes that agents go into mosques on
"fishing expeditions" just to see where
they can get interest in the communi-
ty. "The FBI is now telling agents they
can go into houses of worship without
probable cause," says Khera. "That
raises serious constitutional issues."
From the set-up to the big finish,
the whole sting operation is ripe with
constitutional issues such as that. A
decade since 9/11, however, the FBI
is reaching through whatever means
it can pull together to keep terrorists -
or whom they think could someday
become one - from ever hurting
America. (Russia Today - .informa-
tionclearinghouse.info)
Manufacturing terrorists to justify political ends
FBI Organizes Almost All Terror Plots In the US
(No wonder, their petty desciples in the Indian IB do the same here)
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 27
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Books from the publishers of this newspaper
Book: War on Terrorism or
American Strategy for Global
Dominance: Islamic Perspective
on Afghan-Iraq War
Author: Manzoor Alam
Publisher: Vantage Press, New
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Year: 2009
Pages: 408+XIV
Price: $ 18.95
DR AG KHAN
(Contineued from the previous issue)
IV
In chapter 4 the author narrates, the Guantanamo Bay, Abu
Ghraib, and Bagram; the most despicable and dehumanised
detention centres They (victims) are subjected to the most bru-
tal techniques of interrogation Geneva conventions have been
tossed aside and declared inapplicable (p109) under the plea
that they were not pows but enemy combatants. The detainees
included several juveniles.
Since Islam was the target, Bush administration did its utmost
to hurt the religious feelings of the detainees which it failed to
accomplish. their devotion was impressive (p114) Even sex-
ual allurement by women interrogators by resorting to vulgar tac-
tics failed to break their faith. Instead it did just the opposite
(p114). Doctors forgot their medical ethics in assisting the inter-
rogators. (This is what a lady doctor in NIMHANS, in Bangalore
has been doing against SIMI detainees). Prisoners were forced to
undertake hunger strikes several times. They were forcibly fed
now and then. It was later on realised that while most cases of
mistaken identities were also identified (p118, 119). Al-Qahtani
(detainee 067) was mistaken to be the twentieth missing pilot
involved in Twin Towers attack who had long been absconding. It
demonstrates the stupidity of American forces (p120)
Anti-Islam tirade took the ugliest turn in the desecration of the
Quran which was spat on, kicked and even flushed in the toilet.
It was inscribed on it. This made the world aghast and attracted
world wide condemnation. Anti-American demonstrations in dif-
ferent parts of the world became violent and resulting in a few
deaths. Four persons died and sixty were injured when police
resorted to firing.
While Guantanamo Bay was on a distant soil from
Afghanistan; Bagram was on Afghan soil and was in no way bet-
ter than the foreign centre. It also claimed its own toll of victims
Habibullah and Dilawar two innocent persons. (p137, 139)
Dilawars shrill cry in agony calling Allah on every kick provided
them fun and they continued kicking him for eliciting Allah (137)
for which he received 100 kicks within 24 hours. Two insurgents
were killed and their bodies were burnt (p.140). This was done
deliberately to hurt Muslim sentiments. Even a docile and submis-
sive President Hamid Karzai vehemently protested against this
brutal burning (p141)
On April 28, 2004, CBS News broadcasted the ugly photo-
graphs of abuses by American soldiers at Baghdads Abu Ghraib
prison
The images aroused worldwide indignation. Former Vice
President, Al Gore, described them the as American Gulag (p.
142). Harsh techniques from Guantanamo Bay and Bagram were
used in Abu Ghuraib. General Miller arrived in Abu Ghraib to
Gitmoize the centre (p 142). The U.S. forces toppled Saddam,
but used his prison to outdo Saddam in the art of torturing (p144).
Tagubas 53-page report, classified as Secret confesses, U.S.
soldiers had committed egregious act and grave breaches of
international law (p145). Among the techniques, a few were:
Punching, slapping and kicking detainees; jumping on
their naked feet
Videotaping and photographing naked male and female
detainees
Forcibly arranging detainees in various sexually explicit
positions for photographing
Forcing groups of male detainees to masturbate while
being photographed and videotaped
Arranging naked male detainees in a pile and then jump-
ing on them
Pouring cold water on naked detainees (p. 146)
Describing these as indelible stains on the honour of American
military Philop Carter, holds, America suffered a huge defeat
(p14). The acts have helped to energise insurgency in Iraq.
Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, Vatican Foreign Minister, remarked:
The tortured are a more serious blow to the United States than
September 11 (attacks) except that the blow was not inflicted by
terrorists but by Americans themselves. (p. 150). Fernando
Botero, a Colombian artist (73) took the explosive topic, the tor-
ture of Iraqi prisoners as a major subject for his painting 48
paintings and sketches exhibited in Rome (p152)
The humiliating treatment of prisoners in all the detention
centres under American control . has fuelled insurgency and
has served as a powerful magnet to attract insurgents from all
across the Islamic realm. A U.S. commander in Iraq admitted that
Abu Ghraib is a graduate level training ground for insurgency (p
153). Guantanamo Bay stands as a legal monster. (p155)
V
Divided in two parts chapter V is the lengthiest one covering 131
pages. It is a record of horrible deaths and violence. In the begin-
ning, the author describes how stiff resistance from insurgents
broke the backbone of all operations undertaken by the coalition
forces. Both Sunnis and Shias joined hands to give the
Americans a bloody nose. There is a limit to what armour and
technology can do against a people with faith, who fight because
they feel their country has been violated (p. 159)
Removing Saddam and toppling his statue was easy but
changing chaos into order was a stupendous task (p 160) Ahmad
Chalabi who dreamt of being Saddams successor felt deceived
and got enraged. He manipulated matters with Dick Cheney and
got Garner substituted by Paul Bremer III as governor. He proved
to be a disaster Americans lost the goodwill of Iraqis. Not only
did he dissolve the Iraqi Army and police and 385,000 personnel
of Army, 2,85,000 of police were thrown out of employment, but
also made every moderate person furious. These readily joined
the insurgents lending them support manpower as well as
ammunition. Bremers economic policy was also a great disaster.
He closed 193 state owned industries. The effect on the econo-
my was catastrophic.
Iraq emerged as a focal point for Islamic radicalism. Foreign
jihadist rushed to Iraq from all sides. As one officer put it, we
dont have enough bullets, given all the enemies we are creating.
(p. 179).
In the relentless pounding of Falluja by air the Americans also
used white phosphorus. They had accused Saddam of using
chemical and biological weapons ironically they are using the
same (p186).
For quite some time the sectarian bias remained totally for-
gotten. In order to succeed the Americans fanned their hatred of
each other by inciting one against another, by planting bombs in
mosques and this game plan ultimately paid dividends. The cut-
throat competition gave the Americans much needed relief.
Askari Shrine was bombed and its golden dome destroyed. This
led to demographic change by taking recourse to redistribution of
Shia-Sunni population. Sectarian violence led to a civil war - with
6,00,000 casualties.
Reconstruction was not only at a slow pace (at some place
negligible) it gave multinationals specially owned by Dick Cheney
(and their subsidiaries) huge war profit earning (p237). The proj-
ects remained incomplete and substandard.
The Army resorted to planting success stories by bribing
selected journalists. Planted and paid propaganda produced a
negative effect (p. 239) what was assumed as short, swift and
least expensive defied all hopes of quick gains.
The cost grew from 50 billions to $ 3 trillion. Add to this the
future burden to treat and compensate soldiers disability pay-
ment for 50 years, round the clock care for many for decades.
Budget deficit drove Americans to borrow from China. The Bush
blunder may be described as a catastrophic fiasco. (p242)
In part two, the author describes various counter insurgency
moves. After dismissing a sane report by Iraq Study Group, Bush
administration resorted to its own strategy of surge by rushing
20,000 additional forces. The new one is a two fold surge. While it
raised the strength of ground force it simultaneously reduced
ground patrolling to a minimum. It was strongly criticised through-
out U.S. Its failure has been highlighted in a B.B.C. survey (p. 270).
Having failed on military, economic and diplomatic fronts, the
Bush administration entered into agreements with liquor fond
Sheikhs for extending their support in controlling the al-Qaida.
Wine and whiskey to the tune of thousands of dollars were prom-
ised to them. This chapter is substantiated with graphs, charts,
bar diagrams. The author has cited from several sources. His
documentation as well as statistical data provides strength to his
academic scholarship.
To be continued in the next issue
US: a rogue that refuses to relent (and reform) - ii
1
ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES
28 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
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Its amazing how Allah (swt) repeatedly men-
tions the Pharaoh and his evil character in the
Holy Quran. Whats more amazing is the rea-
son Pharaohs character is emphasized and
concentrated on in the Quran in comparison to
many other evil characters. Theres no doubt
that its more than just a story to be mentioned
as everything in the Quran has a great lesson
for everyone to learn from.
There are so many things in life that are not
understood until other experiences in life take
place. The recent uprisings in the Muslim world
starting with Tunisia, then Egypt and now, in
Libya, Yemen and other countries (may Allah
give them quick victory), you can see the reflec-
tion of Pharaohs character in many of those
tyrant rulers who continue to rule with the same
policy and nature of the Pharaoh. Subhanallah,
it is as if Allah almighty is telling us that the char-
acter and the path of all oppressive and tyrant
rulers reflect one another, as Pharaoh used to
be. Furthermore, Pharaohs policies in ruling his
nation reflect on the policies carried out with the
current tyrant rulers. Lets look into some of
those characteristics that Allah mentions about
this cursed Pharaoh.
The character of dictating peoples thoughts
and minds by enforcing their corrupt thoughts
and policies over others: Allah (swt) says about
Pharaoh: Firaun (Pharaoh) said: I show you
only that which I see (correct), and I guide you
only to the path of right policy (40: 29). This is
evident with the current leaders believing they
are always correct and everyone else is wrong.
They dont allow anyone to express their
thoughts or opinions over any policy which in
turn leads to persecution, torture, imprisonment
and much more.
Then you find that Pharaohs character will
escalate to planting fear and terror in the hearts
and minds of his people so much so that they
refuse to listen to anyone beside him or follow
any other path than the one thats set for them
by the Pharaoh. Allah (swt) says: Firaun
(Pharaoh) said: Leave me to kill Musa (Moses),
and let him call his Lord (to stop me from killing
him)! I fear that he may change your religion, or
that he may cause mischief to appear in the
land! (40: 26). Once again, this is reflected in
the character of the current leaders - they cast
fear and terror in the hearts of their nations by
creating shadows of fear that dont exist. This
forces people to grasp and hold tight onto their
leaders due to the fear that has been planted in
their hearts including the notion that if I go then
chaos will dominate the country, and other fool-
ish comments such as if I step down, Islamists
will take over, or that this country needs me.
Although Pharaoh has physically gone, his
personality survives through those who continue
to follow him. This is evident through the manip-
ulative strategies and policies in place today
duplicated by tyrant leaders. Allah says: Thus
he [Firaun (Pharaoh)] befooled (and misled) his
people and they obeyed him. Verily, they were
ever a people who were Fasiqun (disobedient to
Allah). (43: 54).
Befooling his people is exactly what
Pharaoh did, and thats what these tyrant lead-
ers are doing. They deny the truth, treating their
own nations like sheep and goats, but realisti-
cally, not everyone accepts to being a sheep
and a goat. A true Muslim denies this concept
and refuses to be a blind follower - how much
can someone fool their own people? To what
extent can someone befool someone? Or
maybe they are fooling their own selves, espe-
cially when they deny the demonstrations and
protests of their own people by saying theres
no demonstration and if there are demonstra-
tions, they will say, they are demonstrating for
me - my people love and will die for me! Its
time for the duplicate Pharaohs to ask the ques-
tion: Who is the real fool now? The Pharaoh
did not stop at fooling his own people - he would
call them names, defaming and abusing them,
turning people away from them, as well as
deceiving, lying, misleading and making mock-
ery of his people. Allah says: Then Firaun
(Pharaoh) sent callers to (all) the cities, (say-
ing): Verily! These indeed are but a small band.
And verily, they have done what has enraged
us (26: 53-55). He also said about prophet
Musa: [Firaun (Pharaoh)] said: Verily, your
Messenger who has been sent to you is a mad-
man! (26;27).
Its always known that one of the strongest
campaigns against an opponent is to defame
and label him, especially with labels which peo-
ple dislike and fear. Pharaoh did this to Musa
and his followers and today we see the same
thing happening with deceptive leaders defam-
ing their opponents who want justice and free-
dom for their people. They label them as drug
addicts or Al-Qaeda or rats, traitors and
accuse them of having hidden agendas or work-
ing for foreign powers.
The final stage following Pharaohs decep-
tion of his people, fooling them and making
mockery of his opponents was the threat of pun-
ishment and torture. Anyone who turned against
the orders of the Pharaoh was to face a severe
inhuman punishment. These styles have been
passed on from one tyrant regime to succeeding
tyrant regimes - torture and punishments to
silence those who oppose injustice and oppres-
sion, those who expose the reality of their rulers.
In most cases, this leads to death, exile or life
imprisonment. But for what? and why? Because
they spoke the truth and opposed injustice.
Because they exercised their human rights or
expressed their thoughts or beliefs. Allah says
about Pharaoh when the sorcerers submitted to
Allah at the hands of Musa: And the sorcerers
fell down prostrate, saying: We believe in the
Lord of the worlds; The Lord of Musa (Moses)
and Harun (Aaron). [Firaun (Pharaoh)] said:
You have believed in him before I permit you.
Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught
you magic! So verily, you shall come to know.
Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on
opposite sides, and I will crucify you all. (26:46-
49).
The final ending of Pharaoh was full dis-
grace and humiliation; after being so high in this
world to so low a position, from being so power-
ful to being so weak, from a leader to a criminal,
from honour to shame, and from a lavish and
luxury life to punishment in the grave and the
hell-fire. Allah says: While an evil torment
encompassed Firauns (Pharaoh) people. The
Fire - they are exposed to it, morning and after-
noon, and on the Day when the Hour will be
established (it will be said to the angels): Cause
Firauns (Pharaoh) people to enter the severest
torment! (40:45-46),
The same ending will follow those who fol-
lowed the Pharaoh and his path. The same will
come unto them and those who are like them as
Allah had determined that for as long as false-
hood will rule, there must come a time when the
truth will prevail. As long as they may rule with
injustice, there must be a time when justice will
dominate. After humiliation and disgrace in this
world, they will continue to be a lesson of dis-
grace and proof of humiliation until the Day of
Judgment; as Allah says: So this day We shall
deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that
you may be a sign to those who come after you!
And verily, many among mankind are heedless
of Our Ayat (proofs, signs, revelations, etc.).
(10:92).
SHEIKH SHADY ALSULEIMAN
Sydney, Australia
The Pharaoh lives on
In 1913 the American poet Ezra Pound remarked that he had no
idea of the force that was unleashed from the Arabian peninsula
in the 7th century that led to a thousand mosques in Cordoba,
Spain, until he caught a glimpse of it in the way a Muslim walked
in Tangier. Compare that image to the current Muslim cities teem-
ing with destitute youth looking for a ticket out of their empty lives
to anywhere but home.
Muslim cusine once the envy of the world, produced in the
homes of the believers with love and remembrance of Allahs
blessings is being replaced with techno-food and fast food.
Sugared sodas replace natural milk, water, juice. Corporate fast
food chain outlets are now appearing everywhere including right
in front of the sacred Kaaba mosque in Mecca and the holy
mosque in Madina.
The great testimonies of Islams solidarity and Muslims
vitality are now largely ruins that have been replaced by the most
hideous and poorly designed cement houses and buildings ready
to collapse at the slightest tremor. Houses filled with the remem-
brance of Allah and his prophet are now filled with empty films
and the sound of television programming, antithetical to the val-
ues and morals that buttressed the Islamic civilizational enter-
prise. Most Muslims now live under the yoke of tyrannical gov-
ernments that through abusive systems of rule, generate an intol-
erance and lassitude that makes Muslims among the least pro-
ductive people on earth. Religion has become a refuge for angry
youth who use it as a political platform to rage against the injus-
tices of the west.
We must remember that neither American nor western peo-
ple are our enemies per se, and that if they knew what Islam truly
is, many of them would either embrace Islam or at least have a
healthy respect for it.
PROF HAMZA YUSUF
Zaytuna Institute, San Francisco, USA
Our current state and the need to change
Although Pharaoh has physically gone, his personality survives through those who continue to follow him. This is
evident through the manipulative strategies and policies in place today duplicated by tyrant leaders. Allah says: Thus
he [Firaun (Pharaoh)] befooled (and misled) his people and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were
Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah). (43:54).
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 29
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REJOINDERS/OPINION/LETTERS P.O. Box 9701, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025 Email: letters@milligazette.com
30 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
MG
MG has to reach everyone.
Dr. Md S.N. Attar, Bijapur - 586101
II
Hats off to Zafarul Islam saheb and Milli Gazette for being so bold
and honest. Mashallah, you have very well rubbished the wrong
claims of pseudo nationalists.(I am referring to your article on front
page in the last issue where you did wonderful operation of the
book The enemy within). Since long, Muslim community is being
humiliated in the name of terror. The helplessness of Muslims in
confronting these allegations has frustrated common man.
Alhamdulillah, Milli Gazette is the beacon in the darkness of
oppression. Please keep your wonderful work by presenting the
truth. I am with you. Feel free to take my help in any form.
Jazakallah.
Khurshid Imam, Bangalore
imam.khurshid@yahoo.com
III
This is with reference to the letter by M. Omer Sherif in MG 1-15
Aug. 2011. He may get the Milli Gazette directly from MG office in
Delhi, by sending the M.O/Cheque of Rs.240 and get copies by
post to his residence directly. We need not search for a distributor
or an agent ,who may not supply copies in time. I Congratulate the
Editor-in-chief for publishing fantastic articles on Islam and making
MG available to readers without any complaint. I am a regular read-
er since last 12 years, getting my copy regularly, alhamdulillah.
Mohammad.Azam
DEO Rtd, Karimnager, Telangana
deomohdazam70gmail.com
IV
You will be glad to know that we are planning to introduce your
paper in every hostel of our university.
Imran Kichloo, AMU, Aligarh
imran.kichloo@gmail.com
MG Editor: Thank you very much for your gesture and initiative
which is the first of its kind from our community in our 12-year-
long history. It is our tradition that we weep and cry that
Muslims have no stake in media and when a serious and hon-
est effort is made, no one whatsoever comes forward to sup-
port it except to ask for free copies and free subscriptions. Not
even those who had been consistently presurrising me per-
sonally, long before The Milli Gazette was launched, that I
should take the initiative due to my previous experience and
aptitude.
The simple fact is that our community is NOT buying the
Milli Gazette and not advertising in it too. Even AMU, whose
activities and issues get a lot of coverage in The Milli Gazette,
does not think it necessary to advertise in The Milli Gazette.
Our numerous letters over the years to AMU VCs in this
respect have gone unanswered. Jamia Hamdard started adver-
tising in the Milli Gazette years ago but when the VC changed,
advertising too stopped and it has not been resumed despite
our reminders and meetings of our representatives with the
concerned authorities there. They promised to restore but
never did.
The Milli Gazette tries honestly to put across the Indian
Muslim communities' news and views to the general public in
the country, especially to the government and other important
segments in the society in a language they read and under-
stand, but it is the Muslim community which should come for-
ward to support it by buying it and adveritising in it; others will
not do it. Our problems will be over even if every student in
AMU starts buying his copy of The Milli Gazette.
I thank you for your gesture and initiative but would like to
take this opportunity to warn you and others who care about
our voice in the media that they should not be surprised if the
Milli Gazette folds up (like Muslim India did before) as the loss-
es keep piling up and we do not see how we can survive for
long in this way.
Website link (continued from the previous issue)
Thanks again for the reply. I very much appreciate the fact that its
an advertisement and not promotion. Meanwhile, I dont even have
an issue if someone promotes their version of religion. However, I
have a great respect for what the Milli Gazette stands for and
appreciate the bold efforts that your organisation/ publication is
making for the wholesome good of the Ummah. What prompted me
actually to actually write was some of the things written/ advertise-
ment on the mostmerciful that can sow seeds of confusion to ordi-
nary muslims who are not that expert in Islam matters- for instance,
a banner talking about Chirstianity without trinity/ existence of
human race before Adam (A. S). Arespected website would be very
cautious in writing matter than can cause cracks in the Imaan/ faith
(very less degree in today's times). Also, I may not have rightly
interpreted what the above instances of info on the mostmerciful
wish to convery. May be my initial email to you was too broad to
generate conclusions that I didnt intend to. Anyways, Jazakallah.
Iqbal Javeed
purpose1@gmail.com
MG Editor: Thank you for your reply. I do not think that there is
anything so dangerous or alarming in what you mention. The
two specific instances you mention (Christianity without trini-
ty and existence of human race before Adam 'alaihissalam) do
not mean much to me. As regards Christianity without Trinity,
that is the stand of Islam, that Trinity was later invented and
added to the true religion propagated by Jesus 'alaihissalam.
As regards, the presence of the human race before Adam, the
idea is not alarming either. Our belief is that Adam and his
progeny are Ashraful Makhlooqaat (the best of Allah's cre-
ations) which means that the human race from that point of
time became Ashraful Makhlooqaat and accountable for its
deeds when it was chosen by Allah ta'ala as such. As regards
the presence of human-like inhabitants on earth, there is plen-
ty of scientific and archeological evidence that such people
(homo sapiens, homo erectus, Neanderthals, etc) existed for
hundreds of thousands of years, if not more, on earth while the
available evidence, anthropology and the geneology of Adam
and his progeny in the light of Bible and Qur'an barely show
that Adam existed some 6000-7000 years ago only.
Anna Hazare movement
Anna Hazares fast against corruption has taken the country by
storm. In fact it has crossed the borders and has reached offshore.
While his crusade against financial corruption is laudable, but his
silence on moral corruption and criminality in politics is baffling.
Many would like to know why he or his team is silent on the follow-
ing issues.
1) Why Anna and his team has not criticised Modi and his govern-
ment for the Gujarat riots which were the worst riots in independ-
ent Indias history. Their silence is more baffling since now many
brave police officers like sanjeev Bhatt, Sreedharan, Rahul
Sharma have started speaking the truth.
2) Why Taem Anna is silent on Gujarat Govt recent decision to
appoint a commitee to look whether lokyaukta is required in
Gujarat or not. Since last 10 years there is no lokyaukta in gujarat
but team anna is not raising any hue and cry in Gujarat.
3) A few days back a RTI activisi Shehla Masood was brutally mur-
dered in Bhopal when she was going to attend a meeting in sup-
port of Anna, but Neither the 24x7 media is highlighting it nor
Team Anna has criticised it.
4) Corruption is prevalent since independance then why Team
Anna is raising this issue now when India is on the verge of
becoming an economic superpower whereas USA and europe; s
economy is in doldrums.. Does team Anna know that his agitation
will destabilise the country and slow down the economy? The tim-
ing of this agitation needs to be noted.5) Why Team Anna is silent
on Ramdevs deputy Balkrishna fake passport issue? Team
Annas silence on above shows his sympathies towards BJP run
governments. Corruption is a complex issue and it cannot be
solved by a single law. If we are all serious about removing cor-
ruption then all of us should take a resolve neither to take bribe
nor pay bribe to get our work done, rather than outsourcing the
fight to a 74 years old man.
Ahmad Subzwar, Hongkong
ahmad.subzwar@gmail.com
II
I must register my deep appreciation that AIMMM had organised an
especial meeting to deliberate on the issue of Jan/Lokpal bill and
Anna Hazares agitational role that has unfortunately become the
MAIN issue with some of our esteemed elders. On the other hand,
general feeling among the hapless populace is that the established
system of governance has failed miserably and is not capable of
redressing itself without some revolutionary measure coming on the
scene. The proposed legislation of the Lokpal bill has been pend-
ing for last over 40 years and given the vested interests of the polit-
ical parties, it would be impossible to imagine, a day would soon
dawn when our conscientious legislators would voluntarily pass a
Lokpal bill that will be instrumental in ensuring an independent
prosecuting mechanism being imposed on their prerogatives and
privileges. We therefore must acknowledge the contribution Anna
Hazare has made in breaking the logjam. This development was all
the more welcome, as the size of corruption, especially in govern-
ment and ruling party circles, has assumed mind-boggling propor-
tions, while aam aadmis very survival in these inflationary times
has become a continuing nightmare. The worry that ANNAS move
is a threat to democratic order in our nation, is at best one among
the many academic issues that has been engaging our intelli-
gentsia. It is none the less a major achievement for AIMMM that so
many prominent Muslim organisations have find it convenient to
attend a Mushawarat meeting on a subject that had become a test
case of where Muslim community stands on national issues. The
Millat, no doubt, will be grateful for their united stand and their
enlightened guidance that they have and would continue to provide
to a very disoriented community .
Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai
ghulammuhammed3@gmail.com
III
Bring President, P.M., C.J., under Lokpal Bill
Corruption is rampant from top to bottom in India. Corruption is in
politics, legislature, executive, media and even judiciary. There are
corrupt people in all the political parties. They have been amassing
illegal asses and wealth. They must be prosecuted and awarded
stringent punishments. Corruption, particularly in high places, will
destroy not only democracy and constitution but would endanger
Indias unity and integrity. Hence President of India, Prime Minister,
Chief Justice of supreme court etc., should be brought under Lokpal
Bill. Moreover preaching of full faith in Almighty, Omnipresent,
Omniscient and Omnipotent God and accountability before Him is
very essential to get rid of corruption and other evils.
G. Hasnain Kaif, Bhandara (M.S.) 441904
IV
Udit Raj, very straightforward orator, thinker and great Dalit philoso-
pher objected medias propaganda whole country is with Anna
that those people collected and photo say candle lighting people
are whole India, he had organised bigger rally than this so-called
civil society rally, if the whole India was with Anna then win all 540
M. P. and legislate whatever they wanted. Where were Muslims,
Dalits, S. T. and B. C. It was media created tamasha (Star News 5-
30/21 Aug. 2011). Exactly the timing of Jan lokpal Bill/Agitation is
very mysterious because the tremblings of saffron brigade upon
anti riot bill, Government approach in exposing the real terror cul-
prits and terror groups, the idea to give justice through reservation
to Muslims.
S. Haque, Patna
V
Regarding the recent political drama created by Anna Hazare, it
seems that his demand is somehow genuine but the means which
he has adopted is, undoubtedly, unconstitutional. These sort of
pressure techniques were adopted by freedom fighters of India,
specialy Gandhi, when we had no constitution. Anna's protest clear-
ly reflects the disbelief of some section of society on democratic
institutions. It is a matter of common sense that in parliamentary
democracy citizens cannot force the government to pass a particu-
lar law within a specific time period. it is a challenge to the sover-
eignty of Parliament which according to our constitution is a
sacrosant institution.
Imran Ahmad Kichloo, AMU
imran.kichloo@gmail.com
VI
Anna Hazare though is getting an overwhelming response for his
anti-corruption crusade with extensive media coverage with many
people in their country thinking to replicate the same in their coun-
try; however seems to have an impractical approach about having
and implementing of the Lokpal bill to curb the corruption. The pro-
posed said bill is likely to increase the complexity in the already
complex governance eventually leading to continue the corrupt
practices. However, corruption can be regulated if the agencies like
the CBI, CVC and CAG are made more independent. Secondly
there is a politicization of any issue which we often see in the media
by the politicians, same can happen with the Lokpal bill with things
rather improving can head from bad to worse. The fact is the pro-
posed Jan Lok Pal bill is just one of those many things from the gov-
ernment and if we are going to do something about corruption, we
have to do it in a much broader manner. Will this Jan Lokpal Bill pre-
vent the basic-level corruption seen in making a ration card or driv-
ing license which poses a greater threat to the common man than
the big-ticket corruptions such as 2G scam and the CWG which the
common folks wouldnt even understand? Hence despite all the
support for Anna, I beg to differ with him and call his movement
wrong in his approach though not in his intentions.
Mohd Ziyaullah Khan, Nagpur 440013
writeziya@gmail.com
VII
While the country is facing chaos and confusion engineered by self
proclaimed spokesmen of civil society, it is expedient to scan the
issue with care and circumspection. In fact upper caste media has
deliberately devised middle class upper caste support to this Annas
drama as media is only interested in TRP if its class interest is not
hurt. Prominent newspapers are either owned by big industrial
houses or sanghi id...eologues.It is true that some people are mis-
takenly supporting Anna as if after Jan lok pal bill prices will come
down. Price rise as well as corruption is the result of economic pol-
icy which has allowed the multi national companies and industrial-
ists to make profit to any extent. Laws have been framed conven-
ient to capitalists. Basic amenities of the modern world like educa-
tion, health and shelter have been opened for commerce. Market
forces are controlling even these sectors in terms of quality as well
as price. Salaries of govt servants particularly in higher ranks have
been raised indiscriminately following sixth pay commission. Big
fishes are allowed to do speculative business. Inflation and price
rise are the bye product of pro capitalist policies. It has generated
relative poverty and absolute poverty as well in the country. This
scenario has widened the gap among citizens creating greed and
temptation to acquire and accumulate money through any means
resulting into corruption. Corruption can not be tamed unless eco-
nomic policies are revisited. Unfortunately, no political party of sub-
stance is committed to change in economic policies. There is polit-
ical consensus in support of so-called economic reforms which in
fact brought about economic deformity. Anna Hazare is a recipient
of award conferred by World Bank the most mischievous promoter
and supporter of so-called economic reforms. How can Anna be a
well wisher of poor people of this country and World Bank support-
ed MNCs.
Syed Khurshid Anwar, Advt, Allahabad.
anwarkhurshid7@gmail.com
VIII
Lokpal Bill, the government must act. Anna should withdraw. Can
Annas Jan Lokpal bill reduces drastically if not get rid of corrup-
tion? Can governments bill address the problem of corruption? No.
Can Annas bill, if passed into an act, do any damage? Its imple-
mentation may become chaotic. It may require numerous amend-
ments with the passage of time. Can governments bill, if voted into
an act, do any damage? Half of the complainants who dare to
invoke the act will land in jail. This bill exposes whistle blowers to
the risk of heavy penalty and imprisonment and can prove to be a
big deterrent to reporting of the crime. The bill provides ample loop-
holes to the corrupt to escape conviction. There is so big a chasm
between the two bills that one wonders what transpired in the meet-
ings of the joint draft committee. Perhaps, what the groups of min-
isters in the committee did was bulldozed Annas bill, as alleged by
Annas team. It also appears as if no politicians are interested in an
effective law against corruption. Annas team has knocked on all
doors. If even a single parliamentarian -let alone a party- had
thrown his weight behind Annas bill, he could have introduced it in
parliament. If politicians have been ever serious about seeing the
end of corruption they only had to see the present laws enforced
seriously and honestly. Today, if Anna Hazare is sitting with the gun
on the governments head the blame goes entirely to the likes of
Kapil Sibal and P. Chidambaram. They may have taken numerous
clauses from Jan Lokpal bill. This has invited the second round of
fast. However, as on today, the 9th day of Annas fast, one can safe-
ly say that an effective bill is on governments mind. Anna must
withdraw now. One can imagine the map of India lying supine on
kegs and kegs of gun-powder which can blow up on a single mis-
chievous spark. God forbid, if that takes place. Annas language in
the last few days gherao MPs houses, gherao sadan- will be held
responsible.
Dr Mookhi Amir Ali
Mumbai
IX
Corruption a syndrome
There is a point to ponder over the movement eliminating corrup-
tion from Indian society manned by Anna Hazare. Now the word
corruption has become a comprehensive term including all the
social evils which has been deeply set in the Indian society. All
these evils have started from getting freedom from British after the
Read more letters on the next page and on MG website. Readers who do not want their email IDs printed should indicate so in every letter
The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011 31
REJOINDERS/OPINION/LETTERS P.O. Box 9701, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025 Email: letters@milligazette.com
laps of 65 years they have grown up into a strong tree and giving
bitter fruits. The roots of these trees are deeply em-bedded in the
earth. Mr Hazare and his aides want to cut the braches of these
trees to stop the production of poisonous fruits. This temporary
arrangement is timely and is not a permanent cure. Every Indian is
coming across the foul smell and bitter taste of the trees. Anna has
taken this Herculean task to remove all the poisonous trees from
the country. The government is against this reformation as the politi-
cians and the bureaucrats are against this movement as they have
vested interest in watering the forestry. This social ailment has the
spiritual aspect. This particular mode of treatment still not known to
Anna Hazare and the parties joined his movement. Mr. Hazare no
doubt has big dispensary to treat the patients but could not diag-
nose the actual ailment in addition to this the government has
become a stumbling block in the way of Anna.. The patients who
are suffering are becoming more serious and challenging Anna
Every one including the government want the correct mode of treat-
ment but they lack the knowledge of the medicine. The only medi-
cine to this ailment is the strong faith in God and feels that we are
in perfect vision of God and every man is answerable before Him
Dr Maqdoomi Hyderabad
drmaqdoomi@yahoo.com
X
This [AIMMM statement] is a good move.Muslims must voice their
concern on all vital issues confronting the nation, .poltical isolation
has pushed the community to the wall.Muslims must play a positive
role in public opinion building.
Nasir Hussain Peerzadah,
Srinagar, J&K
nhpzd07@gmail.com
Is it a real victory of Libyans?
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has clearly lost power, it is not certain
who has gained it. The anti-regime militiamen that are now stream-
ing into the capital were united by a common enemy in Gaddafi but
not much else. The Transitional National Council (TNC) in
Benghazi, already recognised by so many foreign states as the
legitimate government of Libya, is of dubious legitimacy and author-
ity. There is another problem in ending the war. It has never been a
straight trial of strength between two groups of Libyans because of
the decisive role of Nato air strikes. The insurgents themselves
admit that without the air war waged on their behalf with 7,459 air
strikes on pro-Gaddafi targets they would be dead or in flight. The
question, therefore, remains open as to how the rebels can peace-
ably convert their foreign-assisted victory on the battlefield into a
stable peace acceptable to all parties in Libya. What happened in
Afghanistan? The anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan won military
success by foreign air support. They then used this temporary pre-
dominance arrogantly and disastrously to establish a regime
weighted against the Pashtun community. In Iraq, the Americans
over-confident after the easy defeat of Saddam Hussein dissolved
the Iraqi army and excluded former members of the Baath party
from jobs and power, giving them little choice but to fight. Most
Iraqis were glad to see the end of Saddam Hussein, but the strug-
gle to replace him almost destroyed the country. Will the same thing
happen in Libya? In Tripoli, as in most oil states, the government
provides most jobs and many Libyans did well under the old regime.
How will they now pay for being on the losing side? The air was
thick yesterday with calls from the TNC for their fighters to avoid
acts of retaliation. The TNC has produced guidelines for ruling the
country post-Gaddafi, which is intended to ensure that law and
order should be maintained, people fed and public services contin-
ued. It is far too early to know if this is a piece of foreign-inspired
wishful thinking or will have some beneficial effect on develop-
ments. We hope many of those celebrating in the streets of Tripoli
and cheering the advancing rebel columns will expect their lives to
get better. They will be disappointed if this does not happen.
Kodimirpal
via e mail
Death of RTI activists Sahela Masood
The mysterious death of Sahela Masood an RTI activist must be
condemned by civil society members and general public. While RTI
seems to have proved damp squib, Lokpal bill catches media atten-
tion across the country, besides passing buck between the govt and
the civil society. The way RTI activists has fallen prey to anti social
element, it appears neither Lokpal nor Lokayukt will prove effective
unless society is preached values and ethics. Will Anna Hazare do
any thing to get the killer penalised?
Wakeel Ahmad
Gaya
wakeeldel@gmail.com
Muslim taxi driver a terrorist in the eyes of police
Mumbai police captured Ghulam Sarwar Hashmi a taxi driver of
Faras Road, Nagpada area of Mumbai claiming him to be a terror-
ist. While on fast Ghulam Sarwar Hashmi was treated like anti
social element and harassed without any proof. A lady passenger
informed Tardeo police station about Ghulam looks like terrorist and
listen to Jehadi speeches. Police caught Ghulam on 19 Aug. Abu
Asim Azmi leader of S.P. informed the persecution of police to inno-
cent Rozedaar Muslim taxi driver and wrote a letter to ATS Chief
Rakesh Maria. In fact, Muslims are made sacrificial lamb in the sea-
son of terrorism to be showcases as culprit of terror and security
departments including intelligent wing would put their face to public
in the name of fighting terror.
S. Haque, Patna
Monaticism and Islam
There is a long tradition of monasticism in the history of world reli-
gions. There is obvious practice in Christianity. Monasticism is very
much in vogue in Christianity. In some period even the marriage
was not allowed. The institute of marriage was dispensable for the
continuation of human race. Christians felt that their progeny will
stop if they dont marry. Therefore they allowed as indispensable
sin. In those days wordiness was so sinful that monasts hate to take
bath. There were number of monasts who did not take bath even
once in a year. Several of them were abstained from taking bath till
their death. Such monasts were considered to be the high ranking
monasts. In Hinduism the concept of sannyas is pretty old. In
Hindus particular sect had to adapt this concept. The superior
castes of Hindus are Brahmins; among Brahmins the Suryawanshi
Brahmins are superior. They are recognized as highly spiritual sect.
They are authorized to comment and explain the Holy Scriptures.
The history of religions except Islam, they were meant for particular
religion and their area of operation was limited. For example,
Hinduism did not cross the geographical borders after the laps of
6000 years. Buddhism crossed Indian borders as a compulsion.
Brahmins viewed Buddhism as an insurgency and it was ousted
from the centre of Hinduism. Therefore, Buddhist left to other
places. Christianity was meant for a particular period. It was vitiat-
ed after the advent of Islam. The religions excluding Islam were not
comprehensive. They were limited to certain age and area. With the
result, they were divided in pieces. For them it became easier to
adopt Monasticism.
Dr Maqdoomi Hyderabad
drmaqdoomi@yahoo.com
Spiritual and moral values need of the hour
Corruption, scams, scandals have become order of the day. These
are symptoms of the malady of materialism and moral and spiritual
degradation. No doubt misuse of religion for political purpose is dis-
astrous for country. But we must realise that religion means human-
ism and morality and these have nothing to do with communalism
and narrow mindedness. Material advancement without moral and
spiritual progress is tragically meaningless. The tragedy of econom-
ically advanced countries of the world bears testimony to it. Their
materialistic ideologies have spoiled their social and family life.
Lack of peace of mind, horrible number of suicides, juvenile delin-
quency, drug addiction, frequent divorces, mental disorders, ghast-
ly crimes, sexual anarchy etc. is some of the fruits of materialistic
ways of life. A new socioeconomic political order based on spiritual,
moral and humanitarian values is the need of the hour.
G. Hasnain Kaif
Bhandara (M.S.) 441904
No Muslim freedom fighter!
It is really sad and matter of deep anguish that Indians do not know
Muslim freedom fighter. Hindustan Times G.K. carried out in 12
cities and interviewed 1233 respondents between the ages of 16-25
yrs. To know name one or more freedom fighters other than Gandhi
and Nehru. H.T. (15 Aug. 2011) published the result 21 names
(Bhagat Singh to Anna Hazare) but no Muslim name appeared even
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Saifuddin
Kichlu, Md. Ali Johar, Rafi Ahmad Kidwai and even Batakh mian
who save Gandhiji life etc. are forgotten? Lakhs of Ulama who were
hanged like Ashfaqullah without Muslim sacrifices freedom was
impossible.
S. Haque,Patna
Experiment with language
With technology taking a central part in our lifestyle, today our
teenagers are avoiding the use of broad vocabulary and complex
words and favour abbreviated words. The main concern is that
school kids are so used to using alphanumeric characters instead
of full words, that they use the same short language in the exami-
nations. Thus we see an overall level of the language which has
fallen drastically; and teens are now devising their words and lan-
guage. Teachers can see an increase in the number of students
using u for you, r for is, b4u for before you and many more.
The proof of the usage of text messaging language in exams
increased after a student handed an essay written completely in
text message shorthand, much to the bemusement of the teacher.
Though such usage of words are seen quiet rampant in our socie-
ty, however, the linguistic experts feel that such a move would spoil
the pleasure of reading, having to work out all the abbreviations,
and would be aimed just at the teenage markets. Thus we see
protests from language-lovers all across the globe, who feel that
word limit on various social networking sites along with incessant
testing has hampered the comprehension skills of the students.
Lastly, with technology here long to stay, experts need to work on
this issue and device methods which can stop people ruining their
language while they write.
Mohd Ziyaullah Khan, Nagpur 440013
writeziya@gmail.com
Riot deaths record
The Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has demanded CBI
inquiry in the Kashmiri Pandits killing and as per record collected by
KPSS 399 Kashmiri Pandit lost their lives since last two decades.
(MG/1-15 August 2011/page 4) In media we see records of persons
killed in terror events. Even media present how many persons and
police personnel killed years wise in terror events. But no authentic
records displayed in media that how many persons killed in riots
and how many riots/year wise took place. Minority Commissions
NGOs and Muslim groups must collect such data and the cases
registered and cases closed by police. These records would help to
fight for Justice.
S. Haque, Patna
Aarakshan
By giving reservation to certain community is at the same time cer-
tifying it is low in all respects. It tantamount that the youths of that
community are genetically lacking the talent as the youths of other
communities has got. This reservation policy is indirectly supporting
the worn Ashram belief of Hinduism. The Dalit youths who are
favouring reservation at the cost of their self respect, are forgoing
the honour and dignity of their community. Rather they have forgot-
ten the credit of self respect. Their equality is imperfect in financial
matters and has only in political field. The builders of constitution
wanted reservation for about ten years or so but it is continuing till
now. If Mr. Ambedker had been alive he would not have favoured
the reservation policy. Our political parties want political gain but
they are not worried about the disrespect of a large community. If
Ambedker would have embraced Islam, Dalits would have enjoyed
equality in the Muslim world. But he accepted Buddhism. His follow-
ers though got out from Hinduism but could not gain equal status in
the society. If the film Aarakansan has impressed on this point it
was good. But being a man of high caste he may not have pointed
out this angle of vision. This reservation policy has made crores of
Dalit youths to suffer with inferiority complex which in turn make
them handicap in all branches of science and technology. I think
there is need of another Ambedker who will bring this change in the
mindset of Dalits not a film.
Dr Maqdoomi, Hyderabad
drmaqdoomi@yahoo.com
Why an IPS and SC famous lawyer need a face
Sanjeev Bhatt and Rahul Sharma are the IPS officers who chal-
lenged the oppressive power in Gujarat. Mr. Kiran Bedi the first lady
IPS and winner of many awards have launched agitation against
corruption with leading Supreme Court lawyers Prashant Bhushan
under Anna Hazare. What are the reasons behind such persons like
Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan needed Anna Hazare? Indians
are puzzled to solve this mystery? Are they are using Anna as face
to lure people or there is a deep conspiracy behind the scene?
Muslims must know answers of many such questions before sup-
porting Anna agitation.
S. Haque, Patna
A sand castle
Ascene that is repeated every summer at the beach is a child build-
ing a sand castle with his bucket, his plastic shovel, the rake and
over all with its hands. Perhaps on their way to the beach he was
thinking about how it would be : with towers, battlements, doors,
windows, a moat and an outer walls. With his intelligence and imag-
ination he formed an idea, a project design. Then, on the beach,
that design became a reality in reality and it was the admiration of
his family and others who were walking on the beach and were
amazed at the art work. But this castle was not built alone. It took
intelligence, design, hands, tools and a job excited. Neither the uni-
verse nor the wonders of nature have been done alone. Scientists
increasingly advocate the need for a higher intelligence and a pre-
vious design that is the cause of it. Although other scientists, usual-
ly atheists, argue that everything has been produced by the forces
of nature and chance.
But the reality is stubborn. The winds and hurricanes have
never built a castle with sand. In the sandy deserts, dunes are built
for the wind, but nothing more. Earthquakes can destroy homes,
apartment buildings and bridges but have never built a castle sand
with towers, battlements, moats and ramparts. What about volca-
noes? Can be tremendous clouds of toxic smoke and lava can bury
with an entire city.
But it is clear that the winds, hurricanes, earthquakes, volca-
noes and other forces of nature can destroy many things, but not to
construct any piece of architecture, painting, music, even a sand
castle they do every summer thousands of children in all the world's
beaches.
The universe is a wonderful building, millions of stars, planets,
satellites and other bodies rotating at high speed along their orbits,
with a precision that amazes us how much more we know.
For some scientists has been formed and is maintained by the
forces of nature alone and by chance, by chance and random play.
But other scientists these reasons do not prove anything. One of
those most distinguished scientists of modern science such as
Albert Einstein wrote: "Chance? - I will never believe that God plays
dice with the world "
Arturo Ramo, Spain
arturo@aplicaciones.info
Bihar Government starts action against irresponsible probe
officials of Bhagalpur riots
Muslims badly suffered due to police, politicians and press (3-Ps)
why our police has become like this so that S. C. has to rap Delhi
police for callous probe in cash-for-vote scam (15 July 2011), S. C.
has to pull up Delhi police for Ramdev crackdown (11 July 2011).
We dont think that why S. C. had to tell to hang cops involved in
fake encounters (08 Aug. 2011) why S. C. were bound to tell that
how long forces would escape after community rape and killings (16
June 2011)
Why our police and security agencies reached the lowest level
so that S. C. has to take serious not of their character? We are not
ready to think over this? Because we spoilt our police and security
agencies character when police fired upon innocent Memajis in
Moradabad Eidgah we patted them. When police killed 48 Muslims
on the Hindon river bank those were picked for interrogation we did
not take any action against killer cops. When police played silent
spectator role during anti Muslim riots we parised their irresponsible
behaviour. Now the result the nation has face.
But now Bihar govt. has started action probing officials of the
cases of Bhagalpur anti Muslim riots those who closed the riot
cases without proper investigations. The police department started
departmental proceedings against 22 investigating officials of the
riot cases who submitted final reports recommending sure of cases
without proper investigation.
If the severe punishments are given to irresponsible investigat-
ing official would certainly make officials to think to be dutiful as S.
C. said hang those involved in fake encounter.
S. Haque, Patna
Peerzada Saeed Husain Khan
The whole AMU fraternity is going to miss Dr. Peerzada (MG, pre-
vious issue) , an embodiment of the True Culture of Tahzeeb and
Akhlaqiyaat...an electric Mix of Lucknow and A.M.U spirit. I had
been a part of his condolence meeting on 31st July @ Lucknow ,
Where i was educated about his contribution towards Alma mater
and was a leading scientist of his times in the field of plant patholo-
gist and seed morphology. His contribution in various books on the
subject of plants in Quran & Medicinal plants needs special men-
tion. His Milli approach makes his true torch bearer of Aligarh
Mission. Lets do dua-e-maqfarat for the departed soul and hope his
family members and friends carry forward his work . Ameen !
Ahmad
(on MG website)
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POSTED ON 26-27 AUG 2011 ADV. FORTNIGHTLY AT KALKAJI HPO ND-19
The Milli Gazette
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New Delhi 110025 India Tel.: 011-2694 7483 Email: edit@milligazette.com
32 The Milli Gazette, 1-15 September 2011
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Your charity becomes the
steps for the upliftment of
the under-privilideged in our
the society. Donate today to
CHARITY ALLIANCE
See page 25 inside.